Santa Medical - Electronic Pulse Massager Tens Unit ~~REVIEW~~

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Working in the health insurance industry, I can tell you first-hand that tens units are very much in demand.  Sadly, due to the fact that it's medical necessity and effectiveness is debatable among medical professionals, it's something that's not always covered under health insurance plans.  Tens units can also be expensive.

For those who may not know, tens units are battery operated devices designed to send electronic pulses through the skin in an effort to stimulate nerves and relieve pain.  I've heard of a lot of people using it to relieve back and neck pain.  With that said, being in my early forties, I'm beginning to experience more aches and pains than in the past, and suspect that it is mostly nerve-related.  Before attempting traditional medical treatment options, I've been looking forward to trying a tens unit first, which is why I accepted an offer to try this particular handheld unit from Santa Medical at a discounted cost in exchange for my honest review.

Upon opening my package, I found 4 electronic pads and 2 sets of leads. 4 AAA batteries, and my Santa Medical handheld Tens Unit.  The unit itself is about the size of a traditional cordless telephone.  There are various buttons on the unit, including six auto programs, speed increase and decrease, and manual mode buttons that allow you to select from one of three massage sensations.  Setup is very simple, and the detailed, easy-to-read instructions walk the user through each step.

The intensity range is from 0 to 80 volts.  The instructions recommend to begin with low intensity and work your way up, and learned the reasoning pretty quickly.  While I was initially irritated by the higher intensity, I found that by starting with the lowest intensity while I accustom myself to the device resulted in a multitude of relief!  The massage function on the back of my neck and shoulders was amazing, and much needed!  After using this unit, I can clearly see why these little powerhouses are in such high demand!! i7q9b4t5

Overcoming Anxiety ~~REVIEW~~

Millions of people suffer from anxiety.  Some anxiety sufferers have battled the condition their entire lives, while others have developed anxiety as a result of stress, depression, aging, etc.  Regardless of the reason, there are ways to alleviate the effects of anxiety, and David Berndt's book, "Overcoming Anxiety," does a fantastic job of guiding anxiety sufferers through techniques that will work.

I received the opportunity to receive a digital copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.  The author provides an in-depth explanation of the behavior patterns that you may harbor which lead to continued anxiety, and provides methods you can use to overcome the often-times mentally and emotionally disabling symptoms.  You'll learn a method that will help you re-direct your energy into positive thoughts and actions designed to place you onto the path of leading a normal life, while minimizing occurrences of anxiety.

Anaiti Instant Wrinkle Filling Serum ~~REVIEW~~

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I make it no secret that, since experiencing my 20's (again), I've joined millions of others on the search for the famed Fountain of Youth.  While it's yet to be discovered, we're lucky to live in a day and age where anti-aging products have made phenomenal advancements that give us hopeful alternatives until that day of discovery arrives.

One of those alternatives, which I recently had the opportunity to try for free in exchange for my honest review, is Instant Wrinkle Filling Serum from Anaiti.  Considering the manufacturer openly advises that, while some users report nearly instant results, the results can vary, and their products may not work for everyone, I immediately had my doubts.  However, I have had some recent fantastic experiences with some products that worked great for me, but not so great for others, so when it comes to anti-aging products, my motto is, "it's worth a try."

One thing I really like about this product is that it's designed to target wrinkles only.  Therefore, there's no need to use it on your entire face, just the problem areas.  Of course, that means the product will last much longer than many others which are applied to the entire face.  While it's labeled as a "serum," the consistency of this product is closer to a cream, but not as thick.  It has a very light, silky feel to it.

I was not one of those lucky enough to see "instant" results with this product.  However, after using it for a period of three to four weeks, I have seen some noticeable results.  With every anti-aging product I try, the first place I target is the furrow between my eyebrows.  A year ago, it was deep and noticeable.  However, it's now just a couple of fine lines.  Since using this product, I've noticed some days where I wouldn't have even noticed it if I didn't know already that it was there!  It's definitely a product I would recommend, and would love the opportunity to try other Anaiti products!

Skout's Honor Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover ~~REVIEW~~

Any parent would agree, that one of the duties of a parent includes cleaning up a LOT of messes. With that said, I've seen my fair share of stubborn stains.  Pet owners are another group of people who also know what it's like to spend hours up on hours trying to clean up stains and mask odors.  As someone looking for that "magic potion" that will clean up stains and freshen the air with ease, I was very pleased to receive the opportunity to try Skout's Honor, Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover, for free in exchange for my honest review.

