Spread a Lil’ Love With The Children’s Place

Know what I love more than The Children’s Place?  Winning gift cards from The Children’s Place…come on, I thought that was a no brainer!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day The Children's Place is hosting a gift card giveaway on the Facebook Fan Page where you can enter to win one of four $250 gift cards!  Can you say sa-weet?

After you enter, be sure to create a personalized Valentine starring your lil’ diva (or lil’ man) by uploading a photo and writing a sweet note!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with The Children’s Place by entering to win one of four $250 gift cards. Enter once a day until February 14^th! Just click the link below to go directly to The Children’s Place Facebook Fan page to fill out the entry form. While you are there, post a photo of your little Valentine and browse through the gallery.

Visit The Children’s Place on Facebook to learn more!

Guest Post: 5 Easy Macaroni and Cheese Recipes (with Gourmet Appeal)

While mac and cheese is adored by many, homemade mac and cheese can be time-consuming and rather tedious. If your schedule doesn’t allow for much time in the kitchen, try these five easy macaroni and cheese recipes—they can be made in no time. And the best part is no one will ever notice they came from a box. With a few tweaks and additions here and there, you can provide gourmet goodness without putting forth the ‘gourmet’ effort.



Old-Fashioned Baked Mac & Cheese
The recipe may be ‘old fashioned,’ but this is one of those macaroni and cheese recipes that never gets old. The diced tomatoes, Italian dressing and bread crumbs provide a delightful boost of flavor to an already-delicious baked mac and cheese.

Servings: 4

Ingredients
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) macaroni & cheese dinner
1/4 cup milk
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup Zesty Italian dressing
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 cup bread crumbs

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F.

Add macaroni to large saucepan boiling water; cook 6 minutes or until tender. Drain. Stir in milk and cheese sauce mix.

Pour into greased 8-inch square baking dish. Mix tomatoes and dressing. Top macaroni mixture with tomato mixture. Drizzle butter over bread crumbs; toss with fork. Sprinkle over tomatoes.

Bake 15 minutes or until heated through and crumbs are golden.

Memphis-Style BBQ Mac & Cheese
Memphis, Tennessee is known for many things, including Elvis Presley and Graceland, the Memphis Grizzlies and southern barbecue. But this tasty barbecue mac and cheese recipe (Memphis style, of course) is certainly worth a mention also. Hide your grandma—she might get slapped!

Servings: 5

Ingredients
1 pkg. (14 oz.) deluxe macaroni & cheese dinner
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup Memphis-style barbecue sauce
2 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled
1 green onion, sliced


Directions

Cook macaroni as directed on package. Meanwhile, brown meat with onions and garlic in large skillet; drain.

Add macaroni, cheese Sauce and barbecue sauce to meat mixture in skillet; stir. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Top with bacon and onions.



Chipotle Chile Mac and Cheese
Chilly outside? Turn up the heat with Chipotle Chile Mac and Cheese. This is one of those macaroni and cheese recipes that disappears in no time, especially if you are cooking for hungry teenage boys. Make plenty of servings and enjoy leftovers the following night (if you’re lucky enough!).

Servings: 6

Ingredients
1 pkg. (14 oz.) Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sauce
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
4 green onions, thinly sliced
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 Ritz crackers, coarsely crushed (about 1/4 cup)

Directions

Heat oven to 400ºF.

Prepare dinner as directed on package. Meanwhile, brown beef with onion and bell pepper in large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes. Drain.

Add meat mixture to prepared dinner and stir in chipotle pepper. Spoon into greased 2-qt. casserole or baking dish. Top with green onions, cheese and cracker crumbs.

Bake 15 minutes or until mixture is hot.

All-in-One Veggie Mac and Cheese
Most parents are trying to find creative ways of sneaking vegetables into their children’s diet, and this is the perfect solution. The creaminess in this macaroni and cheese recipe overshadows the mixed vegetables. Kids will think they are getting away with eating their veggies, and grown-ups will think it’s gourmet—a win-win situation!

