Friday, September 28, 2012

ABC Mouse Early Learning Acadamy - First Month Free

http://www.usfamilyguide.com/_emailgraphics/abcmouse.jpg

ABC Mouse offers a full online curriculum for preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten in the subjects of reading, math, science, social studies, art, and music. Children can start anywhere and move through the curriculum at their own pace! ABC Mouse has won numerous awards, including the Parent's Choice, Teacher's Choice, and Mom's Choice GOLD awards! 

Get your first month FREE!  CLICK HERE


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*Disclaimer: I am eligible for free services for providing this post.

Solo Dinnerware Gift Pack - Giveaway




Do you plan to have company around for football season? Maybe you have guests coming over for an end of season bar-b-Que. Now is your chance to win the eco-friendly and hostess friendly Solo gift pack. 

One lucky reader will receive a gift pack similar to the one in the photo above (colors and styles may vary). You can read my review by going here. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Solo Dinnerware Review




It is finally fall and with the cooler weather just ahead, I like to spend as much time outdoors as the weather will let me.  This is the time of year that I like to invite friends over for a late season get together and bar-b-Que. The timing could not be any better to review Solo plates and cups. I was provide a gift pack of Solo products that included Bare by Solo, Solo Heavy Duty, and Solo Squared lines.

I recently took advantage of a free weekend and had an over night with my grandson and then had company over for food and drinks. Since I rarely have free time, the last thing that I wanted to do was spend any time cleaning up and doing dishes.





For my overnight with a four year old, we spent time together making cup cakes. He really wanted to show off his cupcakes, so I put the cup cakes on small Solo plates to make sure that I did not lose a glass dish while he walked through the house with blue cupcakes. The smaller plates were perfect to hold a few cupcakes at a time. I did not want to have too many cupcakes splat on my floor if there was an accident.





For my get together with my friends, we had a nice day of bar-be-Que short ribs and drinks. Instead of getting hands, and dishes, dirty, I pulled out the Solo plates and cups. We finished the night off with toasted marshmallows and s'mores. There was no worries about breaking a plate or glass while eating outside. We had a great time eating and laughing, and the clean up was as easy as a toss in the trash can.


Eco Friendly products:

I know that some of you out there are thinking that using paper plates is wasteful, but the new Solo Bare line are compostable and recyclable. They are nicer on the environment and make clean up a breeze. Solo even used the Bare line to create a float for Earth day. You can check out the float in the video below.



Only Solo is Squared:

One of the products in the gift pack that I received was called Solo Squared. They are a unique square shape with a squared bottom. They actually fit nicely in the palm of your hand with the square shaped bottoms. They took a little getting used to for me since I have always has a round plate. The Squared products are an ideal shape for those of us that stand and eat since they are easy to hang on to. The Solo Squared products are also recyclable.


I enjoyed are using the Solo products. I like that they are portable enough to use for a camping trip, a back yard get together, or a tail gate party. They are the perfect way to visit with your friends and family and keep the clean up a snap while allowing me to be eco friendly too.

For a chance to win your own Solo dinnerware gift pack, click here 

You can follow Solo cup for news and updates on their social media accounts below

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RedSoloCup


*Disclaimer: I received the products described above at no charge in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and may vary from your own. 

Candle Warners Review

 Fire Prevention week is coming up between October 8-12. As the days get darker and cooler, candles are used more and more. Candles are one of the largest fire hazards that we use in our homes.

Lit up in the dark


I have switched to candle warmers instead of traditional candles. They are great in protecting small children from severe burns and also preventing accidental fires. They also do not burn. A small light bulb inside warms the wax until it melts. You can still have a candle scent and a glow in the corner of a room, but you do not get the soot and uneven melting that you get with a traditional candle.
I recently tried a Candlewarmers.com Holiday collection candle warmer. The pumpkin design is perfect for the fall season. This will be my way to keep candles out of our pumpkin on Halloween. I can set this adorable pumpkin up in my kitchen window for all of my guests to see as they approach my door.

