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Sunday, July 31, 2016

Review: Crush Girl's Seamless Faux Skinny Jean Leggings

My daughter has been wanting some leggings for a while now. To be specific, she has wanted jeggings - you know, the leggings that look like jeans. I finally got her a pair and she fell in love. The first thing she did when she woke up in the morning was put the pair on.
   She wore them for as long as she could. I wish I could say she wore them all day, but while she is in the correct weight limits for the size she got, she is too tall for them. It looked like she was preparing for a flood, but she said they were super duper comfortable. She had a wide range of movement in them.
   She really loved the distressed jeans look of them. As a fashion-conscious young lady, she wants to stay on top of the hottest styles. And right now, these are it in our area. But, she will have to wait until I can get her a pair that fits her long legs better. There is nothing wrong with these leggings. After a hard day of playing and rough-housing, they were not torn or snagged. They do not look like they were overly stretched. I will buy another pair of these, just in one size bigger.
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Review: AYL Tactical Torch Flashlight

You can never have too many flashlights. That is something I learned from my grandfather. He had flashlights strewn all over his house. He had treasure boxes filled with pens, pocket knives and flashlights. I am trying to get good, quality flashlights in every room of my house. Because you never know when the lights are going to go out.

   This flashlight is one such good quality. The lights that it emits is incredibly bright, and you want a bright flashlight when you're trying to find your way in the dark or looking for something in a dark area of your house. You don't want to trip or miss your object due to low lighting from your flashlight. It also is a comfortable fit in your hand.
   Not only does it have a bright light, but you can change the setting to an SOS in the event of an emergency. There is also a strobe setting. So, this gadget really gives you more than the average flashlight. My husband ended up taking this flashlight with him to work, but I plan on getting it back. :)
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Review: Kitchen Deluxe Vegetable Steamer

I have been without a steamer in my kitchen for a while . . . and it sucked when I wanted to make something healthy and tasty for my family. For example, I love using steamed veggies in my Chinese dishes. Regardless, my last vegetable steamer got all rusted. I have to say I was not completely heartbroken because it was rather large.

   But, I got a new vegetable steamer and so far, I am happy with it. The biggest reason? It is easy to store. It folds in upon itself for easy transportation. But, I can fit it over my pot to steam broccoli and carrots, cauliflower and zucchini - just a plethora of vegetables.
   It is incredibly easy to clean as it is dishwasher safe. I would hate to clean this by hand, digging in to every hole. But, I do not have to worry about that, which makes me a happy woman. So far, no rust has appeared on the steamer either, so I am planning on keeping it around for a while.
   This steamer also comes along with a julienne peeler, which I have not had the opportunity to test, but I can tell you it is incredibly sharp. I accidentally cut myself on it. :) I would recommend this product.
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge, and received compensation, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Review: Keliwa Silicone Muffin and Cupcake Baking Pan

I love muffin pans. They give you a means to make a variety of things. It is not just limited to muffins and cupcakes.
   I had never used a silicone muffin pan until recently. I think I might make a switch from metal to silicone now.
   The pan is quick to cool off when you take it out of the oven. That makes it easier to handle with your hands. It is also
incredibly easy to take the food out of the cups. With a metal baking pan, it can be difficult to take the food out of the cups in one piece - especially when you forget to spray them. It is much easier with this silicone pan.
   So far, I have made some lemon poppy seed muffins, mini omelets and runzas. Everything was easy to get out of the cups.
   Now, when you get this pan, it is important to wash it and then flavor it with some oil before you use it for the first time. This will help in preventing stuff from sticking to it. Then, oil it lightly before each use. Also, the pan should not go into ovens hotter than 450 degrees. So, please take those two notes for this recommended product.
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Review: Oak Leaf's Cool White Micro LED String Lights

I love string lights. My daughter loves string lights. My husband loves string lights. My son loves string lights. Basically, our household loves string lights! So, obtaining more string lights is an awesome day in our book.
   Since I have hung string lights in my bedroom and in our living room, my daughter wanted the opportunity to place these string lights somewhere in her room. And she found the perfect spot - on her loft bed. She swirled the string lights around safety bars next to her mattress. That way, it also
serves as a delicate night light for her. And it will save on my electricity bill, because she will not be leaving her tabletop lamp on all night. Yay for me!!
   Since my daughter claimed one string, I put the other one up in my son's room - around his window. He gets spooked when he sees the window at night, but as soon as the light is turned on, he's fine. So, that problem is now solved.
   These lights are bright, but not overly bright. They are also LED, so very energy efficient. I will not be buying tons of batteries. The string is light and delicate - very easy to hang or attach to walls, furniture, etc. Not a single bulb has burned out either. I recommend this.
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Review: Nordic Nordic Instant Chaga Mushroom Tea

