Review: Japan Candy Box

So a couple of months ago I decided to order a 3 month subscription of Japan Candy Box so I could give some of the candy to my son in law and daughter for Christmas. They both really like Anime and candy and I thought that getting some genuine Japanese candy would be interesting for them. This month's box was filled with interesting items. 

When you first open the box it has a card with what you've gotten and cute tissue paper. 

Inside the box was a selection of different candies and treats. 

This is everything that was in this month's box. I'm going to share a few of the treats that I tried. 

These cookies are so darn good. They have a soft crispy cookie on the outside and a soft creamy center. 

This looked interesting and it was. It tasted like different ice cream flavors in a chewy candy. 

I love gummi candies so I had to try these and they were really good. They tasted like I was eating an orange. 

Another gummi candy and this one was Mango flavored. I don't really like Mangoes all that much but this was really flavorful and tasted like the real thing. 

Each of these boxes is $20 but I prepaid for 3 boxes and this is the last one. I'm pretty satisfied with my purchase as I got to try some of the Japanese candies and I still have more than enough to give some to my daughter and son in law for Christmas in their baskets. 

Happy Raturday!

Photo courtesy of Storms Rat Pack*

*Photo Courtesy of @MrRat395 on Twitter*

"I'm not sure I like yams. Where are the yogies?"

*Photo Courtesy of Storms Rat Pack*

*Photo courtesy of @rosemariehierma  on Twitter *

"I is playing hide and seek"

Photo courtesy of Samantha Malone*

Mayo says, "This is MY Thanksgiving meal. Get your own!."

The Sample Cabinet

I get asked a lot what I do with all the free samples and free products that I get. If you're new to my blog, I post a picture every Friday of the free things that I got that week. So I thought I would show you where some *or most* of the free things that I get end up. My White Cabinet that's in my bathroom. It has 5 shelves and is a floor shelf, meaning it's a free standing cabinet. The first picture is of the first three shelves. 

Everything in this cabinet I've gotten for free or for really cheap in the Walmart box which is only $5 or the Target Box which is just $7. But most of these little samples size bottles came free or I won them. That middle shelf holds most of the tiny sample size bottles. 

This picture is of the 2 bottom shelves. It has the extra sample size bottles of deodorant, the little pouches have some of the other sample envelopes. There's also a baggie filled with sample envelopes of toothpaste and toothbrushes. 

This is clearer picture of the middle shelf, It's filled with tiny bottles and a few full size bottles that I got for free of nearly free. I just gave my daughter a box of samples and odds and ends of things that I'd gotten for free. If I can't use it I know she will. 

Last month I also made a gift bag of samples mostly toiletries like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and lotion for the woman who moved in 3 doors down from me because she moved in with just 3 bags of clothes. No furniture or anything. The manager actually gave her a bed, chair, couch and cooking pans and plates that other residents had left behind when they moved out. When the manager told some of the resident she could really use some extra stuff a lot of people around here brought her some stuff. It was really nice to see. 

So now you know what I do with all those free and nearly free samples that I get. 

My Favorite Video of the Week

I saw this video on facebook and had to share it. These tiny dwarf hamsters are just too cute and they sure are having fun.

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 samples like these at Hey It's Free and Freebie Shark.
Did you know you can sign up at Tomoson and get free products too. You can also sign up at these sites and get products at a great discount. No Kidding Coupons, AMZ Review Trader, and Elite Deal Club.


This week I received:

A free full size bottle of Tropicana Essentials Orange Juice as well as a $1 off coupon for another bottle to pass along to someone - from BzzAgent.

I also was able to cash out enough points on MyPoints to get a $50 Amazon gift card!

Did you get any freebies this week?

Product Review: Chef Series Standard Flexible Silicone Spatula

Product Description

The Perfect Standard Silicone & Stainless Turner with Innovative Design & Quality Materials. Each of our pro-grade utensils is designed to meet the needs of chefs and bakers and manufactured to the highest standards using only the best materials.

Each piece features:

- Ergonomic Easy-to-Clean Functional Design

- S-Core Internal Stainless Steel Support Technology

- High Heat Pro-Grade Silicone

- Soft Grip Non-slip textured finish

- Safe for Coated & Non-stick Cookware

- Lifetime Guarantee

My Review

I have three plastic spatulas right now but each one of them seem to get a little more melted every time I use them. I try not to use the metal spatula because I don't want to scratch my non stick pans so I knew I needed to get a hard plastic or silicone type spatula to use with my pans. 

This one works really good and I've used it enough to know that it's not going to melt if I fry an egg or need to turn over some fried potatoes that are in a little hot oil.

I also really like that it's not floppy because it has metal inside the silicone to keep it stiff enough to turn over heavier foods without the spatula bending. 

