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.