#EclosBeauty Give-a-way!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of éclos Skin Care for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was so exicted a few weeks ago when an unexpected package arrived for me! I was even more excited to find a free sample of the éclos Anti-Aging Skin Care Starter Kit inside. The package boasts about Apple Stem Cell technology and the use of plant extracts, vitamins and anti-oxidants working together to help minimize the apperance of fine lines, wrinkels and tired skin. I'm all about natural ingrediants, especially when it comes to my skin, but I have to admit, I'd just had an awesome facial and my skin was in great shape!

So, I didn't start using the set right away. Then the little man ended up in the hospital... and a few days later we arrived home, him better and me unshowered for a little longer than I'd like to admit! The éclos set was still sitting where I'd left it, so I grabbed it on my way to the shower. The Apple Stem Cells are extraccted from a rare Swiss apple. This apple has shown the ability to stimulate skin stem cells and encourage aging skin to behave like younger skin. Now, I'm only 35, but it was exactly what I needed at that moment!

What's in the kit you ask?

• Facial Cleanser Skin Prep
• Cellular Activator Face Serum
• Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream
• Restorative Eye Cream
• Instant Radiance Facial Scrub
• Skin Renewal Clay Mask
• éclos Terry Cloth Head Band

The éclos starter kit has a value of $19.99. Previously similar products were only availabe from expensive department store brands. éclos has brought the Apple Stem Cell technology to mainstream stores at a more affordable price. For more information check out éclos Skin Care.

Normally, I don't like masks, but this one was nice. I also thought it was great they included a terry cloth head band. My favorite product is the Instant Radiance Facial Scrub, it feels lite it warms up in my hands and leaves my skin with a great polished feel.

Want to hear the best news? I have a second kit to give-a-way! Want a chance to win? First, you MUST follow my blog, after that, here's what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me which product in the kit you are most excited about. (1 entry)

2. Blog about this give-a-way, leave me a comment with a link to the blog post (1 entry)

I will select the winner on June 25, 2012, so check back to see if you won!

Mission Organization Monday - Entry Way Solutions

This post has been moved and updated to now include cut sizes!  Find it on the new Domestic Deadline! 

Fabric Rose Necklace

I have been using up a lot of my fabric scraps lately. In doing so, I have amassed a ton of fabric roses. So, I decided to put a few of them together and make a fun necklace. I really like the way it turned out and I got several compliments wearing it at Muffins with Mom at the girls school.

 

There are tons of tutorials out there on how to make these roses, they are pretty easy.  I glued them to a felt back with a chain running through the back side.

Upcycled Striped Skirt

I made this skirt a while back as a part of the Project Recycle Contest.  I love this skirt, it has become a real staple in my wardrobe.  I guess I didn't take as many pictures as I normally do when I make something, so I'm missing a few, but it was a pretty simple project either way.

Ages ago, I picked up this crazy t-shirt at a yard sale, I knew the massive size would come in handy eventually!

Lots of great black and white stripes but this "lovely" logo...

I cut the bottom off for the main part of the skirt.  The stripes running horizontal with the side seams already finished for me.  The waistband was cut from the left over, stripes running vertically.

A few gathering rows and the two parts were joined.

While the skirt had a finished hem from the shirt, I decided it needed a little something more.  Using the left over, I cut strips on the bias, about twice as long as the bottom edge of the skirt.

Here's two of the outfits I've used it with lately, and I'm pretty sure it'll get a lot of wear with solid tank tops this summer:

Peace be with you,

What I Finally Wore Wednesday

Well, after 2 full days in the hospital, my little man is completely back to normal... and already driving me up the wall! Good thing he was cleared to go back to school tomorrow.

I walked in the door, kicked off my shoes and headed straight to the shower and after 2 full days of pinterest, I knew exactly what outfit I was going to recreate:

So glad I made that skirt, it has really become a staple in my wardrobe and so comfortable!

Peace be with you,

At least there is room service

To say my past few days have not gone as I'd planned is an understatement. What started out as a busy yard sale weekend has morphed into a hospital stay with my little man. In hindsight I should have realized he didn't feel well when he didn't eat his donut Saturday morning.

O-man still spent most of the day running and playing even though he willingly took an almost three hour nap on the floor of our church. We left after another busy and successful yard sale with him a bit warm and not feeling too well but asking for tacos for dinner. I resigned to the fact that I was not going out to celebrate but hanging out with the kids and Mexican for dinner (quite fitting for Cinco de Mayo).

We walked into the house, O-man kicked off his shoes and promptly put himself to bed! By midnight he had nothing left in his stomach and by morning wasn't keeping any fluids down.

After a call to the doctor's office, we started "shots" of Gatorade every five minutes and seemed to be improving and even tried a BRAT diet later Sunday evening. Alas, it was short lived and in the wee hours of Monday morning the emergency room was discussed. As his humor was still in tact and he joked with me, we decided to wait until morning and get into the doctor first thing.

Within the hour we arrived at the emergency room and O-man was refusing to walk and didn't want to sit up on his own. Pretty quickly my baby was hooked up to IV fluids for severe dehydration and being admitted.

Fast forward 24 hours and he has slept more than I think he did in his first year of life but is on the mend. He's not too interested in much more than sleep and an occasional Popsicle but I have gotten an occasional smile.

I haven't left his side for more than a quick potty break or to grab a cup of coffee from about ten steps outside his door. I am pretty sure I smell but I really don't care. I am quite thankful for my iPad and wifi to keep me occupied while he sleeps... And the fact thatI don't have to make any food for myself!

The funny part of this? O-man thinks he is here for a broken arm! The IV port is in his arm and strapped to a board so he doesn't rip it out (again) or bend it. He is thankful for the mass of stickers he has acquired during his stay. I guess it is the little things that count!!!

Shout® it Out!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Triad Retail Media for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Laundry, I dread it.  That, and washing dishes.  They are the two chores I absolutly can't stand and will do almost anything to avoid!  But, I must admit, I am really lucky, Iron Fish does the majority of the laundry in out house.  However, he just does the laundry, whatever is in the basket, gets sorted and put into the washer and then the dryer.  

So, when a stain happens, I still need to address it before it goes into the laundry bin.  And with three kids, I am pretty sure I pretreat at least one stain a day!   I try to always treat the stain before the item of clothing goes into the landry basket (or in the general direction of it in the case of my children).

From grass stains on my son's knees to coffee stains on my own shirts, something is stained.  Have you tried Shout® Trigger?   It's a convenient trigger spray bottle of stain fighting enzymes that penetrates, breaks up and lifts away the stain.  It works in any temperature wash and is safe for all colors.  How easy is that?

I am all about anything that saves me time and doesn't require major elbow grease, especially after a long day.  I have a little list of different ways to treat stains, but it's much nicer to have one product instread of an arsinal of liquids to test on the stain.  As moms, we all have enough to do without spending hours on the laundry (even if I a lot of the work is done for me!).   Plus Shout® Trigger is available conveniently at places like Walmart.  Want to learn more, check out Shout® Trigger

What are the worst stains you deal with in your house hold?  What have you tried to get them out?  Do you have any experience with Shout® Trigger?

Also, if anyone has any ideas on how to get my laundry to fold itself and put it's self away, you'd be my hero forever!

From Garden to Table

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whitney Farms for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don't really have a knack for growing, anything, but I keep trying to grow my own fruits and vegetables.  Since we joined an organic CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm last spring, we get our fresh produce there weekly, but I still feel like I should be able to grow something in my back yard!

The one thing we have growing in the back yard is strawberries.  I think strawberries are truly my favorite food.  They have been spreading in one bed but I am considering planting them in the other bed too.  Wouldn't this be cool, it's a strawberry tower:

If I do, I am going to try Whitney Farms organic plant food since it is an easy and all natural way to help my plants grow even better.  I have never used any fertilizer on my plants because I try to keep chemicals out of my families diet.  Maybe organic fertilizer would actually give me the ability to grow the produce in my own back yard!  I'm salivating at the thought of more strawberries... strawberry shortcake, home made strawberry ice cream, strawberries and waffles... mmmm... wait, first I have to grow them!

I know that organic soil and organic plant food would both benefit my plants and right now Whitney Farms is offering a $3.00 off coupon on their website:  Whitney Farms®

I'd love to hear how you grow an organic garden and if you have any experience with Whitney Farms.  What grows well for you?  Any favorite fruit or vegetable that you can't go a summer without growing in your own back yard?