Packing Organizer Review

I am a big fan of order and everything having a place.  So, when I learned of the Packing Organizers by Dot & Dot, I snatched up the chance to try and review them.  I love these!!!

I got to try the 4 piece set of Large Packing Cubes.  They came zipped into a nice, compact, sturdy storage bag that held all four.

 Because they are mesh and fabric, they fold down nice and flat

 But have tons of room inside once the packing begins.  I was able to pack a weekend's worth of clothes for two of my children into one bag and still have room to spare, and this without rolling or squishing, or cramming and hoping the zipper would close.  I love the handle that makes transporting each cube easier, and also makes them great for more than just luggage packing.  I was able to just use the organizer as a travel bag in itself.

 From a flat piece to a filled organizer in moments, these things have tons of room to expand.

Dimensions - 17.5" x 12.75" x 3.25"
Available in multiple colors: gray, green, purple, pink, red, dark blue, light blue, yellow and orange

Things I love about these organizers:

* Mesh  fronts, so you can see what is in each organizer without having to dig around inside a suitcase to find the item you are looking for.

* Potential in my family for each member to have their own, which equates to super organization.
 Also the ability to have a clean and dirty cube as the trip comes to a close, which makes the unpacking even easier - no sorting!

* They fit in my luggage or can be used on their own.  They are even great for organizing closets, car trunks and other spaces in the home.

Bottom line, these things are great and I plan to stock up on more!  One color for each family member, maybe.  With so many different sizes and options to chose from, there is no reason not to own these organizers!

You can get your own here

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Solid Cordz HDMI Cable Review

With so much technology in my home, from televisions to game consoles to computers, it seems we are often fighting to use the same HDMI cable.  When the chance came to try and review an HDMI cable, I was glad for the opportunity.

Solid Cordz has this high quality 2 pack of 6 foot HDMI cables for a very reasonable price, and a great reputation to stand behind the product.

The cords are very durable, with a braided wire jacket.  Thick and of good quality, these wires are strong and stand up to twisting, tugging, coiling and much more.  With 24K gold plated connectors, they not only look great, but they function well too.  Perfect for connecting all of your multimedia needs.  Even better, there is a lifetime warranty included with the purchase of these cords, so you really can't go wrong!

For those interested in the nitty gritty details, here are the specs: 

• 24K Gold-plated HDMI® connectors provide optimal signal transfer & up to 18 Gbps Speed Rated
• Triple-shielded HDMI® compliant cable protects against EMI/RFI
• Supports up to 7.1 Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master AudioTM standards
• Backward compatible to all previous versions
• HDCP & RoHS & CEC Compliant & UL Certified

You can get your own here

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Konjac Facial Sponge

Here's a fun product to try if you are into natural skin care:

Natural Konjac Facial Sponge with Activated Bamboo Charcoal by Pure Sol

Why use this product?

pureSOL has this to say:

• IMPROVES SKIN TEXTURE: pureSOL Konjac Facial Sponge gently exfoliates while deep cleansing and removing any toxins and impurities, leaving you with a radiant complexion. It is extremely soft and gentle for everyday skin care. Great for all skin types.
• BRIGHTER LOOKING SKIN: The natural woven fibers of the sponge gently massage the skin and stimulate blood flow. It detoxifies and encourages skin renewal while balancing the skins pH, leaving your skin extremely clean and refreshed!
• PREVENTS SPOTS, BLACKHEADS AND BREAKOUTS: The added BAMBOO CHARCOAL contains activated carbon and essential minerals to deeply cleanse and absorb excess sebum, toxins and other harmful chemicals from your skin. You will see your pores getting smaller, tightening and brightening your skin.
• 100% NATURAL AND ECO-FRIENDLY: Why compromise your health with products that contain harsh chemicals and additives on your skin? pureSOL Konjac Sponge is completely natural, eco-friendly and free of parabens, sulphates & chemicals. It is biodegrade, cruelty free and vegan. After use, you can compost the sponge and feel good about the environment! You can even add it to your flower pot! At pureSOL our packaging is 90% compostable
• EASY-TO- HANG SUCTION HOOK: A must have for you konjac sponge! Perfect for hanging in a well-ventilated space so it's dry and ready for you to use the following day. No more searching for something to hang your pureSOL Konjac Sponge on!

Find them on Facebook
Or buy one here

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The First Christmas

The First Christmas
as retold by Janice D. Green
illustrated by Violet Vandor

The familiar Christmas story takes a new meaning in this re-telling by Janice Green.  Most appropriate for elementary aged children, each page of the story re-tells a specific moment, weaving together the entire Christmas story, and is followed by a couple of questions for the child to put it into perspective or put deeper thought into what they have read.

