Queen of Hearts Edible Cake Decoration mix + bonus cake fail

We received a free sample of Queen of Hearts Edible Cake Decoration mix from Quality Sprinkles to use in decorating a baked good. After much consideration we decided, inadvisably, to bake a cake. You see, we are not cake bakers. My culinary training involved baking pies, pastries, and cookies, not cakes. I am not great at cake making, but we gave it a go anyway. We found a generic chocolate cake recipe online and followed it, then after our failed attempt at removing the cake from the pan, we frosted it and added some of our pretty sprinkles sample on top. The sprinkles are really pretty and they taste good, too. The Queen of Hearts assortment is perfect for Valentine's day, birthdays, anniversaries, or car games. They also would work great for decorating desserts for an Alice in Wonderland themed event. There are many more varieties on the (Quality Sprinkles website for any event or holiday you can imagine. There are assortments for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Easter, and more. You can get individual colors, perfect for wedding or birthday party treat decorating. You can get the Queen of Heart mix at https://www.qualitysprinkles.com/collections/combination/products/queen-of-hearts-edible-cake-decoration-mix-gluten-gmo-nut-dairy-soy-free-1



Chocolate Fail Cake 2 cups sugar 1.75 cups flour .75 cup cocoa powder 1.5 tsp baking powder 1.5 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 2 eggs 1 cup milk .5 cup oil 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup hot water Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla and mix. Add hot water and stir until fully mixed. Pour batter into two 9" round pans or one 8x13 rectangular pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Multi Device Charging station

My household has a LOT of tech/devices. Cell phones, tablets, game consoles/portables, fitness/smart watches, and more. And, with all of that tech comes a lot of cords scattered everywhere. So I really looked forward to having the chance to try this multi-device charging station. The charging device has two wireless/qi charging stations and four USB ports for plugging in cords for other devices. It comes with one micro-USB cord, one USB type C cord, and two lightning cords. We have been using this charging station for about three weeks, and it seems to be working great so far. We can charge three smart phones and a fitness watch on the charging cords as well as one phone on the wireless charger simultaneously and it works great. All of the device charge quickly and fully.


The perfect solution for homes with a lot of devices. Also great for keeping phones out of bedrooms. Get one at https://amzn.to/2OiHcfP

BODYMATE Compression Brace for Hip

Our dad is sixty-four years old and has recently started having trouble with his right hip, and after a fall down the stairs (don't worry, he walked away uninjured!) his hip pain has been worse. Doctors have confirmed that nothing is broken or cracked, but he is still having pain. So when we got the opportunity to try out this BODYMATE Compression Brace for free, we jumped at the chance. It took a little work to convince our dad to try the brace, as he never had any success with knee braces treating his knee pain, but once he gave it a try he found it to be pretty comfortable. He did not notice much by way of pain relief, but he is able to walk farther/longer before needing a break so it seems to be doing something. The brace is a little difficult to put on and it may take a few tries to get it figured out, but once you do figure it out putting it on is a task that can be done without assistance.

Get one at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N6DX569.

VIM & VIGR Women's Cotton 15-20 mmHg Compression Socks

I have tried compression socks in the past, both cheap and more expensive versions and I have found that they do seem to help ease leg pain for me. I wear them when running especially, and my legs seem to recover faster after a run when I've worn them. So, with that in mind I was excited to try out these VIM & VIGR compression socks to see how they measure up. Sizing is really easy and they fit quite well and provide just the right amount of compression. I also love the different designs they come in. I've worn these socks when running or going on long walks to help ease leg pain and speed recovery. I plan on buying more pairs of these socks so I can have a nice, fresh pair to wear for my workouts every day. They are also nice to wear to combat leg swelling if traveling or sitting for a long time.

#EnergizeYourLegs with these pretty and comfy compression socks from VIM&VIGR. They come in a variety of nice designs. Check out their newest offering at https://vimvigr.com/collections/new/products/womens-arcade-stripe-white-red-cotton

Belmint Shiatsu Pillow Massager

I got this massage pillow for my husband, but because of a previous neck injury he sustained, he is unable to use it. So instead I decided I would give it a try myself and it is pretty nice, I must say. It provides nice, steady pressure right on the sides of the neck as long as you have it placed on a solid surface. It does have a cable to use it in the car as well in the home or office. It would be perfect to de-stress on a long, tedious commute. It has a strap to attach it to your car's headrest so you can use it on the go. It can be a little unpleasant if you don't get positioned right for your needs, but not too bad. It also lights up, but I'm not sure what the point of that is but it certainly was amusing to my toddler. He loved pointing out the red light up balls inside the pillow and telling everyone about them. But, all in all, this is a great massage pillow that would make a perfect gift for friends, family, coworkers, even your boss if you have a little sucking up you would like to do.

