Chewy.com August Pick: Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe Canned Dog Food

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Chewy.com is your one-stop shop for all things cat and dog!  One of the fantastic products you can find at Chewy.com is from Whole Earth Farms:

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Canned Food

Pet parents will take great pride in feeding their dogs Whole Earth Farms, a wholesome line of naturally nutritious dog food that offers all the goodness from the earth at a good value. All Whole Earth Farms kibble and canned recipes are made in the USA with high quality, natural ingredients that deliver complete and balanced nutrition. Now with more high quality protein, Whole Earth Farms is the good choice for pet parents interested in exploring natural pet food.

Jessie really enjoyed this canned food.  I love knowing I'm feeding her high quality ingredients that are USA made.  If you're looking for a natural canned food, check out Whole Earth Farm's options!

You can find Whole Earth Farms canned food at Chewy.com for $20.08 for a case of 12 12.7 oz cans.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

PercyVites and Cakes.com Come Together to Create the Perfect Party Planning Experience!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

PercyVites offers FUN & UNIQUE personalized video invites and thank you cards.

PercyVites, the innovative digital party platform, continues to grow and add new licenses to their premium digital invitations roster enhancing their personalized video invites shop.   Popular licenses including Shopkins, Little Charmers, Lalaloopsy, Caillou, Franklin, Monster Jam, Octonauts and Pocoyo are now available for use for your party planning. The various entertaining animated series offer guests a personalized and unique method of receiving a party invitation.  PercyVites allows users to immerse their child into the world of their favorite character or create themed adult video invitations perfect for any party or occasion. 

One of the fun party themes from PercyVites features Little Charmers! 

Charm your guests with Little Charmers and plan the perfect celebration with PercyVites personalized video invitations with help from Cakes.com cake decoration tools!

PercyVites offers quick, convenient and efficient party planning all with a click of a button and Cakes.com provides the tools needed to create your dream cake along with delicious cake decor.

Nobody loves a party more than PercyVites and Cakes.com – so they have come together to make party planning easier than ever by offering convenient services and tools to help plan the perfect celebration and bring your party to life.

PercyVites is a really cool service!  They offer lots of great animated invitations that can be personalized for each guest.  If you are doing a cartoon-themed party, odds are they've got the perfect, budget-friendly invitation. 

Cakes.com offers the best decorating tools and supplies to make every cake a huge hit!  The website is easy to navigate, letting you shop by product or occasion and even offers tons of easy-to-follow ideas if you need a little inspiration:)

I'd highly recommend this dynamic duo when planning your next party!

 Click to start planning your next party with PercyVites!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Surprizamals Series 1 Cuties for Back-to-School!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

New from the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company, Series 1 Cuties are making their debut just in time for back-to-school!

 

With 12 mini pop out play friends to collect like Luke the Lion, Ella the Elephant and a super secret Surprizamal, these teeny-tiny, adorable stuffed animals can’t wait to meet you! Hiding in itty-bitty “Surprizaballs”, Cuties are a pint-sized surprise to discover each time you pop one open!

My kiddos love blind bags and surprise toys, so Surprizamals were a huge hit.  These adorable little plushies are soft and cuddly...perfect for pocket-sized fun!

Retailing for $4.90 these cuties will be exclusively available at StuffedAnimals.com and Justice Fall 2016.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

#LEGOkidsfest is Coming to Houston Oct 21-23! + Giveaway

Did you know that more than 400 billion LEGO bricks have been produced since 1949?  This is the kind of cool information you know if you live in a LEGO obsessed house like I do:)  We were fortunate enough to get to attend last year's LEGO KidsFest in Austin and it was a blast for the whole family!  This year, the award-winning LEGO KidsFest returns to Houston, TX!

Get ready for new activities and popular favorites featured in this interactive event!  The award-winning LEGO KidsFest Texas returns to Houston's NRG Center from Oct. 21 - 23, 2016. Those who attended the previous show can once again expect hands-on building, creative experiences and one-of-a-kind activities. Children of all ages and builders of all skills and levels are welcome. LEGO KidsFest features dozens of new activities and popular favorites on the three-acre show floor. New activities for this year's visit include LEGO Mindstorms, LEGO Movie, LEGO Disney Princess, the Mixels, a LEGO Superheroes area and more. 

Once again, show-goers can enjoy the LEGO Model Museum, Race Ramps, Creation Nation, Construction Zone, LEGO DUPLO, LEGO Retail store and LEGO KidsFest Marketplace, the Big BrickPile, LEGO Ninjago and more. "We're thrilled to be returning to the Houston area," said Vince Rubino, Events Manager for LEGO Systems, Inc. "We've got a host of new activities as well as some areas we know are very popular with our fans. Not only will families create some new memories at the show, they'll get another chance to flex and showcase their building skills. This event is a must for the true LEGO fan." 