The un-melted wax in the top of the warmer

I have spent the last several days melting Apple Cinnamon wax inside the top of the pumpkin. My house is starting to smell like apple cider. The scent is a lightly spicy cinnamon scent mixed with a subtle apple scent. It is warm and soothing to smell and makes me feel like curling up to a fire and a good book.

Candlewarmers.com prides themselves on going Flameless and practicing Candle-Sense. What are you going to do to keep your family safe during fire safety week?

*Disclaimer: I received the products described above at no charge in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and may vary from your own.  

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Rompus Words Review


















I recently played a game called Rompus Words on Facebook. Rompus Words is a crossword style puzzle game that is free to play. There is a version on Facebook or if you do not have a Facebook account you can go direct to http://rompuswords.com to play.

I am not good at playing games on my laptop. I find that I hit the space bar or bump the touch pad and mess up my turn....a lot. The game is slightly addicting once you get the hang of it. 

Here is some information from the creators of Rompus Words:

§  Goals: The goal of the game is to get as high of a score as possible in a limited amount of turns. At the end of each week the scores are tallied up so that you can compare them with your friends!The scores are reset at the end of each week.
§  Scoring: Words are scored by adding up the letter value  of every letter of each word formed. Sound familiar? There are several different types of letter pieces within the game, some of which reward a higher multiple of points.  Keep an eye out for the mystery bonus square (green with a question mark). It could be your friends trying to help you. It could be your friends out to get you. Or it could just be a random reward.
§  Helpers: If you get stuck, check out the ‘Helpers’ tab on the left. Here you will find an assortment of ways to shake things up. Most items in the ‘Helpers’ tab cost credits. You are given 5,000 credits when you first start playing Rompus Words. You earn more credits by playing daily and inviting friends to play along with you.
 If you have an elaborate vocabulary, love to compete against your friends, or you just like to play games, you will enjoy Rompus words.

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Bows-N-Ties.com Review



Tie in plastic sleeve
I recently received this tie from Bows-N-Ties.com. I was not sure what to expect, but I was really impressed with the look of the tie when I first received it. The Cavallieri brand tie came in a nice box and was packed in a plastic sleeve to protect it from damage.


close up of the pattern on the tie


The tie is a nice burgundy color will small pinpoints of white. The tie was slightly wrinkled after being packed in a box, but they easily came out after being unpacked and smoothed out.

Bows-N-Ties.com carries a selection of products for both men and boys. The site is easy to navigate to find the perfect tie . All of the ties on the site are listed by color to ensure that you are not searching through page after page of ties that you don't want or need. They also have an area to teach you how to tie a tie.  The site is not limited to just bows and ties. You can also find the perfect pair of cuff links, handkerchiefs, and even women's scarfs. 


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Wickedly Scented Candle Giveaway

Welcome to The Wickedly Scented Candle Giveaway



Wickedly Scented Candles brings you all natural soy candles with a twist. There's a prize in each candle. They have mixed it up a bit too! Rather than sticking to a particular piece of jewelry in each candles, they offer a variety of prizes. Not just different types of jewelry either, codes for FREE Candles, and other amazing prizes.They use only the best natural soy wax, best ingredients to bring you the best candles possible. Each candle is packed with wicked scent and contain a wicked prize. Enjoy two different sizes of candles, 21oz candles and 12oz candles. The 21oz candles contain prizes valued up to $6,500, and the 12oz candles contain prizes valued up to $399.

About the codes: Some codes are free candles, plus other prizes valued at $50 or less. Even if your code is an instant winner, your still going to have a chance at the BIG drawing. The big drawing is help once all codes are turned in, or time has run out.

Did You Know Wickedly Scented Has a Candle of the Month? Don't forget to check out their candle of the month. They offer special monthly candles, so they can bring more awesome special prizes. After the 300th candle is sold, guess what? Yes, they will draw a winner out of the special codes. Every candle will have a piece of jewelry or a limited code according to the size. Once all 300 candles have been sold, there will be a BRAND NEW candle of the month. Jenn from Jenn's Blah Blah Blog was recently lucky enough to review one of these fabulous candles. You'll have a chance to view the review, and earn extra entries into this fabulous giveaway. About the Giveaway
  • There is a total of 10 Winners 5 First Place Winners and 5 Second Place Winners! Their both awesome!
  • 5 Lucky people will win one 21 oz candle
  • 5 Lucky people will win one 12 oz candle
  • Must be 18 years or older to enter
  • Open to US residents only
  • Giveaway ends on October 23, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.
  • Use the Rafflecopter below to enter, remember to come back and take advantage of daily entries.
 
