Crowdtap Sample and Share: Listerine 21 day challenege

I am one of those people who thinks of candy and sweets and instantly I get a cavity. For years I have had issues with my teeth and gums and I just can not seem to shake it. I have used a specialty tooth paste, I use a power tooth brush, I have used a water pick and I have tried just about every mouth wash you can think of to help with my issues. It is because of this that I was excited to take the Listerine 21 day challenge with Crowdtap.

As part of my sample share I was provided with two bottles of Listerine, one for me and another for a family or friend. We were then instructed to take this challenge and report our findings. I was a little disappointed with the sample share from the beginning because by the time I received my sample, I had missed the first two weeks of the outlined activities and I had less than the 21 days needed before I had to complete my report. But I am a good sport so I passed a bottle over to a friend who agreed to try it out with me and I went on my way.

I must admit that this was not my first time using Listerine but it was the first time that I actually paid attention to the progress I made with my oral health while using it. In the past it was just a part of my routine.  This time I made sure to pay close attention to any changes I saw.  I must admit that after a couple of days I noticed that the soreness and tenderness in my gum line area was slowly going away. I also notices that my breath felt fresh and clean. Overall, I saw some improvement in oral health in that my gums were no longer sore and my teeth had a fresh clean feel to them. I will admit that even though I experienced some changes while using Listerine, I am not completely sold on it because I am not a big fan of the strong sensation you feel when using it. I will be finishing out my 21 days of the challenge and I will then draw my conclusion on how sold I am on it. Until then I will swish on and see what comes next.

Herbal Essences body wash not quite calgone...fails to take me away

I was excited when Crowdtap asked me to do a sample and share for the new Herbal Essences body wsh. I love their shampoo  so I was excited to give the body wash a try. When I received the sample in the mail I was a little disappointed at how small it was. It was not enough to really get a true feel for the product. The other thing that was kind of disappointing was the lack of smell.  One of the things I love most about Herbal Essence shampoos is the great and lasting smell of all their products. I was expecting the body wash to have that same great strong smell but it did not. The smell was very faint but it was a very pleasant smell that I enjoyed. I just wished that it had a much stronger and lasting smell to it. I did enjoy how well it lathered and how it had a good covering with just a small amount. Overall, I still on the fence about if I would purchase this body wash over my normal brand. I will have to purchase a larger bottle to give it another try.

Fun and Fancy free with the Disney Side @Home Celebration

Even now as an adult I must admit that I am a total Disney junkie. I can clearly remember many of my Disney firsts like my first movie, Cinderella, and my first visit to Disney world. My love of all things Disney is something that I have passed down to my two girls so I was super excited when I got the opportunity to host a Disney Side Celebration party.  With this great hosting honor came lots of cool items that I could use to host a fabulous Disney Side party in my home. Below is a picture of some of the cool stuff that we received.

 

 

Before I tell about our celebration, let me tell you a little bit about what the whole Disney Side @Home Celebration is all about. The Disney Side @Home Celebration was the brain child of

Disney Parks, in partnership with MomSelect,  and was created to allow people all of the country to get together with their friends and have a Disney good time. To help with the celebration each host was provided with a suitcase filled with lots of fun goodies to help bring the Disney experience to your home.  This suitcase was from American Tourister which by the way is the official luggage of Disneyland and Walt Disney World parks and it came with a cute Disney luggage tag.by far was one of my favorite things that came with the kit because it was lightweight, durable, and easy to navigate.  As a mother of two busy girls I can really see this suitcase coming in handy when we decide to take them to.  Along with these goodies, we were each provided with a wide variety of online and paper resources that could help make the party even more fabulous. You can click here to check out some great information on how to bring the Disney Side @Home Celebration to your home.

