Orb Factory SparkleUps Cupcakes: A Review

If you have a little princess at home (or two or three, like me), then I'm sure you know the absolute necessity for all things glitter, shine and SPARKLE. My girls can never (seriously, NEVER) get enough when it comes to sparkly wonders, especially when it involves any kind of craftiness. Orb Factory's new SparkleUps line is the perfect combination of both... and a practically no-mess craft for you moms that are tired of the bits and pieces many sparkly crafts can leave behind. SparkleUps are jewel-by-number stickers that allow your child to place self-adhesive jewels on super cute graphics in one of the following themes: Cupcakes, Unicorns or Butterflies. After the jewels are all in place, your child can peel off the bejeweled sticker and place it anywhere from her boots (like my oldest Princess did) to her mirror (like my 4 year-old did) to her folder, anywhere a sticker will stick.

I love SparkleUps Cupcakes! I'm a pretty crafty mom and love to do crafts with my girls. But, sometimes they are discouraged when their end products don't really measure up to mine (in THEIR eyes). While I try to convince them that their creations are unique and beautiful and that practice makes perfect, they are sometimes still discouraged. But, when we all did SparkleUps together, they were so excited, especially because their end product was exactly like mine... perfect! My 4 year-old was beside herself with the sparkling cupcake that she had created. They really are extremely cute and sparkly. Even my husband was impressed with their cuteness factor. My daughter asked, "We can't eat these, right? Even though they look very delicious, we can't eat them, right?" Yes, they're THAT cool!

The Orb Factory offers other great stick-by-number crafts like Sticky Mosaics and Stick 'n Style Jewelry. They even have a new Sticky Mosaics Butterflies iPad App. Check out all their great products here.

You can buy SparkleUps Cupcakes on the Orb Factory website for just $9.99!

WIN:

You can win a SparkleUps Cupcakes of your very own from The Orb Factory! For your mandatory entry, become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar). This is the mandatory entry for this giveaway and must be done before all of the additional entries.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.

3. Follow The Orb Factory on Twitter.

4. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following: #win SparkleUps Cupcakes from @theorbfactory and @moanasaves ends 6/6 http://bit.ly/jCtwsW
5. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
6. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

7. Like the The Orb Factory Facebook page.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on Monday 6/6 at 11:59 PM PST (Pacific Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a sparkly product sample to facilitate my review. Any and all opinions here are my own.

Camelbak Bottle: A Review and Giveaway

I love drinking water. My favorite drink is ice cold water and I always bring a bottle of water to work. I have that huge 32 oz Nalgene Brita bottle from when it was advertised on The Biggest Loser. As much as I love that bottle, I think I'm gonna switch loyalties to the Camelbak.

Available at HeartRate Monitors USA, the Camelbak is 500 mL which is equivalent to 16 oz. I like the fact that it's smaller. It's a more manageable and lighter. It's not as bulky as my Nalgene. My absolute favorite thing about this bottle is the built in straw and the bottle bite valve at the top. With my other bottle, I had to get my own straw and put it in the bottle. (I really like drinking with straws!) When I got the bottle to review, I was super excited and thinking about riding my bike and being able to drink my water at the same time because now all I had to do was flip the valve on the top and drink. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to try that out. 

My kids on the other hand LOVE the bottle. They constantly ask for it since it's so much easier for them to drink from it. My three year old can flip it easily and drink. My one year old can drink, leave it on the ground and if it gets knocked over, no worries, the water won't spill since the valve is only opened when you drink from it. AMAZING! 

The one thing that I didn't like was the short straw...I still had some water left and I couldn't get it! I had to take my cap off. But I guess it's a sign that I need to refill! This spill proof, BPA free bottle, makes it easy to stay hydrated on the go.  You can check out all of the great reviews on this bottle HERE.

I think I drink more water with this water bottle! I'm even considering getting my family their own bottles, especially for my kids so they won't keep stealing and drinking from my bottle!