If you need a nice neck and should massage, check this one out at https://www.walmart.com/ip/Belmint-Shiatsu-Pillow-Massager-with-Heat-for-Back-Neck-and-Shoulders/501552481

Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager Seat Cushion

I got this Shaitsu back and neck massager thinking my husband might enjoy it, but boy was I wrong. My husband was the first to try this massage seat out and he thought it was torturous. So next we had my dad try it out, since he was visiting, and he thought it was torture as well. So I was a little unsure about trying it out myself because I didn't want to be tortures. But after a while I decided to give it a try, and it wasn't that bad at all. It was actually quite a nice massage, in my opinion. I did not like the vibration part, or the heat, but the massage was nice. Then my sister gave it a try, and she thought it tickled. It really is a pretty nice massage seat for anyone who wants a back massage. In the end we gave it to my father in law because he enjoys shiatsu massage.



If you enjoy shiatsu massage you can get one of these at https://www.walmart.com/ip/Belmint-Massaging-Seat-Cushion-with-Shiatsu-Deep-Kneading-Vibrating-Rolling-Heat-Equipped-with-6-Customizable-Massaging-Programs/768105799

Pure Velvet Extracts - Premium Deer Antler Supplement

I have been around deer a lot, growing up in a rural area and all that. I have deer antlers around my house, as do most people I know. However, the idea of using deer antlers as a supplement never crossed my mind but it turns out to be a pretty common practice in eastern "medicine." So it's woo-woo kind of stuff. Does that mean it's complete BS? No, not necessarily. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any legitimate research showing any of the purported benefits to be true. Though I also didn't find anything that suggested it to be unsafe, so there is that at least. I have my doubts as antlers are in fact just bones like any other bone. So they may have some nice minerals in them, but I don't see how those would lead to some of the purported benefits of this product. Now, to be fair, the company that manufactures this products does not make as many health benefit claims of their product as I have seen on other, similar products.

I have spoken to my physician and been given the green light to try this product, so I have been taking it for about a week now and I will report back with any benefits I notice. So far I haven't seen anything, but we shall see.

Pure Velvet antler extract is bbn purported to help with building muscle and burning fat . Not much science to back it up, but it seems to be relatively safe. Check it out at https://www.purevelvetextracts.com/
And remember, always consult with you physician before using any supplement.

Vitamin C Facial Cleanser

I have very dry, very sensitive skin and as a result, I often break out in hives or rashes when trying new skincare products so I am always very cautious about what I put on my skin. I am also pretty new to skincare in general, so I am still in the process of determining which products are the right ones for my skin. So, based on the purported benefits of Vitamin C in facial skincare products, I decided I would give this product a try. So I have now been using this product for a few weeks now and while I have not noticed any significant change in my skin, it does work well for cleansing and more importantly, the cleanser does not leave my skin feeling dry, itchy, and tight after washing. The cleanser has a light scent to it that is reminiscent of potpourri. The smell is mild and not bothersome. I do like the product and will continue to use it.

This cleanser works and doesn't cause me skin irritation. Get it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QZPBY58 #simplifiedskin #sponsored

Organic Oil Blend Moisturizer

I have really dry, sensitive skin so I am always on the lookout for moisturizing products that provide intense moisture while also not irritating my skin. I like to try out new products, as well, since I am still pretty new to skincare. I never used to bother with trying to properly care for my skin as no one taught me how to do it or why. So now that I have learned the reasons for and benefits of proper skin care (ie, using actual facial products for washing and moisturizing) I am still trying to find the right combination of products that works well for my skin. I have found that many products irritate my skin, others don't provide enough moisture, and some make my skin oily and cause breakouts. This product, even though it is actually made of oils, does not seem to leave my skin oily or cause any breakouts. It does, of course, feel oily as I am putting it on, but it is easily rubbed in and absorbed into my skin leaving behind soft, moisturized skin without oily residue. The only complaint I have is that the product has a very distinct "medical" smell to it. Almost like insulin.



This moisturizer has an odd, almost medical smell, but it is very moisturizing. Get it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B12KCGC

ASD Reading review

We received a free one-year premium membership to ASDReading.com to try it and review. As the name implies, ASDReading.com is a website designed to help children on the autism spectrum learn to read. It also teaches typing skills, which is a nice bonus. I thought this program would be great to try with Zach as he is still not reading, or at least I don't think he is. It's hard to tell sometimes with a non-verbal child. The lessons are broken down into little, bitesized games perfect for kids who have trouble focusing. Zach has a lot of trouble sitting down and focusing on things, especially during summer break as things get considerably more unstructured in the summer. That said, I did try, and have my sister try, to get Zach to sit down and play the games. He would sit for a while and watch, but he wouldn't interact and when we tried to encourage him to interact he would often get agitated and want to leave the room. We will continue to work with Zach using this program, and hopefully we will get more success as we progress and this becomes part of his routine. I think this would work great for most autistic kids once theyt grow accustomed to it being part of the routine. I think for Zach and other kids like him, this program would be best implemented in the more structured setting of a classroom and I will be mentioning it to the teachers at his school this year.



