FunctionalArtWA on Etsy

I miss the house we lived in before our current house. Even though it was a ranch, it was actually bigger than the current one. I miss the huge game room/workout room we had in the basement, and mostly, I miss my scrapbook room.

My scrapbook room had pretty, soft yellow walls and white furniture. Touches of color were found in the hot pink Gerbera daisies and numerous embellishments throughout the room. On the far wall, I had a large cube shelf we bought from Ikea. The top held all of my albums. It was such a beautiful space.

In our current home, our dining room serves a dual purpose as my craft area. My planners are stored on the little glass table that sits below the window. Serving as book ends are the most adorable felt owls (I have a thing for owls, but that's a completely different post!).

The felt owl bookends were lovingly made by the Etsy shop FunctionalArtWA. They are filled with rice which makes them sturdy enough to use as bookends. They would also work as a door stop or an adorable decoration in any room of your home.

Sure, I do miss my scrapbook room, but the owls in my dining room have given the room a warm, craftsy feeling. I absolutely adore them!

Check out FunctionalArtWA on Etsy. You will be glad you did.

GlassesShop Review

One of my biggest pet peeves is the amount of money I have to dish out whenever I have to visit the eye doctor.  Not only do I have to pay the exam fee, with my family history of blindness and macular degeneration, I have to have a handful of special eye tests as well. Of course, with my ever-changing eyesight, I need new glasses every two years. I have never managed to spend less than $250 on my frames and lenses. It's beyond frustrating.

I've been hearing lots of hype about some websites where I can actually purchase cheap glasses. I'm not just talking about your run of the mill prescription eyeglasses. You can actually order bifocals and progressive lenses too. (Yes, yes, I know. Not everyone needs such complicated lenses.  Even so, I do, and knowing I can order them online and save a ton of money is a huge bonus for me!)

With all of the options in cyberland, I chose to order from GlassesShop. GlassesShop has a ton of discounted frames from which to choose. The website is easy to navigate and offers sorting options where you can enter color, shape, and price to narrow the selections for you.

When I ordered my prescription eyeglasses, I knew I wanted to choose a pair that were completely different than the little rectangle frames I was currently wearing.  I opted for a bigger. bolder frames.  I hesitated making the change at first, but GlassesShop has a Try On feature where I was able to upload my picture and try different frames to get an idea of how they would look on my face. Cool, right?

The frame I chose is Virgo Wayfarer, a pretty tortoise frame with elegant ornaments in the temples. They have a spring hinge as well. I love the bigger frame, and the sparkly detail on the temples is so feminine.

The frame choices on GlassesShop are fashion-forward and very affordable. Purchasing prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses is as simple as choosing the frame and entering your prescription. Once ordered, shipping was quite fast.  My glasses arrived in a hard plastic case with a lens cleaning cloth. The quality of my frames is the same as ones I have purchased from the costly eye doctor's office.

I am very satisfied with my experience and will absolutely order from GlassesShop again in the future.

Want to give GlassesShop a try? Use code GSHOT50 to receive 50% off eyeglasses and sunglasses with free lenses (sale frames excluded).

Review~ Thirty-One Gifts

Earlier in the month my sister-in-law invited me to a Thirty-One party she was hostessing.  I never heard of Thirty-One before and was interested in seeing what they had to offer, but I was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.  Regardless, I asked to see a catalog.  Well, goodness!  I was hooked from the first page! 

Shortly after, I contacted a woman named Jenny Hillenburg, a Senior Executive Director with Thirty-One, and expressed my interested in working with her on a product review.  Immediately, I was impressed with Jenny.  Not only did she respond to my email quickly, she took the time to choose the right products for me to review.  After some deliberation back and forth, we settled on an Organizing Shoulder Bag in Gray Quilted Poppy and an Organizing Utility Tote in Paparazzi Pop.

The Organizing Utility Tote arrived first.  Right away, I could imagine all the incredible uses for this product!  It has five exterior pockets and two mesh side pockets.  This bag is perfect for me to use as my teacher bag!  My son is eyeing up the bag for use as an overnight bag when he visits Grammy.  If my boys were younger, I would definitely use this bag as a diaper bag.  With all the pockets and the very generously sized interior, this bag has many possible uses!  The retail cost of this great tote is only $25.  You can get it personalized too for an extra $7.

When the Organizing Shoulder Bag arrived, I was just a wee bit concerned it would be too small for me as I simply love a large handbag.  I was silly to be worried.  This bag is roomier than it appears.  I love all the pockets (one exterior front zipper pocket, a flat back pocket, two interior flat pockets, and an interior zipper pocket!).  My favorite feature of this bag is the adjustable shoulder strap.  This handbag is perfect to wear everyday.  I am excited to try it out while on vacation this summer and when we go to the amusement park as well.  The retail cost of this purse is only $42, and it too can be personalized for an additional $7.

Both products I received are well-constructed, functional, and stylish.  I look forward to trying other Thirty-One products as well.

My experience reviewing Thirty-One products has been fun.  In fact, I think I am addicted now!  Maybe it's time to book a party!  :)

I wouldn't hesitate to work with Jenny Hillenburg again,.  If you are interested in learning more about Thirty-One or want to purchase some of the amazing products for yourself, please visit Jenny's website.  You will not be disappointed!

Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

Kokopax Samantha Diaper Bag~ Review

I have been a fan of Kokopax for years. As a mom, it's hard not to be because their products are not only functional and well-constructed, but fun and fashionable too. One Kokopax product I am especially fond of is my Samantha tote. Typically used as a diaper bag, the Samantha tote is stylish enough for me to carry as an everyday bag- especially since I am known to carry huge handbags.

I own the Samantha tote in the Watson pattern, but I have to admit that choosing one pattern was difficult because all the prints are beautiful! This tote has everything a mom wants in a diaper bag- roomy interior, durable fabric, matching changing pad, plenty of pockets and compartments, striking leather accents, and a large magnetic clasp for easy closure (which is especially important when you have baby on one hip, a toddler pulling at the hem of your skirt, and a Caribou latte in your hand that you are trying desperately not to spill as you are reaching for the ringing cell phone inside the tote). Made by a brand I have become to rely upon for their modern, yet functional products, my Samantha tote by Kokopax is my go-to bag. (I even use it to carry library books and school papers.)
{Features}
*made of 100% cotton canvas
*durable nylon lining
*three deep convenient pockets
*separate zipper pocket
*bottle/beverage compartment
*dimensions:  18” x 5” x 14”
*Retails for $99.99
Inside the Samantha tote, you’ll find three pouches, a zippered pocket, a drink compartment and a diaper mat with the Kokopax monkey logo. Honestly, it is perfection except for perhaps the needed addition of a front zippered pocket where I could stash my cell phone and car keys for easier access. Seriously, I love this tote. With all the different pattern choices, there's sure to be one for every mom's personal taste.
Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

My Feet Are Toasty Warm and Bone Dry Thanks to Jambu Footwear~ Review

While we haven't had much snow where I live yet, Old Man Winter is creeping in. During winter, I enjoy being outside with my kids making snowmen and having snowball fights. We also tend to be out and about visiting friends during the holidays. With the snow and slush that comes with winter, it is important to me to have warm, waterproof boots that I can wear to keep my feet dry while I am outdoors. Recently, I was given the opportunity of reviewing a pair of eco-friendly boots by Jambu from their fall line.

{About Jambu}
Inspired by the beauty and mystique of the rainforest, Jambu™ Footwear is designed to guide you in style and comfort on your next personal journey – at home or across the globe. Let Jambu™ join you as you zip line through the rainforest, stroll the beach, navigate the city, or travel the world. Be you with Jambu™.

JAMBU™ uses only 100% recycled, recyclable and re-usable packaging. Jambu™ outsoles are made with partially recycled and re-usable compressed rubber. In this small way we hope to preserve our great outdoors for future generations. Renew with Jambu™.

When Jambu presented me with the offer to review shoes, I was torn. Jambu makes cute, comfortable, eco-friendly shoes, and ALL of them appeal to me. I settled on the Nomad boots because I was looking for a boot that I could wear whether I am walking the dog or going out for the night with my family or friends. The Nomad boot fit me needs perfectly. Not only is it stylishly cute, it is also practical.

{About the Nomad Boot}
Standing at about 11- inches high and weighing one pound the Nomad - Waterproof truly lives up to its name. Made with waterproof leather and brushed suede this shoe is the perfect example of comfort and security. This boot is built with laces so that you may design your own comfort! It is available in black/grey and brown/saddle. This shoe is surely t be the perfect fit against any surprises that the weather might bring. Cold, rain, hail, snow move over! The Nomad-Waterproof is here to make sure that style and comfort prevail against any weather surprises!

{My Review}
As soon as I first saw the Nomad boots, I liked them! The design super-stylish. The faux-fur trim and the pink contrast stitching are my favorite details, in addition to the fact that these boots are toasty and waterproof (a very important detail for when I am chasing my dog through slush puddles!) Most boots that look cute are not comfortable. Well, Jambu got it right with these Nomad boots because they are both.

The Nomad boots fit great too! I ordered a size 7, my regular shoe size, and am pleased that even with a slightly thicker sock, these boots still fit great! I am so ready for the snow now!

I highly recommend Jambu shoes! Check out their website to see all of the beautiful styles available for both women and children.

Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

Charm Factory~ Review and Giveaway

I love jewelry. In fact, I do think I have a serious addiction to rings, necklaces, bracelets... There's nothing wrong with that. What girl doesn't enjoy a little bling every now and then? SO, you can imagine how giddy I was when Charm Factory asked me to review one of their beaded bracelets. Um, YES!!

After looking at all the bracelet designs Charm Factory offers, I settled on the April Clear Glass Beaded Bracelet. No, my birthday is not in April. I just really liked the clear glass. It is versatile enough that it will look great no matter what I am wearing.
When my bracelet arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by its weight. This is a great quality bracelet. The beaded bracelet is made from silver plated brass and lead-free pewter. The beads are glass. One end of the bracelet screws off so I can add or change the beads if I want to. These bracelets can be ordered in a variety of sizes. It arrives in a jewelry gift box which would make this bracelet a great gift.

I have been wearing my bracelet for the past two weeks. I have even showered with it on, and I can say the quality is great. I haven't noticed any problems at all. The bracelet looks as great today as it did on the day it arrived.

I recommend a Charm Factory bracelet for anyone who loves jewelry. They are currently on sale too. You can't beat the $10.99 price! Buy one today. :)

Charm Factory would like to offer one of my readers a chance to win their own beaded bracelet.

{How to Win}

Required Entry- To enter, visit the Charm Factory website and then post here which bracelet you'd like to win.

