Flats-To-Go is a clever shoe product that we’ve featured here a few times. These portable shoes fold up and fit into a small plastic case that can be tossed in a purse for quick changes after a long day on your feet in heels. I was just telling Jai a few days ago that I was going to start storing a pair in the glove compartment in the car once my knees heal enough to start wearing pumps again, because I hate driving in heels – the surface on some shoes can slip on the pedals, sometimes heels can get caught under the clutch. Well, perfect timing, because I just received the newest Flats-To-Go shoe perfect for summer: Sandals!
These sandals unfold from their carrying case in the same trademark way and come in two different colors – I received a pair in slate. The straps are pretty small, so I had to squeeze in a little to get them on, but I like these even better than the last pair I got because of the open toe. The straps are a little bit uncomfortable, but as a “Footwear on the go” option for achy feet at the end of a long work day, changing into for driving, or keeping around for emergencies, these are perfect. They also mentioned that these would be good for pedicures, and I agree. I think these are a really clever product and I know they will come in handy!
Kushyfoot Flats-To-Go Sandals are available for $9.99 on Kushyfoot.com.
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of energy drinks and supplements. I’m always looking for and trying “The next best thing” for staying alert during crazy long days. An emerging market running concurrent to this that also fascinates me is the growing trend for “Relaxation drinks” – supplements that have the opposite effect of energy drinks in purporting to help you relax and sleep. Since this is a newer market, I haven’t really gotten a chance to try any of these products because they’re hard to find locally. So it was fun when I had the opportunity to review a spray called 1 Hour Break, a product billed as a “100% Natural Sedative” aimed to help reduce anxiety and improve sleep. This supplement contains a mixture of herbs, including Kava Kava and St. John’s Wort. I’ve read about the “Mellowing” effect that Kava Kava is supposed to have, so I was really intrigued to give this product a try.
One of the notable features of 1 Hour Break is the fact that it is not meant to make you drowsy – according to the package, “[1 Hour Break] does not interfere with cognitive function or staying alert and clear”. Well, this sounded perfect for me, as I work extremely long hours and could really do with some stress relief, but can’t use anything that will slow me down and make me sleepy. I received an envelope of complimentary samples in the afternoon mail delivery, so I decided to give it a whirl right away.
This product is packaged in a small spray bottle, and the instructions direct you to spritz 5-15 sprays under your tongue and leave it in your mouth for 10 seconds before swallowing. When I sprayed it in my mouth, it burned badly under my tongue – it hurt so much that my eyes watered and it was challenging to hold it before swallowing. It tasted pretty bitter and awful. I tried it twice over the course of the day, but I didn’t feel any noticeable effects. Since the directions recommend using on 1 Hour Break on an empty stomach, I tried it again early this morning. Again, I didn’t really feel anything from this. This spray isn’t for me, but I really enjoyed having the opportunity to try out one of these “Mellow out” products!
As with all supplements, it’s important to talk with your doctor before trying them. Kava supplements have been linked with liver problems in rare cases, and St. John’s Wort can interact negatively with a large number of medications and supplements, so it’s important to do you research and be informed before beginning use of any product containing these ingredients, whether it is this spray or a vitamin.
Coupon Code
Check out the coupon code pictured above for a deal on 1 Hour Break!
Fore more information on 1 Hour Break, be sure to check out the following pages:
The weather is starting to brighten up around here, with the last few days bringing bright sunshine. As summer quickly approaches, it’s time to start thinking about sun protection. Hats with a large brim can be a stylish way to keep sunshine out of your eyes – and in the case of the Scala Collezione Ribbon Crusher Sun Hat, there is UV protection built right in!
You may recall the Scala line of hats from last winter, when I reviewed their Pronto Wool Cloche Hat. Like the wool hat, this new line of sun hats are referred to as “Crushers” because of their ability to fold up neatly for packing into a bag or sending in the mail as a gift, and bounce back once unfolded. This new “Tres Jolie” sun hat is the perfect answer for those of you who loved the wool hat but need something lighter for the spring and summer.
