POSTS TAGGED : reviews

Review: Sands Alive!

Review: Sands Alive!

If you’re like me, the thought of your child playing with sand inside your house makes you want to curl up into a ball and hide under a table. Sweeping…vacuuming…more sweeping…an endless clean-up will await you all in the name of your child’s “fun”.

Right?

Actually, wrong. Kids playing inside with “sand” doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

sand2My kids and I recently tried out Sands Alive! by Laddine. The sand isn’t like the stuff you’d find at the beach, but it’s still pretty darn fun. It’s moldable, allowing your kids to make different shapes, but still feel like they are playing with sand.

Our set came with a roller, cutter, and a few tools for molding. I simply opened the package, poured it out onto a tablecloth and let them get crazy! They were able to roll it and do just about anything else they wanted without making a major mess!

We’ve honestly played with similar play sand sets that claimed to be “mess-free”. Let me tell you, that was a lie. We played with it inside and outside on a patio table and the sand went all over the place and was a real pain to clean. The Sands Alive! product was much better. Don’t get me wrong, some dropped on the floor. But, I was able to easily clean it up without having to sweep numerous times to catch every single particle.

The best part….my kids really loved it! It kept them occupied and entertained while allowing them to be creative.

If you’re looking for a unique, cost-friendly gift for the holidays, this should definitely be on your list.

*I was compensated with the product to complete this review.

Review: Pearl & Clasp Earrings

Review: Pearl & Clasp Earrings

What girl doesn’t like jewelry, right? So when I was asked to try out a new pair of pearl earrings from Pearl & Clasp, how could I say no?

With that said, I have to admit I don’t wear pearls on a daily basis. My position as Household CEO really doesn’t require pearls.Nevertheless, I wore them while in the trenches of motherhood. For someone who usually wears a pair of silver hoops, the button pearl earrings were a nice change.

The earrings themselves are so light that you don’t even feel like you’re wearing anything at all. Also, the backs are extremely durable so you don’t have to worry about losing an earring. That’s a big deal when you’re around kids all day and just about anything can and does happen.

The black pearls also pretty much go with anything, making them a must have item for your jewelry box. They are also a great accessory, especially with the holidays coming up.

I’m looking forward to wearing these earrings in the future, perhaps for a little night out?

 

* I was compensated with a pair of earrings to complete this review.

Pinrose Review

Pinrose Review

On a scale of one to ten, how annoying is it to have a sales person try to hose you down with the latest fragrance as you enter a store? If you ask me, it’s a solid ten. Half the time you smell like you just bathed in whatever they are trying to sell you.

That’s why I was excited to recently try out a product that leaves you smelling great without all of that drama.

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Have you heard of Pinrose? I honestly had not until a couple of weeks ago. Pinrose is a great company that offers perfume scents in the convenience of little individual towelettes besides bottles of your favorite fragrance.  You just apply and wait a mere fifteen seconds for it to dry. You end up smelling great without smelling like you poured an entire bottle of perfume over your body. pinrose2

What’s even better is that you can take a quick online quiz to find out which scents suit you best. My quiz showed Merry Maker, Renegade Starlet and Sugar Bandit were my go to scents. I tried all three as well as the others in my satchel. I have to say I liked my three the best with Renegade Starlet leading the pack.

I would definitely recommend this product as one to try out yourself or give as a gift if Santa is shopping around!

*Disclosure: I did receive complimentary Pinrose products to complete this review.

Starbucks Fall Blend Review & Giveaway

The weather is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter, the alarm is going off earlier and the kids are back in school. It must mean only one thing. Fall is just about here. While the change in season is great for apple picking and all of those kinds of things, the same can not be said for earlier bed times and wake up calls.

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Nothing is more exhausting than trying to get your child up in the morning for school. Trust me, I speak from experience. That’s why I need my coffee in the morning. Yes, I am classifying coffee has a necessity, not a desire. If you want me to play nice at recess, you need to give me my coffee.

 

With that said, I recently tested out Starbucks new Fall Blend. I was really happy with it because it’s the kind of coffee that will wake you up, but not leave you with the shakes hours later. Ya know what I mean? It’s just the right jolt to help you get through those mornings when you have to peel your children out of bed.

 

If you’re like me, you not only need you morning coffee, you also need a little pick me up in the afternoon. So, I’ve been brewing a little pot while I help my daughter do her homework after school. “A” is for apple. “B” is for boy and “C” is for coffee, right? It’s just enough caffeine to bring me through the rest of the day without leaving me staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. IMG_4165

 

 

If all of this coffee talk has perked up your ears, listen up, because now you have a chance to try the Starbucks Fall Blend for FREE. Just enter my giveaway below for your chance to win one 10 ounce package. Must be 18 or older to enter. A winner will be chosen on September 20, 2014. Good Luck!

