EdenFantasys Highlight 10/27

WOW, has EdenFantasys been exploding with new lingerie lately!  Every time I check the site, there seems to be more new items.  As a girl who loves to get dolled up every now and then, this is awesome!  I have seen so many great new pieces that I have added to my wish list (a feature that I find so handy!). 

The other day I was surprised to find that not only are they carrying a ton of great new lingerie, they have begun to carry some super cute new clothing items as well.  A lot of these are items I would have worn when I was younger (I just turned 27.  I am not sure how I feel about that yet, haha.), but there are even a few things that I'm considering ordering the next time I shop there (by the way, if you're planning to place an order, you can use code ST4 for a discount!).  They have some really cute dresses, tops, and even bottoms available now.  I think most of the dresses would only work as tops on me as well, but I have that problem a lot.  Tall, with a long torso.  ::shrugs::  I prefer my shirts a little bit longer anyway, so I often buy shorter dresses to wear with a pair of jeans.  Here are a couple of my favorites.

Dress and Belt by Espiral

Classy Elegance Dress by Espiral

Black Billow Top Dress by Espiral

I wonder what's next, shoes?  I bet they'd carry some really spicy pairs of shoes if they decided to...but I think I'd actually rather that they didn't.  I like shoes a little too much and I seriously might end up broke, haha. 

*I will receive a gift card for this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Go Go Kabongo Review

I have always been of the mind that children learn through everything they do, and that just because something is fun, doesn't mean that it is not helping them to learn and grow.  My daughters don't spend a lot of time on the computer (way less than mommy, that's for sure!), but I have started to allow them to play computer games in the past year or so.  I love that at three and five, my daughters are both comfortable using a computer as it is a skill that I just feel is necessary these days.  I love finding fun online games that are safe and engaging for my children, so when I was contacted about the new online world for kids called Go Go Kabongo, I was eager to try it out and see if it was something that would make both my children and myself happy with the time they spend on the computer. 

We have been playing these games off and on for a few weeks, but it seems as we get deeper into the school year and with some other things we have going on right now, neither myself nor my children have spent very much time at the computer.  We've just been too busy (I have so many great reviews to share with you all, but with everything going on things are piling up!).  I wanted to take some time to tell you about Kabongo though, because when my daughters do have a chance to play around on the computer, Kabongo (or, Funny Duffy Monster Game, as my three year old calls it) is one of the first things they ask to play. 

Kabongo was developed by learning experts and award-winning game designers, and it shows!  Kabongo’s reading games promote the thinking skills that lead to reading, and their goal is to inspire confidence through play, and provide positive reinforcement of necessary skills.

The games are designed more for preschoolers, but can be enjoyed by early elementary as well.  The recommended ages are 4 to 7.  My daughters are 3 and 5, and both greatly enjoy playing.  Basic membership is free.  To begin, parents need to go to http://www.kabongo.com/, where you can sign up, using either your e-mail, or your Facebook account.  I signed up with e-mail.  Once you sign up, you can confirm your account and then access your Parent Account.  You are able to make an account for each of your children, which is great because Kabongo will periodically e-mail you updates on how your children are doing and from the Parent's Center you can view personalized progress reports.  There are also lots of great resources for parents, and extra things like coloring pages you can print out for your children.

When you sign your child in (log your account in, and then select your child's name), your child first meets Duffy, a colorful character who my daughters think is hilarious.  He is there to act as a sort of a tour guide for your child.  He's a lot of fun.  He welcomes you to The Tree House, which acts as the Home Base.  He then directs you to create your own character, and my daughters had a blast choosing different heads, bodies, and feet to find their favorite combination.  This really appealed to my girls' love of playing dress up and really sparked their imaginations.

Once you have your character, you can explore the tree house (upon clicking, many items provide humorous interactions).  When you're ready, you click the map.  If you're ever confused on where to go, or what to do, just click the question mark for help.  The map gives you the option to explore three different worlds.  Galaxy Gardens, Twister Top, and Laughter Lake.  Each world, has a few fun and education games for children to play.  You can play the first two worlds for free, and also have the option of adding more premium games for a fee of $4.95.  Keep reading though, because I have a special code for you to use to access these extra games for FREE!