The opportunity to host the Disney Side @ Home Celebration came at the perfect time in our house because were in the process of planning a Disney Princess and Jake the Neverland Pirate party at our home for my daughters 5th birthday. For the party I created a cool invite with all the Disney princess'.  The guests were encouraged to come dressed up as their favorite princess or character from Jake the Neverland Pirates. They were told that there would lots of Disney Magic at the party so come prepared for a great time. 

When it came to the party activities, we decided to create our own activities as well as use some from the Disney Side website. To help kick off the party as we waited for guests to arrive, we worked on some coloring pages that I found on the Disney Side website. After everyone arrived we proceeded to get our outfits together by applying some Disney Tattoos that came with the party set. The kids absolutely loved having the tattoos applied and they were super easy to apply. Once we completed we then moved on to decorating some goody bags for our scavenger hunt and piñata. The kids were provided with lots of cool character stickers and stones. The kids really seemed to enjoy customizing their bags.   Once we finished this activity we moved did a pirate/princess scavenger hunt using some of the information from the Disney side website. The clues had to do with things that dealt with some of our favorite Disney characters. One example of one of the clues was: You can find your next clue located with this fruit which the which used to put snow white to sleep. Of course the answer was apples and the clue was located in a bowl of apples sitting on a table out in the open. The kids had a fun time running to and fro looking for the next clue and it was super easy for them because all the clues were things about Disney they knew and loved. Another activity that we did was a photo corner where each child was able to take a picture in front of a Disney Princess or Pirate backdrop and in turn we were able to print them with the help of HP Photo Creations. This was a lot of fun for the kids because throughout the party they had collected several props like rings, eye patches, swords, crowns, and tattoos that would help them create their pictures.  We had intended on playing more of the games included in the Disney Side Party pack but we ended up having more kids than we did bingo boards so we had to pass on it. We also attempted the trivia game but it seemed a little too much for many of the kids that were at the party.

When it came to the food, we decided to do a candy and treat table included great treats like star, castle, glass slipper shaped rice crispie treats, and cookies.  We also had craisins, magic wands made out of chocolate covered pretzel rods, and candy bar of purple and pink popcorn. We had Captain Hooks fish and chips(gold fish and potato chips), and There was other food at the party as well such as mini sandwiches, rice and peas, grilled chicken, and hot dogs.  We made sure to serve a special princess/pirate punch which was an instant hit at the party.

 

When it came to their goodie bags, the kids each received the red ESPN bracelets, the giant Mickey and Minnie Card, a Disney themed cup, pencils, crayons, coloring books and snack containers.  I also included other Disney Princess items for the girls and Jake items for the boys.  Each kids got to take home a mickey mouse club house themed placemat as well. By the time the kids went home they had tons of cool Disney items to play with.

 

As the kids played during the party, I took the opportunity to share some information with the parents about Disney Parks and Vacations.  I also shared with them information on the release of the new Muffets movie later this year and everyone seemed excited about seeing it. Just like their kids, the parents also received some great Disney themed items to take home.  Overall, we had a Disney good time and we could not had a better time sharing our Disney Side with our family and friends.

We had so much fun with this Disney side party that we decided to have another one a couple of weeks later as a play date with our playgroup.  With this party we had some great food and the kids got to dress up in their favorite Disney outfit as well as bring their favorite Disney toy. Each of the kids came ready to show their Disney side and we had a great time. After everyone arrived, we proceeded to the media room where we voted on which great Disney movie we would watch. When the votes were in, we had decided on the movie Cars. The kids had a ball watching the movie and playing with their favorite toys. Throughout the movie, we enjoyed great snacks like mini sandwiches, Pete's popcorn, Craisins, cheese cubes, cookies and punch.

When it came time to go home, the kids got to choose some party favors to take home. There were lots of Disney themed items like cups, hats, placemats, jump ropes, bags, night lights, pictures, and coloring books to choose from.

Overall, we had a blast with both of the parties and our guest seemed to really enjoy showing their Disney Side. Many have asked when our next Disney party will be since we did have so much fun. Since having these parties and watching the Disney Vacation video, our daughter have started asking when they will be able to go to Disney World and we can not wait to share the magic with them first hand. This was truly a great experience and we loved every minute of it.

If you are in need of some awesome resources for a Disney Side party of your own, be sure to check out the Disney Side @Home Celebration website here. You can also check out these great websites as well for more help: Babble, spoonful, or DisneySide.com.

 

Kick Those Winter Hair Blues With The Help of Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Care Razor

One thing that I have grown to absolutely hate to do is shaving. It is something that I loathe because often times I experience some form of irritation after finishing. That is why I was excited when Bzzagent contacted me about trying out Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Care razor. What makes this razor different you ask, well for one thing, it contains a Hypoallergenic Moisturizing Serum infused with Shea Butter along with 5 Curve-Sensing blades.  Because of this it guards your skin keeping it safe while shaving. As someone with sensitive skin, I often find my skin dry especially during the winter months.The Hydro Silk Sensitive Care razor feels that it can help someone like me out by providing a "Better hydration Boost than any other razor".  

Winter can be especially tough on sensitive skin. Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Care razor is dermatologist-tested and delivers a better hydration boost than many other razor. The Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Care razor argues that its Hypoallergenic Moisturizing Serum hydrates your skin for up to two hours after shaving while the 5 Curve-Sensing blades protect your skin from irritation.

I recently put the Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Care razor to the test on both my legs and under arm area.  In regards to my under arm area, I found that it did provide a very clean and close shave, better than any other I have ever used. Immediately after shaving I did feel like the area was very well moisturized but the next day after using the razor I experienced some slight irritation and discomfort on one of my underarms. This discomfort lasted for a day or so when it went back to normal.  When I used the razor on my legs I found that it did a good job on giving me a smooth shave but once I looked closely at my legs I saw that there were several areas where it did not get all of the hair and I had to re-shave the areas.  Overall, I feel that the razor does a great job of offering a close shave with  moisturizing power but it still leaves something to be desired. I loved how close it shaved but I also found that one of my arms still was irritated.  If you are someone who has sensitive skin and struggle with finding the right razor, it is one that you should try out. I think that even though I had some issues with the razor, a lot of people have found that it works great for them.  So be on the look out for it the next time you are in your local Walmart, Target, or grocery store. 

I received this product to try out thanks to Bzzagent but all opinions are of my own and are based on my personal experiences with the product. 

Muffins, Moms, and Marc Jacobs Daisy

How I look when I head out is very important to me but how I smell is just as important.  That is why I was super excited when I was chosen to be a Marc Jacobs Devotee.  As a Marc Jacobs Devotee I get exclusive access to several of their timeless fragrances like Daisy. In return all Marc Jacobs asks me to do is host a fabulous party and share all the great things with my friends. Anyone who knows me knows that I love having a reason to have a party so this is right down my alley. Recently I was asked to do a sample and share through Crowdtap for Marc Jacobs fragrance Daisy and Daisy So Fresh.  I love a great smelling perfume and it had been a while since I had purchased a new one so I was up for the challenge of trying out something new. I loved both of the scents from the moment I tried them and I love how light and airy they both are.  I have two young girls who have also fallen in love with Daisy and they ask everyday if they can wear some.  Not only do they think that it smells great, but they adore the cute flower design of the bottle.

For this sample and share, I was provided one 3.4 oz. bottle of Dasiy Marc Jacobs Eau Parfum, one 4.2 oz bottle if Daisy Eau So Fresh, twelve Daisy VOC's to share with my friends, one mini Daisy bottle, supplies to make a cute daisy bracelet, a table cloth, white, pink and gold balloons, and faux daisy head to scatter for decorations.

Just to give you a little background on the Daisy fragrance, it is one of Marc Jacobs timeless fragrances that smells sophisticated, delicate, and floral.  It carried hints of Violet, with notes of strawberry, ruby red grapefruit, and creamy vanilla.  With Daisy and Daisy So Fresh, you will definitely feel feminine, fresh, and confident.  If you have not smelled it you have definitely been missing out because it is a wonderful fragrance. 

