product review

Host A Holiday Tea Party With Wissotzky Tea

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A stress-free holiday is all I want for Christmas 2019 and so far it has been so good! I spent this past weekend spreading cheer, seeing folks and staying far away from the malls. I am done shopping and now it is is time to unwind and cruise into the new year. But first, I had one more party to host just for the ladies: a Holiday Tea and Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!

It was easy to create and send the following facebook invite:

Hey LADIES!

Join me for HOLIDAY TEA at my home
* 3pm-5pm *

Enjoy Hot Tea + Small Bites + Cheer
in a casual, comfortable setting!

🎁 Please bring a gift wrapped MUG for a fun exchange 🎁

But first some selfies/usies :

Party set up was simple. In addition to the wrapped gift/mug exchange, I had a Mimosa Bar,

….a buffet style spread of Sweet & Savory Bites,

..we played a fun “Sips Tea” game, (similar to the Have You Ever drinking game and if your answer is yes then you would sip tea!)

… and there also was an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest!

👀Watch the participants model their sweaters below⤵️

Thanks to all who participated and Congratulations to Rada @simplysoutherngirlcharm for winning the contest! She received a book from award-winning blogger of The Cup of Life, Lu Ann Pannunzio, titled TEA-SPIRATION Inspirational Words for Tea Lovers courtesy of Mango Publishing and was also gifted some Wissotzky Tea‘s Simply Nana Mint Teas, which was the featured tea of the party!

I was excited to introduce my guests to Wissotzky Tea’s Simply Nana Mint Teas, an exotic mint variety that is an all-natural, delicious tea with Mediteranean origins. Nana is unlike any other variety of mint because it unleashes a subtle layer of earthiness and invigorating minty flavor in every tantalizing cup. Nana Tea is sure to awaken the spirit whether served hot or icy cold!

Here are some recipes to try with Simply Nana Mint!

Nana Mint Iced Green Tea & Honeydew

Green tea pairs perfectly with Honeydew Melon and the refreshing & invigorating finish of exotic Nana Mint and just a little touch of honey makes this an iced adventure you won’t want to miss.

How to make:

Brew two Nana Mint Green tea bags per 16oz of water

Let steep for 3-5 minutes

Remove tea bags and let chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours

Dice Honeydew and lightly coat with honey

Add to a glass and muddle slightly to release its sweetness

Top with ice and chilled tea and enjoy!

Nana Mint Iced Simply Black Tea Half & Half Sparkle

The rich and refreshing taste of our premium Black tea and exotic Nana Mint are artfully paired with sparkling lemonade to create a refreshing twist on the traditional half & half. Add fresh lemon and mint and you are ready to sip back and enjoy the warm weather.

How to make:

Brew two Nana Mint Simply Black tea bags per 16oz of water

Let steep for 3-5 minutes

Remove tea bags and let chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours

Add lemon slices and fresh mint to a classic Highball glass

Fill each glass halfway with chilled tea

Top with sparkling lemonade

Garnish with a lemon wedge and fresh mint

SobeSavvy Tip: Did you know January is National Tea Month? Celebrate and host a tea party with these easy tips that I have shared here in my previous post! ⤵️

Host A Tea Party With These 5 Quick Tips! By: SobeSavvy.com

We all had a refreshing good time and enjoyed sipping tea, celebrating sisterhood, the holidays and slowing down for a couple of hours! Hope you enjoyed my party recap & introduction to Wissotzky Tea’s Simply Nana Mint Teas. For more info, follow @wissotzkyteaofficial @wteananamint!

Let me know in the comments below which one of the Simply Nana Mint teas would you sip first?

  • Simply Nana Mint Black Tea
  • Simply Nana Mint Green Tea
  • Simply Nana Mint Herbal Lemon Tea
  • Simply Nana Mint Herbal Ginger Tea
  • Simply Nana Mint Herbal Chamomile Tea

Happy Holidays!

