Category Archives: Reviews

Peaches & Petals October Box Subscription Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Jammin Butter/Peaches & Petals. This post may have affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own. Prices listed are subject to change without notice.

Peaches & Petals Subscription Box – October Review and Giveaway

One bonus to monthly boxes is that you really never know what you are going to get until you open the box. I like the element of surprise and I love that it is always a new adventure into trying new items. The best boxes are ones that keep the surprise each month and keep you guessing with little guidance.

One of the newer player’s in the subscription box arena is Peaches and Petals. This is a subscription box that caters to ‘fun. flirty, fashionable vintage and modern lifestyles’. What does that mean to you the subscriber? It means that each month you will receive 3-5 items hand selected by the Peaches and Petals team and can range in items from creams, nail polish, makeup, scarves and bags or/and a vintage piece of jewelry. There could be other items included, depending on the box and theme for the month.

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Mrs. Thinsters Waffle Crisps Review

Mrs. Thinster’s: Waffle Crisps Review and Giveaway

Learning to cook is much more than just main dish, and to be a well-rounded home cook many items need to be learned including appetizers and desserts. I have always been a baker but I wanted to get into a fresher more seasonal type dessert. Jason and I have begun making “fruit yummies” for desserts lately. Basically “fruit yummies” are fruits that are macerated and drained, then put in a bowl with homemade whipped cream and topped with vanilla sugar and usually a crispy element.

One day while we were walking through the local store looking for different elements for our newest dessert craze we were sadly, coming up empty. We debated chocolate cookies but we did not want a chocolate element involved. Jason suggested that we use our waffle maker to make our own version of the waffle cookies we saw in the store. Unfortunately this ended up being much more work than anticipated – then a solution arrived – Mrs. Thinster’s Waffle Crisps.

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Pet Gift Box – Cat – Subscription Box – October Review

Pet Gift Box – Cat – Subscription Box – October 2015 Review

The first thing that I think of each Halloween is black cats, but not in the way you may initially think. Black cats are synonymous with witches, bad luck and general creepiness. The reason that I think of them is that many people adopt these black cats as a Halloween novelty and do not consider that they are living creatures.

Many shelters, including my local shelter where I got the Muggles, puts a hold on black cat adoptions through the end of Halloween weekend. I personally agree with this policy and would like to see it “adopted” in all shelters, stores and rescue organizations.

The black cat issue aside I do not think that animals really like to wear costumes, Halloween or any other day despite what their guardians may think. Despite this I put hats, glasses and any other item I can locate onto our cats. In this months Pet Gift Box I am happy to say that I got an addition to my ever-expanding cat costume collection.

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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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Pet Treater Subscription Box Review

Pet Treater Monthly Subscription Review and Giveaway – October 2015 Box

The name “best friend” is bantered around a lot in today’s world – everybody has a BFF (Best Friend Forever). I think that to be a true best friend one must be patient towards their friend, there must be a mutual respect and above all else you should enjoy spending time together.

I can think of no other best friend you can have then your family pet. I hesitate to use the term family pet because I think that they are closer to being a best friend. In my opinion animals and especially dogs fit the bill of what is described as a best friend.

I have some “pawsome” news for everyone who feels like I do and considers their dog their best friend – a new dog themed box called Pet Treater.

What is Pet Treater? Pet Treater is a monthly subscription service that has your dog in mind. Basically each month they treat your best friend with quality times that you and your dog will love. The boxes generally include a treat and interactive toy as well as either a gadget to make you life eater or some other surprise! The most exciting part is that each box is different depending on the breed and size of your dog – and while there is a different you can expect to receive a box comparable to the one I am showing you here.

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Safe Catch Foods Review

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

Safe Catch Tuna Review and Giveaway

As ones pallet matures and gets more refined minor variations in taste become more obvious. I mention this because there are a couple foods that no matter what, the more you pay the better the product. These type of items are peanut butter, honey, pancake syrup and tuna.

There have been moments in the past (shhh don’t tell Jason) that I have tried to pull the wool over his eyes and bought the lesser versions. Nine times out of ten his refined pallet knows the difference and I am unable to fool him otherwise. Where this becomes obvious in tuna and tuna quality.

Let’s talk for a moment about tuna, quality and mercury. Tuna is notorious for having mercury and because of this tuna is generally not safe for pregnant women – until now! I recently tried a new brand of Wild Albacore tuna and Wild Skipjack Tuna (no longer available on their website) by a company called Safe Catch by Safe Foods.

