During Black History Month, I’m leaning into meaningful self-care with products from BeRooted Co. — a brand that blends wellness, representa...

During Black History Month, I’m leaning into meaningful self-care with products from BeRooted Co. — a brand that blends wellness, representation, and empowerment.

Note: I received product samples for review purpose. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

As a mother, self-care often feels like the last thing on my to-do list, after school drop-offs, meal prep, and everything in between. But during February, I’m reminded that intentional caring for myself is powerful and necessary.

Turning Everyday Planning Into a Self-Care Ritual

Motherhood comes with endless mental load. Writing things down is one of the ways I reduce overwhelm. Using a BeRooted Co. planner can help transform planning from a stress task into a grounding ritual.

Instead of scribbling appointments on random sticky notes, I can:

• Set weekly intentions.
• Write affirmations before starting my day.
• Reflect on wins (even small ones).
• Schedule “me time” with the same priority as everyone else’s activities.

The intentional affirmations woven throughout BeRooted Co products are gentle reminders that I am worthy, capable, and doing my best — even on chaotic days.

Journaling as Emotional Wellness for Moms

Black History Month also invites reflection. I can use a BeRooted Co. guided journal to explore:

• What legacy means in my family.
• How I want to model resilience and self-worth for my children.
• The traditions I want to pass down.

Journaling has become my quiet reset — a few minutes to process emotions. For moms constantly pouring into others, this space to pour into ourselves is sacred.

Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate. Sometimes it’s as simple as five quiet minutes with a pen and paper that reminds you who you are.

Teaching Our Children by Example

Our kids don’t just listen — they watch. When they see us prioritizing wellness, supporting Black-owned businesses, and honoring culture intentionally, they internalize those values.

We can talk with our children about:

• The importance of community.
• Why representation in products and media matters.
• How supporting diverse brands strengthens families and neighborhoods.

Black History Month becomes more than a lesson at school, it becomes lived practice at home.

Rooted in Purpose, Growing in Wellness

As mothers, we carry so much — history, hope, tradition, responsibility. Black History Month is a beautiful reminder that our stories matter. Our wellness matters. Our presence matters.

Choosing to shop brands like BeRooted Co. is one small, but meaningful way we can align values and self-care with intention.

BeRooted Co

BeRooted Co. is a Black woman-owned brand that centers affirmation, wellness, and culturally reflective design. Their products include planners, journals, writing instruments, calendars, puzzles and more.

Here are a few products from the lineup.

For Moms (Self-Care & Reflection)

• Rooted in Intention Bundle – A thoughtful set of tools for planning, reflection, and grounding intentions (great starter gift).
• Relaxing Reflections Journal & Tea Bundle – Combines a reflective journal with tea for soothing self-care moments.
• Relaxing “Peace by Piece Puzzle & Tea” Bundle – Perfect for stress-free relaxation and mindfulness time.
• Deeply Rooted Herbal Tea (Adjourn Teahouse Collab) – A calming tea add-on to create a cozy self-care ritual.
• Play Your Cards Right Deck of Cards – A creative way to spark conversation, reflection, or game night self-care.

Journals, Planners & Writing Tools (Kids)

• ‘Feelin Myself’ or ‘Be You’ 8×10 Notebook – Stylish and affirming notebooks for journaling, reflection, or goal-setting.
• ‘Reset Reflect Refocus’ Notebook (with Coloring Pages) – Encourages creativity and mindful breaks — fun for kids too!
• Uplifting Planners (e.g., ‘Pop of Color’ or ‘Daily Priorities’) – Helps older kids stay organized with intention.
• Daily Mantra Affirmation Pen Set – Pair with any notebook or planner to make daily reflection more joyful.
• Essential Planner Sticker Sheets – Adds extra fun and personalization to planning pages.

Fun and Inspiring

• 500-Piece Puzzles (like “Historically Speaking,” “A Warm Embrace,” or “A Makers Market”) – A thoughtful way to engage family time with creative focus.
• Coffee Mug & Wine Glass Set – A cute, motivational pairing ideal for cozy mornings or evenings.

These products are meaningful, culturally affirming, and practical — perfect for gifting to yourself, your friends, or your children during Black History Month to celebrate wellness, heritage, reflection, and connection.

Learn more, visit - www.berootedco.com

Celebrating Lunar New Year is one of my favorite times to gather with loved ones, and enjoy foods that symbolize good fortune and togetherne...

