Freebie Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too. Someone asked me why I do a "Freebie Friday" each week, so I'll tell you.

A while back I listed all the free samples and wins that I had received that previous year and so many people didn't believe that I could have gotten so many free things. So I decided to prove it by taking a picture every week and sharing the sites that I found the links to the freebies at. So now you too can get great free samples coming to your mailbox each week.

  You can find links to great samples at Hey It's Free and Freebie Shark.

This week I received:

I cashed out my points on Crowdtap for a $5 Amazon gift card.
I cashed out my points on MyPoints for a $25 Amazon gift card.
Revlon mascara and lash curler from Crowdtap.
A bag of Kaytee small animal bedding. I gave it to my daughter for her rats but tried to get a picture of it before and Falcor photobombed me.

Did you receive any freebies this week?

Review: The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrigan Byrne

Book Description

The bravest of heroes. The brashest of rebels. The boldest of lovers. These are the men who risk their hearts and their souls—for the passionate women who dare to love them…

He is known only as The Rook. A man with no name, no past, no memories. He awakens in a mass grave, a magnificent dragon tattoo on his muscled forearm the sole clue to his mysterious origins. His only hope for survival—and salvation—lies in the deep, fiery eyes of the beautiful stranger who finds him. Who nurses him back to health. And who calms the restless demons in his soul…

A LEGENDARY LOVE

Lorelei will never forget the night she rescued the broken dark angel in the woods, a devilishly handsome man who haunts her dreams to this day. Crippled as a child, she devoted herself to healing the poor tortured man. And when he left, he took a piece of her heart with him. Now, after all these years, The Rook has returned. Like a phantom, he sweeps back into her life and avenges those who wronged her. But can she trust a man who’s been branded a rebel, a thief, and a killer? And can she trust herself to resist him when he takes her in his arms?

My Review

I won this book in a blog contest and even though I don't usually read historicals that much anymore, I decided I wanted to read this one after reading the blurb...so I'm glad I won it. 

Lorelei helps save The Rook when she is but a teenager and she finds herself drawn to him but he has no memories of his past of how he came to be where she found him. Lorelei is disabled and mostly at the mercy of her horrible older brother. Good grief I hated her brother so much. He's an ass and gambles their money away then tries to marry her off to someone she doesn't want to marry. 

The Rook or Ash promised to come back for Lorelei but when years passed and he never showed back up, she figured he just forgot about her but that wasn't true. Before she can be married off Ash comes back for her but he's not the same man that she knew. He has a bad reputation and is not a man easy to get along with. At first she's scared of him but as time passes she can see the boy she once knew and holds out hope that he's still in there somewhere. 

Lorelei has no idea what happened to him to change him so drastically but that story is a sad one and I won't say more about it because I don't want to give too much away but this book made me sad. I think that's why I stopped reading historicals, a lot of times they have this sad or shocking aspect to them that makes you just want to cry for these people and this was such a story. 

This is the first book by this author that I've read and the first historical that I've read in quite a while but this story was a real page turner and it kept me reading until way past my bedtime because it was so hard to put down. 

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

Review: Revlon Volumazing Mascara and Salon Pro Lash Curler

Crowdtap sent me both of these products to try for free. I've been using L'Oreal Voluminous mascara for a while because it makes my lashes longer and fuller. But I have to say that this mascara also makes my lashes look longer, fuller and doesn't clump which is nice.  

I don't actually use a lash curler most days and the last one I received in a beauty box I gave to my daughter. But I tried this one out and it did curl my lashes quite well. I wore this mascara on 2 different days and on the website for the product it claims it won't smudge or flake off and I have to say it didn't. It didn't come off until I took it off at the end of the night. 

It's also affordable, at just $8.99 for the mascara it's comparable to the other mascaras that I use and have tried for that price. 

Disclosure: I was sent the mascara and lash curler for free via Crowdtap. 

Favorite Picture of the Week

My daughter was over for dinner last week and she started laughing. Then she sent me these pictures. I'm guessing it's one of those filters you can use on the smart phones. Falcor looks too funny.

He doesn't mind having his picture taken. 

Review: Target Beauty Box - September

This months Target Beauty Box was just $7 and totally worth it in my opinion. 

Each month Target releases a new Target Beauty Box but supplies are limited and it's first come first serve until they run out. These boxes go fast so I try to grab one as soon as I see it being talked about on Twitter or fb.

What was in this month's box?

Weleda Wild Rose Body Wash

Olay Facial Cleansing Infusion, Crushed Ginger and Citrus 

Garnier Rose Mist Spray

NIVEA Smooth Daily Moisture Body Lotion

Schmidt's Naturals Charcoal Magnesium Deodorant

OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo

L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Primer Base

I already have that same dry shampoo and it's alright. It doesn't leave a visible white powder in my hair so that's good. I also like the Body lotion, most of their products are good. 

I'm not thrilled with that deodorant but it's ok. 

