Tag Archives: review

Local Mom Made Gifts and Products in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Shopping local is a great way to support your community while finding high quality, custom gifts! Check out these great products made by local moms in the Milwaukee area! Milwaukee mom, milwaukee products, shop local, Milwaukee Wisconsin

Mompreneur, mom boss, working mom, wahm (work-at-home-mom), hustler – whatever you want to call them, we are in an age of moms running businesses! There are so many great ways for moms to support their families without being confined to working on someone else’s schedule. How can we all work together to help support these hard-working moms? Simply shopping from their businesses. Next time you are looking for a gift, decoration, household product, bit of baby clothing, or anything really, consider buying from a small business.This post is going to act as a directory of locally made products available from mom run businesses in the Milwaukee area. By making a purchase from any of these businesses, you are helping a family and our community. read more

Wildscape Frozen Meals Review

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Wildscape frozen meals are a “fresh take on frozen food” checkout my review to see if they’re really wildly different than the competition.

When it comes to being a working, breastfeeding mom, there are days where it feels like the hardest part of everything is keeping everyone fed! The need for convenient, healthy, nutrient-dense meals is at an all time high. That’s why I was excited to partner up with Moms Meet to try Wildscape. They make frozen meals that they call a “fresh take on frozen food.” Frozen entrees are a great grab-and-go meal for lunch, but many of them are packed with sodium and preservatives. Is Wildscape wildly different? Check out this review to see my thoughts. read more

New Baby Checklist and What to Include in Your Baby Registry

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There are so many items on the market for new parents! Check out this customizable new baby checklist to keep track of everything you need for baby. Baby checklist, new baby, printable baby checklist, what to buy for baby. #babyregistry #newbaby #pregnant #newmom

When I created a baby registry for my first son, I did a TON of research. I read every blog and pin that I could find, I looked through pregnancy magazines, I looked at registry examples, and I asked other parents for advice. Overall, I felt like I had a pretty good handle on what I wanted and needed for baby. Now I am getting ready for baby number two, and I have the chance to go through my new baby checklist all over again. My thoughts and opinions have changed a lot in the two years since I wrote this post – as all experienced parents tend to do. I thought this would be the perfect time to re-vamp this post a little bit so that I have it ready when friends come to ask for baby registry advice. Keep reading to learn how to create your own new baby checklist (I’ve included a template for you!), and see what you need to include in your baby registry. read more

Acidil Review

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Collaborative review with Moms Meet of Acidil homeopathic heartburn, indigestion, and gas relief.

As an acid reflux sufferer, I have figured out that managing my diet is key in managing my digestive health. It turns out that the best way to combat my acid flair ups and digestive issues lies in eating the right plant-based foods regularly. I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep my digestive system healthy. Of course, most adults have occasional discomfort. When stress or a run of less than ideal meals causes your stomach to turn on you, Acidil can offer plant-based relief. I recently had the pleasure of teaming up with Moms Meet and Boion to check out Acidil and let you know my experience.  read more

Boba Air Carrier Review

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The Boba Air is a great carrier choice for infants and toddlers! It's lightweight, convenient, and packs up into a small pouch. Check out my full Boba Air review for more. #babywearing #babycarrier #toddlerwearing

There are so many great baby carriers out there with so many great merits to each. It can be hard to decide what carrier will be best for your family or even which carriers! (Many parents have multiple for different uses.) Our son is two now and the only carrier that we have ever used for him is the Boba Air. It’s been a lifesaver in many situations including summer festivals, long walks, and even just family trips to the mall. In general I love that this carrier is lightweight, super portable, adjusts to fit myself and my husband, and is still comfortable for my toddler. Read on to see a more detailed Boba Air review.  read more

Boudreaux’s Rash Kicking Kit… Because Butt Paste is the Best

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Are you looking for a baby shower gift or items to add to your baby registry? Butt Paste is a must for all new parents! #buttpaste #diaperrash #diapercream #diapers

I remember when we were creating our registry for our first son in Target. There are so many products to choose from, and as a new mom, you always want to pick the very best for your kiddo. There was a mom walking by with a 9-month-ish-old little boy. She chuckled and smiled remembering being an expecting parent and creating a baby registry. She stopped and asked “can I give you one tip?” Of course, we said yes because new parents are clueless and advice is (usually) appreciated. She picked up a tube of Butt Paste and said “skip all the other diaper rash creams. You need this one.”

