Adorable doll furniture set with desk and bed.

Cute little desk fits under the closet part.

This Olivia's Little World Doll Furniture is a wonderful toy for the little doll lover in your life. It is very nicely detailed and has tons of moving parts. It is best for kids over 3 (my two year old tried stepping on it). It has tons of ways to engage in imaginative play.

This doll bed includes a desk and chair that slide under the hanger section. Or you can play with them separately. The desk and chair are not connected so you can use them with or without the doll bed. The desk has a little working cabinet and drawer. Also separate is the ladder, for the dolls to climb into the bunk bed. The opposite end of the bunk bed from the desk and hangers are two shelves and a cabinet section. Those of you who have doll lovers know how much "stuff" your little dolls can collect. The row of "drawers" up the side of the bed is just decorative. There is still plenty of room for all of your doll accessories.

Some assembly required.

This set is assembly required. It took me an hour and half and a screwdriver to put it together. My daughter (almost 5 years old) helped me put it together. The directions are all one separate pieces of paper, so there were times that some pages got out of order. The instructions were easy enough to put together. If you have put shelves together before, you should be able to handle this project.

This doll bed furniture set makes an excellent gift. It is wonderful for Christmas, birthdays or any special occasion. I was going to give this to my daughter for her birthday, but once she saw it, she would not give it back! She and her little brother (aged 2) had a great time helping me put it together. They use this set to put the babies to bed, and to sit at the desk. She will have hours of fun playing with this doll furniture. And unlike other sets, it does not take up tons of room or break the bank.

This Olivia's Little World Doll Furniture set is perfect for the doll lover in your life. It does not take up tons of space while having everything you need for your dolls. Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

Bunk bed with ladder.

Hanging space, where desk fits.

Desk can be played with separately and has a working cabinet and drawer.

These drawers are just for looks.

You can add plenty of babies.  Dolls picked by my daughter.

Techege Magic Water Drawing Book

Magic Water Drawing Book is fun for readers and non-readers alike

This Techage Water Color book is fun for readers and non-readers. Readers can read the instructions and then follow them. Non-readers will have fun coloring the pages and finding the hidden pictures.

This toy has no mess, is non toxic and safe. It uses simply water to make fun colors and shapes appear. The colors do not take too long to appear, causing kids to get bored or frustrated, like other coloring sets can. My youngest loves cars, trucks and construction so this is perfect for him. It is for ages two and up. It also makes a great gift. There is nothing worse than giving a gift and finding out later that it stained a friend's home. This toy will never leave stains behind.

The drawback to this set is the water pen. There is no where to attach it to the book, so you have to keep track of it. It will also spill water if left on its side for too long. Those two things are very easy to fix though.

This Magic Water Drawing Book is fun for kids without making a mess.  It is non-toxic, non-staining and reusable.  Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

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My top ten running tips

The Open Road is calling you.

 Let me start by saying I am no expert.  There are tons of people out there who know way more about running than I do.  Who run much, much faster than I do.  I am just an old runner who has been enjoying the sport for over for a very long time.  

Can you run? Yes, you can!

1. The most important thing I can say about running is buy decent running shoes.  Go to a running shoe store and have them fit you and watch you run.  Buying cheap shoes or buying the wrong shoes is the best way to get injured.  And if you go in the store and try a bunch of stuff on and use the expertise of the people selling the shoes, buy them.  At least the first time.  Running shoe stores do not make money by giving out free advice.
 
2. Don’t give up!  It will suck when you first start.  Maybe even really, really suck.  But you are working toward a goal, be it weight loss or getting in shape, and it won’t always be easy.  Like all things that aren’t easy, it is worth it in the end.
 
3. Personally, I wouldn’t run in cotton if I could help it.  Get moisture wicking fabric if you can.  They sell it almost anywhere, including the cheapest of stores.

4. Be safe.  I don’t wear headphones while I run outside. I run on the side of busy roads, and I have to be to hear the cars.  Also, as a woman, I try to be aware of my surroundings when running. 
 
5. Protect your skin while you run.  I was young and stupid and didn’t wear sunblock.  Now I pay for it with wrinkles, freckles and fears about skin cancer.  Sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, all these things are worth the time and money.
 
6. Bug spray.  I run in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes I have to run in the grass.  DEET is the only thing stopping me from coming home with ticks.  Which are nasty. No one wants ticks.
 
7. Pay attention to your body.  If it hurts, back off.  Running is not going to be comfortable all the time, but if you are getting an injury it is best to pay attention and take time off.
 
8. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.  I think we’ve all made this mistake.  I know I really did before I had kids. I wanted to be as fast as everyone else.  I was down on myself because I thought I should be doing better than I was. 
 
