2 Pack iPhone Lightning Cables

With multiple Apple products in our house, we have several charger needs.  Unfortunately, some of the cheaper spare lightning cords I purchased have already failed and have left  me searching for something more durable and longer lasting.  So, when this package arrived in the mail, I was excited to test it out.  A set of two cords offered my family just what we needed.

Very securely packaged, this 6 foot (yes, 6 foot, not the usual 3) cable was packaged in a big enough box to keep from having it kinked or scrunched into pinch points as others I have purchased did.  Instead, it was nicely coiled with plenty of room to move within the well sealed box.  Both boxes were nestled tightly together within the bag.

I immediately loved how durable this cable feels.  The braided cord is super strong and flexible and the ends feel as if they are made of quality materials, not cheap.  The USB and 8-pin plugs do not bend in their cases as some others I have used do.

This cord is super long!  More than 6 feet (really, I measured!)

It plugs in to my phone just as it should, and immediately connects.  No need for jiggling or wondering if the error message will pop up saying it is incompatible.  Even with my Otterbox case on the iPhone 6, it plugged right in with no trouble at all.

The USB end plugs right in as expected as well.

The case on the cord is not only pretty, but protective and strong.  It holds up to bending, stretching, kids, pets, and all of the abuse I could think to reasonably throw at it.  While I cannot speak to the longevity of this cord yet, I am absolutely thrilled with the construction and materials and have very high hopes that this cord will outlast my need for it (given Apple's constant changing of such things)

You can find one for yourself here

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review

Simply Earth Lemon Essential Oil Review

I do believe I have found my new favorite Essential Oil seller.  Enter Simply Earth, the brand that not only produces high quality oils, but gives back!

There are many uses for Lemon Essential Oil
 - disinfectant and antiseptic cleaner for sanitizing surfaces
- clears unpleasant odor
- removing stubborn things like grease spots, gum, oil and sticker residue
Great for use in cleaners, diffusers, health and beauty products and other household applications, this oil has many possibilities and is a staple in the essential oil department.

I have put my lemon oil to use in a homemade cleaning solution of vinegar/water, used it to remove stickers in place of products like Goo Gone or the like, and even used in in my bathroom, diluted in water, for disinfecting.  This stuff has so many uses and I am just learning the basics but am already in love with it!

Simply Earth's Lemon Oil smells just as one would expect lemon oil to smell.  It has a clean, lemon fresh odor that is not clouded by other scents.  It comes out of the bottle almost clear.  

A little of this stuff goes a long way, and needs to be diluted unless used for aromatherapy.  I put mine to use first in a vinegar/water solution cleaner to add a pleasant scent.  I have also used mine mixed with hot water for a steam inhalation as well as in my diffuser to help treat my disinfect and detoxify my house as a result of a recent cold.  I am glad to have it on hand as the cold and flu season swings into high gear and anticipate using it a whole lot more in the near future.

I love that the bottle label specifically calls out the oil details:

Botanical Name: Citrus limon
Origin: Argentina 
Plant Part: Fruit Peel 

Aroma: Strong, bright, sweet,  lemony

There is nothing hidden in this product, the company is transparent and clear about all of their oils, which I love!

The details on this specific oil:
* Main Constituents: Limonene: 67.03% 
* Extraction Method: Cold Pressed 
* Note: Top 
* Family: Rutaceae 
* Blends Well With: Bergamot, Lime, Orange, and Mandarin 
* Consistency: Thin 
* Color: Clear to greenish yellow

Purchases from Simply Earth are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you really can't go wrong.  Add to that the fact that a percentage of sales goes toward eradicating human trafficking and you have a sure win in my book.

You can find it for yourself here

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

Simply Earth Peppermint Essential Oil Review

I do believe I have found my new favorite Essential Oil seller.  Enter Simply Earth, the brand that not only produces high quality oils, but gives back!

Peppermint Oil has many uses:

 - It can help ease respiratory problems and congestion with aromatherapy.

