@Sibu_Beauty : Sea BuckThorn Cleanse & Detox Body Bar Review


As a work at home mom I have many, many things on my "To Do," list every single day. From the time I get up at 5am til the time I lay my head on my pillow at around 11pm. I'm sure most of you readers out there know what I'm talking about.

One of the things I love to do every once in a while is to relax with a bubble bath listening to relaxing music with a glass of wine of course, lol. But before I take my baths I  always have to take a shower ahead of time. I just can't stand the thought of being in a bath without being or feeling clean. I know, I'm crazy, but I know I'm not the only one. That's why I was pretty excited when I was given the opportunity to try out Sibu Beauty's Cleanse and Detox bar.



Sibu Beauty creates premium skincare products such as natural skin cleansers, moisturizes, and other topical treatments as well as dietary supplements. Their products have been featured on places like The Dr's, Dr. Oz, O Magazine and many many other places.

Let me tell you, the day that I used this bar was the day that I de-cluttered both kids bedrooms, did laundry and actually put the clothes away (lol) and by the time the kids were put to bed I was completely exhausted and felt disgusting. When I stepped in the shower before my bubble bath that night using the Sea BuckThorn Cleanse Bar, my skin felt refreshed as I was using it. This bar cleanses your body, so it gets rid of all the oil-ness you may some times get during the day. I loved that the bar lathered up nicely and it felt like it was doing it's job, getting rid of that dirt and getting me clean. After using the bar my skin felt soft, smooth and smelling good when I stepped out of the shower.

I absolutely love this Cleanse and Detox bar and have been using it daily since I've received it, no complaints over here. It's definitely a product I highly recommend!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the Sea BuckThorn Cleanse & Detox Bar at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. 

@magneta_lane : Witchrock Album Review



The three young ladies of Magneta Lane are not, as far as we know, actual witches. They have, however, titled their spirited new EP Witchrock in tacit acknowledgement of what might be considered, at least in some fickle indie-rock and record-label circles, a bad reputation. 

Magneta Lane – formed in suburban Toronto by Valentine, her sister/drummer Nadia King and one-named bassist French in 2003 – was celebrated on delivery by numerous pundits on both sides of the Canada/U.S.

Before getting this opportunity to review the band's fourth and latest album, I have to admit I hadn't heard of them. Don't get me wrong. I find new music every single day of artists and think to my self, "Where the hell have I been and why am I just listening to this?" I'm happy to admit this was another one of those moments. 
This album from the beginning had me bobbing my head and feeling the music, this lasted throughout the entire album. I absolutely love music that can have me singing along and dancing rocking out in my kitchen and Witchrock did just that. I felt like I was back in the 90's listening to a mixture between The Cranberries or The Cardigans. Not saying everything in the 90's was good, but most of the music was and this is a mixture of rock and indie and I love both genres, especially with Magneta Lane being an entire girl band. 
My favorite song from this album was, "Good For" Good For had catchy lyrics and beat that makes you want to see this group at a concert to experience their music live. Lead singer Lexi's voice is fierce and draws you in more into the songs as you listen to it. I'm looking forward to catching up and listening to some of their older albums.
You can find out more about Magneta Lane on their website, Facebook and Twitter pages!


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Witchrock for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.






Mommy Parties: @MegaBloks #Barbie Party



A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to host another Mommy Parties, this time it was with Mega Bloks Barbie. I can't even tell you how excited my daughter was when she came home to see a box filled with goodies. She's exactly like me, she loves to have parties, get-togethers, play dates, etc. She's even started her own cupcake club and we've had a couple of meetings at our house where the girls get together and bake cupcakes.


Since she was super excited I let her plan most of the party. She got to invite a handful of girls, create a play list of music she wanted to hear during the party (lots of Justin Bieber, One Direction & Taylor Swift going on) and also got to pick out what would be served for the girls to eat. She picked out mac and cheese (her favorite) pizza bites, chicken nuggets, chips and some delicious vanilla cupcakes.



