Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Chocolate Mint Brownies (You. Will. Die!!!)

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So my neighborhood swanky grocery store has had what they call an Andes Mint Brownie on display for the past month. It is approximately the size of my face. So naturally, I bought one when nobody else was around so that I wouldn’t have to share. What with it being so tiny, and all.

And OMG, I wanted to marry that brownie! It was heaven! So I determined that I should make some chocolate mint brownies at home so that I could have a whole pan of this goodness, and not just 1/3 of a pan (seriously, guys, those brownies were super-sized and then some…). These are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or for Easter celebrations. Or you could just make them on a Tuesday. No judgment here.

 

chocolate mint brownies

I used the Betty Crocker Recipe as my guide, and did make a few modifications. Be sure to check out the original and decide how you’d like to proceed!

The recipe has 3 parts: a base, a filling, and a topping. Each layer requires a bit of time to cool down or set, so don’t get this started 30 minutes before dinner! Here are the ingredients:

base:

  • 1 box brownie mix (you will make this according to package directions).

filling:

  • 5 cups powdered sugar (I know!!!)
  • 6 tbsp butter, softened
  • 6 Tbsp whipping cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 tsp mint extract
  • 4 drops green food coloring

topping:

  • 1/3 cup whipping cream
  • 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup butter

chocolate mint brownies stacked

Directions

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 9 x 13 inch square pan  or line it with Reynolds pan lining paper. (For easier cutting, Make and bake brownie mix as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours (I made the brownies in the evening, and then let them cool overnight).
  • In large bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over cooled brownies. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
  • Meanwhile, in 2-quart nonstick saucepan, heat topping ingredients over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Cool about 10 minutes.
  • Pour topping over filling; spread to cover. Refrigerate uncovered about 2 hours or until set. Before cutting into bars, let stand 10 minutes at room temperature. Store covered in refrigerator.

These are VERY sweet, so if you have more than your family can eat in a reasonable amount of time, just freeze the rest!

chocolate mint brownies

Why We Dance Every Day: Girls Dancewear Find

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Special thanks to CostumeSuperCenter.com for providing the dance costume for review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own, as always. 

Every single parent has experienced the tension between playing with your kids and getting some much-needed housework done. I’m not talking about general upkeep stuff. I’m talking about, “If I don’t get these dishes washed we won’t have anything to eat on for dinner” or “If I don’t do a load of laundry, the kids will be wearing their birthday suits to school tomorrow.”

When I find myself in that situation (pretty much daily), I almost always turn on some really fun music (like my Disney Pandora channel) and let the girls start singing and dancing. I will join them for a few dance moves, and then dance back over to whatever chore I’m working on. It feels more seamless to the girls for me to be singing along even if I’m not right next to them, and to have me there every few minutes dancing beside them. It also gives me a little boost of energy and seems to help me work faster.

dance costume toddler 1

Putting on some music is nearly effortless for me, and the girls just love it. There are many great benefits to dancing, and I feel good about the exercise they are getting by running around in circles and leaping through the air (or hopping, in Layah’s case). Dancing also seems to be the activity that causes the least amount of frustration between the two girls; they play beautifully together when they are dancing!

I do keep a rather full costume box so that the girls can play dress up during their dancing sessions. Layah has been having to make do with her sister’s costumes that are too big for her, but now she has her own dance costume. And she adores it! While it doesn’t look a thing like Elsa’s outfit from Frozen, she still believes that she is Elsa when she puts it on, and she sings, “Let it Go!” at the top of her lungs while she twirls around. She even does the “throw off your crown” move!

dancing to let it go

So what about you? Do you ever think to just turn on some music and let the kids sing and dance around the house for a little while? And do your kids like to play dress up any time they are putting on a show? We run the gamut here, from Pink Swan Princess to super hero, and sometimes both at the same time. All set to music. And I always take a moment to look up from my chores and watch my girls loving life and just being kids. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of my day.

toddler dance costume

10 Striped Tops I Love, $20 or Less!

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I’m itching for some new clothes now that the temps are thawing out. And I’m searching for some stripes this spring! Thought I’d share some of my favorite finds that are $20 or less! Yay sales! (Affiliate links included).

spring stripes

Lucky Brand Jeans Stripe Top, $7.19

Chaps Striped Top, $4.05

Ralph Lauren Shimmer Stripe Top, $12.51

Lucky Brand Chevron Striped Top, $14.29

3/4 Scoop Neck Top, $14.99

3/4 Sleeve Faux Leather Stripe, $16.05

Ralph Lauren Long-Sleeve Striped Jersey Tee, $19.23

Planet Gold Juniors Top, $6.20

Croft & Barrow Striped Tee, $5.99

Hang Ten Striped Top, $4.80

 

What are you shopping for this spring??? I’d love to hear! 

Simple Hairstyle for Girls: Infinity Ponytail

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Just wanted to share a video with you lovelies today. It’s another hairstyle that I can actually do for my daughter (I have no hair styling skills…).

 

I got the idea here.

 

Here’s a video tutorial for the infinity ponytail!

Honest Company Conditioning Mist Review: An Honest Assessment

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This is the third item from The Honest Company that I’ve reviewed recently. Please do take a moment to check out my other Honest Company reviews if you are new to The Honest Company and want to learn more about which products to buy and which ones to avoid. I also clue you in on how to get a bunch of stuff free if you are a new customer!

honest-company-conditioning-mist

Simply put, we LOVE Honest Conditioning Mist. I’ve purchased 3 at this point, having given away 2 as gifts. If you’ve got a little one in your house with enough hair to run a brush through, then this product will serve you well.

The scent is very light and very mild, and it works like a detangler on knots. My daughter feels spoiled every time we use it on her, because she knows that conditioner softens the hair, so getting to use this is like getting to have conditioner twice :-).

This is another great add-on product for your bundle, as if you put it in your bundle, you’ll actually pay more for it than the retail price, and if you tack it on as an extra, you’ll get it at  a 25% discount.

Have you tried the Honest Conditioning Mist, yet? Are you a fan like we are?

DIY Shower Disks to Help Support the Lungs

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If you are struggling to make it through cold and flu season unscathed, take a moment to read through this great DIY shower steamer tutorial from my good friend (and blogger extraordinaire) Kayla. She and I share a love for essential oils. I can’t wait to tell you guys what they are doing for me! 

showersteamers_1 (2)

I am so not a fan of cold and flu season. This winter has been one for the record books and it’s certainly brought along it’s fair share of the sniffles. I’m currently on the lookout for products that can help support the lungs and sinuses, so when I saw a few tutorials online on how to make a DIY version of shower steamers I thought that would be a great place to start! After all, a steamy shower is my go-to weapon for supporting the immune system, and especially the lungs.

If you’ve never seen these, they are basically little pods that dissolve in the shower and they may help clear your head (and your nose!) You can totally whip these up quickly at home with ingredients you most likely already have on hand. I played around with the recipe a bit until I found one that worked well for us. The whole project only took 30 minutes, start to finish!

Here is what you will need:
Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and about 1/3 cup of water until it forms a thick but slightly pourable paste. You might have to add a little more water, just go slowly until you reach the consistency you want.
Mix with a fork and spoon in to muffin tins. I typically fill them about 1/4 full.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Let cool and then add about 3-4 drops of each essential oil to the top of each disk. I had peppermint oil on hand and added a drop of it to each because I really love the smell of it.

When dry, remove the shower disks from the tin and store in an airtight container. Like a mason jar. I’m southern. We put everything in mason jars, y’all. We drink sweet tea straight out of them. We just can’t help ourselves. But look how cute!

 

At the first hint of the need for some nasal function support, pop one of the shower disks onto the floor of the shower when you get in. There is nothing like the scent of eucalyptus in a steamy shower when you aren’t feeling well!

I use the lavender essential oil in our diffuser every night to help promote a relaxed feeling so that was one I already had on hand and I plan on making some DIY chest rub with the eucalyptus oil so I should get some good use out of it! Packaged up in a pretty container, these all-natural shower steamer disks would make a great “Get Well Soon” gift to accompany a bowl of chicken soup to a sick friend!

 

And of course, you can always leave a comment here with any questions you might have and I’ll try to get you an answer or follow up with you directly over email. I’m new to using essential oils myself, but so far, I’ve been quite impressed with what I’m able to do with them!

*I am not a medical professional, I’m just sharing a natural remedy that has worked for our family. As always, if you have any allergies or medical conditions, consult a physician before use.

** Eucalyptus is generally not recommended for children under the age of 10. Therefore, these shower disks are best for older children or adults. 

You might also want to give this homemade vapor rub a try for after the shower.

