Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Personal Creations - My Review

Valentine's Day has come and gone, but every year the holiday reminds me to give thanks for those that are important in my life.  It seems like holidays that celebrate those we love and love itself demand our attention (and subsequent gift giving) each spring. Birthdays always require thought and attention, and then there is Mother's Day and Father's Day in May and June.  Before we know it, summer is upon us and wedding season is in full swing.  I don't know about you, but I struggle to find great gifts for those that I love.

My mom always is a tough one for me when it comes to gifts.  She is hard to shop for because she is at that stage of her life where if she wants something, she just buys it!  One thing that she does love though is being "Oma" to her grandchildren.  We have named our grandmas "Oma," "Nana," and simply "Grandma."  The kids never get confused as to which person we are talking about.  All of the grandmas love gifts that celebrate their grandma-hood, and we are constantly looking for a gift to fit that mold.  Gardens are something that they all tend, so when I found these Garden Fairy Stakes on the Personal Creations website I was super excited.  They are perfect for the garden, all metal so they can handle the weather, and they each come with a metal stake so they can be placed in the perfect spot.  I bought this set of 2 for $29.99 and two grandma birthdays were covered.  I love original gifts that can be personalized!

I love to celebrate the love I have with my husband whom I married in 1996.  We moved into a new home last fall, and I have had a spot above our bathtub that I wanted to decorate with something special.  I found this cool Faith Hope Love Wedding Slate on the Personal Creations website, and I knew my search was over.  The plaque measures 8"L by 8"W and comes with a leather cord to hang it with.  While I bought it just because, I think it would make a great wedding gift.  At $24.99 this gift would be not only unique, but very reasonable!



There are so many cool things to purchase and personalize on this website.  The options are endless, and their are gifts that would be perfect for many different gift-giving occasions.  I found some Personal Creations Website Coupons that would make your purchase even more awesome so check those out.  Have fun and make sure to bookmark this site for future purchases.  I know you will use it!  Here are some other great examples of what is sold on the Personal Creations website!









I was offered a choice of products at Personal Creations in return for my unbiased review.  I found it difficult to narrow down what I received, and I would freely choose Personal Creations as a site to purchase fun gifts to send for any occasion.  Opinions in this post are my own, and I will only recommend products and services that I believe are worth sharing.  Thanks for reading and make sure to share the best gifts with those that you love!











Friday, February 8, 2013

Morning Star Farms Veggie Burgers

I have been involved with BzzAgent for quite some time now.  I have gotten to test out some pretty exciting products, so I love getting emails asking me to join in on testing something new.  There are some programs I have turned down because I don't feel they are a good fit for me.  The most recent program I was invited to required a little bit of thought.  I almost turned this one down, but I am SUPER happy that I didn't.



I tried veggie burgers many years back.  I found them to be dry and tasteless.  No amount of cheese and toppings could made them palatable.  Since BzzAgent was going to allow me to test the veggie burgers out with no cost to myself, I decided to give them another try.  All that was asked of me was to give my honest opinion.  No problem there - I was ready to lay it all out there.  When I went to the store, I was surprised at the selection.  I went with the Tomato and Basic Pizza Morning Star Farms Veggie Burger, well because it did sound good.

You can cook these burgers in the microwave, so I zapped it for a couple of minutes, and noticed a heavenly aroma begin to fill my kitchen.  I paired the veggie burger with some mixed greens and salsa.  I was won over by the wonderful taste of this garden burger.  It wasn't dry and it had a great pizza-taste. I really am surprised at how good these taste.

At the beginning of the year, I made a conscious decision not to eat meat at my noon meal.  These veggie burgers are a great alternative.  I look forward to trying out all of the different varieties.  They are easy to find.  I bought mine at Walmart.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Shari's Berries - A Fun Valentine Gift Option!


If you are like me, Valentine's Day can present a bit of a problem.   When it comes to buying something for my hubby, flowers are out, and those boxes of tasteless chocolates will never enter our home.  I want to give him a gift that shows a little bit of flirt, but doesn't deviate from his style.  I discovered a cool gift that is romantic and fun.