Celebrating Lunar New Year is one of my favorite times to gather with loved ones, and enjoy foods that symbolize good fortune and togetherness. Of course that includes dumplings — a symbol of wealth and prosperity for the year ahead.

Note: I received product samples for review purpose. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, using the link helps support this website. Thank you!

And this year, I’m keeping the tradition simple and healthy with GoodCook Ceramic Cookware.

Instead of making dumplings from scratch, I’m celebrating with store-bought dumplings. They steam to perfection in my GoodCook Ceramic All-in-One Pan with Steamer Basket, which distributes heat evenly and keeps everything from sticking — no extra oil needed.


To balance the meal, I added veggies for a fresh side. Steaming keeps everything light and nutrient-rich, while letting delicate dumpling flavors shine.

Why Ceramic is a Great for Dumplings

When you're trying to eat healthy, the "fry" in "pan-fry" can be a hurdle. Here is why I'm using the GoodCook Ceramic Skillet:

Amazing Non-Stick: You only need a tiny drop of heart-healthy avocado or sesame oil. The dumplings slide right off, meaning less fat and zero "stuck-to-the-pan" tragedies.

Even Heating: No hot spots! This ensures every dumpling gets that uniform, crispy bottom while the insides steam to perfection.

Toxin-Free Cooking: GoodCook’s ceramic coating is made without PFOA or PTFE, keeping your festive meal as clean as possible.

The durable ceramic surface cleans up effortlessly too, so I can focus on sharing food and conversation instead of soaking pans.

Healthy doesn’t have to mean complicated — sometimes it’s as simple as upgrading your cookware, adding a few fresh ingredients, and keeping the spirit of the season alive.

Whether you’re celebrating with family or enjoying a cozy night in, cooking dumplings in GoodCook’s ceramic cookware is a delicious way to welcome the new year with flavor and good fortune.

Learn more, visit GoodCook Amazon Store - https://amzn.to/4tL1hwR

The Ziploc Brand is giving back-to-school a fresh and playful twist with new limited-edition storage bags featuring exclusive printed design...

The Ziploc Brand is giving back-to-school a fresh and playful twist with new limited-edition storage bags featuring exclusive printed designs, available exclusively at Target through early September!

For a limited time this back-to-school season, families can pick up Ziploc Brand Gallon Storage Bags (featuring 2 unique designs) and Ziploc Brand Quart Storage Bags (featuring 3 unique designs) — all inspired by school-day themes like notebook doodles, tasty snack icons and school day essentials.

Ziploc Harris Poll survey

The release of these Ziploc LTO items coincides with new findings from a Harris Poll survey (June 2025) commissioned by the brand:

• 75% of K–8 parents say their kids bring home uneaten food from packed school lunches, with over half saying it happens at least once a week.
• 86% of K-8 parents are concerned about food prices and nearly half are looking for money-saving tips.
• 90% of K-8 parents say minimizing food waste is important to them/their family, but only 58% of K-8 parents say it is important to them to teach their children about food waste.

These limited-edition bags feature playful back-to-school designs that kids will enjoy, turning a versatile tool like Ziploc Brand bags into something fun and exciting to use.

Whether packing lunches, organizing art supplies or corralling backpacks and small toys, these Ziploc bags are a clever solution to help keep families prepared in style and simplicity for busy back-to-school days.

For more lunch-packing tips, visit - www.ziploc.com/Food-for-Thought

COLOP's DIY Marky Customizable Stamp let's kids (and parents) personalize belongings with unique messages or images on fabric, paper...

COLOP's DIY Marky Customizable Stamp let's kids (and parents) personalize belongings with unique messages or images on fabric, paper, and more for summer camp, sporting events, and school and more.

Marky ($18.99) is easy-to-use, all-in-one stamp kit great for labeling camp clothes, customizing tote bags, or creating DIY crafts at home without the mess.

Features:

• The special black textile ink, which has also been dermatologically tested, can be used to mark textiles, paper, cardboard, and many other absorbent surfaces for up to 1,000 impressions!
• Label everything from water bottles to lunch boxes and pencil cases with stickers.
• The set includes tweezers, letters, ribbons, stickers, and stamp.
• Come in three trendy colors: pink, light blue, and green.

Available on Amazon, Marky is also an essential back-to-school activity to prepare families for the new school year, organizing and personalizing school supplies and clothing.

COLOP's Stamping Products

For arts and crafts lovers, COLOP's stamps are multifaceted tools that leave an indelible mark on every project.

