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The Night Night Book Review

Posted by Brande on April 25, 2011
in Baby Products, Books, Ebooks, Education, Family Stuff, Gift Ideas

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

“Bestselling author Marianne Richmond, continuing in the vein of her other books such as If I Could Keep You Little, creates vibrant, eye-catching art and beautiful verses in The Night Night Book (Sourcebooks: ISBN 978-1-9340-8290-4). This tender, evocative picture book brings the entire family together as the perfect story before bed.”

“Sure to become a new bedtime classic, this book takes readers on a tour of the house as everyone settles in. Whimsical artwork and comforting scenes show kids it’s time to say goodnight. Filled with text and illustrations that exemplify Marianne’s real insights into the human spirit, The Night Night Book is a must have bedtime accessory for any parent.”

“Comfy bed,

all tucked in.

Cozy blanket,

toes to chin.

Night night sky.

Night night moon.

Dear tomorrow,

see you soon!”

“The ideal way to wrap up a day with your child, The Night Night Book is an adorable bedtime story the helps kids and parents bid farewell to the day, settle in for the night, and rest up for a new tomorrow.”

About Marianne Richmond:

“Marianne Richmond started her own greeting card company (Marianne RStudios, Inc.) and has become a recognized creator of numerous books that celebrate milestone in life, memorable journeys, and relationships. Since her first book in 1997, Gift of An Angel, write and artist Marianne Richmond has touched the lives of millions over the past decade through her line of greeting cards and gift books.”

My Review:

My, daughter, husband and I sat down last night and read this book before bed. This book was perfect for us because we say night night and our daughter understands what it means. We all enjoyed it! My daughter loves the illustrations as she pointed out various object and animals throughout the book. It was a good learning tool also. We asked her where the stars were on a page and she would point them out. It was just long enough to keep her attention and start relaxing for the night.

I know I’ve said and I’ll say it again, great baby shower gift! I would recommend this book for you and your little ones as a great bonding tool! It’s available now! We will be reading it again tonight and in the future for sure.

{One comment}

bareMinerals Review

Posted by Brande on April 20, 2011
in Girl Stuff, Organic, Personal Care Products, Shopping

About the Product and Leslie Blodgett (Creator)

“We’re on a mission to change the way woman feel about their skin.”

“In developing a skincare line, we championed our expertise in minerals and their ability to energize skin cells in an entirely different way than conventionally done before. We use only the finest quality ingredients in our products – the purest, most beneficial minerals from the earth – to give you the results you desire without the use of harsh chemicals, preservatives or irritants.”

“It all began when Leslie Blodgett, Creator of bareMinerals, sought out a visionary in the field of organic agriculture with over four decades of experience. This farmer had unearthed a complex blend of essentials through a unique process, these minerals yield a densely rich concentrate capable of extraordinary skin-renewing benefits.”

“Clinical studies further validated the transformative efficacy of this soil: Faster cell renewal, reduced pore size, increased luminosity, softer, smoother, younger-looking skin. Today, this rare soil is our proprietary, 100% pure RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex and the miracle ingredient in our groundbreaking bareMinerals skincare line. For the past decade, we’ve perfected the bareMinerals skincare formulas to combine the very best nature with science and modern technology so you can experience extraordinary results. Help prevent, treat, and protect with bareMinerals skincare – the all-in-one solutions to your skin’s needs.”

The product I received was the Skin Renewing Trio, 30 day Try Me Kit. The kit included a purifying facial cleanser, firming eye treatment, and purely nourishig facial moisturizer (combination skin).

Purifying Facial Cleanser: “This deep cleansing, hydrating formula removes makeup, dissolves impurities, and re-balances skin for a softer more luminous complexion.” The ingredients include pineapple, lychee & guava fruit enzymes, avacado oil, and pomegranate extract.

Firming Eye Treatment: “Restore firmness and reduce puffiness around the eye area with this breakthrough treatment to reveal younger looking eyes. The ingredients include vitamin E, soybean & sunflower seed oil and roman chamomile flower.

Purely Nourishig Moisturizer (combination skin): “Hydrate skin with this lightweight, yet remarkably effective moisturizer for iproved firmness, elasticity, radiance and skin texture”. Ingrediants include honeysuckle, rooibos (red tea), green tea, chamomile, coffee, licorice, vitamins A, B5, and E.

My Review

Just a background on my face. My chin, forehead and nose are more oily than my cheeks.

I’m always leary about trying new facial products. I had a bad experience with a very abrasive product. I’m old fashion when it comes to facial products. I normally use the blue tub of paste that starts with an “N” to deep clean my face.

I’ve been activity using the bareMineral products instead of my own now for about a week. I followed the directions on each bottle saying to cleanse or apply morning and at night. I found the bareMinerals purifying facial cleanser worked well on making my pore smaller and cleaned my face well. The firming eye treatment also worked well, my skin felt a little tighter in that area. And the purely nourishing moisturizer, I love it on my cheeks. However, I did notice that since my nose, chin, and forehead are normally oily. It seemed to make them look more oily than usual. But, still a great product.

The product box showed the ingredients, however the product bottles did not. Maybe it is because they are a trial sizes.

bareMineral products are available at QVC. I went on the QVC site to see what other products bareMinerals have and my search returned 155 products! And people seem to love all their products! Lots of 4 & 5 star ratings! To purchase these or any other bareMineral products you can call QVC at 1-888-345-5788 or visit www.qvc.com/bareescentuals

{9 comments}

Twist’n Pop Easy Drink Straw Cup

Posted by html404 on April 16, 2011
in Eco Friendly Products

If you are not familiar with BornFree products you should get to know them! I highly recommend them. They are free of dangerous chemicals such as Bisphenol-A (BPA), Phthalates and PCV. BPA is a known estrogen mimicker that is used in the production of polycarbonate plastic. Remember the huge controversy over safe plastics? Well this is culprit. According to researchers it may cause developmental and neurological problems in our kids. 🙁 Not good. That is why we have been slowly switching our old products over to the so-called good plastics.

Another important aspect is the venting system that BornFree has designed to reduce colic and middle ear infections. We have not had very much problems with our kids having colic or ear infections, thankfully, but I know for others this has been a struggle.

My Review

We received a Twist’n Pop Easy Drink Straw Cup. It is a toddler cup that holds 14 ounces, has a twist straw mouth with a pop-up soft silicone straw that keeps the straw clean if it falls to the ground. The cup dissembles for easy cleaning. My toddler uses this cup with ease. He loves it and so does his little brother, Go-Go Boy! Go-Go Boy tends to use the straw to gum on – he’s teething and has two big chompers bulging out on top. Once those are through no more gumming the straw!

I love the little grips that are on the side to help prevent slipping from a child’s hands. The straw is durable and it is leak free when it is twist shut. Bonus feature in my book!

This cup comes in four cool colors as shown in the photo above. We received the green one.

Two thumbs up for the new BornFree Twist’n Pop Easy Drink Straw Cup!

{2 comments}

The Deepest Waters Book Review

Posted by Brande on April 10, 2011
in Books

“I’ve written you a note, inside the pouch,” John yelled. “Don’t read it…unless you hear word that I – that I did not…” Tears poured down his cheeks. He looked away. “John!” she screamed. “I must go back…”

“Award-wining author Dan Walsh brings a powerful love story reminiscent of the Titanic to readers. The Deepest Waters(ISBN: 978-0-8007-1980-7, April 2011, $14.99) is a masterpiece of historical fiction set in 1857 when newlyweds John and Laura Foster set sail on the SS Vandervere for their honeymoon. Soon, their fairytale becomes a nightmare when a hurricane causes the ship to sink into the depths of the Atlantic. John and Laura are separated not knowing if they will ever see each other again.”

“Walsh was inspired to write The Deepest Waters by the true story of the sinking of a paddle-wheel steamship laden with gold from San Francisco, California. The SS Central America, bound for New York City ran into a hurricane which sealed her fate around September 11, 1857.”

“Walsh takes readers on a journey through troubled waters as they discover the treasure hidden in The Deepest Waters, a story full of action and suspense. Through the Fosters, Walsh creates an amazing love story about what happens when miracles do come true.”

About the Author

“Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift, and The Homecoming. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his family in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel.”

My Review:

Not being an avid reader, I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and held my interest. The first few pages catches your attention and then it turns into a “page turner”. The middle pages seemed a little slow, but suspenseful. However, the ending of the book does not fail! You will again keep turning the pages wondering what happens next. It’s a great lounging or vacation book.

The Deepest Waters (ISBN: 978-0-8007-1980-7, April 2011, $14.99)

“Available April 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

{2 comments}

Coach Wooden – The 7 Principles that Shaped His Life and Will Change Yours

Posted by html404 on April 9, 2011
in Books

This is a rare review given by my husband, a man of very few words, as dictated to me.

Coach Wooden was a legendary UCLA basketball coach. Pat Williams has written this book to share the story of the legacy Coach’s father passed on to him – The 7 Principles that Shaped His Life and Will Change Yours. It is a story that continues to impact lives, including mine.

It was impressive to find out that when Wooden graduated from eighth grade his father gave him the 7 Principles on a handwritten card and said, “Son, try to live up to this.” That touched me and here are those principles:

– Be true to yourself.

