Bring On Lemons

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. I love the messages and morals that come across in Friendship Takes Courage . The book was longer than I anticipated but worked great as something we read several nights in a row. The pictures were lovely and kept the children's attention while I enjoyed the humor and style of writing. Friendship Takes Courage seemed very appropriate in subject, length, and style for my two older children (6 and 7) as they are navigating the first few years of schooling. Here's the Amazon link if you'd like to explore this book for yourself: http://www.amazon.com/Friendship-Takes-Courage-Ofir-Mor-ebook/dp/B00J2RJQ1G/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com . Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. Belitae Organics Fresh Vitamin C Serum is said to restore, refine, and brighten skin of all types. I feel the product definitely makes my skin look more youthful and it evens out my skin tone. I really appreciate that the Belitae products are not tested on animals and are free from harmful chemicals, parabens, phalates, synthetic colors, fragrances, and unnecessary fillers. It didn't take many applications (2-3 drops twice daily) before I saw results. My laugh lines were less pronounced and I found myself wearing less and less makeup because my skin tone looked more 20something than 30something. Thanks Belitae ! I also appreciate how weightless the serum is and it had a fresh odor instead of being perfumey! And if you'd like some for yourself, here is the Amazon link: http://amzn.to/1jFqZc2   OR enter our giveaway: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com . Regardless...

It's been a while since I wrote much of anything...so be gentle with your critiques but please leave some feedback. I'm considering using this piece for an upcoming flash fiction contest. Hugs, ~Crystal Boxes By Crystal J. Casavant-Otto I didn’t read the directions as carefully as I should have, but nonetheless the lifeless plastic stick is lying flat on the vanity in front of me. I’m still sitting on the toilet with my pants around my ankles. Yup, leader of our church youth group, preacher’s kid, most likely to friggin’ succeed. No one would suspect I’d be worried about anything sexual, much less teen pregnancy. Daddy is one thin wall away. He’s working on his fire and brimstone sermon. (I can hear the tap tap tapping of the pencil while he ponders just the right words to say.) If only he knew. This is seriously the longest three minutes of my life. Wipe. Flush. Wash. Wash again. This hand soap stinks; what was my mom thinking? Dry. Close lid. Check teeth. Brush teeth...

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.   I wasn't sure how I felt about using a mud shampoo. I sort of thought it might feel gritty or smell funny but Adovia Mineral Skin Care Dead Sea Mud Shampoo proved me wrong on both accounts. I have terribly dry hair and since our youngest was born (8 months ago), my hair has been falling out in clumps and has felt very unhealthy. After the first wash with Adovia Mineral Skin Care Dead Sea Mud Shampoo I could already feel a difference. By the end of the first week, I was in love. I just received the conditioner and can't wait to see how the two products work together. If the shampoo is any indication, you will certainly find this combination in my shower from this day forward! Thank you Adovia Mineral Skin Care for creating this fabulous product and making my hair feel beautiful again! Here is the Amazon purchase link in case you want to try this one for yourself: http://amzn.to/RqQqFZ P.S. I'll be reviewing...

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. Thank you to Team Innovations LLC for this great new product - Garcinia/Cleanse Weight Loss SYSTEM ! I can certainly say I lost a few pounds, but more importantly I felt like I had more energy! Since having our third child last September I have felt like a walking zombie and it is about time I feel like my old self again. Thank you Team Innovations for giving me my life back (at least my old body...the clothes are still covered in drool and my hair is still grey). Try this for yourself - here is the Amazon purchase link: http://amzn.to/1ojYsyQ I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com . Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. When I get excited about a product, my husband will say "might as well buy stock". For example, when our youngest came home from the hospital, I was using coconut oil for nursing relief, chapped lips, dry hands, after bath baby moisturizer, dry hair, on boo boo's for the older children, as eye make up remover, as a butter substitute for flipping pancakes and making cookies, and honestly...the only thing I couldn't do with it was the gargling trick to detoxify but that's another story. When I started using Emu Oil he was quick to notice it was a similar love affair to that of coconut oil. And can you guess what he said? Yup..."might as well buy stock". Hello, I am Crystal and I am absolutely in love with Insta Natural Emu Oil !  Our youngest is 7 months old and has dry patches so I began using the Emu Oil after his bath. It worked so well I started using it with every diaper change. Then I no...

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. I was super excited to participate in a product review for Dreambaby®'s Furniture Anchors and I'm even more excited to offer a giveaway for my readers. We've all read the horror stories (thanks Facebook) about children being injured or killed by household objects tumbling on top of them. I somehow raised two children without anything happening, but with our youngest now learning how to pull himself up, I was terrified something might happen. I wasn't quite sure what we could do other than maybe wrap everything in bubble wrap and get rid of anything over 3 feet tall. Fortunately Dreambaby® was a step ahead of me. The products were easy to install and have given me peace of mind. As I watch my son creep and crawl around the room, I know when he pulls himself up he will be safe. Thanks Dreambaby® - Definitely 5 stars in my books - and absolutely priceless! Pictured above are the products we tried and are givin...

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOP1c09c5c4a7466ab306066925e6112b4a " rel="nofollow"> http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png " /> It is my pleasure to tell you about Simply Essentials Best Nail Clippers. Our family had an opportunity to test drive the Extra Large size - they lived up to the packaging and product description. They certainly are strong, sharp, and wonderful for thick nails. These are my new favorite toe nail clippers. The Best Nail Clippers are well made and easy to handle. You can purchase your own clippers by following this link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Extra-Large-Clippers-Fingernails-Toenails/dp/B00GRDHIKO And here's the official product description: Large Stainless steel nail clippers for thick nails. The cutting edge is ultra sharp and ensures nails are easy to cut. Good for precise cutting. Great new style with satin matte finish, includes catchall for clipp...

