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Carole P. Roman Book Series

Posted by Professor on August 30, 2013
in Books, Reviews, Uncategorized

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … : A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World, is the latest exciting new children’s series of children’s books from Carole P. Roman. Roman takes young readers all over the globe to explore different countries and cultures. With each book covering a different nation, Roman opens up a world of wonder while highlighting the fact that underneath it all we are far more alike than we might have imagined. Focusing on what life would be like for children if they were to live in another city or country, she examines the diversity around the world and the value possessed by each different culture. Think of the series as a children’s version of the travel Channel that is filled with entertaining and educational facts.

Our review:

We reviewed three books in Carole P. Roman’s series

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … MEXICO

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … SOUTH KOREA

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … FRANCE

In short we are in love with the idea of this new series! What a wonderful way to introduce young children to cultural diversity. The text of the books are simple yet powerful. We liked that the book was written for children … I did not have to summarize or paraphrase information because the text was outside of their knowledge grasp…what a plus! The vibrant illustrations were also a plus. My children not only loved listening and learning but took the book after we were done reading just to look at the pictures.

On a cultural note… one of the books really hit home for us. We have a very diverse neighborhood and a handful of our neighbors are from Mexico. I thought this was very poignant for our family because it let the children learn about our neighbors’ cultural identity.

The book is geared toward Pre-K through age eight… well… my 5, 7, and 9 year old all LOVED the books! Love of literature and cultural awareness is a must in our household, so this series was a hit!

Wow! What an excellent read! This is such a lovely book and we look forward to the next installment of the series!

For more information about the author or her books please visit www.carolproman.com

This book can be found on Amazon.com

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Back to School with Enzo Francine Shoes

Posted by Professor on August 29, 2013
in Fashion, Kid's Footwear, Kids Stuff, Reviews, Uncategorized

Back to School with Enzo Francine Shoes

Add some superstar style to any outfit with the snazzy, jazzy, look of these Enzo Kids, oxford. The Enzo Francine shoe is available from size 8-5 and is a great combination of athletics and fashion all in one. Here are some of the shoe details:

Metallic or white fabric upper in classic silhouette

Lace-up closure for quick and easy on and off.

Padded tongue and collar provide additional comfort.

Breathable textile lining and cushioned textile insole

Flexible rubber outsole.

The Enzo Francine Shoe is available in white and metallic lavender at www.zappos.com for $45.99

Our review:

We received the metallic lavender Enzo Francine shoe. We were very pleased with the overall look of the shoe. This is a very classic shoe with a modern fabric. My daughter will be stylin’! My daughter wears a size 12 and we received a size 13 and they fit nice…she has a bit of room to grow (about a thumb length from the big toe). When she put them on her feet, she mentioned how nice they felt. My daughter also mentioned that she liked the slip on ease of the shoe, saying that they were easy to take on and off. I liked the fact that the shoe has “give in the heel” it is not stiff like regular slip on shoes and can be easily manipulated on and off.

Please note that although there is a lace closure it is not a tie closure … which is GREAT for my kindergartener who is just learning to tie her shoes… this gives us a no fuss way to wear shoes right now and learn to tie at our convenience instead of every time we have to put on shoes!

As for the aesthetics, the outer part of the shoe is a very nice metallic fabric, and great quality. The inside is a cushiony soft material that will wear nicely. Finally, the traction sole is great and will help keep little ones steady.

Overall, we were very pleased with the shoe functionality and fit. I think you will be pleased with this shoe this season!

Please visit Zappos.com at this LINK to view the Enzo Francine shoe in further detail!

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LunaTagz

Posted by Professor on August 28, 2013
in Reviews, Safety, Uncategorized

LunaTagz genuine 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material reflect light from over 1,000 feet away! They’re specially formulated with a durable adhesive so that you can tag your clothes, sneakers, helmets, bikes, backpacks or any area that requires the safety illunination from street lamps, headlights or any beam of light.

