We have finally reached November, and with that we welcome in the holiday season. For most of us, that means GO time. We take out our planners and phones and we start juggling. We vow that this year, we will wag more, and bark less! We promise we will be one cool-as-a-cucumber, organized lady from now until New Year’s Day! And then reality sets in and we start to feel a little less confident in our superwoman capabilities! Even more so if we have LBL (light bladder leakage), which can cause an entirely different type of stress altogether. 

This is a sponsored post for Acorn Influence. All opinions are my own. 



Maximize shopping trips list



I’ve touched on LBL a time or two in the past here on my blog because I feel it is such an important topic that shouldn’t be taboo. Over the course of this year, I’ve experienced LBL while doing strenuous gardening, to my dismay, and also when making myself wait too long to find a restroom. I kept telling myself, I’ll get just one more item off my list and then I’ll break for the bathroom. Sound familiar?



One shopping trip to @Walmart and I'm done! #ad #PoiseLinerLove


Since then, I’ve devised a new way of shopping. Armed with my master shopping list (that my family helps keep current), I decide what local store would have most, if not all, of the items on that list. More often than not, I find myself shopping at my local Walmart. Not only does most Walmart’s have two convenient bathrooms at the front and rear of the store; I love that I can pick up lettuce for a salad, boot socks for the kids, a holiday card and my newest accessory, Poise Microliners, all in one shopping trip. 


Another tip I’ve started implementing is writing out my shopping list in the order I’ll find products in the store. So worth the prep time when you don’t have to walk all the way through a store again for a forgotten item! That’s saves me time, which helps me be stress-free


#PoiseLinerLove found @Walmart #ad



Ladies, if you are starting to experience occasional LBL like I am ‒ it’s time for you to make the switch from your regular pantyliner to Poise Microliners. The lightest absorbency liners are just as thin as my regular brand of pantyliner, and just as cost-effective. I got this two-month-supply box at my local Walmart for $4.68. I found the liners on the top shelf, but you’ll see the whole line of Poise near the feminine care aisle. 



Make the switch to #PoiseLinerLove @Walmart #ad


One thing I noticed right away when I made the switch was I couldn’t feel a difference at all! Poise liners have thin-flex technology, so they move with your body and they stay put in your underwear, too. They offer 3-in-1 protection: dryness, comfort, and odor control, making them my perfect go-to liner from now on. Each box comes with a number to help you efficiently and discreetly choose which product is best for you. 

If this is your first time purchasing Poise liners and you don’t want to stand in the aisle reading each box, I suggest visiting Walmart.com, where you’ll find helpful information on all the Poise products they carry. 


By setting aside time each week to think through what you need to accomplish, making a master shopping list, routing your path through the store and using your new accessory, Poise liners for LBL, you should be able to maximize your shopping trips for a stress-free holiday season. 

Let’s all endeavor to wag more, bark less, enjoy more and stress less this holiday season.


Happy Holidays!


Please share in comments: What’s your best holiday shopping tip? 

Vicks Winter Wellness Care Package Giveaway

in , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, November 03, 2016

Before we know it, the cold and flu season will be here again, so now is the time to restock your families care package supplies. I have relied on Vicks VapoRub for years and years, taking the advice of my Mom to always have a tub on hand for sniffles and stuffy noses. Today, I'm partnering with a great group of bloggers who want to make sure you are prepared for the cold and flu season too.




Vicks Winter Wellness Care Package





Welcome to the Vicks Winter Wellness Care Package Giveaway!

Hosted by: Southern Mom Loves



One winner will receive a Vicks Winter Wellness Care Package (ARV $131) to help you stay well and feel better all though the winter. Holly from Southern Mom Loves received a Vicks winter wellness care package and came up with her 6 Best Tips to Avoid Getting Sick. Check it out here.



The care package includes:
  • 1 Vicks® Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier
  • 1 Vicks® SmartTemp™ Wireless Thermometer
  • 1 Protec Humidifier Antimicrobial Cleaning Fish
  • 2 packages of Vicks® VapoPads
  • 1 Vicks® Humidity Monitor
  • 1 2-pack of purse-sized Puffs Plus® Lotion
  • 1 Vicks® VapoRub™ Topical Ointment


Enter below, and good luck.


Terms:

Giveaway begins on 11/3/16 at 1:00 am CST and ends on 11/25/16 at 11:59 pm CST. Must be 18 years or older, open to US residents only (void where prohibited.) Once winners are confirmed, they will be added to the Winner's List here.





Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per IP address. All entries will be verified. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will be contacted by email; Please add southernmomloves@gmail.com to your whitelist. Southern Mom Loves will be responsible for prize delivery to the winner. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest, or any other social media platform.


Contact Holly at southernmomloves@gmail.com if you have any additional questions or comments, or would like Southern Mom Loves to organize your next giveaway.
Can a new purse really become your best friend? If you are like me and need a large, can fit everything and still look stylish purse- the answer is yes!, especially if you are lucky enough to own the new JOY & IMAN genuine leather "Best Friend" City Satchel ! I had the good fortune to receive a complimentary best friend city satchel in demi-matte black from Phoenix Trading Company to try and review and I couldn’t be happier. While I did receive this satchel free of charge, all opinions, love of a good leather bag and fashion are my own.  






Do you see why I love this stylish satchel? Even my teen daughter (modeling the satchel in the photo above) loves this beauty of a bag!  I usually carry black purses because I feel they work well with any outfit and the demi-matte black pebbled leather with gold-tone hardware makes this satchel trendy while the overall size and shape profile lends a classic vibe.  



Joy & IMAN Logo on best friend city satchel




Here is a run-down of the features of the satchel from Phoenix Trading Company

  •  Size/Profile: Large satchel 
  •  Walls: Genuine pebbled leather
  •  Handles/Strap: Double rolled handles 
  •  Hardware: goldtone; signature goldtone front metal logo plate 
  •  Construction: Open top; flat bottom with metal feet 
  •  Closure: Zipper 
  •  Lining/Trim: Polyester 



Interior of Joy & IMAN Best friend city satchel



The interior is a purse lover’s dream come true. Look at all that room! I can easily carry my tablet and Avon brochures and samples when out working my business. I can fit my planner and notebook for taking notes when I’m attending important school meetings, or blogging ideas and the best part- everything has a home. No fiddling around at the bottom of your purse for your pen or keys! 


Here’s the rundown of the interior:

  •  1 front wall compartment with 2 patch pockets
  •  1 plain compartment with 8 card slots
  •  1 center zippered compartment
  •  1 zipper pocket and 1 patch pocket
  •  1 compartment with 1 patch pocket 1 back wall compartment with 1 zipper pocket (1 inside  pocket for mirror), 1 patch pocket, 1 elastic pocket and 2 pen slots 
  • 1 adjustable square watch (located on front of purse in leather case)


Plus- this satchel truly reaches best friend status with the super helpful flashlight attachment! Just open the satchel, click on the handy flashlight that’s attached to the side and you’ll find your glasses, phone, wallet or gum in a flash! Need to know the time without looking at your phone? This satchel has you covered with a small square black and goldtone watch concealed in a small leather pocket attached to the front.



 Joy & IMAN best friend city satchel with flashlight attached


There is even a zipper back pocket on the back exterior to place those items you want to grab quickly before going into a meeting or running into the corner bodega for a snack. 



The Take Away:

The JOY & IMAN genuine leather "Best Friend" City Satchel is a big, roomy satchel that can and will carry almost everything you need for a long day in the city. It feels nice on your arm. The sturdy double rolled leather handles assure you they can carry the extra weight of your tablet and heels effortlessly. Joy and IMAN nailed fashionably functional with this satchel and it holds its own within that line.  This pretty, classy yet trendy bag will serve you well all season long! If you are looking for a solid satchel with style, I invite you to learn more at PhoenixTrading Company where you can purchase it as well.


Please share in comments: What is your favorite purse go- to style and color? 

Ten Succulent plants for your indoor garden

in , , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Friday, October 28, 2016
At the beginning of each season I promise myself that this will be the season I have a garden to be proud of.  My flowers will bloom glorious bloom after bloom, my herbs will never wither or go to seed and my succulents will remain perfectly pleasing to the eye. Then reality sets in and I muddle along with an okay garden space- but my succulent game is strong so I can take heart. 


Ten succulent plants for your indoor garden



If you’ve never known the joy and beauty of a succulent garden, then why not give it a try as our Indian summer days slowly ebb into winter?  Maybe it’s already more like winter where you live- all the more reason to start this easy indoor garden full of succulents



What is a Succulent Plant?


Succulent plant leaves



Succulents are fairly easy to identity because of their leaves and stems. The most widely recognized succulent is probably the Aloe Vera plant and my personal favorite the Jade plant. The Jade plant in the photos above is 10 years old and was born from clippings my mother in law took from her mother’s Jade plant.  I treasure this Jade plant because it is an heirloom; one that I can pass on to my daughter’s when they move to their first place. I’ve started several pots of Jade from this one and will be doing a quick tutorial soon. Another thing I adore about Jade is it produces delicate white or pink flowers once a year!



