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Meaningful Beauty Test Drive Results

It has been about 4 weeks, since I started the Meaningful Beauty 5 -Step skin care routine. It is a kit set up to work together to fight common skin care issues of women.  It is meant to brighten, soften and moisturize your skin, while fighting wrinkles.

meaningful beauty kit reviewAlthough 5-steps may sound time consuming, it really wasn’t.  I did stick to the regime, for the most part.  Other than a few missed applications, I did as directed.  About a week into it, I missed doing my once or twice a week Glycolic peel, but them realized they had sent a small sample box of Glycolic pads, as a bonus with the kit.  They seemed to do pretty much the same as the peel I had been using, so all was well in the world…lol.

Results

While the product works just fine, in my personal case, I did not notice a dramatic difference.  This is most likely due to the fact that I was a frequent applicator of eye cream, prior to starting, and regularly applied quality moisturizer with sun screen.  As mentioned above, I also used a Glycolic peel on a regular basis too.

I like the addition of the Crème de Serum.  It did seem to have the fresh dewy effect it promised, and the regular moisturizer from the line goes over it.  The daily moisturizer felt like it tightened thing up, and has an SPF of 20, so it is a good choice.  It also like the cleanser, and thought the addition of a decollete cream a great feature.  The neck and bosom are often overlooked in skin care regimes.  The only part of the kit, that I wouldn’t buy again is the eye cream.  I still prefer my old brand for that.

Overall I would say the Meaningful Beauty line is a good buy.  It is effective, and reasonably priced ($39.95 plus s/h for 30 day supply or $119.85 with free shipping for 90 day supply).  I would suggest buying a 90 day kit like this one, then tweaking your regime, once you are familiar with the line.  The glycolic pads would also be a product I would suggest adding to your routine.

You can learn more about the Meaningful Beauty skin care product line, as well as order, right on the Meaningful Beauty website.  (They are doing a 30 day supply with bonus products, plus free shipping for $39.95  right now.)

I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf Meaningful Beauty and received a 5-step treatment kit to facilitate my review, a second 5-step treatment kit to giveaway, and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

My Renuzit Fresh Accents Mini Living Room Makeover #FreshAccents #cbias

orange gold and red living room

renuzit makeover before pic

Before... blank wall, one measley pillow remained & rug had seen better days.

My living room was last fully done over about 9 years ago.  It has been showing it’s wear, and over the past couple years, the pillows have dwindled, the artwork above the sofa fell and the frame & glass broke (never to be replaced), the finish on the top of the side tables has worn, I have scrubbed out more stains than I could count with a ticker & always seem to be fighting odors from our dog.  Thus, I was very happy to participate in a Renuzit Fresh Accents mini-makeover.renuzit fresh accents makeover shopping

My goals for this makeover are to freshen up what we already have.  I don’t have the budget to buy any new furniture, and while I plan to repaint in here some time this year, I simply don’t have the time to tackle that yet.  I still want a  fresh look, something more modern and reflective of our new family dynamic.  Since it is just my daughter and I now, I think she should be reflected more in the design (and I don’t mean all the toys she loves to dump everywhere…lol).  A few simple DIY projects will be the cornerstones of the design project, and Renuzit Fresh Accents is in charge of the olfactory  aspects of the makeover.

decorate with child artwork

What could be more special than artwork done by your child. Give them a real canvas and let them go crazy on it!

We picked up the Renuzit Fresh Accents at Walmart, after the first store we tried didn’t carry them.  We also bought supplies for my daughter’s contribution to the living room makeover, a giant artwork on canvas (see the full  Google + shopping story). That evening, I covered a large ugly painting on canvas with flat white spray paint, so that it would be ready for my tiny artist to work on the next morning.  I explained to her that the picture would be going on the wall, and she seemed pretty excited about it. Operation wall art complete.

Hint: give your child art supplies in colors that won’t completely clash with your decor

new pillows for living roomNew pillows are another big part of the makeover.  The few we had left were not exactly “ready for prime time” anymore.  I grabbed some great upholstery remnants at the fabric outlet up the street, and dragged out my old sewing machine. I knew the mix of colors and textures in the fabrics would make for a more modern look.

