Nanny to Mommy

I received complimentary products to share this post. All opinions are my own.

 

I lie to my kids. There I said it. Feels good to have that weight lifted off my chest.
If you don't have kids, or thinking about having kids, or a new parent and you are sitting there reading this and thinking, "I'm NEVER going to lie to my children." Never say never, my dear friend. Because you will one day. And when you first do it, you may not even think that's it's a lie. And then you think, well it didn't hurt anyone. A white lie is still a lie.
I lie to my kids and have no shame in doing so.

 

Things I lie to my kids about:

1. Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, & The Tooth Fairy. We also do Elf on The Shelf. We use theses tactics to get our kids to clean their room, be "good" at the grocery store, and other little things. I have fond memories of the first three I mentioned and I want to continue that tradition with my children. Just because we have been using the same lie so long, doesn't make it the truth.

2. "That toy is broken". When I really took out the batteries because it wouldn't stop making noises randomly in the middle of the night, freaking me out, and thinking someone was breaking in.

3. "You ate the last cookie yesterday." I really are the last cookie. Sorry, kid. But let's avoid a meltdown as much as possible.

Let’s face it, we all lie. White lies make life easier for us (the park is closed today) or make our kids happy (Santa Claus is coming!). Young kids make up stories as they learn the difference between fact and fiction, while older kids sometimes lie to cover for each other or to keep themselves out of trouble. I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team and Netflix has put together a list of kid-friendly titles related to lying and honesty for you that can help.

I received complimentary products to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

BeliBea is a new innovative maternity bra line designed by mothers for mothers, developed to help women focus on the joy of their new babies by making nursing more comfortable and less stressful. The line combines the best of traditional maternity bras with an improved feminine shape and custom fit for better comfort.

I received complimentary products to share this recipe. All opinions are my own.

I recently received the Very Healthy Spiral Slicer from Varietyland to review and some Tuttorosso products, so I thought I would recreate this recipe. It was a little more complicated than I tend to cook, but I was able to do it. t was also a little on the pricey side, but so are healthier meal options. My picture looks NOTHING like the original, but this meal was still super yummy. Hubby wants to add it to our regular recipes...I said, "We'll see."

I received complimentary products to share this post. All opinions are my own.

Welcome to the Something Special for Mom Giveaway Hop hosted by the Lindsey Blogs and Viva Veltoro. Mother’s Day will be here before you know it, which is why a group of fabulous bloggers have come together to share gifts and giveaways that are perfect for the special lady in your life - or maybe even yourself!

 

I am excited to be giving away a beautiful White Angel New Bone China Tea Set with Cup Hanger from EnjoyingTea.com. This new bone china tea set is the perfect companion for enjoying loose tea. Comes in a modern and elegant design. The tea set includes 1 teapot, 4 cups, 4 saucers, and 1 bamboo cup hanger.

Welcome to the H2OGO! Triple Water Slide Giveaway
 Sponsored by H2OGO!
 Hosted by A Spectacled Owl
 

It's getting warmer every day here in Georgia and that means we are gearing up for some super summer fun on the blog! With summer here before we know it, that mean trips to the beach, hanging outside with friends, picnics in the park and fun times with our families. Wouldn't it be fun to have something new and exciting in your backyard?

I received this product complimentary to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

This is a sponsored post. I received a gift or another form of compensation to write this post. However, I only support and recommend products and companies that I believe in.

Have you ever considered cord blood banking? LifebankUSA is the only company that offers cord blood, placenta blood and tissue banking - and the first to release placenta-derived stem cells for a successful transplant. LifebankUSA is a technological leader that is pioneering key medical innovations in the field.

Through cord blood banking at LifebankUSA, you can collect and preserve potentially lifesaving stem cells, and doing so could one day save the life of your child or a blood relative. You can bank even more stem cells by collecting them from 2 usable sources of stem cell-rich blood: the umbilical cord and the placenta. This service is called Placental and Cord Blood Banking, and it's available only from LifebankUSA. Whether you choose Placental and Cord Blood Banking or Cord Blood Banking alone, there are many important reasons to choose LifebankUSA.

