Summer Fun with a Pool?!

Yes, for some of us, winter is finally getting into gear. Some of you have been dealing with ice and snow for a little while. Not here in Texas. Some days, we are still looking at 70 degree weather. All while we were watching Christmas creeping ever closer. With weather like that, it feels wrong to have Christmas so close. But whatcha gonna do?  

How about get a pool? Yep, you heard that right. After all, we have the weather for it. So why not? Coleman's Pools partnered with me to share my latest product review - a giant pool! 

*Disclaimer - I was sent this product free in exchange for sharing my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are mine or others I shared the pool with.* 

I love getting to try stuff out and then let you know what my thoughts. So when they offered me a pool, I got really excited about it.  Not really for myself. This pool, I decided to share with some friends from church. I got her the biggest pool they had to offer. 

This bad boy is 22' in diameter! Talk about a monster size... It is above ground and comes with the pump. They had to deliver it via really big truck and a pallet jack. My sons barely managed to get it inside. Here is the box next to my tallest son who is just over 6' tall. 

I couldn't wait to let my friend know. This was going to revolutionize their summer fun next year. But we couldn't wait that long to show it off, now can we? After all, best to get the word out before sales see them flying off the shelves. 

So, after getting it to her house, they got it all set up and ready to bring on the fun in the summer! She said it was crazy easy to set up. A single person can do it. For them, it took about 2 hours, plus the filling time. It is deep enough that younger kids, maybe 4 years and under, will need flotation devices unless they are good swimmers. That is how deep this thing is! She and her family are so excited about the up-coming summer fun they will be having.  

Coleman has pools in various sizes, that also come in a variety of styles. This ones gives off the wood look, but you can find others to fit your preferences. 

Walmart.com has a lot to choose from. I found the one we got HERE. Looks like it is running about $1,200. You can go to the source at BestwayUSA.com. They are the parent company, I believe, of Coleman products. However, at the time of writing this review, their website says they are out of stock. So you might have to keep checking back. You might also sign up to receive updates and deals. 

What do you think? Are you a pool person? Let me know in the comments down below!  

Dangerously Good Whisky - Pendleton!

I'm not a big drinker. I sip occasionally, but it isn't something I do for any particular reasons. This time, it was to review! Pendleton Whisky partnered with me to try out their delicious (dangerously so!) whisky. Normally, whisky burns going down the throat. Leaves you feeling warm, but that initial sip can have new drinkers coughing all over the place. Pendleton is on a different level though. 

*Disclaimer: I was sent a party pack to host a review party. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my own.*

Normally when I drink, I'm leaning more towards something that tastes good. Like a vodka or cream. Or something that mixes well and goes down easy. My view on liquor is that one should not drink it if they have to "acquire" the taste for it. That, to me, is Stockholm Syndrome at its core. Whisky can be tricky. And I had my reservations about this one. But they cleared my views on theirs pretty quick. For this, we made a recipe they set me. And let me tell you... I've not had a whisky go down so smoothly! There was no burn. It was light and refreshing. Why do I call this dangerous? You almost don't realize it is an alcoholic beverage! THAT is why it is dangerously good. Only one other has come close to this kind of goodness for me. A certain Irish cream drink... 

These run about $30 a bottle. Stores well in the fridge, so no rush on getting it down!  

I could see this drink being something that is fun over those hot, summer nights. A few friends and a fire pit with some great talking and laughing moments. That is the kind of drink I think this one is. 

As with all beverages meant for adults, I don't suggest it for the purpose of getting drunk. As a Christian, I believe that drinking in moderation is okay. Getting drunk is where the problems come. So, if you are prone to drunkenness - this isn't for you. For everyone else, drink responsibly. After all, you don't enjoy it if you can't think clearly! Cheers! 

Holiday Baking with Fisher Nuts (Recipe Included!)

Thanksgiving was a feast in this house. My kids were all happy with the things I made. And one of the biggest parts of this meal? Pecan pie. Watergate salad was another favorite. And then, dateballs. All a must in this house. Know what they all have in common? Pecans! Each one had pecans in their making. Which is what made me glad to work with Fisher Nuts in doing a review. We needed A LOT of pecans! 

