How Xfinity Can Support Your Home During the Pandemic

Remember back in March when many of us thought we'd be back to our normal routines before we knew it? Well we are a solid eight months into this global pandemic and many of us are still facing new challenges and changes.

As a mom and small business owner, I feel like I'm spinning the plates even more these days. My youngest is at home doing virtual learning for school, while my college sophomore is fortunate enough to be living on campus and attending a hybrid semester of classes. Besides supporting them and running my household, I work part-time with a local non-profit and also run a small home-based business. That's a LOT of stuff going on and I know I'm not alone in this!

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with some of my favorite local influencers and some wonderful folks from Xfinity to talk about how they are helping small businesses and families during this pandemic. While this post is sponsored by Xfinity, all opinions are my very own, so please read on to see how Xfinity may be able to help you and your family during this pandemic.

What's Hot in Modern Farmhouse Design and Technology

I attended the Philadelphia Magazine Design Home thanks to an invitation from Xfinity.  This is a sponsored post in partnership with Comcast.

There is no doubt that farmhouse style is hot right now, with its comfy-chic aesthetic and liberal use of neutral tones. But a term being tossed around in design circles, is "modern farmhouse". . .what does that even mean – how can a farmhouse be modern? When you typically think about a farmhouse, you may think of a rustic, old-fashioned farmhouse. But the trendy modern farmhouse look is anything but. It's full of warmth and simplicity, in the traditional farmhouse style, but it also encompasses natural textures and materials, and if you do it right, the latest in modern technology. 

Thanks to an invite from Comcast, I recently got a tour of a local modern farmhouse, that takes this design trend to the next level! Located on 2.9 acres in lovely Villanova, Pennsylvania, this 6-bedroom gem of a house sits among estates that have been around for decades. When you pull into the drive, you are greeted by a lovely home, that despite its luxurious feel, harkens back to a simpler time.

"The goal was to create a home with a formal elegance that respected the architectural past and that fit the neighborhood setting, but that had a decidedly modern appeal - a home focused on style, comfort and function, rather than formality and grandeur."

How to Create the Perfect Summer Movie Night

Ahhh. . .the promise of a perfect summer night . . .is there anything better? And now that school is over, and kids' activities have settled down for the summer lull, it's the perfect time to plan some quality relaxing family time, preferably in the outdoors. Thanks to Best Buy for sponsoring this post.

Family Movie Night has long been a winter favorite. When it's too blustery, dark and cold to go out, families hunker down in living rooms and finished basements, pop corn and watch a variety of popular movies and TV shows. Gone are the days of the VCR and even the DVD, replaced by Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu! But why should this family time favorite be kept in the cold?? Why not start enjoying your family movie night in the great outdoors this summer?

Refresh Your Family Meal Plan With Your Giant Nutritionist

If you're a regular blog reader around here, you know that I take my weekly family meal planning seriously. Each Monday, I post our family meal plan right here on the blog. While it can sometimes feel like a chore, weekly meal planning saves me time and money every single week, making it worth the effort.

I have to confess though, I have really been slacking on my meal planning this summer. So when Giant asked if I wanted to come in and meet with the Nutritionist at my local store, I jumped at the opportunity. To be honest though, I was a little nervous going in, not really knowing what to expect.

Think Spring With Planet-Friendly Clothing From prAna

It is March here in Pennsylvania. While I may be strolling the mall, looking at adorable light-weight spring fashions in pretty colors, the temperature is 28 degrees and snow and sleet are falling from the sky. But that can't stop me from thinking spring. I am dreaming of warm days, lighter clothes, and relaxing days.

There is just something about spring . . .those first blades of green grass, the crocus and daffodils and feeling the warmth from a ray of sunshine. I am over my winter wardrobe. I am ready to break out lighter fabrics, brighter colors and fun shoes. I recently partnered with prAna to bring you this fun spring look, that will take you right into the warm days of summer. prAna designs clothing that looks good, but is versatile for any lifestyle and any adventure. These pieces work great together, but are also wardrobe basics that you can pair with almost anything else in your closet!

What's a B-Corp and Why Does it Matter?

