Hi, readers!
(I know there aren't that many of you...)
I've been very busy with school recently, but one of my goals for 2014 is to get back into blogging more often. So, stay tuned for an update in January. I'm considering either moving this blog to Wordpress or creating a brand new blog from scratch. We'll see!
A.
15 December 2013
24 November 2013
Review~ NYC Big Bold Lip Gloss
I was lucky enough to receive NYC Big Bold Lip Gloss for review from Influenster as part of the Varsity Vox Box.
This was a great product. It definitely delivered what it promised- big, bold shine! The color was very tame, which is what I prefer, yet the shine lasted most of the day. I also really liked the brush. It was wide, which made the gloss extremely easy to apply because it only required one pass over my lips to apply enough.
Here's a picture of me happy to be using NYC Big Bold Lip Gloss! ;-)
Disclaimer: I received this product free for review from Influenster. All opinions expressed are 100% my own!
This was a great product. It definitely delivered what it promised- big, bold shine! The color was very tame, which is what I prefer, yet the shine lasted most of the day. I also really liked the brush. It was wide, which made the gloss extremely easy to apply because it only required one pass over my lips to apply enough.
Here's a picture of me happy to be using NYC Big Bold Lip Gloss! ;-)
I've used this lip gloss almost every day since I got it! Once it runs out I will definitely buy more. I try to keep my makeup minimal when I go to class, and with this lip gloss the shine is great but it's really not overpowering if you balance it out with a little bit of mascara (which is the only other makeup I usually wear!).
Disclaimer: I received this product free for review from Influenster. All opinions expressed are 100% my own!
17 May 2013
Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care ~ Review and Contest!
I received Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care for review from Purex Insiders. I love getting products to try from them because they are always new, innovative ways to do things around the home that already need to get done- in this case, clean the toilet. Now, at my house, that's my dad's job anyway ;-) but he hates it, so anything to make it easier on him would be nice.
Unfortunately, I really did not like the scent of this product. I love smelly things- lotions, soaps, room sprays, etc.- but the smell of this toilet cleaner was overwhelming. I could smell it through the box when it was delivered to my house. It was really strong, and I couldn't imagine having that smell in my bathroom for weeks on end. Because of that, I was not able to test this product for what it is supposed to do- clean the toilet.
Unfortunately, I really did not like the scent of this product. I love smelly things- lotions, soaps, room sprays, etc.- but the smell of this toilet cleaner was overwhelming. I could smell it through the box when it was delivered to my house. It was really strong, and I couldn't imagine having that smell in my bathroom for weeks on end. Because of that, I was not able to test this product for what it is supposed to do- clean the toilet.
The scent, Alpine Fresh, was very floral and very sweet. If that's a scent you like, then it would be worth trying this new Soft Scrub product. If you're put off by strong scents, though, stay far, far away! That's not to say that Soft Scrub as a brand only makes overly scented products. This is the first item of theirs that I've not been able to use. So even if you don't like this toilet cleanser, still try their other products out. The quality is good and they always get the job done.
And now, the CONTEST...!
Enter to win $1000 or free Soft Scrub! At this link you can also download coupons for $1 off a lot of Soft Scrub varieties!
09 April 2013
Bzz Campaign: Green Giant Veggie Snack Chips
I've blogged a lot about BzzAgent in the past, so click the "BzzAgent" tag in the left sidebar for more of an overview of what it's about. This time, I'm excited to write about a new product from Green Giant: veggie chips!
There are two delicious flavors- sweet potato chips with sea salt, and cheddar veggie tortilla chips. Both are yummy! I don't even like sweet potatoes, but I enjoyed these chips. They were mildly salty, and tasted like a healthier version of "normal" potato chips. They reminded me of baked chips, but they had a unique flavor from the addition of the sweet potatoes. As for the cheddar tortilla chips, they were reminiscent of Doritos, but were not as greasy or artificial-tasting. You could tell that these chips are healthier than most similar products on the market!
I like to snack, so I will definitely be buying these chips in the future! Since I'll eat chips anyway, I might as well make them better for me! Both varieties of Green Giant chips are packed with whole grains- about 25% of the daily value. Tasty and better for you!
