Handbags4Hunger

2017-06-04T01:50:00.000-05:00

Foundational Catechetical Certification

PRAYER & SPIRITUALITY

St. Raphael Parish, Instructor Tanya Hielke

BY: LISA STADTMUELLER

Introduction

Today I learned a new word, after reading an essay by our parish priest Fr. Edward Looney about his recent visit to the Pilgrimage of Mercy, in which the relics of St. Maria Goretti are traveling throughout the United States. That word is venerate. I am familiar with the word, but never have I looked up its definition. It seemed fitting to do so, since I am writing this essay about one form of Catholic spirituality and its founding saint, to complete the requirements of the Green Bay Diocese Prayer & Spirituality class.

So, I Googled it:

ven·er·ate

ˈvenəˌrāt/

verb

regard with great respect; revere.
"Mother Teresa is venerated as a saint"

synonyms:

revere, regard highly, reverence, worship, hallow, hold sacred, exalt, vaunt, adore, honor, respect, esteem More

revered, respected, esteemed, honored;

hallowed, holy, sacred

It bothered me that I didn’t have a firm grasp on what the word meant, this venerating business - particularly because my walk with the Catholic faith hasn’t always been a priority and I know I have some gaps to fill.

Indeed I say my walk with the Catholic faith because it truly has been a journey for me to be able to even use the word Catholic to describe my life, or to have a word like venerate in my vocabulary.

You see, back in my late teens, much to my mother's chagrin, I fell away from my faith and stayed away for many years. I had dutifully made all the proper Sacraments up through Confirmation, at which point I decided I had “graduated” and was now free to roam about the world, liberated from the shackles of my “don’t do that or you’ll go to hell” upbringing.

Looking back now, I realize that was my way of reconciling how my life ran pretty much contrary to everything it meant to be Catholic. I stopped attending Sunday mass for instance. Who had time for such things, busy college student that I was? My roommate from Long Island took me to visit New York City. I had arrived in the world. I had seen “The City” - in other words, I was too grown up for my old faith.

It was about that time I become a fan of Zen Buddhism. After reading some books I decided that the Catholic faith was a sham, based on emotion and fear. Whereas Zen would free me from my Catholic Guilt and liberate me. Or so the book said...

So for a time I actually told people that Zen Buddhism was “my religion” and never again did I mention the word “Catholic” -- unless it was to laugh about how silly I had been to be so afraid to live my life as I saw fit. No longer would I answer to a higher being; I would follow my own personal whims at any given moment. It was so freeing. I was so happy!

Or was I?

No matter how much I drank at those college parties, I always felt that true happiness was somehow eluding me. Oh I had fun all right, but the fun never lasted long. It was so annoying! And like a dog chasing its tail, round and round I went in an ever more frantic effort to feel joy.

Reality Sucks

Well as it turned out, all that spinning left me dizzy, depressed and desperate to find some lasting happiness. So at age 30, after moving across country to attend law school: New York to Ohio, and then on to California and ultra-hipness, I found myself moving to Weyauwega, Wisconsin of all places.

When people asked “How on earth did you end up moving from Southern California [spoiler alert!! where I attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles for the final year of my Juris Doctorate (law) degree] to Wisconsin!?” my old response was: “Now that’s a drinking story” which was shorthand for “It’s way too long and insanely stupid a story for me to simply admit to in a sober state, so if we ever get drunk together, remind me to enlighten you”.....

But nowadays my standard response is “I moved here for a job at a law firm [that shall remain nameless] and to get married”.....which is the exact truth, after my best guy friend and I made a pact in our 20s (before the movie My Best Friend’s Wedding by the way) that if we both found ourselves single at age 30, we would marry each other. Seriously I am not making that up. Makes you wish I was telling you this story in person right now, over cocktails, doesn’t it? Oh the stories I could tell.

So when our class was introduced to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, whom I learned started his young adulthood by studying law, my ears perked up. I even asked our instructor Tanya Hielke to repeat herself: “Wait - did you say before he became a saint he studied law?”

Now I could make a few lawyer jokes here that would probably be inappropriate….suffice it to say I was shocked to hear that it’s possible for any lawyer to become an actual saint….but I digress.

What did immediately strike me was the coincidence that the law school I attended was named in honor of a saint we were now studying. And trust me if I knew that was how my Alma mater got its name, I had long since forgotten or it wouldn't have even been on my radar screen.

I was a horrible human being. There I said it. While working in law firms, I became enmeshed in that corporate culture - and adopted the most loathsome moral compass you can possibly imagine. Nothing was sacred. Nothing was venerated. If anything, I was determined to venerate nothing and no one. We defended insurance companies to deny money to little old ladies who were injured. We sued good doctors for malpractice. We even came up against a very famous “Women's Rights attorney” (if you Google the phrase, her name is the top result) and won, all while I was still a law clerk (sort of like an apprentice before you pass the Bar). I even had a deposition in her swanky....oh but I digress. Humility is my new cloak, bragging was my old way.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

I really identify with Saint Ignatius. I love how he was described as a young aristocrat with a "love of martial exercises and a vainglorious desire for fame". Reminds me of me in my old days.

I learned how as a young man Ignatius fought in many battles without injury. But on May 20, 1521, after a cannonball wounded one of his legs and broke the other, he underwent several surgical operations, which must have been very painful in the days before anesthetics.

As Ignatius was forced to rethink his life after his injuries rendered him unable to continue, I can relate to how this led to his spiritual transformation. At age 28 I had a car accident on the 10 Freeway in right in the middle of downtown Los Angeles rush house. After taking law school exams all day then trying to drive home on an empty stomach, I rear-ended a pickup truck while driving about 40 mph and totaled my Chevy Cavalier and ended up with lingering injuries. Pain was (and is) my constant companion and I’ve filled many a Chiropractor’s bank accounts.

I lived my life on the edge for many years. I struggled with debilitating depression and a basic pessimistic outlook on life. I met a few devout friends along the way who could clearly recognize how my sinfulness and lack of faith was ruining my life. They encouraged me to go to church but I always found excuses to stay away.

