Lucky Tackle Box XL Bass Review/Giveaway

What comes to mind when you hear Summer? For some it is the beach.. the lake.. BBQs.. Well, in our family, it is camping and fishing!

We love to head to the lake for the weekend and camp out. My husband will wake up at a god awful early time and head to the shore to get his poles in the water! He can sit there for hours on end, casting and recasting until he snags that perfect fish. Most of the time with great success!

So I was really happy when I was given the chance to review the #1 subscription box for folks who fish - Lucky Tackle Box!

This is a monthly box you can receive that is jam packed with fishing goodies like Lures, Jigs, Bait, etc.

You get to choose between several different types of fish that you were shooting for on your fishing trip.

Each type of box is designed with the tackle that is best for that specific fish type. You can choose from: Bass, Bass XL, Catfish, In-Shore Saltwalter, Multi-Species, Panfish, Walleye, Trout and Fly Fishing!

Each box comes with around $50 in merchandise  to use. I'm not sure if each box or month comes with different values. as I could not find that on the site but my particular box, when priced out by item, was worth $50!

The cost of the subscriptions are as follows: 1 month is $14.99 or $24.99 for the XL boxes, 3 months is $14.39 or $23.99, 6 months is $14.24 or $23.79 and 12 months is $13.75 or $22.92 per box.

Not a bad deal for new tackle each month!

I was given a few things in my box to add to my husband's tackle box. The card that comes with the box lists each brand included, along with their website addresses so that he can purchase more of the ones he likes best.

Among the items in the box I received are a package of Hammerhead Crank Bait, Assorted Crank bait, Flat Wild 4", Fat gap flat nickel hooks, Link top-water bait, and Chatterfrog.

Now to someone who doesn't fish, this is all a bunch of gibberish and possibly made up words, but for someone who fishes, this is some pretty top quality stuff!

The cool thing about this box is that once you receive it (shipped every 10th of the month), you can go onto their website and watch a video on how to use everything that you received in your box! How cool is that?

Also included in the box is The Biggest Little Book on fishing, a small guide to the items that are included in your box as well as some little tidbits that are fun to read.

So we live in Sunny Southern California where as of late our lakes and rivers have become more abundant. We are finally starting to get through the dreaded drought and our lakes are flourishing.

We took our Lucky Tackle Boxes on two separate trips to the lake.

Our first trip was to Lake Dixon in Escondido, CA. This lake is known for their Bass and Catfish.

We had two days of fishing and were in a pretty secluded spot in the shade where normally the fish would migrate to.

Day 1, we had no luck, nothing even bit. It was a really hot day so I'm assuming that the fish were all in the deeper water.

The second day we were able to catch a nice sized Catfish (with the bass tackle, using the worms).

I will not blame the product whatsoever for the lack of catching fish because we even switched out to our typical lures and bait and still were unsuccessful.  Just a bad trip apparently.

Even a bad day fishing has its consolations.

Our second trip was to Lake Hemet in Mountain Center, CA. They are known for their Bass, Blue Gill and Catfish. I knew I should have gotten the Catfish box too!

This trip we were also unsuccessful on catching anything worth noting. I look forward to trying this gear out again on our next trip to the lake.

Would I recommend this box to my fishing buddies? Of course! Who wouldn't love to get new fishing gear each month to try and up their fishing game?

Now would I recommend this subscription box to my stubborn grandfather? Probably not! We all know that the old timer fishermen have their ways of doing it and have learned their ways over the years of fishing.

I feel like he would look at some of the stuff and think 'what is wrong with my old lure?"

But for the fisher looking to get to know some of the products out there, I think this would make a great gift for the fathers and brothers in your lives - as well as the mothers and sisters who fish! I wish that I had had my hands on this box in time for Fathers Day - this would have made a stellar gift for my husband.

Give them a look at their social media pages and see what they are all about. I think you will be thoroughly pleased by their products. I know that we were.  And then read on to see how you can enter to win an XL Bass Box from Lucky Tackle Box!

www.LuckyTackleBox.com
Twitter.com/luckytacklebox
facebook.com/luckytacklebox
instagram.com/luckytacklebox
pinterest.com/luckytacklebox/lucky-tackle-box/

One winner in the US or Canada will receive a one month subscription to Lucky Tackle Box XL Bass version at the end of the giveaway.

