Spring Clean with @Clorox Smart Tube!

It's that time of year again. April and May seem to be the months when we go through everything in our house, clean, dust and get rid of the things we haven't used or no longer need. I've been doing this one room at a time in my house and am loving it.



I love a clean house, absolutely love the smell of one when you first walk in. Even though I'm not that wife or mom to be cleaning constantly around my house, I do try and make sure for the most part that it's picked up and that whatever cleaning solution I'm using at the time is something that will get the job done in a timely manner.

That's why I love Clorox! I've been using not only Clorox bleach for years, but love their all purpose and bathroom solution. I can remember both my mom and grandma using Clorox for laundry and cleaning around the house, it's just a brand that is known to get things clean.

I was given the opportunity to test out a few of their newly improved products. I was given their all purpose spray, Tilex and their newly revamped Clorox Bleach. One thing I love about the changes that Clorox has made is that with both the all purpose and bathroom spray they no longer have bleach in them. This makes me happy as I don't have to worry about bleaching my clothes on accident while I'm cleaning.



Another thing I love is that they recently released their Smart Tube bottles for their Clorox, Tilex and Green Works spray bottles. These Smart Tube bottles ensures that while cleaning with their products we are sure to get every single last drop of solution saving time and effort and eliminating waste. Now we're getting what we paid for without wasting a single drop.

I had a chance to test this out because I was also given a small bottle of solution and an empty Smart Tube bottle to review how it worked. Take a look at the photo below. I honestly can say that these bottles are pretty nifty and worked great! 



Lastly Clorox has also launched a newly-formulated concentrated bleach that is powerful enough to tackle any mess by using less formula. The concentrated formula comes in a smaller, easier-to-use bottle, while offering all the cleaning power of a bigger bottle. So you’ll get the same number of uses with all the great cleaning and whitening results you expect from Clorox bleach. I've been using the Clorox on my whites and I am very pleased on the outcome. I love that I get the same powerful outcome with taking less space up in my laundry room.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned Clorox products at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas w/ @ShopprsDrugMart #CelebrateMom


With Mother's Day being around the corner there is still time to get some shopping done for the mom in your life. Whether you're looking for a gift for your wife, mother, mother in law, sister or friend one of the places I would highly recommend is your local Shoppers Drug Mart.



Now, let me tell you a few of the reasons why I love shopping at Shoppers and why shopping there this Mother's Day is a great idea. Not only do they have everything you need for your mom in your life, they're also very affordable and there are many options to choose from. From cosmetics, to fragrances, bath and body products, nail products, chocolates and so much more, there are tons of items at Shoppers that could be that special gift you need to say, “Happy Mother's Day.”

I've always loved shopping at Shoppers, for myself and for shopping for others too. There is something for everyone including that mom who has everything. Why not give her a giftcard to her favorite restaurant or an Itunes card so she can pick out some new tunes to listen to. The year before last my husband went to Shoppers for my Mother's Day Gift. He got me my favorite Sea Salt Caramel Chocolates along with a beautiful card and inside the card was an Itunes card because he knows how much I love music and there was also a Starbucks card because he knows I love my coffee!

From May 4th until the 10th Shoppers is offering 20x the Optimum points when you spend $75 or more on selected cosmetics or fragrances. How great is that? Not only do you get a great gift, but you also get optimum points, which we all love and could use.

Be sure to check out your local Shoppers before you run out of time and also check out their Mother'sDay Guide book. This booklet includes all of our favorite cosmetic and fragrances from top name brands. You'll find new and exclusive products from brands like Essie Nail Lacquer, new and exclusive perfume from Adam Levine, Gucci Première Eau de Parfum that includes a free gift (just to name a few) and so much more!
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. The products mentioned above have been given as part of a sponsored post through our ad network, SheBlogsMedia, for Shoppers Drug Mart.







@ChickenSoupSoul: Finding My Faith Book Review



Title: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find My Faith
By: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Susan M. Heim
Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul
Publication Date: October 16, 2012
ISBN: 9781611592177
Pages: 400

Everyone’s "faith story" is different. In the book, people of Christian and Jewish faiths share their personal stories about this life-changing and powerful event, providing inspiration and encouragement to readers.Chicken Soup for the Soul: Finding My Faith is filled with inspiring stories about the number of ways people discover, or rediscover, their faith -- whether it’s Christian or Jewish. The inspirational and powerful stories will touch the hearts and souls of readers.
MY REVIEW
I absolutely love Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Finding My Faith was no different. There are lots of temptations in this world and reading these short stories in between work, blogging and keeping up with my household reminded me that everyone struggles to find who they are, the purpose of them being here and with finding their faith. There were so many stories in this book that gave me goosebumps and had me in tears.

I'd highly recommend this book for every one to read. Whether you have faith or not this is a great book with tons of stories about life, belief and Spiritual Renewal. 

