Confessions of a Corrections Officer's Wife October 25, 2019

Confessions of a Corrections Officer’s Wife – My Life Changed 6 Years Ago Today, New Podcast Episode

It’s been about 3 years since I have done an updated post for my Confessions of a Corrections Officer’s Wife Segment here on Honeygirl’s World. It’s not that I forgot, because God knows that I live this life each day. It’s more so that I sometimes hope that I can close my eyes and make it all go away. Sometimes writing it all down, well – it’s more of a challenge than I give it credit.

I did however, decide to record a podcast episode and I wanted to share it with all of you. Put on your headphones or turn up the volume and listen. I think that will make it a little easier than reading it, huh?

Books / Reading January 16, 2019

Goosebumps 2 on Digital, DVD and Blu-Ray

One of my New Years 2019 goals is to have more movie nights with my fam bam. So, when I heard that Goosebumps 2 was about to release on DVD & Blu-ray I couldn’t help but get extremely excited to watch it. You see, watching movies at home helps to make Movie Night with my family personally, but is also much more convenient than running out to the theater and dealing with uncomfortable seats. Furthermore, I grew up with R.L. Stine books and absolutely loved Goosebumps the Movie, so I couldn’t wait to share Goosebumps 2 with my family.

goosebumps 2, goosebumps the movie, goosebumps 2 movie, r.l. stine, books, scholastic books, movie night, movie review,

Goosebumps 2 is now available for purchase on Digital, Blu-Ray and DVD. You can also grab yourself the Combo which includes all three.

Great for Family Movie Night

For my birthday (which was Monday), my family and I sat down in front of the tube (do they even still call it that? In case you don’t know what I’m referencing, I mean the television. lol) and put in our Blu-Ray disc to watch Goosebumps 2. Based on the best-selling book series by R.L. Stine and starring Wendi McLendon-Covey, Chris Parnell and Ken Jeong.

About Goosebumps 2 – The Movie

You know I don’t like to spoil a movie before anyone is able to watch it, but I’m going to share a little run down on what happens. They say that you must “be careful what you wish for.” Well, this is all true when best friends Sonny and Sam hope to find treasure in other people’s trash. While cleaning out the old Stine house, they find a locked book that frees a little nightmare named Slappy! The two friends, along with the help of Sonny’s sister Sarah are in a race against time to get the dummy and the creatures that are roaming the town for Halloween back into the pages of the book before it’s too late.

Goosebumps 2 is funny with a combination of a little scary (not too scary for the littles though) and intrigue. I loved that Ken Jeong played a small role in this movie, but his character really gets an R.L. Stine reader excited about the movie.

Extras

The disc includes a lot of fun extras as well – like: a Gag Reel, deleted scenes, featurettes and Slappy-Oke Sing Alongs.

If you’re a fan of R.L. Stine or have read the Goosebumps Book Series, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. My family and I have been waiting patiently to watch and we really enjoyed it.

The Details

Goosebumps 2 has a run time of approximately 120 minutes and is rated PG for scary creature action and images as well as some thematic elements, rude humor and language. The twins are 9 so they really enjoyed the movie, but there were some parts where they felt the need to close their eyes. Of course, they realized that it was not that scary and ultimately really loved the movie.

I love sharing my childhood with my sons and having some of my favorite books come to life in movies is definitely a great way to share it. I’ve got the twins wanting to read the books so I’m definitely excited about that.
Check out some of the fun additions that you can do with your family like the Goosebumps Gummy Bear Slime or Science with Slappy where you can grow, observe and glow your bears.

Have you picked up your copy of Sony Pictures Goosebumps 2? As a family we definitely suggest you checking it out. Whether you want a copy of DVD or Blu-Ray or looking for the Digital copy, all of them are available and out now.

Thank you Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for sending over our copy of this awesome movie. My family and I loved it.

Disclaimer: The product(s) featured in this post were sent for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. Affiliate links may be posted through out.

Children October 4, 2018

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 on Digital HD

A few weeks back I shared with you some awesome info on the Hotel Transylvania 3 movie. On September 25th, the movie became available on Digital HD and arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on October 9th.

Interested in some awesome bonus material like DracuStraws activity page, a recipe for Drac’s Spooky Smoothie and a few other adorable bonus features and clips? Well, keep reading and see what it’s all about.

The whole Drac pack is back next summer for a monster vacation as Griffin the invisible man (David Spade), Wanda (Molly Shannon) & Wayne (Steve Buscemi) the werewolves, Murray the mummy (Keegan-Michael Key), Dennis (Asher Blinkoff), Dracula (Adam Sandler), Mavis (Selena Gomez) & Johnny (Andy Samberg), Frank (Kevin James) & Eunice (Fran Drescher), and Blobby get ready for a family voyage on a luxury monster cruise ship.

Learn more about the release on the previous post here on Honeygirl’s World. Read here.

DracuStraws Smoothie

DracuStraws Smoothie Recipe Download

Bonus Clips

Sing along with the Wolf Pups in Scary-Oke with this Bonus Clip

Hotel Transylvania 3 Pumpkin Carving Stencils

Getting your pumpkins ready for Halloween carving? Download these awesome pumpkin carving stencils for a spook-tacular time.

Hotel Transylvania 3 Pumpkin Carving Stencils Download

Bonus Clip – Want to be Mavis or Drac for Halloween? Follow this Makeup Tutorial for the perfect Halloween Costume look.

Giveaway – Win a Hotel Transylvania 3 DVD and Pillowcase (ends on October 10th)

I have some exciting news for my readers and followers. Just in time for the release, I have a giveaway for one lucky winner. The winner will receive 1 DVD and 1 Pillowcase for Trick-or-Treating. It’s the perfect way to celebrate this upcoming spooktacular event. Here’s how you can enter. Head on over to my Instagram Post for the Giveaway to get all the details.

I hope you are all as excited as my family and I am to watch Hotel Transylvania 3. It’s going to be absolutely Spook-tacular!

Disclaimer: The giveaway prize is provided by PR. However, all opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. This is not a sponsored post.

Fitness July 17, 2018

What’s In My GNC Pro Box – Video

Aloha Friends,

Today on my YouTube Channel I share a little video reveal on what was received in my GNC Pro Box. Make sure to watch the video below or click here to watch directly on YouTube.

I actually filmed this video quite some time ago, but the footage was lost, so I apologize that it is up so late.

As a GNC Pro Member, I received the GNC Pro Box. It is a cool thing to receive as a Pro Member because you get the opportunity to try new things.

GNC Pro Membership is $39.99 and is definitely worth it if you are a shopper of GNC. You get to Pick-Your-Day Sales, Free Expedited Shipping from the website, Pro Access Giveaways, an Extra Month to Redeem Rewards, and also Pro Boxes. Pro Boxes offers you 8+ Samples, coupons and so much more delivered to your door twice a year. You can choose between men’s or women’s sports performance, wellness essentials or weight management PROs Box to get tons of good stuff for your goals. It’s awesome because these boxes give you the opportunity to try new products prior to buying them.

http://www.gnc.com/my-rewards/pro-access.html

Disclaimer: The products featured in this post were purchased by me with my own money.

Fitness February 7, 2018

Getting Healthy On My Terms – My 2018 Personal Fitness Goals

I know, I know… new year means, “new me” right? Wrong! I’ve realized that I’ve been looking at getting healthy incorrectly all of these years. I didn’t start putting on my weight till after I had kids, so I guess, you could say that my mentality was a tad bit construed, or maybe I was just lazy. But, this year (I actually started in December 2017), I’m making a change in not only my thoughts and how I view things, but what I’m doing to get to my healthy me. Today I share with you my 2018 Personal Fitness Goals. I whole-heartily agree that a person’s fitness and health goals should be tapered and adjusted, customized and unique to that particular person. We aren’t cookies, so, therefore, we shouldn’t have cookie-cutter goals and routines. Don’t you agree?

