@softsurrounding Merchandise #LiveSoft Fox Throw Review

I've never had a really cozy throw blanket, but now I do. Say H-E-L-L-O to this Fox Throw from Soft Surroundings. You won't want to cuddle up with anything else ever again. 

Top Side: 

Bottom Side:

My Christmas Present! 

I said to Isaak when I got it, "Ok I'll open it. You can cuddle with it, since it's your day off of school. It's going back in the box to be my Christmas present.

It was hard to have him give it up. He looked so cute with the Fox Blanket!

I too tried it out!

Oh my goodness it's so soft!

About:

It's so soft! They have other soft blankets to choose from besides the Fox Throw: Winter Bear Throw, Leopard Throw, St. Moritz Faux Fur Throw, Snow Leopard Faux Fur Throw, and Paris Faux Fur Throw! It has 2 sides, which look different. If you want to display another side go for it. Soft Surroundings re-creates the rich hues, natural weight and softness of genuine fur.

They're so perfect for any gift: Christmas, Birthday, Anniversary, Valentines Day and more.

They are 100% acrylic faux fur. The backing is a plush polyester fleece backing. It is heavy, but that adds to the comfort: 50"W x 70"L - 7lbs. It is washable: Machine wash cold, and hang to dry. This throw is made in the USA, and exclusive to Soft Surroundings.

Cost:

It's $148.95. Kind of pricy, but well worth the cost! They have Fox like I reviewed, and Winter Bear that's similar.

What I Think:

I was kind of glad to read up on it a bit. I didn't think about my allergies. Travis said, "Is this really fox fur? You can't have it. You're allergic to it." It's faux fur, and can be washed. My goodness that's a relief because it's an expensive throw; that I most certainly didn't want to give up!

It goes perfect in our living room and bedroom! We could have it in either spot in the house. The living room is probably be where it stays. That's where we watch movies.

When I was younger my sisters and I used to make what we called A Paradise. It was really just lots of blankets and pillows on the floor. We'd cuddle up, and stay there for awhile. This throw reminds me of those Paradise days; only better!

I have to say that I'm going to have my other family members sharing the Fox Throw with me a lot. When I went to take pictures Isaak's like, "O just let me cuddle with you Mom!" How can I say, "No" to that? So I let him cuddle with me. It wasn't too hard to get us to smile!

I had to take a picture of my Buddha on it. I've been listening to Book of Joy with the Dalai Lama, and it's so peaceful! Peace, joy and harmony is what I feel when I cuddle up in the Fox Throw.

Do you have a favorite blanket? Have you started your Christmas shopping - if you celebrate?

Follow Soft Surroundings on facebook, pinterest, twitter, YouTube, instagram, and google+.

Disclaimer: I received a bag of merchandise from Soft Surroundings in return for writing this post. I only review things that I think my family or readers will enjoy, or find useful. Soft Surroundings didn't tell me what to write. 

WW: He's Sexy and He Knows it! {Linky}

Canvas On Demand

Canvas On Demand has awesome gifts for everyone on your holiday list!

Have you started shopping for Christmas? That is, if you celebrate it. I pretty much hang on to much of what I get for reviewing, and things I've won to give for Christmas. I get stuff along the way.

Canvas on Demand is based in Raleigh, NC, @canvasondemand has everything you need to get your shopping done early. They offer more than just canvas prints. From incredible photo-to-canvas art for parents, Coloring Canvas for kids, and customizable photo gifts, including ornaments & more, Canvas On Demand can help with your holiday haul.

For a limited time, they're offering my readers a whopping 60% off your entire order at Canvas On Demand with code USFAM. Select from canvas prints and more! Valid until 12/12/17.

#mycanvasondemand https://www.canvasondemand.com/?coupon=usfam

Disclaimer: I will receive a 16x20 Premium Gallery Wrap Canvas + 16x20 Coloring Canvas to review in exchange for writing this pre post. There will be a follow up post after I get the canvases. 

Fall Craft: Making an Acorn Gem

My next post is up on ParentSavvy: How to Make an Acorn Gem.

When it's fall I feel like digging a hole, and crawling in it. It's colder, and the most annoying thing is that it's dark when I get up, dark when I go home, so daylight is so limited with taking photos for blogging. 

My whole family got out and about to look for acorn caps for this next craft project. Thankfully we did this before it got too cold.  

At first we had trouble finding acorns. I'm like, "We need them for this next project!" We went to a few parks before we found our stash.

Isaak picked up pinecones as well. He's always been my nature collector. You really only need acorn caps for this craft - nature wise. We found a lot of acorn caps on the ground. The ones that were still attached had to be It really isn't that hard to pry off acorn caps. Many twisted off, and the rest Travis just grabbed a flat head screwdriver to pry them off.

Dig Out the Markers!

We have lots of markers. Some are better than others. I just asked Isaak to get them all out. 

Color the inside of the acorn caps with different markers. 

Some colors show up better than others. If they ware lighter this craft will still work.