9. Have fun!  Well, maybe not fun, but eventually you will start to enjoy it.  Or enjoy crossing the finish line.
 
10. Learn about running how you learn best.  If you are like me and like to read everything in sight, get the magazine and read the blogs. If you like to talk about things to learn about then, talk to a friend who is a runner.  But only if you really, really want to hear about it.
 
11. Which brings us to number eleven .  No one is as interested in your running as you are.  Maybe your mom or your best friend.  Most people will ask you about running and about ten seconds later their eyes will glaze over and the “you’re boring the shit out of them, but you can’t stop” alarm will go off in your head. 

Come on, are you going to let those miles go unrun?

And yes, once I again, I said ten and wrote eleven.  What can I say; I have a lot to say! 

Your reward for all that hard work is getting really, really sweaty.

These Simoshaw blue and purple Butterflies are perfect for adding a touch of fun to any room in your house.

Butterflies have a nice variety of colors and sizes.

These SimoShaw 12 piece purple 12 piece blue 3D butterflies are wonderful addition to your home. They come in fun, bright colors that are sure to add a touch of fun and whimsy to any room in your home.

My daughter and I put these up in her room. She is four, so it was a fun, easy project that we can do together. These can also be used on the fridge because they have magnets. To add them to the wall, simply add the adhesive circle to the back, peel off the paper and stick to the wall. The fun thing about these is you can create whatever grouping you want. My daughter put hers together "with their family." Then she wanted her butterfly wings to get her picture taken with them. You can see that they really sparked her imagination.

These come in tons of shades of purple and blue, which makes them perfect for boys or girls. You can add them to your playroom, kids room, bathroom or basement. They stick on easily and thus far have stayed up rather well. Unlike other decorations, these aren't large, hard to put up or damaging to the walls.

These Simoshaw blue and purple Butterflies are perfect for adding a touch of fun to any room in your house. They are easy to put up with the enclose adhesive. Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

My daughter with her new butterflies and her wings.

This MyPillow Classic Series Bed Pillow is perfect for getting a great night's sleep. It is super soft and comfortable.

MyPillow, which is definitely MY pillow.

This MyPillow Classic Series Bed Pillow is perfect for getting a great night's sleep. It is super soft and comfortable. It does not get hot or flat like a lot of other pillows can.

You should be sure to put this in the dryer before using it. I popped mine in the dryer with some laundry and dryer balls and it fluffed right up. It is one of the fluffiest, softest pillows on our bed. Upon first opening it, I thought that there was a slight odor. After sleeping on it for over a week that smell is completely gone.

I am very picky about my pillows and I need to get a good night's sleep. This pillow is very soft and comfortable. I used to wake up in the morning with a stiff neck because I "fell off" my pillow, or otherwise was not lined up right. This pillow has completely eliminated that problem, and I haven't woken up with a sore neck since I started using it.

This pillow is very soft and fluffy, while still being supportive. It is the best pillow on my bed. Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

So squishy. Yet still firm.

Do squeeze the pillow.  Its filled with magic.  Or memory foam.

Exterminate boring socks with these fun Doctor Who Low Cut 3 pack of socks.

Exterminate boring socks with these fun Doctor Who Low Cut 3 pack of socks. These socks come in orange, gray and blue and should fit all of your outfits. They are a fun pop of color in even the most boring of outfits. They would look perfect with a little suit or perhaps a bow tie. Or slip them on under your canvass sneakers for a different look.

These socks are made from 62% Acrylic, 35% Polyester and 3% Spandex, so they are very soft and comfortable. They can be machine washed and dried so they are very easy to care for. These socks have fun detailing all the way down to the little circles on the Daleks. These socks come in a three pack so they are excellent value. I normally wear a women's size 7 shoe and these were a little large on me, which is what I would expect from "one size fits all" socks. They fit well in my shoes and are very comfortable.

These socks are very comfortable and have Doctor Who Dalek styling. You will be a hit at your next viewing party or convention. Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

This SharpTank Portable Pencil Sharpener is perfect for getting flawlessly sharpened pencils every time.

 

 

This SharpTank Portable Pencil Sharpener is perfect for getting flawlessly sharpened pencils every time. We had an electric pencil sharpener, but my kids would just wear the battery down on it, without ever sharpening the pencil! This pencil takes a minute to figure out, but once you get it, it sharpens your pencils perfectly every time.

To use this pencil sharpener, you need to squeeze the two rabbit ears in the front, and pull the silver part out. Then insert your pencil and release the ears. Sharpen until you don't feel it sharpening anymore. Pull it out and you will have a perfectly sharpened pencil, not too much and not too little. I tried this out this morning and I had great results every time. I will say that this only works if you use at as a "righty" would. My daughter is a "lefty" and she tried it with her left hand, it did not work that way. She was able to switch it so she was doing it the way a righty would and it worked perfectly for her.

This pencil sharpener is perfect for getting sharp pencils every time. With back to school just around the corner, you need to be able to have tons of nice sharp pencils for school and homework. This pencil sharpener works perfectly every time. Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

 

 

This Motion Trend Men's RFID Blocking Leather Wallet has tons of space

Inside the wallet.

This Motion Trend Men's RFID Blocking Leather Wallet has tons of space. Unlike some other wallets which do not give you room for everything you need, this one has all the space you need. It has six credit card slots. It also has a spot for your driver's license. In addition there is a divided section for your money. The wallet measure 4 1/2 inches by 4 inches, so it is truly generously sized.

This wallet is crafted from high quality leather and you can really tell the difference. It has a smooth texture and has that "real leather" smell. It fits perfectly in your hands and has a nice weight to it, not too heavy and not too light.

This comes in black bag and a gift box. It is perfect for gift giving. I plan to give it to my husband, and he is very, very hard to buy for. I am sure that he will love its quality and style.

This Motion Trend Men's RFID Blocking Genuine Leather wallet is perfect for the man in your life. It is made from high quality leather that is sure to last a lifetime. Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

Comes in a bag and lovely gift box.

Tons of room for your cards.

This Vbiger Women Spring and Summer Large Brim hat is perfect for keeping the sun out of your eyes, and harmful UV rays off your face and neck.

Colorful hat that is perfect for keeping the sun out of your eyes.

This Vbiger Women Spring and Summer Large Brim hat is perfect for keeping the sun out of your eyes, and harmful UV rays off your face and neck. Its large size ensures that the sun is out of your face. It has a wire in the brim, so you can shape it exactly how you want. It also includes a matching scarf tie in coordinating, bright colors. You can add the tie to the hat, or wear it as a scarf or put it on your bag. Also included is an adjustable chin strap. This is perfect for keeping your hat on when you are out on the boat or in the garden or any time that you don't have a hand free to keep your hat on.

This hat is very lightweight and comfortable. Its bright color is easy to spot and will add a pop of color to your outfits. This is no wimpy hat that won't keep the sun out of your eyes. This hat is perfect for wearing to the beach when you want to get a little sun, but keep it out of your eyes. It is also great for gardening and keeping the sun of your face. It is also great for sitting on the sidelines, watching your kid's game, but still looking cute and stylish.

This large reversible hat is perfect for keeping the sun off your head. It helps protect your head and face from harmful UV rays. Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

This Big Elephant Boys 2 piece stripe Romper outfit is an adorable addition to your little guy's wardrobe.

Adorable Baby Outfit.

This Big Elephant Boys 2 piece stripe Romper outfit is an adorable addition to your little guy's wardrobe. It comes with a cute snap top with stripes and contrast collar. It also include denim pants with removable suspenders.

This is sized as a 100. I compared it to some of my son's other clothes. I found that the pants run a little big for a size 18-24 months. They should fit my son for quite a while, and a cuff at the bottom is adorable if the pants are too long. The top however was slightly smaller than some of his other clothes. They both should fit fine though. My one complaint about the shirt is that the stripes are screen printed on, instead of being woven into the fabric. I prefer things that aren't screen printed, but that is just personal preference.

This outfit is adorable and is perfect for this fall. It is great for a "back to school outfit" when older siblings go back to school. The suspenders are super cute touch and I think would be just darling in a photo shoot for Christmas, birthday or other special occasion. This would be cute with a little cardigan sweater and brown shoes.

The buttons on the shirt work well, as do the snaps. The shirt and pants both have high quality flat lock seams and no hanging threads. The suspenders are adjustable and have elastic so they should fit perfectly. The buttons on the pants work well, as does the snap and zip. There is no care label that I can find, so I will be sure to wash these on cold and gentle.

This Big Elephant Boys 2 piece Stripe Romper is perfect for the little boy in your life. It is a fun look that is sure to get tons of compliments. Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

Snap top.  I don't like the screen printed stripes. but it is still cute.

Suspender pants.

This Women's Fashion Striped Dress is perfect for dressing up or down.

This Women's Fashion Striped Dress is perfect for dressing up or down. It has bracelet length sleeves making it perfect to wear with your favorite charm bracelet. The length of this dress hits about 3 inches above the knee. This makes it perfect to wear with tights or pants. The measurement from the shoulder to the hem is 34 inches. And across the shoulders is 17 inches.

This dress is so easy to dress up or dress down. You could wear it with ballet flats and leggings to pick the kids up from school or run errands. Or dress it up with heals and nice jewelry and it perfect for church or date night.

It is made from a soft fabric and has flat lock seams making it very comfortable. It is perfect for numerous occasions. Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

Cute dress.

