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Affordable Style

August 29, 2010 By Kailani Leave a Comment

Affordable Style is a website consisting of various online stores that specializes specific products. It’s a great one-stop shop where you can get all of your discount fashion accessory needs, from designer-inspired handbags and sunglasses to sterling silver jewelry and neckties.

All of their stores offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, outstanding customer service, and an extensive selection of products that appeal to bargain shoppers of all ages. With products from Affordable Style’s stores, you can rest assured that you are receiving the highest quality products for your money.

Some of the FRN members had the opportunity to review products from the following stores:

ABC Neckties

Mommy Living the Life of Riley!: It was time to give it to my husband to see what he thought.  Immediately, he loved the design and was thrilled that he now had a new tie to wear around Halloween.  He thought that the Great Pumpkin scene was wonderful and would definitely get him noticed.  There are also so many different colors in this tie, that it would be very easy for him to match it to many of the dress shirts he already owns.

TechyDad: It arrived pretty quickly and I didn’t have to wait long before I wore it to work. I was impressed with both the speed of the delivery and the quality of the tie. I’d definitely order from them again (and, in fact, am deciding which tie to get next).

Mass Hole Mommy: I spent quite a while on ABC Neckties website searching for a tie that Chris would like and match a good portion of his dress shirts. I ended up going with the Lewis Fashion Silk Necktie and I’m so glad I did. This necktie looks fantastic on him. This picture doesn’t even come close to doing it justice. This Borcara label tie is made of 100% silk (dry clean only) and is very soft to the touch. I could tell what good quality this tie was as soon as I took it out of the package and I know it’s going to last for a very long time.

Sunglass Warehouse & Reading Glasses Shopper

icefairy’s Treasure Chest: Like all SW products, the lenses provide UV400 protection from dangerous ultra violet rays. You can tell from the picture above that they have a very cool design. I particularly love the sporty stripe that runs from the lenses down each temple. The shades provide a comfortable fit and do not leave any embarrassing pressure marks on my nose.  My old sunglasses got quite a few scratches on the lenses, blurring my vision. This pair is a prefect replacement that comes right in time!

Forgetfulone: I just got my new sunglasses, and they are CA-YOOT! I love them. I sometimes have a hard time finding the right pair for my face. What looks cute on other people doesn’t always look cute on me, but Sunglass Warehouse had so many to choose from (over 1,000 styles and colors), I was able to find just the right style. Plus they have personality! Hot pink personality!

Simply Cathi: I love my new reader sunglasses! While I’m out and about driving I can see the dash of my car without any difficulty. When I’m running around Disneyland I can read my map without squinting in the sunlight. When playing in the backyard with my grandchildren, I can clearly see their sweet faces when they ask for more ice cream. It really doesn’t get any better than this!

Brain Foggles: I chose a pair of rhinestone sunglasses, SW Rhinestone Style #1551. They are so stylish! Plus they provide UV400 protection. They have crystal clear gems and floral detailing.

The Mom Buzz: Their search options are absolutely amazing. For example, my dad requires sunglasses that fit over his glasses. Well, there is an option to search just those glasses at Sunglass Warehouse. And they have just launched pages to help you choose sunglasses based on your skin tones and choose glasses based your face shape! It’s so uber-helpful!

Mommy’s Memorandum: I was given the opportunity to transform frumpy into fabulous! I picked The Bella style. I love the deep purple and the floral print on the arms is dainty and definitely not something anyone would dare call “frumpy”. It was difficult to make a decision as Reading Glasses Shopper has a huge selection with a lot of fun colors and styles.

Maria’s Space: I don’t know that [the Rhinestone Sunglasses for Rock Stars] are really me but I have gotten loads of compliments on them. In fact, woman, kids, and men all seem to like them. While at a birthday party this weekend the guys were all trying them on. I think it was the pink.

Calgarydaddy.com: I was fortunate enough to received a pair of Aviator sunglasses that I just love!  The look and feel of these glasses is simply amazing and I actually look forward to putting them on.  I tend to always lose my glasses, but if this happens again, I now know that I can head over to http://www.sunglasswarehouse.com/ and find exact same pair!

Three Different Directions: These aren’t your average sunglasses they are a bit “bulkier” in shape, not in weight though, they are very lightweight. What makes them different from other sunglasses (well besides the fact that they fit over your regular glasses) is that they wrap around your eyes. For driving that’s a huge plus. When you’re looking using your side vision, that is shaded as well!

Socks4Life

A Mom’s Take: The men’s colors are great and having 4 in each color will make matching and sorting through socks much simpler over all to not have tons of mis-matched socks! We actually both went through our sock drawers and threw out a bunch of socks that were left with only one sock or those that had holes and it was so nice to have a fresh set of socks for both of us!

Shawn Ann’s World: The knee high socks fit pretty good, a little snug in the leg and a little big for my feet, but nothing major especially since I’ll be wearing boots with them.  However the Running Mate socks are too big for me.  When I put my feet in them there is about an inch to two inches of material left at the toes.  I can pull them to my toes and get them to look as though they fit (see pictures) however, once I go to put my shoes on the heels are above the back of my shoes. In all honesty, it’s what I expected.  That’s about how all socks fit me, so I’ve gotten used to it.  Other than that, the socks are great.

Sheltered Not Shattered: I really like my cozy socks. They are cushiony, soft and warm. I know it is summer time so warm isn’t a big issue right now but it is in the winter so I am really looking forward to having these in the months to come. They are also fun. My kids love me wearing them because I normally just wear white socks so these have become mom’s fun socks!

Real Mom Real Views: Socks4Life sent me several pairs of socks to review. The first pair I tried was the Excell Women’s Semi-Cushion socks. My feet were a little bit cold last week so I slipped them on in the morning. By noon I’m usually sock-free, but surprisingly I still had them on! So I wore them to the park with my sneakers. I was actually worried that my feet would be sweaty because of the cushioning, but they were just fine. I think I’ve found my new favorite athletic socks!

The Angel Forever: The pink heel and toe quarter socks really surprised me. They were extremely comfortable thanks to some cushioning in them. I wore a pair with sneakers to the fair on Saturday. We did a lot of walking while there and my feet never hurt. Usually, after a while with my traditional socks, they are rubbing wrong or tired. The cushion in the socks really gave my older sneakers new life.

More Socks4Life Reviews:

Stop by these and other great online stores from Affordable Style!

Filed Under: Fashion, kids, men, reviews, women

Costume Supercenter

August 29, 2010 By Kailani Leave a Comment

Recently, we posted a review of an online costume shop called Costume Discouters. Well, they’re also a part of another cool site called Costume Supercenter where you can find quality costumes at affordable prices for everyone in your family.

Here’s what our member’s had to say:

E=MC2: Since I don’t intend to make this [Princess Wildflower] an actual Halloween costume, and plan on adding it to the dress-up trunk, I checked out the stitching and durability pretty carefully. Although there are lots of raw edges throughout the costume, the stitching is strong and it should last my very active, very creative girls a nice, long time. That’s what we like in this household: durability!

All Because Two People Fell In LOVE: [My daughter] FINALLY picked the adorable Wonder Woman Costume! I was amazed at all of the extras that this costume came with! I usually send more on all of the extras that I spend on the costume alone! This Deluxe Wonder Woman costume included her red and blue dress with a gold vinyl belt, a separate cape, boot tops, a PVC headpiece, and a set of cuffs.

A Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews: Once I had my selection,  I was shipped the costume speedy quick.  I was surprised at how fast it arrived.  It was sent just like how you buy them in the store, in the plastic hanging bag.  It was shipped in a tyvek envelope.  These are the best thing for shipping clothes in, they do not get wet and they are really hard to tear open. The costume is a great quality, that will last for years. Customer service is excellant.  Plus the huge selection and great pricing is hard to beat.  On top of that, they offer free returns and exchanges.  You can’t fail when buying from Costume Supercenter.

A Nut in a Nutshell: The costume fits in a flattering way without being too clingy or too short, which I was initially worried about because I like to be more modest on Halloween than many other young ladies. As far as sizing, I ordered one size up from what the size chart recommended. I wear a 2 or 3, which translates to an XS on their charts, but I ordered a small. The dress has an interesting boat neck/cowl collar and some gold detailing at the sleeves to make it more special. Although the fabric is definitely man-made, it’s not see-through, so I don’t have to worry about fussing with special undergarments.

Mommy’s Free Time: First, I loved the material the [Super Girl] costume was made of. It can be cold in late October and I loved that this costume was long sleeved and looked like it would keep you warm but not hot. Second, the boot covers were awesome. I remember last year I had the worse time finding shoes to match with my daughter’s outfit. These covers simply fit over your shoes.

Confessions of an Overworked Mom: This year I totally fell in love with this Asian Princess Costume.  Isn’t it gorgeous?  I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the quality of this costume.  The kimono costume includes the dress in a beautiful butterfly print, the pink obi (belt) and the pretty flower headpiece.  It’s available in sizes toddler, small and medium.  It’s made of polyester and looks so cute and authentic!  At $24.99 it’s very affordable and can be used both for Halloween or for dress up play. It would work wonderfully as a homeschool aid when you study Asian culture.

Cool Baby Kid: We tried out the Pink Punk Pirate Toddler costume after deciding on a pirate theme for the family.  More recently I purchased a 2nd pirate costume, this one for our toddler boy, and choose Costume Supercenter for the purchase for a few reasons:
Competitive Price and Sale! (Currently 15% off a $25 purcahse), Huge Selection, Free Shipping on Product Exchanges, Free Size Exchanges, Free Replacement on Shipping Errors/Damaged Goods, & Lots of shipping options including same day shipping.

Leslie’s Life: I have a lot of good things to say about this costume: It’s flippin’ adorable!!, it’s very light weight and breathable, which is perfect for layering clothes underneath dependent on the weather, it makes Haylee look JUST like Jesse with amazing details all the way down to Jesse’s hairbow, and the best of all, Haylee loves it! My only negative is, we had one heck of a time getting it off of her wrists. The holes for her hands are WAY too small and I have a feeling I’ll end up having to make some cuts in it for Halloween.

Tethered Mommy: [Our monkey] costume is made of a soft brown material.  It is almost like microsuede – really that soft.  I also love that this is not too heavy of a material as Halloween can go in direction weather-wise around here.  It’s lighter-weight but not too much so.  It’s also very well constructed – this costume could definitely hold up to many instances of dress up.

The B That Keeps Us Honest: Over all the quality of the costume is what I would expect, not something he would wear all the time but is built sturdy enough to withstand an active toddler. It should also be noted that the costume in the package differs slightly from the image on the package and on the website. Honestly, I like what is in the package better, it’s suited better for a toddler and actually looks to be a better quality than the image. Finally, the costume, with the except of the glasses, runs a little small so if you aren’t sure what size to get go one size bigger. Jude just turned 2 years old and it fits him perfectly.

Here are even more reviews by our members:

Filed Under: Family, Fashion, babies, kids, men, reviews, women

Caress Evenly Gorgeous

March 5, 2010 By Shannon

I remember the phrase, “Before you dress….Caress.”   Well, Caress has come out with another fabulous product called Evenly Gorgeous! We at Family Review Network had the opportunity to review Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash and Beauty Bars. They smell really good! Plus, you can have a pampering experience right in your home with these products!

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash and Beauty Bar have burnt sugar and karate butter, which help moisturize, gently exfoliate, and leave you with even-toned, radiant, and silky skin. With Caress Evenly Gorgeous, you’ll have the confidence to show off your gorgeous, even-toned skin!  If you want a pampering and luxurious experience in your bathtub or shower that leaves you feeling and smelling good, be sure to check out Caress Evenly Gorgeous Products!  They are affordable and can be purchased at your local grocery store!

