review - Stuff Parents Need

This Chef’s New Secret Weapon at Walmart: #STAROliveOil Usage Pairings

November 15, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop for Star Olive Oil at Walmart has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and its client.

I fancy myself to be a very creative and colorful cook. I blame the show Chopped for my flare. This is the show where professional chefs get a box of wacko mystery ingredients and have to make a dish that uses them all, I’ve pretty much deemed myself an expert at finding flavor combinations that surprise and awe those who sit at my table thanks to this guilty pleasure of mine.

I’m definitely successful at surprising folks with some of my creations. I’m a little more “hit or miss” when it comes to just how edible these surprises are. What can I say? They make it look like if you just want it bad enough, stuff that shouldn’t taste good together magically will!

Of course, I know the truth: these chefs have years (even decades) of culinary training and refined palettes that help them very quickly categorize flavor profiles and textures, and that helps them create magic, even from a box of stuff that wouldn’t ordinarily jive. As for me, I only get to watch them make unlikely duos such as Fruity Pebbles and caviar join forces to make something awesome, and then I head to my kitchen where I have no shortage of really random ingredients just waiting for their chance to shine or flop. But if they are going to flop, they will flop HARD in my kitchen. I don’t make stuff that tastes “ok.” I’m all in, baby.

Chef’s Secret Weapon

This week I added a new secret weapon to my arsenal. A secret weapon is something that you know will drastically increase your odds for success in the kitchen. STAR Olive Oil has just released some awesome new products that are specially made to be used with certain key ingredients. Check out the options that I recently found on the shelves at my local Walmart.

Also note that fabulous $1 off coupon. And it gets better…when STAR receives that coupon back from the store for redemption, it will then donate .50 to Operation Homefront! Win/win/win!

Ok, so back to the secret weapon business. These olive oils have very special extra ingredients that will help infuse awesome flavor into all kinds of foods.

Vegetables: Meet Your Match!

I chose the Arbequena olive oil for vegetables because as you might remember, we are part of a local CSA and we get a great deal of fresh vegetables every Wednesday afternoon to cook up and enjoy. STAR Arbequena Olive Oil will help bring out the flavors of all these fresh greens.

I noticed a few other vegetables in my fridge and on my counter (some broccoli and tomatoes) that were nearing their expiration dates, and so I decided to use them up in this recipe that I found on the STAR website. I switched up the type of pasta I used, but kept everything else the same.

YUM! What a healthy and delicious treat this made for my family’s lunch yesterday. Everyone ate it, and for once I’m really excited about having leftovers! Adding this olive oil to the dish really did seem to elevate the flavors of my veggies. I will absolutely use this oil again the next time I’m in my kitchen pretending to be on Chopped (someone please tell me I’m not the only one who does this!).

In addition to being inspired by all the crazy stuff I see on Chopped, I also adore finding new recipes on Pinterest (who doesn’t?!). And speaking of Pinterest, I just followed STAR Fine Foods there, as they have a kick butt Pinterest site with some seriously awesome boards. Gotta love when someone else does the hard work of finding awesome recipes for you! Getting my hand ready for a serious “repin” marathon! 🙂

If you’d like to try STAR Usage Pairings Olive Oil, be sure to get some now while that sweet coupon is attached. And also check out the giveaways running right now on the STAR Facebook page! They’ve got all 3 of their usage pairings oils, including Hojiblanca and Picual, up for grabs (there will be 5 lucky winners!). Best of luck!

Early Access to the Best Sale for One of My Favorite Services

November 15, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

I am an eMeals affiliate and satisfied customer. I hope you enjoy this fantastic eMeals coupon!

Have you heard of eMeals? This is a menu subscription service, and I have been a customer of theirs since just before Layah was born last year. I joined because I knew that it would be a big stress reliever to have someone else take care of picking out recipes and planning a grocery list for me. And eMeals does just that! I simply have to print off my recipes and my shopping list and head to the store. Things are categorized on the list by section of the store to make shopping even easier.

eMeals Costs

Basically, it is AWESOME and 100% worth the cost. Speaking of which, let me break it down for you. Each plan provides 7 complete meals each week, delivered straight to your inbox.

