Christmas Ornaments + Specialty Gifts

Every year since I've been born, someone (or multiple someones) has given me a new ornament each Christmas. At 30... (something!) I have quite the collection and love unpackaging them each Christmas season! My mom has now continued the tradition for my kids and I look forward to the box of ornaments they will take with them someday. I love how she selects something special for each child whether it be their favorite sport or activity or something that is meaningful to them.
Enter the Bradford Exchange. They have a wide selection of specialty Christmas ornaments. You can be certain to find something special for anyone on your Christmas list!
Disney fan in your house? Go here to see their complete selection.

Some beautiful Thomas Kinkade selections.

 

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  For the girly-girl in your life!

 

Keepin' it real. :) 

STEELER fans! Go here to see their complete Steeler gift selection.

What fun gifts (or for yourself!) A complete line of Steeler gifts can be found here.

 

Penguin ornaments here.

 

They have a wide range of specialty gifts including jewelry, collectibles, home décor, dolls, trains & more! Many can be personalized as well.

 

Hope you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list this year!

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This post is sponsored by The Bradford Exchange. All opinions remain my own.

How we changed the course of sickness in our family

*I am not a medical professional, I am simply sharing my experience. Please consult with your doctor with any questions you might have regarding your health. Results using essential oils will vary.*
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My kids have always been pretty healthy and March - December we have had little to no sickness. But for the past couple years once we hit January/February, we couldn't avoid the multiple viruses that seemed to be everywhere around us.  So last winter I determined to study out better precautions as well as effective treatments without medicating everything. I began to hear of "essential oils". What are these hippy potions?!! :) One thing I began to learn as I found friends that have used them, was that NO ONE that used them had anything negative to say about their uses. Everyone who used oils seemed to find them powerful & effective, and highly recommended them. . I will share below what oils & remedies I have found, but first let me share, since we began using the oils last winter, what a difference it has made! We had no major viruses throughout our winter and sniffles could be cleared up with a day or two.  With 4 kids under 5, I did not even think that was possible! I have become a 100% believer and we continue to see the benefits and help of using the oils.

I am always looking to grow my stash!

*Please note: any oils that I talk about using, I use combined with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil. Be very careful about using any oil by itself, especially on kids (been there #momfail!) as it will irritate the skin. You can find carrier oils to use here. Plant Therapy has a great selection of bottles, roll-ons & droppers here - with definitely some of the cheapest prices!

My first recommendation was Germ Fighter. This helps boost the immune system and putting it on my kid's feet at night has been our first measure of protection. I also use it as a hand sanitizer (you can mix with a carrier oil, water or vodka). If you have a cold or sore throat, putting it on your chest or throat brings instant relief!
This contains essential oils of: Lemon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon cassia, and Rosemary

My second favorite oil has become Respir-Aid. For congestion, runny or stuffy noses, spreading on your nose/sinus passages and chest also brings instant relief.
Contains the 100% pure, undiluted essential oils of: Eucalyptus, Pine, Peppermint, Lavender, Spruce, Cypress, Marjoram.

A few months ago, my son woke up with a hacking cough & horrible congestion. I immediately began using these two oils on his chest, throat & nose. I did this several times throughout the day and within 24 hours he was completely symptom free. If you ask my 5yo, he will tell you how much he loves using oils! :)

Someone recently introduced me to PlantTherapy.com. They were kind enough to send me a few oils to try as well as answer some questions about their oils.
Frankincense is another oil for which I am still learning all the uses, I have heard several friends recommend it for multiple uses. Plant Therapy's site says, this essential oil is used to treat chronic ulcers, ringworm and menstrual pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of Frankincense serrata make it ideal for joint pain and for menstrual pain. One friend said her husband has suffered with terrible allergies and putting a dot of frankincense behind his ears each morning has given him complete relief. Sometimes with the oils, it's a matter of trial & error and different people may find different oils work for them in a variety of ways!
Oregano is another oil that came highly recommended to me. Oregano essential oil is said to have the following properties: analgesic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, choleretic, cytophylactic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, fungicidal, parasiticide, rubefacient, stimulant and tonic. Due to high carvacol content, Oregano essential oil is considered to be "nature's cure all" as it is reputed to have one of the best antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties.
Tea Tree Oil (also sometimes known as melaleuca) is another favorite oil for any type of skin irritation. Cradle cap, acne, rashes....it helps so much! Used in vapor therapy, Tea Tree Oil can help with colds, measles, sinusitis and viral infections. For skin and hair, Tea Tree has been used to combat acne, oily skin, head lice and dandruff. 

