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What are the meaningful things in your life. Maybe you are thinking about your family, your husband, your kids, your pets, your hobbies or your career. Would you like to showcase those things in a way where you could have them with you and be able to share them with others? If you think that sounds nice, a charm bracelet may just be something you would like. Did you know you can make personalized photo charms using photos of your family and pets? Some can be engraved with names and dates to make them even more special.
Charm bracelets make beautiful gifts to celebrate anniversaries, graduations, holidays and more. Right now you can save big on charms at Soufeel. They have a sale going on where you can get up to 60% off personalized charms. Plus they have $5 off $60, $10 off $100 and $20 off $150!
I love Soufeel charms because they have such a great selection of charms and whether you want family charms, inspirational charms, charms that represent your hobby or career, you are probably going to find it on their site.
Their charms are very high quality and so detailed. All of their products are made of 100% 925 Sterling Silver. I love Soufeel charms and recently orders some personalized photo charms and others. Check out the great charms I choose.
I was provided with charms and a bracelet to facilitate my review. As always my words and views are 100% my own.
Did you ever notice it is those things we don’t discuss and feel alone with that we eventually find out are so common. Once we start to talk about it, others usually chime in and before long we know we are not alone. I think that is one of the things I like most about blogging. As a blogger, I can use my blog and voice to bring awareness about all kind of things. If I can help just one person to feel better or live a better life, that is significant to me.
I am going to talk about something I think will end up helping way more than 1 person and to do that I am going to get out of my comfort zone. After naturally birthing 5 huge babies I noticed that I experienced light bladder leakage (LBL) that was triggered by exercise, coughing or sneezing. I did not even know at first because it only happened every once in a while but when I finally figured it out I was a little upset. I mean, I had heard about it and had friends that talked about it but really did not experience it myself. So I began to research it and I found out that 1 in 3 women experience LBL. Some women experience it during pregnancy and some after but it is very common.
I was also not surprised to find out that many women used period pads or panty liners to absorb leaks. You might think it does not sound like a bad idea but period pads were not designed for LBL. Many other women did not use any kind of protection and found their lives interrupted because of unexpected LBL.
In an effort to bring awareness about the Poise brand they teamed up with Brooke Burke-Charvet to help educate women about LBL and empower them to seize their Poise moment. So what is a Poise moment? A Poise moment is the exact point when a woman stops letting leaks interrupt their lives and try products like Poise Thin Shape Light Absorbency pads.
The New Poise Thin-Shape Light Absorbency pads are the thinnest pads for LBL! These pads are designed to move with a woman’s body and they stay three times drier than the leading period pad. The Absorb-loc core quickly works to lock away wetness and odor while the leak-block sides add outstanding leakage protection. Having this type of protection gives a woman confidence to stop worrying about leaks and just enjoy life!
I don’t experience LBL a lot but I do notice that it occurs with some types of reaching or stretching activities. Since there is no way to tell if it will happen or not the Poise Thin Shape Light Absorbency pads are a preventative measure that lets me forget about the what-if and just do the types of things I love without letting LBL take control and limit my activities.
This past weekend I climbed Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid. Whiteface Mountain is the 5th highest mountain in New York State. When I reached the top, I felt amazing! I did not limit my activities because I was afraid I might have some LBL due to all the stretching and climbing. I seized my moment and I climbed that mountain!
It is hugely empowering to take back control and I have Poise to thank. I was one of those women that thought Poise was no different from thin period pads or liners. I thought a pad was a pad but it was not until I finally tried Poise that I found out there is a significant difference and that is when I felt the need to tell other women. I want to let them know they do not have to limit their activities due to LBL.. So live a vibrant, active life and not only seize the day but Seize your Poise Moment.
Visit Poise to learn more and request a sample so you can seize your Poise moment.You can stay in the loop with Poise on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
I was compensated for this post as part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. As always my views and words are 100% my own.
Do you have little ones who will be starting school soon? It can be scary heading off to Pre-K or Kindergarten for the first time. Sometimes a reassuring note from mom or dad can make all the difference in a child’s day. That is why I love the Personalized Lunch Boxes from I See Me! No need to waste resources every day to leave your child a lunch box message because there is a chalkboard on the underside of the lid. Now all you need to do is grab a chalk marker or chalk and write your child a special message when packing their lunch. It will be something you both look forward to.
