Be My Galentines Pamper Pack Giveaway!

I am a fan of the show Parks & Recreation, in one of the episodes the main character Leslie Knope host what she calls a Galentines breakfast for her gal pals the day before Valentines day. She gives each of them a gift, they spend time together chatting and catching up. I thought it was a great idea and so did hundreds of other people so now a lot of people celebrate Galentines day. Galentine's Day, is a nonofficial holiday, is celebrated as a day for "ladies celebrating ladies." it is celebrated on February 13th.

I enjoy sending a card and a little gift to my best friend and this year I decided to celebrate with a giveaway here on my blog as well! I have a set of really cute treat bags that I've been holding onto for quite some time, I bought them several years ago at Target and I didn't know what to do with any of them until now. I've put together two small goodie gift bags!

Each gift bag includes a number of "Treat Yo Self" goodies including pampering goods, nail polish, makeup and of course chocolate, because how can it be Galentines/Valentines without chocolate? Both bags are slightly different so I will be labeling them as Pack 1 & Pack 2 below, If you have a preference of which one you'd prefer please include it in your mandatory blog comment entry. Now let's get onto the goods:

Prize Pack One includes:

A Bolero Beverly Hills facial mask, a nose mask (helps with black heads), Cherry Blossom bath salts, Hot Pink gel nail polish, dark blue glitter polish, NYX lipstick, a blue fabric hair tie, two ceramedx lotion samples, a lip balm, a travel lotion, a Hershey's chocolate bar & a packet of Caramel hot coco.

Prize Pack Two includes:

A Bolero Beverly Hills facial mask, a nose mask (helps with black heads), Sweet Clementine bath salts, shimmery orange mermaid nail polish, purple glitter polish, NYX lipstick, a black fabric hair tie, two ceramedx lotion samples, a lip balm, a travel lotion, a Hershey's chocolate bar & a packet of Chocolate supreme hot coco.

Each prize pack should make for a nice relaxing self care night. Speaking of giveaways if you haven't seen the January Beauty & The Book Giveaway yet you should head over and check it out, you could win a brand new book and a set of makeup! It ends on Feb 7th and the new February Beauty & The Book Giveaway will be up soon as well.

This is open World Wide! Please remember if you DO NOT leave a comment on this blog post as your mandatory entry into the giveaway then all of your entries will be void. Doing the Daily entries will increase your chance of winning. Winners have 72 hours to respond to the notification email! This giveaway is hosted by ME and is not associated with any of the brands mentioned above. Giveaway winners are announced on Facebook so please like my page to see the winner announcements! 

This giveaway ends on 02/15/2020

Giveaway entry question: Leave me a blog comment telling me your favorite way to treat/pamper yourself. Also include which prize pack you'd like if you have a preference.

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Spring Reading Bundle Giveaway from Candlewick Press!

We always encourage our children to read whether school is in for the year or not, and I am very happy that both of my children willingly grab a book and sit down to read when they have a day off school. Spring break is coming up quickly and I wanted to host a giveaway for a set of books that would make great reads during the time off! Both of these books are recommended for ages 10+ and all four books are hardcover.

The Raymie Nightingale Three Book-Collection

By Kate DiCamillo

Hardcover with box Retail value $54.99

Each book follows along with the story of a young woman and how all three of them intertwine. The books go over the topics of family and social issues. The first book of the trilogy was a National Book Award Finalist! All three books have adventure, life changing events and moments you are sure to remember. The cover art is also stunning, I love how they captured the face of each character.

Black Beauty

By Anna Sewell

Hardcover; Retail Value $24.99

Originally released in 1877 this novel has been brought new life with over 50+  beautiful illustrations throughout the book.

This book is not only about the life of a young black colt, but the book is written in his perspective. When I was in middle school I read a book series that had a similar perspective, and it was actually pretty interesting. Black Beauty will take you on a journey from the time he is fairly young into adulthood, you'll read about his adventures, his feelings and more.

This is open to US Residents! Please remember if you DO NOT leave a comment on this blog post as your mandatory entry into the giveaway then all of your entries will be void. Doing the Daily entries will increase your chance of winning. Winners have 72 hours to respond to the notification email! 

This giveaway ends on 02/09/2020, Total Retail Value: $79.98

Giveaway entry question: Leave a comment letting me know another activity you enjoy engaging in during breaks from school. 

