CYDesign Studio Review && Holiday Giveaway

I'm happy to report that as I type my living room is bursting with Snowmen and Christmas excitement! My Christmas tree decorating will have to wait. I discovered I'm missing the stand piece. It's raining, not snowing outside, but I have high hopes that I will have snow covered ground by the end of this month.


With Christmas in both my mind and spirit I have a special review and giveaway to bring you today. CYDesign Studio is bringing both myself and one of you a Handcrafted Silver Bookmark featuring an Antique Tibetan Silver Branch Charm, Howlite Turquoise Beads, and a Silver Sparrow. This bookmark is very durable. For the sake of reviewing it I had a bit of fun flinging it all around in an absurd fashion. I slammed a heavy book closed on it a few times to see if any cracking or damage might appear on the beads. Nothing. It still looks just as perfect as it did when it arrived at my door. The item matches the details in her shop exactly. http://www.etsy.com/listing/109364144/handcrafted-silver-bookmark-with-branch I experienced very fast shipping. Candice ships the day after your order is placed via USPS First Class from North Carolina. This bookmark sells for $13.00 and would make a very inexpensive and high quality Christmas gift for any book lover in your life. Did I mention is arrives ready to gift? No wrapping required!

 A couple of my other favorites from CYDesign Studio are Red Rose and Ivory Glass Pearl Beaded Antiqued Brass Romantic Necklace (This necklace is so gorgeous and with the Red Rose and Ivory Pearls it would make a perfect necklace for Christmas photos!) and Two Adorable Silver Kissing Love Birds on a Branch Necklace. I think this necklace would make a great gift from one Christmas Love Bird to another.

You can visit CYDesign Studio's shop on Etsy.
Visit Candice's other Etsy shop for all Bridal Jewelry and Bridesmaids gifts you might need at CYWeddings.
Like CYDesign Studio on Facebook.
Follow on Twitter, and check out the blog. http://cydesignstudio.blogspot.com/.

Now moving along to the giveaway I know you are eager to enter. Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Good Luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway














I received free product for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. 

Holiday Giveaway! Rusty Keys Necklace

UPDATE! Use promo code FREESHIPPING to receive free shipping on any purchase from RustyKeys Etsy Shop!! :) 

 On my mission to find the perfect Christmas gifts I came across the Rusty Keys shop on Etsy. While I can't speak for the quality of her items Gracie has a gift for combining the beauty in nature with the beauty of jewelry. Her pieces are gorgeous and fun and reasonably priced. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/112985008/green-grass-ring-in-tarnished-silver

Green Grass Ring in Tarnished Silver Wide Adjustable Band  $22.00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/106702553/vintage-skeleton-key-necklace-charming

Vintage Skeleton Key Necklace. Charming Genuine Key on Silver Chain. $22 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90331014/little-rainbow-bottle-necklace-different

Little Rainbow Bottle Necklace Different Style Miniature Bottles on Silver Chain. $28

http://www.etsy.com/listing/104940090/necklace-crawfish-claw-in-bullet-casing

Necklace Crawfish Claw in Bullet Casing.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90264691/rustic-message-in-a-bottle-necklace

Rustic Message in a Bottle Necklace. Miniature Jar on Tarnished Gold Chain. $18

Now that you've had a look at some of her items would you want to win one?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93582044/jar-necklace-baby-tree-in-miniature-jar

Enter the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win your very own Jar Necklace! Baby Tree in Miniature Jar on Leather Cord for Him or Her. :) I love this necklace! Isn't it gorgeous? Valued at $16. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received nothing in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. 

52 Days Til Christmas!

I'm am a Christmas fanatic! I blame it on my parents. I grew up in a house full of Christmas decorations and always filled with baked delicious holiday treats! My mom sings Christmas Carols all year long and shops for  the upcoming holiday season every day of the year. I love everything about this time of year other than the cold that comes with the snow. After last years lack of both snow and cold though I am eagerly awaiting our snowfall this year. I'll even try not to complain about the bitter cold temperatures. I want a white Christmas so bad(!), and living in Minnesota should give me the right to a snow filled winter. I'm not just crazy about the food, and the Christmas tree, I'm crazy about the colors and the movies. I'm crazy about the string lights and the giant snow globes. I'm crazy for the mistletoe kisses and watching Dylan leap through the snow. I love the look of candy canes and the fun in taking holiday pictures. I love shopping for unique and special gifts for my family. I could go on and on. You'd never get me to shut up. By the end of this weekend my apartment will be decked from floor to ceiling with Christmas and Winter decorations and I will be in heaven. 

