Smells Like Summer (Australian Gold Sunscreen Review)

You know there are certain smells that remind you of specific things? I don't mean that smelling pizza reminds you that you're hungry. I mean how pine trees and cinnamon smell like Christmas. Well Australian Gold Sunscreen smells like summer. It doesn't just smell like sunscreen or plain lotion. It smells like summer. Like beaches and boats and swimming and sunshine and barbecues. I've only ever used Australian Gold products to help me get a tan before, never the opposite, until now. This suncreen is gentle enough to wear on your face and tough enough to wear in the pool. It dries clear and not too oily. It's water resistant (for 80 minutes), and sweat proof too. That last part is my personal opinion. Indiana humidity is no joke and with active kids, I need a product that can hold up to my sweat and theirs. This one is it. Sunscreen is a part of our life in the summer, so why not have one that feels and smells great...
I received a sample of this product to try in exchange for my honest opinion.

#BearNakedGranola... Have You Tried It Yet?

Have you heard of Bear Naked Granola? No. Well, let me tell you, it's a delicious and healthy snack. I personally love the Sea Salt Caramel Apple Crunch. I eat it by itself, but I hear its pretty good to add to yogurt. My kids love to put mix-ins in their yogurt. It's a perfect snack to take on the go with you, anywhere. With real apples and caramel pieces this snack will trick you into forgetting how healthy it is. A 1/4 cup only has 120 calories and 3 grams of protien!


I received a free sample of Bear Naked Granola in exchange for my honest review.

Let's Talk About Pits, Baby

     Let's talk about deodorant. We all use it. We all sweat. I used to not. But now, whew, those days are gone. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a heavy woman or because I'm getting older or what. But I sure sweat now. And it grosses me out. I'm always trying out new scents and brands of deodorants. But I always use the "invisible solid". Ha. Like there really is such a thing. So Naturally when I got the chance to try a new deodorant for FREE, I jumped at it.

     I've never been a fan of the ooey, gooey, messy gel. Scratch that. I hadn't actually tried it, until I got Secret Outlast Completely Clear Gel, free in the mail to try. The first thing I noticed was the refreshing scent. It's fragrant but not overpowering. That's a definite plus. So I clicked the dial a couple of times and applied it to my pits. When I first put it on, I thought ew, ew, ew. No way, this is not for me. BUT as the day went on I noticed a difference. I keep a spare deodorant in my purse because often I have to reapply midday. This day, I didn't have to. Whoa! Huge plus! The next day I dreaded the cold, wet slime going under my pits, but I agreed to try this product and I wasn't stopping after one day. So I gritted my teeth and gasped when the slick, cold gel collided with my skin. Moments later the assault was forgotten and I was feeling fresh as a daisy. And I didn't have to reapply at all that day. In fact I haven't had to reapply midday in the nearly 3 weeks I've been using it. Now I hardly even notice the cold sting of applying it. Maybe because I know it's totally worth it. We haven't even gotten to plus number 3 yet. You won't believe this... NO WHITE MARKS! Yep, that's right. It really is COMPLETELY CLEAR. Go ahead pull out that little black dress, I promise, you will not have to worry about deodorant marks.
     Although Secret claims 48 hour protection, I haven't been quite able to make myself go that long with out showering/applying deodorant. But I can vouch that it works better than my old brand. I will be switching brands. Secret Outlast Completely clear gel is the one for me.
*I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

The Blasphemy Box

The Blasphemy Box

“You know that nightmare you’ve always had? The one where you wake up one day to find yourself fat, frumpy, fifty and alone? I’m living it.” Maddy Nelson has an idyllic existence: a handsome husband, great kids, a comfortable, affluent lifestyle. One morning soon after she turns fifty, however, she wakes up in her San Francisco home to find her husband Steven announcing that he’s leaving her for a woman half her age. And a third of her size. Ouch! Feeling totally unmoored and grieving for her married life and husband, Maddy finds herself thrust into an unfamiliar and uncomfortable world of middle-aged singledom. There, she must come to terms with her situation and embark on her new life: divorce proceedings, single parenting, internet dating, and trying to earn a living. It’s enough to drive her over the brink. To help her cope, she shares her struggles in a smart, wry blog named The Blasphemy Box, after her ex-husband’s obnoxious habit of having her drop a quarter into a wooden box every time she said something off color. Her madcap middle-aged adventures find her devoted readers who identify with her challenges. In time, Maddy recreates herself and finds happiness in the arms of a good man, and a fulfilling new career as a novelist.