Now I'll be honest... My original plan was to give my free bottle of this pet stain and odor remover to a family member who owns several dogs.  However, when faced with a nasty stain just a few days after receiving my bottle, I decided to give it a try for myself instead of using second-hand observations for my review.  Once I used it, I knew I couldn't part with it.  There are so many positive things to point out about this product that I don't even know where to start.  Those with concerns about the ingredients will be happy to learn that this product is non-toxic and eco-friendly.  With no harsh chemicals included in the ingredients, it's safe to use around pets and children.

I've used eco-friendly cleaning products in the past, and was not pleased. While it was nice to know they didn't include harmful chemicals, they just didn't seem to do the job, as far as clean-up was concerned.  However, Skout's Honor not only does a phenomenal job in cleaning up stains, it does it with very little effort!  I was amazed at how easily it cleaned up stains that would normally take a ton of effort, including soaking and scrubbing.  I can see why it's touted as a top-notch product for pet owners! In addition to doing a fantastic job at removing stains, it masks odors in a most delightful way.  The scent is fresh and pleasant.  I have actually found myself spraying it as an air freshener, as I enjoy it so much.

One last note that many people may be pleased to hear... the manufacturer of this product has agreed to feed a needy animal for a day with every Skout's Honor purchase sold on Amazon, their website, or local retailers.  How awesome is that!!??!!

How To Make Big Bucks from Big Blogs - Book Review

As a fairly new blogger, I'm still in the stages of learning how to organize my blog, exploring topics, and posting to my blog regularly.  However, once I reach a comfortable place in my hobby, I hope to turn it into a profitable experience.  The problem?  I have no idea where to start.  Lucky for me, I recently had the opportunity to read Brandon Colker's "How to Make Big Bucks from Big Blogs," which I received for free in exchange for my honest review.

Honestly, the title sounds more like a gimmick full of false promises.  However, don't let the title fool you.  The book is a simple, straightforward guide, written in easy-to-understand language, designed to aide the beginning blogger in turning his/her blog into a profitable endeavor.  While it doesn't detail a specific "get rich quick," method, it simply provides a roadmap to success, which is exactly what I was looking for.

DigiStick ~~REVIEW~~

Whether it's a sporting event, a community park, or a shopping mall, it seems there's always someone taking the opportunity to snap a selfie!  While I see so many people taking the perfectly placed shots, I can never seem to get a good enough grip on my phone to get a great selfie.  Those days, however, are now in the past, thanks to this Selfie Stick!  The Digi Stick grips onto my phone firmly and securely.  Being one who has a cracked screen on a regular basis, it's comforting to know my phone won't slip out of this device.  Once paired to my device, this digi stick was so easy to use, and the expansion of 32" gives me plenty of room to get the most perfect shot!*I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

#Halloween Costume ~~REVIEW~~

This costume is adorable, there's no doubt about that! It is designed from great quality materials, and as long as the owner takes care of it, it could easily hold up through many fun parties and events. The headband could actually be worn casually as well, or, in my case... my girls will want to wear it to school from time to time. The colors are bright, and it does bear a striking resemblance to Snow White. The problem, however.... is that I ordered it in an XL. I was really excited to see this company offered a costume in this size, and couldn't wait to get it! Unfortunately, it was far from being an XL in any sense of the term. In fact, my 11-year old daughter will be headed out this Halloween as Snow White, as it fits her perfectly. Now, at 5'2", she is taller than some adults. With that said, there are certainly many adults that this would be a PERFECT costume for. I'm just not one of them. It did fit her very well, and was not too "adult" for her, as it did not fit her in the same way it would fit an adult. Overall, I'm satisfied, just kind of bummed that it didn't fit me.

Dr. Stephanie's Relationship Repair for Couples ~~~BOOK REVIEW~~~

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Prior to my current relationship, I spent my entire life avoiding close relationships.  Of course, that is a completely separate topic of discussion, which I do actually plan on one day introducing into my blog.  However, I have now been in a relationship with one person for about 17 years now.  It has certainly had it's ups and downs, and I would be lying if I said I haven't spent times wondering "why did I ever get myself into this?"  Furthermore, while the "ups" are fantastic, the downs have, at times, crossed the border of being "chaotic".  I once had a friend tell me, "when you guys are good, you truly are reaaaaaaaaaaal good, but when you're bad, you're "reaaaaaaaaaaaaal bad"," and another dubbed us "Whitney and Bobby." In other words, until recent years, where we've slowly learned the concept of "doing something different" in order to break the cycle, there was no "middle ground."

I recently had the opportunity to read this book written by Stephanie Weiland Knarr, titled "Dr. Stephanie's Relationship Repair for Couples," which has really evoked a myriad of emotions.  My thought process has went from "why did I ever get myself into this," to "why haven't I thought of this before."  It's that thought process that has led me to taking steps to strengthen the bond, vs walk away from it, which is something that has crossed my mind on more than one occasion.