What I love best about the Chicken Soup for the Soul books is that you can read them whenever and wherever. The best part is that each stories aren't that long so even if you are that person that's always on the go and have a few minutes to kill while waiting at the doctor's office or dentist, these books are perfect. You don't have to get invested in a 300 page book, but could read a page or two and finish up a short story that you could relate to or it could help you in some way. 
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Chicken Soup for the Soul: Finding My Faith at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

The Guilt Trip #Target Exclusive Wrapped Blu-ray #Giveaway!




Just In Time For Mother's Day, The Guilt Trip hits the road on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Download and On Demand April 30, 2013

I'm so excited about this giveaway for all of our readers. The giveaway is open to both US and Canada Residents. This movie comes specially wrapped with a special card/message from Barbara. The special wrapped blu-ray/DVD set is only exclusive at Target. This movie is simply hilarious and a perfect movie to watch or give as a gift for this up and coming Mother's Day. Please be sure to check back on the blog for our review!

Screen legend Barbra Streisand and comic master Seth Rogen “are the perfect comedy duo” (Shawn Edwards, Fox-TV) in director Anne Fletcher’s (The Proposal) delightful and heartwarming comedy that is “packed with laugh-out-loud moments” (Meriah Doty, Yahoo! Movies). As inventor Andy Brewster (Rogen) is about to embark on a road trip to sell his latest product, he feels compelled to invite his mother, Joyce (Streisand), along for the ride. Across 3,000 miles of adventure and antics both Andy and Joyce discover that while they have their differences, they also have more in common than they ever realized.

An ideal gift to share with your mom on Mother’s Day, The Guilt Trip will be available in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with UltraViolet™. The two-disc set comes packed with over an hour of hilarious bonus features including featurettes on Barbra and Seth, a look inside Barbra’s world, an alternate opening and ending, over 10 deleted scenes and an uproarious gag reel. The film will also be available as a single-disc DVD.

Playtex SmartSpace Dishwasher Basket Review



The Playtex SmartSpace Dishwasher Basket is designed with a narrow bottom that's easy to fit in any dishwasher you have. The design of the basket not only saves space in the dishwasher, but it also is designed  to let water flow through easily for effectiveness when it comes to cleaning bottle nipples, straws and valves. 

I had the opportunity to try yet another product from the new Smart Line from Playtex and I have to tell you, I've been impressed with pretty much all of the items I was fortunate enough to review. Not only has using the items from the smart line saved me time, but I know that it's getting the job done and that my when my baby drinks out of his bottle that it's going to be clean and not filled with any bacteria left behind. This should be the least of a mom's worries, so I'm glad that Playtex has made things a bit easier for me. I had no problems at all with this basket and I was very impressed by the amount of items it holds.

This is definitely something that should be on any mother's list with a newborn or a child still using the bottle and/or sippy cups! This basket is valued at around $6.99, definitely not expensive and so worth the purchase!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Playtex SmartSpace Dishwasher Basket at no cost for the purpose of sharing this review. No compensation was received.

The Deliciousness That Is Tortilla @popchips (Review )


You may remember earlier this month I shared with you all that Popchips had just brought their new tortilla popchips for us all to enjoy here in Canada. Well I had the pleasure of reviewing a few samples of each flavor and let me tell you, they were scrumptious!


If you have yet to try or if you haven't heard of popchips before, they are a delicious more healthier alternative options then regular chips. They have many different flavors and now with the release of the tortilla chips, they've gotten even better. The new tortilla popchips come in four different flavours; nacho cheese, ranch and salsa.

I have to say, I loved all three flavors, but I had my favorite, which was the Salsa flavored. It was like a meatless taco, which was crazy, but it was so good. I definitely ate the bags up. My husband loved the Ranch flavor more, but to each their own because my kiddos were big fans of the Nacho flavor. I think because it was so cheesy. These were definitely a huge hit in my house and will definitely be purchased soon!

If you're looking for a healthier snack, these are definitely the way to go. The tortilla popchips have zero trans fat and fewer calories, which lets you have more of them per serving then you would get with regular chips. So you could have your cake and eat it too with popchips by having more to eat and still remain eating healthy. If that doesn't get you the try them the fact that these flavors are off the hook should definitely want to make you try them! 
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a few samples of popChips at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

@ChickenSoupSoul :Angels Among Us (Review & Giveaway)




Title: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Angels Among Us
By: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Amy Newmark
Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul
Publication Date: January 1, 2013
ISBN: 9781611599060
Pages: 400
In this book of 101 inspirational stories, contributors share their personal angel experiences of faith, miracles, and answered prayers, which will amaze and inspire you.Celestial, otherworldly, heavenly. Whatever the term, sometimes there is no earthly explanation for what we experience, and a higher power is clearly at work. You will be awed and inspired by these true personal stories from people, religious and non-religious, about hope, healing, and help from angels.
MY REVIEW
I’ve always loved the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I'm not much of a reader, to be honest. I just don’t have the time, but when these books first started coming out my mom had bought me the Chicken Soup for the Soul: For The Daughter and I loved it. I started reading them and became a huge fan. They are short stories with so much inspiration in them I found myself falling in love with the series.

The Angels Among Us has become a favorite of mine. I found myself tearing up a bit while reading each story, as it really hits the heart. I love that these stories not only inspire everyone, but gives hope as well. I also loved that the short stories were short enough that I could read them while my little toddler was down for a nap.

