10 tips for summertime snacking on the go

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PrepFreeProtein #CollectiveBiasLorissa's Kitchen platedOne thing we are adamant about with our kids is that they grow up in an active family. With so many beautiful places to visit right near us, we make it a point to go biking, hiking, and exploring whenever possible. Our kiddos are well-traveled little adventurers at this point, and after the long winter we had, we're all excited to get out and play.

With summer weather slowly arriving in the Pacific Northwest, we’ve been taking every opportunity to get outside and enjoy every last minute of the sunshine. I love being out in nature and being active as a family, but I hate that that sometimes means eating out more than I would like. So, I've started packing healthy snacks with us for our adventures that help us keep fueled up without weighing us down. 

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10 tips for planning a simply perfect bicycle picnic

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AquafinaSparkling #CollectiveBias One of hubby’s and my very first dates was a picnic almost 20 years ago. Since that day, we have picnicked our way through 9 countries and countless cities, and we’ve made it a point to … Read more

Making The Pledge with Entenmann’s Little Bites

Want a delicious on-the-go treat that your kids will absolutely love? Entenmann’s® Little Bites® muffins are baked soft and moist and then packed in easy to grab on-the-go pouches so they can be enjoyed just about anywhere. They are made with real ingredients, and never contain any high fructose corn syrup, which means parents love … Read more

The BEST bites and brews for the Big Game

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media. Babbleboxx full boxAre you getting excited for the Big Game like we are? Even though half of us aren’t even football fans, there’s something about the end of football season that brings everyone together. We look forward to enjoying all the commercials almost as much as the actual game, and most of all, we look forward to another reason to have a party.

But, in our usual fashion, we haven’t even begun to plan for game day. A day or two before we will get a few random texts asking what we’re doing, and typically we end up having people over or going to my dad’s to celebrate.

No matter where we celebrate, planning the menu is a joint effort, and I’m always on the hunt for the perfect foods that are quick and easy to prepare but also are crowd pleasers. When Babbleboxx sent a few hand selected items for us to sample that would be great game day items, we jumped at the chance to check them out and give our thoughts.

Here’s a sample Game Day menu that you can check out for planning your Big Game party – including some awesome coupons to save you money while shopping!

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Seattle Premium Outlets last-minute gift guide

Are you worried there isn't enough time left to pick up thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list? Never fear, Seattle Premium Outlets is here to help and no one will ever have to know that you shopped last minute! 

I'm sharing with you our gift guide for every age on your list. Every item was found at Seattle Premium Outlets this past week and is perfect for gifting this holiday season.  HGG for parents and grandparentsSPO holiday picks for womenFlannel: Eddie Bauer, Boot Cuffs and Socks: Timberland, Bracelet and Bag: Coach OutletSPO Practical gifts for girlsFlannel: (r) Eddie Bauer (l) Timberland, Socks: TimberlandSPO holiday picks for womenPajama Pants for Women: Hanna, Pajamas for Baby: HannaSPO holiday picks for womenStar Wars Shirt and Bow: Hot Topic

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Festive and fun last-minute shopping for everyone on your list at Seattle Premium Outlets

Sponsored postCan you believe Christmas is less than a week away? It seemed like I had things under control and then late last week I checked I still had a dozen of presents left to buy and the days were flying by. Instead of stressing out, I decided to take an afternoon off and head up to Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip, WA for a day of shopping, meeting up with friends, and ultimately, crossing off my list once and for all. Seattle Premium Outlets signBaby and I set off on an epic shopping trip that started with meeting up for coffee with a long-lost friend, and then ended with her falling asleep clutching an empty Coach shopping bag, a Tigger bracelet, a handful of stickers, and a notebook – all of which were given to her on our shopping trip for being such a delight. Seattle Premium Outlets coffee break with friendsWe stopped by guest services where we were greeted with beautiful holiday decorations on the fireplaces flanking the food court. This is where you can pick up mall gift cards as well as shop their huge selection of restaurant, store, and experience gift cards at the gift card kiosk.

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What’s new at Northgate Mall for the holidays

Sponsored postLast month, I joined some of my favorite local bloggers to tour Northgate Mall to show off all the newest happenings just in time for the holidays. We started our party at Mama Stortini's, where we dined on delicious appetizers and enjoyed a glass of wine. From there, we took a mini tour around the mall to see some of my favorite stores and places as well as some of the newer additions to the mall that I hadn't had a chance to enjoyNorthgate Mall Mama Stortinis

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Circuit Scribe makes learning electronics fun for all ages {plus 15% off discount code}

Sponsored postCircuit Art
As the parent of young kids, it's my job to teach them all I can about how the world works. Some of this is fun and involves traveling to exotic locales and experimenting with art, but some things certainly aren't my favorite. For instance, math, technology, or anything that involves me reading a textbook and then following directions step by step.

So, you're probably wondering why I agreed to teach math and technology at my daughter’s school. I could explain that it’s the only time slot that I had access to a sitter for my little one, but the truth is that I wanted a challenge. If I’m challenging the kids to learn new things and not be limited by what they think they can't do, I also need to take my own advice, even if that means studying up on my days off.

It’s no secret that I’m literally the last person you’d ask for help with a project involving circuitry, and that’s mostly my own doing. My husband likes to give me simple ways to remember how circuits and electronics work, and I conveniently forget each time or I doubt myself when I’m actually left on my own. Circuit Scribe drawingThis is the reason I turned to Circuit Scribe. Circuit Scribe fits right in the STEM subjects I’m teaching, but unlike textbooks and worksheets, it makes learning about circuits actually fun for kids as well as their adult helpers.
Circuit Scribe contentsThe secret to the Circuit Scribe system is the special pen with conductive ink that lets you draw out the connections for your circuit instead of using wires or a circuit board. This really allows you to see how the circuit works and gets you involved more deeply than just snapping pieces together, plus it adds a whole art dimension to the project that I love. 

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Schedule your holiday family photo sitting now at Portrait Innovations

Sponsored post
Family Picture Up Close
It’s that time of year again! Photo Christmas cards are coming, and they aren’t going to plan themselves. I know you still think you have time, but it’s really time to think about it now.

Otherwise you know you’re going to wait until the last minute and search through the pictures you’ve snapped all year only to find that every single picture that includes the whole family has someone either 1) looking away, 2) crying, 3) making goofy faces, or 3) all of the above. So, then you’ll find the nearest photo studio and book a last minute appointment that ends in disaster.

Or, you can go the easy route and just schedule yourself a family portrait sitting at Portrait Innovations now, while you still have time.Three kids reading

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Treat yourself to a steak dinner at Applebee’s for under $10

Sponsored postAt some point in the past few years, we just stopped going out to eat. Three kids, one income, and busy schedules have us running from event to event so it became hard to do relaxing dinners out. As a result, I became queen of the quick and easy weeknight dinner that could have us out of the house and on the go. So, really, eating out at all is a huge treat.

But, a steak dinner out? It must be my anniversabirthday. Applebees outsideApplebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar doesn’t think that a nice steak dinner at a restaurant should be a once-a-year event and are giving you a chance to enjoy a well-deserved steak at an awesome price – no special occasion required. From now until November 13th, customers can enjoy Applebee’s famed wood-fired USDA Choice Top Sirloin steak and two delectable sides, all for just $9.99. Applebees wood fired

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