If you are looking in to plastic surgery for whatever reason, did you know there are non-surgical alternatives out there?  I will list a few below, that can offer benefits like less down time, less money, and non invasive options.

1. Non surgical Nose Job Did you know you can get the effects of a nose job in 5-10 minutes by adding volume with injectable fillers?  It can camouflage small humps and bumps, raise a flat bridge, fill indents,  make your nose more symmetrical, etc. It's also a great option to look into if you want a more temporary option, as it would need to be repeated around 6 months to 2 years.
2. Laser Hair Removal This process uses targeted lasers to reduce the growth of the hair folicle permanently.  The more sessions results in more of the follicles being targeted for lasting permanent results.  
3. Microdermabrasion This is basically an intense exfoliation that removes the top superficial layer of cells to reveal clearer skin.  Doing this regularly can keep your skin more healthy, hydrated, clearer, and keep away wrinkles.
4. Botox Botox uses botulinum toxins injected typically into the face to temporarily paralyze the muscles that cause wrinkles and fine lines.  Each procedure typically lasts a few weeks to a few months.
5. Chemical Peels This is a great option to instantly revitalize your skin and help with dark spots, acne, wrinkles and sun spots.  The solution reacts with your skin and causes it to shed the top layer.  Underneath will be fresh, beautiful, less wrinkled skin.
6. Cool Sculpting This method can reduce visible body fat by 20% and uses crolipolysis to eliminate fat cells underneath the skin.  It's painless, fast, and you see results in under 3 weeks after treatment.

With new technology comes new ways you can now essentially get whole body plastic surgery, without even needing surgery. 
​

As someone who has struggled since college with insomnia, this is a topic I found myself googling often.  I needed to find ways to get better sleep, because now, with 3 young kids, not sleeping is not an option.  If I want to keep up with them during the day, I need my sleep at night!  Here are some tips I've found along the way that help me get sleep.

No caffeine after 12 (noon).  I know this is earlier than most people need to stop, but for me, if I keep sipping my coffee past 12, it will be very hard for me to get to sleep.

Try to keep a consistent bed time schedule.  I know it's not always possible to go to sleep at the same time every night, but when you can try to keep it more consistent, your body will start to recognize ok, this is bed time, and will cooperate a little better.

I like running a white noise sound machine when I sleep because not only does it block out the sounds my snoring husband makes, but it is also soothing and helps me sleep more soundly.  Now this one is not for everyone, some people it seems to make it harder for them to sleep.  But for me, it definitely helps.

Here is one that is hard for most, no screens 2 hours before bed.  Instead, try reading a book, or journaling, or something else relaxing.  The blue light from the screens signal to your body that it's day time and makes it hard for you to produce natural melatonin needed to make you sleepy.  If you simply MUST check emails and Facebook before bed, get some blue light blocking glasses.

Sleep in a comfortable bed.  Ok, this may seem like a no brainer, but if you're sleeping on an old mattress that doesn't support your body, and toss and turn all night because your uncomfortable, then it may  be time to look into getting a better mattress like this memory foam mattress. 

Anything that helps you relax before bed is going to help calm your mind and body and help you get better sleep.  For me, that's a relaxing bath with epsom salt and sometimes lavender essential oils.  The epsom salt can soothe muscle aches and pains as well as detox and help your body to relax.  It also supplies your body with topical magnesium (which is what epsom salt is) that plays a part in the relaxation capabilities of epsom salt.

Which leads me to the next thing that really helps me, is make sure you're getting adequate magnesium.  Most people are deficient, and magnesium helps promote relaxation.  I like to take Magnesium Glycinate before bed, and Magnesium Malate during the day.

When all these lifestyle choices fail, and you still can't seem to doze off, I use liquid melatonin drops.  The pills don't seem to work as well, but the liquid works well and fast.  Usually within 30 minutes I'm asleep.  But don't take it until your ready to start trying to get to sleep.  Otherwise it doesn't seem to work as well.

Also, when I've had caffeine before bed, or been on my phone, and I feel so awake and KNOW it's going to be hard to get to sleep, then I will take 1/4 to 1/2 of a Unisom.  Not the kind made from the ingredients of Benadryl, but the kind with doxylamine succinate.  This has been something that has yet to fail to help me get a full night's sleep, but I try not to use it nightly or I become dependent on it and can't sleep without it.

Some of these things may take time to help break the cycle of insomnia, but if you start implementing them, you will be on your way to sleeping better every night and waking more refreshed and energized.

Many health-conscious individuals have opted to incorporate organic foods into their diet in a time where ingredients and transparency more in demand. What some may not realize is that there are also plenty of options out there when it comes to organic items for the home.  An often overlooked product is feminine hygiene products like pads and tampons.  Some don't even know organic options exist out there, and that you don't have to break the bank to get them.

With Kali Boxes, you can sign up for monthly period box and get them delivered to you every month.  The subscriptions are personalized, flexible and convenient so you have what you need every month.

Another organic alternative in feminine care that some may not be aware of is yeast infection medicine.  FemiClear is a 2 day all natural yeast infection treatment that contains no artificial antifungal drugs or chemicals.  It is made from oxygenated olive oil, calendula, and melaleuca.  Plus right now on Amazon you can save $3.00 with a clippable coupon. 

Sliquid Organics Splash Balance Gentle Feminine Wash is a great alternative to traditional soap and water and other harsh detergents. Fragrance formulas are blended with essential oils, coconut derivatives, and sea salt. Sliquid Splash is perfectly balanced to complement a woman's natural PH. 

There's another great organic cleansing wash for those with sensitive skin. Rael Natural Feminine Cleansing Wash with a light and fresh scent is perfect for daily hygiene while helping to maintain a healthy ph balance.  It is non-drying and non-irritating and helps to keep odors away.  The ingredients contain only natural herbs and are Paraben free, Phenoxyethanol free, and Artificial fragrance free.

As you can see there are plenty of options out there and you can go organic with you feminine hygiene products as well as your food, cleaning products, and other products around the home.

Damon Wayans, Jr. has come up with an app that is the "Uber" of bringing entertainment providers and venues together. Many know him from New Girl as "Coach", but now he has ventured into starting his own business. Special Guest App is a global app platform to connect venues and entertainers.  This could be huge in helping DJs, singers, and comedians find work on a regular basis without relying on an agent, not to mention helping those planning events to find their entertainment easier.  

“I've noticed there's a lot of talented people out there who have the talent but they don't have necessarily the representation to help them be seen,” Wayans told FOX Business. “I felt like that was a problem to be solved, and I wanted to make an app that allows entertainers to get gigs and be seen by other people as much as possible.”

He brought his idea to serial entrepreneur Kris Jones to help him design the app and get it off the ground and running.  Jones really believes in the project and thinks it could really transform the entertainment industry.  They plan to open in Atlanta, Austin and Nashville in the near future.  

​As you can see below, you can search for talent by location or category.

I have family members who are in the entertainment industry (singing / songwriting) and from their experience I can tell you this would make such a difference for them and their careers.  Finding gigs as an artist can be difficult, and making a living can be a challenge when you don't know where to go to get work.  And using an agent is not always feasible.  As someone who is an entertainer for a living, Wayans Jr. has taken his passion and creativity and developed something that will change the way this industry works, just as Uber has transformed the personal transportation industry.

If you are looking for good quality whole food supplements, then let me tell you a little about Grown By Nature's Vitamins and Supplements.  They are vitamins and minerals from whole food sources, the kind that your body easily accepts and digests. We were made to get the nutrients we need from food and nature, but in the world we live in today, that is getting harder and harder to do.  Not only are more foods processed, but even natural whole foods are treated with pesticides and less nutrient dense than they used to be.  

Most of us need to supplement with vitamins because of this, but synthetic vitamins could be doing more harm then good.  They are not the same as vitamins you would get from fruits and vegetables and sometimes are hardly absorbed because they are synthetic.  But when we supplement with whole food vitamins and minerals, our body can more easily digest them and use them.  Click here to read more about the Grown by Nature difference.

Right now if you use code Mommy20, you can get 20% off your first order with them.  Plus, any subsequent order you can get 10% off with code Mommy10!  That's a great deal on these high quality supplements.  I have been using the Bone & Joint formula and can already tell a difference in the stiffness in my hands.  It's like my body is finally getting the supplements it's been craving because they're in a form that is recognized and easily absorbed.  The pills are not too big to swallow, and come in nice glass bottles.  Click here to see all the different supplements available and get yours today.  And don't forget to use the promo codes to get your discount!

Most of us have struggled at some point with insomnia.  Whether you're a new mom or dad whose sleep has been interrupted by a crying baby, or a woman starting menopause, or a college student stressing about exams and can't shut your mind off to get some sleep, then this article is for you.  There are many steps you can take to naturally get better sleep every night without the use of medications that can be addicting. 

1. Homeopathic oils with Natural Healing Oils. This complex blend is applied on temples prior to going to be bed to induce relaxation.  It can help relax your body and mind to make getting to sleep easier as well as staying asleep.
2. Relax with a lavender bath bomb and wellness balms from LATHER. LATHER offers multiple sleep inducing products such as tea and lotions. 
3. Combine the power of melatonin and CBD oil with Joy Organics. Joy Organics offers zero-THC CBD oil combined with the effective natural herb melatonin. The end result? An amazing night sleep!  I've found CBD oil really helps when I'm struggling with insomnia.
4. Meditation is a great way to relax your mind and ease into sleep. I recommend the free Insight App available on Android and Apple.  Their Yoga Nidra options are highly effective.
5. No caffeine after lunch. Caffeine stays in your system for at least 6 hours and some people are more sensitive than others.
6. Stick to a sleep schedule even during the weekend. This also means avoiding naps during the day.
7. Skip the night cap. I am sorry to report that unfortunately alcohol disrupts your sleep.
8. Avoid large meals and liquids before you hit the sheets so you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.
9. Keep it cool and dark. A dark and cool room is ideal for falling and staying asleep.
10. Avoid screens in the evening a couple hours before bed, and if you can't, wear blue light blocking glasses like these.

The Pure Company offer products from air purifiers to water purifiers and essential oils.  I've had the privilege of reviewing The Pure Company Large Room Air Purifier.  Did you know the air indoors can often times be more polluted than outdoor air?  This is the first air purifier I've seen that has a place to put essential oils  so not only does it filter out the bad (allergens, pollutants, etc.) but it adds to the air some good!  I'm a firm believer in the power of essential oils and love how they have this option. 

As I went to add a couple drops of oils to the small pad, I thought to myself I'm not sure this will actually fill the room (which I want it to, because I love the Fresh scent), but to my surprise only 2 drops did in fact fill the room, and lasted for quite a while.  It's by no means overpowering in smell, but it's enough you actually smell it and just gives the air a nice fresh clean smell.  I love their Comfort, Clarity and Fresh essential oil blends.  Plus, you can feel good about what you are putting into the air because their oils are made from plants and are 100% pure essential oils with no synthetics, chemicals or fillers.

The air quality is noticeably improved while running the air purifier.  This purifier works as amazingly as it looks.  I love knowing my kids are breathing cleaner, purer air, and I love seeing their allergies and asthma indoors improving.  It also runs quietly, which is another big plus.  It removes 99.97% of air particles as small as .3 microns, and with a 360 degree filter, it's cleaning the air from every direction.  It also has a timer with auto shut off at the ends of a cycle.  With the air quality sensor, you can set the speed to auto so it will run at a higher speed if needed.  This is a nice feature so you don't have to mess with changing a setting, it will do it automatically.  There's also an auto alert when the filter needs replacing.

All in all, this is a great air purifier not just for function, but for appearance, style and uniqueness.   I would highly recommend checking out The Pure Company, and start taking steps to make your air and water cleaner.

You can get the Winix brand purifiers online on their website here or also at Home Depot and Wayfair.  The purifier has a smart sensor that constantly monitors the air quality (blue is good, yellow is fair, red is poor).  There's also a Check Filter light to let you know when it's time to change the filter.  It's very quiet when it's running, which in our house is important because with 3 little kids there's enough "background noise" going on.  ​

Another nice thing is, you only have to replace the filter once a year.  It's not like some others where you're having to change them every couple of months.  Also, the purifier covers up to 320 sq. feet.  Overall, this is a really great air purifier, and with the $100 off deal going on there's no better time to get one.  

I'd love to hear from you guys, has anyone else tried the Winix Air Purifiers before?  What has your experience been?

I am so excited to share with you all about a furniture company, Uncaged Furniture.  They design and manufacture modular, multi-purpose, space-saving home furniture.  I was allowed the privilege of reviewing the Stash Folding Kid's Chair.  It is extremely well made, and the perfect size for all 3 of my kids (8, 5 and 2).  Not only is it a comfortable chair, but it serves another purpose of storage!  If you have kids, this is always a plus because no matter how hard you try to de-clutter and keep toys at a manageable level, they just seem to multiply and take over the house, am I right?  Any time we can find something that doubles as storage as well, it's a sure win in our books.  We tend to have more limited space, so are always looking for anywhere we can "hide the clutter".