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Thursday, May 31, 2018

Mama's Jewelry -- a review

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received product and/or compensation in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.



I love jewelry. Of course, if it's fair trade, I love it even more. But that doesn't mean I won't buy or appreciate other jewelry. So when I was chosen to review a piece of jewelry from Mama's Jewelry, I was quite happy. 

After reviewing their site, I opted for a ring. First I checked out the rings for grandmas, but, quite honestly, I didn't like the stone combination for my 5 grandchildren (2 October, August, April, and February). It just wasn't a good look. So I decided to go with the NANA Princess Mother's Ring. It comes with up to 6 stones, but I chose only 3 -- a sapphire framed by two alexandrites for my September and June babies. The image shown on the website was beautiful. I thought the stones would look best in sterling silver. This is what I expected:


Pretty, isn't it? I loved the extra silver bands at the sides of the stones. 

But here is what I received:



Maybe it's me, but those two side stones, which are pictured above as a light purple, look green to me (and they're not even matching greens!). What do you think? This is not the ring I wanted. Plus, it's smaller than I expected. Notice the single silver bands beside the stones. Here it is on my finger:



It's a thin band with small stones. While it is pretty and seems to be well-crafted, it is not what I wanted. 

I wrote to the company to express my dissatisfaction. Here is their response:

The alexandrite stone is a gorgeous gem that is hard to replicate. The true stone has color-shifting properties which result in a color shift. It shows as blue or bluish green in daylight and purplish red in incandesent (misspelling is theirs) light. The Swarovski Zirconia that most closely matches this is the one that we have selected for our rings, and can vary from blue-green to purple as does the natural stone.

This effect can be influenced by the color of the stones set with it, next to your sapphire the june stones will appear darker than if they were placed next to a march stone, for example.

Umm... okay, but then why picture the ring with light purple stones? Why not accurately depict the ring? To be fair, they offered to replace the stones with something closer to the photo, but I had to pay shipping. They do boast a 30 day satisfaction guarantee, but since I didn't have to pay for the ring, I'm not sending it back. Especially not at my expense.

Needless to say, I am not entirely happy and since I promise to post honest reviews, you can count on me to do so.

Like I said, the ring is pretty and, so far, at only $79, seems to be a quality ring. It's simply not what I bargained for.

If you choose to order from the Mama's Jewelry site, just be aware that your jewelry might not arrive looking like the piece you thought you ordered.

Reviewing it for you,



Friday, May 25, 2018

Memorial Day. Before you say thanks...

The following was originally posted by me on the Dignity Home Care Professionals blog.



For years, I went out of my way to thank veterans on Memorial Day. "Thank you for your service," I'd say with genuine gratitude.

Some would nod and thank me. Others would gently smile and say nothing. I noticed faraway looks in the eyes of others. Until finally, someone close to me pointed out that he didn't want to be thanked on Memorial Day. 

I was confused.

"Memorial Day isn't about veterans who are still with us. It's about the ones who died," he explained. "Save your thanks for Veteran's Day."

I felt foolish. Of course. While the holiday has become little more than summer kickoffs, three-day weekends, and barbecues to many, the real reason for Memorial Day has been pushed aside. It's intended to be a day to remember

Smiling children line the streets and wave flags as parades pass by. But I can't help wondering how many are being taught the reason for the day. Unlike the celebration of Independence Day, which truly is a celebration, Memorial Day should reflect a somber tone of sorts. Surely it does for surviving veterans who lost comrades during any of the wars and conflicts. They remember.

And we should, too. 

Just glimpse at the people in Arlington Cemetery on this last Monday of the month. Memories surface and tears are shed. There is no laughter, no waving of flags, no celebration. There is loss. Survivor's guilt. Longing. Respect.

Memorial Day reflects the price we paid as a country. The price of human lives. It is sobering. Should we pause in silent reflection and remember? Should we spend time in prayer, thanking God for those who paid the ultimate price? Should we offer our support to surviving family members who cling only to a folded flag? I think we should.

But should we thank a living veteran? I think not. I, for one, do not want to trigger traumatic memories or survivor's guilt and I'm sorry for not knowing any better in times past.

What we do on Memorial Day is up to each of us. Picnics, parades, gatherings of family and friends... they're all fine. Just skip the thanks for now and silently appreciate the ones who made it home.



Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Amazon Gift Card and Book Giveaway

Sponsored By: Pamela Newton

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

*~* 5 Winner Giveaway! *~* 

Grand Prize Winner will receive a:  

$20 Gift Card To Amazon 

& a Copy of the Book "A Candle for My Mother"


4 Runners-up will receive a copy of the book 

"A Candle for My Mother"


Author: Pamela Newton


About the Book:

A Candle for My Mother is an inspirational story of Lorraine Newton, a young woman from the Midwest, who longed to travel the world despite being the mother of four young children. “I’m going to see places, come hell or high water!” Lorraine remarked, and she made it happen.

Lorraine’s stories in the book are told in her own words from tape recordings she made before she died and letters saved by a friend, detailing Lorraine’s family’s amazing experiences in Iraq and travels in Europe. Into the bubbling political cauldron of the Middle East in the 1950s ventured an American family. Iraq was not necessarily what Lorraine had in mind, but the country fit exotic to a tee. It conjured up Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, markets filled with silks and gold, and European vacations. 

Lorraine was about to embark on a grand adventure.

Pamela Newton never felt closer to her mom than when she was traveling, sometimes logging over 100,000 miles a year. “Mom’s adventurous spirit was with me on every trip, in every country, encouraging me to make the most of each moment.” The things that Pamela experienced on her business trips often triggered a remembrance of her mother and her childhood. Those memories became the reflections and gratitude that Pamela expresses at the end of each chapter while visiting churches across the globe to light candles for her mother, a tradition she began in Westminster Abbey. 

For readers who may be reminded of exciting memories from their childhood, A Candle for My Mother has been designed with pages interspersed throughout for writing personal reflections. Here a son or daughter can add their favorite pictures, recount “Best Day Ever” times, write a thank you to their mom, or include poems, musings, or thoughts. It is designed to be a gift to oneself or one’s mom. Read it, write in it and then give it to your mother…with gratitude.
Open To US and must be 18+ to enter
Giveaway Dates 
5/22 9:00 AM EST through 6/19 11:59PM EST


Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy is not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winners will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Moms Who Rock Giveaway!


Sponsored By: Sugar Mountain PR

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

Winner Will Receive: 

A collection of wonderful "Moms Who Rock" CDs! 

Including:

Sugar Mountain PR is a public relations agency specializing in award-winning music and other media for children.


Open To US and must be 18+ to enter

Giveaway Dates ~ 5/16 9:00 AM EST through 6/13 11:59PM EST




Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy is not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winner will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

His name is Dr. Jacob and I'm in love

Disclosure: I received products and/or compensation in exchange for my honest review.

I'm in love. 

It's a new love, really, but I don't think we'll outlive the honeymoon stage. It's that good.

Oh, wait... I guess I should clarify. I'm in love with my new bar of soap. Really. 


Lately, I've been convicted of my own overuse of plastics. One of the ways I can cut back is by switching back to bars of soap rather than plastic bottles of liquid soap. So when Dr. Jacob's Naturals offered to send me some of their products to try, I was excited to try their soap. And the excitement has not worn off. I love this soap! 

It has a great lather and smells a.ma.zing. Really. The bar is larger than the average bar of soap and it doesn't feel like I'm scratching up my skin like some exfoliating soaps do. And here's what you'll love:

  • Non-GMO (Take that, Monsanto!)
  • 100% Vegan
  • PETA Cruelty-free
  • Gluten-free
  • 100% Recycled Paper
  • Made in the USA
PLUS, look at the list of things it doesn't contain:
  • No Parabens
  • No Sulfates
  • No Petrochemicals
  • No Phthalates 
  • No Artificial Dyes or Coloring

While my love may be with the triple milled castile bar of soap with organic shea butter, you might still prefer liquid soap. That's okay. Dr. Jacobs Naturals liquid castile soap is equally wonderful and I'm indulging in using it as well. What's wonderful about the liquid castile soap is that it is safe for everyone, even babies. And it's not just for cleaning your body; it's perfect for cleaning the house as well. 

If you order now (and you want to after this love-confession of mine, right?), you'll receive FREE SHIPPING on orders over $20. Just click here for the coupon.

Lather up and enjoy!

Reviewing it for you,