Making Parenting Choices Easier With The Honest Company

Throughout my lifetime, there have been many products that were thought to be safe and then deemed unsafe after years of testing. It makes me nervous to begin using a new product because I am always unsure of the long-term effects of the product. This is especially true with cleaning products. I do not want to learn twenty years from now that the product I used to clean floors with causes long-term health problems or the wipes I used causes skin cancer.

I am always looking for green and eco-friendly alternatives to the cleaning and bath products I use frequently. That is why The HonestCompany is so amazing. They take the worry and hassle of research away. There is no longer a need to spend hours researching cleaning products and their effects.

Not only does The Honest Company take the hassle away, they encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle by putting ideas directly on their website and packaging. There is a note from the company on the bottom of the packaging beside the please recycle box. It reads "A gift box. A treasure box. A photo box. A craft box. This box is a real multi-tasker. How could you reuse it? Rethink it because it's even better than recycling it. Together we can make it better." It helps that their products are safe, fun, and inviting.

This isn’t all The Honest Company does to encourage eco-friendly live styles, they also have work towards making a great social impact. 

The Honest Company supports their charity, baby2baby.org, for children in needy families. With every purchase that is made from The Honest Company, money, time, and products are donated to baby2baby.org.

Honest is a Certified B Corporation, which means that they are a company dedicated to making a profound social difference. Efforts to be a better business and safeguarding people and the planet are other attributes that qualify Honest as being a part of the B Corp Community.

I am quite impressed with The Honest Company and Jessica Alba. By creating beautiful, fun, and trendy products, they are encouraging people who may not acknowledge eco-friendly products take a second look. I’m not sure anyone can resist such beauty, especially with the main benefit being that they are eco-friendly. 

I received a sample of The Honest Company's diaper and wipe bundle. I was impressed with not only the product, but also the packaging and customer service.

Beautiful, fun, and nice! 

The Honest Company was started by a mom and a dad who, like many modern parents, were increasingly worried about products made with questionable chemical ingredients. But the alternatives they found were often expensive, inaccessible, bland, or ineffective. In response to this clear need for something better, they created The Honest Company to ensure that parents (or anyone for that matter!) could easily find natural and non-toxic eco-friendly products that are beautiful, effective, and affordable. From customized product bundles to diapers and wipes to an ever-expanding line of cleaning and personal care products, you can find everything you need at Honest.com and have it delivered directly to your front door.

Give it a try! Click here to become a member of The Honest Company community and start your free trial today.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Honest Company. The opinions and text are all mine.

The Answer to My Eye Doctor Phobia

I have worn glasses for close to 15 years and to this day I absolutely hate going to the eye doctor. I would honestly rather go to the dentist than the eye doctor. I don't like air being blown into my eyeball, hate the hassle of going, and I am grossed out by eye things. People touching their eyeballs makes me gag. (I love my eye doctor, just not the whole appointment thing.) 

The last time I went in for eyeglasses was an absolutely horrible experience. I had to see a different doctor because mine went to a different location, yet no one informed me of this. I have it in my records which doctor I prefer, so they should have told me. I prefer him because he tricks me while he does the glaucoma test and doesn't think I'm an idiot when I freak out when its time for eye drops. (I once had 7 people hold me down while my mom held my eye open so my uncle could put eye drops in- can you tell I don't like it?) 

Then, when it was time to choose my glasses, the assistant argued with me about which frames I should get. I have a small face so I am not wearing large glasses. I wanted black frames and she thought I should get rimless. When I am purchasing something, I expect to not be argued with, after all- that is just bad manners. 

I have been considering buying glasses online for a while, but was never sure about it because I prefer to try the eye glasses on. But GlassesUSA.com is changing that for me. 

I am very particular about my eyeglasses and find it amazing that GlassesUSA has a virtual solution for trying glasses on and a beautiful selection of glasses frames. You can even try it out for yourself here. In addition to the virtual mirror, GlassesUSA even offers an in-home try-on experience. Just choose a few frames that you would like to try on, they will be shipped to you, choose which ones you want, and send the others back. You will only be charged for the glasses you choose. 

It doesn't matter if you need prescription glasses, bifocals, prescription sunglasses, non-prescription sunglasses, computer glasses, or just fashion glasses. GlassesUSA.com has something for you!

Because GlassesUSA.com is so amazing, they are offering some discounts to you, just for being The Palmetto Queen readers!

STOREWIDE OFFER - Take 15% off + get free shipping on your entire order 

(orders over $50). Code: FS15

Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

Novica: Curate, Shop, and Help a Cause & A Give Away

I was recently given an amazing opportunity to work with Novica. Novica is online shopping with the experience of world travel. Novica empowers artisans around the world by giving them a marketplace with the reach of super retailers. I am so happy to have had this opportunity. 

