Stuff Parents Need - Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

The Best Cheap Mattress is Also The Best Quality Mattress: A Must-Read

March 7, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Affiliate links may be included at no cost to you. I was not asked or sponsored to write this content about the best cheap mattress on the market, but am writing it because it is an AMAZING deal and I love to help my readers save money. I hope I save you hundreds and you sleep better than you ever have before!

I’ve been on this earth for 36 years and have slept on a wide variety of mattresses (and even a water bed for a short while) and having tried tons of different brands and tons of different types, memory foam mattresses are absolutely my favorite. They tend to provide a medium-firm level of support which is healthy for the body and they don’t make noises or cause disturbances to your partner when you roll over, and if they are quality, they maintain their relative shape for a long period of time.

Please don’t gloss over the part where I said IF THEY ARE QUALITY.

We bought a cheap memory foam mattress off Overstock.com probably 8 years ago to use in a guest room. It was pretty much unused for the first 2 years that we had it, and then we switched it out with our worn out, very expensive Stearns & Foster mattress that we’d been sleeping on for about 8 years (and that the salesman swore up and down would last us two decades). What did we get rid of the Stearns & Foster? Because it was totally sunk in at the middle point. My husband and I would roll down into the middle together and be squished in our own mattress. It was TERRIBLE!!

Anyway, so we switched over to the cheap memory foam mattress and after about 3 years on it it was getting lumpy and uncomfortable in places. So yeah, even though we paid a low price for it (I want to say it was $400), it’s not a good bargain if you have to replace it after 3-4 years of use.

I’ve also checked out the Tempur-pedic line and the Sleep Number line and they are VERY tempting, and I have no doubt that their quality is quite good. But that price tag, though! I just can’t fork over $2k for a mattress! Can you relate?

So where’s that sweet spot where the price is sensible and the quality lives up to the hype?

Nectar Sleep is a company that has blown me away with its offerings, with its over-and-above customer service, and with its customer reviews. The next time I need to purchase a mattress (probably when my oldest is ready for a full-size bed), I’m heading straight to NectarSleep.com.

No Showroom

Wait, isn’t a mattress one of those things that you really need to see (and feel) in person before you buy? If you don’t get any type of free trial, then I would say yes. But at Nectar Sleep, you get 365 nights of a mattress free trial.

Yes, you read that correctly. You get a full year to decide if you are happy with the product. If at any point in time, be it night 3 or night 363, you decide it’s not meeting your expectations, you call the company and they come pick it up.

Totally free of charge.

Most brands do not offer any nights at all for a free trial. Tempur-pedic offers 90. A few online only brands offer between 70-110. But absolutely nobody else gives you this much time to decide if you like it. Since the mattress is a memory foam, this really got my attention after my total burn with my previous online memory foam purchase. By the time we’d slept on it for close to a year, we could already see the signs of problems up ahead with our mattress. So I love that Nectar Sleep is so confident in the quality that they are offering that they give you a year to test it out.

Another great thing about the fact that Nectar Sleep is online only is that the middleman is completely cut out. The overhead costs for the company are kept to a minimum. They have one central warehouse, but no showrooms all over the country to maintain, no salespeople at each location to pay, and all of this means that the total cost of the product can be kept lower.

Price Point

Let me show you how great the prices are right now!

Twin $500
Twin XL $550
Full $700
Queen $795
King $900
California King $900

There’s no shipping cost to you, and if you decide to return the mattress, you don’t pay for return shipping, either. The price is the price! And as of this writing, there is an additional $100 off (any size!) mattress order plus two free pillows. No code needed!

Quality Check

Ok, the prices are fabulous, but what about the quality? When I bought my “bargain” mattress online several years ago, I got absolutely zero information about how it was constructed (probably because if I knew I wouldn’t have wanted to buy it!). Nectar Sleep shows you exactly what you are getting, and it’s so cool to see that the reasonable prices aren’t coming at the cost of quality.

Layer 1 is the Tencel Cooling Cover, that promotes air circulation, heat wicking, and is bedbug resistant (very important!).

Layer 2 is the Quilted Gel Memory Foam, that provides loft and air circulation while perfectly contouring to your body.

Layer 3 is the Gel Memory Foam, which delivers weight distribution and pressure relief.

Layer 4 is the Adaptive Hi Core Memory Foam, that supports the body will providing some rebound and bounce.

Layer 5 is the Breathing Base Layer, which is reinforces the contouring and support layers and serves as a stable foundation.