If you'd like to buy one for yourself, you can find it here. 

Disclosure: I was given this product at a discount in exchange for an honest review. 

Favorite Picture of the Week

I took this picture from my bedroom window. It was looking a little dark in the middle of the day, kinda like it was going to rain. We heard some thunder and felt a few sprinkles but we didn't get any real rain from this storm. 

Product Review: Blood Pressure Monitor by LotFancy

Product Description

Special Aluminium alloy manometer,Classic nylon cuff 

2-tube adult size PVC bladder,Standard PVC bulb 

Large Air-release valve with spring 

Taper end valve 

Vinyl zipper bag 

Cuff size 8.66-12.6 inch 

Perfect for home, nurses, medical professionals, and nurses, 

Package include: 

1X Black Aneroid Sphygmomanometer 

1X Vinyl zipper bag

My Review

I remember learning how to take blood pressure using one of these blood pressure cuffs back in my health class in high school, a long time ago. So I've always had one in case someone needed their blood pressure taken, but last year my old one broke, the cuff got a hole in it and so I needed a new one. 

This one looked nice, comes with instructions for those who don't know how it works and comes with a nice zippered case to store it in.

My husband has high blood pressure so it's good that I have one of these and know how to use it in case it gets really high. I believe it's always good to have something like this around the house just in case you need to use it.

I already had the stethoscope so I'm good to go now. 

If you'd like you buy one for yourself, you can find it here. 

Disclosure: I was given this product at a discount in exchange for an honest review. 

Happy Raturday!

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"If I fits, I sits."

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"I have a little something on my head. A little help would be nice."

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"I'm just hanging out thinking about rat stuff." 

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

Why yes, I would like a yogie." 

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"It's a tight fit but it's comfy." 

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"What do you mean I can't have some of your ice cream. I like ice cream too." 

Review: Kingtop 48 Color Art Colored Drawing Pencils

Product Description

High quality drawing pencils for writing, drawing and sketching - A great gift idea and perfect for encouraging creativity.

Beautifully crafted with recycled wood, which is environmentally friendly and non- toxic. High print effect, smooth when using them, which is a wonderful choice.

Set of 48 Assorted Colors, easy to use.

My Review

I don't do a lot of drawing but my husband does and he loves to draw with all sorts of mediums including chalk, pencils and water colors. So when I was offered this set of colored pencils I decided to get it for him because he loves this sort of thing. I played around with the set after getting them and drew my own picture from a picture I saw online, but my own take of it. But my drawing skills aren't as good as my husband's. I have to say that this set of colored pencils really works nicely for drawing. This set is big and comes with just about any color you might need, I know it has any color I would ever need. Now that I've tried them out, I know that when my grandson gets older we'll be using this set to make some of our own drawings too.

Disclaimer: I was given this set of colored pencils for free in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite Video of the Week

This rescued dog and rats play together and it's too cute.

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 samples like these at Hey It's Free and Freebie Shark.
Did you know you can sign up at Tomoson and get free products too. You can also sign up at these sites and get products at a great discount. No Kidding Coupons, AMZ Review Trader, and Elite Deal Club.

This week I received:

Sample of Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer
Sample of Nivea Lotion
Always pads

Did you get any freebies this week?

Happy Thanksgiving 

To all those who are celebrating Thanksgiving today. I hope you have a wonderful day. I have family here today and tomorrow so I'll be back around and visiting blogs in a couple of days. 

Favorite Picture of the Week

Falcor sleeps in some of the funniest positions. 

Review: Bamoer Cubic Zirconia White Gold Plated Flower Design Round 9MM Stud Ball Earrings

Product Description

Earrings Size: Cubic Zirconia Diameter 9.3 MM

Material: Rose Gold Plated Or White Gold Plated + AAA Round Cut Clear Cubic Zirconia.

Shining In Every Turn, Suitable For Any Clothes And Occasion, An Exquisite Beauty Which Will Adorn You To Be More Amazing.

My Review

I wasn't expecting these to be as pretty as they turned out to be. I wasn't expecting the really nice gift box they came in either. They turned out to be both pretty and fashionable because these will go with just about anything I wear. 

These are push back earrings made for pierced ears, they are just the right size in my opinion as you can see them but they aren't so big that they look gaudy. Because they come with a gift box, they would also make a great gift. If you'd like to buy these earrings for yourself, you can find them here. 

Disclosure: I was given this product for free in exchange for an honest review. 

Happy Raturday!

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"Suspicious rat, is suspicious."

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"Why don't you sit on your plate when you eat dinner, it's comfy." 

*Picture courtesy of Mary Kirkland *me**

"I think I'll just lay here a while." 

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"I wasn't dancing. I most certainly wasn't dancing."

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"I think I heard Santa Claus on the roof."

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"You're a soft pillow."

*Picture courtesy of Alana Patricia Caldwell*

"I think I need a blanket."

*Picture courtesy of @rosemariehierma on Twitter*

"I has a grape!"

Walking The Dog

Next to my apartment complex is the Bonanza Trail. It was just finished about 4 years ago. The Bonanza Trail is a six-mile trail that runs along Summerlin Parkway and U.S. 95. And I like that there's this walkway to walk the dog that isn't far away. 

That large wall you see is a sound wall to keep the noise from the I95 freeway from disturbing the neighbors that live right next to it. I can tell you right now that it really doesn't block out much. Before they put the wall up a few years ago, the only thing separating the freeway from us on this side was a metal fence. It's a very tall wall though.

There are signs along the trail like this little green one that say, Bonanza Trail so you know this is the trail if you are walking or biking it. But as you can see the apartment complex is right next to the trail, sound wall and freeway. 

If you aren't used to the desert landscaping, you might be asking why are there rocks where the grass should be. Well that's because we have a water shortage here in the desert and most people here don't have grass. Most places where you would see grass in other parts of the US, you see rocks or sand here. It's called desert landscaping and it's used to help conserve water. 

As you can see we do have some big Pine tree's in my courtyard. But they don't require much water and I like them because I can find pine cones on the ground this time of year if I want some for crafts. 

But these green metal tree's were installed to beautify the Bonanza Trail. There are quite a few of them just within walking distance from my apartment. Frankly I think they are kinda strange.

I don't even know what the hell this one is supposed to be. But people already tagged it with some spray paint. 

Falcor likes going for a walk over here though. 

There's always something for him to look at because there was so many apartments down the street and people are always out. And as you can see, I'm getting out a little bit more. I still suffer from Agoraphobia and don't go out much but I do take Falcor for a walk over here and he likes it. 

Favorite Video of the Week

So last week I shared one of the videos I've been listening to and it was a little sexy happy for the ladies. Well, here's a little sexy video for the guys.

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 samples like these at Hey It's Free and Freebie Shark.
Did you know you can sign up at Tomoson and get free products too. You can also sign up at these sites and get products at a great discount. No Kidding Coupons, AMZ Review Trader, and Elite Deal Club.

This week I received:

A box of 6 Fancy Feast cat foods from Klout.

I don't have a cat but my neighbor does and she's on a fixed income so I gave them to her and she was very grateful for them.


Disclosure:
I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout Influenster. I am under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company. 

I'm A Guest Reviewer at I Smell Sheep!

Today I am a guest reviewer over at I Smell Sheep! I reviewed the book pictured. I'd love for you all to stop by I Smell Sheep and read my review. 

Here's the book blurb...

Kindise Wyatt escapes her Star Rider captor and returns to Earth. With the help of a sexy Old World Mole and his mysterious friend, she's determined to uncover the whereabouts of her lover. Instead, she finds nothing but betrayal and her captor in pursuit.

On the lam after betraying his evil ruler, ex-Dirt Dweller and drifter Jaden Valenti confirms his name is on a hit list. Finding what he believes will be safety amongst the Airbornes, he recreates himself and hides his past until trouble walks back into his life in

the name of Kindise Wyatt, the woman he was ordered to assassinate and didn't.

Due to the obsessions of a Fae woman Sori gave up his hard-earned royal title and left his homeland of Elfame. Love is the furthest thing from his mind until he is sent in Jaden's place to pick-up some cargo...human cargo in the form Kindise Wyatt. He feels the Fae magnetism of his soulmate in her. Problem is; she's in love with someone else.

Will Jaden fulfill his orders to kill Kindise and get his name removed from the list, or will his secret be exposed and betray the friendship he has with Sori? Does Sori help Kindise find her lover, or will a love between them have a chance to flourish before a fatal attraction and a determined captor rip their love asunder? Will Kindise find true love or will betrayals at every turn crush the fight out of her? Can she find her inner strengths to keep fighting and lead The Freedom Fighters to defeat the Dirt Dweller elites, once and for all?

Review: Solsti Prophecy Box Set by Sharon Kay

Book Description

4 full length novels: Wicked Wind, Wicked Waves, Wicked Flames, On Wicked Ground 

1 novella: Kissed By A Demon Spy 

1 exclusive short story: Don't Count Your Demons 

Family. Sacrifice. Desire. Destiny. 

Lethal, jaded, and efficient, four Watcher warriors encounter four sisters who walk straight out of a myth and into their hearts. The Solsti, supposedly legendary females who each control an element, are very much alive. 

Quickly immersed in kidnappings, killings, and vengeance—not to mention soul-binding sex—each couple’s path brings them to locations and emotions far beyond anything they could have imagined. With their lives on the line, each sister learns to trust her ability as well as the male who has captured her heart. 

Within each Watcher a fierce need is awakened: to protect what belongs to him. To protect the sexy mates they never anticipated they’d find and now cannot live without. The sisters complete their warriors’ battle-hardened lives in ways both unforeseen and completely perfect, and together they rain hellfire to annihilate their tenacious enemies. 

Solsti and Watchers. Together they are invincible. 

Four novels of danger and white hot passion complete the Solsti Prophecy series. Read on for a novella and EXCLUSIVE short story involving key characters who help bring the legend into vivid reality. 

*The short story, Don’t Count Your Demons, will ONLY be available in this box set! * 

My Review

On Wicked Ground

Alina, who was found in a cave and raised by a vampire wants nothing more than to know why she was abandoned and left in a cave. She wants to find her family but when she decides to use magic and scry for them she unwittingly puts herself and them in danger. Things turn very interesting when she meets Caine, gets hurt and he brings her to a healer. Caine helps her come to terms with finding out who she is, who her sisters are and getting control over her powers all the while getting ready for a fight with a big bad.

Kissed By A Demon Spy

Garnet and her son Dashiel have been slaves for many years but she and her son escape after the leader keeping her prisoner dies and that's when she meets Aden. Garnet is looking for work, a place to stay and keep her son safe and Aden is looking for a cook. So it was no surprise when she took the job as cook and she and Aden start to get closer. Seeing how there are snake headed demons called vipers and they seem to cause a lot of trouble, it's no wonder that Aden goes on patrol to keep his Inn and the people inside it, safe. This is a novella but it's a full story and one I recommend reading if you like this series.

Wicked Flames

Gin Bonham isn't as accepting of her magical gifts as her sisters seem to be, mostly because she's scared of it. If I had the gift of being able to control fire, I might be afraid of burning a house down or setting someone on fire too. She knows about the Lash Demons and how her sisters are finding their mates with them but she really wants no part of it all. She doesn't realize that even though she wants to stay out of the drama, the drama is coming to her. Mathias is sent to try and convince Gin to help her sisters fight the big bad that they've been told is coming but she isn't ready to until trouble follows her and she has no choice.

Wicked Waves

Brooke and her sisters have recently learned that they are the solsti sisters and she is trying to learn how to control her power over water. The Lash Demons, including Kai are trying to help her and her sisters learn how to control their powers so they can fight the big bad that's coming. There's just one big problem and his name is Kai. Brooke and Kai really dislike each other or at least they start out that way and I think that really makes for an interesting story. The sarcasm, quips and looks they give each other made me laugh and of course when dislike turns to lust, well that's always fun too.

Wicked Wind

Nicole and her two sisters think they are human's with special abilities but they find out quickly they are much more than that when a Lash Demon *Gunnar* spots them using their gifts to help someone and helps them find out who they really are. Gunnar follows the sisters to find out more about them and even follows Nicole into a club and starts dancing with her. Hard to keep your wits about you when all you want to do is get the girl in bed but he has to stay close so he can find out more about her. This is a great start to an interesting series.

Don't Count Your Demons by Sharon Kay *Short Story*

Arcanie the ruler of Tarsa is sick and she's been trying everything to get rid of the illness that's taken hold of her body. Zinaya would be the next ruler of Tarsa if her mother's illness wasn't cured soon. But the rules state that in order for the next female member of the ruling family to become ruler, they had to be mated and Zinaya wasn't and had no plans on being mated any time soon. This wouldn't be such a problem is Zinaya's cousin, Nera could be counted on to be a good ruler but she and her mate would not make good rulers. In fact, if Nera becomes the ruler, they are afraid what would happen to Tarsa under her rule. But there is always one other choice and this one is called the mate run. If Zinaya can outrun the male warriors during the mate run then she could rule alone and if not, she would take the strongest male as her mate and rule Tarsa upon Arcanie's passing.

Zinaya was fine not taking a mate until she met D'Mari. The tall, muscled male was strong, smart and in her words, yummy. All seems to be going great until he is called out on a mission. Things go from bad to worst at that point and people die. There's something really fishy going on with Nera but they need more proof that she's behind the back stabbing before they can do something about it.

This book is well written and I felt engaged as a reader the entire time I was reading. I found myself completely caught up in this story and wondering what might happen next. There were several things going on at once in this book and I was convinced that the outcome would be bad for one or more of the characters. It kept me guessing and I like that.

I've read all the books in this series and even though this was a short story, it's packed and I do mean packed with action, sex, drama and such a great love story. 

If you get a chance to read any or all of these books, I'd jump on that because these books are really good.