{How to Score Bonus Entries}

After you have completed the first required entry, you are eligible for bonus entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for EACH entry. Each counts as one extra entry (unless noted otherwise).

1. For five extra entries, blog about this giveaway with a link back to living life one day at a time (http://colleenstearns.blogspot.com/). Be sure to post the url to your post here in a comment so I know where to find it.

2. Subscribe to my blog via email.

3. Click on the FOLLOW THIS BLOG link on my left sidebar and become a public follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect.

4. Leave me a comment on a non-giveaway post and then let me know where you commented.

5. For two extra entries, add my button to your blog- leave me a message with your blog address so I can check it out. :)

6. For two extra entries, "like" my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Livinglifereviews

7. Follow @livelifereviews on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway. Leave the URL to the Tweet in your comment. You can tweet once a day, but remember to leave the URL to each tweet. You can tweet "I entered to win a Charm Factory Beaded Bracelet @livelifereviews. http://tinyurl.com/6oe4o9n #giveaway"

**Make sure to leave a link to your twitter message in your comment. You can do this once a day. Please make sure to come back each day and leave another comment with your new twitter message link.

8. Add this giveaway to a Mr. Linky, Blog Carnival, Sweepstakes site, forum etc. Be sure to leave the url in a comment. (1 entry per submission)

{IMPORTANT} Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. If you earned two or more entries for a specific item (such as #1, #5 and #6 above), be sure to leave me a comment for each of the entries you've earned.

*Enter by 11 pm (EST) on Friday, January 7, 2012. One lucky commenter will be chosen at random and notified via email, so make sure you leave a valid email address in your comment. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email. If she or he does not respond within 48 hours, a new random winner will be chosen.

Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

Kushyfoot Flats to Go~ Review

As a teacher, I am on my feet nearly all day, so by the time I get home, my feet are achy and tired. I realized that at some point during my work day, I NEED to change my shoes. Thanks to Kushyfoot Flats-to-Go, this is simple and stylish!

{About Kushyfoot Flats-to-Go}
Soft, flexible faux leather Flats-to-go® are an instant and elegant solution to a perennial need for the relief of sore heels, blisters and scrunched up toes. Featuring an elastic back for a better fit, and a unique, 3-dimensional wavy sole that cushions and massages the foot as the wearer walks-perfect for indoor and smooth outdoor surfaces. They slip neatly and easily into their owner's purse, folded into a cute clear plastic carrier with its own little handles. 1 pack per order.
I received a pair of the uber-adorable zebra print Flats-to-Go. When I first took them out of the little pouch, I'll admit, I didn't have high hopes for these ballet slipper-like shoes. I slipped them on and walked around in them for a bit. I was wrong! They were extremely comfortable! Realizing that the true test would be trying them at school. So, I took my Flats-to-Go to work with me the next day. Not only did I receive lots of compliments on the sheer adorableness of the shoes, my feet were VERY happy too!

Soft, flexible Flats-to-Go are an instant and cute solution to every woman's need for the relief of sore heels, blisters, and scrunched up toes. With a recommended retail of only $9.99, they are an affordable solution as well. Flats-to-Go feature an elastic back for better fit and a a non-skid 3-dimensional way sole that cushions and massages the foot as the wearer walks. Flats-to-Go are perfect for indoors and smooth outdoor surfaces.

Need to pamper your feet? Then check out Kushyfoot's Flats-to-Go. Your feet will thank you!

Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

Nothing Says Comfy Like a Fleece Blanket~ PeachFur Fleece Baby Blankets and Sherpa Fleece Review

With winter upon us, the chill begins to set in. Temperatures drop outside and fires are built in the fireplaces in our homes. I don't know about you, but on days like these, my favorite thing to do is to snuggle under a soft blanket while sipping hot tea or cocoa. Now is the perfect time for PeachFur Fleece!

{About PeachFur Fleece}
PeachFur Fleece is a division of the HighMark Outdoor fleece clothing company, a company that has been delivering quality fleece products for more than 11 years. PeachFur Fleece specializes in stylish fleece duvet covers, fleece blankets, throws and baby blankets. They offer retail and wholesale fleece blankets. Their main business is providing corporate promotional fleece blankets and jackets for companies looking for that perfect gift or promotional item.

PeachFur Fleece does more than just sell corporate apparel to successful companies worldwide. As a matter of principal, they strongly believe in giving back. Since inception, PeachFur has provided people in need with quality clothing, blankets and other items. While they give primarily to US based charities, PeachFur contributions extend as far away as Africa, Afghanistan, and South America. PeachFur Fleece is proud to support an array of organizations including churches, orphanages, veterans groups and hurricane survivors.

I recently had the opportunity to review several PeachFur Fleece blankets. I received two PeachFur Fleece baby blankets in the popular prints cow and zebra. The blankets measure 30" x 40" and have over-lock stitching around the edges for added durability and appearance. PeachFur's fleece baby blankets keep kids warm and toasty with the highest quality, non-piling, hypo-allergenic fleece! All products are hypo-allergenic, machine washable, water resistant and fire resistant. My son Ian snagged one of these blankets for himself to snuggle with at night, and my dog Ripley is the proud owner of the second one. Ripley loves nesting in his PeachFur Fleece blanket!

PeachFur Fleece also sent me a Sherpa Fleece throw to try. Now this, my friends, is the softest, warmest blanket I own. I only wish I could purchase another because my husband keeps trying to steal this one away from me. Not only is it snuggle soft, it is the perfect size (50" x 60") to wrap up in when I am lounging in the chair to read.