*Disclaimer: I was given these pecans in exchange for sharing my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my own.*

Pecans are a tree nut that I have grown up eating, sometimes straight from the ground under a pecan tree. Out of all the kinds of nuts, it happens to be a favorite. They are best used in baking (in my humble opinion). Versatile even. Our Thanksgiving meal list always includes at least two recipes that need them. But one thing I have learned over the years, not every nut brand is equal. For cost efficiency, I had been getting the store brand. But they are often dryer in taste. Not dry in brittle-like composition, but just a dry taste. I find I don't like that in something such as a pecan pie. Another way to describe it is a slightly chalky taste. 

With these nuts, that did not seem to be a thing. And it was wonderful! I ended up making 2 test pies at first because I accidentally doubled the recipe. But the kids didn't mind that. I made another pie at Thanksgiving. Note - don't use a graham crust for this one! Then I started pouring nuts into the other recipes. 

There were smiles and no complaints. That tells me that we got the right kinds of nuts. Christmas will be here before I know it. And I plan to use more Fisher pecans in my recipes. What would you be making with them? 

How Well Do They Fit?

Let's look at the new Teeny Tinies Gamer Essentials set. Do they fit well with Barbie? We will find out. I made a video showing how they look with the dolls. Enjoy! 

I think all but one item was perfect. I love the variety and how they can be used in various scenes. What is your favorite thing from this set? Would you get one? 

LEGO Fan in Your Life?

Do they love LEGO and Stranger Things? Well, stick around. I have a review for you. 

*Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my own.*

My kids have loved LEGO products for many years. For 2 of them, it is straight-up the thrill of putting them together. At one point, I was a big AFoL (Adult Fan of LEGO). I still collect some of the minifigures. I have a half-built museum MOC (my own creation). This is a toy that can increase in demand and value over time. Well-made little bricks that can create whatever you can think up. It is quite the rabbit hole! So, when I was offered the chance to review a newer product of theirs, I had to say yes! 

Let's check out this set.  

Stranger Things was another thing our family loves. Just makes sense to have two loves in one, right? This is set number 40801. LEGO Brick Headz Stranger Things. You get to make 4 of the characters from the first season. 

When you open the box, you are met with 5 polybags and a cute little paper envelope that holds the instruction manuals for each character. I think one character had 2 bags. 

The instructions are very simple. 3 of my kids put these together, including the youngest at 9 years old. She might have been slower at it, but she did it all without help! 

At most, I think it took about 20 minutes to get all 4 of them built. Each one is detailed to be as you remember them in the series. 

There are extra pieces of some of the smaller things that might get easily lost when a kid pops one of the bags open. 

I absolutely loved the final product of their labor! They are adorable. Since they are smaller, they also fit well on shelves around the house. The only downside for our set was that Dusty Buns (as my kids call him) was missing a piece from his headset. However, I know that if you contact LEGO and tell them the part number (found in your manual) and set number, they will send out a replacement part. So I may just have to do that. 

But what do you think? Leave me a comment below! I love to hear from you guys.  

This is the Vacuum You Are Looking For

My vacuum has been dying. Again. Story of our life, right? Which is why I accepted a chance to try a new vacuum. I didn't think it would be that great, but the value was listed as more than a couple hundred dollars, so maybe? Anyhow, my opinions quickly changed. Let me show you why! 

*Disclaimer: I was sent this product free in exchange for writing my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions about it are my own.*

All the best features...

First off, this comes from a company called Levoit. I had never heard of them before. Mention a Shark or Bissell, and I know exactly what you are talking about. But this? Nope. Apparently, they are higher-end products. 

This particular one hangs on the wall, allowing for better storage. I love that it doesn't take up more space in an already limited home. It also means that it can be put wherever I need it. Which is the laundry closet zone for me. I will say that my husband used his own anchor pieces as the flimsy ones included didn't want to truly hold up as well. 

While it is lightweight, they did not skimp on quality. How do I know? My technically-minded husband put it together for me and was praising its quality parts. Coming from him, that is high praise! Being lightweight was important to me though. Why? Because my pain has made a lot of the cleaning more difficult. While I love having 4 kids capable of helping me, it is never to my standard. This vacuum helps me do at least that chore with minimal pain increase. 

