Stash Tea- Review

Here's a huge problem I have with purchasing tea: Nobody makes basic herbal teas that don't contain all sorts of wacky ingredients in them. I like trying new things don't get me wrong but I sometimes want to drink something that simply tastes nice and doesn't put me to sleep or charge me up. Stash makes such a fantastic line of teas that they are by far my new go-to tea brand.

I usually keep a few tea on hand for medicinal purposes and then I have others that I just like the flavor of that are nice to sip on throughout the day. Stash has flavors that fit the bill for both of these categories. You can get a simple Lemon Ginger tea from Stash that will help you with indigestion and Peppermint will do the same. If you're looking for a great daytime or entertaining tea you can turn to Pomegranate Raspberry, Moroccan Mint or Fusion Green and White Tea blend.

Don't forget about holiday flavors that are great really for the entire winter season. Holiday Chai, Christmas Morning Black Tea and Decaf Pumpkin Spice are all great for any morning, afternoon or evening and are definate crowd pleasers.

Prices on Stash tea is really affordable considering some of the high end teas can be close to ten dollars per box. The entire holiday collection on Stash's website is $19.95 and a single box of tea runs around $2.50 for ten bags. What I also love about Stash is that if you have a favorite flavor you drink frequently you can purchase that flavor in large quantities for a discounted price.

For more information you can visit www.stashtea.com.

Grandy Oats- Review

Another great granola brand to add to my shopping list! We go through granola like crazy. We eat it plain, we eat it with milk as a cereal, on top of oatmeal, with fresh fruit, you name it. Grandy Oats are certified Organic and are handmade in small batches to ensure every batch is high quality and ever so delicious!

Grandy Oats believes that whole grains and high quality ingredients speak for themselves when it comes to their products. Their granola is minimally processed and all ingredients are natural.

There are some great flavors available from Grandy Oats. There's classic, cranberry, maple, apple, cashew raisin and much more. There are also oatmeals and nuts available on their website. These products are great staples to have on your home. Grandy Oats makes healthy, energizing foods that taste awesome and they just happen to be good for you!

For more information or to order some products of your own to try out you can visit www.grandyoats.com.

Bambee OS Bamboo Fitted Cloth Diaper - Review

Green Team Enterprises Distribution is the exclusive USA distributor of Little Comfort products and the Little Comfort Bambee One Size Diaper is a great new product that is a wonderful addition to your cloth diaper stash.

Two sizes are available when it comes to this Little Comfort product. You can choose from size one nappy or size two nappy. Size one is adequate for up to 20 pounds or so depending on the size and stature of the baby. Size two picks up at 20 pounds and should fit until it's time to potty train.

Size one allows for you to fold down the tummy section and snap it down so it's not oversized and riding up the child's stomach area. You can release this section when the times comes and this will prevent you from having to purchase a new cloth diaper as your child grows. If your baby does happen to grow out of size two before it's time to switch to underpants you can purchase diaper extenders from Little Comfort and this will lengthen the amount of time you have to use your cloth diaper.

The size one diaper doesn't have a snap in section for the liner while the size two does. The type of liner you choose is up to you.

For more information you can visit www.greenteamdistribution.com. Little Comfort diapers are also sold at a number of cloth diaper retailers online.

JonMerritt - Etsy Review

Something I was fortunate enough to do during the second half of this past year was to organize my own space in my own home in order for me to practice yoga without having to work classes into my already pretty busy schedule. I of course scoured the internet (And Pinterest of course!) to get some ideas and I knew that I wanted something very simple that would inspire me and reflect my beliefs and what motivates me during my yoga practice and everyday life. I came across JonMerritt's Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/JonMerritt and was very intrigued by his handmade signs that show different Sanskrit mantras.

Upon receiving a mixed media Om symbol I was in love! Jon's products are quite unique but the style really fits the look of what you would want your yoga space to be or your place of meditation.

This specific piece of art was created with

Acrylic Paint
Acrylic sealer
Banana Taupe paper
Lokta brown paper
Banana Mash paper
Light papyrus

There are different styles available and really a mantra or look for anyone who is shopping around for something to inspire and reflect. This specific piece retails for $45.

WordandVerse, ACraftyChick & ATouchOfChic- Etsy Reviews

Those vintage style signs are all the rage right now. I'm talking about the ones that have quotes on them, family rules or store-type signs. What would be even cooler to have in your own home is a personalized sign that shows your family name along with a year. It could be the year you built your home or the year you and your spouse got married. Either way, it's a great conversation starter that you can feature in your own home. ACraftyChick is an Etsy shop that allows you to order a creation of your very own for a reasonable price. Generic signs at say, Target or Marshalls can cost upwards of $50. Personalized signs from ACraftyChick go for less than that.

A number of sign styles are available for you to choose from. You can go with a very classic and simple white or pick something that will stand out a bit more like a bright red. Aside from family name signs this shop also has quote signs available for any room of your home including a nursery.


To browse ACraftyChick's Etsy shop you can visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACraftyChick. The average wait time is about 2 weeks for an order to be completed. During the holidays it's a bit longer.


Another great Etsy shop you can visit to look for some unique handpainted signs is ATouchOfChic at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ATouchofChic. You can get incredibly affordable signs through this shop including patriot signs, personalized family signs and much more.

I liked the look of the distressed American Flag sign I received because of the distressed look it had. The edges were cut a little at an angle, it had a lot of character and it was painted really nicely. The distressed look didn't look like it had been done that was necessarily, it looked very natural.


Don't forget about WordandVerse for not only handpainted signs that can be personalized for your own family but also cut-out wooden letters that look great on a mantle, on a table in your foyer or even above your kitchen cabinets or in your dining room. Really the uses are endless when it comes to the products at http://www.etsy.com/shop/WordandVerse.

