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Always great giveaways at Peanut Butter and Whine 2016

Always great giveaways at Peanut Butter and Whine Holiday Contest and Sweeps  is proud to bring you the 4th Annual Holiday Giveaways t...

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Money for the New Year

Who can't use some extra money in the New Year!

Ragu Tailgate Party {$300 AMEX GC Giveaway}

Baby Loving Mama says: Win a $300 AMEX Gift Card. And don’t forget, we’d love you to join the conversation at Ragu’s Mom’s the Word on Dinner on Facebook or on twitter with the hashtag #MomstheWord. Check out more information and find other easy recipes at Ragu.com . ends 1/17



The Giveaway Gal is offering 2 $10 Amazon GCs. ends 1/10

Living Life one day at a time is giving away $50 from Array. ends 1/7


My Thoughts Ideas and Ramblings - Trop50 Giftcard and Coupon Giveaway : $25 Visa or one of 5 Trop50 free coupons. ends 1/07

 Mom Spotted says: I  do a lot of baking and cooking as you know. I’ve posted a new recipe everyday this week alone. So it’s very important to me to use quality ingredients. Lately all the eggs I’ve been using in my recipes are from Land O’Lakes. These eggs have been great and have helped make my recipes taste as great as they need too!

She is giving away a $50 Visa. ends 1/2

Now one lucky Go Graham Go reader will win a $50 Visa Cash Card as well as a copy of Can You See What I See? Toyland Express! ends 1/2

Fab Grandma Reviews also says: Win a $50 Visa Cash Card as well as a copy of Can You See What I See? Toyland Express! ends 1/2

About a Mom  is giving away $25 Amazon GC. ends 1/2

blessings abound mommy is giving away a $50 Visa. ends 1/1

Frugality is free is giving away $25 Amazon GC. ends 12/31

Heavenly Savings is giving away $10 Paypal. ends 12/30

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Now I Need a Router

Since I won a Sony PS3 last week I've learned that I'll need a Router to connect it up with my internet.

So I'll win one from Born 2 Impress:
This Holidays Stay connected! Cisco has kindly offered one lucky Born 2 Impress reader, the chance to win a free Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band N Router! Ends 12/27

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Reading and $50 Visa

I've been reading for about 60 years now and usually have 3 or 4 books going at a time.  Librarians know me by name.  I won't be using the $50 Visa for books - probably for a massage.
The Greer Five are giving away books and a $50 Visa. ends 12/23

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Win $50 Visa GC from BlogHer & Head & Shoulders

Read the Blogger’s Reviews and Enter for a Chance to Win a $50 Gift Card from BlogHer!
Winter is right around the corner ya’ll! I love this time of year…yummy food, the holidays, scarves, boots, and a dry, itchy scalp. What? Huh? A dry itchy scalp! Yes, you heard me; I am a victim of dry skin and an itchy scalp. Lack of moisture in the winter can lead to super dry tresses. No one likes to admit it, but it happens sometimes. 
Head & Shoulders, along with BlogHer, asked me to review the Eucalyptus Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care. I have dry skin anyway, but in the winter it gets crazy. For some reason, this year I have the pleasure of having a dry scalp. Misery, I tell ya. I was shocked as I turned to friends and twitter for advice, at just how many people deal with the same issue.  
We are in the midst of fall right now, and that means weeks of cool weather in the 60's and 70's followed by random stretches of a day or two here and there where the weather will dip into the very chilly 30's and 40's. I guess that's nature's way of getting us ready for the cold, negative numbers we are about to become very familiar with, when winter arrives for what seems like half the year here in the midwest.
It's no secret that I have a head full of naturally curly hair. It appears thick, but it's fine, and there is a lot of it! It requires a lot of daily product use to keep the frizz at bay, and moisturizing is a priority. With the use of multiple products, I am always tackling dry scalp and buildup. It's a daily job to keep my hair healthy and still keep it long. My biggest hair complaint is my dry, itchy scalp.  
I've shared my hair issues with you before. I've also shared with you that I love HEAD & SHOULDERS. I just love it. I live with a scalp that itches like crazy. I mean crazy. I'm constantly thinking about it, constantly wanting to scratch away. I hate it. But it doesn't just stop there. It flakes. It's gross. It's rather embarrassing. Some days I have to slip on a hat when it's extra bothersome.  
Winter is coming, and with it dryer air. My dogs are all scratching from the dry air coupled with too many flea baths and reminding me how I normally feel this time of year. I recently had the opportunity to try out Eucalyptus Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care shampoo and conditioner for that very problem. Well, not the too many flea baths part, but every winter my scalp itches like crazy from the dry air. 
A long while back, I remember polling my Twitter friends as to how frequently they washed their hair. The results confirmed what I had already suspected; I wash my hair decidedly less often than the majority. My hair is long, color-treated, and on the dry side. As a result, I've found it looks much healthier and feels much softer if I leave it alone as much as possible. 
Thing I Currently Like: My Hair... ...but definitely not my hips or my boobs. I have child-bearing hips and tiny bubbies and can some doctor reader please do a pro-bono boob job on me PLEASE? Half-kidding. I do like my hair, though. 
Living in MinneSOOOOOOta, I get to experience all sorts of things...hotdish, lutefisk (actually, I've never had it), triple digits below zero, walking on large bodies of water, saying "pop", "youbetcha" and "dontchaknow", and dry, itchy winter skin. I know, I know...don't everyone rush here all at once. You know you want to. 
Friends I have a secret.  Read more


