Lay-n-Go LITE from PishPoshBaby {Review}

Although my kids do a decent job taking care of their toys, it seems that as they've gotten older, the pieces have gotten smaller. Large building blocks have been replaced with tiny LEGO bricks, full baby doll clothes are being left on the shelf in favor of miniature Barbie outfits, and even small markers and papers are being chosen over big coloring books and crayons.

While all of that adds up to fun and entertainment, it also means that more and more chance of pieces being lost or, just as bad, having to be extracted (painfully) from the bottom of my foot.

We do have shelves and storage containers for things, but let's face it. The actual act of cleaning up for young children is just not one that they are overly anxious to do.

Which is why I'm thrilled to find a solution that is fast, easy and fun for everyone: the Lay-n-Go LITE from PishPoshBaby.

An 18" activity mat that easily transforms into its own portable storage bag, the Lay-n-Go LITE allows for quick and effortless clean-up of small toy pieces in seconds. Simply pull the drawstring tight and it closes right up to travel with you or be put away for next time.

Considering I am willing to try just about anything that will encourage my kids to take responsibility for the full clean-up process of their toys, I couldn't wait to put the Lay-n-Go LITE to the test.

Pulling this product out of the package, I was struck at just what a simple, innovative idea it was. The 100% nylon fabric is strong, tough, water repellent and easy to wipe clean, so all kids need to do is pull on the durable cord to close it up tight and keep all of their possessions inside!

Just the right size for a small collection of toys, our biggest decision was figuring out which of our toys needed the Lay-n-Go LITE the most!

As Little Sister B has been collecting more and more Barbie clothes and accessories lately, we decided that it was time to put a stop to the loose shoes, necklaces, outfits and more that seem to be slowly taking over our house.

Once we collected items from her bedroom, the playroom, under the couch, next to the dryer, and more, we laid them out right onto the activity mat for playtime.

After a great deal of fun Barbie adventures, Little Sister B simply pulled the drawstring tight and turned the Lay-n-Go LITE instantly into a soft storage bag. No fuss, no hassle, no mess!

With the convenient cord lock, there was no worry that any tiny items would fall out, and the nylon handle made it perfectly easy for Little Sister B to put the entire thing safely into her room. There is even a small front pocket (which securely closes with Velcro) in case we want to store the drawstring or another small item.

Now, no matter if Barbie is coming out at home, at a restaurant, on an airplane, at Grandma's house or more, the Lay-n-Go LITE will keep all of her possessions together, clean and easily portable!

Available at PishPoshBaby.com in five different colors, the Lay-n-Go LITE retails for $24.95. Or, for a much larger play and storage space, the original Lay-n-Go has a 5' diameter, is available in blue or green, and retails for $64.95.

For a smart, easy, personal activity mat that kids can use, clean and store all on their own, the Lay-n-Go LITE is a unique, convenient carryall solution all in one. Be sure to visit PishPoshBaby to find out more as well as connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all of their amazing products for babies and kids.

Other than the Lay-n-Go LITE I was provided by PishPoshBaby to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this review in any way. This post is solely my honest opinion of this site and this product.

iPhone 5 For Dummies, 6th Edition {Review}

At one point I would have said that I was fairly tech-savvy.

After all, I've managed to turn on my computer and publish to this very blog for the past 3½ years, so that counts for something, right?

However, when it comes to other gadgets, I have to admit that I often feel... old. Why is it that my kids can pick up my iPhone and seem to innately know how to do everything? Is that something that they're taught in preschool these days?

I, on the other hand, can do the basics (e.g. make a call, send a text, take a picture, check my email, etc), but anything more than that just seems... complicated.

Which is why I felt as though iPhone 5 For Dummies, 6th Edition was published pretty much explicitly for me!

Including coverage of the iPhone 5 as well as the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, iPhone 5 For Dummies has been updated and revised to include everything from the basics to the more complex and lesser known features of your phone.

Beginning with a straightforward introduction that helps you get to know your iPhone, this full-color book continues by introducing the reader to the multitouch interface, iOS 6, syncing with iCloud, making phone and video calls, indispensable utilities, texting, working with the calendar, and more.

I appreciate the way that the bestselling authors of this book, Edward Baig and Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus, have written each chapter with clear, step-by-step instructions and information. Whether or not you're an iPhone pro or a complete newbie, it is easy to find just what you need to master all of the capabilities that this phone entails.

Overall, I've found iPhone 5 For Dummies, 6th Edition an awesome guide to pretty much all things iPhone. Even though I felt as though I was sufficient at making phone calls, browsing the internet, sending and receiving e-mails, downloading apps, and much more, it has been great to have somewhere to look to answer any and all questions that may arise.

Instead of having to search online when I'm troubleshooting, I can quickly flip open this book to the index and find just what I need.

At the same time, I love that I've come across various tips and tricks that I didn't know existed — why haven't I been using the Reminders app more often by tying it to a particular location? Gone are the days of returning home from the grocery store or Target having forgot something we needed when my phone can remind me to buy it the moment I drive into the parking lot!

Presented in the same sincere, unpretentious, often-humorous style that the For Dummies series is known for, iPhone 5 For Dummies, 6th Edition is a great gift idea for any iPhone users that might want to feel a little less like a dummy in 2013.

Retailing for $24.99 directly from the For Dummies Store or for just over $15 on Amazon, this book is just one of the many, many ways that the For Dummies series can help make your life just a little easier. You can also find out much more about this and all of the huge For Dummies collection by visiting Dummies.com and connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Other than the iPhone 5 For Dummies, 6th Edition that I was provided to facilitate my review as a part of the For Dummies Ambassador Program, I was not compensated or enticed to do this review in any way. This post is solely my honest opinion of this book.

Happy Birthday Means... Let 'Em Eat Cake!

On the one hand, I look at Little Sister B and know that, in my heart, she will forever be my baby. It's just not possible that one day she'll grow up and move out and have a life of her own because it was just yesterday that I was cradling her in my arms and rocking her to sleep, wasn't it?

On the other hand, I can't remember life without her. While she and Big Sister E have similarities, they're also profoundly different and Little Sister B has a personality and zest for life that, quite simply, completes our family perfectly.

Regardless of how old I feel like my little spitfire is, the calendar doesn't lie: today my baby girl turns 4.

Being the high-spirited, fun-loving, crazy kid that she is, we couldn't keep the birthday celebrations all to ourselves and hosted a large, boisterous, action-packed birthday party this past Saturday (at an indoor gym of inflatables) with all of our family and friends.

As we knew that this was going to be a bigger party than some of our previous years, I was determined to be sure that we had enough of one of the extremely important key aspects of a child's birthday party: cake. Because even though I don't put together goodie bags for the parents to take home as well, I always want to know that they can have a piece of cake right along with their children!

This year, my mom outdid herself on the cake that she made for the kids to eat, as I don't think Little Sister B's dreams could have come true any more than they did when she saw the sparkly pink creation before her.

This picture doesn't even begin to do this INCREDIBLE cake justice.

But while I knew that the kids would devour the princess doll cake, what would that leave for the parents?

Not wanting to make another standard cake with frosting, this year I couldn't have been happier when the perfect solution ended up being the Three Layer Chocolate Happy Birthday Cake from ProFlowers.com.

Every bit as amazing that the princess doll cake looked, this chocolate cake tasted.

It. Was. Amazing!

As it had arrived very well-packed and frozen to my house not even 24 hours prior to the party...

...I simply let the 10" three layer cake thaw in my refrigerator overnight so that all 5 lbs 7 oz of it would be fully ready to eat at the party.

And eat, we did.

ProFlowers had deemed this the "ultimate chocolate cake" in the description and they weren't kidding. The three layers of chocolate cake and rich chocolate cream were extremely moist and rich, and the chocolate glaze top and border were the perfect complement.

I knew that this cake was a hit as piece after piece began disappearing while my husband came back to retrieve more to deliver to parents. Quite a few moms that had initially turned down the offer of having a piece of cake changed their mind when they heard others begin to rave about it!

I was glad that we had ordered the 10" size option of this Happy Birthday Cake, as it did end up serving at least 16, as ProFlowers had said (there is also a 6" version that states 8-10 servings). While the $59.99 price tag ended up being more than if I had made my own or purchased one from the store, this cake really was a luxury that received compliment after compliment!

While ProFlowers is known for connecting their customers with fresh-from-the-field flowers, they truly specialize in overall gifting and perishable goods. If you've never thought of them for anything other than a gorgeous bouquet, be sure to head over there and browse the wide variety of products and options that can make any occasion special!

This holiday season and beyond, keep ProFlowers and its family of brands in mind for your upcoming shopping, gifting and celebrating needs — they have an assortment of Christmas Cupcakes that are making me drool! You'll find out more about this delicious cake and all of ProFlowers' other products at ProFlowers.com and by connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Other than the complimentary product I received from ProFlowers.com to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this review in any way. This post is solely my honest opinion of this site and this product.

Pantene Expert AgeDefy Collection, The Secret to Younger-Looking Hair {Pantene Collection & Target Gift Card Prize Pack Giveaway}

It's ironic that we spend most of our childhood wishing that we were older, more mature, and for the day that we will finally be thought of as a grown-up... only to reach adulthood to spend it doing all that we can to recapture our youth, isn't it?

So while it only takes a single glance in the beauty aisle to see shelf after shelf of products that are designed to eliminate your wrinkles, eliminate age spots or magically make cellulite disappear, there's one part of our body that is typically ignored: our hair.

Sure, there is more than enough dye in every possible shade if you're really trying to mess around with keeping your hair young... but what about something less complicated? Something that is simple to use and can be easily integrated into our daily routine? Not to mention, something that is affordable?

That's all available now that Pantene has launched a new line of AgeDefy hair care products that can actually make your hair look up to ten years younger.

The recently-launched Pantene AgeDefy line — featuring Shampoo, Conditioner, Masque and Thickening Treatment — was created to counteract the seven signs of hair's aging.

To get to the root of hair thinning, Pantene partnered with experts in the field, compiling clinical data from more than 1000 women and gaining a much better picture of age-related changes in density and diameter. Through its research Pantene discovered new truths about hair aging, including the seven signs that women experience:

1.       Breakage

2.       Split Ends

3.       Frizz

4.       Unruly Grays

5.       Lackluster Color

6.       Thin look

7.       Dryness

The key findings also revealed the hair aging process begins before menopause, around age 35, and symptoms go beyond graying and thinning. Yikes!

Fortunately, Pantene's AgeDefy products were specifically designed to fight all seven signs, leaving hair smoother, thicker, moisturized, hydrated and more manageable... while still being gentle enough to use even on color-treated hair.

Thinking this sounds like it all might add up to something that you can only find at a salon? Think again! Because, best of all, Pantene's new secret to younger-looking hair is available at your local Target!

Through the end of December, Target stores nationwide are highlighting new anti-aging products that offer women hair and skin anti-aging secrets that 'help you drop a decade or more,' so Pantene AgeDefy fits right in. Keep an eye out for it during your next visit!

And, thanks to the generosity of Pantene, one person will be prepared to head into 2013 with healthier, shinier, younger-looking hair, because...

One lucky person will win a Pantene Pro-V Expert AgeDefy Collection Prize Pack*! ARV $44.97!

*Prize Pack includes (1) Pantene Expert Collection Age Defy Shampoo, (1) Pantene Expert Collection Age Defy Conditioner, (1) Pantene Expert Collection Advanced Thickening Treatment, and (1) $10 Target Gift Card

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A big thank you to P&G for providing a prize pack for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.