SHOP: You can shop online on at Heart Rate Monitors USA to get the Camelbak bottle as well as other products to help you get and stay healthy. There's also a coupon code for you to use: Use "CLBK" at the checkout for 5% off all Camelbak products. Be sure to check out their blog as well for great lifestyle tips and previews of upcoming products.

WIN:

You can win a Camelbak bottle of your very own from Heart Rate Monitors USA!  For your mandatory entry, become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).  This is the mandatory entry for this giveaway and must be done before all of the additional entries.   

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.  

3. Follow Heart Rate Monitors USA on Twitter.   

4. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following: #win a Camelbak water bottle from @HRM_USA and @moanasaves ends 6/1 http://bit.ly/ks9Wrp
5. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar). 
6. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

7.  Like the Heart Rate Monitors USA Facebook page.

   
Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on 6/1 at 11:59 PM PST (Pacific Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.
 
I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a product sample to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Feeling Campy? (A Review)

Summer! My kids are counting the days until school gets out. Do you have big summer plans? Are your kids going to summer camp? Some of my favorite and least favorite childhood memories are of summer camp. What made camp great for me was the daytime activities, the campfire songs and the cute crafts. On the other hand camp can be lonely and the bugs...the bugs can be miserable!  Bravery in a Bottle has a great solution for both of these camping blues. Their "Feeling Campy" aromatherapy spray with essential oils creates an actual soothing effect and a natural bug repellent. This bug away blend includes the following ingredients:

citronella

eucalyptus

catnip

cedar wood

lemongrass

lavender

litsea cubea

tea tree

patchouli

These essential oils have so many benefits. Antidepressant, fungicidal, insect repellent, heals insect bites & stings, treats headaches, etc. The best part? It's natural! No more spraying harmful chemicals on your kids. Just the thought of my kids spraying Deet on their sensitive skin night after night at camp makes me cringe. (As a side note, I'm so happy to spray this on my toddler because who knows when her little deet covered hands might make it in to her mouth. Yay!) 

My kids use "Feeling Campy" every evening when they venture out to play. An added bonus (besides no bug bites) is that as my children repetitively use this spray they subconsciously associate the spray with home and pleasant feelings. This way I can pack "Feeling Campy" with my kids once they're old enough for over-night school camp-outs and they will have a scented remedy to homesickness that actually has therapeutic benefits to combat fear and anxiety. I was especially curious whether about the smell of this spray and if it would smell too 'woodsy'. The verdict? It does have a fresh outdoorsy smell but it's light and my kids like it.

As Bravery in a Bottle says: "The best way to solve childhood fears is to give children the feeling of control and power over what is frightening to them." I love this idea of a 100% natural essential oil spray that is multi-functional and empowering for my children. I reviewed the Monster Vapor in March but Bravery in a Bottle also sells Courage Concoction (a well-being blend for those days with big fears like tests or competitions) and Storm Squashers (clarity blend for overcoming those nights with thunderous spring showers). Head on over to their site to purchase your own bottle of a perfectly "scent-sational" solution to some of your child's biggest fears.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive free product to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are mine.

STIKINS labels Review

I love to label all sorts of things, but finding a label that STAYS ON clothes is such a hassle. I've used a few different kinds & they either come off too easy or if they do stay on they leave a yucky residue. I was anxious to try out LabelLightHouse.com's Stikins labels.

Here is The LabelLighthouse.com story

When Lena Grierson’s oldest daughter started school, and returned home one time too many without a glove, it was time to start labeling her daughter's things. Mrs Grierson was surprised to find that there was no fast and easy way of doing that.

“Why not a peel-and-stick label?” she thought.  Why not, indeed! Thus LabelLighthouse.com was born. Mrs Grierson and her company are the exclusive distributors of Stikins™ self-sticking name labels in North America. The Stikins™ self-sticking ID label is a very easy to apply clothing, shoe and item label. The label sticks on to the wash care label of the garment and is washer and dryer safe. It couldn’t be any easier. And that of course is the idea. 


