Category Archives: Reviews

Daily Zen Doodles Review

Daily Zen doodles – 365 Tangle Creations for Inspiration, Relaxation and Mindfulness Review and Giveaway

As I have gotten older I have discovered that my brain does not shut off, despite my best efforts. I find that once my head hits the pillow that is when i get my greatest ideas. I mean, from to-do lists to posts that I have to write, the cure for writers block is to put my head on a pillow.

I try to categorize everything in my head, and I try to think of ways to shut my brain down but sadly I am less than successful. When all else fails hot tea can sometimes work (with a ton of melted honey).

It goes without saying that when I received for review and giveaway a copy of Daily Zen Doodles: 365 Tangle Doodles for Inspiration, Relaxation and Mindfulness by Meera Lee Patel, I was reminded of the gentle art of relaxation. More importantly, I thought that this might be this thing to quiet down that constant night chatter in my head.

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Pet Treater Monthly Subscription Box Review – February 2016

Pet Treater Monthly Subscription Box Review and Giveaway – February 2016

I was raised by a single father and I have always been the princess in the family – that was up until about 3 months ago. We had a new family member join our family that has taken the role of princess.

The addition I am referring to is of Meadow, my father’s Australian Laberdoodle. I am lucky that i live only about 10 minutes from the newly crowned girl. I love to give her toys and watch her excitement – what strikes me each time is many times she has not idea what I am about to give her but her excitement says otherwise. A box that allows me to give her these presents she so deserves is Pet Treater. It is obvious when you receive a Pet Treater box that they are continuing to distinguishing themselves in the pet box field.

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GoWashi by Allton Tape DIY Project

Allton Tape: Go Washi

DIY and Giveaway!!

One of the things I always love to do is find inexpensive ways to add a pop of color to an otherwise white-walled area. The problem with renting is that you can not paint, you can not remodel and certainly can lose a security deposit with little to effort on your part.

I would love to sit here and tell you that the advantage of owning a home is that you can do all these removal items, but the fact of the matter remains that you still have to pay for it. I have discovered that even the smallest of home upgrades can cost more than you anticipate so I am always looking for cost-effective ways to upgrade without doing into debt.

A couple of years ago I heard of a trend coming over from Japan that involved the same paper that is used for origami but made into a versatile, strong and durable tape. Since then, I have had little interaction with Washi tape, but each interaction I have had, as been positive. It goes without saying that when I saw a company called Allton Tape that specialized in Washi tape at CHA 2016 (Craft and Hobby Association Show) I was intrigued and curious. In the above photo from left to right it is a variety Fruit, Flower and Yellow-Orange Pop Washi tape.
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Balmshot Lip Balm Review

Balmshot SPF 15 Lip Balm Review and Giveaway

I have mentioned how lucky I am to live at the beach and on the coast of San Diego. While the sunny days outnumber the cloudy days, there is a downside – chapped lips.

Since I live close to a convienent store, I often take walks to get a coffee drink or to get laundry quarters. There are days that the wind coming off the ocean and reaching my lips is a bit harsher than I am able to handle. The other problem I suffer from is lack of water in my daily routine. I try as I might, but just do not get the water intake I should have which results in dry chapped lips.

I go through an adequate amount of lip balm, and am always looking once that moisturizes, protects and has a pleasant flavor. When I was recently contacted by a company whose lip balm is in gun shells, it got my attention. Balmshot Lip Balm comes in one of the more unique packages I have seen, as well was being a beeswax SPF 15 lip balm.

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World of Munchies: Sweet Tooth Box Review

World of Munchies: Sweet Tooth Box – Review & Giveaway

As time passes I have noticed that my taste buds are not what they one were. I tend to run trains on items. Let me explain further – I will get a snack in my head, act as though it is a 5 alarm fire to procure this item, I will then eat only this snack for the next 4 to 6 weeks. As quick as this occurs, the opposite also is true, I get tired of the item almost as quick. This makes life for Jason a little on the frustrated side.

Try as I might to lessen his frustration, I am usually unsuccessful therefore leaving him with fewer snack options than he might prefer. The one thing he always does is encourage me to try new snacks. I am proud to say that with the creation and execution of this blog that is exactly what I have begun doing.

I have had the opportunity in the past to review previous World of Munchies boxes, as they are the perfect way to sample new snacks without the commitment. One of the offerings of boxes that they have is called the Sweet Tooth box. Each Sweet Tooth box you will receive 7-9 items in each box, selected from various international snacks that you may know and may love. The most amazing thing about World of Munchies is was started by the mind of an 11-year-old entrepreneur.

