July Aroma Box from Herb Stop - Stop Bugs in Their Tracks

Aroma Box is a monthly subscription box that sends you a selection of high quality essential oils every month. Each month includes three pure essentials oils and one mixed blend in a roll-on container. All of the oils in the box will have a specific theme and work with one another is some way. Each bottle is also a fill size container. No puny sample sizes with this box! Since July is prime bug season, this month' s box was all about keeping the creepy and crawly things at bay. Here is a little about each of the oils in this box and the benefits they offer.

Citronella- I think everyone has heard of citronella. It's the familiar citrus scent you'll find in most outdoor candles and all-natural bug sprays. It's been used for centuries to help keep bugs away.  You can add a few drops to a water bottle and make a home-made insect repellent. However, it has many other uses as well. It's a powerful antiseptic you can use to clean and sanitize.  The pleasant scent is also known to lift your spirits and reduce stress.

Canadian Catnip- I've been using the herb form of catnip for decades to keep my cats happy and as an ingredient in tea, but I've never tried in it oil form.  It's another great way to keep bugs away and has a very pleasant aroma. Just add a few drops to your oil diffuser and bring it outside to keep your yard mosquito free.  It can also be added to shampoos, body sprays, and other beauty products to help keep your protected. 

Niaouli - I have heard of Niaouli, but have never been able to find it locally. It is similar to tea tree oil, but the aroma isn't quite as strong. It's a very healing oil with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Use it to treat burns, cuts, and insect bites. Mixed with eucalyptus, it's also great for congestion.  Just add a few drops of each to your diffuser.

Stop Sting - This is a roll on blend of some of my favorite oils including lavender, tea tree, niaouli, eucalyptus, Summer Savory, and German Chamomile that provides amazing anti-inflammatory benefits. This formula will instantly stop bug bites from itching, and can also be used to treat bee or wasp stings.  My daughter had a few hives from eating strawberries, and it helped with that too!

This was another amazing box filled with essentials oils everyone should have in their  medicine cabinet.  Again, I was excited to try some varieties that weren't completely unknown to me, but which I haven't had much experience with.  I also love how Herb Stop includes so many great tips on how to use the oils and even recipes to make homemade beauty products. It's definitely one of my favorite subscription boxes so far.

In addition to the Aroma Box, you can also order individual bottles of any of Herb Stop's high quality oils. They also offer teas, beauty products, seasonings, and so much more. It's a New Age Mama's dream come true! Shipping is always free on orders over $100 so be sure to stock up on all your favorite blends. To see all they have to offer, visit the Herb Stop on their website or follow them via their social media.

Discount Codes

Take 15% Off Your First Aroma Box with code NAM15. This code is valid through 10/31/16.

OR

Use code ABJU16 to save 10% Off  any essential oils or roll ons. 

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Don't let bugs ruin your summer. Fairy Tales Bug Bandit #giveaway

Don't let bugs ruin your fun in the sun – protect your family this summer with the new DEET-free Bug Bandit from Fairy Tales.

This natural formula promises to repel fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies all with a quick spritz. It's a safe and effective spray that is ideal for the whole family! The formula features:

• Soybean Oil is proven to repel mosquitoes for 3.5 hours
• Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is as effective as low levels of DEET – without the harmful chemicals
• Cedar Bark Oil is not only great for repelling the bugs, it also adds a calming woody undertone to the blend
• Citronella and Rosemary Oil smells great, but is also effective at repelling everything from ants to flies and mosquitoes, more

Plus, it is free of harsh chemicals, pesticides, toxins, parabens, sulfates, dairy, gluten, and nuts that can trigger allergic reactions.

Connect with Fairy Tales

Website - Facebook - Twitter

My Thoughts

Like most families, I want to use products I can feel comfortable using on my family. Fairy Tales has become a company that I trust. I was excited to try the Fairy Tales Bug Bandit to fight off mosquitoes and other bugs when we have a family evening outside.

This had a very light and pleasant scent to it. I could smell it when it was on the kids and they came inside, but it wasn't an off smell that made me want to send them upstairs to shower like some products I've used in the past. It sprayed on a dried quickly. Once spray was usually enough for the time they were outside.

When testing it out, it did seem to repel the bugs. I still had a few mosquitoes come near me, but it wasn't like if I went out there without anything on and become dessert to the bugs. I found that this product worked just as good as anything else I've used. But with the added bonus that it was better for my body.

I really like all of Fairy Tales products and the Big Bandit will be another staple in my house, as well as a product I recommend to friends.

Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive product Bug Bandit from Fairy Tales. To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will end on 7/1/16. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to the sponsor for offering this fantastic prize.

Entry-Form

Keep Your BBQs Bug Free- Review of the Stinger Insect Zapper Lantern.

Firing up the grill? Help protect your food, friends and family from those pesky unwanted guests: mosquitoes. In addition to removing sources of standing water and keeping the air circulating, using a mosquito zapper is also a no-brainer.

Unlike similar products that use white UV light, the Stinger Insect Zapper Lantern uses black UV light technology to eliminate up to 40% more flying insects compared to similar products that use white UV light. Portable and rechargeable, the lantern can go from the backyard to the campground for protection on-the-go.

Quick Facts:

•   Portable, cordless and rechargeable
•   Black UV light technology
•   Quiet zapping operation
•   Covers 625 sq. ft.
•   Lantern-only option ideal for accent lighting
•   3.5 hour run time, 3 hour recharge time
•   Replaceable bulb and lure
•   Sturdy ring for carrying or hanging
•   Includes 1 NOsquito ® Octenol lure

Price & Availability

MSRP: $29.99

Available at Wal-Mart and Select Home Depot stores.

My Thoughts:

I love being outdoors in the summer, but one 8 pm rolls around the mosquitoes are ready to attack. It puts such a damper on the evenings you just want to be outside enjoying the weather, the food, and play time. I loved this Stinger Insect Zapper Lantern for many reasons. The portability aspect of it makes it simple to carry into whatever area of the yard you and your family need to be in. The lantern is not at all heavy and is sturdy enough to place anywhere. It has a great run time as well. The lantern is easy to recharge, making it easy ti use again the next night. The zapper is inside the device, so it is safe to have near you as you move it around outside. I usually place it on my deck at night. Right when I take it out, the mosquitoes start to not only go into the zapper, but disappear all together. When it zaps, it isn't playing around! You can see and hear it. However, the zaps are not overly noisy. It won't disrupt you from enjoying your summer nights outdoors. The color is also a nice addition. It looks very beautiful lit up!   

This is an ideal product for anyone who loves being outside, camping, having evening BBQs with loved ones, nightly swims in the pool, or simply spending time outdoors with your favorite people. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an easier way to get rid of those pesky mosquitoes!  

Connect with Stinger:

Main Website 

Cozy Cover Review

A Stylish Way To Tote Your Tot For On-The-Go & Traveling Families

Before you leave home for a short errand or longer trip this Spring and Summer, don’t forget to pack the stylish Cozy Sun and Bug Infant Carrier Cover made by EVC.  Available in cheerful Spring colors and a fun, striking striped and polka dot design, the Cozy Sun & Bug Cover provides a tight seal around the infant carrier to protect baby from potentially harmful insectsand unwanted touch (great for preemies).  It also features a pull over flap, which allows babies to sleep while on-the-go and protects from other weather elements such as wind and rain.  The self supporting canopy creates a spacious, well-ventilated enclosure for baby.

The cover features a backless design, as recommended by car seat specialists, and does not interfere with child safety straps. The elasticized edge allows for easy use and fits around the infant carrier cover like a “shower cap”. It's recommended for children from 0-12 months and fits all standard car seats. Additionally, it has a compact design for easy storage in a diaper bag or a stroller pouch—perfect for busy, traveling families.  As you make your packing list for your next adventure, don’t forget to include the EVC Cozy Sun and Bug Infant Carrier Cover!

Our Thoughts

We live in the woods. And that means bugs everywhere! Mosquitoes and icky creepy crawlies are not my idea of a fun time, even if we like camping. Speaking of camping, if you live in the city this is still great if you're a camper and even if you're not as those pesky bugs can be everywhere. My baby is due right in the middle of summer and this is really going to save me hassle of mosquitoes and ticks as we're outside quite a lot. Baby can chill in his or her car seat with a nice breeze and the "top down" on the cozy cover!

For the installation, it is super easy to take on and off the car seat. It doesn't hinder any straps and what not either so you don't have to worry about that. This is very useful for spring and summer, and the colors are super cute too. They also have ones for winter too though so don't miss out on keeping baby extra warm when the snow hits!

They have some other cool products too, like changing pads! Check them out on Facebook and Pinterest.

Shop for yours here!

Reviewed by Jackie