Leo's Pad Enrichment Program Review

From the Manufacturer:

For the first five years of their life, your child’s brain is plastic, or malleable, meaning this early learning stage is where creative, thinking and social-emotional skills should take root so that these learning outcomes will last a lifetime.

Leo’s Pad Enrichment Program is an award winning learning series for preschoolers designed by Stanford early learning scientists and an Emmy Award-winning creative director. The games in Leo’s Pad address over 25 skills essential to early learning and adjust to each child’s skill level as they play, so content is always highly relevant and engaging.

Parents can download the free Learner Mosaic iPhone app to use with Leo’s Pad Enrichment Program. It provides you with insights about your child’s learning strengths and struggles and then offers personalized research-based tips and activity suggestions you can do together to help your learner thrive.

My Review:

Leo's Pad, created by Kidaptive, is an iPad app that has 6 chapters and a finale which introduce preschoolers to creative learning and fun as they follow Leo (young Leondardo DaVinci) through adventures with his friends (young Galileo Galilei, Marie Curie and more).  Children paint, help build items in a puzzle format, trace and work on hand/eye coordination as well as direction following.

An accompany app, Learner Mosaic, is downloadable for the iPhone and gives parents additional insights on their child's progress and learning stages.  After a short survey of the child's current skills, it suggests activities and other ways to enhance and grow skills for the individual child.

The app plays out much like a movie, with breaks in the story for children to participate and help Leo and his friends accomplish tasks and reach goals.  My children were absorbed in the first couple of chapters for some time, and before I was aware almost 45 minutes had gone by.

I really wanted to like this app, especially since it has a price tag I would never pay for any app.  While I see value in the child participation games, they are not anything my kids cannot get from other apps I have.  The stories are engaging and the "movie" is well played out, with encouraging life lessons and moral messages.

I was unhappy to see how much time had passed.  There is a lot of screen time needed to get through each chapter, and a lot more waiting to finish the entire story.  I cut my kids off after a while and have not allowed them to finish the story yet as I  dislike how easily they are sucked in and become oblivious to life going on around them.  This will be a sick-day or long trip kind of app for my kids, definitely not a daily or even weekly thing.

That said, you can check out the first chapter for free and get 20% off the program if you would like to check it out and form your own opinions, which I strongly encourage everyone to do.  My preferences are not by any means the end all of parenting or learning.

To check it out for yourself, go here.
and enter the code TRYLEO at checkout to get a 20% discount on your purchase, if you choose to do so.  This discount code is only valid through the link above (Kidaptive) and will not work in the App Store or anywhere else.

This is an app ONLY for iPads and iPhones - it is not available for other platforms at this time.


Through the BzzAgent program, I was been given the opportunity to try a new app for my kids.  The Leo's Pad Enrichment Program, normally $25 to purchase, was provided to me for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

RepHresh review

From the Manufacturer:

"Think you’re alone in suffering from feminine odor and discomfort? Far from it! Feminine odor can occur after intimacy, after douching, after your period and even by using body soaps…it’s no wonder so many women suffer!

So what’s a girl to do then? Try RepHresh® Vaginal Gel—an over-the-counter vaginal gel that helps maintain healthy vaginal pH when used once every 3 days. Studies show that vaginal issues often occur when vaginal pH is unbalanced, but by maintaining a healthy vaginal pH, you can help reduce your risk of vaginal issues!

If you’re tired of discomfort and odor then STOP buying products that only deal with the symptoms. Instead, try RepHresh® Vaginal Gel…clinically shown to eliminate the CAUSE—unbalanced feminine pH."

Caution:
• RepHresh is not intended to prevent or treat vaginal infections
• If you suspect you have an infection, see your doctor immediately

My Review:

I had the chance to try RepHresh Vaginal Gel through the Smiley 360 program recently.  I have mixed feelings.

This product is good for the temporary issue, but not a long-term solution. It does what it promises, eliminating odors quickly and with ease. Application is convenient. The gel goes to work quickly and results last , with re-application needed every 4 days. After some research, I learned that it is definitely a good idea to check with a doctor before making this a regular part of your life, though, as it can mask other issues and even create greater trouble.

I was happy with the results, and will definitely keep this product in mind and on my radar as options to treat the occasional discomfort or odor that may rise up.  

Click here to visit the RepHresh® website for more information about RepHresh® products

You can find RepHresh® on Facebook and Twitter

"I received a free product for the purpose of my review. Opinions are 100% my own."

Set of 12 Infuser Tumblers Review

We are on a plan to eat and drink healthier in my home.  One of the biggest areas we needed work was to increase our water consumption and decrease our sugary drinks.  One of the ways I have made this more fun and enjoyable is by getting these new infuser tumblers.

 They come in a pack of 12 for a very reasonable price.

 Double wall insulated tumblers are clear BPA-Free Acrylic, making them look more like glass.  20 oz capacity allows for less fill-ups and also promotes more fluid intake.

 The infuser insert, top and straw are bright and colorful, with a bunch of fun colors to choose from or even mix and match.

 These tumblers work great!  Toss a few slices of lemon, lime, orange, or other fruits - even vegetables like cucumber into the diffuser basket, screw it into the lid, insert straw and screw lid onto the cup.  Now I can have flavored water that is naturally sourced, and in flavors I enjoy, without the added cost of purchasing flavor drops or flavored water, and with the knowledge of the ingredients I am drinking.

This has been a great way to get my family, especially my husband, to drink more water, as he is not big on plain water.  These cups are very sturdy and durable.  Here's to healthier living!

You can find them here

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

iPhone 6 Battery Case Review

A proud owner of a new iPhone 6, I have been on the hunt for cases and accessories.  When I learned that there are cases with the option to charge the phone on the go, I was definitely interested!

This case claims to give the phone an extra 14 hours of call time plus an extra 10 hours of Internet browsing time.

It charges with your phone, using the included microUSB cable, so it is always ready to provide backup charging with the push of a button.  An added benefit, it is able to perform sync functions without having to remove the case.

This black case is slim and looks much like any other case on the market.  It comes with 2 bumpers, in clear and black.  The case has a hard shell that aids in protecting the phone from bumps, scratches and everyday wear and tear.  It is very lightweight and feels durable.

Compared to my current OtterBox case, this case is a bit slimmer and narrower, but still has the grippy covering to prevent sliding around.  It protects the phone without adding all that much more to it.

Led lights on the back of the case indicate how much power the case has left, so there is no questioning.  When the phone gets low on battery, it is a simple as pushing a button and the phone charges right back up!  And, the case easily re-charges through the same method as charging your phone.

This case carries a MFI certification, which means it is 100% compatible with iOS8 and all iPhone 6 functions.  So, no error or incompatibility messages.

It also comes with a 100% money back guarantee from the seller, which equates to no risk, as anyone not completely satisfied for any reason can get a refund without hassle.

You can check it out and get one here

Disclaimer: I got mine free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

3-in-1 Cree LED Flashlight with Magnetized Base Review

 It seems like I can never find a flashlight in working order when I need one.  This is especially true of those in my vehicles. As a crossing guard, I often find myself in need of a light, often a flasher to draw attention to myself as I walk in the dark.  I was thrilled to come across this 3-in-1 LED Flashlight

This light is nice and compact, a great size to manage, yet packed with power.  Anodized aluminum makes up the body of this light, which helps make it not only durable, but weather resistant as well.

With three different settings, a wrist strap, and a magnetized base, there are so many possibilities for this little light.

With the push of a rubber coated button, the main Cree LED lamp kicks on super bright.

Another push of the button brings the 18 side white LEDs to life.

A third push of the button activates 11 flashing red LEDs for emergency.

Powered by three AAA batteries, easily accessible by unscrewing the magnetized base.

This is a nice little light with so much power and versatility.  Perfect for the car, work shop, home and so much more.  I suspect once my husband sees this, it will become his and I'll be ordering a second!

You can get one for yourself here

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review through Tomoson.

iPad Tablet Buddy Review

I love my iPad.  It performs so many tasks for myself and my family, and is often with me wherever I go.  It comes in handy especially on road trips, as I have young children.  What used to be a balancing act or require my arm to fall asleep or negotiate holding time between children has now been solved, thanks to this tablet holder designed just for cars.

This light weight case is durable and versatile.  It offers universal fit, so it works for so much more than just iPads (Google Nexus 10, Samsung Tab S, Tab Pro, Kindle).  With a quick flip of a lever, the holder expands width wise for larger tablets.  The side clips slide up and down to pinch the pad in place, where it stays snugly.  The thing I was most thrilled with is the fact that it works even with my iPad cover in place!  Even with a bulky quilted folder style case on my tablet, it fit just fine with room to spare.

 In addition to holding the tablet in the car, it also performs as a desktop table holder, adjusting to 45 degrees for perfect viewing.  It adjusts for portrait and landscape mode as well.

The only problem I had with my tablet holder arose when I tried to install it on the headrest of my vehicle.  The tablet holder has two width adjustable c-clips that wrap around the headrest posts to hold it snugly in place.  Unfortunately, my Odyssey falls just outside the reach, so I had to take the headrest off and slide the posts through the clips and then back into the seat.  It works, however, and as I intend to keep it in the vehicle most of the time, it is more of an inconvenience than a problem.

It comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee, taking away any worry with buying.

You can get one for yourself here

Disclaimer: I got this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

Premium Delicates Laundry Bags Review

I do a lot of laundry with a family of 5.  My items range in size, fabric, and use, from baby socks to lingerie.  While I love my new front load HE machine, I have found that delicate and little items do not fare so well in the high speed wash and spin cycles that the machine performs.  I have tried several different mesh bags to hold such items, but after a few washes, the bag either tears or the zipper pull breaks off, leaving the bag useless and me searching again.

I was thrilled to get my hands on these Premium Delicates Laundry Bags.

Four bags in two sizes - 2 medium and 2 large, three white and one black for dark colors

I was immediately impressed with these laundry bags.  I absolutely love the zipper guard.  So many times, I have lost wash bags due to broken zippers from banging around in the wash.  These guards tuck neatly over the zipper and keep it from flopping around during wash cycles.

I also liked the durable plastic zipper, which makes them rust-proof, protecting my wash from rust and from metal teeth snagging clothes.

I was impressed with the size of these bags.  The medium bag is four times the size of my dual sided delicate bag I use for washing bras...

The large bag has so much capacity, I was able to wash my 23 foot long Moby Wrap inside it with room to spare...

And, when I took it out of the wash, everything was still contained in the bag, zipper tucked neatly under the guard, and no tangled up fabric or knots like I usually get when I wash this garment.

There are so many applications for these bags, from socks to delicates, to separating colors and so much more.  My baby's clothes are finally safe from getting lost in the washer and my delicates are safe from tangling and snagging.  I am a new fan, and so pleased to have found these!

You can get your own here

You can also find them on the Inside Smarts website

Check out this video to see them in action

I got these items for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Stark Reflective Vest Review

As a crossing guard, and someone who walks outside on busy streets when it is dark at times, I need a good safety vest.  In the past, I have used the basic construction style large vest to cover my coat.  In the winter, this is OK, but in the summer and warmer months, I do not want a full vest.  Enter the Stark Reflective Vest.

This vest is a basic reflective stripe that buckles across shoulders and waist without all of the extra fabric, which means less bulk and more convenience.  Especially beneficial for exercising, walking, running, etc.  No big cumbersome vest, just the basics.

 This vest has high quality, durable buckles and slide adjusters to stand up to years of use.

Highly reflective, the wearer stands out in daylight as well as darkness.  Comfortable to wear, easy to adjust to a desired comfort level, light weight and with an elasticity that provides opportunity for flex, this thing is great for so many applications!

Front view when worn:

Back view when worn:

 In two sizes, S/M/L and L/XL, they are adjustable and will fit almost anyone.

You can check it out for yourself here

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

Coosh CBT791B Ultra-Slick Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker Review

I have a lot of wireless gadgets in my house and often want the ability to play my music to the room instead of to earbuds.  In the market for a wireless speaker, I came across this Bluetooth speaker by Coosh.

This speaker is really cool!  It is coated in a rubber track that keeps it from sliding around.  Buttons are responsive to light touch and offer options for skipping, pausing and playing tracks, adjusting volume, answering phone calls and syncing to the phone for Bluetooth operating devices.  It also has the capability to connect to devices with NFC (Near Field Communication).

The speaker produces a very clear sound, no static, even at it loudest volume.  This is a high quality wireless speaker!  It has a 30 foot range, which is more than sufficient for this little speaker anyway.  With a 5 hour battery life and easy re-charging through USB, there is no end to the convenience this speaker offers.

With a USB charging cable as well as a 3.5mm mini USB to connect to iPods or other devices, there isn't much one cannot use this speaker for.  

Set to be available in January 2015, with a retail price of $49.95.

You can learn more at www.coosh.com

I was able to review this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.  All thought expressed are my own.