Shabby Apple Creamsicle Girls Dress Review

Shabby Apple is a wonderful online boutique dedicated to providing "great dresses that make dressing simple". All of their dresses are stylish and sophisticated yet simple - no tank tops, cardigans, or other wear necessary. And they have many that would have really flattered my pregnant shape back when I was still with child.



One of my problems with dress-buying is finding something that I think might look good on me. Every woman has a different shape, after all, and it takes quite a bit of searching to find something that will fit and flatter! Thankfully, Shabby Apple has an extensive selection searchable by style, occasion, and body shape. I really really love that and found quite a few dresses through that last search that I would love to try on myself.

But I decided to let my daughter be the first to try on one of their lovely dresses. Yes, Shabby Apple also carries some beeeeautiful girls' dresses! Check out a few of my favorites from their collection:

Our Thoughts/Review:

We received the Creamsicle girls dress in 18-24 months to review. I love the unique style and pattern, don't you? It is very toddler-friendly with its two tie closures (there is a snap closure as well inside) and is flattering with its bell sleeves and empire waist.

What I like: The fact that it is so easy to take on and off. It is also very comfortable for her to wear, something you don't always find in dresses. Emma hates the fuss of pulling things over her head and I can tell from the way that she acts when things are itchy or uncomfortable. But donning this dress didn't even phase her - she went right on being her silly little self and proceeded to use the couch as a trampoline.

This dress is very versatile. It can be elegant and something different from the normal that will make your little princess stand out. Most importantly, it is very comfortable. Kids need to be comfortable so I think that this makes it a wonderful purchase. Emma is 19 months and has a little room to grow into this dress and fill it out a bit. I recommend checking the measurements of your child when you purchase - don't just go for whatever your child's age is. They have a wonderful fit guide that can be found here.

Possible con? The tie closures could be a con for toddlers who don't know any better and keep untying them. Emma had no problem with this, however. Other than that, I have no complaints. :-)

Conclusion: Shabby Apple rocks! I absolutely love their dresses, both for women and girls. I would happily purchase a dress from them in the future.

Want the Creamsicle girls dress? You can buy it from Shabby Apple for $34.00 right now!

Discount Alert!

Use the coupon code kindredspirit10off and get 10% off your purchase!

I have to mention that I especially have my eye on this Nancy Drew dress in the Sale section right now. How CUTE is it? *sigh*

Thank you, Shabby Apple, for sending me the Creamsicle dress in exchange for an honest review! This review is 100% my own opinion, my own experiences with the product, and in my own words. I was not reimbursed in any other way.

I ♥ comments!

MyHairStylingTools.com Karmin G3 Pro Flat Iron ♥ Review and Giveaway

The day I discovered the power of the flat iron was the day my "bad hair days" became almost nonexistent. I say almost because there are still bad hair days, but wielding my flat iron generally takes care of the problem. I'm a girl who has strange hair... it's frizzy, curly, wavy, wonky, and frustrating. Oh, and it is allergic to damp weather - we're talking instant PUFF.

So of course I move to a state where it rains 29 days of the month on average. *huff*

I think most people start cheap, and that's what I did when I bought my first flat iron. I found cheap, just to see how it worked. It's not really a good idea, because not all hair straighteners work well, and it can make you think that it isn't for you, that your hair will never look sleek or smooth. *insert sniff and sigh* Truly, though - I think that pretty much anyone with almost every hair type can benefit from using a really nice straightener. Like this one:

I was given the opportunity to test my first $100+ salon-quality flat iron thanks to MyHairStylingTools.com. I was a bit skeptical at first about its ability to outdo my $30.00 flat iron, but after using it the first time, I was a skeptic no longer. Those people who swear by their expensive hair-ware are telling the truth! At least when it comes to the Karmin G3 Salon Pro flat iron.

So let's talk about the awesome features of the Karmin G3!

• Lightweight, easy-to-use design
• Tangle-free swivel cord
• Temperature settings for all hair types
• On/Off switch
  
• The iron reaches your desired temperature very fast
• Pure tourmaline ceramic plates
  
• The ability to straighten, curl, flip, and add volume and body - all with this one tool!

