Because my life is anything but normal....

Nov 23, 2014

i2 Gear® Raptor Universal Dashboard/Windshield Car Mount Review


   In this day and age of technology, you'd think that companies would be even more in sync with what consumers want and need. With social networking, you'd imagine that companies would be better equipped to provide exactly what people are looking for. We post about it every day!



   In my case, you'd think that GPS would have all the features I want, but I'm still left wanting. As a matter of fact, I think that the best thing for people like me is for Google to make a GPS system that you can mount in your car, but I don't know of one. I honestly prefer Google maps to my Garmin in my car. It is really hard to hold my phone while I drive, and setting my phone on the shelf in my dashboard just ends badly.... with trying to fish my phone out from underneath my seat when I make a sharp turn. Unfortunately, my phone doesn't fit in my Garmin mount because it is custom made specifically for the Garmin.




 I thought about buying a mount specifically for my phone but I didn't want to only use my phone. I might be the only one, but I feel weird if my GPS isn't up there. I like to see my speed and know what road I am on at all times, I'd just rather use my phone for directions and navigation. 


 Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to try out the Raptor Universal Dashboard Windshield Car Mount. I have to say that I love this thing. This mount gives me the freedom to use my phone for navigation whenever I want and to use my Garmin when ever I want because they both fit in it. It has great features that just can't be beat.
Some of these features include:

QUICK THUMB CLAMP RELEASE - Mount your device in seconds
PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT - The tough spring clamp grip takes a stingy grip :). It firmly holds your device in place.
FULL 360 DEGREE VIEWS - Supports full side to side, pan to vertical or horizontal placement
COMPATIBILITY - Apple iPhone 5/5S/5C/4/4S/3GS Samsung Galaxy S5/S4/S3/S2/Note/Note 3 HTC One/8X/8S Nokia Lumia 925/928/920 Blackberry Q10 & Z10 LG Optimus G/Nexus 4/Nexus 5 Motorola Droid RAZR/MAXX/HD/MOTO X and many more.






 This mount is strong. Where my Garmin mount will fall off the windshield sometimes, I haven't had any problems with this. The suction cup has a lever that you push down pretty hard until you hear a click and then it is basically locked to your windshield. I didn't try it on my dashboard, so I really can't say how well it will mount on a dash.






  It is super easy to use as well. It swivels easily, but it also has a knob that you can tighten over the "swivel ball" to lock it in place at the angle that you want it. When I say that it locks into place, I mean that it really stays put. It hasn't budged from the weight of my device, bumps, turns, or any other conditions. You can also mount it in either direction to reduce glare on your device. It opens rather wide, I imagine you could fit most GPS systems or cellphones that have a screen less than 5-inches in it, and it really grips devices well. The clamp has red rubber grips on both sides that literally won't let your device go. If you buy it, make sure to hold the clamp open fully when you remove your device so you don't get rub-off from the grips and you avoid breaking the mount's grips. Another great thing about this is that the clamp isn't really wide so there is enough room to charge your device while it is in the mount, no matter where the charging port is located on the device.






 My conclusion:
 I would buy this ANYTIME. It is well worth the cost and works exactly as described. It really meets my needs in my car because I can switch devices whenever I want without having to switch the mount out. It is sturdy and stays in place on my windshield. The weight of my Galaxy S4 doesn't cause the clamp to fall even with the 360 degree swivel feature because of the unique lock. It does everything I want it to and more.

















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Nov 22, 2014

Solid Cordz® 2-pk 6ft Extension Cables Review




   The first thing I want to say about these extension cords is that they are SERIOUSLY heavy duty. They're definitely comparable to indoor/outdoor "shop" cords, with the only main differences being length and color. I could see myself using these in my garage as well as in my house. I tried these in many situations and they've performed well. They didn't get hot under any circumstance, but they did start to get a little warm when I tried running power tools for a long period of time. When I say "warm" I don't mean much heat at all, I just mean it felt warmer than it was when I started. It took about 40 minutes before the cord felt warm, as I'm probably not going to use them with power tools for hours, I don't really see this being an issue.







