Book Review: Under the Wire: Marie Colvin's Final Assignment by Paul Conroy



Title: Under the Wire: Marie Colvin's Final Assignment 
By: Paul Conroy
Publisher: Weinstein Books
Publication Date: October 8, 2013
ISBN: 9781602862364
Pages: 320

Marie Colvinwas an internationally recognized American foreign war correspondent who was killed in a rocket attack in 2012 while reporting on the suffering of civilians inside Syria. She was renowned for her iconic flair and her fearlessness: wearing the pearls that were a gift from Yasser Arafat and her black eye-patch, she reported from places so dangerous no other hard-core correspondent would dare to go. Paul Conroy, who had forged a close bond with Colvin as they put their lives on the line time and time again to report from the world’s conflict zones, was with her when she died. Under the Wire is Paul’s gripping, visceral, and moving account of their friendship and the final year he spent alongside her. When Marie and Paul were smuggled into Syria by rebel forces, they found themselves trapped in one of the most hellish neighborhoods on earth. Fierce barrages of heavy artillery fire rained down on the buildings surrounding them, killing and maiming hundreds of civilians. Marie was killed by a rocket which also blew hole in Paul’s thigh big enough to put his hand through. Bleeding profusely, short of food and water, and in excruciating pain, Paul then endured five days of intense bombardment before being evacuated in a daring escape in which he rode a motorbike through a tunnel, crawled through enemy terrain, and finally scaled a 12-foot-high wall. Astonishingly vivid, heart-stoppingly dramatic and shot through with dark humor, in Under the Wire Paul Conroy shows what it means to a be a war reporter in the 21st century. His is a story of two brave people drawn together by a shared compulsion to bear witness.
MY REVIEW
Tears, Tears and then more tears. This story of Marie Colvin, a journalist, is told from her friend, Paul Conroy, a photographer, who spent his last days with Marie. We don't always hear about the other people who put their life on the line every single day to bring us stories and footage of what goes on in other countries. Reading Paul's story opened my eyes on what he, Marie and other reporters, photographers and journalists go through. They risk their lives every day. It's sad. They're stories are not often told. This story brings us in to what both Marie and Paul went through during Marie's last few days of both her and Paul being trapped. I couldn't put down the book, it captivated me and  had me going from chapter to chapter wanting to know what else happened. I love that they added photos that showed us from the time they were there until the time you see Paul on a plane with heading back home to the UK.  
 Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Under The Wire at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Book Review: Sweet Nothings by Janis Thomas



Title: Sweet Nothings
By: Janis Thomas
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Publication Date: July 2, 2013
ISBN: 9780425264829
Pages: 386

When Ruby McMillan’s husband announces one morning that he’s dumping her for another woman, she’s unable to decide which indignity stings the most: the dissolution of their eighteen-year marriage or the deflation of her white-chocolate soufflé with raspberry Grand Marnier sauce. Without a good-bye to their two teenaged children, Walter leaves Ruby to cope with her ruined dessert, an unpaid mortgage, and her failing bakery.
With only royal icing holding her together, Ruby still manages to pick herself up and move on, subsidizing her income with an extra job as a baking instructor, getting a "my-husband’s-gone” makeover, and even flirting with her gorgeous mortgage broker, Jacob Salt. For as long as she can remember, Ruby has done what’s practical, eschewing far-fetched dreams and true love in favor of stability. But suddenly single again at the age of forty-four, she’s beginning to discover that life is most delicious when you stop following a recipe and just live
MY REVIEW
Oh my, this was such a wonderful book to get sucked into. I have no clue what I would do if my husband just came out of nowhere and told me he was leaving me for another woman. This is the case for 43 year old Ruby who's birthday is coming up in a few months. What does she do? She throws herself into the thing she loves to do most, bake! 

From beginning to end this story had me going through each chapter very quick and staying up late just to finish one more. The writing was smooth and had me wanting to read more from Janie Thomas. A story that's filled with characters you can relate to, romance, lots of humor and the amazing creations Ruby was baking left me wanting sweets for breakfast, lunch and dinner! I read this over the Winter break when I was pretty much sick for two weeks and feeling miserable. Reading this story definitely cheered me up and made me realize things could be worse. 

