Smart Weigh Digital Kitchen Scale Review!

Before getting married, Gage and I were holding off on investing in our kitchen utensils and devices until we saw what we would be getting. Now that we've used everything and have an idea of what we want to do, we're slowly getting additional things to help with our cooking. The biggest pain in the butt has been trying to keep up with measuring cups. However, when I was selected to review Smart Weigh's kitchen scale, I had no idea that this free product review would be so convenient! I expected that I would be able to weigh in ounces and I also expected to be able to track my hedgehog's weights, but I didn't expect the scale to be able to tell me how many cups of liquid I had just based on weight! It measures both milk AND water! I'm so stoked about this feature! It's the thing that REALLY made me fall in love with the scale! 

Besides measuring in so many different units, the scale is REALLY sharp looking! I expected nothing less after reviewing Smart Weigh's bathroom scale. Their designs are very futuristic, sleek, and modern. They're beautiful! The actual surface for weighing is thick, crystal-clear glass and the base is silver colored. The LED display is sharp and bright, and I have no issues reading it. The buttons operate smoothly and there's no doubt about what setting you're on. It's very easy to operate and understand. 

I keep my scale beside the kitchen sink, so I know it's been exposed to moisture. I won't say you should dunk it in the sink...but it's holding up fine in the splash zone/high humidity of the sink area. 

Overall, I'd highly recommend this kitchen scale if you're looking for a new one or even looking for a device that does it all! It fits with nearly any kitchen decor, and is sure to last for years! 

Le Bleu Bean Espresso Cup Review!

I've recently been introduced to the concept of Espresso. For some reason, I assumed that it was just like any other coffee. There are little pods that you can get for the Keurig to make specifically Espresso, but now that I've received my first Espresso cup, I realize that the Keurig verion is 1. probably weaker and 2. actually closer to a double drink that a single.

When I received Le Bleu Bean's Stacking Espresso cup, I was immedately confused due to how small it is. I assumed that it would be the same size as a regular coffee mug. However, It's not. It's very small, due to the potent nature of Espresso. Laugh at me for not knowing this naturally if you want, but hey, I'm all the wiser and more cultured now. ;)

Le Bleu Bean's espresso cup is very cute! It's small, it's convenient, and it's quality. Let me explain: the convenience comes in the concept of stacking mugs. The top of the box that houses the mug looks like a Lego. This allows for other units to stack right on top of each other. All you have to do is wash and dry your mug and you've automatically got a place for it to go. It makes for a really cool, modern looking display next to your Espresso maker.

Quality comes in in the construction of the unit and the construction of the mug. Both are very well-built. The mug itself is heavy with thick walls and a thick handle. The plastic unit isn't flimsy and has no sharp edges or corners. The cup fits perfectly inside without much wiggle room, yet it is very easy to slide out. I can't comment on the units connecting, as I was only sent one free product sample.

Overall, I really like this little guy! I'm not sure that I'll end up with a whole collection of the, but this unit is great quality and convenient. I would definitely look into getting more if I were big into Espresso and had people over for coffee.

Retseliney Natural Skincare Products!

Hello, hello, again, everyone!!

I'm getting ready for bed after a LONNNNG week from HELL. I'm not kidding when I say this. I had to get a sub at one point this week to take care of some personal business, and SEVERAL of my kids got detention. ONE even got sent to the office for a PADDLING! WHAT?! They're never THIS badly behaved, but something is in the end-of-the-school-year air that has them acting CRAZY!

So basically, TGIF. I need this weekend to recharge for next week.

Today I felt so dragged down and exhausted that I couldn't wait to get home. When I got home, I realized that I couldn't truly rest because I felt so disgusting. Today it was sunny, about 80* or more, and RAINING. Downpouring, to be exact. So my hair...skin...every...sticky and gross. I hate the feeling.

As someone with super oily skin, I felt disgusting all day.

A student came up to me today and say "Oh my God, Miss Mayes. You look super sick.". Thanks, kid. I just didn't wear foundation due to my oily skin and the humidity. Way to make me feel good about myself. ;) Oh well, I wasn't upset!

