Dial Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap Review & Giveaway

Dial has a new Boutique Collection of Hand Soap.  I was sent the newest member of the collection, Dial's Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap which is available in stores right now.  The scent is subtle and clean inspired by freshly cut Sugar Cane.  This soap is formulated with gently micro-scrubbers that cleanse deeply while moisturizing and soothing skin.  Other scents in this collection include coconut lime verbena, water blossoms, and yellow raspberry and black sugar.

I like this hand soap a lot.  The scent is not overpowering and it does a great job cleaning and cleansing my hands, they are clean and smooth!

Ready for a flash giveaway?  Three readers will win a free product coupon for a Dial hand soap (expiration 6/30/15).  Just enter the giveaway below and good luck!

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Disclosure:  Thanks so much to the Purex Insiders program and Dial for allowing me to be a part of this campaign and providing me with a sample of the New Dial Boutique Collection Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap for my review!  As part of this campaign I am eligible to win prizes!  All opinions expressed are my own.

Press In This Easter Season with Max Lucado's On Calvary's Hill: Review & Giveaway

Disclosure: I am proud to be a Family Christian Blogger, Affiliate, and Max Lucado blogger.  I was provided with my own copy of On Calvary's Hill to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Easter is just a week away from tomorrow.  Do you have big plans?  Do you celebrate Easter?  For my family Easter is a big deal.  It is the cornerstone of our Christian faith.  What must one do to be saved?  Romans 10:9 - If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

 

On Calvary's Hill is a compilation of material published in books written by Max Lucado.  This book invites us to follow Jesus and see how He spent His last days.  It includes 40 readings for the Easter season.  Each reading begins with a scripture and ends with a prayer.  There are 40 scripture segments, 40 excerpts and 40 prayers.  You can see the power already, right?  This book is also about life application.  Every excerpt has a life application nugget for you to grab.

We find ourselves on the road to Jerusalem with Jesus and his disciples.  Yet, we are reminded that this mission was set forth when the apple was first bit.  Draw courage from God and remember His promises.

I have always loved Mary's faith, and the way she luxuriously poured out the costly perfume on the One that mattered most.  Friends, be extravagant in your love for the Lord!

When faced with crucifixion, Jesus went to His Father.  We should also enter life's challenges with the Lord, not alone.  This book may seem small but it is full of truth and wisdom.

 the cross at our church last Easter Sunday

And the cross, oh the cross!  The greatest sacrifice ever made.

Don't you just want to dive right into this book?  I love that you can pause each day and breathe in one of these segments - read, think, pray and press into Him.  You can do this in just a few minutes or take an hour, whatever you need.  You can also read it in one sitting and do the same - your choice.  Gain a better understanding of the Easter season and the Lord at the same time. 

 You can order your own copy of On Calvary's Hill here.

Ready for a giveaway?  Family Christian is generously providing one of you with a $10 Appreciation Certificate (which is enough to buy this very book if you choose).  Just enter the form below and good luck!

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Easter Stories Classic Tales for the Holy Season Review & Giveaway

Are you in the Easter mood?  I know we are around here.  Our small group is having an Easter egg hunt at a nearby park on Saturday.  Yet, I know that this is not the true meaning of the season.  And I know my church will have palm branches ready to hand out on Sunday when we enter the building (love Palm Sunday).

I want to share with you a new book, Easter Stories, Classic Tales for the Holy Season.  This book includes time-honored favorites from world-famous storytellers such as C.S. Lewis, Leo Tolstoy, Selma Lagerlof, Oscar Wilde, Elizabeth Goudge, Maxim Gorky, Ruth Sawyer, Anton Chekhov, and Walter Wangerin - as well as many you've never heard before.  This book contains 27 short stories that were selected for their spiritual value and literary quality.  I love that these stories are short and can be read quickly yet each story has a clear and powerful message.  This book is illustrated with original woodcuts.  This book really captures the true spirit of Holy Week and Easter in a transforming way.  You will be thinking less about eggs and candy and more about the Savior that came for you!

This book starts out with a bang with The White Lily by Jane Tyson Clement.  Reading the transformation of Ivan, Peter and Rubles was inspiring.  I love how the clean, white lily transforms these three not only on the outside but also within, just as Jesus does.  Robin Redbreast by Selma Lagerlof is another favorite of mine.  The Lord is in paradise giving unique characteristics to the animals.  Bee was being greedy with the honey; therefore, it was determined every time she decides to sting something she will surely die.  Robin couldn't figure out the meaning of his name when there wasn't a drop of red on his body.  In this story he "earns" his coloring through his compassion to Christ on the cross - truly beautiful.

Find out more about this book HERE!

Ready for a giveaway?  One of you will win your own copy of Easter Stories.  Just enter below and good luck!

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing Easter Stories for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive my own copy of Easter Stories in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

World Water Day is Here

Yep, today is officially World Water Day!  If you read my post a few days ago, Water Drop bookmarks, then you knew that already.  Today is a day to celebrate water - learn about water, water related issues and plan for future water management.  And as I said in my last post, this year's theme is Water and Sustainable Development.

 reusable scripture bags

The kids and I have been talking about sustainability and what that means.  How can we preserve and protect the water that we use?  Some ideas that we have discussed are:  take shorter showers, turn off your sinks/faucets when not in use (even between brushing your teeth), reuse water when possible (rain collection barrels), use reusable water bottles and grocery bags.... Austin has embraced using reusable shopping bags for awhile now.  I picked up these fun reusable scripture bags a few weeks ago at Family Christian.

Nature Girl by Karen Whiting and Rebecca White

We have several water books that we have been reading through.  We have also been reading Nature Girl (a guide to caring for God's creation) by Karen Whiting and Rebecca White.  Chapter 5 is titled Wet and Wonderful Water.  This short chapter focuses on oil and water, water purification, and water conservation.  The kids and I discussed how oil and water do not mix and how oil spills are a huge problem for our oceans.  Quick clean-up and oil spill prevention play a big part in our environment.  It was interesting to learn that 70% of Saudi Arabia's drinking water comes from desalination, removing the salt from water.  And there were more easy tips on how to conserve water - sweep driveways instead of hosing them down, rinse fruits and vegetables in a pan of water rather than running water, collect roof water as it runs down the gutter to water gardens, soak pots and pans to clean them instead of using running water, place dropped ice cubes in plants instead of tossing them in the sink, and more.

Making little changes in our lives can truly have a big impact on our world.  And while today is a great day to discuss these ideas they can be implemented any day or even every day.

Disclosure: I am proud to be a Family Christian Blogger and Affiliate.  I was provided with a Family Christian certificate to facilitate a post about World Water Day.  This is my second post in this topic. All opinions expressed are my own.

Water Drop Bookmarks

Disclosure: I am proud to be a Family Christian Blogger and Affiliate.  I was provided with a Family Christian certificate to facilitate a post about World Water Day.  All opinions expressed are my own.

The kids and I made water drop bookmarks in celebration of World Water Day this year.  If you don't know World Water Day happens on March 22nd every year, just a few days away!  It is a day for water celebration.  It is a time to learn about water, water related issues and plan for future water management.  Each year there is also a theme, this year's theme is Water and Sustainable Development.  I am going to talk about this even more in the next few days.  Today I wanted to show you our World Water Day craft inspired water drop bookmarks.

I ordered some fun craft supplies on-line from Family Christian, a Giant Art Jar and a perler bead set.  We used the colored craft sticks from our Giant Art Jar and blue perler beads to make our water drop bookmarks.  See below! 

Hope you enjoy our bookmarks.

 Giant Art Jar

 Colored Craft Sticks

perler bead set

close up

  We formed water drops using the flower model.

 

 We were able to shape several water drops at a time.

  about to iron the perler beads

 ironing the perler beads

 Water drop - this is what the drops look like with the back side fused together and the front side not melted together.

 melted side

We melted both sides for some drops and left one side not melted for others.

 Simply attach the water drops to the craft sticks using hot glue.

attached

 Water drop bookmarks

 finished bookmarks

 Using one of our bookmarks.


  Our bookmark in action.

up close

up close

 Here we are using our bookmarks in our water books

 We have some fun water books that we have been reading.

These bookmarks are simple, and so much fun!  What do you think?  This is an easy reminder for us to think about the water we use and what we can do to conserve it.

Heart Wall Decal Kit Review

Our Heart Wall Decal Kit

I am really into decals right now.  I love how easy they are to use and what a difference they can make in a small space, or even large.  Remember my butterflies and my elephants?  Another positive, they can easily be removed if desired.  D recently moved into a bottom bunk bed.  She picked out some amazing heart bedding with a reversible comforter.  We were sent a multi colored 24 piece heart decal kit by Vinyl Disorder for review.  This decal kit was a perfect fit to dress up her wall, matching her theme perfectly.  Our hearts are white, purple, blue and pink.  Since we were using them on a white wall we did not apply the white ones.  We are going to find another place for these.

 

 D's current heart comforter

This makes for a great Valentine's Day kit but it also works year round for those who love hearts like my little D!

 The wall before the heart decals.

 We started with the blue hearts.

Applying is easy.  Simply remove the back.

Back removed.

Smooth onto the surface

And remove the cover.  Repeat.

 I love the pattern that D chose.

 Another view.  What a difference!

I really like that it gives personalization to D's space.  She loved using these hearts to make it her own.  You can also have custom decals made including quotes.  The possibilities are truly endless.  What do you think?  Do you use wall decals?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

New Dial Miracle Oil Body Wash & Giveaway

I have another Dial body wash to tell you about, Dial Miracle Oil Body Wash.  The new miracle oil body wash is infused with caring Marula oil for beautifully, soft skin.  This new body wash is formulated with Micro Oil Technology for a luxurious, clean-rinsing lather that leaves skin feeling clean, soft and smooth.  I have been using it for the last month and I really like it.  My skin not only feels soft and clean but above all moisturized.  I think this is especially noticeable in the winter.  At a time of the year when my skin is normally at its driest and sometimes cracked I find it to be moisturized and soft - I cannot help but think this body wash has something to do with it!

Dial Body Wash with Miracle Oil

You can see my bottle is over halfway gone.

Caring oils are a major trend in hair care and cosmetics.  Honestly, I didn't know very much about them before trying this body wash.  Marula oil is native to Africa.  It is used on hair and skin to help heal and moisturize.  I think it works perfect in a body wash form as it helps moisturize your entire body.  Want to try it for yourself?  Keep reading for your chance at winning a free bottle.

Giveaway Coupons

Ready for a flash giveaway?  Three readers will win a free product coupon for one bottle of Dial Miracle Oil Body Wash (expiration 5/31/15).  Just enter the giveaway below and good luck!

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Disclosure:  Thanks so much to the Purex Insiders program and Dial for allowing me to be a part of this campaign and providing me with a sample of the New Dial Miracle Oil Body Wash for my review!  As part of this campaign I am eligible to win prizes!  All opinions expressed are my own.

I'm Seeing Green at Family Christian

Disclosure: I am proud to be a Family Christian Blogger and Affiliate.  I was provided with a Family Christian certificate to facilitate a post about St. Patrick's Day.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Check out my green loot!

I love St. Patrick's Day for several reasons.  I am a redhead.  And if you know anything about redheads, we can have a temper and we usually have a bit of Irish in us.  Green is also my favorite color!  A day for everyone to wear green - yes!  I also really love the story of St. Patrick.  As a young boy he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a prisoner.  Years later he escaped only to return as a missionary to the country that kidnapped him - love this story of redemption!  In honor of St. Patrick's Day I picked out some fun "green" items at Family Christian.

My new green journal.  I love the color, design and verse.

Inside the journal

 Check out my new "Trust" bottle.

I fell in love with this His Eye is on the Sparrow Journal.  The pages are lined inside with scripture verses at the bottom of each page.  This adorable glass bottle was calling my name.  I love the bird motif and just as this is a year of transformation for me, it is also becoming a year of trust.  Trusting in the Lord that He is who He says He is and that He is bigger than all things.  This bottle is a simple, tangible reminder for me to simply trust.

A beautiful reminder for me to trust!

  fun lunch bunch box

Have you seen the fun lunch/snack boxes at Family Christian?  They have several patterns and they are all fun!  I chose the green one.  I really like that it has He makes all things new woven into the design.  An extra reminder for me to make better meal/snack choices.

 The lunch/snack box has a removable, adjustable divider inside.

 Patrick Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola

Of course, I also wanted to pick up a book to read to the kids about St. Patrick.  I found this fun one called Patrick Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola.  It gives a short account of Patrick's life and also has several pages of myths surrounding St. Patrick (the legend of the shamrock, driving out the snakes, etc.).  The book is concise and I really like the artwork.

Here you can see a sample of the art and the legend of St. Patrick and the shamrock.

 Making Shamrocks

Remember my heart cookie cutter that I picked up last month at Family Christian?  We used it to make shamrocks this time, it worked perfectly!

 trace around the cutter

a perfect shamrock

 I also had a fun frame.

I couldn't resist getting a photo of baby F with it.

So what are you doing for St. Patrick's Day?  Don't forget to wear your green!