review

CURVID Earplugs

November 8, 2023 By Nicole Valenzuela Leave a Comment

We recently talked about using technology to help with education.

One thing that I’d like to add is the ever changing environment my daughter studies in. As a teenager she is making the most of her portability while boosting her productivity by utilizing CURVD earplugs. She has noticed a significant improvement in her ability to focus and cut out loud distractions.

CURVD earplugs are comfortable, reusable and allows my daughter to maintain a calm environment even in a noisy cafe. I’ve also found them practical for myself when I have some time to read and unwind but also need to be aware of my home.

They don’t block out all sound but rather filter it out. In this way you can still hear speech and music clearly, just a lot more quietly.

CURVD earplugs come nicely packaged and have a quality look and feel to them straight out of the box.

Finding an environmental responsible earplug was a challenge when we looked at adding these products into our home. I had to dig a little deeper and found on the CURVD website they put in the effort with using 100% recyclable materials in their products as well as offering a silicone take-back program.

At CURVD, they are not just creating amazing products – they are working to build a better future for all.

Now I’m off to go try to read a book. When you do get the chance to find a little bit of peace and quiet you need to take it.

– Nikki Valenzuela

Nicole Valenzuela

Charcuterie Board Kits: A Fun and Easy Way to Entertain

April 24, 2023 By Anne

I was recently asked to check out Platterful’s all in one box charcuterie kits. I decided to include this in my rock painting party. I decided to paint rocks instead of eggs this year!

To start the party off we opened up our kit. Detailed instructions were included to make this fun and easy.

A charcuterie board is a beautiful and delicious way to entertain guests. These boards are typically filled with cured meats, cheeses, and other accompaniments. Everything was included. Small cups for raisins and spoons for the jams and honey.

Here are some tips for creating a charcuterie board if you don’t get a kit: (though I highly recommend a kit from Platterful! So easy.)

1. Choose a variety of meats and cheeses. Charcuterie boards are typically filled with a variety of meats and cheeses, so it’s important to choose a variety that will appeal to your guests. Some popular options include prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, cheddar, mozzarella, and goat cheese.

2. Add some crackers and fruits. Crackers and fruits are a great way to add some variety to your charcuterie board. Some popular options include wheat crackers, celery sticks, grapes, and apples.

3. Don’t forget the condiments! Condiments like mustard, honey, and jam can add a touch of sweetness and spice to your charcuterie board.

4. Arrange the meats and cheeses in a visually appealing way. The way you arrange the meats and cheeses on your charcuterie board will make a big difference in its overall look. Try to create a variety of textures and colors, and make sure to leave some empty space on the board so that your guests can easily reach the food.

At Platterful we deliver curated charcuterie boards right to our customer’s doorsteps via our first of its kind all-in-one kit, complete with instructional and educational content, which is what really sets us apart. We offer a subscription so that every month customers get all new meats, cheeses and accompaniments complete with new educational material on how to assemble the perfect board every time.

Here are some pics of our rocks.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Groove Life Gear Review

November 26, 2021 By Nicole Valenzuela

Hello again everyone!

I would like to introduce my only daughter, Gabby. She’s the “baby” of my family and turning 19 this November. She’s kind, intelligent, funny and fierce and I’m a very proud Mom!

Gabby is probably my easiest to make happy when it comes to how she likes to celebrate her birthday, as well as to shop for. Her style ranges from Crocs and torn jeans to stylish rompers and bursting colors!

When I ask her how she’d like to celebrate each year her request is always the same, to have a family dinner made of her favorite dish – my lasagna with a cake or sometimes a Key Lime Pie of course!

Very rarely does she have a gift request, which is both a blessing and a curse. I have to think, plan, shop and discover the things she may like.

So now that I’ve told you just how easy going and special this girl is, I need your help! Any suggestions on how I can “wow” my daughter with a gift this year?

For reference here is my darling girl at a local park we enjoy walking. As you see I wasn’t exaggerating when I said torn jeans! Camo is her favorite pattern, her stackable rings and tactical belt are from Groove Life and show her active, adventure-inspired style. Maybe I’ll add to her outdoorsy collection this year or to her minimal but mighty glam style but either way – I better start shopping,

1 month to go!

– Nicole Valenzuela

Nicole Valenzuela

Groove Life Watch Band Review

June 5, 2020 By Marijean

Do you own a smart watch? Do you love purchasing customized bands to add a fashionable look to go with your outfits?

Whether it is an Apple, FitBit, Samsung etc…these are all the rave. I have an Apple Watch and I love to customize my bands. I have though ordered bands online that have broke or stretched out very quickly which is disappointing. A few years back I did a review on silicone rings from a company called Groove Life. They contacted me to let me know they now offer smart watch bands. I was so excited to receive and try out these bands.

Groove Life offers high-performance silicone watch bands for men and women. Groove Watch Bands are durable and breathable, yet surprisingly comfortable. The bands are available for Apple, Samsung and Fitbit type smart watches. They come in a variety of band styles, hardware colors and band sizes.

The band prices range from $39.95-$54.95. When the bands arrive to your door they are packaged in nice metal tins to hold the bands. This is great for storage when you aren’t using your bands.

When you order you will get to choose your hardware color. I have a rose gold apple watch so I chose rose gold hardware. The color matches almost perfectly to my watch. I love that the offer the hardware color so everything matches nicely. You can also choose if you want a shorter band or a longer band. I picked the shorter band and it fits perfectly with my narrow 38mm watch face.

Installing the bands on to my watch was simple and took seconds. The fit is perfect. The bands are super comfortable to wear (they are a bit stiff at first, but after a few days I noticed that they get more flexible) and even dry great once out of the shower/pool.

Not to mention that they have an AMAZING warranty! If you break it, stretch it or even lose it…they will replace it. How awesome is that?!

In conclusion, I am very impressed and happy with Groove Life watch bands. They are fashionable, comfortable and made of high quality material. With the outstanding warranty they have, I definitely do not mind spending $49.95 on a Groove Life watch band.

Please check out their site to see all of the awesome watch band colors and designs. Make sure to check out the Groove Life Silicone Rings available too!!!

*I was sent the mentioned product in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Holiday Gift Guide 2019

November 28, 2019 By Marijean

Welcome to Mommy Has To Work’s 2019 Holiday Gift Guide! This year we are focusing on fun gifts for children. Check out our tops picks below for the holiday season.

Feature Talking Dobby

Now you can take home your very own Talking Dobby plush from Wow! Stuff. Standing at 40cm tall, simply press on Dobby’s belly and hear as he recites 6 classic phrases from the Harry Potter films. Complete with poseable arms and legs, Dobby can sit or stand in any position.
Age: 3+

MSRP: $34.99
Availability: Fall 2019 on Amazon

Tom Riddle’s Diary Notebook

Tom Riddle used his diary notebook to invisibly store all of his secrets and memories. Now you can do the same! This all new diary set allows Harry Potter fans to leave mysterious notes and messages, just like the ones seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The Slytherin House pen included is filled with invisible ink, which can only be seen under the glowing wand’s UV light. The wand is designed to be attached to any of your favorite keyrings (keyring or key fob not included), so keeping it safe and hidden from Muggles should be no problem.

Age: 8+
MSRP: $17.99
Availability: Fall 2019 on Amazon

Rubik’s Cage

Rubik’s Cage is a fast-paced game of strategy and competition you can enjoy at your next family game night over the holidays. You can twist, flip and turn the Cage to knock your opponent’s Cubes out of place to win the game! Will you be the first to get three of the same color in a row before your opponent’s shake up the game?

Available: Walmart

MSRP: $16.99

Splashlings Princesses

Splashlings© is a Splashlastic world of collectible characters filled with tiny mermaids and ocean friends who love to discover new underwater realms! The newest Princesses Collection offers all-new realms and royal Princesses along with new sea creatures and friends to collect.

Age: 5+
Approximate Retail Price: $13.99 Availability: Specialty Stores and Amazon

The Giant Color Morph Bubble Ball

The Giant Color Morph Bubble Ball is your answer to stress relief. Squeeze this giant ball and watch the bubbles and watch the bubbles burst through the netting to reveal the bright green color inside.

Age: 8+
MSRP: $19.99
Availability: Specialty Stores and Amazon

Foam Alive Make ‘n’ Melt Ice Cream Kit

Melt your worries away with the satisfying new addition to the Foam Alive collection! The Foam Alive Make ‘n’ Melt ice cream kit is the latest compound toy that will make any regular ice cream cone flow as if there is something magical flowing within in! Includes three different colors, cones and scoops. Fill the cones with Foam Alive and watch them melt!

Age: 5+

MSRP: $19.99

Availability: Specialty Stores and Amazon

13 Dead End Drive Board Game

13 Dead End Drive first hit the scene in 1994. Now this fan favorite is back, by popular demand, to entertain a whole new generation. Your goal is to be the last surviving heir and inherit Aunt Agatha’s fortune. Which one of her motley crew of friends and employees will it be?

Age: 8+

MSRP: $30.95

Availability: Winning Moves

Scattergories

The game of Scattergories took the country by storm when it was first launched in 1989. This classic reproduction features the components and categories found in that original Scattergories game. The mechanical timer has 3 different settings so players can set it for more time (for an easier round) roles time when they want more of challenge.

Age: 12+

MSRP: $40.95

Availability: Winning Moves

No Stress Chess

Unlike any other Chess teacher, No Stress Chess teaches you how to play using illustrated cards and an illustrated 2-sided board.

Age: 7+

MSRP: $18.95

Availability: Winning Moves

Adventure Force Max Morpher

The Adventure Force Max Morpher by Buzz Bee Toys is a 4-in-1 dart blaster that will transform right before your eyes! Fold out the stock or fold out the barrel to use the blaster in either pistol or rifle position. With blasting power up to 100 feet, you can easily keep the competition away!

Ages 8+

MSRP $19.97

Available exclusively at Walmart

Air Warriors Mutator

The Mutator by Buzz Bee Toys offers unparalleled versatility that allows users to expand the barrel, transform the blaster and select distance blasting up to 100 feet or extreme accuracy with PrecisePro darts.

Ages 6+

MSRP $34.99

Available exclusively at Target

Baby Secrets Series 3 and Merbabies Series 2

These cute babies have a secret for you to discover in the Baby Secrets Series 3 Mystery Tubs! Dip the diaper in the water filled bathtub and it will change color to pink or blue to reveal the baby’s gender. Once the secret is out, you can name your baby on the birth certificate. Will you find all 50 new babies?

Now you can also discover the secrets of the Merbabies! Dip and reveal to see if your Merbaby is a boy or a girl. You can even make them swim in the water! There are 24 Merbabies to collect!

MSRP: $2.99 and $5.99

Series 3 Available at: Walgreens, HY-Vee Inc, KVAT Food Stores, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Sheetz Distribution Services, HEB, Amazon, Blain Supply, Toy Wiz, Nexcom.

Merbabies Series 2 available at: Target, Cracker Barrel, Party City, Joanns, Bed Bath & Beyond, Amazon, The Paper Store, Scheelds All Sports, Matty’s Toy Stop, Kalahari Resorts, Toy Wiz.

Hairdooz- Minidooz

The Hairdooz are now mini! Collect Pixie, Sparkle, Crystal, Lilly, Skye and Candy in their mini versions with their new fuzzidooz! Spin the super cute nail polish capsule to reveal your Minidooz doll and hairstyle. Stick your Minidoo on the suction cup or stick her on the end of your pencil! Create your own Hairdooz salon and give yourself a manicure with the cheeky mark nail stickers!

MSRP: $5.00

Available at: Five Below & Toy Wiz

Which toys are you going to get for your kids? They are all so great!!

* I was given some of these items in exchange for this holiday guide. All opinions are my own