Product Review: SambaMD Back-Relief Wheelchair Seat

Katie February 10, 2014 0 Comments

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Samba MD is a great Wheelchair seat! It is from the same company that made the Qi pillow that I have tried out and absolutely love using.  A lot of times when I am in the wheelchair, especially for any sort of extended period of time, I get really uncomfortable and I’m not sure that my posture is all that great. It can also make me feel achy and I’ll have a stiff back.  After getting out of the chair, I also have to take a few seconds to try and get myself back to a regular posture after being in such an uncomfortable position in the wheelchair for so long.  The SambaMD pillow helps to alleviate these problems by reducing back stiffness, alleviate pressure points, and reduce pressure. I know I will not be taking the wheelchair anywhere without the SambaMD packed as well!

There are 2 sides of the SambaMD and you can use either side you prefer to have contact with your body.  The leather side is great for water proofing and the 3D fabric side is great for improved circulation. (Just make sure that the memory foam is on top of the air controlled core!)  You can also increase or decrease the inflation to make it feel the best for you – just by using your mouth!

SambaMD is available at Walgreens and Amazon– for more information be sure to check out their product pages.

Some tips:

Only use this SambaMD seat in a wheelchair.  It’s not designed for any other types of chairs (Photos of it on the couch are for photographic purposes only and I did only use it while using my wheelchair) or for motor scooters.
Place the SambaMD flat in the wheelchair with the zipper in the back
You can place the Qi Orthopedic Pillow in the wheelchair as well, placed behind the back with the emphasis on the small of your back

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.

Product Review: Vinyl Disorder Finger Nail Art Decals

Katie February 9, 2014 0 Comments

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Recently I got the chance to try out some Nail Decals from Vinyl Disorder. You may know them for their wall decals, wall quotes and in loving memory decals and stickers, but they also offer fingernail art as well!  I received two different designs to try out – hearts and stars.  Both were silver and oh so sparkly.  I decided that I needed to pair them with some sparkly nailpolish as well.

Nail art is an easy way to dress up your nails above and beyond using just nail polish.  They work like stickers – just peel them off the backing and place them on your nails!  You can apply a layer of clear nailpolish to protect them better – unfortunately I do not have any clear coat so I went without doing this step. (And yes, I regret it, because after one night of wearing them they started to peel. I think with the clear coat I could have gotten them to last much longer!)

You also don’t have to just use them for your finger nails – you can stick them on anything you’d want to place a small sticker on – your cell phone, keychains, computer monitors, etc!   If you don’t see the graphic that you want on the Vinyl Disorder site – do not hesitate to contact them – they can create Nail Decals out of any of the graphics offered on their site!

Check out Vinyl Disorder

on Facebook

on Twitter 

and

on Instagram
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.

Product Review: After Action Review

Katie February 7, 2014 0 Comments

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

After Action Review is an interactive self-development tool based on a structured after review process for analyzing oneself. Record your daily, monthly or yearly after action reviews. The purpose of the daily After Action Review is to encourage you to take full charge and responsibility of your self-development. The tool is highly interactive and helps you to enforce this discipline within you.

When you complete your AAR you are asked questions based on 4 categories: Achievements, Lessons, Improvements and Changes.  These questions are – Today, What have I achieved?  Today, what have I learned?  Today, What could I have done better?  Tomorrow, What am I going to do different?  To hold yourself accountable for your actions.  I constantly have a to-do list sitting on my desk.  Most of it is blog related and posts that I have to work on and books I need to read, but there is one column that is a bit of “everything else”, usually crafty stuff or cleaning my room or updating things on my computer or other websites.  These items almost always get left undone.  I am trying to be better in 2014 about my to-do list and even breaking it down in to smaller lists by day of what should be done so that the “bigger picture” so to speak doesn’t overwhelm me.  AAR helps me focus and if I answer these questions each evening based on my achievements, I can easily see where my weaknesses are and if those items I put off to do different tomorrow really get done.

You can also view your AAR History for a range of dates, so I can easily go back in May and say.. hey what were my issues in February? And see if my Improvements really are improving or if maybe this is a bigger problem that I really need to focus on.

I have this service for a year and it is kind of hard to review it based on a 3 week trial of it so far – but I think that if I continue to stick with it I will certainly see some positive changes in me – changes that will be for the better and make me more focused in the long run.

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.

Product Review: Hello Kitty Birthday in a Box

Katie January 30, 2014 0 Comments

Recently I had the chance to review a Hello Kitty Birthday in a Box kit.  The Deluxe kit serves 8 and includes everything you’d need for a birthday party – just add cake!  You don’t need to stress out about finding everything that matches because everything you need is included and coordinating.  You get a set of plates, napkins, cups and a table cloth featuring Hello Kitty as well as coordinating pink utensils and pink and black streamers.  And just add the cake – you have a package of birthday candles as well!