Try New Things: I really want to be able to embrace new workouts by trying new things and including a variety of different stuff. By doing so you will encourage your body to continue burning fat for energy and increasing your metabolism. While I know it, I often get stuck in the same rut. My schedule is never my own, so I workout and exercise around everyone else’s time. Because of this, I find myself doing what I know works and that fits within that given time frame. The problem is that my body eventually gets to a standstill and as I plateau, I get discouraged. I have somewhat figured out a way around this. By creating a schedule block of different exercises throughout the week, changing between interval training, cardio and stretching as well as a good walk/jog each week, my body will still be active while still burning fat and building leaner muscle. Adding in additional dance and hip-hop fitness into the mix is a great way to jumpstart the routines as I’m changing them around throughout the month. I’ll test my theory and I’ll get back with all of you on how it has worked for me.

Get Running: I also look at my current fitness and exercise regimen and compare it to what I used to do before. I bet most people didn’t know that I was a runner. I ran cross country and track in middle school and high school. I used to be pretty fast too. After a few ankle injuries in the last 20-25 years and a bad knee, I stopped running or even jogging and it’s been a struggle for me to get back on track. By the end of this year, I want to be able to at least jog without being in so much pain. I have been slowly increasing my walks to a light jog lately and I noticed that it’s a challenge for my aches and pains. But with proper support and effort, I think I can include low impact running into my workout routine before the end of the year.

Planks, Pull ups and Push ups – oh my: Before planks were a popular thing, my Daddy had me doing them along with pull ups and push ups each day. It’s how I kept my core strong and strengthened my arms so that I could paddle my surfboard out to the wave breaks and stand up on the board, balance and catch a wave. It’s been years since I’ve been able to really do any of those things. However, I’ve been slowly incorporating all three into my exercise regimen the last month. I’d love to be able to do planks, push ups and pull ups easily, without having to stop to take a break between each set. I’d also like to be able to do it the challenging way instead of easy. I think by incorporating a little of it in each workout, by the end of the year, I’ll be to able to do it without struggling.

Positive affirmation and goals: You see the photo above? Well, that photo was taken in 1998, back when I was smaller than a size 8 and 125 lbs wet. It seems like a lifetime ago. Obviously, I have had three children (2 pregnancies) and I weigh more than 150 lbs above that weight that I am in that photo. I’m realistic that I can do well and I can lose my weight, tone my muscles and build lean muscle, but, honestly, I will never look the same again. I will have saggy skin once I lose my weight and that’s something I have to deal with, but I will be healthy and happy because I accomplished it all. My biggest fitness goal this year is to use my past body as inspiration, determination and drive to be a healthier person, not using it as a way to bring me down. Our lives are filled with enough negativity and lack of drive, that I want to make sure that I’m not soaking all the bad energy in. I’m doing all of this for a healthier me so that I can be there for my husband and sons. It doesn’t matter what anyone says or the looks they give because it doesn’t feed my drive to be a better me. My goal this year is to keep positivity around me as much as possible so that I can be much more successful in this healthier lifestyle.

2018 fitness goals, fitness goals, goals, 2018 goals, exercise, fitness, get healthy, healthy, healthier living, vegan, — Just me on one of my daily walks.

My 2018 Fitness goals are minimal but I believe they will make a huge impact on me. Besides, when we try out new things or focus on things to drive us, sometimes starting off small is the key. What about you? Do you have any fitness goals for this year? Is there anything in particular that you would like to try or incorporate into the year to get you on track?

This post was done in collaboration with some of my favorite Beauty and Lifestyle Bloggers. Head on over to their links below and check them out.

Beauty December 8, 2017

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Whole Family

PRESS SAMPLE / AFFILIATE LINKS

Christmas is usually my favorite time of year, but I’ll be honest with all of you… this year has been a difficult one to wrap my mind around. After losing my Dad in June unexpectedly, I didn’t think that I would be struggling as much as I am with the Holiday Season. But, now that we are smack dab in the middle of holiday shopping, I feel the pressure. I usually get my holiday shopping and my gift guides up earlier in the season (in November), but found myself struggling to write. But, Christmas is about time with family and I figured this would be the perfect time for me to share this list of holiday gift ideas with all of you. I hope this holiday season keeps you and your family warm, cozy and safe. And, now… gifts!

I love to journal and I find myself using a journal more now than ever before. It helps me to collect my thoughts and write about memories I want to cherish. This gorgeous leather journal from Soothi is the perfect addition to any workspace. Soothi’s goal is to inspire and offer a sense of individuality and they offer products to transform writing desks and elevate standards. Their master craftsmanship shows in their journals, notebooks, and stationery. Each journal is customized with vision shaping phrases that can change the outlook of any moment or an entire project.

Made of genuine leather and embossed with a quote. This journal offers a string tie closure, stitched in paper and an old-world feel. Paper is tree-free and environmentally friendly.

Retail: $40.00 – Soothi.com

I really think a great practical gift for men works wonders. I’m always on the hunt for something that my husband would like and a well-made wallet to stand the test of time is definitely a great choice. Mr. Lentz just had to make my selection choice this year because their craftsmanship and quality is absolutely wonderful. The offer a variety of leather goods and to help you care for your product(s) they also include a free tin of their own handmade leather conditioner.

The Mens Leather Wallet is built for the man on the go that wants to be minimalistic, while still needing the function of a wallet. The leather is full-grain so it will last through heavy use for years to come. No stitching to break on these so you will enjoy it for years to come. It holds 8 cards and a medium stack of cash. I had my husband’s wallet engraved with “K & H Forever” because it is one of our favorite sayings and wrapped it up for the perfect gift.

Retail: $70 (now currently on sale for $63) – mrlentz.com

I think that a great shave kit or a stylish tie also make great gifts for the men in your life. Clarence Henningham offers a variety of ties in different styles and designs. The perfect way to pair professional and lifestyle while still offering the man in your life to show off his own personality. Their mission is to provide quality professional business garments for the bold and brave person in each of us.

First, let me start by saying… ties are not easy to photograph. lol But, I digress. Clarence Henningham offers a variety of ties and bowties for the perfect gifts.

Retail: $20 – 30 clarencehenningham.com

When it comes to gifts for my favorite men… I always include some kind of shave set. My husband has his favorites and Van Der Hagen in one of those brands that he will gravitate to. Van Der Hagen and Beard Guyz Beard Products are brands that are tried and true and offer a variety of different products for the guy in your life. If you’re looking for quality products and sets that are easy to find, you’ll absolutely love any of these. They make great stocking stuffers and are perfect gifts because they are easy to buy from your local retailers.

I have several brother-in-laws, a father-in-law and a husband and brother to shop for. These gifts are not only affordable on my pocket book but they come from brands our husbands and men most likely have tried and enjoy.

Van Der Hagen sets retail: $13.99 – $29.99

Available at: Vanderhagen.com, Walgreens, Amazon, Target and Rite Aid

Beard Guys Beard Care Products retail: $9.99 – $14.99

Available at: Beardguyz.com, Amazon, Walgreens and CVS

Essential Oils and body products that offer zen are definitely important for me. Speaking of which… “Santa, I need a new diffuser, I broke mine last week.” I love trying new products from different brands or new to me brands and I just had to share with you Oh Organics. Certified Organic Ingredients go into their handmade soaps to cleanse, moisturize and exfoliate the skin naturally. Their Essential Oils contain nothing but pure, therapeutic grade, certified organic essential oils. Each product is handmade and ship for free. With each sale, Oh Organics also contributes $1.00 to American Forests which plants one tree.

Gift products include:

Combination Pack – 2 soaps (4.5oz), 1 essential oil (15mL), boxed and ready to wrap $19.99 ($28.95 if bought separately)
5 Pack of their best selling essential oils (15 mL) for $37.00 ($55.55 if bought separately)

Oh Organics offers quality products that you will enjoy using. Purchase: ohorganics.net

Compendium products make wonderful gifts for anyone in the family. I have a few that I wanted to share with you that I think would make anyone you gift them to, smile.

Thoughtfulls ($6.95) Holiday Cheer Thoughtfulls are little pop-open cards that have little messages inside. These were the first products that Compendium made and they have been one of the most popular products since. Each box includes 30 cards, each with a different inspiration quotation. They are packaged perfectly to stick directly into a stocking as a stuffer and make the perfect gift for anyone that needs a little inspiration and motivation in their lives.

