Bible Questions Answered at GotQuestions.org

   GotQuestions.org is one of those apps that I cannot do without on my phone. It has Bible-based answers (in article form with Bible verse references) to just about any question relating to Christianity that one can think of. The articles are well-written, thoughtful and insightful, yet presented in an easy to follow format. The posts are neither too long nor too short. I may intend on reading only a couple of question/answers, but often end up reading so many that I can easily lose track of time. Lately, I have especially preferred to get on GotQuestions.org before bed.

   I especially recommend this app to anyone who struggles to open and read their Bible because they just don't know where to begin. Because there are linked/clickable Bible verses dispersed throughout each article, it is very easy to find myself reading an entire Bible chapter in relation to the article, and I personally really need that. God's Word is the ONLY Word that has the power to effect positive change physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. GotQuestions.org is a fabulous resource for anyone who has Bible questions.

   As of this post, there are currently 460,197 questions answered. Additionally, each of the articles is available to listen to in audio, so you can listen while you work or rest. The GotQuestions.org website and app are frequently updated with new answered questions. This free app is available for Android, iTunes and WindowsStore. The site also offers many other wonderful features, so I encourage you to check it out. If you love it like I do, you can also help to spread the word with a free bumper sticker, here.

   Click here to read their Statement of Faith. They offer 10 different Bible versions to save as your default, although I personally prefer to stick with KJV or ESV. I'd love to hear if you have checked this app out, already have it on your device, or just want to know more!

March IPSY Bag Contents

   As a treat to myself (and our three daughters) we have 2 IPSY bag subscriptions, and between the 4 of us, nothing goes to waste. Whenever it comes in the mail, I get a little excited (and so do our girls!) So, it's become a tradition to wait until we are all together and I open it up and we look through everything, deciding what would work best for whom. Anyway, here's the first one that arrived in the mail this month (the second hasn't come yet):

"Hello Spring!"

~Aphrodite Skin Care

Replenishing Eye Cream~

~Skone Cosmetics

Insanely Intense Tattooed Eyeliner in Jet Black~

~Margaret Dabbs London

Super Shiner Buffer~

~NYX Cosmetics

Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick~

~TEMPTU

Warm Glow Bronzer~

I am a little mixed about this one; the NYX Cosmetics Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick I know is deeply pigmented, and good quality (I really like NYX Cosmetics I've used so far) I could have *maybe* pulled off this (very true, very nice) red in my early twenties, but probably not right now- I'd have to mix it with another color. The TEMPTU Warm Glow Bronzer is too dark/too warm for using as a bronzer on my fair complexion, but maybe as a contouring color on one of us can make it work. I really LOVE the Aphrodite Skin Care Replenishing Eye Cream, it goes on so nicely and smells so clean and pleasant. The Margaret Dabbs London Super Shiner Buffer I do like and am glad to keep a new one on hand. The Skone Cosmetics Insanely Intense Tattooed Eyeliner in Jet Black will work well for lining at my top lash line to fill in my thin eyelashes with it's terrific felt tip. The cosmetic bag itself is okay, it's not my favorite so far, but I do love having these little cosmetic (and what-not) bags as backup, no matter what they look like. For $10/month, it really is a great little package to get every month, and I've always felt like I've gotten more than my money's worth. 

Thanks for reading!

One of the Saddest Times of the Year...

photo courtesy of Griszka Niewiadomski

   Well folks, we're fast approaching one of the saddest times of the year, Daylight Savings Time: "Spring Forward" your clock by one hour on March 13th at 2AM. We will lose an hour. I am filled with a certain measure of bitterness and angst when it's time to "spring forward" one hour, and think of all the ways I could use that extra hour that is being stolen from me. It's really difficult for a person who almost constantly "feels behind" to "spring forward." Just when I get all cozied up to that hour that was returned to me in November 1 from earlier in March of that year, it's ripped away from me. The insanity. The madness. The angst. Goodbye, one hour of my life that won't be returned to me until November. I'll miss you.

QUICK FACTS:
~In the US, Arizona and Hawaii are the only 2 states that don't have to abide in the constant cycle of "falling back" and "springing forward." No mind games with their clocks, their internal body clocks, no sirree. You lucky pups.
~We have President Lyndon Johnson to thank for this Daylight Savings Time thingy, who is responsible for establishing this time shift continuum aka: The Uniform Time Act in 1966. Ben Franklin conceived this whole idea  waaaay back in 1784.
~Nearly 70 countries participate in Daylight Savings Time.
~Some of the proposed reasons of why we even participate in this time ritual are: fewer accidents happen during daylight hours, so this is an attempt to extend the daylight hours by making this adjustment twice a year; to save energy/electricity costs; it is agriculturally more beneficial; Doctor Who made a little oops many, many years ago (okay, that last one was my theory).

Walmart's Shipping Pass is a Keeper For Us!