Purchase Kindle / Paperback

About Author Mandy Behbehani

Mandy Behbehani grew up in England and now lives in California. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is a professional journalist whose work has appeared in a variety of publications from the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle to W magazine, Town & Country magazine and Travel & Leisure magazine. Follow Mandy Behbehani: Blog | Facebook | Twitter Follow the Tour! The author is offering a signed paperback book, and a Swarovski crystal bracelet that is part of her jewelry line for a tour prize. Fill out the form below to Enter! a Rafflecopter giveaway My thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I felt like I really got to know Maddy. She faces and overcomes one of the biggest fears that modern women face; the D word. I found myself wishing I could really follow her blog. ;-)

Untangling the Knot Review-READ THIS BOOK

Untangling The Knot

“I did what?” Twenty-eight year old Gabriella Bessu is St. Therese’s meticulous wedding ceremony coordinator. So the fact that she has mistakenly signed her newest couple up for an annulment, rather than a wedding, sends her Catholic guilt into overdrive. But who can blame her? The groom is gorgeous and his two kids tug at Gabriella’s heart in a way that overcomes all her best intentions. Before long she’s in over her head, fixing her mixed-up plans and helping the children and dad come to terms with their haunting grief for the mother and wife they lost years earlier. Can Gabriella untangle her own fears and accept the messy life that God has handed them?

About Author Deanne Wilsted

With an English teacher for a mom, DEANNE WILSTED, grew up reciting conjugation instead of nursery rhymes. Now, forty years later, she's sharing that special skill through her writing and her mothering. Her first book, a contemporary romance called BETTING JESSICA, was released October 2011. Her second Novel, UNTANGLING THE KNOT, is due out in February 2013 from Soul Mate Publishing. She is currently marketing her third book for publication and writing her fourth, fifth and sixth while blogging about the crazy stuff she overheard while writing. Follow Deanne Wilsted Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Amazon

Feb 18

1. Review: http://mommyreadstoomuch.com 2. Excerpt: http://mamasgotflair.com

Feb 19

1. Review: http://upliftingreads.blogspot.com 2. Review: http://takingtimeformommy.com

Feb 20

1. Review: http://adventuresfrugalmom.com 2. Interview: http://midwesternmoms.com

Feb 21

1. Review: http://tiffanytalksbooks.com 2. Review: http://blogspot.com/Randomfamilygal

Feb 22

1. Review: http://www.craftylife.net 2. Guest Post: http://susanheim.blogspot.com

Feb 25

1. Review: http://nikita-mattes.blogspot.com/ 2. Review: http://www.hangingoffthewire.com/

My thoughts:
     I loved this this book. I don't want to give too much away because I really want you all to read it. I fell completely in love with the Smith family and Gabriella right from the start. You really get to know the characters, flaws and all. There is smart attitude from a 10 year old and sibling rivalry too. REAL family dynamic. Lust, guilt and so much honesty. All through reading this book, I could not wait to see what would happen next.
   Plus there was a cool added bonus of showing us how God truly works in mysterious ways. I have rarely read such a sweet romance with an emphasis on God and family. Please do yourselves a favor and READ THIS BOOK!
  I did receive a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. ~Ms.Random

Spring Break Book Review

Spring Break

An all-expenses paid trip to Cancun for spring break? It wasn't exactly a hard sell for Leigh, Eva, Gia and Joy, frenemies from Arizona Southern University. But all is not well in the land of silver or lead. Soon after arriving, Leigh and the girls stumble upon some cartel carnage —a bloodbath of debauchery that makes even their wildest desert party seem tame. Instead of doing the proper thing, like contacting the authorities, the girls go down the rabbit hole in this tale of sex, lies and bloodshed. It’s all fun and games until they make the acquaintance of Guero, a cartel kingpin who is none too pleased with their newfound lust for blood money. These perky coeds aren’t on campus anymore, and after Guero lets them know just how serious he is, they make a run for the border no one will ever forget. Buy on Amazon Follow LC Kanon Follow the Tour The author is giving away a $100 Amazon GC open Internationally. Contest Ends Nov 4, 2012 a Rafflecopter giveaway My thoughts: I thought this book was definitely an exciting read. The excitement and drama started right from the beginning. The plot was a little far fetched, but let's be honest, that's EXACTLY what we want from our fiction. Something that could possibly happen but is so out there that it seems impossible. An absolute page turner. With so much excitement on each page it will keep you riveted and you will never want to skip even a paragraph. ~Ms.Random I did get to read this book for free in exchange for my review.