I was surprised that of all the things, she chose diaper rash cream to be her one tip. We smiled, thanked her, and scanned the green box. I would definitely say that in our two years of parenthood, Butt Paste has been the only diaper rash cream that we need. We’ve used cheaper off-brand ones because that was what we had on hand, but they just don’t clear up the rashes like Butt Paste.

Moms Meet recently reached out looking for partners to work with Boudreaux to promote their rash kicking kit. Since I already love the product, I was happy to join their campaign. They’ve sent me about 6 baby-lifetime’s worth of Butt Paste in exchange for sharing my honest opinion with you.

*please note – in case that wasn’t clear enough, this post was sponsored by Moms Meet and Boudreaux. This post also contains affiliate links. See sidebar for details about sponsored content on this site.

Why is Butt Paste the best?

From the factual standpoint, Butt Paste is pediatrician recommended and free of dyes, parabens, preservatives phthalates, and talc. From a mama standpoint, it just works well. It’s a nice, thick texture and it helps to soothe baby’s rash while creating a barrier to prevent the rash from getting worse. Usually one or two applications will clear up a moderate diaper rash. It works so well/quickly that I think we have only made it through one big tube in our two-year-old’s time in diapers.

What’s up with the Rash Kicking Kit?

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Rash Kicking Kit would make an awesome baby shower gift. It includes an original and a maximum strength Butt Paste (because every baby and every rash is different) plus a butt brush. To be honest, I made it two years without a butt brush just fine…but getting diaper cream under your fingernails is pretty nasty. It’s a neat little tool and also kind of makes you want to giggle.

 

You can get the Rash Kicking Kit on Amazon or easily add it to your Amazon Baby Registry. I’m glad that we are now stocked up for baby number 2’s arrival. 🙂

 

5 Signs Your Toddler Might Be Ready For Potty Training

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[ad] When it comes to potty training, timing is everything! Check out these 5 signs that your toddler might be ready for potty training. #huggies #pullups #toddlermom @PullUpsBigKid @PullUps @PullUpsBigKid @Pull-Ups #NationalPottyTrainingMonth #PottyTraining

When you have a baby or young toddler, it can feel like diapers are just a part of your life and always will be. The good news is that one day, all of the diaper changes will come to an end! June is national potty training month, so now is the perfect time to look forward to the transition out of diapers for good. Someday your little one will be potty trained and gain a huge amount of independence. Right now, it probably seems like that day is far off, but your toddler may already be giving you signs that the time for potty training is coming. The timing needs to be right in order to make potty training a smooth transition for the whole family. Check out these 5 signs that your toddler may be ready to start potty training soon.

*please note: this post is sponsored by Pull-Ups, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Toddlers who are ready to be potty trained soon usually display the following signs.

1. They tell you before or right after having a dirty diaper.

I remember the first time that Peanut told us that he needed a diaper change. He said something that sounded vaguely like diaper and pointed to his pants. I was so excited for his first sign that potty training may be on the horizon. We still have abit to go, but it’s a relief to know that the end is in sight.

2. They show interest when others use the toilet.

At some point, your little one’s following you into the bathroom will turn from not wanted to leave you into an interest in what you are doing. Like with anything else, he or she sees what you are doing and wants to be able to do that too.

3. They have wet diapers less frequently.

As toddler becomes aware of the action of soiling a diaper, they will start doing it less frequently. You will notice that you are going through less diapers throughout the day – extra bonus.

4. They wake up dry after naps.

This is a great sign that your growing kiddo may be ready to potty train. A toddler who wakes up with a dry diaper is less likely to wet the bed with big boy undies on.

5. They may have a regular dirty diaper schedule.

You may notice more patterns to your little one’s dirty diapers. This is another great sign that potty training may be just around the corner!

 

Potty Training with Huggies Pull-Ups

Once your little one is ready to give potty training a go, Huggies can help with the transition. They are a great middle ground between diapers and big kid undies. As the name suggests, Pull-ups pull up like undies for your little one to practice. They also have a closure at the sides like diapers in case you need to do a change. Plus Pull-ups come in fun designs that include characters that kiddos know and love. The best part is that you can get them for 20% off from Amazon Subscribe & Save! (you all know how much I love Subscribe & Save)

We are still waiting for Peanut to be ready for potty training. He’s 21 months right now, and not consistent enough in showing the signs of readiness. There are days that all of these signs apply though, so I know that it’s right around the corner!

