groOrganic Garden Planner Review

I love being able to use fresh produce in my cooking, but hate paying a fortune at the store. And I should also disclose, I am a terrible gardener. I was not blessed with a green thumb. So I was very excited to get the opportunity to try the groOrganic Garden Planner.

In my opinion, this is truly useful and remarkable product. The interface is incredibly user friendly. You login and are then guided through the process of building your ideal garden. You can enter in how many square feet you have to work with, what you would like to grow, etc. You can then map out your ideal garden, moving things around until you like the layout. The program also adapts to weather conditions and your particular method of planting. It then prints out an easy guide for you to use to create your garden space. It will also send you email reminds twice a month about what needs planting.

If you are serious about growing your own food and don't know where to start, I would definitely recommend checking this out!

Find out more info about this product on the groOrganic website here.

AND for a few words from groOrganic: 

groOrganic is offering access to their Garden Planner FREE for 30 days!  No obligation, no payment information necessary, NO STRINGS ATTACHED! Get ready for Spring now by designing your garden on your own groOrganic Garden Planner.  Just email your request for a FREE 30 day trial with your complete name and address to FREE30daytrial@groOrganic.com

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Giani Granite Paint Kit Review

I was given the opportunity to review the Giani Granite Paint Kit from Giani Granite. I have to say when I first saw this product I was somewhat skeptical about how the results would come out. The Giani Granite Paint Kit for Countertops transforms your regular wood, laminate or ceramic tile countertops into beautiful faux granite creations. I saw the pictures and they looked great, but I wasn't sure I would be able to recreate that look myself. But boy was I surprised when I was able to transform a table in my apartment into something that looked so much like the pictures and with such an ease.

I started with an end table because I wanted to test the results before taking on a larger project. The kit contains everything you'll need to complete the entire project.

You start by cleaning the surface of the item you're going to transform. No sanding required! Just clean it with a scouring pad and rise thoroughly with water.

After you clean the surface, you paint on a layer of the primer. The kit includes the rollers you'll need and all of the paint cans are clearly numbered with what step they are.

After you wait for the primer to dry (which was so hard to do because I am terribly impatient) you then get to the fun part. You take the included sponge and layer on the colored minerals to get an amazing granite look. As you layer them you'll see the transformation taking place. You can keep layering colors until you get the look you want. Once that dries you then apply two coats of top coat and you're ready to go!

Sorry my pictures are a little blurry but you get the idea! Such a simple transformation. The whole kit is simple and comes with detailed instructions on how to use the product on your surfaces and how to care for it. 

Overall, I would give this product an A. The process was simple and the results were gorgeous. This totally transformed my table for my bathroom and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. You do not have to be crafty or artistic for this product to work for you (and I can speak from experience -- I would not consider myself to be the "artistic" type). 

Be sure to check out the whole line of colors and products on their website GianiGranite.com

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Calming Collar Review

Sponsored by Tomoson.com


Have you ever tried one of those aromatherapy neck packs that you see at all those kiosks at the mall? If you have then you'll know that they are soothing and relaxing for the wearer. Calming Collars are basically the same concept -- but for your pet! A many thanks to Deb for giving me the opportunity to review this wonderful product.

Calming Collars are filled with aromatherapy herbs that help your pet to overcome dog anxiety over things such as thunderstorms or cat stress with travel. The collars work naturally and are customizable. You can choose the size, fabric, and whether the collar is one channel wide or two to be sure that the collar is the best fit for the comfort of your pet. 

Here's a little about Calming Collars, straight from the source:

Herbal filled Calming Collars are based on aromatherapy and they work, naturally! These collars help your dog (or cat) overcome stress and anxiety and just be a bit more relaxed. They helpwith fear of thunderstorms and bad weather, fireworks or other loud noises, and in most stressful situations like a trip to the groomer or to the vet. Calming Collars can be effective all day long. 

For a little more information about Calming Collars, check out this introductory video by Deb:



I recently had the chance to put the effectiveness of Calming Collars to the test. For Valentine's Day my mom wanted to give her boyfriend a cat (he's a huge pet person) and it just so happened that an aunt had taken in an abandoned kitty that needed a loving home. So my husband and I went to pick up Candy and boy was she skittish! She was very nervous, didn't want to be picked up, and really hated being in the carried. Luckily, I had though to bring the Calming Collar with us. We put the collar on her and put her in the carrier and over the next 20-30 minutes, she was doing MUCH better. She seemed more relaxed and better able to handle the cat stress of travel and change in environment. Once we got her to our apartment, the collar also helped her manage the stress of our antagonistic other cat who was giving her a hard time. The difference in Candy's demeanor while wearing the collar was noticeable (which actually surprised me). You could tell that she was more at ease and if you're handling your pet, you might feel at ease as well because the collars smell wonderful. You can see her fashionably sporting the Calming Collar below.