Servings: 8

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups water
1 cup milk
1 pkg. (14 oz.) deluxe macaroni & cheese dinner
3 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 Tbsp. butter


Directions

Bring water and milk just to boil in large saucepan on medium heat. Add macaroni; stir. Reduce heat to low; simmer 6 minutes or until macaroni is tender.

Stir in vegetables; cover. Simmer 3 minutes until liquid is almost absorbed and vegetables are heated through, stirring occasionally.

Add cheese sauce and butter; stir until well blended.

Mac & Cheese-Stuffed Poblanos
Stuffed vegetables serve as wonderful appetizers, side dishes or main entrées, and give new meaning to gourmet macaroni and cheese recipes. Fool your family into thinking you’ve spent hours making these mac and cheese-stuffed poblano peppers—they won’t know the difference! For those who like added zing, keep hot sauce close by.

Servings: 8

Ingredients

2 pkg. (7-1/4 oz. each) macaroni & cheese dinner
3 hot dogs, chopped
1-1/2 cups Mexican-style shredded four cheese, divided
8 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled and seeded
1/2 tsp. paprika


Directions

Heat oven to 350º F.

Prepare dinners as directed on package. Stir in hot dogs and 1 cup cheese.

Fill chilies with dinner mixture; place, filled-sides up, in single layer in shallow baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with remaining cheese and paprika.

Bake 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and peppers are heated through.

Kick It Up a Notch!
While mac and cheese recipes have remained a staple in recipe boxes for generations, many cooks are creating new variations to old-style dishes. The following ingredients are just a few ways you can spruce up this American classic.

Meats: Bacon,Brisket, Chicken, Chorizo, Ground Beef

Vegetables: Jalapeño Pepper, Poblano Pepper, Wild Mushrooms, Artichoke Hearts, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Diced Tomatoes, Spinach, Broccoli, Scallions, Corn

Cheeses: Gouda, Blue Cheese, Monterey Jack, Pecorino Romano, Manchego, Asiago, Fontina, Swiss, Goat Cheese, Parmesan

Enjoy the creamy goodness of these gourmet-like macaroni and cheese recipes sans all the fuss. Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you can’t cook up a fantastic mac and cheese dish.

Wordless Wednesday: Cinnamon Toast with a Twist!

I’ve been super busy this week, between moving MisadventurousMommy.com to Wordpress (thanks Shan) and school I haven’t had much time to breathe!  So, I decided to slow down and do a WW post today!

Clorox Lemon Fresh Wipes Help Mom’s Everywhere Tackle Tough Messes!

I realize that I’ve been very hit and miss with posts lately, but I promise you I have a good reason…more like 20!  In addition to dental surgeries, new cars and lots of sick kiddos, I’ve been started the process of moving my new blog MisadventurousMommy.com to WordPress!  I’ve been a blogger for a little over three years now and I have stuck to Blogspot, like my son sticks to me when a pretty girl comes in his vicinity—I have been stubborn, insistent and resistant to change, but then my friend Shan and I began a Facebook conversation that ended with me giving her the go ahead to switch MM to Wordpress…did I seriously just do that?




Anyway, I promise to share all of those stories with you later on Misadventurous Mommy, but for now how’s a nice giveaway to apologize for my absence!

I’ve mentioned in other posts that when it comes to cold and flu season, my house is always hit and hit hard!   With four kiddos in the house constantly, colds seem to leap frog from one child to the next before ending up right back where it started…and so a vicious cycle begins!  One of my must-have products for cleaning, all year round, but specifically during cold and flu season is Clorox Wipes!

