Lime Ricki Swimwear Recap

April 8, 2014 by Melissa

Spring may have just started but I’m already thinking of summer. More specifically I’m thinking about our summer vacation aboard the Carnival Breeze. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve taken a summer vacation so this is going to be special.

Sabreena is 18, has a slim but curvy body but is quite modest. She actually prefers full coverage bathing suits. She’s not going out in rash guards or swim shorts but she keeps it family friendly. Lime Ricki offered up a suit for consideration and she’s quite pleased with the outcome.

The TIED-BUST BLACK TANKINI TOP offers a modern twist on a retro look with panels of colorful floral print and polka dotted and beaded ties. Paired with a basic black bikini bottom it’ll work for swimming, sunbathing, lounging on the Lido deck or playing with Shae at the water park. The adjustable drawstring on the bust gives ample room for bigger boobs. This is something Sabreena was very nervous about. Finding separate pieces is the only way to go when shopping for swimsuits since her top and bottom run different sizes. I’m sure this runs true for many women.

The pattern and color selections from Lime Ricki aren’t typical. It’s a unique mix of stripes, checks, animal prints and ruffles. Each suit or combo has its own personality to match that of the wearer.

Lime Ricki was started by 3 sisters and has grown to include men’s swimwear and 2 retail stores in Utah. The brand was created for the very reason Sabreena liked the selections, wanting modest but fun swimwear.

Feel good about shopping Lime Ricki as 10% of their sales of PINK SWIMSUITS go into Breast Cancer Research and 10% of all other swimsuit purchases go to Charity:Water. This happens to be Sabreena’s favorite charity. A couple of years back Sabreena sold some of her original drawings and artwork in order to make a donation to Charity:Water.

Keeping My Day Balanced With #PortableProtein

March 12, 2014 by Melissa

Being a UPS driver for a living is fun but can very tough at the same time. I am constantly on the move and a typical day on the road for me is anywhere from 10-12 hours so needless to say it can be exhausting. Finding time to eat a healthy balanced meal is very challenging. I don’t have access to a microwave so I am not able to bring leftovers from the night before so my food for the day takes a lot of planning. I try to pack foods and snacks that I know I am going to eat because eating fast food during the day isn’t an option for me due to cost and nutrition. One big problem I have is I am the kind of person that can’t eat the same thing for more than a few days in a row before I get tired of it and need to move onto something new which makes lunch even more of a pain in the neck. Thankfully I discovered the P3 Portable Protein Pack from Oscar Mayer.

Thankfully #CollectiveBias asked me to do a shop for a product called P3 Portable Protein Packs from Oscar Mayer. P3 Portable Protein Packs are specially designed snack size packs to provide a nourishing boost of solid protein. They come in 4 varieties: Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast, Applewood Smoked Ham, Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Breast and Slow Roasted Turkey Breast. We were able to find three of the varieties at our local WalMart for just $1 per pack in the packaged deli section of the store. The P3 Portable Protein Packs contain three different components, #meatcheesenuts. Each pack is approximately 2 ounces and contains about 13 grams of protein.

In a typical day I will eat anywhere from 3 to 5 small snacks like peanut butter crackers, granola bars, fruit snacks, veggies and cookies. Like I mentioned I get tired of the same foods day in and day out but I do realize I have to eat better because I am not getting any younger. This month I turn the big 40 and constantly moving for 10-12 hours a day isn’t as easy as it use to be. I need all of the help I can get to stay mobile, fueled, nourished and healthy. Starting with a good night’s sleep is best but I have to keep my day going with well balanced foods and snacks. Cookies may have cut it for me when I was 25 but not anymore. I need foods that are high in protein to keep me energized throughout the day as I burn calories.

I started with the Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Breast P3 #PortableProtein Pack and it was really good. I thought after eating the 2 ounces I would still be hungry but that wasn’t the case. Since the protein pack is full of high quality protein it filled me up and kept me feeling full and fueled longer than the typical snacks I tend to eat. This came in handy for that 4 o’clock hour when my body wants to call it a day. I also like that the P3 Portable Protein Packs are only $1. It’s not easy to eat healthy on the go on the cheap. The portability of the P3 packs is a great feature. I can through these in my cooler without any prep and I don’t need any utensils. These allow me to keep working because I typically don’t have time to stop anyway.

I am glad I was asked to do this shop because it allowed me to discover a nutritious and balanced snack that I am able to eat while on the road that I may not have discovered otherwise. I shared these with some of my fellow drivers and so far the ratings are all thumbs up.

Avero Bar Italiano Relaunch Dinner

February 24, 2014 by Melissa

A couple weeks back I was invited to a restaurant relaunch. Avero Craft Pizzeria was changing to Avero Bar Italiano. It seems the Pizzeria in their name was giving the community an impression of just that, a pizzeria when in fact they are so much more than that.

The night started with a variety of wines, beers and a specialty cocktail, Pineapple Blueberry Limoncello Martini. This alone was delicious and I would’ve loved to have more than one but I was the driver.

Appetizers were available too. I’m not a prosciutto fan, I find it too salty but when it’s wrapped around Buffalo Mozzarella with a drizzle of Basil Oil I can eat it all day. In fact I had about 4.

The meal continued with 4 other courses each explained by Executive Chef, Chris DeFeo. Chef DeFeo is a Philly Native with years of experience at Striped Bass, Nectar, Bar Savona and other well known establishments in the area. His understanding of local, in season and high quality ingredients only made the menu at Avero Bar Italiano stand out instead of blend in with the influx of surrounding casual restaurants.

I am not brave when it comes to trying new food, I’m a creature of habit and have been known to repeatedly order the same item while out because I know it is something I already know I’ll enjoy. I was given a preview of our tasting menu and was completely dreading the first course, Charred Baby Octopus. The thought of chewy tentacles with suction cups turned me off. Even at the restuarant I was stressing out with another blogger about the upcoming meal. I didn’t want to insult the restaurant, chef or host. The meal came out and it was beautiful and it smelled wonderful. My best friend dug right in and commented on how her 8 year old son would love it. Was she shaming me? Daring me?

I took a bite and was surprised. I enjoyed it. Did I enjoy it enough to order again? I’m not sure but it was good and I’d recommend to anyone that enjoys seafood and fish. I was proud of myself.

I think the main reason I went that night was the Berkshire Pork Belly with Wild Mushroom Fricasse. It was heaven, best thing I’ve eaten in a long time. Tender but not soft, meaty but not heavy. I ate mine and the rest of my friends.

Avero Bar Italiano has gone to great lengths to achieve a specific atmosphere. While this is fine dining the experience isn’t snobbish. The interior feels comfy and warm and the staff are welcoming and informative. Having a sommelier and beer expert on hand is incredibly valuable for people like me who know what I like but don’t know what to order.

Avero Bar Italiano is not what I would call family friendly. With such a strong attention put on the food & wine pairings it isn’t a place I’d bring children under 12 years old unless they had phenomenal palates and were willing to try new foods no questions asked. Their pasta and pizza are fantastic but prepared and priced for a more adult experience. This is a date night or girls or guys night out spot for sure. Relax, order a cocktail or craft beer and soak in the ambiance without the hassle of bibs, cheerios or kid’s menus (which are available).

Avero Bar Italiano
821 W Lancaster Ave
Wayne, PA 19087

come photos are courtesy via Stephanie Glover Photography

Zip Lining with Go Ape at Lums Pond Delaware

November 5, 2013 by Melissa

A thrill seeker I am not! I don’t like roller coasters, I would never white water raft, hell I don’t even like to drive fast but when the opportunity came up to do zip lining I jumped at it. I very literally jumped off of a perfectly good working platform high in the trees.

