Dino Dig

My son loves dinosaurs and most all prehistoric creatures. He wants to be a paleontologist thanks to YouTube and Jurassic Park; yes, I know it is a questionable movie for his age but he loves it. I went exploring online a few months ago to find the right excavation kit for his age. Spoiler I didn’t find one. What I did find was one kit on Amazon and one at Target.

I found Dinosaur Eggs on Amazon for $22.85 in March 2020; it’s $19.99 as of date of posting. The box says it is not for 0-3 years old at all. The recommended age is 6+ years old. This kit includes 12 eggs with dinosaurs inside, 12 chisels, 4 brushes and 12 dinosaur information cards.

Pros:

Keeps him engaged
Helps develop patience
Interesting way to learn to use new tools
Variety of dinosaurs

Cons:

Hard to get dinosaur out without soaking in water or help from adult
Brushes are thin
Chisel is hard for him to use (longer chisel would be great)
Takes a long time to get the dinosaur out if you don’t soak it

Learning Guide looks just like the box cover above

The National Geographic Dino Fossil Dig Kit was found at Target but I do not recall the price. I did find the same kit on Amazon for $9.97 as of date of posting. This is not for children under 3 years old. The box recommends ages 8+ years old. The kit includes on T. Rex shaped brick with dino poop, mosasaur tooth and generic dino bone, 1 chisel, 1 brush, 1 magnifying glass and a learning guide.

Pros:

Exciting for all ages (namely me, I was excited…)
Easy to chip away with small amount of water poured over per instructions
Packaging doubles as a container for the dig brick which contains mess
Colorful
Brush and chisel easy for son to use without help
Learning guide was great even for my son who knows a decent amount about dinosaurs/ paleontology

Counter clockwise: Mosasaur tooth, poop and bone between brush and magnifying glass

Cons:

Only one brick
Not something a younger kid can continually play with

Overall both kits are great considering the price and contain learning guides/ cards for later reference. The Dinosaur Eggs kit is good for multiple kids and continued play since the eggs contain small dinosaur toys. The Nat Geo kit is good for a more dig like experience and has a magnifying glass that will definitely be fun to use for other experiments.

Dec 2019 – Feb 2020 Fav

I forgot to actually post the individual blogs so I’m combining three months worth! Going forward, I will include recipes I love if I have one for the month. I will try not to repeat anything but if I like it then it’ll more than likely show up again.

1. the 3 pillow covers and 3 pictures from Amazon
2. hairstyle from Keke J. on YouTube
3. Espresso Metro
4. Affordable passion twists from Amazon (referred by Keke J. on YouTube)

Pillowcases from YugTex and Alpha Home

Soft
Affordable
Washing machine friendly
- no fading as of 4 washes
Multiple options
Purchased on Amazon

Canvas Wall Art – Green Leaf

Might have mentioned before
Decent size
Good color/ print
Purchased on Amazon

Hairstyle

Idea from Keke J. on YouTube
- Keke J. Method
Style takes a long time but also lasts a while (2 weeks for me)
Great as prep for passion twists as suggested by Keke J.
Helped me retain moisture while in protective style
No need to add hair as I liked the style without it

Espresso Metro

Great place to read
Good chicken tamales
might have to pay for parking Monday thru Saturday

Dansama Passion Twist Hair 18″ (7pks) T/BUG

Suggested by Keke J. on YouTube
- Video name “SAVE YOUR COINS! Affordable Passion Twists W/ Keke J. Method”
Current price is $36.80 but when I bought it was $29.90; point is this is very affordable especially if you’re experimenting like I was
Multiple colors
- I chose T/BUG which was very different for me and I liked it; next time I’ll buy T30 to compare and see which color I like better
Very soft, no smell and easy to separate
- only 1 piece gave me trouble but I was tired so it was probably my fault
Purchased on Amazon

Monster Jam 2020

I like things that go but my son loves them! As soon as I found out Monster Jam was coming to our city, I knew we had to go. Thanks to Blippi via YouTube he knows all about monster trucks especially Grave Digger. So I knew this would be a great surprise especially since he’d been keeping his room clean and being a great big brother.

Once the day came, I casually mentioned to him that we had a surprise for him later on in the day. He was curious but quickly let it go because toddler… Soon it was nap time and I finally told him so he could rest before his late night. This didn’t work and tears followed. After he finally calmed down, he passed out. By the time we woke him up, it was time to go.

We prepaid for parking so we were walking to the place along with lots of other excited kids. There were a few rowdy young adults but they didn’t bother anyone just generally loud and possibly intoxicated. Upon walking inside, the crowds were packed around every booth that was setup with merchandise and food. Our seats were way at the top but I didn’t mind as the view was better and seats were affordable. Below are a few moments he is still talking about so I felt the need to include them. I will also post clips on my YouTube channel but be warned they were shot on my mobile as professional equipment or any type of decent camera setup were prohibited.

El Toro Loco and Monster Mutt
Scooby Doo and Grave Digger

Scooby Doo and Black Ops
Monster Mutt (?) and El Toro Loco ATVs

Tips

Bring noise cancelling headphones
- no matter how high up you are it is loud…
Be prepared to wait in long lines if you buy merchandise after the show
- buy early if possible to avoid lines and to ensure you get what you want
- get your bubble skull when you see them because they WILL run out
Make sure your little one is prepared for the down time
- he loved seeing the construction type vehicles but if your kid isn’t in to that then make sure they have snacks or something during that time
FYI for sensitive groups; the fuel smell is very obvious and could be worse depending on how close you are
Duration 2-2.5hrs
- make sure your kid wants to sit that long
- my son was okay but he was more focused on the candy and started playing with the earplugs towards the end
- if your child doesn’t want to sit that long but would love it, definitely buy the cheap tickets so if you leave early it won’t feel like a waste

Final thoughts: The prices were on par for a special event but the small toy monster trucks seemed very affordable ($10/ truck). I would like to thank the mom next to me for letting me have her new earplugs as I forgot to bring the pair I had. She didn’t hesitate or make any judgmental faces; she just leaned over asked if he’d use them and handed them over ❤ Due to this act of kindness, I’ll bring a spare pair to the next event I go to. Well feel free to ask me any questions as I did enjoy the event and so did my son and husband!

November 2019 Favs

1. Radius Organic Mint Aloe Neem Toothpaste

2. UBeesize 7.9″ Ring Light w/ Tripod Stand

3. Dippy Cow Custom Nails: Geometry Full Set in Short/Regular

I received this for free from Social Nature however I plan to buy it when I finish this tube. The texture takes some getting used to as it is not the same as traditional toothpaste. The mint is subtle so if you prefer an overpowering mint taste you won’t get it. Be aware that the closer you get to the end of the tube the easier it is to waste it due to falling off of the toothbrush from squeezing hard to get it out.
Purchased from Amazon. I’m slowly getting into creating better pictures and videos for my blog, YouTube channel and family but I didn’t want to spend a ton on equipment. This simple lighting and stand set were/ are perfect. The light has multiple settings and the stand can be used with a camera or your phone.
I’ve posted about Dippy Cow Nails before but each time I buy more I can’t help sharing! Even as I write this I’m waiting for more because I wanted to place one big order before her baby arrives ❤ She’s great at what she does and has amazing customer service. I would like to reiterate what she has posted which is orders take a while as she is independent and works alone. She is based in the UK so all international orders will take longer and she recommends tracking. For more details, please visit her website: http://www.dippycownails.com
MoValues Authentic Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set purchased from Amazon. This is a video only as I forgot to take a picture… But here is a little blurb in case you don’t want to watch the video. I bought this in November 2019 and I’m still loving it💛 I keep it in the storage bag in my refrigerator. After cleansing my face, I use the roller and if time permits the gua sha. The roller works great to de-puff my face, ease tension headaches and is very relaxing. The gua sha seems to relieve pressure in my sinuses. This isn’t medical advice but this is how it worked for me. Here’s the link in case you do want to watch my 2min unboxing video! https://youtu.be/FORYKgo4lE8

SeaQuest – Folsom, CA

It has been raining a lot in Sacramento, CA. We went from barely any rain to what feels like daily showers. I am not complaining because I love the rain as it is the best for my allergies and asthma. However, as the work from home mom of a toddler, it is getting tough. I have a hard enough time trying to safely entertain him as it is; he prefers the thrill of jumping off of and climbing onto things that aren’t made for that purpose. So I made it a point to find something fun for him to do on Sunday (3/3/19).