This is a very thoughtfully constructed mattress that is designed for the long-haul. And should you have any doubts about how superior Nectar Sleep believes their mattress is, just check this out:

Forever Warranty

Check out the Nectar Sleep FOREVER warranty, because it is unlike anything else out there by leaps and bounds! It reads, “We guarantee that the NECTAR mattress will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for as long as you own and use the NECTAR mattress.” Full details can be found here. Yes, of course, there is fine print, but I’ve combed through it and it is a REALLY good warranty. If depressions in the mattress ever exceed 1 1/2 inches, that’s grounds for a defect and a replacement, for example. It’s honestly just incredible and shows me that this company takes quality VERY seriously. They wouldn’t be able to afford to stay in business if they were having to replace or repair mattresses regularly, so as a customer you really can buy with confidence.

What Type of Bed is Compatible?

In the years of my mattress shopping (mis)adventures, I’ve made quite a few mistakes, including purchasing a mattress and boxspring to go with a platform bed. Oops. You need to make sure that the type of mattress you get works with the type of bed you have for it. And good news; Nectar Sleep mattresses work on boxspring, adjustable, traditional, divan or platform beds!

Basically, Nectar Sleep offers a fantastic value for a mattress that isn’t going to wear out on you ahead of schedule and that doesn’t tack on all those high hidden costs (like delivery fees). I’ve shopped around and I feel comfortable saying that this company offers the best value for the dollar. You can sleep soundly after making this decision!

Need more reassurance? Read the reviews (and not all of the people who left reviews kept the mattress, so you aren’t only getting one perspective).

Rockin’ That 15 Minute Masterpiece Meal: Popcorn Shrimp Over Zoodles

March 6, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #40PerfectPairings. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

Last week was especially busy for my kids, thanks to Girl Scout cookie booth sales, play dates with friends, a birthday party, and preparing a tri-board presentation for school on land animals in Australia (Australian animals are strange, FYI). It has left our already tight schedules begging for mercy, especially when it comes to dinner prep.

Oh, and did I mention that my husband is currently on a restricted diet to see if his body is intolerant of particular foods? It makes meal planning absolutely critical, and yet so many of the recipes I find assume that you have at least an hour to give up to the kitchen.

I definitely DO NOT have that kind of time to spare!

A large part of my strategy for weeknight meals includes finding key shortcuts that will save me big chunks of time while also increasing the odds that the meal will be well-received by everyone at the table. One brand I love to turn to is SeaPak® because seafood is something my husband can eat, and this company knows how to make it so, SO yummy (and I should know, because their popcorn shrimp has been MY JAM since I was a kid, myself!).

Last week the meal that got the highest praise from my family was popcorn shrimp over zucchini noodles. It came together lightning fast and tasted amazing, if I do say so myself! Also? I got my kids to eat piles and piles of vegetables, which is a feat in and of itself! Since SeaPak® Popcorn Shrimp pairs so beautifully with Black Box Sauvignon Blanc, I also treated myself to that delicious wine, sipping on it as I put together the meal, and finishing off my glass at the table.

Popcorn Shrimp Over Zucchini Noodles

Ingredients

ingredients for popcorn shrimp over zucchini noodles

SeaPak® Popcorn Shrimp (have a large family? get the family size box!)
zucchini noodles, spiralized (2-3 large for a smaller family, and increase as needed)
1/4 cup jarred pesto
avocado (1/2 needed)
Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 lemon

Begin by preheating the oven to 450 degrees (as directed on the box). While the oven is heating up, bring 6 cups of water to a boil on the stove. Using a spiralizer, turn your zucchini into zoodles!

Side note: I’m not big on having too many specialized gadgets in the kitchen, but I HIGHLY recommend picking up a spiralizer on your next trip to Walmart because I’m shocked by what veggies I can get my kids to eat when I’ve spiralized them! I’ve also tried to make my own zoodles just using a knife and the amount of time that a spiralizer can save you is HUGE, so if you are on the fence, busy mom to busy mom, my recommendation is to go for it. 🙂

At this point the oven should be ready, so add those beautiful popcorn shrimp and bake as directed (10-12 minutes).

When the water on the stove is boiling, add your zoodles and cook for just 90 seconds. This helps them to be less crunchy and closer to al dente. Taste the zoodles at the 90 second mark and decide for yourself if you want them to go 30 seconds longer or not. Drain the noodles in a colander and return to the pot. how to make zoodle pasta

Add the pesto to the zoodles and mix well to combine. Now cut your avocado into bite size chunks. Add the zoodle mixture to a serving plate,and then add the avocado bits around the edges of the plate.

Once the shrimp are ready, add a heap of them to the center of the zoodles. More shrimp can be added to individual plates, as desired. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if you like. Serve your dish and give each person a slice of lemon to squeeze over the shrimp (it’s a really easy way to add more fun to the meal and to encourage reluctant eaters to play with their food a bit!). Now pour yourself a glass of Black Box Wine Sauvignon Blanc. Cheers to you for putting together a fantastic meal is about 15 minutes, flat!