I recently made a purchase through Shari's Berries which is an online store that has an awesome selection of gifts that can be romantic and fun.  I ordered their specialty - chocolate dipped strawberries along with a Gourmet Cheese and Snack board.  I was able to pick the delivery day and include a personal message.


 My order was shipped overnight, and arrived carefully packaged.  I opened the box containing my strawberries to find them in an insulated box with an ice pack on top to keep the strawberries in an ideal climate.When I opened the box with the berries, inside I found huge, beautiful berries.  They were almost too beautiful to eat, well almost.  I shared with my kids and hubby that night, and the berries were sweet and fresh.  

The next night, we sampled the Cheese and Snack board.  It included tea, salami, spreadable cheese, crackers, almonds, a mustard dip, pretzels, along with the board and a spreading knife.  I found it easy to display the treats with our company, and everyone gladly sampled while we chatted over wine.



Take a look around the Shari's Berries and look at all they have to offer.  I found the website easy to maneuver   Options and prices are easy to find.  Shipping costs are a bit high, but that is because the orders are shipped overnight with packaging that keeps the berries and other goodies fresh.  Other options include cakes, cookies, and nut packages.  I know many men would love getting a Shari's Berries gift from their love this Valentine's Day!  

I even got a link for some awesome Shari's Berries Coupons that include up to 20% off or $15 off an order of $59 or more.  These coupons expire soon, so check them out!

I was offered a choice of products at Shari's Berries in return for my unbiased review.  I found it difficult to narrow down what I received, and I would freely choose Shari's Berries as a site to purchase fun gifts to send for any occasion.  Opinions in this post are my own, and I will only recommend products and services that I believe are worth sharing.  Thanks for reading and make sure to share something special with those you love this Valentine's Day!

Global Green USA Green School Makeover Competition Presented by Pureology



I love this program sponsored by Pureology. Global Green USA is letting us sponsor our local schools to benefit from learning in a healthier environment that come from modern green upgrades.

When a school goes green, children benefit—as well as the environment! Green schools lead to:

Improved student performance. When children learn in classrooms with natural daylight, improved sound quality and non-toxic building materials such as non-VOC carpets and paints, test scores can improve as much as 20%. Attendance also improves!

More funds for student resources. When green upgrades are made to a school, water and energy costs can be reduced by as much as 40%. These savings can be channeled back into resources that directly benefit students, such as textbooks, computers and other essentials.

Reduced carbon footprint. Greening a school significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.

Take action and nominate a school for Global Green USA’s Green School Makeover Competition Presented by Pureology! From January 1 to March 31, 2013, visit Pureology.com/GreenSchools to learn more and nominate a school. If you need help, work with your school principal or school facilities administrator to complete the application. Remember to think about the types of green upgrades your school needs and why.

I am sending in my kids' school for this contest. I think most schools could benefit from a green upgrade. Learn more by clicking HERE.



Thursday, January 3, 2013

Zicam Rapid Melts Cold Remedy


I received samples of Zicam Rapid Melts Cold Remedy as a member of Crowdtap.  They sent me enough to try for myself and to share with friends and family.  They are small white discs, about the size of a nickel.  You simply let them dissolve in your mouth and then don't eat or drink for a short time afterward.  I personally used them and found them to shorten the length of my cold.  I was excited not only to try the Zicam Cold Remedy Rapid Melts, but to share them with others. 
My Aunt works for a homeopathic doctor and has sent me homeopathic remedies for years now. At first I was skeptical, but after using them, I found them to be helpful. I have used them in the past to prevent the flu, treat colds, and for pain management. I even used a homeopathic remedy to ease pain during labor.
I am the proud momma to three children, two of which can take Zicam when they start to feel a cold coming on. They have gotten in the habit of asking me where the Zicam is when they feel their throats get sore. So far they have each gotten over a cold in record time by taking Zicam in the first few days of symptoms. I am sure with school starting back up, they will be using these again this week!
My third child is 2 and I take her with me to the gym nursery when I work out. She typically catches a cold from her friends there and shares it with me every other week. I know exercise is a great way to keep our bodies healthy and avoid colds, but adding Zicam at the first symptoms is extra helpful!  I found that after using Zicam for just two short days of a cold starting, my symptoms disappear.
I also gave out samples to my hubby who has frequent meetings and contact with those he manages. He reluctantly tried them at first, but I insisted when he came home with a headache and sore throat. He is an awesome provider, but a terrible patient! He claims that he would have gotten over his cold within a few days even without the Zicam, but I know better :)
Overall, I think this is a great product that works well. I like how quickly they dissolve, and I am excited to use a product that helps prevent a cold from getting worse instead of just treating symptoms.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Healthy Choice Baked Entrees

