Category Archives: Reviews

House of Doolittle Review

House of Doolittle: 2016 Calendar and 2016 Meeting Planner Review

There are a few times of year that, as a child, I looked forward to. One of them was right before I went back to school in September and I got to purchase all the supplies that would take me through the new year. My second favorite time was in mid November when the new years calendars would be released.

Each year I would purchase a Ziggy themed desk calendar. I would patiently wait for the year to turn over to January 1st so that i could begin my adventure with Ziggy. I loved this calendar and I loved that the color was a simple shade of green. I was very sad when I could no long find this calendar and I often wonder why it was taken off the market when it obviously had a fan.

Each year I set out to create a calendar comparable to that desk calendar of days gone by. Despite my best efforts, each year I come up short so when I was sent the House of Doolittle 3 Month Vertical Compact Wall Calendar and House Of Doolittle Meeting Planner I knew my 2016 calendar needs were met.

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Zevia Zero Calorie Soda Review

Zevia Zero Calorie Soda Review and Giveaway

Jason and I have a ritual each night – shortly after he arrives home we get our drinks for the night and each one of us has a Cherry Coke. This is a horrible habit and we know how bad it is for us. We pad that with a lot of water and even sports drinks, yet we know we have to change this habit soon!

I was speaking to my father about this predicament that we are in and the topic that arose was that the come down from the daily caffeine jolt would make us irritable and grumpy. I figure a little irritability in exchange of our health was a fair deal. We began to cut our daily coke out, and replaced it with milk, juices and other drinks. Admittedly, Jason still has a morning coffee and I still have an energy drink now and again, but we are on the path.

During the initial discussion with my father, he mentioned that he had discovered a new soda that had all the flavors I knew, without the sugar and preservatives. The company he discovered was Zevia Zero Calorie Soda, founded in Seattle Washington in 2007. I reached out to them for a review sample and they generously sent me a case including 2 cans of 12 different flavor’s.

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BuddhiBox Monthly Subscription Review – December 2015 Box

BuddhiBox Monthly Subscription Review – December 2015 Box

When we are children we do not think that the words that people say to use can hurt us. The sad part is that words many times words can hurt more than the largest weapon. Each night we watch the news, and each night we marvel at the amount of crimes and stories that could have a different outcome had words been used instead of the alternative weapons.

I was a young girl when I learned that words can hurt and to choose my words wisely. I apply this to each aspect of my life, and I am blessed that my husband does the same. We were both bullied in school and now how kind words can make a world of change and mean words can ruin your day. That is one reason I look forward to my monthly BuddhiBox – these are messages that are important in the yoga and real world.

I recently received the December BuddhiBox and I am again pleased and thrilled. Earlier in the year, I had the opportunity to review previous boxes (click here) and they are always a fun adventure in the yoga/healthy living lifestyle. The message is always one of compassion, and understanding and living a pure life.

This month we are back to the familiar bright green tissue paper carefully covering this months treasures. This month came with 4 cardboard information cards that are in full color and on thick glossy card stock. The first card was the Yoga pose of “Garland Pose” that shows the pose in full color, as well as the benefits and directions about the pose. These pose cards are made especially for BuddhiBox by a company called Yogicards. There is a recipe for a “Broccoli Hemp Potato Salad” that is made using 15 ingredients – 6 being spices that when put together creates a fresh, healthy and flavorful salad. The final information card included was a box manifest and on the other side the following quote:

The heart that gives, gathers. – Lao Tzu Continue reading →

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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MMF Steelmaster and Coin Wrapper Review

MMF Steelmaster: Drop Box,Desktop Inbox & Coin Wrapper Review

Security seems to be everywhere we look, be it television or reality. Jason and I constantly read stories of identities stolen, monies stolen and lives ruined. It has been a little while since I was in an office environment but Jason spends his days in an office and happens to have a job where security is more important that just about any other qualification.

Since Jason’s days are locked in security, I felt it only appropriate, when given the opportunity to review MMF Industries Steelmaster Desktop Inbox, Steelmaster Lockable Suggestion Drop Box and Steelmaster Nested Preformed Wrappers it felt a natural fit.

I was sent MMF Steelmaster Desktop Inbox, Steelmaster Lockable Suggestion Drop Box and Steelmaster Nested Preformed Wrappers.

