Eco-Lips Review

"Don't Panic, It's Organic!" This comes from an amazing company, with an amazing story. Eco Lips began as a simple gesture for friends & family from the kitchen of Andrea Danielson. After meeting Steve Shriver, however, her life changed forever. What started out as a love for her lip balm, later to also turn into a love for her, became one of the "leading natural body care manufacturer in the Natural Products industry." That was back in 2003 & now, in 2011, their company is thriving as they offer a variety of organic lip care items. Browse through all of the offered products HERE to find something that suits your style/needs.

A few months ago, I received (4) lip balms to try from Eco Lips. The four that I chose to review were:
-Dagoba Roseberry USDA Certified Organic Lip Balm by Eco Lips
-Honest Kids Berry Berry Good Lemonade USDA Certified Lip Balm by Eco Lips
-Eco Lips Hemp USDA Certified Lip Balm
-Eco Lips Gold USDA Certified Organic Lip Balm on an Eco Clip.

I received these balms when I was a few months into my pregnancy. It also happens that the weather here was incredibly warm soon after they arrived. Our air conditioner went out & we had to rely on box fans for a while. Had it not been for my lip balms from Eco Lips, cracked lips would have been one more worry on my list. After waking in the mornings though, the issue of having dried lips, quickly went out the window after using my lip balms. They worked wonders! Also, I was able to use the "Berry Berry Good Lemonade" lip balm on my son when he wanted to be like his mommy. Being as though it is 100% edible, it was no big deal if he consumed a tad bit in the process. I highly recommend this as your next lip balm 'try'.
You can find out more by visiting the Eco-Lips Website
Be sure to 'like' Eco-Lips on their Facebook page.
Follow them on Twitter as well.

10 Things I Wish My son Would Teach Me

1. How to ignore the mess, even though I'm constantly tripping over it.
-I just do not understand how he does this. I mean- the ignorning the mess is one thing. Constantly tripping over the mess just brings it to a whole nother level.

2. What is it like to spin in circles until falling to the grown?
-Being a child is such a carefree event. From messy rooms to spinning, spinning, out of control. Falling to the grown laughing hysterically. Getting back up & doing it all over again. It looks so fun from my view. Oh how I wish I could be so carefree.

3. The simple things in life are the grandest.
-A cardboard box. Mail that we consider 'junk'. When any item that we, adults, consider 'things' seems to be transformed into magic wands, houses, or another unique object for him. I buy him tons of toys but still... that cardboard box his diapers came in, becomes the fascination of the evening.

4. How to live by the motto "Life is too short to nap".
-Yes, he may become an 'Evil Spawn' by 2pm but he keeps trucking. As much as I'd like to duct tape him to the wall sometimes or just walk away because he is being so terrible- I have to admire the boy. He loves life & prefers not to nap. He'd play forever if I'd let him. Man do I wish I could keep on as he does. But then again- he'd probably send me to my room for a nap before the day was over.

5. His Language.
-Being 2 yrs old my son has his own special language. Some words I understand, others not so much. Either way, in my mind I think it would be so awesome to be able to speak where noone knows what you are saying. Besides other Toddlers some times. The lingo between him & other kids is amazing. Entertaining to say the least. Some days I just wish I could join in on the jabber.

6. Temper Tantrums. No biggie.
-Ha! What it would be like to not care if others were staring. Sure it seems embarrasing to me but what would it be like to throw myself down in the middle of the grocery store for not being able to get those juice boxes?! I'm sure I'll never find out (and my husband is glad about this) but some days I can't help but wonder.

7. Those are some mad climbing skills.
-Ever since he was a baby this boy has climbed. Starting out crawling on top of diaper boxes & now he can climb the living room table. A natural monkey he is. What I wouldn't give for the strength & courage he has. Fearless youth that I can only dream of.

