Showing posts with label Reviews and Opinions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews and Opinions. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Jamberry - Review

In another lifetime (before marriage, kids, homeschooling and a tight budget) I worked in a high dollar industry, and dressed the part.  I had my nails done weekly and loved it.  The nails were the first things to go when my lifestyle changed and my budget tightened.

Painting my nails on my own went out the window too, because they never had time to dry without getting smudged and smeared by a diaper or kid.  So I’ve basically had plain old nails for years now.

One of my gal pals introduced me to a new product called Jamberry Nails and sent me some samples to try out.  I think you guys are going to like this one!   She sent me a Juniors sample pack.  I sat down one Saturday night and worked up all kinds of patterns on the girls hands.

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Applying the Jamberry wraps is pretty simple and straight forward.  The only real issue I had with putting the wraps on the girls is that their little nails are so small, and I didn’t have a proper pair of “nail scissors”…so some of the edges seen in the photo above are choppy.  Totally my fault, not the products fault.

There are SO many styles to choose from…sports, hobbies, collegesflorals and of course animal prints!   Tons of gorgeous colors, designs and prints!  Amy  sent me a full package of the Sheet Music wraps and they are too cute.

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Each pack contains enough wraps (in various sizes) to do your nails 2-3 times, depending on the length of your nails.   The $15 cost is less than you pay for 1 nail job at a nail shop, so it’s definitely a good deal.

Do you need a bunch of extra equipment to use Jamberry Nails?   No, not necessarily.   I used this hodge podge of “equipment”, however I will say I’d suggest you get a pair of nail scissors or similar type scissors…my kitchen shears were a bit cumbersome, ahem.

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Regardless of my lack of decent scissors, I still had a professional looking set of nails finished in less than 30 minutes, not bad for my first attempt at putting them on myself.  The nails were a big hit at our homeschool group picnic!

Showering and washing dishes have not caused the nail wraps to loosen and come off.   Swimming for extended periods of time does however cause them to loosen and float away.  Stay away from the pool and you can easily get 2 weeks of wear out of each set of wraps.  Removal is as simple as…well soaking your hands in water and peeling them off…see where the pool was a bad choice?

To find out more, and to order your own nail wraps, check out my friend Amy’s Jamberry page or you can check our her Facebook Page.

I received this product free of charge for review purposes only.  I received no other compensation for my review, nor was I required to write a positive review.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Purex–Fabric Softener Sheets–Review & Give Away

Purex Fabric Softener Sheets

I’ve just finished reviewing the Purex Sweet Lavender fabric softener sheets.  I love the smell of lavender, and this product has a very strong, lasting scent.  I chose not to use it in my husbands work clothes, so as not to give the guys a reason to pick on him for smelling so sweet, grins.   The girls and I are loving the sweet aroma that is on our clothing.

I’ve also tossed one of these fabric softener sheets into the girls ballet bags (pew), boxes of clothing that are going into storage and in the linen closet for a fresh sweet smell.  On a side note, I find that once the fabric softener sheets come out of the dryer they are great to put on the Swiffer and pick up fuzz from the hardwood floors, and there is still enough scent in them to put a little lavender smell throughout the house.

Sweepstakes!

The folks at Purex, makers of Fels-Naptha have a few opportunities for you to win big! To celebrate 120 years in business, Fels-Naptha is hosting a 120 Years, 120 Winners Sweepstakes! One winner will receive $500 and the other 119 winners will receive a free bar of Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar & Stain Remover, click here to enter. Sweepstakes runs July 31, 2013 through August 28, 2013.

Give Away!

Three of my readers will win a coupon for a free box of Purex Dryer sheets. To enter, simply leave me a comment telling me what is your favorite fabric softener scent. This give away ends at midnight on August 13, 2013. Three random winners will be picked, and notified via email on August 14, 2013. Open to U.S. citizens with a U.S. postal address only.

I received this product free of charge for review purposes only. I was not required to give a positive review, nor did I receive any other compensation.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Fels-Naptha Review and Giveaway

 

Here’s another great laundry product I was asked to review,the Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar & Stain Remover.  I already use Fels-Naptha in my homemade laundry detergent.   I’ve also found that it’s great to rub on those hard to get out stains, ketchup, chocolate, and various indescribable things that the kids and dog get into together.  I’ve also found that it works great on getting grease and sweat stains out of my husbands work clothes.  Simply rub a wet bar of Fels-Naptha on the stain, wait a few minutes and then toss it in with a regular load of laundry.

The laundry bar is yellow, and has a clean smell, but not a soapy smell.  It dissolves easily in warm and hot water, and I have been known to rub it on clothes that are going in the cold water cycle as well.

This is a standard laundry supply in our home.

The folks at Purex, makers of Fels-Naptha have a few opportunities for you to win big!  To celebrate 120 years in business, Fels-Naptha is hosting a 120 Years, 120 Winners Sweepstakes! One winner will receive $500 and the other 119 winners will receive a free bar of Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar & Stain Remover, click here to enter.  Sweepstakes runs July 31, 2013 through August 28, 2013.