To help celebrate all things Daisy, I hosted a Muffins, Moms and Marc Jacobs party where I invited over several women over to test out the Daisy and So Fresh Parfume. During the party I provided muffins, juice, coffee, pastries, fresh fruit and other snacks for the women to snack on while they checked out Daisy.  At the party, I had the table set up to display the Daisy Fragrance which also gave everyone the chance to have an up close look at the fragrances. From the moment everyone walked in they loved the design of the Daisy bottle and many felt that the bottle alone was so pretty that it would catch their eye if they saw it in a store. 

Several of the moms smelled the fragrances straight out of the bottle but I let them know that to get the true essence of them, they would need to apply them.  Each mom who attended applied the So Fresh to one arm and then the Daisy to the other. Many loved both fragrances but the So Fresh was by far the favorite of the two. Many said that they loved how it had such a light and airy smell and the longer they wore it the more they liked it. When it came to the Daisy fragrance, initially many did not like it but once they applied  it to their arm and let it sit for a minute they felt that it smelled much better. Overall, everyone seemed to fall in love with both of the fragrances and they agreed that it was definitely one that they would be adding to their gift wish list. 

Aside from trying out the two fragrances, we also tried our hand at making some Daisy inspired charm bracelets. Initially we were all a little intimidated when we watched the tutorial video but after watching it several times we got the hang of it and it actually became fun. One complaint that was expressed was about how small the beads were but overall, everyone seemed to enjoy making the bracelets and felt like it was a cute reminder of the great Daisy Fragrance they had just tried. Even though it did not look exactly like the picture we still had a good time making them. If you would like to try your hand at making one you can click here for the tutorial video.

 

Overall, the Marc Jacobs Daisy was a hit with everyone and it will definitely be on every one's gift wish list this year. Marc Jacobs has another timeless and great fragrance on their hands and once you smell it you will love it too. Next time you are out shopping be sure to stop by a fragrance counter and try it out. 

Items reviewed in this post were provided to me by Crowdtap and Marc Jacobs but all opinions expressed in this blog are based on my own personal experiences with these products. 

Fiber One Meal Bars

With the start of the new year, came the resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier and work out more. I must admit that I was one of those people who made a vow to myself to do just this. As a result I am always on the lookout for products that will help assist me in making these healthy changes. That is why I was excited when I was contacted by Bzzagent to try out the new Fiber One Meal Replacement bars.  I loved their new tagline of  "BALANCED NUTRITION FOR A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE".  As a busy mom of two, it really appealed to me because it was something that I could eat on the go without worrying if I was getting the appropriate nutrients.  These bars can be found in the nutrition or pharmacy aisle near other wellness bars and weight management products.  They are available at a suggested retail price of $5.49 a box.  Whats great is that each of the Fiber One Meal Bar packs 10g of protein, 9g of fiber and 40–60% less sugar than other meal bars from brands like Special K. The New Fiber One Meal bars come in the following three flavors:

Chocolate Peanut Butter- A classic combo of roasted peanuts plus creamy peanut butter and chocolate flavored chips. 

Strawberry Greek Yogurt- Roasted almonds are complemented by strawberry flavored fruit pieces and Greek Yogurt coating. 

Dark Chocolate Almond- Think delicious roasted almonds mixed with delectable dark chocolate flavored chips. 