Seriously, you can’t do anything easier than a Birthday in a Box.  It comes in the mail, you open it, and set up the table in a snap.  Perfect for the Hello Kitty lover in your life!  If you’d like to see more about Hello Kitty, be sure to check out a storybook adventure.

Our table is only set for 6 – but you do receive enough to set up a table for 8.

Kit Includes:

• 8 Hello Kitty Tween Cake Plates
• 8 Hello Kitty Tween 9oz Cups
• 16 Hello Kitty Tween Lunch Napkins
• 8 Spoons/Forks/Knives
• 1 Hellow Kitty Tween Table Cover
• 1 Set Birthday Candles
• 2 Sets Streamers

I received a free Birthday in a Box kit in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Product Review: Trebellina DVD

Katie January 8, 2014 0 Comments

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Little ones are fascinated as lovable Trebellina, Rock Bassey and friends introduce musical concepts, instrument names and sounds, as well as teach note recognition. Foot-taping tunes and classical music with relevant, inspiring visuals make music come alive! Music lessons have never been so much fun!

Recently I had the chance to check out the Introducing Trebellina DVD which retails for $19.95 at the Trebellina website.  It is a runtime of 32 minutes.  It is geared towards children aged 1-4 but I thought perhaps I could learn a thing or two about reading music as well.  (And I did!) The DVD is super cute and has a lot of characters that I think kids would really enjoy – including Trebellina, Rock Bassey and Rhythmo as well as all of the notes and it plays each of them and identifies which one it is to help kids learn.  In addition to reading music it also teaches about different kind of instruments and all of their sounds.

At 32 minutes, I think the DVD was a great length – with just enough information to keep kids attention and not allow them to get bored.  If you have a little one that you think should be getting in to music – you should definitely check out this DVD and see where things go from there!

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.

Product Review: Bed of Nails

Katie January 7, 2014 0 Comments

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a product that I got for a review get fought over so much in the house as to who gets to be using it. As soon as my Bed of Nails Mat arrived my mom asked if she could use it and there seems to be a constant tug of war going on between of us (with Mom usually winning).  The Bed of Nails Mat is covered with 210 acupressure plates, each in its turn covered with 42 rounded nails for a total of 8820 nails per mat measuring 16.5″x28.5″x1″.  By the looks of it, it seems like it might be uncomfortable, but once you have it under you on the couch it is amazing.  After the first time I used it, I felt so relaxed and calm afterwards. It’s also relieved some of my mom and brother’s aches and pains as well after they use it.

Bed of Nails is an excellent aid in self-treatment and stimulating energy in the body. Bed of Nails may also help the body rid itself of toxins, so it is important to remember to drink water after using Bed of Nails.

Bed of Nails works similar to acupuncture, the pressure of the rounded nails against the skin may help the body release endorphins, the body’s very own “happiness drug” which provides a sense of joy, energy and painrelief, and oxytocin.
If Bed of Nails is used regularly for a long enough period of time it may alleviate:

• Stress
• Headache
• Constipation
• Tiredness
• Insomnia
• Tension
• Back pain
• Muscle aches
• Malaise

Warning! The Bed of Nails Pillow should not be used in case of skin disease, hemophilia or the intake of anticoagulants. If you are uncertain, always consult your doctor before use. Keep away from children 5 years of age and younger.

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.

Product Review: Claritin-D

Katie January 6, 2014 0 Comments

Claritin-D^® is known for providing non-drowsy relief from allergy symptoms, but did you know it works as hard on your nasal congestion due to a cold as it does on your allergy congestion? When your day comes with nasal and sinus congestion due to allergies or colds, you need the power of Claritin-D!

Recently I had the chance through bzzagent to try out Claritin-D as a cold medicine instead of the usual allergy relief.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it!) I did not have a cold from when the item came to be reviewed until it was time to post but my brother did and tried it out.  After a few times using it he started to feel much better.  We had no idea that it could be used for nasal congestion due to cold AND allergies and are glad to have it in stock in our medicine cabinet year round.

(I received a coupon to get a discounted package of Claritin-D for being a bzzagent and share my thoughts on the product)

Product Review: Deep Sleep With Andrew Johnson MP3

Katie January 3, 2014 0 Comments

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Since we moved to the new house, I’ve been having trouble falling asleep. I think it’s because I’m not quite used to my new surroundings and comfortable in my room yet. I decided to try out Andrew Johnson’s Deep Sleep MP3 to see if perhaps it would help me fall asleep.  The MP3 is just over half an hour long and helps you:

• build a natural, deep sleeping pattern
• have more energy during the day
• be more productive and effective
• feel happier and more relaxed

It is recommended to listen to the MP3 for a week as you fall asleep and to try and go to bed at the same time every night.  While I couldn’t quite manage to try and go to sleep at the same time every night (I am one to get distracted on the internet before bed or stay up late attempting to empty my portion of the DVR whether I have to work the next day or not) I did use the MP3 for several nights in a row – never making it to the end of the recording. (Or if I did, I have no recollection of it)  Which is amazing because other nights I can stay awake tossing and turning for easily an hour or two before finally being exhausted enough to fall asleep.

