Fall Food Essentials You NEED This Season!

This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx, 

regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own.

It's officially fall, in most areas of the country, anyways... We've been lucky enough to have a few cool days here in Florida and I'm fully embracing it. We've busted out our sweaters and boots and we're READY for it. With the weather slightly changing and the days getting shorter, this has to be one of my all-time favorite seasons of the year - even if we don't necessarily get the freezing cold.

I love to bust out the pumpkin spice and pull out recipes that leave me feeling full and ready to hibernate. This year, I'm embracing the change in seasons and spoiling my family with a box of goodies from Babbleboxx that make me love this season even more than I already did.

Want to hear what came in this fantastic fall Babbleboxx? I'm sure you do... it's all so good!

We'll start with the Organic Herbal Flavored Waters from Trader Joe's. With Organic Lemon Ginger and Organic Lemongrass Spearmint, made from organic herbal extracts, it's easy to see why I've become a big fan and will be adding these hydrating forms of h2o to our regular shopping list.

The subtle flavors are just enough to add some zing, making these easy to drink and quenching my thirst. I'm also ready to guzzle these down because they are so incredibly CLEAN! With zero calories, zero sugar, and zero sweeteners added and being USDA certified organic, I can drink all the flavored water I want without worrying about ruining my diet. Grab a couple of these Lemon Ginger and Lemongrass Spearment flavored waters the next time you stop into Trader Joe's.

On the same token of having to worry less, the Negg has eased my worries and it is a complete lifesaver. Instead of taking forever to peel hard boiled eggs for recipes, I'm able to quickly complete the task with my Negg. Peeling eggs with this gadget seriously couldn't be easier, just add water and shake... and your egg is naked! So who wants Deviled Eggs?

I'm swimming in peeled eggs now that I have this epic peeler and I'm guaranteeing you this is one of those devices you'll love and want to use again and again!

Speaking of wanting to use something again and again, Babbleboxx sent a recipe book over that I'll obviously be using repeatedly. The Noodle Soup Oracle: Hundreds of Possibilities for the World's Favorite Comfort Food, is full of delicious recipes that involve so many different amazing toppings, but more specifically you'll have a couple of AMAZING ways to use the naked eggs.

This isn't a typical soup cookbook though, it's a lot more mix-and-match, first you choose your noodles, next your soup, then add your proteins and choose your veggies and any other toppings you may want as well. This book walks you through it all and helps you find the perfect pairings. Whether you're looking for a hearty, homey meal or something charming to find your sweetie, I promise this book has you covered and you'll find a delicious recipe within!

Speaking of having you covered regarding a recipe, this meal I whipped up for D and myself is definitely one I'm proud of. We both love cuddling up with a good bowl of pasta and I love sneaking veggies in her diet, so making this recipe with Ragu Creamy Alfredo with Cauliflower was a no-brainer.

She LOVED her "cheesy noodles" and scarfed it down quicker than most meals, unknowingly eating cauliflower! I loved the ease of just opening up the jar of delicious Ragu, making noodles, chopping up bacon, and adding sun-dried tomatoes. I mean, I made a truly gourmet meal in just a few minutes - that's a real win in this house!

Want to give this yummy sauce a try and maybe squeeze more veggies into your diet? It's apparently only available at Walmart, so grab a jar of the New Ragu Creamy Alfredo with Cauliflower on your next trip!

Last but certainly not least, the fruitons! I'm a huge fan of fruitons now because they are a super easy (and delicious) way to add real fruit to your diet. Flavorful, nutritious, and convenient. Whether I'm adding the cherries to salads, ice cream, and granola, it's always a hit in this house. With Tomatoes being a fruit, you better believe I was stoked to add Sun-dried tomatoes to everything, but our favorite way to use the sun-dried tomatoes is inside pasta and salads, these add the perfect flavor to every dish though. Looking for a simple way to eat healthier? Start with fruitons!

Who else is fall OBSESSED? Tell me your favorite way to indulge in the season... or share your favorite fall-inspired recipe in the comments below!

Epic Deals on Amazon!

Just a friendly reminder, I'm an Amazon Affiliate. This means when you make a purchase from Amazon, I make a tiny bit of money from you using my links. It's not adding to your total, just giving me a tiny percentage for 'referring' you! So happy shopping, ladies and gentlemen!

Any other Amazon addicted mamas out there? I literally spend hours browsing for the best deals and love finding awesome prices on items I would be buying anyways... so today I thought I'd share some STELLAR deals with you... on a little bit of everything.

