NOVICA .950 Silver Floral Motif Cuff Bracelet 'Renewal' Review

This .950 Silver Floral Motif Cuff Bracelet 'Renewal' from NOVICA is absolutely beautiful. My photos don't do it justice but I tried my best to show what a lovely piece of jewelry this is. As soon as I took it out and put it on I must say I felt a tad bit spectacular.

It arrived in this cute little bag.

The 'Renewal' bracelet is an original NOVICA fair trade product in association with National Geographic. Each piece comes with an official NOVICA story card certifying quality and authenticity. NOVICA works with artisans from around the world to promote and produce such beautiful items. 

It adds a bit of elegance to this mama's wrist!

Lavish arabesques encircle this bracelet by Thailand artisan, Achara. The concave cuff is surrounded by silver jasmine and graceful tendrils. .950 silver. It's 6.25 inches in length & 1.1 inches wide. 

This would make a wonderful gift for an anniversary, birthday, or even Valentine's Day that is coming up. Of course, there is also the "Just Because" gift.  :)  I know it would make any lady very happy!

You can find this NOVICA .950 Silver Cuff Bracelet with Floral Motif on Amazon. Be sure to check out there other beautiful products too. 

* I received this item at a discounted price. Opinions are my own. 

A Tale of a Ring - Book Review

A Tale of a Ring is full of sadness and pain, but also love. It recounts the memories of a Jewish prostitute living in Buenos Aires. Back in 1870 to 1930 Jewish families in Poland and Lithuania were persuaded to send their daughters to Buenos Aires for a better life. They were promised Jewish husbands or work in Jewish homes.The girls however ended up enslaved as prostitutes.

This book was so good! I felt like I was right there in the book. The journey of the ring and all of those involved was so well thought out. Even though the story was spread over many years and with many characters coming and going I never got lost or confused. They characters were well developed. There are of course some parts that may be a bit graphic for some but if they were not included it would have taken away from the reality of the story.

You can find A Tale of a Ring on Amazon.

* I received an ebook version of this book in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

 

Tear Stain Remover for Dogs & Cats Review

This Tear Stain Remover for Dogs and Cats from Paw Choice helps remove and prevent tear stains. It is made in the USA from premium natural ingredients and no chemicals. This makes it safe to use around your pet's sensitive face area. It can be used daily for dogs over 12 weeks and cats.

Directions for use: Shake well. Twist nozzle and apply solution to a clean towel, cloth, or cotton ball. Gently rub the desired area for a few minutes. Be sure to rub away from eyes. Then wipe area with a clean, dry towel.

Our dog randomly gets gunk under her eyes but not too bad. I did use this to gently clean under her eyes. She did not mind at all but was not about waiting for a photo op so I didn't get her picture while using it. I did notice that like it says there is no fragrance to it so there is really no smell which is good. I'm sure we will be using this more often once warmer weather comes. She seems to get goop under her eyes more often once she's playing outside more.

You can find this Tear Stain Remover for Dogs and Cats on Amazon.  Be sure to check out their other great products while you are there.

* I did receive this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

Premium Stainless Steel Tea Infusers Review

This set of Premium Stainless Steel Tea Infusers from CentiMom comes with 3 tea infusers, 3 drip trays, and 1 tea spoon. The infusers have an extended length chain that comes with an easy to connect open mouth hook and weighted medallion to hold it in place. Nobody likes to reach in their cup of tea to retrieve their infuser.

The infusers have fine holes so you won't have any loose leaves from your tea escaping and floating around in your cup.

When I used the small infuser for my cup of tea I did have a bit of an issue keeping the lid attached to the base. It felt like it was clicking in the locked position but when I went to pull it out of my cup the lid came off and all my tea floated into my cup. After I washed it out and worked on it for a few minutes I was able to get it to lock like it should. My second cup of tea came out fine. I didn't have any issues with the other 2 infusers. All parts are quick and easy to wash.

You can find these Premium Stainless Steel Tea Infusers on Amazon. You can also check our more on the CentiMom facebook page.

* I received this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

Top Notch Goods 30 in 30 Protein Shake Review

I'm always on the lookout for new and tasty protein shakes. I usually start my morning with a shake of some sort because it's quick and easy. Sometimes I use mixes like this and other times I just toss in various fruits along with some protein powder or matcha green tea powder and then almond or coconut milk. I like to mix it up so I don't get bored.