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*I was given a package of Starbucks Fall Blend to complete this review.

 

 

 

Sheer Cover Make-Up Review

Sheer Cover Make-Up Review

If you know me then you know I’m not a big make-up person. So, you may be asking why I would be doing a make-up review. Well, there are a few reasons.

I mainly don’t like to wear make-up because I don’t like to look and feel like I have it on, especially in the summer. Nothing is grosser then wiping off sweaty foundation. Yuck! Also, as a mother of two, I don’t have time to stand in front of a mirror for a long time to get that perfect, even, “natural” look. I have used plenty of over the counter products, only to let them collect dust and then eventually find a new home in my trash.

So, when I heard of the Sheer Cover line, I was excited to try it out. Concealer, foundation, and bronzer…lets get started. But first, don’t forget your Perfector Primer. This lotion has a silky feel which glided onto my face smoothly without leaving it feeling heavy. It provided the perfect base for the other products to follow.

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At first glance, the conceal and brighten trio really caught my eye. I had never seen a duo concealer and a brightener. I could see the difference when I used the three together. The circles under my eyes were not as noticeable. The best part was the concealer didn’t look caked on or fake. Score one.

Next, it was on to the mineral foundation. Once again, an extremely light powdery  consistency made me feel like I had no make-up on at all. At the same time, the foundation did its job to even out my skin and make it look smoother. Score two.

Topping off the look with the sun-kissed bronzing materials brought a nice, natural glow to my face. All three products complimented each other to achieve a healthy look. Score three.

I also had the chance to try out the lengthening mascara and lash extending fibers. While I’m not one for eye make-up, this mascara was also light and natural. At night, it also came off easily and did not irritate my eyes like so many other products do. Score four.

Perhaps the best part about all of these products is that the entire application from start to finish was done in about ten minutes! This is a major score for any mother, whether you work outside or inside the home.

If you would like to try this awesome product line, enter this contest for your chance to win free foundation for one year!

*This is a sponsored post. I was given free Sheer Cover products to complete this review. The Mommy Rundown is not hosting the contest.

 

Review: Baytek RGX Mini Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

IMG_3902As a mom you know packing the bag for the beach or pool is a real pain. It just seems as though there is never enough room for all the towels, toys, and sunscreen. With all the necessary gear, you certainly don’t have room for a bulky speaker so your kids can jam out while building sand castles. That’s why the Baytek RGX Mini Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is great for outdoor use in the summer.
I charged it overnight and used it by the pool for about six hours before the battery ran out. I did have one issue charging it at first, but then realized it was user error! Oops! Once I figured out I was using the wrong connection to charge it, I was good to go. The speaker is great because it’s so small and doesn’t take up a lot of room! It even has a keychain so you don’t have to put it in your bag if you don’t want to.
It’s so much easier than leaving your phone out and using the speaker from it. The Baytech speaker is certainly louder and is easy to sync with your phone. I would certainly recommend this product to others, especially moms who want to bring along some music for a day out with the kids.
*This is a sponsored post. Baytech supplied me with the speaker for this review.

Starbucks Spring Blend Review & Giveaway

Starbucks Spring Blend Review & Giveaway

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, it really doesn’t matter, I have to have my coffee. As a lot of you know, I’m a bit of a coffee addict. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I love it. With that said, I’m kinda predictable and tend to always have the same brew. Boring, I know.

When I was in the “out of the house” working world, coffee time was not only a must, but also a great time to gossip and catch up with co-workers. Walks for coffee were always the best. I’ll admit, I used to have my favorite little place to go. But, one former co-worker was a Starbucks lover and introduced me to the brand. I must say, after one cup, I was hooked. But again, I ordered one drink and always stuck to it. I was (and still am) in love with the lattes. I know some of you may think it’s so simple and boring, but oh well!

Fast forward a couple of years, a couple of children, and a “work at home” life later, and I’m still a Starbucks fan. Lord knows I drink more coffee now than ever before with these two little ones! I have tried to expand my horizons, but I’ll admit, I am still boring when it comes to my coffee selections.

One day, I ventured out of my box and ordered the blonde roast. Wild, I know. But, I loved it! Another day, I went really crazy and tried the Hazelnut Macchiatos. OMG! They are my favorite! But, those are for “treat myself” days. Still, I am proud of myself for trying some new stuff.

IMG_0998With that said, I also recently tried out the Starbucks Spring Blend at home.

 

I know some people say coffee never tastes as good when you brew at home. Honestly, that is true sometimes. It’s just like food tastes better when someone else makes it! Anyway, in the spirit of Spring and new beginnings, I tried this new brew. After just the first sip, I really liked it. It didn’t leave a bitter taste in my mouth and didn’t make my heart pound out of my chest. It was a nice, mild cup of coffee with just enough flavor. It was also light, which is great for when the weather gets a little warmer.

Will I continue to brew this at home? Absolutely. It really was that good. Have you tried it? If not, there’s a way you can get some free brews at home.  I’m giving away a pound of the Spring Blend.

Here’s what you have to do…In the spirit of Spring, I’m going to try some new drinks when I visit my local Starbucks. But, I don’t know which ones to spend my money on. So, leave a comment below telling me about your favorite Starbucks drink and why it’s your fave and I’ll enter you in a drawing to win a free pound of Starbucks Spring Blend.  You can enter until 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2014. I’ll pick the winner May 1, 2014. Good Luck! Recommend some great new drinks for me to try please!

*This is a sponsored post

 

 

 

New Business Buzz

I love parties. I love to go to them. I love to eat at them. I love to throw them. But, sometimes you’re worrying too much about all the little details, like whether the pink in the table linen matches the pink in the decoration banner that you just can’t sit down and relax. Sometimes you just wish you could have someone come in and cast a magic wand to fix it all so you can party like its 1999.

That’s why having a helping hand isn’t always such a bad thing. In fact, it can be a very good thing. That’s why hiring a party or event planner can be a great idea. A new company called Big n Little Productions can pretty much do anything from not letting you sweat the small stuff to planning the whole event for you. The best part is since they are brand spanking new, they are currently working for testimonials and photos. That means they are working for free for events in 2014! So, kick back, relax and let Big n Little do the work!

*This is a sponsored post

 

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Product Review: Tea Time

Anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I am an avid coffee drinker. Some may even go so far as to say I’m a little addicted. I’ll just say I like it…a lot. So, when I was approached to try some new tea, I was a little skeptical. How good could a cup of tea actually taste? Since my new mantra for 2014 is to try new things, I thought why not. Plus, the woman who asked me sells the Steeped Tea, Inc. products with her young daughter. I thought it is just great that she is teaching her daughter the skills of business through something they both enjoy…tea. I just couldn’t say no!

On the rare occasion I do have a cup of tea, it is usually from your standard tea bag you can pick up at any grocery store. So, this was my first time actually seeping tea. I chose to test out the Cinnamon Stick Green Tea as my afternoon pick me up, in place of another cup of coffee.tea3

The tea comes in an easy to open resealable pouch. You just measure one teaspoon and put it in mesh ball infuser.  It was not only easy to fill, but also had a little hook to attach to the side of my cup so I didn’t have to go fishing inside a hot mug to yank it out. Once I seeped it for the recommended two minutes, I simply unhooked the latch and was able to enjoy my cup of green tea. tea2

The tea had a nice scent, not too overpowering, yet enough to know there was a hint of cinnamon. The taste was not only light, but also still gave me just the right boost of energy I needed to get through the rest of my day.

I’ve had plenty of other green teas before and some of the tastes are so strong they make you want to spit them out right away. That was certainly not the case with this Steeped Tea. I enjoyed my first cup so much I rebrewed the infuser again (it says up to three rebrews on the package).

Once I again, I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. I’ve never tried to rebrew a regular tea bag, but my guess is, it probably wouldn’t taste so good!

So, would I recommend Steeped Tea? Definitely. Will I try it again? For sure. Should you try it too? Absolutely, especially if you’re looking for a smooth tea with great flavor.  *This is a sponsored posttea1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starbucks Coffee Review

If you know me the least bit, you know I love my coffee. Morning, noon, and night, I rarely say no to a good brew. You could say I’m a bit of an addict, but with two little kids, can you blame me? Add all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and I’m really jolly for java 24/7! Having a nice hot cup of coffee really keeps me going, especially if it’s from Starbucks. Although I love my Hazelnut Macchiatos, I don’t have a barista just waiting to pop out of my cabinet like a jack in the box (what a great idea though!). That’s why brewing a pot of the Starbucks Holiday blend is the next best thing.

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Whether it’s a late night wrapping session two nights before Christmas (I know you’re doing it too), or getting goodies together Christmas Eve morning, it’s always great to have a cup of Starbucks Holiday Blend to keep you company while everyone either just fell asleep or hasn’t even woken up yet!

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I especially like this blend because of it’s mild taste. I like my coffee, but I don’t like to feel like an elf who’s going to fly off her shelf, if you know what I mean.  That’s why if I’m brewing a pot, it feels okay to go back for seconds…or even seconds and a half!

While I wouldn’t mind keeping the whole pot for myself, it is the season for sharing, so why not raise a mug with a friend!

So, if you want a chance to win a free pound of Holiday Blend to share, leave a comment below until December 30, 2013. I’ll pick a random winner on New Year’s Eve. Good Luck!

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Happy Holidays!

 

*This is a sponsored post