Back in my days of corporate accounting, I recall learning accounting rules for S-Corps and C-Corps . . .but B-Corps? That's a new one on me. B Corps are a new type of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

That sounds like a perfect partnership, doesn't it? So what exactly IS a B Corp? B Corps are for-profit companies, certified by the nonprofit B Lab, to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Why do they matter? Because currently, there are more than 1,600 B Corps, from 42 countries and over 1200 industries, working together towards redefining success in business. How cool is that?

One of the latest companies to join this B-Corp movement, is Stonyfield. If you've been around the blog, then you know I have been fortunate enough to be a Stonyfield Ambassador in their Yogetter, Stonyfield Blogger program. It has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to try and share new products, as well a chance to see how the company really works.

Some of the things that have always drawn me to Stonyfield as a brand, are their corporate policies, mission and commitment to providing quality, organic products. They care about the farmers and where the ingredients they use to produce their products come from, and as a consumer, that matters to me. They believe it's important to take care of the world around them, to make food that I can feel good about feeding to my family.

As part of their celebration, Stonyfield sent me a package containing products from several of their B Corp partners. Collectively, these companies are leading a global movement of people using business as a means to do good.

My package included delicious Stonyfield Grass Fed Yogurt, King Arthur Flour, a coupon for Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs, Pukka Tea, Method Hand Soap, a Preserve Toothbrush and some Purely Elizabeth Granola. Thanks Stonyfield - I can't wait to try all these delicious things from some pretty super companies!

What do you think of this B Corp revolution? A new way of doing business could be good for all of us, couldn't it?

You can find out more by visiting Stonyfield's website or by following them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

catch you soon -

Healthy Snack Option: Stonyfield Whole Milk Smoothies

A new year almost always means new eating habits. Whether your goal is to lose weight or simply to eat healthier, come January, we are all looking for tips. I have a pretty healthy diet, eating mostly real food, and drinking plenty of water. My downfall? Snacks!

One problem I have is that I don't eat enough throughout the day. I know it seems crazy, but when I track my food, I am always under my calorie count until the evening hours. (and yet, not skinny) After the kids go to bed, my snacking beast is unleashed and I undo all the good I did throughout the day. Besides a lump of calories I didn't need, I'm also left with a pile of guilt over my lack of willpower and snacking weakness.

Spreading Kindness This Holiday Season With Stonyfield

I have always emphasized kindness to my children. I tell them often, that we may not be the smartest, richest or best looking person in the room, but there is no reason that we can't be the kindest.  Unlike wealth, good looks or intelligence, kindness is a choice.

When I told them that we had the opportunity to be kind and spread some holiday cheer with someone who needs it this holiday season, they didn't hesitate to get on board. I explained that because of the generosity of Stonyfield and my relationship with them this year, we had received a gift card to be used to pay it forward this holiday season. We brainstormed on how and who we could help, finally deciding to select two stars from the Wall of Kindness at Owen's elementary school.

How to Avoid Holiday Hazards for Your Pets

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This post is sponsored by Royal Canin. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Royal Canin’s veterinary-exclusive gastrointestinal diet, but all opinions are my own. Royal Canin is not responsible for the content of this article.

The holidays are coming. While it is an exciting and magical time of the year, it can also be riddled with hazards for our pets.  In fact, according to a recent Veterinary Pet Insurance Company’s report, upset stomach and diarrhea rank among the top 10 reasons owners go to the vet with their pets. I don’t know about you, but that most definitely does not put me in the holiday spirit!

I was fortunate to have a variety of pets growing up. My children are much less fortunate, much to their chagrin.  I had a few dogs, plenty of cats, a rabbit, a myriad of small furry creatures and the occasional rescued turtle. The most I’ve had as an adult are my cats (unless you count our Carnival Goldfish, who is going on 2 years old now).

3 Easy Steps Towards a Chemical Free Home

There's a lot of talk these days about GMOs and food labeling. But have you stopped recently to take a look at the products you are using in your home and on your body? We've been on a better health and wellness journey for the past couple of years, and let me tell you, some of those things are down right scary. Yet they are all perfectly "legal" and approved by the FDA.  I'm not one to get overly political here on the blog, but I want to share the three easy steps we found to kick more chemicals out of our home, and replace them with better, safer and more natural alternatives.

Cold and Flu Season is Coming - 5 Ways to Prepare

Disclosure: I'm proud to be working with CVS Pharmacy on the CVS Pharmacy Difference Campaign. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.