Each world introduces you to fun new characters that will help guide your children along in the games.  The games are all challenging for young minds, but not to the point where they are frustrating and become a chore rather than fun.  The games will also take into account your child's skills to be sure that the level of game play matches up to what they are ready for.  Kabongo uses positive reinforcement by rewarding players for playing games.  Players can select one of three rewards for winning a game.  The rewards are fun things to use in the tree house. 

If you'd like to try out Kabongo, simply sign up for a basic membership (no need to enter your credit card information).  Then, once you have the basic account, you can enter code LEARN to upgrade!  Pretty awesome deal, if you ask me!  You can't beat FREE!  :o)

*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for the purposes of this review through the above mentioned company or representing PR agency. In the event of a giveaway, the prize is shipped by the sponsor and I hold no responsibility. Thank you for reading!

Hill's Pet Nutrition

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hills Pet Nutrition for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Most of you probably already know that we have a one year old black lab.  Her name is Ciara (Kiera, but we liked the more traditional spelling, and liked the meaning).  She's been a member of our family for about a year now (we found her in a shelter when she was 3 months old).  She is crazy, hyper, loving, loyal, protective (and jealous!  It's SO funny to see how jealous she gets when my husband and I are snuggled up on the couch or show affection anywhere, haha...she's never aggressive, but she's so expressive you can just tell what she's feeling), and so much fun.  I never knew owning a dog would take so much (money, time, patience, repairman skills, haha), but I really can't imagine life without her.  I know she's still a puppy, but I can't help but think about trying to keep her healthy as she ages, so she stays with us as long and as comfortably as possible. 

 

 

  Did you know that all dogs can experience issues with their mobility at different stages in their life? Take notice of how your dog is moving around...is he walking a little slower? Taking longer to recover from playtime or exercise? Is he running less and just all around moving less? These are all early signs of joint health issues, and fortunately balanced nutrition, like Hill's Pet Nutrition, can make a difference in your dog's mobility and comfort.  You can get more information about Hill's Science Diet dog food by visiting http://bit.ly/nh5LiQ

 

   

 

Right now if you register for the Hill's Healthy Mobility Challenge to benefit your furry family member, you will receive $30 in Hill's Healthy Mobility Coupon offers, as well as an automatic entry in the Healthy Mobility Challenge Sweepstakes. Thirty entrants will win free pet food for a year!! That is SO worth entering for.

 

       

 

To complete the challenge you should feed your pup Science Diet Healthy Mobility dog food, and track your dog's progress over thirty days. Then, Hill's would like you to check back in with them and share what you've noticed with other pet owners who might be taking the challenge too.  

 

            

 

You can also feel free to check in with Hill's Pet Nutrition on Facebook!

EdenFantasys Highlight - 10/6

I'm so excited that it's October!  It's my FAVORITE month of the whole year!  The colder weather starts rolling in, pumpkins, mums, haybales and all that fun stuff starts popping up everywhere, my birthday (which, as I get older, isn't really a big deal, but still, fun!), and yes, Halloween!  YAY for October!

I've almost got everything I need for Halloween here, well, aside from candy for the trick or treaters.  I have costumes for the kids, a costume for my hubby, and I'm almost done with my own costume...just need a few more finishing touches.  We're all going to be pirates this year. 

Believe it or not, I actually got my costume from an "adult" website!  It's sexy, but not at all too revealing.  I'm thinking of topping it off with a corset too (and EdenFantasys has a great selection to choose from!  Not sure if I want one that's red, or black...hmm...  I'd better make up my mind soon!), I think it would really add to the wow factor.  I showed you a few costumes that EdenFantasys carries a couple weeks ago, and I thought in the spirit of Halloween and my favorite month of the year, I'd share a few more.  Feel free to share your favorites in the comments, and let me know what you're going to be for Halloween this year, I'd love to hear!  :o)

This Pirate Wench costume by Coquette is only $49.99, and comes with a crop top, a brocade and lace dress with back zipper closure, a hat and a sword.  All you'd need is a cute pair of shoes!  Personally I'd prefer a longer skirt, which is why I didn't purchase this one, but I still think this is SO cute!