12 month subscription: $58

6 month subscription: $35

3 month subscription: $21

You can also add a lunch plan to any of these subscriptions for just $4 each month. I’ve done the lunch menu before and those options are most often lunchbox friendly, which is really handy!

Types of Plans

Not sure if eMeals knows how to plan meals for your family? I’m going to bet that they can, and that’s because they offer a huge variety of plan types!

Clean Eating (our current plan. Totally adore it!)
Paleo (tried it, loved it!)
Low Fat
Low Carb
Natural & Organic
Portion Control
Gluten-Free
Classic (tried it…good for a family who eats the Standard American Diet)
Vegetarian

That’s not even the complete list of options, friends! Even in the past year, eMeals has really expanded and enhanced its offerings, and that’s yet another reason why I’m not planning on cancelling my subscription anytime soon.

The Big Sale

Ok, so once a year eMeals has its biggest sale and its largest discount offer. It happens on Cyber Monday, and it is for 30% off the subscription price.

BUT…since I’m an affiliate of eMeals, I have been granted early access to this promotion. That means that you, my readers, can get the eMeals discount of 30% off RIGHT NOW!!! Use code CYBER at checkout, and you are all set!

Let me know which subscription you buy. And if you are having a hard time deciding, don’t worry! eMeals gives you the opportunity to switch up your subscription. I’m actually thinking about switching over to the slow cooker clean eating plan, myself, for the winter months!

The Softest Disposable Diapers: Now in Larger Sizes

November 12, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This post brought to you by Walmart. All opinions are 100% mine.

My two girls were born almost 3 years apart, and at hospitals on the opposite ends of the state of Tennessee. My pregnancies were different. My births were different. My worries were most definitely different (I had approximately 10% of the worries I had with my second thta I did with my first, simply because it wasn't my first rodeo!). But one thing about my daughters' first few days was exactly the same: they both wore Pampers® Swaddlers at the very beginning.

Perhaps your babies started out in the same diapers. It is entirely possible, given that they are the #1 recommended diaper by hospitals. They are super soft (the softest disposable diaper I have ever encountered, by leaps and bounds). Pampers Swaddlers are also distinct for their wetness indicators. With our first baby, we were so grateful for that color changing line that would let us know when the baby needed a change.

While we were more experienced with baby #2, I can tell you that I sure do wish her diapers had wetness indicators right now, as we are in the midst of potty training. Layah has made great strides in the last week about telling us when she needs to go potty, but there have been times when I have thought she had on a clean diaper, and only realized after an attempted potty session that she had already gone in her diaper. But I have always thought of Swaddlers as those awesome diapers for newborns and younger infant.

Exciting news, friends! Pampers® Swaddlers are now available in larger sizes (4 and 5). Layah is in a size 4 diaper, and I'd love to pick up a package of these as part of our potty training process. In addition to having a diaper that can help us know when Layah has had an accident, we can also take advantage of the Pampers Rewards Program. This is a free program that rewards you for spending your hard earned dollars on Pampers® products. It is so nice to get a little something back from a program like this, I have to say!

Give your baby the #1 choice of hospitals (based on sales data), whether you have a newborn or a toddler working on potty training! If you haven't yet tried Pampers® Swaddlers or if you thought your child was too big for them, let me encourage you to pick up a package on your next shopping trip. The softness is unmatched in the disposable market, and the wetness indicator takes away all the guess work!

For the Princesses In Training: Sofia Talking Doll and Talking Castle (GIVEAWAY!!!)

November 12, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 87 Comments

Darah is a HUGE Sofia the First fan. We actually don’t have cable, so she’s never seen the show that features Sofia. She has, however, seen the movie at least a dozen times, and she has a Sofia app that she loves to play with.

