Monday, April 29, 2013
Add A Pop of Color With A Fraas Scarf!
So, I must say I am not a scarf person. Or, at least, I was not in the past. I wear a scarf during the winter if I'm outside for any length of time, but that is about it. Recently however, I received a Fraas Scarf for review, and I have had so much fun finding new ways to accessorize with just a "simple" scarf!
I was able to choose a scarf from the Mystical Waters line, and I opted for the Turquoise, simply because I wear so much blue-honestly I thought both color options were simply gorgeous!
When the scarf arrived, I was so impressed and pleased with the fabric. It is designed for spring/summer wear, so it's very lightweight. Not only is it light, it's also super soft, and I guarantee this is one scarf that will never itch, scratch, or otherwise frustrate the wearer! I have tried this a couple different ways, and really like both of them-I'm very excited to try out some new wearing styles too!
It pairs well with many of my outfits (goes great with a denim skirt) and I have actually started looking for new tops that will offer more opportunities to wear my Fraas scarf! The scarf is nice and big, so you can double it if you want it smaller, or use it as a sash around your waist-I tried this, and it looks great!
If you want to add some color and style to your spring/summer wardrobe, I suggest you start with a Fraas Scarf. This single piece can change up your look in so many ways, and add flair and pop to any outfit!
Build a Water Garden This Summer!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Dana Pieper's EveryBody Fitness Review!!
What would you say if I told you that there was a fitness program that would work-for any body and every body? I'd probably get mostly "Yeah right", or "uh-huh". It seems like most, if not all, exercise programs, are designed for a specific group or type of people, and if you don't fit in there-then you have to search for a program that will work for you. However, this is not the case with Dana Pieper, creator of EveryBody Fitness-the fitness routine that is literally designed to work for everybody!
I received 2 of Dana's DVD's for review; Kickbox Challenge, and Total Conditioning. I'll start by saying that the kickboxing challenge is my favorite, simply because I love martial arts and anything even distantly related to them, but both of these programs are excellent!
Kickboxing Challenge is a fun and exciting routine that takes you through various punches and kicks including jab, uppercut, hooks, roundhouse kicks (my favorite!) and much more. You're kept moving at a fast pace that will burn calories and strengthen and tone your body, but at the same time you are having fun! Yes, it is a tough workout, and you may need to work at one of the lower intensity levels, as demonstrated by other instructors on the dvd. But, that's why this is EveryBody Fitness-because no matter your current fitness level, and no matter your goals, you can do Dana Pieper's Kickbox Challenge!
Total Body Conditioning is a 1-hour program that delivers...well...a complete body workout! There are strength and cardio segments, and you'll use resistance bands, weights and a stability ball as you move through. I love the plyometrics, as these are highly recommended for people involved in martial arts. And, Dana also adds in some kickboxing, so that's a lot of fun too!
To learn more about Dana Pieper and her unique fitness program, or to order dvd's, you can visit the Everybody Fitness website.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Moving To Florida?
Personally, if I was going to move back to Florida, I would prefer to be in the northern part (near the Alabama border, so around Destin, Pensacola area) or down in central Florida near Ocala, Lake Mary area. As much as I enjoy some of the Orlando area attractions, Orlando traffic is not something I would want to deal with on a regular basis! So, if you live somewhere within a 1-2 hour drive from SeaWorld and Disney, I figure that would be just about perfect. Close enough to visit regularly, but not too close to Orlando! That's just my thoughts though; really most of Florida is a lovely place, and I have many great memories of living there.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Get Mombo for Mom!
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Comfort and Harmony for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Have any of my mothers ever heard of Mombo, by Comfort and Harmony? If you nursed your baby, then you are probably familiar with the concept of a nursing pillow-a special pillow, designed especially for use during nursing. Well, I recently learned about a new product called Firm2Soft, by Mombo. It is a one-of-a-kind nursing pillow, with 2 sides. One side is more firm, for extra support during nursing. The other side is super soft and comfoy, for just about any time baby needs a pillow! It also is the only nursing pillow that features a vibration, for a nice, soothing experience for baby. Sounds like something any nursing mother would want, huh? Good news-Mombo products are available at Toys R Us and Babies R Us! You can also check out and follow the Mombo makers, Comfort & Harmony on Twitter.
