I See Me Personalized Children's Books, Snuggle Bunny Review

I See Me's New Snuggle Bunny Personalized Children's book is beyond adorable.  The book itself is great for bed time.  It also helps children learn to count 1 through 10.  Each page is beautifully illustrated, and personalized with my Son's first name.  This is ideal to give him for Easter in his basket.  Below are  a few other ideas from I See Me For Easter.  

I don't give my son a lot of sweets for the Holidays, and he does love books, and stuffed animals.  I just know he's going to love his very own snuggle bunny gift set. Also check out the My Very Own Storybooks, Pirates, Fairytales, Birthdays, and many more!

There is also a promotion code that ends in a few days on 3/15 to get $5.00 off for min. purchase of $19.95. The Easter cut off for delivery (Since the book is Personalized.) is 3/15.  The Code to use is: HOPS

Also feel free to enter the ISeeMeSweepstakes for Raising A Reader.  http://iseemesweeps.listrak.com/

For more ideas you can find ISeeMe on the Social Media Links Below, They are a great company so feel free to say hi to them, like them, and ask them questions! 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISeeMeBooks 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ISeeMe_Maia 
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/iseemebooks/

I received this book for review.  The book meets, and exceeds my expectations.

Artisan Salad is full of Vitamins!

Since I've been eating healthier, and trying to eat more vitamin rich, low calorie meals I discovered that I actually do enjoy Artisan Salad.  

Artisan Lettuces consist of Petite Gem (crunchy sweet mild flavor.) Petite Tango (sharp intense spice flavor.) Petite Oak (lots of texture, and flavor.) 

3oz's of lettuce is only 10 calories. It has the same calorie # as Iceburg but an actual percentage of Vitamins that makes the other lettuces look like sissies.  I also like to add baby spinach in with the salads, along with my favorite veggies.  Just because? It's delicious.  

Artisan Salad has Vitamin A 100%, Vitamin C 10%, Calcium 2%, Iron 4%. 170 MG of Potassium, 2g Carbs, Less than 1 g Fiber, Less than 1g Sugar, 1g Protein, ,

Between my husband, and myself we eat 2 trays of the Artisan Lettuce a week now. I really love it's crisp, fresh taste. It has FLAVOR, and doesn't just taste like water!! If you're a salad person, and you've never tried Artisan Salad you really should. You need those vitamins. Plus I dig it's peppery sweet taste.  You should try it.  

I'm also on Nutrisystem, and part of the Guidelines is to add grocery store add-ins, like vegetables, fruits, nuts, extra protein (Smart Carbs, and Power Fuels.)

I miss the water, the smell of the clean air. I just miss the seclusion, the quiet. I miss being able to sit with my thoughts without someone watching me.

I'm pretty home sick today.  I know it's been 6 years, but I miss the water, the smell of the clean air.  I just miss the seclusion, the quiet.  I miss being able to sit with my thoughts without someone watching me.  

I wanted to show you a few photos I've taken, of places that mean the world to me. I'm not a photographer, but I am an avid lover of beautiful things.  I like to take pictures of things that stand out to me.

This is looking up from the back swing in my Parents yard. One of my favorite go-to spots when I was younger.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge,  We used to drive over this bridge almost everyday to see family.  The view is just amazing on it.

Driving back trails that most don't even know about is love. This is historic James Town. You don't need to pay for tours.  There are many areas that are free to the public, that the public doesn't even know about.  I used to live across the river from this.  

Sunrises on calm water can put any one at ease.  These are the things I miss.  The simplicity of life.  The wait of the ferry to cross the river.  The pace is completely different than City living. 

Secret spots, that are hidden.  Still clean from this worlds trash.  A clean beach?? Some do exist.  This was one of those spots.  

I miss the quiet walks around a town that's population was only in the 300's.  Historic buildings, and no pollution.  No tourists. 

Sitting at the town beach with my dog as he runs up and down the beach, while I watch a fish kite dance in the wind.  Cool sunset breezes.

Driving onto the Ferry with family, and loved ones to just enjoy the nothingness on the other side.

Weird attractions that you just have to pull over for, and talk to the older generation that owns the store.

Fate bringing you to that store, because it's name is your Dog that's with you.  And the older lady thought you had a healing aura about you, and gives you a $100.00 natural amethyst necklace because she likes you.

