Holiday Gift Guide: The Sharper Image

My husband loves to use the grill (and smoker) and I love it too! It means I don't have to cook and I don't have to clean! But my husband does, since the grill is his domain. I don't like to stand over a grill and cook because I think a grill is icky and I don't like the idea of burning and scraping the grates and then cooking on them. Are they ever clean enough? I always wash my pots and pans in the kitchen sink and sanitize them in the dishwasher. I still eat my husband's grilled food because I can't resist, but I do avoid watching him cook! Recently I found a product that did more than scrape and I had to share! The Grill Daddy Grill Cleaner is the only grill brush that gets your grill restaurant clean with the power of steam. The Grill Daddy grill cleaning brush uses a powerful stream of sterilizing steam to melt away cooked on grease and charred foods. Just preheat your grill, fill the Grill Daddy Grill Cleaner with water and turn the switch for steam. The combination of steel bristles and sterilizing steam clean your grill like no ordinary grill brush or grill-cleaning tool ever will. Heavy duty aluminum alloy construction means it's built to last! It's great and it even comes with a replacement brush! Get yours at The Sharper Image. It's great for the outdoor cook that has it all, or at least, almost has it all!
Disclosure: I was sent product in order to complete this feature. No monetary compensation received.

Holiday Gift Guide: LED Kitchen Garden!

 I have a windowless kitchen. I really wish I had more light and if I had a way to change it, I would. I have a few plants around my sink because I miss looking out my window and seeing green. It helps, but my thumb isn't very green and my plants are starving for the "right" light. A few years ago, I ordered a hydroponic garden because it really solved my problems. I realized soon after, it came with it's own set of problems.

First, I was limited with my seed choices and each time I replanted, I had to order special pods. The main problem had to be the roots. Hydroponic gardens do not use soil. Instead, water is circulated over the roots. When the roots invaded my pump, it was a mess and I eventually grew tired of taking it apart to clean the pump. A few weeks ago, I found a product that really caught my eye. Sonnylight LED Kitchen Garden does everything except water my plants and I can live with that! When I saw it on the website, it looked nice. It looked so much nicer in person! First thing we noticed were the beautiful lights! There are so many!

Here's the technical details:

Dimensions of Counter-Top Unit 14 inches deep X 23 inches wide

Nursery Tray-Standard 10" x 20" tray included

Power Supply Voltage-110V or 240V a/c 50~60 Hertz

Voltage at Hood-12V D/C

Power Consumption-15 watts

Other Power Source-12 volt DC car battery, optional cable adapter available

Number of LEDs-144 8mm LEDs

LED Colors: 5 colors - Purple, Blue, Green, Orange/Red, Red and White

Light Source-144 8mm LEDs w/optimized light wavelengths for rapid plant growth

Software Controlled-Yes, selectable Time of Day, Sunrise-Sunset, 5 plant types. 3 grow phases or auto grow selection

Light Source Life-Approximately 75,000 hours or 15 years

% Light Source Utilized-Greater than 95%

Cost to Operate: Approximately $10.40 annually

Maintenance Required-None…just water your plants, dust off the assembly

Shipping: Packaging Cardboard package, protective cotton bags and recycled pulp for layered gardening

Number of Plants: 1 to 72 plants at anytime dependent on tray type

Transplantable Plants-Plants can be transplanted

Seed Offered-Heirloom & Organic only

Is It Organic? Customer’s choice to utilize organic soil, fertilizer & seeds

Toxic Materials-None

Recyclable-All elements can be recycled

While I haven't had mine long enough to really grow anything, I can say it is very easy to set up and use. After opening the box, I noticed the contents were packed with care inside soft cotton bags. It was a nice touch! The light is beautiful and the unit is sleek. The tray is large enough for medium pots or plant gardens and I am thinking about starting a herb garden soon. The light is easily raised and lowered and it's easy to clean. It's well made and I don't have to buy certain seed or plants to have a garden. It cost very little to operate and I don't think I will be replacing pumps or costly lights. While the unit would seem costly to some, you'll save money over time because operating and maintenance costs are so low. As long as I can keep my plants watered, my garden will be beautiful! I will keep you posted on my little garden. Look for more posts soon!

Disclosure: I was sent a unit in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Holiday Gift Guide: Home For Christmas

I remember my first Lush experience. It was incredible! Since then, I have always splurged on bubble bars and bath bombs around the holidays. It helps with the stress and it's a treat for my skin. I recently received Home For Christmas and I thinks it's great for bath lovers like me! It's a beautifully wrapped gift containing:
Three Gold Rings Bubble Bar 3.5 oz 
Gingerbread House Bubble Bar 3.5 oz
Christmas Eve Bubble Bar 3.5 oz
Honey I Washed The Kids Soap 3.5 oz.
It's Raining Men Shower Gel 3.3 fl oz
Li'l LUSH Pud Bath Bomb 3.1 oz
Dream Cream
The Bubble Bars are great because you can break off just what you need. Home For Christmas is inspired by the song it is named after, and this gift contains all the fragrances that remind us of being home during the holidays. The smell of fresh-baked gingerbread cookies is to be found in their Gingerbread House Bubble Bar, while Cinders provides a warming, cinnamon bath when we don't have a hearth to cozy up to. Whether you are giving this to someone who is home for the holidays, or far away, this gift will be sure to warm hearts and soften skin. Their best-selling, soothing Dream Cream body lotion is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. If you haven't tried Lush products, you are missing out!
Disclosure: I was sent this LUSH gift in exchange for this post. No monetary compensation received.

Holiday Gift Guide: Cleanse And Glow... For The Holidays!

I've tried several products from Juice Beauty in the past. I liked them all, especially their Green Apple Peel! Their SPF 8 Lip Moisturizer is also pretty awesome! A few weeks ago, I received a Cleanse & Go Kit. It's a great travel kit because it contains the essentials:

• Cleansing Milk
• Antioxidant Serum
• Reflecting Gloss, Fig

It's perfect for adults, children, and teens with normal, dry, or sensitive skin. Cleansing Milk is a creamy formula that deeply cleanses and removes all makeup with organic grape seed and sunflower oils, while soothing normal, aging, or sensitive skin with organic juices, chamomile and calendula. It's a daily essential perfect for cleansing and removing makeup. It didn't strip my skin and my face was left feeling refreshed after use! The Antioxidant Serum is clinically proven to prevent free radical skin cell damage up to 85%. This lightweight serum will feed your skin with vitamins and antioxidants from organic juices. It moisturizes with fatty acid-packed plant oils and smoothes fine lines with peptides, alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10. My face actually looked more vibrant! I love it! The Reflecting Gloss (in Fig) is a great color for most. It will give your lips the most brilliant shine on earth. The combination of antioxidant-rich berries, minerals and sweet agave will wrap your lips in radiant color. The gloss tastes great and it goes on smooth. It doesn't peel off or chap my lips. Cleanse & Go is a great kit because it retails for $48. The Antioxidant Serum alone sells for $45. It's like getting the Cleansing Milk and Reflecting Gloss free! If you haven't tried Juice Beauty products, give them a chance. I like using organic products when I know they'll work and the Cleanse & Go is a great kit to get you started!
Disclosure: Juice Beauty sent a Cleanse & Go Kit for me to try. No monetary compensation received. Honest opinions given.

Holiday Gift Guide: Tortuga Rum Company-They're On My Wish List!

