Simple Addiction: Free Leggings with Order

I've made it quite clear that Simple Addiction is definitely an addiction!  I've purchased several of their leggings and graphic tees.  They fit true to size and are quite comfy.

Simple Addiction is a women's online clothing store that is committed to bring you the lowest prices on the hottest boutique items.  They sell much more than leggings and graphic tees; It's just that I have a particular obsession with those.

my life to a tee

Right now, you can receive a free pair of SA Exclusive Leggings with your first purchase by using my exclusive promo code.  This offer is valid until July 26, 2019.

I can't count the number of times I've ordered from Simple Addiction.  I've purchased many pieces for myself, and many as gifts.  If you browse their clearance section, you can find leggings as low as $4.97

two graphic tees I've purchased from Simple Addiction

one of several pair of leggings I own from SA

This post contains a referral link.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Five More July Winners

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

A few of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn.

The winner of the Waiting for Chicken Smith book giveaway is #3, susan1215.

The winner of the Twist-In Treats Dog Toy giveaway is #28, Leela.

The winner of the Tropical Terry children's book giveaway is #1, aperry.

The winners of the Storm Boy Blu-ray giveaway are #17, Ken Ohl and #14, John Smith.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered.  Be sure to enter the current active giveaways, all listed at top left hand side of the blog.  There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

Celebrate Summer with Welch's Snacks - Review

Summer travel season is finally here!  Whether you're traveling near or far, keep the family happy with Welch's Fruit Snacks and Fruit Rolls 

Welch's Fruit Snacks are sure to delight your family with the delicious taste and quality that can only be Welch's. Even better, they are available in a varieties such as Tangy Fruits, Island Fruits, Berries N' Cherries, Mixed Fruit, Superfruit, Apple Orchard, and more ideal flavors for on-the-go snacking. (MSRP: 10ct Box with 0.9oz. Pouches / $2.99)

Unroll the fun this summer with Welch's Fruit Rolls! Featuring fruit as the first ingredient, Welch's Fruit Rolls are loved by kids and approved by mom. Flavors include Strawberry, Berry, and Tropical Punch. (MSRP: 6ct Box with 0.75oz roll / $2.99)

Calissa gettin' down on some Welch's Fruit Snacks while watching TV.

From time to time I purchase Welch's Fruit Snacks. They're convenient pre-packaged snacks that can be taken right out of the box and eaten immediately. They are fat-free, gluten-free, and preservative free.  These individually packaged snacks are convenient to take on a summer road trip or serve when kids want a tasty treat to eat. Welch's Fruit Rolls are also purchased quite a bit for my home.   Unrolling the snack and pulling it from the backing is what makes it fun.  Having a lot of family and friends with young kids come over, I've found that Welch's snacks are perfect to keep on hand.

Consider kid-friendly Welch's Fruit Snacks and Welch's Fruit Rolls for summer picnics, road trips, field trips, birthday parties, and more.

Do you have a between one or the other?  Do you prefer the Fruit Snacks or the Fruit Rolls?

JJ came over for a visit and was happy to munch on Welch's Fruit Snacks.

I received products for review from Welch's.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Power of Prayer Thursdays - Week 179

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

I believe in a God that hears prayers and answers them. I've witnessed the miraculous gift of answered prayer. And, I want to pray for you. I've started weekly Power of Prayer post every Thursday. We are now on week 179. If you are needing prayer in an area of your life, please leave a comment and I'll commit to pray for your need or request. You can be as general or as specific as you like. Whether it be for healing, salvation, finances, emotions, or another area of life, I'd like to lift it up in prayer.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
–Ephesians 5:1

FOCO Sports and Entertainment Merchandise - Review and Giveaway

I live in Central IL and, for the most part, you root for one of two baseball teams: The St. Louis Cardinals or the Chicago Cubs.  Both rivals razz each other quite often. My step-daughter, Juliann, is a BIG Cardinals fan.  She's been to several games and owns a lot of branded merchandise.  Don't bother her when the game comes on!

Imagine how stoked she was when she received two more St. Louis Cardinals branded pieces from FOCO, a leading manufacturer of sports and entertainment merchandise.  Their product line includes includes apparel, accessories, toys, collectibles, novelty items, and more. FOCO's journey began in 1998 and they've always been a community of fans with a shared goal of helping people let their inner fan shine. 

If you're a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals (or practically any other sports team), you'll find a neat variety of merchandise sporting the team's name or logo.  For instance, Juliann was super excited when she got two new bags representing her favorite baseball team.  The St Louis Cardinals Nautical Stripe Tote Bag is perfect to take on travel or to the beach.  It has plenty of room to hold several belongings and an interior metal clasp to secure the bag close.  The handles are made of white rope, and it's an officially licensed bag.

