Thursday, December 31, 2020

Seed Ranch Flavor Co. - Umami Seasoning

I received my sample of Umami Seasoning and we added about half the packet in our pot roast tonight. I wasn’t sure what to expect but we tested a little before adding it and it tasted pretty good alone so we felt it was safe to cook with it and the results we satisfying to say the very least! This gave our pot roast a wonderful salty flavor with a subtle warmth at the end. It was a wonderful addition to our meal and immediately after I jumped online and ordered the combo bottle offer right away! I’m looking forward to receiving it and I’m hopeful to try more of their products.. so stay tuned for possibly more reviews from this companies product lines! 

You can see this shout out/review on my Facebook Review Group, along with a photo, here: 

You can visit the company Facebook Page here: 
https://m.facebook.com/seedranchflavor/ 

You can visit the company Website here: 
https://www.seedranchflavor.com/collections/seasoning-1/products/umami-all-purpose-seasoning


Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

I have combination skin and can be prone to acne outbreaks throughout the month from time to time. I’ve tried Demalogica products in the past and have been happy with the results so I was really excited to get this product to try. First, I’d like to start by saying this isn’t a regular cleanser at all! It is a dry sandy substance and when wet it dissolves and exfoliates the skin, it eventually becomes milky and moisturizing while it cleanses the skin. It is not scented at all, which I appreciated since some scented products can cause breakouts and aren’t that great for the skin. Here are some pros and cons I found while using this product: Pros: - I leaves my skin very soft and silky. - I definitely see a difference in my skin in just a few uses of this product! - It doesn’t dry out the skin at all and isn’t harsh like many other dry exfoliates for the face. - It is unscented. - The bottle comes with enough to last you a very long time and a little goes a very long way with this product! Cons: - The bottle design wasn’t too smart since the spout it quite large and allows way too much product to come out at once, which is a huge waste since it’s pretty much impossible to put it back into the bottle once it has come out. - The top is a screw off top and although it seals the product from moisture getting in, it isn’t very convenient when trying to clean your face and having to unscrew it and then replace it each and every time. Even with the cons this product is amazing and I would definitely recommend it! My face has never been so soft and looks absolutely fabulous! Now that I’ve seen such amazing results in just a few weeks I can’t wait to see the results after a few months!

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Beard Comb & Brush Grooming Kit Review

Although I never thought the day would come where I would need to be on the hunt for a good bread kit for my son, rather than for my husband, it has finally come and I have found that I have my work cut out for me! You would think all bread brush/comb kits are fairly similar and should be able to do the job needed no matter what, but that is surely not the case. See, almost all of these sets have their own unique design and some are better for shorter breads, while others for longer breads, some for thicker breads, while others for thinner breads, and so on, I’m sure you get the idea! So, while my husband’s thin bread that he keeps short and clean-cut would never work with this the type of comb included in this set, it may work better for my son’s bread that is a bit longer and thicker.
Let’s start off with some pros and cons I found with this set when considering using it with any type of bread.
Pros:
  • It is made from Premium Wood and 100% Boar Bristles, which I believe are the best when being used on facial hair on any consistency, since it has a way of giving it a clean look.
  • Brushing your bread regularly is known to stimulate circulation for healthy beard growth.
  • The Brush is made very well and is easy to grip onto. The boar bristles are great and leave your beard looking shiny and clean looking.
  • This set comes with a travel bag with a drawstring which is nice to keep it with you on the go.
Cons:
  • The final conclusion, this would be a great set for a man that has a beard and long hair on their head as well so that they can use the comb for their head of hair and the brush for their beard. I do believe that if someone has a long beard that the comb may possibly come in more useful in that situation; however, since no one in my family has a very long beard I was unable to test it out to see if that would be true.
Although this is a beautiful set, both my husband that has a thin, short, beard, and my son that has a thick, mid-size, beard, both found that the way the wooden comb was made a bit too thick and wasn’t very useful when being used on their beards. They both said it is probably better to be used on longer hair, probably someone with long hair on their head probably would get the best use out of it. Please note: I received this product discounted in exchange for my honest review.
To find this kit on Amazon please follow the following link and thank you for reading my reviews: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LFE8M4K