Disclaimer: I received these products for free from BzzAgent. All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by the fact that I received free products.
08 March 2013
Review: Garnier Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil
I am always looking for new products to use on my hair. It's a frizzy mess, whether it's dry and windy out in the winter or hot and humid in the summer. If I don't put product in my hair, I look like I'm being attacked by some sort of monster the moment my hair is not sopping wet. I was recently introduced to oil-based hair products when I tried an oil creme (from Dove). The product is great but the problem that I have with creme-based hair products is that then they get all over your hands, and it feels like no matter how much you scrub them, the product never entirely comes off. That's why I was very excited to be afforded the opportunity to try Garnier Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil. It's in a spray bottle, which means I can just spritz it onto my hair and not worry about getting it all over my hands. Just a few sprays and my hair is tamed and shiny for the day! And it's not a heavy oil, so my curls still show. I've used it on both wet and dry hair and it works great on both. Most other hair products are a mess on dry hair because they don't absorb well, and instead are left looking clumpy or greasy. Not this oil!
The one problem that I had with this product (and the reason I am giving it 4, not 5, stars) is the bottle design. It's very wide right at the place you'd naturally grip it, so it is hard to hold while you're reaching behind your head to spray it. Sometimes I find myself holding the bottle with two hands in order to not drop it, which, as you might imagine, is pretty awkward. I'm tempted to move the remainder of my oil into a narrower spray bottle, to avoid that problem in the future.
The scent of this oil is nice- it reminds me of the summer with its coconut-esque smell. It is a little stronger than I would normally choose for a hair product but since it's currently snowing outside and it's freezing cold, the reminder of warmer summer days is very welcome!
I have not used this on my face or body even though it's designed to be a triple use product. I don't like feeling like I have any product on my face, so I generally don't use a moisturizer there unless my skin is really, really dry- plus, extra oil on my face is never a good thing! I might try it on my legs though, the next time I need a body moisturizer, to see how it compares to the lotions I usually use.
If you have frizzy, uncontrollable hair, Garnier Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil is the product you've been waiting for! Just pick up an empty spray bottle (usually about $1 in the travel section) to make it easier to use.
Disclaimer: I received a free product for review from BzzAgent. All opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced in any way by Bzz Agent, Garnier, or the fact that I received the product for free.
The one problem that I had with this product (and the reason I am giving it 4, not 5, stars) is the bottle design. It's very wide right at the place you'd naturally grip it, so it is hard to hold while you're reaching behind your head to spray it. Sometimes I find myself holding the bottle with two hands in order to not drop it, which, as you might imagine, is pretty awkward. I'm tempted to move the remainder of my oil into a narrower spray bottle, to avoid that problem in the future.
The scent of this oil is nice- it reminds me of the summer with its coconut-esque smell. It is a little stronger than I would normally choose for a hair product but since it's currently snowing outside and it's freezing cold, the reminder of warmer summer days is very welcome!
I have not used this on my face or body even though it's designed to be a triple use product. I don't like feeling like I have any product on my face, so I generally don't use a moisturizer there unless my skin is really, really dry- plus, extra oil on my face is never a good thing! I might try it on my legs though, the next time I need a body moisturizer, to see how it compares to the lotions I usually use.
If you have frizzy, uncontrollable hair, Garnier Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil is the product you've been waiting for! Just pick up an empty spray bottle (usually about $1 in the travel section) to make it easier to use.
Disclaimer: I received a free product for review from BzzAgent. All opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced in any way by Bzz Agent, Garnier, or the fact that I received the product for free.
Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends
I was lucky enough to receive a sample of new Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends to review. This was new for me because I generally don't review food products. However, the flavors in this cereal sounded like ones I enjoy, so I went for it, and am I glad I did!
Tropical Blends combines the flavors of mango and coconut into one delicious cereal. The flakes taste like mango and the clusters taste like coconut. But what I particularly liked was that there were also real mango and coconut pieces in the cereal! The flavors were great and I also felt like I was eating something fresh instead of just processed cereal pieces.
I am not typically a breakfast eater- I much prefer to sleep late in the mornings!- but I enjoyed Tropical Blends as an afternoon snack. It's sweet, but much healthier than cookies or anything else I tend to pick up.
On a slightly different note, I was happy to find a Honey Bunches of Oats cereal that does not include any nuts- most of their cereals have almonds in them. I'm allergic to nuts so there are a lot of cereals that I can not eat. I am so glad I can eat this one!
Overall, I would definitely recommend this cereal, whether you are a "breakfast person" or not. It's a great snack throughout the day! Its unique flavors are unlike anything else I've seen in a cereal, but don't let that deter you. This cereal was a big hit for me and my family.
Disclaimer: I received Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends cereal for review from Purex Insiders. All opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way by Purex Insiders, Post, or the fact that I received the product for free.
Tropical Blends combines the flavors of mango and coconut into one delicious cereal. The flakes taste like mango and the clusters taste like coconut. But what I particularly liked was that there were also real mango and coconut pieces in the cereal! The flavors were great and I also felt like I was eating something fresh instead of just processed cereal pieces.
I am not typically a breakfast eater- I much prefer to sleep late in the mornings!- but I enjoyed Tropical Blends as an afternoon snack. It's sweet, but much healthier than cookies or anything else I tend to pick up.
On a slightly different note, I was happy to find a Honey Bunches of Oats cereal that does not include any nuts- most of their cereals have almonds in them. I'm allergic to nuts so there are a lot of cereals that I can not eat. I am so glad I can eat this one!
Overall, I would definitely recommend this cereal, whether you are a "breakfast person" or not. It's a great snack throughout the day! Its unique flavors are unlike anything else I've seen in a cereal, but don't let that deter you. This cereal was a big hit for me and my family.
Disclaimer: I received Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends cereal for review from Purex Insiders. All opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way by Purex Insiders, Post, or the fact that I received the product for free.
14 January 2013
It's Not Just Calories that Count
Like the title of the post says- it's not just calories that count when you're selecting what foods to eat. Specifically, I am going to address how this impacts looking at nutrition labels when choosing prepackaged meals such as frozen entrees.
Healthy frozen entrees are healthier than their unhealthier counterparts, but that doesn't mean they're good for you. Nothing replaces eating fresh, unprocessed foods that have no additives. Most, if not all, frozen entrees have a ton of added sodium that is used as a preservative. However, all that added sodium can have negative effects on your health. For example, it can lead to fluid retention and high blood pressure. Adults should limit their sodium intake to between 1500-2300 mg per day, but about 90% of adults consume much more than that.
Take, for example, one of my favorites- Lean Cuisine Asian-Style Pot Stickers. Based solely upon calorie count, the 230 in this dish seems like a great choice for a meal or a snack. But take a look at the amount of sodium- a whopping 530 mg, between a quarter and a third of what you should be eating in an entire day! Another Lean Cuisine entree, the Steak, Cheddar, & Mushroom Panini, has 340 calories, which seems great for a sandwich loaded with steak and cheese, but packs a whopping 640 mg of sodium.
Because most foods contain sodium (yes, even water and milk do!), this is another number that people need to become more aware of when selecting what to put into their bodies.
References:
http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/sodium/
http://www.leancuisine.com/Products/Details.aspx?ProductID=53
http://www.leancuisine.com/Products/Details.aspx?ProductID=10619
Healthy frozen entrees are healthier than their unhealthier counterparts, but that doesn't mean they're good for you. Nothing replaces eating fresh, unprocessed foods that have no additives. Most, if not all, frozen entrees have a ton of added sodium that is used as a preservative. However, all that added sodium can have negative effects on your health. For example, it can lead to fluid retention and high blood pressure. Adults should limit their sodium intake to between 1500-2300 mg per day, but about 90% of adults consume much more than that.
Take, for example, one of my favorites- Lean Cuisine Asian-Style Pot Stickers. Based solely upon calorie count, the 230 in this dish seems like a great choice for a meal or a snack. But take a look at the amount of sodium- a whopping 530 mg, between a quarter and a third of what you should be eating in an entire day! Another Lean Cuisine entree, the Steak, Cheddar, & Mushroom Panini, has 340 calories, which seems great for a sandwich loaded with steak and cheese, but packs a whopping 640 mg of sodium.
Because most foods contain sodium (yes, even water and milk do!), this is another number that people need to become more aware of when selecting what to put into their bodies.
References:
http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/sodium/
http://www.leancuisine.com/Products/Details.aspx?ProductID=53
http://www.leancuisine.com/Products/Details.aspx?ProductID=10619
07 January 2013
Being healthier in 2013!
Well first off, Happy New Year! I definitely slacked on blogging towards the second half of 2012 but I want to get back more into it this year. One thing I want to write about is my goal of getting healthier this year. Ideally I would like to lose some weight as a result, but at the very least I want to feel better about myself and know that I am treating my body better. So, I am going to do my best to post weekly about what I am doing in my life to achieve this goal.
The easiest way, I think, to start getting healthier is to change what you eat. You don't even have to completely change your diet- just make small changes towards foods that are better for you. Any little bit helps. My post today will address some ideas for making your lunch healthier.
1) Swap out bread for vegetables. Maybe you're thinking, 'how do you make a sandwich without bread?' There are plenty of ways! You can make a lettuce wrap. Practically any cold cut tastes good in lettuce; simply use it instead of bread and make your sandwich the exact same way otherwise. Another vegetable that you can use as a substitute for bread is cucumber. Cut a section of cucumber in half lengthwise, then cut out some of the inside, creating a well (like in celery) but leaving enough around the edges so that the cucumber is still sturdy. Then pile on your favorite cold cuts and toppings into each half.
2) Use better condiments. Mayonnaise may taste great (believe me, it's my favorite sandwich spread!), but there are plenty of other condiments that pack a lot of flavor with a lot less calories and fat. Mustard is one option, but there are also plenty of others that may not immediately come to mind. Balsamic vinegar is one great alternative, and you can sometimes find flavored balsamic vinegars if you want a little bit different flavor. You could also use other vinegars, like rice wine vinegar, depending on the taste you're going for. Stay away from salad dressings or oil-based sauces.
3) Pick healthier sides. Chips are easy, but other things are better for you. If you want to stay with something salty, nuts are a great option. They have protein that chips don't have. Fruits and vegetables seem like an obvious side, but it still takes a conscious effort to pick those over less nutritious options. If you pick applesauce, look for one with no added sugar or sweeteners. And if you really can't give up your chips, go for a baked option instead of fried.
These are some of the tips I'm incorporating into my routine to get healthier this year. Hopefully they can help you, too! Let me know if you have any ideas you'd like me to share that have worked in your life.
The easiest way, I think, to start getting healthier is to change what you eat. You don't even have to completely change your diet- just make small changes towards foods that are better for you. Any little bit helps. My post today will address some ideas for making your lunch healthier.
1) Swap out bread for vegetables. Maybe you're thinking, 'how do you make a sandwich without bread?' There are plenty of ways! You can make a lettuce wrap. Practically any cold cut tastes good in lettuce; simply use it instead of bread and make your sandwich the exact same way otherwise. Another vegetable that you can use as a substitute for bread is cucumber. Cut a section of cucumber in half lengthwise, then cut out some of the inside, creating a well (like in celery) but leaving enough around the edges so that the cucumber is still sturdy. Then pile on your favorite cold cuts and toppings into each half.
2) Use better condiments. Mayonnaise may taste great (believe me, it's my favorite sandwich spread!), but there are plenty of other condiments that pack a lot of flavor with a lot less calories and fat. Mustard is one option, but there are also plenty of others that may not immediately come to mind. Balsamic vinegar is one great alternative, and you can sometimes find flavored balsamic vinegars if you want a little bit different flavor. You could also use other vinegars, like rice wine vinegar, depending on the taste you're going for. Stay away from salad dressings or oil-based sauces.
3) Pick healthier sides. Chips are easy, but other things are better for you. If you want to stay with something salty, nuts are a great option. They have protein that chips don't have. Fruits and vegetables seem like an obvious side, but it still takes a conscious effort to pick those over less nutritious options. If you pick applesauce, look for one with no added sugar or sweeteners. And if you really can't give up your chips, go for a baked option instead of fried.
