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~~

*This post may contain affiliate links

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~~

*This post may contain affiliate links

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~~

*This post may contain affiliate links

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~~

*This post may contain affiliate links

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.

Serenity of the Mind: The Process of Self Mastery ~~REVIEW~~

I've said it before, and will say it again... I love self-help books.  I embrace opportunities to learn and opportunities to grow.  With that said, when I recently received the opportunity to receive the book, The Serenity of the Mind: The Process of Self Mastery for free in exchange for my honest review, I welcomed it with open arms.

This is a must-read for anyone with a desire to explore their inner-self in an effort to ensure a complete level of self-control throughout all aspects of their life.  By using the techniques introduced in this book, the reader should achieve a sense of fulfillment that encourages life-long growth, boosts confidence, strengthens relationships and more.

Congrats to birdiebee, who visited my blog and entered to win a copy of this book!


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A Birthday Celebration and Giveaway

This weekend, my kids and I will be headed out to this very special little girl's 5th birthday party.

Noah Levi Dalton  R.I.H. Little Man

Pictured above is triumphant little Miss Naomi Lei Frances celebrating yet another milestone in her life.  Her mother was just at 25 weeks gestation when, during a routine checkup, she learned she was

carrying twins.  At the very same time, she was immediately admitted to the hospital with complications.  Less than a week later, Naomi Lei and her twin brother, Noah Levi Dalton made their grand entrance into the world.  Sadly, handsome little Noah's short life ended just two weeks later, but he left behind a little fighter of a sister like none other.

Weighing only 1 pound, 4 oz. at birth, this beautiful little preemie had a long road ahead of her.  According to https://penut-trial.org/node/43, while the survival rate of a preemie at 26 weeks gestation is fairly high, there is only a 23 percent chance the child will escape some sort of disability.  Apparently, Miss Naomi had herself a spot in the top 23 percent reserved, because now, at 5 years old, this little champion sings, dances, counts well past 100, reads, writes, and more!  

While her 5th birthday was earlier this week, we will be celebrating this upcoming weekend.  Now, if you promise not to tell, I'm going to show you something she will be getting for her big day.  As you can likely tell from her pictures, Miss Naomi is definitely a diva in the making.  With that said, I know she is going to love this amazing beauty set from Little Cosmetics.  

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

Her mother may want to kill me at first, but she'll be delightfully surprised to learn that, while the makeup in this set looks amazingly realistic, it's 100% FAKE!!  With that said, Miss Naomi can climb up to the mirror and apply as much non-messy eyeshadow, blush and lipstick as her little heart desires.  The fantastic set comes with everything pictured above, including:

• Powder Compact with Plastic Mirror 
• Pink Blush Compact
• Two Lip Glosses with roller ball
• Two Glitter Pots
• Two Eye Shadow Palettes
• Makeup Brush Set
• An adorably stylish Cosmetic Bag

I can't wait to watch her play with it.  When she comes to visit, she's constantly wanting to dress up like her favorite Princess, Princess Elsa.  Now, she can take dress up one step further with this fantastic set.  

If you've ever had the opportunity to watch a preemie grow from a tiny, fragile baby in an incubator to a strong, smart, amazing little person, you understand the amount of joy I feel as I witness this beauty grow up. She was definitely the smallest baby I've ever had the opportunity to hold, which impacted my level of appreciation for life and for the parent chosen to raise such a unique creation.  

Now... I know Miss Naomi would LOVE for your child to celebrate with her!  With that said, we're going to give a special child in your life an opportunity to win one of the beauty sets JUST LIKE the one that Miss Naomi will be receiving for her birthday. Just enter in the Rafflecopter below!  

*US entrants only

 

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