AT&T helps you get fit with the Jawbone UP24 activity tracker
Earlier this month we attended an event hosted by AT&T at David Barton Gym in Bellevue, WA. Along with Seattle area tech, parenting and lifestyle bloggers and reporters, we got to test the newest wearable technology from Jawbone during a workout with one of the gym’s fitness trainers.
As excited as we were for the event, I must admit we spent a crazy amount of time right here in the entrance to the gym with its gorgeous wood detailing. 
Our Groovy Girls Sweet 16 Tea Party
We all want our daughters to grow up in a world where they are only limited by their own imaginations. Even in our fast-paced lifestyles, such a place still exists and it’s within the world of Groovy Girls. These colorful soft dolls are full of personality and spunk with a message to girls to be true to themselves.
This year the iconic Groovy Girls from Manhattan Toy Company are turning 16 and they are as big of a hit now as they were when they first arrived in toy stores all those years ago. In fact, Groovy Girls just won the prestigious Parents' Choice Award this year!
Tadpool life vest from Exxel Outdoors keeps kids safe while learning to swim
My daughter is a water baby. Ever since she was really little, I had to be very careful with her around the water because if I looked away for a half a second, she would be up to her neck in water – and that’s when we’re talking the cold Puget Sound water. 
For this reason, we always make sure she’s always with us and in a lifejacket whenever she’s around the water, you just can’t be too careful. But, now that she’s learning to swim, we needed to find a solution that let her move freely while still keeping her safe.
The solution is Tadpool, a new PTPA Seal of Approval winner, that allows kids to learn how to swim in a way that feels natural while still keeping their heads above water. I was so thrilled when the package carrying our princess Tadpool PFD arrived at our door just in time for our family vacation full of water play.
Macy’s Great American Grilling Guru is leading up to the Sizzle Showdown Finale
The Everywhere Society and Macy’s Culinary Council invited me to attend this event and provided me with compensation for this post. However, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
When I think of summer, one of the first things I think of is firing up the grill. When the weather gets warmer, I look forward to spending extra time outside instead of the kitchen and I really love not heating up the house by cooking with the oven and stove.
I know I’m not the only one looking forward to grilling season this year because there was a very excited crowd this past weekend at the Grilling Guru event that happened at the Alderwood Macy’s in Lynnwood, WA. Macy's is looking for America's Greatest Grilling Guru and they have sent chefs from their Culinary Council around the US to pick the best of the best. 
Stay cool this summer with Nerf’s newest Soakers
Oh summer, how I love you. Hanging out all day and never having to put on socks, making sun tea and eating fresh fruit, and keeping cool anyway you can.
This is our newest way to keep cool, sent to us by our friends at Nerf. 
Heads up: if you come over, you might want to be prepared to get wet. Either that, or bring cake. We don’t shoot anyone carrying dessert.
The untold story of Disney’s Maleficent {review}
Growing up, I loved all things Sleeping Beauty. I loved the magic, the fairies, the wood cutter’s cottage, and the Sleeping Beauty castle. 
More importantly, I loved Maleficent. I think we can all agree that she’s one of the best Disney villains, but yet we knew almost nothing about her aside from her unique headwear and her disdain about not being invited to a baby shower. 
But why did she bestow such an awful gift on a helpless baby? Where does her hatred for Aurora come from? And why on Earth would she trust a crow to be her eyes and ears in going about her evil plans?
A sensory adventure with SentoSphere art and learning kits
This is going to come as a shock to anyone who knows how close my daughter and I are, but a few months ago I found it hard to bond with my sweet little girl. We spent most of the day together but sometimes it felt like we were so similar that we were constantly at odds. With the start of school and the addition of ballet and playdates there was a lot of hurry up and clean up and eat up and we’ve got to go, but not a whole lot of time to just sit and talk and enjoy each other. 
I realized I had to do something fast or this school year was going to be pretty awful for both of us, but I wasn’t sure what. It was then that I tried crafts and I realized that was going to be our saving grace. Crafting gave us a time to slow down, to relax, and for some reason, it made my girl open up. Crafting time told her she had my undivided attention – and she was going to make the most of it.
For that reason I am constantly on the lookout for crafts that we can do together, and I’ve found the perfect company to help me keep us both happy and connected. SentoSphere started in France creating high quality artistic and educational games, kits and toys but are now selling most of their lines in the States. Sure, we still do coloring books and doodling on some days, but other days we want something with a real wow factor, and that’s when we turn to SentoSphere.
Seattle getaway: Lake Chelan, Washington in spring
Lake Chelan is one of my absolute favorite places. You know when someone says to close your eyes and go to your happy place? For me, that’s Chelan. It’s got an average of 300 days of sunshine {!!}, a gorgeous lake, water sports galore, a fun downtown, and it’s one of the best sandy beaches in Washington. 
My family has been going to Lake Chelan since I was little, so I’ve been to the lake over 25 times in my lifetime, which includes 15 times with my husband. We’re now continuing the tradition with our own children by making Chelan our extended family vacation with cousins and grandparents. At this point it holds so many memories and good times that it truly feels like my home away from home. 
Find your perfect fit for summer at Figleaves.com {with coupon code}
I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Figleaves.com. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
I hate shopping for swimsuits with a passion. Sometimes it feels like there is absolutely nothing in between skimpy bikinis and swimsuits with layers and layers of fabric. I’ve worn both in the past, and while they both have their pluses they are just not right for me right now.
With small kids that I’m bending over to help, lifting, and swimming with, I need something I don’t have to mess with, tug at, or worry is showing too much. And, if it could also be stylish, that would be awesome, too.
Fairy tales come to life with the Princess Rosalina Play Tent {review}
Look at these happy faces. These are the faces of kids who have their very own play house to make believe in, snuggle in, and play in. Introducing the beautiful Princess Rosalina play tent from HABA, which is the perfect way to make any playroom {or living room, as my case may be} truly awesome.