In hopes of spreading my holiday cheer I will be bringing you some gift ideas, food ideas, and maybe picture ideas from now until Christmas. If your in a hurry just type Holiday in the search box on this blog to pull up all related posts. 

I'm planning to take lots of new Christmas pictures this year, but here are a couple pictures from mine and Anthony's first Christmas. My friend Sarah Reller, an incredible photographer took the pictures for us. I'll post some new pictures once we've taken them. I want to hold off until we can have a back drop of snow covered trees. :) 

Flamous Review && Rafflecopter Giveaway

Don't Falafel Chips sound fun? I think so. I was so excited to try Flamous Brand All Natural chips. I shared with my family to get their input to so this review is a combination of many taste buds.

Flamous FALAFEL Chips

Unlike everyone else who tried these I wasn't a big fan. I definitely didn't hate them. I just wasn't in love. The bag does say "the chip for hummus dip!" but I did not get a chance to try it with hummus. Like I said though, everyone else liked these chips. A lot. My mother said they tasted like Black Beans which makes sense because they are a listed ingredient. My parents tried all three chips with my grandparents using a Black Bean Salsa dip. They all liked them. Anthony's mom liked the chips too.

Flamous SPICY FALAFEL Chips

I liked these more than the plain Falafel chips. I did have the opportunity to dip these with my Cedar's Garlic Lovers Hommus and they were a great combination. These chips do have a kick though! The subtle spiciness you taste while your eating the chip lingers a bit stronger after the chip is gone. Everyone, my parents, grandparents, Anthony, his mother, and myself all liked these chips. 

Flamous Sprouted Multigrain ZATAR Chips

These are my favorite! I seem to be the only one who enjoyed them, which is fine with me because I wont have to share! My mother pointed out that the chip tastes "Italiany" which is probably why I like them so much. I'm a freak for anything Italian or Garlic. I add both Italian seasoning and Garlic power or salt to pretty much everything I eat. I didn't realize it until mom pointed it out, but the chips do have a Italian flavor to them, and a little bit of saltiness. They are great plain, dipped in hummus, or with True Lime sprinkled on top. 

Do I recommend this product? I do!
Would I purchase this product? I would personally buy the ZATAR chips, but I'm pretty sure everyone else in the family would buy the FALAFEL chips.

Learn about Flamous products here. Find Flamous Brands on Facebook and Twitter.

Wanna try Flamous Brands Chips yourself? I was provided with enough product to share! Enter using the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win 1 bag of eat of the chips I reviewed.
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

mix1 Review

mix1 all natural nutritional shakes. Their mission: "to change people's lives by promoting athletic performance and overall health through all-natural products that deliver truly functional nutrition" (taken directly from their website). You can find mix1 all natural nutrition shakes in a large variety of flavors including, but not limited to, Strawberry Banana, Blueberry Vanilla, Mango, Mixed Berry, Peach, Chocolate, and Vanilla. mix1 lean performance shakes can be found in Acai Pomegranate, Orange Twist, Strawberry Banana, Blueberry, Vanilla, and Chocolate. 

I have tried the mix1 90 Calorie lean performance shake in both Chocolate and Vanilla. Chocolate tastes like chocolate milk. I feel like the Vanilla 90 Calorie lean performance shake didn't have as pleasant of a taste. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't delicious. 

Anthony tried the mix1 Chocolate all natural Enhanced Protein shake. He said it also tasted like chocolate milk. After trying the mix1 Vanilla all natural Enhanced Protein shake which tastes just like a creamy vanilla ice cream shake I believe him. 

Like all other nutritional shakes I've tried if I drink it to fast (which I did with the 90calorie Chocolate shake) it will give me a stomach ache so I suggest drinking at a slower pace. Don't just gulp it down in a few minutes unless you know how your body will react. 

Visit mix1life.com to order online through Amazon and learn more about the company. Find mix1 on Facebook and Twitter. 

Do I recommend this product? If you're looking for a healthy and natural protein shake I do recommend this to you. 

Would I purchase this product? I would. I really want to try the fruit flavors!

I received free product for the purpose of this review. I received no other compensation. Regardless the opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. 

thinkThin Review

thinkThin deliciously natural nutrition. Doesn't the way that sounds just make you wanna smile? Well if it doesn't, these bars will. A couple friends, Anthony, and I all tried out thinkThin bars when a sample box arrived at my apartment. Together we tried 8 bars total in various sizes. 

Sarah and Amber together shared a Cranberry Apple & Mixed Nuts thinkThin Crunch Fruit and Nut Bar. Amber said it tasted like a Nut and Jelly bar, similar to but better than a granola bar. More fruity. Sarah said it was very good and sweet. 