OUR REVIEW:

This is really a wonderful product for ANYONE who is out in the evening…walking, bike riding, etc. Although we rarely ride bikes or walk around our neighborhood in the evening…we do occasionally walk our in laws dog in the evenings. I found that LunaTagz kept me at ease knowing that the children were wearing them while walking the dog… and would have some sort of reflection protection from cars. We tagged them on the back of the children’s shirts and one on the dog leash. They stuck really well. I wish I could show you and let you feel how strong the adhesive is… they are not falling off!

I must admit that the grey coloring had me a bit skeptical of their “illuminating” power…but they reflect tremendously! I would venture to say they are more powerful than a glow stick or a flashlight! We are definitely using these for Halloween!

I do have to say although the adhesive is quite powerful… LunaTagz does recommend sealing the product with an iron or sewing them on… I imagine this would be a good idea for extended or daily use.

LunaTagz come in a variety of patterns, which delighted my children. There were enough patterns for everyone! We received three packages of reflective patches…

doghouse with dog bone

peace signs

lightening bolts

… but there are many more to choose from at LunaTagz.com. They have three product categories … Pet lovers, Sports and everyday, and Halloween. In each package you get two reflective tags. Each package retails for 4.99…or you can buy a 4 pack for 14.99. They even have a larger variety pack of 5 LunaTagz for 19.99. Sign up with your name an email and get 15% off or use this special code Luna20 and receive 20% off! Lunatagz is also celebrating National Safety and is offering FREE Shipping! What a great incentive! Halloween is just around the corner… I will be ordering some…will you?

Make sure to visit their site for a complete line of product and instructions.

www.lunatagz.com

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OMG Nail Strips Review

Posted by Brande on August 27, 2013
in Deals, Fashion, Fun Stuff, Personal Care Products, Products for Mom, Reviews, SALES, Saving Money, Seasonal Stuff, Shopping, Uncategorized

Imagine having great nails that look expensive BUT, without the appointment and expense! OMG Nail Strips bring that to you at a low cost and it’s do it yourself at home! Hook me up, right?

These super easy nail adhesives are so much fun with little effort. Pick your favorite design from OMG Nail Strips; rather pick 4 of your favorite designs. There’s a sale going on right now 4 designs for $20.00! Tell me where you can go to get your nails done 4 times for $20.00? Not where I live.

OMG Nail Strips Review

They come in a strip with 12 sized strips. You need to make sure your nails are clean, apply a small amount of hand lotion. Wipe the excess and start applying the nail wraps. File the edges and you are ready to go! Yes, it’s that easy.

I wore them out to a picnic and one of my friends asked… “Do they really last?’” My answer was yes. After I applied OMG Nail Strips, I peeled and canned tomatoes. The strips lasted through the scald, cold bath and peeling tomatoes.

The strips last up to 10 days and come off very easy and there’s no drying time. For a mom & wife on the go these are great and very fun!

Click Here to visit OMG’s Nail Strip Website or visit their Facebook page.

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He’s All Boy Alpha Cards

Posted by 278Wife on August 26, 2013
in Education, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Kids Stuff, Parenting, Reviews, School, Uncategorized

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

As a mother, I am always on the lookout for fun, innovative ways to teach my kids important lessons and skills. Learning your ABC’s is especially important since it is the basis of reading. I started early teaching my son his letters, always looking for fun ways to teach him without him knowing he was “learning.” He’s All Boy has made this an easy task!

He’s All Boy Alpha Cards are not your ordinary flashcards. “A” is no longer for “Apples” and “B” is no longer for “Ball.” “A” is featured as an “alien” having an “accident” and “B” shows a “bear” picking his “booger.” These silly cards are gross and funny, a perfect mix for any boy and even girls.

I have found that when I relate things to my son, he is more likely to remember what I taught him. What better way than teaching him that “F” is for “fart” rather than “feather.” What will your child more likely remember? My son is really into the Ninja Turtles right now so his favorite card was “N” for “Naked Ninja.”

Every card he laughed out loud at, and when we went through the entire deck he wanted to do them again. These Alpha Cards are an absolute GREAT learning tool to get kids excited about their letters.

