Category Archives: Household Items

Jackpot Candles Winter 2015 Giveaway!

Jackpot Candles Winter 2015 Giveaway!!!!

If there is one thing I can not get enough of it is candles. I love watching the light dance off the wick and watch the flame flicker in an otherwise darkened room. I only began to appreciate candles and the flame as I got older. It is a perfect opportunity to sit, relax and reflect. Back in June 2015 I had the opportunity to review Jackpot Candles (see that review here).

Since that original writing 6 months have passed and while I have gotten the “jackpot” from the candle, I am still burning and otherwise enjoying the candle.

Jackpot Candles are different than the typical candles that you can purchase in stores. Each candle has a piece of jewelry embedded into the wax, as you burn the candle down, the small aluminum square reveals itself. The value of the included piece is anywhere from $15.00 to $5,000.00 and the value is determined by an online appraisal – enter your code and get a value!

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RTGS Products Review

RTGS Products: LED String Lights Review and Giveaway

I recently made a discovery that has changed the lighting choices I make. I have discovered that the addition of LED’s can not only reduce my electricity bill but also add some much-needed light in otherwise dark areas.

The technology of LED lights is nothing new and the most familiar use of LED’s is the calculators that were common for children of the 80’s to use on standardized testing. Now a days LED’s are used in signs, electronic devices and as household ambiance additions.

I was sent a selection of LED lights from RTGS Products. RTGS Products are specialists when it comes to Micro LED lighting and have many varieties and lengths of LED lights available.

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Homemade Cleaners Book Review

Homemade Cleaners: Quick-and-Easy, Toxic-Free Recipes to Replace Your Kitchen Cleaner, Bathroom, Disinfectant, Laundry Detergent, Bleach, Bug Killer, Air Freshener and More… Review and Giveaway

We are a cat household, and we are a cat household that allows the cats almost anywhere in the house that their little paws can take them. Due to our somewhat liberal, and at times foolish, rules we hate using harsh chemicals to clean the surfaces that we share with the cats.

I never really had a real awareness of the harsh chemicals until I realized that the products were transferring onto the cats paws and how incredibly deadly this can be for them. I decided that I would make my home, and surfaces, a safer environment for all breathing creatures. I have read over the years that by using certain essential oils and baking soda, borax or any of the other natural ingredients available you can create some amazing cleaners.

Naturally, when I had the opportunity to review and giveaway a book that covered this concern, I had to accept. I received for review and giveaway a copy of Homemade Cleaners Quick-and-Easy, Toxic-Free Recipes to Replace Your Kitchen Cleaner, Bathroom, Disinfectant, Laundry Detergent, Bleach, Bug Killer, Air Freshener and More… by Mandy O’Brien and Dionna Ford.

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Clutter Rehab Review

Clutter Rehab Review

I have always been an organized person – I love my labels, my boxes and my “systems”. I remember when I was young I would offer to clean and organize the kitchen cabinets – I would clean them and then label where everything belonged driving family and visitors alike crazy, since things were always moved around. This fascination of organization is nothing new, but has been raised to a new level since starting this blog.

As a review blogger a sense of control and organization is almost as vital as the ability to write a review. I am constantly filtering through product, cardboard boxes and deadlines. I want to make sure I write the reviews in a timely manner, and that the items are represented in the best light I can put them in. I am constantly revising and updating my review systems, to help efficient and effectiveness.

I am always looking for new tips. tricks and “inside” organizational techniques. Naturally when I had the opportunity to review an organization themed book I thought this might be the answer and would give me the opportunity to create some real systems in my house. I received Clutter Rehab; 101 Tips and Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie and Love It! by Laura Wittman and began to read.

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My Paper Pumpkin December 2015 Review

My Paper Pumpkin December 2015 Kit Review and Giveaway

I have a “New Years” confession for you – despite my best intentions I always want to make a calendar for our house but I rarely finish in time.

Let’s roll back the clock one year ago and my wide-eyed optimism. I gathered all the materials I needed in order to create a calendar that would be used the next 12 month of our lives. In theory it would be packed with dates, moments and more memories than the days can handle. I plugged away and after about 6 hours I had a perfect acceptable homemade calendar that would fit perfect in the space I had in mind. I was proud and could not wait until I could use it and fill the days.

The reality of the matter is that despite my efforts there were a couple of months were the previous month lingered longer than it should have and a lot of space that stayed blank. I decided that for the new year coming I would still make a calendar but I would scale down my expectations.