Jade plant pink flowers



Succulents would be a perfect first time plant for teens, or anybody that loves having greenery around them but forgets to water their houseplants because succulents are drought resistant and require very little water or hands on care. Just read the care tag and put your plant in the correct light and you are almost guaranteed success with your indoor succulent garden!


The one drawback of succulents is choosing the right one for your personal tastes and your homes lighting. Some points to consider before buying succulents:

  • Low levels of natural light and cooler temperatures mean you’ll need to adjust how much water and fertilizer you give.
  •  
  • Some plants adapt to hanging planters and terrariums better than others.
  •  
  • Some succulents can even be toxic to your indoor animals.



As you can see, while succulents may be easy to grow, you need to do your homework first. That’s why UncommonGoods, one of Brooklyn’s favorite online retailers of home and garden decor, has researched and compiled a list of 10 best succulents to brighten up your home this fall and winter.


Ten best succulent plant infographic



I was happy to see my favorite succulent, Jade second on the list. I think I will add a Mistletoe plant to a hanging basket in my bedroom and I love the look of the string of buttons plant. 



I adore growing and spotting succulents wherever I go. I saw this beauty at my grocery store and had to share a pic on Instagram. 


You will find a huge succulent fan following on IG, so hop on over and follow me and UnCommonGoods there.






Please share in comments: Which succulent plant from the infographic would you like to grow in your indoor garden?



Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way to share this information today. I just love succulents and UnCommonGoods was kind enough to ask me to share that love via their infographic. 

Happy Thanksgiving $50 Giveaway

in , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, October 27, 2016

Hello dear readers and welcome to the first, of what I hope is many holiday giveaway's here on My WAHM Plan. I've teamed up with a fabulous group of bloggers again to bring you this one!


Thanksgiving $50 giveaway





Welcome to the $50 of Choice Thanksgiving Giveaway!

Hosted by: Southern Mom Loves

Co-Hosted by: Dorky's Deals


One winner will receive $50 via Paypal cash or eGift Card of choice! If I can purchase an eGift card or code online and email it to you, you can choose that store, or you can choose Paypal cash!


Enter below, and good luck.




Terms:

Giveaway begins on 10/27/16 at 1:00 am CST and ends on 11/23/16 at 11:59 pm CST. Must be 18 years or older, open Worldwide (void where prohibited.) Once winners are confirmed, they will be added to the Winner's List here.





Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per IP address. All entries will be verified. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will be contacted by email; Please add southernmomloves@gmail.com to your whitelist. Southern Mom Loves will be responsible for prize delivery to the winner. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest, or any other social media platform.


Contact Holly at southernmomloves@gmail.com if you have any additional questions or comments, or would like Southern Mom Loves to organize your next giveaway.
For many families, Halloween has become the unofficial start of the holiday season. We decorate our homes, ourselves, our kids, and our pets, if they will allow it. While the holidays can be a fun and happy time for us, they can be very stressful for our pets. Today I’m sharing helpful tips with my fellow pet owners, which hopefully, will help us avoid potentially hazardous situations and keep our pets (and us!) safe, healthy and stress-free throughout the holiday season. 


This post is sponsored by Royal Canin®, #royalcaninhealthypets. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Royal Canin’s veterinary-exclusive gastrointestinal diet this #Halloween, but all opinions are my own. Royal Canin is not responsible for the content of this post.



Dottie at the door help your pets have a stress free holiday


Meet Dottie ‒ our 9-year-old indoor cat who loves to be in the same room with you while you go about your day. She loves seeing outside and we captured this photo of her looking out the front door onto the porch recently. Her sweet face seems to ask ‒ why are you out there in the scary dark? Please don’t stay out there. Changes in her routine, like me not working from home one day, or visitors, can really stress out Dottie.



Do you know some of the other signs of stress in your pet? According to MyPetReference.com they are:

  • Poor Appetite
  • Decreased interaction with their owners
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances



With Halloween less than a week away, I know my cats will be stressed and upset every time the doorbell rings! We may do trunk-or-treat again to relieve this problem.  Do your pets run in fear of trick-or-treaters and holiday guests too?


If yes, here are a few tips to help prevent stress in your pet:



Royal Canin pet products



1. Make sure you feed your pets at their regular feeding time and spot. Now is not the time to change things up! Feed them their preferred food type in a line that provides all the nutritional support your pet requires, like Royal Canin®

2. Provide a stable living environment for your pets. They need routine! Try your best to keep your pet’s schedule and routine as normal as possible.

3. Reinforce positive behavior in your pets like using their scratcher, or not clawing furniture etc.



Dottie, happy cat in the window




4. Make sure their favorite spots are available to them! Dottie adores seeing out the windows to our front yard, which is full of birds, squirrels and nature. We added a ledge to the dining room window for her and our other indoor cat, Fiona.




Fiona, happy cat in the window



This ledge is the preferred cat seat in our home, but when the holidays come and guests arrive, both our cats dash for the safety of our bedroom instead, so we added an additional viewing ledge in our bedroom window just for them. It’s a little thing for us humans, but to our cats, it’s a welcome gift of security and routine




Another tip to a less stressed pet is to keep holiday décor and foods that are hazardous to our pets away from them! 


The holidays are also a time when there are more treats and food around the house. Guests may not realize that your dog or cat shouldn’t eat table scraps or that they should keep their appetizer plate out of the pet’s reach.




Here is a quick reference list of the most toxic holiday foods for pets to eat:

  • Chocolate, especially dark chocolate
  • Unbaked bread dough
  • Alcohol
  • Sugar-free candy and gum, jelly and baked goods (when ingested, artificial sweeteners can cause a sudden release of insulin in an animal’s body, leading to dangerously low blood sugar)
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Turkey, bones, and other meats with fatty portions
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Onions and garlic



It’s very important to let your holiday guests know that no matter how sweetly our pets may ask for food, we should never give in to temptation! Make sure pets can’t raid the garbage can or eat treats left on plates sitting around the house.


My Cat, Fiona asking for my food, but I resist!



Even with our best efforts, our pets can show signs of stomach upset and GI issues. Here are four signs to watch for:

  • Vomiting
  • Regurgitation
  • Diarrhea
  • Refusal to eat

If you notice these symptoms in your pet you should contact your veterinarian immediately to determine the best course of action. They could actually be signs of an infection, chronic illness or a more serious condition. 


In many cases there are simple solutions. Ask your vet about Royal Canin’s line of veterinary-exclusive gastrointestinal diets. Royal Canin offers multiple options to help veterinarians provide individualized nutritional solutions for pets experiencing gastrointestinal issues. You can learn more about Royal Canin products by visiting their website and by getting social with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.



Don’t forget to check out My PetReference.com for a host of valuable resources. With a little education and prep work, we can help your pets have a stress-free holiday season which will make ours jolly and bright as well!



Please share in comments: How do you share the holidays with your pets?

We are just nine days away from the second most celebrated holiday of the year in the United States! Whether you go all out with your decorations, host an epic block party, or are known for your crazy witch cackle, Halloween spending across the country is expected to exceed 8 billion dollars!
 That’s a whole lot of decorating and candy buying for our trick or treaters. If you plan on heading out with your family for a night of fun, check out this handy list of the top 20 cities for the best candy haul courtesy of my friends at Zillow. Did your city make the list this year?




Trick or Treat list of top U.S. cities for candy haul




There were some major shifts in the top ten city ranking from last year’s trick or treat map folks. Philadelphia came on strong and took the number one spot from San Francisco! My beloved bay area did well in overall standing with San Jose keeping its number two spot of the list and San Francisco coming in a respectable third. Click here to see my map share from last year. 




Top ten U.S. cities for trick or treating 2016



As you can see from this infographic, Zillow comes up with their lists by using four equally weighted variables: median home value, housing density, population age and crime. 





The Top 20 Cities for trick or treating 2016 are:



Top 20 cities for trick or treating 2016



I’m proud to see that Nashville moved up one spot in the rankings to 19th! If you are in the greater metro Nashville area, here are the top five neighborhoods to go trick or treating in for the best candy haul, walkability and safety.

  • Green Hills
  • Tulip Grove
  • Cherokee Park
  •  Sylvan Heights
  •  Historic Old Hickory Village



I love that Zillow compiles this yearly list and hope they make this an annual Halloween tradition! I invite you to stop by Zillow today to read their trick or treat post for even more neighborhood rankings, and to learn more about their mission to help you find your way home by helping you find your perfect home in the perfect neighborhood.




From my family to yours, we wish you a happy and safe Halloween!



Please share in comments: Did your city make either list? Are you surprised to see a certain city or region listed? 

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