DaddyScrubs: A Just-For-Dad Approach to Comfort in Labor!

As I have been trying to move everything from the Random Review Blog over to "Becoming Mumma", I have also been posting easy to click on links to the new reviews on BM.
Please check out the latest on DaddyScrubs, scrubs and other great gifts for a Daddy-to-be on Becoming Mumma!
Thank you for following!!!

 

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Legoland and Its Surroundings!

Hey! Check out my latest story and roundabout review on Legoland, CA, The Days Hotel, San Diego and its surroundings at BecomingMumma!

Shopping for Insurance: Get Progressive!

Ok folks, make sure to shop around when it comes to insurance...especially auto and homeowners.
I just got my policy breakdown from a broker we have been using for 7 years (although they have switched hands once) and MetLife since had our policy for both auto and home. I think about 4 years into the policy, I checked Geico for a rate quote and they could not beat the coverage we already had so I left it alone and thought we were getting a good deal...well, I really didn't do a lot of research and we had since bought new cars so some changes were in order and so the research (shopping around for insurance) began!
Our broker was a little lacking in certain areas of customer service so I started thinking about switching. I kept seeing all of the commercials for Progressive and that they now had "one stop shopping" for insurance (combining different policies). It was great that they also offered seemingly great deals in all of their advertising and it was very enticing so I checked it out online.
Their marketing worked on me and when I went online I found even more advantages to Progressive.
First, their site was easy to navigate, straightforward and of course quotes are free. I had a lot of questions and they have this awesome button that says if you have questions and need to speak to someone, you click on the button, enter your phone number and click and your phone rings with someone from Progressive on the other end to answer your questions. It is a real person, not a recording and they are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! It worked and it was awesome. The customer service rep answered all of my questions quickly and thoroughly in layman's terms and was super friendly! Thumbs up!! That alone made me want to switch right away! I verified all of the info I needed and got a quote which was amazing. I ended up missing some info and when you continue to buy, it runs a final check on your driving history and updates you quote if need be. I had a few things turn up that affected my quote but I was still saving about 40% on my home and auto insurance compared to my old policy!!! I got a discount with the payment option I chose (paying 6 months up front) and combining the home and auto...oh and don't forget to include a home security system discount if you have one in your home!!!
Did you know that in the state of AZ (and many others) that if your pet is a passenger in your car and you get in an accident (God forbid!)and someone is injured, they will cover up to (the medical coverage limit you choose per passenger) x$ for your pet's medical care!
Check it out!!!!I highly recommend Progressive although I think it is great to shop around in this economy to get the best deal so don't just stop at one, get multiple quotes! I just felt the best about this whole experience and was so excited about the money my family will be saving!!

Similac: Review Posted

For a look at how feeding Similac Advance with Early Shield is going with my newborn, check out the review post at the Becoming Mumma blog!

The "Pro Blogger", here, posted it on my baby blog!

Adiri Natural Nurser:Dani's Best Bottle Award!

About a year ago, a friend mentioned a bottle she was considering trying with her son. She had heard great things about it but she said it "kind of creeped her out" because it looked so much like a boob.
I was curious so I went to the local Babies R Us and looked for a boob-shaped baby bottle.
I immediately found the adiri Natural Nurser.
I grabbed one off of the shelf and read about it. It looked interesting and I was looking into all of the latest bottles as I was hoping to be pregnant again but not necessarily nurse my child and needed a helpful tool that was the closest for my baby to natural nursing. I ended up getting pregnant and recently had my daughter. Now I could try these bottles.
I tried the stage 1 bottle and it worked really well. I went from the breast to that bottle first...before going to the Born Free bottles I had bought (which have a whole bunch of parts to assemble not making for easy night feedings but I still like the Born Free and would take them over Dr. Brown's straw system any day!).
I loved that the adiri bottles are very simple, soft and easy to assemble, basically consisting of 3 main parts. The latching was the tough part. Once my daughter latched on, she fed very easily and there was little or no mess and less fussiness (and gas) after feeding. There are 2 main cons I (and my husband especially) find. One is that if she doesn't latch correctly immediately, formula flies out and makes a bit of a mess, hence the constant burp cloth under her chin. The other is the price. The bottles retail for around $12.99 each. I went online and found them a little cheaper when you buy them in multiples.
Once again, I really like these bottles. The are so simple to assemble and easy to clean that I would definitely recommend them. I ended up buying two of each of the three different stages which are color coded (white, slow flow, Stage 1 0-3 months, blue, medium flow, Stage 2 3-6 months and orange, fast flow, Stage 3, 6+months). They are all 100% BPA free, leak-resistant with a neat "Petal vent" system that is supposed to protect your baby from ingesting extra air bubbles (which can lead to fussiness or colic), they were designed with the help of moms, lactation consultants and docs and the adiri Natural Nurser won the Medical Design Excellence Award for 2008.
A great choice for parents who would like a "Safe, Soft, Simple" way to feed their babies!
Two thumbs up from the Becoming Mumma!!
Read more about these bottles at www.adiri.com

