Our Holly Days

By Holly Sosa

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PAPYRUSXTaylorSwift #CollectiveBias

I’m a paper gal. There’s hardly ever a stationery collaboration or greeting card release that ever gets by me. I salivate walking down the stationery aisle at Target and the greeting card aisle is what gets me out of bed everyday. Alright, maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but my love for paper? Sister that’s soul mate stuff.

When I found out one of my favorite greeting card and gift giving accessory brands, Papyrus, was working on a line of greeting cards inspired by Taylor Swift, I was super excited because Taylor is sparkles and shine and I just knew that they’d bring that through in their designs. When I saw the cards on display at my local Target, they were everything I’d hoped for. Girly, glitzy, and fabulously fun; embossed in metallics and loaded with fun personality, these cards would make any recipient feel special. Though I’m selfish and took extra for myself because I knew I needed these cards as a permanent fixture in my life; so I created some DIY Office Art to display the bold and girly designs where they could inspire me where I do my girl boss thing everyday.

SUPPLIES

• three Taylor Swift for Papyrus greeting cards
• three photos frames, preferable matted

Is this even a real tutorial? I mean, you just stick the cards inside the frames and secure them with tape, ha! But nonetheless it’s a creative way to display these bright and personality-filled cards and it’s easy to do. Plus, I bet no one else will have this art on their walls (unless it’s me, because I definitely do!).

I love that this DIY Office Art embraces what makes me unique and shows off my personal style with bold colors, glitter, and jewels. There are times when I’m feeling overwhelmed or uninspired with my work and it’s just scientifically impossible to be bummed out when you’ve got these beauties hanging above your desk, I just know it, ha!

The Taylor Swift cards for Papyrus are offered for all of life’s little celebrations, but the main focus is on friendships. My little sister is my best friend and since we live so far away, I loved that I could send a little sparkle and shine her way with these perfectly embellished little lovelies. There are a total of 44 designs and each is uniquely numbered so you can create your own collection. Gallery wall anyone?! The collaboration is exclusive to Target, so if you’re wanting to grab some of these for yourself, you’ll have to head there.

Check out the entire Taylor Swift cards for Papyrus collection here and be sure to follow Papyrus on Facebook for more paper loving fun!

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By Holly Sosa

This post is sponsored by Foster Farms. Thank you to Foster Farms for partnering with me. And thank you readers for supporting the brands that support this blog and my family.

As someone who carefully plans out her family’s menu each week, ensuring I make healthy choices is important to me. But I’m also a lover of food and how it can bring comfort. I think most of us can think of at least one meal that makes us feel like we’ve come home. Inspired by Foster Farms and their #NewComfortFood campaign, which invites families to explore new comfort foods, I recreated an old favorite of my husband’s, Balsamic Glazed Chicken, and thought I’d share the recipe with you.

To start, you’ll want to grab two Foster Farms Simply Raised Chicken breasts (boneless skinless) and fillet them, creating thin slices. Crack some pepper over them and sprinkle some kosher salt on top.

Next, in a heated skillet with a touch of olive oil, add the breasts to the pan and let them cook on one side for a couple of minutes.

Flip them over and drizzle some balsamic vinegar glaze over the top. Allow the chicken to cook thoroughly before removing from the pan.

I like to serve this over a bed of rice and with zucchini in the summer. In the fall or winter, I serve it with green beans and a lightly buttered pasta. It soothes the soul and, for my husband especially, gives you that comfort food feeling we’re all familiar with.

Foster Farms’ Simply Raised Chicken is antibiotic free, locally raised, fresh, and natural which makes it a comforting choice for me when choosing what to serve my family. As a mindful planner and a lover of food, I’m concerned about what goes on the dinner table and Foster Farms is always there for me.

Balsamic Glazed Chicken

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Ingredients

• 2 Foster Farms Simply Raised Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless)
• ¼ cup balsamic glaze
• salt, pepper to taste
• olive oil

Instructions

1. Fillet chicken breasts to create thin sliced chicken cutlets and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat.
3. Add chicken breasts and allow to cook for two minutes.
4. Flip breasts and drizzle with glaze.
5. Cook chicken until cooked through completely (about 3-4 minutes each side).
6. Serve immediately.

