CollageIt ~ Review ~

I have said it before, but I like to repeat myself, I love finding new and fun ways to display my photographs.   I have software that I use to edit and compose, but sometimes I want some quick and easy.  And for many the software I use is out of reach and/or too intimidating.

CollageIt offers a fun an easy way to create well Collages of your favorite snap shots.  Turning something simple into something elegant and ready for display.



CollageIt is easy to use. You simply import the photos you want to put into your collage and then decide on the layout you want. You can randomize the photos or place them individually. You can choose how many photos are in the collage and how they are arrange, spaced, and bordered.



 





There are a fair number of built in arrangements, even in the Free version (which is what I used for this review). You can crop and do some basic editing on the photo's once they are imported in order to get the most from your photos.



 

You can find CollageIt via the Apple App Store or  their website.

They have given me 20 codes to give away to my readers, so the first 20 to contact me will get one. I had trouble getting these codes to work with the Mac version, however.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Love QR Code Necklace ~ Review & Giveaway ~

What could be better than a necklace that offers the wearer daily inspiration?  I don't know about you, but I know there are days that I really need that.  Alexa's Angels offers a unique and beautiful piece of jewelry that does just that.  The Love QR Code Necklace Is both Beautiful and functional.



The Front features a intricate laser cut design featuring the word love.  While the reverse features a QR Code that, when scanned, offers the reader a inspirational message that changes daily.



So for the Million Dollar question... What in the world is a QR code?  You have seen them with increasing regularity in magazine, on advertisements, in stores, and even on the TV.  You can use your smartphone (with the appropriate app of course) to "read" the QR code.  It then sends you to the embedded website for more information.  In this case, for a daily inspirational quote.



About Alexa's Angels:

Proud to be a company with a social conscience, the team at Alexa's Angels is dedicated to creating, finding and supporting programs that benefit women. Their mission is to be a great example of how a socially responsible company can make a difference.

Find Alexa's Angels on the Web:  Facebook and Twitter

Enter Below for your chance to win your own Love QR Code Necklace:

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tiger Balm ~ Review & Giveawat~

As I have said before, I have 3 kids under the age of 5.  I stay home with them, so they are always under foot. Tension and stress is a way of life for me.  As with many others, my tension and stress lives in my neck and shoulders and often leads to tension headaches.  I am so used to headaches that I often just live with them, because I don't want to be popping Tylenol all the time.

One way to ease the tension and pain in your neck and shoulders is Tiger Balm Neck and Shoulder Rub.  Containing a soothing and stimulating mixture of  camphor and menthol, you simply rub Tiger Balm on your tense muscles to help them relax. Great when you don't have someones persistent hands available to give you a much needed massage.   It is water based so there is no greasy feel and no after marks on your clothing.  It smells soothing, rather than medicinal.  I keep it handy for days like today when I have a headache starting in my shoulders.

You can ENTER TO WIN a trip for two to beautiful Mendocino County in Northern California – including airfare, hotel and $1,000, Tiger Balm products by entering the Tiger Balm Sweepstakes.  Enter on their Facebook page.

You can download a $2 off Coupon on their Facebook page as well.

Find Tiger Balm on Facebook and Twitter

Win your Very own Tiger Balm by using the Rafflecopter below.  End 8/9/12 Open to the US only.

For temporary relief of minor aches and pains associated with:

• Neck and shoulder pain


• Minor aches and pains


• Minor muscle strain


• Bruises


• Sprains

DRUG FACTS:

Active Ingredients: Camphor (11%), Menthol (10%)

Inactive Ingredients: Dementholized Mint Oil, Diazolidinyl Urea, Eucalyptus Oil, FD&C Blue 1, Glycerin, Lavender Fragrance, Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Methylparaben, PVM/MA Decadiene Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Triethanolamine (TEA), Water.

Warnings: FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. When using this product:

• Use only as directed


• Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes


• Do not apply to wounds, damaged or irritated skin


• Do not bandage or cover with wrap or use heating pad


• Do not use 1 hour prior to bathing or 30 minutes after bathing

Stop use and ask a doctor if:

- Condition worsens

- Severe skin irritation occurs

- Pain persists for more than 7 days

- Pain clears up and then recurs a few days later

If pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Other Information

• This product may cause allergic reaction in some individuals. Test on small area before use.

Directions:

• For adults and children over 12, rub well on the affected area. Repeat 3 to 4 times daily.


