One of Kaelyn's favorite things about our old house was her bedroom. She loved the fun colors, as well as one feature in particular...her initials on the wall. She enjoyed telling me the letters almost every day and explaining what they stood for. Since that was not something we could take with us when we moved in September, I told her that we'd figure out a new way to display her initials in her room.

Once we got moved in and had her room pretty well put together...we decided it was time to get her initials up on the wall. Kaelyn was very eager to help me every step of the way which was a lot of fun. Since I'm planning to share some of the fun activities and projects my kids and I do together each week here on my blog...I thought this would be a fun one to share this week.

Instead of doing vinyl letters, we thought it would be fun to get creative and have something a little more colorful and fitting for her brightly colored bedroom. She and I went to Hobby Lobby, and as we looked around...I got an idea. We decided to make Shadow Box Initials. Here is what we got for the project:

• 3 8 x 10 Shadow Box Display Cases
  
• 3 pieces of scrapbook paper to match her bedroom (I got 2 pieces of one print and 1 that had more colors in it for the middle initial)
  
• 3 white wooden letters

I love Hobby Lobby because they are always having sales. When we bought our supplies for her Shadowbox Initials, we got 40% off or more on everything. It was a very inexpensive way to add a personal touch to her room.

I apologize for not having step by step photos, but the process is very simple. I first cut down each piece of scrapbook paper to fit the shadow box. If you've ever purchased shadow boxes from Hobby Lobby before, your might remember that they have pins that hold the paper that comes inside of them. I used the pins like nails, and once I had the scrapbook paper in place...I put the pins in and hung the letters right from them. It worked perfectly!



Each letter fits nicely in the shadow boxes, and having the colorful background really adds a fun splash of color and ties it into her bedroom nicely. She and I both had fun putting these together and love the way they turned out!!

Like last week, if you have any fun projects or activities you've done with your little ones...feel free to share with us in the comments section below. :)

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Having just had my third baby 9 weeks ago, I'm still working on getting my body back into shape. Although I know it will never look like it did before children... I know losing a few pounds, toning up, and overall just living an even healthier lifestyle will make me feel more confident and happy about myself.

The problem is...between a lack of motivation and the fact that I just love food way too much...diets never seem to go as planned. That's why I've committed myself to trying to do light workouts a few times a week. This usually consists of getting on my elliptical during the kids' nap time. Of course, I always feel better after working out, but the best part is seeing the numbers go down on the scale every week! I like to keep track of my weight loss, and what better way to do that than with the reliability and encouragement of the new Weight Watchers® by Conair™ Digital Scale and was so happy when asked to review one!

When the scale arrived, I was immediately impressed with the sleek, modern design. It's very slim and a nice size to sit in the bathroom without standing out too much. The silver glass look goes well with our decor and is something I don't mind having sit out for other people to see...and use.


I couldn't be happier with how easy it is to use. There's a button on the bottom that you can switch from lbs to kg. Once you have it where you want it, simply tap your foot on the middle of the scale, and once the easy to read 1.5" digital display turns on...step on and weigh yourself.

This scale seems to be very accurate and I love that it shows even the slightest bit of change in weight. It's such an encouragement to see the pounds drop...even if it's only 1/2 a pound!

I personally need a little motivation and inspiration when it comes to losing weight, which is why I love the idea of this scale. The neatest thing about it, is unlike other scales, this one comes with 15 reusable stickers (in black and color) that have inspirational messages such as, "Every day is a new day", "Live, Laugh, Love", "Smile", etc. There's even a blank label where you can write your own message such as "I will fit back into my swimsuit by June".

These static cling stickers can adhere anywhere on the glas, and peel off just as easily as they go on. I love that they can be switched out so easily! It's a great way to personalize your scale, not mention a fantastic way to make it a personal coach or a motivational friend that encourages you to keep up the good work.



I love this scale. The stickers are a lot of fun and they really do remind me that I'm working hard and to take it one day at a time. I am thrilled with the quality, and considering there's a 10 year warranty...you really can't go wrong with this great scale. If you're looking for a great scale that will also help motivate you to continue your healthy lifestlye choices...I would definitely recommend the Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale Model WW58S.

If you just want a good old simple weight measurement, but with extraordinary style, the best-selling Weight Watchers scale, Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Painted Glass Scale Model WW24, is also a great choice! The smooth scale has an easy-to-read 1.3” digital display with a “tap-on” scale activator. There is a high-strength tempered safety glass with decorative silk screen available in white, red, or blue. The scale is 11.8” X 12.6” and has a 400-lb. capacity. The scale runs on long-life AAA lithium batteries that are included and has a 10-year warranty just like the other scale.

Also, be sure to visit the new Conair Scales web site for the Weight Watchers by Conair Scales to learn more about the scales, yummy recipes, and body analysis. Starting on Jan. 12th, answer a short survey for your chance to be one of 10 winners for the WW58S or WW24. Visit www.conairscales.com for more details!

Buy It: You can purchase the Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale Model WW58S nationwide at stores such as Kmart and online at www.conair-store.com for an average retail price of $29.99. You can purchase the Weight Watchers® by Conair™ Digital Painted Glass Scale Model WW24 for $29.99 nationwide at stores such as Target, Sears, Meijer, Fry’s and online.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win the Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale Model WW58S like the one I received!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Conair Scales and let me know another one of their scales you like.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Conair Scales) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

2. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale! http://bit.ly/xzeENz Ends 2/9

3. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

4. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

5. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

6. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

7. Enter any of my current giveaways for an extra entry...ONE extra entry for EACH giveaway you enter!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 9th and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Conair. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for delicious recipes that don't take a lot of time. I thought it would be fun to start sharing some of the recipes I make and find, each week here on my blog. If you'd like to play along, simply blog about a yummy recipe you enjoy making and leave a link to your post in the comments section so we can all check it out.