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Disclaimer- The products mentioned above were provided by Candlewick Press for the giveaway free of charge no other compensation was provided. However, no product compensation will influence the outcome of any review. My honest opinions are used in all reviews, they are solely my own & they may vary from others. My reviews are posted for readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase.

Learn new projects with the Sew What Box!

I am able to stitch by hand but I have always wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine so I can sew faster. My daughter has also recently shown an interest in learning how to sew and we decided we will try to learn together. When I came across the "Sew What Box" it  was the perfect match for us. What is the Sew What Box? It is a monthly subscription box that sends you a sewing project to do each month, it includes the materials needed (fabrics, string, needles, pins) and information on where you can find their video tutorials to watch.

We received a box with a baby blanket inside! It came with two different types of fabrics, black thread, pins, and a needle to help us create our project. Having an online tutorial is perfect for people who want to learn from home, don't like dealing with instructors or just don't have the time to attend an entire class.

We were very excited to get this going however we have to put the complete project on hold, our sewing machine is a bit old and it decided it didn't want to work during our project, so we have someone who is going to see if they can fix it, otherwise we will get a new one. However we've had this box for a little while so I want to get the review done for them. I like that they included everything you need, I honestly wasn't expecting them to include the needle needed as well.

The fabrics included are perfect for a baby blanket, they included a section of soft white mink blanket and a smaller section of floral pattern to go in the middle of the baby blanket. The only thing I would change about it is if they had an option to choose girly or boyish cloths, or include a small section of two different cloths. A friend of ours is having a baby boy, and isn't looking for a floral pattern so I think when I get our sewing machine fixed up I will swap out the floral pattern material for a different one. The tutorial that they provide is extremely easy to follow along with, even starters like us are able to following along without any issues and it is a great way to learn along the way. You won't end up using the entire spoon of thread, and the needle/pins are able to be reused so you can add them to your sewing kit.

How much does it cost? The Sew What Box is $35 a month, and each month will have a different project. They offer duffel bags, baby blankets, aprons and more so you can learn different techniques.

Disclaimer- The products mentioned above were provided by The Sew What Box for the Review free of charge no other compensation was provided. However, no product compensation will influence the outcome of any review. My honest opinions are used in all reviews, they are solely my own & they may vary from others. My reviews are posted for readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase.

Women's Fur lined boots by Lugz!

Everyone should own a comfortable pair of boots for when the occasion calls for them & also to be fashionably cute. I adore boots that have a little extra flair like a fur liner so when I was offered the chance to review the Women's Empire Hi Fur 6-inch Boots from Lugz, I couldn't say no. They offer the boots in six different colors include a lovely rose pink color, however I usually am dressed in all black so I went with the all black boots.

We enjoy going hiking together as a family, we go camping and we enjoy being out in nature so these boots are perfect for when we are out and I need better protection than sneakers offer. We recently drove a few hours up to Northern Arizona to play in the snow, which provided the perfect opportunity to really test these boots out. The fur isn't only around the liner of the ankle, but it also goes down the inside of the boots tongue which adds extra cushion for your feet. The fit of these is perfect for me, no squished toes or heels rubbed raw.

The bottoms are made of rubber and are built to be slip and water resistant, they did fantastic walking around in the snow. The only issue I had was that the snow we were in was fairly soft due to it being fresh so with all of the walking around it got a little packed in the bottom of my boots, so when I was going down hill on a sidewalk that was already a little slippery there was an instant where I felt a little slippage but once I knocked all of the snow out of my boot everything was fine.

Even though I was running around in the snow, some spots even going up past my ankle these boots didn't let any snow or water into them. My feet stayed dry, comfortable and most of all warm the entire time we were out, I loved having them on because not only were they comfortable but they look great as well. I did end up re-lacing them before wearing them as I usually don't like the way shoes come pre-laced.

The insides of the shoes have a Flexastride memory foam insole that feels like a little cloud in your boots. The boots have a deep pure black coloring to them that looks gorgeous in person, even after playing in the snow, walking in a little bit of a muddy area and walking around in a wet grassy area the boots still stayed fairly clean. If they do get dirty they are easy to wipe off with a damp wash cloth. I am a some what short so I also like that these boots give me an extra 1 to 1 1/2 inches in height. The boots will help keep your feet protected while working, hiking or playing and they aren't that heavy so you won't feel weighed down walking around for long periods of time. These boots can be purchased for $84.99 on their website along with a dozen other styles.

