Lush Decor

I recently was given the opportunity to select some products to review in my blog from Lush Decor. I am waiting on shipping, but want to get the word out on their giveaway IMMEDIATELY. So, this will be a two-part post.

First, the product I am waiting on ....

Isn't it just gorgeous? This is their Flower Texture 8-piece Comforter Set and I am getting it for a Queen-size bed. I cannot wait until it comes and then go to Target to get matching sheets. I am not a silk sheet fan, but I might have to find something to be spa-ish when I have this set on my bed. It has been SO long since I have had anything nice for decor.


They don't only do bedding though! You can find decor in the way of shower curtains, window treatments, and youth decor! I think Peanut would LOVE the Adrienne 3-piece Quilt Set on her bed when she's not sharing a room with the toddlers.

The best part about Lush Decor is they are offering ALL my readers 10% off! Just use coupon code LOVELUSH1 to get your discount. You can use your Amazon.com credentials when purchasing at http://www.LushDecor.com.

I am sure you are more interested in the $200 Gift Card that is being offered by Lush. One of my US readers will win a $200 Gift Card to Lush Decor. You can only use the gift card one time only. IF YOU ARE THE WINNER BE SURE USE THE FULL $200 IN YOUR PURCHASE. (did you catch that? You can ONLY use this code ONCE).  You have to be 18+ to enter. I’ve provided an easy to use giveaway form below. It’s quick and easy to enter. I’ll announce the winner on the giveaway form at the close of the giveaway and I’ll send an email to the winner. Be sure that you check the email that you supply in the form. Thanks and good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to Lush Decor for sponsoring this giveaway. They are responsible for the shipping and the code giveaway. All correspondence will be passed along as the contest closes.

Book Reviews - The Chase & Love Trap

So, I am VERY behind on my sponsored posts, so bear with me over the next few days as I fill you in on a few things! There may be days when I feel the need to pop in with a more personal post so I might have 2 posts that day. I am very glad I have some patient clients as I could not anticipate this illness that I had ... or that it would get so bad.

One of the things I feel the most blessed about during this past month is having a lot of books to read. I was given the opportunity to read a couple books for free ... and I am going to tell you about both of them. These are two VERY different types of books but both will keep you wanting more until you get to the end. I was actually disappointed in the end of one ... only because I wanted more. I am sure that is is exactly what the author wanted me to feel too. *laugh*

So ... on to the first book.

The Chase

This book is a Kindle only book, I'm afraid ... but if you have a Smartphone with a Kindle app OR you have a Kindle, then you will want to check this book out. Before I give you my review, let me give you the description they gave me as a preview of what I would be reading.

THEIR description:

For the lone skipper of the Galatea sailing yacht in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey, a peaceful vacation turns into a race for his life.

"A dull thud vibrated low as the Russian submarine Slavianka lost its electronic spying antenna atop the tower."

"The Galatea had come to a sudden stop. Avri was hurled forward like a harpoon from a cannon. His head hit the bulkhead with a horrible ****, absorbing all his one hundred and sixty pounds of momentum. He heard the loud crunching noise of the bow crashing into something solid, or perhaps it was the sound of his skull smashing against the bulkhead."

“Comrades! We face a serious situation. I trust every one of you to do his very best so we can solve this problem in a manner befitting a unit of the great Soviet Navy."

"The young Greek let out a short yelp of surprise as he saw the tower of the submarine in the middle of the cove. The fisherman turned his head toward the Slavianka, but, before he realized what it was, he saw the muzzle flashes. The sound of the shots reached his ears as he watched the bullets rip his son’s body to pieces. There wasn’t much left of the young body by the time it hit the water. “You don’t shoot people for fishing,” he shouted speechlessly as a barrage of bullets tore through him."

"Avri Keren rose slowly from the cold cockpit floor. He felt as if there was a blanket over his head, when in fact just pitch-black skies and stars were twinkling coldly down at him. He felt something wet and heavy covering him, but it was only the chilly night air. His limbs moved sluggishly, each seeming to weigh a ton. Lurching slowly, like a monster from the golden era of cinema, he shuffled towards Galatea's dark cabin where he heaved himself to the dining couch. The pounding in his head was heavy, resonating throughout his body."

In this sailing paradise of the Mediterranean, neither the skipper nor the captain will give up in this race for life or death.

MY Review:

This book starts in IMMEDIATELY. You have no real back story to catch up on or lollygagging around. I felt like I FLEW through this book because there is just absolutely NO downtime. This is the book that I wished had given me more at the end. I want there to be a sequel or something. There won't be, it isn't designed to be that way.

I was left jumping from the sailor to the "bad guys" and trying to keep up. It wasn't unclear ... it was just very fast paced. There were some errors in the grammar, or wording, due to a language difference. It didn't bug me too much. I think this book would be a great choice for someone who is looking for a fast read, loves nautical stories, or military stories. There is some language and blood in it, but overall ... it is a very clean book. I really enjoyed it!

Next book!

The Love Trap

This book is a contemporary women's novel, but I really feel that men could enjoy it too. It involves love, but it also involves action and traps. You are constantly guessing who the "true" bad guy really is. Paranoia will be set on high and you start to read everything into everyone! GREAT book. Just like The Chase, let me give you the description they gave me, and then I will give you my review.

THEIR Review:

Daphne Bernstein did not like Jerusalem. She ended up there by chance, dragging along her young daughter, her useless medical license, her disgraceful past and her desperate hope to rebuild her life that has gone off course.

In an ancient building, in the midst of a stormy winter, Daphne's life crosses paths with an alienated man and an ambiguous co-worker, who are both hiding a secret with heavy consequence. Is this a random meeting or a sophisticated trap?

Love Trap is a fascinating and unconventional story about lies, friendship and love. It occurs in the dark and mysterious domain, between reality and distortion, created by fear and hope.

My Review:

Honestly, I forgot her name was Daphne. I am not 100% sure they even use that name in the book! It doesn't really matter because you are so focused on her daughter, her daughter's relationship with her (Dr. Bernstein's) coworker, and the guy behind the mysterious door.

Daphne has to choose what means more to her ... her license, her relationship with her daughter, or a future love. That is everything this book is about. What is right ... what is wrong ... is there any gray area? I could read this book over and over again and love it each time.

Dealing with Dry Scalp!

As I have stated in November, I HATE dry skin! I have been using my Mary Kay products for several weeks now and I have noticed a HUGE difference. However, I have still struggled with an itchy scalp. I have used tea tree oil in my shampoo and conditioner and that has helped quite a bit, but not completely. I still find myself scratching at my scalp throughout the day and winter is only beginning.

When I read your comments on other blog posts, I realized that I am not alone in this struggle. I was approached by Insta Natural to see if I would like to try a few of their products. One of their products is Vitamin C Serum and I will touch on it at the end of this post, but the other two are Argan Oil and are designed to help with hydration. I was all over that!

So, here is my quick FTC disclosure statement ... I DID receive these three products free in exchange for a blog post and review. HOWEVER, the opinions on the products are my own.

I am going to start with my favorite of the three products I was given to try. The Argan Oil Hair Mask is made with Organic Aloe, Organic Argan Oil, Japanese Green Tea, Organic Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic Sesame See Oil, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Evening Primrose Oil, Organic Linseed Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Starflower Seed Oil, and Vitamin B5.

This stuff smells AMAZING. It is also designed to work as a deep conditioning treatment using the multiple types of oils. I will be honest, the instructions threw me but I found a routine that works. I have been using all three of these products for two weeks now, so please keep that in mind with my reviews.

• Hair should be clean prior to applying the hair mask. It should be towel-dried yet still slightly damp. 
• Apply a tablespoon of the hair mask onto your hands and run your fingers through your hair evenly in order to distribute the product. Work from massaging your scalp down to your ends. Let the hair mask absorb for 5-15 minutes and then rinse off.
• You can apply more or less depending on your hair length and volume. You can also use a comb to help distribute the hair mask thoroughly if needed.
• Use 1-2 times a week as a deep conditioning treatment. If your hair is too oily or heavy after application, apply less of the hair mask next time, and/or reduce the frequency of use.
• Tip: The Argan Oil Hair Mask can also be used as a standard conditioner. Simply apply to your hair in the shower and rinse off shortly afterward.

Okay, so THESE are the instructions I was given. I found it best to use the following routine in the shower.

1. Shampoo with my tea tree oil shampoo
2. Condition with my tea tree oil conditioner
3. Lean out the shower and quickly towel dry my hair (I have short hair, takes only a few seconds)
4. Grab a glob of mask and work it through my hair. I don't need to use a comb to distribute the mask because my hair is short. (I also usually breathe deep because I LOVE the smell of this stuff).
5. Wash my body
6. Wash my face with my Mary Kay TimeWise set & Cleanser Brush
7. FINALLY, rinse out the mask

My hair is SO smoothe and feels great. Best part, it adds moisture to my scalp. Between the mask and my tea tree infused shampoo/conditioner ... I hardly have ANY itchy scalp anymore! It did take about a week to really start noticing a full difference. 

Okay, moving on. This is my second favorite product that I was given to try. I will state that not all of his review is a positive one, but you may have different results than I did.  ORGANIC Argan Oil For Hair, Face, Skin & Nails is 100% pure organic argan oil that can be used as a moisturizer for your face, skin, hair, and nails. Insta Natural gave me this list of how to use the product:

• Leave-in conditioner - Massage a few drops of Argan oil in your wet hair and scalp after shower to hydrate your hair. This is particularly useful for people who have dry hair naturally or due to hair styling activities such as straightening and curling. Argan oil can also be applied to hair before hair styling to reduce the damage caused to hair, especially if you’re using a hair dryer.
• Frizz remover - Do you experience frizzy and dull hair after you wash your hair? Argan oil is an excellent frizz remover and detangler. Apply a few drops of Argan oil on your hair paying more attention to the hair ends when your hair is still wet. It will make your hair soft and easy to comb. Along with this, it adds a great shine to your hair and reduces split ends.
• Moisturizer - Argan oil is quickly absorbed in skin and does not make your face look greasy. This makes it a wonderful face moisturizer. Cleanse your face and massage a few drops of Argan oil on your face and neck every morning and night. It protects the skin from drying, makes it radiant, soft and supple. Argan oil also acts as a protective mask against harmful UV rays.
• Lip exfoliater and softner - Apply a drop of Argan oil directly to your lips to experience a smoothness or mix a few drops of Argan oil with brown sugar and vanilla extract and massage the lips in circular motion. Take care to be gentle while massaging. Rinse off.
• Hair / Scalp Treatment - Give an overnight treatment to your scalp with Argan oil, if you have dry and flaky scalp. The oil will penetrate deep to produce more efficient results. Massage a generous amount on your scalp for 15 minutes and leave overnight. Wash off the next morning with a mild shampoo. Do this twice a week to get healthy, non-itchy scalp. This treatment is beneficial for both hair and scalp at the same time.
• Face Mask - Few drops of Argan oil can be mixed with any face mask you buy from a store to increase the benefits. You can also make your own face mask at home, if you want to go completely natural.
• Nail Care - Weak and brittle nails can be treated with Argan oil to make them strong. Regularly massage a few drops of Argan oil on your nails to give them strength and prevent peeling or cracking. This also encourages nail growth. Argan oil is also an effective cuticle softener. Massage the cuticle along with nails to make them soft. Few drops of Argan oil can be mixed with the water during the manicure and pedicure process to experience better results.