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Garlic Gold by Seven Oaks Farm Review

Garlic Gold: Garlic Gold and Garlic Gold Oil Review and Giveaway

Introductions and cooking are remarkably similar, and both can be challenging. When a person embarks on learning to cook the introduction to the oils is inevitable. After a while a comfortably sets in and a distinction in flavor becomes noticeable – that is where the introduction of flavored olive oils is made.

I recently made an introduction of my own to Garlic Gold. Garlic Gold’s beginnings were unlike most companies, but completely unique. Garlic Gold began as a high school economics project by Rinaldo Brutoco for his son Orion. The students created a business plan around Rinaldo’s garlic recipe with crunchy toasted garlic nuggets included. The students packaged, labeled and sold the project at the local farmer’s market.

Today that student project is a company that believes that the legitimate precursors to success are having corporate responsibility, creating sustainability and always having integrity. Taking into account the company’s philosophy I was interested to see if the product was as good as I hoped it would be. I was sent the following USDA certified items for review:

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Ulysses Press – 4 Gift Books Review

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

Ulysses Press: Apuglogies, Emoticat Stickers, Cover Art and Don’t Quit Your Day Dream Review and Giveaway

I have mentioned in the past that when I was young there was a gift store that i frequented for presents. This store had everything from gag gifts, balloons, cards and gift books. I also worked for a card shop that sold gift books so I love theme books that celebrate a persons favorite things.

I recently heard about the release of 4 new gift books from Ulysses Press that celebrate a persons favorite things that range from Pugs saying “I’m sorry”, cats that are expressive and communicate how you are feelings, hangable classic book covers and a unique twist on the adult coloring trend.

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Gourmet Nuts: Sea Salt Review

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

Gourmet Nuts: Sea Salt Review and Giveaway

I am a simple girl, and because of this it has never dawned on me that salt comes in flavors and varieties. I have only ever used the salt that you purchase for about a a dollar at the store. As I venture further into cooking, I am learning the value of different flavors and the distinctions between different salts.

I have learned that cooking is the not only the proper allocation of heat but the correct application of spices. The most simple and easiest to use seasoning is salt and pepper, and the many variations of those. The simple table salt that you purchase for a dollar is simple on taste but low on flavor and I believe the key is to pack as much flavor as possible in each used seasoning.

Not to long ago I reviewed Gourmet Nuts nuts and snack products, and I discovered that they not only make nut and snack products but they have a variety of salts available.

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BuddhiBox Monthly Subscription Review – October 2015 Box

BuddhiBox Monthly Subscription Review – October 2015 Box

When I was a young girl I was not 100% on how puberty worked and as all my friends were growing out and maturing in the chest region, I stay relatively flat chested. I had many jokes headed my way and wondered if I would ever be like my breast lucky friends. As luck would have it, in my early 20’s my metabolism balanced out and I began to gain weight … in my breasts! I apparently gain weight in the chest first, then the rear and then the fat goes where ever it wants.

Jason and I are similar to many other households in that we have been personally affected by breast cancer and breast issues. During all those days of wishing it never occurred to me that breasts come with their own set of issues. I have had a couple family members fight the various stages of cancer and I have been affected by benign lumps that have their own name of Fibrocystic Breast Disease. The lumps I have generally do not turn to cancer, but each lump gets me worried because breast cancer runs heavily in my family.

October is an important month for our household so when I received the October 2015 BuddhiBox my heart was filled with joy. Earlier in the year, I had the opportunity to review previous boxes (click here) and they are always thoughtful and thought-provoking. The message is always one of compassion, and understanding and living a pure life.

I surprised when I opened the box and instead of the typical bright green tissue paper again I was greeted with a bright pink paper and found myself even more eager than usual to tear the paper and delve into the box. This month came with 3 cardboard information cards that are in full color and on thick glossy card stock. The first card was the Yoga pose of “Heart Chakra Pose” that shows the pose in full color, as well as the benefits about the pose with a pick border. These pose cards are made especially for BuddhiBox. There is a recipe for a “Benihana’s Fried Rice with Tofu” that is made using 12 ingredients that is basically a vegetarian fried rice that uses Sriracha to add taste. The final information card included was a box content listing and on the other side the following quote:

When you seek love with all you heart, you shall find its echoes in the Universe – Rumi

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