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Travel Tips // Getting Peace of Mind with Guardian Alarm

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This post is sponsored by Guardian Alarm but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Well hello, spring! I feel like we’re finally pulling out of our season of hibernation and are about to enter the season of travel.

This Easter weekend we’ll be taking our first trip away from our new home since our big move in December. In anticipation of this trip, Chad and I decided it was time to get some peace of mind by having Guardian Alarm come out and install a security monitoring system.

Years ago (which seemed like another lifetime) I heard several stories from people who had just had a break-in. It was heartbreaking on so many levels. What was most rattling was that these people — often times parents with small children — no longer felt safe in their own homes. From that moment on, security has been a top priority. I never want to feel like my safe haven has been violated by a stranger.

When I contacted Guardian Alarm, they walked me through how the process would work — from beginning to end. We discussed areas of the home that I really needed to secure like all three doors, securing the hallway to alert us to potential intruders, and a camera to keep an eye on things.

I definitely want to protect my kids from potential intruders, but I also want to make our lives easier with home automation. So we decided to get the keyless entry deadbolt, a lamp module, and also a combination fire alarm/CO2 detector.

The installation process was so easy and wonderful. Our installer, Megan, walked me through the entire process step-by-step. I had so many questions about which was the ‘right’ way to secure our home. She took the time to answer all of the questions in depth. We even decided to separate the CO2 detector from the fire alarm (at her suggestion) so that we could assure our home would be it’s safest.

Thanks to Megan, the placement of the CO2 detector will immediately recognize as soon as there is a danger or threat to our family — and the monitored system will notify emergency services. It’s amazing.

But most importantly, when we travel this weekend I won’t worry about the fact that we have a very high-profile location. This house sat vacant for many years and I often hear people say “Oh you’re the people who bought that house! We always talked about buying it! It’s such a great location!” And they’re right. We’re right next to our sons’ elementary school.

Unfortunately, this means that there is a good amount of foot traffic, both for the school and the playground. There is a parking lot near the edge of our property. And we’ve noticed that people certainly like to cut through the drive. I plan on using the lamp dimmer switch to remotely turn off and on our living room light at key times during the day and evening and I’ll check in on the property with the camera just for a little bit of extra peace of mind.

Honestly, I can’t imagine entering into this busy season of life (with all of the travel, sports, and other various activities) without having a Guardian Alarm system to keep us all safe.

 

How do you

keep peace of mind

when you travel?

Bonefish Grill — 3-Course Date Night for Two!

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Chad and I are rapidly approaching our 7th wedding anniversary. It’s hard to believe that nearly seven years have passed. And in the last seven years, we’ve only had a handful of evenings completely to ourselves. In fact, the last time we actually relaxed at a dinner out was probably two years ago.

Last week Mimi was in town to watch all three kids, so we were able to sneak out for a proper date night at Bonefish Grill. Chad and I were greeted by the friendliest staff at the North Canton location and promptly seated.

We were really excited to try Bonefish Grill’s O M G (Ocean Mixed Grill) 3-course dinner for two! Here’s what’s included in this special offer:

Course 1 // Bang Bang Shrimp

Course 2 // House or Caesar Salad

Course 3 // Potatoes Au Gratin, Seasonal Vegetables, and Jasmine Rice

Course 4 // Caribbean Cobia, Shrimp & Scallop Skewer, Atlantic Salmon and the Local Catch

All four courses for 49.00 with a bonus of select bottles of wine for $25.

I have to admit something, I’ve never had Bang Bang Shrimp before (I know, I know — pure craziness!). Well, friends, I am in love. I could eat Bang Bang Shrimp all day, every day!

You certainly can’t beat the cost of $49 for three courses for two people. It was more than enough food, for sure.

Recommended Add-Ons //

I highly recommend pairing your meal with a bottle of their $25 wines. With options of reds, whites, and rosé, there’s something for everyone!

I also cannot say enough about the Crispy Brussel Sprouts! They were flavored perfectly with the bacon and mayo. So, so, delicious!

And then we were greeted with dessert! First, it was the Molten Lava Carrot Cake (holy smokes — warm and gooey cream cheese in the middle!) followed by the Crème Brûlée

Not only was the food delicious and the service spectacular, but we were actually able to sit and enjoy one another’s company without the distraction of children talking at us for a change.

Hurry up and get a sitter because this special is only good through April 30th! Find your closest Bonefish Grill location here and be sure to sign up to become a Bonefish Insider!

What’s your favorite menu item

from Bonefish Grill?

Disclaimer: I was given a gift card to cover the cost of our meal in exchange for this post.
As always, all opinions herein are my own.

4 Small Ways I’m Taking Control of My Health

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This post is sponsored by Nurx, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

New Year, New Me? Well, kind of. See in years past I’ve let the fact that I was busy raising children really surpass my own health and happiness. I missed routine dental visits and well-checks of my own because I simply didn’t make myself or my health a priority. But something about officially being in my mid-thirties with three young kids has slapped me in the face.

In the months since my 34th birthday, I’ve turned that promise to myself into a reality. Here are some small, simple ways you can take control of your health and wellness, too!

1. Move more!

I have used a fitness tracker of some sort for years now, but have often found reasons not to put it on (like forgetting to charge it). But I’m going on 4 months straight of wearing my fitness tracker! It’s certainly not the be all and end all, but it serves as a gentle reminder to move, move, move as much as possible!

I set small goals for myself, including my 10,000 steps a day, standing up at least every hour for 15 hours, and getting in a little exercise (usually in the form of chasing kids around).

2. Slow down by playing more.

I get it. It’s super easy to get focused on our daily to-dos and endless chores. I’ve been there… often. But something happened when I had my 3rd baby — I realized just how quickly they turn from newborns to toddlers. So I vowed to slow myself down. Those errands that are kind of important but not life or death? I put them off until later.

Instead, I find myself playing and laughing more. It’s made a tremendous difference for the kids and for me.

3. Check my risk for cervical cancer by using The Nurx Home HPV Screening Kit.

Last year I somehow missed my annual gynecological exam. I’m not sure how, as I am certain it was in my Google Calendar; but in December I realized that I had missed my November appointment. I know just how important these appointments can be for things like screening for cervical cancer, so I instead of rescheduling for months out, I used the Nurx Home HPV Screening Test.

The kit is quick and affordable, even for those without health insurance. It’s discreetly delivered to your home for a convenient way to test for 14 strains of HPV that have a high risk of leading to cervical cancer. For those of us that are over 30 and not getting regular pap smears, the Nurx Home HPV Screening Test is an appropriate replacement!

The kit includes everything you need — an extra long q tip, a plastic tube, a plastic bag, a barcode, and a prepaid envelope to return your specimen for testing! It costs just $15 with insurance and $69 without insurance — so there’s really no excuse not to check the health of your cervix right now.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, yet HPV causes 34,000 new cancer diagnoses each year. The problem is that most men and women contract HPV at some point in their lives and are completely unaware that they have it. Head to the Nurx website right now and order your screening kit today.

4. Take 30 minutes for ME every single day.

This seems like an impossibility most days — I understand. I really do — but hear me out. This 30-minutes does not have to be some grand gesture to self-care. Truthfully, most days it isn’t. But as a mostly stay-at-home mom I know it’s important to take small bits of time and take a nice hot shower or to read a book for 30-minutes before bed. Or, heck!, even go to sleep earlier and catch up on those zzs!

These small moments of ‘me’ time have really helped me maintain my mental health.

Sure, I would love to be all caught up on my appointments, with my housework, and to-do list, but for now, I’m embracing the small changes that make a big impact on my overall health. Take control of your cervical health today by contacting Nurx.