I couldn't be happier with these blankets from PeachFur Fleece. Not only are they soft and extremely comfortable, they are stylish and durable too. I have washed the baby blankets a couple of times now and they held up perfectly- no pilling or fraying.

If you need to purchase promotional items or a wholesale gift, I highly recommend you buying from PeachFur Fleece. They use only the highest quality materials with their products. They also sell retail some wonderful fleece blankets, duvet covers, picnic blankets, and jackets. You will most definitely want to check out their website today!

Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

So long messy purse! Pouchee Purse Organizer~ Review and Giveaway

Until recently, my purse has been a hot mess! Really. I love a big handbag (One look in my closet at my huge handbag collection would prove that!), but I'll tell you, the bigger the bag, the more junk I throw in it. Then, I get frustrated because I can't find anything. Just the other day I needed my chapstick. (My lips were killing me, so the chapstick was a must!) Anyway, I knew it was in my purse; I remembered putting it in there the day before when we were Christmas shopping. Even so, I spent ten minutes and ended up dumping my entire purse contents on the kitchen counter before I found that chapstick. Ugh.

Then, the mailman brought me a wonderful package. Inside was the Pouchee Purse Organizer. Amen! I couldnt wait to try it out! Once again, I dumped the contents of my puse, but this time I was happy to do it! I spent some time trying different configurations of how best to organize my stuff. In the end, I decided to keep my wallet and use the card slots for gift cards, my library card, and my school ID. My wallet would have fit inside my Pouchee Purse Organizer, but I wanted to keep it separate to free up more room in my Pouchee for other things. Amazingly, EVERYTHING fit! Unreal!

I was sent a Pouchee Plus for review.

{About Pouchee Plus} The Pouchee Plus is the larger version of the Pouchee Purse Organizer and comes with an optional shoulder strap. The Pouchee Plus is great for organizing large purses and for use as a small purse itself! Dimensions: Width: 9” x Height: 6” x Depth: 3.5”
Features:
*Credit card pockets on the inside of the purse organizer
*Optional strap to use as a small purse or evening bag
*Made of soft vinyl that is durable and supple
*Inside dividers to keep everything organized.
*No Wrapping - No Assembly - No Hassle Purse Organizer
*The Ultimate Purse Organizer!
*Inside Zippered pockets for change or personal items.
*Handy Rings for ease of changing purses and bags.
*Outside pockets for pens, sunglasses, mobile phone,etc.
*Inside pockets for lipsticks or small flashlights, credit cards, keys
*Light-colored liner to easily see organizer contents
*$32.00
The Pouchee is lined inside with a soft material that is cleanable with a damp cloth. It is chock full of pockets for my lipgloss, cell phone, compact, pens, notebook, sunglasses, and so much more. I really love the decorative rings so that I can easily lift the Pouchee out of my purse. Even so, it is so cute and functional that I can carry it as a stylish little clutch bag, especially since the Pouchee Plus comes with a detachable purse strap. There are just so may wonderful uses for my Pouchee, but you know what I love best? I simpy adore that I can now easily and quickly switch purses, and given that I have a collection that would make any purse hoarder proud, this is the best quaity of my new Pouchee!

Pouchee has offered one of my readers a chance to WIN a Pouchee Purse Oganziner. {Awesome!}

{How to Win} Required Entry- To enter, "Like" Pouchee Purse Organizers on Facebook, and post a message on their wall. Then, come back here and let me know you completed your requirement.

{How to Score Bonus Entries} After you have completed the first required entry, you are eligible for bonus entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for EACH entry. Each counts as one extra entry (unless noted otherwise).

1. For five extra entries, blog about this giveaway with a link back to living life one day at a time (http://colleenstearns.blogspot.com/). Be sure to post the url to your post here in a comment so I know where to find it.

2. Subscribe to my blog via email.

3. Click on the FOLLOW THIS BLOG link on my left sidebar and become a public follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect.

4. Leave me a comment on a non-giveaway post and then let me know where you commented.

5. For two extra entries, add my button to your blog- leave me a message with your blog address so I can check it out. :)

6. Follow @livelifereviews and @Pouchee on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway. Leave the URL to the Tweet in your comment. You can tweet once a day, but remember to leave the URL to each tweet. You can tweet "I entered to win a Pouchee Purse Organizer @livelifereviews. http://tinyurl.com/cuhr2a6 #giveaway"

**Make sure to leave a link to your twitter message in your comment. You can do this once a day. Please make sure to come back each day and leave another comment with your new twitter message link.

7. Add this giveaway to a Mr. Linky, Blog Carnival, Sweepstakes site, forum etc. Be sure to leave the url in a comment. (1 entry per submission)

{IMPORTANT} Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. If you earned two or more entries for a specific item (such as #1, #5 and #6 above), be sure to leave me a comment for each of the entries you've earned.

*Enter by 11 pm (EST) on Friday, January 13, 2012. One lucky commenter will be chosen at random and notified via email, so make sure you leave a valid email address in your comment. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email. If she or he does not respond within 48 hours, a new random winner will be chosen.

Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

Conserving NOW! Envirosax~ Review and Giveaway

Over the past year or so my family has been making the switch to living a greener, healthier life. It is important for us to do our part in leaving this planet a healthier place to live for future generations to come. Fortunately, there are many products available to help make the switch to green living easy. Conserving NOW is one company dedicated to saving our planet.