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❤ Make a Heart Healthy Dinner at Home for your Valentine with Ungraded Produce @ungradedproduce

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Disclaimer: I received a complimentary box of goodness from Ungraded Produce in exchange for my honest review.

Did you know that February is Heart Healthy Month? Time to focus on keeping our hearts healthy through exercise and healthy eating habits. You know the saying..Happy Wife,Happy Life. Well this month, we’ve remixed that saying to ..A Healthy Husband and Wife leads to a Happier & Healthier Life. So I’ve partnered with Ungraded Produce to share a healthy husband and wife meal idea just in time for Valentine’s Day! ❤

■ Ungraded Produce…Who Are They?

They are a produce delivery service that provides customers with an easy way to fight against food waste. Fact: 1.2 million tons of food go to waste in NC each year! Founded in June 2015 by Courtney Bell, Ungraded Produce saw an opportunity to connect consumers with a supply of delicious but imperfect looking produce at 30-50% cheaper than supermarket alternatives!

■ What Do They Do?

Fact: 20% of the produce grown in the US gets left in the field or tossed for being “ugly”.

Ungraded Produce is working to fight these statistics by rescuing produce, packing/delivering it to the customer’s door and making an edible impact against food waste!

■ How Does It Work?

Fact: 40+ million Americans lack access to a convenient and affordable source of fresh produce.

With Ungraded Produce you get farm to door service when you get a subscription. Boxes ranges from 5-15 pounds and you have the option of weekly or biweekly delivery options. At any time you can cancel,pause or change products at any time!

*SobeSavvy Tip: New Customers SAVE $5 on your first box with promo code (HEALTHYNC)

Register at www.ungradedproduce.com

With your subscription, you are joining in the fight against food waste! Note: They deliver to most towns that border Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill only.

■ Why Should You Subscribe?

Make your health your wealth and priority this year. Treat yourself and family to affordable, easy, sustainable fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also very convenient to receive this special delivery right to my door! In my Large Mixed Produce Box, I received 15 lbs of FRUIT|honeydew melon, apples, tangerine mandarin oranges, bosc pears + VEGETABLEs|vidalia onions, spaghetti squash, poblano peppers, carrots, brocolli, tomatillios

■ How do I plan to use my box?

So far, I have made fresh juice from carrots and oranges in the morning!

My husband has entertained us with his Ungraded Produce juggling pre-dinner show…

…and together we have made a romantic dinner at home using all the unbelievable goodness from Ungraded Produce. Want to make a heart healthy dinner for your Valentine? ❤ Check out what we made using Ungraded Produce.

SANGRIA | Red wine in moderation is healthy right?! I added pears,apples,honeydew melon and voila..you are ready to raise a glass and toast to your Valentine.

DINNER | With the help of my friend Google, I mashed up a couple of recipes and came up with a delicious and healthy entreĂŠ to serve for our romantic dinner at home. First the sauce…

ITALIAN GREEN TOMATO SAUCE..inspired by this recipe>>here. After roasting the tomatillos, I added them to a blender to make a sauce to use for my spaghetti squash pasta.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH PRIMAVERA inspired by this recipe>>here. First let me say thank you to whomever came up with idea to put the directions on how to make spaghetti squash in the microwave right on the label! Such a time saver.

After washing, dicing, slicing, sauteing, seasoning the veggies, it was time to add the green tomato sauce, the parmesean cheese, the spaghetti squash and L-O-V-E ❤!

The table was set for a night and meal he’ll never forget. I took a cue from Johnny Gill and ..🎶 put on my red dress, slipped on some high heels, and some of that sweet perfume 🎶..and My, My, My our meal was so good tonight! We enjoyed our romantic dinner at home made with Ungraded Produce. I hope you are inspired to subscribe and make something healthy and special for your Valentine too! ❤

■ Do you plan to dine in or out for Valentine’s Day?

■ Have you used Ungraded Produce service before?

Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading! ❤

How To Make An Old Coffee Table Feel Brand New with HomeRight Finish Max Paint Sprayer + Shelter Review

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*Disclaimer: Although I received complimentary products from HomeRight to facilitate this review, the opinions are 100% my own.

Fall is here! Which for me means getting the house ready for football watch parties, out of town guests during the holidays and more time for me to be cozy on the couch watching my favorite fall tv shows. One day while lounging on the couch, I noticed my coffee table had taken quite the beaten. Scratches and chips and scrapes..oh my! It definitely was not appealing to my eyes.

I realized that a simple makeover would be all that I needed to give this old coffee table a brand new feel. After hearing great things about HomeRight from my DIY friends, I knew this company had an array of products to help anyone, novice or expert, with any Do It Yourself paint jobs.

Since my coffee table had withstood some years being subjected to the trials of having a now 7 year old use it for everything, from game table to a snack table, it needed to be brought back to life. I decided on a quick fix to do the trick. A new paint job is what was required and these are the HomeRight tools I used:

Finish Max Paint Sprayer

This lightweight marvel got the job done quick and it was easy to use! Per their website….”The Finish Max sprays a smooth, factory-like finish with no compressor required. This paint sprayer is ideal for small to medium projects (furniture, crafts, dressers, cabinets, etc.). Spray oil or water based materials such as: chalk type paint, milk paint, latex paints, enamels, primers, clear sealer, polyurethane, stain and varnish.”

Prior to painting, I chose to sand the table down and clean the surface. I went with a black satin enamel 8oz. paint by Americana Decor. After thinning it out with a bit of water, I filled up the paint resevoir and screwed it onto the sprayer. The Super Finish Max paint sprayer comes with 3 size nozzles for any of your painting needs large or small.

Medium Paint Shelter

Ever worked on a painting project and got debris and paint spots everywhere? HomeRight has the solution to that problem. It comes in the form of a spray shelter. You do the actual painting inside the shelter. It catches all overspray and prevents the wind from carrying the spray mist onto unwanted surfaces. It comes preassembled and literally just pops open from the compact carrying case that holds it. They have small, medium and large. This made my job that much easier and ease of mind is what I like! No mess, no stress.

Now that everything was up and ready to go, it was time for the ‘Mom and Daughter DIY Corner’ show. That’s what my daughter, #outandaboutAva calls it everytime we work together on a fun craft or DIY project. We turn on some music and have a paint party! If you missed my Instagram instastory, here is some of the fun we had using HomeRight products:

From start to finish, I was done in just 20 minutes! I let the coffee table dry right in the shelter, which also protected it from getting anything on it during the drying process.

Overall, I was pleased with the finished look. Thanks to the Super Finish Max Paint Sprayer, I used just one coat of paint and achieved this smooth, evenly applied painted coffee table. Now I can sit back, relax on my couch and enjoy my beautiful, scratch free coffee table.

Got an old coffee table or any piece of furniture that could use a new paint job? HomeRight has products that are simple, easy to use and gives a quality look to any DIY project. Makeovers are fun when there is no mess and no stress. This coffee table had scratches galore but not anymore thanks to a fresh coat of paint that I applied using HomeRight Super Finish Max Paint Sprayer inside the HomeRight Medium Paint Shelter. I highly recommend these products for your next DIY painting project!

Celebrating #NationalVodkaDay with #NC ‘s own @OakleeDistill #BootsVodka #TroopStrength 

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Boots Vodka Troop Strength | ‘Vodka with Traction’

Hey Vodka lovers, time to celebrate! October 4th is National Vodka Day and I want to tell you about a delicious vodka made by Oaklee Distilling Co. called Boots Vodka Troop Strength. Based in Wendell, NC., founder Lee Browne has created an unique vodka distilled using sweet potatoes and corn!

