FabFitFun Summer Edition Box Review!

*Sponsored

Summertime is all about letting loose. Schedules aren't quite as tight, curfews run a bit later. The laid back vibe of the season invites a carefree attitude. Which is why I was ecstatic to find out I was selected to review FabFitFun's Summer 2015 Edition box! 

Once upon a time in a land far far away, I had all the time in the world (pre-kids of course). I would browse the aisles looking for the latest and greatest in products as if it were a sport. You can afford to do that when you only have your own dinner routine/bedtime to worry about. Freedom can do wonders for your "trial and error" spirit. As a mom of two young boys however... that's another story for another time! Subscription boxes have become the latest craze, especially among moms who no longer subscribe to the motto: "Shopping Is My Cardio." These fun boxes make it feel like Christmas (in this case) seasonally when you unwrap all these goodies for you to try. It's a great way to discover new products and learn what you absolutely can no longer live without! I'm absolutely addicted to the fragrance oil in this box!

#FabFitFun boxes are all about keeping you fabulous while having fun and staying fit every season!

I'm addicted to this scent!

 I usually worry when ordering "grab bags" because it seems there aren't enough all natural options offered with most subscriptions. I love how this edition touched on keeping mind and body balanced. Unlike most subscription boxes, I was pleased to discover FabFitFun provided full sized beauty, fashion, fitness and lifestyle products.

They sure fit a lot into this box!

It came with a lovely Description Card listing each individual item, as well as the full retail price. Here’s a full list of what was in the FabFitFun Box – Summer 2015 Edition:

• Everyday Wireless Speaker by FabFitFun - $30
• FabFitFun x Cosmo Body Jump Rope - $14
• Inkling Scents Sultry roll-on fragrance essential oil - $25
• WREN Studio 14k rose gold necklace - $100
• Hello Konjac Exfoliating Sponge - $12
• Three month online subscription to Headspace.com - $38.85
• Vaseline Aloe Spray Moisturizer - $7.99
• GORGE"I'll Make You Look Amazing Daily Spray" - $25
• TARTE Lipsurgence Lipgloss - $19
• SCRATCH Nail Wraps - $12

The FabFitFun Speaker is perfect for poolside partying!

I can't wait to see what the Fall Edition has to offer! If you'd like to order in time for the next FabFitFun box you can register by visiting their website. Enter coupon code "ERIKA" for $10 off your first box! You can keep up with FabFitFun for all the latest on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.

I received this product for free to review as part of a campaign with FabFitFun and Bloggin' Mamas. As always all opinions expressed are my own!
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter for a full report on how and when I get to use all these goodies!

Essentially yours,

Erika

Simple Banana Bread Muffins!

There's a saying in my house, "If Mom's baking her Buttermilk Blueberry Banana Bread, then look out!" It doesn't always mean that I'm super stressed, or have given up, so I decided to bake the day away. Sometimes it just means Mom is frugal, and wasted fruits / veggies are not an option in this household! So I guess, yea you should still look out. Kidding, sort of.

So when I lay my eyes on spotty bananas, I know it's time to get to work! I actually get a little excited at this point, it means I get to indulge with a yummy homemade treat. Nothing beats the smell of banana bread when you walk in the door, it always gets a smile.

While I'm a fan of mixing fruits and nuts with my banana bread, I also enjoy the simplicity of plain ol' banana bread. I decided it would taste great as muffins for the boys to easily snack on or take on-the-go.

The darker the banana,
the sweeter the bread!

Ingredients:

8 Tbsp of butter
1 Cup of Sugar or 1/2 cup of Truvia Baking Blend
1 Tsp of Baking Soda
1 1/2 cups of Flour
2 Eggs (beaten)
2 Insanely Ripe Bananas 

Recipe: Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream softened butter and sugar, I use the lovely "Darla," my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I couldn't live without her. Yes, I named my mixer. Don't be all Judgy McJudgerson. 

Add eggs and mashed bananas, keep mixing. Combine Flour, baking soda with wet mixture and keep mixing until smooth. Add to muffin pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Great in a lunchtime snack!

*Makes a dozen muffins

You can serve these warm or freeze for another day. Or you can serve warm with vanilla ice cream, just sayin..

Refreshing Summertime Berry "Melon-ade" Cocktail

Summertime is for enjoying the great outdoors. Family BBQ's & and pool play dates. Each summer I try to find a new recipe for a refreshing beverage the adults can enjoy while sweating in the relentless hot Florida sun.

This year I decided to create my own recipe. Scouring Pinterest boards, I realized that most watermelon drinks were some variation of a mojito. I'm not a huge fan of rum personally, so I wasn't too thrilled with everything I'd found. Well, necessity is certainly the mother of invention because I have just concocted my new favorite drink on the planet!

Ingredients:

16 oz of Lemonade, use your favorite!
1 cup of fresh cut Watermelon
1 1/2 cups of Ice
Your favorite Berry flavored Vodka to taste (we used about 10 oz)
Toss everything in the blender at once (vodka last), and blend to perfection!

It should come out with a slight slush factor with a little foam on top.

*You can easily omit the vodka for a "mock-tini," this is a very refreshing drink for all to enjoy!

Hope you love it as much as we do, it's our "go-to" summertime refreshment this year.

Easy Peasy Summertime Egg Salad Recipe

Some days I draw a blank when it comes to creative lunch ideas. It seems there are only so many different kinds of salads, soups or sandwiches! I like to keep things fresh and exciting in hopes of introducing the boys to a wide range of flavors and encouraging them to try new tastes. My boys are excellent eaters, ask anyone around I don't have to beg them to eat their lunch. They also happen to be great about eating all of their greens, partly because whether they participated or not vegetables have always been a staple on our plates.

Today I realized I hadn't made one of the classic sandwiches I grew up loving in a long while. So simple, so easy, and full of protein! The timeless Egg Salad Sandwich is always a hit in our home, so I decided to share it with you! There are many different takes on this sandwich, they can get pretty fancy or elaborate. This isn't anything like that.

Summertime Lunch

This is my mom's old fashioned classic Egg Salad Sandwich, perfect for picky little eaters who are funny with different tastes or textures. The "No Muss, No Fuss" of Egg Salad Sandwiches, if you will.

All you will need:

About 6 Eggs, hard boiled and diced w/ yolk (this will last two days in the fridge)
1/2 a cup of your favorite Mayonnaise or Vegenaise
1 Tbsp of Mustard (spicy or honey - whichever you prefer)
A dash of Salt & Pepper (or not, I don't use any for the kid's batch)
1/2 tsp of relish (optional for all my pickle lovers)

Fold together in a bowl and enjoy on your favorite bread, I love Ciabatta!

Hope you enjoy this classic as much as we do!


What's your favorite go-to sandwich? Tell me all about it in the comments section below!

Follow me on Pinterest for more yummy recipe's!


Essentially yours,

Erika