Category Archives: Reviews

Cat Lady Box Monthly Subscription Review

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

Cat Lady Box Monthly Subscription Review and Giveaway – August 2015

I have said in a previous review that just because I have copious amounts of photos on my phone I am not a crazy cat lady – I retract the part of that statement that states the word crazy. I hereby admit I might be a cat lady but not a crazy one.

Let’s take a closer look at the facts in front of me. I love anything feline themed extending to the items I collect and what I decorate my environment with, but this does not make me crazy. While it might be a fact that I have more pictures of Maggee and Murfee then I do of family, friends, nature and review product photos combined, this does not make me crazy. If I can work my cats into casual conversations (or reviews) I will, but this does not make me crazy. What truly makes me crazy is the term “Crazy Cat Lady” – we are simply “Cat Ladies”. It is my belief that just because we love our cats that does not mean that we are crazy, obsessed maybe, but not crazy.

In support of cat ladies everywhere crazy or no, I am happy to say that this is the third month of Cat Lady Box and it is just as good as the previous month I reviewed, (see that review here). The first thing that I noticed was that in the previous months the logo had been hand stamped on the box, therefore making the image darker in some spots and lighter in others, and this month they are printed on the box. The result is a logo that pops, is sharp and attention-getting.

Continue reading →

Mrs. Thinster’s Review

Mrs. Thinster’s: Cookie Thins Review and Giveaway

I have mentioned in the past that I am a cookie monster – I love cookies! If I had to choose one cookie over the other I would have to say Chocolate Chip Cookies are my favorites. In my opinion it is hard to really mess up the taste of a chocolate chip cookie. The other thing that I love is raw batters, although I know that they are bad for me with the raw egg element. I have always wanted a cookie with a batter taste, and I think I may have found them.

I was sent a box from That’s How We Roll and Mrs. Thinster’s. The box I received had 3 bags of cookies including Brownie Batter Cookie Thins, Chocolate Chip Cookie Thins and Cake Batter Cookie Thins. The idea behind these cookies that are thin but fill of taste. The round shape are reminiscent of the traditional thick cookie counterpart and full of flavor. Continue reading →

Perfect Bar Review

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

Perfect Bar Review and Giveaway

I am a San Diego girl – I was raised here and I love it here, when I have moved I have always ended back here. An extension to my love of San Diego is I love to support San Diego based businesses like Perfect Bar.

Perfect Bar had its start in the family. As the children of a health and fitness man, Dr. Bud Keith’s children would sell Perfect Bar’s in the same manner as lemonade stands. The children had big dreams – to share this recipe with more than just family and friends. After their father got sick, and having 13 children to provide for, the eldest siblings got together and turned their bars into a real company. Unfortunately, their father passed, but taking those lessons and words and making them into action is what the goal of the children are now. The siblings know that it is not just one thing that goes into a “Perfect Bar”, but a compilation of many things.

Perfect Bar are Non-GMO and not only do they verify prior to making the bars, but they also test the finished product. The Perfect Bar is always gluten-free and contains over 20 organic super foods (such as kale, spinach, alfalfa and celery to name a few). Using organic honey as a sweetener, the complete carbohydrate helps maintain energy levels. These are different bars as they are refrigerator stable for 9 months due to the natural preservatives in honey.The low glycemic flavors use organic dates as sweeteners, and NEVER use refined sugars.

Continue reading →

My Paper Pumpkin by Stampin Up Review

My Paper Pumpkin September 2015 Kit Review and Giveaway

If we like it or not, time is marching on and the fall holidays are approaching. The kick off to the fall holiday season for many people is Halloween. I love this time of year, and I used to dress up accordingly. I learned last night that many of us kids of the 1980’s had a “go-to” costume. The one that I choose each year to fall back to was a “witch” and as it turns out Jason;s was a “vampire”. There is something about knowing what your costume is and the preparation needed.

In the spirit of witched and vampires of days past began thinking. Recently we have had a turn over of neighbors and this is the first holiday season, I was thinking of candied apples and was wondering how I would package these and when I received this months My Paper Pumpkin Kit I knew I had found my solution.

I had the chance to review My Paper Pumpkin’s kit box’s previous months box (click here). I was thrilled to be given the chance to review this months box as well. The theme for September was called “Wickedly Sweet Treat”.

Continue reading →

Charlie’s Classic Cooking Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Charlie’s Classic Cooking, but this in no way influences the review to follow.

Charlie’s Classic Cooking Review and Giveaway

We have busy days around here – Jason works 10 hours a day and I work 12+ hours on this blog each day. Between him and I, the idea of having to cook after a long day is a little more than exhausting. Most days we gravitate towards the easiest thing to cook, which is usually chicken. I can tell you from experience that chicken does get tiresome, there are only so many ways to cook it.

It is no secret that as a blogger I get some unique opportunities for not only review but events and experiences. Jason and I have talked for a while about the concept of food being pre-made and put in the refrigerator for heating when we are ready. There has been a hesitation in us, that was until I had the opportunity to finally try this method of meals. I was lucky enough to get 4 days, which was the equivalent of 16 meals, from Charlie’s Classic Cooking in Escondido.