Pursuit of Redemption

When I got to the point that I wanted to stop living and the only relief was to remind myself “someday I will be dead and this pain will be over,” I found my way back to prayer. I had no idea how to pray as an adult, since I never had. So I returned to my ways as a child, kneeling at the foot of my bed nightly, and with clasped hands and bowed head uttered the only prayer I remembered: “Our Father, who Art in Heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name....”

I even dug out the old Bible I’d received for my First Communion, that had somehow managed to survive decades of address changes. I observed how it listed various states of the human condition like depression, with references to corresponding Bible passages. I broke out my old highlighters from college and started reading.

And something miraculous happened. I found myself unable to continue my old life. I was compelled to cut off all my social activities and friends. Having lived in Oshkosh for over 6 years, with a “tavern on every corner” this was no small feat! I would unplug my phone for hours, even days at a time, screening my calls to avoid anyone who might lead me back to sin.

One of my “church-y” coworkers told me what I was experiencing was called “God’s grace.” And being “convicted”.... I was convicted all right, I felt so guilty I didn’t even think I was welcome to go show my face in church.

It wasn’t until my late 30's when my then Fiance Kurt insisted that we "get married in a church” that we joined a local Catholic parish and started attending Sunday mass. I remember the first time I walked in, only half jokingly wondering if a bolt of lightening was going to strike me dead before I made it to the pew, and thinking everyone could tell I didn’t belong there, terrified of doing the wrong thing, sitting when I should kneel, not remembering to genuflect, to basically fit in. Could they tell? I had to constantly remind myself to “breathe Lisa, breathe” and to stop stealing glances around me to study to expressions of others, to adopt their motions.

When I began this class on Prayer & Spirituality, I wrote the first day of class what I hoped to gain: the ability to “become more discerning” as to what God was telling me, to be able to distinguish from my own thoughts from the Holy Spirit.

So when I learned that Saint Ignatius specialized in this area, writing Rules for Discernment, I knew I had found my favorite saint/spirituality.

I realized that during my own transformation I adopted a bit of Saint Ignatius’s Ascetic lifestyle, with its abstinence from worldly pleasures and frugality: I decided the only way to dig myself out of the hole spiritually and financially (I had a mountain of student loan debt to pay off!) was to unplug from the world outside of work, and to not spend money unless it was absolutely necessary for survival. For years, everyone at work teased me about my daily “10 cent lunches” (a cheap burrito from a big multi-pack).

While I was slowly digging myself out of debt I realized the value in being Catholic. If I strayed, I felt wrong immediately and came back. The miracles that flow from simply following the Ten Commandments is awe-inspiring: the release of guilt, finding new friends and a happy life. I have truly been made new.

I’ll never forget taking a walk in the park one early spring day and suddenly feeling such joy and peace I’d never known. The colors seemed so much brighter - the grass, the flowers, the bright blue sky.

I found myself laughingly exclaiming to Kurt “what a wonderful planet you have here” because the at that moment to be so happy struck me like I was an alien visiting from outer space.

"What?” he said with a puzzled look.

I tried to explain how I’d never been so happy but I realized it was just a moment between me and God.

It is a constant struggle to not sin and live a faith filled life. But I rest secure in the knowledge that God is always with me.

I’m a person who needs to read instructions first, so I love the idea of step by step meditation in Spiritual Exercises, by Saint Ignatius of Loyola. I am drawn to the idea of guided contemplations to deepen my relationship with God. For now I think I’ll start with An Ignatian Prayer Adventure -- an online adapted version of the Spiritual Exercises. Who knows, maybe someday I might even pay a visit to the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh.

Stranger things have happened.

No really, they have. Remind me to tell you sometime about the angel who visited me on my lunch hour and set my life back on the right path. God truly is good. All the time.

And all the time --

God is good.

Making Christmas Cookies -- A Warning ;)

2017-06-03T23:34:00.001-05:00

A warning to those of you lucky enough to be presented at our home, at your home, or via the United States Postal Service, with a big ol' batch of our famous homemade Christmas cookies, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't freak out when you watch this video! I SWEAR we don't put treat your cookies this way...er - most of them anyways!

By the time we took this video most of the cookies were made, then I let the kids just GO NUTS and have fun with the remaining dough....as you can see they will be able to look back and say DAMN WE HAD A HAPPY CHILDHOOD!

Boom Mic Drop Mom has left the dining room...

Mom just lets them get a little nuts after all that hard work I make them do.....ENJOY!

The Fam

2017-06-03T23:14:00.001-05:00

These people are my life, my world, my heart. I would not be blessed if they weren't a part of my life. So happy to be able to just say THANK YOU for being in my life. I LOVE YOU GUYS!

The way I take every picture, as an accidental video I forgot to switch over to camera:

The Real Picture of My Family, My LOVES OF MY LIFE!!!

Michael Michael Kors Women's Amber Sandal | Make Mine White Gold

2017-06-02T13:30:00.000-05:00

the details

Turn up the heat this warm-weather season with the Amber sandal from Michael Michael Kors. The T-strap features a soft leather upper, an adjustable ankle strap, and a sky-high cork wedge heel and platform to flatter your every curve.

materials:	Leather upper Rubber sole
measurements:	Heel measures approximately 4 1/2" Platform measures approximately 1"
country of origin:	China
item number:	B002ZNKVBS

Michael Kors is recognized as one of America’s preeminent designers for luxury sportswear. His namesake company, established in 1981, currently produces a range of products through his Michael Kors Collection, KORS Michael Kors, MICHAEL Michael Kors labels, including women’s ready to wear, women’s accessories, and a full line of fragrance and beauty products for both women and men.

BlazeBand Reflective Ankle Bands (Pair) - High Visibility - BE SAFE, BE SEEN!

2017-06-01T23:08:00.000-05:00

Neon Yellow for Daytime

Did you know that every 8 minutes, a pedestrian is injured in a motor vehicle accident?
It's vital to increase your visibility to oncoming traffic.

BlazeBand Reflective Bands provide that extreme, bright white reflectivity that helps you and your loved ones remain visible even in low light conditions. Reflective Bands are superior to LED lights and require no batteries.