   
Eager to try these labels out I put them on whatever I could find: water bottles, lunch sacks, hats, clothes. AND they stuck. They stick fabulously! And they are a perfect size. Not too small & not too big, just the right size to see but not be too annoying.  I like that they have tons of colors & sizes, so the label can be perfect for whatever you need.  I think these labels would be a great gift idea for any MOM, Labels are a Mom's Best Friend!




To PURCHASE: 
Visit LabelLighthouse.com

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Three Idiots (A New Bollywood Classic): Review and Giveaway

3 IDIOTS 1-disc DVD (Catalog #2274044 US and Canada)

Street Date: April 26, 2011

Screen Format: Widescreen

Audio: English/Hindi 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English, Spanish and French

U.S. Rating: PG-13

Total Run Time: 164 minutes

Closed Captioned: Yes

Own the award winning hit Bollywood film that had Indian audiences raving when 3 IDIOTS arrived on DVD April 26^th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Bollywood’s highest grossing film ever stars award winning actors Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Sharman Joshi. All-new, exclusive bonus features make this DVD a must for fans.

In the tradition of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off comes this refreshing comedy about a rebellious prankster with a crafty mind and a heart of gold.  Rascal. Joker. Dreamer. Genius... You've never met a college student quite like "Rancho."  From the moment he arrives at India's most prestigious university, Rancho's outlandish schemes turn the campus upside down—along with the lives of his two newfound best friends. Together, they make life miserable for "Virus," the school’s uptight and heartless dean. But when Rancho catches the eye of the dean's sexy daughter, Virus sets his sights on flunking out the "3 idiots" once and for all.

3 IDIOTS won 6 FilmFare Awards in India including Best Picture and Best director. It also swept the International Indian Film Academy Awards with an impressive 16 wins.

3 IDIOTS SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Idiots in Ladakh
• Aal Izz Well
• 100% Idiots
• Making of Miss Idiot

Have you ever watched a Bollywood movie?  Bollywood (the Bolly is Bombay/Mumbai in India) is a huge global movie industry and I'm excited to see more and more Bollywood movies being released on DVD in the U.S. 3 Idiots is the latest Hindi movie to cross the pond and, whether you've experienced the Bollywood genre before or not, this movie is definitely worth your time!  I sat down with the hub and First Born to watch 3 Idiots.  First Born and I love Bollywood films but between our schedules we rarely have time to watch them. The hub is not as big a fan (as I think he should be).  He ended up watching the whole 164 minute movie and laughing several times throughout!  3 Idiots is about 3 young men who learn the value of friendship and what education really should be.  Then they re-unite, 10 years later, to discover how that time at college shaped their lives.  There are lots of laughs, some surprises, and a few songs along the way.  This movie can be viewed with older kids (the PG-13 does apply here) and communicates a great message about learning and competition.  Don't let subtitles intimidate you!  Check out 3 Idiots! 

SHOP: You can purchase 3 Idiots at any retail outlet carrying Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases.

WIN: Woot!  Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and ThinkJam are offering two Moana Saves winners their own copies of 3 Idiots.  For your mandatory entry, tell us if you've watched a Bollywood movie before and, if so, which one.  This is the mandatory entry for this giveaway and must be done before all of the additional entries.
   
To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
4. Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter. 
5. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following: #win 3 Idiots a #bollywood film (2 winners) from @foxhomeent and @moanasaves ends 5/30 http://bit.ly/ijaROn

6. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).

7. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

 

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on 5/30 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner. 

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive free product to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are mine.

Peter Pauper Press Review and Giveaway

Let's just get one thing straight: I think paper is magical.  I love the freshness of a white, lined (or unlined) page, the smell of a new book, the moment before I set pen to paper in a new journal or planner.  My generation transitioned into computer technology (instead of being born with it) so while typing on a keyboard is faster than writing in longhand, the act of writing, of putting a piece of yourself down on paper, is still amazing to me.

And that's why I was a bit giddy when I got to review paper products from Peter Pauper Press.  I was sent several things (a few I'm saving for our Spoiling Dad gift guide for Father's Day) and all of the ones I'm featuring here make wonderful Mother's Day, birthday and graduation presents for the special people in your life.

