Monday, August 6, 2012
Bagluxe Giveaway 8/20
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Vera Bradley Travel Set Giveaway
Welcome to the Vera Bradley Travel Set Giveaway
Enter to win this Vera Bradley Travel Set.
Rock n Learn Letter Sounds DVD Review & Giveaway

The kids recently had the opportunity to view the latest DVD title from RockNLearn.com. Letter Sounds. We’ve never watched any DVDs from RockandLearn before, so it was a new experience for us.
The educational interaction in this DVD is amazing. My kids are 3 and 5, and although it states that it’s for ages 4-7, my daughter really got into this as well which surprised me,
The educational approach is simple, effective, and tons of fun! It has been studied and SHOWN that using music to teach helps children AND adults better absorb and retain what they are learning.
This DVD is created for kids who are starting to read. It helps children familiarize the sounds of the letters to assist them with reading words and sentences, and combinations of consonants.
This is one of the best thing that I could have done for my children. Even though Adisyn in only 3, she was even repeating what they were saying and singing. It was fun for her. Kids learn better by having an interactive fun show to make learning interesting.
The DVD is 62 minutes long, so they don’t watch it all in one sitting, but they DO enjoy watching it in spurts. I am seeing how much this has helped them, especially Aidan.
He will be starting Kindergarten this year, and he is already well on his way to reading. I am so glad that I found something that can continue to help both him and Adisyn learn to read.
The characters are fun and very colorful which attracted both Aidan and Adisyn’s attention. The letters are very large and clear, and there is a mouth at the corner of the tv, correctly pronouncing the words as they are said.
The games that are in the DVD really was entertaining for the kids and got their full attention. The kids can practice the letter sounds and see them being used in sentences.
This is a great DVD because not only does it review the letters and letter sounds, but it helps with sight words, spelling, and reading sentences. The DVD gives them time to comprehend each letter before moving on.
I love that we can continue to add to this collection. They have an entire line of these to help with math, telling time, making change, and more.
My Kids were up dancing, singing and having tons of fun. Adisyn is in the “parroting” stage, so she continued to repeat parts of these cute little songs after the DVD was over.
About Rock n Learn:
For over a decade, Letter Sounds DVD video has been one of Rock 'N Learn's most successful programs for helping kids learn to read. It's been used in classrooms all over the world and by millions of kids at home. We love getting testimonials on how our Letter Sounds video has changed lives by helping kids become competent readers and spellers.
Purchase It:
You can buy the Letter Sounds DVD for $19.99!
(You can even browse by age on their website).
Win It:
The Giveaway will take place on my 10,000 Facebook Fans Giveaway. You can follow me on Facebook & Twitter to make sure you catch the giveaway!
Google+, Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to their email on their site.
Disclosure: This isn’t a sponsored post, products were sent for review purposes only. All opinions are 100% mine and completely honest.
Thanks for dropping by,
Jessica
Saturday, August 4, 2012
GiftHulk Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Event Sign-up
GiftHulk Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Event Sign-up
Sponsored by GiftHulk & hosted by Mom Powered Media
Shielo Refreshing Mist Review
Swimming all day- refreshing.. YES. But not to your hair! Summer heat and excessive chlorine can leave your hair crisp and brittle. Did I mention frizzy and unbearable?
The Shielo Refreshing mist is here to help. This hair a mist that seals hydration with Vitamin A, ProVitamin B5 and Vitamin E. This comes in a pump action bottle that spritzes shine, moisture, and manageability back into those summer-heated locks.
This is dermatologist tested and very simple to use. Awesome thing to add to your summer beauty regimen! It is small enough to fit in a makeup bag so you can take it along with you to the beach or on vacation. =)
This is practically heaven in a bottle! When you spritz this into your hair, it can take away odors left over from environment factors such as smog and smoke. You can use this to re-style your hair without having to wash it.
I wash my hair at night when I am in the bathtub and then throw it in a ponytail. The next morning, my hair has tons of lines and lumps from the hair tie. So, I just spray some of the refreshing mist on it and blow-dry it or straighten it to the way I want it.
You have the option of spraying this on your wet or damp hair and combing it through after washing it, or you can spray it on dry hair. I usually use this on dry hair, since my hair gets oily throughout the day.
You can also use this on your body. Just hold it 12 inches away from your skin and spray. You can use it to maintain moisture after getting out of the bath or shower, or use it after swimming. Or just because you need some extra hydration to your skin!
