Multipart Review

Hey friends! I'm back with a few reviews. On the docket today, I've got a book called Hohenstein by Didi Lawson, Cove Castile Soap, AYL SoundFit Plus Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker and Three Star Lion's Salt and Pepper Shaker!

Please remember that everything I'm reviewing I have received for free or at a discount in exchange for my honest review. Honest is what you'll get m'friends!

First up, let's talk about Hohenstein!! Available HERE on Amazon, this book is a Historical Romance.

I know, I know, Romance Novels are supposed to be steamy and cheezy, but this one is clean, I promise. I mean, there are a couple pretty intense makeout scenes, but nothing thing that would turn a movie PG-13. It was a bit on the quesolicious side, but I mean, what do you expect?
To the reader, the plots are pretty obvious and fairly predictable, but not to the protagonist who is a great person, even if she is oblivious.  I did feel like I was escaping while reading. I didn't EVER feel like it was a chore (trust me, I can't say that about all books!). The only complaint I have (aside from the fact that several times spaces needed to be between words that weren't there) is that everything resolved itself all at once. I'm not going to tell you how because I think it's worth reading, but I was flustered at how cleanly and suddenly everything was fixed. The actual answer to the problem made me happy,  I just wished that there was a way it could have been a little smoother. #hohensteinbook


Next up, Cove Castile Soap. Available here on Amazon. I am totally LOVING this soap!!

I purchased a different brand of Castile Soap for another review and I liked it and all of it's uses, but this time I have learned so much more and already had plans in store for this bottle! The first thing I had planned was face wash, which, admittedly I haven't made yet because it means going to the store for the proper bottles to put them in. This is the recipe I plan on using.
I did, however, make hand soap and foamy soap right away!

I'd also like to try this recipe for face wash wipes, but I'm not sure I'll ever get all the ingredients together at the same time. My favorite thing about Castile Soap is that there are no artificial colors orescents in it, so it's safe for my kids, who are uber-sensitive to petroleum to use. You can clean with it, too!! I'd like to try making this liquid laundry detergent. You can also use it to wash your floors. Just remember to NEVER mix Castile Soap with vinegar as it makes a mess. #CoveCastileSoap


We're not done! I can't wait to review this AYL SoundFit Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker. Buy it here on Amazon.

I have been wanting to review a BlueTooth speaker FOREVER!! My kids love audiobooks, but my phone's speaker isn't loud enough in the car for the kids to hear in the back and for some reason or another, using the cord to use the car's speaker's doesn't work with my phone. This speaker work's beautifully- for my husband's phone with Audiobooks and for my phone with Pandora.  For some reason, though, the book I'm listening to gets chopped up when transferring. Not sure why that's happening since my husband uses the same app I use (OverDrive) and has had ZERO problems. And, like I said, Pandora sounds beautiful from my phone! We haven't tried it with hubby's yet. #AYLSPEAKERS


Last, but not least, Three Star Lion's Salt and Pepper Shakers. Buy them HERE on Amazon.

Funnily enough, Pink Himalayan Salt was the first thing I put in mine as well! These are nice and sleek. The top has a lid that you just pop off and then you can adjust how big or small you want the grain to be. There is something SO gratifying about hearing that grinding sound as you turn the tube around. I'm very happy to have these. They are already and asset to our family! #saltandpeppergrinderset

Bentonite Clay

I homeschool. I'm kind of granola, but usually more out of convenience than anything. Sometimes, I think some of the things my friends do are a bit on the strange side, but then I watch- and the things they do work!

For the last year, several of my friends kept talking about this stuff called Bentonite Clay. One friend said she used it in toothpaste. Another friend said that she used it in a healing salve. Yet another friend talked about foot detox baths and how amazing they are, but how gross the water gets when all those toxins leave your body. I was a bit skeptical, but realized that all these ladies were the kind of people I wanted to be like. Clearly, they were doing SOMEthing right.

So when the opportunity came up to review some of this "Magic Clay," I jumped at the chance. 

Here is the clay I received:

https://www.amazon.com/Majestic-Pure-Indian-Healing-Bentonite/dp/B00Q96XGUU?ie=UTF8&m=AEWXAV3T5UC41 

While waiting for it, I asked my friends about what they do with THEIR clay. Answers included

Face Mask

Added to Deodorant

Drinking it as a Detox (disclaimer, this brand says external use only)

Bee Stings

Bug Bites

Abnormal Skin Spots

Detox Bath

Black Ointment

Toothpaste

Now, I did try it the foot detox that I found a recipe for on Pinterest, but I don't think I did it right. I know my water wasn't hot enough and I'm not sure I had my ratios right. I'm going to try it again eventually.

In the meantime, here are some other pins I'd like to try:

Toothpaste- now, I've tried one homemade toothpaste that used clay, but it wasn't my favorite combination of ingredients. I'm willing to try again, though, starting with some of these recipes.

Whitening Toothpaste

Kid Toothpaste

Remineralizing Toothpaste

Chocolate Toothpaste

Dry Shampoo- I LOVE Dry shampoo, but I hate that it is SO WHITE and I have dark hair. So I'm excited to try THIS VERSION

Makeup- I adore makeup, but it upsets me a little that FDA pretty much has no regulations on what people can put, so I'm starting to use it less. This makes me sad because putting on makeup is like an art project to me.

Eyeshadow Primer

Foundation Powder

Deodorant Bars- this makes me curious. 

Sinus Relief Bath Bombs- though there are several versions of these I'd like to try, this is the one that calls for Bentonite Clay. Side note- do NOT use Eucalyptus for kids under 10!

For my husband, I'd kind of like to make these Shaving Soaps for him. He wears a beard about half the year, but the other half, he's going to want nice skin, right?!

This is the Foot Detox bath I told you about. I totally bombed it, but pretty sure the error was on my end. I'd like to try again.

I asked on a Facebook group what these ladies do with theirs, and I'm getting a LOT of answers saying

Face Mask

Wound Healing

Drinking for Stomach Issues

Sunburn

Slivers

Cuts 

Food Poisoning

Nausea

Tooth Powder

Skin Infections

Warts

Bee Stings

Skin Injuries

I'm betting most make a poultice like this one. 

I'm going to make a video explaining what I DO with this stuff in just a few. I'll post the link when I've got it!