Okay, so let's break this down.

1. After 2 weeks, I have discovered that I really dislike using this product in my hair. It makes it look really oily. I have problems with frizz but this makes me look like I haven't washed my hair. It does help with detangling the hair ... but I like the tea tree oil better. It DOES prevent frizz and it DOES make brushing easier. I just am not a fan of how it looks afterward or later in the day. Also, it makes it so I have to wash my hair every day, which causes more problems with dry scalp.
2. I LOVE using this as an after shower moisturizer. It does not leave a greasy look on my skin. I like to put in on after my Mary Kay night solution and then put on my Mary Kay moisturizer afterwards. My skin is soooo soft. I had a huge flare up with my roseola and between the Argan Oil, Mary Kay, and Benadryl ... I wasn't as itchy and no one really noticed. *whew*
3. Nails - This was my FAVORITE part of this product and the number one reason I will continue to purchase it. I have only had ONE broken nail in the last two weeks. I have tried EVERYTHING. This is AWESOME. I just massage a drop of oil into my cuticles and nails every evening. I should also add that my broken nail was when I hit something, it didn't just break on its own like they normally do.

I didn't use it in a face mask or lip exfoliant because I LOVE my Mary Kay products. I didn't see the need for those. However, I did use it for the hair and nails. I will continue to use it on my nails and a moisturizer in between my Mary Kay products.

I haven't been using this product long enough to give you a solid review on it. I can tell you that I prefer my Mary Kay age-fighting products better because they don't dry me out as much ... but this is a solid product for the price, especially if you can't use Mary Kay products. Vitamin C Serum For Face has 20% Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid, Ferulic Acid, Sea Buckthorn oil, Argan oil, rosehip oil, plant stem cells, and pomegranate in it.

• Always apply InstaNatural's Vitamin CE Ferulic Serum after cleansing your face. We recommend that you cleanse, tone and then apply our serum.
• To apply, put a few drops of serum on fingertips, rub them together and then gently massage it into the skin.
• Wait for a few minutes. Let the serum soak into the skin completely.
• Apply your regular moisturizer on top of it (We strongly recommend this)
• Use the serum at least two times a day for best results. It can be used more often, if needed.
• Once you open the serum, be sure to close properly. Our Vitamin C Serum is highly stable and should not oxidize.

I am also not sure if this serum is what caused my roseola flare because it does dry your skin and tighten it. So, if you have problems with dry skin, you might want to look at a really good moisturizer to put on after this.

So, do you have any questions about the products mentioned? Let me know in the comments below and I will answer them as I can!

One Night Promised {A Review}

First off, an apology for not posting over the last few days. I actually decided to do a cleanse and wanted to take the time to clear my body of toxins and figure out what all was triggering my IBS. I have learned a lot from my cleanse ... but I will leave that for another post.

I reviewed the first book from the Hachette Book Group back in October. I waited on this next book because I wanted to read the second book in the trilogy. Unfortunately, now I have to wait a couple months before the final book comes out. I am DYING to see how it ends!

A book has been provided for my honest review.

One Night Promised

Author: Jodi Ellen Malpas
ISBN: 978-1455559312
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Release: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Forever
416 pages


Livy notices him the moment he walks into the coffee shop. He's heart-stoppingly stunning, with a blue-eyed gaze so piercing she's almost too distracted to take his order. When he walks out the door, she thinks she'll never see him again. Then she finds the note he left on his napkin . ... . signed M.

All he wants is one night to worship her. No feelings, no commitment, nothing but pleasure. Every defense mechanism Livy has adopted during her solitary life is at risk of being obliterated by this confounding man. He's obnoxious but well-mannered. He's a gentleman but aloof. He's passionate but emotionless. Yet the fascination is so powerful, Livy can't deny him . ... . or herself.

M awakens something in Livy, something deep and addictive that she never knew existed and that she fears only he can satisfy. But she senses that behind the fast cars, fancy suits, and posh apartment, he's aching inside. To have him, body and soul, she'll have to brave his dark secrets. Delving into his world and breaking down his defenses become her obsession-an obsession that could shatter her heart beyond repair . .

One Night Promised by Jodi Ellen Malpas

This novel will have you gripped from the get go and I admit that I cried multiple times throughout the book. The first part of the book had me confused, but I quickly figured it out as I went through. I was never able to hate M until near the end of the book. I just saw him as a confused and broken man. It's when you learn his dark secrets that you begin to hate specific characters. The end of the book leaves you hanging ... well, the second book in the trilogy does as well ...