   I live in a house that is well over 100 years old. If you've ever lived in an old house, you know that no matter how much it is updated, you somehow end up with about 2 outlets in each room no matter how big the room is. We kinda live on surge protector strips and extension cords 'round here. The great thing about these cords is that they're not too long to use with a surge protector or just an outlet, so you can use it for just about anything. I'm currently using one for my stove because it has a 2 foot cord coming out of the back at the top and my outlet is at the bottom of the wall (who's idea was THAT?! O_o). I also have one plugged into a strip so I can use my laptop charger or anything else I need to without having to be 2 feet away from the strip.






   I'll definitely be buying more of these so I can extend my surge protectors to where I need them to be instead of running a ton of extension cords from the strips to the electronics that need power. As much as I try to hide the extension cords, there are still a ton of them that are visible and these extension cords will completely solve that problem for me. I also really like that they're black because they really don't stand out. I've had white cords, gray cords, brown cords, and even orange ones and they all stand out in one room or another. Black doesn't seem to do that as much.







   The only downside that I can really see to these is they're not very flexible right out of the package, so they need to be broken in a little if you want them to lose the coil-shape from being packaged.



If you're looking for great heavy duty cords 
that aren't going to cost you an arm and a leg, 
these won't let you down. 












** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.


Nov 21, 2014

Dr. Song 50% Lactic Acid Gel Peel Review





   I've never really tried many peels, not because I was scared to, but because they're so expensive. I refuse to pay to get a peel professionally because its highway robbery, but at the same time I haven't found many products that are budget friendly that I TRUST. I've recently discovered Dr. Song products and I've fallen in love with them. It just made sense to me to try their gel peel because they make high quality products that I can depend on.


  I scoured reviews before I tried it. I wanted to see what everyone else had to say and what their results were. I didn't want to make any mistakes! Dr. Song sends the peel instrutions to your email when you order, but I wanted to see how other people reviewed this product and what their experiences were. I found mixed reviews that both impressed and terrified me.









 


  This lactic acid peel comes in a frosted glass bottle with a dropper built into the lid for dispensing. It has the classic shiny silver Dr. Song label. It looks very classy and high quality. The gel is clear and odorless, so there isn't any perfumes or dyes to irritate your skin or senses.









  The first time I tried it, I applied it with a cotton ball and left it on for one minute, and then rinsed with water. I had very little stinging or burning, and my skin never peeled at all. The second time, I used a cosmetic pad and left it on for one minute again. I must have done it correctly the second time because it stung pretty bad and my skin started peeling about 4 days later. I also noticed a few changes after my second peel. My skin felt softer and smoother, and even looked a little brighter.






  My third time I used a cosmetic pad to apply it, and I left it on for 3 minutes. I could barely stand the burning and stinging so when the 3 minutes were up, I quickly rinsed it off with water. I was really worried that I'd have serious redness or burns but I didn't. My skin peeled a few days later and my complexion looked more even with some slight fading of old acne scars. I've been waiting at least a week between each peel because I want my skin to get used to it. I might eventually switch to 2 or 3 minutes twice a week and see what that does for me.



  Overall, I have had some slight redness and some peeling after using it but nothing extreme. I've had the benefits of smoother, brighter skin, a more even skin tone, and some fading of old acne scars. As long as you follow the directions and use common sense, this is a wonderful peel. I would recommend it to anyone that doesn't have super sensitive skin. If you DO have really sensitive skin, you might want to try a peel with a lower percentage of lactic acid (20% lactic acid or lower) until you know how your skin will react.


  If you want to give it a try, you can find it on Amazon.













** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.


Body Merry Retinol Surge Moisturizer Review



  I love Body Merry and this retinol moisturizer is great like all their other products. I haven't used it long enough to get any results from the retinol, but it has been a great night cream for me. I have seen a reduction in fine lines, plumper skin, and I am positive that I will keep seeing results the longer I use it.




  The packaging is a simple pump-top bottle that comes with a stopper to prevent leakage during shipping. The label is a really pretty purplish-red color and I love it. It may be my new favorite color. I even love the name "Retinol Surge Moisturizer". It just sounds cool, don't you think?


 This moisturizer has 2.5% retinol, but it also has several soothing and hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, green tea, and shea butter. The extra ingredients help a lot of offset any dryness or irritation that you could normally have from using retinol, as well as giving your skin a little boost themselves.