I’ve been a fan of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for the longest time and a fan of the Clorox brand for even longer, in my mind Clorox means clean…period!  I could spend hours cleaning my bathroom and kitchen (the two most used rooms in my house) but if I don’t walk out of them smelling the lemony fresh scent of Clorox Lemon Fresh Scent then I don’t feel like those rooms are clean!  That’s why I was super excited when one of my very favorite brands ever CleanItSupply.com sent over a few Clorox products for me to try recently—it was definitely a neat freak’s dream come true!  I have to admit, I was very happy to see one of my favorite Clorox products ever—Clorox Lemon Fresh Wipes!



I’m not sure if people without children realize how insanely messy children can be; within the first few hours I was awake I cleaned up yogurt, chapstick, lip stick, lotion, vomit and ravioli all in the span of 2 hours.  So when I say that I appreciate a case of Lemon Fresch Clorox wipes I truly am not exaggerating!

I’m happy to report that my Clorox Disinfecting Wipes have definitely been put to the test around here cleaning up messes left and right and putting the other household cleaning products to shame!

If you’re in the market for household cleaning products, CleanItSupply.com is definitely worth checking out—you can snag a case ((that’s 6-75 count canisters) of Clorox Lemon Fresh Wipes at CleanItSupply.com for less than $30! 
I have even better news for two (2) Misadventures in Baby Raising readers—two (2) of you are going to win a case (that’s 6-75 count canisters)of Clorox Lemon Fresh Wipes!  Can you say awesome!


WIN IT!
Two (2) Misadventures in Baby Raising readers are going to win a case (6-75 count canisters) of Clorox Lemon Fresh wipes!  Check out the official rules and enter below using the Rafflecopter entry form!


a Rafflecopter giveaway  Disclosure:  I received the products mentioned above from the company or PR in order to facilitate my review—all opinions are my own and were not influenced by the sponsor!

12 Moves in 20 Minutes for 20 Pounds in 2012!

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One of my “goals” for 2012 is to lose weight—being the Queen of excuses, finding the motivation to work out is not easy!

I have however, decided that I simply must workout in order to reach reach my goals…even if I spend every single second cursing my “Goals for 2012” post!

I decided that who better to help me find the motivation that I need and give me a few (or 12) semi-easy workouts to get my blood pumping than a celebrity fitness expert who’s also a new mom?  Did I mention that the workout are 20 minutes or less?  Now that is my kind of workout!

Celebrity fitness expert and brand new mommy, Sara Haley (www.sarafitness.com) has developed a great workout for the New Year that can be done in just 20 minutes promising, if done correctly and consistently, to help you shed that extra 20lbs to feel great as we roll into spring and all year long! Complete with modifications, added challenges and a 2012 benefit breakdown, this workout will kick your butt in all the right ways.

12 moves in 20 minutes for 20lbs in 2012

Each exercise is performed 20 times and some require one set of 12 lb. free weights. Throw exercises, with the exception of the 2012 Hustle warm-up, into a hat and pull them out one by one to set the order of your workout for the day.  Perform each exercise 20 times in succession, taking breaks for water and breathing whenever needed. You may have to work up to 20 reps of each, as well as work up to finishing the program in less than 20 minutes. Use the modifications and challenges as needed.

1. 2012 Hustle:  Always begin with this exercise as a warm-up. Part 1:  Alternate lifting your knees to your chest 4 times (right, left, right, left). Part 2: Alternate kicking your butt 4 times (like a hamstring curl).  Make sure to use your arms like you are really running. Repeat entire sequence 20 times.  2012 Benefit:  By lifting your legs high, your hips and hamstrings will mobilize and your core will activate.  As you kick your butt, your quads dynamically stretch as you reach your heel towards your butt.  As you pick up your pace, you’ll get your heart rate up and your body ready to work.

2. Total Body Make-Over: Part 1: Begin by squatting with hands on the floor in front of you. Part 2: Jump your feet back to a push up position and simultaneously lower your chest to the floor. Part 3: Using your arms to push up, return to squat position. Part 4: Jump up and clap your hands together.  Repeat 20 times.  Modification(s):  a) Walk feet out and in, instead of jumping back and forth. b) Hold the top of a push up, instead of letting your chest hit the floor.  c) Reach up instead of jumping.  Challenge:  As you jump up, simultaneously kiss your feet together and clap your hands.  2012 Benefit:  Full body workout that will get your heart rate up quickly.