This DEAL on a full and beautiful Christmas tree has me DYING! 80% off when you add to cart and go to check out - making it $30!

 This deal on a portable waterproof speaker is mind blowing! It's 70% off... and while it says it's sold out, you can buy now and it'll be delivered soon! Save money and get an awesome way to listen to your tunes - at just $15 grab a few and give them out to your friends!

Need a new comforter? Here's the cutest pinch pleated comforter in both a gorgeous shade of grey and teal for just $14.50! This deal is too good to pass up!

Does your kiddo need a coat for winter? This deal is UNREAL! With 80% savings, this checks out at just $8 and a few pennies for the cutest puffy jacket! Buy one now... and stay warm all winter long!

Another item for kids that's bound to be a hit is these awesome kid friendly digital cameras! We got D a similar one for her 3rd birthday and she LOVES it... she's definitely a little budding photographer and I bet your little one will be too! These beauties are 50% making them under $20 and perfect for tiny little artists!

Fellow Floridians will want to grab one of these adorable Fleece jackets that are 80% off right now, making them only $5! I want for D in every color but Grey is on the top of my list, check out the light blue, hot pink, and light pink!

Want to treat yourself to something different? I've recently become a huge fan of dermarolling or microneedling and this set is SUCH a good deal - you have to give it a try! It helps your skin produce collagen and it also helps products get into your pores - which is a must when trying to keep your skin looking young. Get this beauty for 10% off today!

Love this post? Want more epic deals? Let me know and I'll keep adding more to the blog so you can shop and save easily!

cx

Wheel around in Style with Best Buy!

This post is sponsored by Best Buy.

Are you ready? Things are likely starting to pick up in your classes and you're probably feeling the pressure from your teachers to study more and play less... or maybe you're a mama to a middle schooler who needs a quick way to speed home to study?

The Jetson Quest Electric Scooter is a great new way to get around town! I mean, what's not to love about a quick and efficient way to get anywhere? Whether you're scooting around a college campus or heading to the beach - an electric scooter may be the way to really "go places" this semester!

The best part is, you can speed down sidewalks and beat the traffic with this little gadget. The 250w hub motor helps you travel around 18 miles at 15mph, making scooting around town a breeze. Designed to absorb shock and easily portable, this may be the best set of wheels for everyone mobile in your family, suitable for ages 13+!

Have you ever though about owning a scooter? NOW is the time! Check out this option and more over at Best Buy!

Ride Responsibly:

The purchaser and rider of this product are responsible for knowing and obeying all state and local regulations regarding the use of this product. It is highly encouraged that you read and follow the product instructions including all safety precautions and use protective gear. Protective gear can be found at http://www.bestbuy.com/protectivegear.

Head Back to School in Style with a Hover-1!

This post is sponsored by Best Buy.

Heading back to school in style is a goal for everyone, right? We all love to look cool and it's easy to do so with Best Buy on your side.

This year I'm actually not heading back to school myself, but I'm reflecting on those days and feeling a little nostalgic. One thing I remember about my school days was having transportation was a must... I mean, the buses existed, but we never rode them. From riding on the back of boys bikes to riding around in cars with my bestie, we always needed our own wheels. One set of wheels I wish we would have had access to though, was the Hover-1 Journey!

This fancy little electric scooter has a full 16-mile battery life, a 14 MPH top speed, and a bright LED headlight for safety - everything necessary for a little sidewalk excursion after school and fast enough to speed home and have a snack before getting back out on the town!

Plus, the Hover-1 Journey folds neatly in half for easy storage - just pop this 27lbs little gadget into your locker and head on over to your classes.

Interested in learning more...? Find details on this beauty and more electric scooters, plus electric bikes and boards at Best Buy today!

Just a reminder, please ride responsibly! The purchaser and rider of this product are responsible for knowing and obeying all state and local regulations regarding the use of this product. It is highly encouraged that you read and follow the product instructions including all safety precautions and use protective gear. Protective gear can be found at http://www.bestbuy.com/protectivegear.

Sharing my "I am Loved" Story... {& a Helzberg Giveaway!}

This post is sponsored by Helzberg Diamonds but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Did you know when Barnett Helzberg proposed to his other half, Shirley Bush in 1967, he felt a true spark and thought to himself, everyone should feel this, everyone should feel loved? This totally romantic thought inspired the "I Am Loved" lapel pin that Helzberg is so aptly known for. These simple little symbols of can be found around the world, expressing love of all kinds and that's just so incredible to me.

Love is one of those things that can always evolve and grow, but it's a constant too. I've grown up with so much love in my life, from family members showing me they care when they absolutely didn't "have to", to having friends go above and beyond and showing me their true colors in the best way possible. I've been blessed to have a lot of love in my life, but I truly didn't know what love was until I saw my daughter for the first time.

I can remember the rush of incredible emotions I felt the second they laid her down upon my chest. The way she looked into my eyes, the feeling of her knowing I was mama. It was INCREDIBLE. That first look into her eyes is what got me hooked on her love... and well, I've been wrapped around her finger ever since.

I overflow with adoration for her when I catch a glimpse of her admiring me now. I can't even handle how she imitates my every move and I especially melt when she spins her hair through her little fingers and bashfully tells me "Mama, I love you so much". Her little love is SO pure, it's the biggest and most fulfilling love I've ever experienced. I am so thankful for her love and I know she feels the same way about me... and that's truly what makes our love so special.

While she may test me at times, our love is like no other... and that's how I know I am truly loved.

Do you have a special love story? Whether it's the love of your sweet baby girl or the adoration you feel from your husband, share a photo with #IAmLovedContest and finish the sentence "I know I am loved because..." for a chance to win a $250 gift card to Helzberg Diamonds! Want more information, find it here.

My Curly Girl Secret and How I'm Healing my Hair with Giovanni!

This post is sponsored by Giovanni, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Having curly hair has always been a struggle for me. I'm constantly fighting the frizz and trying to tame the 'fro or straightening it and then watching humidity change that back into some funky frizzy mess. I felt like I had tried everything, I started resorting to pony tails ALL THE TIME because I've never really found something that makes me say 'OH, wow' about my natural hair texture -- until now, that is.

I recently started using Giovanni and the products I've added into my curl routine are a legit GAME CHANGER. It's like I brought some of the salon magic hairstylist always seem to have home with me, except these aren't just available from salons - they're for everyone and available at most health food stores (and some grocers too).

Why health food stores for hair products? Well, Giovanni is not just a salon-quality brand, it's an "eco-chic", vegan-friendly and cruelty-free company as well. They are the epitome of what every hair company should strive to be. Great smelling, effective, and more natural than anything else I've ever used. All of their products are made containing no harsh chemicals or toxic ingredients and they've never tested on animals - so they're pretty much the coolest, in that sense. Speaking of being cool, I'm obsessed with the fact that the whole line seems to be tailored to fit my hairstyle, yet it's so versatile and can be used for so many hair types and textures.

That's the thing though, they've got this "hair thang" figured out. Not surprisingly though, since Giovanni has been bridging the gap between natural and salon quality since 1979 and they've developed a trusted formula that is already transforming my hair texture in just a few washes!

How is that even possible?

The Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner I was sent have a super luxurious lather to them that soothes my dry (overly processed from all of the dying) hair, while gently cleansing to help keep the hair smooth and calm. Being free of lauryl and laureth sulfate, parabens, and other harsh chemicals makes my hair so happy.

The Giovanni L.A. Hold Styling Gel grabs onto style and holds on tight with extreme hold. It's the strongest gel they offer, but doesn't leave your hair feeling "crispy" like other gels. It helps control frizz and increase shine with surface enhancers, while again still being cruelty-free.

The The Frizz Be Gone Hair Serum is what I'm really bragging about today, though. This liquid style enhancer is what frizzy haired girls like me are dying to find. It creates the perfect sealant, helping to control frizz, add shine, infuse with conditioners, and lock in hair color. Living in Florida, you know it's humid and this heavy-duty, yet light-weight in texuture, hair serum is the answer to the muggy, afro-puff-inducing- humidity that we all hate dealing with. Not only does it make my hair less wild, it helps smooth and detangle while stopping breakage AND provides heat protection while sealing in color!

Lastly, The Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner restores strength and luster for abused hair, while moisturizing and building body. The best part is, it helps with detangling and makes for easy styling - that's a serious win in my book and my curls agree.


While my hair is still "healing" from all of the damage I've done to it over the years, I'm already seeing my curls bounce back and the texture feels so much less brittle and overworked. If you're struggling with hair insecurities, I'm going to tell you right now - Giovanni is the only brand you can trust. I haven't found any other brand that beats the salon quality and performance of Giovanni hair products. Their Eco Chic line is truly the best out there and they make products for each and every hair type! Straight, wavy, curly, or coily - be prepared to see your hair at it's healthiest. Check out the website to find which line will work best for you!

