I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for DermaWand. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

In the 16th century Ponce De León was obsessed with finding the fountain of youth, he believed it was located in Florida and was determined to do everything in his power to find it. As we all know he of course never found the magical water, but now the words “fountain of youth” have been attached to many products and many consumers are still searching for their own version of the fountain of youth today. With all the resources and innovative products we have available to us we have come a long way and are now closer than ever to getting the youth back that we so desire. 

It can be overwhelming though when looking for that one product that will turn back the clock. As I near my mid-thirties I have been searching for something that can make my skin as youthful and vibrant as possible. I have tried creams and serums, lotions and oils with little to no results. So when I came across the DermaWand I figured I had nothing to lose and would love to give it a try. (take a minute to check out my video!) 

(I apologize for the bad video quality, my normal video camera stopped working this week) 

I have seen aesthetician’s use products like the DermaWand before and felt that if an expert uses this it must be a good! They have clients on the line that are depending on getting results. In fact the DermaWand was created Christina Boves a licensed aesthetician. 

DermaWand Specifics: 

• If you have seen or heard of the big radio frequency machines that doctors use the DermaWand has the same technology as those machines that are trusted by Doctors and Medical Specialists to attack the signs of aging. The only difference is that DermaWand uses lower amplitude that’s just right for in home use. DermaWand still provides instant stimulation, providing a massage effect while at the same time delivering thermal energy and enriched oxygen. What results can you expect? Younger looking skin with only 2 three minute treatments a day, without a visit to the doctor’s office and that dreaded doctor bill! 

• Radio Frequency is considered one of the best methods of helping to reverse the visible signs of aging.

• Daily DermaWand use can brighten your whole face brining back a youthful appearance. DermaWand is easy to incorporate into a skincare regimen and you can even use it over your makeup! 

(I tried to replicate my after photo to look as much like the before photo and without makeup so you can get the full effect) 

I have been using my DermaWand for a little over three weeks now and have noticed some significant changes in the lift and smoothness of my skin. I am so excited to be heading into a new year with more vibrant and beautiful skin, who wouldn’t want that right? Start 2015 with some much needed pampering and more self-esteem with DermaWand! Have you used DermaWand before? I would love to hear about your personal experiences! And for those that don’t have your own personal fountain of youth aka: DermaWand check you the deal below:

DERMAWAND MAKES THE PERFECT GIFT! 

DermaWand is the perfect gift for friends and family who are in need of some at-home spa pampering or would like to turn back the clock. For a limited time only, you can purchase the DermaWand for $89.85 in three easy payments!

• The first payment will be for $9.95

• At 30 days the second payment will be $39.95

• The final payment at 60 days will be $39.95

• The total cost for the DermaWand- $89.85

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT DERMAWAND HERE TOO: 

DermaWand Special Offer: www.dermawand.com/IC

DermaWand Website: http://www.dermawand.com/f2/

DermaWand Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyDermawand

DermaWand Twitter: https://twitter.com/DermaWand1

I have been compensated by Mattress Firm for my participation in this campaign as a part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. As always though all my crazy opinions and stories are my own.

We all know that we function better throughout the day if we have a good night sleep the night before, but getting a good nights sleep goes further than just not being cranky the next morning. Here are just a few of the benefits to getting a full night's sleep:

1. Sleep is restorative for the brain.

2. Too little sleep can lead to weight gain by altering levels of the hormones that regulate satiety and hunger, leading to overeating, overweight, and obesity.

3. Growth hormone is secreted during slow wave sleep.

4. Insufficient sleep is associated with a higher incidence of behavioral problems, especially attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

5. Memory consolidation occurs during slow wave sleep, meaning that the different pieces of what we've learned during the day come together coherently so that the knowledge can be accessed when needed.

6. Kids with more sleep see more improvements in school.

7. When kids sleep well, their parents' sleep improves, doing wonders for their ability to function during the day (and maintain their sanity in the evening and night).

As moms we know that we want our kids to sleep well and school aged kids should be getting between 10-12 hours of sleep, and I think we all know what happens the next day if they don't get that sleep. I think though that as parents we sometimes forget that we need to give our kids the right tools to achieve those 10-12 hours. And one of the most important tools we can give them is a good mattress that fits their needs. "Replace Every 8" isn't just for grown-up mattresses, but kids mattresses need to be replaced every eight years as well. When getting a new mattress for you child you want to make sure you are getting something that fits your child and their needs.

Here are just a few things to consider:

Size: The mattress size you choose will mainly be about your personal preference. While a twin mattress is common for younger children, larger beds will allow for future growth and tend to be preferred by older children.
Firmness: The ideal mattress for a child will provide the proper support while cushioning developing bodies. Regardless of the bed type or size, children need firm support to ensure their spine and bones develop properly and stay in alignment.
Breathing Sensitivities: If your child has allergies or asthma, you may opt for a synthetic-filled mattress to resist dust mites and allergens. When shopping for a bed, look for mattresses that also have microbial or hypoallergenic fill and covers to help reduce these potential problems.

Taking these things into consideration will help you find just the right bed for your child. It's also really important to get a mattress from an expert, and someone that has your needs in mind and doesn't just want to get you out the door with a new bed, and that's why tons of families choose Mattress Firm. Mattress Firm has experts that are there to guide you through the process and make sure you get what is right for your family. Mattress Firm will support you through every phase your family goes through, Mattress Firm grows with you!

Recently we found our little boy sleeping on the floor even though he had his own bed. My husband and I couldn't figure out why he was doing it. I didn't like to have to lift him back up onto his bed every night, but I also didn't want to just leave him on the floor. After about a week of him sleeping on the floor I started to wonder if he was just unhappy with his bed. He was four and sleeping in a toddler bed, but the mattress was the same that was in his crib as a baby. It was definitely time for a new mattress for him and time for a "big kid" bed.

We went and he got to pick out his own mattress, which he was super excited about. Once we got it home I knew we had made a great decision just by looking at how happy he was with his new bed. If you are looking at getting your kids a new bed, but you are worried about the costs of it all remember that a bed is an investment that will last 8 years! Also a well rested child means a well rested mom.

He also loves his really soft Mattress protector, which works great and I don't have to waste a fitted sheet on his bed! I also find this incredibly necessary for younger kids, it's always good to protect against any night time accidents. You don't want to ruin the new mattress you just got!

I also want to talk a little about another sleep essential: good pillows!

What would sleep be without good pillows? Without a great pillows we would get even less sleep. Pillows can either provide you with the beauty sleep you really need or rob you of it with a restless sleep. As I get older unfortunately I find myself experiencing more aches and pains and when I notice those aches and pains the most is right after I wake up. That's a horrible way to wake up; I want to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day not like I have been sleeping in a torture device for the last 8 hours. I have two little ones that depend on me being at my best and instead I find myself afflicted with a headache for half the day. I knew I couldn't keep going like that and the final straw was when my little girl asked me one day, "mama why do you always have a headache? Do all mama's have headaches in the morning?" After that I realized I needed to do something and I needed to invest in my sleep. Proper sleep is the best asset I have to a happy and productive day. First step and the easiest is to get new pillows, and no I don't mean head to Walmart and just start trying all of them out, that will only lead to a lot of disappointment. No you will need a professional, you need a serious pillow from a sleep expert. You need someone that knows what they are doing when sleep is concerned, you need Mattress Firm.

One of the most amazing pillows I have ever used is from Mattress Firm and I now will never rest my head on anything else! They come with either a coconut scent or lavender (I personally prefer coconut). You can check them out here! And I will also be giving two pillows away!! Be sure to also see the experts at Mattress Firm for your next mattress and get the best sleep you can!

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for LISTERINE. I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

I wrote a little bit ago about heroic habits and how our family keeps up good habits, and more importantly how as parents we encourage our little "super heroes" to have good habits including making sure they keep their teeth healthy. Looking back on the years I know that I am in "constant watch mode" making sure our kids are brushing, flossing and doing everything else they can do to have healthy teeth, but that started to make me wonder if I am leading by example or am I just trying to stop them from making the same mistakes I did when I was younger, and my conclusion... I am not leading by example enough. I can do more and I can do better. I find myself getting after them to brush longer and then I find that when it comes time for me to brush my teeth I rush through it too fast and a lot of the time skip flossing all together. So my husband and I have decided we need to be better examples for our kiddos and have heroic habits of our own.

With that in mind we realized that we need to keep up those habits no matter where we are or what we are doing. This became a little bit of a challenge since we travel so often and even as I type this my husband and I are 2300 miles away from home on a 10 day vacation. Now it can be difficult to keep any and all good habits up while on vacation; one heroic habit that I have been trying to keep up on is eating healthy. On vacation I find myself gravitating towards fast and frugal meals which typically are not healthy. It's not easy eating healthy for 10 days and while being on the road every day! But it's part of the heroic habits I am trying to have and I know it sets a good example for my kids to see me eating fresh healthy food as often as possible. I thought this heroic habit would be pretty difficult when we were in NYC last week, but I actually found fruit and veggie stands all over Manhattan and also found fresh smoothie stands all over. Awesome right?!