 This is also thicker than most moisturizers. It leans more toward being a cream than being a lotion. I have been using it as more of a night cream than a day-time moisturizer because of its thickness and because retinol works better at night (fun fact: retinol is a form of vitamin A which degrades in light). If you like thick moisturizers it would work just as well during the day time, but I would recommend introducing it to your skin care regime at night first, just to see how your skin reacts to the retinol.









  Although it has a thick texture and can take a few minutes to absorb, it doesn't leave your skin feeling oily, sticky, or greasy. It moisturizes wonderfully and gives your skin a plump look and a silky feeling. It also has a really light, pleasant scent that doesn't linger long after you apply it so you won't be smelling it all day.



  Bottom line: This is a great moisturizer for day or night. The extra ingredients that Body Merry has included make this a powerhouse moisturizer with or without the retinol. Even though you're not likely to see results from the retinol in under 12 weeks, you'll see results from the hyaluronic acid and shea butter quickly. If you don't like the product and you don't see any results, Body Merry offers a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, so you can get a full refund.


If you want to give it a try, You can find it on Amazon.

















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.



Nov 20, 2014

Body Merry Stretch Mark & Scar Defense Cream Review




Today I'm reviewing Body Merry's 
Stretch Mark and Scars Defense Cream.







  This stretch mark and scar cream comes in box with a small tub-like container with a twist off top. The great part about the packaging is that it has a foil seal under the lid so when you first open it, you don't end up with a glop of cream on the lid.









   This has a TON of great ingredients to help keep your skin soft, smooth, supple, and moisturized. The ingredient list (copied from the description) includes Organic Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Vitamins E + C + B3 + B5, Sunflower Seed Oil, Plant Stem Cells, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Organic Gotu Kala, Algae Extract and Japanese Green Tea Leaf Extract. All of these ingredients are super good for your skin by themselves. Together they're basically like a skin multi-vitamin!






   The cream itself high quality like all Body Merry products. It is very thick and rich. It spreads onto your skin easily and absorbs quickly. You'll immediately notice how soft and silky your skin feels. It really improves your skin texture and leaves it more supple, so it will prevent new stretch marks. I haven't noticed any real improvement or change in my stretch marks or scars, but that doesn't actually bother me. This product is well worth its price as a moisturizing cream. I've used farm more expensive creams that have given me far less. This cream will even soften coarse skin on your elbows, knees, and feet.








  I'm not very fond of the smell. It kind of smells like lotion mixed with menthol, with a little bit of medicine cabinet smell thrown in for good measure. On the upside, the smell doesn't linger on your skin, so you're not going to walk around smelling like a medical facility.



 All in all, this is a great moisturizing cream that will effectively help to prevent new stretch marks. It could possibly fade existing stretch marks and scars, but that hasn't been my experience so far. I'll keep trying it and see what my results are long-term. If you want some seriously moisturized skin that has the best texture you've ever seen, this will not let you down.

If you want to try it out, you can find it on Amazon.















** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.






Nov 11, 2014

Solid Cordz® 4K - GOLD Plated 6 ft HDMI Review









  I generally don't put much stock in the quality of HDMI cables. I've long believed that you're not going to notice much of a difference in picture no matter what brand of HDMI cable you use.  Quality is another matter entirely. I've been burned by cheap ones and expensive ones about equally. Super expensive HDMI cables that somehow manage to make the HDMI port on your PS3 incapable of accepting any other brand of HDMI cables because their cables "stretch out" the HDMI port and all other HDMI's fall out (yes, this has happened to me). Super cheap ones that end up losing connection unless you wiggle it "just so". Mid priced ones that the wires shred inside of the cable because its been bent and folded and the cable just can't handle it.








  I was pretty surprised at the quality of these HDMI cables though. They have the typical shiny, gold plated ends that are usually indicative of high quality cables. The cable itself is tough, yet flexible. Its definitely more like a cable than a cord like most HDMI cables have. It doesn't have that plastic coating that other HDMI cables use to "protect" the cable. It doesn't look like it would even need any additional protection. These cables are VERY tightly braided and almost remind you of the stainless steel braided lines that are used on cars and for gas lines... except they're for your tv. I honestly believe that I have finally found a cable that won't be damaged by being moved frequently or being bent, and that won't damage any of my electronics.


