Tiny Drops of Honey...This Mommy's Sweet Life: February 2016

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Way Better Snacks Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips (Review)

I was sent a free sample (single serving bag) of Way Better Snacks Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips through Influenster.

I really was impressed that it had radishes and broccoli as that was unexpected for a tortilla chip. I like that these chips are high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants. I find them similar (in texture, appearance and ingredients) to the Food Should Taste Good chips (however we prefer those as a simple multigrain tortilla chip over the Way Better Snacks based on the flavor of the sent sample).

The Food Should Taste Good has several other flavor varieties, but we only have tried the regular multigrain ones. The ingredients: Stone Ground Corn, High Oleic Sunflower Oil and/or Safflower Oil and/or Canola Oil, Brown Rice Flour, Flax Seeds, Evaporated Cane Juice, Oat Fiber, Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Quinoa, Soy Flour, Sea Salt.

I love that the Way Better chips have sprouted flax seed, sprouted quinoa, sprouted chia seed, all of which I often add to my daily fruit and protein smoothies. The ingredients of this brand seem a bit more impressive: stone-ground non-GMO corn, sunflower and/or safflower oil, sprouted seed and grain blend (sprouted flax seed, sprouted quinoa, sprouted chia seed, sprouted broccoli seed, sprouted daikon radish seed), seasoning (raw cane sugar, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, native potato starch, onion, garlic, cayenne pepper).

I like how they are crunchy and I think go well with a sandwich (I had them with a pulled pork bbq sandwich).

What I do not like: As I was sent a sample bag for free, I was not given a choice of flavor variety. I was sent the Sweet Chili and would had preferred the Black Bean, Multigrain, Unsalted Blue, or Sweet Potato. The Sweet Chili was not terrible, (my husband loved it) it just reminded me of the Red Chili infused hummus my husband always buys and (I prefer the plain hummus as it goes with more options for food) it gets tiring after a few bites (for me at least). This is just my opinion of it and I am sure others will thoroughly enjoy the Red Chili flavor.

5 stars for the ingredients, appearance and type of chip. 3 1/2 stars for the flavor of the Red Chili.

I got a free sample single serving bag from influenster, however this is my honest evaluation.

DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation for a product review and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I am always honest in my opinions and never promise a positive review. I only recommend products or services that I feel are beneficial to my family and my lovely readers. I enjoy testing out items and giving my readers an honest and descriptive account of how a product functions. My personal experience or view of an item may differ than yours.

Tiny Drops of Honey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You pay the exact same price for any and all products you order through my links, but I receive a small commission. I am a stay at home mommy and any commissions I receive help support my little ones.

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Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Artisan made Floral Cluster Drop Paachi Earrings in Rose Pink by Sitara Collections (Review)

I love wearing vintage jewelry and accessories. I also love finding items that are modern with a vintage flair. I was sent these lovely earrings from Sitara Collections for evaluation and review. Here is a little background on the company:

"Our story starts with a series of trips to India, starting in 2006, after Linda Singh married her Indian born husband, Vinay Singh. Traveling throughout India, she met with artisans and small entrepreneurs who worked tirelessly to earn a living. Linda left her corporate job in 2014 and established Sitara Collections, empowering Indian artisans and their communities, to showcase their beautiful handcrafted products and to give back to the world that's given us so much beauty."

I selected the Floral Cluster Drop Paachi Earrings in rose pink. These are so feminine and vintage chic! I am in awe of them. They are so lovely and make me feel like a princess.

Material : Bronze-overlay, faux gemstones
Dimension : Height: 2", width:0.5"

These are imitation pearl and the metal is golden tone, in bronze overlay. I am very fond of vintage toned rose pink and gold. It is a timelessly stunning pairing and goes with so many of my outfits. I love everything about these, however I would have preferred these to be freshwater pearls instead of faux gemstone.

These arrive ready for gifting in a beautiful etched cardboard box. These are sure to impress a special gal in your life (or a lovely gift for yourself). They come with 2 sets of clear toned rubber backing for further securing the earrings, however the pin holes on my set were too small and I had difficulty in using them, so opted not to put them to use.

I am not one to wear large or dangly earrings (for fear of stretching my ear piercings, or causing a migraine), but these were so delicate and lightweight, they do not weigh me down in the least bit. I can wear these all day without any issue. I have only worn these a few times, but they have not irritated my ears or caused any discoloration.

It is recommended to store these in a separate area away from chemicals like hairspray, perfume, and cosmetics. I like to store mine in my vintage 1960's Matson jewelry box that I got from my husband for Christmas this past year.

Some of my favorite vintage lovelies!

Here is a vintage ring and the Sitara earrings, such a lovely combination I think!