   I've had Walmart's Shipping Pass for several months now, and I have to say I love the convenience and (no minimum) free shipping on Shipping Pass items! The $50 yearly cost has more than paid for itself, and I love getting my Walmart purchases delivered to me in three days' time (or less, which has happened on several occasions!) I can say it's a winner for those who have to drive a long-ish distance to get to the nearest Walmart, for those who are on a constant time crunch, and for anyone who likes to save money, because I have found some items that are online-only and at significantly lower prices than anywhere else.
   In comparison, for those of you who are Amazon Prime members, you may find it particularly interesting that many of the add-on items (that require a $25 minimum qualifying purchase subtotal)--can be more costly on Amazon.com than purchasing these same items at Walmart.com through the Walmart Shipping Pass program. I recommend that you check the Walmart.com site first for the odd bag of flour, package of printer paper or dishwasher tabs on Walmart.com before trying to find $25 total worth of stuff to meet the Add-on requirement of items you may have not been planning on spending that day. I have, and have saved a lot of money now that I've joined the Walmart Shipping Pass program. I absolutely plan on renewing my Shipping Pass this summer at renewal time--it's been a real money and time-saver for this frugal family.

If you want to learn more about Walmart.com's Shipping Pass program, here's their (copied and pasted) FAQs:
"

Overview

Following is an overview of the ShippingPass membership service. You should review the Terms & Conditions here for a more detailed description as well as service limitations prior to signing up for ShippingPass.
What is ShippingPass and how will it make my life easier?
You told us what you wanted and now we’re delivering it. ShippingPass is our brand-new membership program designed to bring you unlimited fast, free shipping for one year.
How much does ShippingPass cost?
It’s just $50 for a whole year of unlimited free shipping.
Eligible Items

What products can I order using ShippingPass?
We focused on the bestselling products customers like you want most in categories like Baby, Clothing, Electronics and Health & Beauty. Marketplace items are not eligible for ShippingPass.
How do I know which products qualify for ShippingPass?
Just look for shipping passnext to the item.
More details on what is eligible with ShippingPass:
FREE 3-day shipping
Items sold by Walmart.com that are marked eligible on the product page and at checkout
Nearly all addresses in the continental U.S. except those marked as ineligible below
FREE standard shipping
Select items that are not included in ShippingPass will ship for free but with standard (4-6 day) shipping. You will see this noted in checkout
Ineligible items & addresses
Addresses in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories, possessions and protectorates
APO/FPO addressed with U.S. Zip codes
P.O. Boxes in the continental U.S.
Items with freight charges
Items fulfilled by Walmart.com Marketplace sellers
Personalized Items
eGift Cards
Any item that is not marked eligible on the product page or in checkout
International destinations
Shipping & Returns

When will my items arrive?
Your order will arrive in 3 business days or less.
Do I need to order before a certain time to get 3-day shipping?
Yes, order before 12 noon your local time.
How do I track a shipment?
Log into My Account on Walmart.com to track your order.
Is return shipping free?
Yes, it's free. Learn more.
Payment

Do you offer a trial membership?
We are not offering a free trial of the membership at this time.
Which payment methods can I use?
To purchase the ShippingPass membership all major credit and debit cards are accepted.
Maintaining Your Membership

How do I cancel my membership?
Visit our Help Center to contact Customer Care.
Will my membership automatically renew?
A year goes by fast! So, yes your membership will auto-renew to so you have no interruption.
How do I turn off auto-renewal?
Auto-renewal can also be managed in My Account."

QuizUp: A Free App That Has Just About Everything For Everyone

I recently found a free app for my Android device called, QuizUp. It has pretty much every educational topic and subtopic that I can think of, plus some not so educational extras regarding celebrity stuff, various fandom-knowledge- based subjects as well as era-related trivia, the list just keeps going. I'm convinced that there is something for everyone in this app, it's quite extensive in it's offerings (over 550 subjects) and I have found it thoroughly enjoyable!

 

The way it's played is this: you against another player from anywhere in the world in which the two of you go head to head in real-time and test your knowledge of the chosen subject in 10 questions (rounds) which are timed with 4 multiple choice answers to choose from in each round. Let me tell you, I found this somewhat addicting! It can be very challenging, but so much fun at the same time. I would normally never play anything live against a total stranger, but it added to the fun! I've even had a couple of people challenge me to a rematch, (you always have to option of saying no), but it was too much fun to pass up.

 

As far as registration, it's quick and easy, your profile is fully customizable, and you can choose any username that you like, which is great and made it something I felt comfortable with using not only for myself, but also my teens. I have played people from all around the world, and despite the fact that some of the questions were geared toward United States-related statistics, data, or general knowledge, I had some pretty stiff competition and lost my fair share of matches to many people who not only have learned English as a second language, but who are also quite proficient in their knowledge of the happenings in America. (note to self: study harder, read more, learn more) WIN EVERYTHING! {ahem}

 

The app will let you know you periodically of your various achievements and gives you the option of posting it to social media, (bragging rights) but I usually opt out. Additionally, there is a shop where one can buy a sort of booster to increase their levels/scores to accelerate faster, but I've not tried that, to me that just sort of takes away the fun of getting higher scores old-school style (but that's just me, old school, yo). There are other options that I've not tried, but that are available as well, such as chat, going back in your history and requesting a past player to play again, etc. The only thing that I can imagine would make this game even better is an option to connect to people that you personally know and play against them, but it's still one of my all-time favorite games/apps thus far.

 

The app is made quite well, it is extremely well thought-out, and frankly, I don't know how it's free. But, it is free (and awesome). For me, an action-packed video game-challenged woman, this game tests my brain's reflexes over my hands reflexes, and that's the kind of "gaming" I'm "game for." Get it? (Of course you do, you are very smart and quite attractive too, dear reader...don't tell the others, but you are my favorite, shhhhhh). Anyway, I have found myself seeking out answers to questions from the matches I've played in this app, and that's a good thing, because I'm learning something new, or something that I thought I knew but didn't, and will often dive deeper into the subject that I'm currently interested in, because I'm, well, interested. I love that. Learning is taking place, and that's important to me.

 

Since there are so very many topics to choose from -(from basic math and higher, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, history, geography, science, on and on)- I'd say this app would be suitable for anyone from upper elementary and up. However, I would caution parental supervision with your younger players since this app does have a chat option built in, as well as in-app purchases. This was a fabulously fun find for me, and I hope that you will also enjoy it, and learn along the way!

The maker of this app is: Plain Vanilla Games Corp; this app can be found in the Google App Store, here.

If you have this app/ game, I'd love to hear what your current favorite subject is-- (Mine is currently: Health)

 ~This post was originally published in my other (education-related) blog.~

Removing America's Stains For Over 100 Years Sweepstakes

ENTER TODAY, CLICK IMAGE BELOW FOR SWEEPSTAKES FORM! 

CLICK ABOVE IMAGE FOR SWEEPSTAKES FORM!

For over 100 years, Americans have been able to depend on Fels-Naptha laundry bar to remove stains such as ring-around-the-collar, oils, perspiration, grease and more from their laundry to help keep it looking it's best! The rich and famous might have their own bodyguard, but with Fels-Naptha around, you have your own "clothesguard!" With over a century of experience and dependability, this mighty stain-fighting bar attacks stubborn stains with some major street-cred. Fels-Naptha is not the new kid on the block, it's been around this long for a reason: it works. In it's familiar, unpretentious paper packaging, Fels-Naptha laundry bar has your back, and packs a tougher punch than the tough stains that threaten to ruin your clothes with it's time-honored formula in it's classic 5.5 ounce laundry bar form. To celebrate Fels-Naptha laundry bar's hard work, Purex is giving away a year's supply of Fels-Naptha every day between July 14 through July 23rd! As a Purex Insider, I'm excited to have been given a sweepstakes link for you to be one of the first to enter, you may click the image above, or right here. <=sweepstakes entry!

How Do I Use Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar?

It's easy! For pre-treating your stains, all you have to do is wet the stained area with water, then rub the laundry bar over it (I like to do both sides) then wait a few minutes -(this is a great time to go get a cup of coffee or tea while Fels-Naptha does what it does)- and then toss the stained item into your washing machine and wash as usual. For less soiled areas/stains, you may simply wet the bar and rub it across the stain, either way is acceptable.

What if I have a really bad stain, do I need to do anything differently?

Use a brush to work in the Fels-Naptha bar really well into the area that you have wetted, and then wash as usual. You can even use chlorine bleach in the same wash load as your Fels-Naptha pre-treated clothes!

What if I want to use Fels-Naptha as a laundry booster, can I do that?

Yes, simply grate about half a bar of Fels-Naptha into your washer, let it fill with water and agitate for a few minutes, (so the grated pieces can dissolve) then add your laundry to the machine and wash as usual. If you are washing a smaller load, or less heavily soiled laundry, then you may grate/use less than half a bar.

What if I made a mistake in the past, and want it erased, will Fels-Naptha laundry bar do that?

Not unless that mistake involved staining a friend's clothes that you borrowed without her permission and are wanting to remove those stains with Fels-Naptha laundry bar before she finds out!

Fels-Naptha is sold at many locations, click here to find a retailer most convenient to you!

Supermoon!

Did you get a chance to see the perigee moon -also known as a "Supermoon"- last night? If you didn't, don't lament, you will get two more chances this year to view it on August 10th, 2014 and September 9th, 2014!

View of supermoon outside our home last night!

What exactly is a perigee moon, aka: supermoon? 

In simple terms, it's when the moon is full at the same day as the perigee, or elliptical path of the moon's orbit in which the moon (or satellite) is closest to the earth, which is a little over 31,069 miles (or 50,000 kilometers) in comparison to our other full moons on the apogee when the moon (or satellite) is furthest in orbit from our little place in space called earth. If the clouds aren't in the way, you will see that the moon appears brighter, bigger and lower-hanging during one of these "Supermoon" times. 

How often does this happen?

Despite my geeky excitement over it, this happens approximately every 13 months and 18 days, so it's not super-rare, but it is super-cool to go outside and admire!

On August 10th, 2014:

 The supermoon will be extra special (should we dub it a "super-duper moon?") due to the fact that during the same hour (as opposed to day) as perigee, the moon will become full.

If you would like to learn more about the fascinating happenings in our night sky, a good place to start would be NASA Science, where you can find lots of great information about supermoons and more!

Enjoying the beauty of God's handiwork...

 Psalm 8:3-4 (ESV)
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

Friday, July 11, 2014 Only: Free/Frugal Food Offers

Chik-Fil-A

   Don't know what to do with that full-on black and white spotted cow costume you have in your closet? Well, you're in luck, because (today only) is #CowAppreciationDay at Chik-Fil-A! All you have to do is dress up like a cow and get a Chik-Fil-A meal for free at participating Chik-Fil-A restaurants. What, really, you don't have a cow costume? No worries, just dress up partially as a cow, and you'll get a free entrée. Click here for more details!

 

7-11 and Krispy Kreme

   Now, to cool off from that really hot costume, head on over to a participating 7-11 store and get a free small Slurpee to celebrate 7-11 Day, yum! This is for today only from 11 AM to 7 PM. But, you can keep the celebration going all week when you download their app for Android and iPhones and get daily updates and free offers from July 12-July 19. You can find more info here. All this running around make you a bit hungry again? For only 77₵ get a 2nd Dozen Original Glazed Doughnuts at Krispy Kreme when you purchase any dozen on July 11 in celebration of their 77th birthday! Go to their Facebook page for more details.

 Kindle eBook/Amazon

   Feeling a little guilty for your overindulgence? Plan ahead and get to Amazon to get this book for your Kindle-(while it is still available for free): Weight Loss: 25 Simple Habits to Lose weight, Feel Great, and Have More Energy for A Healthier Life: Weight Loss Motivation (Weight loss health Book 1) [Kindle Edition] by Benjamin Wilson before you head out today to get all of your free and frugal food, so you can begin working on getting healthier (next week, naturally, when the doughnuts are gone).

I'm Gonna Grow Me an Avocado Tree (or Plant)...

I absolutely LOVE avocados! I was enjoying one today, and was about to throw out the seed when a little light when off in my head about something I read somewhere (probably Pinterest, it's always Pinterest...), stating one could grow a tree (or a houseplant) from the seed. I "googled" it, and sure enough, you can! I felt a bit crestfallen after learning it could take YEARS for it to produce more delicious (free) fruit, but felt the process sounded simple and straightforward enough for me to try anyway. Also, lo and behold, I had the 3 very basic things needed to get this going: 

1 avocado seed, 3 toothpicks, a glass of water....Besides, it would be fun to watch it grow from a seed and make a pretty plant (if it survives my brown thumb, I have no skills when it comes to plants).

Avocado (seed hidden inside), 3 toothpicks, glass of water...

Cut open and enjoy the avocado deliciousness, but save that seed...

Wash your avocado seed of it's fruit residue under cool water, thoroughly dry with paper towel...

CAREFULLY stick 3 toothpicks into the widest circumference of the seed, like shown...

Place your avocado seed helicopter thing on top of a glass of water, making sure the seed's bottom is immersed in 1 inch of the water, set in a sunny windowsill, or outside (but not in full-on direct sunlight) if weather is warm enough...

• Within about 2-6 weeks, you should begin to see roots and a stem sprout;
• When the stem is around 6 inches, cut it to 3 inches;
• After the stem is around 6 inches again, and the roots are fuller, go ahead and transfer it to rich soil in a pot (between 10"-11" diameter) leaving the top half of the seed above the soil;
• Water frequently (but don't over-soak it) and make sure it's getting lots of sunlight now;
• When your avocado stem is at 12 inches, whack 6 inches off again (this is to help it to grow new shoots);
• Enjoy how pretty your new plant (or tree-ling) looks, but remember that you won't get fruit from it for years (around 7-15 years).
• For more in-depth directions and great avocado-related information, go to where I found mine for this post: CaliforniaAvocado or @CA_Avocados (Twitter), ca_avocados (Instagram), or on Facebook.

Have you ever grown a plant or tree from an avocado seed? If so, what was your experience with it?

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe #NYMBeachBabe Shampoo and Conditioner

I had received samples of #NYMBeachBabe Texturizing Shampoo and Conditioner in my #SurfsUpVoxBox from @Influenster @InfluensterVox Influenster.com, and upon opening the caps I was immediately in love with the smell! It smells deliciously coconut-y, absolutely makes me feel like putting on some beach music and wearing bright, summery clothes even if it's raining outside. I love great smells that help put me in a great mood, or transport me to a good vibe like these #NYMBeachBabe products did, getting all "beachy" feeling (except without the sunburn, or sand where it ought not be ;)

With the NYM Beach Babe shampoo, I got terrific suds in my mid-waist length hair, yet it rinsed out well with a clean, soft, healthy feel in the shower. I followed up with the NYM Beach Babe conditioner, and loved the way it moisturized and detangled my hair without leaving a greasy, weighted or oily feel! I had no need of my wide-tooth shower comb to get my fingers through my hair, which was awesome and one less step for me to have to worry about.



Didn't need to use this tired old thing in the shower like I normally do, NYM Beach Babe helped save me time with my shower/hair routine!

After towel-drying my hair, then partially blow-drying, (I left it ever-so-slightly-damp), I began my scrunching and sprunching to get those sweet waves I crave in my now summer-smellin' coconut-y soft and volumized "beach-babed" hair. That's no small feat, because although my hair is long, it's on the thin side, so every bit of lift, texture, volume and wave I can get makes me happy! I did love the way my hair felt, it definitely seemed to have more lift and took well to my scrunching it.

Here's how I scrunch: first, in barely damp hair, I add just a bit of lightweight hairspray, and then in sections, squeezing "fistfuls" of hair, I then spray then scrunch, spray then scrunch until I'm happy with the results. I like "bigger" hair, so I did several sections this way (no curling iron required!) and ended up with this:

I LOVE not having to put a curling iron to my hair, especially in the summertime!



My conclusion is that NYM Beach Babe Texturizing Shampoo and Conditioners are very good quality products that did very well for my hair, adding texture yet softness and manageability, volume and lift and prepared my hair well for scrunching, (as well as having the added bonus of smelling awesome and lifting my mood). I was impressed by how much I liked them!

 

I received these products complimentary from Influenster.com for testing and review purposes, but my opinions/review of these products are based solely on my own experiences and observations.  

Want to have your hair beach-babed NYM Beach Babe Shampoo and Conditioner? Check out: #NYMBeachBabe and @NYMBrands on Twitter and facebook.com/NYMBrands for more information, and check out the great sales #NYMBeachBabe is having as of this writing #contest

 

Bringing a Bit of That "Beach Feeling" Down Home Thanks to @Influenster and My #SurfsUpVoxBox!

WooHoo, this is my second VoxBox from Influenster.com, and this campaign's theme is, #SurfsUpVoxBox. I've been spending time out at the pool, so I was really ready for this:

...the unboxing...or unvoxing...or unvoxboxing...

(it's fun to be an Influenster from @Influenster)

~~~

The wonderful goodies that I received in this box were:
 Coupons for Jamba Juice Smoothie Kits:

um...YUM!!!

I am so tickled, I want ALL the flavors! All you have to do is add juice and blend. Easy-Peasey. They are fat-free and gluten-free, you get 100% daily value of vitamin C AND they contain one FULL serving of fruit. BUT, the fun doesn't end there, they also have them in new dairy free Fruit and Veggie Smoothies, so that means even the lactose-intolerant folks don't have to miss out! Jamba Juice Smoothies, yippee and YUM!!! (#jambajuice for more info on Twitter, or go to facebook.com/jambaathomesmoothie)

~~~

Next, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion:

Soothing, smoothing summery-scented must-have after sun lotion!

First of all, this lotion smells AMAZING! The fragrance is listed as "Coconut Papaya" but even that doesn't describe how wonderful this Hawaiian Tropic elixir, I mean lotion is. I want to smell like this all the time, all year 'round! I already use Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Oil whenever I sun because I'm hooked on the formulas and scents, so this one is just another to add to my Hawaiian Tropic love-addiction! About the way the lotion feels on the skin: it goes on soooo smooth, and yet doesn't leave a greasy residue at all, just a soothing, moisturizing feel. It has aloe in it, and you will see "ribbons" of gel and lotion (some kind of magic, I suspect) that makes my skin feel happy and loved. 

(#EscapewithHT on Twitter or facebook.com/hawaiiantropic for more info)

~~~

SinfulColors Professional Nail Polish (mine came in the shade, "Aqua")

(My daughter has prettier hands and longer nails than me, so I'm using her nails in this photo; thanks, hun!) Brushes on smoothly and well-pigmented at a great price!

  Don't let the name fool you! You can get this guilt-free for only around $1.99 as of this writing. Walgreen's carries it I know for sure, it's surprisingly good quality at a very affordable price. You know how you're in the store, you buy a color you like, you get it home, begin painting your nails and it either takes about 4 coats to get even close to the shade, or it just needs to stay in the bottle, because that's the only way it looks good? That's not the case with this Sinful Colors Professional Nail Polish, it is richly pigmented, and goes on smooth and full the first time, making a second coat optional. I always like to use 2 coats of nail polish, so in the photo above you see the results after just 2 coats. It's a winner, and between my daughters and I, I imagine we'll end up getting a bottle in every shade! It's a bargain! (#SinfulColors @SinfulColors_NP on Twitter or facebook.com/SinfulColors for more info)

~~~

First Aid Shot Therapy

Works Fast!

This is an NSAID pain reliever in a liquid single dose (shot). The two main ingredients are 500mg of Choline Salicylate and 65mg of Caffeine. I was anxious to try this, because my shoulders and back have been bothering me a lot. I tried this, (the flavor is mildly sweet with a bit of medicine-y aftertaste but not bad) and within around 15 minutes, (it did work pretty FAST, and I like fast when it comes to pain-relief), it was as I was getting these photos gathered to upload to my blog, I realized that my pain wasn't distracting me like it can sometimes do. Instead, I felt only mildly aware of my soreness (I have chronic pain) but it wasn't the "in-yer-face" kind of pain anymore. For me, this was a success, and I now have a new formula that I can add to my pain-fighting small arsenal (which before consisted of only aspirin and extra strength acetaminophen, as prescription pain relievers scare me and I'd rather tough it out than worry about 15 different side effects from prescription pain meds!) I checked out their site, and you can get it at a number of places, including Amazon.com, Walgreens, 7-11 stores and several others. First Aid Shot Therapy Pain Relief is something I definitely want to keep on hand! (#FASTRelief #contest @firstaidshot #firstaidshot on Twitter and facebook.com/FirstAidShotTherapy for more info)
~~~
Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Shampoo & Conditioner

Feel and smell like a "beach babe" after using this!

This stuff smells like the beach for real! It reminds me of all the suntan lotion smells, predominately fresh coconut, with that salty ocean smell on a soft warm breeze sort of beach trip. Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Shampoo and Conditioners are both Sulfate-free, with Sea Kelp Extract and Coconut Oil... It's a bunch easier to get those beachy, simpler to "scrunch" waves into your tousled and textured tresses, but with the added moisture that hair needs to stay healthy exposed to surf, sun, wind or whatever elements come your way while air-drying and scrunching...all of the great beachy atmosphere, except without the creepy 2-sizes-too-small-Speedo-wearing sketchy-actin' guy that keeps trying to move his towel closer to your's; yeah, you know the one I'm talkin' about! Anyway, getting texture and moisture is easier with NYM Beach Babe Shampoo and Conditioner! (#NYMBeachBabe and @NYMBrands on Twitter and facebook.com/NYMBrands for more info)

Hair says: Woah, bruh, we don't need no beach!!! (Yes, my hair is somewhat illiterate)

Just as I supposed I would, I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every product that was in my #SurfsUpVoxBox, which I received complimentary from Influenster.com for testing and reviewing purposes. I am never, ever, ever under any sort of obligation to give a favorable review for a product I do not like, all opinions are strictly my own based on my own experience with them. I simply have not received one thing yet from a VoxBox that I haven't liked and enjoyed very much. I am not shy with my opinions, and if I don't like something, I am not shy to say so ;P

~Finally, a BIG THANK YOU to the good folks at Influenster.com, @InfluensterVox , @Influenster for the awesome #SurfsUpVoxBox , and to Jamba Juice, Hawaiian Tropic, First Aid Shot Therapy, SinfulColors and NYMBrands for the opportunity to experience these pretty terrific products for myself! Thanks so much as well to you, the reader for giving me the chance to tell you about it!~
 

Have a question, comment or suggestion? I'd love to hear from you, leave a comment below!

Pampered and Glammed by Influenster and Mary Kay

One of the most exciting campaigns that I've gotten to participate in lately has been from Influenster.com, a fabulously fun program that is a word of mouth/social network base which sends boxes of happiness, also known as VoxBoxes, full of goodies that are themed items/products that members get to try (for free) and submit (via social networks) their honest opinions/reviews and associated media (such as photos/videos) based on their experience with the items. The latest campaign that I've done with Influenster was with Mary Kay products, the MKGlam VoxBox. This was my first Influenster campaign, so I nearly fell out when I opened up this package and found all of these (full-sized) luxurious items tucked away inside:

As you can see in the photo above, this was an amazing opportunity to try a wonderful, wide variety of Mary Kay cosmetics...

 It's not listed on the card above, but I had also received a luxuriously lush powder brush. Other than that, everything else sent in this most decadent box is listed on the above Mary Kay card...

 Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color, "Shy Blush" gives my cheeks a natural, soft yet finely pigmented color, and blends so well into my skin tone...

 

 Mary Kay Bronzing Powder works wonderfully for even my fair skin, my face looks gently sun kissed, never orange or fake. I never knew a bronzer could look so natural!

 

 Mary Kay Powder Brush and Cream Eye Color/Concealer Brush are my new favorite brushes, so butter-soft!

 

 Mary Kay Cream Eye Color, "Apricot Twist" was my first experience with cream shadow, the color is so pretty and I love the way it glides on and stays on!

 

 Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner with expandable brush applicator, "Jet Black" has a lovely, rich pigment and draws as thin or thick a line as I want along my lash line, lasts like a dream!

 

 Mary Kay Translucent Loose Powder, oh, the luxury! I use this daily, it is finely milled and not only sets my makeup beautifully, but gives me a subtle, soft sheen that gives me a finished, flawless look and leaves me feeling pampered...

  

 Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara, "I Love Black" is deeply pigmented and rich. The color glides on my lashes and has never clumped or caked, fabulous!

 

 Mary Kay Nourishine Plus Lip Gloss, "Mango Tango" is amazing! I've tried LOTS of different lip glosses, but none have ever worked for me as well as this one. The gloss makes my lips feel incredibly smooth and supple, and so very pampered. It stays on without feeling gloppy, gooey or sticky, and I'm able to control just how much of this pretty color as I wish by applying only a little, or a couple of coats. I've put several of the colors on my wish list, I want them all!

~~~

I was BLOWN AWAY by the MKGLAM VoxBox that I received, each and every product has been and continues to be an absolute pleasure to use. I now have a better understanding why some people love Mary Kay so much. I've learned that Mary Kay's products are of excellent quality, finely milled and highly pigmented, therefore they last much longer and thus are a better value than many cosmetics available at the local drugstore. I indeed feel "glam" and pampered applying and wearing these Mary Kay products, they have really given me such a lift in my daily makeup routine. I have a running list of items to order from Mary Kay now, I've gone from MKGlam to MKFan!

~~I received all of the above products complimentary (free, of no charge) in exchange for trying/testing and using these items and sharing my experiences and honest impressions opinions of these products. A special thank you to Influenster.com and Mary Kay for allowing me to participate in this program, this was such a treat for me and I have thoroughly been enjoying these products since the day I received them, what a treat!~~

Interested in becoming an Influenster and trying out great products for yourself? It's easy and painless, click here to find out more!

You Win This Time, Slick

Being a BzzAgent is Fun!"

Frankly, upon opening the package of the new Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Care razor, I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of blades, FIVE in all. I wondered what I had signed up for, and wasn't sure if I'd survive the testing of this product. However, after reading (through my fearful tears) the accompanying literature printed on the outside and inside the box, I told my family I loved them, and with my newly acquired instrument of mass (hair only, I hoped) destruction, took the long walk to the shower, being the brave BzzAgent soldier that I am.
 

The BEST Shave I've Ever Had!"



One of the first things that I noticed, (other than the five glaringly shiny blades), was the handle. The handle has an almost squishy gel-like covering that gives me the most excellent grip in water, with a hole at the top of it before the blade-head, which I found is the perfect place to rest my forefinger for even more control. I found that to be a very nice touch and rather comforting given my present trepidation. After lathering up, I took my shaver down from the handy-dandy suction cupped shower razor holder, (which was included with the razor, also a fantastic feature), held my breath, and began shaving my leg. I was absolutely amazed (and relieved) at how smoothly this glided along, there was no drag or tugging sensation, no prickling or scraping, and best of all, no blood or pain! I thought maybe I had missed something, maybe there was a fine clear sheath of some sort covering the blades, and I had to touch my leg where i had shaved to see if it was actually shaving. I felt nothing but very smooth, slick, hairless, fully-intact skin, softer than it had felt in a long while, although I always shaved daily (but that other razor is only a mere 2 wimpy blades, reserved only for the scaredy-cats, beginners, or uninformed). I scoff at that razorling, bah!

Being neither a beginner or uninformed, and most certainly not a scaredy-cat (anymore), I don't see how I can possibly go back to a substandard, plain old skin-scraping two-bladed tired razor again. Shaving my legs (and underarms) was uneventful as far as nicks, scrapes or cuts, but hugely eventful in that it took less swipes with the razor (it got all the hair at each first stroke, no going back over a second time), gliding effortlessly leaving only silky, hairless skin pampered with the shaver's built-in hypoallergenic shea butter-infused serum strips at the top and bottom of the blade head. Elated to find my shaving experience to be the best I've had in (let's just say, a lot of) years, determined to never settle for anything less ever again, I realized the clever, clever way that Schick works. You see, they are out to rule the world, (shaving world, that is), by offering the best razor to be found, and once you try it -(it only takes one little time)- you will refuse to waste another precious minute using anything other than this wonderfully clean and close shaving little doozie. You win this time, Slick, this time...

~Um, call me, Schick Hydro Silk Razor Sensitive Care people-- I love you.~

Thank you to BzzAgent.com for providing (free of charge to me in exchange for using this product for myself and giving an honest evaluation and review of) this super-duper-fantastic Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Care razor kit, including a voucher for a free bottle of Skintimate Shave Gel (which I have not yet gotten to go to the store to redeem) as well as coupons for $4 off the future purchase price of this most fabulous razor. The plan worked, I'm hooked.

I Love You, "Out of Milk Shopping List"--You Just Made My Life a WholeLot Easier

Oh, WOW! Making lists and shopping just got tons easier (and therefore simplified a portion of my life) since I found this app, Out of Milk Shopping List, which is available for Android and iPhone. It has so many features, I won't list them all, just the ones that I'm grooving on most right now:

First, the speech-to-text feature for shopping and to do lists is very quick and accurate, and such a time-saver for slow-as-molasses, texting-challenged people such as me. If you don't mind texting, you can do that too, (you strange little bird) ;-P

Next, is the built-in bar code scanner. Let me begin by saying I've tried at least three separate scanners for my smartphone, and none of them came close to working, no matter how still I held them, how focused I had the codes in view, or how long I held my breath. So, you can imagine my surprise when ~jaded me~ tapped the app's scanner on a bottle of Lipton Diet Green Citrus Tea. Before I could even line it up properly or focus it, the scanner had already scanned it and integrated it into my list! I proceeded to scan a ridiculous amount of items (like a crazed child with a new toy) from my kitchen, laundry area and even some a barcode on a My Little Pony box, and it was able to accurately record it all for me amazingly fast. Then, realizing I had just added so many items to my current shopping list, I had to move a BUNCH of stuff to the archived list section after playing with this new toy later--but, that was insanely easy, too!

Finally, I checked out the local grocery deals portion of this app after typing in the zip code I'd be shopping in, and got several different stores with loads of sale items listed alphabetically. There's just a plethora of helpful things this does that really helps me do my list-making and shopping stuff so much easier and more efficient...

Best of all, it's FREE!

If this app was a person, we'd so hang out together...

There are other features that this app offers that I haven't even delved into yet, so be sure to check it out. I would, but I NEED TO GO SCAN STUFF, because I CAN!!!!

You can find it on the Google Play store site, or just go to their website, here : http://www.outofmilk.com/ and have a deliriously fun time speaking and scanning random (oh, and useful) items into your own lists!!! :D

Very Helpful (and FUN) Grammar Help From Grammar Girl

We've recently gotten some Grammar Girl series Kindle books by Mignon Fogerty, and I have to say, I'll be buying some more as they are needed. Not only do I find that they are written concisely in an easy to understand way, but also the friendly and often humorous writing style is very engaging to not only me, but also my high schooler, who typically prefers math over reading and grammar. I just caught her this evening during her leisure time reading (and even giggling here and there) through one of the Grammar Girl books, and taking notes, get this: because she ENJOYS the Grammar Girl books that much! I'm sold. 'Nuff said :D

Something to Think About...

   I recently read a lovely quote by one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis, and it is this:

"You don't have a soul.

 You are a Soul.

 You have a body."

 

I love that; like I said, something to think about.

 

I had taken the photo above during the summer; I titled it, "Imperfect Flower." I am not sure exactly what it is about this little daisy, (we get lots of these in the spring and summer), but something about this little one keeps drawing me in...

Psalm 103:15-19,22

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

²² Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

My Experience With Green Mountain Fair Trade Certified Coffee ThroughBzzAgent

I had joined BzzAgent.com (a fun-spirited social marketing/word of mouth company) a little while back, and have only recently been involved in my first campaign with them as a BzzAgent. I was sent 3 two packs of Green Mountain Coffee Fair Trade Certified K-Cups in the "Three Continent Blend" Extra Bold flavor, some great coupons to share with others toward a new Keurig machine, and some informational materials:

See Kelly Clarkson, there on the packaging? She's more than just a pretty face with a great voice, she's a socially-conscious celebrity with a refreshing down-home heart. She's also a three-time Grammy Award winner and a Green Mountain spokesperson with great taste in coffee and causes, such as spreading the word about the importance of buying Fair Trade Certified coffee. Before I give my synopsis of the meaning of Green Mountain coffee's Fair Trade Certifed coffees, I encourage you to take a few moments and watch the two YouTube videos below and see the farmers faces that grow and harvest these wonderful beans, and hear from the communities that are now able to give an education to their children, thanks to the movement of Fair Trade:
Kelly Clarkson Learns About Fair Trade:

Kelly Clarkson in Peru, Meeting the Farmers and Communities Involved With Fair Trade:

Those videos touched my heart! It made me realize how important it is to choose Fair Trade Certified coffee (and now that I've had Green Mountain's coffee, I'm pretty much a coffee snob to any other kind now ;)

*I snub all other coffees, now...thanks a lot, BzzAgent ;)*

In short, when I choose Green Mountain Fair Trade Certified coffee, I am choosing to buy from a brand that has made a commitment to always give the farmers a fair price for their beans, and always with a guaranteed minimum. Green Mountain's choice to do this gives farmers better choices: choices that include being able to afford their children an education, their families a better way of life, and their communities a way of moving forward in a positive direction. Choosing Green Mountain Fair Trade Certified coffee is a simple choice that I can make that gives other people in other communites around the world better choices! It's simple: I get a consistently great, high-quality cup of coffee, and the farmers who grow these beans consistently get a fair price for their crops! It's a no brainer.

My particular flavor that I was sent, Green Mountain "Three Continent Blend, Extra Bold" was spot-on for superb flavor, strength, smootheness, and absolutely no bitterness. Because I prefer stronger coffees, I have often had to deal with a certain amount of bitterness, but was delighted to find that there was none with this. Prior to adding my usual creamer, I tried it black first, to get a fuller sense of the actual taste of the coffee, and it was very good by itself. With my creamer, it couldn't have gotten any better, it was just so delicious, cup after cup. My daughter, who I made a cup for as well, said it was the best she's had yet. Looks like we are both hooked on this brand and flavor now!

Below is what came in my BzzKit:

                     My first-ever BzzAgent campaign!                     

My first Green Mountain Coffee K-Cup in my Keurig:

...Brewing...(The rich warm aroma filled my kitchen delightfully!)

I cannot tell you HOW HARD it was for me to take these pictures before trying the coffee, the anticipation was brutal:

Green Mountain Fair Trade Certified coffee is a winner in our home!

I was surprised how rich (and smooth) coffee can truly be, and got quite an education on the importance of Fair Trade. It's such a good feeling to know that when I purchase Fair Trade Certified Green Mountain coffee, I'm helping others around the world. To sum it up, every delicious cup I help myself to helps others around the world, and that is a wonderful thing!

BzzAgent

BzzAgent is a social marketing company that is free to join that allows members to receive invitations to try new products, then share their experiences with friends and family, as well as on various social sites and blogs. I recently became a member and have been invited to try Green Mountain Fair Trade Certified Coffee. This is called a "campaign" and the shipment of this product and related materials is called a "BzzKit." I'm truly excited to try this brand of coffee, as I am a champion coffee drinker!

I am expecting my first "BzzKit" to arrive this week, and will be reviewing the product and posting photos of everything, so be sure to check back if you want to get the 'scoop' about Green Mountatin Coffee and learn more about what it means when something is "Fair Trade Certified."

Meanwhile, if you want to check out BzzAgent and see if it's a good fit for you, click here.

A Little About the SheSpeaks Community

SheSpeaks is a great community site that is free to join, connect with other members, and try new products and share your opinions with not only the community, but also with family, friends, as well as whatever else social sites that you participate in. When you try product offerings and share what you think, this helps influence the product manufacturers hear what you have to say! Since being a member of SheSpeaks, I have found a lot of helpful ideas, taken interesting (optional) surveys (often with a chance to win gift cards or other prizes), and even gotten to try some new (full size) shipped products at no cost to me. The only thing they ask is to please share your honest opinions of whatever products you were given, as I have done here.
If you are interested in becoming a member of this fast-growing community, here's a quick linky to get you there. Check it out, and let me know what you think!

Free Jiffy Mix Cookbook Via Snail Mail or PDF Download

Don't you love the way cornbread seems to nicely round out a meal of soup or beans? I make my round cornbread in a pyrex pie plate in the microwave, and it turns out great every time. Or, you could make it the night before for breakfast, and drizzle some honey on top YUM! If you like Jiffy Cornbread Mix, as well as other Jiffy products, you will want to either order their free cookbook (free shipping too, thanks Jiffy!) via this link or alternately, you can download the PDF version here . I orderd mine via snail mail, and it's really showing some wear, we've used it so much! It's a smallish 64 paper cookbook, but it's packed full of great recipes and ideas!