Medical Miracle: Doctor On Demand

So I found myself in a little medical predicament yrsterday morning. I woke up with a UTI (sorry for that info but it helped me make a discovery). Problem is that my husband started a new job and and we don't have insurance yet  and even if I made my way to a walk-in clinic there was no way I could wait in a waiting room forever when I need to pee like every 2 minutes.

My mother in law then told me about this app called Doctor On Demand. Basically you can talk to a doctor for $40 and then can send a prescription to your pharmacy if they deem one is necessary. I was definitely skeptical but found myself desperate for relief.

I downloaded the Doctor on Demand app on my Android and it had me register with the app. I put in my contact info, payment info, symptoms, allergies and any current meds I am taking.  It honestly took like 5 minutes tops. It then said I was being connected to a doctor. I waited maybe 30 seconds and a doctor's face popped up on my phone. He asked me what was wrong and I explained the problem. He then asked me my pharmacy phone # (have this ready, I accidentally didn't and felt bad making the doc wait) and he said a prescription for antibiotics would be ready in 4 hours. Crazy, huh?!

Best part is the phone calls are FREE until end of February but this was well worth $40 in my opinion!! I will call back if needed. It was the same price as a co-pay and no waiting hours to see the doctor. Great discovery!! Please note: they cannot prescribe controlled substances through this site but it's perfect if you need regular antibiotics. You can visit their website to get more specifics on what this app is good for and what you need to see your doctor for.  Hope some of you will find this info helpful!! xoxo

What I Long For...

This has certainly been the most brutal winter in a long time. We were teased (at least on Long Island) with two gorgeous days this past weekend. Okay, it was probably only in the 40's and sunny but compared to what it's been, it felt like Spring. And my Facebook news feed was filled with photos of everyone going to the beach. A bit crazy but we were desperate to feel like Spring was just over the horizon but we were wrong. This week has been frigid and we had snow flurries again today. So all I can do is think warm thoughts.

What I long for......

- Going to the beach, sticking my toes in the hot sand and then running through the cool water.

- Being able to take my daughter to the park and not have to leave because we are too cold.

- Long evening walks at the beach.

- Barbecues!! Just want to sit outside with my burger and strawberry daiquiri.

- Being able to simply take my daughter on long walks through the neighborhood for exercise.

- Playing Kan Jam until it is too dark to play.

-Walking through the Bronx Zoo

- Day tripping to Montauk.

- Light until 8:30 or so.

The list goes on and on but you get the idea. We all just need to hang in there and hopefully the warm weather is just around the corner! Here's to hoping!! xoxo

Trendy Tots Link Up (#1)

So I am beyond excited that I found this trendy tots link up!!! I love getting my girl all dressed up in the most adorable little outfits and I am a photographer so this is the PERFECT weekly link up for me!! I just found out about this so I will be using some photos from my daughter's 2nd birthday photoshoot because I was loving her leather jacket lookalike and headband.

 

 Jacket-Target
Jeans - The Children's Place
Sneakers - Walmart
Headband - Oh So Pretty Designs

I am looking forward to planning Olivia's outfit for next week's trendy tot post!! xoxo

My Strange Obsessions

So I can be a bit of an oddball, I know that. It doesn't bother me, I own it. It took me many years to embrace my inner weirdness but now I love doing so.  I have a few weird obsessions I would like to share with you and I am hoping maybe some of you share one or two of these with me. If so, let me know so I feel a little better about it. Haha.

1 - Stationery - I have a thing for all things stationery. Pens, decorative paper and cards, journals, notebooks, etc. When I see a journal with an awesome cover I HAVE to have it, it doesn't matter if I already have ten empty ones at home.

2 - Books With "Smoothy" Pages - This obsession started when I was very young. I loved books where the pages were smooth, not rough. I would say these books had "smoothy" pages. The texture of a books pages was a big deal to me. I remember getting out Scholastic book orders in elementary school and the first thing I did was feel the pages. Damn, I had issues!!

3 - Buying things in bulk - This could be an issue that could bring me to hoarder status. If I find a shirt I love, I need it in every color. Or say it's only available in two colors I need like two in each color. I always over buy. I have this need to have extra. I don't like using things unless I have more that will remain new and unused. Hmmm...I am kinda sounding like I have problems....

What about you?! Do you have any weird obsessions?! xoxo

Have A Funtastic Weekend...You're Welcome!

 I live in a house with ten people, yes, ten. It's a big house, what can I say?! So every night has the potential to be a party and tonight was one of those nights.

