Category: review

November 15, 2013

React Mobile: Families Putting Safety First

The hardest part of being a parent? Learning how to trust and let your child venture out into the world. I am constantly scared for them. It is so much easier to ensure their safety when they are with me! 
The day will come when I have to let them out. When they will want to walk to school either with friends or alone. They will want to head to the park to meet their friends without Mom or Dad tagging along. As terrifying as this is as a parent, it is a right of passage for children as they grow into young adults.
I was recently introduced to a  mobile app called React Mobile. React Mobile is designed to fit into the lives of busy families and students. It is fairly common for many individuals, regardless of age, to carry a cell phone. I will personally be purchasing a cell phone for my son when he begins to want to walk home from school. React Mobile is an app for your iPhone or android smartphone that allows you to easily call for help with the push of a button.
So how does the React Mobile app work?
In an emergency, users are prompted to call 911. At the quick push of a button, users can send their GPS coordinates to a select group of emergency contacts via text message and email. Users can also send out an alert message to their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The React Mobile app has quite a few everyday uses (many that you hope to never have to use!). The app’s premium “Follow Me” feature allows the user’s family to follow them in real time if they are concerned for their safety. At any time the user can send an SOS alert to have their family monitor and track them. There is even an “I’m Safe” button that the user can tap when they have arrived safely at their destination (pretty smart right?! This is one of my greatest concerns for my children – knowing they have arrived safely to their destination).

Check out their video below going over the app:

                   

You can never be too safe with the personal security of your loved ones! The React Mobile app takes personal safety to a whole new level on mobile phones. To download this free app head over here.
 
You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Disclosure: This post was a sponsored post. The opinions expressed are my own.
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November 15, 2013

Dear Mr. Knightley #review #giveaway

Dear Mr. Knightley is the debut novel from Katherine Reay. Dear Mr. Knightley follows the story of Samantha Moore, a young woman who has a hard and difficult life. She grew up in an abusive home and was orphaned at a young age. She was sent from one foster home to another. She hid her pain in her love of reading, especially the works of Austen, Dickens and the Bronte sisters. She developed such a close connection to these books that she begins to relate herself and those around her to those characters. She is given an incredible opportunity to apply to a journalist program at a prestige school where she is accepted. Her benefactor, Mr. Knightley, would pay for the the schooling as long as she writes frequent letters to him. The story takes a twist when she meets Alex Powell and falls in love.
Dear Mr. Knightley is written in the format of letters – almost as if it is Samantha’s personal diary as we follow her journey of self discovery. We are able to witness her most personal feelings and feel each moment with her. I felt like I was part of the novel and at times I just wanted to be able to reach out to her and hug her. Her story is a story that many of us can relate to or have met someone in these same shoes. We have all dealt with betrayal of trust in some form and it has left scars on our hearts. Learning to trust and allowing someone into our lives is so difficult especially when we have been hurt before. Throughout the novel you wanted to just reach out to Samantha and guide her, to tell her to trust her heart and let people in. This was the first novel I have read in over a year that has actually moved me to the point of tears. It was such an emotional story of pain, love, trust and hope.

Rating: 5/5

You can find more information and purchase the book here. If you would like to find more reviews on this book you can do so here.
And the GIVEAWAY part!
Debut author Katherine Reay is celebrating the release of her delightful novel, Dear Mr. Knightley with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway, a fun Favourite Austen Moments Pinterest contest, and an Austen-themed Facebook Party.

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  One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
  • Handmade Austen-themed items (scarf, mug, bracelet, and necklace) 
Two ways to win! Enter today by clicking one of the icons below or participating in the Pinterest contest (see banner below)—or BOTH! 

But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the “Dear Mr. Knightley” Austen-themed Facebook Author Chat Party on the 3rd. Join Katherine (and Austen fans) for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Katherine’s next book.
So grab your copy of  Dear Mr. Knightley and join Katherine on the evening of December 3rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST. Hope to see you on the 3rd!

 Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for free for the purpose of reviewing it. The opinions expressed are my own.

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November 5, 2013

So Fresh and So Clean with the New Fisher Price Bath Line! #review #giveaway

There are only a few brand names that come straight to your mind when the words baby and toddler are brought up. These brands are trusted in the baby world because of their commitment to quality, safety and value. Fisher Price is one of those leaders!
 
Fisher Price has released a new bath line geared towards babies and toddlers. I was stoked when I was given the opportunity to try out these products on my own babies (well one toddler and a nine year old who will forever be my baby!!). I have a weakness for bath products. From the smell down to the way it feels on the skin. I had to open these gorgeous looking containers right away and I was right – the smell was divine! Nothing overpowering or fragrant but the perfect baby smell.
Their bath and body line up contains a perfect range of selections from newborn right up toddlers.
Their newborn line includes:

The infant line up:
 
 
They definitely have you covered for all of your baby to toddler needs! I love that you can purchase from one line but you have the ability to use it on an older child as well. Perfect for all of us parents out there that have more than one child and do not want to have multiples bottles of bath products lying around!

The part that I love the most about these products? Their Bath & Body line are gentle, natural and made from organic ingredients. They contain shea butter, aloe, chamomile and are hypo-allergenic and dermatologist tested. For this mom with two children that both have eczema this is important to me. Even better the line contains no dye, parabens, phthalates, talc, isopropyl, triclosan, benzyl alcohol or SLS.

Our little ones loved bath time! The bottles come in the most fantastic and adorable animal shapes. They insisted on a Bubble Bath the very first day and how could I resist? The Bubble Bath product produced a perfect amount of bubbles that lasted nearly their whole bath time (although to be fair they were in there in for almost thirty minutes not wanting to get out!). All of the products had the most heavenly smell without being too strong or fragrant. To me it reminded me of that just home from the hospital baby smell! The type of scent that just makes you want to keep sniffing your babies!

Both of our boys were huge fans of the foaming hand soap. The pump was easy to use, foamed up nicely on their hands and cleaned them right up! My favourite part of the foaming hand soap? How nicely it’s neutral colours fit in with our bathroom colour scheme!

The Fisher Price bath and body products are also PTPA award winners! Which means they have met the highest standards possible – other parents like you!
The Fisher Price bath and body line are now available in select Babies R Us, Loblaws and Rexall locations across Canada. Prices range from $3.99CDN to $8.99CDN.

Do you want to win the complete line up of Fisher Price Bath and Body Products? Now you can!

Enter via the Rafflecopter below.
GOOD LUCK!!
 This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only, 18 years of age and older.
Disclosure: I received the above pictured products for free as part of this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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November 2, 2013

12 Days of Christmas! #review #giveaway

Christmas is a special time in our family. Christmas is a time for us as individuals to reflect on our lives, our faith and our loved ones. It is a time to give thanks for all the blessings that we have in our lives, big or small. A time to reflect on our actions and our future – where we have come from and where we want to go.
I was blessed to usher in the Christmas spirit by participating in The 12 Days of Christmas Book Tour through Litfuse Publicity. They have rounded up four fantastic books that will warm your hearts, give thanks for your life and encourage you to continue to grow in spirit and mind.

Plain Peace is written by Beth Wiseman and is the story of Anna Byler. Anna is a young Amish woman who is entering her Rumspringa (a time in the life of a young Amish individual that they are given to explore their youth, the outside world and ends when they chose to be baptised into the community). Anna’s Grandfather is the Bishop of their community and enforces strict rules upon the community. She meets a young man named, Jacob, who is recovering from his own troubled family history and is drawn to him.
Plain Peace is an extraordinary story of self discovery and personal strength. We see our main characters grow in strength and wisdom throughout the book as they struggle through personal tragedies. It reminds us of forgiveness and change that every individual is capable of. I fell in love with the spirit of Anna on her road to self discovery. You can purchase the book here.
Rating: 5/5

A Christmas Gift for Rose is written by Tricia Goyer and is based on a true story. Our main character, Rose, was born during the worst of the Great Depression and was raised in an Amish family. She discovers that she was actually born into an Englisch family but was abandoned by her family due to the poverty of the Great Depression. She suffers through self doubt on her road to discovery.
A Christmas Gift for Rose is a heart warming book that is hard to put down. It teaches us about true sacrifice, love and self strength. It forces us to look at ourselves and realize that family are the ones who love and nurture us. Rose’s strength through such a difficult time in her life teaches us about sacrifice and true love.You can purchase this novel here.
Rating: 5/5

Silent Night is written by Colleen Coble and centres around the life of Bree Matthews. Bree has a career in the field of search and rescue. As she prepares for the Christmas season alongside her husband, we find that she has been suffering from the pain of miscarriage. Her sister in law arrives and seems to have more information on a missing person case than Bree feels comfortable with. We follow Bree on this case and her road to fulfilling her dream of having a baby.
Silent Night touched me in so many ways. Having suffered miscarriages in the past before myself, the pain of this runs deep. Holidays tend to force the pain to the surface. Through out the book we are reminded of how to make peace with this pain and move forward. You can purchase a copy of this book here.
Rating: 5/5

Holy Night is also written by Colleen Coble and is based around the lives of Leia and Bane. They are planning their wedding in the beauty of Hawaii when their whole lives are turned upside down with one phone call. Leia’s sister, who suffers from Down Syndrome, has been kidnapped and has ordered her to call off the wedding. Leia is forced to secrecy or her sister would be murdered.
The issue of trust is played up through out the whole of Holy Night. Trust is essential in every relationship, either in a marriage or in families. You can purchase a copy of this book here.
Rating: 4.5/5
Do you want to know more about these books and authors? You can find more reviews and information about these books here.
Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction are hosting the 12 Days of Christmas! They’ve teamed up with three of their authors for a Merry Facebook Party on November 12th {5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern}. Colleen, Tricia, and Beth will host an evening of book chat, Christmas traditions, and of course plenty of presents!

But wait! There’s more! Each day between now and November 12th a different book (10 copies of each book) will be given away on the Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Facebook Page. Ring in the holiday season and warm your heart with some great reads from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan!

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  Click here to ENTER each day’s giveaway here. RSVP for the Christmas Party here!
Good luck and hope to see you on the evening of the 12th!
Disclosure: I received a copy of each of these books for the purpose to review them. The opinions expressed are my own.

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October 15, 2013

Burnbrae Farms: Leftover Solutions #Giveaway

The hardest night in our house is Friday. We are exhausted from the week, no one wants to cook a big dinner – not to mention there are too many leftovers in the fridge and plenty of vegetables that need to be used up.

The hardest part in all of this? Coming up with an unique dinner recipe combining the leftovers especially the rice, veggies and meat.

Have you visited the Burnbrae Farms site recently? They have a great section called the Recipe Nest where you can find a large variety of recipes broken down into meals, desserts and drinks.

We recently tried out their Chicken Broccoli Rice Skillet recipe. We made a few changes to suit our boys – we substituted extra lean ground beef for the ground chicken (they are not huge fans of the ground chicken yet but we are determined to get them to keep trying it!).

It was a pretty big hit in the house and my favourite part? We used up the leftover rice that would have gone in the green bin along with the broccoli that was almost on it’s way to the green bin as well. There was a good variety of protein, vegetables and carbohydrates in this simple and easy to cook meal!

Now I am giving you a chance to win some Burnbrae Farms coupons! I have four FPC: 2 French Toast Creations, 1 Simply Egg Whites and 1 Hard boiled Snack Pack.

Enter via the Rafflecopter below. This giveaway is open to Canadians only, 18 years of age and older.

GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received FPCs to try out the recipe above. I received coupons as a thank you and have in turn provided them you to my readers as a thank you for visiting my blog. Regardless of receiving the coupons, my opinions are my own.  

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