 

 

Tips for Maintaining Financial Flexibility with Cash In and Cash Out Services

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Thank you PayPal and Walmart for sponsoring this post. Introducing PayPal cash in and cash out money services, the financial services alternative which allows you to manage your PayPal account and cash flow needs on your own terms!

Confession: For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an unhealthy relationship with money. I’ve always felt like it not only determined my worth as a person but that my struggles with it defined me. Over the years I’ve taken steps to redefine my relationship with money. I’ve turned to using a cash system because the cash in and cash out method is the one way I am truly able to hold myself accountable.

Fortunately, PayPal has recently made it even easier to access my cash when I need it. PayPal cash in and cash out services at Walmart means that I no longer have to wait for my money. I no longer have to rely on someone else to manage my finances — I can take back control. Guys, this is such a game-changer.

If you have a PayPal account, you’re able to access the funds quickly and easily by loading and withdrawing funds at all US locations of Walmart. That means no more inconvenience and high fees! Your money, your way! PayPal Cash Mastercard customers can make online purchases and pay bills simply and access their PayPal balance at ATMs and the Walmart service desk for just $3 per service.

Here are some other ways I effectively manage my cash:

1. Track it. — I keep my receipts from every transaction and manually track it in a small notebook. This way I’m seeing what is coming in and what is going out in black and white, which just makes it all that more real.

It’s an easy way to see where my money actually goes. The money spent on groceries, personal items, clothes, gas, etc. — it’s all right there for me to see.

2. Prioritize. — When it comes to finances, not everything is black and white. Money is time and time is money, but we all have different priorities for where we draw the line. For me, there are certain things that are just worth the money, such as paying someone to mow our lawn so that I have more time to work and spend time with my kids. Sure, it may be seen as an unnecessary expense to some, but I’ve chosen to make work and my children a priority over other things.

If you’re not certain where exactly your ‘line’ is, write it out. Where will you make financial concessions over things you value more? For some, it’s that cup of coffee on the way to work. For others perhaps it’s that takeout for your family. Once you know what is negotiable and what is not, you can work to cut unnecessary expenses out.

3. Be a savvy shopper. —  I’ll let you in on a little secret: I never pay full price. No, I’m not even very good at couponing, but I do shop sales and clearance. Because of this perspective on shopping, I’ve had to learn what is truly a necessary purchase and what is not. If my children need new clothes, I’ll shop around and find a sale.

Have I missed out on some super cute outfits because of it? I sure have! But in the grand scheme of things, is that one outfit worth the price? Absolutely not.

Once you adjust your mindset to shopping for items on sale or clearance, it changes the way you look at your spending. The few occasions where I have just had to buy full price have been painful (usually for expenses that are a surprise). But if I’m watching my cash flow the rest of the time, this truly isn’t a problem. That doesn’t mean I like it. Ha!

4. Keep your cash on hand. — Like I said at the beginning, having my cash in my hands has been a game-changer for my financial freedom. Learn more about PayPal’s cash in and cash out services here and take back control of your finances.

What are some of the ways

 

you keep

 

financial flexibility?

 

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

Holiday Brunch Lemon Mimosas with Discount Drug Mart

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This post is sponsored by Discount Drug Mart but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I can’t believe we’re rounding out the last part of 2018. I mean, I look back at all that has happened in this last year and I’m truly amazed at how quickly 2018 flew by. But I’m beyond excited to begin celebrating and reflecting on all that 2018 has brought to our family and friends.

There have been new jobs, new homes, big contracts, and new babies in our family this year — so there is much to celebrate!

To kick off the holiday celebrations, we hosted a pre-Thanksgiving brunch with my Mom and Dad, who just happen to be celebrating the purchase of their new home!

I picked up all of the fixings for amazing brunch cocktails at our local Discount Drug Mart. They offer a wide selection of beer and wine at state minimum pricing, which is great for ease of convenience and my budget!

