Creekside Farms Wreaths Brings The Festive Into My Home REVIEW

The 411 by Maria:

The day after Thanksgiving I received a box that filled my home with the most amazing smells. We quickly opened the box which told us that this was a fresh floral product.

The wreath was beautiful filled with one of my favorite scents; eucalyptus. I love it so much I even had it in my bridal bouquet.

We love how it is packaged and there were also two or three ties that kept it from shifting and crushing in the box. It was a quick snip and we got it out.

So beautiful! Love the babys breath and the red bow too!

It looks beautiful above my desk and is the only decoration up but it looks stunning! Hopefully we will continue decorating tomorrow. It can hang on a door, a wall, a mirror, wherever you want.

Creekside Farms doesn't just have seasonal wreaths, they also have decorative wreaths for weddings, decor, corporate gifts, Fall, herb filled, or all occasion like their beautiful Ocean Breeze wreath with sand dollars and shells. Lovely!

When Calls The Heart: Rules Of Engagement - Lifetime's First Scripted Show Gets Greenlight For Season 2

The 411: 

I have been watching What Calls The Heart on Lifetime and love it. What I love most is how sweet, quiet and lovely this series is. It reminds me of my childhood and the shows that were on TV while I was a child.

This is a show you can watch with your whole family without fear that a curse or slang word will be dropped. There will be no uncomfortable, sexy scenes that you hope are over your kids head while you squirm in your seat waiting for the scene to end. No my friend! This is a lovely show where girls are modest and men are gentlemen. 

In this episode Rosemary, Jack's ex-fiancé is looking to make him hers again and will do what she has to in order to get her man back.  While Elizabeth meets a young man whose educational abilities surprise her so much that pays a visit to his mothers home to tell her how gifted he is (as if a mother wouldn't know). Elizabeth also has a decision to make on her future.  Abagail has her hands full as she and Mr. Avery work on making the mine accountable for the loss of the men of the town. 

There is so much going on with this episode that I don't even know where to start so I will leave you with this: 

• Jack proves he is a wonderful man with a huge heart.
• Elizabeth knows where she needs to be
• Abagail is stronger than many woman on TV 
• Mr. Avery used to be on General Hospital. Hello Frisco.
• and Rosemary needs to get her butt out of dodge! 

Thanks Michael Landon Jr and Hallmark for continuing to make family friendly movies and shows that you can watch even if your kids are awake! 
 

Finally! Dreft Debuts Stain Removers For The Clothes We Put On The Most Sensitive Skin

The 411:

It's true, I truly trust Dreft. My son is now 11 but I have been using Dreft on his clothes since the first week he was born. Yes, like most babies he had sensitive skin but he had an extra reason I trust his laundry to Dreft. It is the only one that I can use that doesn't flare up his eczema without spending more than I have to.

I remember tossing out so many onesies back in the day because I couldn't find a pretreater that could be used on his puree food stains and even now some of his clothes end up as a rag because even if there is a tiny stain he will not wear it anymore.   

We have trusted Dreft for my son's laundry for 11 years and I don't see that changing!

NOW...there is a new reason for me to love them even more.

There's the Dreft Laundry Stain Remover which I now keep right next to my other stain remover above my washing machine so I can treat the stain before tossing his laundry into the wash. His laundry is always washed alone to keep it away from any other detergent. 

There's also the little portable stain remover that you can leave outside the laundry room and pre-treat that stain before you even toss it into the dirty bin.

AND...there's the ON TO GO PEN Instant Stain Remover!

LOVE IT! I can toss it in my purse, diaper bag or backpack.  YOU can take it with you anywhere. AWESOME. It's easy to use, and there is no chance of it opening up and spilling in your purse because you have to push down to get it to work.  It is perfect for Moms/Dads and Caregivers On The Go.

Popular Program Becomes Our Favorite Kids Reading Program For Ages 3-7

Rosetta Stone has launched a new Kids Reading program for children ages 3-7 although my daughter is 9 and she loved it as well. It's research-proven to be effective and will help kids master core literacy skills--from learning shapes and sounds, to sentence structure--in a fun, game-like environment. They can use Rosetta Stone Kids Reading at home on the computer or on-the-go on their tablets (great for car rides!).

Starting school has taken a turn and is nothing like when my kids started out just a few short years ago. I know they would not have been ready based on what they knew going into Kindergarten these days. Rosetta Stone Kids Reading Program is a great tool to help your kids prep for when they are ready to enter school OR for kids who are already in school like mine, it's a great program to help continue and support what they're learning in the classroom, at home. 

