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Ace Marks Dress Shoes – Artisan Dress Shoes Reinvented for the Modern Gentleman

February 20, 2016 by Melissa

When I was in the banking industry I needed to dress up every single day for work which I really liked. After my last banking position I make a total career change and started working for UPS as a package car driver. This field required me to wear a uniform with black boots or sneaker so I no longer really dress up like I did before.

My favorite part of dressing up is wearing really nice dress shoes and I had my go to shoes but I was recently contacted about a brand called Ace Marks. Ace Mark is the fastest growing shoe campaign in kickstarter history reaching their goal of $20,000 in less than 24 hours and I can see why.

It’s a $600 luxury shoe for less than $200. Ace Marks is handcrafted in Italy by a family of 4^th generation master craftsmen. Their work for other labels usually retails north of $600 but they are going to offer Ace Marks at $200. That isn’t even the best part of the company. What really caught my eye is that Ace Marks is the first and only luxury brand that will buy back its shoes. Customers will be able to send back their old Ace Marks for a $60 credit towards a new pair. They have partnered with Career Gear, a leading national organization helping men in need, to donate your old shoes and help men get back on their feet and re-enter the work force.

So not only are you getting hand crafted quality shoes for a great price but once you are done with them they will be donated so someone in need can have a nice pair of shoes which to me is a really great program.

I haven’t tried these shoes just yet but I am looking forward to getting a pair of the Wing Tip Vincent.

Ace Mark offers many different styles as well as color choice so their is something for everyone no matter your taste. If you like hand craft shoes for a great price you may want to give these shoes a try.

Don’t Get Caught Without Your Snow Joe Snow Broom

February 18, 2016 by Melissa

If you live on the east coast especially in the Northeast like we do then you are used to seeing snow on a somewhat regular basis during the winter months. So far this winter hasn’t been to bad for us here in Delaware. We were hit with one storm that dumped about 20 inches of snow on us then a few small 1 or so inch storms but so far it hasn’t been a really bad winter YET.

Thankfully I have received a few Snow Joe products that made dealing with the snow a little easier like the Snow Joe illum-n-Broom LED lighted 4 in 1 snow broom with ice scraper.

A revolutionary 4-in-1 device, illum-n-broom is a snow broom, ice scraper, flashlight, and emergency blinker all in one convenient and compact tool. Now you can safely sweep snow and scrape ice off your car day or night, without damaging its paint, trim, or glass.

The Snow Joe has come in handy a few times this winter already. This is one of those items that people over look but are really glad they have when snow and ice hit. So far I love this product and I would recommend this to all of my friends and family for sure. What I love best about the snow broom is that is has a telescoping pole that extends from 30 to 49 inches so even Shae can reach the roof of the cars with not problem at all. It also makes moving snow off of the car so much easier that a traditional snow scraper. I feel like every time I use on of them most of the snow ends up on me but now I can just push the snow right off of the car with the Snow Joe Snow Broom. It also has dual LED lights so you can clear that snow even at night.

Here are all the specs for those of you into that because I am sure to mess it up otherwise:

Best use: clearing snow and ice from cars and trucks, day or night
18 in. L x 7 in. W non-abrasive foam head pushes heavy, wet snow off vehicles without damaging paint, trim, or glass
Dual LED lights + emergency blinker function for nighttime illumination
Built-in ice scraper quickly clears icy build-up on windshields
Bracket holder secures pole for easy storage
Auto-locking telescoping pole with foam grip adjusts from 30 in to 49 in.
Weighs only 1.5 lbs for easy handling

All I can say is don’t get caught without the Snow Joe illum-n-Broom LED lighted 4 in 1 snow broom with ice scraper this winter. Like I said you won’t think about it until you need it but by then it will be to late so go online and order one of these bad boys today right HERE!!!!!

Snow Is Coming To An Area Near You!!! #GIVEAWAY

January 15, 2016 by Melissa

For some of us snow is on the way and for others it is already here. Why not be prepared for those upcoming winter storms with a Snow Joe Snow Shovel.

Who wants to do back breaking shoveling this winter if they could let a machine do most of the work for them.

