Affordable, Stylish, High Quality Prescription Glasses and Sunglasses from GlassesUSA.com {Review}

Unfortunately for both Big Sister E and Little Sister B, their genetics has ensured that poor eyesight is almost guaranteed for their future. Along both sides of our family, just about every single person is dependent on glasses or contact lenses for clear vision and it seems as though only a limited amount of time before one or both girls starts squinting to see into the distance.

Fortunately for them, the huge array of styles, colors, and overall coolness of glasses these days has turned them into a hip, trendy, fashionable accessory for all ages. The only problem? The price tag. The glasses in the stores aren't cheap, so the thought of buying more than one or possibly two frames isn't something that's as often considered as, say, purchasing a new scarf.

Which is why finding glasses online makes so much more sense... selection, style, delivery right to your door and, best of all, huge savings! And it's all there at GlassesUSA.com.

Launched in 2008, GlassesUSA.com is an online optical store run by a dedicated team of optical experts, craftsmen, and production workers that provides a large quantity of high-quality and fashionable eyewear at the most affordable prices. Not only does this site offer prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses of all kinds to choose from, GlassesUSA is built first and foremost on incredible customer service by committed, passionate staff located right here in the United States.

By selling high quality glasses and sunglasses at affordable prices to customers right from their computer, GlassesUSA.com has truly changed the way that we shop for eyewear. Whether you're looking for a new pair of glasses to complement your wardrobe or replace older ones that are broken, not your current prescription or just out-of-date, the process is fast, fun, and easy.

Simple, right?

I found that truly the most difficult part about shopping at GlassesUSA.com was trying to pick a favorite from their extremely large selection (brand names, private brands, sports frames, computer glasses, multifocal, and more)! However, I love the way that the site gives multiple options for narrowing down their wide variety of choices. You can limit the frames shown by gender, color, frame material, shape, type, price, and more, making it easy to find just what you're looking for.

Even better, once you've found the size, shape, and style frames that you prefer, GlassesUSA even gives you the option of trying their frames on online... which sounds impossible at first, but their virtual mirror feature makes it quite simple. Just upload a photograph of yourself (or take one on the spot with your webcam) and start "trying on" whichever frames you like — how convenient!

After my husband finally selected his favorite pair of prescription sunglasses (something he has been wanting for quite a while), it was time to sit back and wait for his stylish new glasses to arrive!

Not having seen them in person prior to ordering, it would be easy to have a few reservations about the quality and overall look of glasses purchased online. However, as soon as I began to examine the Revel Rene from GlassesUSA.com, I found that they were nearly identical to those that we have looked at in stores... that cost at least twice or three times as much!

How fun are these? I love the way that the Revel Rene have the added pop of red on the side of the frames so that they have just a little something extra. Contrasted with the classic black and the crisp lines of the rectangular frame, they have been just the thing for my husband to head out into the sunshine and not have to squint!

With prescription glasses and sunglasses available for the whole family at rock bottom prices, the days of having to spend a fortune on glasses are a thing of the past. Instead, the experts at GlassesUSA make sure your eyes are taken care of 100%!

These days, if you're looking for a complete pair of lenses and frames at low prices, incredibly fast shipping, the convenience of shopping whenever and wherever for your schedule, and customer service that will work with you to ensure you are completely satisfied with your order, head over to GlassesUSA.com to find it all and more.

You can also connect with this innovative company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for the latest and greatest information.

Other than the Revel Rene glasses that I received from GlassesUSA.com in order to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this site and their products.

Give the Gift of Positivity and Style: prAna Clothing and Accessories {Coupon Code}

Wouldn't it be nice if, when arriving at a website, there was a little meter that could answer the questions that you're really thinking?

How many times have you browsed online and wondered things like: Is this furniture going to fall apart after one month? Are these sheets going to turn out to be scratchy and rough? Are these toys truly safe for my children? Is that gadget going to be out of date by the time it arrives here?

I just want to know that a company cares — about their products, about the environment, about their customers, and about giving back. I want to know that they love what they do and are passionate about sharing that with the world. On top of that, I want their products to be well-made, high quality, and ones that I'm going to look at every day and be happy that they're in my home.