I keep hearing about this game called Cards Against Humanity and about how fun and raunchy it is so we are a dirty group so we decided to go out and buy it to play tonight. We had no idea it wasn't readily available in stores but we did find out you could download the PDF for FREE!!! Yes, you read that right, it's FREE!!

I had some card stock paper and we printed the cards ourselves. Warning, my hands still hurt from cutting up all the cards but it was totally worth it. Basically, it is a raunchy, funny, inappropriate version of Apples to Apples (another one of my fave games).

In a nutshell, players have ten cards in hand that say various off the wall things such as: masturbation and incest and some not so inappropriate things as Michelle Obama's arms and Bill Nye The Science Guy. Then each player takes a turn flipping one of the question or fill in the blank cards. Then everyone else chooses one card from their hand that fits. You can see an inappropriate set photographed above. Question: "Why am I sticky?' Cards chosen from people's hands: "masturbation," "pulling out," and "licking things to claim them as your own." The person who flips the question picks the card that fits best in their eyes and that person gets points.

It's hilarious and even better when drinking. Plus, you can get it for free here. And you can download rules here. If you have a sick sense of humor like me, you NEED to download this game for this weekend. You won't be sorry! Have a good weekend!! xoxo

Book Review: Baby Bumps

I have always been a fan of Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi since her first days on The Jersey Shore. She was the most lovable and entertaining one in the bunch. Then, I was thrilled when she was on Dancing With The Stars this past season. I loved seeing how she matured being a mother but was still silly and fun loving. So you could imagine how excited I was when I was looking at a local bookstore's website and saw Snooki would be in town doing a book signing.

If I'm being honest, I didn't even know she wrote a book or what it was about so I looked it up. She wrote Baby Bumps, a book chronicling her pregnancy and first few months as a mom. I am a fairly new mom with a two year old so I was definitely interested. That was it, I was going to the book signing to meet her.

I went and met her and she was so gorgeous and super sweet. There was tons of people there and she took the time to take photos with every person and was really nice about it. Don't get me wrong, I only had like two seconds with her because she had hundreds to greet but it was still exciting.

I didn't read the book until after the signing, a little backwards I know, but I was pleasantly surprised. I was a little unsure as to whether or not Nicole actually wrote the book herself., that was until I read the first page. You could definitely tell they were her words. So funny, so blunt. She didn't sugar coat  a thing and I loved it. Reading it I felt like I was having a hilarious conversation with one of my besties. I constantly found myself chuckling out loud.

 Having a child two years ago, I could completely related to this book and her experiences. I wish I would have had it when I was pregnant or right after birth, though, nonetheless I still enjoyed it. And I know I will pick it up again when it's time for baby #2.

It was also nice to see how down to Earth Nicole is despite what many may think. She talked about shopping at Mandees and how she can't see spending a ton on maternity clothes. This was refreshing to hear when she is one of the few who can afford those prices. And she also talked about how she knows her fame isn't going to be forever and has been saving and doing the right things with her money. This woman truly knows what she is doing. She's fun and silly but when it comes down to it she is a smart business woman.

I think this is a perfect gift for those planning on having a baby soon, those who are prego or those you just had a child. BUT you need to have a sense of humor to enjoy the blunt discussions on the not so pretty parts of pregnancy.  Personally, I enjoy that type of humor so I thought the book was great but I do realize not everyone appreciates that approach.

Overall, my recommendation is go out and get yourself a copy of Baby Bumps! You'll be so glad you did!!  Did you read it? I would love to hear your thoughts...

My Weekend in Selfies

Hi everyone! Happy Monday!! Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was a bit hectic but super fun! Instead on getting all wordy on you I will share some of my selfies (and non-selfies) from the weekend.

Here I am on Vday..Feeling festive sporting one of my new pendant designs!

Went on a date with my girl to Friendly's and she was obviously acting super silly

Then I got an arrow necklace from my hubby in the mail. He was at work and said I could open it.

We had heart shaped pizza for dinner!

My daughter was actually agreeable to taking some selfies Vday night and was being super silly

Love this one!

Hi!

She was done acting crazy but I wasn't..

Saturday the hubby and I had our Valentine's Day. We went out to dinner and hit up a casino. My hubby isn't big into selfies so I have no photos from Saturday... :(

Sunday I had to take a pic admiring the fact my hair is growing and is getting long again. Woohoo!!

Olivia went to Build A Bear for the first time and stuffed her own polar bear...

The hubby took a selfie with me and we got photobombed!! Ahh!

Having fun at Chilis at a big family dinner.

Well, my weekend was a blast! Hope yours was too!! xoxo

Why I Am Not Anti-Valentine's Day

I am quite surprised when perusing through social media the past few days all the hate people are expressing towards Valentine's Day.  I feel like this hatred has particularly grown since the economy crashed and most people don't have much disposable income. I get it. I think it is over commercialized and you shouldn't have to spend $100 on flowers when they are going to die next week but I like to look at the glass as half full and express why I DO believe in Valentine's Day.

I know a common argument is you shouldn't need a holiday to express your feelings for someone and show them you care. AGREED but do we always take the time needed to do this? In the crazy hustle and bustle of everyday it's easy to forget to show appreciation all the times we should. This one day reminds us to do so and you don't have to spend money to do it. It just means taking the time out to say thanks and I love you. And taking the time to go on a much needed date especially for all those parents out there. They are probably going: "Date? What's that?"

And that is my point. It gives people the initiative to make special plans happen. It is important for people to take time out to enjoy their partner. Again, it doesn't need to be an expensive date. It can be a picnic at a park, a stroll on the beach, sitting on the couch and watching romantic comedies. The point is to just take time to do something fun with the person you love. And is it really that horrible to have an extra reason to tell someone you love them.

I believe you can celebrate the sentiment of the holiday without getting caught up in all the commercialism everyone complains about. And if you do enjoy going out buying flowers, candies and other goodies, you are helping the economy and there is no shame in that. I know many florists that depend on Valentine's Day.

So I hope, you are enjoying today!!! I will be celebrating tomorrow with the hubby since he is pulling a double today but I cannot wait for our one on one time tomorrow!! HAPPY VALENTINE'S!!
xoxoxo

My First Movies

 I have a serious case of the winter blues. It's been so cold and with all this snow, spending time outside at a park with my 2 year old hasn't really been an option. I have been toying with the idea of attempting of bringing Liv to the movies but feel a bit nervous about how she would behave and finding a movie appropriate for her.

I know I am not the only one to ask: How many movies in the theaters these days are appropriate for babies toddlers?! Most movies for children are rated PG-13 and not rated G! What movie can parents feel comfortable taking their little ones to see?

Well, I just learned about My First Movies and I am now excited to bring my girl to the movies and get out of the house. 

My First Movies will begin running on is a fun and music-filled movie theater playdate and is specifically designed for babies, toddlers and their parents. To make the experience extra kid-friendly, the movie theater’s lights will be kept on, the movies are kept short and BabyFirst personality, Mitten the Kitten, will emcee in-person! How fun does that sound?!

You want in, right? You can grab your tickets by visiting myfirstmovies.com or by calling 1-800-315-4000. Now you must be wondering where these movie play dates are being held. So far they are in the Long Island, Westchester, Boston and Rhode Island areas but they are hoping to expand to more areas soon!

If you are in the listed areas you're in luck because we have a giveaway for not one, but two family 4-packs to go experience My First Movies!

Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter form below. It may take a minute to load, so be patient. The more entries you complete, the better your chances. Don't forget to tell your friends. Maybe you'll both win and can go together!


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Baby Be Mine Giveaway!

Our Baby Be Mine collection features so many items to pamper and care for your baby. From wonderfully natural products, to gear to make feeding and soothing easier on the go, this gift collection is the perfect Valentine's Day treat!

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San Diego Bebe

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San Diego Bebe Eco-Nursing Pillow with built-in Privacy Cover - Retail value: $59.99
San Diego Bebe is a deluxe line of nursing pillows for singletons and twins made with virgin eco-fiber. Eco-friendly, hypo-allergenic, non-toxic and foam-free, we never use fire-retardant chemicals or toxic glues. We pride ourselves in manufacturing the healthiest choice nursing pillows on the market today. Our pillow line is LOADED with features and benefits, including a cool built-in Privacy Cover™ for discreet nursing in public. For more information visit doubleblessings.com.

Yummi Pouch

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Yummi Pouch 2 sets of 6 reusable food pouches - Retail value: $30
Yummi Pouch reusable food pouches encourage healthy snacks for active kids. Our eco-friendly food pouches are freezer safe, dishwasher safe, BPA-free, Phthalate-free, and can be filled with healthy blended snacks and easily taken on the go, no spoon required. Our vision is to help moms and dads prepare healthy snacks for their active kids. Yummi Pouches are perfect to be filled with nutritious smoothies and purees prepared in batches, frozen or refrigerated, and easily consumed on the go. For more information visit yummipouch.com.

Wristy Buddy

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Wristy Buddy Lion Teething Wristband - Retail value: $15
Wristy Buddy is a teething wristband designed for babies who haven't developed the motor skills to hold traditional teething devices. Wristy Buddy is made of absorbent materials to help keep little faces and clothing dry. Its various textures and colors engage and stimulate. It is easily accessible to your teething baby and is more sanitary than traditional teething objects. Wristy Buddy is machine washable. Phthalate-Free, Lead-Free, and BPA-Free and Non-toxic Certified. Patent-Pending. For more information visit wristybuddy.com.

Beachfront Baby

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One-size Beachfront Baby Wrap in the winner's choice of color - Retail value: $39.99
Beachfront Baby water baby carriers are a must have for the summer! 100% polyester jersey lends breath-ability with just the right amount of stretch. The fabric feels like a lightweight, silky swimsuit which keeps it light in the water & dries very quickly. Wear baby in the shower, at the beach, at the water-park or in the pool. This especially comes in handy for keeping your hands free to play with or help older children in the water!
Beachfront Baby LLC is a Texas-based company run by Diane Turner, President & work-at-home-mom to four lovely children. Beachfront Baby has offered fashionable water baby carriers to parents world-wide since 2011. For more information visit BeachfrontBabyWraps.com.

Baby Spa

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Mommy & Me Stage 1 Gift Set - Retail value: $54.99
Includes Soapless Body Wash, Moisturizing Body Lotion, Shea Butter Diaper Cream, Calming Massage Oil, Travel Size Ultra, Soft Baby Wipes, Travel Size Moisturizing Body Lotion, Plush Tickle Sensory Toys, Infant Massage Book
Indulge babies with those sensory spa experiences we all love to feel. Our pampering gift set nourishes, hydrates and soothes, making it perfect for those memorable mommy and baby moments.

• Safe & gentle for sensitive skin in newborns through crawlers
• Great for baby showers and delivery gifts
• Contains organic enthnobotanicals Songa™, Kendi Oil, and Patented Swiss Moisturizer EG28 to soothe, hydrate, and comfort tender baby skin.
• Includes our infant massage book and tickle toys to stimulate baby sensory development
• Our signature Fresh Baby scent

BabySpa is a natural bath and body care collection for newborns through preschoolers made with special ethnobotanical blends that provide lasting hydration, soothing effects and sweet, comforting sensations. All of our products are 98-100% natural! We believe natural is better, and therefore always use extracts and oils from plants, roots and flowers to deliver gentle, vitamin-rich skin care. Our collection contains over 30 different botanicals, each one carefully selected for its unique benefits and therapeutic properties. Our bath and body care collection offers an easy to follow "stages" approach with products that are individually tailored to address the changing skin care needs for babies from infancy through toddlerhood. For more information visit babyspausa.com.

Buncha Farmers Inc.

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Buncha Farmers gift basket including stain removers, Manuka honey natural soaps, laundry detergent, hand sanitizer and skin creams - Retail value: $60
Buncha Farmers Inc. is committed to the highest standards of quality, satisfaction and fair pricing. We put a lot of thought and care into developing our products so that YOU, our CUSTOMER, can benefit and truly appreciate our efforts. Our focus is to make day to day living a little more rewarding and put less stress in your life. We also want to make your life as healthy as possible without sacrificing little pleasures that everyone looks forward to everyday. For more information visit bunchafarmers.com.

Bert&Bratt

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Battery powered, Portable Sterilizer for infant items - Retail value: $45
Battery powered, portable sterilizer for infant items! Sterilizes pacifiers, sippy cup tops, bottle nipples and small teethers with just the push of a button. Gets items germ free in 4 minutes and uses NO WATER, NO HEAT and NO CHEMICALS. Easily fits into diaper bags and purses and goes wherever baby goes. Never be without a clean pacifier or feeding item again.
Bert&Bratt is a 100% female owned Canadian company. The product was dreamed, designed and manufactured by the head moms in charge, Tasha Bertrand and Annemarie Brattland. "This is a product that we, as mothers with young children, would have loved to have. We both hated having to run and find soap and water whenever something hit the ground. This makes moms lives easier and helps keep babies away from potentially harmful bacteria. When something is easy people tend to do it more often. We made cleaning infant items as easy as pushing a button!" For more information visit bertandbratt.com.

Rhoost

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Finger Guard and Cord Winder - Retail value: $20
Rhoost's Cord Winder makes dangling blind cords a thing of the past, keeping your loved ones safe and your personal style intact. Features screw free installation. Our Finger Guard protects little fingers from door and hinges, keeping your loved ones safe and your personal style intact.
Rhoost designs eco-friendly, stylish and non toxic baby-proofing products. No screws or adhesives required. For more information visit rhoost.com.

Enter to win this Fabulous Gift Set! Retail value: $285

This giveaway is open to the US and Canada. Each page you follow is an additional entry!

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Why I Am More A Zumba Girl....