Thoughtfulls from Compendium on Vimeo.

The Christmas Memories Guestbook is the perfect addition to any holiday party and a great way to thank any hostess or host. We attend a plethora of holiday parties each year and I thought the Christmas Memories book would be awesome because it allows you to savor the season and relive the tradition for years to come. This beautiful book is a place to gather all of the seasons for you and record the guests, family, and celebration in a book that will be a treasured keepsake for years to come.

Retail: $24.95 Hardcover with slipcase, 9″ H x 9″ W, 80 pages total

My Mom In Her Own Words Book

Each family has their own little treasure of memories and experiences. There are a number of things that define who Mom is and that reflect the love she shares. This keepsake book invites mom to speak from her heart, in her own words. It’s a priceless keepsake for generations to come.

My Mom can be a gift for them to fill out or a meaningful way to “interview” and create family dialogue around each story. Moms also fill them out on their own and give them as a gift to younger generations. Things like this remind me that the legacy I leave behind can be documented for my children to remember and read for years to come.

Retail: $10.95 (Hardcover, 5.75″ H x 5.75″ W, 80 pages)

*Also available – My Dad.

Purchase these products at: live-inspired.com

BeBibs Fashion Adult Bibs are a great gift that is practical but something no one will ever think about. An adult bib that is fashionable but that provides a safeguard for your clothes against perils of the morning routine such as makeup, coffee and even toothpaste. These bibs are so easy to wear with any outfit and they are there to help protect against any mishaps that may occur any time of the day. This stylish product was featured on The TODAY Show and is an absolute hit.

The BeBibs come in different prints and I am absolutely loving it, so I just had to share with all of you. I like to get dressed in the morning and put all my clothes on for the day, before makeup – because makeup is always “in case I have time”. I simply place BeBid over my clothes and it catches any fallout, spills or anything else. Such a great gift for any lady in your life. Perfect for Brides or the Business Woman. Each Big comes with a silver plated necklace with pearls. They are lightweight and easy to use.

Retail: $29.94 – $50.00 (all BeBibs must have a necklace to hold in place so make sure to purchase as a set.)

Shop: BeBibs.com

Pieces of Me is a young brand that is reimagining personalized jewelry. I wanted to share this with all of you because I’m a huge fan of personalized jewelry myself and love getting it as gifts, but this is different. The cuffs or necklaces from Pieces of Me are reminders of how appreciated and valued they are for their unique personalities and personality traits.

Pieces of Me offers unique gifts that are a meaningful way to express your appreciation for what you love about someone. They offer a variety of over 30 different traits to choose from so there is something for everyone. Each product is made in the USA and cuff bracelets retail for $29.99

Pictured: Stamped Cuff Bracelet – Passionate (You see a spark when passionate people talk about what excites them. They love what gets them up in the morning and what keeps them up at night.) n All cuff purchases include a cuff, trait description card, and a drawstring storage bag. Each piece is hand-made and has its own unique character. No two pieces are alike – a great representation of a person’s individuality. Handcrafted in the United States and 14K Gold Plated.

Purchase: piecesofmeco.com

Cold cozy weather is perfect for socks and boy are we experiencing sock weather here in Hawaii. It’s been consistently in the mid to high 50s and 60s lately and a great pair of socks makes great gifts. Bombas Socks has easily become one of my all-time favorites and I love them. These socks are comfortable (seriously, some of the best socks I’ve used in a long time) and innovative. They are so comfy, I struggle to take them off, so I’m glad I have one for each day of the week.

But, that’s not the only reason why I support this brand. Because socks are the #1 most requested clothing item at homeless shelters, for every pair purchased, Bombas donates a pair to someone in need. Bombas has donated more than 5 Million pairs of socks and this little act of human kindness is what drew me to Bombas, to begin with.

1 Million Pairs of Bombas Socks Donated from Bombas on Vimeo.

There are socks for all – Mens, Womens, Children. This concept started as a big idea, a small tattoo and millions of pairs donated. I’m a fan and a Bombas lifer! Of course, I am named Honey, so bees, honey… I call it a win.

Retail: $15 – $30 Bombas.com

For this little gift guide, I wanted to include at least one fun educational toy for the kiddos. I introduce all of you to GIANTmicrobes. GIANTmicrobes are a collection of critters that are inspired by the invisible microscopic world. These little guys might seem terrifying to some, but they are a great way to educate kids with a little cuteness.

Now – GIANTmicrobes comes in terrifying collections as well as E. Coli or the Brain-eating Amoeba Plagues so they would make an interesting gag-gift for any adult. But, My sons absolutely loved how soft these creatures were and enjoyed hours of researching these microscopic things so that they could get more information on the critter as well. I think these would make great gifts for Teachers and kids who like learning about science. Choose from over 150 different microbes and cells. Available in 4 sizes.

Featured in the photo: Blood Cells, Amoeba, The Common Cold, Waterbear and Brain Cell.

Retail: $5 – $30 www.giantmicrobes.com

I’m sure you are probably seeing the next toy in Walmart Stores as you do your Holiday shopping this year. The Nano Metalfigs are some of the coolest tools I have seen in a long time and offer top licenses from DC Comics, Harry Potter, Marvel, Disney/Pixar, WWE and Street Fighter. These awesome figures are 1.65″ scale and 100% die-cast. They weigh about 25-30g and has that distinctive die-cast feel. They are sold in packs – 5 packs and 10 packs that offer exclusive figures. These not only make great collectors, they remind me of my childhood with some of my favorite characters from comics and of course – Harry Potter.

Each brand offers more than 20 figures to collect and every 8 weeks a new product is released. Diorama sets are a way to display these Nano Metalfigs and it would make a great gift for any child or collector.

Retail: Starting at about $1.00 per figure walmart.com

I realize that my Holiday Gift Guide is quite eclectic, but I love to feature products that my family and I enjoy and that make us happy or inspire us. This gift guide includes a variety of products that are tried and true and that we have given as gifts before or have purchased or used ourselves. Each year Honeygirl’s World tries to feature products that are not necessarily on anyone’s radar, but nonetheless, they would make great gifts. I’d love to try and get more gift ideas up this year so keep an eye out on my social media as well as here to see if I have added any additional selections.

My family and I would love to wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season. Thank you for making Honeygirl’s World so successful over the years. This coming January 2018, this site will be 10 Years old and the site would not be where it is without all of you. May you and your families have a safe, fun and blessed holiday.

Disclaimer: Some of the products featured in this post were sent for review consideration or feature. Some products were purchased with my own money. Affiliate links are through out. This is not a paid post.

Day In The Life - Vlogs July 17, 2017

I’m Back With a New Video – A Day In The Life, Maui Vlog – Maui Swap Meet

Hello friends. I know I haven’t been very active here on the blog, but I’m making my way back to life and existence, slowly but surely. Yesterday I rolled out a new VLOG. My gosh – it’s so nice to be back doing videos again, so I figured I would share it with all of you. Get an update on what’s going on and follow us around the Maui Swap Meet.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel while watching. Have a wonderful day!

Anti-Aging May 11, 2017

Last Minute Mother’s Day Finds – Make Mother’s Day Every Day!

PRESS SAMPLE / SELF PURCHASED / AFFILIATE LINKS

We are literally just a few short days away from celebrating Mother’s Day. As a mother, I look forward to spending this day with my husband and sons because they are the ones that make me a mom, but this year, my eldest son will be off island for a band concert and I’m certainly going to miss him. If you’re wondering why it has taken me so long to share with you a little gift guide as I tend to do each year, well – that’s the reason! I’ve been able to spend this day with all of my boys since they were born so I have been in my own little pity party the last few days knowing that he wouldn’t be home. A few days ago, I realized that I needed to get over myself and be thankful that my husband and sons treat me like Mother’s Day is every day and no special day on the calendar is ever required. So – while I am a bit late at sharing my gift lift with all of you – I figured that I would make this post because any day is a great day to get a treat – right?

