LeapFrog Brave Review

Thank you to LeapFrog for sponsoring this review. For more information about LeapFrog, please visit their website. #CleverBrave #spon 

My kids (and okay, me too!) have been anxiously awaiting the release of Pixar's new movie Brave. I was very excited when I was asked to review a couple of Brave products for LeapFrog.  We haven't had a chance to see the movie just yet but at least we could gear up for it this way!

First up is the Disney Pixar Brave Explorer cartridge for LeapFrog's LeapPad.  You get to follow Merida through a bunch of adventures to help learn to be brave.  They are so many different levels and activities which is great because it means it'll keep the kids occupied for a long time!  Landon, who is five, had a little trouble on his own, but with the help of his big sister they were able to figure things out.  It was so cute to watch them play together and get excited about finding certain items.  :)

We also got to try out the Disney Pixar Brave Tag book.  This was our first experience with the Tag and my kids loved it!  We read a lot of books in our house and this was such a fun way to read.  It is told in Merida's voice and can I just say I LOVE her?! She is such a cute character and of course her accent is just plain fun.  I could listen to her for hours.  Cailyn has been toting the book around everywhere with her, including the breakfast table.  :)

My kids love that they can read the book or play the games inside.  There is so much to do that I don't think they will get bored any time soon.  :)

Have you tried any of these Brave products?  Have you seen the movie yet?  I'm even more excited to take the kids to see it now!!!

This post is sponsored by LeapFrog. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

WIWW: Turquoise & Purple

I love wearing fun color combinations. It makes my wardrobe stretch further when I can mix and match everything. :)  I saw this turquoise tank and purple cardigan hanging next to each other in my closet and I thought, "Oh! Those colors look pretty together!"
















Cardigan & white tank: Styles For Less
Turquoise tank: Target
Jeans & necklace: Kohl's
Sandals: Discount Shoe Factory

Linked to: Rae Gun Ramblings, The Pleated Poppy, Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled Up Pretty & Transatlantic Blonde

Pinterest Find

How cute it this idea! I found this on pinterest and I want to give this a try! Spray paint a garbage can and turn it upside down to use as a table! Now, I just need to find a cute garbage can and make one! 

-chelz

Square Foot Garden & Hinged Door Cage

Last year was my first attempt at square foot gardening and it was a complete FAILURE!  Despite trying every tip or trick I could find, my garden was eaten by the rabbits and squirrels that frequent our yard and didn't get a single fruit or vegetable out of my garden.  So this year I decided a completely covered cage was the only sure way to protect it.  

After getting a few ideas online, my husband made one from PVC pipe, chicken wire and zip ties. 

I got my square foot garden frame from Sam's Club and it's not the traditional 4'x4' size.  I couldn't have a cage that just lifted on and off like most of them I'd seen -- it would've been too awkward to maneuver. 

 I wanted something with "doors" so I could access my plants easily.  So my husband made some hinged doors using zip ties.

 

His idea was brilliant!  It stays shut with stakes on the outside (though we'll probably get a little latch at some point) and the two doors swing open so easily. 

I am so excited for my plants to grow! This year we planted sugar snap peas, zucchini, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, watermelon, cucumbers, carrots and beets.  We also have strawberries in a hanging basket and cherry tomatoes in a garden pot.  I admit I stand out there every day, just looking at my garden and grinning giddily.  Now those pesky critters can't touch my plants and I will be able to enjoy the harvest.  :)

WIWW-Chelz

Salmon Tank- Target

Cream Tank- Downeast

Navy Cardigan- Target

Cropped Pants- Buckle

Sandals- Payless (old)

Necklace- F21

Typical Utah weather has us guessing what the temperature will be day to day! This pic is 2 weeks old...sorry! We had some cold weather 2 weeks ago that had me bring some of my cardigans back out. It is kinda hard to tell in this pic but my tank is a really pretty salmon color.

-chelz

  

Linked to: Rae Gun Ramblings, The Pleated Poppy, Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled Up Pretty & Transatlantic Blonde

Easy Sugar Cookies

Every now and then my husband will make a batch of cookies for us once the kids have gone to bed. He will make different ones from my recipes, but one night he decided he wanted sugar cookies and I did not have a recipe for some. I have to admit I don't like to make sugar cookies from scratch cause they usually take a long time to make, so I usually make them out of the packets. Chris went onto allrecipes.com and found a sugar cookie recipe he wanted to try. They turned out great! It was a super easy recipe and you didn't have to chill the dough in the fridge. They were light and fluffy. Definitely worth a try!

1/3 c. shortening
1/3 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt


1. Cream butter, shortening, and sugar together.
2. Add egg and vanilla
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt and then add to the wet mixture
4. Roll dough into balls and dip in sugar


Makes one dozen.
350 for 10-12 min

-chelz

The Faeriewalker Series

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars






I thought this was a good fun read. I like how I was immediately drawn into the story. It is a mystery in a way to figure out who can be trusted!






Shadowspell by Jenna Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There is a certain dark and sexy mystic to this book with the introduction of the Erlking! I really enjoyed this book.

Sirensong by Jenna Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Loved this series. It was and easy to get through. I love an ending where everything works out but I do have to say that I didn't like how the last few pages where spent talking about her mom...who cares... In my opinion.

I definitely recommend this series!  It was a fun twist on the Fae world and its inner workings! I loved all the characters in this series in their own way! There were lots of twists and turns to keep you on your toes and wondering what was going to happen next. The introduction of the Erlking brought on great chemistry to the books, and I actually enjoyed his character a lot! check out these books and let me know what you think of them!

-chelz