Cart Stopper Review

THE REVIEW:

I am pretty lucky that I have never had a run-away shopping cart. But I know people who it has happened to. And I can't imagine how scary it was. So I was pretty interested when I found out about the Cart-Stopper. It is a device that actually will secure your shopping cart to your car while you are unloading. For example, if you have one child, you can feel safe that your children will both be okay if you use the Cart-Stopper to secure to your car while you get the first child out. Pretty excellent, huh?

It works by suctioning to your car. It is actually really easy to use and it actually does work. For $9.99 it is most definitely worth it.

FROM THE COMPANY:
The Cart-Stopper™ is a simple and effective device that reduces the risk of child injury and vehicle damage related to "run-away" shopping carts. Cart-Stopper™ holds securely to any clean, flat vehicle surface while immobilizing your shopping cart. To attach to your vehicle, press the suction cup base of the Cart-Stopper™ firmly to your vehicle. To remove, lift up on the release tab located on the lip of the suction cup base. Will even stay secured in the rain!

The Cart-Stopper™'s compact design stores easily in a purse, diaper bag or glove compartment. Finally, an effective, lightweight and compact tool designed to keep your child safe and your shopping cart secure. Never go shopping without a Cart-Stopper™!

This post was written for Family Review Network. I received a sample cart-stopper from My Lil Monkey's for this review.





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here:

Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner Review

THE REVIEW:

I have posted this before (probably many times, LOL). I do not like to clean. I have a bucket with all sorts of cleaners- bathroom, kitchen, glass, wood. You get the point. And then I carry it around while I am cleaning. Hate it. So of course I was so excited to be given the opportunity to review Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner.

And it really is a multi-surface cleaner. I used it to clean my kitchen counters, stove-top, wood dining room table and the inside of my kitchen windows. It worked great on all of them. It comes in two different scents: Rainshower and Lavendar Fresh. I tried Lavendar Fresh and I really like it. But I did find that it was a little strong since I used to clean up so many different surfaces.

FROM THE COMPANY:
Clean more. Faster.
When your home comes together, it's a beautiful place to be. But with so many different surfaces, it can be time-consuming to keep them all looking great. Now, with Pledge® Multi Surface, you can move from surface to surface, room to room, cleaning and dusting in no time at all. Get the streak-free clean of Pledge® Multi Surface and love all the surfaces in your home equally.

Safely cleans many surfaces:
Wood Wood Laminate Plastics Stainless Steel
Glass Mirrors Electronics Granite

* Easy to hold and easy to spray.
* Anti-static formula is great for cleaning electronics.
* Removes dust, dirt, and smudges.
* Is perfect for a streak-free clean.
* Does not leave a residue.


I would strongly recommend this product to everyone.

This post was written for Family Review Network.





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here:

Celebrate Truffles Review and Giveaway

THE REVIEW:

I am reposting this review, I posted it and then never came back to it. I will be announcing a winner this time, promise.

Healthy chocolate. Yes, you read that right healthy chocolate. Let me add that it is delicious healthy chocolate. And that it can help you lose weight. Sound amazing. It is.

I was recently lucky enough to be able to review some Celebrate Truffles courtesy of Family Review Network. Oh my goodness, they are so fantastic. They are smooth and full of flavor, and just amazing. I was sad when they were all gone and am now checking out the site to decide what I want to order next.

From their website:
* Savor Premium Hand-Made Chocolates
* Satisfy your hunger - Rich, never-bitter, rare cocoa from an ancient recipe
* Cut your cravings - Quickly absorbed nutrients deliver quick satisfaction
* Maximize your nutrition - Concentrated nutrients from 59 whole foods
* Increase your Omega 3/DHA - Feed your heart and brain these vital nutrients
* Boost your antioxidants - Premium cocoa delivers superb natural antioxidants
* Naturalize your beauty - Smoother skin, silkier hair, stronger nails
* Enjoy Low Glycemic Chocolate - for those who watch their blood sugar
* Delightfully 100% All Natural




I received the Celebrate Truffle Classic Sampler and the Celebrate Chocolate Creations Sampler.
The Celebrate Truffle Classics Sampler contains:

* A light chocolate truffle
* A dark chocolate truffle
* Three cocoa covered almonds.

