Simply Staci Reviews

Winner of the Imprint Mat

2010-07-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

And the winner of the Imprint Mat is...

Congratulations Tara! I will contact you by email.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Imprint Mat Review & Giveaway!

2010-07-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

I was recently given a Imprint Comfort Mat by Sublime to review. The mat is made with an eco technology that helps prevent lower back, leg and foot pain that is so often felt when you stand on hard surfaces to cook and clean.

The mat is very attractive and enhances the decor in any kitchen, bathroom, entry way, etc. Besides their website, you can find it at Amazon, Linens-n-Things, and in Bed, Bath and Beyond locations. The mat retails in the $70 range and comes in two styles, four colors and three sizes

I was so excited to get my mat in the mail. It was immediately torn open and put in my kitchen. From time to time, I make cakes. They take me a long time because they are intricately decorated which means I am on my feet a lot during the process. I got to test it out this weekend when I made a cake for a baby shower.

My feet were so excited! It will make any of your kitchen endeavors much more delightful. The next day I found myself going out of my way just so I could walk on it! It got me thinking, "wonder how I can get my whole house covered in this?!"

I've also got another idea up my sleeve. Being a middle school teacher, I'm on my feet ALL DAY. This mat will be such a welcome addition to my classroom and I can't wait to try it out!

So are you ready to go order one now? Well, for one lucky reader, you'll get a FREE ONE! Here's how:

Leave me a comment telling me why you need this mat.

For extra entries:

Follow me on twitter (@StaciB)
Subscribe to Simply Staci
Tweet OR Facebook this contest (be sure to use @StaciB in your tweet or status)
Like Imprint Mats on Facebook

Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry as well as your email address.

Contest will end Friday, July 30.

Disclosure: I was provided with the mat to review, but the opinions are all mine, baby!

CD Giveaway

2010-06-21T08:02:00.001-07:00

If you're looking for some good music for your tween, then this is the giveaway for you! Yancy's "Rockin' Happy Heart" is a fun, upbeat, encouraging collection of songs that give glory and honor to Jesus!

I used to lead praise and worship in children's church and our middle school group. It was so hard to find music that appealed to kids. Most of the music I found was in between "The Wheels on the Bus" and "How Great Thou Art".

But Yancy does NOT disappoint. "Rockin' Happy Heart" will keep you movin' and groovin' all 15 songs. There are several things I love about this CD:

Yancy writes her own songs - There's just something encouraging knowing that the songs that the artist is singing come from an actual encounter with Jesus. How inspiring!
The rocking beat - Seriously, this CD will get you moving! This is NOT your grandma's christian music. Every time I turn it on, I find myself dancing around my room. Thankfully, none of you can see that. Yikes!
Encouraging and uplifting lyrics - Call me crazy, but I don't think kids should be listening to music that says "I can't be tamed...", "Got me all twisted with your lips like this so tell me, tell me are you gonna kiss..." or "And baby when its love if it's not rough, it isn't fun..."

So, by now you're probably asking yourself, "how can I get my hands on this CD?"

[Go ahead...ask yourself!]

Well, you can order it off of Yancy's website...
...OR...
...you can WIN IT HERE!

Just leave me a comment! Simple as that. I'll draw a winner on Friday, June 25. (Here's a hint on how to double your chances...go enter on my Simply Staci blog too!)

I was given 2 CD's to review and give away.

Weight Watchers Blueberry Pie Yogurt

2010-06-07T20:31:00.000-07:00

I was contacted by a PR firm to review Weight Watcher's Blueberry Pie Yogurt.

Yogurt is one of my staples in my fridge. I love it and I especially love experimenting with new and different type of flavors. This Blueberry Pie flavored yogurt did not disappoint. It had every bit of yummy blueberry goodness that I was expecting. I don't remember tasting bits of blueberries, which would've been nice. It seemed to have a more creamy texture.

Definitely a good alternative if you have a sweet tooth!

I was sent vouchers to review the product, but the opinions are all mine.

Weight Watchers Apple Pie a la Mode Yogurt

2010-06-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

I was contacted by a PR firm to review Weight Watcher's Apple Pie a la mode Yogurt.