If you have a pet that is prone to stress or anxiety or your someone who frequently travels with your pet, I would highly recommend investing in one of these wonderful Calming Collars. You can find out more information about the different collars and styles they offer on their website here. Also be sure to check out Calming Collars on Facebook!

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce Review and GIVEAWAY!

Trying to decide what to make for dinner tonight? How about grilling up something delicious with Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce.

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce is exactly what the name suggests -- an all purpose sauce! You can use it on steak, hamburgers, fish, fries, or chicken (my favorite!). Marinate your chicken in this wonderful sauce or fry it up and put this sauce on it to make a delicious sandwich. The sauce has the just right blend of tangy and hearty spice to add a kick of flavor to any meal. To make it even better -- the sauce is gluten free (a recent concern in our family).

I tried out Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce on pan fried chicken breasts and the flavor was de-lic-ious. We made them into cheddar covered sandwiches that were flavorful, tangy, and satisfying. We gobbled them up so fast, I didn't even get a chance to take a picture to share =(

This sauce is so much more than just a steak sauce, you can use it as a marinade, a dip, or even to spice up your soups. I can easily see this sauce taking the place of steak sauce and BBQ sauce in our household. I am totally going to try adding some of Country Bob's next time I make my Super Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew. If you're going to try it, I would suggest adding 2 tsp to start and see how it tastes. There are also LOTS of mouth-watering recipes for using Country Bob's on the Recipes and  Cooking with Ken section of their website. My next experiment is going to be their Royall Chipotle Cheddar Burger recipe (YUM!) pictured from their website below.

I bet this sauce would also be AMAZING as an alternative to buffalo sauce on baked chicken wings. MMMMMM, my mouth is watering just thinking about it (good thing my husband isn't reading this post otherwise I would probably be getting guilted into cooking them now!). I would absolutely suggest adding this to your favorite recipes for an easy way to step up the flavor. The guys behind Country Bob's


Be sure to check out the Country Bob's website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

GIVEAWAY!

Many thanks to Al from Country Bob's for sponsoring this giveaway! Two lucky readers will win 2 bottles each of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce for their at home cooking pleasure!

Details:

• There will be 2 Winners
• Each winner will receive 2 Bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce
• Giveaway begins today and ends on Feb. 28
• Only the mandatory entry is required to participate in the giveaway
• Entries must appear in individual comments to this post. Please post each entry separately!
• Winner will be randomly chosen by Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond. If they do not respond an alternative winner will be chosen.

How to Enter: Leave each entry in a separate comment to this post. Be sure to include your email in at least one of them so I can contact you if you win. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your email here, send it to me through my contact form.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me your favorite BBQ Item

Extra Entries:

• Follow me on Google Friend Connect
• Follow me on Facebook
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway (up to once per day)
• Share this giveaway on Facebook (up to once per day)

Good luck!

FTC Disclosure: This was not a paid post and all opinions expressed are 100% my own, honest opinions. I did receive two bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce for writing this review. I received this opportunity through my involvement with the Product Review Place.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

TShirtPrinting.net Review

If you've ever owned your own business or know someone who has, I'm sure you are all too familiar with promotional t-shirts. Or if you've ever been part of group or club, you've probably had custom t-shirts printed. And having had more than my fair share of experience with custom printed t-shirts, not all companies are equal when it comes to quality. The last thing you want is for your colors to bleed or your image to crack. Enter TShirtPringting.net. I was recently selected to do a review of a custom printed t-shirt that has their companies monkey mascot on it (see below) and I was incredibly impressed with the quality.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the package was the quality of the shirt. These aren't the flimsy, paper-thin t-shirts you'll sometimes find with other companies, nor were they too rough or coarse. The shirts were just the right balance of durability and comfort (and I should know, my hubby basically lives in t-shirts). This shirt definitely got his stamp of approval. Turning to the design, TShirtPrinting.net screen prints the images onto the shirt. The image was vibrant and the colors were true. Nothing bled into each other or looked faded. The lines on the design were very crisp and as a whole the printing was superbly done. The writing was also crisp, which is important (I've found in the past that sometimes the writing prints jagged or pixelated and that was definitely not the case here). Also, the image did not crack or peel when stretched while wearing or after washing, the print was very durable.


