11 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
10 Temmuz 2012 Salı
9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi
Daily Lemon: That's Silly
Sorry, wrong picture.
(shuffling through pictures)
Ah, yes. Here it is.
Nope, still wrong one. Maybe this is it!!!!
No?
Fine, I give up. Maybe they're not so cute.
Especially when they start playing with inflatable sex toys.
Or practicing their kung fu on you.
Or . . . you get the idea.
(old person impression) Stupid kids.
OutLast, 4 Kids and a Roadtrip!
Today we really tested out the OutLast with a road trip with my sister, her two kids (ages 2 and 1 month), and my husband and our two kids (ages 6 and 3)! With stops at gas stations and getting in and out of the car and then finally arriving at the farm I was thrilled to have a bottle of OutLast in my purse and one in my sister's purse. Just look at how happy these kids are now that we have arrived at the farm. And trust me there is nothing on their faces that says they have time to stop and wash their hands! At least we have them all doused with the OutLast long lasting hand sanitizer.MomSelect has partnered with OutLast™ Long-Lasting Hand Sanitizer to remind families about the importance of hand hygiene. Unlike leading hand sanitizers that work for only two minutes, OutLast™ Hand Sanitizer kills germs on contact and can control germs for up to 6 hours. OutLast™ Hand Sanitizer works longer because of its unique patented formula that was originally developed for hospital use. Now, that's exciting news to share with any mom! You can learn more about it by visiting www.outlastgerms.com/moms Outlast is now available at select Albertsons grocery stores throughout Texas and Louisiana.
Changes
Some changes:
David resigned from his job as an insurance agent and we sold our business to his mom.
I went to work part time for my Mother In Law
Kirstyn started 1st grade!
Things got VERY stressful when David could not find a job and was unemployed for 7 months!
The Gold's Gym I was working out in and teaching Body Pump at, closed with NO notice (and still owes me payroll that I never expect to see).
I found a Body Pump class to teach at the Downtown Fort Worth YMCA.
I've gained 15 lbs and have to get myself under control ASAP.
I MISS my gym "family".
David found a job that he LOVES.
He works 11 and 12 hour days, when you add in commute, there are days that he doesn't even see the kids.
I'm overwhelmed more often than not, so if you pray.... please think of me.
Our New Journey
Life is full of surprises.
Jesus never said that following Him would be easy or that because we are His children life would be easy. In fact, He said that "in this world you WILL have trouble" (John 16:33). Not might have, or can have, but WILL have. And we all know that just living your life from day to day can bring about lots of interesting, scary, wonderful, heart-wrenching, time consuming things, some of which are a complete shock. God set everything into motion, and created everything - universe, earth, plants, water, sky, animals - by just speaking. Except for humans. He created us with His hands. That is comforting to me - the God of the universe, who could speak a word and create the entire heavens and earth, took the time to form ME and shape ME with His bare hands. In fact, we are made in HIS image. WOW!
And we are intricately made. All the different ways that different parts of our body are connected - all the veins, neurons, cells, and atoms that are working 24/7 to make sure our body is functioning, thinking, healing, breathing, blinking, hearing, smelling, touching, digesting, moving, and resting - is AMAZING to me. How you can massage one part of your body and it affect another part, because of nerves and muscles, is INCREDIBLE. God is an artist for sure. But even though He made us in His image, we still experience troubles, heartaches, pains, etc. And that is just a part of life, and we have learned to deal with most of those issues. Except when the one thing we never thought would happen, does happen. The one thing that you always said "oh, that will never happen to us", does actually happen to us. And at that moment, your world crashes down on you and you basically have to start over. You have to make decisions you never in a million years thought you would have to make. At that moment, you realize - this is for real!
June 2, 2011 at 1:15AM.
That was one of those moments for me...for us.