What do you look for in a boot when you go to purchase a pair?

Disclaimer- The products mentioned above were provided by Lugz for the Review free of charge no other compensation was provided. However, no product compensation will influence the outcome of any review. My honest opinions are used in all reviews, they are solely my own & they may vary from others. My reviews are posted for readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase.

Malamander & Gargantis A Monster Book Reivew With Walker Books!

My children are always so excited when we open the front door to see a package marked from Walker Books U.S (A division of Candlewick Press) because it means we have new books to read! I love that my children enjoy reading, we have tons of books but we are always happy to check out new books we haven't read or seen before. We were recently sent two advanced copies of books coming out within the year and my daughter highly enjoyed reading them.

Both books are from the same series by Thomas Taylor and they are packed full of adventure, magic and monsters. Sometimes when my daughter isn't really enjoying a book I can tell because of how slow she reads it, and that wasn't the case with this set of books, she read through them pretty quickly. When I get the chance I plan on reading them myself because the covers and the summary of the book intrigue me. The series this book is from is called The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea.

The first book in the series is called Malamander and the hardcovered version was released 09/2019 for $16.99 with the paperback copy coming out in 04/2020. Here is a summary of the book:

"It’s winter in the town of Eerie-on-Sea, where the mist is thick and the salt spray is rattling the windows of the Grand Nautilus Hotel. Inside, young Herbert Lemon, Lost and Founder for the hotel, has an unexpected visitor. It seems that Violet Parma, a fearless girl around his age, lost her parents at the hotel when she was a baby, and she’s sure that the nervous Herbert is the only person who can help her find them. The trouble is, Violet is being pursued at that moment by a strange hook-handed man. And the town legend of the Malamander — a part-fish, part-human monster whose egg is said to make dreams come true — is rearing its scaly head. As various townspeople, some good-hearted, some nefarious, reveal themselves to be monster hunters on the sly, can Herbert and Violet elude them and discover what happened to Violet’s kin? This lighthearted, fantastical mystery, featuring black-and-white spot illustrations, kicks off a trilogy of fantasies set in the seaside town. "

My daughter enjoyed the main characters and their adventure through out the book, she also enjoyed the creatures that were introduced and was happy she had the second book as well so she didn't have to wait to read it. The cover art is beautiful, the few photos we had in the book were a lot of fun as well and tied in perfectly with the book. (our copy wasn't completely finished illustration wise due to it being an advanced copy.)

The second book in the series is called Gargantis which will be released in May of 2020. Here is a summary of the book: 

"There's a storm brewing over Eerie-on-Sea, and the fisherfolk say a monster is the cause. Someone has woken the ancient Gargantis, who sleeps in the watery caves beneath this spooky seaside town where legends have a habit of coming to life. It seems the Gargantis is looking for something: a treasure stolen from her underwater lair. And it just might be in the Lost-and-Foundery at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, in the care of one Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder. With the help of the daring Violet Parma, ever-reliable Herbie will do his best to figure out what the Gargantis wants and who stole her treasure in the first place. In a town full of suspicious, secretive characters, it could be anyone!"

My daughter said this was a great follow up book to the second one that continues the characters grand advantures from the first book, introducing new creatures and fun scenes to delight the reader. The writter has done a great job writting a book that will make you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. Both books are reccomended for ages eight to twelve, but that doesn't limit anyone older from reading it, as mentioned I plan on reading it myself because it sounds like a good fantasty based book (Which are my favorite). I highly suggest checking out both books for yourself or for your loved one if they are a big fan of mystery, magic, myths and monsters! 

What are your thoughts on these books based off the summary, and what is another Fantasty based book you enjoy?

Disclaimer- The products mentioned above were provided by Candlewick Press / Walker Books U.S for the Review free of charge no other compensation was provided. However, no product compensation will influence the outcome of any review. My honest opinions are used in all reviews, they are solely my own & they may vary from others. My reviews are posted for readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase.

Bearizona in the Winter!

During the winter month's we love going on a family trip up north near the Flagstaff area to enjoy a day playing in the snow. This year we also decided to visit Bearizona again while we were up in the area because we've never been there during the winter. The park was absolutely gorgeous covered in snow, granted we were practically freezing when we were doing the walk through part but it turned out alright. If you are unfamiliar with Bearizona it is a drive and walkthrough animal sancturary located in Williams, Arizona they have a range of wildlife from small critters to big bears.