Upon visiting her website, you'll see that Dr. Stephanie takes a customer service approach to minimizing conflict within relationships.  I've been in customer service for most of my adult life.  I excel at my job, and remain consistently in the top 5 percent when it comes to providing outstanding service, diffusing escalated situations, and delivering high-quality results.  I have admittedly found myself often wondering how I can be so successful in creating such positive impacts when it comes to my job, yet continue to fail at home.  I never really thought, however, about the skills I implement at my job, and apparently leave there every day at 4:30pm.  Why don't I use those same skills in my personal relationships?  If I did, would my friendships and relationship with my fiance be much stronger?  Would I learn to eliminate the frequency of conflicts?  I never gave these questions any consideration until I stumbled upon Dr Stephanie's book, which I received for free in exchange for my honest review.  Dr. Stephanie poses some thought-provoking topics, and offers suggestions in an easy-to-read format, designed to build stronger relationships.  I would recommend her book to any couple, before, after and during times of personal struggle.

Lumi Essence Advanced Skin Brightening/Whitening Repair Treatment ~~REVIEW~~

At this stage in my life, a good skin brightener is one of my favorite skincare products.  Naturally, skin will become dull over time.  Furthermore, age may also result in more blemishes, age spots, discoloration, etc.  An excellent skin brightener, however, can do a good job in diminishing the appearance of those blemishes, and restore a bright, youthful appearance.

Like other Lumi Essence products I have tried in the past, the Advanced Skin Brightening/Whitening Repair Treatment did not disappoint.  I love the consistency of this product, and the fact that it applies with a silky smooth feel.  The creamy texture is not too thick, and doesn't leave an oily residue on your skin, which is actually a feature of all of the Lumi Essence products I've had an opportunity to try so far.  Just within 30 days of using this product, I can see a positive significant difference in the appearance of my skin.  *I received a discount for this product in exchange for my honest opinion.

Miss & Co Delicates Laundry Bags ~~~REVIEW~~~

I've had a need for laundry bags for quite some time. However, knowing I needed them, I just never got around to purchasing any. Sadly, for me, they were one of those things that were farthest from my mind... UNTIL.... it was time to do laundry. With that said, I've had numerous delicate items completely ruined due to my inability to remember such an important item. I recently received this offer to try this set of 5 mesh garment bags for free in exchange for my honest review. I knew I would be absolutely nuts to turn down the offer knowing how much I needed them.

While I was impressed enough to be receiving a total of 5 bags with this set, I was even more impressed when I received them. The largest bag is EXTRA large, allowing room for my daughter's sequined dancewear along with other delicate clothing items. The smaller bags, on the other hand, are perfect for items like hosiery, socks, underwear, etc. Of course, the smaller pouches are perfect for a bra or other like items. We actually decided to divide the actual bags among household members based on need. We also found that these bags are a perfect remedy for the "sock monster," as he doesn't seem to go near the bags. We love them!

Lumbar and Back Support Cushion ~~REVIEW~~

In this day and age where it seems there are just not enough hours in the day to get everything done, I find myself overwhelmed with work, thus meaning I'm in my office chair 90 percent of every single day. With that said, being in the seated position so much tends to take it's toll on my lower back. I do try to get up, stretch, exercise, etc., as much as possible, but it doesn't stop my back from aching. My office chair is designed with a lumbar support, but there are some days when that's just not enough. I really liked the look of this lumbar support pillow, and was even more enticed by the reviews. Then, when I received the opportunity to try it for free in exchange for my review as well, I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

 When my package arrived just a few days after ordering, I was delighted to open it to find an incredibly comfortable looking pillow. But will it do the job, that is the question.... While many people enjoy this type of pillow to use in the car while traveling, I prefer to use it in the home. With that said, I really like how it's designed with an adjustable strap in order to fit a variety of different sized seats. In addition to being adjustable, the strap is made of a stretchable material, thus allowing the most secure fit possible.

 The cushion itself is so amazingly comfortable. I'm able to use it for hours without feeling any discomfort in my back/spine. I have used it in the living room while sitting on my very uncomfortable couch, as well as in my office. In fact, since receiving this cushion, the dining room table (and the toilet) ;) is the only place I've sat without using my cushion. If you can't stand another second of uncomfortable back pain, I recommend you head over to Amazon right now and order one of these for yourself!