Conserving NOW sells reusable bags, and what better way for one wanting to live greener than by using a reusable shipping bag rather than a plastic bag.

{About Conserving NOW}

After watching shopper after shopper exclaim at the checkstand that they had forgotten their reusable bags - AGAIN! - it became clear to us that people needed a little help to change the habit and convenience of plastic bags. My mom and I have always believed that simple actions can have a huge impact. Never did this lesson seem more important – we were passionate about helping others create change in their own lives. Inspired by our idea of change, we have developed classroom lesson plans, provided information for getting involved, sold gorgeous reusable bags and reached out to create a community.

Conserving NOW is committed to educating our children. 100% of their profits go toward their classroom kits. It is their goal to give every teacher and student in America the tools necessary to stop using plastic bags themselves and to educate themselves and their friends and family on the dangers of plastic bags.

As I mentioned, an important goal of Conserving NOW is to educate young children on the importance of becoming responsible environmental citizens. In addition to providing free teaching resources, they partner with schools in a variety of ways:

*Fund-Raising Programs

*Community Service Days

*School Assembly Programs

*Plastic Bag Awareness Week

*High School Ambassador Programs

*Grocery Store Giveaways

Help Conserving NOW educate the next generation! Conserving NOW has made Classroom Education Kits available for purchase at a special price of $50 per kit! Donate one to YOUR child's classroom.
Conserving NOW sent me an Envirosax reusable tote for review. Envirosax bags are stylish, compact reusable bags that will take you from the market to the mall, to the pool and back home again! Mine has seen quite a bit of use since it arrived. I have filled it with groceries, toys, clothing, and school supplies. The bags are a generous 19.5" x 16.5" when unrolled and can safely hold 44 pounds. When rolled, they are a compact 4" x 1.5" in size, perfect to stash in your car, purse, or diaper bag so that you always have it with you, and at the cost of only $7.99, you can afford to purchase a few. Keep some for yourself and give some as gifts.
Speaking of gifts, Envirosax makes for terrific gift wrapping. Rather than purchasing wrapping paper or a paper gift bag, why not use a reusable Envirosax tote? That's two gifts in one! What better way to get someone started on the reusable bag habit than to gift-wrap a gift for them? They also make great but inexpensive teacher/family/friend gifts. Lastly, this line has some really cute bags for children, animal bags as well as perfectly sized lunch bags. http://www.conservingnow.com/shop

With 46 designs to choose from, these colorful designer bags are amazing! When using my Envirosax tote, I love how stylish I feel while saving the planet.

Conserving NOW has offered one of my readers a chance to WIN an Envirosax of their choice(excluding 5-in-1 pouches and slingsax).

{How to Win}

Required Entry- To enter, simply leave a comment describing one thing you are doing to live a greener lifestyle OR go to the Conserving NOW website, peruse the different Envirosax styles and then come back here and post which is your favorite.

{How to Score Bonus Entries}
After you have completed the first required entry, you are eligible for bonus entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for EACH entry. Each counts as one extra entry (unless noted otherwise).

1. For five extra entries, blog about this giveaway with a link back to living life one day at a time (http://colleenstearns.blogspot.com/). Be sure to post the url to your post here in a comment so I know where to find it.

2. Subscribe to my blog via email.

3. Click on the FOLLOW THIS BLOG link on my left sidebar and become a public follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect.

4. Leave me a comment on a non-giveaway post and then let me know where you commented.

5. For two extra entries, add my button to your blog- leave me a message with your blog address so I can check it out. :)

6. Follow living life one day at a time on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway. Leave the URL to the Tweet in your comment. You can tweet once a day, but remember to leave the URL to each tweet. You can tweet "I entered to win and Envirosax tote @livelifereviews. http://tinyurl.com/cv7qa4e #giveaway"

Make sure to leave a link to your twitter message in your comment. You can do this once a day. Please make sure to come back each day and leave another comment with your new twitter message link.

7. Add this giveaway to a Mr. Linky, Blog Carnival, Sweepstakes site, forum etc. Be sure to leave the url in a comment. (1 entry per submission)

8. For 3 extra entries go to Conserving NOW (conservingnow.com) and become a fan ("like our page") on Facebook and/or follow Conservingnow.com on Twitter.

{IMPORTANT}Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. If you earned two or more entries for a specific item (such as #1, #5 and #6 above), be sure to leave me a comment for each of the entries you've earned.

*Enter by 11 pm (EST) on Friday, January 13, 2012.

One lucky commenter will be chosen at random and notified via email, so make sure you leave a valid email address in your comment. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email. If she or he does not respond within 48 hours, a new random winner will be chosen.

Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

ThinkGeek: The Stuff For Smart Masses~ Review

Are you a geek? Do you love collecting the coolest gadgets on the market? Do you still have your Star Wars action figures from when you were a kid? Whether you are a self-admitted geek or simply one who collects {at least} one of every awesome gadget, you simply MUST peruse ThinkGeek.com. I promise you that you will lose yourself in all the geeky coolness that you will find there!

Recently, I was given the opportunity to choose some items from ThinkGeek.com to review here on living life one day at a time. Being the closet geek that I am, I was over the moon excited when i found out about this awesome opportunity! I had the most difficult time narrowing my choices because there is just so much stuff {all über cool} to choose from. After much debate, I made some decisions and chose to split the reviews into two posts, each highlighting two items.

