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Cover Reveal Who We Were A Contemporary Romance Novel

 

Christy Sloat usually dives into the paranormal realm when it comes to her books. She gave us; The Past Lives Series and her bestselling trilogy, The Visitors Series. One night she was trying to sleep and ignore the idea of a book that was beginning to haunt her. She threw off the covers and decided to write the layout of Who We Were, a novel about a young girl who finds out how one simple alteration in her summer could change her life forever.

Sloat wrote the book in under three months and is very happy to be able to say she has added a contemporary romance to her line up of books.

Here is the long awaited cover for Who We Were. Get the standalone novel September 15th published by Anchor Group Publishing.

Find out more about Christy by clicking, Here

                                                              About Who We Were

“Who we were had washed away with the summer. Who we are was yet to be seen.”

 Summer school at Alcott High was only supposed to gain Sadie Peters extra credit, nothing more. Her goal wasn't to make friends, or gain the attention of the most popular football player, yet she managed both. Her life was cruising along on course ... until that summer.

Could a simple stint in a different school change her identity completely and introduce her to love for the first time? How would that affect her relationship with Lily, her best friend?

Hopefully their friendship was strong enough to make it through the tumultuous summer. Sadie learns that great things come with change, but sometimes memories of the past are hardest to part with.

 

The Book Goes on Sale September 15, 2014

 Add it to your Goodreads TBR Here

 

What do you think of the cover? Tell Me in  the comments

Check Out our new site over at IndiaLynRose.com

Meet A Stella & Dot Stylist

Amelia, Stella & Dot Director
Amelia left her career in education, after working in the classroom for six years, to have her first baby. Thanks to the flexible working schedule of a Stella & Dot Stylist, Amelia was able to focus on building her Stella & Dot business and rose through the ranks to the position of Director. She loves that she is not only able to stay home and raise her son, but that she is contributing significantly to the household income at the same time. Amelia has found that as a Stella & Dot Stylist, the time and effort that she puts in pays off financially, which has allowed her to save up enough money to pay off a loan. However, the aspect that she treasures the most about being a Stella & Dot Stylist, is being able to coach women to achieve their dreams.

"My favorite part of my day is the coaching calls with new Stylists or anyone on my team." —Amelia, Stella & Dot Director

To learn more about being a Stella & Dot Stylist visit: www.stelladot.com/stylist

Snikkidy Snacks Review

I love finding gluten free snacks that actually taste good, so when I received the chance to review Snikkidy I was really excited!

 I chose snikiddys Mac n' cheese puffs and eat your vegetables in sea salt

The Mac n' cheese puffs taste like the  powdered cheese you use for boxed  mac n' cheese, I personally didn't like them that much  but they were a huge hit with Charlotte who is 3. The eat your vegetables chips were my favorite.   tried both hummas and guacamole with them chips and couldn't decide which I loved more. 

                                                  

Eat your vegetables

These are not just one thing- we are veggies and chips. We’re eight irresistible vegetables in every chip. We’re eight distinct flavors of chips.  The way it combines amazing chip taste with so much veggie goodness is certainly something unexpected. in short: Eat Your Vegetables has it all, so you can have it all!

Mac n' cheese Puffs         

Happy meets tasty! With Snikiddy Cheese Puffs, start your kids of with the flavors they will fall in love with at first bite. Your kids now have a hankering for a full flavored snack and they know what they like. Inspired by kids’ favorite foods our Cheese Puffs are fun, taste great and are better for your family than many mainstream snacks laden with preservatives and additives.

 

The three varieties that Snikkidy carries are baked fries, cheese puffs, and Eat your vegetables, I had to hunt them down to find them, so make it easier on yourself and Find your nearest location Here

I would highly recommend Snikkidy Snacks, they are a great, healthy, gluten free snack alternative to traditional snacks

******I received one or more products mentioned above to review******

Tea Collection KinderCone Giveaway: $4k Grand Prize!

**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.
 The first day of school can be a bit nerve wracking, and to alleviate some of the anxiety and put a little fun into the day, there is a tradition in Germany where kids are presented with a large, colorful KinderCone or Schultute ("shool-too-teh") filled with school supplies, sweet treats and small gifts. This large cardboard, cone of fun helps kids feel a little better about their big day.