I wondered about the benefits of using pure tourmaline ceramic plates as opposed to the ceramic coated plates on my old model. Both my research and my experience tells me that the pure is better by far. I've found that the G3 Salon pro is much lighter than my old iron. It also heats up faster. Additionally, it is said that one of the benefits of tourmaline ceramic is that it keeps the heat even, thereby styling your tresses evenly and reducing the chance that you'll burn your hair.

The Karmin G3 Salon Pro comes with a very helpful manual instructing the new lucky owner of their flat iron in the arts of straightening, adding curls or waves, flipping the ends, and adding volume and body to your locks. I couldn't wait to try them all out and was very happy with my results! Yes, even my hair can be tamed!

My Experience:

Okay, you knew there had to be before and after pictures, right?

I had to not smile in the first one, they always do that on TV - LOL.

Pictures really are worth a thousand words, aren't they? I am really loving my Karmin G3 Salon Pro - it is truly the nicest flat iron I've ever used. I'm very pleased with the ease of use (I love that it is lightweight!), the swift heat-up time, and its excellent performance and versatility. It has lived up to all of my expectations and even surpassed them! I would recommend it without hesitation.

The only suggestion I would have for the manufacturer is that an automatic shut off after a certain period of time would be nice. I did leave it on all night once. But it does have an on/off switch and I have learned to be diligent in remembering to shut it off when I'm done.

About MyHairStylingTools.com:

I ♥ MyHairStylingTools.com! They have a wonderfully large selection of high-quality hair tools along with reviews, the ability to ask questions about products before buying, and a direct email to a hair care expert for free advice! But what really impressed me about their company is their 100% Satisfaction Guarantee ("If for any reason you are not satisfied with the item, return it for either an exchange or a full refund."), their Low Price Guarantee ("We guarantee we will not be undersold!"), and their UPS tracking and free shipping with all orders over $75.00.

Buy it!

You can buy the Karmin G3 Salon Pro on sale right now for $134.95 (in white) and $139.95 in pink or black. Don't forget that shipping is free! Also check out their hair dryers, curling irons, hair shears, and hot rollers while you're there!

---- Giveaway now closed ----

Prize info: MyHairStylingTools.com is generously giving one of you a Karmin G3 Salon Pro flat iron just like mine (not including heat-resistant mat)! Open to US only.

How To Enter (mandatory): Visit MyHairStylingTools.com and tell me in a comment what other product you like and why!

Extra Entries (Optional) (Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

Sponsor-Related (1 extra entry each): Sign up for their hair tips newsletter (right sidebar) ♥ Follow MyHairStylingTools on Facebook

Get 1 extra entry for each: Add my button to your sidebar ♥ Become a Facebook Fan ♥ Follow my blog ♥ Subscribe to my blog by feed reader ♥ Subscribe to my blog by email ♥ Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit) ♥ Tweet this giveaway ♥ Share this giveaway on Facebook

You can Copy/Paste this Sample Tweet:

Win a Karmin G3 Salon Pro professional hair straightener/flat iron from myhairstylingtools.com & @kindred_spirit http://bit.ly/6s85nK

Giveaway will be closed on December 31 at midnight and winner notified by email and posted on my blog - good luck, everyone!

Disclosure: The review product(s) were sent to me free of charge by the company or manufacturer in exchange for an honest review. This review is 100% my own content, my own true experiences with the product(s), and my own opinion. :-)

See full review, giveaway, and disclosure policy here.

{Holiday Gift Giveaway #23} Bamboosa

I ♥ Bamboosa!

I've worked with Bamboosa before, reviewing a number of their very luxurious bamboo baby items, and I am totally sold on the bamboo material and Bamboosa. Now that my daughter has a variety of bamboo items, I thought it was time to find out how the clothing for adults is! That's a nice way of saying I was dead jealous of my daughter's soft and silky bamboo stuff. ;-) So I decided to give the Women's Long-Sleeve Priya Boatneck Yoga Top a try.