I picked up everything I needed to make this meal at my local Walmart. More often than not I actually use the Walmart Grocery Pickup service, which easily saves me 30 minutes of my day every week. But last week I popped in the store to pick up what I needed. If you have never used the Walmart grocery pickup service, you are in for a really special treat. Give it a first try between March 1st and mid-April and you’ll get an awesome goody bag from Walmart as a thank you gift, and it includes a fantastic recipe book from SeaPak with 40 meal solutions to help busy parents like you and me get our grocery shopping done faster and put together delicious meals quickly. And if you are already a Walmart Grocery Pickup veteran, you can find the booklet online here (and high-fives to you, savvy mama!).

seapak in walmart

And the next time you are in the store, be sure to check out the diverse seafood options that SeaPak offers and pick up a few boxes to have on hand when the weeknights leave you super short on time to make dinner (I also scooped up the family size package of popcorn shrimp since I know everyone loves to eat it, and I snagged the butterfly shrimp for next week’s menu!).

seapak in the freezer

SeaPak can help you come up with a recipe solution in less time than it would take you to hit up the drive-thru and make it back home. Don’t forget to print out this awesome coupon. That’s right: SeaPak wants to help you save time AND money. Aren’t they awesome?!

And don’t forget to cruise over to the beer and wine aisle, too. Note that Black Box wines have snagged a whopping 50 Gold Medals and 29 Wine Enthusiast Best Buy awards. It can be intimidating to try a wine you’ve never tried before (I can think of several times I bought brands that looked pretty but tasted not so great). Let all those awards put your mind at ease! The Sauvignon Blanc I picked up is bright and beautiful and took the food I was eating to the next level. Not a bad thing to have happen on a super busy weeknight! I also love that Black Box wines contain the equivalent for four 750ml bottles of wine at a price point that is about 40% less than what you would expect to pay for comparable wines. It stays fresh for 6 weeks which means I’ve got plenty of opportunities to enjoy one glass of wine after a long, crazy day!

Let me know if you give this yummy, time-saving recipe a try. I’d love to hear what you think!

Moana-Inspired Easter Eggs: Fun DIY Project for The Whole Family

February 28, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

Last weekend my girls were absolutely THRILLED when I surprised them with my fun plan for our Saturday morning: we were going to make Moana-inspired Easter eggs! They were delighted, but also confused since Easter is still a few months away. Well, that’s blogger life for you…we tend to be operating a season ahead of schedule! So Easter eggs in late February is totally legit! 🙂

We came up with 3 Easter egg ideas based on things we saw in the movies. These are simple designs that children can help create because frankly, my crafty skill levels are just not more advanced than that, and I also wanted it to be fun for everyone!

moana easter eggs DIY

Ok, so here’s what I used to make these cute Moana Easter eggs!

moana easter egg supplies

You will need the following supplies in addition to your hard-boiled eggs:

red, blue, green and yellow food coloring
fine glitter in 2 shades of green (my colors are evergreen and key lime) and silver (I used this set)
school glue
bright pigment markers (I used this brand)
silver tempera paint
white vinegar
egg dye containers

Let’s start with the egg inspired by Moana’s outfit!

moana easter egg moana's outfit

To make this color, use 15 drops of red dye and 1 drop of yellow. Add your already hard boiled and cooled egg to a container with 1 cup very hot water and 1 tsp white vinegar, as well as the dye. Let it sit for 10 minutes. If the color comes out a bit patchy, don’t worry about it! I think it looks extra cool that way, to be honest! You can dye more than 1 egg in the mixture but you may want to re-heat the water a bit as that seems to help the color take better (be sure your containers are microwave safe if you do this!).

We took a close look at the pattern that can be most clearly seen on Moana’s sash (take a look here) and then practiced it a few times on a piece of paper. Then we simply drew it with a red marker onto the egg. Easy peasy!

moana easter egg moana's necklace

This is modeled after the necklace that Moana’s grandmother gives her. It hold the heart of Te Fiti (more on that in a minute!).

