REVIEW: Cave Tools Instant Read Digital Cooking Thermometer

So, grilling is an all year 'round affair in our house. I've grilled pizzas during snow storms. I've fought rain to cook chicken in the spring. But we all can agree: summer is truly the season for grilling.

That being said, I went into this summer somewhat ill-prepared for our grilling adventures. We stocked up on a solid grill brush, and we cleaned up our grilling utensils so they were ready to go. But one thing we did not have on hand was a quality grilling thermometer.

And that's a no-no in my book.

Ever since I did a small campaign with the USDA on food safety, I've been somewhat spooked about cooking meat. In a very good way, I'm so much more aware of the importance of cooking meat properly, and making sure the internal temperature reaches the appropriate degree. No one wants to get sick after an awesome summer cookout!

Until recently, we had a very rudimentary cooking thermometer. It was cheap, and we thought it would do the trick.

We were wrong.

The thermometer couldn't handle the fluctuations and intensity that comes with grilling, and I found that back-to-back readings (which are important when grilling) were inaccurate. I still made sure to cook the meat long enough to safely serve, but I always feel better when I can see the internal temperate before pulling anything off the grill.

Luckily, fate stepped in

I had a chance to try out the Cave Tools Digital Read Thermometer this summer, and it has been a LIFESAVER. First, you get an instant read on the temperature within SECONDS. No agonizing over waiting for the little analog hand to tick up or down. 

Second, it's DIGITAL. I don't have to squint to see what line the hand has ticked to and I can trust back-to-back readings. The
Cave Tools Digital Cooking Thermometer is not only waterproof and shatterproof (important when you have kids!), but it's also calibrated with a special feature which allows it to always be accurate.

This thing is my grilling lifeline, and it's practically indestructable.

If you are as obsessed with grilling as I am, then you need to add the
Cave Tools Digital Cooking Thermometer to your grilling accessories!

To order online: click here.

The Dyson DC59 Motorhead (Today's Special Value on QVC!) #CordlessOnTheQ

There is nothing so frustrating in life than having a vacuum that doesn't work.

And believe me, I speak from experience.

We never invested in a quality vacuum. We just got the cheaper versions of the appliance, which worked fine at first. I'd take these vacuums out and they'd happily suck up the dirt and muck that built up over time on our carpets.

Until they didn't.

I've had The Stubborn Toddler vacuum (the kind that throw a tantrum and  wouldn't pick up anything I directed it to). I've had the Regurgitating vacuum (the ones that would suck stuff up then promptly spit it out 5 seconds later). And I've had the Psychopath vacuum that would suck up dirt, throw up dirt, overheat and generally make me feel like Michael Keaton did in Mr. Mom.

Jack Versus the Appliances

We've all been there.

I've learned my lesson and realize, now, the importance of investing in a GOOD vacuum. Otherwise, your entire house suffers. Literally.

A few months ago, I had the chance to review the Dyson DC59 Animal Cordless Stick Vac. 

And people? It changed my life.

First, I had no idea how amazing a cordless stick vacuum could be. Gone are the days of wimpy stick vacuums that couldn't pick up a crumb if you hand fed it. And gone are the days of doing the "Cord Tango" with your corded vacuum as you attempt to neaten up your house.

Well, the DC59 is now new and improved.

Meet the Dyson DC59 MOTORHEAD:

It looks familiar, no? 

With a body that is very similar to the DC59 Animal, it could be it's twin. But the pink handle is not the only difference. I got to do a side-by-side comparison of the two vacuums, and they offer two very different services.

First, the DC59 Motorhead has a much more powerful motor. You can feel the sucking power as it glides over your carpet. This is something that the DC59 Animal was lacking. 

The Animal is perfect for homes with mainly hardwood, tile or linoleum flooring. It did a decent job on carpet, but it wasn't made to be a solely-carpet vacuum. This is also clearly seen with the wider nozzle and larger head and brush.

The motor upgrade on the DC59 Motorhead makes this stick vacuum completely versatile, able to attack dirt on flat and carpeted surfaces with the greatest of ease. As with the DC59 Animal, it has this fantastic wall-mounted docking station where the vacuum charges when not in use. It is light (only 4.96 lbs) and you empty dirt from the bin with one touch of the release button.

I LOVE THIS, people.

This magical device has a retail price of $549.99. And believe me, it is worth every penny.

But today the Dyson DC59 Motorhead is the QVC Today's Special Value. Today only (until 11:59pm), you can purchase the Motorhead for $449.99 (yes, that's not a typo - a savings of $100) on QVC.com, the QVC apps or by calling 800.345.1515.

This price includes:

• DC59 Motorhead 
• Soft dusting brush 
• Flexi crevice tool 
• Articulating hard floor tool 
• Wide nozzle

It also comes with a 2 year parts and labor warranty! HOLLA!

I'll just leave this here so you can check it out on QVC yourself.

Who will be the proud new owner of a 

Dyson DC59 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum today?

You can connect with Dyson on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

I received this product to facilitate a review and to inform my readers of this promotion. All opinions are, as always, completely my own. I like to keep it real, y'all.

CHARM IT! Custom Charm Bracelets for Girls {GIVEAWAY}

As a kid, one of my favorite pastimes was playing dress up. There was something thrilling about playing the part of someone else, living a life some place new, or going on a brilliant adventure. My sister’s and I used our imaginations quite often. Sometimes we were pirates, sometimes princesses. Sometimes we were teachers in front of a classroom or chefs commanding a bakery.



One play act I loved to indulge was being a grown up. I would stock an old wallet with paper, pretending they were dollars or credit cards, and carefully step into an old dress of my moms. I’d spend the morning toting around a baby doll, shopping, driving and doing all of the fun things I imagined “big girls” did. If I wanted to get really fancy, I’d throw on some large pieces of costume jewelry, dulled with age.



The only problem with this kind of make-believe is that none of these things were mine. I had many years to go before I had proper jewelry, high heels and (lawdy) a credit card. As the mom of two daughters, I watch my girls use their imaginations to dress up in all the same ways I used to. And despite the best of momma’s hand-me-downs, what they truly desire is a “piece of flair” all their own.



Well, the secret wishes of every young girl have finally been answered with CHARM IT!



CHARM IT! is the original, detachable charm jewelry brand for girls. These pieces of jewelry are designed with kids in mind, so they are durable and bright. I think my favorite part is that these necklaces and bracelets are customizable. Instead of play-acting with someone else’s clothes or jewelry, young fashionistas can now create a wearable piece of art that perfectly reflects their hobbies, likes, personalities and accomplishments.



Each of my girls had a chance to create their own bracelet. We hopped online and headed to the CHARM IT! website, where we perused all the fun charms. The website is super user friendly and easy to navigate (which is important when you have two little girls eager to design their very own pieces of jewelry!). Each girl wanted a charm with their initial. From there, I was intrigued by how their individual personalities came out by their choices.



Chica wanted the “I Lost a Tooth” charm, since she lost her first tooth last month. That was a very big accomplishment for her and she wanted to mark the milestone with a charm. I loved that this option was available! She also loves Hello Kitty, so we chose a HK charm as well. And true to her sensitive, sweetheart, Chica also chose the “Love Letter” charm and the “Bee Happy” charm. Her bracelet perfect encapsulates every part of her personality!



Bug, on the other hand, is totally glam. This girl loves to have her nails done, so she opted for a “Glitter Nail Polish” charm and “Rainbow Sunglasses” charm. If you’ve met Bug, you know how this is so her. When she’s not chasing glam, she’s chasing treats, so she couldn’t imagine a charm bracelet WITHOUT a Cupcake charm. And lastly, Bug looks up to her big sister a lot, so she chose “Love Letter” as her last charm, just like Chica.



I love that CHARM IT! bracelets are a fun way to mark milestones and give girls a little ownership of their likes and hobbies. It’s great, too, that you can keep adding charms as they grow, customizing as their interests change. Buying a new charm is the perfect little gift to add to a birthday or holiday gift!


The fabulous people at CHARM IT! want to give one of my fabulous readers a chance to win their very own customized charm bracelet! One winner will have a chance out pick out 5 charms of their choice from the website as well as a bracelet.



HOW FUN IS THAT?

Good luck and happy winning!

You can connect with CHARM IT! on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and the web.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tommee Tippee: Baby Products for Today's Families {Review}

So way back, over 5 years ago, when I first had a new baby, I was very uneducated in the ways of baby product brands. Going into Babies R Us was an overwhelming experience, with every brand boasting their product was best for your baby.  

Of course I wanted best for my baby!

Eventually, after painful research (and half-heartedly just giving up) I went with products that had strong reviews and, to be honest, looked good.

When my second came along, I was fortunate to be pregnant just a few months after my dear cousin-in-law, Jo. Jo lives in Scotland, and as we dissected mommy life, I was intrigued by the differences in our go-to products, brands and even television shows. One of the brands that I hear her tout was Tommee Tippee.

And I had no idea what she was talking about.

At the time, Tommee Tippee was not available in the United States. But a few months ago, at the November Mom Mixer, I had a chance to chat with some of the Tommee Tippee crew and was pleased to find that the Tommee Tippee products were now selling in the US!

Since it had been a while since I had a wee one, I was mesmerized by all the forward-thinking baby products:

This is the Perfect Prep Formula Machine . I love that it can make a fresh bottle for baby in less than 2 minutes. The machine does all the prep work: dispensing the correct amount of formula, mixing it with filtered water for the perfect dilution. I can't imagine how amazing this would have been when Bug started using formula!

I was finally able to bid a fond farewell to diapers a few months ago, when Bug was finally potty trained. But the smell of rancid baby diapers will forever be imprinted in my brain. I'll be honest: I never even had a diaper pail. For some reason I never thought to register for one. I WAS SERIOUSLY MISSING OUT, people. The Tommee Tippee 360 Sealer Diaper Disposal System seals each dirty diaper. You know what that means? NO SMELL. 

Hallelujah, amiright?

Then there are all the feeding products. OH HOW I LOVE THESE! 

Easy to use sippy cups, bottles with the easy-to-latch on nipple, spoons that will alert you to food that is too hot by changing color and yes, bibs that have a pocket to catch falling food.

::swoon::

As the mom of a…creative eater….::ahem:: I really like the Explora line of feeding products. 

They are BPA free and "truly spill proof."  If anyone has ever had to deal with milk that has unknowingly dribbled out of a leaky zippy cup, you know how important this is!

Also? 

I could marry the Explora Bib . First, it wipes clean (unlike cloth bibs). It rolls up for easy travel.  And, hello, it has a pocket to catch falling food. 

The person who created this should seriously get a Nobel Peace Prize.



And while I don't have itty babies anymore, I do have up-and-coming nieces and nephews. So bottles are still a pertinent subject to me. The Closer to Nature Bottles have a nipple that is really easy for babies to latch on to, clear markings on the side for measurement and a bottle shape that is easy for baby or parent to hold.  The shape of these bottles and nipples make for a much easier transition from bottle to sippy cup down the road (and believe me, new parents: time will fly!).

For those with gassy or reflux babies, Tommee Tippee offers a special Added Comfort line. These bottles have a unique tube and valve system that allows for the proper venting during a feeding. 

Less air in bottles = less air in tummies = happier babies!






Now the only question remaining:

How can I get Tommee Tippee to make me an Adult-Sized Explora Bib?

I'll have to work on that one….

If you are on the prowl for feeding product solutions or will be attending a baby shower in the near future, Tommee Tippee is available at Babies R Us and Target.

Connect with Tommee Tippee on Facebook and Twitter. 

Have you experienced Tommee Tippee? 

What is your favorite/most helpful Tommee Tippee product?

Disclosure: I was given samples of Tommee Tippee products at the Mom Mixer as well as provided products for review thereafter. I was not otherwise compensated. All opinions are my own: they really rock the house!

Ellovi Body Butter {Review}

With Winter approaching, I need to change up my beauty regimen.

Not that I have much of a beauty regimen.

But I do have a moisturizing regimen. And that, friends, is a regimen that needs some revamping come the cold weather months. You see, I've got some major dry skin. When I say "major," I know you're all thinking, "Oh, her skin must get a little more dry than the average person."  

Nope. Not even close. 

You know those old vaseline commercials where someone would take their finger and write the word "dry" on their skin? I could write a novel on my skin in the Winter. My skin gets itchy, flaky and cracks the moment the thermometer drops below 40 degrees. My hands used to get so chapped when I was a kid that they would bleed, so I would slather them with petroleum jelly and wear gloves to bed.

Poor, poor dry Steph.

I take more precautions as an adult. I try to make sure my showers aren't too hot and I moisturize my body several times a day. But much like our food nowadays, we can't always trust the crazy chemicals that are thrown into our lotions. Our skin is like a sponge, and it absorbs whatever you put on it. Isn't that a scary thought? We focus so much about what we are putting IN our bodies (ie: food that is organic, local, natural, non-GMO, etc) and forget to pay attention to what we are putting ON our bodies!

I had a chance to try out Ellovi Body Butter. And as a dry-skinned girl, I can say I love it. It truly does a fabulous job of keeping my skin hydrated, which is particularly important starting this time of year. 

Smooth LIKE BUTTAH.

Also? It's all natural. When I grocery shop, I am a label reader. I like foods that have a short, readable ingredient list. Now I will have the same standard for my beauty products, because Ellovi Body Butter has only 6 ingredients: macadamia nut, coconut, marula nut, hemp seed, and shea. There are no synthetic ingredients, preservatives, parabens, or other secret ingredients.


Plus?

The container isn't too shabby to look at.

This is a product that not only feels good on your skin but that you can feel good about using. 

You can purchase Body Butter on the Ellovi website (free shipping - hello!!). Connect with Ellovi on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Peppa Pig and the Muddy Puddles {REVIEW}

Peppppppppa Pig!

Peppppppppa Pig!

Not a day goes by in our house where we don't hear the delightful intro to one of our favorite children's cartoons.

Not familiar? Here ya go:





If you don't know Peppa Pig, a british cartoon that centers around Peppa and her family, you are totally missing out. Apart from super cute (and catchy) British accents, Peppa goes on all sorts of fun adventures.

We love Peppa.

We jumped at the chance to check out Peppa's newest book, Peppa Pig and the Muddy Puddles, as well as a new (and super a-dorable) Peppa Pig toy.

Meet Book and Pig.

Here is Peppa, who says cute little phrases like "More hugs, please!" How can you resist? 

Oink!

Here is Peppa's newest book, Peppa Pig and the Muddy Puddles.  During a rain storm, Peppa's town floods and she works with her grandparents to get supples to neighbors in need.

A great book with a FANTASTIC message.

Having just recently experienced Hurricane Sandy in the past year, and knowing people who were truly impacted (and homes devastated) by the storm, this is a timely and even helpful resource. Not only does it discuss flooding, but show Peppa taking leadership in helping those in need. This is a wonderful lesson for young kids - it shows them empathy and nurturing at a young age. 


I LOVE THAT!


And the best part?  

This book lets me catch sweet moments like this:

::sigh::

Thank you, Peppa!

Peppa Pig and the Muddy Puddles in hardcover retails for $12.99.

Connect with Peppa Pig for more fun and adventures on Facebook and Twitter.


Disclosure: I received a sample of Peppa Pig products for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.