The authors truly amaze me with their hard dedicated time and effort to put together such amazing books. I am a true fan and reader of these books and recommend them for all to read. There's something for everyone!
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Chicken Soup for the Soul: Angels Among Us at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. Big thanks to the PR company for providing the giveaway prize! 

Playtex Smart Brush 360 Review




One of the things that I've always found difficult was using bottle brushes. There are some that work and some that just don't. Since there are always time when I run out of bottles and need to hurry out of the door at the same time and need a bottle I have to use the brush to clean one to use. This is when I wished I had bottles already cleaned in the dishwasher. (LOL)

I've talked with you guys before about using a few new products from Playtex's Smart Line these last couple of weeks and now I want to share with you again about their Smart Brush 360. This brush gives you a complete 360 degree coverage when cleaning . It's very soft, but works great on both bottle and nipples. 


 The Playtex Smart brush 360 is great to use. I love that it has the smaller brush for cleaning bottle nipples, which makes cleaning in a hurry much easier. This was such a great product to use. One of the main things I was glad to see  was that the brush didn't scratch any of the bottles. I was impressed with how well the soft bristles of the brushed worked. That's a big deal since there have been bottle brushes I've used in the past that did. It cleans great and is comfortable and easy to use, which makes for a happy mommy and baby.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Playtex Smart Brush 360 at no cost for the purpose of sharing this review. No compensation was received.

Spring Cash #Giveaway ($115 via Paypal Worldwide)


Spring is definitely here. We had a great weekend that was filled with warm weather and nice quality family time, not to mention lots of Spring Cleaning. I got to go through the house and declutter, dust and clean everything and now my house smells and looks great!

With Spring being here, a perfect time for new beginnings, a group of fabulous Canadian Bloggers and myself decided to do something special for our readers and host a group cash giveaway. This is the perfect giveaway for the start of Spring, you can do so many things if you won, all you have to do is enter below.



Remember this is open Worldwide so any and all of you wonderful readers can enter this giveaway. You must have a Paypal account in order to win so we can send you the cash prize. The more entries you complete the more chances you have of winning.  GOOD LUCK!


Special thanks to Tales of a Ranting GingerThis Lil Piglet for organizing this event!

Playtex Smart Steam 3-in-1 Microwave Sterilizer Review



I had the privilege to review yet another new item from Playtex from their, "Smart," line products. The SmartSteam Sterilizer 3-in-1 microwave system provides the ultimate in hygienic sterilization for bottles and nipples. - This item provides fast results from dishwasher to sterilizer to the cooling/drying tray. It kills 99.9% of germs in 2 minutes, which impressed me very much.

It's amazing and it has everything you could ask for. The size is nice, not too big and fits a good amount of both bottles and nipples in it without seeming too full. The lift out tray is very handy, which is perfect for a mom who is always on the go and uses bottles many times a day with two little ones and one on the way. I found it easy to use and the handles to open and close it were great with no problems. I love that it also has the dishwasher basket. This was very convenient for me and saved me so much time.

This is definitely a product that's worth purchasing, I give it two thumbs up! This SmartSteam 3-in-1 Microwave Sterilizer can be purchased in both the United States and Canada  and valued  around $35

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Playtex Smart Steam Microwave Sterilzer at no cost for the purpose of sharing this review. No compensation was received.

Book Review: The Bracelet by @RobertaGately



Title: The Bracelet
By: Roberta Gately
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: November 6, 2012
ISBN: 9781451669121
Pages: 304

Newly heartbroken and searching for purpose in her life, Abby Monroe is determined to make her mark as a UN worker in one of the world's most unstable cities: Peshawar, Pakistan. But after witnessing the brutal murder of a woman thrown from a building, she is haunted by the memory of an intricate and sparkling bracelet that adorned the victim's wrist.
At a local women's shelter, Abby meets former sex slaves who have miraculously escaped their captors. As she gains the girls' trust and documents their horrifying accounts of unspeakable pain and betrayal, she joins forces with a dashing New York Times reporter who believes he can incriminate the shadowy leader of the vicious human trafficking ring. Inspired by the women's remarkable bravery-and the mysterious reappearance of the bracelet- the duo traces evidence that spreads from remote villages of South Asia to the most powerful corners of the West, risking their lives to offer a voice to the countless innocents in bondage.

MY REVIEW
I am loving Roberta Gately more and more and becoming such a huge fan. The Bracelet was a book that I got to read on my way home from California. It's an easy read that keeps you on your toes and turning the page. This story touches a difficult topic that many of us know about, human trafficking, but not too many of us knows exactly what and how this is still going on. I think she did an incredible job tackling on this subject for this being a fictional story. I honestly was glued to this story just as I was with her first book, Lipsticks in Afghanistan

The main character is a lady name, Abby. She's just getting out of a relationship and decides to go out of the country to be an UN worker in Pakistan. Similar to Gately's first book, the main character is leaving home from a difficult situation and trying to find her purpose in life by going to a different country and helping others. This is where she runs into her love interests, Nick. The relationship between the two was both predictable, but at times I couldn't see how it was still going on. 

