Tell Mice and Insects to Scram With The Ultrasonic Pest Repeller

This post contains affiliate links

#brpestcontrol

Spring is FINALLY trying to make an appearance around here and with that will come the chirping of new baby birds, new cows in pastures, new kittens, rolly polly puppies and all the cute critters we love to snuggle. But it also brings hoards of the not-so-cute and cuddly, disgusting creatures like mice, rats and insects.

I received theUltrasonic Pest Repeller from Brilliante to review and I am hoping to head off the spring explosion of those critters that are not of the adorable variety.  

We live in a rural area and for several years I never  really gave much thought to mice and the messes they cause simply because we never had a problem with them.

Painted Eggs

Continuing with the Easter Egg theme.... One year I hand painted eggs for everyone in the family. I painted them to match what their interests were or something I knew they liked. They were hard boiled of course!

These were so much fun to paint! I actually had the clown and the Taz for quite awhile after that Easter... The egg inside just dried up and got hard without ever smelling bad. All that exists now are a few photos of them.

This is another fun project you can do with kids. I used non toxic acrylic paints, but for the life of me I can not recall whether anyone ate their egg. Painted eggs for name tags at the Easter dinner table? You can also blow the eggs and after painting seal them with clear and your guests can keep them. 

Stay tuned for more egg creations..........

150 Feet of Awesome With The Expanding Gorilla Hose

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#ExpandableHose

I can not wait for warmer weather! I have been aching to get out and start the garden, but Winter is being very persistent this year! Even as I am trying to be patient, we have a late freeze warning looming for this weekend. 

Once I am able to get the garden going, I am going to have to water it along with other plants I bring outdoors. I received the 150 Foot Expandable Gorilla Hose to review and it makes me want the warm weather to come NOW!

For some inexplicable reason the people that built this house did not put a water spigot in the back yard. There is one on each of the other three sides of the house, but nothing for the backyard. But that is where my garden is! 

I've always needed long hoses to reach all the stuff I plant, and the hoses I have had in the past have always managed to come up a little short. I don't think I am going to have to worry about that with the Gorilla Hose!

I previously reviewed an expandable hose so I knew I liked that whole concept, but the other hose had plastic fittings. It wouldn't have been a problem if I left the hose attached for longer periods of time, but with the cold weather and snow we have had, I didn't want the hose to get messed up and unhooked it after every use. The threads of my brass spigot had begun to strip the plastic threads on the hose fitting. 

The Gorilla Hose features the same great expandable material. It is wonderfully light weight and I can carry it around with one hand/arm  when it is empty. It is soft and easy to hold. Once the water is flowing through it readily expands. All those wrinkles smooth out and it become taut and doesn't kink up. As it expands, it reminds me of those "snakes" we used to get for the Fourth of July.... you lit the end of the black pellet and it just grew and grew! 

 The solid brass fittings fit securely onto the spigot and I don't have to worry that the threads will strip or break. It makes it much easier to screw onto the spigot too. It also has a handy valve for stopping and starting the flow so if you're moving from one place to another, you don't have to waste water. 

I will say, this hose is LONG and if you have weak water pressure, it may not fully expand for you simply because 150 feet is a long way for water to travel. They will have a 75 foot hose available soon.

I have gotten to use it several times now for things like cleaning out the bunny cage and spraying a few things off and I just can not wait to use it on the far reaches of my garden! 

#ExpandableHose

You can find this massive, expandable 150 Foot Gorilla Hose on Amazon.

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Disclosure: I received the item mentioned above for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of the product. You opinion and experience may differ. This post may contain affiliate links which simply means if you click my links and decide to purchase, I may make a small commission, which in turn helps me and my family.

Keep Shirts Letter Perfect With The Packing Envelope

This post contains affiliate links

#packingenvelope

You ever arrive at a traveling destination and find that your clothes are a wrinkled mess? I don't travel as often as a lot of people but when I do, I like to be able to take my clothes out of my bag and hang them up, knowing they are ready to wear and I don't have to spend time re-ironing them.

I received this 18" Packing Folder from Dot&Dot to review and I am amazed by it. When there is nothing in it, It is flat as can be, yet it can hold 8 to 12 shirts or pairs of pants!

And if you have never folded a shirt all nice and neat like they do it in the stores, there is a handy insert that guides you step by step so you can fold them neatly and uniformly to minimize wrinkles and maximize space. 

It is also a great way to keep your clothes organized within your suitcase. The velcro strips allow you to adjust the flaps for a closer or looser fit, depending on how much you have in the organizer. 

While the packing envelope is great for clothes, I have found that it can also work great for other things as well... you may know I am a clown. I am one of the balloon twisters in our group so I almost always carry my supplies with me. 

The packing envelope neatly holds some of my balloons, pumps and other supplies and the nifty handle allows me to carry it like a briefcase.

Now matter what you use it for, it will hold your belongings securely and neatly until you get where you're going. 