Want help with yours? Enter to win the Tea Collection KinderCone Giveaway! One lucky grand prize winner will receive a Tea Collection KinderCone, filled with school supplies and treats, for everyone in their child's classroom! Plus, the classroom will also receive a collection of 20 National Geographic books! This is a first day of school party for the entire class! Here is what is inside the Tea Collection KinderCone:

1. One (1) $50 Tea Collection gift certificate
2. One (1) Germany-inspired activity book from Tea Collection
3. One (1) custom Tea printed notebook from May Designs
4. One (1) lunchbox from SoYoung
5. One (1) set of school and art supplies from Stubby Pencil Studios
6. One (1) healthy organic snack set from Annie's Homegrown
7. One (1) cookie pack from Chateau Bakery
8. One (1) pair of fun temporary tattoos from Tattly

The Tea Collection KinderCone Giveaway only runs until August 17, so be sure to enter today! Viel Glück! ('Good luck' in German.)

Fashion Friday

Cents of Style is having a  HUGE Summer Clearance Sale going on tomorrow, 100's of different items on sale for 50% off the lowest marked price.
HUGE Summer Clearance Sale- 50% off Lowest Marked Price & FREE SHIPPING with Code 50CLEARANCE.

There are items as lows as $2.50 shipped! Also, shoes for under $10.00, great jewelry for $5.00, and much more!

Orajel Smilestones

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Orajel

Check it out Here

Orajel has a whole line of products outfitted with you child's favorite characters like bubble guppies, Elmo and Thomas the tank engine So that tooth brushing can become a fun and habit forming experience 

-Baby Orajel Naturals for teething pain Relief  is a Homeopathic formula and comes in both Gel and quick dissolve tablets

-Floride Free toothpaste in flavors like Tooty Fruity, Fin-tastic Fruit and Bright Banana Apple

Habits are formed young and Orajel is here to help you celebrate each and every #smilestone 



******I Received one or more of the Products above free to review******

 

Fashion Friday

 We have offered a lot of great jewelry sales in the past for Fashion Friday, but we are mixing it up a little this week with hanging jewelry organizers, perfect for storing all your fabulous jewelry. For Fashion Friday, we have 10 different styles of fabric, hangable jewelry organizers
Fashion Friday- 7/25/14- Jewelry Holder & FREE Earrings- $12.00 & FREE SHIPPING with Code JULY101.

These fashionable organizers are also very functional. They have 26 plastic compartments, with zip closures. They have a metal hanger to store easily in any closet or on the back of a bathroom door. Additionally, they fold up so they can be traveled with.

Additionally, you  will be offered a FREE pair of rainbow stud earrings at checkout with the purchase of the jewelry organizer. They are a curved rectangle and come in 7 different colors. They are limited one free pair per order/person.

Tea Collection's New Arrivals: Bauhaus Bang!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Tea Collection's new arrivals are here! These new styles are inspired by Germany's early 20th century school of Bauhaus, which became famous for its radical union of art and design, and transformed everything from architecture to music. Tea Collection's new arrivals feature bold primary colors and modern geometric shapes; fairy tale romance meets art nouveau. The perfect combination for little ones ready for fun and adventure, and perfect for back-to-school too! Go take a peek at the Tea Collection's new arrivals today!

Introducing the Beacon Collection from Warby Parker

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links
 You know that moment right as the sun sets, or as it rises, and the top rays of the sun flash across the horizon, marking the magical moments in a period of the day when anything can happen? This is the inspiration for the new Beacon Collection from Warby Parker. A collection of four new styles of frames, that encompass the spirit of dusk 'til dawn, when anything can happen, these glasses are the perfect companions for late night dates to rooftop sunrises and everything in between. Unexpected, as well as revealing, the Beacon Collection celebrates all that is great about the mysterious, the spontaneous and the unknown. The Warby Parker Beacon Collection is now available.

Earthman Jack Review

The Earthman Jack Space Saga is a series of seven planned novels following the adventures of Jack Finnegan, and his journey from an unknown teenage slacker to one of the greatest heroes the universe has ever seen.

Jack’s saga spans many years, multiple planets, a couple of dimensions, and more cheesy one-liners than you can count.  As the story progresses, you’ll see Jack’s journey from the small-town underachiever he started out as on Earth, to a courageous hero who saves the galaxy from utter annihilation.  Along the way, Jack is helped out by an assortment of odd-ball allies, and meets some truly frightening and formidable villains as well.
Oh yeah, there’s also an epic love story.  (You know, if you’re into that sort of thing.)
There will be lots of autonomous robots, ruthless cyborg bounty hunters, magical superheroes, devious politicians, and interesting aliens that cross Jack’s path.  There will also be epic battles (both in space and on the ground), universe-shattering events, personal tragedies and triumphs, strange science, and fascinating mysteries that will unfold, all with Jack at their center.
If you’re a fan of adventure, science fiction, fantasy, superheroes, true love, magic, and awesomeness, then you’ll definitely want to experience The Earthman Jack Space Saga for yourself!

Earthman Jack vs. The Ghost Planet (The Space Saga #1)

Jack Finnegan is living the life of a typical 15 year old teenager.  He hates going to school, shucks his homework in favor of playing video games, and is infatuated with the prettiest girl in town – Anna Shepherd.  The only problem is that her father is also Jack’s overly-strict Homeroom teacher, and he doesn’t seem to like Jack very much – as evidenced by the sheer volume of detention Jack receives from him. However, all that changes when an army of evil aliens suddenly invade Earth, and Jack discovers the girl of his dreams, his homeroom teacher, and his physics professor are all actually visitors from a galaxy-spanning Empire, who have come to Earth searching for a powerful Ancient artifact that might be the key to defeating their ruthless enemy.

My Review

Interested in seeing if Earthman Jack is a story worth investing your time in?  Earthman Jack vs. The Ghost Planet –  Defiantly is, it is a really well written and fast paced book!
It's adventure, Sci-FI, fantasy, superheroes, true love and magic

melded into one AWESOME book (well its actually a series, so the adventure continues in  Earthman Jack vs. The Secret Army)
 and



















If you’d like to purchase a hard copy version of the novel, please click here.

Want to win the products mentioned above? Check out the Summer Fun Gift Guide and Giveaway Here!

****I received the products mentioned above free of charge to review****

Aqua ears

 
 
Perfect for keeping water out of your child’s ears in crashing waves at the beach and protecting from public pool germs, AquaEars soft silicone, latex-free earplugs offer dual protection for water-sensitive ears by sealing out water and reducing ear discomfort due to pressure.
They are also helpful for loud events( noise reduction rating of 22 decibels) such as  concerts or during firework displays.

 

*Especially important considering the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate swimmer’s ear cases amount to about 2.4 million trips to doctors each year.

 

AquaEars are moldable to any size ear for children 3 and up and are available in characters for both boys and girls such as Hello Kitty, SpongeBob, Disney Cars, Little Mermaid, etc. making them earplugs kids actually want to wear while reducing the chance for water-related infections like swimmer's ear at the same time.

Coopertone Review

Coppertone 

Even with a great uv swimsuit

And sunglasses for the kids, 

You still need sunscreen for those sensitive necks, noses and ears 

Coopertone not only had great sunscreen for kids they also have a line made specifically for women 

(Containing beach and pool and Sunny Day)

CLEARLYSheer For Beach & Pool
-lightweight formulas
-Absorbs in seconds
-Moisturizing  formulas help leave skin smooth and soft
-Won't clog pores or cause   
   breakouts
-Water resistant
- Refreshing, subtle tropical fruit and flower fragrance


CLEARLYSheer For Sunny Days
 - Sheer formulas are great under makeup
- Won't clog pores or cause breakouts
- Lotions appropriate for sensitive skin
-Water resistant
- Fresh lemon-lime citrus fragrance with soft floral base notes

Want to win the products mentioned above? Check out the Summer Fun Gift Guide and Giveaway Here!

****I received the products mentioned above free of charge to review****

Baby Banz

Summer is in full swing and every kid needs a new suit (or three!) 

the One piece UPF Suit by BabyBanz
available in Fin Frenzy and Sun Blossom (Above) and sizes 0-6m through 7-8
This is not only a  adorable suit but you can know that every time your child slips into this suit they receive UPF 50+ protection so you don't have to give up sun protection for style 

2 types of Ultraviolet (UV) light:
UVA: Is visible and causes tanning and contributes to aging
UVB: is not visible and causes sunburn and skin cancer. UVB is more damaging

Easy ways to protect from UV light
-Wear a wide brim hat, This reduces at least 50% of UV light
-Ase wrap around style sunglasses (preferably UV400)
-Always use glasses with UV protection, it is inexpensive and will NOT interfere with vision
-Wear a suit that has a UV protection level of at least 40

 

Want to win the products mentioned above? Check out the Summer Fun Gift Guide and Giveaway Here!

Baby Banz kindly sent us this suit to review

Real Kids Shades

 

What you should consider when choosing sunglasses for your  child

• Wrap-around frames to protect from peripheral light
• A comfortable fit - not too tight , not too loose
• Transparent enough to see your child's eyes
• Tested to contain no lead, bisphenol A or phthalates
• Shatterproof and impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses

Something's you don't know about harmful UV radiation and protecting your child's eyes
Sunlight Can Permanently Damage Your Child's Eyes
Everyone loves the sun. And everyone knows the sun can damage skin- but you probably don't know that the sun can cause permanent and irreparable damage to your child's eyes

Sunglasses are not Accessories- they are essential gear
Sunglasses should be as important as a bike helmet, would you let your child ride a bike without a helmet, right? Don't let them play outside without protective sunglasses, Period!

Sun Damage is Permanent and Cumulative
Eye lenses cannot repair themselves. once they're damaged, they're damaged forever.
and over time the harm done is cumulative. This can lead to serious eye disease and even blindness

Eye Disorders Caused By Sun Damage

• Cataracts
• Skin cancer around the eyes
• Photokeratitis- sunburn of the cornea
• Pterygia-abnormal tissue grown on the whites of the eyes
• Age-related macular degeneration

Want to win the products mentioned above? Check out the Summer Fun Gift Guide and Giveaway Here!

****I received the products mentioned above free of charge to review****

Summer Essentials with Carmex

My Summer Essentials to Beat the Heat:

Spritzer Bottle (filled with a mixture of water and lavender oil)
Carmex Moisture Plus
a Great Book (like EarthMan Jack)

insulated water bottle
cooling face cloth

Summer is in session, the pools are open  and that means fun in the sun! It’s time to start thinking about spending the day on the beach or lounging by the pool. 

 

While catching some rays, revel in your own style by matching your Carmex Moisture Plus® lip balm design to your favorite beach attire. The new, limited edition line of lip balms are available in a variety of fun, fashionable designs to match your unique style.

 

Carmex Moisture Plus is formulated with the brand’s trusted ultra-hydrating Moisture Plus technology that contains aloe and vitamin E to keep lips hydrated and refreshed in the summer sun.

Would you like to win your own summer essentials? Enter the giveaway Here!

****I received the products mentioned above free of charge to review****
 

Summer Fun Gift Guide and Giveaway

         Welcome to The Summer Fun Gift Guide and Giveaway!

                                      Hosted by IndiaLynRose


 

Kings Hawaiian 

Once you have ended a great day at the beach or pool, everyone will be tired and hungry (and probably cranky too) so finish off your perfect day with a perfect dinner, using Kings Hawaiians line of buns and rolls that the whole family will love!  Check out one of my favorite summer recipes Here

 

 

 

 

AquaEars

Perfect for keeping water out of your child’sears in crashing waves at the beach and protecting from public pool germs, AquaEarssoft silicone, latex-free earplugs offer dual protection for water-sensitive ears by sealing out water and reducing ear discomfort due to pressure. 

 

  Baby Banz

The One piece UPF Suit by BabyBanz
available in Fin Frenzy and Sun Blossom (Above) and sizes 0-6m through 7-8
This is not only a  adorable suit but you can know that every time your child slips into this suit they receive UPF 50+ protection so you don't have to give up sun protection for style
Check it out Here

 

 

What you should consider when choosing sunglasses for your child

Wrap-around frames to protect from peripheral light
A comfortable fit - not too tight , not too loose
Transparent enough to see your child's eyes
Tested to contain no lead, bisphenol A or phthalates
Shatterproof and impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses
 Check out some Eye health facts Here

