Island Waterfall Parachute Hammock

A cool splash of color is always welcome in our back yard to help brighten up our dark fence that is so desperately in need of a facelift.  But until that time comes, I just keep adding color and I can’t think of a more perfect way to do so than a beautiful hammock to rest in. 

Until recently we had one of the traditional white netted hammocks in this corner so hubby had installed a few hook bolts to put it up and take it down again easily at the end of summer.  Well this summer came and when I pulled it out of storage, the white was no longer white and it really felt unsteady to rest on.  I was not comfortable at all letting my children sit on it.  So after doing some hunting I came across NOVICA which is in association with National Geographic. 

The NOVICA store is unlike anything I have ever found before.  They have hundreds and hundreds of beautiful pieces of art and there really is something everyone can afford.  Which leads me to my hammock!  Isn’t this Island waterfall Parachute Hammock just beautiful?  I really had a hard time deciding on the color but I knew the blue was perfect for our back yard. 

Why are these called a parachute hammock?  Well at first I thought it was just because of the style right? Wrong, these are actually made out of the same compact, lightweight, soft, and sturdy material that parachutes are made out of.  I thought that was pretty cool!

Even the packaging was creative.  Look at this neat little doll on the outside of the package.  How sweet is that?!

My lesson this week is art can be in any shape or form for any type of enjoyment, such as these hammocks.  Charly is the artist who designed these wonderful hammocks that we are enjoying so much!  Here is more from him about his creations.

"It all began ten years ago, on the beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia. While traveling with my girlfriend, we slept exclusively in traditional hammocks and, though they were comfortable, unfortunately they were heavy, hard to pack, somewhat fragile and difficult to clean. For all those reasons and many more, I decided to design a more practical type of hammock made from nylon and silk parachute material.

"Once I created the prototype, I realized just how comfortable, compact and easy to use this new hammock was. My first thought was simply to create a new type of hammock that my friends and I could enjoy. However, over the years my design has gained popularity and a devoted following. Try one and you'll soon realize just how great they are!”

 To find more from Charly and other artist featured on NOVICA check out these following links;

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers. AlyGators is not responsible for any Giveaway items. All giveaway items will be shipped directly from the company that sponsors our giveaway. 

 

Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets

After we featured different sets of dryer balls I had basically forgotten all about dryer sheets.  But a few weeks ago I received an email from Purex insiders introducing their new 3X the Fragrance sheets so I said why not… 

I had been using some liquid fabric softener because I still wanted the scent but with my dryer balls I didn’t think I needed the sheets. But I’m pretty cheap and bought the kind that was just under $2.  It provided some added freshness so I was content….

Until yesterday when I received my coupons and box of PurexFabric Softener Sheets and wow, the difference they make in the scent of my laundry is amazing!!! I got the Mountain Breeze scent and love it!  Right away I ran to the store (because I had other things I needed to get as well) and I picked up a few extra boxes.  They were actually cheaper than the “cheap” liquid softener I got.  Thank you Purex  for creating cheaper than cheap!

Can you find the Dryer Sheets in our swim laundry?

As much as I love scent there are so many different uses for dryer sheets.  Which one is your favorite? 

Reduces static Cling

Repels pet hair

Repels Lint

Stash a few in sock and under-ware drawer

Stick in kids closet around their shoes!

Tape one on the back of that stinky trash can

Hide one on the back of the toilet

How many other uses can you think of?

 
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Purex provided me with a sample of Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Resolve Tip Exchange Giveaway

Description

Resolve Tip Exchange- Keep summer carefree and stain free with resolve!

Share a stain tip for a chance to win weekly prizes!
**Asking a question will not result in a conversion*
The more tips you share, the more chances you have to win.

After a tip is submitted, follow to facebook page for billable conversion.

Restrictions

PRIZES (8) and Approximate Retail Value or “ARV”: each winner will be offered a choice of one (1) of the following four (4) prizes: a.) a digital camera ($446.95 ARV); b.) an outdoor gas grill ($458.97 ARV); c.) a three (3) person camping tent ($423.81 ARV); or d.) two (2) adult bicycles ($396.00 ARV/pair).

Total maximum ARV of all prizes: $3,168.00 to $3,671.76. Any expenses not mentioned above are the winner’s responsibility. If applicable, taxes are the winner’s responsibility. Prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. No substitution for prize except as may be necessary due to unavailability, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded, at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Odds of winning a prize depends upon the number of entries received.

Boulder Canyon Natural Foods

Most days I have trouble slowing down long enough to actually eat a plate of food and because of that I have developed a horrible habit of snacking which is ok as long as the snacks aren’t completely terrible for me right? 

Well this week I came across Boulder Canyon Natural Foods and I have to say I felt a little less guilty snacking on them last night rather than the sweet bread I made. I was sent two bags to try out the Kettle Cooked Potato Chips and the Garden Select Vegetable Crisps- Sour Cream & Chive of course. 

I was actually pretty surprised with the flavor and crisps of the Kettle Potato Chips.  As soon as I took the first bite I knew I didn’t want to share or put the bag down.  The chips were thicker than a normal potato chip and crunched a little louder.  So I poured the bag into a bowl to see just how strong they were.   There was actually very little crumbs from broken chips which is awesome.  I don’t know about you but I hate the bottom of a chip bag when all that’s left is the tiny little pieces.  These kettle cooked potato chips were awesome and I’ll be getting more in the future.

Now the Garden Select Vegetable Crisps I waited until this morning to try.  Yes its 9 AM and I’m eating chips… See it’s a problem right? Anyways, they are boldly full of delightful flavor!  Amazing!  They are also a sturdy chip with very little at the bottom of the bag which I love that alone. 

I give both of these Boulder Canyon Natural Foods an A+!  With their all natural and gluten free products they rock!  Check them out at the following links;

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers.

Cross Country Cafe

I love my coffee just like most of you but what I love more is always trying different K-Cups and our local stores only carry so many so it wasn’t long before I had tried them all.  Plus at over $10 a box the “special” feeling behind bringing home an easy cup of coffee really starts to wear off.

This week I received my very first order from Cross Country Café.  At first, my thoughts were, what makes this company different than the rest?  How is it any different than shopping at our local mass retailers?  Well the cost for one thing!   A box of K-Cups is the exact same cost as in the stores however there are more in a box! Plus not only can you get free shipping but there are always sales on their site! 

 

Then the supply of different flavors and all of my favorite brands is amazing!  There is just about every different company and flavor I could ever possibly think of and so many more that I didn't even know were out there!

I am a huge fan of Cross Country Café and their unlimited supply of flavors.  This week I tried Island Coconut and as strange as it sounds I loved it! I can’t wait to order from them again.  What flavors do you think I should try next?

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Huge selection of Keurig K-cups and gourmet coffee pods at rock bottom prices!

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers.

Yves Rocher Men Fresh

I am always looking for little gifts to give hubby or products that are specifically for him and this week I hit the jackpot with Yves Rocher Men Fresh Collection.  This is one of Yves Rocher newest skin care lines and is made with organic Ale Vera from Mexico which provides an ultimate moisturizing experience.  I love how this line feels and smells on hubby.

 There are several products in this line but the most basic and one every manly man will use without a doubt is the Body & Hair Shower gel.  A little really goes a long way with this stuff to leave a lasting and refreshing clean.  Now of course it could just be because he’s my honey but he smells so good after using it.   Plus it’s even a body wash he enjoys using so that alone say’s it all.

Now with it being summer time he is constantly working outside or just getting really dirty in general.  I don’t really understand why it’s worse in the summer but a good exfoliating face wash is a plus.  Yves Rocher has Exfoliating Face Wash in the Men Fresh collection.  Now trying to tell my manly man honey to use an exfoliating face was actually pretty funny but once he used it he actually liked it.  Sure he can tell me all day “yea it’s ok” but if he really just thought it was “ok” then he wouldn’t still be using it like he does.  So I say this is another win win product.

Another product in the collection I have caught him using more than once is the Shaving Gel.  He actually replaced his normal shaving gel with the one in the Yves Rocher Men Fresh collection.  Heck ya! This means another product he likes! I peaked in on him the other morning when he was shaving to see how well the shaving gel was working.  He barley used any at all to shave which is a huge difference then the normal gels or creams.  Plus once again the smell is amazing and he get’s a super close kissable shave.  Win win for me to!

Now, I do have to admit he’s not religious when using daily skin care but if I can get him to use something a few times a week that he wouldn’t normally do then we are doing good. And that’s just the case with the After Shave Balm.  I haven’t caught him using it after every shave but just here and there.  If he didn’t like it he wouldn’t use it at all so the fact that it’s not hiding in the back of the shelves means we found another good product.   

That stays true with the Anti Dryness Face Care 24-HourMoisturizing cream.  He uses it here and there, mainly after swimming.   So I can at least tell he likes it.  But I wanted to see for myself how good this stuff was so I tried it out.  Yea yea…. But I just had to see!  This Moisturizing cream leaves a silky smooth finish without any additional oils.  It’s almost like a make up primer except lighter.  I really like the feel of the Anti-Dryness Face Care 24HR Moisturizer. 

These are some amazing products and I’m super excited to tell you about all the new collections from Yves Rocher.  Be sure to check them out at the following links, and let us know what you would like us to tell you about next!

 

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers.

 

How do you relax in the morning?

 

Taking a few minutes out for yourself can be difficult with kids in the house then make that 9 kids and it can be next to impossible. So I recently called a friend who has 7 and ask “how in the world do you do it?” Her reply after she stopped laughing at me “get up two hours earlier”. Ha! Now I was the one laughing at her! Get up before the baby? Really… Well this approach has worked a few times and today is one of those times. So here I am up bright and early sitting by the pool drinking a cup of tea. Yup we have switched to tea this morning because although I love my coffee I really just need a few minutes to relax before I need my few minutes to get going. 

No k-cups or microwaved tea bags and I have learned that a good cup a tea comes from the old fashion way of making it. Tea leaves… Ok, so I may be a little out of date here this morning but I guess I had never really put much consideration into tea leaves. I had always been the type to get the 2.99 box of tea bags and call it good. Lesson learned for sure!  

EnjoyingTea recently sent me a Variety Tea Sampler and this is the good stuff for sure
But steeping tea, how do you do that? Well EnyjoingTea has these beautiful tea sets. You remember playing tea when we were little right? Ok, here are the adult versions because they are beautiful! There was so many to choose from I had to just pick one and be done with it. I chose the Elegant Flowers Tea set which is absolutely beautiful.

Did you know blue symbolizes heaven in Asian Culture so this blue flower represents heavenly beauty? Yup I have my little piece of heavenly beauty right by the pool this morning, so what more could a girl ask for?

Both of these sets are extremely affordable and the tranquil serenity they provide I recommend checking them out at the following links.

I had no idea what I was missing out on! Of course in the sampler was English Breakfast Black tea, ok the original stuff but then Strawberry Black tea, Snow Water Green Cloud Tea, Indian Mocha Chai, and Provence Rooibos. Maybe I’m sheltered (yea probably) but I had no idea there were so many different flavors of tea. The India Mocha Chai was my favorite for sure! Of course with that being said, I’m a newbie when it comes to steeping tea but they had that covered to in the Basic Tea Brewing Instructions card. Good thing they included it, I would have been completely lost or had a complete mess on my hands. Probably both now that I think about it.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers. AlyGators is not responsible for any Giveaway items. All giveaway items will be shipped directly from the company that sponsors our giveaway.  For any non-receipt of prizes you must send me an e-mail no less than 30 days and no more than 45 days after giveaway has ended.  Ashleyboyd11@yahoo.com