#packingenvelope

Dot&Dot makes lots of different organizational products for traveling and packing. You can find this 18" Packing Envelope as well as other great solutions on their website or over at Amazon. 

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Disclosure: I received the item mentioned above for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of the product. You opinion and experience may differ. This post may contain affiliate links which simply means if you click my links and decide to purchase, I may make a small commission, which in turn helps me and my family.

goPure Naturals Fractionated Coconut Oil Review

This post contains affiliate links

#CoconutOil

Fractionated coconut oil has many many uses and some advantages over traditional coconut oil. I received a bottle of Fractionated Coconut Oil from goPure to review, so I have been exploring the many and varied uses where it can be applied. There both are advantages and disadvantages to fractionated coconut oil.

Unlike regular coconut oil, it won't go rancid since the longer chain fatty acids are removed. This makes it very stable and it has a longer shelf life.

It can be used for cooking. The processing removes impurities and makes the oil odorless and tasteless. It can also withstand high heat. However, that same processing also the saturated fat content so use cooking use should be limited. 

Fractionated coconut oil is great to use with essential oils. Since EO's very concentrated, they can cause irritation if applied directly to the skin or on people with naturally sensitive skin. Adding the essential oils to a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil not only lessen the chance of irritation, it makes a small amount of essential oil go very far. A disadvantage is that some people might experience a heightened allergy to fractionated coconut oil so it is best to test it by placing a small amount on the inside of the elbow to test for any reaction before you rub it all over yourself.

When coconut oil has been fractionated, capric and caprylic acid volumes increase proportionally as the other components are removed, creating a strong antioxidant and disinfectant action. Combined with its great moisturizing action and quick absorbtion, this is yet another reason fractionated coconut oil is used so much in aromatherapy and beauty treatments.

Here are some great uses for fractionated coconut oil:

Stretch Marks:

Coconut has been hailed for fading stretch marks. 

An effective blend containing essential oils is 3 drops of neroli and 2 drops of frankincense to 10mls of coconut oil. These essential oils are known to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Other useful essential oils for stretch marks include carrot seed, helichrysum, jasmine, lavender, orange bitter, patchouli, rose otto, and sandalwood.

Skin Care:

Well known for it's use in beauty treatment, coconut oil penetrates deeply, nourishes, moisturizes and softens. Because of the high protein count it is thought to repair skin. It is used for a wide variety of things from cracked lips, discolored patches and removing make up. It makes a good shaving "lotion" as well. It makes a smooth surface for the razor while also nourishing and soothing the skin. Simply apply a small amount to the palm of your hand and apply to the skin. For after shave you can use coconut oil mixed with lavender or meleluca to calm skin if you have gotten razor burn.

Hair Care:

If you have dry or damaged hair, coconut oil could be a worthwhile try. In addition to it's antibacterial and disinfectant properties, the low molecular weight allows the oil to easily penetrate the hair shaft. Apply to the hair and leave for 15 to 30 minutes.

Antibacterial Properties:

The anitbacterial properties of coconut oil can be mixed with antibacterial essential oils to create a natural wound treatment. Some of the well known essential oils used for this purpose are:  Cinnamon leaf, cedar atlas, ravensara, eucalyptus, bergamot, geranium, tea tree, thyme and pine. You can mix 4 or five drops of any one of these to 10 mls of fractionated coconut oil and then apply to the area to be disinfected.

This is far from the only uses for fractionated coconut oil and this has probably barely scratched the surface. As with a lot of natural products, the uses you can find are endless. You can experiment and explore uses, but if you are looking up recipes make sure they are using fractionated coconut oil and not one of the other forms of coconut oil.

I am still new at using these type things myself, but I have found it pretty easy to replace the harmful cleaners and chemicals around our house with natural products like this and still get effective results.

#CoconutOil

If you want to get started using Fractionated Coconut Oil, you can find this great 16 ounce bottle from goPure Naturals on Amazon.

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Disclosure: I received the item mentioned above for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of the product. You opinion and experience may differ. This post may contain affiliate links which simply means if you click my links and decide to purchase, I may make a small commission, which in turn helps me and my family. 

Dune Jewelry Cuff Bracelet Giveaway

Hosted by: Savory Savings

Co-hosted by: Michigan Saving & More, Deliciously Savvy and Here We Go Again...Ready?

Sponsored by: Dune Jewelry

Do you have a special trip that you would like to remember?  Dune Jewelry offers unique and beautiful ways to commemorate those trips by offering jewelry with a special spot that displays and holds sand from different locales all over the world!  Krista from Savory Savings recently received a cuff bracelet with sand from Cozumel, a family favorite vacation destination!  Be sure to check out her review!


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You ever bring home a couple of pretty rocks or sea shells from a trips? Can't exactly carry them around or wear them though. With this, every time you look at your wrist, you'll be reminded of that special moment in time.
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Would you like to win a beautiful cuff bracelet?  If you would like a chance to win, enter with the Giveaway Tool below.  If you have won a giveaway from Dune, from another blog in the last 12 months, you are not eligible to win.  The giveaway will run from March 25 through April 8, 2015 at 11 PM CST and is open to US residents (excluding HI/AK), ages 18 and older.  Entries will be verified.  Winners will be notified via email (consider adding gloriouslygreengal@gmail.com to your safe list) – winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize or another winner will be selected.

Good Luck!

Fe Fit Women's 13 Week Workout Series Giveaway

Hosted by: Savory Savings

Co-hosted by: Michigan Saving & More

Sponsored by: Fe Fit

Fe Fit Women's 13 Week Workout Series Giveaway

Summer is upon us and many moms are looking to get into shape and regain a better workout schedule.  Fé Fit aims to do just that - a 13 week workout series that is easy for busy moms to fit into their schedule and stick with!  Krista over at Savory Savings recently had a chance to try out these DVD's and LOVES them!

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Who made up the rule that January was the month to start your fitness routines? Since most of us can now go outside without freezing into a human popsicle, NOW is the real time to start! 

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Would you like to win a workout series that works?  If you would like a chance to win, enter with the Giveaway Tool below.  If you have won a giveaway from Fé Fit, from another blog in the last 12 months, you are not eligible to win.  The giveaway will run from March 23 through April 13, 2015 at 11 PM CST and is open to US residents (excluding HI/AK), ages 18 and older.  Entries will be verified.  Winners will be notified via email (consider adding gloriouslygreengal@gmail.com to your safe list) – winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize or another winner will be selected.

Good Luck!

Decoupage Egg and Painted Basket Craft

I have made so many crafts over the years I can't even remember them all. This is one of them I hadn't thought about in a long time. I made this egg for my husband's Grandmother and she kept it on a shelf in her kitchen where she saw it nearly everyday. After she passed away several years ago, it was given back to me. I had put it away so it wouldn't get broken and came across it again the other day. 

It is a real egg. A regular white egg. I blew the insides out. I cut the flowers from a some wrapping paper and decoupaged them individually onto the egg.

The basket was a pre-made paper mache I picked up at Walmart WAY back when. It has been awhile, but I believe I simply sponge panted it with the pink and purple. I painted the inside green to match the Easter grass and trimmed the edges in gold.

I love making things, or trying to make things, with eggs. I think I like the challenge of trying not to break it!

This is something you can make with your older little crafters. You will probably have to blow the egg for them if they have never done it, but it makes a neat permanent Easter egg!

Loomin' Crazy With A 6000 Loom Band Set

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#loombands

Have you ever made anything on one of the peg looms? If you have, you know..... it can be quite addicting! I am amazed at all the delightful things that can be created with little rubber bands and some pegs. You can quite literally find a tutorial or design instructions to make almost anything.

I really do enjoy making things on these looms. I like weaving type crafts anyway, so most of the time this is pretty relaxing to me. With lots going on lately, I haven't gotten to make anything in quite awhile so I was thrilled to review this 6000 Piece Loom Band Refill Packs Kit..

This set is massive. It includes 10 colors, individually bagged so it is already sorted for you. And it avoids color bleed. If you use an organizer tray or box for your bands, refilling it is a snap. There are 600 of each color... red, yellow, green, blue, pink, purple, black, white, turquoise and orange. Plenty of great projects can be created with these! Each color bag also contains a little packet of "S" clips for a total of 200.  

The bands are super stretchy, making it easier to do those cap bands and figure eights. They are also latex-free so no worries about those with latex allergies or sensitivities. 

I love to learn new designs when I have time to just focus and relax. I like doing neat charm shapes and this time around learned a couple different bracelet techniques that were really neat.

Checking to be sure all bands had been loomed over

I think most people that have ever made at least one thing know the simple looming techniques of lifting the band on bottom and pulling it back on itself. With the bracelets I make with these bands, I used some different methods. I was super impressed in these bands because some of these designs called for the bands to be really REALLY stretched to fit over multiple pegs and out of all of the things I have made so far, I broke only one band. 

They are also quite soft, not stiff or rough on your skin. I'm not sure if I can explain that better, but with some bands I have found that after stretching several over my fingers or handling them for awhile, they feel rough and make my finger feel rough too. The softness of these makes them handle quite well. I found myself finishing one thing and looking for more to make!

@loombands

If you or your kids are into looming, this is a nice set that should keep you (or them!) busy for quite awhile. The 6000 Pc Loom Band Set can be found on Amazon reasonably price at around $15. With Summer around the corner you can stock up so the kids will have neat crafts to make when they get out of school!

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Disclosure: I received the item mentioned above for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of the product. You opinion and experience may differ. This post may contain affiliate links which simply means if you click my links and decide to purchase, I may make a small commission, which in turn helps me and my family.