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment in this entry as instructed by the Giveaway Tools Entry Form below. This will open up additional optional entries to increase your odds of winning. (If you don't leave a comment, any additional entries will be void.)

This giveaway is open to the US AND CANADA ONLY and will end just before midnight ET on 8/4. 

The winner will be notified by email 24 to 48 hours after the end of the giveaway by email. In order to claim the giveaway prize, the winner will need to respond within 24 hours of notification, or an alternate winner will be selected.

Good luck!

Entry-Form

Review: Twinkle Cup

Imagine if you will that you have a child that is absolutely terrified of public toilets. Not just your average "I don't like to sit on the big potty. It's cold and loud." No, this child would rather hold her pee than use a public toilet. She'd rather deal with wet pants and tears than the fear of the public bathroom.

This wasn't something I had to imagine. This was 100% my life when my daughter transitioned out of diapers and into using the toilet. There was nothing we could do to make the process easy and more comfortable for her. I tried everything. I made a "magic toilet cover" to keep the photo eye from flushing the toilet unexpectedly.

Eventually we resorted to just keeping her portable training toilet in the trunk of our car and let her use it whenever we were away from home. I kept wishing there was something that would make it easier for us to use the bathroom in the actual bathroom rather than in the back of the car.

If I had heard of Twinkle Cup back then, I would have been so relieved (pun intended)!

What is Twinkle Cup? Twinkle Cup is a disposable cup that gives females the ability to use the bathroom without having to sit on the toilet. What?! For real? Yes! It's a neat little folded, easily portable cup that has a plastic liner. Its shaped to fit snugly up against the body to catch the urine stream. You then pour out the contents into the toilet and dispose of the cup. No mess, no fuss.

My daughter has Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). More on that in another blog post at a later time.  Suffice it to say that if there is something she doesn't want to do, there is absolutely no way you will get her to do it. We would have done anything to make stressful situations easier on her and I am positive that Twinkle Cup would have been the perfect product for us. Through therapy and working through her discomfort and fears, we are able to use public restrooms now. I still have to stand in the stall with her and hold my hand over the photo eye for the auto-flush, just in case.

The folks at Twinkle Cup sent me a box with about 2 dozen disposable cups. I have kept them in my purse and in my glove box in the car.

We had cause to use them the other day when we were playing at a park with no restrooms. I found them to be very easy to use. It was a little awkward at first, getting my daughter to force her body to eliminate while standing but once the stream started there were no problems.

I can see us using these when we go camping or on road trips. I would whole-heartedly recommend them to any parent or guardian of a female child, especially one with Sensory issues!

You can learn more about Twinkle Cup by visiting them on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and you can purchase them on Amazon. They sell for $13.50 for six cups. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can get them for $12.15 and free Prime shipping!

Review: Sand Gone Sand Remover

This past year was actually the first time ever having my wet toes in the sand - crazy, right? I loved experiencing the beach with my family, but quickly learned that sand is an unforgiving straggler that does not remove easily.

While that's fine while playing in it, eventually you must return to shoes, clothes and your car. The thought of having to feel the sand for the rest of the day gives me massive anxiety.

Then I learned about Sand Gone. Sand Gone is a product that claims to remove sand with ease, leaving your skin soft and smooth. I was definitely excited to pack it along to our next beach adventure.

According to their website:

"The dry, white powder is both non-toxic and non-talc. It also contains a hint of coconut fragrance. Sand Gone is best used when cleaning up while leaving the beach. However, Sand Gone works perfectly well when cleaning up after the sand box, playground or wherever one encounters sand. It is like having a "dry shower" from a jar. In addition to removing the sand, Sand Gone also removes the salt from your skin after a day at the beach. No more uncomfortable "scratchy feeling" under clothing during the drive home."

As soon as it was warm enough, we packed the kids in the car and headed to Santa Monica for some fun in the sun. I happily stayed relaxing on the blanket with the baby while my husband took our oldest out to play.

Every time they walked up for another toy or otherwise, they were more and more covered in gross wet sand. I kept reassuring myself ‘it’s ok, you have Sand Gone!’ At one point my daughter was even taken down by a wave, plastering even more sand to her body.

When the day had sadly come to an end, I opened the container to find a soft white microfiber poof. The non-toxic, non-talc powder inside had a delectable coconut scent. The instructions simply say to apply Sand Gone to the poof and use the poof to wipe sand off of skin. I dabbed the poof into the starchy powder and wipes across my daughters leg.

…ew. It became a mushy white streak that we now could only get off with the towel. I tried again on their feet. Fail again. It was only creating thick mush. We did notice that it created a bit of a barrier where sand will not restick I started to wonder if it should be applied when dry to act as a preventative. I had my husband reenter the water and unfortunately that immediately washed away the Sand Gone, negating my idea.

I’m very sad to say that I didn’t think this product worked for us. Unfortunately, it just left a floury mush on wet bodies that was harder to remove than the sand, and a white powdery stain on bathing suits, and anything else it fell onto.

I do notice, that their website appears to be using it on dry sand. although there were no instructions specifying that. In my opinion, dry sand is not an issue. That can easily be brushed off with a towel, or even your hand. If I’m going to put up with the sand until it dries, I can’t imagine still needing a product to help get it off at that point.

That said, for those who find brushing dry sand off to be a problem, Sand Gone is sold in 8 oz jars on their website for $14.95 plus shipping.

SandGone.com

Sand Gone on Facebook

Review/Giveaway: Lewis N. Clark Outdoor Gear

So some of y’all may recall that I am an avid mushroom-hunting fan. Yes, the boring little things that pop up in the yard after it rains—the ones that you attempt to prevent your toddler and/or dogs from indiscriminately shoving down their gullets for simply being things in the yard.

See? I really found this a couple days ago, and it is cool.  Ahem. Anyway.

So. I got these little guys in the mail from Lewis N. Clark and I was like SQUEEEE!!! Just LOOK at these things. I knew they were actually much larger when you opened them up to their real size, but they are so cute and little and weigh next to nothing. And I knew EXACTLY what I was doing with them.

When you're exploring the great outdoors, sometimes you find stuff you want to take home, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you’re gonna be gone all day needing food and water and whatnot, sometimes you’re just going for a quick scout and you don’t need to carry a bunch of stuff with you.

Me, and the ElectroLight backpack.

Sometimes (here, at least) it’s hotter than the devil’s drawers and you’re not interested in toting a big, sweaty pack around. And sometimes you don’t necessarily know if you’re going to actually need a bag to carry stuff in, but you know you’re probably going to need one if you don’t bring one, because that’s the way life works.


Lewis N. Clark’s ElectroLight Series is fantastic for those times that carrying around a bulky bag or backpack is impractical or just annoying. 

All of the items in the series weigh 3 oz or less and stuff down into a little bag (it’s even attached, so you can’t lose it!) that can fit in your pocket when you’re not using it. 

I went on a weekend camping trip and found that the ditty bag was perfect for storing dirty laundry in my backpack, so I could keep it separated from the clean stuff. 

If you’ve ever been backpacking (or schlepped a diaper bag around), you know that both space and capacity to carry around heavy crap is limited, so the fact that the bags weigh practically nil and stuffs down to a tiny size is extremely convenient.

It is worth remembering, however, that they are also light-duty, so not a great choice for hauling around loads of bricks if you are so inclined. Fortunately for me, fungus doesn’t typically weigh that much, and Lewis N. Clark has a whole host of other traveling and outdoor carrying-stuff-around/making-life-easier products for your traipsing pleasure. 

If you'd like to check out their full line of travel and outdoor products, check them out via the links below, and read on for a Giveaway!

Website: http://lewisnclark.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LewisNClarkProducts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LewisNClarkGear
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lewisnclarkgear/


 

 Lewis N. Clark has generously offered one ElectroLight Ditty Bag to five different lucky winners. Each winner can select which version they'd like: 

Small (Neon Lemon)  9"x4"

Medium (Red) 11"x5"

Large (Bright Blue) 13"x6" 

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in this entry as instructed by the Rafflecopter, then leave the name you commented under and your email in the box in the Rafflecopter entry. (This allows us to contact you if you win!)  This will open up additional optional entries to increase your odds of winning.

FIVE WINNERS!
This giveaway is open to US RESIDENTS ONLY
and will end just before midnight ET on 7-19-15. 

