Rockin' Nails Courtesy of SinfulShine™ with Gel Tech™

I have a slight obsession with nail polish. I don't know if it is full blown addiction because I don't necessarily have anything to compare it to, but lets just say, I could potentially start my own nail salon. While that may be slightly embarrassing to admit, it goes without saying that you can never have too many polishes - and if you are anything like me, you change your polish on the regular to match your outfits, mood or just because you want to see what that color looks like "on". In my experience, I have good luck with the higher end "salon" brands in terms of longevity, ease of application, and color selection. Have you seen some of them? They literally have a color for every shade imaginable and the catchy names they come up with are pure entertainment. In reality, I can't afford to support my nail polish addiction with these high end brands. I could have probably paid my children's way through college if I cashed all those bottles in. Lucky for me, and you too (because why would you want to spend close to $10 per bottle?), the SinfulColors™ brand has introduced their new collection: SinfulShine™ with Gel Tech™ which claims that it is "5x shinier than a patent leather shoe". There is nothing that compares to an at-home manicure that shines the same way a spa manicure does, aside from the price tag on it. This collection is available at Walgreens where you can fill your cart (or basket - however you roll) because these gems only cost $2.99 per bottle!

They even get their own display!

I was lucky enough to get to try one of these little bottles of shine for free for review purposes through Influenster, and it lived up to all of the claims! I think most nail polish connoisseurs are afraid of "cheap" polish because of the seemingly inevitable chipping, peeling and dullness after only a day or two. Having a bad experience makes it worth the higher price tag when it means you don't have to deal with these frustrations. After conquering the task of painting your nails without a child sticking their finger in it to see if it is dry, or the dog laying down on your perfectly pedicured toes, the last thing you need to worry about is how terrible it looks in a matter of minutes. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the  SinfulShine™ with Gel Tech™ polish. I received the shade "Alfresco", which is a periwinkle-ish color (all of you Moms with little kids just pictured that little cat from Blue's Clues), and while it was a color I would have never ventured out and bought for myself, after wearing it, it has become one of my favorite colors. It holds true that you cannot judge a polish by it's color (in the bottle). Plus, I rocked this color for over a week with no chipping, or wearing around the tip and edges of my nails! This is an accomplishment in and of itself because I constantly have my hands in the sink cleaning dishes, scrubbing the stains out of laundry, peeling stickers from places they shouldn't be.... you get it, I abuse my nails. Here is a picture of my polish on day 6:

FAB-U-LOUS

You read that correctly, day 6! It went on smooth and even, and I only used two coats to achieve this coverage. I had no problem with it being watery or "see-through" (you know how some polishes cover thinly and you can see your nail line under them? - that is "see through", very technical, I know). Plus, the staying-power of this polish rivals with none other that I have encountered. I change my polish weekly; I sported this polish for 8 days, and it still looked like day one. I found that this polish dries quickly, making it easy to give yourself a quick mani or pedi (or both - you over-achiever!) before heading out the door. Plus, it comes in 32 amazing shades from subtle nudes, to girly pinks and even a yellow (I really want to try the yellow-I've never done yellow polish before)! For only $2.99, now is the time to step out of your comfort zone and try the colors you always wanted to, but never wanted to break the bank over. Plus, your nails will shine like you put a nice thick coat of shellac on them, making it even more convincing to strangers that you just came from the salon. I give this polish 10 stars, and urge you to get to your nearest Walgreens to pick up your favorite shade(s):

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Follow SinfulColors™ on Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with all of their innovative products, or visit their website to try on all of their colors (with their virtual tool), view all of their collections, and even get some nail art tutorials! 

Disclosure: I received this product for free from Influenster for testing and review purposes. All of the opinions stated here are my own. 

THERA°PEARL Children's Pals - Keepin' it Cool (or Hot)

In the world of children, "boo-boos" happen daily. Between stubbing toes while attempting early morning coordination to falling down repeatedly while learning to walk, you are bound to encounter bumps and bruises constantly once your child is on the move. Your job, as a parent, is to cushion those falls with words of encouragement and love. If not, you look like a bad parent, or one that is trying to raise their child to be the next Terminator. Most parents choose to go for the soothing option, and that being said, there are SOOOOOOO many products on the market to help with that. How do you choose? Do you make your own Boo-Boo Bunny at home to hold ice on those bumps and bruises? Do you buy the tackle box sized first aid kit? Or do you take the middle ground and buy something a little less homemade and a lot less dramatic? This is probably answered by the number child you are on too. If it is your first child, you most likely bought the tackle box filled with an entire lifetime's worth of band-aids and ointments, gauze rolls and defibrillators. If it is your sixth child you stopped reading after the second sentence of this post, and if you are somewhere in between, you are waiting to hear what the "middle ground" is. And here it is: THERA°PEARL Children's Pals!!!!