This is definitely a must read for all of you ladies out there, whether you're married, divorced, single, etc. Reading what and how Ruby went through everything just shows you how strong women are!  

Here are 10 Hilarious Reasons From Janis Thomas Why A Cake Is Better Than A Man:

10. Extreme heat makes cake smell good. 
9. There is such a thing as a perfect cake. 
8. Cakes don't watch football. 
7. Certain parts of a man are more attractive than others, whereas every slice of cake looks gorgeous. 
6. Even bad cake is good. 
5. A cake won't complain about crumbs on the counter. 
4. A great chocolate cake is better than sex. 
3. If you marry a cake, your in-laws are butter and sugar. 
2. Cakes don't expect you to pick up their dirty underwear.

And the number one reason why a cake is better than a man is:
1. You don't have to talk dirty to a cake to get it to rise.

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

The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Trucks Versus Wild DVD (Review & Giveaway)



Watch as Chuck and the gang have adventures with a helpful mechanic, a camping trip, a star-studded trip to the beach and more in these awesome cartoons guaranteed to put fun into high gear! Priced to own at $12.97

MY REVIEW
My son is a huge fan of the show Chuck & Friends. He has a few toys of his favorite characters laying in his room. So when I had the chance to review the latest DVD from the series that came out, January 21st, I was pretty excited because I knew how excited he would be and I was right. Once he saw the case, he immediately wanted to watch the show, which came with 10 entire episodes, plus a bonus feature of a sing-a-long. One thing I love about this show is that in each episode there is always a lesson learned that can relate to situations with friends and the characters help show you and each other how to be a great friend. I also love that there were lots of songs that my son could easily sing along to. If you have a little one that's a fan of Chuck & Friends, I'd definitely suggest adding this to your collection for them to watch!  


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received The Adventure of Chuck & Friends on DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review.

Something For The Whole Family, @OrangeNaturals! #NautrallyAtHome



I'm very excited to share with you readers that I am an Orange Naturals Ambassador for the next six months! Not sure what Orange Natural is? It's okay, you're not alone. This is why I'm sharing with you today. Orange Naturals is a company that provides healthy natural products that your entire family can enjoy. They're known for their ND Shakes that are vegan with no artificial ingredients as well as no dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, nuts and GMO products. They're safe for the entire family. They have shakes that are specifically made for men, women, kids and teens. They come in two flavors, chocolate and vanilla and they taste delicious! I have to say, my favorite seems to be the chocolate.  

I'm not only a mom and wife, but I am a provider to both my kids and husband when it comes to what we eat and drink. I am the main grocery shopper in our household and decide what products will be added to our kitchen. With having picky eaters, it's definitely hard raising little ones and getting them to eat their daily servings of fruits and vegetables. I think, like most moms, vegetables seem to be the main problem when getting my little ones to eat them, especially the green ones.



What I love most about the ND Shakes is that I can add the kids shake mix in just about anything from ice cream to smoothies, pudding, hot chocolate, cookies and so much more. This makes me happy because my kids think they're getting a treat and not knowing that they're also getting a dose of protein, greens and superfruits as well.

My husband and I have been enjoying a shake each morning instead of drinking a cup of coffee, it's been great for me since I can't have coffee being preggos, but my husband, who loves coffee and has to have it, has been loving and enjoying the replacement. I've also been making daily treats for my little ones that include the ND Shake mix for kids. A few days ago I added a couple of scoops of the chocolate mix to some chocolate pudding mix, added whip cream and chocolate sprinkles and they loved it.


Not only did I receive the ND Shakes for my entire family to enjoy, I also received their Digestion + Appetite to help with relieve from upset digestive, Cough + Cold to help fight the infections, this has been very helpful through this Winter since my kiddos were sick. I also received their Calm for Kids, which helps with restlessness and nervousness along with their Probiotic Powder that is used for toddlers to teens. 

For more information about Orange Naturals and their products, you can check them out on their website, their new blog, Naturally At Home, that's tailored to help moms bring natural health into their homes. Also be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter and be sure to keep checking in over here at Just Us Girls for more information about their products that we'll be sharing these next few months.


