@BuiltNY-The Gramercy Collection Essential Tote #HolidayGiftGuide2013 #BuiltNy

Built NY, a company well known for its neoprene lunch bags and bottle totes now have a new Gramercy collection! Everything they make whether it’s a diaper bag or bottle holder, they are all made out of neoprene, which make them unique to Built NY. The fabric has been tested and are PVC, BPA, latex and vinyl-free.

Drawing inspiration from the city that never sleeps, BUILT applies color and pattern to laptop sleeves, iPad cases, camera bags, lunch totes and other accessories that protect the stuff you love wherever you go.

 

Built NY are very well known for their stylish yet functional fabric choices. I was so excited waiting for the Gramercy Collection Essential Tote to get here. I was immediately infatuated with the quilted look of the tote when I seen it on the website!

I was super excited when I opened the box and seen that I got a green Gramercy Essential tote. I didn’t even know green was a choice, so I was in love because you know it’s my favorite color. The quality and versatility of the items you can store in it is amazing!

The Gramercy tote is the perfect way for me to keep all my items with me all the time. They are made of polyester and protective neoprene (the wetsuit material) so it stretches to fit notebooks, tablets, and even laptops up to 16”.

I love that I can use this for a purse OR laptop bag. These could also even be used as a diaper bag, beach bag, or alternative to plastic bags at the grocery store. I chose to use mine as a purse for the time being, because I love the way it looks.

It has a strong, great quality zip top closure. It is unique from any other tote I’ve ever seen because it has double zips. The zipper closure keeps all my items secure from falling out should I lean over or drop it.

I also like the fact that it has 2 tightly sewn pockets on one side of the interior. There are items that you don’t want to have to search for in the bigger part; keys, cell phone, or a small wallet or debit card.

I can stick whatever it is I need to have with me inside, and still have room. My wallet is always inside, a bottle of lotion, my hairbrush, my makeup bag, etc. I love how roomy it is inside, and the fact that the interior can be wiped clean with a damp washcloth.

The best part is the entire tote is machine washable. Most purses/totes or even laptop bags aren’t able to be machine washable. There is usually something on the outside or inside that will rip or tear. I love the fact that if this gets dirty (for instance setting it on the ground) I can just take my stuff out and throw it in the washer!

Comfort is a strong priority for me. I hate wearing purses/totes that have really small straps. The straps end up digging into my shoulders and hurting. The Built NY straps are super comfortable. They are just the right thickness and don’t dig into my shoulders one bit, no matter how long I wear the tote on my arm.

If you’re thinking about buying yourself a new versatile tote or you’re looking for a great holiday gift, this is it! You won’t be sorry! I am in LOVE with mine, I definitely hope they start to offer this tote in the same vibrant fabrics that they’re known for!

Get it: Gramercy Collection Essential Tote $79.99 available in black and blue.

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Jessica Renee

Therafit Deborah Women's Sneaker Review

Shoes are absolutely essential to humans. Could you imagine walking into work without a pair of shoes on? It’d be kind of difficult, don’t you think? Distracting in the least. Shoes are something we NEED, and we can choose comfort and style at the same time.

We have different types of shoes for a variety of needs. We wouldn’t think of seeing a football player in a ballerinas shoes. Nor would our minds understand seeing a dancer in a pair of cleats? Could you imagine someone walking a long distance in a pair of heels? No, because we need different shoes for different things.

Walking and running definitely needs a certain type of shoe. They need to be comfortable, because ill fitting shoes cause more strain on our bodies. Dr. Lisa Masterson from the Emmy Award winning series “The Doctors” created a shoe designed to keep women comfortable no matter what they are doing while improving their health.


I was sent the Therafit Deborah Sneaker in Black/White. I fell in love on the first use. They feel like they were designed to fit my feet. Every time I put these on and lace them up my feet smile. They mold to the contours of my feet while also providing cushion.



Usually a shoe would do 1 out  of the 2 for me but never both. Usually running shoes mold easily to your feet but don’t provide enough cushion. Walking shoes are the opposite, they provide cushion without the shoes properly syncing with my feet. These shoes do both, and it feels amazing.



