Summer can be fun, but a bit messy (and buggy), too! I mentioned a few weeks ago that there are some new apps for beating mosquitos this summer, but they don’t seem to work. I had the opportunity to try Mosquitno bracelets and Spotz to beat the bugs and I am going to tell you how it went. I also got an awesome Planet Wise Wet Dry Bag that is perfect for the swimming pool, gym or post run laundry. I also got 2 awesome Citrus Zinger bottles from Pop Sugar by promoting and attending an awesome event with Simple, so I am going to tell you about it and give one away!
The Planet Wise Wet Dry bag is perfect for post run or post hot yoga. I sweat… a lot. Each bag contains a “wet” section that is sewn and sealed for no wicking or leaking AND a zippered dry section. The bags come in a variety of adorable patterns, have a great wrist handle and fold up easily into my gym bag or yoga mat carrier. They are also machine washable. The two zip pockets allow you to carry your wet and dry items in the same bag. It is like having two bags in one! The bag keeps your dry items dry and your wet items seperate – awesome. They make a similar bag as a tote bag with two large handles, too. I love this bag.
I brought the bag to several races and last weekend to Waterfall Glen with the girls for our long run. Kristin, Molly and Stacy all loved the cute pattern and easy stowage. Molly wants one to avoid using the plastic bags at her gym every day. These bags are perfect for summer camp or the swim club, too, and there are patterns that are perfect for kids and grown ups.
Planet Wise also makes “Wet” bags that are anti-microbial, contain no PVC or lead in the zippers, are made in the USA with high quality designer fabrics with coordinating waterproof inner material and locking zipper. The bags have a patent pending on the waterproof design. They resists most stains and odors, too.
Planet Wise has a slew of other products for adults, kids, babies and travel. You can check them out on the web, Facebook or Twitter.
I recently heard about some too good to be true sounding sonic mosquito repellent apps. It turns out that they are in fact too good to be true. When I was offered the opportunity to test out Mosquitno’s all natural mosquito repellent bands and “spotz”, I jumped on it.
Mosquitno™ launched in 2009 with all-natural mosquito repellent bracelets. They are a family-run business based in Kansas City, Missouri. They have a love for the outdoors and a commitment to furthering sustainable and healthy living practices. Their focus is developing all natural, botanical products that effectively reduce mosquito landings and the risk of mosquito bites.
I received an adult bracelet, a child’s bracelet and 6 Spotz to try out. The bands are rubber wrist bands infused with citronella, a natural insect repellent. The products repel mosquitoes, flies, gnats, no-see-ums and last for 6 days or 150 hours of exposure. You can place the bracelets in the resealable package to preserve effectiveness when not in use. The bracelets are non-toxic, DEET-free, waterproof and come in 12 bright colors. The new Spotz are heavy-duty stickers infused with citronella. They last for 3 days – up to 72 hours of exposure and stick to your clothing, hats, shoes or anywhere. They are all-natural, safe, non-toxic, DEET-free. These are safe for kids 3 yrs & up (can be a choking hazard).
I tried the bracelet at a picnic on a humid day after a rain storm and on my run at Waterfall Glen. I did not get any noticeable bug bites. [Disclaimer, I did spray bug spray on at Waterfall Glen because the mosquitos can be intense. I sweat if off and still noticed no bites.] A friend tried the Spotz on herself and two kids at the same picnic and noticed no bites or bug attention. The one con for me was that the first time I wore the bracelet, the citronella oil stayed on my skin and watch so I smelled like it for days. There are worse things you can smell like, for sure, and maybe it kept the bugs away, too. For $3.99, this seems like a handy way to avoid bug bites for summer’s outdoor adventures. You can also get value packs of 5 for $17.99.
You can learn more and buy Mosquitno products HERE or follow on Twitter or Facebook.
Hey, I have a kid’s bracelet and 3 dots left.  If anyone wants to try them, I can send them over. Just leave me a comment on this post letting me know that you are interested. I will pick a winner using random.org on Friday, August 15th.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Mosquitno products for free from Mosquitno as coordinated by Deep Creek Public Relations in consideration for review publication. All opinions are my own.
As I mentioned, I  got two awesome Citrus Zinger bottles from Pop Sugar by promoting and attending an awesome event with Simple. I am going to tell you about it and then give one away. Another win-win.
The Citrus Zinger bottle offers “an easy way to extract juice and flavor from citrus fruits and infuse them directly into your water bottle.” The Citrus Zinger bottle is great for “the active, on-the-go water drinker.” You can bring it to yoga, the office or wherever you go. Kristin’s mom has gotten all of her swimming pool friends to get one. And, adding citrus fruit enriches your water with vitamin C and flavonoids and makes it taste great, too.
The bottle is really easy to use. You unscrew the bottom cup, flip the juicer on the top cap, and press a citrus half into the reamer. Then, replace the bottom lid, add water, shake and enjoy. The bottle has a finger hole in the cap for easy carrying, has a large bottom opening so it is easy to add ice and it is easy to remove and clean the citrus press. The 28 oz bottle is reusable and is BPA/Halogen/EA free and Phthalates-free. There are a lot of cool recipes online for the Citrus Zinger and other Zing Anything products including the Aqua Zinger, Salad Zinger (dressings) and Vodka Zinger (YES, please!)
These bottles are $16.95 + $2.95 shipping. I will send one lucky winner one of the extras that I have. It is pink. They both are. It’s all good. Right? Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. The winner must be in the US, 18 years of age or older and void where prohibited. The contest runs through Tuesday, August 19th. The winner will be notified on August 20th.
What are your best summer accessory finds so far this summer?
PS. Don’t forget my other great giveaways.