Product Review: Jxstarkid Kitty Jacket

Madison loves cats and I could not resist reviewing this product for her.

The entire jacket, except for the bottom and the bottom of the sleeves are covered in colorful kittens. 

It is soft and she loves wearing it so much that she would not take it off and kept meowing.

The price depends on the size ordered; Madison's jacket was $17.99, but the larger sizes are $19.99. 

I bought the smallest size which is approximately equal to a 3T or 4T. It is a little big but she will definitely grow into it.

Madison loves her new cat jacket from #jxstarkid. It's soft and warm. #cat #catsweater #kitty #madison #baby #cute

A video posted by Jessica Scheetz (@ispelledjssicawrong) on Oct 15, 2016 at 8:33pm PDT

Find it here: JXStarKid Kitty Jacket

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Book Review: Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard

I was originally really excited to review Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000 by L. Ron Hubbard. However, my excitement began to wane around halfway through the book.

Summary

Battlefield Earth started out strong for me. The year is 3000 and aliens called Psychlos are in control of Earth after they wiped out the vast majority of the population. Terl, one of the Psychlos, believes that there may be a use for the humans: mining Earth's resources.

Jonnie Goodboy Tyler seeks to better the lives of the people in his village. Their population is dwindling, children are born with birth defects, and no one else seems to care. He rides out with the hope of finding a new location for them to settle.

Man has seemingly reverted to a primitive state. There are few left and most cities are merely ruins, even something as common as glass is mysterious to Jonnie. Unfortunately for Jonnie, he is spotted by Terl who uses his species' advanced technology to capture him.

Jonnie begins to learn Psychlo while he is Terl's prisoner, he learns to read and write, fly airships, and gather information on the Psychlos.

There are several events that take during and after Jonnie's struggle to escape, however I do not want to spoil this aspect for future readers.

Review

Battlefield Earth is just over 1000 pages and includes some of L. Ron Hubbard's notes, expanded content, lyrics, an interview with Hubbard, and an introduction. 

L. Ron Hubbard comes across as arrogant in the introduction, especially after I went back to reread it after finishing the book for this review. 

As someone who loves vivid descriptions, I found that this book came across as too wordy. Hubbard repeats himself several times. This became tedious when reading. 

Several characters are introduced but never really developed, different aliens are introduced but their motives are never really clear, and Jonnie never really became a likable hero for me. 

It was frustrating that gender roles and stereotypes are tossed about so frequently in Battlefield Earth where I became bored attempting to read certain sections. I found that you knew nothing exciting was going to happen when female characters were around.

L. Ron Hubbard's interview at the end gave some insight to his writing style; this interview once again painted him as arrogant in my eyes.

Overall, I really liked the first half of the book, but I started to lose interest after the halfway point. Battlefield Earth could have ended several times before it actually ended.

Find it here: Battlefield Earth

I received the book for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: Guitar Capo from ONME

John has been talking about playing his guitar more so I wanted to review these as a gift to him. ONME sent me a set of two.

Guitar Capos shorten the length of a guitar's strings and raise the pitch; it makes it easier for musicians to play songs in a different key. While there are variations, these capos use a spring to clamp down.

The two capos are identical except for the color; one is black and the other is silver.

They both have soft rubber where they come into contact with the string and the set of two would be awesome for people who have multiple fretted instruments.

These are faster than the capos that you have to twist to tighten and seem like they are a good deal for the price.

Find them here: ONME Guitar Capos, Set of 2

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: Massaging Flip Flops from Bumpers

I recently received a pair of Bumpers Massaging Flip Flops.

Thanks to being on my feet all day either at work or chasing after Madison, my feet seem like they always hurt. I decided to try these flip flops to see if their claims were valid.

I have been trying them for about a week now and I am still at the "uncomfortable" stage of wearing them, I wear them for about fifteen minutes as suggested, but the first day I could only stand about five minutes. While they are still not something I could walk around for hours in, they are getting better. 

I will definitely update on the Bumpers situation in the future.

In the meantime, for those interested they have men's, women's, and children's Bumpers flip flops. There are a variety of colors and they seem well made so far.

The bumps help keep your feet ventilated and they are made with recycled rubber.

My only other complaint as of now is that the instructions read as if they were written using Google Translate.

I am going to wait a little longer before deciding to recommend this product or not.

I recently received a pair of flip flops from Bumpers. They are supposed to massage your feet as you walk. The company suggests working your way up to wearing them for long periods of time because they can hurt at first. As of right now I'm still at the uncomfortable stage but I'm hoping that it changes because they're really cute. #lifeisbetterinflipflops #bumpers

A photo posted by Jessica Scheetz (@ispelledjssicawrong) on Oct 5, 2016 at 6:38pm PDT

Find them here: Women's Bumpers, Men's Bumpers, and Kid's Bumpers

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: Honey Land Honeycomb

I applied to this promotion thinking it was most likely going to be too popular for me to have a chance of trying it, but I was approved!