When the girls first arrived I gave them time to come in and chit chat and then had them eat some food. After they were done it was time to start building. We started with the Mega Bloks Barbie Build 'n Style Luxury Mansion and tried to make our way to the Barbie Build 'n Style Pool Party. With tons of pieces the girls set out on organizing the legos by rooms. I have to tell you I LOVE these legos. They're such a great size for the kids five and up. I also loved how easy it was to put together and loved how big the boxes were so once we were done we could put them away and store them in the box the legos came in.




An hour into the building the girls took a break and decided to do some dancing followed by a fashion show, which turned out beautifully. They then continued building and then watched a Barbie movie we've had for a few years now.


It was a perfect evening. The girls had tons of fun, I enjoyed hearing the conversations that go on with seven and eight year old girls and when their parents came to pick them up one by one, the girls were given a choice of two different types of the Mega Bloks Build 'n Style Kiosks. The party was a hit and I've even gotten emails, phone calls from moms letting me know that their girls are already ready for the next party!


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a Barbie MegaBloks package from Mommy Parties at no cost for the purpose of this review and to host a party. No other compensation was received.

Howard B. Wigglebottom: Learns About Courage Review & Giveaway




I think by now those of you who have been coming to Just Us Girls and reading our reviews and entering our giveaways know that my family is a huge fan of The Howard B. Wigglebottom Book Series. So it shouldn't be a surprise for us to share with you our thoughts on the latest book where Howard learns about courage.

In this latest book, Howard goes through a tough time and is basically scared of everything, from strangers, insects, loud noises, but mostly his first day at a new school. He doesn't want to play with any of his friends, he doesn't want to go outside because he's afraid something bad will happen to him. That is until he meets a little bird trying to learn to fly for the first time. Talking to the bird, Howard learns that the bird along with even Super Heros have fears and are some times scared, but that it was okay. That's what makes them brave and doing something you're afraid of gives you courage.

Like all the other books I've read from this series, I loved this one as well. Not only is this teaching our kids that trying something new is okay, but it's teaching them that being afraid is okay too and that they aren't the only ones. My son loved this story particularly  I think it reminded him of his first day of school. He was nervous, but once he got there he was okay.

Like always you can find out how to purchase any of the books from this series by visiting their website and while you're there you can browse around and let your kids browse around as well since they have animated stories, songs and so much more for your kiddo to do.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a book from We Do Listen Foundation at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. A big thank you to the We Do Listen Foundation for providing the giveaway prize! 

@KobaEntertain Presents: Strawberry Shortcake: Follow Your Own Beat Review



Last month I mentioned and shared with you all about the Strawberry Shortcake Live Concert presented by Koba Entertainment. Well, today I want to share with you our experience because we had the pleasure of seeing the concert in person. It was such an amazing show. Maggie and I took our two girls and they had a ball. They really enjoyed themselves.



The show was started off with a feature from The Doodlebops. Let me tell you, those Doodlebops really know how to hop. They were moving and grooving and singing and dancing. You could see all the little girls and a few boys feeling their energy and jumping up and singing and dancing with them. They weren't on for too long, but all of their songs brought back memories to when my kiddos were both a bit younger. The Doodlebops were on our television every morning.



When Strawberry Shortcake popped up is when the girls really got excited. I think now that they're seven and eight they were a little "too cool," for the Doodlebops, but not Strawberry Shortcake and the gang. The entire concert was filled with tons of colorful characters that were singing and dancing and making the girls laugh.



 Find Your Own Beat was all about being true to yourself and doing what you love with the help of your friends. I love how throughout the entire show the moral of the story was to be true to you. That's important for kids to know. It was such a fun experience from beginning to end. The girls had a blast and I have to admit we were singing a few of the songs on our way home.



Strawberry Shortcake is still going around Canada and the States from now until April. Be sure to check out their website for more information on tour dates, times and tickets.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received tickets to see Strawberry Shortcake Live at no cost for the purpose of sharing this review. No other compensation was received.

Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment Razor Review & Huge Giveaway (25 Winners)


Coconut milk and almond oil have long been lauded for their skin-benefiting qualities. Now, you can enjoy the power of these ingredients with the new Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor. Made for dry skin, the Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor lathers, shaves and moisturizes during shaving—all in one easy step, with no need for shave gel, soap or body wash. Infused with coconut milk and almond oil, the Pure Nourishment Skin Conditioning Solid leaves dry skin feeling noticeably soft, and its four blades and pivoting head follow your contours for a close shave. The new Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor and refills will be available starting in February 2013 at grocery, drug and mass retail outlets across Canada for approximately $11.99.





Okay ladies, I really have to praise to you all about this razor! I really really really love this one. I can honestly say that after trying this new razor, I’m hooked! I got to try out the new Schick Intuition Moisture Care razor (I tried the Soothing Moisture with Milk and Honey). The bars are also available in Naturals Sensitive Care with Aloe and Vitamin E to soothe sensitive skin, Advanced Moisture with good for your skin and Shea Butter,Renewing Moisture enriched with Pomegranate extract

 It’s a four-blade razor surrounded by a moisture bar, so there’s never a need for shaving cream. You simply get it wet and slide it over your skin. You’re instantly left with soft, smooth and moisturized legs with hardly any effort at all! It glides so softly, at first I wasn’t even sure it was working, but the lightest rub over your skin and the job is done. Soft. Smooth. Moisturized. So easy, perfect for when you're in a hurry or on the go! I’m anxious to try out the different moisture bars - I’m sold on this product for life. I definitely recommend it!

GIVEAWAY TIME!
Ready for the big giveaway? Schick would love to hear what you think of the new pure nourishment razor. They are going to offer 25 lucky Just Us Girls (Canada only) readers a chance to try out the razor. All they ask for in return is a small review, a couple of sentences, on what you think of the razor. Once you send that info you'll be automatically entered to win a $50 visa gift card! How awesome is that?! You have 1 in 25 chances to win the gift card.

Schick® will use your personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy and as detailed in applicable contest rules.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Schick Intuition Razor at no cost for the purpose of sharing this review. Compensation was received.

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic - Pinkie Pie Party DVD Review



My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: Pinkie Pie Party is now out (in the states for now)  from Shout! Factory Kids in collaboration with Hasbro Studios! Pinkie Pie Party is priced at $14.97 and is available exclusively at Walmart.

Come join the fun! It’s the biggest collection of parties in Ponyville and you’re invited! Get your Pinkie Pie party outfit ready to enjoy five outrageously awesome parties with every pony’s favorite friends — Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Spike and the ultimate party planner herself, Pinkie Pie!

MY REVIEW
I have a huge fan of My Little Pony in this house. My daughter has always loved them, but these last couple of months I've had my niece come over in the mornings before school starts so they can all catch the bus together and the girls have been playing My Little Pony while watching the DVD. It's so cute to hear them as they make their own stories up. 

When the latest installment of the Friendship Is Magic Series: Pinkie Pie Party arrived at our house, both girls were so excited. They wanted to watch the entire DVD. So we did installments since they still had school. They watched an episode a day. They absolutely loved it and were singing, "Go Gummy, It's Your Birthday," as they walked outside to the bus stop. 

This DVD comes with five episodes with bonus features that includes sing-a-longs which my daughter loves (she's big on singing) and came with a party activity kit as well that we can download and print out from our computer. I know we'll have to print that out soon. 

Pinkie Pie Party has already come out in the States, so if you have a little girl who loves My Little Pony, this is definitely something that should be added to their collection. It's filled with tons of laughter, music and always has a moral of the story on how to be a good friend. 

For us that live in Canada, this DVD will be available to purchase at Walmart April 16th. Check out the video below, this is one of the girls favorite scene!


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Pinkie Pie Party on DVD at no cost for the purpose of sharing this review. No other compensation was received.

SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang DVD Review



Choose Your Ammo… SLUG IT OUT!

Eli Shane is determined to be the greatest Slugslinging hero of them all! Only by collecting, training and dueling with little critters called SLUGS can Eli and his team hope to defeat the forces of evil. Did we mention the part where the slugs transform into powerful magical beasts? That part’s AWESOME!

Slugterra is an epic sci-fi comedy/adventure set deep underground, where the ammo’s live (literally!) and only the quick survive! In this luminous, high-tech, underground world, every cavern holds a new adventure, a new battle and weird little slugs to be discovered!