Go Ape Zip Line and Tree Top Adventures in Lums Pond, Bear Delaware was NOT what I expected. I got up that morning and prepared myself for a short excursion in the woods where I thought I was just jumping out of a tree and landing gracefully at the end of the line.

What I didn’t expect was the ropes obstacle course I had to maneuver to get to those zip lines.

The course is made up of numerous rope ladders, 42 exciting crossings to include the Double Stirrups, Zigzag Trapeze, Flying Carpet and Canyon Crossing, 2 Tarzan swings and 5 zip lines.

When it got to moment where your only option was to jump and glide across the pond I happily did it because that meant I was giving my hands, arms and legs a break from the workout of climbing and strategizing the complex obstacle course.

I am not an athletic person but I kept up with my friends, Robin, Florida Steph and Kelly.

In fact Robin was my motivation to take a slightly more difficult path and overcome my laziness.

Robin was my motivation to keep going and not cry at the base of the tree

Go Ape Zip Line is new to Delaware. In fact I hadn’t heard of it until we were invited to try it out. The instructors give a great tutorial on safety, jumping and climbing the ropes.

You aren’t left out in the trees wondering how to get yourself out of the situation. I wish I had researched a little more on what to expect because I would’ve planned better for my own comfort. While I had one of the best times and overcame a bit of fear i’m not sure it is something I would ever do again. The obstacle course kicked my ass but the zip lining was amazing.

Here are my tips if you’ve ever wanted to try this for yourself.

Wear gloves
Make sure your shirt has sleeves
Wear lightweight and flexible sneakers
Brace yourself for the landing
Get a Go-Pro to catch the action

The shirt sleeve and brace yourself comments come from the crash landings most of us experienced. The ride down to the end is peaceful and relaxing but then the realization hits you that you have to stop. The instructors make it look simple but none of us were able to master it. In fact I landed on my back each time. Luckily for me I had on a tee. My partners and their skinny bodies wore tanks that exposed their backs and arms to the mulch burns upon impact.

The next day I felt good, slightly sore but most of the discomfort was from the “whiplash”.

It’s definitely something everyone should experience. If you are afraid of heights this is the perfect way to fight that, not too high but definitely up in the air.

Visit Go Ape to find a location nearest you.

Time to Think About Vision plus #giveaway

September 2, 2013 by Melissa

This is a sponsored review but all opinions belong to Look What Mom Found…and Dad too!

We as people tend to go to the doctors for every bump, bruise, ache and pain but the one thing that tends to get totally neglected is our vision. I couldn’t tell you the last time I went to have my vision checked but I know it’s been a very long time. You wouldn’t wait for your heart to stop beating before you had it checked out so why do people wait until their vision is blurry or there is some other serious problem before the get it checked out?

There is this site VSP and their main goal is vision and how they can help you save money while maintaining healthy vision.

VSP is the leading not-for-profit vision care company where you’ll get the best value and the lowest out-of-pocket cost on services like:

Eye exams from the eye care provider of your choice
Prescription glasses and sunglasses
Lens options like anti-reflective coating, Transitions lenses, and progressive lenses
Contact lenses and your fitting and evaluation exam
Laser vision correction

Enrolling is VSP is pretty easy and there are a few ways to do it:

Enroll in VSP through your employer. Ask your employer if they offer a VSP vision plan. Enroll in VSP during your open enrollment.

No access to vision care through your employer? Purchase an affordable individual/family VSP plan at yourvsp.com. These plans are also great for retirees.

Not sure if your employer offers VSP? Give them a call at 800.877.7195 and they would be happy to help you.

The VSP site is loaded with TONS of information that includes information on member savings, the latest glasses and sunglasses, how to calculate your savings, how to find a VSP provider near you and much much more.

If it’s been a while since your last exam take a look at the VSP site and see how they can help you save some money as well as maintain healthy vision.

VSP was kind enough to offer one Look What Mom Found…and Dad too reader the chance to win either a $100 Visa Gift-card or a pair of $200 designer sunglasses. All you need to do is head over to VSP and tell me something you learned in the Learn About Your Eyes section of the website.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above. Please note the changes to the entries and frequency, entries that don’t follow rules may be disregarded/ignored/deleted

SUBSCRIBE to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via NEW Email Subscription or BlogLovin
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LIKE LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! and VSP on Facebook
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ENTER another Giveaway – let us know which one in the comment
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Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Monday, September 23, 2013. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to Contiguous US residents, age 18 or over. For complete rules please read our blog contest rules page.

New Way To Pick Gifts With pickURgift

August 29, 2013 by Melissa

**This post is brought to you by PickURGift on behalf of Brandfluential. All opinions stated are my own.

Today there is a gift registry for everything from bridal gifts to house warming gifts to even birthday gifts. I understand the point of gift registries because people want what they want and what easier way to let everyone know what they really want.

Recently I was approached by Brandfluential to do a review of a site called pickURgift. When I first looked over the site the first thing I thought was reverse wish list. The concept behind pickURgift is you create an account, set up a gift page, select a bunch of gifts for a certain person, send the list over to the person for them to select what gifts they want then you go and purchase the gift or gifts the person selected.

Bradfluential paired us with another awesome blogger and I was paired with Andrew Kardon from Mom’s Busy…Go Ask Dad. My first task was to figure out what Andrew was interested in. I read somewhere in the past that he loved video games and comics. I must admit that selecting gifts for other people especially for people that you don’t know very well isn’t as easy as you would think. I did had to contact Andrew via Facebook and dig a little further into what his interests were so that I could have a nice selection of gifts for him to choose from. When it was all said and done I feel like I chose a nice array of gifts for Andrew to select from and in the end he selected Injustice for Xbox 360 and an awesome set of headphones for the Xbox 360 and computer.

The process wasn’t to bad once I actually read how the process works.

First I signed up for a free account:

Then I added Andrew and set up a gift page for him:

Added the UR button which you use when you go to any site like Amazon, Macy’s, etc. All you do once you find the gift you are looking for is hit the UR button that you will have installed on your tool bar and the gift is added on your gift page.

Once you are finished shopping you can then send your gift page over to the recipient for them to select what gift or gifts they would like to receive.

Once they have selected everything they want you will get a notification letting you know they are done and then you can go to the site where you found the gift and purchase it and have it sent right to the recipient.

In the end after I went back and looked at everything it’s a pretty easy process. Just in case you were wondering what Andrew selected for me he picked a Tennessee Titans BBQ set, Tattoo Bible Book for my Kindle, rapid charger for my Kindle and an awesome set of Rubik cube coasters.

If you are looking for a new way to give gifts head over to pickURgifts.

belVita for Breakfast

August 22, 2013 by Melissa

Breakfast for me is most time non-existent. I make sure the kids get fed a balanced meal with their vitamins but when it comes to making something for myself I quickly lose interest. I like grab and go; things like coffee are my go to. I realize coffee isn’t breakfast but that’s usually what I get until 11am.

By that time my stomach is growling and I’m looking for something that I can eat with one hand so I don’t have to interrupt what I’m doing. Yogurt and cereal require a spoon so that is too much work most busy days. belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits is something I can enjoy quickly and conveniently.

belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits will join the five flavors of crunchy belVita Breakfast Biscuits, which launched in the United States in February 2012. belVita Soft Baked are delicious biscuits made with whole grains to provide nutritious morning energy at breakfast. The NEW belVita Soft Baked are available in two flavors, Mixed Berry and Oats & Chocolate.

Last week I had an especially busy day getting ready for a weekend getaway and knew I had to fuel up for the day and grabbed a Mixed Berry belVita Soft Baked Biscuit. I paired it with a yogurt, glass of orange juice and coffee and was able to last till lunch.