Just a few of my vintage lipstick tubes that I sanitized and refilled with fresh, modern lipsticks. Here is one of my vintage powder compacts that was also cleaned and filled. :)

I absolutely adore these earrings and think they are a wonderful addition to my jewelry collection. I love wearing earrings as they add a special flair. I recommend these and love how they are unlike anything I have seen before. You will get compliments when you wear these!

Learn more about Linda and her Sitara Collection jewelry, by visiting her website. You can also find Sitara on Facebook.

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DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation for a product review and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I am always honest in my opinions and never promise a positive review. I only recommend products or services that I feel are beneficial to my family and my lovely readers. I enjoy testing out items and giving my readers an honest and descriptive account of how a product functions. My personal experience or view of an item may differ than yours. This item was sent to me complimentary for my honest evaluation.

Java Factory Coffee, 40 ct. Variety Pack Review

Do you love coffee? Have you found a brand that is unique and delicious? I was sent some coffee for review from Two Rivers Coffee Company / Java Factory.

The Java Factory 40 ct box is perfect for the coffee lover household with varying tastes. Coffee aficionados will be elated to have a large box of brewed bliss. Between my husband and I, we go through coffee very quickly and so having a 40 ct. box is a great match for us. Here are the flavors that we were sent for honest evaluation and review:

I like how the box is sturdy and can act as a storage bin for the coffee for those who do not use a drawer or carousel. We have both storage systems, but find this box is nice enough should we need the extra storage. None of the cups were damaged in shipment, which is great since we have experienced loose grounds in the box from other companies we have tried.

I really like the Choconut (chocolate coconut) as it tastes great as an iced coffee with whipped cream (either blended with ice or poured over ice). The box has a nice assortment of flavors and you are sure to find a favorite that suits your mood or fancy.

The Vanilla Dream is vanilla and toffee flavored brew and is also a supreme treat when iced. My husband drinks his coffee insanely hot all year round, while I prefer iced.

Wakey Wakey is a full bodied, florally infused light roast that is thoroughly enjoyed by my husband. Although he likes flavored coffee as much as I do, he appreciates a top quality, light to medium roast. I like this lighter coffee as well, but since I do make cold brews and blended drinks, I often save the darker roasts for myself.

Da Bomb is an extremely bold brew with double the caffeine for those who need some help in the morning to function. I use this version for my iced coffee brews for those mornings when this mommy has had little sleep from my toddler who is not sleeping in his own bed. This dark roast coffee contains double the amount of caffeine found in a regular 8 oz single serve cup of coffee, so if you are an insomniac like me, you should drink this in moderation and reserve it for morning or midday only. My husband is the exact opposite. He can fall asleep sitting up and in mid conversation sometimes. I like to keep a few extra caffeinated brews on hand for him right before we need to drive late into the night for travel or just driving home from a busy day and he gets sleepy. It keeps him alert and makes me feel confident that our family is much safer. I think it would be awesome if the company made some kcup shots (already in liquid form) that are the same size and portability of a kcup, but that can keep fresh in a glove compartment of the car for night drivers and those that need a burst of energy, and sense of clarity when a coffee brewer is not in sight.

Dark and Handsome is a delightful, richly crafted smooth talker that will be sure to impress you. :) It tastes wonderful with simple cream and some sweetness of your choosing. I only use either sugar or Xylitol crystals for my cup of java. According to the manufacturer, the dark and handsome beans are removed from the roaster right before they reach their peak roasting point, thus preventing any burnt or bitter flavor.

Lastly, there is Smooth Caffeinator, which might just make you start humming---or singing that 80's song of a similar wording. :) This variety is a perfect moderate blend, it is perhaps the brother of Mr. Dark and Handsome. Both are impressive and will make the ladies swoon and the men inspire to be like them. Smooth Caffeinator is bold, yet moderately mellow and polite, not too weak and not too strong.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoy this brand and did not find any of the brews to be bitter or watered down. My husband usually drinks Green Mountain coffee, but is enjoying this brand a lot. We have reviewed a few other varieties from Two Rivers / Brooklyn Beans / Java Factory in the past. The company has a vast selection of items to suit even the non coffee drinker. They do cup varieties of flavored hot chocolate and teas as well.

*I was sent a 40 ct box of Kcups from this company, all thoughts are my own and honest.

Would you like to learn more about the Java Factory company and hear of updates on new products? You can find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Vintage fantastic desk with my Java Factory coffee!

Ok, so I like a little coffee with my cream! Ha!

Cold brew bold coffee, ice, pure vanilla extract (non alcohol version) and milk.

I must convince you to get some stainless steel straws, they will change your life! They are earth friendly, and save you money from your pocketbook, but also, the make everything more frosty! Yummy!

I must admit, I sometimes add 2 little chocolate pieces into my blended coffee drinks when I want to indulge. It is not so healthy, but it is oh so good!

Ah, beautiful Beige! That is some creamy goodness right there!

