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How to Choose a Sunscreen

May 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment

sunscreen spf

I was recently shopping in the sunscreen section and…wow, there are a ton of sunscreen options. When thinking about purchasing sunscreen, consider these factors:

1. Feel

Oh, the feel of sunscreen. Some are sticky, some are smooth and some are barely there! Do you like knowing that you reached every part of your body and didn’t miss an inch or do you prefer a light mist sunscreen that you don’t know is there?

2. Scent

Although you might think all sunscreen scents are the same, their not! I know the brand of some sunscreens based just on the scent! Scents like; coconut, citrus, beach and of course non-scented. It all depends on your preference.

3. Water Resistance

This is an important one, and a lot depends on the user. Most sunscreens need to be re-applied frequently for continued protection. Make sure to check your bottle for re-application times (every 60, 90, 120 minutes, etc.) Then of course there are sunscreens that aren’t waterproof at all.

4. SPF

You were waiting for the SPF to come up, weren’t you? Many people are concerned about the number. I worked for a dermatologist for awhile, and let me in a a little secret, SPF isn’t as important as you might think. Basically anything above SPF 30 is the same protection. So get yourself SPF 30-100, it doesn’t matter, they all block equally!rocky-mountain-sunscreen-sp

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Literally there are thousands of sunscreens to choose from, so it is good to know what you prefer before you purchase. Try a few out before you decide what you like, maybe your preferences will change. Or maybe the manufacturers has changed too. Some formulas change from one year to the next, meaning your favorite sunscreen last year might not be your favorite this year. Recently I tried Rocky Mountain Sunscreen and I was very happy.

Rocky Mountain Sunscreen is from Colorado, so I love supporting the local companies. It is a greaseless moisturizing blend which is fragrance-free. Yes, I said fragrance-free, and it actually is!

The 30 SPF worked well for me, even in the hot, blistering sun!

I really like the size of the sunscreen they sent, a 2oz. bottle that is refillable (they sell quart and gallon jugs). It is an amount that will get passed TSA at the airport, and doesn’t weigh down my day beach bag either! Just refill as needed!

The 2oz SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Refillable Bottle is sold for $4.99 and has a 2-year shelf life.

Rocky Mountain Sunscreen has a broad spectrum of sunscreen, lip balm, and bulk sunscreen available for purchase. Check them out at www.rmsunscreen.com.

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Pulling Weeds and Planting Seeds in My Jollys Garden Clogs

May 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

jolly garden clogs reviewgarden-crop-peppersThe garden is my pride and joy in the summer! I start my seeds early April and nurture then all the way til October (if Colorado’s crazy weather let’s me!) . This year I am hoping for a more fruitful year than ever! I am so excited about it!

One issue I’ve run into is having the right garden shoes. Typically I wear my sneakers when out in the dirt and garden. These sneakers were also my running, hiking and tennis-playing shoes. It wasn’t ideal. There had to be a better shoe for the garden.

And there was! I found a charming selection of Jollys garden clogs and garden shoes online at GardenClogs.com. I now am sporting the fashion garden clog in bright yellow!

Garden Clog Benefits

  • Durable construction and long lasting
  • High back keeps feet dry and mud-free
  • Easy to clean; no crevices or seams – just hose off
  • Lightweight
  • Three Garden Clog patterns to choose from: Classic, Fashion, and Picture Clogs
  • Made of 100% CFC-free Polyurethane Foam for comfort
  • Brilliant color options
  • Great for gardening, lawn maintenance and outdoor amusement

    • fun garden clogs

These garden clogs are super comfortable, waterproof and look great. They are perfect for gardening in rain or shine. They can get dirty and be wiped completely down! No longer am I nervous about getting mud on my sneakers thanks to the material – a lightweight rubber-like plastic.

These supportive garden shoes can easily slip on and off. No hands needed! They are comfortable and durable, thanks to their springy innersole which offers great support while tending the garden. I can wear them for hours. I also like the fact that they have good height to them – which helps keeps your feet from getting dirty.jollys garden clogs

I am a huge fan of these waterproof shoes, and will recommend them to anyone who gardens or gets messy outdoors who is looking for a shoe that they can just hose off after getting covered in mud!