Top Notch Goods 30 in 30 Protein Shakes, Chocolate Cake Flavor has 30 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, and 1 gram of sugar. They suggest drinking it within the first 30 minutes of waking up for maximum benefit.

Each bag comes with 20 pre measured packets so you don't even have to worry about taking time to measure anything. Just add milk, water, or almond milk and you are good to go. I use almond milk and ice and put it in the blender. I found it to be a bit sweet but not bad and also it was not chalky like others I've tried.

You can find Top Notch Goods 30 in 30 Protein Shakes, Chocolate Cake Flavor on Amazon. They do also offer other flavors.

* I did receive this product at a discount in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

KUKPO 8 Piece Measuring Cup & Spoon Set Review

This KUKPO 8 Piece Measuring Cup & Spoon Set is made of high quality stainless steel that is BPA Free. The handles are made of anti-slip silicone which make for easy gripping.

The 4 measuring cups include a 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup. Each cup also has 2 spouts (one on each side) for easy pouring of liquids.

The 4 measuring spoons include a 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 Tbsp, and 1 Tbsp. Both sets also show the metric equivalent on them.

I love the bright colors on the handles. The cups and spoons have a nice heaviness to them. The silicone handles make them easy to hold especially if you have wet or messy hands while using them.

You can find the KUKPO 8 Piece Measuring Cup & Spoon Set on Amazon.

* I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

Cotton Hammock Swing Chair Review

I have our boys do a weekly engineering project together and about 2 weeks ago one of the units was on hammocks. They had to do a bit of research and learn the history of hammocks and found pictures of all kinds of hammocks. We were oohing and ahhing about which ones we'd like to have and how we wanted to be in those places where the hammocks were at. At the end they each made their own mini hammocks. They had completely different ideas. One was made from Legos, one out of paper plates, pencils, and napkins, another went all out and used fabric and wove string underneath to make it stronger. They were supposed to see whose hammock could hold the most weight but they got a bit sidetracked. Seems to be a common thing at our house. Anyways, they were super excited when this hammock swing chair arrived and they found out that it came from the Yucatan were they had just read about. This one was also usable and looked much better than their creations.

I think of warm sunny days when I think of a hammock but we won't have that for many months yet. We did the Minnesota thing and bundled up and tested it outside anyways. This Cotton Hammock Swing Chair from NOVICA is handmade and also a fair trade product. NOVICA works with Maya artists from the Yucatan to create these beautiful hammocks.

The hammocks are made from 100% cotton and a pinewood rod. They each come with an official NOVICA story card that certifies quality and authenticity. The hammock swing is very sturdy and holds up to 200 lbs.

It's very comfortable to sit in but I look forward to enjoying it more when I just need sunglasses and a hat! I know where I'll be spending my afternoons reading this summer. I may however have to share with the boys because everybody loves to relax in a hammock. Our youngest thinks it makes for a comfy spot to rest after a bit of snowshoeing. :)

You can find this NOVICA Cotton Hammock Swing Chair on Amazon.

* I did receive this product at a discount in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

OZ Naturals Ocean Mineral Cleanser Review

OZ Naturals Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser is a natural and organic facial cleanser that is made in the USA. It is cruelty free and does not contain alcohol, parabens, or sulfates. It was developed to specifically be gentle on sensitive skin but still works to get rid of the dirt and particles that clog your pores. Some of the ingredients include rosehip oil, rich ocean minerals, and vitamin e.


I found it to have a light scent. I thought it would have more of a salt water type smell but I'm not really sure exactly how to describe it but it's not bad. It lathered just a little while washing and you only need a little bit to clean your face. My face felt clean afterwards. It didn't feel dry or irritated.

You can find OZ Naturals Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser along with many of their other products on Amazon.

* I received this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own. Sponsored post. Powered by Brandbacker.

Briskbars Review

Briskbars are vegan energy bars that pack a lot of flavor in a small bar. They help you stay alert and focused without the sugar rush. Each bar contains 100 mg of caffeine. The energy in these bars come from guarana berries and maca. Ingredients are all natural.

Each bar is 100 calories and contains 5 grams of protein & only 4 grams of sugar. They are GMO Free, Gluten Free, Vegan, Kosher, Soy Free, Peanut Free, and Dairy Free.

Their current flavor is 70% dark chocolate & coconut. I only need 1/2 a bar and can feel the boost of natural energy within about 10 minutes. I was able to focus on what I needed to get done. Each person is different so you may find a full bar is best for you.  I didn't have any jitters but I'm also used to a bit of caffeine.  A full bar might have been too much for me though. I really like the flavor and texture of these bars. I am used to eating dark chocolate so it wasn't too strong of flavor for me. It is bittersweet because they do keep the sugar to a minimum.

You can find Briskbars on Amazon. You can also find out more by visiting the Briskbars website. They will be having new flavors in the future.

* I received this product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

Premium Japanese Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea Review

This  Matcha Green Tea Powder is produced in YAME Japan.  It is the first harvest of the Green Tea plant. It is the highest quality Matcha green tea you can buy. It has a beautiful bright green color.

Matcha green tea gives a nice boost of energy without the jitters like coffee does. It gives all day energy, focus, and mental clarity for up to 6 hours. It can also help with stress and anxiety because of the Amino Acid L- Theanine it contains. It gives you a bit of calmness so you can focus on what you need to. Matcha green tea is also a fat blocker and metabolism booster. This particular green tea is an all natural USDA organic product with no additives or preservatives.

You can use Matcha green tea for baking, smoothies, ice cream, or just mixed with hot water. My favorite way is to add it to smoothies. I did try this one just mixed with hot water. For the traditional way you are to use a special whisk which I don't have so I just used my handheld frother and it worked just fine for me.

Such a pretty color!

Cute little container to keep it fresh.

You can find this Premium Japanese Matcha green tea powder on Amazon.

* I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own. 

Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask & Eternal Youth Exfoliating Scrub Review

The Valentia Skin Detoxifying  Clay Mask is a natural kaolin clay and botanical based mask that gently removes excess dirt and oil while deeply cleansing and exfoliating the skin to reveal softer, smoother skin.

This is applied all over your face avoiding the eyes and then leave on 15-20 minutes or until it has dried. Use a wash cloth and warm water and wash off in a circular motion which helps slough off dead skin and exfoliate.

I did have to mix mine up a bit before using as it seems to separate a bit which is common. This felt wonderful on and made my skin feel so good afterwards. One of the things I love about Valentia products is they have an amazing scent. This one you can smell the hibiscus and cranberry fibers that are included. It's lovely.

The Eternal Youth  Exfoliating Scrub brightens & revives skin, improves skin tone & texture, removes dead skin cells, softens skin, and prevents future breakouts. It has green and white teas along with a trio of tropical butters.

 I love the way this makes my skin feel during the whole process of using it. It also smells wonderful. This is more of a citrus mix of the green & white tea scent I'm guessing. I'm not sure but it's so nice! The texture is a bit jelly like and when you put it on your face and start to rub it in you feel those lovely little beads exfoliating and doing their job. After rinsing off with warm water my skin feels so fresh and clean.

Both of these products make my skin feel so clean, fresh, and hydrated. It's like a little spa treatment for my face. I rotate these and use each one about once a week. Especially in winter I don't like to dry my skin out any more than it already is so I don't like to overuse products.

These Valentia products are made in the USA. They are cruelty free. Contain 98% natural ingredients and organic ingredients. They are vegan friendly and made using sustainable energy.


You can find the Clay Mask  and Exfoliating Scrub on Amazon.


* I received both products in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

So We Said Goodbye - Book Review

So We Said Goodbye brings us into the lives of Aya and Yaron. They once had been in love almost 30 years ago. Aya reaches out to him on his 50th birthday and then wants to meet up with him. They are both married and have children and struggle with whether or not they should or can remain friends. Their spouses are not happy about this re-connection.

I can see how many people can relate to finding a lost love and reconnecting. I think there is a fine line and it can lead to trouble if they are already married or in a relationship. I felt like the book dragged on and nothing ever happened. It was just back and forth yes or no could they be friends. Aya was almost obsessed with Yaron yet she felt like her husband and Yaron's wife should be ok with it. Maybe because I can't relate to the situation but the book didn't fully pull me in.

You can find So We Said Goodbye on Amazon.

* I received this book in ebook version at a discount in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.