Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven Review And Giveaway

When my father died unexpectedly 6 years ago it completely rocked my world and my understanding of it.  I had lost grandparents, but nothing could prepare me for the shock and devastation I experienced when he passed away at the age of 53. A week or so after his death, I begged God and him for some kind of sign that he was okay and that there was something like Heaven where he was happy and at peace. A few minutes after my plea, I walked in to my son's room to tell him goodnight. He had a monitor in his room that had a light that would turn on when you tapped it. It was situated high on a dresser, far too high for his little hands to reach. When I walked in, the monitor's lights were flashing. It totally stunned me but I just knew in my heart that it was my Dad's way of telling me he was okay. 

Despite the sign, I still struggled and ended up going to a grief counselor. I told her about my sign and she gave me some readings on after-death communication that made me even more of a believer. One of the most difficult parts of grief work is accepting the loss. One of my "homework" counseling assignments was to create a closure letter to my Dad. It took me almost a week to write the letter and I brought it to my final counseling session and read it out loud from my counselor. After reading it, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders and I began to feel a bit better. That night when I was putting my son's laundry away, his monitor began to blink again and I knew that my Dad heard my letter and was encouraging me to move on with my life. 


There are many people who experience strange phenomenon when they lose someone close.  Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven is a collection of "101 Miraculous Stories of Signs from Beyond, Amazing Connections, and Love that Doesn't Die".  The collection of stories aims to prove that there is an afterlife and just because your loved ones are no longer here in the physical world, their spirits live on.


Review: Ever since my experience, I have been very interested in hearing other's stories of their own after death communications.  The book was a beautiful collection of such stories and the experiences range from hearing from loved ones who are dying that they have had a glimpse into Heaven and know they will be alright to signs from deceased relatives and answered prayers following their deaths.  True to the first hand experiences I have heard from others who have had after death communications, each person experiences them in their own unique way.  There are stories that truly warm the heart and those that made me cry. However, they do help cement my belief that we are just simply here for a short period of time and will someday be with everyone we have loved in a better place.  This would be a great book for anyone to read, but may be particularly helpful for someone who is grieving the loss of someone. 


Buy it Here: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven can be purchased from your local bookstore for $14.95. It is also available at a discounted from on Amazon. 


Win it Here: 


a Rafflecopter giveaway


I was provided with the above mentioned book in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

iFrogz Review

While the little ones are concerned with having the coolest bookbag and school supply, older kids and college students are focusing on having the best tech devices when they return to school this year. iFrogz is a market leader in mobile device accessories creating products that customize and enhance the leading smartphones and tablet devices. 

iFrogz Boost

The iFrogz Boost allows you to seamlessly amp up the volume of your smartphone by turning into a mobile stereo. It is battery-operated (i.e., wireless) and instantly amplifies your music with its external speakers by simply placing your device on top of it. It works without the use of wires, Bluetooth, or synching. There is also an auxiliary line-in jack for devices without external speakers. It is powered with 3AA batteries which can last up to 15 hours of play or cal be powered with a USB cord.

Review: I have been looking for some sort of amplification device for my office but I have been limited because I have limited outlet space. The iFrogz Boost is the perfect solution. It is very small so I can keep it on my desk without it taking up much room or I can put it in my desk drawer when it is not in use. It is so easy to use that even the technology-challenged will love this device. You simply turn the power on and place your device, in my case iPod Touch, on the top upside down. I have an Otterbox case and was concerned that I would have to remove the case when using the iFrogz but it worked perfectly even in the case. The sound quality is remarkable. It takes the "tinny" sound out of playing the iPod without speakers or earbuds. 

Check out the performance for yourself:

iFrogz EarPollution Headphones

iFrogz offers a wide selection of quality headphones perfect for everyday use. The Evolution Earbuds are designed to provide maximum clarity while reducing distortion. The noise-insulating ear tips filter out unwanted sounds to enhance your listening experience. They have a flat, anti-tangle cord and right-angle jack to prevent accidental disconnections. They are compatible with iPhones, iPods, Blackberries, and other devices with a 3.5 mm jack.