The first thing on my list is this gorgeous necklace from The Vintage Pearl which you can find on The Grommet. The Grommet has to be one of my go-to websites for finding unique gifts for my loved ones. This Messy Nest Necklace is a cute treasured keepsake and I absolutely love it. Whether you are getting it for your moms or grandmothers, I’m sure it will be a hit. The necklace starts at $42.00 and is handcrafted in the United States of antiqued silver wire. Each nest is handcrafted and filled with freshwater pearls – one for each child in the wearer’s heart. It’s set on a sterling silver ball chain and can be customized to match the number of children in the family. The creator of The Vintage Pearl is a mom herself and started creating from her kitchen table in hopes to be able to be a stay at home and work from home mom. This is probably one of my favorite pieces to share with you because it’s certainly a sentimental piece. I hope that The Vintage Pearl will offer this in gold one day.

Get a Messy Nest Necklace from The Vintage Pearl here.

Next is another gorgeous piece that can also be found on The Grommet. The Family Tree Necklace by Vintage Stamp Jewels is a great piece that can be worn every day. The delicate family tree charm represents the life connections that matter to each of us. You can choose the color and number of Swarovski crystal charms that accompany your tree. The bezel-set crystals can represent any important moments or people from birthstones of children or grandchildren, milestones and anniversaries or any special date or time that is close to your heart.

You can learn more about this gorgeous piece and get one for yourself or a loved one here.

Now, when I think of Mother’s Day – I always associate a really great face mask as a gift. Here’s the deal, I LOVE an awesome face mask and some of my favorites come from Miss Spa. If you’ve been a long time follower of my blog, then you know I’ve raved and talked about this brand a lot over the years. What I love about Miss Spa is their wide range of masks available for a variety of skin types and textures. You literally can find one to fit your needs or someone you love.

Did I mention that these masks are so affordable? Depending on the type you select, they start at about $4.00 each and go up in price from there and you can easily find a mask that suits you. I definitely love a great face mask for Mother’s Day because I don’t have time for an at Spa pampering so I love doing it at home.

You can learn more about Miss Spa products, purchase your own or get it as a gift here or at your local Ulta or Drugstore.

Bath Bombs are a favorite gift to receive and to give on Mother’s Day. For years my sons and I made creations of our favorite scents and dried flowers to give as gifts, a tradition that my sisters and I did when we were teenagers. One of my long time favorite handcrafted websites for great bath, body and essential oils is Sky Organics. I’ve been using their essential oils for a few years now and I just had to include them in this guide. All moms deserve a little pampering and bath bombs are those little fizzy wonders that just help any mom relax. Sky Organics offers their Organic Bath Bombs Gift Set for just $25.99 (one of my favorites besides my own handmade ones) and it includes 6 beautiful bath bombs in an assortment of scents – Caribbean Coconut (my favorite), Lavender Lemon Muffin, Love Potion, Mermaid Kiss, Strawberry Milkshake and Sugar Rose. These beauties are made in the USA and each bath bomb has a net weight of 5 oz. It’s a total steal for sure.

If bath bombs aren’t your thing, then be sure to check out their wide range of essential oils. They offer a set with all of their oils for just $50. Did I mention they also provide FREE SHIPPING. Head on over to their website here for more information.

LATHER is another company I recommend to anyone and they offer gift sets that are perfect for Mother’s Day or any day of the year. Their Dream On set ($58.00) includes their blue chamomile foaming bath treatment, lavender aromatherapy candle, Art of Tea sleep tea handcrafted loose leaf tea (organic), tea infuser, quiet night relaxing balm, eye mask, and a reusable gift box. All of these essentials are perfect for treating mom to a night of a little peace, quiet and relaxation. With my sleepless nights and insomnia, this kid would be the absolute perfect way for me to just settle down and relax.

Learn more about LATHER’S gift sets and products here.

I’ve been swooning over IT Cosmetics the last few months now and I knew I just had to include some of these beauties. Honestly, I’ve been totally stalking IT Cosmetic’s website now making a VERY LARGE wish list of items I want to try. I have literally only tried their Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment and Bye Bye Under Eye, so I find that this portion of my post has an ulterior motive for me… hehehe! Maybe my friends and family who see this will snatch something from IT for me for Mother’s Day. Hey, one can hope, right. j/k! This year IT Cosmetics is offering a bunch of IT girl essentials that will literally have your Mom feeling her most beautiful on this special day and always.

The Your Beautiful Basics Airbrush 101 5-Piece Face and Eye Getting Started Brush Set $58 is the perfect set for any makeup loving addict. Every woman needs a great basic brush set in her makeup bash and the Airbrush 101 is how you get started with it all. Blend, blur, buff and perfect for a flawless airbrushed finish with a brand of brushes that are known to be super soft and luxurious.

Now – of course, makeup brushes are definitely my thang so I had to share with you the Face & Eye Essentials Mini 5-Piece Face and Eye Travel Brush Set. This set retails for $30 and it wold be a great hit for Mom. An awesome powder, eye shadow brushes and liner brush can help you get ready in a flash. Four brushes are included to line, define, smoke out and blend. Plus, you get an all-over complexion brush for all the basics from foundation to blush and illuminizer. This is a great kit that includes the tools to get that fab look.

The Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment ( I just mentioned about how this is one of the products I have tried from IT) is also a great gift selection. But, this NEW Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment is now available in Rose. It contains the essential butters and oils, hyaluronic filling spheres and antioxidants for your softest and smoothest looking pout while it flushes your lip to the perfect rosy pink. The original is my go-to when I’m in a rush or not feeling makeup but want a little color to my lips. It’s definitely something I’d buy for my mom and something I’d love to receive as a gift. It retails for $24.00

Lastly from IT Cosmetics, I wanted to share with you the Bye Bye Pores Blush (retail $24). This award-winning Bye Bye Pores formula is infused with optical-blurring pigments which instantly diffuse the look of pores and discoloration. It’s filled with skin-loving ingredients like anti-aging silk, hydrolyzed collagen, antioxidants, and peptides which will give any Mom (any body) a youthful flush. I definitely think this is perfect for me or my mom because we love a great blush and anything that is infused with ingredients we love, well – it’s definitely a must have.

You can purchase any of these products on IT Cosmetics website here.

Who says hair products and tools don’t make great gifts? Not me! I would love to get a fab hair tool for Mother’s Day so I figured I would include something that would help mom eliminate the “hair tool storage” and get a 3 in 1 that can do the trick. The CHI Ellipse 3-in-1 Styling Iron is a great tool to make convenience mom’s game. You can create a multitude of looks using this very versatile styler that includes 3 styling options in one tool. With Teflon and Titanium plates to create smooth and sleep styles on a non-stick surface. You can great smooth hair, curls and waves with just one tool. The styler has adjustable temperature settings that heat up to 410 °F / 210 °C. It has a ceramic heater for consistent temperature and an LED touch sensitive temperature control and display. You also get a temperature lock feature (oooh… fancy) and a 1 hour shut-off. I also love that it comes with it’s own glove, so you have everything you need for the perfect hair style. The CHI Ellipse 3-in-1 Styling Iron retails for $110 but the price is reasonable considering the quality of the product and the fact that you can use it for more than one style.

You can learn more about this tool or grab one for yourself or your mom here.

This next gift idea is untraditional, but definitely something worth mentioning. The Revolar Instinct (I’ll have a full review on this product in the next week or so) has been a very important part of my everyday. Retailing for $80, this little device can be the perfect gift in a big way. The Revolar is a product that is brand new (the Indiegogo campaign has just completed) but a tool that I think is very worth the while. It’s a quarter sized connect button that with 1-3 clicks, the Instinct can send different custom alerts to friends and family to let them know where the user is and what level of help they need. Unfortunately, sexual assault is on a rise here in the United States and violence against women is at an all-time high. You can send help to your location with a few clicks of this wearable device. It not only empowers you to be proactive about your safety, but this little Instinct will help ou stay in touch with loved ones as well. Did I mention it also tracks your steps? There are no chords, and easy to use device and you can replace a battery in about a year so you don’t have to worry about charging it. Last year my mom was sitting in a parking lot when someone tried to attack her. Luckily she was in her car and was able to escape. When I was 4 years old, a man attempted to kidnap me, I was in his car and he was about to drive away when my dad stopped him in his tracks. Devices like this are easy to use and definitely worth it. I wish I had one for each person in my family. I had to share this with you because it’s a gift I think that would be invaluable to any mom and anyone. Like I said, a full review will be coming soon – so stay tuned.