Here's my conversation with Retha of PlantTherapy.com who has her certificate in aromatherapy.
What oils have you used the most and for what purpose?
There are so many I could choose from. But if I am only going to pick a few I would have to say Lavender: sleeping issues, burns (sunburns or other types of burns), in the laundry, and in lotion for skin issues. Tea Tree: Laundry (it's great for getting rid of mildew smell in towels!), homemade cleaning products, acne (have use it in a carrier oil for a daily moisturizer and in a facial cleanser.) I did this mostly in my youth and not as much as an adult. I have also used Tea Tree for skin issues. Since Plant Therapy I would also add Germ Fighter: Homemade cleaning products, when sick (I gargle one drop in a mouthful of water and diffuse), I use it in my laundry, diffuse it during the holidays :), and have used it to make homemade hand sanitizer. 
What can you tell me about the new KidSafe line Plant Therapy offering?
We are so excited about this new line of synergies! We have been working on this new line for over 10 months with the help of Robert Tisserand. We wanted to make sure that these synergies were the absolute safest for young children so we went straight to the most well known, world renowned essential oil safety expert, Robert Tisserand. Working together, we came up with 19 new synergies that were specifically created for ages 2-10. Some people ask if these synergies can be used on children younger than 2 and the answer is yes. Most experts don't normally recommend the use of any essential oils on children under 2. But if used very sparingly and if diluted correctly, our KidSafe synergies can be used on children under 2. We also are asked if these can be used for adults and again the answer is yes. Although these oils are the safest for young children, they are still therapeutically very strong and you will find all of these oils in synergies and blends from every company being used for adults.

Why are your prices so much cheaper than DoTerra? 

We get this question a lot and I don't always know the answer. I believe one of the biggest reasons there is such a huge price difference is because Plant Therapy is not a multi-level company. We do not have reps that sell our oils and have to pay them a commission. We actually don't really do any form of advertising and without having to pay commission to reps, are prices can be a lot lower. Plant Therapy also has one warehouse in Twin Falls, ID where we bottle and label all of the oils ourselves. We do everything we can to keep the quality the absolute highest and the prices the absolute lowest.

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Be sure to check out the full line of Therapeutic Synergies (Blends). If you have more questions about Plant Therapy or the use of oils you can contact them at aromatherapist@planttherapy.com.

I use a combination of sprays & roll-ons.

But don't just take my word for it....a question posted on my personal facebook page revealed that mamas everywhere are using oils for many purposes!

Valerie: DigestZen (DoTerra) is amazing. Cures any stomach ache. My daughter has acid reflux, so whenever she has a "hurt tummy", I give her one drop with a teaspoon of honey (orally) and it is better within minutes! I tried it the other day for myself on an upset stomach, and it was amazing!

Sherry: I use Young Living oils and love lavender, lemon, thieves, frankincense, valor, orange, peppermint and a few blends that have worked well for so many things from mood to bug bites and everything in between. I've had great success using lemon topically to relieve cough/itchy throat. Lavender to relieve menstrual cramps and to treat skin irritations. Peppermint for stomach discomfort/nausea and headaches. Thieves for cleaning, preventing viruses/promoting health. And I LOVE a blend called purification (don't recall all that is in it) for antibacterial qualities for home and things like cuts and it works wonders on bug bites.Amy: My "can't live without" oil is lavender, but I really like tons of them!
Charis: We have used clove, lemon, tea tree, and peppermint some, but we use lavendar and eucalyptus almost every day. Lavender for insomnia and headaches. Eucalyptus for congestion.
Casey: It's kinda gross, but we've had success use YL oils Melrose & Thieves to remove planters worts. Also using lemon, peppermint, &thieves as a combo to rid off colds.
Sarah Jo:  I used peppermint oil for the first time in my third pregnancy. The past pregnancies I've struggled with hyperemisis Gravidarum (severe morning sickness in 3% of women) and I felt it helped a lot with the sickness.
Keara: My daughter gets terrible diaper rash from teething, I put a drop of lavender on the palm of my hand and mix it with the diaper creme I'm using. It totally clears it up by the next time I change her diaper!  I clean my face with tea tree oil at night. I diffuse eucalyptus at night in my kids rooms when they are sick. I had a couple weeks of tension migraines and peppermint oil/coconut oil on my forehead and temples really helped. Also, we love bananas, but this time of year they attract fruit flies in our house - diffusing lemongrass keeps them away - they don't like the smell.
Laura: I use Serenity, Balance, Citrus Bliss & Elevation. Frankincense is AMAZING for migraines & Past Tense is great for the normal headache. Melaleuca in water is great to get rid of a cough & lavender is good for sleep trouble. 
Lisa: I've used EO from Heritage Essential Oils. My husband was suffering from major back spasms and pain. He has 3 ruptured disks. His pain was so great he could hardly stand and felt like his back would give out at any moment. My sister-in-law recommended we try firepower and Muscle relax. (forget what's all in it) But the results were amazing.  In less then a week, he was able to start feeling like himself again and we apply anytime he starts to feel tight in his back and he rarely suffers with pain.
Desiree: I love Young Living oils! Lavender is my go to for just about anything, even during pregnancy. I put a drop or two of Purification in the soap of each load of laundry to get rid of any funky odors. I drop Lemon or Purification on new air filters when I change them to make the house smell nice and distribute them throughout our entire home. I could go on and on!
Shelly: I like making creams/salves to make the oils go further. We use a healing salve for cuts, burns, bites, etc and body cream and lotion for feet to help sleep. I follow a blog campwander.com that has lots of recipes.
Kim: I've used essential oils to make my own hand sanitizer using on guard and grapefruit and terra shield bug spray (both mixed with vodka alcohol).
Jen: My quick go list for oils are: deep blue for bruises, direct application, lavender for skin abrasions, fevers, calming, sleep, sinus issues, direct application, on guard, lemon and oregano blend for antibiotic blend, apply to bottoms of feet and throat for coughs, colds, infections. Purify in spray bottle to clean the air, dilute and apply for coughs. Rosemary diffused for wheezing. Breathe blend for respiratory issues, dilute and apply to chest, back of neck, spine and bottoms of feet. Digestzen applied to stomach and bottoms of feet for vomiting and or diarrhea. Add some lemon or grapefruit to water for liver cleansing.