Overall, based on what I've seen, I would highly recommend that you check out  TShirtPrinting.net next time you need custom shirts printed for your business, fundraiser, or just about anything.






Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

BigFunnyCards.com Review

Have you ever been looking for the perfect, over the top, out of the ordinary card for that special person in your life? Well then you absolutely need to check out BigFunnyCards.com.

BigFunnyCards.com offers personalized, oversized greeting cards for nearly every occasion -- birthdays, retirement, but most relevant Valentine's Day! The cards come in 3 sizes - 2 feet tall, 3 feet tall, and 4 feet tall. As a Valentine's Day gift to my husband I got the card pictured below (yes, that's our wedding picture) in the medium sized 3 feet tall. I'm not going to lie, I had no idea the impact a 3 foot tall card would have until I pulled it out of the box and saw the look on his face (I gave it to him early because I had nowhere to hide it!).

The personalization process was incredibly simple. First you pick out your design and your card size. This particular card was 24" x 36". It then takes you to a personalization page where you can customize the font and text, change the wording, create you signature, and add photos. You can keep playing with it until you're satisfied. Then you check out and your giant card is on it's way!

I had no idea what I was in for when I got this card in the mail. The sheer size is sure to make a statement. I opted to get the envelope for the card, which is actually a cardboard envelope big enough to fit your card in -- I would definitely get this to store it! I pulled out the card and it was amazing. It was printed on heavyweight and sturdy cardboard. The image and printing were great - clear and crisp with no pixelation (the way it should be!). The colors were vibrant and everything was exactly as I had customized. My husband absolutely loved it and I will certainly be a repeat customer.

So if you're looking for something to really leave a lasting impression on your next special occasion, head on over to BigFunnyCards.com and start getting creative!

FTC Disclousre: This was not a paid post, but I did receive my choice of a personalized card for review from BigFunnyCards.com. All opinions expressed are 100% my own, honest opinions on the product reviewed. I received this opportunity through my involvement with SheBlogs.




Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes Review & GIVEAWAY!

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I am always on the go and I always have to have my laptop with me. As a law student, it's important to have all my information accessible so I am constantly putting my computer in and out of my bag. I also am really bad about remembering to put it in its case, eating around it, etc. So I was very excited to receive the opportunity to review Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes.

These wipes are an amazing screen cleaner. They are super simple to use and are safe for your computer. They are anti-static and scratch resistant, which was one of my hubby's first concerns about using them (he's VERY protective of his electronics). The Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipe is a 2-Step System. You first wipe down the screen surface with the wet wipe to loosen all of the crumbs, dirt, make-up, dust, you name it. You'll also notice that the fingerprint disappear as well. It might look a little streaky at this point, but don't worry. Next you take the dry wipe and wipe down the screen. This picks up everything that was loosen by the wet wipe and leaves your scree clear and streak free. I had no idea how dirty my computer screen actually was until I cleaned it with this screen cleaner.

You can buy Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes here and it's only $3.99 for a pack of 5. BUT BETTER YET, 2 lucky readers will win a pack of Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes!

GIVEAWAY RULES

Details:

• There will be 2 Winners
• Each winner will receive 1 pack of Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes
• Giveaway begins today and ends on Feb. 15
• Only the mandatory entry is required to participate in the giveaway
• Entries must appear in individual comments to this post. Please post each entry separately!
• Winner will be randomly chosen by Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond. If they do not respond an alternative winner will be chosen.

How to Enter: Leave each entry in a separate comment to this post. Be sure to include your email in at least one of them so I can contact you if you win. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your email here, send it to me through my contact form.

Mandatory Entry: Follow Black Diamond Cleaners on Facebook and Twitter 

Extra Entries:

• Follow me on Google Friend Connect
• Follow me on Facebook
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway (up to once per day)
• Share this giveaway on Facebook (up to once per day)

Good luck!

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Roundabouts Review and Giveaway!

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I recently received the opportunity to review Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves and I am so excited to share this product with you all -- AND one lucky reader will win their choice of a set of Roundabout Cupcake Sleeves!

Here's a little bit of information about Roundabouts from their creator:

I'm a busy mom of two that invented a new product called Roundabouts® Cupcake Sleeves and began selling online in Feb 2009.  They're wraps for cupcakes that transform standard cupcakes into virtually anything.

Using toppings easily found at a grocery or local party supply store, our decorative self-adhesive cupcake wrappers instantly transform cupcakes into popcorn tubs, gumball machine, sushi, and ice cream cones.  Our wraps are resistant to grease an oily substance, are earth friendly, and wipe clean if things get a bit messy in the kitchen! We’ve even had customers wash and re-use them, adhering a second time with a dab of frosting.  

We have 70+ Designs/Themes to choose from.  We personalize, customize and have not only been featured on Rachel Ray Magazine, we are proud winners of the Most Innovative Exhibitor Award at the 2010 July CA Gift Show in Los Angeles.

And boy did this product deliver! I chose to review the Dozen Roses Roundabouts that transform your plain cupcakes into a beautiful bouquet. This product was super simple to use. You bake your cupcakes as you normally would in a plain wrapper. Then you take one of the Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves and wrap it around the base of the cupcake. It has an adhesive end that you peel away and attach to secure it to itself (think like a carnival wristband). Then you let your imagination run wild, icing your cupcake to match it's wrapper. You can take a look at my cupcake below. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get my icing as red as I wanted to match the wrapper [ran out of red icing dye =( ] but I still love the way these turned out. They also have wrappers to make gumball machines, hamburgers, popcorn tubs, and so much more. With 70+ designs to choose from, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a Roundabout cupcake sleeve to match your theme.

For more information about Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves or to buy them check out their website here. Also, find them on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY!

Now for the good stuff! Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves has generously offered to provide one lucky ready with their choice of a set of Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves.

Details:

• Giveaway begins today and ends on Feb. 10
• Only the mandatory entry is required to participate in the giveaway
• Entries must appear in individual comments to this post. Please post each entry separately!
• Winner will be randomly chosen by Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond. If they do not respond an alternative winner will be chosen.

How to Enter: Leave each entry in a separate comment to this post. Be sure to include your email in at least one of them so I can contact you if you win. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your email here, send it to me through my contact form.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me your favorite set of Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves

Extra Entries:

• Follow me on Google Friend Connect
• Follow me on Facebook
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway (up to once per day)
• Share this giveaway on Facebook (up to once per day)

Good luck!

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

FTC Disclosure: This was not a paid post. However, I was given a set of Roundabout Cupcake Sleeves to review and Roundabouts is providing a set to give away. All opinions are 100% my own, honest opinions about the products.


Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Whirl-a-Style Review

I have incredibly long hair and trying to put it up and get it to stay can be such a hassle. Working in an office most of the time, my go to is a neat and tidy bun to keep my hair out of the way, but by the end of the day it is usually a mess. That's why I was very excited for the opportunity to review the Whirl-a-Style!

Now being completely honest, I have tried many gimmicky hair styling  products before and have had absolutely no luck with them. I ended up spending more time trying to figure out how to use the product than I saved. But that was not the case with the Whirl-a-Style and I would highly recommend this for girls who are looking for a simple, easy and stylish way to pull their hair up! This was no gimmick and once you get comfortable using it, it definitely works.

The concept of the Whirl-a-Style is simple. It is one flexible piece that has a slot in the middle for your hair and a clasp at the ends. The Whirl-a-Style also comes in different sizes to accommodate different hair lengths and comes in a variety of colors. My Whirl-a-Style was size jumbo large for my waist length hair and worked great. To use it, you slide your hair through the slot, roll the Whirl-a-Style upward wrapping your hair around it, and then clasp the ends together to create a well-formed bun.

It took me a few tries to get it right, and a look at their nifty instruction video, but once I got the hang of using it, the process was fast and super easy! On a side note, I found that if I gather my hair into a pony tail before using the Whirl-a-Style, it made it much easier to manage my long hair and kept my bun neat all day. I so wish I had this product when I used to take dance classes.

In addition to being able to create a polished bun, there are lots of other possibilities for how to use the Whirl-a-Style to create new and interesting looks. I haven't had the chance to try out many of them yet, but I definitely intend to. Also, if you go to the Whirl-a-Style website's Ask Zaina page and create a profile, the Zaina wizard will generate a style for you. I think my favorite part about this product is how versatile it is. It can be used to style looks for the professional office setting to dance class to a night on the town.

