Best Gifts for Tween Girls From Laurel

May 10, 2019May 26, 20208 Comments

I received this product free to review but all opinions are my own. I was compensated for this post.

If you are a mom of an 8 to 12-year-old then you are probably in the midst of what we call the “tweenager” years. My daughter will be eight this summer so we are almost at this fun stage. She is already particular about what clothing she wears and loves going shopping. She seems to think I have an unlimited supply of money to just spend on her at any time. I am sure other Mom’s with daughters can absolutely relate. She also absolutely loves getting gifts in the mail, so I was so excited to discover From Laurel!

From Laurel is a brand-new online store that sells accessories for tweens, but really any girl between ages 6-12 will love them! The fun thing about this new shop is the fact that you can customize a gift box choosing any 5 items. Save yourself the stress of going to a million stores trying to find the perfect gift. Relax and shop from home and have it shipped for free! The box itself only costs $29.99 with no additional fees for shipping. What could be better?

Another awesome feature is that you also get a surprise bonus gift along with your 5 chosen items. So you basically get 6 items for $29.99, which is like paying $5 a piece. Delivered for free with pretty packaging. You can’t beat this amazing deal! So simple, easy, and fun!

If you are clueless about what to order, no worries! A Pick 5 Gift Pass is the perfect option! You can email a gift pass so they can pick out what they want and still get the fun box full of goodies in the mail. The link is at the top of the homepage at From Laurel. It is such a fun and easy process, and it beats standing in long lines at the mall!

All of the products are tested in the USA by an independent 3rd-party testing laboratory that is approved and accepted by the CPSC. They are all tested for kids 6 and older, so it is not meant for younger kids, even though my toddler wanted all of it! Every product we received was adorable and high-quality. I was very impressed, and would highly recommend it to anyone shopping for a tween! The ordering process was very easy and I received my package very quickly.

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What’s even better is the eco-friendly packaging! Not only is it pretty, but the reusable/recyclable packaging eliminates single-use plastic wrapping. I gifted my daughter her very own box, and she loved all the pretty packaging.

Edited to Add, as of May 2020 — They no longer seem to be in business, but you can check out her newest etsy shop at the link below!

>>> https://www.etsy.com/shop/fromlaurelstore/

Check out my video below of our From Laurel Unboxing!

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Save Time and Money with Instacart

November 2, 2018December 12, 2019Leave a comment

I will be compensated if you click on my affiliate links.

As a Mom of three, grocery shopping with my kids can be a nightmare. I try to keep them entertained with snacks, toys, and electronics in hopes of shopping with no issues but it doesn’t always work. The kids are bored, they start fighting, crying and climbing out of the cart. I end up leaving with whatever I had time to grab, feeling incredibly frustrated and still without most of my groceries. Ideally, yes having a sitter for them to shop alone in peace would be great but it’s not always possible. So I either plan my shopping trips around my husband’s work schedule to go alone or bring them with me. Considering how quickly my kids go through food, toilet paper, and other household essentials, I needed a better solution. Finally, I came across my solution! Shopping from home with Instacart!

Shopping with Instacart is so easy and convenient. There have been so many times when I was either super busy and didn’t have time to go food shopping, or the kids and I were sick and I couldn’t leave the house. So the ability to have groceries delivered on my schedule is amazing! There is no subscription, you can use it as needed or upgrade to Instacart Express to get unlimited free delivery on orders of $35 and more. There are fees associated with your order and a tip is automatically added for your driver, but it’s worth every penny. A lot of the stores I shop at do not offer any pick-up service, so I was happy to be able to have them delivered through Instacart. I also find it so much easier to shop from home because I don’t add a ton of unnecessary items to my cart and just stick to my grocery list. I end up saving so much time and money, and shopping from home without chasing little ones around the store is amazing.