The best surprise...soft, hydrated, fluffy hair.

During the winter, if you could call it that here in LA, I have a not-so-glamorous secret...itchy scalp. The cold, windy weather wreaks havoc on my scalp. It's not exactly a stylish look to be itching my head as I walk down the street. It makes me miss my soft, hydrated, itch-free hair of the summer months!  
Head & Shoulders had a campaign a few years back highlighting the concept that healthy hair began with a healthy scalp. Since it was a product I already used on occasion to correct scalp issues [cough::dandruff::cough::cough], I decided to use it more regularly. For a good 12 months, I experienced the benefits of my healthy scalp begetting healthy hair. And then, one day, I changed to another product.
BlogHer asked me if I would like to try out a new shampoo and conditioner from Head & Shoulders, which was supposed to help correct dryness, itchiness, and sensitivity of the scalp, along with eliminating flakes. It was actually a pretty timely request because our weather is changing, and we’ve had a couple chilly snaps. 
From the title of the post, you are probably thinking I am going to share some new recipe for wonderful flaky biscuits or a flaky pastry, but you'd be wrong. Today I am going to share with you a bit about my flakes...my dandruff flakes.  
My favorite color for clothing is black. You will always find me in a black shirt, dress, sweater, etc. Why am I telling you this? When I wear black, I prefer not to have unwanted flakes showing up on my shoulders. You know what flakes I’m talking about. If I must tell you, they are the ones that come from the result of having an itchy scalp!  
I was given the opportunity by BlogHer and Head & Shoulders to review the new Head & Shoulders Advanced Formula Eucalyptus Itchy Scalp Care shampoo and conditioner. Although I do not suffer from dandruff, in the wintertime I consistently experience itchy, dry scalp and often will sneak some of my husband's Head & Shoulders shampoo! Shhhh. Don't tell.  
We all know about bad hair days. How many of us know about bad scalp days? I do! Especially in the fall. Seasonal scalp changes are more common than many of us may have realized.My hair is very long. The last time my girls measured the length, it was 38 inches. 
When my son complains his head is itchy, I don't, after years of watching him go through this, automatically assume he has head lice.  
I wanted to let you in on a secret. I just might be addicted to the new line of Head & Shoulders. Yes, this is a paid review, but seriously, I’m in love. Not only do I have an uncontrollable mop head at times, but with all this hair, my scalp can get itchy, especially in the winter months. With the cold months creeping up on me, it’s time to start thinking about these lovely locks. 
Not sure about you, ladies and gents, but this time of year takes a toll on my hair and skin. I experience changes I am not personally fond of.DRYNESS, first and foremost. I suppose the cooler temps and the heat being turned on are the major factors. 
 

Smells so great and really works!

I don't know how many of you remember that back in July I took colouring my hair into my own hands and totally fried my scalp. Since then, I've been struggling with dryness, flaking, and a regular feeling like my scalp was fighting off an infection (can scalps get colds?) I even had trouble wearing my hair in my standard ponytail because of the tenderness on certain areas of my head.
My family suffers greatly from dry skin, and it gets really bad during winter. The moment the heater is turned on, we all start to shrivel and flake. Finding the right remedies for our skin and hair is always a challenge, especially since none of us want to smell like a medicine cabinet. 
The first time I went to get a haircut after Evan was born, I mostly went for the shampoo and blow-dry. My hair hadn't been both clean AND dry in five months and the thought of wasting precious napping time on something as frivolous as a shower was laughable. So I figured hey, three birds one stone! A haircut will TOTALLY make me look less exhausted and overwhelmed! 
After our little Bennett was born last summer, I noticed my scalp itched almost daily. I thought maybe I was eating something that was causing it to be sensitive, or maybe I just wasn't washing it often or well enough now that I had four kids and less time to take a shower every day! 
No one likes to admit they have dandruff. Avoiding dark colored shirts so no one sees the flakes settling on your shoulders, instinctively leaning away when that special someone wants to run their hands through your hair, trying to look as if you're just lost in thought as you sneak in a quick scratch of your scalp...some of us will try anything to hide the secret in our hair.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Win a HP TouchSmart 320 from BlogHer & HP

  Want to win one for your family? Now you can! HP has partnered with five bloggers to give the HP TouchSmart 320 a try, use it with their kids, and report back. Read on to learn about our bloggers' real life experiences and be sure to enter to win!  Ends 12/16

I could give 320 reasons why we are loving this computer!