The Earthman Jack Space Saga is a series of seven planned novels following the adventures of Jack Finnegan, and his journey from an unknown teenage slacker to one of the greatest heroes the universe has ever seen. Jack's saga spans many years, multiple planets, a couple of dimensions, and more cheesy one-liners than you can count.  As the story progresses, you’ll see Jack’s journey from the small-town underachiever he started out as on Earth, to a courageous hero who saves the galaxy from utter annihilation.  Along the way, Jack is helped out by an assortment of odd-ball allies, and meets some truly frightening and formidable villains as well. Oh yeah, there’s also an epic love story.  (You know, if you’re into that sort of thing.)
If you’re a fan of adventure, science fiction, fantasy, superheroes, true love, magic, and awesomeness, then you’ll definitely want to experience The Earthman Jack Space Saga for yourself! Check out My Review Here







Carmex

While catching some rays, revel in your own style by matching your Carmex Moisture Plus® lip balm design to your favorite beach attire. The new, limited edition line of lip balms are available in a variety of fun, fashionable designs to match your unique style.

 

Check out my Summer Essentials Here

Coppertone

You still need sunscreen for those sensitive necks, noses and ears 

Coopertone not only had great sunscreen for kids they also have a line made specifically for women 

(Containing beach and pool and Sunny Day)

Check it out Here






 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kings Hawaiian

Kings Hawaiian 

Once you have ended a great day at the beach or pool, everyone will be tired and hungry (and probably cranky too)  so  finish off your perfect day with a perfect dinner, using Kings Hawaiians line of buns and rolls that the whole family will love 

Here is one of my favorite, non-traditional, kid friendly recipes from Kings Hawaiian
 

Ingredients

1 carton  Coconut  Ice Cream

1 carton  Chocolate Ice Cream

1 carton  Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream

Peanut butter

Strawberries, chopped

Other ice cream toppings, optional

 

Step 1
Grill bread with some butter, or toast in a toaster oven until golden brown

Step 2
When making the Chocolate Peanut Butter slider, spread a generous portion of peanut butter on the bottom half of slider. Place a scoop of ice cream on the bottom half of the slider rolls

Step 3
Add a topping. When making the Pineapple Coconut w/ strawberries Slider , add strawberries on top of the ice cream scoop             

 

    Step 4
Top each slider with the other  half of the roll, get messy and enjoy!

Want to win the products mentioned above? Check out the Summer Fun Gift Guide and Giveaway Here!

****I received the products mentioned above free of charge to review****
 

Treat Your Hair to a New Hue this Summer with Madison Reed

(This post contains affiliate links.)
Summer is here and now is the time to try out that new summer color and have it delivered to your door on your time schedule! Madison Reed offers 27 fabulous multi-dimensional colors from smashing blonde to rich deep reds, super sleek black and anything but ordinary browns. Whether you want a brand new look or just want to add depth to your existing color, Madison Reed's long-lasting hair color is packed with rich nutrients like keratin, argan oil and ginseng root extract. Your hair will feel stronger, shinier and better than before you colored.

Here is what some of the press thinks of Madison Reed or read my review Here

 

Madison Reed is an ammonia‑, paraben‑, and resorcinol-free hair color that promises multi-tonal, salon-quality color with true depth and dimension.

 

 

 

 

Madison Reed aims to mix it up...with high service...fool proof, at home color.

 

 

Helping people color at home and have it not be a disaster...Really convenient, less daunting and really much more user friendly.

 

 

 

 

Delivering rich, pitch perfect shades of blonde, brunette, and red.

 

 

 

So how do you get the hair color you want (and that looks good on you)? New brand Madison Reed aims to solve this problem by basically reinventing the at-home hair dyeing…

 

 

 

Here to switch up the DIY game is Madison Reed…what really sets the 27-shade range apart is the brand’s customer service and technology.

 

“The Amazing Beauty Breakthroughs You Haven't Heard About…Yet,” includes Madison Reed in a roundup of top new beauty launches.

 

The Madison Reed formula is free of ammonia and resorcinol, taking the harsh out of hair color. And it smells nice too! The online tools help you pick your best color and if you still aren't sure what color will be best, Madison Reed's Color Advisor will take you through a few short questions to find your perfect color.They’ve developed entirely new ways of finding your perfect permanent hair color – choose from an online color advisor, mobile app, live web chat, digital photo consultation or speak to a trained colorist on the phone. All of this is what makes the Madison Reed “in-home” coloring experience superior to the traditional way of coloring your hair at home. Madison Reed is turning quite a few heads in the beauty world, too - take a look at what Vogue.com had to say about them.

Madison Reed offers salon quality, handcrafted hair color delivered to your door on your schedule! Clear instructions, all the extras you may need and fabulous results really set Madison Reed apart from other home hair color options! New customers save 20% off their first order at Madison Reed through July 1, 2014 - just use the coupon code SUMMERLOVE at checkout.
Which shade will you choose?

Summer Nights Sizzle with $60 Welcome Box Free from Julep for New Maven Subscribers

(Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.)
New Maven subscribers can get the new 4-piece Summer Nights welcome box that includes 3 sizzling nail colors and a bonus beauty gift (stock varies) valued at $60 for free when they sign up for Julep Maven.

The Julep Maven subscription box is the perfect way to treat yourself to new nail color and beauty products each month. Just a few of the perks you get as a Maven subscriber include:

• A fully customizable box of limited-run nail colors and beauty innovations delivered to your door each month
• $40+ of full-size products in every box for just $19.99 per month when you choose the multi-month payment option (or $24.99 if you chose the monthly payment option)
• Free shipping and 20% off on julep.com every day

The Summer Nights Welcome Box is here for a limited time and is a great value! Become a Maven today and don't forget to use the code SIZZLE to get your own Summer Nights Welcome Box for FREE - you just pay $2.99 for shipping.
***

The Tenth

Summary
A special bond is formed in the hospital between Danny – a mischievous, curious and very bright ten-year-old who has lost a leg and an arm – as well as his mother – in a terrorist bombing – and Autumn, a young journalist sent to interview him before his tenth operation.  Autumn wants to publish Danny's story because she believes he is a hero, but Danny says he isn't a hero at all; he was simply sitting in a restaurant waiting for his food when the terrorist came in and blew herself up.  Autumn thinks that Danny should have the tenth operation, which would basically be plastic surgery to remove the shrapnel from his face and minimize the scarring. He does not want to forget: he would rather have a scarred face that will always remind him of his mother and all that he lost. And it would also be a reminder of the reality of life in Israel, a reality in which innocent children pay the price. During the difficult days preceding the operation, still tormented by indecision and struggling against the pain,


If it had to describe this book in just few words: wow, just wow
The pain he must have felt, not only physically but also emotionally
The horror that this little boy lived through , and how he  comes to realize that despite his grief and loss, life goes on and can be beautiful, is  both heart-breaking and amazing.

Danny undergoes a maturity process that will prepare him for his release from the hospital and discovers that he can enjoy life if he only reaches out for it.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

6 FUN & EASY STEPS TO THROW A GREEN SUMMER PARTY

As summertime begins and families head to the beach, the park, the mountains and other favorite spots in the great outdoors, it’s a good time to remember there are easy ways to celebrate our love of Mother Nature by throwing a green party.

 

Step 1: Location, Location, Location

Pick a picnic spot you can walk, bike or boat to or arrive by public transit. If that's not possible, carpool with friends.

Step 2: Choose an Eco-friendly Invitations

Whether throwing a baby shower, a beach party, birthday picnic or backyard BBQ, you’ve got to let your guests know about the green fun you're planning in eco-friendly style! If it's a neighborhood party, print invites on recycled paper and personally hand them to guests. Or use electronic invitations, which are convenient and don't waste paper.

Step 3: Green Menu Planning

Great produce makes the chef's job super easy. Think simple. Finger foods like cut fruit, nuts, local honey and peanut butter sandwiches are simple and nourishing for all ages. Also, some cheeses, like brie and camembert, are lovely softened in the sun over fresh-baked bread.

Farmer's markets have the freshest and tastiest fruits and vegetables available from the area. Organic products are hormone and pesticide-free, making them safe to eat.

Make your own beverage and serve it in a plastic-free pitcher. That way you don't have to deal with all the cans and bottles.

Step 4: Waste-Free Dinnerware

Say goodbye to throw-aways and plastics. Ask picnickers to BYO dishes, water bottles, utensils, etc. This can be done tastefully if you explain you're hosting a zero-waste party and need some help to accomplish this.

If that’s not your style, pack a sturdy cardboard box with reusable items to share with your invitees, such as non breakable stainless steel picnic plates, reusable bamboo utensils, reusable straws, washable cotton napkins and sturdy mason jars for use as cups.

Sure you may have to do some washing, but much of this stuff will naturally decompose. Plus, you're saving money by going waste free.

Step 5: Showcase Mother Nature

Nature’s beauty is inspiring when it comes to setting the table in eco-style. Leaves, flowers, pinecones, twigs, seashells and other natural treasures can be showcased on your eco-friendly BBQ or green a beach party blanket.

Step 6: Clean up!

Clearly mark bins for recycling, compost and waste for your guests. Since most public parks don't separate waste and your efforts will end up in the trash, toss your separated bags into the trunk to put out with your trash pickup at home.
This post already has your affiliate links embedded. However, please feel free to edit at will so it suits your own tone and audience.

Summer Reading List from Little Passports

**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

 Lazy summer afternoons are made for curling up with a good book and traveling to a faraway land. Little Passports, a global online adventure, has put together some of their favorite books for young readers looking for a traveling adventure. Here are their top three picks…

1. Everybody Cooks Rice, by Norah Dooley
Carrie’s mother asks her to go out into the neighborhood to find her brother for dinnertime. During her search, she stops by every house on the block and discovers that each family’s dinner includes a customary rice dish of their nationality. Set in San Francisco, this story exposes children to several cultures and their favorite rice dishes, and includes recipes for each meal mentioned, allowing you to bring the story to life in your own kitchen! (Recommended for ages 5-8)


2. Rickshaw Girl, by Mitali Perkins
This story takes place in 10-year-old Naima’s village in Bangladesh. After riding and wrecking her father’s rickshaw, Naima sets out to find a job to right her wrong. Women are forbidden to work in her village, so she must disguise herself as a boy. Young readers will learn valuable lessons about social equality and bravery as Naima challenges the status quo to help her family. (Recommended for ages 7-10)


3. Go, Go America, by Dan Yaccarino
Do you know what state hosts the International Rotten Sneaker Contest? Find out the answer from the Farley family. Join them on their road trip across the USA as they pick up quirky facts about each of the fifty states along the way. This book is the ultimate addition to your own family’s summer road trip! (Recommended for ages 8-10)

Little Passports is a learning adventure that takes your child through a new country (with the Little Passports World Edition) or two states (with the Little Passports USA Edition) every month. Little Passports subscribers journey along with characters Sam and Sofia as they explore the US and/or the world, complete with an assortment of travel accessories. Simply sign up for a monthly plan ($11.95/month) or a one year subscription ($10.95/month) and let the adventure begin! You can check out the entire list on the Little Passports Blog.

Free For All Sale

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

It's almost the 4th of July and do you know what that means? It's time to look for a sale! Well look no further, I'm here to help, because right now through 7/8 Stella & Dot is having a Free For All Sale and all their new markdowns are up to 50% off! I love Stella & Dot, their accessories are fun and their jewelry is amazing. Did you know the majority of their pieces are lead and nickel safe - how cool is that? So head on over there today and get your self a little something something...you can thank me later

Don't Miss Out! Additional 40% Off at Tea's Semi-Annual Sale

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

This is it, Tea Collection's Semi-Annual Sale is going all out and marking sale items down an additional 40% off starting today (7/3) and ending Monday (7/7). Sweet dresses, tees, onesies and more all filled with the rich colors and intricate patterns of faraway Morocco. Simply use the promo code: MORE40 when you checkout. Don't wait, styles will sell out as the sale is almost over. Have fun shopping!

What I love Wendesday {1}

 I finally decided to do a link up so here goes....
5 random sites I love when I should be writing

1. 2 minutes of  peace


Although it might seen really easy to relax for 2 minutes, its isn't
Here

2. Work music

How I found my Omgthispostisdueinahour playlist (yes it is actually called that)
Here




3. Relax

When I am really stressed I turn this on and relax! and you can ad any song you want
Here








4. Flip it

ǝɹǝɥ ʇı ʎɹʇ ¡ןooɔ sı sıɥʇ

5. Therapist for a day


when I want to be a therapist (I.e. procrastinate) Here




What are your Favorite Procrastination Site?