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Hollywood Cafe Review

Hollywood Cafe: Coffee with the Stars Review and Giveaway

I am going to share something that people in my personal life know – I am a walking movie database. For some strange and unknown reason I can remember random bits of movie trivia. There are literally situations in our house where we will be watching a television show, I will hear a voice and just blurt out a random fact. Jason refers to me as “Jennifer Movie Database” because of my extensive knowledge.

I love everything from game shows, to sitcoms to movies. My expertise is people and movies from the late 1980’s to now. I am always looking for books that will support my love of Hollywood and the productions that come out of it. When recently had the opportunity to review Hollywood Cafe: Coffee with the Stars by Steven Rea, I knew this would be a fun journey.

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Outside The Lines, Too Coloring Book Review

Outside The Lines, Too: An Inspired and Inventive Coloring Book Review and Giveaway
One of my favorite things in the world is a brand new box of writing and coloring implements. There is something almost magical when you crack open a new box of crayons and open a whole new world of imagination. Recently I went and purchased a new set of pencils, crayons and pens to make my journey of coloring a little easier while providing me millions of color options.

I recently received the 2nd book curated by Souris Hong titled “Outside The Lines, Too: An Inspired and Inventive Coloring Book by Creative Masterminds” curated by Souris Hong for review. This 2nd coloring book has over 126 pages (256 pages total) of coloring pages each by a different artist. I also had the opportunity to review the 1st book in this series entitled “Outside The Lines: An Artists’ Coloring Book for Giant Imaginations” curated by Souris Hong at the same time for review. Continue reading →

Geek Fuel Monthly Subscription – December 2015 Review

Geek Fuel Monthly Subscription – December 2015 Review

I remember a time when cartoons were nothing more than a Saturday morning ritual. I remember those days before I knew what television seasons were, ratings and what a true solid story line was. There was a simplicity to what we watched, and the characters we loved.

Flash forward 30 years and the cartoon landscape is much different then it was when I was a child and when I stop, and consider, I think it is an over all positive thing. With the advance of cartoons being made into live action movies, this opens a child’s imagination in ways our minds could only dream of. My favorite live action adaptation of recent years has to be The Transformers trilogy – what stated as, what I considered, a boy cartoon has become something I love.

I am a nostalgic person and I often I wish I could travel back and experience the simplicity of the cartoon watching era and I am happy to say that this month Geek Fuel Monthly Subscription Box celebrates those cartoon days. I was eager to open this months box and as with previous months I was eager to see what the box contained and I was not disappointed.

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Every Little Thing Review

Every Little Thing: A Flat Vernacular Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

When I was in school there was a requirement to “wrap” our books. What this exercise entailed was gathering paper bags and cutting them to the size of the textbook, and with a couple strategic folds and little tape the book would be covered. What resulted was a black space, and a spine to create whatever I chose to think appropriate and thematic for that book.

The best part was the blank canvas and being able to create the cover of my dreams. This normally took longer than and usually detracted from the real purpose of the books. I always went for bright colors, and something inspiring and happy – think rainbows and butterflies.

There have been books throughout my life that I have thought could do well as an outline, and give the reader the ability to color. This long thought of mine has come to fruition with the release of Every Little Thing: A Flat Vernacular Coloring Book by Payton Cosell Turner.

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Fluffeez Review

Fluffeez Plush Gift Card Holders Review and Giveaway

When Jason and I began dating, my birthday was within a week or two. I did not think much of this at the time because it was a new relationship and I would NEVER expect him to acknowledge my birthday in a big way being that our relationship had not progressed to a love level.

As history would show, he actually surprised me and made a dream of mine come true, let me explain further. I had always thought that it would be neat to go to my local store that you can build your own bear, but never actually thought I would do it. I mean, I was approaching my 34th birthday and at 34 your priority is not building a bear. As we headed down to the store, I was filled with an excitement and began planning my purchase. I ended up settling on a teddy bear in San Diego Charger gear – yes helmet, shoes and jersey (he also has a Charger sweater for cold days).

Almost 7 years later. Chargie the Charger Bear is one of my prized possessions, but he also is the centerpiece to my teddy bear collection. I have loved teddy bears and stuffed animals since I was a child so when I had to opportunity to review Fluffeez, I was excited.

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