Oh, and by the way, you are not a huge fan of the yellow (I say the brighter the better) don’t worry because Jollys has a great selection of colors and patterns!

Purchase Jollys Garden Clogs and Shoes in mens and women’s sizes ($44.95 –$53.95) available at http://www.gardenclogs.com

:: Giveaway ::

Win a pair of shoes or clogs (your choice) – Visit the #SummerSplash Giveaway (5/14-27)!

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This Mosquito Magnet Tries Mosquito Repellent Clothing {Review}

May 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

insect shield repellent

What is more annoying than mosquitos? Not much.

Mosquitos are sneaky little buggers that love my hypersensitive skin. These nuisances haunt me all summer long – camping, hiking, and working in the garden. Sometimes they keep me from going out at night without full length clothing, including socks and hat! They even stopped me from my planned itinerary of visiting the Amazon Forest last year, after my friend caught a mosquito-spread illness (dengue fever). I said forget that, I wasn’t about to join him, so I changed my entire itinerary!

Ick, just talking about them is giving me the creeps.

*itch* *itch* *itch*

Oh yeah, this was my leg last summer…mosquito bite leg

Since mosquitos are basically my worst enemy, I take a lot of precautions to avoid getting bit. I use sprays, candles, and natural repellents like garlic and tea tree oil! Most recently, I discovered another insect repellent, and I am so excited about it!

Insect repelling clothing!

Yeah, I am totally not kidding. How cool is that? Over at Insect Shield® you will find all kinds of repellent apparel! Pants, shirts, socks and more clothing that repels mosquitos! Insect Shield® has gear that is revolutionary! The clothing is designed to provide long-lasting, effective and convenient personal insect protection.

I am so excited to be the new owner of a piece of clothing that will repel mosquitos just by wearing it! I have the women’s stretch French terry full zip hoody which has the Insect Shield Technology built in.

insect repellent sweatshirts

The custom-made French terry has a slightly different scent to it from the built in insect repellent. It is hardly noticeable, and not noticeable after the first few washes. Speaking of washes, you can wash and dry this and it still will repel mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges – up to 70 laundry cycle washes!

This hoodie is comfortable (It’s Bella – one of my favorite brands!) and soft. It  is very flattering on, it has a nice feminine fit. I am going to be wearing it all summer long – I don’t mind because it is so cute (oh, right and because is helps protect against West Nile, Lyme Disease and more!)

Buy it!

Purchase this insect repelling clothing at Insect Shield. The French hoddy is perfectly priced at $47. I think it would be really cute with the Insect Shield Knit Yoga Pants or the Relaxed Stretch Twill Pants.

Connect:

:: Giveaway ::

Win 2 Insect Shield Bandanas ($20) – Visit the #SummerSplash Giveaway (5/14-27)!

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.
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Filter Water as You Drink It–Bobble Water Bottle

May 11, 2013 by 1 Comment

bobble filtering water bottle

Next time I move into a new house, I am going to taste the tap water from the sink first. Skip right over the master suite and kitchen, straight to the sink with a glass in hand. Okay, this might be crazy, but seriously. We’ve been in our house for almost five years now, and since day one I’ve hated the taste of our tap water here. Other people’s tap water – just fine. Ours? It is just funky. Doesn’t matter what sink I drink from, funky.

I’ve tried a few water filtering products,  I am thankful for them!

The latest greatest product? The Bobble.

The Bobble Water Bottle (which is a tongue tie to say) is an individual portion water bottle that filters as you drink. It filters water and removes impurities with it’s built in carbon filter.

Some cool information:

  • Comes in various size options (mini, small, medium, large)
  • Comes in lots of colors (blue, green, gray, black, pink, purple, on and on…)
  • One cap works interchangeably with all sizes
  • Free of BPA, Phthalates and PVC
  • Carbon filter lasts for 2 months or 40 gallons

    • bobble-filter-water-bottlle

I am really enjoying the taste of the water that is filtered through the Bobble bottle. I honestly can taste a difference! It’s nice – I just keep it in the fridge and it’s ready on-the-go when I need it. And on a purely cosmetic note, I love the color options and the stylish look – too fun!  I did find it a bit awkward to clean, since the mouthpiece is attached to the filter. Also the water has to be squeezed out and filtered, so it isn’t as fast as a typical water bottle, but this is to be expected since it is working to do the filtering. I think the Bobble is a great investment (perfectly priced) for anyone who likes filtered water, doesn’t like tap or wants to reuse a water bottle instead of harming the planet with the plastic throw away kind.