• For children 12 years of age or younger, consult a healthcare professional before use.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Instant Chalkboard ~ Review and Giveaway ~

Kids love to write on walls.  I really hope all kids like to write on walls, because I KNOW my kids do.  In an effort to stem this trend, I recently discovered stick-on Instant Chalkboards and I am in LOVE.   They are peel and stick and work like a quality chalk board, unlike some of the "chalkboard paint" I have encountered.  They write smoothly and most importantly erase easily.






I recently installed the 12" high roll in our play room and the kids took right to it.  They love drawing on it, writing on it, playing games they make up on it and most importantly, it doesn't take up any of the extra floor space that so precious when you have 3 kids and way too many toys.




The 12" roll is only one of the many configurations of chalkboard available.  There are Decals in fun or decorative shapes, large rectangles, small rectangles, rolls, and more.  Even if you don't have kids, you can probably find a use for a instant chalkboard (or 2 or 3) in your house.  I want to get another one for meal planning and shopping lists to put into my kitchen.  I would love one in my craft room for making notes as I am working on a project.



 

You have a chance to win your own Instant Chalkboard.  Just enter below using the Rafflecopter:

 
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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Hair Chalk - A Fun Way to Color

So I have dark brown hair.  There is not a whole lot you can do with dark brown hair to color it short of going darker (which I have before) or using some bleach (which I have not... well there was that one time I got highlights, but that was only once).  Mostly I just leave my hair to it's own colored devices.

Well almost 5 years ago I gave birth to a beautiful blonde little girl.   What girl doesn't like to play with their hair?  My eldest is no exception.  She won't keep clips in her hair, but she jumped at the chance to color her hair in a safe, non-permanent manner.  Enter Hair Chalk.



To me they look like pastels an artist would use, but I am no artist so I can't confirm that.  It comes in a set of 12 rainbow colors.  M insisted on coloring her hair white, but we convinced her to give a few more bold choices a try.  At first they chalks did not see all that use friendly, but in the end we learned that there is a little bit of a coating that needs to be scrapped off and the chalks work better after they have been dampened a bit.  Overall they were a bit messy to use, but the achieved effect was as desired.  It should be kept far from little kids fingers, however, because they are a mess waiting to happen.

Here is the end result:

 

Here is a Video to tell you  How to Use the new Hair Color Chalk

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Baby Gourmet ~ Review and Giveaway ~

With 3 kids under the age of 5, the faster my youngest learns to self feed the better.  To that end one of the best inventions is the feeding pouch.  With my second they were just starting to come on the market, but, since I personally made all of the purees and foods for my oldest 2, I never paid them much attention.  With number 3, however, I have not had the time or motivation to make all her food, so I have been relying on high quality organic baby foods that are available.  One such brand is Baby Gourmet.

One of my favorite things about Baby Gourmet is that they don't say that their food is designed for 4 month olds.  It is not in my parenting philosophy to start solids before 6 months.   I am not going to get into that debate here, but it is important to me and I appreciate a company that also demonstrates that it is important to them.

Baby Gourmet has 3 stages of foods.  Stage one (6 month +) are simple purees of fruits and vegetables combining common flavors.  Stage two (7 months +) are still purees but with some more advanced flavors.  Stage 3 (8 month +) are again more complex flavors like beef with barley and apple crisp.

All 3 stages feature organic ingredients, no preservatives, no fillers, and no additives.  Only the best ingredients.  I have personally tried the Orchard Apple Carrot and Prune and can attest to the fact that it actually tastes like those 3 ingredients.  My 10 month old loves it, so that is all I need to know.
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Epica Ultra-Fast Water Resistant Cooking Thermometer ~ Review ~

You never know what you have until it is gone... yep I started this post with a cliche.  Nope, I am not one bit ashamed of using said cliche.  Unfortunately, in this instance, there isn't some deep, profound meaning to said cliche.  Recently my instant read digital kitchen thermometer gave up the ghost.  I never really realized how much I used it until I found myself repeatedly reaching for it, only to remember that I still needed to replace it.  You can't have a gourmet kitchen without one... okay I don't have a gourmet kitchen, I have a very average, under used kitchen, and I STILL find a quality instant read cooking thermometer to be essential.

What are the qualities one might look for in a q\quality instant read cooking thermometer? Well I, personally, value the following:

• Wide range of temperature readings - you need to know what you are dealing with.  Is is still practically frozen or is it about the be burned to a crisp.


