Nicole

Capstar Review

Please note, this review was sponsored by Chewy.com. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

Capstar Review

Living in the deep south, our warm weather seasons are quite long. And as a family with several pets, buying year-round flea and tick treatment for our pets is a must! Which is why we included Capstar Flea Treatment for Dogs and Cats in our monthly order from Chewy.com!

Capstar is an FDA approved oral pill used to control fleas on dogs. It promises to kill all adult fleas and the treatment works for 4 hours. Effective for both dogs and cats. Capstar flea treatment is also safe for use on kittens and puppies above 2 pounds of body weight and at least 4 weeks of age. It comes as a single box of 6 tablets or 12 tablet value pack. We received the 6-pack this month.

Capstar Review

What I like best about Capstar is that a single dose does the trick! With each tablet consisting of a single dose of flea killing action. Keeping in mind, this product is only effective for killing fleas that are already on the pet. You will also need to use another flea preventive treatment alongside the Capstar flea treatment, especially if your dogs and cats spend copious amounts of time outdoors, use outdoor runs, or engage in nature walks, hiking, or the like!

For best results, give your pets one pill every 2 days until all the fleas are dead. As the typical flea hatching lifecycle is 3 days, so it is best to remain regular with the dosage.

I also like that Capstar is very convenient to administer to pets and can be easily kept on hand at home. And when ready to give to your pets, simply hide it in your pet’s favorite treat. The pill gives you a 24-hour window, giving you a window to treat your home for fleas. Especially to vacuum carpeted areas, baseboard, pet bedding, and crates.

Capstar Review

A few things to remember:

Capstar is ideal only for small to medium sized dogs. For stronger breeds, the product may not be enough.
You have to repeat the dose to ensure newly hatched fleas are killed.
Contains FDA approved Nitenpyram.
Each pill contains 11mg of Nitenpyram.

A single dose of Capstar starts the flea killing action and can be very distressing to pets, especially in the fall. Because flea and tick prevention is a year-round job. Friends, prevent this issue by ordering Capstar for your pet family at home!

Like with all of our previous Chewy.com purchased, Capstar products arrive at your doorstep in just a couple of days of ordering, without any quality control issues, and so we will continue ordering Capstar in the months to come as well! It’s our new favorite way to treat adult fleas that may hitchhike their way into our home on our dogs this season!

Now I have to ask, what flea treatments will you be buying for your pets this season? I’d love to hear about it below!

Capstar Review

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2018 Plus-Size Fall Capsule Wardrobe

There are so many great things that come along with this time of year. From pumpkin spice lattes to warm throws and blankets. Fall has and will always be my favorite time of year. Especially when it comes to pulling together my seasonal capsule wardrobe! I mean, who doesn’t love throwing on sweaters, tunics, and boot cuffs?

Despite many parts of the country still being in the grips of unseasonably warm, summer-like conditions we are now officially in the throes of a autumn. Which is why I wanted to share with you all a project I finished this past weekend, my Fall 2018 Plus-Size Capsule Wardrobe.

Just a few things to know about the creation of this capsule:

This capsule contains 37-pieces.
This is a plus size capsule, but each piece could easily translate into year-long capsules.
I no longer work in a corporate setting. My capsule no longer includes office attire.
I live in the deep south, which makes for mild, breezy falls.
Each item in my post will work with at least 5 other outfits.
Jewelry, eyewear, workout gear, and lounge items are not counted in my capsule.
I will not be carrying a bag or tote this season.

My current capsule wardrobe is built upon basic, year-round minimalist staples. Staples which remain in my closet year round. Each season I add new or additional pieces as needed while making room for seasonally-appropriate outfits. This particular season’s capsule relies heavily on three quality pairs of denim pants, scarves, and boots.

While I don’t follow an arbitrary numbers rule for my capsule wardrobe, while instead focusing on building staple outfits, you will notice an increase in the number of garments from my previous fall capsule. This is because I lost a great deal of weight this year and by buying and styling options opened up significantly as a result!

As my healthy living journey with PCOS continues, I am looking to wear loose, simple layers that allow me to feel comfortable but yet still allow me to accentuate my style with seasonal, stunning color.

This capsule reflects my current minimalist lifestyle, my plus size frame, my personal stance on minimalism, body positivity, and my continued efforts to aspire to live a life with slower fashion in my current walk of life. I am a work in progress. I love the beautiful woman who proudly wears a size 16.

Without further ado here are my current 37 Capsule Wardrobe pieces:

Tops:

Basic white tank top
Basic white tee
Basic Black Tee
Cents of Style Life is Beautiful Tee
Basic White Poplin Dress Shirt
Tan Cashmere Sweater
Grey Tunic Sweater Dress
Green Crochet Cacoon Sweater

Accessories:

Blue Plaid Blanket Scarf
Wool Orange Plaid Fringe Scarf
Yellow Crochet Scarf
Green Crochet Button Scarf
Red crochet Scarf
Grey and Beige Net and Fringe Scarf
Tan Crochet Beret
Cream Crochet Boot Cuffs

Bottoms:

Cuffed Ripped Jeans
Tuxedo Dress Jeans
Dark Rinse Jeans
Brown Fleece-Lined Tights
Black Fleece-Lined Tights

Outerwear:

Grey Fleece Jacket
Dark Rinse Denim Jacket
Red Wool Pea Coat

Shoes:

Black Rider Boots
Brown Rider Boots
Grey Cowboy Boots
Black Low-Rise Cowboy Boots
Cognac Combat Boots
Grey Slouch Boots
Brown Clogs
Black Mary Jane’s
Red Suede Mocassins

Friends, that’s my capsule wardrobe for the several months. I am also looking forward to a more simplified, relaxed capsule this season. These pieces reflect lifestyle. Bring ease to my mornings. In terms of a capsule wardrobe, that’s all I could ever ask for. And that makes me happy!

Now I want to ask, have already started your own capsule wardrobe this fall or have ideas for next season’s capsule wardrobes, I’d love to hear about them below as well!

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Making School Accessible

Education opens the door to a world of possibilities. There is nothing new about it. The more you know, the better you are equipped to navigate your professional career safely to success. While it isn’t to say that you need to have a degree to make a living – Steve Jobs, for instance, abandoned his studies to launch Apple; and while he’s got no degree, his career is history – there is no denying that there’s a lot you can learn from books, lessons, and knowledgeable teachers.

After all, school is designed to prepare individuals for the social and intellectual challenges of everyday life. In other words, if you had to pick only one service to transform your life for the better, it would be going to school. Unfortunately, knowledge doesn’t come for free. High education comes at a price which doesn’t make it accessible to all. Thankfully there are some solutions to ensure that your children, yourself and others can gain better access to schools.

(Photo source)

Start saving early

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably already checked the increasingly high education fees for your children. Going to college is expensive. Nevertheless, if you’ve been to college yourself, you know it’s a chance you can’t deny your children. That’s precisely why it’s important to start saving as early as possible.

You can research options that encourage family members and friends to donate instead of buying a present, for instance – this is by far the best savings account for kids you can find. Ultimately, you can gradually build up sufficient savings to support your kids’ education. How to best use these saving accounts? Replace the traditional Thanksgiving present that guests bring to your kids by a monetary contribution to their savings, for example. But make sure to keep the Christmas and birthday presents!

There’s no age limit to learn

There’s a common belief that you need to be loaded to get back to school as an adult. In reality, there are financial options for those who want to boost your CV or change career easier in the long term. There’s no need to break the bank. You can apply for federal grants as an adult too.

There are also all sorts of grants for teaching professionals going back to school or from your workplace’s HR department. In other words, you’re not on your own. However, it’s fair to say that you might prefer to opt for online studies that let you work at the same time – it’s unlikely you’ll receive sufficient funding to maintain your lifestyle.

Help those who need it

Did you know that some kids struggle to make ends meet at high school? When your family is in financial difficulties, it’s not uncommon for kids to feel left out because they can’t buy the essential. Notebooks, pens, hygiene items, and lunch sandwiches can be dramatically expensive for low-income families.

Unfortunately, these families can’t always receive financial aids. But if you get in touch with your local schools, you can maybe help to make a difference just like this generous custodian does. Giving kids access to what they need can give them the chance of a better future.

Schools equal opportunities, whether you’re a child or an adult. Without education, you’ll struggle to establish yourself professionally. Consequently, looking for financial support and starting to save early can give you and others the possibility to grow.

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How to make your culinary dreams shine

Please note, this post is sponsored by Diamond Bloggers. All opinions expressed are my own.

Being a foodie can be hard work. From recipe development to finding the perfect venue to share your culinary talents, there’s so much involved in making your culinary dreams come true. And with any budgeting idea, a working business strategy must always come into play. Even in the kitchen.