What is Charlie’s Classic Cooking? Charlie’s Classic Cooking is the catering company run by Charles “Charlie” Heineke in Escondido, California. Chef Charlie is a native San Diegan is passionate about food and shopping local markets for the freshest sustainable fields. Chef Charlie started his career as a dishwasher, and he quickly moved up to line cook – while completing his education in food service production and then later in food service management. During his 15 years as a chef of Mission Bay Hospital he developed dietary programs tat met the demands of patients, staff and visitors. Implementing his 25 years of experience gives Chef Charlie a unique over others. Click here to read more about Chef Charlie!

Charlies Classic Cooking offers Meal Plans (full meals delivered to your door), Cooking Classes (this is for friends and family to learn to cook), Cooking Club (this is for YOU to learn different cooking techniques), Catering (offers a variety of catering options) and Kitchen Rentals (a certified fully stocked commercial kitchen is available for rental/use).

Continue reading →

Hallmark Personalized Books Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Hallmark Licensing, Inc., this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Hallmark Personalized Books – Review & Giveaway

There is a tradition in my husband’s family that stands to this day – each Christmas Eve one of the elder men read “The Night Before Christmas”. The best part of the story is the added sound effects that are in place of exclamation points, periods and pauses.

This tradition began long before I joined the family, and long before my husband has clear memories. This usually takes place shortly after the meal and before the younger ones go to sleep . The young kids gather around the reader for the best seat. After the reading, usually “Santa” makes an appearance and excitement ensues (or sometimes tears of happiness). I wish I could have seen the patriarch of the family, Grandpa Jack read the story. I have heard stories and I feel as though he is with us each year and I know he is thought of each year this tradition repeats itself.

I have wanted to get a copy of this book for a couple of years now as I thought it would be nice to have our own copy. I recently had the chance to have a book personalized by Hallmark and this seemed like the best choice. I decided to take a different angle with my personalization in that I made the book more general and it is personalized to “Henberger Clan” with a personalized ‘from’ line as well.

Continue reading →

Zazzle.com Review

Zazzle.com – Review and Giveaway

We are approaching a historically significant time – an election year. When ever an election comes along the pundits and commentators speak up and compare current elections to previous elections. There have been many historical elections in our history, but in my lifetime there is one election that rises above the others: Reagan/Bush – 1984.

If you are unfamiliar with this particular election let me refresh your memory. Ronald Reagan was the Republican candidate with his running mate/future Vice-President/President George H. Bush. Reagan carried 49 of the 50 states and it’s victory ranks 7th of all Presidential elections.

I am a nostalgic person, so instead of wearing a shirt supporting the current presidential nominees I decided that I want to go back what is perceived to be a simpler time – 1984. I began to look for a shirt that I could wear that was comfortable and would be adaptable to wear to the store or at home writing. I came upon Zazzle.com and immediately knew that they would have what I desired.

Zazzle.com is not only a wonderful place to get your election related clothing but it is a great place to get anything printed your mind can create. Zazzle not only has pre-made and pre-printed products but they can also print your own designs. There are other sites that limit what you can print on, or create, but not Zazzle. This site allows you to create anything from t-shirts, guitar picks, flash drives, fabric, aprons, bumper stickers, beer koosies and blankets to name a few. I counted over 80 items that you can have a image or logo printed on, the only limit is your imagination (and copyright laws).

Continue reading →

Sock Club – September 2015 – Review

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

Sock Club – September 2015 – Review & Giveaway

I am a sock fan and it could be said that I have a hoard level collection of socks. Jason made a comment today on my ever-growing sock collection and his surprise that I was unable to locate a pair to wear. I finally settled on a bulky pair that is to heavy for this time of year in California. I recently received a pair of socks from SockClub.com and was thrilled to see that they might be the pair I was searching for.

SockClub.com has been around over a year now and each month they send a sock and a note explaining what the inspiration behind choosing that sock was. These are an American made product – the socks are designed in Austin, Texas and manufactured in North Carolina. The company’s began when 2 friends made a bet over a corn hole match and they then began to think about what they could do with a small fortune (after all a bet had been made) and decided the answer was socks – thus Sock Club was conceived.

Continue reading →

Purell Hand Sanitizer Review

Purell Hand Sanitizer Review and Giveaway

When I was a kid I loved to play and usually when I played I got dirty. I was a kid that, unfortunately, did not always wash my hands. I would be “spoken” to about this and my behavior would change for a week, and then I would slid back into my bad habits. As I got older I saw the utter importance of clean hands – but as a child I did not want to take that extra minute to keep myself safe, I might miss something important. I had many tiny colds as a child, no doubt due to my hand washing habits.

Continue reading →

Peaches & Petals 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 – September Review and Giveaway

I will admit that I love subscription boxes. There is something special about getting a package each month with your name on it. The boxes contents are unknown until the box is unfurled and each content reveals itself.

I am excited to tell you that there is a new player in the subscription box arena – Peaches and Petals. This is a subscription box that caters to ‘fun. flirty, fashionable vintage and modern lifestyles’. What does that mean exactly? It means that each month you will receive 3-5 items hand selected by the Peaches and Petals curators that could include sunglasses, scarves, umbrellas, nail polish or/and a vintage piece of jewelry to name a few.

Continue reading →