Allenbelle Essential Oils Review

I was given the opportunity to purchase Allenbelle  Essential Oils at a discount in exchange for a review.  If you make a purchase I may be compensated; however, there will no charge to you.  Profits from any sales from my blog are used to maintain Mother 2 Mother blog.

Lets get to the review.  So, I’m starting to really enjoy using essential oils, especially in my diffuser.  I’m not into one particular brand at this time.  As a result, I’m at the experimenting stage so I like trying different brands and scents.  Today, I’m sharing my product review on the Allenbelle Essential Oils review.

 

essential oil review

First, I want to discuss for this essential oils review is the packaging.  These oils are packaged nicely in dark bottles.  So, there are 8 essential oils in the box.  Furthermore, the scents include Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Tea Tree, Rose, Frankincense, Lemon, Orange.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love curling up with a magazine or snack and enjoy the scents in my diffuser.  I reached for the Peppermint and Orange scents without hesitation.

 

essential oils review

 

Also, I love essential oil bottles that make it easy to add the oils to recipes and to your diffuser.   Allenbelle does just that.  This concept allows you to easily control the number of drops that you add.  They are also easy to open and close too.

 

essential oils reviews

 


 

So, I added about 6 – 8 drops of the Peppermint to my diffuser, and it provided a nice scent.  Once that had been used, I diffused the orange.  A bedtime favorite is the lavender.  I added a few more drops to provide the scent that I wanted.  Maybe it was just me, but it didn’t seem to have the same power as the Peppermint or Orange.  However, you may not like it as strong as I do.

Also, I have my grandchildren into essential oils.  Simply for the relaxation effects of the scents and the changing lights on the diffuser.  It truly helps them relax and fall asleep.  Mesmerize your children or yourself with these LED Light Diffusers.  They are perfect for diffusing these Allenbelle essential oils.

 

Ellenbelle Essential Oils

 

I decided to do something different with the oils for this essential oils reviews.  I have a ton of pine cones sitting around.  Furthermore, I collect pine cones my daughter’s yard and my backyard.

 

essential oils review

 

I used a medium spray bottle filled with 1/2 the bottle of water and 10 -12 drops of the Eucalyptus essential oil.  I also sprayed another set with the orange essential oil.   Both smelled heavenly, but the orange was my favorite.  I place them in baskets or tins and place them throughout the house.  Stayed tuned to my post where I will share step by step instructions on how to make these scented pine cones and fire starters.

 

essential oils review

 

 

In conclusion, I highly recommend Allenbelle Essential Oils.   Amazon highly recommends them too.  They have them listed as an Amazon’s Choice product.

Nike Insulated Lunch Bag Review

This post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase I may be compensated; however, there will no additional charge to you.

I purchased this Nike lunch bag for my grandson.  He has moved from Elementary to Middle School, and is not longer interested in TV characters.  He’s an athlete, so I thought this Nike lunch bag would be a perfect back to school gift.  He loves it.  So, do I.  Although it’s an upright, it holds as much as the rectangle lunch bag he has previously.  The bag comes in approximately 35 colors and designs.  There’s teal, pink, camo, polka dots and more.   So, it’s perfect for girls too.  They truly have something for everybody.  The Swoosh is the finishing touch.

 

lunch bag reviews

 

My grandson loves sandwiches, so most mornings that is what he gets.  In addition, there’s a banana, yogurt or cheese sticks, cookies, chips and a juice box.  If not a sandwich, than a Lunchable.   Yes, it all fits and yes the bag is empty when he comes home.

The lunch bag is made of quality material, and insulated.  Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Nike.  It has 2 zippers that are nice and strong.  The quality of the zippers is one of the first things that I check on lunch bags.  Kids can be hard on zippers when they’re opening and closing them everyday.

 

lunchbox reviews

Next, I love the bottom of the bag.  It’s perfect for a sandwich case.  Utilizing this space frees up space in the upper portion.  Which, allows me to fit in all of the other items.  The banana was the hardest item to fit into his other lunch bags.  This upright bag allows me to put in a banana with ease.  Because he plays football, eating bananas daily is essential for his potassium level.  It keeps him from getting cramps.

I highly recommend that you check out this Nike lunch bag if you have a son/grandson who is into athletics and transitioning from elementary to middle school.  It’s the perfect back to school, birthday or Christmas gift.