The first bar I tried, and my favorite, is the Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar. It was just like a candy bar! Caramel, Chocolate, Nuts, and what tasted like Rice Crispy Pieces, but the third ingredient listed on the package is Soy Crisps so I imagine that was what promoted the crispy crunch. :)
Next I tried the Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar which tasted exactly how it sounds. Chocolate covered nuts. Delicious!

Anthony was the only one to try the Blueberry & Mixed Nuts Crunch Fruit and Nut Bar. It has a very strong Blueberry flavor and a texture like a granola bar. He liked it. 

Together he and I tried the Chunky Peanut Butter Protein Bar. I was surprised to open it and find the peanut butter bar covered with chocolate! After seeing it I expected it to taste a little like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup except crunchy, but it wasn't. Anthony liked it, but I though it was only okay. 
We also tried thinkThin Brownie Crunch Protein Bar. It was comparable to a dry Little Debbie Brownie. Definitely needs a glass of milk to accompany it. 
The Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar was exactly how it sounds. A bar full of nuts! I love nuts! Again I would say it was similar to a granola bar, but with huge nut pieces. 

I alone tried the last bar. A Dark Chocolate thinkThin Bites bar. It had a very strong dark chocolate smell, and tasted like a dark chocolate brownie. 

After all bars were tasted and tested I gotta say these bars were very good compared to the bars of competitors. The online prices are competitive with similar products in store prices. You can check out all available thinkThin products on their website here. If you are not sure what to order I strongly suggest trying the Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar. One box of 10 bars will run you $16.90 plus shipping. At only $1.69 a bar it is totally worth it!

Do I recommend this product? I do recommend thinkThin.
Would I purchase this product? I would. 

Find thinkThin on Facebook & Twitter. 

I received free product for the purpose of writing this review. I received no other compensation. The opinions expressed are of my friends, Anthony, and myself, and are all honest. 

New Blogger Opp!

iPad Mini Holiday Event

Hosted by Mom to Bed by 8

Prizes: iPad Mini

Event dates: 11/21 - 12/5

Free Blog Event! Sign-up here, BLOGGERS WANTED

KRAVE Jerky Review && Giveaway

So what's the first thing I noticed about KRAVE Jerky? The incredible packaging!! I love the fun colors and fun illustrations! If I stumbled upon them in the store for the first time, I admit I would buy them just because of the package. Well that and because I love jerky of course.
KRAVE Jerky taught me a few things. Jerky can be more flavorful than just Original, Peppered, and Teriyaki. There's such a thing as Pork Jerky, and I am not a fan of Pork Jerky. It was a bit surprising when I opened the first bag without reading beyond Smoky Grilled Teriyaki to see that it was Pork Jerky and ate a large chunk.
Katie at KRAVE Jerky sent me a Sampler Box to try out and let you all know what I think. So here goes...

• Chili Lime Beef Jerky- This was Anthony's favorite jerky. He rated it a 4 out of 5. It was my second favorite. It tastes exactly how it sounds.

• Sweet Chipotle Beef Jerky- This might sound odd to you if you haven't tried it yet, but it tastes slightly like Chili. Ya know the stew. Not necessarily just the seasoning packet. That's probably because it is seasoned strips of beef though. Anthony rated this one a 2, but I would give it a 3. A 4 on a colder winter day when I'm missing my mom. She makes incredible Chili! 

• Garlic Chili Pepper- This one is my favorite. Anthony rated it a 3.7 so we'll round that up to four. He just wanted to make the point that he didn't like it as much as the Chili Lime Beef Jerky. I'm not usually a big fan of spicy things, and although this jerky isn't hot hot hot it has a kick! I like it a lot though so I just eat smaller pieces than I would a non kicking jerky. 

• Lemon Garlic Turkey Jerky- The Turkey Jerky was tougher than the others. I like my jerky tough so I enjoyed that, but it has a thick glaze on it which I wasn't a huge fan of. 

• Smoky Grilled Teriyaki Pork Jerky- You already know I discovered I'm not a fan of Pork Jerky. I am very glad I got to try it though. The Pork Jerky was much easier to pull apart and a softer texture than the Beef and Turkey Jerky. 

If you a jerky fan looking to take it to the next level I strongly suggest you try out KRAVE Jerky. Check out their online store at kravejerky.com. You can order a sampler box with 5 different varieties for $35 with free shipping. Individually sold the bags run at $7 each. If you discover you are in love and can never be without KRAVE Jerky again they have an awesome program called KRAVE Klub. Every month you can get your selection of 5 different KRAVE Jerky for $30 with free shipping. You can switch up your varieties every month if you want! 

Keep in touch with KRAVE Jerky through Facebook and Twitter.

Do I recommend this product? I recommend this product to anyone who is looking to break free from standard jerky and experience something new and exciting!
Would I purchase this product? If my local stores started stocking them I would purchase KRAVE Jerky, but I will have to have a strong Kraving ;) to order online.

Want to win your own KRAVE Jerky? KRAVE Jerky has generously offered to award a free KRAVE Jerky Sampler pack to a BeautifulBBLife Reviews reader! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received free product for the purpose of writing this review. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and 100% my own. 

True Citrus Review

Does your family drink to much pop or sugary juices? I enjoy a pop every now and then, but for the most part I'm pretty loyal to water and flavored water. When we go out to eat I always order water with a slice of lemon. Plain water gets a bit boring after a while, but I like to feel hydrated. That slice of lemon is usually enough flavor to conquer the boring. Sometimes I'm left feeling that I want a little more though.

I recently received the opportunity to sample products from True Citrus. True Citrus was started when David Schleider created True Lemon a 100% Natural and 100% Convenient product by crystallizing cold pressed lemon juice and lemon oils. Later True Lime, True Orange, True Grapefruit, and other True Citrus Drink mixes were born.

My sample box included:

• True Lemon, True Lime, and True Orange for Cooking, Baking, and Beverages
• True Grapefruit for your water
• True Lemon Raspberry Lemonade and True Lemon Original Lemonade Drink Mixes 

I am completely and totally head over heals in love with True Lemon Raspberry Lemonade Drink Mix. Pour one packet into 16 oz of water and shake or stir. It is so much better than other drink mixes I've tried, and at only 5 calories per packet I can feel great about loving it so much. I liked True Lemon Original Lemonade too, but it didn't hit my taste buds quite as perfectly as the Raspberry Lemonade. 

I love the idea of having Lime and Lemon for recipes packaged so naturally and pure, but not threatening to go bad before I get the chance to use it like fresh Limes and Lemon do. To help prove my point, I haven't gotten around to trying the Lemon, Orange, or Lime packets for baking or cooking purposes, but unlike real fruit these packets will wait around for as long as it takes. Although I wasn't able to try Lime in baking, I did sprinkle a packet onto some chips I was eating the other day. It was very good! I've tried all 3 flavors mixed into water. True Lemon tastes just like Lemon in water, True Lime tastes just like Lime in water, but True Orange tastes slightly like Tang in water. True Grapefruit in water was just as Grapefruity as I expected. :)

As we enter this very blustery and usually fluffy white season people, myself included, generally start to think about their health more often than usual. All of the products I was able to try offer 25% of your daily dose of Vitamin C per serving! These convenient packages can be stashed away in your bag or purse for that extra boost you might need to get through the day. You can easily send your child to school with a water bottle and a True Orange packet for a healthy and natural lunch time drink.  

There are a couple things I still want to try out. I think True Lime or Lemon might be great in my next can of Cola. Do you  think adding True Orange to Vanilla Ice Cream or Frosting will taste like an Orange Dream-Sickle? Hmmm.... :)

To learn more about True Citrus products you can visit their website, "LIKE" them on Facebook, and Follow them on Twitter.

Do I recommend this product? I do :)
Would I purchase this product? I would :)

CEDAR'S Pita Chips and Hommus Review

As a newbie to Hommus I wasn't sure what to expect when I dug my first Pita Chip into the Cedar's Garlic Lovers Hommus. I didn't really know anything about hommus including the fact that it is mashed up Chickpeas so I was surprised by the texture when I ate my first chip. The texture is a little....gritty isn't the right word because it's smoother than that, but it isn't completely smooth. I'm not sure what word to use to describe it. The texture was something to get used to. The girls were over when I tried Cedar's Pita Chips and Cedar's Hommus, and Amber, a hommus veteran, said the texture of Cedar's hommus was consistent with all other brands of hommus. Sarah, Amber, and I all agreed that the flavor was great! Stronger than expected, the flavor was surprisingly and amazingly delicious! 

Cedar's All Natural Baked Plain Pita Chips are thicker than other Pita Chips and Oh So Good! With a delightful crunch and simple (but tasty) flavor Cedar's Pita Chips are the perfect mate for dips and hommus! 

As an added bonus, a very rare occurrence, this combo are not only delicious, but also healthy! A serving size of 7 Pita Chips and 2 tbsp of Hommus carry only 140 calories and 4.5 grams of fat! 

Become a fan of Cedar's on Facebook and stay up to date with all of their products, recipes, and upcoming events! I hope to bring you many more Cedar's Reviews in the near future!

 

Do I recommend this product? I definitely do! :)

Would I purchase this product? I definitely will! :)

I received free product for the purpose of this review. Regardless the opinions are expressed are 100% honest, and 100% mine.