All posts by Alicia

Walmart Stock Up and Save event with P&G

P&G Stock Up and Save Event at Walmart with a Gift Card Giveaway!

The Walmart gift cards and information have been provided by P&G.

Spring has sprung in Atlanta and in spite of spreading a thick layer of pollen on every surface imaginable, Spring is the time when the kids spend the most time outdoors. Paper towels, paper towels, paper towels… that’s one of our staples during Spring. Whether we use them to wipe pollen off Madelyn’s sandbox, the swings, or blow noses when tissues aren’t available outside, paper towels can be found around every corner of our house and outdoor spaces.

What else does Spring mean for our family?  Well, this goes along with the playing outside I mentioned earlier… laundry detergent galore!  We recently stocked a shelf system in our garage with 4 HUGE things of Tide Coldwater amongst other often used items.  It seems during the spring and summer months we do three times the laundry as in winter.  It makes sense seeing as how the kids are much more active outdoors and get dirty and stinky.

Thanks to Walmart and P&G teaming up for Walmart’s Stock Up and Save event, I was able to seriously stock up.. and save.. on some of our favorite staples this week!

Walmart Stock Up and Save event with P&G

 

I stocked up on the P&G products in the photo above, for less than $70!

Shopping at Walmart during the Stock Up and Save event allows me to stock our shelves with must-have staples and makes it so that I don’t have to go to the store as often.. hallelujah!  Walmart already offers everyday low prices so the rollback events like this one are just another way to get the most of your money.

Walmart Stock up and Save event


Here are some of the P&G products you can stock up and save on through April 30th!

  • Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent
  • Tide Simply Clean and Fresh Liquid Laundry Detergent
  • Charmin Ultra Soft or Ultra Strong Toilet Paper
  • Bounty Mega Roll Select-A-Size Paper Towels
  • Luvs Super Absorbent Diapers
  • Pampers Swaddlers Huge Pack
  • Tampax Pearl Plastic, Super Absorbency
  • Always Ultra Thin Long Super Unscented Pads
  • Always Discreet Maximum Underwear
  • Always Discreet Moderate Regular Length Pads
Walmart Stock Up and Save Ad

 

The P&G Stock Up and Save Event is going on at your local Walmart through April 30th, 2015.

To help fund your Stock Up and Save shopping trip at Walmart, we are giving a $25 Walmart Gift Card to one lucky reader.

Contest open to U.S. residents age 18+ only. Entries accepted from 12am Friday April 17th, 2015 to 12am April 28th, 2015.

 

Note to readers: The Walmart gift cards and information have been provided by P&G.

 

 

JORD Fieldcrest Wood Watch

JORD Wood Watch: The Perfect Spring and Summer Accessory

I don’t know about you, but with the emergence of the first buds on the trees – finally, I am reminded of the arrival of spring and my thoughts turn to updating my wardrobe.  I may not be the most fashion conscious of women but after a long, cold winter filled with boots, sweaters, and pants, it is finally time to break out my favorite skirts, dresses, light blouses, and sandals.

JORD Fieldcrest Wood Watch

With each new season, I try make it a point to incorporate a new piece into my wardrobe, whether it be a piece of statement jewelry, a fun Spring scarf, or an eye-catching piece top.  The perfect accessory can pull an outfit together, breathing life into an otherwise drab ensemble, many of which mine are despite my sister being a fashion blogger.  Interesting isn’t it?   For me, this year’s go-to item is a real no brainer.  I updated my wardrobe with a JORD Fieldcrest wood watch.  For the eco-conscious woman (or man), a JORD watch, or two, is the perfect addition to their wardrobe.  The Fieldcrest has a case of 39mm and a thickness of 11mm, a great size for the average woman’s wrist.

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JORD uses sustainably sourced wood from all corners of the globe.  Each unique band and face may contain one or multiple types of wood in line with the design and function of each individual watch.  Check out their current series of watches, which feature bamboo, maple, sandalwood, blackwood, cherry, zebrawood, and koa. And best of all, JORD will size your time peice for you upon purchase, ensuring that your watch is neither too loose nor too tight.

spacerIt can be extremely difficult to find a watch that accommodates the bountiful colors of spring and summer fashion. Yet the earthy, neutral tones of a JORD wood wristwatch more than meet the challenge of integrating an everyday item into a colorful Spring/Summer wardrobe.