What I like about WordandVerse is that it really is a one stop shop for all your decor needs. Not only do the signs look different (So different rooms of your house will look unique from the others) but you can get a variety of products that even include moss potted trees to accent your cut out letters or signs.

Nickye Cole - Review

Meditation is something that can calm the mind, body and spirit especially when practiced daily. To help increase the effectiveness of meditation some people utilize special candles, music and even jewlery. Nickye Cole is an Etsy shop that has a number of really fantastic mediation bracelets that can bring meditation and yoga practices to the next level.

I received a Hematite wrist mala and I wear it almost all the time. This bracelet is made with 8mm beads made of hematite which is known to be a very calming stone. It aids in support of your hopes, dreams and wishes, allowing you to understand the only limits in life are those which you place upon yourself.

The Nickye Cole shop is run by a fantastic shop owner who meditated as a young girl at her 'new thought' school. She gave up the practice for a bit but started back up when she married her spiritual husband. Meditation has allowed Nickye Cole to begin and to remain creative while aiding in people's own practice.

You can visit
http://www.etsy.com/shop/NickyeCole for more information or to purchase an item for yourself or a loved one this holiday season.

Enlighten Yourself - Review

Essential oils are something I just recently became interested in. I don't know why I disregarded their healing properties but after using a few basic oils such as ginger, peppermint and lavender, I realized how great they can actually be to keep around. There are so many different essential oils and they all can have really great effects on the body. The Enlighten Yourself Etsy shop is a great source for reasonably priced, safe essential oils.

The quality of Enlighten Yourself's oils are cosmetic quality and can be used for body care, candles, soaps, pot pourri, Chakra therapy, massage purposes and much more. These oils are very potent and should be diluted to 3-10%. This shop has approximately 100 different oils available.

If you are unsure what essential oil might be best for you, feel free to contact the shop owner for help deciding what might be best. Whether it be for personal use or to make your own scented products, Englighten Yourself is the one stop shop for all oils.
Please visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/EnlightenYourself for more information.

Boss Bodyworks - Review

I've found that when it comes to Etsy shops I have gotten product from it's really hit or miss. Some shops have really great products that you would never know are homemade and ooze creativity and professionalism. Others just don't match up. A great shop I came across is Boss Bodyworks which makes natural, multi-purpose, therapeutic products.

Boss Bodyworks makes handmade Chakra Massage Candles which I think are really awesome. Each scent is made especially to open, cleanse and balance a specific chakra. Organic essential oils are used for these products and after the candle has been lit you can wait for some of the product to pool on the top. At that point you can blow out the flame and use the warm oil for a massage or to simply rub into your skin as a body balm. Each candle is made of soy wax along with different scents such as:

Root
Frankincense, cedar, lavender and ginger

Sacral
Sandalwood, Patchouli, Jasmine

Solar Plexus
Juniper, Ginger, Spearmint

Heart
Frankincense, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Lavender

Throat
Myrrh, Chamomile, Lavender, Spearmint

Third Eye
Sandalwood, Sage, Cypress, Jasmine

Crown
Sandalwood, Myrrh, Rosewood, Lavender

Also sold on the Boss Bodyworks shop site are Christmas Massage Candles. The Amish Spice Loaf is a delicious scent and just lighting the candle for a few minutes sends wonderful wafts of fragrance through your whole home.

You can visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/BossBodyworks for more information or to shop.

IAMASTUFFEDANIMAL.COM - Review

This is a really cute idea. You simply send in a photo of yourself, the pros over at IAMASTUFFEDANIMAL.COM design a cartoon doll based on your photo and magically you receive a stuffed doll that looks just like you! It's a great gift idea for a girlfriend, a child whose parent is away overseas or a friend who might want to snuggle up with you at night :)

If you don't want a doll made with your own photo you can order a pre-made doll that features Obama's mug or even Gandhi (these are hillarious). There is also a DIY Buddy which I got for my son. You can color your own stuffed person using the markers provided.

For more information you can head over to IAMASTUFFEDANIMAL.COM. Prices vary depending on whether you are creating a personalized product or not.

Elle Nail Lacquer - Review

I love to match my nail polish to my outfit or to the season. There are so many great colors out there and I love to pick up a new shade whenever I'm at the store wandering. The only thing I don't like is that a number of the polishes I have purchased don't last long at all. I don't expect them to last forever since it seems that I'm always washing my hands, cooking, cleaning, etc. but I really don't like the ones that barely make it to the end of the day before the tips are already starting to wear off. Elle Nail Lacquer is a great line of polishes that  last for quite a few days and look great.

Elle Nail Lacquers come in 28 different shades that are not only classic but also trendy. The best part is that they are free of DBP, toluene and formaldehyde. Each bottle retails for about $10 which is a little pricy but you'll use less polish trying to patch up chips and repair your nails after a few days.

Elle suggests that you apply a clear coat before applying the polish in two coats. You can also finish with another clear coat. I usually only do two coats of polish and it works great. I also like how quickly it dries.

You can check out Elle Nail Lacquer at Kohl's and kohls.com.

Eyes Cream Shades - Review

I wish it were summertime so we could put on our sunglasses and sit outside in the warm sun, baking in the heat. There's nothing like spending time at the beach or in our backyard when it's warm and sunny out. Ok so the reality is that it's winter and dreary out today but we still get those gloriously sunny days where we can at least go outside to play in snow or go for a quick walk down the street. The sun can be pretty blinding in the winter with all the white snow to reflect off of so putting your little ones in some sunglasses from Eyes Cream Shades will not only help them see where they are going better but it will also protect their eyes.

