14. Try Something New

This post is a review of Venus Snap razor. I received this razor free from Influester for reviewing purposes.

As you may know, I like to try new things. For this reason I have enjoyed being a part of the Influenster community.If you stay active and do honest reviews, you get more!

So, this fun little razor comes in a round, little carrying case and has its own soap/lotion- perfect for a vacation razor. It eliminates the need to carry shaving cream and normal size razors. The case keeps you and your stuff away from the blades and the water away from your stuff. All pluses if you ask me. The shave is also nice and close, which kind of surprised me.

As for the cons, I only have two thus far. One, the short handle is more difficult for maneuvering. However, the point of this razor is for on the go, so you have to give up one or the other. Secondly, cleaning was a bit of a challenge. It has a full size razor head, so I'm not really sure as to why this is. perhaps because I didn't shave during my shower but on the go instead.

All in all I would say it does everything it promises. Its a perfect on the go, beauty companion!

So what do you want to try new this month?

Heroes of the City Giveaway

As I promised, I am ending this week right! My sons and I have had the awesome opportunity to test and enjoy these Heroes of the City products, prior to the giveaway. Before I get to the giveaway information, I would love to share a little more about it and our experience so far.

First, let me share a little bit about it in general.

"Heroes of the City is a television cartoon about rescue vehicles in a small town where everybody gets to be a hero!
Follow the fantastically exciting adventures along with friends in town.  Meet Pauli Police Car and Fiona Fire Engine as they help the townspeople find thieves, put out fires, and solve one of the many mysteries that happen in the otherwise quiet town. You will also get to know Calamity Crow, the most misunderstood bird in town.
Emphasizing friendship, Heroes of the City contains a great deal of warmth and what may be accomplished by helping each other. The cartoon is primarily targeted at children age 3 – 7."

If you would like even more information you can check out their website here. You can also learn more via

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeroesOfTheCity 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroesOfTheCity 

Now, off to some fun and a few reviews!

Heroes of the City App

This fun little interactive app has just about everything in it! It has both movies and games. The age range was just right for my oldest who is three. It would be a good fit for kids ranging from 2 or 3 to 6. There a just a few games that were still a bit challenging for my little guy. He loved watching the episodes right on the ipad as well! You can download a free version below, or pick up the additions or full app as well!

Availableto download for free here:
Apple device:  https://itunes.apple.com/app/heroes-of-the-city-movie-app/id602592310
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rutaett.HeroesMovie&hl=en

 

stock photo

 Heroes of the City Show

My son was glued from the second I put it in the DVD player. The animation is cute and its absolutely appropriate for preschoolers. Its definitely based on kindness and friendship, all skills they are learning at that age. The episodes are not lengthy, so they are perfect for a preschooler's short attention span. However, my son watched 3 or 4 before moving on to other things. (Which say he really enjoyed it!)

Heroes of the City Book and Toys

It was just so much fun to have a few of the extra items with the movie and app. My son enjoyed looking at the colorful pictures. He made me read it to him during bedtime reading. The book and toys are well made a sturdy, perfect for little boys!

I have to give a big thanks to them for letting my family try the products for free. We have really enjoyed them and I know we will continue to do so.

Would you like to try the products with your youngsters?

Well, first I would recommend downloading the app, next I suggest entering my giveaway and you can get everything above.

The have kindly offered one set for for one of my lucky readers to try! Entering is SIMPLE!

1. Follow my blog!
2. Like me on Facebook
3. Like Heroes of the City on Facebook
4. Comment below that you did all 3 and you are entered!

Thats all it takes! This giveaway will end March 31, 2014, so please share it! 

Review: Lifeway Kefir

I recently received my very first item from Influenster! I was so excited when my coupon for one free Lifeway Kefir product came in the mail. Of course I had to go use the coupon the same say and get started tasting and sharing my experience.

First off, let me say that I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. It was completely free to me. I was also sent a coupon for a future purchase, which I used at the same time as getting my free product so I could taste more flavors. On to my review...

I tried both the blueberry and raspberry flavors of low fat Kefir from Lifeway. On their label they refer to themselves as the "tart cousin of yogurt," and I must agree. My first sip was a bit of a surprise to me. It was a refreshing, lightly sweet and fruity flavor. The texture was smoother than yogurt, but also more tart. Actually, I rather enjoyed the tartness. Don't get me wrong, I love yogurt. I especially like the sweet flavors, but my tastes range and I can enjoy many.

I think that these Kefir smoothies will make a great quick morning, run and go breakfast. This is useful for me during the school year because I am usually in a rush. I also think it would be an awesome base for adding fruit and making a fuller smoothie drink. The raspberry came off a little more tart than the blueberry. I am looking forward to trying their other flavors as well. They also have frozen Kefir (much like frozen yogurt), that I had hoped to try. The store I stopped at didn't carry it.

All that being said, I would definitely purchase it again, but only for myself. I shared some with both my husband and my two year old. My husband agreed that it was a lot like Greek yogurt in some ways. However it was less dry, thinner in texture, and smoother. He loves Greek yogurt; I am not a fan. That made this more up my alley than his. My two year old made a crazy face because, like I said, its tart. Still, he labeled it "yogurt," which means he would at least attempt to try it again.