Review: I have been using cheap earbuds ever since I purchased my iPod Touch last year and have been frustrated ever since. If it is not a tangled cord, I was finding the buds to be fragile and/or uncomfortable. The iFrogz EarPollution Headphones, on the other hand were very well constructed! The ear tips were extremely comfortable to wear and because of the shape they fit into my ears and stayed in my ears perfectly. They also did a great job of filtering out external noises so I could truly enjoy my music. These are, by far, the best earbuds I have used and I am getting rid of all the cheapies and enjoying these ones from now on!

Buy  it here: iFrogz products can be purchased at Walmart, Staples, Best Buy, Office Depot and AT&T stores.  They can also be purchased from the iFrogz website and from Amazon.  The iFrogz Boost retails for $39.99 and the EarPollution Evolution headphones for $24.99. 

I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

Carmex Lip Balm Review and Giveaway!

Carmex has been known for their high quality lip care products.  We all know it is really important to find high quality lip products that will keep your lips from chapping, no matter the season. Their lip balms have SPF15 to protect you from the summer sun. They have  a nice variety of flavors to include Original, Vanilla, Lime Twist, Cherry, and Strawberry and more recently they have introduced Pomegranate!


 
Review: I was given a pretty sweet beach bag and the six flavors of Carmex listed above, to include their new Pomegranate.  I love the way Carmex lip balms moisturize. Not only is the moisturizing effect instantaneous, it is long lasting. In fact, since I began working with Carmex over  a year ago, I have stopped buying other brands and stick with the one that I know will work! The flavors have different levels of potency but each one works just as well as the next. The one with the most prominent taste is definitely the Lime Twist though the berry flavors are also evident.  The new Pomegranate smelled great but did not have much of a flavor to it. Nonetheless, it worked great which is what I look for in a lip balm. 


Buy it here: Carmex products are available at Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS.


Win it here: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The makers of Carmex contacted me and provided me with the above mentioned products in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

New Winx Toy Collection

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Winx Club Deluxe for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

While the fashions and looks of dolls are forever changings, a little girl's desire to play with them continues to be just as popular as always. Nickelodeon is launching a brand new Winx Club Deluxe doll line in Walmart stores and on Walmart.com.  The dolls are the perfect mixture of fantasy and fashion, a combination I have not seen successfully pulled off until now. The Winx fairies have flowing hair, colorful wings with beautiful patterns, and fashions that have come a long way from classic fairy dolls. 

The wings on the fairies can be removed, allowing your little one to play with them as classic dolls. They have 11 point of articulation (translation: they are extremely poseable).  The dolls also come with membership cards that allow your daughter or grandaughter to unlock exclusive content on www.nick.com/winx.  The fun does not stop with the dolls.  Play sets, such as a vanity and  concert play set can add to the fun.  Also available from the Winx line are movies (check out Walmart.com for instant video streaming videos) and soon apparel and accessories will be available! 

While I was writing this post, my daughter walked in and immediately grew excited by the dolls she saw on the computer screen. Guess what she has added to her birthday wish list today! Learn more and watch videos to see Winx dolls in action by visiting the Winx Club Deluxe page on Walmart.com.

Buy it here: You can purchase Winx products from your local Walmart or on Walmart.com

Coffee-mate Natural Bliss Recipes, Review, & Giveaway!

When I roll out of bed in the morning there is one thing on my mind...a steaming cup of hot coffee! Coffee-mate Natural Bliss is an all-natural dairy creamer with a hint of flavor and made with only a few, simple, all-natural ingredients. Available in Sweet Cream, Vanilla, Caramel and NEW Low-fat Vanilla, Natural Bliss was created to offer dairy lovers a new way to add flavor and create their perfect cup of coffee, naturally.

Recipes: 

"No Ice Cream Maker Needed" Berry Ice Cream

·         3 cups chopped mixed frozen berries and/or fruit

·         1/2 cup Coffee-mate Natural Bliss Low-fat Vanilla

·         1/4 cup fat free milk

-Place berries, Coffee-mate and milk in food processor; cover. Pulse until smooth. Serve immediately or spoon into a freezer safe container, cover and freeze for later enjoyment.

