Hango Lunch Bag Review (Set of 2)

A few days ago, my 4 year old niece had Open Heart Surgery. I was going to be babysitting her 2 year old little sister, my niece Lucy, for the week, and knew that we'd be spending a lot of time visiting the hospital. I received this 2 set of Hango Lunch Bags for free, in exchange for my honest review. I was so excited to receive them, as I knew they were going to arrive just in time to make sure I could pack some snacks for Lucy, and not have to spend an arm and a leg on snacks for her from the hospital.

On the day of surgery, the longest day we had at the hospital, I packed up both lunch bags, to test them out. This was going to be a great time to test them out, as I was packing cold products, and could see how long they'd stay cold in the bags.

The lunch bags are a beautiful carnation pink color, with a brown handle, and a very strong and sturdy zipper. The inside features a grayish silver liner, with a thick thermal insulation. Both these bags came in a really nice cotton drawstring bag (BONUS.) I packed quite a few items into my lunch bags, potato chips, microwaveable macaroni, pop corn, Smuckers uncrustables, and some Coconut Water. I expected the bags to buckle at the center with the weight of the drinks. Surprisingly, though, this did not happen. My coconut waters stayed pretty cold, even though they had been sitting inside the bag for a few hours. The insulation, is top notch. The padding is quite thick, so it keeps everything cold, and I'm sure very warm as well. I don't think I've ever owned any lunch bags that have this amount of padding in them.

One very small downside, which doesn't last long, was the strong plastic scent the bags have when you first open up the package. It's quite strong, but it does wear off overtime. So this is not something that'll linger, and put me off from using them. Just let them air out before you use them, and you'll be good to go for as long as the bags last. I do see them being around for a very long time, as they're so extremely well built. The zipper is very strong and sturdy as well. 

Small bag. Could hold more, but this is all I packed.

Small

Large Bag

Large

Completely full (Large) Lunch bag

I have already told plenty of family about my lunch bags. Everyone LOVED the small one, it's size is just too adorable, and my little niece Lucy loved carrying it around. The bags retail on Amazon.com for $24.99 for the two bags. Large 6L x 6H x 10W in inches. and the small 5L x 5H x 7.5W in inches. Plus the white drawstring bag, that you can use to store the bags when not in use. They're so beautiful, they're chic, and elegant, but fun. These lunch bags can be used by anyone old or young. This is a 5 star product according to the Amazon.com reviews, and I completely agree with that rating. Take a look at what other people are saying as well. I'll leave the link the product down below. I highly recommend these bags to anyone and everyone.

Hango Lunch Bags (Set of 2)

Boson Sport- Jumpe Rope Review.

In my quest to be healthier and more active in 2015, I came across the Boson Sport- Jumpe Rope. A product I was sent for free, in exchange for my honest review. I was a little weary at first. This wasn't your average kiddie jump rope. Just knowing it was for exercise purposes, intimidated me. Would I be doing it wrong? Would it be hard? Would it be heavy? So many questions, and so many worries, I shouldn't have had.

(Photo Cred: Boson Sport via Amazon.com)

I received the product and pulled it out of the box immediately. I'm 5'2, so this rope was LONG, but it was lightweight, so I knew there was hope for me. I turned the box around and saw instructions for cutting the rope and customizing it to your specific needs. Super simple, it took me a couple of minutes to do this, and then my rope was ready.

I went outside to test it out. I used it on my concrete sidewalk, and LOVED, how easy it was to swing over my head. The lightweight material made it so simple to work with, not needing to overwork myself, and let me get a comfortable jump rope session in. The two ends on the rope are custom foam grips which minimize hand fatigue. They also made for a non-slip grip, so I wasn't having to stop, to adjust my grip. There are also ball-bearings within to help with smooth, and even rotation when swinging the rope. The nylon rope, with wire, will ensure that you get a whole lot of use out of your jump rope.

So far, this rope, still looks pretty good, considering the amount of times I've used it. It shows very little wear and tear, and I'm loving it. It retails on Amazon.com for $19.99 and ships free with Amazon Prime. It's got some great reviews, and I can definitely see why. If you're someone who wants to get a good work out in, without overworking yourself. This is absolutely something you should try. I love everything about this Jump Rope, and think you will too.

Boson Sport Jumpe Rope

Kinetiks Knee Pain Relief Support Brace Review

My husband has been having so much knee pain in the past few weeks, due to a strain he put on his knee during a jog out here where we live. He's not a complainer by any means, so I was unaware of him having hurt himself, until I realized one day, that he hadn't gone out to exercise. I asked what had happened, and he said he wasn't sure, but he had been putting off a doctors visit in hopes of it healing on it's own.

I was selected to review the Kinetiks Knee Pain Relief Support Brace, I was to receive the brace free of charge, in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion. I asked my husband if he was willing to try it, and at that point. He was willing to do anything to help his knee.