I received a complimentary sun hat for review, and aside from its “Crushable” feature, I was impressed by how cute it is. Another big selling point for me is the fact that this hat has a UPF of 50+, meaning that it offers some protection from the sun’s UV rays. (This doesn’t mean that you get off the hook from wearing sunscreen and sunglasses, this just adds more protection for your skin!) I love that this hat could easily go from working in the garden to going out for lunch. Cute and functional!
To purchase a Scala Collezione Ribbon Sun Hat of your own, click here. From 05/10/12 through 06/30/12, customers will be able to us coupon code SunHatSave20 to receive an additional 20% off! Not valid with other offers. Please note that this discount will only be redeemable starting this Thursday, the 10th!
I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric #ExpressYourself
By now you should know that I love weddings and entertaining, so I get extremely excited not only by planning my own nuptials, but also participating in the celebrations of others. When one of my very dearest friends recently announced that she was getting married, my thoughts immediately turned to what I could make for her bachelorette party. As I searched the web looking for inspiration, I noticed that there were little to no tutorials for bachelorette party crafts, and the ones I did find just weren’t my style. It’s no secret that a lot of bachelorette parties are pretty outrageous, so most of the supplies and DIY ideas that I found just weren’t for me. Many people enjoy bachelorette parties centered around making the bride blush with crazy games and party favors shaped like male anatomy, and that’s perfectly fine, but for me personally I know that if I didn’t die of embarrassment first, the bride would kill me herself. So what do you do if you want to throw a bachelorette party that’s fun but still tasteful? Like all great things: Do it yourself!
A bachelorette party is a unique kind of wedding celebration. While a bridal shower is more of a family event focused on getting the bride things that she’ll need for the home, a bachelorette event is more of a big party where the bride can cut loose, chat with her girlfriends and hang out while eating tasty snacks and drinking cosmos. So to make this party picture perfect, I wanted to make the theme full of glitz, glam, and girly decorations – without the chippendales dancers!
In order to create my perfect decorations, I headed to Walmart so that I could buy supplies to make my own fabulous favors.
The first thing I picked up was a package of Elmer’s Painters Paint Markers. While I was deciding what color markers I wanted, Jai had fun arranging some of the wooden letters on the shelf to spell my name. Painters Paint Markers are sort of like Sharpies filled with paint, and can be used on a variety of surfaces, from glass to cloth to plastic and more. I picked up a number of items that I planned to customize with the markers to create a picture-perfect celebration. Here is a how-to for creating each of these fun bachelorette favors and decorations:
Bride-To-Be Sash:
A “Bride-To-Be” sash is a classic accessory to put on the guest of honor before a night on the town! Here’s how I created this one:
Supplies:
Painters Paint Markers
2 yards of white ribbon
1 badge
I found this cute package of badges for .97 cents, and they fit perfectly with my theme. I had originally planned to make my own bachelorette-themed button, but I couldn’t find the supplies that I’d need, so this was the next best thing. I used the badge with a crown on it to secure both ends of the ribbon together to form a sash.
I tried the sash on so I could get an idea of where the best placement for the lettering would be. After eyeballing it, I placed these two buttons on top of the sash to give myself a rough guide.
I’d never used these markers before, so I practiced on paper a few times before writing on the sash itself. When they say to shake these pens before using, they really mean it!
This was actually the most difficult of all the crafts which I made for the party, because of the ribbon itself being so sheer and shiny. I had a really hard time getting the paint to stay on – it soaked right through the material, so I had to make sure to put paper underneath it to soak up the paint. It was messy, but I ended up hanging it over a chair and touching up the letters section by section, allowing time for each letter to dry. The finished product will definitely work for my party, but next time I would use regular fabric as opposed to gauze ribbon with these markers.
Bachelorette Tiara:
A fun crown or tiara is another common item for the bride to wear during her bachelorette party!
Supplies:
Painters Paint Markers
1 foam tiara
I found this cute foam & glitter tiara for .97 cents in the craft aisle. I really wasn’t sure how the markers would work on the glittery surface, but I was blown away by how easily the paint went on and how good it looked! All I did was write the word “Bachelorette” on the crown using a blue Painters Paint marker to contrast with the pink crown. Super easy and super cute!
