Blue State Red State--Review

Confession: I'm not much of a coffee drinker.

Seeing as how I was born and raised in Seattle, this might be considered shocking, if not downright impossible. Alas, it is true.

Oh, I enjoy the occasional latte or mocha, but as for a cup of coffee? Unless it's a special occasion, no thank you. However, on the rare occasion when I do drink coffee, I like it dark, bold, earthy, and smooth.

(You will all be happy to know that Mr. Einstein does drink coffee. Daily. Does that redeem me, even a little bit?)

Anyway, I took the opportunity to review some coffee from Blue State Red State mostly for my husband, but I did try it, too. And it was good!

From Blue State Red State

Blue State Red State is a brand that allows you to give back to society and express yourself with every purchase. The idea is simple – buy things you use every day, but instead of us keeping all of the profits, 33% of our profits will go toward making America better. And you direct your donation when you check out, so with every purchase, you express yourself. We will be supporting charities and advocacy groups across our brands because we think people should expect more from the companies they buy from. It’s not enough to have a quality product anymore. We think it’s just as important to be a good corporate citizen, give customers a voice, and share our success. Blue State or Red State – it doesn’t matter – the point is to get more involved and do some good through your purchases! So find the brand that resonates with you and try some coffee – Red State Red, Blue State Blue, or Blue State Red State – we know you will be happy with the product and you will feel good knowing your purchase will make a difference.

Cool. When you buy from Blue State Blue, donations go to Democratic advocacy groups. When you buy from Red State Red, donations go to Republican advocacy groups. When you buy from Blue State Red State, donations go to charities and politically neutral non-profit organizations. See! Something for everyone!

My Review

I got the chance to review the Ramparts Roast. Yum! It's dark and smooth, deep and bold. And smoky! I found it to be a well-rounded coffee with a nice finish and, surprisingly, very little aftertaste. It was good! It's a very nice drink-alone coffee, though I think it would also be good as a dessert coffee. With something sweet, I'm thinking. Mmm...

If I were considering becoming a daily coffee drinker, this coffee would have pushed me into it. Seriously. It's good.

This post was written for Family Review Network and Blue State Red State who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Cardi Wrap--A Review

I have to say, I just love this wrap!

It's one of those things that I don't think I ever would have bought for myself, but since I got the chance to review it, I jumped at it! And, seriously, I'd love another one in a different color.

The Cardi Wrap

The Cardi Wrap by Kymaro is a scarf/shawl/cardigan/wrap all in one. It comes in 7 different colors and 2 different sizes, and is basically a big sheet of soft, stretchy material with two sleeves. There are over 50 ways to wear it through draping, twisting, tying, and looping. Plus, every Cardi Wrap comes with three triangular rings (black, silver, and gold) and two pins (color-matching flower and bow) for even more options. There is a way for every body type to wear the Cardi Wrap and have it look flattering!

My Review

I've had this black Cardi Wrap for only a couple of weeks now, and yet I've worn it at least 5 times already, to church, on a date, to a school function, etc. It is just that versatile!

And as much as I love the Cardi Wrap, I hate this picture. Maybe I should clean my mirror...

My favorite way (so far) to wear the Cardi Wrap is to simply drape one end over one shoulder, leaving a really long train down one side. In the picture above, I pinned the flower on to keep everything in place, but it doesn't really need it. The material is clingy enough that it usually sticks to itself nicely

The Cardi Wrap is very soft and light-weight and washes well. It does have a tendency to attract cat hair and dust, but those are easy to remove.

I really am so excited to have this as a part of my wardrobe now! It really does go with everything! It can be dressed up and dressed down. It's fun to have something so versatile in my closet!

This post was written for Family Review Network and Cardi Wrap who provided the complimentary product in exchange for my honest opinions.

Oscar's Apps--A Review

Oh, I love my iPad!

And my kids do, too. They love it so much, I've actually made them their very own page with games and apps just for them.