Upon receiving the brace, we checked out the construction. It is made of a strong stretchable neoprene material which retains heat to relieve pain. It has 3 Velcro straps to secure the brace in place, and an open patella cut design with a padded gel ring which adds comfort for long periods of wear.

My husband tried it on, and walked around our home with it on. There was very little to no slipping, I believe that after he tightened the brace, there was no slipping at all. He felt his knee had little movement, but was able to comfortably walk around with it, without limping around like he had been.

He's been able to take the stairs more, and is now taking long walks for exercise. He's hoping that very soon, he'll be back at jogging, and going for runs in the mornings.

For now though, he has had no pain in his knee anymore, and has been able to run up the stairs with ease, like he used to before his injury. I tried the brace on myself, and loved how it fit around my knee. It was snug, but not uncomfortable. I never realized that I had some difficulty getting up my stairs, until I took the stairs wearing the Kintetiks Knee Brace. I love this thing, and I am thinking of ordering one for myself now, that I've tried my husbands.

In conclusions... Do I think this Brace is a good fit for anyone who loves working out, or needs a bit of pain relief. ABSOLUTELY. The Kinetics Knee Pain Relief Support Brace retails on Amazon.com for $29.99 and ships free with Amazon Prime. Do look into it, and read up on the reviews, as they're a 5 star brand, and deserve every bit of that rating.

Kinetiks Knee Pain Relief Support Brace Review

Compressions Brand Adjustable Velcro Neoprene Knee Review

I'm going to be completely honest here. This knee brace was not for me. I was selected to review this product for free in exchange for my honest review, and was excited to receive it, because it is my mom who absolutely needs some sort of knee support.

My mom is a 2 time cancer survivor, she's gone through so many rounds of chemotherapy, that have left her with so much joint pain. She went from being an all around healthy woman, to being nearly worn down from her Chemo treatments, but mom is a trooper, she's a fighter, and even through her knee pain, she carries on throughout her days.

I presented the knee brace to her, told her exactly where it came from, and helped her put it around her knee. She has most of her pain in her right knee, which causes her to take one step on the stair case at a time. I kid you not when I tell you, that she was able to get herself off the couch so much easier after putting this brace on. She made me a face like "WOW." I smirked at her not realizing that getting off the couch was always such a problem for her. So she was shocked to get up so easily.

My mom immediately pointed out the comfort the circular cushion around the knee cap provided. It made for bending her knee so much easier. So as for her first impression, she was absolutely loving this knee brace.

A few days after her initial fitting, I decided to question her about the brace. The things she mentioned most, were the fact that she loved the silicone anti-slip strips. She said, it allowed her to walk around the house a lot easier, because it wasn't sliding down her leg like the brace she had before. She said it was lightweight, comfortable, and there wasn't any bulk to the brace.

Anti-Slip Grips

 Back after strapped

Front after strapped

It's been several weeks since she started wearing the brace, and she has most definitely seen some improvements in her knee. She's able to walk for longer distance without having to stop and sit to give her knee a break. She has even gotten to the point where she can actually take the stairs normally instead of slowly, and one at a time. She can alternate legs now painlessly, and that is ALL i wanted for her. I think we have finally found the comfort my mom needs and deserves.

If you're looking for a great fitting, anti-slipping, knee brace, then this one is definitely for you. The Compressions Brand Adjustable Band retails for $24.99 on Amazon.com. Worth every penny.

Francois et Mimi Carousel Cupcake Holder Review

For any family party, get together, or gathering, I'm always the one chosen to make dessert. I love baking cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. I thoroughly enjoy doing it, especially for the little ones. I'm not a professional, just a box of Duncan Hines cake mix, and a container of frosting, and I'm good to go. Quick, easy, and very unprofessional, but always delicious.

For every occasion, I'm always hunting for a cupcake stand to display my cupcakes. Something to make it easy for everyone to access the goodies, I always tend to purchase some cardboard cupcake stand at a craft store, and waste about $10.00 on something I have to toss at the end of the night. 

When I was given the opportunity to review the Francois et Mimi Carousel Cupcake Holder for free, in exchange for my honest opinion, I could not have been more excited. I quickly received my Carousel, and put it to use immediately. I baked up some cupcake for my nieces, and filled the carousel to display.

Set up was simple, there are no instructions in the box, but following the picture, and setting it up, was pretty easy. It took less than 5 minutes to do, no tools required. The piece is beautiful. It spins smoothly, and displays your cupcakes so nice and neatly. My niece had a field day spinning the thing, and swiping her little fingers across each cupcake to sneak some frosting and sprinkles. 

The Cupcake holder is made of Non-Toxic Iron. It has 12 enlarged cups to hold a dozen cupcakes. You can purchase the Francois et Mimi Carousel Cupcake holder on Amazon.com for the VERY low price of $12.99. This is too beautiful a piece to pass up for such an inexpensive price. So far it has a 5 star rating on Amazon, and it's very well deserved. 