Reflective at Night

I received a free sample for my honest review, knowing exactly who I was going to use these for: Since we let our children ride around the campgrounds alone while we're camping, it's reassuring to know that while they're wearing these highly reflective leg bands, they can be easily seen by motorists from over 700 feet away.

And if my husband and I decide to go for a nighttime stroll, we can easily fit these as the elastic and Velcro allows different sized limbs (ankles, wrists, arms) from 7" up to 12" to easily fit. You can even join 2 together to double the size.

Adjustable to Fit All Sizes

And they are very soft and comfortable which is good for those of us with sensitivity issues. I can't stand to wear anything scratchy!

And since I started running again, these bands will be just the thing I need to stay extra safe even in low light situations. Now if I could just find a product that can get me motivated to run every day I'd be all set!

I rate these 5 stars.

Santa Fe Art Supply Artist Brush Set

2017-05-31T18:16:00.000-05:00

These artist brushes have been on my wish list for a long time. When I say a long time I mean not just years....I mean DECADES.

You see, I used to be an art major in college. But somewhere between creative design 101 and sketching 102 I got it in my head to switch majors (to Economics of all things!) and my dreams of learning how to paint fell by the wayside.

Then came adulthood and motherhood and all the joys and trials and tribulations that come with such things, and my dreams of painting were still there but on the back burner of my mind.

Well no more! When I saw this set of brushes I said it's time for me to get back to doing what I love.

So I am happy I was able to obtain this set in exchange for my unbiased review, because it has everything I needed to get back to painting.

Included in my order are 15 wooden brushes with:
Polished handles
12 inch length
Range in size from 000 to 12
All shapes: Round, flat, filbert, fan, wide.
I also received an extra free gift: an extra ergonomic short handle for fine touches.

I also love that they come with a black zipper case for storage and you can also use it as a stand for easy paintbrush access while painting.

I love these brushes! The fact that they are my first set since college makes them extra special but I especially love how sturdy they are - compared to the "kiddie" brushes I've used over the years doing crafts with the kids - these brushes don't shed hair in every creation.

Also the variety is fantastic - I can't imagine there is a size here you can't find.

And the cost is a great deal considering how much you can pay these days for just a few or even a single brush. Not to mention these come with a 100% lifetime guarantee. Big bonus.

My review: 5 stars all the way around!

You can get these now on Amazon HERE.

LA LUNE NATURALS LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL

2017-05-31T12:01:00.000-05:00

100% Pure Cold Pressed. !00% Heavenly.

I am happy to report that I have died and gone to heaven.

No really I'm in heaven.

Lemon heaven, that is.

After a few minutes around La Lune Naturals Lemon Essential Oil, I feel like I'm floating in the big lemon tree in the sky. This stuff is seriously awesome smelling.

It consists of Cold Pressed Lemon Oil (Citrus Limonum) from the rinds of fresh lemon, unfiltered and undiluted with no fillers, no alcohol or other additives. Like I said - heaven!

I love the amber glass bottle with glass dropper that comes with it. And this is no puny size - it's a big ol' honkin 4 oz size that is bigger than my hand. See my lovely hand photo? Like I said, this bottle is HUGE.

And if you're not familiar with the many uses of Lemon Essential Oil, you can download a free e-book HERE from La Lune Naturals.

Per La Lune Naturals:
Some of the many uses of lemon oil include:
- An air freshener or diffuser to remove unpleasant odors
- Instant mood lifter when diffused in the air
- Use in skin care and seasonal allergy recipes
- Improve complexion while leaving skin soft and supple.

La Lune Naturals lemon oil is highly concentrated and should be diluted with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, prior to use on the skin. Also dilute before using in sensitive areas such as the face, neck, etc.

One of my favorite uses is to add a couple of drops to my shampoo. It smells great to us humans AND as an added BIG bonus, citrus repels mosquitoes -- and with camping season upon us, you can bet this stuff is coming with me!

You can purchase your own bottle of heaven on Amazon HERE.
I did receive this product in exchange for my honest and unbiased feedback, regardless I only recommend products that worked for me and that I think will work for my readers.

Eco Defense All Natural Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

2017-05-28T16:50:00.000-05:00

Can you smell it? That's not the smell of harmful chemicals like DEET - instead you are smelling only Citronella, Eucalyptus, Lavender, and Mint Oils. So when I got the opportunity to receive Eco Defense's All Natural Mosquito Repellent Bracelets in exchange for a unbiased review I didn't hesitate.

We used to buy the curly bracelets that stretch around your wrists/ankles but they don't do a thing to fend of mosquitoes.You could literally wave the things right at them and it didn't deter them one bit. And I'm talking wearing one on every limb. Then we'd end up drenching ourselves with DEET sprays and wondering what new genetic diseases were forming in our bodies.

Not a problem anymore! We used them today in the woods (geocaching) and we're talking heavy mosquito presence and not a single bite. They took one whiff of us and were on their merry way.

And I love the fact that these bracelets are made with 100% natural oils - Citronella, Eucalyptus, Lavender, and Mint. They don't smell as strong as citronella candles, just a pleasant whiff of fresh minty citrus.

You get 5 bracelets per pack and for the small amount - currently $11.99 with free shipping on Amazon - it's a no brainer to pick these up before you head outside this summer.

And they're completely adjustable to any sized wrist. Or to minimize any chance of skin irritation, especially in children under the age of 3, you can snap them onto a belt loop, or even a stroller or bedpost. And they are made with a very soft velvety material that doesn't scratch your wrist.

No more holding your breath while you spray chemicals all over your skin. These are just what I've been looking for to take camping with us this summer. Perfect!

I give Eco Defense All Natural Mosquito Repellent Bracelets 5 stars.

Camping in National Forest Was a Blast!

2017-05-10T14:14:00.000-05:00

WOW we went camping and I came back ready for more!~

Just checking in with everyone to say HI and my reviews are coming soon....stay tuned!

Review: The Wind Leverager Delta Kite

2017-05-04T14:22:00.000-05:00

The Wind Leverager - BIG KITE!