Included on this page are two new apps from Oscar's Apps, which I got a chance to review.

And let me tell you, I love them! And C, who is 3 1/2, loves them, too.

From their website:

Oscar's Apps is a fun and interactive learning environment for toddlers and preschool aged children.

My Review

I got the chance to review the Alphabet Song and 1-10 Balloons. Both are very similarly designed, with either the alphabet or numbers printed on balloons which kids "pop" in order. Both games have three options: Learn, Follow, and Play. In the "Learn" option, kids pop the highlighted balloons in order. In the "Follow" option, the balloons are all mixed up, but are highlighted in order. In the "Play" option, the balloons are still mixed up but aren't highlighted right away, giving kids the chance to remember the alphabet or numbers in order themselves.

As I said earlier, C loves these apps. The colors are vivid, the graphics are fun, and the "games" are simple but engaging.

C's been getting very, very curious about letters and numbers recently, and both of these apps from Oscar's Apps have been wonderful for her!

I personally like how the apps grow with children, from showing them, to guiding them, to allowing them to figure it out on their own. These apps are great for exploring letters and numbers! And I can't wait to start using them with M in the next year!

This post was written for Family Review Network and Oscar's Apps who provided the complimentary products for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Mama Wants Her Body Back--Review and Giveaway

This mama has had three kids, and this mama's body has never been the same since. Some things stretched, some things grew, and some things will just never be the same.

However, this mama can (and will) get her body back, just not her original pre-E body.

And so can you!

Mama Wants Her Body Back was developed by Lisa Druxman, a mom who has been in the fitness industry for 20 years. Lisa designed this series workouts specifically for moms, targeting our specific problem areas, and working with our busy schedules.

The Product

"Mama Wants Her Body Back is a series of three 20-minute total body workouts...Each 20-minute workout consists of 5 mini workout rounds. These rounds contain the three key elements that every mom needs in their workout to get her body back--cardio, strength and core. These workouts are specifically targeted for a mom's body and a mom's time. If we can endure the labor of childbirth, then mama--you can truly do anything!"

My Review

I just tried this workout this morning, and I have to say I like it. There are no routines, nothing complicated. Each workout round consists of one minute of cardio, one minute of strength, and one minute of core. Within each minute, three different levels are introduced (low, medium, and high) and are each done twice for ten seconds at a time (10 seconds low, 10 seconds medium, 10 second high, repeat). This is a very doable format!

There are always three moms demonstrating the workouts, too; one (Lisa) does the basic workout, one does an easier, modified workout, and one does a harder, modified workout. This program is definitely designed for all levels!

And, seriously, who can't find 20 minutes?

The only thing I didn't like about the program (and it's a totally personal thing) is that it uses a resistance tube. I suck at the resistance tube! Even after years of playing volleyball, I just don't have the upper body strength to use the tube. Weights I'm fine with, but a tube! Blech! I know using one regularly will increase my strength, so I will. But grumblingly. :)

I'm definitely going to be using this program in the future. Care to join me?

Win It!

Mama Wants Her Body Back has generously offered another copy to one of you! Just leave a comment, any old comment, here or on FB (I'll post over there, too) and you are entered to win! U.S. only, though. Sorry!

Sorry, no extra entries; I don't like extra entries.

I will close comments on Monday, December 6 at 8:00pm PST and announce a winner then. Good luck! And mama, you can get your body back!!!

This post was written for Family Review Network and Mama Wants Her Body Back who provided this complimentary product for review and giveaway in return for my honest opinion.

My Family Christmas Book and Memories--A Review

Another review; I know. But there are just so many good ones available right now, I can't pass them up!

I'm really excited about this one, too!

Now that our kids are getting a little bit older, Mr. Einstein and I have been talking about finding something for Advent. Something to help ourselves and our children prepare for the Christmas season. Something to guide our thoughts and prayers. Something to lead into discussions of what Christmas really means.

