My husband and I were familiar with DAP because their silicone caulking is a go-to in any home reno project that necessitates a sealer. I was very interested with the concept behind this new product offering of drywall repair patches. The DAP... +
My husband and I were familiar with DAP because their silicone caulking is a go-to in any home reno project that necessitates a sealer. I was very interested with the concept behind this new product offering of drywall repair patches. The DAP Eclipse Rapid Wall Repair Patch comes in a number of sizes, depending on the diameter of the hole you're looking to fix - I received a 15cm and 10cm patch, as well as a pack of 5cm patches, which come 4 to a package. I guess I can see the utility of the 5cm packages for screw and plug holes, but those are easy enough jobs to just mud since the holes are so tiny. The larger patches are incredibly useful, though, and I don't see us ever going back to the messy job of mudding. These are fool-proof to use - just stick the patch over the hole (sand first to clean up any rough edges) - paint - remove the top sticker layer of the patch - and paint once more. No more mucking about with mud and scraping to level it all out. This comes out much cleaner and smoother, with no effort and very minimal clean-up (really just the sanding, if necessary, and the paint brush!). I was skeptical that these transparent stickers could be stronger than drywall, but...I don't know what to say. They're like magic. This is a must-have product that the home reno market really needed. I'm a convert!
I #gotitfree to try through the Butterly Product Review Club.
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I'm a daily user of Vitamin C, particularly during the winter months, and we always have a bottle on hand in our household. These capsules from Orange Naturals contain 1000 mg of Vit C, which is definitely at the upper limit of what I'm comfortable... +
I'm a daily user of Vitamin C, particularly during the winter months, and we always have a bottle on hand in our household. These capsules from Orange Naturals contain 1000 mg of Vit C, which is definitely at the upper limit of what I'm comfortable taking (and likely the limit of what the body can actually use). I liked that these were capsules, rather than chalky tablets - a much nicer texture - however, the capsules were enormous. I can usually take most pills without water, but these were absolutely massive, both in length and thickness. All in all, these were pretty standard as far as Vitamin C goes, but their large size just isn't the right fit for me.
I #gotitfree to try through Butterly's Product Review Club.
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I recently returned from travelling to Europe and in my last few days there, my stomach took on a bit of a turn. I was looking for something to help get things back on track and coincidentally I was selected for this review program just as I... +
I recently returned from travelling to Europe and in my last few days there, my stomach took on a bit of a turn. I was looking for something to help get things back on track and coincidentally I was selected for this review program just as I returned. I'm now nearly halfway through the month-long course of probiotics and am seriously impressed! This is my first time trying actual probiotic tablets and the speed with which my gut started to feel normal again was unexpected. My cramping has gone away entirely and I've gotten back on track with regular, healthy BMs. Each capsule contains 14 different strains of probiotics, as well as a teensy bit of Vitamin C. The only part I found confusing was the direction that these needed to be refrigerated after opening - I was expecting a bottle which, when exposed to air, reasonably would need to go in the fridge. However, this box contains 2 blister-packs of 15 pills each, so I'm not quite sure what difference it makes once the box is opened/why it would need to go in the fridge since each capsule isn't moved from the form its in when you pick it up off the (non-refrigerated) shelf. Not a big deal, just a little puzzling.
I #gotitfree to try through Butterly's Product Review Club.
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I'm always on the lookout for new and unique toys for my young nieces. What The Fluff introduced a concept that I hadn't previously seen before: the toy looks like a messy bunch of colourful purple "fur" when in the box...but shake it and quickly... +
I'm always on the lookout for new and unique toys for my young nieces. What The Fluff introduced a concept that I hadn't previously seen before: the toy looks like a messy bunch of colourful purple "fur" when in the box...but shake it and quickly discover that it's actually a puppy with a whole whack of sounds and reactions. In general, the toy comes in two different options: kitten or puppy, but I can only speak to the latter, though the general idea is the same. Essentially the child has to coax out the inner animal from the fluff by shaking and petting it. Once the pup emerges, it can do all sorts of things, like roll, dance, play songs, etc. It's a cute idea but I noticed only went so far in entertaining my nieces (aged 5 and 6). I don't love the fact that it takes 3 AAA batteries - seems like the sort of thing that could be made nowadays with a built-in rechargeable battery to cut down on waste. Also, the name of the toy, while funny for adults, may not be the wisest - getting kids familiar with the phrase and tossing it around casually. I'm by no means clean-mouthed myself, but it just didn't sit right on this one. An interesting idea, but may be better geared towards younger kids rather than the recommended 5+ years.