Eyes Cream Shades are really stylish but they serve more purpose than the character-themed ones you will find in stores. Harmful rays from the sun can damage your child's delicate eyes and you want to keep them protected if you can.

I like that Eyes Cream Shades are really durable for such a fashionable looking pair of sunglasses. They are made from what seems like a very flexible plastic and the lenses won't easily pop out or crack like other children's glasses.

You can visit www.eyescreamshades.com for more information or to order a pair for your own child. It's a great stocking stuffer idea as well for this holiday season.

Solay Wellness- Salt Lamp Review

When the oceans dried up in different parts of the world bio-energetic crystal salt was created. This was millions of years ago and the health benefits of this salt has been being used for many, many years. Solay Wellness Salt Lamps are made from crystal salt and have a small energy efficient light bulb inserted into a drilled out crevice inside the salt block. An electrical charge is emitted when the lamp is lit and negative ions can help us with purifying the air; ridding it of allergens, smoke, dust and bacteria.

Not only are Solay Wellness’ lamps beneficial they are also pleasant to look at. They glow a soft red / orange color and the brightness can be adjusted to your preference. You can place one almost anywhere in your home. Sleeping with one in your bedroom can promote a more restorative and beneficial rest while putting one next to your computer can combat anything harmful that may be coming from your electronics. You can also keep one in your office or in your kitchen. Anywhere you frequent often is the perfect place for your lamp.

Very little maintenance is needed for your lamp. The lamp will attract moisture from the air if the humidity level in your home is high. Simply make sure you turn the lamp on occasionally to help dry it out. You can also wipe it down with a cloth, making sure to switch it on for a bit afterwards.

You can visit www.solaywellness.com for more information on their salt lamps as well as some other products this company offers to help you improve your health and well being. 

J.K. Adams Company- Cutting Board Review

I like to keep a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables in the house and munch on them as well as cook with them on a daily basis. Because of this I have a number of cutting boards that I rotate in my kitchen so I don't mark up the counters or any of my dishes. I have a trusty plastic one that I use for meat (Don't want any of that cross-contamination!) but I like to have a variety of wooden ones as well for the fruits and veggies. J.K. Adams Company makes some really high end cutting boards that are made right in the U.S.A. They are great to have for yourself or to gift to your loved ones who adore cooking this holiday season.

J.K. Adams Company makes a variety of products including cutting boards, wine racks and knife racks. Their products are heavy duty, made from high quality wood. I tried out one of their new fruit shaped cutting boards (The Pear) and it's great. It's nice and hard so I haven't left many marks in it since using it. My only complaint with this one was that where two pieces of wood came together near the thinner stem of the board, it ended up splitting a bit and a little chunk came off. This happened a few times after washing it but luckily it cracked gracefully and you really can't see where the part came off. Other than that it's a nice small board that I can stow away in my cupboard when it's not in use.

I also tried out a much larger rectangular board. This one was really durable, heavy and was good for a number of different cooking jobs. This is a good purchase for someone who wants to keep their cutting board out on the counter or wants a board that doubles as a work area to protect their counter. I found it's a little too big for me to store anywhere but out in the open but I do have a smaller kitchen.

You can visit https://www.jkadams.com/index.php for more information on J.K. Adams Company's products or to purchase a product for yourself or one of your loved ones.

Dr Bronner's - Review

I like to keep things simple so when it comes to products I like items that can be used for a number of different purposes. Dr Bronner's All-One products are just that. You can use them as a body wash, shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap and much more. Their products are all USDA Organic and Fair Trade.

At one point Dr Bronner's was known solely for their soap products. Now they have opened up their brand to a number of different products including some hair care products such as their Lavender Hair Conditioning Creme. All their scents come from natural essential oils and smell amazing.

I love the basic Dr Bronner's soaps. I've tried a number of the scents for myself and love that one big bottle can replace shampoo, conditioner, soap, shaving gel and more. I have purchased the unscented version in the past when my son was a baby. The soap is very gentle and didn't aggravate his skin at all. It works well for oily skin and hair but it also won't dry you out. It's a very balancing soap that works better than a lot of the other chemical-based products I've tried.

You can visit www.drbronner.com for more information. Dr Bronner's products can be found online as well as in many grocery stores and health food stores across the country.

Moonjar- Moneybox Review

The holiday season is a great time of year to teach our little ones about people who are less fortunate than us. It’s important to show them what we have that we should be thankful for and to come up with ways to share with others who may not be as fortunate as we are. Moonjar is a great product that can help you do just that.

Created in 2001 by Eualalie Scandiuzzi, Moonjar is named after the concept of shooting for the moon along with the tradition of putting your hopes and dreams in a jar. The Moonjar teaches children what to do when they receive money. They can allot certain amounts to different locations of their jar. Money can be divided among the saving, spending and sharing sections. From there you can put the savings into the child’s bank account, let them spend the money they have put aside to reward themselves and the sharing section is where the real meaning comes in. You can help your child come up with a great way to share their money either by participating in a canned food drive, toy drive or donating to a local soup kitchen.

Moonjar is a compact product that won’t take up more room that a traditional piggy bank would. It’s a great product to gift to children you know this holiday season and it’s very affordable, costing $25. The three sections come apart so you can easily remove the money when it’s time. Each section is colored differently.

You can visit www.moonjar.com for more information. Moonjar also promotes childhood literacy and has a number of other great products available on their website.

Lovebook Online - Review

What a cute product! LoveBook Online lets you create personalized picture books for your friends and loved ones. Each page has a simple stick-figure-type drawing chosen by you from a huge list. You can create a book for your spouse that tells them all the things you love about them, a book for child that tells them all the fun things you love doing together or books for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day and Christmas. There are a ton of different options to show the ones you love just how much you care.