The Wind Leverager is a beautiful delta kite.

For those of you unfamiliar with aviation (like me!), a delta kite takes it's name from delta wing aircraft, with wings in the form of a triangle, named for its similarity in shape to the Greek uppercase letter delta (Δ).

I really love this kite! First of all, this kite is HUGE with its size of 180 x 90cm‏ (about 6 feet by 3 feet!) not including the tail, which makes it even bigger. That is one big kite!

All the kites we've owned up to this point were made of cheap polyester or plastic. Not this baby! It's made from strong nylon. The frame is made of resin rod which is stronger than fiberglass and also the most durable material for kite frames. It allows the kite to bend and crash, but not break.

Nothing flimsy here!

It was very easy to assemble: my 11-year old had no trouble putting it together all by himself. It comes with it's own kite bag with handle so that you take the kite apart to make it easy to carry wherever you go. Also included is a nice kite handle with a long and strong line string so that you can have everything you need to have a fantastic kite flying experience.

What's so great about flying a kite, you ask? Besides the obvious benefit of getting us up off our you-know-whats and away from all the annoying screen time, flying a kite also improves your concentration, increases your relaxation, improves your mood, and reduces tension from everyday life.

And it's perfect for flying at the beach or the park. Who among us wouldn't love being on the beach or a park on a windy day?
It is made to fly on winds of 5-20 mph and is perfect for kids (including us grown kids!) ages 6 and up.

I also love that this kite comes with a 100% lifetime money back guarantee. I expect with this quality it will last us for a very long time but it's nice to know you aren't risking much by buying it.

Right now The Wind Leverager is available on Amazon for a great price. It normally sells for over $40, but is currently on sale for $19.99.

I received this beautiful kite in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Who Do You Want to Take Custody of Your children?

2017-04-09T21:24:00.000-05:00

Who do YOU want to take custody of your children should you die unexpectedly? Do you have a Will naming guardians or do you trust "the state" to decide? Do you really want to leave this important decision to strangers?

According to the folks at USLegalWills.com, the vast majority of people do not have key estate planning documents in place. But every adult needs to have a Will, Power of Attorney (also known as a Power of Attorney for Finances) and Living Will (also known as a Power of Attorney for Health Care). If you die without a Will, your loved ones will be left guessing. So why do so many put off this task?

Maybe you figure your spouse will outlive you and that they can pick a guardian. The problem is, what if your spouse dies with you in a common accident or is incapacitated?

Or, maybe you assume those you care about will inherit your estate. But did you know that you need a Will to:

Name the person to take care of your affairs after you are gone?
Name guardians for your children?
Set up trusts for your children after your death?

It is especially important for parents of minor children to prepare their Will. Who do you want to take custody of your children should you die before they are adults? And would you really want little Johnny or Susie to get their hands on 100% of their inheritance when they are only 18 years old? If you die without a will, they get the whole ball of wax on their 18th birthday. And faster than you can say "BANKRUPTCY" comes trips to Cancun, fancy sports cars and fast living -- if they don't have the benefit of maturity that can only come after living on their own for a while, say at least age 21, 25 or even 30. With a Will, YOU control how much of their inheritance is distributed to them and when.

Or what if you have a Will, but there is a divorce in the family and you need to revise your potential guardians? Do you really want someone who's no longer part of the family raising your kids? Don't get your Will revised and that's exactly what can happen.

That was the case in my life recently so imagine my relief when I discovered USLegalWills (BBB Rating: A+) has created a service that allows anybody to prepare their Will, Power of Attorney and Living Will from the comfort of their own home, online.

You step through a series of online questions and the service guides you through the process. If you have minor children, you will be prompted to name guardians and set up trusts. If you think 18 is too young to inherit (and I think it is!) set the age to 25, 30 or even age 35. Or do as we did and break down the inheritance into 3 separate chunks over 12 years at ages 21, 25 and 30.

Once you have answered all of the questions, you download and print your Will which must then be signed in the presence of two adult witnesses (and remember in most jurisdictions, a witness cannot be a beneficiary of the Will or the spouse of a beneficiary) to make it a completely legally binding document. No lawyer required.

USLegalWills prices (including taxes) at the time of this post are as follows:

Last Will and Testament: $34.95 USD
Power of Attorney: $24.95 USD
Living Will (Power of Attorney for Health Care): $14.95 USD AND
A 40% discount off the above prices for your Spouse or Partner.

Of course you can have always have a lawyer review the documents before signing them for peace of mind. USLegalWills even offers lawyers for this service for an extra $69 USD. But I felt no reason to consult one, considering this was replacing my last Will and found this one hit all the right points, and actually was BETTER (more thorough) that my previous Will (done by an actual lawyer!). So trust me when I say the services offered by USLegalWills are extremely reliable. And it took me only 30 minutes.

What a relief to be able to complete all my estate planning documents right in my own home. Affordable AND convenient? Sign me up! And if you sign up through this link HERE you'll receive 15% off.

I give USLegalWills 5 stars!

I wrote this post while participating in a campaign and received a gift and or payment to thank me for my time. All views and opinions with regard to the products or company itself are my own and were not influenced nor reviewed by the company prior to posting.

USLegalWills.com - Write a will, power of attorney or living will (Click here to get 15% off)

Fashion Blog, Style, Image Consultant, Personal Shoppering, Fashion Expert, Shopping Expert Toronto: Shopping for a cause

2017-04-01T20:55:00.000-05:00

Fashion Blog, Style, Image Consultant, Personal Shoppering, Fashion Expert, Shopping Expert Toronto: Shopping for a cause

Handbags4Hunger received an awesome review from Practical Fashionista. Really nice to others respond favorably to our mission of donating a portion of our proceeds to charity. Thanks for taking the time to say such nice things about us!

Evergreen Nature Probiotic Advantage Capsules

2017-03-01T23:32:00.000-06:00

Probiotics are good bacteria that play an in our digestive and immune systems. They help with a range of things including producing enzymes that break down the food we eat, regulate vitamins intake and convert sugars to the essential nutrients our bodies need.