We have a new friend in our home. She is sleek, skinny, and stylish with a beautiful profile. She has no extra baggage or wires, vibrant coloring, and she unleashes my kids' creativity with the touch of a finger. She helps get homework done and plays beautiful music. She is super efficient and can multi-task like none other. If she folded laundry, she could probably be nominated for sainthood. What did we ever do without her??\

The kids were so excited!

The computer has touch-screen capabilities which I always forget to use because I am old, but which makes it really kid friendly. It has a built-in webcam and really smooth video playback because of AMD's VISION technology.  The kids loved discovering they could take weird pictures of themselves; I have found many of those in my Picasa files.  It is also pretty, which means more than anything right? A nice big 20" screen-just two pieces, one cord, no clutter.  I love that.  
The screen can tilt 45 degrees for best viewing quality and has a built-in webcam for those Skype chats with grandparents and cousins who are in lands far away.   You can also enjoy DVDs or the TV tuner features with the smooth, clear picture thanks to AMD’s VISION technology.There is also a selection of HP TouchSmart apps you can use, such as the recipe app! Ryan and I will most certainly be utilizing that one.  All your favorite recipes are at your fingertips.  We tend to look up a lot of our favorite recipes on the computer these days anyway. 
What I saw was a gorgeous, slim, flat screen and another very small box containing a wireless keyboard and a mouse.And, GET THIS, one small page of instructions that basically said, "PLUG IT IN."The nice folks at HP had scheduled a call to help me set it up, and I'd already felt sorry for them several times because they had no idea what they were about to deal with. But I was feeling brave and emboldened by the simple directions and set up instructions, so I plugged it in.  LO AND BEHOLD, it was just that easy.  
Wow, was I wrong at how impressed they would be with the touch screen!  I wish I would have caught my three year old daughter on video when she exclaimed, "You can click it with your finger?  That is so COOL!"They have had free range for the past week to explore all of the fun features.  They have used the webcam to talk to their dad, who travels for work, experienced games on their favorite sites in a new way, played a little too much Angry Birds, created slideshows with their pictures, and doodled masterpieces on the magic canvas.  

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Win Nintendo Wii & a copy of Deepak Chopra's Leela from BlogHer

Bloggers were asked to write about their experiences playing Deepak Chopra's Leela, a groundbreaking game concept that combines ancient relaxation and meditation techniques with technology to bring focus, energy and balance to your life.

And you can try it too! Each one of them is giving away a Nintendo Wii and a copy of Deepak Chopra's Leela! Click on the posts below to read their reviews and enter to win on each blog. The BlogHer Body Mind Spirit sweepstakes run from 11/11/11 through 12/8/11 and are only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older.

A new type of video game experience When I think of Nintendo Wii and video games, I do not immediately think of relaxation and meditation. But that's exactly what I was in for while playing the Leela Wii game. I'm being serious, y'all. Healing expert and renowned author Deepak Chopra, M.D. has team up with gaming giant THQ to create a new type of video game experience... Read more

There's no hiding that life can be stressful. There's no hiding that life can be stressful. Throughout the struggles of the past 10 weeks, my relief has been been yoga, meditation, good food and laughter. I was recently sent the game Deepak Chopra's Leela to play on my Wii and review. I played it this morning and was lost in a solid hour of play and meditation. Read more

Understanding how energy flows through your body and mind I tried a video game for the Wii console this weekend: Deepak Chopra's Leela. Actually, calling this a game is a bit of a stretch. Leela is relaxation and meditation software based on the ancient system of the seven Chakras, or understanding how energy flows through your body and mind. Read more

I don't play games unless they're going to enhance my life in some way. If you've been reading my blog for a while now, you know that I'm a bit of a gamer, and my husband defines the word. I don't play, or even like, most of the games he plays. And since I don't have too much free time on my hands any longer, I don't really play games unless they're going to enhance my life in some way... Read more

Healthy living must encompass body, mind and soul. The older and wiser (haha) that I get, it resonates with me more that healthy living must encompass body, mind and soul. A healthy body with an unhealthy mind will not remain healthy for long; a healthy mind living in a unhealthy body cannot remain so. Read more