8. That high pitched squeal.
-Sure it's annoying & gets him in major trouble when used as a response to me fussing at him but come on- it'd be wonderful to ward off an attack or purse snatcher. lol

9. His view of the world.
-If I could live a day in his shoes I would jump at the chance. How does it feel being his size? His age? What thoughts go through his head? How does he learn so darn quickly? These are only a few things that I ponder about practically every day. I'm even more curious since he is yet to talk well. Maybe one day, when he can, he'll explain it to me.

10. How to love endlessly.
-Everyday I am practically brought to tears over this. My son has endless love for me, my husband, & our pups. As much as we fuss at him. The spanking he got an hour ago. That time the dog ate his corndog. Sure he gets upset. Mad even. But in the end he is always walking up to us making kissy noises. Wanting us to pick him up so he can hug our necks. I could only wish to be so quick to forgive & forget. If only I could love like him.

Infantino Test Drive- Phase 1

“I am a participant in a Mom Central Consulting campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino products as part of my participation.”

I have to admit that I am SUPER excited to have been picked to participate in this campaign. This was only phase one & my expectations have been fulfilled 1000 times over already. My son & daughter have also enjoyed being part of this campaign. Check out what we thought down below:

Phase one consists of items from the "Comforting Play Collection"...


The items included were:
-All Around 1-2-3 Teether
-Foot Rattles
-Ouchie Pal
-Hug & Tug Wooly Pal
-Soothing Hand Squeezies
-Sweet Bee Scented Pal
-Sweet Serenade Crib Toy
-Soothing Snuggle Pup
-Binky Buddy
-Wrist Rattles
-Tag Along Chimes

The Soothing Snuggle Pup, as well as the Sweet Serenade Crib Toy are the favorites of my son. They are simple enough for him to use to comfort his baby sister when Mommy is busy. The Soothing Pup could play a bit longer, in my opinion, but it soothes my daughter none the less. As far as the Sweet Serenade Crib Toy is concerned, the string makes it easily played but would work better for entertaining baby instead of helping them fall asleep; Due to the volume of the music. The cute characters that circle around inside the toy, well they are adorable enough to grab anyones attention.

One of my favorite items would have to be the "Binky Buddie". As small as my daughter is, she kind of just looked at it wondering why this thing was staring back at her. However, it gave her something to focus on and even better- it makes finding a dropped Binky quite simply. (My daughter is the Queen of knocking her Binky out of her crib at night.)This is definetly one of the items that I will continue to use for months to come.

Ever since receiving my phase 1 package I have two items that I find myself never leaving the house without... The "Hug & Tug Wooly Pal" & the "Tag Along Chimes". As you can see below, my daughter travels well with these 3 companions. In the photo you only catch a glimpse of these items but believe me... they are there. And soothe her they do. Giving her something to listen to & watch while she sits in her car seat. Anything is better than just staring at the back of the seat but these items make it that much better.



Some of the other items are still too large for my daughter's use & too small for my son to try out. However, the "Ouchie Pal" is in the fridge waiting for that next "boo-boo" and the "All Around 1-2-3 Teether" is in the bedroom for when Emma needs it. I was quite impressed with the thought behind each item I received. There is great logic & reasoning behind the way each item is crafted. Each has a certain way of soothing baby & helping mommy/daddy out. Every little bit is welcome. Right?!

And to whoever invites me to the next baby shower- don't be surprised if you receive some amazing Infantino items for your baby-to-be... Maybe some adorable wrist & foot rattles.

You can check out these items (& many more) over at the Infantino site.

Creed for the Cupcake Tempted

This is my current rendition of the Rifleman's Creed.
This is a cupcake.

There are many like it, and this one is no different.

This cupcake is not my friend. It is not my life.

I must avoid it as I must better my life.

This cupcake, without me, is harmless. Without this cupcake, I am healthier. I must ignore this cupcake. I must aim higher than my enemy who is trying to fatten me up. I must avoid it before it consumes me. I will...

This cupcake and myself know that what counts in this war is not the sweet stuff, the calories, nor the falls we take. We know that it is the sweat & strength that count. We will sweat...