Because I have a teenage aged son who sneaks his iPod to bed with him at night {and until recently had no idea I knew what he was up to}, I chose to review SleepPhones Headphones. I wasn't too crazy about Jake sleeping with headphones plugged into his ears. I worried that the ear bods might somehow get tangled and strangle him while he slept. With the SleepPhones, Headphones, I don't have to worry about that anymore.

{About SleepPhones Headphones}

Safe, comfortable headphones for bedtime

Sometimes, it feels as though the universe is conspiring against us when it comes to getting quality shut-eye. Know what we mean? You finally get snuggled up in your bed, ready to crash, when the baby next door decides to get colicky. You move to the living room to crash on the sofa, but it sounds as though your other neighbor's girlfriend is home from college. How about the basement? Surely it will be quiet there, right? Not with that constant dripping sound - where is that coming from anyway? You go back to your bed and pop in your earbuds, but no matter how you position your head, pain is shooting through your skull. Before you go for the prescription drugs and the vodka, perhaps we can help.

Sleep Phones are the comfortable headphones you can wear while you sleep. They are nestled inside a soft and cozy headband that you can wear around your head or over your eyes like a sleep mask. Plug the Sleep Phones in to your mp3 player or CD player and set it to play your favorite relaxing music, audiobooks, hypnosis CDs, affirmation tracks, or maybe just some white noise to drown out the world. If your mp3 player has an alarm function, you can even set the time for it to wake you up in the morning. And trust us, you'll need it after the deep and relaxing sleep you'll get wearing your Sleep Phones.

Product Specifications

• Safe, comfortable headphones for bedtime
• Soft headband can double as a sleep mask
• Plug in to your mp3 player or CD player
• De-stress with calming music, sound effects, or white noise
• Drown out that idiot in your bed who snores
• Finally get a restful and complete night's sleep

Jake wasn't too sure about wearing a headband to bed, but was willing to give the SleepPhones Headphones a try. The next morning, he reported back to me that they were the best invention ever! He said when he used to sleep with ear buds, he often woke up uncomfortable when he'd realize an earbud fell out and was caught between his cheek and pillow. With the SleepPhones Headphones, Jake was able to comfortably fall asleep and stay asleep as he listened to his music. While I haven't personally tried the headphones, Jake highly recommends the to anyone who likes to fall asleep listening to their mp3 player. Currently, the SleepPhones Headphones are in stock and on sale at ThinkGeek.com for $34.99.

The next item we reviewed is the Ultimate Survival Kit in a Bottle. This is a product that we knew our 11 year old, a safety gadget geek, would really enjoy. We gave it to him as a St. Nicky's gift, and let me tell you, he thought it was the greater thing since sliced bread. That water bottle is filled with all kinds of things for safety and survival.

{About Ultimate Survival Kit in a Bottle}

Doesn't contain water but can still support life

According to the folks who build those awesome rovers that drive around on Mars, water is a pretty essential element for the existence of life. Liquid water is an especially important form necessary to support life, and fortunately for us, we have plenty of that here on Earth. Most other places in our solar system the water is all locked up as ice.

The Ultimate Survival Kit in a Water Bottle doesn't contain any liquid water (but of course you can easily add your own) but that doesn't mean it cannot help support life. What is does contain could help with your survival while you roam around the surface of our planet in search of outdoor adventures.

Comes packaged as a 32 oz (1 liter) water bottle containing the following supplies.

1. 32 oz/1L water bottle
2. Carabiner
3. Multifunction tool
4. Multifunction whistle/compass
5. Flashlight
6. Batteries (2 pcs)
7. Survival blanket
8. Hand warmer packet (2 pcs)
9. Candle
10. Box waterproof matches
11. Emergency poncho
12. 20pc First aid kit
13. Reusable zipper lock bag

We did take the waterproof matches out of the bottle before we gave it to Ian, but he could care less. He loves videoetaping himself making videos about survival and describes each item in this kit and why it's necessary for safety. The Ultimate Survival Kit in a Bottle is in stock and available on ThinkGeek.com for only $19.99. This is the perfect gift for anyone who likes collecting safety gear, travels away from home, or for someone who camp and or hikes. It's chock full of handy survival products useful for all sorts of scenarios.

Shipping is free on ThinkGeek.com for order totaling $99 or more. Also, ThinkGeek.com offers a Geek Points program that rewards one for shopping with them. The more you shop, the more points you can earn. Geek Points are then able to be used for free product. Way cool! So, what are you waiting for? Go check out ThinkGeek.com now, but be warned, you will easily loose youself in all the amazing products!

Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

Cat Cora’s Kitchen by Gaea~ Review

The holidays are upon us, and we all know what that means—a month of indulgent eating and drinking. So, why not give yourself and your loved ones the gift of health this season by incorporating a little Mediterranean flair into your holiday soirées?

There are an abundance of studies indicating the significant benefits of the Mediterranean diet, and even a few weeks ago The Los Angeles Times featured the healthful style of eating citing support from Harvard University’s, Dr. Dimitrios Trichopoulos who called the Mediterranean diet “possibly the best ever!”

Not sure how to eat the Mediterranean way? Simple! Just head over to your local grocery store and pick up Cat Cora’s Kitchen by Gaea products. The Greek-American celebrity chef has teamed up with Gaea, an award-winning Greek specialty foods manufacturer to create her new line of gourmet olives, olive oils, vinegars, cooking sauces, tapenades and other authentic Greek specialties. All of the products are made from the finest ingredients and are 100 percent natural, free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

Looking for an alternative to the heavy holiday dips? Try Cat Cora’s Kitchen by Gaea’s tapenades with bread and crackers! Instead of a traditional chocolate cake for your holiday party, try a lighter yet surprisingly decadent-tasting alternative like Cat’s Lathi Torte, an olive oil cake rich in healthy fats and antioxidants. This is just one of Cat’s specially created recipes that will surely have your friends and family wanting to try the Mediterranean lifestyle, too!

{About Cat Cora}

• In 2005, Cat made television history by becoming the first and only female Iron Chefon Food Network’s Iron Chef America.


• Cat has authored three top- selling cookbooks, opened three restaurants and has launched hew own collection of cookware andwines.


• Cora is the co-host for Disney’s “Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora” and “Hasty Tasty” webseries.


• Cora is contributing food & lifestyle editor for O, The Oprah Magazine.
  In 2004, Cora, an avid philanthropist and UNICEF spokesperson, founded Chefs For Humanity in response to the tsunami disaster in Indonesia. This non-for-profit organizationaims to provide nutrition education and hunger relief worldwide.


• For more on Cat, visit: www.CatCora.com

I recently had the pleasure of trying two of Cat Cora's Kitchen products-
*SNACK PACK, WHOLE KALAMATA OLIVES-Our whole Kalamata olives are sun ripened. The color ofeach olive varies depending on their exposure to the sun'srays while on the tree, with olives on upper, western branches getting the darkest color.

*KALAMATA OLIVES- Coming from the Kalamata region of Greece, theseolives are plump, fleshy and full of flavor. The colorof Kalamata olives depends where they are locatedon the tree and their exposure to the sun. Cat Cora’sKitchen by Gaea offers Kalamata olives whole or pitted. They can be eaten on their own as a finger food, as an appetizer, or they can be added to casseroles and salads.

I enjoyed both of these products, especially the snack pack. I love that they are a healthy snack for when I am on-the-go, which, face it- when aren't we all on-the-go?

Cat Cora’s Kitchen by Gaea is now available for the first time nationwide at specialty food stores and major retailers including Kroger, Target and Whole Foods. Products range from $3.18 - $24.55. Higher end products in the line such as the XXX oil and the Oxymelo Vinegar (think of it as the Greek Balsamic) are also great for stocking stuffers.

Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.

It's going to one of those Sleepytime Tea nights! Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Tea Review

Ever had one of those nights...you know the ones I am talking about. You are feeling tired at about 8:00 PM, but either you have too much to do so you keep on going, or you refuse to allow yourself to actually go to bed at 8:00 (Who does THAT? For crying out loud, sleep is for the very young or the very old, right?!). Anyway, whatever the reason, you stay awake, and then when 10:00 PM rolls around, you CAN'T SLEEP!
So, that's where I am right now. It's 10:30 PM in my house. All creatures, er, I mean children and husband, are sound asleep. I can even hear the snores of my oldest son vibrating through the floor. I was dead tired at around 8:30, but I am a mom, and moms aren't allowed to go to bed before their kids. So, I fought my body's urge to crash and burn and stayed awake. Bad move. Now, I can't sleep. My mind is racing over events of the day, upcoming doctor's appointments, holiday plans, and on and on and on.

On nights like these, I trust my good friend Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Herbal Tea to help me out. Ever try this tea? If not, and if you enjoy the flavor of herbal tea, this one is a must-try!

About Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Tea}
A soothing blend of chamomile, spearmint, and lemongrass. Sleepytime is the most beloved of our herbal tea recipes.

“Sleepytime's comforting aroma and perfectly balanced flavor are achieved by blending soothing herbal ingredients from around the world – including floral Egyptian chamomile, cool spearmint from the Pacific Northwest, and lively Guatemalan lemongrass. This global synergy is only fitting, since all over the world, generations of tea lovers have wound down their day with Sleepytime."
—Charlie Baden, Celestial Seasonings Blendmaster

I have been enjoying Sleepytime Herbal Tea for about five years. I was introduced to it by my mother-in-law when we were visiting one weekend, and I was stressed out over one thing or another. She claimed that the tea would relax me, and though skeptical at first, I tried it figuring I had nothing to lose. I was surprised to see for myself that the tea really did work! Ever since that night, I drink a cup of the tea anytime I need my body to relax so that I can rest.

In my family, Sleepytime Herbal Tea isn't only a favorite of mine. My husband and 11 year old son love it too! My son is a lot like me and tends to have a difficult time falling asleep some nights. I used to make him a cup of Sleepytime Herbal Tea with honey using the tea bags, but now that we have the Sleepytime Herbal Tea in K-Cups for the Keurig, my son makes his own cup of tea whenever he feels he needs one.
{Sleepytime Herbal Tea Ingredients}
Chamomile, spearmint, West Indian lemongrass, tilia flowers, blackberry leaves, orange blossoms, hawthorn and rosebuds.
If you prefer tea bags, then you have a nice variety of Sleepytime Herbal Teas available to you. In addition to the original tea, Celestial Seasonings also offers Sleepytime Vanilla, And Sleepytime Decaf Lemon Jasmine Tea. They also offer the following blends which are recommended for adults only: Sleepytime Extra Wellness Tea, Sleepytime Throat Tamer Wellness Tea, and Sleepytime Sinus Soother Wellness Tea. (These teas are also not recommended for people with autoimmune diseases, HIV, collagen diseases, leukocytosis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus or tuberculosis. If you are taking prescription medication, or are pregnant or nursing, consult your health care provider prior to using this product. Persons with allergies to the daisy family may be sensitive to echinacea.).

