As you might suspect, Save the Tatas is all about Breast Cancer awareness. They have a number of fabulous shirts for sale and all of them are for a reasonable price. You also have the good fortune of ending up with a shirt that is sure to start a conversation!

In addition to Save the Tata’s being nice enough to allow us to do a review (that will be coming soon) they have also been nice enough to give you, our readers, a discount on shirts through the month of June. If you visit Save The Tatas and decide to make a purchase, just input the coupon code LiteraryIllusions and you will save 15% on your order!

In addition to the shirts they have for men, Save the Tatas also offers a cute women’s line that consists of t-shirts, varsity shorts, tank tops, and other clothing. The also have some onesies that are adorable, including one that says “Gimme your Ta-tas and no one gets hurt!“

Remember using the code Literaryillusions for the rest of June will get you 15% off your order so don’t wait to go shopping!

Technorati Tags: Save the Tatas, Clothing, Fathers Day, Breast Cancer Awareness, Coupon Code, Discount

Sober Brat is one of those companies selling t-shirts to the online market. The selection is small, but the design work is top notch, the message is stellar, and the quality is next to none. I was quite impressed by the overall quality of the shirt. I liked what I saw online, but with my apprehensions about online clothes shopping I don’t think I ever would have made the plunge and purchased one. Now that I have one though, I couldn’t be happier about owning it.

Before I say anything else I just have to say that this is the softest, most comfortable t-shirt that I own. I have a couple of t-shirts that I used to go between as my “comfy” shirts, but this one beats them all. Despite it’s comfortable nature, it’s fashionable enough that I am compelled to wear it out of the house, even though all of my intuition tells me to keep it as lounge wear. Still, I like it too much. I would say at present I wear it in part of the time, but out just as much. In any case, it feels amazing whenever I do wear it no matter where I am.

Parents of teenagers will enjoy the message that Sober Brat offers. Think of their message as something similar to a Just Say No campaign.

According to the Sober Brat website:

-so~bri~e~ty: Abstinence from consumption of alcoholic liquor or use of drugs-as a fresh way to live life! Our clothes are for anyone who see’s strength and hope in our message! Most importantly it is our dream that the positive message this line sends to the next generation will encourage them to choose to live a fulfilled life without turning to alcohol or drugs.

The selection of t-shirts is small. There are about five or six to choose from. All of the shirts have the graphic t-shirt look. All of them range in price from $25 – $30. I chose the Blue shirt with the Japanese symbols for Courage, Believe, and Hope. They have some more girly looks I could have chosen, but this shirt was definitely my favorite. Shirts are available in sizes Small to 2XL.

When it comes to ordering you can choose to have your shirts shipped UPS or USPS. Based on the shipping calculator, one shirt to my house sent by USPS at the cheapest rate (you have three options to choose from) was around $3.40, bringing one shirt to $28.39. I can reasonably say that Sober Brat shirts are worth it merely because the average t-shirt is now around $18-$20 and it is made from a harsher material that wears out quicker.

If you are looking for a casual fashion item for the holiday and your target range is a younger adult or a teenager you should consider Sober Brat Tees. They are comfortable, stylish, and have a great message. They might be a little pricier than your average t-shirt, but they are certainly worth it.

Holiday Recommendation Rating: 4.5

Technorati Tags: Sober Brat, T-Shirt, Tee, Courage, Hope, Believe, Comfortable, Teenagers, Young Adult, Sobriety, Fashion, Clothing Review

I should note that a super clean shave was not what I was looking for in any razor. If possible, I like a little stubble. The Wahl, in general, does not make you smooth as a baby’s bottom so if that is what you are looking for you might want something that offers a smoother shave. Of course, we never used this trimmer with that goal. Various settings are available to offer different looks. We wanted stubble and got just what we were looking for.

When I was looking at the options in the store, I noticed more than one package offering lithium ion technology. For those of you not in the know (I wasn’t until recently) lithium ion technology is the top of the line where batteries are concerned. This ensures that you will get a better shave with fewer battery issues.

This particular trimmer takes a step above some of the others out there by offering interchangeable heads that allow for various trim jobs. For example, you can switch out the heads to make it possible to cut beards, detail cuts around the ears and nose, shave facial hair, clip hair, and do other grooming jobs.

