Palmolive You- A Fresh Infusions Review

I don't enjoying cooking.  Why, you ask?

Easy.  I hate the clean-up.  We'll ignore the fact that I have NO natural talent in the kitchen and focus on my OCD.  I hate messes.  I hate "dirty".  I cannot rest until everything is in its place.

A pot, pan or dish with caked on food and grease... well, that drives me crazy.  I may have a dishwasher, but I still hand-wash my greasy pots and pans before putting them in there.  So you can only imagine how... um, "picky" I am about my dish liquid!

I was given three bottles of Palmolive's Fresh Infusions Dish Liquid to test out from Influenster*.  It comes in three scents that were "designed with elegant simplicity and the freshest scents in mind".  These scents are:

-Ginger White Tea
-Lemon Thyme
-Lime Basil

I kept the 'Lime Basil' and gave the other two to my sister and mom.  It's been about a week now.  I've used it to clean pots, pans and even my kiddo's toys.

The scent is unique.  I love lime and basil so I thought it would be an interesting combo.  It is.  In my opinion, in warm and cold water, the scent is delightful.  I know that may sound corny, but that word describes the fragrance perfectly.

As for its cleaning power?  It may not say that it cuts through grease on the bottle... oh, but it does!  It leaves your dishes sparkling clean with a zesty, clean scent.

Palmolive is a trusted brand.  It does not test on animals.  Although they use chemicals, they give you the rundown of what is in the dish liquids and why it is in the formula.  I respect a company that educates their consumers.  You can visit their website HERE.

Palmolive has generously given some awesome coupons to me to pass on to my readers!  Palmolive's Fresh Infusions retails for about $2.99 at Walmart and Target.  I have FIVE coupons to save $1.50 on one bottle in any of the three scents.  That's a 50% SAVINGS!

The first five comments win.  Limit one coupon per person and address.

*I was not paid to review this product.   I received these items from Influenster as part of a promotion.  If you are interested in becoming an Influenster too, let me know by commenting below!        

A Tribute to My Star

I knew my grandfather had died before anyone told me.

That morning, I was awakened by a throbbing, pounding, pulsing, jackhammer-to-the-brain kind of headache.  Never before had a headache pulled me out of a deep sleep.  It took about two hours, but I was able to fall back asleep.

I guess at this point, I should tell you that I knew my grandfather was sick.  I knew he was in the hospital.  I knew his health was on a downward slope.  However, my father had told my sister to go on her belated birthday, overnight trip with her hubby.  My grandfather even told my sister to make sure her hubby had a beer for him!  It didn't seem like he would pass away less than 24 hours later.  Surely, we would have been asked to come to the hospital... to say our good-byes.  It seemed that there was still time left on his clock.

When I woke up, I called my sister.  She said my dad had texted her AND her hubby earlier that morning, but that they were sleeping.  She said that if it was bad, I would have gotten a call too.  That made sense, right?  But still... something seemed off.  So I called my mom.  I knew before she even confirmed it.

I said "Pop-Pop died... didn't he?"  She said "Yes. I'm so sorry, baby."

Shock set in.  All I could absorb was this overwhelming feeling of absence.  Something had left me... something was missing.  I didn't know what to do with myself.  I really mean it... I didn't know if I should sit or stand, so I alternated.  I didn't know if I should call someone or keep to myself.  I didn't know what came next.

When I called my hubby, who was at a work-related function, I lost it.  When I had to say "My grandfather died.", the tears began.  The floodgates were opened and I felt like I was drowning in my tears.  I was gulping for air.  I felt weights on my ankles pulling me under.

 Memories rushed towards me.  Pop-Pop, teaching me how to ride a bike.  Pop-Pop, helping me fish.  Pop-Pop, hugging me on my wedding day.  Pop-Pop, holding my newborn daughter while she smiled for the first time.  He was everywhere.  He was part of everything.  He was part of me.

And then I realized that I would never hear him refer to me as his "Nicker Nik" ever again.  I would never see him smile.  He had a great smile... it was infectious.  He could make the grinch's heart grow with that smile.  I would never be on the receiving end of one of his big bear hugs ever again.  He was gone.

