Loading...
Browsing Category

Reviews

7 Things To Get With the Amazon Gift Card You Got for Christmas

It’s time to use those gift cards you got for Christmas!  Since 2005, some $45.7 billion has been floating around in unused gift card balances, according to Finder!

We can guess why. Life is Busy. We are Forgetful.  Don’t join the statistic! Avoid hesitating on spending your gift card!

I recommend you get on Amazon and quickly order something you would ordinarily NOT get for yourself!

It is an excellent excuse to gift yourself something novel, fun, quirky or just different.

Here are 7 items I’ve seen, purchased, used and looked up to see if they sell them on Amazon and they do! Sweet! 

1. Game on!– Get nostalgic and play some of your fave Atari 6400 games you played as a kid with your own kids! We love Blast’s vintage “Plug and Play” video game that comes with a wireless controller and features 8-20 classic video game titles like Centipede, Millipede, Yar’s Revenge, Asteroids, Missile Command, Pitfall, River Raid, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Galaga and Dig Dug. We picked one up at Target for like $25.00 on sale. Online it’s at Amazon.com for just $18! My husband and I played for hours with our kids on Christmas Eve! So fun!!! Thanks AtGames for gifting us a controller as well!

2. Coffee Lovers – I have been eyeing KRUPS’  Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder for a while now and it’s down to $15! Perfect price point for this best selling press machine for coffee aficionados like myself! It makes 3 ounces worth of  yummy goodness in about 10 seconds! Love mine! I got one for Christmas and I’m hoping it saves me money on Starbucks! Oy vey! LOL!! 

3. Wine On – Ever since I won a wine tumbler in an Instagram contest, I’ve not stopped using mine. Not sure if to laugh or cry about that! ha! If you have an Amazon gift card, you can pick one up for under $20!  It’s my go to at the end of a trying week!

4. Future seekers – Going in 2019, a lot of people have big dreams and hopes of making the next year better than the last. I’m a fan of astrology and birth order and the zodiac and I can say emphatically that I got my kickstart going thoroughly through the pages of Mecca Woods‘ book “Astrology for Happiness and Success!” ($10.39)  I not only perused Woods’ very practical tips, delivered in a casual conversational tone for my sign, Virgo, I did for my children’s and husband’s as well. I found the career and wellness guidance extremely relevant and they appear so personalized to me! The book is wonderfully sectioned and organized making it a super easy read! You can pass it on to your mom, sister, bestie when done! Get it!

5. Ski down – It’s the season for hitting the slopes and a new pair of over the glasses ski goggles would be a great gift to give yourself this winter! These are just $18 on Amazon! It gets good reviews, fits with your helmet and fog resistant! Looks like a winner! I think I’ll get the purple ones!

6. Well Read – For the design and/or book lover, this exquisite reading lamp I peeped a teen using while sitting and reading books in Barnes and Noble over the holiday caught my eye. It is pretty, sleek and super portable. I asked her if she got it in the bookstore and she told me  no, Amazon! For just $15!!! I just ordered one! 

7. Wild Animal – Signal your love of your pet dog or cat with these adorable fridge magnets! I saw these on my girlfriend’s fridge a few months ago! I thought they were so cute and they’re only about $10 for a set on Amazon! 

Have fun shopping for stuff you know you may not ordinarily get for yourself!

Review: Start Out The New Year in These Luxurious Sheets

If you are on the hunt for some home items for the new Year to spruce up your digs, I invite you to check out the folks at California Design Den

a quality linen brand “dedicated to delivering high-comfort bedding that’s on-trend and built to last.”

Complimentary of this fabulous company, my hubby and I got a chance to check out of of its luxurious 400-600 thread count sateen weave sheets ($48.89 starting for king size), superbly crafted of fine products and created in an eco-friendly production process. 

I chose black because it is my fave color and matches my mahogany sleigh bed and dark wood furnishings in my bedroom. They also come in blue, chocolate brown, blush, light grey, vanilla, indigo batik, mod spa,  pure white, red wine and smoked pearl.

The sheets fit in perfectly and felt so smooth and crisp against my skin.  We have had it we had to wash them between reviewing them and publishing this post and I can attest that after a traditional machine wash and dry, they come without too many wrinkles and spread on the bed just as nicely as when they were first used!

