Toad's Treasures Lifestyle Family Blog by Emily Ashby: April 2013

KSL Ch 5 Mom Products!

{Moms Products on KSL at noon!}

If you missed Fresh Living last week its okay...I'll be KSL talking about these great products again!

When we think of Mother's Day we always think of moms, but this year think of all the ladies that have influenced your life! I think they should call it Women's Day in celebration of all women (sisters, friends, teachers, etc) whether they have kids or not. We all know amazing women that help us, our kids, or our families...let's celebrate them too!

And I'm heading to Ch 5 today for the noon news! KSL is awesome and I love Lori Prichard! She is really sweet & its always a blast to visit with her!

#1 Camera Coats!

What mom doesn't have a camera? These are the perfect way to protect your camera without carrying around another bag! Padded, waterproof and perfect whether its around your neck or stuffed in your diaper bag.

Discount Code: Get $15 off your order! Code: KSL Expires: Sunday April 28, 2013.

(Not good with any other offers.)

Camera Coats: Ditch Your Bag! The ultimate padded protection for mom's DSLR...a Camera Coat! Stylish and hip meet function with the best new way to protect your camera without having to carrying around another bag! Created by a mom tired of carrying around so many bags but didn't want to leave her camera at home! Perfect for the park, pool, traveling, or hanging around your neck. Just put on your Camera Coat, throw your camera in your diaper bag, and go! www.cameracoats.com

#2 Pop and Go
A water repellent scarf that is not only fashionable, but if it rain you just put on your head and you are protected! I'm sending one of these to my grandma for sure.

Fashion meets function with this Mom fave! Spring means April showers, but what’s a girl to do when her hair is coiffed and chic, but it’s raining outside? Introducing the first water-repellent fashion scarf… meaning water lands on this savvy scarf and beads right off! The Pop.N.Go Scarf looks like any other darling designer scarf, with delish animal prints, feminine florals and super solids – but fashion truly meets function, as it keeps your hair bone dry and frizz-free! http://buypopngo.com

#3 Bed of Nails

Okay, I love this thing. Perfect for the stressed mom! You may be able to tell from the photo, but there are little pokey things all over this mat. It works like a acupuncture or massage and stimulates circulation that release endorphin's.

I've been using it and I think it works! I had trouble sleeping last night so I used this little guy and I think it helped me fall asleep faster!

For stressed out mamas who love a good spa day, comes Bed of Nails! These mats and pillows turn her bedroom into a therapeutic massage room, thanks to harmless plastic spikes that hit her pressure points. Using Bed of Nails mats is said to help alleviate stress, tension, muscle aches – and even help her sleep better! http://us.bedofnails.org/

#4 Memory Blanket

Keep her memories alive! Moms love to let little clothes linger because they’re just too precious to give away, holding so many memories! Now, you can create a special memory quilt for mom – a quilt made of her children’s old, cherished clothes. From patches of lovely girl’s layette to fun boy’s jerseys – sky’s the limit at Willow Creek Studio:

http://willowcreekbaby.com

#5 & #6 Mommy Jewelry

Get personal – this lovely line of mommy jewelry is handstamped with loving messages or the names of her sweet children. Lisa Leonard, a Mom herself knows how to design for today’s Mom – making her feel extra special www.lisaleonardonline.com

Marvelous Mommy jewelry doesn’t have to break the bank! This line makes Mom look like a celeb… for less: from Chic Cocktail Rings (starting at $10) to Super Statement Necklaces – from deco designs to gorgeous spring florals… to the most fabulous array of accessories to make her look red carpet readyhttp://allisonlauren.com

Ah, yes! Mother's Day is taken care of!

XOXO

Emily aka Toad

Back in the Game

{38}

All of your old time followers and as well as you new friends will be glad to hear that I'm turning over a new blogging leaf this year! I turned 38 this month and this past year I've realized a few things.

One of them is how to use stress to be a positive force in my life instead of letting it drag me down.

When life is stressful I always try to cut things out that may cause additional stress. Some people don't like that, but that's okay. I can't do and be everything for everyone.

My boys come first and then the rest.

{Aidan's 4th bday}

Once I've cut additional "stressors" out, I've realized that there is still going to a certain level of stress in my life no matter how hard I try. Its the nature of life and part of the learning process. Right?

With that being said, I'm going to manage my stress better this year! One way I do that is by doing things that I like to do, that take my mind of the "hard" things in life, and that are fun! Blogging is one of those things. So, get ready for more regular posts...not only Toad's Treasures on Tuesdays but even MORE! I like it. Having a creative outlet keeps me going!

Sewing and creating also helps me deal with life... so, get ready for some fun new projects!

Yes, hold onto your hats. I'm getting back in creative blogging game! Yay!

{37}
And here's a snapshot of the year in pictures! Without any particular order...:)

38 here we come!!

Emily
XOXO

Great Mother's Day Products!

{Moms Products on Fresh Living!}

Okay, first of all...let's talk ladies products. When we think of Mother's Day we always think of moms, but this year think of all the ladies that have influenced your life! I think they should call it Women's Day in celebration of all women (sisters, friends, teachers, etc) whether they have kids or not. We all know amazing women that help us, our kids, or our families...let's celebrate them too!

And I'm heading to Ch 2 today for Fresh Living! For those that aren't from these parts, Fresh Living is a local TV/news/lifestyle show here in Salt Lake. Its actually my favorite lifestyle show so I'm happy to join Debbie and Casey to talk about these fun products!

#1 Camera Coats!

Discount Code: Get $15 off your order! Code: FreshLiving Expires: Sunday April 28, 2013.

(Not good with any other offers.)

#3 Bed of Nails

I've been using it and I think it works! I had trouble sleeping last night so I used this little guy and I think it helped me fall asleep faster!

#4 Memory Blanket

http://willowcreekbaby.com

#5 & #6 Mommy Jewelry

Ah, yes! Mother's Day is taken care of!

XOXO

Emily aka Toad

Spring Fun Follow Up!

{Sweet Things}

Ahhh, spring. Its nice to see you again.

And before summer comes, lets follow up with that Easter post!

{Egg Theme}

Creating a "theme" for our colored eggs was great fun this year. Instead of pastel eggs that sat around...

we had a pirate party! The eggs became our friends in adventure. We got this little kit at Target and the had more "egg-citement" than we knew what to do with.

{Edible Chow Mein Nests}
And if you've been wondering how we made these yummy nests, here's the recipe!

3 TBL Butter
1 10 oz package of marshmallows
1 6 oz package of rice or chow mein noodles.
(We tried the rice noodles this year and they turned out great!)

Melt the butter and marshmallow over low heat. Add noodles and mix together.

To make the nests butter up your fingers and grab a glob! Form an egg shape and allow to cool. Add some little chocolate eggs and its a treat made in spring heaven!

{Fabric Bird Houses}
Every bird deserves a nice place to "eat out". With so many fabric scraps laying around this place I just knew that I could do something with fabric to spice up these little houses we picked up at the dollar store.

It was a quick, easy project...just like the boys and I like 'em. And I"m sure we'll be the hit of every bird in the area! :)

{Playdough}

Easy & fun. If you've never made playdough before prepare to have your life changed. (Well, if you have playdough loving little people running around!)