Therafit shoes have a PCS which is a Personalized Comfort System. The PCS allows you to adjust 3 separate “pins” inside the shoe. These pins are what absorb the shock and impact of your feet hitting the ground when you walk/run. If you can see in the picture, I’ve slid the first “pin” in a little ways so you could see what I’m talking about. They are very easy to slide in/out.

I haven’t had to adjust any of mine yet. I like the way they protect my feet as they are already adjusted. I’ve never felt this much protection with this lightweight of a shoe. They are as lightweight a other athletic running shoes, yet offer comfort and cushion as a walking shoe would.

Walking shoes are usually extremely heavy because of the added cushion within the soles. It can be troublesome if you want to jog and/or run. These shoes are different because I can walk/jog/run and NOT feel like I’ve got a concrete block on the end of my foot.
They also rank A+ for long distance comfort. Usually after a little while of jogging or running there would be certain spots in my feet that would begin hurting with other running shoes. That’s because they are built to be lightweight for a faster running time. These are built for speed and comfort, so it’s a win-win.

As you already know, I love color. I love the fact that these shoes come in a variety of color, and the colors are vibrant and bright. I definitely want those bright pinks ones, they are next on my list!

They provide a lot of support to every part of your foot; from the toe to the heel. Therafit shoes are built and developed around 4 key characters: comfort, customer, community, & charity. They are also endorsed by the National Posture Institute because of the comfort and protection they give while reducing aches and pains.

Get Yours: Therafit Deborah Sneaker black/white $95

Find Therafit on Facebook & Twitter.
You can purchase your own pair of Therafit shoes at therafitshoe.com.



Jessica Renee

Review: DerMend Moisturizing Bruise Formula

If you often find yourself looking at a new black and blue bruise and can’t for the life of you remember how you got it, there’s good news waiting for you at the drugstore! While there are an abundance of products to help minimize scars, there’s not so many for bruises.

Targeted care for bruised skin - with ceramides and arnica oil. Dermatologist recommended. DerMend Moisturizing Bruise Formula helps improve the appearance of bruised skin. Out proprietary formula contains ceramides, alpha hydroxy acid and retinol to rejuvenate mature skin and help restore and repair the skin's natural barrier.

My son and daughter have always bruised very easily and are clumsy most of the time. They bruise mostly on their legs, and I swear I find new ones on a daily basis. The kids love to run around, ride their scooters, chase the dog around, and generally play outside. I can’t keep them from falling down, but I was hoping to minimize the amount of bruises I find.

Aidan and Adisyn play this game where they run towards starr (our dog), and she will take off running. Then they’ll turn around extremely fast and she’ll start running after them. I don’t know how many times the kids accidentally tripped over each other when they took off running from the dog. I told them to slow down, but kids shall be kids I guess.

I put this on after bath time like a lotion on their shins. The bruises that were there the worse were gone in 2-3 days, Usually they stay for at least a week, so I was astonished. It seemed like it was fading the lightest spots in the bruises, and then working its way into the center of the bruise.

My mom also bruises very easily on her arms and legs. She works in a duct tape factory putting together giant display boxes and filling them with duct tape. The handling of the boxes when they are full of tape bruises her arms. She comes home some days looking like she’s been beaten. I let her use the Dermend cream to see if it would help her arms heal the bruising,

I don’t get to see her much through the week because she leaves for work at 5 a.m. and doesn’t get home until 4:00. Adam goes in to work at 3:00, and takes the Expedition. So unless she drives over here I don’t see her through the week. Most of the time she goes straight home to relax, so I didn’t get to take an after picture.

She did tell me that the bruises faded very quickly. She sounded surprised that they faded like they did. She usually keeps bruises awhile. I don’t know if she has gotten thinner skin as she got older or if she always bruised that easily.

I was glad she liked it and it helped the bruising though. She said that it the cream breaks the bruising into smaller spots and then disappears. She said it helped with discoloration while also moisturizing her skin.

She said after using it a couple weeks that her arms were hydrated just as if she’d been using lotion. It helps to rebuild and rejuvenate the skins natural barrier and improves the overall texture of the skin. She said it seemed to help her with not bruising as easily too.

This would be great for those that are older and have to take a blood thinner on a regular basis. Thin blood makes you not only bruise easier but the bruises look worse.

Reach for DerMend™ Moisturizing Bruise Formula, a unique non-irritating cream that can help improve the skin’s overall appearance – especially on exposed areas such as the arms, hands, chest and legs. With ingredients such as ceramides, retinol, arnica oil and glycolic acid, DerMend™ works to:

· Help improve the appearance of bruised skin

· Help rejuvenate and restore the skin’s natural barrier

· Improve the appearance of skin discoloration

· Reduce the look of mottled pigmentation

· Improve skin texture

· Maintain collagen and elastin production

· Boost moisture and suppleness

Plus, the product is super easy to use—it absorbs easily into skin and won’t stain clothing!

Get Yours: DerMend Moisturizing Bruise Formula at CVS for $29.99

 

Jessica Renee

Udderly Smooth Products Review & Giveaway

Is your skin ready for the cold weather that is moving in? It was freezing last week here in Kentucky. It seriously felt like we skipped fall altogether and landed in winter. It was 33* here one night last week. Brr.

Cold weather drastically changes my skin. My skin dries out, flakes in spots, and starting itching (well my legs do). This is the reason I was so excited to be given the chance to review a basket of Udderly Smooth products.

Udderly Smooth sent a variety of items to be reviewed. When I received Udderly Smooth Cream products, I noticed that the labels are updated but the creams are still the same great products that everyone has come to love.

The Udderly Smooth Hand Cream is a godsend in my opinion. I constantly carry lotion with me wherever I go. If you look in my purse you’re more than likely to find 2 or 3 in there at a time. Udderly Smooth has now taken up residence in there, because I love how luxurious it feels.

My ideal hand cream would coming looking like Udderly Smooth’s. It is thick, rich, and creamy yet isn’t greasy in the least. I constantly crochet and the yard can be drying to my hands. I need a hand cream that it thick yet non-fragranced.

I don’t like using fragranced lotion/hand cream when I crochet because I want to start selling them, and some people are very sensitive to fragrances. Whether it be that their skin is allergic to fragrances or they can’t smell strong scents.. I just go with unscented. In my opinion this smells like Johnson’s Baby Lotion (just clean and awesome).

I love the quality of this cream. I don’t have to keep reapplying and reapplying it. TIP: You can even use this as a nighttime moisturizer on your face. It’s thicker so it really absorbs into the skin and doesn’t break you out. It can also be used a pre-makeup moisturizer/primer! AND It’s dirt cheap (especially if you get the tub).

The Udderly Smooth Body Cream is amazing for legs, arms and other dry areas over the entire body. It is amazing at moisturizing and smoothing rough, dry skin while helping condition it. It is packed with a blend of moisturizer that make it feel silky and soak into the skin.

It has a light, fresh fragrance. One that is subtle, not at all overpowering or even all that noticeable. The jar that this comes in is amazing. I can just dip my hand into it and get whatever amount I need. The cream is REALLY thick, creamy and immediately works. I love it!

No other body cream has rehydrated my skin better or in a quicker time frame. Within just a couple days all the dry skin was back to looking healthy and didn’t itch because of the dryness. It leaves no greasy or oily residue behind. I can take a shower and apply this immediately after patting dry. It instantly soaks into my skin, and my skin drinks it up.

My skin feels not only moisturized but nourished and healthy as well. If you’ve never tried the body cream, moisturizing lotion, or the Hand & Body lotion—you’ve been missing out my friend. I wish I’d had this when I was tanning 3x a week, it really dried my skin out., I am going to start using Udderly Soft and Smooth all year round, not just in the Winter!

The Udderly Smooth Hand & Body Lotion and Udderly Smooth Moisturizing Lotion are lighter than the body cream. These lotions are meant for daily use. They took the best out of Udderly Smooth Udder Cream and added slight differences to each one.

The Hand & Body Lotion is rich and creamy, yet a lighter more thin consistency than the hand or body creams. It has a light beach fragrance which is relaxing yet invigorating. The light scent takes me to light waves crashing against the shore, birds chirping, and clean air.

They’ve added Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to heal and nourish the skin. Aloe Vera, just by itself, is a natural moisturizer, heals acne, and fights aging. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that heals and repairs the skin while protecting it at the same time. It fights against free radicals, which in time hurt the natural collagen in the skin, causes dry skin, and creates wrinkles.