Disclosure: I am part of the Orange Naturals Mom Ambassador Program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Danny Phantom: The Complete Series (Review & Giveaway)


 All three seasons of Danny Phantom will be available in one gleefully ghoulish package when Shout! Factory releases Danny Phantom: The Complete Series on DVD January 28th, 2014. Get ready to take a trip to the other side with this 10-DVD set featuring all 53 original episodes of the hit Nickelodeon series.

And you thought the hassles of everyday high school life were bad! Meet Danny Fenton, a good-natured, ordinary 14-year-old kid with extraordinary powers. After an accident involving ‘Ghost Zone’ portal of his two highly eccentric ghost-hunting parents, Danny now has the half-ectoplasmic DNA of a ghost, giving him the ability to fight off the horrible spooks, specters and vengeful ghost hunters threatening our world! But before Danny can defeat anything, he must first learn to control his newfound powers with the help of his best friends, tech-head Tucker and self-proclaimed goth Sam.

MY REVIEW
My little kiddos were babies when the Nickelodeon show, Danny Phantom came out. Even though the show is now over, my kids have become huge fans thanks to the re-runs that they play on television. So when I had the opportunity to review the entire series, I knew my two munchkins would love it because they are big fans of the show. 

Watching a series from beginning to end is definitely different then just watching an episode here and there. We were able to watch a few episodes a day during their Winter Break and they loved it. This show was filled with lots of adventure, friendships and had lots of humor in it as well. The complete series is definitely worth getting into your collections, if not for your kids then maybe for a niece or nephew that are fans of the show.  Danny Phantom the complete series is available for purchase starting tomorrow, Tuesday, January 28th.

Feeling lucky?! Enter our giveaway below to win your very own copy of the entire series! 
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Danny Phantom The Complete Series at no cost for the purpose of this review.

Keeping Your Kiddos Warm & Entertained During This Winter! #NetflixKids


With this Winter being one of the worse ones we've seen out here in Canada in a while, as well as this being one of the worst flu season's we've seen, trying to keep our kiddos warm and healthy has been a main goal for us parents.


 Unfortunately, the flu came and hit our household pretty hard this season. Not only were our kids sick back to back, but then it was our turn. It's definitely not good when both parents are sick at the same time and can't really move. While this was happening one thing that stayed on to keep our family entertained through days where we needed a laugh was Netflix. Here are a few movies for the entire family that will keep your kiddos entertained with lots of laughter if they're stuck at home with a cold or a flu. 


1. Daddy Day Care
2. Hoodwinked 2
3. The Croods (coming to Netflix 1/29)


Also, below are two shows with your kids favorite characters showing them being sick too. This is definitely something I would have my kiddos watch to make them feel a bit better knowing that they aren't the only ones at home sick:


1. Magic School Bus: Inside Ralphie
2. The Adventure of Chuck and Friends: The Checkup

If you don't have a membership by now, you are definitely missing out. Netflix not only has something for everyone, but with their new improved system, you can create each person in your family their on profile so that each person in your family can watch TV shows and movies that are geared to each individual. How perfect is that?! I've created both my kiddos their own profile on Netflix and what's so great about this is that I don't have to worry about them watching any shows that are too old for them. Affordable at only $7.99 a month and perfect for the entire family, Netflix has become a staple in our home. We use it every day!
Disclosure: I am part of the Street Team Campaign with Netflix and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

A New Year with New Beginnings #MomTrust


I'm still in shock over how fast 2013 came and flew by. Now, we are at the beginning of 2014 and there is already so much that is happening with my family and I. These last couple of months I have been pretty sick. From what I thought was the on again off again flu ended up being a new addition coming to my family. That's right, the hubby and I are expecting our third child come this Summer. We're super excited and nervous all at the same time. We haven't had a baby in the house in 6 years! So this year we will definitely be experiencing new beginnings and a new chapter for our family.

I have a few goals I'd like to accomplish this year and with everything changing for the arrival of our third child, I'm hoping I can stick with them. Seeing as making resolutions in the New Year only last some people until the end of January or middle of February, I'm hoping making small goals will keep me focus so that I can achieve them.