If you agree with me then you need to enter this giveaway for your chance to win either a Snow Joe Plus 13 inch 10-amp Electic Snow Shovel or a Snow Joe iON 40-Volt cordless 13 inch Brushless Snow Shovel with rechargeable Ecosharp Lithium-Ion Battery.

I am letting you pick which one of these snow shovels you would like.

Snow Joe Plus 13-Inch 10-Amp Electric Snow Shovel

Snow Joe iON 40-Volt Cordless 13-Inch Brushless Snow Shovel w/ Rechargeable Ecosharp Lithium-Ion Battery

All I need you to do to enter is leave a comment on which one you would like to win and why. The why doesn’t need to be anything long but I am curious as to why you would love to win one of these awesome snow shovels. Good Luck and enter soon before you get hit with that HUGE winter storm.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winter Is Coming

November 29, 2015 by Melissa

So I can’t believe I am saying this but Winter Is Coming which means it’s time to get ready for the freezing temps and possible snow.

Believe it or not I don’t mind the cold weather or the snow to some extent. I like snow here and there but I’m not a huge fan of the snow storms that dump inches upon inches of snow. Part of the reason is because I HATE shoveling, I know who doesn’t hate it. I know it’s great exercise but I always do to much and my back the next day reminds me of that. I do have Shaun who is a strapping 12 year old that can also shovel in my place but I still feel like I should help out.

This year will be the first where I feel prepared and ready to tackle the snow, since receiving the Snow Joe 18-inch 40-volt lithium hybrid snow blower, and the perfect hand grit spreader means I’m able to clear the snow from outside my home, with ease. I am pretty excited because I have never owned a snow blower in my life and I am sorry for saying this but I want at least one snow fall so that I can use my new snow blower.

When it arrived at my house I was pretty excited to put it together right away even though it was October and I knew snow wasn’t coming for another few months. Right out of the box the iON Hybrid Snow Blower was super simple to put together and it took less that 10 minutes total to get it working. I’m pumped that it runs on a 40-volt lithium battery as well as electric instead of gas because that will make it way easier to use and Shaun who is 12 will be able to use it as well without me. I am trying to get away from gas equipment mainly for the simplicity of battery operated ones. I dont have to worry about having gas and oil and everything else that comes along with it. With a battery operated snow blower all I need to do is make sure the battery is charged, push a button hold down a lever and I’m off to the races. I also have the ability to use an extension cord if I want but I feel that the battery will be just fine as it says you should get up to 50 minutes of use on a charge. We don’t have a huge driveway or sidewalk so that should work just fine.

Let me list of the the features of the snow blower for you people who know and are interested in all of this good stuff:

Lightweight design to easily clear sidewalks, driveways and decks
40-Volt 4.0 Ah eco sharp PRO rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 52 minutes of whisper quiet runtime and is compatible with all iON tools
No pull cords, gas, oil, tune-ups, carbon emissions or tangled extension cords
Steel auger with 2 rubber blades moves up to 500 lbs. of snow per minute; cuts a path 18 in. W x 8 in. deep without damaging surface
180° auto-rotate directional chute throws snow up to 20 ft.
3-Watt LED headlight provides increased visibility for nighttime snow removal
Powerful 500-Watt brushless motor increases battery efficiency, maximizes motor performance, decreases noise and vibration and extends motor life
Contains electric capability for unlimited clearing time

Not sure how much snow we will receive here in Delaware this winter but I am ready for whatever mother nature throws my way especially with my new Snow Joe snow blower. Be on the look out later in the winter for a few more reviews especially after I get a chance to move some snow around.

Our Summer with Camp Invention

September 2, 2015 by Melissa

The summer is wrapping up and the kids head back to school next week. While we definitely took advantage of the long summer vacation we definitely made lots of learning moments.

Weekly trips to the library opened their eyes to Greek mythology and magic.
Hikes in the state park introduced them to nature and taught them the Poison Ivy song.
Rainy days reinforced their imagination to beat the boredom.

Then there’s Camp Invention. Shae took a week of her vacation and spent it creating, discovering, inspiring, building and exploring. Camp Invention is the nation’s premier summer enrichment day camp with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with hands on activities.

Her week long experience was amazing. She loved the fun that was injected into each day’s project and came home excited for what was in store the next day.