A basic book starts at just under $30 and this includes a lot of different page choices. You can or remove pages and you have the ability to create your own drawings and ideas as well. The book itself is shipped really quickly and it is made really well. The hardcover is durable and high quality. For the price, this unique gift idea is definately something your loved one will be talking about and looking at for a long time to come!

You can visit www.lovebookonline.com for more information or to create your own LoveBook!

Life Without Plastic, The Hic-Cup - Review

It's important in my house to make sure we live very organically and as naturally as possible. Not only does this keep us healthy but it keeps us happy as well because we feel better when we consume foods and use products that are good for us. One of the biggest switches we made in our home was to do away with a lot of our plastic items in the kitchen and switch to either glass or stainless steel products. Life Without Plastic is a great company that makes it easy to buy what you need to get started along this path of no plastic. The Hic-Cup is also a great manufacturer that assists you with products that are made of stainless steel.

It can be a little expensive to completely make the switch away from plastic but buying just a few simple items to get started is the best choice you can make. http://lifewithoutplastic.com/boutique/ has items from bowls to plates and then to cups. I like the stainless cups that are available and use those for my son and http://www.hic-cups.com/ has a new line of drinking cups that are awesome. My husband and I can use glasses for our drinking needs at home but to prevent any breakages it's better for my son to have something more durable. These products are really high quality stainless steel, not like some of the thinner, more flimsy products.

In addition to the stainless steel products at http://lifewithoutplastic.com  and http://www.hic-cups.com/ you can also purchase reusable shopping bags, water bottles, etc. to help you live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Simple Wishes - Hands Free Breastpump Bra Review

When I had my son I tried using a breastpump but it was aggravating to use and I felt like I had no hands to do anything else, especially hold my baby. I wish I had come across Simple Wishes hands free breastpump bra. This great product allows you to hook up to a breastpump and let go, letting you do whatever else it is you need to accomplish like soothe your baby, type on the computer or make your grocery list.

Choosing a nursing bra can sometimes be a challenge since a woman’s body changes frequently due to a fluctuation in milk supply. Simple Wishes has a Velcro panel in the back that allows the bra to change sizes over and over again. As much as ten inches can be added to the ribcage area.

A hands-free breastpump bra might sound flimsy, like the pump could come off frequently, leak, etc. Simple Wishes has four layers of fabric that not only keeps a tight seal on the bottles but allows for modest pumping. You can hook up to the pump without having to unhook the bra or remove any clothing. You can even use the bra as a strapless version or with the straps for support.

This definitely seems like a product I will want on hand when another little one comes into our family. I know how aggravating pumping was the first time, I can’t imagine doing it while I have my son running around as well as a newborn to take care of. You can visit www.simplewishes.com for more information or to order. A sizing chart is available to help you figure out your appropriate size. I found the chart is very true to size.

2trUe- Etsy Shop Review

I love to support people who have created their own profession for themselves and are inspired to do what they love. That's why I think Etsy is a great site. Some of the shops on there can provide you with really great products that are not only handmade but so unique that they'll be better than anything you can find in retail stores. 2trUe is run by Maggie K and the shop features handmade headbands that are so much better than ones you will find anywhere else.

Maggie has been a crafter and an entrepreneur since childhood and her Etsy shop has developed into a lucrative venture that comes straight from her roots of running a little lemonade stand. The headbands are made from a really nice fabric and comes in a variety of colors. I like the product because it fits much better than the cheaper bands I've purchased from say, Walmart or Target. The underside of the band is elastic with a thin band that holds the top of the band snug in place. I always find myself adjusting my headband at the gym or in yoga numerous times because it slides back on my head constantly. I didn't have this problem with Maggie's band.

You can visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/2trUe/about/ for more information or to shop around for your very own headband. Bands are $10 which is quite affordable for a product that you'll find yourself using a lot. It's great for working out or even just laying around on the weekend on days when you don't feel like doing your hair.

Be Present- Yoga Clothing Review

I don't know what it is about yoga clothing but it's so darn comfortable. I don't care if there's no yoga class that day there's nothing better than throwing on a pair of yoga pants and a comfy t-shirt. Oh heck, who cares if you've never done yoga a day in your life. Who really needs to know!? Throw on some yoga gear and wear it well.

I'm always on the lookout for some great yoga clothing. I practice yoga regularly and have made it a big part of my life but hey, the clothing is so comfortable you can't beat it even if all I'm doing is running to the grocery store or running some other random errands. Be Present yoga clothing makes some really great pieces that are comfy, cute and also have purpose if you're a fellow yogi.

This is their newest release, the Vote shirt featuring the Om logo. Om being a very common sound or vibration that is used for meditative purposes either with or without yoga.

Sizes run a little big I found so you might want to keep that in mind. A t-shirt, including their newest Vote style will run you about $30 or so. The fabric is pretty comfortable and lightweight. Men's and women's styles are available on www.bepresent.com.

Addriya - Yoga Review

My son is 4 years old and he's very interested in anything and everything he can get his hands on. When mommy says she's going to yoga every Sunday he wants to know exactly what that is beyond the fact that he gets to hang out with daddy and do fun things like watch cartoons until I come home. I recently received a set of yoga cards for kids from Addriya and was surprised when my son opened them up and was very interested in what was going on with the pictures. Each card has a different yoga pose on it and they have easier and more kid-friendly names on them. My son was very interested in the colorful cards and wanted me to work with him so he could try out the poses.

ABC Yoga Cards For Kids are a great product for little yogis in training. Kids truly are born with an amazing sense of flexibility. It's only as we get older that we lose that flexibility when it's not being utilized. Learning yoga at a young age actually helps lead a happy and healthy life. I was very impressed to see how good my son was at doing a number of the poses and he insists we take a Mommy and Me yoga class this fall. A proud moment for this mama and yogi :)

You can visit www.addriya.com for more information or to purchase one of their kid's yoga products.