I wanted to share some of the photos I took from our trip, we didn't have four wheel drive on the van we took out so they let us know we'd have to wait about an hour and a half before we could do the drive through part that way they could let all the all terrain and four wheel drives in to make the roads more drivable for the vehicles that would have a harder time. So we did the walk through part first.

It was just after they opened so some of the animals were still a bit sleepy especially because it was only about 18 degrees out, but it was really cute seeing how the animals were sleeping or playing in the snow. The foxes were right up at the from of their enclosure getting some shut eye, the raccoons were tucked away in a log staying warm, the bobcats were out pacing their area and the otters were digging around in the snow for food. We went back to see the jaguar as well but he wasn't out at the time, we were freezing so we went to get some hot coco. We found out though that even though the park opens at 9am, the coffee stand and restaurants don't open until 10:30-11am  so we had to wait for them to open and then were bounced around between the coffee shop and one of the cafes both telling us they didn't have coco so go back to the other one. We did eventually get our coco! A bit pricey but worth it to help warm us up. Once we grabbed our coco they let those in the walk about area know the drive through part was open for all vehicles, so we loaded back up into the van.

There were a bunch of people at the park so the line through the drive in part was pretty long and a person or two got stuck so it was a slow moving line, but it was nice because it allowed you to enjoy the animals longer. Many of the animals are close to the road way so you can see them and take photos, the park is great at letting you know which areas you need to keep your doors locked and windows up (bears, wolves) and to stay off the grates when it is snowing. 

We decided to drive through a second time (you are allowed to drive through as many times as you'd like and visit the walk in part as much as you want with your pass), and we are so glad we did because the animals were much more active the second time. I think part of it was because they went through and feed some of them and they let the wolves out the second time we went through so we got to see more of the animals. We also had a good laugh as there was a bear that seemed like it was messing with people trying to get their cars stuck on one of the grated sections when you first enter the bear exhibit. He kept walking across the road in from of the cars, then would whip around and go back the other way, he looked like he was having a blast. There were also a few deer up close to the cars trying to lick the snow off of people's cars. All three of the kids and all of us adults had a blast. I've been to the park both during winter, and the summer and I think I prefer the winter time. Now we will just need to visit in the spring when it is in between the two weather extremes. 

I will put some other photos up on my Instagram pages (@Burningmoonprod + @Lunas_Enchanting_Adventures), and I will try to get a video or two up as well. 

* This is not a sponsored post, my family and I enjoy Bearizona so we decided to visit while we were enjoying a snow day in Williams/Flagstaff, But maybe Bearizona will reach out and we will get to work with them to visit again in the spring. 

CompletEats has a cookie to fit your Gluten-free & Vegan needs!

Looking around for a gluten-free, plant-based treat? CompletEats offer four different flavors of cookies that are each gluten-free, plant-based and vegan! The four flavors they offer are Banana Bread, Mocha Chip, Cherry Almond and Chocolate Chia. They had a holiday flavor as well which was peppermint cacao chip, I was recently sent some of the peppermint and Banana bread to try out. I was asked to incorporate the cookies into a recipe if I could, so I want to not that I am not vegan so neither of these recipes are vegan however there are alternatives out there that are vegan and can be used instead. Their cookies are made with delicious and wholesome ingredients like cherries, chia seeds, almonds, coffee and more!

I decided to use the Peppermint Cacao Chip as a crust base for some mini cheesecakes, you can make a while cheesecake or you can make mini cheesecakes. I used a food processor to turn the cookies into crumbs and I was surprised how well they blended up, which could be due to how moist and fluffy the cookies are. Much like using graham crackers you'll add a bit of melted butter to the mixture so it form fits to the pan, however you will want to avoid doing what I did. What was that? My brain thought it would need the same time that graham cracker crust does to bake, but I was wrong and the cups got a little burned around the top so I suggest setting the timer for about five minutes less than what you normally would. Due to them not looking the best I am going to skip the photo for this one, but they turned out pretty good. I like the little addition of peppermint, it gave it a nice kick.

The Banana Bread I decided to make ice cream sandwiches with because I love ice cream sandwiches. To make them quick and easy to make I used pre-made store bought ice cream, after I brought the container home I cut the container open so I could take the ice cream out. Once the ice cream has been removed you can cut it into slices and use a cup to create perfect little circles to add in between two cookies. We have a decent selection of sprinkles so I put some on a plate and rolled the ice cream sandwich in it to add a little flair to them. These cookies do not need to be added to a dessert, they are great on their own! It is just fun to mix it up and spice up your desserts from time to time.

