Win National Geographic Kids Books and Plush Toys #GiftGuide

November 1, 2019 by 117 Comments

Just in time for the holidays, National Geographic Kids Books is rolling out a brand new series of picture books that are perfect for kids ages 3-7 (preschool – 2nd grade).  To  celebrate the release of the first two books in their So Cool! So Cute! series, National Geographic is giving away a very huggable prize pack: a hardcover copy of So Cool! Sharks, a hardcover copy of So Cute! Pandas AND adorable shark and panda plushes.

shark book
So Cool! Sharks – Sharks are among the world’s top predators, but that’s just ONE reason why they are SO COOL. So who wouldn’t want to hang out with them to learn more! These books blend awesome animal photos with silly quips and info that will delight young readers and animal enthusiasts. For example, kids can catch the hunting habits of a great white shark while learning that its true nature is as chill as a frozen fish stick. This is the perfect little reader to get their brain buzzing and keep them laughing during downtime, bedtime, or anytime.
So Cute! Pandas – Get ready for cute overload, panda style. And the funny thing is, this panda isn’t just cute. It’s got attitude! You’ll flip over the adorable photos and be equally charmed by what this sassy little panda is thinking on every page. Introducing the brand-new series from National Geographic Kids that combines two wonderful things: super cute photos of all your favorite fluffy animals and silly text that will have the whole family laughing. Add to that some great nonfiction content that gets kids learning, and, what can we say? This series is just so cute!
These are perfect for gift giving- what kid wouldn’t love to receive them?
You can pick yours up online and you can enter to win below as well.
Good luck! Ends Nov. 29, 2019

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Filed Under: book review, giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide, review, toys Tagged With: , , ,

What I Love In My Home

November 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today we are looking at the latest mattress comparison guide. What are the mattress should we get? Despite what the internet and other salesmen want you to believe, there is no superior material over the other. Each person has their own personal preferences.

 

By the guide, we have the latest innerspring mattress that is one of the beds that most of you have slept on at least one time in your life. In recent years, there is actually coil configuration in this bed system. Bonnell coils are common in mid-level beds and are like hourglasses. There are higher end beds where the coils use better contouring ability.

 

All foam mattresses are in a modern development and it can feel slightly different to sleepers that have been resting on springs most of the time. There are different densities as well, and different levels of firmness as well. It depends on what you are looking for.

 

These beds are made up with polyurethane foams.They are densely formulated and are a type of memory foams. Memory foam beds are an all in one foam construction and they have their own terms because of their own special properties. 

 

Memory foam beds were the bestsellers in 1970s and 80s when the material was created by NASA to bring astronauts to space.

 

Latex mattresses are made from the milky sap of the rubber tree from Asia. It has popular bedding materials and mattresses as it is made out of natural source. These latex brands are more expensive compared to their other competitors. 

 

Next, we are looking at natural latex mattress topper. Latex mattress toppers are not that common, but they have many upsides. If you like support of memory foam but want to sleep cool – then latex topper is the best for your cool sleep. Since latex is derived from the rubber tree, you can also get natural latex instead of synthetic materials. The best mattress toppers are below.

 

The first recommended latex is Sleep on Latex that sell high quality toppers made out of latex to consumers. Made from full natural latex, these toppers are bouncy and can support the body as well. It has different variants like soft, medium and firm. It is great for side sleepers that have body pain from firm mattresses.

 

Second, we have the visco pillow top latex. While latex offers more than pillow-topo toppers, some sleepers miss the feeling of more options. This selection offers more superior support of latex tops. Side sleepers should like this feature as it has pressure relief on the shoulder and hips. This latex toppers has a skirt that centers it in the mattress. 

 

Lastly, we have resident home design. At this brand, we are growing in our passion to provide everyone with better options of getting everyday home products. We have mattresses, rugs, furniture and we have high standards for quality and style. We make sure that searching for home products when you want it. We also give free trials and warranties because we want to offer you as much purchasing power as possible. Join us and look for our brands all the time. If you want to join us on a quest to create the house space that you always wanted.

 

We have several brands in resident home. The brands are Nectar Sleep, Awara Sleep, Level Sleep, Bundle, Dreamcloud, and Wovenly.

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Sweet Dreams in 2019

November 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today we will be looking at the mattress protector king size bed.  We have a great king size mattress protector that fits the king-size bed completely. Our king size mattress protector can protect the bed against any dirt or moisture, keeping it in tip-top shape. This king size mattress protector has extra protection against all dirt and moisture that your mattress can get. It can promote fresher sleep, so when you wake up, you feel entirely clean. It is waterproof and breathable, as well. It can also fit another type of king bed mattress. You can retain the cleanliness of the mattress for a more extended period.

Mattress protectors have always given the sleeper multiple benefits, making the sleeper have protection even as they sleep. There is a barrier so that no dust mites can go through, and it also keeps the surface of the mattress dry. Whether you want to have breakfast in bed, dropping sauce on your topper as the mattress will be protected from stains on the bed.

Next, let’s look at cooling pillows. There are cool pillows for a cough that help remedy lousy coughing. There are many models so you might not know which one suits you best. However, our experts today have put together a complete guide on how cool pillows work for you.

The cooling pillow that we are looking at is adjustable. You can now sleep in comfort with the Nest Cool Pillow. This pillow has the best fabric technology to bring a fresh touch pillow that helps to regulate temperature when you are resting.

It also comes with gel-foam fill that is adjustable to whichever you feel comfortable. Get the cooling pillow today to ease your cough! We make sure that it is the best product in the market that is available to remedy your cough. No more coughing late into the night and getting a night of inadequate sleep.

Lastly, let’s look at the best pillow top mattress in the market. Saatva is excellent for all different body types. No matter whether you are lean or muscular, or you want a firm pillow top mattress, this is the model that you should get. Sleepers from all different sleeping positions should buy this pillow top mattress. It doest matter whether you are a back sleeper or sleep flat on your stomach, this is the pillow top you need. It is also an excellent coil bed for people that are hunting for one.

Saatva is the best firm pillow top mattress, and it is durable and thick. It is the type of bed that supports most back sleepers, but another kind of sleepers can sleep on it just fine too. You might want to get the Plush Soft mattress model if you wish to. It also has memory foam in it, and it is supportive. If you are a new user in this brand, we suggest getting a medium to a firm mattress. The more time we have had with this brand, the more we recommend this mattress.

Filed Under: lifestyle items Tagged With: ,

Get a DVD Player and 5 Movies for only $19.96 #GiftGuide @walmart @redbox

November 1, 2019 by 140 Comments

Yes I know, I know. Who even watches DVDs anymore? Me, that’s who. And everyone over 40. And honestly, I like having kids DVDs I can hand over that can just be repeated on a long road trip or plane ride. My grandparents and everyone my parents age still use them- so it’s not a totally lost form now, is it? And its easy, it just it. But the price is right- you can’t get EVERYTHING on streaming services, unless you are a hacking genius or don’t mind gritty and grainy watches, so even just the movie rentals make it worth it. I’ve never used Redbox, and I don’t even know of any of the rental boxes around here, so I will have to see how that works, but hey- nothing ventured, nothing lost. It’s always good to try something new.

Just in time for the holidays, for a limited-time only, Walmart is offering five free rentals from their local Redbox with the in-store purchase of an ONN DVD player that only cost $19.96, available on November 1st. That’s less than renting four on-demand movies, making it a great deal for families and friends who are planning their next viewing party.

So head on over to Walmart and see if they have any still in stock. If they do, it’s a gift under $20, and those are hard to come by. Good for someone hard to buy for, moms with little kids, grandparents, and more. Check it out and let me know what you think.

You can also enter to win one here, contest ends Nov 29, 2019. Good luck!
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Benefits of Getting a Facelift & Neck Lift Together

November 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment

You look in the mirror and you’re not sure who the person is who’s looking back at you. Your face is starting to show signs of aging. Your chin is soft and sagging and you have what’s commonly known as a turkey neck. You’re not happy about your appearance and you want to do something about it.

 

You have options. Facial plastic surgery can help to minimize sagging skin and smooth deep creases in the skin. The type of surgery that’s right for you depends on where you’re seeing the signs of aging. If most of your concerns are located in the lower portion of the face and in the neck, a facelift or neck lift might be your best option. In some cases, combining the two surgeries might be your best bet.

 

Learn more about what a facelift and neck lift can do and see if combining the two procedures will help you reach your anti-aging goals.

 

What Does a Facelift Do?

The word “facelift” can be a bit confusing to people. It’s common for people to assume that a facelift focuses on the entire facial area. In reality, the surgery helps reduce the signs of aging in the lower portion of the face, from the cheeks to the chin, jawline and upper part of the neck.

 

During a facelift, a surgeon rejuvenates your appearance by tightening the skin around your neck and jawline. A deep plane facelift also targets the area around the cheeks, to reduce drooping and the appearance of deep creases and folds.

 

What Does a Neck Lift Do?

While a facelift focuses on the area between the cheeks and upper neck, a neck lift focuses on rejuvenating the entire neck area. Some people develop signs of aging such as sagging jowls or fatty deposits in the upper neck area that creates a double chin. Others develop signs of aging that take the form of neckbands, horizontal wrinkles that stretch across the neck. 

 

The platysma muscle, which is located in the front of the neck, can start to separate as you get older. In some people, a loose, separated the platysma muscle can create what’s called a “turkey neck.” The muscle and skin become droopy so that it looks as if you have something similar to a turkey’s wattle.

 

A neck lift can tighten the platysma muscle and the surrounding skin, significantly reduce the “turkey neck” look. The surgery can also remove fatty deposits from the area, minimizing the appearance of a double chin.

 

Why Combine a Facelift and Neck Lift?

Everyone’s face ages somewhat differently. Some might only notice signs of aging in the upper part of the face, others in the lower part or in the neck. Some might have signs of aging all over. In that case, combining facial plastic surgeries, such as a facelift and neck lift, might be the best option.

 

There are a few benefits to scheduling a facelift and neck lift at the same time.

 

More Dramatic Results

If you have deep creases by the mouth, drooping cheeks, and chin and a turkey neck, having the two surgeries together just makes sense. A facelift will help to correct your concerns between the cheeks and upper neck while the neck lift will correct the issues you’re experiencing on your neck. 

 

Think of it this way. If you go to the hair salon and asked for a haircut, it’d be strange if the stylist only cut half of your hair. The new style on one side of your head would look neat, but the longer, unkempt hair on the other half would look out of place.

 

It’s the same if you have signs of aging in various areas of your face, but only correct some of them. Getting a more youthful contoured jawline might be a good idea, but if you still have a turkey neck afterward, you might look and feel unbalanced.

 

Shorter Recovery Time

You might consider scheduling a facelift one month, then scheduling a neck lift for a few months in the future. If you schedule separate surgeries, you’ll need to allow for double the recovery time. You’ll need at least one week to recover after your facelift and another week to recover after your neck lift.

 

But if you have a facelift and neck lift performed at the same time, you can fold the recovery times together. Recovering from a double procedure might take a little bit longer compared to recovering from just one procedure. Recovering from two procedures performed simultaneously will definitely take less time than if you had the surgeries separately.

 

Reduced Cost

While you won’t get two surgeries for the price of one when you combine a neck lift and facelift, you will enjoy some cost savings. If you schedule to separate procedures, you’ll have to pay for everything separately. 

 

Since you only need one round of anesthesia and one surgical suite when you have two surgeries at once, the price tag will be lower. 

 

When Should You Combine a Facelift and Neck Lift?

If you have signs of aging in your neck and the lower third of your face, a combination facelift and neck lift might be just right for you. There are a few things to consider before moving forward with the surgeries, such as:

 

  • Your overall goals
  • Your health
  • Your lifestyle habits
  • Your schedule

The best way to see if you’ll benefit from a facelift and neck lift together is to speak with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Robert Glasgold of the Glasgold Group is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation with natural results. To learn more about the benefits of a combined facelift and neck lift, call 732-846-6540 or contact us today.

Filed Under: beauty Tagged With: ,

Halloween Is Coming Up; What Should I Avoid Putting On My Post-Facelift Face?

November 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Halloween is coming, and you’ve just had a facelift—-is this going to derail your plans for a fun and frivolous evening? How are you going to dress the part if you can’t put anything on your face?

 

Taking care of your skin after a facelift or any cosmetic procedure is essential to avoid infection and further complications. According to Anurag Agarwal, facelift expert of Naples, FL, you must go through your healing period with integrity, taking great care to promote healing as a return to health. In this article, we’ll explore how to care for your post-surgery face, as well as what you can and can’t wear on this dark and stormy night. Follow these tips, and you’ll have a fun and festive Halloween without risk of post-surgical complications.

 

Post-Surgery Tip #1–Cleanse And Moisturize

You are likely to have some pain and tenderness around the incision sites after surgery, but this doesn’t mean you can neglect your care regime. Bacteria can quickly build up in these places, increasing the risk of infection and swelling. Gently wash your skin with an antibacterial cleanser twice daily and pat dry, using a moisturizer afterward that contains natural ingredients to promote skin healing.

 

Post-Surgery Tip #2–Minimize Swelling And Bruising

Your face endures trauma during a facelift; swelling and bruising are common after procedures like this, with peak discomfort occurring a few days after surgery. Do what you can to elevate your head during rest periods by using several pillows for support. Use cold compresses to reduce swelling, and adding a mild anti-inflammatory to the mix will help you to feel more comfortable.

 

Post-Surgery Tip #3–Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is important for skin health and elasticity, and it also helps to reduce nausea and vomiting. It can help you feel better and heal faster. Aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fresh, pure water daily for optimal health and healing.

 

Post Surgery Tip #4–Avoid makeup for a short time

While it is advised not to put anything on your face for up to a week after surgery, there are those people who simply cannot go out of the house without their favorite mascara or lipstick. If you must apply foundation, aim for one that has a mineral base and soothing ingredients that nourish the skin. And speaking of makeup…

 

How Do I Deal With Halloween?

Halloween is the season for over-the-top makeup and costumes that creates a fantasy world…if only for one night. Those of us who pay homage to our dressed up ancestors don’t want to hear what our limitations are, but the reality is that healing is more important than temporary glamor and glitz. Here are some things to avoid putting on your face this Halloween:

 

  1. Heavy makeup

Most Halloween makeup is heavy, laden with harsh chemicals and oils that have the potential to clog surgical sites, and they are difficult to wash off without scrubbing your face. All of this is a recipe for disaster when you consider needing to keep your face clean and irritant-free for optimal healing. It’s best to go heavy-makeup free this Halloween—if you simply must wear something, dust something over your eyes, or put on some blood-red lipstick to crown your costume. 

 

  1. Latex pieces

People use this night as the perfect excuse for putting on prosthetics and transform themselves into something grotesque and glorious. It may look great, but it is not kind to your skin when putting it on or taking it off. Avoid the use of prosthetics and lay low this season; there will be other Halloween celebrations in the future that you will be able to fully enjoy when you have healed your skin.

 

  1. Art deco adhesive materials

Many costumes come complete with art deco jewels that are self-adhesive; while they add pizzazz to otherwise ordinary costumes, they are not the best additive for you when you are healing from surgery. Infections can quickly develop if the adhesive is left on the skin, and little pieces could get caught in surgical sites and cause irritation and other complications. If you must decorate for this holiday season, consider using an all-natural eyeliner or face crayon made from mineral oil. It should be hypo-allergenic and easy to wash off.

 

  1. Piercings and jewelry

You may have piercings and jewelry that you wear on your face regularly, but you need to wait until you have healed completely to start sporting these items again. Reactions to metal can occur as a result of pain medications that you may be taking; talk to your doctor about when it is safe to start wearing facial jewelry and piercings post-surgery.

 

Taking care to heal yourself this season and enjoy some aspects of Halloween is essential for good health. Dress for healing success, enjoy the night as you can, and look forward to a new face and plenty of celebrating to come going forward! Happy Halloween!

Filed Under: beauty Tagged With: ,

Myths About Teeth Whitening

November 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Everyone seems to be looking for that picture-perfect Hollywood smile, but with too many daily habits such as coffee, sugar, red wine and perhaps even smoking getting in the way, day-to-day life can lead to our teeth not quite looking their absolute best.

 

One increasingly popular option for combating this issue is teeth whitening. With more people undergoing teeth whitening treatment today than ever before, we’re here to dispel a few of the myths surrounding teeth whitening that may be holding you back from the smile of your dreams.

 

Myth #1: Teeth Whitening Can Damage Enamel

Strictly speaking, no, whitening your teeth will not damage the enamel. However, with this being said, teeth whitening is a dental procedure and you should ensure that any dental whitening is carried out by a dental professional.

 

Myth #2: You Can Remove Stains by Rubbing Acidic Fruit on Your Teeth

According to a University of Iowa study, the popular strawberry and baking soda remedy for whiter teeth do absolutely nothing beyond removing surface debris.

 

Not only does rubbing acidic fruit on your teeth do not lead to a shinier smile, but it can also be fairly harmful. Acids in foods and drink can lead to the wearing away of your teeth’s enamel, and while brushing after a meal can certainly help, any acid that has softened the enamel can speed up wear. This can actually increase discoloration and yellowing and contribute to cavities, according to teeth whitening expert, Marc Lazare.

 

Myth #3: Teeth Will Remain White Forever Following Whitening Treatment

It’s important to have realistic expectations about teeth whitening. For those tea and coffee drinkers, red wine drinkers, and smokers out there, having teeth whitened will not prevent the aforementioned from doing their dirty work again and causing more staining. 

 

A top-up treatment every few months will be required, although your teeth probably won’t return to their original color. If you’re going to drink coffee, tea, or red wine, try doing it through a straw. 

 

Myth #4: The Secret to Whiter Teeth Is Activated Charcoal

Teeth whitening trends come and go, and no matter what the latest hip trend may be, it’s usually best to leave things like this in the hands of the scientists. As it stands, there’s not nearly enough evidence available to suggest that charcoal has any positive effect when it comes to teeth whitening. One study even found activated charcoal toothpaste performed no better than a regular toothpaste at whitening teeth.

 

In fact, activated charcoal may actually harm your teeth because it’s an abrasive that can wear down tooth enamel and increase the risk of decay.

 

Myth #5: Your Teeth Will Look Unnatural After Whitening

Due to the progressive nature of teeth whitening, there’s no chance that you can get unnatural or overly white teeth. When it comes to home whitening treatments from your dentist, these are done over several days, so the more days you use them obviously the whiter your teeth will become. Usually, after three days or so, most people reach their ideal level of whiteness and there’s no need to continue. It should also be noted that there’s only so white your teeth will be able to turn and it depends on the original shade of your teeth at the beginning of the treatment, the cause of stains, and whether stains are on the surface of the dentin.

 

Myth #6: Teeth Whitening Can Lead to Extreme Sensitivity

On the topic of discomfort, the process of having your teeth whitened shouldn’t cause any pain at all. If you’re beginning to feel any burning, stinging, or irritation in any way you should cease using the treatment immediately. After your tooth whitening procedure, you can expect some mild tooth sensitivity and sensitive gums, according to the Cleveland Clinic, although this goes away in a few days. Your dentist can give you a product with a high amount of fluoride to reduce sensitivity. 

 

Myth #7: Over-the-Counter Solutions Are as Good as Professional Products

While there are over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions available such as special kinds of toothpaste, gum, and strips which can help, the effects of these pale in comparison to those you can expect from professional solutions available from your dentist. These products can remove surface stains from the outside of your teeth fairly successfully, but professional dentist-administered teeth whitening can penetrate the deeper layers of your teeth for more profound and longer-lasting results.

 

Myth #8: You Can Safely and Effectively Whiten your Teeth with UV Light

There is no evidence available to suggest that UV light can be helpful to whiten your teeth. In fact, UV rays can be quite harmful to your teeth, and not only that, to other nearby tissues such as the gums, lips and even eyes. Several studies have confirmed that light-activated and UV teeth whitening just don’t have much to offer and won’t whiten your teeth any more effective than other products. 

 

Myth #9: Applying Baking Soda Can Whiten Your Teeth

Baking soda is one of the most common home remedies to whiten teeth and it has been shown to help brighten your smile when it’s included in toothpaste. However, you should avoid brushing your teeth with just a baking soda solution as this mild abrasive can wear away your tooth enamel.

 

Myth #10: Teeth Whitening Will Give you the Perfect Hollywood Smile

While many people looking to undergo teeth whitening treatment may expect the perfect, beaming white smile fit for Hollywood, this can be far from the case. The effectiveness of teeth whitening treatments differs from person to person, and it relies heavily upon the shade the teeth were in the first place. Some people simply don’t respond well to teeth whitening, and some stains are simply too deep to be treated. Other options such as veneers, for example, maybe the road to go down.

Filed Under: beauty Tagged With: , ,

Eco Lips for Beauty and Compassionate Choices #GiftGuide

November 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Are you a beauty enthusiast, but also an animal lover? If you are anything like me, you care deeply about the environment and the sanctity of life, and wouldn’t consider buying from brands that test on animals or willfully destroy the environment. Not to mention, why would you want to slather chemicals all over your face?

Eco Lips gives you both quality makeup as well as the environmentally safe ingredients you demand. 

no animal testing

The Lip + Cheek Tints collection makes for the perfect multitasking beauty balm to add to your routine this season. The collection is a line of three beauty balms that add color and hydration to every look. Eco Lips uses organic jojoba, coconut oil, organic and fair-trade cocoa butter, and sunflower seed wax, making it vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free as well as lightweight.

The Lip Food collection was curated using organic food-grade ingredients like spirulina algae, pumpkin seed, and chamomile mushroom that nourish, protect and plump the lips. The formula is also organic, fair trade.

The latest line, Ecolixir, boasts the power of oil to improve the skins’ overall health. As part of a natural wellness regimen, its the perfect gift for the clean beauty advocate.

All of Eco Lips‘ collections feature nothing but the best natural ingredients. Their Bee Free Vegan Lip Balm is perfect for vegans and green lifestylists. Their Specialty line is perfect for those who know that only the best will do. And of course, their newest Lip + Cheek Tints collection is the perfect multitasking beauty balm to add color all over.

More About Eco Lips

The story behind the Eco Lips brand is essentially a love story. As the creators of the first USDA-certified original organic lip balm, the family-owned company has expanded their line over time to encompass lifestyle and beauty products. All Eco Lips products are made with wind power offsets, fair trade, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. As a B-corp, they take customer satisfaction, product effectiveness, and good-for-the-world ethos seriously.

Filed Under: beauty, environment, evergreen, Holiday Gift Guide, review Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,