I really love this brand of linen makers which sells a variety of fine sheets through commerce sites like Wayfair and Nordstrom Rack. They are also a top seller at Amazon

Check out all California Design Den has to offer and consider investing in one of California Design Den’s quality top-notched products for the home today.

If they were not an exquisite item, I would not endorse them as such so you know these are a keeper!

I will be checking out what else they have to offer now that I’ve tested out and enjoy so thoroughly these sheets!

Why Isabella Oliver is a Boss Maternity Brand {Video Review}

I’ve blogged about in the past how much I really like Isabella Oliver maternity here, here and here!

I am a fan  and have been for a while and so much so that I joined as an affiliate and brand ambassador. It’s also a popular brand among celebrities.

It’s having a big holiday sale of up to 50% OFF and FREE Shipping on orders over $149 so I decided to do a quick YouTube video to plug why particularly I love this fashionable brand of maternity clothing. 

If you Want to cop some of this brand’s stuff! Happy Shopping!

Stylish Gear For Cool Yet ‘Good’ Dads? Please and Thanks! {Otter Pass Review}

I believe firmly that new (and vet) parents really ought to invest in certain premium products and heirloom quality baby-related pieces and products that can and will stand the test in time, and can be used over and over again as new members of the family join.

Such items include the baby glider, crib, stroller, car seat and diaper bag which will endure lots of miles of use and as such, and in my opinion, should be made of the best material, pass the highest value standard and overall be considered a genuine investment — meaning perhaps more money is spent on them. This is true for moms and dads.

Now, traditionally, a lot of men prefer not to carry around a typical “diaper bag” because they are usually styled for a mom and have extra feminine flare to them.

Fortunately for modern Millennial dads and beyond, many brands and companies in recent years have sprouted up to cater specifically to the discerning tastes and needs of dads who prefer sleek, styled yet masculine products for when they’re doing “daddy duty” on the go.

A new brand on the market, Otter Pass fits squarely in that categorization because the products are made with top-of-the line leather, canvas and other materials for the “brand spanking new dad“, and the “dad  on-the-go” and we cannot forget, the “old school dad”.

We inspected the Leather and Waxed-Canvas 13″ Laptop Case in black which features a tapered bottom that can be slipped into my husband’s work briefcase yet it is sleek in design on its own that he could stand on its own and be carried to a meeting at headquarters.

We were able to squeeze in a notepad, his laptop, a few pens and his mobile phone, earbuds, keys and wallet in one of the few pouches. The sleeve retails for $145.  

If we wanted to go with a complete look, we could slip the sleeve into another item in the Otter Pass executive collection, its messenger bag (retail $245)  made up of the same materials with a superb cotton twill interior, featuring an adjustable cotton strap with antique brass finished hardware. *swoon* Did someone say “antique brass*?

The Otter Pass Messenger Bag

It is certainly a signature piece with one exterior back slip pocket, 2 front slip pockets,  and 1 front zipper pocket. There is more space to store stuff inside including 2 cell pockets, 1 laptop compartment, keychain

Now imagine a small portable organizer with a fob to hook onto the bag  or, better yet, a pacifier. It can stand on its own and hold quick wipes, ID cards, credit and library cards for library story time and every thing needed by a work-from-home or working dad doing weekend duty. 

I love this brand because of the transparency about the journey its traveled to bring these wonderful products to modern fathers. 

The Austin, Texas-based company is named for a lodge built on stilts above water called Passo do Lontra in Otter Pass, in the wetlands in far west Brazil. It is where its founder Jonathan Goudeau used to frequent with his brothers learning from their dad how to hook piranhas, avoid the reeds where alligators hid,  spot spider monkeys at dawn, and listen for the wing-beats of the jaburu, according to the company’s “about us” page.

The company’s name and ideals honors the memory of Goudeau’s dad who sadly perished at the hands of a drunk driver when Goudeau was just 17-years old.

You can sense the connectedness and passion for serving fathers who, according to the company’s mission, are better ready for anything and able to connect with their kids when they are organized and have all the tools they need.

Otter Pass’ collection include everything from wallets and Dopp Kits to hold anything from snacks to shaving supplies, to baby bottle holders to travel cases that are really manly diaper holders!

The one-year old brand also has a social conscious and altruistic presence as well. Up until yesterday, December 2, it donated 25% of sales from last Giving Tuesday, November 17 to Refugee groups in Austin, Texas. 

Right now, if you head over to the company’s website and join the newsletter,  you’re going to get 10% off your order! Sweet!