I found the belVita Mixed Berry Soft Baked Biscuits to be on the dry side but I’m guessing that is because it’s just 7 grams of fat. Any more butter or oil would make it moister but also defeat the purpose of making it a wholesome option. The texture is a cross between a cereal bar and a cookie. But the Oats and Chocolate Soft Baked Biscuit was definitely a soft more pleasant experience. Both varieties pack a lot of flavor in a small package.

With Back to School on our heels how do you keep your stress level down while keeping up with the high demands of parenting, school schedules and activities. These tips from Lifestyle Mom, Dana Hilmer could be a great help to get you ready:

It’s important to schedule down time for you and your family. Before signing your kids up for this year’s after-school activities, think about your family’s priorities and the impact each activity will have on your schedules.
It’s just as important for you to have a tasty, healthy breakfast as it is for your kids. Perfect for eating on the go, belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits come in two varieties, Mixed Berry and Oats & Chocolate, grab a banana and a latte and you’re good to go with nutritious morning energy.
Take a little time each night to get organized for the following morning. By making lunches and selecting outfits before bed each night, you’ll free time each morning for other things.
Be sure to keep healthy snacks in the kitchen for after-school snacking. Nuts, crackers and fruit are great to give kids right when they walk in the door to keep them from grazing on unhealthy snacks, or spoiling their appetites for dinner.
Moms often complain about not having enough time for themselves, but when life gets busy, it’s even more important to carve out that time. Treat “me time” as a priority.
Start a to-do list with three sections: the priority of the day for yourself, the priority of the day for your family and the priority of the day for your work. Start with these items, and only move on to other less important items once they’re done.
Use Sunday nights to plan your dinners each week. If you take a few minutes to think about how you can creatively use the leftovers from one night to the next, you can create a full week’s worth of healthy, tasty dinners that your family will enjoy.
Give yourself the freedom to say no without guilt. Activities or commitments that may not be right for your family are okay to decline. Saying NO gives you the permission to say YES to things that are important to you.
Back-to-school season is also cold and flu season. You can keep your entire family healthy with these simple habits: eating well, getting enough rest and washing hands regularly.
Create a network of support for yourself. This network looks different for everyone. Consider asking your partner and kids for support. They can be a great help with tasks you feel comfortable handing over.

belVita wants you and your family to start off the day right no matter what breakfast options you choose. If belVita sounds like they would be a good fit you can find these in your local grocery store in the cookie and cracker aisle for just about $3.69 for a 5-count box.

HP 15.6″ Laptop Recap

August 21, 2013 by Melissa

We were provided a laptop for review but all opinions are our own!!!

Back to school in our house means more than new sneakers and pencils. With one entering her senior year of high school we’re also thinking about technology. Sabreena is looking at a career in Architectural Engineering so she’s going into her 3rd year of Computer Aided Design, software that helps with creation and modification in manufacturing or industrial design.

This year she’s going to be bringing the software home to work on projects outside the classroom and needs the right PC/laptop to be successful. Staples has stepped in with this HP laptop.

Here are some stats on the HP 2000-2c32nr 15.6 Laptop:

AMD E1-1500 1.48GHz 1MB L2 Cache Accelerated Processor
4GB DDR3 SDRAM (1 DIMM), expandable to 8GB
320GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
15.6″ diagonal HD BrightView LED-backlit display (1366 x 768)
Windows 8

For a full list of spec click HERE.

Upon receiving we expanded the RAM to 8 GB. That’s an easy task especially when you already have memory sticks on hand because of a technology obsession in the family. Other then the memory upgrade all I needed to do was turn on the laptop and run through a bunch of normal setup items. I’m even using the free trial of Norton Antivirus that was provided on the laptop and so far I have had zero problems. As a blogger I am always writing a post, surfing the web or browsing social media so I need a laptop that is able to multitask along with me. It’s been a challenge learning Windows 8 because of all of the new features but I feel like I am holding my own so far. I know there are so many features of the laptop that I am not using but I know in time I will learn them and use them just like I do with the current features that I do know.