3.5.3208

Get inspired to explore new comfort foods at FosterFarms.com where you can learn more about their story, get recipes, and learn more about the products they offer.

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By Holly Sosa

My oldest son, Collin, fancies himself a gamer. His interest in technology was clear from a early age and at almost-seven-years-old, he think he’s a total pro. In fact, when we went back to school shopping for clothing, the only shirt he wanted was a graphic t-shirt that read: Trust me. I’m a gamer. He introduces himself to new friends as Collin the gamer and then immediately asks them if they are also a gamer. Collin has interest in everything from gaming systems to photo/video equipment, and of course, his beloved Amazon Fire Tablet.

My little gamer loves experimenting with an trying new games. He has his classic favorites that remain in his rotation, but he’s never afraid to try something new. With the settings on our Fire Tablet, he has to come to me to download any new games. While I love to foster his excitement for technology, unfortunately I’ve had to turn him down many times because I just don’t want to fork over extra money for a game I’m not sure is something he’ll be keeping. But with Amazon Underground, I’m able to give him a little more freedom since we have access to over 3,000+ apps and games. With over 300+ premium education apps, Collin also gets to supplement his homework with what feel like games to him, but are actually new ways for him to be excited about learning through technology. And yes, he also gets to choose and enjoy other games that interest him like Zootopia, Sonic Dash, and Angry Birds.

Amazon Underground gives you all the same access to your trusty Amazon shopping, just with a cool upgrade that gives you access to all of their free games and apps. To download it, simply go here and follow the on-screen instructions. You’ll have to enable the unknown sources in your settings, but that’s just so that you’ll be able to download the apps through Amazon since most Androids default to GooglePlay. Once Amazon Underground is installed, just use the menu button to start browsing and downloading.

Collin loves exploring for new games and there’s not more whining about how much games cost. For me, it’s been a great reward system for him (and his siblings!) when he does well in school or at home with extra help. There’s no reward my little gamer dude loves more than trying out a new app.

Learn more about Amazon Underground and see their catalog of 100% free apps & games here. You can also gain access through your Android smart phone or Amazon Fire Tablet here.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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By Holly Sosa

This review was made possible by iConnect Influencer Management, Febreze, and Swiffer was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.

I feel like fall cleaning doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Spring takes all the glory for herself and leaves fall behind in her dust. For me, I much prefer fall cleaning to spring cleaning. I like to purge and deep clean before the weather drives us all indoors for the winter so we can enjoy a clutter-free holiday season and start with a fresh slate before decorating for fall. Move over spring cleaning, fall is here to announce her arrival.

Never one to tackle a project without a handy list, I took to my trusty planner to create a helpful rundown of everything I want to accomplish before the end of October. From purging closets to refreshing with Febreze, this planner page keeps my thoughts organized so I can execute everything without overwhelming myself.

Starting with some basics sets a foundation for me and gets my home feeling more fresh before the fall weather drives us all inside. Cleaning all the places that go neglected all year like door knobs, baseboards, and even the washer and dryer. I also like to use my Swiffer WetJet Mop for wood floors and give my kitchen floors a nice bath, too. The stronger pad attachment keeps my cleaning pad in place as I clean and the new solution formula helps me to get those stubborn spot up with ease.

Once I complete my basics, I start getting a littler deeper into my home. Emptying and purging cupboards, closets, bookshelves, and anywhere else that needs to be decluttered.

Lastly, I complete the traditional fall tasks like flipping the mattresses, washing curtains, cleaning gutters, and more. But my grand finale is always and will always be a lovely little spritzing of Febreze. For fall, the Febreze in Big Sur scent is the perfect mix of citrus and spice that makes me feel like I’m relaxing on a hammock in between two sandalwood trees, cozied up with a cable knit blanket, and reading a book. While this is how I like to wrap up my fall cleaning, let’s be honest here, I do this at least every other day, ha!

My home always feels more refreshed, clean, and welcoming after I go through my fall cleaning checklist and then do my little Febreze dance around the house. Carpets and upholstery are freshened, my stinky boy’s closet is de-mustified, and my dog’s bed is stank-free. Plus my cabinets are de-cluttered and reorganized to help us get through the cold seasons with minimum frustrations.

