Wantable Makeup Box Review

-Disclaimer: I have received the product mentioned below for free in return for my honest opinion.-

Ok, by now, we have all heard of these monthly boxes that are shipped and packed with great items. There are boxes for everything, health, makeup, jewelry, kids, men, nail polish, etc. I have to admit, I've tried a couple. Julep, a monthly nail polish subscription, is a decent box with a decent price. I was Ok with it at first, but then I started to get disappointed in the polish. It chipped to easily, and just, overall started to suck. So I haven't wanted a box from them in a while because of this. I may go back, but not right now.

Another popular box is Birchbox. I've gotten those too. It is a monthly makeup subscription. I had stopped using them for a while, because I was doing Julep, and didn't want to do two boxes a month, only one. So when I recently started my subscription again, it wasn't what I expected. I was expecting a box of makeup, as I had previously (they are a makeup company!). However, I received things that those who were eating healthier than I would want. I honestly only will use one thing out of that box. Its an oil for dry skin. I've been using it on my elbows, and it works well. Otherwise, the crap in that box is just gonna collect dust. *sigh* What to do?!

Right around then, I had gotten an email from someone at Wantable, asking if I would like to try out one of their boxes. I thought, perfect timing!!! So I did. I filled out my style profile - which really just asked me what kind of makeup I liked. And then my box was shipped. It came rather quickly. Less than a week actually. I was excited to open it! Well, actually, I was nervous. I thought back to the recent Birchbox, and thought what if this isn't what I like? What if they send me colors I don't like?! But I opened it, and I fell in love!

Ivory® 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash

-Disclaimer: I received the product mentioned below from Influenster. It did not influence my opinion. Opinions expressed are my own-

Ivory has a new product, it is a 2 in 1 hair and body wash. Now, while I probably won't use it for me, since my hair is ridiculous and more of a princess than me (can't use 2-in-1 on my hair), my husband and son will be using this. This is actually perfect for my son since he takes super long showers (playing around). He is 8, and usually will play in the shower and use too much soap then use too much shampoo. *insert rolling eyes smiley here* So, at his next shower, he will be using this.

The scent is "Refreshing Scent" and it really does smell refreshing. Someone needs to make a candle or bathroom air freshener with this scent, because I love it. There is another scent (that was not sent to me) called "Energizing Scent".

Now, the reviews on this are 50/50. Most people find it is great for their kids, and not so much good for their hair. It states it has conditioners in it, however, many people still had to use conditioner afterwards, another said it dried her hair out (reasons why I won't use on my hair).

This should be aimed more towards men and children, not women. But, really great for men and children. I don't know if I'll use this on baby Bella, but Eric will DEFINITELY use it! He loves the scent. Update to come after his shower - either tonight or tomorrow.

Check out the Facebook page HERE
Check this cute promotional video HERE

MVP 1 and 2 DVD Reivew

-I received the products mentioned in the post below for free in return for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own. See my Disclosure page for more info-

Recently, we were chosen to receive some DVDs for review. We received MVP: Most Valuable Primate and MVP 2: Most Vertical Primate. My son loves movies like this, and so I was excited that he was able to see these. These movies came out in 2000 and 20001 (respectively), when these came out I was barely in the 7th grade! I was like 14 years old! So this brings back some memories, because I kinda remember these movies. The movie is made by the same director and producer of similar movies from that time such as Air Buddies. 

Berenstain Bears DVD review

-I received products in return for this post with my honest review. Please see my Disclosure page for more information-

I got the opportunity to receive some movies for my son. We received the Berenstain Bears DVD box set. It is the 50th anniversary edition, which includes 3 DVDs. The 3 movies in it are Celebrations,  Homework Help and Bear Country. I can't believe anyone still sells these movies. I used to watch them as a kid, and I will be 27 later this year. My son, who is currently 8, never saw or heard of these. Then I told him that I used to watch them as a kid, and so did daddy. That made him interested, as we have introduced him to some old school cartoons. My husband introduced him to Inspector Gadget and Thundercats, and I've shown him cartoons on one of the Nickelodeon channels, when they have their 90's shows on. Shows like Angry Beavers and what not. We also watch some old school Cartoon Network like Animaniacs and Tom and Jerry. So anyways, we let him watch these, and I love that they are learning cartoons. They are cute, and fun, and teach something, unlike a lot of shows today.

Octonauts - Explore, Rescue, Protect!

*Disclaimer - I received products for review. Please see Disclaimer page for more info.*

We love the Octonauts in our house. Not only will my almost 8 month old start to bounce around when she hears the song, but my almost 9 YEAR old loves it too. The show is not only super cute, but teaches how to protect our oceans, which is really important.

I had the pleasure of receiving a few Octonauts toys that my kids got to enjoy and try out. Can I just say, they both loved them! The toys were great for boys and girls, which is perfect in my house seeing as how I have both!

Get Uncommon: iPhone case review + giveaway!

I recently had the pleasure of creating my own iPhone case with my sons artwork with a company I had never heard of, called Uncommon. So I uploaded the picture of a penguin my son recently drew. He got the idea to draw it on the back of the RoseArt colored pencils box, it gives instructions. I loved it so much, that it is what we decided to upload for the case for my iPhone. It shipped VERY quickly. I was not expecting it as soon as we got it, which was a nice surprise.

Uncommon is the perfect name for these cases. They are absolutely uncommon. The very definition of the word is unusual, "out of the ordinary, or different". I must say, my phone case is definitely uncommon. A fridge can only hold so many magnets, pictures and drawings. So why not put your kids on your phone case?! I can attest to the fact that I don't ever want to delete certain pics out of my phone. Even though they are uploaded to my computer, I want them on my phone so I can show people on a whim. But it takes so much space. With Uncommon, you can put your favorite picture on the case, and show it off to the world.

These are the pics of my case.

The case I got is called Capsule. It slides on
and is easy to get on and off. There are other
options available.

This is the case intact on my phone. I
thought I positioned the words so that
they aren't on the crack, but it is OK.

Another picture of his cute penguin! :)
It was so easy to upload and positon.

And how it looks from the front. I love it.

 It was really easy to upload and position the picture. Although, I thought I positioned my sons name below the crack, it actually came out on it, but that isn't bad at all. Not only can you make your own cases, they do also have pre-made cases with beautiful designs. They have 4 different types of cases to chose from, including ones that are a bit transparent and you can see through it (in case you just have to show off that Apple logo). You can get a case for any Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. So go and take a look.
My next case, will be this one of my daughter. It will be the same case I have now with my son.

 These are a great gift idea for either the Mom in your life, or grandparents, or anyone for any reason! If you make one, upload the pic of your case in a comment (or link to it). I would love to see what you chose to make a case out of!

**Note, I have a charger from an older model iPod touch that I used to have years ago, and that cord does NOT work with this case. So make sure you use the charging cable that came with your device, as older models and aftermarket items may not work well with it.



Now for the giveaway!!!!
I get to giveaway one (1) $50 code to the website GetUncommon, and you get to create your own phone case for free! Awesome! How I would love to have another case for free, I am thrilled to be able to give you one! Please enter below on the Rafflecopter!  Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Disclosure Policy via New FTC Guidelines

If you don't know, the FTC has recently updated their guidelines (again) on how bloggers and advertisers should disclose payments and product reviews. No need to dive into all the details, if you are interested you can check them out on the FTC website. I always tell you when I received something for review, or have been paid to talk about a product. I always give an honest opinion, that isn't changing.

I do have a disclosure for the entire site (see disclosure page here). I now also have to tell you on every post, or keep it on top of the post. So, not only do you see a disclosure above all blog posts, and in the center of every page, you also will see a banner at the beginning of a post when it contains a sponsored review, or a review of a product/service I received for free.  If you click it, it will take you to the disclosure page. Sorry it isn't the prettiest, but it is what we have to do to keep receiving products. The sponsors/advertisers and companies who send products are also emailing us on campaigns to remind us about this new policy.

The banner looks like this:

So, bear with me for the next few posts as they are reviews! And I really do not want to have to post this on each post, but I have to... *sigh*

--Jennifer

Personalized iPhone cases B1G1 Free!

I got a case from Uncommon and let me tell you, my iPhone case is definitely uncommon! I have a post coming that I am going to put up that shows the details of the case and a review. But for now, you can get an iPhone case free when you buy one!

Valid only from April 22 - April 24. Use code MOMSDAY at checkout. iPhone cases only (all models).

This would make a great Mothers Day gift!

Click the pic below to go make your cases!

Genetically Modified Foods.

When I first heard about this, I thought, "Wow, we actually do this? It's allowed!?" And then to find out that things like GMOs can possibly be the cause for Autism, ADHD, and a million other issues... Well, it just scares me. I have always questioned what have I done, what did I do to cause my sons ADHD and Autism. It had to have been something I did. Here I find out it could have been what I ate during pregnancy. What he ate as he was developing. And that there is little I can do to keep my daughter, who is 7 months old, safe.

In animal studies, they have found that when they consumed GMOs, they had several problems including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, cholesterol problems, diabetes, and changes in liver, kidney, spleen, and the list goes on and on. Are you kidding me?! We see proof that these GMOs have harmed these poor, defenceless animals during testing, and yet we give this to our children?!

Granted, now I know that a lot of the organic fruits and veggies aren't really any different. You need to know where they came from and if that farm used anything on them. But there have been several news stories here on my local news that talked about it. ABC 15 in Phoenix, Arizona did a story with two or so other ABC channels across the country. They all sent organic and non organic fruits and veggies to a lab and found that there were still pesticides on some of them. Mainly those from other countries. They suggested stay local. I plan on going to the local farmers market to get some fruits and veggies one week. I just need to wake up early.

And as I am watching this documentary on GMOs, I found out that this toxin that is placed in corn that will rip open an insects gut if it eats from the corn, has been found in the blood of pregnant women, and in 80% of their unborn babies. This is sick. I can't.... Even soy isn't safe, and I drink soy in my coffee drinks from Starbucks since I am lactose intolerant (onset at the age of 21).  To hear that only 30 years ago no one had the allergies and problems that we have today. Its pretty obvious where this has come from. Food shouldn't be harmful, it shouldn't make us sick.

Ugh. I'm leaving this post with this...... do your homework and do your research.
I'll update later after I finish this documentary.

Edit: You can view the documentary here: http://geneticroulettemovie.com/

--Jennifer

Update on Bella.

So I took her to the ER yesterday. She had a 101 fever, and has a double ear infection. Poor baby. They gave her Motrin as a suppository (in her butt) and gave her Zofran for the vomiting. she got drops in her ears for the ear infections. Poor baby. By time we left, she drank 4oz of Pedialyte, and fell asleep comfortably. 

After we got home, she threw up a little more, but eventually was able to keep it down after taking the 2nd pill of Zofran (dissolves in the mouth). We have ibuprofen and amoxicillin for her to take for the next ten days. Today she had about 8oz of formula, and is not comfortably napping. My sister brought us some Pedialyte, which she drank a little of before falling asleep. She also has diarrhea. Poor thing. She is also teething with that lower front right tooth coming in.

But when she is awake, she isn't too cranky unless she is hungry or needs a change. Other than that, she is all smiles. Nice to see my baby back to her normal self. Well, off to eat some late lunch.

--Jennifer.