 - It can help relieve headaches and migraines

 - It can help reduce and battle symptoms of bronchitis and asthma

 - It can help reduce dandruff and lice in hair

 - It can calm the body and help with pain in joints.

 - Also effective in repelling rodents and insects, such as fleas, tics, flies, mosquitoes, spiders, bed bugs, ants, roaches, rats, and mice

Simply Earth's Peppermint Oil smells just as one would expect peppermint oil to smell.  It has a clean, pepperminty odor that is not clouded by other scents.  It comes out of the bottle almost clear.  

A little of this stuff goes a long way, and needs to be diluted unless used for aromatherapy.  I put mine to use first in a vinegar/water solution cleaner to add a pleasant scent.  I have also used mine mixed with hot water for a steam inhalation as well as in my diffuser to help treat my stuffy nose as a result of a recent cold.  I am glad to have it on hand as the cold and flu season swings into high gear and anticipate using it a whole lot more in the near future.

I love that the bottle label specifically calls out the oil details:

Botanical Name: Mentha Piperita 
Origin: India 
Plant Part: Herb 

Aroma: Sharp, penetrating scent based on its high menthol content; a minty sweetness 

There is nothing hidden in this product, the company is transparent and clear about all of their oils, which I love!

The details on this specific oil:
* 100% Pure - Non-Toxic - No Additives - Unfiltered and Undiluted with No Fillers. 
*Note: Top 
*Main Constituents: L-Menthol: 36.75%; L-Menthone: 24.05%; Menthofuran: 5.10% 
*Family: Lamiaceae 
*Blends Well With: Basil, Bergamot, Cajeput, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Marjoram, Niaouli, Pine, Rosemary, Spearmint, and Thyme 
*Consistency: Thin 
*Color: Colorless to pale yellow

Purchases from Simply Earth are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you really can't go wrong.  Add to that the fact that a percentage of sales goes toward eradicating human trafficking and you have a sure win in my book.

You can find it for yourself here

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

Mr Zip and the Capital Z Review

Mr. Zip and The Capital Z

by Kimberly Bryant-Palmer

Illustrated by Jerry Palmer

Though I am an adult, I am a fan of young adult fiction in addition to my regular reading.  I like to keep up with what kids are reading so that when my children are older I am in the habit and aware.  Mr. Zip and The Capital Z caught my attention for the curiosity it piqued when I read the description.  Any book I can find that is fiction but based in truth is a plus.

The central character of the book, Peanut, stumbles across Mr. Zip and his shop The Capital Z one day, and he suddenly finds himself learning all kids of things about himself and his history by discovering artifacts in the shop.  Various people from Peanut's life pop in and out of the story as he remains in the shop, some learning along with him as Mr. Zip spins tales that feel like reality.

I found myself learning plenty of things as I read this book.  A quick read for an adult, there was still plenty within the pages to expand my mind.  Each historical idea is referenced within the book for further learning.  The intermittent illustrations help add a visual to the story, while not adding so much as to take away from what my own mind constructed in pictures.

I found the extra characters visiting the shop a little distracting and off point, but otherwise really enjoyed the book and the history lessons it  brought with the entertainment.  I will be tucking this book away for future reading when my children get older, as the history lessons inside alone are worth the investment of this book

You can learn more about this book by visiting www.MrZipBooks.com.  You can also find a copy for yourself here.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

500 Piece Building Brick Review

My girls are just getting into the joy of building with Legos.  We have been given a couple of small sets, but they kept asking for more blocks to build and create with.  Finding such blocks without buying a set or spending a fortune is difficult to come by, however.  So, when I came across the opportunity to try  a pack of non-branded Lego like blocks, I jumped on it.

This set comes with 500 pieces in 14 different shapes an sizes, in 10 colors (red, green, light blue, dark blue, yellow, pink, purple, white, grey, black).  

