Woolite Washed In-Home Boutique!

Place-holder until I can write the actual blog....sorry for the delay!

Cozy Old Navy sweaters!

Placemark for my review of Old Navy sweaters that I got to sample from Crowdtap!

Holiday gift guide

Come check out this gift guide....there's some good stuff here! :-)
November 13-23

Skirts, scarves, and Sweaters....oh my! Cardi-party!

Thanks to Crowdtap and Old Navy I was able to host a fantastic Cardi-party with my girlfriends!

Get real with UNREAL candy!!

Let me start first with a little information on what UNREAL candy is:

The idea for this company came from a young boy trying to prove that candy isn't as bad as his parents made it out to be. Unfortunatly, after doing research he found out that it really was bad. Off to the drawing board he went to come up with some "Unjunked" versions of his favorite treats.

If you'd like to read more about this, click this question "Why does the junk food we love have to be so bad for us" to read all about Nicky's story!

Okay, I'll be the first to admit that I was a little scared trying a "healthy" version of junk food, but I was craving a sweet snack to bring with me to see a movie.

Off I went to my local CVS, which was conveniently located just across the way from the theater, and went on a hunt for the UNREAL candy. I found the larger bags which looked awesome, but after checking my coupon again I realized it was for the smaller bags, nope, it was for the individual sized options. Alright, so I found myself at the front counter with another customer standing right in front of where the UNREAL candy was, once they stepped aside I went in for the sweets! At this point I was pretty indecisive as to what I wanted to choose, but I settled on UNREAL 8, their version of a "Snickers" bar.

A small side note, whenever I have a "free product" coupon for anything, but especially if it's a product on sale, this usually gives cashiers a bit of a hard time. The day I went in to CVS they were buy 2 for one price, buy one for another price. To make this easier, I told the cashier to just ring each bar and coupon up in two separate transactions so there'd be no need to do the math on the taxes. Of course he didn't listen at first and the computer got all confused, so he canceled the transaction and actually did what I requested at first.

I should also mention that I was also with my boyfriend and he went with the exact same option of the UNREAL 8 bar.

We had plenty of time to spare before the movie began so my boyfriend and I decided that we would take a walk around the plaza and burn off some calories from dinner. Apparently, this walk made him hungry and he decided that he wanted to eat his UNREAL candy right then and there....first bite, SUCCESS....well, not really. He did say it was good, but he wasn't all that impressed, a few bites later though and he determined it was okay, by the end of the bar though he did say he'd try it again.

So, I decided I was going to wait until the movie was playing before I ate mine. I was enjoying my movie when suddenly hunger stuck and I pulled my UNREAL 8 bar out of my bag.

First impressions; it smelled good, looked good, but would it taste good? I took a bite, YUMMY! Yes, the flavors and textures are not quite the same as the original option, but really, when you're looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth craving, it will work just fine.

I think I'd buy these again if I happen to see them on sale or just want to live a little healthier.

Thanks to Bzzagent.com and UNREAL candy I was able to sample this product for free!!

McCormick Grill Mates® Grill Ambassadors Party!

I was selected by CrowdTap.com to host a McCormick Grill Mates® Grill Ambassadors Party for my friends and family. When I found this out I was very excited to try everything and share it with my guests. I made a Facebook event and invited all of the usual suspects and hoped they could all join me for a tasty meal. When my CrowdTap package arrived I got so excited I almost opened everything right there, but I waited until the day of my party because I wanted to keep everything fresh. Mostly everyone I invited did show up, unfortunately a few were unable to make it, but I did make a few extra portions and dropped off some home cooked meals later in the week. Everything we made came out AMAZING! On our menu was: Montreal seasoned steak which everyone said was tasty and a bit peppery, but we agreed that was a good thing. Molasses Bacon hamburgers and cheeseburgers that had a wonderful sweet smokey flavor. Spiced Brandy & Herb chicken which was juicy and tasty. Slow and Low Memphis Pit BBQ Rub ribs which were mouth watering and fall-off-the-bone tender. Brown Sugar Bourbon baked beans which had a nice hint of the sweet bourbon flavor. Creamed spinach, creamed squash, and corn-on-the-cob. After everyone had left judging by the lack of left-overs, I'd say the party was a success!

Make a splash in Old Navy's 2012 swimwear collection!

Thanks to CrowdTap and Old Navy I was recently asked to do a "Sample & Share" for O.N.'s new 2012 swimwear collection. I haven't gone suit shopping in over 2 years so I wasn't sure what I'd find. The last time I went looking, I didn't even think of O.N. and as a result I spent WEEKS looking for something good only to settle on something that was just ok. I was honestly impressed with what I found at O.N.!! There were lots of cute 2 pieces as always, but an amazing array of 1 piece suits as well. In the end I was debating between a shapewear suit or a regular suit, but the regular suit fit so well I didn't feel I even needed the shapewear! I would post a link to the suit I ended up with, but for some reason I can't find it on the site. It's gray with one shoulder, very cute!

Sally Hansen Salon Effects

Thanks to Influnster I received a sample of Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Wild Child (aka zebra stripes). The thing that's great about these is that they are REAL nail polish, not a sticker or other wannabe options. Nothing feels or wears like real nail polish. Now Sally makes it easy to get Salon Effects anytime, any place using real nail polish – with no dry time! Don’t settle for plastic imitations that peel off. We’re the real thing. Just peel, apply & file! Learn more at www.sallyhansen.com ~There is no dry time, no worries of smudging your nails looking for your keys in your bag. Doesn't that always seem to happen?! ~It will last up to 10 days, giving you more time to have fun! ~They remove easily with nail polish remover, because it is real polish anyway. No need to soak it off. ~40 must-have styles makes it easy to find a style that goes with everything! You can find these at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally. There's a suggested Retail Price of $9.99 , but you can often find some great deals (BOGO 1/2 off for example) if you look for them!

Old Navy Bottom Bonanza!!

Placeholder for a future post....

Pile on the layers with Old Navy

Thanks to CrowdTap I recently was able to go check out Old Navy's Perfect Tees and tanks. I had so much fun shopping with my friend! The quality of the products was great too.

This post will be updated soon with more information as I finish it up. :-)

About.me

Have you ever wished you could have all of your on-line profiles in one place so you only need to remember one URL?

Well, with About.me you can do just that!!

At first I wasn't too sure I'd like it since not all of my profiles need to be linked together, but you have all the control over what gets put on there. You even have the option of allowing About.me put up your latest updates from sites like Facebook and Twitter or just plain links so you can maintain privacy.

If this is something that might work for you, take a few moment and sign up! You've got nothing to loose and it's super easy to use too.

Oh, another cool bonus, you have the option of ordering free* business cards from Moo.com too with a QR code that will lead people right to your About.me (*you just cover the shipping).



Thank you BzzAgent.com for allowing me to be on this campaign, without it I don't think I'd sign up!

P.S. If you want to check out my personal About.me click here.

StyleFind

Thanks to BzzAgent.com I was introduced to StyleFind and I've got to say it's pretty cool.

It's your one-stop-shop for the latest trends from the greatest retailers. Take a moment to check it out and see if you like it too!

Montagne Jeunesse!

So, as I've already wrote in other blog posts, I got an amazing early birthday gift last month: an Influenster Holiday Vox Box!! I've been LOVING everything in it too.

Today though I'll talk about Montagne Jeunesse! Specifically their awesome Passion Peel Off mask!

Personally I have VERY sensitive and dry skin and I was a little worried at first if this would work for me. So, I tested a small spot and it was ok. I'm SO glad it was too! My skin felt great after I was done with the mask and the feeling lasted all week long. I'm very impressed!

Fun, pampering beauty treats

Whether you enjoy looking after your skin, being pampered, or indulging in some me-time, be it alone or with friends, you will absolutely enjoy one of these ‘Life Little Pleasures’… With a huge array to choose from, our face masques are packed with the most delicious natural ingredients and are bursting with luscious fragrances. Suitable for all different skin types, there is one to suit every mood and everybody!

Montagne Jeunesse beauty treats are free of parabens, vegetarian approved and never tested on animals. So treat yourself today to a masque that will hydrate, nourish and leave your skin cleansed, smooth and glowing. Available at ULTA Beauty, Walgreen’s, Claire’s, Walmart, Kroger, CVS Pharmacies and other retailers across the US, these masques are available in a variety of succulent flavours, including:

~Cucumber Peel Off
~Passion Peel Off
~Dead Sea Mud
~Fruit Smoothie
~Strawberry Souffle
~Chocolate Mud
And many more!


