Birthstone Claddagh Ring - RE:View

 

What is your heritage? I'm talking about that as well as this amazing ring I received from The Irish Jewelry Company for review in todays post. 

USA Made Wooden Earrings | RE:View

Friends!! Booknerd alert! Check out these AWESOME earrings gifted to me from Whitl Woodworking 😍 Don’t they go perfectly with Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardougo??

At Home Teeth Whitening: Does it Work? | Review

Have you ever thought about teeth whitening? I had—for a long time. In fact, I’d considered buying those strips that people always talk about or something else you could find at any store, but I never did.

SmileBrilliant Ultrasonic Toothbrush | RE:VIEW

Have you ever used an electronic toothbrush? Have you wanted to?

A big thank you to SmilieBrilliant for gifting me a free CariPro ultrasonic toothbrush to try out and share with you all! In this post I'll talk about the pros and cons I've observed while using this toothbrush and I'll be offering an awesome GIVEAWAY opportunity too!

Paperless Post | RE:View

Who doesn't like getting a card? I know I do! But, the older I get, the harder it is for me to keep up with sending notes in the capacity I'd like. If you've followed my blog for a while you'll know that I've moved around quite a bit. Each of those moves have left me with amazing friends in different locations all over the U.S. and, while I still make it a priority to get out hand written cards here and there, I've now found a lovely alternative in Paperless Post!

What is Paperless Post?

Paperless Post is a company that offers digital invitations (think wedding & party), birthday cards, personal stationary, save the dates, and so much more! They offer a variety of fun designs and customizations helping you create the perfect card or invitation.

Here's one example of a card and envelope set:

My Experience with Paperless Post 

I tried out their service in a couple of different ways. I created an Easter card that I could send to friends and family (since most are scattered all over the U.S.) and scheduled it (yes! you can totally do this) to go out on the Saturday before Easter. How fun is that?

Then, I also sent a "thinking of you" card to a dear friend to let her know that I was thinking of her as well as praying for her. I had fun customizing the background, text, interior, and sending settings. More than that though, I was able to send a meaningful note in a "different way". It wasn't a text (which is still personal, but not nearly as pretty) and it wasn't a passing comment on a social media post or something like that. I really wanted her to know that I'd taken the time to pick out the right card for her and that it held a message that came from the heart.

If I may step of my "community soapbox" for a moment... Letting people know that you are thinking of them and care about them is SO important! It's easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day actives of life that we forget those who are around us. Whether that be our spouse or significant other or even our friends we may only see once a week or less, we should be actively looking for a way to let them know we care.

Maybe card or letter writing isn't your "thing" but it's so easy to use an already created template (you don't even need to customize if you don't want to) to send a quick note.

What I think about Paperless Post 

I would definitely recommend Paperless Post! They have some really beautiful card designs (even some from designers like Kate Spade New York, Oscar de la Renta, Jonathan Adler, and Rifle Paper Co.). They also cover pretty much any occasion you may have and allow you the freedom and flexibility to customize each card with fun designs and digital papers.

Some things of note:

Cards do cost! They work on a 'coin' system that starts with allowing you to purchase 20 coins for $6 (making the coins $.30 each) with the option of larger quantities of coins which decreases the price per coin. When I looked around it seemed it was standard for a card to cost about 5 coins (or $1.50 a card) with the more intricate or designer cards costing around 8 coins (or $2.40 a card). Considering that most (nice) cards in the store are usually $4 + and then add the $.50 stamp on top of that, you are getting a good deal.

Also, as much as I love the ease of sending a digital card to someone - it's fast, cost effective, and environmentally friendly, it's slightly less personal (totally my own opinion here). Because of this, I would personally recommend and use Paperless Post for things like event invitations and even perhaps Wedding Save the Dates because of the expense of shipping out invitations of that magnitude could become very expensive and time consuming.

Lastly, I didn't do extensive research into other digital card-sending sites, but I did look around a bit. They may be less expensive, but you can tell that in the quality of their cards. I feel like (from an artists standpoint) the cards on Paperless Post are really top quality and the experience is very user friendly. You can send out mass invites or cards with ease and style, which I think makes Paperless Post stand out in it's field.

Use the link below to check out their website:

Visit Paperless Post

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I was asked to experience this product for free but was under no obligation to post a positive review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Intersect: Where Your Story and God's Story Converge | RE:View

Ever wanted to have a tool to engage your neighbors and friends in deep conversations? Worried about how to start those conversations? Intersect by Rob Peabody and Cris Rogers creates the perfect opening for those very conversations. It's a great resource for anyone interested in hosting a small group that goes beyond the surface and that opens the door for spiritual discussion.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first popped this DVD in but I was pleasantly surprised by what it had to offer. With sections dealing with things like disappointment and trust, I appreciated the fresh approach to starting a conversation.

The short videos, well done and creative, each follow a shared story told with honesty and openness. The diversity of backgrounds of those who share spans from a stay at home mother to an ex-con. It's about realness and the truth of what we all face in an easy to understand context that isn't overly Christian (in respect to the language used). I liked this fact because, living in a spiritually-adverse city like Washington, D.C. I can see how these videos could be helpful for opening doors to talking about faith and personal beliefs.

A few gems I took on my first listening:

"Real life is not a dream." - Rest

"The suffering that we experience might not be the wrath of a divine being but the chaos and evil of the broken world." - Disappointment

I'd definitely recommend these videos to small group leaders. They discuss topics that are relevant to most ages and people of all walks of life. I would recommend that the small group leader listen to them first. Because of the nature of the videos, the elements of faith are less overt (though not ignored) and I would advise being prepared with a few scripture references to go along with the stories that are told in the videos. You can also check out the Intersect website for more interactive material and more information.

Rating:  4*
Purchase: Intersect DVD

Video Description

Follow the journey of five individuals as they tell authentic stories of circumstances that have forced them to examine how God might fit into their lives.

This five-week small group resource helps spark spiritual conversations. Starting spiritual conversations with those outside of the church is a worthy, yet often difficult and intimidating task. Intersect was designed to help overcome those barriers. It is an easy-to-use resource, perfect for sharing with co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family to enter into meaningful conversations.

Each film is accompanied by thought-provoking questions designed to encourage participants to examine the world in which they live and the life they are pursuing, always ending with a conversation on how Jesus intersects the current topic. Allow this powerful new film resource to engage those you are in relationship with and then propel them forward in their next step with Jesus.

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I received a free copy of this DVD for review purposes, but was under no obligation to watch it or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Adventures in Odyssey and the OAC Club App | REVIEW

So, when I was growing up my mom always had the radio on. Come to think of it, she still keeps the radio on a lot ;) But, the best part of that was Saturday mornings and Adventures in Odyssey. I couldn't wait to hear what the next adventure would be! Then we ended up buying the tapes (yeah, no CDs at that time) for some of the series adventures.

Well, it just got so much easier for parents (and kids) everywhere. Adventures in Odyssey now has a club (The OAC or Odyssey Adventure Club) and a very cool mobile iOS app. I have gotten the chance to test out this app and get to share with you about it! The best part, which comes later in this post, is that it's on a major SALE. $1 for the first month! This only lasts until May 31st though so you'll probably want to get a move on with joining up.

Anyway, in review, I will say that the app is pretty great. Sign in is easy as is navigation through the app. I've already used it to listen to a few episodes (yeah, I'm a grown up and I still listen to Adventures in Odyssey) and found that the quality was great. I like that you can search as well as switch back and forth from Episodes to Podcasts and download them as well. There are even some video's included which is awesome. They also have an "Adventures" section but I'll be honest and say I haven't completed one yet. It looks like fun, I just haven't had the time.

The only issue that I've noticed is that, when coming to the end of an episode, the app will sometimes freeze up before allowing you to go back to choose another. It's happened several times and I'm sure it's likely just a bug.

Over all, I'd say it's definitely worth it to join up--especially if you have kids or, like me, enjoy access to endless episodes of Adventures in Odyssey. I highly recommend it to parents with the advice that, inspiring your children to let their imagination dream up all sorts of awesome things leads to innovation and creativity. I know that as a kid, I loved getting lost in the adventures while coloring or playing with toys, and their well-crafted stories and lessons have long since stayed with me. "And don't you forget it!" (BTV anyone?)

Rating: 4*

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I received  free access to the OAC for review purposes, but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

::Check out this info from the Odyssey Adventure Club::

 

THIS JUST IN: School will soon be out for the summer! Parents, does that fill you with dread, knowing all you'll hear for the next few months is, "I'm bored!"? Keep reading because we have a deal for you—one that will only cost you a buck and that will keep your kids safe online while allowing them to have fun and to grow in their relationship with Jesus.

Buck Oliver is back in the latest Adventures in Odyssey album, and to celebrate, you can try the Odyssey Adventure Club for just a buck for your first month. Sign up before May 31st using the promo code BUCK! *This deal only applies to first-time accounts and is good the first month only.

Members receive:
—24/7 streaming access to more than 750 Adventures in Odyssey episodes (a $1500 retail value).
—A new, members-only Adventures in Odyssey episode every month.
—A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine.
—A web quest of video stories and online activities reflecting the biblical theme of that month's episode.
—On-the-go access with the OAClub mobile iOS app.
—Growing access to Odyssey books, a daily devotion, access to select Radio Theatre dramas and more.

Additionally, a portion of each Odyssey Adventure Club membership benefits Focus on the Family partner organizations, such as Carry the Cure and Mission Aviation Fellowship, providing parents with an opportunity to teach children about the value of serving others. The Odyssey Adventure Club hopes to spend another 25 years hand-in-hand with parents seeking to teach biblical truth to their children while inspiring the theater of their imagination.

 

Your favorite Adventures in Odyssey characters are also Taking the Plunge in Album 59 and now you can, too! This summer, dive into your faith and grow closer to God by joining the Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine Taking The Plunge Summer Challenge. It includes these simple things:

• Learn 5 memory verses
• Get active with 5 family activities together
• Share God’s love and your faith in 5 different ways

When you commit to the Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine Taking The Plunge Summer Challenge, you'll receive:

• A promo code for an exclusive Odyssey Adventure Club first month offer (for new members only)
• Adventures in Odyssey special studio message
• “Strange Journey Back” book excerpt
• “Jones and Parker Mysteries” book excerpt

To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.