My Family Christmas Book and Memories encompasses all of this, and more.

This "book" isn't really a book; it's more of a binder with tabs, which I love. It's full of prayers, and Scripture readings, and activities, and songs, and crafts, and recipes. There is room for Christmas planning ideas, and card lists, and gift buying guides. There is room for many years of Christmas memories and photos. There is even a small section for New Years.

Seriously, this book has it all!

And while My Family Christmas Book and Memories is comprised of "Advent and Christmas prayers and activities to build family traditions centered on Jesus Christ," there are plenty of non-religious songs and crafts, like Jingle Bells and gingerbread houses.

Advent is coming up quickly (November 28), and I can't wait to use this book with my family!

This post was written for Family Review Network and My Family Christmas Book and Memories, who provided this complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Lulu Photo Book--A Review

I love photo books.

I love the opportunity to document and preserve events.

And since I can't bear to delete the thousands of extra pictures I take, I especially love that I can take the best photos, put them all together, and print them in one pretty book.

Since I have a Mac, I usually do all of this through iPhoto, but I'm always open to exploring other options.

Like Lulu. Lulu offers self-publishing and book printing, from books to eBooks, photo books to calendars.

Lulu graciously offered to let me put together and print a photo book of my choosing, and since I owe my mother-in-law one for last Christmas (hi, Mom!), I said, "Yes, please!"

My Review

I like pretty, and I like options; Lulu has both. While Lulu doesn't offer a huge variety of themes, I liked the ones they do have, from holiday themes, to simplistic, to funky.

And Lulu is so easy to use! I just uploaded my photos (which took awhile, due to my slow high-speed internet), rearranged them, and voila! Lulu's program is very straightforward, too. Every command is easy to find and easy to use. There's even an option to save your work, so you can come back and add/edit more later. This busy momma likes that a lot!

I also had a great personal contact at Lulu, too, who answered all my questions, previewed my book for me, and even suggested a few changes. Thanks, Taylor! You were a wonderful help!

I have to say, though, that shipping took an inordinate amount of time. Although, that was probably due to there being a few more shipping stops between Lulu and me, since they gave me free shipping.

And while I love the layout and the background and the photo matting of my book, the print quality of the photos was, honestly, disappointing. I have a DSLR; a nice one. And it takes very high-resolution photos. But the images in my photo book were grainy and the edges of the objects in my photos were distorted. The colors, however, were vibrant and true to the originals.

Overall, I'm pleased with my photo book from Lulu, but not ecstatic. It is pretty and well-bound, and will make a lovely gift.

This post was written for Family Review Network and Lulu who provided the complimentary product in exchange for my honest review.

Costume SuperCenter--A Review

When I was offered the chance to review a Halloween costume, any costume I wanted, I gleefully jumped at the opportunity.

I have two girls. Two girlie-girls. Who love to dress up.

So this opportunity? Perfect!

My girls are slightly obsessed with Pocahontas, so Costume SuperCenter graciously provided me with the Princess Wildflower Costume.

Our Review

My first impression was surprise that this was a full costume, complete with all the little "extras" that can be so difficult to find. As a busy mom of three, this is very important. And everything coordinates so beautifully.

Since I don't intend to make this an actual Halloween costume, and plan on adding it to the dress-up trunk, I checked out the stitching and durability pretty carefully. Although there are lots of raw edges throughout the costume, the stitching is strong and it should last my very active, very creative girls a nice, long time.

That's what we like in this household: durability!

My girls' reactions? Love!

They oohed and aahed over the fringe and the beads. They carefully stroked the furry boot covers. They squealed over the hair clips.

I think I picked a winner.

And I just might have to go back and look through the huge selection of kids costumes once more. After all, Halloween is just around the corner.

Ack!

This post was written for Family Review Network and Costume SuperCenter who provided the complimentary product in exchange for my honest review.