Nuffnang

this is about family and its ups and downs, living, and everything about life from a working mom's perspective.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Book Review: Broken Hart by Ella Fox



Photo credit: goodreads.com

The first in the series...

A typical story - Girl meets a guy who's rich, hot, and handsome. They have great sexual chemistry. Girl falls in love, guy doesn't realize that he's in love with her too. He tells her he can't commit, not even with her.  Girl discovers that guy is like that because of his haunting childhood.  Will the girl be able to make the guy realize that he has more to offer than what he is offering?  Will he realize that he is capable of commitment?  Will it be a happy ending?

I find the story okay... I like the writing style, it's light and readable. Too much sex scenes though. The dialogues are not quotable quotes. They're too long that they eventually become boring. Do people really say that much?

And another point: when Sabrina dresses up, the description there focuses more on the brands she's wearing not the clothes/shoes. I spray on J'adore... I wear my Jimmy Choos... What's this? A running advertisement?

I gave it two smileys because it's so predictable.  It's something to pass the time away, but it wouldn't really make your brains work.  I gave this two smileys in my Goodreads review.  Perhaps, I  can give additional 1/2 smileys? But how do I do that? Hahaha, just kidding.

☺☺
 

Review: Human Nature's Natural Bug Shield Mosquito Repellent

Sold at supermarkets. Bought mine at
Robinson's Ermita Supermarket at P99.50.

I am constantly in search of effective mosquito repellents. With the dengue strains all going berserk, I need to make sure that my kid is somehow protected against mosquitoes.  One time, I saw Human Nature's Bug Shield Mosquito Repellents displayed in one of the racks at Robinson's Supermarket, and immediately grabbed one.

At P99.50 for 50 ml, I thought that this one's a good deal.  It's DEET-Free and it's made of natural ingredients (all Human Nature products are).

This one's a spray. But I was disappointed when it didn't really spray like atomizer nozzles do - you know, one spray, with a diameter of a few centimeters? This one is more of a squirt - one push and oil is quirted.  So what you do is you have to spread it on your hand first before you apply on the body. Well, you can directly apply on the body, but since it's a squirt, it's a little bit hard to fully apply.

So here's what I think...

Smiley notes:

1. It's affordable.
2. It's got this nice citronella smell. it's not overpowering, unlike the Tiger Balm mosquito repellent patch that I reviewed here
3. It's got natural ingredients. It's infused with soybean oil, sunflower oil, citronella, and eucalyptus oil.
4. It's DEET-free.
5. It doesn't stain the clothes.
6. It wards off mosquitoes for about three (3) hours, tops.

Sad faces:

1. It's not a spray.  It's a squirter.  So it's a bit hard to spread.
2. It's too oily.
3. While it effectively wards off mosquitoes, you have to re-apply every 2-4 hours. Not good during sleeping time, cause then, you'd have to wake up to re-apply to make sure that your little one is protected.


Caveat, use a patch test first to see if your kid is allergic, before applying on the whole body.  Allergic reactions may be highly unlikely since it's made of natural ingredients, but I know you'd want to be on the safe side. Oh, it's safe even on the face.

Human Nature has a Farmer's Fund Drive. According to its website, 100% of the profits from every Bug Shield Oil and Bug Shield Lotion sold will fund the development of sustainable livelihood for its partner farming communities in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
Their goal is to sell 50,000 bottles which will fund the citronella oil processing facilities in Brgy. Imbayao and Brgy. San Jose in Bukidnon. 

I would have given this four smileys. But because of Human Nature's Farmer's Fund Drive, I'd give this five out of five smileys. Yey!!! ☺☺☺☺☺

 

Review: Tiger Balm's Mosquito Repellent Patches



I was able to get a free trial pack of Tiger Balm's Anti-Mosquito Patches for kids. (P195 pesos at Robinson's Supermarket)

It's actually very easy to use, just peel off the protective layer and stick onto  your kid's skin or clothes.  The patches are chemical DEET-free* so it's really safe for kids.

Upon opening the pack, one is assaulted by the strong Citronella smell. Even my kid wrinkled his nose when I opened it. 

Here are my thoughts on the product:


Smiley faces:

1. It's easy to peel and stick on.
2. It's also easy to peel off and no sticky mess is left on the skin.


3. It can be stuck on the clothes.
4. It's very handy.  The diameter of each patch is about 2 inches.
5. It's DEET-free.


*Some studies show that long term exposure to DEET causes seizures and other toxic side effects, and affects the central nervous system. 


Sad faces:

1. It's a bit pricey if it's 195 for a box of 10 patches.
2. I appreciate the citronella smell, but it's a bit overpowering.
3. It didn't effectively ward off mosquitoes. My son woke up in the middle of the night scratching his leg, and said, "Mom, the mosquitoes are still attacking me."  Those nights we've been using these patches were the nights that the mosquitoes were on hyper mode.  


I'd give this 2 smileys out of 5.
☺☺