Disclaimer: Grammy2Kaiden is not responsible for shipping prize to winner, nor did I accept any form of payment to promote this giveaway. Sponsor is responsible for shipping the prize to the winner.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Atlantic Compass Rolling Tote Giveaway

Need a new travel bag? You can enter below for your chance to win an Atlantic Compass Rolling Tote in Cranberry like the one pictured below.



The giveaway will run from 9/22/2012 through 10/08/2012. A winner will be chosen at random using Rafflecopter. Open to US residents age 18 or older only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Atlantic Compass Rolling Tote Review

For those of you that do not know me personally, I am always on the go. Work, school, young children, and all of my family (with the exception of my children), live out of state. That means I am always running back and forth to visit someone, somewhere.

Because of my years of traveling, I have become an expert packer. I can pack for a five day trip in a standard carry on suit case and I can pack for 3 days in a small travel bag. What I have found in the past with my luggage is that they blend in with every other suitcase out there and my zippers break.

Pictured with the handle hidden in zipper pocket

I had an opportunity to try the Atlantic Compass Rolling Tote in cranberry. Finally a bag that will not look just like every other bag out there! Atlantic Compass Rolling Tote is the perfect size for a weekend run to see my mom or a quick overnight in the big city. It is light weight empty, which means that you will not be carrying extra weight when it is full.

View inside the Atlantic Compass Tote

The bag itself is simple. One large pocket and one small pocket and the styling is what you see the fight attendants using. The handle is collapsed and tucked behind a zipper out of the way until you need it. The zippers are what they call self repairing zippers. That means that they will open and close when you need them to. There are also two small wheels on the bottom of the bag for when you would rather pull it than carry it. I know I don't want to carry my bag if I don't have to.I originally was a little disappointed to see that there was not a small pocket inside the bag. I quickly realized that it really is not needed with the exterior pocket. Ultimately, less pockets means fewer areas for me too lose something.

Pictured with the handle extended

Overall, I am very pleased with this bag. I like that the bag is available in a color that will not look like every other travel bag at the airport. I really like to be able to lift my bags above my head to store them on an airplane so the fact that it is light weight is a tremendous benefit for me. The wheels on the Atlantic Compass Rolling Tote roll very smooth and do not bind at all. This will be a great bag that will last me through many years of future travel.


Disclaimer: I received the product described above free of charge. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way. My opinions may vary from your own.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

FunnyFace Cranberries Review



I am always looking for a way to keep my children healthy. As a parent, I know that it is hard to keep the junk food away and the healthy food around.

I recently had an opportunity to try FunnyFace Cranberries.I know that cranberries are supposed to be healthy and they are not loaded with sugar like candy.



The first bag that we opened was called Goofy Grape. When I first opened the bag my mouth started to water. The smell of the cranberries with a hint of grape smelled so good. The cranberries inside were soft and slightly moist. I already know how picky my family can be so I made sure to just grab a few out of the bag to hand to the kids. Believe it or not, my kids loved them. They were a huge success!

Okay so there was a small little part that I left out. The part about how I got my children to sit down and even attempt to eat them. When I received the FunnyFace Cranberries I also received a few balloons and a FunnyFace Beach ball. I also went the the FunnyFace website and printed out some of their coloring pages to get my kids to sit around the table. A little bribery goes a long way in my house. 


The second bag that I received was Rootin' Tootin' Raspberry. I opened this bag for breakfast. The first day I added a handful of the cranberries to a batch of oatmeal to add some fruit and a little flavor. The second day, I added the cranberries to bowls of Cheerios. The kids picked out the cereal and left the some of the cranberries in the bowls. But I decided the sank to the bottom and got lost. I certainly did not have any complaints. The oatmeal was a definite winner and not just with the kids. My husband said that he really enjoyed the flavor of the berries in his oatmeal too. 

