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Thursday, August 14, 2014

Cool Gear: Must Haves #BacktoSchool Mason Jar & Bling Lunch Bag


Disclosure: Items were provided for review purposes only. All opinions are my own and honest. 


School started here last week, which was both good and bad. I love having the day to work on my posts, but I miss the munchkins. It means the end of summer, and fall is coming. Summer is my favorite, and I am so not ready for the winter (at all!!) Has school started for your kids yet?

Cool Gear has some of the most amazing items to add to your back to school (or back to work) list. Looking for a coffee/tea mug to take with you when you take your kids to school in the morning? What about a lunch box for work (or school for the kiddos)? Storage or containers for your food? No matter what you're looking for, you'll find it at Cool Gear.

I've always been a fan of Cool Gear Inc. They have the most unique styles and designs anywhere. The first thing I ever used from Cool Gear was the 16 oz. Cool Gear Can in pink leopard print, which I still have. I swear I packed this thing EVERYWHERE and caught the attention of tons, they wanted to know where to get one. They loved it, but they definitely weren't getting mine.. lol.

I was super excited to learn that they came out with a Plastic Double Wall Mason Jar. You know how we southerners like our Mason Jars. So you know I couldn't resist it! They had so many different colors and designs, that it was hard for me to choose! I mean... I want them all.. lol.

I ended up getting the Paisley design Mason Jar, which I don't see how I ever lived without. I fell in love with it as soon as I opened the box. The color is very vibrant, beautiful, and eye-popping. Of course I love the design (it has lime green in it). 



This is just like a real Mason Jar except it isn't glass (and it's decorated). This is made with double walled insulation to keep your drink super cold! The Mason Jar is an essential staple in the south. Whether we're drinking out of it, canning with it, or making our own candles with it. The Mason Jar is amazing for so many things. So, when i seen this look-a-like I was amazed (and no, you can't can with it.. lol).




These Mason Jars are made with recyclable plastic that is BPA and Phthalate free.. so no nasty chemical induced plastic. It's also dishwasher safe. So when you're done, you can just toss it in the dishwasher (top rack). I don't have a dishwasher, so I wash it by hand. I love that its super easy to clean! Makes it tons easier.

               

Unlike other Mason Jars, this one comes with a lid. It has 2 drinking options. You can either sip from the straw, or chug from the spout. Whichever you prefer. If you use the spout part, just take the straw out and plug the hole with the rubber insert. Easy peasy!

Which Mason Jar is your favorite?





































If you are looking for a variety of uniquely styled lunch bags, Cool Gear is where you need to be. They have a cool race car bag for boys, and a variety for girls (or yourself). My daughter Adisyn has always had her own unique style, and she loves picking her own clothes and stuff out. She started Kindergarten this year, and what better way to send her?





I let her choose which lunch bag she liked best and she chose the Bling Bag. There are 3 different colors to choose from, and each color has a different design. She ended up wanting the pink one, because she absolutely LOVES pink and she likes rocking skulls (I'm pretty sure she's half punk rocker/ half diva lol).









               

The Bling Lunch bag is very loved, as you can tell by the look on her face, She adores it, and tries to pack it everywhere. I told her it's just for lunch. She loves it because of the designs, I love it because it's practical. It is fully insulated and has 2 pockets!



It is fully insulated, so that I know her lunch is staying cold while she's at school. No worrying that her drink is going to be warm or her lunch spoiled. It has a Zip top closure to keep everything inside, yet easy for her to get to her lunch.

I love the unique, stylish designs of all Cool Gear items and this bag is no exception, Bright colors, cool designs, and bling. I mean-- what girl can resist that? Definitely not Adisyn (shhh and myself). It has lime green in it, so you know I love it! 

It has 2 outside pockets. A front pocket and a smaller side pocket. The larger pocket in the front is where I put little drawings for her, so that she doesn't get too home sick. (and I sneak in a little extra snack.) The side pocket is for drinks, but I put her drink in the big compartment to keep it cold until lunch time. 

