Take a Scent-cation with Gain + Giveaway

If you're anything like me, your purse is feeling a little slim lately.   This makes it hard for me to take the many vacations that my heart so desires.  It's even a little tight to go within my own state.  So what can you do when you need time to "get away from it all"?  

Gain invites you to take a scent-cation and bring your favorite warm and inviting scents into your home for a different kind of Spring Break getaway.  A scent-cation may include anything from filling your home with ocean-scented candles, to putting out fresh flowers, or even using tropical scents in the laundry room.  


I recently took a scent-cation with the Gain scent Sunflower & Sunshine.  Being from the "Sunshine State," I found it rather fitting.  Check out what came in my kit:

Pretty cool kit...or should I say HOT!

My scent-cation was complete with Gain Sunflower & Sunshine detergent, a Gain scented candle, a laundry bag, beach towel, a pot to grow my own sunflower garden, and some really cool shades.  A complete way to make my "stay-cation" a Gain "scent-cation."

I've been a user of Gain detergent since college.  It smells great & it always fits in my budget.  I always get compliments about how our laundry smells...so fresh and clean.  Now my house can smell equally fresh with my new Gain scented candle.  Mmmmm.....

I love sunflowers!  I've already begun growing my own in the organic pot that came with my kit.  In one day, the seed coats have come off and a small little seedling is starting to grow.  Can't wait!  When they're big enough, I will plant them in my backyard to make it seem like spring all year long!

To help create the ultimate scent-cation in your home, you can win a custom scent-cation kit inspired by your choice of one of the following Gain detergent scents: Ocean Escape, Sunflower & Sunshine or Hawaiian Aloha.  



a Rafflecopter giveaway


 
Sound good?  It's way better on your wallet than a traveling vacation.  And who knows, maybe you'll actually be able to lock yourself in the bathroom or escape to your backyard oasis to enjoy your kit items! 



**Disclaimer:  Although I was compensated & received my own personal scent-cation kit, all opinions are my own, as always.**

Alexis

Spring Cleaning (With Child Labor)

So, it's no secret that I'm pretty exhausted most of the time.  Between my two VERY active boys with an ever growing social calendar, my husband who also needs attention, my full time job as an elementary teacher, blogging, grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning, and my need to have "me" time, I am pretty booked up.  

I have always been one of those people who subscribed to the belief of "if you want something done right, do it yourself," therefore I was always doing things on my own for fear of things not getting done right.  And by "right" I mean "my way."  

In the past few years I have learned to let go of this crazy notion.  I was tired of being tired.  I was tired of being the only one doing things.  So I started "letting" other people help me....especially around the house.  

My husband is really good about helping when he's home.  He will do the laundry; things may not get put away in the right place, but at least he does the cleaning.  He will also help with the grocery shopping.  He may not buy the brands that I want, but at least he goes there.  

Now I'm starting to let go of some of the cleaning chores.  I'm giving them to my kids.  They are 6 & 8 years old, I think it's time to start earning their keep around here!

Here are some ways I enlisted their help for our "spring cleaning" this year:

• Emptying the dryer
• Folding the laundry-This took a little time from me.  The socks were easy.  Folding shirts was more of an art.
• Putting away laundry-I like to lay out all of the clean and folded clothes on my bed and make piles for each family member.  Then everyone puts away their own piles.
• Putting away clean dishes-I have plastic tableware for the kids and it is kept at an easily accessible level for them.  
• Vacuuming-I made this one sound fun to "Little Ricky." (hee, hee!)
• Cleaning the shower-"The Nag" always wants to wear yellow gloves and spray a bottle.  I mixed vinegar and water in an empty spray bottle.  Then I sprinkled baking soda in each shower for him and set him to work with a scrubber.  
• Making beds-It never comes out perfect, but at least it's straight.
• Picking up toys

Again, the "cleaning" may not be how I want it, but at least it's taking some of the load off of my shoulders.  And it's teaching my kids the value of responsibility.  (and I didn't even have to pay them for it!)
  
How do you get your kids to help out around the house? 


Alexis

Thirsty Thursday ~ Coconut Champagne Fruit Punch

Ok, so now that I'm getting into the groove (mostly) of being more healthy and exercising more, I save up some calories for a cocktail here or there (and here and there).  But I'm finding that there are so many choices out there to satisfy both sides.

With the entering of spring, I found this great cocktail at Averie Cooks that is also a nice addition to any spring gathering.


Coconut Water Champagne Fruit Punch  
(Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free, No Sugar Added)


Makes about 3 cups punch – double or triple the recipe as desired

Ingredients:

Recipe & photo from Averie Cooks

• 1 1/2 cups coconut water, flavored or plain (I used one Vita Coco Coconut Water container in Pineapple flavor which is 11.2 ounces, or about 1 1/2 cups)

• 1 cup+ champagne or white wine*

• 1/2 cup+ orange juice (or other juice; pineapple, apple, pomegranate, grape)

• 1/4 cup to 2 cups+ fruit, frozen or fresh (quantity used will vary from a couple berries or cubes of pineapple as a garnish to 1 to 2+ cups of fruit added to the punch mixture such as orange wedges, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, watermelon cubes, mango cubes, etc.)

• splash grenadine, optional

• 1 drop pink or red food food coloring, optional

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl or pitcher, stir to combine, chill in the refrigerator before serving.

*If you do not drink alcohol, you can use non-alcoholic wine or champagne, white grape juice, or simply omit and adjust proportions of other ingredients to taste.

Note: Ice waters down this punch more than I like and I suggest using frozen fruit since it will help keep the punch colder and (it’s cheaper than fresh anyway. Or freeze pineapple juice, orange juice, apple juice, or coconut water in ice cube trays in advance to use as the “ice” cubes. If you are using a considerable amount of ice, you may want to increase the amount of wine or champagne, to taste.


What a great addition to any party this spring!  (And the color is really cute too!!)


Have you tried this Thirsty Thursday concoction?  
The Coco Vodka Tonic

Alexis

Fresh Picked Market Event at Bath & Body Works

Springtime is coming (or so the groundhog said...) and it's a time for nature's finest.  Strawberry fields, peach trees, you know the wonderful smells and tastes of sunshine and spring. 

Spring’s bounty has arrived at Bath & Body Works, and you’re invited to sample the season’s freshest offerings. On Saturday, March 9^th, Bath & Body Works stores nationwide are getting a market makeover, taking inspiration from local Farmers’ Market fare. Consumers will be invited to fill their baskets with Bath & Body Works’ most irresistible offerings for spring and discover new ways to infuse Fresh Picked essentials into their home décor. 

You will have the opportunity to meet with a “Market Sampler” to try new fragrances and forms from the Fresh Picked collection and experience the latest candles, hand soaps and hand creams. Everyone will leave with samples of the new Fresh Picked Body Wash or Body Lotion.

Bath & Body Works devotees can take part in an exclusive Spring Home Décor Workshop, where they’ll learn about how to mix and match forms from the Fresh Picked Home Fragrance, AntiBac and Accessory collections to find their perfect pairings to refresh and enhance their homes. Those who purchase anything from the Home Fragrance collections will receive an exclusive complimentary 4 oz. Fresh Picked Market Peach Candle in a muslin gift bag. 

WHO:                    Bath & Body Works

                               

WHAT:                  Spring Market Event

WHEN:                 Saturday, March 9^th

               1pm - 5pm

WHERE:               Participating Bath & Body Works stores
                               nationwide

Discover what’s in store for spring at your local Bath & Body Works store!

Alexis