Hours of Fun with the Blast Zone Big Ol' Bouncer!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored campaign created in collaboration with the Blast Zone. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


Say good-bye to renting those Bounce Houses for special occasions! Your kids will stay entertained for hours with their very own backyard bouncer and it can house up to 6 kids!

Set up your Blast Zone Big Ol’ Bouncer in 2 (yes, 2!!) easy steps!

STEP1 is to lay out the bouncer on a flat surface. Blast Zone recommends laying out a tarp, and inflating your bouncy house on top, if you are setting it up on pavement or uneven yard. This will help reduce the chance of debris/rocks putting a hole in the Bounce House.

STEP 2 is to tie off the little yellow tube and insert the portable blower into the longer yellow tube. Tie the end to the blower - the Bounce House takes a short 2 minutes to inflate (we were amazed!).

That's it!

You might think that the Blast Zone Big Ol’ Bouncer will take up a lot of storage space and become very expensive to maintain. Not so! Blast Zone offers you the convenience of easy set up and take-down, while taking up MINIMAL storage. Easy to maintain and clean, this Bounce House is very durable.

My husband really wanted to show you just how durable this thing is! So he left it out during a rainstorm and in the mud. Watch his video to see how it stood up to the test:




Blast Zone offers smaller bounce houses, and even commercial sized ones. Be sure to check them out!

Connect with Blast Zone for all of their latest product releases and special deals:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

Pacifica Jet Set Trio Review

“Everyday pollutants can ruin your hair’s color, health and style (and then there goes your day). Say goodbye to bad hair days forever. No matter where you are off to, pack this trio.”

My Review

The Pacifica Jet Set Trio is a three-pack of Super Kale Juiced-Up Shampoo, Super Kale Juiced-Up Conditioner, and Hairvana Leave-On Detangling Conditioner “with stress and pollution protection and detoxifying extracts”. Made in the USA, this trio is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. The small size of each tube included makes them carry-on air travel and gym bag friendly.

Not only do they smell fantastic (the kale products have a mint scent and the leave-in has a coconut-vanilla scent), the Pacifica Jet Set Hair Trio is made to detox your hair from stress and pollutants. The Super Kale Shampoo and Conditioner are light-weight and nourishing. Their ingredients include antioxidant rich kale extract, olive oil, aloe leaf juice, moringa seed extract, and rice bran oil. Hairvana Leave-On Detangling Conditioner contains shea butter, which leaves your hair moisturized but not heavy.

I LOVED these products that left my color-treated hair feeling (and looking!) weightlessly gorgeous. I have recommended this set to many of my friends. They smell great and get the job done!

Disclaimer: The products mentioned / featured in this post were sent to me for review consideration as a part of PR purposes. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased, as with anything that is posted here on this site. I was not paid to provide my thoughts on these products or to feature them.

Funbites Review! Minion Goggle Shaped Food Cutter

FunBites® are perfect for picky eaters and creative moms. Rave reviews from over 5,000 mommy bloggers worldwide. Winner of over 30 design and innovation awards. Come create your bite-sized fun!

Minions available Now! and COMING SOON… Nickelodeon Paw Patrol! 

As seen on Shark Tank, award winning FunBites® creates bite-sized shapes that even the pickiest eaters can’t resist!

(cup not included in set)

From FunBites®!

FunBites® super sturdy and durable curved blade cutter cuts any kids’ food into bite-sized fun shapes. We make food so much fun that even the pickiest eaters can’t resist! FunBites® works on kid-friendly food from pancakes, sandwiches, fruit, veggies, brownies and more! Kids love FunBites® because the food is cut neatly and evenly.

 
Our Review and YouTube Video!

A few years ago, I was introduced to FunBites® through the founder, Bobbie Rhoads. She was nice enough to send my son, Zachary, a FunBites® Food Cutter in green (you can see the rainbow of colors below). We still have the cutter and love it as much now as we did then!

Easy to use, Made in the USA, dishwasher safe, and BPA free! Picky eaters, like Zachary, will try new things and eat healthier!

Bobbie recently contacted me to see if we would like to try out a new FunBites® and, of course, I jumped at the chance! We were sent their new MINIONS Goggle Shaped Food Cutter Set. This set includes a curved cutter and matching popper top.

(cup not included in set)

Using FunBites® is as easy as 1, 2, 3!! 