First some info about Peter Pauper Press from the website: 


PETER PAUPER PRESS, founded in 1928, is one of America’s leading publishers of fine gift books, humor books, compact references, travel guides, unique journals, quality stationery, holiday cards, and innovative children’s activity books. We publish approximately 100 books and ancillary products per year.
Our product lines include:

• Little Black Books. Hip little reference books on popular topics, from Barbecue and Beer to Casino Games, Cocktails, and Coffee to Sex, Sushi, and Wine.
• Little Black Travel Books. Compact guides to top destinations with insider tips and foldout neighborhood maps. Available now: London, New York, Paris, Rome, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. Coming soon: Boston and Walt Disney World.
• Our Little Pink Books are sophisticated guides to Elegance, Entertaining, Weddings, and more.
• Charming Petites,™ our famous line of mini gift books with ribbon markers and 24K gold-plated charms.
• Gift Kits, lively little Petites Plus and Holiday Petites Plus books combined with bonus gifts. New Petites Plush titles combine some of our most popular books with endearing toy animals.
• BookNotes™ with Music CDs. Attractive gift books combined with set-the-mood music. For holidays and everyday.
• Illustrated Keepsakes gift books, whether heartwarming or humorous, are perfect to treasure or share.
• Pocket Gift Editions offer wisdom and wit on a variety of topics.
• Stationery, including our new Letter-Perfect boxed stationery and our bestselling thank you and blank note cards, feature contemporary designs and inviting prices.
• Personal Organizers. Perfect for brides, moms-to-be, new parents, new homeowners, creative cooks, and busy families.
• Our popular Scratch & Sketch™ and other Kids' Activity Books entertain (and educate) kids at home or on the go!
• Our Journals offer a variety of formats for inspired writing, including Artisan, Leather, Pocket, Locking, and Foldover.
• Engagement Calendars include a variety of appealing design options and formats, featuring the practical weekly planner our customers prefer.
• Holiday Cards. We’ve got lots of fresh, festive ways to say “Season’s Greetings!”

I looked at the opportunity to review some paper products from Peter Pauper as a badly-needed "organize me" opportunity just before the kids get out for summer break.  And so just like a new piece of paper represents the potential of a new beginning for me, the products I reviewed from Peter Pauper Press provide me with spaces for reminders, quick notes, to-do lists, even feelings.  For each product I received, I will include the basic info about it from the site as well as my take and evaluation of it. Ready?

Mom's Weekly Planner is an inspired 18-month planner that makes managing your family's activities and appointments a snap! (Well, almost.) View your weekly master plan on each two-page spread; there's a column for each family member. Monthly tabs, an elastic band place holder, address pages, and tear-out "To-Do" lists round out the package. It's indispensable! Concealed wire-o binding; 7" wide x 9" high.

I really love this organizer.  It comes in two solid colors and two designs.  I have the one pictured on the right and I love it.  Because of the binding, it lays flat when you're using it and there is plenty of room to keep track of everyone's schedule.  The one I have starts in July 2011 so for now I'm adding lots of info to the pre-schedule pages which keep track of importat contact info, etc.  It will be our Master Book for the hub and I as well as the kids.  I can leave it out and open to the current date to keep myself and everyone else up-to-date and on task (I love that!).

Compact Engagement Calendars: These tote-, backpack-, and purse-sized Compact Engagement Calendars come in a variety of appealing design options; all feature the practical weekly planner our customers tell us they prefer. Each engagement calendar covers 16 months (from September 2011 to December 2012) and provides space for notes and addresses. A handy elastic band marks your place, and binding lies flat for ease of use. Measures 5" wide x 7" high.

This compact calendar comes in several awesome designs (I received one that starts in January 2011).  I kind of wanted more than one even though I didn't need them because they're gorgeous.  I use this smaller calendar at work and take it to my classes I teach.  Yes, I have a smartphone and I add appts, meetings, etc to it to keep up with my life but it's hard to jam appts or notes into my phone when I have 6 students waiting for me after class (I am so not a txtr).  This is my teaching calendar.  In it, I put in student appts, handouts I have to Xerox for the next class, notes about student behavior or about something I need to teach, etc.  All the stuff that's easy to scribble down in a minute and that I'll forget if I don't write it all down. This small book helps me keep my head on at work and the design is beautifully calming.  It is a visual oasis in my work day and my veritable collection of Post-its on the go.

Oversized Journals: Take pen in hand and spin your tales with bold ingenuity in our handsome bookbound Oversized Journals! Each journal features a beautiful design and its own special features, such as foil accents, a ribbon marker, classic corner and spine treatments, or gilded page edges. Each has 192 lined pages of acid-free, archival-quality paper that takes ink or pencil beautifully. 7-1/4" wide x 9" high.

This is the kind of journal that makes me want to write!  First off, I love this design.  To me it acknowledges the colorful potential of women who join hands to work together.  I should be keeping a personal journal but I don't.  I'm crazy busy (isn't every woman?).  What I regret most about not keeping a journal is missing those moments with my family that are amazing and deserve to be retold over and over again but often fade with time.  Or those moments when I want to tell my daughter how proud I am of her or my hub that I appreciated that thing he did but I get so busy putting out the next fire in our lives that I never follow through and the opportunity is lost.  I'm making the unity journal my family slam book.  I have already started recording those moments when I'm having fond thoughts about my family members and I'm going to try to pose a question every Sunday that each of us can answer.  Maybe this is more of a family journal.  I love the idea of my kids having something like this when I'm not around any more and, for me, it will be easier to build over time in the unity journal.

My overall verdict is that Peter Pauper Press makes beautiful tools to help you put pen to paper as well as wonderful gifts for all sorts of occasions.  If I had a recommendation to make, it would be that Peter Pauper start a "green" line (if they don't already have one in development) where they offer journals and/or other gifts made from recycled materials.  I would love that!

SHOP: You can shop online for Peter Pauper Press products here where orders of $30 or more ship free.  Every day.  No exceptions.  No black-out dates.

WIN:  You can win a Mom's Weekly Planner of your choice by telling us what Peter Pauper product you would love to try (check out their selection here) and then leaving a comment below about it.  This is the mandatory entry for this giveaway and must be done before all of the additional entries.
   
To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
4. Follow Peter Pauper Press on Twitter. 
5. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following: #win a Mom's Weekly Planner from @peterpauperpres and @moanasaves ends 5/23 http://bit.ly/jud2OS

6. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).

7. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

8. Like the Peter Pauper Press Facebook page.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on Monday, 5/23 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive free products to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are mine.

Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure: A Review

I have to admit that I'm not a fan of Sharpay (back in the High School Musical context) but Second Born really wanted to see this movie and so I was glad to review it when Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure was available.

Some info about the movie from IMDB: Sharpay Evans travels to New York where she is pursuing a Broadway career but it's her dog who lands an acting gig first. Director: Michael Lembeck Writers: Robert Horn, Peter Barsocchini (characters) Stars: Ashley Tisdale, Austin Butler and Cameron Goodman. (90 mins)

To celebrate Disney's new Sharpay movie, Second Born invited two of her friends over to eat banana splits and watch it.  I was surprised at how the 7-9 yr old set were fairly savvy movie critics!  They could tell when a romantic moment or a twist in the plot was coming up.

First I want to talk about what works in the movie.  Sharpay is still a flawed, self-centered character and Ashley Tisdale's performance reflects that well.  Boi's subplot and performance were fresh and engaging.  The spoken dialogue of Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure is pretty snappy which is something I appreciate in films especially when there is no accompanying vulgarity (this movie is rated G, peeps!).  Plus the songs were great!

That said, the plot of Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure is fairly predictable for a girl's rite of passage film.  I was surprised at how quickly Sharpay got used to being a subordinate (not saying how!)--it didn't feel like a convincing character transformation.  And the ending was predictable as well.

