Umbra Home Accesories Review

~by Patricia

I always get excited when I discover an online shop that I really like. With so many places to spend your money online today, I like knowing another blogger likes their merchandise.
umbra sells modern, well designed products for the home at affordable prices. From clocks to bath accessories, Umbra has something for everyone. And even Oprah likes them!

For my review I was sent this super sleekly designed Avocado Dish Rack. I love kitchen items, so this is something I really wanted. Most dish racks are unattractive, but not this one. Sitting in the sink or on the counter, I love it's look and color. It has a stainless steel band around it that keeps dishes in place. It is also BPA free, which is something I look for in products whenever available.

This is one dish rack that you will want to leave out to be seen. It comes in two colors, this great avocado green, or a cheerful bright red.

I was also sent this cute little Octopus Ring Holder. It is made of metal and has a chrome finish. It's a great place to keep your ring collection, and can hold lots of them. It's a sweet little gift for any occasion. The prices at Umbra are affordable enough to get a gift for someone and a little something for yourself. They have a great Sale Section as well.

umbra has many categories of their products to shop from, and most of their items are very affordable. Great design at a great price. Visit their website at umbra.com to see their entire line of products. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Umbra is hosting an annual back-to-school contest is now on! Enter to win an iPad using your email address. Enter here... ---> http://www.umbra.com/
ustore/sweepstakes.store



*I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free the items mentioned in this post for my review.

NEW Toy Story Toon - PARTYSAURUS REX

The toys are back! Disney*Pixar's brand-new Toy Story Toon, PARTYSAURUS REX, will run in theaters before FINDING NEMO 3D starting September 14th. This adorable short is directed by Mark Walsh, produced by Kim Adam, and is the third installment of Toy Story Toons.

 

"Partysaurus Rex" features Rex (voiced by Wallace Shawn), the insecure toy T-Rex in the 'Toy Story' gang. Rex goes from shrinking violet to sudsy stud when Bonnie brings him into the bath! What follows can only be described as an EPIC bathtub party.

FINDING NEMO 3D & "Partysaurus Rex" Hit Theaters September 14th!

Football and Fun With SNICKERS Brand NFL Minis #SnickersMinis

With fall coming on soon, it's time to start thinking about all the things we love that the season brings. Gorgeous foliage, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and more are just some of the things I look forward to at this time of the year. But there is something else pretty great too.

Can you say FOOTBALL??? My two sons and son-in-law are football fans to the max! Football has brought them fun, laughter, and friendship among the three of them, and I love that. Up here in Washington State we are devoted Seattle Seahawk fans. Many Sundays will find our family gathered around the TV watching the the games and rooting for our team. Win or lose, we love our Seahawks!

Like most other families, food, drinks, and the all important snacks are a big part of the day. So as soon as I heard that SNICKERS Brand NFL Minis were available at Walmart, I headed out to buy some.

SNICKERS Brand NFL Minis are mini candy bars in all the teams names. How fun is that? I knew the guys would love them, and so would the gals.

When I went to Walmart, I found out they hadn't arrived in my area yet. But that's okay because I don't mind the wait. I'm just excited for when they do come in so that I can make them a part of our football Sundays. Yeah, we love our snacks!!

When I was at Walmart I had to go check out what was new in the Seahawk merchandise that was for sale. When I come back to pick up my SNICKERS Brand NFL Minis (can't wait!!), I just might buy myself a Seahawk jersey this year. I have always wanted one, but just never bought one. But I think I will!!

My son-in-law loves watching every football related program on TV. He also loves snacking while he watches.  SNICKERS Brand NFL Minis are perfect for this of course! I can see I need to buy lots of them to get us through football season. While I'm not the huge fan that some of my family members are, I do really enjoy the game, and love that it gives us a reason to gather together and have family fun.

Though most of my family are die-hard Seattle Seahawk fans, my son-in-law is not. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and is a devoted 49ers fan through and through! When he married my daughter and moved up here to Washington State, he reluctantly left behind his beloved team.

