New book fun!

The "if you were me and lived in..." series by Carole P. Roman are great for making education about different time periods fun! This time we read about Elizabethan England. 

My son really likes the illustrations by Paula Tabor & hearing about a different period in history. Ans just like her other books, I liked how the writing made him feel connected to the story by using lots of "you" "your father" and "your mother".

I also liked how it asked some questions throughout the story to invoke some critical thinking in the readers.  There is a glossary in the back (for helping with words like "breeched" & "gentry") as well as some short bios on some influential people for the period.

This book covers the Renaissance, exploring, art, literature, clothing you would wear, the food you might grow and eat, what you would do in your free time, and how the settlements were built.

The author's blog is working on additional resources like worksheets, coloring pages, and more. Perfect for homeschooling!

I received a copy of this book complementary in exchange for my review, all opinions are my own. 

Dove Detox & Purify Dry Shampoo

I have tried several different dry shampoos. With long, thick hair that can get oily, it's been hard to find one that I really like! 

Enter Dove-Detox and Purify Dry Shampoo. I have to say I was impressed!! The first thing I noticed is that there wasn't a white powder/residue in my hair as I was using it. I also noticed the lovely scent, that lasted a while, not just while I was applying it. It gave my hair a little volume, and a little (good) shine, and it took out a lot of the oil. 

I got a few compliments at work, and most did not believe that it was from a dry shampoo.

 I did get this free to review, but I liked it enough that I'll be buying more!

Shiatsu Massager

I'm in love with my new Naturalico Shiatsu Massager! You can plug it into the wall, or the car (although I don't know when I'd actually use it in the car); no batteries needed. It's heated, and you can reverse the massaging direction with the touch of a button.

Its prime use is the neck and shoulders, although there are instructions for lower back and feet. I love using it on my neck and shoulders with the heat. The heat is warm, but not hot, which is nice and relaxing. The pressure and rotation of the massager feels like a person giving the massage- it's wonderful! Some similar massagers chop/pound/vibrate; this one actually kneads. After a long day on the computer at work, and then the long drive home in rush hour traffic, this is the perfect way to wind down and relax. 

While it is completely portable, and the box that it comes in has a handle and is pretty sturdy, it is a little on the heavy side (but most of these kind of massagers are!).

You can get yours here - http://amzn.to/2aiCAVt

I received this product complementary in exchange for my honest review; all opinions are my own. 

ZzzQuil

I recently got to test out a sample of ZzzQuil thanks to Influenster. If you have trouble sleeping, you should definitely try out ZzzQuil! It comes in LiquiCaps and liquid form.

Perks of ZzzQuil: 

- It is non-habit forming 

- You sleep soundly & wake up refreshed 

- It can help you fall asleep in less than 20 minutes

As a reminder though, ZzzQuil is only for sleep, NOT for any kind of pain relief. Please make sure that you are giving yourself 7-8 hours of sleep when you take it.  

I am not a dr or a medical professional- please consult your own doctor for medical advice! 

Middle Ages

We now have four Carole P Roman books in our library. I have to say that, unfortunately, this one is our least favorite of all of them. It is about twice as long as the other three books, and it didn't hold my son's attention like the others do. I also noticed there were several spots where editing and proofing were missed. It didn't seem to flow as easily, either. 

However, it does tell of the time period (in an age appropriate manner too) - showcasing the naming practices, the clothing, different types of food, religion, schooling, social structure, etc which was definitely nice! It also has a section at the end of some famous people from the Middle Ages; as well as a glossary. 

I did receive this book complementary for my review. All opinions are my own. 

Always Radiant

Always Radiant with Flexfoam- Wear what you want with these leak free pads. They are super absorbent; yet they are thin and lightweight. Very comfortable! With these pads you really can wear those skinny white jeans (I wouldn't wear at all but that's just me. Hehe) during that time of the month. 

I did receive this product complementary for testing and review; all opinions are my own. 

Influenster Goddess VoxBox

Recently I was choose to recieve Influenster's Goddess VoxBox! I love getting VoxBoxes from Influenster because they are usually filled with all kinds of neat products.