Darah knows that she is a very important part of the Stuff Parents Need family. Her role in the company is to be the chief toy tester, which is something she takes quite seriously, you know!

When Mattel recently sent two of their Sofia the First toys for Darah to experience, she was ecstatic. I’ve been observing her and playing with her as she plays pretend, and I’d like to share our thoughts with you!

Sofia the First Magical Talking Castle

While the castle came in the box unassembled, I found that it was all put together in about 20 minutes. It wasn’t extremely difficult, by any means. Darah very quickly picked up on what needed to happen in order to get the miniature Sophia and Clover that were included with the set to talk. She also really enjoyed setting up all the little accessories for a picnic.

One of the features of the castle is that Clover has his own built-in hiding place. He can be secured into the under-side of the bench on the second floor and “hide.” Let me warn you right now: it is REALLY easy to not secure him correctly, and to have Clover get stuck in the bench. We “hid” him once and we will never do it again. Sorry, but this was only a cute idea in theory, and not in practice!

Darah did seem to really enjoy playing pretend with Sofia and Clover. She liked that Sofia had her own bed, and that she had yummy food to offer to Clover. She even liked the feature that made it easy for Sofia to “walk” up and down the stairs. But I did notice that she got bored quickly with only the two toys to play with in the castle. Mattel offers many more friends for Sofia to play with in the castle, but those have to be purchased separately. I get that, but I think they should have included one more human friend, at least. Darah’s solution was to go retrieve her Octonauts and their Octopod, and make them next door neighbors of Sofia’s. Problem solved!

I think this toy is quite fun, overall. Don’t expect it to be the world’s most awesome toy or the world’s highest quality toy. It isn’t either one of those. But it does provide a canvas for creative little minds to play and create on, and so it serves its purpose. If you don’t have any handy “neighbors” at home, though, be sure to pick up a few friends for Sofia to play with in her castle. I think you’ll see play time last longer with this toy with a few extras. The Disney Sofia The First New Magical Talking Castle is currently on sale at Amazon for $49.97, down $10 from its original price.

Sofia the First Talking Doll and Animal Friends

This doll is a huge hit with both Darah and Layah. Sofia is wearing her purple amulet, and when you press it, she will talk. Now that isn’t very impressive in and of itself. The magic really happens when you take one of the included animal friends that comes with the doll (Robin, Clover or Mia) and hold them up close to the amulet. That’s when you will hear the animals talking to Sofia, and Sofia talking back! My 18 month old has the hang of how this works and loves to make the toys talk with each other.

The Sofia The First Talking Sofia and Animal Friends retails for $39.99. My opinion? The price is a little steep for what it does. Amazon currently has it marked down to $28.99, and that seems like a more reasonable price. My 4-year-old does like having her doll “talk” to her and to her animal friends, so it definitely is entertaining. Beware that the animals unlock certain phrases, so if they get lost, you won’t hear Sofia say those particular things any more. Just a note of caution for those of you with kids who tend to lose their toys easily! With that said, though, if you have a big Sofia the First fan in your home, the doll is cute and a whole lot of fun for the kids. I got bored with it fairly quickly, but fortunately, it isn’t my toy. The ones that matter play with her every day. 🙂

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Sofia the First Talking Sofia and Animal Friends doll!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Somersaults: An Awesome Sunflower Seed Snack

November 11, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

Thanks to Somersaults for providing complimentary packages for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

Tim has a new favorite snack in the house, and it is also one of my top choices! In fact, even Darah loves to munch on these yummy sunflower seed snacks called Somersaults. Just check out her demonstration of love for the product below!

I first showcased Somersaults back in 2011, and since that time, we have purchased these delicious snacks quite a few times. They have also recently released the Cinnamon Crunch flavor, and it is most definitely my favorite! It’s a great choice for folks like me with a sweet tooth because it tastes great and only has 7g of sugar! It also has half the fat and more protein than a serving of almonds, making it an excellent choice for a healthy snack.

Somersaults can now be found in Target stores (woo hoo!) so the next time you are there, be sure to check them out. You will love them, I’m sure! Definitely check out the store locator to find your nearest retailer, and also be sure to follow Somersaults on Facebook for updates and promotions!

“In a Fix” With Stitch Fix Boxes 4 and 5

November 10, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 22 Comments

It’s time for another Stitch Fix review! They seem to be a reader favorite, and they are a personal favorite, as well. If you’ve missed my other reviews of this clothing subscription service, check out Stitch Fix review 1 (where you’ll also learn exactly how Stitch Fix works), Stitch Fix review 2 and Stitch Fix review 3.

Stitch Fix #4….the Fix that Never Was

About six weeks ago I logged into Stitch Fix to place an order for my fourth box. I was really shocked to see that the wait time for a fix was almost 7 weeks long. Yikes! I was hoping to get a box of clothes that would be appropriate for the cruise I would be going on November 1st. So I sent customer service an email and politely begged them to help a girl out. They were totally sweet and agreed, stating that my box would arrive on October 25th.

On October 26th I got the email that my box was on the way. I was a little bummed because I thought it would be arriving on the 25th and now it would be cutting it close in terms of the timing, but beggars can’t really be choosers, right?

So when I still hadn’t received my box 2 days before vacation time, I checked the FedEx shipping information, and all FedEx had was package shipping information. They didn’t show any record of actually receiving the box. Yikes! So I emailed Stitch Fix, and after 24 hours and having heard nothing, I went to their Facebook site and put out an SOS. That worked, and I got in touch with someone and explained that I was leaving the next day for a week-long vacation, that I had been planning on using the clothes as some of my wardrobe for the week, and that if it arrived while I was gone I wouldn’t be able to return it within the 3 day window. Basically, it was a hot mess.

Stitch Fix determined that the package was lost and offered to send me another package the week I returned. I agreed, but asked for different clothing since I wouldn’t be needing clothes meant for 90 degree weather anymore. I also asked for them to refund the $20 styling fee for box #4 since I never even got to see the clothes. They agreed to do so, although I am frustrated that I can’t find any record of that happening in my account information (Stitch Fix doesn’t seem to show a record of previous orders for you to review, which is something I wish they would change).

Stitch Fix #5

When I got home late in the evening on the 7th, my fix was already at my house. This made me panic a little bit because of the 3 day window. I knew I wouldn’t be able to try stuff on and snap photos Friday, which meant it absolutely had to be done Saturday. I was a bit more rushed than I wanted to be, and I was surprised to get the package that early since I told them I wouldn’t be home until the 8th. But whatever…getting a box of clothes is always fun, so why rain on the parade?!

My Least Favorite Box

Alas, my string of bad luck with Stitch Fix wasn’t over, yet. This was by far my least favorite fix. The packaging seemed a bit sloppy, as the cards that come with styling suggestions weren’t even attached to the clothing. Perhaps since it was a “re-do” box they were just in a terrible hurry? I also had a stylist I had never used before and I just don’t think she had a good read on my style preferences.

Here’s what I got:

The color of the Leighton Twist-Front Sheer Blouse from Kut From the Kloth was very pretty, and the price was right, but I was swimming in this top. It is meant to be drapey, but it felt like I was wearing a sack. No good! Also, it was far too similar in style to the green top that was in fix #2 and that I already purchased. Seemed like a mistake on the part of the stylist to send me something so similar to something I’ve already received.

This is the Kensie Olivina Slub Knit Long Sleeve Sweater. And it came with a hole in the sleeve. 🙁 So even if I had liked it, I would have returned it. This also tells me that this is the type of garment that will very easily get ruined, which means it isn’t practical for me.

Also? I totally don’t like it! It reads as a bit too “sporty” for my taste…I don’t care for the sporty look at all. This was just a huge miss, all around.

Let me give my stylist credit where it is due: the style of this coat is in line with my tastes. I like the drapey, flowy, romantic look of it. But alas, the fit was weird! I totally didn’t like how it looked with the belt, so I left it off altogether. And the sleeves were rather snug. In this picture, I’m in a sleeveless tank, so it fit. But if I had on a sweater or basically anything with sleeves, it would have been uncomfortably tight. Also, since it is wool, it is itchy, so wearing it with sleeveless stuff is never going to happen. And finally, it just isn’t something I need. About a month ago I picked up a gorgeous Bebe black coat at Unclaimed Baggage for just $10 (they were have a special coat sale the day I went). So a $98 jacket that would serve the same purpose just isn’t going to happen.

This is the Zouk Ronda Dot Print Sleeveless Dress, and not to be overly negative, but I might as well just be honest…I pretty much hate everything about it. It is polka dot that is venturing into animal print, and I detest animal prints. It is too big in the chest (which is a problem I never ever experienced, so I can’t imagine who this dress actually fits well!), and I would never have a reason to wear it since I don’t work in an office setting, and this dress just screams, “wear me in a cubicle, please!”.

And finally we get to the piece that I actually kept. This is the 41Hawthorn Aleah Heathered V-Neck Dolman Top. And honestly, I didn’t love it. I liked it ok. And I didn’t want to lose my $20 styling fee credit. The color is nice and on trend. And the bat-wing style is in right now, even though it is a trend I’m not too excited about. But Tim said he liked it an I was feeling so sad about returning the whole thing, so I just went for it. I will say that it is a very cozy and comfy top, and I’m glad to have something so casual that looks nice in my closet. But if it had been in a box with better selections, it likely wouldn’t have made the cut.

Why I’ll Order Stitch Fix #6

Whew! I’m a little worn out from all that complaining! I bet you are, too. And you’re probably really surprised to hear that my Stitch Fix dud isn’t going to stop me from ordering Fix #6 (I actually have it scheduled already…second week of January!). I’m not giving up because I’ve personally experienced what a fantastic job the stylists at Stitch Fix can do, and I have reaped the benefits of not having to look for fun new clothes for myself (I just don’t have time and I’d rather poke my eyes out with a fork than take my girls to the mall. Totally serious).

Here’s my assessment of what went wrong here: Stitch Fix has skyrocketed in popularity, and the demand for fixes is greater than the supply of stylists who work there. As a result, they are backlogged and probably overworked right now. And when you are exhausted, you don’t do your best work! My fix got thrown into the mix at the last minute, and all the stylist had to go on was my previous info, which she probably didn’t have enough time to properly review, and she knew that I DIDN’T want summer stuff anymore. So she just threw together what she could as fast as she could (this is my assumption…I don’t know if this is how it actually went down).

I trust that by January, Stitch Fix will have adjusted to the growth and hired more great stylists so that everyone isn’t over worked and can put together killer fixes. I still dream of the day when I get the perfect fix and keep all 5 pieces. I want that 25% discount that you get when you order the whole thing! 🙂

So yes, even though this go around was rough, I would still absolutely recommend that you try out Stitch Fix. I’ll be back for more, and I’ll be sure to tell you all about!

LeapFrog App Toys for Budding Writers and Photographers

November 9, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This post is part of a sponsored campaign with LeapFrog and MomSelect. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Does your child love to pretend s/he is at work doing the job that you do? Any time Darah tells me that she is blogging, or “doing my work” on the computer, or taking pictures for Stuff Parents Need, I pretty much die from the joy of it. I’m sure that blogging won’t even exist anymore by the time she is old enough to pursue a career, but I’m excited to play a role in helping her see all the amazing possibilities for combining work and life, passion and purpose. This blog is an extension of those ideals for me, and I hope that Darah gets to have a career that is just as fulfilling, if not more!

LeapFrog recently sent us some App Toys that have been helping Darah a great deal as she practices being a writer and a photographer (both skills being necessary to be a blogger!). It is not uncommon for her to sit down for 30-45 minutes and work on the Learn to Write with Mr. Pencil™ Stylus & Writing App. She is currently working on reading and writing in her preschool class, and this app gives her extra practice in a way that is very fun!

The game takes you through several different parts of a town (the fire station, the public fountain, etc.) and you have different exercises to complete in order to unlock different elements in each section, and to unlock additional sections of the game. I will say that the board can be a little bit overly sensitive, and on occasion, Darah will use her finger instead of the pencil in order to successfully complete the section. But whether she is tracing or writing, the skill development is happening. I’m truly amazed at how long she will sit and do these lessons. It definitely shows me that LeapFrog has successfully made learning fun! I should also point out that this is priced at an extremely reasonable $14.99 (and it is currently on sale for just $11.99!).

The other great new app toy from LeapFrog that Darah has been enjoying is the Creativity Camera Protective Case & App. This is a dream come true for all the parents out there who cringe every time their child asks if they can play with their iPhone. We have protective cases on ours, but even so, I definitely get nervous when my kids play with the phone. This toy is so cool, though, because it uses your phone as a component of the toy, though it is completely enclosed and protected while in use. Essentially, your phone gets turned into a super fun camera for the kids!

In addition to being able to snap photos, the app also provides fun games where you can snap photos of adorable little bugs. It also has very basic editing software so that you can add cool graphics or change the overall look of the photos you take. Darah enjoyed playing with it and truthfully, so did I! 🙂 This product is priced at $19.99, which makes it a fantastic gift option for any child ages 3-6 on your list!

If you have an iPhone or an iPod touch, you can download the apps that go with these toys (they are FREE!) and let the fun begin! While they aren’t 100% perfect (sometimes they seem a bit too sensitive, and sometimes not sensitive enough) I would still very highly recommend them. Once you learn the quirks of the program, you will be able to navigate through them with ease. My 4-year-old plays with these apps almost every day, and they hold her attention for a long time. And while she is playing, I know she is developing very important skills. The price is great, the quality is high, and the learning is abundant.

What’s In My Makeup Bag?

November 8, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

I always love reading the “what’s in my makeup bag?” posts when other bloggers write them. So I thought I’d pay it forward by sharing with you all the products I’m currently using.

Once I put everything together, I was very pleasantly surprised by how many of the products can be found at drugstores. It just goes to show that not everything has to be expensive to be great! So let’s break it down, shall we? Affiliate links included, and as always, I only promote what I like!

1. Beautyblender makeup sponge. This came very highly recommended to me by my blogging friend Kayla. So I decided to splurge on it and give it a try. It definitely provides a smooth, even coverage, and I like how I can use the tip of it for applying concealer instead of using my fingers, which is what I have been doing for years. Truth, though? I think my sponges from Merle Norman work almost as well!

2. Mary Kay Signature Concealer. This is one of only two concealers that I have ever found that will decently cover the dark circles under my eyes. I’m not a big Mary Kay fan, but I’m pretty darn loyal to this product. I think they may have changed the packaging to black since the last time I purchased this (I usually buy two tubes at once!). If you were wondering, the other product that I think works well is Olay Total Effects Dark Circles Minimizing Brush.

3. Advanced Mineral Makeup. This is the most expensive item I’m showcasing. But I’m of the opinion that foundation is the makeup area worthy of the splurge. This stuff provides fantastic coverage that looks natural. I love it!

4. Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder. I picked this up at a drugstore on a whim when I was out of powder. I like to set my foundation with a loose powder, and this one was inexpensive, and had been around since the 1920s. I figured if it was still being made, it must have gotten something right! I think it does a great job of setting my look, and I’d recommend it!

5. Mark Blush. Unfortunately, this blush is so old that I can’t even find it online (and now you know…yes, I keep some of my makeup way past its recommended expiration date!). What I like about it is the fact that the center part of the blush has a darker color. When I sweep my blush brush over the entire thing, and then apply it to my face, it gives a really great and naturally flushed look. Love it! I think this product from L’Oreal has the same intentions, but I have never tried it, myself.

6. NARS Blush, Orgasm. This has got to be the most popular blush color made in the last 15 years. It is said to be a universally flattering color. I read an article that mentioned it several years ago, and decided to give it a try. I would have never purchased a blush that looks so orange on my own! But the color is very pretty, indeed!

7. Bare Escentuals Flawless Application Face Brush. I used to be EXTREMELY loyal to Bare Minerals products, and I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to recommend them. The only reason I stopped using them (for now) is because I just have too much fun trying out different makeup products to lock down my options for too long! I also think their brushes are outstanding, and love using this one for my blush application. I’ll also sometimes use it for my loose powder application.

8. e.l.f. Eyeliner. I’m willing to change my mind on this if a brand proves me wrong, but I am currently of the opinion that cheap eyeliner is the way to go! Splurge on other areas besides this one. I like e.l.f. eyeliners perfectly fine. I don’t have glowing things to say about them, but they get the job done. Two of my pencils even have a bit of shimmer in them, and that is a fun way to look a little more festive and dressy without dousing yourself with glitter and trying to look like the teenager that you aren’t.

9. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss, Nude Lustre. This is my go-to gloss for everyday wear. Pinky/neutral, goes with pretty much everything. Doesn’t stay on forever, but I have yet to find a gloss that does!

10. Sally Hansen Sculpt & Shape Lip Color, Rococo. A little goes a long way with this power red. Red lipstick really is an accessory in its own right, and sometimes, it makes a much more powerful statement than a chunky necklace or an armful of bracelets. Love this one!

11. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss, Shine City. This is a great layering gloss. Put it on top of any matte lipstick for instant shimmer and sheen. Or wear alone. It looks great that way, too!

12. Bare Minerals Smoky Eye brush. Sorry, friends. I couldn’t find this one online! One end of the brush is shaped like a V to help with applying shadow in the outer corner of your eye, and the other side is used for editing…sweeping away the areas where you went a little too far with the look. Very useful; bummed that I can’t find it for you!

13. EcoTools eyeshadow brushes. These are the main ones I use, but I also have a few others I will use from time to time. I think these brushes are terrific and they are VERY reasonably priced! I’ve been using mine for a few years now, and they are still going strong.

14. Julep eyelash curler. I like the look of this eyelash curler and the fact that it takes up much less space than a more traditional curler would. I think it came free with one of my monthly subscriptions, so I’m not even sure if you can buy this one. I don’t think that you necessarily have to have this one, but I do think that you should get in the habit of curling your eyelashes if you aren’t currently doing so. It makes a huge difference!

15. Revlon Lash Potion Mascara. I’m currently using this for the first time, and I will absolutely buy it again. It lifts, separates and makes my lashes seem bigger. So basically, it is a push-up bra for your eyelashes! 🙂 Also, pretty package, no?

16. L’Oreal Paris HiP Metallic Duos, Sculpted. This is the shadow I take with me any time I travel. It has KILLER staying power, and looks absolutely beautiful on. I am planning on purchasing more in the HIP line after my current shadow love has dwindled sufficiently. Speaking of which…

17. e.l.f. 100 Piece Eyeshadow Palette. I think I snagged this for $10 or less during a holiday promotion, and I have been using it pretty faithfully ever since. My lid tore off about 6 months ago, so in that sense, I got what I paid for. But the colors are SO much fun to experiment with; I’m trying colors I never thought I could, and am finding fun ways to wear them that aren’t extreme. This palette is so much fun, and I think it is a total steal, even for $25. And if you use an eyeshadow primer (this one is my favorite) then the colors will last for quite a long time!

So there you have it! Now you know what I’m currently using for my makeup routine! Any products on the list that you also love, or that you’d love to try? Or do you have a go-to makeup product that you’d love to share? Do tell!

Wilderness at the Smokies: Fabulous Hotel With 3 Water Parks!

November 6, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

As part of our recent excursion to the Pigeon Forge area, we were provided lodging at the Wilderness at the Smokies, otherwise known as one of my new favorite places on earth.

The accommodations for the rooms are generous and definitely have families in mind! We were in a bunk suite. Check out how it was set up!

This particular room could comfortably accommodate up to 7 people. It features a full size bathroom, a sink and vanity, two queen beds, a twin bunk bed (SO fun for kids!), and a pull-out couch. We didn’t use the couch, but we did request a pack and play for Layah, and they accommodated that request, no problem! The queen beds are separated by a half wall, which gives a little more privacy than a standard hotel room. Tim and I often find ourselves stuck in the bathroom after our girls go to sleep in most hotel rooms, but with this set up, we could be on our computers and the light wasn’t disturbing the kids while they went to sleep. Let me tell you, I REALLY enjoyed not hanging out in the bathroom! 🙂 Our room also had a kitchen area with a second sink, microwave and an empty fridge (no mini-bar…THANK YOU!) and a breakfast nook, as well as a balcony, which was fun to use for extra play space and general relaxation.

The room itself was nice enough to make it a place I would recommend staying with a family, but my friends, that is NOT what makes this hotel so exceptional.

They happen to have 3 water parks on site. One of them is indoors and is a comfortable 84 degrees all year. It was right down the hall and down a few floors from our room!

For my 4-year-old, I don’t think she would have been any happier if we had gone to Hawaii, honestly. She was on cloud nine, and spent most of her time battling the waves at the edge of the wave pool! I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in one of the chairs that they had right at the edge of the water. I let the waves coming in roll over my feet. Darah played nearby. It was very relaxing! The roof of this facility even allows for UV rays to penetrate through. I personally was not thrilled to learn this, but if you like to tan, this is a place where you can do so, even in January!

The indoor water park also featured a few really fun tube rides, two large kid-friendly areas, and a wave rider simulator that was extremely popular. The park wasn’t packed when we were there, but the line for that attraction was still quite long! There is also a grill on site for quick eats (pizza, chicken tenders) and there is a bar so you can treat yourself to a cold one if you like. Towels are available on site for hotel guests to use so you don’t need to bring your own. And I just can’t emphasize enough how awesome it is to walk down the hall to go to a water park! Admission into the park is included for all guests, and that’s part of what makes staying at the Wilderness at the Smokies an excellent value.

We also had a great time enjoying the indoor attractions at Wilderness at the Smokies.

The Adventure Forest, located just off the water park, has bowling, a very large high ropes course, rock climbing, arcade games, and a fantastic climbing area for kids. We also played a round of indoor golf (set to black lights, which made it really fun for the kids!) and a James Bond-esque laser maze. We had all day passes and the indoor park wasn’t at all crowded when we visited, so we got to play whatever we wanted over and over again! I think the all day or the all stay passes are the way to go if you have kids who like to play quite a bit. You can plop down and bowl for a few hours if you want! And there’s an indoor food area right there so you can even have lunch on site. We grabbed a sub from the shop and it was quite tasty!

Basically, there is no shortage of fun things to do on site at Wilderness at the Smokies. I think for the price you pay to stay there, families will experience a tremendous value (the room we stayed in has an off-season price of $169/night, which includes some free area attraction tickets and 4 water park passes for your whole stay!). This hotel is 2 1/2 hours from our home, and I can tell you without hesitation that we will be headed back. What a great option for shooing away the winter blues!

Have you ever stayed at Wilderness at the Smokies? Ever been to a year-round water park? Where did you go? If you’d like to see our other adventures, check out my review of the Titanic Attraction and the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.