Connect & Purchase:

  • Visit Bobble on Facebook and Twitter @WaterBobble.
  • Buy Bobble at waterbobble.com or retailers like Target, Old Navy and more!

:: Giveaway ::

Win a 18.5 oz original bobble – Visit the #SummerSplash Giveaway (5/14-27)!

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Summit2800 Ultralight Internal Frame Backpack Review

May 6, 2013 by 1 Comment

Teton Sports Backpack

We live in Colorado for a reason. No, it’s not just because of the beautiful sunshine or the fact this is where my husband decided to plant his roots, but more so because of the plethora of amazing outdoor activities at our doorstep! We love to go hiking, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and camping!

Our equipment? Historically we have used cheap-o packs from Goodwill or garage sales. While functional, they’re never comfortable and just don’t seem to sit right on my frame. So you can imagine my excitement when I was asked to try out the Summit 2800 Ultralight pack from Teton Sports!

The first thing I noticed is that this backpack is SUPER lightweight… after all, it’s not called "Ultralight" for no reason! Teton Sports hasn’t overlooked anything when it comes to the weight of this backpack… even the buckles have had unnecessary material removed from them to save precious ounces! If you’re an outdoor enthusiast who has ever gone on a long trek you’re intimately familiar with the saying "an ounce in the morning is a pound in the evening!" Right? That’s why the Summit 2800 Ultralight pack’s weight of 3.2 lbs is so appealing to me! Sure I make my husband carry the heavy stuff and we even make our dog pack her own gear, but knowing that I’m not lugging around unnecessary bulk in my backpack – sure is refreshing when we get to our destination at the end of a long day!

Teton sports reviewSpeaking of bulk, this pack doesn’t have any of it! The durable polyethylene backer board (as opposed to an internal metal frame) gives comfortable support, while maintaining a low profile that hugs my body with a fit that rivals my mummy style sleeping bag! Padding is made of a durable open-cell foam which I noticed really helps with airflow when the hiking gets hot! The 2800 cubic inch capacity is the perfect fit for someone my size – it can easily be packed and taken on a 2-3 day trek.

teton summit2800 backpack reviewTeton Sports has spared no expense in the feature department either. One of my (and my husband’s) most loved features about the Summit 2800 is the built in water-resistant rain fly. If you’ve ever done any hiking or backpacking you know that keeping your gear dry is a must and finding an appropriately sized pack cover can be a challenge. The fact that Teton included one that fits the pack perfectly was an awesome added bonus! Look at this bright yellow cover! Can you spot me?rain cover pack teton sportsWhile keeping water out on a hike is clearly important, maintaining adequate hydration is equally important. Well, the Summit 2800 has an internal compartment for a 2.5 liter hydration bladder and appropriate clips for a drinking tube. The side mesh pouches are perfect for water bottles and in a move that clearly defines Teton’s knowledge of the sport, the compression straps cinch over the pouches to keep them secure and minimize bounce.

The backpack is constructed of 420D Double Line Ripstop which is light AND durable. I was also delighted at the chest strap clip-whistle which was clearly designed for getting our dog’s attention when she gets distracted by grazing geese! :) All in all, this pack is clearly well made and fits super comfortably with more features than you can shake a stick at!

hiking backpack review

Teton Sports was started in 2005 in our neighboring state of Utah just at the foot of the Wasatch mountains, so you know they know their stuff! If you check out any of their gear over at Amazon.com you’ll see that they’re receiving almost flawless feedback on all of the other products they make. The company seems to focus heavily on customer service and that’s something that can’t be understated. A lifetime guarantee is only as good as the company that stands behind it and I’m pretty confident in Teton Sports’ ability to help us out if we should need a replacement part.

teton sports summit2800

We’re heading to Yellowstone in exactly one month and I’m really excited to have the Summit 2800 as our core backpack to take on our excursions while we’re there. My husband has been nagging at me to go on an overnight backpacking trip for a couple of years now and my excuse was always that I didn’t have a good backpack… not anymore! I’m super excited to use the Teton Sports Summit 2800 on our next, and first, overnight backpacking trip!