The winners will be notified by email within 24 hours after the end of the giveaway.  In order to claim the giveaway prize, the winner will need to respond within 24 hours of notification, or an alternate winner will be selected.

Good luck everyone!
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: PowerBark Bars

I have been a dog owner since the day I was born.  As a farmer's daughter and avid outdoorswoman, I’m also outside quite frequently.  

Most of the dogs we had growing up were working dogs, but also pets.  We have fewer working dogs now, and way more pets, but their needs are still the same.  

When I was given the chance to try out these PowerBark Bars, I was very excited, because I've been wanting to involve my pet in more of my outdoor activities such as camping trips.  PowerBark Bars are a nutritionally complete dog meal in an easy to carry solid bar, making it easy to take along and to serve your dog while you are both out roaming. 

They also store easily and for a good length of time, which to me was just practical.

When I received my bars in the mail, they were in a protected envelope, complete with an instruction document on the bars themselves.  Each bar is individually wrapped in thick packaging that ensures it will last with a shelf-life of 12-18 months, which makes them really handy to keep with your emergency supplies just in case.

One bar is a complete meal for a 30 pound dog, so your dogs needs will vary depending on how big or small they are.  Our pitt mix, Cort, is approximately 50 pounds, so a bar and a half does him pretty well. If we were going to be out for a whole day, we would take 3 bars with us for the day.

The ingredients in each bar started out as ingredients in the creators kitchen, one of which happens to be a nutritionist.  So in them you will find things like oatmeal, molasses, and oils.  There are some supplemental vitamins included, and most of the protein comes from pea protein.  It’s a healthy mix and balance for a meal replacement bar on the go.

 Each bar is around $4, but you can get an entire box for under $50.  They also provide FREE SHIPPING, so you can’t go wrong with that deal.

 When I opened the first bar, Cort must have smelled them and became very intrigued.  As you can see, he was “patiently” awaiting the new noms he smelled before him  I am happy to report that Cort approves his new PowerBark Bars.  The taste test did not last long, and he devoured it fairly quickly.

 Once I had Cort's approval on the taste, I knew I had the rest of the bars to use when we go camping next.  Funny enough, later that week we ran out of dog food and I was out of town for an interview and my dad was tending to Cort at the time.  He remembered about the PowerBarks, and was able to use one to act as a meal replacement until I could get home to replenish Cort’s food supply.  So this has a very practical value for even the non-outdoorsman.

Keep a few bars in your house for a snow day, keep some in your car ,for road trips, take some with you when you go for extended hikes or camping.  Whatever your needs, think of your furry companions needs in an emergency or when away from home.  These bars are an easy way to set your mind at ease.

https://www.facebook.com/PowerBark
http://www.powerbark.com/

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14 Ways to Celebrate Spring Equinox 2014

AT LAST!  According to the Farmer's Almanac,Spring arrived with the Vernal Equinox at 12:57 EDT today, and while there may still be snow on the ground in several parts of the country, and perhaps more to come, the Universe has spoken - it is SPRING.

Can you tell I'm excited to see the end of this never-ending Winter?  I know I'm not the only one, although it sometimes feels like it - many of my friends are total snowbunnies, cheering every new weather report of impending snowstorms, and several of our writers here at Reviews, Chews & How-Tos live in the Mohave Desert and haven't really experienced any winter at all.

But for me - I am a happy woman!  I love to acknowledge this day - not only for it's promise of milder weather and the ability to throw open my windows soon, nor for the sudden burst of crocuses blossoming like crazy in my yard.  The Spring Equinox is one of two times a year (the other is at the Autumn Equinox in September), when our day and night hours are the same length apart and the same in the Northern Hemisphere as they are in the Southern Hemisphere.

So this is a time for us to restore balance in our lives, and it makes a great time to do a reset of things that have gone a bit awry.  One of many reasons why Spring Cleaning is so popular.

Ostara (1884) by Johannes Gehrts.

In ancient times - and among pagans today - many of the symbols that have been adopted by Easter are actually Equinox symbols.  Rabbits (hares) are ancient fertility symbols, as are eggs.  The association of blooming flowers with spring is a no brainer, as are seedlings.  The word Easter is, itself, associated with Ostara (in German) or Eostre (in Anglo-Saxon England), a goddess associated with Spring rather than the Judeo-Christian Passover.  The languages of people who did not ever worship Ostara all use a word still rooted in Passover or Pasche.

With all that in mind, I like when  there is a bit of distance between the first day of Spring and Easter, as there is this year - we can start celebrating with the bunnies and eggs and flowers now, and for those inclined to treat Easter or Passover more religiously, it can be celebrated apart from the Eostre customs.

I've seen so many lovely ideas for bringing in the Spring around the Internet, that I decided to share just a few of them in a 1st Day of Spring round up.  Try one, or all of them, and enjoy the turning of the year!

1.  Make a 3-Dimensional Spring Sign - The Idea Room
Isn't this adorable?  Follow the link to get a clear tutorial using items easily found at the craft store.  I think it would make a perfect focal point for any other Spring decorations, and I just love the greenery.

2. Make a Simple Spring Wreath - Confessions of a Serial DIYer

I really like the natural appeal and crisp light colors of this wreath - the tutorial is easy to follow and there are lots of ways to reinterpret this to make it your own (as much as I love the look of those little green apples, I think I might like finding some robins egg blue accents).

3. Make a Floral Bunny Wreath - The Chirping Moms.
This one has a whole different feel than the previous one - but I like it just as much!  Especially here in DC, where we are having a delayed Cherry Blossom season, I love seeing this decked out in delicate pink blossoms.

4. Paint some Wooden Speckled Robins Eggs - Just a Little Creativity.
Speaking of robins eggs!  These are painted, and then spatter painted, and the directions include a bit of advice about how to avoid making a mess while doing it.  These are definitely on my list of must-dos!

5. Make some Egg Shell Candles - About a Mom.
I can't even describe how cheerful I find that sunny yellow candle peeping out from these egg shells.  A few of these would make a delightful centerpiece.

6. Plant some seeds in Egg Shell Starters - Frugal Little Bungalow
This is just the right time to plant a few seeds, and egg shells make a delightful (and biodegradable) container for them.  The minerals in egg shells are even good for the soil!

7. Make a Flower Crown - Mommy Like Whoa.
I made several of these last year and am just about ready to make a few more - nothing gets you into the spirit of the season like a flowered crown and a dance around your backyard (or kitchen).

8. Dream big!  Make a Backyard Sun Dial! - Mom Foodie
I love this idea so much!  It would be such a great project to do together with children, but also just a gorgeous way to set off a backyard garden.  And it's not even difficult to do!

9. Enjoy a delicious bowl of Caramelized Carrot Soup - Our Family World.
Carrots and ginger and a bit of curry goodness - sounds marvelous to me!  Appearing on our dinner table soon, guaranteed.

10. Make some Stenciled Garden Markers - Earning & Saving with Sarah Fuller
It may still be too cold to bring plants outdoors, but while we're waiting for the weather to catch up, we can plan our gardens and make a few markers in preparation.

11. Make some Baby Chick Deviled Eggs - CincyShopper.com
These are almost too cute to eat!  Almost, I say because I'll be eating many. I think I might make deviled eggs this way from now on because they are SO CUTE!

12. Make a Hanging Flower Chandelier - The Sweetest Occasion
For those fortunate enough to have some blooms ready to bring in, here's a stunning and unique way to display them!  For those of us still making do with early crocuses, here's something to save for a little later in the season.

13. Wear a Ribbon Wrapped Carrot Hairclip - Huckleberry Love.
I love this tutorial, not only for the ridiculously cute carrot themed hair accessories, but because it gives very good clear instructions on one of life's biggest mysteries - how to get that wonderful curly effect in ribbons. (Ok, it was a mystery to me - but now I'm in the know with everyone else!)

14. Make some Bunny Butt Cookies! - Hungry Happenings
Last, but not least, some more adorable food!  These are actually called Chocolate Bunny Silhouettes, but come on. Bunny Butts!  These are actually throwing me into a state of crisis, because I'd already planned out a potluck offering for a Spring gathering I'm attending this weekend, and now I'm strongly considering making Bunny Butts instead!


Consider that a cliffhanger....  and HAPPY SPRING!!

You can find these and other springtime ideas on our Pinterest page on our Stuff We Love @RCH: Spring

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