Give Away!

Three of my readers will win a coupon for a free bar of Fels-Naptha.  To enter, simply leave me a comment telling me what stain remover you typically use while doing laundry.  This give away ends at midnight on August 15, 2013.   Three random winners will be picked, and notified via email on August 16, 2013.  Open to U.S. citizens with a U.S. postal address only.

I received this product free of charge for review purposes only.  I was not required to give a positive review, nor did I receive any other compensation.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

20 Mule Team Borax–Review and Giveaway

I recently received a box of 20 Mule Team Borax to review.  This was not my first time using Borax.   I’ve used it for years in my homemade laundry detergent

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20 Mule Team Borax is a laundry detergent booster and multi-purpose household cleaner.   Borax is 100% natural.  The common name for it is sodium tetraborate, a naturally occurring substance produced the evaporation of seasonal lakes.  It containing no phosphates, chlorine or other additives and can be used in laundry and household cleaning.

Since I’m already using Borax in my laundry, I decided to use it for cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen for this review.    I was able to clean the porcelain tub and toilets without scratching the surface and it was much easier to remove the hard water deposits that form in the toilet.    Cleanup in the kitchen was quick and easy as the Borax cuts through grease on the top of the stove, and makes dishes sparkle.  Warning, it also makes your glassware very slippery. I guess that’s what happens when it’s really clean?

Oh, and another GREAT use for Borax….homemade Oobleck!  Seriously, my kids love this stuff.  Just mix some Elmer’s school glue, Borax and water until you have the perfect non-Newtonian substance.  You can add fool coloring too, just for fun.

GIVE AWAY

Three (3) lucky winners will each receive a coupon for one (1) FREE box of 20 Mule Team Borax.  To enter, just leave a comment below telling me if you’ve ever made Oobleck (with or without Borax).  Yes, it’s goofy, but hey, it’s my blog.

Entries must be received by midnight on June 21, 2013.  Winners will be contacted via email on June 22, 2013.  (Please make sure there is a way for me to contact you with your entry.)

Must be a U.S. resident to win.

 

I received 20 Mule Team Borax free for review purposes only.  I was given no other compensation, nor was I required  to write a positive review.  The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Cleaner Review/Giveaway

I’m hosting a Soft Scrub coupon give away over at my homeschooling blog Learning Curve.  Be sure to pop over and enter.  More  cleaning/laundry coupon give aways are in the works, so keep checking back!  

Open to U.S. residents only.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

25 Days, 26 Ways (Book Review)


I currently have a stack of books from Zondervan to read and review. Seven books to be exact, yes seven! Sometimes my pile of books gets neglected due to life, anyone else have that problem? Typically that wouldn't be a problem, but since this is a Christmas book it would be a silly post in oh say February! I'm thinking mid December isn't the best time either...but hey give me a break!!

25 Days, 26 Ways to Make Your Best Christmas Ever by Ace Collins is a wonderful little devotional aimed at showing you how to take the stress and dread out of Christmas.

Chapters cover topics on the meaning of old Christmas carols, the significance behind gifts to Jesus, Advent, and preserving the holidays. At the end of each short chapter is a "Shortcut to the Spirit of the Season". This shortcut gives you a little help in knowing how to apply what you've learned in that chapter.

The book can be purchased directly from Zondervan.com in printed form for $15.99; ebook form for $11.99 or as an Audio Download for $15.99.

If you're felling a little Grinchy, grouchy or Scroogey, this book is sure to help you find your Christmas spirit. If Christmas has come and/or already gone before you read this that's ok too. Christmas is something to be lived and celebrated every day of our lives, not just on December 25. Celebrate Jesus all year long!


I received a copy of this book, free of charge from Zondervan. The opinions expressed herein are strictly mine, and I received no compensation for this review.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl (Book Review)


I love to read! I love it even more when what I read is something that I can relate to, get the revelation of, take hold of and run with. Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl is that kind of book. The author, Lysa Terkeurst is open, funny and just plain real. Here is one of my favorite excerpts from the book:
"I want to keep a great attitude, keep my schedule manageable, keep my emotions under control, and love those people closest to me like crazy. Then I pull a load of laundry out of the dryer with red splotches all over every piece of my oldest daughter's favorite clothing. Red lipstick left in the pocket of a jacket thrown into the wash at the last minute by her little sister. Mercy.


Suddenly, you'd never know I have been to church the past five Sundays in a row. My flesh just rises up, ushers my good Bible study self right our of the laundry room, and strips from my mind every verse on patience I've ever memorized. I default to acting like a crazy woman. Crazy, I tell you. And I hate that kind of crazy. It's the kind of crazy that makes me lie awake at night and vow to do better. But then it happens again and the shame, guilt and feelings of yuck make me pull back from God and deem myself a failure.

If you've ever been there, take heart. From one crazy woman to another, I can tell you there is hope. We can reset our default button, those go-to emotions that make us act crazy. Just a few shifts in perspective, and some new Biblical thought patterns can make a big difference. An everyday difference. Ready to start learning what to do when your uglies come out, when you loose your groove, and when God hurts your feelings? Me too."

You may be asking why on earth I like this particular excerpt so much. Well...ehem...because earlier in that same day, I'd had one of those "crazy" moments. Although, for the life of me, I can't at the moment recall what prompted it, but I know it was crazy and uncalled for. Yet there in the middle of this book was this total stranger explaining exactly how I felt...and then giving me input as to how to correct it. No condemnation, no "I certainly would NEVER act like that because I have arrived" attitude. Just real.

And then I read this, and I'm quite certain an angelic choir began to sing as the burden of vision casting was removed from my shoulders:

"There is a significant difference between revelation and vision. Vision is something people produce; revelation is something people receive. Leaders can dream up a vision, but they cannot discover God's will. God must reveal it."

Give me fresh revelation Lord, not stale man made vision!

Lysa Terkeurst is the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries and author of 12 books, (including a Gold Medallion finalist and People’s Choice Award finalist) and numerous magazine articles. She has told her remarkable life story on national television and radio, including Oprah and Good Morning America. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and five children.


I received this free product to review by Zondervan. All opinions expressed in this post are mine. I was not compensated for my review.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Real Church (Book Review)

(Disclaimer: for those of you who read my blog, and go to my church...brace yourselves...or skip this post, or read with an open mind.)

I do not like going to church anymore. I don't like all the new and exciting programs that demand more time and attention; the hoop jumping that must be done to show that you're a "part of what God's wanting to do"; the title of "leadership" that everyone wants so desperately to achieve. I've felt this way for years now, and apparently, I'm not alone. Well known author, speaker and counselor, Dr. Larry Crabb found himself with these same feelings, enough so that he wrote a book entitled "Real Church: Does It Exist? Can I Find It?".

Larry Crabb recalls a moment when he was attending church and found himself bored, disillusioned and drifting off. He took a pen and wrote a note in the margins of his bulletin: I think I might have to give up Christianity in order to follow Christ.

In this thought provoking book, Crabb openly shares his struggles with the modern day civilized church. He openly shares stories, trials, and defeats from his own life. Dr. Crabb doesn't claim to have all the answers to what's wrong with today's "church machine". However, he does point out that as a growing number of devout Christians leave church, maybe it's time to rethink our programs, building funds and side businesses and focus on living as Jesus would in our daily lives, in our homes and our community.

Pastors and "leadership" would do well to read "Real Church". I think it says what so many church member are feeling and thinking, but can't voice because it's not what is expected of them. Meeting expectations (read: obligated to do) can choke the life and anointing from the most sincere Christian.

You can order a copy of Real Church directly from Thomas Nelson by clicking here, or you can shop at Amazon by clicking here.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Offworld (Book Review)

From Bethany House Publishers
Photo: Ashley Morgan

Commander Christopher Burke and his crew were the first human beings to step foot on Mars. The mission was flawless, with the exception of an 18 hour window of time that Commander Burke was missing; and he had no recollection of it. After spending 2 and a half years in space the 4 person team prepare for their long awaited homecoming. Following a death defying reentry to Earth's atmosphere, and a crash landing of their ship the Ares, the crew are stunned to see their is no hero's welcome awaiting them. There is no fanfare, no media coverage, no debriefing.....no people! The Earth's entire population has somehow vanished, seemingly without a clue.


Offworld by Robin Parrish quickly grabs the reader and pulls you into this action packed, catastrophe averting science fiction novel. If you'd like to taste test this book, you can read the first chapter by clicking here. This is definitely one of those can't stop reading, stay up late to see what happens next books!
You can purchase the book from Christianbook.com or directly from Robin Parrish's website.

Monday, July 20, 2009

True For You But Not For Me


In this though provoking and insightful book, Paul Copan not only gives you rebuttals for common conversation-enders that refute the relevance and validity of Christianity; but more importantly he addresses the thought pattern behind these mind sets.

Copan offers clear and concise responses to comments such as:

"Who are you to impose your morality on others?"
"What right do you have to convert others to your views?"
"It doesn't matter what you believe--as long as you're sincere."
"You can't trust the Gospels--they're unreliable."

If you have avoided sharing your faith because you've feared running into such statements, then this is the book for you. Paul Copan shows you clearly how with "patience, practice, prayer and God's grace" you can gently respond in ways that move you into more meaningful conversations with those who object your faith. Don't let the anti-Christian conversation stoppers keep you from spreading the Gospel!

This book is available through Bethany House Publishing for $11.19 plus shipping. You can also pick up a copy at Christianbook.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

There is also a Study guide available at PaulCopan.com