I was inspired when I saw a local radio personality post about SeaQuest on their Instagram. I did my research and planned the trip. Once I mentioned it to my husband he reminded me that he told me first and wanted to go.

On Sunday, we ate breakfast then headed to Folsom, CA where the nearest SeaQuest is located. Upon arrival the building doesn’t look like it could contain an aquarium or really anything with animals but looks can be deceiving. We ran into other parents who confirmed we were indeed at SeaQuest; so my first word of advice is to find others who can point you in the right direction. I’ll include a list of suggestions/ helpful hints at the end of the post. Once we finally checked in, the fun began. I don’t want to ruin it or make it sound too fun but we enjoyed watching our son go from section to section exploring the land and sea creatures. We also plan on returning during off peak hours to enjoy the other things employees told us about as we visited the different areas. Enough writing, below are a few pictures we took along with my helpful hints/ suggestions. Please note I took more pictures however I don’t want to ruin the experience by showing everything.

Entering from the right going towards Fantasy Caves

Helpful Hints/ Suggestions:

Arrive Early
Buy Tickets Online ($2 discount as of 3/3/19)
Wear good walking shoes
Visit during off peak hours (we were told weekdays esp 4pm – closing)
For check-in, prepare to wait in a long and somewhat confusing line
You can touch some of the aquatic creatures but make sure to wash your hands before and after for the safety of creatures and yourself
You can pay to feed or hold the creatures
https://folsom.visitseaquest.com/

Gardein: Classic Meatless Meatballs

I’ve bought Gardein products before (with my own money) and plan on going through all the items they have at my local stores. When Social Nature gave me a voucher for a free item, I was thrilled! I could’ve picked anything but I already tried the Mini Crabless Cakes and Seven Grain Crispy Tenders, I figured I’d pick something different.

I chose the Classic Meatless Meatballs! They’re delicious, crispy and filling. I cooked them in my airfryer on 400° for about 18min. I realized after the fact that this was way too long. So avoid my mistake and make sure you don’t overcook it. I’ve included a picture of the nutritional facts and ingredients so I’m not going to go over them. In case you’re trying to avoid it, I would like to point out that this product does have soy and wheat. Below are just a few ways I used them.

Tortilla, cheese & homemade tomato sauce

Review: Delimira Full Figure Bra

I originally purchased* the Delimira Women’s Smooth Full Figure Underwire Seamless Minimizer Bra (40F) and was so impressed by the bra, speed of shipping (Amazon Prime) and cost that I purchased two more 🙂

Delimira Women’s Full Coverage Non-Foam Floral Lace Plus Size Underwire Bra (40G) – Fuchsia

Delimira Women’s Sheer Lace Unlined Minimizer Underwire Full Figure Bra (40F) – Black

Final Notes:

Affordable
Free shipping if you have Amazon Prime
Minimizer portion is more of a flattening which caused a little spillage
Original bra has been through more than 10 regular cycles of wash/dry and has held together nicely so I’m hoping these bras will be the same
- HOWEVER the cups seem to be slightly looser (or I’ve lost weight but I’m betting on the former)
Both black bras only have 3 hooks but fuchsia had 4
Original bra (top in picture above) has 4 adjustable options while lacy bras only have 3
Straps on lacy bras aren’t as sturdy or as comfortable as the original bra but cups are just as comfortable as the original

*using gift cards from taking surveys

Putting It Out There – Career/ Business

I’ve often wondered how reviewer/ product testers get in contact with their favorite brands in order to get sponsored. I’ve looked into a few things on my own but not many end up being real. I am here to ask for advice from people capable of pointing me in the right direction. I know all information comes with BUTs because no one can guarantee a company will have any use for what I can provide; detailed reviews and suggestions for improvements but any useful advice would be very much appreciated.