I had the opportunity to review an item from Novica. I chose to review the Secret Chamber necklace. My selection was made because of a few reasons. I love the style of Indian art and this item makes me want to explore the Taj Mahal. 

I was really impressed when I received my package. I didn't just receive the necklace, but also a Taj Mahal postcard with a hand written thank you note from the artist (Mahavir). The note is both in his native and in English. The package also contained a special jewelry bag and booklet about the artist and item. The unique details alone make me want to shop with them again. I even received an email letting me know when my item reached the United States. 

The necklace itself is beautiful and made with .925 sterling silver. It has become my go to necklace. When I see it waiting for me, I immediately become inspired because of the detail and love that was so obviously put into the item. Thank you Mahavir for such an amazing addition to my jewelry collection. It makes me want to shop in Indian bazaars even more than I did before. 

Novica has rolled out an addition to the shopping experience by allowing visitors to their site to become curators. Curation is like Pinterest, only more responsive and beautiful. I believe artisans around the world should be showcased, so I jumped at the opportunity to curate a collection. You can view it here. The colors and textures of autumn inspire me all year long, so my collection is Autumn Treasures: These are the colors and textures that inspire me the most. Here is a glimpse.

Novica is offering something special to you as well. One lucky Palmetto Queen reader will win a $35 gift certificate. This will be rewarded to a random person who curates a collection. (No purchase necessary.) Here's how it works.

1. Go to Novica.com and create an account. 
2. Go to the curation page and create a collection.
3. Come back here and share your collection URL in the comments. If you have a website or blog, be sure to include that as well. 
4. After the contest is over, I will share everyone's collections with a link to your site (spam will not be tolerated) and announce the winner. The winner will be chosen using random.org. 
5. The contest will end December 8th. 

I look forward to seeing all of your collections and hope to discover new types of artwork. 

Disclaimer: I received a gift card to review a product and a gift card to give to a lucky reader. All opinions are my own. 

Why I've Been Missing

I have missed being here, but unfortunately, life happens and it has been a rough couple of weeks. We had some sick puppies and life is just starting to get back to normal.

I posted before about how excited we were about our litter of pups that were born a few months ago. I referred to them as Mr and Mrs because there are sick people in the world and I really didn't want to put their names out there. Unfortunately, there are people who will steal Pit Bull puppies. This particular litter is hybrid - Pit Bull/ Boston Terrier.

Harley and Raven (Mr and Mrs) are the pups that my husband and I picked to keep and raise in our family. We ended up keeping 8 of the pups out of fear of them going to a bad home. They got sick and we lost 5 of them. Raven and Harley are two of the ones we lost. Harley died the Saturday before Thanksgiving and Raven died Thanksgiving morning. It has been a sad stretch, but 3 are almost back to their rambunctious selves. I miss our babies.

We aren't sure what made the babies sick- they tested negative in the Parvo test, but it was a virus that mimics Parvo. The only thing is that it didn't take them down as quickly as Parvo usually does. In researching how to make them better, I learned a lot about these doggie viruses. These viruses can be spread by a fly, bird, or even squirrel going from one yard to the next. The vaccine is not even a guarantee that your dog will not get it. It was horrible watching the babies die.

Sometimes I wish I didn't love animals so much, but I wouldn't change the memories for anything. Everything happens for a reason, but we may not know the reason.

So, that is where I have been. I have several posts over the next week scheduled to make up for my absence.

Lovable Labels Promotion: Black Friday and Cyber Monday

One of my favorite products to organize and keep track of items is Lovable Labels. Not only are they personalized, but they are durable. Lovable Labels are microwave, dishwasher, washer, dryer, and kid safe. 

Lovable Labels has a special promotion just for you! I will definitely be taking advantage of this offer! 

90 Day Challenge: Day 19 to 25

I just have a quick update this week. It has been crazy around here and I haven't done as well as I could have done. I haven't had any change this week (plus or minus) However, I am still ecstatic about the changes I have made so far. I feel like I am on the right track and quite ready for a fresh week.

Look for a better week next week. Thanks for sticking around.

Guest Post: Rhonda Shares Her Modeling Experience

Last week, I posted about Rack Room Shoes and #modelswanted. Wish such a great response and amazing concept, I thought you guys might like to know more. So, Rhonda is sharing her thoughts today. Rhonda and her family are this years winners and will be appearing in store ads throughout the month of December. Remember, there is still time to get your applications in to be next year's models. 