Here is what our reviewers had to say:

All Because Two People Fell in Love – I love this great new scent: Burnt Brown Sugar and Karite Butter! The scent from the body wash even stays on after my shower and lasts the entire day! I have tried lots of body washes and bars just to be disappointed with the scent quickly fading after my shower! No disappointments with Caress!

Angela’s Analysis – It smells SO good. It lathers wonderful and exfoliates your skin. It left my skin feeling smooth and pampered.

Badger Momma – The texture of the wash was great and the exfoliating aspect of it was gentle…

Blessings Abound Mommy – One whiff of this body wash and beauty bars reminds me of the most decandent mix of spun sugar and caramel fragrances. It truly is very yummy and the scent still lingers in the bathroom and on your skin even after bath and shower time is over.

The Clan McLeod – The light vanilla/sugary aroma is something I fell in love with the instant I opened the bottle!

A Couch With A View – Without costing a fortune, and without sacrificing anything that I like, I can relax with the Caress Evenly Gorgeous.

Forgetful One – Let me tell you, I LOVE THIS STUFF! The bars are so creamy, and the body wash lathers so luxuriously. They contain tiny, little beads that help to exfoliate the skin leaving you feeling ultra-smooth and soft. This is different from most exfoliating body wash or bars. They usually feel somewhat like sandpaper. Not so on this Caress!

Happy Healthy Families – I have always enjoyed Caress products, and their collection of exfoliating body washes and beauty bars are no exception. I highly recommend getting one of the exfoliating body washes if you tend to have dry skin. And for a spa-like feel, the beauty bars are perfect.

Julie’s Journal – I tried both of these products out and I have to say that I just love them! They both lather so nicely, and have a really nice scent to them.

The Mommy-Files - I LOVE Caress Evenly Gorgeous! Talk about pampering yourself? I use it every day now and have recommended it to my friends! I love the way it smells and how easily it lathers, plus how soft it makes my skin.

Just a Mom’s Take on Things – The lather is very thick and I can tell that it’s moisturizing since I haven’t had any dry or itchy skin since using this. In the winter that’s often a problem, so I’ve been very happy with how the Caress works. And no allergy issues either – which makes me very, very happy.

Maria’s Space – This stuff is amazing and there is no longer a need to go to the mall and spend over $12.00 at specialty body shops when you can find Caress in any supermarket and drug store for $7.00 or less.

Mommablogsalot – The exfoliating worked really well, I liked the scent a lot and my skin felt so much more soft than any bar soap I’ve ever used has left if feeling.

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews – I love that the Evenly Gorgeous both exfoliates and moisturizes your skin. I’ve been using it all week and already see improvement. My skin tone is even, less dry flaky skin and I haven’t have to use as much moisturizer after showering.

Mommy Mandy – I’ve been a Caress fan for years. The first thing I did was smell the body wash. WOW! I love the scent so much and even more love the way my skin feels and smells after using it.

Mom Start - One of my newest favorites is the Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash. I’ve been using it for about two or three months and I love the way it feels as I rub it across my skin.

Moody Mama Says – This stuff smells delightful, almost good enough to eat! This soap lathered up nicely so I knew I was getting good and clean. It left my skin soft and silky smooth which is a must for any soap in my household.

A Nut in a Nutshell

Rockin Mama – I typically prefer body wash over bars of soap, however, I really like the way the beauty bars make my skin feel.

Sheltered Not Shattered – It has really helped my dry skin, and I love the smell of it. Hubby and both boys have commented on how nice it smells. Now, they liked my old soap too but this got new comments and what girl doesn’t like being told “you smell good”. Oldest was snuggling with me and said “wow, mommy you smell really good.”

She Scribes – Overall I am pleased with the Caress Evenly Gorgeous body wash and soap. When I am shopping for soaps or body washes I am more likely to reach for the Caress Evenly Gorgeous then other brands currently available on the market.

A Simple Kinda Life – Caress has long been one of my favorite products. I used to love their beauty bars when I was a teen – the smell was scrumptious and it left my skin so soft!

Then the body wash was introduced and I loved it even more than the beauty bars.

A Wrestling Addicted Mommy – After a few days of using the Evenly Gorgeous body wash my dry itchy winter skin seemed to feel softer right out of the shower, so much so, that my normal routine of putting lotion on my entire body was skipped!

Thank you Caress for giving us a pampering, evenly gorgeous experience!

We received product samples to facilitate our reviews. All opinions expressed in our posts are 100% our own.

Filed Under: reviews, women Tagged With: Body Care, Caress

Flirty Aprons

February 15, 2010 By Shannon

Gone are the days when you wore an apron just to cover up while cooking and cleaning.  Now you can wear “Flirty” Aprons while working around the house….as well as before and afterwards!  Flirty Aprons are cute and you’ll look good and feel good when you’re wearing them.  I personally love the Flirty Aprons and the “flirty” styles they offer! Here are a few great things about Flirty Aprons:

- Prices starting at just $24.95
- Same day shipping
- Universal, one size fits all
- Soft, double-layered fabric

I could have easily picked 3 or 4 different styled aprons to own in my home, but was really excited with the pattern I received!  Another great things about Flirty Aprons is that you can you find something for women, men, and even kids!

We at Family Review Network had the opportunity to try out Flirty Aprons in our homes.  The overall feeling was a positive one.  Here are what some of the reviewers had to say about Flirty Aprons.

All Because Two People Fell in Love – Whether you are cooking, cleaning, gardening or doing crafts, an apron from Flirty Aprons is ideal for you! Flirty Aprons give woman the opportunity to look and feel beautiful while going about their normal day.

Badger Momma - What I really liked about the apron is that both the neck and waist ties are wide and adjustable. The width on the ties definitely make it more comfortable resting on your neck. The long, adjustable tie at the waist allows you to tie it in the front, back, side, wrap it around you twice if you’re slender, etc.  Flirty Aprons are very suitable for all shapes and sizes.

Brain Foggles – This are so pretty that I left it on after cooking a meal. It fits perfectly and made me feel sexy! I’m not one for cooking, but with my new Flirty Apron I may end up cooking and even baking more.

The Mom Buzz – Nowadays when I think apron, I think flirty, sexy and chic. The aprons from Flirty Aprons follow that concept 100%!

The Mommy-Files – I love the way it fits and the fact that I want to wear it whenever I’m cooking in the kitchen or cleaning!  I love the aprons at Flirty Aprons because you can wear them cooking, cleaning, gardening, or anytime you want and still look and feel good wearing them

Mommy Goggles – I am in love with this apron! It is so cute, pretty, fun & to be honest, makes me WANT to wear an apron when I cook.

Mommy Mandy – Seriously, who wouldn’t want to dance around in this super cute apron! I just love it. Everything about it, from the design, to the adorable bows. This apron makes me feel like a girlie girl, and I can’t wait to put it on and bake with the girls.

My Organized Chaos – My Flirty Apron has come in handy when baking, especially when I have a daughter that likes to stir the bowl. I appreciate the front pockets, they come in handy for my cell phone and recipe cards {they always get so messy otherwise!}. As for the design, I like the trendy mix of black and white patterns, they are contrasting yet complimentary. And, the added frill detailing is a nice feminine touch too. The generous length in ties allows women of all sizes to wear it.

Rockin Mama – I could own several of these and have fun wearing them…especially when we have company over. I really like how the company took something as monotonous as cooking and turned it into something exciting. You can look beautiful while doing dishes (just ask my husband)

Sheltered Not Shattered – When I received the apron I was very pleased. It is sturdily made and is also soft and femine. The tie is long enough to wrap around and tie in the front so it will fit nearly everyone.

Tara’s View of the World – I just love it! It is super cute. The Flirty Aprons are one-size fits all and they really are! My mom is teensy tiny and I am plus-sized and the apron fits both of us nicely.

Filed Under: household, reviews, women Tagged With: Flirty Apron, Kitchen Aprons, Mom Style

Norah Jones Releases “The Fall” on CD

January 18, 2010 By Shannon

Norah JonesI love Norah Jones and know of many people who love her music.  A few reviewers from Family Review Network had the opportunity to review her newest Album release entitled, “The Fall.”  Overall, the reviewers really enjoyed her new CD and many have enjoyed playing it at home or in the car!  “The Fall” was released in November 2009 by Blue Note Records and one of her hit releases was “Chasing Pirates.”

Norah Jones just released a new CD called “The Fall,” which was released by EMI/Blue Note Records on November 17th, 2009. I am excited to hear the songs on her soundtrack, as I have loved her music on previous albums! One of her hit singles is called “Chasing Pirates” and it’s a fun song to watch and listen to! Norah Jones even has a Hulu Channel!

You can listen to her new song, “Chasing Pirates,” in the Hulu clip below!

Right now, in celebration of her new Album, you can enter to win a grand prize of some fabulous prizes!!! The giveaway will end on January 31st, 2010. The Grand Prize is only open to US Residents. The prize pack includes the following items:

- 1 (one) Martin LX1 Little Martin Acoustic Guitar ($299)

- 1 (one) Ludwig 5-Piece Junior Drum Set with Cymbals ($279)

- 1 (one) Schoenhut 49 Key Pro Baby Grand Piano ($2,008)

Check out what other Family Review Network Reviewers thought of Norah Jone’s “The Fall” release:

Happy Healthy Families: I admit I was not too familiar with Nora Jones before I listened to her latest CD, but I can say that I am now a bonafide fan!

Momma Blogs a Lot: The perfect cure for the chaos of life with a preschooler and teething infant – I’ve taken to listening to it in the car during our trips to the store and on my computer when baby is napping or even better while playing brain games on Lumosity.com – I swear my performance improves when I listen while playing!

Mommy Goggles: I pulled this CD over to my iPod and I listen to it everywhere I go, in the car, on the elliptical, everywhere. I thought her first CD was the best that she could make, but this one (I do believe) has the first release topped. If there is a CD on your list, this one is a great addition!

Really, Are You Serious?: This CD seemed a little less jazzy and a little more rock and roll (do people even say that anymore)? I still love how light The Fall is and the sound of her voice is just so soothing. According to her site, in The Fall Norah is experimenting with different sounds and a new set of collaborators. I think that explains the “little more rock and roll” feel I was getting from it.

Rockin Mama: Norah’s new CD is just incredible. If you know her and her music, then you know she’s got this jazzy, bluesy sort of approach to her music. Her voice is just lovely and she cites Billie Holiday and Willie Nelson as early influences on her and her music.

Seeryus Mama: Enter a giveaway here, ending January 26th, 2010.

Welcome to the Motherhood: Stronger than ever, Norah has strayed away from her jazz-pop sound that we fell in love with to an impressive, electric pop-rock sound that will delight old and new fans! My favorite track on the album is I Wouldn’t Need You.

Reviewers received a copy of “The Fall” by Norah Jones from Blue Note Records.  All thoughts are 100% genuine.

