Pentel Pens via Shoplet.com review

Everyone uses pens. Everyday we have to write things. Letters, lists, love notes... Or perhaps if you are creative you might write stories, books, and poems. I love to write. Almost as much as I love reading. But not every pen is created equal. I like trying out different pens to see what feels best in my fingertips as I write. I find I prefer to have a smooth ink as it makes your writing look of a higher quality. Gel ink rolls out with the stroke of your letters. It also has a tendency to keep the pen from getting caught on the paper and potentially tearing a hole in it. Pentel sent me a few of their pens and a mechanical pencil to test out for a review. You can find these and other office supply products at Shoplet.com. Shoplet.com offers many office supplies to satisfy your needs.

I received the Pentel EnerGel X Roller Ball Retractable Gel Pens in several colors as well as the EnerGize X Mechanical Pencil. They are sleek with each one having a clip (nerds like these for pockets!). They have grips for your fingertips to grab on as your hands translate what you brain submits. Besides the normal black and blue ink pens they also have the neon colored pink, neon orange, red, light blue, green and purple. Each of the colors matches the ink inside. This is helpful when you go to grab a pen but need a specific color. The bright colors are wonderful for creative writing. I like to write letters but a boring paper with black or regular blue ink on it is just that sometimes. Red is a color I use for adjustments, grading and editing.

I like that each of these gel pens comes with an easy to remove seal on the end. This way the ink doesn't get shaken out or leak before you use it. I also like the vividness of the colors and how smooth the ink flows. Call me a dreamer but my ink glides! I prefer retractable pens to pens with lids. When I'm in a hurry, I like to "close" up my pen before running off. It's a bit of an OCD tick of mine. It's like leaving something partially undone.
While I like the grips on the pens, these seem to be a little thin on the grip-able side. They are too smooth. This can be a problem for someone like me who writes a long amount of time per sitting and sometimes my hands get a little clammy or sweaty... With weak grips my hands might slide forcing me into a break I'm not wanting to take.

Compared to other pens I've used in the past, these are really nice overall.

Some other perks to these pens would be that the grips are latex-free. So if you have an allergy to latex, you can still still enjoy the non-slip pens. These pens are refillable. Pentel refill packs are also sold on Shoplet.com. They are a part of Recycolgy, which means they are made from a minimum of 50% recycled materials excluding consumable content (ink) and refills (again the ink). The pens in particular are made of 84% recycled plastic. Great way to keep some plastic out of the landfills.

***These items were sent to me for free for the purpose of this review. I was not reimbursed in any other way nor was I told what to say. These are my opinions alone.***

Paper Lanterns by Divine-Planet.com review

I love to decorate our home using unique things. Unique and colorful! So I was really excited when I was granted the chance to review 3 paper stars from Divine-Planet.com. They are vibrantly colored and so easy to fold out. It adds a cheery lighting option to any room. Each paper star lantern is hand-made; from the glue, paintings and folding!

I requested the The Fire Star Lamp, Butterfly Star Lamp, and the Hologram Lantern in Silver. The Hologram Lantern in Silver is covered in a holographic shiny material. The light actually reflects off it and catches in a pretty way. It goes in any room!
The Butterfly one I hung above my daughters bed. It's like have a cheery lighted mobile that glitters and catches her attention.

The Fire Star hangs above my kitchen bar and adds a bright edge to my fiesta-styled kitchen decor. It is reminiscent of the Harley style and colors.

I decided to include a video showing you just how easy they are to put together and enjoy.

 

They measure 24 inches from point to point.

You can also choose not to order the light cord if you just want to hang the star around your home.

They also have a Facebook page you can check out for updates.

We put one in my sister's closet. It adds a soft glow inside.

***I was sent these items for free for the sole purpose of doing this review. I was not paid or otherwise reimbursed. I was not told what to say. These are completely my opinions of the products***

Style J Skirt review

I love blue jean clothing. It's durable, long lasting, always fashionable, goes with anything - day or night.