Which is why modern foodies have to consider all aspects of their future careers including employing strategies to help you cater to peoples’ taste buds and expand your entrepreneurial skills too! Which is why I am sharing 5 reasons your culinary dreams deserve to stand out and shine in as part of your business plans moving into the last quarter of this year:

Follow your passion

When it comes to expanding your cooking dreams, the most important thing to retain is your passion. Because when your passion is the center of your focus, you can utilize, extrapolate, and monetize your goals into a workable platform outside the kitchen. Without that passion and drive, you will not be able to find a lasting platform for yourself.

After all, it takes more than a culinary degree to become a household name in the food and hotel management sector. An industry saturated with products personalities and platforms. Which is why when it comes to making a culinary name for yourself, passion must be your go-to dish.

Become a better problem solver

Today, with the hospitality industry seeing consistent upward mobility, the potential to cater to the vast majority naturally exists. You will best utilize your culinary skills by solving the greater problems of knowing your ideal audience, establishing a working niche, finding working marketing strategies, sourcing vendors, and being able to find workable solutions to changing market trends.

The trick is to create a working plan of how to feasibly and fiscally work past the issues that may be holding you back from your culinary dreams this season while never forgetting your biggest issue, how to get paid whilst caring for people through good food.

Be creative

Creativity today in the kitchen is not just restricted to drawing up menu plans and creating a chef’s budget. The best chefs in the world are also artists who take up the task of accessing their food with artistic merits to help propel their businesses and to set themselves apart in the greater marketplace ahead.

Visionaries who make the preparations visually exciting by creating recipes that can be developed through a combination of different agents. Including trendy dietary restrictions (Paleo, Vegan, Whole Foods Plant-Based, Keto, etc.), implementing environmentally friendly sourcing (fair trade, ethically sourced, organic, non-GMO products), and incorporating cultural diversity along with entrepreneurship to make their culinary dreams a reality. Which is why being a culinary scholar and a digital marketer is a way to best showcase your creative spirit in the kitchen this year.

Start Small, Think big

In order to properly showcase your culinary acumen, you need to become a digital marketing expert. With one of the best ways to gain wider recognition in the culinary world is by developing your culinary skills into tangible things.

Whether that be a new line of earthen crocks or a line of digital cookbooks. Products designed to let your unique culinary vantage point shine through, that can be showcased online, through local catering opportunities, or trade fairs. All venues that products will help you to make those larger plans advance. But in order to do this, start by thinking small. Building a loyal following in your community or in a posh shop online. Then, over time, you’ll start to advance your culinary dreams to include you, front and center, back to your kitchen dreams.

Be everywhere online

When it comes to making your culinary dreams shine, sometimes a digital approach is best. As a culinary entrepreneur, you need to expand your view to include other titles and positions too. Perhaps you may not become the world best-known chef but you could gain a substantial following as a food blogger, reviewing food across the various restaurants in your neck of the woods. As those with larger followings online can parlay that success into hyper-local restaurant openings, catering, product launching, and publishing deals throughout their industry and beyond.

Consider Will Bronchick, a Denver-based private chef, caterer, and digital marketer for over two decades. Bronchick uses a proven strategy of blogging, marketing, and digital niche-based success to parlay his local endeavors into the successful blog, William Bronchick Food which celebrates the various facets of his culinary roots and business strategies to impact the food culture of the Denver area. Using a well-planned start-up as an outlet to share his culinary experiences with other professionals and foodies he has met throughout his career.

A strategy you can create at home for yourself. As a blogger, freelance food reviewer, or as a budgeting food-based mogul in the making working on multiple corporate projects at any given point in time. Which is why utilizing offbeat opportunities are necessary today in the culinary industry.

Friends, those are my five tips for How to make your culinary dreams shine through. Now I want to ask, what steps are you taking to expand your culinary vision? Share your thoughts below!

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Pumpkin Spice Flavor Greenies Review

Please note, this review was sponsored by Chewy.com. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

Pumpkin Spice Flavor Greenies

The scenario is as old as time. You walk in the door after a long day of work and your dog jumps on you. Giving you lots of puppy breath kisses. While your pup is just trying to show you how much they missed you, they certainly do need something to sweeten their breath!

Pumpkin Spice Flavor Greenies

Thankfully, dog dental chews can help. Not only can they freshen your pup’s breath, but they can also help with gum health and reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Which is why my family buys Greenies from Chewy.com. And this months variety? Fall-inspired Pumpkin Spice Greenies treats!

Greenies dental sticks for dogs help fight plaque and tartar build-up to keep your dog’s oral hygiene in check. These natural dog chews are low-fat and include vitamins to keep your pup healthy.