And fellow Pittsburgh blogger, Stephanie, shares her wit & wisdom using Essential Oils here! :)

That is a little of what I have learned and am learning! I love not having to choose to medicate or not medicate. (For the record, I am not anti-medication and will use meds when I feel my kids need it, but using the oils has greatly reduced our need!) I no longer fear that we're going to pick up every virus every time we go to a museum or indoor play place in the winter. I encourage any moms to continue to study & research this out. Heading into germ season, just using Breathe / Respir-Aid or OnGuard / Germ Fighter will help your kids in big ways this winter. Mamas unite for a healthy year ahead for everyone! :)

Still skeptical? You might want to indulge in my hubby's "helpful" suggestion: My favorite oil is Hershey's chocolate oil. I melt a bar for 20 sec in the microwave then drink it. It helps cure my tummy needs.  

We don't take ourselves too seriously around here. :)

Have you found oils to be helpful in your daily life?

Ticket Giveaway: Heinz History Center

The Heinz History Center will be hosting a new family program this Sunday, October 5: Italian Heritage Day.

 (Photo courtesy of the Heinz History Center)

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Activities will be tailored for multi-generational families to enjoy together and include preparing traditional Italian American foods, learning basic Italian vocabulary, playing bocce, and experiencing Old World farming, all while enjoying the sounds of a roaming accordionist. There will also be an Italian American bazaar with vendors, live entertainment, and information tables about local Italian heritage groups.

 

This is great way for families to spend time together, especially since admission for all children age 17 and under will be FREE this day only! (Admission to the History Center for ages 6-17 is usually $6. 5 & under is always free.)

 

There are many exhibits that kids can enjoy throughout the museum!
 

Discovery Place features a hands-on labratory for families to learn about 250 years of Pittsburgh history and culture. Three stations depict the lives of children who grew up in Western Pennsylvania, including a touch-screen, interactive trivia game called "Get to the Point" that challenges visitors to use their new found knowledge of Pittsburgh innovations. Kids can "go to work" as an apprentice in a beauty salon or climb through a steel mill.

 

Kidsburgh is an fun, interactive, two-tier playplace for the history fans of tomorrow. Children will enjoy serving up Isaly's "ice cream" at their own play deli and milking a full-scale fiberglass "mooing" cow above Reymer's Old-Fashioned Deli.
An interactive model of Pittsburgh allows kids to design their own city of Pittsburgh using models of buildings, boats, and sports stadiums. When they're done, kids can zoom down a 12-foot spiral slide, nicknamed the "Liberty Tube."

They also recently started a program called Daniel Tiger’s Pittsburgh History Tour, designed for children ages 2-5 years old. If you ask at admissions, you can borrow a free family backpack. The backpacks are full of hands-on activities, including games, stories, crafts, and toys for imaginative play. Plus, they have adorable Daniel Tiger puppets inside!

GIVEAWAY:
We have a ticket giveaway for 2 tickets for Italian Heritage Day this Sunday, October 5th. (17 & under is free!) Tickets will be held under your name at the admissions desk. Please only enter if you are able to attend this Sunday! Go here to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway   

Senator John Heinz History Center

1212 Smallman St.

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

412-454-6458

www.heinzhistorycenter.org

Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.

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Adults: $15
Senior Citizens (62+): $13
Retired & Active Duty Military: $6
Students with a valid school ID: $6
Children ages 6-17: $6
Children ages 5 and under: Free
History Center Members: Free

Momtourage Top 5 / September 28 - October 4

Looking for something fun to do throughout the week in #Pittsburgh?

Here are my Top 5 suggestions for the week!

Park of the Week: Have you visited the Lozziwurm yet? Although it is not a typical park, it is a top stop for kids! They love following the tunnels and peeking through the holes throughout the structure (also helps parents be able to spot their little ones.) The Lozziwurm sits outside the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, but the gate facing the street is unlocked during museum hours for anyone to visit for FREE. M/Wed-Sat/10am-5pm, Sun/12-5pm. CLOSED TUESDAYS. 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. 412.622.3131

Fall Fun: Simmons Farm. Most of the fall festivals are happening on the weekends, but Simmons Farm is open every day! $13.50/ person includes a hayride, any size pumpkin, an apple and all the daily activities. ($10.50 / per person if you don't get a pumpkin.) Kids under 33 inches are FREE, but do have to pay for their pumpkin. Daily Fall activities include hayrides, pumpkin picking, 100 foot slide, a real fire truck with a slide, 4 acre corn maze challenge, 1 acre corn & hay maze, and a petting zoo. If you go on the weekend, there is also a butterfly house, apple sling shot, pumpkin carving, pony rides, food vendors & more! 170 Simmons Rd, McMurray PA 15317. 724-941-1490
Hours: 9am - 7pm Monday-Saturday /  9am - 6pm Sunday.

Indoor Play Space: The Seesaw Center is re-open for the season! The Seesaw Center is a nonprofit indoor play center for children of all abilities, from infancy through kindergarten age. Daily rate is $5/child. Memberships also available. Open M-F, 9:30am - 1pm, closed Sat/Sun. 935 Pine Ave., Castle Shannon, PA 15234. 412-953-6161.

Friday Night Fun: Un-Spooky Night Hike with The Outdoor Classroom. Friday, October 3rd, 8-10pm. Offered only in October under half and full moons is the UN-Spooky Hikes for scout groups and families. Explore the dark forests and the night. Because they do not set out to scare you, these hikes are fun for all ages and are held under the light of the moon! Pre-registration is required and only a limited number of people are taken each night so register early. General public night is Oct. 3, but you can call for private programs for 10 or more.  Hike take place at Boyce Mayview Park located in Upper St. Clair. $8 child / $6 adults. Go here to register.

Weekend Event: FREE admission at the National Aviary. Saturday, October 4th, 10am-4pm. (Courtesy of RADical Days.) Discover more than 150 amazing bird species from around the world under one roof on Pittsburgh's Northside. Get nose-to-beak with a colony of African penguins; admire free-flying birds in the tropical rainforest; meet Wookie, the two-toed sloth; and explore the newest exhibit Canary's Call, home to six Malayan Flying Foxes. 700 Arch Street, Allegheny Commons West (North Side)

Enjoy fun in #Pittsburgh this week!
#momtouragetop5

FREE weekly indoor play space

I recently heard about a free Wednesday play space and this week I went to check it out. THUMBS UP! Definitely a great option, especially as the cooler temps come and you're looking for somewhere indoors to take with your little ones.

ACAC opens its Kid's Center each Wednesday from 10am-noon.
There are 3 rooms: one for small infants, one for mobile babies, and one for the bigger kids. (I didn't get any pictures of the middle room as they asked me not to share any pictures with kids in them, but it is also a cool space!)

Allegheny Center Alliance Church (ACAC)
250 East Ohio Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212 
There is free parking in the lot directly behind the church. Enter the back doors from there and the secretary will direct you to the correct area.

The youngest infant room.

The bigger kids room has a cool bridge with a small slide & steps at the end. Dress-up area, kitchen play space, trucks, balls, train table + more!

 If you go, be sure to ask for Jessica who is the coordinator for space. It is completely free, they just ask everyone to watch over their children, help clean up, and keep it a fun environment for everyone. They also plan occasional special events such as a Fall Potluck (10/29), Turkey Craft Day (11/19), Winter Celebration (12/16), Valentine's Day Potluck (2/12), & Easter Egg Hunt (4/1). 