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Panda Planner Review

I received this item discounted in exchange for my honest review.
I must admit, although I've tried very hard to stay organized in my hectic-crazy lifestyle, somehow things seem to always slip through the cracks no matter what! I've always used a planner; however, I’ve never used a planner that was anything like the Panda Planner! The Panda Planner is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before and has a way of incorporating planning your daily life with setting goals that are achievable, and if you're still not achieving them, this planner has the ability of figuring out what your doing wrong so you can achieve them by helping you walk through how to plan your next day to be more productive!
Like many planners, Panda Planner starts off with the basic monthly calendar that you can make any month and year (which I love), it also has an area below the monthly calendar that helps you plan out your monthly goals and helps you measure your success for those goals. Then, it allows you to write down your month’s wins and gives you the ability to focus on how you can improve so that you can stay focused on the positive aspects than the negative ones! There’s also an area where you get to come up with a new healthy daily habit that you with focus on for the month and decide what your focus will be for the month so that you can continue to improve yourself through and through throughout the year!
The daily planner is set up to keep you thinking in a very positive way, starting your day off right every single time! It first asks you to write down you you’re grateful for that day and why that day is going to be a good one; helping you stay optimistic! There’s also an area for an affirmation, your daily focus, and exercise, and then your top 3-5 most important priorities to focus on for the day and make sure they get accomplished! So that you can separate your 3-5 priorities with anything you may have scheduled for the day, there’s an area for any scheduled appointments and a task list as well. Just as the month has an area to reflect on your monthly wins and how you can improve for the following month, there’s always an area daily to reflect on them as well!
Lastly, there’s a weekly review area. In this area you can focus on your “Big Wins” for the week and how you can “Improve” as well. Then there’s an area to set goals such as, “Things I Will Do to Make This Week Great”, “I’m Looking Forward to”, “Habits I’m Focusing on Developing”, “Things you want to master this week” and an “Affirmation” area. Also an area for any projects you’d like to focus on and your weekly “Top Goals”.
As you can see, unlike so many planners that are so plan Jane and boring, or those that just stress you out more once you’ve finished writing down everything you have to accomplish and don’t know where to even begin; this planner focuses on positivity and self-improvement! This is an amazing planner to begin your new year with for sure!! It’s almost like having your very own “Life-Coach” in your purse or briefcase helping you stay focused on the positive, not the negative, on what you will get done, not what you didn’t, and how to develop healthy habits slowly for a happier, healthier, life!
As if this planner wasn’t already amazing, enough, the company has included a bonus of 6 e-books, almost a $90 value!! The Panda Planner isn’t just for adults, men, women, children; it’s for everyone and anyone trying to find something positive to keep them going in the right direction! It’s beautifully bound in leather and has an elastic band that holds the pages shut when it’s not in use.
Best of all, Panda Planner is so sure that you’ll be 100% Satisfied with this planner that if you don’t agree that it’s the best they will offer a 1 Year, No-Hassle, Guarantee!! Plus, to make things even better, they’re currently offering these planners at an amazing BOGO offer (Buy One, Get One Free)!!
Based on my experience with the Panda Planner I would highly recommend it to everyone!!!   
To read more about the Panda Planner or to purchase it follow this link: Panda Planner





Cel-Lab Fitness Clip Activity Tracker and Calorie Counter Review

I received this item discounted in exchange for my honest review.

With New Year’s right around the corner many of us have resolutions to get in shape and become healthier, what a better way of ensuring we are doing just that than with this little device!

Cel-Lab has developed a Fitness Clip Activity Tracker and Calorie Counter for those of us that don’t want to have to track this information ourselves, or just don’t have the time to, but are serious about tracking this information to ensure they’re successful with their goals. This activity tracker goes above and beyond what most are able to do on the market today. Here are some of the things I really love about Cel-Lab’s Fitness Clip Activity Tracker and Calorie Counter: 

·         It has a Pedometer to track your steps throughout the day! Tracks Steps, Distance (miles/km), and Calories Burned.
·         It will also count your Calories too!
·         Not sure if your Sleeping patterns are healthy? This device can let you know because it tracks your sleeping patterns as well! (Just needs to be clipped to clothing while sleeping.
·         The Battery can last 7 whole days between charges!!
·         The Clip comes ready to use and there’s no special software needed!!
·         Although you don’t NEED any special software to use this device, it does come with bonus software so that you can easily archive and personalize your stats!
·         It has a beautiful design and is small enough to clip it just about anywhere on your body!
·         It’s sweat resistant and water resistant which are both very important when trying to track your every step!
·         Nice LED screen is easy to read and features the time, date, and battery life!
·         Can be clipped just about anywhere: Shoelaces, Hairband, Clothing, Hair, Socks, You Name It!!

If I had to name one thing that I found flawed about this product it would be the color inside of the clip, the color is purple and I didn’t see that there were other colors you can purchase so some men may not feel comfortable wearing a device that’s purple all day, every day, even if it is discreet. Granted, the purple is in the inside of the clip and hardly noticeable, it’s still there and may still be an issue for some.

Since the clip is always working, there’s no need to sync it before workouts or anything, it’s always working! All you have to do is connect it to the computer, recommended once weekly, but you can do it as frequently as possible, to get have your data results provided. With the amazing software provided all of the data is shown on easy to read charts, graphs, and other easy to use applications!

Last, but certainly not least, this device comes with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and best of all, it’s currently on sale which is great timing to purchase for yourself or someone else you know that has getting fit at the top of their New Year’s Resolution!!

Based on my current experience with this product, I would definitely recommend this device for personal use or to be given as a gift!!

To read more about this product, or purchase it for yourself or as a gift, follow this link:






Crown Coast Umbrella Review

I received this item discounted in exchange for my honest review.

I live in “sunny” Florida (laughable), I say that because although they call us “sunny” Florida, I think we should really be named extremely hot, humid, and erratic weather Florida since you never know what the weathers going to bring! One things for sure, if there’s even a slight chance for rain, IT’S 100% GOING TO RAIN!!! So no matter if you’re a new Floridian learning the ropes or a born and raised veteran to the Florida weather you will always find yourself in need of a stock supply of umbrellas; until now!!