So when I got home, took care of business, and turned into a vegetable for a bit, I decided it was time for a shower. I can't explain the good a shower does me. Seriously. I feel like a new person when I get out!

This shower was especially awesome because of a couple of Retseliney products that I got to try out for free! One is the Advanced Exfoliant Cream and the other is the Potent Antioxidant Mask.

The Exfoliant Cream is my FAVORITE. I've had issues with cystic acne, and it's erased it. Seriously. No more nasty under-the-skin bumps for me! On top of that, it's getting rid of all of the dirt and oil that build up by polishing it away (it has a fine, fine grit without using those awful plastic beads!). My oily skin has been far less oily after I use the cream, and that is giving me more even makeup application and healthier skin! I love this stuff! A little goes a long way so this jar will last forever!! It's not too rough on my sensitive skin, either!

The Antioxidant Mask is great too! It leaves my skin glowing and hydrated (but not oily). It's great for dry patches that have been polished away by the Exfoliant Cream. The label warns that it may tingle. I have super super sensitive skin so I won't lie...it was intense...but it didn't hurt and it wasn't unbearable. The mask goes on evenly and smoothly and comes off easily.

Overall, I really loved these products! They've helped my skin drastically!

Check out my video review!

The Forsaken (The Children of Cain Book 1) Review!

I've recently reKINDLED my love of reading by shopping on Amazon's Kindle Store. As a kid, I always made it my goal to read 100 books per summer. When I actually got into trouble, I had my Harry Potter books taken away (yes...I'm THAT generation!). When Twilight took the world by storm, I was there...soaking up every word. The Series of Unfortunate Events books held me captive until I finished them, and the Percy Jackson books caused my heartrate to quicken in excitement. With so many amazing authors and fantastic stories absorbed in my lifetime, I consider myself hard to please when it comes to books. I read them, always, but often I know within a chapter or so if I'm going to be happy with my decision.

As someone addicted to her Kindle, I've downloaded MANY of the free books put out by new authors looking to make a name for themselves. More often than not, sadly, I'm not super impressed. However, when offered a free review copy of The Forsaken (The Children of Cain Book 1), I was excited. I loved the somber, dark feeling that I got from reading the title. I was intrigued and immediately loaded it up onto my Kindle. I set to reading right away, and I'm SO happy I did. Sometimes you discover a story and you can't believe you haven't read it yet after having it waiting on your for weeks or months. This is one of those stories.

I really, really don't want to spoil it for anyone, but I will give the basics. The story opens with Gwen, running towards - she doesn't know what - and away from - again...she has no idea. A close brush with danger leaves her in the hands of strangers who deliver her to a hospital to deal with her severe frostbite and various other ailments. She's then left to the custody of the local Catholic orphanage, where her path crosses with Adam/Raven (she renames him). She has great difficulty fitting in, and soon realizes that she and Raven are meant for each other (as friends...Gwen is 5 at this point and Raven is a few years older). Extremely advanced for her age, Gwen intimidates and even scares the other children. This is due in part to her unusual eyes. She and Raven soon begin to discover the sides of themselves that they always knew existed and set them apart, but didn't quite know about yet.

Again, I hesitate to give away too much of the story, but there are several conflicts at the orphanage, which lead to the odd pair becoming runaways and living on the streets for years, using their unusual powers to survive.

Once the pair are detained, they are split up, and all seems lost for Gwen. She enters an institution-like school (like medical institution) and pretends to be on her best behavior until she is sent to a foster home that, appearing perfect from the outside, is actual horror and hell. As she struggles to fit into middle school culture, she deals with aggression, abuse, and trying to protect a new "little sister" that she has come to love.

The entire book is a total treat. It's an adventure that you seriously don't want to miss out on. I can see this series being optioned for a movie in the future, and I will fangirl like crazy!

 Between growing to love and understand the characters, to watching them develop, and mature physically, to feeling their emotions and fears, it's not hard to be absorbed completely into the story. The language is beautiful and detailed and the story flows so smoothly! There's not a boring moment, and your heart is yanked along for the ride. At the end of book one, I don't feel satisfied. I want MORE of this series!! I'm SO excited to be able to jump right into book two and see what happens next. Review coming soon!!

