Showing posts with label Product Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Product Review. Show all posts

30 Day New Proactiv Challenge and Giveaway

>> Monday, December 13, 2010

I'm sure you've all seen the commercials for Proactiv at some time in your life.  I know I've seen them so many times, and I've always wondered does it really work? In my teen years I had such a horrible time with breakouts (who didn't right?) Even now as I'm approaching my 40's, I still struggle with breakouts. I wonder if anything will ever keep my skin clear and still manage the dry skin I get during the winter.  I've seen the celebrities on the commercials talking about how Proactiv worked so great for them, yet I'm always skeptical of commercials. Unless I have a friend that has actually tired it and says they love whatever product, I never hold much stock into what I see on tv. So when I was offered the chance participate in the 30-day New Proactiv Challenge, as a blog tour from Mom Central; I jumped at it! And so I begin my 30 day challenge and I will be that friend who will tell you if Proactiv really lives up to all the claims. :)

The Proactiv products I will be using consists of a 3 Step System, that clears and helps prevent acne blemishes and is designed for twice daily use.
Step 1 Renewing Cleanser:
  • New, exclusive micro-crystal pharmaceutical-grade benzoyl peroxide
  • Smaller, finer particles quickly penetrate pores, attack and heal blemishes fast
  • Tiny, round exfoliating beads gently remove dirt, excess oil and dead skin cells
Step 2 Revitalizing Toner:
  • Refreshing alcohol-free toner refines and purifies pores
  • Glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells to help keep pores unplugged
  • Botanical-rich formula soothes and hydrates acne-prone skin
Step 3 Repairing Treatment:
  • Feather-light, invisible medicated lotion kills acne-causing bacteria
  • Features pharmaceutical-grade benzoyl peroxide as an antimicrobial
  • Ultra-fine micro-crystal pharmaceutical-grade benzoyl peroxide penetrates pores fast while being gentle on the skin




There is also a team of Proactiv trained Skin Care Advisors, that provide round-the-clock guidance and education to ensure that you get the best possible treatment!

And now for the Giveaway!

Five {5} Canadian readers are going to win a full size bottle of Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer (ARV $33).

Mandatory Entry: Tell me if you’ve tried the New Proactiv yet, and if you have, what are your thoughts? And, if you haven’t tried Proactiv yet, why would you like to try it?

Extra Entries (remember the mandatory entry is the only required entry):
  • Follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect - leave your GFC Name (1 entry)
  • Subscribe to Typical Ramblings, Atypical Nonsense via email (1 entry)
  • Follow Me @Luvschweetheart and @Proactiv on Twitter AND tweet about this giveaway; leave the URL where you did. (you may tweet once per day for an extra entry) You can use this tweet: FIVE winners: full size @Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer {$33 value} from @Luvschweetheart http://bit.ly/ggzVY1 #NewProactiv {Canada only}  (1 entry per day)
  • "Like" Typical Ramblings, Atypical Nonsense on Facebook - Leave your first name & last initial (1 entry)
  • Add my button to your blog and leave a link to where you did. (1 entry)
  • Blog about this giveaway linking back to Typical Ramblings, Atypical Nonsense and Proactiv; leave the URL where you did (5 entries)
Leave a comment for each entry. You must leave your email in your comments so that I can contact you.

This giveaway is open to Canada only! Giveaway will end Dec 17, 2010 at 9:00 pm EST. The winners will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. You must contact me within 48 hours. If you fail to claim your prize, a new winner will be chosen by random.org and emailed. You may enter the Proactiv Giveaway on other blogs, but you are only eligible to win once.

**I am participating in the New Proactiv Canada program hosted by Mom Central on behalf of Guthy-Renker. I received a 30-day trial kit and a gift card a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.**


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Creative Wanderings - Handcrafted Soap Review

>> Saturday, November 20, 2010


About a month ago I went to a local craft fair and purchased a couple of bars of handcrafted soaps from Creative Wanderings. Oh. My. Gosh. These are the most amazing soaps I have ever tried.  I've always been a fan of handcrafted soaps; mainly because I don't find them to be nearly as harsh on my skin as conventional soaps. These soaps were absolutely amazing though.  They left my skin so moisturized that I didn't need to use a separate moisturizer and the smell - well it was all I could do not to eat the bars. Even my big kids made comments about how good they smell, and they are always wanting to use this soap over the other soaps in the bathroom.