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Weleda. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. All opinions and reviews are my own.

Does your baby have sensitive skin? Peanut has been showing signs of sensitivities lately. Maybe it was the cold of the winter or now with pollen season in full swing. I'm not sure. I want his skin to stay baby soft without irritation. I have been a fan of Weleda baby products for a while. Weleda has been developing plant-based medicines and natural cosmetic products since 1921 with a focus on quality, from the selection of raw materials to the finished holistic product. So when I was sent Weleda's NEW Baby Derma White Mallow Collection to review, I was very excited. Being 100% certified natural by the European association NaTrue, the products were awarded the esteemed National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

 

Weleda’s Baby Derma White Mallow Collection provides natural skin care products for your baby that are dermatologically tested, fragrance-free that both soothe and nourish their skin as well as mitigates symptoms of eczema and sensitive skin. Peanut LOVES bath time. This is an understatement. I have to bathe him almost nightly anyways because he is a messy boy, but nightly baths can be rough on baby's soft skin.

 

Welcome to our 3rd Annual Baby Shower Event!

 

This event will have 11 (ELEVEN!) Prizes with one winner per prize, open to the US and Canada only. You must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. Prizes will be shipped directly from the sponsor(s). All entries from all tools will be combined then ran through Random.org to ensure a fair drawing. There is only one (1) mandatory entry, all others on all tools are optional, however, for each one you complete, you will get extra entries.

I received complimentary product to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

I recently had the opportunity to review āVō Essentials Lavender Oil. It is 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia). It is premium, and undiluted, with no chemicals, additives, preservatives or anything else! This lavender oil is vegan and all-natural.

Why Use Lavender Oil?

Lavender Oil is one of the most popular essential oils for its powerful therapeutic properties and wonderful fragrant aroma. This naturally derived oil offers relief for both emotional and physical problems along with the added benefit of being a natural insect repellent. For Anxiety and Stress Relief, Headaches and Migraines, Fibromyalgia, Massage and Aromatherapy, Natural Insect and Mosquito Repellent. The smooth, relaxing aroma and healing properties of our Lavender Oil make it perfect for aromatherapy, natural healing, and household use. āVō Essentials lavender plants are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or any other harmful additives.

I received complimentary products to share this giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Welcome to “The Mommy Fashion Show” Giveaway Hop!

 

Hosted By:

Mommy Island

& The Kids Did It

 

This event runs April 20 through May 4,2015!

 

Each participating blogger has a family friendly prize that focuses on beauty products and clothes for FASHIONABLE MOMS! So make sure to enter for your chance to win some great prizes!

I am excited to be giving away a Chevron Collegiate Shopping Tote of Choice (RV $32) and a Chew Choos Silicone Teething Necklace - color of choice (RV $15) to one lucky Nanny to Mommy reader!

Chicken Soup for the Soul and Zaycon Foods provided me with complimentary products. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Dinner time is the main time my family can get together and enjoy each other's company. We talk about our adventures that day and maybe some misadventures as well. I am learning to enjoy cooking because my family enjoys when I do and we can't eat out every night. But I still like when products come along that make cooking a home cooked meal just a little bit easier. Delicious, nutritious food brings people together around the table for healthy meals.

I recently had the opportunity to test out some Chicken Soup for the Soul products as well as some Zaycon Fresh chicken! Included were Chicken Soup for the Soul Meal Builders, Chicken Soup for the Soul Broth, Chicken Soup for the Soul BBQ Sauce, and I got a 40 lb. box of Zaycon Foods boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

Thank you to Tutti Bimbi for the products to provide this post.

I never really made my own baby food with SweetPea. Maybe it was because I didn't have the right set-up, but I was very intimidated by the whole process. When Peanut was born, I was determined to make it work. And then he ended up not really eating it, but that's another story. I still like to make baby pops and smoothies for my littles. I was recently sent Tutti Bimbi Baby Food Freezer Tray to try out. And I decided to make a some yummy Sneaky Strawberry Carrot Pops. These pops are great for a teething baby and even my four year old finds them tasty as well.

