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Zoku Pocket Straw Review and Giveaway

I received 3 different Zoku products in exchange for my review. And I get to give away a very cool Zoku pocket straw!

I don’t know about you, but I am a bit frustrated with all the “no straw” things restaurants are trying to do. First off, it’s super inconsistent. And seems to vary by location. I never know if I’m going to be able to get a straw or not.

Secondly, I go a lot of places that I can’t take a straw. Like my local zoo. (I actually can’t take a disposable straw OR lid) This is incredibly inconvenient with kids. Especially with my 2 yr old. I mean, a straw is way easier to bring than a sippy cup. We pretty much loose half our drink every time because we have no lid and we have no straw. It’s so frustrating!

Needless to say, I was super, incredibly excited about trying out this Zoku stainless steel pocket straw. And I’m just loving the great features! The only thing I’m struggling with is prying it away from my 11yr old. She’s pretty sure I got this straw just for her and that it’s the best thing I’ve done for her so far this year.

  • It telescopes down and fits in the little straw carrying case (that gray thing) so I can easily tuck it in a bag or pocket. Or there’s a spot in the lid for a string if I need to tie it on to something.
  • It’s not disposable so even the zoo will let me bring it in – not that they’ll know that I have it, it’s so small!
  • The silicone mouthpiece makes it comfortable to use. I’m not a fan of stainless steel straws because they’re always too hot or too cold depending on what I’m drinking. The little mouthpieces fixes that.
  • The telescope feature also means that I can easily use it in a smaller cup without having a gigantic straw. I can just telescope it out a little less and it’s shorter. Perfect for smaller cups and little children.
  • It comes with a straw cleaner. Because, let’s face it, unless I’m drinking only water, I’m going to want to scrub out the inside of this thing. The cleaner also fits in the case with the straw, so I can easily carry this entire thing with me everywhere.

As much as my kids love this straw, I’m going to have to buy one for each of them so they’ll never be strawless. Maybe if I ask nicely Zoku can make them with different colored silicone mouthpieces so I can tell them apart!

The other 2 items Zoku sent are this stainless steel water bottle. I love the rope on top. These bottles are terrific for my kids because they’re easy to transport without spilling, but we’re constantly struggling with where to stuff them in a backpack so they don’t fall out. A little carabiner clipped to the lid and my son’s backpack strap and our problem is solved. This is a nice sturdy bottle, and I love the stainless steel because it will have to survive many drops.

And, last, but not least, the stackable containers. They all stack together to fit well in my cupboard. And they stack with each other well with all the lids on. They come in 4 different sizes and there’s even a freezer pack that clips inside one of the large lids – perfect for those days that I pack a salad!

I love that the lids clip on on 4 sides. They’re easy to clip down but large enough that it’s easy to grab them and open them when the time comes. They also have a nice seal on the inside edge so when the container is closed, it’s sealed. Perfect for packing lunches that I’m worried about spilling everywhere.

Now for the fun part! Enter below for your chance to win your very own pocket straw.

Win Zoku’s Stainless Steel Pocket Straw #6

Check out Zoku on social media

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HuePets – Review

Thanks to Tryazon for sending the HuePets party pack to share with my friends!

We combined our HuePets party with a birthday party and I gave away the Hue Pets swag as part of our party favors. All the kids loved the squishies and we parents had a great time discussing the new HuePets app and how difficult it often is to get our kids to eat their veggies!

Because of the number of kids, bananagrams wasn’t a huge hit, but it’s definitely a fun game that involves fruit! And we made sure we kept 1 cookbook for ourselves. My kids love to cook and I’m excited that they want to cook with more fruits and veggies!

The HuePets app is super easy to use. Just scan your food and it walks you through the rest. It’s a fun way to track what everyone is eating!

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Suzy Snooze Smart Nightlight & Baby Monitor – Review and Giveaway

I received a Suzy Snooze Smart Nightlight (or Snoozy as my 5yr old calls it) for free to review. You can purchase this product on their Amazon Page.