Creative Wanderings is located in Kingston, Nova Scotia. All of the Creative Wanderings soaps are hand crafted using the cold process method, which retains all the naturally-occurring glycerin of the saponification process. The oils that she uses are all vegetable based, so vegetarians can feel comfortable knowing that no animal fats are present. Yay! for vegan soap!!
Sugar Rush                                   Jack Frost 
The first soap that we used was called Sugar Rush. It was absolutely amazing. The soap smelled like a mixture of cotton candy and vanilla cake. Every time I took a shower and used this soap I couldn't help but feel happy. The soap is made from all natural vanilla and it lathers up brown. At first I thought it was going to stain my wash cloths but it didn't. :) Last night Miss. Bean told me the next time I buy this soap I should buy 12 of them. I guess she's as sad as I am that it is all gone.

The second bar that we used was called Jack Frost. I bought this soap because it reminded me of how Christmas and winter smell. It is made from a blend of eucalyptus, peppermint, and spruce. This soap actually left my body feeling all tingly and refreshed. I really loved using this soap when my sinuses were bothering me or if I had a headache - it actually helped relieve the symptoms. I think I want to stock up on this soap to use in the summer months, because of how it made me feel cool. I bet it would be great on a hot, summer night before going to bed.

Creative Wanderings also sells shaving soaps, shampoo bars, body buttah, body balms, children's soaps and more! Check out their web page for all of their products.  They will deliver if you live locally and they ship anywhere in North America. These soaps would make fantastic Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers! You can also find them on Facebook - let them know I sent you. :)

Creative Wanderings is going to be at the Acadia & Somerset Christmas Craft Fairs  tomorrow, November 21st.  If you are a local, looking for some great handmade soaps for yourself or for a gift; I encourage you to head over to one of the fairs and support by purchasing local and handmade.


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Maggie's Pure Land Soap Nuts: Review & Giveaway (ENDED)

>> Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Winners have been chosen by Random.org and they have been notified. When I hear back from all the winners I will post the information here. Congratulations!


What are Soap Nuts?
Maggie’s Soap Nuts are the dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry Tree (Sapindus mukorrosi), related to the lychee and rambutan. The Soap Nuts are harvested in Indian and Indonesian jungles. The Soap Nuts fall to the ground where they are collected by local folks who have used them for centuries.

How to use Soap Nuts & my review
I've done a review of soap nuts before, so when Maggie's Pure Land contacted me about doing a review I really didn't expect it to much different than other soap nuts I have used. Boy, was I wrong! They sent me two products to try. They sent me a box of Soap Nuts and a bottle of the liquid Lavender Tea Tree Soap.

First thing I noticed was these soap nuts were far different than the other soap nuts I tried. They were better! All of the soap nuts were whole, no little pieces in the package. Just put 2 of these Soap Nuts in the cloth bag (included with your Soap Nuts) and toss it in the washer with your clothes. That's it! You don't have to worry about taking it out during the rinse cycle because Soap Nuts are non-sudsing; any little bit of saponin left in the rinse adds softness and body to your clothes - so you don't need to use a fabric softener. They work amazing! They cleaned my clothes incredibly well and everything smells so fresh and clean - not heavily perfumed like with regular laundry detergents.

Then I tried the liquied lavender tea tree soap. Oh my gosh. I am in love with this laundry soap. I love how it's already in the liquid form to use (you can also boil the soap nuts and make your own liquid soap for cleaning, laundry and body use). What I really loved was the scent. It smelled so good. It's very lightly scented; which is perfect for me as I am sensitive to smells. You only need to use 1/8 of a cup of the liquid for a full load of clothes! I love washing the sheets with this and hanging them on the line - so nice! Also, Soap Nuts & the liquid are safe to use in any machine.