The quality has greatly shown in how well it gets up the dust, dirt and other crud from the floors. We have 2 kinds of carpet in this old house of ours. The standard kind runs through the hallway and our sons' room. But the rest of the areas in the house with carpet are this indented squares style that I can't wait to replace. Stuff gets in the grooves and this makes the floors feel and smell dirty still. But I have noticed a great difference since using this new vacuum. 

Another feature I have enjoyed is that it lights up as you vacuum. Do I vacuum in the dark? No. So why does it matter? Even with lights on, there are areas that are dark, like some corners and under some furniture. This lights up the path I'm going in so I can make sure nothing is on the floor in front of me in those darker areas.  

A tangle-less brush?! I didn't know this existed, but I have been loving it! We have 6 people in this house and every single one sheds to some degree. Hair getting caught in the vacuum meant either I or my husband were having to clear the brush too often. 

This is a battery-powered device. However, the battery charges quickly and lasts me through the whole house. We have 5 rooms and a hallway. I can get the whole place done without needing to stop for a charge. 

The head swivels with amazing ease. I love getting into all the crevices and corners. Even under chairs. The filter pops out easily so that I can knock off anything holding on in the tank. Then you just click it back into place. You can also get replacement filter kits on the website. And the extensions are so easy to swap out! Everything is a single button click from taking apart or putting together. If I need to switch between the speed settings as I go, I can do so without stopping what I am doing. It is right there where my hand holds it. 

Where can you find these?

Well, there is the company website HERE. That is where I learned they are currently on discount for about $150.  

You can also get them on Amazon for the same price, but with the possibility of free shipping.  

Holiday Scents are Rolling Out!

I've been getting products to try that are gearing more towards the winter months and their holiday scents. Thanks to my affiliation with Influenster, I was sent a couple things I thought I would tell you about. 

*These products were sent to me for free in exchange for trying and reviewing them. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my own.*

 First of all, these are from the brand Old Spice! My husband and sons all enjoy using their products. However, none of these were used by my husband who is staunchly devoted to his set product line. The boys are at least open to trying new things. 

First up is....

Jacked Frost! This one was a lighter scent - Frosted Mint. My younger son prefers the lighter scents. I think that is because he is in that stage of not putting much effort into hygiene or smelling his best, while my husband thinks it is to scare people away. However, he and my oldest both loved it! Even though my older son loves stronger, more odorous concoctions. But he also just loves using Old Spice in general, so he was of the opinion that it works wonderfully for cleanliness and that is all that truly matters.  

Next up, we have....

Lumbersnack! Cute play on words with the fresh Pine scent. It was well received by sons as well. It made a great addition to their shower routine.   

Another one was low on stock, so we were not able to give it a try. This is the Snickerdudel. They should also have gift sets available. So be on the lookout! 

                           Some others they sent that are not so new...

Old Spice Bearglove is a citrus-scented version they have been offering for some time. My eldest son was thrilled to have this one. He thought she scent was amazing and couldn't wait to use it. The Fiji line will also have gift sets rolling out this year. Great gift ideas for the gents in your life! 

How Well Does ColourPop Pretty Fresh Foundation Hold Up?

I sent my mother one of the makeup pieces I had received. She got to try it out and let me know how well it worked for her. Her skills with makeup are way more refined than mine. 

*This product was sent to me for free in exchange for reviewing. All opinions are mine or my mother's. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed.* 

This is ColourPop Pretty Fresh Foundation. There are 3 Skin Undertones and then you choose your color from there.  

Robin said it was very light weight on the coverage. It doesn't have an overbearing scent either, which is great for those who are smell-sensitive. At first, she was worried that the light weight wouldn't cover the redness, but as you can see in the pictures - it worked just fine. The color matched her skin tone perfectly! 

Where can you find it? 

Target has them. You can find it on their website HERE.  

Or you can get it from Ulta HERE.  

Go to the source on the ColourPop website!  

I found it at other places too, so don't think these are your only options. I just didn't think I should overload the post. I think overall, this works well. There are so many options, that it would be difficult not to find one to match your skin tone. A helpful foundation for staying glamorous!  