Features:

  • Push Down Suzy’s top to turn on her light and music.
  • After 15 minutes the music stops and the nighlight stays on.
  • Soothe setting reactivates music if baby is restless.
  • Use the app to set a wakeup time and Suzy turns off at the appointed time.
  • Us the app to use Suzy as a baby monitor.
  • Twist Suzy’s top to make the nightlight brighter or dimmer.
  • Adjust the music volume via the app or with the buttons on the bottom of Suzy.

Suzy comes nicely packaged with an international usb adapter. So, you could even travel with your child’s nightlight and monitor! The chord is pretty long so you can easily plug in and place Suzy wherever you need it.

Pros:

  • Super Cute! Who can resist a sleeping nightlight?
  • Soft light. Even at the brightest setting, because it’s orange, it’s never too bright.
  • Can control via the app or the device
  • Soothing music
  • My kids think Suzy’s adorable!
  • Includes international adapter
  • Easy for the kids to turn on

Cons:

  • App uses lots of battery – It was a bit of a drain on my battery, I’m using an android so not sure about it on an iphone
  • Baby monitor has a lot of ambient “fuzz” on it – but hey, I use a nestcam for my baby monitor so I am used to “perfect” sound
  • I have to unplug it to restart every couple of days – I even installed the update, I’m hoping they work this out in future updates

In summary, I like my nestcam so unless I’m traveling and need a baby monitor I’m probably never going to use Suzy as a monitor. It’s pretty comparable to past baby monitors I’ve owned, I just don’t enjoy the ambient noise on them.

It’s great as a nightlight though. And my boys have claimed it as their own. I have one child who requires a nightlight and one child who doesn’t (and they share a room). The light on Suzy is just right and keeps both of them happy. And they think it’s super cute and fun to have their own “Snoozy” light.

I’ve tried to convince them that the light’s name is Suzy, but they think I’m saying Snoozy. And, honestly, hearing my kids call it Snoozy is so cute! I’m not going to change it.

Want to check it out for yourself – enter below for a chance to win a Suzy Snooze for your kiddos.

Win A Suzy Snooze Smart Nightlight, Sleep Soother & Baby Monitor #6

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30 Days to Understanding the Bible – Review and Giveaway

I received a copy of 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders for free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

Review

I like Devotions, to a point. But, what I really like is a good Bible Study. This 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders is a terrific guide to Studying the Bible!

This study goes through the structure of the Bible, the Geography of the Bible, and then walks through all the different eras or time spans in the Bible. And, then after you’ve thoroughly explored geography and time, it goes over 10 Biblical Doctrines such as the Holy Spirit, Angels, and Sin.

At the end of the book are 8 bonus chapters that cover things like comparing the 4 Gospels and different literary forms in the Bible.

I loved all the Geography and timelines! I enjoyed the Biblical Doctrines as well, but my favorite parts were definitely the Geography. It’s so helpful to have a better understanding of where and when events are happening!

I enjoyed this study on my own, but, if you’d rather do this as a group, there’s a 13 session teaching plan in this book. This would make an amazing group Bible study! And something I would love to go through again with a group. I think the Biblical Doctrine sections would be especially interesting in a group. You know, get some different perspectives and really dig into these together.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It got me digging deeper and thinking more and understanding better. And, if you’re like me, and you love all the extra little details – like timelines – you’ll love this book as well!

Find out more!

Buy link: http://bit.ly/30DaystoUnderstandingtheBible

Promo video link: https://youtu.be/6J8xqfbsGBM

Official website: http://www.biblein30days.com/

Enter to win

I get to give away 1 copy of 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders. Enter below for your chance to win!
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NIV Adventure Bible Polar Exploration Edition – Review & Giveaway

I received this NIV Adventure Bible Polar Exploration Edition free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

With over 9 million copies sold, the Adventure Bible brand is beloved by Christian schools, churches, and families alike. Now, the #1 Bible for kids, including all of the trusted essentials loved by parents, is available in an exciting polar exploration theme!