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JORD Fieldcrest Wood Watch
Whether you’re wearing neutral khakis and whites or stepping out in the corals, greens, and golds that beckon vacation, you’re good to go with a JORD wood wristwatch.Each JORD wristwatch is a miniature work of art whose face, bezel, and strap feature distinctive hues and wood grains. Moreover, a JORD wristwatch’s breathable, comfortable band is perfect for summer’s hot temperatures.

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If you’re an Apple fan like me, you might be anxiously awaiting the release of the Apple Watch that will cost you upward of $400.  For the price you’d pay for one Apple Watch, why not get two beautiful JORD wood watch?

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It’s hard to go wrong with a JORD Fieldcrest watch. This gorgeous, unique item is the perfect addition to your spring and summer wardrobe.

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JORD Fieldcrest Wood Watch

 

To see more beautiful JORD wood watches, check out their websiteFacebook page and Instagram.

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We want you to have the opportunity to wear a JORD watch this  Spring/Summer so we’re giving a lucky reader a $120 JORD gift certificate to spend on the wood watch of their choice!  If you fancy a JORD wood watch over $120 simply pay the difference and get the watch of your dreams!spacer
Entries will be accepted 4/10/2015 through 12am 4/28/15.  Contest open to U.S. residents ages 18+.  The Mommy Insider is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

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Disclaimer: I was provided a free JORD Wood Watch to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received.

 

 

KidzBop Spring Break Tips on TheMommyInsider.com

7 Fun Spring Break Activities You Can Do At Home From KidzBop!

I’m sorry to say I almost didn’t open an email from KidzBop today as I was going through hundreds of emails and was attempting to prioritize (silly me) but I thought gosh.. we listen to KidzBop on XM radio EVERY time we’re in the car, maybe there’s something relatable and interesting in the email.

I’m so glad I opened it because Madelyn will flip over these tips!

I can totally see the four of us having a blast doing the activities in the tip sheet below.  Wednesday would be my favorite while Thursday would be Sebastian’s favorite and Madelyn’s favorite would be.. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!

We’re going to my dad’s house in Florida for Spring Break and we will probably have KidzBop on the radio 90% of the time.   If my dad and stepmom are lucky, they’ll get to have a KidzBop dance or karaoke party with us!  I will not be filming these fabulous experiences! 😉

To access the ‘fill in’ pdf activity sheet referenced in Tuesday’s tip click here.

Here are 7 awesome Spring Break activity ideas inspired by tracks from KIDZ BOP 28.

KidzBop Spring Break Tips on TheMommyInsider.com

I hope you enjoy these tips as much as we will!  Which would be your kids favorite tips?

NWF Butterfly Heroes

Be a Butterfly Hero. Submit a Photo and Help Save the Monarch Butterfly with NWF

Are you a National Wildlife Federation member?  If not, you should look into becoming a member, and if you are then hopefully you know about NWF’s Butterfly Heroes program that is going on now.

When Madelyn saw the Butterfly Heroes spread in the most recent NWF publication she got so excited.   She read that if she submitted a photo of her showing the sign language sign of the butterfly on NWF’s Butterfly Heroes website, she would be mailed a free butterfly garden starter kit.  Despite the fact that we already have butterfly bushes and butterfly attracting flowers in our gardens, the idea of having her very own butterfly garden kit was very exciting.

So Madelyn became a Butterfly Hero.. and here is her photo..

NWF Butterfly Heroes

The majestic monarch butterfly is in decline and needs our help. National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, is giving away 50,000 Butterfly Heroes Garden kits to help save the monarch butterfly.

NWF’s new Butterfly Hero Campaign, launches March 4, 2015, and asks people to submit a photo of themselves making the international sign language sign of the butterfly on NWF’s Butterfly Heroes website, at: www.nwf.org/butterflyheroes. By taking the pledge, participants will be mailed a free kit (while supplies last) and if entered by May 15, are eligible for a chance to win a trip for four to Walt Disney World. Botanical Interests is supporting the campaign with a donation of native milkweed seeds.

“We can each be a part of saving the monarch butterfly. The simple act of planting milkweed with your family provides monarchs with a place to lay their eggs, and helps ensure this iconic species has a future,” said David Mizejewski, naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation.

NWF Butterfly HeroesMonarch butterflies spend winter in Mexico or Central and Southern California, and then migrate north in spring into neighborhoods across the United States. They need places to rest their wings, drink flower nectar, and lay their eggs on milkweed which their baby caterpillars eat. Monarchs are losing this habitat, and without it the Monarch cannot survive. NWF is asking that people across the United States to plant milkweed to preserve the monarch’s habitat. Learn more about NWF’s monarch protection efforts at NWF.org/Monarchs and http://www.nwf.org/pollinators.

NWF’s Garden for Wildlife program encourages responsible gardening that helps pollinators and other wildlife thrive. It encourages planting with native species like milkweed and discouraging chemical pesticide use. With nearly 200,000 locations and growing, NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitats and Community wildlife Habitats recognize individuals, schools, groups and whole communities committed to providing habitat for wildlife, including pollinators. Each of the nearly 200,000 certified locations provides food, water, cover and places to raise young. This makes yards, schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, campuses, parks, farms and other community-based landscapes into wildlife sanctuaries.

The brand new Butterfly Heroes Campaign is organized by NWF and is a part of a number of programs designed to inspire people to get outdoors, help wildlife, and become more aware of the nature in their neighborhood and community. NWF has worked to connect people with nature for decades, inspiring people through Ranger Rick magazine, working with educators to get kids greening their schools and learning outdoors.

National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization, inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.

I hope you’ll consider joining NWF and submitting a photo of your child making the butterfly sign language sign so you can be part of saving the Monarch Butterfly too!

– Alicia

Sebastian parking bike

Day After Laser Iridotomy on Eye #2 + Questionable Medial Branch Block (Epidural) Results

I am so relieved to be done with medical procedures, for a while at least.  🙂  The last couple of weeks have been quite a medical journey.   I’m glad my sister was in town when I found out about Angle-Closure Glaucoma and had the epidural for my neck done or I would have gone crazy with anxiety and stress.   Thanks Grech.   Just having her here distracted me enough to not be constantly worried about what I was going through.

I had the Laser Iridotomy on my left eye yesterday and while it was pretty uncomfortable – the zapping of the lasers in my eyeball and all, I feel better today than I did the day after they did the right eye last week.  I had an intense headache after the Laser Iridotomy yesterday and slept for a couple of hours.. something I don’t do in the middle of the day hardly ever.  Madelyn asked if the eye surgery was going to take the purpleness out from under my eyes.  Anyone care to recommend an amazing under-eye concealer?

Today I’m struggling with whether or not the epidural (technically referred to as a Medial Branch Block) I had almost two weeks ago, worked.  I HATE to think it didn’t work, but my neck really hurt yesterday.  I was hoping the pain was a result of the stress and anxiety over the Laser Iridotomy I was getting ready for yesterday afternoon, but my neck still hurts today.  I am going to give it a few more days and will call my physical therapist to schedule a dry needling or trigger point massage session if the pain isn’t substantially better by Friday.   The spine surgeon said that if the Medial Branch Block worked this time we would go with Radiofrequency Neurotomy next time which would relieve the pain forever, since a heat lesion is created on the nerves with the goal of interrupting the pain signals to the brain, thus eliminating pain.  Sounds great right.. but I have to feel definite relief from the Medial Branch Block in order to move to the next step so I’m a little frustrated that I might not be getting that relief, putting us back to (almost) square one as far as a treatment plan is concerned.

Meanwhile, I’m excited to be going to my 4th private yoga therapy session tomorrow.  Carolyn, my yoga teacher, has not only taught me yoga poses and stretches that help with my neck pain but she’s also taught me breathing techniques that help with pain and stress.   Nowadays, there’s a good chance my kids will walk into my office and see me with my eyes closed, on the floor, breathing slowly and deeply, unbeknownst to them, creating a happier more relaxed mom.  For the last two weeks I’ve been practicing the pigeon and warrior poses so hopefully I can pull them off without falling on my face tomorrow.  I just realized I can’t drive myself to yoga tomorrow.  Shoot.. I guess I need to stop writing and figure out how I’m going to get to yoga tomorrow.
Sebastian parking bikeTo the right is the photo I chose for how I’m feeling today.

Even though things aren’t always the way we’d like them to be,  it’ll work out if you do your best and make the best of the situation.
It wasn’t an ideal situation but Sebastian parked his bike in this flooded bike rack, it did the job and turned out to be just fine. 🙂
That’s it for today.

I have updates on the dog situation and organization around the house that I’m excited to share in another post so stay tuned. 🙂

– Alicia

 

Note to readers: When I write posts like this (personal posts), I often don’t proofread it because I will then edit and delete for hours or never actually publish the post.  Run-on sentence and grammatical errors are to be expected. :)