It is designed with an easy clean EVA lining. It's a plastic like material that you can just wipe out if any spills or leaks are made. You could even throw it in the sink in some dishwater and let it soak in the dish rack after it's rinsed. You can't throw it in the wash because of the attached "bling" on the front. 

So, which is your favorite bling bag?

 Connect With Cool Gear
Disclosure: Items were provided for review purposes only. All opinions are my own and honest. 

Until next time, 

-Jess

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Justin Power Products: Back to School Essential #BacktoSchool




Disclosure: I was sent these products for review, but the opinions within this post are completely honest and my own.

Smartphones and Tablets are an essential to our everyday life now. We use them for just about everything. Clocks, calenders, cameras, games, etc. This can really take a toll on the life ability of the battery of the phone. It always seems to happen at the most worst time ever. When you've blown a tire or ran out of gas on the side of the road.


This can really bite the big one, especially if you are out somewhere without a battery charger. Running errands, at work, or the gym. Now that school has started back, kids are going to be going to extracurricular activities. They'll be staying late for practices and group meetings. They need to be able to get in touch throughout the day.

Justin Power Products has released some VERY amazing ways to stay charged on the go. No charger, no problem. No outlet, no worries. You don't have to be stuck inside waiting for your phone to charge anymore! No more worrying if your kid needs a ride home from school and is stuck with no cell.



I am loving how light and portable the 5,200mAh Power Bank with LCD Display is. This powerbank has a bright, easy to read LCD display screen. The screen will let you know how much life is left in the powerbank. It slowly goes down while you charge your phone or tablet.

All you do is charge the powerbank with your computer once it goes down. Use the same USB plug to plug the powerbank into the side of your computer, and it will show you when it's fully charged. Then slip it back into your purse, backpack, or pocket for when you need it.





Justin Power Products also sent me the amazing 3-in-1 Car Adaptor. Can you believe this is only $10? Even regular car chargers aren't less than $20 most of the time. This one comes with 2 places to charge instead of just ONE.


Turn One 12V Auto Outlet into a Three Port Charging Hub

I am LOVING this! I don't know how I ever managed without it I swear. It has 2 Universal USB Ports and One 12v Port lets you charge 2 devices at once. It doesn't matter what brand of Smartphone you have, this will charge it up. It can charge my Samsung S4 and Nokia Icon. The best part about it is that it still lets you charge stuff you normally would with your cigarette lighter import. 



When I got my truck, I went to Walmart and got a DVD player for the kids. It works via the cigarette lighter. So I am super glad that this charger not only has the phone ports but the port I need for my DVD player. It doesn't take up extra space, just adds awesomeness to my truck. Now Adam and I can both charge our phones while the kids still get to watch their movies.

I am still in disbelief that this is so cheap! It is very high quality and works PERFECTLY. If you are considering getting a new and better auto charger, I definitely recommend this one! The BOMB! 


Have you ever used a power bank? If not, would you like to? How would it make your life easier?

-Jessica




Monday, August 11, 2014

ACE™ Brand Elastic Bandage With the New ACE™ Brand Clip #Reveal #ACEBrand


Disclosure: I was provided a product for review purposes only. The opinions in this post are completely honest and my own.


If you've ever had a sprain or a strain, then you know what an ACE Brand Bandage is. More than likely you've used one before, or know someone who has. The ACE Brand Bandage has been around for a long time, actually 1918 to be exact.



















The older ACE Brand Bandages look like the one above. They were khaki colored and came with  metal clips. The bandages were amazing quality, worked well, but the metal clips weren't so great.

The metal clips were always frustrating to me. The metal clip had those pesky "metal teeth" that didn't seem to stick anything but my fingers. Every. Single. Time.

The metal clip would bend over time causing the clip teeth to snag on clothes and pinch fingers. Some people just skipped the teeth and secured the bandage with safety pins.