These cards are also nice because they are larger than most making them very kid-friendly. They are also thicker and have a shine to them so they would be easy to clean. He’s All Boy also sells a Matching Game and Vinyl Placemat which would be great for reinforcement! Overall, I highly recommend the He’s All Boy Alpha Cards to any mom. They are definitely fun for everyone playing. I’m not sure who laughed harder, my son or I!

www.he-is-all-boy.com

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My First Trip to Mariano’s in Chicago

Posted by html404 on August 20, 2013
in All Natural Products, Deals, Family Stuff, Food and Treats, Fun Stuff, Health and Nutrition, Money & Finances, Parenting, Reviews, SALES, Saving Money, Shopping, Things to Do in Chicago, Uncategorized

It takes a lot to feed our family of ten. A huge reason we started farming was to grow our own food because buying all organic food for a large family is soooo expensive! There is no way we could do it by shopping at Whole Foods. We try to buy as much organic as we can, but it’s not always possible due to our budget. Enter Mariano’s. We had seen bags with Mariano’s on them but until we shopped there we did not know anything about this store or that they offered organic produce.

My husband and I went out ALONE to Mariano’s in Jefferson Park, Chicago. It was a rare treat to be alone but it was also a treat to go into the city for a change. We looked forward to purchasing organic milk, natural products and organic produce. First we went to Whole Foods in Sauganash, Chicago, then we went to Mariano’s in Jefferson Park. The stores are literally only a couple miles apart. We bought the exact same items at each store. The goal was to see how much money we could save by shopping at Mariano’s for organic produce and all natural products.

Mariano’s in Jefferson Park

Mariano’s in Jefferson Park is a large spacious store. There was lots of room to maneuver aisles, even though there were lots of people in the store. It was pretty easy to find everything. The only thing we couldn’t find right away was Kombucha but we found it just before we checked out because I almost forgot to buy it!

Shopping at Mariano’s was a good experience for us in that we discovered a new store we can shop for organic produce and all natural products our family loves and enjoys and SAVE money, which makes my hubby very happy!

Here’s a list of items we bought:

Organic Valley Milk
1-1.5 lbs Organic Tomatoes
2 lbs Organic Carrots
2 lbs Organic Blueberries
2 pkg.Applegate Organic Bacon
1 bottle of Kombucha (fermented tea that is carbonated)

Below is our receipts from both stores to show you how much we saved by shopping for organic produce at Mariano’s. We saved a whopping $12.24! We were impressed.

This past weekend was customer appreciation at Mariano’s. In celebration of this they featured over 3,000 roses on display at all stores – just $1 each. Over 100 varieties – a rainbow of color and called it their Rose Extravaganza! It was truly a gorgeous display of roses. Robert and I loved looking at the roses and we even took time to stop and smell them.

Customer appreciation at Mariano’s includes a FREE rewards card with the potential to earn rewards!

We are looking forward to shopping at Mariano’s again in the future.

Please mark your calendars because you are invited to Mariano’s Twitter Party which will be on Thursday, August 29, from 12-1pm CT/1-2 pm ET RSVP link: http://cbi.as/5bh5f #cbias #MyMarianos. Consider “liking” them on Facebook as well.

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Wallaby Organic Kefir

Posted by html404 on August 20, 2013
in All Natural Products, Family Stuff, Food and Treats, Health, Health and Nutrition, Home, Organic, Reviews, Uncategorized

What is Kefir

Kefir is an ancient beverage that is packed full of wonderfully good stuff! This is what the National Kefir Association says (I didn’t even know there was such an association for kefir!). I thought this information was interesting and I learned a few things:

The name Kefir comes from the Turkish word “keif” – meaning “good feeling” – for the sense of well-being experienced after drinking it.

Kefir is often compared to yogurt, because they have similar tastes and both contain live and active probiotic cultures, which support immunity and ease digestion. One difference between the two is that Kefir is a drink, so it can be enjoyed on the go. But the biggest difference is that Kefir contains three times the amount of probiotic cultures typically found in yogurt – Kefir usually has around 10 – which means a bigger benefit for your digestive and immune systems. Kefir is also an excellent source of protein, calcium and fiber. Plus, it’s gluten-free, 99% lactose-free and comes in many different flavors, as well as lowfat, nonfat and low-carb versions, so even the pickiest eaters can enjoy the health benefits of Kefir.

Wallaby Organic Kefir

When there is food in the house to review I have to take photos right away. I did this with this review, but what I forgot to do was take photos of the actual kefir and of someone drinking it! If I don’t do it right away, it gets eaten or gobbled up before I even get a chance. This is what happened with the Wallaby Organic Kefir….until….my older daughter found the second bottle of strawberry! So she got to be my model!

We all love yogurt and amazingly all the children love kefir too, especially Wallaby Organic Kefir. We got the strawberry and vanilla flavored, but it comes in two additional flavors of blueberry and plain. We downed it. It was thick, tasty and over all very good. There are definite advantages to training your children’s palate to healthy food. Once their taste buds get accustomed to it they will usually eat anything good set before them. There are exceptions to this of course, as we all have our own unique likes and dislikes.

When Wallaby Organic Kefir says it is creamy, they are not lying, it truly is creamy. It also contains 12 different strains of Live and Active Kefir cultures and boasts the health benefits listed above from the National Kefir Association. The organic milk comes from local farms in California.

I really do not have anything negative to say about this kefir. It was a little hard to find so don’t go by the store locator unless it specifically states the stores carry kefir. I went to Jewel, which carries Wallaby Organic Yogurt, but it did not carry the kefir. My husband went to Whole Foods for it.

Two thumbs up from us!

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Fabio Viviani Comfort Mat by Smart Step Home Review & Giveaway

Posted by Brande on August 16, 2013
in Appliances, Home, Houseware, Products for Dad, Products for Mom, Reviews, Shopping, Uncategorized

What’s one of the worst things about washing dishes, baking, canning, or folding? Standing on the hard floor! By the time I get out the kitchen my back is aching and my feet are barking.

Fabio Viviani Comfort Mat by Smart Step Home Review

I was super excited to review Chef Fabio Viviani Comfort Mats by Smart Step Home. The first time I stepped onto the mat it was a dream to my feet. This nearly indestructible mat will not curl and is trip resistant. It is puncture, heat and stain resistant and is non-toxic. In addition it is super easy to clean and is non-skid.

In this picture you can see I do my kitchen work in heels. lol…….nah. I’m just showing you how thick this mat is. I’m putting my weigh into the heel of this shoe, the product did not puncture. When I got off the mat, it popped right back in place, you didn’t see when I dug my heel into it. I LOVE IT!

Here’s what Smart Step Home says about the comfort of their mats….

“Our proprietary polyurethane composite (STP) effectively suspends body weight and reduces the impact on the back, legs, and feet, while encouraging proprioception (rebalancing). The result is consistent comfort, improved circulation and less fatigue on joints, limbs and muscles.”

I have been using my mat for the past few days and my body doesn’t have the aches as it did last week. I highly recommend this Smart Step Home Mat for people who stand most of the day. I have a friend that owns a flower shop and she is planning on buying them for her shop.

It’s available in a few different colors and also comes in a 6 foot size! Click here to order yours today!

Fabio Viviani Comfort Mat Giveaway!

Now you can enter to win one of your very own Fabio Viviani Comfort Mat in the giveaway form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Kids II Taggies Bedding and Bouncer

Posted by 278Wife on August 15, 2013
in Baby Products, Bedding, Gift Ideas, Kids Stuff, Reviews, Shopping, Uncategorized

This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Kids II. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Kids II Taggies Bedding Review

My four month old daughter LOVES touching and feeling different textures. The Taggies Owl Crib Bedding Collection arrived at a perfect time for her to really explore. The 4 Piece Crib Set contains a brightly colored polka dot crib sheet, a matching diaper stacker with an owl perched on top, an adorable owl and polka dot textured comforter, and a coordinating cribskirt.

When I put the polka dotted sheet in the crib and laid my daughter on her tummy on it, she was enthralled!

She probably stared at all of the dots for ten minutes straight. I don’t cover her up in her bed, so I use the comforter for tummy time. She had a ball, touching all of the polka dots, and looking at the whimsical owls. Her favorite part of the comforter were all of the “Taggies” placed around it. The tags are satin-like and of all different colors.