When I was offered a sample of these capsules in exchange for my unbiased review, I jumped at the chance. I started taking Evergreen Nature Probiotic capsules - one capsule per day - for a few health conditions that plague me. I have depression and since starting these a few weeks ago, they seem to help improve my mood. And anything that helps me well how shall I put it delicately - "stay regular" ie improves digestive health is a BIG PLUS!

I don't like to take laxatives so these make sure I never need them. I also like the idea of how they are supposed to balance intestinal flora, especially after a particularly bad bout of IBS I had recently. If you have tummy trouble like stomach pain, gas, bloating, swelling, etc, you should really give these a try. These are definitely coming with me camping to keep my "routine" with my digestive system.

I have felt so energetic since starting these daily, I have also started running again!

And the fact that they are vegetarian and Made in the USA is very reassuring.
Feel better, have more energy, keep regular - what's not to love?

I rate these 5 stars all the way around!

Soap.Club Natural Organic Handmade Artisan Soaps Delivered FREE To Your Door Monthly

2015-07-16T21:16:00.001-05:00

Soap.Club is a membership site that delivers 100% natural handcrafted soap to your door every
month. Or you can purchase their soap bars individually.

Each handcrafted soap is made from 100% natural plant oils, butters and colors such as Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Soybean Oil, Hemp Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Water, Essential Oils/Fragrances.

If you appreciate the quality and indulgence of artisan soaps, Soap.Club may be your new favorite.

They are a small, family-run business, and craft soaps in small batches, hand-cutting each bar for freshness on the day of shipment.

And they have OVER 70 different varieties of natural soap to choose from!

Soap.Club's Top 10 women's soaps are:

Lavender Lull

Plumeria Island Escape

Kona Coffee Kick

Dead Sea Mud

Wild Rose

Tropical Burst

Summer Citrus Fruit

Sandalwood Rose

Goat’s Milk Citrus Twist

Fresh Aloe Vera

And you men shouldn't feel left out either! They have plenty of varieties that men love too.

Top 10 men's soaps:

Sandalwood Soother

Kona Coffee Kick

Surf’s Up

Spearmint Basil Spice

Sea Breeze

Peary Perfect

Island Drift

Bay Rum Spice Pirate’s Paradise

Black Forest Timber Coppice

Almond & Spice – Fall Is In The Air

Summer Citrus Fruit

I chose the Summer Citrus Fruit Natural Soap: "Light, summery and refreshing, our Citrus Fruit artisan soap combines the zesty fragrances of lemons, limes and oranges with rich, creamy natural butters for an indulgently invigorating bathing experience."

I have to say I have bought what I thought were similar soaps from big name brands that don't smell half as good this. The lather is perfect and the best part is the way my skin smells after I rinse the soap off. It smells clean but not in a fake chemical clean way, it's more of a natural clean smell. I love it!

The secret is Soap.Club's old-fashioned cold process soap making. Every product is made by hand, starting from stirring the recipe, cutting the bars and even packaging each individual item.

Of all 73 varieties of soap they offer, their top rated scent is Lavender Lull Natural Soap.

Size: 3″x 3″x 1″

Individually Boxed: Net Weight 5.3oz

Made in the USA

Each bar comes with their "Risk Free Soap Lover's Guarantee." If you have an issue Soap.Club will replace the first bar of soap with a new scent or refund your money.

FREE SAMPLE!

Get Your Free Soap:

For the price of shipping, you can

Receive A Free Bar Of Soap:

1. Shop for your favorite scent

2. Add coupon at checkout

COUPON CODE: tryb4ubuy

I received this product for my fair and unbiased review.

Review: Rooted and Four Other Disturbing Stories

2015-07-05T16:42:00.000-05:00

I'm always looking for scary books to bring on our family camping trips, so naturally I was drawn to Rooted and Four Other Disturbing Stories. Author Shane Hall was sure able to pack a lot of vivid details and good character development into 30 pages.

Rooted consists of 5 stories. Each story is short -- no more than a few pages, but the writing is so concise it has all the elements of a good spine tingling read: suspense, fantasy, horror, science fiction. Hall's writing has a distinct Stephen King flavor to it: creepy and very vivid.

Once I started reading the stories I was unable to stop. The suspense builds in a creepy way: like seeing a car accident on the side of the road and not being able to look away, even though you know it's going to be awful, and stay with you for a long time.

But unlike bad car accidents, Rooted's stories do not have predictable, gory outcomes. Each plotline is very original and kept me guessing to the end.

My favorite of the bunch has to be John Adams Two, which features the legend of the doppelgänger, and is mild enough to read to my tweens on our next camping trip to the deep dark woods. Or maybe it's Rooted, which just so happens to feature haunted woods. Then again, there's my fear of fish being piqued in A Friend in the Depths. . . BUT even better might be Vivian's Videos, and the "concealed store--down a tunnel of black trees and far from any main road" . . .

I highly recommend Rooted and Four Other Disturbing Stories by Shane Hall. Note: some stories contain language and violence that may be not be appropriate for younger children.

**I received this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review, which I have just provided.**

My rating: 5 stars!

Tayère Therapeutics Knee Support Sleeves: Review

2015-06-08T18:22:00.001-05:00

MAGIC ROCK

SEMI-PRECIOUS. PAIN RELIEF?

WORTH IT'S WEIGHT IN GOLD.

Today I will review a knee wrap by Tayère Therapeutics made from fibers impregnated with Far Infrared [FIR] emitting ceramic nanoparticles, that are then woven into fabric to generate FIR radiation, and the health benefits from its effects.

OK WHAT!? In English please?! A knee wrap made from NANO what?

Let me back up.

FIBERS INFUSED WITH TOURMALINE

The objective of this product, in short: PAIN RELIEF and healing.

Next, how do these sleeves (sold in pairs) work?
First, they provide support via compression. Not a ton, just enough that you can retain your full range of motion but it feels "tighter" in your knees.

But the real genius in these follows.

Now don't get scared, I'm just going to explain some relevant science facts now. Specifically Quantum physics and Thermodynamics.