These lunch boxes come in so many great designs for boys and girls and the personalization make them so special. They are so wonderful for way more than just lunch. They make a great new baby gift. You can order the box with the new baby’s name and then tuck some nice things inside. It will definitely be a unique and treasured keepsake. Speaking of which these boxes are great to hold all kinds of collections and treasures. Perfect for traveling to hold some things to keep kids busy in the car or at restaurants. They have so many uses!
My kids love to keep their collections in them. I appreciate how great the look and what an accent they make to their rooms. I See Me! has such a large selection of personalized books and gifts, I enjoy shopping there for unique gifts for family and friends. I must also note that in these days when many parents are naming their children with very unique names it is nice to be able to get them a gift with their name.
Would you like the chance to win a Personalized Lunch Box? I know you would, enter below for your chance!
Giveaway:
I See Me! is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a Personalized Lunch Box of their choice (subj. to availability)! Thank you to I See Me! for the review product and for sponsoring this Back-To-School giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
I See Me! Personalized Lunch Box Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WhatMattersToU #CollectiveBias
I love being a woman, I cherish so many incredible experiences like; feeling my children grow inside me, giving birth, nurturing my child from my own body and so much more. We can experience all that and be amazing, successful women on a professional level too!
I embrace all aspects of being a woman except that time of the month. I know it is essential to our fertility and serves a purpose but that does not mean it is pleasant. I tend to spoil myself a little during that time, let myself indulge on those chocolate cravings my body is demanding.
Chocolate cravings are something many women have right before or when they have their period and it is probably because chocolate makes us feel better as it releases serotonin to our brains. It has been said that eating chocolate can produce the same type of euphoric feelings that falling in love does. So does that mean we have a love affair with chocolate? I know I do and since I believe in moderation in diet, I don’t beat myself up for eating it. I eat healthy, so if I have a special chocolate dessert or candy bar during my period, I don’t feel guilty.
The changing hormone levels associated before and during our period can trigger all kinds of cravings. Some women crave carbohydrates, meats, high fat food and more. Anyway, back to chocolate, I want to share a recipe that will not only satisfy your chocolate cravings but will make your whole family happy.
Chocolate chip cookies are one of my favorites but you know I love a good ice cream sundae. I love a sundae with vanilla bean ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, fresh whipped cream, chopped nuts and a cherry. This dessert combines my two favorites, so I can have my cookie and ice cream sundae! Below you can follow the video tutorial and print the recipe to make this yourself. It is guaranteed to satisfy everyone’s chocolate cravings!
Recipe from Mommy Ramblings -http://www.MommyRamblings.org
When I was shopping at Walmart for the ingredients I picked up a couple U by Kotex® NEW Style ‘N Store Packs in the feminine care aisle. Have you seen these? I was impressed, they are really fun and different. The pads or liners store in these little drawers and they don’t stand out the way typical packages do because they come in 4 unique designs. If your husband or significant other feels awkward picking up these types of products, the packaging on these should not cause him to be embarrassed.
I selected the U by Kotex® Cleanwear® Ultra Thin Pads that feature a 3D Capture Core* with Xpress DRI* cover for crazy fast absorption to help stop leaks because leaks are not pretty. These pads stay secure thanks to the unique shape of the Tru-Fit® wings. The super soft sides are comfortable not irritating as can be the case with other pads.
I also picked up a box of U by Kotex® Barely There® Liners. These liners are made to feel just like your underwear and they really do! They work great everyday or when my period is light. I love that they come in Style ‘N Store packs because the bold designs and colors look great in my linen closet. I know it is a small thing but Kotex’s NEW Style ‘N Store Packs make me smile along with the savings I find at Walmart.
What matters most to you when you have your period? Get up to $25 in rewards just for you by purchasing U by Kotex® at Walmart! Now through 9/30/16 purchase 2 packs of U by Kotex® products at Walmart (Any Variation) and text UbyKotex to 811811 and upload a photo of your receipt. Go to UbyKotexrewards.com register to choose your customized reward. How cool is this, I did this as soon as I got home and was amazed at the available rewards. I hope you check out this SNIPP offer yourself.
I hope you try the recipe, let me know in the comments if you do. Also, share #WhatMattersToU during that time of the month.
Today is my mother’s birthday and she is celebrating in Heaven. Loss and grief are hard, the loss of a mother is profound. The other weekend I was talking with a friend about loss. The loss of our mothers. I told her about the way my mother died a few days after having a massive brain stem stroke. I spoke about the suddenness of it all and how my life changed forever with her passing. I told her there were so many things I still needed to ask her and so many questions I have that only she knows the answers to. She told me that it really was best she went that way for her but it is hard on those left behind. She is right. My mother and I were very close and every day I think of things that I want to ask her, a recipe, a memory, a question about something we did and yet I can’t.
Ramona Richard’s book, My Mother’s Quilts is about her mother who was a master quilter. Quilting was her mother’s passion and the quilts all had a story. Ramona’s mom did not die unexpectedly and she was able to tell her daughter that she wanted the quilt she made with her mother’s handkerchiefs on her coffin instead of flowers. She was able to share the stories behind the quilts and now Ramona is passing them on in this book. This book is made up of the stories of the quilts and a matching devotion that shares the message of God’s grace and faithfulness. Every chapter begins with a Bible verse and ends with a prayer starter. The lessons of the quilts are applicable to anyone’s life. There are fundamental lessons of honoring the lives of those that have gone before us, accepting the flaws in the people we love, accepting one another and so many more.
At the end of the book Ramona shares that she is finishing a quilt that her mother worked on until her eyesight and stamina started to wane a couple of years before her death. She found the bow tie quilt in a white sack on the top of her mother’s closet. The quilt was almost finished, it just need the last few squares to be quilted and the binding attached. Ramona sat with the quilt and knew she wanted it finished. Her first thoughts were to ask someone to finish it but then she realized that she needed to do that.
Ramona is not a quilter but she said quilting is in her blood and this is her mother. She thought that we may be quick to let other people do the work we need to, teach our children about life and faith, take care of loved ones and volunteering where we’re needed. Scripture reminds us that we won’t be judged on the earthly things we accomplish. Instead, God looks at our heart and how we lived our beliefs. So while Ramona’s stitches are not as tiny or as straight as her mother’s, finishing the quilt is her way of saying, “You ran a great race. Thank you, Mom. I’ll take it from here.” To learn more about Ramona visit her website.
The last prayer starter asks the Lord to help us remember that one of the best ways we can honor those that came before us is to continue sharing all that they have given to us. Amen
Win A Quilt Contest!
Win one of the quilts featured in #MyMothersQuilts by Ramona Richards. Also up for grabs: loads of other prizes including quilting hand warmers, coloring books, and 25 signed copies of Ramona’s book. Winners will be emailed after the contest ends on June 30, 2016. Click the image to enter!
Let’s talk about health, after all, what is more important than good? Did you know that bacteria can hold the key to good health? You may think of bacteria as bad, germy or something to clean out of our body but there are good bacteria that help us. Probiotics are good bacteria and they are normally found in our gastrointestinal tract. They work to overpower the bad bacteria in our intestines and reduce infection and other disease. They also keep our immune system functioning at its best and help reduce inflammation. Probiotics help our intestinal lining to function at its optimal level to enhance our health and protect us from the effects of harmful bacteria.
When our balance of good and bad bacteria in our intestinal track gets out of wack all kinds of unpleasant conditions and symptoms can arise. Inflammatory bowel syndrome, cancer, heart disease and metabolic syndrome are just some of the diseases associated with intestinal imbalance. You might be surprised to know that there may also be a link to asthma, obesity and even certain allergic conditions.
More than 100 million Americans are suffering from digestive issues. Several factors can affect the balance of good and bad bacteria in our gut. Overuse of antibiotics, eating processed foods, lack of sleep, aging, stress and even environmental factors like pollution can have negative effects and be detrimental to the good bacteria our bodies need. The good news is that we can help to restore balance with probiotics. When we have a healthy balance we can see big changes in our overall health. A balanced gut can help with issues like lactose intolerance, gas, bloating, constipation, bad breath, body odor, colitis, IBS and more!
So you might think it’s as simple as going to the store and grabbing a bottle of probiotics off the shelf but it’s not that simple. Not all probiotics are the same! Most probiotics available use strains that are not clinically studied, not patented, not stable, not formulated in doses that are clinically proven to be effective, and not even delivered alive. Most probiotics are nothing but a bottle of hype.