In thirteen scenes, Children learn about
* Messiah
* Zecharaiah and Elizabeth
* Mary and Mary's visit with Elizabeth
* Joseph visit from an angel
* The trip to Bethlehem
* The Innkeeper
* Jesus' birth
* The Shepherds
* The Wise Men

The end of the book includes an explanation of a Christmas Bible Quilt and how to make one or buy one.

This book is one that could be read in parts, with each page taking a day leading up to Christmas.  Or, it can be read as a whole.  Either way, there is plenty of opportunity to learn and grow with this book.  The illustrations bring the reader into the story with their depictions of each scene to help children understand the message.

You can find a copy here

I received a copy of this book for free to review through bookcrash.com.  I was not required to write a positive review, all thoughts expressed are my own.

Wearever Quilted Plaid Mattress Pad Review + Giveaway

Review

With three young children in my care, two of whom are in the middle of potty training or still working on nighttime potty training, I have need for a reliable mattress pad that will stand up to wear and tear.  Thankfully, Wearever has that covered.  While generally a company that provides products for incontinence and other adult health needs, their quilted mattress pads are so versatile they can be used in almost any home.

I opted for the Quilted Plaid Mattress Pad as opposed to the basic because I liked the possibility of tossing it on a couch or car seat without having it look like a mattress pad.

The fabric pattern is attractive and can pass as a throw blanket when off the bed. Made with a waterproof liner and fabric that is super absorbent, this mattress pad protects and keeps items under it dry.

I love how thin this mattress pad is.  Yet, it is very absorbent and able to protect my children's mattresses and furniture.

We've had the unfortunate opportunity to put this mattress pad to work for the stomach flu as well, using it to cover our couch for a sick child.  Thankfully, it worked great and we had a clean couch after the illness had passed.  The mattress pad washed with no trouble, held up great and went back on the bed to await the next accident.

I have every intention of purchasing more of these to have as spares.  I would definitely recommend them to anyone with young children, pets or individuals in need of incontinence products.  This mattress pad stands heads above all others I have purchased for children.

Wearever carries bed pads, underwear for men and women and socks by Buster Brown.

You can find Wearever on the web at the following sites:
Online 
Facebook 
Pinterest
Twitter

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Giveaway

Here is your chance to win a product from Wearever! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Glow Stick Bracelets Review

This summer, many of my friends' children had glow bracelets and other products for parties and events such as July 4th.  I was out of the loop, a fairly new parent, and my preschooler and toddler were feeling a bit left out because they did not have glowing bracelets.  So, when I got the chance to try and review 100 glow stick bracelets, I snatched the opportunity!

These glow sticks come in a tube of 100, with 100 connectors also included.

 In 5 colors of blue, green, orange, yellow and pink, there is a lot of fun in this tube.

With a simple snap in a few places on the stick, the chemical is activated and the glowing begins.  These glows sticks are very bright un-activated, but when the glowing begins, they really stand out.

My girls had such fun playing with them in the dark and have been asking to use them continually, regardless of the fact that there is no celebration.  They are really enjoying these and I foresee myself purchasing more sooner than I expected.

One of their favorite things to do with these bracelets is play hide and seek in the dark.  One child hides the bracelets and the rest of the family looks for them in the dark.  Searching for the glowing rings has created hours of fun in our home for kids and adults alike!

The sticks glow bright for 8-10 hours and will still glow dimly for up to 36 hours, which means lots of fun.

Of the many sticks I have already used, I had one stick actually crack and squirt chemical out while trying to activate the glow, but as they are non-toxic and CPSIA compliant, I just washed my hands and went on without worry.

You can go get your own here.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Brain Fitness Shell Game Review

 Brain Fitness has another fun game I recently had the opportunity to play - Shell Game by Think Fun.  This game is a twist on a classic memory game.

Within the box, you find 6 shells, 6 different colored crabs and 3 gray stones along with the instruction/solution booklet and the spiral bound game challenge book with 60 different leveled game boards, ranging from beginner to expert.  The game is played by placing crabs and stones as pictured on the start bar and then covering them with shells.  Once covered, the player then has to move the shells on the path of the drawn arcs to get the crabs and stones to match the picture on the end bar.  Once the player thinks they are right, shells are lifted to check.  

The first few challenges get you started and are practice, but then things start to be challenging.  I thought I had it figured out after three or four beginner challenges and skipped ahead to the last beginner challenge only to find I really wasn't as good as I thought.  This game actually makes you think as you have to carefully consider the paths in order to get the correct answer and win.  A single player game, this easily becomes a challenge for others to see who can do it fastest as well as a great game to pass the time by ones self.  With so many different levels and challenges, the game can be played over and over.  This one has potential to be a great kid distraction and time filler in my house, we all enjoy it already, even my preschooler who really does not understand the rules.  A brain work out while having fun?  Yes please!

