Alcatel 3V Phone Review

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I received a phone from Alcatel for the sole purpose of this review

Review written by my co-writer, Stacy!

Alcatel specializes in cell phones. You can buy phones for your specific carrier, or you can get unlocked phones. I received the Alcatel 3V unlocked phone.

I gave this phone to my kids to use and abuse for 6 weeks and it did not disappoint! It was dropped on day one and the included simple screen protector saved the screen. By dropped I mean it went flying out of my car onto the pavement and was fine, I was in shock. I finally took that protector off a few days ago and the phone looks great. 

2018 Mazda6 Signature

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Looking for a sporty mid size sedan that comes in just over $30,000 and gets up to 31 MPG? Then the 2018 Mazda6 Signature just might be for you.  

Since leaving my ex, almost a year ago, my commuting has quadrupled. I drive the kids to and from school every day, an now also work 15 miles away, 4 days a week. So I put a LOT of miles on my car. I was happy to test out the Mazda6. With all my driving I do, I knew I could put it through a good test!

Center for Parent and Teen Communication: Then & Now

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This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication.  All opinions (and memories!) are my own.

The Center for Parent and Teen Communication is a new, valuable resource for every parent navigating the teen years. You can get a taste for the type of advice you’ll find with this post (http://bit.ly/2xJgzay)  from the director, Dr. Ginsburg.

THEN:
You were such a difficult child, never played with toys, threw tantrums galore, and were very difficult to please. Despite all that, I loved watching you learn, doing flash cards, puzzles, games. You learned Spanish from watching Dora The Explorer. You were an amazing little girl that just went to your own beat.

NOW: 
Now you're an amazing young woman. I learned along the way that instead of toys, you liked arts and crafts and you've become quite the little artist with drawing and clay figures. You love music and choir and have become an AMAZING helper around the house. I love how you've grown into your own and are your own person. Nobody can tell you otherwise. You love being different and I love that you're comfortable being yourself.

Kids grow up; too fast! I love this video.




A lot of babyhood repeats itself in the teen years. Your children need you more than ever! This video helped me reflect.

What are your favorite babyhood memories? What advice do you have for raising teens?

Nearly Natural: Perfect for decorating for Fall!

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I received a sample from Nearly Natural for the sole purpose of this post

I love Fall, Fall is my most favoritest season of ALL!!! I love the cooler weather, the leaves, the smells, the boots and sweaters. 

I also love to decorate for Fall, but I'm always more drawn to 'fake' items so they last year after year. Why buy real flowers when I can buy fake ones that don't need care, are the same price, and will last much much much longer? 

I discovered Nearly Natural, which is silk and artificial plants, flowers, trees and more. I received the 24" Maple and Berry Wreath for my front door and the Hydrangea with Vase Silk Flower Arrangement in purple for my room. 

The wreath is lovely. It's more bright and vibrant in person than it was online and I LOVE it! It's so representative of Fall colors and is perfect on my front door!

The hydrangea also surprised me. Color online is pretty accurate, it's a gorgeous deep purple and is just beautiful in person. I love the vase and the fake water at the bottom. These look just lovely on my dresser.

Don't Forget How Good Exercise is For You!

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Don't Forget How Good Exercise Is for You

It is common for individuals, especially mothers, to feel overwhelmed in this day and age. There is just so much to do. Additionally, lots of women are dealing with health problems, both physical and mental. Exercise plays a key role in helping an individual to have a healthy body and mind. Unfortunately, it can be easy for individuals to forget how good exercise is for them. Here is a quick reminder on some of the benefits that you can receive from exercising regularly.

Regular exercise can make you feel happier. It can decrease feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression. It will help you to improve your mood because of the way it produces changes in your brain that regulate stress and anxiety. It helps your brain produce serotonin and endorphins, which can relieve the feelings of depression and help you have a more positive outlook on life. When you engage in regular exercise with individuals from your support group for depression, you have the added benefit of up building social interactions, which are also good for your health.

Exercise plays a key role in helping you to lose weight. Many studies have proven the fact that inactivity plays a major role in obesity. Exercise can help speed up your metabolism and help your body to burn more calories each day. It will help you lose weight and increase your muscle mass. Additionally, having a body that you feel more satisfied with increases your self-confidence and gives you a healthier and more positive view of yourself.

Are you dealing with fatigue? If so, exercise can increase your energy levels. This is especially the case if you are dealing with a medical condition that causes you to feel tired. Studies have proven that it can help individuals who have progressive illnesses, those who are combating chronic fatigue syndrome, and those who are experiencing depression. The Center for Growth encourages individuals to exercise regularly in order to boost their energy levels and fight fatigue.

Did you know that a lack of regular physical activity is connected to chronic disease? If you exercise regularly, you can reduce your risk of dealing with issues like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Not getting regular exercise can lead to an increase in belly fat. Belly fat is related to problems like heart disease and type II diabetes.

While everyone has good intentions about exercising, there are so many things that can get in the way of actually exercising regularly. Reviewing the benefits provides the reminders that individuals need to boost their physical, emotional, and mental health. If you want to fight your depression, chronic fatigue, and almost any other health issue, regular exercise plays a key role.