However, I think everyone in my family is up to try the frozen version! I can imagine it would make a delicious frozen treat. I have to keep my eye out for it now. I'll update you when I do try it.

Just a reminder, I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. Thank you Influenster and Lifeway Kefir for the oppurtunity!

Remember!

Tomorrow is the last full day to enter the giveaway! Please make sure you check it out and enter to win some Soft Lips lip gloss!

Book Review: How Do You Tuck In A Superhero?

Over my vacation I read How Do You Tuck in a Superhero?  by Rachel Balducci. My expectations were completely opposite from what I got, but that ended up being a GOOD thing. I went into the book expecting a true “self help” style book. What I got was real life stories that gave me a true look into the life of raising boys.

Her stories were honest and real. Many made me laugh out loud, while others brought me to tears. It is a very enjoyable read. She uses a dose of humor to share what the crazy life of raising five boys is like.  One of my favorite things is the small quotes she includes throughout the book from her boys. You really feel like you are getting to know her and her family. 

If you are raising (raised) boys of your own, you will relate and enjoy her book. It gave me some insight of what my boys may be like as they grow. I find this especially helpful since my oldest is only two. I look forward to finding and reading more books from Rachel! 

My Life Raising (and) Living With Boys

 

Days Eight and Nine: Miss me?

I missed you! I apologize that there is two days in one this evening. Internet issues caused a small bump in my plans for writing last night. I promise to make up for it. I will include Friday's and today's outfit in this post, as well as my lunch from Friday.

So much has happened since Friday it seems like a world of time has passed. It was casual Friday, so I was lucky. I got into my slightly smaller, per-pregnancy jeans!

From the top: turquoise and silver dangle earrings, purple 3/4 sleeve button down, dark wash jeans, silver toe- black flats.

 I really love the dark wash jeans. They are the most formal color of jeans. This makes them perfect for a casual day at work. I tried to class up my look with a button down shirt and a stylish pair of flats. I also tried a new hair style on Friday! Im getting so bored of the same old, same old. Here is a close up. Notice the braid in the front. The rest was pulled back into a basic ponytail.

 As you may remember, Fridays are bento lunch days. I'm saddened to say that my son's lunch turned out way better than mine. The theme Friday was "under the sea".

Another product review! Goldfish bread

I have to admit that the shape of the bread screams "fun," but after tasting it I was disappointed. The bread is very sweet which makes it no good for the meat and cheese type of sandwich. It may be alright for a PB&J or other sweet type sandwich. The bread is also a bit dry and doesn't hold together well when you take the two slices apart. Basically, I don't plan to buy Goldfish bread again. I'll stick to fishy crackers rather than fish bread!

Saturday was a whole new story. I was hoping to bring my son to the park, so my outfit choice was ultra casual. Saturdays are also my no make up or hair washing days, so I already look rough. My hair is usually the most challenge issue. Today I did another altered pony.

I really think the twist distracted from the fact my hair was greasy! Pony tails are always easy to do. I love to try new variations of the style

My outfit mixes the classic t-shirt and jeans look. Jeans and a t-shirt do not need to be boring!

From the bottom: converse style brown and pink herringbone sneakers, dark wash jeans, "Wild about education" t-shirt, brown vest with lace detail, multicolor dangle earrings.

I wish you could see the lace detail in the vest, its the best part of the whole outfit. It makes the vest girly and fun. The shirt comes from my many years working in the education field. Any t-shirt would work with this outfit really, I just pulled the first one out that I could find. I rarely wear t-shirts, so they are hidden in my drawer.

My random acts of kindness went well. Friday's was good. I gave a whole box of jeans to a friend. Today's was a lot smaller. I made something special for my father in law with dinner. Doing something for someone doesn't have to be big, it doesn't even have to cost money. Sometimes words are the best random act of kindness you can give!

Day Six: Product Review!

Today's product review is for Garnier BB Cream. I used it for the first time today. I was looking for something that was easy and could replace putting on foundation, and I think I have found it! This BB cream is sunblock plus foundation plus lotion and is ultra easy to apply. Time saved in applying one product rather than three is also a plus. The coverage is light, perfect for someone like me who is a "bare there" makeup person. Plus, you cant beat the price. If you use all three products everyday your savings will add up. I would love for it to come in a bigger bottle. I will have to see how things go in the long run, but right now I give it 4.5 stars.

So my hopes for a snow day were dashed. We had a two hour delay and nothing more. Thanks to that I do have a lunch to share! I stuck to the basics today since I didn't pack it the night before.

Notice the baggies and preprocessed foods! Nothing healthy for lunch today! Tomorrow may be another day of the same since I have yet to pack something.

We did get snow, so my clothing was comfortable. I wasn't going to spend a long time primping to go out in the weather. Hopefully tomorrow will be warmer because I want to wear a skirt in the worst way.

From the bottom: "snake skin" loafers, black pants, sparkle silver sweater, and basic white gold and diamond tiny hoops. I just threw my hair in a ponytail to avoid a bad hair day.

I have yet to do my act of kindness yet. I intended on one thing, but it fell through. I will probably surprise my husband and pack him lunch for tomorrow. He has had a very rough day which is the cherry on the very challenging year we have been having, so keep us in your prayers!