At the moment CompletEats sells a sample pack which comes with one cookie of each flavor, a six pack that comes with a random variety or you can buy a twelve pack of a single flavor. The cookies had a lot of flavor and they were pretty thick so they were filling. Their product packaging was nice and it was easy to open, Also how cute is their logo? I love that the "C" is a little moon.

Disclaimer- The products mentioned above were provided by CompletEats for the review free of charge no other compensation was provided. However, no product compensation will influence the outcome of any review. My honest opinions are used in all reviews, they are solely my own & they may vary from others. My reviews are posted for readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase.

Headbands of Hope - beautiful headbands that give back.

My hair is a mixture between wavy and curly, some days I look a bit like Hermione Granger in the first two films. I don't always like adding a bunch of product to my hair, because even though it helps with the frizz it can sometimes make it look oily, so I enjoy wearing headbands to help keep my hair in place a bit. I recently came across a wonderful company called Headbands of Hope. Not only do they make an assortment of fantastic headbands and hair accessories but for every purchase made they will donate a headband to children with illnesses going through chemo, hospital visits, etc.

They have several different headbands that I like so I went back and forth a little trying to decide which to get, I gave the PR agent I was working with a list of my top three and asked them to surprise me. So in the ended I ended up with a darling chain headband and a "mommy and me" headband set.

The Mommy + Me headband set is in the Grey Floral Knotted headband. This is not a pre-knotted headband, it will arrive flat and you will be able to tie and adjust the headband yourself, which I enjoy because not everyone has the same size head. The material of this headband is really nice, it stretches without any issues and it is soft/flexible enough that is is extremely comfortable to wear. I have an issue with some headbands where I have to adjust it constantly, but I didn't have an issue with it. My eleven year old daughter doesn't usually like wearing headbands, but this one she willing wears on her own without me having to ask if she'd like to wear a headband when we go out. I personally would love to buy this headband in other patterns as well. Got your headband dirty? No problem they can easily be washed. You can buy a set for $16.85.

The second headband I received is the Silver Floral Choker Headband, that features a row of metal flowers connected to a suede tie back. Normally this headband cost $15.85 but is currently on sale for $7.93 (along with several other headbands on sale).

When I wear this headband it kind of reminds me of a Hippie look, it is really cute and I like how it sits on my head. I don't use this one to help keep my hair out of my face or hold my hair in place, instead it is just used to add an accessory to my hair. Along with their other headband, I don't find that I have to really adjust it at all after putting it in. The chain is light weight, the only issue I had with this headband was trying to tie it since I wanted it to just sit over my head it caught my hair a little, but next time I will tie it first and then set it on my head afterwards to achieve the desired look.

Disclaimer- The products mentioned above were provided by Headbands Of Hope for the review free of charge no other compensation was provided. However, no product compensation will influence the outcome of any review. My honest opinions are used in all reviews, they are solely my own & they may vary from others. My reviews are posted for readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase.

Caturday but on a Sunday!

Today I wanted to introduce you to a new face in the family, little miss Bones (named after Dr. Brennan on Bones) We've had her for just over two months now. The story of Bones:

I was on the fence about wanting another cat, I decided that if we did get another cat that I wanted a black cat (because I love black cats, they are the best) and one that was female so that our big guy would feel less threatened. I joked with my husband that the only way we'd get another cat was if he found one at work and the universe wanted us to have another cat. While I was at work one day I received a call from my husband, after I answered he asked "Were you serious about wanting another cat?", I told him it depended and asked why. My husband works on different construction sites and one of the supervisors he worked with checked the job site in the morning  to get everything ready for the day, left to do some paper work and on his second time around to check on things he found three little kittens in one of the houses along with a bird cage not too far from where the cats were wandering. Neither the cats or the bird cage were there the first time he checked on the site, Someone had dumped them on the job site! They were alone and no mama cat was in sight.

My husband explained this to me and told me there was a small black female kitten, no one at the site was sure what to do with them or how to check them out so I agreed to head over and see them. Before heading out I stopped by the store to pick up some bowls, water, food and blankets because it was chillier than normal on the day they were found. When I arrived, there were three adorable but scared kittens inside of a small cage in the managers office. I took them out to check for ring worm, fleas, ticks, ear mites, wounds, etc and found all three of them to be in excellent health. They were all pretty small though, each weighing less than half a pound and they all fit into one hand, they were smaller than I was expecting them to be before I arrived. They were very hungry and chilly so I feed them and got them bundled up. The manager said he would take a kitten and another worker wanted to take the other home, and I agreed to take the last little kitten.

I bottle feed her for about two and a half weeks with small amounts of dry food until her stomach was ready to fully move onto dry food. She is such a playful and curious cat who has helped our grumpy guss become a little more playful himself. She is doing excellent, picked up on litter training quickly and she is a little snuggle bug. As she has gotten bigger I've noticed she has an odd pattering on her backside, one of these days I will try to snap a good photo of it but she is too energetic to get to sit still often. For those wondering, yes we plan on getting her spayed however we have to wait until she weighs at least 3lbs and she isn't quite there yet.

I'll keep sharing pictures of her and the big guy over on my Instagram page (@Burningmoonprod)

10 Reasons why you should buy a membership to the CMOP!

My children and I love driving downtown to visit the Children's Museum of Phoenix, it has so many amazing things to offer! It is officially a new year so I wanted to share my top ten reasons why I think my Arizona based readers should sign up for a membership to the Children's Museum of Phoenix (CMOP) and make the most of your new year. If you aren't in the Arizona area, I highly suggest looking into your local children's museum as well. My top ten isn't in any particular order, and I will provide info on membership costs at the bottom of this post (Number 10).

1. Members only night - On the third Friday of every month they have an extended hours members night, from 4-7PM the museum opens up after their normal hours to allow pass holders into the museum to explore for three hours.

2. Escape bad weather - Arizona can get extremely hot during the summer so going to the park or participating in other outdoors activities isn't always an option. Kids and parents can go a little crazy after being cooped up inside for too long during summer break, so the museum allows a place to escape to that is fun and has air conditioning.

3. The Art Room - If your kids are anything like mine, they love getting messy and they love doing crafts. I have to admit, after a day of work or cleaning up I don't always like cleaning up a big craft mess at home. The museum has a huge art room where your child can paint, work on crafts and even read a book if they want. There is usually 2-3 crafts set up for children to do, and the crafts change often so you aren't always working on the same thing when you visit the museum.

4. The Kidchen - The museum has a full kitchen set up where staff members and chefs set up food demonstrations for kids, not only do the kids get to watch the food or treat being made, but they get to make it as well. The kitchen activates cost extra (cost varies) however museum members get a discount. We've participate in making a candy apply and a gingerbread house and both were so much fun! Plus there was no mess to clean up afterwards aside from throwing away our plates.

5. The Staff - We've visited the museum a lot and I don't think I've ever run into a single issue with the museum or any of the staff members. The staff is always alert, friendly and helpful if you have any questions or need some help. I like that they spread staff out across the museum so there is always one in sight helping keep an eye on the children playing.

6. Monthly Programs - Every month you'll find a large assortment of programs for various ages, offered in different rooms at the museum. Some have to do with the theme for the month, for example this month the museums theme is Dinosaurs so you can build your own Dino tail, and others are programs they like to hold regularly. It is always a lot of fun seeing the new programs!

7. Hands On! - One of the thing some children don't like about normal museums is that you can't touch anything, for a child that can sometimes be hard to do. The Children's Museum of Phoenix is pretty much a free for all, there are TONS of hands on activities, things to touch, see and explore. You'll find a noodle forest to explore, a shopping center with a giant pinto bino bin you can play in, a pizzeria where you can make cloth pizza, a room to build forts, cozy nooks to read a book, a three story tall playground and more. The museum offers three floors packed with fun.

8. Food & Drinks - Some museums and attractions has a strict policy on not being allowed to bring in food or drinks which is kind of a bummer especially for families trying to save a little extra cash. Kids get hungry often and they can't all at the same things due to allergies, etc. so I love that fact that the museum let's you bring in your own sack lunch or a drink, as long as you eat it in their café. If you choose not to bring food, but end up wanting lunch they do have a café that serves a range of food including lots of healthy options like fruits, milk, crackers, and more, plus they have coffee for the adults.