Bachelorette Party Tote Bags:
When I was kicking around ideas for party decor, I was inspired to make special bachelorette-themed tote bags. I really liked the idea of a centerpiece that could also be taken home as a practical favor – after all, everyone can use a tote bag, and it would serve as a fun reminder of the party. Also, bachelorette parties often entail a lot of games, accessories for the bride-to-be (Like the tiara and sash pictured above!), directions to bars, or other random pieces of paper. I kept wondering where I would keep these things during the celebration, so this centerpiece tote bag seemed like a great solution! Plus, the bride can pack up all her souvenirs and any leftover food in the bags the next morning.
Supplies:
Painters Paint Markers
Blank canvas tote bags
Several badges
Paper
I found this package of 3 blank canvas tote bags while I was shopping in the craft aisle. I decorated them with the rest of the badges from the package of 6 that I bought, and wrote the phrases “Bachelorette Party”, “Bride-To-Be”, and “Bridesmaid” on them.
Writing on the canvas with these markers is super easy! Just be sure to line the inside of the bags with a piece of paper or two, as some of the ink may seep through.
As a funny aside – I accidentally jabbed my thumb with scissors while working on these crafts, and had to stick a few band-aids on it. When I got back to work, I realized that my band-aids were the same exact colors as the markers I was using – totally unintentional! How’s that for color coordinated.
When I was done with the front of the tote bags, I turned them over and wrote the date that the celebration will occur as a fun keepsake of the day.
Bachelorette Wine Glasses:
Another item that I wanted to make was a special wine glass decorated just for the bride-to-be. This would serve triple duty as an attractive decoration, a glass for her to use during the party, and a keepsake.
Supplies:
Painters Paint Markers
Wine glasses
I found these glasses for .97 cents each in the housewares department, and I knew these would be just perfect. Now in case you’re wondering why I only made two – this party that I’m having is going to be a girl’s night in with just the bride-to-be and myself. She’s getting married in 2 weeks and will have a formal reception later in the summer, so I’ll be hosting a second bachelorette & bridal shower in the next few months when it’s easier for all of our friends to come. This small party will be a perfect chance for us to get together in the middle of everything that’s going on, catch up, and relax!
Making these custom glasses was easy and fun. The Painters Paint Markers went on the glass easily and looked nice. I wrote “Bride-To-Be” on one and “Bridesmaid” on the other, and decorated them with a multicolor heart motif. This way, there will be no question as to whose drink is whose. Another great thing about using the Painters Paint Markers is that you can fix mistakes if you act fast enough – when I was writing on one of the glasses, I was talking to Jai at the same time and got distracted, and ended up writing “Bride To Bride”. I panicked, but I was able to quickly wipe it off with a rag and write the correct phrase!
Bachelorette Tablecloth:
To round off the decor, I thought I’d decorate a tablecloth for the party!
Supplies:
White plastic tablecloth
Painters Paint Markers
This was super easy to make. All I did was put the tablecloth on the table I’ll be using during the party and eyeball where the cloth would fall on the front of the table. I then wrote the word “Bachelorette” on this section in large letters and added some hearts at the bottom. There were two tablecloths in the package, but as they are quite see-through, I layered them on top of each other.
And there you have it – my fun DIY bachelorette party supplies! The neat thing about these ideas is that they are easy to do and can be made by crafters of any skill level. I was a little concerned about how they would turn out at first – In a short period of time, I managed to smear paint all over several items, stab myself in the thumb with scissors, and spill a cup of coffee ALL OVER my craft table. However, these mishaps didn’t stop my crafts from turning out they way I hoped they would. I’m really pleased with the results and I think my little party is going to be super cute and fun!
Painters Paint Markers are now available at Walmart in both multipacks for $9.97 and individually for $1.97. The individual markers have a wide selection of colors and tip sizes to choose from, so you can find the perfect marker for your project. To learn more about this and other Elmer’s products, check out Elmers.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric #iLoveMyK9
Regular readers of this website are probably familiar with Bob, the loveable Labrador that Jai’s Grandma owns. She got him as a puppy a little less than two years ago, and he’s quickly become an important and adored member of the family. Grandma loves and dotes on him so much, and he gets incredibly excited when visitors come over to see him!