Boots Vodka Troop Strength at Yelp Triangle Made Event | Oaklee Distilling Co. Founder, Lee Browne with Leslie Heigh, Founder of SobeSavvy.com

I had the pleasure of meeting Lee recently and tasting Boots Vodka at the Yelp Triangle Made Event. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it neat! Lee served it chilled-shaken,not stirred-for guests to try and advised that this spirit would serve well in vodka forward cocktails, such as this classic: B&B Vesper 

-Add 2oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin, 1oz. Boots Vodka Troop Strength, and 1/4oz. Cocchi Americano to a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

We learned that Boots Vodka is milled, distilled and bottle filled at Troop Strength, which identifies it as 90 proof. That’s a slightly higher proof than the usual vodka product. No wonder it’s known on the vodka market as a “Vodka with Traction”.

Boots Vodka Troop Strength | ‘Boots Up’ Cocktail Recipe

After trying Boots myself, I thought the vodka was earthy, pleasing to the palette and would be something my husband and I could serve to both our male and female friends. Since Fall is here and the time is near to start cozying up due to cooler temps, I thought I would warm you up with a fun recipe post for a cocktail made with Boots Vodka. Ladies and Gents, I present to you the Kinky Boots Martini! 

Boots Vodka Troop Strength | Kinky ‘Boots’ Martini


KINKY ‘BOOTS’ Martini

In a shaker combine 1-1/2oz. Boots Vodka Troop Strength, 1/2oz cranberry juice, 1/2oz. fresh lemon juice and add a splash of grenadine for more red if you wish (like in the Broadway musical play ‘Kinky Boots’, Red is a sexy color! ). Shake with ice until chilled and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Below are a few events Oaklee Distilling Co. will be attending if you would like to meet with them there and try Boots for yourself! 

  • 10/6 and 10/7 – Wendell Harvest Festival — Wendell, NC
  • 10/19 – Little River Ducks Unlimited Banquet — Wendell, NC
  • 10/21 – Rex Hospital Gala — Downtown Raleigh

Also here’s the website if you’d like a little more info: http://www.oakleedistilling.com/

I highly suggest you make plans to tour the distillery and taste some of Oaklee’s vodka, now available in North Carolina and Virginia. This season, enjoy the above recipe made with Boots Vodka Troop Strength and let me know in the comments below⤾

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED BOOTS VODKA OR SWEET POTATO VODKA? WHAT IS YOUR FAVE VODKA COCKTAIL?


Cheers!

Boots Vodka Troop Strength | Distilled from sweet potatoes and corn and bottled at Troop Strength

#TastyThursday Review on @HoneySmokedFish #Superfood #HoneySmokedSalmon + Recipes !

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Recently I went to the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Expo held at the Raleigh Convention Center and had the opportunity to sample “The World’s Finest” Honey Smoked Salmon. I was not only hooked on this healthy, delicious protein but inspired to share some recipes and prepare some dishes for friends to taste and experience this amazing superfood themselves! 

Before I share the menu, recipes and feedback from my #SobeSavvyEats Lunch, let me give you THE FACTS (courtesy of Skyler Mason, owner of Honey Smoked Fish Co.) on what makes the Honey Smoked Salmon different, why you should add “the Protein of the Future” to your dishes and why fully-cooked, ready-to-eat Honey Smoked Salmon is one of the most versatile, nutritious products on the market today:

  1. Honey Smoked Salmon is delicious on its own, but is best used as an ingredient to compliment any dish.
  2. Our proprietary firing system incorporates honey into the smoking process without ever touching the salmon directly, making it diabetic-friendly. When the honey hits the flame, it causes a combustion explosion that seals the salmon, locking in 3x the omega-3s than other comparable products.
  3.  The result is a highly concentrated SUPERFOOD Salmon. Our unique process also makes Honey Smoked Salmon more cost efficient than other proteins — allowing smaller portions to be used while still remaining filling, energizing, and packing a high concentration of nutrition.  
  4. Longer shelf life! Honey Smoked Salmon has a 90 day refrigerated shelf life before breaking the vacuum seal, and will remain fresh and tasty 10-12 days after opening. 


THE INVITE

THE MENU + Recipes

Honey Smoked Salmon is vacuum sealed for long-term freshness. Fresh out of the oven and never frozen. 

I served 3 of the 5 flavors: Original, Chipotle & Lime, and Cracked Peppers at ROOM TEMPERATURE so the salmon could soften, which brings out its natural juices and flavors from the rich moisture of the Omega-3’s! This is what stands them out from any other smoked salmon. It is also diabetic friendly, gluten free and certified kosher. Here is what the ‘Original’ flavor looks like out of its packaging:

Honey Smoked Salmon is fully cooked, lightly smoked, ready to eat & 99% boneless. No preservatives, coloring, artificial flavors ,nitrates or MSG added.

Serve this easy appetizer recipe at your next party! Because the salmon is highly concentrated in taste, a little goes a long way to flavor any dish.

In this recipe, I combined both the Original flavor of Honey Smoked Salmon and the Chipotle & Lime together to create a light, pasta dish with a hint of spice and citrus.

This is the dish that got me hooked in the first place at the expo! It is loaded with spinach, Honey Smoked Salmon, mandarin oranges, almonds, tomatoes..and more!

Honey Smoked Salmon | Five Superfood Salad Recipe

Not only is it tasty but has so many health benefits, and is easy to make. Check out the video >>here<< showing how simple it is to make this energizing superfood salad! I used the Cracked Peppers flavor for this and had it flaked for guests to top their salads themselves.

Honey Smoked Salmon ‘Cracked Peppers’ flavor

THE FEEDBACK

Guests enjoy wine before lunch time for #SobeSavvyEats Honey Smoked Salmon Tasting

The Honey Smoked Fish Company’s All Natural Honey Smoked Salmon was Voted Best Smoked Salmon and my guests loved the fish and the recipes they tried. Here is some of what they had to say: 

  • The cracked pepper flavor was my favorite! I loved how it was spicy with a hint of sweet. ~   Nicki McNeil, Blogger at SingleBubblePop
  • I was so impressed with the Original Honey Smoked Salmon but fell in love with the cracked pepper. This salmon is delicious and I enjoyed trying the different recipes. ~ Jovanhanna , The Spiritual Love Coach
  • The cracked pepper on the salad was a great combination of flaky, peppery and creamy. I’d definitely make this salad at home. ~ Erica Santos , #ericasantosphotography
  • All 3 were delicious in it’s own served dish deviled egg, pasta salad and tossed salad. My fave: cracked pepper salmon/tossed salad with rasberry vinegrette/ranch dressing. Great spicy and sweet combo! ~ Mom
  • Loved the Chipotle Lime Salmon! The versitility of the smoked salmon was the most impressive. Great idea to show us the video of their process and to provide all of the possible recipes by scanning the QR code provided. ~T.Hedley

    See more Video Recipes on You Tube from Honey Smoked Salmon

  • I loved how Leslie incorporated the salmon into every dish we tried. My favorite was the deviled eggs topped with salmon. Definitely some good, quality salmon. ~Kiara , @kiararuth

I am so happy everyone enjoyed themselves and loved the Honey Smoked Salmon. No one left hungry or unsatisfied. The number one thing everyone wanted to know was where can we buy this locally?! It can be found at Sam’s Club and if you don’t see it there, Demand It! It can also be ordered online. For more information and recipes, please visit their website http://www.honeysmokedfish.com.

@American_Girl #WellieWishers Swimwear Fashion Fun Review with #outandaboutAva by SobeSavvy.com

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Thanks to American Girl for sending #outandaboutAva these fashions and doll accessories for review! All opinions expressed here are my own.


🙋Raise your hand if you like building sandcastles in the sand? Well that’s what #outandaboutAva and her @agwelliewishers Kendall Doll did while having some fun in the sun sporting their matching Fun Fish Swimsuit & Cover-Up!

This undersea-themed swimsuit set includes a matching blue hooded coverup, sandals and a faux pearl headband for WellieWishers Dolls .

👙 Accessorize with @americangirlbrand Starry Sunglasses and your girl and her #WellieWishers doll can be ready for sweet summer memories in their American Girl Swimwear! Swimsuit/Coverup for girls range from sizes 4-7

I thought all of the pieces for both my girl and her doll were great quality and super cute! My daughter had so much fun dressing up like her doll and other beachgoers thought she was “Avadorable” in her bathing suit. The cover-up is very soft, almost like a terry cloth cotton towel material and is hooded. This made going from the beach to any indoor areas easy! My 5 year old and her Kendall Doll are ready to make a splash this summer in their swimwear and accessories from American Girl! For more info, visit http://www.Americangirl.com

To see more doll fashion and fun pics of #outandaboutAva and her American Girl WellieWishers Doll day at the beach..see here>>>https://www.instagram.com/p/BUMhteABLpV/

Beauty|Enjoy some #SelfCare for your Hair from @MacadamiaHair @ColorProofHair ! #SelfCareSaturday

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With the recent news of Shea Moisture’s controversial ad, many of the brand’s customers have ditched their products for new options for their hair. I personally stopped using them prior to their campaign because it no longer worked for my daughter or my hair texture. In my quest to try something new, I wanted to share 2 brands for your hair as my #SelfCareSaturday review.
In my past posts, I have shared why weekends are my time for self-care. As a mom and wife, its something of a balancing act to make sure I take care of me while taking care of the household. Saturdays are the perfect moment to put on a fave facial mask, do my nails, meditate, and treat my hair and scalp to some additional care.

Recently I learned of 2 amazing brands for hair care: ​ColorProof a vegan line of styling and care products, and Macadamia Professional, a professional line of styling and care products that are infused with a Pro Oil Complex, a unique blend of Macadamia and Argan Oils. Here are the deets:

Macadamia Professional Ultra Moisture Shampoo + Conditioner ($22.00/each; Ulta/Ulta.com): Ideal for coarser hair textures, the Ultra Rich Moisture Shampoo provides intense hydration to the hair and scalp. It contains the exclusive Pro Oil Complex of Macadamia and Argan Oils to help strengthen and repair, while richer Mongongo Oil provides superior hydration, frizz control and helps to support the natural curl pattern and/or texture of the hair.

Ultra-Rich Moisture Conditioner is a luxe formula ideal for coarser to coiled hair textures. It contains the exclusive Pro Oil Complex of Macadamia and Argan Oils to help strengthen and repair, while richer Mongongo Oil provides superior hydration, frizz control and helps to support the natural curl pattern and/or texture of the hair. Silk Amino Acids plus a blend of Vitamins A, C and E strengthen and improve elasticity.

Macadamia Professional Ultra Riche Moisture Masque ($36.00; Ulta/Ulta.com): Infuse coarse or coiled textured hair with an instant moisture boost. This hair masque provides nourishment to dry, damaged hair and strengthens the individual hair strands to help repair and defend against future damage. Hydration is locked in and hair is left healthy, shiny and restored.

*I wanted to show you the consistency of the hair masque. It has a nice feel and smell to it. And like the label says, my hair felt “Ultra Rich” after using it along with the shampoo and conditioner.

ColorProof PureReleaseÂŽ Instant Detangle ($27, ColorProof.com): Instantly detangle, repair, nourish and reduce breakage like never before possible. This high performance, 100% vegan, leave-in spray keeps hair manageable and tangle-free while breakthrough technology extends the life of your color and protects hair from heat damage. It’s like wearing a sunhat for your hair.

SuperplumpÂŽ Blow Dry Thickening Spray ($28, ColorProof.com) : Vamp up fine hair with this heat-activated, miracle body builder that weightlessly plumps each strand to expand volume and density while smoothing for touchably soft, noticeably thicker hair with maximum color and heat protection. Thicker. Fuller. Stronger.

  • Hydrolyzed Corn Starch grips to hair fibers to plump each strand while expanding volume and density
  • Hydrolyzed Jojoba and Pea Proteins strengthen and heal from within while smoothing and protecting against breakage
  • AquaFlex™ Polymer thickens and adds volume with long-lasting soft hold and style memory
  • Proprietary FlexShield Technology shrink wraps hair for ultimate protection against heat damage up to 450°
  • Advanced ColorLast System™ provides unsurpassed color and heat protection

*I am most impressed that this product is 100 percent vegan.  I am currently not putting any heat on my hair but my neighbor who is currently wearing a blow out style said she is excited to try these and impressed with the ingredients.

If you know anyone who is looking to add some self-care to their hair care routine, feel free to share this post! Thanks for reading. 

What self-care hair care routine do you do and what products do you use? Let me know in the comments below.

Disney Princess Pleybox by @MyPley|Unboxing with #outandaboutAva #Disney #BeautyandtheBeast #pleybox 

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Disclaimer: We received the introduction box complimentary for review, however all opinions are my own.

April Showers bring May Flowers but it also brings lots of indoor play time for my daughter. With her being an only child, she has found creative ways to use her imagination and make indoor playtime fun. However, sometimes even #outandaboutAva gets bored with the same toys. So when I heard PLEY.com had launched Disney Princess Mystery Box service, I knew we had to try it! 
As the leading subscription toy company,  Pley.com is expanding its popular toy service by introducing a Disney Princess mystery subscription box line. The Disney Princess PleyBox subscription service will magically arrive every two months and includes a mix of toys, t-shirts, accessories and other goodies. The service is kicking off with a one-of-a-kind package inspired by Disney’s animated classic film Beauty and the Beast.

My daughter was very excited to unbox her very first Disney Princess Pleybox and couldn’t wait to explore the activities and discover the many fun surprises inside. Here is what you get for just $24.99:

  • a mystery box containing between 4-8 Disney Princess toys
  • activity book
  • fashion accessories (The Beauty and the Beast box includes a t-shirt, and role play item..this gorgeous gold crown!)
  • Each bi-monthly box tells the story of a new princess and, like a rags-to-riches princess story, the shipping box magically transforms into a castle, boat, or tower that can be decorated and played with, both reducing waste and increasing play value

Earth Day was just this past Saturday, so I appreciated this innovative, eco-friendly packaging that turned into a castle. I also liked the convenience of having cool toys delivered to our door without the  expense, waste,mess or stress. My husband was happy to have some Daddy -Daughter time by helping to put the castle together!

“Instead of throwing the packaging away, our physical shipping boxes become a part of the princesses’ story. Each box has instructions that transform the shipping box into a playable toy such as a castle, boat or a carriage that can be decorated and played with,” explains Pley CEO Ranan Lachman. “We call it ‘Pleycycle,” and are proud to be a leader in reducing the environmental footprint of toy packaging.”

Available now, the Disney Princess PleyBox subscription service will bring the stories of the brave, kind and adventurous Disney Princess characters to life in a unique and interactive way. Designed to empower girls, this mystery box is an ideal gift for kids who love the Disney Princess characters and their unique stories. The Disney Princess PleyBox delivery service can be ordered at https://www.pley.com/disney-princess. This box will be offered at a limited quantity, so make sure you order yours for your favorite little princess today! 
For more information visit: http://www.pley.com

Want to see more of  #outandaboutAva ‘s unboxing? Check out video slideshow here.

Do you use toy subsription box servives or subscribe to any subscription services? If so, share below!

Give a #ValentinesDayGift that Gives Back from #GlowforACause | #Beauty Review by #SobeSavvy

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With Valentine’s Day approaching quickly, it’s time to make sure you have a great gift for everyone on your list! If you want a gift that’s empowering, luxurious, and sweet smelling then GLOW for a cause is the place to shop!

I recently learned about Glow for a cause  and their mission to not only create the most amazing beauty products, but they also give back to charities with every purchase! So I requested a sample because I love luxury beauty/skincare products. 

I received the “Wish” body butter to sample and it was love at first smell ! I also loved the consistency of the butter. Not too thick and absorbed into my skin. 

Here is how it is described on the website: 

A magical blend of sparkling light florals, white tea, and bergamot grounded by light musks.  

Our luxuriously rich body butter with nature’s best moisturizing oils of coconut, jojoba, sunflower and vitamin E, hydrates and protects the skin while leaving behind a sexy and lasting scent.

Paraben Free.  Phthalate Free.  Cruelty Free.  Gluten Free.  Made in the USA.

INGREDIENTS

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Ceteareth-20, Glycerin, Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), Beeswax, Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate (and) PEG-100 Stearate , Jojoba (Buxus Chinensis) Oil, Sunflower (Helianthus Annus) Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Carbomer, Sodium Citrate, Caramel, Fragrance Oil

GLOW for a cause â€œWish” Scented Products Include:

  • Body Butter
  • Perfume
  • Facial Creams
  • Facial Clay Masks
  • Facial Clay Scrubs
  • Lip Balm
  • Makeup Bag

 
I appreciate that GLOW for a cause is a company that creates a variety of beauty products made with high quality ingredients to not only make you feel amazing on the outside, but to also help empower you on the inside! With a variety of decadent scents and products available, you’ll be wanting to also gift yourself something! Every time you buy a GLOW for a cause product, you are not only pampering yourself, you are giving back 5% to our partner non-profit organizations. Now that’s beauty that GLOWS on the inside and out.

Charities GLOW for a cause Gives Back to Includes:

  • Cowgirls vs. Cancer
  • Boston Firefighter’s Burn Foundation
  • The Red Sox Foundation
  • MaxFund Animal Adoption Center
  • The Gathering Place
  • Berni’s Journey

 
 If you would like to learn more information about GLOW for a cause visit http://www.glowforacause.com/.

#CharityTuesday spotlight on #NewmansOwnOrganics Healthy Snacks Review #allprofitstocharity 

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Thanksgiving is in 2 days..a time where we celebrate all we are thankful for over a feast with family and friends. I tend to overeat during this time and then jump right back into my healthy eating habits. One of my healthy habits is to make wise and healthy choices when the snack attack hits! Newman’s Own Organics, a division of Newman’s Own, Inc., has healthy snacks that my family and I enjoy.

With their variety of quality choices, Newman’s Own Organics offers a cross-section of products that suits everyone in my family. Our favorite snack to share is cookies yet the Chocolate Newman O’s are soooo good they make it hard to share! These chocolate creme filled chocolate cookies are made with organic sugar and organic flour…just add milk and enjoy! 

Some information about Newman’s Own Organics products: All its products meet the requirements of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). For more information on Newman’s Own Organics products visit http://www.newmansown.com/. If you look under the food section and the categories: snacks, candy & mints, chocolate, cookies, olive oil/vinegar, and pet food you can find out more about each of the products. Visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/newmans.own  

It feels great knowing that I am eating food that is not only good for me but doing good for others. Newman’s Own products make an impact on someone’s life because each purchase of Newman’s Own go to charity. Newman’s Own Foundation continues Paul Newman’s commitment to donate all royalties and after tax profits from these products for charitable purposes. You read correctly… 100% Profits to Charity! Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation have given over $475 Million to thousands of charities since 1982. Learn more at www.newmansownfoundation.org

As we prepare for Thanksgiving travel, I plan to pack up some Newman’s Own Organic foods to snack on in the car. (My daughter loves the Newman’s Own Organic Raisins..and I do too as it is a guilt-free and mess-free snack). 

Savvy Tip : Looking for a hostess gift idea..place some of these Newman’s Own Organic Snacks in a basket and you got a perfect Holiday basket idea! Give the gift of healthy eating and snacks that give back. 

I wanna know..what’s your Favorite Charity, Favorite Healthy Snack, Hostess Gift idea …share below!