This cupcake is my enemy, tempting me, because it is out to get me. Thus, I will learn to ignore it. I will learn it is a weakness, it is sweet, its high in calories, its unhealthy, its simply out to get me. I will take guard against the harm and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. I will keep this cupcake away. We will become apart from each other. We will...

Before God, I swear this creed. My determination and my sweat are the strengths of my self. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until victory is Mine and there is no enemy, but success!

Photo Source

So ashamed.

I have a confession to make. Something has occured that I swore to myself I would never allow. & to make it even worse... It's all because of one man. A man who is full of betrayal but yet sinfully sexy. I just can not help myself. Yes- I have a new obsession. Someone please help me. I'm addicted.

To this Bad Boy! Bill Spencer Jr on the Bold & the Beautiful. It has been because of him & his sleezy ways that I have allowed something to happen that I vowed never would. Because of this man, I find myself glued to the television evening at 1:30pm EST. Waiting to find out what happens next between him & Stephy. To see if he ever will leave his wife. Or if her heart attack will keep him by her side & he'll ditch the girlfriend instead. I'm not sure if it's his sexiness that over pours me in waves or the naughty scandal that surrounds him. Either way- I'm hooked. Sad but completely true.

Isn't it amazing what a lady will do for a sexy Bad Boy of his type?!



So you tell me:
Who is your guilty pleasure of the entertainment world??

Fight of Her Life

She paces the floor. Walking back and forth. Waiting. Wondering. It was just days ago that she received the news. There was a possibility that her life was drawing to a quick end. That it had been for some time now & she had no clue. Her hands were clammy. She had been waiting for the news since she took the test. It had been a hectic & confusing 7 days. What if the results came out to be positive? How would she fight this? Was there any way that her heart would not give up on her?

She was raised a fighter, always expecting to beat the odds. But never had she imagined that she'd possibly become a statistic. A number written in pink on a wall of women who hadn't asked for this tragedy either. As she paced she held her breath. Her life flashed before her eyes and memories swarmed upon her like flies on fruit. Her heart was breaking and it seemed that the doctor was taking his sweet time. "Hurry up," was all she could mumble. Every time the door opened she jerked towards around with anticipation. And every time that a name, other than hers, was called her heart sank lower. After waiting for what seemed to be hours, she heard her name.

Walking back with her daughter, her legs didn't want to carry her. It was as if her ears were not ready to hear the news and every other part of her was working to aid in the process of procrastination. She knew her body. She knew that something just wasn't quite right. Honestly, she already knew the answer... but there was still that small piece of hope. However, looking at the doctors face that hope faded quickly. He didn't even need to speak to confirm her fears. To validate what she had been having nightmares about since she felt the lump. But he broke the news anyways. Trying to be positive despite the tears that were running down her face, down her daughter's face.

Fact by fact he read the details of this disease. With a positive outlook he gave her options of how to fight this. She pondered each and every word that he spoke. He was the center of her whole hearted attention as he spoke. The discussion kept on flowing from his lips. She wanted to get up and leave but something wouldn't let her. For weeks she had been playing this very moment over and over in her head. There was no getting around it.

His words because distant mumbles. Everything blurred out as she relived every moment of her life. Her wedding, her kids being born, & even her grandchildren being born. She cried. Lost in the past and fearful to glance into the future. But then, she saw her own mothers face. That of a fighter. The face of a survivor. Her lips moved to tell her that she too would make it. She would indeed be a statistic but she would be one that lived to help hundreds of those who would follow. This would not be her demise. It was not her time to lie down and give up. And that's all it took.

As she sat there, listening to her doctor's final words, she knew she was going to be okay. The burden was lifted and her fear was replaced with the fighting spirit. Standing up to leave she held her head high as she shook the doc's hand. She even smiled a bit. Walking away her daughter held her hand tight and they walked away... beginning the most important fight of their lives.