I love to use this to set my mineral makeup as well. You can spray this over and under your makeup (mineral or not) to keep it fresh and lasting all day. It also helps it stay in place better in the summer. Less sweating off!
This, like all Shielo products is organic and never tested on animals. It is also made in the United States.
For hair: creates a hydrating seal for fresh, free flowing hair. Excellent for adding extra shine and fortifying strands throughout the day.
For skin: Use as a gentle toner after cleansing. A delicate blend of botanical extracts, including Aloe Vera, form a protective shield that locks in moisture and provides a natural source of nutrients. Excellent when used to set makeup.
Connect with Shielo
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Thanks for stopping by,
Jessica
Friday, August 3, 2012
Kendall Gethotics Review & Giveaway
Treating your feet well is a must. If you don’t, it can lead to very bad pain and constant discomfort. The pain can travel up your spine and spread to your lower back if you aren’t careful.
Adam is a foreman for a tree trimming service called Seelbach. He is not only the main trimmer, but because he is a foreman, he also has to help out with other jobs as well. He is on his feet 10+ hours a day, JUST at work.
Adding to the discomfort is that he has to wear steel toed boots and be in a metal bucket thousands of feet in the air most of the day. There isn’t much room to move around, and the metal is horrible for his feet.
Having shoes made custom for his feet were pricey. He had previously tried other shoe inserts without any help to his discomfort. He said that he could feel them inside his shoes and they weren’t any help.
He complains about foot pain almost daily. When I had a chance to review Kendall GelThotics, I was excited at the thought that I could ease some of his pain.
Kendall GelThotics are totally different from any other shoe insert because they are made with silicone. They provide support because they contain maximum support and are made for shock absorbency.
They provide less space in the shoe, so the shoe doesn’t become uncomfortable from being too tight. This also causes them to work in ANY style or make of shoe. Whether it’s a running shoe, business shoe, or work boot. They work and fit perfectly!
Other inserts look and feel hard, where these inserts are flexible and feel like jelly in a way. This makes it mold to the foot for the perfect fit. You take out the insole of the shoe, place the GelThotics inside- and then place the insole back inside the shoe.
These will never break down, tear up, or become uncomfortable because of what they are made of. They are designed to wear for a LONG LONG time. This helps to support your forefoot, heels, and arches so you get an overall balanced protection from shockwaves through your feet.
The GelThotics are moisture and waterproof, so Adam didn’t have to worry about the insert absorbing the sweat from his feet. They also do not absorb germs, so if you wanted to let someone borrow these- you wouldn’t have to worry about athletes foot.
Adam inserted these into his work boot and stood up. He said his feet felt immediately better. He knew that his boots were killing him because of the steel toe and lack of support in the heels and arches.
He said he felt SO much better at work. Even thousands of feet in the air in the bucket trimming, he didn’t feel any discomfort from his boots. I was really glad that I could help out with this. I am extremely happy to report that he hasn’t been complaining of feet pain at all since wearing these.
About:
Kendall Research Systems, Inc. has introduced a silicone orthotic with maximal support and shock absorbency. The Kendall GelThotic, provides optimal therapeutic support and requires less space in the shoe than any other orthotic, thus working in almost any style of shoe. Kendall GelThotics was sold by health practitioners in clinical settings, showing significant reductions in plantar fasciitis, forefoot issues, and more. Carefully engineered for enhanced biomechanical efficiency, it enhances performance through all phases of the gait cycle. In addition to enhancing performance, the GelThotic is water and moisture proof and cannot absorb microbes and odors.
Connect with Kendall GelThotics
The Giveaway:
One Lucky Made.By.Jess Reader will win their very own pair!
The Giveaway will be a part of my 10,000 FB Fan Giveaway
This should be posted very soon. Subscribe to my RSS feeds to make sure you catch the giveaway, it will be amazing. I have a lot of cool prizes lined up!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Thanks for dropping by,
Jessica
Getting Care for Seniors
2010 was a very hard year for my family. Everything seemed normal, except the fact that my Grandmother had a large bruise on the back of her arm that was extremely huge. I didn’t think anything of It though, she was easy to bruise.
She had just retired from Nursing in May of 2010, so she didn’t have any insurance. When she got the bruise, I kept asking for her to go to the doctor, but she replied “I don’t have any money”. How could I persist? I knew how it felt not to have the money to go to the doctor.