I love holiday cakes and I can say my favorite is the Tortuga Rum Company's Original Rum Cake with walnuts. As much as I love chocolate, no chocolate cake I've had comes close. If you haven't tried one, check them out! They have several different flavors, including my second favorite, Chocolate Rum Cake! Our World Famous Tortuga "Golden Original" Rum Cakes with Walnuts are baked fresh daily in the Cayman Islands with only the finest natural ingredients, including imported walnuts. The only preservative used is our specially blended "5-year-old", oak barrel aged Tortuga Gold Rum. Each cake is individually hand glazed then vacuum packed, ensuring a shelf life of 6 months, or indefinitely if refrigerated or frozen. The cakes are so moist and the flavor is amazing. The walnuts are softened and they're my favorite part of the cake! The Chocolate Rum Cake is missing the walnuts. If they topped the cake, it would probably tie for first place! They're affordable too! Send a large cake to any US resident for under $33! Hint-If you were looking for something to get me this year for Christmas, this is it! Tortuga Rum Company also has other great products including fudge, coffee, rum treats and gift sets. The cakes would make great host/hostess gifts and gifts for family and friends. Your co-workers would appreciate them, and it's a great way to celebrate your own holiday! Just order an assortment for those special gatherings! Everyone will look forward to them each and every year.  Be sure to follow Tortuga on Facebook for special promotions and other Tortuga news!
Disclosure: I was sent cakes in order to complete this review. If you happen to buy one and you don't like it (I can't imagine why you wouldn't) feel free to send it to me!

Holiday Gift Guide: PaloVia!

I am a big fan of microdermabrasion, chemical peels, collagen, and Botox. I've had them all before and I know I'd do it all again...someday. I'm 36 and I am just starting to get a few lines around my eyes. I hate using retinol creams because they really irritate and dry out my skin. Recently, I tried another option and I am thrilled with the results! I was sent a PaloVia Skin Renewing Laser to use and I began seeing results after two weeks. I'll be taking after pictures soon-stay tuned for my results! The PaloVia Laser is unlike lotions and creams, which are most effective on the skin's outer layer. The PaloVia laser for eye wrinkles also works below the surface where wrinkles form. Short pulses of micro-fine laser light reach deeply into the skin's sub-layers, treating the aging support structure. Then the body's natural healing process sweeps away older, damaged tissue and rebuilds it with fresh, new collagen and elastin- the crucial building blocks of smooth, youthful skin. It's better for the lines around my eyes (in my opinion) than fillers and Botox because those need to be repeated every 6 months or so and they can be much more painful! Each 3 - 4 minute treatment with the PaloVia laser affects only a fraction of the skin. Although that may not seem like much, this technique keeps the outer layer of skin in place, for faster healing and recovery. Over 30 successive days, the coverage builds as more of the skin is treated. The results are natural-looking, but dramatic. Because, remember, with each laser treatment for eye wrinkles, the PaloVia laser does what no other cream, lotion, filler or injectable can – stimulate the healthy generation of new collagen and elastin to reverse the signs of aging.

Does it hurt? Not really. I've used laser hair removal so I knew what to expect. It feels like a rubberband snapping your skin. It gets better over time, as you grow accustomed to the treatments.

To use, follow these steps:

Preparation

Cleanse the skin around your eyes and make sure it is completely dry. Apply a thin layer of PaloVia Pre-Treatment Gel around both eyes.
Treatment

Starting with the area beside your eye, treat each wrinkle with a series of 3-second "application stamps." The first application stamp should be at the start of the wrinkle nearest to the eye. In general, you will use 6-8 applications around each eye.

Post-Treatment

After treatment, you should continue to use moisturizing skincare products. Daily use of a sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater is also strongly recommended.

*The PaloVia Skin Renewing Laser has been FDA-cleared to treat fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes (periorbital wrinkles).

Each treatment (including pre and post treatment) took less than fifteen minutes, start to finish! My skin was red after each use. I took a cool facial cloth and held it under my eyes for about five minutes the first three times I used the laser. This took some of the sting away and it helped with the redness. The pain was gone within ten minutes and the redness was gone within a few hours. Keep in mind, my skin is fair and sensitive! While using the PaloVia Laser, the "pain" was bearable and it didn't compare to the pain I've experienced with Botox (on my forehead and between my eyes) which felt like an attack by bees. I am really excited about my results and I will be posting updates again soon!

Disclosure: I was sent the PaloVia Laser in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received.