Teeny Tinies Tea Party!

First I had to clean up the desk a bit. There was quite the mess, you see. That happens when you are working on multiple projects at one time. So. Many. Projects. But I have been trying to whittle away at them and get to a better balance in the crafting world. Why am I telling you all this? Oh, right! Because I needed the space to do another unboxing, of course. This time, we are taking a look at the Teeny Tinies Tea Party. So let's dive in! 

Teeny Tinies Tea Party Set

There are so many cute pieces. I love all the fantastic details. One day, I plan to set up a proper room. Thinking maybe in Regency style. Then I can take photos of the regal tea act that I enacted out during my childhood, and even with my daughters.  

Get Cozy With Me!

Whoo! I love a good, soft blanket. Something to curl up in. And I got a really cozy one. This came from my partnership with Influenster.

*Disclaimer: I was sent this blanket in exchange for trying it out and writing reviews for it. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my own.*

So, before we talk about this blanket, let me tell you a little story. I used to have bedding sets. Comforter, sheets, and maybe even a bedskirt. You know the kinds, right? Comes in a bag at your local Walmart. Then I met the love of my life. While I'm shivering, his internal heater keeps him warm. During the summer - too warm. He didn't like comforters. And didn't care for having flat sheets either. Said he would get too hot under all those layers. Didn't take long before I gave up having them. They ended up on my side of the bed at night while he used just an oversized throw for a blanket. This started to get annoying. So I got rid of the comforters and flat sheets. Since then, our bed now keeps just a throw each. Although there have been times when I have piled up to three on my side...

I was so excited to try this one out. I love the deep blue color. It even has an intricate pattern that you can see when the light hits it just right. And talk about so soft! I am looking forward to days of curling up on the couch with it and a great book.  

There is one other thing I love about this blanket. Sometimes, I will curl up on the couch, which is up against a wall. From the doorway entrance of the living room, you can't see me. Because of this, there has been times when the kids look for me for a while before they realize where I am. I think of it as a game. With this deep blue velvety blanket, I might just take the game up a notch!  I call it activating Camouflage Mode! 

If you are looking to find one of your own, I found them on the Macy's website. The tag that came on my blanket says it is 50x70" while the website says 50x60", but the original price of $30 is the same. Except that at the time I am writing this, Macy's has them on sale for $12.99. 

Teeny Tinies Candy Shop - How Do They Measure Up?

You know that I have been working on a lot of doll projects lately. Dolls, crafting, and reviews - oh, my! Well, here is another one. My Mom sent me quite the care package recently. I'm still getting through each part, so keep up with the posts as they come out. 

This one is focusing on the Teeny Tinies Candy Shop sets that you might still be able to find at your local Five Below. I created a video for you, to show you the intricate little pieces. They work pretty well in the 1/6th scale world.

While I have the grocery store, I can also fit these into my food court build and keep tiny candies in Grandma's bag for the little ones. So many uses!

So without any more blabbing, let me show you. Then, I hope you will let me know what you think. What would you use for them? 

Bratz Scorchin' Jade Doll Review

Thanks to MGA Entertainment, we get to take a look at the Bratz Scorchin' doll, Jade edition!

This line of dolls was set to fully be released by the end of July. However, from what I was seeing, they might not be all out there yet. There are 4 dolls in the collection. My initial thought at seeing them was how they look like a biker chick gang. I love that! 

Jade comes with the standard articulation and slightly bendable knees. True to the Bratz way, the boots come off, leaving behind a ball nub that click locks into place.

The clothing is incredibly detailed, and is removable. While Bratz weren't high on my dolls list, these are definitely pretty cool! I think the only downside for me is that they are not more articulated. 

Where you can get them:

Walmart may still be in the process of adding them. There were no photos when I looked them up. But Jade is HERE. However, it also looks like their stock was extremely low in my area. 

Amazon - had listings for 3 of them, but not currently in stock.

Target had the initial release. I'm pretty sure they have a deal with MGA to get all the toys earlier than other retailers. They also had them cheaper than what I saw on Walmart. 

I decided to do my review on video for you guys. Feel free to let me know what you think about these dolls!