Snag your copy of Book 1 of The Children of Cain series here!

Souls

Photo by Tim White

I saw an article today
About a Canadian Goose
Who
With fire blazing
Sat on her nest
To protect the unborn
Proof
It was no accident
Right on the scene
Who
Why
People claim that
Animals have no soul
But this proves two things
One
Animals are better
And more deserving parents than
Some humans
Two
There are humans walking around
With no soul
Setting fire to the unborn
And the mother willing to die
Protecting it.


Article here.

+Lifeguard Battery Bar Review!

One of my biggest pet peeves is a dead cell phone battery. Being away from home so much means that I need to stay connected. Through having multiple obligations outside of work and a love for exploring and film photography, there's not much time for me to actually plug in to a wall power source.

When offered the opportunity to review a Lifeguard Portable Battery Charger for free, I was super excited! This device would allow me to be prepared, no matter the situation, and would offer a convenience that would be dearly appreciated!

The first thing that I noticed when I received the bar was that it was heavy in my hand. The metal casing is sleek and black and heavy duty. There's no fear of breaking the thing if I drop it! The bar is about as tall as my phone is and is perhaps 1/2" to 3/4" wide. It is rectangular, but the edges are rounded out, so it's easy to slip into my pocket without sharp edges. When I connected my phone through the provided mini-usb cable, a light near the Lifeguard logo lit up  (blue). That let me know that my phone was charging and that the portable charger still had "juice".

The bar is very straightforward and easy to use. The mini-usb port is labeled "input" for when the bar itself needs to be charged. The standard usb port is labeled "output" for when a device needs to be charged.

I have used this portable charger with my phone and my iPad, and am happy to report that it can charge my phone fully multiple times on one charge. It keeps my iPad running when the battery is low, however, it isn't for as long as my phone (perhaps due to larger screen size and more advanced operations). The bar itself takes a couple of hours to charge, but can be done in your "down time" or can be left on a charger when you are out for the day.

Pure Silk Sleep Mask Review!

The only problem with being married to my husband is that we are on TOTALLY opposite schedule. Obviously, this isn't a dealbreaker or anything, but it CAN be inconvenient. He works nights, and I work days. When he comes home, he sometimes needs to get into the closet or look for something in the bedroom so the lights come on. When he's asleep (during the day), the blackest curtains don't block all of the light from our bedroom that is mostly windows. He has a hard time staying asleep, so when offered a free product sample that could help him, I accepted it!

The silk sleep mask that I received is much nicer than I expected! I was looking for it to be thin, nearly transparent (because that's the nature of silk), and to slide around a lot. Typically, when I see these masks, they are made of a polyester blend. Also, I wasn't sure if it would work for my husband because typically these masks are smaller (as the majority of consumers are women). However, when it arrived, I first noticed that it was VERY thick. There are multiple layers of silk, and possibly some filling. The mask isn't transparent at all. The elastic band is adjustable, which allows the mask to be fitted to the size of your head. The silk is nice and doesn't feel irritating on my skin. It blocks light very effectively, which is the main point that I examined. 

If you're looking for an awesome mask at an awesome price that is awesomely comfortable, I highly suggest this one! 

You can buy yours here! 

Doll Face Eyeshadow Brushes!

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a few obsessions. One of those would be eyeshadow! I have TONS of palettes and there's no better way to apply them than with brushes. Since I've discovered brushes, I'll never go back to applying any makeup with anything else! When I had the opportunity to review a new set, I was all over it! The set first caught my attention because of how cute the brushes are! They have a matte black handle bottom and the top is hot pink metal. The logo for Doll Face is ADORABLE! The weight of the brushes is nice and they're the perfect length for all sizes of hands. I held them in different places, and they always worked awesomely!