She went finally- and when she did, they told her it was the flu and sent her home with some prescriptions to get filled. I was at my moms that day and she came over to visit while she waited for her medicine to get filled.
Little did we know that as she returned to pick up her medicine, that the police would be called on her. Someone called and said that she was swerving extremely bad. The cops found her in the pharmacy parking lot, and she was unresponsive.
She was awake but incoherent. She was looking out the passenger side window when the cop was talking to her. They immediately knew that something was wrong. An ambulance was called right on the spot.
She was taken to Bowling Green Hospital for some tests because they thought she was either having a seizure or having a stroke. When they got her to the hospital. they ran some tests on her.
It was a horrible night. Waiting and waiting on what the tests would say the next morning. I was in shock and complete grief already. This was the woman who meant the most to me throughout my life. She was always by my side and there was no way that she could be sick.
What would I do without her? The thought completely unnerved me. I didn’t know what to do or say. I snuck in the bathroom and busted out in tears. I was hoping and praying that everything would be fine.
The next morning, I was back at the hospital with her. The neurologist came in, and he was Chinese- so it was kind of hard for me to understand what he was saying.
All I DID understand was “TUMOR”. “Tumor?” How could this be? A big fat tumor lying straight on her brain was causing her to go into mild seizures because of the pressure. The longer he sat there explaining, the more I began to understand. There wasn’t just ONE tumor, there were FIVE.
Brain cancer.. that’s what it was. I couldn’t grasp the fact that she had brain cancer. They assured us that with chemo and radiation that she still had 2-3 years to live.
So she began the treatments, and within a short time, practically a week her hair began falling out. She was on more medicine than I could count and she was weak and tired all the time. She was always such a beautiful lady, keeping her weekly hair appointments to get it washed and set. Now it was falling out, and it broke her down. She was afraid that people would stare at her because she had no hair.
I felt like crying on the spot. The entire family just kept saying “Don’t let her know that you’re upset because she needs to stay as positive as possible.” So, needless to say- I never got to have that heart to heart with her that I desperately needed.
I was trying my hardest to get her on a medical card because she was suffering with only a retirement check. She was paying out of pocket for medicine, chemo, and radiation…
She was living with her husband and her sister at the time. I was told we need senior care, but her husband and sister said they could take care of her. I wish we would have gotten it though, because it wasn’t long before she took a turn for the worse.
She ended up falling in the rain and her sister couldn’t get her up, so she had to sit in the rain for 20-25 minutes until my mom could get out there and pick her up. The next day it was even worse.
I was at the community center applying for free medicine for her when my mom got a call from my grandma’s sister saying that she was acting weird and not responding again. We went out there and sure enough- she acted like she was in a coma or something. She had wet herself and they had left her like that all night. So mom and I gave her a sponge bath while waiting for the ambulance.
She got to the hospital and her oxygen level was very VERY low. She ended up coming home with my mom because we felt like her sister and husband weren’t caring for her as much as they should have.
I wish my mom would have had someone to come and help her though, because less than 2 weeks later my grandmother went way downhill. Her body was shutting itself down. She couldn’t eat, was barely urinating, and couldn’t pass a bowel movement at all.
Less than a week later, my grandmother was in a full coma and died later that night. I miss her greatly, it’s still hard to believe that she died less than 3 months after being diagnosed.
It reminds me daily to never take anything or anyone for granted, that life is short, and we should appreciate what we have.
She was a great blessing to me, and I’m glad she was in my life until I was at least graduated and she was able to meet my beautiful kids. She was amazing, and she will always be in my heart and mind.
Thanks for dropping by and listening--
Jessica
Sparked by CareCorner.
What Not to Eat When it Comes to Hot Flashes
Are you suffering from those nasty hot flashes and hate going out to eat
because you never know when one may hit? If so, it is time to learn what
foods you should avoid so you can decrease the amount and intensity
of hot flashes you have due to food triggers. Below you will find the top
offending foods that should be avoided at meal time and anytime!
Alcohol- Drinking and hot flashes seem to go hand in hand. The reason is
not known, but the evidence is there. So, go with a virgin drink, or better
yet, choose water with your meal.
Caffeine- This is a trigger that most women identify with. If this is your
problem as well, try going with decaffeinated coffee or caffeine free
soft drinks. This common ingredient can also cause sleep issues, heart
palpitations and headaches-all symptoms of menopause. Go for fresh
juices, milk or water.
Spiced up foods- You may love to have a meal of Mexican or Indian food,
but your body may not love it. In fact, it may cause hot flashes! If you find
that spicy foods trigger your flashes, go for a less spicy substitute. If you
just have to have your favorite dish, wear cool clothing and bring some
Towelettes for a wipe down.
Nicotine- smoking has been noted as a hot flash trigger. Research shows
that those who smoke experience more frequent and stronger hot flashes.
Quitting this habit will be good for your menopause symptoms and for your
health overall.
While avoiding certain foods can help, taking supplements and vitamins
such as Kuhl Care can also help reduce the symptoms of menopause,
including hot flashes!
Once you have some time to figure things out, you will better know your
triggers so that you can avoid them. Just think, you may just become a hot
flash expert!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Craft Product Review: Stencils by iStencils
Stencils are awesome. I use stencils for a lot of different types of things. I use stencils for paper crafting, fabric, decoupage, painting, and more. Stencils used to be very cliché, bland, and boring.
Now that crafting has hit a high again, more and more awesome companies are coming out with the most AMAZING stencils. I was absolutely thrilled to be able to work with Istencils.
Stencils aren’t just for walls, Istencils have over 2,600 different stencils that can be used on any type of crafting project.
Here’s a little bit about iStencils from the website:
We have one of the largest online selections of stencils for home decor, custom clothing and more, including many different wall stencils, letter stencils,graffiti stencils and airbrush stencils.With their line of stencils, there is NOTHING that you can’t do. They have so many different options that I spend forever just looking and admiring before I chose the stencils I wanted to review.
iStencils is a collection of select artworks of different artists from all over the world. Every iStencils stencil is masterfully laser cut from the highest quality materials by the friendly folks at stencilsonline.com, for user friendly, hassle free stencils that anyone can use. Most of our stencils are made from durable (yet highly flexible) 7 mil Mylar which is strong enough to use again and again, but thin enough to achieve incredible detail wherever you choose to stencil. All of our stencils are reusable and easy to clean, and with proper care, your stencils will last a lifetime.

I really loved the variety of heart stencils.. They had swirl hearts, hearts in groups, regular hearts, but most of all I really liked the bleeding heart. It looked so cool.

These stencils were definitely thicker than others on the market. It makes it so much easier to work with. They come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs for any size of craft you’re working with.
![clip_image001[5] clip_image001[5]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wd1WmZgpKWM/UBsqZXhzTgI/AAAAAAAACbc/p7Wau33LUdM/clip_image001%25255B5%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800)
The 5x5 stencils are $4.99, the bigger you go- the more money you need (of course).. If you choose to get the 36x36 stencils, you would be able to stencil an entire yard of fabric.! Isn’t that cool?
Having a thicker surface means that they will last longer and will definitely be able to hold up to whatever medium you’re working with. Whether it is fabric paint, acrylic paint, crayons, sharpies..
I immediately starting working with the star stencil I got. I had a premade tote with an iron on patch that this was perfect for. Here is the picture of me getting the patch ironed on.

Then I wanted to position the stencil so that the stars looked like they were descending from the iron on start.


Although the paint took quite a few times to come out as brightly as I wished it to be, it still turned out pretty awesome.

I haven’t had a chance to work with the other 2 stencils yet, but I will post the pictures as soon as they’re done.
The other stencils were Wings and of course the star stream.

![clip_image001[7] clip_image001[7]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hFU4bPwRdv0/UBsrFLifb3I/AAAAAAAACc8/8O2tmM10VEM/clip_image001%25255B7%25255D_thumb.png?imgmax=800)
The stencils are easy to clean as well. As soon as I got done, I used hot water and soap and there was absolutely no problem with the paint coming off! Not to be said about thinner crafting stencils. Most of the ones I had before getting these are all painted up because the paint was too hard to get off because they were almost translucent.
I really liked working with these stencils. Great quality for a great price!
Find Istencils online:
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/iStencils/348831181793648 (readers will get a coupon code for visiting)
Pinterest- http://pinterest.com/istencils/
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Thanks for dropping by,
Jessica
Feel Roxy- Padded Panties & Slimming Belts
I happened upon a very awesome company that helps shape women the way they want to be shaped. YES- Making you not only look beautiful but feel that way as well.