Want to try out Febreze in Big Sur scent and Swiffer WetJet Mop for yourself? You can find both products in most retail stores near you. In the meantime, you can also enter to win a prize pack featuring both products. To enter, simply comment below with your favorite thing about fall. Entries will close on September 30th, 2016.

Are you Team Spring or Team Fall? Let me know in the comments below! And be sure to visit the Febreze page via Facebook for more ideas like this one.

The post Fall Cleaning Checklist | Planner Pages appeared first on Our Holly Days.

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By Holly Sosa

This post is sponsored by Honey Bunches of Oats through the Mom It Forward Network. All thoughts, opinions, and ideas are my own. Thank you to Honey Bunches of Oats for partnering with me and thank you readers for supporting the brands that support this blog and my family.

Honey Bunches of Oats never lasts long in my home. My husband practically wolfs down the entire box the moment a box of it enters the kitchen. Whether it’s poured into a bowl or eaten straight out of the box, Honey Bunches of Oats is never a mindless snack and always delights and satisfies on more than one level. The variety of tastes and textures found in our beloved cereal – from crispy flakes to crunchy oat clusters and a sweet kiss of honey – it’s an eating experience. It’s no wonder my husband can’t resist diving right in.

Because of our love for Honey Bunches of Oats, we were excited for their new THIS. IS. EVERYTHING.^TM campaign that celebrates the multiplicity of tastes and textures found inside our favorite box. Their new microsite gives fans like my husband an opportunity to star in their own THIS. IS. EVERYTHING. video while also earning a chance to win a $10,000 prize. I made my family’s own version using the site and have to admit, it’s pretty cool starring in my own commercial. Plus, just check out my two little dudes holding those hilariously huge superimposed spoons.

Make your own commercial starring you or your family at HoneyBunchesThisisEverything.com and upload three photos to be imposed into the video. You’ll also be entered for a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize. If you create a video and come back here to leave a comment with your link, I’ll be giving away a prize pack of my own. Our Holly Days readers who create their own commercial and then return here, commenting with their video’s link will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $75 Visa gift card along with a box of delicious Honey Bunches of Oats. I’ll select a winner no later than October 15th, 2016. What are you waiting for? Show me your commercial!

For more Honey Bunches of Oats fun, be sure to visit their Facebook page where they’ll be sharing lots of THIS. IS. EVERYTHING.™ goodness.

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By Holly Sosa

This post is sponsored by ScriptSave® WellRx. All thoughts, opinions, and ideas are my own. Thank you to ScriptSave WellRx for partnering with me and thank you readers for supporting the brands that support this blog and my family.

As you may already know, my family is big. Being a blended family means we often have a total of five kids running around this house. You know what that means? Sickness. It means I’m bound to have sick kids as they come and go from their other parents homes and from ours to theirs. We spread germs, lots of them. I also have a toddler and two rough and tumble boys. So guess what else that means? Emergency room visits, last year we racked up four of those bad boys. I find that I definitely make more trips to the pharmacy being a mom of a large family and that means out of pocket expenses that I loathe paying. In order to save some money I’ve started using Scriptsave® WellRx.

Scriptsave Well RX can save you money on the cost of prescriptions. It is completely free and so unbelievably easy to use via the app. You can also opt to have a card mailed to you if you prefer. It allows you to compare the prices of prescriptions at various pharmacy locations right from your phone or copmuter. When you find one, all you have to do is show your discount card or use the app on your smart phone to get your discounted price. The average discount is 44%. FORTY FOUR PERCENT YOU GUYS! Can you imagine what you would do with the extra money? I will definitely be putting it away to help us fund Christmas.

The Scriptsave Well RX is really helpful for those who have insurance but have high out of pocket costs too. The app and/or card is free and it allows you to compare the discounted price with your insurances price. You may find that the discounted price is still better than what you would have to pay with insurance.

The app not only shows you where your nearest pharmacy is located, but it will also show the cost at each pharmacy so you know who carries it for a lower price. This is so great for me when I am in Vegas picking up my son after a visit with his dad and need to find a quick place to fill a prescription. Check out the difference here $4.00 at one versus $10.22 at another all within about a 2.5 mile radius. That’s already an instant $6.22 I’m saving when using WellRX.

You can download the app or request your card here using invite code HollyDays. Sign up then start showing your discount card to save right away, it’s too easy not to.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ScriptSave® WellRx.

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By Holly Sosa

This post was developed in partnership with Clairol Nice’n Easy, as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

It might not be officially fall for another week or so, but I’m already elbow deep in copious amounts of PSL, warm leggings, leather boots, and rich fall eyeshadow colors. If all of that is basic, I don’t want to be anything else! With the coming of the cooler weather, I swap out my blonde highlights for warmer toned, milk chocolate colored hair. Over the weekend, I couldn’t wait any longer and went for it, grabbing a box of Nice’n Easy in Natural Light Golden Brown (6G/116A), and yet another PSL to celebrate my miniature transformation.

I frequently experiment with at-home coloring because it’s an easy solution and because I love having control over my hair destiny with the superior natural looking color Clairol gives me. With three salon tones combined in one simple step, I achieve results I’m excited about and I get 100% gray coverage.

Before beginning any at-home process with my hair, I always complete an allergy test. Instructions for this are found inside the box. I’ve never received any concerning results from these tests, but I prefer (and recommend) being safe and testing every single time.

Following the enclosed directions, I mixed my color per the labeled bottles before applying the color.

Starting at my roots, I apply the color and continue over the rest of my head, following the directions enclosed in the box. This is a great look, isn’t it?

Once the color has processed, I rinse out my hair and condition it with the CC Color Seal Cream. My favorite part of the process is slathering this luxurious stuff over my locks. It makes my hair crazy soft, lustrously shiny, and brilliant.

Goodbye highlights.

Hello rich warm chocolate.

Experimenting with my hair for the seasons gives me added confidence and leaves me feeling a little extra fabulous. I love that Clairol encourages women to try new things and be bold in their confidence.

Clairol Nice’n Easy is available in 45 different shades, which makes finding your perfect shade for fall easy. Clairol Nice’n Easy believes when you do something new, push your boundaries, and break your routines that we all reap the rewards. Our confidence grows and we believe in ourselves just a little bit more each and every time. Whether it’s trying a new yoga pose, or experimenting with a new hair color, doing something new empowers us and gives us that confident bounce in our step. To help celebrate confidence, Clairol has partnered with I-C to host a contest where you can enter for a chance to win one of five TicketMaster gift cards (each valued at $500). From August 21, 2016 through October 7th, 2016. Use the form below to enter.

Nice’n Easy #ColorConfidently Giveaway

*I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes (5 winners).

The post Fall Hair Don’t Care appeared first on Our Holly Days.

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By Holly Sosa

Born in Michigan > raised in Vegas > currently in the High Desert. My life has taken me across the country, but no matter where I live, Michigan has always had my heart. Whether it’s because I spent summers there as a child or because that’s where my family – my roots – are, I’ll always have Mitten State pride inscribed inside.

One way I show love for my home state is through rooting for Michigan teams. With football season here – and my Lions killing it at their first game of the season – I’m all about wearing my Lions pride whenever I can. Though the High Desert isn’t brimming with Lions gear, NFLShop.com has me covered with plenty of women’s apparel that displays my team.

When game day comes, I like to stay casual with distressed jeans, my Lions tank top from NFLShop.com, and a blue flannel cinched around my waist. No casual outfit is complete without sneakers and a ponytail. I’ve got to stay comfortable in order to have optimum jump-off-the-couch-cheering; or yelling at the referee.

The 2016 NFL Apparel collection has a wide variety of styles – from jerseys to jackets and hoodies to hats – so I can wear my passion for my team whenever, wherever. It’s all on NFLShop.com/Women. With the High Desert weather still being pretty warm, I love my Lions tank top, but for when the weather gets warmer, I also grabbed a Lions cardigan to stay cozy with my PSL, of course!

I plan to wear my Lions cardigan with a pair of leggings and a baggy black shirt and boots for the ultimate fall weather game day apparel. I basically live in leggings and boots in the fall and now that I have my favorite team on a cardigan, I have an official fall uniform, ha!

Browse apparel for your favorite team on NFLShop.com/Women and show your hometown pride in style.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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By Holly Sosa

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bioré®. Thank you to Bioré® for partnering with me and thank you readers for supporting the brands that support this blog and my family.