I especially enjoy blue jean skirts. They can be so cute and flirty while still being modest depending on the length and style. I recently was given the chance to review one of the new jean skirt styles from Style J. You can check out their selections at this link.

I received the box from them pretty quick. They not only sent me the skirt but this really amazing card with "Thank You" inside!

As well as a multi-colored ink pen. Talk about going the extra mile! It was a really nice surprise.
At first I requested the wrong size, so I offered to send it back to exchange it. They were very nice about it and agreed immediately.

The skirt is a really cute design. The blue jean material is stretchy and the button was unique with the Style J design on it. It's really not like your run of the mill designs with just a name on it.

I suggest getting a skirt 1-2 sizes smaller than your measurement if you aren't really sure. Or definitely read their guide on skirt sizing. The jean material is stretchy and has a little more room to expand in than normal jean products. I liked how easy the button fits into the button hole. I know it might sound weird, but I've had skirts and jeans that had a hole so small I had to fight the button to go in. Or on the opposite side, one so loose the button lets itself open. So having a button/hole that is just right = great craftsmanship. The pockets have a very cute design on them too. I love cute pocket designs. It adds class to the rear ;-)

It's not a stiff blue jean. It's actually flexible and soft.

They offer skirts for girls as well as women in many shades, sizes, and styles. They even have maternity skirts! I was also amazed by the Extra Tall selection. I'm a tall woman and finding long skirts that go at least to my ankles is very difficult. I'll admit, being in skirts and dresses makes me feel like a true lady - but only when they reach that perfect length! They go by waist measurements instead of standard sizing. I think this works better (provided you measure yourself correctly!) since every company out there has their own ideas on what equals size X, Y or Z. Going by waist measurements is much easier for someone like me. My hips aren't aligned right from the scoliosis so wearing skirts is a plus. I don't have to worry about finding jeans that fit perfectly.

One other thing to point out is that once they sell out, that style is gone! So if you see something you like, get it while they have it.

You can subscribe to their mailing list to receive updates on the latest additions and deals. You can also Like them on Facebook. Check them out and leave a comment about what you think! Also, you can check out their affiliate websites: www.trendyskirts.com and www.officeskirts.com.

I let my mom try it on and even though she is slightly bigger, even she fit it since it does stretch.

***I was sent these items for free for the sole purpose of doing this review. I was not paid or otherwise reimbursed. I was not told what to say. These are completely my opinions of the products***

Envision Home Dish Drying Mat Review

I'm all about hygiene in my home. But I also like convenience. Especially in the kitchen. Some things I don't like drying by hand. Takes up too much time that I could be using to do other more important things. And with 3 children, I have to prioritize. So if something gets hand washed I usually leave it to dry on a towel near the sink unless I need it right away. Towels though soak easily and slide sometimes. It can be very frustrating especially for someone who is OCD about things being in their proper place.

Envision Home has some great choices to offer instead of just a towel. The Dish Drying Mat is an excellent choice. While being a colorful addition to your kitchen, it has a strong practical application. It doesn't slide around and is very absorbent without feeling soaked through. It's made of microfiber which feels really soft and sponge-like. I love that it's machine-washable since that makes it easy to clean after a few uses. It is best to let it dry between uses, but it doesn't seem to take as long to dry as my towels did. There is also a nifty hook to hang it up in between uses. I like this since I don't want to have it laying there when guests come over but at the same time, my storage space is limited. However, it does fold easily to fit into your drawer should you want to do it that way. Since it is so beautiful with the simple design and bright color, I also don't mind having it hanging or on the counter everyday as it adds to my homes style.

 

I like how its thicker and has more cushion to it. If a delicate dish falls over on it, its not as likely to break. Its the right size that you could use it under your dish drying rack instead of using a plastic drain board. I personally don't like the plastic boards. Every one that I have tried before has been difficult to clean and gets moldy. Thus I was always using towels...