When I think video games, my mind goes to sports, racing, kill-the-bad-guy and yes, Pac-Man. I was sent a copy of Deepak Chopra's Leela: body.mind.spirit.play. to review. And yes, it is a video game. (For Xbox 360 Kinect and Wii.) I know this sounds counterintuitive to have a relaxation and meditation video game, but I was highly intrigued. (Wait . . . what?!) When I think video games, my mind goes to sports, racing, kill-the-bad-guy and yes, Pac-Man. Read more

Deepak Chopra is a spiritual guide Bossy and her brother and her son and her mother passed their thirty-four collective hours in the car giggling, plotting their next pulled pork sandwich, and, mostly, listening to Deepak Chopra. Deepak Chopra is a doctor, spiritual guide, and motivational speaker spiritual doctor guide. Read more

I’m busy...and you are too. I’m busy, and from what I overhear in conversations at coffee shops, emails swapped with friends, and blogs I read each week, you are too. You’ve got work to do. You’ve got work to do at work, and you’ve got work to do at home. You’ve got emails to respond to, calls to make, offices to contact, dishes to do, people to see, errands to run, and did I mention that the holidays are just around the corner adding 729 more items of “to do” to your already overflowing list? Read more

How could Chopra connect a fast-paced video game with meditation? When I first heard about Deepak Chopra's new video game, Leela, I couldn't imagine how Chopra could connect the polar opposites of fast-paced video games with the mind-chilling elements of meditation. I was intrigued, to say the least. Read more

Our Wii game system sees a lot of action in my house. Our Wii game system sees a lot of action in my house. In terms of frequency of electronics use, it ranks somewhere between our coffee maker and the vacuum attachment we use on our dogs. (I kid. I WISH they let me vacuum them. Because have you ever met a Corgi? You could probably insulate an average-sized home with the fur they shed in a month.) Read more

Friday, December 2, 2011

Holiday Money

 Thrifty Mommy is giving away $25 Amazon GC. Ends 12/23

 Blessed Beyond Words is giving away $50 Amazon GC. Ends 12/16
  
The Busy Woman's Guide to Surviving Motherhood has: #Giveaway: $50 Gift Card of Choice from @BluePay ends 12/11

Mocha Dad is giving away a $100 AmEx card. Ends 12/8

Heavenly Savings is giving away $20 Amazon GC. Ends 12/06

Heavenly Savings is giving away $25 Walmart or Paypal GC. Ends 12/04

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Snow in the forecast - Need boots

Snow & cold in the forecast and I could use some new boots.

momma told me is giving away Manitobah Mukluks. ends 12/1

Friday, November 4, 2011

Money for after my trip to Chile

Now it's only 1 day. So I'll need money when I get back for presents.

The Suburban Jungle is giving away a $200 Amazon cert. ends 11/17

Horseshoes is giving away a $100 GC to Target. ends 11/13

Giveaway Blogdom has several GCs to give away for Black Friday. ends 11/10
Giveaway Bandit  also has several GCs to give away for Black Friday. ends 11/10

With less than 2 weeks til I leave I keep thinking about something I need or want to buy when I get there. So more money is always helpful.

This Mama Cooks is giving away $50 GC. ends 11/4

Monday, October 31, 2011

Win $100 Mary Kay basket from BlogHer

 Mary Kay has also teamed up with BlogHer, to show you how to look your beautiful best.  This fall, twelve bloggers are trying some of the fabulous products Mary Kay has to offer.  Get their exclusive product reviews below.  To make things even more exciting, each blogger is giving you a chance to win a Mary Kay gift pack, filled with *$100 worth of fabulous products!  ends 11/18


leigh vs laundry admits that "I felt pretty saucy in my newly made up face. My husband said that he thought I looked cute! The TimeWise Set left me feeling radiant, really, like an inner light came shining through!"
Creating Motherhood shares that "this serum was super light and absorbed into my skin instantly. (my biggest problem is that the scrub made my face so smooth that I kept touching my cheeks to feel the softness)!"
Athena in the Middle loved "the way my skin felt after this easy two-step process.The microdermabrasion beads did not hurt my delicate skin and the replenishing lotion smelled great. My skin feels so soft!"
A Girl and a Boy loves using the exfoliating face wash.  "Generally use exfoliators with bigger, softer beads, so I was surprised by the superfine crystals and how much it felt like they were really scrubbing my skin. Honestly, I was a little afraid I'd turn into a raw and peeling mess...which is another way of saying I loved it. I loved it because I knew it was working!" 
A Few Of My Favorite Things shares  she has never found a mascara "worthy of a pricey purchase. But Mary Kay pulled out the big guns and surprised me with the Lash Love Mascara. Awesome flexible wand. No clumps. Glides on smoothly, and I actually think my lashes looked longer!"  

Pistols and Popcorn  started incorporating the TimeWise set into her skincare routine.  "I tried the Mary Kay Microdermabrasion Set and I must say, hats off, Ms. Mary Kay. Turns out that a good scrub (step one) followed by a rich moisturizing serum (step two) is a nice addition. I will definitely continue to use this set. You should too."
Momma Go Round  adores the Mineral Cheek Color in Cherry Blossom. "I found to be great! I’ve always wondered how to get that fresh, dewy, rosy cheek look. This color is it! It blended great with my foundation and gave great color throughout the day. Definitely a new fav for me!"
Clover Lane divulges that "the step one and step two fancy soap and lotion didn't leave my face tight or dry but feeling soft and smooth (all my wrinkles instantly disappeared it was amazing!-not exactly but it fooled me into thinking so which is just as important), the mascara wasn't clumpy and sticky, but smooth and even."

Whatever shares that "the Mary Kay Compact Mini is so cute!  These colors will be so great for FALL!  It fits in the palm of your hand so it's small enough to take with you anywhere you go. I love that I will be able to have what I need ON THE GO without carrying a bulky makeup bag!'"
Joyful Abode says that she almost never wears mascara either, but "this was really easy to apply and I like the way it made my eyes POP!"

More money for my trip to Patagonia

We're down to only 17 days so a bit more money would come in handy:
Win $200 from Mommy Had Deals ends 10/31

Friday, October 14, 2011

Trick or Tease Hop & Win | Win $100 HalloweenMart GC (US & Can)

Welcome to Trick or Tease Blog Hop hosted by Just Married with Coupons, Sweep Tight, This Lil Piglet, Makobi Scribe and Simply Stacie!

About our sponsor:
“The world’s first online Halloween costume store, HalloweenMart offers the Internet’s widest selection of high-quality costume items and accessories ranging from adult costumes to kids costumes, Halloween costumes of all types, Adult Superhero Costumes, Kids Superhero Costumes, and even sexy costumes and lingerie, all at affordable prices. We offer a huge inventory of over 10,000 of the best made, highest quality, trendiest, and most vivid Halloween costumes available, applying a decade and a half of online experience in Halloween costume selection and sales.”
How to join the fun and enter to win between 10/10 – 10/15
  • Simply Follow all 5 Hosts via GFC (Google Friend Connect)
  • Link Up Your Blog in the embedded linky list on any of our blogs
More Info:
  • Giveaway is open to US/CAN residents, 18+
  • Linky list will close at midnight EST on 10/15
  • Winner will be chosen using random.org on 10/16
  • Make sure your contact info is available on your blog so we can contact you!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Win $100 Mary Kay gift pack from BlogHer & Mary Kay

Mary Kay has also teamed up with BlogHer, to show you how to look your beautiful best. This month, seven Bloggers are trying some of the fabulous products Mary Kay has to offer. Get their exclusive product reviews below. To make things even more exciting, each blogger is giving you a chance to win a Mary Kay gift pack, filled with *$100 worth of fabulous products! *estimated retail value. ends 10/16

PinQue shares that "This is a great addition for my purse or gym bag to keep me looking fresh all day long!
Newlyweds Next Door loves using the exfoliating face wash and then the replenishing serum to prepare for her high school reunion. "The set really made my skin feel fresh, energized, and glowing!"

The Less Than Domestic Goddess started using the TimeWise set a few days ago. "So far, so good. It does an amazing job of gently exfoliating, and my face feels smoother and looks clearer already!"
Raising Colorado confesses that she "couldn’t stop using this Replenish serum, y’all! It made my face soft and seemingly un-35 years old. This is the highest compliment I can give a beauty product." See what else she loves from Mary Kay!
Then Heather Said admists that her favorite product is the was Mary Kay TimeWise Microdermabrasion Set, hands down! "As a matter of fact, the first day I used the set before work, two people in my office commented on how pretty I looked that day! I can definitely see myself using the Mary Kay Time Wise Microdermabrasion Set from here on out!"
Little Miss Momma shares that "the sure fire way I knew this make up is totally awesome…when I walked down the stairs after putting it on and the hubby says,
'Woah, what’s the occasion, hubba hubba!'"
The Daily Julie shares that she's "really impressed with this new generation of Mary Kay products. Those ladies know what’s up and really got me to step outside my makeup comfort zone and try some new colors and products and I love it!"