Purchase it! You can find the Summit 2800 on TETONSports.com

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.

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New CD: Time by Rod Stewart

May 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

rod-stewart-album-time

Reviewing newly released or yet-to-be released albums is such a fun perk of having a blog! I love music and frequently fall in love with a new band because I get to review their CD! Without my blog, most likely I would never have discovered them!

One artist that I am NOT discovering for the first time though, who I’ve listened to since I was a child, is Rod Stewart… but little did I know he is still coming out with music!

Rod Stewart is releasing his first album of new material in nearly 20 years!

Rod Stewart’s new album Time will be released Tuesday, May 7th and these are the song titles you have to look forward to on this classic and honest disc:

rod-stewart-new-cd-time1 She Makes Me Happy

2 Can’t Stop Me Now

3 It’s Over

4 Brighton Beach

5 Beautiful Morning

6 Live the Life

7 Finest Woman

8 Time

9 Picture In a Frame

10 Sexual Religion

11 Make Love to Me Tonight

12 Pure Love

It was fun listening to this CD. I will admit, I liked some songs more than others. A few songs I found totally cheesy, while others were worthwhile. I can definitely see my parents generation loving this new CD. After all, it is the same familiar voice that you recognize from classics like: Maggie May, Downtown Train and Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright).

Overall, I am impressed that after 20 years he is making new music again. He wrote and produced 11 of the 12 songs – good for him! If you liked Rod Stewart in the past, you should check out his new album coming out in just a few days, May 7th!

Purchase: Look for the album in stores soon or pre-order on iTunes!

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.
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I’m Sending More Love with Paper Culture

April 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment

     paper-culture-stationary

I have a friend who is always giving people Thank You Cards, Get Well Cards and Just Because Cards. I swear I have received more cards from her in my 6 years of being friends – than anyone else in my life, aside from my own mother!

She always has the cutest little cards too! Fun designs, creative colors and unique quotes. Well, I am just hoping to be 10% of her awesomeness and start sending more cards too! It is time for me to tell those people around me that I appreciate them and I am thankful for them. I want to make them feel good,  just like my friend makes me feel.paper-culture-plants-a-tree

I am doing this with some fun new stationary I just got from Paper Culture. I picked out the Thought Bubble cards. They were easy to design and create. I changed the wording, color and went straight to payment. The more you buy, the cheaper the per card cost. I ordered 20 for about $50.

These cards are printed on high quality 100% post consumer recycled paper cardstock. The printing job was finely done, no bleeds or off-centering. The cards came with envelopes as well. Beyond that, with each purchase Paper Culture commits to the environment by planting a tree! You can donate your tree to whomever you’d like!

stationary cards uniqueI’ve been using these fun cards to send note to my friends I haven’t seen in awhile, leaving them a fun surprise in their box. These cards are very informal, and not specific to a holiday or event, so they go great anytime!

Paper Culture has over 1000 designs of birthday, announcements, party and other events. I picked out a card from the Thank You Notes and Stationary.

Connect with Paper Culture: Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter @PaperCulture

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review.  All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.
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Have you Found the Perfect Mother’s Day Card Yet? (+Giveaway)

April 29, 2013 by 16 Comments

Mothers Day Hallmark

Mother’s Day will be here soon, have you found the perfect card yet?

Why not appreciate your mom (friend, relative or mother figure that you admire) with a special card from Hallmark? This year is no different than the rest, Hallmark has brought out the brightest and best cards around! So here is your chance to honor your mom and show her how much you love her.

Now the question is: What do you want to say to a special mom in your life?

Maybe You’ll Say: Mom, you are kind, wise and full of love.

Or You’ll Say: Mom, I appreciate all that you’ve done for me.

Maybe You’ll Say Something More Like: Mom, you are too cool for school.

Whichever it might be and more, Hallmark has you covered. Here are some of their newest creations and greetings this year:

· Magic Prints: Magic Prints is a child’s creation. It comes with a mess-free Crayola® Magic Mitt that a child uses to places their handprint on the paper! It’s a fun way for kids to get involved while adding a personal touch.

· Magic Prints Greetings: Like the Magic Prints frames, Magic Prints greetings allow kids to add a colorful personal touch to these cards. Some Magic Prints greetings even allow a child to record their voice into the card!

· Mother’s Day Signature Collection Greetings: Hallmark’s Signature Collection features handcrafted cards with beautiful paper, textures and appealing embellishments.

· Premium Classic Greetings: These greetings have premium designs with sparkle, shine, laser-cut patterns and bold colors that express messages of love and appreciation.

· Simply Motherhood Greetings: Hallmark’s new Simply Motherhood cards feature fresh photography paired with simply stated, warm messages to celebrate moms.

As you can see Hallmark has some great card options. These cards and more can be found in stores including Wal-Mart, Target and grocery stores. Purchase these Hallmark cards from $1.99 and up.

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Wanna Win? One reader will win a “Tell Mom …” gift pack, which will include a Magic Prints frame and a selection of the greetings listed above.

:: Giveaway ::

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.
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Pure Natural Perfume By Botanical Perfumes

April 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

pnd-logo

Natural and organic perfume is a new idea to me. I first heard about it from Botanical Perfumes through Andreea Ayers.  These perfumes are different from conventional perfumes because they are free and clear of unnatural content. They have full size bottles and sample scents of natural perfume for retail. I was sent a sample set quartet to try.

Sample Set includes:

Pure is uplifting. Scent notes include uplifting cassie, soothing chamomile, lemon, lime and Egyptian neroli.

Natural is fresh and inviting.  Scent notes include a hint of clary sage, exalting pink grapefruit, Moroccan rose, and soothing ylang ylang.

Diva is full of soul, sultry and mysterious.  Scent notes include natural musk derived from ambrette, a sinfully smooth New Caledonian sandlewood, blended together in a lusciously robust Vanilla.

Elixir is sensually uplifting.  Scent notes include aphrodisiacal vanilla, a hint of oakmoss, exquisite osmanthus, married with rejuvenating pink grapefruit and red mandarin.

My Take

I was sent 4 very small sample bottles (1ml vial = similar to the samples you get for free from the cosmetic counters in the mall). I enjoyed the Elixir scent and the Pure scent. I think that it is neat there are no synthetics, neurotoxic musks, and phthalates, that these are just pure and clean smells.

More Information and Purchase the Perfumes?

You can find the natural and organic perfumes from Pure Natural Diva Botanical Perfumes at pndbotanicals.com. The sample set quartet is $16 for 4 1ml vial samples.

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.

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Sweet, Soft, and Scented Dessert Indulgences on Your Lips!

April 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

CupcakeChapstick

Ladies! The sun is coming out, the heat it rising, and with that…bikini season is on its way. Whatever you want to call it – bikini season, tank top season, t-shirt, shorts, anti-jacket, or fewer cover up season – it’s coming! And, we need to be prepared!

For me, that’s cutting back on the extra calories I hide beneath layers of clothing throughout the winter season. That means, no more (or far less!) sweets, chocolates, and rich cakes.CupcakeForChapstick

But when summer hits, my cravings for these delicious treats do not go away. Luckily, I’ve found the answer! Chapstick has come out with two new flavors – Velvet Cupcake and Cake Batter. With these deliciously indulgent flavors coating your lips day in and day out, you will feel forever satiated!

Chapstick has even made it easy to give these sweet, scented flavors to your friends and loved ones! They feature a convenient gift tag on the back of each package, which takes the hassle out of gift-wrapping, making it easy to attach on top of a gift or give as a thoughtful gesture.

So come on, ladies, put that piece of cake back in the fridge, and slap some sweet, soft, and scented dessert indulgences on your lips!

Connect with ChapStick: Facebook and YouTube

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.
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