Filed Under: entertainment, reviews, women

My Yoga 2 Go

October 19, 2009 By Caryn

As a busy mom, it’s hard to find time to do much of anything for myself, particularly when it comes to fitness and workout classes.  Many moms don’t have childcare or the free time in their schedule to attend these types of classes.  And if you’re like me, the thought of putting your child in the gym day care (if the gym has one) is not appealing, particularly during cold and flu season.  The alternative, DVDs, can get tiresome, boring, and in want of something more challenging.

practicesystem-lores

Yoga has numerous benefits including strength and flexibility training, meditation, and relaxation.  Several of our reviewers had an opportunity to try out a new yoga system that can be done in the comfort of your home, on your own time schedule.  Here is a little more information about My Yoga to Go from the site:

The My Yoga 2 Go Practice System combines the flexibility of working out at home, the versatility of a yoga class and the hands-on guidance of an experienced yoga instructor all in one yoga practice system.  The My Yoga 2 Go Practice System will help you to achieve all of your yoga fitness goals without expensive yoga classes or yoga DVD’s.  The My Yoga 2 Go Practice System provides an excellent way to set up your own yoga routine to do at home.

Here is what our reviewers had to say about the system:

Forgetfulone:  Thank goodness they have a website that explains everything, too. I was having a hard time figuring out how to set things up, but I went to the website, and everything is explained, step by step, in a way even a beginner like me can understand.  I would really benefit from having a teacher standing here telling me exactly where to put the weight on my feet, which direction to face, how many counts to hold it, when to inhale and exhale. All the information is right there on the card, but it was kind of hard to read the information and try to do it at the same time.

Maria’s Space:    Not only does it look awesome it can go anywhere with you. You can hang and organize your poses before you start depending on the training you want to do and how much time you have. One of the best things about this for me personally was that I have certain poses that I love and I am able to incorporate those into my routine along with the poses depending on my level of energy that day. I like mixing them up. Some advanced poses with some intermediate and then some of my favorite basic beginner poses.

Mom Start: Whether you are a yoga novice or expert, My Yoga 2 Go Practice System makes it easy to customize your workout and practice yoga in the comfort of your own home.  It is very easy to use, my trouble is keeping the cards away from my daughter.  It is very important to get yourself moving and yoga is nice because it is so easy on your body. I’m not saying yoga is easy I’m just saying the results can be felt.

My Organized Chaos:  I liked having this system, as it compares to an instructional class, yet in the comfort of home {and no money spend on babysitters in order to get a great workout in}. Plus, there are so many combinations to choose from, for each workout – it never gets boring and repetitive {unlike videos} Since it’s in a handy tote,
it stores away neatly until the next use.

Nerd Family Things:  First off, finding the time and money to go to a yoga studio is always a challenge. And frankly I like yoga but not the meditation side. So this allows me to do yoga on my terms! It has sequence cards that enable you to so a set sequence based on your level and purpose (Energize, core strength, hip opening and more). I also really like the fact that is has a full color picture of each pose with detailed instructions. It has all the benefits of having a teacher right there!  It is also very nice that it folds up and can travel with you. Traveling stresses me out greatly so it is convenient that it is light and can hang on just about anything! With the holidays coming up I think this would also be a great gift.

A Nut in a Nutshell:  I absolutely love having the sequence right there in plain view. It just takes a quick glance and then I know which pose to move into next. The pockets of the display tote are quite tight so the cards won’t slip out once you’ve put them in there, which is particularly helpful for traveling. The information on the back of the card is extremely informative, especially for more unfamiliar poses. I love the ability to have it all ready to go in the tote, but yet be able to fold it up in between yoga sessions.

Robyn’s Online World:  This is a nifty little system that you can take with you anywhere or just tuck away nicely when you aren’t using it at home. The really clever part about this is that you customize it to make it want you want it to be.  My Yoga 2 Go is making it easier for me to learn the different posts a little at a time and go more at my own pace. I can put a shorter sequence together or mix things up to keep from being bored with a routine (like on the DVD I own).

Rockin’ Mama:  Since I’m pregnant, and classify myself as a beginner, the founder of the program designed a prenatal sequence for me.  I recognized many of the poses, but I did find some of them a bit challenging (I’m almost 7 months pregnant!). I like the fact that each card has details on the amount of time it takes to complete each pose/stretch, detailed directions, variations, and benefits. It’s very thorough.  I will say that if I didn’t know the pose, I had to turn the card over and spend some time studying it which is really the only downside I see to the system.  I do like the thoroughness of the program, the ability to vary based on skill level, and the versatility of using this anywhere.  I definitely don’t think you’ll get bored with this system!

She Scribes:  From the moment I opened up the package I was very impressed. Personally I enjoy the part where it tells you the benefits from doing this pose. I love how it all folds up into a neat little tote that you could take with you anywhere.

The Mommy Files:  I have to say that I loved this system and wouldn’t mind trying yoga again after reviewing the system. It was fun and I could do what I wanted to do. For example, if I wanted to work on Back Strength, I would select the yellow identified cards and place them in the pockets. I simply hang up the display tote and follow along at my own pace.  It is an awesome product!

Wish List Worthy:  This is a great system if you have done yoga before. If you aren’t as familiar with yoga, it might be harder for you, but the cards are well illustrated and explained. There were even some poses in the deck that I hadn’t seen before, which excited me because I love doing yoga.

The My Yoga 2 Go Practice System retails for $29.95, but you can save 15% when you use the code “BLOGYOGA.”  (valid through October 31, 2009).

Filed Under: health/beauty, pregnancy, reviews, women

Beauty Name – Esquisite Craftsmanship from Israel

July 11, 2009 By Cathi
Sometimes it’s hard to find the perfect gift, a gift that is personal and timeless. When you do find a lovely personalized gift, it can be almost impossible to get the spelling of some names correct. My name for example is Cathy however I spell it Cathi with my own personalized “i”. I have never found a personalized anything with Cathi spelled with an “i”. I also have never found my grand daughter’s name printed, embroidered or carved on anything. BeautyName is an extraordinary company that creates handmade personalized necklaces with any name you want. Each necklace is exquisitely made. Rani of BeautyName, is a silversmith, who lives in Jerusalem, Israel. These lovely handcrafted necklaces are part of a family silverware business that was started 40 years ago. Rani loves making personalized jewelry because it helps him appreciate each person’s name and it’s beauty. He believes everyone’s name is meaningful with a destiny. The refined craftsmanship makes each necklace a charming and striking piece of jewelry. Each necklace will be made just as ordered. You choose the precious metal, font the name will be made in. Each necklace is made of solid sterling silver or 14K gold. The silver necklaces have a beautiful snake chain, 14, 16 or 18 inches in length. With the gold necklaces you can choose between a box or braid chain in a 16 inch length.
Beauty Name necklaces can be found on Etsy
and Ebay for less than thirty dollars.
Your necklace will be made especially for you and shipped from Israel for only four dollars.
 
What we have to say about BeautyName:
My Trendy Tykes: Have you ever been approached by someone that you knew but just couldn’t remember their name? This happens to my husband ALL.THE.TIME.
It can be pretty embarrassing, huh? Well, I have a solution . . . .BeautyName  personalized necklaces.
 
Sweet n’ Sassy Girls:  I love that they have the option of silver OR gold, as I am not a gold person, but I know several people who are.  The necklace was delicate, but strong enough that I’m not worried about it breaking.  The chain was the perfect length for me.
 
Chocolate Fingerprints: I don’t hate my name, but I’ve never been particularly proud of it until the last few years. I guess you could say I’ve grown into it. So now is the perfect time in my life for me to really appreciate jewelry like this! This jewelry is handmade per your order, so those of you out there with unusual names, who can never find personalized anythingwill not be left out in the cold with BeautyName!
 
The Dirty Shirt: I received this beautiful necklace from BeautyName and I was so impressed with the craftsmanship that went into making it. It came out beautifully and my daughter just absolutely loves it. And I am also impressed with the amount of choices you have from different types of jewelry to all the font choices they have to have your name written in.
 
Nicole at Mom Fuse:  The nameplate was put on a 14″ silver snake chain, perfect for children. Not only is the length appropriate, but unlike standard link chains, the snake chain doesn’t get caught in my daughters hair or on her clothing. This may not be an important factor when buying for adults, but when you have a squirmish toddler, it’s a big deal!
 
An Island Review:  I was really surprised at how quickly it arrived considering it came all the way from Israel. I”ve had orders from the Continental US that took longer to get here. It came in a pretty black box and was excellently displayed. Perfect for gift giving. When Girlie Girl saw her name, she was so excited! She had to try it on right then and there and it looked so pretty on her. The quality and workmanship was obvious and you could tel that a lot of pride went into making it. She insisted on wearing it to school the next day and received so many compliments. I had a hard time getting her to take it off!
 
Wish List Worthy: I had always wanted to have a necklace with my name on it, even before the TV show Sex and the City made them popular. I have always thought they were really beautiful, and recently I got the chance to get one for myself from BeautyName. Beautiful is a perfect word to describe the necklace, and the way it came packaged too. It arrived all the way from Israel, where Rani crafted it. It arrived in a very nice black box, which made the name just “pop” when I opened it.
 
Rockin Mama : The first thing I noticed when I received the necklace was that it came all the way from Jerusalem!  I absolutely adore products from other countries. The necklace is handmade, but you would not know this from looking at it because it’s so intricately designed.  The size of my name is perfect, not too big and gawdy, not too small to see.  The necklace is solid sterling silver and the chain can be ordered in one of three lengths (14″,16″, or 18″).  You can choose any name, up to 10 letters in a variety of fonts and the cost is just $25 plus shipping (which is very affordable, considering it’s coming from Jerusalem).
 

 
Filed Under: Fashion, reviews, women

Barefoot & Pregnant

July 11, 2009 By Andrea

barefoot

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was very young and extremely confused. All first time moms, especially young ones, have advice coming at them from all sides. While all parties involved are well-meaning, it can be extremely confusing for a mama-to-be. Pregnancy and childbirth involve so many decisions! Hospital or home birth? Breastfeeding or formula? To circumsize or not to circumsize? The list is endless, and the questions don’t stop after baby’s birth. If anything, they come more frequently. That’s why I love Barefoot & Pregnant, a new website dedicated to answering new and expectant parents’ every question…and then some! Barefoot & Pregnant isn’t just a very informative site, it’s also an online community where moms, dads, expectant and adoptive parents, and even grandparents can connect with other like-minded individuals. They even have a great blog.

Although I wish Barefoot & Pregnant had been around when I was pregnant, I’m so happy it’s here now! With Barefoot & Pregnant on your side, you’ll never have to feel nervous that you don’t have the answer to one of the many quandaries that motherhood throws your way!

Just a Mom’s Take on Things- I’ve spent a bit of time browsing around and checking out the Barefoot & Pregnant site, and have to say that I’m definitely impressed so far. I like how there’s a community feel right from the beginning and each category includes links to forums and groups so that if you’re looking for more interaction than just reading an article or finding a piece of information, you know exactly where to go. Registering on the site was quick and easy (and free!) and I found it easy to navigate around using the menus.

Go Graham Go!- There is a brand new online community just for new and expecting parents that you should check out when you have a moment. Barefoot and Pregnant has forums and focuses on those who are trying to conceive as well. There are several articles written by parents as well as doctors. You can check out videos as well as submit your very own videos on different topics.

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews- Are you pregnant or trying to conceive? If so, I found a great website for you! …There are great articles, blogss and you can even contribute. Plus sections for dads, when baby first arrives & parenting. Go check it out!

Happy Healthy Families- Barefoot and Pregnant.com offers information and support for mommies and daddies to be. It is like an online manual for pregnancy. They cover everything—from getting pregnant, to adoption to surrogacy to healthy recipes and exercise. There are support groups and forums as well.

Chocolate Fingerprints- There’s a compendium of information for expectant and new and expectant moms, as well as dads, adoptive parents, and couples who are trying to conceive. There are groups and forums where you can connect with other parents or post questions in the unlikely event that you don’t find the aswers just by browsing the site. If you’re a writer or blogger, you can even contribute articles to the site!

Filed Under: Family, pregnancy, reviews, websites, women Tagged With: baby, Barefoot & Pregnant, Family, online community, parenting, pregnancy, reviews

Always Infinity

May 21, 2009 By Caryn

always_inf_prod_imgEvery month, we get a reminder that, yes, indeed, we’re still capable of having children.  Unfortunately, it is a time of discomfort!  While not a hotly discussed topic, it’s nice to hear from one woman to another, which feminine hygiene products work and which ones don’t!  Always has recently launched their new line of pads called Infinity.  Here is a little more information from the site:

The world’s first pad of its kind, Always Infinity offers women powerful absorbency like never before. It’s made with an über-absorbent material called Infinicel that has the power to absorb 10x its weight, yet remains amazingly light. With a revolutionary wing design that fits the curvature of your panty, microdots designed for fast absorption, and an incredibly soft cover, Always Infinity is a pad like no other.

always-150x150

Some of our reviewers had an opportunity to test out Always Infinity and here is what they had to say:

All Because Two People Fell In Love:  I love these great new products! The wings stayed in place which provided me with the confidence I need when wearing a pad. They are very thin and flexible so I felt as if I was just wearing a liner! I love that they are soft and comfortable and still provide super absorbency! I am totally impressed with these great new products!

Homeschooling and Loving It:  It was very comfortable and I LOVE the wider back.  That is where I have the biggest problem and this pad really helped in that area, especially when I sleep!  It has a wonderful protective cover sheet and microdots to keep you fluid away from you.  This made a huge difference for me.  The pad curved to with my body and didn’t bunch up and make me miserable while wearing them.

Mom Giveaways:  When I first opened them up I did a double take because the pad had holes in it.  I could actually see through the pad.  ”How is this supposed to work?”  But it did work; and work good.

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews:  My daughter just tried them and said she really liked them. I did take a peek at one and they seem very nice. They have a nicer top layer then I remember and a great shape to them.

Red Sox Mommy:  Well, I’ve been a fan of Always since high school so it’s no surprise that I liked these. Their shape is more natural and the materials they’re made of are effective and less “diaperish” feeling. They’re definitely quality and I’d use them again in a heartbeat.

Riding With No Hands Reviews: Always Infinity pads are infinitely better than other pads I’ve used in the past! Made with ‘infinicel’, a super-absorbent material that can hold 10x its weight, these pads feel light even on your heaviest days. I honestly had doubts when I first opened up the pad, because it clearly has holes in it that you can see through. These ‘microdots’ are there to guide fluid quickly deep inside the pad so you stay dry. I’d never seen anything like that!It honestly didn’t feel like I was even wearing a pad most of the time! There was no ‘bunching up’ – the pad stays in place, thanks to good adhesive and uniquely-shaped wings.

Rockin’ Mama:  Immediately, I noticed that they’re softer than any pad I’ve ever tried.  They’re also super thin, considering the samples I received were for heavy absorbency. I woke up feeling dry and the pad had pretty much stayed in place (there is always a little shifting, no matter what you use).   I like the natural fit to these and I feel they conform to my body shape better than other pads I’ve tried.  They’re also wider in the back where we all need it!

Robyn’s Online World:  It has been many years since I have tried the Always line of pads because frankly I did not like the old top lining on them years ago. When I received the samples I was happy to see that the top lining had changed a great deal and was less “plastic-like” in feeling. The other interesting change was that the outer “envelope” of the pad is also the sticky protector that you tear off – one less piece of trash. The Always Infinity is a nice shape and stays put very nicely. Absorption also just as it needs to be and they are super thin which is a must for me.

Filed Under: health/beauty, reviews, women

eenamaria Handbags

March 23, 2009 By Cathi

 

Sarah Morgan is the creative force behind eenamaria handbags. She may have inherited her talen for design from her grandmother who was a Parsian designer. She also may have discovered her talent for design while atending the Pratt Institute of Art in NYC. She generally follows two rules when designing: what period in history she’s currently fascinated by and which neighborhood in New York represents the spirit of that era. Sarah shared her new 1960s-inspired Chelsea Boi line handbags at London’s recent Fashion Week. She has truly made herself someone to watch out for. Not only has she been nominated twice for the Fashion Group International’s ‘Rising Star Award’ but she’s airing her new line on QVC. Her current line of bags are bold and edgy in bright colors on shiny patent vinyl.
 

 

I was very lucky to receive the Workin’ Weekend Baby Tote.

Isn’t it fabulous?

It’s just so fun…and big. I love big bags. And regardless of the outside color of the bag, the inside will always be the delightful bright signature red. Eenamaria offers every type of bag from small weekend clutches to large, functional travel totes that can fit all of your travel or business needs! The bright colors and bold designs make these bags not only practical, but exciting and fun. I know from personal experience that Sarah stands behind the quality of her handbags. She personally addressed an issue one of our reviewers had with her bag.

3-23-2009-5-15-10-pm

 This is one of the bags Sarah is currently introducing on QVC. It’s called the Eenamaria Southern Belle Cinched Waist Handbag in Pink/White and I am absolutely in love with it!!

How about you?

This is what our members think about eenamaria:

Rockin’ Mama: I received the Every Queen Needs One clutch and I LOVE it.  This is the kind of purse I would wear on a night out.  It is ultra-hip and modern and makes a bold statement. I love the vibrant colors and the shiny vinyl checkered pattern.  The clutch also includes a strap so I can wear it and not have to worry about leaving it somewhere.  I’ve already received compliments on it!  eenamaria handbags are fresh and edgy.  If you’re looking for style and flair, check out the entire line for the size and style that suit you.

The Way I See It Too: Many of my childhood memories revolvearound my sister who is eleven years older than I am. I know the words to songs that were popular when I was a dink. I remember beehive hair with bright & bold colors in fashion. All these memories are dear to my heart. The 1960s-inspired eenamariahandbags bring these memories alive again.

The Mom Buzz: Choosing a bag from eenamaria is fun! Since I take lots of family trips, I decided the I Mean Bizness Travel Tote” was the one for me. When it arrived I was in SHOCK. It is the PERFECT travel tote. Oh. My. Goodness. Roomy with pockets galore. It measures 19.5″ x 17″ x 7″. Big enough to smuggle a mastiff. Well, maybe not a mastiff – but a very large pug would fit in it! That means there is no excuse for leaving anything behind. And it has a zippered compartment and fun pockets to stick all sort of travel necessities in. The inside looks like it would be easy to wipe clean if something spills – like shaving cream or lotion. And the outside is made of Patent Vinyl. Once again, easy to clean. And unlike other bags, water would roll right off this baby. So your items inside are nice and safe once you zipper it shut.

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews: One thing I love about this company is the color options. They have tons of fun graphic patterns with bright fun colors. These bags make you feel good, which boosts your confidence. These would be great for working moms, and even blogger moms going to all those fun conferences every year! I chose the black and white version, (I Mean Bizness Travel Tote) I totally love it. It is patent nylon and has a really great look to it. The straps feel very secure. The bag really holds a lot.

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires: There are many pockets for organization. There are full length zippered pockets on the front and the back exterior of the bag. These are great for work documents, magazines, or in my case coloring books. There is a room zippered pocket on one interior wall as well. Since I have converted this fashion-forward travel tote into a designer diaper bag, one of the features I cannot live without are the pockets on either end for sippy cups and water bottles. In summary, this bag is not for the wallflower. It is bold, fashion-forward, and is meant to be noticed. It makes me wish I still had my white patent leather go go boots from the 90′s. They hurt my feet terribly, but they would have looked perfect with this bag.

MySentimentExactLee: One of the biggest rules of womanhood is that you can never have too many handbags. eenamaria has a style all her own. The bag I chose, the All Night Clubber in black, has the look of shiny patent leather with silver accents. It is the perfect size for quick trips or light packers. The All Night Clubber is a wrist bag and does not have a shoulder strap at all. I am a sucker for the smallest “extras” and when this handbag arrived I did the dance of joy when I saw that the inner lining was a bold red! What fun!!! I was also impressed with how much this small bag was able to fit inside. I’m not exactly a light packer, I tend to bring everything but the kitchen sink, so I really appreciated the “stretch” this Eenamaria bag had to offer.

My Trendy Tykes: I’ve got purses in all colors, shapes and sizes but I tend to carry the smaller ones most often. And that’s exactly what I ordered from eenamaria……the smaller “All Night Clubber” bag. These handbags are definately BOLD and you will definately be noticed as a trendsetter when sporting one. I love mine and kind of wish I would have chose the green, black and white one now.
hmmmm….. (hee hee)

Maria’s Space: The bright colors and bold designs are not only practical, but exciting and fun. I chose the one I would get the most use out of. (Workin’ Weekend Baby Tote) This bag makes me think of Marlo Thomas in That Girl and Mary Tyler Moore. It also reminds me of the Partridge Family. All warm fuzzy memories for me. Come on how adorable is this bag? So mod!!!

Riding With No Hands Reviews: I was recently introduced to eenamaria handbags, and was lucky enough to be able to add yet another amazingbag to my growing collection! With several different designs from the Chelsea Boi line to choose from, the hardest part was deciding which one. After much deliberation I finally decided on the Workin’ Weekend Baby Tote, mostly because I love it’s Mondrian-inspired look. With one large zippered storage area in the center, and two on the outside, the design of the tote is very simple.

Red Sox Mommy: After going back and forth on a couple bags I decided to get the I Mean Bizness Travel Tote in blue. When it arrived I couldn’t believe how HUGE it is. Seriously, it’s perfect for an overnight bag for a family of four. I know because we used it for an overnight trip we took last week. I love all the compartments and I like the versatility of being able to hold it by the handles or sling it over my shoulder with the strap. My only complaint is the strap not being longer or at least adjustable. But that’s a minor thing, overall I love the bag!

Ohana Mama: I am a simple jeans and a tee kind of girl, but I am a girl.  And you know what girls like, right? Shoes and bags!  Now, my shoes are a rainbow of different flip flips, but I still have a ton!  And my bags are mostly beach bags, but you guessed it, my closet is brimming with them.  So, I was excited to get a sneak peak at the new bags from eenamaria! These bags are perfect for when I go to “The city” (aka Honolulu) or head back to the mainland for some partying with my best girl friends during a night out.  eenamaria bags are fun, colorful, mod and easy to clean! Yes, always thinking like a mom, the patent leather-like material on the outside is easily wipeable.  So any spills of margaritas or vino that may hit my bag on a girls night out can be easily wiped down with a wet sponge!  YAY!  A great looking bag that’s ALSO practical!  Gotta love that!

SassyFrazz: The zipper has a pretty silver tab with the eenamaria logo on it to make it easy to open the zipper. The outside of the bag is made with a washable vinyl. The colors are vibrant! There are 3 storage areas in the Workin’ Weekend Baby Tote: two on the outside, and a big one in the center. I love how this Tote does not look like the typical diaper bag, and actually I may just use it for my day trips. I think this bag would be perfect to tote around a laptop.

Sweet ‘n’ Sassy Girls: I decided to go with the Workin’ Weekend Baby Tote. I figured I could always use a big bag that would be great as a diaper bag or to just use as a big purse. I even saw this bag listed on another site as a laptop bag. That is perfect for the laptop I just got for my birthday! Now I have a bright cute bag I can use to tote that thing around, like to BlogHer this summer! I’ll be the stylish one with the vinyl bag.

Filed Under: Fashion, reviews, women
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