Sanford's Sharpie Gel Highlighters, Premium Pen, & Paper Mate's InkJoy FTW!

I have a confession. I am a pen thief.

I have a pen obsession.

Now don't get me wrong... I'm not the type to purposely snag and secretly take off with your pen. Oh no... I will blatantly tell you I love your pen and I am stealing it.

I know that might come off kind of strange. But, that's me! I love pens, and when I find the perfect one, I must own it.

Smooth writers with a nice grip and a slight weight are my thing. Sometimes I like a thick ballpoint pen, sometimes I like it thin, and... sometimes I like it in-between! It varies from time to time, but the perfect pen IS the perfect pen.

As a Shoplet reviewer, I had the opportunity to check out Paper Mate's new InkJoy 700 RT line, Sharpie's new Gel Highlighters, and the Sharpie pen. Clearly, they weren't aware of my pen obsession. (Or were they?)
Shoplet specializes in office supplies, so when my InkJoy 700 RTs run out, I know exactly where I'm going. But, I'm going to use every last drippy drop of ink in these pens. They are amazing!

First off, before I even tried the pens, I loved the look. As a color obsessed girl (I guess I have a lot of obsessions, huh?), I really loved the color distinguishing tops. Shiny red, shiny blue. I could only hope the pen wrote as well as it looked.

And yep, they sure do! One of InkJoy's tag lines is "effortless writing", and I couldn't agree with that statement more. Oh my gosh, it was so fluid writing with these pens, that I went absolutely haywire on my to-do list. (Another obsession)

I had the sudden urge to re-write the entire thing - which is an every other month kind of deal. I used red for due dates, I used blue for items that needed attention. I was crossing things out here and there, adding things, and to put it simply - I was going to town on that paper. Then I rewrote it again the next day. It looked so neat and color coordinated. And to be perfectly honest, these pens are just fun to write with.

Shiny things!

The ink comes out so smooth, even, and bold, it was hard to resist writing quickly. And the InkJoy 700 RT is a pleasure to hold. It has a nice curvy body, a firm grip, and just the right amount of weight. I quite possibly could be rambling, but that is only because I am in love.

No doubt, my new favorite pens!

Paper Mate's InkJoy 700 RT features:

- InkJoy writing system gives you the best in effortless writing. Starts quickly without dragging, requires minimal pressure from the hand and delivers crisp, clean lines every time.
- Combines an hourglass shape with rubberized grip to provide comfort and control.
- Solid metal accents for long-lasting durability.

The Sharpie Premium Pen didn't quite compare to the Inkjoy, but it's still a great pen nonetheless. It has a nice, classic, clean, and professional look. It's the expensive looking pen with the reliability of the Sharpie name.

So shiny

I can closely rate the performance and feel of it with Sharpie's fine-tip markers, however, this pen doesn't bleed through the paper, which is a HUGE bonus!
The Sharpie pen also writes fluidly and bold, which is really what you want in any pen, isn't it? And as another perk, it definitely does not carry the odor of it's permanent marker family.
Another very cool feature? It is refillable. We've all had it happen. Your favorite pen dies, and gets buried in the trashcan grave. When you have the ability to refill, this stainless steel Sharpie pen will outlive you!

Just testing... again ;)

Sharpie Premium Pen features:

- Offers a smooth, high-quality writing experience.
- Delivers clean and concise lines that are permanent and smear-resistant.
- Special Ink Type: N/A Pen Style: Stick Ink Colors: Black Pen Type: Porous Point.

And speaking of Sharpie's rapport, let's talk about these Gel highlighters they just came out with. Talk about awesome! Even though the package clearly shows what the highlighters look like, I totally missed it and was entirely thrown off when I opened one up.

What I was expecting to see was a super bright felt angular tip. What I saw instead was a rounded GEL tip. Yeah, it was kind of a face palm moment. I put the highlighters to work immediately because these were just too cool to not use.

The Sharpie Gel highlighters claim that there will be no smearing, it doesn't bleed, and it won't dry out for days without a cap. Cool beans? Yep!

Their new ink-free technology truly does provide total smear protection. Believe me, I tested it... several times. And smearing is the biggest peeve of highlighter users. Sharpie's got it down - no smearing here.
The highlighters write extremely smooth - as odd as it sounds, it's almost like clear deodorant in a pen form. The results look much like a crayon would, which is optimal for no bleeding. It's a flawless design for a highlighter.

Smear test: A++++++++

The only downside I saw, and I really found it on accident - was that if you touch the highlighted area too soon after it has been used, it will slightly smudge. However, I do mean slightly. The highlighter also doesn't stain, so if you do happen to smudge it with your hand, it won't show up.

Sharpie Gel highlighters features:

- Features gel stick technology which provides the strongest smear protection across pen and marker inks and ink jet printouts

- Won't dry out if left uncapped or bleed through paper.
- Works great on all paper surfaces, including glossy or thin papers.
- Conforms to your handwriting style and writes as long as a traditional pen-style highlighter.

So what do you look for in a pen? Do you like them heavy or light? Thick or thin? Are you a pen thief like me? (I won't tell, promise!)

Clearly, I have an obsession.

I received the above mentioned products to facilitate this review for Shoplet.com's Sanford Writing Pens. Any opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way. Please click here to check out my disclosure notice.

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The Perfect Father's Day card - direct from Treat (plus a giveaway!) @treatcards

Enter below for your chance to win 10 free cards from Treat!

If you're looking for the perfect Father's Day card this year, look no further than Treat. Treat is the newest addition to the Tiny Prints family, and they've already earned a spot on my Favorite Places list.

For kiddo's birthday, I ordered my very first card from Treat for her. It was extremely personalized and thoughtful, and recieved a lot of compliments! It was one of those, "Where in the world did you get that!" moments, which are always fantastic.

I enjoyed my experience with Treat so much, that I ordered my husband's Father's Day card from them as well. He is just going to love it! (And here's hoping... he doesn't get the sudden urge to read this!)

I used their Memorable Mosiac design and used images that only had daddy and daughter. Since I'm always behind the camera, it wasn't that difficult ;)

Isn't it just fantastic? It was extremely easy to personalize and it turned out beautiful. It is definitely the most heartfelt card I've ever purchased before.

Check out the super cool features of Treat:

- Your first card is FREE! No joke - use FREETREAT at checkout.
- You can add gift cards to your greeting cards from top retailers like Amazon, iTunes, Target, and more!
- They have an awesome reminder feature that let's you import birthdays from Facebook. You'l never forget a birthday again!
- You can also schedule cards one year in advance for delivery

I highly reccomend Treat. They are inexpensive, and have amazing quality cards. The personalization is just a perk. The amount of designs they have for any occasion is amazing. Check out some of my favorite Father's Day designs:

These cards don't even scratch the surface of what Treat has. Check out their Father's Day Cards category to see them all. While I'm usually a sentimental card giver, I've also given humorous cards as well. What do you prefer to give? From the heart or from the funny bone? :)

To connect with Treat and stay in the loop on new features and designs, you can follow them here:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google+

The awesome folks at Treat want to give away 10 tokens for 10 free cards to one of you! Just use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

Giveaway ends 06/08/2012. Must be 18 years or older to enter. US residents only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway




The above mentioned product was purchased by me, and was not compensation for this post. I will however recieve 10 card tokens as well in return for this post and hosting the giveaway. Any opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way. Please click here to check out my disclosure notice.

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Win! Natural House introduces Moppy @naturalhousepro

Natural House is back at it again with yet another amazing product. You've seen my love for them in my Flushy, Sinky, and Trashy review, and even more recently, my love for Surfy.

Now they've got another addition to their natural household cleaning products and the probiotic revolution with Moppy!

Natural House exceeds my expectations again with Moppy, just as all of their other products have. If you haven't joined the probiotic revolution yet, enter below for your chance at owning Moppy!

When I first used Moppy, my expectations were low. And that's not because Natural House's other products have let me down, but because any other floor cleaner I have ever used has.

I own an actual mop. Now there are essentially two issues I always come across while mopping. One, you can't scrub with a mop. It's just impossible. Two, my hardwood floors absolutely despise me, and never ever want to come out clean. They are always smudgy or filmy after I'm through.

So with Moppy, I expected the same results. But I was thoroughly wrong. When I started in the kitchen, I was thrown off by the ease of mopping. While there were sticky spots (kiddo strikes again!), and coffee drips that usually cause me a headache, my mop cleared them with no struggle. To be honest, it felt like cheating with how easily my floor cleaned up.

When I read the packaging, the claim was that it is safe to use on multiple surfaces including, "high-gloss surfaces, terrazzo, marble, slate, vinyl, tile, and finished hardwood." Just like I tested my glass with Surfy, I had to try Moppy on my hardwood.

Moppy Probiotic Cleaning packet is a concentrated, professional-strength, all-natural floor cleaner. Powerful, plant derived scrubbing agents cut through dirt and lift grime from the floor. Moppy’s probiotics remain on the surface to help maintain a germ-free and odor-free household. Moppy is safe to use on multiple surfaces including high-gloss surfaces, terrazzo, marble, slate, vinyl, tile, and finished hardwood surfaces. Use weekly to promote a healthy and safe home!

Benefits of using Moppy:
Industry-First, Cutting-Edge Probiotic Cleaning Products
Convenient foaming water soluble pouch application
Cuts through dirt and lifts grime from the floor
Active ingredients keep working to maintain germ and odor free surface
1 bag lasts 30 DAYS
Safe to use on multiple surfaces including high-gloss surfaces, terrazzo, marble, slate, vinyl, tile, and finished hardwood surfaces
Use weekly to promote a healthy and safe home
Leaves no Dulling Residue
Scrubbing action scours dirt and lifts germs and grime, while driving out odors at their source
Eco-Friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable

The results were, to say the least, amazing. There was no film, no streaking, and oddly enough... shine! Which is something that I have never been able to accomplish, even with vinegar.

Moppy worked amazingly on my hardwood floor!

Of course, Moppy also has the benefits of being a phosphate free, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable product. But isn't is just fantastic how something that is safe and healthy also works more effectively than chemical products?

Natural House truly has the best products on the market, and now you have a chance to win Moppy, right here! (And be sure to head over to the Surfy giveaway before 5/29/12 too!) Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

To learn more about Surfy and their other products, you can connect with them on Facebook and Twitter!

Want it now? You can get Moppy directly on the Natural House website. Or you can purchase Natural House on Amazon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends 06/07/2012. Open to residents of the US only.




I received the above mentioned product for the purpose of this review. Any opinions expressed are my own. Please click here to check out my disclosure notice.

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Beautiful and Easy gifts at EasyCanvasPrints.com

When it comes to buying gifts for my husband, I always try to make them as personalized as possible. Whether I make it, have it made, or (on a rare occasion) find something perfect in the store, my gifts are always from the heart.

But let's be honest here, men are usually hard to buy for. Opting in for tools and ties for Father's Day isn't my bag, but keeping fresh ideas for personal items certainly isn't an easy task either.

A few weeks ago, I was introduced to EasyCanvasPrints.com - and my search for a personalized item was resolved.

I already have a pretty awesome Father's Day card all set. It's a black and white collage of all of the photos taken with daddy and daughter, so I didn't want to repeat one of those pictures on the canvas. Instead, I made a canvas using a photo of a lighthouse that is in our neighborhood.

The lighthouse is in a park nearby, and serves no real purpose. It's located next to a man-made waterfall and a creek. But, it's not the photo of the lighthouse that is significant, but more of the significance of the lighthouse in comparison to our relationship as a couple. After we had been married for a few years he said to me, "Where do you want to meet when we die?". And not really putting much thought into it, I said the lighthouse. It just kind of stuck, and now it's kind of a nonchalant symbol of our marriage.

I cropped the photo of the lighthouse into a square, made it black and white, added a gritty border on it, and uploaded it onto the site. When the final product arrived, I could not have been happier. It turned out great!

The original image I created of the lighthouse to have printed.

The print is nice and smooth, no smudging or blurring. And because it's actually on canvas, it really looks like art. I opted for a small print, on an 8"x8" canvas, but they run sizes as large as 40"x40", so you really can make your own art on canvas! I used to be an art student, so I dealt with canvas a lot. Frame making, stretching, stapling, the whole nine. The quality of the product itself is impeccable, and will certainly last a very long time.

As super easy and simple as it was to have my canvas printed, I did come across one issue. And that was picking the photo! I didn't have the idea of the lighthouse right off the bat. In fact, I had 4 different ideas before that. But because of the special uniqueness of the printed canvas, I knew I had to choose wisely.

Needless to say, I'm extremely pleased with my canvas print and couldn't have chosen a better place. For extra special, extra personalized items, EasyCanvasPrints has my vote. For photos on canvas prints, you couldn't ask for better quality.

So what about you? Are you are tool and tie giver, or do you like to add that extra love too?




I received the above mentioned product for the purpose of this review. Any opinions expressed are my own. Please click here to check out my disclosure notice.

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The secret to amazing photos using a point and shoot camera

A few flowers from my Mother's Day bouquet. 

 In the review blogging world, having a camera is a must. You have to take pictures of the products... show details, because as the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words".

No one can deny this point. Take for example, if I was doing a review on something, and my favorite part was the "vibrant" color. Without a picture, the word "vibrant" can't really do the color justice, can it?

All too often, I see product images that can be a million times better with just one simple trick. Use your macro function. It doesn't make a difference if you have a point and shoot camera, chances are, it's enabled with a macro function.

So what is the macro function? On your camera, whether it's a button or in your digital menu options, you'll see a flower. This is essentially your super zoom. This is your weapon against terrible photos.

All of the pictures taken in this post were taken with a Nikon Coolpix S202. There is nothing spectacular about this camera, and nothing that makes it stand out better than any other point and shoot digital camera that I've used. The difference is your ability to use the macro function.

Background is everything. The coolest part about the macro function is it's ability to zoom in on your 'subject' and blur out it's background. I love taking photos in my sunroom, using the general room as the background. It blurs out wonderfully and the natural sunlight enhances the images.

In this photo, I used the macro function and a Christmas tree as the background.

Lighting is kinda a big deal. The more natural light you have, the less effect your flash will have. I'm not a huge fan of turning the flash off, because my images usually turn out blurry. But if there is too much flash, there is too much white. Taking photos in a well lit area will make it a million times better. Take this image, for example - that I took specifically for my "Painting? 5 Steps to Help Save You Time and Money" post.

Here are just a few other examples of how I've incorporated the macro function into photography.

From Create easy gift tags from old Christmas Cards

From Greener paper notebook choices with Roaring Spring

From 6 tips for staying true to your New Year's resolutions

And of course, I can't really prove my point without before and after photos. The before pictures are on the left, the after on the right.

Using a simple area to photograph this clothespin, and the basic camera function, the flash completely blurred out this image. After switching to macro mode, the camera focused and I was able to take a much better picture. As you can see, the front of the clothespin has blurred where the end becomes sharper. This is another awesome feature of macro.

This photograph was taken of a random collection of items from my desk. As you can see, the macro function is far superior in close up shots.

Do you use the macro function on your camera? If you haven't yet, have some fun! You'll be super surprised by the amazing photos you can take too!

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Weekly Updated Blog Hop Directory 05/22/2012

If you're looking to boost your Facebook, Twitter, or G+ fans, want to link-up on Pinterest or you're just looking for new blogs to read bloggy friends to find, check out any of the hops below to get started! We've got a new addition this week for a Thursday hop. Enjoy :)

If you host a hop that is not listed below, and want to be added to the list, feel free to email me or drop me a comment below!

I will personally try to enter all of the hops, when time allows ♥

I always follow back on all platforms. So if you'd like, follow me anywhere, drop me a line, and I'll follow you back :) Leave a link to your blog and I'll leave you a comment letting you know too.

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy hopping!

Sundays


Mondays
 

Tuesdays


Wednesdays


Thursdays


Fridays




Saturdays

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