I started with my 9 year old Goddess two weeks ago and the very first thing I will point out is that my very reluctant reader really wanted to "play" well, that is what she called it anyway but I can tell you what she was doing was "learning".  The morning after she tried it she woke up earlier than usual asking "mommy, I don't want to wait until after school. Can I go on now for a little while?" I was completely shocked. My daughter loves computer games and is completely Minecraft obsessed but couldn't wait to go back to the Rosetta Stone Reading Program! I remember telling my husband, I am so adding this to my post! That says it all for me!

Why do kids love it? I think it may be the colorful, non cluttered screens, the encouragement they get from the characters and the ability to select levels they are confident with that you can build on as they learn more that will keep them focused, interested and wanting to go back to "play" even though we all know they are actually "learning." Shhhhh they don't need to know right now. Let it go!

Stocking Gift Idea - Wuzzits The Monster Matchy Matchy Game

The 411 by Maria and Goddess 

We love games. Goddess and I spend a lot of our unplugged time playing games. It is something we really enjoy doing and she is open to almost anything which makes it really fun for me. Keeping kids unplugged and involved is important to me and I love games that encourage that. Spending a lot of time with kids I see way too many kids spending time in virtual game worlds with "pretend" friends and I don't want to foster that.

However, I do want to foster the love of spending time with your family or people you care about laughing over a board game and this one is perfect.

Goddess loves spending time looking at the colorful, fun cards

There are so many ways to play and we think kids as young as five can play this game and we love that it has a handy day way to pack it all away and basically take it anywhere. We also think they should consider a preschool game similar with larger cards that would make it easier for them to pick up.

Basically we loved it and you can see more in the video below.

Our Video Review:

A Funny, Zany, Wacky Night Before Christmas!

The 411 by Maria:

A new spin on the Night Before Christmas concept and what Santa may be going through as he gears up for a very busy night.

My Video Review:

Photo Sunday - Finding The Straight Line

The theme of Photo Sunday is Straight. You wouldn't think you would have a photo to contribute but I bet if you look just through the last few photos on your camera, cell or iPad you would be surprised.

We had our very first visit to Pier One and we LOVED it. When I look at this photo though all I see are straight lines!

These beautiful books are actually empty holiday boxes at Michaels. I didn't get one but really really wanted to.

This ornament keeps things straight and narrow

Red candy shop shelves and the rungs on the ladder couldn't possibly be any straighter.

My deck in the middle of the snow storm on Wednesday looks awesome covered in a white fluffy layer

Straight Out Of The Camera - Goddess and A Frosty Sally

This was an easy pic for the category Straight Out Of The Camera! Wednesday into Thursday we found ourselves in 10 inches of heavy snow in my area. It was beautiful and a very interesting Thanksgiving! We were supposed to go to my in-laws who we were very excited to see. They are only here 6 months of the year and spend the rest of their time in Spain. The kids were counting down the days but with the heavy snow and no electricity we opted to stay close to home. The turkey was in the fridge already defrosted as a back up plan (the snow was expected), the generator was on, and the fireplace.

Honestly it wasn't a bad day at all except we didn't have a traditional Thanksgiving meal with our extended family. I am a firm believe in everything happens for a reason and staying close to home with my little family served me just fine. My town is very generous and everyone was on generators and offering up their ovens or a meal but we stayed home.

My daughter and I played some board games and we got diner food to go for dinner but it was a great day all in all. I wanted my family together and we were.

During the day Goddess headed to the deck for a while and created a snowman on her own. We watched her roll it by, creating the biggest snowman we have ever had on our property.

Here she is trying to figure out how to get that body onto the first part.

Daddy was kind enough to go out and assist.

She is making sure it will not fall off.  LOL this photo shows how she puts her whole body into it.

Completely reinforced

She called her Sally! Here is a faceless Sally

A trip to the yard hailed us some stones for eyes and buttons

She loves Her! I love her too because she doesn't have a mouth which means less talking in my world. Not a bad thing!

This frog hat makes me crack up every time.

One more kiss!

Jingle All The Way 2 Starring Larry The Cable Guy

The 411:

I loved the first Jingle All The Way starring Arnold Schwartzeneger about a dad who wants to get his son a Turbo Man for Christmas. In this version starring Larry the Cable Guy; Larry plays Larry a single dad trying to get his daughter what he believes is the one thing she is asking for this Christmas. He is competing with a new shiny step father who has a whole lot of cash and will do whatever he can to make Noel's wish come true.

We love holiday movies especially the kind that have heart and are funny. This has a whole lot of heart and heck it's Larry so the humor is there. 

While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the first movie. Larry does a decent job of playing a single dad trying to be the best dad for his little girl who loves him. 

Great movie for the whole family about love, never giving up, and sometimes family aren't always the people you were born to and that's OK.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered.

