Let me start by saying that I am not a professional beauty blogger or skin care expert, and I don't have perfect skin. But I am a busy mom of three with tired eyes, lots of laugh lines and limited time who loves trying new products and finding ones that work for me.  I know I am always curious about what products others are using and love, so I thought I share my collection of current favorites.

This is a glimpse at the products I use just about every morning.  A little less on snow days or a bit more on nights out, but these are my go-to basics.  I'm not a big makeup person, but for me, there is something about leaving the house with a fresh face that feels good. If baby is teething, big brothers woke up sick or I got up extra early to squeeze in a run, my concealer under my eyes is key.  

I've been using most of these products for a while now, though I added in the Rodan + Fields Triple Defense moisturizer a few months ago when I stopped nursing and was feeling like I needed results and a pick me up for my tired face.  I have had great luck with all of these; it's a very quick routine (all I have time for these days).  You'll notice I don't shop all in one place and you'll notice varying price points; I fully admit I splurge on a few key items.  One thing I feel good about though is that many of my favorite products I purchase through friends, supporting other moms in business.

Here are the products I use in the morning:

​1. Cover Girl Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara 
2. Arbonne Glossed Over Lip Gloss in Mimosa
3. Arbonne Glossed Over Lip Gloss in Calla
4. Rodan + Fields Triple Defense Treatment with SPF30
5. Rodan + Fields Redefine Multi-Function Eye Cream 
​6. Beautycounter #1 Brightening Facial Oil 
7. Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer (note I use #2)
​8. Beautycounter Touchup Skin Concealer Pen (note I use light)
9. Arbonne Glow on Bronzer 
* Cute lobster cosmetic bag is from Sea Bags. 

Not this is in no way a sponsored post, just thought I'd share my current favorites.  Many of these products I purchase through friends, if you are interested in trying any of these, I encourage you to shop from your friends and if you don't know anyone that sells the products, shop through mine - Here are links to the gals I shop with.  

Arbonne - Brandy
Rodan + Fields - Angie
Beautycounter - Morgan 
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We're all have different skin, needs, and budgets, but if you have products you love, leave me a comment, I want to hear about them. Thanks as always for stopping by!

After a couple weeks of sickness and craziness, everyone is healthy, happy and having a good week.  We had a big March blizzard, my birthday, a visit from the Tooth Fairy and lots of other fun.  Hockey is officially over and everyone is bummed to see the season go.  I will admit, the extra time on the weekend to clean my house and getting everything in order was nice, but we miss the rink.  No major plans for the weekend which is nice.  I need to finish up  tax prep (blah) and get a long run in, the kids have a birthday party and we plan to take them to this hockey game fundraiser in Portland. Glad to be back o here; look for some new fun posts soon.  In the meantime, I'm rounding up these week's Friday Five:

This last snow storm, while fun, has most of us New Englanders looking forward to warmer weather and researching getaways for the family. I was over on Savvy Sassy Moms this week rounding up 10 great spots for a family friendly warm weather vacation. Check it out! 

Yes I realize being excited about a snow day and dreaming of warm weather travel in the same post is a little contradictory, but you have to make the best of it.  A mid-march fresh batch of snow is actually fun and a day at home to relax and play in the snow was a welcomed break this week.  Hopefully that was our last snow day though as school has already been pushed back until June 21st (yikes)! 

Truthfully I'm not one to get overly excited about my birthday, but celebrating with the kids is fun. They get so excited it's hard not to feel special.  On my actual birthday we did cupcakes and cards and then the day after, hubby and I went out to dinner at Street & Co., one of our favorite spots in Portland. 