AlternaScript wanted to change this, so, they teamed up with 3 of the industry’s powerhouses and developed NuCulture. NuCulture has 5 clinically studied live probiotic strains for digestive and gut health in 1 capsule. NuCulture contains 15 Billion CFU high-potency probiotics and helps promote good bacteria with PreforPro® Prebiotic.
15 Billion CFU High-Potency Probiotics:
DE111® Bacillus subtilis
Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07™
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04™
Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37™
Benefits:
Better Health
Reduce bloating
Support digestion
I have been a big proponent of taking probiotics for several years now. I understand that not all probiotics are created equal. Taking probiotics have helped me feel better and look better. I was excited to try NuCulture and I can say they are a great choice when choosing a US manufactured probiotic that is clinically studied and formulated with live probiotic strains. Some issues I experienced before using probiotics were bloating and digestive issues after eating. NuCulture is effective in keeping these issues at bay. There is also a reduction in my cravings for sugar. If you would like to try NuCulture for yourself, there is a free 7 day trial including free shipping. To get your free trial click HERE! You can also stay in the loop with AlternaScript on Facebook.
Let me know if you try NuCulture and what you think in the comments.
This post was made possible through iConnect and AlternaScript. I received compensation for my participation in this campaign. As always my words and opinions are 100% my own. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Results may vary. Although this product helped me with the issues I mentioned, it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
When you hear the words financial planner, do you wince a little? If you do, you are not alone. I wince too and so do most of us. The negative feelings and dread most of us feel when thinking about meeting with a financial planner usually stem from a past negative experience or uncertainty about what to expect. Are we saving enough? Do we have a plan for retirement that is sufficient? Are we investing wisely? Are we totally off track and headed down the wrong road? All these questions and more run through our minds. For most, facing them and finding out the answer can be terrifying. That fear causes many to go through life without a clear financial plan and ironically, that is what we should be more afraid of.
Maybe you have met with a financial adviser and when they started talking it started sounding like Charlie Brown’s teacher, “Wah,wah wah, wah wah” and you totally tuned out. I totally know that feeling. There are so many things most financial planners throw at you and so many decisions they want you to make that you end up feeling so frustrated and decide to take some more time to decide what to do.
Having a simple, clear plan can give you so much confidence. How do we get there? I discovered a very different financial planning service, one that understands why most dread meeting with a financial planner more than getting a root canal. SUM180 makes financial planning simple, affordable and even fun for everyone, wherever they may be on their financial journey.
The process with SUM180 was so different from anything I expected. With my full life, being able to input my information at my own pace and receiving my financial plan online in a PDF was amazing! Their site is very easy to navigate and entering my information was simple. I had my latest tax return handy and it did not take long to input my information. In a short time I received an email that my plan was ready. I did not have to become a financial expert or have degree in finance to understand it, everything was clear and easy to understand. Their 3 step approach is simple and does not make me feel overwhelmed. All I need to do is focus on the three most important steps at a time and that makes me feel empowered.
SUM180 is a subscription based, affordable financial planning service and if my circumstances change at any time during my subscription year, I can create a new plan for free! I have to tell you that having a clear, easy to understand plan in place makes me feel so much better. I feel much more in control and not like I am winging things. Before I did this, I was so uncertain, always wondering if I was making the right financial choices. With my financial plan, I have the confidence and clarity to see exactly what I need to concentrate on to reach my financial goals.
I am most surprised at how easy and painless the whole process was. If you are putting off meeting with a financial planner for the same reasons I was, trySUM180, get the tools you need without the overwhelming financial jargon you don’t. SUM180 has a special, limited time promotion where you can save 50% off the current product price when you use the code SPRING50.
I would love to know what you think if you try their services. Please just leave me a comment letting me know.
This post has been sponsored by SUM180. I was provided with product at no charge to sample in exchange for my review. The options expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with SUM180 and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.
Teaching kids that hard work pays off is probably one of the most important lessons we can teach them as they grow. So many adults that I know believe things come easy and don’t require effort. As an entrepreneur I learned a long time ago there is no such thing as “overnight success.” Most people do not understand the years of work that go into becoming an “overnight success.” If kids learn this at an early age, it will serve them well throughout their life. They will not be the kind to give up at the first hurdle but instead find a way to get over each and every one on the way to reaching their dreams.
A book that can help kids understand this is The Little Linebacker. This book written by Maria Dismondy and Stephen Tulloch and illustrated by Heather Heyworth is a story of determination. The story is about a little boy who dreams of becoming a professional football player. This dream comes even before his first little league football practice. His mother is supportive and tells him to dream bigger dreams! He finds support through his life when he feels like giving up.
An elderly man he likes at the nursing home where his mom works provides some wise advice that you have to keep going even if you fail a few times. He helps Stephen practice his math skills when he gets a bad math test grade. Throughout the years, Stephen has defeats but someone is always there to help him summon his determination and keep going. He learns that when you don’t give up but keep pressing on, great things happen! This is a great book with a very valuable message. You can find this book on Amazon. You can download the Free Reader’s Guide HERE.
Take a look at the video trailer for the book below:
Enter now for your chance to win a copy:
Cardinal Rule Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of The Littlest Linebacker! Thank you to Cardinal Rule Press for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
The Littlest Linebacker – A Story of Determination Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Summer will be here soon and so will the end of the school year for kids. Have you made plans for your kids free time? If you haven’t and you have creative kids ages 6-17 that are interested in computer programming, developing exciting apps, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking and much more, keep reading!
Digital Media Academy tech summer camps can give your kids the summer experience of a lifetime! Hurry though because they are filling up faster than ever! Catch the savings and SAVE $100 with code CR8TECH16 when you register your child by April 30, 2016.
You can choose from one week DMA Camps, or step it up with two week DMA Academies , all taught by industry experts and tech professionals. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more.
Digital Media Academy also offers STEM camps just for girls, called Made by Girls! Learn from a female role model and tech professional in an environment of creative girls just like them! Hurry, save $50 with code CR8TECH16 when you register by April 30!
Find your summer camp at DigitalMediaAcademy.org! If you have questions, call them at 1(866)656-3342 or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org. Let me know if you child has already attended one of these programs or you are planning to register them for the first time. Here’s to a creative and fun Summer!
A will is a legal document that specifies who will acquire your real estate properties, cars, bank accounts, jewelry, and the like when you die. It is up to you to whom you will leave all of your belongings, just be sure that they are eligible to receive and that everything goes through a clear legal process.
As for parents writing a will and testament is not all about the properties, rather the assurance that your children will still be well taken care of when you are gone. You need to choose trusted people in your family to look after them in case anything happens to you.
Here are some of the reasons why parents should draft a will for their kids:
To avoid family disputes
Will and testament disputes happen to even among the closest part of the family. Challenging a will implies that one party thinks he deserves more than what is written in the will, hence if one of your children challenge your will with your other kids, their relationship might suffer from irreparable damage and as parent, this is difficult to imagine. That is why, it is important that you properly and carefully write a will to make sure your children get equal shares of the property you’d leave and avoid any family disputes in the future.
To have a trusted guardian to look after your children
The most difficult task for parents when drafting a will is choosing a guardian for their children. It is really tough to decide on this matter, but you have to do it anyway. Your children’s future well-being is at risk when unexpected things happen to you. This is the reason why you need to choose a person who you think will take good care and love your children when you are gone. Also, it is essential to name a trustee, someone who will manage any properties you pass on to your children, in your will.
To make distributing assets easier
The problem about not having a will is that the probate court might send away inquiry letters to financial institutions to handle the deceased’s financial situation. Additionally, your relatives may be requested to give out financial documents. By writing a will and testament beforehand, you can prevent all the paperwork and footwork your relatives will exert. You will save them from all the hassle and stress that they might acquire from processing various documents. Having a clear proof of distribution of your assets for the court to see will be easier and more convenient for everyone involved.
It is your obligation as a parent to secure your kids future and drafting a will as early as now is the first step in keeping your kids safe in case something unexpected happens. Nobody knows what is going to happen tomorrow, so might as well be ready by securing a will.
Many people think that a will is unnecessary and just a waste of money, but no one knows the future and you can leave your kids behind in an instant. Would you rather leave them with problems or investments? As parents, we obviously know the answer.
This is a sponsored guest post and does not necessarily reflect the views of Mommy Ramblings.
Hello, I’m Carolyn! I am a PR Savvy, WAH Mom to 5! I love Photography, Baking, DIY Projects, Crafts, Cooking and making memories with my family. I love sharing reviews and giveaways too!