 

RAAYA Hand Spray Nozzle Review

 

gardening tools, water hose nozzles

I received this Raaya Hose Nozzle at a discount in exchange for an honest review of the product; however all opinions are my own.  This post may contain affiliate links.  Compensation from affiliate links will be used to sustain Mother 2 Mother Blog.

product review, Raaya Hose Nozzel

The nozzle on my current hose had seen better days.  I had purchased it years ago, and it was starting to show wear.  I get soaked each time I make an attempt to water my garden.  There was as much water coming out of the hose and spraying me as there was going into the garden. The shower feels great on a hot summer day, but it’s not always convenient to have to track water through the house to change your soaking wet clothes.  It’s not a great feeling on early spring or late summer days either. Burrr!

The nozzle fit perfectly on my current garden hose.  It is a quality made product that I was hoping would water my garden without watering me.  The nozzle is ergonomically designed.  This feature is important to me because of my carpal tunnel.  It was also longer than the nozzle that I was replacing, which was a plus as well. It added a few inches on to the length of the hose, which helps in watering plants in hard to reach places.

The nozzle  has 9 different spray streams.  Fan, cone, shower, soaker and flat to name a few.  I love to use the shower stream for my vegetable garden and the soaker stream for new plants just emerging in the garden.  I was excited to find that the head on the nozzle pivots.  This is a great function because it makes watering in hard to reach places easier.

 

Image-Raaya-Hose-Nozzel2

 

Finally, the nozzle fit perfectly into the notch the hose cart.  Clipping the nozzle onto the cart keeps the hose from unraveling or ending up on the ground.  I couldn’t find a negative with this nozzle.  If you’re looking for a replacement or if you’re buying your first nozzle, I highly recommend the RAAYA Garden Hose Nozzle.

 

Eksel Grill and Oven Mat Reviews

 

BBQ tips, grill mats

 

 

This post contains affiliates.  If you make a purchase, I may make a small profit.  However, there will be no additional costs to you.

 

I was offered a discount on these ekSel Grill Oven BBQ Mats I purchased the product in exchange for a review.  I took advantage of the bargain, and I glad I did. You get two per box, a black and a brown.  You can use the mats either on the grill or in your oven.  However, the box did not contain instructions.  All was not lost, I used the box for guidance.  I’m a visual person, so this worked for me.

This time of year, BLTs are big in my house.  Summer brings fresh lettuce and tomatoes.  Furthermore, there’s nothing better than fresh ingredients on a BLT.  I stopped cooking my bacon on top of the stove years ago.  Not only because of the grease splatter, but because I think bacon cooks better in the oven.  As a result, I was eager to see if the bacon would crisp the way I like it.  Additionally, I wanted to see how the mat would handle the oil from the bacon.  I decided to use the black mat to prepare my bacon for my BLT in the oven.

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Take a look at this bacon.  It looks and tastes delicious.  I prefer Butcher Cut bacon.  It doesn’t shrink, and it’s perfect for sandwiches or anytime.  My granddaughter loves bacon so much, she wants it for a snack.

 

grill mat

 

Furthermore, you can cook chicken, sausages, pork chops and anything else on the mats.  They’re perfect in the oven or on the grill.  I hate using public grills.  This grill mat is the answer to yummy public picnic grills.

Having grill marks on burgers, hot dogs, sausages and chicken are a sign of heaven to a grill master or backyard BBQer.  Being able to get grill marks while using these grill mats is not a problem.  Just as important, not having to use spray or foil on your grates puts the icing on the cake for me.

Personally, I prefer to us a charcoal grill versus gas grills.  If your preference is gas, you will be happy to know that the grill mat can be used in gas or electric oven and on most gas and charcoal grills and smokers.  Be sure to read the manufacturers instructions and recommendations.

Also, the grill mat is dishwasher safe.  Place them in the top rack or you can wash them by hand and just dry them.  You can use the grill up to 100 times before they need to be replaced. Did I mention that you can bake cookies and pizza on them too.  Great gift idea or keep them for yourself.  Just head over and grab a pack or 2 of the ekSel Grill Oven BBQ Mats  You will be happy that you did.

 

 

Pentex Camera Cleaning Pen

 

 

camera maintenance, camera cldeaning tips

 

I was given the opportunity to review the Pentex Camera Cleaning Pen and I accepted. I’m an amateur photographer who has a lot to learn about taking pictures and maintaining my equipment, so I thought the pen would be a great place to start in learning how to clean my camera.