It was just a kick. But that was followed by another, and then another. I awoke to see my wife shaking uncontrollably, having a seizure, making the worst noises I had every heard. I was calling her name once I realized she wasn't dreaming, and I turned on the light, only to find her eyes rolling in to the back of her head. I dialed 911. But she started slowing down, kicking a few more times than stopping all together, her face turning blue. She had stopped breathing, staring at me lifeless. I dropped the phone (evidently hanging it up in the process) and I started CPR. It was all I knew to do. But the miraculous thing is, I don't know CPR. I mean I know you breath and push on their chest, and you make sure the airways are opened up, but how you actually go about doing that...yeah, don't ask me. My wife is the one whose CPR certified. I guess her making me watch Grey's and ER actually CAN be good for your brain. But in that moment God gave me clarity and wisdom to know what to do.
As I was blowing in her mouth, 911 called back. She took a breath as I answered the phone. She started seizing again, slower this time, and then she sat up, looking me dead in the eye, but could not talk, respond, or anything. SCARY! I was shaking but the person at the other end of the phone assured me that help was on the way. I swear within 5 minutes, the police officer was standing at my door, and not far behind him were the EMTs and Firefighters. They were testing things and asking me questions, but all I could do was stare at my wife's lifeless face not responding to questions, not doing anything but staring off into space.
For the first time in a long time, I didn't know what to do. It was one of those moments...this isn't supposed to happen to us. The scariest things crossed my mind. What if I was losing my wife? What if she is in a vegetable state forever? What if...What if... That is when the indescribable peace of God came over me - something I could never explain to someone in a million years, yet if you have experienced it, you know exactly what I am talking about. I again had clarity as they began to load my wife in the ambulance. I started making phone calls. Since my kids did not wake up during this scary ordeal (THANK GOD!!), I had to get someone to watch them in case they did wake up. I called my mom (who lives 30 minutes away) to come over. I called my pastor friend from across the street to come over and watch the kids until my mom got there. I then called my in-laws on the way to the hospital to let them know what was going on. I called to the emergency/after hours number for our church, to leave a message for someone to pray. And then I started praying.
Evidently she had another seizure in the ambulance. And once she got to the ER, they separated me from her into a family room. It was unnerving to leave her not knowing if she was going to be okay, but I still had that peace, and so I sat and prayed. I didn't even know what to pray, but I did it anyway. Eventually (in what seemed like forever!) the doctor on-call came in and told me that her brain was completely swollen, and that it seemed there was a "mass" pushing against the brain. Again, one of those moments that isn't supposed to happen. They need to transfer her to another hospital, he tells me, one with a neurologist on call. They had called several and decided on Plaza Medical Center in Fort Worth. Never heard of it, but I didn't care. I wanted my wife better, and fast. So wherever they felt like she needed to go, I would let them take her there.
She was in Neuro ICU at "the Plaza" (that's what they called the hospital - kinda sounds like a resort or something to me) from Thursday the 2nd until Friday the 10th. They ran several tests, did several scans,and we met with several doctors. They determined she had a brain tumor in her right temporal lobe that was heading into the frontal lobe. They wouldn't know for sure whether it was cancerous until the pathology reports came back after surgery, but based on what they had already done, they told us it most likely was a slow-growing cancer.
The "C-word".
So surgery was scheduled for Tuesday the 7th. They would remove "the mass", as much as they could anyway, and send off some to pathology. The preliminary diagnosis: Grade 2 Astrocytoma. Brain Cancer. I started doing some research to learn more about it, see what options are available for treatment and where, and see if there was another doctor that I could take her to. And I continued to pray.
Did you know that the color for Brain Cancer Awareness is grey? Me neither, until now. Another one of those things I never thought I would have to know. The prognosis is good for her, but we are still in the middle of a waiting game. We are at a point where we are waiting on final results, one doctor wants to do nothing, and a lot of people are wanting us to do something. Including me. During my research, I found a doctor named Dr. Karen Fink, in Dallas. I have 4 people I know who have gone to her, and 4 others who recommend her. She is a neuro-oncologist in Dallas at the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center. I called her office, and Natalie has an appointment on the 22nd. I am going to take all the tests, scans, and films, and see what someone who specializes in brain cancer has to say. A second-opinion in every sense of the word.
