How to nag your husband less

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, Litter Genie® and Fancy Feast®, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #Catparents http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

I've shared before that I am probably one of the most easily annoyed people in the world, and Chris does a good amount of annoying things.  Proof in the picture of him picking his teeth.  That along with chewing louding, biting his nails, constantly bouncing.  I really do love him.  I just find myself nagging him a lot, which is annoying.  To both of us I'm sure.  So while I save my energy to tell him to stop his annoying little habits, here's some ways to nag your husband less in other areas: 

1.  Say it at the right time.  I learned that there's about a 5% chance Chris and I can have successful discussions about anything important first thing in the morning.  Chris is the opposite of a morning person, and it just never goes well.  Same for the middle of the night.  That one goes to about a 0% chance.  If I want Chris to do something before he leaves for work, I'll save it until he's been up for a little while.  Or better yet, right before he leaves because he often forgets anyway, so it's better to just say it once right when he can do it.  (Like taking out the garbage.) 
2. It's not on purpose.  Chris is incredibly forgetful and I really do think a big part of it is not his fault.  I have to remind myself that he is never purposely forgetting things to make me mad.  He wants to make me happy and has good intentions.  When I remember that, it helps me not be nearly as mad about him forgetting to do something I asked.  
3.  Do it yourself.   There's many times I'm annoyed that Chris left his cup on the endtable or a wrapper on the counter when it doesn't take much time to put in in the dishwasher or garbage.  But I realize it takes me just about the same time to ask him to move it, as to move it myself.  Those little things really don't take much time and I'd rather save my "nagging" for things that I really don't want to or can't do.  Plus he's pretty appreciative when he realizes all the things I do around the house, which makes a world of difference. 
4.  Divide it up.  Speaking of saving your nagging, pick a few things that are always each other's jobs.  For example Chris is in charge garbage.  I rarely take the garbage out and he knows that's always his job.  The same goes for the car litter.  Not that this comes without nagging, but it's his job.  Ever since I got pregnant and the best news ever came that pregnant women aren't supposed to change litter boxes, he took over every time.  
5.  Get a litter genie. Speaking of litter boxes, I hate changing the litter box and thankfully have maybe done it once or twice in the last two years.  I was super excited to try out the Litter Genie system in hopes of it solving my problem of constantly nagging Chris to change it.  Both because maybe he'd be able to do it faster and maybe I wouldn't hate it as much and just do it myself. It's only been a week, but so far so good.   Doesn't he look thrilled? 
(Our laundry room isn't fancy one bit.  Maybe some day.)

Litter boxes are disgusting.  The smell is by far the worst part and our litter box is in the laundry room, in our basement, right next to the playroom where we spend a lot of time.  Often is just smells like cat pee no matter when we've changed it last.  The Litter Genie makes it easy to keep up with changing the litter box and takes care of the nasty odor.  There's a lid, and then a funnel at the top.  You open it up, pull out the handle, dump the clumps of litter inside and close it so it seals in the smells. 

This way you can just quickly clean out the litter box then empty the bag once it's full, which can last up to 14 days.  Our laundry room is quite small so this works perfect for little spaces.  
We spend a lot of time in our basement and now I can just go in our laundry room take a few scoops out, put them in the Litter Genie and done.
Now I just have to teach Addilyn how to do it!  

I was checking out the Litter Genie website and found a $5 off coupon for the Litter Genie, and when you buy any two Litter Genie or Fancy Feast products at Target, you get a free Cat Toy or Friskies party mix cat treat. (Offer available 2/15/15 - 4/11/15 while supplies last.) I purchased the Litter Genie itself (for only $10 after the coupon) and then a refill pack.  I got a toy with Catnip in it for free and Biscuits loved it and Addilyn thought it was hilarious watching her play with it! 

A theatre I'd take a nap in . . . . #AMCandCocaColaFreestyle

This is a sponsored post, thanks to AMC Theatres and Coca-Cola Freestyle, but all opinions are my own.  #AMCandCocaColaFreestyle  #ad

I've gotten some neat opportunities as a blogger, but this one may just be my favorite.  This weekend I got to go to AMC Theatres to see a movie and enjoy a drink from the new Coca-Cola Free Standing machine.  I also got to spend time with my just my sister in law, which doesn't happen often.  It was wonderful.  So while this may be a sponsored post, in all honestly I LOVED this theatre and was by far the most comfortable one I've ever been too.   The only downfall?  Dark theatres do not make for good pictures.  

When you walked into the theatre it felt fancier and nicer than others, and when you paid for your ticket you got to pick your seats on a screen.  Plus, if you download the AMC app on your phone, you can buy your ticket and reserve your seat ahead of time.  Isn't that so cool?  And the best part is, the tickets are the same price as any other theatres. That are far less comfortable and crowded.   These seats were so huge, reclined and were so comfy.  I only wish I had brought a blanket.  

Before we got into the theatre we stopped at the Coca-Cola Free standing machine for a drink.  I've seen one of these once before, but have never used it.  They are so cool.  There are a ton of regular drink options that you get to choose from, but then you can add flavors to your drink.  There are a ton of choices!  There were even a good amount of non-soda options, which is awesome since I rarely drink pop.   (If you download the AMC app, you can also check to see which AMC Theatres have the Coca-Cola Free standing machine, or check out the list here.)

 

#AMCandCocaColaFreestyle

I chose the Minute Maid Lemonade, and then added raspberry flavor to it.  When I went back to get my free refill, I added strawberry to it.  It was delicious!  The only downside of bringing this huge drink into the theatre is that I went to the bathroom literally three times during the movie and immediately after.  So next time, I may need a smaller size.  We saw Horrible Bosses 2 and it was hilarious.  Lauren and I laughed a ton, and I'm not normally one of those laugh out loud people, but I did quite a few times.  

Chris and I already have plans to go back in two weeks to see the new Hunger Games movie.  Maybe I'll repay Lauren for babysitting by taking her to a movie again.  Thank you AMC Theatres for the fun day!  We will be back! 

Fall into Fashion

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, InStyle, Vogue and Elle, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #inspirefallfashion  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

 

top: old navy   pants: tjmaxx  shoes: target 

Now I know I mentioned last week that I'm still appreciating the ease of summer clothes and am in no rush for cold weather.  But I am getting more exciting for Fall.  I just wish Fall would last many months and not rush right to winter.  I read this article on buzzfeed the other day and it made me laugh, as I am guilty of well over half of those things.  

Although they probably should've included something about going to Target on the list.  Like going to Target and buying Fall fashion magazines and looking through them for outfit inspirations.  I bought Elle and Instyle's September issues last week and when I did I got a $5 Target gift card.  (You can also grab Vogue's September issue or any combination of the three and get a giftcard too now until September 13th.)  
Whenever Addilyn goes down for a nap I am usually quick to turn on the tv while cleaning up the kitchen or while working on a project or my blog.  This day I instead just sat on my couch reading these magazines, drinking a cup of coffee and enjoyed the quiet.  I should really do that more often.    Last Fall I didn't fit comfortably in a lot of my jeans, and wearing leggings and dresses was hard with nursing.  While I look forward to wearing some pants I haven't worn in well over a year and half, I'll happily try out any trend that allows you to wear pajama like pants and feel stylish.  
So I was happy to see that these loungewear pants are in style for Fall.  There was a full page in Elle with all kinds of cute, trendy looking pajama like pants.  However all of them were over $50, which is so far out of my budget for clothes, even ones that are as comfortable as yoga pants.  A few months ago I bought these pants at TJMaxx for $12.  Much more my price range.  I haven't worn them once, as I couldn't figure out what to wear them with.  I am glad I had some extra motivation to figure it out because now I can't wait to wear them more.  

Let's hope wrinkles are in style to this year because clearly I'm sporting just a few.  
I was a little unsure of what shoes to wear with them, or how to make them not look sloppy.  The magazine gave some tips like wearing a more fitted shirt or heeled shoes.  Now heels are pretty impractical for me on a daily basis, but cute leopard flats are much more fitting for me. 
I was happy for a little inspiration and push to try out my new pants.  Sometimes I forget to look through magazines for inspiration with pinterest, instagram and blogs being a more used source for me.  But it was nice to sit and read a magazine instead.  Especially when it means I have $5 to spend at Target.