These are your basic bricks, and include the following pieces:

- 1 peg narrow

- 2 peg narrow

- 3 peg narrow

- 4 peg narrow

- 6 peg narrow

- 8 peg narrow

- 4 peg double

- 6 peg double

- 8 peg double

- 12 peg double

- 16 peg double

- 3 peg corner 

- 20 peg thin

- 2 peg slant

These bricks work perfectly with Lego branded building bricks.  If not for the logo, I would not have known they were not the official product!

I am very pleased with this set.  I love that the colors are not gender specific.  The bricks are easy to put together and take apart again, they are not too tight or loose.  They feel just like the name brand building bricks, of quality sturdy plastic.  My family spent hours just creating and building with these, no directions, characters, extras or theme necessary.  These are great for sparking creativity, educational purposes, distractions, just play fun.  I highly recommend this product!

You can get some for the kid in your life (or yourself) here

*I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

AirComfy Pillowcase Review

 I purchased the AirComfy pillow almost a year ago, and have been very pleased with it. You can find my review of the pillow here.

But, when the option came for me to add a pillowcase to it, I was very interested. 

The AirComfy pillowcase comes in it's own little storage bag. The front is seamless and smooth, made of a very soft fabric. 

The back snaps open for easy installation of the AirComfy pillow. 

Once the pillow is in place, the snaps easily close back around the elastic strap, keeping the pillow functional. 

There is even an opening on one corner for the air valve to fit through.

This pillowcase is well made. Snaps work great, there is plenty of space for the pillow to slide in, yet once installed the pillow stays put and the pillowcase does not bunch up. 

The fabric is very soft and comfortable to lay against. The color is neutral, but of a shade that does not show dirt quickly. When the pillow is not in use, the pillowcase conforms to the pillow as air is removed and it is rolled up for storage. 

It just fits perfectly! I am very happy with this pillowcase!

You can find it here!

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

Live Infinitely Double Camping Hammock Review

I have been hoping for a hammock for some time.  I had one as a kid and spent countless hours reading books in that thing.  Though winter is soon upon us, I finally found a chance to get one, and I even got to put it to use!

The Double Camping Hammock by Live Infinitely comes with tree straps, so it is an all-in-one package.  All you need to add is trees or posts and you are all set.

 Included in the package are hanging and care instructions.  The straps and hammock each come in their own storage packs, and everything is condensed and small enough to pack away without the needed storage space some hammocks require.

 The included straps are very long and have heavy duty rings sewn into loops with very strong webbing for easy hanging in nearly any location.

 The hammock itself folds out of the bag, which remains attached and can act as a pocket.  A two-toned hammock, the center is purple with black/charcoal sides.

 The ends of the hammock are sewn around a cord which is hooked to a carabiner that easily clips onto the strap rings for quick hanging and removal.

 My yard is lacking in close trees, so I used the next best thing - my clothesline posts.  Once I wrapped the 300 pound strap around the pole twice,

passing it through the ring,

I then simply snapped the carabiner into the strap loop

and we were set to go.
Following guidelines, I hung it about 2 feet off the ground to start with, accounting for sag once a person climbed inside.

With two of my children inside, it sagged a very small bit, maybe 6 inches, and even after I climbed it, the distance to the ground did not change much.  This left us comfortable and able to hang without dragging, but still safe should someone fall out.

 Once hung, the storage bag, which is attached, hangs nicely on the side and is great for storing items if needed, as well as remaining on hand for easy pack-up

 This hammock has tons of room!  With myself and two children inside, it still wanted to fold up around us.  It is very well made.  Constructed from parachute material, it is rated for 450 pounds, with the combined straps able to hold 400 pounds.  It is made with high quality cords and carabiners on the hammock end.

 Triple stitching is all the way around this thing, keeping seams strong.

I am so impressed with this hammock.  It is so lightweight and easy to transport, as well as set up, but strong and big!  I cannot wait to put this thing to work next summer.

Get one for yourself here!

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.