Ready for a frosty Adventure? Embark on a fun, exciting trek through God’s Word with the NIV Adventure Bible, now in an all-new polar exploration theme! While on this arctic adventure, readers meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of facts about the Bible. And most importantly you’ll grow closer in your relationship with God.

Features of the NIV Adventure Bible, Polar Exploration Edition include:

• The same trusted Adventure Bible content in a frosty new theme

• Full-color images of polar animals, arctic outposts, and icy landscapes throughout make learning about the Bible even more engaging

• Life in Bible Times—Articles and illustrations describe what life was like in ancient days

• Words to Treasure—Highlights great verses to memorize

• Did You Know?—Interesting facts help you understand God’s Word and the life of faith

• People in Bible Times—Articles offer close-up looks at amazing people of the Bible

• Live It!—Hands-on activities help you apply biblical truths to your life

• Twenty polar-themed pages focus on topics such as how to know you are a Christian, famous people of the Bible, highlights of the life of Jesus, and how to pray.

• Book introductions feature arctic art and important information about each book of the Bible

• Dictionary/concordance for looking up tricky words

• Color map section to help locate places in the Bible

• Complete text of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible

• Thrilling new glacial cover on metallic paper

This bible is so cute and I love all the colorful pictures! My son claimed it immediately when it arrived and he’s loving all the awesome animal pictures. He requests that I read out of his Bible every night for devotions. I’m always happy when my kids are excited to read the Bible!

You can purchase your own copy here! And enter below for a chance to win a copy to keep or to gift!

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Ellie Claire Art Journal Review

I love lettering and I am thoroughly enjoying these 3 lovely art journals! Thanks to Ellie Claire Art for providing these 3 journals for me to review.

The covers are beautiful. The paper is nice and thick and easy to write on. And the ideas and inspirations in each book are perfect for getting me drawing. I love lettering and I love art but I’m often so busy with the kids and life that I fail to take time for myself to just sit and relax and enjoy life.

Having to review these, forced me to use them, and I’m so glad I did. I’m enjoying every minute, and it’s so relaxing to just take a little time for myself and do a little art.

There’s 3 books “Faith & Lettering”, “The Illustrated Word”, and “Illuminate Your Story”. I’m enjoying all 3 but “Faith & Lettering” is my favorite. I did Calligraphy is High School and I’m finding all the lettering practice to be so much fun. And I feel like as I’m practicing I’m getting inspiration for future projects!

Aren’t these so beautiful looking! They’re such a pretty addition to my bookshelf. And then I can pull one down whenever I have a few minutes and spend some time drawing. I haven’t pulled out my calligraphy pens yet but there’s definitely some letters and embellishments in these books that I’m wanting to do with my pens. They’ll be so beautiful! And this paper is thick enough I can use my nice inks directly in the books and not have to worry about them bleeding through.

I’m loving every minute of using these and I have several people in mind that I’m going to get these for for Christmas this year.

Want to purchase your own copies of these amazing Art Journals? You can purchase them on Amazon or Barnes and Noble

FAITH & LETTERING
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

THE ILLUSTRATED WORD
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

ILLUMINATE YOUR STORY
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

* This post does contain affiliate links.

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Mesh Produce Bags – Review and Giveaway

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

I am finding these Mesh Bags by SGM to be super handy.

I cook a lot, and especially this time of year, I’m transporting lots of veggies. From picking up my CSA to all the veggies I’m purchasing for fall cooking.

Even if I don’t use them for vegetables, I can always use a couple more drawstring bags around my house. And mesh means they’re breathable and can be used for just about anything!

This package of 12 bags is an Amazon Prime item (so free shipping for Prime members) and at $1 a bag is a great deal. There’s 3 different bag sizes, and while I grabbed a couple for my veggies, my kids snagged a few for their toys.

The different colors are the different sizes, so I never have to guess which bag I have. The drawstring is secure and simple to use. These bags are washable (though I would recommend hang dry) and so versatile!