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Laiya Deluxe Fashion Diaper Bag, Reviewed

I am a mommy of 2, and soon to be 3 children. I need a diaper bag that is large, provides organization, and also looks fashionable. I have many bags due to my obsession with pretty things and because I love having everything I need within reach. I would not call myself an over-packer, but I do like to be prepared for the unplanned parenting times when life gets complicated or incredibly messy.

Laila Baby sent me one of their bags for review, in exchange for my honest opinion and evaluation.

This is the Laiya Deluxe, I like this bag, it is very modern and classy with the white and black stripes with beige accents. For those who carry a lot of items in their bags, this is very lightweight and the straps do not dig into my shoulder. I love that there is a messenger strap for handsfree carry.

This bag does not have a zippered top, which might be an issue for some. I do prefer a zippered top, but am used to my PPB Cake Society bag not having a zipper. The bag closes with a vegan leather strap with lobster clasp.

This is a cotton canvas material. There are pockets on the inside (as well as 2 deep pockets on the outside) for organization. The lining is white cotton material which makes it easy to see inside the bag. I do want to mention that the inside lining of this bag is not water resistant or wipeable which could pose an issue if you carry bottles or sippy cups in your diaper bags (I never have, but most users do). This bag arrived without any flaws or chemical odors. The bag seems to be made well for the price and the stitching was precise. I like that the silver tone hardware seems to be of nice quality.

If you are looking for a lightweight bag, this may be the bag for you. It works well as a semi-diaper / outing bag for when we will be at a park or somewhere when I need something light to carry with only a few essentials. I appreciate the lightness of this bag for times when we are walking around somewhere and have other things we may need to carry such as a wellness expo fair that might pass out freebies or someplace where you might add various trinkets and keepsakes along the way. I find it best suited for non-diaper bag use due to the material of the bag and overall structure.

I am very conscious of where I take my diaper bag and where it is set down. I never put my bags on the floor and often cover my bags when at a restaurant. I am concerned of cleaning deep stains from this bag, as well as baby related ones (luckily no issues as of yet). The changing pad is wipeable on one side, however I am concerned about the canvas on the other side.

Due to the structure of the lining, it is more difficult to get things in and out of the bag when the lining comes up with the item you are removing. It does not work as a daily carry diaper bag for me personally with 2 young children (one being in cloth diapers). It does function nicely as a beach bag, playground/park bag, or short length activity / outing bag (perhaps for 2 hours or less).

When I pack a diaper bag, I like a bit more structure inside as it is easier for me to organize and pack. To remedy this issue, or to add storage options, I often use smaller bags to organize my diaper bags. A good pouch that I recommend is the JuJube Be Quick. Generally I carry 2-3 pouches (in differing patterns so I remember what is in them before I open them). For smaller items, I like the Petunia Pickle Bottom Powder Room Cases.

I normally carry a larger bag, however this bag can fit a decent amount (as seen in my photos below).

This bag is suitable for keeping 1-2 cloth diaper/ wipes, nursing cover (not pictured, but stored inside the large aqua pouch), a few small organizational pouches, perhaps a spare outfit for my youngest, my cell phone (not pictured), wallet, some snacks and few small toys or teethers. I am showing the bag with my Kindle tablet (houndstooth case) for size reference, however I personally would not put an electronic item in this bag (other than my phone) as there is not enough structure or padding to further protect. My phone is always stored in a padded case (floral).

I love the messenger strap, but think this diaper bag would also benefit from having the messenger strap also convert the bag into a backpack style for even more hands free use. My Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay and Cake Society bag both have a backpack option. Not all of my bags convert to backpack, and certainly this is not something I have to have, but it can be convenient.

This sporty bag comes in handy for times when I do not want to bring my more expensive bags that would be damaged when wet or soiled. I am a Petunia Pickle Bottom Cake lover and velvet and tweed is not the best option in bad weather or a messier outing.

I have not used the changing pad as it is too small for me and I am not fond of cloth, non wipeable changing pads. Canvas is not something that would be easy to wash frequently when soiled with baby mess (I am guessing it would perhaps shrink or cause misshaping to the pad). I do find that this pad is nice for using as a clean spot for setting my bag down (vinyl side down) when at the park to protect the bottom of the bag.

The bag is attractive and fun to carry. I can fit a lot more than I thought I might be able to, but the issue with the inner lining structure is probably what makes this more of a tote for beach or park in my eyes. This would be a great bag for clipping to your stroller when going to the zoo or an aquarium. It definitely is a bag that does not have the typical diaper bag appearance. I think it would be nicely suited as a summer purse.

I have a large amount of baby changing bags as I love coordinating to my outfits and activities. I know what works for me and what does not. This is more of a casual tote for me than a diaper bag, but it still is a nice option for you to consider.

For more information on Laiya Baby, you can visit their website.