I am overwhelmed by all the decisions I am having to make while my wife is in the hospital, but you know? I will take that over the what ifs that were running through my mind a week ago. And you know what else? I didn't finish that Bible verse from the beginning - "In this world you WILL have trouble...". The ending of it is sooooooo true. And it is what I am leaning on right now:
"...But take heart! I have overcome the world." We WILL have struggles, trials, pains, heartaches. Troubles. But He has overcome the world. And I have faith that no matter what, everything will be okay. He created us, He takes care of us, and He lets us live a life of freedom and joy. For those who know Him and love Him, we know that He will get us through whatever comes our way. But sometimes, when life gives us surprises, we are so shocked, it is hard to think, and we start listing off the what ifs.
Please pray for my beautiful wife, and the battle she has been placed in. I am daily putting on my armor and standing in the gap for my wife. Satan would like to do nothing more than cause us more pain, make us lose heart. Not on my watch.
We may not know why; we may not know when; we may not know what's going on; we may not know where; we may not even know how. But regardless - we know WHO, and He has overcome. Therefore, through Him, so can we.
And remember: Gray matters
~ David ~
Moments of Impact
I sat and watched The Vow with my wife (of course, the sweetheart fell asleep 1/2 way through) and all I could do was sit and cry. I thought about the moments I spent with her these last 13 years, 7 months, and 24 days. Some up, some down, some that have changed our lives forever. But moments that will forever bind us together, define who we are not only as a couple, but individually. I am not perfect. I have made my fair share of mistakes. But there is nothing in this world that I would not do to have my wife beside me. To hold her close and feel the warmth that radiates from her. And these last 4986 days have been, by far, the best of my life. And I would not change that for the world.
I have not handled this journey well, at times. Not at all. There are things I am still trying to figure out. Things that I wish would come easy, things I wish I could change. But these moments, even the ones I mess up on, can only (eventually) make things stronger. But what I have to focus on are the things that I can change daily, moment by moment, that can make me a better man. A better father. A better husband. Most days I wake up and go to work, and I completely miss the point. The point of this incredible life God has blessed me with. All to often, we go about life and take for granted the lives we touch on a daily basis - heck, even our own life right in front of us! And I for one, am saddened by my misfortune.
Another line that Leo says in the movie is actually his vows - "I vow to love you now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is once in a lifetime love. I vow to love you and no matter what challenges may carry us apart, we will always find a way back to each other."
I don't want to give up, give in, take the easy road. Why would I want to do that? Did Jesus take the easy way out? Did John the Baptist or any of the other disciples for that matter take the easy way out? So, honestly, what gives me the right to take the easy road? Challenges come. But fighting is harder. Staying the course is harder. Taking the road less traveled is harder.
I want to live my life in such a wife that my wife will fall in love with me all over again. That is my goal for the next 5,000 days - to make the next 5,000 days even better than the last 5,000 days. Because if I can do that, if I can live my life in such a way that the love of my life will fall MORE in love with me, than I have fulfilled my purpose in life. And isn't that what we are all striving to do?
The next 5,000 days are going to be the best days I have ever known, for as Robert Frost once said, "two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference."
Natalie's diagnosis is just a moment in a sea of moments, and I will not let that define us. Our moments range from our first childhood memory, to learning about and believing in Christ, to knowing each other, to falling in love with each other. What does the rest of our history hold? Dying? What about the pieces in between love and death? A tombstone has your birth year, a dash, and the year you die. What matters is the dash. And the sum of all of our moments make up that dash. The sum of all of the moments of our lives...that is what counts.
~ David ~
8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar
Kid-Friendly Touches at Disney's Grand Californian
Out of the 3 hotels of the Disneyland Resort, the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is considered the luxury property, and it's easy to see why. Just enter the lobby, and it will take your breath away. Throughout the hotel, the luxurious Arts & Crafts-inspired fittings and furniture really make you feel like a pampered guest.