Is that all too much to ask? For a lot of sites, yes. But for prAna, that's exactly what you'll find in their stylish, comfortable, and gorgeous apparel, accessories, and gifts.

Focused on creating versatile, stylish, and sustainable clothing and accessories that you can wear during every activity, every adventure, and for every day, prAna makes clothing that looks good and plays hard. Plus, along with combining classic and urban style with sustainable materials, they are always mindful of where and how their creations are made.

Pretty great, right? I love that prAna offers sustainable, recycled, fair trade certified, and hemp items so this holiday season you can gift your friends and family (or yourself) something amazing that also shows love for our planet.

But not only that, prAna also makes it a top priority to give back to communities all over the world. From making a difference locally in their own community to sending aid to international charities and areas affected by natural disasters, it is easy to feel good about your purchase actually helping make a difference.

So even though I was already impressed with prAna and completely smitten with the look of the Annexi Pant and Stacia Sweater just from their pictures, seeing and feeling them in person still left me in complete amazement.

Crafted from 54% hemp (an incredibly sustainable and eco-friendly product), the Annexi Pant is lightweight, comfortable, and perfect from morning until night. Going to yoga? They'll take you there. Throwing on a pair of tennis shoes and running errand after errand? You'll look chic and modern while staying cozy. Curling up on the couch with a good book? You're all set.

Everything from the elastic leg cuffs to the relaxed fit to the addition of the back elastic waistband makes the Annexi the most versatile pair of pants that I own. They can easily be dressed up, worn to work, donned for a hike in the wild outdoors, and more. Each time I have reached for them I feel ready for anything and everything that life may throw at me that day!

But as much as I like the Annexi Pant, prAna's Stacia Sweater has easily been my new go-to sweater to keep me warm as winter has set in here in the Midwest.

This Fair Trade Certified sweater is made from extremely soft organic cotton and features Dolman style sleeves and an intricate stitching design down the front. I love the added detail that gives the Stacia just a little something extra!

While I wish that it were just a few inches longer, the relaxed fit has made this perfect for layering over just about any tank or top and this sweater looks great with leggings, pants, skirts, and more.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with prAna as a company and with their amazing apparel. They clearly care about the environment as well as with providing their customers high quality items that are safe from any unwanted, harmful ingredients... and that will surely provide style, comfort, and luxury for any age no matter what sort of adventure you may be going on.

Although the prices on prAna items are a little higher than I might normally pay (the Annexi Pant retails for $85 but is currently on sale for $59.50 while the Stacia Sweater sells for $89 but is on sale for $62.30), these are definitely items that feel sumptuously worth it. Not to mention that each time you reach into your closet and pull a prAna item out to wear, the feeling of having made a positive impact on the planet makes it feel just that much better!

This holiday season and beyond, head over to prAna.com (and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest) to see their full collection of organic, hemp, sustainable, and fair trade items that would make fantastic gifts.

But, wait! Who doesn't want a good deal? Simply enter the promo code TMHF16TMC at checkout and you'll receive a 15% discount off of your entire prAna order!

Other than the prAna clothing samples that I received in order facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion about these products and this company.

Girls Design and Create a New World Every Time They Play with Build & Imagine! {Review}

I often tell my girls that they can grow up to be anything that they want to be.

Whether that is more realistic (Big Sister E's continued desire to be a teacher) or slightly less likely to happen (Little Sister B's ever-changing ideas about being a rock star), I will stand behind them and support their dreams 100%. Athletes, doctors, race car drivers, engineers, mechanics — I'm going to encourage them no matter if their chosen path is stereotypical for a male or female.

But as much as we all want our little girls to grow up believing in themselves in this manner, why is it that the toys they play with are not encouraging the next generation of females to continue on in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as much as those for boys? When will the day come that blocks and construction toys don't feel as though they were designed with males in mind?

Fortunately, there are companies that realize the importance of encouraging and inspiring the future of female innovators and engineers and are working to keep girls from losing interest in STEM subjects. Instead of simply sitting back and hoping that girls will decide to play with traditionally "boy" toys on their own, it's time to continue to revolutionize the way that we motivate girls to look at the world with Build & Imagine.

Founded by a female award-winning toy designer, Build & Imagine was formed when Laurie Peterson wanted to close the gap in the girls' section of most toy stores and include more experiences involving building, creativity and experimentation.