About Maggie's Pure Land
This company is committed to providing you with the most natural products available, providing fair wages to workers, and protecting our animal friends by never testing on them. They also donate 10% of their net proceeds to groups that improve the lives of mothers, children, and support a happy, Pure Planet Earth.
And it gets better! Maggie's strives to help normalize breastfeeding! Take a look at their flyer that they distribute to stores with their product - don't you love it!?  This was the biggest reason that I wanted to do this review. As a breastfeeding mother and a lactivist, I was very eager to share these products and this company with you. I think this is a huge and positive step for normalizing breastfeeding. It says a lot about their philosophy that they are eager to support breastfeeding and I am more than happy to support their company. I hope you will support them as well and let others know about this great, eco-friendly, breastfeeding supportive company.

The Giveaway
Maggies Pure Land has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway to three readers. You will win your choice of an 8 load sample of the lavender tea tree liquid detergent, or a 5 load sample of the Soap Nut shells!

So here's how you win it:
Mandatory Entry: (remember to leave each entry in a separate comment box or it won't count)
Here are some ways to get extra entries (remember the mandatory entry is the only required entry):
  • Blog about this giveaway linking back to Typical Ramblings, Atypical Nonsense and Maggie's Pure Land; leave the URL where you did (5 entries)
  • Follow Me publicly with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
  • Subscribe to Typical Ramblings, Atypical Nonsense via email (1 entry)
  • Follow Me @Luvschweetheart on Twitter AND tweet about this giveaway; leave the URL where you did. (you may tweet once per day for an extra entry) "#Win Maggie's Pure Land Soap Nuts from @Luvschweetheart US & Canada {ends 11/19} http://bit.ly/9Zv2z9 #clothdiapers #bfing #giveaway" (1 entry per day)
  • "Like" Typical Ramblings, Atypical Nonsense on Facebook and leave a comment about the giveaway either on the Typical Ramblings page or your page linking to Typical Ramblings, Atypical Nonsense; leave the URL where you did (2 entry)
Leave a comment for each entry. You must leave your email in your comments so that I can contact you.

This giveaway is open to US and Canada! Giveaway will end November 19, 2010 at 10:00 pm EST. The winners will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. I will announce the winner at the top of this post as well. You must contact me within 48 hours. If you fail to claim your prize, a new winner will be chosen by random.org and emailed.


**Full Disclosure: This is a sponsored review. The thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not paid for this review although the company did send me products to review for free.**


My giveaways are also now going to be listed on Giveaway Scout. It's a great website if you host giveaways. They publish giveaways on multiple channels (Web site, newsletter, Twitter, Facebook and widget network) I've been using the site for awhile now to find giveaways and thought I would start using it to promote my giveaways as well.


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Weight Release A Liberating Journey: Review & Giveaway ENDED

>> Wednesday, August 18, 2010

WINNERS ANNOUNCED





                  Congratulations Joanna!








                 Congratulations MMScarlett!








                   Congratulations Mary Beth!
Sorry Mary Beth, I waited over 24 hours to hear a response from you. I have to choose another winner.



Barbara that makes you the 3rd winner of the Weight Release Program! Congrats!!

Congrats to all three winners! I am excited to share this journey with you and I'm looking forward to learning from each of you! (Now email me back!! :) )

If you didn't win and you still want to take part in the program starting August 31st, please use the coupon code: 198778 at the checkout for 20% off the program! (Scroll to the bottom of the post and click the button, it'll take you right where you need to go) The changes that will occur in your relationship with food, yourself and others will be so worth it! 


