Last Minute Gift Idea from @emirates

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Do you struggle organizing your jewelry - especially when traveling for the holidays??!! I know I do!

Every time I travel my jewelry ends up in a bag somewhere all in a big heap of tangled mess! I hate sorting it or trying to come up with a solution for traveling!

So one of my favorite personal gifts to myself this year is the Emirates Jewelry Box! Emirates not only provides the opportunity to explore destinations around the globe, but they also create product that are perfect for stocking stuffers, or gifts for friends and family.

With this jewelry box, you can store all your favorite jewelry for your trip in this neat case. It's made from leather-like PU material with a zipped close and is just the right size to carry easily in your baggage.

The soft interior has compartments for rings, pins and trinkets. Release the popper in the lid to open a hidden compartment with a mirror and clips for your necklaces.

I can't wait to take this nice travel Jewelry Case on my next vacation! I will never have a jewelry mess or lose them again!

Buy It:

You can purchase the Emirates Jewelry Box for $75 from the Emirates website.

Disclosure: A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Get a Great Night's Sleep When Traveling This Summer with @HoMedics SoundSpa Line!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

There are two things that my family needs in a hotel room when traveling to get a good night's sleep - a humidifier (hotel air is SO DRY!!!) and a Sound Machine. It gets to be a lot to pack and carry around but it is usually so worth it for a great night's sleep away from home!

But lately, things have gotten easier for me when traveling because I have this AWESOME HoMedics MyBaby® Ultrasonic Humidifier which has both a sound machine AND a humidifier in ONE! It is my new favorite traveling must-have and our whole family LOVES it!

The HoMedics MyBaby SoundSpa Ultrasonic Humidifier combines soothing humidity and relaxing sounds to help your baby sleep throughout the night. Its one-gallon tank can deliver up to 45 hours of run time per filling, and Clean Tank Technology helps to protect the tank from mold and mildew. An optional night light gently illuminates the room, while 4 soothing sounds block distractions and lull baby to sleep

What I love about HoMedics is that they are all about getting a great night's sleep!!! They are even the new, official sleep-conditioning partner of the National Sleep Foundation. More than 10 HoMedics sleep-conditioning and sleep-therapy products for adults and infants will feature the National Sleep Foundation’s seal, indicating they align with the Foundation’s mission of improving sleep health and well-being through sleep education, and the incorporation of sleep science in products to encourage restful sleep.

HoMedics’ SoundSpa line of premium sound-technology products helps adults and infants alike rest their overactive and/or distracted minds using white noise and relaxing nature sounds, such as a rainforest or campfire. Sounds are designed to soothe the senses, encourage sleep and maintain deep sleep for a refreshed morning.

SoundSpa technology has been digitally mastered with the help of sound engineers to produce white noise and environmental sounds that help users fall asleep and stay asleep. For example, our sleep-therapy programs begin the user’s sleep ritual with nature sounds that softly transition into brown noise. This process helps the user achieve the deepest and most relaxed sleep.

Additionally, HoMedics’ portable sound products make travel less disruptive to sleep patterns, reducing distracting noises and maintaining sleep routines developed at home.

So if you struggle to sleep when traveling, grab a HoMedics portable sound product for your next trip and you WON'T regret it!!!

Buy It:

You can purchase all HoMedics SoundSpa products from their website.

*Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Travel the World While Eating Delicious @noodlescompany Salads!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

On a hot summer day, there is nothing more refreshing than a fresh, tasty salad! Especially as I am trying to get back on my weight loss track after a busy summer full of eating stuff I probably should't have!

So when I don't want to cook but I don't want to sacrifice my good nutrition, I head to one of my favorite restaurants - Noodles & Company and grab one of their NEW delicious and fresh salads!

Noodles & Company recently launched three summer salads that I am LOVING– the new Napa Market Salad with Chicken, Chicken Veracruz Salad and the guest-favorite Med Salad with Chicken – as part of their new “World Tour” menu.

In addition to using authentic ingredients such as Gala apple slices, fresh, hand-cut corn and avocado, the salads also feature bacon never given antibiotics or hormones, which further demonstrates the brand’s continued commitment to real food, real cooking and real flavors as part of their Made. Different. positioning – they never use any artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives in any of their dishes and that means so much to me!!

And what I love even more is I get to go on a culinary journey through Mexico, California and Greece with these three bold and flavorful salads!

I got the chance to try some of these delicious salads and I really was impressed! The mix of ingredients and dressings were interesting, unique and best of all - DELICIOUS!!

I first started out by trying the *NEW* Napa Market Salad with Chicken!