Before I even finished the pillows, I knew the old rug had to go.  The crisply fresh fabric in the room, really brought out the ugly in it.  I have wanted to replace it for quite some time, but hadn’t gotten around to it.  A quick trip to the discount warehouse store on the other side of town, netted me a durable  rug with a cool circular textural design, that really brightened the room up.

renuzit makeover

The last project on my hit list was a quickie refinish of the top surface of the side tables.  I used a can of stain and polyurethane all-in-one, since I didn’t want to get into a major refinishing project.  The  sides and legs were fine, so I left well-enough alone there.

Renuzit Fresh AccentsI am happy with the results of the mini-makeover, and am relieved that it is done, since we will be having some super-terrific weather here next week, and I will be tackling outdoor projects then.  The Renuzit Fresh Accents air freshener not only had an attractive look, that tied in well with my decor, but the noticeable, yet not overpowering, raspberry scent it emitted sure boosted the ambiance of the room :)

The Fresh Accents air fresheners are reasonably priced to start with, and the printable coupon on their Facebook page, makes them even a better deal.

Ladies make sure to spoil yourself with some fine eye candy too.  Renuzit has made getting information about this new product all the more enjoyable, with the help of some hunky models, on their website and this special Facebook Page.  Now that got you attention didn’t it ;)

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All experiences and opinions presented here are my own. #CBias 

Huge Limited Time Deal on Quality Linens

maggies direct logoI have the pleasure of introducing you to Maggie’s Direct, a new sort of online shopping, that not only offers great deals, but rewards you for your online social sharing. I will be filling you in on more about Maggie’s soon (as well as their awesome Blogger’s Program), but at the moment, I would like to give you a quick heads up about a big sale that kicked off this morning.
Exclusive Shopping Event for friends of this blog. Get 50% back in Social Bucks (1 Social Buck = 1 dollar in product credit) on any of these items.

Limited Time Deal on Quality Hotel Linens

Maggie’s Direct already has prices significantly below MSRP, and Free Shipping on all orders within the continental United States ($15 to AK/HI and $20 to Canada), but this exclusive sale event really sweetens the deal, so dress your whole bed.

All purchases from the Hotel Collection event page will earn the purchaser 50% back in Social Bucks, no minimum order.  Social bucks are Maggie’s Direct online currency. 

1 social buck = $1

maggies social bucks

I recently received a lovely European made Matelasse duvet and shams from Maggie’s, and am quite pleased  with them (a more thorough review with personal pics coming very soon, but they are just as pictured & described).

I will use my own order as an example, of how things work during the event:

  • MSRP of the Queen size European Duvet and 2Queen  shams = $303
  • Maggie’s direct price for these items = $183 (already a significant discount)
  • You would get $91 back in social bucks, to use toward your next purchase*, even clearance (big 75% off clearance event coming up soon BTW).
  • So it is like getting the set for $92 !

Plus, you can earn even more social bucks by sharing the deals you get with your friends.  You will get a 10% credit in social bucks for your friend’s purchases, and if they in turn refer someone, you will get a 5% credit from their purchases.

* Social Bucks from product orders vest in 30 days to allow for returns.

Bertolli Premium Meal Soup: The Taste of Made-From-Scratch in a Flash #BertolliMealSoup

Bertolli Meal Soup logoAs someone who cooks from scratch, just about everyday.  I am a bit spoiled and fussy, when it comes to food.  Let’s face it though, no matter who you are, none of us have the time or inclination, to cook everything from scratch.  A time crunch does not mean you have to sacrifice having a quality meal.  I recently tried Bertolli Premium Meal Soup, and found it to be an excellent solution for busy weeknights special.
Bertolii frozen soupI had originally planned to serve some bread or salad with the soup, but once I had emptied the contents of the pouch into my saucepan, I realized that they weren’t kidding, when they called this a “meal soup”.  It was chock full of chicken, veggies and pasta.  This hearty soup would be plenty in itself.