Luxy Beauty Care Long-Handles Shower Brush ~~REVIEW~~

When I first began looking for a shower brush, I never considered it more than a soothing tool used to massage my skin and spread the lather around my body while I showered.  However, body brushing is apparently a "thing".  It's a beneficial "thing" at that!  Did you know that the benefits of body brushing include:

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• Increased circulation to your skin
• Removes dead cells while promoting cell renewal 
• Skin becomes firmer and tighter
• Relieves stress, soothes aching muscles
• ...and more!

I didn't know these things until I had the opportunity to try this long-handled shower brush by Luxy Beauty Care free in exchange for my honest opinions.  Some may say that all shower brushes are the same... Well, I'll never know, because this one is absolutely wonderful, and you know what they say... "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it!"  

This brush is very long.  In fact, it's so long that I wasn't able to hang it from the water spout in my tub, and had to hang it from the shower head.  I am very tall, and have a long torso, so the length works perfectly for those hard-to-reach areas.  It's made from durable materials, and I don't foresee it breaking any time in the near future.  It has really soft, soothing bristles, that really does do a great job at relieving stress after a long day of work.  It also has a handy massager on the back that is designed to tackle achy muscles.  

Gurin Compact Dehumidifier ~~REVIEW~~

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When I started working from home recently, my first concern was the humidity in the space which was once a small 8x8 basement/laundry room that I converted into an office.  While it was the perfect size for my office, I was concerned that the humidity would wreak havoc on my computer equipment.  With that said, my search for a dehumidifier began.

If you haven't figured it out by now, my office space is VERY small.  With that said, I didn't need a large piece of equipment, yet needed something that would get the job done.  Soon after I began searching, I received an offer to purchase this Gurin DHMD-210 Electric Compact Dehumidifier at a heavily discounted price in exchange for my honest review.  Considering my need for a dehumidifier along with the attractiveness of the offer, I accepted.

Before I really get started, I want to stress.... This is a very, VERY compact machine.  It is not designed for a large space.  With that said, if your room is substantially larger than the one I described above, then this is NOT the machine for you.  However, if you have a small office, closet, bathroom, and perhaps a very small kitchen (which I have seen some actually smaller than my office space), then you're in the right place!  This tiny, but effective machine is 6 inches wide, 8.5 inches in height and 5" in diameter.  It fits perfectly into a corner in my office without taking up any needed space.  If needed, I could always slide it under my desk or set it atop my desk without it getting in the way.

The machine does not use a compressor, and is designed with "whisper technology".  Simply put, it's quiet and not disruptive.  It is designed to collected about 8 oz. of moisture daily at 86F degrees.  The 16 oz. tank, located on the front of the machine, snaps out easily when it's full, and is super easy to empty and then snap back in quickly, ready for use.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a dehumidifier for a SMALL space.

Oleavine Health All Natural Therapeutic Foot Soak ~~REVIEW~~

There's nothing like a warm, soothing, relaxing foot soak after a long, hard day/week, right?  I really enjoy just sitting back with a glass of wine and my feet in a tub full of warm water.  While we usually just use Epsom salt in our foot baths in my house, I recently received the opportunity to try All Natural Therapeutic Tea Tree Mint Foot Soak from Oleavine.

The minty scent of this amazing soak is enough to send your senses into a paradise free from all the stresses and worries of life.  However, the soak, made from a variety of therapeutic salts and oils, is also designed to tackle nasty foot odor, fungus, and skin irritations.  The best news is, it really works! I've got to get back to the scent for a minute, however.  Yesterday afternoon was the last time I used this foot soak, and here I am 24 hours later, still smelling the delightfulness of tea tree mint floating through the air in my home.  I can't go on enough about how wonderful it is.  Don't take my word for it though.... Try it out for yourself!!

VinousQ Wine and Beer Bottle Opener ~~REVIEW~~

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If you like wine like I do, then you can understand and appreciate the need for a good, reliable wine bottle opener.  After all, there is nothing worse than trying to wrestle with a bottle of wine when you're already stressed out and in need of a relaxing moment with your glass of wine.  I could go on  talking about the numerous struggles I've dealt with when it comes to cheap, flimsy, low-quality bottle openers, but I won't.  Instead, I'll move on to my review of this fantastic, sturdy, reliable Wine and Beer Bottle Opener by VinousQ.

When I received the heavy package in the mail, I had no clue what it was.  I definitely didn't think it would be this product.  When I opened it, however, I was pleasantly surprised.  It comes packaged in an exquisite looking box that screams "high-quality".  In fact, I plan on keeping my opener stored in the box behind my bar when not in use.  The product is much bigger than any bottle opener I've ever purchased in the past, allowing much more room to penetrate the cork and pull it out in one swift, easy maneuver, rather than several attempts like I have had to do in the past.  I've had bottle openers bend and break while trying to open my bottle.  This opener is so sturdy in design that I don't expect that to happen at all.

*I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review

SantaMedical Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer ~~REVIEW~~

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Nearly any parent, especially first time parents, knows how challenging it can be to take a child's temperature when they are sick.  That's why I really looked forward to the opportunity to try the SantaMedical Non-contact Infrared Thermometer for a discounted price in exchange for my honest review.  As a mother of 4, I actually got to the point where I lived without a thermometer and just started taking guesses, simply because I could never get my kids to cooperate when I wanted to take their temps.  After all, they felt like poo, the last thing they wanted to do was sit there for what seemed like forever with a cold glass instrument in their mouth, or something prodding their ear.  I have a couple friends preparing to have new babies, and thought something like this might be a perfect component of my gift basket for their baby showers.

This thermometer uses 2 AAA batteries, which are included.  Also included is a soft (suede?) storage pouch, providing a safe place for storage when the thermometer is not in use.  According to the included instructions, the device is pre-set at the factory and does not have a need to be calibrated.  While I did read some other reviews indicating they needed to calibrate their device, I found it provided a very accurate reading straight out of the box.  According to the instructions, there may be times when certain procedures may be necessary to acclimate the device, should the ambient temperature of an environment change significantly.  The instructions also indicate that the most reliable way to check the temperature is by aiming the device at the forehead, over the right temporal region, from a distance of about 3 to 5 cm.  At that point, operation is as simple as pressing a button and reading the instant result, which is digitally displayed on the screen.

What is your favorite method of taking your child's temperature?  Share your thoughts below.

Undercover Travel Security Kit ~~REVIEW~~

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I really wish I had this Undercover Travel Security Kit: Waist Money Belt and Neck Stash Wallet Combo by Trekimo a couple of months ago, when we took our kids on vacation to an amusement park.  Fortunately, we had no issues.  However, we had to make frequent trips to our locker to get money and other important items out as needed.  With this belt/neck pouch kit, we wouldn't have even had to have spent the $15 for the locker.

My first thought when I received the offer to try this combo out for free in exchange for an honest review was three words:  "Fanny Pack... ew".  Nevertheless, I did find myself a little intrigued, as it seemed to differ from the traditional fanny pack.  What I received, promptly and neatly packaged, were the following two items:

Undercover Money Belt - This belt is adjustable and designed to be worn around your waist.  The outer layer has a soft mesh covering, and the inner layer has two zippered pockets.  You can actually fit quite a bit into these pockets, such as money, jewelry, credit cards, cell phone, and more.  Unlike fanny packs, which are typically designed with a bulky pouch, this product is designed relatively flat (of course it will bulk up a bit with items inside), and will conceal easily under your clothes.

Hidden Neck Pouch - I prefer to wear mine cross-body.  Like the waist belt, this pouch has a soft mesh outer layer.  The top part, which includes a small zippered pouch, perfect for carrying money, including loose change, folds over to a velcro attachment.  The back side includes a pouch big enough for most cell phones, and a couple more pouches where you could put money and/or credit cards, however, they don't zip up.  Aside from the fact that I probably wouldn't use the pockets that don't zip, deeming them useless to me, I really like this kit.

Considering the fact that we take several fun outings with our kids each Summer, I expect to get a lot of great use from this.

Question of the Day:  Where do you stash your money, credit cards, and other valuables when you're out and about?  Do you carry just a purse and/or wallet, or do you use something like this?

#LEDballoonslights ~~REVIEW~~

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My kids are crazy about these fun LED balloon lights, and offering dozens of different suggestions for uses.  They come packaged individually in a little plastic pouch, and are fairly simple to use.   After you twist off the top, you'll have to remove a little piece of paper from the cap (it looks like the little circle left behind after using a hole punch).  Once removed, you can twist the cap back on and the light will turn on.  They are battery-operated, each one using three small button-cell batteries.

While the lights were made for paper lanterns, you can use them for virtually anything your heart desires.  There is a little loop hole at the top, where you can insert a string to hang them.  My son (a teenager) wants to hang them in his room, but my 11-year old twins have other plans for them.  With that said, it looks like I'll be ordering another supply soon.  Right now, we're going to use them to light up some of our Halloween decorations.  If you have a creative mind, you can definitely find a variety of fun uses for these little lights.  I, for one, am not always so creative, so the only thing I would have liked to have seen with these lights is perhaps a guide that explains the different ways you might be able to use them, and perhaps some simple instructions. What color is your favorite, and how would you use these lights?  Share your ideas below.