Minute Ready To Serve Rice Has Freed Me From The Kitchen.

Contemplative. And starving.

We have a favorite meal at our house- called Ardell's Chicken- named for a woman who a) created the dish and b) is like a second Mom to me. (And what gives "second Mom" status? I don't bandy that term around. I reserve it for women who drive me to the E.R. in the middle of my [one] freshman year soccer game and repeatedly bake me miniature cheesecakes every time I visit my hometown.) Anyway. Ardell's Chicken is a delightful (and delightfully easy) culinary hug of a dish, comprised of chicken sliced into tenders, cream of mushroom soup, a little cheese, a lotta veggies, and a special helping of love. It's great served over some type of whole grain, so I was excited to try Minute Ready To Serve Rice as a complement to the dish. Because let's be honest, the fewer steps I've gotta take to get dinner on the table is more time I've got to perfect my blanket-tent-makin' skillz with my daughters. (That's a joke. Because my blanket-tent-makin' prowess is off the charts.)

So. The girls were happy to see a familiar favorite at the dinner table and thought the addition of the Minute Ready To Serve brown rice was- to quote my three year old- "Yums." (The one year old nodded emphatically, but that seems to be her M.O. lately. Her plate was licked clean, however. With her actual face. She is a toddler, after all.)

Two thumbies, way up high.

We all voted Minute Ready To Serve Rice as a superstar addition to any of our rotating cast of preferred weekly dinners. In fact, I gave it two votes: one for being wicked easy to prepare (one minute in the microwave?!) and another for being darned delicious. There are nine other flavors to try, so I'm feeling pretty good about the jiffiness of our upcoming dinners. Which will create even more time to hone new skills with my daughters.

I've always wanted to become a better sock puppeteer.

***

Minute® Ready to Serve Rice is an ideal portable solution for lunch or breakfast because you can eat it on the go, straight from the cup. In just 60 seconds, you have fully cooked rice for any meal or snack. You’ll never get bored with your lunch since there are 10 flavorful and wholesome varieties. If you’re looking for a healthy option, Minute® Ready to Serve Rice provides easy portion control since it’s conveniently packaged in two individual single-serve cups. Visit http://www.minuterice.com/ for recipes, including Minute® Ready to Serve Stir it Up recipe ideas and more information about the Minute® Rice family of products.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Minute® Ready to Serve Rice.

Ellie Activewear or You Can't Make Me Stop Wearing Yoga Pants.

I think we all know how I feel about yoga pants, right? Well, since I began working with Ellie and this new line of activewear (formerly pvBody- the company shifted to ensure more available stock and the ability for customers to handpick their own pieces), I feel like I've fallen into a neatly folded pile of awesome. The subscription model is much the same. You still get your style profile and workout preferences (unfortunately, "napping in a pile of puzzle pieces and smallish Velcro shoes" wasn't a "workout" option. An oversight?) and get fitness gear tailored to your body type.

It's best to work out with friends.

These clothes were designed to take you from workout to grilled cheese-makin' to a night out with friends, looking cute all the while. (Maybe with a shower or a quick rinse first, though, right?) And these pieces are awesome. They never shrink. Really great details are stitched into each piece. And with TruFit Technology, they wear like a dream. The pink Just Like Heaven tee is a stretchy bit o' terrific that I would cheerfully wear to bed. And the My New Obsession black legging- while initially appearing cray-cray small, stretches like a [wicked flattering] glove. I mean, I kinda look like I've already been working out for years n' years in these clothes. Which, some might say, is even better than working out for years n' years. Not me. But some might.

But Keely, you ask, How can I also [appear to] have the toned glutes of someone who [kinda] works out as much as you do?

Cinchy. As a Fit FashionistaClub member or as a straight-up non-member (who still gets to enjoy rock bottom prices and glorious workout- ahem- gear). The bonus of being a Fit FashionistaClub member is that you get to choose two new items each month- with free shipping- and have access to flash sales, members-only deals, and get to reserve clothes before they're gone, baby gone.

And if you're the kinda Gal Who Knows Stuff, then you'll know exactly how much a supra cute item of workout-esque clothing can set you back. And so this deal is just that- a wicked good deal.

Full disclosure: If you click through to these links- either through this post or via my cutesy sidebar ad- I'll get some affiliate credit and a spiffy little paycheck. And you get to save 20%. It's rather fun. And not that I can imagine any readers begrudging me smidgling amounts o' moolah, but I like to be upfront with y'all.

Besides, you've seen my outfit. No faking how ridonkulously cute I look in this outfit. Oh my stars, can you handle my self-confidence from working out? Or- at this point- dressing like I'm workout out?

There might be something to this whole fitness thing after all.

Wrapping Up The LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge!

Well team, we did it. As we near the close of the LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge, I just want to congratulate...me...on my ability to finally step it up and take care of my mouth like a functional adult.

I went from flossing once every seventeen months to every single night. People, I felt like I deserved a medal. And apparently, if you have the kinda gums that bleed when you floss (once every seventeen months), you should endeavor to do it slightly more frequently.

If your hat isn't fancy enough, you are
not brushing your teeth correctly.