Last year I happened to be shopping at Rack Room Shoes (as I do quite often with three growing children) when I saw an entry form for a contest that caught my attention. Each year, Rack Room Shoes hosts their annual Models Wanted contest. A contest for real families, like mine, to submit pictures of themselves to Rack Room Shoes for a chance to be featured in their seasonal advertising campaigns.

After I got home I figured oh, why not? This sounds fun. So I jumped online and filled out the entry form, submitting a few of my favorite family photos. I had forgotten all about the entry until we received a phone call from a Rack Room representative. To be honest, I thought it was a joke!

As it turns out, it wasn’t a prank at all! At first I thought they would just want to feature the kids, but my husband, David, and I were also included in the photo shoot. I had no idea what to expect, but it was a great time. I enjoyed every minute of it!

We were flown to Charlotte, N.C. where we were treated like movie stars. Each day we got our hair and make up done, played on set and got to try on lots of shoes, which we even got to take home! I remember waking up one morning thinking, “I could get used to this!” The Rack Room Shoes team was so welcoming and really treated us as part of the family.

I think David and I will always remember this experience and the looks on our kid’s faces during the shoot– priceless! (I’m not sure who enjoyed the experience more, them or us.) All in all, I have to say I’m thankful I picked up that form in the Rack Room Shoes store that afternoon, or I would have missed out on this once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to spend quality time together with my family.

So if you are considering entering, I say go for it! What do you have to lose? We certainly gained more than we could’ve ever imagined.  Below are a few pictures from the shoot, and you can also see us online (beginning Nov. 13) at www.rackroomshoes.com and in stores at all 400 locations. This has certainly been an experience we will never forget!

Thank you Ronda for sharing your experience with us! I'm glad you and your family had such a great experience and you make such great models. 

Don't forget to apply for your family to be models! Have any questions or want to spread the word? Tweet using #modelswanted. You can also follow Rack Room Shoes. 

Managing My Time

I have known that I tend to be a busy person for a while now. Everyone is always telling me to slow down. I'm one of those annoying people who watch tv, read a book, and have a conversation all at the same time. It has always been this way- it is part of my personality. I don't do well with empty time. I just had no idea just how busy I have been lately. It wasn't until I was planning a meeting that I realized. 

This is not a contest of who is busier  I just want to give perspective. I am a mom, wife, blogger, business owner, and homeschool mom. That didn't seem like much to me, until I started thinking about the other stuff I do. Some of these "side projects" include being the case manager/ media assistant for CSPRI, publicist for my mom, writing a book, starting a network, and hobbies like crafts and baking. Add to that pups and I'm one busy lady. I enjoy being involved in a variety of projects  but I also know that I need to continue to be organized to manage it all.

I am in the process of learning to delegate some tasks within projects and streamlining my social media. My organizational system and time management system has been being refined for twenty years. Because of this, I will be sharing a series of organizational posts after Christmas  Starting December 26th, I will be posting about a different organizational tool or system every day. I want to include topic ideas from you and answer some of your questions. If there is an area you struggle with, have an idea you want to share, or have a question, email me at thepalmettoqueen(at)gmail(dot)com.

What would you like to see in the organizational series?

SCS: Thank You Veterans

One of the earliest lessons I learned was to be grateful to those who have lost their lives and risked their lives so that I can live the life I have. My grandfather was in the Air Force and my mom grew up with strong military roots and influences. At times our house was run like a ship. I am thankful for all the times my grandaddy came home when it could have turned out so differently. 

I may have been the only 13-year-old who teared up at the site of the monuments in Washington, D.C. - but there is just something about having all of that emotion in front of your face. 

I cannot possibly put into words how thankful I am for our soldiers, veterans, and fallen heroes. From the bottom of my heart Thank you. I want to send a special thank you to their families as well. I know it isn't easy. 

Here are some amazing poems that can assist me in putting my thoughts into words. 

If someone has done military service,

They earn the title "veteran," and more;

They earn our deep respect and admiration;

That they are special no one can ignore.

They sacrificed the comforts we enjoy;

The list is long of all the things they gave.

Our veterans are extraordinary people;

They’re loyal, dedicated, true and brave.

When terror and invasion were real threats,

They showed us they could handle any storm.

We owe our freedoms and our very lives

To our veterans, who served in uniform.

Our veterans should be celebrities;

They’re exceptional; no other group compares.

We’re grateful for the many things they’ve done;

They’re always in our hearts and in our prayers.

We owe our veterans support and friendship;

Let no one ever question what they’re worth.

These men and women served us and our country,

Our veterans--the very best on earth.