MY REVIEW
My kids are huge fans of Slugterra. So when they saw the DVD on the table they ran to it and were so excited to watch it. We watched it over the weekend and my kids watched it a few more times in their rooms. This show was entertaining from beginning to end. Somewhat like Pokeman, but I kind of enjoy this just a bit better. I love the characters, each one is unique and brings something to the show. My favorite of course is Miss Trixie, the only girl. My daughter and I are big fans of hers. She's got brains and can kick some serious butt! My son however is a big fan of Burpy. I think mainly because of his name, lol. 

 Not only did my five and seven year old enjoy this, but when they shared with their ten year old cousin they had the DVD he was pumped too. This is definitely a show all boys and a few of the girls will enjoy. My kids also were excited to go online to Slugterra to play some games. Luckily, the DVD also came with an exclusive game for for them to get started and unlocking items.

 The DVD comes with five episodes and a couple of the Slugisodes as well. This is sure to keep your child entertained as it did my kiddos. 



Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Slugterra at no cost for the purpose of sharing this review. No other compensation was received.

@IAMS Shakeable Treats Your Dogs Will Love! (Review&Giveaway)

As you all may know by now, we have a Boston Terrier named, Izzie. We've had her going on four years now. She is a very important part of our family and so we try and give her the best, especially when it comes to dog food and/or treats. Since making the switch to IAMS we've noticed so many positive changes for Izzie, such as less gas and shinier fur. Proud to be an IAMS Family here!



We were sent IAMS new Shakeable Dog Treats you should have seen the excitement in her. I swear she's one of the smartest dogs I know. After my package was dropped off she instantly came upstairs and watched me open it. It's like she just knew. When I showed them to her she started jumping up and down with excitement and then sat down until I gave her a treat. Now every time she hears me shake the container of treats she comes running to me or the kids wherever we are. The kids get a kick out of that.

We were sent the flavors, Gobble 'Em Up with Turkey, Un-Baa-Lievable with lamb and Clucky Me with Chicken. I thought the names were pretty creative and funny and I love that they came in bright containers.



These shakeable treats are great at training your dog as well. If only we had these when we first got Izzie. But since she's pretty much trained I use these a lot especially if the family and I are leaving the house. The sound of the shakeables allows me to get her to go outside to handle her business so she'll be okay in the house while we're gone.

Below are some great tips from IAMS which can help you while training your pet:

Stay Away From Table Scraps – As much as your furry friend loves to hang around the table while you’re eating, ready to pounce on anything that may fall to floor, resist the urge to feed table scrapes. Not only is human food potentially toxic to animals, scraps also tend to be high in fat and calories and low in the vitamins and nutrients your pet needs. Treats, like New Iams Shakeables, offer wholesome ingredients full of delicious flavours your pet will love.

Tricks For Treats – Treats can be used for training to get your pet’s attention and keep him or her focused. While training, you should use soft, chewy treats that are easy to digest and won’t take away from training time.

Timing is Everything – While training your pet, make sure you are rewarding him or her with a treat immediately after performing the correct action. This ensures the reward is associated with the behaviour.

Consistency is Key – Dog training is intense, so choose a day you have a good amount of free time to begin. Pretend you have left the house and stay away for several minutes. Once your dog thinks you're gone and "violates the restricted area," walk in and give a firm "no" or "get down." Direct your dog to his or her bed, and praise him or her for going to it. Repeat this as many times as necessary. Eventually, most dogs will get the hint. Again, consistency is key. This training may have to be repeated periodically over several weeks or even months.

Take Treats With You – Most pets don’t stop exhibiting good behaviour after they leave the front door. Whether you’re going on a trip, taking a walk, or playing in the park with your pet, treats make great pet travel rewards.

Give Treats In Between Meals – Remember, treats are not a substitute for a meal and should not make up more than 10 to 20 per cent of a dog’s daily diet. To avoid filling up your pet before a meal, try giving treats in between your pet’s scheduled meal times. If you’re training with treats, cut back on meal portions after a session to avoid overeating.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received sample products of IAMS Shakeables at no cost for the purpose of sharing this review. No other compensation was received.