• Quick Readout - don't don't want to have to sit there forever while it decides on the correct temperature


• Durability - considering my last one started acting up almost immediately, this is a deal breaker for me.


• Auto Shutoff - yep I often get distracted and forget to shut the thing off, I don't want to have to replace the batteries too often.

The Epica Ultra-Fast Water Resistant Cooking Thermometer fits this bill for me.  It can read from -58° to 392°F and do so in as little as 5 seconds.  It has a 10 minute auto-off and it has held up well for me so far.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

July Reading Challenges ... Week 1 Update

As you will recall I am taking on 4 reading challenges this month

I started the month with the July Olympics Challenge I read the following 5 books.

1. Host Country About Last Night Ruthie Knox -


2. Opening Ceremonies Taking a Shot Jaci Burton - Hot Hockey Player and a Punk Bar Tender (who happens to be the Sister of a NFL Quarterback and a MLB Baseball Player) who wants nothing to do with a sports figure.


3. Events Ride with Me Ruthie Knox -


4. Medal Ceremony Saving Grace JM Hill


5. Go Home Team Heaven, Texas Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I gave all of them 4* except Saving Grace.  I gave it 3.5*.  Honestly it was a very sweet book, but a little too sweet for me.  Go figure :)

After I finished the Olympics Challenge (I was the first of the group to finish) I started the Over in a Flash Challenge.  That one was only 3 books and only took about 2 days to finish.

1. Color Easy Webber, Tammara * - Bad Boy, Good Girl, College Love, need I say more? 5*


2. Holiday Theme (Military Character)Because of You (Coming Home #1) Scott, Jessica * - a very sweet tale of overcoming adversity and finding love when you feel less than perfect.  Actually come to think of it the heroine of both this and Breaking Free had overcome disfiguring pasts to find love with Hot Miltary Men.  In this case a Soldier. 4*


3. Items (moon)Breaking Free Reasor, Teresa J. * - A SEAL finds the love he wasn't looking for with the girl that should be off limits, while one of his men (who happens to be her brother) lays in a coma. 4*

I have started the 3rd Challenge - Spell it out

F - Flat Out Sexy Erin McCarthy - 4* Hot Race car drive, older widowed woman, 2 sweet kids
R - Rock Hard Cunning, Olivia
E - Erin McCarthy Hard and Fast
E - Easy Tammara Webb - 5* (same as the one in the Over in a Flash Challenge)
D - Dane, Lauren Giving Chase
O - Olivia Cunning Backstage Pass
M - McGuire, Jamie  Beautiful Disaster - 5* Super bad boy, Wanna be Good girl, Frat boys, parties, sparks, fights, love, hate, college, angst... all the makings of a great love story.

My star rating are based on how much I enjoyed the story mostly.  If there are excessive technical issues that will have and effect, however.

Babar Season 1 DVD Set ~ Review and Giveaway ~

Everything old is new again... or so they say.  As a kid I never understood that statement.  As an adult living in the 21st century, I am really coming to believe this statement.

My children have watched hours upon hours of my favorite childhood cartoons thanks to the magic of DVDs (okay the persistence of the publishers, but still).  We have recently added another classic series to my kids DVD lineup... Babar The Classic Series Season 1. While there is a new set of Babar inspired cartoons on Disney Junior (Babar the Adventures of Badou), they just aren't the same as the ones I grew up watching on Saturday mornings.

When the DVD came in my eldest immediately asked to watch... and then asked to watch it again and again.  Trust me, that is a good sign :)

The Babar series is based on the 1930's era books by French author Jean de Brunhoff.  Babar has a hard start in life (his mother is killed by hunters) but he rises above to become King of the elephants, marry Celeste, and start a family.  The entire Babar series is subtly full of life's lessons.  It was a favorite of mine growing up and I am excited to share it with not only my children but also with yours.  Please be aware that the first episode deals with sensitive matter.

The Season 1 DVD set consists of 2 DVDs encompassing 13 great episodes with a total run time of about 293 minutes and retails for $19.95:

1. Babar's First Step


2. City Ways


3. Babar Returns


4. The City Of Elephants,


5. Babar's Triumph


6. Babar's Choice


7. Race to the Moon


8. No Place Like Home


9. An Elephant's Best Friend


10. The Show Must Go On


11. To Duet or Not to Duet


12. The Missing Crown Affair


13. The Phantom

Here are the particulars:

Type: DVD
Catalog #: EOE-DV-7042
Running Time: 293 minutes
Genre: TV/Animated/Kids
Aspect Ratio: 4x3 (1.33:1)
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital
Language: English (w/ French and Spanish language options)

 

One of my lucky readers will receive their very own copy of Babar: The Classic Series Season 1.  Enter on the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!
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Lets Talk about.. Thoughtless

As I mentioned a few days ago, I was part of a reading Challenge on Goodreads last month.  One of the books I choose to read was entitled Effortless by SC Stephens.  This, however, was the second book in a series so, of course, I had to read the first as well (I ended up working the first one into the challenge as well).  Well 2 days later and I am addicted.  I loved these 2 books.  I finished them very quickly because I just didn't want to put them down.  Literally I stayed up WAY to late reading Thoughtless. I managed to force myself to put down Effortless about midnight the following night, but was reading again when I woke up at 4am (too used to the baby waking up then, I automatically wake up regardless) and my mind just drifted back to the series.

The original book (Thoughtless) was published in 2009, so it isn't a new book, but I only recently discovered it while browsing some lists on Goodreads.  However, the sequel (Effortless) just recently was published.  I like finding series when I can read the entire thing at once, I don't have the patience to wait for the next installment.  Rumor is, however, that I will still have to wait for the third installment.

Thoughtless and Effortless are well written romance novels (and trust me that is a not usually the case) that follows the lives of Denny, Kiera, and Kellan.  Don't worry this is a straight romance, no "kink" thrown in just for the sake of it (which is another thing I truly appreciate about this series).  It is written from the first person view of Kiera and starts as She and her boyfriend of 2 years make a major life change and move from their home of Ohio to Seattle as Denny takes a new job and Kiera transfers to University of Washington to follow her man.  To save money they rent a room from Denny's high school friend Kellan, who happens to the the lead singer of a local Rock band the D-Bags.

You follow the choices the Kiera makes and, while you want to strangle her or hate her, you find yourself pulling for her to make the right decisions.. but you often question what is the right decision.  All three main characters are sympathetically portrayed by Stephens with strengths and flaws present in the real world.

 

Effortless continues the story a few months after Thoughtless leaves off.  You watch Kiera and Kellan as they struggle to come to terms with a relationship built on infidelity and the distance in insecurities budding fame breeds.  Her heart is firmly planted on the road with her lover, but her head won't let her forget the past.  It is the story of a sweet girl and a hot rocker who love each with everything in their beings.

Each novel has it's own conclusion and enough back story that it could be a stand alone novel, but I think they are much better read together.  I am not saying these stories are without flaws, but once again, I choose to look past those flaws in favor of a compelling and sweet story that will leave you wondering and imagining long after you have read the final words.

Luckily for the fans of Kiera and Kellan, Thoughtless #3 (as yet untitled) is rumored to be in the works!  I, for one, am eagerly anticipating it.

 

Note: I was not compensated in any way for my opinion.  I chose to read these books of my own accord and purchased them myself.

 

Newmans Own Organics ~ Review and Giveaway ~

 

Some days I really love my job, especially on days when it is down right tasty.  I recently had the opportunity to sample a variety of the offerings from Newman's Own Organics line of candies and snacks.  I spend much of my time looking for organic alternatives to "main stream" goodies and often come away disappointed.  While the individual ingredients are of high quality, they just don't get put together into the "whole package".  Let's face it, whether we like it or not, all those bad for you things that main stream food manufacturers use to make things taste better, have better mouth feel, and last longer... work.  Unfortunately, as I said many of those ingredients just aren't something you need to be putting in your body.  To that end I have been slowly moving my family from the "main stream" to the "whole" and the "organic" way of eating. Finding brands like Newman's Own Organics will definitely help that journey.

So what all did I try?  Well I was sent a HUGE box of food.  Trust me, I have not even scratched the surface of what all I could try, but I have sampled a few things and shared them with my family (without guilt).  Many of the items are NOO's take on main stream favorites, some are NOO original creations.  While I have liked everything I tried, my favorite falls into the later category.

They are a soft, chewy, spicy, and delicious cookie called Hermits (I tried the Cinnamon Flavor).  I honestly had to force myself to stop at just 1 (okay 2).  I will definitely be finding these in the store next time I am there!



They actually have a wide variety of cookies.  Aside from the Hermits, there are sandwich cookies, Fig Newtons, and a variety of "traditional" cookies like Chocolate chip.



The next thing I tried was the variety of Chocolate treats.  First up was the Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.  Sadly, the Texas Summer (which conveniently started in March) left them a little less than perfect, but the flavor and texture were on the mark.  The Dark Chocolate bar was of equal quality, rich, melt in your mouth, and full of flavor.



 



 

The Licorice were a hit with the entire family.  My favorite so far is the Sour Strawberry, but I haven't dug into all of them yet :)



 



 

The pretzels are a great, non-sweet snack and a nice change.  They are not overly salty (my biggest complaint about off the shelf pretzels) and my 9 month old LOVES to gnaw on the Pretzel Rods.



Don't think it was all snacks though. Newman's Own organics offers a variety of dried fruits as well. They are rich in flavor and as hard to put down as the Hermits.

 



 

Finally there is a wide range of tinned Mints to indulge in.  Truthfully I haven't even gone there yet, but I have every confidence they will be as good as the rest.



 

Find Newman's Own Organics on Facebook

NOO has offered one of my readers their very own selection of 4 of their favorite items.  I liked them all so I will let you choose what you want to try.

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Note: I received the products mentioned in this review for free. All Opinions are my own.

July Reading Challenge #4 ~ July Build Your Own ~

As if My first 3 reading challenges weren't enough, i have decided to take on a 4th (but considering how much I have been reading lately, my first 3 challenges won't take too long).

 

This one is a little more open ended.  I Have to find 10 books that have something to do with or a remind me of July.

Some suggestions from the Challenge hostesses:

Some ideas might be –
**Books you bought in July.
**Books that are published in July.
**Books whose author or a character is named July.
**Stories that have something to do with Independence Day like a 4th of July picnic.
** July is a hot month, so maybe you’ll pick books with hot covers.

Some July tidbits -
**Considered an unlucky month for weddings – avoid getting married in July and any book you read can count!
**National Blueberry Month - books with blue covers?
**National Anti-Boredom Month - Bored? READ!
**National Cell Phone Courtesy Month - turn off your ringer while reading a book, it’ll count!
**National Hot Dog Month – Eat a hotdog while reading a book – it’ll count!
**National Ice Cream Month - does a character eat ice cream in the book you’re reading? Then it counts! Did YOU eat ice cream while reading a book? Then it counts too!

My list so far:

1. TBD


2. TBD


3. TBD


4. TBD


5. TBD


6. TBD


7. TBD


8. TBD


9. TBD


10. TBD

Now, help me come up with the rest of my 10!  Suggestions welcome :)

July Reading Challenge #3 - Over in a Flash

The 3rd reading challenge I will be undertaking with my Goodreads peers is the Over in a Flash ~ Cover Hunt & Theme Challenge.

Duration: July 1st – July 31, 2012

Rules: Read 2 books with the following items found on their covers; choose 2 of the 3 options below.

Color: blue
Holiday Theme: American Independence Day (July 4) and Bastille Day (July 14) - Read a book set during the American or French Revolution or read a book with a wartime/military theme or character. OR Princess Diana’s Birthday (July 1) - Read a book with a character who is royalty or with the words, King, Queen, Prince or Princess in the title.
Items: Ruby (July’s birthstone), Crab/Lobster (July’s zodiac symbol), Fleur-de-lis, flag, fireworks, bell, ice cream, picnic basket, teddy bear, moon, airplane or chess board/piece.

 

Here are my selections:

Color Easy Webber, Tammara *

Holiday Theme (Military Character) Because of You (Coming Home #1) Scott, Jessica *

Items (moon) Breaking Free Reasor, Teresa J. *

 

Note: I was not compensated in any way for these books.  I purchased them all on my own for my Kindle after finding them on Goodreads.com

July Reading Challenge #2 - Spell it Out

The Second Reading Challenge I will be undertaking in July is the Spell it out Challenge.  in a Spell It Out Challenge, you take a word that reminds you of the month and find a book that fits each letter.  My word for July is FREEDOM (nope, not original in the least, but very very fitting, don't you think?).

 

Once again, I make no claims that these are in any way family friendly.

F - Flat Out Sexy Erin McCarthy
R - Rock Hard Cunning, Olivia
E - Erin McCarthy Hard and Fast
E - Easy Tammara Webb
D - Dane, Lauren Giving Chase
O - Olivia Cunning Backstage Pass
M - McGuire, Jamie  Beautiful Disaster

 
Note: I was not compensated in any way for these books. I purchased them all on my own for my Kindle after finding them on Goodreads.com