Kusmi Teas - Review

One of my absolute favorite things to do in the evening after my son goes to bed and I've cleaned up the effects of the tornado (my husband and my son) that blew through my house that day is to make myself a cup of tea and relax for at least ten minutes while doing absolutely nothing. In the perfect silence of the house I can hear the buzz of silence around me and I can FINALLY unwind. I'm always on the lookout for a great new tea that I can add to my collection. I have my basics in my pantry which always include ginger, chamomile and peppermint but I love to experiment with a new flavor. Kusmi Teas makes  great line of teas that are basic enough for a daily cup but fancy enough that you can gift them to people you love or feel like you're treating yourself to something indulgent!

Some of Kusmi's flavors include a detox blend with green tea and lemongrass, a chocolate and orange blend, frosted strawberry, rose green tea and a nice lengthy list of decaf flavors (I unfortunately can't have caffeine and am often disappointed with the lack of tasty decaf flavors). Prices vary depending on whether you want standard tea bags or loose leaves. A box of twenty bags will set you back just under $13. Not too shabby for high end, unique flavors.

You can look at Kusmi's menu of teas by visiting www.us.kusmitea.com.

Natural Vitality Foodiceuticals: Premium Plant-Sourced Bioavailable Nutrition + Coupon

I started taking a B complex vitamin supplement about 3 1/2 years ago after I went through my first heart procedure. After doing some extensive research of my own I determined it was going to be my best option for reducing the fatigue, anxiety and decreased immune response I was having as a result of my procedure. After finding that it worked wonders I was on the search to find a B complex supplement that was safe to take on a daily basis, free of chemical additives and nothing but high quality food / plant-based sources. The energy I was feeling was great and the results of taking a daily supplement was something I wanted to incorporate into my daily routine.

Natural Vitality makes a whole line of plant-sourced products that promote adding the nutrients to our diets that used to be part of the food source on our planet but no longer are because of decreased nutrients in the soil where our food is grown. We somehow have to fill those nutritional gaps and Vitality B and C Complexes from Natural Vitality do just that. The products used to make these supplements are organically grown in nutrient-rich soil.

B Complex vitamins are incredibly important for mental and physical function. They aid in reducing stress to the body as well as keeping the heart and other organs healthy. Natural Vitality's B Complex comes from organic guava, organic holy basil and organic lemon. I was happy to see that the holy basil was in there because I think that's another wonderful product to keep on hand in your medicine cabinet but be advised it's in there. Some people have allergies to holy basil or are not pleased with it's effects.

Vitamin C Complex is another product that's great to keep on hand especially for people who have kids that are constantly bringing home germs. This powerful antioxidant helps ward off oxidative stress and helps build and maintain tissue in the body. Natural Vitality's product comes from organic Indian gooseberry.

For more information you can visit www.naturalvitality.com. All products are cruelty free, alergen free, yeast, dairy, egg, wheat and sugar free. No artifical colors or artificial flavors are used in the making of this product.

Keeping My Home Neat With Neater Feeder

I have three cats. They're wonderful but you'll hear my husband and I complaining often about the fur that seems to accumulate everywhere and the food and water that makes it's way out of their bowls on a daily basis. Heck, my 4 year old seems to be neater than those darn cats. I was very skeptical when I came across Neater Feeder's products but I decided they were worth a try. At this point, anything was worth a try.

Neater Feeder's concept is pretty simple. Two stainless steel bowls fit into a plastic tray that has some indentations and holes in it. That tray fits into a larger tray with legs on the bottom that can catch any water or food that makes it's way out of the bowls. The entire feeder has raised sides that prevents my three trouble makers from flinging anything out onto the floor. The water bowl has extra capacity for helping to keep your pets well hydrated while the normal-sized food bowl prevents overeating.

I immediately switched over from our wire food bowl rack to the Neater Feeder. I wasn't thrilled because I like the style of my Boots and Barkley set but the Neater Feeder is extremely practical and it's been working very well. I haven't had to wipe the floor around the bowls at all since I first set them out. Cleaning should be very easy as well. I'll literally be able to wash the trays and bowls out in the sink or even take them outside and hose them out.

To take a look at the variety of sizes available through Neater Feeder you can visit www.neaterfeeder.com. I ended up using the medium sized feeder for my three cats who are roughly 9 to 13 lbs in size. They haven't had any trouble reaching into the feeder for their food or water.

The Cravory-Review

I'm not a big fan of sweets in general. Food, absolutely. Sweets, not so much. I do on occassion like to enjoy a really good quality dessert. I came across The Cravory and LOVED their unique twist on your typical cookie. Created by three young entrepreneurs who were cookie addicts themselves, The Cravory provides classic flavors such as chocolate chip but you can also try out red velvet cookies, lemon cherry basil and even Oreo milkshake.

The Cravory has a few different options when you shop. You can order a box of cookies that you choose the flavors for or you can join the cookie of the month club. If you're truly a cookie fanatic you might want to buy your spot into the club and try something new and delicious every four weeks! What I liked it the packaging and quality of the cookies. Two cookies come in a package and come boxed professionally. After trying them out for myself (the red velvet are to die for!) they're a common gift I like to give out as a happy birthday, happy father's day or thank you. The quality is definately much better than the boring old cookie bouquets you'll find locally.

For more information or to browse the different flavors that The Cravory has you can visit www.thecravory.com.

KreativeCorner Designs on Etsy.com

My mom ALWAYS used to say her food tasted so good because she added love to the recipes. I grew up hearing that and have always quoted that secret ingredient in mom's best dishes is love. I now say it in my own home whenever my husband or son want to know how I made something: "I added love!" When I came across KreativeCorner Designs on Etsy and saw the decal that says: "Season Everything With Love" I knew it had to be part of my kitchen decor! It now sits right above my pantry door so when I go to grab some spices or ingredients I know to not forget to add the love :)

I think decals are one of the best ways to add personalization to a home's decor. Not only can you color coordinate with the existing items in a room but you can pick quotes you love or pictures that fit a certain theme. You can alter the size or pick the color or finish. While these decals used to be permanent when they first came out, most will now come off quite easily with the use of a handy hair dryer. I changed the decals often in my son's room when he was a baby.

Kreative Corner Designs has an enormous selection of custom decals available that will suit any nursery, kitchen, bedroom, living room, hallway or anywhere else! I like that there's a lot of really classic styles available but also a lot of unique and modern options that make your home look unique. They're not the same designs you'll find in your local stores that just happen to be in everyone else's home as well.

Installation was relatively easy. It took some rubbing to get the entire decal on the wall but once it was up there it has stuck and looks fantastic. My husband jokes I handpainted it up there but there's definately not that crafty side anywhere around me! For more information or to do some shopping you can visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/KreativeCorner.

Fine Art Photogaphy by Julianne Kiley

To me, a house just isn't a home unless you have items throughout it that reflect your personallity and the things that you love and enjoy. When I add a piece of art to a room in my house I like it to be unique. Your standard vase of flowers just doesn't do it for me. Fine Art Photography by Julianne Kiley on Etsy.com is a great shop that provides you with a ton of options for decorating your home and adding a little flare to a room. I came across the shop when looking for some prints that would help personalize my soon to be yoga space in my downstairs living room. I immediately loved the style, how sharp and how colorful they are.

What I like about this shop is the amazing variety of prints that are available. Somehow Julianne Kiley can take a photo of cauliflower and make it beautiful. A photo of handpainted ceramic mugs or vintage seltzer bottles are also perfect for a kitchen or dining room. The amount of unique photographed items available in this shop are great and their vivid colors and clarity make these some of the best prints I've seen.

You can visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/Boo25 for more information or to shop for your own artwork.

Sassy Yoga - Etsy Shop Review

Sassy Yoga's Etsy Shop has a great variety of handmade bags that you can use for carrying your yoga mat to and from class. For awhile I was using this yoga bag made of recycled materials and it just wasn't cutting it. I didn't like it because it was really bulky, it stuck out and it just wasn't durable. After receiving two yoga bags from Sassy Yoga I was thrilled. One is housing my Jade yoga mat in my van for class and the other I use at home to keep my other mat out of the way.

These mats are so well made they're well worth the money you're going to spend on them. Some different styles are available including knitted and crocheted bags with different styles of handles as well. A variety of colors are available and I found mine were roomy enough that I could fit my yoga block and straps in there as well. Within the first day of using this bag I got asked by someone in my yoga class if I made it. I of course admitted no I didn't, there's nothing that crafty about me to pull that off, but I passed along the info for the shop and raved about the bag.

You can visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/sassyyoga for more information on these bags or to purchase one for yourself.

Little Miss Gypsy Jewel - Etsy Shop Review

I can never get enough jewelry! Especially when a piece is inspiring and represents things that I enjoy, I have to have it. The Little Miss Gypsy Jewel shop on Etsy seemed to be made for me and I was immediately drawn to the beaded cord OM bracelets and Buddha cord bracelets. After I received them in the mail I immediately put them on and haven't taken them off since.

What I like about these pieces is that they look very delicate and intricate but they are also very durable. Normally I stray away from beaded pieces because I have a son who's constantly pulling at me and nothing seems to last long. So far so good with the bracelets and I haven't had any issues. They're also really affordable so you can buy a whole bunch for yourself and as gifts.

You can visit www.etsy.com/shop/littlemissgypsyjewel to browse the shop. I can guarantee you won't be able to walk away, especially with just one piece- They're all so colorful and unique!

Sullivan Flat- Review

We're in the process of finishing part of our basement into another living room type space where we can spend family time together, watch movies, store some of the toys that are overcrowding our home and best of all, I get a special corner designed specifically to be my workout / yoga corner. While my wonderful husband works diligently to build the area I have let my creative juices flow and I'm planning the decor of the room and I came across the Etsy shop:  Sullivan Flat which has a ton of great modern furnishings that are made by hand.

When coming up with a decor theme for a room I like to look around for the little statues or pictures that inspire me and I go from there. I like the items to be things that represent us and things we like. In the Sullivan Flat shop, which began in a small NYC apartment, I found Buddha statues for my yoga corner as well as glazed and modern animal figurines that would be a great compliment to the living space of the room.

Sullivan Flat can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/sullivanflat . Prices are fair seeing as how the pieces are handmade and dedication is put into each one. Inspiration comes from the creator's grandparents who owned their own ceramics shop for over 60 years.

Metropolitan Bakery - Review

I adore granola and eat it regularly as a snack, on my oatmeal, etc. Ok so I'm obsessed with granola I admit it. I've tried every kind that my local grocery stores carry and I have my favorites. I recently tried Metropolitan Bakery's granola and it's definately heading to the top of my list. A number of flavors made with oats, dried fruit, nuts and seeds along with maple syrup and spices makes this a pantry must have!

I've tried making my own granola which never seems to come out right despite the recipe I use or how much attention I pay to making it. I've given up and succumb to buying numerous bags each week. Some of the good ones can get pretty high up in price but Metropolitan Bakery's products are fairly priced.