From handmade cards to personalized tags and journals, these stamps make it easy to turn creative ideas into lasting pieces—perfect for gifting or keeping just for you.

COLOP Blissful Prints Collector Sets ($49.99)

These sets include nine unique themed wooden stamps with classic imagery in a decorative wooden shadow box. These square and rectangular stamps vary in size, providing you with a variety of options to find whatever best fits your creative projects.

• Spread cheer by using these stamps on stationery, gift wrapping, and crafts.
• Customize any festive scrapbook pages or decorations.
• Current available sets include Valentines/Love, Christmas, and Easter. Coming soon in a Halloween themed set.

These numbered collectable sets come with a certificate of authenticity, making them the perfect gift for the crafter in your life.

Make Stamp Pads ($15.99)

COLOP's Make Series is perfect for various creative projects, such as making cards, scrapbooking, or adding personalized touches to your crafts.

• Has an extensive collection of colored stamp pads featuring vivid colors like frozen white, calm blue, smooth green, cozy red, and more.
• The professional-grade ink ensures crisp and vibrant impressions, and its water-based, acid-free, non-toxic formula makes it safe for all ages.
• Ink dries in three to five seconds, giving users thousands of lasting stamps for their creative needs.

Expertly crafted in Europe, these ink pads allow for bold impressions with every stamp.

Learn more, visit - www.colop.com

For college students, besides getting their stuff packed up for the dorm, there is also the issue of safety. With kids being away from home,...

For college students, besides getting their stuff packed up for the dorm, there is also the issue of safety. With kids being away from home, for perhaps the first time, it is important for them to know how to protect themselves on and off campus.

SABRE offers a variety of personal safety products, from pepper sprays and gels, dog and bear sprays, and home security devices, all of which include innovative features to perform at the highest level at a moment’s notice, helping provide safety and peace of mind.

David Nance, second generation CEO of SABRE safety products and personal safety expert, has tips to protect students in every situation.

SABRE Back to School Bundle

Featuring the SABRE Pepper Gel, Personal Alarm with LED Light, and Door Stop Alarm.

The SABRE Pepper Gel with Finger Grip and Snap Clip provides maximum strength protection that’s easily carried on the go. This pepper gel contains 25 bursts (5x the competition) for protection against multiple threats.

Pepper gel is safe to use indoors as it does not atomize like traditional pepper sprays and is deployed in a powerful gel stream, virtually eliminating wind blowback. UV marking dye helps the authorities identify an attacker after they’re sprayed.

An ergonomic finger grip helps to improve your aim and gives you more control while using your pepper gel. A flip top safety prevents an accidental discharge in your purse or bag. Snap clip attachment easily snaps onto keys or bags for quick access to your protection if needed.

The SABRE 2-in-1 Personal Alarm with LED Light features a piercingly loud 130dB alarm and has a 1,250 foot (381 meter) range.

Pulling the chain from the device sounds the extremely loud siren, making it simple to use. Pushing the pin back in stops the sound and allows you to reuse it again and again.

A bright LED light helps you quickly find items in your purse or bag and locate door locks in the dark.

SABRE’s Door Stop Alarm is a great solution to either help fortify an existing home alarm system or use on its own in a bedroom, dorm, hotel room or apartment.

The extremely 120 dB loud alarm is audible up to 1,500 feet (455 m) away and sounds when door pressure is applied. The alarm is coupled with a non-skid pad to prevent the door from opening.

This attractive, premium white alarm installs easily in just seconds – simply slide it under the crack of an inward-swinging door. There’s no wiring needed, so the alarm works during power outages.

For an extra level of security, the Door Stop Alarm provides a battery status update via a low battery indicator.

SABRE Safety Videos and Educational Material

As a college student, safety should always be a top priority. That's why SABRE offers the best pepper spray and other personal safety devices to help you feel more secure on campus.

They also provide access to hundreds of videos and educational material.

This video has David’s tips on How to Keep Your College Students Safe on Campus.



In addition, the SABRE College Safety Program provides personal defense training to help students stay safe both on & off campus.

SABRE products are the most trusted by public safety officers worldwide. Our industry-leading certification and testing maximize safety and product effectiveness and our safety training and empowerment videos and classes help consumers and officers go confidently.

And SABRE is dedicated to supporting 501(c)3 charities that align with our mission to help Make It Safe.

