Category Archives: product review
REVIEW: Tea Tree Skin Care by Era Organics
It might not be as lofty a goal as some people’s, but I decided one of my 2018 goals would be to start a detailed skin care regimen and keep it up, twice a day. This proved to not only be something I enjoy doing, but something I am really getting into–I’ve spent more money on masks and moisturizers in the last two months than I have in my whole life!
I really believe that targeted skincare makes a difference, and that is why I use differing products depending on the day and the needs of my skin on that particular day.
Even though I am in my 30’s now, I still get occasional breakouts. I cannot use the same cleansers as I did when I was a teen. I need something that will keep my skin clear, but also make sure it’s not dried out. That’s why I like Era Organics Tea Tree Oil Cleanser and Face Cream.
The Tea Tree Oil cleanser is a creamy, smooth wash that goes a long way even though it’s not a foaming formula. I liked that while massaging it into my skin it felt silky, and did not leave my face feeling stripped after it was rinsed off. After only a couple days of use the spots I already had were clearing up.
My favorite of the two products is the Tea Tree Oil Face Cream. It’s a thick moisturizer, which I especially love in these winter months, because my skin gets dry patches when the cold winds start blowing. The base is coconut oil which is immediately apparent. This cream also has a much stronger smell of tea tree oil than the cleanser does, so be aware of that. With all that being said, this was a fantastic moisturizer for me! I put it on at night since it’s such a thick formula, and in the morning my skin was still dewy and soft.
Era Organics products are all made with natural and organic ingredients such as herb and flower extracts and moisturizing oils and butters. They can be found on Amazon and I believe they are reasonably priced for the performance they offer.
**DISCLAIMER: I was sent these products by the manufacturer in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by this fact.
Back to School Made Simple with Kids Email
With school coming into session again, it’s the best time to help your child get organized to get off to a great start. As my child is getting older and starting to tackle tougher subjects in school, we’ve found that sometimes he needs more help than he can get at school–we often have to sign up for websites and apps that help him learn. Since I don’t want a ton of extra emails clogging up my inbox, it’s a perfect opportunity to let him gain a little independence with his very own email address from Kids Email.
Kids Email is an extraordinary email service for kids and tweens to get them started with the ins and outs of sending and receiving email. Your child can register for their own personal email address, which you as a parent can have complete control over. You can manage settings such as content filtering, sender blocking, and removing images from the emails your child receives. You can even intercept emails to your own inbox to go over them first and then release them to be sent to your child’s inbox.
My favorite thing about Kids Email is that they are now available on the go! Your child can access their email from any device, including Android, iOS, and Kindle. I know this is something right up the alley for my almost 9 year old, who spends a lot of time with his iPod touch.
I also like that the interface is completely customizable depending on your child’s personal taste. Make the inbox look the way they want it to look and then change it when you get tired of it!
There are so many reasons my son and I love using Kids Email, but I know most parents will want to check out the features for themselves. The first month of Kids Email is completely free for you to try, and prices start as low as $2.99 a month after that. Help your child’s school year be the best it can be with a little help from Kids Email!
Kickstart Your 2016 Resolution with Centrum MultiGummies #CentrumMultiGummies
It’s a new year, and maybe like a large percentage of people, you’ve resolved to get your nutrition and fitness overhauled. Or maybe you’re just not feeling like yourself and are looking for a supplement to support your energy and immune system. No matter what health goal you’d like to pursue this year, Centrum MultiGummies are the perfect vitamin to help you on your way!
Centrum MultiGummies are easy to take, perfect for everyday multivitamins that are designed to help support your energy, immunity, and metabolism. With 100% or more of your daily value of vitamins B12, D, and E, these gummies are a great addition to a New Year’s health regimen to help you feel your best!
The gummies themselves are quite small, and very easy to eat both in one bite. They are a more firm chew, and on the tart side rather than being very sweet. You can tell these gummies are made for adults, not kids! There are a few different shapes but I myself could not tell the difference in flavors. The overwhelming flavor is a citrus/orange, but there is a bit of berry too.
Centrum MultiGummies are gluten-free and have no artificial flavors or sweeteners.
Want to try Centrum MultiGummies for yourself? You can get a $4 off coupon here! Also, be sure to check out the Centrum Facebook page for the latest product news and offers.
REVIEW: Wine Aerator by Vino Aria #vinoaria
The holiday season is upon us, and for a lot of get togethers, that means a lot of wine will be flowing! Make sure it tastes its’ best by using the wine aerator made by Vino Aria.
Sometimes a bottle of red wine can taste a little stale or bitter upon opening, especially if you’ve opted for a cheaper brand. Using a wine aerator is the quickest way to get your wine to its’ optimal flavor level. This aerator allows oxygen to circulate through your wine as you pour it, decreasing the amount of “breathe” time your glass of wine will need, and letting you enjoy it that much faster!
See the bubbles in the picture? That’s how an aerator works! The pourer fits very snugly on top of your bottle of wine–I did not experience any spills or leaks at all. I’m not entirely sure if my own palate is distinguished enough to tell a huge difference, but my husband said he noticed a lighter taste and that the wine felt less heavy in the mouth.