Metropolitan Bakery was founded in 1993 and prides themselves on the art of old world baking. Aside from their granola flavors they sell cookies, cakes, breads and even liquor infused popcorn (Perfect for upcoming father's day gifts!). You can visit www.metropolitanbakery.com for more information or to find out how to order your very own addicitive granola!

Oscillococcinum and Children's Chestal - Review

I am someone who is VERY sensitive to all medications. I seem to be that person who always suffers from the side effects that are listed on the side of the packaging and I always end up feeling worse whenever I take something. That being said, I've turned towards natural remedies for quite some time now as they seem to be effective for me and they show very few side effects.

One issue I previously hadn't found a natural remedy for is the flu or the common cold. Aside from taking my zinc drops and vitamin c, I never found anything that really shortened the illness or alleviated the symptoms. Nyquil is a godsend but only if I feel like dealing with the heart palpitations, panic attacks and night sweats. I received Oscillococcinum in the mail and immediately added it to my medicine cabinet for future illnesses (We have a four year old, there will be many more).

Oscillococcinum, made by Boiron, temporarily relieves symptoms associated with the flu such as fatigue, headache, body aches, chills and even fever. All without any modern man-made medicine. It works best when you take it at the first signs of an illness and it had been proven in clinical studies to shorten the duration and the severity of the illness. You simply open up the tube and dissolve the contents in your mouth. You can follow it with water to help wash it down.

The best thing about this product is that it can be used on adults as well as children 2 years of age and older. It's so gentle adults can use this product every 6 hours and up to 3 times each day. This is a very popular product and can be found on the shelves of most drug stores and health food stores including Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Feel Rite and more.

Also sold by Boiron is Children's Chestal which is a product designed to help loosen mucus and thin bronchial secretions. I have a bottle of this on hand for my son. About once per year he gets a really bad upper respiratory infection and we battle the congested coughs for a number of days. Taking him into a steamy bathroom, giving him warm fluids and doing everything we can to break up the mucus never works. I never wanted to turn towards pharmaceutical products for him unless necessary since it ends up making his stomach hurt or feel worse so I'm curious to see how well this product works. It holds great reviews online.

For more information you can visit www.oscillo.com or www.childrenschestal.com.

Tub O' Towels - Review

I may have some slight OCD creeping around when it comes to cleaning. Ok maybe a lot. I like to be organized and I like my house to stay clean. Unfortunately I have a husband who doesn't feel the same way and my 4 year old son isn't on board either. Luckily I came across Tub O' Towels which is a big container of cleaning towels that will clean literally anything.

The durable towels in a Tub O' Towels are larger than your average disinfectant wipe and they are soaked in a solution that will clean up caulk, ink, paint, grease, permanent marker and more. I even found they did wonders for cleaning grass stains off of our sneakers and getting the gunk off the outside of our grill (I told you I'll clean anything). The solution is made up of nine citrus based ingredients as well as lanolin, aloe vera and vitamin E.

I put a tub of these wipes in the garage where my husband works on the cars as well as on his workbench in the basement. Maybe he'll get the idea and use them :) You get 90 wipes in each tub.

You can purchase a Tub O' Towels or a small pack of travel wipes at retailers such as Lowe's, Ace Hardware, True Value and a number of other hardware stores. You can visit www.tubotowels.com for more information or to locate these wipes for your own home.

Merkaba Warrior - Review

I never label myself as someone who practices yoga. I LIVE yoga. I'm not someone who does yoga as a form of working out, that's what my gym membership is for. I find the focus and meditative properties that yoga brings to be life changing. It not only helps stretch the body and strengthen the core but it's helps the mind and to me yoga is spiritual. There's a definite difference between my mood when I go to yoga class every week and when I have to miss it because of everyday life getting in the way. After having two surgeries in two years, it was a way to bring clarity and understanding back into my life and get rid of post surgical depression that creeps up. Because of this life changing practice they call yoga, I appreciate any opportunity to show off my passion and appreciation for this practice. When I came across the Merkaba Warrior Shop on Etsy.com I feel in love with the products!

With items coming from York, England, this high energy jewelry uses all natural materials to create spiritually inspired designs that focus on the personal growth and impowerment of the person wearing the jewels. A pre-determined pattern of stones, symbols and sacred woods have energetic properties that correspond with certain Chakras. Ivan, the creator, comes up with his ideas based on the yoga lifestyle to help support personal yoga growth and meditiations.

The style of the jewelry at the Merkaba Warrior Shop comes from the look of prayer beads, mala beads, amulets and symbold from many different cultures. The pieces are very simple yet look very intricate and interesting. I have the Aqua Terra Jasper & Freshwater Pearl bracelt and love it.

The browse the huge selection of jewelery available you can visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/MerkabaWarrior?ref=seller_info. Pieces are all very reasonably priced, hovering below $30.

Jade Yoga Mat- Review

When I first started doing yoga I remember I picked up a $5 mat from Walmart and started using that in my practices. I figured why spend a ton of money on a mat? Is it really necessary? I used that mat for quite some time and it wasn't until I received a Jade yoga mat and took it to class with me that I realized what I had been missing out on!

For someone who practices basic yoga here and there a lower quality mat will probably suffice. For someone who has made yoga a part of their existence and practices regularly, it's beneficial to invest in a high quality yoga mat. The incredible grip it provides along with comfort makes practicing yoga a whole new experience. My Jade mat comes with me to every class and I'll be sad if it gets worn out some day. Luckily it's just as good as the day I got it.

A few different Jade mats are available and they mainly are sold according to how thick they are.

Harmony Professional
The most popular: The Harmony Professional is 3/16 thick. You can purchase them 68" or 74" in length. Custom lengths can also be created if need be. There's a ton of different colors available as well.

Jade Elite
This mat is 5mm in thickeness making it a little denser and firmer. The texture of the mat is a little smoother than the Harmony and this allows for a better flow for a more professional yogi. More strength and balance is needed to hold poses on this mat.

Travel Mat
This mat is only 1/8" thick and very lightweight. It works well for people who like to travel with their yoga mat. It also provides a better feel of the ground because of less padding.

Jade Fusion
This mat is 5/16" thick and really cushioned. It's a great mat for people who like to do yoga as well as pilates to strengthen the core.

The mat I have is the Harmony Professional. In my opinion it has just the right amount of padding (Anything more for me would seem like too much) and just the right amount of grip. After switching over to this mat I don't think I would use anything else in the future. It's the perfect mat for the class I take weekly. It's comfortable for the practice of yoga and it's padding makes it really comfortable for the end meditation portion. I could lie in Corpse Pose all day on this mat :) You can also buy blocks, towels and other accessories from Jade.

Jade yoga mats are eco friendly and made in the United States. They're made of natural rubber and contain no PVC's. You can visit  www.jadeyoga.com for more information or to order.

I truly love doing crafts with my four year old son. Not only does it give me a break from having to play with cars and monster trucks (ALL DAY LONG) but it's something my son likes to do, it encourages his creativity and I always get some beautiful art from it :) Kiwi Crate is a great service that sends a box to your doorstep each month with some really awesome crafts and activities in it. Whether for your own child or for a gift, Kiwi Crate is a really great product.

What I like most about the crates you receive is how creative the projects are. I like to think I come up with some fun acitivites for us to do but getting the supplies all prepared for us to just sit down and create together is so nice. We tried the stained glass craft which required my son to put different colored tissue paper and plastic onto a sticky sheet of contact paper. When he was done we put a back on it and it was in a frame. The Kiwi Crate we got had 3 of these in it so we were able to make some for the Grandma's as well!

We also received a small tote bag that utilized the extra tissue paper for decorating purposes. When the tissue paper was placed on the bag and some water from a dropper got dripped onto it, the color transferred to the bag. It's now a carrying back for some of my son's favorite stuffed animals who are required to come on all our outings with us. Now they have their own little home and don't come wandering over to my purse!

The quality of the materials Kiwi Crate provides are really great. I was impressed by how nice the items were as well as the finished products. The best part is that the items were so unique but they were also really useful. All the items in our crate focused on colors, mixing colors, etc.

Each month when you receive your Kiwi Crate you will find that there is some sort of theme. While ours was colors, one may be about gardening while another is about dinosaurs. Each month there is a whole new box of discoveries waiting for your child. It even kept my son busy for more than 5 minutes! Usually he does his painting or coloring and he's on his way. This time there was plenty to learn and I've found since doing the crafts he's asking a ton about how to make certain colors. It's great to see how inspired he became!

You can visit www.kiwicrate.com for more information. You can order a sample crate or you can sign up for the monthly subscription.

Gutzy Gear - Review

I thought this was a really cute way to transform a child's backpack or gym back without permanently sewing or glueing additions on. Gutzy Gear came up with a product that allows your child to velcro patches to the arm straps of their backpack and then collect any patches they want. They can remove or add them on whenever they choose.

Each Gutzy Gear starter kit comes with two pieces of fabric that wrap around the existing arm straps of a bag. They are black so you can't really tell the difference. If anything, they give a little extra padding to the straps. The soft fabric allows patches to stick very easily to the surface. Each starter kit comes with one patch. You can purchase others for $4.99 a pack- 2 patches come in each pack.

My son had a great time deciding where he wanted to place the patches and I think it's great that they're easily removeable. As the patches become old or 'boring' you can make way for new ones without ruining an expensive backpack. The arm bands fit a child's backpack but they are also small enough that they fit on my son's mini backpack (He's only 3).

You can visit www.gutzygear.com for more information or to order.

Working While Working Out

I've done some reading that suggests multi-tasking isn't necessarily good for you. Apparently it causes you to become stressed easier, it clouds your thinking and you don't perform tasks as well as you would if you gave them your individualized attention. I'm a stay at home mom that works part time from home so if multi-tasking is bad for my soul then I guess I'm doomed. It's my goal daily to pack in as much as I can and certain things like spending time with my family are never allowed to be put on the back burner. That's why I find it necessary to multi-task for everything else: It leaves more time for fun, quality time.

Another activity I add to my daily to-do list is exercising. If I don't work out at least four to five times a week I'm just not myself so I work out religiously. Unfortunately there are days I simply just can't get to the gym either because the weather is bad, my son is sick and needs me home with him or I'm just too darn tired to make the trek. When a Fit Desk showed up at my doorstep I was positively in heaven with the concept and hoped that the bike would be everything it promised to be.

Fit Desk is an ultra compact exercise bike that comes with a comfortable desk that fits on the handlebar area of the bike. While you sit on the bike and pedal, you can use the desk to accomplish anything you want. In my case, you would never know that right now I'm getting my daily 45 minutes of exercise while I write this blog. You can fit a laptop on the desk area, you can play video games, read a novel or do paperwork.

The reason we never purchased an exercise bike before was that we didn't really have the room for one. The Fit Desk is extremely compact and can even be folded up and stored when not in use. In our house we fit the Fit Desk in the corner of our playroom and our son didn't even notice he was giving up some of his prime real estate. I was a little worried that the bike wouldn't be sturdy because of it's smaller size but I fit on it fine without wobbling all over and my husband doesn't have any issues as well. The price of the Fit Desk isn't too bad, retailing at about $229. This includes the bike, the desk portion and there's also a monitor to track the time, distance, etc.

For more information and to set out on your multi-tasking journey, you can visit www.fitdesk.net.