I love yogurt! Especially new and interesting flavors. That's why I was so excited to review this yogurt from Weight Watchers. It was yum! Immediately I tasted bits of apple. It made it seem a little more hearty than your typical yogurt. The other good thing about it is that doesn't taste like you should be able to eat it on a diet...it almost tastes like a dessert! If you're looking for an alternative to vanilla or strawberry yogurt, then you need to try this!

I was sent vouchers for a free yogurt, but the opinions are all mine.

Finger Foods book

2010-06-07T20:18:00.000-07:00

I was sent Annabel Karmel's "Top 100 Finger Foods" to review.

The subtitle of the book is "100 Recipes for a Healthy, Happy Child". I don't have kids, but one thing that gravitated me toward this book is that it's finger foods. Besides being absolutely adorable, they're great at parties! Baby showers, birthdays, get togethers...you name it, there's a recipe for it.

The premise of the book is that they're recipes that toddlers can feed themselves as well as learn new tastes and textures. It's also a great way to introduce your toddler to fruits and vegetables by sneaking them into foods they're guaranteed to eat.

Upon looking through the book, a few things stuck out to me as questionable.

There were several of the recipes that fried the foods...seems kind of odd to serve toddlers fried food
Several of the recipes didn't seem very "kid-friendly". I don't know too many toddlers that would eat "Minty Lamb Koftas", "Pressed Sushi" or "Mushroom Pate".
Lastly, some of the recipes called for very specific ingredients...some of which I had not heard of: Galia, Taleggio, korma. Granted she did provide alternatives to these and similar ingredients.

What I did appreciate about the book is that it is an attempt to expand a child's palate beyond the typical chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese. I think that's SO important for kids to develop a well round palate. It aggravates me to see people who have grown up being picky eaters because they ate the same things all their life and won't try anything else.

I was sent the book to review but the opinions are all mine.

Foot Cream

2010-06-07T19:53:00.000-07:00

I was sent Curel's Targeted Therapy Foot Cream by a PR firm to review.

Just in time for summer, this foot cream promises to "significantly improve the look and feel of the even the driest feet in just two nights." While it did make my feet feel smooth immediately after putting it on, I couldn't tell a drastic difference in just two nights. It took a little longer than that. My feet were not that bad off to begin with though, so I don't really know how well it would work on severely cracked or dry skin.

I was sent the cream to review but the opinions are all mine.

Face Mask

2010-06-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

I was sent Cosmedix Pure Enzymes Exfoliating Mask by a PR firm to review.

I'm a big fan of Cosmedix. They are chirally correct...that's fancy talk for being all natural. They "contain only molecules that positively interact with the skin to produce the purest, gentlest ingredients and formulas available". It makes me feel good knowing that when I put it on my face, it can only help and won't irritate.

It goes on very smooth! It just feels good going on. You're supposed to leave it on from 3-10 minutes. I did feel it start tightening up and tingle just a little bit. Guess that means it's working! After I washed it off, I could feel the difference. The one place in particular I could feel it is my nose. The pores on my nose tend to be rough and bumpy (don't know if that's accurate or not, but that's what it feels like). After the mask, they are as smooth as silk! No exaggeration here!

The downside to Pure Enzymes is that is pricey...$50. But it's not something that you would use everyday so that would extend the life of it.

This post is linked to Things I Love Thursday.

I was sent a sample of Pure Enzymes to review but the opinions are all mine.

Moisturizer

2010-06-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

I was sent Patricia Wexler's Sensitive Skin Soothing & Renewing Night Cream.by a PR firm to review

It says it "replenishes and renews skin after facing the daily assault of pollution, stress and sun." I have to say that I agree. It made my face feel like silk. I looked forward to putting it on every night before bed. The only downside is that it's a little on the pricey side. It retails for $39.50, but Bath and Body Works has it on sale for $29.50.

I was sent the moisturizer to review but the opinion is all mine.

Princess Day

2010-05-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

Need a last minute outing for Mother's Day?

Diana: A Celebration will be hosting Princess Day this Saturday and Sunday at the exhibition. Children under 12 dressed as princesses, princes or frogs will receive FREE admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. This exciting event is the perfect family outing for Mothers Day!

Princess Day is happening in conjunction with the Georgia Aquarium, where those dressed up will receive free Aquarium admission with a paying adult or member as well.

For more information, go here.