Check Out TreeSunCrafts #crafts

Check it out...one of my friends has a new Etsy shop called TreeSunCrafts. She also has an instagram page.

I ordered the 2020 ornaments. You know, to remember the year by:

When the boys move out on their own, I'll let them choose an ornament to remember their crazy year. Unfortunately I think we're in for more pandemic madness. 2020 was the start of it. 

The boys haven't left home, for quite some time. Just this weekend they ventured out to spend time with their cousins. Our boys haven't been out, since November. My nephews haven't been out, since May. 

All the kids have the option to go to school. Studies have show that they do better in the classroom. Sometimes I wonder if Isaak should be in school. He struggles with getting his work done. On the flip side the quiet at home helps, with focus. We were getting emails left and right about how this kid test positive, and that kid tested positive at their schools. It was making Mica nervous. Mica opted to stay home, Isaak felt the same way. 2020 was a crazy year, for sure. 

Now we have ornaments to remember the craziness. 

Since Theresa knows me, she put extra things in with my package. Who ever knew many years ago that some of my best friends are remote friends. Those friendships started before 2020.  I had some really nice surprises! 

My favorite...the wooden gecko spoon! Isaak has the responsibility of making scrambled eggs, and picks this gecko spoon to use every time.

She threw in two wooden coasters. I actually use them for a different purpose than coasters. One holds my keys, while the other I use for pins, needles and thread. 

She added this wooden Apel's Kitchen sign. I put in our window, but photographed it on a placemat. I kept getting odd lighting by the window. 

Lastly she put these bookmarks. I set them aside to give to Mica at Easter. He's the big reader in the family. I like that they aren't super girly. 

Please go over to check out Theresa's Etsy shop: TreeSunCrafts. 

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Theresa did give me some things, but it wasn't expected that I review them. She did not tell me what to write. 

WW: @mallofamerica in Minnesota {Linky}

I'm a bigger shopper than my boys, but not as big as my sisters or other girls I know.

We knew if we went to Minnesota that we'd have to go to Mall of America. It's an iconic place. We didn't want to make it an all day thing though. 

Parking:

They have FREE parking. The fast train links up to it.

We spent the morning at Fort Snelling, the afternoon at Mall of America, and the evening at Minneapolis Institute of Art. A worker at MIA said we're crazy, and hardcore. Let's just say that Isaak and Mica were DONE. I had a blister on my foot that indicated I was DONE. BUT I loved all the places. I don't think I would have changed things. Possibly do Fort Snelling a different morning. My husband likes to pack all our time as full as possible. It was handy having the fast train hook up.

Eating:

We had reservations to Rainforest Cafe. We rushed to go eat. Then, for some reason we looked at the brochure only to see the map thinking it was outside of the Mall of America. I was annoyed because the boys were set on eating there. In another way happy because online people said the service wasn't great, and it was expensive. The place we ended up going to had crappy service too. It took way too much time to get our food! I wanted to eat at a place we don't have in Omaha, Nebraska. Looking back I would have gone to their food court. Lots of choices there!

Cupons:

Online they do have a coupon book. If you're a shopper, that may be something to invest in. It's $10, and full of savings. We didn't get it.

Shopping:

I didn't want to freak the boys out by going into all the stores. I said, "Ok we're only going to go into stores that we don't have in Omaha." Even after saying that we skipped a lot of stores.

L.L. Bean - I know the catalog, but have never been in the store.

 

Paper Source - Kansas City has one, but it's not in Omaha. They have fun things in there.

Chapel Hats - I know they shouldn't have tired them on (lice), but dang they had fun. They look like Elton John, only younger. 

Crayola Store - The boys had fun with their computer that did a drawing of a photograph. 

Lego Store - We've been in them in other cities. Mica drooled over $300 and up sets that I'd never buy. I do have to say that The Stranger Things set looked pretty cool. Just not $200 cool. 

 

 

 

There were some other fun stores we went in. I have to say that I'm proud that I didn't buy a whole lot. There was a bee shop that had all things to do with bees, a shop that had fun socks, a shop that had cool shirts. I do wish we found some artsy local shops in Minnesota. I found that, that's what I was longing for. There is an art district, but we ran out of time to go there.

Favorite Store Front:

Rides:

Isaak's so like me. He said, "Mica we don't have to go on rides. Mom and Dad spent enough money on us." I always thought that way. Are we cheap, or practical?

Mica's like Travis. He said, "Don't be so cheap. We should get to do some rides, and pick out whatever Lego set we want. We are on vacation." My reply, "Ummm no!"

Log Ride:

Close Up - OMG Mica's face!

They weren't too excited about the swings, but after they went on different rides, this one was just the right amount of tickets.

Are you a shop till you drop kind of person?

Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. I got no compensation, for writing this post. All opinions are my own.

@softsurrounding Merchandise #LiveSoft Review

I was super excited to review Omaha's new store called Soft Surroundings in Village Pointe. Their saying is: My Time. My Life. Myself. They have around 56 stores. That's if I counted right. Do you have the store Soft Surrounding where you live? If you'd like to see the inside of their store, please check out the post I have before this one. I show an in depth look inside Soft Surroundings.

The store really worked with me. They had an open house between 10 - 1. Something close to that. I worked until close to 5. They said, "Please come. A store clerk will have your bag waiting for you." That was so nice! Let me tell you the bag was stuffed full! I want to show you what all is in it!