Seriously, I will be recommending the mombo nursing pillow to all my nursing and expectant mommy friends. These seem like such the perfect tool to make feeding time easier and more comfortable for both mommy and baby. They are available in a few different colors too; you can choose from standard, deluxe or nude styles, and then choose your slipcover design from there. The Mombo nursing pillow would make a great gift for a baby shower too!
So, if you need more information about Mombo, or just want to see how it works, or find customer reviews, you can find Comfort & Harmony on Facebook.
Mother's Day Gifts From Mary Kay! #Giveaway
Anybody still looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift? I can't believe how fast this year has gone; seems like we were just celebrating the new year, and now it's already almost Mother's Day! However, there's no need to frantically search for the perfect gift for your mom, because Mary Kay has got you covered!
I received a sampling of products from Mary Kay for review, and I thoroughly enjoyed trying them all. My box of goodies contained TimeWise Matte Foundation, Mineral Highlighting Powder, Brush Cleaner, Brush Collection, Makeup Finishing Spray, and the new Zen in Bloom collection! I have to admit, I'm not a huge makeup fan. Most times it just looks fake, and it's very obvious that you're wearing makeup. If I choose to wear anything, I want it to look natural, and not the first thing people notice about me! I really enjoy all of these new products though, and love how it looks natural.
The TimeWise Matte Wear Foundation is simply amazing. It blends right into my skin, and provides a great cover. It quickly transforms your skin from dull and lifeless to beautiful, and lasts all day. The Mineral Highlighting Powder comes in 2 shade sets, and I received the Pink Stardust. This is a duo, with Pink Stardust Shimmer, and Shimmer, which is a shimmery white. This can be used for eyeliner, or as an all-over highlight. I prefer using it for a facial "glow", and love that you decide how bright or obvious it is. Especially with having 2 shades to work with, you can create a custom shade to fit your needs.
The Makeup Spray is really the perfect finishing touch, as it keeps your makeup looking fresh for hours on end. You might think this would make removal harder, but it really doesn't! It dries quickly, and is so lightweight you don't even know it's there-except for the fact that your makeup still looks freshly applied hours later! Here are before-and-after shots, just using the TimeWise Foundation, Mineral Highlighting Powder, and Finishing Spray.
Before |
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After |
The Zen in Bloom Collection comes in a cute little clutch, and includes the Garden Sky Eye Color, Blue Lotus and Pink Bamboo Nail Lacquer, and Pink Pagoda Lip Lacquer. I usually don't use anything around the eyes, but I did apply some just to try it out. I like that I can add some shimmer and highlights without a bright, bold, "look-at-me" kind of look. It's very pretty and feminine, and is perfect for spring colors!
Check out all of these and more great Mother's Day gift ideas from Mary Kay today!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Out-Of-This-World Food at Planet Hollywood! #FIF
Upon arrival, we all had our picture taken in front of the restaurant-the photographer joked that this was so they had pictures if a customer ran out on their bill :) Inside, we were greeted by the hostess, and brought to a seat almost immediately. We showed up a few minutes before the lunch rush so it was pretty quiet as far as other patrons, but we soon learned that this wouldn't last-Planet Hollywood is a very popular place to eat!
It took us several minutes to decide on our order, but Tee patiently waited and helped with our decisions. I chose the NY Strip Steak, which comes with mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies. C and E both tried different pasta meals, and M ordered a bacon cheeseburger, so we had some of almost everything. When the food arrived, to say we were surprised is an understatement. The portion sizes are big! For example, look at M's burger-she only ate about half of this, and brought the rest home for a snack. I was surprised she could even get her mouth around it!
Little M's Cheesesteak |
C and E, both of them big pasta eaters, were very pleased with their meals as well. I believe one had Spaghetti Pomodoro, and the other had the Homemade Manicotti, but don't quote me on that.
Aside from the food, I was very impressed with the restaurant overall. The manager came by to make sure we were doing okay, and a couple other servers came by routinely to check on drinks and see if we needed anything else. The decor is pretty neat, with a lot of old pictures, props, etc. The only thing I didn't care for was to the side of our table they had a large tv screen playing movie trailers and trivia. That in itself didn't bother me, but a couple of the clips they played were not exactly family-oriented, so if we eat at a Planet Hollywood again, I will be sure to ask for seating away from the screen. However, we did fully enjoy our experience at Planet Hollywood, and the food is absolutely delicious!
Herbie!! |
Disclaimer: I was not monetarily compensated in any way for this review. I did receive complimentary dining in exchange for a review. I was not required to post favorably about the company or restaurant; all thoughts and opinions are mine. All quotes (in italics) taken from the Planet Hollywood website.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Checking Out The Samsung Galaxy S4!
Hey everyone, do you have any thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S4? I have checked out a lot of reviews, announcements, and details about this new phone, and it looks like it will be a great little device. I have a Samsung Galaxy tablet, and I totally love it; it's easy to navigate, has plenty of fun and useful apps, and really does everything you could need-except make phone calls. That's why I think the Samsung Galaxy S4 would be so good; it's like having my awesome little tablet, with some really great additions, like actually being able to make and receive phone calls, and all in a smaller size!
One thing I have seen a lot of hype about is the Galaxy S4's camera; a 13 megapixel camera on a cellphone! This is right up my alley, as the first thing I look at when getting a new phone, is the camera. I can only imagine having that high-quality camera on my phone!
So, are you planning on getting the Galaxy S4? Even though it hasn't been released yet (I believe it's supposed to be out sometime next week) I actually found a site with some Samsung Galaxy S4 cases and other accessories, so if you are planning on upgrading to this nifty phone, be sure to have all the accessories you'll need!
Vacation in The Bahamas!
Of course, there is always the option of not going on a cruise, and just taking a little vacation in the Bahamas-guaranteed they have much nicer weather than what we're experiencing right now! I even found Island Properties Bahamas, which lists properties for rent and for sale in the Bahamas. Whether you're looking for a condo, a home, or a beautiful villa, they can help you find the perfect place for your home away from home.
I mean some on, who would not want to take a small vacation (or maybe not so small :) in the gorgeous paradise of the Bahamas? I've talked to many friends who have visited, and all I hear is rave reviews. The weather is beautiful, the water is perfect, and the entire atmosphere makes every day feel like a holiday. Definitely on my list of places to visit someday!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
NurturMe Organic Baby Food #Giveaway!!
How many of my readers use organic baby food? If you do, then you're probably familiar with NurturMe, the first (and from what I understand, the only) producer of certified-organic dried fruit and veggie baby meals! The big news is that NurturMe has recently expanded their line, , introducing a 100% Quinoa Rice Cereal Alternative, and new Organic Dry Meal Pouches. Additionally, in May, they will be introducing new Yum-A-Roos, bite sized organic dried veggie and fruit snacks for toddlers! There's a whole new world of organic baby food coming your way!
I have to admit; not having an infant, I was not very familiar with NurturMe-I had heard of the company, but didn't really know much about their products. So, for anyone else in the same situation, here's a little something from their website:
"A revolution in feeding little ones, NurturMe is the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals and snacks created for children 4 months to 4 years. The first “stage-free” food for little ones, NurturMe’s line of organic dry NurturMeal pouches and Yum-a-Roo’s dried fruit and veggie snacks were designed to meet every yummy need, from infants to toddlers, and everywhere in between. NurturMeals and Yum-a-Roo’s are certified organic, gluten-free*, non-GMO and kosher, with no added preservatives, sugars or salts – only the good stuff. All NurturMe products are made from specially selected super fruits and veggies that are lovingly harvested and quick-dried in order to preserve freshness, flavor and nutrients."
Definitely something I will be recommending to my friends with infants. NurturMe even has a recipe section where you can find all kinds of yummy recipes for your little ones, like this Banana Smoothie recipe.
