Enter the Dial Coconut Water Body Wash Sweepstakes!

The Dial Coconut Water Body Wash Sweepstakes Is LIVE! ENTER NOW!

Dial is proud to introduce the Healthier Skin. Healthier You. Sweepstakes featuring Dial Coconut Water Body Wash!

One lucky grand prize winner will receive $1,000, while 250 second place winners will receive a free bottle of Coconut Water Body Wash.

Enter here to win: http://insiders.purex.com/healthier-skin?id=243

Dry Idea AdvancedDry Fresh Roll-On Deodorant Product Review

Before I get into my review, I just want everyone to know that Dry Idea provided a free sample of their Dry Idea AdvancedDry Fresh brand antiperspirant and deodorant so that I could review it. My opinions expressed here are my own, though, and not influenced by the company in any way. With that said, let's get on with the review!

To begin, when I first received the product, I wasn't sure how well I would like it. I honestly wasn't that familiar with roll-on deodorant. I had only tried one my entire life (an Avon roll-on deodorant which had a very "off" fragrance) and HAAAATED it. It didn't work, I hated the way it felt on my skin, and even though it was supposed to be an antiperspirant, it did nothing to protect me from sweat. YUCK! I swore I would never buy another roll-on deodorant. So, needless to say, when I received this product in the mail to try, I didn't know what to think. I really liked the packaging and the screw off lid. It seemed very high quality and durable. There were a lot of claims on the packaging and all of them sounded very appealing. (I'll get into those in just a bit) I LOVED the fragrance. It is called FRESH and it smells just that - fresh & uplifting! It wasn't overpowering and was perfect for a deodorant product. This is the scent that I would choose at the store as I prefer something fresh & clean over something soft & powdery. Here is a picture of the product that I received in case you want to find it in the store:



The claim that stood out to me the most was that it was supposed to offer 72 hour protection. Hmm... not sure I would be able to test that claim as I shower daily and apply my deodorant every morning. The fact that it was mentioned immediately made me think that I would be protected from odor for a LONG period of time and that was very reassuring! The application of the product is definitely different from my regular antiperspirant/deodorant stick. I'm used to using a solid stick so rolling that little roll-on ball around on my armpit was a little strange feeling at first. I did love how fast the product dried on my skin, though. My underarms weren't left feeling sticky or coated like they have when using other products. They felt very light, smooth, and clean. The product's fragrance was great and I liked that it was strong without being overpowering. The first day that I tried it, I applied it in the morning before work, came home after work, had dinner, worked out strenuously for a good hour, and even after all that, I could still smell the fragrance and NO hints of sweat or odor. I was impressed. I'm not going to lie, my regular brand of deodorant is great, too, but it does occasionally wear off after a long workout. So far, the Dry Idea AdvancedDry product hasn't. It does a fantastic job of blocking odor and sweat. I am really interested to try the clear gel next! I plan on buying that when the roll-on runs out. :)

I have been using this product for a few weeks now and have gotten used to the roll-on ball. I can't say that I prefer it over a regular stick type but I really don't mind it either. The product itself works GREAT and the scent is fantastic! I'm so glad they have a fresh scent as I definitely prefer that over Unscented and Powder Fresh! No matter what product form you prefer (Roll On, Clear Gel Stick, or Aerosol), this line has something for everyone. I would definitely recommend giving it a try if you are interested in long lasting protection without all the mess & white stains on your clothing!

Along with my review, I am also going to provide a little extra info about this product so that you can decide for yourself if you want to give it a try. I'm sure you will, though. It's a great product!!

Never Let Them See You Sweat!

NEW Dry Idea AdvancedDry Fresh brand antiperspirant and deodorant offers enduring odor protection for up to 72 hours and Pulse Activated Wetness Protection to keep you dry, clean, and confident all day long. (I know, impressive, right?!) It is also formulated with Vitamin E for silky smooth application.

As the authority on dryness, Dry Idea brand guarantees to Never Let Them See You Sweat with their fabulous line of antiperspirant and deodorant products, now including Dry Idea AdvancedDry Fresh brand.

ALL products in the line are hypoallergenic, extra effective, and last for 72 hours so no matter which one you choose, you can be confident that you will be odor and sweat free! YAY!

For more information about these products, feel free to visit www.dryidea.com or you can check them out on Facebook!

Thank you Dry Idea for the opportunity to try this product! It really forced me to try something that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. (the roll-on form anyway) This really is a great product and one that I will be recommending to my friends & family members! :)

Enter the Soft Scrub One Surface at a Time Sweepstakes!

The Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Sweepstakes Is LIVE!

Soft Scrub is proud to introduce the One Surface at A Time Sweepstakes featuring Soft Scrub Total All Purpose!

One lucky grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and a year's supply of Soft Scrub, while 250 second place winners will receive free Soft Scrub.

Enter here to win: http://insiders.purex.com/onesurface?id=113

Purex Crystals for Baby Product Review

To start off, I just want everyone to know that Purex provided a free sample of Purex Crystals for Baby so that I could review it. My opinions expressed here are my own, though, and not influenced by the company in any way. Now on to my review!