Here is the Cougar Catsuit by Leg Avenue.  Head to toe coverage here!  For $49.99 you get the catsuit, a headband featuring kitty cat ears, a spiked collar with a heart charm, and a tail.

How cute is this Retro Stewardess costume?  (Which reminds me I keep forgetting to watch that new series, PanAm?  I heard about it, but we don't have DVR, and I keep forgetting to check for when it's on)  This one is by Coquette (love them!), and it's only $38.99 for the dress and the cap.  I love retro inspired looks.

*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for the purposes of this review through the above mentioned company or representing PR agency. In the event of a giveaway, the prize is shipped by the sponsor and I hold no responsibility. Thank you for reading!

Get the Textbooks You Need, and Support Operation Smile

 

If you, or a loved one are going to college right now, chances are you know how expensive it can be to purchase all of the textbooks you need. I just recently learned of CampusBookRentals.com, where you can rent brand new and gently used textbooks for about half of what you'd pay in a school bookstore. It's easy to find what you need on their website, saves you money, and saves you the hassle of trying to sell them when you're done with them if you're not planning to keep them. They even offer free shipping, and 30-Day risk-free returns!  Plus, they have a buy-back program, and might be interested in your used textbooks as well.

Something that I love about this simple service, is that CampusBookRentals.com supports the mission of Operation Smile. Operation Smile is a mobilized force of medical professionals and caring volunteers who provide safe, and effective reconstructive surgery for children born with facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate. They strive to help heal children's smiles, and make the world a better place.

CampusBookRentals.com have teamed up with this charitable organization to help perform life changing cleft lip surgeries for children, when their families could not otherwise afford the operation. These surgeries greatly improve the quality of life for these children. Before surgery they are often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile. In some places these children are even shunned and rejected, for looking differently...something that they have no control over. Heartbreaking!

CampusBookRentals.com has committed to cover a *minimum* of 1,000 (one thousand!!) surgeries for children, and with your help, they can beat that number and provide even more! For every book that is rented, they will donate a portion of the fee to Operation Smile.  You should definitely check them out! 

*Please see our site-wide disclosure policy, located in our right sidebar.

Man Shoes Winner!

Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend! 

Can you believe it's already October?  My birthday is in less than two weeks!  :o)

More importantly though, it's time to pick a winner for the Man Shoes giveaway!  Yeah!

Congratulations to Susansmoaks with comment 13! 

I'll be emailing you in just a moment.  As always, winners have 72 hours to reply/confirm.

*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for the purposes of this review through the above mentioned company or representing PR agency. In the event of a giveaway, the prize is shipped by the sponsor and I hold no responsibility. Thank you for reading!

Crabtree & Evelyn Introduce New Pink Collection to Support Breast Cancer Research

Sold in more than 40 countries, and 6,000 locations worldwide, Crabtree & Evelyn blend the very best that nature provides, with science, tradition, and innovation to create luxurious, comforting, and beneficial bath, body, and home care.  They have been leading the way with their amazing botanical creations for over 35 years.  One of their mottoes is "explore everything, keep the best."  This statement was from the namesake John Evelyn, who was a 17th century renaissance Englishman, who wrote one of the first important works on conservation.  You can find more about Crabtree & Evelyn online at http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com/, including where to purchase.

This October, Crabtree & Evelyn are excite to launch the new Pink Collection, in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  The NBCF is committed to spreading knowledge and hope in the fight against breast cancer.  They fund free mammograms for women who do not have the means to afford them, and make it a priority to support research programs across the country in the fight against breast cancer.  You can find out more about how to help at http://www.nbcf.org/.

To support this cause, Crabtree & Evelyn will donate $1.00 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for each specially marked new Pink Rosewater item sold in the United States during the month of October, 2011.  They are pledging a guaranteed donation of $20,000.  Crabtree & Evelyn feel passionately about the mission of the NBCF.

The new Pink Collection features Crabtree & Evelyn's Rosewater fragrance.  Roses are a symbol of happiness and love.  They're the perfect way to tell someone that you care.  The delicate Rosewater fragrance is inspired by English gardens and the hundred petal rose, which is a bloom that has been renowned for it's beautiful fragrance for centuries.  This fragrance captures the scent of violets, peony, fresh green foliage, and musk accords.