STAY POSITIVE 
With all this snow we've been getting over these last two months and with being on and off again sick, towards the end of December was a really hard time for me. It's easier to get into the slumps and be one of those people with the Winter Blues, but I told myself that 2014 will be better. That no matter what I need to wake up in the morning with a smile on my face. Be thankful for my health, my husband, children and the life that I have. Not only has waking up in a happy mood been great for me so far, but it has also helped with how I look and handle my day. Thinking positive will lead to positive things in life.

EAT HEALTHIER
One thing I want to happen for my entire family is to eat healthier. The last couple of months of the year, we were use to eating and munching on holiday food and snacks, so once the New Year hit I made it a point to buy more veggies at the grocery store. Since my family already loves fruit and we our servings of fruit more often than we do veggies, I've been buying and cooking more vegetables for our family to try. With picky eaters it can be hard, but I've been trying to incorporate the veggies with their lunches, after school snacks and serving them with a veggie dip never hurts either. Eating veggies and fruit hasn't been hard for me, it seems as though this little one growing in me seems to be craving them. I'm hoping these cravings stay throughout the entire pregnancy!

BE MORE ACTIVE OUTSIDE
With the two ones that we have now and preparing for the third, my hubby and I have been talking about being more active with the kids. We are already use to having family time with the kiddos indoors, but we do want to start taking family walks and when the weather warms up a bit, playing outdoor sports and activities with the kids. We've just signed our son up for soccer this Spring and my daughter up for dance. I am really excited that my little people will be involved in an activity that doesn't involve electronics.

QUALITY TIME WITH THE FAMILY
I think of our family as being really close. We already have weekly movie and board game nights, but I would love to spend a bit more time with my family. It's hard some times because the hubby travels for work at least once a month, but when he is here I'd like to do a bit more with our family. Like trying family reading nights where we all read the same story out loud or even do more of the family cook nights where we get the kids more involved with what they're eating.

These are just a few of the goals I would like to get accomplished this year. What are some goals or resolutions you've made for yourself this year?
Disclosure: I am part of the Mom Trust Program with Playtex and receive compensation as part of my affiliation with this group; however all opinions expressed are entirely my own.


Playtex Toddler Mealtime Set Review #MomTrust


My little one is still a little too small to feed himself, but now that he is able to sit in his highchair, I wanted to try Playtex's Toddler Mealtime Set out to see how wonderful it is. I have to say, I'm very impressed with this set. Not only does it come with everything you need, plate, bowl, a twist and click cup, fork and spoon, but they come in a couple different designs, which caught my son's eyes immediately.

 
 What I loved most about this set was that the both Plate and Bowl have a non-slip bottom that helps prevent messy baby fun and the fact that the set is 100% shatter and break proof, so just in case, when my little one gets a bit older, if he decides to throw his plate or bowl on the floor, I don't have to worry about cleaning up both food and the mess of a broken dishes. I also loved the steep rounded sides on both the plate and bowl so that once my little guy starts feeding himself, his food will be easier to scoop!

The fork and spoon is small enough to fit in his hands to where he has a good grip when he's able to feed himself, which is a good utensil starter. This set is dish washer safe and microwave safe, which is great, with how busy and active my little guy is, it's great that I can easily put his mealtime set in the dishwasher along with the rest of the dishes so that it all goes in on one load. 



I have no complaints with the Playtex Toddler Mealtime Set and will definitely be not only recommending this cute set to friends and family, but will be purchasing a few more sets as my little guy gets bigger. It's a perfect starter set for any toddler that's also very affordable retailing at around $15.99 at different retailers including Toys R Us, you can't beat that, especially since this is a 5 piece set!
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the Toddler Mealtime Set at no cost for the purpose of this review.

Carrie Blu-ray DVD Review


Carrie is a reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White (Chloë Grace Moretz), a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother (Julianne Moore), who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom.  