Fill the Acorn Caps With Glue

This is where I needed to get creative. I had Isaak get a Lego base plate, add Legos in different spots to help hold the acorns caps. Then I filled the caps with glue. You can use modge-podge if you don't have any glue.

I think an ice cube tray, or egg carton would work to hold up the acorn caps as well.

At first the acorn caps will be milky white, but they'll dry clear enough to see the color.

Isaak loves glitter, so we added some glitter glue to the tops of some.

Isaak and I both enjoyed this craft! The last part you just wait for them to dry.

Dried Most of the Way:

Remember the Glitter Glue? Here's what those ended up looking like:

You can display them in a Mason jar, vase, pot, terrarium glass container, fishbowl or bowl:

Acorn Gems:

I heart the glitter ones:

Neutrals:

Greens, Blues and Purples:

Reds and Pinks:

Perks on This Craft:

• It's for anyone 
• You don't have to pay a lot
• We got out in nature 
• It's colorful
• It gave me time with Isaak
• You can talk about what to collect and discuss colors with your child

What color do you like the most?

@nomadfootwear is the Place to Get Boots!

A few months ago I was excited to win boots from Nomad Footwear. I haven't have rain boots, since I was a kid. I was so excited to win!

Right when I got them I put them on because it was raining outside. I was thinking about saving them for my husband to give them to me. I just couldn't resist wearing them. Aren't they cute?!

I had a few struggles on my end when I won: 

What size do I get? My feet have grown after I had kids. I never thought that would happen. I wear special arch supports, so my shoes are a bit bigger than they need to be. I was happy that they fit just fine! 

What color should I get? I was torn between Kelly B Wine (Red) or Kelly B Black. What's one to do when they are torn between what to get? I asked them to send me one of those two. Whatever they had in stock the most. I would have been happy with whatever I got. Black does go with more, but I do have lots of grey, black, and wine colored shirts, and a coat for each of those colors. Black it is. :)

Now I have rain boots for the first time in years! 

Do you have rain boots? What color would you pick on this page? 

Join up with Nomad Footwear on facebook and twitter, so you can have the same opportunity to win some boots on their next giveaway like I did. 

Disclaimer: Nomad Footwear did not ask me to write this post. I'm writing this because I love the Kelly B boots they sent me.

Cinnamon Pickles

I remembered that my Grandma used to make Cinnamon Pickles.

When I brought this up to Travis he kind of rolled his eyes at me. We had already made Bread and Butter Pickles, Dill Pickles, Relish, and ate plenty of plain cucumbers.

He agreed. I did all the prep work of peeling the cucumbers, deseeding them, and slicing them up.

Since the process takes 3 days, he helped me out with the other days. Actually I agreed to make meals, while he dealt with the Cinnamon Pickles in the making.

Now we have one Cinnamon Pickle with our breakfast. They are pretty good.

I took a jar to work. Some students were a bit stand offish to try one. Other students jumped at the idea. I have a first year student that want to buy a jar. Ha! I don't even know what to charge.

Would you jump at the chance to try one, or would you be stand offish?

Cinnamon Pickles by Anonymous Nh7KbE4hof on Scribd

WW: Green Goddess {Linky}

Isaak's been creating a series of green people, for a green land. He has a map, and different portraits drawn.

This is by far my favorite one:

Not too shabby for a 9 year old 4th grader.

Silk Plants Direct Review

I'm so excited for Christmas to come this year. I actually get into all of the holidays, so bring on the turkey for Thanksgiving too!

This may be Isaak's last year for believing. He's on the fence with Santa. Isaak's asked questions. My response is, "Saint Nicholas is in the Encyclopedia. He has to be real."

CSI Wall Panels gave me an option on Silk Plants Direct to pick out an item(s) I liked. 

I saw this Santa, and thought our Elf Brita could bring it to our home. It would look so cool in front of Innovative Architectural Panel Systems - CSI Wall Panels.

This Santa is mostly red and grey. What I love the most are the details! 

• He carries a red lantern.

• In his bag is a nature collection instead of gifts. Isaak has a whole bin of nature things, so I think he'll appreciate Santa's bag!

• Santa has a walking stick, with pine needles on top. 

• He has different types of fabric on to keep him warm. 

• There are soft white crystals on his beard and platform that look like snow.   

The cost of this 18" Santa is $41.99.

I also got Bird Succulent to review. Our Elf Brita could bring this to our house on a different night.

I so have a thing for Faux Terrariums. They just look like magical places.

It's mostly green and white. I have to say that the greenery really looks like it needs to be watered. It's so real looking!  

• It has a birdhouse, a bird nest, eggs, and a few bigs in it. 

• The greenery has succulents on top, and a grassy/mossy, and more succulents inside the base.

• The base its self is white, and lined with a hemp rope.

The cost of this 7" Faux Terrarium is $31.99. The best part about it, is that I don't have to water it!

What would you pick from SilkPlantsDirect.com? 

Disclaimer: I got the two items mentioned in this review from CSI Wall Panels. CSI Wall Panels didn't influence me on what to write in this review. I only review things that I feel like my readers - you will enjoy, or are a good fit for my family.