To make this color, use 15 drops of blue, and 1 of yellow in your cup of very hot water with 1 tsp. white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Once the egg is dry, you will use some tempera paint in silver or gray and paint the top third or so in the same shape as what you see on the original (take a look at the top image here). This will take a little while to dry, so be patient or break out the hair dryer to speed things along. Once it is completely dry, create the design on the silver part of the necklace with a gray marker. Then using glitter glue, or a toothpick dipped in glitter with glue, or a tiny paintbrush with silver glitter and glue, go back over the design to help it stand out a little bit more.

moana easter egg heart of te fiti

And now for the heart of it all…the heart of Te Fiti! To make this color use 12 green, 6 yellow and 3 blue along with 1 cup very hot water and 1 tsp. white vinegar. Let the egg sit for 10 minutes. We looked closely at the design on the heart (look here) and since it was more subtle in its overall look, we decided at the last minute to simply use school glue to create the swirls and then the other detailing. Then we used a pre-mixed combo of evergreen and key lime glitter and sprinkled it all around, and then let it dry. We did another one where we drew out the design using a green marker, followed by glue and glitter. It looked pretty, too, but the pictured approached looked closer to the read thing, so that’s the way I’d recommend doing it!

These eggs are extra fun when you put them in a basket with leis used in the place of Easter grass. You can score a big pile of leis for pretty cheap online!

I hope you enjoy working together as a family on this fun Easter craft idea! Let me know if you come up with any additional Moana-inspired Easter egg ideas!

Do you need some ideas for what to fill your Easter baskets with this year? Moana stuff, of course! Here are some really great ideas to go along with the theme!

Moana Easter Basket Ideas

Top 20 Farm Toys for Toddlers

February 23, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

My niece Taralynn (featured prominently on her mama’s blog, Southern Made Simple) loves cows in particular, and is very interested in farm animals, in general. She lives in the country and can easily visit farms, which means farm toys are the perfect gift idea for her as she approaches her second birthday. I thought I’d put together a list of the best of the best in farm toys for toddlers. I hope it helps you find a super fun gift for your little farm hand in training!

farm toys for toddlers

Playmobil My Take Along Farm

We just got this in the mail from Playmobil a few weeks ago and my 4-year-old absolutely loves it. She totes it around the house and uses it in conjunction with may other toys. She even took her school children on a field trip to the farm, making use of her school house and her bus!). A toddler would absolutely love this set, too. Every young kids needs a farm play set, and this one is perfect. Highly recommend!

2. Melissa & Doug Pop Blocs Farm Animals

Love that the animals are in two pieces that little ones can take apart and put back together. Great for fine and gross motor skills! Comes with a horse, cow, pig, sheep and hen.

3. Kidoozie Funtime Tractor

A tractor is an absolute MUST on the farm! I love that this one is made with safe, high-quality materials so that it will make it through more than one kid. 🙂 This set comes with a tractor, trailer, farmer and 5 animals.

4. ALEX Toys Little Hands String A Farm

We had a very similar toy when our oldest was a toddler and it was a very cool product that really encouraged our child to focus on something (stringing the wooden pieces). Supervision is needed with a younger toddler. Comes with 12 wooden pieces, cotton lace and a stopper.

5. Imagination Generation Wooden Wonders Push-n-Pull Spotted Cow Toy

Toddlers LOVE pulling stuff around the house. Our pull toys were favorites, for sure! Love that this one is made with wood and safe paints.

6. 2×4 Toys – Wood Farm Stick Stacking Game

Perfect pick for the older toddlers (early preschool age) as a first game to play with mom or dad. Younger toddlers can also play with this, while supervised, and just enjoy stacking and unstacking the sticks in a pile!

7. Wooden Toy Magnetic Dry Erase Board Puzzles (Farm)

This is another great toy that does require adult supervision (but honestly, with toddlers there’s really no such thing as letting them play unsupervised because they get into everything!). I love that this toy is multi-functional. The white board can be drawn on or used as a magnet board for creating scenes, and there’s also a chalkboard! Great portable toy to take on the road.

8. Farm Animal Toys Set of 5 – Horse, Cow, Pig, Goat & Sheep

I liked this set because they have a more realistic look to them (less cartoonish). Very fun to have for when imaginative play really begins.

9. ALEX Toys Little Hands Clothespin Farm

Do you think your little one is ready to give crafts a try? This is a great introduction! Peel, stick and glue onto the wooden clothespins to make a farmer, his wife, and some animals.

10. VTech Go! Go! Smart Animals Horse and Foal

Step right up grandparents! Toys that make sounds are your go-to (you know it’s true!) and this one will delight your grandchild and annoy your child. Perfection! 😉 It teaches the letter H and the animal name, and include 3 sing-along songs.

11. BeginAgain BuddyBlocks – Farm Animals

Love this very first puzzle. So perfect for a young toddler! 6 puzzles in one. Made with a sustainable wood and non-toxic. Made in the USA, too!

12. Melissa & Doug Farm Friends Hand Puppets

Hand puppets are always a big hit with this age group and this set is adorable, soft and of course, washable!