I have always had to make sure that each one of my family members had an umbrella with them at all times and then a back-up for when that when fails, this becomes extremely expensive and takes up a lot of room that I could use in our storage space. The reason why I’ve always had to do this was because it normally doesn’t matter if I spent $1 on the umbrella or $50 on it, eventually it would fail like all the others and then me, or someone else in the family, would end drenched, cold, and extremely unhappy with yet another umbrella that became garbage! They would either not be able to take the wind and shot straight up (like you see in the movies), the metal would eventually wear out and/or rust and the umbrella would give us a hard time opening and closing, or the skinny metal rods that hold the umbrella open would become weak overtime and break! Either way, they all sucked! So when I had the opportunity to review this umbrella, before ever even knowing what it was all about, I automatically said “YES” because just recently I lost another umbrella to the trash can and we are starting to run out of my stock at this point!

First, I want to talk about the color. I really wanted the color black at first; unfortunately, it’s first come first serve and I snoozed and lost out of the black, so my second choice was red and it was gone before I could get it too, so I decided to go with the yellow color; believe it or not, I’m pretty sure I would’ve actually selected this color as my first choice if it weren’t for me being worried about the shade of yellow pictured on Amazon.

The Amazon picture looked as if the yellow color was dull looking, a much softer color yellow. I would’ve preferred a brighter yellow, not neon bright, but just cheerful looking! The good news is that it was the exact shade of yellow I wanted! Actually, this yellow is probably nicer than what I could’ve ever imagined!

This umbrella was like something I could’ve ever imagined and I can say for sure that I’ve never used an umbrella like this at all! It comes in its own sleeve like many umbrellas do and it has a small wrap around tag to keep the umbrella snuggly together with a Velcro attachment. Once you’re ready to use the umbrella all you have to do is take it out of the sleeve and unwrap it then push the button and voila, it completely opens on its own! When you’re done using it all you have to do is re-push the same button and it closes up, all that left to do it push it the rest of the way down to lock it, wrap it up and attach the Velcro and then slide it back into the sleeve!


I also found that this umbrella is extremely strong and can withstand quite a bit! It’s already gone through the rain and wind challenge of Florida and survived! I can honestly say that this isn’t the kind of umbrella I am going to have to replace in a year or two, this is an umbrella that will survive a lifetime! It’s worth every penny and I will be purchasing a few more for my husband and kids to have as well! Very satisfied and would highly recommend it!!

To read more about this umbrella or purchase it for yourself, follow this link: 



Thursday, December 10, 2015

Peppermint Essential Oil Review:

<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOPf9e5c4c051784d0617759f94810ff8b9" rel="nofollow"><img style="display: none" src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" /></a>

I received this item free in exchange for my honest review. 

I absolutely love essential oils, they have such amazing natural benefits and can be used for so many things that I really don't understand who wouldn't love them and use them, see below for a number of ways they can be used, as well as some other advice regarding this product! 

Essential oils can be used for a number of things such as health and healing benefits, such as cuts and wounds, help with energy, to make cleaners and disinfectants, and so much more! 

This specific essential oil is peppermint. Some of the benefits you can find with peppermint essential oils is: 

- Calming Effect and can reduce Anxiety! 
- Helps reduce or even eliminate Bad Breath!
- Can soothe your Digestive System.
- Relieves and loosens sore, tight, Muscles!
- Can help with Stomach Aches.
- Helps with Joint Pain as well!! 
- Helps clear Respiratory System.
- Can help boost your Energy levels!
- Antimicrobial properties (can be used as an amazing, all natural, Antiseptic!
- Can help remove Lice and Dandruff
- Helps with Allergies!!
- Helps Sinuses! 
- Boost Memory and Focus (Great for ADHD)
- Anti-itch abilities (Awesome for rashes, poison ivy, insect bites). 
- Can be used as a Bug Repellant! 
- Helps with reducing Fevers! 
- Helps with burns!
- Helps with weight loss because it reduces Hunger Cravings (this can also be great when having to fast)! 
- Smells amazing (which is a HUGE benefit when using this essential oil since some essential oils smell awful! 
- And the list continues!!

As many of my readers know I used to own an Aromatherapy shop years ago and absolutely love all natural remedies!! I believe if there's a natural alternative than why wouldn't you go that route first before making doctors and the pharmaceutical industry rich by taking medications that will only add more problems to your problems!! The good news is there are so many natural alternatives out there that you can always try the natural road first!!! I always recommend this personally; no, I'm not a doctor, but I can say that I've personally experienced what natural alternative results look like compared to pharmaceutical results and they don't even compare in my eyes!! So yes, I'm a true believer in trying the natural way first and foremost! 

With all that said, after trying this product and finding my experience very positive I absolutely love this company's Peppermint oil; not just because it's 100% natural and undiluted, but also because you can see the pride this company used in their products by just looking at it and then of course using it! Of course, I also absolutely love the smells, it's amazing, and again, it was also very effective too! 

If you are a Peppermint Essential Oil lover such as myself, you will love this Simply Earth's Peppermint Essential Oil's for sure!! 

Please also note, for those of you who are new to the natural alternatives, that there is a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE, difference between "Essential oils" Vs. "Fragrance oils". Essential oils having healing properties, where fragrance oils are just that, for fragrance and that's all!! So be careful when purchasing your oils to be used for natural alternative solutions!! Also, always look for "undiluted, 100% all natural, products, they will always give you the best results!!! 

Thank you for reading!! 