The result is an award-winning line of whimsically illustrated magnetic building sets (which include leading female characters, of course) filled with rich colors and endless details that ensure users are always discovering something new. What girl wouldn't be amazed by the combination of the fun of a dollhouse and the enrichment of a construction toy?

Even better, while each set contains a variety of the illustrated panels, the fact that there is no wrong way to join them together is an instant inspiration for the creativity of young builders.

Instead, girls create scenes both big and small and are then able to bring them to life with the enclosed dress-up dolls, costume pieces, animals, objects, foods, and more. In essence, Build & Imagine puts girls into the role of architect, engineer, builder, designer, storyteller and more!

Unsurprisingly, my girls couldn't wait to get to work imagining, creating, and building as soon as they saw three sets from Build & Imagine arrive. It was time to reinvent the classic dollhouse with Malia's House!

From the moment we started removing the pieces from the box, it was already easy to see how this one toy could help encourage my girls' STEM skills. These parts are just asking to be assembled, disassembled, built, and rebuilt time and again!

From the swimming pool to the kitchen to the outfits, accessories, pets, moving door, two characters, and more, Malia's House includes a total of 58 pieces that provide endless creativity in the numerous ways and possibilities that they can be constructed, mixed, and matched. Who themselves hasn't thought about how amazing it would be to design their dream house?

I'm telling you, the details on these dual-sided building panels, wooden dolls, and magnetic accessories are just so eye-catching and fun!

Considering that my two young architect storytellers had such a great time constructing all sorts of home variations with Malia's House, there was no doubt that they wanted to delve further into the world of Build & Imagine.

It took all of zero convincing to get them excited about the Draw & Build Dollhouse and Career Dolls!

As if simply having the ability to full create your own dollhouse with movable walls and pieces wasn't enough, Build & Imagine took things to a whole new level with the Draw & Build Dollhouse.

Using the four included markers, builders can draw their own decorations and scenes right on the walls (as well as hair and clothes on the doll) to truly make them unique. Want outer space themed wallpaper? Polka dots? Zigzags on the roof?

Whatever your heart and imagination desires, draw it on and then combine the panels to make a house, store, building, and more! Plus, if you own other Build & Imagine sets, the Draw & Build Dollhouse pieces are easily worked right in — in our case, they have made Malia's House even more innovative and special!

As much as I have loved seeing my kids' imaginations working overtime illustrating and creating their Build & Imagine modular pieces, the Career Dolls instantly made me swoon with all of their possibilities.

The 75 colorfully illustrated magnetic clothes, props, and two wooden dolls (as well as the dual-sided background scene) are the perfect extension of me telling my girls that they can grow up and follow whatever career path they choose. These magnetic outfits pop on and off so easily and can be put together in full — a complete police detective, chemist or fire fighter, for example — or can be mixed and matched for all sorts of interesting combinations!

Although it can be argued that just about any toy has benefits and encourages kids to practice a variety of skills (e.g. small motor, creativity, reading, etc), there is a smaller number that truly manage to inspire... and Build & Imagine is one of them! Each of their sets are just right to inspire the next generation of innovators and help girls think beyond only the toys that are princess and pink.

My kids not only love these sets and accessories on their own, but immediately realized that all of the pieces from each of the individual sets can easily be combined and used for just about any sort of other creation. Girls simply have to use their imagination and the sky is the limit in building and constructing!

Even better, I adore the way that Build & Imagine has not only inspired Big Sister E and Little Sister B individually, but that they will often sit down together to collaborate on their next construction — discussing various building ideas and trying out one option after another. I love when a toy is not only educational and entertaining but one that encourages my kids to happily work together!

Malia's House (MSRP $59.99), Draw & Build Dollhouse (MSRP $22.99), and Career Dolls (MSRP $14.99) are designed for ages 4+ and can be purchased in select retail locations (look for them making a recent splash on the shelves of your nearest Target!), directly from Build & Imagine, on Amazon, and more.

You're also going to want to head over to BuildandImagine.com (and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) to find out more and see the full line of imaginative play possibilities that Build & Imagine has to offer. Remember that all of the sets work together for all sorts of delightful, crazy, mixed-up stories that kids can invent when combining them!