Living in the desert comes with it’s own set of skin concerns. Here in the High Desert the climate is hot, dry, dusty, and often windy. As a gal who sweats a lot already, by the end of my day my face is oily and dry all in one weird combination. I’ve had to navigate the issues that come with makeup, sweat, and dust clogging my pores. I’ve got three tried and true methods that (when I stick to regularly!) give me healthier looking skin that not only looks great, but feels amazing.

Deep clean your skin 2-3 times weekly

I deep clean my face and neck a few times each week with Bioré® Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub. I love how fresh it smells, but more importantly I appreciate that it doesn’t dry out my skin like most face washes. The fizzy baking soda also gives me control over how much or little exfoliation I need over my skin that day because I control how much powder I use.

The fizzing also gives me weird satisfaction, but more importantly the water activated powder exfoliates, deep cleans my pores, and leaves my skin visibly smoother.

I get the benefits of removing flaky dry skin while minimizing oil. Living in the desert, my skin already fights dryness, so having a face wash I can depend on to not dry me out is the bees knees…and feet…and toes!

Use, use, use moisturizer

Moisturizer isn’t an option when you’re living in a dry climate like the desert. Not only does daily application soothe your skin, but moisturized skin doesn’t wrinkle as fast. I shoot for twice daily, once before I apply my makeup and once after I remove it before bed at the end of the day.

Drink water

Drinking water is essential, but especially so when one lives in the desert. There is often little relief from the sizzling sun so staying hydrated keeps you moving. But drinking water also helps to hydrate your skin from the inside out.

When caring for your skin, it’s important to be able to adjust to the climate accordingly. Using products like the Bioré® Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub that give you a little more control over your routine are a great place to start. And whether you’re a desert dweller like me or not, these tips are a great place for you to start taking control over your skin by incorporating them into your own skincare routine.

Enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win.

Biore is giving away a year’s supply of Biore Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub and Biore Baking Soda Pore Cleanser. Enter here!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bioré®.

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By Holly Sosa

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ProtectYourEverything #CollectiveBias

As a family of five, our home is not ever going to be a picture of perfection. We have walls that have been colored on, curtain rods that are slightly bent from little hands pulling on them, and our couches have taken quite a beating over the years. As a self-proclaimed neat freak, it’s been quite the growing experience for me to learn how to accept my home’s little personality traits. But it also doesn’t mean that I don’t do my best to protect what I can to ensure we get the most life out of our upholstered furniture while also embracing the new wall art my three year old made after discovering a rogue marker.

Of all the furniture in our home, our couches have taken on the worst wear and tear. With small children still growing and making messes, we aren’t ready to make the move to purchase new ones. Instead we hire cleaners to come steam clean them every year or so and afterwards I protect the fresh fabric with a coat of Scotchgard™ Fabric & Upholstery Protector. It’s pure magic for people like me who cringe at a spilled sippy cup or a clumsy husband with a fresh milkshake on the couch.

Print off a coupon for $2.00 off Scotchgard™ Fabric Protector here.

Scotchgard™ Fabric Protector keeps my couches looking their best by repeling liquids and by blocking stains by pushing them away from the fabric fibers so stains release easily. It doesn’t change the look, feel or breathability of fabrics and it’s safe to use on delicate and dry clean fabrics. It’s a perfect solution for families like mine (or really anyone!) who wants to get the most out of their stuff while the kiddos are still little destroyers, ha!

To apply I simply shake the can and apply a light coat over the upholstery of the couch (after removing blankets and other fabrics, of course). I pay special attention to the areas with the most wear and tear like the arms.

Using a slow, sweeping motion I cover the couch with one light coat and then let it dry before applying an additional light coat.

Because I have small kiddos, we have plenty of fabrics and upholstery that needs protection from accidental spills and they’re all protected with a layer of Scotchgard™ Fabric Protector. We use it on our bean bags, desk chairs, curtains, backpacks, and my boys’ hats. It’s so versatile and because it works so well, I want to apply it on ALL THE THINGS! Plus it’s available at Target, which we moms know is pretty much a daily stop.

For more information on how to protect your everything with Scotchgard™ Fabric & Upholstery Protector, be sure to visit them here.

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