Archive for 'Motherlode Must-Haves' Category
LOVE this idea: Artwork display and storage frame!
Shannon and I were taking a spin around Target not long ago when we spotted this product and decided it must have been invented by a fellow mom because it’s pure genius. It’s an “artwork display and storage frame”, which basically means it’s like a regular photo frame only this one has a front door [...]
Motherlode Must-Have: The snot sucker
Ewwwww, right? Well, yeah, except several local moms have told us it really works! I really hate those bulb suckers (they just seem so unsanitary since you can’t clean ‘em!) but this seems like a great invention. I especially like that it has hygiene filters that you change out with each use. We asked local [...]
Bling for eyeglasses! Love it!
When I found out I needed glasses in the fifth grade, I thought it was a social death sentence. I figured I was doomed to dork-dom for the rest of my academic career. As soon as my mom said it was okay for me to try contact lenses in the seventh grade, I did it [...]
Motherlode Must-Have: Kid ‘toys’
OK, mamas, Melody’s Choices has some new, trendy do-dads for kids that are stinkin’ cute. My daughter has a Snap Caps bottle cap necklace and it’s so much fun! You buy the necklace, which has a magnet on it, then choose from a variety of painted bottle caps. Instant bling! You can just switch out [...]
Motherlode Must-Have: Lysol Healthy Touch soap dispenser
Okay, it might not be the prettiest soap dispenser in town, but it does get extra points for being cool. I saw the Lysol Healthy Touch Hand Soap System on display at Wal-Mart a few weeks ago and decided to give it a try. Just like so many mamas, I feel like I’m CONSTANTLY reminding [...]
Motherlode Must-Have: No-glob mascara!
Finally, I found it! For years, I’ve been frustrated about mascara because I couldn’t find one I could apply without ending up with at least one or two globs of extra mascara on my lashes. Of course, when you get a glob on your lashes, you’ve got to get a tissue or a eyelash comb [...]
Motherlode Must-Have: Camp Hoodie Jacket
By Gwen Rockwood, Motherlode mama of 3 I believe that, when a mom finds something for her kid that really works great and holds up well, we owe it to our fellow mamas to spread the word far and wide. After all, we’re all in this thing together, and the best suggestions usually come from [...]
Motherlode Must-Have: A clear complexion
This Motherlode mama must have Merle Norman LUXIVA Clear Complexion Moisturizer every.single.month. I guess it’s the salicylic acid, but this is one of my best-kept secrets to keeping my complexion clear. I always use it the week before my period and it keeps me from getting those huge, painful pimples. I still get them occasionally, [...]
Motherlode Must-Have: Cute Clutch!
My recycled newspaper clutch receives so many compliments, Gwen has joked, “I’m going to start saying, “Hi. I’m Gwen and this is my business partner, Shannon. And this is her purse.” The truth is I have fun with this unexpected conversation piece. My husband’s niece sent it to me and I wish I had a [...]
Motherlode Must Have: Lands’ End backpack
A few days ago, I got confirmation by mail that the summer is almost over. Two letters addressed to my sons arrived from the elementary school they’ll be attending as a second grader and kindergartner next month. Is it just me, or does the summer seem like it has literally flown by? Wow, that was [...]
Motherlode Must-Have: Rival Snow Cone Maker
Note: We are NOT paid to write product reviews, and we only recommend products we have tried and love in our “Motherlode Must-Haves” category. Is there any kid in the universe who doesn’t love a snow cone? I didn’t think so. So I was thrilled to find a compact snow cone maker that’s easy to [...]
Best Water Toys!
When the weather is this hot, it’s nice to have a few water toys around so the kids can play and stay cool at the same time. We talked to some sales clerks at Melody’s Choices and got their suggestions for some of this summer’s hottest, most popular water toys. Here’s the list as well [...]
Cute stuff we love
I defy any of you mamas not to melt a little and say “Awwwww… that’s adorable” when you see these cute little baby girl onesies we spotted recently. Shannon and I were doing a little shopping at Melody’s Choices, one of our website sponsors, searching for something to give a friend who just delivered her [...]
Motherlode Must-Have: Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner
Moms multitask. No big news there. But when we find something that helps us multitask while multitasking? Well, that’s huge. Recently SC Johnson asked the Motherlode mamas to review their new cleaner — Pledge Multi Surface. It’s important for you to know that we are NOT being paid by the company to write about this [...]
School’s (almost) Out: Teacher Gift Ideas
It’s almost time for the last bell to ring for summer vacation. And that means it’s time to consider thank-you gifts for those hard-working teachers who took such good care of our children throughout the school year. I just had lunch with a group of moms – two of whom were teachers – and here’s [...]
Check it out: Gadget girls will “flip” for this
By Gwen Rockwood, mama of 3 At my son’s preschool puppet show performance, I spotted a fellow mom a few rows ahead of me using the strangest little video camera. So, after the show, I popped over there to get a closer look and ask more about it. Charity Burdess is a Motherlode reader and [...]
Saturday, April 25: NWA Spring Boutique Show!
You like to buy local and you like to buy handmade. That’s why this boutique show is perfect for you! The Northwest Arkansas Spring Boutique Show features booths from 40 unique boutiques. Many of these women don’t have storefronts — they just work hard for months to bring NWA their favorite things for this annual [...]
Product review of Bumble & Bumble hair powder
Girls, let me tell you, my gray hair was shining through. I had just gotten a haircut at East Meets West Spa & Salon (atop the hill on Steele Boulevard by the new Shogun in Fayetteville) and Julie couldn’t help but notice my very gray roots. She gently suggested that I use some Bumble and [...]
Online Mamas: Are you using Firefox?
Before we started this website, we thought the term “Internet browser” meant somebody who liked to surf the Web. We have since learned that your Internet browser can make a huge difference in the quality of your time spent online. Do you know what type of Internet browser you’re using right now? If not, look [...]
Shop Talk: Easter clothes
With only a few weeks to go, Easter will be here before you can say “hopping down the bunny trail.” We thought we’d share a few online finds for cute Easter clothes. You’ve got to admit, mamas, Wal-Mart has come a long way in the kids’ clothing department. With nicer fabrics and better designs, it’s [...]