review

National Pumpkin Day at Tropical Smoothie Cafe Review & Giveaway

Oct 26, 2019

*I received free smoothie cards for review purposes only. All opinions shared are my own.*

National Pumpkin Day-October 26th

Today is National Pumpkin Day. A perfect day for me to try the seasonal smoothie at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. I have a confession I am not a fan of pumpkin pie. However, the pumpkin pie smoothie is a refreshing surprise.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie for National Pumpkin Day

The smoothie is made with real pumpkin, Ghiradelli white chocolate, cinnamon, and non-fat yogurt. The smoothie is blended smooth and is very refreshing. The blend of real pumpkin and white chocolate adds the right amount of sweetness. Cinnamon adds the right amount of spice. I always try to stay on track with calories over the weekend. The calorie count is 261 calories, 21 grams of sugar, 835 g of potassium, 52 grams of carbs, 1g of fat. I love the fact that adding pumpkin to foods provides a good dose of Vitamin A. Go in soon as this will not last long.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

This cafe is a hidden gem in my backyard. If you are like me I am always in search of really good quick casual food on the weekends. In addition to smoothies, the cafe offers a menu filled with a variety of foods. There are breakfast entrees, flatbreads, wraps, quesadillas, sandwiches, and side. The menu has something for everyone. In addition to the featured smoothies for the season, there is a full menu of smoothie flavors, supplements, and add-ins. I will definitely return again for a quick lunch or a smoothie recharge after a workout. You can check out the menu here Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

Giveaway

One winner will receive a card for “free smoothie” at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. How to win are listed on Instagram. Good Luck to you! Happy Autumn.

Sylvania Smart Bulbs Review with Android phone and Alexa

Sep 23, 2019

*the bulbs were received free of charge for review purposes only, all opinions shared are my own*

Sylvania Smart Bulbs

How do Sylvania smart bulbs works? I see smart products everywhere and wondered how they work and with which devices. The Sylvania smart bulbs are a perfect addition to a living space especially if good lighting is required. The Sylvania smart bulbs I selected were the BR30 LED Light Bulb which is a 65-watt equivalent. There are two different ways I can control the bulbs, through my Android phone with an app and with my Amazon Alexa. In order to test the Sylvania Smart Home app, I added to my Android phone using Google Play. The app allows me to change the color contrast of the smart bulb and turn it on or turn off. Next, I tried to link the bulb to my Amazon Alexa to control with voice activation. The Amazon Alexa app has the skill Sylvania Smart Home to link the smart bulb to Alexa. I shared below how my feedback with the Android app and Amazon Alexa.

Pros and Cons of the Sylvania Smart Bulbs

Pros:

Adjustable lighting for living space
Bluetooth compatible
Links with Android phone with the Google Play app -Sylvania Smart Home
Can also link with Samsung Smart Things app, (must purchase a hub)
Links with Amazon Alexa using the Sylvania Smart Home skill for voice activation
Links with Apple devices with Home Kit and Google Assistant
Can schedule and automate lighting

Cons:

Amazon Alexa app did not link to the bulb which prevents voice activation
Size of BR30 bulb limits the type of lamp you can use with this bulb
Higher in price than a standard bulb
Connecting to the Samsung Smart Things app requires an additional purchase

Sylvania Smart+ App with Android

I love the idea of adjusting the lighting of the Sylvania Smart bulb in each room where the bulbs are installed. It was disappointing when I tried to link to my Alexa app. After multiple attempts, it did not link with the Amazon Alexa.

From my android phone, I added the Sylvania Smart Home app:

Connect to Wifi

2. Add a device which is the location of the bulb, from the phone the bulb can be turned on, off, and the hue of the bulb adjusted

The groups are the locations of each of the bulbs

Amazon Alexa set-up

From the Amazon Alexa app, I went to Skills and Games and searched for Sylvania Smart Home. This allows the Sylvania smart bulb to work through voice activation.

After setting up an account for Sylvania Smart Home I proceeded to link with Alexa. For some reason, the link did not work for Alexa and the Sylvania Smart Home skill. This was disappointing because I looked forward to scheduling the light.

Just in time for Fall organizing. If you are interested in buying the bulbs, you can find at Amazon, Home Depot and Lowe’s.

Foodie Review of Kumano Avocado Sauces for Different Dishes

May 21, 2019

received samples free of charge; all opinions shared are my own

I love avocados on everything. From my burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and eggs. This sauce is made from avocados in three different flavors: regular, mango, and hot. I sampled all three and love them all. The mango has a hint of sweetness while the hot flavor is a mild kick that is not overpowering.

The sauces are perfect for almost anything you add put sauce on. I added to my ground turkey tacos with my other toppings.

I also added to scrambled eggs for another flavor boost. Now, that grilling season is upon us I can’t wait to use on some of my grilled foods as well. The sauces are easily stored in the refrigerator after opening.

If You’re Planning Graduation Events, Check Out My Review of Basic Invite

May 17, 2019

My teen graduates on June 12th and I found some great ideas from Basic Invite for announcements, party invitations, and thank cards. The Basic Invite site allowed me to customize the colors, font, and font size of each sample.

Graduation Announcements, Invitations and Thank You Cards

I ordered samples of a 2019 photo card, a graduation party invitation, and a thank you card in my son’s school colors.

Why Basic Invite?

I ordered samples and they shipped within seven days. The idea of customizing my invitations makes it very unique to my style and taste. The first thing I noticed when I opened the samples was the paper quality. It was very easy to customize each item, specifically with my son’s school colors. The color palette offers a hue to fit all designs. The website is very easy to navigate for designing and editing.

I ordered the envelopes in white. Basic Invite envelopes are available in over forty different colors. Another added bonus with the envelope is they are peel and seal. There is no unpleasant taste from licking envelopes. Basic Invite will print envelope with guest information and return addresses at no charge. There is an additional charge per envelope with the return address only.

Basic Invite offers an address capturing service. The service allows the sender to share a link on social media platforms for guests to submit their addresses. Basic Invite will store the addresses under the sender’s account. During the design of the invitation, the sender can select the addresses from the list.

For an added design touch, some invitations are available with silver, gold or rose gold foil that is either flat or raised.

If you are hosting graduation festivities and in need of invitations, Basic Invite offers designs to fit every occasion. Congratulations to the Class of 2019.

Placing an Order

You can find all the links below for various invitations:

high school graduation invitations

graduation party invitation templates

graduation photo invitations

If you place an order, you can save 15% with the code 15FF51

Notecards

I could not resist designing additional stationery for my blog with notecards. My design includes my blog colors. The paper stock is great quality and I plan to order more.

Birthday Invitations and Thank You Cards

I designed birthday invitations and thank you cards for my 50th.

All the stationery is perfect for all events.

“This blog post was sponsored by Basic Invite”

Fitness Activities and Review of Body Glide Products

Feb 6, 2019

post has affiliate links*

received this product free for review purposes. All opinions shared are my own.

“Foot” and “For Her Products

Body Glide products are great for fitness activities and offer anti-chafing properties. The products included Foot, Skin Glide, For Her, and Body. Each product works to prevent chafing and blisters. I went to my 2nd yoga class and decided to try the “Foot” and “For Her” products.

The “Foot” product is solid and rubbed on to my feet very easily. It is fragrance-free and is white in color. It went onto my skin smooth and clear with no residue. I noticed after my class my feet were dry with no signs of perspiration. Our class is not considered hot yoga but the studio is a bit warm. Typically, I perspire around my bustline and thighs when I am working out. I used the “For Her” product on my bustline and inner thighs. My fitness activities are a reason to use these products. Both products are solid and roll on smooth, no residue, and are fragrance-free. After class, my leggings and sports bra were dry with no residue. The products are made with allergen-free, plant-derived ingredients. It is also vegan-approved and not tested on animals. The product is safe for kids.

KETTLEBELL WORKOUT

This is week six of my home workouts. Last night, I did a Kettlebell Sculpt workout with one of my favorite YouTube videos @bodyfitbyamy. I used two of the body glide products. This type of workout is a series of compound movements plus cardio. For this workout, I applied body to my feet and despite the workout, my skin stayed dry and no irritation with my socks and sneaker. I put the For Her product on my bustline and on my thighs. The product is not drying to my skin which is a plus with dry skin. It was the same results with my leggings and sports bra staying dry with no chafing. For all of my workouts, I will definitely use the products to eliminate chafing and keep my workout clothes and feet dry.

Unboxing and Review of CleverMade Crates for Organizing Your Stuff

Feb 4, 2019

*received free of charge for review purposes only. All opinions shared are my own.

Declutter and Organizing

Unboxing crates for organizing my closet. January is a good month to start organizing before spring arrives. After I watched “Tidying Up” with Marie Kondo on Netflix, I learned some valuable tips for de-cluttering and organizing my living space. My first project was de-cluttering my bedroom closet with the help of my twelve-year-old. After I eliminated my excess stuff, I donated a bag to charity and consigned the rest of the items. If you are trying to de-clutter consider donating to charity or consigning for extra cash. In addition to Goodwill, there is GreenDrop and they allow you to select a charity of choice.

CleverMade Crates

Once I started decluttering my closet I thought about how to organize the stuff. The CleverMadeCrates are ideal for storage.

They are durable and fully collapsible for storing away. The crates assemble within seconds and are available in 15.8 L and as large as 62 L. The crate prices start at $13 or in packs of 2 or 3 starting at $30. The interlocking nesting system allows easy vertical stacking. My limited storage space makes these crates perfect for storing out of sight in bedroom closets or storage closets. The interior is deep enough to stack numerous items. For cleaning the crates hosing off or wiping down with a wet cloth is sufficient.

Unboxing

You can find the crates at Amazon, BedBathandBeyond, and Home Depot. Happy Organizing.

The Best Way to Prepare for a Good Night’s Sleep for My Tween

Jan 2, 2018

* received the mattress and accessories for review purposes only. All opinions shared are my own.

Sleep with the Right Mattress

I was in the market for a new mattress for my tween’s twin bed. There are so many brands and types of mattresses on the market to make shopping overwhelming. When I was given an opportunity to review the TomorrowSleep mattress, I was so excited. As a full-time working parent, our days start early and end late. I knew this was the perfect surprise for my tween. She struggles with getting a restful night’s sleep, especially after a weekend. I have resorted to unplugging the wifi and having her remove her phone from the room. Technology is the crux of her sleep issues. My goal is to try to make her room as relaxing as possible. Hopefully, the new mattress will encourage her to make her bed each morning. A well-made bed looks more inviting than one that is unmade. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Tomorrow Sleep Mattress- Unpacking

Just in time for the new year and after a long holiday break, it is perfect timing for unpacking my tween’s new mattress from Tomorrow Sleep. The TomorrowSleep hybrid mattress is available in medium soft or medium hard, my tween wanted the medium soft. We also received a mattress protector and 500 thread count sheets. I love the fact the mattress is packaged in a heavy-duty plastic so it is well protected before unpacking. The box also includes instructions for removing the mattress and unwrapping. There is no need to search for scissors to remove the exterior plastic because a cutter is provided to easily remove the packaging. The mattress is inside of a vacuum-packed bag, as soon as the bag is cut open, the mattress expands to its actual size.

The mattress protector was very easy to put on and is a perfect fit for the mattress. I love the fact it is waterproof and will protect the mattress from dust and dirt. My tween is always complaining about being too hot or too cold. The mattress protector helps to pull temperature from the body and work with the cooling system of the mattress to regulate body temperature. The 500 thread count sheets are extremely soft and were really easy to put on within a few minutes. Some of our old sheets were such a hassle to put on and none of the sets stayed on overnight. I really like the design of the fitted sheet with the elastic on each corner to ensure the sheet fits securely on the mattress.

She could not wait to test it out……..

Some of our Ideas to Prepare for a Good Night’s Sleep

Cozy pair of pajamas
Diffuser with lavender oil
Freshly laundered bed linens
Comfortable pillows(replace every 6 months), I buy hypoallergenic pillows for my tween due to her asthma
Eye mask if comfortable
Glass of warm milk
Unplug, remove all devices for the night
Nightlight, adjustable
Make the bed each morning

An afternoon nap on the new mattress, I guess she gives the new mattress a huge thumbs up!

What is your bedtime routine to get a good night’s sleep?