So with him being a 49ers fan, it leads to lots of fun rivalry, team trashing, and laughter. The games are never boring when we all get together! The funny thing is his two sons are Seahawk fans. And that is just fine by him. Every Sunday they all put on their jerseys and root for their teams. Despite living up here for more than a decade, my son-in-law says he will forever remain a 49ers fan.

He also says that their new baby girl is going to be a 49ers fan with her Dad, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a little pink jersey hanging in her closet soon.

Can you see my littlest grandson likes his candy bars in both hands? So when craving something chocolaty and delicious during your football game, make sure you have plenty of SNICKERS Brand NFL Minis on hand. #SnickersMinis

They are also a great part of the fun for your guests to enjoy while you are having football parties and entertaining. You can also use them in creative recipes to bake with, and I'm going to whip up a big batch of brownies to eat during the first Seahawk game.
Can't wait!!


You can also find SNICKERS Brand NFL Minis on Facebook and Twitter.


 *I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and SNICKERS® Brand NFL Minis #SnickersMinis #CBias #SocialFabric

Shopping at Sam's Club for Health and Beauty Values to Share

I like shopping at Sam's Club when I need everyday items. My husband and I are people who like to have items we use daily stocked up in our home. We do not like to have to make unplanned trips to a grocery store and over pay when we know we can get a better deal for it at Sam's Club.

We went shopping at our local Sam's Club for healthy and beauty items. I buy many items at Sam's Club for the deals. I shop price per unit, like ounces or pounds to see which item is the best deal. I like that the Sam's Club labels mark it in the tag for you to see. This helps me to be able to buy name brand items I need.

My son eating some samples as we wait in the check out lane. The samples help keep him staying in the cart. That makes it easier for me to shop.

Today I need facial wipes for makeup removal and Band-Aids. My morning routine includes sunscreen, makeup for my face, eyes and lips. By the end of the day I need a good make up remover wipe to get my face clean. Especially my mascara, its water proof so it can be hard to get it all off.  I compared two brands in the store based on the value of the item and the benefits of both facial cleansing wipes. I selected the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes. I have Neutrogena makeup products so I know its a brand I can trust. The pack comes with 100 wipes!! That is a whole lot of wipes to have on hand. I can put some in my purse in a baggie for makeup emergencies, plenty in the bathroom and enough to even share with my Mother in law.

 I also picked up Band-Aids for our medicine cabinet. While I was out of town last month my son cut his hand while playing in the back yard at my Mother in law's birthday party. They could not find the Band-Aids and were so stressed and worried about my son. Thankfully they ran to the store but of course over paid for the items. Now I have a BIG box of Band-Aids for any bandage needs we might have. Band-Aid brand has introduced a new QuiltVent technology that wicks away the blood from a wound helping it to heal faster. We will keep our eye out for those ones!

My Mother in law and I share the products we get at Sam's Club all the time. Toilet paper, paper towels, food items, shampoos, bar soaps and more. For her its her way of chipping in to feel like she can help us out, love that she does that for us. For me when I share with her I feel like I am saving her a trip to the store. She has Lupus so she does have days she does not want to leave home. Buying in bulk and sharing with her makes it so she does not have to shop as much. Plus we both love to share new items we find with each other. 

I tried the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes on a night after it was 108 degrees that day. My makeup was feeling heavy and my face was a sweaty mess. Yuck! Using the facial cleansing wipes was a relief to my skin. One wipe fully cleaned my face and removed all my eye makeup. I was so jazzed about how well they work and the value of the price I decide to make a little gift bag for my Mother in law. 

I have some really cute gift bags that I want to put some of the items in for her. Purple ribbon too since purple is her favorite color! I think this will really cheer her up to get a little helpful surprise when she comes over. We have a movie to watch and some delicious melon to share. 