Another suggested use is to place it under your kitchen appliances such as your mixer, blender, coffee pot - to protect your counters from being scratched and scuffed. This is especially true if you are renting a place like me. Damages to anything in a rented space will mean more money you have to pay when you move out. This can save you from such expenses.

The Care Instructions they have for these dish drying mats are:
Allow the Dish Drying Mat to thoroughly dry between uses. Frequently machine wash with like colors in cold water with a liquid detergent, and before first use. Tumble dry on low. Do not iron. Do not bleach (unless you are looking to tye dye your mat...), use fabric softener or dryer sheets.
I really like their guarantee which is printed on the packaging: This product is guaranteed to provide satisfactory performance. Any item found to be defective in material or workmanship will be replaced free of charge. This shows they are sure of your satisfaction in their products.
You can check out their Facebook Page to keep up with whats new.

***I was not paid or reimbursed in any way. Envision Home provided me with a Dish Drying Mat free of charge in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. My opinions are strictly my own.***

Sonic Alert Sonic-Connect 2 review

Having a deaf husband and being hard of hearing means we don't always hear or notice things going on. So sometimes we turn to companies such as Sonic Alert to help bridge the gaps of things we miss. They sent me another product to review for you all.

In the deaf community, staying connected is a huge thing. Whether its a message, email, text, call or instant message its very much about getting the message quickly and staying in touch with everyone else. The Sonic-connect 2 helps us do just that. It's a USB device that plugs into your computer. You download a simple program, put in your email address and other program information. Then when you receive a call or message, the Sonic-connect 2 device will ring, vibrate, or light up depending on which settings you choose. My husband in particular finds this helpful since he has a business email account that he checks several times an hour most days. With the Sonic-connect 2, he doesn't have to check. He was able to adjust the settings so that it will automatically check his emails every 2 minutes and if there is something new it will begin to alert him. It even allows you to add more than one email address in case you want a signal from all your accounts. At first we had some difficulties with adding the email addresses. I wasn't sure which things to type in some of the areas. The customer care group was extremely helpful. They provided step-by-step instructions that were easy to follow.

Then we tried the Skype setting. Any time someone calls us on Skype now the Sonic-connect 2 will light up. My husband really enjoyed this setting since he often calls his best friends back in Texas with Skype. Now he won't miss their calls.
This is not just good for deaf and hard of hearing folks though. It has a high pitched sound alert, vibrate alert, and flashing light alert. So even hearing people have options for those important emails or calls coming through.
There are some important things to know about the product. Sonic-connect 2 only works with a Windows PC running Windows XP or higher. It does not work on Apple computer products. Its compact, which makes it easy to take on the go when you are travelling. Red lights stay on while there is a message awaiting your attention. It uses a standard USB port on your desktop or laptop. You can find updates for your device at www.sonicalert.com/sec. And it comes with a one year warranty! Can't get much better than that for us.

I wasn't able to get a good video but as soon as I do, I'll post it for you guys to see how well it works.
***I did not purchase this product. It was sent to me in exchange for a review. This review is strictly my opinion on the product and services received and may vary from your opinions.***

Madison at Main Jelly Bean Rug review and giveaway

Lets face it, as moms we are always looking to simplify things. Having three young children means I look to make everything as easy and smooth running as possible.
Also having kids while renting a place, I enjoy having rugs to cover the floors. It not only protects the floors, but adds ways to doll up the living spaces, make a home seem more cozy, and give those little feet running around something soft to run on.

Madison at Main gave me the chance to review a Jelly Bean Rug for you guys. It was so hard picking a style since there are so many to choose from! I settled for the Fiesta Chili's one to put in the kitchen.
It's so fun, washable, and kid friendly. The colors are so vibrant too. It's made from 35% recycled post-consumer PET plastic. While it isn't non-slip, it doesn't slide around too much.
For each type of rug, they have care instructions on their website. The person I was in contact with about receiving my rug was exceptionally friendly. I look forward to possibly getting more rugs from them for our home. In addition to rugs, they have blankets, throws, and afghans.