Traveling Just Got Easier This March Break w/ Dramamine!




In less than two weeks my family and I will be on a plane to sunny California visiting family, friends and enjoying the warm weather for March/Spring Break. I'm pretty excited. We haven't been to California in about two years and it was time for a visit.

On our last visit the plane ride went pretty smooth, but my daughter did have an upset tummy about an hour into the ride and I wasn't prepared for it because she's usually fine on plane rides. Luckily a little ginger ale helped and within an hour she was fine and went to sleep.

This won't happen this trip. I will definitely be prepared for every scenario that could happen. Luckily for me I was sent a few more samples of Dramamine. Remember last September we reviewed  Dramamine for kids and adults? If you are unfamiliar with Dramamine it's the number one pharmacist recommended brand that help treats motion sickness and relieves nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Dramamine is good for when you're on a ship, plane, train and car rides.



One of the things I love about Dramamine is that the tablets for the kids are chewables and are grape flavored, which makes it easier for my little ones to consume. I also love that they now have Dramamine less drowsy for adults. This is great. Who wants to be out of it when taking medicine, especially around their kids.

I'm pretty excited about our trip and I'm glad this is one less thing I have to worry about. I'll be prepared. What about you, do you plan on traveling this March/Spring Break? If so you might want to give Dramamine a try!

Dramamine is available in Chewable, Less Drowsy, Kids and Original and is retailed at around $4.99.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received sample products from Dramamine at no cost for the purpose of sharing this review. No other compensation was received.

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Ketchup PopChips are Mm-hmm Good! (Review & Giveaway)

I've been doing pretty good on eating healthy. I've been substituting meats and junk food and drinking more water and feel great. One of the things that always gets me is late night snacks while watching television or a movie with the hubby after the kids are in bed. We did this a lot, but I've been replacing junk food snacks with healthier alternatives and it's been helping.

If you remember last year we had an opportunity to review some of the delicious flavors from PopChips. Well this time we got another opportunity right before Valentines Day to try their latest flavor, Ketchup, introduced to us here in Canada this February.



If you're not familiar with  PopChips,  they are potatoes that are never fried or baked. They're popped using heat and pressure. They have no fake colors, no fake flavors and no preservatives.

I have to admit I'm not the biggest ketchup flavored chip fan, but from time to time I do eat Ketchup chips and let's face it, these PopChips are just way more healthier and such a good replacement for the greasy chips we'd normally eat.

Now don't get me wrong, there have been times that I've abandoned ship and gone junk food crazy, especially while having family done from out of town or during our girls night in get together's we have, but for the most part this year I've been doing pretty awesome and one of the items I have to thank is PopChips because they are one of the healthier alternatives that get me through my late night cravings. My kids ate these up as did the hubby. They love them! I was glad I got to enjoy the bag and a half that I did, lol.

Now PopChips is happy to provide one of you Canadian readers of Just Us Girls a chance to win a months supply of PopChips along with some PopChips swag! All you have to do is enter the giveaway below!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a few samples of PopChips at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. A big thank you to PopChips for providing the giveaway!

Dr. Bronner's Organic Body Balm Review


It's still Winter here in Canada. Which mean lots of us are have had or going to have dry skin, chapped lips and then some. For me one of the things that happen to me during the Winter Season is always dry feet. I have to make sure that every day I get out of the shower I also put on lotion and/or Vaseline to help keep my feet from cracking.



This is why when I had the opportunity to try Dr. Bronner's Organic Body Balm I was pretty pumped. I love anything that can help my skin. This is a body balm that works for so many different parts of your body. I'm talking lips, feet, dry elbows and so much more. After replacing the balm on my feet instead of lotion and Vaseline I did notice a bit of a difference and I was pretty pleased. I also used some on my lips when they were chapped and gave the Naked Scent to my husband to use for his lips. We were both very impressed by how smooth and fast working these balms worked.