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Peaches & Petals Subscription Box – February 2016 Review

Peaches & Petals Subscription Box – February 2016 Review and Giveaway

I will be honest and let you in on a secret – it takes a lot to really impress me and make me giddy with excitement. One of these things that does accomplish this is candy scented products. I love the smell of sugar and sweet and the sweetness it evokes. I have never been a girly-girl, but there is something that is not girl, but nostalgic about candy.

With the right piece of candy, or smell, it can take you back to a time long forgotten. The memories we have can be evoked by smell, and most of us have a sweet memory tied to a sweet smell.

Since February is the month synonymous with sweetness and love, I loved seeing the February Peaches and Petals box. In case you are wondering, Peaches and Petals is taking the concept of a monthly subscription box with value and making a monthly lifestyle box.

This is a monthly box that caters to ‘fun. flirty, fashionable vintage and modern lifestyles’. What this means is that as the subscriber each month you will receive 3-5 items hand selected by the Peaches and Petals team. The items can range from books, household items, nail polish, makeup, scarves or/and something you never imagined. Additional and other items can be included, depending on the box and theme for the month.

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Adult Coloring Books Review

Adult Coloring Books: The Ultimate 7-in-1 Collection Review and Giveaway

I have a confession – I love a new coloring book. There is something special about cracking open the first page of a coloring book, and perusing through the pictures. I like to imagine the colors I plan to use on each picture to help me make my decision of what I will be coloring. Sometimes I can get lost in the imagery and color.

There is also something else special about coloring and that is when you crack open a new box of crayons. The color and the smell of the wax fills your mind with the possibility of color and combination. The tips and the crayons new and full of options.

When you combine these two factors, what results is an experience of imagination and color combinations. I was thrilled when I received the Adult Coloring Books: The Ultimate 7-in1 Collection because it so happens I have a new crayon box to break in.

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Svelte Men Product Review

Svelte Men: Shave Cream and 3-in-1 Review and Giveaway

Men are synonymous with simplicity, there are few things as simple as a man. I have been lucky in that I was raised by a man, so I have inherited that simplicity. I take little time to get ready and generally use few products. I believe that woman attract men that are much like themselves. If this fact is true than I found the male equivalent of my level of simplicity.

Until recently I believed I married a man who had the same simplicity as I have, as it turns out he may not be as simple as I once believed. It turns out that for men the shaving process is much more complicated than I initially thought. It was through review blogging I made this discovery when I received an offer in my inbox for a review of shaving goods and mentioned it to Jason. I was then informed that is was a little more complicated than a shaver and water.

The email I received was from Svelte Men, a men’s barbershop located in the Hollywood Hill’s of Los Angeles and Manhattan Beach California has a line of shaving products for the at home use.

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Coloring Animal Mandalas Review

Coloring Animal Mandalas Review and Giveaway

I live near two world famous zoo’s and the diversity and the breadth of animals contained in those gates astound me. The animal that fascinates me more than the others are the lions. The lions are tall, strong, majestic and mostly a mystery. The house cat is a domesticated version of the lion and they are equally mysterious.

I love to get lost in the thought of animals, and I imagine what animals combined to create the colors of many of the animals in our world. I like to imagine the colors, and the combinations and create an animals coloring from my imagination.

I have reviewed the newer editions in the coloring book collection of Wendy Piersall and so it is nice to see where it began. The book entitled Coloring Animal Mandalas by Wendy Piersall takes the combination of animals and mandalas and makes them into one magical image!

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Boutique Socks at ModernBoho.com Review

Boutique Socks at Modern Boho Review and Giveaway

One of my favorite foot wear items I own are a black pair of boots. These are by a well-known shoe company and they are very comfortable. I actually have a second pair in a different color and they are equally comfortable. I love to wear my boots under long skirts, or with jeans. I am also a proud child of the 80’s when leg warmers were popular, and honestly on the plain side.

The one struggle I seem to encounter quite often is that when I wear socks with my boots, my socks seem to get sucked into some strange abyss that exists only at the bottom of my boots. I also love the idea of wearing leg warmers under my skirts on chilly days – although at times these extra layers of warmth are over kill in sunny California.

I am lucky though, even though I live in a sun filled paradise I still get chilly really easy. What this means is that I can benefit year round from warm cloths. I recently was sent a couple of items from ShopModernBoho.com, including a pair of boot socks and leg warmers.

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