Here I am, modeling the top...

I absolutely love the color, don't you? It's perfect for the holidays! There are a variety of colors available, something I really appreciate. All of the colors are beautiful and I like that they have earthy tones available. I usually go for earthy, but I thought I should branch out and be brave this time. ;-) And it paid off!

I really have to rave about the bamboo material. Bamboo is popular because it's eco-friendly (100% biodegradable!), super absorbent, and keeps you warm in cool weather but also keeps you from being too hot in warm weather. It's also antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and odor-resistant, which makes it a great choice for yoga and exercise clothing! I'm a huge fan of bamboo clothing because it is so soft, and think it is especially wonderful for newborns with their sensitive skin.

Back to my Priya top - it is SO silky soft! I had no idea anything could be so much nicer than cotton. I can imagine that anyone with sensitive skin would absolutely love anything made from bamboo - I know I do! Another thing I really like about this top is its versatility. It can fancy up an outfit, or be thrown over your sleeveless top after exercising.

I'm loving this shirt and would love to wear nothing but bamboo from now on!

Bamboosa's Yoga Line:

Bamboosa is very proud of their new yoga line - they provide everything you need for any kind of exercising you take part in and their clothing is so nice. You can find three different styles of sleeveless tops, skirts, gauchos, long pants, capris, shorts, and knee-length pants. Seriously, everything you could possibly need to exercise comfortably can be found at Bamboosa. And I don't think you could find better quality anywhere.

Hey, I have a men's shirt to tell you about, too! My husband (he's not the guy pictured above) received a 70/30 Blend Short-Sleeve Tee. This tee is, like mine, very soft. It's 70% bamboo and 30% cotton, and the style is really flattering. You can tell just by picking it up that the quality is 10 times better than the shirts I regularly buy him (from places like JCPenney, Target, wherever I happen to be at the time). I'm impressed with the softness and how well it is made!

Find 'em online:

Bamboosa has a blog!
Follow Bamboosa on Twitter.
Fan Bamboosa on Facebook.

Giveaway Closed

Prize info: Bamboosa wants to give you a chance to win a $40.00 Gift Certificate to their store! This giveaway open to US and Canada.

How To Enter (mandatory): Visit Bamboosa and tell me what you would spend your $40.00 on! Please leave your email address in your comment or make sure it's in your public profile so I can let you know if you win!

Extra Entries (Optional) (Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

Get 1 extra entry for each: Add my button to your sidebar ♥ Become a Facebook Fan ♥ Follow my blog ♥ Subscribe to my blog by feed reader ♥ Subscribe to my blog by email ♥ Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit) ♥ Tweet this giveaway ♥ Share this giveaway on Facebook

Bonus Bamboosa Entries (+1 each):

♥ Subscribe by RSS to Bamboosa's blog.
♥ Follow Bamboosa on Twitter.
♥ Fan Bamboosa on Facebook.

Get 2 extra entries: Add my Giveaway Extravaganza Button to your sidebar. (Find it in my right sidebar)

Giveaway will be closed on December 15 at midnight and winner notified by email - good luck, everyone!

Disclaimer: The review product(s) were sent to me free of charge by the company or manufacturer in exchange for an honest review. This review is 100% my own content, my own true experiences with the product(s), and my own opinion. :-)

See full review, giveaway, and disclosure policy here.

{Holiday Gift Giveaway #18} Hostess with the Mostest Aprons

I didn't appreciate the necessity for aprons until I became a wife and mother. I didn't appreciate the necessity for pretty aprons until just recently, when I discovered that feeling pretty while cooking actually made cooking more fun! Aprons don't have to be that piece of so-so cloth you feel compelled to throw over your head when it's time to slave away over the hot stove (aka "the enemy") in order to protect your clothes from grease stains and the flour that ends up all over the place (how does that happen, anyway?).

Really? You didn't know that? Well, now you do! And I'm going to show you something that is going to totally make you want to start collecting aprons for yourself or a very loved female family member...