– Help others.

– Make Friendship a fine art.

– Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.

– Make each day your masterpiece.

– Build a shelter against a rainy day by the life you live.

– Give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.

I thought this book about Coach Wooden was great. I loved many of Coach Wooden’s little sayings, but especially these:

“The worst thing about new books is they keep us from reading old ones.”

“Discipline yourself and others won’t need to.”

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.”

“What is right is more important that who is right.”

“The best way to improve the team is to improve yourself.”

“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

One of the stories I appreciated, because I have always been of slender frame, is the one Jamaal Wilkes (Page 168) shared during Coach Wooden’s uology about Coach’s underrated sense of humor:

I was selected by the Warriors with the 11th pick of the first round of the NBA Draft. There was a great deal of concern about my slender frame and whether I could hold up under all the pounding in the NBA. A sportswriter asked Coach about my chances of making it in the NBA, and he said, ‘Well, he’ll never pull a muscle–because there are no muscles to pull.

This made me laugh. Coach Wooden was a great man and this is a book that should be read by all, but especially men.

“Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

{One comment}

Yoga by the Dozen DVD Review & Giveaway

Posted by Brande on April 8, 2011
in DVDs & CDs, Education, Faith and Family Reviews Friday Giveaway, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Giveaways, Health, Health and Nutrition

“Discover an exercise that fosters respect, coordination, and self-confidence for kids! It’s Yoga, of course! Children are natural yogis because of their “in the moment attitude”. Yoga nourishes their mind, body and spirit and paves the way for a life-long tradition of health and fitness.

Yoga By The Dozen™promotes a healthy lifestyle for kids through their highly acclaimed ‘Yoga By The Dozen’ DVD and their complete line of lifestyle products for yoga. The top-selling DVD is a fun, interactive children’s yoga video, designed especially for kids ages 2-6. JoAnna and her 12 friends demonstrate a ‘dozen’ fundamental poses that will introduce your children into the exciting world of Yoga.”

Key Benefits:

Increase Cognitive & Motor skills
Confidence, Courage and Self-Esteem
Balance & Coordination
Memory Retention and Concentration
Nurture Creativity and Self Expression
Respect for themselve and each other
Proven therapy for kids with ADHD and Autism

About JoAnna Ross: “Founder of Yoga By The Dozen™ was trained at City Yoga in Anusara teach-training program. A life long performer, having danced on Broadway for years, found her natural charisma as a performer instantly clicked with kids.”

My Review: I discovered a few things about myself when reviewing “Yoga by the Dozen”. I need A LOT of practice, I have little balance and no flexibility.

My daughter (2 years old) and I put on “Yoga by the Dozen”, she loved it! Watching the children on the DVD (who are little older than her) bend and stretch their bodies into poses. She was following along (she’s needs to work on her balance too, must be a family trait) and trying to say the different poses on the DVD. She’s a big fan of the Virabhadrasana #3 (Warrior #3 Pose). The DVD is approximately 30 minutes. JoAnna demonstrates the pose first and then one of the children replicates the pose to refresh the other children. Then the whole class does the pose together. I enjoyed watching the kids, they are all really enjoying themselves in the DVD. We are going to continue practicing our yoga!

This is a wonderful DVD for beginning adults and children of all ages. On the “Yoga by the Dozen” website www.yogabythedozen.com, you can also visit their store, they have yoga mats and yoga t-Shirts for kids and adults; and don’t forget your video for only 17.99 (plus s&h).

“Yoga by the Dozen” was generous enough to enable Faith & Family Reviews to host a giveaway!!

Giveaway

Enter to win a Yoga by the Dozen dvd! Estimated value $17.99

Mandatory Entry: Tell me why you want to win!

Extra Entries (Please be sure and leave a comment and link for extra entries):

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2 Entries: Tweet about this giveaway, but only one tweet per day please. Include your tweet url with your comment. You may write your own tweet or use this one:

Giveaway: Enter to win a dvd from Yoga by the Dozen! http://bit.ly/h5C1CB @faithfamilyrevw! Please share! Thx!

5 Entries: Blog about this giveaway and link back this post and Yoga by the Dozen

1 Entry: for every comment you leave anywhere else on this blog, but please leave a link with your comment!

Details:
This giveaway will run from April 8th, 2011 to April 21st , 2011 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Yoga by the Dozen will send one winner their prize. Winner will be contacted via email on or before May 1st, 2011 and will be asked for their contact and other pertinent info. Winners will have 48 hours to send me their e-mail at [ffr] [giveaways] [at] [gmail] [dot] [com] (without spaces and parenthesis). Please note: This giveaway is offered to USA only.

Thanks and have fun!