Savvy Mom

My sister was asked to write an article for ParentSavvy.com.

She was asked because she's really involved in an organization called SOFT. SOFT helps with a lot of chromosome issues that kids have. 

You can read Emerson's ParentSavvy story here.

It had been awhile since I've seen Emerson, or any of their family. We were sick on New Years, they were sick on Christmas, and they stayed away on Thanksgiving because Emerson was having a big surgery then.

He's still healing from his surgery. His eye looks a lot better. They had to pin it up because it was drooping down too much. He's still drooling a lot from getting his tonsils out. He was sleepish when I saw him. They were giving him a break from his glasses and his hearing aid.

He likes to play with Great Aunt Becky. They are always clapping, and singing. My pictures are always blurry, but he often has a smile on his face when she's around.

He's a Daddy's boy. His newish trick is to stand against the wall. You have to watch him because he will eventually fall over. He let me cuddle him for awhile. That's Mica's shirt he's wearing. It's held up well.

Smooth Viking Beard Oil Review

Travis AKA Daddy got some products to Review. I am so happy because 90% of the items I get for reviews are for the kids, or I. It's nice to get a masculine item to review. After I was signed up to review the oil from Smooth Viking, they decided to send me 2 more items.

Travis AKA Dad supports a beard. He has most of the time we've been married. He thinks he looks like he's 12 years old when he doesn't shave. Plus his skin is ultra sensitive. He trims, but he never shaves. 

Smooth Viking scent me: Beard Oil, Beard Conditioner, and Beard Balm.

You would think with oil there would be a mess. There is no mess. All it takes is a small amount of each product, which can easily be rubbed between your fingers to then distribute to your facial hair for instant results.  

All of Viking Beard products are 100% Natural. It's great for people that have sensitive skin.

Beard Oil

2 ounces $35 $16.95 

Beard Oil is meant to soften the hairs on one's beard and stop it from itching.  

It Contains a Premium Blend of Nourishing Ingredients:

• Avocado Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Moroccan Argan Oil
• Olive Oil
• Pumpkin Seed Oil
• Castor Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Vitamin E 
• All Ingredients are Vegan Friendly and Made in the USA

Beard Conditioner

2 ounces $35 $16.95

 

One problem with anyone's beard is that it gets dry and brittle. Smooth Vikings Beard Conditioner is meant to soften the hairs, repair, and strengthen it. This product keeps a beard growing healthy, strong, and oh-so-soft.

Nourishing and Hydrating Ingredients:

• Shea Butter
• Mango Butter
• Argan Oil
• All Ingredients are Vegan Friendly and Made in the USA   

Beard Balm

2 ounces $35 $15.95

 

 

Do you ever have hairs on your head that stick up, and out in directions you don't want them to? Beard hairs do the same. Smooth Viking Beard Balm let's you style your beard. It holds it in place. No it's not a glue. It's safe ingredients that holds in moisture and make hair follicles appear thicker for an improved appearance and texture.

Put Texture in Your Beard With These Safe Ingredients: 

• Mango Butter
• Shea Butter
• Beeswax
• Avocado Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Argan Oil
• Castor Oil
• All Ingredients are Vegan Friendly and Made in the USA

One thing that I noticed was how cool the packaging is! I love their logo, the tins and glass container they came in. They were each packaged in a burlap bag. 

My husband is still getting used to using these products routinely. He loves the way they smell! It takes some time to feel the hairs get softer. He was anticipating that the products would be messy, and happy that they are not messy at all. 

We both love that there are great ingredients in the Smooth Viking Beard products! 

If you know a guy that's looking to grow a beard Smooth Viking products are perfect for them!

Disclaimer: I'm writing this in connection to Tomoson. I got Smooth Viking Beard products free for review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Holiday Firsts Baby Month Stickers Review

I got a chance to spend some extended family time this weekend. It was for my only niece, my oldest nephew, and my Brother-in-law's Birthday Party.

We always fight over who gets to hold the baby. He'd rather be with his Momma. I got Edison to laugh, then he quickly turned that smile to a quivering lip, and began to cry. With my sister's family being sick, and my family getting sick we haven't seen them in awhile. There's no hiding that I like babies.

Edison will be 1 in May. I got some Holiday Firsts Baby Month Stickers to Review.

Edison won't be able to use all of the stickers as firsts, so I'm giving my co-worker that just had a baby the others. :) 

Edison will be able to rock 1/2 of the 4" stickers!

Isn't he cute?!

I just love my little nephew. 

These stickers work great on plain clothing, or patterned clothing.

Here's all the stickers that come in the $10 set:

1. First Christmas
2. First Halloween
3. First Valentine's Day
4. First Thanksgiving
5. First Groundhog's Day
6. First New Years
7. First Birthday
8. First Fourth of July
9. First Mother's Day
10. First Father's Day
11. First St. Patrick's Day
12. First Easter

I thought that was a lot for $10! I love the style of the stickers. They have a chalkboard hand letter style for the type, and fun illustrations for the characters.

They are water proof and tear proof. We did not sample them for an extended period of time. Really they only need to last a day or a few days for different family events. I want my sister AKA Aunt Terra to save them for the holidays. They are super fun though.
I wish they had holiday stickers for when my boys were this age! I love them!

Disclaimer: I'm writing this in connection to Tomoson. I got these stickers free for review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Lemon Essential Oil Review

I love the smell of lemon! I've never used lemon oil. I've only used lemon extract in the kitchen, which is not the same thing at all. 

Majestic Pure Lemon Essential Oil is 100% Pure and Natural. It comes with 4 Oz.

I decided to try and make Lemon Lip Balm. I've been wanting to make my own lip balm for a year now, but have not tried it until now. 
  
Lip Balm Recipe: 

1. 1 part Beeswax Pellets
2. 1 part Shea Butter
3. 1 part Coconut Oil or Avocado Oil (I used Coconut Oil because it's what I had, but I heard Avocado Oil is wonderful!)
4.  Lemon Essential Oil (use however much you want scent wise)

Step 1:

In a double boiler I put water in the outside pan, and the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil in the inside pan. Melt the ingredients. Stir continuously. Add in drops of lemon oil. I just added drops until I liked the scent.

Step 2:

Pour the melted ingredients in a container. I used a little metal container. Be careful this part is hot!

Step 3:

Wait for it to cool. 

Isaak split his lip, so we've been using this lip balm on him all weekend. I've been using it to. I have to say that I love it way more than lip balms that you buy in the store!

  
Powerful and Purifying Fragrance:


Lemon Oil has a natural energizing, revitalizing and uplifting scent that helps to clear the mind. 

Peppermint makes me relaxed. Lemon makes me happy.

Household Uses:

It works great to disinfectant and antiseptic cleanser with refreshing and cooling properties. Clears Unpleasant odor, Used as air freshener and for cleaning applications including removing gum, oil, grease spots and sanitizing surfaces.

You could mix it with Apple Cider Vinegar and water to work as a wonderful cleaner.

Health and Skin Care Recipes: 

It's great for Aromatherapy, and used in many skin care recipes. It's also used in recipes to fight seasonal allergies. Good immune system booster and also helps in digestion.

I'll have to remember Lemon Oil when allergy season starts to roll around. 

What it Comes With and Cost:  
  
4 ounces may not seem like a lot, but with essential oils it is. A little bit goes a long way! It comes with a screw on lid to ensure it's freshness, and a glass dropper to make it easy to use. 

This is not an oil that can be taken internally.

It was originally $39.95, but on sale for $18.50. If you are a Prime member it ships out for free.

I love Lemon Essential Oil! Have you used it before?

Disclaimer: I'm writing this in connection to Tomoson. I got this Lemon Essential Oil free for review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Rachel With Cardholder Services

I know that scam calls just come with having a phone. That doesn't mean I have to like it.

I keep getting calls from, "Rachel With Cardholder Services". She promises to lower my interest rate.

I at first just hung up on them. That didn't work. I kept getting calls.

I've waited to talk to someone, and asked to be removed off their list, and all I hear is a click. Not only are they annoying with phone calls, they are RUDE to.

I so badly hate this company!

Source

I don't know if it will help, but I reported them to the do not call list, and to the government. The government doesn't respond to individual complaints, but they do respond if they get repeat complaints. If enough people report "Rachel", then I will have gotten somewhere.

If you want to report Rachel because you get unwanted calls from her to here's her number: 804-843-6509. 

Stopping Robo-Calls:
 
File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission at 888-225-5322 orwww.fcc.gov/complaints.

Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry and also file complaints at donotcall.gov or 888-382-1222.

Sign up for your state’s Do Not Call list, too. Google your state name and Do Not Call list.
Remember to get on both state and federal do not call lists and register all numbers — land lines and cellphones.

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday is all about me discovering something that is different. I don't want to post things that you and I have more than likely heard before. I want to find something different. It could be from another country, someone singing from the streets of NY, and more.

I've seen videos of flashmobs, but this one is the biggest I've seen yet! Banco Sabadell of Spain celebrated their 130th anniversary with a flashmob. An Orchestra Simfònica del Vallès and various local choirs were in on the performance. They sang and played Beethoven's Ode to Joy.

A little girl gives a coin to a street performer, and gets a surprise in return. Was it staged? Yes, but the people walking in the streets didn't know what was about to happen. That just makes it so wonderful.

Source

The singing and the music is all real.

This same Orchestra Simfònica del Vallès hired graffiti artists to make an image of Beethoven, while they played.