So panic came over me last week when I realized if I don't start working out like now, I have no hope of looking semi-decent in a bathing suit this summer. I used to be an exercise fanatic but a back injury, then pregnancy and then being too busy being a working mom with a toddler got in the way.

My hubby, sis in law and myself decided to start P90X a few days ago. Was it difficult? YES...But I made my way through it with some modifications and I am sure if I stuck with it I would be able to keep up pretty well. I never minded a tough workout. What I couldn't handle is how BORING it was!!! The guy who leads the workout is so self indulgent it made me want to gag. You are NOT entertaining, dude. I could have maybe dealt with him if it had some kick ass music playing while I was working my booty off. Instead it had what I call workout elevator music. Fast paced music to keep beat but that's about it. Not entertaining or invigorating in the least.  I almost quit half way through the workout because I was bored not because it was too hard.

I am actually a certified Zumba instructor but haven't taught in over a year. I decided to put on one of my videos the day after the dreaded P90X experience and sweat twice as much and was thoroughly entertained. I LOVE to dance and Zumba always has the best music to groove to and I wasn't checking the clock every thirty seconds.  I know a complaint people sometimes have about Zumba is that it is hard to keep up with but the beautiful thing is as long as you keep moving and dancing you are still burning calories. This is definitely the route I need to go if I am going to keep working out.

I am sure P90X works and is great for people who love to weight lift and want to gain muscle. I am really just looking to get leaner. I can't watch a bunch of  lunks for an hour with no music but I can dance 'til I drop and think that's what I'll do from now on. I know some of you may say my workout priorities are a bit off but I think it's important to get into a workout routine you will want to keep doing. xoxo

Just The Beginning: Oh So Foo Foo

What have I been working on lately?! Besides my photography and maintaining and fulfilling orders for my Etsy shops, I have decided to open another shop. Am I crazy?! Yes, but you should have known that already.

I already have my jewelry shop and my tutu shop but I wanted something else. Something epic! My other shops do well and I am grateful for that but I want a shop that can make me super successful. A shop that others look at and say wow look at these awesome items and all those sales! I believe that through everything I have learned with my other shops and through blogging that I can make that dream a reality.

What is Oh So Foo Foo about?! It has an overall all shabby chic, rustic feel. Picture frames, signs, jewelry boxes, tooth fairy boxes, ring bearer boxes to name a few. Many items are personalized. The shop is perfect for unique wedding and baby items. I have TONS of ideas but I just need the time to execute them all. What you see now is just the beginning.

I would like to look at this as a "soft" opening. Once I get more items listed I am planning a grand opening event. I may need the help of a few bloggers to help me with the launch, particularly those planning a wedding or having a baby or just had a baby. Please let me know if interested! You'll get something totally fabulous for nothing! ;)

Here are a few of my fave items at the moment:

 

So please take a second and visit Oh So Foo Foo . I would love to hear what you think and what you would like to see in the future!! And I have an offer for you, if you want to make a purchase I am offering 20% off to my readers with coupon code: DOLLY . xoxo

Review: Born Pretty

Obsessed with accessories at super inexpensive prices?!  I know I am. That's why I was thrilled when I was asked by Born Pretty to review a few items in their shop. What did I choose?! A chunky cream hat and a bronze colored spike necklace.

As soon as I received the items I was in love. This winter has been extremely cold so I have been wearing the hat since I received it and the necklace makes a great statement piece. Check out the photos below.

Isn't the hat pure perfection?! I love the dark brown braided accent strip, it definitely takes it to the next level. It is super comfy and as I stated before I have been wearing it non stop since I received it. The best part is you can purchase for under $10.

I love the sweater I am wearing, it's always been one of my faves but this bronze spiked necklace gave it a completely different look. This necklace can be paired with many different shirts. I can wear it with a plain "v-neck" tee and this necklace gives it an edgy look.  Price?! $3.54!! Can you believe it?!

Well, all I can say is head on over to Born Pretty and get some fabulous items for amazing prices. Happy shopping!! xoxo

Party Time: 2 Year Old Style!

The birthday girl and I

Holy crap! They say your wedding day flies by in the blink of an eye, well, Olivia's 2nd birthday party certainly did. It was a bit chaotic because we probably had a bit too many people in our home but all in all it went well especially considering we had 10 little "boogers" in the house. I figured I would show you the highlights in photos.

We did arts and crafts (magnets to be exact)

We ate pizza

Pinata!

We played stick the Doublon on the treasure chest..

We made icecream sundaes

We had birthday cake

Liv opened presents

Well, that's the day in a nutshell. Olivia had fun and that's all that mattered to me. Hope you enjoyed the photos. xoxo