The Vino Aria comes packaged in a sleek black box perfect for gift giving. Make your party host’s night by gifting them a better way to indulge in their favorite wine!
REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Chomps Snack Sticks
Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for that hard to buy for guy in your life? Or how about something you can gift without adding to the empty-calorie filled goodies you are running into everywhere during this holiday season?
Give them a snack they’ll love–Chomps Snack Sticks!
So why isn’t Chomps like your average beef snack stick? Well first, they are made with 100% Non-GMO Grass-Fed Angus Beef which is sourced from New Zealand. I don’t think any other brand can say that! Even better, the sticks contain no artificial ingredients (no nitrites, nitrates, MSG, colors, flavors) and are shelf stable for a year with the help of celery juice! But how do they taste? I got to try the three flavors and find out!
Original Flavor is the one you will enjoy if you love snack sticks such as Slim Jim. Think of this as a better for you version of that! The stick is hefty at one entire ounce (lots of brands are under this), and has a fantastic beefy flavor. You can tell when you open the wrapper that this is quality meat–there is no yucky orange grease anywhere to be seen.
Hoppin’ Jalapeno is the one you should try if you want a bit more spice! Made with real jalapeno powder, it offers a pleasing tongue tingle but not an overwhelming burn. You will know you are eating something jalapeno-flavored, and you will enjoy it.
Crankin’ Cran is the spicy-sweet snack for those who want to turn up the heat! This one is made with habanero and cranberry. So you are getting a good kick of heat but the tartness of the cranberry is there to add another level of flavor! This was my favorite one, even though I needed some water when I was done 🙂
Chomps Snack Sticks are the perfect protein filled pickup you need to make it through your day. They are amazing whether you have them post workout, on the go, in the office, or serve them to your kids after school!
If you’re ready to get some of this beefy goodness in your house, be sure to enter the giveaway to win a box of goodies from the company, including these three flavors of Chomps and much more!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
REVIEW: Ozeri Extravo Electric Wine Opener
Wine makes a great gift for the holidays, but how about giving a little something extra along with your bottle of vino?
The Ozeri Extravo Electric Wine Opener is the perfect hostess gift! Finished in sleek stainless steel, it will look at home in any kitchen and is so easy to use.
This wine opener is cordless and the plug-in charger means you will never need to worry about batteries. Ours just so happened to be ready to open a bottle right out of the box, but it’s recommended that you charge it for six hours before first use.
The Extravo features a one touch button opening system–but you actually don’t even need to press the button to get the cork out of the bottle! The corkscrew automatically starts turning as soon as it touches the cork, and you will have your bottle open in seconds!
Something cool about this wine opener is that it has a light within the corkscrew compartment so you can really see what you’re doing. It also has a dual functioning base which serves as a foil cutter, so you’re getting everything you need to effortlessly open any bottle of wine in this one purchase!
Whether you need a gift for a teacher, a sister, a foodie, or a friend, the Ozeri Extravo Electric Wine Opener is sure to be a hit this holiday season.
Sick during the Holidays? See a Doctor Instantly with Amwell!
DISCLAIMER: This is a sponsored post with Mums the Word Network and Amwell. All opinions are my own.
If you’re a mom, you know the holidays can be hectic! Shopping, cooking, wrapping, visiting…and then one of the little ones gets a sniffle. That sniffle turns into a cough, your kid coughs all night, no one gets any sleep. AND, this always seems to happen on a holiday or weekend!
What if I told you there was a way you could visit with a doctor–anytime–from the comfort of your own home? Well there is!
Amwell is the newest way to get your child or yourself seen by a doctor. It’s all done online–via an app on your device or a visit to the website on the computer! You can choose from numerous doctors in practices such as psychology, nutrition, dermatology, and of course pediatrics. These are all REAL, US trained, board certified doctors, so you can be sure you’re getting the best of care!
Once you go through the simple two step registration process, you can then choose the physician you want to consult with.
My child is fortunately feeling well, so I decided to meet with a dietary provider to speak about some issues I had been having during my third trimester of pregnancy.
Once you choose the type of doctor you need, you can then look through profiles and find the best fit for you.
I chose a dietician who was also a lactation consultant! Breastfeeding moms, how cool is it to know you can contact someone to help you with those latching questions in the middle of the night?
After answering a few questions about medical history and medications, I was connected with my provider in less than 10 minutes. That’s definitely less than I would spend in a traditional waiting room!
The video was clear and flowed smoothly, and I never had any connection problems. You get a 25 minute visit that can be extended is necessary. I’m happy to say my chosen provider was courteous and knowledgeable. I felt like I was talking to a friend! I got quick and precise answers to my questions and she was very professional.
I would definitely not hesitate to use Amwell again in the future! Did I mention you can even get prescribed medications during your visit, and the prescription is sent to the pharmacy for you?! Amwell does accept some insurances, but if you are uninsured, a visit is around $49 or less. You can even get your first visit FREE by using code CARENOW19 on the payment screen.