The Celebrate Chocolate Creations Sampler contains:

* Cherry Vanilla, with three types of real cherries
* Roasted Almond Bits, with almond pieces throughout
* Mountain Raspberry, with real, tart fruit

My favorite was the light chocolate truffle. And then the almond bits. I gave hubby a bite of the mountain raspberry (because I am that nice). I really can not emphasize how wonderful these truffles were. I will say that you should check out the site right now and buy some.

Do you want to win a sampler? One lucky person will get to.

THE GIVEAWAY:

To enter:
Head on over to Celebrate Truffles and let me what you love best about these truffles. Do not just say "Enter Me", I will delete these comments. If you are the winner, you have 3 days to claim your prize before I pick a new winner, so please remember to check back here.

Additional ways to get entries (you must leave me a comment for each extra entry, letting me know about it):

* Sign up for my feed: (if you are already a subscriber, leave me a message letting me know in the comment section).

* Blog about this giveaway, come back here and post the link in the comment section.

* Follow me on Twitter:

* Tweet about this giveaway, copy it for me and post it here.

* Fave me on Technorati:

There are 6 different ways to enter, please leave a separate comment for each one.

Giveaway ends on July 31, 2009. This giveaway is open to readers in the US only.

This post was written for Family Review Network.





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here:

Hell Yes!: Two Little Words for a Simpler, Happier Life by Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin Book Review

THE REVIEW:

When given the chance to review the book Hell Yes!: Two Little Words for a Simpler, Happier Life by Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin I jumped at the opportunity. Anything that could make my life simpler was something that I definitely needed to read. I mean, I am always on the go and always doing. My job, family, mom in the hospital, blogs, etc. It is on going.

So I sat down to read the book and take notes to use in my life. The idea is that we all do too much. We take on all sorts of extra projects and activities and try to crap too much into our schedule and life. All of the items individually are not that much but when you look at them all together, well, it can just be too much!

The author speaks especially to parents, who have have to place their children's needs so high on the priority list that it is easy for their own needs to get lost. Sound familiar?

The basic premise of Hell Yes!, is that when something comes up that you will need to commit yourself to, ask if it's a “Hell Yes.” If it is, do it! If it's not, it's a “Hell No!” This one simple question cuts to the heart of the matter, allowing you to focus on what's most important to you and your family, and compels you to say no to things that fall in the gray area, where you aren't excited about them, but they aren't heinous to you either.

Simple, right? Honestly as I was reading the book, I honestly felt like she was writing to me. I am ALWAYS agreeing to do thing because- I should or only I can do it or it is the nice thing to do or if I don't do it, someone else will. So I am going to try to start weighing things that come up to see if they are a "Hell Yes" or a "Hell No". Because if they are a "Hell No", I am not even going to worry about it (or at least I will try my best).

I strongly recommend this book to any parent who feels overwhelmed (isn't that all of us?) It is really amazing!

About the author:
Most days, Elizabeth is the CEO and creative director of Tribe, Inc., a marketing company working with
world-class brands like UPS, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Chick-fil-A and Porsche. But sometimes she writes
books instead.

Her other books include “How to Run Your Business Like a Girl: Successful Strategies from Entrepreneurial Women Who Made It Happen,” which was an Amazon Top 1,000 Bestseller, and “Beach Wisdom: Life Lessons from the Ocean.”

This post was written for Family Review Network





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here:

Dudley's Solo by Tiffany Alexander Book Review

THE REVIEW:

This a very sweet children's book. It is the first book in the "Children's Band" series. It takes place at church where the children are practicing for the choir concert. Dudley is upset that he is not able to sing in the band because he is hearing impaired. His friends come up with a way for him to be able to have a solo anyway.

Sara and I read it together but I think she is a little young to understand all of it, but I can't wait until she does. I think it is a great book that teaches how it is important to embrace our differences, be thankful for our talents and how important it is to help others.

About the author:
Tiffany Alexander resides in Atlanta, GA and works as an editor for CNN. She is a member of the Independent Books Publishers Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, Hampton University Alumni Association and the African- American Children's Book Writers and Illastrators. She is currently working on the next book in the "Children's Band" Series.



This post was written for Family Review Network.





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here:

Rita's Ice Review and Giveaway

THE REVIEW:

On Friday, Sara and I went out with some of our friends and went to an open gym time and then went to Rita's Ice for dessert afterwards. Talk about a good time. It was Sara and I and two of her friends who are her age (2 years old) and their moms (who I am friends with). It was just so fun.

There is something about Rita's that just screams summer to me. So for us to be there with our friends and everyone eating their own icy dessert, for me was the kick-off to summer. I am not sure if it was more fun to eat my dessert or to watch Sara and her friends eating theirs.

And then off course there was the dessert itself. I got a gelati which is a mixture of custard and ice. Chocolate and vanilla custard and root beer ice. It was so amazingly delicious! The custard is wonderful and creamy and the ice was so tasty and together it was just awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

Celebrate 25 Years of Rita's Italian Ice:
- In celebration of their 25th Anniversary, Rita’s Italian Ice is hosting a Scratch & Win Vacation contest.
- There is a $25,000 cash prize and chance to win a vacation
- There is a second chance entry for people who do not live near a Rita's.

And they are also giving one of our readers a coupon for a free Rita's dessert. Yum!

THE GIVEAWAY:

To enter:
Head on over to Rita's Ice and let me what your favorite flavor is. Do not just say "Enter Me", I will delete these comments. If you are the winner, you have 3 days to claim your prize before I pick a new winner, so please remember to check back here.

Additional ways to get entries (you must leave me a comment for each extra entry, letting me know about it):

* Sign up for my feed: (if you are already a subscriber, leave me a message letting me know in the comment section).

* Blog about this giveaway, come back here and post the link in the comment section.

* Follow me on Twitter:

* Tweet about this giveaway, copy it for me and post it here.

* Fave me on Technorati:

There are 6 different ways to enter, please leave a separate comment for each one.

Giveaway ends on June 10, 2009. This giveaway is open to readers in the US only.

This post was written for Family Review Network.





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here:

The Side-Yard Superhero (Life in Degraff: An Automythography) by Rick Neice Book Review

THE REVIEW:

There are some times that I have found that I do a review and I find that it is exactly what I needed. I know that I have mentioned it before. Well this book was exactly what I needed. I have a lot going on right now- my mom is still in the hospital, lots of other things are up in the air. And I got this book and finally sat down to read it and...wow. It was just what I needed. It had laugh out loud humor as well as some moments that brought a tear to my eye.

It is the automythography of Rick Neice. Neice says that an automythography is a work of nonfiction that looks reflectively at what we think we remember and how we think we remember it; an iridescent memory based upon truth and fact. That is what this is. This book is the story of Rickie (Neice) and growing up in the small town of Degraff. There are many stories that are told in the book but they all revolve around Rickie and his friend Bernie and their special friendship.

About the author:
When he was four, Rick Niece's family moved to DeGraff, Ohio, a town of 900 citizens. Life in DeGraff was good, and the lessons learned from treasured friendships still inspire him today. As president of the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, Dr. Niece and his wife, Sherée, are the proud parents of 675 students.

Check out Rick Neice's website and find out where to buy this book. I promise you won't regret it! This book is actually part of a trilogy and I can not wait to get the rest of the books!

Thanks to Family Review Network for the chance to review this wonderful book.





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here:

KINeSYS Sunscreen Review and Giveaway

THE REVIEW:

I am always worried about Sara getting sunburned. She is really fair skinned. We recently reviewed KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen. We recieved Kids SPF 30 Spray (fragrance-free) and Girl SPF 30 Spray Sunscreen. We really liked them. The Kids spray stayed on Sara so nicely and did not bother her or irritate her skin. And of course, the best part was no sunburn. And the Girl Spray Sunscreen smells sooooooooo nice, with a refreshing vanilla-green tea scent. It was not oily or slimey like some sunscreens are. It also sprayed on easily and we LOVE that we did not need to rub it in. All in all, we loved it and will be purchasing more for the summer.

I am also excited about buying this for hubby since he does a lot of work outside and I am always worried about him sweating his sunscreen off.



FROM THE COMPANY:
All of our sunscreens are oil, alcohol, PABA, preservative and paraben-free, non-comedogenic (won’t block pores), hypoallergenic and provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. The sunscreens are also water and sweat-resistant. Our manufacturer is carbon-neutral, our products are cruelty-free, we use recycled/fully recyclable materials, our sprays are non-aerosol and sunscreens are biodegradable and vegan.

Our KIDS SPF 30 Spray recently won the iParenting Greatest Products of 2008 Award, the Parent Tested, Parent Approved Award (PTPA), Mom’s Best Award and our spray sunscreen was chosen as the #1 spray sunscreen for high efficacy and low-hazard ingredients by independent watchdog group Environmental Working Group’s study of nearly 1,000 sunscreens (for which we were featured on the CBS Early Show). Check out www.kinesys.com for more information.

Before using our products, please take a moment to visit our site to view a video on proper application here. The product is much more effective and impressive if applied properly. To begin, the molecules are an eighth the size of water, so you don’t need much for full coverage and you don’t need to rub it in after spraying, if sprayed properly. Hold it approximately 6 inches from your skin and spray in a sweeping motion – NOT in one spot! With a sweeping motion, each area should be covered in one to two sprays, depending on size. For your face, we recommend you start by spraying into your hands and the wiping it on, or, if as you become more comfortable, you can spray directly on your face, while covering your eyes. It will dry in just a few minutes, and be sure to reapply every 2-3 hours (as you should with any sunscreen) or more, if you are in the water or sweating excessively.

Sounds great, right? Want to try it out yourself? They are giving one lucky reader a 4oz Kids Sunscreen & 4oz Kids Moisturizer.
THE GIVEAWAY:

To enter:
Head on over to KINeSYS and let me what your favorite product is. Do not just say "Enter Me", I will delete these comments. If you are the winner, you have 3 days to claim your prize before I pick a new winner, so please remember to check back here.

Additional ways to get entries (you must leave me a comment for each extra entry, letting me know about it):

* Sign up for my feed: (if you are already a subscriber, leave me a message letting me know in the comment section).

* Blog about this giveaway, come back here and post the link in the comment section.

* Follow me on Twitter:

* Tweet about this giveaway, copy it for me and post it here.

* Fave me on Technorati:

There are 6 different ways to enter, please leave a separate comment for each one.

Giveaway ends on May 13, 2009. This giveaway is open to readers in the US only.

This post was written for Family Review Network.





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here:

Joolwe Jewelry Review

THE REVIEW:

I like jewelry. Like it, not love it. I will admit that I don't wear too much of it though. So I was surprised when I received my Sterling Silver Diamond Accent Mom Heart Pendant from Joolwe that I wanted to wear it all the time. It is absolutely beautiful, the craftsmanship is wonderful and I am proud to wear it everyday. I was really excited to find out about Joolwe.com, especially so close to Mother's Day. It is a great place to find that perfect gift for mom. They also have a great blog with lots of cool jewelry tips in it as well.



FROM Joolwe:
Joolwe.com is a new online jewelry store that offers customers a gorgeous array of necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings in a vast selection of metals and gemstones that are exquisitely designed at an affordable price. We had select all of our items and make sure that all of our merchandise meets our extraordinary standards of quality and craftsmanship. To achieve this, we've scoured the global marketplace for the latest trends and inspired classic pieces. Our online store is a great place to create your signature look by choosing from one of our alluring ensemble selections or selecting distinctive pieces that accent your personality.
Joolwe.com strives to maintain an excellent standard of customer care. We understand that taking great care of our customers is a vital part of the shopping experience. Joolwe.com offers free shipping on all orders, an easy returns/exchange policy, a best price guarantee and a monthly free jewelry giveaway. Our company's top priority is to make sure that all of our customers have a delightful experience shopping at Joolwe.com

This post was written for Family Review Network.