Loved Disney Pixar's Up!

Today I decided I would take my 3 and a half year old son to see the new Disney Pixar film Up!
In the midst of my last days before giving birth to my second child, I found that being super-hormonal and/or emotionally weak, I had a lot of tears in the beginning. Yes, it is animated but I am going to, once again, chalk it up to the raging hormones!
LOVED this film! It was very charming, sweet, with a great story and some very relatable and funny moments between many of the adorable characters.
Primarily, it tells the story of Mr. Frederickson and a little boy named Russell, who enter into an adventure together to fulfill a lifelong wish of Mr. Frederickson's Ellie Mae. They meet some very interesting, colorful characters along the way that ad humor and charm to the whole movie, beginning to end. There is also a villain that ads excitement to the film and the film ends on a wonderfully high note.
I definitely recommend seeing this film and I would definitely say this is suitable for children as young as 3 (hopefully with an attention span to sit through the previews and movie) and adults alike!
Two thumbs up from the pregnant mumma!!!!
Becoming Mumma

Update on the Topsy! Yay and Nay!

I am a little happy and disappointed at the same time.
The disappointment: I didn't hang my Topsy Turvy high enough and some pesky rabbits and birds got to the tomato plant. I had some beauties growing and those little pests came in and chewed bits and pieces off and then the tomatoes were gone.
They grew beautifully up to that point so I definitely love the product. I am just sad I didn't take enough care to really get it higher as to avoid these pests!!!
Oh well, I know better for next time.

The Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter Worked for Me!!!!

Okay, so I am getting a ton of questions regarding this rumor going around that I bought and tried one of those "As Seen on TV" Topsy Turvy Upside Down Tomato Planters.

It is definitely true. I got one. Here is my story!
I live in one of the hottest and driest states and it is hard to have your own garden here. I am also pregnant and craved tomatoes and was going through a ton of them and thought it would be good to grow some of my own. I saw the infomercial and decided to check for the TT at Target...bought one but it was defective...the lid wouldn't fit. I took it back. I had already bought the tomato plant and the soil and just needed the device. I decided to focus on my Early Girl tomato plant (plant matures within 52-62 days) and then go get another planter. Target was sold out in 2 weeks (this being in March) and I walked into Walgreens one day and there they were for $9.99! I grabbed one and took it home and had my husband help me set it up. It is fairly easy. There are a few things you should note though.
You need to buy your own soil and a young plant and have somewhere sturdy and high to hang it on. It comes as the planter and a hook and no seeds or other extras, that is up to you.
I combined Miracle Grow and regular potting soil with a bit of saved coffee grinds (I only used half of the Miracle Grow because I was told it is high in nitrogen which produces more leaves than fruit or veggies on the plants). You take the sponge out of the bottom of the planter (it has a slit in it to hold the plant in place so don't throw it out it will go back where you removed it from). Take your plant out of the pot it is in and insert the roots through the hole in the bottom of the planter then put the sponge back down through the top and fit the slit around the plant's stem leaving about 2 inches above the sponge, of stem, and begin to fill with soil mixture. I had my husband hold the plant steady while I poured in the soil. It worked well and we hung the planter on a sturdy Shepard's Hook and filled in the rest of the soil. The plant hung nicely from the bottom and we then filled it with water from the hole in the top (slowly). I grew my plant in its own pot for about 3 weeks before transferring it to the Topsy Turvy but I certainly don't recommend that. The larger the plant is, the more difficult it is to insert into the planter so it is best to start small. After about 2 more weeks in the planter I began to seen some really nice flowers and soon enough, about a week ago, my first tomato! Now I have 4 tomatoes and I am so excited. They are beautiful and more are popping out every day it seems!
I have not had a problem with bugs or sun, regardless of some extreme heat here in AZ. There is a bit of shade from the planter on the plant protecting it from getting burned. It is still lush and green and I water every day. If the leaves look a little droopy, I water. Watering seems to be best in the latter half of the day too because my plants stay hydrated through the night and seem perky in the morning sun! I am going to give this a thumbs up! I love this planter and I am thinking of purchasing others to grow a variety of tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers. I also used this as a teaching tool for my son as he is learning about growing his own food and being proud of taking care of the plant itself, then reaping the rewards of your care! He looks at the new tomatoes every day and is very excited to see them! I grew up in Eastern Canada where we had gardens and grew our own fruits and vegetables and I really missed that. Now I have a way to do that even in the different environment I live in now! I have posted pictures to show you my success with the Topsy Turvy! Happy Topsy Turvy-ing!!!!

Be a CoverGirl...Sorry Guys!

Let's talk mascara.

Hands down, the best mascara I have tried in a long time has to be CoverGirl's Lash Blast! It is the one in the fat orange tube.
I will keep this very simple. I have tried many mascaras, almost every drugstore and professional brand. One important thing I learned is, it is not about the formula but the brush is the most important thing to decide upon when buying. Lash Blast has a flexible, spiky brush with tons of little protruding separators on a chubby stick. It lifts, separates and coats more lashes than most of the traditional brush like applicators that are like a hairbrush with natural bristles. Mind you, many companies are adopting these new, more rubber-like brushes with all kinds of different prong-like applicators but I have had the best luck with Lash Blast. Their formula is also very good. It coats, lifts, separates and seems to thicken the lashes individually, giving them a longer, more stand-out look. It does not clump, flake or smear and it is available in waterproof. It has worked for me and I have been using it since it was launched almost 2 years ago. I used to really like Zoom Lash, by MAC, but when Lash Blast came out, I decided to try it. I don't feel you can compare the two.
This is a budget mascara too and it is important to stay stylish on a budget!!
Lash Blast blasts the competition right out of the park!

Blogging Beauty Inside and Out!

I believe this will be my first beauty blog but definitely not my last!
I have spent 25 years in the beauty industry, wearing many different hats. I have a lot to say and I am bringing it to my blog in the form of fashion, skin care, makeup/artistry, fitness and nutrition amongst the other review topics that have worked for me as well as others to which I have recommended these things to!
Lately I have been answering a lot of makeup and skin care questions, many pertaining to weddings, pregnancy and other special events as well as business in a stressful economy.
First things first. I am no doctor, but I am a certified and licensed skin care practitioner (Esthetician)/makeup artist.
A few things to keep in mind when striving for overall skin (and body health!!) is to try to get adequate rest! It is up to you. Stress can interrupt sleep (amongst other things) but lack of sleep can age you and have all kinds of other health concerns. Try to practice relaxation techniques and setting a bedtime routine (not necessarily a time schedule). I love yoga. It has really taught me how to breathe (yes, very important!) and stretch! This in turn has helped me to relax and gives me a resource to reduce my stress at any time, anywhere, contributing to my overall health.
Lack of sleep in combination with dehydration also takes its toll on the skin so try to get rest and drink plenty of fluids, avoiding high sugar and caffeinated beverages as much as possible.
These are just a couple of things that I know, work for me and I have seen the effects of adequate sleep and hydration on many of my clients.
Reduce stress, get more rest and keep hydrated.
Next blog: Simple makeup techniques and quality products on a time constraint and limited budget!