To prepare, all I had to do was add a cup of water and turn the burner on high.  After a few minutes, when most of the frozen sauce cubes had melted I gave it a quick stir.  Once it came to a boil, turn the burner down to simmer, cover and cook for about 5 more minutes, to ensure everything was nice and hot all the way through.  Presto, done.

bertolli soupThe Roasted Chicken & Rotini soup had great flavor, not too salty and full of well trimmed chicken, and veggies that seemed like they had been cut to order.  Both the vegetables and the pasta had a fresh texture.  I loathe mushy pasta, so this is especially important to me.  The process Bertolli has used to freeze the soup as separate components, really gives the results of fresh homemade soup.

For more information about the Premium Meal Soups from Bertolli check out the Bertolli website, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

I was compensated by Bertolli to participate in the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge.  All experiences and opinions presented here are my own.

Last Minute Holiday Gift Idea: Kaspersky Internet Security 2012

kaspersky internet security 2012I’ve been using Kaspersky Internet Security to protect my computers for a few  years now, and have been very pleased with the performance.  Considering that I am online far more than the average person, I need strong protection.  I have not had any major issues since making the switch to Kaspersky.

Kaspersky has a whole suite of products to handle your various protection needs.  Internet Security is the one I’ve used these past few years.  It is perfect for families, since it provides protection for up to 3 PCs.

Some key features:

  • Real-time antivirus protection.
  • Safe online banking & shopping, with identity theft protection.
  • Easy to use parental controls.
  • Two-way firewall, for addition protection from hackers.

Kaspersky current has some nice discounts running for the holiday season.  Whatever you do,  DO NOT START SURFING ON THAT NEW CHRISTMAS COMPUTER WITHOUT PROTECTION.  Either purchase protection beforehand or go directly to Kaspersky for immediate download.  http://usa.kaspersky.com/store/kaspersky-store

Product sample provided.

California Wine Club: Great Last Minute Holiday Gift!

california wine club holiday giftLooking for a last minute holiday gift, they will really love? Why not a membership to the California Wine Club .  It would be a fantastic present for any wine lover, as well as, the foodies in your life.  I have sampled a few shipments, and have been very pleased with the quality of the wines sent.

wine clubThe club is not stuffy at all.  California Wine Club makes tasting wine an easy and enjoyable experience, that you can have right in your own home.  Each moth the club sends two bottles of wine from a small (usually family run) California winery.  They arrive nicely packaged in a specially designed double wine insulator, to ensure no broken bottles.   An informative magazine is also included with each shipment.  The magazine shares interesting information about the producing winery, and the family that runs it. There is also a section in the back, offering bottles that have come in earlier shipments (great if you haven’t been able to find them locally).  If you have never experienced small estate wines before, you’re sure to be surprised at how distinctive they each are, and knowing about the people that made your wine, adds a little to the enjoyment, as well.

You can send as many months as you like to your recipient. Discounts are available on 3, 6, 9 & 12 month packages. The first shipment will also include a $25 voucher so they can re-order their favorite wines.  Each shipment contains two bottles, if you prefer to do two red or two white wines, rather than one of each no problem.  To take advantage of this deal and get an additional 10% off your order, use the promo code: blommi and follow this link to  The California Wine Club. 

Product sample provided.

Get Your Kids Outside Again with GeoMate Jr.

geomate jrWant to get your kids outdoors more, and away from the video games, then why not have technology help rather than hinder you in this endeavor.  Geomate JR.  feeds kids desire for technology and gadgets, but also makes it a fun adventure to be outside and active.  This handheld GPS device is specifically created for geocaching, and come preloaded with 250,000 Geocaches.  With the help of an update kit, even more geocaches are available.  What an exciting way to get your kids interested in the outdoors.

The Internet and television may be dominating leisure activities and zapping outdoor time for kids, but that won’t slow down the fast growing trend millions enjoy: GPS treasure hunting called, geocaching. Thanks to Apisphere, Inc., the company behind Geomate.jr (www.mygeomate.com), children, their families and adventure seekers from all walks of life can get hip with the increasingly popular and fun geocaching phenomenon, a great group activity for scouting, summer camps and schools. Geomate.jr, the first and only device of its kind, combines technology and outdoor play while providing hours of geocaching entertainment; it is preloaded with 250,000 geocache locations.