For more information about Simply Earth's Peppermint Oil or to buy your own click here: Simply Earth Essential Oil




<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOMf9e5c4c051784d0617759f94810ff8b9" rel="nofollow"><img style="display: none" src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" /></a>

Monday, February 2, 2015

Rainbow Bandz Loom Kit

First I would like to start off by saying if you’re a mother of school age children I’m sure you couldn’t have missed the latest fad with these band bracelets. It’s gotten so out of control that my own two children have recruited me to make them! But, I must admit, they’re pretty fun to make and with so many YouTube videos on the many different styles of bracelets that are able to be made you can be sure you and your children will stay busy for hours!
I received this Rainbow Bandz Loom Kit in exchange for my honest review and feedback. I am a mother of two boys, ages 9 & 14, who both enjoy making this band bracelets and we’re both excited to receive this kit in the mail. We all used the kit to make several bracelets and both the bands and loom were able to give us amazing results!
This Rainbow Bandz Loom Kit Includes:
– 1 Super durable loom
– 1 Hook with base opener
– 600 silicone latex free rubber bands
– 24 S-clips
All for just $9.99 plus if your an Amazon Prime Member you will receive free 2 day shipping!
You really can’t go wrong with this kit for a fun activity that both you and your children will have a blast making!
To check out this Rainbow Bandz Loom Kit click this link:
http://www.amazon.com/rainbow+bandz+loom+kit/dp/B00HUJX6VY/ie=UTF8?m=A5UTI14EIBHZ0&keywords=loom+kit

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Nature's Best Vitamin C Serum

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

First, I would like to start by explaining what experience I have with skincare. Several years ago I was a Licensed Esthetician; although I am no longer licensed or practicing as an Esthetician, I do still have a lot of knowledge of skincare, skincare products, what ingredients to avoid and what ingredients are good for your skin, as well as what products and ingredients are good for specific skin concerns. Although I can no longer able to give professional advice since I am not licensed as an Esthetician, I can give you my personal opinion. Again, this is ONLY my personal OPINION and I am not saying in any way that I am an expert, you should ALWAYS consult a physician first and foremost.

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, I love Vitamin C and the benefits it gives to our skin. Vitamin C is something our skin needs and is extremely important in maintaining our skins natural glow and youthful appearance. When were young our skin is full of Vitamin C, but as we age our bodies Vitamin C diminishes and causes our skin to not be as youthful looking as it once was. There are other factors that can diminish our Vitamin C in our skin such as exposure to UV lights and pollutants (smoking, ozone, etc.) But we’re in luck since we can purchase Vitamin C in the form of a serum and use it to replenish the Vitamin C our skin loses and needs. 

Here are some of the benefits you will find with Vitamin C:

  • ·         Reduces Wrinkles: As we age our skins collagen production decreases which causes wrinkles; but Vitamin C counteracts wrinkles from forming by increasing your skins collagen production. 
  • ·         Treats Age Spots: Vitamin C works as an antioxidant which can reduce the sun-damaged cells and actually reverse age-related sun damaged skin. Vitamin C helps repair UV damage that causes fine lines and wrinkles!
  • ·         Acne: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is known to reduce redness associated with acne and can clear up any scarring from acne as well.
  • ·         Young, Radiant Looking Skin: Since Vitamin C helps your skin produce collagen and is an antioxidant; it is known to get your skin a glowing, radiant, looking appearance. 
  • ·         Evens Skins Tone and Texture: Again, Vitamin C promotes collagen production; stable collagen levels of collagen will help ensure your skin tone and texture stay even.

Vitamin C Serums can be used in the morning during your normal facial routine, remember that although Vitamin C has sun-protecting properties you will always want to use sunscreen as well! Vitamin C Serums can be used after cleansing and before moisturizing. Vitamin C can rarely cause dryness and flaking, especially when used more than once per day. You can use a moisturizer to avoid this from happening. Another great thing about Vitamin C Serums is that they’re safe to use with your other skincare products.
According to an article from Dr. Oz (Click “Dr. Oz” to read more) on Vitamin C Serums; you can start to see results in as little as 2-4 weeks, for others it may take as long as 6-8 weeks, but around 6 months is when you will start to really see the maximum results. 

Now: My experience with the Mystelic Beauty “Nature’s Best Vitamin C Serum”: 
 
I haven’t been using it long enough to see any results as of yet being that you would need to wait several weeks after using it daily to see real results from ANY Vitamin C Serum (See “Results Time-frames” Below). However, I can give a review on what I have experienced with this product so far. 

First, if you read the Dr. Oz article I mentioned above, you will see that he says Vitamin C Serums work well when mixed with other antioxidants. Nature’s Best Vitamin C Serum not only has Vitamin C in it, it also has Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid. 

Let’s take a look at the two other ingredients in Nature’s Best Vitamin C Serum that I have mentioned: (Please note: I am only speaking of the main ingredients; this serum does have other ingredients beyond the three I have mentioned above.)

Vitamin E: Another great antioxidant! Unlike Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, our bodies can’t produce Vitamin E and we must make sure we get this powerful antioxidant through our own means (diet, supplements, etc.) According to United HealthOne (click “United HealthOne” to read more) Vitamin E destroys free-radicals that can cause damage to our skin. Vitamin E can also speed up the healing process for scars and acne.