Introducing: Hostess with the Mostest!

I fell in love with the beautiful, feminine aprons by Hostess with the Mostest while browsing Etsy and was thrilled when Lisa, talented seamstress and designer, agreed to be featured and give away one of her aprons here! I think that once you take a look at her aprons, you'll fall in love with something as well.

About Hostess with the Mostest:

Aprons bring back memories from when I was a child and my Mother wore them every time she was in the kitchen. I have been sewing since the age of 11. My Mother was an avid seamstress and crafter. I could tell she enjoyed teaching me to sew. I always thought if I wanted more clothes in my closet I might as well take advantage of this opportunity. As an adult, I continued to sew clothing and in the late 70s began to sew home decor as well. I have worked in the corporate world for years, but never really enjoyed it. I looked forward to free time on weekends so I could release my creative juices! Today I am a grandmother of 17 and loving every minute with them and enjoying my favorite pastime - sewing!

Style and Sophistication:

I'm so impressed with Lisa's versatility when it comes to apron design! She makes halter aprons, aprons that look like chic dresses, full length aprons and half aprons, and even aprons especially for the garden! There's really something for everyone. Oh, and did I mention she includes girls' aprons as well? Scroll down for a very sweet giveaway after my review...

My Thoughts/Review:

It is so obvious when looking at an apron made by Hostess with the Mostest that she is into details. That's really what gives her shop that extra zing... she isn't just someone out there making aprons - she is really good at what she does! Both designing the aprons and putting them together. Lisa sent me the apron on the left to review. Believe me, my photo doesn't do it justice. It is gorgeous! Every detail really just makes this apron. From the retro pocket with the bow, the lacing at the neck, and the buttons, this is a flattering, sophisticated apron. And I feel very pretty in it!

My apron has nice, long "ties" that you can tie into a fancy knot at the back of your neck and around your waist. I like that the tie around the neck isn't a fixed length because it makes it easy to put the apron on and adjust it so that it fits me perfectly. The pocket isn't just for decoration - you can use it to stash a recipe card or whatever you might need in the kitchen. It's super easy to wash, too!

All of Lisa's aprons are very professionally made. All seams are trimmed and serged (no unraveling), and they are made in a smoke-free, pet-free home. I'm very happy with the apron I received!

Conclusion:

Lisa of Hostess with the Mostest has my admiration for the quality of her work and the timely arrival of my apron! She is a wonderful person to correspond with, too. I recommend checking out her inventory!

Note: She recently changed from "The Hopeless Romantic" on Etsy to "Hostess with the Mostest", so you'll have to go to the former to check out her recent sales and her 100% positive feedback.

Buy it!

Most aprons can be purchased for between $20.00 and $25.00 - a sweet deal, in my opinion. :-)

Check out Lisa's other Etsy Shops!

Pillows by Design
The Hopeless Romantic

Prize info: One lucky winner will receive this beautiful girl's (age 5 - 8) cupcake apron! Open to US and Canada only.

How To Enter (mandatory): Visit Hostess with the Mostest and tell me which apron is your favorite! Please leave your email address in your comment or make sure it's in your public profile so I can let you know if you win!

Extra Entries (Optional) (Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

Get 1 extra entry for each: Add my button to your sidebar ♥ Become a Facebook Fan ♥ Follow my blog ♥ Subscribe to my blog by feed reader ♥ Subscribe to my blog by email ♥ Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit) ♥ Tweet this giveaway ♥ Share this giveaway on Facebook

Get 2 extra entries: Add my Giveaway Extravaganza Button to your sidebar. (Find it in my right sidebar)

You can Copy/Paste this Sample Tweet:

Win a sweet tiered girls' cupcake apron from Hostess with the Mostest and @kindred_spirit - http://kindredspiritreviews.blogspot.com #giveaway

Giveaway will be closed on December 5 at midnight and winner notified by email - good luck, everyone!

Disclaimer: The review product(s) were sent to me free of charge by the company or manufacturer in exchange for an honest review. This review is 100% my own content, my own true experiences with the product(s), and my own opinion. :-)


If you have a moment, leave a comment -
It'll make me jump up and down for joy! :-)

{Holiday Gift Giveaway #17} Gooseberry Patch 101 Christmas Recipes Cookbook!

Gooseberry Patch is one of those companies that, once you discover them and really get to know their products and their warmth, you are a forever customer. That's how I feel, anyway! I've always loved Gooseberry Patch cookbooks (that love came from my parents), but now I love everything on their website and I'm always oohing and aahing over something new I've found. Like this, check this out:

Okay, how cute would it be to make animal pancakes for your little one? You can't tell me they wouldn't taste better than regular pancakes. ;-)

About Gooseberry Patch:

Gooseberry Patch is a veritable treasure trove! Everything you need to make your home homier and your holidays more fun can be found there including calendars, coupon organizers, every kind of cookbook you can possibly want, kitchenware, gourmet foods, quilts, and more!

I can think of something every woman in my family, old or young, would absolutely love at Gooseberry Patch. It's the perfect place to buy gifts, and I'm sure any woman would be thrilled to have a Gooseberry Patch gift certificate (that's for you, men).

Gooseberry Patch Books are in high demand nowadays. And why not? They are extremely well-made, full of beautiful photos, and contain easy-to-follow, delicious recipes and craft tutorials! Every home should have a collection, in my opinion.

Review and Thoughts:

Gooseberry Patch generously sent me their new 101 Christmas Recipes cookbook. Now I had seen Gooseberry Patch cookbooks before, but until I actually had my own family to cook for, I didn't realize how great they are. I. Absolutely. LOVE. This. Cookbook. Seriously! I can't believe I'm raving here, but I am. I'm impressed. Everything in this cookbook is totally doable, and this is the kitchen klutz talking. I get overwhelmed easily and that's why I don't own many cookbooks. Normally I look around online for the simplest-looking recipe I can find and just hope it's a decent recipe. That's not happening anymore, though. I am bound and determined to collect the Gooseberry Patch cookbooks from now on.

Okay, details.

What I love:

• Large, beautiful photos of delicious food on each page. I am a visual person and don't like cookbooks without pictures. This is the best one I've come across so far - the photography will have you drooling!
• Easy, non-overwhelming recipes abound - and they look SO good! They aren't overly common, either. I feel like I could make any of the recipes easily and possibly appear to be a woman who slaved over her stove for hours to get everything just right.
  
• A wide variety of recipes including main dishes for every time of day, desserts, holiday beverages hot and cold, side dishes, and hors d'oeuvres (I have no idea if I spelled that right). If I ever had to host a Christmas dinner (heaven forbid), I could probably do a very decent job. Just don't tell my mom.
• This cookbook is easy to flip through and lies flat while you're following the recipe - gotta love ring-bound!
  

What I don't love:

Um, nothing. Noooothing.

Conclusion:

I highly recommend 101 Christmas Recipes by Gooseberry Patch! This is a beautiful book that retails for only $14.99. In my opinion, a great price.

Watch the Gooseberry Patch video review of this cookbook:



Watch more videos reviewing Gooseberry Patch products here!

Fan them on Facebook
Follow their blog
Follow them on Twitter
Join their email club
Request a mail catalog

Prize info: One lucky winner will receive the 101 Christmas Recipes cookbook from Gooseberry Patch! Open to US only.

How To Enter (mandatory): Visit Gooseberry Patch and tell me what you love! Please leave your email address in your comment or make sure it's in your public profile so I can let you know if you win!

Extra Entries (Optional) (Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

Get 1 extra entry for each: Add my button to your sidebar ♥ Become a Facebook Fan ♥ Follow my blog ♥ Subscribe to my blog by feed reader ♥ Subscribe to my blog by email ♥ Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit) ♥ Tweet this giveaway ♥ Share this giveaway on Facebook

Bonus Gooseberry Patch Entries (1 comment for each): Fan them on Facebook ♥ Follow their blog ♥ Follow them on Twitter ♥ Join their email club ♥ Request a mail catalog

Get 2 extra entries: Add my Giveaway Extravaganza Button to your sidebar. (Find it in my right sidebar)

You can Copy/Paste this Sample Tweet:

Win a gorgeous Christmas cookbook from @gooseberrypatch and @kindred_spirit - http://kindredspiritreviews.blogspot.com #giveaway

Giveaway will be closed on December 5 at midnight and winner notified by email - good luck, everyone!