The final decision: FunnyFace cranberries are slightly different than what I am used to finding in a store. They are moist and not  completely dried out. That makes them easier to add to foods with out cooking them or soaking them in advance. The added hint of flavor is also a nice touch. It kept my children from getting bored with them.These really were a big hit in my house. I will be searching for the other flavors now to see if I can create more healthy snacks for my children.

Disclosure: I received the product described above free of charge. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way. Your opinions may vary from my own.

Friday, September 14, 2012

CollageIt Free - Review



I recently tried the Free version of CollageIt. This is a free program that you can use to create digital collages. I had a great time putting together small themes of my digital images.The collage above is my small dedication to the the namesake of my blog. My sweet little boy that has epilepsy. It is a small representation of what I was able to do with the Free version.

I had no issues while using the free version of CollageIt. It was quick and easy to use without needing to read instructions. The program opens up with several blank templates for you to use. Pick the one you want based on the amount of photos that you would like to add and the setup of the photos. Once you start a collage it is easy to adjust. I started the collage above with 8 photos and reduced it down to 4 to get the color coordination and keep a simple theme.

You may notice a small watermark on my collage above also. That watermark is on all of the collages that I made with the free trial, but it can be removed with CollageIt Pro. There are also a few other features that are not available of the free version, but I had not issues designing and creating collages of family vacations, my pets, or my grandson.

I think that CollageIt will be a great tool for creating great personalized gifts for family members and also creating nice photos collages of our family vacations. The best part, I do not have to have any artistic talent to use this product.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Alchemilla Exfoliating Face Wash Cream Review


I recently tried Alchemilla Exfoliating Face Wash. This is an all natural product that is made in Oregon. Believe it or not, it is made my hand in small batches. That takes dedication!


I used this product while in the shower to make it easier on myself. I started with just about a dimes worth of face wash and gently rubbed it on my wet face. The product was lightweight and gentle on my skin. The product is lightly granulated for exfoliation, but don't let that fool you. It was extremely gentle on my skin. The product also rinsed easily from my skin and left my face feeling clean and refreshed. I also noticed a slight shine or glow to my facial skin after using this product.

With problem prone skin, I tend to use products that are natural or designed for gentle skin. I don;t have sensitive skin, I just have skin that likes to break out any time I give it a chance. Using the Alchemilla exfoliating face wash over the course of seven days I had zero problems. That in itself says a lot about the product.

What I did find is that the products scent is a little strong for me. The scent is not an artificial smell. It is a very earthy and natural scent. If I had to try and pinpoint the ingredients that I smell, I would say the rosemary and lavender. It is not an overwhelming scent it was just stronger than I was used to.

There are two things that struck me about the company that makes the  Alchemilla Exfoliating Face Wash Cream. First, they are a product that is made in the USA. Second, Alchemilla is a family run business with natural products that are handcrafted. I love the idea of purchasing a product that is actually made in the USA, especial in the NW where I reside. I also love the idea of purchasing products from a family run business that takes pride in the products that they produce.


Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Free Parenting Webinar - Discipline for Young Children

Logo


 The next Bright Horizons parenting webinar in the Parent Webinar Series is free to join. 


The Topic: Discipline for Young Children
The Time: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 fron 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. EDT

All parents know that figuring out how to discipline your child is one of the most daunting tasks of parenthood. Is time out the only choice? Do sticker charts really work? What do I do if my child has a tantrum at the grocery store?

Join Linda Mason, Bright Horizons co-founder and author of The Working Mother's Guide to Life as she answers questions on appropriate discipline techniques for children under the age of 5. We have been collecting your parenting questions and dilemmas and will provide you with strategies and clear steps to take when your child needs a bit of redirection.

If you would like to register for this free webinar click here 

 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Ipad 3 Free Blogger Event

iPad3 Holiday Event is hosted by Mom Blog Society.