So how does Instacart work? All you need is a computer, iPhone, iPad, or Android device. You can either install the app or just use your browser to create an account and get started at Instacart. After creating an account, you simply pick a store, add items to your cart and checkout! Have your groceries delivered on your schedule, in as little as 2 hours or later in the week. That is the best part, groceries are delivered on your schedule, at a time that is convenient for you. As a mom with a never-ending to-do list, this is essential to me. Anything that makes my life easier is worth using.

Save time and make life easier by having your groceries delivered today!

Do you want to make extra money on a flexible schedule? Instacart is always looking for personal shoppers to fulfill Instacart orders. Sign up at the link below!

Get Paid to Shop at My Affiliate link! >> Instacart Shopper Application

Celebrate Special Moments with Hallmark & Dollar Tree

August 30, 2018Leave a comment

I was compensated for this post. This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Have you ever been to the Dollar Tree? If not, you are missing out! The Dollar Tree is this magical place where everything, is only $1! It’s a place where you can discover new treasures, have fun shopping, and find what you need at an affordable price. My kids LOVE going to the Dollar Tree because they know that they can pick out any toy of their choice, because everything is only $1, (as far as limiting how many items they get is another story lol!) Mommy loves shopping there too but I do tend to go overboard, especially around the holidays! During the holidays it’s so fun to find what cute stuff I can decorate with.

The Dollar Tree carries a variety of products including many trusted brands at extreme values. Some of the products you’ll find at Dollar Tree include housewares, glassware, dinnerware, cleaning supplies, candy, snacks, food, health and beauty, toys, gifts, gift bags and wrap, party supplies, stationery, craft supplies, teaching supplies, books, seasonal décor, and more! Everything you need for every day, every holiday, every occasion… and every single item is only $1 (or less)!

Not only do I love going to the Dollar Tree for Holiday Decor, but I also love to go when I am preparing for a party. There is a variety of party decor, tissue paper, gift bags, balloons, candles, and cards available. The Dollar Tree is always my first stop for all my party needs. Planning a party adds up and us Moms need to save when we can.

Since I was already a fan of the Dollar Tree, I was so excited to become an affiliate for their amazing company. I was even more excited to be able to share some BIG news with you! As of Aug. 30, Hallmark is bringing HUNDREDS of new cards to the Dollar Tree! This is a big deal for me, as I already love to get all my cards from the Dollar Tree. So I was anxious to see what samples were coming my way. I was sent two of the main types of cards that will be hitting stores Aug. 30th, Hallmark Expressions & Hallmark Heartline.

Hallmark Expressions

Both sets of cards had a variety of prints for every occasion. Birthday cards, Thank You cards, Baby Shower cards, and Sympathy cards, are just some of the many new cards available. All of the cards came in bold, colorful prints and designs. There is really something for everyone in this new collection from Hallmark!

Hallmark Heartline

There are over 6,500 Dollar Tree stores nationwide and on August 30th every store will carry Expressions from Hallmark, $1 each and Heartline a Hallmark company, 2 for $1. With hundreds of new greeting cards to choose from, you can celebrate every moment with your friends and family without breaking the bank!

Whether it’s a Birthday for Dad, a Graduation for your son, or a Retirement party for your co-worker, the Dollar Tree & Hallmark has got you covered with the quality you love and prices you can’t beat.

So make sure you head to your local Dollar Tree as of Aug.30th, to check out the new cards and any other goodies you find along the way.

Don’t forget you can always shop online at the link below!

Affiliate Link >>>>>> Everything Is Just $1 At DollarTree.com!

Say Hello To The All-New Gymboree! #madeyousmile

July 27, 2018February 8, 2021Leave a comment

I was compensated for this post.

Gymboree has some BIG News and they wanted me to share it with you! If you haven’t already heard, Gymboree has completely recreated its brand with all new looks for your little ones!

What’s new at Gymboree? EVERYTHING! These fresh new styles will make your kids feel great inside and out! With the same quality, you have come to love and the same great savings.

With back-to-school around the corner, now is the perfect time to check it out. Whether it’s the first day of school, picture day, a birthday party, or a play date, there is a style for every occasion. These new outfits can be mixed and matched allowing kids to create their own looks! Gymboree asked modern moms and families what they wanted most for their kids’ clothes, and they delivered.

From babies to pre-teens, Gymboree has you covered with an all-new collection of clothing fit for every occasion! Of course, there is still Gymboree Rewards, Gymbucks, and all the fun sales you love!

Make sure to sign up for Gymboree emails to receive special offers, updates, and more!

Summer Styles with Gymboree

May 20, 2018June 26, 20202 Comments

I was compensated for this post.

The countdown is on! School is coming to an end and Summer Vacation will be here before we know it. Living in Florida is perfect for Summer, although it does get HOT! Luckily, we are surrounded by beaches and parks so we can have fun in the sun all Summer long.

This Summer we are going to stay close to home exploring all the local parks and beaches and getting outdoors. There is nothing quite like fresh air and sunshine to boost your mood. Plus, with three kids it helps them burn off some of their energy and get some exercise. By the time we get home, they are usually ready to relax and hopefully take a nap!

Some of the outdoor fun will be in our own backyard this Summer with all the activities I have planned.

Water balloons, sidewalk chalk, water guns, hanging in the kiddie pool, bubbles, and more! Of course, indoor crafts are a must as well. My daughter is kind of obsessed with arts n crafts so I plan on looking up lots of fun stuff we can do together. Playdates with friends, splash parks, swimming, BBQs, the possibilities are endless! I am looking forward to having so much fun with my girls this summer.

Of course, we can’t be Summer ready without new fun styles from Gymboree! We want our kids to be comfortable but looking great, so we always follow the sales going on at Gymboree so we can stock up on all the essentials.

With Memorial Day right around the corner, it means finding all the perfect outfits for every outing. There are so many fun styles from Gymboree that are great for cook-outs, picnics, block parties, and more!

What plans do you have for this summer? Will you be staying close to home and becoming a #locallegend? Or will you take a family trip out of town? Let me know in the comments below!

Ju-Ju-Be Black & Bloom with Sakura Swirl

April 11, 2018December 6, 20207 Comments

Ju-Ju-Be Diaper bags are a must-have for every Mom or Dad! They have a collection of bags and accessories in a variety of styles and prints. I recently purchased a Black and Bloom BRB and Sakura Swirl Be Light and they are both absolutely gorgeous!

Left Sakura Swirl Be Light, Right Black & Bloom Be Right Back

Everyone went crazy last year for the Ju-Ju-Be release of Rosy Posy and it sold out in minutes. Everyone has been begging for more florals ever since. Ju-Ju-Be listened and gave us more floral and now rose gold hardware! After Rosy Posy, I knew I had to get my hands on these brand-new prints.

Black & Bloom Be Right Back

The Ju-Ju-Be Black and Bloom print launched 3-6-18 which just happens to be my birthday month. So as a birthday present, my husband got me the Black & Bloom Be Right Back.

The Be Right Back is one of my favorite bags from Ju-Ju-Be. It holds a ton and is perfect for packing for more than one kid. I have a 1-year-old and a 7-year-old, so I usually pack extra clothes, tons of snacks, diapers, wipes, crayons, toys, coloring books etc. What I pack depends on the outing but those are usually the basics. I love to use it at the zoo and at theme parks so I can pack everything I need and be hands-free to deal with the kids.

Features include:

Padded back panel with breathable mesh
Ergonomically curved and padded shoulder straps
Quick grab handle
Cell phone pocket
Mommy pocket
Exterior bottle pockets

The BRB is convenient and comfortable. I am loving it in Black and Bloom.

Black and Bloom is from the Onyx Collection so it includes Black hardware. I have noticed a difference in the zippers. They definitely seem to open and close a lot smoother than bags from the other Ju-Ju-Be collections.

The bright watercolored flowers of black and bloom go so well with so many prints. It’s also the perfect print for Spring!

Center – Rosy Posy, Left – Sakura Swirl, Right – Black & Bloom

As you can tell I have a thing for florals. I have two daughters so I am all for the super girly prints. Rosy Posy, Sakura Swirl, and Black & Bloom were all super limited prints from Ju-Ju-Be. I am so glad I was able to get what I could while it was around.

Sakura Swirl launched 4-3-18 and was very hard to get. The only way I managed to get one is that I went to a local trunk show and was lucky enough to grab the one and only be light available. Retailers only got a handful of the Rose Gold collection.

photo credit via @jujube_intl

Sakura Swirl, Whimsical Watercolors, and Rose Colored Glass are all part of the newest Rose Gold collection from Ju-Ju-Be. They all came with beautiful rose-gold colored hardware.

I can’t wait to use my new Sakura Swirl Be Light! The light pops of color against the white make it simple yet elegant. Another bag perfect for Spring! It is gorgeous!

The Be Light is another favorite of mine. For either quick trips with the kids or just to use on my own as a mom bag. This bag is the lightest yet holds a ton! It’s easy to carry and you can attach D-rings to it to attach messenger straps.

Other features include:

Two insulated pockets
Inside zipper pocket
Main zipper closure
Light-colored linings

You can pack it with set pieces like I do or use an insert for the inside.

So what makes these bags different than all the others? One main feature is the Teflon fabric protector that helps repel stains. I don’t baby my bags so this is essential. Another is the Antimicrobial linings that kill germs, mold, mildew, fungus, bacteria, etc. And lastly, all the bags are machine washable. As a mom, all of these features make a huge difference. Collecting the prints is fun and the quality will last years.

B.F.F. Diaper Bag – Sakura Swirl

B.F.F. Diaper Bag – Rose Colored Glass

B.F.F. Diaper Bag – Black and Bloom

I hope that you are able to find yourself something new in black & bloom or the rose gold collection. Make sure you subscribe to my blog and follow me on social media, for more!

Shop Ju-Ju-Be >> https://bit.ly/PinkLady2016

#Followyourart with Gymboree

February 23, 2018June 26, 2020Leave a comment

I was compensated for this post.

Winter is ending and sunny skies are ahead! Spring is just around the corner and I couldn’t be happier. I think spring is one of my favorite times of the year. The warmer weather and clear skies make for so many fun outdoor activities. One of our favorite things to do is pack a lunch and head to the park. The kids enjoy the playground, then we like to walk the trails, and do some exploring.

Springtime also inspires lots of arts and crafts at home with my kids. My older daughter is full of creativity and loves taking pictures and making projects. Even my toddler loves to color and paint as well. We love to find fun projects we can all do together using paint, stickers, glitter, markers, and more! The kids absolutely love it and make a huge mess of course, but they are having fun and that is all that matters. It keeps them happy and quiet for hours, and the memories will last a lifetime.

Another thing I enjoy about Spring is all the bright new styles at Gymboree! There is so much new to see at Gymboree with their #Followyourart campaign and their new spring collection.

The new #Followyourart campaign is inspired by all the ways kids get creative! With bright new styles and fresh new ideas, Gymboree has the spring styles you are looking for.

At Gymboree, you will find quality clothing that will last for years that are both comfortable and stylish. They have so many sales that make their already affordable clothing a better deal. Plus, they have a Rewards program and the opportunity to earn Gymbucks. I know for me I am always looking for good deals on quality clothes for my kids. So hurry and head to Gymboree to get your kids Spring ready with style!

Valentine’s Day – Celebrating a Day of Love.

February 13, 2018May 22, 202011 Comments

February is here and tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! There are a lot of different ideas about Valentine’s Day and why it exists. A lot of people think that it is just a commercialized holiday for the card/candy companies to make money, but there is a lot of history behind it. The holiday is actually named after Saint Valentine. A lot of the traditions that go along with Valentine’s Day are based on Saint Valentine and has been celebrated for centuries.

The holiday may be intended for couples, but really you can use this day to celebrate anyone meaningful in your life. Whether it’s your best friend, your kids, your parents it really doesn’t matter. Valentines Day is a day of love for anyone in your life that is special to you.

I do enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day with my husband because having a forever Valentine is something to celebrate. I also enjoy celebrating this day of love with my mom and my kids. We all exchange cards and candy just to show we care. My older daughter usually has a party at school, so I buy her Valentine’s Day cards for her classmates and goodies for her to pass out and share. I also get the teacher a cute gift as well.

I dress up my girls in pink and red so they are ready to party in style. I love pink and hearts so decorating for Valentines Day is my favorite part. I get as many decorations as I can to make my home look festive and pretty.

Every year I try to bake some homemade goodies for my husband and kids. I decorate the kitchen with Valentine’s Day decor and put out cupcakes, cookies, and candy. I buy the kids some pizza and we watch a family friendly movie before they go to bed. Once the kids are in bed, my husband and I are able to relax and spend some time together.

My husband and I don’t even attempt to go out on Valentine’s Day anymore. It’s just not worth the stress of waiting two hours to be seated. We usually go out the weekend before or after Valentine’s Day, which we have found to be a lot easier.

We let the kids have their fun with snacks, treats, pizza, and a movie then get them to bed. We then enjoy a quiet dinner by candlelight with some romantic music. After dinner, we usually watch a movie and enjoy some dessert. It’s nothing extravagant but we try to just enjoy the day and keep it simple.

Most of the decor, gifts, and candy I buy are from Target. They have so many cute things available. I usually shop online and choose the pick up in store option. This saves me time and money. I save 5% every time I shop by checking out with my Target REDcard. There’s also this fun new thing called Gift Now that makes shopping even easier and saves you another 5%. If you’re looking for last minute items Target is the place to go.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Spend it with those you care about and share the love!

Ju-Ju-Be for Christmas

January 6, 2018December 6, 2020Leave a comment

The light’s have been taken down and the tree has been put away. The holidays are officially over! It’s bittersweet, I will miss the glow of the Christmas lights and driving around showing my kids all the beautiful decorations. The whole season is full of joy and excitement. We enjoyed so many festivities with the kids. We traveled all over town to bring them to all the Christmas events. There were also many quiet nights at home, watching our favorite Christmas movies while sipping hot cocoa. The other part of me is ready to get back to life and is counting down the days until my older two go back to school. Either way, we had a wonderful Christmas and was so grateful to be able to spend it together as a family.

Watching the excitement in my children’s eyes on Christmas morning is probably the best part of being a mom. Their list was short and simple. My daughter said just being with her family is the only gift she really needed. How sweet is that?

One thing she has been wanting for a while was a Ju-Ju-Be Itty Bitty Be and one of the new OOAKPL Silver Keychains. So when Ju-Ju-Be had a huge sale Black Friday weekend, I made sure I got my girls (and me) lots of goodies.

My older daughter was SO EXCITED to find her very own Itty Bitty Be in Super Toki under the tree. It’s a tiny Be Classy that includes a mini changing pad and a messenger strap to wear cross body. She loves that I also included her very own OOAKPL Silver Star Keychain! I told her it made her an official pink lady and that made her day. Her reaction was priceless!

The Super Toki Itty Bitty Be is a vibrant print with Tokidoki superheroes. The inside has the Sweet Victory print with a bright red, blue and yellow. This print is perfect for my daughter.

via Bumwear

She loves wearing it crossbody and takes it everywhere we go. She either carries her wallet with spending money or fills it with shopkins, hatchimals, or other little tiny toys. It’s just the right size for my little pink lady in training.

The Itty Bitty Be is really just the cutest thing ever. It is perfect for all the little pink ladies out there. It comes in so many different prints too. My daughter was thrilled to own her very own Ju-Ju-Be bag, just like Mommy.

Mommy got her first Be Classy from Santa in the Dandy Lines print! Up until now I have only used quicks, lights, and set pieces. This is my first structured bag and what a game changer! I love how it can be used as a purse and a diaper bag.