I love anything rose scented so that mist and body wash are great. They smell so good. The primer base works great. I've started wearing makeup primer more often and it really does help makeup stay on and last longer. This is however the first mascara primer I've ever used but it does seem to make my lashes longer. Olay is a great brand so I am always happy to get any of their products. 

Not a bad box at all.

Did you snag one of these boxes?

Happy Raturday!

*Picture courtesy of Jin Wicked*

*Picture courtesy of Jin Wicked*

*Picture courtesy of Jin Wicked*

*Picture courtesy of Picture courtesy of Count Furcula, Doctor Poo, Ratchie McCaw & Peego Mortensen*

"We has a teddy"

*Picture courtesy of Count Furcula, Doctor Poo, Ratchie McCaw & Peego Mortensen*

"Kids aren't the only ones who like stuffed animals"

Apartment Life #45

This is a new weekly blog post that I'm calling Apartment Hell  Life. I've mentioned a few times some of the crazy things that go on in and around my apartment complex in the past 20 years that we've lived here and people keep telling me I should write a book. But instead of a book, I've decided to share the crazy things that have happened in and around my apartment complex in the last 20 years here in a weekly blog post.

Back in 2016 right after we had gotten Falcor, some women from the local meth apartment across from us knocked on my door and asked Ken if she could borrow our dog. She said she dropped a cup of noodles on the floor and wanted to know if Falcor could come clean it up for her. He said no. People are nuts.

On May 20th, 2014

 I heard this coming from loud speakers out front.

"This is the Metro Police Department, please return to your homes we are in pursuit of a suspect." They also warned the have K9s and they will bite. I look out my window and see people standing around not leaving and the police are yelling at people that they are letting the K9 off the leash to find someone and that they have to go back in their apartments or they might get bit. Police chopper was circling above.

I saw people standing around outside and while I was looking out my apartment window a police officer told me to go back inside and shut my window. I'm inside my bedroom and he's mad I'm looking outside. Wth?

This week on Wednesday morning, I go to take Falcor for a walk and get stopped outside by a police detective. He was asking about one of my neighbors, if I knew who lived there and what they looked like. A little while later several more police officers showed up and they questioned everyone who came outside and even searched one lady's car. They milled around outside for about an hour and then they all left. At first we thought maybe someone had died in that apartment but no, nothing like that. The about an hour later we see the lady that lives there come out of another apartment where she had been hiding from the police. lol My neighbors are nuts. There's always something going on around here.

Oh and I have a new neighbor!

😢

My apartment manager told us when the apartment next door to us went vacant that she would be moving in quiet 'normal' people in this courtyard. Well, she moved in someone and right away this guy and his girlfriend started fighting really loudly. I've now seen them both over at the neighborhood meth apartment buying what I assume are drugs. Everyone just does it out in the open like they don't give two shits if you see them. My neighbors are up all night and all day banging on the walls, and yelling and screaming in their apartment. I got a good look at him today and realized....get ready for this....it's the apartment manager's son!

He, his girlfriend and their toddler had been living in the managers apartment but now they're living next door to me. Oh joy. They've been in that apartment for a week and they've had a big screaming fight every single day. This should be interesting.

So that's it for this week's Apartment Hell  Life! Be sure to come back next week for more.

Review: Star Gazer by Shannon Rouchelle

Book Description

When Christine Monroe finds herself unemployed and homeless, she turns to a life on the street. One night as Christine is looking up at the night sky, she prays for a family and a better life. Kent Peterson, a successful doctor, has recently lost his wife and is raising his little daughter, Sally, on his own. That same night, Sally prays for a new mommy to complete their family. Soon their two worlds collide and a relationship unfolds. Will their prayers for a happy family be answered in time for Christmas? Only time will tell.

My Review

Let me start by saying that I received this ebook many years ago and left it with others in an email folder. Most of these books were won in blog giveaways. I just recently figured out how to open the attachments of seemingly lost pdf's that wouldn't open because they were years old and am going to read and review all the books that I kept in that folder so some things may have changed or updated from the copy that I have, including the covers.

Star Gazer starts out sad for four different people who's lives are quickly connected. Sally, a sad young girl missing her mommy who died, wishes for a new mommy for Christmas. Her father Kent wants a woman in his lonely life and a woman in his daughter's life. While Christine only wants a safe, warm place to rest and maybe a dinner roll to eat.

We find Christine with other homeless people, one woman in particular tells her that she doesn't think their life on the streets will ever change because no one will hire her while she looks dirty, and tattered.

Christine finds herself in a dangerous predicament and Kent comes to her rescue. Their lives are intertwined from that point forward and she is able to help out the homeless lady she used to hang out with near the fire to warm up on the streets. I liked watching Kent and Christine get to know one another a bit more and get closer over time.

While I like the story, I did find it peculiar that young Sally seemed so much older than what she was. She is either very smart or should have been written as a teenager.

