Disclosure: Parragon Books sent me this kit. Opinions shared are mine; post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a commission.

Crafting isn’t my strongest skill. Though I enjoy creating, it’s very important that I have all the necessary materials at the ready. Otherwise, my crafts tend to go unfinished.  Parragon Books craft sets top my list because they contain a fully stocked kit.  Remember the Sock Monkey we shared with you?  Here’s a Flower Art version! [Read more…]

Disclosure: I will receive a gift pack like the one shown here.  Opinions shared are mine.

It’s always fascinated me that people can so distinctly remember a snapshot of a shared public event.  For example, those who were living when JFK was assassinated can usually tell you specific details about where they were, what they were doing, and even what they wore as the news broke.  I remember seeing the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle when I was in school, and can see our little class sitting on the floor crowded around the big TV cart.   [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received a screener of the movie. Opinions shared are mine.

Now that school started back, our lives have been crazy busy. Additionally, my husband and I have had some unexpected health issues that had us down for the count. Hey, universe, it’s time for a breather! SIGH.

Unleashed is the type of movie you watch with your significant other, or even teenage daughter, when you’re in the mood to not take things too seriously.
There’s got to be some fun involved when a girl’s cat and dog turn into eligible dates, right?  [Read more…]

Savings in Seconds is now accepting brand and product submissions for the 2017 Holiday Gift Guide!  Complete the form here to request more information. [Read more…]

Just outside the gates of our Gatlinburg KOA campsite was a restaurant called Magnolia Tree.  We drove past it a couple of times before we had the chance to stop in. The signs announcing the ice cream and Amish foods drew me in!

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You’re on a family camping trip and you run out of food. Your family suggest going out for breakfast (again).  What kind of restaurant do you look for?
In my case, we turned to TripAdvisor in search of the best pancakes.  Did we find it?

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For our first camping trip in Pigeon Forge, we chose Gatlinburg East KOA Campground in Cosby, TN.  There were so many options in the area that the selecting one was overwhelming!  We finally chose the KOA because it had excellent TripAdvisor reviews.  It was simple to make reservations online, and the Value Kard fee paid for itself ($30 cost, gives a 10% discount).   [Read more…]

I don’t normally get to title a URL with “The Hamptons.”  This is a good day.
Disclosure: I participated in the blog tour. Opinions shared are mine.

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Disclosure: I partnered with Smart Buy Center for this review. Post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Opinions shared are mine.

This year, I’ve sadly neglected my garden.  It’s overgrown with weeds and untamed vegetable plants. Somehow it struggles on without my help, relying on rain and hope to keep going.  Today I harvested a few tomatoes, and discovered 2 yellow squash that were so big and hard that they resembled gourds you’d use for a bird feeder.  What to do?  It was time to pull out the Vegetable Spiralizer I just received from Smart Buy Center. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received a free membership to Faithful Workouts.  Opinions shared are mine.

My family and friends are too nice to comment about it, but it really bugs me that I’ve gained 90 pounds in 13 years.  I remember the day the scale showed 150 pounds when I was walking into the hospital to deliver my first child…that seems like my SKINNY days now!  There are a lot of barriers to losing the weight, but time is the primary factor.  Between work, commuting, parenting, wife-ing, and all the other responsibilities I shoulder, going to a gym does not appeal to me at all.  We live on a busy road where walking=a death wish.  Most of my activity happens on camping trips when we swim, walk, and ride bikes.  What to do in between those weekend excursions?  I was invited to try Faithful Workouts and decided it was time to stop making excuses.

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