This holiday season and beyond, Build & Imagine is the perfect way to encourage all kids to see their world in a different way as they collect, build, interchange, design, cooperate, and come up with endless storytelling possibilities to go along with them.

Other than the three sets that I was provided by Build & Imagine in order to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion about this product.

K'NEX Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set {Review & Giveaway}

There are certain brands of toys that you mention the name and people just nod knowingly, fully understanding how much fun kids have with them without you having to explain. These are the items that inspire creativity, boost a child's imagination and lead to an all-around fun time whenever they are brought out... which is time and time again.

And parents everywhere can agree that one name that is universally-loved by both boys and girls of all ages is the always-inventive and original K'NEX. Is there a child around that doesn't love building and imagining with these unique small connectors? Or a parent that doesn't appreciate the way that K'NEX provide the strong educational aspects of building, balance and critical thinking in with the fun and entertainment? I think not.

Needless to say, we were excited to take K'NEX to a whole new (motorized) level with the arrival of the Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set.

While we have played with a wide variety of amazing K'NEX products in the past, I wasn't familiar with their Thrill Rides line of products. But as soon as I saw that these innovative sets provide the ability to have a working amusement park right in your own home, I knew that my theme-park-loving daughters would be excited.

It was time to see the Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set in person so that they could start building their own miniature carnival!

Upon opening the box, I began to feel apprehensive about the 344 K'NEX parts and pieces included in this set until I remembered two things. First, my kid love K'NEX. So the more pieces, the better!

Second, K'NEX always includes large, clear, colorful step-by-step instructions that show exactly where every last piece is to go for their creations. No worries!

Together, Big Sister E, Little Sister B, and I took our time snapping these small, colorful, uniquely-shaped pieces into place and, before we knew it, began to see a ferris wheel take shape right before our eyes.

As we snapped the last rod and connector into place and sat back, all three of us were a bit in awe that there was a 2-foot tall ferris wheel right in our living room!

All that was left to do was move the switch on the motor (hint: insert the two AA batteries, not included, before the construction process. We were a little too excited to get started building and then found it a little tricky to access and open the motor to put in the batteries after the fact) to start the ferris wheel turning.

My kids were amazed that this motorized, rail-driven rotating ferris wheel can spin both clockwise and counterclockwise at two different speeds at the flip of a switch. Just take a look at this set in motion!


As we have found in our past experiences with K'NEX, the details included in this set really come together perfectly! I'm sure that the Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set could have been a bit less complex and more simple to construct, but that that would have been so much less fun!

My girls love that there are little seats throughout (that are just the right size for the people from other building sets to fit on) and that the intricate design truly looks like a real ferris wheel. They have continued to have a great time playing theme park each time they sit down with this set and I have no doubt that this ferris wheel will be taken apart and rebuilt time and again in the future.

Recommended for builders ages 7+, the Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set has a suggested retail price of $34.99 and can be found at your favorite retailer, directly from K'NEX, on Amazon, and more. You can also find out more about this and the full line of amazing K'NEX products by visiting KNEX.com and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

Thanks to the generosity of K'NEX, one person will also get to enjoy seeing their child imagine, build, and create their own carnival as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set
from K'NEX!

Entry-Form

A big thank you to K'NEX for providing a Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Make Your Young Mermaid's Dreams Come True with Fin Fun Mermaid Tails {Coupon Code}

Although sometimes I find it difficult to shop for my kids with their ever-changing interests and attention spans, there are other instances where an item or brand catches their eye and I know it is a clear winner.

For Little Sister B, that has always been a mermaid tail. First spotted at a swimming pool one or two summers back, she has since always longed to be able to slip on a stylish, eye-catching tail of her own and dive into the water to swim away.

Fortunately, I was recently introduced to the company that does an amazing job catering to mermaids who desire an entire wardrobe of stylish, eye-catching tails. It's time to check out Fin Fun and their huge selection of high-quality mermaid tail designs inspired by the beauty of the sea and nature!

Offering a vast selection of mermaid tails to choose from, Fin Fun's website makes it easy to shop simply by selecting one of the categories. For instance, the Fin Fun Mermaidens collection features tails based on the beloved Mermaiden Princess characters, each with a unique personality and story, which can be found on the kid-friendly FinFriends.com site.