Shopping at Sam's Club saves my family money, time and gas. Plus I get to share with my family, how great is that!! #HealthyValue 

I love the size of the Neutrogena Facial Wipes. They fit perfectly in my makeup case with my other items.

You can connect with Neutrogena and Johnson and Johnson on Facebook and Twitter for more info.

You can read my Google+ Story about my shopping trip and see the cute face my son makes when he eats green grapes from a sample cart.



 *I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Neutrogena #CBias #SocialFabric

Join FabKids & Get Your First 3 Piece Outfit For Just $25!

To celebrate the launch of FabKids, we are offering all new members the chance to buy a complete FabKids outfit for just $25! That means you get a perfectly styled 3-piece outfit -- that normally retails for $49.95 -- for nearly half off! Just enter the code “FIRST25” at check-out.

FabKids, a monthly outfit club for stylish girls sizes 2-8.
FabKids is a new children’s apparel brand and personal e-commerce service that keeps kids in fresh, affordable and stylish outfits every month.

Each month, members receive outfit selections personalized just for their girls. Every outfit includes 3 pieces and costs just $49.95. All outfits ship free and are backed by our Pinky Promise - 100% satisfaction guarantee.

FabKids launched on August 2nd, 2012 and is led by ShopStyle founder and father of two Andy Moss, in partnership with mom and actress Christina Applegate, who serves as Creative Partner.

FabKids’ inaugural Back-to-School collection offers over 100 ready-to-play outfits that are available for sale exclusively on FabKids.com.


FIRST25 PROMOTION: Join FabKids & Get Your First Outfit For Just $25!

 



To celebrate the launch of FabKids, we are offering all new members the chance to buy a complete FabKids outfit for just $25! That means you get a perfectly styled 3-piece outfit -- that normally retails for $49.95 -- for nearly half off! Just enter the code “FIRST25” at check-out.

Sign Up HERE to take advantage of this offer.

DIY Decorating: Sew A Throw Pillow Cover In 10 Easy Steps

One of the easiest ways to keep up with changing interior design trends is to sew your own throw
cushion covers. Making up a cushion sleeve is simple, even if you are not experienced with a sewing
machine. Before you begin, gather together your materials and tools.

You should start with around 137cm of 45-inch fabric, or about 91cm of 55-inch fabric, a pencil, glass
(of the drinking variety), ironing board and an iron. In addition to a sewing machine, you will also
require a pair of scissors, a handful of pins and a sufficient amount of thread. The scissors will be fine
for cutting fabric, but you might prefer to use a rotary cutter.

Measure and cut

Measure your fabric. One will want to cut a 21-inch by 21-inch square for the front part of the
cushion. Two rectangles measuring 13 inches by 21 inches will be required for the back of the
cushion. You can produce rounded corners to make the task of sewing easier (especially when
you have to turn the fabric). You can achieve this by positioning the glass on the other side of the
material. Then trace around it with the pencil. You should do this on each corner of the square fabric
and two of the long-edge corners on each of the rectangular pieces. Simply cut around the area
marked by the pencil. This will reveal the straight edges on both of the rectangular pieces, so it is
important to hem them for a neat finish. Fold over about a quarter of an inch of the raw straight
edge on each of the rectangles, then fold again, pin and stitch.

Pin together and sew

Next pin the whole cover together. Place the square face up on your work surface, then place one
of the rectangles face down on top. Make sure the rounded corners are positioned on the outside
before lining them up and pinning them. This can be tricky and it is surprisingly easy stretch the
material, so take care.

Position the other rectangular piece face down on top of the first. If you have done everything right,
the hemmed edges should just overlap. Pin this rectangle carefully, as before. Make sure that any
pins hiding under the overlap are removed to prevent problems when stitching later. Sew around
the cushion cover edges, removing pins as you go before the fabric passes through the sewing
machine.

Turn the completed cover inside out to reveal the right side of the fabric. Press with a hot iron and
fill with a cushion pad. Voilà! Your new cushion cover is finished. Pretty throw cushions can make
the plainest sofa look like a designer piece and can even be placed on a bed to give a small double mattress a touch of luxury.

Seasonal fabrics

Choosing a washable fabric is a clever move, as this will allow your covers to be removed and
laundered, keeping them fresh and clean. You can also regularly change your style by picking out
several types of fabric, which can be changed every season. Plush velvet is wonderful for winter,
while light cotton seersucker is cool for the summer. Changing your cushion covers is an easy and
cheap way to keep abreast of new furnishing trends and can be tailored to suit any changes in your
colour scheme, making changing your whole look affordable and simple.


*This is a sponsored guest post by Zoe for Archers Sleep Centre. Zoe is a blogging enthusiast who loves to cover a variety of topics, including health, home improvements, fashion and beauty. Zoe is currently writing for Archers Sleep Centre.

Marilyn The Passion and the Paradox by Lois Banner Book Review

~by Patricia

Fifty years after Marilyn Monroe's death, she continues to remain one of the most fascinating women in American film history.

While many books have been written about this legendary screen star, Marilyn, The Passion and the Paradox is the one that tells Marilyn's story in the most stunningly intimate way. Author and USC Professor of History and Gender Studies, Lois Banner gives us new insights into Marilyn's tragic childhood and early death.
From childhood sexual abuse, to multiple foster homes, we are given all the history that led to the making of the private and public life of Marilyn Monroe.

Her marriages, drug addictions, Kennedy connections and more, are all explored in this truly fascinating and insightful book that is hard to put down. Much more than just the sexual goddess she has been portrayed as, the author uncovers Marilyn's interest in spirituality, her intelligence, and lifelong interest in politics. Filled with beautiful color, and black and white photos, this new book is a must read for any Marilyn Monroe fan.

For a truly deep  and revealing insight into one of the most beautiful and famous actresses of all time, Marilyn, The Passion and the Paradox is a not to be missed reading experience. This book will create new fans of the star that still stirs our interest in her decades after her death.



 * I was not paid or compensated for this post. I was sent a free copy of this book for my review by the publisher/PR company. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

Foam Peanuts and Painting

I love that having a kid is a chance to be a kid again myself. The last time I painted just to have fun was my first time at college many moons ago! I forgot how fun it was to just be in a moment of creativity and make a mess! I always think of the Simpson's cartoon episode where Lisa goes to Summer Camp and the song "Artist Make Art" its a silly grown up song but when my husband saw the mess we were making, I told him were artists making art, it gets messy!

I see cute ideas all over the internet about using different items around the house to use instead of paint brushes. I always seem to have a ton of packing peanuts in the closets so we took some out and used them as paint stampers. Its was fun to see my son look at me like really we can use these! I tend to be a you paint with a paint brush kind of person in my adult years but I dont want that for my son I want him to think outside the box!! Next we will be using veggies and other random items we find to paint with. 

What fun items do you use for painting?

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Mixed Fruit Drink

 Last month I shared some Blue Diamond Almonds Breeze Almond Coconut drinks and other recipes with a few Moms I know through the Green Moms Meet Ambassador Program. I really liked the idea of a Almond milk mixed with coconut milk, and it tasted as great as I thought it would. I looked a some of the drink recipes I got in my kit and decided to make a Mixed Fruit drink with the fruits I had in my freezer. I have learned the trick to a great smoothie to be like a Jamba style where its firm and not runny is to use frozen fruit.

My son always the little helper, picked the fresh mint from our garden to be our garnish. He sniffed it over and over telling me its nice. So cute! 

We made our recipe with Blue Diamond Almond and Coconut Milk Sweetened, 1 frozen banana, frozen sliced strawberries, frozen mixed berry that included cranberries, frozen pineapple and  1 tube of go-gurt. I like to use whatever I have on hand to make drinks and popsicles for my son. He always loves them no matter what kind of fruit is in them.