Thanks, ACAC, for this great option you're offering to the Pittsburgh area!

The Wiggles come to Pittsburgh

I don't know about you, but we have some Wiggles fans in our house!

Which is why we are pretty excited to hear that The Wiggles are bringing their “catchy brand of preschool pop” (Chicago Tribune) back to North American audiences, specifically to us here in Pittsburgh.

September 30, 2014, 6:30pm
Benedum Center
237 7th Street, Pittsburgh, PA
Tickets range from $19.50 – $49.50 and are available at TrustArts.org, by phone at (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue.

The North American tour will support The Wiggles’ new CD and DVD, Apples and Bananas (available August 26), as well as a new season of their hit television show airing on Sprout. The Wiggles “Ready, Steady, Wiggle” North American Tour is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents Series.
Founding member Anthony Field (Blue Wiggle) along with Emma Watkins (Yellow Wiggle), Simon Pryce (Red Wiggle) and Lachlan Gillespie (Purple Wiggle) will be joined on stage by the lovable Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus for a wiggly good time! The Aussie Fab Four will treat North American audiences to new music from Apples and Bananas, a collection of classic nursery rhymes such as “This Old Man” and “The Wheels on the Bus,” as well as old favorites including “Hot Potato”, “Rock-A-Bye Your Bear”, “Do The Propeller” and “Get Ready to Wiggle.”

Don’t miss your chance to see the “forever-young” (Detroit Free Press) quartet enchant legions of fans with a Wiggly dose of singing and dancing designed to educate and inspire healthy choices in children.

Children can have even more wiggly fun while they wait for the show by visiting www.WiggleTime.com, The Wiggles’ very own virtual world created specifically for preschoolers and their parents. Parents can monitor their child’s progress and have access to premium promotional offers, contests, merchandise discounts and presale Wiggles tickets!
For a complete list of tour dates go to www.thewiggles.com.

About The Wiggles
After more than 24 years of performing, The Wiggles are the world’s #1 Children’s entertainment group. With 7 million albums, 23 million DVDs and 8 million books sold, The Wiggles have performed to millions of fans across the globe. Since releasing their self-titled album in 1991 the group has wiggled its way to worldwide fame. More than 50 CD and DVD releases later, they have earned 17 x gold, 12 x platinum, 3 x double-platinum, 10 x multi-platinum awards for their music and DVD sales and winning 11 x ARIA Awards (Australian Recording Industry Association) for Best Children’s Album (making ARIA history as the most awarded ARIA winner in the one category.) North American fans can catch The Wiggles daily on Sprout in the U.S and Treehouse in Canada. You can also follow the gang on Twitter via Twitter.com/TheWiggles or become a fan of their official Facebook page Facebook.com/TheWiggles.  For more information: www.thewiggles.com.
A new Wiggles era has begun and wiggly history is being made!

Go here to purchase tickets!

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country’s largest landmasses curated by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh’s quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Cultural Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts. For more information, visit TrustArts.org.

Free Mug Offer!

Do you love finding unique & personal gifts? Tiny Prints is offering a FREE personalized mug through Tuesday!

• Plan ahead for Christmas purchases (Grandma, Grandpa, Dad's work desk....)
• Personalize a unique gift for Halloween or Thanksgiving 
• Create a special birthday mug (My kids love using the special "birthday cup" on their big day!)
• A sweet gift for a baby or wedding shower 

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You have 3 options for personalizing these pretty mugs!

Custom Mug with Photo: Add favorite photos to your morning coffee.

Custom Mug without Photo: Decorate with exclusive designs.

Custom DIY Mug: Channel your inner designer.

Use Promo Code MUGSEP14 at checkout. Go here to order.
Offer expires Tuesday, September 23, 11:59 (PT).

You will have to pay shipping which may vary (it was $7.95 for me), but these cute mugs usually start at $15.99, so still a great deal!

Offer expires 9/23/14 at 11:59 pm (PT). Get one (1) free mug using the code MUGSEP14 at checkout. There is no minimum purchase required for this promotion. Offer is not applicable to previously placed orders, shipping, taxes, rush processing charges, or greeting cards. This promotion code cannot be combined with other offers. Offer is only valid on Tiny Prints and is not applicable to third party or partner websites. To prevent fraud or abuse, we reserve the right to discontinue or modify this offer or cancel any order.

I am an affiliate with Tiny Prints, thank you for your support of the Pgh Momtourage!