Back in April I had recently joined the Mamavation Sistahood and I was really struggling.  I wanted to lose weight but I just couldn't seem to get with the program. If I did "good" one week with my eating plan then I seemed to "fail" at exercising. Each week I'd start out with "this is going to be the week I get it right and finally start losing weight" and each week I would fail.  I should be great at dieting and losing weight - I had tried it all. From Weight Watchers, to South Beach, to Atkins, to The Cabbage Soup Diet, to diets that I made up *cough* the popcorn diet. At one point in my life I even went so far as to just deprive myself of food for as long as I could. I tried diet pills and diet drinks, you name it I probably tried it. I knew something was missing. I even posted how I felt like I was sabotaging myself. So when I came across The Weight Release program being offered on a It Feels Like Home and I read about the program; I figured what else do I have to lose if I try it. It sounded like it could possibly hold the key to me being finally able to rid myself of the weight once and for all.

The Weight Release Book and the Weight Release Program, both by Freeman Michaels, have profoundly changed my life. Not just my relationship with food, but my relationship with myself (I don't think I ever had a relationship with myself before - at least not a good one), with my husband, with my children, basically everyone. And it's all about me - I never asked anyone to do anything for me. It wasn't about how they could change so I could have a better relationship with them. It's been about how I could change so I could have a better relationship with them and myself.

The first part of the book deals a lot with replacing negative (judgmental) thought patterns with a more compassionate view point. When I first started with this work it was really hard. I never thought of myself as a negative person. I knew I wasn't the most chipper person, but I considered myself more of a "realist". The truth was I really was negative. And I really struggled with even being able to find a little bit of compassion for myself. It took a few days before I could even figure out how to have compassion. Then the light bulb moment came and now through practice I am finding more compassion for myself and that leads over to more compassion for others in my life.

Another section of the book deals with Needs VS Wants. In this part we are taught how to identify what our true needs are. For example, when I am stressed I want to go into the kitchen and have chips. But with the help of my compassionate observer I am able to be aware of what is going on and I know that I think I want chips but what I really need is to de-stress. This awareness allows me to make a different more self-honoring choice.

The last part of the book deals with the food and exercise part. This is where I learned about tracking patterns and behaviors (needs vs wants) and about making a meal plan. This is not a diet program though, there is nothing that is not allowed on the plan. But I promise you will release weight. Daily I work on strategies for not using food to deal with stress and emotions. I no longer view food as good or bad, I don't deprive myself and then later binge on something - no food is "off limits", but I've learned how to eat and make self-honoring choices when it comes to food. And exercise - it doesn't have to be chore or torture either. I've started running and I always thought I hated it. It's amazing the things in my life that have changed.

The Weight Release book and program have helped me become the empowered, joyful, compassionate person that I was born to be and I'm releasing weight. It is life changing!

Now for some really good news! 


Starting on August 31, 2010 there is going to be another chance to go through the Weight Release Program.  I will be supporting a group going through the program by participating in the program again and using my blog Krista's Weight Release JourneyThree lucky readers of my blog are going to win the chance to go through the same program I went through for 12 weeks ($195 value).

   Here is what you get: 
  • 12 videos with program founder Freeman Michaels personally taking you through the complete Weight Release program in a simple, easy-to-follow, step by step format. You will receive one video a week for twelve weeks to help take you through the program at the right pace! (Electronic Format)
  • The Weight Release Program Workbook – in an e-book format.
  • Freeman Michaels’ book Weight Release: A Liberating Journey in e-book format.
  • Visualizing a New You guided imagery audio programs. The long format is 39 minutes and takes you through an incredible process to calm your mind and refocus your thoughts and attention. You’ll also receive the 20 minute “refresher”, a shortened version of the long program to use on a daily basis. Together these audio programs will help to reprogram your thinking and keep you on track through out the process and provide a truly valuable resource well after the program is complete. (Electronic MP3's)
  • The “Weight Release Manual”. This manual helps outline the complete program in a simple step by step format so that you know exactly how and when to use all of the materials included in the Weight Release Program. (Word Doc)
  • Access to the Weight Release Community. The Weight Release Community was created for everyone who is using the Weight Release principles. It is the perfect place to receive support, guidance, and advice for others who use the program or from Freeman Michaels.
  • The Weight Release A Liberating Journey the audio book.(MP3 Format Delivered over the internet)
  • You also receive the “Flow of Success” video by Freeman Michaels. This video teaches you principles of success. Success is nothing more than a perspective. 
That's a lot right? Are you excited? I am! So how can you win this great opportunity?