WAIT! COME BACK! I promise this will be quick and easy:

These sleeves are made from fabric containing microscopic particles (that you cannot feel; there are no sharp edges anywhere) of "Black Tourmaline," a naturally occurring semi-precious crystal. Before the Tourmaline is infused into the fiber it is crushed into powder.

With me so far? OK stay with me now:

MAGNIFIED 40X

What these particles in the fabric do is produce a weak electrical charge, which is what enables it to produce and emit Far Infrared Rays and Negative Ions.

WAIT! COME BACK! I promise it's not as bad as it sounds:

MAGNIFIED 100X

Far infrared (FIR) radiation is simply electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than those of visible light. Meaning not visible to the naked eye. With me so far? Think microwaves: you can't SEE how the oven works, but it cooks your food yes? Same idea.

The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Heat is transferred from one body to another in the form of radiation. So energy from the human body is transferred to these tourmaline particles, which acting as “perfect absorbers”, maintain their temperature at sufficiently high levels, and then emit FIR back to the body. FIR emitted from the skin is absorbed by the particles, which then re-emit the same FIR back to the skin. Dosey doe and around we go!

And why would we want FIR exposed to our bodies? Glad you asked!

Since the sleeves react with your own body temperature to safely elevate the knee temperature without making you feel hot, they are ideal for many medical conditions and injuries that require healing.

HELLO COMPRESSION. GOODBYE PAIN.

FIR promotes the repair of tissues and the regeneration of cells, aiding in the reduction of inflammation and pain.

I like that you get two support sleeves in one order, which is great if you want to use it for both knees or to have an extra one.

I like that they give good support to the knee without being too tight, and you can wear them under jeans.

I also like the fact that they stretch so well. I had gotten these for some knee pain I have been having while using stairs, but also for my husband who needs them for work. Surprisingly even though they only come in one size, they stretched well enough for his leg and knee.

Only downside: they tend to slide down my legs if I do any hard walking in them, but who knows maybe that's because my husband stretched them out. Tayère Therapeutics recommends that you do not machine wash or tumble dry, as this will reduce the therapeutic effect the product has, causing the tourmaline fabric to become inactive. Instead, they suggest hand washing with soap in warm water, and then hang drying.

Keep in mind, however, if you're not purchasing the product for its therapeutic characteristic, machine wash is fine, and tumble drying can also be used to shrink the knee sleeve down if it becomes stretched out after extensive use.

I give Tayère Therapeutics Knee Support Sleeves 4-1/2 Stars!
I received this item for my fair and unbiased review.

THE FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS
STATES THAT ENERGY CAN NEITHER BE CREATED NOR DESTROYED.

--Albert Einstein

Marisa's Way

2015-06-02T14:26:00.002-05:00

Marisa's Way

As a mother of 2 kids who will soon be learning how to drive - I really hope all states find ways to install these alerts for "Wrong Way" drivers - before anyone else is killed....sadly these types of crashes are all too common as we hear of them on the news all the time.

I feel so sad for the dad of this beautiful girl and her friend who died in such a crash - killed by a "Wrong Way" driver - and hope everyone donates to such a worthy cause. Blink-Link LED Wrong Way signs and detection devices are worth every penny.


	Marisa's Way
	@Maria's Way
www.marisasway.org

Fundraiser Details:

In the very early morning of Sunday, November 17th, 2013, a terrible tragedy took the lives of two very beautiful young ladies. Marisa Catronio and Kaitlyn Ferrante were best of friends, and in an instant, they were killed by a "Wrong Way" driver on a Florida Expressway. This tragedy should have never happened. Two young ladies with lives about to unfold are lost. Their parents, family and friends are devastated.

We will seek to have a bill introduced through the Florida Legislature that will focus on creating more entrance ramp awareness, along with physical devices to alert wrong way drivers.

Your donation will go to work instantly to help save lives, by allowing us to create greater awareness programs, and provide them to communities throughout Florida and the rest of the country. We will also be providing scholarships to local student volunteers. — these programs are not possible without your help and support. Together, we can make the world safer.

26oz FlavFusion Infuser Water Bottle Review

2015-05-25T20:47:00.002-05:00

Disclosure: I received a free Fruit Infuser Water Bottle in order to facilitate this review.
We are big "no soda" drinkers in our family...

The only time we allow soda in our house is for special parties or when we go camping. It makes it special and I just can't get past the idea of how much sugar is in soda.

Of course that doesn't mean that my kids are NOT constantly begging me to buy soda. Far from it.

For a while as a compromise I was buying colorless "fizzy water" -- but it makes me nervous that it has artificial ingredients including sugar substitutes.

I also have tried powdered drink mixes that are sugar free but they usually contain a ton of fake coloring, and if not they still contain artificial sugar.

But once the kids have tasted soda it's pretty hard to say "drink your milk/water, or apple/orange juice!" exclusively.

Enter the FlavFusion Infuser Water Bottle to the rescue. Now after trying soda with the strong flavor it packs I thought no WAY would the kids (or I for that matter!) go for this - plain water with fruit inside a little basket? What? Sounds like it would be watery tasting and boring right?

Wrong.

I was amazed to see my son carrying the bottle filled with frozen blueberries. As he raised the bottle to his lips, I prepared myself for the inevitable rejection with that long face: "here mom, you can finish this"....

Disclosure: I received a free Fruit Infuser Water Bottle in order to facilitate this review.

Instead he took a sip and said "it's good!"

I was sure he must have added something fake to the water because I noticed it had taken on a lovely purple color.

"Nope!" he says it's just the blueberries. Sure he was fooling me I said "hand it over". . .

And voila, with one sip I was sold. This stuff is good! I mean you can't really beat Mother Nature when it comes to something tasting "REAL" right? As in "real blueberry flavor" with NO weird aftertaste, or cringing tooth rotting sweetness. Or glowing lips and tongue from the fake neon dyes.

I'm just so glad we found this bottles before the dog days of summer because we will be using them so much I'm already ordering enough for all of us.

The FlavFusion Infuser Watter Bottle holds 26 oz. The plastic is BPA/lead free and made of PET plastic, so you don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals. It is even made in the USA.