This is the second mushroom tea that I have ever tried and I have to say that it is not all that bad.
   First, I tried it as a regular hot tea. And it is bland. I highly recommend adding something else to it. Another tea to add
some flavor? Maybe some cream or honey. How can you add another flavor? Well, it is a loose tea. So, put some into your infuser with another blend and then steep it for 10-20 minutes. Steeping it that long will help you get the benefits this tea will give you.
   Benefits, I say? Indeed. This caffeine and gluten-free, vegan tea will help detoxify your body. It is not an explosive experience, either. You will not have to run hurriedly to the bathroom. That is always a good thing.
   If you do not want to drink this as a tea, try mixing it into your coffee. I did that and I enjoyed the results. You can also mix this into casseroles or soups. You will not taste it at all, but you will still reap the benefits from it. This is a nice, healthy ingredient/tea to have in your kitchen.
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Two Experiences with One Stone

Over the Fourth of July weekend, my family and I went to Camp Shamineau south of Motley, Minn. What a wonderful experience! So much better than staying at home, maybe barbecuing and watching a fireworks display on that one day.
   Now, during this weekend two friends accompanied us - B's best friend from Tulsa and our former neighbor Bob from
Tulsa. We all stayed in a beautiful cabin. There was not any running water or air conditioning, but there was electricity and windows that we were able to open at night to provide air flow. Camp Shamineau is located in a forest, so it was not overwhelmingly hot. The trees did their job and provided insulation and shade.
   There were two things in particular that I took care of during our adventures at Champ Shamineau. First - canoeing. I had never been canoeing and I did not think I was going to react the way I did. I mean, I know how to swim and I am not afraid of water, but sitting in the middle of a canoe that was rocking back and forth made me nervous. My husband Tony and Bob were doing the rowing. We were moving along just fine, but the wind was a tad strong and I kept reacting to every jiggle. I cannot explain why. I don't know why I was so nervous and I tried to stop it by participating in the rowing. That worked for a short period of time before the nervousness set back in. In the end, I made our canoeing trip short, but both Tony and Bob were understanding.
   Second - I may have lost to the canoe (strange as that may be), but I faced my fear of heights and went ziplining! And that is on my list of things to do. All of us strode up into the
hills amongst the trees and got harnesses strapped to us. Even our 2-year-old son, K. Yes, we sent a 2-year-old ziplining.
   After my harness was strapped to me and the helmet was put on my head, I climbed the stairs to begin my ziplining journey. That was terrifying. Even though I watched everyone who was with me go safely to the other side, I was not convinced of my safety. The person in charge told me, "You got this." as he attached me to the wire. I knew I could not back out. With my heart pounding and hands clenching the rope, I closed my eyes, took a few steps and felt myself lifted off the ground. I then proceeded to zip through the forest . . . and a feeling of safety overtook me. I opened my eyes and saw the view. I
even looked at the ground and felt completely safe. I almost psyched myself out of the experience, but I did it!
   I encourage you to do the same. Maybe that one thing is not as scary as it seems.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Review: Wise Palace 4 Drink Coasters and Ice Ball Maker

My husband and I are big fans of ice balls. They just look so much more classy than regular, boring ice cubes.
   The only problem with ice ball makers is that you need numerous devices if you want to entertain a decent number of people. That way, you can have a fair amount of ice balls on hand when the party starts. The ice balls that this device makes are big enough and it makes four at a time. The device is made well enough that ice balls come out relatively
smooth. There are a few ticks and obviously lines in the middle, but they are not too noticeable. They are especially not noticeable if you put mint leaves or orange rinds in the ice balls. Trust me on that one.
   Or if you plan on dropping the ice balls in glasses of whiskey or in glasses of freshly-made cocktails.
   The four coasters that accompany the ice ball maker are wonderful. We are not coaster people, however. But if we were, these are some coasters that we would use regularly. I mean, as far as I go, they are easy to clean. As far as my husband goes, they are certainly manly enough. The only way to get manlier is to have them made out of wood or bone.
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Review: Candy Envy's Twirly Rounds

As a general rule, I am not a huge fan of hard candy. I always give exceptions to butterscotch discs and Werther's Originals. But, there come times when I have a hankering for striped candy - you know, like the peppermint discs you always see around Christmas time.