Even with those flaws, Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure was a great movie for girls, reinforcing how one should reach for her dream and stay true to herself all the way.  This film is a frothy, pink 90 minute girl-power-fest that parents can feel comfortable sharing with their tween daughters.  Although Sharpay is as high maintenance as ever, her willingness to work hard for her dream is a great example for girls.

Here is a clip from Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure to whet your appetite for the movie:

Disney Movie Rewards currently has a $8 off coupon for the Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure Combo Pack HERE.

I was compensated for this post although I did receive a free copy of Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure to facilitate this review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Sunny Beadz Review and Giveaway

Sun + Skin = Tan...or Sunburn depending on skin type and hours in the sun. If your kids ever disagree with you about whether or not to wear sunscreen, get them the Sunny Beadz. Sunny Beadz are made by the makers of Sunny SleeveZ. I had a chance to test out this super neat color changing jewelry. The sol beads change color in the sun! It's so cool! I chose this cute little octopus necklace to test out.

I wore it as I biked to work and as I biked, I realized that since it was a necklace, I couldn't see it change color which defeated the whole purpose! As the day went on and the sun got hotter, students and colleagues noticed that the beads on my necklace had changed colors when going from inside the classroom to outside. This gave me a chance to tell them about how the necklace works.

The ultraviolet light detection beads change color instantly in the sun to alert the user of harmful UV rays. The stronger the UV rays, the deeper the beads color. The beads turn off-white when there is no UV light to shine on them. This is a really neat product to help teach kids about wearing sunscreen and as well as remind them to wear it. You don't even have to wear it, you could attach it to a baby stroller, surfboard, golf bag, lunch box or purse! As you do your daily routine out in the sun, it's a cool color-changing signal to protect your skin!

I don't usually wear sunscreen but after wearing this necklace, I will definitely (attempt) to put sunscreen on more often. Even when I thought the sun wasn't that "hot" or "bright", the beads still changed color which shows me that there is a need to protect my skin.

If I had a chance to do this again, I'd change my choice of jewelery, I think I would choose a bracelet instead, this way I get to SEE the cool color change (and go put sunscreen on) and I can also put it on my family's wrists when they go outside. The necklace itself was difficult for me to determine if the beads had changed color but it was a good visual for others around me to see the color change.

Did you know that just ONE blistering sunburn doubles the risk of skin cancer in later life?

FACT: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the USA today

FACT: UV rays cannot be felt and are present whether or not it is hot outside.

FACT: It takes less than 11 minutes for the sun to irreparably damage your skin

I'm assuming we all love our skin and wouldn't want to develop skin cancer so let's all minimize our risk and get some Sunny Beadz to help remind us, especially our little ones, to wear sunscreen to protect ourselves.

SHOP: Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, all Sunny Beadz necklaces have been discounted (from $14.99 to just $12.99), come with a free bracelet and FREE SHIPPING. 

View the selection HERE.

WIN:  You can win a Sunny Beadz necklace of your choice by liking Sunny Sleevz (the makers of Sunny Beadz) on Facebook and then leaving a comment below telling us you've done so.  This is the mandatory entry for this giveaway and must be done before all of the additional entries.
   
To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
4. Follow Sunny Sleevz on Twitter. 
5. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following: #win a Sunny Beadz necklace of your choice from @sunnysleevez and @moanasaves ends 6/1 http://bit.ly/ipTx1b

6. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
7. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on 6/1 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Review: Emerson Creek Pottery-Iris Drizzle Bottle

Oh lands. There I was, refilling the most beautiful drizzle bottle on the planet when I realized that I have to review this product! It's no longer just a product either. It's a member of the family!

I had been looking years. Yes, YEARS for a drizzle bottle with both form and function. And I'm not kidding when I say that browsing through the website of Emerson Creek Pottery made my heart patter. Their products are gorgeous. And when I received their Iris Drizzle Bottle, it was love. At first sight.