My three girls, Sassy, Roxie, and Scout are very picky. Sassy, my beautiful little Shih-Tzu, so much so she rarely takes treats – not even cheese or a bit of meat. But Greenies are always a hit! They always get excited when they receive Greenies.

We love that each tasty chew features added vitamins and minerals, and is formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs. Helping to keep the cuddles coming and give your best friend the dental health he deserves with fresh breath too!

Pumpkin Spice Flavor Greenies

Key Benefits of Greenies:

Recommended by veterinarians to help prevent gum disease, freshen breath and reduce the frequency of professional dental cleanings.
Fortified with added vitamins and minerals to aid in balanced nutrition.
Made with soluble, all-natural ingredients.
Easily break down for safe and easy digestion.P
Proudly made in the USA.
Promoted for regular use by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.

Each afternoon we treat each pup with one GREENIES™ Pumpkin Spice Dental Treat. Keep in mind, these treats are intended for dogs over 15 pounds and they are not suitable for dogs less than 5 lbs, or dogs less than 6 months of age. When giving your pets these treats, always make sure fresh drinking water is available.

When buying Greenies from Chewy.com, always chose the right size for your pet:

TEENIE® Treats: 5 – 15 lbs
Petite: 15 – 25 lbs
Regular: 25 – 50 lbs
Large: 50 – 100 lbs

We are also planning to purchase an additional case of these cans to donate to local animal shelter drop off bins in our area — or if we have time, stop by and see all the cute cats and dogs. Pets ready for adoption at your local pet shelter will sure be glad you did!

Like with all of our previous Chewy.com purchased, our Greenies products arrive at your doorstep in just a couple of days of ordering, without any quality control issues, and so we will continue ordering these awesome products in the months to come as well! As you can see, its well-liked in our home! After all, our pups deserve to enjoy pumpkin spice goodness too!

It’s our new favorite way to nourish and nurture our dogs at home this season! Now I have to ask, what pet treats are you buying for your pets this season? I’d love to hear about it below!

Pumpkin Spice Flavor Greenies

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2018 Fall Bucket List

The time for falling leaves and hot apple cider is finally here and I couldn’t be more excited. Whether you’re a fan of carving pumpkins or creating your own Halloween porchscape, there’s something about fall that makes it a favorite for us all.

To help you celebrate, or come up with a few ways to enjoy the season at home, here’s my own bucket list of fall activities that’ll leave you eager to experience all this season has to offer:

1. Attend a football game

Nothing says the beginning of fall like the return of football season. While our teams may be different, we’re all coming together for the same reason — to witness America’s most beloved sport. So be sure to get your game day outfit ready and perfect your tailgate recipe for this classic fall event. Not into the NFL? High school or college games are just as fun. It’s all about getting into that team spirit. At our home, we’re all things Southern Miss and Saints football!

2. Decorate for fall

What better way to get in the spirit of the season than surrounding ourselves with reminders of it? Craft your own fall wreath or go on a mission to find your next fall porchscape. Maybe meet some new friends along the way? Like our obsession with pumpkin spice lattes (no judging, please), the choices are as endless. Get creative!

3. Go to a pumpkin patch

Another traditional fall activity, pumpkin patches are the reason to live for October and the ultimate reminder of our childhoods. Take yourself (and family if they care to tag along) to the pumpkin patch, pick the pumpkin you want to carve and top it off with a hayride!

4. Cultivate a fall reading list

With this week being National Banned Book week, what better time to cultivate yourself a fall-inspired reading list? Think of cozies with teeth or perhaps a historical narrative. The possibilities are endless!

5. Attend a cemetery tour

Life is always stranger than fiction. So enjoy the spooktacular Halloween season by taking in a historic cemetery tour. Each year our family takes a tour of the local Rose Hill Cemetary and stops by to see the grave of the great Gypsy Queen, Kelly Mitchell!

6. Get crafty

There is something to be said for crocheting, knitting, quilting, or even gluing together home decor decorative or a piece of wearable art. Looking for some crafting inspiration? Try your hand at making a crochet candy corn cozy to help keep your hands safe while sipping on hot pumpkin spice lattes!

7. Make an apple dessert

The only thing better than dessert is a dessert that’s home-made. And while we are in National Apple Month what better time to get baking? We love to make apple pie, apple dumplings, and lighter breakfast fare, such as Walnut Apple Pie Chia Seed Pudding. Whatever you make, your house is about to smell delicious. Save us a slice!