Ribbit the Frog

Buddy the Puppy

Pearl the Pig

Ping the Panda

How adorable are those little guys (or gals)?!?! They retail for ONLY $5.99!!!!

I got to try a THERA°PEARL Children's Pal for review purposes through Tomoson, and let me tell you, they are great! For inquiring minds, I got Ribbit the Frog, but it was hard to choose jut one. First of all, they are kid-friendly because they are so fun! Have you ever noticed that the second a child gets hurt they immediately become skeptical of every little thing - What are you putting on me? A band-aid. Will it hurt? No, it never has before. Why do we have to do that? Because we don't want your cut to get infected. No, I don't want that! And so on.... It can become quite the battle just to apply some Neosporin and a band-aid to a simple scrape. With these little hot/cold packs, you don't get that kind of interrogation. They are made with little beads inside of them which makes them unique from most products on the market that serve it's same purpose. This in and of itself makes it appealing to children of any age. They can squish them and move them around, and they are brightly colored inside the see-through casing so they can watch themselves manipulate the little beads. One of my favorite things about these little packs is the fact that they can be used HOT or COLD. This takes their versatility to a whole new level, as most products can only do one of the two. What I love even more than that is the fact that independent lab tests have suggested that they contain no heavy metals, no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or BPAs (Bisphenol A), making them safe, hypoallergenic and reusable. Plus, they will not leak or drip or tear (unless abused, that is), making them that more reliable. With so much controversy over what is safe for our children, it makes product choices much easier when they leave out these questionable ingredients and make higher quality products. Plus, these cuties won the "Parent Tested Parent Approved" (PTPA) award for quality and appeal! 

I give the THERA°PEARL Children's Pals 10 stars!

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You can find more information about THERA°PEARL and the products they offer here. Be sure to show some support for them by "liking" them on Facebook, following them on Twitter, checking them out on Pinterest, and adding them to your circles on google+. 

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Summer Unplugged - Get Your Bowl On!

My son has a Summer birthday.... Right smack dab in the middle of Summer. Anyone who has a "Summer baby" knows what a great deal of time is spent planning a party while trying to juggle the kids being home 24/7, weekend barbecues, family vacations, and a few fun activities to keep the kids occupied. We enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors, but because of the ever-fluctuating weather here in the great state of New York, we never know what we are going to get. It is almost impossible to plan outings because if anything is set in stone, one of two things WILL happen: 1) It will pour - not rain, not sprinkle- it will monsoon! or 2) It will be so humid, that leaving the house to go anywhere that doesn't have air conditioning is a death sentence. You are better off making last minute plans and being entirely flexible-two characteristics I would never use to describe myself. 

For the kiddies

We are fortunate enough to have an AMF Bowling Center (or five) in our area, and even more grateful for their Summer Unplugged Program. What is that you ask? Well, in an effort to keep kids from driving their parents insane active, and combat the bi-polar weather here, AMF Bowling Centers has made bowling the obvious solution to any Summer problem. Too hot and muggy? Bored of the same old routine? Register your kids (age 15 and younger) here to bowl 2 games for free, each and every day, from May 13, 2013 to September 2, 2013, anytime from open to 8 PM. On top of that, you can register up to 6 children per account. If you have more than 6 children, you must be crazy register them under another e-mail address to accommodate your brood. Because I am not the trickster-type, I will disclose the fact that you will need to pay to rent bowling shoes for each participating child. That being said, it is a small price to pay for the memories that will be made. Have you ever seen the face of a child who has bowled their first strike? Beat their older sibling? Accidentally throw the ball down the wrong lane?

For the adults

For all of the parents, grandparents, babysitters, nannies, or just adults in general... AMF Bowling Centers has thought of you too! For the one time cost of $34.95 you can purchase the Summer Pass, which allows you to bowl 2 games per day from May 13, 2013 to September 2, 2013. Additionally, you can include up to 3 guests (16 years of age and older) per visit to the bowling alley. Again, the cost of rental shoes is not configured into this price, but do the math... For almost 4 months of bowling, and up to 8 games per day (if you completely utilize your guest allowance), you could have your pass paid for in just a couple of visits! Go here to register today and get the most for your Summer bowling adventures.