To find out more information about the Whirl-a-Style or to buy one to try you can shop online here or find a location near you that carries the Whirl-a-Style.

FTC Disclosure: This was not a paid post, but I did receive a Whirl-a-Style from the company for writing this review. All opinions are 100% my own, honest opinions about the product.


Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Shutterfly - What Valentine's Day Means to Me - and GIVEAWAY!

To kick off a series of Valentine's Day related posts, I am writing this post as part of a Valentine's promotion sponsored by Shutterfly. By sharing my best Valentine's Day experience, I will receive credit for 25 free Valentine's Day cards AND a credit for 25 Valentine's Day cards to giveaway to one of you lucky readers! See the bottom of the post for giveaway details!

I was never much into Valentine's Day. I may have been dating someone at the time and we may have exchanged cheesy Valentine's Day gifts from the store -- stuffed animals, flowers, candy and the like -- but I was always one of those who thought that Valentine's Day was just another "over-commercialized-holiday-created-by-the-card-companies-to-get-people-to-spend-money-on-things-they-don't-need." 


This changed when I fell in love. My first Valentine's Day with my now husband was last year (we started dating right after Valentine's Day the year before). I realized that Valentine's Day didn't have to be an over-commercialized holiday and that it was really about celebrating your love for another person -- in whatever way made the most sense to you.


This time around it felt real. Valentine's Day made sense to me. I was in love. He made the whole day special. It started by him telling me to go relax and take a bubble bath. While I was in there, he ran out to Baskin Robbins to get one of their Valentine's Day themed ice-cream cakes (my favorite!). He also had a dozen of my favorite roses in hand. We then got all dressed up and went to a very nice Mexican restaurant in DC, where we enjoyed a spicy meal and watched the Salsa dancers perform (they were giving lessons, but we were too chicken to try). We went home where there were more roses waiting along with one of the sweetest cards I've ever received. It really was everything had always made Valentine's Day seem -- now I'm a believer. Oh, and hubby if you're reading this...last year will be hard to top.

A many thanks to Shutterfly for sponsoring this post and giveaway. Shutterfly is by far my favorite source for custom printed goods on the web. Right now they have a vast selection of Valentine's Day cards and personalized gifts. I can't think of anything better than sending a Valentine's card to my family to let them know I'm thinking of them. I plan on getting the Tickled Pink Peppermint Valentine's Day Card to send out.

Now onto the good stuff. Here's the details on the Shutterfly Giveaway! 

One lucky reader will win a credit to use at Shutterfly for 25 free 4x5 Cards.

Details:

• Giveaway begins today and ends on Feb. 6
• Only the mandatory entry is required to participate in the giveaway
• Entries must appear in individual comments to this post. Please post each entry separately!
• Winner will be randomly chosen by Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond. If they do not respond an alternative winner will be chosen.

How to Enter: Leave each entry in a separate comment to this post. Be sure to include your email in at least one of them so I can contact you if you win. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your email here, send it to me through my contact form.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me your favorite Valentine's Day Gift

Extra Entries:

• Follow me on Google Friend Connect
• Follow me on Facebook
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway (up to once per day)
• Share this giveaway on Facebook (up to once per day)
• Tell me your favorite Valentine's Day product from Shutterfly

Good luck!

FTC Disclosure: This was not a paid post. However, I was given a credit for 25 cards from Shutterfly for writing this post and a credit for 25 cards to giveaway. All opinions are 100% my own, honest opinions about the products. I received this opportunity through my involvement with SheBlogs

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

NaturalSkinShop.com Glycolic Peel Review

As indicated a few weeks ago, I have been given the opportunity to review a glycolic skin peel kit. I reviewed the 30% glycolic chemical peel.

I have always been very hesitant about the thought of a chemical peel, but also very curious as I have known people who have seen great results. I know I can't afford to test this out at the spa, so I was very interested in the home chemical peel kits available from NaturalSkinShop.com. Although a little hesitant about doing it myself, the thorough information on their website made me comfortable that I would be able to use the kit appropriately.

First, when you go to the NaturalSkinShop.com site, you will find that there is very detailed information about the products they provide. When you go to the glycolic skin peel page, you will see that there are a number of strengths ranging from 10% to 70%. Under each kit, there is information about what skin types each particular kit is good for. After reading through the descriptions, I confidently settled on the 30% chemical peel. The checkout process was very simple and the products came promptly. The kit arrived in a clear carrying case that makes it easy to keep all the products together.

