What it Means to Have a Little Boy

For those of you that know me or that have been reading The Palmetto Queen long, you know that I am a girly girl. I would love to have a little girl to play dress up with and buy pink things for. However, I was blessed with my first born being a boy (although I still pray for a little girl one day).

Before Mac was born, everyone told me how different it is having a little boy. That a heart can never imagine the sweetness that is embodied within a son. I thought "yeah right" mud, tractors, 4wheelers, and lizards- that's not what sweetness is made of.

Then my little guy was born, and I have never known the love that I know because of him. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband, my parents, my in-laws, my brothers, and the rest of my family and friends. However, nothing can even come close to the love I feel for my son. Even that is nothing compared to the love he gives back to me.

Nothing will ever compare to the smile he gives me every morning or those beautiful blue eyes. Nothing will ever be as sweet as his "hugsies, kissies, and nosies" every night. Learning, playing, and praying are the things we do best together and I hope with all of my heart that those are the things he continues to love. My little prince, although he will soon be 3, will forever be that little baby that I was so scared of the first time I held him. Every day I hold the world in my arms and no one can ever take that feeling and no one will ever make me feel the same.

My gorgeous little boy is the happiest child I have ever known- he is so smart, funny, sweet, and caring. There really is nothing that compares to being the mommy of a little boy!

Getting Organized for Back to School: Coming Soon

Although I am not sending my little mac off to school, we still have "back to school" on the brain around my house. This is the August that we are "officially" starting homeschool- with a system, records, and everything. I want to make sure I'm on track before the state requires it.

Besides starting school, we are having some other changes in life right now, including the birth of a new business (more on that later). Any major life change can be looked at similar to "back to school." This includes a new job, a move, a new baby, and any other thing that changes the way we think day to day.

The Palmetto Queen is proud to be starting a series on back to school organization. This series will be full of things useful to anyone who is experiencing life changes, or just looking for new ideas. The series officially launches next week, but in order to get the organizational juices flowing, I want to share some pinspiration with you this week.

Here are some of my favorite "back to school" pins.

Oprah's Favorite Tequila

Happy Tequila Day!

Yes, you read that right. Today is National Tequila Day. I had no idea this existed and that is really sad for a tequila lover like myself!

Oprah names George Clooney and Rande Gerber's award-winning Casamigos on her O-List and is giving a special 20% off online at “www.casamigostequila.com".

You read that right too, get a 20% discount. Thanks Oprah for making Casamigos your favorite tequila! 

George Clooney and Randy Gerber are even sharing their own takes on classic tequila drinks.

SU CASA: George’s take on the Paloma
1 ½ oz. Casamigos Reposado Tequila
 3 oz. Grapefruit soda
 ½ oz. Fresh lime juice
 Method: Pour over ice
 Garnish: Lime wedge

MI CASA: Rande’s take on the Margarita
1 ½ oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila 1 oz. Fresh lime juice ¼ oz. Fresh orange juice ½ oz. Agave nectar Method: Shake ingredients with ice then strain and serve on the rocks. Garnish: Orange wedge

Enjoy National Tequila Day with George Clooney, Randy Gerber, Oprah, and Casamigos!

Be sure to have a margarita for me- I can never get enough!

Dance All Night with Dr. Scholl's® For Her Ball of Foot

Disclosure: I received product from the Influenster Vox Box program. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own.

Flip flops may be the glass slippers of the south, but us southern girls know that there is a time and place for them. Weddings are not the place for flip flops, neither are graduations, date nights, or brunches with the ladies. These occasions are perfect for a shoe gal like me. I have over 30 pairs of really high heels and I'm always drooling over new ones I want to add to my collection. Here are some that I have been drooling over.


The only thing that keeps me from wearing my high heels all the time is that the ball of my foot swells after wearing them too long. Finally, Dr Scholl's has a solution for all of us heel loving pain hating girls.

This really is an amazing product and keeps me in my heels all night long. I can now dance all night long without having to compromise my fabulousness for flip flops. 

Better Makeup with Q-tips® Precision Tips

Disclosure: I received product in as a part of the Influenster Vox Box program. I have not been compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own.

Q-tips is one of my all time favorite brands and one of my must-have products. If I do not have them, I go into panic mode. As much as I love Q-tips, I had never used Q-tips Precision Tips. Luckily, thanks to Influenster and Q-tips, I have a new obsession.


The amazing uses of Q-tips Precision tips include makeup application, cleaning, nail art, arts and crafts, and any other detailed oriented project.

I have my own reasons for using them.

