PRODUCT REVIEW: Seagate Expansion ST910004EXA101-RK External Portable Hard Drive - 1TB, 5,400RPM, USB 2.0

We have been in need of a hard drive for a LOONG time.  We have a ton of music on our computer, not to mention pictures and other files.  I do regularly clean out the pictures and put them on disks so that they don’t get lost, but still – the music is there taking up all kinds of space.  We have been discussing buying an external hard drive for over a year.  When we got some extra money for Christmas, my husband and I both agreed that it was time.  The plan was to get the hard drive, move all files that are not program files over, and have our laptop reformatted.  Part 2 has yet to take place yet, but I am so thankful that we now are out of the danger zone on our laptops memory at the very least.

 

I did some online shopping for the hard drive, which naturally – when you are looking for any kind of computer anything, you are going to end up at TigerDirect.com.  It was there that I found the cheapest Terabyte external hard drive.  I also did a little bit of reading online reviews on this particular hard drive, and came up with mixed results.  Some people loved it, others hated.  I have the feeling that despite searching for the specific hard drive, the results were mixed, because there were many reviews that stated that this hard drive was big and bulky.  That is not the case with the hard drive we received.  Another complaint was that the power cord didn’t stay in very well – once again, this is NOT an issue.  The cord fit perfectly!  I plugged it into the computer, the computer recognized it for what it was.  I had the option to install a trial of some software, which I did not do.  I took the files I wanted to move – and moved them.  And that was all she wrote. 

 

The hard drive is small, sleek, and fills its purpose in our lives.  I feel like it was the best move I made since actually buying the laptop in the first place!  I'd say TigerDirect is a reliable source for computer hardware and software.  Their customer service is great, and prices are very competitive!

5-Pack Premium Reusable LCD Screen Protector for iPhone

Quick Product Review: 5-Pack Premium Reusable LCD Screen Protector with Lint Cleaning Cloth for Apple iPhone 3G 8GB 16 GB

 

I saw this deal on another blog, that I wish I could remember so I could give them credit, and just had to take a chance that this wasn’t one of those “too good to be true,” or “you get what you paid for,” which for me was nothing.  After processing the order – I had just enough money left on a gift certificate that I got these screen protectors for free.

 

Hello WONDERFUL deal!  While I’m always cleaning off the screen (due to oils from my skin) this happens with even the best screen protector I had.  This probably isn’t absolute top of the line best screen protector for iPhone, but it is very, very comparable.  Very easy to use, and clear as a bell when brand new!  And talk about an awesome deal, especially when I normally see these for around $20!  Take advantage while you still can!

Product Review: Burt's Bees Natural Skin Solutions for Sensitive Skin

I received the following product as a result of being a BzzAgent.  They send me products and I get to talk about them!!  No other compensation was given or offered, and all opinions are my own!

 

I have to say that this is my favorite Bzzagent campaign to date. I have been shopping around for both a cleanser and a moisturizer for quite some time, and to be honest, when I think “Burt’s Bees” my mind immediately jumps to chapstick mostly, so checking out their moisturizer would never have even cross my mind. Burt’s Bees sent a beautiful and elaborate set up (pictured) including Facial Cleanser, Moisturizer, free samples to pass out, coupons and a pamphlet of information.

It has only been a couple days since my package of Burt's Bees Natural Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer arrived, but so far so good. First of all, the facial cleanser does not dry my face out at all. Even when I failed to put on the moisturizer, I didn’t have that dry “just washed my face” feel. When washing, the cleanser does not really suds up like most facial cleanser do, which can be a little disconcerting at first, but really it isn’t an issue. I have had other cleansers for sensitive skin that also do not suds up much. Burt’s Bees is, by far, my favorite cleanser thus far – I like how smooth and gentle it feels on my skin, and best of all I love the way it smells. It’s a very light cotton-y smell about it. The moisturizer, likewise, feels just as smooth and gentle as the facial cleanser while applying. It does not leave my skin feeling wet or greasy – not even after a full day of work (and a yoga class). The moisturizer also has a very pleasant scent.

Finally, there is just something about knowing that you are using an all natural product that makes you feel like you’re doing something right. I glanced at the ingredients for the facial wash, and while I may not have known exactly what the products were, or how they were obtained, they were at least recognizable. I feel like Burt’s Bees goes out of their way to make sure you know exactly what is in your products, even offering a little further explanation when maybe an ingredient might sound unfamiliar. They use recycled material in their packaging and never use animal testing. You can check out their “Commitment to Natural Products” here.