SABRE security tools are available on Amazon and at retail locations such as pharmacies and outdoor/sports products are sold.

To learn more, visit - www.sabrered.com

To experience the nostalgia and fun eating style of Zoo Pals™ plates, I headed to Lavan Chelsea New York for the official re-launch party......

To experience the nostalgia and fun eating style of Zoo Pals™ plates, I headed to Lavan Chelsea New York for the official re-launch party...just for adults.

Note: I was invited as media to the event. However, any views expressed are always 100% my own.


The event was filled with fun activities including decorating your own Zoo Pals™ plates, an immersive room covered in tweets from #ZooPals fans, and a dining experience by Chef Jeremy Scheck of childhood meals (elevated!).


I have to admit, eating "sushi" from animal shape plates was fun. And easy cleanup since sauce and other condiments were "contained" in the ears.

The plates are also

• Soak-resistant
• Microwave safe for reheating foods
• Made with sustainably sourced paper

With all of these features, of course Zoo Pals™ plates are popular with families and adults. So much so that the Hefty® brand brought the products back after receiving numerous requests and feedback from customers.

Re-Launched Zoo Pals™ plates

Zoo Pals™ plates are a colorful line of paper plates featuring original animal “Pals” like Curly the Pig, Domino the Dalmatian, and more. Better yet — 10 of the original “Pals” will be coming back!

Each plate offers three perfectly portioned sections for your favorite foods, snacks and dips, with one large space for the main item and two ears or feet for dipping sauces and sides

While Zoo Pals™ plates Make Eating Fun!™, they also take some of the strain off parents who might have picky eaters, particularly when it comes to new foods.

Keeping children interested and focused on wanting to eat can be hard but Zoo Pals™ plates makes eating an interactive, playful experience.

Zoo Pals™ plates are available at online retailers.

For more information, visit - www.ZooPals.com

To see more Hefty® brand products, visit - www.Hefty.com

For many families, this time of year lots of travel away from home. To help families keep track of things while away – Kidde, the fire safet...

For many families, this time of year lots of travel away from home. To help families keep track of things while away – Kidde, the fire safety brand, has expanded with Kidde HomeSafe™ enabled devices, that enable whole-home detection of smoke, carbon monoxide, indoor air quality issues, water leaks and frozen pipes.

Note: I received product samples for review purpose. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

The Kidde HomeSafe enabled devices include:

• Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm - detects both smoke and carbon monoxide with just one device.
• Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Indoor Air Quality Monitor - offers triple detection of smoke, carbon monoxide and indoor air quality issues, including adverse temperature, humidity levels and total volatile organic compounds.
• Water Leak + Freeze Detector - helps prevent potentially costly repairs from water damage and frozen pipes by quickly alerting homeowners of water leaks or temperature drops

Kidde’s HomeSafe technology connects these Wi-Fi enabled advanced smart home devices, and their expanded sensing capabilities, to the Kidde app, providing instant notifications of home safety threats.

Kidde HomeSafe enabled devices are available at The Home Depot stores nationwide and online.

To learn more, visit - www.kidde.com/saferhometoday

This year add some personality and make getting school supplies more exciting by personalizing the essentials your child needs with Shutterf...

This year add some personality and make getting school supplies more exciting by personalizing the essentials your child needs with Shutterfly.

Note: I was invited as media to this event. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

There's many creative ways to personalized back to school supplies for kids, but here are a few ideas I saw while at a Shutterfly Products preview.


Notebooks

Jazz up plain notebooks by getting ones with customized covers. Kids can find a custom notebook design they love and make it their own by adding favorite quotes, sayings, and pictures to create their own one-of-a-kind back to school supplies.

Pencils

Kids won’t need to worry about getting their standard #2 pencils mixed up with someone else’s when they have their name or nickname put on them. Custom pencils are a great way to add style to your back to school supplies and get your kids excited to learn. With such stylish, personalized school supplies, there will be no room for guessing who they belong to.

Water Bottles

Create a one-of-a-kind water bottle your child will be excited to use every day. Personalize with their favorite designs, photos and/or their name for easy identification. Bottle is made of white-coated stainless steel with a gray straw top, designed to help prevent leaks.

Lunch Boxes

Carry your lunch in style with custom lunch boxes from Shutterfly. Upload your child’s photos or choose their favorite colors and characters to make them smile each time they reach for their lunch. Made to last with high-quality materials, Shutterfly’s custom lunch box collection features themes to make your child’s new lunch box a one-of-a-kind treasure.