    Cann Family Desserts is a fabulous book for the entire family. But don't take my word for it...here's what my 7 year old daughter had to say: Book Review: Cann Family Desserts Review By: Carmen Jeanne Casavant I really like Cann Family Desserts . It was a good book for teaching about what desserts are good and bad. The pictures were really interesting because food doesn't really talk, so the pictures made me laugh. I like grocery shopping with my mom so I liked the part about making smart choices at the grocery store and at home. I'm going to make better dessert choices too, just like the Cann Family. Carmen Jeanne Casavant is 7 years old and lives in Reedsville, WI with her two younger brothers (Andre who is 5 and Breccan who is 7 months) and her parents. Carmen enjoys helping on the family's dairy farm and she is an avid reader. Carmen loves fiction and non-fiction books and is happy to help her mom review books appropriate to her age. L...

  Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOP5ee9a954561df69856934dd763eb0116 " rel="nofollow"> http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png " /> Yacon Syrup It's pretty typical around here to hear my husband say "did you want a little coffee with your creamer" and yes...I'm the girl who ate two candybars on the way home from the store. I suppose you could say I have a sweet tooth, but truth be told, I have sweet teeth - there isn't a single one in there that doesn't love something sweet and delicious! It's too bad I don't crave broccoli or beansprouts, but I just don't. When I was given an opportunity to try a natural sweetener I jumped at the chance! Yacon Syrup by Life Food Pros is a raw organic syrup that comes from the roots of naturally grown Yacon plants in Peru. Yacon Syrup is low calorie, low glycemic, and it is wonderfully sweet (and perfect in my coffee...

Yesterday I had an opportunity to tell you about a fabulous business making wool diaper covers and baby/toddler pants. Well, today I want to tell all you fleece lovers about a fabulous business making fleece diaper covers and baby/toddler pants as well as other made to order items. I happen to love fleece just as much as I love wool and Pink Paisleys fulfills my fleece orders! You'll find exactly what you're looking for at Pink Paisleys and if you can't find it, just explain it and they'll make it for you! My little guy fell in love with his new shorts - they were so cuddly he fell right to sleep! Fleece is a great option to stop leaks and of course we all know how cuddly soft fleece is against even the most sensitive skin. If you don't happen to be from Marshalltown Iowa, You'll find Pink Paisleys on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pink-Paisleys/369093256565049 Reasonable prices, quality baby items, unique prints!

I have in NO way been reimbursed for this post. This product review and recommendation was totally unsolicited and will be completely unexpected for Little Addy's Attic. Let me start at the beginning. I cloth diaper our little guy who is now 7 months old. He is a happy baby and a fabulous sleeper. He sleeps 12-14 hours and though he wakes to eat he does NOT want his diaper changed. He's much like his mother and prefers to keep his eyes closed until after his morning coffee (well, bottle for him and coffee for me). Of course, he was leaking through even the most expensive diapers. I started using fleece soakers and then learned about the benefits of wool. Unfortunately, we are not in a financial position to pay $50 for a wool soaker and/or $80 for wool pants. I was searching for a local and more reasonable alternative. That's when I found Little Addy's Attic!   (find them yourself on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleAddysAttic  ) Little Addy's Attic is ...

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOP81bc67658809ec869d9a619433e6c540 " rel="nofollow"> http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png " /> I have been loving the La Beaute Pure Vitamin C Serum for younger skin. The product is light and absorbs quickly. It is not adding any time to my beauty routine and yet my skin feels healthier and looks brighter. This is a great product for a busy mom who wants to look good without spending a ton of time or money. I am very happy with the quality of La Beaute Pure Vitamin C Serum and feel it is a fabulous value. Find it on Amazon! LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST TO BE ENTERED IN A GIVEAWAY FOR YOUR VERY OWN BOTTLE!!! COMMENTS MUST BE MADE BEFORE NOON (CST) FRIDAY, MAY 9TH AND A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS A COMMENT TO THIS POST! I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM81bc67658809ec869d9a619433e6c540...

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. I've been taking probiotics for years. My children have all been taking probiotics since birth. I can say wholeheartedly I believe an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I am proud to say my 7 year old has been on antibiotics twice and our 6 year old only once (the 7 month old - never). I fully think we owe this to a healthy diet and the probiotics. In addition to keeping us healthy, here's a quick run-down of why Pro-15 is our probiotic of choice: **No artificial flavors or colors **Better absorption **Easy to swallow and no yucky flavor or odor **Improved mood and energy levels (THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART) Like most of you, I am busy and wear many hats throughout the day. I tended to get cranky and short with people toward the end of the day. I also found myself getting tired. That was all BEFORE I started taking Pro-15 . They don't just claim to improve mood and energy levels, THEY DO IT! I ca...

I am happy to participate in another great WOW! Women on Writing Book Blog Tour for a fabulous author! Today's author spotlight and review is for a author and playwright David Kalish. Let's start with a review and go from there! Book Review – The Opposite of Everything by David Kalish Review by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto I remember my topsy-turvy life after my husband broke the news he didn’t love me anymore. I couldn’t remember exactly when things started going wrong and I was plagued with questions and an overwhelming sense of confusion and frustration. I started retracing my steps in hope of finding myself again. I felt like a fragile figurine from the gift shop and I kept thinking “why didn’t you just leave me where you found me since you didn’t want me anyway?” I took myself back to a time and place of safety…I went back to the friends I had ten years prior in hopes of doing it all again and getting it right. Until I read The Opposite of Everything by David...