Tiffany Merritt - Stuff Parents Need

Atlanta’s WOW Factor for Kids: The Georgia Aquarium

May 7, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 5 Comments

Affiliate links may be included. All opinions are my own, as always.

A few weeks ago we were invited to spend the day at the Georgia Aquarium and check it out as a family-friendly destination for folks who live in the Atlanta area, for folks who are an easy day-trip away (like me since we live in Chattanooga), or for folks whose travel plans include passing through the city or dwelling there for a few days.

Now I must tell you, Chattanooga has an aquarium, and it is absolutely FANTASTIC. We’ve had a membership there for 2 years, and I think it is one of the very best in the nation for several reasons. But even I have heard from other folks, from quiet whispers to gushing shouts, that the Georgia Aquarium is something everyone who ever sets foot in Atlanta needs to see. So naturally I had to go see what all the fuss was about. I mean, once you’ve seen one impressive aquarium, haven’t you seen them all?

But here’s what I realized after touring the facility: The Georgia Aquarium has a WOW factor. Actually, it has several WOW factors. These are over-the-top AWESOME sights and experiences that you pretty much aren’t going to find anywhere else.

georgia aquarium 2

Beluga whales, anyone? They are the most playful looking creatures I’ve ever seen, and they are curious about the people on the other side of the glass and will get really close so they can inspect you! You can also sign up for an experience where you can get in the tank with them!

How about dolphins? The Georgia aquarium has a spectacular dolphin show that is included with your admission ticket. You have to sign up for a show time when you get there. I learned once I was there that you can actually do this ahead of time, and TRUST ME when I tell you that you need to plan ahead. We got to the dolphin ticket counter no more than 15 minutes after the aquarium opened and the first two shows of the day were already sold out. We almost didn’t make it to our show because our youngest was so exhausted by 2pm. But we powered through and were totally dazzled. It was an awesome way to end our day there.

The Georgia Aquarium is also home to whale sharks, and you can watch them swim past you and over you as you go through their undersea tunnel. It is SO cool to watch these huge creatures gracefully glide through the water. Major WOW moment, for sure!

I was also impressed by the number of opportunities kids (and adults!) have to experience the exhibits with more than just their eyes. If you have a little one who likes to touch as part of the learning experience, this is a great place to go! We touched starfish, rays, a mock-up of coral reef, and you can sign up to get to touch the beluga whales and the dolphins. I saw a beluga whale give a guest a kiss while I was there!

What I Didn’t Love

The layout of the Georgia Aquarium is decidedly different from the one in Chattanooga. The one in Chattanooga is designed to keep people flowing and walking through. And I love that. The Georgia Aquarium, on the other hand, is designed like a wheel with spokes. There is a central hub that is very open and very large, and probably seems unnecessarily so on quiet days. It is in this area that you can find the food court, and from here you can head in most any direction to an outstanding exhibit area.

But we visited on Good Friday this year, and as it turns out, everyone else in the metropolitan area thought that was a good day to visit, too. The crowds really and truly reminded me of Disney World in June: PACKED! Several exhibits we barely got to see due to the huge crowds, and a few we just had to skip altogether. Here’s a shot of one of the tropical tanks. I would have LOVED to have stayed in this room basking in the glow of the warm sunlight and remembering my snorkeling adventures in the Caribbean (it was beautiful, though this tank was even more beautiful!). But alas, it was so crowded that I snapped this shot, cooed at it ever so briefly, and had to leave. 🙁

I actually asked folks on Facebook if the crowds I experienced that day were normal, and lots and lots of people told me that while it certainly can get busy, they have also been on much lower-traffic days, and had a more enjoyable experience. So my advice to you is to avoid weekends and holidays like the plague, and to go on a weekday when everyone else is working. You’ll get to take in more of the sights and actually get up close to the glass so you can make new friends. This guy right here is just waiting for you to come hang out with him!

And while the ticket prices for the aquarium are high (at least in my opinion…$36 for adults, $30 for kids 3-12), when you get there you’ll understand why…not only are there so many incredible things to see, but your admission fee is also helping the aquarium do really important conservation work around the world. Did you know, for example, that the Georgia Aquarium is growing coral? Some of it will go in their own tanks, and some of it will be deposited on reefs in the Caribbean to help them thrive!

As long as you are smart about WHEN you go to the Georgia Aquarium, you are sure to be happy with your experience. Who could possibly resist grinning at the site of a smiling ray passing by???

If you are going to be hitting several of the city’s top attractions, then you DEFINITELY need to check out CityPass, which will save you up to 50% on your ticket prices for the tickets you were already planning on buying (such as the Fernbank Museum of Natural History and The World of Coca-Cola)! Woo hoo!

The Girl Wearing It: Teaching My Daughters What True Beauty Is

May 6, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Compensation provided by Global Influence. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

My mother-in-law has some sayings that have rubbed off on me, and perhaps my favorite of all has to do with how she compliments her granddaughters (she would also use this for grandsons if she had any…but all 7 of her grandchildren are girls!). She might say to Darah, as an example: “Darah I absolutely LOVE your sparkly dress. But do you know what I love even more? The girl wearing it!”

dove beauty mother's day

Or she’ll say to Layah, “Layah I LOVE your beautiful smile. But I love EVEN MORE the girl wearing it!”

The message she is sending is that her deepest love is reserved for who the girls ARE, not what they look like. They are beautiful, wonderful and truly loved just because they are themselves. I love that, and I’ve started saying to my daughters, as well. Darah has picked up on it, as she recently told me that my outfit was so lovely, but that the person wearing it was even lovelier. That made my day!

Dove and Walgreens Bring Something Beautiful to Mother’s Day

A brand that I think shares the same sentiments about where beauty comes from is Dove. They have really knocked it out of the park in the last decade or so with their messaging. And in celebration of Mother’s Day (which is this weekend!), Dove and Walgreens have teamed up to bring you a few great promotions.

First, be sure to check out the Mother’s Day sticker app on Facebook. You can embellish a photo that you’d like to give to your mom this year for free! Definitely go play around that that!

Second, if you purchase 2 participating Dove products at Walgreens (which are buy 1 get 1 50% off!), you’ll receive a promo code on your receipt that you can redeem for a FREE 8×10 collage print. As a mom, I can tell you that I’d LOVE to get some new Dove products this Mother’s Day, and I’d LOVE to get a photo collage of my family, as well! This program goes until 5/31/14, so you have a few weeks to check it out (but there’s no time like the present, as this would seriously make a great Mother’s Day gift!).

A “Happy” Mother’s Day Book Suggestion

May 5, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

Review copy provided. All thoughts are my own, as always. Affiliate links may be included.

This morning I’ve been spending a bit of time reading Advice for A Happy Life: Lessons from my Mother. This is a story of reflections from the author on her mother, who got a lot of joy out of clipping articles and quotes out of various publications…little scraps of “life advice” that she would frequently mail to her daughter.

I was particularly drawn to this book because my mother does the exact same thing. Yes, even in the digital age when people email and share stuff like this on Facebook, my mother still gets out her scissors and clips meaningful things she finds in print and mails it to me. It’s one of the ways that she shows she is thinking of me and hoping for all good things in my life.

mother's day gift under $10

Advice for a Happy Life is a quick, sweet read, chock-full of wit and wisdom that will touch mothers of all ages. If you are looking for a last-minute gift idea for Mother’s Day, this is definitely a good one and it’s under $10 for the hardback, and even less for the Kindle version! Give it along with some yummy butter cookies, which is what I munched on while reading the book. They made the perfect pair! 🙂

Honest Company Rinse Aid Review: An Honest Assessment

May 1, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

For the last two weeks I have been using The Honest Company’s Rinse Aid in my dishwasher. This is a reasonably priced product ($5.95) in the Honest Company line of offerings, and it is said that one bottle will provide product for roughly 75 loads of dishes. I found that filling my rinse aid dispenser in my dishwasher took about 1/3 of the entire product, but I have run about 20 loads of dishes since that time and will probably need to refill it after about 5 more loads. So I think the estimate provided is a pretty good one! This makes the per load cost around 8 cents.

Why Choose Honest Rinse Aid Over Jet-Dry?

Well, for me it is a simple choice: The Environmental Working Group has given Jet-Dry an F rating for its use of toxic chemicals. Honest Rinse Aid gets a C. Is a C awesome? No, but it is a significant improvement. Does Honest Rinse Aid work as well as Jet-Dry? No, it doesn’t. But it does help remove spots and streaks and that hazy gray film you might find on your dishes. And the difference between how well it performs versus how well Jet-Dry performs isn’t enough to make me want to go back to Jet-Dry, especially in light of how horrible Jet-Dry is for the environment.

How to Purchase Honest Rinse Aid (and How NOT To Purchase It)

Honest Rinse Aid is only $5.95. If you order the Honest essentials bundles every month, don’t include this as one of your 5 main items, as the per item cost for those equals $7.20. You’ll be over-paying for the item if you do this! Instead, add it as a +3 item that you are allowed to purchase for a 25% discount. That will bring the price down to $4.45 and make your per load expense just 6 cents! :-). If you need some ideas on what you should be putting in your essentials bundles (and some tips on what to avoid), be sure to check out my full list of Honest Company reviews.

New to Honest Company? Get Your Freebies!

Don’t forget that if you have never tried The Honest Company products before, you can get lots of freebies just for giving them a try! I’ve got the full scoop on the Honest Company free trial for you.

Have you tried Honest Rinse Aid, yet? What did you think about it?

How to Remove Crayon from Painted Walls

April 30, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 17 Comments

Oh the joys of parenting a toddler! You get to search online for answers to questions such as “how to remove crayon from painted walls” or, “how to remove crayon from painted wood” or, “how to remove crayon from plastic.” Layah’s a little artist, y’all, and it seems that her medium of choice is ANYTHING THAT SHOULDN’T HAVE CRAYON ON IT. Sigh…

But imagine my joy when I discovered that my newest love affair (essential oils) would also be the solution to my colorful wall problem! In my kit of oils I have lemon essential oil. It smells insanely awesome, and it also helps me with lung and sinus support and appetite suppression. Basically, it is a wonder oil.

And now I know that it can also get crayon off painted walls!

All you need to do is put a drop of Young Living lemon essential oil on a q-tip, and gently scrub the colored area. Look at what happens!

I was a little bit worried that since I was applying an oil to the walls I would be left with an oily or greasy looking residue. But since I used Young Living oils and I know that they are 100% pure and contain no additives, I had nothing to fear!

There is no residue whatsoever. I’ve used this on several painted spots in my house, all with great results. Just one more reason to fall in love with lemon!

More About Essential Oils

If you want to learn more about my journey with essential oils and why I won’t stop talking about them, check out my other posts! And if you want to get some lemon oil for yourself, email me at stuffparentsneed@gmail.com, as I’ll be placing an order around May 15th and I’d be happy to include you in it! If you are reading this after May, feel free to reach out to inquire about my next monthly order date!

Starting My Oil Journey as a Skeptic

Supporting My Lungs and Sinues Throughout the Seasons

Essential Oils for Weight Loss

DIY Shower Disks for Congestion

How to Get Started with Essential Oils

How to Get Rid of Hiccups with Peppermint Oil

How to Strengthen Brittle Nails with Essential Oils

How to Get Free Essential Oils Without Starting a Business (It’s EASY!!!)

How to Neutralize Bathroom Odors in a Flash

Dainties Delivered Straight to Your Door: True & Co. Review

April 29, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 5 Comments

I received a complimentary gift card in exchange for providing my honest opinions, which I have done (as always!). This post contains affiliate links.

I’m not stranger to the joys of shopping online and doing all your “trying on” from the privacy of your own home. As a mom with two little ones, it is a very convenient way for me to shop when I am am able to (usually around 4am, no exaggeration). And if there is a service where someone who knows what they are doing can help me make the right selections, well that’s a REALLY big bonus! I love when the guess work is taken away from me and I am presented with options that are ideal for my body type and my personal style.

This is the concept behind True & Co, which is a company seeking to totally revolutionize the way women shop for bras. I usually avoid shopping for bras until I absolutely HAVE to, and I am quite loyal to one particular brand simply because I know how it will fit and I know that they don’t have itchy tags all over the place making it impossible to try on. It’s about as streamlined as I could possibly make the process. But True & Co. gives me the opportunity to answer some questions for them about how my current bras are (or aren’t) working for me, and makes particular suggestions based on my answers.

Perhaps what surprised me the most about filling out the form was that the company suggested that I try a different size bra based on my responses. It has never occurred to me to try on a different size, and I haven’t been sized in several years, so I decided to follow their advice and have bras sent in their recommended size instead of in the size that I always buy. I also had the option to include a selection of underwear to check out. Since the box comes with complimentary shipping both ways, I decided to go for it. Here’s what arrived:

My Thoughts on True & Co.’s Selections

First, let’s talk about the underwear. The underwear all came individually packaged in plastic. The information I received (which I read prior to touching everything, thank goodness) stated that if the plastic was open on the underwear, it could not be returned. At first I found this to be extremely annoying. There’s no way I’m going to buy a pair of underwear that I can’t at least feel to see if I like the fabric.

The more I thought about it, though, the more I understood True & Co.’s policy. What other way do they have to make sure people don’t try on the underwear before sending it back? That would certainly be unsanitary. I think there needs to be a middle path on this issue, though. They need to come up with a way that the customer can at least touch the underwear to help with the decision-making process. Since the underwear was on the expensive-side (many of my bottoms were around $20 each), the fact that I couldn’t even touch them made it a no-brainer for me; back in the return bag they all went. If I were to order another True & Co. box I’d totally skip over the underwear next time.

Now for the bras. I was sent some really cute and also really practical bras. The polka-dot bra would have been a HECK YES for me were it not for the fact that it wasn’t padded at all. More power to you if you don’t feel the need to wear a lightly padded bra, but I definitely don’t feel that way. When I was making my bra selections from their recommended list, I didn’t make a point of checking that all the bras were lined, so I take a bit of the blame here. But on the other hand, I also included in my profile that I filled out that I wear lightly padded bras only, so I wasn’t expecting a bra without any sort of lining to be included in my offerings. Such a bummer…you’ll just have to trust me that it was adorable on!

Two of the remaining 3 bras, all of which were in the larger size they recommended, were too big, just as I feared they would be. I’m glad I tried their suggestion, though, since there was absolutely no risk in doing so (remember, free shipping both ways!). And the fourth bra in the mix fit beautifully and I decided to keep it.

When your box from True & Co. arrives, you have 5 days total to try on your bras, complete feedback on what was sent to you, and get it back in the mail. If you return the items without completing the feedback about what you are keeping, and what you are returning, you will be charged a $20 convenience fee. I think that sort of charge is a first for me with these types of boxes, but I understand why they do it. In order to provide you with excellent recommendations, they really do need to get to know your likes and dislikes better so that every box can improve and delight you even more. If they don’t know why you returned items, they won’t learn!

One other thing that I’d like to see them do is to go ahead and have the return label adhered to the return bag. It was just a bit of an inconvenience to have to cut and tape the label on myself; I suppose I’ve been spoiled by other companies who have the bag totally ready to go and all I have to do is add the products. Not a big issue, just one small thing that will make the process a bit easier for the customer.

Want To Try True & Co.?

While I wasn’t head-over-heels with True & Co., I will say that I think it is a great concept and totally worth trying out. I’ve got a SWEET True & Co. coupon for $25 off your first purchase! Prices for bras vary from brand to brand, but most of mine were right around $50, so a $15 will bring the price down quite nicely. It could also net you a free (or close to free!) pair of underwear! Just take 5 minutes to fill out the quiz and you’ll be on your way to your personalized boutique of options! And get this, friends: once you are signed up, you get your own referral code so that you can give your friends a $15 off coupon, and when they use it, YOU get a $15 credit to the shop, too! Free underwear for everyone! 😉

And speaking of free underwear, if you post a picture of your box on their facebook page, they will send you a coupon for a free pair of underwear with your next purchase. Woo hoo!

What do you think? Does this sound like a service you would use?

How to Choose the Right Can of Tomatoes for Your Dish

April 27, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Complimentary samples provided. All thoughts are my own, as always.

Crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, plum tomatoes, tomato puree, tomato sauce, tomato paste: do you ever get confused about which ones to choose?

Me, too!

That’s why I LOVE what Tuttorosso, a tomato brand that has been around for 85 years, has added to their can labels. They have a helpful little guide on the back that shows you what each type of product is best for, and best in. So smart! I liked the idea so much that I just had to show you so you can look for it in the stores.

Facebook Contest!

Tuttorosso is so thrilled to be celebrating 85 years in the business, and they are encouraging fans to get in on the action (and win some prizes!).

To enter, like the Tuttorosso’s Facebook page. Then post about who has been an inspiration in your family cooing tradition and how you would celebrate in their honor. Just for entering you will receive a meal-occasion themed digital recipe flip-book that has great recipes, cooking tips, and a $1.00/4 coupon!

Among the entrants, a winner will be selected and will receive a $250 prize pack that includes a serving plate, sauce ladle, pasta pot set and heirloom wooden spoon, plus $300 to a dinner celebration of the winner’s choosing! The contest ends on May 7th, so get yourself entered!