I was put on a mission through Crowdtap to test and share some excellent coupons for the new Healthy Choice Baked Entrees.  I think the favorite in my family was the Lasagna.  I shared a frozen meal with a relative who is pretty sick.  He enjoyed having a fresh and healthy meal that didn't require a lot of preparation.  I think Healthy Choice frozen meals are perfect not only for someone who is looking for a quick meal while at work, but also for those that are elderly or sick and can't cook healthy meals easily.

Healthy Choice Baked Entree - LASAGNA!!!
I have some great coupons for the new Healthy Choice Baked Entrees to share!  Get yours HERE before they are gone.  This is for a limited time since the coupons are such a high value.  Enjoy!!

There are several varieties of these new entrees to try:  Chicken and Rice Cheddar Bake, Fettuccine Alfredo Bake, Four Cheese Ziti Marinara, Italian Sausage Pasta Bake, Roasted Chicken and Potatoes, and of course Lasagna with Meat.Sauce.

I am an active member on Crowdtap where I receive compensation for my participation.  I did receive coupons and minimal compensation for my activity with the new Healthy Choice Baked Entrees, but my opinions are all my own.  If you haven't had a chance to try out Crowdtap, here is a link to get you started!  Crowdtap Invitation

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Wet Ones Sticky Situations Facebook Contest

I don't know about you, but Wet Ones remind me of my childhood.  It seems my mom always had a tub of them available to wipe down my hands and face whenever I made a mess of myself.  I naturally use Wet Ones with my own family.  When preparing for camping season every year, a tub of Wet Ones is purchased.  I buy them to keep in the camper to clean messy hands after digging for bugs in the dirt and clean-up after eating s'mores.  They do an amazing job of removing things like tree sap and dirt, not to mention GERMS!

I buy the single-use wipes to keep in my car.  I can't resist getting ice cream for my kids on hot summer days, but eating ice cream cones in the car creates sticky fingers.  My Wet Ones supply has come in handy on many occasions during our family outings.  Unlike basic wipes, Wet Ones kill 99.99% of germs so hands can be cleaned with comfort, knowing germs will not remain.  




Wet Ones is having a contest through the end of the month.  They are looking for your sticky situations. I had a lot of fun remembering all of our sticky situations, and narrowed down the best one to enter in this contest.  It is easy to enter, just click: Wet Ones Sticky Situations Contest




One of my favorite sticky situations happened when I had a few minutes of peace.  You know those times when you get busy doing something and then realize that you haven't heard anything from your normally loud toddler for a while?  You immediately know she is up to no good.  My little girl didn't fail on this occasion.


Yes - what you are seeing here is my mascara, my adorable little girl, and her once clean baby-doll.  Lucky for me she didn't attempt to put the mascara directly on her eyelashes, and apparently she couldn't quite get the mascara on her doll correctly either.  A Wet One did a great job of cleaning her up, and luckily it worked on her doll too!  

Wet Ones has launched a Sticky Situations Facebook contest asking Moms to share their best helpful and creative tips on how to get out of a ‘sticky situation.'  I entered this picture in the contest, and I am sure you have a favorite picture to enter in the contest as well!  Simply log on and share your story and tips, and you can be entered to win an iPad Mini or Six Flags Tickets!   Here is the link:  Wet Ones Sticky Situations Contest


I think I enjoyed going through photos looking for the best one to submit for this contest.  It was super easy to enter once I chose which sticky situation I was going to use.  Go enter and good luck! 




I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Wet Ones. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.  Please visit Mom Central for more information.