So ... do I recommend this book? YES. I recommend you buy BOTH this book and the second one as well. I am attaching my affiliate links to the books on Amazon (if you buy them from these links, I can throw it into my tea jar to keep me up reading all night). As soon as her 3rd book comes out, I WILL be buying it as well. I received the first book in paperback but purchased the second one digitally. I almost preferred the paperback because it was easier to wipe my tears away as I was reading. It is also safer to shake when you are angry.

      

Beginning to fall in love ...

The first time I tested out the One Direction color line, I was pretty clear that it was not my cup of tea. It was GREAT for teens, but it was too bold for pretty much everyone else (MHO). So, when I heard they had MORE colors, kits, and products coming out ... I was stoked to see what they had in store.

*Quick note - I DID get these products free in exchange for a review, but my opinions are my own. Compensation does not make anyone the boss of my opinions.*

So, this time I received SEVERAL packages. My daughter was SO excited. We have not yet had the chance to try a few of them out and I will let you know which ones those are. The first to arrive were trio packages. I got nail polish with toppings, mascara/hair coloring, and lip gloss.

Mascara/Hair Color - we have NOT tried these out yet

Lip Gloss

Nail Polish & Glitter topping

Okay ... so, before I move to the second box ... let's talk about this first box. The mascara/hair color kinda scares me a little BUT I think it will look AWESOME in my daughter's hair. The reason it scares me is it is labeled as "heavily pigmented colors." So, I am not sold on it being a mascara deal ... but DEFINITELY hair coloring! The lip gloss. I have tried these out SORTA. I say sorta because I have not tried them with a UV light. I do LOVE the colors without the changes though so I can't imagine not liking them. They look super bold, but they are not. They remind me a LOT of Mary Kay's colors (including Mango Tango). Finally, the nail polish. I LOOOOOVE nail polish. These polishes are best when you wear something under and then a top coat (MHO). They have to different ways you can use the glitter. You can either dip your fingers into the containers OR you can sprinkle it on top. I, personally, love the look of the dipped better ... but I did both so you can see.

Fingers dipped in the glitter

Sprinkled on top (I used the clear sparkle as a top coat on both hands)

So, there ya go. Those are there new products. BUT, I got a second box a couple days later! I was expecting one tin because it is only one set of colors, but I was blessed with all three collector tins. Again, daughter is stoked.

Imagine my delight when I opened the tin and saw this:

SO PRETTY!!

Each tin has a different design drawing based on the singers creative mind. The colors are bolder than Mary Kay, but they are not over the top.

Side note - I DID supplement Mary Kay blush (Sparkling Cider) and Mascara (Lash Love - Black)

You can purchase these at the following retail stores:

• Macy's
• Dillards
• Boscov's
• Stage Stores
• Beauty Brands
• Lord & Taylor

Make sure you follow One Direction on Facebook so you catch the latest information.

Tackling Mount Washmore with a Review

Well, did you survive Thanksgiving & Black Friday? I think I can mark mine down as JUST BARELY. Friday night ended on a great note, but the week was SO crazy. I literally started thinking about how long it will be until we are empty nesters ... which is sad since that is like 16 years down the road. LOL

Part of the reason for the craziness is that we decided that this week would be when we move everyone around again. While we were given permission to have the parent's bedroom in the basement by the state over a year ago ... our apartment complex did not want a bedroom in the basement. We were looking at getting a sleeper sofa for the living room, but we just could not find a style that we liked. THEN there was the discussion of having to open it and close it daily ... yeah, just icky.

We struck a compromise with Peanut. She has had her own room for over a year now and is seriously OCD about the state of her stuff. However, we were going to have to put the little girls in the same room. Since we were moving our bed out of the basement, we decided to section off a part of the basement just for her stuff. She literally will only have her bed in the room with the girls.

What this meant was Bullfrog & Peanut had to switch rooms ... then we had to move the little girls upstairs. FINALLY, we had to move our room upstairs and clean the basement. With Jeremy working Monday and Tuesday ... and today being Black Friday ... we had Wednesday & Thursday to do it all. The older two rocked and got their rooms done over the weekend so everything was set for quick changes.


Today was the setting up of the basement. Unfortunately, I had also fallen WAY behind in the laundry so I snagged Peanut's help while she was downstairs anyway. We sorted, folded, and put away 7 loads of laundry. We have another 5 to go, but we are both too sore today. However, that brings me to a topic on laundry. We LOVE scents and I HAVE to have soft clothes. I have 2 children that have sensory issues and cannot handle the scratchy fabric. This means that fabric softener is a must for our family. I was given the opportunity to sample Snuggle's new Exhilaration liquid softener as a member of Team Snuggle.

FREE product thanks to Snuggle!

Okay, so ... I have an OLD washing machine that still works great, but has no place for liquid fabric softener. I ordered a Downey Ball on Amazon because I know they work in my machine (I used to use them YEARS ago).

IF you have OCD about laundry being sorted, sorry

My review on the product:

Honestly, I STILL found that the scent does not last from wash to wash. I DO love how soft my clothes are and they smell GREAT in the wash and in the dryer. I just found that after they had been hanging or in the drawer for a few days, they had lost the scent. That is kind of a bummer since they do claim it will last. I have found that their scent boosters DO keep the scent. It seems to JUST be the liquid. Maybe it isn't sticking well to my clothes, I don't know.