3. Chop Away:  Part 1: Holding one weight with your feet shoulder width apart, pick up your right toes and your left heel to rotate all the way to the right.  As you rotate, bring your free weight up to form a diagonal line from your shoulders.  Part 2: In one motion swing it down over your left leg as you rotate into a lunge.  Repeat ten times and then repeat ten times to the other side.  Modification(s):  Take away the free weight and instead clasp your hands together with straight arms.  Challenge(s):  After you rotate up, squeeze your butt to lift your back leg up off the floor.  2012 Benefit:  Full body workout that targets the oblique's - one of the best belly blasters around!

4. Froggie:  Part 1: Rotate your hips out with your knees tracking over your toes, and squat as far to the floor as you can, putting your hands on the floor in front of you. Part 2:  Push up from the floor, jumping up in the air. Land with bent knees to protect the joints and go back into your squat to prepare for the next jump. Repeat 20 times with little to no stop in between. Modification(s): a) Until you gain flexibility, put your hands on your thighs instead of the floor.  b) Reach up instead of jumping.  Challenge(s):  On each jump perform a 180 degree turn. After 10 times rotate the opposite direction.  2012 Benefit: Excellent cardio exercise that targets the legs and butt, and opens up the hips.

5. Plank, Jack & Row:  Part 1: Hold a 12 pound weight in each hand and begin in a plank (top of a push up) with the feet wide.  Part 2: Soften the knees and squeeze the legs together (like a jumping jack).  Part 3: Jump back out to your wide plank.  Part 4: Row one weight to your rib cage, keeping your hips square to the floor.  Repeat jack and then row on the other side.  Repeat 20 times (10 on each side). Modification(s):  Execute entire combination on all fours with no Jack.  Challenge(s):  Repeat 12 jacks in a row, followed by 12 rows on the right, 12 jacks, and 12 rows on the left.  2012 Benefit:  Better than any crunches you could ever do, plank will help define your abs and keep your entire core strong.  The jack tests the stability of your plank, especially your hips and back so work to keep your hips facing the floor and your shoulder blades squeezing together.  The row will also challenge your stability as it strengthens and sculpts your back and shoulders.

6. Shuffle It Off: Part 1 & 2: Staying on the balls of the feet, quickly step and touch your feet together all the way to the right (Ideally give yourself fifteen feet).  Shuffle back to the left.  This is one rep.  Repeat 20 times.  Modification(s): Shorten the distance or slow down.  Challenge(s): a) Bend your knees and get closer to the floor.  b) Touch the floor once you shuffle all the way to the right and again once you go back all the way to the left. c) Hold one free weight at chest level. 2012 Benefit:  Targets the inner and outer thighs, gets your heart rate up, and burns your 2011 calories away.

7. Dip ‘N Walk: Take tricep dips to a new level in 2012.  Part 1: Sit with your hands behind your butt and feet right under your knees, with your toes lifted off the floor.  Hold on to your free weights (to help keep wrists comfortable and stable) and lift your butt up off the floor.  Part 2: Lower your body down by bending at the elbow working the triceps.  Part 3 & 4: After you push back up, keep your arms straight and walk your feet out and in (right, left, right, left).  Lower back down into your dip.  Repeat ten times leading with the right leg and then ten times leading with the left.  Modification(s):  Perform tricep dip without the walk. Challenge(s):  Elevate your body on a chair or table and walk out and in when you lower down AND when you push up.  2012 Benefit: Get rid of flabby arms once and for all as you challenge your core, glutes and hamstrings all at the same time.