8. Create a fall capsule wardrobe

Now is the time to be enjoying sweater weather by creating a seasonal capsule wardrobe full of your favorite scarves, booties, flannel tops, knee-high boots, and jeans. Because when it comes to dressing comfortably, fall is on our side. So pick pieces that are as cute as they are cozy and then consider donating the rest to charity. As nothing looks as good on a gal as a charitable heart!

9. Plant Mums

There’s nothing like the beautiful hues of mums to change your mood and your home! From deep umber to burnt orange and fiery burgundy, there are mums for every color palette and porchscape. Try your hand at adding this affordable perennial to your front beds at home!

10. Pass out candy to trick-or-treaters

Little kid costumes are the absolute best — and complimenting them makes them oh-so-proud. Be sure to grab some really good candy and a few varieties without nuts for those with allergies. Then, turn on a scary movie and wit for the little monsters and ghouls to arrive!

11. Take in a sunset

While all sunsets are spectacular under southern skies, there are sights to see around the equinox in all parts of this great country. So make a point to walk around your downtowns areas. Embrace the small town charm, treat yourself to hot apple cider, and take in natures best evening show.

12. Attend a Veterans Day Parade

Here’s nothing like the brisk fall air on your cheeks as you pay tribute to America’s bravest each November. Check to see if your town will be hosting a Veterans Day parade and inquire about ways you may be able to volunteer and give back to those who ensure we can all enjoy peaceful fall days at home. Veterans should also check to see what free dinners are available to you to honor your service to this great country.

13. Host a Halloween movie night

Watching a scary movie with all the lights off is so uniquely fall. And our family loves watching Freeform’s 13 Nights of Halloween! We especially love watching Hocus Pocus and the Nightmare Before Christmas. Classics!

14. Cook a crockpot classic

Ah, fall crockpot (and Instapots!) classics! Try your hand at making a crockpot fall classic like tailgating chili, hearty vegetable soup, butternut squash soup, or a new classic, like Tikka Masala with a side of pumpkin hummus. Perfect for cool, crisp days at home!

15. Create a thankfulness station

Each fall at home, my families like to collect leaves from nature walks and our own backyard and each day of fall, from September 21-December 22, we each write on our leaves what we are most grateful for. We attach the leaves to a wreath form, collection of tree branches, or wicker cornucopias with mini clothespins. At the end of the season, we re-read each leaf and reflect on how blessed we are as a family!

So, friends, those are things I am most looking forward to this next season ahead. Now I want to ask, what’s on your fall bucket list this year? Be sure to leave me a comment below and let me know what your most looking forward to experiencing this fall!

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Purina Pro Plan Review

Please note, this review was sponsored by Chewy.com. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

As a family we are committed to purchasing only the best pet products for our fuzzy family members, traveling for hours at a time to pick-up your next bag of pet food is simply out of question. So when it comes to buying dry food, wet food, and treats for our pets, we rely on online delivery services to make that happen. Which is why we love ordering from Chewy.com.

This month we tried out the Taste of the Purina Pro Plan Savor Variety Pack Grain-Free Canned Dog Food. We have loved this brand because it is full of the highest quality ingredients, backed by veterinarians and scientists, and governed by a top-notch quality control department. I know for certain that the Purina Pro Plan provides my pets with only the best ingredients.

This variety features a balanced formula for all breeds, from puppies to adults, with limited ingredients, perfect for cats with food allergies and sensitivities.

Making this highly digestible product also has the added benefit of chicken liver, chicken, and roasted delivers only the highly-digestible energy your active dogs and puppies need to thrive. This pack contains bot Grain-Free Classic Chicken & Carrots Entrée and Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Entrée.

Also packed with 23 essential vitamins and minerals for a complete and balanced diet. Great as an individual meal or as a topper for kibble dinners. They have become one of my fuzzy family members favorites meals this season and with everyone from our elderly pets to our new Great Pyrenees puppy enjoying these canned varieties, we will definitely continue to add these Purina Pro Plan products to future Chewy/com orders this season!

Key Benefits Include:

Antioxidants that support a strong immune system
Protein and fat levels help to promote ideal body composition
Omega-6 fatty acids to maintain healthy skin and coat
And is made without any added artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

Like with all of our previous Chewy.com purchased, our Purina Pro Plan products arrive at your doorstep in just a couple of days of ordering, without any quality control issues, and so we will continue ordering these awesome products in the months to come as well! As you can see, its well-liked in our home!

It’s our new favorite way to nourish and nurture our dogs at home this season! Now I have to ask, what grain-free or holistic food products are you buying for your pets this season? Or have you previously tried other products in the Purina Pro Plan line from Chewy.com or other retailers at home? I’d love to hear about your expierneces with this line below!

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