Holiday Gift Guide: Gardener's Supply Company

We love to entertain, especially during the holidays. My husband creates great meals (with my help of course!) but he is always a little late getting everything out of the kitchen. I always make sure we have plenty of appetizers to keep everyone happy. We have always wanted a wood tray or board for serving. When I saw this Teak Serving Board from Gardener's Supply Company, I had to have it. It's a slice of teak and it is so nice! Simple and beautiful, this crosscut teak serving board reveals intriguing patterns of growth rings, each representing one year in the life of the tree. It's handcrafted in Costa Rica from sustainably harvested teak and each purchase helps protect and restore tropical ecosystems. The board is generously sized and the perfect serving board for appetizers, cheeses and more! Ours is beautiful on top and bottom. There is one small, filled hole (in the middle of the board) and yours may or may not have similar irregularities. I think this adds to it's beauty and I love that each is unique! The teak is as smooth as silk. The edges are also smooth and just as beautiful as the top (or bottom) of the board. It can be used for cutting, but I wouldn't dare! It's easy to maintain and a small amount of food safe oil really brings out the luster of the teak! I am really looking forward to our upcoming parties when I can finally serve cheese and other appetizers on this beautiful board. It's large enough to hold an assortment of appetizers for a small crowd! It's also the perfect $50 gift for anyone who loves to entertain!
Disclosure: I received this board in order to complete this review. No monetary compensation received and honest opinions given.

Holiday Gift Guide: Time 4 Learning

We homeschool our kids and we have been using books and workbooks for most of our lessons. This year, I changed things up a bit and Logan is thrilled! When I purchased Logan's Math program, I bought an internet/workbook combination so he could have more computer experience. He loved it so much, I began searching for an online program that would supplement his lessons. I searched everywhere and almost settled on one program before finding Time 4 Learning. Logan has been using it for over a month. After he completes a lesson, I can go back and see how he did! Time4Learning is a new approach that takes advantage of today's technology. It's a convenient, online home education program that combines learning with fun educational teaching games. It can be used as a primary homeschool source or as a supplement.The online language arts and math comprise a comprehensive program for preschool, elementary school, and middle school. Science and social studies programs are provided as a free bonus for most grades. Logan loves using the computer to learn and to develop his skills. It allows him the opportunity to study independently and to progress at his own pace. The program tracks progress and helps Logan advance along individualized learning paths. He can master the skills and concepts needed for academic success. If you have a child with math and reading skills at different grade levels, it's not a problem! When you register, you can pick up to three grade levels and your child can advance after mastering the lessons. My favorite part of the program? Logan is happy and looks forward to his lessons. If your child is homeschooled or attends traditional schools, consider Time 4 Learning. It is a wonderful tutor or supplement. I would even consider it for a primary source for our homeschool lessons. It's a little early for me to make that decision, but I am really happy with the program. Logan loves the graphics and having an "alternative" teacher may come in handy. The parent's forum is a great asset and the program costs us less than $15/month.


Want to know more? Check out their site!

Time4Learning for Homeschool, Afterschool, or Summer Use


The Time4Learning curriculum can be the foundation of a homeschool program. Many homeschool families use Time4Learning as core curriculum in one or more subjects. Others families use Time4Learning to supplement other homeschool curriculum with a fun, interactive reinforcement of the day's lessons. Families with children in public or private schools use Time4Learning afterschool as an alternative to tutoring, learning centers, or supplementary workbooks. Time4Learning is also popular as a summer skills sharpener or in place of attending summer school.

An Online, Interactive Curriculum Proven Effective in Teaching Millions of Students Just Like Yours

The Time4Learning program has been refined through years of feedback from educators, parents, and students. Animated lessons are followed by interactive activities, printable worksheets, and assessments to assure a student's mastery of skills. The lessons teach the concepts that build a solid foundation and the exercises refine the skills and habits that provide ongoing success.
The Time4Learning educational software partner is CompassLearning®, which provides a standards-based online education curriculum for millions of students in school districts across the U.S.
Language Arts/English Programs

The Time4Learning language arts program teaches and improves phonemic awareness (reading readiness), phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension in the lower elementary level. In upper elementary and middle school, the language arts program emphasizes reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, punctuation, word roots, literary analysis, and critical thinking. View our language arts curriculum overview page.