13. Cow Bouncer

My niece got this for Christmas and it just made her light up! We’ve also owned bouncers similar to this and my kids played with it for several years, so it’s an amazing value in terms of how much your kids will play with it. Such a great way for them to get out some extra energy!

14. The Learning Journey Match It! Listen & Play Bingo, Farm

This is a fun beginner game with electronic sounds for matching animal picture cards with the sounds they make. Includes suggestions for various ways to play the game to expand the fun.

15. Topanifarm Cubes

We have these and LOVE them!!! Adorable farm animals each come with their own little home, and those homes are stackable. Toddlers will be engaged for a long time with this set and many different things can be learned (animal sounds, counting, colors, etc.).

16. Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set

This was another huge hit with both of my girls. We would sit together and each practice threading the cards. It’s also a great activity to have on hand during potty training when you need them to stay in one spot for a while! 🙂

17. Rittle Farm Friends Floating Light Up Bath Toys

They light up and they float in water – what’s not to love about them???

18. Hape Fun Farm Magnetic Wooden Toddler Maze Puzzle

Another great pick for encouraging little ones to focus. Very fun and the pieces never get lost!

19. AxiEr Children Wooden Rooster Pull Carts Preschool Toddler Toy

I know I’ve already mentioned another pull toy, but there’s no way I could leave this off the list because those chickens peck at the grains when you walk. This will make a little toddler squeal with delight!

20. Chicken Coop Hen House Play Set

What farm is complete without a chicken coop? This is so adorable!!!

Happy shopping!

The “Sick in Bed” Streaming Netflix Watch List

February 22, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

I am a Netflix Stream Team member and enjoy complimentary streaming services. All thoughts, opinions, and Netflix streaming obsessions are my own.

A few weeks ago my entire county caught the flu. While that might be a slight exaggeration, there were enough cases to warrant the school system to close ALL of the schools due to illness. I’ve never heard of such a thing in my life!

Sickness is out of control in late winter and early spring, so many of you out there reading this are either sick right now or you will be in the next few weeks (sorry to be the bearer of bad news…).

That’s why I created the “sick in bed” streaming guide for you. These are my personal top picks for streaming movies and shows to tune in to when all you can do is just lay there. Everything on the list is either something I’ve already watched and loved or something on my watch list that I haven’t had the chance to watch yet (I have only been sick for one day so far…I predict a nasty cold in my near future…).

what to watch on netflix when sick

Netflix Originals

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt One of my very favorite shows for plenty of laughs.
The Crown Watch this one when you are fully awake. It is breathtakingly beautiful and absolutely fascinating! I don’t usually watch a series more than once but I’ll make an exception for this one.
Anjelah Johnson: Not Fancy Absolutely hilarious stand up comedian who keeps it clean so you don’t find yourself totally embarrassed by the topic of discussion, even if you are home alone (am I the only one who feels that way when watching stand up?)
Stranger Things I admit that I haven’t watched this one yet, but everyone and their mom LOVES it, so I guess it’s one to watch when you have some free time thanks to germs!
A Series of Unfortunate Events Feeling sorry for yourself? Your lot is nothing compared with the Baudelaire children! Rich set design and who doesn’t love watching Neil Patrick Harris?

Television

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend The frequent break outs into song are just perfect for when you are slightly hallucenating, anyway. Plus, it’s SOOOO funny. 🙂
Cheers I’m currently working my way back through this series and watch it right before bed. Cliffie and Norm just lull me off to sleep with their silly banter!
Bob Ross Definitely the one to watch when you need some help going to sleep. Such a soothing voice! And those happy little trees will help you perk up a bit, too.
The Wonder Years One of the best tlevision series ever!
How I Met Your Mother This show was EVERYTHING to me when I was on bedrest in the 3 weeks before Layah was born. Another Neil Patrick Harris feature? Legendary!

Movies

Let me preface this list by saying that I’m much more of a television series gal than a movie gal. So pretty much all of my picks are old because I know next to nothing about newer stuff. Sorry!

1. The Princess Bride (even the kid in the story is sick as he listens to this tale, so it’s pretty much perfect). And Fred Savage picks up a second nod with this piece, too.

2. The Money Pit My all-time favorite Tom Hanks flick. That moment where he falls through the ceiling gets me every time! And cheers to Shelley Long for her second piece on my list. 🙂

3. Cleopatra It’s 4 hours long and worth every minute. Besides, when else have you got that much time to give to a movie? Here’s your chance!

4. Clueless If I’ve got to be stuck somewhere for a while, it might as well be in 1995. This movie is a cult classic for a reason!

5. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe I love a good fantasy flick and this one is great!