Over the last few months, I’ve received various samples of doggie foods for review that I’ve passed on to Bob for his expert opinion. Grandma frequently mentions how much she’s appreciated me bringing over these items for Bob to enjoy. So when I was recently invited to participate in a project called “It’s a Good Day to Be a Dog” from my friends at Collective Bias, it seemed like the perfect fit. The concept was to head to Walmart and create a fun gift basket of dog treats for your favorite four-legged friend. Not only did I know that Grandma and Bob would love to be surprised with something like this, but it was also the perfect thing for someone as obsessed with making gift baskets as I am. I love to put together my own custom gift baskets for holidays or special events like weddings and bridal/baby showers. I look for something practical to use as the gift basket itself – like a pretty laundry basket, quality Tupperware, bathroom caddy, or something similar that fits the theme of my basket – and I get a real kick out of packing it full of useful items arranged in an attractive manner. I’ve never made a present like this for a dog before, so I couldn’t wait to make a special canine gift basket!
We headed over to the Walmart in Woodburn to run a few errands and pick up supplies to make the gift basket with. My concept for this basket was to take a cute dog food bowl and pack if full of the things that Bob needs most. I wanted to load it up with dog treats because I know that Grandma buys those frequently, and I thought it would be fun to pick up a few new squeaky toys that he could have fun playing with.
There was a big selection of dog treats to choose from! I had a few coupons for Milk-Bone Trail Mix that I had printed from MilkBone.com, and I also had two coupons for Milo’s Kitchen Homestyle Treats that I found on Coupons.com. I picked up two bags of each brand, as well as three bags of Pup-Peroni Mix Stix. I also grabbed a tug-of-war tennis ball and squeaky toy to round out the gift basket, and packaged it in a metal food bowl with a cute paw print motif which I lined with a small red towel. Bob loves to roll around in wet grass, and Grandma has to towel him off before he can come inside the house – so I thought it would be nice for her to have a dedicated towel just for him!
After we got our supplies and finished our other projects in Woodburn, we packed up the car and headed home. To see a full recap of our trip and shopping experience, click here to view my Google+ album.
We gave Grandma a call and told her that we were coming over to bring Bob a little gift, and she was delighted. Here I am on my way to deliver it to her!
Grandma loved it, and we couldn’t wait to take the gift basket outside to show Bob and see what he thought.
Bob was so happy to see us! He kept jumping up as Jai tried to take the picture – he seemed to think our camera was also a squeaky toy.
As soon as Jai gave Bob the tug-of-war ball toy, he went crazy with excitement trying to wrestle it away and then ran all over the yard with it.
He also loved the squeaking toy, and jumped all over the place pouncing and chewing on it. Check out this action shot as he runs towards his goodie basket, ears flapping!
We put the gift basket on the ground to see what Bob would do, and he was well behaved – he didn’t tear up the treat packages, even though they contained delicious snacks. He sat and stayed like a good boy, so his patience was rewarded with a Pup-Peroni snack – MMMM! (Jai said the Mix Stix smelled so good that he was almost jealous of Bob…hahaha!)
We had a great time visiting with Grandma and it was fun to see Bob go so crazy with excitement over his gifts. As we left, Grandma told us thank you and that “Bob thanks you from the bottom of his little heart too!”
For those of you who are social hounds (Get it?), you can keep up with the latest information and offers by following Pup-Peroni on Twitter and keeping up with the Milk-Bone Facebook and Twitter pages.
There’s nothing like a fun accessory to dress up an outfit. Although we often associate scarves with winter, don’t forget that a lightweight scarf can be a fantastic accent to a spring outfit. Once such example of this is FRAAS, a company that has specialized in stylish scarves for 130 years – wow! Their Spring/Summer 2012 collection boasts a selection of versatile and airy scarves ideal for warmer weather. One of these is the new FRAAS animal print scarf:
This is a very delicate and lightweight fabric perfect for summer – great for anyone who wants to experiment with animal prints without being too outrageous. Since it’s big enough to wear as a wrap, it would be a great accent to drape over shoulders with a summer dress; and of course you can fold it up for a more traditional scarf effect. It could even be tied around your waist as a sort of belt! I love the versatility of pieces like this. Believe it or not, I might actually use this as a table accent for a bachelorette party I’m hosting – it could be used to dress up a tablecloth or hung above the table as a banner, and be taken home as a sort of “Wearable decoration”.