The pen arrived in a blue velvet pouch, which is perfect for keeping track of the pen. It’s the perfect size for carrying in your purse or camera bag.  I removed the pen from the pouch and put it to use. It has a retractable brush, which is so soft. Have no fear of scratching your camera or lens. It does a great job in removing the dust from the lens and camera. I decided to use on my binoculars and phone as well. 

 

camera maintenance, camera cleaning

 

You can see the pen in the picture, it has tools on both ends.  The brush on one end and a carbon cleaning pad on the other.  I keep my camera lens covered with a cap when not in use to minimize scratches and dust.  I started with the brush. I dusted the camera all over and removed the cap to clean the lens.  I was amazed at how dirty it was. I followed the lens brush cleaning with the carbon cleaning pad.  My mouth fell open, the lens was glowing. It was smudge and dust free.  I grabbed all of the lens for my camera and went to work.   I cleaned the view finder and every nook and cranny on the camera.

 

 

camera maintenance, camera cleaning tips

 

Another thing that I like about the cleaning pen is that it does not require additional cleaning fluids.  The carbon cleaning pad is patented, environment friendly, non-toxic,  and alcohol and ammonia free!

I highly recommend this cleaning pen for both professional and amateurs photographers.  This pen would make a great gift for photographers, Christmas, birthday or any time.

Note: I received the Pentex Camera Cleaning Pen in exchange for the review; however, all opinions are my own. 

Bloomsy Box Review

product review, online florist, Bloomsy Review

 

I was contacted by Bloomsy Box to review a bouquet of their flowers in exchange for a review.  I love fresh flowers in my home so I accepted; however, all opinions are my own. 

Bloomsy Box delivers fresh bouquets of flowers to your home weekly or monthly depending on the plan that you choose. There are 3 monthly options:  Bloomsy S, L, and M. The prices are $39.99, $43.99 and $48.99 respectively. The weekly options are: Bloomsy W and Bloomsy WW. The prices are $38.15 and $41.00 per week respectively. Each category has designated flowers that will be shipped directly to your home, business or vacation. You get a surprise bouquet of one single variety per week or month depending on your plan.  No ferns, baby’s breath etc. will be mixed with the flower choice. The arrangements are simple, but elegant.   

The Bloomsy Box was delivered by FedEx.  I became excited, I opened the box and there was a beautiful box of sunflowers just waiting for a vase.  They were secured in the box and wrapped in Kraft Paper.  Each head of the sunflowers was secured with netting. I removed the bouquet from the box and the netting from each of the sunflowers and placed them in a vase.  I waited and waited for the sunflowers to open; however, they never reached that goal.     

 

flower deliveries online,

 

Bloomsy ships their bouquets overnight to ensure they are fresh and the flowers are in bud form with the intention of them opening within 3 days.  Humm………   Disappointed, I decided to approach the problem as a customer rather than a reviewer. I took this step because I wanted to check out the customer service so I could see exactly how this particular problem would be handled.  Their motto is, “If you’re not happy, we aren’t either! That’s why we guarantee your satisfaction–or you don’t pay for your bouquet.”  I put them to the test and they delivered. 

In about a week, FedEx delivered another box from Bloomsy Box.  I eagerly opened the box and to my surprise I found 20 Spray Red Roses. I searched their site and the bouquet is called Confident.  I love roses as much as I love sunflowers.   They quality and all were buds.  I become excited again and placed the roses in a vase.  Within 3 – 4 days the buds started to open.  They lasted for about a week.  It was a slow, enjoyable process and it made up for the sunflowers not opening. 

 

online floral deliveries, Bloomsy Box

 

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If you love fresh flowers in your home, but don’t have time to garden year round Bloomsy Box is recommended.  It’s also a great idea to have fresh flowers in your office, if you’re a manager these would make a great gift for a co-worker or employee, how sending to a friend or neighbor each month.  The possibilities are endless. Head over and check out their selections. The bouquets are beautiful.

Bearoy Back Seat Organizer Review

 

car organizer

 

car organizer, backseat organizers

How many times have you taken a road trip and you’ve ended up struggling to reach an item or you have a screaming child in the backseat who wants something. I travel frequently. Sometimes I drive and other times I fly. Either way, I’m on the road to my destination or the airport. If I’m traveling with my grandchildren, one or the other ends up wanting a snack, drink, electronic device or some other object that I can’t reach from the front seat if I’m driving or can barely reach if I’m a passenger.

When I was contacted to review the Bearoy Organizer I jumped at the chance. I had actually been shopping for an organizer and tray, so the timing was perfect.  This is a picture of the organizer hanging in the backseat of my car. I love that the 8 year can easily access the organizer and retrieve items for both him and his sister when needed.

 

Image-Car-Organizer

 

This is an up close of the organizer in the back of my car. As you can see, the organizer is a nice size and holds lots of items.  I grabbed the items that I normally take to keep the children occupied when I’m driving.  There’s a drink for the 8 year old, the 4 year old has a cup holder on her car seat, but there is room for both of their cups.  I love the pockets, they’re insulated so drinks will stay cold. or baby’s bottle warm. 

I have the Kindle in the picture, but it’s large enough for the iPad and the Samsung Galaxy too. We normally carry 2 Kindles and either the Samsung tablet or iPad. The pocket has an opening on both sides to plug in headphones or a charger. I love that feature. The kids run down every electronic device that they can get their hands on. We always have a device on a charger. I have a charging station in the console of the car and truck, so the side openings are perfect. I also love that I can keep the tablets in a central location, and not wonder where they are later. 

Lets not forget snacks.  Lemon Heads and peanut butter crackers are a must. Books will easily fit into the bottom pocket.  I pack coloring and reading books as well as crayons for the little one. There’s also 3 pencil holders for pencils, pens and markers for the 8 year old, he loves word search puzzles. 

If your wondering about the fit, don’t. The organizer fits over the headrest and adjust easily. I highly recommend the Bearoy Luxury Backseat Organizer. 

Note: I received the Bearoy Organizer in return for this review; however, all opinions are my own.

 

Spaze Apparel Hoodi Review

I received this Hoodi in exchange for the review; however, all opinions are my own.

Image-Navy-Hoodi

I was asked by Spaze Apparel to review a product from their site.  I browsed the site and readily agreed when I came across their selection of hoodies.  It was just what the doctor had ordered.  I’m amazed at times the way things happen. You see I had been searching for months for my navy blue hoodi to no avail.  So, I knew immediately the hoodi was the winner for my review.

I selected the Gildan G186FL Heavy Blend Ladies Hoodi in navy.  It was difficult making a decision because they have so many colors to choose from.  White, black, purple, red you name it.  They offer the hoodi in sizes S – 3XL.  I like the larger sizes because I can wear a heavy shirt under it in cooler weather and still have plenty of room for comfort and movement.

So, I waited for the package to arrive.  Finally, the package was delivered.  I anxiously opened the package, and I must say I was not disappointed.  I loved the fit and it was so soft.  My response was yes, this is perfect.  I don’t know about you, but when I get comfortable with a piece of clothing it’s hard to find a replacement. It was my go to when I headed out for a early morning for a walk or to run errands at Walmart, Target etc.  My attitude about my misplaced hoodi changed. Now if I don’t find it, it’s not a big deal.  I have found a replacement that I love just as much, and I have a new attitude!  Thank you Spaze Apparel.

The one negative about the hoodi for me is the pockets aren’t deep enough.  I like to stick my phone in my pockets when I’m out for a walk.  However, my keys fit nicely though.  I want to mention that the hoodi looks great with my capris and walking shoes.  For the price, the quality is excellent. I highly recommend this item.  It’s perfect for moms on the go. Head over to Spaze Apparel and check them out. They have something for everyone in the family.

 

 

Fresh Baby – Toddler Products Review

I was contacted by Fresh Baby to review their baby products.  Their focus is on healthy meals for toddlers.  Since I have 1 picky eater and 1 than will pretty much eat everything, I jumped at the chance to check out their site and products. 


Here’s my dilemma: My grandson is picky, no veggies and few fruits. My granddaughter who was born a 2 lb. 10 oz. preemie will eat you out of house and home with the exception of veggies. If it’s green, it’s mean in their eyes and they’re not allowing it to get close to their lips. My grandchildren also love snacks, especially my granddaughter. By 8:00 am she’s ready to start her journey through the snacks and meals of the day. Yummy in her stomach is how she describes the experience.  


I was anxiously awaiting my package from Fresh Baby, and finally the box arrived.  You know I’m like a kid at Christmas when I’m waiting for my review products. I was excited about the selection of products when I opened the box. Lets start with this plate. It’s perfect for my granddaughter.  Here’s why: 

  • The plate allows you how to control portions without guessing.  
  • The plate shows you what you should be serving.  
  • The plate is fun, of quality, and colorful.  
  • The plate can used to teach your toddler about food and what is good for them. Children learn by what they see as well as what they hear.   

I love that it is sectioned, my grandchildren do not like their food to touch, lol. My grandson does fine with his portions, it’s the vegetable side of the plate that is normally bare unless it’s corn. 





How adorable is this apron/mock! It was included in the box, and I love it for several reasons:

  • Toddlers can relate to those adorable little chefs at the top. 
  • It also helps teach children about fruits, veggies, dairy and meats. 
  • I love to put white on my 3 year old granddaughter. I know crazy, right. My daughter has a fit when it’s time for her to eat because of spills and drops. This covers her completely when she’s sitting down. Fresh Baby knows toddlers. 
  • It’s easy to wipe clean.  
  • It’s great for those little ones who like to help in the kitchen. 
  • Fits most kids 3 – 5. 
  • It can be folded and placed in a gallon plastic bag and carried in your purse for outings. 






Here’s another problem. How many cookbooks have you come across that was created with toddlers in mind?  Right, not many. As parents, we all know how difficult it is to come up with easy recipes that kids will eat. So Easy toddler food is a winner. The book is written by Cheryl Tallman, one of the founders of Fresh Baby. The book has quite a few recipes that my toddler would eat or I could modify for her. For example, a fresh banana and strawberry smoothie. My daughter does Beach Body, so my grandchildren are no strangers to smoothies. I need to get on board, bahaha!  There’s recipes for apple and chicken kabobs, deviled eggs, my grandchildren love these, home made pizza, great way to use my homemade tomato sauce and cinnamon apple slices. There’s a recipe for Pink Potatoes that’s at the top of my list now. It’s mashed potatoes that uses a combination of sweet and white potatoes that turn pink. What toddler wouldn’t love these.  


 




I have a story for you about my granddaughter and her appetite. One of her favorite places to eat is Golden Corral. She loves to eat mashed potatoes and mac and cheese there. At one outing she ate so much that the gentlemen sitting behind me stopped by our table on the way out and said, “She can really put it away”. My response was she will eat until the bottom falls out.  She was 2 at the time. Another time she wanted peanut butter crackers. She loves them. She wakes up in the middle of the night asking for them. I remember her eating so much one day that I was afraid to give her anything else. I thought she was going to get sick. Of course, she protested. My daughter came in to see what was happening and laughed so hard. She said mom she’s not going to get sick. Give them to her.  Her doctor has approved her eating as much as she wants, so we let her. She’s not overweight and apparently just burns it up. I stressed that healthy eating was a must for her.   


These tips from Fresh Baby on how much she should be eating was right on time. When I looked at the portions, I realized that she’s not overeating. I just have to make sure that she’s eating healthy meals and snacks and spread them throughout the day from the recommended food groups. 


I would highly recommend that you head over to Fresh Baby and check out their products. They also have a blog that you may want to check out and subscribe to.  I did. The blog offers a food database and clever ways to use their Fresh Baby products. Both sites are truly worth the trip. 

Spiral Candle Review

I love candles. I burn them year round and especially on the week-ends while I’m relaxing and sipping my coffee. The smell of a good candle is yummy and soothes the senses. When I was asked by Spiral Light Candle Corporation to review one of their candles I jumped at the opportunity. I went to the site and debated over and over on the scent that I wanted to try. The site has approximately 50 – 60 different scents to choose from, so I waivered. I finally selected the Buttered Rum and waited in anticipation for its arrival. I must say, I was not disappointed. It smelled heavenly just removing it from the box. 

On to the review, this candle is unique. Check out the picture, the wick is on the side of the candle versus the center. As the candle burns, it fills the middle. For safety purposes, please remove the paper wrapper before burning. I left the paper on the candle initially for advertising purposes. 

While the candle was burning, I was expecting a more powerful scent to emerge. It didn’t, but I was fascinated by how it burned and for how long. Once the well of the candle fills, you can light the center wick and you  continue to enjoy the candle. I love this idea, I’ve never seen a candle burn in this manner. You can check out the demonstration here


I have found a new candle resource. There are several other scents that I would like to try like the Cinnamon and Cabernet. The Apple Spice is on my list for my daughter. She loves to burn candles like her mother. These candles would be a great birthday, Mother’s Day, or holiday gift, so keep them in mind. I know I will. 

Disclaimer – I received the above product for review; however, all opinions are my own.