Need A Cool Mug?

Don’t you hate when you pour yourself a nice, hot cup of coffee and then burn your tongue while trying to drink it?  Gosh, I can’t count how many times this has happened to me.  I guess I’m too impatient to wait for the coffee to cool.  I just don’t have time to sit and wait on it.  If I wait I will forget about it and then it gets too cool.  Well, my problems are solved with the Brugo Mug! 

Yes, this handy mug is good for more than just holding your favorite coffee!    It has the ability to cool your hot beverage with 3 setting on its lid!  All you have to do is tip the mug forward to allow the beverage to enter the cup’s special chamber (while on “Tip & Cool” setting) and then sip it!  Here are some images to show you what I mean!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, the mug cools your hot beverage to a more tolerable level for sipping!  I tried mine with some hot chocolate I made with my Tassimo brewer!  I was pleased with the mug’s ability to cool my hot beverage right after it was made.  I would have liked it to be just a touch cooler, but I was surprised by how quickly it made my hot chocolate sip-able!  I also liked how you can control how much comes out of the cup!  Using the “Tip & Cool” setting on the mug’s top, the beverage has to enter the chamber before you drink it.  This means that you the longer you swirl the mug, the more beverage enters it!  So, if you want to drink more, just tip it longer! 

Now, you may be worrying about the mug making your drink cold.  Well, I can say the mug passes that test, too.  2 hours after I first poured my hot chocolate, my drink was still sort of warm!  It wasn’t hot mind you, but it definitely wasn’t as cold as it would have been if I’d left it in a regular mug!  I was able to change the setting on my mug to “Sip” at this point and just drink it! 

I also liked that the mug has a third setting, “Locked” that doesn’t allow your liquid to come pouring out of it!  This is a really nice mug that any college student, coffee/hot chocolate drinker would be proud to own!  Not to mention, the mugs come in a wide array of colors – there’s something for everyone!  I can’t wait to use mine this semester when I have my 8 am Teaching of Math class!  Haha! 

WIN!

Brugo Mug is giving one reader a mug of their own! 

To enter:  Go to Brugo Mug and then tell me which mug and color you like best!

(Make sure your email address is in the comment or is easily accessible via your blog profile or blog itself. I need to be able to contact you!)
This entry is mandatory, if you do not do #1, you cannot do the "extra" entries. Comments like "enter me" will not be eligible!

Extra Entries
For each extra entry please post an additional comment!

1. Follow Laughing Lindsay on Twitter (let me know your handle in a comment).

2. Tell others about this giveaway (Tweet, Digg, Stumble, email, forum, meme, blog it). You get one extra entry for each thing done.

3. Follow my blog and tell me (or tell me if you already are).

4. Subscribe to my blog’s feed and tell me (or tell me if you already do).

5. Add my blog button to your blog (leave blog link).

6. Comment on a non-giveaway post. (Come back and tell me which one.)

Giveaway ends on July 12 at 11:59 pm EST.

The winner will be chosen via random number generator the next day and notified by email. If I don't hear back from the winner within 48 hours of sending the winning email, I'll pick another.
GOOD LUCK!
*Open to US residents only

Disclaimer: I received a mug for free for this review. No compensation was received. The opinions expressed are my own.

Want better tasting water?

I recently received a ZeroWater water filter pitcher to review which comes with a TDS meter to test the water with!  For this review, I started out by testing the water that comes out of the faucet at my house.  Here are the results:

It is a 142!  According to ZeroWater, that is in the “Typical Range” for water in the US as most water falls into this category.  However, that still means that there is dissolved solids in the water!  Yuck!  So, then I tried the ZeroWater Pitcher and…

Yep!  All 0’s!  Can you believe it?  A range of 000-001 meets the FDA requirement for purified bottled water!  ZeroWater is the first and only pitcher that gives you standard bottled drinking water!  Wow!  Isn’t that awesome? 