I have to admit there were times where I got a bit upset with Abby's character because she seemed to not be as bright as  you would want your main character to be, but after reading the book and looking back, I guess that's how she should have been for this story to be what it was. Throughout the story I was extremely impressed by how well it was written and with all the details put into it.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received The Bracelet at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.  



@JeremyCamp Reckless CD Review & Giveaway



Reckless is the latest full-length record from Jeremy Camp, which was released on February 12, 2013. Reckless features the single and title track “Reckless,” which is already making waves at radio to set up the record for release. Jeremy Camp is excited to share what God has been doing in his life on this new album! New and old fans alike will find Reckless to be as heart-felt and passionate as ever.

MY REVIEW
I became a fan of Jeremy Camp when I got to review his Christmas Album for you guys last year. Now, with his latest album, Reckless, out I have to say this album is not a disappointment. If you are a fan of his and haven't listened to this album yet, it certainly will not disappoint you. 

Is this a faith based album, sure. But all of his songs from beginning to end of this album are upbeat and catchy and you don't have to be religious in order to enjoy his music. Each song sends a different message, as most songs do, but the messages in these songs are showing Jeremy's love for God and his faith. But being a Christian myself, I found this album to be pretty great. When listening to it I would always get in a better mood and I love that my kids love the music as well and singing it around the house. My favorite from this album has to be the hit single, Reckless, it's something I can dance to and easy to listen to. Check it out below!


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Jeremy Camp Reckless for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. Thanks to the company for the giveaway prize.

Thirsty Thursday: Strawberry Banana Mango Smoothie


I've been on a smoothie kick lately. I don't know why, but a smoothie in between breakfast and lunch or between lunch and dinner is so delicious and it helps keep me away from junk food too.

The day before yesterday was pretty nice outside, so after catching up on things around the house, I headed to one of my local Farmer's Market and picked up a few bags of fresh fruit. I love the taste of fresh fruit, not to mention helping out our local Farmer's is always a good feeling. I picked up some mangoes, strawberries, blueberries and a few different veggies that would be for dinner since we fired up our grill that night.

While my food was all cut up and ready to get on the grill, I decided to make the family and I a nice refreshing smoothie. I remember seeing one I liked on Pinterest and got on my phone to look up the ingredients. It's so simple, very easy and doesn't include any yogurt or milk and I still get the think consistency I love in my smoothies.

This smoothie is perfect for a warm and sunny day and will be made a few times during this Summer since it was super easy to make, very refreshing and took only a couple of minutes. Enjoy!



Strawberry Banana Mango Smoothie
Source adapted from: Sandra's Alaska Recipes

INGREDIENTS
First Layer:
1 mango, peeled, pitted and chopped
½ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
3 medium ice cubes

Second Layer:
1 banana, chopped
10 strawberries, cut in half
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 medium ice cubes

DIRECTIONS
In a blender, puree the mango, orange juice, lemon juice, honey, and ice cubes, until smooth, and divide between 2 glasses, and set aside.

Rinse blender, then puree banana, strawberries, lemon juice, orange juice and ice cubes, until smooth, and gently pour into glasses. Pour slowly and try not to mix the layers, so you can tell it's two different layers. Garnish and enjoy!

Koala Kid DVD Giveaway



Journey down under and meet a whole new breed of hero in this laugh-filled, action-packed animated adventure with an all-star voice cast, including Rob Schneider, Tim Curry and Alan Cumming. Johnny (Schneider) is a rare white koala bear who just wants to fit in and make friends. But when a twist of fate mistakenly transforms him into a fearless protector of animals, called “Koala Kid,” Johnny finds himself in over his head on a thrilling trek across the outback. With help from his hilarious new sidekicks, including a crafty Tasmanian devil, a lovable lizard and a boomerang-flinging female koala, Johnny may just outwit a villainous crocodile named Bog (Cumming) and become a true hero after all.

My kids were jumping with excitement when they saw the trailer for Koala Kid. From the trailer below it looks like it's going to be both kid and adult humor friendly which are movies I love, something for everyone to enjoy. 




In celebration of the release of Koala Kid we're sharing with you some interesting facts about Koala's, check them out!
FACTS ABOUT KOALAS:

  1. Did you know a wombat’s closest living relatives are the koala?!
  2. Koalas sleep for a total of 20 hours a day! While this might seem like a lot, this is because their diet is mostly made up of eucalyptus leaves, which aren’t very nutritious!
  3. Just like kangaroos, young koalas are known as joeys and take around a year to fully develop!
  4. The koala brains take up just 60% of its skull! The rest is full of fluid which has been said to act as a shock absorber, cushioning the poor koala if they fall from the tree.
  5. Koalas aren’t very social animals and spend just 15 minutes a day on socializing!
  6. From pregnancy, it only takes 30-35 days for a koala to give birth! When the joey is born he is a miniscule 0.5 g.
  7. Koalas live on average from 13 to 18 years in the wild. Females usually live longer as the males live a much more hazardous lifestyle!
  8. As cute as Koalas are, as with most wild animals, they cannot legally be kept as a pet in Australia or anywhere else.