The Grand Californian reminds me of the stately Ahwahnee in Yosemite Park, where I always feel like kids have to tiptoe around in fear of disturbing some grand old dame -- but as you'd expect from Disney, kids are more than welcome here. Here are some of the kid-friendly touches around the Grand Californian:
* There's a kid-sized lounging area in the lobby, where kids can wait while their parents check in at the hotel. Kid-sized armchairs and rocking chairs surround a giant tv screen playing Disney cartoons, so there's little worry they'll be wandering off.
* Kid-friendly dining options are available right in the hotel. The Storyteller's Cafe features a daily Character Breakfast hosted by Chip 'n Dale, and kids' menus for lunch and dinner. The White Water Snacks eatery has a kids' menu and lots of family favorites. Even the swanky Napa Rose Cafe has a truffled mac & cheese dish , as well as ice creams and sorbets for dinner.
* Need some time away from the kids? Pinocchio's Workshop is located provides group child care seven days a week from 5 p.m. to midnight. The center accepts children ages 5 to 12 and the hours of this special babysitting service are also 5:00pm to 12:00 Midnight. My friend Beth left her 9 year-old twins there while she attended the Cars Land opening with the other bloggers, and she said they had a blast.
* Family rooms have a queen bed plus twin bunk beds, with an extra trundle bed, so up to three kids can sleep in the room with mom and dad!* You get Chip 'n Dale chocolate coins on your pillow every night, one for each registered hotel guest.
* The pool area has 3 huge pools and 2 hot tubs, so families with kids don't have to disturb couples or adults looking for some kid-free time.
* The kids really enjoyed the pool slide, and a few game adults (including Alfie) took a turn on the slide as well.On the afternoon that Cars Land opened (Friday, June 15), cast members hosted a Cars-themed poolside party, with a DJ, conga line dancing, hula hoops, coloring activities and goodie bags filled with candy. It was so much fun! I'm not sure if this was a one-off event to celebrate the Cars Land opening, or whether they do this every weekend, but we certainly made the most of it.
Thanks to the Disney magic, everyone -- kids and grand old dames included -- can have a great time!
Disclosure: The Disneyland Resort provided accommodations for me and my family for part of our stay. Additional days stay were incurred at my expense. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Summer Fun with Coppertone Giveaway
Now that summer is here, we have lots of fun beach trips and picnics and park outings planned. There's nothing better than relaxing in the sun with an ice-cold drink while watching the kids play!
Spending so much time outdoors does come with a price, though: the increased exposure to the damaging rays of the sun. Sun safety is a Big Deal in our household. Alfie is English, and my kids are half-English, and we all know fair skin is particularly vulnerable in sunny places like California. Alfie lived in Australia for 5 years, and he saw first-hand how the strong Australian sun have sent melanoma incidence rates skyrocketing in the fair-skinned Australian population.
THIS is what happens after a day without sunscreen, and it's a very bad thing, both short-term (the pain, the redness, the peeling) and long-term (skin aging, the increased risk of skin cancer). I still feel pangs of parental guilt looking at it. Avoiding sunburn can be as simple as practicing a few sun safety tips, such as wearing a hat and sunscreen. For sunscreen options, check out 3 of Coppertone's latest products:
* For active adults, Coppertone Sport Pro Series 50+ sunscreens stay on strong and move with the skin in hot and humid weather as well as during intense exercise.
* For active kids, Coppertone Wet ‘n Clear Kids SPF 45+ simplifies reapplication. There’s no need to towel them off before reapplying and it sprays on clear.
* For the little ones, Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a hypoallergenic, oil and fragrance free lotion made specifically for babies’ delicate skin.
Coppertone sunscreens are a household staple, year-round, so we never have to give up a fun day outdoors!
Win a Coppertone Prize Pack
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a Coppertone Summer Fun prize pack, which includes:
* one beach mat* one beach mat
* one bottle of Coppertone Sport Pro Series 50+ sunscreen
* one bottle of Coppertone Wet 'n Clear Kids SPF 45+ sunscreen
* one tube of Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Required Entry
Come up with your own name using the Name It widget above, then leave a comment on this post and tell me your name. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.
Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).
1) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)
2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)
3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)
4) Repin any of my pins on Pinterest (1 entry per repin, maximum 5 repins/5 entries)
5) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).
6) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Coppertone Summer Fun giveaway! http://bit.ly/NM9mFL
7) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Enter to win a summer fun prize pack: beach bag, mat & Coppertone lotion! Enter by 7/25 at http://bit.ly/NM9mFL
8) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds.
The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on July 25, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on July 26 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. For additional giveaway rules, click here.
Disclosure: Coppertone provided the prize pack for the giveaway, as well as a second prize pack for me as a thank-you for hosting and administering the giveaway. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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My American Girl Dolls Without Hair
One of the highlights of The Pea's childhood has been playing with her My American Girl Doll. It was the very first American Girl doll she received, and even though now owns four, there will always be a special place in her heart for Natalia, the doll with green eyes and curly, honey-colored hair that looks so much like her.
However, not all little girls fit the "standard" mold, especially those suffering from a medical or physical condition. American Girl has long offered glasses, wheelchairs and crutches so girls can customize their American Girl dolls to reflect themselves -- and now they have gone one step further by offering a new line of dolls without hair, just for little girls who have lost their hair temporarily or permanently.
About Dolls Without Hair
American Girl has announced a new line of dolls without hair as part of the My American Girl® line for girls affected by cancer, alopecia, or any medical condition causing hair loss. This new product line provides even more possibilities for a girl to create a doll that's as unique as she is.
Customers can choose from a total of five different dolls in light, medium, and dark skin tones. In addition, girls can choose their dolls’ eye color from a selection of options.
Finally, because we know that not all hair loss conditions are permanent, American Girl is proud to offer one free doll head replacement should a girl’s need for a doll without hair ever change.
Availability:
Because of the special handling and customization associated with these dolls, orders are being taken exclusively through American Girl’s contact center at 1-800-628-5145.
Charitable Giving:
To help provide comfort to kids who may be affected by medical conditions that cause hair loss, American Girl is including the new dolls in its annual $100,000+ donation to the Children’s Hospital Association.
Now every little girl can find a special doll that looks like her! American Girl has definitely taken a step in the right direction. I applaud them for sending the message that every little girl is beautiful, and I couldn't be more proud to be a fan.
Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Product information (in italics) was provided by American Girl at my request. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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American Girl's Secret Wardrobe app for iOS
Here's a girly twist on Tetris -- American Girl's Secret Wardrobe app has players scrambling to catch falling clothes and accessories and dragging them to their matching boxes. In this app, American Girl historical characters Marie-Grace and Cecile need help getting dressed for the masquerade ball. As the game begins, all the pieces the girls need for their costumes are lined up in boxes on either side of the screen, and a variety of pieces begin falling from the top of the screen. Players have to drag the correct pieces into the correct boxes.
Unlike Tetris, no points are deducted if a costume piece falls onto the floor, but if you drag a costume piece into the wrong box, you'll get a big red X. After 3 mistakes, the game is over. After you've dragged all the costume pieces necessary to complete Marie-Grace and Cecile's costumes, you move on to the next level. All your mistakes are erased, and you start fresh, so it's easy to rack up points. It's lighthearted fun, good for a couple of minutes of girly play.
Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Daily Lemon: That's Silly
Sorry, wrong picture.
(shuffling through pictures)
Ah, yes. Here it is.
Nope, still wrong one. Maybe this is it!!!!
No?
Fine, I give up. Maybe they're not so cute.
Especially when they start playing with inflatable sex toys.
Or practicing their kung fu on you.
Or . . . you get the idea.
(old person impression) Stupid kids.
7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi
FUNDAY MONDAY: Spring Into Fashion {GIVEAWAY}
Spring seems like it's finally sprung which means so many wonderful things - flowers are in bloom, the kids can play outside and, of course, adorable new clothes for us mamas! I've got my eye on quite a few must-haves this season and they all have one thing in common - color, color, color!
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So pretty, right? I love the combination of frosted and gold beads, and the extender clasp means you can wear it shorter or longer. And because I think it's the perfect springtime accessory, I've not only added one to my closet, but I'm also giving one away to a lucky AFOMFT reader!
To enter to win, just post a comment here telling me what you're most looking forward to this spring. (this is mandatory). For additional entries:
- Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT) and tweet the following: Enter to win a fabulous necklace to add to your spring wardrobe from @AFOMFT! http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
- Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.
And if you haven't already, don't forget to enter to win a fabulous Utility Tote from Thirty-One - the giveaway closes tonight!
TEN THINGS TUESDAY: Teacher Appreciation Edition
Did you know that April is Teacher Appreciation Month? Now you do! And here are ten fun ways to show your child's teacher just how thankful you are for everything they do.
Simple DIY I'm Loving, Part 1: This flower pot from Mariah at Giggle Galore is easy to make and oh so sweet!
Simple DIY I'm Loving, Part 2: Head on over to The Idea Room for the how-to for this darling chalkboard mug. Fill it with a gift card to local coffee shop or some hot cocoa and you're good to go.
Cake That Keeps on Giving I'm Loving: What's Scrapping shows you how to transform school supplies into something fabulous!
Life-Saving Idea I'm Loving: Hit up your local Dollar Store to get lots of goodies to make up a survival kit for your favorite teacher. Funky Polka Dot Giraffe has a great list to get you started.
Super Sweet Teacher Treat I'm Loving: Take a page from Simply Savvy and make a candy-gram every educator is sure to love. The message alone brings a smile to my face:
I SKORed big when I got you for a teacher. Don't SNICKER, but I think you're great! You are MOUNDS of fun and you have brought me so much JOY. I think you ROCK. (pop rocks) Thanks BEARY much (gummy bears) for always being so JOLLY (jolly ranchers) and for helping me become such a SMARTIE. Teachers like you are worth a MINT. (york peppermint patty) I'd be a NERD if I didn't thank you for helping me put the PIECES (reeses pieces) of the knowledge puzzle together. You are Might Magnificent. (m&ms) Thanks for a great year!
Cute Take on Chocolate I'm Loving: It doesn't get any cooler than these edible chocolate chalkboards from Hungry Happenings. And they're a lot easier to make than you may think.
Picture Perfect Present I'm Loving: Print out this free download from Positively Splendid, add a picture of your kiddo and pop it into a frame for a gift from the heart that won't cost an arm and a leg.
From the Heart Art Idea I'm Loving: Some crayons + a canvas x a hairdryer = some beautiful artwork. Add a message inside the heart telling your teacher how great she is for a personal touch. {NOTE: This is an image from Pinterest that doesn't seem to have a source. If anyone knows where it originally came from, please let me know!}
Thirst Quenching Gift I'm Loving: Lisa Storms came up with this great gift idea that's not only practical but fun too! A thank you note and some drink packets inside of a reusable straw cup, topped off with a cute printable. Fantastic!
Bag I'm Loving, Part 1: I love love love these personalized tote bags from The 36th Avenue! Desiree used vinyl to make hers but you could also try iron-on transfers too.
School-Worthy Bouquet I'm Loving, Part 2: Fill a vase or mason jar with some magnetic letters like One Charming Party did and regular buds get a scholarly twist.
So there you have some of my favorite ideas for educators. For more fun finds, visit my Teacher Appreciation Pinterest Board.
And I'd love to hear about the things you're loving right now! Share the app, movie, book, craft idea, TV show, whatever that's got you giddy in the comments and your picks might be included in next week's TEN ON TUESDAY feature. And for more of my favorite things, check out my Pinterest boards!
Please note that this list is made up of things I actually use, read, watch, try, etc. and truly enjoy. These opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way to share them here.