Hyaluronic Acid: According to Cleveland Clinic (click “Cleveland Clinic” to read more) this is used in Vitamin C Serums to help with effective penetration of the product. It is also used for its ability to “reverse” or stop aging. Our bodies already naturally produce Hyaluronic Acid, but as we age, and also other factors, can cause our bodies to destroy levels of Hyaluronic Acid over time. This product is frequently used to reduce wrinkles.

So what does this all tell me? Well, it tells me that a lot of thought went into putting all of these amazing ingredients into one serum by Nature’s Best!

From my experience so far with Nature's Best Vitamin C Serum, I love the way the serum feels on my skin! When applying this serum to my face I have noticed how silky and smooth it feels. Once the serum dries, my face feels firmer and tighter which makes my fine lines and wrinkles look smoother and less noticeable.

Recommendation: I would have to say based strictly on my experience so far with Nature’s Best Vitamin C Serum that I would recommend it. This recommendation is based off of the ingredients, my experience with the product so far, price, and packaging of the product. 

I will continue to update this post with my experiences, before and after pictures, as well as results, in the next few weeks or as soon as I start to see any changes.

If you would like to view this product on Amazon.com click HERE. 

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

Friday, May 23, 2014

Giveaway! Paula's Choice CLEAR Acne Trial Kit



Paula’s Choice Acne Kit

Enter Now to win a Paula’s Choice Acne Kit by clicking the link above!

Good Luck Everyone!!

NEW: Keurig Rivo Cappuccino & Latte System


I received the Keurig Rivo Cappuccino & Latte System free in exchange for hosting a party and promoting this product as well as writing an honest review of my experience with this product.

WANT 40% OFF?? KEEP READING!!

Promo Code at the bottom of this review!!

First, the unboxing. If you are not familiar with the new Keurig Rivo Cappuccino & Latte System it is set up to not only make you the best cappuccino you’ve had other than may a true coffeehouse but also make several other coffeehouse favorites! The system comes with with it’s very own frothing area that is enabled to not only make you the perfect amount of hot fluffy froth for your cappuccino, but also the perfect amount of hot froth for your latte or if you’re in the mood for a cold latte, well this machine has you covered with the ability to make the perfect amount of cold, yes I said cold froth too! Inside of the box you will find the instruction manual and a recipe guide to easily help you make many delicious coffeehouse drinks right from home, you will have a packet full of all 4 Lavazza Flavors available for the Rivo from Intenso, Classico (my favorite), Delicato, or Decaf. It explains the different aromas and flavors of each choice in your recipe guide. The Keurig Rivo is also set up to catch the old pods of espresso in a secret compartment once you are finished with them as soon as you lift the lever to insert another pod the old pod magically disappears inside of the system which can be accessed by pulling the drip tray forward and away from the machine. After about 15 brews you will want to clean the drip tray as well as empty the pods.
The system has a handy flip down tray for your tiny cups to sit on and receive a shot of fresh espresso at any time!

Next: How the machine compare? Well, this ones pretty darn amazing if you ask me! For one, I’ve had all kinds of espresso makers, from the metal ones that go on your stove top to the little ones that come with a handy steamer for your milk. Let me tell you, none of them even compare even a little to what this machine is able to produce! Now I haven’t had much experience with some of the newer machines out there that are meant to make espresso and coffeehouse drinks. I previously only had the original  Keurig  coffee maker before the Keurig Rivo was introduced to me, but I have had experience with drinking coffeehouse beverages and I know what a top dollar cappuccino taste and looks like, so I can confidently say from my experience, the Keurig Rivo is able to produce some beautiful and delicious coffeehouse beverages, quickly, easily, and at only a small fraction of the cost you would pay to the coffeehouse!

How’s it make that amazing coffeehouse love in a cup?

Ok, so you want to first select which beverage you want to make from your nifty little recipe guide book, this will tell you how much milk to fill the frothing cup to, what buttons to select for your espresso, etc.. Than you will want to choose which flavor out of the 4 Lavazza espresso pods available you are in the mood for. Than select the appropriate glass (you may need an espresso cup and a glass depending on what drink you’re trying to make) and then you’re ready to start brewing! Now I like to brew my espresso first and while that's brewing I fill my frothing cup and get everything else prepared. Once the espresso is done brewing pop the frothing cup into the frothing compartment and select the appropriate button (Cappuccino froth, Latte froth, or Latte cold froth). Once that’s done you pour your froth onto your espresso and pouf you have your amazing coffeehouse beverage! This may have sounded extensive but in reality where talking about only a couple of minutes from start to finish!

Pros and Cons:

Pros:
* The frothing feature is compatible with whatever milk, cream, half and half, etc. you prefer.
* The froth is thick and fluffy like a cloud every time!
* The espresso is always smooth, never bitter, and has an amazing crema on top!
* Easy clean up and frothing cup is dishwasher safe!
* Coffeehouse beverages in home at a fraction of the cost!
* Ability to make hot or cold froth!
* Convenient compartment to store my old pods for shorter, easier, clean up!
* Has a flip down tray for your tiny espresso cup.

 Cons:
* Only has 4 different flavor espresso available.
*Although the foam is a beautiful, fluffy cloud of froth, it is not micro-foam so you can’t do foam art with your espresso beverages.
* The frothing cup is plastic, this can be a pros for some, however plastic can wear down over time and the system must have it’s own frothing cup.
* The espresso pods are a bit difficult to find currently, may be because it’s a new system, best pricing I found (hands down) was on the Keurig.com site.
* The Rivo System, unlike the original Keurig Coffee System, doesn’t have the feature to remove the drip tray to fit taller glasses or cups under the brewer.
* Unlike the original Keurig Coffee System, the Rivo doesn’t have the optional pod you can buy to fill with your own coffee/espresso. The pods aren’t refillable either.

All in all, I would recommend this system to anyone! It has made me so addicted to cappuccino’s it’s unreal! I loved espresso and coffee beverages before, but now I am infatuated! Everyone that has seen this machine in progress and has had the pleasure of trying its amazing beverages, have given nothing but wonderful feedback!

The Keurig Rivo Cappuccino and Latte System retail for $229.99, but wouldn’t you love to have one for $137.99?? For a limited time you can!!
Go to http://www.keurig.com
Promo Code: H4642G3
(40% until 5/24/14 then 20% after that until 7/24/14)

New Durex RealFeel Condoms


I received two boxes of the new Durex RealFeel Condoms (one for myself and one to give to someone else) in return for my honest feedback.

My husband and I will at times use condoms for the convenience in situations with time limits or when using one would help us be more spontaneous of where, when, or even how, we get to be intimate. Being that I have a latex allergy, it’s very difficult to find a variety of non-latex condoms available or any other non-latex intimate items. The only two condoms we have found at this point are polyurethane or lambskin. The good news is that we don’t use condoms for birth control purposes, so having limited options doesn’t affect us as much as it may others since we don’t “NEED” to use them. However, we love being spontaneous no matter where we are, we love taking advantage of a few extra minutes or even when we’re just tired and using a condom would give us the ability to still be intimate without having to worry about all that follows; these are all reasons why using condoms, even if we don’t “NEED” to, comes in very handy in situations where being spontaneous may mean having to delay the clean-up process temporarily.

Now, let’s get down to the nitty gritty, let me answer the real question here, the question you all want to know, how are the new Durex RealFeel Condoms? Well, compared to the other two options I spoke about above, they’re AMAZING!!

Here are some pros and cons I found with my experience with this condom:

Pros:
  • Super thin, feels like nothing is on at all!
  • No, or very little, scent.
  • Non-irritating and very gentle!
  • The name “RealFeel” does this product justice, so thin and perfectly shaped so that you feel nothing but the good stuff!
Cons:
  • Seems very small, however, although it is small, once it’s on, the only tightness that is felt is at the shaft. (Comparable to the feeling of a C*** Ring).
  • The box isn’t well thought out, it’s a picture of two hands together, supposed to be a male/female couple I assume, but both hands used in the picture look very masculine. Men may be turned off by this when considering the purchase of this product.
  • Not well lubricated! Women look forward to this feature when using condoms, at least I do!
My final thoughts, I would definitely continue using this condom, especially since there aren’t a lot of options out there for people that have latex allergies. I would also recommend this condom to people that don’t suffer from latex allergies as well, anyone would enjoy the “RealFeel” of this condom! It is very difficult to find condoms that don’t ruin the mood by not feeling natural; this condom definitely has that “RealFeel” feature they advertise. Hopefully Durex decides to make a few tweaks to this product; first by making it better lubricated and then by putting some consideration into producing one for more “well endowed” men, making it more comfortable for them; I have not seen a non-latex condom that is available in a large size. I hope that more companies start to think about the amount of limitations available for people that have latex allergies; I would love more available options, not only for condom variety, but for anything a couple may want to explore using while being intimate. All in all, this one is my new go-to for condoms!

Taco Bell’s Tiny Packets get Bottled!!

I received each one of Taco Bell’s new bottle sauce packets for free in return for my honest feedback.

What family doesn’t have “Taco Night”? My kids couldn’t live without it and neither could I. Who doesn’t LOVE Mexican food and what better to pair it with than sauces, to be more specific Taco Bell’s sauces! How many of you are guilty of stocking up on Taco Bell’s little tiny packets of sauces to make sure you never have to go without? I know I am and I have always been a huge fan. Then their Verde sauce was introduced and it was love at first try.

It’s not that I wouldn’t have purchased these delicious bottles of goodness but they weren’t available in bottle form so I had to get my Taco Bell fix only by going to Taco Bell, so you could only imagine how ecstatic I was to find out that they bottled them!! So here are some pros and cons to give you the 411 on these bottled sauces.

Pros:
You know longer have to go to Taco Bell to get the sauces you love, they’re now available to you at your local supermarket.
The bottles are stylish looking for decorating your dinner for “Mexican Night”.
They come in all 4 flavors: Fire, Hot, Verde, and Mild.
Convenience of always having your favorite sauces close by for every occasion.

Cons:
The bottle, although stylish, is glass which isn’t very child friendly.
The glass bottle also has a regular pour spout and I believe a squirt top would be better, especially when trying to squeeze this in between a taco shell.
The flavors, in my opinion, aren’t spot on to what the little packets are. They tasted a bit more bland with not as much seasoning.

As you can see there are a lot of pros and cons. You will have to try it for yourself to really see how you like to and make your decision from you experience. In my experience, being a mother of two boys, I would’ve preferred a plastic squeeze bottle since its safer and more convenient, however I love being able to have my favorite flavors whenever I want (even when Taco Bell is closed)! Everyone has different taste buds so as far as the flavors go, again you will have your own opinion on if they’re exactly alike or not.

In closing I would have to say that they are still delicious and a must try in my opinion. I could see these “Taco Bell Favorites” being a “Family Favorite” for years to come!




Hersey’s Chocolate with Hazelnut Spread

I received a free jar of the New Hersey’s Chocolate Spread with Hazelnut in return for my honest review.

First, I must say that I have never tried Nutella but both my boys have and love it. Although I never tried Nutella I love Hersey products and I was very excited to try it right away. As soon as it came in the mail it didn’t take much time for me to rip the package open, grab the bread, bananas, honey, and start my concoction. My kids have always had Nutella with bread and honey but I thought adding bananas would top it off just right. At first the boys wanted to stick to what they knew until they tried a bite of mine and then they were hooked

How to make the best Hersey’s Chocolate with Hazelnut spread sandwich in 7 easy steps!
  1. Get your ingredients as I stated above (sliced bread, bananas, honey, and Hersey’s spread)
  2. Toast your bread
  3. Put your Hersey’s spread on both sides
  4. Slice bananas on top on one side until you cant see the spread anymore
  5. Drizzle honey on the bananas
  6. Put the other bread slice on top and slice in half
  7. Eat it while it is still hot!
When I tell you this is the most amazing sandwich ever I am not exaggerating! This stuff is amazing!! I compared the ingredients to the back of Nutella and again Hersey’s seems to win as far as what I would consider better ingredients used. Also, my boys that use to love Nutella have now replaced it with Hersey’s Spread! It’s officially on the shopping list. One con, the jar was empty within the first 4 days!! Lol.. If you want to consider that a con? So, do you like chocolate spreads, than what are you waiting for? Put it on pretzels, graham crackers, fruit, anything your heart desires, just watch out cause it will go fast!!




Pond’s Luminous Finish BB+ Cream

I received the Pond’s Luminous Finish BB+ Cream in both light and medium shade for free in exchange for my honest feedback.

Pond’s Luminous Finish BB+ Cream is available in both light and medium shades. The medium shade of Pond’s Luminous Finish BB+ Cream was a perfect match for my olive/tan skin tone. Pond’s Luminous Finish BB+ Cream is exactly as it says, luminous! It goes on silky smooth, smells amazing (as all Pond’s products do), gives you a glowing look and gives you long term benefits of even toned skin! It delivers a pigment system designed to blend into your skin flawlessly and conceals pretty well for minor blemishes. It helps target dark spots and helps them fade over time, which is great for women like myself that have blemish prone skin and need a product that will help with the dark spots!

Here are some pros about Pond’s Luminous Finish BB+ Cream:
  • It smells wonderful
  • It blends into your skin tone easily and beautifully.
  • Gives light to medium coverage.
  • Targets dark spots and helps them fade over time.
  • Long term benefits of even toned skin.
  • Bottle design is awesome and eliminates the risk of contaminating the product.
  • A little goes a long way!
  • Leaves you with a glowing appearance.
Some cons of the Pond’s Luminous Finish BB+ Cream:
  • Some people are very sensitive to ANY scent a product could have (even small amounts).
  • Product doesn’t come in a dark shade.
  • Product may be too moisturizing for women with extremely oily skin.
As you can see there are many more pros than there were cons with Pond’s Luminous Finish BB+ Cream, however to some women the cons listed may be a deal breaker and are must be considered before purchasing this product. Outweighing the pros and cons and looking at the long term benefits, as well as the products performance, I would have to say I believe that Pond’s Luminous Finish BB+ Cream is one of the better ones on the market today!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

PERK® Vent Wrap Auto Air Fresheners

PERK® Vent Wrap Auto Air Fresheners: Wake Up Your Space with a #PERKVentWrap auto air freshener for your vent! Receive $1.00 off http://on.fb.me/NA8QTf #freesample *Please remember the FTC requires you to mention that you received a free sample courtesy of Smiley360 when sharing.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Truvia Natural Sweetener

I received a sample of Truvia Natural Sweetener in exchange for my honest feedback.

I have tried a few natural sweeteners and never really cared for any of them so when I was excepted to try this sample I must admit I wasn’t sure if I would like it at all. I drink chamomile tea almost every night to help calm me and get me ready for a good nights rest. I decided to switch my regular sugar I would normally use with the Truvia Sample I received.

Here are a few key points that I found while trying Truvia:

First, I was surprised that I didn’t have to use nearly as much Truvia as I normally use with sugar in order to get my tea to the sweetness I like.

Second, I noticed that there really wasn’t much of a difference at all in the taste of Truvia to sugar, if anything Truvia has more flavor than regular sugar does. After drinking my nightly tea I was convinced that not all natural sweeteners are equal. Although my experience with some of the other brands hadn’t been good Truvia was amazing! I’ve been told that many natural sweeteners only taste good when using them to bake but I would have no problem sprinkling Truvia on my fruit because it taste that good!

Third, Truvia has zero-calories and comes from leaves so it’s better for you than other alternative sweeteners. This was one fact that I really liked about Truvia.

All in all, If you have tried a few natural sweeteners and haven’t had a good experience or if you haven’t tried them but have been wanting to, do yourself a favor and go for the Truvia! You will be happy you did!






Thursday, October 17, 2013

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes Ultra Soft Clothes

I really like Neutrogena and I've always had some great experiences with their products so far. I was at Target shopping one day and had come to their skincare aisle; I saw that the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes Ultra Soft Clothes Twin pack were on sale, since I trust Neutrogena’s skincare line so far I decided to try it out.

I liked Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes Ultra Soft Clothes, If I was rating this item from 1-5 (5 being the best and 1 being the worst) I would rate it a 4. They are very soft for the most sensitive skin and remove my make-up with ease! The only reason I would give it a 4 is because I wasn’t crazy about the smell. It had a cucumber scent (I believe), although I like cucumber melon scent on many things I can now honestly say I really don’t like it on my face! I normally wash my face after using the towelettes and basically use them to ensure that all my make-up is removed before I wash my face so I don’t really have to smell them for too long. I would recommend them to anyone, the smell may be something that only bothers me and it’s hard to find great make-up removing towelettes that are this sensitive!

Here are some Pros and Cons I found with this product.

Pros:
  • They come in a easy to use pouch which is great for traveling.
  • They are very sensitive on skin.
  • They are gentle enough to use near your eye area.
  • Each towelette is a perfect size to use on any face!
  • Using disposable clothes are a great way to keep your skin healthy and prevent breakouts!
Cons:
  • I personally wasn’t crazy about the scent.
So as you can see from my pros and cons list Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes Ultra Soft Clothes are a great buy! Feel free to ask me any questions and thanks for reading!




Monday, October 14, 2013

Cottonelle FreshCare Flusable Cleansing Cloths

I received a sample of the new Cottonelle FreshCare Flusable Cleansing Cloths in exchange for my honest feedback.

I have used several other personal bathroom cleansing cloths in the past and I have never liked the design of the dispenser they come in. Some say the stick to your wall, others say they keep your cloths moist, but I still haven’t found any that had everything I would want from a personal bathroom wipe. What is it that I am looking for? I would want a cleansing cloth that is tuff and wouldn’t rip while I was using it, I would want one that had a great scent, one that had an easy dispenser, a dispenser that was easy to reach and kept my wipes moist at all times, one that was safe to flush and that went with all of my bathroom decor no matter what it was. Well, I just described the New Cottonelle FreshCare Flusable Cleansing Cloths! It has it all! Best of all it looks as if it is smiling at you while sitting nicely on your bathroom counter or where ever you may need them.

Although they may be used mainly in the bathroom don’t underestimate this cloth! It can be used in your childs play room for easy clean up, in your kitchen to wipe down your baby after feedings, anywhere you may need to clean up quickly is where this cloth can come in handy! Best of all, it’s sleek dispenser design makes you feel comfortable having it anywhere in your home. Not just in your bathroom. So, think outside the box for easy everyday clean up and pick up your own Cottonelle FreshCare Flushable Cleansing Cloths.



Friday, October 4, 2013

belVita Crunchy Biscuits

I received a sample of belVita Crunchy Biscuits in exchange for my honest review.

Have you ever been running out of your house in the morning with your kid(s) and your all running late, then just as your about to lock your front door your child/children look up at you and say(s) “Mommy, I’m hungry”? Just as it dawns on you that you completely forgot to feed your kid(s) and right before your about to beat yourself up about it, the only thing you can think of is “What can I grab out of the pantry that wont make me feel even worse as a parent”. You need something healthy, something quick, not messy and that your kid(s) won’t fight you on eating. Guess what Moms, I’ve been in that same situation many times before and I’m proud to say, I found it!!

belvita Crunchy Biscuits are awesome! They taste great, give your children the vitamins they need in the morning to keep them going threw the day, and are so easy to take with you! They’re good for everyone as well (not just the kiddo’s)!

Here are some points about belVita Crunchy Biscuits:
  • Healthy, quick, and yummy!
  • Kid approved!
  • Fast, easy, and not messy!
  • Gives you that boost of energy we all need in the morning!
  • Taste similar to an crunchy oatmeal cookie (who doesn’t love oatmeal cookies)!
Here are some quick recommendation’s about belVita Crunchy Biscuits:
  • Don’t leave them where the kids can reach them or they will be gone fast! 
  • Keep an eye out at Publix, I have seen these included in their BOGO sales!
What my kids had to say about belVita’s Crunchy Biscuits:
Both my boys loved them! My youngest said he loves that it gives him energy in the morning and my oldest loves the flavor and texture of this crunchy biscuit!
So it’s a win-win situation! We get healthy, good tasting, energy boosting snacks that come packaged special for us on-the-go moms! You just can’t go wrong! So, if your ever running late and either you or your kids need to grab that perfect snack on the go, then stock up on belVita’s Crunchy Biscuits!

PROS: Healthy, quick, yummy
QUICK TIPS: Don't leave them where the kids can reach them or they will be gone fast! 
I saw these for the first time at Publix on a BOGO sale. I wasn't familiar with belVita's yet but saw them in the cookie aisle and liked that it said it was healthy on the box so figured I would try them. Boy am I glad that I did! My boys love them! My youngest say's he loves that it gives him energy in the morning and my oldest just loves the taste! I love the crunchy biscuits for there flavor and texture! It's a win win situation! We get healthy, taste good, energy booster, and quick on the go snack bag, can't go wrong! ;) 

Seed Ranch Flavor Co. - Umami Seasoning

I received my sample of Umami Seasoning and we added about half the packet in our pot roast tonight. I wasn’t sure what to expect but we tes...