This amazing human being has been gone for three months now.  I have been fumbling through this new territory... this Pop-Pop-less world.  There are times where the tears just come and I can't push them away.  Everyday, I think of him and miss him.  I see things that remind me of him and I'll think about how he'll never see them again.

A friend of mine said "Oh, I didn't realize that this would have affected you so much.  I mean, it was just a grandparent."  I couldn't believe she said that.  That floored me.  I was speechless.  Afterall, he was so much more than JUST a grandparent.  Growing up, we lived with my grandparents.  I saw them everyday as a kid.  Every play, game and recital, he was there.  Every birthday, holiday, and special occasion, he was there.

I loved him.  I LOVE him. THAT explains my grief.  And THAT is good enough of an explanation. 

For some reason, I had held onto the money that my grandmother and him had sent me for Christmas.  This would be my last gift from him.  I needed to make it last.  I decided on a lasting tribute to him.

My grandfather had been in the Navy.  He served in WWII and the Korean War.  He was proud of his service to our country.  

I decided on a nautical star.  This way, I would be honoring his naval service. Also, I would have a star that would represent him... watching over me, protecting me... from the heavens... much like he did in life.

Beach Burn Be Gone! Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen

I recently went to the beach with my in-laws, hubby and kiddo. We packed up the umbrellas, the beach chairs and towels. I got my daughter ready. She was all sunscreened up! I threw on my bathing suit, pulled my hair into a ponytail and lathered my body up with Hawaiian Tropics Silk Hydration lotion sunscreen. I wasn't planning on planting my butt underneath an umbrella... I was going to soak up the sunshine. Hawaiian Tropics protected my skin. It wasn't greasy, it felt just like regular body lotion. It has a nice beachy scent to it.

And it works. You want to know how I know it works?

That's right. I forgot to SPF-ify my face. It got burnt... bad. The only spots on me that burned in the two hours that we were out in the sun and sand were the parts that weren't treated to the hydrating protection of Hawaiian Tropic!

A couple days later, we went to a waterpark. I coated my body in the safety of Hawaiian Tropics SPF 30. No sunburn! Added bonus: I didn't even have to reapply it in the three hours that we were there.

Here's a little more info on this awesome sun-protector. According to Influenster, "With its ultra luxurious hydrating silk ribbons, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration lotion sunscreen nourishes and pampers skin while providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and 12 hour moisturization when out in the sun." Available in SPF 12, 30 and 50. It will run you around $8.99 for a 6oz bottle, but it is well worth it!

Visit Hawaiian Tropics website to receive a $1.00 OFF coupon towards your next sunscreen purchase!

Disclaimer: I received this product, compliments of Influenster, in the Summer Beauty VoxBox. I was not paid to review this product.

Venus & Olay Razor... she's got it! Yeah, baby, she's got it!

In my Influenster Love VoxBox, I received many goodies, including the Gillette Venus & Olay Razor. Most women are familiar with the Gillette Venus brand. You've either used one, seen them in the stores or remember the commercials! I don't know about you, but when I spot them in the store, I start humming or singing "Yeah, baby, she's got it!". Then again, I used to be a Bananarama fan back (way back) in the day.



I have dry skin... especially in the winter. When I say dry, I mean it. The skin on my body is flaking off! So gross. But anyways, whenever I shave my legs, I swear the razor takes off two layers of skin. The moisture strips on my usual razors last for the first leg and leave me little protection on my second one. My kiddo thinks shaving involves blood because I'm always all nicked up afterwards.

I tried the Gillette Venus & Olay Razor the very night that I received my goods!
According to the description given to me by Influenster, "Gillette Venus & Olay are coming together to deliver a gold standard in shaving... Olay Moisture Bars help lock-in moisture to your skin, while Venus' five blades shave you close."

If I could insert sounds of angels singing right now, I surely would. This razor is heaven-sent (which I guess makes sense with the goddess theme). Not only did I get the awesomeness of Olay to moisturize my oh-so-dry legs, but the Venus razor left me soft, smooth and without a single nick on me. This is the FIRST time that I did not suffer a shaving related wound since I started shaving twenty years ago!!