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here:

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister Review and Giveaway

THE REVIEW:

I have already admitted (many times) that I am not a clean and tidy person by nature. But I am getting better at it, I swear (just don't come and look at my house, LOL). I love clorox wipes. They are so easy to use. Just grab one, wipe and you are done. How much easier can it get? Well, it just got easier- Clorox has just come out with Disinfecting Wipes in stylish Decor canisters. How does it make it easier, you may ask? Simple, I now keep them on the counter in the kitchen and whenever I finish anything I use one. My kitchen is cleaner than it has ever been. I actually just went out and got another canister of them because they are just that awesome! And the designs are actually really nice and should be able to look great in whatever room you want to keep it in.



From Clorox:
With Clorox Disinfecting Wipes new Décor canisters, the days of hiding cleaning products under the sink are over. The new line of wipes, just introduced by Clorox, comes in eight designs that combine form, fashion and function to put cleaning within reach.

"When we put the task to the design team, we started by asking why can't cleaning be easy -- and easy on the eye?" said Lisa Partnoy, marketing manager, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. "The new Décor line reinvents disinfecting, enabling you to say goodbye to messes with style."

But the new wipes are more than just a pretty face. In addition to redesigning packaging -- from the sleek shape and wider mouth of the canister to the graphic modern feel of the designs, the Clorox wipes team also created a new effortless single sheet dispensing system that makes cleaning as simple as flip, pull and wipe, without sacrificing any of the disinfecting power of their namesake wipes.



Are you ready to win? Two lucky winners will receive a coupon for a Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister.

THE GIVEAWAY:

To enter:
Head on over to Clorox Redesign Clean and let me what your favorite decor is. Do not just say "Enter Me", I will delete these comments. If you are the winner, you have 3 days to claim your prize before I pick a new winner, so please remember to check back here.

Additional ways to get entries (you must leave me a comment for each extra entry, letting me know about it):

* Sign up for my feed: (if you are already a subscriber, leave me a message letting me know in the comment section).

* Blog about this giveaway, come back here and post the link in the comment section.

* Follow me on Twitter:

* Tweet about this giveaway, copy it for me and post it here.

* Fave me on Technorati:

There are 6 different ways to enter, please leave a separate comment for each one.

Giveaway ends on April 30, 2009. This giveaway is open to readers in the US only.

This post was written for Family Review Network.





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here:

Dr. Hippo's The Moose With the Loose Poops Review

We absolutely loved this book. Sara really enjoyed the story and stayed interested. She thought it was funny at times and was concerned if he could go on his camping trip (she said, Oh no. It was too funny.) The way that it is written is geared toward children, but there is actually a lot of good information about gastroenteritis in it. I was really impressed.

I also really like the Parent Guide that is with it. I know that I still have a hard time figuring out when to call the doctor for Sara and what is the best way to make her comfortable.

From the website:
Dr. Hippo's The Moose With Loose Poops is the story of four-year-old Miles who develops a tummy ache while on a family picnic in Maine. His planned camping trip with Papa (complete with canoeing and fishing) is postponed when throwing up (oops!) and diarrhea (loose poops) develop. Mama, Papa and Lucy Moose take excellent care of Miles at home. Of course, they are helped by their kindly pediatrician, Dr. Hippo, who advises that fluid is the best medicine for Miles.

In this story for children ages 2-7, The Moose with Loose Poops, author Dr. Charlotte Cowan offers a clear and child-friendly explanation of gastroenteritis. A board-certified pediatrician, she captures the misery of tummy aches, caused first by vomiting and then by diarrhea, and writes to educate, entertain and comfort her small readers—as well as their parents.

Known as the Dr. Hippo Series, this collection of stories includes other books about: an elephant with an earache, a polar bear with a cold, a frog with a fever of 104, and a giraffe with a sore throat. Each adorable animal gets (and gets over) his or her illness with the help of a kindly pediatrician hippopotamus named Dr. Hippocrates.

Each book in the Dr. Hippo Series is 32 pages, hard cover, full color and includes a separate laminated Parent Guide written in question/answer format. The Parent Guide answers common questions like: “How can I keep my child comfortable?” and “When should I call the doctor?”



I am really excited to get the rest of the books in the Dr. Hippo series. I think they will be really valuable to help explain to Sara what is going on when she is sick.

Thanks to the Family Review Network for the chance to review this book.





Never miss a review or giveaway- sign up here: