Product review: Wholesale Halloween Costumes

     I recently had the opportunity to review a costume from Wholesale Halloween Costumes. I chose the Olympic goddess for my review. There were a lot of neat costumes I really liked, but many of them were above the dollar limit we were to select from. I chose the Olympic goddess because it seemed like it could be more versatile than some others. 

     The costume included the dress, the medallion pin, which you can see attached to the shoulder strap, and a tie-able headband. The headband doesn't look as good on me because the model had a lot more hair. Or maybe it was a wig--I don't know. The page also makes accessory suggestions if you decide you need more "bling." :-)

     I ordered a 2X because many times costumes run small. Also, I was a little concerned about how my upper body would fit into the costume. I was right, because I was barely able to get it on! So, that is something to keep in mind if you decide to order a costume! 

     Another thing I didn't realize when I ordered this particular costume is that one shoulder is bare. I didn't know this, because the model in the picture had hair covering the bare shoulder (like I do in my pic below) and I had just assumed both sides were the same. So, if I do wear this to a party, I will have to get some kind of sash to go over it. I don't think a purple or red sash would look out of place on this costume. 

     Here is a closer look at the headband. 

     Wholesale Halloween Costumes has many different costumes in different price ranges. There are costumes for men, women and children and from all kinds of categories. 

     I really like my costume, even I do need to modify it a bit and I would also be interested in trying a different type of costume from them. I feel their prices are reasonable for the most part. As good as any costume store that pops up around Halloween. So if you or anyone in your family will be needing a costume this year, make sure you check them out! 

*I received a this product for free in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.*

Product Review: Potty Time DVD

     I recently got the opportunity to review the Potty Time DVD through Mom Blog Society. I was really excited to get this DVD to try out, as we are currently trying to potty-train our daughter and she is being very stubborn about it. 

     This was a cute little video hosted by Rachel Coleman, who you might have seen on the PBS show Signing Time. The DVD not only teaches children about knowing when to use the potty, but also teaches a few basic signs for things like potty, wash, help and others. So this video would even be good for a potty-training child who might be a little slow in building their vocabulary, so they can express with signs what they need to do. 

     I haven't had the DVD very long so I can't say for sure how much it will actually help with the potty-training, but my daughter really likes it and she tries to do a lot of the signs when she's watching the video. One con: If you watch this video with your kid, especially multiple times, the songs will probably get stuck in your head! 

     My daughter does like the video and she actually asks for it by name. The DVD also comes with a CD of the songs used in the video. I really hope this DVD will prove helpful in the long run! 
     If you would like to purchase the Potty DVD yourself, you may do so here. You can save 50% off the Potty Time reminder watch with purchase of the DVD. 
     Also, check them out on facebook and twitter!

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

*Update* My daughter has suddenly picked up really well on the potty training over the last few days! It could be coincidence, but I really do think this DVD has helped give her the encouragement she needed, so thanks Potty Time!

Product Review: Quaker Oatmeal Squares

     As a BzzAgent, I recently got an opportunity to try the new Honey Nut flavor of Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal. I was sent a full size box and I only actually got one bowl of it, because my husband and daughter liked it so much. 

     To me, it tastes decent, as far as "healthy" cereals go. It has 5 grams of fiber in a serving, and fiber is something I really look for when I'm choosing a cereal based on nutritional value, rather than taste. Sorry, but when it comes to taste, the sugar cereals are it--but they aren't so great on the nutrition. 

     My two year old daughter is a picky eater, so I am really glad to find something with whole grains and fiber that she actually likes. My husband also liked it, but he's not as picky as my daughter is. I also bought a box of the Cinnamon Oatmeal Squares (the store didn't have Honey Nut) and my daughter likes those too. I must say I like the Honey Nut ones better, though the cinnamon squares are ok. 

*I received this product for free as a member of Bzzagent. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Momaholic: Crazy Confessions of a Helicopter Parent Book Review

     I recently got the opportunity to Review Momaholic: Crazy Confessions of a Helicopter Parent though booksneeze.com

     Momaholic was written by Dena Higley, who was the head writer for the soap opera "Days of Our Lives." When I first got it, I was mildly interested and expected to trudge through it just to say I had read it.

     However, I found it very compelling and easy to read. It is not exactly a self-help book, and the author herself says so, so if you're picking up this book to find any kind of answers, you may be disappointed. 

     This book is more like hearing from someone who knows what you're going through, someone who can sympathize., with the final result being that we (moms and wives) aren't perfect and can't do everything, but that's okay. We're not alone. And Dena Higley just wants all of us wives and mothers who often feel stretched to our limit to know we are not the only ones. 

     The book is a reflection by a wife and mother who feels her life is spiraling out of control when her young, unwed daughter finds herself pregnant. Dena (the author) wonders where she went wrong that her daughter would get herself in such a situation. On top of this, she has a son who is autistic and a teenage daughter who must be physically carried everywhere, due to a surgery.

     I feel many mothers can relate to the way she feels, no matter how old her kids are. Mothers of teenagers or young adults may wonder what they should have done different. Mothers of young children, like me, may worry about how not to make such mistakes. And I'm sure we can all relate to the feeling that we have to be everything to everyone and often spread ourselves to thin and end up on the edge of a mental breakdown.

     So, while this is not really a self-help book, it is more like a sympathy book. It is good for a light read and you will probably find yourself laughing at some of the things she says. 

     I'm not much of a non-fiction reader, so I probably would not have picked this book up on my own, had it not been for my membership through bookneeze. So thanks, booksneeze. 
    
*I received this product for free from booksneeze in exchange for my fair and honest review*

Knorr Homestyle Chicken Stock

     Have you heard of the new Homestyle Stock from Knorr? It is a really concentrated chicken or beef stock that comes in a package of four tubs. Each tub makes about 3 1/2 cups of broth (about a teaspoon per cup), but you can use more or less stock according to your preference. 

     I was recently given the opportunity by Smiley360 to try and review Knorr Homestyle stock. Off course I was excited to accept. I got the chicken flavor, which is what I prefer anyway, but it did take me a week or two to get a chance of trying it out.

     So, when I finally got around to opening it up, I was a little surprised to find it was a gel-like substance rather than creamy. You have to heat the water you add it too or it will not dissolve. Read more about Knorr Homestyle Stock here.

     I decided to try it in a chicken gravy type dish over rice. I thought I would be clever and add extra to make the gravy more "flavorful" but the end result was really salty. So I recommend that you stick to the directions, or don't vary it to the extent I did, which is 2 teaspoons in a cup of water. Otherwise the flavor was pretty good. I may try it again sometime--just not as concentrated.

     I put in chunks of chicken I had pan seared into the gravy and served over rice.

     If you would like to join Smiley360 and receive free products to try out (in exchange for your opinion), you may do so here. I have only been with them since January and have already received 2 products to try out for them! They are always looking for new members and I believe they may still have some Knorr Homestyle Stock for review. Make sure you sign up and see what they have available for you! 

*Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for my opinion. All opinions expressed here are my own.*

My Last Bluum Box

     Well, I finally got my third (and final, for now) Bluum Box. While it's been fun getting a box of "surprises" every month, I'm still not convinced it's really worth the price. Especially full price. This month's box was decent though.

     Here is the description card. I know you can't read that, but I will break it down for you. And below that is a picture of the contents.

     So here is what I got this month.

          Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream--This night cream uses natural ingredients and stimulates the skins growth process during the nightly regenerative cycle. 

          Weleda Almond Soothing Facial lotion--This lotion is designed especially for sensitive skin and strengthens the protective barrier of the skin.

          Binky Spritz Kid-safe Cleaning Spray--I was actually kind of excited about this one. How often have I been out and about with the kids and the pacifier somehow falls on the floor. It's the only one I have and the baby's crying. I'm not about to use a Lysol wipe because of the chemicals. Not thrilled with the wet wipe either, because it doesn't seem strong enough. But that's usually what I end up doing. 

          So, Binky Spritz is an all-natural, food grade cleaning spray. And I actually got a full-size (2 oz) bottle in my Bluum box. I had never heard of it before, but I know I will be using it! And it will probably last me a while. 

          Peter Rabbit Organics Strawberry and Banana 100% pure fruit snack--This is another squeezable baby/toddler food pouch. My daughter loves these. And since she was there when I opened the box, I was hard-pressed to get a picture of the box contents before she was pleading for it!

          Adagio Tea Pai Mu Tan White Tea--This is a described as a sweet and mild tea. I have not tried it yet. I have heard, though, that white tea is great for burning fat and has very little caffeine.

     So, even though I was somewhat pleased with this month's Bluum box, I'm not eager to spend $9-12 a month on them. Maybe if Plum District has a special again, I will try it out again. Swagbucks has even been known to have a special on them. If/when I get another box, I will be sure to tell you about it!

Love My Love Voxbox: Stash Herbal Tea

     Okay, I'm down to day (and product) number four from my Influenster Love Voxbox. Among the other goodies in my Voxbox, I received the Stash Herbal Tea sampler pack.

     The Stash Herbal Tea sampler included 18 tea bags and nine flavors. That's a pretty generous "sample." I'm not sure if this particular sampler pack is for sale or not, but if so, it would make a nice little gift for the tea-lover in your life. Or at least part of one. Maybe add some tea cookies or a mug. Or both. 

     The nine flavors included in this sampler pack were: Acai Berry, Blueberry Superfruit, Chamomile, Cinnamon Apple Chamomile, Lemon Ginger, Licorice Spice, Mango Passionfruit, Peppermint and Wild Rasberry Hibiscus. 