As we begin this march into the new year this months My Paper Pumpkin kit arrived at the perfect time. As if again Stampin Up knew the projects in my mind the box for December was called “One Great Year” and provided the perfect calendar for the coming year.

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Unique Natural Products Review

Unique Natural Products: Pet Odor and Stain Eliminator Review and Giveaway

I am all about confession and honesty, in that vein I am going to share a story with you all. About 8 months ago, while my husband and I were sleeping, my husband was awoken with a fright. It is important to note that I do not wake up well especially when it is in a sudden manner, but do not wake up easily. Apparently my husband went to investigate and discovered that our Muggles had eaten to fast and thrown up – all over our carpet and couch!

At this point, Jason is sitting ankle deep in cat vomit and while he could have cleaned this up himself, he did not know where all the cleaners and rags were and need my assistance. As he proceed to wake me up I was not only startled but concerned that the vomit-er was feeling alright. Once I did my checks, I proceeded to gather the need materials and began cleaning, and after 30 minutes I was done.

The reason that this task took so long is because I had to search for a carpet cleaner that would be safe for our new couch and the carpet that covers our wood floor. That night I settled for simple soap and water the clean the mess. I made a promise to myself that I would find a proper pet cleaning product, that is when I discovered Unique Natural Products – Pet Odor and Stain Eliminator.

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Ozeri Ceramic Knife and Stand Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Ozeri and Moderna Housewares. This post may have affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Ozeri – Elite Chef Ceramic 3 piece Knife Set and Adjustable Ceramic Knife Stand Review

I had always heard while growing up that life is funny and there will be unexplained coincidences. Let me share a story that I think illustrates this fact – It all started about 3 months ago. As I am gathering cooking knowledge, one of the things that is vital is being able to make consistent cuts to the food you are cooking. Now it is important to note that we watch a lot of Food Network and the competition shows they air. We always watch a chef’s cutting ability because that usually tells us what kind of chef they are. If someone were watching me they would wonder if I could even boil water.

When we were out one Saturday we picked up a set of white ceramic knives. At the time I wondered about their quality but was assured that ceramic rarely breaks or chips. One night while I was doing my prep work, I saw why my knives were cutting less than ideally – they had various chips of various sizes. I mentioned this to Jason and he said we would go and replace them the upcoming weekend. Now, this is where the coincidences of life take over – I got the opportunity to review a set of ceramic knives.

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Great Plate Holiday 2015 Giveaway!!

The Great Plate Holiday 2015 Giveaway!!!

Back in April I had the opportunity to review Great Plate and see just how durable and how versatile they were (previous review here). I mentioned that to be able to have my food and drink near me on the couch and not spill due to cats jumping down was a bonus and a great feature of the Great Plate. It is 7 months later and the plates look brand new, despite being used every week or two. The color is just as vibrant and the plate is just as level as it was then – it is our “go-to” plate for chips and guacamole

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Repurpose Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Repurpose/CrierPR. This post may contain affiliate links, but this in no way influences the review to follow.

Repurpose Review and Giveaway

The most memorable party I have ever had has to be one of the more recent parties that has been attended. Many people are unaware that my husband Jason and I eloped and kept the secret for much longer then regularly heard of. One evening I could not keep the secret from my father any longer, and mostly spurred by my new in-laws discovering our secret first, we went to speak to my father. After a little shock, silence and obligatory eye rolls, things mellowed and acceptance was in view.

Since I have celebrated every major milestone with a party of some variety, this news of marriage was no different. Shortly after the bombshell news, my father volunteered to throw us the reception we were unable to have a couple of years earlier. I went into party planning mode and settled on a beach theme since we had recently bought our house near the coast.

The one downside to parties and party planning is the amount of trash that is generated. I shutter at the amount of plates, cups and plastic ware gets thrown away and ultimately lands into our local landfills. The party planner in me is happy to say that I may have found a solution to that dreaded trash generation problem – Repurpose.

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Ozeri Green Earth Pan Review

Ozeri – Green Earth Pan Review and Giveaway

I have discovered as I have been learning to cook that it is not preferable to cook everything in the same pan, despite the ease of dishes with this scenario. Recently we received a very belated housewarming gift (over 3 years later) of an entire set of pots and pans. This set included a small pan, and a large as well as 3 pots ranging in size from super small to spaghetti size, as well as included lids. This is the only official “set” we have and other pans and pots are a Hodge-podge mix of hand me downs.

Now, I have discovered as I have been learning to cook that it is not preferable to cook everything in the same pan, despite the ease of dishes with this scenario. The need has finally arisen that we need more pans as the cooking competence level increases in this house.

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