We started the week with a box full of recycled materials, craft supplies and and old DVD Player. They were told they were going to reverse engineering their broken appliances to create a maze of circuits. This exercise focuses the kids’s minds on strategy, problem solving and innovation. I witnessed the kids in Mr. Ostheimer’s class eager to get started. They listened intently on directions, interjected their own ideas for the upcoming week and immediately got to work learning about the tools and supplies needed to stay safe.

KartWheel might have been the most exciting part of Shae’s week. Utilizing teamwork, communication and household products and cardboard boxes the kids built go karts that were raced then destroyed with water balloons.

There’s no reason to worry about summer brain drain when there are opportunities like Camp Invention in your backyard. We’ll check back next year and hopefully Camp Invention comes back in our area.

Wildwood and Morey’s Piers #GoWild this Summer

July 22, 2015 by Melissa

Our kind of vacation is a beach vacation. I like the lounging on the sand, watching the waves crash just inches from my toes, immersing myself in a good book and soaking up the sun. My kids also love the beach but there comes a point where they want adventure.

Rides, cotton candy,pizza and water parks is exactly what they crave. The Jersey Shore gives our family everything we want. For Father’s Day weekend we were able to do everything we wanted, no rules, no barriers.

Wildwood, NJ has always held a special place in my heart. It’s the only memory I have a family vacation as a child. The look and feel of the boardwalk is the same, the salty smell driving down Rio Grande Avenue is always familiar.

To be honest I’ve been creating memories with my own family at a different beach. Wildwood wasn’t the same place as it was when I was young. The level of visitors changes, the atmosphere wasn’t as family friendly as it used to be. This beach resort town changed. We visited time to time over the years and the kids LOVED the water parks.

This past Father’s Day Weekend I was able to give my family the mini vacation they needed to see out of Wildwood, NJ. Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks were everything they promised to be.

Wildwood #MoreysPiers & BeachFront Water Parks #GoWild #FamilyTravel #JerseyShore #SummerVacation

Morey’s Piers offers 3 different locations packed full of fun for every member of your family.

Surfside Pier on a Sunday morning was the best part of the weekend. It was literally a ghost town. The skies were cloudy and the winds were blowing so I’m sure that kept everyone tucked in their beds. We didn’t let that stop us. We packed up and headed out to get there early; so early that we were the only patrons for about an hour. It never filled up so the kids had run of the entire water park for HOURS.

Our nights we full of funnel cake, seafood dinners and some of the best pizza in the world. Maybe it’s the salt air or the fact that there isn’t a worry in the world but everything taste better down the shore.

I’ll admit, we may have had a little too much fun.

Special thanks to the Morey’s family for the invitation and allowing me to show the kids that Wildwood is BACK!

Stay tuned to hear more about our great weekend away.

Apps for Creative Kids #VZWBuzz

June 11, 2015 by Melissa

When you give a child a smartphone the opportunities for fun are endless. Gaming may be your first thought but my kids take it step beyond that. With my kid’s wild imaginations it was just a matter of time before they figured out a way to create new fun.

Shae has developed a beginning passion for film making, acting and looking into stop motion. We’ve been downloading apps to create comic strips, short films and photo shoots. The choices are endless in the App Store. While I prefer to shop for free apps especially before knowing what I’m getting into I’m open to spending a couple bucks to ensure the kids are having a great time.

I know that they are using a device but I consider this playtime unplugged. They are not sitting in front of screen mesmerized, or holding a controller killing fake bad guys or sleeping. These kinds of apps get them moving, knocking on their friends doors and thinking of storylines and scenarios that make them laugh and smile.

MomentCam– creates cartoons and GIFs from photos. Includes backgrounds, stickers and words. Not young kid-friendly as there are some inappropriate words on stickers/speech bubbles. Free

CamStar-your very own mobile photo booth.The Initial download is free with the option to pay $2.99 for FULL version that includes effects and filters.

FriendStrip Kids Pro-an easy to use comic strip maker loaded with ideas and scenery already. Kids just pose and click to be put right in the story. Initial download is free with the option to download ALL the collections for $1.99. Each collection (9) are $.99 when downloaded separately.

Mirror Effect-gives photos a mirror reflection. Crop a tree, house, pet or flowers and the app creates the effect of it sitting on water, ripples included. It’s riddled with ads but the full version is just $.99.