Prize: iPad3
The event dates: 10/4 - 11/1
Free Event ~ Sign-Up Here

Don't forget to tell them Grammy2Kaiden sent you

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Free Blogger Opp for Wickedly Scented Candles




Jenn's Blah Blah Blog and soon to launch Pink Ninja Media, bring you another FREE Blogger Opportunity! The sponsor of this wonderful event will be Wickedly Scented Candle Company! Wickedly Scented Candles Company is offer our readers a chance to win an awesome prize! 10 Candles, means 10 Winners! Wickedly Scented Candle Company offers wicked scents with a super prize valued at $10 up to $6,500! Don't you think your reader will love a chance at this fabulous prize! So what's in the candles, I know you're just waiting to find out more! When you burn their candles you'll find different prizes such as: jewelry, or a special code according to the size of the candle. Monthly special candles will also have an extra prize that you're going to have a chance at willing according to the size of the candle. They offer different sizes of candles as well! So what's in it for you?
  • Free Facebook and Twitter Links. WITH ANNOUNCEMENT POST!
  • Co-host spots!
  • Additional Links are $2 (Paying bloggers will be moved up on Rafflecopter and placed after the hosts and co-hosts.)
What's in it for your readers?
  • 10 Winners!
  • 5 lucky people will win a 21 oz candle (prize in every candle up to $6,500)
  • 5 lucky people will win 12 oz candle (prize in every candle up to $375)
 

Details about giveaway:
  • Dates Sept 23 until Oct 23.
  • Open to US residents
Join us and help, Jenn's Blah Blah Blog and Pink Ninja Media introduce Wickedly Scented Candle Company to our readers the right way! With a fabulous giveaway, offering 10 winners and plenty of chances to win. Where do I sign up?
I sure hope to see you there!

Monday, September 10, 2012

LoveSac Sactional Giveaway

Welcome to the Sactionals Sectional Furniture Giveaway!

Sponsored by LoveSac.com



There are only 2 pieces. Combine any quantity of Sactionals "Bases" and "Sides" to arrange (and rearrange) any chair, sofa, sectional, loveseat, or bed you can imagine - no tools necessary. Sactionals Covers are removable and can be changed at any time, so you’ll never be stuck with furniture that doesn't match if you decide to change your home décor. Sactionals Covers are also machine washable, so when the kids spill their food and drink all over the furniture or the dog uses your Sactionals to wipe his feet off, just take the covers off and throw them in the washing machine!
Four Cushion Chaise Sectional with Chocolate Rhinoplush Covers 


Sactionals Four Cushion Chaise Sectional with Chocolate Rhinoplush Covers ($3,260 Value)
  • 4 Sactionals Base Pieces, 5 Sactionals Side Pieces
  • Machine Washable, Changeable Chocolate Rhinoplush Covers
  • Easy to Change Covers Anytime!
  • Easy to Rearrange Into Dozens of Positions
  • Most Versatile Number of Pieces
  • Fast and 100% Free Shipping
  • Lifetime Guarantee!
Four Sactionals Bases and five Sactionals Sides make a Four Cushion Chaise Sectional. A Four Cushion Chaise Sectional is not only the world’s most popular sectional furniture setup, but one of the smartest ways to buy your first Sactionals as well. Just nine pieces offer you eight everyday furniture solutions to real life dilemmas. In minutes and with no tools, you can turn this TV-room sectional into a Movie Lounger for a cozy family movie night, a bed for unexpected house guests, a Long Sofa with Ottoman for more formal entertaining, an L-shaped sofa for maximum seating capacity, four individual chairs for game night or two loveseats for couples entertaining.

Four Cushion Chaise Sectional with Seawater Rhinoplush Covers Four Cushion Chaise Sectional with Taupe Rhinoplush Covers

One lucky winner will receive a Sactionals Four Cushion Chaise Sectional {$3,260 Value}!