Win a $50 GC to Drugstore.com from Olay & BlogHer

Enter to win a $50 gift card to Drugstore.com from Olay! ends 11/03

Enter to win a $50 gift card from Olay!

I was recently given the opportunity to try out the Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line. Since Olay is a name I trust when it comes to caring for my skin, I was excited to try it out. This particular line is specifically designed to control acne, help minimize the appearance of pores, and refine texture in as little as four weeks. Truth? I don't actually deal with much in the way of acne. I didn't deal with much in the way of acne as a teenager, either. Nonetheless, my "normal/combination" skin isn't perfect! I deal with tight dryness if I skip a moi
Olay recently introduced its Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line and I was given the opportunity to try it! I've tried and reviewed several newer Olay products and have been pleased with them all. Therefore, I had no doubt with this one. I really did notice a smoother texture to my skin! It's a simple three-step process ... I was very happy with it! Read more
I was looking through some old pictures from high school and college and I saw myself in various fun situations with long forgotten friends. Even though those were some wonderful times, I wouldn’t go back to those times for anything. Wait! I lied. It happens quarterly. I actually did want one detail back: MY SKIN! My complexion was to die for. Okay, you may not have laid down your life, but I love hyperbole AND my retro-skin.
"Adult" and "acne" are not two words that belong in the same sentence. Yet they do - and that sentence has been written across my face for twenty years. I have tried every over-the-counter product made. I have gone to several dermatologists and spent the big bucks for prescriptions. I have even mail-ordered products that promised to work miracles.There are no miracle products for adults with acne folks. None at all. Plus, what I have found through the years is that the bulk of products are aimed at teens.

Olay and a giveaway!

I may be getting on in years, but I still have acne. Yes, wrinkles AND acne, SO not fair. I've struggled with acne for many years, I was even on some very powerful medicine at one point. Additionally, over the years the way my acne behaves has changed, and the things that used to help don't always help anymore. My face is very sensitive to medicines and lotions, so I'm wary of trying new things when I've found a routine that works.
Most of the time, red is good. In fact, I love red - it's one of my favorite colors. Red makes you stand out. Red sometimes makes heads turn, it's easily recognizable. Sometimes, though, I have a slightly little problem with red. Especially when it's in my face and there's a medical term associated with it. Like rosacea which I had previously mentioned here. As a photographer, with this kind of 'redness,' I prefer to stay behind the camera.
A couple of months ago I was approached to do a review of a new acne product, the Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line. My skin is relatively calm but I do get flare-ups every month or so. The reason my skin stays fairly decent outside of the flare-ups is due to a short course of prescription acne medication and now, follow-on maintenance and care. Still, I am always on a quest to find a product that will prevent even the flare-ups.
There is just something uncomfortable about having to shop within THAT row of THAT aisle. While most women my age are moisturizing away wrinkles with lotions in grownup jars I'm over in the teen section looking for something that will kill a monster pimple on my chin. The acne fighting products available on most drugstore shelves are clearly being created and sold to a different generation - I know because I have been buying and using zit cream since I was 13 years old and the hot pink and neon blue boxes are exactly the same.
You know, when a girl reaches a certain age, she should be able to say good-bye to certain things. Zits are at the top of that list. As a girl (girl, ha! I can hardly use that term anymore!) who's never had great skin, to continue to suffer from acne into my 30s is like a kick when I'm already down. While my acne has never been terrible (aside from those early teen years. Ugh.), I really thought that by the time my OWN kids had acne, that I'd be done with it

I really like this skin care system

As I get older, my skin is beginning to revolt. I have more breakouts now at 35 than I did as a teenager. My new personal favorite: Getting a pimple in a wrinkle. Not awesome.  I was recently given the opportunity to try the new Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line, which is oil-free and specifically designed with the needs of mature skin in mind. It also contains clinically proven fancy face technology to control breakouts PLUS reduce the appearance of pores and refine texture in less than a month.  Read more
A few months ago I wrote a post about my struggles with acne as an adult. I was blown away by the response that I received so I wanted to give you an update on how things are going. Here is some background for newer readers. In late 2010 I began to experience breakouts on my face. I have always had the occasional spot here and there but this has been constant for nine months. I honestly can’t remember the last time that my skin was 100% clear.  Read more

Best Face Forward

The one piece of advice that my mother gave me in my youth, that I actually didn't fight her on, was the need to take care of my skin.  From the time I first flirted with baby blue eyeshadow and matching blue mascara for trips to the roller rink, she took the time to instruct me on the importance of always removing my makeup, and washing and moisturizing my skin both morning and night.  Read more

40-something Skin Care

I have noticed more and more as I creep into my forty-somethings that my skin is undergoing changes. I don't have those horrible acne outbreaks all over my face like I did as a teen - and for the most part I can rejoice that I had a very brief teen acne period - but I have always had the dreaded T zone with my chin, nose and forehead being an oil slick. As I hit the four decade mark I started noticing changes.  Read more

Growing older just like I deserve to.