Mamas – was there any big clue that your little was ready to potty train? Tell us about it in the comments!

A little extra bonus content – Apparently Pull-ups also make great hats for while you hang out an watch TV. *shrug* Clearly my little model was not too cooperative for taking pictures for this post. He did, however, enjoy hanging out in his new big boy pants.

thredUP Review – Affordable Style for Evey Ocassion

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[ad] thredUP.com is a great source for affordable, gently used clothes for any occasion. Check out my review and get a 30% off code. #secondhandfirst #deals #fashion #momstyle #thredup

Please tell me that I am not the only one with a love/hate relationship with dressing up for special occasions! I love getting the family looking nice and out of the house. I hate the time and money wasted looking for outfits that I don’t want to wear more than a couple of times. Dress clothes can be so expensive, but at the same time, I don’t want to just wear the same thing when we are going to be taking pictures and making memories. A great alternative that helps save money (and the environment) is shopping second hand. thredUP is an awesome online consignment store that allows you to browse deals from the comfort of your couch. Read on to learn more and see my recent shopping spree haul.

*please note: thredUP sponsored my shopping spree in exchange for me sharing my honest opinion with you. For more details on sponsored content on Mommy: Home Manager, check out the side bar.

Shopping thredUP

thredUP’s website works like any other online store with a couple of differences. You can search for brands, styles, search by “my size,” or look for specific items. When I look through, I personally  turn on the “new with tags” or “like new” filters to make sure that I am getting items that are in good condition. This feature makes it really easy to separate out the best quality items.

Everything is in-season, in-style, and name brand.

If you’re a fan of clothing style boxes, thredUP has an option for that as well! Their Goody Boxes send you 15 hand-picked items. With items as low as $20, Goody Boxes are a great affordable option.

You can use code Lexie30 for 30% off your first order now!

Keep scrolling to see my haul including lots of pictures.

Exchanges and Customer Service

The biggest downfall to shopping online is, of course, not being able to try on clothing items before purchasing. threUP has a great return policy that makes it easy to check things out at home and send them back if you don’t like them. I had a few items in my order that I didn’t want, and returning them was no problem at all. I just logged in to my account, printed a pre-paid label, and dropped my package off at the post office. It was that easy – the value of my returned items was back in my account a couple of days later.

Unfortunately, I did have one small hic-up item in my order. A shirt that I ordered had the tiniest hole in the front of it. I didn’t even notice when I tried it on and by the time I went to wear it, I was outside of the return window. Still this was no problem at all. I contacted customer service and they were able to refund the item. Quick and courteous customer service is HUGE for an online brand, and threUP has it figured out.

 

My Haul

I went on a big shopping spree to get ready for summer and wedding/graduation season! I first ordered 4 dresses, 5 shirts, 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of sneakers, a Michael Kors tote bag, plus 2 shirts and 2 pairs of pants for Peanut. I returned a couple of the dresses and the shoes because they didn’t fit and got another dress and some workout gear instead.

I got this dress for my sister-in-law’s graduation for under $20.

This dress that I’m planning to wear to my sister’s graduation was new with tags for only $11.99!

I wore this dress to my cousin’s wedding and got plenty of compliments. (I was surprised how well this one fit actually. It was near perfect!)

Plus Peanut looked very cute in his shirt which was only $3.99

 

I also got a few shirts that will be great for work this summer. I work in a very casual office, so these t-shirts will be great.

This outfit was only $19.98 for the tank and jeans.

I didn’t love the fit at the bottom of these jeans, but I figured for $9.99 they make great cuffed capris.

 

There were also great options for activewear. I got a few items from LuLuLemon, Underarmor, Marc, and these from Tek and Brooks.

If you want to check out thredUP for yourself, this referral link will get you $10 off your first order PLUS you can use promo Lexie30 for 30% off!

Hope you snag some great finds! Happy shopping.

Once Again Hazelnut Amore Spread

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Check out this review of Once Again's Hazelnut Amore spread for a great less guilty pleasure treat! #ad #momsmeet #organic

I will be the first to admit that I was a big sugar fiend as a kid and all the way through college. (In fact, I already admitted it to you all in a post last month.) As most people do, I have outgrown my sweet tooth…to a big extent. Even now, I am a big sucker for donuts and anything dark chocolate. This includes chocolate hazelnut spread and chocolate peanut butter! My husband has told me that I shouldn’t be allowed to buy them because I will go through a jar so quickly. Oops! Recently, I had the chance to try out a new (new to me anyway) hazelnut spread from Once Again Nut Butter. Keep reading to hear my thoughts and where to find some yummy recipes.

*  I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

Once Again Hazelnut Amore

Once Again Hazelnut Amore Spread  is an organic, non-gmo, and gluten free treat. I was really excited to try this product when it arrived. As I said, I love chocolate hazelnut spread, and it has been a long time since I have allowed myself to buy a jar. This spread was a little different than spreads that I’ve had in the past. It has less sugar, so it’s a little less sweet. The hazelnut and coco flavors really come through since they aren’t overpowered by the sweetness. The texture of this spread is different too. I don’t want to say that it’s gritty because that makes it sound unpleasant, but there is some texture in it. I think brownie batter is the closest thing that I can relate it to.

I’ve been eating my hazelnut Amore spread on fruit, and especially love it on bananas. Once Again has a really great sounding recipe for brownies on their website that I would love to try sometime as well. There are recipes for all of their products if you are looking for ideas.

At $9.95/jar, this will likely not become a staple in my grocery stock. I will definitely add it to my list of indulgences for when I need something to treat myself. It may pop up on some gift idea lists in the future!

You can get some Once Again Natural products on Amazon, but it doesn’t look like their hazelnut spread is available right now. For a list of retailers in your area check out their site here. Otherwise, you can buy it online here. 

 

Date Night In Box Review and GIVEAWAY!

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#ad and #giveaway Looking for a fun night in with your significant other?? Check out Night In Boxes and enter to win a box on us! #datenight #nightinboxes #marriage #dateyourspouse

Getting out of the house as a parent can be a big adventure. Getting out of the house as a parent without your child in tow…well, for a lot of us it doesn’t happen often. It can be hard to find the time and energy to date your spouse while you have a baby or young child at home. That doesn’t mean that making time for your relationship is any less important! A great way to keep your relationship a priority is to have planned date time at home. It can be as simple as dinner and a movie, having a glass of wine and talking, or making a special desert after baby is in bed. Date Night In can help you mix it up by sending everything you need for date night right to you each month. Learn how it works, see my experience, and enter to win a box of your own!

*please note, Night In Boxes sent over this box for me to review and share my opinions with you. This post contains affiliate links. See sidebar for details. 

How It Works

Night In Boxes are available as a single purchase or as a monthly subscription. Each box comes with a themed date night – a few objects to get your date going, instructions, and an optional menu for the evening. They are all set up with a fun theme that focuses on having fun while getting to know (and date!) your spouse at the same time.

You can check out examples of past dates on the Night In Boxes website.

“Blind Date” Experience

Our box for this month was a “blind date” box. It was a little different than what I expected and was a bit strange when we first opened it. The box contained a small whiteboard with marker, a roll of masking tape, cotton candy, 2 blindfolds, a chapstick, and a card that read “If you have joined us in the past months, you know there would normally be a date itinerary booklet. This month you will embark on a bid date. Portions of your date night will be blindfolded, and you will be guided on your date via audio recording.” with a link to several soundcloud files.

Everything came together when we listened to the soundcloud files, and overall it was a good time. The activities involved were fun and got my husband and I laughing at ourselves. We really liked the blindfolded drawing activities. (See the portrait of my husband that I drew below. HAHA.) We wish that there were more of these activities, and we ended up just making up a couple ourselves. My husband particularly was not a fan of the couples counseling feel of a few of the soundcloud clips. It’s great to promote open and appreciative communication…but it wasn’t what we were looking for at the time. Overall,  we did enjoy ourselves and it was nice to set aside time together. I think that this specific box was just not the ideal box for us as a couple, and I look forward to seeing what comes in future boxes. 

Get Your Own

As I mentioned, you can order Date Night In boxes individually or as a monthly subscription. An individual box will cost you $34.99. Honestly, that sounded like a bit much to me at first, but then I realized that we would probably pay about the same just for a night of babysitting to get out of the house for a date! The most affordable option is to pay for a whole year upfront, which brings the cost per date to $31.66. Boxes ship free and are available in the US, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and Sweden. Just head on over to the  Night In Boxes website.

 

Enter to Win

Three lucky winners, will receive their very own Date Night In box free! Just use this Rafflecopter form to enter. Remember to come back and enter daily for more chances to win! Open to entrants in the US, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and Sweden. 
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