The Taggies Owl Comforter has now become her new favorite tummy time spot! I loved how soft the materials were and that it is machine washable. The colors are so bright, yet very soothing at the same time. It is a perfect bedding set for any little girl. My daughter sure enjoys it!

The Taggies Owl Crib Bedding Collection can be purchased at Buy Buy Baby.

Taggies Soft ‘N Snug Bouncer Review

My daughter is one of those babies that likes to be held at all times. It’s very cute at times, but not when I want to get something accomplished! I was very anxious to try the Taggies Soft ‘N Snug Bouncer. First of all, it was super easy to put together, it took less than five minutes. The only tool required is a screwdriver to put the batteries in.

This bouncer is very unique in that it has two positions so it can either be upright or reclined. This is great if you wanted to use it for when your baby takes naps.

It features hanging plush animal toys, and a Peek-A-Boo blanket. The bouncer has a removable headrest and a sunshade, too. I love that it has music and vibration, and that you can use them singly or simultaneously. When I put my daughter in it, she loved it right away. I think she felt very secure. She loved batting at the hanging toys and feeling all of the “Taggies” all around the bouncer. Her favorite, though, was the Peek-A-Boo blanket. She loved snuggling it and looking at all of the brightly colored tags. She didn’t care too much for the vibrations, but she enjoyed listening to the music.

The bouncer is very lightweight, yet sturdy. It is one of the nicer ones I have seen. I would highly recommend the Taggies Soft ‘N Snug Bouncer. It has so many great features and my daughter loves it!

The Taggies Soft ‘N Snug Bouncer can be purchased at Babies ‘R Us

To see all of the many great Taggies products go to their website here.

Check Taggies out on Facebook.

See the Taggies Instagram Page.

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The Backyard Safari Outfitters Review

Posted by html404 on August 14, 2013
in Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Kids Stuff, Kids Toys, Reviews, Uncategorized

Our children love to play outside. I love that they have the freedom to play outside when they want and they have the space to roam freely over our property. They make up their own games and create their own “toys” and “weapons” for whatever animal or battle they are fighting.

The Backyard Safari Outfitters offers some wonderfully fun products for kids who love to explore, be outside and examine nature up close.

The Backyard Safari Outfitters Review

We received a Magnifying Glass, a The Critter Shack, The Essential Cargo Vest, Mini Lantern and Scoop Net from The Backyard Safari Outfitters. Our children loves the products and have been having a blast with them catching lightening bugs, butterflies and even baby chicks with the scoop net! They look so cute dressed up in The Essential Cargo Vest.

All of the products are holding up surprisingly well considering we have five children making use of them. Even the scoop net has withstood chick catching. It has come apart but not broke. The mini lantern even came with batteries in it. I was impressed, as most battery operated toys do not come with batteries.

The Essential Cargo Vest has so many hooks and pockets, I am sure all of The Backyard Safari Outfitters products could be clipped or carried in it! It was great to see the children make use of the hooks so they could hang the lantern, pocket the magnifying glass and have their hands free to carry their scoop net and critter shack. Very inventive.

We are very pleased with The Backyard Safari Outfitters products and would like to try more of their products in the future. Two thumbs up from us!

Visit www.backyardsafari.com for more information or to shop their products.

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Archive for Reviews

Carole P. Roman Book Series

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Back to School with Enzo Francine Shoes

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LunaTagz

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OMG Nail Strips Review

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He’s All Boy Alpha Cards

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My First Trip to Mariano’s in Chicago

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Wallaby Organic Kefir

What is Kefir

Wallaby Organic Kefir

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Fabio Viviani Comfort Mat by Smart Step Home Review & Giveaway

Fabio Viviani Comfort Mat by Smart Step Home Review

Fabio Viviani Comfort Mat Giveaway!

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Kids II Taggies Bedding and Bouncer

Kids II Taggies Bedding Review

Taggies Soft ‘N Snug Bouncer Review

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The Backyard Safari Outfitters Review

The Backyard Safari Outfitters Review

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