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…

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…

What to Pack for a Day at the Beach with a Toddler

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hyland’s Earache Drops.  The uses for Hyland’s products are based on traditional homeopathic practice. They have not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. What are you doing for the summer? We’re hoping to take at least one trip to a state park so we can visit the lake and take advantage of the beach! With thanks to Hyland’s Earache Drops for sponsoring this conversation, we are sharing our essentials for what to pack for a day at the beach with a toddler. Now I realize, when most think of taking a trip to the beach, they think of going to the ocean. However, you can have just as much fun as a…

Advice and Tips for How to Potty Train Your Toddler

Advice and Tips for How to Potty Train Your Toddler

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PottyPartners #CollectiveBias Have you recently started the potty training journey with your toddler? This has been something that we’ve been working on for about a year now. We aren’t in a huge rush. She won’t be attending PreK until next year but we also realize that once she’s using the potty? So many things will change. That’s why I wanted to share my advice and tips for how to potty train a toddler. We’ve taken a very relaxed approach to this and I’ll be the first to admit: we’re okay with her taking her time. It’s not something that I want to rush because I don’t want to…