By Joanna Fuchs

The Noble and the Brave:

A Veteran's Day Tribute

When America had an urgent need,

These brave ones raised a hand;

No hesitation held them back;

They were proud to take a stand.

They left their friends and family;

They gave up normal life;

To serve their country and their God,

They plowed into the strife.

They fought for freedom and for peace

On strange and foreign shores;

Some lost new friends; some lost their lives

In long and brutal wars.

Other veterans answered a call

To support the ones who fought;

Their country had requirements for

The essential skills they brought.

We salute every one of them,

The noble and the brave,

The ones still with us here today,

And those who rest in a grave.

So here’s to our country’s heroes;

They’re a cut above the rest;

Let’s give the honor that is due

To our country’s very best.

By Joanna Fuchs

We found an Elf: Christopher Pop-In-Kins

A while ago, I was asking questions about a certain little elf on Facebook. I was asking questions because I liked the idea of the elf, but I had concerns. I want my son to learn holiday spirit, not commercial spirit. Also, that certain elf pretty much creeps me out. It turned out to be a pretty great conversation and Christopher Pop-In-Kins contacted me about his book/ doll. Pretty excited, I check out the site and was intrigued!

Isn't this little guy just adorable?! My son loves him and now says "elf" constantly.

Christopher Popinkins was sad because he wanted to meet the children he made toys for. He told Santa how badly he wanted to see the smiles on the children's faces so Santa gave him a very special assignment. He could go watch the children play and tell Santa how good they are. There was only one rule- Christopher had to hide up high so that the children couldn't touch him. If they do, he would lose his magic and have to go back to the North Pole to get more magic. Christopher even has a little sister!

In 2012, Christopher Pop-In-Kins celebrates his 27th year as "Santa's very first Children's Elf. His first-of-its-kind elf tradition remains a holiday favorite for generations of families across the U.S. and around the world. -About Christopher Pop-In-Kins

I love children's books and love the lessons inside. This book is no different. The beautiful artwork and adorable elf doll will make for a great tradition for years to come, and even a family heirloom. 

Their site is full of goodies for adults and children. Be sure to check them out on your favorite networks as well. 

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest (for hiding ideas)

YouTube

Flickr

If you are looking for an elf tradition to start with your own family, I hope you visit Christopher Pop-In-Kins at elffun.com. I could not be more happy with this set and look forward to enjoying it with my own family for years to come. 

Disclaimer: I did receive a copy of Christopher Pop-In-Kins to review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. I truly hope that you enjoy this book as much as me and my son do. 

90 Day Challenge: Day 11 to 18

I have had a crazy week and haven't done as good remembering to take my drops and I would have liked. I also ended up grabbing things to eat in a hurry instead of taking the time to think about what I was having for lunch. I seem to still be on track with the weight loss though, I think it is because I have managed to drink my 8 glasses of water a day (even 100 oz on some days). The 90 Day Challenge is going great!

Until now, getting water in me was my biggest challenge, but I figured out some tips to make it work!

- Keep your water in front of you- you'll remember to drink it.
- Take baby steps: Don't try to go from drinking no water to drinking 8 glasses.
- Put some lemon or other fruit in your water, it will taste better.
- Start drinking water in the morning, it will be much easier than trying to drink 8 glasses 2 hours before you go to bed.
- Label your water like this pinspiration:

Source: undressedskeleton.tumblr.com via Cari on Pinterest

I did mine a little differently, though. I put the first half of mine on one side of my bottle and the second half on the other side. I have a 32 oz bottle, so if I drink 2, I have all 8 cups. I will do another for when I am gone on a road trip or running errands all day. This has made all the difference for my water intake.

My amazing bloggy buddy Kristin has started the 7 Week Quest For Thinner Peace Holiday Challenge. I am so excited to be a part of this challenge. It doesn't officially start until Sunday, but there is already so much support going around in the group, that I know this challenge is going to be amazing! Each week there will be a different challenge to excite us all. If you are interested in joining, hop over to her blog and let her know you want in. Thank you Kristin!

I will continue to bring you tips and updates. Next week I will have tips from the program coordinator.

A Very Merry Christmas to You (And A Giveaway!)

After years of working retail, I eventually lost interest in all things Christmas. The retail world begins preparing for Christmas in July (and sometimes in January) and it tends to get boring early. Retail is not a very good environment to encourage holiday joy. The last Christmas I worked retail, I dreaded hearing the Christmas music every day at work. This is quite unusual for me- I LOVE music!

Now that I no longer work retail, and I have a family, I see Christmas differently. I welcome it and all that is involved. I love decorating, baking, shopping, volunteering, planning, and especially Christmas music. When I had the opportunity to hear A Very Merry Golden Records Christmas, I welcomed the opportunity with open arms.