We love it so much, we added it to our Gift Guide of things to get that Posh Parent on your Holiday gift list!

I love the brand message, history and more to Otter Pass and plan to keep up with it and have followed it on all its social channels!

You can too keep up with Otter Pass, the brand, the story and the mission on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

I can already see that they are out here supporting free trade and challenging slave labor among dis-empowered communities worldwide! Right on! My kind of company! 

Editorial disclaimer: Product and monetary compensation were provided in exchange for this review, however, my opinions are mine and my review of the products are made without regard to the complimentary nature and the fact the review may be sponsored.

Here is $5 To Get This Conversation Starter ‘Mom’ Tee

To promote the Bellyitch Mom Charm Store, I’m giving all of my readers $5.00 towards the purchase of these funny “World’s Okayest Mom” Tee shirt that I sell in the shop!

This comfy cotton blend lightweight tee shirt is a head turner and conversation starter. Every time this summer, fall and pre-winter I have worn this shirt out and about, I get commentary, people stopping me to tell me they like it and generally hat’s off.

We all know motherhood (and parenthood for that matter) isn’t easy. No one is perfect. We are judged harshly by our partners, kids, society, parents, and everyone in between so owning up and having a sense of humor about it can be endearing! 

I get it!

And now you can too!  GET YOUR contemporary, durable tee SHIRT HERE! 

LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE!

and enter code JJSpecial at check out to get your $5.00 OFF brining down the cost of this shirt to just $20 and knowledge that your purchase will support one of your fave parenting sites! ha! j/k But no really! 

Appreciate your support, friends! 

Get your shirt TODAY!

While you’re there, check out some of our other shirts and sweatshirts!





Amazing! Organize Your Notes & Life with this Intelligent Reusable Notebook {Video Review}

By now, parents of school-aged children have received first quarter grades and can gauge, after attending a parent-teacher meeting, how well their child is doing in school.

Early in the semester, I was offered a Rocketbook Everlast 36-page reusable intelligent notebook (retails: $29.49) which allows users to send handwritten notes jotted won on the notebook to their favorite cloud service.

Cloud services include Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, OneNote, Evernote, iCloud etc.  You have to use a FriXion erasable pen or marker on it.

The pens come in all shapes and sizes tho the original notebook comes with one black one.

The patented pages look and feel like paper, but they are actually made up of a proprietary page that lets erasable pens and markers bond to them until moisture is applied.

That’s the beauty and genius of this notebook. The notes can be wiped clean after they are scanned and uploaded to the cloud.   

It’s like having a 7-subject notebook powered by tech but in one.

The first page of the notebook includes 7 symbols you can assign each subject. After penning notes, the student or biz owner (depending on who is using the notebook and for what purpose), scans the pages and QRC code on the corner and sends it to an associated Rocketbook app which files the notes into the pre-determined category.

After a few uploads or so, students will see a continuous stream of notes. They can use them to create outlines to study from, to print out note cards, or simply to review before class or skim before a quiz or exam. 

It cuts out the trauma that would occur if the student were to lose a notebook. It’s great for that kid who loses papers and struggles with organization.

My 16-year old son Caleb tested it out. Now the kid is an honors student tho he misspelled the word “pineapple” in this demo. I think we was joking around but who knows. (ha) Overall, I was impressed that he used it all semester long and took it out frequently. He plans to continue to use it.

Get yours for $29.49 and although that’s a bit steep, the fact that you can reuse it time and time again and get more than a year’s worth of value from it makes it more cost efficient to disposable notebooks! WATCH my son’s demo here!

WATCH!

 

Cyber Monday Deals From Your Fave Parenting Blogger!

photo-1527578444645-85bbbb91d53c

It is Cyber Monday!

Last year, for Small Business Saturday, I encouraged my readers to support the brands for which I am an affiliate for but this year, I’ve opened up three online shops and am offering discounts and deals in hopes that you will continue to support this platform and purchase from me.

Shop by Bellyitch – The Mom Charm Shop

My Mom Charm Store is an online store of this Parenting blog, Bellyitch Blog. It sells novelty tees, and lifestyle items like mugs, pillows, a fun quirky clock and more.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqkv0G5B794/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Take $5.00 off a shirt when you purchase today.

FREE TEE SHIRT

download

My Etsy shop Digital Publishing Academy sells legal, marketing and productivity templates for online digital business owners like Podcasters, YouTubers, Bloggers, Vloggers and eCommerce shop owners!

Get 20% off any item when you purchase today, Small Business Saturday thru Cyber MONDAY! ENTER Promo CODE: ETSYCYBER2018 at checkout for discount!

il_570xN.1198268633_tnhv

Also, I’m offering a steep discount of $20 OFF for my Blogger’s Legal and Marketing tool kit, regularly priced $29! This Brings the price down to $9!!!! Available to the First 25 buyers!

marketing kit for 9 bucks


discount valuation ebook

Get my Ebook on “How to Valuate Your Blog for Venture Capital Sale” for just $2.99, which is 60% off the Original Price. GET IT HERE! 

We are new

Get Over 500 Stock Photography Images from Picnoi for $34.00 OFF the Original Price!

picnoi for $25

USE CODE CYBERWEEK at Check out of CLICK HERE!

party hair

Finally, my beauty blog, JJBraids, sells hair and if you wear your hair in ethnic braided styles or know someone who does and is looking for a new hairstyle to rock at the Office Holiday party or an upcoming New Year’s Eve bash, invite them to shop my Hair store and get 5% off their purchase when they enter the promocode JJNewbie at checkout!

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Photo: Gift Habeshaw

Bellyitch’s Fave Things: Naipo’s Home Shiatsu Massager

Whether you are expecting, just had a baby, are an overworked stay at home, work from home or working parent, you’re going to have aches and pains related to stress.

Stress can take a toll on the body in the form of muscle cramp, soreness and fatigue. There is a similar pain associated with working out or doing athletic activity to peal off baby weight after giving birth or simply, while you’re on your fitness and health journey.

To ease the pains, having a durable, reliable and effective non-medicinal home remedy and option can be ideal. I use balms and salves and pain medicine and an occasional trip to the massage therapist for a deep tissue massage.

But that is not always an option and can be costly and that is why I was grateful to have been able to test out Naipo’Neck Massager Adjustable Intensity Shiatsu Back Shoulder Massager with Heat and 3D Deep Tissue Kneading Electric Massage Machine. (complimentary in exchange for an honest review)

It’s  a portable massager, wrapped in quality leather and mesh material and delivers some serious kneading. You can position it on  your neck or lower back and it delivers the best in relief EVER! I swear! This is good stuff. It comes with two connectors: one for a standard plug at home and one that connects to the car cigarette lighter so you can get treatment on the go!

Perfect for long car rides during the holidays or over summer break, for people who drive for a living like Truck Drivers and Lyft, Uber and taxi drivers. The long periods of time sitting can give the body a beating after a while.

It has an ergonomic design perfectly fits your body to provide you an optimum use. Heating function works effectively on relieving tightness and poor blood circulation.

This massager would make an EXCELLENT give this holiday season as well and retails for just $43.99 on Amazon! A steal at  under $50 compared to over $1,000 in chiropractor or masseuse bills.

I did a video review too. LOOK:

https://amzn.to/2JVFnSg

Review: Engage Your Picky Eater With This Food Explorer Tool

If you have a picky eater at home, one way to get him or her to be a more adventurous eater is by exploring it first! That’s right! It is the premise behind a book by Dina Rose, “It’s Not About the Broccoli: Three Habits to Teach Your Kids for a Lifetime of Healthy Eating” Rose suggests that if you get your children to learn more about food, its color, its texture and nutrition benefits, they become more informed. Dr. Rose describes the three habits – proportion, variety, and moderation – all kids need to learn, and gives you clever, practical ways to teach these food skills.

She believes that all children can learn to eat right if their parents change the way they interact with them around food. “Just like children need to be taught how to walk, read or dress themselves, healthy eating habits must be taught. Once you do, children will benefit from a lifetime of happy and healthy eating.”

With It’s Not About The Broccoli you can teach your children how to eat and give them the skills they need for a lifetime of health and vitality, Rose explains.

To supplement her ideas, her health food company, The Happy Bite Company, released a Super Food Explorer kit with experiments you can use to guide your child through learning about the food he eats.  It retails for $35. 

