We’re celebrating Summer ending by heading to the beach one last time.
(insert sob!)
So this is a great time to clean up for next summer on summer clearance items!
I have a cover up from Athleta that I wear all the time – and always get compliments! This one is on sale, too!
And the bathing suits for über-cheap!! I just love this striped tankini – so cute.
And hello, cute little crochet sundress!
Gotta run… beach is calling!
We went fishing again this past weekend. And broke the record, catching 60 fish in about 3 hours. (Seriously, its like fishing in an Aquarium.)
Husband won the prize with this little number…
This morning, my baby boy came up to me.
“Mommy, I need a huggy.”
I reached down and lifted him up into my arms. His little arms wrapped tight around my neck as he hugged me so very tight. I thought of one of my favorite quotes…
My heart was full to bursting with love for this little guy. He’s so sweet. So very special. And he’s mine.
All I could do was offer up a prayer of thanks for this person God had placed in my life.
“Mommy,” he whispered.
“Yes, baby?”
“I have to toot.”
Sigh.
Back-to-School means reading, ‘riting, recess and running around like a crazy person. I was looking at our schedule and realized that we have something almost every night. Dance classes, Girl Scouts, music lessons, soccer practice… not to mention how my husband and I both work and have busy schedules as well!
One of the biggest challenges for me when school ramps up is finding time to get healthy food into my kids. Lunches are easy – I pack them the night before and fill them with fruits, veggies and their favorite sandwiches and wraps. When we only have 20 minutes for dinner or – better – when we’re eating in the car between Girl Scouts and Ballet lessons, I need food that is both healthy and easy.
I was so thrilled when Libby’s Fruits & Vegetables sent me their Single-Serve Fruit Cups – perfect for lunchboxes and after-to-school snacking. The 6 oz. single-serve cups some in four varieties: come in diced peaches, diced pears, mixed fruit and cherry mixed fruit. I checked them out and was so glad to see that these snacks have no additives. There are no gels, creams or other unhealthy additives, and each cup is just 120 calories! I read all the labels and saw only fruit, sugar (not HFSC), Vitamin C and natural flavor. Nice!!
Libby’s wants to help YOU get ready for Back-to-School!! You can win a prize pack that includes a SkipHop Zoo Lunchies insulated lunch bag, a Snack Taxi Red reusable sandwich bag, a Lunchbots Duo Stainless Steel Food Container and Libby’s Single Serve Fruit Cups! You’ll be all set for back-to-school!!
To enter to win, tell us your favorite after school snack!
Additional entries:
(please leave an additional comment for each entry completed)
2. Follow Libby’s Table on Twitter.
3. Follow Melissa on Twitter.
4. Subscribe to Girlymama daily updates either through your favorite RSS Reader or via email.
One winner will be selected at random using the WordPress plug-in And The Winner Is… and will be notified by email. Please have a U.S. Mailing address. For other contest rules, see my giveaway policies page.
disclosure: i received the giveaway items as a thank you for running this giveaway. as always, all opinions are my own.
**GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED**
I just watched a documentary from AT&T on dangers of texting-and-driving.
You guys, It can wait.
This film, called “The Last Text,” is about 10 minutes long and features stories about people whose lives have been tragically changed by texting and driving.
The documentary has been viewed nearly over 3 million times since its release last year. And I think more people need to see it. Here’s the thing… its not just teens. 8 percent of children ages 12-14 have ridden in a vehicle with someone who was texting while driving. Among those ages 15-17, the percentage of teens who have ridden with a driver who was texting increases to 64 percent.
Parents are texting, too. First, we need to be setting an example about this so our kids know not to text and drive. But – more importantly – we are putting our children at serious risk when we do. You are 23 TIMES more likely to be involved in an accident if when you text and drive. If someone endangered the life of my kid, my mama-bear mode would go into full swing. Yet, how many times have I glanced at a text, call or email while driving?
Too many.
It ends now. Join with me, moms. Go to the AT&T Facebook page and take the pledge to stop texting and driving.
It can wait.
AT&T even offers the AT&T DriveMode app that auto-replies to incoming texts, letting friends know you’re behind the wheel and will respond later. How cool is that?
Disclosure: I am proud to be part of an AT&T Family Safety Ambassador program. This is a compensated position
Its Back to School time. And you know what that means… SALES!