This is week #2 of my training for the Tri for a Cure (a sprint distance triathlon). I'm actually starting to get really pumped (never thought I'd say that).  I say actually because I am NOT a biker or a swimmer, but you can't help but be inspired by the amazing survivors training next to you, and I'm excited for the challenge.  Last year was focused so much on the baby and for me I was eager to lose the baby weight.  This year I'm focused on gaining... gaining muscle, strength, endurance, courage and concurring new disciplines.  I will say, I never imagined how hard the swimming would be for me.  I somehow had it in my head that because I could run I'd be a decent swimmer..  Wrong! Swimming is hard - I am humbled and so impressed by those of you that do it so gracefully.  I have lots of work to do, but luckily I have until July!  Stay tuned, more updates to come as I move along in the training process.  I also plan to do a couple half marathons this spring and fall, so I'll be adding that training to the mix too.  I've joined a training group lead by my friend Heather of Power and Passion Triathlon which is beyond helpful and fun to be part of a group. 

My almost 7 year old lost his first two teeth (on the bottom) last year, but hasn't lost a tooth since, until this week.  He lost his top front tooth (see the classic smile), and now it seems 3 more teeth on top are loose (that's going to be quite the look).  The smile and the slightly altered voice is just too cute.  Time is going by at lightning speed and I can't believe it... 


Happy Friday friends!  Hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend.  Thanks as always for stopping by.  Just a quick side note, I'm coordinating an amazing giveaway for new moms and babies launching in early April, so be on the lookout. 

Those who've been following the blog know that I'm a self-confessed stroller addict.  I've tried MANY different strollers and accessories in my 7 years of parenthood.  Our stroller needs and wants depend on many things such as whether or not you have a car, the climate & terrain where you live, number of kids, ages of kids, and so on. But, chances are, if you have a baby or toddler, you have a stroller, and you are without a doubt going to love this giveaway.  

I've partnered with Heather from US Japan Fam blog and we've rounded up over $500 in amazing prizes from 11 fabulous brands in this giveaway and one verrrrry lucky winner will take it all! Read on for more about each prize and enter to win in the Rafflecopter box at the bottom! Best of luck to you all!!!

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Lascal BuggyBoard Maxi+ with Saddle

If you have a child in the 2-6 years range, a toddler board is a great add-on to your stroller. Kids want to walk, explore, and bop along with us, but they simply don't have the stamina for walking long distances, not to mention we don't always have the patience to walk at their snail speed when we're running late, am I right!? When a new baby comes along, a ride-on board is also a great alternative to getting a double stroller! In my case, baby #2 ended up being twins, so a seated toddler board for big brother was a lifesaver and an essential add-on to make our double stroller a triple!

Lascal's BuggyBoard Maxi is one of the best options out there for a number of reasons, my favorite one being that you can attach a saddle seat (sold separately) so your child can ride sitting or standing (the saddle flips up and out of the way)! Other amazing features of Lascal's BuggyBoard Maxi are its universal fit to any stroller, anti-slip surface, large wheels (i.e. clearance for your feet so you don't have to walk way behind or to the side of the stroller), suspension for a comfy ride, quick release, and lift & store system (you hook the entire board up out of the way when not in use). For good reason, BuggyBoard won the Mom's Choice Award in the Gear & Accessory category!

​Our grand prize winner will receive a BuggyBoard Maxi+ with Saddle, a $150 value!!! Others can purchase one on Regal Lager's website and Amazon. I'll be doing a review on the Maxi+ with Saddle shortly, so check back soon!
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Antipodes Merino Sleeping Bag

A good sleep sack is essential for any baby or toddler, but what makes the Antipodes Merino Sleeping Bag so cool and worthy of being in my Best Stroller Accessories Giveaway is that it is a stroller-friendly sleep sack!!! Yes, that's right - it has a slot cut out in the front and back, so you can feed the seat belt right through it to secure your child in the stroller (or car seat, swing, high chair, etc) without having to remove the sleep sack! Likewise, it also aids in a quick and easy transfer of sleeping child out of the stroller. I also love it because it's hip-healthy, opens flat for easy diaper changes, contains no flame retardant chemicals, and is one-size-fits-all (3-24 months). Our grand prize winner will receive one sleeping bag in their choice of color, a $100 value! Others can purchase on Antipodes Merino's websiteor Amazon. And don't forget to check out my personal review here!
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JoJo Maman Bébé Footmuff

If you plan to do extensive strollering around in the cooler months, a stroller bunting or footmuff is an essential stroller accessory. These by JoJo Maman Bébé are great because they're waterproof, fleecelined, and have a universal fit for just about any stroller. They zip up nicely to rest under child's chin, can fold down quickly when you run into a store, and can be removed completely so you can use the under layer simply as a stroller liner year-round! The JoJo footmuff also has handy ties allowing you to secure it to the stroller so your child can't toss it off and the footmuff is more likely to stay put when the stroller is folded and stored. Our grand prize winner will receive a footmuff in their choice of color, a $69 value. Others can purchase on the JoJo Maman Bébé website. You can browse their website or Amazon to see their full line of great kids clothes, maternity wear, toys, and more!
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Manito Elegance Stroller Shield

Whether protecting your child from the biting cold or pouring rain, Manito has the best stroller shields I have ever come across. They are easy to install, and once up you simply unzip the front plastic window to get your child in and out, leaving the shield (in it's wet and messy glory) in place on the stroller! When you do need to remove the cover, It folds up nicely since the majority is (water-repellant, windproof, nontoxic) nylon rather than plastic that gets hard and can crack if folding away when still cold. It also features a removable roomy foot cover, 99% UV protective windows in front and sides, parent pockets in the back, and a matching storage pouch.

​Our grand prize winner will receive one Manito Elegance Single Stroller Shield ($49 value) in their choice of color (subject to availability), in either the Alpha or Beta style (depending on what type of stroller you have, you can look here to determine which you'll need). Others can purchase one on Manito's website or Amazon. My family is currently loving their Elegance Alpha Twin on our StrollAir & Joovy double strollers, and I'll be posting a review soon on that as well as the single, so stay tuned!! ​
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​Munchie Mug

There are many snack cups out there that claim to be spill-proof, and there are a few that come pretty darn close. But Munchie Mug takes spill-proof to the next level - these are actually SHAKE PROOF! Yep, it's completely sealed! So, if you have a toddler who likes to shake their snack cup to try to make their snacks start flying about, they will meet their match with this one! Munchie Mug features 2 overlapping pieces of fabric, which means not only is it spill-proof, it'll also be much nicer on little hands than traditional plastic snack cup tops! What's more? They are BPA / Phthalate / Lead / PVC free and proudly made in the USA. Our grand prize winner will receive one 12oz and 16oz cup, in their choice of colors, a $35 value. Others can browse cups on Munchie Mug's website or Amazon. I'll be reviewing these shortly, so check back soon!
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Choopie Super Cute CityBucket

Most well-known and beloved for their CityGrips, Choopie makes a number of great stroller accessories that are practical and perfect for personalizing and brightening up your stroller! Their parent console, called the Super Cute CityBucket lives up to the name because, yes, they are SUPER CUTE!! CityBuckets will fit any stroller and feature 2 cup holders, 1 cargo area, 1 large pocket, a wireless frame (so you don't have to remove it when folding your stroller), and attach via 2 universal slip-proof velcro straps. Our grand prize winner will receive one CityBucket in the design of their choice, a $25 value. Others can purchase on Choopie's website, and can browse some of their other great products on Amazon.
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Buggy Balance

One reason we use umbrella strollers is because they are so lightweight. Unfortunately, for the same reason, they are incredibly easy to tip over - if you hang anything on the back and then remove your child, bam, the stroller flips back instantly (I've even seen them tip backwards WITH THE CHILD IN THEM - SCARY!!!). Buggy Balance has solved this problem with 3 pound weights that easily attach just above the front wheels to keep your lightweight stroller from flipping backwards! With Buggy Balance weights on, you can hang up to 15 pounds of weight from the stroller's handles without worrying about it tipping over! Our grand prize winner will receive one set (2 weights), a $20 value. Others can purchase on Amazon.
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Ikue Baby Belt Covers

5-point harness seat belts are essential for the safety of our children in strollers, swings, high chairs, and car seats*. However, they are infamous for scratching and irritating the necks of our little ones. They can also become a delight for babies and toddlers to gnaw on!! Baby belt strap covers to the rescue! I'm loving this new line from Ikue by Maruju, a beloved brand in Japan. Ikue's baby belt covers are made of 100% muslin cotton, which gets softer after each wash! The design options are great, too - 5 simple colors (blue, gray, green, yellow, pink), and my personal favorites animal camouflageand dinosaur camouflage! If you practice babywearing, depending on the width of your baby carrier straps, they could also function as teething pads! Our grand prize winner will receive one set of belt colors, in their choice of color, a $19 value. Others can purchase these as well as Ikue's matching bibs, blankets, handkerchiefs, onesies, scarves, and towels on Amazon.

*While these are perfectly safe for usage in the stroller, high chair, swings and baby carrier, please check with the manufacturer before using in the car seat, since after market products can in some instances reduce the safety of your car seat.
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Diono 2-in-1 Head Support

When a stroller says it's "infant compatible", even if it lays completely flat, you really shouldn't strap your newborn straight in there. You need to use a support pillow, either for the full body or at the very least, their head. This will help stabilize your little one from jiggling around too much or squirming into an awkward position, and will also make them feel nice and snuggly! This 2-stage head support pillowby Diono is great because it grows with your child - use with both arched pillows for preemies, low birth weight, and newborns up to 15 pounds, and use with just the outer pillow for larger babies. Made of soft machine washable micro-fleece fabric, it can be used in strollers, swings, infant carriers*, and car seats*. Our grand prize winner will receive one in their choice of grey or ivory, a $15 value. Others can purchase on Amazon.
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*Please check with the manufacturer before using in the car seat, since after market products can in some instances reduce the safety of your car seat.
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Lil' Sidekick Tether

Babies and toddlers love to throw things. Whether it's chucking spoons from the high chair or hurling snack cups and toys from the stroller, it's going to happen, ALOT. They're having fun, they're learning about gravity and how the world works, and they're testing your patience. If you've reached your limit, it's time to get a tether, and we love this one by Lil' Sidekick! Unlike most tethers on the market, this one is extremely versatile - holding anything from a crayon to bottle to large stuffed animal! Also, there's no fabric or velcro to get dirty, it's made of a durable FDA approved dishwasher safematerial in the USA! Not only will it keep your child from throwing stuff on the ground, it also serves as a teether! Secure it to any stroller, high chair, swing, backpack, you name it! Our grand prize winner will receive a Lil' Sidekick in their choice of color, a $11 value. Others can purchase on their website or Amazon.
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The Mommy Hook

Whether you need a place to hang a couple of grocery bags, your child's back pack, a diaper bag, or a bag of snacks and toys for your little ones, The Mommy Hook makes a stroller pusher's life much much easier!! Made from heavy duty aluminum with a comfortable foam grip, it's a must-have stroller accessory that is extremely useful and budget-friendly! Our grand prize winner will receive one Mommy Hook, in their choice of color, a $9 value. Others can purchase one on Amazon. I'll be putting up a review soon, with a fun "Creative Ways to Use The Mommy Hook" video on YouTube, so stay tuned!!

So, there you go - Great giveaway, right?? Enter for your chance to win in the Rafflecopter box below!! The more actions you take, the more entry points you accumulate, the better your chance of winning! And don't forget, some actions can be done daily, so keep coming back!! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

This giveaway is open to US residents ages 18 and over, the giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, March 15. One winner will be randomly selected, contacted, and given 48 hours to reply before another winner is chosen.

What's your favorite stroller accessory or one you're dying to try?  Thanks as always for stopping by!  Good luck!