Overall I am very impressed with the HP 2000-2c32nr and for it only costing $320.00 this laptop is a steal.

Vita Coco Kids Coconut Drink #Giveaway

July 24, 2013 by Melissa

It was incredibly hot last week and we struggled a couple of days with keeping everyone cool, refreshed and hydrated while at the pool.

Typically we drink water and that’s it. I don’t mess with juices (outside of breakfast) and sodas and sports drinks are saved for sports time. But I did receive a variety of Vita Coco Kids drinks to try out and thought the pool was the perfect time to introduce the kids to them.

I let the kids pick their own flavor and watched for a an expression of hate or love of the taste. They enjoyed it. Honestly I was surprised because my kids are picky. Like I said we drink water, orange or apple juice for breakfast and milk. Finding something that they enjoy is often difficult.

NEW Vita Coco Kids is a naturally fruit flavored coconut water. Vita Coco Kids beverages provide potassium, natural, nutrient-dense and electrolyte-filled coconut water, filtered water, natural fruit flavors and vitamin C.

With only 35 calories and 8 grams of sugar per 6 fl. oz. unit, Vita Coco Kids has fewer calories and approximately half the sugar of most other children’s beverages, and no artificial sweeteners. This is definitely a drink you can feel good about giving your kids in the summer heat, school lunch boxes and snack time.

Vita Coco Kids will be available at major retailers nationwide starting July, including Target and online at Amazon, for a suggested retail price of $4.99. Each Vita Coco Kids pack includes six, 6 fl. oz. drinks.

LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! readers can enter to win a case of each flavor of Vita Coco Kids (Apple Island, Paradise Punch and Very Cherry Beach). Let me know how your kids stay hydrated during the hot summer months.

SUBSCRIBE to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via NEW Email Subscription or BlogLovin
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LIKE LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! and Vita Coco Kids on Facebook
FOLLOW Mom, Dad and VitaCocoKids on Twitter and TWEET this giveaway (1 time per day), please leave your twitter link each time: Beat the Heat with @VitaCocoKids #giveaway from @lkwhtmomfound @anddadtoo, ends 7/31 http://bit.ly/18yhSWf
ENTER another Giveaway – let us know which one in the comment
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Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Wednesday, July 31, 2013. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to Contiguous US residents, age 18 or over. For complete rules please read our blog contest rules page.

Kids Backpack from Lassig

June 17, 2013 by Melissa

Like mother like daughter. Shae is growing up to love bags. Backpacks, coin purses, lunch bags, it doesn’t matter. She spots them in stores or in my closet and wants to take ownership. Can you imagine her delight when I gave her this Lassig Mini Backpack.

Lassig is a German brand of bags and accessories. Their relaxed and functional fashions are coveted by the whole family in over 50 countries. The high-quality bags made by LÄSSIG pass modern mothers’ tests of daily use with flying colors and leave a lot of room for responsibility, fashion and a good conscience.

When I was approached to consider a Lassig product I immediately went to the kid’s products. I’m a sucker for cute designs but I knew I wanted something of substance for when Shae starts 1st grade. Last year’s backpack was cute but was definitely for a preschooler. The Lassig Mini Backpack is made from eco friendly materials free of PVC, nickel, AZO dyes, cadmium and phthalates.

Details likea large main compartment with three inner compartments, zip pouch and a snap hook for keys. the padded shoulder straps with additional chest strap ensure a comfortable fit all year round make this a bag that Shae can grow into for the next couple of years.

I’m eyeing the Green Label Urban bag. Even though it’s built to work as a diaper bag it’s definitely something I could use every day with or without my kids. We are past the diaper stage but I’m all for organized chaos in my handbag with compartments, pockets and hooks.

I hope you check out their selection of kids and family bags and other accessories. You are bound to find something you just gotta have.

Avero Bar Italiano 821 W Lancaster Ave Wayne, PA 19087

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Avero Bar Italiano
821 W Lancaster Ave
Wayne, PA 19087