Astonishingly enough, this deal gets better! New, this Summer, is the "Stay and Play"  option. If you are a Summer Unplugged or Summer Pass subscriber, and 2 games is too few for your satisfaction, you can bowl your little heart out for only $1.49 per game over your daily 2. Plus, AMF Centers have made this a hassle-free process. You sign up once and you are good to go! No coupons, no emails, no printing, etc... Walk yourself into your nearest AMF alley and present your membership card (which you will receive on your first visit after signing up), or simply give them your name so they can look you up - that is all that stands between you and a fun, comfortable afternoon of bowling! Simple enough, right? What are you waiting for? Sign up here for your very own Summer Pass, or the Summer Unplugged program for those special kids in your life.

To find your nearest AMF Bowling Center click here - With over 250 centers, you are sure to find one near you!

Disclosure: I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated in this post are my own.

Summer Reading Part II - Crime & Passion by Chantel Rhondeau

Have you ever read a book, and regardless of the fact that the main question was answered, you want it to continue? That is where I am right now.... I recently finished Crime and Passion by Chantel Rhondeau, and I want more! Lucky for me, I have a small library's worth of cheap and/or free books on my handy-dandy Kindle app. Which, is another thing worth mentioning.... I have only recently gotten on board with this whole digital reading thing. I tend to prefer to physically hold my book and turn the pages between my fingers, but that is becoming less popular apparently. I still love to have a good paperback, but I have definitely enjoyed the simplicity of reading on my phone. I can read while feeding the baby, laying in bed at night (without a light), and while walking the dog.... Ok, not quite while walking the dog, but you get the point. There is this guy who walks around the neighborhood reading a book-like literally, his nose is in a book....How has he not been hit by a car? And should he get some kind of prize for 1-not getting hit by a car and 2- working out his mind and body at the same time? Definitely more ambitious than myself, but I digress.... I may not have walked the dog while reading, but I certainly did test my multitasking capabilities while reading Crime and Passion because I couldn't put it down!

I LOVED this book. I am typically the play-it-safe kind of reader. You know, the one who finds an author, reads each and every one of their books, and when they run out searches the New York Times Bestseller list or Oprah's Book Club reads to find another author to stalk read. I am grateful that I have been able to read some authors that I otherwise would not have (from sites such as Tomoson); the author of my latest review, Chantel Rhondeau, being one of them!

I think that the title of this book fits it perfectly. If I had to describe this book in two words, I am pretty sure that CRIME and PASSION would be the two that I would choose. It starts out on the beach of a small ocean side town, where the town newbie, and dog walker (Madeline) finds the dead body of a local child and wife beater, and also gets a glimpse of the possible murderer fleeing the scene. The responding officer (Donovan) is a well-known player, and I'm not talking football. In a thrilling story line, you find out that Donovan has strong feelings about men who abuse women and children (making him a possible suspect), an even stronger interest in Madeline, and a tattered past. While they work together to solve the mystery of who killed this man, they learn a lot about one another, and the lengths they will go to persevere and stand-up for what is right. A murder, mixed with some love and conflict is the perfect recipe for a romantic thriller!

I enjoyed that this book was told from both Madeline's and Donovan's perspectives. I appreciate when an author can do that and have it remain cohesive. It is so intriguing to get into the heads of the characters individually versus experiencing it all from one point of view. The text was very easy to read as well. I found myself breezing through chapters without even realizing it. The characters are very personable and believable; easy to relate to. If I was not the parent of two young children I may have finished this book in just a day or two, however it probably only took me four or five days total.  

If this sounds like your genre of choice, or you like to read any and everything, you can grab yourself a (digital or print) copy on Amazon, and I highly recommend you do. I give this book 10 stars!

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Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The Classical Historian - Learning Made Fun!

I like to think that I take an active role in the education of my children. The truth is, my son (and someday my daughter) will spend 6 hours a day, Monday through Friday, from September to June, in school, being taught by a professional. I give credit to all of the teachers in the world because I know for certain I could not do what they do day in and day out, and still have hair, my sanity or my sense of humor at the end of the school year. I also think that teachers, including parents who Homeschool, deserve more than just a day or a week to honor the job they do. While I choose to send my child to public school, I still like to take part in his education, and consider myself to be very involved and in-tune with his performance from an educational standpoint.

I am a member of the Mosaic Reviews Team (see my badge), and am lucky enough to use and review material that is aimed towards families who Homeschool. As stated before, I do not personally Homeschool, but plan to use the material I get chosen to review to support and encourage my son's (and eventually my daughter's) learning. Additionally, one of the most magical things about being a parent is being able to witness the whole learning process firsthand. From the day your baby puts the right shape in the top of the shape sorter to the day they write their first essay (to the day they graduate), it never gets old!

