It would seem that I have a budding fashionista on my hands. Here's our new favorite place to get affordable and adorable dresses.

Affordable and Adorable Dresses for Girls from DotDotSmile

My youngest is becoming quite the fashionista. I’m not sure how or why since this was something that I completely avoided as a child. But, for whatever reasons or another, she loves to dress up and wear dresses. While I really have no problem with that, sometimes it does become difficult to find affordable and adorable dresses for girls. Or at least ones that will hold up to the every day things she does. Thankfully we’ve found that. We did receive a free dress to facilitate this post but that did not influence our review. We’re pretty much set when it comes to where we shop. She has her preferences and so do I. But, I don’t have a bottomless bank account so it’s not…

How Caregivers Can Save Money by Buying in Bulk

How Caregivers Can Save Money by Buying in Bulk

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ConquerInco #CollectiveBias If you are a caregiver of adult parents, or if you are like me and the primary caregiver/parent of a special needs child; I want to help. We all know how much it adds up to. And believe me when I say, I know it’s expensive. Sure, we get help here and there but it’s still within our best interest to stretch pennies whenever possible. But how can we do that outside of using coupons and shopping sales? We buy in bulk. Here are just a few ways to save money by buying in bulk – including everyday household items. Help your adult loved one, or…

How Busy Stay at Home Moms Can Stay Energized for the Morning

How Busy Stay at Home Moms Can Stay Energized for the Morning

This post was sponsored by Ling Ling and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. I’ve said this numerous times before, I’m sure but I’m terrible with eating breakfast. For that matter, I’m terrible at making sure that I’m meeting my own nutritional needs. The kids? Not a problem. But not me. I might eat by noon most days, but otherwise? I’m not great. I’m trying to get better with that and one way I’m getting there is by making sure I eat a filling breakfast. When I have a balanced breakfast, I can stay energized for the morning. I know, from experience, that I have a better day overall when I have a better morning. And a better morning usually involves some…

How a Simple Shift in Mindset Changed My Weight Loss Approach

How a Simple Shift in Mindset Changed My Weight Loss Approach

So many things it seems are about mind over matter. Or, at least that’s how I’ve found it to be for me. From improving my time management to how I manage my finances; mindset has gotten me further in life. So why shouldn’t this apply to other things like my fitness journey? I was skeptical at first, as fitness and a healthy weight has been a long-term struggle for me. I’d recently reached a weight loss plateau and was tired of not seeing results. Now however, I’ve learned that all it took was a simple shift in mindset to change my weight loss approach. And it all started with a simple weight loss quiz. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its…

Free Printable Animal Bingo Cards for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Free Printable Animal Bingo Cards for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Kids love playing bingo (adults actually do too, LOL) and what is more fun then a bingo card with animals on it?  My children are obsessed with animals and when we go on a day trip to the zoo we like to end the day playing Animal Bingo! We will talk about all the different animals on the cards before we head out and it makes the outing even more fun.  You can print off these free printable animal bingo cards and have some fun too. Free Printable Animal Bingo Cards We always print these free printable animal bingo cards off on white cardstock so we can use them over and over again.  I may even use my personal laminator to keep them nice and…

When Public School Isn’t Free: How To Budget for the School Year

When Public School Isn’t Free: How To Budget for the School Year

I’m sure we’re all familiar with the saying, “there’s no such thing as a free education.” And for the most part, I would be inclined to agree. Hidden fees are everywhere, it seems. And that includes when you send your child to public school. Obviously, it’s not going to be quite as expensive as a private school; but there are still unexpected expenses involved. Here are some tips for how to budget for the school year. According to Huntington Bank’s Backpack Index, in 2015 parents paid on average over one grand per child in school expenses, fees, and supplies (http://huntington-ir.com/ne/news/hban072915.htm). High school can be as much as $1500 per year for each student depending on the activates they’re involved in. It’s clear that public school…