I will be giving the blog a maintenance makeover for the next few weeks. I know it has been a long while, but when it's done it will be very much updated. Thanks for your patience!

Softsoap Coconut Scrub Bar Soap

Claim to Fame: Renew your skin with New Softsoap Coconut Scrub bar soap. Enriched with crushed coconut extract, this bar soap gently exfoliates to renew your skin's surface, while helping retain natural moisture for soft,supple skin. Also comes in two other exotic fragrances: Juice Pomegranate & Mango Infusions,Sweet Honeysuckle & Orange Peel.



My thoughts: Hmmmm...how can I put this...I LOVE THE SMELL OF THIS STUFF!!
Okay, now I'm done with the caps =p The scent is just increbible, and so strong! (But don't worry it's not overpowering. It's a good thing.) I usually am a liquid soap in the shower kinda girl, but I may have to break habits more often with this bar soap. I do, however, use bar soaps for handwashing in my kitchen and bathroom. This has became a staple in both of those places. Sorry Dove.=/

It does make the skin softer, and suds up nicely on washrags and sponges. Be careful on loofahs, as it likes to leave residue.

All in all, I love this soap, and hope they make the liquid version smell more like it's bar of the same formula.
*I had only one gripe about this soap, and it had nothing to do with performance. For something that smells that good, I feel like the bar itself would have had a better design and color.

*Notes- I asked Softsoap on their facebook if the Body Butter Coconut Scrub Liquid Soap they have is the same formula, and it turns out it is. BUT as I found out at the store today, it does not smell as strong as the bar soap. So it looks like I will have to start rotating between my liquid soaps and this (the bar version).

Check out the website for more info:Softsoap
Facebook:Softsoap






*Product provided free by Influenster via the VoxBox.
Wanna know more about Influenster, and get involved too? Then check out the site here influenster.com

NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine

Claim to Fame: Straight from the city that never sleeps, New York Color's Liquid Lipshine is uptown style at a down-to-earth price. With pure pigments that create a 3-D gloss effect and vitamin E that provides shine and moisture, this product is perfect to keeps lips looking and feeling fabulous this season. They come in 10 shades from neutral nude, to berries & fuchsias.

My take on it: It has an incredibly sweet scent that I love. Exactly what that scent is evades me, but it's almost cupcake like...=p yum! It did make my lips softer, after about five minutes after application. I thought this was a nice time lapse, as other glosses I use usually take longer. It also does make your lips shiny, so I wouldn't overdo it with too many coats. Two should be more than enough at one time. As far as the claim of not being sticky,well...it isn't extrememly sticky, but does have a small sticky feel to it just after application. It usually wore off, (the stickiness),for me after about 15 minutes, or if I was drinking, or talking alot, even sooner.

I like the applicator a lot. It was soft on my lips, and when beginning application, it pulls out the right amount. I have not had any gooping problems as of yet.

You can check out newyorkcolor.com to see all the shades, and other fun and stylish products they offer. I received "Nude York City".

NYC New York Color offers products with an Uptown stlye at a down-to-earth price, from $.99 to $4.99. The energy stlye and color of New York City shines through the wide range of shades,textures, and innovative products. NYC always deliver the most on-trend products and shades hot off the runway!

NYC is available at Walmart, Target, Rite-Aid, CVS, Family Dollar, Duane Reade, KMart, HEB, and many others.

Facebook:New York Color Cosmetics
***Product provided complimentary by Influensters via the VoxBox.
Want to learn more about the VoxBox? Check out the Influenster site for yourself and get involved at influenster.com

imPress Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails

imPress Press On Nails

Style: Working Girl

Claim to Fame: imPress , the revolutionary way to apply nail polish! Featuring advanced technology, you will get a salon-perfect manicure in seconds. Simply peel off, press on, and you’re done. No drying time needed! imPress comes in 36 colors and patterns, including trendy brights, fun prints, classic darks and animal prints.

So, here we go! I received these awesome beauty marvels in my Influenster Holiday VoxBox (aren't they sexy?!), and I have to say, I am pretty imPressed, ßpun intended. =)

              

“These aren’t your childhood Stick on Nails!” I figured they would be the typical lack luster stick on from many of our childhoods, (you know the ones that you actually stuck on with a sticker adhesive =0), but nope, I was most definitely proven wrong. 

