OKA B ballet flats - stylish and durable

OKA b., is a leading U.S. manufacturer of eco-chic and recyclable footwear made in Buford, GA.  Inspired by simplicity and a return to the classics, the sleek and slim fitting ballet flat is designed with the same craftsmanship and recyclable materials found in the company’s signature spa sandals sold in thousands of resort spas and independent retailers worldwide. As with all of OKA b. footwear, shoes in the Ballet Flat Collection are also bacteria resistant, non-slip, durable, and washable. With an eclectic assortment of adornments such as floral clusters, gemstones and double sided grosgrain ribbons, the OKA b. ballet flat retails for less than $50. 

I've had a chance to try the flip flops in the past,  but never the ballet flats, and they're so adorable I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try them out. I love the variety of colors and embellishments they offer - Bright green to pastels, to nudes and basics. These are very durable shoes and very fashionable, but my only complaint was that they were sweaty. My feet had no way to "breathe" so to speak. So I'm not sure they're the perfect hot weather shoe, but in the Fall and Winter I will definitely be wearing these often!

Check out all their colors and styles here: http://www.oka-b.com/

Burpee - Fragrant Garden Idea

Do you smell that?  We do, and so do all of the neighbors walking past our driveway.  It is the smell of Lady Lavender.  Burpee sent us 15 Lady Lavender plants and 3 Moulin Rouge Astrantia plants to review.  

Our plants arrived within days of ordering them. They were meticulously packaged with delicacy.  We planted the lavender plants along the driveway, that way people passing by can also catch the fragrance as they walk by.  We also chose this location because of the direct sunlight, which lavender does prefer.  

Every year we purchase a few annuals to add color to the garden, but perennials are by far the easiest, since they come up year after year.  Some lavender plants are annuals, but we chose Lady Lavender because it is classified as a perennial.  Burpee offers a vast selection of seeds and plants, ranging from vegetables, herbs, heirlooms, organics and many more.  We have always been satisfied with their products, including their guarantee policy.  They have been in business since 1876, which really says something about their customer service and ability to outdo the competition.  

Thank you Burpee for adding a new element of "eye pleasing" candy in our garden. 

Visit their site here: http://www.burpee.com/

That Certain Summer - Book Review

Karen and Val are family - yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had darker reasons for leaving town – and had a secret to keep – so coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke.

Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with their past mistakes, their own relationship and their issues with a mother who is far from ideal. When a physical therapist raising his daughter alone and a handsome but hurting musician enter the picture, the summer takes on a whole new dimension. As their lives intersect and entwine, can each sister learn how to forgive, how to let go and how to move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?


My Thoughts: While I've enjoyed Irene Hannon's other novels, that are full of drama, suspence and romance, this book had a different feal. It was more about family relationships and the issues that inevitably come along with those relationships. She's a very talented author, and I would suggest her books to people who enjoy somewhat predictable christian fiction novels.

Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Zero Gravity Chairs from Plow & Hearth

Relax In Zero-Gravity Lounging Chairs: Ultimate Comfort, All-Weather Durability, Affordable Price

You'll feel like you're floating on air in our Adjustable Zero-Gravity Reclining Chair With Padded Headrest - it's perfect for porch, patio, lawn, garden or pool!

Our Zero-Gravity Reclining Chair With Padded Headrest adjusts to nearly any position, from straight up to totally reclined for the perfect seat every time. The ergonomic design offers superior support and pressure-point relief.

Powder-coat steel frames with textilene fabric, a tough polyester fiber covered with a sheath of PVC that is impervious to UV rays. Chair has a padded head rest for extra comfort. Folds for storage. Imported.

• Zero-gravity reclining chair with padded headrest
• Feels like you're floating on air with adjustable ergonomic support and pressure-point relief
• Powder-coated steel frame with breathable, all-weather textilene mesh fabric
• Great for use anywhere outside - pool, porch, patio and more
• Folding design for easy transport and storage 

We had a chance to try out these chairs, and while we love plow and hearth as a whole we weren't completely sold on these chairs. While they're a great concept, in reality they aren't.

Pros: Lightweight, compact and thus doesn't take up much space. They are made with breathable material so you aren't sitting in pools of your own sweat on hot days. Also the chair stays in place once you're positioned so you don't have to work hard to keep yourself balanced in that position. The other nice feature is the built in headrest.

Cons: We found these chairs hard to get in and out of. To me it was the equivalent of a 9 month old pregnant woman trying to get in and out of bed...it's just not an easy feat. They also aren't very durable, as the bungee is already fraying and if the paint chips it will rust very quickly. I know that nothing can last forever, but with only having them a few months they're already showing signs of wear and tear.

http://www.plowhearth.com/ is a great site with some really unique and great products, so head on over and check out their products for yourself!

SEPHORA + PANTONE = Emerald Explosion!

This year, Sephora + Pantone Universe evolve their breakthrough partnership to forecast the color of radical modernism, where graphic shock meets the speed of modern life.

Transfixing and dynamic, the Color of the Year sparks a highly charged mood for the seasons ahead. Visualize a color revolution of infinite potential—from subtle effects to saturated statements—fueled by a hunger for high-tech impact. 

Experience Emerald from every angle through never-before-seen formulas designed to energize the way you wear color in 2013. Connect. Charge. Power up with the Color of the Year.

I recently had a chance to try this new line from Sephora + Pantone and really enjoyed many of their products. The first thing I LOVED, were the shadow color blocks. They come in three different color trios, and at least one of the colors comes as a matte and at least one with some shine, for the perfect combination. But what I also loved is the twist out mirror that is hidden beneath the compact. To be honest, I didn't realize the mirror was there until about the 10th use.

Some of the other great products are the liquid eyeliner in emerald, and the the amazing collection of cosmetic brushes. They had a brush for everything!

Head over to Sephora's site to purchase these for yourself!
http://www.sephora.com/sephora-pantone-universe

Many thanks to Bold PR for the chance to try these out!

The Cat that God Sent

ABOUT THE BOOK

Meet Petey, your not-so-average cat—on a mission from God

Disillusioned young pastor, Jake Wilkerson, has just arrived at his new assignment in the small rural church of Coudersport, Pennsylvania. Also new on the scene is Petey, a cat of unknown origins and breed—but of great perception.

As Jake sets about doing the business of ministry, Petey’s continued interference brings chaos to the community of curiously off and eccentric people—residents like the faith-avoiding veterinarian Sally Grainger and Tassy, a young runaway with a secret. An expert at hiding his fears, Jake wonders if all this—and the cat to boot—is more than he can handle. What is Petey’s real “mission”? Perhaps something larger than Jake—or even Petey—can possibly know.

Purchase a copy here.

Be sure to check out Jim’s The Dog That Talked to God which was nominated as an ECPA book of the Year (2013).

MORE ABOUT THE BOOK:

Recently widowed Mary Fassler buys a Miniature Schnauzer, Rufus, and her world is turned sideways in the midst of her grief.  It seems that Rufus speaks. And not just to her. He also talks to God. When Rufus begins sharing advice that could result in major changes, Mary gets the feeling the pooch might not be steering her in the right direction. Or, is she just afraid to take the leap and discover something she desperately needs? Only Rufus…and God…knows.

My Thoughts:

I'm a big fan of books like Marley and Me, or Dewey the Library Cat, so I was really looking forward to reading these novels. I have 2 cats and a dog so I'm always touched by stories involving the connections between humans and their beloved pets. This book was funny and touching, and people who own pets will know just how a pet can communicate without ever saying a word!

Book Review - Delirium Trilogy by Lauren Oliver

DELIRIUM:They say that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever. 

And I've always believed them.

Until now.

Now everything has changed.

Now, I'd rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.

Lena looks forward to receiving the government-mandated cure that prevents the delirium of love and leads to a safe, predictable, and happy life, until ninety-five days before her eighteenth birthday and her treatment, when she falls in love

My Thoughts: This is a captivating book with very interesting plot - love is a disease and everyone gets cured at age 18. It's desired until someone starts feeling the effects of love, and doesn't want it to stop. Authors who write dystopian novels have such creative minds! I could never think up these plots even if I tried.

PANDEMONIUM: I’m pushing aside 
the memory of my nightmare, 
pushing aside thoughts of Alex, 
pushing aside thoughts of Hana 
and my old school, 
push, 
push, 
push, 
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

My thoughts: I loved this book, and oh the cliff hanger at the end. The entire book is about Lena's life as she adapts to living in the wild while simultaneously flashing forward to her time shadowing a political figure around....and it doesn't take much to predict how their relationship will turn, and I couldn't wait to read the third book in this series once they revealed a shocker at the end of this book.

REQUIEM: They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge

My Thoughts: I  enjoyed the trilogy but hated the ending. It left too much up in the air in my opinion. I was left wonding what happens to hana, lena's relationships with her family (grace, jenny carol etc), what happened with the resistence, and how things turned out in the end....oh and which of the two men captured her heart once and for all.

Bet on Your Baby - GIVEAWAY!!!

• Would You Survive The Baby Dome? QUIZ – 
How well do you know the behavior of babies? How do you think these toddlers will fare playing these games in the Baby Dome? Take the quiz to find out!

• Bet On Your Baby GAME GALLERY – 
View the cutest clips of the stars of the show! Visit the Game Gallery to watch the    babies and parents in action, playing awesome games together such as Toy Time, Stack 'Em, and The Sound of Moo-sic.




WIN IT: a three-coupon pack for Luvs® Super Absorbent Jumbo Pack samples. Luvs® Super Absorbent diapers give your baby the protection they need at the low price you’re looking for—complete with a money back guarantee. New Luvs® Super Absorbent Jumbo Packs have an everyday low price of $6.97 at Walmart!

HOW TO ENTER:
Leave a comment (with your email address) telling me if you think your baby would do well on this show and why!

Ends....Friday June 14, 2013

The Confession

Directed by Michael Landon Jr. (Beverly Lewis’ The Shunning, Love Comes Softly), the inspiring film is a sequel to the Hallmark Channel’s hit movie, Beverly Lewis’ The Shunning, and is based on the second novel of “The Heritage of Lancaster County” trilogy from New York Times best-selling author Beverly Lewis. Katie Lapp (Leclerc), a young Amish woman, goes on a journey in search of her identity -- only to find herself embroiled in a mystery that must be solved before she can be reunited with the “Englisher” mother, who gave her up for adoption 20 years earlier.  The filmalso stars Bill Oberst Jr. (The Secret Life of Bees), Cameron Deane Stewart (Pitch Perfect, High School Crush) and Julia Whelan (TV’s “Once and Again”). It aired on the Hallmark Channel on May 11th, and I LOVED it!

It's a story about character, deception, forgiveness and reunions. You don't want to miss this movie, and thankfully, you can get it in DVD!

Check out the trailer below:

Gardening Must-Have!

I recently had the chance to review the Border Edger and the Steppin' Edger from HoundDog.  The Border Edger was described as being "ideal to create clean borders around beds and walkways."  I was completely satisfied with the ease of using this tool to form a trench around my flower beds.  The steel blade was sharp and cut right through the sod.  My only qualm was that the soil, which was mildly moist, tended to stick to the steel.  The Steppin' Edger was great to use along our sidewalks and driveway.  One of the benefits of using the Steppin' Edger is that it is much lighter in comparison to your average trimmer, in addition to not dealing with filling a gas tank, dealing with tangled cords and worrying about charging a battery.  Both HoundDog products were sturdy and clearly made of high quality materials.  They were not flimsy, like other things you may find at your local hardware store.  Speaking of flimsy, I recently went through two shovels.  Having durable garden tools is a must have for the avid gardener and HoundDog delivers!!!  

Check out all their products here: http://www.hound-dog.com/

Gardener's Supply

Spring has sprung and what a great time to get down and dirty with Mother Earth.  Every year, we aim to add a new element to our outdoor living area, and this year we decided to focus on lighting.  Gardeners was gracious enough to send us several products for review, including dual solar spotlights and a solar shed light.  Instead of spending time wiring and dealing with electrical stuff (which we are totally clueless about), we decided to entertain the idea of solar lighting.  Keep in mind, one of the draw backs to solar-powered lights is that they are noticeably dimmer than your average wired spotlights.  The solar lights were easy to install and within minutes, we were all set up.  As noted in the instructions, it is important that you place the solar panel in direct sunlight.  We were sure to place our panel in the front of the house with full sunlight.  The panel is able to store enough energy to keep the lights on throughout the night.  I can testify to this, because I got up at 4:00 AM to check for myself.  They were going strong!  The dual solar spotlights (Item #38-622) are not as bright as I hoped, but they are aesthetically appealing.  As previously stated, this is one of the cons of solar lights, but Gardeners does sell a brighter model that I probably would have preferred. 

 

In addition, I had the chance to review the Flexzilla hose and the outlet faucet adaptor.  The adaptor is definitely something I should have purchased a long time ago.  I am able to connect two hoses to one outdoor faucet.  Gone are the days of lugging my hose back and forth from the front yard to the back yard.  This is worth it!  I was not as impressed with the Flexzilla hose.  It is lightweight, as described, but I had major issues with kinking and storing it back on the hose stand.  The hose does kink.  When trying to place it on the hose stand, it tends to curl up and is not very versatile.  I was satisfied with all of my review products, except for the hose.  In my opinion, this hose is not worth the money. 

As always, Gardeners shipped my products quickly and they did a great job with packaging.  I have worked with them in the past and would highly recommend their site for all of your outdoor/gardening needs.  They are always running specials and offer a broad array of products to choose from.  

Check out their products here: http://www.gardeners.com/Double-Solar-Spotlight/38-622,default,pd.html

GIVEAWAY: Chick-Fil-A SALADS!!!

We’re proud to announce the Chick-fil-A #FreshMade Blog App!

Forget about yesterday, today is #FreshMade! Each day we have a choice, a choice to do the same old routine or do something unique and different.  What have you wanted to do for a long time? 2013 is almost halfway over and it’s time to do something new. It’s time to grow, it’s time to make your dreams a reality.

View the Chick-fil-A #FreshMade Blog App here:
https://archive.partnershub.com/show/4/cfa-freshmade/widget/cfa-freshmade/

Chick-fil-A is helping you make today #FreshMade, by creating new menu options that you can feel good about! They are introducing 3 new premium salads and an improved wrap all under 430 calories made with premium ingredients.

Take your taste buds to greener pastures.

 


WIN IT: A pack of 2 Chick-fil-A Salad Coupons!

HOW TO ENTER:
Leave a comment below with your favorite chick-fil-a menu item or which salad you'd like to try!

ENDS:  FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013