Learn more about the Revolar Instinct and find out how to get one for yourself here.

I’ll be honest, as a mother, I can honestly say that any type of gift is such a wonderful sentiment, but I never expect it. I think that Mother’s Day is every day of the year for me and I’m so lucky to call myself a mom. I love creating handmade gifts for my mom and my mother in law from all of us because I think it’s special and I’m quite good with a glue gun. Little flowers or hairpins decorated in fabric or paper always seem to make our loved ones happy. At the end of the day – a gift should come from the heart, whether purchased or made. My sons make me handmade cards each year and I cherish them with all my heart.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

I want to remind you that Mother’s Day is every single day of the year. If you’ve been following me a while then you know that I believe this to be so with Valentine’s Day too. Hmmm… I wish Christmas and birthdays were every day of the year also, hahaha! Anyway – no matter the gift or sentiment you give to the moms in your life, make it special. This last minute gift guide was not intended to be late, but I’m reminded that a present for mom doesn’t have to be given only one day a year so even if you miss picking up one of these for that special lady in your life – feel free to use this as a guide to put together a special treat for her at anytime.

I want to take this time to wish all of the mommies out there (whether you have human children or fur babies) a wonderful Mother’s Day this Sunday. May your day be filled with lots of love and hugs and a whole lot of warmth and happiness.

“To the world you are a Mother, but to your family you are the World.”

Disclaimer: Some of the products featured in this post were sent for review consideration, while others were purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased, as with anything you see on this site. Affiliate links may be posted throughout.

Family March 29, 2017

#PRINCEofPEACE – Easter 2017

**This post is sponsored by Mormon.org

#PRINCEofPEACE – What is it? And, Why?

Before I get all personal with you guys, as I often do, I wanted to explain to all of you what #PRINCEofPEACE was all about. Beginning March 31st and through out the duration of Holy Week, you can learn all about the 8 Core Principles of PEACE by visiting the #PRINCEofPEACE website.

As a parent, I know that the reason for Easter can get lost in transition. With the need for eggs to color and dye, fun spring activities and baskets filled with treats, Easter can take on the role of any other holiday. While it is absolutely fun and the kids love it, I always grew up knowing that the commercial side of Easter was just that – fun, flowers and sweets. But, my parents instilled in us as kids that the most important part of Easter is our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the number one reason we celebrate this day each year and because of this – while I do share in the fun of color and spring with my sons, we make sure that Jesus Christ is always in our hearts.

This year I’ve had the awesome opportunity once again to work with Mormon.org and spread the word about the campaign #PRINCEofPEACE to celebrate this Easter. The video “Prince of Peace” will be available on the site to watch and is just over 2 minutes long. It illustrates the role of Jesus Christ as the “Prince of Peace” and invites others to do the same. The video will be available in 33 languages, and the website is in 29 languages for many to enjoy.

Learn the principals of peace from the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Share ways to find peace through our Savior and invite all to come unto Christ and spread the word.

from the Prince of Peace

Faith ~ Compassion ~ Forgiveness ~ Repentance ~ Gratitude ~ God’s Word / Scripture ~ Prayer ~ Hope

As a child, I was brought up knowing that Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Almighty. I was instilled with Faith and Prayer to get me through my deepest and darkest hours and times. My mom and grandmother made sure that we knew how to say our prayers and that we took the time to say them each and every night. This, I have taught to my sons and continue to do so with them to share God’s Word with them, teach them forgiveness, compassion and gratitude. While this post may be different from the norm that you see here, I felt it was important to share this with all of you today. Sometimes we get so busy with day to day life, that we forget the importance of faith in our lives.

“History is full of conquerors, but only one of them defeated sin and death forever. Where many have tried, only Christ won lasting peace for His followers. This Easter, find that peace in your life.” – Mormon.org

While Easter is so much more than what the stores and commercials aim it to be, I think that the Principles of Peace will help you to focus on Easter and the reasons we celebrate it. This is a great opportunity for all to stop and reflect upon our own lives.

I hope you will join us in sharing the Principles of Peace and don’t forget to watch the video when it’s live.

** All images and graphics were provided to me by mormon.org. As many know, I am a believer of many faiths as they instill the word of Christ in our minds and hearts. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. This post was sponsored by Mormon.org.

Dear Diary March 12, 2017

Sunday Letters – Some Women Fear the Fire, Some Become It…

I am burdened with so many emotions right now. Honestly, I’m excited because after months (maybe even a year) of not doing a post like this – I’m proud to say that Sunday Letters is up and running at this moment. I’m excited because it seems like it’s been ages since I’ve been able to write like this. But, on the other hand, I’m filled with dread and an overwhelming sense of anxiety building up inside. My Sunday Letters posts are a way for me to get a bit personal here and a way for me to put myself out there for others to read. I miss it, but use it as a way to hold me accountable of things I set forth for myself. It’s been a long while since I’ve done a post like this – so I’m going to get real for a moment and get you all caught up.

Ugh… where do I begin? It’s already March and I have been sick so many times over the last few months that I can’t even count or begin to. I rang in the new year with the flu and I feel like it’s just all piling up on me like the plague. No matter what I do to get my health back in check, I find myself dwindling into the despair of sick and tired… literally. I have also been struggling with my weight. What the frick is up with my weight? No matter what I do health wise, it seems like I’m putting on weight versus losing no matter the countless hours and sweat I put into trying to drop the pounds. My skin has been freaking the frick out… like literally freaking out and my once good skin is now proving that it has an alter ego that is mean and evil. My skin is freaking out so bad it is worst now than it had been when I was in my teens. How is that even possible? How could this be?

“Some women fear the fire, some women simply become it…” – R.H. Sin

I think the health issues I’ve been having over the last year have been something that has literally been keeping my faith and my energy down. Over the last 6 months I’ve had every possible friend contact me and tell me “I have this new product line or product for you to try and it will make your health better, help you lose weight.” Trust when I say I have heard it all. What I really want to tell these friends is that “I’m not your get rich quick guinea pig that you can dump your new product on to make money off of.” I know, I might be a little harsh here, but it’s true. Instead of telling me… “I’m sorry that you are going through this, how can I help?” I get “hey, try this product and start using it faithfully and it will help you get better quick.” Who the frick do these people think they are talking to? I’m just over it.

Over the last 8 months, I have had more tests done to me than people have had in their lifetime. And, I might add – these are not easy on my body. Taking blood is like seeing a vampire for a neck bite. I don’t have easy veins and they are what phlebotomist call “disappearing veins” because they move or you think they are there but it’s all an illusion. Just to get a blood test done, I get poked and prodded over 5 times and then the blood suckers don’t even get enough blood to complete their testing. I had to have a CT Scan and Endoscopy done within the last 8 months as well and the CT scan required the technician to send me to an ultrasound tech to find my veins so he could start my IV, a procedure that should have taken 15 minutes took 2 hours. My Endoscopy – again, finding my vein to start my IV posed a challenge for the nurses, so after poking my arm over 8 times, they finally found a vein in my hand which wound up collapsing eventually, resulting in a huge bruise and a vein I can probably no longer use. Then, so have anesthesia rendered to put me to sleep so that I wouldn’t feel the scope down my throat, only for the medicine to not put me to sleep and I be up the entire time. These are just a small amount of issues I have with my body each day and it’s frustrating.

I have been waking up each day with a lost of drive lately. Those that know me, know that that is unusual for me. It’s outside of the norm of what many have come to expect from me and my personality. I’m just so overrun with emotions that it’s frustrating and I’m frustrated.

