These things were awesome about #TheLastJedi

Star Wars fans, are you ready? Of course you are. Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens on Friday! The saga of Skywalker continues when the heroes of The Force Awakens join their galactic legends. This adventure unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force - and you may just be surprised.

I could feel the giddy excitement in the theater on Monday night when local news media, professional critics and bloggers gathered for a “secret” (and complimentary) first showing of the film. Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of the Star Wars franchise. I did not grow up watching the original movies and I get very confused about the order of them all. I hated kid Anakin and Natalie Portman’s Amidala character irked me. However, the latest two Star Wars films with Rey and Finn had me captivated and very entertained. So, here are some of my initial thoughts on The Last Jedi. 

I would rate it PG-8

The Last Jedi is rated PG-13. I do not recall bad language and there is not any sexy stuff. I think kids between the ages of 7-10 can watch it, as long as they have seen the other films and know what to expect. A few characters look frightening. Battle scenes are constant, but not at all gory (you do not squirt out blood when sliced by a lightsaber). The film is intense with a lot of darkness. Children may not fully understand the mysteries of the Force, but that is probably not important for a kid to enjoy the movie. Use your parental judgement to decide who you take to see it. I would not recommend it for any children under seven or those who have not seen The Force Awakens and other Star Wars films. 

 

I loved the girl power

Soooo many tough, smart, and powerful women in The Last Jedi! I cannot say much because I want to avoid spoilers, but the girl power is strong. Diversity is there as well. You do not have to be a white male to be a hero in the galaxy, and that is simply awesome. 

 

I disagree with critics saying it is a “letdown”

I cannot speak from the position of a Star Wars fanatic who may evaluate every detail. I get bored in movies easily, and this one kept my attention for the entire 2 hours and 30 minutes. I do not like extended fighting scenes just for the sake of “action,” and I do not feel like that was the case in The Last Jedi. This was a great movie and I was literally on the edge of my seat through most of it. My almost-40-year-old lower back was sore the next morning from the tension. 

I need a Porg in my life

Han Solo is usually the character with cheesy lines giving us comic relief in between action and adventure. He is not in The Last Jedi (see The Force Awakens if you need to ask why), so comic relief came in other forms. Most notably, from the shrieking and adorable Porgs. These puffin-like creatures became social media darlings after their reveal in the latest trailer. Just wait for The Last Jedi, because you will want to take a Porg home and squeeze it forever. Move over, Ewoks! 

Bottom line: buy your tickets. Go see it. If your spouse, date, or kid is a Star Wars fanatic and you are not, you will be okay. I promise. It is a film that will grab your attention, stress you out, and make you laugh. You will want to be BFFs with the kick-butt women too.


Press photos from IMDb, Star Wars Last Jedi, 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd.

Lessons for first-time car buyers

This post was written in conjunction with a US Family Guide media effort on behalf of Cars.com. All opinions in this article are 100% mine. 

I just purchased car #3 in my lifetime. I had a good experience using the convenience of email and sites/apps like Cars.com for searching and pricing. I am thrilled with my sapphire blue Honda Pilot and the fantastic price I was able to get by driving about 30 minutes out of the major metro area. 

For first-time car purchasers, the buying process and early ownership can cause worry. But do not fear! You can purchase a vehicle and ensure a fair price with the right research and effort. Taking care of your new vehicle is a matter of three steps. 

Food for summer! Applebee's Big Bold Grill Combos

My family was treated to a complimentary meal at our local Applebee's in the metro Atlanta area so we could share our experience with the new Big and Bold Grill Combos. All opinions are 100% mine. 

 

Summertime food... grilled, fresh, and flavorful. I enjoy eating out with my family, and we had a great experience tasting the Big and Bold Grill Combos at Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar®. These combos are priced well and offer a lot of selection. The Applebee's Big and Bold Grill Combos start at $12.99 and diners can choose from various combinations of two grilled entrees and two sides. 