Close up of the sleeve.

This Premium Apple Slicer will have you cutting perfect apple slices every time.

This product was received at a discount to give my opinion about.  Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion. 

This Premium Apple Slicer will have you cutting perfect apple slices every time. My kids love apples. My two year old especially, he will take an apple and eat it straight through. What I don't love is the apple cores and other debris left all over my house. I don't want my kids using sharp knives to cut their own apples either. This apple slicer is perfect for an adult to use or a child with proper supervision. The blades are nice and sharp, so they go right through the apple without tons of pressure. And the handles are large and easy to grip. You can cut up a ton of apples without your hands or arms getting sore.

This apple slicer is also easy to clean. It comes with its own little brush for cleaning out the nooks and crannies. If you clean it out before it dries it should rinse right off. It also comes in a bag to keep it clean, safe and looking like new.

This apple slicer is perfect for cutting apples evenly with very little time or effort. Don't mess around with sharp knives that slide all over, this apple slicer is so simple to use. Just push down and you've got perfectly cut apples every time. And unlike cheaper apple slicers, it is made from thick, high quality plastic so it won't fall apart right away. Although I received a discount, this is my honest opinion.

Top ten things I wished I’d known about having kids before I had kids.

1. You are never going to sleep well again. If you have an easy baby you will be sleep deprived for the first couple of weeks or months. If you don’t have an easy baby, you may never get to sleep through the night again. And once you get them sleeping through the night, you are still up half the night worrying about them.

2. I had no idea how much time would be spent cleaning up after other people, while still having a house that looks like a tornado hit it. The usual advice is helpful enough “put things away after you use them” or “tidy up every day.” But those are kind of irrelevant when you have a tiny tornado following you around.

  

Kids love making messes.  And eating off the floor.

3. Your kids come with their own personality and agenda. Every once and while your agenda and your child’s will line up. For the most part, they won’t. For example, you want to go . . . anywhere. You would like all your children to have shirts, pants and hopefully shoes. Matching and clean optional. They would like to mainline sugar while watching the most annoying YouTube videos in existence. 

4. That brings us to inborn personality. I used to come down more towards the nurture side of the nature vs nurture debate. I thought, you give your kids the things they need to learn, and lovingly guide them through life and they turn out how you expected. Feel free to laugh uproariously at this. Yeah, again, they want to watch TV and play on the tablet and you want them to get straight A’s and eat their vegetables.

  

5. Forget halfway decent furniture until your kids go to college. I thought I was so awesome because my first two kids were one and a half and three and we still had a decent house and furniture that didn’t have that “early garage sale” look going on. Two more kids later, and kids that have the coordination and destructive impulses to match and our furniture is trashed. 

This is why I can't have nice things!

6. You will take a metric ton of pictures. Then you will gaze longingly through your pictures, while thinking you should have taken more. If you are pregnant (or possibly hormonal) you will sob through this. Don’t worry; it’s all part of the process. 

7. Being pregnant is not an experience that I was ever in control of. I thought it would go down something like: I eat all organic food, I run every day, and I gain the right amount of weight, all my adorable baby tummy. Oh, and people fall all over themselves to do everything for me so I can take tons of naps. The reality goes more like: I had such horrible morning sickness that there were times I actually wanted to die. I would lie in bed and pet my dog, and just try to get through another moment of feeling like death. I ate anything and everything. Because the baby needed food and I had to give it to them. I did actually run, until my body refused to move that way anymore. Unfortunately, that did not prevent me from ballooning up like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon. 

Pregnant me.

8. Do not ignore the advice to take care of yourself. It will be easy to feed the baby before you feed yourself, or spend all of your time cleaning and not get to the things that you want to do. I often tell my kids, when they ask why we have to go to the gym “Do you want nice mommy or grouchy mommy?” I am definitely grouchy mommy without the gym. You can give to others what you yourself don’t have, so recharge your batteries. 

9. Find someone you trust to take care of your kids sooner rather than later. I never left my first two with anyone, except my mom or my sister, until my oldest started school. It was a couple of weeks after his third birthday! He is very extroverted and my husband and I are. . . not. Interacting with him all day was exhausting. He mostly started preschool so he could talk to someone else for two hours a day. (and get an education and hang out with other kids, and all that other good stuff) 

10. This goes along with number 8, but don’t give up your own hobbies in favor of your children’s. It’s nice if they watch your favorite TV shows (Curious George, perhaps), but eventually, you will have time to spend on yourself. Keeping up with your stamp collecting will give you something to do with all that time on your hands. 

My hobby is badly taken selfies.  Also, running.

11. Teach your children to clean up after themselves. They won’t do it, unless you are a tidy person or a magician, but at least you will know you tried.

(Yes, I know I said 10 and there are 11.)