And I'm all in favor of anything that encourages my family to drink more water. And the money we'll save no longer buying all the fake drinks will more than offset the cost of a frozen bag of fruit.

And I like that the bottle is lightweight with a big loop at the top making it easy to carry when we go camping. And the flip top makes it easy to take a sip without having to unscrew anything. Nice wide mouth opening for ice cubes too.

You can buy the FlavFusion Infuser Water Bottle on Amazon.

Thank you for visiting!

#InfuserWaterBottle

Review: FurBuddy Pet Grooming Brush Kit #FurBuddyPetBrushKit

2015-05-19T23:14:00.001-05:00

Today I am reviewing the FurBuddy Pet Grooming Brush Kit, which which I received in exchange for my unbiased review. It is is an all in one grooming kit for both cat and dogs.

The kit comes complete with:

a Slicker Brush,
Pin & Bristle Brush, and
an Undercoat Rake/Dematting Tool

My cats, Boots and Buttercup became my guinea pigs. Boots is a biter at times and really does not brushing. So I couldn't get very far testing the kit on him. Quitting while I was ahead, I moved onto Buttercup. Now she loves this grooming kit! I have been using it for a few weeks and her fur looks healthy and shiny. I picked the perfect time of year now that spring is finally here and she's shedding like crazy.

I used the kit the in recommended order as follows:

First THE RAKE to easily remove mats and knots without damaging the coat length. It is great for shaping, finishing, thinning and de-shedding.
Next use THE SLICKER BRUSH to remove all of the tangles, dead hair and make the coat fluffy. It's self cleaning action extends the brush life and makes clean up a breeze.
Finally, finish up with THE BRISTLE PIN BRUSH to help remove loose hair then use the bristles side to redistribute the natural oils for a healthier shiny coat.

The FurBuddy Pet Brush Kit comes with a 100% "no hassle, money back or replacement guarantee."

Final note: I tried another very popular deshedding tool available (rhymes with terminator) on Amazon that I found to be too sharp. Buttercup cried the whole time I used it on her and it literally pulled and CUT her hair, way too sharp. Her hair was short and uneven and it took forever to grow back.

The FurBuddy kit does NOT cut the hair, it's got all the tools for every step, what's not to love? This set includes anything you could possible need to groom your pet. It currently is on sale at Amazon for $39.77 with free shipping.

Save 50% on the FurBuddy Pet Grooming Brush Kit:

Place an order for the product on Amazon HERE.
At checkout use promo code: JQCRFPNN

Enjoy!

3-in-1 Interchangeable Derma Roller Kit Review #Puruskin

2015-05-17T19:22:00.001-05:00

Today I am reviewing the 3-in-1 Interchangeable Derma Roller Kit, from Puruskin a US-based company.

Needles being pushed into my face? Yes you heard me. I was sufficiently insane to give this a go. You know the old saying, no pain no gain!

The idea of derma rolling is new to me. I agreed to test this product in exchange for my unbiased review.

According to the product directions, I can enjoy:

Saving time and Money instead of having to pay $100s for professional treatments
Reduction in acne scars, wrinkles and fine lines along with dark spot reduction.

The advantages of derma rolling include:

Gentle shedding of undesirable skin cells
Stimulation of blood stream to the surface
Deep cleans pores
Stimulates collagen re-development

A derma roller is an item that uses small needles to infiltrate the hard epidermal layer of the skin. In doing as such, several channels just underneath the skin's surface are opened up.

This derma roller consists of titanium needles, said to be ideal for derma rolling, with three different interchangeable heads:

1.5mm (1200 needles) for bigger regions like the thighs
1.0mm (600 needles) for littler regions like the face
0.5mm (180 needles) for minor regions like under the eyes

Following a 2-week period I have seen some positive changes in my skin, especially my face. There is some helping of dark spots and scars. I can likewise say that my skin has softened.

I have been lucky after 2 kids to not have any stretch marks so can't speak to that. As for scars, I do have a C-section scar but I'm NOT posting pictures of that! LOL

Overall, I'd say the improvements to my skin so far are slight to extremely slight but I wasn't expecting anything dramatic after 2 weeks.

Hints to achieve better results:

Stick to schedule: for example 2 times a week.
Moisturize: use a serum to really saturate the skin such as Argan Oil.
Keep roller heads sterilized: It is crucial that you clean these roller heads and store them appropriately after every use. These needles are penetrating your skin and should not be shared.

To maximize results Puruskin recommends following the rolling process with Argan Oil. My Derma Roller came with a coupon for 25% off their new Triple Extra Virgin Argan Oil, currently available on Amazon for $16.97. The 3-in-1 Interchangeable Derma Roller Kit is on Amazon for $26.97.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on those links to make your purchases, I receive compensation at no extra cost to you. I love it when you do that. ;) So thank you!

Moody Bee Beeswax Lip Balm Giveaway! ‪#‎moodybeelipbalm

2015-05-11T21:15:00.001-05:00

Today I have a real treat for you. I am doing a giveaway of Moody Bee Beeswax Lip Balm. To enter, see the end of this post.

Made by a husband and wife team in British Columbia, this is the smoothest lip balm you will ever try!

Handmade by a Canadian beekeepers Randy & Krista Moody, in British Columbia, Moody Bee is 99% natural, so soft and smooth, and 100% edible! Once you try it you will be hooked.

Krista The Lip Balm Maker

While Randy focuses on honey production, Krista keeps busy making her famous beeswax lip balm. To purchase Moody Bee Beeswax lip balm visit their online store at www.moodybee.com. Or enter below to be one of 3 lucky winners to receive one for free!

I received a free sample of this beeswax lip balm in exchange for my unbiased review. I have been searching for a lip balm that doesn't make my lips feel sticky or taste weird. It's a beeswax-based vanilla and peppermint finish. The peppermint is not overwhelmingly strong, it's just a mild after flavor. The vanilla isn't sweet or gross like some lip balms. It's just super moist and very mild, no annoying aftertaste. The flavors are blended just right so the lip balm smells and tastes so subtly delicious.