Some items in the new Pink Collection include the Rosewater Vanity Case, the Rosewater Round Hatbox, the Rosewater Duo, and the Rosewater Traveler Kit. 

Also during the month of October, Crabtree & Evelyn will be offering complimentary in-store hand rituals.  These will feature their award-winning Hand Therapy, which just so happens to be included in the new Pink Collection.  It is an intensive shea butter rick moisturizer, that will keep your hands soft all day long. 

Crabtree & Evelyn were kind enough to send me a few samples so that I could share my own thoughts and photos with you.  I was able to sample the delightful Rosewater Duo set, and the Rosewater Traveler Kit.

The Rosewater Duo contains full size bottles of both the Rosewater Bath & Shower Gel, and the Rosewater Body Lotion.  You receive slightly more Bath & Shower Gel, at 8.5 fl oz, than Body Lotion, which is 8.3 fl oz.  They are packaged perfectly for gift giving, right down to the lovely pink bow that adorns the top of the rosy pink packaging.  These are a fantastic deal at $36, which is a savings of $10 compared to purchasing these sizes individually (going by prices on the website). 

The Bath & Shower Gel is refreshing, and soothes the skin...leaving behind the perfect amount of the delicate Rosewater scent.  You can use this in the bath, to luxuriously soak in Rosewater scented bubbles, or in the shower.  This gentle, vegetable based formula, contains extracts of rosewater, peony, white magnolia, and elderflower help condition the skin, and has the bonus of being free of parabens, phthaletes, propylene glycol, and mineral oil. 

The Rosewater Body Lotion is dreamy.  It applies smooth and velvety, and it just *feels* luxurious.  It absorbs quickly, but doesn't leave my skin feeling like it's parched and searching for more moisture.  This lotion features a blend of shea butter, evening primrose, almond and coconut oils to moisturize your skin.  It also contains extracts of rosewater, peony, white magnolia, and elderflower which are intended to condition skin.  You can apply any time, but my favorite and seemingly most effective way to apply this is right after a shower.  It's amazing to use right after a shower with the Rosewater Bath & Shower Gel.  It's also free of parabens, phthaletes, propylene glycol, and mineral oil.

The Rosewater Traveler, has been my favorite.  I don't know what it is, but I just love travel size products.  They're just so tiny and cute!  Easy to toss in my purse, to pack in a suitcase (imagine that, using travel size products for traveling!  haha) or even to use in the shower when I'm feeling like a change from whatever full size bottle I currently have in there.  I can use it up in a few days, and not take up valuable shower shelf space.  I think travel size luxury products are a treat, I love to load up on my favorites and totally pamper myself every now and then. 

This kit retails for $20, and contains four of Crabtree & Evelyn's signature items in the Rosewater fragrance, plus the beautiful and reusable carrying case. 

You get a travel size Rosewater Soap, Rosewater Body Lotion, Rosewater Bath & Shower Gel, and Rosewater Hand Therapy.

The Bath & Shower Gel, and the Body Lotion are just miniature versions of the products I talked about already.  I absolutely adored the tiny Triple Milled Soap Bar.  So.CUTE!  It fits right in the palm of my hand (and smells amazing!).  I know I have mentioned here before that I don't normally care for rose scented bath and body products, but this an exception.  It's lovely.  Definitely floral, but not overpoweringly so.  Like walking through an English Garden, and not so much like sticking your nose up to a bouquet or roses.   

The Hand Therapy, is amazing.  Seriously, wonderful stuff.  It's thick and creamy, and absorbs well.  It doesn't leave my hands sticky or greasy, just soft and nicely moisturized and did I mention SOFT?  I love the tube it comes in, and it's so nice to keep in my purse. 

Thank you to Crabtree & Evelyn for supporting such a worthy cause!  You can connect with Crabtree & Evelyn more through their Facebook and Twitter pages.  Be sure to check out their other six new collections, too!




*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for the purposes of this review through the above mentioned company or representing PR agency. In the event of a giveaway, the prize is shipped by the sponsor and I hold no responsibility. Thank you for reading!