The first thing that I noticed about this product was the color of the bottle. LOTS of PINK!! I love that because it makes it that much easier to find on the shelf. It certainly doesn't blend in! :) I have used Purex Crystals in the past and the packaging for the Purex Crystals for Baby is very similar. Same cap and bottle shape. The main difference is the color of the bottle (pink) and the cute picture of Mom and baby on the front! I also REALLY like that you can see the actual crystals through the little "window" on the front. This is very helpful & desirable, especially when buying a product for the first time. Here is a picture of the product so you know what to look for:



Introducing a new way to add gentle freshness to your baby's laundry!

Purex's popular line of Purex Crystals now includes a product made specifically for babies. Purex Crystals for Baby is the newest member of the Purex Crystals family and was developed with babies' gentle skin in mind. So, now you can add long-lasting freshness to your baby's laundry! It's a win win!

Like other Purex Crystals, our new product is 87% natural. It goes in at the start of the wash, spending more time with your baby's laundry and infusing it with freshness that lasts for weeks, not days. Plus, Purex Crystals for Baby is hypoallergenic, dye free, and safe for use on ALL clothes, including children's sleepwear.

Add Purex Crystals for Baby directly with your laundry detergent (I highly recommend Purex Baby liquid detergent; it is a perfect compliment!) and take snuggle time to a whole new level of cozy! :)

Gentle formula, long-lasting freshness

*Baby-inspired fragrance
*Hypoallergenic
*Dye free
*Natural formula (87% natural)

Purex Crystals for Baby is new to the market but you can find it in the fabric softener aisle at Walmart stores right now! It will be sold in other retailers very soon so keep an eye out for it!

I had a great experience with this product overall. I LOVE that it's hypoallergenic so I don't have to worry about any skin irritations. Even though it is marketed for babies, it is also GREAT for people with sensitive skin. I mentioned this in a previous review when talking about Purex Baby liquid detergent. My Mom and sister-in-law both have very sensitive skin and both have complained how they feel like they are "stuck" using unscented detergents. They want their laundry to smell good, too, but fragrances tend to irritate their skin. I tried the product myself and loved it. The scent is perfect for babies' clothing but to be honest, it doesn't have that typical powdery baby smell. It is very clean & fresh and would be appropriate for ANYONE'S laundry. I let my Mom and sister-in-law try the product, too, and they were thrilled with it. For one thing, it didn't irritate their skin, which is their main concern. They were even MORE thrilled that their laundry finally had FRAGRANCE! So even if you don't have any little ones, you could still benefit from this product if you have sensitive skin. I love that it goes in with your detergent, too. I hate when you have to remember to run back in and add an additional product to the rinse cycle. I tend to forget since I am usually doing other things. This product is great and very convenient to use. I would definitely recommend it!

Thank you Purex for giving me the opportunity to try it out! :)

The 2013 Tropical Trio Sweepstakes! - WIN BIG!

The Purex brand is teaming up with Honey Bunches of Oats and Outrigger Hotels and Resorts to launch a monumental prize giveaway: The 2013 Tropical Trio Sweepstakes!

One lucky winner will be sent on a tropical paradise vacation to Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach! Enter to win a chance to spend your days relaxing underneath the warm, Hawaiian sun and your nights exploring Waikiki’s never-ending nightlife.

Enter here to win: http://insiders.purex.com/tropical-trio?id=243

The Dry Idea Sweepstakes Is LIVE!

Purex is proud to introduce the Never Let Them See You Sweat® Sweepstakes featuring Dry Idea AdvancedDry Fresh!

One lucky grand prize winner will receive $500, while 10 2nd place winners will receive a $50 prize!

Click here to enter:
http://insiders.purex.com/dryidea-neversweat/?id=243

Yummy (and meatless) Club Sandwich Recipe - with Morningstar Farms

Just tried this tonight for dinner (had my brother and sister-in-law over) and we tried this. It was REALLY delicious! I thought I would share the recipe in case any of you wanted to try it as well. You would NEVER guess that this sandwich was meatless! Sooo yummy and something I will definitely be making again in the future. :)

Morningstar Farms Chik Patties and Veggie Bacon Strips combine in a meatless version of this popular sandwich.

INGREDIENTS

2 slices MorningStar Farms® Veggie Bacon Strips
1 MorningStar Farms® Chik Patties® Original
1 tbs reduced-fat mayonnaise or honey mustard
2 small slices multigrain bread, toasted
1 leaf lettuce
1 slice (1 oz) reduced-fat Cheddar, American or Swiss cheese
2 thin slices tomato

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook MORNINGSTAR FARMS Veggie Bacon Strips according to package directions. Cook MORNINGSTAR FARMS Chik Patties Original patty according to package directions.
2. Spread mayonnaise on one side of each toast slice. Top one slice with lettuce, chik patty, cheese slice (if desired), tomato slices and bacon strips. Place remaining toast slice, mayonnaise side down, on top. Cut sandwich into half. Secure with frilled toothpicks, if desired. Serve immediately.



Thanks to BzzAgent, I was able to receive a coupon for a free product to try. I chose a package of Chipotle Black Bean burgers but I loved those so much that I wanted to try other products from the line! I also received coupons to hand out to friends. Check out Bzzagent.com if you haven't already!