BESIDES that though ... I love the product. It makes everything so soft and my favorite thing I washed with the softener was my black double layer blizzard fleece blanket. I am like Linus with that blanket and it was so nice to have it feel brand new again. I haven't had a product that has taken it back to that state so even though the scent didn't last, I WILL be buying Snuggle liquid softener again.

Have you noticed that the liquid softeners don't seem to be as fragrant as they used to? Is it just me? Comment below and let me know!

*Note - I was given a full product of Snuggle Exhilaration Liquid Fabric Softener to review, but all opinions are mine*

A vault on the go ... a NEED for parents

Okay, so back in September, I attended Type-A Con in Atlanta. I didn't expect to come home with anything other than swag. I was SURPRISED (to say the least) when I got an email from one of the sponsors letting me know I had won their iPad Mini drawing. Even more amazing, it was a sponsor that I was VERY interested in because I know MANY parents who need this.

Before I dive into who this sponsor is, let me tell you about my struggles. Jeremy and I both have jobs. He works outside of the house in a traditional work setting. I work from home and drive for Uber. Both are freelance jobs and are flexible ... but I'm also a hermit. Jeremy is the one who goes to the events while I stay home and corral the two toddlers who would make our life a living hell if they attended.

This leads to common problems. Jeremy gets the schedules and I have all the important documentation. Which means, when he is filling out paperwork, he has to call me to get information such as social security numbers, current vaccination records, health insurance information, and so forth. We also don't like to keep things the kids bring home (count four children plus three of them in school plus everyday activities ... yeah, no thanks), but we like to preserve the memories of them and share them with family members.


Enter KidsLink.

You read EVERY where about how there this app is perfect for moms or that app is perfect for moms. However ... KidsLink is the only app that offers parents the ability to store vital information safely AND share things with their friends. You can pick and choose who sees what!

What are things moms desire in an app? Let me tell you what *I* desire in a family app.

• Somewhere safe to store vital documents for my kids that I can access while I'm out and about
• Ability to quickly send information to babysitters, family members, or friends as needed (or desired)
• Ability to virtually scrapbook since I will NEVER get around to it otherwise. (my kids do not have baby books - yeah, I'm that mom)
• Ability to access this information on mobile devices as well as online
• Ability to work with all operating systems (since my family uses both iOS & Android)

Except for the last one, KidsLink manages to work ALL of these into an app. Why couldn't this have come out sooner! I am having to play catch up with getting everything documented on the Cloud. It is great being able to share milestones with my family, and then hilarious pictures that aren't so appropriate for Facebook. I have the ability to store all of the medical information in the vault and set it so certain people can access it ... which means I can allow my sitter to see it while caring for my children and then restrict access!!

*Note ... VERY IMPORTANT NOTE ... KidsLink is downloadable, but you need an invitation to use it! You are welcome to use my code, HBREDBIRD*

Here is a screencast I did with my computer dashboard. It was easier than the mobile dashboard (when it comes to making a screencast). I will tell you that EVERYTHING is so streamlined. It is awesome. Watch the video and let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!

Quick Recap:

• Maintain your child's digital privacy while taking advantage of the ease of social media.
• Share life events and photos only with those you want.
• Organize your professional and personal life (and your kids')

Features:

• Storyboards
• Like Facebook timelines, but organized for each child
• BUT you have complete control over each post! You can make it
• private  to just you and spouse
• Close KidsLink friends and family only
• Shared on Facebook (Instagram coming soon!!)
• Ongoing scrapbook without guilt and without photos getting lost in the photo roll or having to share everything with everyone on Facebook
• Lots of filters and borders, just like Instagram
• Profile and vault
• Private and safe just for you and your spouse/caregivers

Profile:

• Place to track allergies, doctor's contact information, bedtimes, etc.
• Mom and dad can both log in and see.
• Email this to the babysitter

Vault:

• Digital filing cabinet for everything, all PRE-organized by child and type, with NO typing required
• Health insurance cards, birth certificates, driver's licenses, artwork, receipts
• Mom and dad can both log in and see
• Or email to the soccer coach or doctor's receptionist
• Stream and notifications
• Catch up with what friends have made public
• Get and share comments on your and your friends' memories
• All comments get saved in each child's Storyboards
• Get alerted about upcoming wellness visits, health issues in your area, and even documents (like immunization records) that are expiring

Invitation only, but you can download the app from the app store (or use the quicklink http://mykidslink.com/install) and redeem using my code

Jill Shalvis - It's In HIs Kiss - Book Review

I was selected by Hachette Book Group to read a couple of their adult fiction books. I was sent two of their books, and while I have already finished both, I am going to dedicate a blog post to each of them. I will warn you ahead of time, both of these books are for mature adults.

The first book I am reviewing is It's in His Kiss by Jill Shalvis. Jill has written 23 books and is a New York Bestselling Author. She is a romance writer and lives in a small town. It's In His Kiss is one of her Lucky Harbor books and was just released this past August.

A book has been provided for my honest review.

It's in His Kiss
Author: Jill Shalvis
ISBN:978-1455529520
Genre: Fiction, romance, contemporary
Release: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
368 Pages

Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now’s her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam’s eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.

Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can’t resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca’s heart?

About Jill Shalvis

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s sexy contemporary and award-winning books wherever romances are sold. Visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with Jill Shalvis:

* Website * Twitter * Facebook *

BUY It's in His Kiss on Amazon

It's in His Kiss by Jill Shalvis

This novel is written from two perspectives, but it doesn't bug me as much as most books that do that. I have a real hard time jumping from one point of view to another, or time jumping, so finding a book that can do it without causing my brain to short circuit is always a success. You get to bounce between the two main characters, Becca and Sam. Both are running from their past, but Becca has traveled further. She has traveled from her home with her brother and parents to a small town called Lucky Harbor. It is not far from Seattle. Sam is from Lucky Harbor, but everyone is very quiet on his past. He runs a charter company with two of his best friends, Cole and Tanner. Becca has to start from scratch, but luckily has a small at home job writing jingles for an ad company.

Becca has had to fight for things in her life, but you don't know what she has been through until the very end. Jill is a great author and is very good at making you think you understand what has happened, only to receive a curveball at the end. Since it is a romance novel, it is pretty much a giveaway that Sam and Becca will eventually hook up. I had to take a break from romance novels for awhile because of this. I kind of have the same problems with romantic movies as well, so it isn't just books.

As you travel through the book, you learn what Becca is good at, and how Sam makes her feel safe. I found myself shaking the book a few times as I wanted to throttle both characters and crying in others. I loved it. There are a few things that I would have loved to see more of. I could picture Sam and Becca in my mind, but I really couldn't get a good feel on the minor characters:

• Amelia - Cole's Mom
• Cole
• Tanner
• Olivia - Becca's neighbor
• Mark - Sam's dad
• Jase - Becca's brother

You know that Cole and Tanner are good looking, and you learn that Jase doesn't appear to be all together. That's just as far as I can picture them though. I really like to be able to visualize the characters that I read about. There are 2 other characters in the book, but they are barely mentioned so it isn't as necessary for me to visualize them.

I also enjoy that this story didn't do just a quick wrap up. I feel that happens too often in romance novels. There is no riding off into the sunset and you will laugh until the last page.  I plan on reading the rest of her books because I do love how she has a way with words. She makes the setting and builds the characters throughout the book. If you are wanting a mature adult romance, one that will leave you wanting a little something yourself, then this is a great book. It is far from what I classify as erotica, but it is definitely NOT your run of the mill romance.

While I was sent the book directly from the Hachette Book Group, you can find this book in print or Kindle from Amazon! I am including my affiliate link so you can jump directly there to get it.

Tea Tree Oil - Is it Worth the Hype?

I LOVE essential oils. I really do. However, there are definitely times when I struggle with whether an oil is really good as the hype makes it out to be. This was the case with tea tree oil. I really hadn't used tea tree oil, but I have heard of it. I heard you use it to clean, repels insets, clearing up infections, and the list goes on. I discovered that coconut oil is not quite as good as the hype has made it out to be ... so I began to wonder if tea tree oil was the same. We had seen it work with homemade mosquito repellent, but that was as far as I had gone with testing the oil out.

Apothecary Extracts gave me the opportunity to do a variety of things with the oil by providing me with a complimentary 4oz bottle. There was no requirement for a positive review, just a blog post on my thoughts and what I did. I will state, however, that I did fall in love with the oil and I DO believe it is worth the hype.

*FTC Disclosure - I have been compensated for this post with a complimentary 4oz bottle of Tea Tree Oil. This review and all opinions in it are my own.*

I want to first talk about the usability with this oil. The bottle is glass and there is the typical plastic tip to prevent the liquid from coming out at once. However, unlike my DoTerra oils, it takes a bit of work to get only one drop to come out. It was mildly annoying to say the least. However, it was nice when I needed several drops for the solution.

While I waited on my bottle that I got from Amazon, Apothecary Extracts provided me with an eBook on 53 Uses for their oil. It came fully stocked with information on the oil AND recipes.

The recipes are all nicely broken down and easy to locate what you want to use it for. Since I have seen the oil used with repelling mosquitos, and I knew it was an antiseptic, I wanted to push tea tree oil a little further.

I got the chance when poor Monkey fell ill (of course Turtle has now caught the bug). She had symptoms that prevented her from being able to go to school. The green snot and horrible wet cough also prevented her from being able to sleep. In the eBook, there is a recipe for using tea tree oil with steam to clear the sinuses. I put it in their vaporizer and let it go all night.

The result? Monkey was able to breathe and slept SOUNDLY all night! We kept her home one more day to make sure she was all cleared up, but she rarely even coughed. SOLD!

Test number two ... detangler.

I am a mom of THREE girls. One of my girls has super thick hair, one has a sensitive scalp, and the other has curls that like to mat. Hairbrushes and combs are the bane of our existence. Not even joking. HOWEVER, they all three love their hair done. Cause ... yeah, that's just awesome. We buy stock in detangler sprays. I was stoked when I saw there was a recipe for a homemade detangler spray.

I used one of the spray bottles that once held a commercial detangler and added the measured water to oil ratio. Shook it a few times and took it to my girl's hair. Other than the SUPER peppermint smell that is left on the hair, the combs and brushes went right through. I am able to work with all three girls without tears or screams ... in fact, they actually all come up to me willingly for their hair to be done. WAHOO! SOLD again!

Test number three ... dandruff and dry scalp treatment.

Source

My scalp itches ... a LOT. It drives me CRAZY. I have tried dandruff shampoo, dry scalp shampoo/conditioner, leave-in treatments, hair styling products ... yeah, the works. NOTHING has really worked. The winter is when things usually become unbearable. I decided to put a couple drops of tea tree oil into both my shampoo and conditioner and shake it up. I absolutely LOVE the minty smell during the shower. Bonus side effect of using the oil is the immediately wake-up boost it gives me.