Mandatory Entry: (remember to leave each entry in a separate comment box or it won't count)
  • Head over to Service to Self, take a look through the program and tell me what interests you most about this program. (1 entry)
Here are some ways to get extra entries (remember the mandatory entry is the only required entry):
Leave a comment for each entry. You must leave your email in your comment so that I can contact you.

This giveaway is open Worldwide! Giveaway will end August 27, 2010 at 10:00 pm EDT. The winners will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. I will announce the winner at the top of this post as well. You must contact me within 24 hours (this is to ensure you have the materials necessary to start the program on August 31). If you fail to claim your prize, a new winner will be chosen by random.org and emailed.

Can't wait for the giveaway and want to get started now? Or if you don't win and still want to take part in the program - I have good news for you too! I believe in this program so much that I have decided to become an affiliate. For the duration of this promotion I'm going to give you 20% off when you purchase the program by using this coupon code: 198778. Just click the button below to get started today!


This 20% off offer will end August 31, 2010 at 11am EDT. So HURRY, don't miss the chance
to change your life!


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Sapadilla Product Review & Giveaway (ENDED)

>> Thursday, April 22, 2010

Winner Announced!!











Congratulations Deanna! I know you're going to love Sapadilla as much as I do! :)


I read about Sapadilla eco-cleaners on the web and I was so impressed by their product that I wanted to try it. After looking on their website I realized no one had their products locally. So I contacted Sapadilla to see if they would be interested in allowing me to review their product for my blog.  If I can find a great eco-friendly company that is also in Canada I want to share it with you! They agreed and they sent me three of their products to try :  their All Purpose Cleaner & Counter Top Cleanser  in Grapefruit & Bergamot, and a bottle of their Dish Soap in Rosemary & Peppermint.

A little bit about Sapadilla:
  • They are manufactured completely in Canada.
  • Their fresh aromas are made from 100% pure essential oil blends with no synthetic additives. These heavenly scents were created by a natural perfumist and add mood-lifting benefits to household chores.
  • They use alkyl polyglucoside as the main surfactant, or cleaning agent, in all our products. This ingredient is highly effective and derived from naturally occurring sugars. It is also endorsed for products eco-labeled “Good Environmental Choice” by the Swedish Society of Nature Conservation.
  • All of the ingredients are plant-based, derived from renewable resources like coconut, palm and corn oil. They do not use:
  • o Synthetic fragrance or dyes
    o Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate
    o Petroleum-based solvents
    o Phosphates
    o Ethylene Glycol Ethers
    o Chlorine
    o Ammonia
    o EDTA
    o Formaldehyde
    o Parabens
    o Any other harsh or questionable chemicals
  • They donate 1% of their revenues to 1% for the planet. (www.onepercentfortheplanet.com)
  • They are against animal testing and say so on their packaging.
  • Their clean, modern package design means are oh-so countertop worthy.
  • You won’t find them at unsightly bigboxmart type stores.
I think this is one of the few truly green, eco-friendly companies out there and I'm so excited to share them with you!

 As soon as I recieved my box of products and tore into it, the first thing I did was smell the product. Oh My! They are lovely! I was immediately excited to start using them, I knew they were going to make my home smell great but I wondered if I would get the usual migraine I get when I use commercial cleaners. Guess what? No migraine! That's impressive!

 The first product I used was the All Purpose Cleaner.  I added 1 tablespoon to my bucket and added 4 liters of water and went to work on my floors.  The scent from the product was lovely and mood-lifting and my floors were so clean. There was no residue left on the floors, no stickiness, just nice clean floors. This is a generous bottle (600ml) and you only use a very small amount, so this will last a long time.

 The next product I used was the Countertop Cleanser. I used it on the bathroom counter and in the kitchen.  It contains Lactic Acid which is a natural sanitizer. Just spray and let sit for a few minutes and then wipe up. It worked great and smelled so good. My counters were clean, shiny and there was no sticky or gritty residue left behind.

The last product I used was the Dish Soap.  I think this was my favorite one of them all.  I really love the smell of the rosemary and peppermint.  Even the kids commented on the smell, a couple times they would come in the kitchen and ask what I was making because it smelled so good! I actually get a little excited when I have to wash the pans that can't go in the dishwasher because I get to use this dish soap, and I hate washing dishes.  Know what else, my hands aren't all dry and rough feeling after washing dishes. That's amazing. I've used it a few times just to wash my hands in between cooking jobs and it feels really nice, and moisturizing. That's not the same feeling I get using a commercial dish soap as hand soap.

 I really love using these products. I love using them so much that I'm going to see if I can get some local boutiques to carry Sapadilla products.  What a great opportunity to support an eco-friendly, Canadian company.

 So now that you've read about this great company and how much I loved using their products wouldn't you love to try some yourself?  Well you can!

Buy it: You can check the Sapadilla website to find a local boutique or an online retailer.

Win it: Sapadilla has graciously offered one of my Canadian readers the chance to win 1 bottle of Dish Soap in Rosemary & Peppermint and 1 Countertop Cleanser in Grapefruit & Bergamot. This makes a nice sink set.

Mandatory Entry: (remember to leave each entry in a separate comment box or it won't count)
  • Visit Sapadilla and tell me what product is your favorite or something you learned about their company. (1 entry)
Here are some ways to get extra entries (remember the mandatory entry is the only required entry):
You must leave your email in your comment so that I can contact you.

This giveaway is open to Canada only! Giveaway will end April 30, 2010 at 10:00 pm EST. A winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. I will announce the winner at the top of this post as well. You must contact me within 48 hours. If you fail to claim your prize, a new winner will be chosen by random.org and emailed. 

**Disclosure: I received the Sapadilla products at my request, free of charge in exchange for this review. The opinions expressed are my own**


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Pure Fun - The Better For You Candy

>> Thursday, April 8, 2010

Okay I can not let another day go buy without sharing my kids new favorite treat.  Last Thursday when I was out trying to find some decent treats to put in my kid's Easter Baskets I happened to come across a small display of Pure Fun candies in the organics section of my grocery store.  I picked up the bag and thought, organic candy - yeah right...How can hard, colorful lollipops be organic?  Then I looked at the bag...
At Pure Fun™ we're famous for the ingredients we DON'T use in our candies...
NO Gluten, NO GMO'S, NO FD&C Colors, NO Casein, NO Dairy, NO artificial flavors,NO dyes, NO Synthetics, NO Pesticides, NO preservatives
...nothing but Pure Fun™
Sounds good so far. So if they don't add any of that stuff what exactly are they making this candy with...I look over at the ingredients and this is what it says:
Ingredients - organic evaporated cane juice, organic brown rice syrup, citric acid, natural flavors, natural colors: Red beet and annatto, organic fruit juice, natural alfalfa extract.
Wow! No artificial dyes and no HFC's!  So of course I had to buy them and get them home as fast I could so we could see what they taste like.  First I try, because I'm nice like that - I wouldn't want to give the kids something really horrible. ;)  And then I offered them each one and all of the kids agreed they were very yummy.  I don't give the kids candy very often but at least with a treat like this I don't have to feel guilty that I'm giving them "junk food".  Mom's happy, kids are happy, what more could you ask for?

I went to the Pure Fun website and they carry more than just lollipops too - they make cotton candy!!.  My store didn't have all of the Pure Fun candies that are made, unfortunately. I am going to keep watching though because I really want to try the Cotton Candy (would be great to find this summer with all the carnivals and fairs that will be around selling it), the Root Beer Barrels and the Jaw Boulders.  I hope the next time you're looking for a treat to buy for your children you'll think of Pure Fun candy and give them a try - they are the better for you candy - and you can feel better about giving them to your children (or yourself).


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