The St Louis Cardinals Printed Collection Mini Backpack is great to use when you don't have a lot to carry.  It's perfect for most venues that will let you bring in small bags, but not large ones.  The straps are adjustable and there's exterior zippered compartments.  

If sports aren't you're thing but you're into collectible figurines, FOCO has you covered in that area too.  For instance, the company carries bobbleheads and Eekeez Figurines.  All Eekeez collectibles are handcrafted and hand painted, and made to look like realistic wood carvings.

Win It!

One person will win a Pennywise IT '1990' Eekeez Figurine (ARV $15).

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA.*

I received products for review from FOCO.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

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Baby Magic Summertime Must-haves for Baby

You’re on your summer vacation, relaxing at the beach and your baby is fussing! A red-faced, crying baby can put parents in a panic! Baby Magic wants to help parents and babies everywhere feel cool, calm and collected with the help of its brand new products- perfect for summer.

 Baby Magic’s Multi-Purpose Hydrogel Patch and 3-in-1 Wipes will clean up and cool down your baby in no time. No more fussy baby = happy and relaxed parents all summer long! Find more info on Baby Magic’s summertime must-haves below.

• Multi-Purpose Hydrogel Patch:

o   Perfect for relieving discomfort from sunburn, rash, fever and overheating

o   Pouch contains two rectangle, customizable patches

o   Helps restore rough, extra-dry skin

o   Dye-free, paraben-free, & steroid-free

o   Pro-Tip: Mom (and dad!) can use to soothe adult skin woes, as well, making these patches a dual threat!

o   $3.49

• 3-in-1 Wipes:

o   72 Count; About 1.5x more wipes than competitors

o    For use on face, hands, and body

o    Suitable for sensitive skin

o    pH balanced

o   $3.49

I received products from Baby Magic in exchange for this post.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Cool Off This Summer With My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream - Review

Summer is here, and while the weather keeps getting hotter, you may need something to keep you cool! Enter My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream – the perfect on-the-go snack that is sure to cool you off in the hot summer heat.  From pool parties to barbeques, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is not only a refreshing snack, but also makes entertaining fun and easy.

Erica eating a Cookies & Cream My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream

Before receiving boxes of My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream for review, I had noticed an individual cooler filled with the ice cream snacks at a local County Market.  It looked interesting but I wasn't so sure I'd like it.  Now that I've tried it, I can say it's an affirmative that I do.

Paysli and Ryli getting ready to snack on My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream

My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is a colorful snack made with a scoop of premium ice cream wrapped in pillowy rice dough. At just 110 calories per ball, it is the perfect poppable, portion-controlled summer snack. Offering a mix of flavors such as Cookies & Cream, Sweet Mango and Double Chocolate, as well as new innovative Triple Layer flavors like Vanilla Blueberry, Dulce de Leche and S'mores, there is something for everyone, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is also available in gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan flavors.

what a tray of My/Mo Mochi ice cream looks like

I've been having a lot of people over for evening dinners and bonfires quite a bit lately.  My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is perfect to serve to guests as a dessert or treat.  Each box comes with a tray of six individual ice cream snacks.  They look almost like muffins.  The first one I tried was a new sensation to my taste buds.  I've never had ice cream wrapped with a pillow of rice dough.  It was definitely a new flavor experience.  But I really liked it!  And so have the other people who've tried them as well.  It's been a whole new experience to our palates and it's even sparked some conversation on how odd, yet how tasteful, this kind of ice cream is.  

I received products for review.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Ugly Dolls Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack - Giveaway

SING AND DANCE TOGETHER WITH THE LOVABLE CHARACTERS FROM
THE ANIMATED MUSICAL ADVENTURE OF THE YEAR
WITH THE ALL-NEW SING-ALONG EDITION!

UGLYDOLLS

SHOWCASING AN ALL-STAR CAST LED BY MUSIC SUPERSTARS KELLY CLARKSON,
NICK JONAS, JANELLE MONÁE, BLAKE SHELTON AND PITBULL

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL JULY 16, 2019
AND ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD JULY 30, 2019
FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Unconventionality rules in UglyDolls, the fun and quirky animated musical debuting on Digital on July 16, 2019 and on Blu-rayTM Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand on July 30, 2019 from STXfilms and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Centered around the adorably unique town of Uglyville, the film follows Moxy and her friends as they confront what it means to be different and discover that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing. Inspired by the global plush phenomenon and based on the UglyDoll characters created by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, UglyDolls is filled with colorful and adorable characters and packed with powerful messages of inclusion and empowerment. Join the fun and keep the party going with the music-filled comedy on Blu-rayTM, DVD and Digital showcasing an exclusive, all-new sing-along edition and stuffed with exciting bonus features allowing fans everywhere to dive deeper into the world of Uglyville.

