Merry Christmas!

Review: Eukanuba

Last month BzzAgent invited me to join their Eukanuba with 3D DentaDefense^™ dog food campaign, and I was so excited because we were just about out of the bag of Beneful food that Bella has been eating on for quite some time and was just about to head to the store to buy a new bag of food anyway.

BzzAgent acutally provided me with a coupon for a free 20 pound bag so the kids and I headed to Petco to use it. We chose the Adult Small Breed Petite Race since Miss Bella is a 10 pound Shih Tzu (or something like that- we really don't know).

I have to admit that I have done much in the way of dental care for Bella. We do take her to the vet for her yearly check-ups and shots, but other than that, I haven't done anything specific for her teeth. (hides) I feel really bad about that now because when I read the info BzzAgent sent to me, I found out that tartar build-up is the most common health problem among dogs, with 8 out of 10 pups developing serious dental health issues by the age of three.

Did you know your dog may have dental health issues you can't see? In fact, 85% of dogs have serious tartar build up by the age of three. Plaque and tartar are often invisible to the naked eye, but with Eukanuba's help, you don't have to play pet detective to have a healthy, happyand smiling pooch.

Recommended by vets, Eukanuba with 3D DentaDefense^™ keeps your dog in top condition from tooth to tail. Ensure your canine's canines are healthy — feed your pup the only leading brand that provides complete nutrition and superior tartar protection in every adult and senior diet.

 So I was very excited to see the dental benefits included with this food.

And Bella was very interested too.

So I poured her a bowl, mixing it together with her current food as they suggested we do to help her transition to the new food.

And she must have liked it, much more than the Beneful, because she ate every last morsel of the Eukanuba and left the Beneful behind!

I am very impressed and so glad BzzAgent introducted me to this dog food- and judging by how quickly Bella has been emptying her bowl at mealtime, I think my dog is too!

We Got Candy Caned!

I know it's a bit hard to see because this was an early-morning cell shot, but our family got Candy Caned! It was so cute!

The high school pom squad is using this as a fundraiser and I think it's a fabulous idea.

Once you get caned, you have three options:

1. Pay $15 to get the canes removed.

2. Pay $20 to get the canes removed and sent to a friend.

3. Pay $25 to get the canes removed and sent to a friend, as well as "insurance" that your home won't be caned again.

We chose option 3 and sent the canes to Mr. Sasha's sister!

Do they do this in your town? My drill team would have had so much fun with this!

Today

Today I had tears in my eyes when I shook the hand of the uniformed police officer stationed outside the door to my son's elementary school. I simply thanked him for his service but there was so much more I wanted to say.

I am not well-spoken nor am I an author. In fact, expressing myself in the written word is not a strength.

So I send you to read an essay that says everything I wish I could say.

What Six Looks Like

I happen to know the author and had the privilege to work with her on a non-profit board for a few years. I often park next to her at school pick-up. Jennifer is a wonderful mom and her piece is touching. So go.

Starbucks at Home

It's finally cold here! Last week you could drive around our neighborhood and see people putting their Christmas lights up in shorts and tshirts. So crazy!

When it gets cold, I crave hot drinks. I ran across Starbucks Salter Caramel Hot Cocoa at Walmart last week and picked some up after seeing the weather forecast.

I am SO glad I did! This box of 8 packets was just $6 and oh-so-worth it! I made mine with skim milk and it was delightful.

Have you tried this?

Dry Skin and Static-y Hair

We have "weird" skin in our family. Our derm even said so. 

Poor P- this time of year the tops of his hands and wrists get so red and almost raw, and almost any product we've tried stings. Even Cetaphil and Lubriderm.

In desperation, I pulled out a product from First Aid Beauty that I'd purchased in a value kit at Sephora- Ultra Repair Cream. 

It's a MIRACLE. It almost instantly soothes the skin, sinks in well and doesn't leave a greasy residue, and doesn't sting. It's a big pricey at $28, but the jar is huge (6 oz) and we use so little at a time, this should last us all winter and beyond. The kit I purchased included a large tube of their Face Cleanser and their Facial Radiance Pads and was a fabulous deal. The current kit includes a few different products and looks to be a great value as well.

Another problem that comes up this time of year is static in my hair- I've got baby-fine hair and if I even think about using a volumizing shampoo or conditioner, my hair absolutely stands on end. But I remembered using a product last year when we added some brown back into my hair that totally solved the static problem for me- L'Oreal EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner. These run about $5-6 each at Target or Walmart, and you can often find coupons for $2-3 off in the Sunday paper.

I do have hair that can get oily, so I was nervous about using a moisturizing product, but these are perfect- they leave my hair so manageable and shiny and NO STATIC. I'm sold!

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.... all products discussed were purchased by me and neither company knows who I am!

Aca-awesome!

On Saturday I went with my mom and aunt to see Pitch Perfect, and it was aca-awesome! We all LOVED it and I rushed home and downloaded the soundtrack.

If I had one magic wish, it would be for a singing voice. So sad that that's not my super-power.




There's some language, sexual references, and two gross-out humor scenes that warrant the PG-13 rating, but I wasn't too embarrassed and I was sitting by my mom!

Rebel Wilson is a comedic genius and I have to think that some of her lines were ad libbed.

Oh, and Elizabeth Banks..... she is divine as well as an a capella competition commentator. "Nothing makes a woman feel more like a girl than a man who sings like a boy." 

So if you haven't seen it.... I totally think you should- it's aca-awesome!

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose, except that my mama paid for my ticket!