Fresh and flavorful market ingredients embody the Napa Market Salad with Chicken. Mixed greens are layered with Gala apple slices, Roma tomato, red bell pepper and pulled grilled chicken. Tossed with pomegranate vinaigrette and topped with bleu cheese crumbles and naturally raised bacon, this salad offers a sweet and savory explosion of flavor.

This salad had all the food groups! :) I loved the sweet apples paired with the salty bacon topped off with the flavorful vinaigrette. It was a great mix of ingredients and I would definitely get this salad again!

The next time I went to Noodles & Co., I tried the The Med Salad with Chicken. I also really enjoyed this salad!

Guests are invited to explore the richness and splendor of Greece with Noodles & Company’s The Med Salad with Chicken. Mixed greens and romaine are first layered with tomato, cucumber, red onion and Kalamata olives. The salad is then tossed with spicy yogurt dressing and topped with cavatappi pasta and feta cheese for a fresh, flavorful bite.

This salad had a little twist on it with noodles added in! I loved that I got a little pasta with my salad and the yogurt dressing was really delicious! This salad is also a great mix of flavors and I would definitely get this one again as well!

And if you like a little kick to your food, then you may LOVE the *NEW* Chicken Veracruz Salad.

A foray into Latin flavors, the Chicken Veracruz Salad starts with a bed of mixed greens and is layered with Roma tomato, red onion, chili-lime chicken, crumbled, naturally raised bacon and fresh, hand-cut corn. This salad is then tossed with Jalapeno Ranch dressing and topped with crispy jalapenos, avocado and cilantro with a wedge of lime, for a spicy, citrus kick.

So if you are looking to shut off the oven and take a break from cooking this summer without sacrificing your diet and health head to your local Noodles & Co. and taste flavors from around the world with their new salads! The flavors are great and they are so refreshing!

* Thank you to Noodles & Co. for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Summer Family Travel Tips from Safety 1st‏

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

July is well underway and summer is upon us!

What travel plans do you have for your family this summer? 

According to AAA, 35% of Americans plan on taking a road trip this summer that is 50 miles or more from home.

We are traveling this summer to northern Wisconsin for my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary celebration. We are staying a couple nights in a hotel and a must for us when traveling anywhere is a quality, easy to carry and easy to set up travel bed or play yard for my youngest son who doesn't sleep in a bed yet. Every trip we take this summer, we will definitely be taking our new Prelude Play Yard from Safety 1st.

The Prelude Play Yard by Safety 1st will come in handy for years to come. This three-way convertible play yard is a cozy bassinet, a convenient changing table, and a roomy play yard all in one. The bassinet is spacious and comfortable for baby, while the changing table offers added convenience with a large accessory area to keep diapers, wipes, and other necessities close at hand. When your little one is ready, this item converts into a full-sized play yard with plenty of room for favorite toys. Breathable mesh keeps your infant in easy view. This simple-to-assemble play yard packs away to fit into the included carrying bag for easy travel, making it great for stays away from home.

This play yard is spacious for even my two year old and I love that I can see him at all times through the mesh sides.

Best of all, it was also super easy to set up and take down. I love the push buttons on the side that turn green when it is latched upright correctly.

I also love the storage pockets on the side and how compact it folds up so it doesn't take up much room in the car. We definitely need all the room we can get when packing for a family of five!

FEATURES:

• Full size bassinet
• Elevated changing table with accessory tray
• Removable arch with cute toys
• On-the-go carry bag
• Spacious play yard for napping or play

With the increase in number of cars on the road and family road trips, it’s important to make sure all parents and children travel safely wherever you go this summer. Check out this great safety check list from Safety 1st Car Seat Safety expert Ryan Hawker:

“Are We There Yet?” Your Road Trip Safety Check List

By: Ryan Hawker, Safety 1st Car Seat Safety Expert

Gas prices are starting to drop! Yes! Therefore it’s no secret that this summer AAA is predicting more and more people will be hitting the roads for a summer vacation. According to the travel organization, 35% of Americans are planning to take a vacation more than 50 miles from home with two or more immediate family members in the next 12 months. 

If you are traveling with little ones a very important tip that most people forget to confirm is that car seat or home safety is a part of the travel check list. Before you hit the road make sure to take a look in the back seat to confirm your child is in the correct child restraint for his or her height and weight, and that the car seat is installed correctly. 

In Your Back Seat: 

· The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2. The new Safety 1st Grow and Go EX Air, offers a safer and more comfortable ride with extended use at each stage; including up to 50 pounds rear-facing and 100 pounds in the belt-positioning booster mode. Remember, the safest place to install a car seat, rear or forward-facing, is typically in the center of the rear seat. 

· Always make sure your child is secure by keeping the car seat harness snug. Experts test the snugness with the "pinch test". If you pinch the harness straps at the shoulder and can gather material, it is too lose. Cinch it down. Also, check in with a local Child Passenger Safety Technician to ensure your child’s seat is installed correctly. You can visit a local police department, fire station, AAA office or Safe Kids Chapter for guidance.

· It’s something you rarely think about, but car seats expire! You can find the expiration date on the back or the side of the car seat. Also, if a car seat has been in a crash you should not use it. Plastic can warp, materials can fray and the car seat will not protect a child correctly. Always avoid used car seats. The history of a car seat tells a lot about its ability to protect on the road ahead. If you don’t know where it has been, you don’t know if it can protect your child.

On The Road:

· Road trips often mean long hours in the car, especially when traveling through high volume areas. According to AAA, Fifty-five percent of Americans say they are more likely to take a road trip this year due to lower gas prices, which can lead to more traffic. Make sure your driver is always well-rested and the kids are occupied to reduce distractions. It’s a good idea to keep snacks and activities handy. Also don’t forget a charger for your tablet or iPhone.

· Children don’t always do what they’re told but they do often mimic what they observe. According to Safe Ride 4 Kids, almost 40% of children riding in vehicles with unbelted drivers were not wearing belt restraints at the time of an accident. Set a good example and always use your seatbelt.

· Protect your car like you would protect your home. It’s important to eliminate projectiles and keep them secured in a bag tucked under the seat or in a compartment. Anything in the car that is not secured is a possible projectile in the event that you stop fast. That could be a child’s toy or a water bottle. In a crash, objects take on greater weight due to crash forces.

At Your Destination:

· A great way to help your child adjust to sleeping in a new location is to start the process at home before you leave. If your child will be sleeping in a Play Yard during the trip, use it for bed or nap time the entire week before. This will help him or her get used to a new sleep environment.

· Are you planning on renting a house for your family vacation this summer? Unfortunately, vacation rentals don’t come child-proofed. Sharp corners and dangerous objects are inevitable. Therefore be sure to pack essential child proofing items in your suitcase. Soften the edges of an unfamiliar house with the Foam Bumper Kit. The Easy Install Walk-Thru Gate is great for blocking off new staircases that your little one may want to venture down, and don’t forget Plug Protectors, and door Knob Covers are essential for rooms you don’t want little ones venturing into unsupervised, such as the bathroom.

* Thank you to Safety 1st for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Must-Haves Products for Summer Travels with Kids

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Summer break is quickly approaching and that means that family vacations are on the horizon!! But whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile, kids can turn travel into a trial of your sanity. I am the first to admit I absolutely HATE car rides and having three children under 6 in the car for long hours is one of the most trying experiences out there! However, I am also a firm believer in family vacations and making memories so away we go in the car each summer as a family!

But luckily, over the years, I have learned a few tricks to making vacations easier for the whole family and I have learned about some great products that help out too!

Check out some of my top products to make summer vacations more fun and less stressful:

4Kids Trolley Suitcase

It all starts with a fun suitcase that gets children excited for the trip and helpful in packing! I love to travel in style with the 4Kids Trolley Suitcases by Lassig. Not only does it feature cute designs and fun colors - it is really fun and easy for our children to pull around and makes my load lighter.

The trolley features a large main section, inside elastic straps to secure items, additional bag for dirty clothes or shoes, height adjustable handle and outer pocket. This is a must have for the little traveler. I love the extra bag for shoes or dirty clothes - we ALWAYS need that when traveling! My children love this new suitcase and can't wait to travel with it this summer!

MSRP: $95.49. Available online at www.Amazon.com

Claessens' Kid’Sleep Globetrotter

Nothing makes traveling harder than lack of sleep! We LOVE our sleep clocks at home for helping the children know when to wake up but we have never had one to travel with....until NOW!

We have been a fan and user of the Claessens' Kid'Sleep clock for years and now everyone is so excited to use the Claessens’ Kid’Sleep Globetrotter when traveling! It is the perfect travel companion that can be used as a night light and sleep trainer for young children and an alarm clock for older children.

If the sleeping sheep is lit, kids know to stay in bed. When the awake sheep is illuminated, it is okay to get out of bed and start the day. It is super compact and fits nicely in a suitcase and my children have the original Kid'Sleep so they love that they have one they can travel with now! AND, we, as parents, are so happy to not be woken up early in the morning when traveling anymore!!

For ages 2-7 years. 
$24.99 online at www.Amazon.com 

Play Wrap Happy Trails

And for entertaining the traveling baby, HABA’s Play Wrap Happy Trails offers plenty of stimulating sounds and textures!

It easily attaches to car seats and cribs to offer endless entertainment and the little car shape includes squeaker. I love that it can move from bed to carseat to wherever your child likes to play! It makes lots of fun noises and will become your baby's new favorite traveling buddy! For ages Birth-1 year.

MSRP: $19.99. Available online at www.HABAusa.com

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Kinivo URBN Bluetooth Headphones

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

My husband has been traveling a lot and one thing he really likes to do on the plane is listen to music and movies. But sometimes, amid all the noise there is on a plane, he can't hear the movie/music and gets frustrated. I have been wanting to get him a really quality pair of Bluetooth headphones for him to use on the plane.

And I think I have finally found the perfect headphones for his trips! His latest airplane ride went by so much quicker and quieter with his new URBN Premium Bluetooth Headphones from Kinivo!

The URBN Premium Bluetooth Headphones are also ideal for sound in the city, playing rich & AptX HD audio or making wireless phone calls.

They feature a sleek and sturdy urban design with 3 standout colors and AptX for wireless high quality digital audio.

They are compatible with Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC enabled music players & A2DP enabled devices and are adjustable and comfortable design with a powerful 20 hours of music and talk time.

My husband loves traveling with these headphones because they pack nicely in a carrying case and even clip onto his suitcase or backpack so he doesn't have to try and fit them in his luggage!

And the affordable price and small size makes it a great gift for anyone who loves music or wants great Bluetooth headphones!

Other Features:

• Designed for wireless stereo listening and hands-free calls while on-the-go
• Features Bluetooth 4.0 with NFC for easy one touch paring
• Premium 40mm drivers deliver full range of high definition sound
• Adjustable headband with plush protein leather ear pads for fatigue free listening
• Designed for ultra-portability with a foldable band and carrying case
• Playback/ hands-free calling controls and audio jack for unpowered wired use.
• Up to 18 hours of battery life

Buy It:

You can purchase Kinivo: URBN Bluetooth Headphones for $99 on Amazon.com

* Thank you to Kinivo a for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Hedgren Luggage for Holiday Travels

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

The holiday season is definitely a time when a lot of people travel. And if you live in the cold Midwest, like I do, winter is also a time where people like to travel somewhere warmer for vacation! I know I wish I was!

What better this holiday travel season than new luggage! Hedgren has you covered this busy traveling season. They have such a great selection of travel bags, hand bags and even work bags!

On my next vacation, I will be using my new Gianna Spinner from Hedgren!

With the Gianna 20" spinner you can be sure to look smart on your business trip. It has 1 external and 1 internal zip pocket.

It also features a quilted protective exterior design and ingenious storage functions. I love how stylish but roomy this luggage is. I can now travel in style!

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:

• Dimensions (HxDxW) 58 x 20 x 36 cm (22.8346456693 x 7.874015748 x 14.1732283465 inch)
• Weight 2.5 kg
• Volume 41.76l
• Main material 40% Nylon, 60% Polyester
• Fabric composition 100% Polyester Lining
• Pockets 1x Interior Zip Pocket
• 1x Exterior Zip Pocket
• Organizer Elastic Strap For Holding Clothes

Buy It:

You can purchase all Hedgren luggage online or at a local retailer.

* Thank you to Hedgren for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Keep Kids Entertained for Hours with Games-to-Go from Peaceable Kingdom & Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Ever been sitting the doctor's office, in the car, or just need a quiet moment at home and can't find ANYTHING for your preschooler to do that will keep them calm and quiet for a little bit???!!

I have definitely been there!

But now whenever I need a quiet moment or need the kids to sit quietly for a couple minutes, I pull out the Preschool Games to Go from Peaceable Kingdom!

Filled with 17 pages of super-fun activities, these Games to Go books will keep kids thinking, playing, and laughing for hours. A write and wipe pen with an eraser is included for reusable fun!

Games to Go are easy to take along or to throw in a backpack for long bus rides, downtime, or waiting in the Dr's office! With different themes, games, and ages, there is a Games to Go activity book for everyone.

My 3 year old daughter is at the age where it is hard to sit still without having her hands busy and her mind busy. So when I saw the Preschool Games to Go, I knew it would be the perfect thing to keep her busy in the car, while sitting in the car waiting for her brother to come out of school, and during "school" hours at home when she wants to do some fun learning activities!

My daugher LOVES dry-erase markers right now and loves how she can try her best and if she makes a mistake, she can just erase it and try again.

This book allows her to do activities, make mistakes, erase them, try again and do it OVER and OVER and OVER! There are hidden object games, dot-to-dot, hide-and-seek, shapes and even a doodle page where they can draw whatever they want! 

The Games-to-Go book is sure to keep any child entertained for hours when they are forced to sit still and play quietly! :)

Win It:

Peaceable Kingdom is generously offering (1) Games-to-Go to TWO lucky winners!

  

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Games-to-Go of winner's choice 
(choose from Preschool, Enchanted or Spy Games to Go)

TWO WINNERS!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Peaceable Kingdom for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*