8. Speed Skaters:  Part 1:  Begin with one leg crossed behind the other.  Reach your opposite arm across towards the supporting leg. Part 2: Just like a professional speed-skater, hop laterally (side to side) and cross back with the opposite leg.   One rep equals one hop to the right and one hop to the left.  Repeat 20 times quickly.  Modification(s):  a) Rather than hopping side to side, slide so the feet stay close to the floor.  b) Tap the leg down rather than balancing on one leg.  Challenge(s):  a) Land on one leg with the opposite foot crossing back but not touching the floor.  b) Stay low and try to touch the floor with the reaching arm.  2012 Benefit:  As you work for speed, it becomes a great cardio exercise.  Targets the “saddlebag” area that is so hard to get rid of - works outer thighs, hips, glutes and abs all at the same time.

9. Tri Push ‘N Plank:  Part 1:  Begin in the top of a pushup position with your hands directly underneath your shoulders.  Part 2: Lower yourself down keeping your elbows close to your sides to work the triceps and chest. Part 3: As you return rotate your body completely to one side and stack your feet into a side plank.  Hold for a count of two before returning center.  Push up again and rotate to the opposite side.  Repeat 20 times (10 on each side).  Modification(s):  a) Perform pushup with knees on floor.  b) When you rotate to side plank cross your top leg behind the front leg. Challenge(s): a) As you push up slowly count to four.  b) In Side Plank lift the top leg up.  2012 Benefit: To perform a successful pushup and side Plank (let alone twenty), your entire body has to stay tight so you actually end up working every muscle in your body.  Additionally, by keeping the elbows in tight you work the triceps more than a regular pushup, while finally getting rid of those turkey arms.

10. Core Control: Part 1:  Begin on all fours with your left leg extended back and your right hand behind your head.  Part 2: Round your back to the ceiling and slowly bring your opposing knee and elbow to meet into the center of your body. Repeat 10 times and then 10 times on the other side.  Modification(s): Keep both hands on the floor and just extend the leg.  Challenge(s):  As you extend back out, lift the leg and rotate your torso to your right.  2012 Benefit: Strengthen and lengthen your spine and you work your entire core, especially the neglected lower back.

11. Booty Burn (Squat ‘N Curtsey):  Part 1: Holding one weight at chest level, start with your legs shoulder width apart.  Squat down with your chest lifted and weight in your heels.  Come up quickly so your legs straighten to get full hip extension.  Part 2: Cross your right leg behind your left (enough so you see your right foot on the other side) and lunge down, lowering your weight to the floor.  Bicep curl the weight to your chest as you stand back up. Repeat 10 times and then repeat on the other side. Modification(s):  Get rid of the weight and place your hands on your hips.  Challenge(s): Add a balance challenge by lifting moving knee up to attach at inner thigh in between each squat and lunge, and/or add a shoulder press as the knee lifts up.  2012 Benefit:  By combining these two leg exercises together you’ll tone your entire lower body.  You’ll hit up your glutes, quads and hamstrings with the squat and target your outer and inner thighs with the curtsey (remember to squeeze those inner thighs tight as you curtsey lunge).

12. Picture Perfect Bicycles:  Love to work those abs?  Part 1: Lying on your back, with your hands behind your head, pull your knees into your chest and lift your shoulders up off the floor.  Part 2: As you slowly extend one leg out, rotate your torso to the opposite leg. After you rotate, think of lifting up even higher and holding for a few seconds. Repeat on the other side.  Repeat 20 times (10 on each side).  Modification(s): Keep the extended leg on more of an angle.  Challenge(s):  Lift your shoulders even higher off the floor, and lower the extended leg closer to the floor.  2012 Benefit:  Strengthen your abs and sculpt your love handles away!


About Sara Haley
Sara Haley is a certified trainer and instructor through the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), as well as a member of the American Pregnancy Association (APA). Specializing in prenatal fitness, functional training and dance methodology, Sara has over twenty years of dance and fitness training, and has been a Reebok Global Master Trainer since 2008.

Check out Sara’s Top 3 Belly Blasters…something that I definitely need to memorize! 