First off how cool is that bag!? It's burlap, but has a printed design on it! I just love it!

What do my boys fight about: Who gets to hold the Soft Surroundings bag. I let one take pictures, while the other got to hold the bag. Yep I really should have read their slogan: My Time. My Life. Myself. before I went there.

Soft Surroundings has a mix of all different things. Their target market is females. I'm thinking ages 30 and up. Of course they welcome anyone in the store though.

I have to mention that I'm considering this bag to be a token for my wellness after my deviated septum and polyps surgery that's happening June 23rd. I'm sorry I talk about that so much, but it's much of what I think about these days and nights.

Color Pads:

I got 2 coloring pads! 1 has animals on it, while the other has flowers. Isaak said, "Mom can I have 1? You got 2 of them." Ha! Nope! These are mine. I will share some paper with Isaak.

Shower Burst Headache Buster:

Ok so I do need this before my surgery. You just wet it, and apply it to your forehead. You can put it in a sachet if you'd like. The best thing is that it lasts for awhile!

Facial Things: 

Transport | 2 is used to smooth your face. I haven't used it just yet.

Nourishing Cleanser | 1 cleans your pores without stripping the moisture from your skin.

WunderBrow - Wunder2 is a gel for your eyebrows. The best part is that it lasts for days.

Bee Venom Cleansing Balm tones and cleans your skin. 

Veneffect cleans pores.

Jane Iredale products. The tubes are HandDrinks. The lipstick I think is a lipgloss. It's the cutest because it's 1/2 the size.

A Cailyn Mummy Whipping Bubble Cleansing Mask. I have to admit masks sometime scare me. If I have an allergic reaction it's all over my face!

Blue Copper 5 which firms skin. I'm not sure on this one where to apply it.

A cute pouch for makeup, or face cleaners. 

A Scarf to wear.

Or if you're my Mom a new table runner. That's what she uses them for. Ha! This is really pretty!

I really feel pampered with all this new stuff. I can't believe they got so much to fit into the bag!

What would be your favorite thing that I got? Would you get any of this for your wife, or daughter if you're a guy reader?

Follow Soft Surroundings on facebook, pinterest, twitter, YouTube, instagram, and google+.

Disclaimer: I received a bag of merchandise from Soft Surroundings in return for writing this post. The store certainly inspired me to write this post. I only review things that I think my family or readers will enjoy, or find useful. 

@softsurrounding Store #LiveSoft Review

I was super excited to review Omaha's new store called Soft Surroundings in Village Pointe. Their saying is: My Time. My Life. Myself. They have around 56 stores. That's if I counted right. Do you have the store Soft Surrounding where you live?

I have to admit I didn't know what to expect. Their website is wonderful, but I've never been to one of their stores before. It's really beautiful!

The only thing I'd change: I would be to loose the kids. Their store is geared towards relaxation. Mica and Isaak are goofy around each other! If you're a mom that has kids attached to you like I do, you may want to find a sitter. With that being said, I did put my kids to good use. They took some of the photos in this post.

Close to the Counter:

They have what I call a Beauty Bar. It's full of bath stuff.

They also have a nice display of jewelry.

They Were Certainly Welcoming!

I got greeted at the door with bottles of water, macaroons, and the greeter told me where to go.

Photography was welcomed. I love that! My favorite reviews are ones where I take my own photos.

Displays:

I have to say that my favorite parts of the store are their displays. I swear they could almost take close up photos of their displays, print them large format and frame them. They are really cute!

They gave me a bag of all kinds of things. I'm going to post about what all they gave me next.

Piggy Display:

Bird Display:

Bunny Display:

Travel Mail Display:

Spa Section:

They have spa stuff throughout the store. It's not just one section, but here and there. Face masks, bath bombs, and some makeup. 

The boys wanted to smell anything that had a scent. Me on the other hand...well I'm back to not being able to smell due to these nasal polyps, and grass allergies. I'll take their word...they all smelled really good.

If I had to guess I think that their bath stuff, and clothing are their biggest selling items. People that are on a budget may migrate towards their bath stuff. Women that want nice clothes that will last may get locked into looking at their clothing. 

Clothing:

Their clothing has a lot of color, which I love. Price wise it's more on the higher end, but it seems like it's clothes that will last!

This was my favorite: I simply loved the muted colors on this one: 

Accessories:

They have a ton of this and that! If you are interested in an outfit there's a necklace for it. If you need something for your house they have lamps, bedding, pillows, rugs, and more.

For the pet lover:

Accessories for me thank you:

I adore this lamp:

The bedding wasn't really my style, but it was detailed, colorful, and fun:

A basket full of rugs:

Pillows...lots of pillows:

A rack of sunglasses:

Just an overlook of the store:

A place to rest, while shopping is a must. I grew up with sisters and a mom that loved to shop. I have to say that I like to shop more than the guys in my life, but not as much as the girls. If you're waiting and waiting on someone, it's nice to have a spot to relax.

Overall I loved my experience at Soft Surroundings. Even with my son's at my side it was fun. They did help take pictures! Will I go back again? For sure! I think the store is welcoming! They have a ton of variety, and lots of fun colors. I love their displays! 

Follow Soft Surroundings on facebook, pinterest, twitter, YouTube, instagram, and google+.

Do you enjoy going shopping?

Disclaimer: I was received a bag of merchandise from Soft Surroundings in return for writing this post. The store certainly inspired me to write this post. I only review things that I think my family or readers will enjoy, or find useful.