The glycolic peel contained the following: Glycolic 10% Exfoliator, Glycolic 30% Light Peel, Hyaluronic Moisturizer, and Gauze Pads. I'm not going to lie, at first I was a little scared by the gauze pads until I realized that they were only there to apply the Exfoliator and Peel. The kit also came with very detailed instructions, including how to make a deactivating solution in case your peel is too strong.

The whole process of the peel was super easy. You apply the exfoliator once daily for 7 days. Then once you are sure you are not having any bad reaction to the exfoliator, you move on to applying the peel. Each one only takes between 30-90 seconds to apply. Much quicker than I thought it would be!

I found that the process was pain-free. I had no problems with red skin or irritation and I experienced no peeling. I am sure this was due in large part to choosing the right peel for my skin. After the peel, my skin looking smoother, brighter, and refreshed. I look forward to using the kit again over the coming weeks to continue seeing great results! If you've been interested in trying a chemical peel, I would highly recommend checking out kits on NaturalSkinShop.com.


FTC Disclosure: This was not a paid post, however I did receive my choice of product from NaturalSkinShop.com to review for this post. All opinions are 100% my own, honest opinions about the product reviewed. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Printable Super Bowl Party Games Pack Review

I am so excited to have been given yet another opportunity to review one of the other printable games products from Python Printable Games. This time I am happy to share with you this set of Super Bowl Home Party Games. For those of you who haven't read my other reviews with this company, Python Printable Games offers different sets of games that you can buy, download and print right from your computer. No waiting!

The Super Bowl Party Games in this pack are a variety of short quizzes that would be entertaining for any age level. We are having a Super Bowl party at our place this year and I will definitely stir up the competitive spirit with our friends over these quizzes. The games pack comes with 15 different games including Super Bowl Trivia, Super Bowl history, and most importantly games for the GIRLS!

Python Printable Games has something for every occasion. If you're interested in seeing what their products are like be sure to check out their FREE printables page.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Costume Review from CostumeDiscounters.com

I was so excited to recently receive the opportunity to review a costume from CostumeDiscounters.com. Maybe chock it up to my childhood as an assistant clown to my mom (who was a professional clown) at parties, but I love costumes. I am always looking for great costume ideas for Halloween or the occasional impromptu costume party.

Since it is too soon to be thinking about Halloween for next year yet, I decided I would stick with the season and I chose to review this sassy Sexy Santas Little Helper Costume.

First off, I was very impressed by the selection of womens costumes that were available. Costume Discounters carry such a large variety, even within each type. For example, there were lots of different lady Santa costumes available ranging from the traditional Mrs. Clause to the younger, hipper Santa's helper costume that I chose. They have lots of fun, creative, and sexy costumes.

Ok now onto the costume! It was super cute. The costume consisted of a one piece red velvet-like halter dress and the striped stockings in the picture above. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the costume. Usually when I think about costumes I have nightmares about the poor quality costumes you find strewn about the temporary Halloween store, but this was so much better. The costume was well made and had a sturdy zipper closure on the back. The fabric also had a lot of stretch and give making it very comfortable. My only complaint about the dress what that it was on the short side -- I will definitely have to wear something under it when I wear it. I also LOVED the stockings...so much so that I wore them ALL day today (they looked like socks under my jeans) and got lots of comments on how festive they were. The costume also arrived quickly and in sturdy packing. It came in one of those heavyweight plastic hanging bags, which will make storing it easy as well.

Overall, I think this costume was great and a wonderful representation of the products and service that Costume Discounters provide. What's also great is their prices! They have costumes that are affordable on any budget. I strongly recommend that you check them out next time you are need of a great costume!

FTC Disclousre: This was not a paid post, but I did receive my choice of costume to review from CostumeDiscounters.com. All opinions expressed are 100% my own honest opinions based on the product sent for review. I received this opportunity through my involvement with the Product Review Place.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Derek Close Music Review and Giveaway

I am so excited to be able to introduce you all to Derek Close. Derek is a very promising and talented bassist who records his own music. His music puts a rock and roll spin on some of your favorite Christmas melodies. You can check out Derek's Facebook page here.