In order to have the best review possible, I wanted to use the brushes for a few weeks and wash them a few times. Through various types of washes (with different scrubbing material and different soaps), I didn't lose a single bristle through the use, washing, drying, and reuse process. The bristles are extremely fluffy on the soft brushes, and just firm enough on them eyeliner and crease brushes. The set comes with two fluffy brushes, a shorter bristled brush, a stiffer, angled brush, and an eyeliner brush. 

You can get a close up view of the brushes in my video below! 

I highly suggest these brushes for beginners AND professionals. They're affordable, awesome quality, cute, and convenient for travel!

AutoBar is a Handy Necessity!

Happy Monday, everyone!

Ok...not really. But in the spirit of Monday we're going to take a somber tone with our review. If something CAN go wrong, it WILL, and that's why I was intrigued by the AutoBar promotion. Once I applied for it and was approved, it wasn't too long before I held my free product in my hands and let me tell you...I didn't expect this thing to be so heavy! 

The AutoBar features a large, easy-to-grip handle that is thick and sturdy. Within a dip in the handle is a razor blade (used for cutting seatbelt material). At the end, a thick, rectangular piece of steel comes to a pyramid-shaped point that is used for breaking glass. This thing is sharp, but not dangerously sharp. Basically, it needs to have force behind it to be dangerous.

The last use the AutoBar has is as a handle for entering and exiting the car. The steel top doubles as a lever to support body weight. This top slides into the latch on the body of the car that would normally catch the handle of the door. This is especially helpful for elderly and injured people. The handle provides stability that otherwise wouldn't be present. 

I'm really impressed with the quality and craftsmanship of the AutoBar. It's very solid and truth be told, I'll probably keep it in my backpack as it's always with me and I feel like this tool could double as a weapon of self-defense (dark, I know...but hey...it would totally work!).

Here's to a Monday with no NEED for an AutoBar, for any reason! Thanks for reading guys!  

Something TOTALLY New: Organic Deodorant Creme by Bella Naturals

Normally, I'm open to trying a lot of new things, so long as they're within the range of products that I've used before. Facial serums, hair growth vitamins, and conditioners are examples of products that I review pretty regularly. When the opportunity arose to review an organic deodorant creme, I hesitated to apply just because I had never tried a creme deodorant. However, I was really interested in the idea of using an organic deodorant, so I gladly accepted my free product.

When it arrived, the first thing that I noticed was how strong the scent was. If I would change anything about the product, I would have much preferred to have it in a floral or fruity scent. The vanilla mint scent is wonderful, but it's not a common deodorant scent. It's very strong, but I didn't find it any more overwhelming than someone chewing a minty gum.

The deodorant came in a small jar that reminded me of a Carmex jar. It has a screw on lid and easily opens and closes. The product inside is a thick, white creme and has the consistency of melted deodorant (I hope I'm not the only one who's left it in a hot car...), but a little firmer.

The only other thing I would change about this product is to have it easier to get out. Now, it isn't an issue, because my container is full (a little goes a LONG way!). When I've used it more, the level will go down, and I'll have to reach further into the container to get to the product. This will be messy, as I'll have to stick more of my fingers in. I think a push-up bottom in a tube would be a fantastic idea for this product. That would eliminate the mess and getting the deodorant all over consumer's hands.

Once I applied the deodorant, I noticed that it had a cooling sensation. I liked it! :) It went on smoothly and evenly.

At this point I have to add: organic deodorant won't work immediately. Non-organic deodorants clog the pores of your skin, so it takes about a week to detox. For me, personally, I decided to detox over spring break because I knew it could get ugly. After detoxing and exfoliating a few times, I tried the deodorant.

My results: as long as I'm not doing anything extremely strenuous, it works perfectly. On days that I'm not active, I noticed that it did a decent job of keeping me from stinking. However, once I ran, I believe it sweated off, and I became a nasty, stinking, mess.

Typical deodorants keep you from sweating or they use tons of chemicals to mask the scent. The concept of organic deodorant is that it fights the bacteria that is sweated out.