1. They are more sterile than reusing eye shadow brushes when applying makeup. This helps cut down on breakouts. 
2. They are cheaper than replacing makeup brushes for single use. 
3. Q-tips Precision Tips are the most precise tool I have found when applying and correcting makeup. 

For makeup inspiration that will be perfect to practice your Q-tips Precision Tips skills, visit my Pinterest board dedicated to it. 

Whiter Teeth with Luster Now!

Disclosure: I received this product complimentary from Influenster through the Vox Box program. All opinions are my own.

When I received the email that I would receive the Something Blue Vox Box from Influenster, I was kind of confused because I recently celebrated my third wedding anniversary. However, I love weddings so I went with it. When I received my package, one of the first things I saw excited me!

Luster Now is feeding an addiction I have. I have this obsession with teeth whiteners, I'm always wanting to try the latest. However, lately, I've been having to give them a break because my teeth have become very sensitive.

My name is Cari and I'm a teeth grinder. Because of this, I'm starting to have issues with my teeth breaking and cracking, even though I've never had a cavity. I'm waiting to get them fixed- this is the reason I am not sharing a picture of my own teeth.

I am a smoker and coffee drinker- oh, and I love chocolate and soda. So, a good whitening toothpaste is a must for me. I have now found my go to- Luster NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste.

I could tell a difference after one use. After a week, my teeth were whiter than they have been in a long time. I am highly impressed, and will definitely stick with this toothpaste and extend my collection of their products.

Luster Now! Received Allure's Beauty Breakthrough Award, as well as an appearance in Nylon's Beauty Hit List.

I love the instant whitening boost, but love even more that Luster Now! was created by dentists, so I know it is healthy for my teeth.

Stay Cool with Sunsella Mighty Push Pops

Disclosure: I received a code to receive the item for free. I was responsible for shipping. No other reimbursement was made. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I have been looking for an alternative to store bought push pops for several reasons.

• Not all flavors in a pack are eaten
• I only have one kid, so they tend to get forgotten about when we buy a big pack
• I am not a fan of giving Mac kool-aid, which is all push pops are
• I would much rather have more choices that fit the needs of my family
• I wanted something I could give him with more nutritional value. 

Lucky for me, I was given the opportunity to try out Sunsella's Mighty Pops. What makes them even better? They are reusable, which is a huge plus in my book. 

I was quite intrigued by the design, because I have tried the other Popsicle makers out there, and they just do not work for my family and the ingredients that will work are limited. 

Since the little guy just cannot get enough lemonade, I decided to make our first push pops lemonade. It was really easy and self explanatory. 

I only used three to try them out, and stood them inside a cup so that I wouldn't have to worry about a mess. Don't worry- if you use a thicker product to freeze, they will not leak. I just didn't want to take a chance. 

I was highly impressed with this product. 

I love how little room they take up in the freezer. These side by side units do not have a lot of room!

When I took one out of the freezer to give it to Mac, I did have to run hot water over the pop to loosen it so that it would come out easily, but then it was easy for him. 

Other benefits of Sunsella Mighty Pops include...

- Each mold holds 3.4 fl oz

- Take up little room in the freezer

- Great way to include healthy foods into yours and your children's diets

- Handy 6 pack means there are enough for everyone

- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean

- No popsicle sticks required

- FDA approved & BPA free

I cannot wait to try out new recipes. I will definitely do some yogurt pops, maybe even with some fresh fruit in them. I'm also going to try my hand at peanut butter pops. 

I will also do some adult pops. Freeze some wine, make margarita pops, vodka creamsicle pops- the possibilities are endless. I think I could even do extra large jello shots! 

I love this product, and will use them for so many things for years to come!

Happy 4th!

I just wanted to take a moment to say Happy Independence Day America!

July 4th is one of my favorite holidays, not only because I welcome any chance to celebrate our soldiers, but our country has a lot to be proud of in our short history and remembering our founding fathers and what they did for us is always important.

Happy 4th Y'all!

Southern Charm Sunday: Back in Gear

It has been quite a while since I have shared an etiquette post (which is really bad manners- sorry y'all!) I have just been really swamped, but I'm gearing up for some new posts starting next Sunday. Be sure to bring your sweet tea along and we'll sip and rock together!

I promise there will be lots and lots of stories, some humor, tips, and even some pictures. I have a lot of post ideas in mind, but I want to ask y'all a couple of questions first.

Do you want me to revisit the Tech Etiquette 101 posts?

What would y'all like to see on Southern Charm Sundays? I will answer any etiquette question (I've had lots of practice- Emily Post is one of my heroes!)

Just let me know on twitter @Cari_On, Facebook, or even leave me a comment!