Now, for even more exciting news-NurturMe is offering a wonderful giveaway pack for my readers!
Epoxy Floor Coating
Anyways, today I wanted to discuss, for a few minutes, Floor Coating; more specifically, Floor Coating Chicago. What exactly is floor coating? you ask. Well, basically it is a way to extend the life of your cement flooring. This is perfect for garage floors; adding this coating will reduce dirt and debris, and it is liquid-resistant. The epoxy coat will protect your floor from grease, oil, dirt...even UV damage! It is also stain resistant, so your floor will stay looking good for a long time. This works well for older garage floors as well, as it will hide those ugly cracks and oil stains. With something as simple as a floor coating, you can turn your garage into a lovely part of your home, instead of an area you hate looking at!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Spurgeon Sermon Series for Kindle/Tablet
I had downloaded the book a couple weeks ago, but really got to enjoy it this past weekend, when we took a road trip. Visiting a city about 5 hours away for a few days meant a lot of time in the car, and I spent quite a bit of that time reading the Spurgeon Series. This includes Charles Spurgeon's sermons from 1855-1856, and they have been updated into a more modern language for easier understanding. Personally, I kind of wish it had been left in the original language, as I read many books from the 1700-1800's, and have no trouble with the language differences. However, I know why they do this, for many people who aren't familiar with it. Aside from that though, I have nothing but good things to say about the Spurgeon Series!
As I read through this book (I don't think I'm even 1/3 of the way through yet, but I'm enjoying the journey :) I am amazed at the depth of knowledge Spurgeon had. Coupled with a deep love for the Lord and for people, I can not say enough just how wonderful this book is, and how grateful I am to be able to read these sermons, preached some 150 years ago, on my tablet! We truly have been blessed with our modern technology, and I appreciate people such as Larry and Marion Pierce, who go to the effort of making these easily accessible for everyone. Now you don't have to pay out a lot of money to buy Surgeon's Sermon series in multiple volumes; you can simply download it to your tablet, and start reading, learning and enjoying right away!
Disclaimer: I received a free book from New Leaf Publishing Group for review. I was not monetarily compensated in any way. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
New Feature for Hope's Cafe-Tasty Tuesday!
Andes Mint Cupcakes
Ingredients:
Cupcakes-
- 2 cups sugar
- 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 30 Andes mints for garnish
Filling-
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 16 ounces powdered sugar (about 3 1/2 - 4 cups)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Green food coloring
Please join in the Tasty Tuesday fun by sharing a recipe post-whether it's your blog, or a great dish you found elsewhere, feel free to share!
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Case Review!!
I love finding accessories and such for all my electronics. Especially when I have a hard time finding exactly what I want; when I suddenly find a website or company that has it, I am that much more excited! Such is the case (no pun intended) with this review. I have had a Samsung Galaxy Tablet since early September, and wasn't able to find the perfect case for quite a while. Everything I found was either too big (for the 10" tablet) or didn't have the features I wanted. Until I was given the opportunity to choose an item from MobileFun, and discovered they had several Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 cases to pick from!
I received the Capdase Folio Case for Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 for my review, and I have been so happy with my choice! This is the perfect case, and has everything I wanted in a tablet case! Because it is designed especially for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, it has cut outs for all the buttons and such on my tablet. Volume, power, headphone jacks, camera, etc. are all easily accessible.
The case fits perfectly around the tablet, and I feel so secure knowing my tablet is protected. Instead of just having a sleeve around it, now the device is safe even while I'm using it! The folio covers it while not in use, and can be folded back during use. Or, you can convert the flap into a stand, at 2 different angles!
I also like the built-in hand strap, so rather than just holding my tablet, I can slip my hand through the strap and know it's not going to fall out of my hand.
I have seriously received so many compliments and questions about the case since getting it a couple weeks ago. The folio looks very stylish, black with green trim, and I love carrying and protecting my tablet in style!
Check out Mobile Fun for all your device needs; from iPhone to iPad, Kindle to Laptop, they have just about anything you could ever want or need for your electronics!
Disclaimer: I was not monetarily compensated in any way; I did receive product for the purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.