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NuShield’s DayVue Screen Protector Film

Posted by html404 on October 1, 2010
in Product Guides 2010, Technology/Electronics

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.

We mentioned NuShield’s screen protector in our Back to School Product Review .

NuShield’s DayVue screen protector film was created to reduce the amount of glare users experience on their LCD displays. It is suppose to enhance daylight readability.

The DayVu is custom made and pre-cut to the size of your screen, so it is easy to install. It is thin, anti-reflective and filters out UBV light.

I found that the DayVu does reduce the glare on my laptop screen and while it does not pick up fingerprints easily my DayVu has scratched within the first days of use, so that was disappointing.

Another thing is the cut of the DayVu is a fraction off so if I have the overhead fan on in the room I am in it blows the screen out of place as there is no adhesive required to insert the DayVu. However, this may be partly my fault because I said my laptop is a 17″ screen when in actuality it may be 17.1″ or 17.2″. So if you decide to order one be sure to use exact measurements.

The great thing about this screen protector is that it can be used on most LCD displays (inside and outside use), not just on your computer.

The DayVu may be purchased at www.nushield.com

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Aroma Home Screen Wipe

Posted by html404 on September 18, 2010
in Product Guides 2010, Technology/Electronics

About Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has been used for healing since the first century. In 1937, the word “aromatherapy” first appeared in print in a French book on the subject: Aromatherapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Vegetales, by a chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse.

Used primarily to alter mood or cognitive function, aromatherapy is known to have positive therapeutic effects on adults and children alike. Enhanced relaxation is one of the most popular and effective uses of applied aromatherapy. The basic mechanism is the influence of aroma on the brain through the olfactory system.

Source: US National Library of Medicine and How Stuff Works

About Aroma Home Screen Wipe

These fun animal Screen Wipes have a chamois tummy and will clean and help reduce static on all computer monitors, laptops, TV/LCD screens and even car windscreens! They comes with a little zest of fragrance.

Available in sixteen fun animal designs these are an ideal gift for the person who has everything. The designs are: Pig, Lion, Cow, Bunny, Duck, Poodle, Monkey, Gorilla, Giraffe, Elephant, Brown Horse, Black and White Horse, Tiger, Schnauzer, Cat, and Westie. You may buy them here for $11.99 each.

Our Review

Our family has been using aromatherapy via essential oils for the last couple of years and have seen the positive affects they have on our family. They do indeed soothe and relax. We also appreciate their beneficial medicinal properties as well. So when the Aroma Home Screen Wipes came across our inbox when we were doing our Back to School Product Guide, we were interested in learning more about them. We were sent the pig screen wipe to review. We all thought it was cute, and many of the children asked if they could have it for a stuffed animal! 🙂

Personally, I thought this screen wipe was very sweet and cute. The pig worked well on our computers and my daughter liked it for her note/net book. I loved the smell of the screen wipe – a zest of lemon fragrance – but found that the fragrance isn’t long lasting. That didn’t affect how it cleaned our computer screens though. It cleaned the computers very well of dust particles and did help to remove some static. But if you happen to have little hands that get a sticky spot on your screen on occasion the screen wipe does not work so well for those spots that require a little extra rubbing.

The screen wipe requires sponge cleaning only, so I am still not sure how well that will work over the long term. Therefore, the screen wipe may need to be replaced eventually once piggy’s tummy is pretty dirty and is found to no longer clean screens as well as it once did. That’s just my opinion though, just having the screen wipe for a month.

My younger daughter just came in and saw Aroma Home’s website pulled up and said, “Oh, I want those for stuffed animals! (the screen wipes!)” However, these cute screen wipes are not toys.

To view the whole selection of Aroma Home’s screen wipes, please visit http://www.aromahome.com/gb/screen_wipes.asp

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Dot Girl Review

Posted by html404 on September 15, 2010
in Personal Care Products

As moms and as parents we often find it hard to talk to our children about tough subjects or personal topics, right? Yet it is part of our job as parents. Growing up I think I leaned more on my friends for information than I did on my parents, just because I was always with my friends. That all changed upon becoming a parent because I began to seek out my mom on different things. So topics like puberty and sex, although not easy to discuss have taken on a more comfortable to talk about because we have tried to answer questions our children have had as they come up and have allowed to be a normal progression in our conversations.

Young girls and boys should be prepared for what puberty will bring to their lives. I do not know of many products geared towards being tools to prepare boys for puberty, I think I know of more for girls. Dot Girl’s First Period Kit is one of them. This kit was created by two moms for their daughters, so that they would be prepared with everything a girl needs for her first period. Not only prepared, but confident for this next step in life’s journey.