   Now, these Twirly Rounds certainly do look like peppermint discs, except they are ball-shaped and cherry-flavored. And that is not a bad thing. There is also a surprising amount of these candies in the bag in which they arrive.
   The flavor is not bad at all. Definitely cherry. I like it. My husband? Not so much. He's not a fan of either hard candy or cherry flavors. The size of the candy balls makes for a long lasting candy, as well. As opposed to the peppermint discs, these take longer than two minutes to get through. There is one aspect of the peppermint discs that I do enjoy, which these balls lack - the ability to be crunched through once a certain size if reached. I love to crunch my hard candies into powder when they get smaller and softer. These Twirly Rounds do not give me that luxury. I have tried when the balls get to bead-sized and I'm afraid I'm going to chip a tooth. But, all in all, that is the only negative thing I would have to say about them.
  Flavor: 4
  Size: 5
  Crunchability: 0
  Total: 9 - give it a try.
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Review: Smooth and Silky Incontinence Panties

As any normal woman, occasionally I find that I have a tendency to lightly soak my undergarments. It's not intentional, nor do I need Depends. But, it can happen when I sneeze or laugh too hard. Just a little spritz. I've never
talked about it before because it is embarrassing, but I found these panties that while they may not solve my problem, they will certainly help.
   How? I go through a lot of underwear as a result of this. It is nice to have a pair of underwear that will be able to withstand the assault.
   Now, these panties certainly do not look sexy at all. They are definitely not fashionable, but at least they are functional. I just would not recommend wearing them for a romantic evening. However, they are comfy. There's no pinching or riding going on.
   I would recommend these.
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Review: Cove Castile Lavender Soap

It was only recently that I discovered castile soap. I am sorry it took me this long to bring this wonder into my life. Because the benefits are phenomenal!

   When I found out there was a lavender castile soap, I knew I had to try it. I prefer scented soaps. The smell of plain soap just doesn't do it for me, and that applies to any soap - body, shampoo, laundry detergent, all-purpose. If there is a scented version, I will grab that.
   Now, with this lavender castile soap, I can make all of those. I can make body wash and shampoo. I can make laundry and dish detergents. I can make an all-purpose cleaner for my kitchen counter tops. It's wonderful! I can save a whole bunch of money by using castile soap. Does it get stuff as clean? You betcha! Do the items really smell like lavender? There is a subtle scent. After all, you have to dilute the castile soap when you make the other potions.
   If you want to make your own soap and cleaning supplies, I do recommend buying this castile soap. I am completely happy with it.
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Review: Randi Glazer's 12 Strategies for Surviving a Career in the Insurance Industry

Whether you are in the insurance industry or are contemplating a career in insurance, this is a book to have on your shelf. This book - 12 Strategies for Surviving a Career in the Insurance Industry - with all of it's 42 pages, is straight to the point and draws on experience the author gathered during years of insurance work.

   I have never been someone who has had any interest in working insurance. But, now I understand why some people might decide to make it a career goal. Author Randi Glazer does not paint it out to be glamorous or a sure-fire way to make a fortune, but he does show the industry in a favorable light. And he helps those caught in crossroads to make decisions and perhaps dodge some bullets. Glazer is able to do that with very practical advice, that not only can be applied to insurance, but also to other careers.
   If you are looking for step-by-step instructions, please continue looking. This is only 42 pages. It's not in-depth by any means, but it is worth your time.
Full disclosure: I was sent this book free of charge, and received compensation, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Review: Regenerix NOW

This product could not have come at a better time! My family and I (along with some friends) went to Camp Shamineau for an extended Fourth of July weekend. That meant a lot of walking, swimming and various activities took place. Me, with bad knees, hips and back, took the Regenerix NOW to stave off any pain or extra injuries I might have gotten. And it worked.

   I was walking up and down hills, tripping over rocks and landing on my knees, climbing rock walls, squatting in the sand with my son - all without problems. Usually, I have some sort of joint screaming in agony after a day of activity, so the only thing I can think is that the Regenerix NOW did the job it was supposed to do.
   This supplement mainly uses peppermint, hops and ginger, so it is important to take it on a full stomach. If you take it on an empty stomach, the peppermint will give you a cool feeling (which might not be too bad if you're in an area with elevated temperatures, but it's still best to follow directions).
   I recommend this one.
Full disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge, and received compensation, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.