I received mp3s of two of his instrumental songs to review: A Little Jingle Jam and 3 Groovin' Kings. These songs have a great vibe and combine the best of Christmas tunes with a little bit of edge. These would be great songs to play at a holiday party! Each song has is unique and showcases his talent impeccably. Even my husband, who generally isn't all that into traditional Christmas music, started grooving when he heard these tunes.

AND Derek has generously provided the 2 mp3s mentioned above and their corresponding artwork for a giveaway to one lucky reader! Trust me, 30 seconds into the song and you will be in love!

Here's the rules:

• Giveaway will end at 10pm on Jan. 5!
• There will be 1 winner chosen by Random.org
• After you make any of the entries, come back here and leave a comment ON THIS POST saying what you did
• Be sure to leave your email in one of the posts so I can notify if you win
• You will have 48 hours to respond to my email, if you don't then an alternate winner will be chosen
• Please leave each entry in a separate comment ON THIS POST so that I can give you credit for all of your entries
• Only the mandatory entry is required

How to enter:

• Mandatory entry: like Derek Close on Facebook (while you're there you can also listen to a clip of one of the songs you'll receive!)
• Extra entries:
• Tell me your favorite Christmas song
• Follow The DC Frugalista on Google Friend Connect
• Like The DC Frugalista on Facebook
• Follow @DCFrugalista on Twitter
• Post about this giveaway on Facebook (once per day)
• Tweet about this giveaway (once per day)

I promise you will enjoy this music long after the holidays have passed!

FTC Disclosure: This is not a paid post, but I did receive two of mp3s to review and two mp3s to give away. All opinions expressed are 100% my own honest opinions. I received this opportunity through my involvement with Giveaway Blogs.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

EdenFantasy Massage Oils Review

I was recently given the opportunity to do a review for EdenFantasys. Although they are generally an adult shop, they also carry a wide variety of massage oils, candles, and novelty gifts that would be perfect for bachelor/bachelorette parties or just creating a little more romance.

My husband works in a fairly physical job so I took the opportunity to review The Collection Oils Gift Set to treat him to a back massage. The oils were wonderful! They came in variety pack of five different scents and smelled wonderful. The bottles they came in were also super-cute and would be easy to refill.

This is just one of the great products you can find on EdenFantasys. They have carry lots of other massage oils and they also carry many different types of candles and carry other great products like body shimmer powder. These make great gifts to surprise you significant other for an anniversary or Valentine's Day with a little romance. They also carry gift packs and novelty gifts that would be great for bachelorette parties and bridal showers.

FTC Disclosure: This was not a paid post, but I did receive my choice of a product to review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own honest opinions. I received this opportunity through my involvement with The Product Review Place. 


Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Smart Mouth Mouthwash Review

I was recently given the opportunity to review Smart Mouth Mouthwash (have to love the brand name!). When I first got the box I was a little uneasy about how many items were inside for mouthwash, but after putting it together, it's incredibly simple and was VERY effective for me.

The Smart Mouth Mouthwash system comes with 2 bottles of their active ingredients, 2 pumps to use with the bottles, and a cup to mix the ingredients in. My cup got broken in the mail, but I used a shot glass and it worked fine. When you open up the box you take the two pumps and install them on the two bottles (you will understand why there are two bottle in a minute). You do this by simply taking off the bottle cap and security seal and then screwing on the pump and then twisting open the pump head.

Now you are ready to use your Smart Mouth Mouthwash! Now, the reason there are two bottles is that the active ingredients are separated right up until you are ready to combine them and use them. This means that your mouthwash isn't getting diluted or losing effectiveness while it's sitting on the shelf in your bathroom. When you are ready to use the mouthwash you squirt 4 pumps of each bottle into the cup and then swish vigorously for 30-60 seconds. One of the best parts about this mouthwash is that it is alcohol free, so it doesn't have a really bad strong taste. There was also no yucky after-taste. The flavor was Fresh Mint and it did taste minty just without all the burn of regular mouthwash. I was left with my mouth feeling clean and fresh -- the way it should be!

The rinse keeps you covered for 12 hours so rinse twice a day and you will be set for 24 hours of fresh breath (great for those holiday parties where everyone is crammed in too close for comfort and you're hugging Great Aunt Sue who you haven't seen in twelve years or making small talk with the hubby's boss!)

Based on information from the Smart Mouth website, this product: will not stain teeth, dentures or crowns (I didn't experience any problems with stains); is alcohol free (which you can tell the minute you start using it); is safe for children 6 and older; and is safe for diabetics.