When I’m sick I tend to keep the stuff I’m watching on the light side, opting not to try anything that requires me to think too hard. So those are my top picks for what to watch on Netflix when you are sick. I hope it helps you find some great entertainment while your body heals! If you have any suggestions to add to the list, please leave them in the comments!

Stitch Fix for Men: A Review of Fix #1

February 22, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Referral links included. This post is not sponsored by Stitch Fix and I am simply sharing my husband’s experience as a customer.

I’ve been happily using the personal styling service of Stitch Fix for 3 years, now. The online service works by having you fill out a detailed style report on yourself, assigning you to a personal stylist, and then sending you a box with 5 items in it that you can try on and decide if you want to keep or not. There is a $20 styling fee but it is automatically applied to your purchase so as long as you buy at least 1 item, your styling fee is waived. You provide feedback to your stylist about what you liked or didn’t, and you have the opportunity to make any special requests (such as if you need something dressy, or for a particular location you are visiting, or in my case, I ask to only be sent machine washable fabrics). Your stylists gets to know you better over time and the fixes just get better and better.

It’s a HUGE time saver for me since everything just shows up on my doorstep and I just drop off anything I don’t want at the post office in the pre-paid bag that is included. And now I’m SO happy that Stitch Fix for Men has officially launched, because my husband, Tim, has neither the time nor the interest in going out and shopping for his clothes for work, which leaves me reading men’s fashion blogs and then trying to recreate the look at a reasonable price point. It takes a lot of time and time is something I have precious little to spare.

Tim’s first fix arrived late last week. He filled out his style profile to request mostly business and business casual attire, and he listed his price preferences to be on the lower end of the spectrum (yes, you can specify based on your budget!). Here’s what he got!

In this shot Tim is wearing 2 Stitch Fix pieces and 2 pieces of his own. He paired the Commerce Mosier Cable Crew Sweater ($49) and the Fairline Textured Straight Refined Chino ($78) with a white button down and a gray blazer. He put this look together based on the cards that Stitch Fix sends with suggestions for how to incorporate the pieces they send into an overall look. I think it looks great!

We were both really pleased with the price point for the sweater and the nice detailing in it, so it was a keeper. The pants were a really nice quality and they fit great, but we quickly noticed that the fabric was attracting any and all little bits of hair and fabric in the air. We have cats in the house, so fabric like this is just too much work. He also wasn’t particularly in need of new black pants, and at $78, the price point was a smidge high and not worth it for something he didn’t really need.

The next piece is the Fairline 24/7 shirt ($68). He paired it with a navy blazer he already owns and some jeans. It was a very nice look, and was spot-on for him, in terms of style. In fact, it was so perfect for him that he already owns a nearly identical shirt. If he didn’t already have a shirt like this, it would have been a keeper, but it’s going back since it’s too similar.

The fourth piece is shirt is the Alesbury Garment Dyed Twill Workshirt ($58). Tim really liked the shirt and I thought it was fine, but forgettable. It is too casual for him to wear to work and in my opinion, $58 for a weekend shirt is too much to pay. So it’s going back.

The final piece was an accessory that Tim actually needed. This is the Tallia Nelly Tacked Leather Belt ($38). I liked that little bit of blue thread detail on it and since it is an item he was in need of, this was an easy yes.

One other fun thing about the fixes is that if you love everything in the box and want to buy all 5 items, you get a 25% discount on the purchase! We opted not to go that route but we were still able to come away with a beautiful new sweater and a new belt that he will wear regularly.

Stitch Fix for Men is a great option for guys who are short on time and/or short on interest in keeping up with the latest fashion trends, yet still need to look put together at work. Tim is already looking forward to his next fix, which he can schedule at his convenience!

20 Great Books About Switzerland for Children

February 21, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

One of the things on my to do list as we prepare for our big summer trip to Switzerland is to find books about Switzerland that my girls will enjoy reading now. I have been combing through Amazon and reading lots of reviews to find the best of the best, and to help other families who might be traveling to Switzerland or who might just be learning more about the country. These are my top picks for books that features Switzerland, both in fiction and nonfiction categories. I hope the list helps you find the perfect book!

And if you are planning a trip to beautiful Switzerland, be sure to check out my post about how we got a great deal on airfare as well as other costs we are anticipating in Switzerland.

books about switzerland

Heidi

This is, hands down, my top book recommendation. Heidi is a classic tale that kids and adults alike will love. Switzerland, itself, is a bit of a character in this book, painted in such rich detail by the author. We’ve read it once before and will read it again before we leave!

2. Switzerland (Blastoff! Readers)

A perfect nonfiction guide to the country for the 7-9 year old range.

