My Favorite Things - Winter Survival

Okay, so I'm not Oprah and I can't give away my favorite things but I thought I would share what has helped me through the winter. Most of the items are free so enjoy!
* a short disclaimer - I was not asked to review these products and have not received anything in return.

InStyle Magazine has been my favorite for years! Due to SAHM budget cuts, I no longer have a subscription. I check out their website and treat myself to one every now and then! It has helped with the long trips traveling home for the holidays and snow days!




This is one of my newest favorite things! J's Everyday Fashion. This is a blog by J who loves fashion and gives great examples of outfits you can create on a realistic budget! I promise, REALISTIC! Love her style and I check out her FB page daily to see her latest fashion creation! I am finally down to my pre-baby weight,  after five years and two kids, so I need all the inspiration I can get!

 

As a SAHM this is my weekday go to outfit. Long sleeved tee and jeans. I throw on my jacket and I'm out the door headed to preschool and to run any errands I may have that day.

Word World is a PBS show that my kids LOVE. I love it too because my 21 month old daughter can identify all her letters (and has been since about 19 months) thanks to this show. They watch an episode everyday while I get dinner ready. I definitely recommend checking your local PBS station to see if it's on their schedule. We have 40 episodes DVR'd! My husband and I are amazed at how the animators figure out how to make everything out of letters that spell out what the object is.



I use Olay Daily Exfoliating Body Wash all the time. It's not really abrasive and a bottle lasts for a long time! I also love the way it smells!

The Mini Wallet Miracle

Okay, so some of you requested to see my mini wallet when it arrived so here it is...

So adorable and it has been awesome! I received it last Wednesday and have only taken my purse with me once (when I went by myself to the Dr.). Having my hands free and no purse falling off my shoulder while I'm carrying B has been great!

I'll give a shoutout to the Etsy shop where I purchased my wallet, Ms Nizbit. I have not been asked to review this product. I searched for and purchased this item. It's a great handmade piece and very inexpensive so why not share the love?! It was hard to choose a fabric because there were a lot of pretty ones but I chose the black figuring it wouldn't show dirt as easily. They are washable though.

I'd love to hear of products you found that made your life easier! No self promoting please.

Weekend Blog Hops!

Found a lot of great blogs through these hops last week! So, I'm participating again!

Easy Guac for Superbowl Sunday

So, we are not big football fans in our house but we do watch the Superbowl every year. My husband has requested, "a variety of dips and chicken wings" for our menu. 

I figured many of you will plan similar menus whether for just your family or for a Superbowl party so I thought I would share this super easy guacamole recipe. It is so easy it's embarrassing. I must say that I didn't eat guacamole before I tried this recipe. Now we eat it all the time and it's super good for your kids!

All you need is two avocados and one jar of Herdez salsa. Yep, that's it!

Scoop out the avocados, mash them up to your desired consistency and pour in the whole jar of salsa and stir to mix. Your done!

I've tried other salsas and they just don't taste as good but I suppose you could try others if they don't carry Herdez in your local market.

Remember to make this right before you plan to serve it because it will turn brown quickly.

I could live off of this stuff! I use the mild salsa so it's not too spicy for my kids (they are 4 and 1) and they gobble it up!

(mostly) WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

MOVIE NIGHT

TUTU GIVEAWAY WINNER

Thanks to everyone who participated!

If you didn't win, don't fret! Got to my shop, Sweet Baby Tutus, and enter the code SBTBLOG for a 10% discount on all items, including my birthday sets!! See, you can still have your favorite!

AND THE WINNER IS...

LISA D.

CONGRATULATIONS!

She will receive a Sweet Baby Tutus Pink & White Princess Tutu!

This giveaway was a great success and there will be more giveaways in the future. If you would like for me to host a giveaway for you, just send an email. Family friendly items only please.

My Purse Has Become A Casualty

For some reason over the last few months I have come to despise carrying a purse. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE LOVE bags! My collection has dwindled since I became a SAHM but I still love to look, dream and grab the occasional deal.

My daughter is 21 months I am making lots of trips to the Post Office, Wal-Mart, fabric stores and craft stores thanks to my Etsy shop. My very cute Jessica Simpson bag I bought at a steal after Christmas is more of a burden than a wonderful fashion statement. I can't tell you how many not so nice words have been uttered under my breath as I dig for my keys or lip balm in the black hole of my purse.

So, today I bit the bullet and ordered a very cute handmade mini wallet keychain from a fellow Etsy seller. Think back to your college years and the not - so - mini keychain wallet you carried your precious student ID in and you will get the picture.

Sadly, I can't wait for my purchase to arrive at my door and be freed of my purse for most of my daily errands. I will still use my purses. They make me very happy! But only when I know I'm not carrying a 21 month old on one arm and holding the hand of a very active four year old with the other.

Have you given up something that seemed so simple but made your life a lot easier after it was gone?