BURTS BEES HOLIDAY GRAB BAGS! $25 ($50 value)

Burts Bees has their Holiday Grab Bags up for sale. I might mention that they're "still" for sale. I have been a loyal customer of Burts Bees & always stock up on these bags. They're great to give to friends & teachers or can easily be split up into gift bags & given to anyone (mix & match the items to customize for your recipient). I ordered 6 bags last year, in 3 different shipments & received 3 different bags. This year, I thought I'd sample out what they were giving away and I immediately bought 2 of these as soon as they came up for sale. I was so excited to get these, as I was just starting to run low on my inventory from last Christmas. I'm still using the lotions & lip sticks. I was disappointed this year (hence the comment: still for sale). Their website state:
"Get tons of holiday goodness for half the price.
How it Works
This year’s holiday grab bag is all new and our best ever. It features 12 of our favorite, natural products – a $50 value – for just $25. It’s the perfect gift for anyone on your list."

I received 2 full size products, one was toothpaste (which is yucky) and the other was one of their older lotions that is too lightweight for my winterized skin. My bags were identical and had mostly small sized products/soaps/washes/tins. I got one lip stick. I got a pair of yellow cotton gloves. The bag was a definate step down from what I've received in the past. The toothpaste is very watery & leaks if the cap isn't completely shut closed. Anyways, I hope they realize that they have a lot of left over inventory, and they need to bring some of their better products back for people to really enjoy these. These weren't even "giftable" this year. BUMMER!

Oxy Clinical Solutions

I'm a sucker for cosmetic items & a sucker of free tries! So when I saw the free sample of a new OXY product, I immediately signed myself up! It didn't take long, but my 3 sample packs came. I learned a long time ago to use a pin to poke the packets, therefore they last longer & you don't lose half the pack in your first squirt, using the "tear here" option at the top of each pack. So, this Oxy products says: Clinical results without a prescription 25 times more acne medicine remains on the skin after rinsing to fight acne Clinically proven to eliminate 99% of acne bacteria in just 8 hours 3-in-1 formula - exfoliates - hydrates - and controls oil Contains: Advanced Wash Wash 2.0 fl oz Clearing Treatment 0.7 oz Hydrating Therapy 0.7 oz.

I had a facial awhile back & the esthetician said I had oily & dehydrated skin. Kind of a bad situation since when you're skin is dry, it feels tight. So you slater on some hydrating lotion & it feels great. Until you break out! That is exactly the problem I had been having. Especially living in the Midwest, the dry winter air can do horrible things to your skin + hair!! So, this OXY product claims it has clinical/prescription power but you don't need a prescription. I started using this Monday in the morning & at bedtime. My skin felt a tad bit dryer on Wednesday, so I cut back and starting just using this at bedtime and cut back on the amount of the lotions I was using. My skin seemed to like that a little better. I am on day 5, and my skin is doing great so far! The important thing I learned is that using Salicylic Acid helps unclog your pores & the Benzoyl Peroxide kills the bacterial stuff. You can buy the entire 3 pc kit of the OXY Clinical Acne Treatment, OXY Clinical Acne Treatment, & OXY Clinical Acne Treatment (wash) for about $7.99 each or buy a 3 piece kit for about $10.99 (smaller sizes of course). I'm loving this so far!! So, go get your own free sample & let me know how you like it!

Cell Phone PostCards BZZAGENT

I was invited to join a unique campaign as part of being a BzzAgent. Cell Phone PostCards. Basically, you join for free (big per: no Credit Card required to sign up!) and use your cell phone or digital camera to take a photo, upload it to the website & the company then sends it to anyone you would like. How cool! In such a digital age of technology, there is a definite need for a service like this. I find it hard enough to sit down & hand write a letter and this solution utilizes today's technology and old fashioned snail mail! The unfortunate thing is that I signed up (that took less than 30 seconds) and THEN found out that the service doesn't work with TMOBILE, my awesome cell phone service provider. So, I'll still take advantage of my 10 free postcards, but I'll need to use my dingy old camera (bummer because my cell phone takes photo's better than my digital camera).

Is there anything better than opening your mailbox to discover a postcard from a loved one? We think not. That's why we're big fans of Cellphone Postcards, a new service that turns the pictures you take with your cell phone or digital camera into real, high-quality glossy postcards and mails them to friends and family worldwide. Just text a picture, message and recipient name to Cellphone Postcards (no smartphone or app needed) or use the simple postcard creator on cellphonepostcards.com to make, print and ship your postcards in seconds - either way, we're sure your loved ones will cherish the thoughtful gift!

Visit cellphonepostcards.com to sign up (for free) and see just how easy it is to start sending custom postcards to your loved ones, worldwide. Your first 10 postcards are FREE! It won't last forever, so you should take advantage of this one SOON!

Making a skating rink in our backyard pond

Winter & (lots) of snow has arrived and we're trying to find out the best way to make our backyard a skating rink. We have a large pond, man made, and the city "maintains" it as it is a runoff pond. It is approximately 8 feet deep and was recently dredged by our city. Living in the heart of the midwest, we don't have to worry about cold temps. It's cold. And we have received A LOT of snow this year. The problem we are having is we are getting SO much snow, the ice gets insulated underneath the snow & it starts to melt & it's getting smooshy. Then when we go shovel the pond, the ice is mushy and we leave footprints in the ice. Now it is becoming bumpy and as we prepare to flood it with some hot water, we are wondering if this is the best thing to do. Should we wait for the next snow, when the entire pond is covered with a flat layer of snow, and flood it then? Would we get better results? Agh, I've google'd my questions and found some good insight, but no one seems to be blogging about how they maintain their pond in the winter. So, if anyone is out there with some great insight, please let me know. We plan on living here a long time & need to get the rink ready for skating for all the neighborhood kids!! By the way, I've got a slew of questions about ponds in the summer. Gardening is my new hobby but I don't know exactly what I am doing!!

HTC Windows 7 Phone! Here's another review of my BZZAGENT phone I'm checking out for HTC HD7!

 Here's a pic of the BZZAGENT phone I'm checking out for HTC HD7!


I'm psyched! I was offered another BzzCampaign campaign and this time it's for an HTC Windows 7 Phone HD7! Here is what the company says: Your games, your movies, your music all on one enormous 4.3" touch screen! One of the world's first smartphones using the game-changing Windows Phone 7 operating system, the new HTC HD7™ was crafted specifically for the entertainment guru inside you. Featuring an enormously enormous 4.3 inch touch screen, Xbox Live and Zune integration to help you game on and rock out, a 5MP autofocus camera and pre-installed entertainment apps including Netflix, Slacker Radio and T-Mobile TV, the HTC HD7™ is loaded with everything you need to be you, on the go."

The HTC HD7™ is the first device to offer T-Mobile Family Room, a new app exclusively from T-Mobile that helps families keep in touch and manage their busy lives through shared virtual chalkboards, calendar events, photos and real-time notifications that everyone can see.

I ran over to T-Mobile's website to check out the phone & bells went off. Oh yeah, I said to myself, I saw this phone on a commercial and it looked awesome! It has a 16 gig memory & 1Ghz processor, apps Windows Marketplace, takes amazing photo's with a FLASH, 3G capable, can handle my personal & work emails, I can edit Microsoft Word & Excel on my phone (horray), has the uuber cool "find my phone" capability with Windows LIve, has a Windows Phone 7 OS, a built-in proximity sensor (meaning no more accidentally hanging up on people with the touch screen, 720p resolution camcorder, FM Radio (which is fabulous because I can listen to music on my IPod at work), and the Social Networking is always on! SUHWEET!

Awesome! One kiddo just got a phone and my son is next in line. We're T-Mobile (extremely happy) customers by the way, and this may be in their stockings if this phone rocks as it says it does. I know my one kiddo is a technology nut and will probably be sneaking this phone away from me as much as possible!


Wow, this is an amazing opportunity! I'm excited for this opportunity as I love technology & phones! I have a few kiddo's that will LOVE having this on our upcoming road trip over the holidays. I was using a Nokia Nuron & I didn't like it. The screen was small & it was hard to see anything on the internet. The photo's were not crisp, and This has a large screen, will still fit in my clutch for a night out on the town, and yet be large enough for my kids to use to play video games & to watch movies. Look for exciting reviews coming up!

Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/htcnorthamerica

Check out the phone here

www.otrib.com Bzz Review

<a href="http://www.bzzagent.com/go/otrib/?u=savedbygrace950"><img src="http://www.bzzagent.com/img/campaigns/1482122668/otribGraph.jpg"/></a>


"Otrib provides tools, at no cost, to plan a funeral and notify family and friends. This makes the site useful. Otrib’s users inform you of which “end of life” companies are good and those that are less than reputable. In addition to user reviews, Otrib’s community forums help you deal with the feelings of grief and loss when someone passes away. This makes the site invaluable."


This campaign has sounded sad, gruesome, depressing, and I have avoided joining. Who wants to think about death? Recently, someone passed away that I knew through a friend of a friend. Then today, sadly someone else passed. Otrib claims that is "Lets you name an heir to your Facebook account and specify its handling after you die." Interestingly enough, over 500 million people are on Facebook, and Otrib claims that 5.7 million of them are dead. It's a great concept, what a wonderful place for family members to go & see how many people loved their loved one who has passed. All you have to do is name an "heir" to your Facebook account. They could share the news + make your "wall" public, so others can see photo's, post a memory, and grieve in their own way. Along with this genius service that is free, you can talk to others on a community forum, find a funeral home locally, sign up for a voice mail notification program, & much more. What a great service that is provided in such a distressing time!

Target, oh Target

You live near me, you have everything I could ever want & need. You have amazing clearance prices and your meat prices beat out all the competition, and your meat is YUMMY! Oh Target, oh Target, you are amazing & I spend all my money with you! Now I get to save 5% with my Target Card which makes me shop with you more often! 




I feel like I am at Target every day. II often am!  love their online coupons and the Sunday ad is what i usually check out first in the Sunday paper. My local target just added a mini grocery store. IT's not big like a Super Target, but has the basics of what i need. I no longer have to make 2 trips to get household items & grocery store items. This is pretty major since I live in the midwest and the winter can be so cold!

Barely There Custom Flex BRAS Bzz Review

"Finding your bra size is no longer a guessing game. The Barely There brand just launched CustomFlex Fit bras, the smarter, easier way to size and shop for bras. From lightly lined cups to flexible foam cups, from comfy underwire to The Bandini bra with so many ways to wear. The Smart Sizes system simplifies 16 sizes down to five, XS-XL. CustomFlex Fit bras offer solutions for everyone and a variety of occasions. Join the Smart Size Revolution today!"


Above is the text that the company claims their product can do. Here's my opinion (voice of the customer). COMFORT! I love this bra! The sizing makes total sense by looking at the photo! Since I am a "visual" learner, their sizing chart was easy to understand. I was sized a few years ago, after the "girls" lost their perkiness from breastfeeding my kids! I was wearing a 34A but measured a 32C! Who knew! This bra was so comfortable, I actually fell asleep wearing it one night! That has never happened before!! I wear this bra often, but mostly for working out or underneath my chunky warm sweaters as I need as much lift as a girl can get, otherwise I feel shapeless. I will definitely be buying more of these but wish they had padded bras for us smaller girls. I also received a pair of panties which are probably my most favorite but least sexiest! They didn't show any panty lines, and were breathable & comfortable (never rode up)!  I'll be buying more of the panties for sure! 




(yes, I received these items to try FOR FREE & have not been compensated for anything!) Check out Bzzagent.com & sign  up to receive items to try & review !

Welch's® Healthy Start Bzz Review

"Bring the goodness of grapes to your breakfast table with a new juice that's as good for you as it tastes".

Mmmmm,  we love grape juice in our house! I don't buy juice often as there is a lot of sugar and calories and I prefer the kids eat fruit vs. drinking fruit. When I was offered this campaign, I jumped! With winter approaching & the kids back in school, this would be a great way to incorporate some extra Vitamin C into their diet. An added perk is that there is calcium! I got my kit & my coupon for a free carton. I went to the store, ran into another mom & gave her a coupon. We had a hard time finding the juice in the juice aisle but eventually found it in the refrigerated aisle. That was a bit frustrating, but I suppose the milk carton look gives it the refrigerated appeal!  My son was so excited to try this new juice! He loved it & drank the whole thing in a day (which is why I don't like to buy juice!). I had a glass and it was gooooooooooooood! However, there's a whopping 170 calories in an 8 ounce glass. WOW! That's A LOT! I guess I was thinking this was a lower calorie drink since there are no added sugars & it's more Natural. Nope, with 42 carbs & 170 calories in a single serving, I doubt I'll buy this again.

Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh Toothpaste Bzz Review

I'm all for fresh breath & a long lasting fresh feeling mouth!  I was asked to review Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh toothpaste and I eagerly agreed because I've never used the Tom's of Maine brand. This toothpaste appears to be "wickedly fresh" and will naturally give me long lasting fresh breath and is made with all natural products. I received a full size tube & some samples right around Halloween. I'm giddy, like a kid in a candy store when I get something new to try out! I ran upstairs & pulled out my toothbrush & brushed away. The flavor is lightly minty, not overpowering. It was almost a creamy mint. The color is a greenish-blue and looks & smells like toothpaste. Brushing my teeth created a white foam. I noticed this foam in the corners of my mouth about 20 minutes later - yeah that annoying left over white crusty stuff. Yuk! After I brushed, I went to put the cap on top of the tube and noticed the toothpaste had squirted out on its own & I had to get a tissue to remove the extra toothpaste. This was a common occurring every time I brushed. Very annoying. That turned me off right away! I never felt like my mouth was minty fresh. Maybe it was minty fresh, but the mild flavoring of mint just didn't give me that freshly brushed feeling.  I had my kids try it & they thought it was too spicy. They are tweens but they still like the flavor of the kiddie toothpastes. I gave away coupons to my neighbor moms, who are awesome friends, and gave their kids the extra sample sizes of toothpastes to the kids on Halloween night (along with some candy). I've heard pretty much the same rumblings from the neighbor moms. Same problem with getting the tube back on the toothpaste, not feeling like they have a fresh mouth, and their kids didn't like the taste. Nope, this didn't do it & I will not be purchasing this product. Bummer!

How do you Buzz???

So, first of all, I'm a Bzzagent. Haven't heard of it? I highly suggest you check it out at www.bzzagent.com.  I've been a member for years & received products to check out & review. It's been a great way to test new products, give feedback, and about 80% of the time I am sold on the item I try & I enjoy introducing my friends and family to the new products & share my coupons. It's kind of like when you go to the grocery store & they have a free sample to try & eat. Especially with my picky eater kids over the last many moons, the marketing works because I've found myself having them try something new or unusual that they like & of course I'll but it at the store. Because my kids were able to try before we buy, I've often spent more money in my shopping trips just because we've been able to try something out of the ordinary! Being a bzzagent is the same kind of thing - try before you buy, be brutally honest in your online review of the product, share with your friends & family members (usually coupons). Bzz away!