These are some of the tips I'm incorporating into my routine to get healthier this year. Hopefully they can help you, too! Let me know if you have any ideas you'd like me to share that have worked in your life.
06 January 2013
Purex Baby Laundry Detergent
I received a bottle of Purex's new Baby Detergent to review. Unfortunately, I was not able to test the detergent out myself because I have so many open and partially used bottles of laundry detergent in my house and so I am trying to save the closed bottles I have until I really need them. However, I will share with you some specs on this detergent to help you decide whether it is right for you and your family.
From the product information sheet:
You can find Purex Baby detergent in 50 oz. bottles now, and 100 oz. bottles soon!
Like I said, I have not had the opportunity to use this product myself, but I wanted to share information on this new laundry detergent for any of my readers who might have little ones at home and could benefit from a safer detergent for their kids.
FTC Disclaimer: I received free products from Purex Insiders in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way by Purex Insiders or my receipt of free products.
From the product information sheet:
"Purex Baby detergent delivers the same bright, white clean you've come to expect from Purex, yet is sensitive on baby's skin... The dermatologist-tested formula guarantees to remove stubborn stains without hurting delicate clothes, like those adorable little footie pajamas."Purex Baby detergent is "hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and delivers a bright, white clean with a gentle baby-inspired fragrance."
You can find Purex Baby detergent in 50 oz. bottles now, and 100 oz. bottles soon!
Like I said, I have not had the opportunity to use this product myself, but I wanted to share information on this new laundry detergent for any of my readers who might have little ones at home and could benefit from a safer detergent for their kids.
FTC Disclaimer: I received free products from Purex Insiders in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way by Purex Insiders or my receipt of free products.
Dial Holiday Hand Soap
I was lucky enough to receive two of Dial's Holiday Hand Soaps for review. These festive bottles combine Dial's delicious smelling antibacterial foaming hand soaps with fun holiday designs on the bottles. There are four different bottle designs, and I received the candy cane and snowman ones. There are also Santa and Christmas tree ("Holiday Scene") patterns available. Even though the holidays are over, it's still winter and these soaps definitely add a festive flair to any bathroom. They're fun to look at and they remind me of all the happiness this season brings. I like having little touches of festiveness in my house year-round, and these soaps sure do bring that. They are a lot more exciting than a boring bottle of hand soap with no pattern on the front!
The actual soap looks red in the bottle and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the soap smells like apples! The scent is not overwhelming but it does smell a lot better than most foaming hand soaps. I find that in general they have a more sour scent than many other types of soap. If you can't stand any scented soaps (like my mom), then you might have a problem with these, but if you like something lightly scented, these soaps are perfect for you!
The one thing that I noticed was different about these soaps compared to other foaming hand soaps was that they recommend you pump the soap onto your hands while dry instead of wetting your hands first. I didn't follow these instructions at first because it seemed strange, but the foam aspect of the soap deflates rather quickly if your hands are wet.
The four holiday soaps come in 7.5 oz bottles.
You can find out more about Dial at their website or Facebook page.
FTC Disclaimer: I received free products from Purex Insiders in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way by Purex Insiders or my receipt of free products.
The actual soap looks red in the bottle and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the soap smells like apples! The scent is not overwhelming but it does smell a lot better than most foaming hand soaps. I find that in general they have a more sour scent than many other types of soap. If you can't stand any scented soaps (like my mom), then you might have a problem with these, but if you like something lightly scented, these soaps are perfect for you!
The one thing that I noticed was different about these soaps compared to other foaming hand soaps was that they recommend you pump the soap onto your hands while dry instead of wetting your hands first. I didn't follow these instructions at first because it seemed strange, but the foam aspect of the soap deflates rather quickly if your hands are wet.
The four holiday soaps come in 7.5 oz bottles.
You can find out more about Dial at their website or Facebook page.
FTC Disclaimer: I received free products from Purex Insiders in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way by Purex Insiders or my receipt of free products.
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