I was provided with the Chocolate Peanut Butter and Strawberry Greek Yogurt bars to try out. I decided to start out by trying the Chocolate Peanut Butter bar.  This particular bar packs about 190 calories, 9 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fiber.  I found that these bars seemed bigger than most of the other bars that I have seen.  I must admit that I am not a big fan of bars that contain protein because I feel that some can taste a little chalky and gritty but this was not the case with this bar. To me it tasted like a peanut butter granola bar and it was pretty tasty.  If you like peanuts you will definitively love these bars.  I loved how you could see the roasted peanuts and chocolate chips all throughout the bar.  The one problem that I did find is that I am not sure if I would want to use it in place of a meal.  I think that for me it would be a great snack after a workout but it left me wanting something else to eat.  I think that I would rather have a healthy meal or a protein shake over eating one of these as a meal replacement.  I also wished that the chocolate flavor was a little more prominent in the taste because at times I could not really taste it over all the peanut flavor. It was almost as if it was just there for show because I never really got that great chocolate flavor I was expecting based on how the bar looked. 

I shared both the Strawberry and Peanut Butter Bars with my brother in law and he liked the Peanut Butter bar over the strawberry bar because the flavor was much better. He felt that the strawberry bar lacked real flavor and it only kept him filled for about an hour or so. He felt the Peanut Butter bar was one that he would be interested in buying again but he the price of over $5 dollars for a box of 5 would be what stopped him from buying them.  

So overall, I will admit that the nutritional value is great but I was a little disappointed about the the Fiber One Meal replacement bars flavor.  I probably would not purchase these again because they were not very filling to me and the flavor is not something that I would want to use my calories for. I think that these would be a great snack after a busy workout when you are on the go.  

Be sure to check out Fiber One's Facebook page for more info on these and other  products they offer. 

I was provided with free products to sample but all opinions expressed in this blog are my own.  

Lifes a little sweeter with Hershey Chocolate Spread.

One of my favorite things to indulge in is a Hershey chocolate bar.  When it comes to my Hershey bar, I am pretty simple and I always seem to go for the plain Hershey bar. If I could I would make every thing I eat taste better by adding one of these Hershey bars to it. That is why I was excited when Crowdtap and Hershey gave me a chance to try out their new Hershey Spread.  The Hershey Spread comes in three great flavors, Almonds and Chocolate with Hazelnuts, and I was selected to try out the Plain chocolate flavor.  I received notification that I would be getting a sample to try out right before Christmas so I was anxiously stalking out the mail box in anticipation of its arrival. After days of waiting, my sample finally arrived shortly after the first of the year and it was as if Christmas had come again to our house. From the moment I opened the package, my kids were super excited about trying it out. We immediately went to our pantry to see what we could try it out on.  Before we got a chance to spread it onto anything, both of my girls had grabbed a spoon and tasted this spread. I couldn't  let them enjoy it on their own so I jumped in as well. 

 

 

I found the spread to be creamy and delicious but I was a little disappointed that even though it had a great flavor, it did not taste like my favorite Hershey bar. I found that it just did not have that distinctive Hershey taste that I have grown to love. Since my children love chocolate just as much as I do, we tried it on just about everything that we could think on. The first thing that we tried the spread out on was some good old fashion vanilla ice cream. We started out by warming a little of the spread and then pouring it onto our ice cream.  My children loved the spread so much that they ate every bit of it.  Next we decided to try it out on some apple sticks and this too was a hit. The creaminess of the chocolate paired with the tartness of the apples was a perfect match.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the items I saw people posting about trying was pretzel sticks so the girls and I decided to see what all the fuss about. This was another hit and now anytime my girls get pretzels for a snack they think that chocolate spread should come along with it.

 

 

 

 During our taste test, we also tried some pound cake thins and some cream flavored gold fish.

 

 

 

 

Overall, we had a great time trying out the Hershey Chocolate spread and we are constantly on the lookout for new things that we can try it out on.  One of the great things about the Chocolate spread is that it is so versatile and you can use it on anything you like as well as in all of your favorite recipes.  Interested in trying out Hershey Spread? If so, click here to get some great recipes to try it with.

Be sure to stop back by and let me know what your favorite combination was.

 

 

I received a sample of the Hershey Chocolate Spread to sample and review from Crowdtap, but all reviews are 100% my own.