This product is about 12.6 oz of honey still in the honeycomb. It is a bit pricier than the honeycomb from other sellers, most likely a result of it being advertised as "pure raw unfiltered honeycomb" as well as it being kosher without pesticides, chemicals or pollutants.* 

Let us not forget "vegetarian" in the title as well; it seems to me like they wanted to pack in as many buzzwords as possible.

In order for honey to be considered organic the area the bees gather honey from has to be free of pesticides, as well as a few other stipulations.*

The container arrived in a small cardboard box with the plastic container holding the honeycomb inside. This plastic container had a strip of tape around it to keep the honey contained.

As for the taste, the company says you can cut off a piece and swallow the honey, there was also a lot of honey that was no longer contained in the honeycomb pooled on the bottom that I was able to scoop out to let Madison try.

It definitely tastes better than the honey I have purchased at the store, but the almost $30 price tag is a little daunting.

The honey is sweet and the honeycomb makes for an interesting delivery system.

Find it here: Honeycomb from Honey Land

I received the product at an extreme discount in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

* Information courtesy of the product's Amazon.com listing

** Information found on the David Suzuki Foundation website

Book Review: If You Were Me and Lived in... Middle Ages by Carole P. Roman

I have loved reading previous books by Carole P. Roman to Madison, but If You Were Me and Lived in... [the] Middle Ages falls short, in my opinion.

I would like to note that errors in the pronunciation guides, title, and other locations in the book have been fixed according to the author. These will not be taken into consideration in my review as a result.

Summary

The If You Were Me and Lived in... series by Carole P. Roman utilizes facts from the time periods that are entwined with the life a child might have lived as they tell their stories. This book is no exception to this formula.

This book discusses how different people would live based off of their family status, for example peasants versus the daughter or son of a knight. The food, homes, and more are discussed in the book.

Review

I enjoy all of the information that is provided in this book, but the majority of said facts feel as if they are just listed instead of being truly incorporated into the story.

Additionally, while I enjoyed most of the images from illustrator Mateya Arkova, some of them come across as very murky. I wish that I could have clearly seen what was being described by Roman in a few cases. 

I would recommend Carole P. Roman's other books in the series over this one in particular because they were better overall.

Find it here: If You Were Me and Lived in... [the] Middle Ages

I received the book for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: US Art Supply Light Box

I really wanted to try this Light Box from US Art Supply after seeing the potential for art projects for myself and family members.

This light box is fairly lightweight despite its large size. Measuring 42 x 29 x 2.4 inches; it weighs in at 19.4 pounds. 

It could be used for tracing, stenciling, sketching, drawing, quilting, and more. The surface area is accommodating for big projects like quilting.

I really like the ease of changing the settings. It is kind of like the touch screen of a phone where you just tap on the power button or hold it down.

This product is easy to use and would be a great piece of equipment for aspiring artists.

The cost is a little off-putting, but the lights should last up to 50,000 hours and the surface would last equally as long if it is taken care of properly, plus there's a warranty. I am looking forward to using this and letting other people come over and work on their own projects.

I would recommend that children be supervised with this product, since it is potentially dangerous if it were broken.

Find it here: US Art Supply Light Table

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: Cooling Base Layer Tank Top from Homaste

John works in a hot factory so I thought that this shirt from Homaste would be beneficial to him.

Unfortunately, despite my going by the size measurements on the chart, the shirt still fit him awkwardly.

I had him try it on and the holes for his arms seem as if they are a little too small, he has lost weight so I went with the large, it was long enough, but the shape is strange.

I looked for care instructions and there were not any, so I washed in cold and put them through the dryer on the timed setting with other clothes to see how it would hold up. The seams did not fray and the material is still cool to the touch.

It is not a flattering top to be worn alone in my opinion, but as an undershirt it is fine.

Find it here: Homaste Shirt

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: Appcome Women's Pleated Vintage Skirts Floral Print

I really liked the look of this skirt, I was nervous when it was a one-size fits all piece though. 

Each skirt has a high-waist and pretty colors in the designs.

There are multiple designs to choose from and they have a built in slip. The fabric is super shiny and the skirt has a built in half slip.

I like that the zipper is disguised by the seam, but it gets stuck frequently. There are loose strings along some of the seams and there were a few just on the skirt when I first opened the package.

I do not like the built in slip, it is uncomfortable in my opinion.I may see if it is able to be taken out.

The top of the skirt is stretchy so it could accommodate waists smaller and larger than mine.

I am glad that this design was available. I like the house and trees. I like this skirt, but it definitely is the only one I would wear.



Find it here: Appcome Skirt

I received the product in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: The Battle for Darracia: Books I - II - III

Michael Phillip Cash has a knack for creating unique stories. This book is actually three books in one: Schism, Collision, and Risen, which make up The Battle for Darracia series.

Summary

Book I opens with Prince V'sair receiving a lesson from his tutor, he is only interested in wielding a Fireblade, which is a rite of passage in a way. 

His mother sends him on a mission with the intention of playing matchmaker for the 19-year-old, this may have saved his life because V'sairs uncle lusts for the throne and is prepared to have everyone in his way killed.

V'sairs only option is to wield the Fireblade and, hopefully, prevent the deaths of those closest to him.

Review

I enjoyed The Battle for Darracia, at first it was a little hard to get into because of the point of view changes, but I eventually grew used to it after learning the names. It has a young adult book feel to it, but it does not seem overly cheesy; nor does the book have too many coincidences that benefit the characters.

My main critique for this novel is that the characters were not developed enough for my tastes, the books were divided up in such a way that they were too short to really allow this. I liked Michael Phillip Cash's descriptions but this book could have benefited from more detail still.

Find it here: The Battle for Darracia

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: Curlfriends Tame Smoothing Serum

The Curlfriends Control Gel did a decent job of sculpting curls so I decided to give the Curlfriends Tame Smoothing Serum a try.

I was a little thrown off when I opened the package, the bottle is only 2.1 oz and it costs $16.95.

I was hoping that it would be some kind of miracle product but it is on par with the hair oils that I can find in stores for under $5.

I tried it out on damp hair after shampooing and conditioning and the first thing I noticed was that the amount per pump differs greatly, sometimes you would not even get any because the formula is pretty thick. There is also no lid so the bottle is not really travel friendly.

It controlled some frizz and added shine on my naturally curly hair, but not enough where I could justify the cost.

It smells good, it is free of alcohol and artificial colors, and contains all natural ingredients. So if that is your cup of tea, check it out.

Find it here: Curlfriends Tame Smoothing Serum

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: Stainless Steel Colander from Pro Chef Kitchen Tools

I needed a new strainer/ colander for harvesting the plants from my patio garden so I decided to give this one a try.

The holes are a little larger than similar product that I have seen and they are spaced pretty far apart. I am able to harvest the lettuce, cilantro, and kale and wash them in this without a problem.

It is made out of stainless steel and it can go in the dishwasher without an issue. It is not the largest colander holding about three quarts, but it is functional.

I do not believe that this product is "chef quality" like the company claims, but it seems functional for home use.

Find it here: Colander from Pro Chef Kitchen Tools

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: TECHEF 12 Inch Stir Fry Pan

I tend to avoid spending too much on my cookware, but this is worth the splurge for me. I would definitely try more of their cookware.

This Pan has a stainless steel handle, and the base has aluminium and stainless steel so it is supposed to work with induction stoves. I have used it with our gas stoves without issue.

The interior is coated three times in a teflon coating and the outside is coated twice so it is easy to clean.

I have used it several times in the couple weeks that I have had it and I prefer it over my other pans now, however there are a couple cons. 

First, it is pretty heavy, weighing in at almost three pounds. Second, it does not come with a lid; the company sells it separately.

It is supposed to be able to withstand metal cooking utensils and scouring pads. However, I have never had the need to scrub the pan, it all comes off easily.
I really like that it comes with a lifetime warranty. I would love to try more of their products.

Find it here: TECHEF 12 Inch Stir Fry Pan

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: L&N Kitchen's Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons

John accidentally sent my last set through the garbage disposal so it was time for a new set, especially since one of them went missing.

There are six spoons: 1/2 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/8 tsp, 3/4 tsp, 1 tsp, and 1 Tbs. They also have the metric units on each spoon.

The three larger spoons are rectangular and the three smaller spoons are more rounded. This makes it easier to get them in and out of spice containers.

Each spoon is pretty heavy and they seem durable so far. The ring that holds them is the only part of the product that I have had a problem with– it does not seem as durable as the rest of the set.


Find them here: L&N Kitchen's Measuring Spoons

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: Vitapura's Stainless Steel Loose Leaf Tea Infusers

As much as I love tea and like this product, I intend to gift these.

This set of Two Loose Leaf Tea Infusers from Vitapura are made with stainless steel.

The little mesh bowl section has the lid screwed onto it which keeps all of the tea contained. The lid has larger holes and is hooked to a chain; the end of the chain has a larger hook that grips onto the mug that you are using.

This product seems sturdy after a few uses, however because of the small pieces on the chain, I would not put them in the dishwasher— despite them being dishwasher safe.

The holes are smaller than similar products that I have seen. Additionally, the product is simple with no intricate designs. 

One of the tea infusers had a lid that was a little harder to get on but other than that I have not had any issues with the product.

Find them here: Vitapura Infuser

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Book Review: Rising Tide: Dark Innocence by Claudette Melanson

I am a big fan of horror movies and cannot get enough of a good vampire story.

Summary

Rising Tide: Dark Innocence is centered on Maura "Mink" DeLuca a teenage girl who is admittedly a bit of an outcast. She finds herself the victim of a cruel prank orchestrated by some of her classmates early in the book. Thankfully, her new friend Ron was close by to save her. 

They fall for each other quickly, much to her dismay as her mother is relocating them to Canada. Caelyn gives little explanation for her decision and the deadline for their move is set. 

Maura spends all of her spare time with Ron, going so far as to skip school to spend more time with him. This almost gets her hurt by a man at a party that she goes to with Ron. He encounters Maura drinking the blood of the boy and Caelyn swoops in to clean up the mess. 

Ron and Caelyn discover Maura exhibiting strange behaviors a few times and they just decide not to talk about it. Maura brings up several concerns about her health: her teeth have changed, she is craving blood, and other bizarre symptoms that scream "vampire!" to the reader. Caelyn, however, continues to brush off Maura's concerns.

Eventually, they complete the move and Maura's new Canadian friend helps her decipher her mother's strange behavior leading to a highly predictable ending for this reader.

Review

Over the course of the book I found myself smiling a couple times because certain parts struck me as funny and other times I wanted to scream at Maura for being an idiot. 

She spends what time she is not with Ron trying to go to her doctor trying to figure out what is causing her strange symptoms. She finally gets an explanation and refuses to acknowledge it. 

Over the entire course of the book I found Caelyn to be an inept mother. Instead of ignoring Maura she could have offered several explanations. She only becomes a halfway decent parent after Maura begins noticing a transformation in herself. Her being "heartbroken" by Maura's father does not cut it as an explanation for me.

Additionally, everyone avoiding talking about Maura's quickly developing "condition" just seemed like a cop-out. There were several instances where it just seemed like it was there to make the story longer.

There were a couple parts of the story that did not feel complete, I would be interested in seeing if these were resolved in the next book.

Find it here: Rising Tide: Dark Innocence

I received the book for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own. 

Product Review: Knitting Needles Set with Case from Knitter's Choice

I have always wanted to learn how to knit and I have heard that wooden knitting needles are easier to use for beginners.

This held true in my experience.

This set includes two of each size: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 15.

All of the needles are 14 inches long and they have a little round piece of wood on the end. The points are sharp enough to knit easily but not sharp enough where children would have an issue with using them.

The needles are made with bamboo so they are light and the case makes it easy to keep them all together.

I did have a few issues with this set and, for the price, this is regrettable. Some of the needles were slightly askew, most of the larger ones are fine but it is noticeable.

Additionally, I received only one of the size 4 and three of the size 5 instead. This is mildly disappointing for me considering how much it cost it should not be an issue. Also, the case had a couple holes through the first layer of canvas fabric, as if the needles were accidentally put through it.

Despite these issues, the set is okay for myself as a beginner and I will continue using it. I may move up to a metal set when I get faster.

I used #KnittersChoice #knittingneedles when I taught myself how to knit last week. I believe they would be better for beginners because the bamboo helps grip the yarn. #inspiringcrafters

A photo posted by Jessica Scheetz (@ispelledjssicawrong) on Jul 19, 2016 at 6:48pm PDT

Find it here: Knitter's Choice Knitting Needles Set

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Product Review: Control Gel from Curl Friends

I have been trying to find a product that would tame my crazy and frizzy hair.

This Control Gel from Curl Friends is part of a hair care system designed for curly hair. It is supposed to keep excess moisture at bay as well as keeping it frizz free. 

The gel is less viscous than traditional hair gels and does not make hair crunchy feeling or sticky, instead curly hair is "soft, smooth, and shiny" according to Curl Friends. 

I have been using this product for about two weeks and noticed that it felt a little softer and less frizzy after the first use.

However, despite using it for two weeks there is not much of a difference. I still have to use other products to control frizz, including a coconut-based hair oil. This product is too expensive for it to just work halfway.

#CurlFriends Control Gel is supposed to keep frizz at bay and make hair softer. It works reasonably well but not as well as I would like it to for the price.

A photo posted by Jessica Scheetz (@ispelledjssicawrong) on Jul 19, 2016 at 6:42pm PDT

Find it here: Curl Friends Control Gel

I received the product for free in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.