This time around we got this great assortment of pampering goodies:

Pantene Expert Intense Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner- I really liked how these smelled! My hair definitely felt more hydrated, soft, and full after using them. 

Sinful Colors Nail Polish- this was a limited time matte polish from the Kylie Jenner Trend Matters Collection. I've never tried a matte polish before, it's really interesting. It had a different feel when you run you fingers over it; and obviously, a very different look to it. The shade I got (Glazy Sunday) is probably one I would not have picked for myself, it didn't look great with my skin tone. I didn't use a top coat, because I wanted to keep the matte finish, but then it chipped after two days. 

Ebates - did you know you can use rebates to get money back from shopping online? If you use my referral link to join - we both save! 

Cutex Advanced Revival Nail Polish Remover Pads - ahh these are AMAZING! Each pad is individually packaged, great for storing a few in the desk at work, or your purse. Just one of these small, but mighty, pads can remove the polish off of both hands! I need to try fingers and toes next time. I really think you can do all of them. It's super easy to use, fast, and not messy! Love them. 

Always Radiant with Flexfoam- Wear what you want with these leak free pads. Super absorbent, yet thin and lightweight. 

Downy Fresh Protect with In Wash Febreze Odor Defense-I got this in April fresh and it smells fabulous. You pop these into the washing machine and then wash as normal. Thanks to motion activated technology, that fabulous scent comes out to help with bad odors. I love These with my work out clothing. 

Dickinson's Enhanced Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Hydrating Toner- so refreshing at the end of the day! It has a gentle hydrating feeling after you apply it. So glad it doesn't dry your skin out like some toners I've used before; it also doesn't burn, it's very gentle. Helps for nice, clean, refreshing skin! 

The best part about these VoxBoxes- every single item mentioned here was sent to me for FREE for testing and review purposes!!  Every opinion mentioned here are my own.  

Natural Shoe Odor Remover Plugs by Sagano

I currently have these charcoal inserts in my running shoes. In the week or so they have been in my shoes, they have done a pretty good job of reducing the odors that running can cause. Some odor still remains, but these are not new shoes when I first put them in either. They do fit pretty well in my size 8 shoes (I have one partially pulled out to show it in the picture- they do fit completely inside the shoes.) 

I don't believe these will work on super stinky shoes; but if you're proactive and take care of both your feet and shoes they will definitely help some. 

I did receive these complementary in exchange for my review; however the opinions stated are all my own. 

Dr.Meter IR-20 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer

This Dr.Meter IR-20 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer is great! We've mostly just used it for cooking right now, such as seeing how hot the oven or grill is. However it has so many uses- hot/cold spots in the house for insulation, making sure your air vents are working, checking temps in refrigerators or freezers, air condition leaking from windows and doors, the list goes on and on!

We found the readings to be fairly accurate- based on thermostat setting and air vent outputs around the house, and known oven, refrigerator, and freezer settings. It comes with a manual to show you how to use all the buttons on the back.  It also comes in a nice holster (with belt loop if needed) for when it's not in use.

The only challenge we had with it was with the battery door/compartment. The included 9 volt is a tight fit in the compartment. When you close the battery door it catches on the top of the trigger, turning on the thermometer. With the laser on the same side you could accidentally shot it where you don't want to (a face or eye for example). Thankfully you shouldn't need to change the battery out too often.

                                            

I received this item for free in exchange for review, however all opinions are my own. 

New type of window shades!

We tried out our new sunshades on our rental over the weekend. A road trip from Central Florida to the Keys and back, in the middle of summer, was perfect! I loved how quick and easy it was to swap to a new vehicle. They slide right over the door! It fit pretty well on the doors (this was a 2016 Chevy Impala), but definitely shows on the outside of the car if you have a smaller door. Not having suction cups that fall off all the time is a nice trade off though. The no suction cups were great for the rental too, so we didn't leave the suction cup marks on the windows. I also liked that you can roll the window down  on a nice day, yet still keep some of the sun (and all the bugs!!) out of the car.  

Being able to pop it in to the washer is helpful too; super easy to keep them clean! They also come with a nice carrying bag for those times you take them off.

You can get your own set here. 

Both window shades are in this handy bag!

Sunshade out of the bag, and not yet on a window. 

Installed on the window. 

**I received this item heavily discounted for my honest review; however all opinions are my own. **

A great read!!

The "if you were me and lived in..." series by Carole P. Roman are wonderful; Colonial America is no exception. My son really likes the illustrations by Sarah Wright & hearing about a different period in history. I liked how the writing made him feel connected to the story by using lots of "you" "your father" and "your mother".

I also liked how it asked some questions throughout the story to invoke some critical thinking in the readers.  There is a glossary in the back (for helping with words like "daub" & "jerkin") as well as some short bios on some influential people for the period.

This book covers the trip over on the Mayflower, their religious challenges, clothing you would wear, the food you might grow and eat, and how the settlements were built.

The author's blog is working on additional resources like worksheets, coloring pages, and more. Perfect for homeschooling!

I received this book complementary for review purposes; however, all opinions are my own (and we liked it so much we want to buy the rest of the books in the series!)

O-Sip! Silicone Sippy Lids

• We love our new #OSipLids!  This is a game changer for those will little ones. It makes meal time less stressful- no spills, and no leaks! Little Man thinks they are awesome because they come in fun colors and he can use big kid cups easily with them. They are small and easy to toss in your bag for those locations that don't have kids cups (and you know a take out lid on a glass just doesn't hold up!) They are made out of a food grade silicone, are dishwasher safe, and they are only one piece (so no missing valves, or mismatched parts, and no hiding spots for yucky germs/mold). 

• 
  

• As seen in the picture below, the bottom folds up inside to make it smaller; and they are easy to store (or bring with you) since they are stack-able for space saving at home! 

They also make a version that isn't a sippy cup lid, it has a hole for a straw and works the same way. 

• 
  

• You can get your own here.

We received these items complementary for testing and review purposes; however, all opinions are 100% my own! 

Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum

Valentia makes fabulous products, and their Royal Rose Hydrating Serum is no exception! I love the sweet rose smell, it's light but pleasant.  

Just one-two pumps in the evening on your face and neck is all you need for wonderful hydration. 

- A lightweight serum that boosts moisture and resilience while soothing and calming the skin.This Hydrating & Nourishing Serum Will:

- Deeply moisturize skin

- Provide antioxidant protection

- Soothe & nourish dry skin

- Smooth skin tone & texture

- Boost skin radiance

Specially selected ingredients work together to achieve optimum results:- Rose Damascena: One of the most nourishing and skin friendly natural oils, providing balance, moisture, and a variety of vitamins and minerals to the skin.

- Niacinamide (Vitamin B): This potent vitamin has been clinically proven to fade away hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and acne..

- Rosehip Seed Oil: Naturally rich in Vitamins C & A, these essential fatty acids work quickly to lock in skin's moisture.

- Evening Primrose Oil: Provides light, non-oily moisture to the skin, never clogging or irritating the skin.

- Bearberry: Reduces melanin production, thereby lightening the skin, revealing a brighter complexion.

- Lavender: Heals the skin, treating pimples, wounds, and sores.

I received this item complementary for my honest review, all opinions are my own. 

Gillette Venus #ChooseToSmooth

I #ChooseToSmooth because shorts are a must in Florida 😉 My new Gillette Venus  has a neat flexiball for all your leg curves. I LOVE the scent of the shave gel too! Plus, it's all purple, my favorite!! 💜 

thanks to influenster I got to try these products for free! All opinions are my own. 

Valentia True Glow Eye Cream

Recently I was asked to try out Valentia True Glow Eye Cream. I cannot sing its praises loud enough!

Valentia True Glow Eye Cream - An illuminating antioxidant rich eye cream that tightens skin and locks in moisture, depuffing the eye area to repair skin as well as adding natural protection. The result is a youthful and energetic glow around the eye area.This Corrective Eye Treatment Will:
- Diminish fine lines & wrinkles
- Nourish & hydrate
- Tighten the under eye area
- Brighten dark circles
- Reduce puffiness

After one week of using it once in the morning and once before bed, I could see a difference in the dark circles and puffiness. As a mom to a very active 3 year old, and an early morning wake up for work, I definitely needed some work on those circles! I also love the scent, it's faint, but lovely.

You can get yours here!

I received this product complementary for testing and review purposes; all opinions are 100% my own.

Product Reviewing

I've been involved in product testing and reviewing for a few years now, and I've been asked many times about it.  I'd love to share with all of you the many places I review for, and some of the great things I've gotten to review.

In no particular order:

Bzz Agent -  I've been with Bzz Agent for a year now.  You are given surveys to see if a BzzCampaign is a good fit for you; once chosen, they give you the various tasks you need to complete the BzzCampaign.  They more quality posts you make the more likely it is you will be chosen for future BzzCampaigns.  My products have included Pure Via, Crest Pro Health, Children's Claritin, Secret Clinical, Barber Foods,  Welch's Refreshingly Simple, o.b. Tampons, GO VEGGIE, and Prestige for Women (including D&G and Gucci).

Smiley360 - I've been with Smiley360 for just under a year. They also do surveys to see if you qualify for missions.  If you qualify, they will give you different tasks to complete; each task is worth so many points, and you need to achieve a certain number of points to obtain the mission badge. This one took me a good three months of doing surveys before I finally qualified for one, so don't give up. My products have included Sleep Number (where I got a great new pillow!), o.b. Tampons, Goodness Knows Snacks, Nature's Bounty, Arm & Hammer, Vitafusion, Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain, Orajel, Hello Toothpaste, and Emergen-C.

Influenster - I've been with Influenster about 2.5 years. They are also survey based to qualify, they are a bit different though in that you typically receive a box of items instead of just one item.  They give you several tasks in order to unlock the overall box badge, and then to unlock the individual brand badges as well. Campaigns I've been involved in have been Colgate Total, Kiss Products, Rimmel London, Lidnt Lindor Truffles, Dr Scholl's, belVita, Red Rose, imPRESS Nails, Pilot Acroball, Colgate Optic White, NYC New York Color, Aqua Spa, Playtex, Blue Diamond, Muller Yogurt, Clear Proof, Penguins of Madagascar, Fruit Vines, Calvin Klein, Covergirl, Neutorgena, Sally Hansen, Biscoff, Hallmark itty bittys, Pure Ice, Cetaphil, Ore-Ida, Carefree, TastyKake, EcoTools, Celestial Seasonings, and McCormick Gourmet.

Crowdtap - I've been with Crowdtap for about 1.5 years.  As the name implies, they "tap the crowd" for social sharing on several different brands. Instead of just reaching out to you to see if you qualify for missions, you can join brands, answer polls, share media on your social media accounts, apply for samples, take pictures and more. This one is also a sample share product review site.  So instead of getting one item for you to try and review, sometimes they'll send 2-3 items for you to share with your family and friends. Then there are several steps you do to complete the mission.

Tomoson - I'm pretty new to Tomoson, only about 4 months so far.  You fill out your profile, and there are a ton of categories to browse of items to review, that you then apply for a chance to review.  Some are completely free, some you get a huge discount on, and on some you actually get paid to review.  So far I've only done free ones.   I do get offers to apply multiple times a day,  unfortunately most don't seem very relevant to me (lots of baby offers, but I have an almost 4 year old). There is a HUGE assortment of items to review.  It seems like they all have Amazon shops and they are looking for reviews on there.  It also seems like you're more likely to get approved for a review if you have Amazon Prime because they don't have to pay to ship your items. I've only gotten to try matcha tea and some essential oils so far.

Social Nature - I'm relatively new to Social Nature, just around a month or so. This one is geared more towards Canada, but there are some USA offers as well. It is also centered on organic, healthy, non GMO, natural, etc. products. When I've found USA offers, I've noticed it's been hard to find stores near me that carry the product. It looks like instead of sending you a product to try, they send you a voucher/coupon for that item for free. The one thing I've been able to try, Amazing Grass Green Superfood, was only because it directed me to their website and they are giving out samples.

Jungle Launch - I just joined this one VERY recently. Overall they've only been around for about 6 months now. They send you offers to sign up for, and then they will send you a code to redeem on Amazon to receive the item.  The one item I tried to sign up for had a bad code, and they ended up running out before they could send me a new one.  Unfortunately that's all I have to go on them so far.

PINCHme* I've been with PINCHme for about a year and a half.  This one is very different than the others- it's more of a product testing instead of reviewing.  You are still encouraged to share your thoughts with friends, family, social media, but it's not a requirement.  They offer sample boxes once a month, and it's based on your profile, I may have items offered to me that you don't have and you may have offers that I don't have. It's also a fastest fingers kind of thing, if you wait until a few days after the boxes open, you may not have much, if anything, to choose from.  They have recently introduced PINCHme PLUS where you get access to the items 24 hours early.  IF you are chosen for that month, you can pay $3.99 for access.  I've gotten early access invites, for free, twice.  It was nice not having to rush to fill my box, but I don't know if I would pay to have the early access, especially since it's mostly sample size not full size items. Boxes also take a LONG time to arrive.  I have gotten a ton of things from them though- Allegra, Gevalia coffee, American Crew, SheaMoisture, Olay, PureVia, Expo markers, NIVEA, Walgreens Well Beginnings, Luzianne,  NUTRO, GOLD BOND, Advil, Purina Pro, Scotch-Brite Sponges, DenTek floss picks, Enfagrow, Breathe Right, Beyond Grain Free, NUXE, Fancy Feast, ZzzQuil, Muse Natural Cat Food, Boon Snug Spout, and Truvia.

it Cosmetics - Social Toaster - I've just joined Social Toaster, and I'm still not quite sure what exactly it is! It looks like it's mostly for brands to help recruit SuperFans and promote their brand and products.  I know that it Cosmetics is one of those brands and they are doing a mascara giveaway for signing up, and what girl doesn't love mascara?! I'll come back with a better review of this one soon.

Totchos!

Have you made some of your own #OreIdaTotchos? I did! 

I used Ore-Ida Mini Tator Tots and they were perfect for Totchos! I cooked them exactly as the package said to, then I added some shredded mozzarella cheese, cilantro lime salsa, sour cream, bacon crumbles, and sliced black olives. It was pretty tasty! 

What kind of Totchos would you create? 

I received this product complementary for testing and review purposes, all opinions are my own. #contest

Ore-Ida Tots!

We recently got to try out Ore-Ida Tots thanks to a free coupon that came in my Influenster Jingle Vox Box! I have a little one, so that means he's a big tator tot fan. I let him pick out which tots we got and he picked out their Mini Tator Tots.

We loved that they were a cute, small size (perfect for little fingers to pick up!) , they were crispy and full of flavor.  We picked ours up in the frozen food section at Publix. Yummy! 

I received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes, all opinions are my own (and in this case, my sons too!).

Simply Earth Essential Oils- Lemon

I recently got to test the Lemon Essential Oil from Simply Earth! 

I love the smell of lemon, and Simply Earth Essential Oil in Lemon does bit disappoint! I personally have been using a few drops in my glasses of water (and my tea when I don't have an actual lemon around); it's refreshing, tasty and is supposed to aid in digestion. It's also great for diffusing in the house! #simplyearth

Something great about Simply Earth is that they donate 13% of your purchase toward ending human trafficking. They donate to several organizations that help with rehabilitation of the victims, education on the problem, and raising aware. 

I got this product complementary from Tomoson and Simply Earth for testing and review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.

From their website- http://simplyearth.com/products/lemon-essential-oil

100% Pure: No additives and undiluted 

Use: Diffuse to improve your mood; great addition to household cleaning products; check out our recipes below for more ideas on how to use this oil.