5 Ways to Make "That Time of The Month" More Bearable

This post is sponsored by Summer’s Eve® , but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Let me start by saying, today's post is for the ladies only - now that we have that covered, let's get to chatting.

I know talking about our lady bits can be a little... ahem, awkward. But really, it shouldn't be. We all have the same parts, we all have similar worries, and most of us have to deal with a monthly visitor that we don't necessarily like.

While I sadly haven't created a "cure" for that time of the month, I have found a few ways to make it a little bit more manageable. So instead of laying around in pain or picking your appearance apart in the mirror, use these tips to help you get the most out of life, even when Aunt Flo is visiting.

5 Ways to Make "That Time of The Month" More Bearable

1. Be sure to pamper yourself -

Do something YOU love to do. For me, it's crafting or taking pictures. While this isn't an instant fix, doing something that makes you happy will most definitely transform your mood - PMS or not.

2. Take a Second to Freshen Up -

It's truly not something anyone talks about, but sometimes we need to freshen up our lady bits while dealing with our period. It's nothing to be ashamed of, it's life.

Earlier this week while cramping and pouting I decided to soothe my woes with a trip to Target... I scored big time and found a hidden gem, the NEW Summer’s Eve® FreshCycle™ Cleansing Cloths. I was just trying to find the cure to my miserableness in the feminine products aisle and I instantly knew I had to try them... and well, the rest is history. I was officially hooked.

Once I tried the Cleansing Cloths I knew I had to give the Feminine Cleansing Wash a try too... and it didn't disappoint. With just the right amount of fragrance to leave me feeling fresh and confident, these pH balanced products do the trick and leave me feeling fresh - even when I'm not feeling fantastic thanks to my period!

Want to make sure your feeling as fresh and confident as you can be while you are dealing with Aunt Flo? Check out Target and use this coupon to score a great deal on these New Summer’s Eve® FreshCycle™ products!

3. Empower Yourself & Gain Knowledge-

I know there's a million sources of information coming at you. From blogs, to books, to social media, to the tv. But choosing to supply your brain with pointless information is literally draining you. This is something you should practice all month long, year round, but let's start with today. Empower your mind. Choose a self-help book, watch a documentary about self-improvement, or even just turn off social media and meditate in a quiet space.

4. Dress the Part -

Even when I absolutely don't feel like it, getting dressed always helps me snap into a better mood. Grab a cute dress, preferably one with pockets and head on out on the town... or just hang out in your backyard. For me, changing clothes can change my mindset, test it out and see for yourself.

5. Track Your Life -

Keep track of your symptoms to really get to know yourself and how your cycle is going to happen. Instead of the dreaded mishap of ruining your favorite white pants, keep yourself up to date on when Aunt Flo is expected to arrive with one of several apps available! Not only will this make life easier, it'll also help you plan things like vacations and other fun activities outside of your time of the month.

So tell me, how do you fight the period funk most of us seem to get? I'd love some more tips and tricks to make me feel better when Aunt Flo is visiting!

Make a Difference with Your Water!

This post is sponsored by Brita, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

As you may or may not know, my word for this year is 'revive', so I'm doing my best to breathe life back into every aspect of my life. From sprucing up our house by changing the furniture all around to switching up our daily routines, I'm all about improving old habits and letting go of those that no longer serve me or those around me.

One way that I've recently started to revive our home (and well, our bigger 'home' a.k.a. mother nature) is making a change for the better with our new Brita pitcher. After hearing the shocking news that 2,000 water bottles are being used every single second, with each one taking 450 years to decompose, they estimate in 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish! After hearing startling facts like that, it's easy to come to the conclusion that something needs to change immediately, so that's what we did! As a family, we made a change in how we get our water and we aren't looking back.

With a quick trip to Target we all nixed our plastic-y bottle habit, grabbed a few super cool reusable bottles, and added a Brita Longlast Pitcher into our daily routines. It was an easy choice to make when I realized that our Brita not only helps save the planet, but actually helps provide us with better water than anything we were buying by the bottle.

How so? Well, Brita actually reduces 99% of the lead in tap water, as well as mercury, chlorine, benzene, and more! I can already taste the difference and the best part is, the longlast filters mean we will be able to taste the delightful difference in the water for a long while and we won't have to buy a new filter for around 6 months or so! That means we are able to save some cash each time we hit the grocery store since we no longer have to buy water!

So tell me, are you ready to ditch the plastic and get hydrated with Brita? Get the details here.