Koala Kid will be released on DVD on April 30, 2013!

Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment Razor Winner's Review & $50 Visa Gift Card Winner!


Back at the end of February we reviewed  for you all the new Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment Razor and we absolutely loved it. We hosted a giveaway and 25 winner's were chosen!



Today I want to share with you all some of the reviews from the ladies who won the razor and at the end of the reviews I'll choose one lucky winner to win a $50 Visa Gift Card! GOOD LUCK!

SCHICK INTUITION PURE NOURISHMENT RAZOR REVIEWS:

"I recently received one of the Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment Razors to try and review. I absolutely LOVE this razor. It provides a very smooth shaving experience and left my legs looking great. The conditioning bar smells great and I can't wait to try the other varieties. I am definitely now a Schick Girl!" - Judy C.

"The first thing I noticed about the razor was its size. It's much larger than my usual razor. It has a larger head surrounded by moisturizing bars of coconut milk and almond oil which smells wonderful. The handle is also much wider than my usual razor. I was pleased to see rubber grips on the razor to make it easy to hold onto while using in the shower. Despite the larger size of the razor, it fit comfortably in my hand. The razor had a skin moisturizing solid around the actual razor head which lathers up while shaving eliminating the need for soap or shave gel. The solid lathered really well and I was impressed at how smoothly the razor glided over my skin. I was a bit worried that due to this solid on the razor head I wouldn't be able to get a close shave. I was surprised by how close of a shave I actually got. My legs feel soft and smooth and moisturized. I usually apply moisturizing lotion to my legs after shaving but didn't feel the need to after using this razor. Overall, this razor is definitely worth a try and has earned a permanent place in my shower. The razor actually comes with a suction cup holder to hold the razor in the bathtub. This is a great feature so I'll always be able to quickly locate my razor. Thanks for the opportunity to review this razor." - Amy

"When I first received the razor I was a little nervous. It was big and there was so much packaging but once I tried it I was very impressed. It left my legs soft and nick free. Now I use it all the time and love it. I will definitely be purchasing and recommending the Intuition Pure Nourishment razor to friends and family." - Jennifer

"I received the Schick Intuition pure nourishment razor for review and couldn't wait to try it out.I
first noticed the nice light scent and that it came with an extra blade. Which is a huge bonus.
It was a very smooth shave, it lathered very good and I got no cuts or scrapes.
After shaving my legs were left very soft,smooth and moisturized, without applying any lotion.
I loved the razor and will be recommended it to friends and family." - Angela M

"Loved the handle, it fit well in my hand and that's important to me because I have arthritis The scent was magical, reminding me of almond paste and sun tan lotion lol (good things). I loved not having to soap up before shaving and found the razor did that well for me. I had no nicks or cuts after shaving. Was pleased to find my skin really moisturized and soft after using this razor. I have sensitive skin, but found that this razor and its soap didn't bother my skin at all (yay)" - Anne T.

"I was interested to receive my Schick razor - I've always used shaving cream and wanted to see how this worked without it. I wasn't disappointed - it gave a close shave, smelled good and left my legs soft and smooth. It was nice to have one less step on a busy workday morning. This would be an excellent travel product as well, since it would eliminate the need for messy shaving cream cans in one's luggage. Overall, I would give it a thumbs-up, and will look at buying it again in the future!" -Sunshine G.

"I love this razor, I like that I don't have to use shaving cream. It gives a smooth shave and it's has great moisturizer. It is a little hard to use when it gets down close to the end, but I love it regardless. I can shave in the shower, no mess no fuss. These are great for travelling as they are an all in one and they are great for teaching the art of shaving too. So happy I got to try the coconut one, one of my fave scents. The price is a tad steep though, coupons would be a great idea. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to try this product. " -Sharon C.

"I am really enjoying the Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor. The coconut milk and almond oil fragrance is wonderful. I like not having to use soap or shaving gel when I use this razor. It leaves my skin so soft. It feels like I have already used lotion right after I shave. This is a razor I will continue to use." - Erika K.

"I was thoroughly impressed with this razor. Normally, I use men's razors like Fusion cause they do a much better job, but the Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment Razor really competes with the Fusion! The built in shave cream actually foams, unlike others I've used in the past. My only complaint is that the built in shave cream doesn't last long enough." - Sarah S.

"My legs felt silky smooth after shaving, I didn't need to use shave gel (i have fine hair so the nourishment bar was good enough). The cover was kind of silly to get on and the handle is made for people with large hands (i have tiny hands)" -Stacey H.

"This is the perfect razor! My legs and underarms are left feeling so soft and silky after I shave. The moisturizing solid not only leaves my skin feeling smooth but cuts shaving time down so much. The blades easily glide over my skin without so much as a nick. The thick handle is really easy to hold onto and I love that it comes with a shower hanger. The coconut milk and almond oil scent is also really nice! The Intuition Pure Nourishment has earned a permanent place in my shower!" - Jonnie H.