So I started the Challenge and immediately swished with LISTERINE twice a day. Flossed the heck outta my teeth each night. And sang appropriately lengthy songs to ensure we brushed our teeth for the recommended two minutes- even with Nora and Susannah. And since I recently learned that it takes a full three weeks to develop a new [good] habit (hence, you know, the 21 Day Challenge), here are my newest addictions:

-Flossing, surprisingly, has become one of things which I have to do before falling asleep- otherwise I feel like a horridly gross human being. Kinda like falling asleep while still wearing makeup which, uh, I did maybe once. In my early twenties. Completely sober.

-P.J. and I slammed through a questionable amount of the Ultraclean Fresh Citrus LISTERINE- but perhaps the only questionable thing is why we haven't been using this much all along. (Basic toothly hygiene here, people.)

-And I'm wicked liking how superbly clean my teeth feel all day long. Seriously. I would even say it aloud to myself. Talking to yourself about mouthfeel? That's some strong "clean teeth" action.

Did you play along on Facebook with the LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge My Pet Mouth? (I did- because, as you may recall- for every 21 Day Challenge signup, LISTERINE will help kids in need of dental care through Oral Health America. Which is awesome.)

Kinda like my sparkly teeth and non-bleeding gums.

Functional adult here, people.

Disclosure: I received products from Johnson and Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE® 21 Day Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Tonx Coffee Makes Me Feel Fancy (Even In Sweatpants).

My coffee addiction/routine has evolved over the years. It began when my parents would fix me a Keely Half n’ Half- part hazelnut, part cocoa- in the early mornings at our family’s restaurant. Which was really all an ambitious 13 year-old would need to wash the heck out of those dishes at 6am. In college, my roommates and I would use a fancy French press…and then leave it on the kitchen counter for the rest of the day. (Wouldn't stop us from swilling it five hours later, however.) And these days, I pride myself on being picky about my coffee- and acknowledge my standards as I mash my sleep-deprived face onto my coffee maker until it delivers the goods.

First cup of the day, with friend.

The fine people at Tonx Coffee have found a way to up my game (shocking, I know), by sending really great coffee blends right to my [tired] door. And it’s roasted immediately before their lightning-fast shipping, making me feel kinda like a rockstar. Tonx offers an ever-changing lineup of seasonal, interesting coffees sourced worldwide from folks who invest in the long-term futures of their crops and communities. They don’t do wholesale. There aren't any plans in the works for Tonx coffeeshops. Basically, if you want in on these stellar small batch coffees, ordering from their [super easy] subscription plan is the only way to play.

Their site is cool because it lets you choose your plan, amend as needed, and even take a hassle-free break if that’s what floats your over-caffeinated boat. You can even give subscriptions as gifts! Hint! Hint!

This week’s beans are from Ecuador and are called Quilanga De Loja- listen, you guys, I don’t have to say it- but I can wholly attest to the fact that it makes a ridiculously tasty brew. There’s definitely some cocoa action up in that joint, as well as something kinda nutty. (Pretty sure I just described myself as well.) It smells wicked good (not describing myself any longer) and does the job of making me feel cool about what I’m drinking.

No, really, make yourself comfy.

Because seriously, it’s not a crime to want awesome coffee. As the Tonx fellas so fabulously put it: “calling someone a coffee snob for wanting a good cup is like calling someone a laundry snob for wanting to wear clean socks.”

I’m stoked (and buzzing) to let you guys know about Tonx’s free trial to get some freshly roasted beans delivered to your [tired] door! Go sign up and see how easy and seriously non-scary a process it is. Full disclaimer: They are gonna ask for your credit card info and you will have to cancel your free trial if you’re not over the moon about their java. But they’ll send emailed reminders and will be wicked nice about it. Besides, they’re fairly positive you’ll love your new coffee.

I am seriously never alone.

Try it and lemme know how much you love it! I’ll be right here. Holding my mug.

And not blinking. 

***

The Tonx team is made up of experts with years of experience from seed to cup. They know that home-brewed coffee can be just as good as your favorite cafe. It’s not as hard as baristas make it out to be – but it all starts with fresh beans, which you can’t get if you buy bags of beans from grocery stores. Pre-ground coffee is even worse. Great coffee actually has very little to do with fancy gadgets and expensive gizmos. The best part? Your Tonx Coffee subscription is very easy to manage, and they have great customer service because we appreciate every customer. They will always be transparent with how your subscription is being managed, and it’s very easy to pause, cancel, or adjust your quantity for your needs. If you ever need tips or advice on how to get the most out of your coffee, they are always available to chat.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tonx Coffee.

Dental Care, As Performed By A 3 Year Old.

We're at the halfway point for the LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge! To celebrate, I offer you this video.

Nora is obviously the best helper in the world, but perhaps a career in the Dental Arts is not in her future?

Disclosure: I received products from Johnson and Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE® 21 Day Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

The LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge (And My Family's Gigantic Teeth).

Here’s a well-known fact: this family has got some mouths. Rather largish ones. P.J. has been compared to the Flip Top Head guy for how wide he can open his jaw. Nora has been known to demolish a sandwich in three bites. And Susannah- though only possessing six teeth- shows a promising future in the Chompy Arts. As for me? Well, I've had braces twice. So not only do I have a big ol’ mouth, it’s an expensive one, too.

Don't even be judging the Christmas jammies in February.