For this special occasion, I picked up Truly Spiked & Sparkling Water, White Claw Hard Seltzer, Cook’s Brut, and Martini & Rossi Asti — a little bit of something for everyone’s taste! In addition to these items, I picked up what I needed for our brunch menu. Discount Drug Mart really does save you the runaround!

The real showstopper of our brunch was the featured cocktail — what I like to call Mint Lem-mosas.

Here’s what you need to make them:

1 bottle of Martini & Rossi’s Asti
12 ounces of lemonade concentrate, frozen
1/2 cup of vodka
a handful of fresh ground mint leaves
Optional: sugar rim garnish

Mix liquid ingredients in a pitcher. Pour into individual flutes. Add ground mint leaves.

These delectable cocktails will truly make any holiday brunch or dinner party!

We laughed, we sipped, and we celebrated the beginning of what is certain to be a delightful holiday season — one filled with laughs, smiles, friends, and family.

I’ll admit it — we had been slacking on hosting much of anything since we started having babies. There was always something keeping us from hosting, but if these last few hard years have taught us anything, it’s that time waits for no one, so celebrate every day now.

For great deals on all the mentioned items at Discount Drug Mart, click HERE to find a store location near you!

#holidayparty #entertaining #entertainingathome #hardseltzer #champagnecocktail #DiscountDrugMart


 

Making Room To Give with Sam’s Club

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This post is sponsored by Depend, Poise, Ensure, and Glucerna but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

It’s hard to believe that in just a couple of short weeks I will be turning 34. It’s weird because if I can nearly be considered ‘middle aged’ then what does that make our parents? As much as I hate to believe it, my parents and my husband’s parents are getting older. And since we are pretty much the only family around, I’m certain that their care will eventually fall to us. Whether or not we care to admit this, this day is coming. That’s why we are preparing now.

Here’s what we’re doing to prepare for when this day comes:

1. Clearing space.

Our home is not big by any means. In fact, I’ve prided myself on the fact that we do not have more space than we need. We are content in our cozy home. I grew up in a home that was ‘cozy’ and so did my husband. But, as our parents’ age, the idea of additional space is a necessity.

So we’ve been literally and figuratively clearing space. Space in our home, space in our lives, and space in our hearts. Having three kids of our own is hard and, eventually taking on the role of adult-caregiver, it will get harder. The best thing we can do is to minimalize — toys, kitchen gadgets, stock-piled goods — it all needs to be less.

2. Using Sam’s Club Caregiver program to understand what we will need.

I am the kind of person who likes to make a plan rather than being blindsided. And with the help of resources, like the Caregiver program at Sam’s Club, I can feel ready for when that day comes. Their focus is on family caregiving and they provide resources and solutions for every situation.

Sam’s Club offers a large variety of products like Depend, Poise, Ensure, and Glucerna with options for discreet purchases (such as club pick-up and shipping) to specifically help caregivers get what they need without making their family members uncomfortable.

We recently did a big haul to make sure we are prepared for when that day comes. We purchased Glucerna shakes, Ensure shakes, Poise liners, and Depend underwear.

Having these items on-hand means we have one less thing to worry about when the day to become caregivers comes.

3. Making legal decisions now.

One of my biggest fears is that something will happen to our loved ones and we won’t have any legal authority to make decisions, whether it be financially or medically. So we took steps to make sure that we would not be in the dark.

Establishing a medical power of attorney is incredibly important. Having this means we have discussed details with our loved ones and will be able to make decisions that are in their best interests based on their desires while lucid. I realize that this can sound insensitive, but we would much rather discuss these issues now and have a plan versus being blindsided by an event.

4. Keep lines of communication open.

This may be the most difficult of all of the important line items. Communication needs to be open between all parties. Do you have siblings to keep in the loop? Discuss important things now, like who will ultimately make decisions and how those decisions will be made.

All of these things will help us to be as prepared as possible for the moment when we become caregivers to our elder generation. In all of the inevitable chaos, it’s heartwarming to know that Sam’s Club is on our side and will be there for every step of the way.