Drum Roll please:

Target Corporation – This has been a favorite of mine for years and I frequently refer to it as my happy place. 2 of the 3 other companies mentioned were discovered at Target. The Starbucks inside are an added bonus.

Just started using big pack of wipes; I normally use the paper masks

Yes To, Inc. – Specifically Tomatoes. I love their sheet masks but I can’t use them as often as I like so I am not positive they work so much as I enjoy using them during my Spa Day.

Out of wipes so this is just an empty package 🙂

SheaMoisture – Favorite products African Black Soap: Clarifying Mud Mask, Body Wash & Clarifying Facial Wipes; Raw Shea Chamomile & Argan Oil Baby Head-to-Toe and last but not least Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Leave-In Conditioner. They also have makeup I would love to try.

Need to restock my oils because this is all I have left

NOW Foods – ALL THE OILS!!! I’m kidding I haven’t tried them all (though I’m working on it) but I am obsessed with a lot of them. I’ll name my top 3 there are a lot: Sweet Almond, Jojoba and Grapeseed/ Avocado (these I use interchangeably).

There you have it. It is now in the universe and even though I will not give up in pursuing these brands I’m hoping someone with the knowledge I need finds my space and points me in the right direction. Also this is not me saying I wouldn’t be open to other brands especially ones with natural ingredients, fair trade practices or local businesses. I’m simply saying this is a list of companies I currently use/ go to.

PS – I’m counting this as a digital Vision Board because lets face it it would be a dream come true to have my favorite brands find my corner of the internet.

Review: NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains for Bedroom (2 Panels, W42 x L63 -Inch,Grey)

Pros:

Color
Great if you have low ceilings
Looks expensive when ironed (which I didn’t do because I hate ironing)

Cons:

Must use two panels otherwise it is not a total blackout curtain
- single panel stretched out allows light in as it doesn’t have an additional backing like expensive blackout curtains

Overall: I would and HAVE purchased again. Once I realized I needed two panels for each window I purchased more in grey for my bedroom and also purchased in navy blue for my living room. The link below shows fabric and grommets.

While this post isn’t sponsored by anyone, I was able to buy it with gift cards I accumulated through taking surveys. I still worked for the gift cards but it wasn’t part of regular income.

Review: Decopolitan 7/8-Inch Square Window Treatment Rod Set, 36 to 72-Inch, Nickel

Sorry about the lighting. Left side of the full rod picture is closest to actual color

Pros:

Affordable less than $15 as of 1/8/18 (price varies)
Bright nickel finish
Sturdy
Fast shipping with Amazon Prime

Cons:

Price varies which is important if you want to buy more
Scratches easily (could be result of how I was moving it)

Overall: I would purchase and recommend as long as the price didn’t go over $20. Looks very nice for the price 🙂 The link below shows the rod up close

While this post isn’t sponsored by anyone, I was able to buy it with gift cards I accumulated through taking surveys. I still worked for the gift cards but it wasn’t part of regular income.

April's Universe

Primary Menu

Category: Reviews

Dino Dig

Dec 2019 – Feb 2020 Fav

Monster Jam 2020

SeaQuest – Folsom, CA

Review: Delimira Full Figure Bra

*using gift cards from taking surveys

Putting It Out There – Career/ Business

Review: NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains for Bedroom (2 Panels, W42 x L63 -Inch,Grey)

While this post isn’t sponsored by anyone, I was able to buy it with gift cards I accumulated through taking surveys. I still worked for the gift cards but it wasn’t part of regular income.

Review: Decopolitan 7/8-Inch Square Window Treatment Rod Set, 36 to 72-Inch, Nickel

While this post isn’t sponsored by anyone, I was able to buy it with gift cards I accumulated through taking surveys. I still worked for the gift cards but it wasn’t part of regular income.