If you don’t have a trimmer like this and you’re relying on disposable razors you need to get one. The Wahl trimmer offers different options for how close you want your shave, offering a big difference between a disposable and this type of shaver. It’s reliable and outperforms other options. The only major complaint I have is the trimmer dock. Nothing seems to want to fit in like the picture would imply. Everything kind of flops around or falls out altogether. It’s a small complaint though, so it doesn’t weigh too much on the satisfaction meter.

This trimmer is available for under $40 and it ends up being well worth the price you will pay for it. We’ve used ours mainly for general shave jobs as well as sideburn treatments. It works great every time and we never have any complaints.

When it comes to charging, it is listed that the Wahl ion trimmer allows for over two hours of use without needing to be charged. If you end up draining the battery, you can also take advantage of the one minute quick charge which gives you four minutes of use. While, I cannot say that I timed how long it worked, I can say that I did purposely drain the battery over several days just to check the quick charge feature. It lasts about four-five minutes for a one minute charge. This is perfect for those on-the-go moments. It only takes about an hour to charge it fully though, so if you have the time it charges in no time at all.

If you’re in need of a trimmer we highly suggest you look for the Wahl Lithium Ion trimmer on your next shopping trip. You should be able to find this nearly anywhere, including such stores as Wal-Mart and Amazon.com.

Technorati Tags: Wahl, Lithium Ion, Trimmer, Nose Trimmer, Beard, Clippers, Side Burns, Product Review, Holiday Review

With an autistic child and a boyfriend that has practically no hair (he often shaves his head) it seems pointless to pay for haircuts. CT has a hard time dealing with the salon environment and has short hair and Dominick usually just needs a shave, which I can handle without a problem. Shopping for professional hair care items can be a daunting task though. If you’re not a beautician you will notice that most brands claim to be the top of the heap and it’s hard for the average consumer to know the difference between what’s good and what’s substandard.

While I may not have known the best of the best, I did know that Wahl was a respected name in professional hair products. When they approached us about this holiday review, I was thrilled to accept because my latest set of clippers didn’t work out as well as I would have hoped.

The Wahl Deluxe Chrome Pro set comes in a nice case with all of the tools needed to cut hair properly. All in all, the set offers 27 pieces including clippers, a mirror, combs, clips, scissors, cordless trimmer, and the main corded clipper. This is just a small sample of what you receive in the case. In addition to this there is an instruction manual in case you are confused or need some extra help getting things going. Best of all, the instruction manual offers instructions on how to cut hair, allowing you to provide stylish cuts at home.
Where the clippers are concerned, one of my favorite features is the contoured grip. With past clippers I have found that my hand occasionally cramps up. This isn’t a problem with the Wahl clippers because the clippers form more to the hand and make it easier to cut hair for longer periods of time. This is especially nice if you have more than one person to cut. You can just line them up and go at.

The corded clippers offer Wahl’s PowerDrive Cutting System. If you’re cutting thick hair this system will come in handy because it cuts thick hair with ease compared to other clippers. In the past, when cutting thick hair I’ve noticed pulling and tugging can be a problem. With the Wahl I haven’t noticed this problem and the overall cutting process with thick hair also seems to go faster and smoother, leaving little complaints for the person cutting hair and the person getting a haircut.

The clippers are perfect for cutting hair of various lengths and thickness, but when it comes to trimming the back of the neck or doing anything related to facial hair, the mini-trimmer is perfect. This little trimmer is almost a smaller mirror image of the clippers, but without a cord. It gets the job done nicely without any fuss.

For the $40 price tag I would have easily recommended this if it just included the corded clippers and the mini-trimmer. The inclusion of all of the other products and gadgets just ice the cake. Prior to receiving this for review, I would have never considered recommending this for a gift, but after using it, if you know someone that would like it, the Wahl is definitely worth every penny.

You can pick one of these up at most local retailers, including Target and Wal-Mart or you can check for it online at Amazon.com.

Technorati Tags: Holiday Reviews, Wahl, Deluxe Chrome Pro Kit, 27 Piece Set, Haircut, Health and Beauty, Trimmer, Cordless, PowerDrive, Cutting, Product Review

Between allergies, colds, and flu threats most of the college students I know stay well stocked up on cough drops and other similar products. I must confess though, I absolutely loathe cough drops. I avoid them at all costs. I don’t know if it’s the menthol that bothers me or what, but I never could stand cough drops. Then one day I was emailed by the folks at Bee MD. While the thought of trying any cough drops repulsed me I decided to give Bee MD a try because they are all natural honey drops, as opposed to those cheap mentholated ones you find in the drug store. The immediate thing that drew me to trying these is that they are made of honey and I’ve always been fond of the healing properties of honey. So, we agreed to try them and we received two bags; a Natural Honey and a Honey Lemon pack.

I can be iffy about my love for honey lemon, so I opted to try the Natural Honey drops for this particular review. While I have admitted to not liking cough drops in any form, I can say that I immediately noted the benefit of these Natural Honey Drops. Unlike mentholated cough drops these are not overpowering. You do notice the sweetness of honey, but it is not overwhelming. You also notice a tingling sensation that gives the drop an added zing. It’s not anything that will bother most people, but it is something that you’re likely to notice. When I took this I had a bit of a sore throat but it soothed the scratchy feeling that often comes with it. I liked them so much I had Dominick give them a whirl, too. I figured that he would know best because he uses cough drops quite a bit.

Dominick is always looking for something that will help to soothe his throat. He’s a singer and they have to be very conscious about how they take care of their special instrument. A cold can do damage if it is not handled the right way. At the very least it can keep you out of commission for a few days. So, he gave some of the Natural honey a try and he found much the same results that I did. He enjoyed the tangy, honey flavor. More importantly, he loved the fact that they helped his throat after practicing. Many singers drink tea with lemon and/or honey, but he’s not a major fan of doing this. These drops give him much of the same benefits without having to go through a ritual that he’s not fond of. Not only that, but you can take these anywhere with you and use them on the go.

As cold and flu season rears its ugly head, I will be sure to have some of these on hand when going to the college and when I’m at home. The smallest things can make the difference and something tells me that Bee MD will be one of those things. According to the Bee MD website you can find packages of these drops at most general and drugstores. However, if you cannot find them you can also get them online. I haven’t noticed them in stores (though I commonly avoid the cough drop aisle most days), but I did look them up at Drugstore.com. According to the website, a package will run you about $3.50. The package is quite big so unless you’re chain-popping these you should find that the price is worth it in relation to how well they works.

If you need something to soothe your throat, don’t waste your money on over the counter generic mentholated cough drops. Treat your throat better and give it some Bee MD. It will make your throat feel great, stop your cough, and the honey will set its healing powers in motion from the first drop that falls into your mouth. Its a much better alternative than the usual option.

Technorati Tags: Natural Honey, Bee MD, Honey Lemon, College Must Have, Essentials, Cough Drops, Throat, Sore Throat, Irritation, Singer

It’s not so much air that I am allergic to, but the junk that pollutes the air. I am allergic to things like pollen, dander, ragweed, and all those other unsightly problems that plague our air. In the past I have been given allergy medications, but I often buy over the counter stuff because my allergies are not constant. They flair up here and there, but generally they aren’t too bad. I hate taking medications so until they become worse (hopefully that won’t happen) the issues are able to be controlled by over the counter medicines. Most of the time I take Sinus or Allergy medicines (most typically Aleve). However, when I was recently given the chance to try the new Chloraseptic Allergen Block I jumped at the chance.

I thought that the Allergen Block would be perfect for my family because my mom is also “allergic” to the air and Dom has asthma, so he has allergies and they cause him plenty of trouble. We figured that the new concept presented by Chloraseptic was well worth checking out. You see, Allergen Block is not a pill. It’s an actual blocker. You press a pea sized amount onto your fingertip and cover your upper lip and nostrils with the gel. This is actually meant to block the pesky allergens that would normally find their way into your nose to wreck havoc on your body.

The question is…does it really work?

According to the Allergen Block Website this product should help to stop “sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy nose.” The product works by creating an invisible shield that helps to block the allergens from coming into the nose. Sounds good all around.

After the three of us used it, we came to one major conclusion right off the bat and that is that the Allergen Block has an unknown odor. The first time I used the block it was incredibly noticeable to me (as it was to the others using it). It was not so bad that I wanted to wash it off, and it is something that bothers me less each time it is used, but I felt it important to mention that it is not odorless.

Now, onto the important issue of whether or not it really works. I found that it worked extremely well if I put it on in the morning prior to any major symptoms arising. If it was placed on before any potential allergy attack, I did not have a problem and went through my day without an itchy, runny nose or nasal problems. However, if my sinuses were already aggravated then it seemed as if it were too late for this to work properly.

Dom had the same reaction, though it was a little harder to tell how well this worked as usually his main allergy issue will be watery eyes. As this product does not cover that problem, for him we just had to go off of how well he felt in the other areas. Like with me, if he put it on early, he had few issues, but if we waited until the problem was showing up then it was seemingly too late. You can’t really fault the product for that.

Chloraseptic also offers a product for children to block their allergies; Little Allergies. In both cases the product is not considered to be a drug and contains nothing harmful to the body. With this in mind, it is also not considered to be a medicine. Doctors will tell you that this gel is not going to stop allergens from entering your body and they are probably correct in their assumption. The thing you need to consider is whether or not these allergens are processed differently somehow once they are breathed in. If you are using the gel and not experiencing the same issues then it must be doing something right.

If I am using this in the daytime before any issues arise, I don’t have any problem with this product. My big problem is with the price. I believe in fair cost when it comes to health products. I always have. A small, 150 use tube of Allergen Block will cost you around $14 at Target and the price is similar at other stores. That is a lot of money to learn that your allergies are stronger than the blocker that you chose to eradicate them. If you are going to buy this I highly recommend waiting until it is on sale and using a coupon if you have one. This will offset the larger cost and ensure that you have a chance to see if it works for you at a more reasonable price.

Technorati Tags: Chloraseptic, Allergen Block, Little Allergies, Health Review, Pollen, Ragweed, Air, Dust, Gel, Product Review

We are interested in working with small and large companies that offer products that make women look and feel their best. The products can be expensive (or not), as we will be listing items you can get at a discount and others that are worth paying a little but more!

The reviews are planned to kick off in the next two weeks, so if you have a product or represent a company that wants to be involved make sure to use the Contact Form to get in touch with us!

This is the first of many theme months, so make sure to reach out if you’re interested in participating. The coming months we will be highlighting Men’s health/beauty products, Electronics you don’t want to leave home with out, and the best of 2009 lists (from fashion to entertainment). If you think your products/services would fit in on LI Reviews, we welcome your correspondence.

Staying Girlie on a Budget Description:
With the recession going full swing we will be featuring a series of tips and reviews on how to continue enjoying the same feminine lifestyle, but while spending less money. We will be featuring reviews, giveaways, and tips that women can use when shopping or trying to look better.

We are interested in finding companies that would like to sponsor reviews and/or giveaways of health, beauty, and fashion products for women. The goal is to show women that they can look (and feel) beautiful and they do not need a lot of money to do it.

If you are interested in a review or giveaway opportunity we can be reached through our Contact Form.

Technorati Tags: PR, Health, Beauty, Fashion, Staying Girlie on a Budget, Perfume, Feminine, Look Good, Feel Good, Feature, Press

Become Beauty Products are the Australian beauty sensation that are beginning to sweep the United States. Consultants are bringing back the Beauty Party, allowing faithful users to sell products to family and friends, ensuring they get all the products they need and are able to make some money in the process. Of course, if you do not know anyone selling Become and do not feel you have the skills to do so yourself you can easily pick their products up at the Become website.

The most difficult part of the review process for me is looking at new brands and picking that one product that I would like to review first. The first impression with any product is often the most important. This is especially true, at least to me, when it comes to beauty products. I prefer to find something reasonably priced, as natural as possible, and that does what it claims. Obviously, sometimes it can be hard to find a product that has all three qualities.

Become might just be that exception.

In the case of the Reveal Enzyme Peel, the first of many reviews that I hope to do for Become, the product is made with a few simple, key ingredients that are all natural. The peel is made of Fruit Acids, Aloe Leaf Juice, and Green Tea Extract. That’s it! It may not seem like a lot, but this peel is filled with antioxidants and it manages to moisturize, sooth, and exfoliate your face. A fresh, new complexion is just a few peels away when you use Become’s Reveal Enzyme Peel.

According to the directions, you can use this peel up to three times per week and it should be followed with the Become Age Resistant Spray Toner and the Day or Night Cream. Unfortunately, I did not have either so I can only go off of the product itself, which is quite impressive on its own.

I had my mom use the product because she is concerned with fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of age. Since this is labeled as an Age Resistant product I thought it would be best used on her. I had her use it for three weeks before writing anything up. That gave her nine uses and she still had a few more weeks’ worth of product left based on the amount left in the jar. I will say, before continuing that my mom can be hard to please. When I told her that the Reveal Enzyme Peel was $50 she nearly fainted! However, at the end of the three weeks when she saw the changes in her face and her complexion she was ready to buy another bottle and the corresponding products that go with it!

Reveal is incredibly fruity thanks to the ingredients. From the first scent you will notice the rush of fruity flavor. This puts it ahead of many other beauty products that have that plastic, makeup smell. More importantly, it goes on smooth and comes off minutes later making your skin feel fresh and rejuvenated. There were not many noticeable details from the first moment, but by the end of the three weeks, mom was commenting on how she looked younger! Even prior to that, you could see her facial complexion become shinier, healthier, and more youthful and active in appearance.

Mom recently turned 60, which was hard for her, but when she goes out and people cannot believe that she is my mother (I’m 30) it makes her quite happy. Some of this is in part, due to her beauty regimen, which now includes Become Reveal Enzyme Peel.

This product comes highly recommended and I encourage anyone that has used it and other Become products to let us know their thoughts.

Technorati Tags: Become, Beauty Products, Australian, Fruit Acids, Aloe Leaf Juice, Green Tea Extract, Reveal Enzyme Peel

COMMENTS ARE MODERATED to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

ENTRY GUIDELINES:
To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible.

GET AN EXTRA ENTRY:
Want an extra entry? Twitter about this contest!

You can use the following message to Twitter about this contest:

Visit LI Reviews and enter to win one of two Worn Free T-Shirts of your choice http://tinyurl.com/c8zsoq

You can post the URL to your Tweet in your initial comment for this contest, or you can send it to:

@dominickevans
@ashtynevans

You can also get extra entries into our contest by:

-Posting on your blog/website about out contest with a link back to LI Kids (please let us know where to find said link so we can give you an extra entry)
-Digging or Stumbling this post (list your Digg/Stumble username in your comment)

*******Please only leave ONE comment – If you Twitter, Digg, Blog about, or Stumble this contest you can post all relevant information in that comment. We will make sure to add extra entries for each extra thing you’ve done when we randomly pick winners.

CLAIMING YOUR PRIZE:
Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

ENTRY DEADLINE:
We will begin emailing winners for this the week of February 27, 2009, which means you have until February 26, 2009 at 11:59 to enter.

FROM THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
Straight from Worn Free:

Our mission is simple: To resurrect the coolest T-Shirts of all time.

We reproduce shirts worn by such Legends as John Lennon, Joey Ramone, Frank Zappa, Debbie Harry, Gram Parsons, Johnny Ramone and Joan Jett and now Kurt Cobain to name but a few!

Technorati Tags: T-Shirts, Giveaway, Review, LI Reviews, Worn Free, Joan Jett, John Lennon, Johnny Ramone, Gram Parsons, Kurt Cobain, Debby Harry, Vintage

INSTRUCTIONS TO ENTER ARE VERY SPECIFIC!

The Independent or Friend-dependent contest is truly simple. All you need to do is let us know how you would buy one of the limited edition Mika bags by Australian designer Donna Webster of Kimono Collections.

Tell us This: Would you be independent and buy it for yourself or would you be friend-dependent and introduce Mika to your man (or woman) of choice and convince them to buy it for you. Please remember to let us know WHY you chose the option you did so your entry will count.

COMMENTS ARE MODERATED to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

ENTRY GUIDELINES:
To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible.

GET AN EXTRA ENTRY:
Want an extra entry? Twitter about this contest!

You can use the following message to Twitter about this contest:

http://is.gd/gEYA Enter the LI Reviews Independent or Friend-dependent Contest to win a $500 Mika Handbag by Designer Donna Webster

You can post the URL to your Tweet in your initial comment for this contest, or you can send it to:

@dominickevans
@ashtynevans

You can also Digg and Stumble this contest (use the Share This box at the bottom of this post) or blog about it on your blog, for additional entries in this contest. Just make sure to leave the link to your blog post about this or let us know you Dugg or Stumbled this when you leave a comment (to make sure you get credit for this, let us know your Digg/Stumble username).

CLAIMING YOUR PRIZE:
Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

ENTRY DEADLINE:
We will begin emailing winners for this the week of February 10, 2009, which means you have until February 9, 2009 at 11:59 to enter.

FROM THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
This is a $500 handbag that is available in limited supply. Primarily sold in Australia, this contest is for the U.S. only, which gives the winner a chance to flaunt a gorgeous handbag that will be completely unique in her circle of family and friends.

Technorati Tags: Handbag, Donna Webster, Handbag, Mika, Independent, Friendipendent, Win, Contest, Giveaway, Australian Designer, 500 Dollar Value