"The first thing I noticed when the razor arrived was the scent of coconut milk and almond oil which I could smell it right away even from inside the box. When I took it out it seemed a little bulky and I questioned weather or not it would get a close enough shave?? As I began to shave the mane that had started to grow due to reno’s I was pleasantly surprised, my legs came out smooth, soft and silky. I do however have 2 small complaints first one I believe was due to the amount of hair I was shaving I found that the razor got clogged up a bit and the soap around the blades made it harder to clean it out and I noticed that it was wasting the soap around it as well...I would hope it would clean well other wise. My second issue was while shaving my under arms and bikini line areas I found the razor to be rather bulky to use. I have already told my friends about it and my bestie has gone out to buy one already, I would give this razor a 8/10." - Misty F.

"I was worried at first about the bulk size of the razor as my health isn't good and my grip even worse. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to hold and use and i never dropped it! The coconut milk and almond oil left my very dry skin feeling silky smooth and full of moisture. It maybe a little pricey but it is well worth it!" - Wendy D.

"The Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor glides along my skin smoothly and leaves a nice moisturized fell. I love the thick handle because it's easy to hold and manipulate the razor. I also love the coconut and almond oil scent which is not too overwhelming. The little suction holder is useful so that I can hang up the razor after I am done. Overall, I would recommend the razor." - Areta W.



AND THE WINNER IS REVIEW #12 FROM: Misty F! 
Reviews are in order from the time they were received. That's how numbers were decided and a winner was chosen.


Playtex SmartSpace Drying Rack Review



I'm a huge Playtex customer. I've been using them for years and was really excited to try a few items from their SmartSpace line. Today I'm reviewing their SmartSpace Drying Rack. The drying rack is made to save you counter space while still letting your bottles, cups, nipples, etc. dry the hygienic way while still saving you space. This worked out so great for me as I don't have that much counter space and even if I did, it's nice to know that the rack wouldn't take up much room. 

I love this product, just the fact that I can make it bigger or smaller for counter space is nice. I love the drying pads that come with it as well. I also love that the rack is dishwasher safe and that it holds quite a bit of stuff. I was able to add a mixture of sippy cups, bottles and much more at the same time. I was also very impressed that it came with a spot for the smart brush to go which made it easier for me to use and keep everything together.

The Playtex® SmartSpace™ Drying Rack is available at all major retailers and pharmacies across Canada for a suggested retail price of $19.99


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Playtex SmartSpace Drying Rack at no cost for the purpose of sharing this review. No compensation was received.




@TheMotherCo Presents: Ruby's Studio: The Friendship Show DVD & Book Giveaway



Last week we shared with you all our review on a few items we got to review from The Mother Company. Now it's time for a GIVEAWAY! The people from The Mother Company want to give one lucky reader of Just Us Girls a chance to win both Ruby's Studio: The Friendship Show on DVD and also the book; Sally Simon Simmon's Super Frustrating Day! 



To enter this giveaway all we need you to do is to watch the video below and tell us, what was the name of the craft the kids were making for their friends? Good Luck! 
HINT:  It's said within the first minute of the video!


Spring Is In The Air, Break Out The Potato Salad!


I don't know about you, but Spring means warmer weather, flowers starting to bloom, BBQ grills starting to fire up, family gatherings, kids bringing out their bikes, scooters and skateboards and lots and lots of delicious foods and outdoor time.

Although the weather has been up and down out here in Canada for Spring, a couple weeks back was pretty amazing as was yesterday. The kids got to play outside with no boots on, no winter coats and the hubby and I decided to start our grill, make a few dishes and eat outside on the patio for dinner. So corn on a cob, grilled chicken and potato salad was for dinner. It was delicious and just what we needed!

I'm not huge on mayo, but I do enjoy a good potato salad and it's hard to get me to eat just anyone's potato salad. I'm a huge fan of my dad's, but since he's all the way in California I had to call him up for his recipe and make mine. It turned out great!

Although potato salad isn't always the healthiest side dish out there, I wanted to share with you ways that you can make this barbecue favorite side dish light and healthy for your family to enjoy.

Chef and Registered Dietitian Katie Cavuto Boyle stars in the US Potato Board’s “Seven Potato Types” educational video series and has created two new potato salad recipes perfect for the season. Click on the video below to check them out!


Like the videos above and want to chat with Katie live? Visit the USPB’s Potatoes, Taters and Spuds Facebook page TONIGHT Tuesday, April 16 at 5pm PST where Katie will be sharing ideas for infusing color and nutrition into Spring recipes and offering tips for cooking with all seven unique potato types. Click here to RSVP!

Disclosure: All opinions are honest and my own. This post has been compensated.
 