What am I talking about? Well- they sell Padded panties that are exclusive to their company. Their products are affordable AND comfortable. Most women want the extra oomph without wanting to pay high dollar and risk injury over high risk surgeries.
The way to go about this to get some well fitted padded panties to make you feel and look like you have a little more junk in the trunk.. Isn’t that awesome? The best thing about it is they have assorted colors- that way if you want to wear white pants, capri’s, or shorts you don’t have to worry about being found out!
Your secret is safe with me, I promise! I know how it is to be small framed and want those curves that makes a woman a woman. These panties are bikini style, so you aren’t getting a giant granny panty shape wear. Who said looking beautiful come uncomfortably?
The butt pads are removable, so that you can wash the panties without messing up the pads. They are fashioned with sensationally soft microfiber that lifts your butt, while adding cushion to give your bottom a more rounded look.
These panties will make you feel and look like you’ve worked your tail off to get a toned and sculpted physique. Isn’t that awesome? The panties are only $42 for 6 pairs all different colors!
Slimming belts are the new way to look toned and fit in your midsection all while looking great! You can buy this in beige and black for only $21.35.
Feel Roxy slimming belt is the first to have a new technology called "far-infrared ray granules" which massages your back while diminishing the size of your abs and waist.
This automatically gives an immediate slimming look, and you can wear it underneath ANYTHING you wear. No matter what you have to do during the day- whether you go to work, stay at home with the kids, are exercising, or just lounging in front of the TV- you can wear this.
It is lightweight and comfortable, so even if your going to a meeting or a ballgame with your kids- this will never pinch or hurt. It is made from nylon and spandex, so it feels like a second skin instead of those body squishing corsets. This is built to look like a tank top, so you can wear this under anything you want and nobody will ever know!
Take advantage of these amazing offers!! They are amazing deals.
Sparked by Feel Roxy
Thanks for dropping by,
Jessica
Hearts on Fire: Beautiful Diamond Jewelry
Are you looking for gorgeous diamond wedding bands or what about an engagement ring? If so, I have found the perfect place for you. Hearts on Fire is an online store that features the most brilliant and beautifully designed diamond wedding and anniversary bands.
They have many options available- all to fit your own unique personality. You aren’t like everybody else, so why would you want a wedding ring that is like so many others?
Your engagement and wedding rings are going to be on your finger every single day of your life, and you want it to represent your own personal style. You want something that you can look down at and think- WOW! Every SINGLE time.
These rings are so distinctly made, that they take my breath away. They are all so stunning and dazzling. Every single one is made differently, yet still carries that eye catching look.
The best part about using this website to choose a ring you would want forever, is that they have a guide for buying the perfect ring or set of rings. So, if you aren’t sure where to start- no worries. They can even walk you through dropping the hint to hubby about the perfect ring for you. They have a guide for men as well- that way there’s no confusion on his part!
Hearts on Fire sells more than just wedding bands, they have an amazing selection of diamonds in every setting. The diamonds are so radiant, sparkling, and prominent. There’s no way a diamond from this company could be overlooked!
They have diamond necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Have an anniversary coming up? These would also be perfect for holidays, or just to put some sparkle in your eyes daily.. ♥
What about an unexpected gift for your best friend, mother, sister, or grandmother? Every woman knows that a surprise gift from the bottom of the heart will always put a giant smile on our faces. Show that special someone how much they mean to you and how appreciated by you with a gift from Hearts on Fire.
I have to say that I would love to have a special box pop out at me with a wonderfully thought out gift like this. Astonishing me wouldn’t be hard. Even a random item from here would make my heart melt into a million tiny pieces.
About Hearts on Fire:
In the Hearts On Fire process, we go above and beyond in selection, design, craftsmanship, and presentation. We take an exclusive collection of the world’s finest rough diamonds through a proprietary diamond-cutting process whereby the world’s top craftsmen shape and polish raw stones into the brilliant Hearts On Fire cut, and then set them into elegant Hearts On Fire jewelry to create something truly remarkable.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, but I would never post anything that wasn’t great for my readers!
Thanks for stopping by,
Jessica
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Be Creative and Even Crafty with Terrific Accessories for Your Tresses!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Your Skin is Worth it: Invest in Natural Skincare
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