Land’s End has some FAB finds for kids right now on sale. All Backpacks and lunchboxes are 25% off with Promo Code CLASS and pin 5040.
And TONS of stuff is marked down! I love this jacket – marked down to $30!
Save 30% at GAP until Sunday with the code GAPFRIENDS. It works at Gap Kids and Gap Baby, so its a great way to stock up for back to school! I love the Jewel Box Skinnies!!
And Piperlime is having a huge sale too – up to 60% off. There is tons of really great stuff left too. This dress is too cute – and marked down to under $40!
Old Navy is having a fab sale as well!! All kids jeans are only $10. But I think Mama needs this polka dot top, don’t you?
Confession: I love back to school time. Not just because it means fall fashion is coming and I love sweater coats and boots.
I have a serious, deep love for school supplies.
Who is with me on this?
Freshly sharpened pencils… A jumbo pack of Sharpies… Post-it notes in all shapes and sizes… A brand new planner…Sharpies… Binder clips… Pencil cases… Sharpies…
I love it. I seriously love it. I really have to be careful though – its easy to get carried away in the school supply section! And with three kids (and my love for folders and labels and different colored gel pens) I need to watch my budget!
But, don’t miss out!! Back to School is a great time to stock up for the school year!
Markers: Many stores have kid’s markers and crayons for only about $1. Stock up. Buy about 20. You’ll use them all year – they make great stocking stuffers at the holidays, add them to a craft basket for a birthday gift, and donate them throughout the year. Buy your year’s worth of Sharpies now!
Labelmaker: If you want one, this is the time. And you totally want one. I use mine all. the. time. Maybe too much, if you ask my family.
Office Supplies: Many places even have grown-up supplies on sale. Stock up on return address labels for your holiday cards or even desk organizers on the cheap (with all those college sales!). If you’re in th emarket for a computer or
Home Organization: The college sales are the perfect time to buy organization supplies! The Dorm sales are prime -if you are looking for plastic bins to organize your shoes or a drawer organizer for the kids’ craft supplies this is the time.
Kids Home Decor: Has your kid been begging for a new bedspread? Or even a bean bag chair? Go for it! They are super cheap right now!
When you’re shopping, especially for those high end items like laptops, scientific calendars or sneakers, be sure to hit ! I cannot believe the deals on there right now – both my girls want Converse sneakers and I think we’ll be buying them on eBay. SO much cheaper!
I want to win some eBay gift cards – who is with me?? eBay has some fabulous contests going on right now where you can win!!
Happy Back to Schooling!!!
disclosure: this post is part of a sponsored post campaign with Splash Creative Media and eBay.
This week was BlogHer conference in New York, so I was much more stylish than usual.
Thursday I wore a red dress by Rachel Pally and Steve Madden espadrilles for a night around NYC. It was cool and comfy, although I was the queen of wardrobe malfunctions! When I walked up on this gorgeous rooftop deck, my skirt blew up a la Marilyn. Then my shoulder strap fell down like 3 times when I was reaching out to hug people. “Hi! Clearly, I am VERY excited to meet you!” So in the future, I will wear with caution. On completely not windy days.
Friday, I started out in this cute pink skirt from J. Crew then proceeded to sit on something during a cab ride and had to switch to the skirt I got at the CAbi event on Thursday night! Thank goodness I had another skirt in my arsenal! The cami and sweater are LOFT. This necklace is by ily couture and it was nearly identical to the one that the fashion director if Lord and Taylor on 5th Avenue was wearing. And Dmitry and Fabio of Project Runway told me they loved it. (SQUEEE!!) So you will be seeing it a lot, people. Get used to it.
Saturday, I wore this pink blazer from H&M with a lace top (from 77kids. Don’t judge.). The jeans are 7 For All Mankind and the shoes are Target. But, by the end of this night, it was flip flops, as my feet were killing me after such a weekend!
Since I’ve been home it’s been yoga pants galore. and will continue to be for probably a week or so.
I spent the last few days in New York at BlogHer 12 – where 4,500 women gathered for three days of fun, networking, parties, networking, learning and… networking.
I have no voice.
But I had so much fun. Especially hanging out with the lovely people that went from cyber buddies to real life friends this weekend!
Photo by Sherry
Today I’m unpacking and snuggling my kids, who I haven’t seen in a week!