Emmy Rossum - Sentimental Journey Album Review

Before I listened to this album, I was only vaguely familiar with Emmy Rossum's music. What I did hear on the radio, I liked very much. I was excited to review her album and see what she had to offer. Before I begin, I want to let everyone know that I was sent a copy of this CD from One2One Network to give my honest review of it on my blog. All opinions here are still my own and not influenced by my campaign participation in any way. With that being said, let's get into the review! :)

Sentimental Journey, released on January 29th 2013, is a collection of classic covers that takes us through the American Songbook. On Sentimental Journey, the multi-talented actress and singer brings her stellar voice to songs popularized by some of the most beloved artists of the last century.

Emmy's 12-song 'passion project' is an emotional musical journey, with each song representing a month in the year. That was one thing that really inspired me about her album! "Each song needed to either lyrically or emotionally reflect the corresponding month," Emmy explained. "Some songs were obvious fits, like Summer Wind for June, and Pretty Paper for December. Other songs were less literal fits. I chose Nobody Knows You (When You're Down and Out) for September because, to me, the plaintive melody and lyric emotionally reflect the cold weather creeping in and the sense of melancholy we can get in the fall months."

Emmy Rossum is also an acclaimed actress who currently stars in the Showtime series Shameless with William H. Macy. She also stars alongside Emma Thompson and Viola Davis in the upcoming feature film Beautiful Creatures, which hits theaters on February 13th. That is one that I will definitely be seeing! :)

Here is the full track listing from the Sentimental Journey album:

1. Sentimental Journey
2. The Object Of My Affection
3. I m Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover
4. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
5. I ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time
6. Summer Wind
7. Many Tears Ago
8. All I Do Is Dream Of You
9. Nobody Knows You When You re Down And Out
10. Autumn Leaves (Les Feuilles Mortes)
11. Things
12. Pretty Paper

I like the style of music in this album, especially the songs that seemed inspired by the 1920's. Emmy's rendition of Autumn Leaves is outstanding and definitely my favorite song on the album. I have listened to it many times! Emmy Rossum is a real talent and has a beautiful voice. I am definitely looking forward to more music from her in the future!

You can also check out Emmy's “These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)” Music Video at http://youtu.be/wS_NpTClXhA.

Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/emmyrossum

20 Mule Team Borax Product Review

Before I get into my review, I just want everyone to know that Borax provided a free box of their wonderful product so that I could review it. My opinions expressed here are my own, though, and not influenced by the company in any way. Now on to my review!

I will begin by saying that I had heard of Borax prior to being sent a box but never actually tried it. My Mom has been using it for YEARS and swears by it! She uses it in her wash but also said it works GREAT for keeping insects (mostly ants & roaches) out of her screened in porch. She just sprinkles a little around the doorway and ever since then, she hasn't had ONE insect in there. I will definitely have to try that when summer rolls around. During this test, I used it solely for the purpose of washing clothes. The box itself isn't overly fancy. It comes in a regular cardboard box. There isn't anything wrong with that but at first glance, it might be easy to overlook on the shelf at the store.

So what is Borax anyway?

~20 Mule Team Borax is 100% natural mineral from the earth. Once removed from the ground, it is washed, dried, and boxed for consumers.

~Borax is the common name for sodium tetraborate: a naturally occurring substance produced by the perpetual evaporation of seasonal lakes.

~Absolutely nothing is added. No phosphates, chlorine, or other additive chemicals.

What is hard water?

Over 85% of homes have what most people call "hard water." Hard water is defined as water that contains calcium and magnesium (ions). (just to note, we have hard water in our house!)

How does hard water affect laundry?

When you add detergent to hard water, some of the compounds attach to calcium and magnesium granules that settle on the bottom of your washing machine, eventually retreating down the drain without actually cleaning your clothes. What a waste of detergent!

20 Mule Team Borax naturally softens hard water!

20 Mule Team Borax naturally softens hard water, which protects your detergent - so it can maximize cleaning power.

Cleaner clothes than detergent alone

To boost your detergent, simply add 1/2 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax to every load, along with your regular detergent. (may I recommend Purex if you haven't tried it already?) ;)

You'll find that it naturally softens hard water and improves your detergent's cleaning power. It also helps keep stains from being redeposited back onto clothes

I had a great experience with the product. Since we have a problem with hard water in our house, I was excited to see if it would make any difference in our laundry. It really did! I added 1/2 cup of Borax to my laundry along with my Purex liquid laundry detergent. My clothes came out clean every wash and I was left feeling confident that the Borax was helping get my laundry cleaner than ever before! It might not be something that you can see on every load but you get that good feeling knowing that you are going that extra mile to get your laundry to look as good as it possibly can. You can buy this product at most stores and the price is VERY reasonable. If you haven't tried Borax yet, why not give it a try? You can search online for the MANY different uses this product has. It does a lot more than just softening your water to get your laundry cleaner.

For more information about Borax, where you can buy it, cleaning tips & and more, check out their homepage at www.20muleteamlaundry.com