The ingredients listed are: Organic Shea Butter, Organic Arrowroot Powder, (Vegan), Organic Sunflower Oil,  Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Aluminum-Free Baking Soda, Organic Peppermint Essential Oil, Organic Vanilla Extract, Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil

So...as a healthier alternative, I will wear this deodorant anytime I'm not running or at the gym. I know that, ideally, I would go straight organic, but mostly organic with few exceptions is much better than having deodorant on 24/7 that contains aluminum! For those days that I have to get active, I'll look for an aluminum-free alternative with a little more punch. Although I know that this deodorant will have chemicals and unnatural additives, I just can't stand sweating the deodorant off and smelling bad. 

Vegetarian Quick & Easy - Under 15 Minutes by Jonathan Vine

As some of you know, my New Year's resolutions were few, but significant. I wanted to change my eating habits, improve my creative process, and learn something completely new to me. With changing my eating habits, I decided that a Vegetarian diet was the path I wanted to take. For about seven years during middle and high school, I didn't eat meat, much to my Momma's despair. Looking back, I understand her worry now. I didn't do it right. I lived on French Fries and refused to take supplements. This time around, I'm an adult, and I'm doing it right by making sure that I'm not falling into the "French Fry trap" and paying close attention to how I feel and how much protein I'm getting. Many people become overwhelmed when they consider the thought of restricting their diet SO much. If you think about it, meat is a huge part of the American diet. However, it doesn't HAVE to be hard, and that's what I discovered with Jonathan Vine's book, "Vegetarian Quick & Easy - Under 15 Minutes".

  

I didn't really know what to expect out of this Ebook, but I didn't expect it to be so inclusive. There really aren't any repeats of meals, and it points out common sense recipes that are often overlooked. Some of them are so simple that you wouldn't think they'd be that great, but they are! An example of this, that I found, was eggs with Avacado. I've never really eaten Avacado before, so I was pleasantly surprised when I decided to go to a random recipe and try it...NO MATTER WHAT.

I love that this book has tips on how to become a Vegetarian and make the transition easily. I also admired the fact that Mr. Vine considered that sometimes, busy moms don't always have the time to spend on extensive preparation (yes...there's sections for moms AND meals that are easy enough for kids to make!). There's even a section for romantic meals, which is great, since finding alternative dining out can be difficult for Vegetarians.

Overall, I'd say that this ebook is a fantastic resource for new and experienced Vegetarians alike, and I'm thrilled that I was selected to review it for free!

Lalune Naturals Organic Lip Balm Review!

Fun fact: I have issues with dry skin. In the winter, it's AWFUL. Usually, lotions will take care of it for at least a couple of hours. I have found that body butter is the very best thing to stay relieved for long periods of time (12 hours or so). Even when I've taken care of my skin, there's still the problem of my lips. I'm very picky when it comes to my lip balms, and my countertop is to show for it. I've got at least ten lip balms/ChapStiks that I've used once and left because they were too greasy, too medicated, the scent was awful, or worst: they left a terrible taste in my mouth. Another issue I have is balms making my lips look maroon instead of pink. I'm not sure if it's the ingredients or an allergic reaction, but even clear ChapStik makes my lips look darker. I've used all natural lip balms before, but I don't have them anymore. In my world, that means that they were good. That being said, I decided to review a free package of Lalune Naturals' Organic Lip Balm.

When they arrived, I noticed first that the box that they were in was a rough brown cardboard box printed with a simple black label. I LOVE it, from a graphic design standpoint! The flavors, ingredients, brand, and USDA Organic Certification are all clearly marked on the box. When I opened the package, I was pleased to see that each balm scent was marked with a different color. This makes them easy to tell apart. Next, I smelled them. The scents are light and airy without being overwhelming. The undertone of the scent is very earthy and natural. It doesn't smell like chemicals and I LOVE that.

The final, and most difficult test was use. Remember, I'm picky. I decided to use Vanilla Bean first (other scents include Asian Pear, Peppermint, and Raspberry). The balm went on smoothly and easily without any pressure. At first, I felt like the balm was greasy but it VERY quickly began to absorb. As it absorbed, the dry, cracked skin on my lips softened up and now they feel AMAZING! There isn't really a taste to these balms, but the scent is great. It's noticeable, but barely.

 I think the best part is: my lips LOOK healthy! And that problem with having maroon lips that I mentioned before? Not a problem! My lips look plump, pink, and slightly shiny. It's FANTASTIC for use with dramatic eye makeup. I'm VERY satisfied with these balms! They're the BALM (bomb...get it?)!

Cellulite Be Gone! Body Merry's Cellulite Defense Gel-Cream

I've always, always, ALWAYS had a body image issue. I think the problem is deep-rooted in the fact that I was overweight as a kid, and my classmates let me know it. From the time I was in Elementary school, I've struggled with my weight, my skin, my hair, EVERYTHING! And when I say "struggle", I don't mean that I couldn't keep it under control. I mean that no matter how "pretty" whatever aspect was, I still lacked the self-confidence it took to realize that IT DIDN'T MATTER what people were constantly thinking of me.

Flash forward to my first day of college. One of the events on campus was to be a splash party and I knew this a month or so in advance. I. Was. Horrified. I was 17 going into a campus of hundreds of kids my own age and older. To go to this party, I'd have to wear a swimsuit bottom (you KNOW it was the short type!). I immediately ran out to get cellulite cream, as my sister had made a comment about it as I was swimming that summer (thanks, Hailey!). I could NOT let that happen again! I picked up the Equate Cellulite Lotion (Wal-Mart brand) and began using it. It didn't take long for my thighs and arms to start bruising. Yes, BRUISING! I'm not sure what it was in the formula, but my doctor said that the bruising would go away, but I had to STOP using the cream. It had thinned out my skin and veins. On the plus side, nobody saw my cellulite because they were too busy wondering if I'd tell them about Fight Club.

When asked to review a free sample of Body Merry's Cellulite Defense Gel-Cream, I had instant flashbacks to the bruising caused by the other cream I'd tried. I decided that it was worth a shot (I'm over the self-consciousness of cellulite...but hey...it wouldn't hurt to get rid of it!). I decided at the first sign of bruising, I would stop use, and compare the ingredients between the two formulas. Luckily, I never bruised! There are a few other good things about the product, though. For one, it's doesn't stink or smell chemical-y. The formula glides on, doesn't make a mess, and absorbs quickly. Body Merry's products always supply a generous amount, and this cream is no different. A little goes a LONG way for me, so I know this tub will last a long while. The lid is easy to get on and off (don't you hate it when a lid is cheaply made and it skips the track??) and the label is professionally designed. It's very eye-catching!

I know that a product like this will have to work over time, so I will write an update at a later date. For now, though, my skin is left feeling soft and smooth and firm. I'm seeing a gradual difference, but the most I've seen is in my arms. They are much firmer. Overall, I have to say it's a winner! I mean, I didn't bruise and my skin! ;)

Easy as 1, 2, 3 Swing Dancing!

Learning a new hobby can be an intimidating adventure. There's so many questions about how to know if what you're doing is the proper technique. Without a physical example, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what to do. Dancing is no different! If anything, it's more frustrating! There's so much pressure to perform correctly and gracefully because it's a performance hobby. In most instructional videos, it feels as if the instructor expects you to be intermediate level instead of beginner. Fast instructions, speedy counts, using terms that you aren't familiar with, and awful camera angles all contribute to this frustration. When offered the opportunity to review a Dance Lesson Starter Kit DVD set in exchange for my opinion, I quickly agreed!

Many assume that the only way to achieve the level of learning desired is to pay hundreds of dollars for studio classes. Or even worse, they completely give up on their goals. As an educator, I can tell you that money doesn't equal quality. Some of the very best teachers that I know are far under paid while some of the most apathetic are the ones that are making the "big dollars". So even IF you ARE willing to shell out the money, there's no guarantee that you'll actually get a quality, productive instruction session.

That's where Dance Lessons Starter Kit comes in! You can learn FOUR different types of dance, all in your living room! The kit offers Salsa, Swing, Merengue, and Bachata. My personal favorite was the Swing, because I've always felt as if I was born in the wrong era!

I popped the DVD in, and was greeted by both a woman and man instructor. This was convenient, because it easily depicted the gender roles and the respective dance steps, which made it easy for me to learn with my husband. The instructors were somewhat too posed and staged for me. They were VERY mater-of-fact about the instructional process. It may have been the extremely clear, articulate, and descriptive way that they gave instructions. This was VERY effective in helping me understand, but it almost gave them a monotone voice, which was, at times, difficult to follow.

Their instruction, the camera angles, and the clarity of the video were fantastic. In fact, as far as the camera goes, almost all of the time you see two angles at once. There was never any question about what to do and when to do it. I really liked that the pace was slow enough to not only allow for easy learning, but to allow for finding the perfect stopping, rewinding length, and play points.

My only complaint is, like I mentioned, the "stiffness" of the instruction. The instructors were very dry. When they showed humor or emotion, it almost felt forced and cheesy. However, if you can handle that (I thought it was worth it!), then you've got a fantastic resource for learning a new hobby without spending big bucks!

Forskolin....What is THAT?

I'm always on the lookout for new things that I've never tried before. One of the reason I started product reviewing was to broaden my horizons in relation to products, brands, and different types of products (especially health and beauty). Needless to say, I was curious about Forskolin when I heard a friend talking about it. Within a few days, there was the option to receive a bottle free, for my honest opinion. Now, I'm not stranger to weight loss supplements, their side effects, and their effectiveness. I knew that this would either work extremely well and quickly, or it would work slowly. Depending upon body chemistry, diet, exercise, genetics, etc. you're looking at a wide margin of results for any given group of people.

I went into this with an open mind and (not negatively) low expectations. Forskolin comes from the Indian Coleus plant. Essentially, the plant extract helps hormones carry messages that they need to carry. This can be effective in weight loss. Many are turning to the extract as a way to manage their weight. My personal experience with Supreme Pure's version was positive, but not an event to write home about.

Now, I mentioned that it would either work immediately or slowly work. While I HOPED to be in the first category, I am, sadly, stuck in the second. BUT, that is not the fault of the product. I just have a different body type! What I did notice, that benefited me immensely, were a few things: the dosage isn't outrageous. I've taken natural supplements that called for taking 12 capsules a day. NO WAY! It gets to be a nasty feeling, swallowing pills! You don't have to worry about that here! Secondly, there was no foul odor with this supplement. Some, you just don't want to take because of the smell. The benefit that I most noticed from taking Forskolin was an increase in energy. So, if nothing else, the supplement gave me the energy to get up and do something! I found myself less tired and more ready for whatever the day brought. I was in a better mood because of this. On top of that, I think having more energy during the day caused me to sleep better at night (doing more is more exhausting!).

Although I did not witness weightloss results with this supplement, I know that it has helped my energy levels immensely. Supreme Pure's affordability makes it easy for everyone to try something new!

Have you tried and "hype" products? What were your results?

A Workout with An Elementary TOY?!...Not quite!

Hello, again, all!


Recently, I've slacked quite a bit on my gym-ing. This has led to pretty much...self loathing in the worst way possible. I'm also convinced that exercising wards off depression and anxiety. I am very prone/afflicted by anxiety, and I found that a good, hard run always made me feel better. In my search for finding a way to get a good workout at home, I was prompted to apply for a promotion that I might not have considered before: the Naturalico jump rope. In applying for this promotion, I knew I had nothing to lose. The jump rope would be in exchange for my honest opinion, so I decided to give it a shot.

Now, if you're like me, when you hear "jump rope", you think of a neon-colored hollow plastic tube attached to two mold-poured, neon colored, plastic handles of a different color. The plastic tube disappears into the handle, and most often, was tied in a knot on the inside of the handle (the handle was hollow as well). This meant that, if your knot came untied, your jump rope didn't work.

I honestly didn't know what to expect.

When the rope arrived, I immediately took it out of it's neat little storage bag (complete with a drawstring!) and examined it. The handles were nice and heavy, the "rope" part was thick and weighted-feeling. I also noticed that there were little metal contraptions at each end that allowed the handles to both slide to one end. Having this quality allows for the rope to be adjusted very easily. The metal contraptions allowed the rope to rotate smoothly and spin freely.

I couldn't wait to try it!

When I did, I was pleasantly surprised. The rope span and rotated much easier than I remember my Elementary jump ropes operating. The weight of the rope was nice in that it projected itself forward, allowing for minimal effort from the hands and arms. Given extra length, I was easily able to adjust the rope by trimming and tying it.

The design is very grown-up and professional looking. With a strictly black color scheme, the silver hardware really pops. The rope coils effortlessly for storage and actually compacts nicely for storage in minimal space.

If you're looking for a new workout partner, I highly suggest Naturalico's jump rope! I am currently in the middle of really putting it to the test, but I will soon have photos posted (before and after) and the number of weeks of use at each stage. I'm so excited to share! (Hint: I've lost 8 lbs!!).

A Bit of a Look Into My Profession...CraftyCroc Liquid Chalk Markers Review

Hello, again, everyone! Being a product reviewer is fantastic for those on a budget, because often, you can get something that you normally wouldn't be able to buy in exchange for your honest opinion. This can serve you well when it comes to finding new solutions to your problems (example: pet odor cleaner), experiencing new conveniences (portable battery chargers, travel pillows, etc), and even in the gift giving season (essential oils, beard conditioners, and so on).

However, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, compares to having to budget for a classroom. It's difficult. Typically, state frameworks say "do this, this, and this" and the school decides how much money you have to do that with. Let's consider my class sizes. They range anywhere from 10-25. For the purpose of this example, we'll say 20 students is average. Daily, I have a class of 5th and 6th graders that come once a week. That's a different class every day. That's ten classes of 20 kids. That, alone, is 200. 7th and 8th grade are a bit different. They come to art every day, but for nine weeks. I get a new group of each 7th and 8th grade four times a year. Take 15, and multiply it by 8 classes. That's 120. This gives us a rough estimate of 320 kids. The budget that my school gives me has to provide daily and weekly art for 320 kids. As a product reviewer AND teacher, when I see the opportunity for us to try something new and exciting, on as little cost as possible, I TACKLE IT!

Dash Mate Makes Travel A WHOLE Lot Easier!

If you know of me personally, you know that my husband and I are on the road a lot for his band's gigs. The typical routine is to have one person hold the phone and navigate while the other person drives. This can be a bit bothersome, as one person has to hold it so that the driver can see. Additionally, the calibration in the phone will change direction at the slightest tilt. It's annoying to have to hold the phone a certain way, for any amount of time. It's also easy to lose the phone when not using it for GPS purposes. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal, but in our roadtrip condition, we are absolute slobs because we're essentially living in the car.

Needless to say, I jumped on the opportunity to review a product that would make our travels more convenient. CJ's Savings offered this promotion to me in exchange for my honest opinion.

I know, I know. My car needs a dusting.

To be honest, I expected to get a cheaply assembled, Chinese piece of crap (let's face it, most of these products are worth about $1 and break within a few uses). What I got, however, was a pleasant surprise. Upon opening the box, I pulled out a sturdy, thick piece of plastic. The phone holder itself slides to adjust to different positions for the phone and different sizes of phones. The clip on the back was my main concern, but it is actually made of very thick, durable plastic. I tested the Dash Mate with my phone and was pleasantly surprised to see that it fit. I have a cheap Straight Talk phone, so typically accessories don't work with it. The Dash Mate is extremely adaptable, and it worked perfectly! The final test was to see if it actually fit the air vent in my car. Turned one way, it was a little loose and slid around. HOWEVER, I quickly realized that it wasn't SUPPOSED to fit that way. Once I turned it the other direction, it stuck to my vent like Velcro. It doesn't rattle or slide around and it fits snugly. When you need to pull it out, it is easily removed. I'm very impressed with how well the Dash Mate works and the quality of the product overall! Highly recommended by this traveling blogger!

Want one?