Laptop Case

Protect their tech on the go with style and ease with personalized laptop case. Offered in two sizes, with front personalization they'll be sure to stand out!

Customizing with Shutterfly

The best part about designing custom school supplies with Shutterfly is that you can use the same designs on different products.

Customize the back to school supplies with their monogram, favorite colors and designs or unicorns to dinosaurs. You can even upload a favorite photo to feature on your designs, so all of your custom school supplies are instantly recognizable.

Personalized school gear makes the best kids gifts. From lunch boxes to laptop cases to water bottles, your kids can find both big and small ways to express themselves at school.

Learn more, visit - www.shutterfly.com

With NYC families going back to school this week, the announcement made by Vanessa Williams during a recent Staples event with Think It Up a...

With NYC families going back to school this week, the announcement made by Vanessa Williams during a recent Staples event with Think It Up and Donors Choose was so touching.

Note: I was invited as media to this event and received a Staples gift card for school supplies. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own

As a parent with a child in public school, I know first hand how much students and teachers NEED this type of help. Since entering my son into the public school system, I've stayed connected with his teachers.

I've seen how it's a real struggle every school year for them to make sure the kids are equipped with supplies and resources.

A recent survey conducted by Staples found almost three-quarters of parents agree that teachers in their communities inspire their students. Additionally, the survey revealed that 76 percent agree that a lack of school supplies is a significant challenge for schools today. Most teachers spend more than $400 of their own money each year to provide supplies and materials for their classrooms.


After hearing the announcement, I had the chance to interview Vanessa Williams, Actress and Think It Up ambassador, to learn more about this initiative.

What motivated her to be a part of sharing the news

Vanessa Williams: Both of my parents were teachers, so I’ve seen firsthand how much teachers give to help their students achieve success.

Vanessa Williams: I’m thrilled that Think It Up, together with DonorsChoose.org and Staples, is taking this opportunity to give back to the teachers of New York City Public Schools and all of the students whose lives they will impact this school year.

But Vanessa isn't all about talk. She shared how she is personally donating her stipend, that covers her speaking at this event, to a middle school for boys so they can continue to make a positive difference in their lives.

See how a simple act of donating can make such a powerful impact in children's lives?


Staples, Inc. announced that it funded 176 local classroom projects in New York City, as part of its recent $10 million pledge to Think it Up™, a new national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that seeks to inaugurate a new movement in support of students, teachers and schools, helping to create a culture of excitement about learning everywhere in America.

This fall, Think It Up, in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, will launch a platform to fund student-powered, teacher-led learning projects in classrooms across the country.


Now, in New York, Staples fully funded every 9th-12th grade project on DonorsChoose.org in New York City Public Schools. More than $173,000 was donated to help 132 teachers fulfill classroom needs and helped 25,858 students across 93 schools in New York City Public Schools.

The flash funding in New York is part of Staples’ $10 million pledge to Think It Up which will inspire students to pursue their passions by working on collaborative learning projects.

Since its founding in 2000, DonorsChoose.org has helped fund more than 236,000 classroom projects for teachers and impacted more than 14 million students.

To help support the Think It Up movement, customers can donate one dollar at a Staples store near them.

For more information, visit - www.thinkitup.org

Recently I shared with you about the opening of Cost Plus World Market store in Livingston, New Jersey and the events during the grand openi...

Recently I shared with you about the opening of Cost Plus World Market store in Livingston, New Jersey and the events during the grand opening week. I hope some of you visited the store and enjoyed the activities.

Note: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Cost Plus World Market. I was invited to a sneak peek night and received a gift card to shop the store. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

During that week not only did I visit the store but I also shopped for a few items based on my readers comments. In my last post I asked what items you wanted me to shop and find for your homes.


Since Cost Plus World Market is filled with home furnishings, décor, fashion accessories, and gourmet food and beverage items from around the world, I knew I'd find some great items.

And I did! Here's a few of the items I found in Cost Plus World Market in Livingston, NJ just for you!


For Robin (Masshole Mommy) who said "I would love to see maybe some toss pillows?" I found pillows in lots of great color and patterns.


For Terry (My Journey With Candida) who said "I am looking for great storage ideas so if you happen to see anything, I would love to read about it." I found unique store containers, metal cabinets and rustic shelve units.


For Aimee Fauci who said "How about the unique foods and snacks." I found flavorful snacks and season sauce blends from other cultures. I also found (and sampled) refreshing beverages like these Italian sparkling sodas.


For Janelle Shank who said "...table decor, i am always looking for new stuff for my table" I found an assortment of table lines, dining sets and kitchenware.


For Ronnie E. who said "Surprise us! :D Find some unique goodies that look interesting and not like the typical, boring purchase." I found LOTS for all areas of the home.

And this is just a FEW of the items I saw. There was lots more. Lots more. So if you are in the New York/New Jersey Metro area and want to shop for unique and amazing items for your home, then be sure to visit Cost Plus World Market in Livingston, NJ.

For more information about Cost Plus World Market Livingston, NJ store, visit www.worldmarket.com/livingston

On Facebook - www.facebook.com/worldmarket
On Twitter - www.twitter.com/worldmarket

This weekend the Grammys will be on! To make sure I can sit back to watch and enjoy, I took care of all the Sunday chores earlier in the wee...

This weekend the Grammys will be on! To make sure I can sit back to watch and enjoy, I took care of all the Sunday chores earlier in the week. That included doing the laundry.

Note: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Gain #MusicToYourNose campaign. However, any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

This week I had some laundry help thanks my 57 ct tub of the new Gain flings. These Gain flings really brought a whole new level of joy while doing my laundry!


I was so excited to try Gain Flings! They have a great clean smell, thanks to their 3-in-1 benefit of Gain Detergent + OxiBoost + malodor removal of Febreze all wrapped up in a new single-use detergent pac.

The pac themselves are easy to use. Just take them out the container, drop them in the washer, add clothes and wait to enjoy the fresh clean smell of clothing (after you dry them of course)

As I was getting the laundry done, I started to hum a little tune. This is how happy I was while thinking about the scent Gain gives clean clothing. Did you know that the scent of Gain laundry detergent gives you the same joy as listening to music? It’s like Music to Your Nose!

"Gain partnered with scent expert Dr. Alan Hirsch and Innerscope Research to conduct a groundbreaking study proving the link between its scents and music. Gain loyalists, or “Gainiacs”, were enlisted for the research to see how their feelings for Gain flings! scent experiences measure up to one of their favorite pastimes, listening to their favorite music

The study proved that the scent of Gain flings! give you more joy than listening to your favorite music. In addition, it was found that the scent of Gain flings! make listening to your favorite music more enjoyable."

But I wasn't the only person to notice this connection...or my humming


One of my neighbors, who was also doing laundry, wanted to know why I was so happy. Of course I told her all about Gain Flings. She was amazed and wanted to learn more.

So I shared a few of my Gain Flings pacs with her. Laundry joy should be shared right?

Beginning on January 27, 2014, new Gain flings! will be sold at retailers nationwide and be available in Gain signature Original Scent and Moonlight Breeze, a brand new scent being added to the Gain laundry portfolio.

The suggested retail price ranges from $4.49 for 14-count bag to $21.49 for a 90-count tub.

You can also share in the joy by joining me and Gain while we live tweet starting 6pm EST to watch the Grammys!

Gain's #MusicToYourNose Twitter Party During Grammys

In connection with their "Music to Your Nose" campaign, the brand will introduce Gain flings! in conjunction with the 56th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, January 26, 2014 with the launch of the Gain flings!

TV commercial and a social media launch party with a roster of celebrity Gainiacs including the Braxton sisters, celebrity blogger Trent Vanegas of “Pink Is The New Blog,” a roster of YouTube’s biggest music stars and key influential bloggers.

Gain fans are invited to join in the conversation by following @Gain on Twitter (twitter.com/Gain) and using #MusicToYourNose hashtag. During the twitter party I will pick (5) winners at random to receive (1) Gain flings Original 57-ct. So make sure you tweet a lot so I can see you!

For more information about new Gain flings, visit - www.ilovegain.com/flings

It's a popular belief that only women know how to cook. But I grew up seeing the men in my family cook and cook well. The men in my fam...

It's a popular belief that only women know how to cook. But I grew up seeing the men in my family cook and cook well. The men in my family took pride in making meals no matter the occasion. From everyday breakfast to holiday dinners, men can be great cooks.

Does the men in your family also like to cook? Then check out the GreenPan line of eco-friendly, ceramic cookware.

Commonly used in the production of cooking goods since the 1940s, exposure to the chemicals in PTFE and PFOA have been associated with increased cholesterol, uric acid levels and risk of disease.