I use this bottle every day. The spout. Oh, the spout. It doesn't pour, it literally drizzles. Roasted potatoes are a big side dish in our family. Anna's daughters will attest to this. Roasting potatoes (or any other dish) really should be stress free. But for me, it wasn't. I always stressed out just a tad bit about pouring olive oil into a spoon and then attempting to distribute the oil evenly over the potatoes. And of course, there was always more oil on some parts of the pan then on others. But this bottle literally takes care of that. The oil definitely distributes evenly, but also because of this, I use less oil!

It's a beautiful piece of artwork too. Handmade, handcrafted, microwave and dishwasher safe, ovenproof, and lead free. This will keep forever and I'm excited to pass it on to generations after me. I feel so lucky to have been able to review this product. If I didn't get to review it, I would have purchased it as I have purchased other products from Emerson Creek Pottery.

And do not get me started on their Go Green Chili Bowls. I'm so getting me a set of six for Cinco De Mayo.  Check out all of the Emerson Creek Pottery goodness HERE.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a free product to facilitate my review. Any and all opinions here are mine.

Review and Giveaway of SchoolHouse Kitchen Spreadable Fruit

Ask the hub or my kids: I'm a saucy girl.  As important as the dish I'm eating (or making) is the sauce I put on it, whether it's sweet or savory.  So imagine my excitement when I got the opportunity to review a series of spreadable fruit spreads--each of which has an herb or spice partnered with it.  As the website points out, "Wherever they are, the fruit drives and the herb rides shotgun. Enjoy the ride!"

SchoolHouse Kitchen sent me Fruit x4 which is a 4-pack of their low-sugar spreadable fruit.  These are jam-like spreads that contain all natural ingredients.  For instance, Strawberry Black Peppercorn (my current favorite!) contains strawberries, sugar, cranberries, lemon juice and black pepper. That's it!  Now I have to admit that the "gentle infusion" of black peppercorn worried me before I tried it.  After I tried it, I was sold on the herbal afternote paired with fruit.  It is fairly light and enhances the flavor of whatever you eat with the spread.  For my favorite, the pepper adds kind of an 'up' note at the end of your bite.  (I know this doesn't make sense, just trust me!)  Let's just say that my family ate a whole loaf of banana bread because it was SO GOOD with butter and Strawberry Black Peppercorn.  As for the other flavors, my second fave is Peach Rosemary but they all are yummy and worth hoarding sharing.

If the products aren't enough to gush about, SchoolHouse Kitchen is a family-owned business that started with Patsy Smith's recipes and extended to include her children in various positions in the growing company.  I love that the mission of SchoolHouse Kitchen is "to raise funds for educational organizations and to make [Patsy Smith's] gourmet products available to more people" Even better, their purpose is two-fold: 

• We create original, all-natural, specialty food products of superior quality.
• Profits from the sale of our gourmet goods enable us to support educational causes. 

Between the mouth-watering condiments and the company's giving-back goals, SchoolHouse Kitchen is a business venture that I'm very comfortable supporting.  And did I mention how good their spreadable fruit is?

SHOP: SchoolHouse Kitchen also offers mustards, dressings and marinades as well as chutneys.  Ordering a Festive Foursome or one of the Trios is a great way to introduce your favorite foodie to the creative sauces of SchoolHouse Kitchen--say for Mother's Day or Father's Day!

WIN:  You can win your own Fruit x4 ($26 value!) from SchoolHouse Kitchen by going to their website and joining their mailing list (bottom of the main page towards the right) and then leaving a comment below telling us you've done so.  This is the mandatory entry for this giveaway and must be done before all of the additional entries.
   
To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
4. Follow SchoolHouse Kitchen on Twitter. 
5. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following: #win a 4-pack of spreadable fruit from A@schoolhouserkitc and @moanasaves ends 5/30 http://bit.ly/kAgwHB

6. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
7. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

8. Like the SchoolHouse Kitchen Facebook page.

9. Tell us which SchoolHouse Kitchen mustards, dressing, marinade, chutney or spreadable fruit you'd love to try.  

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on 5/30 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a free product in exchange for my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.