This book is only 26 pages long so if you are looking for a quick-feel good story, I recommend this one.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

Freebie Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too. Someone asked me why I do a "Freebie Friday" each week, so I'll tell you.

A while back I listed all the free samples and wins that I had received that previous year and so many people didn't believe that I could have gotten so many free things. So I decided to prove it by taking a picture every week and sharing the sites that I found the links to the freebies at. So now you too can get great free samples coming to your mailbox each week.

  You can find links to great samples at Hey It's Free and Freebie Shark.

This week I received:

A free 2019 calendar.
A free tote bag.
A free note pad and birthday cards.
A free dreamcatcher.

A free Daily Goodie Box. (I reviewed the contents this week)

A $25 Sally Beauty gift card. (Cashed out points on e-Rewards)

A free L'Occitane gift set with the purchase of the shower gel. I spent $6 for all of that.

I won The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo from Adria's Musings and Reviews blog.

Did you receive any freebies this week?

Review: Degustabox- September

DegustaBox is a monthly subscription box filled with food and drink products. The price for the box is $19.99 a month.  

You do not get to pick any of the products you get, it's a surprise each month. But they say each box contains 10-15 items and each box is worth at least $30. I like trying boxes like this because they usually contain products that I've never tried or haven't seen before.

What was in this months box?

Hippeas chickpea puffs- 2

The Better Chip jalapena and cilantro chips

Tigertail mustard

Handfulls Crrunch Bites- Almonds wrapped in crispy rice cracker BBQ flavor

Marion's Kitchen General Tso Meal Kit

PB Crave- peanut butter spread

CoCo Crunchy Coonut Bites Idahoan Foods Mashed Potatoes- 2

The Chia Company chia shots

Mighty Spark Food Co. chicken sticks

Marquis Citrus Yuzu drink

SunRype strawberry fruit snacks- 2

Bauducco chocolate wafer cookies

Garden of Life Protein bar

The Jalapeno cilantro chips were too hot to eat by themselves. They need a cooling dip of some kind. Spicy as hell!

Chia seed shots? I just don't get it. Not something I would ever do again. 

Ken loves all these protein bars that come in these boxes. I'm not a fan but at least he likes them. 

The yuzu drink was just ok. Not really something I would buy. 

Everything else was great. I made that General Tso meal kit and we actually liked it. The mustard was good and the Hippeas puffs are actually good. I was pretty happy with this box. Lots of new things to try.

If you don't live in the US, they have a Great Britain Website.

If this box looks like something you'd like, you can use code MARYK-ACB and get your first box half off. That's a big box of food for only $10! and you can cancel anytime. So if you're interested, go to the DegustaBox site and sign up and don't forget to use my code to get your first box for just $10.

Have you tried any of these products?

Review: Daily Goodie Box- September

The Daily Goodie Box has been around since about July of 2016. I signed up for an account right after I heard about them. They are 100% free, you don't even have to pay for shipping. And for a free box it's a nice sampler box of products. So here's what was in my box...

Daily Goodie Box. It's more than just Free Samples!

Herb Guru - Herbal Tea - I like trying new teas and this one wasn't bad. 

Herbal Zap - Immune Support Herbal Supplement - Not sure it did anything for me but it was interesting to try. 

Essence of Vali - Sleep Mini Vials  - I can see why this would be relaxing for sleep. It had a nice relaxing scent to it.

NeuroGum - EnlightenMint Nootropic Focus Gum - I'm a gum chewer and love minty gum. This was very minty and the flavor lasted quite a while.

Sir Kensington’s - Chipotle Mayonnaise - My hubby was so happy to see this in the box. He loves this stuff so much. It has such a great taste.

Organic India - Wellness Infusion Teas - Another tea that was nice to try. 

Bubba’s Fine Foods - Blazing Buffalo ‘Nana Chips - I like banana chips and thought these had a great taste. I like the amount of spice they had.

Minute Mixology - Cocktail Mixers Margarita - I don't drink so I haven't tried this yet.

Fire & Flavor - Seafood Rub Spice Blend- This was really good on the Tilapia that I baked.

Procosmet - MTJ Most Rich Mascara Black - This was my favorite thing in the box. Big surprise was just how well it worked. It made my lashes longer and stayed on all day. I love it.

All they ask you to do is try the products and leave reviews for the products you got in order to be eligible for more Free Goodie Boxes. As you guys already know, I'm a fan of all these types of boxes. I love all the different subscription boxes and it's really nice to be able to try new to me products for free. This is a great box to try for.

 Oh and one more thing, if you visit their FB Page, they give away Goodie Boxes to people who interact with their posts. So if you've tried before and weren't able to get a Goodie Box, there's even more ways to get one now. 

I'm a fan of subscription boxes and love trying new products for free so this was a huge hit with me. New products+free box = Fabulous!

Have you signed up? Have you received one of these boxes?

Disclosure: This box was given to me for free in exchange for a blog review.