When I woke up the next day I was able to get up on time and not want to sleep a few more minutes before getting up to get ready for work and I also felt like well rested – similar to how I would feel if I went to bed sick after having taken Advil PM – without having to take anything to aid in my sleeping.

I will certainly be continuing to use this MP3 before bed and will also try to get to bed at the same time each night to see if that helps me out as well.

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.

Product Review: Hoffman Academy Piano Lessons + Giveaway

Katie January 2, 2014 4 Comments

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I’ve tried a couple of  times to learn to play the piano with several different techniques to no avail. So I decided I’d give Hoffman Academy Piano Lessons a go.  I received a free Lesson 1 package which includes a Music Theory Worksheets & Activity Pages, Song Sheets with Practice Instructions, Piano Listening CD MP3s, Practice CD MP3s and a Parent’s Guide as this is geared towards kids a bit younger than me. 😉  However, I think that anyone who wants to try to play piano can benefit from these lessons as you will need to know the basics at some point in order to figure out how to read the music and understand what you are reading and trying to play.

The lessons are sequenced in a specific order to build ability and understanding, no prior experience required.  (While I did have my cousins attempt to teach me how to play piano and read music when I was about 9 and had to take some music theory classes – I’m not sure that counts as me having any “experience”).  There are 60 FREE lessons and then as your need and budget allows you can purchase learning activity pages, MP3 tracks and sheet music from their store to help you advance as a pianist.

I really loved the Worksheets and Activity pages.  While, yeah, they were geared towards kids much younger than I am, I really find that I grasp the concept of things if they are explained to me as if I am a child. Maybe I’m simple minded, but I don’t care what you think because it works!  Figuring out the notes and their order and putting them on a staff, etc really made sense through this lesson.  It also showed the notes for the songs that are on the MP3s so it is easy to read along while listening and then read along while playing yourself.  Unfortunately I have no been sticking with practicing enough to make any progress (I know, bad!) but I hope that in 2014 I can create and stick to a schedule and maybe actually learn how to play and have it sound halfway decent!

If you want to get a jumpstart on homeschooling or just try and knock out a new years resolution of learning to play the piano – be sure to check out Hoffman Academy for their Piano Lessons.

Find out more at: https://www.hoffmanacademy.com/

Or you can find them at facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/FreePiano

and

on Pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/hoffmanmusic/

One ConcertKatie winner will also be able to receive the Unit 1 Lessons that I received in order to get a jumpstart on their learning!  Contest ends 1/5/13 at 11:59 PM EST

The Complete Materials for Unit 1 include everything you need to get the most out of your Hoffman Academy piano lessons:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

Product Review: Katazoom Wall Decal

Katie January 1, 2014 4 Comments

Since we’ve moved, I’ve known that I wanted to add some sort of decal to the ceiling over my bed. It’s at an angle and kind of awkward – but I knew it would be perfect for a wall decal.  So I was super excited when Katazoom offered me a wall decal to review!  I picked out the “Dream Wall Decal” for $19.99 that was 22″7″.  Some decals you can choose larger sizes (this one you couldn’t) and all the decals you can choose what color you wanted.  I opted to stick with the black that was displayed because I thought it would be the best contrast on the white ceiling.

The order came very quickly and then it was time to put it on the wall!  We grabbed a level, measured out the wall so that it would be centered and were ready to go.  First we stuck up the whole decal with some painters tape and used the level to make sure it was level.  Then we used painter’s tape to make “hinges” on the top of the decal once it was in place.  Then you flip the decal up and peel the back paper off.  Carefully, we flipped the decal back down and used a credit card to transfer it from the transfer paper to the ceiling.  Once we thought it was rubbed down, slowly we peeled the transfer paper off.  This has to be done slowly in case you didn’t rub down a section enough, then you can flip it back down and rub it down some more without it being totally twisted out of place.

Overall, the whole process took about 20 minutes and was very easy to do! I am quite pleased with the outcome.

Before!

Positioning and making sure everything is level

The “hinge” of tape

Finished product

After!

I received a free wall decal from the website in order to try it out and write this review. I was not otherwise compensated. All thoughts and opinions in this post are 100% mine.