Montagne Jeunesse… good for your skin, your wallet and the earth!

Visit their website at MontagneJeunesse.com and discover ALL they have to offer!!

NYC New York Color

As I already wrote in another post, today I received an AMAZING early birthday present....my Influenster holiday VoxBox!!

In the box I had quite a number of cool things, but I'm just focusing on one product specifically in this post. That product would be NYC New York Color LIQUIDLipshine!

Straight from the city that never sleeps, NYC New York Color offers products with uptown style at down-to-earth prices, from $.99 - $4.99. The energy, style and color of New York City shines through the wide range of shades, textures and innovative products. NYC always delivers the most on-trend products & shades hot off the runway!

A beauty-editor favorite is Liquid Lipshine ($2.49). It has pure pigments that created a 3-D gloss effect. Vitamin E provides shine and a moisturizing feel. The formula is non-sticky, super shiny & soft. Available in 10 on-trend shades from neutral nudes, to berries & fuchsias. Start shopping for NYC at these stores nearest you: Walmart, Target, Rite Aid, CVS, Family Dollar, Duane Reade, Kmart, HEB, and others. Visit NewYorkColor.com to check out all shades and fun products from New York Color!

I received the color "Nude York City" which is a super cute play on words, however, I'm not really a nude lip girl. Give me red any day of the week and I'll be happy! Keeping that in mind I decided to try it anyway....and I'm glad I did!

The color isn't too overwhelming nor does it wash me out which is what I would expect a nude to do since I'm pretty pale. The texture is just right, not that sticky and the glitter is fine enough to not irritate me ("sandpaper" lip gloss is a pet peeve of mine).

Don't be dissuaded from picking up any of the NYC products thinking it's junk because of the price, it truly is a great brand for a great price and today that's a super bonus!

imPRESS Press-on Manicure!

Today I received an AMAZING early birthday present....my Influenster holiday VoxBox!!

In the box I had quite a number of cool things, but I'm just focusing on one product specifically in this post. That would be the imPRESS Press-on Manicure from Broadway Nails in color 110 Joyride (a pretty dark sparkly red)!

The packaging alone would make me pick these up because it's done so perfectly!

This changes everything!

imPress Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails is the revolutionary way to apply polish! Featuring advanced nail technology, you can get a salon-perfect manicure in seconds – simply peel off, press on, and you're done. There's no drying, a killer shine and a manicure that lasts up to a week! And, imPress is so easy to remove, you can change it up to match your mood as often as you want. Check out all 36 colors and patterns, including trendy brights, classic darks and animal prints. With imPress, your nails will always be your best accessory.

imPress Manicure retails for $5.99 for colors and $7.99 for patterns, and is available at CVS, Rite Aid, Duane Reade, KMart, Walgreens, Walmart and more.

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!

Personally, I'm partial to any of the red colors they have (such as: Joyride, Tweetheart, Control Freak, and Call My Agent) as well as nearly all the patterns (such as: Holla!, Payback, Dancing Queen, and Lovestruck). I think you could easily combine more than one set such as Text Appeal on each nail, but use Lil Drumr Girl on your accent nail for a unique look!

Old Navy Activewear!!

I was finally able to get to do my sample share today and it was GREAT! I found the best workout clothing I've been able to find anywhere.

I was able to get a pair of black flair compression pants with a periwinkle top and my friend was able to get a pair of black capri compression pants with a black and gray top. We looked so cute! The zipper pocket on the back of both pants will come in handy to store our car keys in so they don't get lost.

Also, I found a black and green Dry-Fit top that for some reason was marked down to $5.99 so I decided to buy it, but it rang up at $4.99 which made it even better!

The only downside, one of the sales people kept pushing me to try and get the Old Navy card which I wasn't interested in, but she asked me at least 4-5 times and I felt badly for saying no all the time.

DISCLAIMER: I was provided with a coupon to get both of these items, as well as my friend's thanks to a coupon from CrowdTap.com and the Old Navy Style Council. Thank you to both of them!! :-)

Giveawayblogdom.com

Fun giveaway from Born Pretty Store!

The website http://www.bornprettystore.com/ is currently hosting a One Year Anniversary Giveaway on their blog (http://bornprettystore.blogspot.com/)

Make sure you check it out HERE for a chance to win yourself!!

The Tastes from Home with Frito-Lay recipe contest! And giveaway....

Ok, so I'm a HUGE fan of Frito-Lay products and inspired by one of their latest products, Lays Regionally Inspired Flavors, I was invited to participate in a cool contest to come up with an inspired recipe that reminds me of home.

Well, coming from a home that cooks regularly, this is pretty easy to do (thanks for teaching me Mommy)!

When I think of home Falafel comes to mind. This dish is SO simple, yet SO tasty to make. It can be a snack or meal depending on how you serve it.

This isn't technically from my home, it reminds me of my heritage and traveling to Israel, both of which make me happy.

Ingredients


1 cup dried chickpeas (or 1 can well drained)
1/2 large white onion rough chopped
2 tablespoons fresh minced cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
1 teaspoon salt
4 cloves chopped garlic
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons warm water
1 teaspoon finely chopped hot green chili pepper (optional)
or
1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes (optional)
All purpose flour
Vegetable oil for frying

Preparation


1. Soak the dried chickpeas over night in enough cold water to cover them by at least 2 inches. Drain off all water once soft. If using canned, simply drain and rinse in fresh water.

2. Place chickpeas, onion, cilantro, parsley, salt, garlic, and cumin into a food processor and blend until it just starts to come together. If you enjoy some spice in your food, add in the fresh or dried pepper now too.

3. Combine the baking powder and warm water and add to the mixture still in the food processor, blend everything together until mostly combined, but still slightly chunky.

4. Transfer to a clean bowl, tightly cover, and refrigerate at least a half hour, more is fine. At this point, the mixture should be like a slightly wet dough, if it's too wet add some all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon at a time.

5. Form chickpea mixture into walnut sized balls and place on an oiled cookie sheet.

6. Pour enough oil into a cast iron pan to deep fry the balls, usually 3-4 inches, but you might need more if you have a larger pan. Heat oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Put a few falafel balls in the oil at a time, making sure not to over crowd the pan and make the oil temperature go down. Fry until they are golden brown on all sides.

8. Remove from oil using a slotted spoon and place on a platter lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Serve warm.

You can use them as an appetizer with tzatziki, tahini or hummus to dip them in.

They can also be stuffed into a pita pocket or wrapped in lafa with hummus, tzatziki or tanini, chopped tomato, cucumber, lettuce, and Israeli pickles for a VERY filling meal.

I'm getting hungry just thinking about this now....looks like I know what I'll be eating sometime soon! :-)

Coming soon....details on how to get your hands on some yummy Frito-Lay chips of your own. I'll keep you posted on the details shortly!

By the way, some interesting information on the Lay's Regionally Inspired Flavors:

These chips were inspired by popular American regional cuisine and include the following tasty flavors:


1. Northeastern U.S. – Lay’s Honey Mustard
2. Midwestern U.S. – Lay’s Creamy Garden Ranch
3. Northwestern U.S. – Lay's Balsamic Sweet Onion
4. Southwestern U.S. – Lay’s Chipotle Ranch
5. Southeastern U.S. – Lay’s Cajun Herb & Spice

You might not find those flavors in your local stores since they are only available in the region they are inspired by. However, that's a great excuse for a road trip or something to look for when you're taking a well deserved vacation!

Also inspired by the Southeastern U.S. is Lays Tangy Carolina BBQ and inspired by the Midwestern U.S. is Lays Garden Tomato Basil. Both of those flavors are available Nationwide.


All of the Lay's Regionally Inspired Flavored potato chips are made with all natural ingredients, and are cooked in healthier oils so they contain 0 grams of trans fats per serving!


There’s also less sodium in them than you might think – a 1-oz serving of the Lays Regionally Inspired Flavored potato chips contains less salt than a plain bagel!

Note: Frito-Lay is sending me some of their chips for sending in this contest entry. Thanks Frito-Lay!!

Frustrated

I am so frustrated with the way things are going. When will it get better? What did I ever do to deserve this? I just wish I could go to sleep and wake up and have this nightmare known as my life come to an end already. I want to scream!!