One thing I struggle with, when it comes to bringing education into the home is making it fun and exciting. I walk away from parent-teacher conferences and report cards knowing areas we should be focusing on, but lack a way to do it that will not send my son running for the hills. Enter in, my latest review: The Classical Historian Medieval History Memory Game!

Such a nice set!
(price $14.95)

The Classical Historian provides enticing products for families who Homeschool (and those who don't too!) from curriculum material, to textbooks to DVDs and games. On top of that, their products can be used from the time your child enters Kindergarten (and even earlier) to the time they graduate high school. You can see all they have to offer here. They currently have a free Summer lesson plan to use that focuses on Independence Day which you can see here. You can also "like" them on Facebook here to keep up with any new and exciting products or updates.

There is nothing to dislike about this set! I love the quality of the product; the cards themselves are very sturdy (i.e. they will last a long time), the pictures are bold and colorful (i.e. they grab the attention of even the younger players), and there are a couple of different ways to play (i.e. the game has longevity). While this set is a bit more expensive (the cost is $14.95) than the traditional memory-type games you can grab at your local store, the benefits make it worth every penny.

My favorite quality of this set is the versatility. There is nothing more wasteful to me than spending money on a product that serves us for only a short while. I am always buying clothes a little big, toys that can "grow" with age, etc... First and foremost, this set comes with 64 cards. You can choose the number of card matches to play with, with less (and simpler ones) for younger kids, and more for the older kids and when playing with several players. Second, this set is educational. Whether the child(ren) are just familiarizing themselves with the concepts present during the Medieval Times, or older children being able to define the terms and happenings, this works for all ages. And last (but certainly not least!), there are two ways to play the game. There is the traditional matching game where all of the tiles are placed face-down and players take their turn flipping over two at a time to find matches, or, you can take it up a notch to the categorization version of the game where one player is timed while they find their matches, and place them under the correct categories (i.e. Europe, The Americas, Far East and Arabia). This makes the game relevant up to the high school level and beyond, meaning it has many more years of use in my house. It also has the benefit of refreshing our memories, as adults, as we play this fun game with our children!   

My son loving his new game!

We really loved this set, and I give it 10 stars!

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Summer Reading, Anyone? - Broken Build by Rachelle Ayala

I remember being in High School (it was only 10 years ago).... This time of year was always the most hectic. Between wrapping things up for the year, handing in final assignments, making final presentations and signing year books, the impending summer vacation was at the forefront of everyone's mind. In the back of every student's mind was the dreaded summer reading and project that would overshadow every exciting and enjoyable experience they had that summer. Oh, you had a blast at that trip to the amusement park? Nice, now remember the 300 page book and the paper and presentation you have to concoct in just a matter of weeks; total buzz kill every time.

I have always enjoyed reading, but for some reason, being forced to read is quite the turn off. I have honestly found more enjoyment (and understanding) of the books I was forced to use Spark Notes to write papers for read while in school, now that I am an adult. The Great Gatsby, Lord of the Flies, The Giver... I could go on, but I think you get the drift. As an adult, I look forward to choosing my summer reading, and actually reading it. If you are anything like me in that respect, please, let me suggest my most recent read to you: Broken Build by Rachelle Ayala!

This is such a perfect read for summer because it is fast paced, and attention grabbing - perfect beach read material if you ask me! There is nothing more obnoxious than having to wait until page 100 to get roped into a book. This one hooks you in almost immediately, and then you are in for the ride (don't forget to reapply your sunblock). This book is a Romantic Suspense and Technothriller - How is that for a mouthfull? (side note: I am not ridiculously tech savvy and I was able to read through and understand the tech-y happenings, so don't let that disinterest you). Obviously, I cannot give away the entire story line, or what would entice you to grab a copy yourself and start your summer vacation a little early? 

In short, the story revolves around a young woman named Jennifer who works as a computer software builder for a company owned by a man named Dave who she has wronged in the past. There is a hit-and-run murder early on the book that starts the roller coaster that is Broken Build. From there, a closet full of of secrets, lies and deception unfold. A steamy romance begins between Dave and Jen and readers see how her twisted past has crossed with his to lead them to where they are now - running from thugs, protecting an innocent person from their past, and answering the question of who wants Jen dead.   

This book provides the reader with an array of thrilling and suspenseful situations. From blackmail, murder and thugs to romance, scripture and forgiveness, this book really does have a little bit of everything. It also leaves you guessing until the end. I love this aspect of the book, as there is nothing more frustrating than figuring out who the protagonist is from the get-go. What is the point of reading any further if you have already figured it out? Exactly - there isn't one. I prefer to keep my mind questioning every minute detail and each and every character. Rachelle Ayala is truly talented in her ability to keep the suspense high. I found myself up much later at night than I would like to admit hanging on to each page and guessing what would happen next.  