My only criticism of this scarf is that there were some brown splotches that I noticed on the complimentary scarf that I received. I did try to wash that area but they haven’t come out, however they are so small that it won’t be noticeable while wearing. There was also a slightly larger hole in the fabric weave by the stitching where the tag is, so be aware of how delicate this fabric is.
This animal print scarf retails for $40. FRAAS scarves are available at specialty stores throughout the US; you can also order your own directly from the company by calling 212-575-0191. Select styles can be found on FRAAS.com (Site is in German) and also via Amazon (My associate link, FYI).
If you’ve ever built a campfire, then you’ve probably bought Duraflame at some point. Their logs are one of the most recognizable of firestarter brands, synonymous with summer fun. Duraflame just introduced their brand new line of Campfire Roasting Logs, which are specifically designed to be optimal for cooking s’mores or other campfire treats. I recently received a complimentary log in the mail so that I could give it a whirl for myself, and it brought back memories of the fun times spent making campfires. In the past, when I’ve used logs like Duraflame it’s been for bonfires on the beach. However, this arrived on a rainy April day that would have been ill-suited to such an activity, so we came up with a much more fun place to “Camp out” – Grandma’s fireplace!
We took the logs over to Grandma’s house, and she was curious to see how they’d work. It was a 4-piece bundle, so we pulled out one, opened the ends, placed it in the fireplace by itself, and lit the end with the match. It burned slowly, taking about 15 minutes to get started, and then turned into a very pretty fire that we all admired. It lasted for about an hour, and we were impressed with how much heat it produced, how long it lasted, and what a nice fire it made all by itself. We didn’t try to roast anything over it, since grandma made us spaghetti for dinner and we didn’t really think that was conducive to roasting!
We sat around the fire, ate the spaghetti, and had a great time chatting it up as the fire slowly dwindled. We only used one of the logs, and Grandma said she will save the other 3 for when company comes and she needs to start a fire quickly, without taking the time to build one with a lot of kindling. The instructions advise using 2-3 logs at a time, but for a smaller fire like the one we had, one log was perfect.
Will you be building a bonfire this spring/summer, readers?
I’ve always been a fan of licorice, so I was happy to open my mailbox recently to find some complimentary samples of a brand-new licorice: Welch’s Filled Licorice! This new confection is a collaboration between Frankford Candy and Welch’s to create a special licorice candy filled with Welch’s jelly. This candy is available in both strawberry and concord grape, and we were able to sample each variety. Jai told me that he liked these more than regular (Non-jelly-filled) licorice, and I can see why; they are very tasty! The strawberry-filled licorice is my favorite, with its soft and sweet center. Meanwhile, the grape version took me back to my childhood with its fun flavor. Yum yum!!
Look for Welch’s Filled Licorice on candy shelves near you or visit FrankfordCandy.com for more information.
Today, I must break the news of a sad celebrity split. No, this isn’t the latest move star couple to break up – this is the news that candy legends Mike & Ike have gone their separate ways. This formerly sweet union has turned sour as Mike and Ike part, scratching out each other’s names on the candy packaging. I recently received a sample box of the famed candy in the mail – perhaps because Mike & Ike had to divvy up their assets? – and you will be relieved to learn that despite the separation, this candy is as sweet and delicious as ever. (In fact, I think I enjoy this more now as an adult than I did as a child!) Here’s a little more information about the split of the dynamic duo, and how you can share your reaction for a chance to win prizes:
Just Born, Inc., makers of MIKE AND IKE® Brand candies, confirms rumors that the legendary candy duo, Mike and Ike, have parted ways. The pair cited irreconcilable creative differences, which has been confirmed by statements from each party suggesting that Mike and Ike will stop collaborating on their famous fruit chewy candies.
The news of split has caused people to be overcome with disbelief. Therefore, the company has launched the “Tell Us Your Reaction” contest to run from now through June 26th, 2012.
Entrants must create and submit a video that demonstrates their reaction to the MIKE AND IKE® split. This could show surprise, sadness, disbelief, happiness or whatever emotional reaction the news of the MIKE AND IKE® split evokes. The reaction video should have a maximum running time of 90 seconds.
One first prize winner will received an Apple iPod Touch and a MIKE AND IKE® t-shirt. Four second prize winners will each receive an Apple iPod Shuffle and a MIKE AND IKE® t-shirt. Fifteen third prize winners will each receive a case of MIKE AND IKE® candy and a MIKE AND IKE® t-shirt.
To enter:
Entrants will need to fill out an entry form found on the MIKE AND IKE® facebook page under “The Story”, at www.facebook.com/mikeandike, which will ask them to provide their reaction video.
Judging is based on the following criteria:
· Overall presentation: the video spot should be well-organized and the key message clearly conveyed throughout the length of the video
· Social Engagement: the entry must portray an engaging emotional reaction to the news of the MIKE AND IKE® split
· Creativity: the entry should take a unique approach to the video concept that is interesting, appealing and attention-getting
· Use of MIKE AND IKE®: if possible, the video should incorporate the use of MIKE AND IKE® products
· Convincing Story: the entrant should clearly demonstrate their reaction to the split
Although I am a fan of fabulous cocktails, it’s not often that I get to replicate them at home. I never seem to have mixers on hand – I always see great cocktail ideas on places like Pinterest, but when it comes time to actually make a drink at home, I always end up Googling for cocktails I can make out of random things in my pantry, like apple juice or weight loss drink mix (Don’t even ask how that one turned out!). It’s been better now that I have the SodaStream, as most spirits can be mixed with tonic water or cola. But although I dream of throwing a fabulous party with unforgettable cocktails, as of right now I’ve been either too frugal or too busy to buy the ingredients I would need to do so.
That’s why I was so excited to be introduced to Lulu B. Fabulous Cocktails, a new line of pre-made drinks designed to bring you a fabulous cocktail experience without the fuss. Not only are these cocktails premixed, ready to pour and available in fab flavors like Margarita and Chocolate Martini (Two of my very favorite drinks), but they are also 38 and 48 calories per serving, respectively. Wow!! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a spirit that was so forgiving on the caloric scale. These calorie estimates are based on a 1.5 ounce serving, and was achieved by using natural flavorings instead of higher calorie syrups. You can get more information on that and how it stacks up to standard cocktails here. So that’s all fine and well, but how did they taste? I received two complimentary bottles of Lulu B. Fabulous Cocktails to sample so that I could recount my experience to you, dear readers:
When I poured myself a glass of the margarita, its translucent appearance and the fact that it was premixed made me think that it would taste a lot like a “Hard lemonade” style wine cooler. Boy, was I surprised at the immediate kick when I tasted it! There’s nothing watered down about this – it tastes like a regular margarita, strong and tart while remaining deliciously drinkable and not too sour. I have to say, I was really impressed. Made from premium tequila, Triple Sec, natural sweetener and lime flavors, this tastes like a “real” cocktail. Don’t let appearances fool you: This is no wine cooler!
Meanwhile, the Chocolate Martini tasted just as I hoped: Like a sweet drink of chocolate with the kick of vodka, but without being sickly saccharine. Absolutely delicious! This one derives its taste from Creme de Cacao and natural chocolate flavors. I loved both of these and was so impressed at the wonderful, high quality taste. Lulu B. Fabulous Cocktails live up to their name – and they make an ideal alternative to staring in my cupboards and deciding to mix gin with Kool-Aid. True story!
Lulu B. Fabulous Cocktails are brand new, hitting shelves this month. Bottles retail for $14.99 – click here to locate a store near you and learn more.
Contest Corner is your resource for the best giveaways on the net! Journalist Beeb Ashcroft gives you her upfront opinions on the newest & coolest products - along with a chance for you to win one for yourself!
So what do you do if you want to throw a bachelorette party that’s fun but still tasteful? Like all great things: Do it yourself! 
(My associate link, FYI).
Contest Corner is your resource for the best giveaways on the net! Journalist Beeb Ashcroft gives you her upfront opinions on the newest & coolest products - along with a chance for you to win one for yourself!