     Now, I am not much of a hot tea drinker, and if I do drink hot tea, it is likely to be plain tea--not fruity or other flavors. But I was determined to sample everything in the box, so I tried the Apple Cinnamon Chamomile, since it seemed the most palatable to me. 

     Well, it was ok. But really, that is the best you're going to get from me! It was a red color, which kind of surprised me, and had kind of a tangy flavor and of course I added sweetener. A Truvia packet also from my Voxbox, in fact! I do believe it to be a good quality tea, and worth a try if you like flavored hot teas!

 I received these products for free from influenster, as part of their Voxbox program, to try and review, and all opinions are my own.

 

Love My Love Voxbox: Truvía® natural sweetener Product Review

     This week I've been posting about the products I received in my Voxbox as part of Influenster's Voxbox program. I've really enjoyed trying out these products--some I've tried before, others I have not. Today I want to talk about one I have tried in the past--Truvía® natural sweetener. 

     If you are trying to watch your calories, or sugar intake, but don't want the chemicals of the artificial sweeteners, then look no further than Truvia. 

     Truvía is a natural, no-calorie sweetener made from the stevia plant. It also has no effect on the glycemic index, so it is safe for diabetics. It effectively sweetens, though I did find it to have a slightly different taste than sugar. Not bad, but it may require so getting used to.It is also slightly sweeter than sugar, so you don't want to use the same amount you would sugar. 

     Truvía comes in a few different forms. You can get it in individual packets--great for keeping in your purse to sweeten your tea when you're out. You can get it in a spoon-able container. And their newest product is the Truvía baking blend, made for (you guessed it) baking in recipes. Note: this is a blend and does contain real sugar.

     I love the fact that Truvia is natural, even if it does have a slightly "off" taste. You can get used to it. I've used it in the past and will continue to use it in the furture. If you would like more information on Truvia products and ingredents, check out the Truvia website.

     Check back tomorrow and Friday for reviews on Stash Tea and Kiss Nail Dress. 

I received these products for free from influenster, as part of their Voxbox program, to try and review, and all opinions are my own.

Love My Love Voxbox: Gillette Venus and Olay Razor

     As I posted yesterday, I recently received the Love Voxbox as a member of influesnter. Yestday I posted about the Ghirardelli chocolate I received. Today I want to talk about the new Gillette Venus and Olay razor that was in the box.

      Have you ever tried a Venus razor? I have to admit I hadn't tried a Venus razor before receiving it in my Voxbox. I'm a cheap, disposable razor kind of gal. But I was more than willing to give the Venus a shot.

     My favorite feature of the Venus (and I believe this is true of all Venus razors) is that you don't need to apply shaving gel, soap, or whatever you use before using the razor, as it is already built in. Simply wet the area you want to remove hair from and start shaving.

     The Gillette Venus and Olay razor has Olay moisture bars built in to moisturize your skin and make it silky smooth. The razor has five blades and when you are done with your razor, you pop the head off and replace it with a refill cartridge. 

     Another feature I like is that the Venus and Olay razor comes with a nifty little shower hook, so you can hang it on the shower wall when not in use. I usually end up laying my razor on the corner of the bathtub, where water can potentially pool up and cause the blade to rust. So I love the little shower hook. 

     Now, I cannot say for sure that that this razor gave me a better shave than a disposable (or any other) razor, but I do feel like the skin itself is less dry because of the built-in Olay bar (a huge plus in dry Texas!). And as I said, I love the convenience of the razor being ready to go, no prep required. So I'd say it is definitely worth a try.For more info, check out the Gillette Venus site here.
     Check back later this week for posts on Truvia, Kiss Nail Dress and Stash Tea.

I received these products for free from influenster, as part of their Voxbox program, to try and review, and all opinions are my own.

Love My Love Voxbox: Ghirardelli Chocolate

     As a member of influenster, I was selected to receive a Voxbox--a box of products to try and review. This was the Love Voxbox. I was really excited to receive my Voxbox, since I love trying new products and spreading the word. :-) Since there are five products in the Voxbox, I figured I would do a post on each one a different day. 

      The first product I tried was the Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk Bar. Yes, I was lucky enough to get free Ghirardelli chocolate again. Only this time it was a bar instead of a bag. But it still has the smooth and creamy texture you would expect from Ghirardelli. 

     Actually, my hubby was the one to open it first. I was trying to hold off and not start chowing down on it right away (much as I may have wanted to). But I suppose the temptation was just too hard to resist. He kindly offered me a piece after opening the package! 

     This Ghirardelli chocolate was just plain chocolate and did not have any filling, but it was still good. I do prefer a filling like caramel or the chocolate truffle squares I tried not too long ago. But I certainly did enjoy this chocolate. I also got a coupon, which is fortunate (or unfortunate, depending how you look at it!). So next time I may try a different flavor. Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be awesome! 

     Stay tuned for my post on the Gillette Venus Razor. 

I received these products for free from influenster, as part of their Voxbox program, to try and review, and all opinions are my own.