Go get your own here and check out the fun!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Exfolimate Review

I have been eager to discover healthy, safe methods to care for my skin.  Not much of an expert in the beauty department, I am essentially a novice.  When I had the chance to try Exfolimate, I went for it

Exfolimate is an exfoliator for the face and body.   Intended for use prior to any skincare, shaving or hair removal treatments in order to exfoliate.  Super easy to use, one simply holds the Exfolimate and glides it across the skin at a 90 degree angle while in the shower or hot bath.  With cords included for attaching to your wrist and hanging in the shower, they are easy to use and store.

Exfolimate has many applications and benefits:

  ~ It can be used pre-shave to lift ingrown hairs and provide a smoother shave.

  ~ It removes dead skin for smoother, softer feeling skin that looks brighter and improves skin tone and texture.  

  ~ It can help provide deeper cleansing for enhanced exfoliation, which leads to reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

My experience so far has been positive.  I especially noticed results on normal rough patches, like my elbows, knees and heels where dead skin seems to collect.  I simply took a shower and, before any shaving or other skincare, I slowly pulled the Exfolimate across my skin at a 90 degree angle.  At first I was a bit concerned it would remove hair as the edge looks much like a razor blade.  Using it on my face scared me.  However, no hair was removed, and as I used it more I became more comfortable with it.  After using the product, I applied moisturizer as directed and that was it!  Easy to use, 2 sizes, each labeled for their intended use (face or body).  Each time I use them, it seems the results are better and I notice my skin looking better.  Definitely keeping these!

You can go get your own here

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Optimal Omega 3 Review

Optimal Omega 3

I am a regular consumer of fish oil pills. I am not a fan of fish, however, and despise the fishy aftertaste or burps that results from taking some fish oil pills.   When I got the chance to try Optimal's Omega 3 pills, I was happy to do so.

The first thing I loved about these pills is that they have an enteric coating, so instead of being glossy, they are more matte looking (excuse the photography language).  This coating definitely makes a difference - absolutely no aftertaste ever.  It also plays a role in ensuring maximum absorption of the fatty acids as it passes through the stomach protected in order to reach the intestine where it's benefits can be released.  Even if I take them with no food and just a drink of water,  I don't experience the fishy burps.

There are so many other reasons these pills are topping my list of fish oil pills to buy again:

  ~ These capsules contain 600 mg of DHA and 800 mg of EPA, that's 1400 mg of Omega-3 Fatty Acids (per serving of 2 capsules)
  ~ Molecular distillation is used to purify the fish oil in these pills, removing mercury and PCB
  ~ 180 pills per bottle means you get 3 months in one bottle.

On the pricier side of things, I would buy them on sale, but not at full price.  The sticker shock is a bit too much for me without a sale, but for the benefits, I'm willing to pay a little more for these than other fish oil products.

Good news is they are on sale right now! You can get yours here

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Leather Cleaner, Conditioner, Restorer Review

I have many leather products in my home -from jackets to furniture, both in my home and vehicle, so I am glad to have had the opportunity to try and review these products from Leather Nova

Leather Cleaner:
This cleaner comes in an 18oz spray bottle and a microfiber cleaning towel is included.  I was thrilled to find that this cleaner does not leave surfaces feeling sticky, gummy or slimy.  Good for any leather, vinyl or plastic surface (except Suede or Nubuck), I had plenty of places to put this cleaner to work.  I started with my leather chair and proceeded to my leather jacket.  There was no residue left behind at all, just a clean spot.  It didn't take a lot of scrubbing power on my part either.  I just sprayed it on, left it to sit for a bit and then wiped.

I was very happy to learn that this cleaner is safe and gentle.  There are no harsh detergents or toxic ingredients, and it is gentle on the leather, not drying it out as other cleaners can do.  I did not notice any discoloration, stains or spots after this cleaner had time to really set in.  I love that Leather Nova backs their products with a 365 day money back guarantee, which applies no matter where you buy their product from.  With this kind of guarantee, you can't go wrong giving this a shot.

You can get your own here

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Leather Conditioner and Restorer:
After using the leather cleaner from Leather Nova, I put their conditioner and restorer to work protecting my chair and jacket.  The 8oz bottle comes with an applicator pad for applying the conditioner.  An oily consistency, as expected, the conditioner went on smoothly with a leather smell to it.  It instantly made my items shiny.  Once dry, there was no slimy feel, just soft, clean leather that looked newer than it had in years.

Recommended for monthly use, this conditioner can help prevent cracking and drying and also adds a repellent quality to the surface, which is great for my winter leather coat!  I wish I had known of this product years ago and spent time taking better care of my car interior, as it is pretty rough.  But, I am hopeful that with a little help from Leather Nova, it too will get some much needed restoration and longer life.

Backed by the same guarantee as the cleaner, this is another product you should really consider having around if you own leather.

You can get your own here

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.