I #gotitfree to try through Butterly.
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I'd be lying if I said that I didn't find this toy super cool and...possibly played with it more than the kids in my life! This set was the ultimate throwback to the innovative and interesting toys that came out in the early to mid 90s - it reminded... +
I'd be lying if I said that I didn't find this toy super cool and...possibly played with it more than the kids in my life! This set was the ultimate throwback to the innovative and interesting toys that came out in the early to mid 90s - it reminded me so much of the cool Barbie sets that had all kinds of neat features. This set is dubbed the "craft-a-riffic" Gabby, which is a bit misleading. This is more of an artist Gabby, which comes with a special "magic" paintbrush. After dipping the brush in water, you can "paint" on this special insert. When the insert dries, the painting disappears - "rinse" and repeat! It also comes with a decently sized and sturdy Gabby doll and a Baby Box Cat figuring. The girls and I had a great time playing around with this and even if the novelty of the paint/easel wears off, these are two well-made figures for playing everything else with. All in all, a great find and I think it would make a very unique and well-received gift, as well!
I #gotitfree to try through the Family Rated Club.
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My family is made up of long-time Chapman's customers - we're loyal to our brands and Chapman's is one that I am proud to support for a number of reasons, including the fact that they're a Canadian, quasi-local company and a strong competitor to... +
My family is made up of long-time Chapman's customers - we're loyal to our brands and Chapman's is one that I am proud to support for a number of reasons, including the fact that they're a Canadian, quasi-local company and a strong competitor to other ice-cream companies that are a part of larger conglomerates. There's something about supporting a business that continues to be family-run and has strong business ethics. All that aside, their ice cream is also the best in the game! Long gone are the days of the black cardboard Chapman's ice-cream boxes. They've really branched out over the past few years and are now the only brand that my family will buy, with the perfect trade-off of taste, quality, and price. I usually buy their frozen yogurt in chocolate, but have been veering into more fruit flavours lately. The peaches & cream did not disappoint. Not only was this flavour great on its own, it was also the PERFECT complement to pie, baked crumbles, etc. The pairing of cinnamon flavours in baked goods with the sweetness of the peaches was to die for. I also found that the flavour was really authentic - not at all artificial like so many fruit-flavoured frozen treats. Finally, the fact that this is frozen yogurt! I am 100% behind this! You don't notice any difference versus regular full-fat ice-cream and there is no chance I am ever going back to that. This froyo is win-win-win all around.
I #gotitfree to try through the Product Review Club.
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This little bottle proved that it can really do it all! When I say little, I’m only referring to its plastic bottle footprint – its volume still manages to come in at a whopping 177 mL, totally comparable to most of my other face washes, but the... +
This little bottle proved that it can really do it all! When I say little, I’m only referring to its plastic bottle footprint – its volume still manages to come in at a whopping 177 mL, totally comparable to most of my other face washes, but the tiny and compact bottle cuts down on plastic packaging and makes it easier to pack for a weekend away or short trip. This cleanser is really all you need to bring for a few days away. Since it’s unscented, my husband had no hesitation using it. He also suffers from severe eczema and we didn’t find that this exacerbated things – it was very gentle on his face. As for me, this did a great job of wiping away my makeup of the day. It was a welcome change from gel or oil cleansers, as this reminded me of a more traditional face wash, the sort that’s really effective at doing just that – cleansing. I was also happy to see the clean formulation and the complete absence of fragrance, dyes, and sulfates (among other unwelcome ingredients). The price point was absolutely fantastic and it’s so difficult to find something that meets the needs of the entire household, but this did the trick. -
I typically use another store-brand fluoride-free toothpaste that I pick up from a well-known and loved natural food store in the States. Since I haven't had a chance to trek over there in...oh, roughly 2 years...I was looking forward to trying this... +
I typically use another store-brand fluoride-free toothpaste that I pick up from a well-known and loved natural food store in the States. Since I haven't had a chance to trek over there in...oh, roughly 2 years...I was looking forward to trying this whitening toothpaste from Tom's. Tom's is a tried and tested natural brand that I've turned to in the past for other products. While I'm not keen on using fluoride-free toothpaste all year round, I do turn to this sort of product once in a while when I'm looking for a break and my contact dermatitis is flaring up (there are theories that this can be related to fluoride use). Also, as a result of working from home and picking up a daily latte habit in my kitchen each morning, my teeth have been looking a little more yellowed than usual and I'm looking to get things gleaming white again before my impending return to the office. So, this toothpaste fit the bill! The peppermint flavour was absolutely outstanding and a far cry from the artificial taste of regular toothpaste. This cut my awful morning breath dramatically and left my mouth with a fresh, tingly-clean sensation. It's difficult to say how aggressive it is on plaque - I don't generally get dramatic plaque build-up and I haven't been to the dentist since I started using it. I will say that my teeth look a little whiter since starting daily use....I can never be sure if it's in my head and reference before/after photos are only as good as their lighting. If I at the very least believe it's doing something, that's good enough for me, for now. The amazing sensation of clean that this leaves me with is alone well-worth its continued use.
I #gotitfree to try through the Product Review Club.
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I'll preface this review by saying that I'm a huge fan of water-gel type creams, primarily Laneige. This water cream from CoverGirl is an amazing contender, at a fraction of the price! For (I believe) CoverGirl's first foray into skincare, this is a... +
I'll preface this review by saying that I'm a huge fan of water-gel type creams, primarily Laneige. This water cream from CoverGirl is an amazing contender, at a fraction of the price! For (I believe) CoverGirl's first foray into skincare, this is a homerun. I'll admit I was hesitant to try this at first because I didn't think it would be any good and assumed it would have a lot of nasty chemicals. But I'm now blown away. With its first two ingredients being water and glycerin, this gets the job done! I can see myself turning to this in the spring and summer, when I'm looking for a lighter moisturizer. My preference is also to use this during the day and essentially use it as a sort of primer - I've been applying it as the first step in my makeup routine and it has kept my skin looking moisturized and fresh all day. Also love the fact that this has 90% naturally derived ingredients, including cactus water, and hyaluronic acid. I'm converted to CG skincare!
I #gotitfree to try though the Product Review Club.
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I almost exclusively use Dove deodorants and anti-perspirants - both stick and dry sprays - and always feel uneasy tossing away my finished product in the recycling. It seems like a lot of waste for such a small amount of product (and something that... +
I almost exclusively use Dove deodorants and anti-perspirants - both stick and dry sprays - and always feel uneasy tossing away my finished product in the recycling. It seems like a lot of waste for such a small amount of product (and something that is used so regularly that you can find yourself tossing a container nearly every 2 months, with regular use). I've noticed a lot of brands hopping on the refillable container scene, so it was great to see Dove, a brand I actually use every day, do the same. The scent of the Coconut + Pink Jasmine refill was divine - totally in line with all the other Dove scents I've bought before. The refill was a bit soft, however - the best way to describe it was...melty. This made it very easy to wear down the sides of it in weird ways and even snap off chunks from the main piece. Perhaps something needs to be added to make the actual deodorant stick a little stiffer. Otherwise, I thought the idea of this kit was genius and generally well-executed. I really liked how sleek and discreet the case was - this makes it excellent not only for travel packing, but also for stowing away in your purse for day-to-day. The only other downside I will mention is that the refills seem to be difficult to find in stores at this time and when you do, they're quite expensive. Considering that the refills should cost less to manufacture than a brand new regular Dove deodorant (owing to the significantly lesser amount of packaging), I was surprised to see them priced higher. This isn't really conducive to its eco-aimed mission and to maintaining a client base over the long term, where the environmentally-friendly option is more out of reach than otherwise for no apparent reason. If I find the refills on sale, I may repurchase but otherwise I cannot see myself spending more for this.
I #gotitfree to try through the Product Review Club.
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