I still can't believe the impressiveness of the product. It is not available yet, but when it comes to a store near you, do your legs a favor and treat them to a goddess-like pampering. You deserve it!

Gillette Venus & Olay Razor will retail for between $8.99-$10.99. Check out their website: www.gillettevenus.com.


Disclaimer: I received this product, compliments of Influenster. I was not paid to review this product.

My Influenster Challenge

I received my first VoxBox from Influenster yesterday! Influenster sends new products to ordinary folks (like me) to test and evaluate then if we like what we use, we recommend it to everyone we know!

Check them out at www.influenster.com

I'll be posting reviews as I try it all out. Keep a look out for updates RIGHT HERE on my blog!

Side Note:
This was the very first time that I ever used my laptop's webcam so the picture quality isn't the best. You can see everything clearly, it is not just as "crisp" as I would have liked!

Where Have You Been, Pardner?

Wow! It's been awhile since I last posted anything to this little blog of mine. Why? I've been busying launching my business as an Independent Scentsy Consultant. The company is family-oriented, the products are super cool and the scents are fab-u-lous. Starting a business isn't easy. It takes a lot of work. The hardest part= building clientele. No doubt.

I'll stop right here. This isn't a Scentsy post. Just let me quick share a pic of this really cute buddy named Wellington. I think he might just end up in my daughter's Easter Basket this year!

So my best friend, and fellow blogger, FartyGirl, recently had a post where she encouraged her followers to post their answers to the following questions. I thought it was neat. So below are mine, feel free to add your answers as well!

Here it goes: 14 Random Things

1. Why did you start blogging?

For as long as I can remember, I loved writing. Like any amateur writer, I dream of being published, but I know that it won't happen. I lack the discipline... plus I'm a much better "listener" than teller of tales. That's probably why I majored in Psychology in college as opposed to Creative Writing. Anyways, I started this blog to get back to writing... and to have a way to hold myself accountable to the diet that I started back in January of 2010. This started as a diet blog, but evolved into the hodgepodge of things that it is today.

2. What is one food you could never live without?

I don't even have to think about this answer! Pizza. I love pizza. I was even singing to my kid about how much I love pizza yesterday and she said "Yeah, mommy, I know you do!"

3. What is your biggest fear?
I don't even want to type it, I'm THAT superstitious. Let's just say that I pray for the health and happiness of my family and myself every night.

4. Name three things in your bag.
Sunglasses, Coloring Book with Crayons, Scentsy Wax Samples

5. Favorite Ethnic Food.
Mexican. I love good Mexican food. And any Italian. I grew up with my Italian grandfather and my amazing grandmother's cooking. Gnocchi or Lasagna were my birthday dinner requests for many years.

6. If you could spend 1 month anywhere, where would it be?
The beach. Not the touristy-type beaches, but a more low key place. Not a deserted island, but intimate. You know, the beaches with the small town feel to them.

7. Favorite recipe found on someone else's blog.
I'm not much of a cook. I honestly can't think of one!

8. When did you last laugh?
With my kiddo. She brings out the silly side of me, i.e. singing about my love for pizza.

10. What band/album are you most smitten with right now?
I'm not much of a music person. I know that is strange, who doesn't like music, right? That being said, I have been on a Dave Matthews kick lately. His music is like poetry to my ears.

11. What is the last book you read?
That would be "STORItelling" by Tori Spelling. Don't judge. She's actually a pretty cool chick. Before that book, I read "11/22/63" by Stephen King. It was SO GOOD! Really didn't want it to end. I highly recommend that book. Now I'm in the middle of "The Midwife's Confession", it's a little predictable, but I'm enjoying it.

12. Who is your favorite comedian?
Whitney Cummings. Not many comedians can make me laugh out loud, but she does.

13. Do you have any tattoos?
Ten. 75% of them are only seen regularly by my hubby though! ;)

14. Do you like your middle name?
No. It isn't a very feminine name. It doesn't go with my first name. The only thing that I DO like about it is that my mom and my sister have the same middle name.

So there it is! One last thing...

I've been toying around with a post about the new TV show, "Once Upon A Time". Between the beauty of the landscape, the fairytale storylines and my little crush on Robert Carlyle, I have a lot to write about this addicting show. Stay tuned!