A great program for helping autistic children learn to read. Check it out at https://www.asdreading.com

For children not on the autism spectrum, ASDReading.com has a sister site called Reading Kingdom which uses a similar style of games to teach reading skills.

Morning Pep Pure Birch Xylitol

I'm a big fan of junk food, especially sweet things. Cakes, muffins, donuts, cookies, they're all delicious. But, I'm also very conscious about my dental health. I have never had a cavity and I plan to keep it that way! So, of course, I brush and floss my teeth every day but any additional little tricks that may help my teeth are always appreciated. I have for a long time now used a toothpaste that contains both fluoride and xylitol and it has worked great for me and my kids. I knew that xylitol was a natural sweetener that is good for your teeth, but I never realized you could buy bags of it to use in cooking and baking. So, I was really excited at the opportunity to test and review a free full-size sample of Morning Pep Pure Birch Xylitol. It looks pretty much identical to regular granulated sugar and tastes similar. Since my usual baking consists of making massive quantities of food I didn't have enough xylitol for one of my usual recipes, so I had to scale down a bit. First, I made a nice yellow cake. It was delicious, tasted just as good as a cake made with traditional sugar. I also made a small batch of muffins after which there wasn't enough xylitol to make another recipe. The muffins were chocolate chocolate chip muffins, and they were fantastic! And now that my xylitol stash is mostly depleted I will be ordering more.

If you would like to try Morning Pep Pure Birch Xylitol and make some delicious sweets that are healthier for your teeth, you can buy it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PUSODZ0. #morningpepxylitol

TriNova Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish

I received a free full size sample of this TriNova Stainless Steel Cleaner to try and review.
I don't have a lot of stainless steel in my home right now, as my appliances are mostly not stainless steel. I do, however, have a stainless steel washing machine and of course a stainless steel sink. I also have a few stainless steel pots and a tea kettle. I have noticed that often my sink, especially, seems to always look dingy no matter how often I clean it. So I figured I would give this polish a try, maybe it would make my stainless steel items look nicer. So I started with my sink right after washing the dishes to see how well this cleaner and polish would work. There was some residue on the sink from dishes, so I thought it would be a good first test for the product. The product worked pretty good for getting the sink clean, though I didn't bother putting enough elbow grease in to get it to shine because it's a sink. It doesn't need to shine. I also used the cleaner/polish to clean my stainless steel tea kettle after it got some grease splatter on it from cooking. It worked great at cutting through the grease on the kettle and left it nice and shiny as it was when it was new. It's a pretty effective product for cleaning and shining stainless steel. The only downside I found to it was that it has an odd smell, but it isn't too overpowering so I can live with it.

Before

After

Evening Primrose oil

I'm really not big into essential oils, mostly because of the fact that most essential oils sellers are scammers that happily lie to peddle their wares. Now, that said, I do recognize that there are some legitamate usese for essential oils, the most common being as an air freshener. This particular oil also touts istelf as helping with "Nourish, soften, smoth and radiant skin," treating eczema, psoriasis, acne, blackheads, dry skin, and nail infections, protecting and healing skin, curing cuts, burns, and rashes, anti-aging, and as a hair treatment. None of these claims are researched by independant sources however there is anecdotal evidence that the claims may be true, so take them with a grain of salt. I would not recommend putting the oil on any rashes cus or burns unless advised to do so by your physician. If you are going to use the oil on your skin it should be diluted into lotion or serum first to avoid causing irritation. It is also important to try using the product on a small patch of skin first to check for reactions. Personally ,I'm using this only for the air freshening properties. It has a nice smell, not as floral as I expected, but it is nice. You can purchase it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q3LRFJW.

100% Luxe Bamboo Sheet Set

I got this lovely, soft new bamboo sheet set from Linenly, an Australian company. I was surprised at how quickly the sheets arrived at my home in the US, considering how slow international shipping can sometimes be. Anyway, on to the important stuff!

So, upon receiving the sheets, I opened the package and took them out to inspect them. The fabric is really sturdy and strong, a nice high-quality product, but it's also soft and the sheets have a bit of weight, making them ideal for snuggling into. The sheets come in a nice variety of colors so everyone can find something for their own style. Some of the colors are slightly muted while others are bolder, which makes it easier to find a color that matches your bedroom decor.