This week I thought I'd share one of my new FAVORITE breakfast (or anytime of the day) recipes! It's a Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring recipe that I came across on Pinterest, originally posted on the All Things Delicious blog (you can find more detailed pictures of the step by step process here). Thank you Hannah for your permission to share this recipe with my readers!!

Ingredients:

2 small tubes refrigerator buttermilk biscuits OR 1 tube Pillsbury Grands buttermilk biscuits

3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

1/2 C. pancake syrup

1/3 C. packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 C. chopped pecans, opt.

1/4 C. chopped almonds, opt.

Directions:
1. Combine the melted butter and syrup in a bowl and set aside. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (I just used chopped pecans, but you could really use anything you like or none at all).

2. Spray a fluted pan with non-stick spray and place about half of the syrup mixture in the bottom of the pan. Then sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture on top.

3. Lay the biscuits on the bottom of the pan close together to form a ring. (I used 2 small tubes of the Pillsbury refrigerated buttermilk biscuits which worked out perfectly)

4. Once you have your biscuits in the bottom of the pan, simply top with the remaining syrup mixture and then the sugar mixture.
5. Bake at 375º for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Once done, cool for 1 minute in the pan, then invert onto a large plate or platter

This sticky bun recipe is absolutely amazing!! I love that it's super easy to make and calls for ingredients that I almost always have on hand. I also appreciate that in just 20 minutes it's done. It's the perfect recipe idea for breakfast (or if you're like us, any time of day!).

My pictures do not even do this Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring justice. It is AMAZING! If you end up trying this recipe out, let me know if you love it as much as my family does! It's definitely a new favorite in our house!!

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Once I had children, I found I carried my purse a lot less than I used to. Now I tend to stick my wallet, cosmetics, keys, etc right in the diaper bag since that's something we carry with us wherever we go. Unfortunately, this is not always the smartest decision...as I am often digging for my things amongst the diapers, wipes, spare clothes, etc. I have been needing an easy way to take the things from my purse and take them along with me in the diaper bag without becoming completely unorganized. Thanks to Purse Bling, I have found a solution!
Purse Bling is a company that focuses on providing excellent quality products with awesome customer service. This family owned business is run by people with a desire to help women find harmony with their handbags.

For those who visit here often, you may remember the review I did for Purse Bling and the Clipa Purse Hook. I was very pleased with this product and couldn't have been happier to learn I was going to have the opportunity to review another one of their fantastic items. As I looked around their website, I was instantly drawn to the Purse to Go Zip Ups and had a feeling this is exactly what I've been looking for and needing!
When the Purse to Go Zip Up Purse Organizer arrived, I was excited to check it out. Pulling it out of the package, I was impressed with the quality right off the bat. The fabric is durable and thick...something I know will last me a very long time!
I have a large purse and diaper bag, so I requested the jumbo size which has been perfect, measuring 14.5"L x 7.5"H x 4"W. I love it! It easily slides right into my purse, helping me keep things in place and easy to find. The jumbo size Purse to Go has 8 pockets which has worked out great for me. It has one 5.75" wide pocket, one 5" wide pocket, one 4.5" pocket, one 3.25" wide pocket, one 3" wide pocket, one 2.75" wide pocket, one 1.75" wide pocket and one 1" wide pocket. I now have a place for everything and feel so much more organized.

I was going to go with a darker color, but then decided to go with a lighter color instead. I'm really happy I did. The inside of my purse and diaper bag are dark brown and black, so having something light has made it much easier to see and find things in the pockets when needed.
The neatest feature about this purse organizer, is that it's actually a Purse to Go because it zips up. It's great for a little more privacy in your purse when you don't want the whole world seeing everything you have in it every time you open it up. Not only that, but it makes transferring the important items from my purse to the diaper bag super easy! Of course, it can also be used unzipped if you have larger items you would like to fit in it as well...but I have found the zipper to be very helpful!
The versatility of this product is great. It's perfect for diaper bags and purses, but is also a nice place to keep cosmetics, men's toiletries, or even in a laptop bag to keep things like flash drives, discs, cords, etc organized.

In the time I've been using the Purse to Go Zip Up Purse Organizer from Purse Bling, I have been very impressed. The quality is fantastic, and the versatility and organization it provides is great. I love being able to keep all of the smaller items from my purse all in one place without having to dig for it. It's exactly what I had been looking for and am so happy to now have it. I would definitely recommend it to others looking to organize smaller items in their purse, diaper bag, briefcase, etc.

Buy It: You can purchase the Purse to Go Zip Up Purse Organizer from Purse Bling in several different sizes (and colors), with prices starting at $21.95.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Purse to Go Zip Up of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Purse Bling and let me know another one of their products you like.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Like Purse Bling On Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Purse Bling on Twitter

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Purse Bling) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Purse Bling Purse to Go Zip Up Purse Organizer! http://bit.ly/Anx2x0 Ends 2/3

5. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

6. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

7. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

8. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

9. Enter any of my current giveaways for an extra entry...ONE extra entry for EACH giveaway you enter!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 3rd and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Purse Bling. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**