I HATE Lipstick...but what changed?

The title says it all. I hated lipstick and really more of a colored chapstick gal. Burt's Bees...Nutroena...but no to the lipstick. I hate the feel. I hate the color. No matter how hard I try, somehow I wind up orange or overly pink. However, enter CoverGirl flipstick. Not only do I get TWO shades that I can blend or switch to get my favorite color, but also I get a lipstick that does not feel waxy, is long lasting and helps my pout stand out! Kudos to you CoverGirl, you have a convert to the lipstick world.

Battling Dry Skin

The closer that the age of 30 is knocking on my door, the more care I have been taking care of my skin. Since autumn is upon us and winter is around the corner, one particular problem starts to plague me - dry skin. You know, that tight, tense feeling after a shower? Enter Burt's Bees Intense Hydration. Due to the fact that I am a Bzz Agent and get to try products for free PLUS the love of the Burt's Bees brand, I was all over this particular campaign.

I have never used a night cream before, but when I opened my kit there was the Intense Hydration night cream. I figured, why not? The cream was nice and thick and clearly I need to learn how much is the right amount as I turned myself white. However, it was fast absorbing, so I didn't scare the hubby too much. This morning, my face did not feel greasy or icky, but happy and quite soft. Looking forward to trying more!

Yup...still in love with Glade Expressions

At the beginning of the month, I noted about how I was using my Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser in Apple/Cardamon in my classroom. I got coupons to purchase this product for free for being a Bzz Agent. To update - the diffuser not only looks great, but surrounds my desk with a pleasant smelling bubble of scent. The students seem to like it too! Again, thank you Glade!

UNREAL candy =-)

You know how the story goes - when you are getting older or there are some life events coming up, there is a healthy kick that goes into play. There are so many wedding that are happening and life events like turning the big 3-0, but we all agree that chocolate is a necessity. Enter Unreal. Thanks to being a Bzz Agent, I get to try these products when the first come out to spread the bzz. Unreal candy bars tote the idea of no artificial, no corn syrup, no hydrogenated oils. As it says, more candy, less junk! I am a label reader by nature, and liked the fact that I was able to identify the ingredients. Tasted yummy too. Worth the cheat for the diet, and a good idea for a health alternative to the normal chocolate craving.


Perfect for that moment that you need a chocolate fix. Move over Reeses, M&Ms (peanut and otherwise), Snickers and Milky Way. You have a fan.

Dear Glade - Thank you

So I am excited to start the new school year! The classroom is ready, the pencils are sharpened and we have had the children for the past three days. I am teaching a new grade level and it's going well.....save for one thing - hormones and a musty building. The age range I am teaching now is just hitting that age that deodorant is starting to be understood, but not all there yet. It is particularly bad after lunch and recess. The school too has an overall musty odor to it which no amount of open windows seem to get rid of. I have tried Fabreeze, but no luck. Enter Glade Expression Collections. Not only are the nice smelling, but pretty to look at too. Not my classroom smells like apples and cardimon, and not sweat and mold. Thank you Glade!

The Dark Monk - eh...

 


I plugged through The Dark Monk, and must say I want not that much of a fan. Not that it was bad, but not so good either. Being in grad school right now, I read about 300-400 pages on a good week, so I always look for my nonacademic reading as an escape. The Dark Monk - no so much the case. The characters were more one dimensional than in The Hangman's Daughter, the dialogue often too long and pointless, and the plot tended to drag at points that I felt I was reading for a chore, not choice. Needless to say, had this book not been through bzzagent, I would not have felt the need to finish it. Don't let the captivating flap copy and title fool you, this historical mystery novel could have read well, but I was sorely disappointed.

The Dark Monk - Slow to Start

About a month ago I was given a book for free (since I am a Bzzagent) called The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Plotz. The prologue really hooked me in (see previous entry), but the chapters themselves started off slow. I brought my Kindle with me on the plane, and I have to say that the book overall kept me pleasantly occupied on the 8 hour flight as well as a good beach read. 


However, after reading the first book, I have been stalling on reading The Dark Monk, the other book by Plotz. The font on how it is displayed had really turned me off. Once opening the file, the font is far to big to read easily and the layout thus far is a poor. But, I have not gotten to the meat of the story line, so I cannot talk to that.

Books on my phone!!

There really is nothing better than the feel of a book in your hand. There is a certain sent that old library books give off as the glue and paper start to deteriorate. However, those great smelling tomes are a bit bulky to carry around...

I have been reading The Hangman's Daughter, but found I had forgotten my Kindle at home. Enter the Kindle app for Iphone. BRILLIANT! On my tiny screen I was able to continue reading. This app brings the books you have on your Kindle to your phone via cloud technology. And you don't have to download all the books! Just the ones you want.

In a word - Brilliant!

Detox - would work if I ate right...

Just an a update on the Jillian Micheal's Detox and cleanse - eh. I was able to get through the process, but really, no effect. Possible due to the fact that I have not been eating right or exercising as I should. On the plus side, I did not have the headaches and other symptoms that other reviewers described.

Overall, what can you expect for a $10 cleanse? Not much, but at least I tried.

Detox and Cleanse...Naturally

I hate to admit it, but I am a sucker for latest phases in weight-loss and diets. I have always struggled with my weight and fluctuate up and down and never seem to maintain. The worst part is when I have gained a few I am , without fail, complimented about how great I am doing on my diet/exercise plan of the moment. Since January I have been (badly) balancing - 

1. Weight Watchers (it works, when you actually plan ALL your food)

2. Flat Belly Diet (great plan for the first 4 day, but too many choices later)

3. Walking/Running/Weight lifting.

I have now gained and lost, gained and lost about 10 lbs..the same ones.  Granted, my eating has NOT been the greatest, but I work out 6 to 7 days a week. However, I feel that I need to hit that reset button, especially with an upcoming wedding (or two) and trip to Costa Rica. 

