Review and GIVEAWAY for UpperCase Living

(this is going to be one of those posts that blogger choses not to post correctly and after an ENTIRE DAY of fighting it, I've given up... sorry...)
There I am, balancing myself above my kitchen sink, bare feet on the cold, slightly slippery granite countertops I had finished cleaning only an hour prior.

Michael is behind me taking pictures of my butt spotting me to make sure I didn't fall off the countertops.

Not exactly the most graceful thing and it most definitely made me dizzy (almost all in part because the meds I am on lower my blood pressure... ALL OF THAT IS OFF TOPIC).

Originally, I chose my entryway for a decorative wall expression that says "Bless this home and all who enter". BUT, when then I realized that it just seemed to look off in that location. Not sure if it's my ugly lamps or... my ugly lamps. So, I went with my backup plan - over the kitchen window

I do not know why I am approving this picture:

First, I measured the area and determining the placement of my applique. The directions say to use small pieces of tape to attach the expression to the wall. I outlined all four corners lightly with a pencil to insure that I placed the expression's back in the same place after removing the backing.

Next, I flipped the expression over, which normally wouldn't be that difficult but I managed to make ten times harder by being on top of the countertops AND on my tippy toes. Go me.

I rubbed the backing again with the tool provided and slowly began to remove the backing. 
It helped that Mike was behind me watching my butt to relieve me when my arms went bloodless or I got tired of holding my head up.

Then, I somehow managed to straddle the sink and hold both sides of this almost 3-foot-long expression level while I slowly lowered it to the wall, making sure to match the corners to my original marks.

Once re-applied to the wall, I rubbed the top surface with that transfer tool (see: green thing in that picture to the right) again and then slowly peeled the final layer off.

And... voila!

I love it!

Mine is in a chocolate brown to go with my cream molding and taupe colors.

It really was quite simple and the finished product is gorgeous, sturdy yet easily removable. I "accidentally" applied one of the guideline triangles provided on the backing paper and was very impressed how easily it came off. 

With each expression, UpperCase Living provides detailed instructions and the tool used for application. I personally loved the tool because the tip was pliable, making it easier to work than a credit card/similar object.

I've sifted through the UpperCase Living site several times and picked out a few of my favs. Aren't these great? Such a simple way to jazz up a boring wall, decorate the playroom, or add some fun to your living space.

Just a few of my favorites...

There are SO MANY! Give the website a whirl... it's tons of fun and the ideas you can come up with are endless. These can be applied to other things than walls... make a measuring stick for your children. Make a decorative plate for Santa's cookies. These obviously make excellent gifts too.

Have some questions? Their FAQs section is pretty informative.

So who wants a $25 credit for the site? Yeah... I thought so.

Each comment gets you an entry, each RT gets you an additional one and each re-post gets a third entry for THREE POSSIBLE ENTRIES.

Please RT the following --  UpperCase Living decorative expressions GIVEAWAY from @themomjob on  http://themomjob.net   --

You have to leave a comment to be able to do the other two. Meaning... if you retweet and re-post but don't TELL ME YOU DID SO in the comments section of this post... no dice. Comment first, and RT or repost if you wish to gain additional entries.

I will chose a winner this weekend on Saturday around noon EST.

GOOD LUCK!

** I was provided the product (valued under $25) to provide an accurate description and review. Please see my Full Disclosure **

Product Review and GIVEAWAY - EcoTOOLS

I had a bit of trepidation about reviewing a line of eco-conscious make-up brushes, for the most part, because I am very, very (did I mention very?) picky about what I put on (or even near...) my face. As a rule, I don't even allow my husband to TOUCH my face, as I grimace at the thought of his not-so-recently washed hands smudging their little germy selves all over my pores only for me to break out in Mt. Everest sized zits within a day...

Needless to say, make-up, cleansers and applicators must meet a strict regime of standards before coming within a foot of my face. 

I'm the girl that had acne in 4th grade, that still had it in college, and will almost certainly be the 30-something with both acne AND wrinkles. (Ok, WHO DID I TICK OFF!?!?)

So, when I was asked to review the EcoTOOLS line of beauty tools, I dipped my toes in the kiddie pool first. 

It arrived in a cute green box, not filled with unnecessary and wasteful packing, yet conservatively packaged in a 100% post-consumer box - I was already a bit smitten. 

(Side note: I just DON'T UNDERSTAND companies that use boxes the size of my head, followed by 4 gallons of plastic, surrounded by bubble wrap and then littered with 10,000 copies of your invoice.... for something the size of a Happy Meal Toy... WHY MUST YOU DO THAT, crazy companies??? Let's talk numbers here (forgetting the excessive waste and carbon footprints for a minute) and say that if you cut half of that... how much would you save? $$$Company vacation people$$$... COMPANY VACATION! ... ok, off the tangent train...sorry.)

The press-release for EcoTOOLS was printed on 100% post-consumer paper with soy based ink (SCORE!). I know I'm not techincally reviewing the company, but these people have their business straight. Earth-friendly through and through.

So, with all this hype about the packaging (or there lack of), what about the product itself, right?

I tried the EcoTOOLS Blush Brush, which is made of animal-free taklon bristles, with a bamboo handle and metallic ferrule (you know, the thing that holds the bristles to the handle...) made from recycled aluminum cans. I was skeptical of the bristles, could they beat out the soft sandpaper brush I currently use?

Quick fun fact: Do you know why bamboo is so earth-friendly? It has a low-impact on the earth's natural resources as it able to grow up to 4 feet a day! Too bad they can't find a use for kudzu...

Being OCD about my face, as I might have mentioned... I did what an responsible mother would - I yelled for Conner ... and he came pouncing down the hallway like a good little 3.75-year-old.

"Mommy is going to take this special brush and tickle your face. You tell me what it feels like, ok?" I explain.

"Otay... (I sweep his face)... *giggle*.. it's weelwey soft like baby biwd feadas!!"

Alrighty then, soft. Good. (but not from "baby bird feathers", my dear...)

I bit the bullet, dipped the EcoTOOLS blush brush into my favorite blush, tapped away the excess and applied it to my cheeks (from apple to hairline, in an upward motion, pleaseandthankyou). One sweep and I was floored. This little "green" brush was not only amazingly soft, but it is somehow contoured to minimize effort. Two sweeps on each side, and the job was done. 

that's a bit of blush, a sweep of bronzer with the same brush and mascara, not bad, eh?

My old brush was immediately gifted to aforementioned 3-year-old for his next watercolor adventure.

I was convinced this whole line would surely be pricey, right?

Um. Somehow... not. at. all!

The EcoTOOLS Blush Brush retail value is only $6.99! 

"Oh, well.. then I'm paying 10 bucks in shipping because it's not in any stores in my area..." you are thinking...

WRONG!

The EcoTOOLS line can be found at Wal-Mart, Kmart and Ulta (have I mentioned that I heart Ulta?)

Does it get any better? Well... YES! First, EcoTOOLS has joined with 1% For The Planet, an alliances of businesses that are committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet. So, 1% of their annual sales is donated!

Better, you ask?

I am giving away (1) EcoTOOLS Foundation Brush to one lucky commenter (and it comes in a sturdy, reusable brush bag)! Additionally, in celebration of Earth Day, I will also include 2 other "earth friendly" goodies!!

Here's how the game works:

One comment = one entry

One tweet* = one entry

One blog link to this post = one entry

(Please Tweet and blog before commenting, and leave the URL's for each so I can verify, thanks!)**

*If you are new to Twitter, copy and paste this: RT @AGZaremba Earth Day giveaway ecoTOOLS foundation brush http://themomjob.net 

** That's 3 entries per person. I had to get a calulator too, that's some hard math.

On Monday, I will use some random generator via The Internets and choose a lucky, earth-loving commenter to receive this amazing Foundation Brush and other "green" goodies!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?!

For more information on these amazing (and did I mention GREEN!) products or other beauty essentials, visit EcoTOOLS online.

Product Review: NeotoGo

Slave to the “targeting all moms!” commercials I’m bombarded with day in and day out, I bought NeoToGo in efforts to gallantly swoop in like a white night(ess) and save my precious toddler from the onslaught of germ intruders in the Land of all That is Healthy (and So Fresh and So Clean Clean).

Its convenient packaging was also a major influence.

I waited around for a coupon, but none surfaced. So, on an impulse buy I purchased the NeoToGo for a little under $6.00 at my local Target (it was on an end cap near the sodas and YOU-KNOW-YOU-NEEEEED-ME Candy Bars).
It attaches to your keychain, which rocks, but also adds to my unbelievably cluttered keychain. Can you believe I carry this thing around, EVERYWHERE?!

On the Upside: Convenient. Not messy. Easier to access than a tube of Neosporin (as we all know that would get destroyed in my purse and I’d end up with a shellacked and rain-proof catchall. Sigh. Who needs more goop when you’ve got a handbag full of sugar cookie leftovers, candy wrappers, goldfish and spilled juice?)

On the Downside: It was difficult to spray (as difficult as spraying can be, at least). The trigger on top doesn’t work 50% of the time. When it does spray, it’s sometimes not enough. I question how long it will last, as it appears very small and requires multiple spray attempts before reaching (what I consider) an adequate coating.

Buy worthy? Maybe. Depends on your child’s ability to hurt himself/herself in a padded room and your personal level of OHMYGOSH. GERMS. STAPH. DEATH. FROM A BOO-BOO! Oh dear.

I have used it a few times for playground mishaps and questionable cuts that I notice away from home. This doesn’t substituted proper wound washing or necessary Band-Aids, but it is good for a quick de-germing.

All the Technicals:
Size: About 2 ½ inches long, 1 inch in width
Amount: 0.26 fl oz per container, spray
Website: Neosporin.com

From The Big Boys:
NEW NEOSPORIN® NEO TO GO!
First Aid Antiseptic/Pain Relieving Spray
The NEW NEOSPORIN® NEO TO GO!
First Aid Antiseptic/Pain Relieving Spray is specially designed to fit anywhere to give you infection protection, anytime, anywhere.
Durable, non-aerosol spray fits anywhere
Designed for easy, one-handed use
No touch, no sting application

Personal Best, A Story of Consumerism: When Chase was 6 months old, the family ventured up to the pond in our neighborhood. After an hour or so of fishing, the hubby and Conner readied their last hook and prepared to cast away. Chase and I stood a good distance away, behind them a good 8 feet and to the left. But with wind a factor, Mike cast once and the line caught. Trying again, but with too much force, he swung violently and the hook flung back, catching Chase in the EYEBROW. WHAT ARE THE ODDS? I panicked and in one fluid motion ripped the hook out of his brow and ran like a mad woman to the car a few feet back, grabbed my trusty NeoToGo, sprayed a few sprays on my finger, then swiped it across my newly pierced, screaming newborn. Oh the horror. Luckily, the barb didn’t go through and the quick germ fighting action of this product saved my sanity.

Hurray for impulse buys!

It bought me enough time to fly Chase back and disinfect him to the 10th level of cleanliness. Which, for the record, is only one level shy of dunking him in a tub of bleach and burning off the first 5 layers of him epidermis. Nice.