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Monday, August 29, 2016

Winner's Choice Newbie Shade Giveaway! 3 Winners!


Sponsored By: Newbie Shade

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy


Sometimes I wonder how my generation ever kept our kids comfortable. There are so many items designed now for children's comfort and safety that we never even considered. Newbie Shade is one of them.

Newbie Shade is a family-owned and operated company that came into existence due to their desire to shade their new little baby girl from the bright California sun. After trying countless other products with no success, they designed the Newbie Shade! This shade is fully compatible with infant, convertible, and all-in-one car seats. It provides full shade coverage, while still allowing for the use of a backseat mirror attached to the center seat. Shading your child, while still being able to see them is wonderful!




Each winner will receive a Newbie Shade of their choice! ($75 TRV)


Open To WORLDWIDE entries - Must be 18+ to enter
Giveaway Dates ~ 8/29 12:01 AM EST through 9/18 11:59 PM EST 

Good Luck!



Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. Love, Mrs. Mommy received a Newbie Shade at no cost to facilitate the above-mentioned review. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winners will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

The best day of 2016


Image courtesy of Luis Caleron


Today was the best day of 2016 for our family. This morning, we officially welcomed my granddaughter, Luna, into the fold. Even though she's been part of our hearts from the day she was born, over 10 months ago, today, she got a new last name and a permanent home with my daughter and her husband -- her mom and dad.

I watched with much emotion and pride as my daughter was sworn in during the court session. She spoke with confidence and warmth as she promised to treat this child in the same way as her biological son. I wanted to interrupt and say, "Of course, she will. She always has." But I kept quiet. Surprisingly, I also kept my tears at bay, somewhat. At least I didn't have to reach into my purse for a hankie. 

The judge was amazingly kind and welcoming to all of us, allowing pictures during the proceedings. Afterward, she posed for pictures with the family. There was such joy in the room.

Luna, I didn't get the opportunity to swear my devotion to you. So I'll do it here, for everyone in the GG community to witness.

I, your loving grandma, promise to always treat you like the treasure you are. Like the treasure your brother and your three cousins are. You are all the same in my heart and you always will be.

I will be here for you to share in your joys and your sorrows, your accomplishments and your disappointments. 

I will brag on you like nobody's business, because Luna Bean, that's what grandmas do.

From the time you were just a wee, bitty newborn, I sang this song to you. I wrote it with you in mind and, don't tell the other kids, but it's my favorite of the songs I've written for my grandbabies. I'm singing it now with tears streaming down my cheeks. Tears of sheer and utter joy. 

Luna, bright as the moonlight
I want to tell you
Everything's gonna be all right.

Luna, just like the moon shines
I promise you that
Everything's gonna be just fine.

Fine, it is. So fine, indeed.



Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Van's Back to School Giveaway! Win a gift pack worth $325!


This is a sponsored post by Van’s International Foods and facilitated by Conservamom 

Waffles were a big part of my childhood. I remember my mom whipping up my Grandma Carrie's recipe on a Saturday morning. I liked mine plain, with just butter and sugar. Sometimes we'd have waffles for dinner. Mom would make chicken and gravy, with peas, and spoon it over the waffles. Being that I was a picky eater (peas ... ewww), I still opted for butter and sugar. And Mom let me.

I made my share of Grandma Carrie's waffles for my own kids and now they make them for theirs. But sometimes, busy moms just don't have time to make waffles from scratch. That's when it's time to reach for Van's waffles.

In celebration of National Waffle Day, Van’s Foods is sharing some easy and delicious breakfast recipes to make busy school mornings happier for the whole family. Quick and wholesome options like Van’s waffles offer protein and whole grains moms can feel great about serving and are so delicious kids love eating them. Van’s is also offering a chance to win FREE Van’s waffles, a deluxe brushed stainless convection/toaster oven and $100 gift card. 


miniwaffles  



wafflepizza2 wafflepizza 




coconutwaffles 

And, if you’re looking for a sure fire way to get a breakfast-time smile from your kiddos, check out this awesome video on how to make sunshine waffles: https://infinit.io/_/bGMUKCA


sunshinewaffles  

There’s a Van’s waffle for every member of the family celebrating National Waffle Day – from kid-favorite Van’s Minis (with 27 grams of whole grain per serving) to Van’s Gluten-Free Waffles (free of gluten, dairy and egg) to Van’s 8 Whole Grains Waffles (with 7 grams of fiber). 