Five sessions - all identical and 4 1/2 half hours in length - are held at each tour stop. LEGO KidsFest tickets can be purchased at www.LEGOkidsfest.com. Tickets are $19 for the Friday and Sunday afternoon sessions, and $22 for both sessions on Saturday and the Sunday morning session.On tour since 2009, previous LEGO KidsFest tour stops have included major cities such as Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta, San Jose, Cleveland, Richmond, Phoenix, Portland and more.

Get more details here! 

Get tickets here! 

Events have been selling out in prior cities ... get your tickets early!

TICKET Giveaway Details:

One of MY followers will win (2) tickets to for the opening night session on Friday, Oct 21 2016 (4-8:30pm). I encourage you to LIKE and Follow LEGOKidsFest on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram for all the latest ticketing updates as this event has been selling out in prior cities. Must be 18 to enter, 1 entry per day allowed, random drawing by USFG!

Winner will be randomly chosen by USFG on and announced on my Blog and notified via email,

ENTER HERE  

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Book Review: Watching Edie by Camilla Way

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

About the book:

Beautiful, creative, a little wild… Edie was the kind of girl who immediately caused a stir when she walked into your life. And she had dreams back then—but it didn’t take long for her to learn that things don’t always turn out the way you want them to. 

Now, at thirty-three, Edie is working as a waitress, pregnant and alone. And when she becomes overwhelmed by the needs of her new baby and sinks into a bleak despair, she thinks that there’s no one to turn to…

But someone’s been watching Edie, waiting for the chance to prove once again what a perfect friend she can be. It’s no coincidence that Heather shows up on Edie’s doorstep, just when Edie needs her the most. So much has passed between them—so much envy, longing, and betrayal. And Edie’s about to learn a new lesson: those who have hurt us deeply—or who we have hurt—never let us go, not entirely…

My thoughts:

This spine-tingling tale will have you on the edge of your seat page after page!  It is just the right amount of creepy intrigue that strings you along till the very end and offers a surprise twist that will leave you wide-eyed...the perfect read to end your summer! If you are a fan of suspense, you will likely enjoy Watching Edie by the amazing Camilla Way.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Parragon Books August Picks: Animal Adventures!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Parragon is one of the largest illustrated non-fiction publishers in the world. From great selections of Disney, Barbie, Monster High, Ever After High, Discovery Kids, Dora, TMNT, Sponge Bob to in-house favorites including Little Learners, Pinkabella, Dino Supersaurus, Glitterbelle, Life Canvas, Love Food and more, they make books affordable and accessible to readers all around the globe.  They also feature several fun book kits for all ages.

This month, our favorite books from Parragon are all about animals:

Factivity Safari Animals: 4-In-1 Activity Pack

READ! PLAY! COLOR! Inside this carry case, you'll find an activity book, a 54-piece 24 x 16 in double-sided jigsaw puzzle to color, a double-sided 22 x 15 in poster to color, and a set of 4 double-sided colored pencils. First piece your jigsaw puzzle together, and then turn it over for some coloring fun using your colored pencils.

This kit was a lot of fun for my animal-loving kiddos!  The book is very informative and the puzzle was a lot of fun:)

Zootopia Collector's Happy Tin 

This """"paw-fect"""" tin is a great gift for all Zootopia fans! Inside you'll find the story of the film, a fun-filled activity book, and a cool coloring book. Plus, there are four colored markers, a double-sided poster and fifty stickers of your favorite characters. It's going to be a wild ride!

My kiddos loved "Zootopia" and this tin was full of great activities!  

What a fun tie-in to a cute movie:)

Factivity On-The-Go Animal Kingdom

Perfect gift for on-the-go fun whether you're popping out for a family meal, about to embark on an epic car journey or jumping on a long haul flight!

Another fantastic Factivity kit, this set was full of great books, stickers and more all in a portable carrying case!

Any of these wonderful kits would be great to keep in the car for those final road trips this summer:)  Some really awesome, screen-free "edu-tainment" for the kiddos!

Click to shop Parragon Books!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Loved + Blessed: An Encouraging Faith-Based Subscription Service August Edition

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

We recently had the chance to review the August box from Loved + Blessed:

Loved + Blessed is a Christian faith-based subscription box service that delivers a box of encouragement right to your door each month.

Each box revolves around a central theme and comes with a mini poster, a sticker, a purse-sized scripture card and a gift.

The theme for the August box was Following God:

The scripture card this month featured Isaiah 6:8 NIV: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!"

There was also a duplicate set of theme and scripture cards to share with a friend.

The special gift in the August box was a cozy pair of socks to remind you to have the courage to walk in the direction that God is sending you.

I definitely think there is room for Loved + Blessed in the subscription box market and I love that their mission is to deliver encouraging products that support a fantastic message!