Sleepytime Herbal Tea bag products can be purchased in your local grocery store and online in Celestial Seasonings e-store. Sleepytime K-Cup Herbal Tea for the Keurig machine can be purchased online at Green Mountain Coffee.
So, enough typing tonight. I'm signing off so I can sip my Sleepytime Herbal Tea and drift off to sleep. Goodnight.

Scentsy Review

I have a confession to make. I am a candle junkie. Seriously. I love the way a simple candle can completely change the atmosphere in a room. For example, when my husband and I were trying to sell our home, we burned an apple pie scented candle to help our kitchen smell inviting. When I was in college, I had a roommate who smoked. Whenever she was in the room, I burned my pine scented candles to attempt to rid the room of her cigarette smoke smell.

I also love how the scent of a candle can evoke certain memories we have. Whenever I smell a fresh baked cookie candle scent, I am immediately reminded of baking Christmas cookies alongside my grandma when I was little.

I can think of many reasons to burn candles, but what I must admit is that candles are NOT good to burn. I know, that's a sad truth for a candle junkie like myself.

I recently read somewhere that the soot emitted from candles is a big concern. Soot particles can travel deep into the lungs and are a particular health nuisance for those with asthma, and lung or heart disease. The soot from candles can contain carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins.

So, what's a candle-loving girl like me supposed to do to get her scent fix? Well, I have just the answer. SCENTSY!

Scentsy is a wickless system activated by a low-wattage bulb. The bulb melts a wonderfully fragrant wax. It is SAFE, and it will change the way you think about candles forever.

{About Scentsy}
Scentsy began in 2003 with the powerfully simple idea of aromatic candles – decorative warmers with wax melted by the heat of a light bulb instead of a traditional wick and flame. Colette Gunnell and Kara Egan, Scentsy’s founders, shared enthusiasm for the idea. From this idea, they created a partnership and Scentsy was born.

Enter Orville Thompson, who first encountered Scentsy at a home show in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2004. When Orville saw the candles made by this tiny Utah company, he immediately knew they had huge potential.

Sensing there was something special about the wickless candle concept, he brought a handful of testers home to his wife, Heidi, and her mother and sister. After introducing them to the testers, he left them alone. When he returned an hour later, the women were still smelling the testers, laughing and sharing memories.

Orville was intrigued by how smelling different scents brought powerful emotions and memories to the surface, and how natural it was to share those feelings and memories with others.

Scentsy is a recognized industry-leading company. In 2009 the Direct Selling Association awarded Scentsy its highest honor available to young companies, the Rising Star Award, for its growth and commitment to ethical business practices.

With more than 40,000 Independent Scentsy Consultants throughout North America, Puerto Rico and Guam, Scentsy is poised to lead the industry for the next five years and beyond.

What began in 2004 as a simple idea has truly grown into something extraordinary, as Scentsy continues to touch thousands of lives in profound ways.
Over the past couple of years, I have read about Scentsy, but hadn't tried it in my home. Then, I met Casie Stevenson, an independent consultant with Scentsy. Casie offered to send me some products to try so that I could experience first- hand how truly amazing Scentsy is.

I was so excited to be able to try Scentsy that as soon as my package arrived in the mail, I assembled the plugged Celtic Love Knot full-size premium warmer (Assembly is simple. Just screw in the low-watt light bulb and plug the warmer in!) and placed a couple of the Winter Wonderland cubes in the dish. It wasn't long before my kitchen began to smell like a frosty, mint breeze. Amazing!

Casie also sent a Mollie the Monkey Scentsy Buddy with a Vanilla Cream Scent Pak. (Each Scentsy Buddy features a zippered pocket to hold a Scentsy fragrant Scent Pak.) I had the idea to hide Mollie and keep her for myself because she is so soft and cuddly, but my son scooped Mollie up for himself and has slept with the monkey every night since!

I am no longer a candle burner. I care too much about the health and safety of my family to ever burn a candle in our home again. From now on, we will only use Scentsy products to fill our home with wonderful fragrances.

Scentsy has an amazing selection of warmers, such as Full-Size Warmers, Mid-Size Warmers, Plug-In Warmers, DIY (Design It Yourself) Warmers and a Holiday Collection of warmers perfect to make your home more festive this winter. They also offer the Scentsy Buddies, Solid Perfume, Fragrance Foam, Room Spray, Scent Circles, Travel Tins, Scent Paks, Scent Bars, and Scent Bricks. They also offer a Warmer and Scent of the Month.

Scentsy has more fragrances than I have room to post here, but what I can tell you is that with the many different fragrances Scentsy offers, there is definitely at least one favorite for everyone! At a cost of only $5 for a Scentsy Bar, you can purchase a bunch of different scents and switch them as often as you like. Simple.

Want to learn more about Scentsy? Looking to purchase Scentsy? Interested in hosting a basket party or perhaps becoming a Scentsy Consultant? Contact Casie Stevenson today.

Disclosure:
The product(s) provided for the review were sent to me free of charge from the company or the PR agency. The product(s) offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and not by any means influenced by any other part.