While sometimes, the simple things, like a flower in the middle of the woods, around no other flowers,  is a beautiful thing.  

Finding reflections in the photos you've taken, and thinking it's the most beautiful thing ever without having to even touch a photoshop.

Loving the water, and all fish life.  Sometimes I wonder why we don't try harder to find what's exactly hidden in our oceans, like we do in space.

Why? because I love the lines, and underwater plants.  I would like to live under the sea.  I like how just reflections on glass, can make ones imagination roam. 

When a tree calls out to you right at sunset, and looks like the only sunlight left brightens it's red flame.

And, this is why I miss the water, and need to move back.  Don't get me wrong.  The City has some nice Metro Parks, and we have other things .. like the Franklin Park Conservatory, The Zoo & Aquarium.  We've even camped in Athens, Ohio, been to Ash & Old Man's Cave.  It's still not the same as being sea level. 

I'd pay anything to be able to smell that fresh air, right before it rains, when you just know it's going to rain before the storm clouds even roll in.  

*All images are my own.  

Teen Works Binder ( From the 1980s) Photos of myself, growing up from Tom Boy to now.

I'm feeling a little nostalgic today.  Growing up my cousin Terri Jean gave me a Teen Works binder.  I was a huge Tom Boy.  Instead of Barbies, I wanted GI Joes. Instead of going to Girl Scouts, I would cry, and want to go swimming in the creek with my male cousins, and swing from vines over the ravines.  Beauty just wasn't anything to me.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't an ugly kid.  I was actually quite adorable.  I just didn't feel "Girly."

My mom also allowed me to be myself.  When I didn't want that Cricket Doll, she took it back, and got me the Storm Shadow I had to have.

That's me!  I even cut my hair short.. 

& Yes, I rocked the Heman's too.  I still wear a pair of Masters of The Universe Pj's to this day.

I could also be extremely cute!

When my older cousin gave me the book (she was into hair, and make-up.) I read it.  I didn't think I was ugly, but I liked the artistic aspect of the pages.  The eyebrow section especially was to teach you to set them up to arch with your face shape.  Through the awkward teenage years it helped me a lot.

I am 19 years old here.. that was 11 years ago. 

I really think that binder helped me grow into my looks.  I didn't do anything drastic to my eyebrows, and I knew how important skin care was because of it.  I didn't do anything to damage my skin, and I mostly used natural, greentea lotions, and oatmeal baths. My mom had bad allergies so we didn't use perfum-y chemical based products.  Even at almost 31 today I still get told I don't look my age.

This photo is when I was pregnant with my Son, right before my 30th birthday.  

I just did a search for the Teen Works Binder, and Kostia on Flickr has uploaded some of the images, http://www.flickr.com/photos/kostia/2449856623/in/set-72157604781562612/

Hilarious! Some of the styles back then, but still loving the tips. I wanted to do a huge, Thank you to my cousins, both of them,  Terri, and Liz (They are sisters.) For them not telling me what to do as for looks, but for Terri giving me that binder.  And Liz always giving me Make-up she didn't like anymore, Lol! I Love hand me downs.  Especially when she'd use it like once, and didn't like it.  Hehehe. Now I have so much make-up.  Loving the natural, earth friendly products out too.  Things have really changed.

Any one else a total Tom Boy that changed as they grew older?  I still like certain things that aren't deemed "Girly." but overall, I really think books like Teen Works are needed, and are great role model material for young women.

Did any of you have the binder too?

NEW Toms of Maine® Wicked Cool! Toothpaste for Kids 8(Or Adults!)

NEW Toms of Maine® Wicked Cool! Toothpaste for Kids 8: Looking for Toms of Maine natural ingredient products? #TomsWickedCool #freesamp http://bit.ly/WRjdjY

I received a sample for free for being a Smiley360 member for the new! Tom's Of Maine Natural Wicked Cool! Flouride Toothpaste.  It fights cavities, strengthens enamel, and freshens breath.  It's also dye free.  The Tooth paste says it's for ages 8+.   I gave my extra away to my nephew, and he says it's "Minty Wicked Cool."  I enjoyed the fresh Mint too. I don't think this toothpaste is just for kids,  I bet a lot more adults will enjoy it's mild mint too. Overall, I am very pleased with it, and so is my nephew. Our teeth are clean!