Giveaway ends October 1st at 11:59pm, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Enter below for your chance to win the Sactional of your choice of Chocolate Rhinoplush, Taupe or Seawater Covers



a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Disclosure: In the event of a winner outside of the lower 48 US states is selected {Alaska, Hawaii or Canada}, the winner is subject to paying the shipping and handling fees associated with this prize by the sponsor. I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Grammy2Kiaden is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

EasyClean Duster Review

There is nothing worse than dusting in my house. I live in a small cow town and I am surrounded by pastures. If I dust my house, ten minutes later things are dusty again. Unfortunately, I hate dust on everything. The EasyClean Duster is a unique way to dust your blinds and even the top of your cabinets and doors. 



Assembling the EasyClean Duster is simple. I was a matter of sliding just a few pieces onto the handle. My first goal, to clean my very neglected blinds in my front room. I have a wood burning stove that sits about 2 feet from that window so the amount of dust builds up fast. The EasyClean Duster effectively removed dust from my blinds. What I did find is that it was not quick and easy to clean the open blinds. I needed to close the blinds completely. When they were open (down with the slats opened up) I found myself fighting to line the EasyClean Duster up with the slats in the blinds for each section.

Next test was my shelving. I have a large entertainment center with shelves galore. They are pretty, but a complete pain to clean. It was very easy to clean of the shelves quickly without much effort. I did not need to do anything special to clean the shelves. Just move a few items, wipe, and shove the items back. Quick, easy, and done!



My last test was my ceiling fans. If you think that I ever clean them on a regular basis you are wrong. I am a lazy duster. I only dust what I see. I cannot see the top of my ceiling fan blades so why bother, right? I have short ceilings and I am very tall, so I did not need to attach a long handle to clean my fans. The EasyClean Duster cleaned my ceiling fan blades a little too well. ICK! Apparently there was enough dust up there breeding that the baby dust bunnies started to jump when I made my first pass. I had little bunnies falling from the sky. I had to take my EasyClean out side to shake off the dust so I could continue the process.

Overall, the EasyClean Duster worked amazingly well. I love that the pads are removable and washable, so there is no need to throw anything away or replace after each use. The idea of adding a handle is great. There are a few places in my house where a longer reach will be needed. But that involves the garage (known as the man cave here) and spiderwebs. I do my best to avoid both of those.


Disclaimer: I received the product described above free of charge to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and were not influenced by another party. Your results and opinions may vary from my own.

Friday, September 7, 2012

28 Day Mascara Review



I get up every morning and perform my morning rituals. I am a natural make up gal, but I refuse to leave home without it. I recently had an opportunity to try a product called 28 Day Mascara and I think I am in love.

The product is designed to provide dark eyelashes for up to 28 days if applied correctly. Now don;t get me wrong, the application process is a little more touchy than applying regular mascara. One little hand wiggle without preparation and you will have a black streak for a few days.

I started the process by reading every little word on the instruction sheet. Of course, I skipped the allergy test. I was not going to wait 24 hours to test this stuff out. That probably was not the smartest thing to do, but I am slightly impatient.

The first step is truly being prepared. I washed my eye lashes with an oil free facial cleanser and applied a little, and I mean a little, petroleum jelly under my eye (not on the lashes) and on my upper lid. According to the directions, this helps prevent stains if you have an oops. It also helps the eye shields stay in place to protect under your eyes.

Once I had my lashes cleaned, my skin protected, and the eye shields in place I got to work. I applied the cream color on my upper lashes of my right eye first. This was not an easy task, but I managed. The applicator is a small wand that is plastic so it does not want to hold liquid. I quickly wiped the color off the applicator and applied the activator. Whew, this was hard work! I do not have a steady hand and I did not want to walk around with a black eye for the next several days. I made sure to repeat the process with my lower lashes on my right eye, then I moved to my left.

My natural lashes are almost blond, so one application appeared to be enough for me. It did not take me too long to apply the colorant and activator to both sets of eye lashes. It took a total of about 10 minutes with prep time. Which I thought was pretty decent for something that is going to last several weeks.  I am very happy with the results and so far I have made it 12 days without reapplying any form of mascara. Yeah!

Disclaimer: I received the product described above free of charge. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. Your opinions and results may vary from my own.

Packaways Storage Box Review

If your house is anything like mine, you have limited storage space. I do not have any extra space to store unused boxes but I always need a box to ship items, store items, or send my adult kids home with items.
Folded Flat


Packaways are reusable plastic multipurpose storage boxes. When I received my classic PackAways I was a little concerned, They came in a thin flat box and I was nervous they would not hold up to my wear and tear. Once I opened the shipping box, I was glad to see they were better than I thought. They came in bright colors (Green and Pink) and were extremely easy to set up.
Opened Up and Ready to Pack
I had to put these to a true test. I have a million things to box up since my daughter moved out. Needless to say, I had plenty of items that I could shove in them. Once I had the boxes open and ready to pack, I started to fill them. I found that they were stronger than I expected and they are a great size. I managed to pack two dresser drawers worth of clothes into one box and still had a little room left. I did not try to pack heavy items such as books or dishes in these. I was not sure that the box would truly hold together with 40 pounds of books packed in it.

One feature of PackAways that I really fell in love with is the built in label. There is a small white label on the side of each box that you can write the contents of the box on. The label is like a mini dry erase board. As long as you use a specified (China Dry Erase) marker, you can just wipe it off and write the new contents on the label.

Overall PackAways Classic storage boxes are easy to setup, easy to label, and even easier to fold flat and tuck under the bed or in the back of a closet.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Free Kelly Kit For Your Child

Kelly Kits are a monthly subscription box priced at $9.99 a month.

Kelly Kits encourage art play using a wide variety of creative tools & materials beyond what coloring books can offer. The Original Kelly Kit comes complete with one set of five unique activities that cover the five art disciplines: painting, drawing, sculpting, printmaking, & collage. Each kit contains all of the tools & materials needed for the activities, the user just needs access to a kitchen! To increase functionality for homeschooling parents, each activity includes an instruction card with an enrichment idea to adapt the art activity to a school lesson. Kelly Kits are designed to encourage creativity & teach!

Get a FREE Children's Art Kelly Kit Delivered to Your Door!  A $9.99 Value http://www.kellykits.com/free-kit-2/ Promo Code: USFG99

http://www.usfamilyguide.com/_emailgraphics/kellykits011.jpg 


Disclosure: By publishing this post I will receive a free Kelly Kit.

Soft Scrub Tough and Gentle Sweepstakes

Soft Scrub is running their Tough and Gentle Sweepstakes to promote that they are tough on stains and gentle on surfaces.

One lucky person will win the Grand Prize of $1000

50 lucky people will win a $20 Gift card to a home improvement store (tough) and a $20 gift card to a store where you can pamper yourself (gentle)

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Soft Scrub Review


Years ago Soft Scrub was just a liquid cleanser that you had to squeeze out of a bottle and scrub in. Wow has it changed. Soft Scrub has a new product line called Soft Scrub Total. The bottle is a newly designed shape that can be used upside down!

Soft Scrub Total is designed as an all purpose cleaner. It can be used to clean all of the surfaces in your kitchen. I used the Soft Scrub Total to clean inside my microwave and to surface clean my counter tops. I was very happy with the way it pulled out the stains on my counters and was able to easily cut through the splattered bacon grease inside my microwave. The extra bonus with Soft Scrub Total was that I could hold the bottle upside down and spray a thicker foam solution onto the top of the inside of my microwave. The thicker foam allowed it to have time to work before dripping down.

I saved the Soft Scrub Total with Bleach to kill germs on my counters after preparing raw meats, cleaning the kitchen sink, and of course for my bathrooms. The option for the fine spray or thicker foam spray really is a lifesaver for this product. The last thing I wanted to do was get bleach on something that I should not spray bleach on.  The foam spray and upside down functionality was great for spraying the inside of my toilets and mildew stains in my showers. The fine mist spray was great for the counters and sinks to ensure proper coverage.

Overall, Soft Scrub Total exceeded my expectations. There is a clear advantage of having the ability to spray the bottle upside down and change from a spray to a foam at any time. My counters, sinks, toilets, and showers were left clean providing me a peace of mind that my family will not be exposed to germs within my home.

*Disclaimer: I received the product specified above for free in order to facilitate my review. All of the opions above are my own and were not influenced in any way. My opinions may vary.