3. Nice Snowing You! (#4 Magic Bone)

Hoping to escape the cold in his backyard, Sparky chomps on his magic bone–only to find himself in snowy Zermatt, Switzerland. He befriends Lena, a Saint Bernard rescue dog with a terrible sense of direction. The two, in search of food, quickly get lost. But Lena and Sparky might just be in the right place at the right time for Lena to complete her first ever rescue mission!

4. Switzerland (Enchantment of the World)

We snagged a copy of this from our local library. Excellent guide to the country and what kids can expect to see there.

5. The Apple and the Arrow

This book is a Newberry Honor Award book winner, and tells the Swiss folk tale of William Tell from the perspective of his son. Perfect for the 10-12 year old range to read independently.

6. Mimi and the Mountain Dragon

In her castle lair, high in the mountains of Switzerland, lives a terrible dragon. In the village below lives a little girl called Mimi. When Mimi finds a baby dragon in the woodshed, she makes a brave decision that will bring joy and peace to the village forever. This heartwarming holiday adventure for the whole family is the perfect combination of magic, adventure, and Christmas cheer.

7. Look What Came from Switzerland

Describes many things that originally came from Switzerland, including inventions, food, animals, sports, transportation, and medicine.

8. Dogs in the Dead of Night (Magic Tree House series)

Beware of avalanches! When the magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie back in time to the highest pass in the Swiss Alps, they discover an ancient monastery filled with monks and Saint Bernard dogs. Annie can’t resist offering to train a wild young dog named Barry, but he is quite the handful! Before the night is over, Jack and Annie will be forced to use some crazy magic!

9. Florina and the Wild Bird

Florina lives in a valley in the Swiss Alps with her mother, father, and brother Ursli. One day, while walking in the mountains, she finds a tiny bird that has lost its mother, and Florina takes the bird home to care for it. The girl and the wild bird soon become best friends. She makes food for it using her doll’s tea set and gives it a special basket for a bed. When the bird grows up, its wings grow larger and it wants to fly. Florina must decide whether to keep the bird or release it to fly back to the mountains.

10. Christmas in Switzerland

Each 80-page Christmas Around the World book includes full narratives explaining the customs of the region covered, photography and illustrations, special sections of native songs, recipes, and fun-to-do crafts.

11. Rollo in Switzerland

This is the third in a series of 10 books for children entitled ‘Rollo’s Tour in Europe’. Each one is a stand alone story. Jacob Abbott (1803-1879) educator and author of the immensely popular Rollo series of books for children, sends his hero Rollo Holiday, his parents, his brother Thanny, his cousin Jane and Mr. George, his uncle, on a geographical tour.

12. The Story of Switzerland

An excellent introduction to the history of Switzerland and the Swiss people. Richly illustrated throughout to enhance the reading experience. I especially love the kindle price for this one!

13. Mandie and the Singing Chalet

The very ancient, very large Swiss chalet Mandie and her friends stay is known for unusual things happening. Will Mandie solve the mystery? Ages 8-13.

14. A Bell for Ursli

“A Bell for Ursli” is a classic Swiss children’s story, with pictures by award-winning Swiss illustrator Alois Carigiet. Ursli is a little boy who lives in the Swiss Alps. He must find a big cowbell so that he can lead the spring procession through his village, so he goes alone to his family’s chalet high up in the mountains. There, he spends a lonely, scary night. Generations of Swiss children have grown up with Ursli but this is the first time his adventures have been widely available in English.

15. Dear Alexandra: A Story of Switzerland

Alexandra, a girl in the city, receives letters all year long from her grandmother who lives in the mountain village of Torbel, Switzerland. As Christmas nears, her grandmother eagerly awaits Alexandra’s visit. Dear Alexandra gives readers a fun and unique insight of a different culture, and a sense what life might be like for a child growing up in Switzerland.

16. Dog Diaries #3: Barry

Eight-thousand feet above sea level, in the treacherous pass in the Alps between Italy and Switzerland, the monks of the hospice of St. Bernard have, since the 11th century, kept dogs to help them rescue travelers lost in the snow. In time, these dogs became a breed unto themselves, named for the hospice. They are responsible for helping over 2,000 travelers who might otherwise have frozen to death.

17. Angelo Goes to Switzerland

Angelo, the Italian boy of ‘Angelo Goes to the Carnival’, goes to Switzerland and meets Marie-Louise of ‘The Cow Concert’ and ‘The Cow Voyage’. Professor Bartoli, an absent-minded mineralogist, takes Angelo along with him because he likes the way Angelo sings, but the Professor forgets Angelo and leaves him in the mountains. It takes a double feature concert to bring him back.

18. Cuckcoo Clock Secrets in Switzerland

Dive into adventure with Ren, Rome, Jake, Libby and Tiffany as they discover an ancient coin and a mystery connected with a cuckoo clock which takes them to the beautiful land of Switzerland. In their quest to solve the puzzle, they unearth some fascinating history and recover a lost fortune.

19. The Photo Book of Switzerland

Great book for kids and adults alike!

20. The Unfinished Angel

Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech crafts a truly endearing story, one that is imbued with happiness, wonder, and an appreciation for all the little things that make life big. In the winding stone tower of the Casa Rosa, in a quiet little village in the Swiss Alps, lives one very unlikely angel—one that is still awaiting her instructions from the angel-training center. What happens to an angel who doesn’t know her mission? She floats and swishes from high above, watching the crazy things that “peoples” say and do. But when a zany American girl named Zola arrives in town and invades the Casa Rosa, dogs start arfing, figs start flying through the air, lost orphans wander in, and the village becomes anything but quiet. And as Zola and the angel work together to rescue the orphans, they each begin to realize their purpose and learn that there is magic in the most ordinary acts of kindness.

I’d love to hear in the comments which of these finds you purchase or check out from the library!

St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Idea: Easy, Yummy Kiwi Bread

February 20, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Busy mamas, I’ve got a really simple St. Patrick’s Day breakfast idea for you. If you are like me, you really want to get to make all those fun, Pinterest-y foods for every holiday, but real life gets in the way, and you have to pick and choose, or even sometimes ditch the ideas altogether.

This year I’m going to make this fun kiwi bread recipe for our St. Patrick’s Day breakfast because it’s easy, it’s loaded with the superfruit kiwi, and it doesn’t require me to spend hours on intricate details that are only a fun idea in theory, and not in practice.

So if you are hunting for a reasonable St. Patrick’s Day breakfast idea, I’ve got you covered! And if you are reading this post at a different time of year, as long as you have access to kiwis, this is a yummy breakfast or snack idea!

Kiwi Bread

kiwi bread St. Patrick's Day breakfast

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour (can use all-purpose if you prefer)
½ cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
5 peeled kiwi, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup milk of choice (I used coconut milk)
¼ cup butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 drops green food coloring (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with oil of choice.

In one large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir well to combine. Add in kiwi and walnuts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, butter, vanilla extract and food coloring until well blended. Then add the wet ingredients to the dry, and stir until just mixed. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour. It will be done when a knife inserted near the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing. Enjoy!

Do You See What I See? Where I Got New Glasses for a New Year

February 17, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pearle Vision. All opinions are 100% mine.

This post brought to you by Pearle Vision. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Stuff Parents Need.

Like so many other moms, one of the things that I have a tendency to put last is self-care. I’m lousy at making and keeping doctor’s appointments, for example. But this year I’m striving to change that and to seek out options that are considerate of my time so that an appointment doesn’t eat up my entire morning.

I found a great option for eye care at my local Pearle Vision. An eye appointment takes one hour, including the time you need to select a new pair of frames (a 15 minute process, for yours truly). I REALLY appreciated the efficient way this store was run. I received a call about my insurance prior to the appointment so that payment details were already handled, and the location did not seem to over-book appointments (as health care professionals are notorious for doing).

My visit with Dr. Rosenthal was very productive, as he explained each step of the eye exam* and also informed me that should I be interested, I could be a solid candidate for Lasik eye surgery (which is not something performed at Pearle Vision, but was very interesting to learn!). He spent time listening to me as I explained my typical work-day, and then gave me some great advice about helping my screen-stressed eyes relax a bit more (tip: Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen for 20 seconds and focus on something at least 20 feet away). It was a good experience and I felt as though Dr. Rosenthal took the time to explain the steps of the eye exam and why they were important.

I selected some great new Coach frames during my visit and was thrilled to learn that Pearle Vision has the ability to have the lenses shipped to the store to be put into the frames. This makes the process much quicker than at eye care places I have visited in the past (5-7 business days versus 14 business days!). I had my new glasses in under a week. Next on my wish list is to get some prescription sunglasses, which Pearle Vision also offers (and they fit for contacts if that’s your preference).

My experience with Pearle Vision was really great! Very friendly staff, attentive and informative exam*, and a fun frame shopping experience that was QUICK! When I picked up my glasses, I actually had more time budgeted into my day for the errand than I needed, which meant I got to treat myself to something extra awesome before it was time to pick up the kids.

Being able to take care of my eyes and take care of myself all before carpool lane time is a major win for this busy mama. If you like to take care of these types of appointments as quickly as possible, here’s a tip for you to make your Pearle Vision experience even faster! Go ahead and get this off your to do list and schedule an eye exam now!

*Eye exams available by independent doctors of optometry at or next to Pearle Vision in most states. Doctors in some states are employed by Pearle Vision.