Learn-to-Read Programs


Learning to read is an exciting time for children and their families. While thrilled by their children's emerging literacy and reading skills, many parents are surprised to learn that reading is not automatic and that regardless of family background, children require support in learning to read and developing strong language arts skills. Most adults forget that acquiring reading skills required skilled instruction. Time4Learning starts with phonemic awareness, advances to phonics and then on to solid reading comprehension skills.
Math Programs

The Time4Learning student-paced, fun approach to math can help children overcome any anxiety by building solid math skills at their speed. The Time4Learning integrated system blends conceptual explanations, learning activities and games, loads of practice for reinforcement, and ongoing assessment. Our "learn math" program offers children the opportunity to explore the world of math through hands-on, real world simulations. As kids build proficiency in a safe, supportive environment, they become "good at math". Gifted math students appreciate that Time4Learning lets them move forward at their own pace and advance grades by individual subjects. Visit our math or algebra curriculum overview page, or read about conquering math anxiety.

Science and Social Studies

Time4Learning includes a science and social studies program as a bonus in most grades. The science lessons cover life science, physical science, geology, astronomy, weather, life cycles, biology, sound, light, matter, and energy. The social studies lessons bring to life a range of topics including ancient history and civilizations, modern history, geography, civics instruction, and political science.
Homeschooling Curriculum

There are many different reasons to homeschool. Homeschooling parents share some common problems, including organizing their children's curriculum and scheduling their family's time. The Time4Learning self-running curriculum can provide the basis of a homeschool program or can supplement other programs with an enriching, easy-to-use program ensuring that the basics are covered, allowing more time to explore student-directed subjects.

Enrichment for Remediation, Special Needs, Afterschool, or Summer School

Many children benefit from supplementary tutoring to help them keep up, to engage more fully in their studies, or to provide them with an extra challenge. The Time4Learning interactive curriculum is an engaging approach to supplementary learning. Why drive to a tutoring center or make your children struggle with workbooks when Time4Learning provides effective, fun learning at home?
Fun, Effective, Easy-to-use Online Learning

Time4Learning provides interactive curriculum with printable worksheets for reinforcement, has a low monthly price, does not require a long term contract, and even provides a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can make sure that it works for your kids! Start using it today; registration takes minutes. Or, to learn more, you can experience for yourself our sample lessons, review the complete lesson plans, or discuss your questions with other parents online. But don't wait too long, your child's education is at stake. Time4Learning has helped thousands of children.


Grandparents and parents, this is a great gift that keeps giving! As we use the program more, I'll keep you updated. So far, we're really happy with the program!

Disclosure: As a member of Time4Learning, I have been asked to review their online education program and share my experiences. While I was compensated, this review was not written or edited by Time4Learning and my opinion is entirely my own. Write your own curriculum review or learn how to use their curriculum for homeschool, after school study or summer learning.

Holiday Gift Guide: Get Fresh... For The Holidays!

 I really look forward to having "me" time. Because I am always home with the kids (we homeschool) I look forward to evenings when I can be alone with my thoughts. I enjoy using products that do double duty. I want them to pamper my skin and help me relax and enjoy my time. Recently, I was treated to products from Get Fresh. They created a deliciously scented Warrior Princess! Warrior Princess is a line of wonderfully smelling, botanically based bath & body products that have a luscious profusion of Blackberry and Vanilla, spiked with a zesty hint of lemon, bergamot and peach. Warrior Princess products are dedicated to helping the men and women in the United States Military who have sustained physical and/or psychological wounds while protecting our freedoms every day, and they contain no parabens, no synthetic dyes and no sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates.I tried their line of Warrior Princess bath and body products and fell in love with the scent of Blackberry Vanilla. It smelled good enough to eat! Overall, it is very fruity and sweet. It's long lasting and not overpowering. The Creamy Body Wash didn't dry my skin and the Sugar Body Scrub worked well. My skin, which is normally dry (even after using "moisturizing products") during Winter, was moisturized and glowing! I love the Rich Body Creme! I was velvety soft after each use! That's not all. I couldn't stop rubbing my hands together because they were so soft, even after washing dishes! The Nourishing Hand Creme works miracles! I really need to buy a bottle to put next to my kitchen sink. I usually try products to review on my blog and move on, but this is a line that I will be buying in the future. I love it! I only wished they offered a linen or room spray in this fragrance!