Thanks to this cd, I am officially in Christmas planning mode. I have been listening to it all day for a week! I randomly catch myself singing along, then my little man starts dancing and trying his best to sing along. A Very Merry Golden Records Christmas is full of 20 classic Christmas songs performed by celebrities and is available for $9.99. Some of the celebrities include Ed Asner, Busy Phillips, Wallace Shawn, and Missi Pyle.

This is a really great album with a classic sound. There is just something special about classic Christmas music- I cannot wait to listen to it all season long.

I have even more goodies for you from Little Golden Records.

• Follow them on twitter for great Christmas updates. 
• "Like" them on Facebook for a free download. 
• Follow Golden Records on Pinterest for amazing Christmas inspiration.
• Subscribe on Youtube for Christmas Videos and more. 

A Very Merry Golden Christmas was released November 7, and you can get it here: 

• Amazon
• Itunes
• Walmart in store and online

So, head on over, check them out, download some music, and get in the Christmas spirit. I am enjoying as I write this! 

(Know someone who loves Christmas, this would make a great gift!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Traditional Values

One thing that has really frustrated me throughout this election and previous ones is the phrase "traditional values" (and "family values"). I promise this is not going to be republican vs democrat or Obama vs Romney. In all actuality, it has nothing to do with political parties or presidential candidates. It has everything to do with humanity. Traditional and family values should not be something that is debated at election time.

These values are the core beliefs that we all teach our children, regardless of socio-economic class, religion, political affiliations, or ethnicity. Te things like equality, work ethic, respect for others, compassion, and humility. These values are the base for our children to grow into amazing adults. These definitely describe traditional and family values more than how political campaigns use them.

There are many other traditional values that I want to teach my son. These are things I feel are important, but aren't necessarily core values. Things like self-reliance, manners, confidence, and self-respect. These are things my husband and I believe will only make him a better, more respectable human being.

What values do your family find important?

*When commenting, remember your manners and be respectful- rudeness will not be tolerated on The Palmetto Queen*

Competition, Family Time, Lessons for Children: Rack Room Shoes Has It All

I always love hearing when companies are stepping out of the expected runway model stereotype and using models that are "real." I'm not just talking about real body types, but also people who actually live in the brand. I was talking with Hannah from Rack Room Shoes this past week and found that they are doing exactly that! As a brander, I see it as a very smart brand move. As a mom and real world woman, I see it as a respectable action.

Although my child is a boy, I still worry about what he will think he should look like as he grows up. Along with this, I worry about his vision of what a woman is supposed to be. I love that if he sees an ad from Rack Room Shoes, I don't have to worry about the image being portrayed. They are stepping up with a unique technique for models in their brand.

At Rack Room Shoes, we feature real customers - rather than professional models - throughout our seasonal marketing campaigns. Every year, we host our Models Wanted contest where families have the chance to win a trip for a photo shoot and receive red carpet treatment, plenty of shoes and quality time together.

Are you interested in entering? Go HERE You can also enter by visiting your local Rack Room Shoes. They are looking in South Carolina as well, so you Palmetto people get on over there and enter. Your family will not only be featured in ads, but on the website, and in-store signs. Wouldn't it be great to go to buy shoes and see your family's faces hanging around? 

This is what you could win:

• Professional photo shoot with hair stylists and make-up artists to treat you like the "real" models you are
• A $250 Rack Room Shoes gift card for each model
• Commemorative book & DVD with behind the scenes photos, so you can share the memories of a fabulous experience

Meet More Models

This is the competition's 9th year. The contest ends on December 31, 2012 for models in 2013. 

This isn't just an opportunity to be a model and get a gift card, it is also a great opportunity for family time. You will accomplish something as a family and be unified as a team. The goodies are just an added bonus! There are 6 ad campaigns throughout the year, that is 6 chances for quality family time! 

I hope you guys decide to hop on over and enter your beautiful families- good luck to you all. 

*Feel free to tweet using the hashtag #modelswanted *

90 Day Challenge Update: Day 5 to 10

The 90 Day Challenge is going better than I thought it would. I'm amazed! I'm still looking to find the tools to help me track my progress, but I'll find them in due time. I am also looking at long term goals to figure out what I'm going to do after the challenge is over to keep the weight off, tone up, and really get in shape. I know that it isn't all about the weight, but that is the beginning for me.

I need to start tracking better, but this week, I really only focused on a few things. 

• Drinking more water
• Making sure I take all the drops as directed
• Not skipping meals and eating them at about the same time every day. 

I will be back next week with an update!