Or, for a brighter, more eye-catching option, the Limited Edition collection combines fantasy with nature's beauty in spectacular designs that have a shimmery, shiny look and feel. I find that no matter which category I browse, each of Fin Fun's tails are even more incredible than the next!

But more than simply looking the part of a mermaid, I love that Fin Fun offers their patented Fin Fun Monofin (available for separate purchase) to provide natural mermaid motion for smooth swimming at the pool, lake or beach.

Users' feet are not strapped in, making removal of the Monofin easy, with just one tug and a kick. The open tail bottom makes it easy to insert and remove the Monofin (required for swimming), while also avoiding trapped air and allowing mermaids to walk on land. It all comes together to make it a snap for kids to use, wear, swim, remove, and more!

Fin Fun has it all! Their award-winning products are designed for a realistic mermaid experience that also provides maximum safety, comfort, and performance. The premium quality and attention to detail has made them a celebrity favorite, as well as the best-selling mermaid tail brand in the world!

Stay tuned for our upcoming review and, in the meantime, visit FinFun.com and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

But, wait! If you have a young mermaid fan in your life that would love one Fin Fun products just as much as mine, be sure to save some money on your purchase! Simply enter the coupon code USFAMILY16 to save $5 off of your order today.

This post is part of a collaboration with Fin Fun and I will be receiving a Mermaid Tail and Monofin in order to facilitate a review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own.

Wow Your Guests with PercyVites Personalized Video Invitations!

I love birthday parties. Whether they are for the very young and feature a lot of cake smushing or for those of us a little more "seasoned" and only include a few friends meeting up for drinks, there is something about having a celebration to mark another year of our lives that makes me happy.

When it comes to my children, we have had a variety of parties over the years ranging from large to small. And, while coming up with a theme or a cake flavor doesn't always prove to be too difficult, I find that we have gotten stumped more than once figuring out invitations. Do we mail cards? Send an email? Do an e-vite?

With Little Sister B's eighth birthday right around the corner, I'm thrilled that we've now found a better way. From now on we're going to wow our young guests with a unique, personalized video invitation from PercyVites!

Founded in 2010, PercyVites is the most personalized interactive video tool in the party product and planning category, offering quick, convenient, and efficient party planning all with a click of a button. The personalized video invitations are perfect for people of all ages, with licensed favorites for kids and a variety of chic creations for adults.

Users can insert their own pictures, party details, and messages directly in various fun clips and personally address them to each friend and family member. Even better, PercyVites includes their Percy Party Dashboard, allowing for easy organization of party details and RSVPs, simplifying the entire party planning process from start to finish.

Pretty cool, right?

I already thought that the idea of sending an animated, custom video invitation was innovative and fun, but then I found out that PercyVites has added new licensed characters to their lineup making the selection even better. But as much as Little Sister B would enjoy Little Charmers or Lalaloopsy, I knew that she would flip over the addition of Shopkins!

I have yet to meet a young girl who doesn't love Shopkins, the miniature grocery store-themed characters that kids can collect, share, and trade. So what could be better than seeing them come to life in PercyVites' creative and colorful video invitation?

Simply click through PercyVites' user friendly interface to add your event details such as the guest of honor, date, time, location, and any special messages that invitees need to know. Then include a photo (how fun!), add guests' contact info, and select a date for the invitations to be automatically sent out.

Just check out the adorable finished results!


Once you have all of the steps personalized, you're even able to see a full preview of your video to ensure that it is exactly the way that you want it — something I especially appreciate. No worries that it will be sent through cyberspace with the wrong date or a misspelling!

In all, I love that PercyVites makes it so simple to have all of the party information in one spot so that the planning is convenient and easy. At the same time, how excited would a girl be to receive one of these invitations? I know that my little birthday girl can't wait to send them out and get ready to be a star on her big day!

All that we have left is to head to Cakes.com to pick up some extremely cute cake decorating tools (e.g. candles, edible cake toppers, cupcake rings, and more) and it's Shopkins party time!

Retailing for 79¢ per invitation, including PercyVites as part of your party planning process is such an innovative, entertaining way to get kids (or adults) looking forward to your event even more. The entire process takes only minutes to complete from start to finish and with so many themes and characters to choose from, you're sure to find one to kick off your next gathering with pizzazz.

Find out more about these unique party invitations (you can also send thank you's after your party just as easily!) by visiting PercyVites.com and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

I received information, a PercyVites promo code, Shopkins product, and Cakes.com decor items in order to help facilitate this review. However, opinions shared are 100% honest and my own.

Disney•Pixar's Finding Dory is Now Available on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD, Disney Movies Anywhere, and On-Demand!

My kids are an advertising company's dream. They see a commercial for a new toy and they immediately think it looks amazing (even if it really doesn't). A new, brightly colored cereal hits the grocery store shelves and they're dying to try it. A brand new television series is debuting and they're ready to watch it (even if it is designed for children much younger).

So when yet another children's movie makes its way to the big screen, there's a good chance that I'm going to opt out of going to see it with them, no matter how many times they bring up the name. I don't know these characters, the plot doesn't make any sense, and my attention span has me tapping my fingers in anticipation of the end.

On the flip side, however, there are times that I get just as excited as they do about a movie's upcoming release. If it involves charming characters that we already know and love taking part in a hilarious and heartwarming tale of family and friendship, then I'm not going to miss it.

Which is why the whole family was so excited to see Finding Dory together!


The wildly-anticipated sequel to 2003's smash hit, Finding Nemo, Disney•Pixar's Finding Dory was a summer blockbuster this year before it had even debuted. Audiences everywhere couldn't wait to tune back in to see their favorite forgetful blue tang and how Dory's short-term memory loss had affected her in the past 13 years.

The result is an incredible undersea adventure starring Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks), and Nemo (voiced by 12-year-old Hayden Rolence) on a larger than life quest to find Dory's long lost family, who may be looking for her. Along the way, the trio receives help from Hank, a cantankerous octopus; Bailey, a beluga whale who's convinced his biological sonar skills don't work; and Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark. Not to mention the slew of other humorous characters that pop on and off of the screen!

You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll cheer on these brave sea creatures from start to finish. This tale is completely full of imagination, humor, and heart. And now you can watch it anytime, anywhere as Finding Dory has arrived on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD, On-Demand, Digital HD, and Disney Movies Anywhere!

Along with having the ability to watch this fun film at your leisure, there is a whole slew of bonus offerings that make the blu-ray combo pack even better. These include:

• Theatrical short — Piper, the theatrical short film starring an irresistible sandpiper hatchling digging for food in the sand and encountering scary waves.

• Interviews — An all-new mini short featuring interviews with Dory's pals from the Marine Life Institute.

• Deleted scenes — never-before-seen scenes, including a digital exclusive featuring the Tank Gang from Finding Nemo who make it their mission to get Marlin and Nemo to the Marine Life Institute.

• Deep in the kelp — See how far the crew went to make Dory's world believable.

• The octopus that nearly broke Pixar — A behind-the-scenes look at the most technically challenging character Pixar has ever created.

• And more!

I especially love the fun information about Hank, Finding Dory's cranky octopus, as it always amazes me to see the immense amount of work that can go into making one single scene or character by the talented Disney•Pixar crew.

For instance, when the designers were working on Hank, they created tapered tentacles that were modeled separately from the body. However, when they tried to attach them, only seven would fit! Filmmakers later decided that it made sense that Hank would have an affliction, so they worked it into the script.

Hank also has 350 total suckers on his body; required 11,041 rigging prims for his simulation (the average character requires around 20); took 118 weeks of work by the team of technical directors responsible for building and articulating him; and took 22 weeks for shading to give him extra texture and color, as well as making it possible for him to camouflage himself (an average character takes less than eight weeks). That's a whole lot of work for one grumpy octopus!

As well as fun facts about the film, I love finding out about the hidden gems that Disney•Pixar is known for including in their movies. I never catch any of them myself while watching, but love going back to see where they were tucked away right in plain sight.

Among those that appear in Finding Dory, my favorite is that Riley from 2015's Inside Out appears in a group of kids touring the Marine Life Institute and is featured in a frame with Dory. Two great movies coming together in one!

Filled with laughter, heart, adventure and thrills, Finding Dory has a running time of 97 minutes and is available now. Be sure to keep an eye out for this magical film at your local retailers as well as from Amazon (where the Blu-ray Combo Pack currently retails for $19.99).