MY REVIEW
I remember watching the original Carrie when I was younger and actually a few years ago, the hubby and I saw it on TV and watched it again. It's just one of those classic movies you think shouldn't be remade, but know it's going to happen because of how popular it was. Well I have to admit, I had my doubts on how this new version would compare with the original version, but I have to say I was pretty impressed. Chloe Grace Mortez did an amazing job as Carrie and Julianne Moore was amazing as usual. With all the special effects, I definitely think this remake was done with great respect of the original movie. I also loved that there was an alternative ending to the movie and over an hour of extras you can watch. If you loved the original version, be sure to check out the latest remake of Carrie! 
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Carrie on blu-ray DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
   

Enough Said Blu-ray DVD Review



Divorced mom Eva (Louis-Dreyfus) may be falling for Albert (Gandolfini), a sweet, funny, like-minded divorcé. But as their relationship blossoms, Eva befriends Marianne (Keener), who’s always complaining about her ex-husband. When Eva realizes that Albert is the target of Marianne’s rants, she begins to question her own perceptions about first impressions and second chances. 

MY REVIEW
I absolutely loved this movie! A romantic comedy, Enough Said, stars the always hilarious, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the late, James Gandolfini. What happens after a divorce? Well life simply moves on and so do you. Two divorcee's meet and connect with great chemistry. But what do you do when you meet and befriend the guy's ex-wife and after becoming friends realize you're now friends with his ex? From beginning to end I just adored this movie. If you're looking for a new romantic comedy, definitely check Enough Said out. You won't be disappointed. This is definitely a movie you can watch with a girls night in or even on date night. 
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Enough Said on blu-ray DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Runner Runner Blu-ray DVD Review


Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck star in this high-stakes crime thriller where the lure of easy money is the riskiest bet of all. When Princeton grad student Richie Furst (Timberlake) believes he’s been swindled by an online poker site, he heads to Costa Rica to confront gambling tycoon Ivan Block (Affleck), the man he thinks is responsible. But Richie will soon face the ultimate power play as he finds himself caught between Block’s promises of unlimited wealth and the zealous FBI agent (Anthony Mackie) trying to bring him down.

MY REVIEW
I'm a huge fan of Justin Timberlake, I have been since I was thirteen. He's a talented singer, dancer, actor and just a great performer. So when I had the opportunity to review Runner Runner, I definitely wanted to give it a try because I am a fan. I'm not really a Poker kind of girl, that's and action movies aren't really what I would go for it I had to choose a certain genre, but I do admit this was a pretty good movie. It definitely caught my attention and my husband seemed to love it. 

The fact that the main character, Richie Furst, set out on a mission to get his money back from an online company that ripped him off is pretty crazy, I personally wouldn't go looking for the head guy myself, but as Richie does he finds himself in a whole new adventure. This movie is packed with lots of action with a great story line. Any fans of poker or action movies should definitely give this movie a try.    
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Runner Runner on blu-ray DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

ROYALE Tiger Towels Giveaway


ROYALE just recently introduced their new line of paper towels, Tiger Towels. Not only did they introduce this new line of paper towels, but they also partnered with PANTHERA, the world's leading wild cat conservation organization. With the new launch of the Tiger Towels, my family and I were given an opportunity to test out these paper towels to see how durable they would be in our household.


Let me just say that I am now a fan. Having two kiddos in the house can definitely get a bit messy. With breakfast, lunch,  dinner and even snacks in between, I've been known to clean up a few messes around the house.

The Tiger Towels have no dye or fragrance on them, which is nice. In case I need to wipe a mess that's on one of my little ones face, I don't have to worry about a bad reaction happening. The paper towels also come in both a 6 pack and 12 pack. We received a 6 pack that definitely got us through the holidays.

I love that these paper towels are super durable and that they give me an option to have half a sheet or a full sheet depending on how little or how big the mess I'm cleaning is. They definitely are my new best friend when it comes to cleaning around here. They are super thick and I'm very comfortable using these paper towels when cleaning around the house without thinking that I'm going to have to use half the roll.

I love that ROYALE has teamed up with PANTHERA. As a partner, ROYALE will donate $40,000 to the fund as well as provide ongoing support to raise awareness and increase fundraising efforts throughout 2014. With the celebration of this new partnership and to introduce you to these Tiger Towels from ROYALE, we are hosting a giveaway that's retailed at around $70 for one lucky Canadian reader!

 


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Royale Tiger Towels at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received

Get Your Kiddos Clean w/ @KandooKids


As my kiddos are getting older, they are learning to do more and more things on their on. As of now my daughter has started taking showers instead of baths and learned how to wash her own hair. Yes, time is flying by so fast and it's making me just a bit sad.

We had a chance recently to try a few personal care products from Kandoo and I'm so happy we did. We are big fans of Kandoo in this house. I've been using their products ever since my kiddos were younger and I started potty training them. We got to try their Funny Berry Shampoo, Tropical Smoothie Body Wash and Magic Melon Hand Soap. Now, as some of you know, we've had the pleasure of working with Kandoo before in the past and I am so happy that we had a chance to work with them again.

Not only are their products very affordable, but they're also very easy to use with their unique bottles that comes with an easy to use pump. I also love that I can leave my daughter in the shower washing her hair with their 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner without worrying that she might get some in her eye and cause her eyes to irritate because all of their personal care products have a tear free formula. It not only makes me happy, but my daughter loves that she gets to be a bit more independent.



With their body wash we got to try the Tropical Smoothie scent, which smells heavenly. I love that my kids can use this body wash and have fun while using it. I also love that the body wash is was pink because it lets my kiddos know when they're body is covered and all clean and ready for a rinse.

With Kandoo's hand soap we got to try the Magic Melon scent. It smells just as good as the rest and my kids love the foam soap. Not only does this make them want to clean their hands more, but it makes me happy seeing that the hand soap contains Vitamin E and Natural Fruit Extracts that moisturize my kids hands to make them softer.

All three bottles are very fun and easy to use and can be placed without taking much room in your bathroom. I love that I can put both the shampoo and body wash in the corners of our tub, which gives my kiddos easy access to get clean and I love that I can let them use the Kandoo personal care products which lets them feel more independent.

For great tips and playful solutions to help kids take a fuss-free bath or to wash their hands without having to ask, be sure to visit www.kandookids.ca.     
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the mentioned above Kandoo products at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received

Adore DVD Review


 
Roz and Lil are the best of friends, and have been since childhood growing up as neighbours in an idyllic beach town. As adults, their teenaged sons have developed a friendship as strong as that which binds their mothers. One perfect summer the boys, along with their mothers, are confronted by the simmering emotions that have been mounting between them. Deeply emotional, ADORE is a story of family, sensuality, compassion, morality and above all love.

MY REVIEW
Wow what can I say about this movie. At first I didn't think this would be a movie for me whatsoever, but as I began to watch it, I found my self not being able to walk away from it. The movie is about two best friends and their sons. Let's just say each friend and the other's son become very close in this movie. Two bonds between friends are forever tied, on all situations, good or bad.

The families are torn apart in poor decisions that occur, but the love is very strong and passionate in this movie for sure. To see the boys become just as close of friends as the mothers did was amazing. Each main character does find out that each action that takes place has their consequence. The simmering emotions in this is so crazy that even when you want to stop watching you can't help to see what the next scene will be. The title of the movie fits the story line very well.

This movie can have many different opinions on it. I would definitely say to watch this movie and give it a try even if you think it may not be for you. Overall,  it truly is a good movie.


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Adore on DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received

Essensity Colour & Repair Hair Products by Schwarzkopf Review


Essensity Colour & Repair by Schwarzkopf is just amazing. I am one of those ladies that changes the color of my hair often, flat iron it daily and blow dry it often even though I know it causes a lot of damage to my hair. I guess that's one of the "perks," we get when trying to look good.  I have a really sensitive scalp and I've always had a hard time when it comes to finding great hair products that actually works on my hair and leaves me without irritation. So when I had the opportunity to review and try out the entire line from the Essensity Colour & Repair line, I didn't see any harm in giving it a try. The items I received were the Shampoo, Conditioner, Protection Serum and intense mask.



I was and still am very impressed with the shampoo and conditioner. It not only feels amazing on my hair, but it leaves my hair feeling so healthy after and I love the smell of it.  I've even had friends and family ask what is in my hair. With the colour & repair intense mask, I loved what it did to my hair as well. I just had to get the hang of  what amount to put on my hair. When I first used it, it left my hair feeling a bit greasy, but now that I have been using it for almost a month and using it on a regular basis, I find it leaves my hair feeling less damaged and very healthy.

Lastly, the colour & repair intense protection serum. What a difference it made in my hair, it not only left my hair feeling soft, but it also gave my hair a shine like I've never had before. I'm just loving this entire line from start to finish. My hair has never felt so healthier, soft and beautiful. I've even let my hair stylist know about this line and I'm hoping she starts using it because it's definitely worth using. 

The Essensity Colour & Repair Line by Schwarzkopf is now available in salons as of January 2014. Be sure to check out www.salonfinder.ca to find out if it's near you!    
 Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the Essensity Colour & Repair line at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Moroccanoil Boar Bristle Brushes Review


I have very thick and dry hair. I'm always struggling to find a great hair tool that will help with cutting my time in half when blow drying it. So I was super excited when I had the opportunity to review one of the new Moroccanoil Boar Bristle Brushes. They come in  five different shapes and sizes; paddle, teasing and three round brushes in size 25, 35 and 45mm. I got to try their round 45mm brush. These brushes are designed to be lightweight so that they are all very easy to use and carry around. They're made with 100% natural boar bristlesand works on all hair types.

   

The brush worked really good once I used my old brush to break up my knots. I was a little disappointment that the brush being quite big couldn't help with the tangles in my hair the way I wanted it to. It would go through the top layer of my hair but once the knots needed to be brushed I found it a bit harder to get the knots in my hair untangled. 

What I did love about the brush was that once I started to blow dry my hair by using the brush, it did cut the time in half, the brush went easily through my hair and allowed my hair to get even heat distribution as well as being gentle on my hair. I was able to blow dry a bigger amount of hair then a normal brush and I loved that. I would definitely recommend this brush to use if you are looking for a faster way to blow dry your hair in a short amount of time. 
 Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a Moroccanoil Boarl Bristle Brush at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Enough Said Bluray Giveaway



In Enough Said, available on Blu-ray and DVD on January 14th, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini play divorcees who find a second chance at love with each other. After being taken for a while, dating may seem like a daunting prospect, which is why we decided to share some tips for dating after divorce.

Where do you go? What do you say? Did you think eHarmony was a boy band? Don’t worry—with a few tips listed below, you’ll find a new love connection in no time! 

Sign Up For Online Dating:
Traditional dating required quite a bit of effort. This has changed in recent years with the rise of online dating. This dating tool uses complex algorithms to match you with other singles by comparing things such as your values and interests. Online dating allows people to ease back into dating, as well as eliminate the biggest hurdle to creating new relationships… meeting new people!

Be Adventurous
Adopting an adventurous attitude towards relationship-building will give you the opportunity to meet new and interesting people, which in turn, will open you up to exciting new experiences. While there’s a chance you will not meet your soul mate the first try, the knowledge and experiences gained will be invaluable to your growth as an individual, as well as your capabilities as a partner.

Invest In Your Image
First impressions matter. No matter how great your personality is, a bad first impression can ruin any chances for a potential connection. A new haircut, pair of shoes, or outfit can go a long way to impressing potential partners, as well as giving you the extra self-confidence to be the best you.

Date Multiple People
During the initial months of your new-found dating career, you have nothing to lose by dating multiple people. This will allow you to explore a plethora of different options and experiences. When you finally meet the right person, he or she should consequently stand out way above the rest.


Runner Runner Blu-ray Giveaway


 
I'm a huge fan of Justin Timberlake. He's an amazing singer, dancer and actor. I haven't seen Runner Runner yet, but I am looking forward to it for the eye candy and my hubby will be interested in the movie because it talks about the world of Poker. I'm guessing this will be filled with lots of action as Richie Furst travels on an adventure trying to get his money back from an online poker site.

Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck star in this high-stakes crime thriller where the lure of easy money is the riskiest bet of all. When Princeton grad student Richie Furst (Timberlake) believes he’s been swindled by an online poker site, he heads to Costa Rica to confront gambling tycoon Ivan Block (Affleck), the man he thinks is responsible. But Richie will soon face the ultimate power play as he finds himself caught between Block’s promises of unlimited wealth and the zealous FBI agent (Anthony Mackie) trying to bring him down.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack includes a bonus feature that reveals the true story behind the world of online poker, as well as never before seen bonus content.

Do you play online poker? To enter this giveaway all of the sites listed below are real names of online poker websites except one, which one isn't?

Full Tilt Poker 
 Poker Stars
   Poker Heroes
Party Poker


Book Review: Poor Little Dead Girls by @LizzieFriend



Title: Poor Little Dead Girls
By: Lizzie Friend
Publisher: Merit Press
Publication Date: December 18, 2013
ISBN: 9781440563959
Pages: 288

Perfect people aren't just born. They're made.
The first time she is blindfolded and kidnapped, star-athlete and posh boarding school newbie Sadie is terrified. She wakes up in a dark room surrounded by hushed whispers, hooded strangers, and a mysterious voice whispering not-so-sweet nothings in her ear.

But once the robes come off, she realizes it’s just an elaborate prank designed to induct her into the group that’s been pulling the strings at Keating Hall for generations. The circle has it all--incredible connections; fabulous parties; and, of course, an in with the brother society’s gorgeous pledges.

The instant popularity is enough to make Sadie forget about the unexplained marks on her body, the creepy ceremonial rituals, and the incident that befell one of her teammates the year before. So the next time Sadie is kidnapped, she isn’t scared, but she should be. The worst of Keating Hall is yet to come.

MY REVIEW
I enjoyed this story. It was a little more up-to-date and edgy Nancy Drew with its mystery and intrigue. I will be recommending to my teenage daughter. She is a huge fan of Pretty Little Liars, which this story also had that sort of feel to it, leading me to believe she will find this book quite appealing. The characters are well developed. The storyline has a good pace. It was a quick read and a real page turner. It did take me a little longer than usual to get into the story but that may have more to do with how busy my life has been than with a fault in the writing. Regardless of the time it took to get completely captured by the story, I was captured by it. I would recommend as a good read.
 Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Poor Little Dead Girls at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Modern Family's Nicole by OPI Nail Polish Collection Giveaway


Last Summer we had a chance to review and test out a few lacquers from the Modern Family nail polish collection from Nicole by OPI. I absolutely loved the lacquers we got to try.

Each color represents each of our favorite characters from the hit television series perfectly and I am happy to have the opportunity to have half of this collection be the first giveaway for Just Us Girls in 2014!


Modern Family Nicole by OPI Collection: 

 To enter this giveaway, all you need to do is let us know, who is your favorite character on the hilarious show, Modern Family!

Don Jon DVD Review


Jon Martello is a strong, handsome, good old fashioned guy. His buddies call him Don Jon due to his ability to “pull” a different woman every weekend, but even the finest fling doesn’t compare to the bliss he finds alone in front of the computer watching pornography. Barbara Sugarman is a bright, beautiful, good old fashioned girl. Raised on romantic Hollywood movies, she’s determined to find her Prince Charming and ride off into the sunset. Wrestling with good old fashioned expectations of the opposite sex, Jon and Barbara struggle against a media culture full of false fantasies to try and find true intimacy.

MY REVIEW
This was a movie night for both the hubby and I, kids should not watch it. I found the story of this very interesting. You're watching the life of a man who has a different girl every weekend and once he finds the girl of his dreams and gets into a relationship with her, he still feels the need to look up pornography, more than your average Joe would. This was definitely a movie that had both the hubby and I laughing at the situations and lies Don Jon got himself into. This is definitely not one for everyone, but it is an interesting movie to watch that kept us entertained. 
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Don Jon on DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Blu-ray/DVD Review #PercyHeroes


 The magical, mythical adventures of teenager Percy Jackson — son of the Greek god Poseidon  — continue in this heroic, action-packed thrill ride! Out to prove he’s not just a “one-quest  wonder,” Percy and his demigod friends embark on an epic, cross-country journey into the treacherous Sea of Monsters, where they battle terrifying creatures, an army of zombies, and the ultimate evil. With time running out, Percy must find and bring home the fabled Golden Fleece, which has the power to save his world...and save us all!

MY REVIEW
Family movie night was a blast for us as we took in “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters”. This is a follow-up to “Percy Jackson, The Lightning Thief”. It’s an exciting and magical adventure with loads of eye-popping graphics. It’s a fun watch with the kids, with lots of action and emotion - especially for the early teens who read the books, exciting tales of friendships, family, sacrifice, magic, and Greek mythology. My family and I loved this movie!
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters on blu-ray/DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.