Left – Tokidoki Tokipops Paci Pod, Right – Tokidoki Unikiki 2.0 Paci Pod

Both of my girls love to use the Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pods. My older daughter clips hers on her bags to store her little toys. She was given the Tokidoki – Tokipops Paci Pod and was so happy! My younger daughter occasionally uses a pacifier, so I will actually be using her Unikki 2.0 Paci Pod for her pacifier. She likes to carry it around like a wristlet or I use it clipped on my bags. I scored both of these Paci Pods for a really great deal as well during Black Friday weekend. The retailer I ordered from also threw in a Tokidoki x Bebe Au Lait tote as a GWP, which I was so excited about!

The Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pods have two elastic bands inside that can hold a variety of items but are primarily used for holding two pacifiers one on each side. They have Teflon fabric protection to help repel stains and Agion treatment to protect the liner from bacteria.

Not only are Paci Pods a cute way to accessorize your bags, but there are so many uses for them besides holding pacifiers.

Cough Drops
Phone Charger
Headphones
Apple Airpods
Chapstick
Small Toys
Car Keys
Eos Lotion
Hand Sanitizer
Jewelry

These are just some uses for the Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pods. They come in a variety of prints, making it fun to collect and to dress up your bags.

Left – Be Tagged in Rad Hearts, Right – Lanyard in Happy Hearts.

All of these fun Ju-Ju-Be accessories made for great stocking stuffers. The Ju-Ju-Be Be Tagged is a great bag tag that perfectly fits a business card or a cute picture.

Other uses include:

Work Badge
Library Cards
Theme Park Passes
Luggage Tag
Pool Cards
Debit & Reward Cards
Gym Pass
ID Cards
Emergency Info
Labeling your child’s Backpack or Lunch Bag

You can also remove the fabric cord and attach a metal chain or key link. You could then attach it to a necklace or a keyring.

The Ju-Ju-Be Happy Hearts Lanyard is the cutest lanyard in my favorite print! Rad Hearts and Happy Hearts was an exclusive pink lady collaboration with Rad & Happy. It was a very limited print but the lanyards are still available online at Ju-Ju-Be. Lanyards can be used for work badges, Id’s, and passes. I attach mine to my keys so I can easily find them.

So overall my family and I had a wonderful Christmas. Not only was it was filled with my favorite Ju-Ju-Be, the best part of it all was sharing the holiday with my family. We are so grateful that we could be together for the holidays. My husband goes on call once a month and sometimes it falls on a holiday which is a major bummer. He works so hard for his family so I can stay home with our three kids. Every moment I can spend with my husband and kids is a true blessing.

I hope everyone had a great holiday and enjoys 2018!

Holiday Traditions with Gymboree

December 8, 2017July 30, 2020Leave a comment

I was compensated for this post.

The Holiday season is officially here! It’s such a magical time of year, especially as a kid! I remember growing up, Christmas was the one time of year I looked forward to. My sister and I would enjoy making our Christmas list for Santa. As the days got closer to Christmas Day, we would be so excited we couldn’t sleep. We would wake up bright and early on Christmas morning, ready to see if we got what we hoped for. Of course, there were more moments that made Christmas so special. We would buy hot cocoa, play Christmas music, and drive around town looking at Christmas lights. We would also spend time baking cookies, watching movies, and spending time around the campfire. The holiday events, visiting Santa, the Christmas parades, and of course the Christmas tree! That was one of my favorite parts of Christmas as a kid, decorating the Christmas tree. I feel like a kid myself around the holidays and there is nothing better than sharing these moments with my own children.

We all have special memories growing up and many of us share those family traditions with our own kids. With all the holiday events, parties, and get-togethers, having picture perfect outfits is a must! Finding affordable and stylish outfits is possible thanks to the Gymboree Holiday Collection. From casual to dressy, you will find the perfect outfit for every occasion.

One thing I LOVE about Gymboree is all the deals. They are constantly having sales, and you can also earn Gymboree Rewards every time you shop. As a SAHM of three, saving money is essential. So I try to look for deals anytime I can. What’s better than getting high-quality clothing for your kids at an affordable price? Especially around the Holidays.

I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of this holiday season and hope you do as well!