If you wish to learn more about the author, Rachelle Ayala, you can access her blog here. And don't forget to follow her on Facebook (here) to keep up with her newest releases and news!

Ready to grab your copy? You can go here and purchase the Kindle edition for under a dollar, or the paperback for everyone who prefers to physically turn their pages. You can also purchase it from Smashwords where it comes in a variety of different digital options. 

I give Broken Build an 8 out of 10 stars:

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Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub, Saving Time in the Tub - Thanks to Ivory® 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash

One of the first things that you notice once you become a parent, and especially once you have multiple children, is the fact that your time is precious. You used to spend your free time reading for hours on end, taking luxurious baths to ensure you properly shave every last hair on your stubborn knees, or maybe even taking a refreshing mid afternoon nap. The reality of parenthood is the fact that these former "passers of time" are now luxuries.... The one thing I struggled the most with was having time to sneak a shower in. There is no longer such thing as a long, hot, relaxing shower unless someone else is watching the kids or I am wearing ear plugs to avoid the impending knocks on the door, because my son might die if I do not tell him what 52 x 3543 + 104317084 is....

Luckily, for those of us who fall victim to this lack of time, energy and motivation to bathe ourselves on a regular basis (let alone our kids!), Ivory® has come up with a solution! In their ongoing quest to provide pure, clean and simple products for the entire family that do not cost an arm and a leg, they have recently introduced Ivory® 2-in-1 Hair and Body to their line! You can access information about their entire line of products, including where to find them, if they have any available coupons and even the answer to the age old question "What makes Ivory® bar soap float?" (I will not spill the beans! Look for yourself!) on their Facebook page, here.

This is what I got :)

I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to test this product for free courtesy of Influenster, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised! I have long (below my shoulders), thick hair, and past experiences with 2-in-1 products have failed miserably, therefore inducing anxiety about using the Ivory® 2-in-1, and ONLY the Ivory® 2-in-1 on my hair (I wasn't concerned about using it as a body wash). I am pretty sure I contemplated 5732 times whether or not I would try it alone, or add conditioner. In the end, I used it alone to provide a more accurate review, and for that, you are welcome.

First and foremost, this soap passes the smell test - it has a nice clean, refreshing scent that is appropriate for even the pickiest of bathers (my 7, going-on-18 year old loves his "man body wash", but he gave this new Ivory® the seal of approval). I am interested to see what the orange bottle smells like (energizing scent), and may selfishly keep one of the coupons for myself so that I can try that one too! Secondly, it reduces the need for the 437 bottles in your shower, and for someone who suffers from minor bouts of OCD when things get too cluttered, this product gets a star of approval! Third, this is safe for use on the whole family! Both of my children have sensitive skin (Little Miss even suffers from eczema-poor baby), and they both used this without a problem. I even got my husband to try this out, and THAT is a feat. This man has used the same shampoo and bar soap since we started dating 9 and a 1/2 years ago. He gave it two thumbs up, which has to be the equivalent of a Nobel Soap Prize or something! My favorite thing about the Ivory® 2-in-1 Hair and Body soap is the fact that when we go on vacation this summer, I will have no need to pack separate hair and body product for each individual family member. I can throw ONE bottle in the suitcase, and feel secure that we will be fresh and clean for our entire vacation.

After using the Ivory® 2-in-1 consistently for a week, I have come to the conclusion that I will use this as a body wash for myself and as a 2-in-1 for my children. As mentioned earlier, I have long, thick hair, and while I was able to comb through my hair without creating a rat's nest, I found that after blow-drying I looked a little "afro-ish" (but not NEARLY as bad as when I use only shampoo). I have found that this is easily repaired by the use of conditioner, or an after shower leave-in treatment. I have confidence that if you have normal or thin hair, you will not experience an issue with this whatsoever. This could also be due to my crazy blow dryer too....

Definitely due to the blow-dryer

If you are interested in getting your hands on your own bottle of Ivory® 2-in-1 Hair and Body, here is some helpful information:

• You can find it at most local retailers
• It comes in a generous 24 ounce size
• You can choose from the Refreshing or Energizing Scent (or both!)
• Retail price is around $4.25

After thorough review, I give the Ivory® 2-in-1 Hair and Body a 9 out of 10. An excellent product for sure!

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If you still need additional convincing, check out their video short here.

Disclaimer: I have received this product for free from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions expressed 
are my own.