Dot Girl creators say,

At Dot Girl we believe that informed girls grow to be empowered women. Our goal is to lessen anxiety for girls about their first period and instead turn it into a positive experience.

This stylish carrying case enables young girls to discreetly store information and supplies at home, on the road, in their backpacks or anywhere so they always feel prepared.

The First Period Kit includes: Period Answer Book, 5 feminine pads, 5 disposable bags, 1 reusable heating pad and 2 hand wipes.

My girls and I really liked this product and thought this kit was very useful. The answer book was well written, discreet (meaning it doesn’t go into other facts of life) and easy to understand for girls starting their periods younger than the norm. It even contained one fact that I did not know or remember. Basically it answers the most common questions about a girl’s first period. We may talk about these things in our home, but this little booklet will be a tool our girls can go back and re-read if they are not sure about something.

The actual kit is a pink circular bag that is made out of material that a make up bag is made of, so it is well-made and should last a girl through her teen years. It has a zipper closure and holds everything needed. It is small enough to fit into a girl’s purse or backpack. My girls thought it was a neat idea.

Thank you, Dot Girl, for the opportunity to review your First Period Kit. We give this a definite thumbs up!

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Grasshopper Snip, Glue and Grow Preschool Kit Review

Posted by html404 on September 12, 2010
in Education, Product Guides 2010, Shopping

School has started and so has the back-to-school routine. But what about our preschoolers? What are we doing to prepare them for school? They are often interested in anything “school” related when they know older children who go to school. Yet so often kids get tired of workbooks and handwriting. Grasshopper Kits are a perfect activity for parents and preschool teachers to use with their preschoolers, not to mention FUN!

About GRASSHOPPER®

GRASSHOPPER® Preschool Prep Kits are designed to get kids ready for school all through play: no workbooks… no pencils… 100% fun!

According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, the average 3 year old is spending 3-4 hours with electronics such as television and video games each day.

The current recommendation states that parents need to introduce more active, goal-directed play into their children’s routine. GRASSHOPPER® Preschool Prep Kits are the answer. Children play games while achieving functional success. All GRASSHOPPER® kits are packed with exclusive materials and games to help create a smooth transition into the world
of education.

GRASSHOPPER® games are clearly laid out in full color guide books with straight-forward instructions and supporting illustrations. All of the materials fit easily into the custom GRASSHOPPER® no-spill carrying case which is designed with organized compartments, an easy snap lid, and a built in easel.

The games all have a ‘back to basics’ slant, with a clever edge so that kids feel like they are playing while they are building their foundation skills for school. Help your child get ready for school the GRASSHOPPER® way!

Grasshopper Kit

Our Review

There are four Grasshopper kits altogether, the ABC and Shapes is a combined kit ($49.95), Getting Hands Ready ($29.95), and Snip Glue and Grow (29.95), which is the one we received. I was busy with the Back To School Guide the day that we where going to test this kit, so I told two of my daughters to take the younger children down and use the kit with them. I was surprised that it kept the children busy for at least a hour and a half. This kit is filled with age appropriate activities for preschool age children. Although my 1st and 2nd grade boys found it fun too. The great thing about this kit is that we have used it a few more times since then. Therefore the kit is not just a one time use as it can be used multiple times over until all the materials are gone.

From the ten hands-on games and activities the children participated in from the kit include: gluing little colored pom poms to cards with different characters on them, being creative with a bit of play dough, practicing cutting with scissors and practice cards, blowing bubbles with the bubbles, making paper chains. Everything needed isincluded in the kit. No extra trips to the store or multiple stores, definitely a mom pleaser with that feature! 😉

The Snip, Glue and Grow Grasshopper Kit ($29.95) gets a thumbs up from us. I hope to order the ABC and Shape kit for my little ones, so I will let you know how those are in the future.

For more information visit: http://www.grasshopperkits.com/allproducts.html

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Making Waves – Revell Blog Tour

Posted by html404 on September 12, 2010
in Books

Making Waves

When spunky Marguerite Westing discovers that her family will summer at Lake Manawa in 1895, she couldn’t be more thrilled. It is the perfect way to escape her agonizingly boring suitor, Roger Gordon. It’s also where she stumbles upon two new loves: sailing, and sailing instructor Trip Andrews.

But this summer of fun turns to turmoil as her father’s secret threatens to ruin the family forever. Will free-spirited Marguerite marry Roger to save her father’s name and fortune? Or will she follow her heart–even if it means abandoning the family she loves?

Our Review

Making Waves is a book about family relationships – the joys and challenges. I enjoyed reading of Marguerite’s struggles with certain individuals in her life. Her father’s secret grieved me, but I admired Marguerite’s loyalty to her family and her desire to help.

Marguerite is probably like many of us who have been afraid to confront someone, especially a someone with a stronger personality, with our real thoughts and feelings about a very serious and important subject. In order for a relationship to flourish the people involved have to be upfront and honest, not in a hurtful way, even though the truth sometimes does hurt.

Marguerite is a character who also teaches the reader the consequences of lying. Lying, like many other sins, damages relationships. Better to be honest and establish trustworthiness than risk never being trusted again.

I think most people could relate to something in Marguerite and learn from her character’s mistakes. I could relate more to Trip Andrews and his struggle to trust than I could to Marguerite. I found this book entertaining and wondered from one page to the next what Marguerite would do next.

Making Waves may be purchased through Revell or major book retailers for $14.99.

About the Author

Lorna Seilstad is a history buff, antique collector, and freelance graphic designer. A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing awards and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in and draws her setting from Iowa. This is her first novel.

“Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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V-Moda Crossfade LP Headphones Review

Posted by html404 on September 6, 2010
in Product Guides 2010, Technology/Electronics

I received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of this product.

About V-Moda Crossfade LP Headphones

High-Definition Sound

Featuring patent pending 50mm Dual-Diaphragm High-Definition Drivers, the Crossfade LP delivers the sound of multiple drivers with the efficiency of a single smaller driver. The result is deep vibrant bass, juicy mid-range, and crystal clarity on today’s portable devices without the need for any batteries. The driver’s diaphragm is constructed of a harder inner ring providing an extended high range and a softer outer ring for deep lows, resulting in an unprecedented sound. Supple memory foam ear cushions isolate noise and immerse you into your own world of sound.

Fashion Forward Design

With the Crossfade LP, music lovers experience a sophisticated headphone with a true fashion-forward look. Created with a unique metal “V” design and available in White Pearl, Phantom Chrome and Gunmetal Black, the Crossfade LP gives music enthusiasts a sophisticated headphone with a fashion-forward look. For people on the move, the Crossfade LP is equipped with a detachable cable featuring a three-button remote control and high-fidelity microphone to easily change volume and answer or end phone calls.

Ultimate Ergonomic Comfort

Your headphones are supposed to be comfortable. With the Crossfade LP, you get an incredibly lightweight headphone that you can wear for hours. Using a revolutionary metal “V” design and supple air-cushion memory foam, the Crossfade LP weighs only 280 grams and offers an ergonomic comfortable fit. Relentless research went into the precise shape and materials of the headband and ear cushions, resulting in a tailored, fashionable fit without unsightly gaps and minimal pressure on the head and ears.

Universal Compatibility

Now, your calls and your music are in stereo. Featuring a three-button remote and discrete high-fidelity microphone, the remote/mic cable gives you complete control of your calls and your music. You can adjust the volume, control the playback of your music and video, or record voice memos and answer calls from your iPhone 3GS and more. Plus, you get a long (69”) audio cable with ¼” adapter so you can listen to music from your iPod, iPhone or professional stereo equipment. Want to use the Crossfade LP with your Mac? You can, it’s compatible with the latest Mac products, including the iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook or MacBook Pro and can be used for iChat, Skype, VoIP, and other audio recording applications.

Built To Last

We’re passionate about sound and providing you a durable product. Four years of testing the Crossfade LP on tour and in everyday life situations resulted in a tank-like steel frame, flexible memory headband, and detachable Kevlar®-reinforced cables to ensure unprecedented durability. Our commitment to quality stays with you. Each Crossfade LP is backed by an unrivaled one-year premier warranty. If you’re rough on your headphones, don’t worry. We’ve designed an incredible replacement program just for you. With the exclusive V-MODA Replay Replacement Program, you get a 50% off lifetime replacement guarantee. (Editor’s Note: You can’t beat that!)

Price: $249.99

Our Review

The V-Moda Crossfade LP Headphones are very, very nice! I honestly don’t have anything negative to say about them. We received the Phantom Chrome colored ones. They are extremely comfy, except when I have my earrings in as the stud posts push into my head due to the headphones fitting so snuggly. They also have great sound. I love that I can listen to a show or music and it pretty much blocks out the rest of the noise in the house! The headset we received includes a nice carrying case and we kept the box, as it was well packaged and it gives extra protection during the times they are not being used. I think these are the most luxurious over the ears headset we’ve owned. They even have 24K gold-plated plugs! Although, my husband did mention that he use to own the best headphones available…years ago when he was more of a music connoisseur.

This headphone set is very well made. Right down to the audio cords that are covered with fabric. They are lightweight (280g) and the ear pieces are in a rugged metal V design. They also have air-cushion memory foam on the ear pieces and headband, which provides added comfort. The headset has a durable steel frame. They include audio only and remote/microphone and luxury fabric 3.5mm audio cable. For audio compatibility visit www.V-Moda.com/compatibility

We really, really like this headphone set! I guess the only negative I could come up with is the price $249.99. I know they are worth it because I have seen them and used them, but most families probably would not budget $250 for audio equipment. The thing is, with the size of our family we look for things that will last and that will withstand multiple people using it over and over again and the V-Moda Headphones meets this criteria. We also love their replacement guarantee! (see paragraph above entitledBuilt to Last)

Thank you V-Moda for the opportunity to review this great product!

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Choosing to SEE – Revell Blog Tour

Posted by html404 on September 2, 2010
in Books

I received the following book in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

Choosing to SEE bookcover-page

When I read the pitch for the Choosing to SEE (by Mary Beth Chapman with Ellen Vaughn) blog tour from Revell, I knew that I really wanted to read Mary Beth Chapman’s book. Having lost babies in utero, my dad and grandmother I understood the grief process and even though it has been a few years for some of my losses, I still grieve for them. I also knew that Mary Beth understood grief in a big way since she and her family lost their youngest daughter, Maria, in 2008 and I am always on the look out for books on grief written by credible Christian sources.

Choosing to SEE is Mary Beth’s life story. Her journey with God. I found Mary Beth as real as she could get. I laughed with her and cried with her as she shared her story. I empathized with her as she struggled to grasp where God is when things fall apart.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the wife and family of Christian artist/song writer/musician, Steven Curtis Chapman, whom I have listened to since the late 1980s. I found their story encouraging and inspiring.

Choosing to SEE isn’t a book on grieving, that’s just one of my reasons for desiring to read it. Choosing to SEE is for anyone, as I am sure Mary Beth’s story will touch the hearts of all who read her story.

I love the quote Mary Beth has on her website:

Love of God is pure when joy and suffering inspire an equal degree of gratitude.

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Back to School Product Guide: Technology/Electronics Part 2

Posted by html404 on August 13, 2010
in Product Guides 2010, School, Technology/Electronics

backtoschooltechnologyandelectronics

1.) Sony E-Reader- Pocket Edition this cute little e-reader is perfect for students who want books without the hassle of carrying them around. Perfect for college and high school students. The pocket edition comes in 3 colros, rose, navy blue, and silver. The Reader Pocket Edition™ lets you access up to 350 of your favorite books from anywhere. Its elegant, lightweight design is small enough to slip into a purse or jacket pocket, and features a 5″ display with E Ink® Vizplex paper-like screen technology for easy reading, even in direct sunlight. For added versatility, it supports multiple file formats including ePub and PDF, offering access to more books from more places, including the Reader™ Store and over one million free public domain titles from Google Books. ($169 now on sale for $149)

PRS300RC

2.) Cram IPOD APP- You can study The Way You Want. Studying for an exam is now easy, simple, and fun with Cram. Study with flashcards on your iPhone or iPod Touch and use multiple-choice for practice of the material. When your test is over, Cram grades and records your test performance so you can track your progress. Cram is only $4.99 ( the price of a pack of paper flashcards) on the iPhone and iPod Touch and is available for download in the Apple iTunes AppStore. Its so much more fun, cheaper, and greener than paper notecards. Cram is a must-have for students, because most students live and die by their iPhone and iPod Touch and what better way to study that on the device that is with you all the time. Cram is for students in middle school through grad school.

iphoneIcon1

3.) Living Green- Solar Goose Light – The Jumbo, a heavy duty solar powered rechargeable LED Flexible Tube Light with a Built-in 5.6V Cell Phone Charger. Leave the flashlight by a window for charging and it will always be ready when you need it. In addition to a reading light, the accessories provided with the Jumbo include an extension cord and 10 adaptors to charge cell phones and other PDA devices. Simply place the Solar Goose® flash light in direct sunlight and connect to mobile device (phone/GPS /IPOD) to charge. The Solar Goose® Jumbo Light is made with of high quality recycled aluminum, is very lightweight, durable and the flexible neck accessory makes it a great “on the go” reading light. It is also the perfect companion for kids in college, travelers, campers,and boat owners. Its flexible neck makes it easy to inspect limited access areas that are hard to reach such as engines or electronics. The solar flashlight can provide up to 6 hours of continuous use on a full solar charge. ($59.95)

A review of this product will be featured in the next week or two after we’ve had sufficient time to review and test it.

Jumbo

4.) Switch2Health Exercise Watch- For every 60 minutes of activity, users earn a special reward code that they upload to http://www.s2h.com for points. They earn and accumulate these points towards free Nintendo Wiis, Apple iPod Nanos and iTunes, DVDs, movie tickets, gift cards and more! The S2H REPLAY retails for only $19.95 and students can earn over $200 in rewards each year just for exercising. It is available to purchase online at S2H.COM, Sears, Kmart and Amazon.

replay_right

Thanks for sticking with us for the Back To School Product Guide 2010! Come back this afternoon for more of Faith and Family Reviews as well as a new giveaway! 🙂

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Intelligence Kids Steel-Cut Oat Bars

Posted by html404 on August 11, 2010
in Food and Treats, Product Guides 2010

I received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of this product.

Steel Cut Oat Bars

About Intelligence

Introducing “Intelligence for Your Life,” a new line of products created by John Tesh, that embody the same philosophy as his radio show, “Simple Improvements for Better Living.” Enjoy simple, common-sense products to encourage you toward a healthy, mind, body, and spirit. Intelligence is a product of Amway Global.

Our Review

We received the Kids Steel-Cut Oat Bars in Cherry Flavor. There are twelve in a box and each bar is 1.41 oz. These bars, obviously, have oatmeal in them, which is an excellent source of natural fiber. Each bar is all natural with only 120-150 calories, 6-8 grahams of fiber and only 1-4 grams of fat. They are also Certified Kosher.

The individual bar is all-natural cherry-filled bars have three layers of fruity oatmeal mix. One side has a vanilla yogurt base, built up with a crunchy mix of soy crisps and steel-cut oats, and filled in with cherries.

We love these kinds of snacks and found these were very yummy. All of the children liked them. The only one to say they were only “ok” was my husband. How can I say this delicately, he tends to be more on the choosy side anyway.

My only question about the ingredient list is the fact that it lists “natural flavor”. That can hide a number of things. But other than that the rest of the ingredients look ok. They make a great kids snack.

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Disney Princess Products for Back to School

Posted by html404 on August 11, 2010
in Product Guides 2010, School

I received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

We featured these Disney products earlier in the week in our Back to School Product Guide for School Supplies Part 1, School Supplies Part 2 and Lunches Part 2. However, since we actually received these products we are also writing a review about them too.

These are the products that we received:

Disney Supply Kit this cute kit comes with a pencil sharpener, eraser, a small notebook (50 pages), pencil case, 3 folders, and 3 pencils. Designs are in Cars, Toy Story 3, Fairies, and Disney Princesses. ($12.50)

Disney Princess Supply Kit

Disney Princess Lunch Tote make meal times a royal occasion with this Disney Princess Lunch Tote. Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Cinderella add lots of sparkle to this Disney Princess bag that will keep their food fresh happily ever after, well until lunchtime at least. (Regular $12.50 now on sale for $8.00!)

disney#5

Personalized Disney Princess Backpack ($19.50) This adorable backpack is so cute for your little princess. It becomes even more royal when you personalize it with your little princesses name!

disney#2

We also received some Disney character snack products – Fruit Crisps, Disney Phineas and Ferb Gummies, Belly Washers Apple Juice and a Cars Grape Juice.

Our Review

Disney Princess Backpack and Lunch Tote

I think our daughter’s smile says it all, doesn’t it? You don’t know how much she has wanted a Princess backpack and when I was asked what I was interested in reviewing, I gave our PR rep two choices and after I had done so, wished I had just outright requested the Princess. Well, as Providence would have it, that is what she sent! Blondie was very pleased and excited. She’s outside playing right now with the backpack on her back. I am sure everything else is tucked inside too!

The backpack and lunch tote both seem very well made with thick material. Again, time will tell how long they last.

The pencil case in the Disney supply kit is made of a plastic material, so I am not sure if it will be easily punctured with pencil tips or not. I am hoping not because a little girl will be very disappointed! The other things in the supply kit – folders, eraser, pencils and notebook all seem to be of equal quality to the better quality items found on the back to school shelves.

The Disney snacks were tried by all of us and all were very yummy. Amazingly, most of these snack items were labeled “All Natural”, even the container of the grape juice was labeled BPA, Phthalates & PVC free. The apple juice contained no sugar or artificial flavors, same goes for the fruit crisps, which were freeze-dried pears. The only thing that is if-y is the gummies, as they are labeled naturally and artificially flavored and since we received an individual sample the ingredients were not included on its tiny package.

FYI:All of the Disney products the Backpack, lunch totes and pencil kits are executively sold at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com. They can’t be purchased anywhere else.

Overall, we were very pleased and happy with the Disney products we received.

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