Lipstick in Afghanistan by @RobertaGately (Book Review)



Title: Lipstick in Afghanistan
By: Roberta Gately
Publisher: Pocket
Publication Date: November 9, 2010 
ISBN: 9781439191385
Pages: 288

Roberta Gately's lyrical and authentic debut novel--inspired by her own experiences as a nurse in third world war zones--is one woman's moving story of offering help and finding hope in the last place she expected. Gripped by haunting magazine images of starving refugees, Elsa has dreamed of becoming a nurse since she was a teenager. Of leaving her humble working-class Boston neighborhood to help people whose lives are far more difficult than her own. No one in her family has ever escaped poverty, but Elsa has a secret weapon: a tube of lipstick she found in her older sister's bureau. Wearing it never fails to raise her spirits and cement her determination. With lipstick on, she can do anything--even travel alone to war-torn Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11.
But violent nights as an ER nurse in South Boston could not prepare Elsa for the devastation she witnesses at the small medical clinic she runs in Bamiyan. As she struggles to prove herself to the Afghan doctors and local villagers, she begins a forbidden romance with her only confidant, a charming Special Forces soldier. Then, a tube of lipstick she finds in the aftermath of a tragic bus bombing leads her to another life-changing friendship. In her neighbor Parween, Elsa finds a kindred spirit, fiery and generous. Together, the two women risk their lives to save friends and family from the worst excesses of the Taliban. But when the war waging around them threatens their own survival, Elsa discovers her only hope is to unveil the warrior within. Roberta Gately's raw, intimate novel is an unforgettable tribute to the power of friendship and a poignant reminder of the tragic cost of war.

MY REVIEW
When I read the back of this book I knew I would love it. This was such a great story that was well written, especially for being a first novel. Roberta Gately has gained a new fan and I look forward to reading more from her. 
Not only could I picture everything that was happening, but I felt connected with the main character, Elsa. The fact that she went to another country to help others and not only helped them, but helped herself as well. Her character is very sweet and in some ways innocent in the beginning, but by the end of the book her character grows so much and is strong, independent and has so much courage. 

Another part of the book I loved was the friendship between both Elsa and Parween. They are two different women from two different worlds who connect and become best friends. That made this book even harder to put down. I read this book from beginning to cover while I was on my plane trip to California last month and I still talk about it to a few friends of mine. If I didn't have a family to take care of I would love to travel to another country to help those in need. I do hope to do that with my children and husband one day once they're a bit older. A great book that deserves to be read by all!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Lipstick in Afghanistan at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.  

Going On A Plane Trip?! Why Not Use EarPlanes! (Review & Giveaway)


EarPlanes are used when traveling by air for pleasure or business.  They help relieve ear discomfort and popping when traveling. I have bad ears as I often get earaches and have gotten them a lot as a child.  I've tried a few things out to protect my ears and nothing really works that didn't irritate or annoy me after a while.  I was pleasantly shocked with these EarPlanes. I don't travel much but I do ride with my husband on his motorcycle and a couple of weeks ago when it was nice out he took his bike out for a ride and I tagged along.



Since I had these EarPlanes to review I thought why not, especially since the wind is very heavy on the ears. I was pleased that they did prevent that from happening. Not only did it help with the wind, but they were very comfortable to wear as well. My ears do pop from heavy wind depending on what the weather is like, so when I got to ride and had them on, like I said, the EarPlanes helped out a lot. After riding I told my husband that he should think about using them or we should buy him a pair. He agreed, especially since most bike ear plugs come in bright colors. We both liked that these are very soft colored so you don't see these things hanging out of your ear.

I also loved that these come in a little case so they aren't easily to loose especially if you were at a rest stop. They're drug free and made of hypoallergenic and latex free soft silicone. Another thing I loved was that they also come in smaller sizes for children. Since not only is myself, but both my kids,  prone to earaches and pain in our ears, the children size will definitely help us out when we do eventually go on a plane ride and travel far.

EarPlanes are retailed at $9.00 and to find out more about them you can check them out on their Facebook page!
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a pair of EarPlanes at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. Thanks to the PR company for the giveaway prize!

The Firebird by @SusannaKearsley (Book Review)



Title: The Firebird 
By: Susanna Kearsley 
Publisher: Touchstone
Publication Date: April 30, 2013 (Canada Release Date)
ISBN: 9781451673821
Pages: 480

Nicola Marter was born with a gift. When she touches an object, she sometimes sees images; glimpses of those who have owned it before. It’s never been a gift she wants, and she keeps it a secret from most people, including her practical boss Sebastian, one of London’s premier dealers in Russian art.

But when a woman offers Sebastian a small wooden carving for sale, claiming it belonged to Russia’s Empress Catherine, it’s a problem. There’s no proof. Sebastian believes that the plain carving—known as “The Firebird”—is worthless. But Nicola’s held it, and she knows the woman is telling the truth, and is in desperate need of the money the sale of the heirloom could bring.