PicPlayPost-remember the Brady Bunch squares, this app lets the user create a frame with a combonation of stills and videos that can be played sequentially or simultaneously. Free initially and $2.99 to upgrade

(still working on the video portion)

The bad thing we are dealing with right now is Shae lost her iPod touch. It’s time to save up for a new one so her summer isn’t wasted with all her great ideas brewing in her brain.

2015 Kia K900 w/VIP Recap #DRIVESTI

February 26, 2015 by Melissa

As most of you know by now I love driving and reviewing new cars. What better way to test what’s new on the market without having to actually go to the dealership and deal with the hassle of sales people.

Recently Melinda and I took an awesome trip to Washington, DC and drove there in style behind the wheel of the 2015 Kia K900. If I had to use one word to sum up this car it would be luxury. It starts with the exterior which looks very high end and classy and then continues to the interior which is state of the art.

What I first noticed when I saw the Kia K900 in my driveway was the awesome 19 inch alloy chrome finished wheels as well as the sleek body design and awesome front grill. Next is the interior which is to die for. This car comes with everything you could possibly want in a car and more. Even the kids had their own set of controls in the back to heat their leather seats as well as a lot of other functions.

When you sit in the Kia K900 you can feel the luxury and you feel important behind the wheel. While driving to DC I noticed a ton of people checking out the car and I even had a few people ask us what kind of car it was because it was such a sexy vehicle.

Like I mentioned this car was LOADED with all of the options like the Lexicon® Discrete Logic7® Surround Sound System, 900 Watt Surround Sound Audio System with 17 Speakers, External Amplifier & Subwoofer, HD Radio, advance smart cruise control, blind spot detection, drive mode select, lane departure warning system, leather seats with heat, heated leather wrapped steering wheel and the list goes on and on. It would take me hours to list every single option and feature that comes standard in the 2015 Kia K900 w/VIP.

This was by far the nicest car that I have ever driven and I have driven a lot of cars in my day. I really wish I was in the market for a new car and had an extra 58K laying around because this is the car I would be purchasing for sure. It was fast, drove very smooth even on the not so smooth roads of DC and just made you feel relaxed while driving. I wasn’t in any hurry when behind the wheel of the K900. I wanted to enjoy every second I could behind the wheel of this awesome vehicle.

I know alot of people don’t associate luxury with Kia but I am here to tell you that you are dead wrong. Everything about the Kia K900 w/VIP screams luxury and if you don’t believe me feel free to stop into a Kia dealership and check the K900 out for yourself.

Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Update

February 16, 2015 by Melissa

A couple months back I tried out Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening System. I wrote about my first reactions and shared drastic before and after pics already but after continued use I wanted to make sure I shared my final thoughts.

After receiving my trays in the mail I was very excited to try the Smile Brilliant System and I instantly broke out my kit. There was definitely a little discomfort in the beginning. It was a process, learning the correct amounts of gel to put on the trays, the right amount of time to leave them in and whether or not to use the desensitizing gel. I took some notes for the first week of my treatment.
Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening System Review

Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening System Review
Day One
40 Minutes
Slight gum irritation after removal, no sensitivity

Day Two
3 Hours
Slightly more gum irritation after removal; no sensitivity

Day Three
3 Hours
Slightly more gum irritation (than Day Two) after removal; some sensitivity
Applied sensitivity gel, 15 minutes
Initial stinging, tasted delicious

Day Four
1 Hour
Gums sensitive before application, used less gel
Sensitivity Gel, 15 Minutes
Reduced gum irritation

Day Five
1 1/2 Hour
Gums sensitive around edges of trays, used Day Four amount of gel
Sensitivity Gel, 20 Minutes
Used more and left in a bit longer

The best things about this product is definitely the speedy and noticeable whitening that it provides. It also whitens all of your teeth evenly. It doesn’t leave gaps between your teeth that are slightly less white then the fronts, it gets into every nook and cranny and whitens all of your teeth beautifully.

The only issues that I had were with the trays at the beginning of the process. The edges of them irritated my gums a lot for about a week and a half. They stretched out and ended up fitting perfectly but I feel like people will give up with that kind of irritation. Push though and wear your trays with no gel in the for a little. It’ll help them adjust to the true shape of your mouth. Also, the desensitizing gel burns like crazy the first few times you use it. It actually hurt me way more than the actual bleach gel ever did. It does go away after a minute or so though so push on.

It took me about two weeks to get my process down. If I had any suggestion for others trying this product out it would be to:

1. Start out with less gel, not more. To much just irritates your gums and makes them all red and stingy. Plus, it’ll just squish out of the top when you put the trays in and get all in your mouth. It’s not awful tasting but you definitely don’t want to swallow too much. Save your gel and use less than you think you’ll need. You can always put more gel in if it’s not covering all of your teeth, but don’t waste it by putting in too much.

2. Use the desensitizing gel. Use too much of that. Let it sit on your gums, it really helps.

3. Wear your trays when you won’t have to talk. The more you talk and move your mouth around, the more you push the gel out of the trays. Wear them when you’ll have like an hour or so to sit quietly on the computer or watch tv and not talk.

4. Brush your teeth before and after each application just like it tells you to in the instructions.

5. Don’t try to wear your trays for too long or too often. You can’t use your trays seven days a week, three hours a day. You’re mouth will be so sensitive and your gums will burn like crazy. You’re just going to make yourself miserable. Take a break every day or two and give your gums some time to recover.

If you’re looking for a great way to brighten your teeth without visiting the dentist then I suggest Smile Brilliant.

Shop Healthy Choices with ThriveMarket

January 19, 2015 by Melissa

Keeping your family healthy, happy and deliciously fed doesn’t have to be a struggle. With so many food options out there it’s no wonder lots of those choices are the wrong ones. My family LOVES to snack. Who am I kidding, I do too. But there are better ways to snack without losing taste and quality. Thrive Market is your new answer.

Thrive Market is an online marketplace where you can find the very best natural and organic products at wholesale prices. With over 2,500 of the highest-quality food, supplement, home, personal care, home good, and beauty products all focusing on bettering you, your family and your home. Shop within the parameters that mean the most to you.

Paleo
Raw
Vegan
Gluten-Free
Moms

This means no label reading when trying to shop for new meal and snack ideas. This means shopping with confidence that your baby’s skin is going to be protected with a paraben, phthalate and synthetic ingredient free wash or lotion. This means the supplements that you are taking each day are working to build a better stronger body without sacrificing on quality and purity. Each product is given a set of values that range from specifics about the ingredients, business or impact on the earth. You’ll know instantly if each item is Nut-Free, Made in the USA, SLS Free, Fair Trade or Biodegradable or made from a Family Owned or Woman Owned Business.

I was given a credit to shop and with all of the unique options it took me hours to spend $100. I chose items I knew we’d all like but also branched out and got few surprises hoping for good results.

Shae is a freeze dried fruit fanatic. I received 4 bags and 1 was gone within the first day. The Popcorn Indiana brand was amazing and I ate both bags by myself. I told the kids it was off limits, this was mom’s special popcorn.

I was also able to get Rob a Sriracha Mayo. He’s been using this on his sandwiches for work and even as a dip for fries. It’s spicy without being overwhelming like straight Sriracha.

I did find some prices to be equal or even a touch higher than my grocery store. I think with some more research and growth Thrive Market can really go against the big box stores with price. They already have them beat with selection so that’s a step in the right direction. If anything it’s a great way to try something new like I did with this coconut oil. I’ve been seeing so much about the health benefits lately so instead of buying just any brand in the store I went with one that has already been vetted by Thrive Market.

I didn’t expect this to smell good enough to eat by the spoonful. #firsttimer

A photo posted by melinda babiak (@melindababiak) on Jan 17, 2015 at 5:26pm PST

Thrive Market is a membership shopping outlet. For the cost of $69.95 you’ll have access to thousands of health conscious items that normally aren’t at our fingertips at the typical grocery, warehouse and bargain retailers. Plus for every membership that is purchased Thrive Market gives one away to a low-income family so they can provide for their family they way they really want to, with smart, healthy, sustainable choices. Start shopping today with their free 30 day trial membership. You have nothing to lose.

Healthy living should be easy, affordable and accessible to everyone. Thrive Market makes that happen.

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