It also comes in a cinnamon flavor in addition to the fresh mint.

Although this mouthwash is a somewhat more expensive then my usual go-to bottle at the store, the benefits seem to be well worth the additional cost and minimal extra effort. My mouth feels fresh and clean all day and I don't have to worry about carrying mints or gum on me all the time.

If you are interested in learning more about this product, check out the Smart Mouth Website. Otherwise, you can get Smart Mouth Mouthwash at your local CVS, Kmart, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Target or Walmart. Also be sure to grab the $2 off coupon from their website before you buy! The link to the coupon is at the bottom of their home page in the middle.

FTC Disclosure: This was not a paid post and all opinions and views expressed are 100% my own honest opinions. I did receive a bottle of Smart Mouth Mouthwash for writing this review. 


I received this opportunity through my involvement with The Product Review Place.

Acqua Essentials Review

I was recently given the chance to review products from Acqua Essentials and I was blown away by the quality of their products. I have to admit that despite loving high quality skin care products, I always tend to fall into my same pattern of whatever is on sale at Target or Walmart -- but no more! I am now an Acqua Essentials convert.


First, a little about the company. Acqua Essentials "provides these unique and amazing beauty and skin care products from the most distinctive spas in Europe and Latin America, and exclusively online. [Their] three product lines, Caviahue, Mondariz and Exel, consist of luxurious products designed to help skin feel smoother, younger, healthier, and more radiant." Their products are thermal water based and include essential nutrients, active ingredients, and trace minerals.


I was given the opportunity to review the Caviahue Thermal Mud Mask and a samples of their other products. 

The Caviahue Thermal Mud is now a personal favorite product. I applied it while soaking in a bubble bath and relaxing (as the instructions suggest -- they don't want you stressing while using their products!). The mask was easily applied with the enclosed sponge. A little goes a long way and it goes on very easily. It will not hurt your hair either (great for me because I am blonde and always worried about whether products will discolor my hair). While wearing the mask it tingled a bit and left my skin feeling clean, smooth, and refreshed after just one application. According to the information provided, the thermal mud is obtained from the bed of the volcanic Caviahue Lagoon. Whatever is down there must be fantastic because this product worked wonders for my skin. I naturally have combination skin and this mask helped even it out leaving my skin even and rejuvenated.


In addition to the Thermal Mud, I also tried samples of the Caviahue Nourishing-Moisturizing Cream, the Caviahue Anti-Wrinkle Cream (I'm a little young to be worried about wrinkles, but I figure its never too early to start taking care of my skin!), and the Mondariz Hydro-Woman Cream.


The Caviahue Nourishing-Moisturizing Cream was not greasy at all and absorbed quickly into my skin. It was a light-weight moisturizer that left my skin feeling instantly smoother and softer. The benefits also were long-lasting. Unlike other moisturizers that only leave your skin feeling better for a bit, this lasted all day. I also saw similar results with the Caviahue Anti-Wrinkle Cream. It was also a light-weight and easily absorbing product. You simply apply it before you go to bed and let it work while you sleep. I noticed an improvement in the areas around my eyes. 


Finally, I also tried the Mondariz Hydro-Woman Cream. This was another wonderful moisturizing product. It was also not greasy and was quickly absorbed. It left my skin feeling hydrated, especially in this cold fall air. This product also worked well with the other products, creating a complete treatment for my skin.


These products are simply fantastic. The quality is well worth the price. This is a great collection of skin care items and I would encourage anyone to try them. 


If you are interested you can order an Acqua Essentials Sample Pack for free (you just pay shipping, which is a flat rate of $5.84). Your sample pack will include: 

• 1 Caviahue Thermal Mud Sample (one application)
• 3 Caviahue Anti Wrinkle Cream Samples (three applications)
• 3 Caviahue Nourishing-Moisturizing Cream Samples (three applications)
• 3 Mondariz Hydro-Woman Cream Samples (three applications)
• 3 Mondariz Hydro-Man Cream Samples (three applications)

It's a great way to try out these products and see how well they work for you!


FTC Disclosure: This was not a paid post, all opinions expressed are 100% my own, honest opinions about the products. I did receive sample packs from Acqua Essentials and a full-size jar of the Caviahue Thermal Mud for writing this review. I was given the opportunity to participate in this review through my involvement with The Product Review Place.