9. Your child will love the museum - The museum is wonderful for infants all the way up to I'd say about 14 years old. I visited the museum with my children several times when my children were younger, and we still visit often even though they are getting older. My son is about to be seven and my daughter just turned eleven, both still love coming to the museum because they offer programs and areas that are entertaining even for the older children. Both of my kids love the art programs, the kidchen programs, the noodle forest, playground and extra activates they set up. Last month they had a "Snow Much Fun" day where they brought in a mountain of snow the kids were able to play in. There is something for everyone to do! Even I enjoy visiting with them, plus it helps wind down all of their extra energy to help them get a better nights sleep because they will be tired after a long day of play.

10.  Save yourself $$$ - Buying a membership will make it to where you'll save a ton of money on visits, programs, the gift shop and more. If you visit the museum without a membership you'll be spending $14.95 per person (seniors are $14.95, children under 1 are free). So let's say you have four members of your family visiting the museum, you'll be spending $59.80 on admission for one visit. For the same family of four you could purchase a one year membership for $195 which allows you unlimited access to the museum, you can visit as many times as you want. My family and I like visiting at least once a month but if we can make it we try visiting 2-3 times a month, especially in the summer when it is 100+ degrees out. Prices vary depending on the size of your family and pass that you want, membership prices and info can be found Here.

As an added bonus for adults once every few months the museum hosts what they call a "Date Night" where it is a adults only night at the museum. It is NOT included in a membership, but I wanted to mention it because it is a lot of fun. They have a DJ, food trucks, alcoholic beverages for those who like to drink, crafts for adults and more.

Disclaimer- I am part of the PLAYfluenster team at the museum and I was provided a year membership by the Children's Museum of Phoenix for a monthly review, free of charge no other compensation was provided. However, no product compensation will influence the outcome of any review. My honest opinions are used in all reviews, they are solely my own & they may vary from others. My reviews are posted for readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase.

Win 2 preteen/teen books from CandleWick Press!

It has been a few weeks since I've given away any books so today I am hosting a giveaway for two books that are good for pre-teens/teens that I wanted to share with you from CandleWick Press. I want to note that both of these books are Advanced reading copies, they may not have all of the images included that the book will once it is released.

The Good Hawk (Book one in the Shadow Skye Trilogy) by Joseph Elliott

Released this month - Retail $17.99

About this book:

Agatha is a Hawk, brave and fierce, who protects her people by patrolling the high walls of their island home. She is proud of her job, though some in her clan whisper that it is meant to keep her out of the way because of the condition she was born with. Jaime, thoughtful and anxious, is an Angler, but he hates the sea. Worse, he’s been chosen for a duty that the clan hasn’t required for generations: to marry. The elders won’t say why they have promised him to a girl in a neighboring clan, but there are rumors of approaching danger. When disaster strikes and the clan is kidnapped, it is up to Agatha and Jaime to travel across the haunted mainland of Scotia to Norveg, with help along the way from a clan of nomadic Highland bull riders and the many animals who are drawn to Agatha’s extraordinary gift of communication. Thrilling and dark yet rich with humor and compassion, this is the first book in the Shadow Skye trilogy, written by a wonderful new voice in fantasy and introducing a welcome new kind of hero. In a mythic Scotland, two unlikely heroes must make a dangerous journey to save their people.

This Boy by Lauren Myracle

Release Date 04/2020 Retail $18.99

About this book:

Paul Walden is not an alpha lobster, the hypermasculine crustacean king who intimidates the other male lobsters, beds all the lady lobsters, and “wins” at life. At least not according to the ego-bursting feedback he’s given in his freshman seminar. But Paul finds a funny, faithful friend in Roby Smalls, and maybe — oh god, please — he’s beginning to catch the interest of smart, beautiful Natalia Gutierrez. Cruising through high school as a sauced-out, rap-loving beta lobster suits Paul fine, and if life ever gets him down? Smoke a little weed, crunch a few pills . . . it’s all good. But in the treacherous currents of teenage culture, it’s easy to get pulled under. With perfect frankness, Lauren Myracle lays bare the life of one boy as he navigates friendship, love, loss, and addiction. It’s life at its most ordinary and most unforgettable. Lauren Myracle brings her signature frank, funny, and insightful writing to this novel of a teenage boy’s coming-of-age.

This is open to US Residents! Please remember if you DO NOT leave a comment on this blog post as your mandatory entry into the giveaway then all of your entries will be void. Doing the Daily entries will increase your chance of winning. Winners have 72 hours to respond to the notification email! 

This giveaway ends on 01/31/2020

Giveaway entry question: Tell me about a book you enjoyed reading when you were a teen (or one you are reading now).