If you'd like to know more about Madison at Main, keep up with their latest and greatest, or just want to check out what they are currently offering - you can check any of the following links; Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or their website Madison at Main. They also have a blog right here on Blogspot you can subscribe to.
So now for some fun. I get to offer my US resident readers a chance to win their very own rug from Madison at Main! Just submit your entries below and good luck! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

RW Garcia review and giveaway

Time for another great food review! Good thing I'm trying a lot of healthy things or I'd probably spend all my time at the gym... This time I was sent chips from RW Garcia. You can check out their website here. They offer quite a variety of wholesome quality tortilla chips. We like tortilla chips for making nachos, eating with salsa or dip and for when we have parties!
These happen to be great in several ways. First, they are gluten-free. So if you have Celiac disease (which seems to be more common these days) or if you have allergies to wheat products these make a great alternative snack option. They are a healthier alternative to other tortilla chips that are loaded with highly fattening powdered flavoring. The taste is more baked into them than onto them.

They sent me 7 bags to try: MixtBag of Red and Yellow Tortilla chips, MixtBag of Yellow and Blue Corn Tortilla chips, 3 Seed Veggie Dippers, 3 Seed Blue Corn Dippers, 3 Seed English Cheddar Dippers, 3 Seed Curry and Mango Dippers, and 3 Seed Savory Dippers.
The MixtBags are a great hit in my family. My boys and husband especially love tortilla chips. We make nachos and dips or just snack on them out of the bag. The kids really love the different colors. It makes them fun and a great way to jazz up party dishes.
Another favorite of my kids and I in particular (and my siblings/mom) was the 3 Seed Veggie Dippers. They come as a mixed bag that has 3 flavors inside; Spinach and Garlic, Red Beet and Onion, Carrot, Tomato and Sesame.
Spinach and Garlic is of course green. The garlic isn't overpowering and neither is the spinach. They actually blend nicely. It has a taste to it that I find hard to put words for... So I'm just going to say it's not spinach-y. (Yes, I'm making up words!)
Then we come to the Red Beet and Onion Dippers - which I really enjoyed although they have a sort of vegetable after taste. You can taste the beet and onion in harmony together. My kids just liked them being red.
Lastly the Carrot, Tomato, and Sesame Dippers were really nice. You just slightly taste the carrots. The tomato was stronger in a good way.

3 Seed Savory Dippers are Himalayan Pink Salt and Cracked Pepper. Whether standing alone or dipping - the flavor is satisfying! Not overloaded with salt.
The 3 Seed English Cheddar ones are lightly flavored and were highly popular among the kids.
3 Seed Curry and Mango were definitely the strongest flavored chips by far! Word to the wise: If you can't handle some tangy spice, stay away! Eat more, feel the heat take it up a notch. The curry is most decidedly strong with this one. You can barely taste the mango. However, I actually like curry so this one was a pleasant surprise for me. Curry is an acquired taste, in my opinion. You either like it, possibly grow to like after being made to try it more than once, or you will never like it.
So what else can I tell you about these great chips? Let's see... the texture is really awesome and sturdy. They can handle heavier dips like guacamole. You can read the ingredients on the package without a "What the heck is that?!".
They also have recipes on their website. They tell you which stores offer their products or how you can order them online.
You can also connect with them via Facebook to be updated on their news of new products.
So now about the giveaway! They will send one lucky winner 1 bag of each of their Dippers. Just enter below via Rafflecopter and when its over, I'll randomly select the winner. Once I have the name and email of the winner, I'll contact you to get your address so they know where to send the chips.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


***These products were sent me to free strictly for the review purpose. I was not otherwise endorsed or in any way told what to say. My reviews are completely my opinions.***