I received complimentary products to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

The PaintYourLife Studio was established with the clear objective of creating custom art. Their studio offers high quality handmade paintings, Prints on Canvas, and graphic design services. Most of their clients buy Artworks to decorate their homes and offices in their own unique style, while other customers use the products as gifts for their loved ones. I received a 11"x14" gallery-wrapped (1.5" deep) over a wooden frame to review and I think it would make a great Mother's Day gift.

Original

I used one of the pictures that were taken for Valentine's Day. It turned out so cute. I didn't know whether I would save it and send it to my husband's work as a surprise, but I ultimately decided to keep it for myself. Tee Hee The entire process was very easy and they contacted me to make sure I would be receiving exactly what I wanted.

The Results

What makes PaintYourLife studio stand out among the others is their commitment to customer care. They give the same personal attention to every customer and for every order. Each order is inspected by one of their artists and also by their customer service members. Their team is always listening to the customer’s needs beginning with pre-order questions to after order concerns. It is their goal to ensure that every customer goes away with a piece of art that they will enjoy for a lifetime. Throughout the process, their customers are kept up to date with the status of their order. They use the latest techniques and the best materials to ensure a top quality finished product. At heart we are artists so we care about quality and details.

What do you think of PaintYourLife? Do you like giving canvas' as gifts?

Although I received complimentary products to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

I have mentioned my son's lack of walking a time or two now. I'm not worried because he keeps improving daily PLUS my daughter didn't full on walk until 14 months and my mother-in-law says my husband didn't until 15 months. I also don't want to rush him because as I've mentioned, he might be our last baby and plus once he is mobile, he will be into EVERYTHING!

 

 

In the mean time, when we go out, he has been sporting the super cute pediped® Originals. pediped® footwear is a smart choice for parents concerned with the long-term development of their children's feet. pediped has been awarded the America Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for creating shoes that promote healthy foot development. pediped® originals are the best shoe on the market for infants and children who are learning to walk.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Prosacea. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

Since I became pregnant with my daughter, I have had red bumpy, dry spots on my face. When I was pregnant with her, they were all over my body. After a few months, the ones on my arms and legs went away, but the ones on my face remained. When I had her, the spots on my face never went away. When I got pregnant with my son, the spots started to get a little better although I didn't try any special products. But almost as soon as he was born, the spots started returning. These spots are known as rosacea. At my worst point, I couldn't go outside and sweat because my face would burn. I couldn't use certain products and still can't use certain soaps.

I recently was sent Prosacea® Medicated Rosacea Gel to try. Prosacea Medicated Rosacea Gel is a Dermatologist recommended medicated treatment that effectively controls rosacea symptoms, like redness, bumps, and irritation. I have been extremely embarrassed by these red spots since they started to appear and have taught myself new make-up techniques to try to cover them up.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WhenImHungry #CollectiveBias

Welcome to the Spring Sweeping Giveaway Hop, hosted by Lindsey Blogs and Viva Veltoro.

The days are getting warmer, brighter, and longer which may lead many to start Spring Cleaning. But we’re not ready to start cleanin’ until we’re done sweepin’! Take the next two weeks to sweep along the fabulous giveaways that a group of bloggers have come together to offer you! Be sure to hop around to all the giveaways, in the linky below, including the two fabulous Grand Prizes - Sudsy Dough at Lindsey Blogs and the Step2 Heart of the Home Kitchen on Viva Veltoro!

I received complimentary products to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

I was so excited when I was being sent this leopard print diaper bag from Cranberry Baby because diaper bags have come a long way in the last few years. They are becoming more and more fashionable without the weighty cost. I remember searching online for a diaper bag with both my babies that didn't SCREAM diaper bag and was also in a reasonable budget, but could never find one.

 

Thank you to Zubels for the products to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

I have worked with the Zubels brand a few times now. They keep creating such beautiful, handmade, cherished items that I know my family will be enjoying for years to come. We recently received Zubels lil' dimples unicorn to review.

This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and RESCUE blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.

I have two kiddos, a busy husband, a noisy dog, a hectic schedule, and a part time job blogging. Life can get chaotic and stressful at times. That's normal, that's life. Stress is something everyone deals with. And we all have different ways that we go about relieving it.