You can also check out Sara’s new prenatal fitness DVD Expecting More!  So go ahead, get off of that computer chair (what…I totally am as soon as I hit publish) and try out a few of Sara’s moves!

Target has a surprisingly good selection of exercise gear. For possible savings, use this Target coupon.

Visit the Tropics in the Dead of Winter With Bath & Body Works!

This time of year in Southern Ohio is blah to say the least; with wind gusts, rain and snow and frigid temperatures, I often find myself daydreaming of warm beaches and margarita’s by the pool! 



If there’s one thing that always gets me out of my usual winter funk and into a great mood it’s the smell of the tropics (seriously, try using a tropical inspired shampoo during the winter months to remind you of summer days)!  I was extremely excited to try out some of Bath & Body Works new Island Paradise Signature Collection!

The Island Paradise Signature Collection from Bath & Body Works features scents inspired by three perfect island paradise’s, Aruba Coconut, Rio Rumberry and Bali Mango.



I had the chance to try out some of the Aruba Coconut Collection recently!  I have to start by saying that I do not normally enjoy coconut, but then the Aruba Coconut collection is not your mother’s coconut!  Seriously, I fell in love—I adore the fragrance mist…it smells amazing! 

Aruba Coconut
o Top Notes: Juicy Thai Mango, Fuji Apple, White Nectarine
o Mid Notes: Passionflower, Vanilla Orchid, Casaba Melon
o Dry Notes: Coconut Cream, Tahitian Vanilla, Indonesian Sandalwood

Rio Rumberry

• Top Notes: Thai Papaya, Tangelo, Fresh Coconut Water, Sparkling Summer Lemon
• Mid Notes: Tiare Flower Plumeria, Watery Starfruit
• Dry Notes: Coconut Cream, Tahitian Vanilla, Indonesian Sandalwood 
 

Bali Mango

• Top: Sparkling Tangerine, Asian Apple, Peony
• Mid Notes: Thai Lychee, Passion Flower, Pink Rose, Nectarine
• Dry Notes: Raspberry Coulis, Skin Musk, Sugar Woods 
•  

Body Lotion ($11), Shower Gel ($11), Fragrance Mist ($12.50) Triple Moisture Body Cream ($12.50), Glowing Body Scrub ($14)

While I didn't get the opportunity to try all of the scents in the new line, I’m pretty sure I would enjoy then just as much as the Aruba Coconut! 

If you like Bath &  Body Works and you need something to take your mind off of the weather outside…you definitely have to check out their Island Paradise Signature Collection!  You can check out all 3 scents in the  Island Paradise Signature Collection online at bathandbodyworks.com!

Tea’s Bali Safari Collection {#WIN a $100 Tea Gift Card}!

It seems like I’m always buying clothes, and with four kids in the house who are constantly growing, I’ve had my fair share of experience with several children’s clothing brands.  There are those brands that I totally hate, there are those brands that I like and there are those brands that I love and one of my absolute favorites is Tea!



I’ve had the pleasure of working with Tea several times in the past couple of years and each and every time I am amazed at the uniqueness and quality that I find at Tea!

When it comes to buying clothes for my kids, especially for Lil’ Man and Lil’ Diva, my number one concern is longevity.   I’m not saying that something has to last from one season to the next (with a two and three year old that’s impossible) but I am saying that in order for me to buy it, the item has to last longer than a couple of play dates!  I learned my lesson in the past about buying clothing that wasn’t so well made, while the discounted price tags may have been appealing at the time, the reality is that the cheaper clothing almost always wears out before the more expensive, better made items which costs me more money in the end.  Based on my past experiences I always try to buy better quality clothing for my kids, even if it means that I’m spending a little more in the beginning.  Quality is just one of the many reasons why I love Tea; unique clothes, that my kids love and I approve of, that are also affordable are just a few of the other reasons!

If you’re not familiar with Tea let’s get you better acquainted!

Tea started in San Francisco with 3 pima cotton sweaters and a vision, a vision of bringing the world together through fashion!  Tea’s known for clothing that is a fusion of worldwide cultures and modern design—in my eyes, that’s one of the best things about Tea!

So I know you want to know how the name Tea came about—so did I the first time I heard of them!   Tea got its name from, well, the drink!  The founders of Tea believed that Tea was a perfect choice for a name because tea, the drink, is served in nearly every culture all around the world!

One of my absolute favorite things about Tea is the uniqueness of each piece of clothing; I love that Tea chooses a destination (a place that the people behind Tea have been) and take you there through fashion—the idea that I can give my children pieces of clothing that also tell a story is absolutely special and appealing for me as a mom and a consumer!

Tea’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection is inspired by Bali and I have to say, I was definitely excited to check out the collection!  Tea sent both Lil’ Man and Lil’ Diva a few pieces from the Bali Safari collection to review and they were both more than willing to try each piece on and even pose for a few pictures for Mommy!

Before I tell you about the completely gorgeous items we were sent to review, I want to tell you a little more about the Bali collection!  The Bali collection was inspired by the Tea design team’s trip to Bali!  I think Emily said it best when she said:

In Bali, your are surrounded and embraced by happiness. You can see it on people's faces - a mix of dancing celebration and transcendent, spiritual bliss. - Emily

Browsing through the collection, you can see that the inspiration that the designers found in Bali are translated gorgeously to the pieces in the collection!

As I mentioned above, Lil’ Man and Lil’ Diva both received several items from Tea’s Bali Safari collection and no one was happier about new clothes, or trying them on and doing a photo session, than the always camera ready Lil’ Diva!

Tea sent Lil’ Diva four pieces that my daughter loved and I found completely adorable, charming and unique!  My absolute favorite item that Tea sent for Lil’ Diva was the Artisan Lotus Dress (it just so happens to be Lil’ Diva’s favorite as well) it’s design is unique and fun and the material is perfect—there isn’t a little girl on earth who wouldn’t love this dress!  I also fell in love with the Ribbed Purity Tee in Dahlia—it’s simple and completely understated, but it’s also perfect for a variety of outfit options!  I paired the Artisan Lotus dress with the Ribbed Purity Tee…what do you think?



Lil’ Diva LOVES the dresses from the collection and I kinda have to agree that they are completely perfect for her, they suit her playful, imaginative, fun personality—great job Tea!

Lil’ Man usually prefers to wear nothing except for his undies (I wish I were joking) but he was very excited to try on the shirts that Tea sent for him to check out!  My son is all about comfort and while he isn’t quite the fashion forward child that Lil’ Diva is, he does know when he loves something…and he loved the Pelaga Camp Shirt!  The cool jersey camp shirt, made of 100% cotton was the perfect choice for Lil’ Man as he loves shirts that button up the front, he calls them “work shirts” because they resemble the button up shirts that my husband wears to work!  My personal favorite shirt that Tea sent my Lil’ Man was the Long Sleeve Purity Tee in Lemongrass, in addition to being one of the softest children’s tee’s I’ve seen, it just screams spring and happiness…I absolutely love it!



As you can see from their photo shoot, both of my kiddos were very excited about their new Tea clothing—and Mommy couldn’t be happier either, though I know to expect something great every time that I work with Tea!

You can check out all of the items above and so much more online at teacollection.com and remember Tea offers simple shipping with FREE shipping on orders $150 and over and $7 on all other orders!

So, how would you like to experience a little of the Bali flavor for yourself?  Tea is giving one MIBR reader a $100 gift card to shop at Tea!  How completely awesome is that?

WIN IT!

One MIBR is going to win a $100 gift card to Tea!

To enter, please use Rafflecopter Entry Form Below!  Blog Comments Do Not Count!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  
Disclosure:  I received the items mentioned above from the company or representing PR, all opinions are 100% mine and were in no way influenced by the sponsor.