This month, LISTERINE is offering me a chance to protect my family’s cavernous mouths. Today we’re embarking on the LISTERINE 21 DayChallenge- and you guys get to come play, too! Now, before I explain the hows and whats of the challenge, lemme give you a little hint as to the whys:

• There are more germs in your mouth than there are people on Earth. (Go on, really think about that one for a sec.)
• Brushing alone misses 75% of your mouth. (And if you’re looking at my family, that’s a large portion to be missed.)
• By using LISTERINE antiseptic mouthwash twice a day for 30 seconds, you can clean virtually 100% of your mouth, giving you up to 5 times healthier gums in 2 weeks…and up to 9 times healthier in 4 weeks! (Plus, there’s that whole “money back guarantee,” so everyone wins, here.)
• And most fabulous of all, for every person who signs up for the challenge, the LISTERINE brand will make a contribution to help Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America program toward their goal of getting 210,000 children oral health services in 2013. (That’s huge. Even more huge than the gaping maws in this family.)

And we’re excited to get started on this challenge for many reasons, among them the facts that:

• P.J. has been a die-hard LISTERINE fan since the day I met him. Trying the new flavors is a pretty exciting deal here. (It’s the little things.)
• Nora is just getting the hang of an awesome morning and evening tooth care routine. It would be so great to get her to love brushing her teeth…and it doesn't hurt that she gets to try out a new Barbie toothbrush.
• And I need some better habits. By the time I get everything done for the night, I’m too tired to even floss. (Which is something that currently looks even weirder written out than it does in my head.) Plus, I've got that pesky ol’ side effect of bleeding gums when I do manage to floss…which apparently is not a good sign.

Come join my family in the LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge by signing up with this fun Facebook app- because, really, who wouldn't feel terrific about doing something good- not only for your own family's health but also for that of hundreds of thousands of kids?

By the way, it can take up to three weeks to form a healthy habit- like remembering to floss before you fall asleep in bed with a crossword- so check back soon to see just how well I do with the whole “daily flossing” routine.

Which, being as I just put the phrase in quotes, means I've still got a ways to go. (Stay tuned.)

***

I received products from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

ODDKA Vodka Makes Me Applaud[ka].

I happened to have married a guy who mixes a mean cocktail. Just something I happened to do very well and I pride myself on it almost daily.

Occasionally, however, I am left to my own drinky devices. And I rarely stray outside of the Vodka Realm. (Doesn't that sound like an awesome place?) But that little world just got a whole lot bigger.

Because.

There is now a line of flavored vodkas from ODDKA by Wyborowa (from the premium wine and spirits company Pernod Ricard) with such unconventional and delightful names as:

• Apple Pie: "For when you desperately yearn for the sweet taste of apples and cinnamon and can't get one of Grandma's apple pies."
• Electricity: "A bolt of lightning in a bottle- but safer; tickling taste buds and sparking curiosity everywhere."
• Fresh Cut Grass: "Nothing beats this home-mown taste; it's crisp, citrusy, sweet and refreshing." 
• Salty Caramel Popcorn: "If ODDKA were a movie, this flavor would be a caramel comedy with a sea salt subplot and a warm, feel-good ending." 
• Wasabi: "This tribute to the spicy burn of the sharp Asian condiment will satisfy your craving for something fiery."

To say that I was full-tilt interested in these flavors would be a slight understatement.

ODDKA's hilarious website features drink recipes (for those rare times when my husband fails at his bartenderly duties) that would be fun to serve: Like the Grass Ginger Beer for a backyard garden party (with all of those pals who are all-too-accustomed to drinking ginger beer at our home, anyhow). Or The Big Oddoski for a perfect pairing with popcorn and the kind of movies that make me laugh unattractively. And the Tea Party Punch? Oh, that would be the drink I'd serve for that oh-so-special party of one; featuring a certain blogger, a hammock, and a second edition of Dashiell Hammett's The Continental Op.

Maybe I'd invite this guy along- one Wit Oddoski. He's their 2-D line drawing spokesman, and he seems like he'd be a pretty swell party guest.



And perhaps I'd even invite P.J. along.

I owe him a drink or two.

To learn more about ODDKA and Wit’s adventures, “Like” ODDKA Vodka on Facebook or follow Wit on Twitter at @WitOddoski.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Oddka.

Arbonne's RE9 Advanced Cellular Renewal Masque Equals 8 Hours O' Sleep.

You guys. I am ridiculously excited to offer up this giveaway today. A lot.

My good friend Sara is an Arbonne consultant- have you tried this fabulousness yet? Products that are vegan-certified and botanically based. Gentle. Effective. And awesome. And I’m not just giving you a sweet song n’ dance (although I totally would. I have a degree in samesuch)- I’m totally in love with this company and every product I've tried (and owned). Their ginger citrus sugar scrub makes one feel pretty, even when one hasn't exactly done a whole lot of prettifying for the week [month/year]. The Shea butter hand cream feels like a soothing hug. And their RE9 Advanced Corrective Eye Creme is, quite literally, the only thing that got me through two pregnancies looking rather rested. (Because I sure as heck wasn't getting a lot of good REM cyclin', what with the Kicky VonCharleyhorse sisters and all.)

But now I kinda have a new favorite. The RE9 Advanced Cellular Renewal Masque is beyond terrific. Here’s why it’s more than your typical mask: It’s actually a botanical peel- way gentler than a chemical peel- but wildly effective. Got acne scars? Dull skin? (Yeah, me neither.) Since this guy contains pineapple and papaya enzymes, it actually visibly and immediately evens out skin tone and texture. (Sara’s fun fact: Pineapple pickers lose their fingerprints because of these enzymes! Making it perfect for a life of crime. Okay, Sara didn't say that part at all. I just have a Bonnie and Clyde thing.)