Enter Jillian Michael Triple Process Total Body Detox and Cleanse Probiotic Replenishment. What a mouthful, eh? I have been very conscious of what I have been putting in my body and have really veered away from processed foods or ones with too many ingredients. Reading the label, along with the Jillian Michael's label sold me (price point of $10 at CVS helped too).  It included

- Ginger - ok, know it and put it in my water, 

-magnesium - good for muscle recovery

-dandelion root -ok, yummy, natural, 

-garlic 

-Chinese rhubarb 

-yarrow

and a few ones I don't know - Irish moss, buckthorn bark, butternut bark,and  uva-ursi

There are not many reviews out there for this, but many mentioned headaches and bad cramping starting day two. Well, here I am on Day 2 - a slight headache, but that can be counted as there is a lack of caffeine, but no cramping. Not looking to lose weight with this, but getting all those apple fritters, beer and icky foods to go away.

Free Book? Yes Please!

  So blogosphere, I have been silent lately as I haven't not really trying anything new. Well, consuming too many things, but nothing to write home about. Until....now!

I am a Bzz Agent and received an very exciting invite to try a book free for my Kindle. Summer vacation is right around the corner, and as a teacher I tend to inhale books like oxygen. Let me tell you, what will be turning my electronic pages are The Hangman's Daughter and The Dark Monk by Oliver Pötzsch. Back to 17th century Bavaria I go to solve the mystery of a body with an odd tattoo coming out of the river.

Iced Coffee in My Fridge? Yum!

I am a bit of a coffee addict. Periodically I try to cut back my caffeine consumption, but usually fail miserably. And as the weather gets warmer, my caffeine drink of choice gets colder. Dunkin's right now has a Black Cocoa Cream iced coffee which tastes like an Oreo cookie, but it takes its toll on my wallet.

In order to save money, I went on an ice coffee quest. Making it myself in NOT an option since it when I make it the coffee, ice, milk and sugar balance is always off. Enter International Delights Sweet and Creamy Mocha Coffee Drink. It is quite delightful! Like it's name, it is rich, creamy and not too sweet at all! Reading the ingredient label is refreshing too - coffee, skim milk, sugar, corn syrup, cream - things I recognize! Granted, I could do without the sugar, or less than 2% sweet whey, but then again I have not found an organic coffee drink premixed in my grocer's fridge.

Maybe THAT will be the next quest.


http://www.internationaldelight.com/

Oh Candles, oh pocketbook...

I joined a new site via Facbook called sneakpeeq.com. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Mainly, it is a site where you get 20 "peeqs" a day to look at various up and coming trends from fashion to food. My good friend liked it and she got me to be a Bzzagent, so I figured I would give it a shot. First up, the deal I "peeqed" was Diamond Candles. Great marketing concept - soy candles with a ring buried in the wax worth from $10-$5000. It's a gamble, but at $20 a candle, I was sold. Unfortunately, my credit card was not happy with the amount that I got.

I eagerly awaited the delivery of my candles (yes, candles plural), but while I was at it...I peeqed some more... Earned a "badge" for a free item - great! Got a funky leather bracelet. I figured that was enough. I would see what the products were like and then go from there. But each day I was tempted with a new deal. How about a giraffe necklace with yellow beads, perfect for a circus themed wedding? A sofa cushion in the shape of a penguin to replace the fuzzy purple beast? Freudain Slippers? All tempting, but I was waiting...



 and waiting....


 and waiting...


 and waiting...



 Little do they tell you (well, it is on a page AFTER you buy) that it takes up to FOUR weeks to get your parcels. Credit card statement was happy....I was impatient.


 BUT, I had three packages today! I was surprised actually, as I had forgotten about them. Opening each was brilliant! I had my three candles - Orchid Fields, Pomegranate Lemon-aid, and Lavender Leomongrass. They all smell divine and I eagerly lit them up. House smelled wonderful! Upstairs neighbor was even impressed, as I am not a candle person. BUT I did not dig for rings....yet. I have looked the the Diamond Candles website and Facebook page and was happy to see the rings seemed pretty.


 Hours pass and I think that it is time to dig out my rings. Sacrificing a red pen and several paper towels in I go...ring one - ugly. Ok, it was a risk I have been preparing for. Ring two - less ugly, but still ugly. Ok ring three.....ick. Well, it looks like the prize box has some new Chinese jewelry.


 But my hands are so soft!



 And I am still waiting for my bracelet.

Flat Hair, Flat Hair, Go Away!

As a woman, hair is important, right? Well, one wouldn't think so when looking at mine after using Garnier Fructis's new Triple Nutrition. Sure, it's great that the bottle is made with less plastic. Sure, it's fabulous that it uses essential oils. In fact, it's great the that it is eco friendly, right?

All the great things do not overwrite the fact I now have limp, over "nutritioned" hair. My hair is clearly way to fine to use this overly-scented product.

BUT....I am too stubborn to stop using my free sample. Bzzagent.com thank you!

Ball Park - not just Hot Dogs

All right potential blog followers - here we go. I am a proud member of a site called Bzzagent.com. With this site I get to test out great products and write reviews. I have been trying Ball Park Flame Grilled Burgers. Not bad, not mushy, just enough to feed the husband and not feel guilty about not cooking. Check them out!

Jumping on the Bandwagon

Well, well, well. Those of you that know me know that getting me to keep quiet about my opinions is a very difficult task indeed. What should happen next should you ask? Clearly the next step would be to create a blog to share my numerous thoughts/fears/opinions/stress level indicators, etc. with the large world of the Internets. So, here it is...the maiden voyage of my blog.

My internet blogging virginity has now been taken.