Book Review- Veronica and the Volcano- National STEM Day

Nov 8, 2017

*received the book free of charge for review purposes only. All opinions shared are my own*

STEM, is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. As a STEM major, it is exciting to see more girls with an interest in STEM and pursuing opportunities beyond high school.

Book Review – Veronica and the Volcano

In observance of National STEM day, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Veronica and the Volcano. The book is excellent for middle school-aged children and is filled with scientific topics that relate to volcanos. I think girls will love Veronica’s spunk and inquisitive nature. Veronica is the main character in this book and interestingly enough she lives on a volcano. She wants to give her mother a birthday gift of pearls after she learns the story of her inherited pearls. In order to get the same pearls, she sets her sights on visiting, the largest volcano, Mount Mystery.

The adventure begins with Veronica, her friend Maddy and their dads. Every chapter is filled with suspense and the perseverance of two girls on a mission. The trip takes the girls on numerous twists and turns before reaching Mount Mystery. Both girls learn about their pasts through their dads. Veronica learns how and why her parents decided to live on a volcano. Maddy discovers the true history of her family lines and the many generations before her. We learn Veronica’s dad relies on technological apps to provide information on volcanic behavior while Maddy’s disputes all of it. Maddy’s dad, the Captain, is the self-appointed leader of the group and is a stickler for preserving family history and the search for the diamonds that disappeared generations ago.

The story is an imaginative adventure through some precarious events on the unpredictability of volcanos, unexpected wildlife, toxic gases, unexpected guests on the same hike, and rowdy bandits. They are able to survive the journey, discover diamonds and pearls but return to extreme unrest in their sleepy town. The town bands together to banish the unwanted guest and his cohorts. Veronica learns her trip to the town jewelry store leaves her with the key to preserving the future.

The book takes the reader on a whirlwind of events with beautiful illustrations to captivate the reader from chapter to chapter. It shows the dynamics of relationships that evolve into working together for the greater good. All while learning about volcanoes as the story unfolds. The book contains definitions of all the terms used in the chapters for STEM enthusiasts to learn more.

For the girls who love science, enter to win a copy of the book:

*GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!**‎************Giveaway for a copy of Veronica and the Volcano*******

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3974772/Veronica-and-the-Volcano-Giveaway-8

Empanada Recipe and Pastry Fork Review

Mar 20, 2017

*this post contains an affiliate link which means I receive commission if you click and purchase*

Empanada Recipe and Pastry Fork Review

I used this recipe a few years ago and loved the empanadas. As with a few recipes, I tweak it a bit to fit my taste. I omitted the curry powder and dried thyme. Substituted nutmeg for allspice. Also, used ground turkey instead of ground beef. The recipe credit: FoodNetwork.com

Empanada Fork Review

The best part of the recipe was receiving the Empanada Fork for review from Hipatia Lopez, CEO and Inventor of HL Unico LLC. She reached out on Instagram and asked if I would be interested in reviewing her product. The Empanada Fork is very durable, the sturdy handle makes it easy to grip and seal the empanadas. In years past, I used the tines of a fork. I am so excited to have a new kitchen utensil that makes cooking easy. Find out more at www.empananadafork.com

*Product was received free of charge. All opinions shared are my own.

Recipe: Bay Ridge Empanadas

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Recipe Credit : Sunny Anderson’s Bay Ridge Empanadas

Review: Shark Rocket Powerhead- My New Favorite Household Tool!

Oct 20, 2015

How many of you enjoy vacuuming? Well I have found the BEST housekeeping tool ever invented for your carpets and hard floors. What is it? You ask, SHARK ROCKET POWERHEAD!

I have 1400 square feet of living space the majority of it is hardwood flooring and vinyl flooring in the kitchen. If you have hardwood floors you know the housekeeping chore of dust accumulating every other day.

My biggest pet peeve with any vacuum is the weight as you move from room to room. It feels more like a CARDIO workout than simple housekeeping. The POWERHEAD is only 9lbs(not including the cord), yes 9lbs!!!!!! You can move so quickly from room to room without feeling exhausted. Oh and the weight in your hand is only is 1lb!!!

UPPER AND LOWER WAND, SLEEK DESIGN