So for you, my dear friends, I tried this bad boy out. (It had nothing to do with the fact that I look like a Tired McWonkySkin. I did it for science.) I followed Sara’s instructions to smooth the masque on gently, avoiding the eye area. Which I try to do anyhow. I mean, I may walk around with stickers in my hair, but I’m decently good at not putting products directly into my eyes. I also followed Sara’s mantra of “tingling is good and burning is bad.” Which is good life advice. And also helpful, ‘cause there was some facial a’tingling. And soon thereafter a teenser bit of [normal and expected] redness. (Sara recommends doing the facial at night, but I couldn’t wait that long to look youthful.)

And then I looked like a glowy gal who got nine hours of sleep all by herself. It was inspiring. Maybe looking like you've slept begets actually having slept?

And y’all. I have one RE9 Advanced Cellular Masque to give away right this very moment. It’s a $65 value and Sara generously donated one to gift to a lucky reader. And there are so many ways to enter! Have you met The Rafflecopter? It’s terribly exciting. You can leave a comment for an entry. “Like” me (and Sara!) on Facebook- or take a freebie entry for already having done so in the past. Same deal with Twitter. Etc., etc., etc. Wicked easy. And Mr. ‘Copter will randomly choose one entry next Friday.

Giving you an awesome jump start on your New Year’s resolution of taking exceptional care of yourself in 2013. (Or at least looking like you do.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keely "Works Out" With PvBody.

I don't think it'll ever feel right getting back to the business of, well, business. So please know that, while I post about daily randomness, my positively edible children, and products I find diggable, not an hour goes by where I don't pray and mourn the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary. Donate, hold someone's hand, and love one another.

United Way Fund For Newtown, CT 

CeaseFire 

Newtown Facebook Memorial Fund

***

My general workout “routine” consists of the following amalgamation of physical activities: occasional [treasured, coveted] Pilates class, being berated by the Wii Fit, and sprinting up stairs (three at a time) at the first sound of “uh oh.” And it takes a special type of gear to look and feel good while doing all of that.

So I was beyond excited to receive a specially selected outfit from pvBody (a wickedly cool site for handpicked workout gear at a fraction of the price) after taking their quick n’ easy personal style quiz. I answered questions about my activity level, my color/pattern preference, where I dig working out, and so on.

Not me. Sigh.

And even with my bizarre choices, they handpicked a set of workout gear just for me, questionable workout methods and all. And then it arrived. And I was stoked to start working out(ish) again.

But then P.J. was stuck at work for an extra hour, so my inaugural act of Physical Activity While Wearing A PvBody Outfit was…bathing my two children. (During which time I may actually have pulled a muscle.)

But the next day- oh, the next day! I found myself with a small pocket of time while Nora was in preschool and during Zuzu’s morning nap…so I worked the heck out of something. The time spent and/or activity chosen is irrelevant. What MATTERS is…that I looked awesome. Because they had sent me a purty powder blue fitted tank from NUX- and it was loooong. (Oh, how I love clothes that don’t become belly shirts.) And my leggings were shiny black and from American Apparel. The reinforced top reached high on the waist, which is awesome if- say- someone has had two c-sections and would like things to remain roughly where they ought to be, thankyouverymuch.

Pro tip: If you take a pic above your head, you look skinnier.
Also, good LORD is that mirror dirty.

I felt so good post-workout that I kept my gear on while I readied Susannah for school pickup (Nora’s only in school for 2.5 hours at a time, people), and these looking awesome/feeling cute endorphins powered my commute-

-All the way to the tamale stand on my corner. And then I went and got my kid.

But I looked good doing that, too.

(Hey, want to try it out for yourself? As a special offer, I get to provide my readers with a $15 Lululemon gift card and 25% off your first month's subscription when you sign up here. Awesomesauce, I know.)

***

Easy peasy lemon squeezy: pvBody is easy. Take the quiz, sign up and boom, an awesome package arrives at your door each month with a hand picked outfit for you! Every outfit is styled just for you by a pvBody expert. Each month you receive an outfit worth $150, but you pay just $49.95. You’re getting great, quality pieces for a fraction of the retail cost thanks to the relationships pvBody has built.

pvBody is not just another clothing company, but a lifestyle brand. Their blog is a great place to check out tips and tricks for healthy, delicious meals and at home workouts.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of pv.body. The opinions and text are all mine.

Babbabox Makes Me A Funner Mom.

Have you guys seen (or been lucky enough to receive) a Babbabox? These things are awesome- and awesome gifts.

I’m not sure who had more fun opening our Babbabox; me (because of the beautifully layered and ribboned items) or the girls (who just spied an impossible amount of exciting stuff). The theme this month was Sun, Moon and Stars, and each item in the kit was tailored towards projects, stories, and interactive fun stuff for everyone involved. (I super appreciated my star-shaped wine bottle stopper. My kinda astronomy.)

I got this, Mom.

Nora wanted to start with the papier mache moon nightlight because she likes all of the following: ripping paper, glue, things that light up, and telling her baby sister why she cannot participate. She had such a good time mixing the glue that I mentally added Mix Sticky Things In A Bowl to my list of Nora-Thrilling activities. I then blew up the enclosed balloon (forgoing the multiple offers of help on that one) and watched as my three year-old papier mache’d the bejeebers outta that orb. (Stopping every few moments to request a damp towel for her gluey fingertips. After all, art is art, but we are still LADIES.)

