Nov 012014
 

Welcome to the Views From the ‘Ville 2014 Holiday Gift Guide!  I hope you’ll find items for every person on your list.

Entertainment

Disney ClassicsRoaming Reindeer – A New Tradition!

Buy Roaming Reindeer

Night Before Christmas Personalized BookNight Before Christmas Personalized Book

Buy I See Me! Night Before Christmas Personalized Book

Gamesformotion Chocolate GamesGamesformotion Chocolate Games

Buy Gamesformotion Chocolate Games

For Kids

Darby Smart Project Kid Deluxe Craft BoxDeluxe Craft Box for Kids

Buy Deluxe Craft Box

Tubby Table Bath Time Play TableTubby Table

Buy Tubby Table w/ Non-Slip Bath Mat

Original BedBug Recordable PlushOriginal BedBug Recordable Plush

Buy Original BedBug

PomTree Stuck on Fun Crafting Kits for KidsPomTree Stuck on Fun Crafting Kits

Buy PomTree Stuck on Fun

Hasbro Play-Doh Cake Mountain PlaysetPlay-Doh Cake Mountain Playset

Buy Play-Doh Cake Mountain Playset

Hasbro Easy-Bake OvenEasy-Bake Oven

Buy Easy-Bake Oven

Be Pampered!

Essio Aromatherapy Shower KitEssio Aromatherapy Shower Kit

Buy Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit

NeoCell Hair & BeautyNeoCell Hair & Beauty

Buy Hair Keratin and Beauty Bursts

Beth Quinn Designs Blessed Mama Charm NecklaceBeth Quinn Designs Blessed Mama Charm Necklace

Buy Blessed Mama Necklace

Custom Oakley Sunglasses - Flak JacketCustom Oakley Sunglasses: Flak Jacket

Buy Oakley Sunglasses

For Foodies

George Foremann 5-Serving Removable Plate GrillGeorge Foremann 5-Serving Grill with Removable Plates

Buy George Foremann 5-Serving Grill

Taylor Stainless Steel Trivet ScaleStainless Steel Trivet Scale

Buy Stainless Steel Trivet Scale

Imusa Caldero, Tortilla Press, Lemon Squeezer and Tortilla WarmerImusa Cooking Products

Buy Imusa Cooking Products

Black and Decker Countertop Convection Toaster OvenBlack & Decker Countertop Convection Toaster Oven

Buy Black&Decker Convection Toaster Oven

Hamilton Beach 10-cup Stack and Snap Food ProcessorHamilton Beach 10-cup Stack and Snap Food Processor Tribest Mason Jar Personal BlenderTribest Mason Jar Personal Blender

Buy Tribest Mason Jar Personal Blender

For Techies

GIV Mobile Cellular ServiceGIV Mobile and BLU Advance 4.0 Cell Phone

Buy GIV Mobile

D-Link Wireless AC750 Dual-Band Gigabit Cloud RouterD-Link Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Cloud Router

Buy D-Link Wireless Router

Epson Expression Premium XP-520 Small-in-One® All-in-One PrinterEpson Expression Premium XP-520 Printer

Buy Epson Expression Printer

Personalized iPhone 5c Speck Gemshell CaserPersonalized iPhone 5c Speck Gemshell Case

Buy iPhone 5c Speck Case

Oct 202014
 

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Jif To Go Dippers. I received a sample to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.

We have been on-the-go quite a bit lately.  Road trips, day trips, shopping, corn mazes and pumpkin patch visits.  And while it’s a lot of fun, preparing and packing for excursions that include a 3-year-old can definitely take a little bit of pre-planning.

On-the-Go Energy with Jif To Go Dippers #GetGoing

I have a “Preschooler Bag” (anyone have a better name for a diaper bag for preschoolers?  I’d love to hear it) that I like to keep stocked with whatever we might need: wipes, sunscreen, an extra outfit, books, crayons, small toys, etc.  And let’s not forget the snacks.  Snacks can make or break an outing, especially if any of your family members have a tendency to get “hangry”. Continue reading »

Oct 192014
 

Sometimes, really funny things come out of my daughter’s mouth.  Not that, based on the serious look on her face, she intends them to be funny.  She just can’t help but make me giggle.

The other day she comes sauntering into the bedroom while I was folding laundry.  One little balled-up fist went to each hip and she struck a “power pose”.  “Hey Mama, look.  I’m a Super Hero Butterfly.”

Super Me Backpack Transforms Kids Into a Super Hero

And, indeed, she was.  She had on the butterfly mask that I wore last Halloween, plus her Super Me Bubblicious Cape backpack on.  She proceeded to show me some of her super powers which included running really fast; I was disappointed that speed-folding laundry isn’t something a Butterfly Super Hero can do. Continue reading »

Oct 102014
 

I was adopted by my parents when I was only a few weeks old.  I was born towards the end of March, and by the middle of April, I was home with them.

My Adoption Photo #Frosty4Adoption

My parents, me as a baby, and the judge that finalized my adoption.

My parents never tried to hide the situation from me.  I know it can be a tricky thing to explain to kids, but I remember being aware from a very young age of how I came to be part of my family.  And while I am technically adopted, I’ve never thought of myself as anything other than my parents’ child. Continue reading »

Oct 092014
 

This #CrystalLightWM #RanFan Platinum Points post is sponsored by Lunchbox. All opinions are my own.

I have a bottle of water on me pretty much at all times.  In the car, in my “diaper bag”, on my desk, when I’m hitting the treadmill.  Staying hydrated helps curb hunger and lets your body run optimally.

Earn Platinum Points When You Buy Crystal Light at Walmart #CrystalLightWM #RanFan

As much as I love water, sometimes I want a little flavor.  And that’s when I reach for Crystal Light To Go packs.  I’ve been using them for years now, and I love them.  You can’t beat the convenience of tucking those little packets into your pocket or purse and having a pop of flavor whenever you want. Continue reading »