MOTORWORKS Review

With my son being autistic, he is very caught up in the digital world. His favorite activity is the computer. While he often plays educational games and watches educational children's programming online, he also views and plays entertainment only(still kid friendly) content as well.

As much as he loves it, he sometimes gets frustrated with the games if he does not win, and that always upsets me. I never want my child to be unhappy when I can help it, and although I don't always let him get his way, there is certainly no need for him to be upset by something that is meant to be fun.

That is why I try as much as possible to find toys and games that draw him away form the computer. I can always  make him get off, and I do when needed, but I would much rather him do something else because he truly enjoys it, not because he is forced to.

With the holidays already casting their shadow, I am especially looking for great activities that are not only great for my son, but for all kids. I love sharing great gift ideas with all of you. I found a company that has some really fun toys, and I am excited to tell you about it.

MOTORWORKS from Manhattan Toy is so cool.

MOTORWORKS are toy cars. They are made of wood, so they are not only durable, but very unique since most toy cars are metal or plastic.

I got the Race Pace Power Pack 2.0:

They are customizable with easy snap on accessories and kits, like the Top Fuel 2.0 Accessory Kit:

These cars are so awesome. They look very cool right out of the package, and look even more awesome when you add the accessories.

I love that the Race Pace Power Pack includes accessories already.

The Top Fuel 2.0 Kit is really rockin' though. It makes the car look so tricked out.

Of course, the important thing is whether or not my son likes them or not. Naturally, he LOVES them. As soon as he saw the box he came running from the computer. That was so great to see.

I love that he was able to add the accessories himself. They just snap in place. It is so simple. He does not need something that will be frustrating, so I love that this is effortless. It helps to build his confidence when he can do something without help.

He had so much fun playing with his new cars. He loved customizing them, "racing" them and crashing them. They are super durable. I know that no matter how much he abuses them, they will stay in perfect shape.

He beamed with pride as he showed them to daddy, and that was so heartwarming. Even if that was the only pro(which it clearly is not), it would still be beyond worth it just for that moment.

He played with them until bedtime(it was evening when he got them, but still), and did not even think about the computer at all. I am so glad he loves a toy that is basic. It is entertaining and keeps him busy, and it doesn't need flashing lights, loud noises or WiFi to do so.

So many kids nowadays have all but abandoned the classic toys that we grew up with. This is a fun and updated way to bring them back. MOTORWORKS would make a great holiday gift for any young boy(or girl). My hubby even loves these and he is 44. If you are starting to gather gift ideas(or even shopping already), I highly suggest MOTORWORKS from Manhattan Toy.

Be sure to like Manhattan Toy on Facebook, so you don't miss out on anything exciting(especially with the holidays upcoming).

*Although I received these at no cost to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own*

I am a Woman Of God T-Shirt Review

Most of you know that I love to be fashionable whenever possible. I love clothes and like my style to really reflect my personality. I am always looking for great statement pieces to add to my wardrobe.

The problem I run into most often is that style and value are usually competing attributes making it very difficult to look fabulous on a budget. Since I am a mother and a wife, and my family comes first, I certainly cannot be wasting a fortune just to "look good", not to mention my clothes also need to be practical.

Being able to express yourself in style should not be so hard. Thankfully, I found place that has amazing clothing at incredible prices, and not only are they fashionable, but also meaningful. That is because I am a Woman of God is not a brand, it is a Ministry.

Their goal is to spread the message of God, but also to take fashionable clothing that gives testimony to God and finally make it affordable. I love that there is finally someone who decided to do this. I cannot tell you have many religious clothing retailers charge outrageous prices. If the money was going to a good cause, then I would understand, but most of the time, it isn't.

I love that I am a Woman of God encourages women(and men since they also have "I am a Man of God" apparel) to embrace their faith. All too often nowadays, people act as if they are ashamed of their beliefs. It is very sad that other people's opinions can make someone afraid to stand up for what they care about(weather it be religion, politics, or anything else).

I would never try to force my beliefs on anyone, but I am proud to say that I AM a Woman of God. Although I fall short of his glory each and every day, I know that the only reason I even have the chance to do so is because of His grace.

With my gorgeous shirt from I am a Woman of God, I can show off my love for The Lord in style.

It is so wonderful to truly express the absolute most important belief of my life. Weather people like it, or they don't, it does not matter to me.

People wear their favorite bands on t-shirts all the time, and they never care if someone does not like the same band or even type of music. Why should people be proud of their taste in music that they show it off at every opportunity, but shy away from giving glory to their creator(again, those who already believe. As much as I would like everyone to believe, I would never force my beliefs on anyone).

Also, no one ever gets offended when someone has on a band shirt, even if they have different taste. I hate how something so much more important than music can create so much judgement and discrimination, when the message is all about love, acceptance and forgiveness.

So while this may just be a piece of cloth, to me it is so much more. The massage is so refreshing. It reminds me to thank God for everything he does for me, and even if I may be going through a trial, to take comfort in the fact that God would never give me more than I can handle, and that he is taking care of me.

Not only is the message inspiring, but the quality of the shirt is also wonderful. It is thick enough to be super durable, but not stiff or o thick that it feels like an oven. It has just the right amount of movement so it flows with your body but does not have a mind of it's own. It is made of cotton and is super soft and comfortable.

The color of the shirt is true and it does not fade in the wash. The lettering is gorgeous and very well set(no issues with cracking, peeling or fading), and that glitter on the heart is fabulous. It does not flake off and get all over your skin, clothes and house like so many glittered shirts do. Not only does that prevent a glittery mess, it keeps the shirt from looking empty and old on the heart area, which is what would happen if the glitter came off.

I really love that this is conservatively cut, but does not look sloppy or frumpy. I don't want to display my body along with my love for God, but I do want to look feminine and put together. In my mind, this shirt embodies that image perfectly.

Overall, I am completely in love with this shirt. If you are a Woman(or Man) of God and would like to embrace it with fashion, then I am a Woman Of God is exactly the place to find everything you need to do so. They have so any other wonderful items. I could build my whole wardrobe from their website.Check it out, and be sure to like them on Facebook so you are always in the know.

*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.*

Reed's Has You Covered This Halloween, Naturally

This morning as I walked my son to the bus stop, I felt the slightest cool breeze. Here in Florida, it stays hot well into the "cool" seasons, and it was by no means chilly in the least, but the fact that it was anything other than boiling temperatures is a very clear sign that fall is rapidly approaching.

Of course that knowledge awakened me to the fact that Halloween is just over 5 weeks away. Now that may or may not be a big deal to you, but I certainly like to be prepared in advance instead of scrambling around at the last minute.

As someone who is always trying to look outside the box, I wanted to make sure that my Halloween will not be mundane. I especially want to make sure that I have delicious treats. It is also very important to me to have something that is not artificial and unhealthy, but of course it cannot be called a treat unless it also tastes good.

Well I discovered an awesome company that offers some really great candy. Reed's Ginger Chews and Crystallized Ginger are so unique.

Since the Crystallized Ginger is in larger, resealable packages(not individually wrapped), it would not be the best choice for giving to trick or treaters, but it would make a lovely(and delicious) offering in a nice decorative bowl for any party or gathering.

I had never had anything like these before. Baby ginger root coated in raw cane sugar or dipped in rich, dark chocolate. They are all natural and even with the sugar/chocolate, they are much healthier than traditional candy.

If you want a healthier treat to hand out for trick or treaters, Reed's has that covered too, with their Ginger Chews.

In addition to already coming in smaller, pocket sized packs, Reed's Ginger Chews also come individually wrapped within the packs, making the easy to pass out. Plus, they come in two delicious varieties. Ginger and Peanut Butter Ginger.

I have never had ginger and peanut butter together before, and it was so wonderful. The texture of these chews is amazing too. Chewy and smooth. There is not too much of a bite as I worried there may be with the ginger, so that is wonderful.

If you are looking for a healthy and unique Halloween treat, Reed's Ginger Chews would be perfect. Ginger is such an iconic flavor for the Fall season too, so it will really fit nicely.

Reed's also has delicious beverages, including one that is tailor made for any Halloween celebration. Flying Cauldron Butterscotch Beer is one of he best beverages I've ever tried.

This is non-alcoholic. It is a Butterscotch Cream Soda. It is 100% natural and caffeine-free. Not only is the name a great fit for Halloween, but the packaging is so fitting as well.

Plus, the amazing, creamy, butterscotch flavor is so reminiscent of fall. It just tastes so indulgent and relaxing. This is not the kind of beverage you chug down in a hurry. You sip it to enjoy every incredible drop. It is like dessert in a lovely glass bottle.

Speaking of dessert, Reed's has a recipe for "Giggle Potion" in their site, which is a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream with a Butterscotch Beer poured over top(basically an ice cream float). I cannot even describe how intoxicating that is.

Now I know why they call it a "beer", because it tastes so good that you get drunk off the flavor. It is like nothing I have ever had. And although it is not a diet soda as I usually drink, since it is 100% natural with pure cane sugar(rather than High Fructose Corn Syrup, I do not feel guilty for drinking it at all.

If you want to make our Halloween(or fall) festivities more memorable and more delicious, then you need to check out Reed's Butterscotch Beer, Ginger Chews and Crystallized Ginger. All of the treats, hold the tricks.

*Although I received these at no cost to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own*

*Ladies Only* Peepods Review

Okay ladies, this review is a tad bit more personal than my usual post, but I just discovered a fabulous product that I know many of you would love, and I just had to share it with you all.

In general, I consider myself a very savvy shopper, and I think that fact that I am also a reviewer only increases my desire to use the very best products. One thing I always prefer when I have the option is reusable versions of products, rather than disposable ones.

Not only do reusable products save you money in the long run(even if they are an investment in the beginning), but they also tend to save space in your home. Even more importantly, when you reuse a product instead of constantly throwing away disposable versions, that is much better for our planet. We only get one, and it certainly is not getting any better. I may only be one woman, but anything I can do to reduce the impact is a whole lot better than adding to the damage.

I get really excited when I discover a replacement for a product that I use all the time, especially when it ends up being even better than what I had been used to. That is definitely the case with Peepods. These things are awesome.

Peepods are reusable cloth period(postpartum and incontinence) pads. Although this is a new concept to me, apparently there are many other options for reusable period pads, but Peepods are so much more. The Peepods slogan is "Dress With Dignity" and that could not be more fitting.

While I love to do my part for the environment, I am not a Green machine my any means. I am not willing to sacrifice quality or performance. I love that Peepods are not only functional, but actually beautiful. Even with their sensitive nature, I am in no way ashamed to use these.

I got the Deluxe Set of 7 Period Pads. I chose espresso, but these are also available in Cranberry. The set comes with 3 panty liners, 2 daytime pads and 2 overnight pads plus a Planet Wise wet/travel bag.

The pads all have beautifully designed wings that snap securely around underwear to keep them in place and fully protect you.

The panty liners even fold up and snap into a little bundle, making them super cute and compact for travel.

Not only are they much more discrete to carry in your purse when you know you need them, they are elegant enough to keep one with you all the time, just in case. Unless someone already knew or was to open it up, you could never even tell what this is. It looks like it could be a little coin purse or cosmetic pouch.

Overall these are more discrete and compact as well. I know that my hubby hates seeing my girly products i the bathroom. These all fit perfectly into the travel case and they are out of sight and out of mind for hubby, which is great.

And since they do not have wrappers or need to be disposed of, hubby no longer needs to worry about seeing them in the waste basket either, which he really loves.

Everything I mentioned already is great, but it all means nothing if they do not perform well. No worries though, these are amazing. I was very surprised not only how comfortable they are, but by how absorbent. That was my biggest concern, I was worried they would be just pieces of fabric that are easily penetrated, but that was definitely not the case. In fact, I have had many issues with disposable versions, and I have not had any issues whatsoever with these.

Now I will admit I still do use tampons as well, as I always have in addition to pads, but I use them less now(not at all for lighter days. I have always used liners with the tampons, but these Peepods liners are so much more comfortable. They never bunch up or anything. I cannot say how many miners I wasted that were spotless but bunched and had to be thrown out. Never again.

The overnight pads are amazing as well. I have never been able to wear only a pad to bed(except on a very light night), but these kept me covered, it was wonderful.

Now I never have to worry about running out of protection. I have enough to wash a few in a pinch if I need to, and I always have them on hand at a moments notice. The peace of mind in that alone is priceless. I am so glad I found Peepods. I cannot imagine going back to my old routine. This is so much better in every single aspect.

If you are looking for a better value, more convenient, more comfortable, more dignified, less wasteful, space saving solution to take care of Mother Nature(or incontinence), then you have to try Peepods.
Be sure to check out Peepods on Facebook and Twitter to ensure you do not miss out any exciting news or promotions.

And when you are ready to order, you can enter code MYPEEPODS to take 10% off your entire order.


*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.*

Win a $50 Gift Card or a Diamond Candle - 2 Winners!!

Who doesn't love giveaways? I know I do. I am especially excited about this awesome giveaway from my friend Kristen from It's Free At Last. Some giveaway prizes are cool, but not things I need or want.

I am obsessed wit candles though, and Diamond Candles are about the coolest thing ever. But one thing that is universally appealing is money(or gift cards). With the holidays closer than I want to think about, having the chance to win $50 for either Walmart, Amazon or even Paypal is awesome.

Since I love all of you so  much, I just had to give you all the chance to win one of these prizes. Check out Kristin's post and enter below. Good luck!

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It's Free At Last has hit a milestone of 40,000 Facebook fans, as well as, 17,000 Twitter fans!!!! To celebrate, we are giving two lucky fans the chance to win an amazing prize. First winner chosen will receive their choice of a $50 Gift card via Amazon, Walmart or Paypal. Second winner chosen will receive a Diamond Candle in their scent of choice.   Giveaway will be open worldwide and to persons ages 18+ years of age. If the winner chosen lives outside of the U.S., they will be given the prize equivalent via Paypal. Thank you to everyone for being a great fan if Itsfreeatlast.com. Simply follow the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win. Good Luck a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to US & Canada, 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. My blog is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not.

Orbit For Kids Prize Pack GIVEAWAY!!

When I was a kid, I never had proper oral care, and as my teeth deteriorate by the day and the pain only intensifies, I am constantly reminded of how important it is to care for your teeth. I is especially when you are young since you never get the chance to undo the damage. You can try to fix it with a  dentist, but you cannot reverse it.

Along with the fact that my 6 year old is looking baby teeth left and right(they tooth fairy might as well camp out in our back yard) and replacing them with his permanent teeth, I am so worried that they will not be well enough protected. The last thing I ever want for either of my children is for their teeth to be like mine.

So when my friend Kristen for It's Free At Last was hosting this awesome giveaway for an Orbit For Kids Prize Pack, I know I had to share it with all of you. Not only is this a fun prize, it is a very useful and necessary one.

Check out Kristen's review below and enter for your chance to win this awesome prize. Good luck!

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Do you find it harder and harder to get your little ones to practice good oral care? I recently had the chance to review the new line of oral care products, include Orbit for Kids gum.   Available in two delicious flavors, strawberry banana & original bubble gum flavor. Orbit for Kids contains 15% Xylitol which has great oral care benefits recognized by dentists. Orbit for Kids is ADA approved and sugarfree, so the benefits will compliment your child's daily oral routine.   Available in micropacks (10 per pack), this is the perfect on-the-go size for kids. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, and helps protect teeth against plaque and acids and keeps teeth clean and feeling fresh. I would recommend Orbit for Kids to any parent looking to help improve or compliment their child's oral care routine with a gum that provides great benefits in oral care. Orbit care about the way we treat our mouth and want to help children start a good oral care regimen early on.   Combining a regular routine of brushing, flossing and mouthwash with the great taste of Orbit for Kids will make everyone happy. Would you like to win a fabulous Orbit for Kids prize pack (pictured below)? Orbit has provided me with this amazing giveaway opportunity to provide you with a prize pack that will include:  

• Orbit for Kids lunch tote
• Various packs of Orbit & Orbit for Kids gum
• Toothbrushes, mouthwash & floss for kids

  Simply follow the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win this amazing prize pack. Giveaway will be open to U.S. Residents ages 18+ years of age. Giveaway will end on 9/25/13 at 11:59pm (ET). a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to US & Canada, 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. My blog is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not.

Circle Of Friends Review

With so much focus on back to school, everyone is looking for the latest and greatest products to make a good impression. Of course that is important, but many of these things are just as important the rest of the year as well.

While backpacks and clothes come and go, there is much more required to look your best. Probably the most important of which is bath/personal care products. Being fresh and clean is essential to looking good and feeling good.

Finding great products is hard enough, but finding them for younger children is an even more daunting task. either the products are too harsh for children and strip their hair, or irritate the skin, or they are "too gentle" and they do not clean or nourish well enough. Finding the perfect balance is so tricky.

I have tried countless products on my son. Baby products, toddler products, adult products, and every time there are more flaws than assets.  Thankfully, instead of giving up and settling for an inferior substitute, I kept trying and found a line dedicated to children, that has all the performance I desired with all the gentleness he needs.

Circle of Friends is incredible!

I love that Circle of Friends offers more than the standard shampoo and body wash that many children's brands stop at.  Not only do the have Conditioner, Leave-In Conditioner, Detangler, Hair Spray and so much more, they offer multiple fabulous scent choices for each product as well. That is very rare in my experience.

I have tried 6 of their products so far, and they are all extraordinary.

Jenny's Root Beer Shampoo:

First off, this really smells like root beer. Not root beer mixed with soap or any other nonsense, it smells like root beer. If I did not know this was shampoo, I would think it really was root beer. I wish my shampoo smelled that good.

This shampoo creates a rich, creamy lather, rinses easily and leaves hair clean and smelling divine. It is very lightweight and perfect for fine hair. I used it on my daughter who has super fine hair, and it worked wonders for her. Normally heir hair gets dry and frizzy, since other products strip her hair.

Best of all, this is tearless, so there is no concern of burning eyes. Peace of mind is priceless.

Klunie's Chocolate Shampoo:

Just as the Root Beer Shampoo does, this smells exactly like chocolate. I almost wanted to drink it. It is like aromatherapy, but better. I had my son smell it before showing him the front of the bottle. I asked him what it smelled like. He shouted out "chocolate" without hesitation.

Products that really smell like the scent they are supposed to be seems like a no brainer, but most of the time, they are not even close. I had so many "chocolate" lip balms and such in my day, and they smelled NOTHING like real food of any kind.

This formula is a little more moisturizing than that of the Root Beer shampoo, making it perfect for my son's longer, thicker hair. He is so rough on his hear, chewing it, twisting it and doing everything possible to tangle, break and damage it. He was in serious need of hair repair, and this shampoo delivered.

Marisol's Melon Leave-In Conditioner:

Not only does this also smell incredible, but it it works wonders. Plus it saves so much time and effort. No more waiting for the conditioner to soak in, no more double rinsing(shampoo, then conditioner).

My son hates getting his hair rinsed. If any water gets in his face(which it often does since he likes to put his dead down instead of up), he freaks. This saves us both so much hassle. Just rub it in and leave it.

Plus, leaving it in instead of rinsing it out allows for more intensive moisturizing, which his hair really needs. His hair is much less frizzy now than it was before he started using this.

Pia's Pineapple Detangler:

One thing that almost all kids hate is getting their hair brushed, especially if they have tangles. My daughter is the worst. She will run away, throw a fit, squirm uncontrollable, whatever it takes to avoid hair brushing. Even if it is not going to hurt, she hates it.

The only thing she does like is having the detangler sprayed in. For some reason, she thinks that is funny. Fortunately, this works so well that I can sneak a few strokes in after each squirt and am able to get it brushed fairly easily. It used to take forever.

My son loves it too. He always asks for his "Pineapple Hair Squirty Spray". It is too cute. It works like a charm on his hair too. The brushed just glides through and his hair looks shiny, smooth and soft. And of course, it smells wonderful too.

Valerie's Vanilla Hair Spray:

While most kids don't need tons of hairspray or anything, it is great to have it sometimes. For holding curls or ponytails in place it is great. Of course, that does not apply to my son, but he has(on more than one occasion) taken scissors to his hair while he was at school. That obviously created the problem of short pieces of hair sticking up at times.

This hair spray is very flexible and light, and it banishes the fly up hairs, even when they are less than minor. Plus it smells creamy and delicious and adds a lovely touch of shine.

With an arsenal like this, it is no surprise that my son's hair looks more fabulous than ever, even after all he puts it through.

And hair care products is not the end of the amazing Circle of Friends collection.

Lachlan's Shamrock Suds:

This has a fabulous real pear scent. It s so fresh and sweet. It has Vitamin E and Aloe Vera, making it moisturizing and refreshing. My son loves the pump.

We also love that this is Irish inspired. My husband is 100% Irish. he was even born in Ireland. Obviously, that makes my son half Irish. I love that this helps him connect to his Irish culture in just about the cutest way possible.

I am sure you noticed that every scent has a different friend(hence the name, "Circle f Friends"). The bottles even have a bio of each friend printed on the back, telling of the different culture of each character. I love that they are made relate-able by including child characters, but that there is also something educational behind it. Anything that can open my children to new knowledge is wonderful.

Circle of Friends products are just amazing. If I could find this level of quality in everything I buy, I would be in paradise. If you want a top of the line children's care line, I HIGHLY recommend Circle of Friends.

*Although I received these products at no cost to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own*