They look and feel incredibly tough



  Picture-wise, these are really great too. I don't usually think (or say) that a HDMI cable has improved my picture at all, but these did. On some images that have a "halo" of light (COD:Ghosts PS4 start screen for example), I've noticed that the halo is pixely, like you can see stripes of gradation from across the room. Once I hooked up these cables, the visible gradation was gone and I had a crisper, more defined picture. I will also note that the HDMI cables I had previously attached to my PS4 were $80 cables, so its not like I'm seeing a new difference between cheap cables and these. These are far better than the expensive cables I had. I have no idea how they'll hold up long term, but I'm hopeful that they'll stay this great for a long time. They're totally worth the cost.



  Here's what my screen looks like now:

Crisp picture (please excuse the reflections)

 Smooth gradation up close




  If you're looking for great quality HDMI cables that deliver a great picture and are tough as hell, these are probably what you're looking for. You can find them for a great price on Amazon.









** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.








Nov 5, 2014

InstaNatural Moroccan Rose Water Review





   InstaNatural Moroccan Rose Water is my guilty indulgence.


  I adore the scent and I love to use it in my bath. I've tried it as a wash/toner, I've used a dab on my wrists for scent, I've even sprayed it on my pillow cases before bed. Rose water is great and InstaNatural has some of the best I've ever used. The scent lasts longer than other brands I've tried and it even seems to be a bit stronger.



  I like the label on the bottle. The red-orange label really catches the eye. I think a plainer label on the brown bottle would be overlooked. The bottle itself could be a little more user friendly. The only way to get the rose water out is to use a cotton ball or pour it out. I would have liked to see a spray or push pump to make it easier to get out, but it is what it is, and it isn't really that hard to use.








  Rose water has so many uses other than just the scent. It is a toner, a cleanser, a moisturizer, it softens skin, removes make-up, and it is really soothing for skin (even sunburned skin!). Its been used for centuries and is even used in cooking recipes.


  If you've never used rose water, I would definitely recommend picking up a bottle and trying it out. It is a luxurious experience no matter how you choose to use it. I guarentee you'll love it, and if you don't, InstaNatural backs their products with a Lifetime Money Back Guarantee, no matter where you buy their product. If you're not satisfied, simply contact them and get a full refund. 


If you want to give it a try, 
you can find it on Amazon.
If you try it out, let me know what you think in the comments!





** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers

Nov 4, 2014

InstaNatural Age-Defying Skin Clearing Serum Review






  This serum is quite possibly the best thing that has ever happened to me.
  If you've ever read my reviews, you know that I tell it how it is, good, bad, or indifferent.


  I'll review the product first, then talk about my results. I love the blue bottle. The orange label really pops against the bottle and makes it stand out. It has a dropper that is really easy to use and makes it easy to dispense the amount of serum you want without wasting any or making a mess.
The product itself has a milky-yellow color. Its not really thick, but I wouldn't classify it as thin either. Its in between. I love the scent of this serum. It has a citrus smell that resembles orange juice to me.
The serum is easy to apply. You don't need a lot and it goes on very smoothly. It didn't leave my skin sticky or greasy, and it completely absorbed into my skin.







  I honestly haven't ever had a product that worked so wonderfully for me before. I've always thought that skin care products worked differently for each person, and this serum is a perfect example of that. I've always seen few slight benefits with some products, I've never had any drastic results until this serum.
After applying, I immediately noticed that my skin looked healthier and had a slight glow. Within 2 days, this serum cleared up my acne. After 2 weeks, I had a more even skin tone and my skin had a smoother texture.






  Its been about 3 weeks and I'm noticing that some fine lines are completely gone. The ones around my eyes (the beginnings of crows feet) are entirely gone, and the fine lines starting on my forehead are diminishing. I don't know if the fine lines on my forehead will go away completely, but I'm going to keep using this to find out.

 To add to all the great things about this product, InstaNatural backs their products with a Lifetime Money Back Guarantee, no matter where you buy their product. If you're not satisfied, simply contact them and get a full refund!


  I cannot recommend this serum enough. It is by far the most effective skin care product I've ever used in my life. If you want to try it out and see if you get results like I did, you can find it on Amazon. 

If you've used it before, or decide to buy, post your results in the comments!