Falling Star By Laura DeLuca Is A Girl's Dream

The 411:

Falling Star is about two people from very different parts of the world. Jersey Shore girl Lainey lives and works in a Wildwood New Jersey and Drew is across the US living a rising actors dream.

When Drew decides to take a break and heads to the shore a place he recalls was relaxing to him as a child he meets Lainey. Lainey is just chilling alone on a swing, feeling the wind in her hair when suddenly a sexy stranger is way to close. She does what any Jersey Girl would do in this situation and threatens him. Intrigued by this sexy, strong woman he decides he will make it his mission to get to know her while keeping his true star identity hidden.

I loved how Laura added so many details about the Jersey Shore. I even appreciated how Drew wanted to keep his identity hidden and escape the celebrity world for a little while. I found myself really upset with him when he would pass up every opportunity to tell Lainey the truth as they discovered more about each other especially when she was so open and honest with him.

Knowing a little about Laura DeLuca I loved how she weaved in more elements of Wicca this time around. Some of my favorite parts revolved around Lainey and her girlfriends. Laura must be a really great girlfriend because all of her girl characters tend to have a awesome friends who really know and support each other.

At times I felt like I was reading a Laura DeLuca biography. Jersey Girl, Wicca, and a desire to be a Writer. Sounds like Laura to me.

Laura characters are always very real. You feel like they can be your friends and to be totally honest, this was my favorite Laura DeLuca book yet and I have reviewed a few.

I highly recommend this book about friendship, romance, and forgiveness. Great job Laura

Two Chicks In A Candy Shop

This weekend Goddess and I headed out for a ride. We never know where the road will lead but we try to go somewhere.

We were so excited as we parked and got out of the car amid the buzz of hundreds of others who obviously had the same idea. The street was packed and the sidewalk lined with many, many others. As we entwined our hands I felt like I was walking with my girl in NYC. We had to walk sideways between others, saw a horse drawn carriage, heard sidewalk singers, saw lines of folks who were out to enjoy the beautiful Sunday.

First we ended up in a jewelry shop which Goddess wanted to go into. It was filled with bling until I pointed out that a certain pair of earrings she was looking at were only $4,400. She was shocked. Our favorite shop was a candy shop that had just opened.

I had just been showing her pictures of candy I used to love when I was a girl last week. We JUST had to get this since I it was one of the few I had shown her.

We didn't get any of these but I loved all that red, white and blue.

Look at all this color! I LOVE the red shelves which were stocked with glass containers of candy to buy by bulk size. Just grab a bag, a scoop and go to town. We didn't!

This guy looks like he didn't want his photo taken! We were right in the doorway so I snapped and moved which is why we have the blur but I had to share this guy with his lolli head dress.

You can see people were taking their time selecting their favorites. I love the nostalgic feel of the candy shop especially with that ladder.

She is holding our buys but I just had to keep looking. There was not enough time. I need to go back.

Don't judge but we found a spot outside, down the street and sampled it all!

Mighty Leaf Tea Gift Box

The 411 by Maria:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE tea. In fact my nickname is grandma among my girlfriends because when we all lived together I was 2 and 3 years old then them and every night had to have my cup of tea. We were only in our early 20s but they found it so funny. One night they hid my beloved tea and there was hell to pay. I need my tea! I don't even have a favorite. I like them all black tea, herbal tea, green tea, I don't play favorites. I am a coffee lover as well. I don't know if it is habit or if I just love the warm, calming feeling I get when I drink one or the other.

This week I gave up my beloved coffee because after trying Mighty Leaf Tea I was truly hooked and couldn't get enough. I received the Mighty Leaf Holiday Collection Tea Chest to try along with their patented travel brew mug. The mug has a slit for your tea bag which means you never lose it and your tea doesn't over brew because as you drink it the bag stays close to the lid. 

The Tea is a whole other story! I drink a lot of tea. This tea is honestly and I am not even doing the blogger thing here. If you are a friend of mine that I see daily, you have heard about this tea. I even gave samples out at work as hard as it was because honestly all I kept thinking was how I would have fewer but I NEEDED to share these. It wasn't enough to just say how good they were. Here is a picture of the tea. It looks wonderful and unprocessed. I have never seen tea like this. I am used to tea that just looks like a bunch of black stuff in a tea bag. OH...and speaking of tea bags...I love these tea bags. They are almost so pretty I don't want to use them. Truly a work of art. Each bag looks hand sewn as if someone who loves you made them for you.

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The Massive Caterpillar

We are cold here in New York. I wish we were back to the warm days of Summer already and it is only November! My girl found this huge caterpillar which was the size of her finger. I wish I could have taken a photo of its feet. There were massive and you could feel each one moving.