Exfolimate Face and Body Exfoliator Review

In my never ending quest for smoother, clearer skin, I finally came across a product, that actually seems to be helping me. This may sound odd, BUT... in the past, I have actually taken an old credit card, debit card, gift card to my face, to remove any dead skin that had flaked on my face.

I was given the opportunity to review the Exfolimate Face and Body Exfoliator, for free in exchange for my honest review. Upon receiving the product, I decided to jump in the shower to try it out. It works best when your skin is soft, and moist, so a nice warm shower was just what I needed to try it out.

The package comes with 2 Exfolimates. A smaller one for your face, and a larger one for your body. I've grown quite fond of using the face one, more so than the one for the body, but they both work just as great.

As soon as I jumped in the shower, I allowed the water to run on my face until I felt it soak into my skin, I washed it using my regular face wash, and went ahead and worked the Exfolimate all over my face. The ends of the Exfolimate allow it to work around your nose, and around your eyes without being too large to fit around the natural curves of your face. It follows all face curves nicely, and with no pain at all.

The edges are NOT sharp, it's not a razor, so it doesn't cut off any peach fuzz or hair you have on your face. It has micro-grooves etched into the metal edge that gently lift away any dead skin, or dirt you have on your face or body. It's a smooth edge, so it isn't uncomfortable. I use it straight against my skin and slide it in one direction to get the best results for myself.

I can honestly say that this has improved the look and feel of my skin so much, that I have an easier time applying my make-up. I have definitely seen positive results with this, and think that you will too. There's no chemicals, no ingredients you need to look into, it's just a nice metal edge, with a white plastic triangular shaped portion for a better grip, and a long PVC cord to allow you to hang in your shower. I can not stress how easy it is to use, and how great it's been for my skin. I'm definitely going to repurchase once I see I may need a new one.

You can purchase the EXFOLIMATE HERE  on Amazon.com for $29.99. It ships free using Amazon.Prime. It's also available from other retailers, such as WALGREENS, DRUGSTORE.COM, and FACEANDBODYSHOPPE.COM

Check out their website HERE for more information on the Exfolimate.

New Year, New Thoughts, New Needs... 2015

Nine days into the New Year, and I still haven't made many changes to my lifestyle to show just how much I want to be healthier. It's been a rough start for our family, with the news of our little Angel needing Open Heart Surgery again. This will be her second operation in her 4 and half years of life, and it's just as scary, if not scarier, than when she was operated on at 7 months old.

Just a day at Grandma's house. 

My little Angel, My little Niece Scarlett Rose, is my motivation for wanting to be healthier. Her strength, and her courage to battle through every obstacle tossed at her, and preserver should be motivation enough for anyone. I want to be a better person for her and because of her. I want to live a healthier lifestyle, so that I can do my part in being here for her as long as I can. I want to be by her side and lift her spirits, just like she's lifted mine. 

My Scarlett Rose, My Sweet little Angel girl is 4 and a half years old. She was born with an extra chromosome in her little body. Her extra chromosome, causes her to LOVE like no other. There isn't a bad bone in her little body. Down Syndrome is often thought of as a disability, which it definitely is NOT. But seriously, if you've never been around someone with Down Syndrome, you are truly missing out. My niece is a phenomenal person. She has taught us so much about patience, and understanding. She's taught us all how to love unconditionally, just like she does, and appreciate everything we have in life. My niece has held our hands through this amazing journey with her. My only wish for her, is that after this heart surgery, that she will resume a LONG and healthy life. I have never EVER felt love like the love my niece has for me and everyone else around her. She's the cutest, sweetest, most loving little person in all the world. She's learning new things everyday, and trying her best to communicate with us all in her own way, and it has been nothing but a blessing to see her overcome all that TRIES to stop her. 

Scarlett and her little sister Lucy.

My own personal need to live a healthier lifestyle is to ensure that I can be here for her as long as possible. I want to be by her side, teach her, guide her, love her, just as she's done for me. I want to eat healthier, move around more, exercise as often as I can, and lose as much weight as needed, to avoid any potential health problems I may encounter now or later in life. 

My niece is my motivation. If she can overcome all that has come her way, then I can too. I leave this post asking for all prayers possible for my little Angel. Lift her up in prayer, keep her in your thoughts, and ask the Lord Almighty to place his loving and healing hands on her heart and her body, as well as in the hearts, hands, and minds of the doctors performing her operation. Please pray that he

 Her 4th Birhtday Party

Sitting like a big girl at a baby shower.

Watching videos with her little sister and little cousin.

keeps her safe through her surgery, and let her heal quickly. I pray endlessly, that my niece will no longer have heart complications, and will continue to sprinkle her love everywhere she goes, and on everyone she encounters.

I Love You My SCARLEE-PIE, MY SCARLEE-ANGEL.

~Tia Soni!