To make my drink extra special I layered it with whipped topping. Using the frozen fruit in the blender allowed for me to layer the drink since it was firm and not runny.  Next time I am thinking I will make two drink flavors and layer them for a fun color contrast. Who wouldn't want to drink a delicious, pretty and good for you drink like this one!

 When I make smoothies I normally dont measure just kind of toss in what I have so I normally have extras. I place them in my Popcicle maker for dessert later in the week or a lunch time treat for my son.

*I was sent a Green Moms Meet Blue Diamond Almond Breeze kit. I was not compensated for this post.

Larkspur Landing Hotels: Monterey CA Camp Casa

We had a wonderful stay at the Larkspur Landing Hotel in Roseville CA while we were there. I wanted to keep everyone updated with the latest Hotel Package deals in CA. The summer is not over yet!! There is still time to take a little vacation to CA. If you live in CA there are many great opportunities to get away for the weekend too.

Their signature FeatherBorne®  Bed with high thread count sheets, a quilted down comforter, a premium duvet cover and a large selection of pillows is amazing!

Travel California Package

Travel throughout sunny California this Summer and take advantage of an offer that allows you to stay in all suite hotels, in great locations and rewards you with some savings on fuel as you leisurely explore a variety of landmarks.  This package focuses on discovering the Golden State’s hidden treasures found off the beaten tourist paths at the following locations: Larkspur Landing Folsom, Larkspur Landing Roseville, Larkspur Landing Pleasanton and Larkspur Landing South San Francisco.

This package includes:

• Overnight suite accommodations featuring Larkspur's luxurious FeatherBorne Bed
• $20 gas card
• Healthy Start Breakfast

If you are planning a trip to the Monterey CA area or need a great reason to go there, Casa Munras Larkspur Hotel is offering  its summer Camp Casa Kids Program. The perfect addition to any family vacation, Camp Casa will provide both educational and fun activities for kids ages 5 – 12, while parents enjoy spa treatments and a quiet meal at Esteban restaurant. The Camp Casa Kids Program is available to those who book the Camp Casa Kids Package, available Thursday – Sunday, June 7 – September 7.

 Kids will participate in activities such as ocean themed crafts and fun facts, outdoor scavenger hunt and camp songs. Camp Casa is available Friday – Sunday with a morning session from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and an afternoon session from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. There is a maximum of eight kids per session. A kid friendly meal will also be provided. $249 and include the following: availability. Guests can book reservations online at www.HotelCasaMunras.com or by calling (831) 375.0176.


Camp Casa is only available by booking the Camp Casa Kids Package.  Prices start at $249 and include the following: 

• $30 spa credit at Sano Spa and complimentary champagne
• $40 Esteban dinner credit
• One Camp Casa kid session.  Additional siblings can be added for an extra $45/child. 

Subject to availability, not inclusive of tax and gratuities. Valid through September 7, 2012. Seven day advanced reservations required.

Rooms have a mini kitchen, perfect for family travel.

About Monterey CA:
Picturesque coastal town of Monterey. True to its Spanish heritage, this hacienda-inspired hotel includes 171 guestrooms with Larkspur’s signature FeatherBorne® bed, Sano Spa, an outdoor heated pool and Estéban Restaurant, featuring Mediterranean tapas and Spanish inspired cuisine. Casa Munras is ideally located near many of the Central California region’s most visited attractions including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Historic Old Monterey and the world famous Fisherman’s Wharf. Casa Munras, located at 700 Munras Avenue in Monterey, can be reached by telephone at 800.222.2446 or visited online at www.HotelCasaMunras.com. Estéban Restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast and dinner and can be reached by calling 831.375.0176 or visited online at www.estebanrestaurant.com.



 You can learn more about Larkspur Hotels on Facebook and Twitter.



*I was not compensated for this post. I was a guest of the Larkspur Landing Hotel in Roseville on our Road Trip Summer Vacation Event.