Given the range of my usual faucet water, I should be able to use the pitcher for 25 to 40 Gallons.  I know this because ZeroWater also provides you with a chart that tells what each reading means and how many gallons you can expect from a filter.  Isn’t that nice?  It lets you know ahead of time.  You aren’t forced to guess how many times.  I was also impressed to learn that they list a number (1-800-503-2939) to call if you find your faucet water is extremely high so they can help you find an economical solution!  Wow!  Talk about customer service!

I also must point out the handy dandy spout on the bottom of the pitcher!  See, here is a picture of the wonderful pitcher and its spout.  This makes it easier to get water out if it is too heavy for you!

This is a very nice pitcher!  The handle is nice and feels pretty good in your hand.  The pitcher has a little thingy that moves when your pour the water, so that it covers the pitcher when you aren’t using it.  I think this should keep the pitcher and water cleaner because it won’t let particles fall into it!  Overall, a really good pitcher and I’d recommend it!

Disclaimer:  I received a free pitcher for review purposes.  No compensation was received.  The opinions expressed are my own. 

Creative Containers – Buckhead Betties Review

When I was looking through yet another magazine, I came across another really cute brand - Buckhead Betties!  They make adorable bags, towels and other awesome accessories!  They even carry stuff for guys!  Here is just a sampling of what the offer!  Isn’t it cute?  I really like the looks of their bags and would love to get one of those next! 

So, just in time for summer, I was sent a lovely item from them to review!  I got the nap pack which is a really cool item!  It comes rolled up, like so:

Then, you undo the Velcro straps and it rolls out to be something awesome to lay on!  Here is a picture of it when it is rolled out! 
See, it even comes with a cute little pillow for your head!  Now, I don’t think many full grown adults could use this pillow.  However, it might be nice to take to the beach or to the pool for a day to lay on because it is thicker and more comfortable than a towel.  Plus, it can easily be rolled back up and fit into your bag and it doesn’t take up much room at all!

This is the perfect item for a child during the summer!  Heck, even I like it!  I also wanted to point out that Buckhead Betties has a classic line and also comes out with new items seasonally to match the current trends!  How awesome is that? 

I also liked the fact that Creative Containers who designs and manufactures Buckhead Betties is based in Greensboro, NC!  That means they are a somewhat local business for me!  I mean as local as you can get with a nice company like this on the internet that I just happened to stumble upon! 

The next time you are looking for a unique gift or awesome accessory, be sure and check out Buckhead Betties! 

Disclaimer:  I received the nap pack for free for review purposes.  No compensation was received.  The opinions expressed are my own. 

If you Whish for a better shave cream…

I don’t know about you, but I read a ton of magazines.  While browsing through a couple one day I saw an article on getting smooth legs for the summer.  I thought this was interesting because it featured a brand I had never heard of.  It’s a natural bath and body product line called Whish!  Whish was created by two brothers in January of 2006 when one of the brother’s wife’s wished for a better shaving experience.  I was particularly interested in Whish because Whish products are manufactured in a wind powered facility and free of Paraben, Sulfate, TEA, DEA and Petrochemicals!  This means Whish is the first bath and body company of this kind!

I was lucky enough to be sent the Whish Shave Crave in Pomegranate!  Whish’s Shave Creams are put into a airless pump so that they are free of stuff like propane (!) and butane!  The cream is made with organic shea butter, organic green tea, organic coconut oil and organic jojoba seed oil!   I have used this non-foaming shave cream a couple of times now and am pretty impressed with it.  Since it’s non-foaming you do have to work a little harder to apply it and it does get caught up in the razor a little more than the out of the can shave cream.  However, once you figure this out, it works really well. 

I usually have to put lotion on my legs every day or else they get really dry.  However, when I use this shave cream, if I skip a day or two, my legs still feel really nice.  This shave cream keeps the skin moisturized!  I really like how my skin feels!  Maybe, it’s because I got used to using it, but I saw more results after using it on the second time than the first.  Either way, I’m really digging how my legs feel since it’s summer and I’m living in shorts and capris.  I wish I had this earlier in the summer, but at least I have some now! 

They say that if you shave once a day, the can should last you a whole month!  I don’t shave every single day and I think this will last me a while!  Although, at $24 a can, it’s a bit pricey for a college student’s budge.  Depending on how long it lasts though, I will definitely consider continuing its usage. 

I  also Whish :) I could try their wonderful looking Shave Savour hair inhibiting gel that slows the growth of hair while moisturizing your skin or the Flawless Ingrown Hair Serum to help with those annoying bumps you get after shaving.  It seems that Whish has you covered for all of your shaving and bathing needs! 

Disclaimer:  I received a free bottle of Whish Shave Cream for review purposes.  No compensation was received.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Got2B Smooth Operator

Thanks to BzzAgent, I received some samples of Got2b Smooth Operator smoothing lustre lotion to try.  This lotion can be applied to dry or wet hair and it protects your hair!  I’ve been using it when I straighten my hair to guard against heat damage.  The lotion also has UV protection, which is great for summer! 

What I really like is how soft and manageable it makes my hair.  It makes hair soft because it has a cashmere infusion.  The BzzKit had a great quote to describe the softening effects of it, “Imagine a baby chic, draped in velvet, on a silky down pillow in the middle of a cloud and you’re almost there”.  Isn’t that funny?  Haha!  Really though, I was impressed with how it makes my hair feel.  Usually a hair product that protects your hair leaves the hair sort of crunchy like a hair spray would (which I hate) or it will make the hair sort of sticky (and clumps together and causes tangles).  However, this didn’t do that.  It made my hair soft and silky!

Another issue I usually have with these sort of products is the scent.  Most hair products with protection have a funky smell.  This lotion makes my hair smell really good, even my boyfriend liked it!  : )

I also must comment on the adorable packaging of the entire Smooth Operator line.   I like how they use the color pink since the line is meant for goddesses! I also LOVE the charms on the bottles!   There is a heart with lock and key that represents you unlocking your inner goddess.  There is also a glittering heart that symbolizes you expressing yourself and letting your heart shine.  Finally, there is a “charm me” shield that is supposed to symbolize the strength and power of self-expression to create beauty!  Isn’t that awesome?  I think Got2B is a really creative brand that is making new and awesome hair products for everyone (they do make some men’s products).  I would love to try more of their products.

Thanks BzzAgent!

Disclaimer:  I received samples of got2b smooth operator lotion for review purposes.  No compensation was received.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Arm and Hammer Whitening Booster Review

  As you may have noticed, I’m really into oral care.  My parents have spent a considerable amount of money on my teeth through the years with braces and a few cavities!  I appreciate everything they have done for my smile and because of this, I’m always on the lookout for something new and better for my teeth.  I love trying a new toothbrush and toothpaste from time to time.  Well, I recently received some Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster to try.  Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster 3X is clinically proven to get teeth up to four shades whiter in six weeks (when used as directed).   What is different about this product is the ease of using it!  You simply place the booster over your regular toothpaste and brush with it!  Isn’t that easy?  This product is just in time for summer vacations, no need to pack your whitening strips or having to schedule time for them!

You can use the booster up to 3 times a day!  However, I wear retainers at night and didn’t want to take a chance of using a whitening product at night with them on.  So, I’ve only been using it several times a week for a couple of weeks now (I admit, I sometimes forget to apply the booster).  I was really surprised by the results!  The first time I used the booster I didn’t notice much of a difference. 

After a few times using the booster though, I started to see whiter and brighter teeth!  That’s because the whitening booster has 3 times more whitening agent than leading whitening strips!  I must admit the booster does taste a little different than my usual toothpaste and it changes the taste of it.  However, it’s not a bad taste and I think the results are worth it.  Here is a picture of my teeth after these first few weeks of usage (and not everyday).   Please be nice, I think my teeth look a little weird because I seem to have tilted my head or the camera, which makes them look less straight to me.

Either way, I think they look really white and clean!  I also want to point out that my teeth even feel cleaner when I use it.  My teeth had the slippery/glossy clean feeling even after the first usage!  What do you think; are they white enough?  Hehe!  I really like the booster.  I wonder if my dentist will notice how white they are when I go in July? 

If you are looking for a quick and economically sound way to whiten your teeth, check out this booster!  I really like it!  You can also check out Arm & Hammer’s Savings Center for coupons to save on Arm & Hammer products! 

Disclaimer:  I received a free bottle of booster for review purposes.  No compensation was received.  The opinions expressed are my own.

1 Year Blog Anniversary and H&M Giveaway

 

It’s hard to believe that my first blog entry was a year ago today!  It was very short and to the point.  My 2nd post didn’t come until almost a month later and was only one sentence long!  I didn’t know anything about hyperlinking or HTML coding.  I didn’t know how to find products to review or giveaway.  I also didn’t know the difference between Wordpress and Blogger!  Haha!  I actually started with Blogspot because that’s what I noticed everyone else was using and just figured that they knew what was best.  lol  It’s hard to believe that I’ve learned so much and done so much in just one year.  Thank you to everyone who has helped me this past year!  I appreciate everything everyone has done. 

In just a year, this blog has gotten over 500 Google Friend Connect followers.  I remember starting out and thinking that I would never get 100 followers.  I didn’t believe that anyone would actually want to subscribe/follow my blog and read what I had to say.  I also never dreamed that I would get over 900 followers on Twitter!  Wow!  I’m still amazed! 

Without my readers, none of this would have been possible.  I want to thank you wonderful people by having a giveaway where I’m actually giving away some prizes that I already have and that isn’t sponsored by anyone.  I received a $25 H&M gift card sometime ago.  However, there’s not one near me and you can’t order online (for some unknown reason).  I also have 2 $25 gift cards for Safeway grocery stores!  There’s also not a Safeway store near me.  So…

WIN!

I’m giving:

one reader a $25 H&M gift card and

2 readers a $25 Safeway gift card

I’ve noticed that one of the biggest complaints on sweeps forums about blog giveaways is all of the extra entries.  So, I’m going to try something different with this giveaway since I don’t have to have a high turn out of entries for a sponsor.

To enter:  Tell me which of the gift cards you would like to win.

That’s it!  No extra entries, but you can follow me on Twitter or the blog to catch more giveaways!  : )  You can also like Laughing Lindsay on Facebook for updates!

Giveaway closes July 7th at 11:59 PM EST.
Good luck!

*Since I am shipping the cards, this giveaway is open only to US residents.

Disclaimer:  I received nothing for posting this giveaway.  This is in celebration of my 1 year blogging anniversary. 

The Knight Life Giveaway Winners

The lucky winners of the Knight Life Giveaway are comments...

#9
#18

Congratulations! The winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to respond. Thanks to everyone who entered! Look out for a special giveaway later today!

Busy Bees at Work and Play Book Review

I recently received a copy of Busy Bees at Work and Play by M. Maitland DeLand to review.  Now, I’m sure you’re wondering why I agreed to review a children’s book.  Well, for starters it just looked so cute!  Secondly, I just had a Literature for Children and Young Adults class this spring and have since gained a greater appreciation for this literature.   This book helps a little one understand why grown ups have to work by showing various members of the community.  It portrays these members of the community doing their job and them in their free time.

Busy Bees at Work and Play has very good illustrations, something that is crucial for a good children’s book.  I thought it was cute how throughout the book there was little things that would only make sense if a character was a bee (for instance, a boat is named the “Bee Line”).  The illustrator incorporates hexagonal shapes and honey combs when possible.  I also liked that the pictures were interactive with readers.  While the young bee first encounters every adult while they are working, there are clues in the background that allow children to figure out what that bee does at the end of the day.  I do think that it’s interesting that the bees “wear” shirts but not pants.  Haha! 

I also appreciated how the main bee’s mother is a teacher!  I guess that goes to show that teachers are typically good parents.  ; ) 

Anyways, this is a very cute book for children.  I enjoyed it and so did my boyfriend.  Haha!  You can find it on Amazon.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of Busy Bees at Work and Play for review purposes.  No compensation was received.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Auntie Anne's Pretzel Kit Giveaway Winner

The lucky winner of the Auntie Anne's Pretzel Kit Giveaway is comment...

#150

Congratulations! The winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond. Thank you to everyone who responded!