Compelled to help, Nicola turns to a man she once left, and still loves: Rob McMorran, whose own psychic gifts are far greater than hers. With Rob to help her “see” the past, she follows a young girl named Anna from Scotland to Belgium and on into Russia. There, in St. Petersburg—the once-glittering capital of Peter the Great’s Russia—Nicola and Rob unearth a tale of love and sacrifice, of courage and redemption…an old story that seems personal and small, perhaps, against the greater backdrops of the Jacobite and Russian courts, but one that will forever change their lives.
MY REVIEW
It is the mark of a good author when they manage to make you love characters you already know are dead. This story is two stories in one. You get to follow a truly unforgettable character through a time 300 years ago while also following a lovely young woman in a quest to help another woman and forcing her to use an ability she thinks of more as a curse. Nicola and Rob are beautiful if sometimes wonderfully frustrating characters told in the present time and seeking proof of Anna's existence in connection with an Empress. Anna is one character that cannot be outshone…yet lived 300 years ago.
I enjoyed this story a great deal and had the pleasure of spending a beautiful rainy day enjoying it… but it is not for everyone. If you love historical facts and enjoy a little paranormal with that as well, you will greatly enjoy this book, as I have. If it is action and lively adventure you seek in your reading, this will not be the book for you. The pace is relaxing and slow, rich in descriptions and emotion. I have read many historical romances to varying degrees of care. This book keeps true to the accents and language for each character and time period which is great to see as I sincerely hate it when characters use some old language and some new. There is a great deal of accent in this book so if you haven't had a bit of experience hearing or reading Scottish or Irish accents you may struggle a little with pronunciation but once you get the hang of it, you will find it really brings the characters to life.
I can greatly recommend this book. I enjoyed reading it.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Firebird at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.  

Be #FabNFree with @Murale #SheBlogsBeauty



One of the places I go often when it comes to cosmetics, skincare, fragrances and anything else when it comes to beauty is my local Shoppers Drug Mart. By now the reps know me pretty well and I'm okay with that, lol. They always have everything I need and I love that if I have questions or concerns about a product a rep is always there to help me out.


So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about Murale By Shoppers. The actual stores have been around for about five years, but their e-commerce online shop have been open for about a year. I was excited to know more about it. Murale was designed for a one stop beauty destination that will have each of us having a shopping experience like no other. They carry makeup, skincare, fragrances, accessories and more from all the big brands. With Murale you'll be able to shop 24/7.

With online shopping becoming bigger and more popular with women everywhere, Murale opening an online shop was perfect. Not only does this allow us to shop online for all the great cosmetic brands we love, but we also get a chance to earn Shoppers Optimum points as well, which I think is fantastic! With every purchase online, customers are qualified to receive five free samples as well.

Another thing I love about Murale is that they often run great online exclusive offers which includes; contests, exclusive Optimum promos, Free Shipping and so much more.

Right now you can check out the latest Fab & Free deal from Murale from now until April 21st only you can Receive a Free tote with 24 Fab deluxe samples worth over $315 when you spend $125 or more in store or online.




They're also offering a 20k optimum points coupon when you spend $125 or more in store. You'll receive the Fab & Free Tote, which will include your coupon for 20k optimum points which you can validate during your next purchase. This offer is valid in-store from April 22 to May19, 2013 only.

So head on over to Murale and check them out online. The site is very easy to navigate around and has lots of informative information on each beauty product they have, they also have products for men too!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. The deals mentioned above are apart of a sponsored post through our ad network, SheBlogsMedia, for Murale. 

Coffee Cake In A Mug


Sweets have to be my weakness. As much as I want to say trying to eat better and exercise has been a peach, it's hard and it takes lots of dedication to stay focus and on track. Earlier this week I had a sweet tooth badly, so I decided to hop on that Cake In A Mug wagon and make one.

What I love about these is that I can whip it up in less than five minutes for a quick snack and although it may not be the healthiest snack to eat, it's portioned controlled so I don't go overboard and eat an entire cake, instead I have one serving and that's not too bad. Hey, we're allowed to treat ourselves every once in a while, right?!

There were so many to choose from, but I decided I'd go for something I love and hadn't had in a long while, coffee cake. Coffee cake is delicious and perfect, especially since lately we've been having constant rainy days.

I had all the ingredients in my pantry and it literally took me a few minutes including mixing everything together and nuking it in the microwave. It came out delicious, warm and took care of that sweet tooth I had.

Get ready for some more cake in a mug recipes coming soon, I made the kids a couple of them for after school treats as well!




 CAKE IN A MUG
Source Adapted from: Heather Likes FoodCake Batter
1 Tbsp butter
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp applesauce
vanilla extract, few drops
1/4 C All Purpose flour
1/8 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt

Struesel Topping
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions
In a mug soften 1 tbsp of butter in microwave, about 5 seconds. Unless it's been in the fridge, in that case 10-15 seconds depending on how hot your microwave gets.  You don’t want it melted, just soft. 

Stir in 2 tbsp of sugar and mix until well incorporated. Add in applesauce and a drop or two of vanilla, stir well. Next add in your flour, baking powder, and pinch of salt and stir until it is combined well.

In a separate, bowl, combine 1 tbsp of butter, 2 tbsp of flour, 1 tbsp of brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Use a fork or your fingers to to pinch the butter and mix it in with the other ingredients. Mix together well until it is all combined and then pour on top of cake batter in mug.

Cook in the microwave for 50-80 seconds depending on your microwave. It will look just barely set on top. You don’t want to overcook it. I suggest cooking it 60 seconds, and then in 10 second intervals checking after each interval until done. Eat while warm and enjoy!