I had the honey BBQ half rack of ribs and grilled chicken with pico de gallo.  The ribs were tender and the sauce had just the right amount of smoky flavor and sweetness. I paired my entrees with the new Applebee's garlicky bacon green beans - which I really enjoyed. Who doesn't like veggies with bacon?! I also complimented my meal with a hot basket of french fries. The meal was large and the variety of flavors worked together well.

2017 Ford Explorer: long haul road test

This is my second time reviewing a Ford Explorer Platinum, thanks to the team at Ford Southeast & Performance Logistics. My family used the vehicle at no charge for 11 days. All opinions are exclusively mine (or my daughter's). 

Nine months ago, I shared my thoughts about the 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum edition. Our family reviewed the vehicle during a 4 1/2 hour road trip to Charlotte, NC for a theme park and the Great Wolf Lodge. This time, we happily received a shiny new 2017 Ford Explorer Platinum for a much longer road test. Our destination? Sunny Florida for a Christmas vacation with family. 

When we chose a sunny destination this year, Christmas travel became extreme travel. We packed the trunk space full (really full) with gifts, luggage, snacks, and a cooler. We set off bright and early with sleepy children then endured holiday traffic later in the afternoon. Our travel day ended up around 10 1/2 hours from home to accommodations.

What's new on this family vehicle: 2017 Ford Explorer

The 2017 Ford Explorer is on the top of my new car wish list. I love my current SUV, but the poor thing is 11 years old and nearing 200,000 miles. It has a dent on one side (thanks to an ice storm and a mailbox) and several, um, "quirks" in its old age. I've tested a few 2016 and 2017 vehicles in the past year or two, and I am impressed by the Ford Explorer.

The 2017 Ford Explorer has industry-leading safety features like inflatable rear outboard safety belts and front passenger knee airbags. The 2017 also offers an all-new Sport Appearance Package, which features a darker grille, 20-inch wheels, and black roof racks. It's a beautiful and comfortable vehicle!

The most popular upgrade in the 2017 Ford Explorer is probably the new SYNC 3 interface, which simplifies the system for the user. SYNC 3 is the latest version of Ford’s communications and entertainment system. It performs faster and is more intuitive than prior versions. SYNC 3 also has more conversational voice recognition and a smartphone-like touchscreen.

 

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Note: Ford Southeast is providing my family with a 2017 Ford Explorer for our December holiday adventures in exchange for sharing this info and photos along the way. All opinions are 100% mine. 

 

Spring break in the "top-shelf" 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum! #Ford #Auto

According to professional reviewers at AutoWeek,  
"Ford dumps everything it can find into [this] top-shelf Explorer." 
 This rookie auto reviewer, mom, and blogger definitely agrees. The vehicle is loaded!

Our spring break plans included a short 3-night road trip to a theme park and indoor water park resort. We were thrilled to be able to use a gorgeous, totally maxed-out 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum for our adventure. When your current vehicle is about to reach it's 11-year birthday with a dent on one side, kid crumbs galore, and pretty basic interior gadgets, any brand-new vehicle is exciting and full of special electronic perks. I am fascinated by push-button start, heated seats, massage seats, full-size third row seating with powered up/down/stow, Sirius radio, and a buttery soft leather interior. This new Ford Explorer has all of those luxury features and more.

Comforable in the 2015 Toyota Highlander

We spent Labor Day weekend 2015 on a road trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee to review the Ripley's Believe it or Not brand of family attractions. Thanks to the kind people working with Toyota, we were able to travel in comfort and style using a 2015 Toyota Highlander. Here are some thoughts on the Highlander from me, a (2005) Toyota Highlander owner and traveling, chauffeuring, working mom of two.

When the shiny and clean deep burgundy Highlander arrived in my driveway, I immediately noticed the sporty shape and gorgeous lines. My Highlander is a decade old, and I love the more modern and softer (less boxy) design of the recent Highlander models.  And by the way... the official color name is Ooh La La Rouge Mica - how fun is that?!