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Disclaimer- The products mentioned above were provided by Candlewick Press for the giveaway free of charge no other compensation was provided. However, no product compensation will influence the outcome of any review. My honest opinions are used in all reviews, they are solely my own & they may vary from others. My reviews are posted for readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase.

January Beauty & The Book Giveaway.

Last month I didn't post nearly as much as I wanted to, the entire month seemed to go by in the blink of an eye with everything we were doing for the holidays and my daughters birthday. I have a lot of fun posts to share with you this month and I am working on some new content. It is that time of the month again to host my monthly Beauty & The Book Giveaway.

As you can see I went with a bit of a Unicorn theme to start your year off with a little extra bit of magic. I've packed a lot of fun goodies into this giveaway and I look forward to seeing who the winner is.

What is included in this giveaway? The book this month is called Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza you will receive a hard cover copy of it. Along with this month's book you'll receive a metal water bottle with a unicorn on it that says "Shit just got real", a art décor piece with a unicorn that says "Be a Unicorn in a field of horses", a La Roche-posay purifying foaming cleanser. Also included is a unicorn makeup mirror, unicorn horn makeup brushes x4, A Unicorn Frappe mixture (this is sooo good, it tastes like cotton candy), a caticorn face mask (this says it is a "kids sized" mask but they fit an adult face just fine), a necklace that says "Bitch please I'ma unicorn", a eye shadow duo, ELF cosmetics eyeshadow, a purple eye shadow, NYX mini metallic lipstick, a unicorn horn Hallu bath bomb, and a Urban Decay eyeshadow in "Cowboy".

I think this bundle is pretty awesome and I hope you think so too! I love doing themed giveaways when I can rather than just throwing together some makeup goods. I have some fun reviews coming your way and I am excited to get some new giveaways up as well.

This is open World Wide! Please remember if you DO NOT leave a comment on this blog post as your mandatory entry into the giveaway then all of your entries will be void. Doing the Daily entries will increase your chance of winning. Winners have 72 hours to respond to the notification email! This giveaway is hosted by ME and is not associated with any of the brands mentioned above.

This giveaway ends on 02/07/2020

Giveaway entry question: What is something you'd like to see a review or giveaway for? What kind of things do you like winning?

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AZ Ren Festival!

It is that time of the year again and the Arizona Renaissance Festival is coming back soon! They are running a special offer which you can find info on below.

Fun For the Whole Family The Arizona Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 14-stage theater, a 30-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast -- all rolled into one non-stop, all day family adventure!

Kids Free! - Arizona Renaissance Festival #AZRenFestl - Receive One Free Child ticket Per Coupon with One Full Price Adult Ticket Purchased at the Festival Gate. MUST PRESENT COUPON AT GATE
https://www.phoenixkids.com/coupon.php?bid=5324&dealid=764

**This is not a sponsored post, this is being posted simply for the chance at being selected to work with them.**

Lights show at ISM Raceway! Zoomtown Lights Review.

One of my favorite things about the holidays is seeing all of the Christmas lights, I am always a little bummed after the holidays when all of the lights start getting taken down. This review is slightly late (Busy holiday month + I was sick), but I want to share my review with you of the Zoomtown lights hosted at the ISM Raceway in Avondale,Arizona.

The raceway is a decent drive from our home, but the drive was pretty straight forward and the raceway was easy to find. Once we got there we were surprised but happy to see that it wasn't completely packed which meant we could take our time and enjoy the lights. The path they had set up to drive through was pretty large, we spent about half an hour driving through looking at all of the lights.

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A post shared by Burning Moon's Inside Advice (@burningmoonprod) on Dec 26, 2019 at 11:04am PST

Different sections of the track had different themes, my two favorites were Under The Sea and Storybook Lane both had beautiful lights and were a lot of fun to drive through. Part of the pathway actually takes you down inside of the racetrack and allows you to drive in the pit lane. Everything was set up nicely so it was easy to navigate the track. The only thing I wish they had was a little cafe stop or a gift shop area where you could get hot coco to enjoy during the drive. We had a wonderful time and I look forward to seeing if they will be hosting this again in 2020.

Above you can find a video of the Storybook lane, can you name all of the stories?

Disclaimer- The products mentioned above were provided by ISM Raceway for the review free of charge no other compensation was provided. However, no product compensation will influence the outcome of any review. My honest opinions are used in all reviews, they are solely my own & they may vary from others. My reviews are posted for readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase.