How To Achieve Extraordinary Hair Status

This post was sponsored by L’Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare as part of a sampling activation for Crowdtap. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.


I can't even think of enough adjectives to describe these fab products I recently tried! 

If you ever suffer from dry, frizzy hair, straight or curly, well, this line and more importantly, this product, deserves the next few minutes of your attention. 

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare created some of the most intriguing products out there right now! I can't get enough of their Extraordinary Oil line!! 

I Wish I Had These Scented Markers When I Was A Kid!

"This post was sponsored by Mr. Sketch® as part of a sampling activation for Crowdtap. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review."

I remember scented markers from when I was a little kid. (A long time ago, like back in the 70's and 80's!) and I remember the whole class being super ecstatic, every time our teacher pulled the scented markers out. They smelled so much like chocolate, and chemicals, and omg! You could smell the black marker from a mile away! Sometimes, if you were close enough and it was being used a lot, your eyes would water. But, we didn't care! Because, it was scented markers! They were almost as cool as scratch and sniff stickers! So, I was more then pleased when I smelled these markers. They certainly don't have that gross eye watering, chemical scent to them at all. Actually, they smell very similar to what the package lists them as smelling like.

My kids love these markers and they use them a great deal! They work well, smell good, they actually are washable, and the colors are bold and bright! I'm not a fan of banana scent. I would have preferred lemon, but, the banana scented marker is my 5 year old son's very favorite one! My favorites are the cinnamon (brown) and blueberry (the darker, brighter blue.)

I intend on grabbing a bigger pack and having them on hand for birthday gift add ons, prizes for parties, and for my own kids, so when they run out (they will at some point.), they can open another pack. I think these go well for rainy day arts and crafts, gifts, just regular artwork days when your kids want to draw and color for hours and hours, (seems like this is everyday!) and of course, my 9 year old daughter just has to use them to color coordinate her journals, book covers, notebooks, and anything else that needs a splash of bright color and a fruity or candy scent.

Oh yeah, if you check the back of the pack, you will see this really awesome label!! It reads, "Assembled in the USA!" This seems to be so rare these days and whenever I do see a label similar to this, I'm a fan for life.

Amope Electronic Foot File Review (Yes, I LOVE This Product!)

** I received this product for free in return for my honest review, thanks to Crowdtap and Amope. All opinions and statements are my own. **

I have a few obscure disorders and diseases that affect my legs, feet and ankles. This all started from having broken and sprained feet and ankles, years ago, and bartending for over 20 years and finally, failed reconstructive foot and ankle surgeries that caused severe nerve damage, drop foot, RSD/CRPS, and some other nonsense that won't heal. Due to this, I am in severe pain almost 24/7 and my skin is very sensitive and extremely dry. The only time I can remember having silky soft skin on my feet was longer then 10 years ago. I have tried several creams, files, scrubs, nothing helps and this is with daily work. I can't use the metal files and some files due to the pain they cause. I was a little worried about Amope because it looked more rough then it actually is and I just can't believe how easy this is to use or how comfortable it is!!

Amope claims this will help instantly and it really does. I am surprised to be honest and I just can't imagine not having this on hand. I am very pleased with this product, it has given me the confidence to actually not wear socks 24 hours a day!! Oh, speaking of this, I am not able to wear shoes due to my conditions so, I am always wearing slippers. As long as they don't touch the tops of my feet. I have hyper active, hyper sensitive nerves and even just the wind blowing on my legs, is painful. I also live in Pennsylvania where we actually have winter weather and of course, rain. So, being out when it's wet, in slippers, just adds to my problems. I can say that Amope has changed this aspect of my life and I just can't thank them enough.

I do use this every other day, at least and I usually just use it dry. It seems to work better dry then wet. I think the handle is perfect and it charges fairly quickly. This does have 2 speeds, which is great and it is super easy to operate. (Another plus!) I also think the price for a 2 pack of replacement heads is reasonable.

Of course, it is quite messy, which is something I find with most products like this and it is expected. I mean, you are basically sanding off dry skin and it will leave a mess which is not at fault of the product itself. It's just one of those annoying things that happens. The fact that I am not embarrassed by my heels, means much more to me then my own icky, dead skin flying around.

The only other con I can think of is the packaging. I really, really, really wish that nothing was put in these annoying plastic boxes that are such a pain to open and I know there have got to be other ways to box this up and make it look pretty at the store. (Whoever invented this crazy packaging that brands seem to think is the best choice, needs to find a new line of work!)

Other then that, I love everything about this product and I am ecstatic that I was able to try it! I haven't been bothering with new files for a while, due to so many bad investments. Oh, I also should mention that this electronic file has a safety feature that will automatically shut the file off if you are pressing to hard. I understand some people have a problem with this feature but for somebody like me, with chronic pain and other health issues, it is superb!

Ok, so, I don't mean to gross anybody out but I have to include a few pictures so you can see the results!! (Don't mind my crazy dry skin. Especially since it is no longer there!! WOOHOO!) 

So, the top left is my before picture. The one at the top right is an instant picture because it seriously smooths the driest of skin, in an instant, just as they say! 
The next 2 pictures are from a few days later and as long as I keep up with at least every couple of days, I am golden! 

What do you think of Amope products? Have you tried their new Pedi Perfect Wet Dry Electronic Foot File? What do you think? 

My Little Pony Toys From Playskool

** We received a few My Little Pony toys thanks to Crowdtap and Playskool, in return for our review. All opinions are our own!**

I am sure a lot of you remember having My Little Ponies as a kid or maybe your own children or younger siblings. My little sisters had these toys and just loved them! I don't know how many times we had to run through the house, trying to help find those teeny tiny combs and brushes they came with!!

As a member of Crowdtap, sometimes we get to sample new products and much to my surprise, being in the Playskool Crew, we were offered an opportunity to review some new My Little Pony toys! (Yes please!)

First up, is the My Little Pony Rainbow Dash Friendship Bus! This is such a cute toy and full of colorful fun for little ones. The price is pretty snazzy for this bus! Especially when you find out that it includes, Rainbow Dash herself! Of course you will have to buy a couple more My Little Pony toys because the bus seats 3 of them and your little one will need to be sure that this is filled to capacity. That's ok though, because, the prices on all of the new My Little Pony toys are more then reasonable.

The Rainbow Dash Friendship Bus, has a button for little ones to push, a little roller, and a door that swings open. They can also open and close the sign on the bus and yes, indeed, they can carry this easily too!

I do really like technology but there comes a time when toys without screens and even batteries are more important, Mainly for imagination and learning how to play with others. Children need to play with boxes and blocks and make crafts and play with cars and trucks and dolls and My Little Pony Friends! Besides the fact that you don't have to set up a bunch of passwords, connect a credit card, and worry about your toddler making several hundred dollars in purchases at the Google Play Store, (yes, this has happened to me!), the packaging won't make your eyes bleed! It's fairly simple and Playskool has kept it fairly simple. Maybe because they know that little kids just like to play and use their imaginations!

If you have a couple toddlers, be sure to grab a collector's set or 2! You're going to want to have plenty of My Little Pony Friends around for everybody. They can fit one in each tiny fist :)

I am buying a few of the collector's sets and I also need a castle or 2 so, I have been checking prices and sure enough, these are usually found somewhere on sale so it wouldn't take much to just go right ahead and stock up for every little girl (and even big brothers and little brothers will play too!), that you know. We are adding these little cuties to our gift guide and what a fabulous gift they would make for your special Valentine!

What do you think of the new My Little Pony Friend line? Did you play with My Little Ponies when you were a kid? Or are you one of the lucky ones who had to search sofa cushions for those itty bitty brushes and combs?

Need Another Reason To Host A Cookout?

** I received a free product of Johnsonville Grillers, through Crowdtap, in return for my honest review. All statements are my own. **

Yes! I was just about jumping out of my seat when I received an email from Crowdtap that I was accepted for the Johnsonville Grillers Sample and Share! Of course we grill food and burgers and hot dogs are top of our list for summer meals. Plus, I get a night off from cooking dinner since my husband will grill and I just have to worry about getting everything out of the freezer, on plates and maybe set the table. Oh and then, the kids all run outside with their dad while he grills so that is a nice bonus! Free time! Woohoo! So, yeah, you can probably see why this was just like getting a bouquet of flowers delivered!


I know, you're probably sitting there, thinking, "Ok, like, were they good burgers or what?" Yes. I would say so. But, I have to tell you about the grocery store trip first!


I was just out and about running errands, not expecting to see Johnsonville Grillers already, at our local grocery store. We live in a rural area and it seems to take our grocery store a bit longer to get most new products in but, these were highlighted the very same week I was out and just got word I would be trying these out so, I grabbed several boxes.


There was a sale and Johnsonville Grillers are already reasonably priced and they had a display with $1 off 1 box coupons so, I figured I would stock up while I was shopping. Johnsonville offers 5 flavors/types and I grabbed up 2 of each of 3 of those 5. We tried: Cheddar and Bacon, Mushroom and Swiss and Steakhouse Onion. They also have: Original Brat and Cheddar.


As soon as I came home with all of the groceries and our 6 boxes of burgers, of course, everybody was like, "Woohoo! Dad should cook dinner tonight!" (Grill dinner.) Thankfully, he did and we were able to try these much anticipated, flavorful burgers. This is the kid's favorite time of year for many reasons. School is almost out (out for the summer now.) and it's burger, hot dog and roasting marshmellow time.


I'm the only one who will eat a mushroom and swiss burger so, I rarely, very rarely get the chance to have one so this was starting to seem more like a holiday or a vacation then anything! I still wonder now, looking back, if maybe I was to anxious and expecting something that was going to just be so out of this world that I would never change back to any other brand. I don't know exactly what happened but I feel like I was let down. Again, I don't know how much of this was my fault.

I went back to the grocery store the next week and bought out usual brand of cheddar and bacon burgers and we decided to have a taste test grill party. The kids were definitely up for this and another night off from cooking a whole meal on my own, absolutely!!


We had the 2 Cheddar and Bacon brands, our usual and Johnsonville Grillers, Mushroom and Swiss and the yummiest of all, Steakhouse Onion. Now, we did enjoy the Steakhouse Onion quite a bit. Out of all of the flavor varieties we tried by Johnsonville, that is the one we will buy regularly because it does have a good taste to it and it tastes like what it says it is on the box.


The Johnsonville Cheddar and Bacon and Mushroom and Swiss, sort of just tasted the same but they weren't bad tasting, They just didn't seem to be as exceptionally tasty as first thought. I wouldn't rush to the store to buy them and I wouldn't purchase them but I would buy them to have for a gathering with family, neighbors and friends since they are reasonably priced and they are worth the money. I would probably stick with Steakhouse Onion and then offer toppings although, I believe Cheddar and Bacon will be a big hit for some too.


One of the reasons Johnsonville Grillers won't be replacing our regular brand, for now, is because all of the flavors seem to taste similar and have the same "grill like" flavor already wrapped into them. No matter how you cook them, you will have the fresh off of the grill taste, which some will love. However, I think that the "grill like" taste is slightly overpowering and takes away from the other flavors in the burgers.

They do look so tempting and  flavorful it really is a shame that we didn't fall in love with them at first bite. The Johnsonville Grillers also had a bit more grease inside for some reason, then other burgers and maybe that is the "grill like" flavor, all locked up and is to be meant as juicy? I don't know. But, we just weren't fans.

This was my 2nd Johnsonville Mushroom and Swiss burger, as you can see, I did have to add some mushrooms and swiss cheese to make it taste more like a mushroom and swiss burger. I ate one without extra toppings and if it weren't for the fact that I could see the little bits of toppings inside, I would have never known it was a Mushroom and Swiss Griller.


I would recommend the Johnsonville Griller line to people who want something better then a plain old burger for when a lot of company is stopping by. If you are on a budget, these will be perfect! I would also recommend to people who love the grill taste whether they make them inside in a pan or in a George Foreman grill or on the grill. If you are sick of regular, bland burgers but you aren't really into burgers that have cheese dripping off and come extra loaded, then these may be the perfect fit! I didn't expect them to be super duper bursting with cheddar cheese and bacon or anything but I did expect to be able to tell the difference with my eyes closed.


More pros about Johnsonville Grillers: Johnsonville is a trusted, well known brand that has been around for awhile. We do purchase other Johnsville products and we love them a lot. But, they are the Johnsonville sausage products. Although, I am still searching for the Italian sausage slices in a store near me!! Another pro, they are fast and simple to make! Perfect for a quick dinner when your schedule is busy with baseball, soccer, whatever your kids are busy with this summer. and again, these are perfect for the person who wants something just a little more then a plain hamburger or cheeseburger. You may like the locked in grill taste and if you doctor these babies up just right, they may end up being your new favorite!


I would love to hear your thoughts on Johnsonville Grillers. Have you tried them? What do you think? Are you a fan of Johnsonville sausage products like we are? Do you have any suggestions or recipes for the Griller varieties?

Cottonelle Mega Roll

** I received a sample of Cottenelle Mega Roll through Crowdtap in return for my honest review. All statements are my own. **

This is a little ridiculous, I know. I am writing a blog post about toilet paper. Well, I mean, this new mega Roll is quite amazing (Yes, amazing is an overused adjective these days.) But, I can't really think of another way to put it. Fabulous? Fantastic? Awesome? (another overused adjective), Radical? Gnarly? (Ok, now I'm showing my age.) You know what I mean.

I received this 9 roll pack of Mega Roll toilet paper and believe me, in a house of 5 (was 6 and sometimes feels like 20), a 9 roll pack doesn't last much longer then a week. Sometimes, it wouldn't even last a full week. Cottonelle says each Mega Roll is equal to 4 rolls of toilet paper. Ok, I thought this was absurd at first too. It ends up, they are correct and it will be hard to change back to any Ultra, Double, Triple roll, ever again. Of course, we have a stockpile of ultra triple rolls toilet paper. I order so much online when I find a good sale so, we have to get through that pile first. As soon as we do, I am switching to Cottonelle Mega Roll. (Oh yeah, the price is nice too. It also helped that there was a $1.50 off coupon, attached to the pack I received from Crowdtap!)


I never did understand why the toilet paper holders always have more room, plenty of room, for BIGGER ROLLS! So many stepped up to the plate, but here we are, no matter how ultra, triple, quadruple they get, there is still room to expand. It seems Cottonelle just figured this out.


When my 11 year old asked what I was writing about tonight, I said, "I have to write about the new toilet paper we have been using." and he said, "Well, like you always say, look at that roll and think about the type of personality that roll would have if you were writing a story. What do you see?" I said, "Well, it reminds me of a superhero. The kind that saw a tired, super busy mom who finally had a break to run to the bathroom and just sat down and for the first time ever, the roll wasn't empty. Matter of fact, it was like an endless supply of toilet paper and when your kids and husband are to lazy to change it, it's ok, because, it's the MEGA ROLL!" My cartoon loving, video game addict just nodded and said, "Yeah, I was thinking something like that. and if he had a name, it would be, Larry, Larry the Mega Roll!" So, yeah, see? Even the little ones agree!


One of my favorite ways to get essential oils in our everyday lives, is to make everything scented. I always add a few drops of lime, lemon or orange oil on the tube and when it rolls, you get a nice scent of citrus! Most days, I end up doing this at least once. But, with the Mega Rolls, it hasn't been a daily, "Oh, I have to grab my oil to put in the tube!" task. Because, it actually lasts!


I can't help it. Little things make me so ecstatically happy that sometimes I can't stop talking about it! Something as little as the size of a toilet paper roll, does matter and it does help in many areas of our lives. (Unless I'm just crazy.) But, I do believe that Cottonelle totally saved me a lot of unnecessary stress.

My Undercover Lover aka Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters

** I received a free sample from Brookside and Crowdtap, in return for my honest review. All of my opinions are my own. **

It all started the day the mail woman stopped at the mailbox for longer than the typical fly by drop off. She hesitated for a moment before opening the door and as I watched from the window, trying to rush to get my slippers on, she had already flung a couple boxes onto my porch as she always does when she can't overstuff my mailbox.


"If only she were a little friendlier", I thought, "I might open the door and meet her halfway but I can't deal with her callousness today."


I opened the door as she stomped away, as if she thought her stomps were crushing the dreamy goodies that were nestled inside my Crowdtap box. But, she is just a tiny thing and she can't throw a fastball as she may make her friends and co workers believe as she sits at the gas station each day while she sips her diet soda and picks the peppers she ordered off of her sub she ordered with extra peppers. I will never understand those people.


I picked the package from the porch and brought it safely inside to get warm and cozy. "I'm so sorry my dear. I know it's winter time and we have been getting colder than normal temperatures out there. I certainly don't want you to suffer any longer then you have too."


Of course, the package didn't respond. But, that's ok. I could already tell what it was thinking....


I went for the scissors but immediately decided that wasn't the best option for such a delicate treasure. So, I grabbed a pen instead and followed the line of the tape between the two, cold flaps of cardboard and gently poked the tiniest hole through the tape.


My heart was pounding a mile a minute, because I knew what was inside! I knew that in just a few minutes, all of my wildest dreams would come true and I would be holding some of the universe's finest chocolates that my hard earned money could buy.... But, this was making my heart pitter patter even more then usual. Because, I didn't pay for these, not at all. Just a simple promise to try this simple yet splendid, fine luxury and in return, I would share my thoughts and honest opinions.


I must have opened the wrong side of the box first because, the precious 5oz bag of Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters (Berry Medley Flavor), was backwards. "How sweet!", I thought to myself as I turned the package over to read what was inside of these scrumptious, misshapen, divine gems!


"OH MY GOD!", I shrieked in sheer delight, as I read the label on the front of the bright purple and white bag.... "Clusters of crispy multigrains and soft fruit flavored centers, all covered in smooth dark chocolate"
I had to read it again as I tore the top of the resealable bag right off as fast as I could!


I couldn't believe my eyes (or nose.)! How did I get to be so lucky?
We had an instant connection, Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters and I.

 Thinking back, I guess maybe I was blinded by the smooth, silky chocolate covered crispy multigrains and fruits. But, at the time, there was just the 2 of us, nobody else.


I wondered, "How could I feel so much affection for a bag of chocolates? Is this lust? Infatuation? Or is this bag of delectable temptations, the real deal?"
Right away I knew what had to be done! I absolutely had to know for sure!
So, I turned the unblemished bag over to read the nutrition facts...

"Yes!! Yes!!" I cried as I read that there were 3.5 servings inside this bag, 22 pieces per serving! 190 calories per serving and 80 calories from fat.
"Perfect! Impeccable, superb itsy bits of heaven!"
and then the unthinkable happened. I didn't have a choice. I had to taste these flawless, teeny, tidbits of fruits and multigrains and DARK CHOCOLATE!
Not one of them matched, every piece was unique and a different size, as if I would have made these at home. "So imperfect", I said, "So imperfect they are the ideal snack!"

The last thing I can remember about life before, Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters, was that first bite. The strange, yet so delicious, morsels, crunching in my mouth and delivering such a supreme kick of harmony and mismatched nirvana, I can only remember exactly how I almost couldn't stop myself and continued to eat these crunchy clusters as if it was a game. Each piece was different then the last. Each delivering a different order of dark chocolate, berries and crispy multigrains.

I can remember putting the bag down after I carefully counted out my 22 pieces and my 4 year old son came into the kitchen to ask what I was eating...
"NOTHING!!!" I screamed, "NOTHING AT ALL!!" as he stared at me as if I belonged in a straight jacket.

That was the end of my quaint, content life that I loved so much. (Or so I thought it was the end.)

I stuffed the bag into a special, secret cabinet where I store these secrets where my husband and children will never look. I folded the bag up to make it as small as I could and slid it into a slight crevice I found between all of my chocolate covered biscuits, cheese making ingredients and a few caramels I have found along the way.

Very few things have made it into this cabinet. I call it, "Mom's secret stash". But, I won't ever share a thing from it, it doesn't matter who you are. Cute bottom lip face or not, you will not get between me and my favorite snacks!!

If you have a secret mommy cabinet or a secret daddy cabinet or any kind of secrets that you keep, Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters will keep that secret for you. The bag, if handled properly, is very quiet and will not perk up the ears on even the most sensitive child! They are also just the right size so that if you quickly grab a few and shove them in your mouth and a kid or a husband or anybody comes out into the kitchen and asks, "What are you eating?", you can have it chewed, swallowed and completely gone from sight in a matter of seconds! Just learn to say, "I have no idea what you are talking about?" and start talking about something else, while you chuckle and think about how funny it is that nobody knows......



** I wanted to add a couple favorite pair ups I have found that work together wonderfully with, Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters:

Strawberry Greek Yogurt with Crunchy Clusters as a topping! YUM!!
A mug of coffee. (Always a fine pair up!)
A cup of hot tea. (Any kind will do, just choose your favorite! Although, I enjoy Crunchy Clusters with a breakfast blend.)

Pistachios. (Sometimes I am in the mood for something salty and sweet. These 2 are probably my most favorite combo!)