The other day I was chatting with a friend when she basically told me… to my face, “You just need to lose the weight and everything in your health and life will be better.” What the fuck? Don’t you think I have already tried or am trying to do that? Don’t you think that I know all too well that my weight is probably an issue? I try and stay with a program day in and day out and it hasn’t worked! So then, I ask you – why isn’t it working if you say that that is my end all, fix all? Why?

I know I have ranted and vented in this post more than what anyone has ever seen here, but just know you may be seeing more of this. I’m exhausted and more so exhausted of trying to explain myself to people who are supposed to support me, not tear me down. My goal is to become the fire that is causing havoc in my life right now and not run and fear it. So, I hope to update you all on my journey and let you know how things are going. I have a series of different appointments with doctors coming up and I’ll be writing about those here as well… so stay tuned.

Anyway – on to Sunday letters…

Dear Kevin, my husband – You have been an unwavering support system for me and I didn’t expect anything otherwise. I’m so thankful you are my rock for me to vent to and my shoulder to cry on and there is a reason why you are my best friend. I don’t know how I could have gotten through these last several months without you. Thank you for being there for me.

Dear God – Please, please give me the strength to be able to get passed this time in my life. Whatever the issue with my body that seems like it’s failing me, please heal my body of its ailments and help to give me peace. Please give me the strength to walk away from those that claim to be my friends but don’t realize they are putting me down while they are thinking that they are lifting me up. And, please give me the courage to get my health back on track and my mind back to being and thinking positively.

Dear Friends (those that I talked about in this post) whether you are family or friends, this letter is for you. I don’t despise you. I don’t hate or and I’m certainly not mad at you, but more so disappointment in your actions. You can be mad that I chose this route to discuss it, but I didn’t mention any names. I can only hope and pray that God opens your eyes to how much you have hurt me. I’m not hopeless or someone who is without hope for the future, I’m simply in a little bit of a rut at the moment. Instead of pushing me down and making me feel more like crap and putting me deeper in depression, how’s about you offer positive reinforcement to help. I don’t hate you, but can only hope that you can be a more positive influence instead of constantly tearing me down.

Signed,

Children March 7, 2017

A Diaper Bag Turned Work and Planner Bag – CiPU Baby Diaper Bag | What’s In My Bag

PRESS SAMPLE / AFFILIATE LINKS

No matter how old my boys get, I find myself still utilizing many of the items that I had for them when they were babies. Since I’m a work from home and stay at home mom, the number one thing I find I still use is a diaper bag. Now, hold on – obviously I’m not going to be using this particular bag to hold diapers, the boys don’t use those, ha ha! But, I don’t use my old diaper bags in the traditional sense. I turn my diaper bags into work and planner bags so I can take my work on the go. About 5 months ago I was sent this very cool bag from CiPU and today I’m going to share my thoughts on this accessory as well as how I utilize it for my personal use. It may not be traditional, but it’s functional and we all know I love anything that offers function to my life.

Now, it’s no secret that I’m a laid back simpleton, basically – I’m a casual gal. So when I can find something that works for me… I’m excited. I was contacted by CiPU and asked to try out this “diaper bag” and if I enjoyed it, if I could kindly provide a review. Here’s the deal – since I was using my Coach Diaper Bag from the twins as my work bag, I thought to myself… “hmm, this will be interesting to see how it would work for me.” And, so I accepted.

CiPU is pronounced – ‘Shee’ (translated to “happiness” in Chinese) and ‘Pu’ (translated to “store” in Chinese) like “shee” in sheet and “PU” in put.

CiPU was founded in 2009 by a group of mothers and brand owner Jarrah, all of whom had one shared inspiration – an idea to gift mothers love, happiness and affection. CiPUs focus is on style by exploring colors and patterns to suit every occasion, however – each bag is full of functionality (you see that word there, it’s golden to me) and created to meet a mother’s everyday needs.

“The Bowknot in their logo represents the ribbon on a gift, meanwhile it also looks like an “infinity” symbol. Since children are such a precious gift and a parent’s devotion to their children are testimonies of “infinitive love” the bowknot symbolizes infinite love and the power of gifts in a single wish, a wish that every mother can enjoy blissful, long-lasting memories with their children – the greatest gift in life.”

Each CiPU bag is hand-crafted with lots of love and many of the bags are limited in quantity since they only make a few of each design. They are each made from environmentally friendly materials and I love that CiPU offers Free US Delivery. All CiPU bags were created with different styles and patterns to focus on women because mother’s are still women and looks matter. Perfect for function while providing lightweight carryalls to take the load off your shoulders.

Check out my video review and come chit chat about this bag with me. My video can be found here or embedded below.

CiPU offers a variety of bags to fit the mothers’, fathers’ and even babies’ style. From Large tote bags like the one I have here to diaper backpacks in every type of color and design. I have my eyes set on a camouflage one, a plain black bag and the Leopard next. Let’s talk a little about this awesome diaper bag shall we?

I have the CiPU Tote Diaper Bag in Heather Gray (Large). This bag retails for $158.80 and comes with 13 large compartments to hold all of my necessities. Now, as I mentioned before, I’m not using this bag as a diaper bag, but as my work bag so this is perfect to host all of my planner supplies, planners and even my laptop and tablet all fit inside perfectly.

This bag features 1 hidden compartment (which I love to put the boys wipes in or even store their dirty clothes while out and about so it doesn’t mess up any of my papers. You also get the following accessories to go with your bag:

Personal belongings pouch – this pouch comes with detachable straps and you can use this to store your diapers, wipes and changing mat. I use this particular pouch to store my tablet for safe keeping and a few notebooks.
Foldable Changing Mat – this soft and easy to clean mat is perfect for changing baby, but again – I use this bag for work – so this changing mat is used as a little sitting mat for me when at the park or in case I want to put my bag down without sitting it directly on the floor. It’s machine washable which makes it perfect for on the go.
Retractable Key Hold – probably my favorite thing now to keep my eyes on hand at any given time.
Chest Strap – this helps to keep my strap in place to prevent slip-downs
Slip Proof Should Straps – these soft on the shoulder straps are great and comfy. It made long hours at the airport easy because my arms were not sore from carrying my bag too long.
Stroller Clips – These are great to clip to a wagon or stroller to keep your bag with you. I use it to attach to my sports cart so I am not taking up real estate of the wagon with my bag.

The material is very soft and easy to spot clean or wash should I need it. I love that this bag is water repellent (inside & out), especially since I always take it with me, that way I don’t have to worry about spills. This bag comes with a gorgeous hot pink and bright lining which makes it so easy to be able to see inside and grab everything that I need at any time. And, since this bag is made of quick dry material – it helps to prevent mold (so you don’t have to worry much about spills from milk bottles or juice causing mold if you don’t get it dried up quickly.) This bag is perfect for outdoors – whether rain or shine and I love that it’s so easy to take with you.

The CiPU Large Tote is very lightweight at just 1.2 lbs. – one of the lightest on the market. And, remember how I said CiPU offers different bags for different personalities and sizes, your littles can have their own little backpacks too.

So, now that you have a bunch of information to make an informed decision on whether or not this bag is for you… let me keep it real for you all. This bag is costly, but I am a handbag lover and most of my bags cost well over this amount already so I would spend this money in a heartbeat – especially after my great experience with this one over the last 5 months or so. When it comes to how I spend my money, I tend to look at things as an investment. These bags are an investment in not only your style and longevity of having them, but your comfort. They are easy to carry and hold, giving you various options and so easy to clean. As a busy mom, I know that the last thing we want to be doing is scrubbing a bag of strains or water spills. While I don’t currently use it strictly as a diaper bag, I know the quality of the bag will hold up in that if and when I should have another child – I’ll be able to use this. I also love that this is functional for me and allows me to use this as a “mommy bag” no matter the age of my children. I can carry all my work stuff inside while still have a ton of room for mommy stuff too – whether it be wipes, extra clothes, toys, books for reading on the go or games – whatever tickles your fancy.

We all know I am brutally honest here and I have to say – Yes, this bag is worth the cost and definitely high quality. Like I mentioned before – I have my eyes on a few others and I plan to get them.

Check out my video review:

You can check out the full range of products available at: https://www.cipu.us/

Purchase from their Amazon store here.

So what about you, have you heard of CiPU before and do you think you could utilize something like this? Are you a mommy looking for a little more help in the organizing and diaper bag compartment? Comment below and share your thoughts with me.

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. I was not paid to provide my thoughts or to feature this product. Affiliate links are posted through out.

Beauty February 22, 2017

My Morning Routine Must Haves with Dove

I have said it time and time again… but I truly am a morning person. I love getting up early, starting the day with the crow of our rooster and getting things done. It’s been a habit of mine since I can remember and my mom says that I’ve been that way since I could walk. With the new year in full swing, I have been so excited to get going and chugging away on life. You ever have those days where you are totally on the groove to just get things done? Well, that’s kind of been me lately and I’m enjoying it. My morning routine is simple but productive and it helps me get started on my busy day. To keep up the pace with a busy schedule, I changed up my routine just a little this year, to help things run a little more smoothly and keep me on course.

Here are a few of my essential musts for my productive morning:

1. A comfy and cute outfit

One important “must-have” for me when keeping on task is an outfit that I can take from morning to evening (since I’m often running around that much) and that is comfortable. If you recall about a post I did last month, my goal is to dress a little more girly this year… so I’m trying my hand in doing so. I’ve been really loving pairing comfy and loose fitting tops with a pair of trousers or skinny jeans and of course, a cute heel that’s comfy for all day use. When it comes to clothes, simplicity is key for me because I need something that is cute but definitely functional and that will allow me to look good but still be able to chase after the twins if I need.

2. My planner and To Do List

Ah, this was an absolute given, don’t you think? My entire schedule is kept on track with a to do list and my planner. While I love a great digital planner (I also plan via my phone apps), there is just something about writing things down that seems to help me accomplish my task lists more efficiently. I have a plethora of planners, and they each all serve it’s purpose in my daily life. Without them, I would lose track of everything I’m doing and with a very long…. laundry list of things to accomplish – losing track of my schedule would not be a good thing.

3. Beauty Products that I trust to keep me on task

As a mom who’s always on the go, I have found that over the last several months, a more simplistic beauty routine has been ideal for me. With mascara and a lip balm or long lasting lip color – I know I can be out the door and ready in a matter of minutes. But, makeup is just a small piece of those beauty products that keep me on track. The Dove Advanced Care Deodorant has been a must-have in my beauty routine for quite a while and I recently tried a new scent – Caring Coconut, which I’m loving.

Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant offers me 48 hours of odor and wetness protection plus the added skincare benefits of Dove’s 1/4 moisturizers and NutriumMoisture to provide my sensitive skin with softer, smoother underarms. When you’re running around like crazy each day – a great deodorant is an absolute must-have and Dove’s Advanced Care Deodorant has been my favorite for a few years now. This deodorant is one I know and love and I am such a fan of it’s light and feminine scent. As a busy mom, I know that I need a beauty product like this one because it will keep working as long as I am.

4. Water

An important part of my day and morning routine is water. I’ve been dealing with health issues and trying to get my health on track again, so having water on me all the time keeps me hydrated and helps with my weight management as well. I make sure to drink the minimum amount of water intake each day – starting with first thing in the morning, so this is one important must-have in my daily routine.

5. A little Me Time

This may not seem like an essential part of anyone’s day, but it really should be. I find myself losing focus through out the day if I don’t take at least 10 minutes to myself each morning before I begin work, exercise or running errands. Now, let me be realistic here when I say that it’s not always ideal, but taking a few minutes of time for yourself is necessary. Whether it be to read an inspirational quote (which I make a priority to do each day), or put on your favorite “groove and move” music, it’s definitely a necessity. Gearing up for a busy day is more than just putting on your shoes, you have to get your game face on and feel inspired to keep you going.

So – while each of us have an agenda all our own each day, what kinds of things do you do or have in your morning routine to get your going? Are you a last minute type person or like to plan? Are you someone who just loves mornings as I do? Comment below and share with me.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Dear Diary February 13, 2017

Motivation Monday – Am I Adding Value to Others Lives?

NOTHING TO DISCLOSE

Whew… another week has begun and I feel like I didn’t quite finish up the tasks from last week to warrant starting a new one. Let’s face it, who ever completes their daunting daily tasks deserves an award, because my list is ever growing and it seems like there is less and less time in a day to accomplish it all. Nonetheless, I digress and try to move forward to the best of my ability.

“Significance is very different from success. Significance means that you are adding value to others lives. Once you taste significance, you won’t care about success anymore.” – John Maxwell

As I sit here at my desk working endlessly to get all of my ducks in a row for the next few days, I find myself wondering… “Am I adding value to the lives of those that read this blog?” Hmmm… don’t answer that… haha! No, but kidding aside, I really wanted to take this site back to its roots and I find myself consistently asking the same question of myself each day. Do I bring value to the table? The quick answer would be, yes… right? The long answer would be… I may not bring value to all but I certainly offer some form of value to a few, which in all honesty – is better than none at all. Right?

So, what is it that you bring to the table that adds value to those around you? Do you look at your worth by the amount of success you accomplish or do you look at your worth by how you help those around you? In this day and age, let’s face it – not many people make the time to help others anymore. When they do, it’s half assed and rushed causing you to really question their motivations as to why they lent that hand in the first place. But should it really matter how much or how little someone has helped versus the fact that they have helped at all? Let’s think about this for a second shall we? If someone lends a helping hand for you (say, you have fallen and need some assistance standing up), do you feel grateful when they lean over and help you up and then ask you if you need anymore assistance or if you’re okay. How about if they simply just helped you stand without a word and went on their merry way? Which would you prefer? Or are you like me and think that either way – the person took the time out of their day to help you regardless of small talk and that meant a lot to begin with? I find that sometimes no words is not necessarily a bad thing. In this time when so many are at fault with one another and there is so much bigotry and ignorance in the World, if a person took 30 seconds out of their day to help you in silence versus 5 minutes and took the time to have a conversation, we should be thankful that either person took the time regardless. Those few seconds mean a lot to anyone who barely has enough time in the day to accomplish their own tasks at hand – don’t you think?

Lately I think my goal in life is to be significant. It’s not about being successful (yes, we all strive for that in some way or another), but being significant means that I’m adding much more than just success to the table. When you take the time to offer value and add value to those around you – you truly are significant. Like John Maxwell said “Once you taste significance, you won’t care about success anymore.” Well John, I agree – but I think that to be significant in the world, adding value to others’ lives around you is a success too.

Wishing you all a wonderful Monday. May today and this week be filled with a plethora of inspiration to fill your bucket full.

Beauty February 10, 2017

Valentine’s Gifts to Treat Yourself or Someone Your Love

PRESS SAMPLE / SELF PURCHASED / AFFILIATE LINKS

It’s that time of year again – Valentine’s Day is approaching. Now, I’m kind of late the punch in getting this post up this year, but I digress… and it’s getting done anyway, right? I’ve said this time and time again, but while my husband and I celebrate Valentine’s Day, we both feel that our love for one another should be shown and given every single day of the year – every day of our lives. Let’s face it, some of you may find that corny, but the fact of the matter is… we shouldn’t need a holiday to celebrate love, right? Regardless, each year I share a great little gift guide for you – whether you decide you are going to take advantage of it for the holiday or any time of the year or use it to treat yourself, it’s entirely up to you. So, without further adieu, let’s get into some Valentine’s Gifts shall we?

Let’s talk about rings… jewelry per say. Now, if you’ve been a follower of this blog for a while, then you know that my husband is a law enforcement officer. Over the years we have looked for rings that he can use that are not only stylish, but that will allow him to be able to use his rings to work. In the type of job he has, a metal, gold or silver band can injure the finger and are a huge safety concern. While it’s allowed for them to use it, it’s suggested that they use a silicone band to help protect against injury and to aid in safety. That’s where FX8 (Fixate) comes in to play. These fun silicone ring bands are made of Premium Medical-Grade Silicone. They are stylish, functional and definitely durable. The are comfortable to wear with a tapered dome design and are available in Men’s & Women’s styles and sizes. I like the fact that they offer custom engraving and these rings are designed for an active lifestyle.