Your skin will thank you!

I recently had the opportunity to try the new Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line.  Did you know over half of women in the U.S. between the ages of 25 and 58 have some form of acne?  The past few weeks I’ve been using these products diligently and have definitely noticed smoother skin and my pores seem smaller! 

It's time to embrace my face

I've mentioned before that one of the most annoying parts of getting older is something I never expected - acne. I have more breakouts now than I ever did as a teenager. One of the greatest signs of being kicked out of Eden is that I am combating gray hair and zits simultaneously. It's just not right.  I've spent a lot of time with recently waxed furrowed brows in the acne aisle at a drugstore trying to figure out how to treat it. Because y'all know, just like everything else the skin is not what it was twenty years ago.  Read more
When I was a teenager, I comforted myself with the knowledge that if I had to get old, at least I wouldn't have to deal with pimples anymore.  Yeah. Still laughing about that one.  I was lucky not to have a horrible experience with acne during my adolescence, but I can't say the pimples have gotten much better since then, either. In my twenties, a hot humid climate combined with the makeup I wore on television news every day actually prompted me to get a prescription to deal with the pimples. Once I got out of the TV business, the breakouts went away, at least until recently.

I always want to look my best -- read about it and enter to win!

A solid 9 out of 10!


Win $100 Nordstrom Rack GC from BlogHer

Five bloggers were each given $200 to shop the plus-size department at Nordstrom Rack. Read their blogs to see what they bought and leave them a comment to be entered to win a $100 Nordstrom Rack gift card. Five winners in all! ends 10/31

Read the reviews:

Armloads of Dresses at Nordstrom Rack!

9/14/11 3:43pm by

When the opportunity arose to review Nordstrom Rack, I was a little dubious. To be honest, I didn’t actually know that Nordstrom Rack carried plus sizes. See, I’ve gotten accustomed to all my favorite discount stores (who shall remain nameless) limiting or removing their plus size selection, as so many have done in recent years, so rather than get my hopes up, I tend to presume that I won’t find anything to fit me, and sometimes I get to be pleasantly surprised.

The Dreaded Plus-size Department? Not so!

9/14/11 3:26pm by

When Nordstrom Rack offered to send me on a little shopping trip in their plus size department, I was more than a little skeptical. First, I'm barely standard size, barely plus size, just that awesome marshmallow in the middle of the s'more. Cute and fluffy, but can't decide if I want to hang out with the chocolate or the graham cracker.

Score! 3 New Outfits and a Killer Pair of Shoes!

9/14/11 3:19pm by

I have been known to tell my children that Nordstrom is a holy place. I love it so very much. It has amazing clothing and beauty and the best customer service. I feel good inside of Nordstrom. Enter Nordstrom Rack. I have shopped The Rack once when I was out west for a holiday and I loved it so much. It’s like Nordstrom only half off. Ohio has a store about 2 hours from me. I think it is safer that it is not actually located in Columbus. Read more

Gift Card in Hand, Nordstrom Love in My Heart!

9/14/11 2:51pm by

Armed with a gift card in my hand and Nordstrom love in my heart, I headed to the nearest Nordstrom Rack, in San Leandro, California, to do a little shopping. The first thing I noticed is that Nordstrom Rack does not exactly provide the full Nordstrom Experience. I’ve been to Nordstrom proper many a time, and have had luck finding gorgeous clothes and fancy party dresses. Nordstrom also has impeccable customer service, making it a joy to shop there.

Funky and Just a Little Different

9/14/11 11:55am by

Upon arrival at the Nordstrom Rack Plus department at their Brentwood store in St. Louis, I was instantly surprised at the selection. Normally, when you add the words “Plus Size” to any store you can bet that the choices you’ll find will be the same old tired patterns that plus size styles have had for the last 20 years or so. It’s one of the reasons stylish women who wear anything larger than a size 12 are loath to shop in those sections of a store.

Win $50 GC to Drugstore.com from Covergirl & Blogher

COVERGIRL sent 23 bloggers the NEW COVERGIRL LashPerfection™ Mascara to see how they liked it. This incredible mascara was specially designed to lengthen and lift your lashes for a lightweight, voluminous look - the lash wrap brush perfectly wraps each lash with volume.