The Udderly Smooth Moisturizing Lotion is the original Udder Smooth lotion. Originally developed for use on dairy cows, Udderly Smooth® Udder Cream. is used by many people for their dry and chapped skin. It is wonderful skin nourishment in a pump action top!

It truly feels so soft and luxurious when it’s applied to my skin. This lotion is awesome for dry, chapped skin. It works wonders with healing and nourishing your skin into soft, satiny, younger feeling skin!

I’ve tried plenty of foot creams but most can’t even try to compare to the Udderly Smooth Foot Cream with Shea Butter. Dry feet and heels are the worst! I HATE when my feet feel dried out. This is super effective for even the driest of feet.

Adam works in a warehouse unloading semi trailers for Dollar General and walking around on a concrete floor in steel toes really does damage to his feet. They make them so dried out that they end up cracking and getting super tender.

He has used so many different creams on his feet that we’ve lost track. I’ve even tried home remedies on him that didn’t work. He likes this cream because the thick consistency really soaks into his feet. It softens the rough, dry skin without a problem and keep them moisturized.

He also appreciates that it doesn’t contain any menthol or alcohol. Where the dryness cracks his skin in some places, the alcohol/menthol will make them burn. This also has added Shea Butter which also helps keep the skin from drying out.

Most lotions/creams are greasy and therefore don’t seep into the skin so quickly. He never walks around the house unless he has socks/shoes on, so he liked that this soaked in immediately. It doesn’t leave oily/greasy residue inside his socks.

 

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Win $25 worth of Udderly Smooth Products.

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Jessica Renee

Toy Review: LeapFrog Read With Me Scout #HolidayGiftGuide2013 #ReadWithMeScout

Reading is something that is VERY much enjoyed in our home. I LOVE to read myself and it is something that I wanted to pass on to my kids. We go to the library all the time and I let them choose their own books. We read them, re-read them, and then I try and get them to re-read the books to me.

There are times when I am super busy and have to get something VERY important done and would love to read to them but can’t. That’s where the Read With Me Scout by Leapfrog comes in. She can patiently sit down and play with him and have him read to her while I wash dishes, clean, or cook supper. I can then sit down and join her after we’ve ate supper, I’ve washed the dishes, and they’ve had their baths for school the next morning.

Adisyn absolutely adores her Leap Frog Read With Me Scout. He comes with 5 color coded books that are also numbered. The books are hardback books and very durable for small hands. (This is a HUGE plus because she tends to still sometimes slightly tear pages on accident). So them being board books make a HUGE difference.

Scout makes reading very interesting and interactive, even for a Preschooler! When you turn the switch “ON” on Scout’s collar he will say something like “pick up the blue book and pat my head when you are ready.”

He will then read the book to her, commenting on the book, and asking questions as he goes. This is awesome because it builds comprehension skills as well as helps them pay attention to what is being read to them. It amazing how much he engages her in the book and makes reading that much MORE fun.

Scout has 5 different interactive spots (cheek, both paws, head, and back) that respond to her touch. She can kiss his cheek and he will tell her that she’s his best friend, she’s friendly, and he likes her. His left paw produce songs, the right produces random responses (high five, yeah, it’s nice to see you, let’s play). His back responds “You’re my buddy, I like that, and I love you” etc.

The 5 colorfully illustrated board books teach:
    1) Rhyming—helps children learn about the sounds of language and build phonological awareness,
    2) Learn-about—learn about the world through reading and recognize how print carries meaning,
    3) Narrative—learn about how stories are put together, with characters, settings, and a sequence of events,
    4) Pattern—learn with rhymes, refrains and repetition to predict what comes next, and
    5) Concept—explore concepts like colors to label and classify new information.

Adisyn love to carry Scout wherever we go, no matter where it is. To the post office, the Doctor, and even to the grocery store. She even wanted to pack him in her backpack to take to school. She loved showing all our friends and family how much of a big girl she was by trying to read along with Scout.

Scout was a tremendous help to me on Friday. I had a doctor appointment for 11 because I ‘d been having severe migraines and felt “stuffy” for a few days. I thought I had allergies, so I made the appointment. We went in (Adisyn doesn’t have school on Fridays) and sat there until 2:30. It was ridiculous, but at least we had Scout to keep her entertained, occupied, and from flipping out from sitting there all day.

He teaches comprehension, early vocabulary and book and print basics. The more words a child sees, the more words they will eventually be able to use. The more a child is read to, the more they will LOVE to read. They will definitely love interacting not only with their book, but having a buddy that talks!

This is the perfect holiday gift for any child ages 2-5.

Get YOURS: Read With Me Scout by Leapfrog $34.99 $29.99

Stylish Southern Mama received the product free as part of a promotional program with LeapFrog and MomSelect.

 

Jessica Renee

Toy Review: Educational Insights- Raccoon Rumpus™ #HolidayGiftGuide2013

Join the party! Raccoons have raided your closet and now they’re having a party. Help these masked bandits get dressed—the critter that collects the most costumes wins. Includes 4 raccoon cards, 20 costume cards, 1 jumbo color die, 1 jumbo costume die, and game guide. 2-4 players. Grades Pre-K+ -

 

Adisyn absolutely loves to play cards, well what she thinks is playing cards. Usually we just play match the cards, or I hold the cards and show her one and ask her to find the same card in her hand. That’s OUR version of Go Fish because she doesn’t know all her numbers yet.

The Raccoon Rumpus game is specifically for preschoolers, so it doesn’t require them to know anything they don’t. It’s a game that is fun for her because all it includes is critters, costumes, matching, and memory! The goal is to collect costumes and help the raccoons get dressed. Whoever collects the most outfits wins! She loves it and has tons of fun!

The color matching rules are super easy, the die is bigger so they can easily grip in their smaller hands, and the game is fast paced and fun! It definitely helps with math skills, colors, and memory as well as matching!

Adisyn and Aidan both thought it was hilarious to see raccoons in their underwear, I’m pretty sure they snickered every time they played a new game. It’s a cute, funny game that they continue to love!

It’s a cute little game that is perfect for any stocking!

Get yours: Raccoon Rumpus $14.99

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Jessica Renee

#VZWLife Answer the Call: Recycle Your Cell Phone #HopelineCellphoneDrive

If you are someone who likes to keep up with technology and have the newest, hottest phone available on the market, then you could help us. Each time you upgrade your phone, you could consider donating your phones to Hopeline.

It doesn’t matter WHICH provider you use, Verizon takes all of these phones and donates them to help those who have been victims of Domestic Violence. Domestic Violence statistics are staggering!! According to the Domestic Violence website:

• Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.

• Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family.

• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.

You could help with just donating a phone that you have no need for. Most women could get out of their situation if they just HAD a phone to call 911, a family member, or a friend. I read somewhere that women in these situations lose that ability first in the relationship. The male dominates the woman and lets her talk less and less to the people she was once close. This is so she has nobody to run to, no way to call, no way to ESCAPE.

The Verizon Wireless HopeLine program has collected over 10+ million phones nationwide since 2001; Over $18.1 million cash grants given to domestic violence organizations since 2001; 151,000 HopeLine phones donated to victims and survivors since 2001. In 2012, Floridians alone donated more than 36,000 phones to HopeLine.

image via liveside.net

Donate a no-longer-used phone…

• At a Verizon Wireless Communications Store

• Through a HopeLine phone drive

• Through the mail, with a postage-paid label

HopeLine…

• Collects and securely scrubs the donated phones

• Refurbishes and sells reusable phones

• Responsibly recycles unusable phones

• Donates proceeds to domestic violence organizations

Domestic Violence Survivors…

• Receive refurbished HopeLine phones

• Get free calls and texting on the Verizon Wireless network

• Benefit from HopeLine phone donations and cash grants to local HopeLine-affiliated domestic
violence agencies

To learn more about HopeLine from Verizon, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

HopeLine phones are refurbished phones that are equipped with 3,000 anytime minutes of airtime and texting capabilities. They come with Verizon Wireless Nationwide Coverage, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, 3-Way Calling, Caller ID, Basic Voice Mail and texting. HopeLine phones are available to survivors affiliated with participating domestic violence agencies.

Protecting the environment is a major focus for the HopeLine program. The program collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition, from any service provider. Phones that can’t be reused are recycled responsibly under Verizon’s zero landfill policy. Since 2001 the Hopeline program has recycled 1.7 million wireless phones and kept more than 260 tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfills.

While upgrading your plan or just treating yourself, please think of those less fortunate in a situation that you could possibly help.

 

-Jessica Renee