We let the drippy balloon dry overnight. Then we did it again, with Nora acting as creative director. “That spot needs more paper.” “That part’s not even- but no one’s perfect. It’s okay to make mistakes.” (Thanks.) We left a spot for the little battery operated light (bigger than the suggested two inches, because someone was a little liberal with the safety scissors) and, once that layer dried, popped the interior balloon. Which kind of needs to be its own project for the amount of glee it elicited.

Once we set the moon and its light on the floor and removed the last remnants of glue from Susannah’s face (because even when the one year-old isn’t involved in a project, she’s involved  in a project- and inexplicably covered in orange marker), we lit that moon up. And it looked awesome. So awesome, in fact, that Nora glanced impishly at the Babbabox and suggested that we take out the other enclosed balloon. Just to see.

I reminded her that one balloon project a day was our [new] house rule.

Pardon the dim lighting- one of us was really proud of the nightlight.

Bottom [papier mache’d] line: This was a ridiculously fun project that made my kid think I’m a superhero who says yes more than no.

Which is kind of all I want in a given day. 

***

BabbaBox is a theme-based box delivered to your door that allows you to enjoy a little convenience and inspiration! As any parent can attest, the most important thing you can give to your child is quality time. BabbaBox makes this possible by helping you to save time, money, & mindspace.

Just think! Fantastic monthly activities with ALL the materials for kids ages 3-6. Included in the box are 3 projects + 1 bestselling book + digital download + parent surprise gift!

The best part? Babbabox makes a GREAT unique gift during the holiday season.

Act now! Get 50% off your first month when you sign up for a monthly membership using the code, SWAY100. Offer expires December 31, 2012.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of BabbaBox. The opinions and text are all mine.

Nora And Susannah Review "Just Dance Disney Party" And Keely Needs A Nap.

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps

***

My gals really like to dance. So far, their type of movement is in no real danger of being classified as actual "dancing." Nevertheless, they do it as only the Wee Set can: with wild abandon. (I've been taking notes.)

Nora was beyond thrilled to help me review the new Just Dance Disney Party Wii game. (Susannah was- as she so often is during these events- confused but excited.)

As we were loading the game, Nora grilled me on the Need To Know deets: Could she dance to Beauty and The Beast? Was Tinkerbell there? How about Ariel? And what about Beauty and The Beast? Was there Belle? How about The Beast? (For her part, Suzy was already clutching the Wii mote and swaying in place.)

Turns out, the game did have Beauty and The Beast songs. (And allll of the other classic Disney gems.) But there were "modern" Disney songs as well. Plus those which I shall refer to as The Ones For The Kids Who Watch The Tween Disney Channel Shows. There was the option for choosing solo songs. Playlists could be made or selected at random. And there was a Bubble Mode (more on that later).

We started small, with Be Our Guest. Nora chose the gal avatar and grudgingly allowed me to help her out for the first song. (Because she's three.) We followed our movements along with the magically glowing onscreen hands. To tell the truth, the first couple of dances were really funny to witness, because Nora was pretty intent on just watching the first few "shows." I've attached a video of Nora and Suzy watching in utter awe for their first duet Mary Poppins song. They were so blown away that they forgot to dance. (Except for one hilarious moment where they twitched in unison.) Behold:

Then came the bubble mode. You still dance, but you get to pop bubbles while you dance. To the girl who attempts to squish all incoming parcels in the hopes that they consist of bubble wrap...this was a plus. A triple plus. (And I was talking about Nora, thankyouverymuch.)

I dig that this game will age nicely with them; as little kids, they love the classic Disney tunes. As tweens, they'll looove the Disney channel hits. And, as adults, they'll go back to liking the "oldies" again.

(And I'll be the old lady frenetically popping bubbles with my Wii mote arm.)

So I Can Be Green Without Cleaning My Home?

I try so hard to be "green." (Does the fact that I put it in quotes mean I'm not trying quite hard enough?)

No harsh chemicals. Nothing that will cause my kiddos to break out in hives or sprout a second head. I mean, sometimes I opt to forgo all bad ingredients altogether and nix the cleaning of the floor for the day [week]. (Hard to get much greener than that.) And using biodegradable, eco-friendly products also means that I'm ensuring single-headed children for my own kids. (Someday. Like, decades and decades and decades from now.)

So have you heard about The Honest Company? (And perhaps their uber-famous creator, one Miss Jessica Alba?) They have a line of products which are a) supremely functional, b) unquestionably eco-friendly, and c) quite charitable. In fact, the company has B Corps Certification (a lot like Fair Trade or LEED certification), donates time, money and product to nonprofit partners like Baby2Baby with every purchase, and strives to be 100% plant-based and sustainably sourced. (And if you're my youngest sister, you just squealed with joy.)

And it doesn't hurt that their diapers are ridonkulously cute.

RIDONK cute.

Biodegradable, plant-based diapers that really, really, really work? With the option for dinosaurs and/or teensy ice cream cones? And the knowledge that you're helping all families (and their wee ones) get access to eco-friendly baby gear and healthier products for their homes? It's enough to give me the warm n' fuzzies.

Which, not surprisingly, is also good for my household.

***

The Honest Company was started by a mom and a dad who, like many modern parents, were increasingly worried about products made with questionable chemical ingredients. But the alternatives they found were often expensive, inaccessible, bland, or ineffective. In response to this clear need for something better, they created The Honest Company to ensure that parents (or anyone for that matter!) could easily find natural and non-toxic eco-friendly products that are beautiful, effective, and affordable. From customized product bundles to diapers and wipes to an ever-expanding line of cleaning and personal care products, you can find everything you need at Honest.com and have it delivered directly to your front door.

Give it a try! Click here to become a member of The Honest Company community and start your free trial today.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Honest Company. The opinions and text are all mine.

Beso Thinks I Know Stuff.

As we all know by now, I enjoy pretty things. (We do all know that by now, yeah?) And I know some awesome-looking people who get awesome-looking because they know how to put things like pants and coats and shoes and bling together to look polished and fabulous. It’s a specific skill set.

Says the girl in a hoodie with banana in her hair.

But we [I] try. We [I] really do. And Beso has made it even easier for me. (And you!) Beso is a glossy, glorious shopping, fashion, and style site, with items culled and displayed by some pretty savvy editors. If you enjoy eye candy, you’re gonna want to check it out.

But wait, there’s more- Beso has a new affiliate program for bloggers called Beso Rewards. Because Beso believes that “everyone is an influencer” and should be rewarded for their style and opinions. (That’s right, even me: Hoodie McPonytail.) In a nutshell, here’s why it’s an amazing option to monetize your site: All you have to do is sign up and begin to feature items you dig. Folks will click on them. And you will make money. Even if they don’t buy it. Even if they take a look at it and say “Keely, you’d look horrid in lime green.” Even if they happen to be your husband and decide against buying you those much-deserved diamond stud earrings. MONEY.

Money for posting a pic of that gorgeous New Year’s Eve dress you’d love to wear [to sit on the couch with your husband]. Money for sharing an image of those shoes that you really need…which will come in handy to ease the sting of everyone around you yelling about your excessive shoe habit. 

The Beso Rewards site has super user-friendly account management tools, so even if you’re not the mathiest of bloggers, you’ll be a-ok.

Freeing you up to buy more hoodies. (Sigh.)

***

Beso is a shopping search engine for brands and stores. They have millions of products from thousands of stores that you can shop in one place AND a roster of editors who narrow it all down to the best stuff out there. Win!

Recently, Beso introduced an affiliate program called Beso Rewards. When you use their links to share content, you get paid every time someone clicks – whether they buy the item or not.

Beso is a great tool for bloggers looking to monetize their site. Check out the tracking tools and account management features that make your job easy NOW!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Beso. The opinions and text are all mine.

Tophatter, The Site Where Keely Just Burned Eight Hours.

I love my treasures. I love a good bargain. And I love to win. So when I was asked to check out Tophatter, the new virtual bidding marketplace, it really didn’t take that long to convince me. After creating my avatar (red dress/indeterminate brown hair= spot on), I hung out in the bazaar to watch people bid. With the appearance of each newcomer, the room became crowded with avatars and bidding wars. (Each high bidder got to enjoy the top hat until they were outbid.)

I did not buy this ring.
Kinda wish I had.
Photo: 42 Things By KejaDesigns
on Tophatter

It wasn’t until I hit the jewelry auctions that I became, as my brother-in-law likes to say, Highly Involved. A pair of garnet and diamond stud earrings were about to go up in the next hour- for an opening bid of six dollars. A pair of hundred dollar earrings for six dollars. So I placed a “watch” on them, which would send me a text message right before bidding on that item would start. But since placing an alert is public, others in the jewelry auction saw my watched item…and placed their own alerts.

So I started to panic.

And since I wanted an alert for the item immediately after the garnet earrings (a stunning silver lariat coin pearl necklace with hand-stamped engraved initial tags), I had to figure out how to surreptitiously place a watch so I could get some work done in the meantime. (We were about to leave for a seventeen hour road trip the next morning and had yet to pack. A fact which P.J. continuously reminded me of as I drooled over auctions.) So I waited until there was a bunch of bidding and conversation to place my alert. And saw three other people place their own alerts for the same necklace. SO THEN I NEEDED TO WIN.

I packed a hoodie and a few sippy cups and then hunkered back down in front of the laptop. The garnet earrings were about to go up, but I had decided to focus all of my energies on WINNING THE LARIAT NECKLACE. And it’s a good thing too, since the earrings' opening bid of six dollars was quickly doubled. And then tripled. And then two avatars began incrementally climbing into the forties, where the bid finally rested at forty-eight dollars. All in the span of about two minutes. Then it was the lariat necklace’s turn, with an opener of four bucks. Now, I didn’t want to be too eager…but I wanted that necklace. So I was the fifth bid. (Of nine dollars.) And then I was the seventeenth bid. And nineteenth. And twenty-first. And then there was no one else bidding but for me and this bid-happy blue-dressed avatar whom I wanted to push off a bench. Twenty-five. (Her.) Twenty-six. (Me.) “Don’t bid more than thirty,” I could mentally hear Peej admonish me. And then he was in the living room, watching me perch with one leg on the couch and one on the coffee table, nervously bouncing back and forth between the two and shaking my computer around in a way that most likely voided the warranty.

“Please don’t bid more than thirty.”

“I got this.”

And then…nothing. My bid remained the highest. They called it once. Twice. The clock started to run down on bid time. TWENTY-SEVEN, SHE BID. I panicked. Didn’t want to keep playing the one-up game. So I let it wait. The clock started to run down.

TWENTY-EIGHT, I BID.

Nothing. Going once. Nothing. Going twice. Bid counter ran down.

CONGRATULATIONS, KIKIFLYNN!

And I screamed. (And then promptly paid the seller’s immediate invoice.) And proceeded to spend the rest of the evening obsessively watching auctions, deciding to let packing just take care of itself.

***

This is Sir Wendell Wattington.
He's my friend.
I know him.

You want a turn at this addicting awesomeness? (I know.) Fabulously, I’ve got a ten dollar credit for you to use with your first eleven bucks spent! (Just sign up from this link and it'll be automatically added to your account!) And hey, if you’re stumped, I’ve a got a terrific shortlist to help get a jump on that pesky What Shall We Gift Keely conundrum. Glad to help, folks.

***

Have you discovered the addictive new auction site called Tophatter, where buyers bid for sellers’ unique goods in fast-paced virtual auction rooms? From crafts and DIY projects, to antiques, jewelry, home décor and much more, there’s no limit to what you can discover on Tophatter. With live auctions every day, sellers get to showcase their wares from around the world to a community of thousands of buyers, and answer questions via chat as the clock ticks down. Each lot sells in an average of two minutes, so buyers must bid quickly! Tophatter’s auctions become interactive live events where buyers and sellers can hang out, chat, and win. Led by the esteemed Sir Wendell Wattington and his animated family, Tophatter auctions keep the fun rolling in. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tophatter. The opinions and text are all mine.

Weekend Fun With Graco And The New SnugRide Click Connect 40

Seriously, this baby. If she's not the future face of
#gracosafety, then I would really like to know why.

This past Saturday, I got to host a supra-awesome Graco event at the Babies R Us in Niles, IL. (For you Chicago cityfolk, it was actually only twenty minutes away from my house. Closer than the one downtown! Go figure.) The party was to unveil the new Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40, the only rear-facing car seat that grows with babies from birth to two years, or up to 40 pounds. (Which, in the case of my miniature children, is until they're roughly seven years old.)

Look! It's Leah of Tin Roof, Rusted, and her gorgeous (and helpful) children!

The shindig was pretty sweet; I hosted with Kristin of The Little Style File, and we held two different parties back to back. At each, folks learned about the new features (eight seating positions and adjustable footrests were the crowd favorites), mugged for the photo booth, played some trivia games and, at the very end of each party, one lucky person won a Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 of their very own. (A 219.99 value- not too shabby for an afternoon jaunt to the Babies R Us, no?)

And aside from the very real possibility that I was going to take off with someone else's kid (because these children were a) adorable and b) ridiculously cute), the afternoon was a raging success. The manager of the Babies R Us told us that our event with Graco was the most well-attended that he'd ever seen in the store's history. (This, after having told Kristin to not get her hopes up of having anyone come.)

This girl was the coolest. She totally threw down at the trivia contest.

I think this proves three things:

One, that people dig newer, brighter, shinier, (and safer!) products from a brand they already know and trust...

Two, that Kristin and I were an unparalleled combination of fun who provided the best results in the history of ever...

And three, that working an event like this gives me a serious case of the Baby Feelings.

***

The Graco SnugRide® Click Connect™ 40 – the first and only newborn to two-year infant car seat that actually grows with your baby from four pounds all the way up to 40 pounds. The car seat is designed for a parent on the go. The infant car seat can be easily removed from the base and used as a carrier when the infant is small, providing portability and convenience so you can easily move your infant in and out of the car without disturbing them. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently made the recommendation to keep all children in rear-facing car seats until the age of 2. Graco set out to make this product so parents can keep infants rear facing longer while still keeping them comfortable.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Graco. The opinions and text are all mine.

We Fell Into The Gap, Part 2.

This post is sponsored by GapKids. Check out all the fun Shine On activities at your nearest Gap store. For event dates and locations, visit Gap’s Facebook page and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #ShineOn.

***

Last Saturday, Nora and I stopped by the Shine On Saturday event at GapKids- and it was awesome. (These are the projects created by artist Merrilee Liddiard of Mer Mag, inspired by Gap's Fall collection.) Since it was the only participating store in Chicago's city proper, I had worried that it would be a madhouse (i.e. a crush of Lincoln Park moms, a gaggle of twee-ly named kiddos, and nary an available easel in sight). But when we arrived at the Gap on Sheffield, we found plenty of wide tables and a cheerful staff ready to assist us.

Nora was seated at a table and handed her own canvas (onto which a smiley face had previously been taped) and given a crazy assortment of [washable] paints- all colors of the rainbow, and most of them with some sort of glitter or shimmer added. The staff asked if Nora needed any colors other than the ones they had placed on a plate for her- she said she was good.

Being as she's a bit fond of mashing all sorts of colors together, I found myself surprised when she chose pumpkin orange as the only color with which she'd work for the first hour. That's right, my kid found a way to stretch a simple art project into an hourlong extravaganza. (The staff couldn't have been nicer, even though I'm sure it wasn't ideal for them to have a kiddo camp out.) She meticulously painted the eyes orange. And the nose. A lock of hair was added- all orange. Once she was certain that orange was well-represented, she moved onto the shimmers, adding gloss over the face's features. Then the bolds came out- for borders and more eyes and what she informed me were hearts on the guy's shirt. It was super fun for me to watch how different her artistic "style" became when presented with a new medium. Canvas and tape, who woulda thunk?

Bizzy.

She worked for an hour and a half. Once she deemed it "done" (and after we'd been handed more than our fair share of complimentary wipes), the staff placed it on their table to dry and we decided to take advantage of the event's 30% off coupon. (Bow-tie riding boots for the girl! A completely unnecessary and impossibly gorgeous sundress for the littler girl!)

Right before we left, however, came the one black spot on the morning. When we went back to the table to retrieve Nora's artwork- it was gone. One of the staff members suggested that perhaps some other little kid took it. (Nora was more confused than sad- which kinda broke my heart for her a little bit. She kept asking where it was and pointed to the place where it had been, like that could shine a light on the mystery.) Eventually two things made her feel better: the super apologetic staff members set her up with a new canvas, and I convinced her that someone needed her original artwork for their gallery. (I love this age group.)

In the end, we came home with a thoroughly painted canvas (after another hour, obvie), and plenty of Gap-ly goodness. Nora gave the event a[n orange-thumbed] thumbs up, and so did I.

***

Two more chances for Chicago-area folks to come play!

Saturday, August 18th

10am-1pm

GapKids @Westfield Old Orchard

4999 Old Orchard Center #A6

Skokie, IL 60077

Saturday, August 25th

10am-1pm

GapKids @Oakbrook Shopping Center

533 Oakbrook Center

Oak Brook, IL 60523

***

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

Shine On Saturdays, a.k.a. I Get To Go To The Gap!

This post is sponsored by GapKids. Check out all the fun Shine On activities at your nearest Gap store. For event dates and locations, visit Gap’s Facebook page and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #ShineOn.

***

Okay, this is a fun one. This month, select GapKids and babyGap stores all over the country are featuring Shine On Saturdays, a chance for kids to participate in super cool art projects (think geometric canvas creations and personalized back-to-school gear) that were designed by artist Merrilee Liddiard of Mer Mag and inspired by GapKids and babyGap's Fall collection.

Think this sounds awesomesauce? Want in? Of course you do. Here's the one the girls and I are going to attend:

Saturday, August 11th (that's right- tomorrow!)

10am-1pm

GapKids @Sheffield

1740 N. Sheffield

Chicago, IL 60614

(And here are the other Chicago area dates!)

Saturday, August 18th
10am-1pm
GapKids @Westfield Old Orchard
4999 Old Orchard Center #A6
Skokie, IL 60077

Saturday, August 25th
10am-1pm
GapKids @ Oakbrook Shopping Center
533 Oakbrook Center
Oakbrook, IL 60523

Look for my follow-up post with results of the girls' artistic endeavors (and/or my inability to contain myself while at babyGap). Come play with us! 

I might even shove over and let the girls have a turn.

***

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

N And Z Shriek At The Princess Ponies Of Pony Royale.

This post is sponsored by Pony Royale. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

***

I like to encourage all sorts of games and activities in my house- not just "girl-centric" ones. That said, I have a complete and utter weakness for ponies. (Just ask my husband, who's had to move boxes of my childhood toys TWICE.)

So we were extremely excited to review the new Princess Ponies of Pony Royale- "we," of course, being Nora, Susannah, and myself. (What does a nine month-old contribute to a review, you ask? Oh, just wait.)

Here's the deal: these ponies are royalty. In the storyline, they each have their own princess to care for them, as well as a matching jewel on their foreheads. The jewels correspond to birthstones and element "kingdoms," where the ponies reside. (There's an interactive land online for the bigger kids where they can play with the map and learn more about their princess.) The ponies come with mix n' match fashions, as well as hair that can be changed out. So yeah- we were a little stoked to play with these ladies. We received Harmony and Brooke (Earth and Water element ponies, obvie, with pink zircon and peridot jewels, respectively.)

 Please enjoy this brief video detailing (in rapid succession), the girls' joy at opening the boxes, figuring out how to play with them, Zuzu whacking the heck out of Brooke, and Nora looking at the kingdom map and explaining to her sister (with Rain Man-like repetition) how they did not have the other ten ponies yet.

So- my thoughts. These are cute, no doubt about it. The hair situation left a little to be desired, however. It had been artfully flared out in the display box, but to remove the pony itself you almost had to rip the hair from the stays (causing a mammoth tangle- and again, I am a professional pony hair-doer). Nora had no problem changing the hair in and out (which is cool, because she's two and a half- obviously these are user friendly), but they get ratty like no one's business within minutes of play. Even worse? When using the enclosed brush to comb out the tail and mane, huge clumps of hair pull out at the slightest tug. Like, tumbleweed on the playroom floor. (This happened with both ponies, when I brushed their hair and when Nora took a turn.) For a toy whose main (no pun intended) feature is the styling of hair, I wasn't too happy with the quality.

That said, the crowns and bustles(!) were cute, as were the interchangeable saddle blankets and jeweled saddles themselves. And seriously? The girls loved the ponies. LOVED THEM. Somehow, Nora has confiscated both ponies and they currently have the place of honor on her nightstand.

The Princess Ponies will be available exclusively at Toys R Us stores at the end of this month. Bottom line? These ponies are nothing revolutionary. But they're cute, they're fun, and they've obviously got a hold on my preschooler. I'm sure Susannah will love to play with them, too.

When it's her turn.

***

Visit the Pony Royale website for more information. Look for Princess Ponies in stores starting late July! Meanwhile, be sure to check out Pony Royale’s Facebook page and follow them on Twitter!