Read on to see how the bloggers liked their new mascara. Be sure to click on the links to read their reviews and enter on each blog for the chance to win a $50 gift card to drugstore.com! We've got 23 to giveaway! ends 11/04

Piece N Quilt recently had a really big moment in her life when fantastic makeup helped her look and feel her best -- presenting for the new Moda Bake Shop Book at spring Quilt Market!

Athena in the Middle says, "Two things that help me feel confident: A good hair day and mascara...I never ever leave home without mascara. If I had to choose one makeup product for the rest of my life, it would be mascara. And trust me when I say that I have tried them all.

Surrender Dorothy has been blessed with plenty of thick long lashes but they have blonde tips and disappear without a good mascara. How did she do with the Covergirl LashPerfection Mascara?

According to The Bobby Pin, "Makeup is a funny thing. I feel as though you should be confident enough to not use it, but then there’s a confidence factor that comes with wearing it. And that confidence? It is the prettiest factor a girl can rock."

Creating Motherhood writes, "On the morning of the program, I had my laptop bag packed, my notes outlined, I was prepped and ready to go. My mother looked up from playing with my son and said, “Honey. Aren’t you going to put on makeup?”

Notes from a Cottage Industry wanted to look her best hen she recently got an e-vite to attend her thirty-fifth high school reunion. Gulp.

"This year has been full of events that have required I shed my macaroni-and-cheese-stained mom gear, discard the fluffy hair scrunchy, slip into a pair of heels and take my face to the level of “Girl, You So Fine,” that only makeup can achieve." Read how Kirida felt about Covergirl LashPerfection Mascara.

Peanut Butter Runner says, "I have always loved playing with makeup. This started back in high school, but I will refrain from sharing those pictures with you. Let's just say that it's a good thing that white eyeliner and glitter powder are trends of the past."

After 10 years of workign form her home, Roots and Wings is now venturing out into the outside world and finding it exciting, intimidating, and overwhelming all at the same time.

Sunday Baker writes, "Confidence is a HUGE part of looking good! Sometimes the most plain looking person can come off as gorgeous if they have a confident attitude. When someone has that natural inner glow, suddenly we all want to get to know them better and be around them."

Between her dad’s wedding and gallivanting across the southwest with various long lost friends – Single Infertile Female had plenty of times over 10 days of travel where she wanted to look her best.

Rhoda from Southern Hospitality shares, "Makeup has been a huge part of my life since I was around 13 years old and began experimenting with those lip glosses and blushers from Woolworth's. Oh, how exciting it was to pick up those shiny containers of makeup and start using them on my youthful face."

Lovin' From the Oven writes, "Makeup, with the help of my sister, has the ability to transform me and give me the confidence that I need for that big day."

My Little Life puts it this way, "I step out of the car, smooth my pants, straighten my shirt, take a cursory swipe at my hair for any fly-aways and do one last check in the mirror... yup, makeup's perfect. This gives me the boost of confidence I need to walk into that building and nail the interview."

Ten June may be a DIYer, but she still has to dress professionally and head out into the world looking professional. She sues make-up to ensure that she is looking her best each day.

"As women, we all want to feel good about ourselves, but sometimes we are also our own worst critics. When I have a new outfit to wear, get my hair done, wear new makeup, or a pretty piece of jewelry, I automatically have this sense of “wow I think I look pretty darn good today!” I don’t know why these things make me feel better, but they do." The Branches...

The Daily Julie relies on her morning routine to keep her day on track."Take one piece out of that routine and I feel out of sorts all day long. And honestly, take the hair and makeup part out, and I'd rather stay home. Makeup makes me feel pretty."

Sharyl has been married a long time "and, even after 33 years, I still want to look my very best for him. I love to see his eyes light up when he looks at me… And honestly - I feel better about myself when I know I look my best." The Little Brown House...

Tiffany from The Pifer Family has never been big on caking on layers and layers of makeup. "However, I am defiantly one who wants to wear the basics before I step outside of the house and scare our neighbors with my zombie-ish looks!"

When Then Heather Said is in search of a little extra confidence, she turns to something "that DOES make me feel beautiful; something physical that I can add to my appearance when I think my beauty is hiding."

Wardrobe Oxygen writes, "For me, makeup choices are just as important as my shoe choices or what necklace I paired with an outfit -- makeup is the ultimate accessory. With makeup I feel more polished, I feel my look is complete."

After the birth of her child, The Heir to Blair "realized quickly that the weight would take awhile to melt off. But I could brighten my face up in just a few minutes with my old, trusty friends, the blush stick & mascara wand."

Run To the Finish writes, "I have never been one to wear a lot of makeup. Mama always said “the best makeup is makeup no one knows you are wearing.” Of course she said this when I was in middle school and probably trying to discourage me from putting much on… but the fact of the matter is my style has remained very natural over the years."