If that wasn't enough, Loved + Blessed gives a portion of the proceeds of each box sold to Union Rescue Mission, a charity that offers hope and healing to the homeless.  What an amazing cause!

At just $10 per month you can get your Loved + Blessed box or gift someone else with this monthly dose of encouragement today!

Click to shop Loved + Blessed!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Keepin' It Clean Naturally with Crystal Wash from FitBoomBah!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

FitBoomBah is an amazing online community dedicated to helping you live a healthier, happier life!  They feature awesome healthy living tips and an online store with a fantastic selection of cutting edge products.  One of these cool products is Crystal Wash:

About Crystal Wash:

Crystal Wash by M&M Inc. is a new, detergent free, non-toxic way to wash your clothes! It uses the power of bio ceramics from the earth that allows it to naturally clean your clothes as effectively as laundry detergent. One box includes 2 Crystal Wash Units that will last up to 1,000 loads of laundry!

This concept is really interesting to me.  I love the idea of being able to use one ball over and over, and then letting the sun recharge it naturally so that it can be used for several months.  It's very budget-friendly and Earth-friendly.  Plus, since it doesn't use any dyes or perfumes, it's safe to use on everyone's clothing.  It does seem to provide clean results, but I must admit, I miss the smell of "clean" laundry.  I know clean doesn't have to have a smell to actually be clean, but I still enjoy the subtle scent of citrus or lavender in my laundry.  I started adding essential oils to the wash and voila, wonderfully smelling, clean laundry:)  

Crystal Wash balls aren't just some new-fangled gadget, there is science to back them up.  If you are looking for a truly affordable, all-natural laundry detergent, check out Crystal Wash!

Click to shop FitBoomBah!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

FitBoomBah B12 Vitamin Vape: Inhale Your Vitamins!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

FitBoomBah is an amazing online community dedicated to helping you live a healthier, happier life!  They feature awesome healthy living tips and an online store with a fantastic selection of cutting edge products.  One of these cool products is the B12 Vitamin Vape:

About B12 Vitamin Vape:

B12 Vitamin Vape's are an effective way to inhale vitamin B12. Studies show that they are more effective (and more affordable) than B12 injections!  Each vape contains 14 servings and is designed to last 2-3 weeks.  Each serving provides 8000% of the recommended Daily Value of vitamin B12.  These vapes are vegan, gluten free and made from ingredients sourced in the United States.

This is a great alternative for people who don't like swallowing pills.  It's a fast, effective way to deliver B12 vitamins straight to your system for a quick pick-me-up.  Not being a smoker, it was kinda weird at first, but you get used to it quickly.  It's tastes like inhaling cotton candy:)

Vitamin Vape is great for on-the-go use thanks to it's portable design.

If you're looking for a new way to take your vitamins, check out B12 Vitamin Vapes at FitBoomBah! 

Click to shop FitBoomBah!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Book Review: The Angels' Share by J.R. Ward

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

The second thrilling novel in the Bourbon Kings series from #1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward, The Angels’ Share is now available!

THE ANGELS’ SHARE is the second book in Ward’s series set in Kentucky’s Bourbon Country that will appeal to readers of Jeffrey Archer’s Clifton Chronicles series and fans of Empire, Scandal, and Downton Abbey.

About the book:

While bourbon ages in its oak barrels, the barrel expands and contracts due to seasonal changes, which causes a small amount of the liquid to dissipate. That small sacrifice of some of the most sought-after alcohol in the world is called “the angels’ share.” While there is a scientific reason behind this, author J.R. Ward has noted that that process can be applied to all of us. “We are, like fine bourbon, a different product at the end—and there is sacrifice involved.” Such change and sacrifice is also true of the fictional bourbon-making family the Bradfords, first introduced in last year’s bestselling The Bourbon Kings.

On the surface the Bradfords were the perfect family. With a thriving bourbon business that has kept them wealthy for generations, they are part of the Kentucky elite society and the envy of many. But the foundation of their prosperity and influence has crumbled. The business is bankrupt and the family patriarch, beloved by no one, was found dead in the Ohio River. When the investigation threatens to point fingers at someone within the family, secrets and lies begin to unravel.

Ward has created an indelible cast of upstairs/downstairs characters whose lives intersect in a page-turning mix of dark family secrets and double crossings, high stakes business deals, and delicious bad behavior. From the now-emotionally and physically debilitated eldest son, Edward, and his recently-returned prodigal brother, Lane, to their wild child baby sister, Gin, and their painkiller- addled mother, Victoria (“Little V.E.”), the Bradfords—and the characters surrounding them—are intriguing, layered characters created by one of the sharpest writers in contemporary women’s fiction.

My thoughts:  

It's like a soap pera in book form:)  Seriously addictive, this novel is written with so much drama, it's like Kentucky Bourbon Country's version of a guilty- pleasure telenovela!  The perfect summer read and if you are a fan of J.R. Ward, you on't want to miss The Angels' Share!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Prismacolor Art Supplies for Back-to-School

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

It's time to start getting ready for back-to-school and today I've got some really great art supplies to tell you about.

Prismacolor offers a line of exceptional art supplies for all levels of expertise.  Their soft-core colored pencils and fine-tip markers are top of the line and fun to use!

About the pencils:

"From simple sketches to complex creations, these premium colored pencils and leads have you covered no matter what your latest creation may be. Thick cores of color last long to bring bold statements to life, while soft leads make them the best tool to blend in or shade away."

About the markers:

"These markers have you covered no matter the task at hand. Take your pick from multiple tip sizes to experience paintbrush-like strokes in the convenience of a marker."

The kids are really enjoying using these fine art supplies to bring vibrant color to all of their artwork.  I am really impressed with the quality of both the pencils and the markers and can't wait to see all of the works of art A and D come up with!  

Make sure you stock up on great art supplies this school year!  Shop Prismacolor!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Keep Things Secure This Summer with MasterLock!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Summer means vacation time, so it's always a good idea to make sure your belongings are locked up safe to keep thieves at bay.  Master Lock has an extensive line of products that can keep all of your belongings safe, no matter how they are stored.

We decided it was time to update the locks on our garage and workshop since they were looking pretty shabby:

Luckily for us, Master Lock offered two fantastic products to help us with our "makeover" :)

First up, the easy-to-use Master Lock 4401DLH Outdoor Bluetooth, which turns your phone or any Bluetooth-enabled device into a key (no more worrying about forgetting passcode or losing the key to your padlock!). With models suitable for outdoor and indoor use, the Master Lock 4400D Indoor Bluetooth Padlock and Master Lock 4401DLH Outdoor Bluetooth Padlock offer various applications to help keep your possessions protected.  The indoor lock retails at $70 and the outdoor at $89.

Before:

After:

This lock is easy to use and looks great!

Our workshop door got upgraded to the Master Lock BCC0615 Door Lock, a heavy duty locking system.  This set retails for about $46.

Before:

After:

So sparkly and new!  These Master Lock products make our 100+ year old garage/workshop look fresh and secure!

Make sure to check out Master Lock for all of your lock protection needs!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Back-to-School with Sanford Products! #ShopletReview

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Just in time for back-to-school, here is a great roundup of goodies from Sanford that you can find at Shoplet.com:

Paper Mate Mates Easy-to-hold Mechanical Pencils

Make the switch to easy-to-hold mechanical pencils called Mates. Mates mechanical pencils feature a triangular barrel design so they're comfortable to hold. The 1.3mm, No. 2 HB lead is designed for less breakage and never needs sharpening. With an accommodating grip, strong lead and large smudge-resistant eraser, these mechanical pencils are great for standardized tests. Mates are refillable.

We love these chunky pencils!  The bright colors are fun and they make writing and math more exciting for the kiddos:)

Paper Mate Liquid Paper DryLine Grip Correction Tape

Correction tape with grip applicator provides maximum comfort and ease-of-use. It is great for correcting single or multiple lines of text before copying or faxing. Super strong white tear-proof film resists breaking and applies dry for instant corrections.

Everybody makes mistakes!  This correction tape is easy to use and effective at covering the oops smoothly:)

Paper Mate 300RT Effortless Glide Ballpoint Pen

Retractable ballpoint pens feature Paper Mate's revolutionary InkJoy writing system, giving you the best in effortless writing. The InkJoy writing system starts quickly without dragging, requires minimal pressure from your hand, and delivers crisp, clean lines every time. Extended rubberized grip provides optimal comfort. Metal clip provides long-lasting durability and can be used to attach pen to pockets, notebooks and more. Transparent color-tinted body of the InkJoy 300 RT offers a refreshing look.

These pens are fantastic!  They are comfy to hold, write smoothly and dry quickly.  Plus, they come in great colors that really pop!  What more could you ask for?  

Sharpie Electro Pop Permanent Markers

Permanent marker features bold, energetic colors to help you create captivating effects that are sure to stand out. Quick-drying ink is fade-resistant and water-resistant to create marks that will last. Ultra-fine point lets you thin, precise lines for detailed work. Assorted colors include optic orange, techno blue, ultra violet, nano blue and electric pink.

I am a huge fan of ultra fine Sharpies and was super excited to add these awesome color to my stash.  Love, love, love them!!

Don't forget to stock up on these great writing tools in time for back-to-school!

Buy It:

Shoplet.com is your one-stop shop for office supplies, cleaning supplies, medical supplies, and office furniture. 

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.