Moisturize naturally with Block Island Organics

December 15, 2015December 15, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

I was so excited to be given another opportunity to test and review a product from Block Island Organics. They are a local company whose goal is to provide affordable and safe skin care to everyone. Last summer I rreviewed their sunblock, which was AH-MAY-ZING! It came in handy on our trip to Disney a few weeks ago! So needless to say when they contacted me about reviewing their new Natural Face Moisturizer SPF 30, I didn’t hesitate. If you are conscientious about what you put on your face like I am, then look no further! It is a great 2-in-1 antioxidant rich product that offers both daily skin hydration and transparent broad spectrum SPF 30 sun protection. Perfect for the fair maidens like myself!

Our moisturizer features organic and natural ingredients like aloe, shea butter, green tea, sunflower seed and pomegranate. As with all of our products, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthalates, dyes and artificial fragrances. We also don’t do animal testing and use vegan-based formulas.

I thought what a better way to test out this product was to go out for a run along the beach. It’s sunny and super windy and I always come back red-faced from windburn and the sun’s rays. I even have the pictures to prove it. I no longer leave the house for a run without this product on my face. The colder temps are coming and with that brings outdoor sports enthusiasts! This would be perfect for a day on the slopes or those outdoor hikes. But of course, it is positively perfect for everyday use; Naturally!

No moisturizer: Red-faced from the sun and wind

Moisturizer: Who is the fairest one of all? ME!

Block Island Organics can be found online at both their online store and Amazon. They are offering my readers a 25% coupon when you purchase from their website and use code joymarie. The coupon code is good from December 15th-December 23rd 2015. What a great stocking stuffer for a friend or perhaps yourself!

Namaste~ Joy

Summer Secrets: Are you ready?

July 24, 2015September 2, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

I was so happy when I was asked to read and review Jane Green’s new book, Summer Secrets. I was on a kick with personal development books and needed something different to read. This filled that void perfectly. It really is the prefect beach novel, but you can read or re-read it just about anytime you wish!

“For as long as I can remember, I have always had the feeling of not quite fitting in, not being the same as everyone else. I’m certain that is why I became a writer.”

That my friends is the first two lines of the book. It was meant for me. I swear it. It drew me in, right then and there. I still don’t “fit in”. I embrace my differences and love to express those feelings through my writing. The book is witty, raw, fun and so easy to read. The words just flow together nicely like colors on a canvas.

The story of Cat is a true one (well not really). But it could be. It’s not an elaborate type of story. Cat’s experiences, her family struggle, her addiction, her divorce, her confidence issues; all can be seen in any one of us. I think that’s why it is so easy to fall in love with her. You feel for her. You see maybe yourself, your mother or a friend in Cat. If you are looking for a book to read this summer or perhaps a gift for someone, pick this up. You won’t be sorry! I think I need to visit the Jane Green section of my local bookstore. My only complaint is the ending: it ended and I wanted MORE! Hmm….maybe a sequel to what happened? I’ll be sure to tell her PR department to get right on that!

** I was chosen to read & review this book. All opinions are my own and I stand by them.**

Get reading ~ Joy

Jamberry Nail Wrap Review

April 29, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

Manicures are not my thing, nor is painting my own nails. However, they are a bi-weekly occurrence for many women.
Here are the Top 4 reasons why I am not a painted nail lady:
#1: I don’t have the time to go and sit for 1 hour.
#2: I don’t want to spend the money (some places are insanely overpriced)
#3: I don’t like the smell
#4 They never last

My perspective changed when Kim Frazier, a independent Jamberry consultant asked me if I would like to try the product. Here is an excerpt from their webpage that describes a bit of what they are.

“Gone are the days of nails that chip and flake after only a few days! Gone are the days of the single colored manicure. Gone are the mani/pedis that take all afternoon and most of your cash too! Jamberry nail wraps arm you with style and confidence while demanding very little of your time or money”.

Of course I jumped on the chance for two reasons. #1- I love getting free stuff for my opinion and #2 my husband loves ladies with painted nails! He really does….I think I’ve painted my nails about 10 times in the 14 years we have been together. Whether it was a professional mani or just myself doing it, he was always happy to see them painted! So in actuality, I did for him (bonus wife points)!

My sheet of nail wraps came in. Which Kim let me pick myself. I chose Turkish Delight. I love patterns and color. This design was so boho and right up my alley! I read the directions, which were quite easy to follow. It is actually a simple process. Clean the nail, match the wrap size you want to your nail, heat the wrap, apply the wrap and trim! You have a new fun manicure! The first few nails took some time for me to really do right. But after I figured it out, the whole process was done in 30 minutes! And I was catching up on my Days of our Lives at the same time (multitasker)!

Starting at $15 for a sheet, you can get 3 full manicures or pedicures and some left over for a creative accent nail! Plus they are made in the USA, no dry try, last up to 2 weeks, formaldehyde free, never tested among animals as well as many other attributes. If you like to have pretty nails (toenails included), I urge you to look at the many designs available to you through Jamberry . And follow Kim on Facebook! You can have an online party to earn hostess rewards or just order a few for yourself! She was super helpful and I am so glad I found this alternative to going to the nail salon!

~Namaste~
joy

Domestic Violence

January 15, 2015 / mysenkid / 3 Comments

By now most have you have seen the many commercials being aired featuring celebrities, sports personalities and more, talking about domestic violence. If you haven’t, then you must reside under a rock. Some are full of heartfelt words while some leave us to watch them utter nothing but silence. It is with that silence that puts a taboo judgement on these victims. Domestic & Sexual Abuse should not be swept under the rug any longer. Silence is never a good thing when it comes to hiding any type of violence. Too many women & children (and even men) are falling victim. Victim to the horrendous act, victim to the aftereffects and victim to the blame game. No more.

New Hope, Inc, located in our close neighbor of Massachusetts. New Hope is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is “Ending Domestic and Sexual Violence in Our Community”. New Hope serves 54 communities within Central and Southeast Massachusetts.

Join New Hope, Inc on Saturday, January 24th for a night under the stars at Briggs Garden & Home (295 Kelley Blvd. North Attleboro, MA). Sample over 50 fine wines, 25 craft beers, delicious local cuisine, while enjoying a live musical performance by Gay Barboza. Bid on a trip to Walt Disney World (who doesn’t love MICKEY MOUSE?), just one of the many featured live auction items, hosted by comedian David DiLorzena. Tickets are $50/ per person and are available online at: www.new-hope.org or by calling (508) 226-4015. All proceeds benefit New Hope, Inc. – a nonprofit organization working to end domestic and sexual violence in our communities.

Can’t attend? Consider donating to the cause. Visit their site for future events and gatherings. And remember the name New Hope, Inc, because chances are you know someone who has fallen victim to domestic violence or sexual abuse. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and estimated 1.3 million women have fallen victim each YEAR and 1 in every 4 women will experience domestic or sexual abuse in their lifetime. Help end this pattern of abuse. For our children. For our children’s children. For the greater good of humanity.

Namaste~

Lincoln School Book Festival 2014

October 27, 2014September 7, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

You know what I like about reading? You don’t have to be good at it. You don’t have to read what your friends are reading. You can read where you choose too. You can get lost in the adventure, romance, history and suspense of a book, all without leaving the comforts of your home. As adults, we love the way a good book makes us feel after we’ve finished it. We laugh, we cry, we empathize with the characters. It invigorates our imaginations. And lets be honest, as we get older we can all use a little spark to our imagination.

It is hard to explain to young children how a book can make you feel. We can tell them that reading is good for them, but until they feel the effects of it they really won’t “get it”. And how do kids learn? They learn by doing. Anything worth doing, is worth over doing. Children will eventually come to realize it’s more about that funny looking monster in the book, or that relatable boy. It’s about how the story makes you feel. What you take away from the book. But as parents, we need to keep the flame burning until that realization happens on it’s own. For some, it happens sooner than later.

A child’s book from the 19th century

On October 18th, I was given the opportunity to attend the Lincoln School Book Festival 2014. The Rhode Island Festival of Children’s Books & Authors was held at the Lincoln School here in Providence, RI. From the moment I walked up the sidewalk, I knew the Lincoln School promotes early childhood literacy with a passion. Signs were everywhere with sayings about reading. Teachers were dressed as lovable children’s book characters. There was a storytelling tent set up outside. The crafts were even dedicated to books. All this being said, it wasn’t overdone. It was just matter of fact. They love to read and they are here to share it with you.

RI Book Festival 2014 program

My son & I had a blast looking at the pop-up bookstore they had. We purchased two books for him to have autographed. We made an amazing craft (which I will be copying again). Listened to amazing stories & songs. Had a delicious pizza followed by a vegan dessert! It was such a blast. It was amazing to see how many children in my community actually value books. Kindles, tablets and Ipads are all the rage. And I get that you can store more books than you could possibly need, but there is something about the feeling of a book’s cover. The sound it makes when you turn the page. The suspense you feel when you wonder what illustration is next.

Landon’s pop-up book

While the event is over, I urge you to attend next year. It is an annual event and the Lincoln School is already taking applications for authors, volunteers and sponsors for 2015. Follow the Lincoln School on Facebook to keep up with all their events. Now, pick up that book that is collecting dust on your shelf and read. Get lost in it, even if it’s only for 15 minutes. And NO, I won’t hold it against you if you use your Kindle, this time.

AUTOGRAPH TIME!

Be #happiernow with Carson Kressley

October 13, 2014 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

It’s Monday folks. Back to work for many, a happy day for some and a dreaded day for others. Why? Too many women are living their lives in a way that doesn’t suit them. What do I mean by that? Magazines tell us what to wear. Celebrities show us what is trendy. We lose ourselves in the over-abundance of media outlets surrounding us. I want to be happy. Not happy after I lose another 10 pounds. Not happy when I can afford that “trendy” bag I want. Not happy when I move into a bigger house. I want to be #happiernow. Thanks to Carson Kressley and Happier.com, I am!

Carson teamed up with Happier.com to create a course dedicated to women who are stuck in a rut. Whether you are having issues with your self-esteem, not finding enough time for yourself or just not sure what the problem is, this course is for you. It’s quite simple really. 7 days of inspirational and helpful videos paired with a quick challenge for you. It’s all about YOU and what you WANT & NEED to be #happiernow. Carson is super motivating and honest in the videos. It felt like he was talking to me. How did this man get into my head and uncover all my emotions? It was actually quite refreshing to realize that there are more women who feel the same way as I do. He helped me overcome some fears & challenges in just 7 days. What’s even better is, it’s only $4.99! Isn’t that almost the cost of one large (or should I say Venti) Starbucks Iced latte? Are you worth $4.99? I think you are!

Contrary to what the media tells us, we do not need more money, expensive clothes, be a size 0 or a big house to be happy. Happiness is something we can choose to live in. We can make the conscious decision to wake up tomorrow and be happy with what we have. Find the good in what you have, rather than the bad in what you don’t. Make the pledge to be #happiernow. Take this course and let it inspire you. But first, fill in the blank below. It is your new mantra. Write it out- and put it on your bathroom mirror, in your daily agenda book or make it your screensaver. Today is the day to get #HAPPIERNOW.

For more courses offered at the Happier community, click here and follow them on twitter and Facebook. Be sure to follow Carson on twitter @CarsonKressley and check out his newly re-launched site here.

Block Island Organics: Block out or Burn

May 21, 2014 / mysenkid / 3 Comments

I have fair skin. Very fair skin. No, I am not the fairest of them all, however I would love to be a Disney Princess in my next life! Sun and I are not friends. I get tired, irritable, dehydrated and yes burn in under an hour of sun exposure. I am the girl who wore a one-piece on the Jersey Shore- with SPF 80 along with an umbrella. There I was, sitting next to my gorgeous, bikini-clad friends while they applied their Johnson & Johnson baby oil on. Yup. That was me. That is still me. That brings me to Block Island Organics.

Fair skin for everyone!

The Block Island Organics mission

Their mission is to give everyone access to safe, effective, and lovable non-toxic suncare products. They believe in living outside and enjoying the sun and not hiding from it. With a little sun knowledge and the right sunscreen you can live their mantra too: “Play Smart, Play Safe.” I know how important skin health is. I have had some run-ins with skin cancer scares and I am not taking any chances. However, I refuse to use products filled with chemicals I can’t pronounce or ones that are banned in other countries. I want Non-Toxic and as close to natural as possible. Block Island Organics fills that need.

Winner of a Big Thumbs UP!

I didn’t just want to post about how much I love this product. I wanted to show you. Really show you. So, I planned a day in my yard gardening. I was out from 10am-8pm, give or take a bit for breaks and lunch. I lathered one side of my body with Block Island Organics SPF 15 and the other side of body with a national brand of the same SPF. Not only did my love for this product grow- I hope it proves to you that sometimes all that money that goes into marketing & fancy containers isn’t the best bet for your health & well-being. Choose Block Island Organics. It is all that I will buy. I even shocked myself with these results.

Can you see the burn?

Nice, tan(ish) skin

Painful, burnt skin

Buy local. Buy Non-toxic. Buy Synthetic ingredient free. Buy Made in the U.S.A. Buy Block Island Organics here. For my readers, you are being treated to 20% off any of their amazing products with code joymarie. They have a baby sunscreen as well as sun relief lotion! I will be picking that up for myself! What are you going to get?

Seventh Generation- A Toxic-Free Generation for All

April 11, 2014 / mysenkid / 2 Comments

* This post is a sponsored post but views are my own and in now way was I made to express my feelings in a certain way.

I will never forget the first time I ever heard of Seventh Generation. My mother was working at a local natural foods market in Barrington, RI and brought me home a package of diapers and laundry detergent for Landon. I thought it was some “fuddy duddy” stuff that would cost an arm & a leg and not even work. Boy, was I wrong. Back in 2008, my love affair with Seventh Generation was formed. Fact: Seventh Generation has worked for over 25 years creating a healthy home by delivering plant derived products using bio-based ingredients. Do you know what is under your cabinet?

As sad as this sounds, it wasn’t until I had Landon that I really paid attention to what was in my household cleaners or even food for that matter. When I read all the benefits on the back of the package and bottle of detergent, I immediately thought, “why isn’t there benefits written on the ones I have at home”? Because the only benefit of “those” cleaners is a shiny kitchen counter that may smell good in the process. There was no recycling benefit from the packaging. There was no benefit that it was all natural or safe for children. There certainly was no benefit that it helps the environment for our next generation. This stuck with me. Till this day, Seventh Generation is my go-to cleaner for my household. Over the years, I have developed a natural homemade cleaning solution but Seventh Generation is always a member of this household in some form.

Did you know that research shows that exposing yourself & children to toxins can increase your risk of cancer, asthma, Alzheimer’s and even birth defects? Did you know that since the Toxic Substances Control Act was enacted in 1976, over 85,000 synthetic chemicals have been introduced but only 10% of those have been tested for potential human toxicity? This is not ok with me. This should NOT be ok with you. We should not be OK with inviting products into your home with no testing done. Your children are not test subjects for these chemicals. Heck, we are not test subjects! We can do something. Our voice can be heard. Sign the petition to demand reform of the TSCA in which the Toxin Freedom Fighters will present to Congress on April 30th 2014. Spread the word. NOW. GO.

Visit www.fighttoxins.com to sign the petition!

Panera- You’ve been Served!

February 25, 2014September 7, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

My Excitement!

Corner Bakery Cafe has finally made its way to New England. And better yet, to Little Rhody! These past 2 months, Corner Bakery cafe opened not ONE, but TWO locations in Rhode Island. One location is located in the expanding Garden City Shopping Center, while the other took over the old Fresh City location across from Best Buy on Route 2. Many friends and family of mine travel and have told me about this place way before they opened here. They would always compare it to Panera Bread, which we have plenty of in Rhode Island. Let me tell you- WAY BETTER THAN PANERA. I will be making a weekly visit to the Warwick location because the options for good food & good service are endless.

The decor inside is impressive. I just love the collages of pictures and scenes on the wall. Maybe it’s because I am an avid “scrapper” and it reminds me of my scrapbooks. But my favorite is something you may not notice unless you sit in a particular spot. When sitting in one of the booths along the wall, there is a brick overlay that runs parallel to the booths! I love brick and love the idea of making it a border. The whole atmosphere just makes you feel like you are at home. The booths are large and comfy. Of course there are tables as well, but you will always catch me in a booth. I have my eyes on the big round booth next visit!

This restaurant is classified as FAST CASUAL. However, it stands out from their other competitors in a few ways. First, when you order your food, you are given a number to take to any table you wish to sit in. The food is brought directly to you. Not only during their “slow” time, but ALL-the-time. Second, you do not need to go fetch your own silverware & napkins. It is all brought to you when you food arrives. It even comes packed in a little brown bag for that extra “homey” effect I was talking about. Third, when you are finished with your meal, you are not expected to find the trash, wipe your plates clean and place each thing in the appropriate bin.No, they come around sporadically to remove anything you wish. You feel like you are out to eat at a full-service restaurant without having to pay for the full-service price in addition to tips. This place is the real deal!

Let’s get down to the real deal now. The food was Delish! My husband and I created our own combinations. He got the roast beef with goat cheese & New England Clam Chowder. I ordered the Veggie Melt with the Spinach Salad. Needless to say, we both cleaned our plates.

Of course, I ordered dessert to satisfy my unwavering sweet tooth. I ordered the blueberry handpie. It is like a grownups version of a Poptart. Flat it is not. It is full & fluffy, filled with a delicious blueberry jam like filling. OMG- Want one now! Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Whatever your fancy, the time is perfect to try their amazing meals. To view their menu, click here. They even offer catering for parties, corporate events and large gathering.

I spoke to both Chuck Logue, General Manager and Miguel Serrano, Managing Partner while on my visit. During our talk, Chuck mentioned something that kinda stuck with me. He told me that they have a principal saying that each employee should always be following. “BE NICE, SAY YES”. WOW! You hear the saying, “the customer is always right”, a lot, but the fact that this company chooses Kindness first makes me believe that they really do care. They are not just gong to say YES because that’s whats expected. They want to say YES, BECAUSE they truly want to make your visit enjoyable. Please go visit today, you won’t be disappointed I promise! While you are there say “Hi” for me and eat a blueberry hand pie while you are at it!

* if you want to win one of 2- $25 Gift Card to Corner Bakery Cafe– Follow the steps below to Enter & share with your friends. Who knows, maybe if they win, they will invite you to lunch on them!

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Joyful Noise, by Joy Adamonis

Joyfully Me raising a Sensational Kid

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