Next time your child is sick in the middle of the night, don’t wait till morning–use Amwell and get instant peace of mind.
Fill Your Kids’ Holiday Free Time with TROVE, the MMO
The Thanksgiving and then Christmas holidays are right around the corner, and of course that means our kids will be out of school. If you have a tween or teen, you know that it’s usually not long before you will hear, “Mom, I’m bored!”
I’d like to introduce you to a fun way to occupy your kids’ time this season! Trove is an MMO, or massive multiplayer online game that is totally free to play.
Adventure, explore, and create in Trove, the acclaimed voxel RPG set in a massive universe of online worlds. Whether hunting treasure in far-off lands or building realms of your own, it’s never been this good to be square!
If your kids like Minecraft, they will probably love Trove.
I downloaded the game and gave it a few hours playing time. The download itself took less than 15 minutes, but it probably would have been faster if I also hadn’t been watching Netflix at the time 😀
Once you start the game, you are free to choose who you’d like to be, where you’d like to go, and what you’d like to do! Want to be a knight, ninja, or faerie? Raid dungeons, or build a cool home? You can do it all and more in Trove.
The gameplay is controlled with the keyboard and is easy to learn, though if you’re not a super-experienced gamer, you may want to make a cheat sheet of sorts to keep in front of you until the keys become second nature.
It didn’t take long before I was engrossed in battle just by exploring the world around me, but you can also just hang out at your home base and build things just the way you like. In Trove, you can take on as much or as little action as you want!
I recommend Trove to kids 10 and older who maybe have already played and loved other MMORPG’s, and building games such as Minecraft. The game isn’t hard to learn, but good reading skills are important if you want to achieve your quests. This is also a great game for kids and parents to play together!
Trove is free to download and play, and is available for both PC and Mac. Discover the cool new gaming craze before all your friends do!
REVIEW: DuckyMeter Bath Thermometer by Ozeri
If you’re a mom of a newborn, there is already so much to worry about. Taking your baby to the tub should be a fun, relaxing time for both of you! If you’re never quite sure that your baby’s bath water is the right temperature, it’s time to get a bath thermometer. The DuckyMeter from Ozeri is one fun choice!
The DuckyMeter is an automatic digital bath thermometer that can tell you within seconds if the bath water you are running is too hot, too cold, or just right for your baby.
It doesn’t hurt that this device looks just like a toy! In this manner, it won’t look out of place among the other baby stuff around your tub 😉 The DuckyMeter also features a soft yet durable outer cover that won’t harm baby if used as a toy in the tub.
The indicator light is super bright and the digital numbers are very easy to read. The thermometer starts working instantly and works as long as it is in the water. When you take it out, it automatically shuts off, so no worrying about the battery draining daily.
The DuckyMeter from Ozeri is a perfect tool to help you feel more at ease about bathing your baby. It should be noted that you should always also check the water’s temp with your arm or elbow. Checking in more than one way will ensure your baby’s comfort, and ensure you and your baby some great bonding time.
REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Get Safe Email for Kids at KidsEmail.org
UPDATE 7/28/2015: We are still using and LOVING KidsEmail! When my son sees me checking my email, he immediately asks to go check his. I signed him up for a few newsletters, such as those from Nick Jr. and some car magazines (his passion), and he loves seeing that he has new messages. As he uses it more and more, I don’t even really need to show him where to click–he has got the hang of it! I’m so glad we found this program.
KidsEmail is giving THREE readers 1 year of Kids Email (value of $38.95).
CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
As my son gets older, he is definitely wanting to do things more and more on his own, and wanting a bit of privacy. At 6 years old, he has already learned some computer skills in his Montessori kindergarten classroom. I decided now was the perfect time to get him an email of his own.
KidsEmail.org is the perfect solution for kids who want the freedom of their own email address, and parents who want to be able to have some control over what their child sees. Parents have the option to choose who their child can email and who can email them. You can block senders, filter language and attachments, and so much more!
On the kids’ side, they get to pick a fun login name and customize what their email screen will look like. There are many designs to choose from–here are a few examples.
My son chose the “Racing Champion” template, as I knew he would. There are cool designs for both boys and girls, younger kids, tweens and teens.
Speaking of teens, with KidsEmail your child has the option to have his email grow along with him. As your child feels they might be getting a little old to have a “kiddie” email address, their account can be changed to a KMail.org address–but still allowing parents that monitoring option.
All of these features are available at one low price, and you can even get your first 30 days free! Try out the KidsEmail service free for the first month, then choose from one of the low priced subscription plans–as low as $2.99 a month.
(Please ignore my perpetually cluttered desk!)
My child thought it was so cool that he could have an email of his very own, and I could tell that he was proud of it and felt so grown up. It was very easy for him to understand the interface, and he got the hang of his inbox really quickly. He is already asking to check it every day!
If you’re looking for a safe, fun, highly customizable email for kids, look no farther than the award winning KidsEmail.org!
Sweet Southern Home 