Summer — Page 2

The 6 Best Frozen Treats You Can Buy at the Grocery Store

This post brought to you by Unilever Ice Cream. All opinions are 100% mine.

Frozen treats aren’t just for summer. But because it IS summer, and I just got done trying a big ol’ pile of amazing frozen goodies, I wanted to share a list of our favorites. Because when you’re shopping for summer treats, it can be hard to decide which are the best to spend your grocery budget on when you’re staring down a half-aisle of delicious looking choices, right?

Summer is so hot right now…

For us here in Washington state, the summer has been as hot as I can remember! Thank heck for central air and a pool – I tell ya. But still – on hot summer evenings, I have little appetite. I like some simple soup, a crunchy wrap, or a nice cold salad. But something I’m always in the mood for no matter how hot it gets is a frozen dessert – whether it’s fruity, chocolatey, or ice creamy – it hits the spot on a super hot evening around here. {I know, I know… Most people picture Washington and think of rainy, cold, cloudy weather. That’s Seattle, on the coast. We’re in Centra Washington. It’s dessert, hot, dry, and totally different!} Watch the video below to see a little bit of our summer fun – and how we cool off with our favorite frozen treats. Then keep reading below to learn about all six of what I think are THE best goodies you can buy in the freezer section of your local grocery store….

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on August 19, 2013 Filed Under: Food | 15 Comments

Discover the World in a New Way…

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Discover Boating. I received collateral to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Did you know: Eighty eight million people went boating in 2012?… Were you one of them? I know I sure was! As much as I love the city, and as much as I’m a girly-girl, I am happiest when I’m around nature. Whether it’s camping, hiking, a day at the park, or boating – I just love being in a more natural setting. I work at a computer all day, almost every day, so unplugged time around trees and water totally calm me.

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on August 1, 2013 Filed Under: Travel, Outdoor Living | 1 Comment

The Secret to Creating Awesome Frozen Cocktails

Thank you to Daily’s Cocktails for sending me a goodie bag filled with fun #DestinationDailys gear, and trusting me to share my opinion on their products with you awesome ladies…

“The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass.” – Martin Mull… That quote pretty much sums up my approach to summer. I love lazy days, relaxing on the patio in my hammock {I just bought this portable Double Hammock and am in love.} I love watching the kids splash around in the pool while I sip a cool fruity drink, letting the day slip by slowly. Oh wait – that’s what I WOULD love to do if I had more time! And as a super over-scheduled work at home mom, with a toddler of my own, and two wild nephews all day – time is something that is in short supply around here. But, since this site is all about “Smart Solutions for Busy Moms” – I of course have found a couple of short-cuts that help me have a little more time to lounge in the hammock with a drink in hand. Keep reading to learn about the easiest way ever to make frozen cocktails.

Daily’s Pouches – The easiest way to make frozen cocktails [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on August 1, 2013 Filed Under: Celebrations | No Comments

Ice Cream Tastes Like Happiness…

This post is brought to you by Dreyer’s and The Motherhood. I was provided with product coupons and compensated for my time, but all opinions are mine.

“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy ice cream. And that’s kind of the same thing.” – Unknown… There are a few things in life that truly bring me happiness: My family. My friends. Anything sparkly. And ice cream. Good ice cream brings a smile to your face, no matter what type of day you’ve had. And whether you eat it right out of the carton, or fancy it up with sprinkles and syrups, having the best ingredients and flavor combos is a must.

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on July 31, 2013 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution, Celebrations | 10 Comments

10 Things Every Mom Needs In a Summer Pool Bag

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Huggies, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #HuggiesSwimmers http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

In my family, summer means a lot of time in the water. We just bought a camper, and are super excited to spend more time up in the mountains on the lake. {We’re actually thinking of buying a boat ourselves soon too.} My dad lives on a sailboat that he’s getting fixed up, and ready to take us sailing on the Washington coast soon. And we have a big in ground pool that is the main gathering place each weekend for all of our friends and family. Now that Abby is almost three, we’re finally teaching her to swim too – check her out in her first time swimming {in a life jacket, of course} without someone holding her, for the first time. So much fun… {And yes, her nickname is Chunkamonk, lol.}

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 24, 2013 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 5 Comments

10 Tips for Camping With Kids

It’s summertime, which means time to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine!… I love camping, but haven’t gotten to go in a long time. 3 years ago I was pregnant, and the next summer Abby was still so little. Then last year the Mister decided he wanted nothing to do with sleeping in a tent – He said he was too old for that nonsense. {He’s no fun, lol.} So this year – I bought a camper! That way there are no more excuses, and we can have it stocked and ready to go whenever the mood strikes. I live here in Central Washington, and a quick 45 minute drive brings us right up into the mountains and trees and rivers, and I plan on taking advantage of it all as much as possible. So, I was super excited when Kelly wanted to write a guest post for me, sharing her top 10 tips for camping with kids. She’s pretty much a pro when it comes to camping, so I knew she’d have some good advice!

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 10, 2013 Filed Under: Travel | 3 Comments

Moms Love Shaving their Legs, Right?

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Remington, to share hair removal tips. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and as a thank you for participating….

What mom doesn’t love shaving her legs, right? When you’re enjoying a nice, quiet, relaxing bubble bath at the end of a long day – a day that consists of things like shopping, lunch with girlfriends, and maybe a stop at the spa for a massage and pedicure – and you pull out your favorite plastic drugstore razor, and soothingly swipe it up and down your legs, effortlessly removing those unwanted hairs. Those plastic razors always leave you with legs that are smooth, silky, stubble-free and ready for summer swimsuit season every time. We all love it.

Baaaahahahahahaha.

Just kidding. For most moms, the only bubble bath they are a part of is the one they give to their toddler after they’ve gotten themselves into some type of crazy-outlandish mess. Like, say… a little time spent playing in a sandbox they discover while you’re over to a friend’s house for dinner. A sandbox that’s actually a kitty litter box. After playing in the toilet. So the kitty litter gets wet and sticks in their hair and in between their toes. {Yes, this happened recently. Thankfully they are nice friends, lol.} And your day – unless you’re one of those Real Housewives types – probably has less spa day, and more work day. Whether that work is managing employees, or managing to run 327 errands in a day, it’s work. And plastic razors? I’m pretty sure we all have the same issues with those – sure, they’re a cheap way to get rid of hair. But you get what you pay for. And what you get is razor burn and rashes, stubble left behind, and legs that are way less than smooth. So what’s a busy mom to do?