MeeMaw, Mimi, and MaMaw

 

I had a "MeeMaw," and Elise has a "Mimi" and a "MaMaw." My "Mom" called her mother "Mama," and my aunt did too, but she spelled it "Momma." Do you know what they all have in common (besides being family)? You cannot find a greeting card with any of those names on them in the store. As a gal who has a name that is never spelled correctly on the cutesy stuff in the store, this irks me.

When I received an email from Cardstore and realized that you can personalize many of their Mother's Day cards with any of those, I was so excited! I always felt so weird buying a card that said "Grandmother" or "Mother," they just didn't fit.

You can even add your own photos to many cards and their prices are often lower than cards that you have to settle for in the store. And as always with Cardstore, you have the option of having them mail the card directly to your Mom or Mimi for you!

Hurry, you have to place your order by May 2nd to get it to your special lady in time!

P.S. What do you call your mother and grandmother?

Influenster VoxBox: Frosty

I received my 3rd box of free goodies from Influenster and wanted to share it with you!

What is Influenster? Straight from their website:

Influenster [in-floo-uhn-ster]

noun

"An exclusive online community where tastemakers and trendsetters come to share the latest and greatest news, places, products, and reviews with each other. 2. The hotspot you just bookmarked on your web browser that turns your social influence into sweet rewards."

"Basically, Influenster is a place for culture junkies to come together and share their unique opinions of products and experiences. Active members of Influenster get exclusive access to deals, promotions, and swag from brands that thrive off the input (the good, the bad, and the ugly -- they just want to know what's up)."
 

Included in my Frosty box were Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner, NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum, Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea, Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum, McCormick Gourmet All Natural Thyme, Fruit Vines Bites Cherry, and an EcoTools Styler & Smoother brush.

 

I'm really excited to try some of the beauty items since taking better care of myself and stepping up my beauty routine is on my list for this year. My brush is years old and is super sad, so a replacement is definitely in order there! And in really sad news, my new medication makes my beloved diet soda taste flat (its one of the side effects), so I'm on the hunt for new low or no calorie drinks, so a trip down candy cane lane is in order. I'll let you know how I feel about everything once I have a chance to try the products out!

*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.*
 

 

Influenster VoxBox: T.L.C.

I received my 2nd box of free goodies from Influenster and wanted to share it with you!

What is Influenster? Straight from their website:

Influenster [in-floo-uhn-ster]

noun

"An exclusive online community where tastemakers and trendsetters come to share the latest and greatest news, places, products, and reviews with each other. 2. The hotspot you just bookmarked on your web browser that turns your social influence into sweet rewards."

"Basically, Influenster is a place for culture junkies to come together and share their unique opinions of products and experiences. Active members of Influenster get exclusive access to deals, promotions, and swag from brands that thrive off the input (the good, the bad, and the ugly -- they just want to know what's up)."

Included in my T.L.C box were a bar of Ivory Soap, a travel size package of Puffs tissues, a Shell Fuel Rewards card, Avon Anew Reversalist Complete Renewal Express Wrinkle Smoother, Neopsporin Neo to Go!, and a coupon for a free Breyers Gelato Indulgence.

The box this time is targeted for Moms and two of the Mom things, the tissues and the Neo to Go excite me most! I have Elise's diaper bag sorted with pouches - 1 for extra clothes, 1 for small toys and coloring tools (a must for dinners out!) and 1 for 1st aid/hygiene items. We already use the Puffs travel packs in that pouch and I have band aids, but I've been needing to get some Neosporin, and I love that this comes in a non-messy application.

That bar of Ivory might be the jump start that I need to make my own laundry detergent. Gas is my biggest gripe lately, so a card like the Shell Fuel Rewards card that can save me 3 cents a gallon is a winner. A long week at VBS is going to be capped off perfectly by some Gelato, I'm thinking maybe the Triple Chocolate variety. Since I'm still adjusting to being 40 and I've just mentioned that I am struggling to survive VBS week, I won't even address the wrinkle smoother....

A Nice Surprise

Most that know me know that I do not generally care for surprises, they freak out the planner in me. But last week, I received a package in the mail that was a nice surprise. I wasn't expecting anything - not Christmas shopping yet, no product reviews coming up. I opened it up and I realized that sometimes being nice pays off.

Many months ago, possibly even a year ago, I contacted Nature Valley inquiring about the granola that comes with the McDonald's yogurt parfait. I loved it and wanted to know where I could buy some. Unfortunately, it was an exclusive for McDonald's and couldn't be purchased otherwise. I was bummed and never really found a granola that I liked as well, I kind of put it in the back of mind.

Fast forward and here is a package with a letter from Nature Valley. They wanted to let me know that they were now making and selling loose granola to the public. They sent me 2 large bags, one of each flavor available (Oats 'n Honey or Oats 'n Dark Chocolate) to try. I have always loved their products and now am so impressed with their commitment to their consumer. I'm having a yogurt parfait for lunch today and can't wait!

Bright Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker Giveaway

I was recently given the opportunity to review the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker. What is the Brights Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Rocker? So glad you asked!

Here is a description from Bright Starts:
The Bright Starts™ 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker™ is the perfect seat to grow with baby! The seat rocks back and forth and features soothing vibrations with full body recline to help soothe baby. The removable toy bar allows easy access to baby and includes 2 interactive toys for entertaining. As your little one grows from baby to big kid, the seat can be used as a rocker or stationary seat – the rear kickstand can be locked into place to stabilize the seat and is conveniently located out of baby’s way. The seat also features an easy to clean seat pad with a fun, zoo animal print that is sure to make your little one smile!

I have to admit that I was a little skeptical at first since Elise has already passed the age to use the baby seat function....but I underestimated her and the product. I sat her down in the chair and she started rocking it herself! It's a perfect size for her and will be for the next good while. She loves to sit in it and look at her books. And I love that she can rock in it or I can adjust the kickstand and she can sit in it stationary. We don't yet have any other kid sized furniture, so this is a great piece. I'm kind of kicking myself for not noticing this product sooner. If your house is like ours and space is at a premium, this would save you the expense and storage of a bouncing baby seat and a toddler chair, since it is all of those in one. The colorful and engaging toy bar and vibrating/reclining functions would be perfect for your little baby and the I-can-do-it-myself rocking function is great for fostering independence as they get a little older. Super happy that we have this now (and so is she!)!

*I received a Bright Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker in exchange for a review of the product. All opinions are 100% mine.*

Want one for yourself? Bright Starts has graciously offered to give one to one of my lucky readers! Enter using the Rafflecopter Widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I Got Carded...

When Lauren at Cardstore contacted me and asked if I would be willing to use their site to create a card of my choice and review the process for you, I jumped! I had used them previously with great success and was excited to get the opportunity again. I decided to make a photo card from Elise to commemorate the Rev's 1st Father's Day.

The process really could not be easier, pick your card, then follow the step by step instructions to personalize with your photo and/or text. You can even scan your real signature in if you want! And the best part? They will mail it for you, now or at a later date of your choice. No going to sort through the greeting cards with mismatched envelopes at the drug store, no going to buy that one stamp that you need to mail a card, it really could not be easier. Your card will arrive to your recipient with a professional envelope, gold seal included! Here is the Father's Day card that I selected:

I first used Cardstore last Christmas. I received a really cool Christmas postcard (no envelopes to stuff!) from a friend and tracked her down on Facebook to find out where she had them made. She sent me to Cardstore. We designed our own postcard for Christmas and I was so happy with the results. Best thing about that process? You can upload your entire list of addresses into their system and they will do all of the work. I had ours sent directly to me without addresses though, since we pass the bulk of our cards out at the church. Prices are very reasonable, most cards range anywhere from $1.29 to $3.49 (and they give bulk discounts, perfect for save the dates, shower/party invitations, classmate Valentine's or Christmas), much less than you would pay in stores, and they are always offering different discount codes. I ordered 100 Christmas cards and only paid $30 after my discount. Here is our Christmas postcard:

They really do have a card for every occasion - up next for me will be cards for Grandparent's Day in September! Give them a try and let me know what you think!

*I received a code for a complimentary card in exchange for a review of Cardstore and their card making process. All opinions are 100% mine.*

Influenster VoxBox: Palmolive Soft Touch

Free stuff? Um, yes please! I received my first Voxbox from Influenster recently and I want to tell you all about it!

What is Influenster? Straight from their website:

Influenster [in-floo-uhn-ster]

noun

"An exclusive online community where tastemakers and trendsetters come to share the latest and greatest news, places, products, and reviews with each other. 2. The hotspot you just bookmarked on your web browser that turns your social influence into sweet rewards."

"Basically, Influenster is a place for culture junkies to come together and share their unique opinions of products and experiences. Active members of Influenster get exclusive access to deals, promotions, and swag from brands that thrive off the input (the good, the bad, and the ugly -- they just want to know what's up)."

They sent me Palmolive Soft Touch Dishwashing Detergent - a bottle for me and a bottle for a friend. A year ago, I would not have needed a bottle of hand washing detergent, since we only used the dishwasher, but now we have this setup...

...and we hand wash bottles and baby food containers/spoons every day. I had been using Palmolive Toy & Bottle detergent (and love it, as well!), but decided to give this a try since, well, honestly, it was FREE!

It is so silky feeling on your hands and I do notice that my cuticles are in much better shape since switching, not nearly as rough and jagged. And the Coconut Butter version smells amazing! And so as not to seem totally superficial, I can tell you that it cleans Elise's bottles very well, leaving no formula or food parts behind. And a little goes a long way since it suds up in a major way!

I'm giving the bottle of the pink Vitamin E version to the bestie, since she lives in a house of boys that I know can dirty some dishes...and since she might appreciate having a touch of pink around!

* Mini Giveaway!*

As you can see, my bottle is half gone, but luckily also included in my box were coupons good for $1 off my next purchase...and since I am nice, your purchase, too!! First 3 comments that want one will also receive a coupon good for $1 off of Palmolive Soft Touch in either Coconut Butter, Aloe, or Vitamin E. Since they shared with me, I'll share with you! And if you think that you might like to get free products and have your opinion heard, let me know and I will send you an invite to Influenster!

*I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster, but opinions are 100% mine!*

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down: Windex Touch-Up Cleaner

I've reviewed some great products in the past (remember, no compensation here, I just share it if I like it), and this one is my new favorite!

The Product: Windex Touch-Up Cleaner

The Pitch: According to their website info, "Designed to be left out and readily at-hand, this cleaner allows you to quickly clean and shine your most used surfaces. Not only does it kill 99.9% of bacteria, it also offers great fragrances for your kitchen and bathroom. Just Dab it. Clean it. Done.™"

The Verdict: I love this stuff, you just dab your cloth over the top, give a few pumps, and clean away. The fact that it is inconspicuous enough to be left out is a huge plus, since I don't have time to lug out cleaners for a little clean here and there. I'm using it in our bathroom (though I think I bought the kitchen kind, but whatevs) and it smells great and even gets my hairspray residue off of the counter with little effort. Price is reasonable enough and each week's newspaper for the past few weeks has had a $1 off coupon, making now the perfect time to try it. My only negative is that is not refillable, but overall this one is a definite must try, if you haven't already!  

Now for a survey--what is your least favorite household chore? (Mine is mopping!)

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down: Kaboom! Foam-Tastic

I've reviewed some great products in the past (remember, no compensation here, I just share it if I like it), but I feel like I owe it to you to save you some money on this one.

The Product: Kaboom! Foam-Tastic

The Pitch: According to the loud commercial, this spray goes on blue and turns white when your surface is clean. Then you just magically wipe away all of the dirt.

The Verdict: Kids, I haven't been able to bend over the tub and get a good scrub on in a while, so I knew when this stuff immediately turned white when sprayed on, that it was not going to work. I even gave it an extra scrub with the little tool that my Mom turned me on to when I complained about said inability to bend over, and still just so-so results. Overall, more crap-tastic than foam-tastic, I'd save my money if I were you.

Now for a survey--what is your favorite can't live without it cleaning product or tip?

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down: Lash Stiletto Mascara

I still remember my Mom taking me to her Mary Kay lady when I was a teenager so that she could show me the "right" way to apply makeup and how to pick complementary colors for my skin. I am still a loyal MK user, with the exception of mascara--theirs has just never cut it for me. So when I saw my friend Courtney, who is a make-up artist, boast about how great this mascara was on her Facebook, I knew I needed to give it a try. Again, this is just my opinion, I'm not being compensated, yada yada, blah, blah, blah...

The Product: Maybelline Lash Stiletto (I'm using the Waterproof version in Brown)

The Pitch: A mascara that will lengthen your lashes like stilettos lengthen your legs

The Verdict: This mascara ROCKS!! It really does make your lashes appear incredibly long and it doesn't seem to wilt midday like other mascaras that I have used. The brush is a little stiffer than I am used to and the instructions (yes, I read instructions for mascara, don't you?) are specific about not letting your lashes dry in between coats, but I don't consider those negatives, just info worth noting, so you'll know. At about $6.50 (at WalMart), it is completely in line with, if not a little less expensive than, its other mascara counterparts. It washes off easily and hasn't irritated my eyes (I am a contact lens wearer) at all. A definite keeper!

Now for our survey--what is your #1 go-to cosmetic or beauty aid? Mine is definitely mascara--I have long lashes but they are light, so they just disappear without it.

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down: Scotch Fur Fighter

Our little Scarlett is a gem, but she is still a dog (ssshhhhh, please don't tell her!), and that means that from time to time, especially in these warmer months, she tends to shed a little fur. When I stumbled upon a $4 coupon towards the purchase of the new Scotch Fur Fighter, I decided to give it a try and let you know what I thought. Again, its just my opinion, which on the black market is going for nothing, but here you go!

The Product: Scotch Fur Fighter for Upholstery (there is a Car Interiors version available also)

The Pitch: A specially designed rubber gripper pad is attached to an easy to use handle. Run it along your upholstered furniture to trap loose hair and fur.

The Verdict: Very easy to use and the handle was already loaded with a pad straight out of the box. This thing picked up some serious fur! The handle is comfortable and it really gets into all of the nooks and crannies of your furniture. I cleaned a sofa, loveseat, chair and ottoman--all with the same pad--and I REALLY cleaned, so it can definitely hold some fur! With my coupon, I paid $5 for the handle and 5 cleaning pads, so approximately $1 per use. Definitely worth it since it cleaned way better than one of those sticky roller things. A definite thumbs up!

P.S. That is a stock photo. I toyed with showing you just how much fur it picked up, but Scarlett has an image to maintain....well, she did until she did her business in the floor at the vet's office this week...

And for our survey this time, if you have a pet, what is their biggest quirk or the funniest thing that they do?

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down: Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners

So, I tried another product that I wanted to let you in on. It's not new, I'm just cheap and waited until I had a good coupon to give it a whirl! Again, its just my opinion and I am sharing it for FREE!

The Product: Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners

The Pitch: Line your crock pot with the liner, add your ingredients, cook as usual, and throw away the liner when done, no messy clean up.

The Verdict: Crock pot meals are about a twice a week thing at our house, due to the Rev's busy school and evening meeting schedules. Love cooking in them, but no matter how much cooking spray I use, I always end up with stuck on stuff and have to leave it soaking overnight. My crock pot has 3 different sized bowls, but if I want to use the same one the next day I have to wash the crock and that just takes extra time that I don't have. The liner worked just like it said and clean up was a breeze. Without the coupon, the liners are about 50 cents each (4 per box). With the coupon, I paid about 25 cents each--definitely worth it and a thumbs up!

And for our survey this time, what great time saver/cleaning helper have you found to use in the kitchen?

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down: Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Brownie Mix

I love trying new things, sometimes they are keepers, sometimes not so much. I thought that as I try out new stuff, I would evaluate it for you and let you know if you need to get right in the car to rush out and get it or if you can save your money and add it to the Rainy Day fund. (Sadly, these opinions are totally unsolicited and nobody is paying me to share them with you.)

The Product: Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Brownies

The Pitch: FAT FREE Brownies, do I need to say more? Just add 2/3 cup of fat free vanilla yogurt to mix, bake and enjoy guilt free.

The Verdict: These brownies are super moist and have a very chocolatey favor--not too sweet. And I didn't miss the fat, that is for sure. The price was about average for a box of brownie mix ($2.29), perhaps less when you factor in the lack of eggs and oil that you usually add to the mix. As a bonus, if you want to be really good, there are instructions on the box that will allow you to make a single brownie at a time. In my opinion, the only downside was that the mix is very stiff and you really have to work to get the yogurt incorporated. But overall, a great product. Definitely a thumbs up!

Now a survey, I prefer the corner and outside edges of brownies, for that chewy edge part. This is totally opposite my preference on sheet cake, where I want a middle piece, so I don't get all of the extra side icing. What about you? Leave me a comment and let me know!