Amidst rising concern about the use of toxic carcinogens like PTFE and PFOA in kitchen products, international household product developer and manufacturer, The Cookware Company, has launched GreenPan, a line of high-quality, green cookware for gourmet chefs and home cooks alike.

The GreenPan line is based on the union of three core standards: convenience, health and environmental sustainability, otherwise known as GreenPan’s


The secret to GreenPan’s efficacy and commitment to personal and environmental wellness is their Thermolon non-stick coating, an environmentally friendly, ceramic alternative to the conventional non-stick fry pan and other non-stick cookware.

All GreenPan products are designed in Belgium and made of 100% recycled post-consumer aluminum. They contain no cadmium, lead or harmful PTFE or PFOA. In addition to being safer, Thermolon is also a better conductor of heat than traditional non-stick coatings which have been in the mass consumer market for over 60 years.

GreenPan creates many product categories including Cookware, Professional Cookware, Ovenware, Electrics, Essentials and Accessories. The product lines and categories are influenced and named after international environmental conventions and earth-friendly cities. GreenPan cookware is available in a wide array of online and retail locations worldwide.

To learn more, visit - www.green-pan.us

Facebook - www.facebook.com/GreenPanUSA
Twitter - www.twitter.com/GreenPan_Intl

During the last weeks of winter, my thoughts are turning to Spring, warmer weather, and fresh clean scents. Which means it's time to sta...

During the last weeks of winter, my thoughts are turning to Spring, warmer weather, and fresh clean scents. Which means it's time to start my pre-spring laundry, using a few Gain detergent and laundry products.

I wanted my clothing and house linens to be clean and smelling spring time fresh.

Note: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Gain. However, any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.


Usually when I do my laundry, I mostly use the Gain laundry detergent. But this time I wanted to make sure my laundry would be surrounded with clean fresh "spring" like smells so I used Gain's Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener AND Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets.


When my laundry was done, it all smelled so GOOD. I confess I took a few extra minutes standing there "smelling" the spring scents before heading back outside into the cold and snowy streets. Spring might not be here yet but thanks to Gain I can at least enjoy "spring time" scents.

Gain has a large selection of detergents and fabric softeners, dryer sheets, dishwashing liquids, scent boosters, dryer bars and more that fill every room in your home with clean fresh scents.

To learn more about Gain detergent, visit - www.ilovegain.com

Since before Christmas, my son and I have been dealing with one sickness after another. From Scarlet fever to the semi flu, not to mention ...

Please Note: 

• As a Hoover/Dirt Devil Insider Ambassador, I received the TwinTank Steam Mop sample for review purpose. 
• I received the LYSOL Power Free and Scrubbing Bubbles Total Kitchen products for review purposes.  
• Views expressed are always 100% my own.

Now that we're feeling "healthy", I decided that this weekend was the time to deep and seriously clean the apartment and get rid of any lingering germs. I armed myself with the latest cleaning devices and products (thanks to my blogger & brand connections) and declared war on any germs and bacteria in my apartment.






The next area to receive a through cleaning was the kitchen area. For this I used Scrubbing Bubbles® Total Kitchen Foaming All Purpose Cleaner with fantastik. and the Scrubbing Bubbles® All Purpose Cleaner with fantastik  which claims to kills 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria so I used it to wipe down the kitchen counter tops and other surfaces.


The Scrubbing Bubbles® Total Kitchen Foaming All Purpose Cleaner with fantastik I used on surfaces that not only needed cleaning but also grime removal like my kitchen sink. I really like that the foam clings to surfaces to break down grease and grime. My sink really was clean and shiny and the kitchen area smelt great.



I was excited to try out the Lysol® Power & Free products line since it's cleaning formula uses Hydrogen Peroxide so it doesn't have the harshness found in bleach. I was able to wipe down the bathroom sink using the Lysol® Power & Free Bathroom Wipes. They are very strong and really picks up dirt, hair, etc well.


For my tub fixtures and tile walls I sprayed the LYSOL® Power & Free™ Bathroom Cleaner and then washed off for a nice clean finish. I really like this for my bathroom tiles. No hard scrubbing!

Lastly I used the LYSOL® Power & Free™ Toilet Bowl Cleaner for the toilet bowl. I like that it had a spout with a curved nozzle to really get under the toilet rim. The liquid gives off a nice clean scent as it penetrates whatever is stuck inside the toilet.