And, just for reviewing these, I get to share with you! So, enter below for your chance to win a package of these super handy mesh bags!

Win SGM Reusable Produce Bags #19

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Rituals – Gift of Relaxation – Review

I received this awesome Rituals box from Tryazon for free to review, all opinions are my own.

I got to pick the type of box that I received and I requested the Rituals of Relaxation box, because I usually love the relaxation scents! And, with 4 kids, relaxing isn’t something that I get to do often.

I was super excited when my box arrived. It was in this very pretty green box (which I’m saving for wrapping someone’s Christmas present this year and was overall just exciting to open!

You can purchase the 4-Pc. The Ritual Of Dao Calming Ritual Gift Set here.

I had to open and smell everything as soon as I received it! It smelled so good! And because my bedroom is green, it even matches all my decor!

The hand wash is now on my sink counter and my bathroom smells so good every time I wash my hands. The foaming wash smells amazing! And the body scrub is perfect! It smells great, and the scrub texture is fine and consistent so it’s quite relaxing to use.

And then I stuck the lotion in my purse for when I’m out and about on these nippy fall days and just want a little moisture and a great smelling lotion.

Honestly, I love everything about this set! It’s high quality and smells great. They have many other scents and I love to give personal products as Christmas Gifts, so a few of these are going on my Christmas Shopping list as well!

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Holy Roar – Review and Giveaway

About the Music – Thanks to FlyBy for this great CD to review. I love music and have always enjoyed Chris Tomlin so I was super excited to have the opportunity to review Chris Tomlin’s latest CD.

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Holy Roar by Chris Tomlin. Just reading the song list makes me excited! “Resurrection Power”, “Satisfied”, “Praise Him Forever”, “I Stand in Awe”, and many more. I love music that is uplifting, worshipful, and an outpouring of praise to God. This album is all that I expected and more.

The songs are beautiful, and even my kids are loving singing along. The freedom, the experience, the wonder of worship. It is seeing the church come together, hands lifted to God, pouring out our praise with an eternal song in our hearts. It’s every voice together, changing the way we worship.

About the Artist – Chris Tomlin is one of the most heralded singer-songwriters in the world who has amassed an impressive body of work. He has sold more than 8 million albums, 11.3 million digital tracks with 16 #1 singles. Chris is one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 Billion digital radio streams, others include Justin Timberlake, Pitbull and Garth Brooks. 

The Grammy® winner’s list of music awards include an American Music Award, 3 Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a BMI Songwriter of the Year Award and more. Chris’ concert tours have sold-out venues in major cities including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, The Forum in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks in Denver, among others. This spring, Chris marked another career milestone by launching his own imprint record label, Bowyer & Bow, in partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group.

How to Get Your Own – Holy Roar is available for purchase, download, and streaming. Check out this listing here and pick your favorite.

Also, for a chance to win your very own CD copy of Holy Roar enter below!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

If you win and do not respond within 24 hours I reserve the right to selected a new winner.

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Like Arrows Review & Fandango Giveaway

I received a review copy of Like Arrows for free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

When conflict, rebellion, and resentment overwhelm their family, Charlie and Alice are forced to rethink their parenting strategy. In the process, they realize how critical intentionality and focus are when shaping and molding young lives. FamilyLife’s first feature film explores the challenges and joys that come with raising children. Through a journey that unfolds over 50 years, Charlie and Alice discover the unmistakable power of family. Together, they learn that knowing and living by God’s Word is what brings transformation and hope to any family.

AOP_D3-26

While this isn’t usually the type of movie I choose to watch, I do enjoy a Hallmark type movie from time to time and this was a good one. This story follows a family from marriage, to birth, to children, to teenagers, and beyond. It’s a sweet movie about the challenges and heartbreaks of parenting. And the forgiveness and grace that is needed to parent well.

Social Corner:
1. Press Release
2. Get Tickets
3. Art of Parenting Resources

And now for the fun part. I get to give away 2 Fandango tickets! Enter below for your chance to win. Also, don’t forget to check and see when Like Arrows will be in your theater.