Fresh Mango, Coconut & Lime Ice Cream

·         1 pound (about 3 cups) fresh mango slices or cubes

·         3/4 cup refrigerated coconut milk

·         1/2 cup Coffee-mate Natural Bliss Sweet Cream

·         1/2 cup granulated sugar

·         Juice from 1 lime

·         Pinch sea salt

·         Waffle cones (optional)

-Place mango, coconut milk, Coffee-mate, sugar, lime juice and sea salt in food processor container; cover. Process until smooth. Transfer to a container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

-Spoon mixture into ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve immediately in waffle cones or transfer mixture to covered container and freeze to enjoy later.

Review: I have been using flavored creamer in my coffee for years and have always been a fan of Coffee-mate but had never tried the Natural Bliss before this review. I was very impressed with the creamy and delicious taste of each of the flavors. I have been trying to lose weight so the first one I tried was the Low-Fat Vanilla. I could not tell the difference between the low-fat creamer and regular creamer as they were both extremely tasty. I made up some of the "No Ice Cream Maker Needed" Berry Ice Cream and found it to be extremely flavorful and very easy to make. Plus, I can eat it without feeling any guilt!

The Caramel flavor was one of the most pronounced flavors I have tried in coffee creamers. It really tasted like the candy and made my coffee taste fantastic. The Sweet Cream was pretty good as well. It is a good choice if you like your coffee sweetened but not necessarily flavored.  


Overall, I am very happy with Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss. The flavors are great and I love the added bonus of all-natural ingredients. If you love cream in your coffee then I highly suggest you give this line of products a try.


Buy it here: You can find Coffee-mate Natural Bliss in your local grocer's dairy section. 


Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Simple Green Laundry Review and Giveaway!

Simple Green is known for their non-toxic, biodegradable, effective cleaning products and they are pleased to add Simple Green Laundry to their product line. Simple Green Laundry is a naturally-derived laundry detergent formula (USDA Certified Bio-Based) that is biodegradable, contains no added scents or dyes, and contains no allergens, asthmagens, phosphates, chlorine or optical brighteners. It is formulated to be gentle on skin and clothing but tough on stains. It performs equally in hot or cold water and can be used in traditional or high-efficiency machines. Each 100 oz. bottle has enough detergent to do 100 loads in a high-efficiency washer!

Review: I have eczema and have to use detergents that are free from dyes and scents so I was very excited to try this detergent. I have always been pleased with the effectiveness of Simple Green products and expected that this product would not disappoint and I was right. It did a very good job of cleaning my clothing and was completely scent and dye free. I liked how there were different measurements based on the type of washer you are using so you do not use more detergent than necessary. It was very effective at cleaning my clothes and they felt soft after use. There were some stains that did not come out without the use of an additional stain remover, but this would have been the same for my regular detergents.  I would say that Simple Green works just as well as my current detergents but with a bonus…I did not have to use quite as much detergent!  

I know it is hard to see, but there is dirt all over a pair of my pants. You can see some of the specks.

After washing, there was no dirt at all! 

Buy It Here: Simple Green Laundry can be purchased via the Simple Green online store and will roll out to store shelves nationwide later this year.   You can use the exclusive blogger code BLOG2012 to order it online and receive free shipping (through August 31^st) on any buysimplegreen.com order that includes the new Simple Green Laundry product.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

U.S Addresses only, no PO boxes. Winner must be 18+

I was provided with the above mentioned sample for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.   

SNUG Camisole Sale

In April I reviewed SNUG Camisoles and gave the company the not-so-easy-to-achieve Cake Mom Seal of Approval because it has been (and continues to be) the best cami I have ever owned. Now, you can get some of their great products at a discount with their clearance sale.  Racer Back Tanks that usually retail for $36 have some colors available for $23 and their camisoles which normally retail for 30 are available in limited colors for $17.99.  You are truly paying for higher quality tanks and camis so I would recommend taking advantage of this clearance event! Plus, they have everyday free shipping on orders $50+! 

Free Back to School Haircuts

Back to school time can really make a dent in your budget so take advantage of every opportunity you can to save! Remington College cosmetology programs across the country are offering free back-to-school haircuts this summer for kids ages 17 and under. Check out this link for all the campus locations and dates for this promotion. 


Hope you live close to one and can get a free haircut for your child! 

Join the Mountain Dew Crew

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Mountain Dew.

The Dew Crew, a team of racing fans, is currently running an action-packed tournament bracket, sponsored by Diet Dew, to send two lucky fans and one guest of their choice to the Bristol race on August 25 in Tennessee. 


Sign up: Become a Dew Crew member by clicking here and become part of a group of #88 Diet DEW® Chevy driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans on Facebook who help call the shots for the #88 team and have access to awesome Dale Jr. and #88 team content.


I am writing this post as a Mountain Dew Insider which entitles me to occasional products. 

FunBites Review and Giveaway

Got picky eaters? When my daughter was younger the only way I could get her to eat sandwiches for a brief period of time was by cutting them into fun shapes. I am a baker; however, not an food carving expert so it was always a bit frustrating. FunBites understands that sometimes you need to bring a little fun into food preparation, especially when you are dealing with children.


FunBites was created by a mom with a similar story.  FunBites cuts food into bite-sized pieces and can work on lots of different foods - from hamburgers to toast. It is available in  green "Cube It" which cuts food into 12 bite-sized squares and pink "Luv It" which creates a big heart from 10 geometric shapes.

Using FunBites is so easy that your kids can even do it:
Step 1: Place FunBites cutter on top of food. Remove popper tops and place to the side.
Step 2: Grab handles on both sides of the cutter. Press down and firmly rock back and forth 5-6 times to cut all the way through the food (you may need to help little ones with this step).
Step 3: Insert popper top. Lift cutter up from food and push down popper to pop! out the fun-shaped bite-sized pieces.
Step 4: Hand-wash or toss in the dishwasher.



Review: I received the Luv It to review. It is made of very sturdy plastic that is made to sustain some serious abuse! Seriously, I can't see this product breaking any time soon. It is really easy to use and works quickly.  My immediate thought after I tried it out was "darn, I really wish I would have had this when Bella when she was younger". Then she walked into the kitchen and got excited over the small geometric shapes of plain bread she saw on the counter and insisted on eating the pieces immediately (no butter or anything). I thought the product would be attractive to toddlers but apparently it still has appeal to at least my almost-7-year old. My only concern is the amount of left-over bread as a result of Bella only eating the shapes. I had to discard the crust plus plenty of bread because she wanted nothing to do with the scrap. If I would have known this, I would have probably asked for the Cube It instead which seems to cut slightly larger shapes and leave a little less scrap. That being said, there are still plenty of other other foods we can use this on! 

Buy it here: You can purchase a single FunBites from their website for $12.99 or you can buy both as a set for $22.00.


Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

Smiley Cookie Giveaway! 3 Winners!

Previously only available at Eat 'N Park restaurants, Smiley Cookies are now available nationwide thanks to their online store! I have been eating Smiley Cookies since I was a child and it was always a special treat to get these delicious sugar cookies. Smiley Cookies are iced by hand and shipped to you the same day they are bake to ensure freshness. They come in a variety of shapes and colors and can even be customized with the colors of your choice. 


I have had the pleasure of reviewing Smiley Cookies in the past and can tell you that they are quite delicious. They arrive packaged in an adorable box with Smiley Cookies on them. They are a great consistency and taste really great after being heated for a couple of seconds in the microwave. 


Buy it here: You can purchase Smiley Cookies from their online store.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No compensation was received for this post though I have received review cookies in the past.

Back to School with TerraCycle: Review and Giveaway!

There are a lot of eco-friendly companies out there, but no other company is quite like TerraCycle.  This company literally takes your garbage and makes practical products such as plant food, backpacks, frames, toys and more! This company pays schools and non-profit organizations for their trash saving 1000's of tons of waste from going to landfills. For every item return, TerraCycle donates 2 cents to the school or charity. This company is so amazing! 

Review: My children and I were given some really great school products to review. The Capri Sun Rectangular Lunch Box was a well-constructed and large sized lunch bag.  My kids have had lunch bags in the past which broke because they were not really large enough to fit their food and drink but that is not the case with this bag. My kids both really loved it and are already fighting over who gets to show it off at school! 


The Koolaid Jammers pencil case was also very cool. I loved how three different flavored drink boxes were used to create a very colorful bag. It expanded on the bottom to really allow for a nice amount of supplies which is perfect for my daughter who needs a lot of art supplies for first grade. It is also very well constructed and extremely sturdy. She is pretty rough with her school supplies but I have a feeling that this case will last her all year long.


Finally, the Malt-O-Meal notebook was immediately confiscated by my son who loved the bright orange color and glossy look to the hard covered book. It had wide ruling and lots of pages making it a perfect composition book only better than the ones typically purchased in stores because the cover is much harder and much more difficult to destroy.  


I really cannot emphasize enough to the high quality of their products. You may think that products made from garbage would be flimsy, but they are better constructed and more durable than any other similar products I have purchased for my kids in the past.  Plus, it is critical that we all do our part to help save the planet and TerraCycle has certainly found a fun and unique way to accomplish this goal.  Plus, their products can really help encourage children to recycle. 


Buy it here: You can purchase TerraCycle products from their online store. 


Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

Back to School with Lice Shield - Review

I thought it would never happen to my children...but it did. My daughter got a horrible case of head lice from school last year. All of my beliefs about head lice were wrong, to include that they happen to children who don't wash their hair enough. Truth is, they actually prefer clean hair and no one is safe! However, there are products available that can lower you and your child's chances of getting lice. Lice Shield is a line of hair care products that help repel lice while cleansing and conditioning hair. The line is a safe way to protect your children and family during the risky period of lice infestation at school or summer camp.

Free of harmful pesticides, Lice Shield has been specially formulated with a blend of essential oils (including citronella, eucalyptus, and rosemary) that have been scientifically demonstrated to help repel lice, providing over 80% repellency. Lice Shield Shampoo & Conditioner in 1 is gentle enough for daily use and contains extra conditioner for a tangle-free formula.Lice Shield Leave-In Spray uses light detanglers to aid in hair combing and can be used on wet or dry hair, as well as on hats, helmets, and winter gear.

Review:Obviously being the middle of summer with no evidence of lice problems in our neighborhood, I am unable to attest to the effectiveness of the product. After our experience with lice last year I was able to successfully remove and prevent lice with coconut oil. However, my daughter's hair looked so greasy and it was a bit embarrassing sending her to school like that (but a large part of me did not care because I did not want to have to go through the removal process again). These products, on the other hand are not visible detectable on the hair.

The spray worked really well as a detangler and began to smooth my daughter's bed-head hair within seconds. The shampoo and conditioner did a great job of washing her hair and rinsed out nicely. Her hair felt very soft and was shiny after use so there are truly no downsides to washing with it! I will admit that I am not a huge fan of the smell which has a very potent citronella odor. However, I will take the scent over a lice outbreak and it certainly will not stop me from using the products!

Buy it here: Lice Shield products retails for about $8.99 each and are widely available at food, drug, and mass outlets where you usually shop for your kids' hair care products. It is also available on Amazon.

I was provided with the above mentioned samples for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Balance Bar S'mores Review and Giveaway!

Did you know that S'more has it's own day? That's right, America's favorite campfire treat is celebrated on S'mores Day (August 10th)! Balance Bar®, one of America’s original nutrition/energy bar leaders, has recreated the favorite campfire treat to provide a healthier option. Balance Bar S’mores has a crisp layer of graham cracker topped with a light marshmallow filling and covered with a milk chocolate coating. This indulgent snack is specially formulated to help keep busy folks nutritionally balanced and to provide them with lasting energy so they can enjoy what they love to do in their active day-to-day lives.

Each 1.76 oz. single-serve Balance Bar S’mores contains14g of quality protein, 200 calories, 23 vitamins and minerals with an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamin D, and adheres to Balance Bar’s proven healthy 40/30/30 nutritional model (40% of calories come from healthy carbohydrates, 30% from quality protein, and 30% from dietary fat) to help stabilize blood sugar levels, satisfy hunger and provide lasting energy.

Review:I  have had the chance to sample a lot of different Balance Bar flavors and I can say that Balance Bar S'mores is my absolute favorite. It is so good it is hard to believe it has any health benefits. I love the mix of the crunchy graham cracker layer with the soft and delicious marshmallow. Topped with a thin layer of chocolate Balance Bar S'mores is the next best thing to an actual campfire with real S'mores. They certainly satisfy any cravings for sweets that I have and they do a great job of satisfying my hunger as well! 

Buy it here: You can purchase Balance Bars at your local grocery store, drug store, and mass merchant. To get a one-dollar Balance Bar coupon, go to www.Balance.com and click on ‘Get a Valuable Coupon.  They can also be purchased from Amazon.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway   

One winner per household, email address or home address. If you have won this prize on another blog you are ineligible to win again.

I was provided with a sample in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Vote for the Next Little Miss Coppertone!

An icon since 1953, Little Miss Coppertone has been a symbol of family sun protection for decades. With the importance of sun safety more vital than ever, Coppertone’s search for the next little girl represents the brand’s ongoing commitment to keeping America safe while embracing the sun.

 

A panel of judges, including celebrity mom Alison Sweeney, selected the top ten finalists.

 

From July 13 to 26, the ten finalists will be featured on the Coppertone Facebook page where America will have the opportunity to vote for the girl they believe best reflects Little Miss Coppertone’s wholesome, outgoing and energetic spirit.

 

The winner will be selected at the end of July and will be awarded a seven-day, six-night dream family vacation and will be featured in a 2013 print ad.

 

Vote here!

OxiClean Review & Giveaway!

You have probably seen the commercials and heard the claims and might ask yourself, "does it really work?"  That was the question I have asked myself about one of the most popular "As Seen on TV" product: OxiClean. Still popular and available at mass merchants everywhere, OxiClean has a full line of products that promise cleaning power.

OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder is a maximum strength oxygen powder created to get tough stains out in your laundry and through your home. The new and improved formula contains 40% more oxygen power per scoop than their previous formula and comes in a more durable, compact rectangular tub, with a more durable scoop making it easier to carry, use and store. It can be added to laundry to boost detergent for better overall cleaning and whitening. It can get out stains that detergent alone can leave behind and help prevent colors from fading. For extra stubborn stains, you can pre-treat your clothes by soaking in a concentrated solution. It can also be used around the home to remove stains on carpets and upholstery.

OxiClean Dishwasher Booster helps the cleaning performance of your dishwasher detergent by removing cloudy film, food particles, spots, and streaks that detergent alone can leave behind. I was unaware until I received this product that phosphates were banned in dishwasher detergents in 2010. You may have noticed that your dishes have been really spotty. I was even saving up for a new  dishwasher thinking mine was not working correctly! Your dishwasher is not to blame if this is happening to you. You just need a Booster! 
For the first wash, it can be added to the bottom of the dishwasher as well as the rinse agent dispenser. It can then be subsequently added to the rinse agent dispenser about once a month.

Review: I wish I would have began using the Dishwashing Booster about 6 months ago when I bought new glasses because they look terrible. After months of cleaning them in my dishwasher they look, well, dirty! The Booster was not able to remove the spots; however, I noticed that my dishes, in general, felt a lot cleaner. There was no leftover residue that can sometimes occur and my dishwasher itself looked like it had been cleaned after use. I am definitely going to use this when I purchase some new glasses and I hope it will keep them from getting spotty.

I am extremely happy with the results of the Oxiclean Versatile Stain Remover. As you may have seen, last week we threw a Friday the 13th party and my daughter wanted to be a "victim". Three days before the party we shredded up some of her clothes and stained them with fake blood. I figured there would not be a more prominent and set in stain than this to see if it truly works. I dissolved the powder and made a highly concentrated mixture and let the shirt sit in it overnight. I did not scrubbing or other washing. I could not believe the results! See for yourself:

Before: the shirt was stained with fake blood

After a night of soaking the fake blood was completely gone!

Buy it here: Oxiclean products can be purchased at food, drug, mass, and club retailers. Suggested retails price for Oxiclean Versatile Stain Remover is $7.99 for a 3 pound tub. The suggested retail price for OxiClean Dishwashing Booster is $6.99-7.99 for a 13oz bottle (approximately 125 loads).

Win it here: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with samples of OxiClean in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Hello to a Better Body Review and Giveaway!

My mom calls it the "menopot". It is the pot-belly look she and her friends unwillingly achieved when they hit menopause. Gee...I can't wait to get older! I know from my mom and some of the women that I work with that weight loss only gets more difficult once menopause comes (which is no relief to me since I am having trouble losing weight at 32!). Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Hello to a Better Body!: Weight Loss and Fitness for Women Over 50 is a book dedicated to sharing real life stories and advice for women and by women who have struggled with maintaining health and fitness after hitting the big 5-0. 

Review:  Although the format of this book shares similarities to other Chicken Soup for the Soul editions, it is designed to be a bit less about reading other people's inspirational stories and more on using some stories as well as practical information as a self-help tool so the reader can apply strategies to maintaining health and fitness her life. Although I have 18 years to go before I reach the target minimum age for this book, I still found the stories to be quite inspirational. I have been struggling with weight issues since the birth of my daughter almost 7 years ago.  I appreciated the honesty of the contributors and could definitely relate to many of the major themes. For example, always telling myself that I will start losing weight after (insert holiday, event, or any other excuse) happens or constantly living in denial that my clothes are not shrinking in the wash.

In addition to real-life stories, there is practical and evidence-based advice and information that can help motivate you to living a healthy lifestyle. The book covers everything about choosing a lifestyle change and I am certain it could be very beneficial to women who are dealing with health and weight issues over the age (or even approaching the age) of 50.

Buy it here: You can purchase  this book from bookstores and online retailers, to include Amazon, for $9.95.

Win it here:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with a copy of the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.  

Back to School with KleenSlate Review and Giveaway!

KleenSlate's hand-held whiteboards with snap-in marker & eraser are perfect to have on the go and in the classroom.  Whether you use them to play fun games, write a message, take notes, or to take fun photos, the 2-sided dry erase paddles are fun and easy to use.  Their line is award-winning and their markers are low-odor, non-toxic, and kid-friendly. Rather than having the class yell out answers, teachers can have each student write it out and hold up the answer (minimizing the chance of chaos). Or, you can keep some at home and help your kids study for spelling tests or even play jeopardy-style games!

Review:

I got the opportunity to review a sampling of their products and I was totally impressed. First, the idea is quite brilliant.  The uses for these paddles is endless. If I were a teacher, I would love to have these at school. I am very happy to have them at home and I am already planning on using them to help my son study.  He likes writing on dry-erase boards so I bought him a small one to use last year when we were reviewing his study words but he always wrote so messy. These boards have options for a plain board on one side and the other side can have graph, lines, musical lines, and more. Having the board lined like a paper will not only keep his writing neater but it will also help him practice proper cursive.  There are also optional peel-n-stick papers that can help you resurface the paddles. The company really thought of everything. They can come with or without an attached cloth to help clean the slate and there is a slot to keep a marker attached.

The markers come in a variety of fun, bright colors and also in classic black. They are very low-odor. They write evenly and erase completely leaving the board looking like brand new in between uses.  This is one of the more innovative products I have had the opportunity to review and I am looking forward to using them as the kids go back to school! Their price is reasonable considering they are built tough and these are definitely a one-time purchase that will last a long time.

Buy it here: You can purchase KleenSlate products from their website. The following list of prices are for some products good for home use. Products can also be purchased in bulk for school or business use.

Set of 2 dry erase paddles with small dry erase markers in mesh tote: $12.99 - $14.99

4 pack of small erasers: $1.99

10 pack assorted color markers with erasers: $15.00

8 replacement sheets $6.00

4 microfiber cleaning cloths: $10.00

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I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

The Cake Boss is at BJ's Wholesale Club!

BJ’s Wholesale Club has teamed up with Buddy Valastro – the “Cake Boss” and owner of famous Carlo's Bake Shop in Hoboken, N.J. — to create two cakes that will be available at the 195 BJ’s clubs in the 15 states where its clubs are located. Valastro’s personal creations at BJ’s Fresh Bakery are called “Da Bomb,” a cake made with chocolate layers and caramel icing. He’s also created the “Badda Bloom,” a chocolate and vanilla layer cake with buttercream frosting.

 

To unveil the new cakes, BJ’s and the Cake Boss hosted a taste off at 11:30 a.m. today at the BJ’s Wholesale Club in North Bergen, N.J. Valastro showed off the two new cakes, held a meet and greet with fans and passed out samples.

 

Valastro is a fourth generation baker born into a bakery business owned and operated by his parents. He was born in Hoboken and raised in an old fashioned Italian family. Buddy is an accomplished master baker and cake decorator and star of the reality TV series, Cake Boss, which launched on TLC in April 2009 and is now going into its sixth season.

 

Man, I wish I had a BJ's in town! 

Back to School with Post-It - Review

Post-it has come a long way since the little yellow sticky pad. Now they have so many colors and products available that it hard to believe I actually survived without Post-its at some point in my life. They are one of my favorite office supplies and I cannot get enough of their products. You should consider the following products which can really help keep you and your children organized throughout the year.

Post-it Pockets: I am always trying to find ways to organize incoming bills, papers, permission slips, etc and I have yet to find a system that will actually keep me from losing things.  The plastic pockets have peel and stick backing so you can hang them wherever you tend to gather papers. I stuck some up on the backing of my desk and I have been thrilled with them ever since. I can organize bills, receipts, and to-do lists and my desk top can remain free from clutter!  They really do stick well. In fact, I was given some colored versions a year ago and they are still in place on my desk a year later! There are also envelope-style pockets that stick inside a book or binder and allow you to keep money, disks, or other small necessary items secured. The envelope seals with a plastic Velcro strip.

Super-Sticky Notes: The old classic Post-it notes have so many uses. I use them all the time at work. In fact, I probably go through a package of them every 1-2 weeks! They are now available in Jewel  Pop Colors that draw on the influences from current fashion, beauty and home décor trends.  For the "green" family, they also offer a Recycled Note within this line of products that works just as great.

Full-Adhesive Notes: Unlike the classic design, you are able to mount the entire pad on your work surface (thanks to the removable back sheets) making these much more mobile. The added adhesive makes them adhere to surfaces in a much more secure manner which means they will not unintentionally fall from high traffic areas (like my refrigerator).  The adhesive is just as sticky, there is just more of it. I was easily able to stick the Post-its wherever I desired and also reposition them as necessary. I would say that since these stay in place better, I prefer these over the classic design

Apple Pop-Up Note Dispenser: This is an adorable unit that sits on your desk and allows you to take Post-its with one hand. It is a lot more fun than a traditional dispenser and works just as well. My having your Post-Its within hands reach helps you to be more efficient while working. It is very heavy so you truly can pull out a Post-It easily without the dispenser moving an inch. The next Post-It then comes into place automatically, ready for the next time you need one. The dispenser is refillable so you can keep this unit on your desk all year long! This would make the perfect teacher gift!

Storage Container Label Pad: Perfect for home organization or for the college student returning to a dorm, these labels are easy to write on and stick securely, but remove cleanly from boxes, glass containers, books, files, and more with no sticky residue left behind. My winter project is going to be reorganizing our storage area in the basement and these will definitely come in handy!

Super Sticky Removable Note Tabs:  These lined note tabs can be used as a bookmark to call attention to frequently referenced pages while also providing  an easy-to-write surface for important notes. They are removable so they do not damage your papers/books. This will definitely come in handy because my son's books are all on loan and he has a hard time staying organized when he has to do book reports. This is a great way to tab and summarize areas of the book for reference later when he is completing his project.

2" Angled and Solid Tabs: These handy products can be used to color code files and easily create order. They are quite thick and made of plastic so they can survive through repeated handling and use. I love to use these at work. Since I am in charge of a lot of programming, I use color coding to help keep different program information separate. These are much more attractive than the clear plastic file tabs that come with hanging file folders and are much more durable.

Post-it Flags: These are another must-have at my place of work. They mark important information or indicate where someone needs to insert information and/or sign a paper. They self-stick but remove easily without ruining the document.

There are very few products that I am brand-loyal with, but Post-it products are some of those products. There quality is superior to "generic" brands and they are much more attractive. Plus, I love how they are always coming out with new and innovative products. I can never get enough of them!

Buy it here: Post-it products are available in your local store's office supply aisle.

I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.