Here are some tips I think help relieve stress and please feel free to share some ways that help you in the comments below.

Secrets of Tea is a small, family owned craft tea blender. Their teas are based on family recipes passed down from one generation to the next. Their teas combine ancient knowledge with modern botanical research to create the perfect, purposeful blends. Each is carefully formulated with the finest ingredients to create delicious brews infused with nature’s healing gifts. Parenting – and especially motherhood – is a beautiful blessing. But it requires giving of yourself disproportionately. These organic herbal tea blends are infused with nature’s healing gifts. Wholesome, natural remedies to help alleviate issues during pregnancy and the entire maternity cycle. Secrets of Tea has kindly offered a wonderful prize pack for moms or moms-to-be!

This prize pack includes:

Thank you to Clogstrom for the products to provide this review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Spring is in full force in our neck of the woods, anyone else have a thick layer of pollen on everything? But besides the pollen making my allergies act up, I have been enjoying the warmer weather with my kiddos. Which means they will need nice supportive shoes, but that are a little breathable as well.

 

 

I recently had the opportunity to review some adorable clogs for toddlers from Clogstrom. I was sent a pair of the Tank Clogs in blue (they also come in green) and a pair of their Caterpillar Clogs that come in a variety of colors, but we received the blue/yellow combination. These shoes are so cute. These pictures don't do them justice.

 

 

 

UpWeeGo is kicking off their Kick starter April 28th! So be sure to follow along and join in. There high chair is simply amazing. No more worries about being able to clean ever spot. This one will wipe down easy peasy. IT also has some incredible steps and slide attachments. So when you child is older. They can climb up in it them selves and sit down with the family.

"Highchair Inventor Dad says Step on UP!

Do you have any Easter traditions? We like to get together for a lunch with an egg hunt. Of course we dye eggs and the bunny gives them baskets. Each year I also like to get special outfits for the kiddos, last year my mom bought them embroidered shirts with their initials. This year we are going a different route with their outfits and adding a little smocking to the mix.

Welcome to the Step2 Studio Art Desk Giveaway, hosted by Karen's Got Mail! I have teamed up with a great group of bloggers to bring you this giveaway!

 

The Step2 Studio Art Desk has some fantastic features! Here are just a few -

I participated in a Blog Blast Activation on behalf of Influence Central for GB. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Enter To WIN!:

Welcome to the [3rd Annual] Showered With Love Event hosted by the Lindsey Blogs and Viva Veltoro! We all know that April Showers bring May Flowers, but did you know that some of your favorite bloggers have come together throw a huge Shower of our own – a virtual Baby Shower! The Showered with Love Event will run from April 1-15, giving you plenty of time to enter all of the great Baby Shower inspired giveaways, in the linky below, and don't miss the two amazing Grand Prizes from our hosts - a Combi Go and Grow Walker, Play Table and Chairs on Lindsey Blogs and an amazing New Baby Prize Package featuring products from Piyo Piyo, Lulujo, ZOOCCHINI, Poncho Baby, and Bitybean on Viva Veltoro!

I am giving away an awesome prize pack from MAM Baby!

 

Welcome to the Body After Baby Giveaway!

Hosted by Spit Up is the New Black

 

I've teamed up with Ashley over at Spit Up is the New Black for a giveaway packed with products to help you bounce back (and feel good) after having a baby, whether it's been 4 months or 4 years! We have an awesome group of products lined up, from yoga apparel and organic bath and body products to a sleek and fashionable activity tracker and even a jogging stroller. Together, this prize suite is valued at over $950!

Welcome to the BLUMOSS Swimwear giveaway hosted by Housewife on a Mission and sponsored by BLUMOSS Swimwear!

Summer is just around the corner, and that means pool days and trips to the beach! We are looking forward to basking in the summer sun at Jackson Lake here in my neck of the woods. But our beach vacation will be in September this year and my in-laws have a swimming pool that we frequent all season long! If you are looking for a new swimsuit this year that has an overall look of luxury and beauty, check out BLUMOSS Swimwear! They have all kinds of beautiful styles, from one-prices to bikinis, you are sure to find one that you will love!