Top Gifts for Moms Who Love Good Food (Find Them at Best Buy!)

April 27, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

I spend a great deal of time throughout the day in the kitchen. My children love to eat a hot breakfast at least 3 times a week, everyone is home most days for lunch, and then there’s dinner to think about, too. I’m not the type to spend more time than I have to planning, prepping, cooking and cleaning in there, but I’ve come to not mind it so much over the years. I think that has to do with my skill set improving in the kitchen.

Having the right gadgets doesn’t hurt, either! And there are a few I’m adding to my wish list this year, in the hopes that my husband will read this post and head on over to Best Buy to pick something out. Perhaps it will give you some ideas, too!

Favorite Gifts for the Foodie Mom

There’s an awesome list of ideas for the mom who loves to cook. I want to share them all with you, but I also want to highlight the one I personally want the most. It was a really tough call, you guys! Let me first just say that if your love is a fan of coffee and doesn’t yet have a Keurig, stop right now, head over to and buy one. No seriously, I’ll wait…

I already have one (hence the passion in my voice for you getting one, too!) so that isn’t my personal top pick. My interest lies with the Oster Waffle Maker. Can you believe that we DON’T own a waffle maker??? You guys, my kids LOVE waffles! I buy them from the grocery store twice a month. We don’t own a waffle maker because we do have a small home, so gadgets that are “one trick ponies” aren’t usually welcome here. Everything needs to do several jobs. But I have to tell you, after watching my girls request waffles for breakfast day after day, I know it isn’t a passing fad for them. And I think a waffle maker would certainly earn its keep around here!

Here are some other great choices for the !

Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 16GB
Mini Jambox Wireless Speaker
iPad Air Defender Papaya
KitchenAid Ultra Power Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Cuisinart Griddler
Smart Oven Convection Toaster/Pizza Oven
Hamilton Beach set and forget slow cooker
Cuisinart Food Processor
8 bottle wine chiller
Ninja Blender
Breville Juicer
Samsung 22″ Class LED 1080p HDTV
Cuisinart Smart Stick 2-Speed Hand Blender
Rocketfish Under-Cabinet Mount For Most 13″ – 22″ Flat-Panel TVs
Dash Greek Yogurt Maker

Why Best Buy?

So why should you be shopping for these gifts at Best Buy, in particular? Well, in addition to being an “one stop” shopping center for all things electronically awesome, Best Buy also offers a . You are going to get the best price and save the most when you shop there!

Best Buy also has all types of gifts for all types of Moms, so be sure to check out their for different suggestions based on the mom in your life’s interests.

Finally, Best Buy offers truly affordable convenience if you need to do your shopping online on all overs over $35! Heck yes!

Twitter Party!

Best Buy is hosting hosting two Twitter parties in celebration of Mother’s Day. One is Friday, May 2nd at 12:00pm CST, and the other is Wednesday, May 7th and 7pm CST. Simply follow the #GreatestMom hashtag to join in and try to win Best Buy gift cards and other great products! See you there?

The Summer Sitter Search is On (And a Contest For Your Favorite Sitter!)

April 26, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. I only recommend services I personally use, as always!

We have a wonderful babysitter who is a college student here in town, and she is heading back home for the summer in just a week! ACK!!! So the search is on for someone to help with the girls once a week. I’m looking to Sittercity to help me find a qualified and reliable placement. It’s a service I have used before, and one that I would recommend!

I hope for your sake that you have a regular babysitter, and that s/he isn’t leaving you for the summer! If you DO have someone who helps you out and who you think must surely be among the best sitters around, then you need to listen up! Sittercity is hosting the 2nd Annual Sittercity America’s Top Sitter Contest!

Sittercity's America's Top Sitter Contest

Now through May 2nd you can nominate your sitter by uploading a picture of them. Then submit information about just what makes your sitter amazing and irreplaceable! A panel of experts will choose 10 finalists. From there, Sittercity’s Facebook community will select the winner (and the winner gets $5,000! Talk about a babysitting bonus!!!).

Remember, submissions are only accepted until May 2nd, and the voting period for the top 10 runs from May 13-19.

If your sitter has what it takes to be the next America’s Top Sitter, then nominate them today! Sittercity’s America’s Top Sitter: Nominate Your Sitter Today, deadline: May 2, 2014

And if you ARE currently looking for a sitter, don’t worry! Sittercity’s got you covered. I’ve even got a discount for you!