    



** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers





Nov 2, 2014

InstaNatural Argan Oil Review






  I'd like to start off by saying that this is PURE, high quality Argan oil. I'm sometimes doubtful of the purity of Argan oils because it is too easy to buy "pure" and have it turn out to be a blend. It is also certified organic by Ecocert.









  I like the pump bottle that InstaNatural packages their argan oil in. Its really easy to use and you don't get too much or too little with one pump. The bottle is decent sized, but doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It will last a while and won't be expensive to replace when you run out. This argan oil doesn't have any added scents or other oils, so it looks and smells exactly as it should. No surprises. I'd definitely recommend this product.










  Argan oil has so many great uses, it is pretty much an all-purpose oil. I have really damaged hair because I dye my hair neon red, so I use this to help with the damage, split ends, and frizz. I've also used argan oil on my nails and skin. There's a reason why argan oil is referred to as "liquid gold". It has so many different uses! You can use it for acne, as a toner, as an aftershave, as a conditioner, shiny hair, glowing skin, cuticle softener/nail strengthener, bath oil, body oil, and so many more things!




  If you're looking for pure organic Argan oil, I recommend you give this a shot. As a bonus, InstaNatural backs their products with a Lifetime Money Back Guarantee, no matter where you buy their product. If you're not satisfied, simply contact them and get a full refund.










** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers

Nov 1, 2014

InstaNatural Hyaluronic Acid Serum Review





  Let me start by saying that I love Hyaluronic Acid (H.A.) It is one of the most amazing things produced by your body. If you were a car, it would be the oil in your engine. Its everywhere in your body. They even use H.A. in lip injections.


  I think InstaNatural's H.A. serum is one of the best I've ever tried. It has a light, pleasant smell and is really easy to use. You only need about a pea sized amount for your whole face, so it lasts quite a while. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky or greasy. I love the blue bottle it comes in, and the dropper is convenient because it makes it very easy to dispense the amount you need perfectly. I really like all the aditional ingredients that are added to help your skin. It has vitamin C, green tea, jojoba oil, aloe, witch hazel, and vitamin E.







 I haven't really noticed any anti-aging benefits from it, but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't show results for someone else. Its worth a shot for the moisturizing benefits alone, anti-aging would just be an added bonus as far as I'm concerned.





  Where I live, it gets really cold in the winter and I don't leave the house much. It makes my skin feel dryer to be stuck indoors all the time, so this H.A. serum is great for me either by itself or as an added boost with your moisturizer. It really helps my skin to retain moisture so if your skin is dry and dehydrated, this would work miracles for you.


  Not only could it work great for you, but InstaNatural backs their products with a Lifetime Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee, no matter where you buy their product. If you're not satisfied, simply contact them and get a full refund.


You can find InstaNatural's Hyaluronic Acid Serum at Amazon.




** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers  

InstaNatural Stretch Mark & Scar Cream Review



  I've never really been a big believe in stretch mark creams or scar creams.
  I recently tried this "stretch mark and scar cream" and I'm starting to change my opinion.
  I didn't notice any immediate results on my stretch marks or scars, but I did immediately notice how great it made my skin feel. This is probably better than just about any lotion I've ever used. My skin felt so silky after using it.









  It's very lightly scented and the scent lingers for a while. It's also light enough that it won't interfere with any fragrance you choose to use. The pump is also really easy to use. It isn't messy at all, and doesn't distribute too much lotion when you pump it.

  I love that it has so many great ingredients that are good for your skin. The ingredient list is pretty much amazing. I'm not going to list everything here, but the ingredients that are my favorite are vitamin C, rosehip oil, aloe vera, mango butter, and cocoa butter. There are so many other great ingredients in it as well.






  After about 2 weeks of using this, I noticed it helped to fade some of my smaller stretch marks to the point where they were barely noticeable. I don't know how well it will work for larger stretch marks or scars, but it does help with small, fine stretch marks and scars for me. I'm going to keep using it and see what happens.



If you're looking for a stretch mark/scar cream, you might want to give this a shot.  
InstaNatural backs their products with a Lifetime Money Back Guarantee, no matter where you buy their product. If you're not satisfied, simply contact them and get a full refund.


You can find it on Amazon



 




** Disclaimer**
I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers