Bath and Body Works Candles

Here I go again, blogging about home fragrance products.  I can't help it!  I am a lover of all things that smell good. 

This one really excites me.  My favorite way to make my house smell good is with candles, and there's no better candle out there than the ones from Bath and Body Works.

My most recent VoxBox from Influenster contained a wonderful mini candle in "Cider Lane".  Not surprisingly, this scent smells just like warm apple cider, but with hints of cinnamon and caramel. 

Those mini candles are only 2 for $5 right now, and I think that's the perfect price to try out different scents and find one that you love, or mix different scents to create your own (Twisted Peppermint and Marshmallow Fireside?!  Sounds good to me...). 

I recently picked up a 3-wick candle in Peppermint Mocha and oh, my, goodness.  From their product description: "Winter's sweetest treat blends peppermint, vanilla cream and cocoa topped with marshmallow. One of eight nostalgic collection fragrances inspired by the Holidays at home."  I could absolutely EAT this candle! 

The best part about Bath and Body Works candles is that when you burn them, they REALLY smell.  I hate when I buy a candle and sure, the wax smells great, but I can't really smell it burning in the next room.  A candle from Bath and Body Works will permeate scent through your entire house.  What makes them so awesome?  From thir website:

Highly fragranced candle exclusively developed and tested by our team of Home Fragrance experts, including the world's best master perfumers

Made using the highest concentration of fragrance oils, an exclusive blend of vegetable wax and lead-free wicks for optimal performance

For $20, it's definitely worth it.  They last a long time, too: burn time on a 3-wick candle is about 30-45 hours.  I pick a new scent for every season.

Another cute bonus with my Peppermint Mocha candle - a recipe for Peppermint Mocha Bark.  A nice touch!  :)

Prefer not to burn candles?  Bath and Body Works also creates their wonderful home scents into Wallflowers (scented plug-ins), Home Fragrance Oils and beautiful Oil Warmers, Room Sprays, and Scentportables (refillable, portable units without a plug, battery, or flame, just clip or set them where you want them).  Whichever you use, you won't be disappointed!

Influenster Beauty Blogger VoxBox

I'm going to show off my latest Influenster program: The Beauty Blogger VoxBox 2012!

 

 

If you missed my earlier posts in Influenster, this is how it works: You now have to receive an invitation to sign up.  Once you have an account, you fill out surveys to earn badges that fit your lifestyle.  When a themed box opens up that matches your badges, you might be chosen to receive it.  If you do, you basically get a free box of really nice goodies to test out.  Your only requirement is to fill out a detailed survey reviewing the products you tried.  There are other opportunities available to do more tasks (like sharing and following brands on social media, posting photos, tweets, creating videos, etc) that give you the chance to win even more free products. 

The Beauty Blogger VoxBox I received includes :

• NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact ($4.99)
• This all in one compact comes with everything you need for a complete look: primer, illuminator, applicator, and complementing shadows.  With four colors, specifically coordinated to intensify and enhance your eye color, you can create a look as individual as you are.  Make your eyes pop!

• Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit ($5.99)
• Bring the salon home with this eyelash starter kit, complete with eyelashes, adhesive, and applicator.  This latex-free glue has a 24 hour hold, for lashes you can bat all day and night.

• Bath and Body Works Mini Candle ($3.50)
• Mini but mighty!  Bath and Body Works Mini Candles provide an amazing fragrance experience exclusively developed and tested by a team of Home Fragrance experts, including the world's best master perfumers.  The box also includes a coupon to purchase up to 5 3-wick candles at Bath and Body Works for only $10 each!

• Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin ($7.29)
• Never have the time for a great updo?  Not anymore!  The Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin allows you to easily achieve three chic updo styles.  Simply twirl your hair up and spin the two Spin Pins in for a perfect undone bun, side bun, or double bun!

• Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream (Travel-size; $6.00 for full sized 4 oz. bottle)
• Smooth Moves fights out of conrol hair and reduces styling time with coconut and silk extracts.

I look forward to trying all of these products.  Watch for reviews here on my favorites!

Glade Expressions Collection

I'm pretty sure I've established how much I love things that smell good.

My latest BzzAgent Campaign, for Glade Expressions, has definitely delivered!

Have you seen these in stores yet?

I'm posting this one, because it's my favorite scent of the collection, but they also come in Cotton and Italian Mandarin, Lavender and Juniper Berry, and Pineapple and Mangosteen. 

 

The Expressions collection also includes a home spray with available refills, and refills available for the oil diffuser.

 

Thanks to BzzAgent, I got some really great coupons and was able to purchase these for only $2 each (not to mention a great weekly special at Target, which got me a free refill for each diffuser I purchased!).  They retail for about $6 each, and they're worth every penny.

 

Basically, it's a home fragrance item that doubles as decor!  Bonus - it's really potent and lasts a long time.  I've had this Fuji Apple and Cardamom Spice diffuser in my kitchen for close to a month, and it still smells like I just baked an apple pie.  The smell even filters through into my living room some.  I like the way it looks, enough that I just leave it out on the counter. 

 

I want one of these for every room in my house!

 

 



Unreal Candy

Have you hard of Unreal candy yet? 



Unreal is a new brand of candy that promises to "unjunk" our favorite junk foods - available now are healthier versions of Snickers, Milky Way, M&M's (Peanut and Original), and Reese Cups (follow the links for nutritional information compared to the real thing). 

The Unreal candy contains no

• Corn Syrup
• Partially Hydrogenated Oils
• GMO's
• Artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

And includes

• Over 40% less sugar per serving on average
• Low glycemic index
• Responsibly sourced ingredients that support farming communities and prevent destruction of rain forest
• Dairy from pasture-raised, hormone-free and antibiotic-free cows
• Real cacao and caramel
• More fiber and protein

You might be thinking, that's great... but how expensive is it?  But what's even more surprising is that the candy sells for about the same price as competitors- at CVS, it was $1.19 per package.

Thanks to BzzAgent, I received several coupons to try them for free. 

So far, I've taste-tested the Unreal versions of Snickers, Milky Way, and Reese Cups.  I have to say, I have mostly good things to say.

Unreal8, the Snickers bar, tasted surprisingly similar to me.  I think the only noticeable difference is that the Unreal version had fewer peanuts, I think.  For me, it didn't make me like the candy any less.  Upon label comparison, the Unreal version is also about 10 grams smaller than the Snickers.  I didn't miss that extra bite.  It's also short 80 calories, 13 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fat, and 10 carbs, and contains 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein.

Unreal5, the Milky Way, is larger than a real Milky Way by about 7 grams.  The caramel inside was absolutely scrumptious.  It's missing 100 calories, 16 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 13 carbs, and has 5 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

Unreal77, the Reese Cups, really surprised me.  I LOVE Reese Cups and I didn't expect these to measure up.  In fact, they were better.  The peanut butter inside was so smooth and actually tasted more like real peanut butter, though still sweet like the candy.  I have sometimes found the chocolate on a Reese Cup to be sort of hard, almost crunchy.  Nothing like the wonderful chocolate on the Unreal version.  I'm in love!  Missing from the slightly smaller Unreal version are 30 calories, 10 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fat and 6 carbs.  It contains 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein.

Unreal55, the Peanut M&M's, are also a little smaller portion than the original.  They have 50 fewer calories, 7 fewer grams of sugar, 2 fewer grams of fat, and 10 fewer carbs.  They contain 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein.

Unreal41, the Original M&M's, are again, smaller than the original.  The unreal brand lacks 40 calories, 12 grams of sugar, and 10 carbs.  They actually contain an extra 1 gram of fat.  They have 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein.

You can purchase the Unreal candy at CVS, Michaels, Walgreens, Food4Less, Fred Meyer, Kroger, Ralphs, Rite Aid, and Staples.  According to their website, they'll be available at Target starting in October. 

I can't wait to see what they unjunk next!  My vote is for a Butterfinger or a 100 Grand.  Maybe they can even branch out to other things:  Oreo cookies?  Ice cream?  I hope this brand takes off.  They're doing something great.

What do you want to see Unreal unjunk?

Scotch Brite Shower Scrubber

My least favorite household chore is laundry.  My second least favorite is cleaning the tub and shower. 

Normally I use a scratchy sponge (about the size of a dish sponge) with a plastic handle to clean the shower and tub.  I spray Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-A-Clean Mega Shower Foamer (which I love and highly recommend) and scrub til it's clean, then rinse with water. 

I have shower doors (which I hate) instead of a shower curtain, so some places seem to be hard to reach.  Kneeling in the floor, leaning over the side of the tub to scrub the inside is also extremely uncomfortable where the track pokes into me.  Those doors are fun to clean, too... especially where the mildew tends to stick in all the little holes.  This leads to me cleaning the shower less often, and therefore causing it to be even dirtier when I DO get around to cleaning it.  Add all of the hair, soap scum, shaving cream, and gritty facial scrub that flies around in there, and I end up with a half-hour of spraying, scrubbing, sweating, grumbling, and wishing there was a better way. 

The other day, I was shopping at (yep, you guessed it) Wal-Mart and I came across an intriguing little tool that I decided to splurge and spend the $7 or so on:  The Scotch Brite Shower Scrubber.

The name makes it sound rather unexciting.  I think it should be called something more dramatic.  Anyway, I used it for the first time today and was, for the most part, pretty impressed.

Basically, this tool is a teardrop-shaped, rough but no-scratch sponge attached to the end of a metal handle.  The handle twists open to allow you to extend its length to 2 feet.  The sponge is disposable and you can buy refills for it. 

It really cut down on the time it took me to clean my shower.  I was able to scrub down all of the surfaces pretty quickly between the larger sponge and the long handle.  I was also happy with the cleaning power of the sponge.  It's nice and rough, so it cuts through the soap scum pretty well.  I hate when I think a spot is clean, only to rinse it off and realize that there's still a layer of scuz there.  I really didn't have that problem with the Shower Scrubber. 

It's not a perfect product.  I did have a few issues with it. 

1 - The sponge head popped off of the handle two or three times while I was cleaning.  I realize that it has to be easy for people to remove (press a button and the sponge head slides off), but this was a little bit annoying.  I had to be careful.

2 - I wish the handle, which bends up and down to the sponge, would also bend side to side.  Do you know what I mean?  It would be nice if it could pivot in all directions.  It would be easier to clean certain places.

3 - I wish there was a way to squeeze the water out of it when you're done.  It tends to drip all over the place, and you can only squeeze it so much. 

4 - This isn't really a problem with the product, but what would have been really nice was if they would have also made a tool for the small spaces, like where the grout is.  You can't really clean in there with this tool.

I am super happy I bought this.  I'm not sure how much the refills cost at Wal-Mart, but there appears to be a regular AND a large size on Amazon, selling for $2.49 and $4.79.  Definitely worth it.  I'll continue to use this as long as I can get refills for it!





The Original Dish Drying Mat

This post is not going to be a product review, but rather about a product I've found that I'd love to try!

Bed Bath and Beyond has an exclusive product line called "The Original", which includes kitchen and cleaning items, and other items for your home and even your pet. 

I've never heard of this line, until some lucky Influenster members received The Original Dish Drying Mat in their Mom VoxBox this summer.  I wasn't one of those few selected to sample the mat, but the more I read about it, the more I want one.

 

The mat is made of foam, but is covered in a very high absorbency microfiber material that dries extremely fast.  It actually holds 4 times its' own weight in water.  It's cushiony, so it protects both your dishes (from being chipped on the counter or dish drainer), and your counter (from being scratched by rough or heavy items).  It's machine washable and is flexible so you can fold it up and store it when you're not using it.  It comes in two sizes, 16 x 18" ($4.99) and 18 x 24" ($7.99), and  it even comes in cream, green, gray, and red - it will match any kitchen :)

Currently I use a dish towel for glasses or other awkward items that don't fit in my dish drainer.  I don't really like it because I think it gets a little gross, and it holds the water and doesn't let the insides of the glasses air out very well.  It also wants to slide around my countertop, so I have to stick the edge of it under the dish drainer to keep it from falling off (I have very little counter space!). 

One reviewer of the product on Influenster mentioned all of the grime that tends to build up on a dish drainer over time.  It's really gross, and impossible to scrub off, even with bleach and a scratch pad.  This would totally eliminate that problem and the germs that come with it. 

We don't have a Bed Bath and Beyond near me, so I've never seen these products in the store and have never heard of them until recently.  Similarly, they also have a veggie drying mat, a boot and shoe drying mat, and a pet bowl mat (does your dog sling water all over the place when he drinks?  I think they're onto something here..).  Other products include microfiber cleaning cloths and a wrinkle release dryer towel. 

So have you tried The Original Dish Drying Mat?  Love it?  I bet there are other uses for it, too... do you know of any?

Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookies

Recently I wrote about the Mom VoxBox I received from Influenster.  Another great product I received complimentary to test was a Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookie!

The cookies come in four flavors: Apples and Cinnamon, Banana Nut, Cranberry and Yogurt, and Raisins. They cost about $2.69 for a box of 6.  Each cookie is sealed separately, so they won't go stale. 

My cookie was the Raisins flavor. I devoured it pretty quickly, and I did not share!  It was soft and chewy and tasted delicious! I will definitely be getting some more of these to have on hand for snacks or packed lunches. They would be even more wonderful warmed up in the microwave for a few seconds.

For a cookie, these seem to be pretty healthy.  The Raisins flavor cookies have about 6 grams of fat, 170 calories, and are a good source of fiber, so they can fill you up more than other snacks. 

You can see more information and additional Influenster product reviews here.  They have 4 and 1/2 out of 5 stars!

Thanks to Influenster and Quaker for the chance to test another awesome product, for free.

ImPRESS Press On Manicure

I recently received another VoxBox full of goodies from Influenster.  This time it was the Mom Vox Box.  I received all of the products from them completely FREE for testing purposes.  If you haven't heard about them, check out their website.  You simply sign up, create a profile, take some surveys that earn you "badges" describing your lifestyle, then sit back and wait until they offer you a VoxBox.  Upon receiving your box, all you have to do is test out all of the products inside and then share your opinions with Influenster.  It's really easy and a fun way to try out new products that you might not have purchased.  Here's a photo of my Mom VoxBox:

One of the first items from my VoxBox that I tried was the ImPress Press On Manicure by Broadway. 

I was really excited that these came in my VoxBox because they aren't something I would normally buy just to try out.  I was extremely skeptical that these would even work at all.  Any press-on nails I've ever tried (especially that use their own adhesive, no nail glue) might stay on for an hour or two and then they start falling off as soon as you try to do anything with your hands.  Aside from that, my nails are pretty wide and have very little arch, so I have never been able to use artificial nails because they pull up on my nail beds and cause me extreme pain. 

My nails came in a nice lilac color (it might be Velvet Rope?  I can't believe I tossed the package without looking!).  They are a nice shorter length, and they are not super thick like a lot of artificial nails.  I also noticed that they are very flexible.  The adhesive on the nails is like a sticky gel, and there is a plastic covering that you peel off of the adhesive before sticking them on.  They are numbered by size, and there are 12 different sizes in the package, with 2 of each size (so 24 nails total).  They are pretty simple to apply - they come with an alcohol pad to clean your nail surface, and then you just press them into place.

My nails:

A few things I didn't like about the nails:

-While they are thinner than most artificial nails, I think they're still too thick.

-The edges were a little sharp/rough.

-I had a hard time peeling the plastic off of the adhesive, and it kept tearing and sticking to the gel.  It got on my nerves.

-For the price, I wish you could get more than one set of nails out of these, but you really can't.  The leftovers are pretty much useless.

What I loved about the nails:
-Of course, no drying time!
-The shine on the nails was really nice.

-They come in 36 different colors/patterns.  Lots of variety!

-They did NOT hurt my nails!  Not even a little bit.  :)

-They actually stayed on longer than I thought they would.  I applied them Thursday evening, and they lasted until Saturday afternoon.  I worked all day on Friday and I couldn't believe they didn't come off at work. 

-When it was time to take them off, they came off easily and didn't leave any crud on my nails. 

You can buy imPress Manicure at CVS, Rite Aid, Duane Reade, KMart, Walgreens, and Walmart. For a full list of online and in-store retailers, visit imPressManicure.com, where you can download an exclusive coupon and virtually try on all the colors and patterns!

Their suggested price is $5.99 for solid colors and $7.99 for patterns.  For me, this is too expensive to use very often but worth it for a special occasion or just a once in a while thing.  Overall, I think for press-on nails they are really nice and I'm glad I got to try them for free!  Thank you Influenster.



Delicious Coconut Cream Pie Recipe

Coconut cream pie is one of my very favorite summer desserts.  I had never made one before until just recently, and it turned out so yummy that I wanted to share the recipe.  (This is NOT my recipe, I found it on www.myrecipes.com, at this link).

This is my finished pie:

Coconut Cream Pie

Crust:
1/2 (15 ounce) package of refrigerated pie crusts

Filling:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups half and half (I used 2% milk, and it worked)
4 egg yolks
3 tablespoons of butter
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
vanilla

Whipped Cream Topping:
2 cups of heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar
Toasted coconut for garnish

Fit 1 piecrust into a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp. Prick bottom and sides of piecrust with a fork. Bake according to package directions for a one-crust pie.  (*I used a packaged graham cracker crust pie because I couldn't find quite what I needed.  It turned out fine I thought, so you could really use either*). 

Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan. Whisk together half-and-half and egg yolks. Gradually whisk egg mixture into sugar mixture; bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Boil 1 minute; remove from heat.  (*I didn't have any half-and-half because I forgot to buy any!  I used 2% milk and I thought it worked fine.  Might have been even better with the half-and-half?*). 

Stir in butter, 1 cup coconut, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap, placing plastic wrap directly on filling in pan; let stand 30 minutes. Spoon custard mixture into prepared crust, cover and chill 30 minutes or until set.

Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, beating until soft peaks form. Spread or pipe whipped cream over pie filling. Garnish, if desired. (*This made quite a bit more whipped cream than I needed.  I couldn't find any toasted coconut at the store.  I put a small amount of shredded coconut in a small nonstick skillet and tossed it around on medium heat until it was browned*). 

Bic Soleil Savvy Razors

Have you seen these yet?! 

Bic has a new women's disposable razor called Soleil Savvy. 

 

I'm currently trying this razor for free compliments of Bic and BzzAgent (they send me lots of fun stuff to try, check them out!). 

The Soleil Savvy is not like other disposable razors.  Instead of purchasing a whole pack of complete razors, each Soleil Savvy razor comes with one disposable handle and four refillable blade cartridges:

So here's my honest opinion:  As far as a disposable razor goes (which is all I use), they shave just fine.  I am usually not extremely picky about my razors except that I do like for them to have at least 3 blades (Soleil Savvy has 3), and not irritate my skin (it doesn't).  While I have absolutely no complaints about it,there really isn't anything particularly special about it to me.  One of their major selling points seems to be the fact that you don't have to purchase "pricey refills", but I tend to think that $7-8 for a four pack of disposable razors, though not overpriced, is in no way a bargain. 

The reason that I do think this product was a good idea is that reduces waste!  I think it's great that you won't need to throw all those handles away.  It totally makes sense that you should only need to replace the blade when it gets dull.  Being "green" is not a requirement for me when I purchase beauty products, but it's a nice bonus. 

Overall I think it's a good product and worth purchasing. 



CeraVe Renewing Lotion

Yesterday I got a box in the mail containing an 8oz bottle of CeraVe Renewing Lotion.  I was pretty psyched about this!  I don't even recall requesting any type of sample, or winning any contest.  There was nothing inside indicating why I had received this.  Oh well, I'm absolutely not complaining!

I'm not familiar with the brand at all.  I have never used any of their products before, and I have never heard anything, good or bad, about them.  Apparently, the new Renewing Lotion has salicylic acid and is supposed to smooth out bumpy, uneven textured skin.  From what I read online, I picture the red bumps that some people can get on their arms, etc.  Like this common condition:

(Apparently called Keratosis Pilaris (thanks, Google) and described here on Wikipedia). 

I don't have this problem.  What I do have are some pretty awful feet.  They are rough, cracked, peeling, and dry.  No amount of filing them with my stainless steel scraper thing seems to help.  I recently went to Las Vegas on vacation and walked for literally miles in a pair of rubber flip flops after dragging myself up and down the strip in a pair of heels.  It's hard to describe the abuse my feet took on this trip.  I ended up with blisters on the balls of my feet, among other places.  The thicker skin on the balls of my feet is still peeling and I'm pretty sure it's going to take forever to heal. 

Last night after my shower I used the Renewing Lotion on my arms, legs, and feet.  It feels really nice and isn't greasy at all.  It is unscented.  You can tell it is a good quality moisturizing lotion. 

This morning, I am really impressed at how much it has helped my feet!  They are actually really soft.  Most moisturizers would have 'worn off' by now, and I'd be back to rough skin, but right now my feet feel like I put lotion on them ten minutes ago.  The peeling is less noticeable too. 

I am definitely going to keep using this.  I can't wait to see how my feet feel after a few days.  I bet it will also do wonders for the dry, chapped skin I get in the winter.  At $12.97 for a 12 oz bottle (WalMart), I think it's worth the price and then some!

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara and Lash Enhancer

I recently picked up a tube of Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara and Lash Enhancer in Black Shimmer at WalMart for about $5.  I had honestly never heard of it before, but I was looking for something new since my regular mascara wasn't in stock. 

According to the package, the Grow Luscious is not only a mascara but a lash enhancer.  I wonder what this really means.  I went to their website to get more specifics about what the product is supposed to actually do, and this is what I found:

-Lash enhancing formula complements the natural growth cycle of your lashes, improving their overall appearance and conditioning with each use
-Get lashes that look instantly longer and lusher and will also grow stronger day after day
-Oversized lash-extending brush
-Ophthalmologist tested

I have been using the mascara for about three weeks and I will say that I don't think I have lost as many lashes as I normally would.  On an average day, between scrubbing my makeup off and fussing with my eyelashes if a contact lens is bothering me, I would say I lose maybe 3-5 lashes.  Sometimes more.  I definitely think this number has decreased significantly.  Coincidence?  Maybe...

After applying, of course my lashes look longer and "lusher".  I think pretty much any decent mascara can accomplish that.

The brush is FAT.  It is a bristly brush, and by that I mean it isn't made of silicone or plastic whatever it is that a lot of new mascara brushes are made of... I hate those things.  So far, I haven't tried one that I liked.  And I do prefer a thicker brush, but I think this one is almost too fat.  I have a hard time applying the mascara to my lower lashes without getting it all over my face. 

It hasn't irritated my eyes, but nothing really does, so I can't comment on that.

I also bought the non-waterproof type, so I can't comment on that either.

I prefer black mascara, but I went with the black shimmer for fun (it also comes in black, blackest black, and blackened brown).  I was a little disappointed in that respect - I can't see a bit of shimmer in the mascara.  The color is fine, just not anything special.

I haven't had any issues with it flaking off, or smudging, or anything like that, so overall I would say I like the mascara (I don't LOVE it).  I do really like the fact that I'm not losing as many eyelashes, and that alone might be enough to make me buy it again. 

Febreze Set & Refresh

Candles, plug-ins, reed diffusers, sprays, scented oil warmers, potpourri...  You name it, I've tried it!  I have a fetish for things that smell good and there's nothing I love more than walking into a house that smells noticeably GOOD.  Not just clean, but fruity, or floral, or maybe like cinnamon or freshly baked cookies. 

Recently I was having a get-together at my house and wanted something to make the living room smell good.  I do burn candles and have some plug-ins, but I wanted something more.  I was at WalMart and found these little Febreze Set & Refresh air fresheners.  I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much - kind of like those little wax cones that you get for $1 and twist off the top to expose the scent.. they last for a day or two and then they're dead.  The Set & Refresh were pretty cheap, around $2 for the unit with 1 scent cartridge (around $4 for a package of refills), so I decided to go ahead and try one. 

Basically the Set & Refresh is a little plastic, crescent-shaped holder with a base.  You just slide the scent cartridge inside until it clicks.  If you want more scent, you can pull the base out, or leave it the way it is for more subtle scent.  I haven't needed to replace the cartridge yet, so I'm not sure how easy it is to remove, or if there's any mess involved. 

I want one of these things for every room in my house!  It has been sitting in my living room for about a month now, and I can STILL smell it.  Unfortunately, I don't remember what scent I bought, and some seem to have better reviews than others, but I think it's something along the lines of tropical/fruity.  It's not so strong that it's overpowering, but it's really noticeable when you walk in the door.  I can't believe how well it has worked for the price I paid!  I went out and bought another one for the bathroom, and it's even better since the bathroom is so small.  The second one I bought has a floral scent, and I like it too.  There are scratch and sniff stickers on each package so you can sort of tell before you buy it if you like it or not. 

I will definitely be purchasing refills for these.  I can't believe I had never heard of them before!

Private Selection Brand - BzzCampaign

BzzAgent has really been showing me love lately!  Currently I'm involved in three BzzCampaigns:

1. The Dr. Scholl's inserts I just posted about
2. A really exciting one where I got two free books for my Kindle, The Hangman's Daughter and The Dark Monk
3. Private Selection Taste of Summer - this one involes FOOD!  :)

If you've never heard of Private Selection brand, it is sold exclusively at Kroger stores, but it is a "premium/gourmet" brand.  Prior to the campaign, I had tried a few of their products (one being the olive oil that I'm currently using and love).  They are modestly priced, though not the cheapest thing on the shelf, and generally I have found to be pretty good quality products.

The BzzKit we received contained an actual bag of sea salt and black pepper flavored kettle chips, and coupons for a free pie, a free package of angus ground beef, $1.50 off of a pint of ice cream, and lots of 20% off coupons to share with friends. 

The chips were so-so; I love kettle chips and loved the texture and crunch of these, but I just wasn't into the flavor.  I plan to try another kind.  So far, I have not been able to find the pies at my Kroger store.  The ice cream was actually on sale for $1.50, so I got it for free, too.  I chose black raspberry and dark chocolate ice cream, and it was  d e l i c i o u s.  Even my husband liked it.  Great texture, especially for a store brand - there are big brand name ice creams that don't measure up to this, in my opinion.  I'll buy it again!  Finally, I purchased a package of the angus ground beef.  I used it for hamburgers, and I really was so impressed with the consistency of the meat.  Normally, when I buy ground beef, I feel like it is really stiff and hard to work with, it seems overprocessed and a little gross.  This ground beef was extremely soft and had a texture like actual meat you might grind at home, if you do that sort of thing.  It really wasn't any more expensive than other ground beef, I thought, so I would definitely purchase it again.  I have been really impressed with the brand.

So in case you missed my previous posts, BzzAgent is a really easy-to-use website where you sign up, take a few surveys, and then sit back and wait to be invited to a campaign that suits you.  Occasionally you'll be asked to take a new survey as new companies prepare to launch campaigns, but it's nothing too time-consuming.  If you receive a product, you're asked to share your opinions and a coupon or two with friends, and report back to BzzAgent about your "Bzz".  Super easy, and actually pretty rewarding... try it out!  ;)

Dr. Scholl's For Her - High Heel Inserts

Just received my latest product testing kit from BzzAgent - Dr. Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles. 

If you didn't read my earlier post about BzzAgent, let me fill you in.  Basically, you sign up for an account on their website, and then take several surveys about different subjects, mostly items you use or purchase.  Different companies will use BzzAgent to find people to test their products for free.  Those people are selected based on the company's chosen demographics and their "BzzScore", which measures a member's activity on the site (the most active/influential members with higher scores get more campaigns).  Your responsibilities once you receive a product are to use the product you are given, and then provide your honest feedback to others online and face-to-face, and report back to BzzAgent about your "Bzz".  It sounds more complicated than it is!  I have only been a member since around January, and this is my third product I've received to test, so it's pretty rewarding, in my opinion.  Once you complete all the initial surveys, there really aren't that many that you need to take (maybe one new one per week). 

Anyway!  Included in my kit for the Dr. Scholl's High Heel Insoles:  One pair of insoles (these are currently selling at walmart.com for $7.97), several coupons for $4.00 off (to share with friends), and an information packet on the Dr. Scholl's For Her line of products.

I haven't had a chance to actually test these out yet, but I took them out of the package.  My first impression is that they aren't as squishy as I expected them to be, with the exception of the center, where the ball of your foot goes - there is a lot of squishy support in that area.  I wish they had more thickness towards the toes, where it seems like all of your weight goes when you're walking in heels.  They are adhesive - I peeled back a section of the plastic and they don't seem to be all that sticky.  This could be good (maybe they can be switched in and out of different shoes) or bad (maybe they won't stay where they belong).  The package does say that they can be removed without damaging your shoes.  The claims are that the insoles prevent foot pain when you're wearing high heels, and remove the pressure from the ball of your foot, while being slim enough to not make your shoes feel tight. 

I'll be testing these out Friday night, and I'll let you know how my feet feel on Saturday!


EDIT - So I was medium impressed with these!  My feet did feel pretty comfortable even after walking to and from the club from the hotel, and dancing all night.  It was kind of an unfair test, since I already had wicked blisters on my feet from walking around in Vegas for a week (wish I had these babies sooner!).  I would buy them again IF I had an uncomfortable pair of shoes that I really loved... but probably not otherwise. 

Everyday Minerals

I can't post beauty product reviews and not mention Everday Minerals.  I really don't think they get the attention they deserve!

As I've mentioned, my skin is fair, sensitive, and extremely acne prone.  I started wearing makeup to cover my blemishes around 7th grade, and had since been part of a vicious cycle of wearing makeup to cover my acne, which was generally made worse by the makeup I was wearing.  I tried almost every over-the-counter acne treatment there was, and nothing helped.  I never thought mineral makeup would have the coverage that I needed, so I never tried it.  About 3 1/2 years ago, a friend discovered Everyday Minerals and recommended it to me.  I have been hooked ever since.  My skin looks better, and it is healthier because I'm not covering it with gross makeup.  And I was wrong - the foundation has great coverage!

My perception of mineral makeup has always been that it is too expensive to be practical.  I won't go into prices of other specific brands (Try-Me's and Starter Kits can run you anywhere from $30 to $70 or more), but that is not true with Everyday Minerals.  A 7-piece custom "Try Me" kit from Everyday Minerals costs... are you ready for this?... a penny.  You can add a kit to any order you place on their website.  First time user, and don't know which shade to buy?  Here's my recommendation:  Purchase one of their wonderfully soft makeup brushes ($13-$16) and add the sample kit to your cart.  You can try several different foundation shades and even if you hate the makeup (you won't!), you'll love the brush, and you just can't buy good brushes for that price.  Your sample kit can include different colors in different formulas, face powders, and blushes.  Regular shipping is around $4. 

I pay $12.99 for a container of foundation that lasts me about three to four weeks.  There's almost always a promo code for some type of "free with purchase" item on their website.  For example, this week you get a big-sized blush and a mini eyeshadow (these are actually huge), free with any $18 purchase.  They are always coming out with new colors of blushes and eyeshadows, and they also make lip balms, facial oils, and items like brush rolls to store your makeup brushes.  Best of all, their products are vegan, organic, natural, and eco-friendly - these things are not a "must" for me; I will use whatever I think works best, so that's just an added bonus.   (Read all about the company here).

If you've ever wanted to try mineral makeup but didn't, DO IT NOW.  I'm surprised you're not hearing more about them already.  I'm even more surprised that in the 3 1/2 years that I've been using this product, their popularity has increased but their prices have not.  Thanks, EDM! <3

JCPenney Clearance Haul

I went to the mall this evening to look for new shoes.  I didn't find any, and I was pretty bummed out.  I walked by JCPenney's on my way out, and I almost didn't even go in, because I was just in there the other night.  Butttt I had plenty of time so I decided to make a quick stop and check out their clearance racks. 

Boy, was I glad I did.

Here's what I got:

This dress was originally $80.  I got it for $4. 

______________

This dress was originally $70.  I got it for $4.

_____________

I couldn't find the skirt I bought on their website, but it looks exactly like this.  It was originally $70.  I paid $4.

________________

This slip, comes with removable straps, was originally $50.  I paid $13.

__________________

So I got $270 worth of clothes for around $26, including tax.  I am one happy girl tonight!

The prices I paid are even lower than the prices advertised on their website, so check your store and see what kind of deals you can find!

 

Palmolive Fresh Sponge

It's been two weeks since I started using my Palmolive Fresh Sponge, which I received complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.  I have to say, it lives up to its promises!

As I mentioned in the previous post, Palmolive's new dish soap, Fresh Sponge, gets rid of the residue normally left behind on your dish sponge, causing it to stink. 

While I can't comment on the "sparkling shine" it says it will leave your dishes (mine are stoneware and I have a bad habit of drinking from disposable cups), I am pleased with the way it really does keep my sponge from smelling bad.  Even better, if you can imagine, it actually smells GOOD. 

I don't keep a schedule for how long I use a sponge before I throw it out, but I feel like now is about the time I normally would switch it out for a new one.  Two weeks is probably longer than a damp, dirty sponge should hang around - especially if I'm going to use it to scrub my fork.  WebMD actually says the dirty dish sponge is the #1 source of germs in the whole house!  I don't bother disinfecting mine; I just toss it and grab a new one.  And while I'm pretty good about not using the same sponge for way too long, I do sometimes notice a faint odor on the sponge or sometimes even the dishes after I've been using it awhile.  Since I've been using the Fresh Sponge soap, there's been no odor at all!  What I'd love to know is whether the Palmolive Fresh Sponge does anything to decrease the actual bacterial population on the sponge.  I'm thinking that I might go ahead and microwave the sponge this time, and keep it around for longer.  This would make the Fresh Sponge a money-saver - less sponges to buy!

All in all, I am much more impressed than I expected to be with this product.  Although I have always been a fan of Dawn, I just might pick up another bottle of this when I run out.

To get your own free products to test and review, sign up for an account at www.influenster.com.  There's really no catch - just try what they send you and give your honest feedback. 

Garnier BB Cream

There's been a lot of hype about Garnier's new skin care product, Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream.  I didn't get in on the BzzAgent campaign to try it, but ultimately I couldn't resist and bought myself a tube.  I got it at WalMart, and if I remember right, it was around $12.95 for the 2.5 ounce tube. 

Garnier's claim is that the BB Cream addresses multiple skin concerns - discoloration, dullness, blotchiness, and dryness.  After using the cream, you should expect your skin to be more even, radiant, and smooth.  I can't find anything that states specifically, but I assume, that these results are only temporary and while you are actually wearing the cream.  It comes in two shades, Light/Medium and Medium/Deep.

There are lots of different BB creams from different brands (Sephora has 9, all of which are significantly more expensive than Garnier's).   

My skin is a pain.  I'm extremely fair and acne prone.  Right now, my routine for my face consists of scrubbing with St. Ives Blackhead and Blemish Control Apricot Scrub, applying Ole Henriksen Blemish Attack Daily Defense Gel, and moisturizing with Equate Oil Free Sensitive Skin Moisturizer.  This, for the most part, keeps my acne in check and prevents any dry spots.  I still get a little oily, but nothing major.  I am always afraid of trying anything new because it almost always causes my skin to break out.  Still, I couldn't resist.  I've been using the BB Cream for about 5 days - here are my thoughts:

2.5 ounces is really pretty huge.  A little bit of this cream goes a long way on your face.  I was a little bummed about spending the $13 on it, but it's going to last a long time.

It reminds me of a tinted moisturizer.  I won't show a before and after photo, but I will say that it definitely made a difference.  While it doesn't totally cover every blemish or  mark,  it does do a pretty good job of covering most imperfections and evening out my skin tone.  As promised, it leaves my skin "radiant", or with a hint of glow or dewiness.  If you like your skin to be matte, this probably isn't for you. 

Once it's washed off, I haven't noticed any lasting effects.  I have not developed any breakouts since using it, though!  That excites me, a lot.  I was positive I would not be able to wear it on a regular basis, and so far it seems like I can.

My only complaint is that the Light/Medium is a bit too dark for my skin.  If I apply it as heavily as I'd like to, I look a little orangey.  A lighter application is okay, but I don't see all of the benefits when I use it sparingly.  Maybe this will be better in the summer once I've gotten some sun, but I really wish they'd also made a "Fair/Light" shade. 

I think it will be perfect for summer, if I'm going to the pool or somewhere I don't want to wear makeup because I don't like to go completely bare-faced. 

I'm glad I bought it and I would consider buying it again, especially if there was a lighter shade.  I give it an A- !

Tone Fruit Peel

Alright...  I don't mean to keep on about this subject, but I have a little bit of a rant. 

Do you read the label on your body wash before you buy it?   

I didn't think so.

I don't either.

I am always grabbing the newest fruity scent from whatever brand I like...  and Tone is always coming out with fun new body washes.  So when I spotted their new "Fruit Peel" daily exfoliating body wash, I just picked it up, opened the lid to smell it, and threw it in the cart.  So I'm in the shower the other day and for whatever reason, I flip the bottle over, and start looking at the back:

Sunburn Alert:  This product contains an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn.

Really?!

Let's refer back to those statistics from The Skin Cancer Foundation: 

• Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 years old.
• The incidence of many common cancers is falling, but the incidence of melanoma continues to rise at a rate faster than that of any of the seven most common cancers.  Between 1992 and 2004, melanoma incidence increased 45 percent.
• About 65 percent of melanoma cases can be attributed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
• The survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early, before the tumor has penetrated the skin, is about 99 percent.  The survival rate falls to 15 percent for those with advanced disease.

Just to be clear on that last one... that means 85 out of every 100 people who don't get that bad mole checked out in time, do NOT survive.

According to the FDA's website, products containing AHAs are marketed for a variety of purposes, such as smoothing fine lines and surface wrinkles, improving skin texture and tone, unblocking and cleansing pores, and improving skin condition in general.  We're talking skin peels, or products to try to correct a certain issue, like wrinkles.  Tone's Fruit Peel is just a body wash... something that we all use, and probably for more reasons than just vanity. 

I'll give them credit where credit is due.  According to the FDA's website, they recommend (not "require") that the labeling of a cosmetic product that contains an AHA as an ingredient and that is topically applied to the skin have a warning label such as the one stated here.  And I understand that this company can make whatever it wants to, and no one is twisting my arm and forcing me to buy it.  I also know that lots of products contain AHA's.  But shame on a company that creates a product marketed to a certain demographic that has the potential to make that consumer more susceptible to that group's most common and very deadly form of cancer.  Shame on them for putting a warning label on the back, with the ingredients, in a font as small and unnoticeable as possible, where most people will never see it.  Shame on them for launching this new product in the spring, just before we're really out there being exposed to the sun.  Our beauty products should be promoting womens' health, not tricking women into purchasing products that can help destroy it. 

I've been trying so hard to remember to wear sunscreen.  I have sworn never to lay in a tanning bed again.  And then I wind up buying this stupid body wash.  So I've been steamed about this for a few days, and just needed to put this out there. 

Sally Hansen Gem Crush / Seche Vite Topcoat

I ran across Sally Hansen's Gem Crush at Wal Mart the other day.  This is no ordinary glitter nail polish!  This stuff is GLITTERY!

According to their website, it comes in 8 different colors.  I bought "Big Money"; this is 2 coats without topcoat (I took this after acetone and before lotion - please ignore my dry cuticles!):

Because of all the glitter in the polish, the surface of your nails will be really rough after using it, so you will need a couple coats of a good topcoat.  My very favorite is Seche Vite Dry Fast Topcoat.  If you paint your own nails, you should own this.  If you haven't heard of it, go read some reviews - this stuff is the best there is.  It goes on a little thick, and has more shine than any other topcoat I've tried.  It also dries FAST, and when I say fast, I mean you can paint your nails five minutes before you go to bed and not mess them up. 

Two coats of this stuff, and my "high impact bling" was even more stunning.  I love it!





BzzAgent

I love trying new products.  I'm always on the hunt for free samples or coupons for free items.  I came across a website a few months ago that I think anyone who likes trying new products (and doesn't mind taking some time to spread the word) should be a part of. 



BzzAgent.com sends out free, full-sized products for you to try in exchange for your feedback and sharing the product with others.  I have been a member for a short time and have already received 2 products to try, so this isn't one of those sites where you sign up and take survey after survey and never get rewarded.  You fill out your profile, answer surveys, and wait for them to invite you to join a 'BzzCampaign' that matches you.  You must accept the invitation - they won't send you something you don't want to try.  When you receive your product, you usually have a couple of months to use it and then write a review, tell others about the product (they do ask you to report back to them about this), blog about the product, etc.  Sometimes you'll receive coupons to give your friends.  You'll get a 'BzzScore' (1-10) based on how active you are with your campaigns, and a better score will help you get even more products to try.


So far, BzzAgent has sent me Childrens' Claritin Chewables, and Hills Ideal Balance cat food.  There have been a lot of other campaigns that I was interested in, too..  but I guess you can't get them all :)

Palmolive Fresh Sponge

Last week, I got another product in the mail from Influenster.  This time, it's Palmolive's new dish soap, Fresh Sponge. 

The new Fresh Sponge formula not only cleans your dishes, but it supposedly removes the residue that causes odor in your dish sponge.  It smells amazing.  I can't wait to try it!  (Check out their website here. )  I'll write a review in a couple of weeks and let you know how bad my sponge stinks!  :)

The kit from Influenster includes a very large 25 ounce bottle of the dish soap, a dish sponge, and coupons for me and 5 of my friends.   Just like with the VoxBox I described before, I received the dishwashing kit for free.  My only obligations are to use the new soap and tell my friends about it, and then check back to Influenster for a product review and a survey.  

Influenster is free to join!  Sign up at www.influenster.com. 

Chicken Enchilada Chilli

I found this recipe in my Betty Crocker So Simple cookbook.   I made it in my Crock Pot for dinner the other night, and it was super easy and tasty!

__________________________________________________________________________________

Chicken Enchilada Chilli -
Prep Time: 10 minutes          Start to Finish: 7 hours 10 minutes               6 Servings

• 1 1/4lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1 medium yellow or green bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
• 2 cans (14.5oz each) stewed tomatoes with garlic and onion, undrained
• 2 cans (15-16oz each) chilli beans in sauce, undrained
• 1 can (10oz) enchilada sauce
• Sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1 - Spray 4-5 quart slow cooker with cooking spray.  In cooker, mix all ingredients except sour cream and cilantro.

2 - Cover and cook on LOW heat setting 7-8 hours.

3 - Stir mixture to break up chicken.  Top each serving with cilantro and sour cream.

___________________________________________________________________________________

I used chicken breasts instead of thighs.  The recipe doesn't require that you cut up the chicken, but I cut mine in cubes before putting it in the crock pot.  If I ever make it again, I will try to shred the chicken; I think it would be better that way.  I also skipped out on the cilantro and topped mine with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.  This turned out really yummy, and there was enough flavor in the ingredients that I didn't even need to add a single seasoning to it.  Doesn't get much easier than that!

New Jergens Product!

Summer is coming, and people, please...... WEAR SUNSCREEN!

I was blessed/cursed with an extremely fair complexion.  Just like everyone else, I want a tan in the summertime.  I've had some nasty sunburns in my life, and spent some time in tanning beds as a teenager.  But I've learned my lesson and hopefully, I didn't change my ways too late.  (Did you know that 40-50% of Americans will, by age 65, have skin cancer at least once?  If you've had more than 5 sunburns, your risk for melanoma is doubled.  Only 15% of  people with advanced melanoma survive.  See www.skincancer.org for the scary statistics). 

There are tons of products out there that offer a tan in a bottle.  Lotions, sprays, wipes, mousse... from dozens of companies.  Some can turn your skin a sickly shade of orange, or leave you blotchy.  But I have found a favorite, and this year it's even better!

If you haven't tried Jergens Natural Glow products for your sunless tan, do it!  It comes in multiple lotions (express, firming, antioxidant, facial), foaming moisturizer (like a mousse),  and new this year, today is LAUNCH DAY for their new lotion with SPF 20.   (I'm really excited about this, since I can wear the daily moisturizer without having to worry about applying sunscreen and making it streaky!)  You apply the product every day until you are as dark as you want to be, and then reapply every few days to keep your color.  Each product comes in 2 shades, for darker vs. lighter complexions, so you don't wind up with a fake-looking color if you're fair, like me. 



Today on Facebook, Jergens is celebrating launch day with some samples (which are unfortunately gone, now) and some other surprises throughout the day. 

Even if you're not into self-tanning products, make sure you're using a good sunscreen, at least SPF 15, and make sure it is "broad spectrum", or blocks UVA and UVB radiation.  Apply it 30 minutes before you go outside, and reapply it every 2 hours, even if you're not swimming.  Store your sunscreen in a cool place (not in your car!) and throw it away when it's expired.  Go HERE for everything you need to know about sunscreen.

Want free glasses?

First freebie post:

First, I just want to make sure you know that I'm not getting anything for posting this.  There's no catch.  It's not a trick.  Just a really awesome deal!

Coastal sells glasses and contact lenses online.  They have a promotion (which seems to be ongoing) where you can get your first pair of glasses, frames and lenses, for free.  You only pay shipping, which is around $10.  For women, there are currently 925 frames to choose from.  The free pair includes the cheapest lenses (which are fine for me) but you can uprade to nicer ones for a really reasonable price, if you want to.  The promo code is: firstpairfree.

I was suspicious of this at first.  You can pay with PayPal, though, so I went ahead and placed an order for a really cute pair of Guess glasses for close to $10.  They shipped fast and were *really* nice.  They even came with a free case, lens cleaner, and a little tool kit.  Truly, no strings attached.  You really can't beat that!

Slow Cooker Chicken

I wanted to share a really tasty, easy chicken recipe I made for dinner last night.  I found this recipe on All Recipes.  I love crock pot recipes for summer!



Jennie's Heavenly Slow Cooker Chicken:

Ingredients:
2 tbs. butter
1 0.7oz package of dry Italian salad dressing mix
1 10.75oz can of condensed golden mushroom soup
1 8oz. container of chive and onion sour cream
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Melt the butter in a pan and add the salad dressing mix, soup, sour cream, and wine.  Allow to cook on low-medium heat until contents are well mixed and the sour cream is melted.  Place the chicken breasts into the crock pot and pour the mixture on top.  Cook on low for about 4 hours, or until chicken is tender. 



I served mine with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.  The extra sauce would be wonderful on pasta.

Venus & Olay Razor

My second favorite product that I received in my Love Vox Box from Influenster is the new Gillette Venus & Olay razor.  This product was just released into stores today!

The razor comes in a wonderful easy-to-open package.  Included is a suction up mount to hang in your shower.  This is one of those razors where you don't have to use shaving cream.  When it gets wet, the two Olay moisture bars (above and below the 5 blades) create a slippery surface for shaving. 

While I wasn't SUPER impressed with the feel of the razor against my skin, I thought it did a pretty good job - at least as good as my regular disposable razors with shaving cream.  It was easy to shave the knee area, and I didn't feel like I was going to cut myself in that spot.  I could feel it drag across the skin a little bit, but it wasn't really uncomfortable.  I also like the suction cup idea.  The refill cartridges cost about $14.99 - $19.49 (for a 3 pack).  I probably won't buy them for everyday use.  I will, however, use this for traveling, especially if I'm flying or trying to pack light, since I won't need shaving cream.  It would be perfect to take to the beach!

I received this for FREE from Influenster through their Vox Box program to try and review.