Featuring a star-studded voice cast including Kelly Clarkson (The Star, “The Voice”), Nick Jonas (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), Janelle Monáe (Hidden Figures, Rio 2), Blake Shelton (The Angry Birds Movie, “The Voice”), Pitbull (“Empire,” Epic), Wanda Sykes (“Black-ish,” Bad Moms) and Gabriel Iglesias (Ferdinand), the humorous and heartwarming film comes home with vibrant bonus content such as featurettes that reveal how the talented cast brought their characters to life, hilarious games with the cast and a sneak peek of the exclusive sing-along edition’s interactive entertainment.

In Uglyville, weird is celebrated, strange is special and beauty is embraced as more than simply meets the eye. When Moxy (Clarkson) and the UglyDolls discover Perfection, a town where dolls are seen through a strict model of attractiveness, they confront what it means to be different, struggle with their desire to be loved, and ultimately discover that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing. Directed by Kelly Asbury (Smurfs: The Lost Village, Shrek 2) and featuring original songs performed by Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Janelle Monáe, Blake Shelton and Pitbull, UglyDolls is “a movie you’ll want to watch again, and again!” (Naz Perez, Fandango).

BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAYTM, DVD AND DIGITAL
Sing-Along Edition
Sing Along Tease – A small taste of the big fun the Sing-Along Edition provides.
Fun with the Cast of UglyDolls – Watch the cast of UglyDolls play fun games that showcase their unique talents.
Making UglyDolls – A closer look at the music behind the film and the talented voice cast that brings these rich characters to life.
Theatrical Trailers

Win It!

One person will win an Ugly Dolls Blu-ray/ DVD Combo Pack.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA*

I received no compensation for this post.  This post is in partnership with PR firm.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.
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Don't Miss These Prime Day Deals From Snuggle

Amazon Prime Day is here, and you’re not going to want to miss these great deals from Snuggle®. On Monday, 7/15 and Tuesday, 7/16, save 20% on both Snuggle® Exhilarations® Blue Iris® Pacs and Snuggle® Exhilarations® Lavender Joy® Pacs. And, keep an eye out for the spotlight deal on Snuggle® Ultra™ Blue Sparkle® fabric softener, too!

I received no compensation or product for this post.  This post is in partnership with Snuggle, as part of their Snuggle Bear Den Community.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Wink Brow Perfecting Quad - Giveaway

Eyebrows are one of a person's most prominent facial features because of the many functions they perform. They help accentuate the eyes, shape the face, and play a powerful role in communication. According to science, eyebrows are the most important facial feature one has. When eyebrows are sparse, this immediately ages the face. The beauty industry and consumers have been in a flurry over brows for the past several years. The phrase, "eyebrows on fleek" has become common vernacular.  With a veritable smorgasbord of brow products out there, how does one choose? Enter Wink Brow Bar and the only product you need to keep brows lush and youthful.  Umbreen Sheikh, founder and CEO of Wink Brow Bar with locations in NYC and London has formulated this product to replicate the results she provides in her salons.


Wink Brow Perfecting Quad
Retail Price: $42.00


Product Description

Wink's new Brow Quad is a multitasking compact developed for touch-ups on the go. The formulas, including smudge-proof filler powder, highlighter and grooming pomade for light, flexible hold, allow you to maintain the look of tidy, beautifully defined brows between studio visits.

Also included is a dual-sided brush — angled on one end to deposit and blend pigment with ease — and soft-bristled on the other to tame and shape for precise detailing.


How to Use

Apply brow pomade with brush or fingertips onto brows and smooth into shape. Use a small amount of powder and gently layer brows with feather-like strokes to create the perfect brow. Finish by gently brushing brows upwards with the spoolie brush.


Tip: Do not use too much powder on the front of the brow and try to stay close to the brow shape. Dot sparse area gently with an angle brush. Finish with highlighter under the brow bone for an extra pop.

About Wink Brow Bar

Wink was founded by Umbreen Sheikh, a licensed cosmetologist who grew up in the beauty industry in London.  Wink began as a luxury threading studio that combines state-of-the-art and traditional techniques as well as the very best formulations in the treatment room to create perfect eyebrows, eyelashes, skin, hair and nails.

Believing strongly in the transformative power of great brows, gorgeous lashes and fabulous skin, Wink evolved their services to include a prestige Vegan skincare line, bringing the luxury of a spa experience to the home.  This line includes three products for brows and lashes and six products for skin vitality and anti-aging. Comprised of essential products, the lineup focuses on the hydration, beauty and balance of the skin without irritation or disruption of its natural biorhythms.


Wink Brow Bar has three convenient locations in Manhattan, one in trendy Cobble Hill, Brooklyn and an international location in the U.K.

Their list of services includes:

Organic Brow Threading

Brow Tinting

Brow Extensions

Lash Extensions

Keratin Lash Lift

Hair Waxing

Microblading

Custom Facials

Manicure/Pedicure

Hair color, cuts, and blow out

Win It!

One person will win a Wink Brow Perfecting Quad.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA and Canada*

I received no compensation for this post.  This post is in partnership with PR firm.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.
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Power of Prayer Thursdays - Week 178

Photo by Luca Baggio on Unsplash

I believe in a God that hears prayers and answers them. I've witnessed the miraculous gift of answered prayer. And, I want to pray for you. I've started weekly Power of Prayer post every Thursday. We are now on week 178. If you are needing prayer in an area of your life, please leave a comment and I'll commit to pray for your need or request. You can be as general or as specific as you like. Whether it be for healing, salvation, finances, emotions, or another area of life, I'd like to lift it up in prayer.

I've done Power of Prayer Thursdays for a few  years now and have received several prayer requests.  Please know that I do pray for each and every one of those.  I can't answer the prayers; Only God can.  But, you are in my heart and I will do my small part to lift your needs up to Him.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
–1 Corinthians 16:13

Fell Down the Stairs...Sprained A Foot

ewww, ugly foot

Welp, I'm a big ole' doofus.  Sunday afternoon when I went to get dressed for a wedding (don't judge me, I don't like to get dressed till absolutely necessary!) , I was headed downstairs to grab my clothes.  Rather than pay attention to walking the steps, I was busy paying attention to the dog who was alerted to the bathroom door.  I thought I made it to the last step so I started walking forward.  And, it was two steps too short!

I immediately fell onto the steps (carpeted, thank goodness) but felt one of the worst pains of my life.  The pain was a 12 on a 1-10 scale.  Once I was able to get my bearings and see that I could stand up, I got onto the bed to check out the damage.  Surprisingly, none!

The pain was gone and my foot looked fine.  So I carried about my day.  Got dressed, went to an outdoor wedding (sweltering heat from outside hurt worse than my foot did).  My husband officiated the ceremony and we were soon off to attend the reception.  It was on my way walking from the ceremony location to our vehicle that I started to feel some pain when walking.  It still wasn't enough to take me down.

Doctor told me to keep my foot elevated.  Trader Jimmy's being supportive and doing the same!

I made it an hour into the reception and the adrenaline must've worn off.  I was in full-fledged pain.  My ankle was swollen and I could feel nerve pain shooting from foot to my back.  We cut out of the reception early and headed home so I could put some ice on it.  The picture you see of my foot was taken shortly after I got home.  I got some solid advice from my niece who I asked to come take a look at it.  She figured I'd be okay until the next day so I didn't rush to the hospital.  

The next day both sides of my foot were swollen twice the size and I could put zero weight on it.  Hurt like H-E -DoubleHockeySticks.  Jason ended up taking me to my primary care doctor.  After poking and prodding (which darn near made me pee myself) and X-rays, the doctor advised it is a severe sprain.  He also advised that I have to be out of work for a week and use crutches till the swelling goes down.  Once that does, I will have to wear an air splint for a couple weeks.  Then, of course, there's the usual advice of elevation, ice packs, and pain meds.

Logan took me to Walgreen's to get my meds and put me in a wheelchair.  So kind, even if he did have an ulterior motive.  He popped a ton of wheelchair wheelies with me in it.

It's been three days now and I'm going stir crazy.  Don't get me wrong, I like to be lazy and my husband has been a champ at catering to me.  But being confined mostly to a couch ain't my thang.  The foot isn't horribly bad during the day but tends to be a bugger at night.  I've done pretty good with messing up one part of my body or another at some point, but this is a first for a sprained ankle.  I'm not diggin' it.

Have you ever experienced a sprained ankle?  What's the worst or craziest fall you've ever had?

Canvas Factory - Canvas Print Review and Giveaway

I was introduced to Canvas Factory in March 2018 when I was asked to creative a canvas print for review.  I was very pleased with the completed work, so I was definitely on board when I was asked to do another review.

Canvas Factory provides high quality canvas prints at an affordable price. They believe in providing the best canvas printing services to ensure that your photos are preserved on canvas exactly as you want them, easily and conveniently.  I chose a 16"x20" canvas print using a picture of me and Jason on the day he was ordained as a pastor.  The whole process was a breeze to go through and I was able to perfect the print just how I wanted.

You are given the option to upload a photo, or even retrieve one from your Facebook or Instagram account.  Once the picture portion is complete, you can choose from one of three wrap styles.  Although I chose not to, I could have picked a different effect for my print.  For instance, it could have been changed to gray, sepia, or even blue.  My favorite part is that I was able to add text!  I'm not sure if other canvas print companies have jumped on that bandwagon, but the first time I've seen it as an option was through Canvas Factory.  Playing around with font and color, I was able to add "True Love Stories Never Have Endings - 2019" to the top side of my print.

When I received my canvas print, I was not 100% satisfied. I was 200% satisfied!!  Starting with the backing, I noticed that it was held together quite well and the entire back is covered.  There's a hanging hook on one side and at the top, giving me the option to decide which way I wanted to hang the print.  With the way it is put together, I believe that it will stay in tact for quite a long time.  

The canvas print is now greatly displayed in my living room.  It is so prominently displayed that it's impossible not to notice it. I love how it sets a focal point in the room. It hangs flat against the wall without jutting or tilting out.  The print turned out exactly how I submitted the photo and I couldn't be more pleased.

The canvas print I received from Canvas Factory is one of my all-time favorites. It captures a special moment in my life.  This is a print that I will keep hanging for what I imagine to be a very long time (along with the canvas print I got from the company a year ago.)

One person will win a free 16x20 Canvas Print from Canvas Factory.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA and Canada.*

I received product for review.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordful Wednesday - A Friend's Wedding

A friend I've known for a few years had her wedding on Sunday.  It was an outdoor ceremony at her house by the barn.  It was quite hot but beautiful nonetheless.

me

Erica and Tyler have been together for several years and finally tied the knot.  I've grown quite close to them and their kids even call me "Aunt". 

Ryli, daughter of the bride and wedding gown holder

Erica is one of the goofiest, flightiest people I know.  But she has an enormous amount of love in her heart.  She's beautiful without a trace of makeup but she was gorgeous as a bride.

Their little boy, JJ, stole the show.  While the parents were busy getting married, JJ was busy pulling hay out of the bales.

My husband was ordained in February and this was his first time officiating a wedding.  I think he did a fantastic job.  (and he looked pretty darn good in a suit!)

The reception was also held outdoors, but in another nearby location.  The Bride's mom made a beautiful lemon/blueberry cake, and a BBQ joint out of Iowa catered the meal.

pulled pork, green beans, baked beans, mac & cheese, cheesy potatoes

It was an amazing day celebrating amazing friends.  Unfortunately, I only stayed an hour at the reception.  I'll give the full lowdown on a different post but I managed to fall down the stairs earlier in the day and my foot was getting worse as the day went on.  An hour in to the reception and I knew I needed to get home.

Save $1 on any 2 boxes Celestial Seasonings Tea - Coupon

From now until September 30, 2019 you can save $1 on any two boxes of Celestial Seasonings Tea with this printable coupon.  Only one print per user.

This post contains affiliate links. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Softer Than Brittle - #BrittleMadeBetter Snack Review

Warmer temperatures are here which means summer parties are in full swing!  This summer, Softer Than Brittle wants to make sure you are equipped with the perfect hostess treat, sweet nibble for social gatherings and a secret ingredient in your sweet treats. 

Softer Than Brittle is a unique, soft and flaky gourmet nut brittle hand-crafted from a 60-year-old family recipe. This “better-for-you-brittle” contains no preservatives, cholesterol, dairy, or hydrogenated oil and is even vegan. Not only is Softer Than Brittle an incredibly delicious and flaky nut brittle, it also features a clean label with just 6 or 7 basic ingredients. It’s the perfect blend of your favorite candy in a cookie-like bite in Peanut and Cashew varieties.

I recently held a housewarming party to celebrate the purchase of my first home.  I had several family and friends over, with lots of food and snacks.  One of the snacks I set out and served was Softer Than Brittle.  Several people commented on their delicious flavor.  Softer Than Brittle tastes a lot like, well, peanut brittle but it has a soft crunch rather than a harder one that normal brittle does.  

I also recently served Softer Than Brittle to the people of my Small Group.  They come over every Tuesday night and I usually set out snacks.  Softer Than Brittle was a big hit.

There are four varieties of Softer Than Brittle and they come in a resealable bag:

Peanut

Pecan

Cashew

Almond

I honestly don't have a favorite; I think they're all great and will definitely be serving them again at future events.

Which flavor of Softer Than Brittle do you think you'd like best?

I received products for review.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.