What toothpaste do you use?? Natural, or? Would you consider changing to something more natural?

Candle Voyage Review

I'm a huge fan of candles.  Not only do each of these candles play with the senses, they are also artisan hand-made. When I unboxed my samples from Candle Voyage I was happy to discover aromas I already like, mainly the Gingered Citrus, and Eucalyptus.  The box itself was extremely well packed, and I could smell the different oils inside.  It also comes with a list of the different candles, and artists websites.

A candle is meant to be lit!

I say it all the time.. that I like a variety of things.  I really do mean that.  Even with candles.  I think one can never have too many!  A different aroma for each mood.  Also one of my biggest peeves are people that don't light their candles! Candles are made to be lit! Enjoy them! Oh, and candle peeve #2 would be husbands that say you have too many!! Shhh, husband, shhh.

Candle Voyage is a monthly candle subscription box that contains candles from different artists.  Maybe you'll find a candle you can't live without, or you are just like me, you like to try new things all the time. Either way, it's also nice to support different artists, because candle making is an art!

The monthly plans can even be purchased as gifts.  The boxes retail for around $25 plus shipping & handling.  The soy jar candle, and the 3 aroma layered one would retail for about that in the store alone so I consider this a reasonable price.

So, Light your candles! Relax! Go on a Candle Voyage of your own.  We allllllllll deserve some calm time.  These candles were even better when lit.  

If you'd like to check Candle Voyage Monthly Candle Subscription Box out, you can find them online at CandleVoyage.com, and at their social media outlets below.

http://www.facebook.com/candlevoyage

https://twitter.com/candlevoyage

http://pinterest.com/candlevoyage/

Betty Lou's Inc. Gluten Free Review. Yum!!

Yum! Yummm!! Yummmm!!! Can't type.. too busy chewing.. I am enjoying this Betty Lou's Inc. Gluten Free Review!  

As much as I'd like to sit here, and eat the whole box of samples Betty Lou's sent me, I have to refrain myself.  Since I've been living a healthier lifestyle, and learning portion control I've sworn to my self, and to my health that I will only eat a snack when a snack is needed.  The food plan I am on allows me to add two snacks a day of my choice, long as I am smart about it in moderation.  Betty Lou's snacks makes a great addition to the life style I am trying to achieve.  

All Products Contain Absolutely NO Wheat, Refined Sugars, Hydrogenated Oils (No Trans Fat), Genetically Modified Ingrediants (Non-GMO) 

• Fruit Bars
• Angell Candy Bars
• Just Great Stuff  Bars
• Just Great Stuff Powdered Peanut Butter
• Vanilla Rice Protein Shake
• Nut Butter Balls

I received the above products from Betty Lou's Gluten Free Snacks to sample.  The first item I tried was the 9 1/2 veggie/fruit serving Just Great Stuff Chocolate Green Dream Bar  The chocolate coating on the bar is sweet, and the green inside is moist, and earthy tasting.  I actually like that taste.   It is after all a vegetable bar.  I then tried the Cinnamon/Apple Fruit bar, as I was enjoying myself, little grabby toddler hands stole the other half of my bar.  Usually he does not eat "sticky" things but he tore the fruit bar up.  I still needed my midday snack too, so I opened the Cherry Fruit Bar, and gave him half of that as well.  The bar reminds me of a better alternative than a fig newton.  It is squared shape, and the fruit filling is extremely full of flavor. Totally helped my sweet tooth craving.

I am going to be posting weekly on my Weight Loss Journey with what exactly I eat.  You'll be sure to see more Betty Lou's there.  

The fact that my 2 year old  is eating, and enjoying the bars means a lot to me.  He is extremely picky, and I always have to get creative with his fruit, and vegetables.

Oh, and how cute are the Candy Bars.. Angell.. they were meant for me! This is the beginning of a beautiful foodie friendship.   I like to eat, and Betty Lou's Inc. makes delicious snacks to eat. By the way, the Angell White Chocolate Bars are heavenly. 

Don't forget to check Betty Lou's out on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.  Never know, might find something you'd like to try too.

Plus, how great would these snacks be for an Easter Basket? Or anyday, just because I love you gift bag?