They come with glue already applied to the backs. You heard me right. It’s already on there. They have these little plastic peelies that you peel off the back, and bam, ya just press ‘em on and your good. No messy glue bottles. No painting blank artificial nails either.They come with cool designs already done for you.(Check out impressmanicure.com to see all the designs!)

Stats: It took me about 10 minutes to put them on; that includes opening the package, using the included prep pad, matching the nails to my fingernails, removing the plastic, and sticking them on. They are pretty easy and quick to use.

*Tip- Do the thumb nails last.
*Tip-When changing a diaper, do not let the tab catch on your nail. If pulls off the polish.
*To remove- gently peel off from the sides, or apply nail polish remover around the edges, wait one minute, and then peel off.

They also claim to last up to a week when applied properly. I will update when the week is over to let ya know! =)

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!

*UPDATE! 1/19/12- They lasted for about 5 days, which I thought was pretty good. I took really HOT showers, changed diapers, did the dishes several times, cleaned the house, and did the laundry. I carried on through my days as I usually would. I did not have any problems, EXCEPT, the polish/paint did start to peel at the end of the 5 days.
* I received the style pictured above, called Working Girl.

Facebook: Broadway Nails

***Product provided free by Influenster via the VoxBox.
Wanna learn more about the Voxbox? Check out the Influenster site for yourself and get involved at http://www.influenster.com/

Free Torani Coupon Giveaway!!!

I will be giving away three coupons that can be redeemed for a free bottle of Torani!


TO ENTER:
Leave me a comment on this post, telling me why you like Torani, or if you have never tried it, why you would like too, then use the entry form to enter your first name, and email address.
FAQs:
US Residents Only.
Only 3 coupons are to be given away.
Coupons exp. 6/30/2012
Coupon is good for one bottle of any
Torani up to a maximum of $8.
Giveaway begins 11/18/2011.
Giveaway ends 12/31/2011 at
11:59pm est. time.
On 12/31/2011 at 11:59pm est time
I will use a random # generator
to choose 3 winning entries.
All 3 winners will be notified
on 1/1/12 by email, and coupons will be
mailed out as soon as the
winners' address is received.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!! =)

A comment is not an entry. You must fill out the form too!
*Coupons provided by SheSpeaks and Torani.



THE CONTEST IS OVER! THE WINNERS ARE TARA,BRIANNA, AND NOUSHEEN (NOUSHEEN, I TRIED TO EMAIL YOU AND IT DID NOT GO THROUGH AT THE EMAIL YOU GAVE ME, SO PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU SEE THIS TO LET ME KNOW WHERE TO SEND YOUR PRIZE, THANKS!)

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North "Poll!" You'll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!

*Sponsored Post

Torani Flavored Syrups

As a part of SheSpeaks Blogger Society, I had the opportunity to put some really great products to the test recently, TORANI!!! What exactly you ask is that?
Read on and find out!!!

About Torani:

Since 1925, family-owned Torani has been crafting great tasting flavored syrups that coffeehouses use to make their flavored drinks taste so delicious. With over 120 flavors in regular and sugar free varieties, Torani flavored syrups are perfect for flavored lattes, mochas, coffees, cocoas, Italian sodas, teas, lemonades, cocktails and smoothies. Coffeehouse professionals choose Torani flavors because they are expertly crafted and made with the highest quality ingredients, like natural flavors and pure cane sugar. The sugar free flavors have no calories and are sweetened with Splenda. Now, Torani Flavored Syrups are widely available at retail so you can easily create authentic coffeehouse quality drinks at home.



The Low Down: Regular and Sugar Free flavored syrups that add flavor and enhance beverages.



Best Drinks for these Syrups:



Flavored Coffees/Espresso Drinks (Most popular drink type for flavored syrups)
Italian Sodas
Flavored Tea (Hot and Cold)
Flavored Lemonades
Flavored Sodas (Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, etc)
Cocktails
Mocktails
Flavored Energy drinks (Red Bull)

(CAN YOU SAY YUM?!?)

Torani Syrup Flavor Varieties: Torani flavored syrups are available in over 122 flavors, which include regular and sugar free varieties. Please go to www.Torani.com to see all flavors.

Where to SNAG YOUR Torani Flavored Syrups: Torani syrups are primarily used at coffeehouses and restaurants in over 40 countries. Within the retail flavored syrup category, Torani has a dominant market share exceeding 60%. At US retail outlets, Torani is available at stores such as:



Cost Plus World Market
BevMo
Walmart
Smart and Final
Most major grocery stores
Amazon.com (wide assortment of flavors)
Torani.com and Shop.Torani.com (widest assortment of flavors)



I personally received the Torani Salted Caramel Syrup, here is my thought on just one of the uses…
“Wow...just wow....I have to say, Torani Salted Caramel Syrup has half-way replaced both my honey and my sugar for my nightly tea time! I have never tasted something so complex, yet put together so simply! The underlying saltiness wafts across the tea giving it a more solid, whole-hearted taste while the caramel swirls into every little steam bubble and releases a sweetness oh so very good. A wonderful addition for anyone who still fancies a rich and decadent tea, at a great price!”

 (you can also see my review by clicking on the link! è http://www.shespeaks.com/memberreviewsdetails/145790  )

I also received as my second bottle: Torani Gingerbread Syrup, which in my opinion,
“I personally think Torani Gingerbread Syrup, with  a few tweeks, could be a great dessert syrup. As is, it is too strong to even bake with. The spice overtakes the sweetness, when in my belief it should be the other way around...now do not get me wrong, it taste good for the most part, but only when it is paired with something that can take it down a notch, such as ice-cream, or yogurt.”

(Feel free to check out that review too!àhttp://www.shespeaks.com/memberreviewsdetails/146115)

I am a part of SheSpeaks Blogger Society:
Want to be in the SheSpeaks Blogger Society too? Apply here

*Disclaimer! These were free items.
*As a member I was introduced to Torani Flavored Syrups through SheSpeaks. I was allowed to test two of the flavors, and afforded 5 Free coupons to share. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way by this.

The NEW and Improved Pam!

I recently got chosen to be a part of the smiley360.com Pam Mission. Why is Pam on a mission? They just came out with an even better no-stick spray! How so, you ask? Read on!

“The new and improved PAM^® formula has been shown to be 70% better at attacking baked on food vs. bargain cooking sprays. Not only will every meal be picture-perfect, but you’ll have more time to enjoy your food and spend less time soaking, scrubbing and cleaning in the kitchen. Put your toughest recipes to the test and watch as PAM^® comes to the rescue! No matter what meal you’re cooking, PAM^® helps you pull it off. Even better.”

* In testing the release of baked muffins in trays sprayed with new PAM, old PAM, and bargain cooking sprays, new PAM demonstrated on average more than 70% better no-stick performance than bargain sprays and the old PAM formula. Results at 95% confidence level.

Pam also has a money back guarantee that their new formula is better than bargain brands!

Link to form à http://www.pamcookingspray.com/nonstickmuffin/guarantee.pdf

Website à http://www.pamcookingspray.com/index.jsp

As a part of this mission, I received a kit, (pictured below), to test out if it does what it claims. I will be updating soon to let you know the results!!!

*I am a member of Smiley360.com, of whom provided the kit, free of charge. Any opinions, or reviews posted as a result are my honest, and realistic views. They are not influenced in any way by this.

Want to join smiley360.com, and start your own missions?
Do it here http://smiley360.com/?refid=1678                                            

Fresh Express Salads -washed in Fresh Rinse

Thanks to Vocalpoint.com, I got to try the New Fresh Express-Fresh Rinse Salad! It is a new way of eating a cleaner salad! How? See the info below =)

Fresh Express^® has developed a breakthrough, eco-friendly produce wash called Fresh Rinse^™ that is 7x more effective in cleaning salads than traditional chlorine wash,¹ but is still gentle on lettuce.

·         Environmentally friendly

·         Acceptable for use on organic produce

¹Based on average reduction of bacteria (Total Aerobic Plate Counts,
and indicator for the level of microorganisms on a product.)

 In my opinion:

As far as taste and look goes, I don't see much of a difference. I like that it is "cleaner than usual” though. =) So basically it still has the same great taste and look, yet it is a cleaner salad.

Try it yourself and tell me what you think!

 *Product provided free by: Vocalpoint.com

(You can join here if you would like! www.vocalpoint.com)

If you have any questions or comments, please share!

Downy Unstopables

It smells soooo good, and is super strong, WOW, so strong! I did not even have to open it, and I could smell it through the package! That’s a good thing, at least I think so…being as it is an in-wash scent booster! The product itself looks like little round pellets, and you can add as much or little by the capful as you would like. It works great and the scent lasts a long time after the initial wash. I can STILL smell it on my clothes and linens! It’s really great for towels, and bedding items. They don’t get washed as often as the clothes you wear every day, and it will keep them smelling wonderful while waiting to be used. Simply put, it is a very easy to use, incredible smelling product! I received the fresh scent. I very much recommend it.
(If you are NOT an avid scent lover, which I am, I recommend you only use a small amount. It is very strong.)

*Product provided free by vocalpoint.com.
(You can join here if you would like! http://www.vocalpoint.com/ )

If you have any questions or comments, please share!

Neosporin-Neo to Go!

I love that Neosporin has created this!!!!  I actually use to carry the tube around in my purse, before this came out, just in case one of my children got hurt, and as part of my on-the-go first aid kit. This version is a whole lot better. It is ten times less messy, a whole lot easier to use, (you just spray right where you need it to go, no touching or contact involved), but is still the same great formula. It fits perfectly in your pocket, or diaper bag. I actually had one of them hanging from my key chain for a while! The only bad thing about it is that it seems to run out a lot quicker than even the smallest tube. It’s very well worth it though. It is a great innovation to an already great product.
*This product was bought by me.
If you have any questions or comments, please share!

Herbal Essences Hydrolicious Reconditioning Shampoo

Not only is the appearance of the product unique and beautiful, the results it gives you are too.

It makes my hair feel so soft, and touchable. It moisturizes, and does not make my hair feel flat, dull, or weighed down.

It is one of my favorites to use, and has a matching conditioner in the same formula.

The smell/scent is incredible. It just smells too good.

I think all Herbal Essences products are great, but this is my favorite of them all by far.

*This product was bought by me.

If you have any questions or comments, please share!

Community Tea

THIS IS THE BEST ICED TEA BREW I HAVE EVER TASTED!

Now that I've made that clear...lol.

I am an avid tea drinker, hence this blogs name, and I recently discovered Community Tea. I did not even know they made tea. I am sooo glad they do!

This tea is a blend of orange pekoe and pekoe cut black teas. It has never tasted bitter, and is always consistent in taste and texture. It does not froth too much, and steeps beautifully! I also noticed, and I don’t know why, that it does not stain my tea pitcher, like most teas do…On a sad note though, my local stores only carry it every once in a while, so I stock up when I can. I highly recommend this tea for anyone who loves tea as much as I do!

*This product was bought by me.

If you have any questions or comments, please share!

Check out the website here! http://www.communitycoffee.com/product/Leaf-Tea/24ct-Family-Size-Tea-Bags

Burt's Bees "New & Improved": Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

This is an ok to fair lotion, but with a super hyper scent. While it does moisturize for 24 hours (as it claims)and is not greasy, the honey smell is extremely strong. And it does not fade for a very long time…, (The scent that is). I could still smell it at 8pm, after putting it on at 7am that morning,( and after multiple hand washings throughout the day.)! Don’t get me wrong though. It doesn’t stink per say; it’s just not something you will want to wear every day, unless you really, really, and I mean really like the smell of honey. If so, this product was made for you!

If you have any questions or comments, please share!

*This product was provided free by Glamour.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/burtsbees

John Frieda Precision Foam Hair Colour

I have been dyeing my hair for over ten years, and I have to say, this is the best hair dye I have EVER used! Why? I’ll tell you =)
The Pros:
·         No harsh chemical smell! It has a pleasant scent that does not overpower you, and is floral at best.
·         The coverage was incredible. No missed spots!
·         There was no mess. The foam stayed in place in my hair, and did not drip.
·         Here is the big one! It covers a large amount of hair. I have waist length hair, and only had to use one bottle. Usually I would have to use two of any other brand.
Now….
The Cons:
·         The only complaint I have is the included gloves. They were super tight, and I have small hands, and so of course that’s not a good thing for anyone with small or larger hands. I suggest picking up an extra pair that will fit your hand size better.
I have provided a picture of the shades the foam comes in at the bottom of this post, but on their website you can more detail on each color.
Linky: http://www.johnfrieda.com/en-US/homecolour/precision-foam-colour/
If you have any questions or comments, please share!

*Product provided free by John Frieda.