I digress. I showered and washed my hair. I styled it as normal and then I waited ... and waited ... and waited. I am not going to say that my scalp didn't itch. It did ... just not NEARLY as bad or as often. I have since washed my hair three times with the tea tree oil infused shampoo and conditioner. I am not completely itch free, but I don't feel like ripping my scalp off my head either. To me ... that's a win.

I look forward to continuing to use this product as 4oz lasts a VERY long time. It is also very affordable. The 4oz bottle is just under $25. It lasts most people roughly 9 months to a year. Of course, that will vary based on what you use it for and how often.

If you want to give it a shot, I have included my Amazon Affiliate link to the product. If you choose to purchase from this link, I will receive a tiny amount of compensation. Honestly, I just love how quickly Amazon ships and it is the only way I know of to purchase this specific tea tree oil.

Cute way to introduce different cultures to your children

If you are like me, you are constantly wanting to introduce your children to different cultures. Part of my problem is that I am stuck in the middle of the United States, and in a location where Hispanics seem to be the only other culture the children are exposed to. I used to home school, so we made a big deal about doing a lesson on the different cultures around the world, and some of them that make up who "Americans" are today.

*Note - I was given access to this Kindle book in hopes of a positive review on Amazon. All of the opinions are my own and the blog post is of my own free will.*

I was approached by a company that represent eBooks and asked to read Abigail and the Jungle Adventure.

When I first saw this, I knew that my little Monkey would LOVE this book. I wasn't sure if Turtle would, and I knew that it was far below the reading levels of my older two children. The story claims to be for children age 2 thru 8 ... but honestly, I think that it is great for 2 thru 4 if the parent reads to them, and then up to 8 for the child to read for themselves. It has a lot of valuable lessons, but my BIGGEST complaint with the eBook is that the links in the first chapter go to other books they have written. That is REALLY annoying. If my children click on those links, I can end up with purchases ... even if I have already bought them. They would click on them because they look like they should be interactive parts of the book ... but they aren't. Buyer beware!

However, that really is my only complaint about the book. It is a very easy read and it is FUN. The pictures are very colorful and something children can relate to. Who doesn't like to just go riding their bike and wish they could get anywhere with a few words? Abigail explores her grandparent's home to find a magical bicycle. She gets to explore the Amazon jungle and find new friends.

Here is what you are tempted with on Amazon:

Want your kids to be familiar with exotic locations?
Want them to meet cultures and animals, and widen their horizons?

This is a wonderful book about a girl named Abigail.

Abigail found a magical bicycle in her grandparents' old house, and this bicycle takes her to the magnificent Amazon jungle.

Who will she meet there? What will she discover?

This beginner reader’s eBook will inspire your kids to be open to new cultures, and be more curious and enthusiastic about exploring various places.

Your kids will enjoy full-color illustrations of Abigail and the Jungle life.

Your kids will be inspired to be:

1. Open to new people & cultures
2. More curious
3. Enthusiastic about exploring new things

Abigail and the Jungle Adventure is a sweet children's book written especially for you and your ages 2- 8 children. With simple text and 13 colorful illustrations. The story is suitable as a read aloud book for preschoolers or a self-read book for beginner readers children.

So, is the Amazon description on par?

YES! My children LOVED the color illustrations and they love that they can flip through the book by themselves on my phone app. It also opened up more conversations on the jungle and Monkey talked about going to the jungle for several days.

You can buy your own copy using my affiliate link by clicking on the graphic. It is inexpensive and great for many years!

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.

Why I prefer Amino Acid Supplements

Working on building muscle but feel as if you are getting nowhere or that it is taking forever? You are likely not getting enough of the right protein. Protein is required to help build muscles as it has the amino acids your body cannot make otherwise. This is why it is necessary for those who are looking to build muscle mass to take amino acids.

I was given the opportunity to try Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's). BCAA's are the essential amino acids … the ones your body cannot make on its own. They are the building blocks of protein and work similar to protein powders. The supplements I am taking have three of the BCAA's, Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine. These amino acids make up 35% of the essential amino acids found in muscle protein. It is important to take high protein pills when you are not planning on taking in much food, such as before a workout, during a workout, after a workout, between meals, and before bed. They are also great to take when you are fasting.

Okay, so, why did I pick Diet Standards AminoHD to review? Because they use veggie capsules with no fillers or additives! There are no binders, fillers, additives, preservatives, egg, yeast, soy, sugar, gluten, or other artificial ingredients!

Just SOME of the ingredients that can be found in other amino acid supplements include:

• Gelatin
• Magnesium Stearate
• Glycerin
• Silica
• Soy Lecithin
• Brown Rice Powder
• Titanium Dioxide Color
• Stearic Acid
• Maltodextrin
• Silicon Dioxide
• Talc
• Copovidone
• Pyridoxine HCL
• Dicalcium Phosphate
• "Pharmaceutical Glaze"

You need an interpreter just to read the ingredients list on our competitor's products. But don't believe me. Take a look at the "Other Ingredients" listed on a few other products:

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Silica … yeah … just read this article and imagine consuming that!

And that's the tip of the iceberg. It gets worse...

Check out this Wikipedia entry:

"Magnesium stearate is a major component of "bathtub rings." When produced by soap and hard water, magnesium stearate and calcium stearate both form a white solid insoluble in water, and are collectively known as "soap scum."

Next time your in the bathtub, just bend down and lick the soap scum from around the drain...

...That's the same as taking most vitamins available today.

Here's my personal favorite: "Pharmaceutical Glaze"
"Pharmaceutical glaze is an alcohol-based solution of various types of food-grade shellac." - Handbook of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Excipients.

Mmmmmm... Shellac!

In AminoHD 1000 BCAAs, there are only 2 ingredients:

• Branch Chain Amino Acids
• Vegetable Capsules

That's it. None of this other garbage deserves to be in your supplements.

You know why 95% of the major manufacturers put this crap in their products? It's cheaper. Not necessarily healthier … but it is cheaper.

I do not do well with protein powder, so these are a GREAT resource for me. I am not nearly as sore after working out and I have noticed that I have more energy in the middle of the day. I am planning on continuing to take them as I workout and continue to change my diet. I know that they will not make me look like a weight lifter, but they will help me improve my muscle mass and reduce my weight.

This article contains 10 Benefits of BCAAs for those who wish to know more. For those who are ready to purchase, here is the link to Amazon. It is my affiliate link, which I will make a small profit on purchases made.


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.

Mystery, Romance, and Couldn't Put it Down

I LOVE to read and I love the fact my Android phone has a Kindle app. This allows me to read without having to clutter my house up with paperback books. I was given the opportunity to read a story that involved a mysterious murder, romance, lost love, and twists and turns.

The book I was asked to read and review was called "Knowing Vera" and it is by Rachelle Ayala. The story is about a girl who watched her father commit suicide when she was only seven years old and grew up swearing off love. She has to figure out a way to break off her relationship with her "friends with benefits" partner, Zach without hurting him. It is not as easy as it sounds because he lost his leg and is working to reevaluate who he is.

Suddenly, Vera begins receiving odd texts and postcards that are possibly from her father and she is off to find out the truth. Slowly, memories of the past come to the surface as she realizes Zach's mother was the murder her father supposedly committed and she witnessed. She goes to Australia to search for answers and gets caught up between a web of family lies and secrets. She must battle to find the truth as she is getting mixed messages that do nothing but pull on her heart strings.


I absolutely LOVE the book. I was able to finish it in just a few days because I really didn't want to put it down. The two men that are fighting over her (Zach and Cliff) both have good and bad qualities, and it is really hard to figure out who is telling the truth. There were some plot twists that I was not surprised about (Zach and Vera getting stranded) and others that I was totally shocked to read (to quote River Song, "Spoilers").

If you love Young Adult Romance that is a tad racy (pretty close to True Blood racy), then this book will keep you hooked. I did have to write down some of the family web because I was beginning to get lost, but the author does a nice job of tying everything up in the end. I am definitely giving this book 5 stars.

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} Hydrate your body with coconut water

I am SO tired of being dry after my showers. I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but you can actually see the dryness on my arms and legs after I get out of the shower. I have to slather on the lotion, just so I won't feel tight and uncomfortable. I got some shea butter soap, but it was in a bar and I really prefer liquid to put on my loofa. So, I was super excited when I was selected by Purex Insiders to try out the new Dial Coconut Water with Mango.

Just as the name implies, this soap contains coconut water. The mango fragrance will help wake you up and take you away from the woes of your household. Coconut water is one of the leading products to help replenish hydration, but it is also high in antioxidants and electrolytes. This product is available in stores now, but let me give you my review on it ... then I am going to offer you a giveaway for a coupon for a FREE bottle of Dial Coconut Water body wash.

The soap does contain some dyes, even though it appears clear. The mango scent is not too strong, but is enough to take my mind to somewhere tropical. I really like how easy it is to use and the cap holds real well. This is good since I have two toddlers who think my soap is their lotion.

My favorite part of this hydrating body wash is how soft my skin feels afterwards. I got out of the shower and actually felt like I had healthy skin that wasn't dry. This is a HUGE bonus for me. I have used Dial in the past, but usually only as hand soap. I have also tried a small sample of the Greek Yogurt body wash, and liked it as well. Dial is quickly becoming a favorite in this house.

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I LOVE Prizes

There is nothing more exciting than being able to unwrap a prize or present. I, personally, think this is why all of the subscription boxes are so popular. You have no idea what is going to be in them, so it is like getting a present every month! I was given the opportunity to try Prize Candle, which has a prize inside EVERY candle!

Tastemaker Mom and Prize Candle teamed up to have a select number of moms try out the candles, so we can tell other moms all about it. When I visited the site, I was blown away at the different options.

When my box came, I was SO excited to see what scent I had gotten and find out more about it. I knew that they were soy candles and inside the rings are protected by a plastic case and plastic bag.

The first step is to light your candle:

Then you wait ... and wait ... and wait ... (it will tease you by being visible but still very solid in the candle!)

Finally, you will be able to blow out your candle and pull out the ring package with some tweezers. Make sure it comes out easy, or you will damage your candle!

So, now I have this really cute ring. How much is the value? Prize Candle has an awesome appraisal page where you can enter a code that is included in the plastic bag with the ring. The rings are valued between $10 and $5,000.

So, I am in love with these things. The smell is REMARKABLE and they burn for hours. I have always loved soy candles so that is a major bonus. There are several new scents that are coming available in the coming weeks, but you can preorder now. :)

Comment below and tell me what candle you would love to buy?