Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Purex Crystals Aromatherapy Review & Giveaway

 
Received a package at my door and it was the new Purex Crystals Aromatherapy!  I am always excited to try out in-wash scent boosters because one of my favorite parts of doing the laundry is smelling the fresh scent after they come out of the dryer.  For me, the more scent the better (of course as long as it is a scent I love).  Essential oils are the key element in this laundry enhancer.

There are three scents in the Purex Crystals Aromatherapy line; Energy, Well Being, and Serenity.  I received  the Energy scent which has notes of sparkling floral citrus.  I have to admit, I'm not crazy about the scent.  When you smell it straight out of the bottle it is strong and overpowering.  Plus, I usually associate lemon with dishes not laundry.  I do think that the lemon scent goes well with the "Energy" description though.

Purex Crystals are very easy to use.  Just throw as many as you want in the washer with your clothes...the more crystals you use, the stronger the scent.  The scent of the laundry after coming out of the dryer is much better than the scent straight from the bottle.  It is light and fresh.  I will definitely continue to use the bottle up, but I think I would personally really love the other two floral scents much better than this lemon one.  I'm a floral scent kind of gal.
GIVEAWAY:
Purex has so kindly provided three coupons, each redeemable for a Purex Crystals Aromatherapy bottle!  That means there will be *3 Winners*!   Just use the easy peasy Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  Giveaway ends 11/10 at 12AM ET.  (US Only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Purex brand provided me with a sample of Purex Crystals Aromatherapy in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Their Name Is Today by Johann Christoph Arnold Review & Giveaway

I received Their Name Is Today by Johann Christoph Arnold complimentary from Flyby Promotions and Handlerbar Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions expressed are 100% my own.

About the book:

“If you want to glean insights into how to raise and influence children to be more compassionate and considerate, more courageous and confident, more independent, secure, and unselfish; if you want your children to be more loving and joy-filled, then get reading!” —excerpt from Mark K. Shriver’s Foreword (President of Save the Children Action Network)

Despite a perfect storm of hostile forces that threaten to deny children a healthy, happy childhood, courageous parents and teachers can turn the tide. Yes, we can reclaim childhood, says Johann Christoph Arnold, whose books have helped more than a million readers through the challenges of education and family life. In Their Name Is Today, he highlights drastic changes in the way our society treats children. But he also brings together the voices of dedicated parents and educators who are finding creative ways to give children the time and space they need to grow. Cutting through the noise of conflicting opinions, Arnold takes us to the heart of education and parenting by defending every child’s right to the joy and wonder of childhood.

About the author: Johann Christoph Arnold
A noted speaker and writer on marriage, parenting, and end-of-life issues, Arnold is a senior pastor of the Bruderhof, a movement of Christian communities. With his wife, Verena, he has counseled thousands of individuals and families over the last forty years, as well as serving as an advisor at several innovative private schools. Arnold’s message has been shaped by encounters with great peacemakers such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, Cėsar Chavez, and John Paul II. Born in Great Britain in 1940 to German refugees, Arnold spent his boyhood years in South America, where his parents found asylum during the war; he immigrated to the US in 1955. He and his wife have eight children, forty-four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. They live in upstate New York.
My Review:
Their Name Is Today is a book that emphasizes the need to let children be children.  Let them play, learn, and discover life instead of making them grow up too fast.  We can make a difference in the character and life of children if we start with those that are around us (especially for parents and teachers).  We must start by believing in them and showing them love.

The book is a very easy read with lots of real life stories.  It covers topics that will make you think about the way you will or have raised your own children (including screen time, material possessions, standardized testing, medication, ect.).  I wouldn't say it is a how to book, but there is sage advice within it's pages from people who have worked and understand how different and perfect each child is despite how the world may label them.  I think this book is a stepping stone for further discussion on each topic.  It has definitely made me think about what is really important in life and how I will instil those values into my children.
GIVEAWAY:
Flyby Promtions has generously provided a copy of Johann Christoph Arnold's book Their Name Is Today for you to WIN!  Just use the easy peasy Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  Giveaway ends 11/11 at 12AM ET.  (US and CANADA Only)
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Monday, November 3, 2014

A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas Review & Giveaway

I received A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas complimentary from Flyby Promotions in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions expressed are 100% my own.

About the book:
Discover how to live out a sacred marriage. You believe your marriage has eternal purposes. you long for it to reach beyond your home and encourage others. But what does it look like to have a spiritually intentional relationship in the midst of dirty dishes, work deadlines, and car pools? In Sacred Marriage, Gary Thomas showed us that God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy. Now, in A Lifelong Love, Thomas gives us the practical tools to craft our marriages into inspiring relationships that breathe spiritual life to others. Whatever season of marriage you are in, A Lifelong Love gives your the practical help you need to infuse your marriage with a spiritual passion that will not only change you but will change the world around you.

About the author:
Gary Thomas is writer-in-residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, a frequent guest on Focus on the Family and FamilyLife Today radio, and a popular speaker. His award-winning books, including The Sacred Search, have been translated into over a dozen languages and together have sold more than a million copies worldwide. Thomas and his wife have been married thirty years and have three children.

Review: 
I've always loved reading books on marriage (I think I read way more of them before I was actually married, lol).  I like reading these books because there is so much wisdom we can gain from listening to other couples, especially couples who have a Christ-centered marriage.  I was excited to get to read this book because I'd heard good things about Gary Thomas' book Sacred Marriage (thought I haven't read it myself) and I've been looking for ways to make God the focus of our marriage.

I have to say I really enjoyed A Lifelong Love.  It's a book for any couple, no matter the season of life you may be in.  The book is divided into three main parts (The Magnificent Obsession, Growing Together, & The Journey Toward Love) with each chapter ending with discussion/reflection questions and a prayer.  The text isn't hard to read, but I moved pretty slowly through the book because each section really gives you a lot to think about and process.

My favorite part of the book (and very different from other marriage books I have read) is that it is bursting with scripture.  The Bible is our handbook to guide us through life, so why wouldn't we use it to discover how to have a successful marriage?  I've discovered new ways of applying scripture to my marriage through this book.  I also love that there are plenty of real life examples and practical tools given.  I would definitely recommend this book to any couple looking to strengthen their marriage by making God the focal point.

GIVEAWAY:
Flyby Promtions has generously provided a copy of Gary Thomas' book A Lifelong Love for you to WIN!  Just use the easy peasy Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  Giveaway ends 11/10 at 12AM ET.  (US and CANADA Only)
 a Rafflecopter giveaway


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”