DIY vapor rub

Need another cheap and easy DIY gift idea? Try these gorgeous peppermint bath salts with candy cane stripes!

How to Organize and Store Wrapping Paper (Giveaway!)

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I don’t know what the gift wrap situation is in your house, but my husband is NOT a fan of having tons and tons of rolls. In fact, he has told me that he would be perfectly happy using up an entire roll before ever buying another one.

I’m not a fan of the art of gift wrapping (I wrap presents like a 5 year old…no, seriously). But I DO appreciate having a little variety in my wrapping paper choices (or, let’s be real, my gift bag choices). So we compromise, and I only purchase 2 or 3 rolls every year to replace the ones that get used up. I show EPIC restraint during the after Christmas sales, let me tell you!

gift wrap storage that actually works

Even so, over the years all of our gift wrap supplies have grown a bit, and take up 2 boxes that slide under the bed instead of just 1. Basically, it’s a mess, and for the size house we have (under 1400 square feet) wrapping paper is taking up too much precious real estate.

wrap it gift wrap organizer The folks at Wrap iT recently asked me to try out their product designed to organize gift wrap. When it came in the mail, I set it out next to all of our supplies and thought, “Um, I don’t think so!”

wrap it gift wrap storage

So I got the storage bag, which is designed to go under your bed, or even hang up in the closet if you like. Even though I noted all the pockets and storage areas, I still wasn’t convinced that it was going to hold everything.

So then I started finding homes for everything, and little by little, my big pile of wrapping paper supplies started to dwindle.

wrap it organize gift wrap

I kept the birthday wrapping paper on one side, and the Christmas wrap on the other. The inside of the Wrap iT also had space for tape and ribbons.

wrap it wrapping paper storage The outside of the Wrap iT had a lot of pockets, and that’s where I put my boxes, tissue paper, gift bags, gift tags, scissors, markers and bows.

Yes, indeed, the Wrap iT held that entire pile of stuff. And now the space we have devoted to storing gift wrap supplies is cut in half, and instead of having to drag out two boxes any time we want to wrap something, we only have to reach for one thing.

I’ve seen it with my own two eyes, friends, the Wrap iT works! If you want to see for yourself how Wrap iT works (in 100 seconds!) check out this video.

Save 25%

I’ve got a coupon code just for my readers so that you can keep the cost down if you’d like to have Wrap iT in your home! Use code SPNRocks25 at checkout and the price goes down from $59.97 to $44.97. This would be an AWESOME gift for a college grad, newlywed, or anyone who is just looking to get more organized. We love our Wrap iT and we’ll never go back to boxes under the bed!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is also going to WIN a Deluxe Wrap iT! If you purchase the product using the coupon code and then go on to win the giveaway, your purchase will be refunded! 🙂
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

 

 

The Dirtier the Clothes, the Bigger the Memories ($2 off Coupon)

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

photo 52d1e81d-e18c-455b-a24b-fe98b1d73b15_zps31e6f2af.jpg

What was the messiest activity you loved to do as a child? For me, it was making muddy acorns, which is a spin off of making mud pies. We had a large outdoor brick fireplace in our backyard, and it served as a kitchen. We also had a giant oak tree that produced thousands of acorns each year. I would get clay from under the house (I grew up in Alabama, where red clay was plentiful) and some dirt from the back yard, and I'd also get a bowl of water from the house. Then I'd gather up all the acorns I could hold, wash them one by one in the water, and then dredge them in the clay, followed by the dirt. I truly believed I was making gourmet acorns. 

Poor squirrels. 

But I'm sure they were able to undo my work easily enough, and I sure did have a lot of fun "cooking" in the backyard. I'm sure my parents didn't have quite as much fun when it was time to do the laundry, though. Dirt AND clay? Yikes! 

White Cloud knows that as parents we are dealing with some really tough stains, though they also believe that, "The dirtier the clothes, the bigger the memory!" Their laundry care line has just realeased a new formula of products with 3-in-1 Micro Clean Technology that is enzyme-based to help attack even the toughest stains. If you Like White Cloud on Facebook, you'll likely find a high value coupon there to try the product (they have a limited quantity, so you'd better hurry!). The $2 off coupon is available if you share information about the coupon to others on Facebook or Twitter. If you'd rather not do that, you can still print a $1 off coupon. Limit one coupon per purchase on product specified. No cash back if coupon value is higher than purchase price. Void if reproduced, transferred, used to purchase products for resale, or where prohibited/regulated by law. Not valid on trial size. Consumer pays sales tax. Redeemable at participating retail stores. Valid only in the U.S.

White Cloud Laundry Care comes in Blooming Lavender, Summer Breeze and Tropica Fiesta. I've been craving warmer weather lately, so I personally would go for Summer Fiesta. Check out the Store Locator to see wher eyou can find the product for yourself. They are available at Walmart, and that's where I always find them. It's available in box liquid and powder form, in 100 and 150-ounce sizes.

And don't forget to Follow White Cloud on Twitter and Follow White Cloud on Pinterest to get more great ideas, tips, and savings notifications. 

Visit Sponsor's Site

7 Ways to Make Potty Training AWESOME With #CtnlCareRoutine

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This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Cottonelle but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CtnlCareRoutine  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

So as many of you might recall, we’ve been working on potty training with Layah for quite a few months, now. We took a laid-back approach with our first child even though we started really early. It worked beautifully, as she was out of diapers by the time she was 20 months old.

Layah is now 21 months old, and is still in diapers. I noticed that we seem to have more success with her when we really make the potty experience special. We no longer have a winter wonderland in our bathroom (though it was there for 6 weeks, so trust me, it had its run!). But perhaps I could think of something else that would be fun?

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the 7 things that are working for us right now.

1. Set the scene. Perhaps you call it a potty palace (that’s our term for it). Maybe it’s a big kid bunker. It could even be a toilet tent. Whatever you choose to call it, just make sure it is a special space that will pique the interest of your child, and make them feel happy just for being there. Layah hangs out in this space I set up for her ALL THE TIME, and much of that time she spends sitting on the potty. Score!!!

2. Have the right tools. Layah has always loved wipes for some reason. They just make the kid happy. Even when she is in the regular bathroom and I reach for a roll of Cottonelle, she calls the toilet paper “wipeys.” Cottonelle actually has an entire Clean Care system to help keep bums clean (little ones AND big ones!) and I have found the Cottonelle Cleansing Cloths to be extra useful during potty training. As Layah practices wiping herself, the wipes are fun for her to use, and can help her be more aware of how much contact she has actually made with her body. I personally have found that she does a better job with this product than with toilet paper alone.

3. Sticker charts rock. Kids love to see the progress they have made, so be sure to get a pack of stickers, as well as some sort of potty training chart.

4. Reward your child’s efforts. I’m not big on bribing, but let me tell you, putting out some chocolate in plain view and informing your child that she can have a piece once they successfully potty WORKS. Layah was thrilled with the promise of an M&M, and didn’t leave her seat until she earned one! 🙂

#CtnlCareRoutine potty for stuffed animals

 5. Involve friends. Darah and Layah both seemed to love the idea that their stuffed animals also went potty, so this time around, I got a doll potty for Layah’s BFF, Doggy. Now they can hang out together in the potty palace!

6. Provide some reading material. Yep, even little ones like to do some reading while they do their business! Layah has a heightened interest in potty training books while sitting on her throne, so I recommend that you have at least one book of this type in your assortment. My top picks are Uh Oh! Gotta Go! and Potty.

7. Decorate to motivate. Layah absolutely loved seeing big girl underwear decorating her potty palace. I reminded her about how she would get to wear them once she started using the potty regularly. She was so thrilled to hear it!

#CtnlCareRoutine toilet paper and cleansing cloths

All the special elements in the potty palace are making Layah feel very excited about potty training. And the Cottonelle Clean Care routine is helping to ensure confidence and true cleanliness! But this routine isn’t just for little ones making the transition to using the toilet. It’s a great routine for anyone!

Book Recommendation

Finally, I want to share a resource for the parents! If you are working hard on potty training right now and need some help figuring out how to wrap it all up and be done, I highly recommend Potty Train in a Weekend by fellow blogger Becky Mansfield. It’s a great affordable resource that you can download as soon as you purchase it. It gets rave reviews from parents everywhere who aren’t sure how to keep potty training from going on and on forever!

So what about you? Have you tried the Cottonelle Clean Care Routine, and started using Cleansing Cloths in the bathroom? If you are potty training (or soon to be potty training) do you think adding them to your process would help your child feel more comfortable and confident? Any other potty training tips out there for other parents in the trenches???