Spin Pin

The Goody Spin Pin was a complimentary sample the I received from Influenster for testing and reviewing purposes.

Facts:
Available in light and dark hair colors to blend in with your hair.
Can get Spin Pins in 2 sizes
2 Pins are in each box and cost ~$5-7 depending on the store.

What They Say:
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!
• Includes easy-to-follow three step instructions for achieving a professionally perfect undone bun, side bun or double bun.. Here is an instructional video.
• Does the work of 20 bobbies

First Bun w Spin Pin

What I say:

This was the first thing I tried after opening my Beauty Blogger Box. After reading the directions I thought I was ready to put my hair up.

After a few failed attempts I was successful even though my hair is just shoulder length, and the model's in the video had longer hair. I continued to use these for several days after and the more I used them, the better my hair stayed up in the bun, so I guess practice makes perfect.

I really liked the Spin Pins, once I got the hang of them, and I think that I will go and buy some more.

Once I got a chance to look at their website I notice that they also sell Mini Spin Pins, which are more ideal for shorter hair or fine hair. Perhaps this should be the next purchase.

Not your Mothers Smooth Moves

I received a complimentary tube of Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves from Influnster for testing and reviewing purposes.

The Facts:
Infused with Coconut and Silk Extract
$6 for 4oz tube

What they say:
Not Your Mother’s offers essential hairstyling products with only the best ingredients and technologies for a truly cool and unique style. Your style might come from the streets, the magazines you read or straight from the Catwalk. Trends fade, but true style never will. Confidence, creativity and class will always be in fashion. Dare to experiment with new styles, get inspired and embrace your own personal fabulousness. Don't follow others, make your own statement. Stand out, be different, and embrace your style with Not Your Mother's.

What I say:
The product smelled great (kinda like coconut) when I opened the tube. The cream was not greasy or sticky and was easy to work through my damp hair. After brushing and drying it, my hair was straight with great volume, no frizz and felt soft to the touch.

Visit their site: http://www.nymbrands.com/

Bath and Body Works Pumpkin Cupcake Mini Candle

I received a Mini candle for testing and reviewing purposes from Influenster. The scent I got was Pumpkin Cupcake.

Mini Candle and Coupon

The Facts:

Slatkin & Company Candles sell at Bath and Body Works.

14.5oz Candle w 3 Wicks cost $19.50
7.5oz Medium Candle cost $12.50

4oz Small Candle cost $10

1.3 oz Mini Candle cost $3.50

There are about +40 fragrances, but not all fragrances come in all the candle sizes mentioned above and some fragrances are seasonal.

What they Say:

Elegant glass containers

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

3-wick candle burns approximately 30 to 45 hours and includes a elegant silver lid to keep your fave fragrance fresh, while adding a touch of décor.

7.5 oz candle burns approximately 30 hours

4 oz. candle burns approximately 20 to 30 hours and includes a elegant silver lid to keep your fave fragrance fresh, while adding a touch of décor.

1.3 oz. candle burns 10 to 15 hours

Actual Pumpkin Cupcake I made

What I say:

I could smell the lovely scent of this whenever I opened the Voxbox. I noticed this candle right away and saw the name, "Pumpkin Cupcake".  Since I recently made Pumpkin Cupcakes I feel like I have a pretty good idea of how they smelled and I was not disappointed. The scent instantly reminds me of fall and Thanksgiving.  As I love fall and the scents that it brings, I was eager to light it.  After lighting it the wonderful smell emanated throughout the room. Even after putting out the flame I could smell the lingering scents of the candle.

Because I liked it so much I decided to use the coupon for $10 off of a 3 Wick (up to 5). Which I received in my box to buy a larger version. Unfortunately when I got online to make this purchase they did not have any candles in the Pumpkin Cupcake. Due to this issue I felt slightly cheated, how dare they get me to try a product and then not offer it up for purchase when I like it??? Perhaps they only offer this scent in the stores, which make me made because I am not driving over an hour just to buy a candle that I like, I will buy the cheaper version at my local store instead. I do a good portion of my holiday shopping online due to the lack of options in my small town.

In any caseI guess I got over it, because I did order 3 other fragrances. Upon receiving my order I removed each of the lids and was blown away by the wonderful fragrances of each. I have not burned any of them, as they were supposed to be Christmas presents for others, but now I think I will keep them and get those people something else.

For those of you who want to try a mini candle for yourselves Bath and Body Works has on offer on their Facebook page for a free mini candle. It's an in store only offer and is running from Oct 26-28th, 2012. You must click on the offer and have the voucher sent to your email. You can either present the email or show them the voucher on your phone to receive the candle.

Book Lovers Cravebox

I received the Book Lovers Cravebox, which was full of goodies that I had never tried before. The box cost $11 to get from Cravebox.

 For those of you who haven't heard of Cravebox, go to the next section. 

For the information about the Book Lovers Cravebox head down to the second section.

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Cravebox was created to bring its members the best, most innovative products in the market. They built Cravebox to deliver products and solutions that speak to many of our Members' interests, including:

• Health and Wellness
• Cooking, Baking and Grilling
• Hobbies, Arts and Crafts, Pets and Recreation
• Beauty and Skincare
• Kids, Baby and Family
• Home Cleaning and Home Organization Solutions

Several times a month Cravebox Curators pack up handsome and hefty boxes filled with products, gadgets, doodads and supplies focused around a theme, activity, occasion or hobby that our Members love. Members are notified as soon as each new box is available, and have 3 days to come to the Cravebox website to enter a lottery style drawing for that Cravebox. Winners are notified as soon as the drawing is completed, and receive their Limited Edition box within about two weeks. Limited Edition boxes are available to winning Members for just $10 each. Each box has a cost which you pay ONLY if you are chosen to receive the box.

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Ok, now to the Book Lovers Cravebox.

Here are the items that my $11 got me (which is great if you remember that they have to ship it from I dunno where) Click the link below the picture to read my review of the item.

Natural Vines

Soy Nut Mix

Gratitudes Bracelet- No Review



How I Came to Sparkle Again



Since I have not yet read "How I Cam eto Sparkle Again" by Kaya McLaren (due to the overwhelming stack of books from the library...which I am almost done with) here is a link to Goodreads review

Influenster Beauty Blogger Vox Box 2012

Wo Hoo! I managed to snag the Influenster Beauty Blogger Vox Box 2012, which was full of all kinds of goodies. Here is the list of complimentary items that were included in my VoxBox, which I will be reviewed.

Goody Spin Pins To see my review please click HERE.

Eboost in Orange - This was sent in the Naturals Vox Box a month or two ago. To see my review please click HERE.

New York Color Eyeshadow in Dark Shadows click HERE for review

Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream click HERE for review.

Bath and Body Works Pumpkin Cupcake Candle. Click HERE for review.

Kiss Ever Pro Eyelashes please click HERE for review.

If you haven't joined Influenster yet you should. Its quick, easy and free to join and you get to try a lot of awesome products.

Birthday Freebies

So since it was my birthday last week I had a few coupons for some free goodies. All of these programs were free to join and you get stuff for nothing. I got freebies from Gigi's Cupcakes, Sephora, and Victoria Secrets.



Cupcake from Gigi's



Gigi's Cupcakes - If you like big cupcakes with more icing than you know what to do with this is the place to go. They have a ton of locations around the USA (most of which are in the south east). If you join their loyalty club you get points for each purchase that you make which can get you freebies and in your birthday month you get a coupon to use for 1 free cupcake. The flavors of cupcakes that they sell change twice a year (they just started their fall and winter flavors), and they bake different things everyday so you can go and get cupcakes everyday for a week and you will have different options each day.  As a baker myself I never turn down a free cupcake, if nothing else I consider it research into other flavor options. Cupcakes are $3.25 each or $3 each if you get a dozen.



Sephora Duo



Sephora- If you have ever been to a Sephora you know they have quality products but you will pay well for them, so if you are watching your pocket book this is probably not where you shop. I found out that they have a loyalty program, its free to join and you get a free gift for your birthday. This freebie can be redeemed online or in the store. The current free gift is a duo of Fresh Sugar SPF 15 lipbalms. Each 0.15 lipbalm sells for ~$22 in the store or online, so that's a pretty great freebie!  Through the loyalty program you get points for each purchase, after so many points you get free coupons or items. Also when you order online you can get free small samples of different products. The samples are always changing so you can try a lot of different things... if you buy frequently.



Victoria Secrets freebie



Victoria Secrets- I have been a Rewards member for nearly 10 years, so I knew what to expect. Once a member of the rewards program you get coupons and such mailed to you a few times a year. (This is not the same as the credit card program that they also have.) Most of the time you get 3 coupons at once; free pair of panties, free bag with purchase equaling x amount, and x% off certain items- usually instore use only. Because I no longer live close to a VS (over an hour) I don't usually get to use mine, but I hold on to them until they expire just in case. For your birthday you get $10 free coupon (some of these are specifically for instore or online only please check).

 

Do you want to snag some awesome free stuff for your birthday too? If so my suggestion is that a month or 2 before your birthday rolls around look and see what places you like, or just want to try have a birthday club or something similar. If its free and you get the chance to use the coupon or get the gift then great, if you don't get to then you didn't really lose anything. Who knows you might find out that you love or hate a certain item that you were wanting to try anyway, at least then you know without having to spend all your hard earned money.

I would love to hear what birthday programs you and your family or friends enjoy.

Crum Creek Soy Nut Trail Mix

I received a complimentary single serving sample pack of the Crum Creek Soy Nut Trail Mix for reviewing purposes from Cravebox.

Facts:
10 single serving packs (1 oz each) for ~$5.50. Organic blend of slightly sea-salted soy nuts, raisins, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and chocolate chips. Vegan

 

What they say:

Featured in Oprah's O magazine as part of Dr. Oz's "28-Day Plan to Renew Your Body, Mind and Soul." 

High in fiber

High in protein

Just 6 net grams of carbohydrates per serving 

Trans fat and cholesterol-free



What the contents of the packet look like



What I say:
I looked at the ingredient list and was like... "hmm, not really my thing". But I opened it and decided to try it anyway.  I really liked the crunch that the seeds and such provided but they were really dry and I needed to drink a lot to wash everything down. I felt like I needed more raisins and chocolate chips to cut through all of the dry seeds and get a new taste in my mouth. (As you see there was like 2 chocolate chips in the picture and no raisins. Mostly soy nuts). I ate the whole bag while I was working on some things online so it obviously too bad.  I would consider getting these again if I was going on a trip where I wanted a healthy snack that I knew my hubby won't want to eat but otherwise I will leave it for someone who appreciates it more than I do.

Natural Vines

I got a complimentary sample of Natural Vines Strawberry Licorice for reviewing purposes from Cravebox in the Book Lovers 2012 box.

Facts: 

8oz resealable bag. Available in Strawberry or  Traditional Black. ~$3 a bag.

What they say:

Some licorice is loaded with non-natural ingredients described by numbers and multiple syllable compounds. Natural Vines® brand licorice is made from all-natural flavorings and colors from natural food sources. We use no artificial flavors and no preservatives. So you can have a pure licorice experience. In addition, Natural Vines® brand licorices contains no high fructose corn syrup, trans fat or soy, are cholesterol-free, low-sodium, vegan and made in a nut free facility.

What I say:

I love other brands of strawberry licorice so I was happy to get these. I opened the bag and could immediately smell the strawberry. They were bite size and a lot softer than I was used too.  They were not sticky or gummy and this didn't stick to my teeth or need a ton of chewing before I could swallow.

Because these are more natural than similar candies I have tried the taste was also a lot different. The taste was good but sadly my taste buds have been trained to love the processes sugars and I didn't fall in love with these. I would however consider buying these for myself or my kid as a healthy alternative to other candies. Perhaps like will grow into love.

Try them for yourself and see if you like or love them.

Enfagrow Older Toddler Drinks

My samples

I received complimentary samples of Enfagrow Older Toddler Drinks (from Emfamil company) and coupons from SheSpeaks.com.

I received two different flavors (4 individual little boxes of each), vanilla and natural milk flavor.

Facts: a 4 - (8.25 fl oz) pack of ready to drink container is ~$5.99. You can get Vanilla or Natural Milk flavors. You can also get this in powder to make your own.

What they say:
Specifically designed for toddlers 1 year and up, Enfagrow Older Toddler Ready-to-Drink Cartons are made with real milk and have:
DHA and iron—two building blocks of a toddler's brain.

19 nutrients to help support growth

Natural Defense® Dual Prebiotics® Blend—designed to help support your toddler's immune system.

The taste test

What I say:

Kiddo (she is almost 3) always wants milk and when we are out and about that's not always feasible (especially if its hot out), so I was excited to try this.

I opened the Natural Milk flavor and gave it to my daughter to try. She was expecting milk and though this was similar it was not milk and she promptly told me that she didn't like it. I urged her to try it again but her mind was made up.  I tasted it myself just to see how different it was.  It did taste somewhat like milk (though it was not cold so maybe that was part of her issue). The taste reminded me of the milk that is left in the bowl after you finish your Cherrios (the plain ones not the tasty honey oat kind). So needless to say she wouldn't drink anymore, though she did feed it to the dogs and they loved it.

Next day I try the Vanilla flavor. The boxes look the exact same so she doesn't want to try it knowing that she did not like what she tried the previous night. I bribed her to try it (I know, but dang it she is stubborn). She still claims that she did not like it. Well dang it! I tried it and I thought it was just fine, you can taste the vanilla flavoring which is very mild and I thought it was much better than the Natural Milk flavor. I tried chilling this and putting it in a cup so she wouldn't see the package but got the same reactions none the less.

After 4 failed attempts I still have 4 ready to drink servings of this stuff. So I guess it will just be used on her cereal where she won't be able to notice the difference... or maybe I will drink them myself.

Geodeo

I received a complimentary stick of Geodeo Deodorant from Influnster for testing and reviewing purposes.  The sample I got was called Island.

Facts: $5.99 for a 2.3oz stick

They say: Don't Fake it. Get real fresh. Under-the-palm-trees-with-a-fruit-drink fresh.
GEODEO Island is what "ahh" smells like. The potent combo of bamboo and aloe organic extracts, and antioxidant vitamin E gives your skin a mini-spa treatment with each application. Warning: May result in sporadic smiles.
Volcanic minerals + Icelandic algae fights impurities
Enzymes neutralize odors
Bamboo + aloe nourish skin
Vitamin E fights free radicals

I Say: It has a nice scent and glides on easily and leaves little or no residue. It doesn't stop me from sweating but since its not an antiperspirant I am not that surprised. Unfortunately, even with this on once I started to sweat it was useless because I am stinky... at least I think so. I dunno if others agree or disagree but since I refuse to ask I have to speculate.  I will continue to try this but on those important occasions where I konw I will sweat and stink I will stick with something else.