Sadly, according to the Outdoor Foundation, outdoor activity among children ages 6 to 17 declined 11 percent in 2008. “Geomate.jr offers a way to reconnect our children with family time and nature while encouraging them to be active, get outdoors and explore the environment,” says Warren Hewerdine, co-inventor of Geomate.jr and Apisphere’s vice president of marketing. He says, “Savvy kids will get their technology fix from the easy-to-use device, and it eliminates the traditional fuss of Internet connections, downloads, coordinates and preplanning to provide a spontaneous geocaching experience families can enjoy anytime, anywhere.” Geomate.jr acts as an electronic compass, guiding you to within yards of a geocache.

People all over the world have enjoyed geocaching but up until now, the GPS receivers required were expensive and difficult to use. “Geomate.jr is about the size of a granola bar and built tough so it can take a beating. The contoured grip fits comfortably in the hands of kids and adults,” says Hewerdine. “Then all you have to do is head out to a local park, the back country or just down the street to get started on creating lifelong memories and a new found appreciation for the outdoors.” The Geomate.jr makes a great gift idea any time of year, and thanks to its size, it is a perfect stocking stuffer around the holiday season.

Products available include:
Geomate.jr – Geocaching GPS
Retail: $69.95
Pre-loaded with 250,000 geocaches covering all 50 U.S. states, just switch it on and be directed to your closest geocache.  European, Canadian, Australian & New Zealand versions are also available.

Geomate.jr – Update Kit
Retail: $24.95
The key to update any Geomate.Jr with the latest and greatest geocaches for the U.S. or for around the world.  Other features such as being able to create a private geocache list and Pocket Query support are also accessible with an Update Kit.

Geomate.jr – Combo Pack
Retail: $94.95
Everything you will ever need in one box including a Geomate.jr, an Update Kit, a Geomate.jr Travel Tag, batteries, lanyard, and documentation.

Geomate.jr is available for purchase at major outdoor retailers including REI, L.L. Bean, Gander Mountain and Eastern Mountain Sports.  It is also available through Target, Amazon.com and Geocaching.com. For more information about the Geomate.jr, including demo videos, please visit www.mygeomate.com. Follow on Twitter: @geomatejr and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/geomatejr.

Product sample provided.

NewAir AIC-210 Ice Cream Maker Review

ice cream makerI was recently sent a NewAir AIC-210 Ice Cream Maker for review.  This ice cream maker is much different than the one my parent’s used when I was a child.  Memories of packing salt and ice into the sides of the old style ice cream makers , and waiting for hours to have any ice cream to eat, didn’t draw me back to the process, as an adult.  This ice cream machine is far different from the set-up my parents used though.

homemade frozen yogurtThe NewAir AIC-210 Ice Cream Maker has a built in compressor, so making ice cream becomes as simple as mixing your ingredients, pouring them in, setting the timer, and pressing the button.  I made some frozen yogurt in the machine, and it was ready in just 40 minutes, with minimal cleanup.  My daughter loved the yogurt, and it is a great way to try out something unusual.   Our frozen yogurt concoction was made with vanilla frozen yogurt, milk, chocolate Slimfast powder & a banana.  I figured my daughter and I both liked this combination as a smoothie, so why not a frozen treat.

I will certainly be having some fun with this next summer, making ice cream and frozen yogurt featuring fresh fruits and berries.  I might try a couple wacky recipes I have seen online, like bacon ice cream, as well… why not.  The Newair AIC-210 would make a wonderful gift for the foodie or ice cream lover in your life.   It is quicker and easier to use than most ice cream makers , so I think they will be pleasantly surprised.

Product sample provided.  All experiences and opinions presented here are my own.

Apothic Red: A Versatile Wine for Your Holiday Table

apothic red reviewApothic Red is a delightful vinter’s blend.  It is rich and smooth, with the flavor of cherries and a bit of spiciness.  The blend is a mixture of Syrah, Zinfandel and Merlot, and has acquired excellent characteristics from each.  The wine retails for a reasonable retail price of $14, but I recently purchased it 2 for $19.99, from a local wine seller.

I would suggest Apothic Red as an excellent red choice to serve with dinner, or as a hostess gift.  In my opinion this is a smart buy.

Disclosure: Sample provided.  I have indeed bought it since then.