Each Kit includes:

  • 32x Magnifying Glass
  • Child-Sized Tongs
  • Eye Droppers
  • Mini Cups
  • Tasting Spoons
  • Exploration Tray
  • Colored Pencil Kit
  • 60 Discovery Activities
  • Specialized Vocabulary List
  • Color Chart
  • Discovery Food List
  • Laminated Discovery Card
  • Progress Chart
  • Insulated Carry Bag

We have the kit and cannot wait to start exploring with the little ones in the blog family! Learn more about the kit here:

Make Up Tips for Nights Out, Indian Brides and More

Sponsored Post

Because a large part of my audience includes readers in India, I’m sharing some awesome tips from India-based online fashion and makeup tutorial site called Fabulive.com which offers tips and suggestions for Indian women from Indian Brides to every day working women on how to make up their face beyond the typical dark eye makeup worn to adorn the eyes and make them look brighter and wider.

Avoid the porcelain doll look and opt for bronzer, the folks at Fabulive suggest.

Lip and Cheek Makeup Tips

Choosing a lip color and doing the cheek makeup is also very difficult. You need to ensure that you pick up the right shades so that it complements the apparel of a  bride, for example. There are loads of makeup tutorials available at Fabulive to help them balance a neutral lip with a strong eye so it doesn’t come off too gaudy.

Eye Makeup

Eye make up must complement the outfit and therefore, choosing the right shade of the eyeshadow is equally essential. Another thing which Fabulive says is commonly used in the makeup of Indian brides is kajal or kohl, which requires precision. It is essential to stick to classic black eyeliner and create a natural effect with the help of brow powder and brush. Also, it suggest not missing mascara and eyelash curler, or even eyeleash extensions.

Common Makeup Tips

Exfoliate the face – The first thing to do is exfoliate the face  to make sure it is clean and there is no oil or dirt.

Moisturize the face – Retaining the softness of the skin is very important and for this, you need to moisturize the face. This will give an even tone to the face, and by gently rubbing the moisturizer you make the skin soft. You may use tinted moisturizer as well.

Make the face blemish-free – Apply a primer two minutes after applying moisturizer. This ensures that the foundation and the concealer remain intact on the face when you apply it. Now, cover the blemishes with the help of concealer, as this will brighten the skin tone of the bride.  Afterwards, apply foundation without SPF (Sun Protection Factor), as it can lead to undesirable flash effect in the photos.

Highlighter, Blush, and Bronzer – Do not forget to apply highlighter on the high planes of the face. Furthermore, to give a sharp look in the photo, it is vital to apply bronzer properly. It is better take brush angular and then on the sides of the chin, sides of the forehead and nose bones apply the strokes. Also, do not forget to apply the blush blending upwards in a circular motion.

Eyeshadow and Eyeliner – Usually, Indian brides, for example,  the Fabulive editors say, go with gold eye makeup as it suits the bright shades of lehengas and saris. As far as eyeliner is concerned,  pick the waterproof one and draw a thick line so that it highlights the eyes well. As kajal is used,  do not forget to use the smudge powder and translucent setting powder.

Lip liner and Lipstick – There are two ways of making the lips look beautiful. The first way is to stick to the natural line of the bride’s lips and apply the lipstick. However, these days to make a lip look fuller and more significant, applying lip liner natural lip line is quite appreciated.  Make sure you do not overdo it, as it might make the lip look too plump.

These tips are useful not just for Indian Brides but for anyone who wants a fabulous look for any formal event, a photo shoot or a night out on the town with their friends or husband or partner.

Batman138 Bro138 Dolar138 Gas138 Gudang138 Hoki99 Ligaciputra Panen77 Zeus138 Kilat77 Planet88 Gaspol168 Sikat88 Rupiah138 Garuda138 Gacor77 Roma77 Sensa138 Panen138 Slot138 Gaco88 Elanggame Candy99 Cair77 Max7 Best188 Space77 Sky77 Luxury777 Maxwin138 Bosswin168 Cocol88 Slot5000 Babe138 Luxury138 Jet77 Bonanza138 Bos88 Aquaslot Taktik88 Lord88 Indobet Slot69 Paus138 Tiktok88 Panengg Bingo4d Stars77 77dragon Warung168 Receh88 Online138 Tambang88 Asia77 Klik4d Bdslot88 Gajah138 Bigwin138 Markas138 Yuk69 Emas168 Key4d Harta138  Gopek178 Imbaslot Imbajp Deluna4d Luxury333 Pentaslot Luxury111 Cair77 Gboslot Pandora188 Olxtoto Slotvip Eslot Kuy138 Imbagacor Bimabet