#SmallTownProud

Yesterday was our town's annual "Day in the Park." Every year, a bunch of local vendors set up shop with their various wares such as barbecue, lemonade, toys, paracord jewelry (this one's a new one on me!), and even a water slide, all in our town park. In the front of the park is a stage where some local bands play all day.

And before all this, we have our parade: the Sheriff leads the way and a few random cars, firetrucks, vintage tractors, and horseback riders come through town, tossing the good candy at the tons of little kids lining the street. We got a really good spot: we stood in front of the liquor store at the corner of the gas station ALL BY OURSELVES. Kiddo racked up, and Hubby got his favorite strawberry candy. And since we were on drivers' side, I got to visit with some of my law enforcement friends. 

At the end of the night, there's a community-funded fireworks show. What amazes me is that the money for the display comes out of the pocket of the people who come to the Day in the Park every year. There are donation jars as you come in the gate, but there is no admission fee. As people are driving in at dusk, the Ladies' Auxiliary are standing in the streets with firemen's helmets taking donations as well. Then, you get situated (if you can find a parking space, and without driving onto the display lol), and sit either in your car or on the park lawn and watch a beautiful 20-30 minute fireworks display put on by the Beaumont Fire Department. 

I think I had the best seat in the house. We were about a football field away from the display itself. I sat on the ground in my long summer dress, with my sweet four-year-old in my lap and my husband by my side. When the fireworks started, you could still hear the final band playing on stage. I listened to them play "Simple Kind of Man" as I was sitting there, realizing I was happy with my simple little life. I love being in the country with my little family, enjoying the little things in life. 

I am #smalltownproud

@Influenster Mom VoxBox Summer 2012

My Mom VoxBox from Influenster came a couple days ago. If you've been keeping up with me on Twitter, you'll know my Mother-In-Law has been in serious condition in the hospital, so this is the first chance I've had to sit down and really go through it.

I'm tickled that I got selected to get this box. I was curious as to what sorts of products I'd get in it, and I have to admit, the selection was VERY random. And I LOVE random!

I got (and this one's already been devoured by myself and the little one) a Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal Raisin cookie. OMG it was delicious! I've already added them to the grocery list for when I go shopping this weekend! I honestly couldn't tell that these individually packaged cookies weren't made by my Grandmother. They taste like COOKIES, not like over-processed and over-preserved clumps of "cookie" from a vending machine. I'm really impressed and my four-year old loves it, too!

Next, and I haven't tried them yet, I've got a pack of pretty press-on nails by Broadway Nails. They're a really pretty reddish-burgundy shade, and they are a short or "active" length. I could use those for teaching and probably still be able to play the piano. And it would be much cheaper than a salon nail job! There are 36 different shades/patterns available, so there's a "perfect" style for everyone!

There's a bar of Ivory soap, too. This has always been a favorite of mine. Back when my skin was so sensitive that I couldn't use the Mary Kay products of that time, I used Ivory Soap and water. I use it on my son, and myself still. And there are so many uses for Ivory soap. I have even been known to use it for mild hand-washing (like the lingerie and hosiery I review on my other blog).

What impressed me the most in this package is the STASH Tea Superfruits set. A WHOLE box of teabags (not just a couple sample bags). I love that they sent me caffeine-free tea (which won't interfere with my Plexus regimen) and it has bonus superfruit benefits. I love that I can sit down with a cup of tea any time of day and it won't make me jittery and it tastes amazing. I love the blueberry flavor. I think I'm going to go make another cup now to wind down my day. I'm thinking I'm going to be adding this to the shopping list as well, and add a cup of tea to my nightly writing regimen. :) They also sent Nektar Honey Crystals, but I'll probably be holding off on using them until I nail down which type of honey is used to make it as I'm allergic to clover honey. I like the concept, though, as I do like to use local honey to sweeten my hot tea!

There are a couple sample packs of Dentek flossers; one for adults, one for kids. The adults' version is fresh mint flavor, and the kids' version is wild fruit flavor. The boychild doesn't quite floss yet as his teeth are still really far apart, but we'll probably give them a try.

Finally, there's a dish drying "rug" type thing. I thought it was the strangest thing I'd ever seen. It's a mat with an absorbent core and microfiber covering. After looking over the cover, I think it'll be quite useful for placing under my drying rack or for drying the wine glasses after the next party. I also think it would come in handy for my mom when she's doing canning projects and prepping her Mason jars.

Can't wait to get some actual reviewing done on these products in the coming weeks!

A Review and Giveaway from Cynical Redhead Creations!

I LOVE Cynical Redhead Creations. I love her so much, she doesn't have to reimburse me in any way for this post. However, I have bought stuff from her in the past, and I SOOO want to tell you about it.

This Red Rose Headband is one of my favorites.

I also adore these pretty bobby pins. She makes all kinds of designs now, different flowers, same flowers with leaves...you name it, she makes amazing stuff.

I've gotten other cool stuff from her, too. I ordered, as a joke for myself, a set of black sheep button earrings and matching ponytail holder. This was called the "Every Family Has One" set. I also got a set made for my neice with some sassy kitties on it. She flippin' loved it. I don't have pics of those though.

Now, you have a chance to win some of your own stuff from Cynical Redhead Creations. You will have your choice of one of four different items. You can pick the Daisy Earrings, Skull Cameo Necklace, Mum Ring, or Hot Pink Rose Earrings. Enter below using the super easy Rafflecopter widget, and good luck!

Swipes Lovin' Wipes

I recently received a package of Swipes Lovin' Wipes from Swipes in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give it a positive review.

I found Swipes on Facebook. I knew they were wipes, but not much more than that did I know; I hadn't tried them. I asked them if I could review a pack, and they were more than happy to send me a pack to check out.

Swipes are marketed as wipes to use before and after intimate encounters, but I found that they are more than that. I actually liked how well they cleaned Kiddo's hiney after a stinky, smeary diaper. It only took one wipe, and afterwards his hiney smelled like cucumber, not alcohol and baby powder.

Swipes come in two scents: cucumber and unscented. I received some of both.

Unscented Swipes are made using only Purified water, Phospholipid CDM (coconut oil derived mild skin cleanser), Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 20 (wetting agent), Aloe barbadensis leaf juice (aloe, skin conditioner and moisturizer), Glycerin, Sodium citrate, Silver citrate, Citric acid, and Vitamin E Acetate.

Cucumber Swipes are made using only Purified water, Phospholipid CDM (coconut oil derived mild skin cleanser), Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 20 (wetting agent), Cucumber, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice (aloe, skin conditioner and moisturizer), Glycerin, Sodium citrate, Silver citrate, Citric acid, and Vitamin E Acetate.

I am a little concerned about a few of the products above. According to the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, a few of the ingredients fall into the "moderate hazard" category. Polysorbate 20 and silver citrate rate a 3 and vitamin e acetate rates a 4. All other ingredients are in the low hazard range, mostly zero.

Hazard score key from Skin Deep Cosmetics Database

That said, Polysorbate 20 and Silver Citrate are restricted for use in Canada, but allowed by the USA's FDA. Why the discrepancy, I don't know. Vitamin E Acetate (or tocopheryl acetate) is only a concern at very high doses as a cancer risk. I feel these wipes don't have enough of any of these ingredients to do any damage if used as designed. I feel that they are, overall, body safe. Just don't eat them.

Swipes are designed to be flushed or composted as they are made from viscose and lyocell fibers, which have not been chlorine bleached, that will break up easily. Also, the packaging uses much less plastic than standard pop-up personal wipes. The seal on top is similar to the kind that just peel up and go back in place, but is much sturdier. I like that. I don't feel as bad about throwing this package away at the end of their life as I do some of the pop-up wipes I'd grab at the drugstore.

I'd actually like to see Swipes come in a larger container or bag so that it could be used as a refill pack for Kiddo's Cars diaper wipe box. I've not liked a wipe as much as I have these.

I did, indeed, try them for "before and after intimate encounters" as suggested. I found that there was no irritation or burning like I have with other wipes. Generally, there is some alcohol in the other wipes. Also, I didn't have any residue or lingering ickiness after use. The Swipes easily cleaned up the fluids that were on my body, and I felt quite fresh "down there."

They also started breaking down as soon as they were dropped into the toilet, so I don't feel like there will be any septic issues. I certainly couldn't do that with most other wipes! Body safe and environmentally friendly! I like this!

I am particularly fond of the cucumber-scented Swipes. It's not a heavy cucumber scent, and it's not a long-lasting scent, either. I tend toward cucumber or cucumber melon scented bath items, so this blends in quite nicely.

Also, the container is simply decorated with text (nothing x-rated) and leaves, so there's nothing to be ashamed of if you leave them out on the bathroom counter.

Swipes are available in Unscented and Cucumber and packs of 42 wipes each for $4.99 and sample packs with two individually sealed wipes of each type for $2.99. The sample packs are great if you just want to try the wipes, or if you want to travel and take them with you and not fool with taking the larger pack.

What do I love better than a good product? A coupon code! Use code LOVIN at Swipes.com and save 50% off your order.

I rate these four stars, simply because of the ratings of some ingredients. I would definitely be a repeat purchaser though, especially if they'd come out with larger packages.

Welcome to my new blog!

I figured if I wanted to get some other types of review products (read blog traffic and therefore cash flow) I needed to be able to post other types of reviews than what I have over at UpL8. This blog will be more family friendly and SFW. Occasionally, where it is appropriate for moms, you may see some of the same type reviews here, or giveaways for gift cards and such. Enjoy!