Like it or not, it's here. Cold and flu season is right around the corner.  This is the time of year that I start to think about what changes we need to make to get our family prepared. As a mom, I work hard to reduce our susceptibility to and increase our defense against seasonal colds and flu. I was happy to team up with CVS Pharmacy, which now owns and operates all of the pharmacies inside of Target stores, to share five ways that you can prepare yourself and your family for the upcoming cold and flu season.

Fall Favorite: Oatmeal

With Fall in full force and winter on the way, there is something very comforting about a hot breakfast to get your day going.

A big thank you to Stonyfield for sponsoring this post and for providing wholesome and delicious products I feel good about serving to my family. I recently received a bag of Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats and a bag of Bob's Organic Coconut Sugar to try out and share my thoughts on.

Shop Simpler and Smarter with CVS Pharmacy at Target and The CVS Mobile App

Disclosure: I'm proud to be working with CVS Pharmacy on the CVS Pharmacy Difference Campaign. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for an easier way to manage my day-to-day life. Do you ever feel like all you do is run from one place to the next? Sometimes I feel like my life is a hamster wheel, spinning and spinning with a constant stream of errands. Nothing gives me more of a shopping thrill than combining my stops (well, maybe a great deal). All that parking and getting in and out of the car can be a real drag.

Another Reason to Love Target: Convenient CVS Pharmacy

Disclosure: I'm proud to be working with CVS Pharmacy on the CVS Pharmacy Difference Campaign. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.

I don't know about you, but I have a real love affair with Target. We do a family shopping trip, probably once a week.  It's our go-to store for all our basic family needs. Need a new lunch bag? Check Target. Out of index cards? Add them to the Target list. Well, recently, along with the addition of the large red concrete balls out front, we noticed another new thing at our local Target: the pharmacy changed to CVS. As if any of us needed another reason to love Target.

What does this mean for current Target shoppers and current CVS Pharmacy customers? Well, if you are already enrolled in CVS's ExtaCare loyalty program and the opt-in ExtraCare Pharmacy and Health Rewards you'll earn $5 in ExtraBucks Rewards for every 10 prescriptions filled. Patients can also earn rewards for the other things they do to stay healthy, like getting immunizations or choosing email refill reminders.

Celebrate the Powerful Women in Your Life {Zenni Optical Giveaway}

This is a sponsored post created in partnership with Zenni Optical. As always, all opinions are my very own.

Women leaders are everywhere - in our government, in our community, maybe even in your own house! They see the big picture for success – for themselves or others – and have the courage and strength to get the job done. When I think of women leaders, I think of women like Hillary Clinton, Indira Gandhi and Melinda Gates. Whether you agree with their views or not, there is no doubt of the success and power they wield within our world.

As women, at least in my own experience, the battle is almost always uphill.  Men entered the workforce first. Men rose to power first. Men made the rules. But when women began to enter the workforce in droves during World War II, the world was forever changed. Not that there weren't powerful and successful women before that. There have always been the wise women that have guided the world, sometimes from behind their husbands or fathers when necessary. But before the war, it was uncommon for women to work outside the home (again, NOT a deal breaker for power or success).

What I Wore - Summer Cravings from prAna and Stonyfield

What do you crave this summer? How about a beautiful, sustainably-made top that can be worn all summer long? How about long, leisurely summer days, stretched out before you? Maybe an organic, whole milk Greek yogurt that can be dressed up with jam or fresh summer fruit for a sweet treat, or used for dips and recipes when you want something a little more savory? Sounds pretty perfect - doesn't it?

Take-5: Simple Steps to Recharge Yourself

Thank you to Dunkin' Donuts for Sponsoring this post.

We've all been there. That week that feels like it takes forever. Shuttling kids back and forth to school, games and activities, errands, car repairs, the vet; a constant stream of to-dos draining us of our energy. What's a busy mom to do? I learned it the hard way myself, you need to refill your own bucket. Yep, I know, that you know, that you need to slow down and take a few minutes for yourself.  You need to find a few minutes in the day and a simple way to recharge your own battery. For everyone's sake!

I don't know about you, but guilt is a big thing that holds me back from taking time for myself. My husband doesn't care, happy wife happy life - right? My kids don't care if I do something for myself - they probably wouldn't even notice unless it detracted from something for them (God Bless children). The only thing really stopping me, is me.

4 Ways to Stay Organized With Xfinity

Wow, Xfinity has a lot more to offer families than I knew! A big thanks to them for partnering with me to bring you this post. #XfinityMoms

I am always looking for better ways to organize my life. In our busy lives, I think we are always searching for ideas and inspiration to make things easier; ways to cut the clutter and streamline the processes in our day-to-day lives. Well after a recent visit to my local Xfinity store, I found 4 ways that I could use Xfinity to help streamline and organize my life.

Yes, I said Xfinity Store. Comcast and Xfinity invited me, along with some other local bloggers to take a tour of their new facility in Willow Grove, PA, as well as learn about their current services. It was an information-packed day for sure, as well as a lot of fun. The people in the store were friendly and knowledgeable and they endlessly answered our questions regarding upgrading our current systems, how their services works, and how we can manage media for our kids.

What I learned while I was there, is that there are 4 big ways that I can use Xfinity to help streamline and organize my life. We all want to make things easier, right, so let's start here with our homes and family entertainment.

Good Food On the Go - New From Stonyfield

A big thank you to Stonyfield for sponsoring this post and for providing wholesome and delicious products I feel good about serving to my family.

I have picky eaters. I have picky eaters that are athletes. I have picky eaters, who are athletes, with crazy-busy schedules. Anyone feel me??

I don't think my situation is unique for moms these days. I think many of us are in the same boat of trying to feed kids while running them to various activities. Let's be honest, it's a challenge and that is why all these fast food type places do so well. We are busy, we are harried, we don't want more arguments than necessary. This is a no judgement zone.

I hate the thought of feeding them something less than ideal because it's more convenient. Trust me, they eat enough junk, and we DO hit those places up every once in a while. You gotta live a little right, it's all about balance. But for the most part, I like to feed my family a home-cooked/prepared meal each night.

But with everyone coming and going at different times, that's a challenge. So I like to have some grab and go options available and one of my favorites that my kids will eat, is yogurt. They both still enjoy the Stonyfield yo-kids Squeezers, which are a lunch staple. They also enjoy the OP Organic Protein drink, but those are difficult to find in our area. So when Stonyfield sent me some of their new Whole Milk Greek, I encouraged the kids to try them.

Guess what? They loved them! So did my husband and I. My favorite flavor is the Honey, while the kids like the Cherry and the Blueberry. The little "sidekick" of fruit allows you to add only as much as you want, which is a great feature.

But why whole milk Greek? According to the folks at Stonyfield,  consumers have been asking for whole milk Greek for a long time. The split cup design allows you to control your own sugar content. and also allows Stonyfield to keep the ingredient list very simple.  For example, the only thing in the honey is... honey. If you take a look at the label, the overall sugar content is low compared to other Greek yogurts on the shelf as well. 

So this is a win-win all around here and I've been grabbing the cups to take to our lacrosse games for a pre or after game snack. My husband enjoys one for breakfast, and I like to have one as my late-afternoon snack. So as you can see, the Stonyfield Whole Milk Greek make a great snack or mini-meal anytime of the day. Not a whole milk fan? That's okay, Stonyfield offers an amazing selection of products and everything they  make isn’t just delicious, it’s certified organic - made without the use of toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics and GMOs. While they're at it, they support family farms and take care of the world around them too!

Thanks Stonyfield!

What's your favorite Stonyfield product?

catch you soon -

The Latest Video Game Craze - Yo-Kai Watch {giveaway}

“This post was sponsored by Nintendo as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.”

I don't know about your kids, but my kids love video games. We have been a Nintendo family for a long time. My husband and I had a Nintendo 64 back in the early 90's and indulged in some crazy, pre-kid Super Mario Brothers marathons. These days, we still enjoy the family-friendly feel of Nintendo and their gaming systems.

Video games get some bad press these days, but as the mom of two active boys, I think they can be a great way for my kids to unwind and enjoy some downtime. In fact, I'd rather they actively engage with a video game, than mindlessly watch a television show. But it's all a balancing act, and every kid and family is different. Differences are what's so great about Nintendo, because they have something for everyone, no matter what your interest is. Take the new Yo-Kai Watch game, for example.