Outside of work, we can use our regular wedding rings, but while my husband is at work, I know that this ring will work well for him. Athletes, racers, extreme sports participants, fitness and gym trainers, mechanics, military personnel, construction and factory works and law enforcement officials all enjoy wearing these.

Each Fixate ring comes with a durable ring bag with a rugged metal “S” clip that is large enough to fit your drivers license, credit card, cash, ring and earbuds. They are priced reasonably, starting at $19.95+ and while they are not the ideal choice for many, in our instance, it works for my family and our lifestyle. They come in a variety of different colors too – so I think they are perfect for anyone and they are definitely an affordable, cost effective choice.

Get your FX8 bands here: https://fixatedesigns.com/

Now, I consider Valentine’s Day to also be Gal-entine’s Day. A fun way to celebrate your lovely gal pals is by giving them a little treat for themselves. Let’s face it, most of us love makeup and what better way to have a little fun and treat ourselves and our gals by giving them some makeup delights. Bodyography is a new to me brand, as well as Omega Labs USA. I thought this would be an awesome time to share the products with you while giving some ideas for shade choices that make great gifts.

Looking for a classic red lipstick? Try out Bodyography’s Lipstick in Red China ($17.00 – 0.13 oz/3.7g). I talk about how I think red lips are so enduring and this shade is showstopping. With a satin matte finish, this gorgeous and long lasting lipstick is super-pigmented and contains moisturizing Aloe Vera as the base to help protect the lips from signs of aging. Rich mineral pigments provide amazing color payoff and you can find a variety of shades in ranges from pinks to purple and nudes as well as finishes of creams, shimmers, sheers and satin mattes.

The Bodyography Glitter Pigments ($23.00 – 0.105 oz/3g) are also a great choice for a little sparkle any time of year. These one of a kind eye shadows are made with a technology that incorporates the saturation of a loose pigment, the cushion of a cream, and the silkiness of a powder. These gorgeous pigments are high glitter with a gorgeous pearl finish.

This gorgeous shade I have here is called Halo. It’s a very shimmery and sparkly silver that reminds me of tinsel. This color is quite bold but would make a wonderful eye lid topper to add a little sparkle and shine or popped right into the inner corner of the eye to brighten the eyes while adding a little sparkle.

There are eight colors to choose from total. A little of this product will go a long way and I definitely suggest applying this product wet or foiled using a synthetic brush or with your finger and utilizing tapping motions when applying the product to the lid or where ever you want to go. This is not your usual mica style pigment where it is finely milled. These pigments are much more glittery so using these as a standalone shadow may pose some challenges. But, they are glittery and gorgeous and I think definitely something fun for anyone to try. Besides… we all love glitter, don’t we ladies?

I love getting nail polish as gifts and these gorgeous polishes from Omega Labs are long wearing lacquers available in a wide array of high fashion shades. Omega Labs lacquers are free of DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor. I have the color 389 Peek-A-Boo, a gorgeous nude toned soft peach shade is that is perfect for every day wear or a night out on the town. The shade is neutral and gorgeous. Omega Labs Nail Lacquers retail for $7.00 (0.44 fl.oz.)

Now, I obviously couldn’t leave out a little bath and body action, right? I mean come on… nothing says Valentine’s Day like a little body treatment. One of my favorite Bath & Body brands, FarmHouse Fresh released this gorgeous Whoopie! Deluxe Gift Set that features the White Velvet Hand and Body Creams, Body Wash and Candle all of which have the irresistible whoopie pie aroma. Let me just say – this is a set that I love and have purchased one for each of my sisters this year. I know they will LOVE it.

Packaged in a “ready to gift” box, this Deluxe Gift Set offers one of my favorite fragrances from FarmHouse Fresh. I am loving the buttercream aroma that wafts through the air when I open any of these products. This gorgeous set includes these wonderfully smelling delectables (do not eat them) amd retao;s fpr $54.00. I can’t rave enough about this set and I loved it so much the last month that I had to pick up a set for each of my sisters (I have two) because I know they would love it. With moisture boosting properties in each of these and a great smelling candle to fill a room with a sweet fragrance, I’m a happy camper.

*I plan to have a review detailing each product in the next week or so, so stay tuned for that.

This this set and so much more at: http://www.farmhousefreshgoods.com/

Not everyone is into body care, makeup and jewelry – but house decor is always something fun. That’s why I am recommending a gorgeous Mandala Tapestry from Rajrang. Whether you decide to get a Single, Double or Round tapestry these are just gorgeous pieces of art. I use mine as a throw, but you can definitely use it anyway you please. A few popular ways are to use them as a wall hanging, home decor and in some cases, just like me – some may want to use this as a layout blanket. I have taken it to the park or beach to lay on while reading a book. These are made of a good quality fabric and are absolutely gorgeous. Did I mention these were affordable? I even like using these as backdrops to my videos and photos because they are so easy to work with. Starting at about $10.00+, these beauties would make a great gift for anyone, anytime of the year.

Purchase a gorgeous mandala tapestry for you or someone you love at: https://www.rajrang.com/

Last on my list is some gorgeous fragrances from DefineMe which I think would make an absolutely wonderful gift for any of your gal pals. This is the Girls’ Night Set which includes the Audry and Sofia Isabel fragrances for $74.00. This gorgeous set includes a combination of romantic florals and sweet intoxicating citrus.

Audry’s notes include: jasmine, peony, rose and sandalwood

Sofia Isabel’s notes include: mandarin, black currant, jasmine and sugar.

Layered together this set is a wonderful fragrance I absolutely enjoy wearing and I think many of my girlfriends would enjoy this as a gift.

DEFINEME GIRLS' NIGHT | SET OF 2

Now that I have shared a few favorites with all of you, I think you’ll have a list of fab items you could share with a loved one or pick up for your best friend or yourself. I often get asked why it is that my lists like these are so odd and often times provide “interesting” items. Here’s the deal… I love sharing a variety of products with all of you and many times I select them based on the fact that they are what I’m liking, enjoying and are favorites at that time or any given moment. These are just suggestions of products I’ve tried, purchased or that I was sent to try and I like. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if this is something you may want to check out for yourself or to buy as a gift. I also didn’t include many “male friendly” items in this gift collection this time around, mainly because I am just not sure what the hubby would like this year so I’m at a lost as to what to suggest. Remember, like I said before – Valentine’s Day should be considered an “every day” kind of holiday. Love should be celebrated each and every day. Heck, my husband and I do it and it is a part of who we are. No matter what you decide, make your Valentine’s Day something special – even if it means just treating yourself to something you like.

Happy Love Day, Every Day!

Check out some of my previous posts over the years for Valentine’s Day inspiration:

Gal-entine’s Day

Gift Guide for the Man in Your Life

Some of my past Valentine’s Day Makeup Looks / Tutorials: (top to bottom – left to right)

Be My Valentine – featuring Smashbox Full Exposure Palette

Valentine’s Day Lookbook

Bombshell Love

Cherry Truffle – featuring Too Faced Cosmetics

Just Call Me Sweetheart

Cupcakes & Hearts – featuring Jordana & Milani Cosmetics

Genuine Sweetheart – featuring Too Faced Cosmetics

Disclaimer: Some of the products featured in this post were sent for review consideration while some were purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. Affiliate links are listed through out.

About Honeygirl's World

Honeygirl's World is a Lifestyle blog by Honey Kaho'ohanohano. Honey is a Maui girl, born and raised on the island of Maui with a background in Sales and Marketing, Resort Management and Motivational Speaking. This blog is a way for her to document her life's adventures while sharing her best tips and tricks for all things lifestyle, beauty and Hawaii. Learn more about Honey and the entire family that is featured here on the blog.

Read More

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube
Listen to the Honeygirl’s World Podcast