ACE Brand has released a NEW and improved ACE Brand Bandage with ACE™ Brand Clip. It's everything the original bandage is and more. I always loved the older one, just wished for a better clip. Well ACE Brand totally delivered on this one. The new clip is plastic and snaps into place securely.

The new clip makes it easier to get just the right amount of tightness. The bandage holds firmly yet doesn't feel like it's cutting off blood flow. It makes getting stuff done 10 times easier because it isn't falling off or too snug. It gives you the freedom to move around while providing the right amount of support.

The ACE Brand Bandages are good for anything and everything. Whether you have a sprained wrist or ankle, a pulled muscle, a bad back or a bad knee. It can even be used to hold ice packs in place.

You don't have to worry about pinching your fingers or getting the clip caught on your clothes. I love that the  ACE Brand Bandage makes snapping the bandage into place so much easier and quicker. I don't have to fight to snap this clip into place. Have you ever tried to hold a bandage and clip safety pins on it with one hand? Not fun, huh?

You don't have to fight with those safety pins anymore!


Connect with ACE™ Brand on their Website, Facebook, and Twitter pages. 

If you ever need help trying to figure out how their product works, you can always watch a tutorial on the ACE Brand YouTube Page

Check out this series of funny videos featuring “Arthur, ACE™ Brand Motivational Sportsgent” talking about how ACE™ Brand has “Fixed the Clip!”

Video #1: We Fixed the Clip with Motivational Sportsgent, Arthur: "Unleash The Lions"
Video #2: We Fixed the Clip with Motivational Sportsgent, Arthur: "To the Sport"
Video #3: We Fixed the Clip with Motivational Sportsgent, Arthur: "Did he Mean Lost"



What have you had to use the ACE Brand Bandage for? Are you liking the new look?


-Jessica

Thursday, August 7, 2014

$150 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Event

purecrafted

Welcome to the $150 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Event

Sponsored by Pure Crafted Beds

Hosted by Mom Powered Media & Conservamom

Pure Crafted Beds is a company who knows Beds. Their factory was started in 1946 and is still owned by the original family and into their third generation! They began by renovating porch furniture and mattresses in the 1940's, to a modern manufacturing facility located in Lansing, Michigan. They've been in business close to 70 years and have brought forth an amazing selection of products that will give you a great night's sleep. Your comfort is their business! Each bed is "hand-crafted" and they always strive to provide the best value for each customer, whether at $299 or $2,999. They carry two basic mattresses the TruEssence and TruSlumber. The only difference between the two beds is the core foam layer, and the TruSlumber bed does not have a base layer of foam. This helps reduce the overall height of the bed, which makes it perfect for children, bunk beds, and other situations where a thinner mattress is required! However the unsurpassed quality remains the same in both! purecrafted1One of the most fantastic features of Pure Crafted Beds is their use of an innovative product called the Eco Shield Cover. Every Pure Crafted Bed has this unique EcoShield cover. This amazing cover is resistant to bed bugs, dust mites, mosquitoes, and moths... all without any artificial chemicals! ecoshield_banner The proprietary EcoShield fabric is infused with Geraniol, a natural plant extract which provides all natural protection. Many anti-bed bug and dust mite products on the market today use synthetic chemicals. EcoShield® is the first product that is truly 100% natural, with no artificial chemical additives that uses a unique micro-capsule delivery system for long-lasting effects! Through a special process the Geraniol is infused into our EcoSheild® cover, and is slowly released over time as movement occurs on the mattress.

EcoShield® is Scientifically Proven!

To find out more on how these beds are made head over to the video below! Sleep equals health, Don't trust your sleep to just any mattress. Thanks to Pure Crafted Beds One winner will get a $150 Amazon Gift card. Giveaway ends August 19 at 11:59pm, open to US ages 18+. Only one entrant per household, per address. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Enter using the giveaway form below. Good luck! Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact Elia@mompoweredmedia.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

 

Jessica

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Kohl’s Cares: Little Critter Books & Plush Toys Collection #BacktoSchool #Kohls

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diclosure-review giveaway

Get a jump start on back-to-school with the beloved Mercer Mayer storybooks, Little Critter, the newest Kohl’s Cares merchandise collection! Kohl’s Department Stores is offering exclusive merchandise from Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter for just $5 each, available now through September 20image

*Through the Kohl’s Cares program, 100 percent of the net profit from the sale of this collection supports children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

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The Kohls Care program has been around for a long time. Each “collection” contains different books with matching character plush toys. Each items is only $5 and all proceeds goes toward helping other kids get the education and health care that they need, yet might not be able to afford otherwise.

This time they’ve chosen Little Critters, which has always been a favorite of my kids. The characters are super adorable, and very soft. They are perfect companions for bedtime or just playing around the house. I don’t know how many “stories” my daughter has made up with dialogue between brother and sister critter. Open-mouthed smile

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The books we received were Bedtime Stories & Jack and the Beanstalk. Each book is hardback and fun to read by themselves. The fact that they have toys to match the characters, make it even better. The Jack and the Beanstalk book is a lift-a-flap, which my kids love! Heck, I do too. lol

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The Kohl’s Cares collection will include the following merchandise:

· Books:  Little Critter's Bedtime Storybook, Little Critter Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Critter Little Red Riding Hood, Little Critter Hansel and Gretel and Little Critter 3 pack Board Book Set

· Plush: Little Critter, Little Sister, Bear and Wolf

· Etc:  Zoo Matching Game, 2 pack Doodle Book

· Online Exclusives: Little Critter Where's My Sneaker? (a lift-the-flap-book) and Mouse plush

Plus, for adults, The Mom 100 Cookbook and Good Housekeeping Stain Rescue! are available for just $5 each.

 

About Kohl’s Cares

Kohl’s Cares, the philanthropic platform of Kohl’s Department Stores, is committed to giving back to the communities it serves by supporting kids' health and education nationwide, women's health and the fight against breast cancer, and environmental initiatives. Since 2000, Kohl's has raised more than $257 million for kids health and education initiatives through the Kohl's Cares cause merchandise program, recognized more than 19,500 outstanding kids through the Kohl's Cares Scholarship Program and donated more than 2.7 million hours of volunteer time through the Associates in Action volunteer program.

 

Have you ever bought anything from the Kohl’s Care Collection before? Have you ever heard of it?

Connect with Kohls Online:

Facebook & Twitter

Disclosure-review.affiliate links

 

-Jess

 

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Writing 101: 6 Websites to Inspire

websites that inspire

As writers there are times when all of us have reached a “blah” moment. A moment when we want the words to flow, but they just won’t! No matter how much we try, there’s this fogginess of unknowing. What to say? Creation is completely blocked and you need to find a way out.

Here are some websites that might help you shake off that cloudy funk.

 

Writing.com

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Writers.com is where the writers hang, or some of them at least. You can sign up for a free account, which takes about 5 minutes at most. It gives you access to tons of stuff that most writers need (and want). Everything you see below is what they help you with. If you ever plan on getting that writing off the ground, I suggest you bookmark this site!

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You have the option of getting a weekly newsletter that will help you with creative writing prompts. You don’t have to sign up, although you should. You can even get character and writing prompt apps for smartphones and tablets. How convenient.

 

DailyWritingTips.com

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If you ever get yourself in a slump DailyWritingTips.com has a ton of facts and quotes to get your mind spinning. It might just spin the web of words that you need and are looking for. It’s a fun site just to browse around in. I found some very awesome stuff in there, such as The Yiddish Handbook, Writing Prompts 101, and 34 Tips to Write Better.

This is another site that you definitely need to save!

 

The Write Practice

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The key to becoming good at anything is the practice. Practice, practice, practice! Practice makes perfect, isn’t what they say? Whatever your writing dilemma, this website covers it. They have a newsletter too.

They also have an ebook (chapters shown in the picture above). It’s called 14 Prompts.

14 Prompts is a short eBook full of fourteen unusual writing prompts designed to both inspire you to write and teach you a few practical techniques to improve your writing.

 

StumbleUpon

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I use this site frequently. I absolutely love it. It lets me search through the entire web world and land on stuff that I like. I can search “” and it will take me only to  filled websites. If you have google chrome installed, there is a stumbleupon toolbar in the google web store that is PERFECT for those days you need some mental inspiration!

 

CreativeWritingPrompts

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The websites name describes it perfectly. It’s a website with a crap load of numbers. You hover over the numbers and each prompt is numbered. I love this idea! The prompts aren’t only a great way to get your brain flowing, but they’d be great journal entries.

The prompts are all different. Some stories ask you about your past, while some stories you make up on your own. So, it’s a mix between fiction and nonfiction and is AMAZING!!

 

Bloggy Moms Blog Dare Challenge

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If you are looking for a way to spice up your blog, the Blog Dare is an amazing way to do it. It’s basically a daily writing prompt to get your juices flowing. This is BY FAR one of the best prompt websites out there. You don’t necessarily HAVE to participate to see the prompts, but it’s a great way to meet other bloggers!

 

Hope you find something that helps!

Found something amazing? Leave it in a comment!

 

-Jessica

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Homework Help 101: 8 Websites for Getting Help #BacktoSchool

School is starting back next week for us. I can’t believe summer is already almost over, it’s flown by that’s for sure. What about when you have kids that need motivation or help with their school work?

I’ve complied a list of some pretty amazing websites that you’ll want to bookmark. These will probably save your sanity a little (you can thank me later, lol). I’ve tried to cover anything they may need help with.

 

Keybr

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The Keybr website is a web application that will help you learn touch typing. Touch typing is the ability to type without needing to look at the keys. If this is a kill that you haven’t mastered yet, this website is perfect for you. It will help you improve your typing speed and accuracy!

 

Spreeder

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Spreeder Ii s a website dedicated to helping you learn how to speed read. Most people can only read as fast as they speak, which is how they learn in school. This website helps  you break that cycle. You’ll be speed reading in absolutely no time at all. Give it a try.

 

Ptable

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Having trouble with the period table? Don’t worry, me too. Ptable is basically an interactive table of elements. Every single element is clickable. When you click on it a box filled with information about that element pops up. How awesome!

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Anything and everything that you need to know about any element EVER! How is that for helping? I wish I’d had this when I was in high school.

 

Rhymer

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English was always my favorite subject in school (obviously), I loved writing but wasn’t so great at rhyming. One website I wish I had is Rhymer. The Rhymer website is a free dictionary that list words that rhyme with the word you put in the box. Have a poem to write, Rhymer is totally there for you!

 

PaperBackSwap

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Have a stack of books that you don’t know what to do with? Looking for more books to read? Bored with the ones you already have? Ever thought about swapping them in? PaperBackSwap connects you with other people who would like to swap their books! There are SO many amazing books just waiting for you! Enjoy trading Hardbacks, Audio Books, Textbooks and more

CoolMath4U

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Struggling with math? This website CoolMath4U covers everything from addition to fractals. The websites make a game out of math that way it’s more interactive. When a kid is given a fun learning option, it makes them actually want to do it. PLUS, they remember better!

For Older Kids you can visit the CoolMath sister website.

 

WriteCheck

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Researching and writing a paper can be very difficult. Not the actual writing part, but making sure none of the words are plagiarized and everything is cited correctly is an entirely different story. If you aren’t that great at grammar, getting everything just so could also be a challenge. WriteCheck will check both!

KeepMeOut

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When you go online to search for something do you keep finding yourself wasting time? YES, I’m talking to you.. Do you end up on Facebook and Youtube? The KeepMeOut website is designed to keep you away from all those sites that waste your time for however long you tell it too. It will warn you if you’ve visited those sites too many times.! Back to work! Now! lol

 

I hope this helps you (and your sanity) out. I will be adding to this through the year.. so keep check! Have any awesome sites you’d like to see on the list?

 

♥Jess

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