Love Is Louder and Bullying Prevention Month

I'm sure you guys have seen images similar to this floating around the social media world. I don't generally do things like this, with the exception of planking. Most of the time I just laugh or roll my eyes (yes mom, I know that is bad etiquette). Even though I do not usually jump on campaigns like this, I had to with this one. Bullying is a very serious issue that just seems to get worse as our tech world progresses. No one is immune to bullying, so we must all do our part. 

The Jed Foundation, MTV, and Brittany Snow launched the Love Is Louder campaign to us to take action to help prevent bullying and to support those feeling mistreated, useless, or hopeless.

I am not here to state statistics, get you to sign a petition, or donate money. All I want to do is ask you to not bully and to reach out and help someone that is being bullied. I'm not even asking you to stand up to the bully, a smile can do wonders. 

Many people don't realize how common bullying is. It happens in families, schools, churches, non-profit organizations, workplaces, and even in government organizations. It is all around us. I'm sure each of us has been the victim of bullying at some point. Bullying can happen in the competitions of who will throw the best birthday party or who will by the biggest gift. It really is all around us and takes many different forms. 

I have been a victim. I have been lucky enough to have written those people out of my life (for the most part) but not everyone can or will do that. I also hope with every ounce of my being that I have not been the source of these things. 

I ask of you these things

1. If you are bullying or judging, please stop

2. If you are a victim, find help

3. Smile at someone, you never know what a difference that will make.

4. Do something to stand up against bullying. 

Vlog News and Servin Surprises Kitchen Review

I am in the process of giving my YouTube channel a total revamp! Exciting! It will have all new features like personal branding tips, your etiquette questions answered, reviews, and even some #vlogmom moments. I'm sure I'll even be featuring some home school tips and tricks. This will all be rolling out soon, so be sure to subscribe to my channel.

I will be doing a vlog every week as part of the promise I made to myself after reading Sparkle. So, if you have any requests, questions, or suggestions, you can email me at thepalmettoqueen(at)gmail(dot)com or leave me a comment. In the mean time, I will be setting up an easier way for questions and requests.

In the mean time, here is my review of the Fisher Price Servin Surprises Kitchen that was featured in the HouseParty Joy of Learning Play Date!

Happy Life List: 10 Things That Make Me Smile

I have seen a lot of sad stories in the news and on Facebook today. I just wanted to share some happy things with you, so here is a list of 10 things that always make me smile.

1. The way my prince says these words: Shoes, Please, Onyx, Go, Amen

2. The way my husband winks at me

3. That my mom thinks I am amazing

The dedication in my mom's book

4. The way my husband's family acts like I've always been part of the family

5. The way my daddy still calls me his little girl

6. That my little boy says mama in the sweetest voice ever!

7. My husband's hugs

8. My pups

9. My little prince saying his alphabet

10. The sense of accomplishment, whether big or small

So, that's my happy life list- what is on yours?

15 Quick and Easy Toddler Lunches Plus Make Lunch Fun

The little prince fights through lunch time and when he does sit still and eat lunch it ends up being either a cheese sandwich or a peanut butter sandwich. I have had luck with left over dinner, but that is not always feasible. I have been on a hunt for things he will eat, that are easy and healthy. Peanut butter or cheese sandwiches are always the go to on rough days, but here are my ideas. These ideas are to be paired with fruit or veggies as well. I hope these work for you, I am introducing these lunches gradually.

1. Egg Salad. He doesn't eat it on bread, so I give him crackers to go with it. 
2. Tuna Salad with crackers or veggie chips
3. Turkey slices, cheese, tomato (cubed with FunBites)
4. Hummus and crackers 
5. Waffles or French toast and a banana
6. Pasta and Tomato Sauce (I cook the pasta ahead of time and then heat it with tomato sauce)
7. Make small pizzas out of bread, a pita, or bagel. To do this, just spread some tomato sauce, cheese, and anything else your child likes on the bread, pita, or bagel. Then, Just pop it in the oven to toast it and melt the cheese. My mom used to do this for me as an after school snack.
8. Deli Meat and Cheese wraps cut to resemble sushi. Healthy spreads like hummus can even be used in these. 
9. Peanut butter and jelly pancakes (with leftover pancakes from breakfast)
10. Using the pasta made ahead of time, make a cold pasta salad. Just add whatever you have on hand, a little lemon juice, and mix together. 
11. Make a "homemade" Lunchable. Use a divided plate (they make everything more fun) and gather things similar to your little one's favorite Lunchable. 
12. Grilled cheese baked instead of fried.
13. English muffin toasted with peanut butter, hummus, or cream cheese. You could even toast it with cheese or make a regular sandwich out of it. 
14. Fresh Veggies cubed mixed with cubed cheese and throw in some beans. 
15. Leftovers are always easy and usually healthier than a sandwich.

It also helps to make things cute with food coloring, cookie cutters, or this amazing product:

FunBites may be one of the most genius child food preparation products I have ever used! 

FunBites comes in two designs and makes getting kids excited about eating easier. What do kids love more than food their size? 

When I first used this on the prince's lunch, he actually sat and ate his entire lunch without fussing or trying to get up and play. He kept picking up the little cubes, looking at me with a sweet smile on his face and saying "baby." His lunch now usually consists of something cut into cubes. 

I have been wanting to try out kabobs since the prince loves his grill toy, but I honestly didn't want to cut all those things by hand, but now I can! I am going to explore toddler kabobs, I just have to figure out what to put them on. 

I think this is a genius product and is much easier than cutting it into cubes ourselves. 

The only thing about the product is that because it is all plastic, cutting takes a little patience, but I'm okay with that. Because it is all plastic, when the little guy gets older, I can let him do it himself. I love things that can little by little teach him to be independent. 

FunBites.com has a gallery of lunch ideas- I love getting inspiration. 

I love that I can now turn his lunch into artwork, and cannot wait to see what else FunBites come up with as amazing shapes. 

They retail for $12.99 on Funbites.com and there is even a special. If you buy both, they are $22.00 for the set.

My verdict: Definitely worth it and adds a huge fun factor to lunch!

Disclaimer: I received the product in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. 

Influenster: Naturals VoxBox 2012

As part of the Influenster Network, I get an occasional box of goodies to try out. I never know what I'm getting ahead of time- I just know the theme. I tried out the Mom VoxBox this summer. I recently received the Naturals VoxBox. (Note: not all products are organic.) I love this program because I find products that I wouldn't usually try. I have found at least 2 products that I am in love with out of each box. That is pretty good odds.

I just love opening it up to find all the goodies.

Before I get into my opinions of the products, I want to thank Influenster for having this program. I really enjoy being a part of it!

My take on these amazing products. (Be ware: I pretty much loved them all.)

Dish Drying Mat is really amazing. It allows for more room to dry when you have more dishes than normal or if you have something large to dry. Also, the mat itself dries quickly. I love that it is super cushy so that delicate dinnerware will not clang and bang around. You don't have to hang around all day waiting for it to dry so that you can store it. I love this mat and I see a larger one in my future for specialty pots, pans, and platters. ($4.99 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond)

Lypsyl is an absolutely amazing lip balm. I always have a stick of some in my pocket. Before I got this, it was always Burts Bees or Naked Bee. Lypsyl has replaced them both. It is really moisturizing, smells great, lasts for hours, and has a cute little bee to adjust the stick with. ($2.99 at drugstore.com)

nectresse is a natural alternative to Splenda (that is actually made by Splenda). It is make with Monk Fruit. I don't know much about this fruit, but I'm sure it is healthier than Splenda. I will admit that I am a Splenda girl (when I pay attention to how much sugar I eat) because it is much better than Equal or Sweet-n-low, but still not all that healthy. Its even tastes great! There are several diabetics in mine and my husband's families, so I would love to know if this bakes well or not. ($3.99 for 40 servings)

Shea Moisture Baby This products is designed for babies and to help with Eczema  I don't have eczema  but I do have a toddler. It smells great, lathers up, and is very moisturizing! Most bar soaps dry out my skin, but this doesn't. I am so excited to try it this winter- my skin is always so dry in the winter. I definitely want to try their lotion as well. ($4.99)

EBoost is to boost immunity and energy. I have to say that I'm not a good judge on if it boosts immunity, I just very rarely get sick. I am however in love with anything that gives me more energy. Being a super busy mom of a 2 year old, I can take all the energy I can get. It doesn't work as well as a latte with 4 shots of espresso, but I try my best to stay away from those these days. I am not a fan of orange flavored things (CANNOT stand tang!) I would love to try it in a different flavor. If I find a flavor I like, I will definitely buy this. It travels better than the other energy boosters I use. ($28.00 for 20 servings)

Clean Well I am absolutely obsess with hand sanitizers. I have 2 in my purse, a bag of wipes in my purse, and them sitting all over then house. I can't always wash my hands, so this saves my sanity and my health. I love wipes because they are easier to wipe handles and toddlers hands. I love that this product is alcohol free. I will definitely be buying this product if I find coupons because flu season is on the way and I don't take chances. My little man has only been sick once and I plan on keeping it that way. ($23.99 for 80 packs at drugstore.com)

GeoDeo I love how light and fresh this deodorant is. It goes on clear and is not cakey, like some. Yet, it is still a stick so there's no gel goo- which I just don't like. The smell was spectacular. I received the island scent. Like I said, I love this product, but I am not sure it will do the job in our super hot humid South Carolina summers- I will find out though. ($5.99)

My overall opinion of the box is that the products were great for the most part. There's always bound to be something we just aren't that happy with. Some of the products I wish I had received more of to get a true opinion of the product (like the Boost and Nectresse)

Disclaimer: I received the Voxbox as part of the Influenster program. All opinions are my own.

Managing My Medusa Hair

This photo was taken about 6 years ago and
my hair is  even curlier and crazier now!

I have very thick, dry, coarse, and curly hair. I have struggled for years to find what works. I have made improvements over the years, but all in all, my poor hair still needs help. Here is my routine (until a couple weeks ago)

Wash hair with shampoo/ conditioner 2-in-1

Condition with super moisturizing conditioner

Comb hair with conditioner in and rinse

Spray leave in conditioner

Blow dry/ flat iron or use curl product

Finish with oil

This is a really annoying and long process, especially since even after all of that, my hair was still in a mess (and not even a hot mess).

I am constantly complaining to anyone who will listen about my hair. Lucky for me, Cleopatra's Choice came to my rescue.

About Cleopatra's 

(from their website)

At Cleopatra's Choice our mission is to scour the planet to find the most rare and unique, highest quality and most effective skin care and beauty products and deliver them quickly to your door. We have been in business since 2005 and have had thousands of satisfied customers since then. Because we pride ourselves in highly effective products and personal customer service most of our customers still come back and order from us again and again. Click here to read what some our past clients have emailed us about our products.

I was asked to select a product from their website to test. Since my hair is my problem area, I looked at their hair care. I discovered Hairganic Hair Serum with Argon Oil.

Argan Oil comes from the seeds of Argan trees, which can only be found in southwestern Morocco. The Argan tree was referred to as the tree of life, probably because it produces this superfood for the body and hair. Otherwise known as liquid gold, this oil is completely natural and lightweight. This hair serum reduces frizz and improves the appearance and health of your hair. 

I will admit that I didn't get my hopes up because I don't find products very often that actually make a difference. 

When my package arrived, I decided to give it a real test. That evening, I washed my hair with out conditioning. The next morning, I washed my hair with the 2-in-one shampoo/ conditioner and very carefully detangled. I then rubbed in the Hairganic Hair Serum. I didn't add any other products. 

My first impression was that it is thick and not as "oily" as I had expected. As my hair dried, I could really tell the difference. My hair was not dried out. 

Because I can't wash my curly hair every day, I had to wait a couple days to do it again. This time, I wished and conditioned before applying the serum. Perfection! I am in love with this product. I no longer need to use leave in conditioner and the other oil on it every day. 

Notes:

• The package says to use a dime-size amount. I used a little more than a quarter-size drop. That's okay because my hair is really thick and pretty long. 
• This product does not replace my curl serum or activator, but can be used with it. I just wanted to test it with out my other products. After using it several times, I have discovered that it makes my curl product work better. 

I will continue to use this product. It may just help me keep my sanity and not chop it all off. (Yes, it is that serious of an issue) 

I should also add that my hair is really damaged. Just this summer I went from black to blonde which consisted of 3 bleachings, 2 peroxides, and 2 platinum blonde dye jobs - that is a lot of chemicals. 

Thank you Cleopatra's Choice for saving my sanity and my hair!

Disclaimer: I received the product in exchange for testing it. All opinions are my own.