You will love Moody Bees Beeswax Lip Balm! Enter giveaway below:

Azure Naturals Ultimate Retinol Anti Wrinkle Serum

2015-05-07T15:27:00.000-05:00

Today I am reviewing Azure Naturals Ultimate Retinol Anti Wrinkle Serum, which I received in exchange for my unbiased review.

I have to say having been a sun worshipper in my early years, and living a good part of my 20's in Southern California, this serum had it's work cut out for it. I already have significant "laugh lines" around my eyes and while I didn't see any dramatic reduction after 2 weeks, they do seem to be a little less noticeable.

Since I have no plans to stop laughing anytime soon I don't expect them to go away completely -- but if I can slow them I'll take it! Plus the fact that this serum is allowed to be around the eyes and even by people with sensitive skin (myself included) is an added benefit.

I like the fact that this serum has a 100% money back guarantee, including shipping, no matter where you buy the product. That isn't something you see everyday.

Another benefit: it's made in the USA with Ingredients that are: 97% Natural, 72% Organic, with no alcohol, parabens, or GMO's, and is plant based, cruelty free/never tested on animals.

Ingredients
Organic Herbal Infusion, Organic Aloe, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, Witch Hazel, Pentylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Carrageenan Gum, Organic Jojoba Oil, Triticum Vulgare, Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate), Organic Green Tea, Wildcrafted Resina Propoli, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin.

It's important to follow directions on these types of products. Since Azure Naturals Retinol Serum is recommended for use in the evening, you should limit use of any glycolic acid products (such as alpha-hydroxy acids) to the morning, NOT at the same time. Otherwise you run the risk of redness or irritation.

Also you should follow the application with a good layer of facial moisturizer on top of the serum.

I give Azure Naturals Ultimate Retinol Anti Wrinkle Serum my highest rating: 5 Stars.

Contest Giveaway! Frogglez Swimming Goggles for Kids - Autism Friendly

2015-04-24T23:24:00.001-05:00

Today I am reviewing a pair of Frogglez Goggles we were given in exchange for an unbiased review.

To win your own pair, enter the giveaway at the end of this post.

They are known as "The Worlds most comfortable swim goggles for kids!" and one try and it's easy to see why.

My daughter is autistic with accompanying sensory issues. She has had problems with traditional goggles pulling her hair or being too tight. Also she has fine motor skill issues and traditional goggles were just impossible for her to adjust herself, which always left the job to me, while she fussed that they were "too tight" then "too loose" then "pulls my hair" or "hurts my face" etc.

No longer is that a problem with Frogglez - the T strap is so easy it just flops right on her head and the smooth neoprene fabric doesn't pull her hair. Even better is the straps are adjustable with simple Velcro fasteners (instead of those horribly awkward plastic slats) so you can get just the right amount of tension but not too much so that it leaves red rings around her eyes - like the old goggles used to do.

Here she is featuring them and from her giggles and smiles you can see they are a BIG hit!

Oh and did I mention that Frogglez Goggles FLOAT? Yes no more losing your goggles if they fall off underwater at the beach. These can't sink! Love that.

I give Frogglez Goggles a FIVE star rating all around!

ENTER TO WIN your VERY OWN PAIR OF FROGGLEZ GOGGLES HERE!

Giveaways Coming Soon!

2015-04-17T12:08:00.001-05:00

Thank you to all my current subscribers and new likes - I am going to start some kind of giveaway soon. If you love free...
Posted by Lisa Paonessa Stadtmueller on Friday, April 17, 2015

Road Trip! Foo Fighters Playing Nearby For Record Store Day « WXRT

2015-04-15T19:45:00.001-05:00

Who's up for a road trip?

Road Trip! Foo Fighters Playing Nearby For Record Store Day « WXRT

Handbags4Hunger

Introduction

Reality Sucks

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Pursuit of Redemption

God is good.

Making Christmas Cookies -- A Warning ;)

The Fam

These people are my life, my world, my heart. I would not be blessed if they weren't a part of my life. So happy to be able to just say THANK YOU for being in my life. I LOVE YOU GUYS!

The way I take every picture, as an accidental video I forgot to switch over to camera:

The Real Picture of My Family, My LOVES OF MY LIFE!!!

Michael Michael Kors Women's Amber Sandal | Make Mine White Gold

the details

BlazeBand Reflective Ankle Bands (Pair) - High Visibility - BE SAFE, BE SEEN!

Santa Fe Art Supply Artist Brush Set

LA LUNE NATURALS LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL

Eco Defense All Natural Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

Camping in National Forest Was a Blast!

Review: The Wind Leverager Delta Kite

Who Do You Want to Take Custody of Your children?

Who do YOU want to take custody of your children should you die unexpectedly? Do you have a Will naming guardians or do you trust "the state" to decide? Do you really want to leave this important decision to strangers?

Fashion Blog, Style, Image Consultant, Personal Shoppering, Fashion Expert, Shopping Expert Toronto: Shopping for a cause

Evergreen Nature Probiotic Advantage Capsules

Soap.Club Natural Organic Handmade Artisan Soaps Delivered FREE To Your Door Monthly

Review: Rooted and Four Other Disturbing Stories

Tayère Therapeutics Knee Support Sleeves: Review

MAGIC ROCK

SEMI-PRECIOUS. PAIN RELIEF? WORTH IT'S WEIGHT IN GOLD.

Marisa's Way

26oz FlavFusion Infuser Water Bottle Review

Review: FurBuddy Pet Grooming Brush Kit #FurBuddyPetBrushKit

3-in-1 Interchangeable Derma Roller Kit Review #Puruskin

Moody Bee Beeswax Lip Balm Giveaway! ‪#‎moodybeelipbalm

Azure Naturals Ultimate Retinol Anti Wrinkle Serum

Contest Giveaway! Frogglez Swimming Goggles for Kids - Autism Friendly

Giveaways Coming Soon!

Road Trip! Foo Fighters Playing Nearby For Record Store Day « WXRT

SEMI-PRECIOUS. PAIN RELIEF?

WORTH IT'S WEIGHT IN GOLD.