 I also tried the Kyoto Bubble Bath. The bottle is gorgeous (and beautifully boxed) and it would make a stunning gift. It's Black Current scented and very luxurious. It produces a lot of bubbles and it softened my skin. The scent didn't linger on my skin as long as I would have liked, but is was a great aromatherapy experience. It's a large bottle and since it's priced under $30, it's a product that I would buy in the future. I would probably pick out a different scent next time, though. Kyoto was good, but the candle I reviewed was better and that scent is available as a bubble bath! The Paris Scented Soy Candle, White Fleurs, is intoxicating! I burned it for hours at a time and it lasted over a week. I dipped my fingertips into the melted candle and rubbed it into my hands and enjoyed my wonderful "bonus"! The candle scented my entire living and dining rooms and it was enjoyed by all. Even the guys in my life didn't have a problem with it being too girlie. Even if they did, I would (and will) get this again. It was exceptional!

I also received the Baby Keepsakes Travel & Storage Bag. It is really lovely and the perfect wrapping for a special baby gift! It's a generous size and it will hold a special stuffed toy or other keepsake. It's also large enough for diapers/wipes and clothes for a short weekend trip. Get Fresh is dedicated to raising both money for and awareness of the Wounded Warrior Project. WWP aims to help returning soldiers who have physical and/or psychological injuries reintegrate successfully back into our society so they may have the wonderful, fulfilling and happy lives that they certainly deserve, especially after sacrificing so much for our own freedoms. Get Fresh donates 10% of all sales to the WWP and are slowly transitioning their entire company to be a company of service, making sure that in the near future everything that is purchased here will help a fellow human being somewhere else. Check them out!

Girls under 7 should avoid (or limit) bubble baths due to increased risk of urinary tract (or other) infections and irritations. Use with caution.

Disclosure: I was sent these products in order to complete this review. I have a new favorite candle scent and a new bath and body fragrance thanks to this review! I highly recommend giving them a try! Only honest opinions given.

Holiday Gift Guide: Crayola (Giveaway!)

We love Crayola products and my children always end up with at least one or two under the tree each year. One of those items is usually a box of crayons. This year, I'm still giving crayons, but it will be a smaller box. Logan is getting a Glow Book which means he will be wearing out markers instead of crayons! I've given him the board and globe in the past and he always loves them. The new Crayola Glow Book has four layers which means he can get even more creative with his designs this year! Winner of the Family Fun magazine Toy of the Year Award for 2011, the Crayola Color Explosion Glow Animator gives him the option to draw on a stack of five clear plates – with six brightly colored markers – for colorful, multi-layered effects. Variable light settings combine with these special markers and his imagination to create cool glowing, animated creations. It requires 3 AA batteries (not included) and it's recommended for ages 6 and up.

Includes:

■Glow book with 4 drawing surfaces

■4 animation tracing guides

■6 glow markers


I am giving away one Glow Book to a lucky US resident!  To enter this giveaway, visit Crayola and tell me your favorite Crayola product! Leave your answer in a comment below! Bonus entries: Blog or tweet about this giveaway for three bonus entries! Follow me on Google/Networked Blogs/Facebook/Twitter for one entry each follow. Links are on my sidebar. You can also follow my blog, Away We Go, with Google/GFC for one extra entry! Giveaway ends midnight December 12, 2011! Good luck!

Disclosure: I was sent this product in order to complete my review. Honest opinions given and no monetary compensation received. Giveaway provided by Crayola or representing PR firm. Winner has two days to respond to my email. If response is not received, and alternate winner will be chosen.