Product Review: Tonka TX Ricochet Trickster

I received the following product as a result of being a BzzAgent.  They send me products and I get to talk about them!!  No other compensation was given or offered, and all opinions are my own!

We received the Tonka TX Ricochet Trickster almost a week ago now, and what a fun toy! For starters, the kids were just excited to get something in the mail that was for them. I’m always getting this or that, but rarely do they ever receive anything, much less a toy. So opening the package was a bit of a big deal to them! The next thing was getting the toy out and running. Unfortunately, while the toy did come with the rechargeable battery, in the car portion, it did not come with the 4 AA batteries required to run the remote control. We had just used the last of our batteries in a Wii remote, so the fun was delayed until I could get into the store. It was further delayed by the fact that the car needed to be charged after the batteries were in place..more groans and whines from the kid section on that one.

Once the Trickster was up and running the fun was immediate. This toy is FAST! I had though, at first, I might try and get an action video to post but between my small kitchen and the table, chairs, kids, and the fastness of this toy – I couldn’t really get a good video either. Which is a good thing. The kids like the fastness. They liked running it into walls and chair legs, and of course…the cat. I thought the cat would also enjoy the toy, chasing it around the kitchen or something equally as fun, but in typical cat fashion – if you think he’s going to like something, most likely he’s just going to watch it with mild disdain. Oh well, a 3 out of 4 satisfaction rate isn’t all that bad!

I do think this toy would be great fun for kids this Christmas holiday, probably great for ages 5 – 9 or 10ish. It IS a remote control car, but please, do not underestimate the female interest. We have two girls, and both of them love to play with this toy!

Good points:

• It seems durable. It’s typical toy plastic, but the controls are a little different from the average remote control, more compact and no big long wire hanging out of the top waiting to be kinked, bent, broken, etc. This toy will do well in a toy box – while most remote control cars need to be kept separate from regular toys so they don’t break. * This is a big bonus for us, because the kids rooms don’t really have those “extra” places, and toys either end up making the room look messy, or the toy ends up broken.
• It is FAST! I already mentioned this, but for some reason kids really like fast things. We haven’t run the battery down just yet, but I’m sure it will slow down as it does, but for now it’s great fun.
• Easy to figure out. It took only a few minutes to figure out how to use the controls, but thankfully kids are smart, and once it was learned it was easy…assuming they are holding the controller right-side-up that is. It is very easy to flip it around.

Some downsides:

•  Like most remote control vehicles – this runs best on tile. Carpeted areas are no fun!
• Batteries are not really included, plus you need to charge the car as well – no instant gratification regardless if you buy the batteries at the same time. If purchasing for Christmas, I would recommend getting it prepped and ready to go prior to wrapping it!

Quickie Product Review: Love-Scent

So I signed up to receive a free sample from Love-Scent.com who knows how long ago.  I don't even remember doing it.  Anyway, the sample arrived in the mail yesterday...and let me tell you, I'm a bit disappointed that I just got one! :)  I put it on, and at first was skeptical.  I could smell a faint scent on my skin, but nothing much.  However, as the night progressed my husband commented on how good I smelled multiple times.  I never revealed my secret, but just basked in the attention.  I think I just might go buy some more!!

A little bit from their website:

Human Sex Pheromones are natural chemical scents the body produces in order to attract others. Animal Sex Pheromones are well documented in the animal kingdom as the force that controls all social behavior, including mating. Scientists are now finding that human behavior is also heavily influenced by Human Pheromones, the ultimate invisible social magnets. By intensifying the sex pheromones that already occur naturally, you will experience not only a boost in confidence, but also increased sex appeal. Human pheromones also work wonders in business affairs by giving you the extra edge you need to make a good impression.

You can also find Love-Scent on Facebook...go like them, and try them...it just might be worth it!

Product Review - Dr Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles

I got my Bzzagent packet just yesterday for the Dr. Scholl’s For Her High Heel Insoles.  I instantly opened them and put them in the shoes I was currently wearing.  First of all, I have to mention that I had purchased Dr. Scholl’s For Her High Heel Insoles off the clearance rack a few months ago.  They had cloth on top and were black to match my shoes.  I really liked them, so when I got the new insoles in the mail, and they were just the silicone gel pads with no cloth on top, I was mildly disappointed.   I had to remember that they were going inside my shoe, so what did it matter? 

 

I put the insoles in my heels (which are only 1.5 inch heels, no 3 inchers for me) and was amazed at the different.  They must have re-vamped their design.  The old insoles had a lot of padding at the ball of my foot and at the heel, but not so much in the middle.  The new pads have more padding in the arch and moving forward to the ball of my foot – which is much more effective.  I had wore my heels all day at work and was going to change into some more comfortable shoes for our evening church service, but decided against the idea so that I could get a better assessment of how the insoles were working.  They managed to instantly relieve the tender spots that were already hurting from wearing my heels all day at work, and continued to ease this pain for the next 3 hours while I was at church and out and about before returning home.

 

Now, from that last sentence, it sounds like I’m trying to say that the insoles are pain relievers.  In a medicinal way, no of course not, but the padding is placed in such a way that certain points of contact on my foot against the shoe were alleviated due to the insole, and thus they were no longer causing me any issues.  If I were to put any pressure on these points of contact, they still would have been a bit sore from wearing my shoes all day long. 

 

Would I recommend Dr. Scholl’s For Her High Heel Insoles?  Absolutely!  I am a fan of shoe insoles anyway, but rarely have I had such a desirable result!

Product Review: Sketchers Shape-Ups

About a week ago I went shopping for some tennis shoes.  It was a total spontaneous trip, however a much needed one.  I work out in the gym 3-4 days a week and the shoes I was using were flat and cheap and hurt my feet most of the time.  There are a few things about me, and shoe shopping that you should know, though.  First, I hate shoe shopping.  GASP!  I know, I’m not normal.  Two, I have a really difficult time spending the appropriate amount of money on shoes.  It just seems so absurd to get expensive shoes when you get go to Payless and…well, pay less.  Third, the whole experience just sucks.  Did I mention I hate shoe shopping??

 

Okay, so I go into The Shoe Depot in the mall, and start looking at the tennis shoes.  I need something to wear to the gym that won’t make my feet hurt, and costs under $40, that is not what I say out loud, but as I’m looking – these are my unspoken requirements.  I have a high arched feet, and the trouble is, many of the shoes in my price range are flat.  They may have padding, but not in the ever-so-needed arch of the foot.  So I’m looking and looking, trying different styles on.  Oh, another unspoken requirement – I don’t want a cheesy looking shoe, it has to look good!  Anyway, I’m not finding anything, and the entire time I’m avoiding these Sketchers Shape Ups, because I can’t see how these are going to help me when I’m weight lifting in the gym.  They are more for fast-walkers, right?  Well after trying on 10 or 12 pairs, I put a pair of shape-ups on, mostly out of curiosity. 

 

My first reaction:  BEST SHOES I’VE EVER PUT ON IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!  The curved bottom of the shoe curves the shoe right up into that arch of my foot.  It felt like Heaven compared to the flat wedged shoe I was currently wearing.  I was still hesitant in buying them though, because I still wasn’t sure that the shoes were what I needed to meet my needs.  After vacillating for a little bit, taking the shoe off, putting it back on, walking around, commenting to my patient husband as to how good they felt, I finally decided to give them a shot.  They were on sale for $37 or something close to that, meeting my price expectations as well.  I walked out of the store, and immediately sat down to put the shoes on.  I LOVE these shoes.  I opted for the Mary Jane style, because they were the cheapest at the time, but now, I am so glad I did.

 

So I wear the shoes to the gym on Monday, elliptical, no problems, and since I wasn’t working legs, the rest of my work out was fine too.  The next day, I was wearing long black pants, and the thought occurred to me; I bought Mary Jane styled tennis shoes.  Unlike the picture shown, mine do not have white stitching, so the brand name isn’t obvious, neither are the lines of the shoe.  I bet the shoes would look just fine with my dress clothes.  And…of course they did.  No one has noticed (or said anything at least) and I’m wearing the most comfortable shoes I own all day.  I love these shoes!  I don’t really want to wear any of my other shoes…except for maybe flip flops.  Unfortunately they don’t look all that great with a dress, so I do have to keep them in the gym bag some days, but mostly, I wear them almost all the time now.  I have never been happier with a shoe purchase in all my life!

 

As for their claims – I have no idea how they work.  I don’t know if they are tightening my calves or abs, or shaping my butt, or helping my posture.  Remember, I was already working out regularly before I bought them, and I’m not noticing any difference in my exercising.  But I didn’t buy them for that reason.  I bought them for comfort, and am a satisfied customer!

 

http://www.amazon.com/Skechers-Womens-Shape-Ups-Fitness/dp/B001SN8BU4/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1311346741&sr=8-10