These organic balms are scented using certified organic essential oils and contains no synthetic ingredients or preservatives. They come in five different scents, Peppermint, Patchouli Lime, Orange Lavender, Naked and Baby-Mild. I was sent three of the five and my favorite has to be the Patchouli Lime scented balm. I love that it wasn't too over powering, but still had a bit of scent and it smelled refreshing. Another thing I loved about these body balms is the tins they come in. They can fit easily into your purse, which I love, especially if I'm in a hurry. They're the perfect size and very affordable. These body balms retails a little less than $6.00 both here in Canada and in the States.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received samples of Dr. Bronner's Organic Body Balm at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.  

@emmyrossum Sentimental Journey CD Review



Singer/actress Emmy Rossum is an opera-trained singer best known for her work in the Showtime series Shameless and the 2009 film version of the stage musical Phantom of the Opera. On her 2013 sophomore album, Sentimental Journey, Rossum takes a somewhat more traditional if no less ambitious approach and delivers a series of standards from the '20s through the '60s. Conceptualized around the idea of taking her listeners on a journey through a calendar year, each song was picked to relate the emotions or general feeling about its accorded month. Essentially, Rossum has crafted an old-timey album of American popular song that once again showcases her trained vocal chops and knack for relating a song's emotionally resonant meaning. Included are such songs as "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover," "I'll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time," "Autumn Leaves," and others. Though somewhat reverent in tone, Rossum does employ some stellar backing musicians here, including Giulio Carmassi who, aside from adding some roiling piano accompaniment, also plays various horns, vibes, and melodica. The result is that while Rossum's style lands firmly in a cabaret, Broadway mold, the album has a looser, jazzier feel than one might expect from someone raised on opera and musical theater.

MY REVIEW
I'm a huge fan of Emmy Rossum. I love the show, Shameless and her performance in Beautiful Creatures was spot on to the character in the book. So when I had the opportunity to review her second album, Sentimental Journey, I was more than thrilled!

When first listening to the opening song, Sentimental Journey, the album literally takes you back in time to the 1920's. The music, the lyrics and that voice, all amazing. This album reminded me of my childhood when I would spend hours in the kitchen with my grandmother as she listened to music while cooking. I love when music can take you back in time and remind you of so many good memories. And this album did just that.

I also love that Emmy branched out. Nothing says unique like the album, Sentimental Journey. This isn't like anything that's out there today and that's something I love. She didn't go for that "Pop," type style and genre for this album like most artists have been putting out lately. Everyone can appreciate this album from the first track to the last, no matter what your age is.

Out of the entire album I have two favorite songs that have been playing on my playlist for weeks now. I love both Sentimental Journey and I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover. Both tracks are at the beginning of this album. Sentimental Journey pretty much explains what this album is about, love and romance and I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover is definitely something you can dance to. It's upbeat with music that makes you feel like you're listening to something on a Broadway show and makes you want to dance like you're in the 20's era.

Sentimental Journey is now out and available for purchase. You can get it on Itunes now. Feel free to check the song, "I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time," video below.


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Sentimental Journey from One2One Network for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Thirsty Thursday: Raspberry Shot of Love (Valentine's Day Drink)


Happy Valentine's Day everyone! What are your plans for this day of love? I know for us today isn't going to be anything big. Romantic and simple is all I need, so tonight our plans our to put the kids to bed a little early, enjoy a drink or two and enjoy one another's company. I'm just glad my husband is home and not traveling today.

I know I haven't done a Thirsty Thursday post in a long time, in fact this is the first one of the year, so I figured today is a perfect day to start and this drink or shot is perfect, especially for today.

My husband travels to work in the states a lot and on his last visit he brought home Raspberry Bacardi. It's absolutely delicious you guys and great to make martinis with. So I took a couple of ideas from the Strawberry Shortcake Martini drink that I shared with you all last Summer and created this week's Thirsty Thursday drink I like to call, Raspberry Shot of Love!

This drink is simple to make and tastes so good. My husband was impressed when he tried it. His reaction, "It's good, but it's sweet and girly!" So I know most of you ladies out there will love it! What I also like about this is that it doesn't have to be a shot, you can also make it into a martini, the choice is up to you. Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!



Raspberry Shot of Love
Serves: 4-5 shots

Raspberry Puree:
1/2 cup frozen whole raspberries
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice


For Raspberry Shot of Love:
2 ounces raspberry bacardi 
3 ounces of raspberry puree
fresh whipped cream and sprinkles, for garnish (optional)



For the Raspberry Puree: Simmer for 10 minutes until sugar is dissolved and fruit is softened. Allow to cool and blend vigorously until smooth. If there are any pulp/seeds left, strain through a fine mesh strainer.
For the Raspberry Shot of Love:
Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously until chilled. Pour into shot glasses or if making drink a martini, pour into a martini glass and top with (optional) dallop of fresh whipped cream, and sprinkles.


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Have Your Home Smelling Heavenly This Valentine with Scentsy

I absolutely love candles. They brighten up my day with the many different scents and they get me relaxed at night. I've always loved using them at the beginning of Fall and Winter the most because that's when the baking in my house is in full action and also it reminds me that the holidays are around and especially with the weather we get, they make my house feel cozy.

Well I haven't used candles in a long time. In fact this past Fall and during this Winter I bought a couple and never lit them. It all started at a family party when my husband's uncle was telling me why I shouldn't use candles and that the wick from some candles leave lots of soot on your ceilings and walls. I had actually never even thought of that. So after the party I went straight home, used a candle and after about five minutes actually saw what our uncle was talking about. So I was kind of done with using them, which bummed me out, a lot.



Now when I got the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to review a Scentsy warmer from one of their lovely reps, Nicole, I was excited. I had heard a lot about Scentsy from friends and family members, but never thought to try it. I must have been going cray cray because after using the Scentsy warmer, I immediately was addicted and loving it. Not to mention it was making my house smell wonderful. I actually hurried and emailed Nicole and ordered three more of their Scentsy bars so I would have them before I ran out.



If you're not familiar with what Scentsy is, it's pretty much a safe and easier alternative to candles. What I loved about the Scentsy warmers is that they are wick-less, which also means no soot on my ceilings or walls and they are flame-less which is awesome considering I do have kids running around my home.



They are very easy to put together and comes with a lightbulb, your warmer and the top so that you can put pieces of your Scentsy bars and be ready to have your house smell divine! The Scentsy warmers come in many  different sizes and they also have plugin ones, which I think are pretty neat and can't wait to try. I was sent one of the large warmers and it came with the, Happy Go Lucky Scentsy bar, which made my house smell like love, which I think is perfect since it's Valentine's Day.

If you already have a warmer or interested in purchasing one be sure to go check out Nicole's Scentsy Site because the entire month of February you can save and order your Scentsy Bars and get a 10% discount.  Also, Nicole can now take orders from those of you that are in the States too as well as us here in Canada!


Scentsy 3 pack (normally $17 +tax) - on sale for $15.30+tax

Scentsy 6 pack (normally $30+tax) - on sale for $27+tax


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a Scentsy warmer and bar at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.  


Bad Kitty School Daze Book Review



Title: Bad Kitty School Daze
By: Nick Bruel
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press 
Publication Date:  January 8, 2013
ISBN: 9781596436701
Pages: 160

Kitty and Puppy are out of control! They're screaming, fighting, hissing, and drooling all over the house, and all of the commotion is upsetting Baby. Time for school—obedience school, that is. Can Kitty learn to follow the rules and make friends with the other students or will she bring chaos to the classroom? Find out in Bad Kitty's hilarious, new (mis)adventure!
MY REVIEW
This was such a cute book. Formed in a comic strip way, this was a very fast read and a story I knew my daughter would absolutely love. I read it first just to make sure. This is also part of the Bad Kitty Series books, which I'm looking forward to having my daughter read. 

So basically Bad Kitty School Daze is about a cat and a dog who get sent to obedient school by their owner. They have to learn how to behave, manners and how to be friendly. This is a cute book for kids seven and up and highly recommend it. While my daughter was reading it I could hear her laughing in the background and when she was done with the book, two days later, she was so excited to share with her dad and I what she had read. Not only was this a bit of a humor book, but it also teaches kids how to be respectful with others around you. Definitely recommended for any of you with a young child who enjoys reading or who loves cats! 

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Bad Kitty School Daze at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.