Caffeinaddicts, Spare Some Time, Save Money

Are you a coffee lover that can't leave the house without your eye-opening essential?
I think it is a nobrainer to say that it is quite unreasonable to spend 3 on a coffee on a daily, even weekly basis, in today's economy.
I am not trying to steer people away from the big name chains but think about what you could be saving by taking an extra 5 minutes at home to make your own.
I went out and bought a $2.69 canister of International Coffee's Suisse Mocha (among many other flavors), boiled some water and added it to a few teaspoons of the coffee mix. Simple, tasty, and certainly not spending big bucks on a single cup of my morning ritual!
I also invested in a $2.99 milk frother from IKEA that I adore.
I brew some fresh coffee or espresso and heat some milk in a separate mug in the microwave, then froth away with my battery operated, little frother. Mix together coffee and milk and voila, a latte. Add sweetener, or for a special treat, buy a bottle of your favorite Torani Syrup (Vanilla, Hazelnut, Raspberry etc.) and you will have a coffee that tastes like you spent that ridiculous amount of money without actually spending it!
So if you don't already have one, invest in a good, reusable, travel mug and spare yourself a little bit of extra time in the morning, not your child's college fund (or whatever is left of that), to enjoy a cup of your own delicious, caffienated beverage!

Estate House Wins Us Over

Do you live in the Phoenix, AZ area or are planning to visit? If so, make sure to stop in to the Estate House on Stetson and Scottsdale in beautiful Old Town.

A good friend and myself were recommended to try this beautiful, 3 story restaurant/lounge with a sprawling outdoor patio on the second floor and VIP patio with indoor lounge on the third floor. Not to mention, the Estate House has gorgeous views of Old Town Scottsdale.
Decorated with contemporary, elegant and a modern style combination, this establishment is both classy and comfortable, attracting a diverse range of clientele. We noticed many couples dining casually, a hosted party for NBA All-Star Weekend, individuals and groups enjoying their Friday night out!
We lounged on the second floor, ordering from an extensive wine/cocktail menu and indulging in a wonderful heirloom tomato appetizer, complete with prosciutto and fresh mozzarella and a sweet and spicy shrimp dish, sized beautifully and filled with gourmet flavors to give your taste buds a zing! The first floor offers a separate, more extensive, menu which includes entrees and desserts. We also toured the VIP patio on the third floor which offers a private outdoor atmosphere, beautifully decorated for comfort and style. This area also included an enclosed indoor private lounge area with a large flat screen and private bar service available (call for VIP bookings).
Not only was the food very good but the staff was very impressive. We were constantly attended to and had prompt, extremely friendly and professional service the entire evening. We did not feel like we were in a stuffy, aloof atmosphere like many an upscale Scottsdale establishment. The comfort level was wonderful, prices within reason for the excellent quality and taste and I would highly recommend the Estate House for any evening of the week.
Click here to visit their website for pictures, menus and event information.

Quick Dress Shopping Tip

Alright ladies...
Dress shopping for an event isn't always the best experience so I thought I would offer a shopping tip that works for me.
Think of the stores that you would like to visit and go online to their website. Many stores like Forever 21 (that offer one-stop clothing/accessory/shoe shopping) have their clothing online now and many of the same styles can be found in-store as well.
I like to pick out a handful of looks with accessories and shoes, make a collage from the thumbnails and print it out then go to the store and see if they offer the same styles. If this is done, I know exactly what I need before going into the store, thus saving time browsing. If things catch your eye, great! Grab them and add to the trying on!
You should find a look that will suit your event and in half the time!!!
Good luck!

Mending with MIGHTY MENDIT

My husband decided to clean out his closet one day and try on all of the "maybe" clothes.
He enlisted me to help decide on which ones to keep and we came across a gorgeous silk shirt and a cashmere knit that had tiny holes around the collar, right on the seam.
I thought we would have to get rid of the shirts as they could not be sewn because of the way the seams had come apart...
I thought and thought and remembered a really obnoxiously loud Billy Mays shouting about some new product called "Mighty Mendit". I am definitely one for easy fixing so I decided to head down to Target and see if they had it in store.
They did. I took a chance, bought it and pulled it out of the box.
For about $10 bucks, you can get a large bottle of the Mighty Mendit as well as a small bottle of Gemit and a little bag of rhinestones to "Gem" to your phone, t-shirt or something else. Mighty Mendit is a flexible bonding agent that claims to be great at fixing cuffs and hems, upholstery, leather, denim, scrapbooking and crafting, seams, plush, toys and more. It dries clear, is machine washable and is safe for most fabric.
I carefully used a toothpick to spread the "Mighty Mendit" into the small holes that needed to be fixed. I then took a clean toothpick and tucked the exposed seam stitching into the whole thus mending it. This stringy, quick drying substance is said to dry super quick so be aware of this. Make sure you read the directions carefully before using too.
I really think this product works well. I have since repaired my son's toys, a pillow a pair of jeans and 2 of my husbands shirts.
On the commercial it claims to withstand the washer several times over after mending something...that I have yet to test and see but will do so when the time comes. For now I am satisfied.

Here is the before shot of my husband's silk shirt with a rip on the seam of the collar.

Here is a picture of the same shirt after using
"Mighty Mendit".I would recommend this product so get out and MEND IT!

Emeril Greens your SuperBowl 43 Tailgate!

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL...AND FOOD!

Super Bowl 43 is upon us in just over 24 hours and Emeril has cooked up some awesome ways to make your tailgating food delicious and easy!!!!
I had recently discovered the Planet Green HD channel which hosts a variety of awesome Green shows and one of my favorites is Emeril Green!
The special that has been running all week is Emeril Green Tailgate.
Emeril shows how to spice up some choice grilling meats, veggies and beverages with ease while keeping things green while putting compostable waste in a portable compost container.
He spices up ribs, chicken breasts, chorizo burgers, shrimp and then grills vegetables like jicama, sweet potatoes and red onions, making a wicked coleslaw and Mexican Hot Chocolate (using organic almond milk; adding rum is optional) to top it off.
I have tried the chorizo burgers on a dry run and made them as sliders (or mini burgers) with mini sirloin burgers. I used a flat of attached dinner rolls (found at your local grocery store) as the mini buns which worked great! I also cooked up some turkey bacon until crispy and finely chopped it to make real bacon bits to add to the condiment choices (which also includes pepper jack cheese)!
One thing that I added for dessert was something I found last year that is a huge hit, especially if you have kids attending a Super Bowl fiesta! I picked up 2 jello moulds in the shape of footballs and football helmets that are very detailed. The moulds came with instructions on how to blend certain flavors of jello to make every color of helmet for each different team in the NFL!
Of course we are making red Jello Jigglers for the Arizona Cardinals this year to accent our main meal. We have made these before and they are a great dessert for all ages!!!!
Be sure to make your Super Bowl festivities fun, delicious and most of all, SAFE! Consume alcohol wisely and set up designated drivers for the BIG day!
Click on recipes from Emeril's Team Tailgate.
Have a blast and GO CARDINALS!

Stay Connected with Loved Ones...Or Not.

To Facebook or not to Facebook...or as it is affectionately known to some as "Crackbook".
I say to Facebook... but Facebook wisely. I live thousands of miles from many of my family members and close friends so I have found that the best way for me to keep in touch with them is through www.facebook.com . Facebook was once an innocent way for college and university students to stay connected and has grown to tremendous proportions, giving the ever-popular MySpace a run for their money. I find Facebook less sleasy...less raunchy for lack of better terms.
I have found many a family member and old friends around the world on Facebook, who I had since lost touch, or track of. They can also find you, and you have the choice to accept them as a "friend" on the list of people you choose to be connected with.

There are a variety of features you can add to your page like a family tree, a map showing all of the places you have visited throughout the world and my personal favorite, Tim Horton's "give a gift" (for all of the Canadians living where there is no Tim Horton's, you can still get your buddy a cup or other Timmy treats at any time). It also has some great small business features for marketing and promoting your products or services!
I recommend taking advantage of the privacy features and really researching what information you want to display and whom you would like to see it.
There is so much to Facebook and it would take too long to describe so check it out yourself! Watch out you don't get to addicted to checking...it has a mobile feature...I just can't subject my cell (or myself) to that...hopefully, I never will (LOL), but it is available.
Have a blast staying connected!!!

Hi Everyone!
I took a hiatus for a while, to travel and learn that I am expecting another baby! Things have been hectic but I am very excited as I will have even more to write about, adding new baby product reviews to my long list of products and services that worked for me!!

I hope everyone decided to invest in themselves over the holidays and have thought long and hard about what they are going to do for themselves and their loved ones in this "New Year of Hope".

Keep your own enthusiasm and optimism for the times to come and you will prosper in so many ways you may have never thought you could! Stay positive!!!