Unfortunately once we left the big city and set out on the New England open road it became a little more difficult, but not impossible! I almost caved a few times as we drove past some of my favorite fast food restaurants, but I held strong. Sometimes when we try to get into new healthy habits we will want to cave when it gets hard and the same thing can happen when trying to keep up good dental hygiene. We justify it with "it's ok I will brush longer in the morning" or "I will floss tomorrow" but if we want our teeth to be the healthiest they can be and avoid major dental costs (and I'm pretty sure we all do) there is no justification for not brushing, flossing and doing anything else we need to do for a healthy smile. With that in mind my husband and I made a commitment to properly take care of our pearly whites while on vacation as well. Before we left we each packed a little "heroic dental habits" bag for while we were on vacation. This bag includes:

:: A toothbrush

:: LISTERINE Mouthwash

:: LISTERINE POCKETPAKS

:: LISTERINE ULTRACLEAN ACCESS Flosser

Everything you could need!

To snag these items for yourself you can go here!

All of these products will help us maintain our good habits and will also help us set a good example for our kids. Every day we Skype with our 4 and 6 year old and my 6 year old wanted me to watch her using her new Barbie LISTERINE and so I took that opportunity to show her that I was keeping my teeth nice and clean as well! Every day we now talk (as much as we can with a toothbrush in our mouths) and show each other that we are keeping up with our heroic habits. Also while on this trip I have realized how nice it is to have some of the items above in my purse.

I carry with me the LISTERINE ULTRACLEAN ACCESS Flosser and the LISTERINE POCKETPAKS. I find that the LISTERINE ULTRACLEAN ACCESS Flosser is a lifesaver after meals especially if you have food between your teeth in two seconds of using it you can get rid of any extra food between your teeth and do it seamlessly without looking like you are flossing. I also have been using the LISTERINE POCKETPAKS for after meals, especially those with garlic or other strong flavors and also I have realized that after being on the road for a few hours your mouth can feel a little gross and you need something refreshing and your fellow car passengers will appreciate it as well. 

What I have come to realize most of all is that no matter where you are or what you are doing you can keep up those heroic habits! And if you don't have any heroic habits it's not too late to be healthy and happy! 

You can learn more about LISTERINE and heroic habits by visiting their website.

Also be sure to subscribe to the LISTERINE YouTube channel to learn about new products and promotions and to watch the LISTERINE heroic heroes video series!

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for LISTERINE. I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Our kids are pretty obsessed superheroes so we try to use that theme when encouraging them on good habits. We want to make sure our kids are eating healthy so their superhero bodies are growing strong and we want them to have superhero attitudes which for us means being super kind and friendly to others and trying to create happy times with happy attitudes. Like most families we want our kids to have "heroic habits". So when it comes to oral hygiene we use that same principle and let our kids know that part of being a superhero is also having awesome healthy and strong teeth. This is point really hits close to me because on my side of the family we have a long history of bad dental genetics and we are prone to cavities and other issues, so I knew that I wanted it to be different with my kids and I wanted them to have super healthy teeth. With that in mind our kiddos know that a huge part of their "superhero responsibilities" includes keeping their teeth healthy and clean. Normally that just entails brushing their teeth for two minutes, but we recently started to use LISTERINE SMART RINSE and at first I was concerned if my kids would even use it or like it, and it turns out they LOVE it! They beg to be able to use it every night and love swooshing it around in their mouths. Be sure to grab some next time you are at the store, your kids will love it!

My husband and I have also "upped" our superhero tooth cleaning skills by flossing more often. This is something I have always had an issue doing, I don't know why, but I have just always hated flossing. I do understand how important it is though... it is really embarrassing for me to tell people this but when I was younger I lost two of my back teeth due to poor oral health care and bad genetics. And while I can't do anything about genetics I can do a lot more about my oral health care routine and I can make sure I am doing what I need to do so I don't lose any more teeth. This includes flossing which I personally love using the flosser, I feel it makes it a little easier to floss and ease makes me actually do it and not put it off! And speaking of easy... you can also buy all of your favorite LISTERINE products from the comfort of your own home!

After flossing and brushing the last step of our "heroic oral health habits" is to use mouthwash! Now, as you can tell from the pics above my kids absolutely love this step and so do I! I love feeling like my mouth is completely clean and I don't have any lingering food pieces left in my mouth. You can also use LISTERINE HEALTHY WHITE to help get those pearly whites you want!

So do you think your family is  ready to be oral health care superheros? What do you use or do with your kids to enforce good oral hygiene? Let us know!

You can learn more about LISTERINE and heroic habits by visiting their website.

Also be sure to subscribe to the LISTERINE YouTube channel to learn about new products and promotions and to watch the LISTERINE heroic heroes video series!

I have a confession to make. I hate going to the dentist. Just the thought of going makes me ill. Part of the problem would have to be that due to being in a state of constant magnesium deficiency (due to a genetic heart condition) I have always had bad teeth no matter how hard I try to take care of them. The other reason would just have to be that I have had some crummy dentist experiences in my life that have led to more than one nightmare. 

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