Step 1: Place FunBites® cutter on top of food. Remove popper top and put to the side. You’re ready to go! 

Step 2: Hold cutter handles, firmly rock back and forth 5 to 6 times to cut all the way through the food. 

Step 3: Insert popper top. Lift cutter up from food. Insert the popper top and push down to pop out the bite-sized pieces! 

Here is Zachary demonstrating how he uses his FunBites®! 

   

(cup not included in set)

 

Visit FunBites Online! 

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Disclosure: Made by Renee received a free Funbites food cutter in exchange for a review. My reviews are always honest opinions you can count on regardless of compensation.

Icon: Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers #review #FCBlogger #DonaldLawrence #gospel #music #CD #TriCitySingers

I received a copy of this CD, for review, from FamilyChristian.com. I am a family Christian Blogger, however, all opinions are 100% my own.

Details

One of Gospel’s most beloved choirs, The Tri-City Singers formed in the Carolina’s (Spartanburg, SC, Gastonia, NC and Charlotte, NC) in 1993. They’ve topped the Gospel charts repeatedly since then with one radio hit after another. In 2006 the group retired but not without going out with a Grand Finale.

This new addition to the Icon series features 11 of Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers most recognizable songs, including “Blessings Of Abraham,” “Encourage Yourself,” and “Giants.”

Track Listing:

Never Seen the Righteous
The Blessing of Abraham
Encourage Yourself
The Best is Yet to Come
Matthew 28
Testify
Seasons
God’s Favor
When the Saints Go to Worship
Giants
And Yet I’m Still Saved

Review

I am so grateful to have been sent the CD "Icon: Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers", for review, from Family Christian. What an amazing group, singing gospel the way it was meant to be! A powerful, uplifting, and passionate collection - this is pure worship.

In 2006, the group retired with their album "Grand Finale". Their farewell releases made six separate Billboard charts, which is unprecedented for a gospel act. "The Blessing Of Abraham", which is on both albums, shot to number one on the Billboard Hot Gospel Tracks chart. Recorded live over two memorable nights at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, it comes complete with incredible special guests.

As a Music Director, I can tell you that the talent of this group is extraordinary. It's no wonder they have topped the charts and receive such high praise! Donald is a powerful leader and, with such incredible voices backing him up, you will be asking how you can join the choir! I listen to this CD almost daily on my commute to work. It is like a cup of coffee for the soul, reminding me that I am a child of the Most High God and that I have His favor in my life.

I have many favorites on this album, including "When the Saints Go to Worship" and "Matthew 28". Above and beyond the dynamic Christ-centered message, "Matthew 28" is a great example of this group's musical ability. Pitch-perfect, on cue, staccato is an outstanding achievement for any large choir. The Tri-City Singers have mastered it along with Presence and Clarity - two vital qualities in effective Gospel Music. Combine all of this with special guest singers (like Benita Washington and Kelly Price), live recording at the Tabernacle, and a passionate audience and you have a Gospel Masterpiece.

I highly recommend "Icon: Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers". From the perspective of Worshiper and Music Director/Vocal Coach if I could give this CD 6 stars, I absolutely would!

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

Purex Crystals ScentSplash #review

I received this product for free courtesy of the Purex brand in exchange for an honest, unbiased product review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

About Purex Crystals ScentSplash

Infuse your clothes with the power of liquid freshness!
Purex® Crystals ScentSplash™ is the next evolution in laundry in-wash fragrance boosters. It contains refreshing scent beads that release bursts of fragrance with irresistible freshness that lasts! This new Liquid Crystals formula is convenient and versatile enough to be used directly in the washer or in-wash tray, and is safe for all wash fabrics.

Fresh Spring Water
Fresh Lavender Blossom
Fresh Mountain Breeze

Directions

Use a little or a lot, directly into the washer or in-wash tray. Works great in combination with your Liquid Fabric Softener. We recommend you use a minimum of a half capful. Purex Crystals ScentSplash is safe for regular and high-efficiency (HE) washers, and for all loads of laundry including towels, activewear, and children’s sleepwear.

My Review

To be honest, I was a little confused at first about the product. Afterall, I was already using Purex Crystals to keep my clothes smelling fresh long after they come out of the dryer. But after using the liquid form for a while, I came to realize a few things.

1) Purex Crystals ScentSplash lasts 35% longer than solid Purex Crystals
2) I have no little crystal beads on my laundry room floor
3) It works in wash or in the tray and is great for HE washers

If you like Purex Crystals, you're going to LOVE Purex Crystals ScentSplash! When you have a six year old boy and husband who love to rough it up outside, a little help in the freshness department is always welcome and this really does the job.

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

Buried Secrets by Irene Hannon #book #review #FCBloggers FamilyChristian

ABOUT THE BOOK

After seven years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant has hit a wall. Ready for a kinder, gentler life, she takes a job as a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes the resources of her department. A call for assistance brings detective Mac McGregor, an ex-Navy SEAL, to her doorstep. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.

Master storyteller Irene Hannon is back with an exciting new series featuring former special forces operatives now in the thick of the action in civilian life. Hannon is at the top of her game in this can't-put-it-down thriller that will have readers up until the wee hours devouring every page. 

FROM THE BACK COVER

They both wanted quieter, safer lives.
But crime never sleeps . . . 
and killers keep killing.

After years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant is ready for the kinder, gentler life of a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes department resources. Enter ex-Navy SEAL Mac McGregor, the detective sent by the county to assist on the case. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.

"The queen of inspirational romantic suspense" (Library Journal) is at the top of her game with this riveting new series.

"Hannon launches the new Men of Valor series, drawing readers in with an ideal blend of romance and intrigue. Women will especially love the strong, independent Lisa and the way Mac respects and admires her intelligence. As they fall for each other but insist on putting work first, readers will avidly pick up each clue, eager to see Hannon's irresistible characters close the case and make room for love."--Booklist

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women's fiction novels, including the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have garnered dozens of honors, including two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America. She is also a two-time Christy Award finalist. 

www.irenehannon.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers' Choice Award, and a National Readers' Choice Award. In addition, she is a Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. 

MY REVIEW

Disclosure: I’m a member of the Family Christian Bloggers and they provided me with a free copy of Buried Secrets for this review. 

An edge-of-your-seat murder mystery, this romantic suspense story is the first book in her new series "Men of Valor". It does lean more heavily on the romance side of things, with the first few chapters being devoted almost entirely to the relationship forming between the two central characters. This is an interesting read because the reader knows who committed the crime, but the characters do not. Therein lies the suspense - how will they figure these Buried Secrets out? 

I was excited to find an author that I felt would allow me the suspense and mystery I crave in reading, while keeping language and gratuities at a minimum. Irene draws the reader into her story and characters with ease. This is the first book I have read by Irene, but I can assure you that I will read more in this series and her others.  

BUY THE BOOK HERE

Renee Chapman LIVE with Whitesburg First Baptist Church Choir | When I Survey the Wondrous Cross | #Easter #Singing #music #Christian

Renee Chapman LIVE with Whitesburg First Baptist Church Choir

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross | March 29, 2015 Easter Cantata

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Visit Whitesburg First Baptist Church online! 

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

On Calvary's Hill #Review #FCBlogger #Christian #Books

About

It's early in the final week. The props and players for Friday's drama are in position. Five-inch spikes are in the bin. A cross-beam leans against a shed wall. The players are nearing the stage--Pilate, Annas and Caiaphas, Judas, the centurions. Players and props. Only this is no play; it's a divine plan. A plan begun before Adam felt heaven's breath, and now all heaven waits and watches. All eyes are on one figure--the Nazarene. 

 Join bestselling author Max Lucado in an exploration of the final days in the life of Christ. In On Calvary's Hill, you'll draw near to the Savior and prepare to celebrate the greatest miracle ever conceived through 40 devotional readings that feature Scripture verses, prayer prompts, and favorite passages from many of Lucado's best-selling books.

My Review

With short and quick chapters, this book is not meant to be read in one sitting. Each chapter starts with a bible verse, ending with a time of reflection and prayer. In the days leading up to Easter, I have found On Calvary's Hill to be the perfect devotional. Comprised of passages from some of Max Lucado's other writings (including No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, He Chose the Nails, and 3:16) this little (but powerful) book walks us through the the last days, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Max speaks on such a personal level that we all can grasp the true meaning and purpose behind the Cross.

One of my favorite chapters, "An Anchor for Your Soul" is simply incredible:

"God is on a cross. The Creator of the universe is being executed."

"It is no normal six hours...it is no normal Friday."

"Let me ask you a question: What do you do with that day in history? What do you do with its claims?"

Powerful.


I received this book free as a member of the Family Christian Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.