Disclaimer: The review product(s) were sent to me free of charge by the company or manufacturer in exchange for an honest review. This review is 100% my own content, my own true experiences with the product(s), and my own opinion. :-)



If you have a moment, leave a comment -
It'll make me jump up and down for joy! :-)

Gypsy Soule Mexican Flower Cuff Review

Today I want to introduce you to Gypsy Soule, an online boutique dedicated to providing accessories and jewelry that will help you bring out your inner chic cowgirl! I really enjoy browsing their selection of blinged-out boots and flip-flops, and their jewelry is seriously good-looking. You do not have to be a "cowgirl" to appreciate their style, that's for sure!

About Gypsy Soule:

"Products for women, designed by women." All products are created by hand using the best materials possible and adorned with natural and authentic products. Their flip-flops and boots are designed with swarovski crystals and made of high-quality leather.

Review and Thoughts:

Gypsy Soule sent me this gorgeous Mexican Flower Cuff to review!

This etched cuff is so my style - not too girly but totally sophisticated. And it truly makes a fashion statement. I can wear it with pretty much anything and know that it fits in with and improves an outfit, which is very nice (and rare, for me). There's something about placing it on your wrist that makes you feel that you've completed your look and you're ready. I don't know if that makes sense to you or not. I think it's the fact that I feel pretty in it. Do you have a piece of jewelry that gives you an extra boost of confidence? It may sound strange, but it's true. ;-)

Though it looks wide and possibly uncomfortable to wear, it isn't! And I'm a picky person, so that's saying something. I think it's the perfect accessory.

Buy it!

The Mexican Flower Cuff retails for $58.00 at Gypsy Soule. Be sure to check out their other jewelry, too!

Friend Gypsy Soule on Myspace
Fan Gypsy Soule on Facebook
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If you have a moment, leave a comment -
It'll make me jump up and down for joy! :-)

Funky + Modern Accessories =Twisted Silver!

Twisted Silver is a place where beautiful modern and funky jewelry abounds. Those (like me) who want an assortment of different styles of accessories to match any outfit, dressed up or down, will find themselves happily overwhelmed by the selection Twisted Silver has to offer!

Cool Fact: Celebrities looove Twisted Silver!

Hip and modern necklaces as well as fashionable belts, charms, and earrings can be found at Twisted Silver...

But my favorite section is the wrist-wear! I absolutely cannot stay away from their bracelets!


Aren't they gorgeous? And there are so many more that I'm sure you will love!

My Thoughts: Twisted Silver sent me their lovely Uptown Bracelet (above) to review. This piece is truly beautiful, and even more so in person. Even their exceptional photography doesn't capture the true charm of the bracelet itself. It is classy and contemporary chic at the same time - you can wear it with anything! Another thing I really like about it is that it's easily adjustable with a clasp and chain closure. No more ill-fitting bracelets!

I'm very pleased with my experiences with Twisted Silver's products and the people I worked with, and I would buy from them in the future without hesitation!

Buy it: You can purchase the Uptown Bracelet for $40.00 at Twisted Silver. Don't forget to sign up for email updates sent out every Tuesday here!

Visit the Twisted Silver Website
Follow Twisted Silver on Twitter (@twistedrocks)
Fan Twisted Silver on Facebook
Follow the Twisted Silver Blog

Also check out the Outlet Store (some pieces of jewelry as low at $7.00!) and keep an eye on their weekly hot deals! You never know what you'll find!

Disclaimer: The review item was sent to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

If you have a moment, leave a comment -
It'll make me jump up and down for joy! :-)