For more easy recipe ideas and to learn more about Van’s Foods, please visit http://www.vansfoods.com/

Van’s waffles are available at grocery stores, mass merchandisers and natural food retailers nationwide. To find Van’s waffles in a store near you, visit: http://www.vansfoods.com/store-locator 

To enter to win some delicious Van’s waffles along with a deluxe convection toaster oven and $100 gift card and a few other goodies, fill out the entry form below! Giveaway open to US residents only. Ends on 9/10/16 at 11:59pm EST. 

You can find the complete list of Sweepstake Rules here. 


vanssimplyb2S
Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.All opinions and experiences are Conservamom‘s. Open to Continental US residents only , must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted through email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact Elia At Conservamom



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Tuesday, August 23, 2016

What if he hadn't died? A short story.

Yesterday would have been my late husband's 61st birthday. It made me stop and wonder for awhile what he would be like today if that spiteful fire had not stolen his life from him nearly 27 years ago. Instead of wondering, I woke up this morning and decided to write about the life together we didn't have. Maybe it will motivate you to do the same about a loved one you lost too soon. Write a story of how things might have been.


Image by George Hodan



A Normal Life

Jim walked into the kitchen, his sweat-soaked t-shirt draped around his neck. The sight of his tanned chest and muscular shoulders still took my breath away. He leaned down and kissed me. 

"Your head is burned. Why didn't you wear a hat? You're going to end up with skin cancer," I said, taking his tennis racket and putting it in the closet. A basketball rolled out and I kicked it back into place before closing the door.

"You worry too much." He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of orange juice.

"Don't you dar--" 

Too late. He unscrewed the lid and drank directly from the bottle. Then he smiled at me and put the bottle back in the fridge. "I'm hitting the shower."

Leaning against the counter, I watched him take the stairs, two at a time. Here I was, not even 60 yet and barely able to walk up to the second floor. His stamina amazed me. At 61, he still embraced life like it would last forever. Even though I worried about him constantly, the fact was he would most likely outlive me. I worried about that, too. 

We'd been inseparable for the past 36 years. Even though I relied on him to take care of the things I couldn't do physically, he seemed entirely dependent on me. I'm not sure what he'd do without me. He was just a few short years away from retirement (thank God) and I couldn't wait for him to be away from the chemical company where he had worked for nearly as long as I'd known him. Even though the pay was good and kept us comfortable, it wasn't a safe place.

Still, he as doing a lot better physically than I was. I hadn't even poured my second cup of coffee yet and he was already home from his weekly tennis match. Every Monday, he and Doug played tennis on their mutual day off. After his shower, Jim would be outside again, mowing the lawn before the extreme summer heat bore down upon us. I'd insist on the hat this time.

Jim and I were best friends. After our daughters grew up and were off on their own, he supported me completely in my pursuit of a writing career. Having a flexible schedule worked well with his swing shifts and I had the freedom to meet with my writing friends whenever I wanted. My tribe. 

Freshly showered, Jim interrupted my thoughts, hugging me from behind as I gazed out the kitchen window. I breathed in the scent of him. He kissed me on the back of my head and reached for the coffee and my mug. Always the servant. Handing me the filled cup, he asked, "So what's on the agenda for today?"

"I thought you were mowing the lawn," I said.

"That was the plan, but it can wait. Besides, I just showered and I don't feel like getting all sweaty again."

"Yeah, I wondered about that."

"Let's take off for the day. Want to go swimming?"

"Seriously? And be seen in public in a swimsuit? No thank you."

"Seriously. I want to show off my beautiful wife and her hot body."

"You're crazy. Not happening. If you want to go swimming, call Jess or Bethany and see if you can take the kids to the pool."

"I could. But what I really want to do is spend the day with you. Hiking in the woods? How are your legs today? Fibro acting up?"

"No. They're pretty good. But it's awfully hot for hiking."

"Okay, honey. You decide. I just want to spend the day with you."

"The mall?"

I watched as Jim tried to control the contortions of his face, knowing the mall would be the last place he wanted to go on his day off. 

He chewed on the inside of his cheek. "Sure. If that's what you want to do." He feigned a smile.

Laughing, I let him know I was joking. I couldn't help feeling like the luckiest woman alive. I whispered another suggestion in his ear and, joining hands, we both headed up the stairs. Looked like he was going to get sweaty again after all.


Monday, August 22, 2016

And it's back to school. How are you feeling about it?

Picture by Holly Chaffin

The kids in our school district returned to school today and I can't help thinking that can't be possible. But then I remember thinking that every single summer when my kids were growing up. Back then, summer truly was three months long, yet I was never ready for school to start. Unlike other mothers I know who cannot wait for the school year to begin, I always was filled with regret of all the things we didn't do.

And here I am again, with grandchildren returning to school and I'm regretting missing out on some of the activities I'd planned back in June. Since I don't have kids or their toys or their laundry underfoot, I guess it's easy for me to say that I'm sad the school year has begun. Whatever happened to waiting until after Labor Day and letting kids be kids, not students, for a couple extra weeks? 

Ahh well, it's that old adage that the only thing constant is change. For any of you grandparents out there, you know what I'm talking about. Things sure are different these days. Gone are the days of kids meeting up for a ball game or playing tag around the neighborhood. Now it seems the only thing that gets them outdoors with others is the pursuit of pretend characters they can only see through their smartphones. And why exactly do so many young kids even have smartphones?! I guess my age is showing.

To all you moms who are celebrating the early start of the school year, enjoy your alone time. I know it's important. And to the others who feel a bit like I feel, I understand. The sound of the school bus pulling away with your precious cargo inside just might elicit a tear or two. That's okay. The process of letting go has begun. Hugs to you.



So... which side of the fence are you on? Champagne or hankies? I'd love to hear how you're feeling in the comments below.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

25 years. A pink milestone in marriage.

Bill and I eloped 25 years ago today. I have to admit I've always regretted not having a wedding with our children present and surrounded by friends and family. But one of the children was definitely not going to cooperate, so we shelved the wedding plans and eloped.

Through the years, I've often thought of having a renewing of vows ceremony. Complete with friends, family, and at least some of our now-grown children. But it just hasn't happened. We considered it for this, our 25th anniversary, but then found out two of our daughters would be on vacation with all 5 of our granddaughters, so it was kind of pointless. I must admit I'm a bit disappointed, however. Maybe we'll do it on our 30th. That gives me 5 years to take off some weight so I at least can look good in pictures. Although the wrinkles will be much more pronounced by then! And my hair will be completely gray.

Bill loves hair with color -- not blonde or brown or even a natural shade of red. No. He likes pink and blue and purple. Colors like that. And he makes a point of complimenting women when they've boldly added highlights or doused their entire heads in these colored dyes. He's wanted me to add pink to my hair for years. Or blue. Or green. He just thinks it's really pretty. 

A few years ago, I decided to go green with my hair and stop dying it. The result? A light blonde shade of gray. I actually like it. But yesterday, I decided to surprise Bill for our anniversary with a change. Pink highlights. Yes. Pink highlights. These are temporary, although I kind of wish they weren't. I like them. And Bill? Well, being a typical man (sorry, guys), he didn't even notice. Not until I said, "Do you notice anything different about me?" He got that sheepish I'm-in-trouble-I better-say-the-right-thing look on his face and looked at me. He was stumped so I told him. Once he was aware of them, he liked them. One of my friends cut him a break by saying, "Maybe it's because that's the way he's always seen you." Aww. Sweet. Or maybe it's because husbands just aren't all that observant when it comes to their wives. And maybe that is a good thing. Is it possible he doesn't notice the wrinkles, varicose veins, and extra fat around my middle? That's a pleasant thought.


Soon, we'll be heading out for the day to celebrate. Horseback riding is in the plans, so hopefully, the next time I check in with you guys, I won't have any broken bones!

Wishing you love (it comes in all types, shapes, and sizes) on this special day. A silver anniversary. Or shall I say, a pink one?


Saturday, August 13, 2016

Babyroues Stroller Giveaway! ARV $599!


Welcome to the Babyroues Avant Stroller Giveaway!
Sponsored by: Babyroues
Hosted by: Southern Mom Loves
Co-Hosted by: Mom 'N Daughter Savings

When I had young ones back in the early-mid '80s, the stroller I had was pathetic. It was an old umbrella stroller. But I sure gave it a workout on a regular basis. Moms now are spoiled with awesome strollers, including the ones in this fantastic giveaway! 

The Babyrous Letour Avant strollers are luxury strollers with amazing features: Foam filled tires, leatherette handle bar, leatherette front bumper, Insulated organizer bag, cup holder, large accessible basket, extended canopies for extra protection, UV protection 50+, weather shield, 5 point harness, and separate stroller seat and bassinet are all included.

It is an amazingly lightweight stroller at just 20 lbs. Perched on top of a sturdy aluminum frame, the Letour Avant is designed to grow from infant-to-toddler. The included interchangeable bassinet and stroller seat have dual-facing abilities and features a one-handed open and an easy fold while either bassinet or seat are attached.

It's compact, has 4 different reclining seat positions, a foot brake, height-adjustable handlebar, and under seat storage. Front and rear suspension system, 12-Inch rear and 7-Inch front wheels. Suitable for children up to 40 lbs. All car seat adaptors available.

The Letour Avant comes in a canvas material for the canopy and cover, while the Avant Luxe comes in a Leatherette. Both are available in multiple material colors AND two stroller frame colors! Moms can completely customize their stroller to match their own style!

Babyroues strollers are sold at Buy Buy Baby, Amazon, Target, Kohls, Baby Depot and at babyroues.com, and for a limited time, Babyroues is offering $100 off any stroller purchased at babyroues! Just head to their website between 8/13/16 - 9/10/16 and use the coupon code: babyroues310 at checkout.


One winner will receive their choice of Babyroues Letour Avant or Letour Avant Luxe Stroller, in their choice of material color, and their choice of frame color, ARV $549-$599!

Giveaway begins on 8/13/16 at 1:00 am CST and ends on 9/3/16 at 11:59 pm CST. Must be 18 years or older, open to US/CAN (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. Babyroues 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.

Monday, August 8, 2016

What's In Your Bag? Check it out and you just might win a pretty awesome prize!

Those of you who have been following the blog for awhile know that I adore Hyland's Homeopathy and their products. I honestly don't know what I'd do without a whole slew of their products. My daughters depend on them as well to keep their own kiddos happy and healthy. That's why I didn't even hesitate when I was asked to help promote one of the most awesome giveaways ever! While this is sponsored content (I received some really great products in exchange for this post), I stand behind every product I'm introducing today on the blog. Seriously.

What's in your bag? Have you ever surveyed the stuff in your diaper bag, beach bag, or purse? How much of it is safe for your family? Knowing this audience, I imagine most of it is. But how would you like to WIN one of three bags that contain great products from companies like Hyland's, Noyah, SheaMoisture, Jack N Jill, Babyganics, Ella's Kitchen, Ishga Organic Skincare, and Goddess Garden? With Hyland's bag picks, you can wrap up summertime with natural, safe, effective, non toxic, paraben free products that are, simply stated, some of the best natural products around. 

What you want to do is head over to Hyland's Facebok page to check out each of the following bags. The bags shown there are super cool and interactive! It's unlike anything you've ever seen! When I checked them out, I was having such fun hovering over the products and clicking on the links for more information. I seriously wanted EVERYTHING in the Natural Fashionista Mom Bag (it's perfect for grandmas, too!). But I could imagine how amazing you moms with little ones would feel about the other two bags. After all, these bags were put together by Hyland's. And moms like you have been trusting Hyland's for over a century!

Let's start with my personal favorite: What's In Your Natural Fashionista Mom Bag? Click on the link and you can see for yourself. 



Check it out! There are beauty and skincare products from 

  • Ishga Organic Seaweed Skincare for both women and men
  • Natural sunscreen from Goddess Garden 
  • Noyah Natural Lip Products. Can anyone say "Spearmint Lip Balm"? Ahhh. 
  • A variety of Hyland's products for mom and the kiddos. And here's the thing: Hyland's understands that moms often miss having a good night's sleep. Often. So they came up with this wonderful product to help you out: Hyland's Good Morning. It's free of caffeine but just might replace your steaming mug of coffee (which you often don't get around to drinking until it's cold, right?) as your new best friend. It's in the bag, mama!
  • Oh, and if all of that isn't enough for you, they've also thrown in a $100 VISA gift card! Woo hoo!

Then there's the What's In Your Day-Trip Kid Bag? Equally awesome.




Here's some of the goodies you'll find in this bag:
  • First of all, it's not all kidstuff! How about some Nubian Heritage products, like hand cream? Nubian considers skin and hair problems and offers solutions. And, since I've been traveling so much lately, I especially like all of their travel size products. They sure beat the travel size product bins at the drug store!
  • Noyah Natural Lip Products are tucked away in this bag, too.
  • Goddess Garden is in there to keep your kiddos and you protected from the sun. 
  • Curb the munchies with great organic snacks and nutritious smoothies from Ella's Kitchen! Every mom knows that snacks are a must in every day-trip bag, right?
  • Hyland's comes to the rescue whether the little ones are sniffling, coughing, or restless, or when they trip and fall or get bitten by a nasty bug. I don't see why any mom would head out for the day without Hyland's 4 Kids Bumps 'n Bruises with Arnica anyway. It certainly belongs in this bag!
  • Of course, there's a $100 VISA gift card floating around in there, too. How handy would that be on your day-trip to the zoo or amusement park?

And finally, we have the What's In Your Baby Beach Bag? 



My daughters and their families are heading to the beach this month. There will be two moms, two dads, and five little ones (God bless them), ages 7, nearly 6, 3, 18 months, and 9 months. They will understand clearly why this bag is a necessity! Here's what's packed inside:
  • Babyganics goodies to keep the little ones safe and germ-free (well, as much as that's possible!)
  • Jack N' Jill natural tooth products to keep teeth and gums healthy (from newborns on up).
  • SheaMoisture baby products to nurture the delicate skin of your baby. 
  • Ella's Kitchen will keep them hydrated and satisfied with some awesome smoothies.
  • Noyah Natural Lip Products are tossed into the bag for mama, too.
  • And, of course, what baby bag is complete without an assortment of Hyland's for infants? There's even some Nerve Tonic thrown in there in case you're having an especially frazzled day!
  • Top it all off with another $100 VISA gift card. Didn't I tell you this was an amazing giveaway?!
Not sure which bag you'd like? Good news! You can enter once for EACH BAG! Just click the bag links and hop on over to Hyland's FB page to enter. Cool beans, don't you think? I sure do. Whether we're talking SheaMoisture, Noyah, Jack N' Jill, Ella's Kitchen, Noyah, Goddess Garden, Ishga Organic Skincare, or Hyland's, these are all fantastic summertime picks for natural wellness. What's in your bag? Just make sure it's safe, effective, non toxic, and paraben free.

Contest is open to U.S. only. 18+. 

Good luck!





Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hyland's and the above promotional partners. Uses for Hyland's products are based on traditional homeopathic practice. They have not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration.

Friday, August 5, 2016

10 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know Vinegar Could Do (Unless you've read my book, of course!)


TGIVF! This month, I'm happy to feature a guest post from AJ Earley, who drew some of the info from previous Vinegar Friday posts throughout the year. 

Here are ten things that you might not have known about the wonderful and endlessly useful vinegar:


Stay Hydrated Through Morning Sickness

Photo courtesy of Petr Kratochvil
Vinegar can be useful for many aches and pains during pregnancy, but there’s one way it can help that you may not have heard of yet. Women experiencing morning sickness may find it difficult to stay hydrated, especially if water feels harsh in their tumultuous tummies. Dehydration can be especially dangerous for pregnant women and their babies, but adding a bit of apple cider vinegar and honey to a glass of water can help with morning sickness in more ways than one. First, it will help balance electrolytes to make good use of the water you do manage to keep down. Second, it can help replace stomach acid lost from vomiting, which in turn can ease your tummy and make it easier to digest food.

Treats The Symptoms of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disorder that comes with a host of uncomfortable symptoms, including dry, scaly, or flaky skin, which can itch, burn, or sting. The medications for this disease come with a host of negative side effects, but the good news is that ACV has been used as a remedy for psoriasis symptoms since ancient times. It can help relieve itching and burning, as well as naturally balance the skin’s pH, which minimizes dryness and flaking.

Treats Acne

Acne is an problem most of us experience as teens, and many of us deal with well into adulthood. There are chemical-filled acne treatments out there, as well as medications that have horrendous side effects, but did you know that vinegar is a safe and effective acne treatment? Just combine 2 teaspoons of ACV with a cup of water, apply it after you wash your face twice a day. This solution works as a toner that will shrink pores and help you say goodbye to blemishes forever!

Photo courtesy of Maliz Ong

Keeps Your Mouth Clean And Bright

Bad breath is an unfortunate, yet common, problem. It can be especially bad after waking up in the morning or eating strong, smelly foods. ACV can help eliminate bad breath on contact: either drink a tablespoon after each meal, or gargle with a solution of ½ tablespoon to a cup of of water. 

Can Detect Cervical Cancer

Did you know that vinegar can be used as an inexpensive and accessible way to detect cervical cancer and pre-cancer? This is especially beneficial in impoverished and war-torn areas, where women either have no access to pap smears, or don’t have the money to obtain one. Vinegar is literally saving lives by providing women in third-world countries with early diagnoses.

Makes The Most Of Your Workout

Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or someone who only goes to the gym occasionally, you definitely want to make the most of your hard work. A tablespoon of AVC before a workout can boost your efforts in more ways than one. First off, it helps balance your pH, which provides better stamina and less of a chance of pain. It helps keep your muscles from cramping and improves their recovery time, and it also gives you more energy naturally.

Photo courtesy of Karen Arnold

Removes Deposits From Water Pumps And Filters

If you own a fish tank, a fountain, a spa, or any sort of water feature that uses a pump or a filtering system, you know that mineral deposits build up quickly. But, do you really need caustic calcium, lime, and rust removing products to get rid of them? No! Vinegar can clean deposits from fountain pumps and filters naturally, and is much safer for any creatures who live in or may drink from the water you are circulating.

Keeps Flowers Fresh

If someone gives you the gift of flowers, you want to enjoy them for as long as possible. The “flower food” packets that often come with a bouquet contain bleach and chemicals meant to keep stems from closing. Neither are safe to have around, especially if there are kids or pets in the house that might ingest the water. But, did you know that vinegar can keep flowers fresh and prevent wilting for longer? Just add a dash of AVC to the water in the vase, and replace the solution every two days.

Photo courtesy of Daniele Pellati

Squeaky Clean Spectacles

Those of us who wear glasses (or even sunglasses) know how pesky fingerprints can be. They are primarily made of grease, which is difficult to remove. A simple wipe with a cloth just spreads it around, and commercial glasses cleaners can be wrought with unhealthy chemicals that end up right near your face. But, adding a bit of distilled white vinegar to the cloth before wiping them down will eliminate fingerprints and safely disinfect your spectacles.

Laundry Room Essential

No laundry room is complete without a bottle of distilled 
than just keep your colors from running? Washing brand new clothes with a cup or so of DWV removes whatever chemicals may have been used in the manufacturing process, and works as a fabric softener, too! It softens clothes and helps eliminate static from tumble drying, and won't build up on clothes like traditional fabric softener, which can decrease the absorbency of clothing and make them harder to clean with each cycle.

**************

So, what are your best kept vinegar secrets? Share in the comments to keep the vinegar revolution going!



Monday, August 1, 2016

$50 PayPal CASH or eGift Card of choice GIVEAWAY





Welcome to the $50 'Recover From Back To School' Giveaway!

Hosted by: Southern Mom Loves


It may have been quite a few years ago since I've had kiddos in school, but I still remember the dent back-to-school shopping put in the bank account! So I thought it would be nice to help you out a bit. Someone is going to win $50 via PayPal cash or eGift Card of choice! Wouldn't that be sweet? But you can only win if you enter! 


Giveaway begins on 8/1/16 at 1:00 am CST and ends on 8/31/16 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.