Being made of bamboo, these sheets also tout antimicrobial features which helps prevent the sheets from developing bad odors.

Qualia Focus Nootropics

I received a free sample of Qualia Focus Nootropics to try and review. I had heard the term nootropics in the past, but never really looked into what it was, but after getting this to try I looked more into nootropics and according to Wikipedia nootropics are "drugs, supplements, and other substances that may improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals." Okay, sounds like a good idea, right? So the next step I took was contacting my doctor to have her check the ingredients to be sure none of them are contraindicated for me, personally as well as to see whether she had heard of any research into the efficacy of any of the ingredients. The answer was yes, there is some research into some of the ingredients, but not enough research yet. That said, I decided to give this a try after getting the all clear from my doctor since there is some anecdotal evidence that it is beneficial. The serving size is 5 tablets daily, but I chose to start with just one in case I experienced any side effects. After a couple days with no side effects I added another pill daily until I got to the recommended five daily. So after about a week of taking the recommended five pills a day, I did notice that I was having an easier time focusing on tasks, an issue I had previously been struggling with.



You can get it at http://bit.ly/QualiaInfluencers
Always speak with your physician before trying any supplements!

#neurohacker #neurohackercollective #neurohackersrevolution #neurohacking #qualia #nootropics #biohacking #biohackingsecrets #biohackingsuccess #focus #clarity #cognitive #cognitivescience #collectiveconsciousness #consciousculture #subconsciousmind #consciouscommunity #cosmicconsciousness #neurohackersrevolution #nootropicstack #smartdrugs #healthybrain #wellnesswarrior #holisticliving #cognitiveenhancement #mindenhancement #optimalwellness #sponsored http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HCTXLDM

RevivLash Lash & Brow Stimulating Serum

Everyone in my family has naturally thick and/or bushy eyebrows and long, thick eyelashes. Everyone, that is, except for me. Now, I am lucky to have the long and thick eyelashes that run in my family, but my eyebrows are thin and sparse. In fact, on of my eyebrows acutally has a missing patch and it has been like that for as long as I can remember. It has always bothered me to have such thin eyebrows because it looks weird. I'm not good with make-up so I can't use that to cheat myself to full eyebrows and microblading just isn't going to happen. So when I was given a chance to test this eyebrow and lash serum I though it was the perfect opportunity for me. Now, I did not use this product on my eyelashes because my eyelashes are already long and thick as I previously mentioned and also because I am incapable of putting anything on my eyelashes without stabbing myself in the eye in the process. So I have only been using this product on my eyebrows and only for about two weeks now. I must say that I have noticed increasing thickness/fullness of my eyebrows, and the missing patch has grown in some hair so it is considerably less noticeable now. This stuff has been working for me and it hasn't irritated my skin in any way, so I will continue to use it and hopefully I will end up with full, thick brows like the rest of my family.

This #revivlash lash and brow serum seems to have given me thicker eyebrows. #revivserums #sponsored https://revivserums.com/products/lash-brow-stimulating-serum

Maginon WLR-753 External WiFi Extender

I received this Maginon WLR-753 External WiFi Extender for free to test and review. We were looking around for a good quality wifi extender because, for some weird reason, out wifi fails to reach the back rooms in our house. I am not sure why the wifi will not reach, it's not beyond the maximum range of our router but there is no signal in the back anyway. I assume it has something to do with the thicker walls at the back of the house (those walls are all 1 foot thick and heavily insulated). So this wifi range extender is a perfect product for us to try out! When I got it I glanced at the instructions and plugged it in. Then I actually read the instructions, because otherwise I never would have figured out how to set it up. It is really easy to set up, you can do so wirelessly or through wired connections. The range extender can also serve as a wifi router if you are in need of one. It seems to work pretty well, we now have wifi at the back of the house.



A nice easy to set up wifi range extender. Get one at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GF8B7T7

Official Money Guide for Couples

I received a free copy of the book "Official Money Guide for Couples" to read and review. The first thing I noticed about this book is that it is more geared towards new couples, but the advice and activities in it are also good for couples who have been together for a while, especially if those couples haven't yet had the financial talk. The book has sections on a variety of important financial topics such as debt, credit, income, investing, home ownership, insurance, and identity theft protection. There are also some fun little activities at the end of the book to aid in your financial conversations with your significant other. The book is short--only 72 pages including the index--yet it still manages to be quite thorough. The information included is useful and well thought out. It is presented in an easy to understand and easy to use manner that makes financial discussions easier. Every couple should have this book and read it together.

A great book with simple activities to help couples figure out their finances together. Get it at http://www.moneysavvy.com/assembled/omgp.html #moneysavvy #omgforcouples