You can also find out much more about this great movie from Disney as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Other than a copy of Finding Dory that I was provided in order to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion about this product.

The #1 Dinner Attraction in North America: Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament {Coupon Code}

While it isn't difficult to find a restaurant in just about any city across the country, on some level they're all pretty much the same. Sure, the food won't be the same and the service levels may vary wildly, but in the end you walk in, sit down, eat what is placed in front of you, and leave.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking going out to eat. But what if you are looking for more than just a dining establishment? Somewhere that takes dinner to an entirely new level with beauty, pageantry, entertainment, excitement, and much more?

It's no wonder that I can't wait to take my family to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in person later this month!

Located in nine 11th century-style castles throughout North America, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament brings visitors back through time. Who doesn't want to be a guest of the king ten centuries ago?

The experience includes heroic knights on spirited horses, thrilling swordplay, a master falconer and his gorgeous flying companion, the javelin throw, incredible music and light effects, a "hands-on" feast (who needs silverware?), and much more. It all comes together to make one unforgettable experience for the whole family!

We are fortunate to live within driving distance to the Chicago Medieval Times location and I have no doubt that my kids' jaws are going to drop as soon as we arrive. What could be better than a delicious, four-course dinner while watching and cheering on a royal tournament that is part equestrian spectacle, part fairy tale, and part sword-clashing adrenaline?

Have you visited Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament with your own family? Head over to MedievalTimes.com to find out much more about the locations and experience and stay tuned for my future review.

Plus, ready to buy your own tickets? Then why not save money when you do! Right now you can purchase adult tickets for $36.95 and child tickets (12 and under) for $29.95 by using the coupon code MT3629 through February 28, 2017. Simply click here to take advantage of this great offer!

I am being provided free tickets for my family to visit the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, however, all information shared here is honest and my own.

Keep Children Safe in Your Home with Information from the Window Covering Safety Council {#CordSafety}

This post was sponsored by the Window Covering Safety Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

While I would like to say that I have always made the best possible choices and decisions when it comes to my children and their safety... my guilty conscience knows that that is not 100% true.

Were their car seat straps always as very tight as possible? Is every single bookshelf, dresser and flat screen TV in our home anchored to the wall? Have they had enough sunscreen on every inch of their skin every single time they went outdoors?

I'm not the only mom with nagging questions like these, right?

But while I can work to ensure that all future straps are tightened, anchors are in place, and sunscreen is applied, what about other areas of our houses that have been largely ignored in childproofing? New parents are warned against crib bumpers, placing their infant to sleep on their stomach or having loose blankets nearby, but there are many other hazards that aren't brought up.

Case in point, the dangers of corded blinds.

Did you know that according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, corded window coverings are among the top five hidden hazards in American homes? That is exactly why the Window Covering Safety Council urges parents and caregivers to check their window coverings for exposed or dangling cords which can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children.

This is a topic that is so important (last month was even National Window Covering Safety Month), yet so often completely overlooked when we are thinking about the dangers in our home!

Do you have young children in a home with window coverings that have exposed or dangling cords? Then be sure to retrofit or replace them with safer products, particularly those that are cordless or have inaccessible cords. The time and cost is far outweighed by the fact that your children will be protected from this hidden danger!

Plus, to make it easier to know which window coverings are the best for your home, just look at major retailers across the country for the Best for Kids certification label. Then there will be no doubt that you are making the safest choice possible and one less thing to worry about in the endless uncertainty that is parenthood.

When we moved into our house over a decade ago, there were blinds and cords everywhere. Fortunately, we were able to do a large remodel and, in the process of replacing nearly all of the windows throughout the home, we were introduced to Between the Glass window covering options.

I can't say enough about how happy we are with having shades built right in between the panes of the windows themselves! They're protected from damage, require nearly no cleaning or maintenance, and there isn't a single cord or drape hanging from a window or sliding door in sight. Safe + convenient = love!

Although National Window Covering Safety Month has passed for the year, don't let another day go by that you don't follow these important safety measures in your own home. The Window Covering Safety Council website has all of the information that you need when it comes to checking your current window coverings, eliminating hazards, ordering free retrofit kits, and more.

For even more information and ideas on window cord safety in the home, you can also connect with the Window Covering Safety Council on Facebook and Twitter.