We enjoyed a comfortable 4-hour drive from the Atlanta area to Gatlinburg, getting to know all of the fancy electronics and gadgets. The Highlander model we tested was a Limited Platinum series, so it had all of the "bells and whistles" like navigation, back-up camera, Sirius XM radio, luxurious captain's chairs in the second row, a panoramic moonroof, heated and cooled leather seats in the front and second row, dual front and rear climate control, plus a pop-up third row that was much larger than the cramped third row I have in my 2005 Highlander.

King of the road in the Ford Expedition!

We just returned from a weekend road trip to southern Indiana's beloved theme park, Holiday World. It was insanely hot and rather crowded, but we were able to tackle some fast coasters and laughter-inducing rides. And thanks to Ford Southeast, we were able to travel in comfort befitting royalty via a fully loaded platinum-series Ford Expedition!

The Ford Expedition is not for wimps. This is one powerful and large vehicle! It fit child safety seats, kids, parents, and luggage with ease. Talk about a comfortable travel vehicle... we had absolutely no bumping of elbows! My husband and I even cooled our buns - with cooled seats! Given it was an extremely hot July week in the south, we were fascinated by the cooling feature (can be heated as well). Despite the Expedition's size and truck-like look/feel, the Ford Expedition has a smooth ride and it is not difficult to drive - even for me at just 5' 4" tall. Anyone who ventures out in this vehicle will feel like the king of the road. 

A clean smooth face with Neutrogena #WipeForWater

Do you know that every day you can waste up to 5 gallons of water just by washing your face? 

This Earth Month, Neutrogena Naturals is partnering with The Nature Conservancy to save water. You can make a pledge to conserve water at WipeForWater.com. For each pledge, Neutrogena Naturals contributes $1 to The Nature Conservancy (the largest freshwater conservation organization in the world) to support water conservation, up to $50,000. 

I was introduced to the Neutrogena Naturals facial wipes and the #WipeForWater campaign through Influenster, a free program where I receive great samples and share my thoughts via social media. 

I do not usually write a blog post for an Influenster product, but I happen to like this product a lot and the water conservation campaign is important. I received a full-size pack of Neutrogena Naturals facial cleansing wipes and used them to cleanse my face for one full week. The scent of the wipes is fresh and soothing and the cloth used is smooth and non-irritating. My skin actually showed some improvement after the first few days. I took the wipes on vacation and enjoyed the no-spill convenience and not having to use hotel soap on my face. 

If you want to try a new way to wash your face that leaves a lovely scent and smooth, clean skin without any chemical sulfates or dyes, I would recommend these. I have tried other facial wipes in the past, and these are my favorite. 

Visit Twitter to follow @Neutrogena and @Influenster

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By posting this review, I am entered to win an awesome Neutrogena Naturals prize pack - I was not required to review and all opinions are 100% mine. #contest #WipeForWater  

Healing my hands after a mean winter: Dial deep cleansing moisturizing hand soaps

Winter was pretty forceful this year, wasn't it?! I do not have much to complain about given my southeastern location; we are watching flowers bloom and grass grow by now, while many of you are still seeing snow. But even in the South, our temperatures were low and we saw a few more snowy or icy days than usual. My hands were their usual wintry dry, cracked, and red for two months. During the winter months, I have to be especially careful about the types of soap I use on my skin and I slather on lotions and creams several times per day.

I found a hand soap that I really love for year-round use: Dial Boutique Collection hand soap with refreshing moisture. I was familiar with this deep cleansing hand soap line prior to receiving a sample of the newest scent, Sugar Cane Husk Scrub, and I was already enjoying it. The Dial Boutique Collection deep cleansing hand soap line is gentler on skin than other brands I have tried; it actually feels silky. The vibrant scents in the Dial Boutique Collection have the power to briefly transport me to warmer, relaxing places. I also enjoy the micro-scrubbers in the soap to lightly exfoliate flaky winter skin and the fact that it does not have added anti-bacterial alcohol in it is a plus for this mama (parents overuse antibacterial these days!). It is also perfect for the entire family. My daughter loves the scents and it keeps her sensitive skin clean and smooth as well.  

The newest member of this line of high-quality moisturizing hand soap is Sugar Cane Husk Scrub. It offers an indulgent scent inspired by freshly cut sugar cane and reminds me of past vacations, cruising past sugar cane fields in Hawaii with the warm sun on our faces.

If winter has wreaked havoc on your skin, I would recommend giving this Dial Deep Cleansing Moisturizing Hand Soap a try. In addition to the scrumptious new Sugar Cane Husk Scrub scent, you can find the Dial collection in Water Blossoms, Coconut Lime Verbena, and Yellow Raspberry Black Sugar. 

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I received free hand soap from Dial for the purposes of this review via Purex Insiders. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Trunki: our favorite luggage for little travelers (#giveaway)

What better activity is there on a cold and windy winter Friday than to daydream about past vacations to warm and sunny destinations? I am longing for sunshine and sand between my toes, thinking of our island-hopping adventures in Hawaii and the fantastic service and turquoise waters at Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos.

And lucky for you, I am also feeling nostalgic and generous! How about a giveaway to celebrate my five-year blogging anniversary and to get our minds on tropical warmth? Thinking back over five years of pondering, writing, and traveling, I have identified one of my favorite items and I would like to give you a chance to win. I was introduced to this item via a fellow blogger and giveaway years ago and I am going to share the same love with one of you.

Have you heard of the Trunki? 

Trunki images via Amazon.com

The Trunki is Melissa and Doug's ride-on luggage for little kids. We have had one for several years. Amelia has outgrown the ride-on part, but we just dug it out of the closet to hand down to Andrew. The Trunki ride-on luggage is built out of sturdy plastic and ours looks brand new, even after many travels with a toddler. Even though Andrew cannot ride on it just yet, the small size of the Trunki is convenient for hauling small clothes, toys and books, or various baby items. And the wheels and strap make it easy for Amelia to roll through an airport or hotel hallway when we need an extra hand. Plus, it is colorful and cute!

Dressing up outfits with jewelry

I received two jewelry sets from Luxury Jewellery, a European jeweler, for a review. All opinions are 100% mine.

2014 ended with the dropping of balls, fireworks, and music. How was the year for you?

I have friends who had the time of their lives and others who are gladly pushing the year out the door. For me, 2014 was a big change. It began with the birth of our baby boy nearly six years after our daughter. I also took the leap to working entirely from home. No more fighting traffic for 90 minutes to be in an office for a few hours, just to leave again to make it to school carpool line on time.

Both of these major changes have obliterated my wardrobe. My body is a weird shape now and it seems it is here to stay. I am beginning to accept that nothing I own will ever fit well again. Also, because I do not work in an office, I have slipped into the comfort zone. I do not own business pants that fit my new smooshy waistline. I do not have a flattering dress. My feet revolt at the thought of heels.

I resolve to try to dress things up more often. Looking less frumpy will make me feel better about myself and the unknowns of where my new life will lead. While I seek out new clothes, piece by piece, I am learning to accept the fit of my existing pieces and dressing them up as I can by accessorizing. I purchased a few inexpensive long necklaces at a department store which can dress up a sweater or plain long-sleeved shirt instantly.

I was happy to accept a review opportunity with Luxury Jewellery because the timing could not be better! I received the Crystal Tri Set and the Live, Love, Dance, Sing Bracelet Set.

Inspector Gadget would enjoy the Ford Flex

Atlanta area - don't forget to bring your holiday donations to John Bleakley Ford in Lithia Springs! They are accepting donations of toys (through 12/18), canned dog food (through 12/31), and coats (cold weather months) for area families and the Douglas County Animal Shelter.
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Da da da da dah, Inspector Gadget! 

Children of the 1980s know who I'm referencing... remember Inspector Gadget? The animated TV show series with a sometimes bumbling bionic police inspector was one of my favorites. He had all kinds of great gadgets! I have been driving a new 2015 Ford Flex this week, courtesy of Ford Southeast, and it has some auto gadgets I have never seen before.

Like the chiller compartment: the available second-row refrigerated console can chill up to seven 12-ounce cans, four half-liter bottles or two 20-ounce bottles in refrigeration or freezer mode! We are often rolling down the highways on family road trips, and I always bring a small cooler with a few drinks and snacks. This would save us from needing that extra piece to lug around and no more melting ice cubes or plastic freezer blocks that do not stay cold long enough. Family travel approved.

And the BLIS system: the Blind Spot Information System warns drivers of objects in the blind spot when backing up, helping to avoid aggravating parking lot mishaps. It uses radar to  detect the relative position of other vehicles and warn drivers before a potential impact.

One vaccuum to literally do it ALL - @SharkCleaning

I received a Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away vacuum for the purposes of this review. However, all opinions (as always) are 100% mine.

I have a crawling and inquisitive baby at home. He has lightning fast reflexes when it comes to finding anything, picking it up, and shoving it in his little mouth. He tastes everything and he spends most of his day on the floor, so... I have become obsessed with clean floors.

This is one amazing Transformer of a vacuum. It has every function you could ever need! The Shark Rotator Powered Lift Away is an upright canister vacuum, a hand held vacuum, stick vacuum, and functional hardwood floor cleaner all in one - with four additional attachments to clean pet hair from furniture or crumbs out of cracks and crevices.

Our home is almost entirely hardwood on the main with carpet upstairs and in the finished space of the basement. So I had perfect spaces in which to test out the various Shark Rotator Powered Lift Away functions.

It had an easy glide on the carpets and powerful suction. Even when I thought there was nothing on the floor, this Shark picked up more.

The Hard Floor Genie is one of my favorite functions - you attach a different cleaning head, which comes with an attachable cleaning pad for the "white sock" clean you want on hardwoods. The pad cleans and catches dust while the vacuum gap allows for suction of larger dirt and debris. No need to sweep and use a dustpan and then vacuum again! One mega tool can do it all.

Using the #LeapPad3 on vacation

We just returned home from #BeachesMoms, the Social Media on the Sand conference hosted by Beaches Resorts, Turks and Caicos. The event was sponsored by brand leaders including LeapFrog, Playskool, Party City, HP, Land's End, Certain Dri, and many more.

The kind folks at LeapFrog were generous enough to gift a LeapPad3 and one Explorer game to the social media moms who brought children along on the Beaches adventure. They said it would be handy to have on a long flight... they were right.

Normally, my daughter begs for my phone or the tablet, but I am often catching up on work, writing, or trying to conserve the battery. Thanks to a LeapPad3 of her very own, she was entertained and barely made a peep.

Amelia is 6 1/2 years old and a super smart kid. She enjoys learning games and puzzles, as well as reading anything she can get her eyeballs on. I was not sure if the LeapPad3 games would be too "young" for her, but they do a great job of categorizing all of the apps by age and skill. I was able to choose from math games, puzzle games, creativity projects, and more.

Here, Amelia tells us a bit about her LeapPad3 (she was nervous but proud to do a video review of her own!)


So, kids think it is fun and they enjoy videos and games - not surprising! My daughter also likes the attached stylus so she won't lose it, and she loves that the LeapPad3 fits easily in a backpack.

Snug & Dry for the speedy baby on the go! @Huggies #MC #sponsored

Note: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central for Huggies and Target. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

 

 

The baby boy in this house is now over eight months old and a total speed demon. He kind of reminds me of Turbo, that racing snail from the animated children's movie. He's a little guy on all fours, scooting around the room, but scooting really FAST. It seems no obstacle can contain him; he is a baby on the move with lots of things to see (and taste).
 

With all of that zippy crawling, I have recently noticed red marks around his legs from diaper chafing. Not all diapers fit the same way. Some are more of a rectangle shape and fit more loosely around his little squishy thighs. Looser = more chafing, it seems.

Enter Huggies Snug and Dry diapers with the Sure Fit design. This diaper has more curve to its shape and a thinner feel. It hugs baby's soft and sensitive skin and stays with him as he moves and races throughout his busy baby day. We have been testing Huggies Snug and Dry for a few days now, and no chafing! Before, I was using baby lotion or petroleum jelly to soothe the red marks. Not needed anymore! So far so good, and he seems as happy as can be on his daily quests for adventure.

 

When you are diaper shopping, don't forget the wipes! All wipes are not created equal.

Our family road trip in the Toyota RAV4

Did your family have a great Labor Day weekend?
Our Labor Day weekend began with a brand-new shiny red vehicle in our driveway!

The kind people at Toyota's PR firm arranged for us to borrow a 2015 Toyota RAV4 to take on our Labor Day weekend road trip to the mountains of North Carolina so I could tell you all about our experience.

I am a mid-size SUV owner, so my first plan of action was to find out if my family, our luggage, and the various baby gear could fit comfortably in a smaller SUV/crossover for a road trip. The interior of the Toyota RAV4 is surprisingly roomy. In fact, I could not tell much difference vs. my current SUV. The infant car seat and Amelia's booster seat fit just fine in the back, with plenty of space at their feet and in between their seats for various baby toys, books, and snacks.

Banana Boat: keeping us safe and providing fun ideas!

I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Banana Boat® Sun Care. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

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Everyone knows that Banana Boat is dedicated to sun safety, right? They have us covered with numerous product lines of sunscreen. High SPF, lower SPF, sprays, lotions, kid-safe, and now even special varieties for the men in our lives.

As a Banana Boat Ambassador, I recently received a few Banana Boat varieties to test including one SPF 50 made for sensitive child skin, some general protection varieties, and a lotion and Ultra Mist made especially for my husband: Triple Defense For Men. My husband played in a business golf tournament last week. It is June and we are in Atlanta, so that means the sun is bright and really hot. As he was preparing to leave for the day, he grabbed the Triple Defense For Men lotion. There's something about the manly black bottle, the nice scent, and the fact that it's "for men" -- that is the bottle he wanted to keep in his golf bag. And after using it, he keeps telling me how non-greasy it feels, as compared to other lotions. I am just happy he isn't going to burn up out there!

For the "Best Summer Ever"? Get on the boat!

“I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Banana Boat® Sun Care. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”
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Get on the boat...
Do you remember those commercials? I can still hear the jingle, "get on the boat, the Banana Boat®", sung by a happy man with a Caribbean beach vibe. The advertisements used to make me dream of the beach, a place I could only be for one week each year. Ultimate summer memories.

Fast forward to 2014, I'm all grown up and a mom to two. The beach continues to be one of my favorite destinations for all ages. We splash in the surf, build sand castles, and search for shells on leisurely evening walks. If the tide is too high for beach play, we retreat to the pool for splashing water battles or pull out the board games on the condo balcony. We play outdoors, read outdoors, relax outdoors, and eat outdoors. If it can be done in the sunshine of a summer day, we are there. With our sunscreen applied and reapplied, of course!

Adorable manicures that last 2 weeks! #Giveaway

I have a new fun beauty addiction... Jamberry Nail Wraps!

Have you heard of these yet?

I was asked to do the 7-day test with a wrap and I am hooked. I placed one Jamberry Nail Wrap on one finger of each hand and painted the others. I used a high-quality beauty store polish. Right away, I liked that the Jamberry wrap required no drying time. With a baby who began whining about a wet diaper, it was not ideal to wait for the polish fingers to dry. 

Finally, they dried. It looked pretty nice - although I'm a messy fingernail painter. I do wish the polish fingers looked a bit cleaner. 48 hours into the test, and there was already a clear winner. The Jamberry nails still looked like the moment I put them on, and my polished nails were struggling: