Time for a HOUSEPARTY!

Last weekend I had the honor of hosting a Kleenex Handtowels Houseparty, and it was GREAT! We had such a fun time decorating our boxes and hand soaps for the upcoming Christmas season (can you believe it is right around the corner already!).

I received this opportunity from Houseparty.com (you can also find them on FB and twitter). This was my very first houseparty. They give you goodies for both the host and to share with your guests. For instance, in my kit was a package of Kleenex hand towels for me, and 12 for my guests. They also included soap making kits. You don’t actually make the soap, but they give you a bottle of sugar cookie scented liquid handsoap and some green dye to change the color, and then a pump to pour the soap into after you change the color. Of course there were 13 of those too, 1 to keep and 12 for your guests. The green dye was a little messy, but worth it since it was fun to add a lot or a little dye and then shake it up. Everyone had a great time and was very pleased with their freebies and the activities we did.

  I really hope I have the opportunity to host more Houseparty’s in the future!!! They picked today for a baking one that I really wanted, but was not picked :(. But there are only so many spots per party, and you must be patient. Some houseparties are more valuable than others too, but I am sure they will all be equally fun to host/attend.

Glade Expressions BzzCampain!

I was so excited to be picked as part of the Glade Expressions BzzCampain! I love glade products and have used the scented oil warmers on and off in my home for many years. My husband and I are smokers, so air freshners are a necessary part of everyday life. Oh boy was I happy I was able to receive my product for free, since the oil diffuser was over $8 in our Kroger store with the refills being around $5…ouch! Thankfully I was able to find refills at WalMart for when I am in need that were $3.52. I just hope they don’t sell out! The fragrance mist is much more affordable, but somewhat higher priced compared to other fragrance mist sprays. We tried the pineapple and mangosteen scent in both products; wow, it smells delicious! There are 3 other fragrances available: cotton & italian mandarin, lavender and juniper berry, and fuji apple & cardamom spice. We just love them, especially since they are both refillable products. The Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser has a strong scent at first, that kind of fades a little with time, but it does last the 30 days as stated. The Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist is a fine mist spray you can use to freshen the air periodically. They can be used in conjunction or separately which is also very nice. One of the other great points is the fact that you can just leave them sitting out on a table or shelf, they blend in with the décor very nicely, especially the oil diffuser. I have not been picked for any BzzCampains since I received this one . But I still love being a BzzAgent and having the opportunity to try great products and let everyone know how I felt about them. It is especially wonderful to have great savings to share with others.

in a constant game of catch-up!

Are you like me and feel like you are getting a lot of stuff accomplished, only to turn around and see the "to do" pile is still bigger than ever...and growing! I am finding myself in a perpetual state of trying to catch up only to find myself even farther behind. UGH! Especially after going out of town last weekend. Don't get me wrong the time with family out of town was very enjoyable, but the days ahead and just after our weekend vacay are so stressful! I don't even understand how people could ever find vacations relaxing, for me they create huge piles of laundry!

I am STILL trying to get back into a fitness regimine as well. I am still optimistic that it will happen, I just lack the motivation to make it happen! Ultimately I am the one who makes the decision to blog, look for freebies, or watch TV instead of doing what I should be doing. UGH, I need more of a conscious!!

I am still planning on blogging about my August (which I did not get till September anyway) Pop sugar must have box.  I had to cancel the September one, just didn't have the funds available for such things. I wish I could have gotten it though, the stuff that came it in looked better than what I got, or at least some of it, for me a combo of the 2 would have been perfect lol. I might still try to get one again sometime, especially if there is another deal. And I am praying that I could just win the giveaway on their youtube channel!!!! That would be AWESOME!!!

Till next time kiddos...which should be sooner than later this time...I promise to try harder :)

I finally found UNREAL candy in the TOY department!!

So as I have mentioned previously, I am a BzzAgent which means I get coupons to try products and write reviews. I also get coupons to pass along and let people know how I feel about these products. A couple of weeks ago I was accepted into the UNREAL candy BzzCampaign and received a coupon to try a bar free myself, and 5 coupons to pass along for a buy 1 get 1 free offer.

So I get my coupons, but with NO paperwork. Usually you receive with your product or coupons a sheet explaining what to do (basically test the product, share your opinion and coupons with people, and then do the activities online which are basically writing a review, a blog post, and telling them about who you gave the coupons to and what was said when you did). This is my third BzzCampaign, for the first they sent me the Dr. Scholl’s insoles I was testing, for the second they sent me some Kroger food and coupons that I had to go redeem at Kroger (not a big deal, I know where Kroger is) but for this one it was an envelope of coupons. I knew from the email I had received that the candy was available at stores like Kroger, Walgreens, and Rite Aid (plus other stores not in my area).

My first stop was Kroger since I shop there pretty regularly anyway. I looked in the candy aisle, and at the registers. I could find it no where. So then we tried Walgreens and again found nothing. I tried a Rite Aid and finally found it…but all they had were the multi-packs, dammit! So I asked a friend of mine who is also a BzzAgent and part of the campaign where she got hers (she is in a different part of Ohio) and she said at Kroger, so I asked where specifically and she said on a display, like an endcap. So like I said I shop at Kroger often anyway, so at my next venture my husband and I looked diligently. We still found nothing and thought we were defeated yet again when as we were heading towards the checkout I spotted a candy display at the end of the an aisle in toy department, it was not the UNREAL candy, but I headed down that aisle to see if I could find more and there it was. I had finally found it in the…toy department!?! Why the heck it was in the toy department, I do not get! I understand that candy is big with kids, but I find this candy to be excellent for dieters, and those who in general just want less junk in their candy! And it is actually good tasting, or at least the one that I tried. Here is the review I wrote for BzzAgent on BzzAgent.com. I encourage you to sign up if you check out the website and are interested in what you find out. Just do your homework, this can become a lot of work…not that it is hard, can just sometimes be time consuming…like when you are trying to find a damn candy bar J

My review of UNREAL candy:

I really enjoyed the UNREAL chocolate, caramel, and nouget bar. It tasted just as good as candy that is full of sugar, corn syrup, and artificial ingredients. I was amazed that this little bar was packed with 5 grams of fiber! The bar is kind of small but enough to satisfy most sweet tooth’s, and for only 170 calories. It does still have 7 grams of fat which I found to be kind of high, but most candy bars probably have twice that amount or more. It also only has 130mg of sodium. My husband tried the bar that also has peanuts, and liked that one as well (I am not a fan of peanuts, but would have loved it if one with peanut butter was offered, but I do understand the fat and calorie content in peanut butter can be pretty high).

I will definitely recommend this just about anyone, since it is important that even though we all want to treat ourselves once in awhile, those treats should be as healthy as possible. They are perfect for kids and dieters who want a treat that includes a great amount of fiber.

https://img.bzzagent.com/image/unrealCandy.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=6106959830&Campaign=1567983861&Uid=1326985&token=bda437d9d4837d6e74a2643baffb2f59

Check out www.getunreal.com for more info on UNREAL candy and for where to find it in your area.

*My next campaign is for Glade. I only very recently received those coupons and have not acquired my free ones yet, but I will let you know when I do.

Updates

Yesterday I finally did a 55 minute workout dvd, yay go me! And I plan on doing something today, probably my elliptical for 35-45 mins, or a walk, but who knows yet.
I was finally able to find the UNREAL candy for my BzzCampaign, so be looking for a blog post soon about what I thought of it!

Woo hoo, my first Houseparty!

Yesterday I was picked to host my first Houseparty!! It is a Kleenex disposable hand towel houseparty. I have been a member of Houseparty.com since June. To this day, I have only ever received opportunities from BzzAgent and Houseparty, I still have my Influenster account (NO results there, I will probably give up sooner or later and cancel it) and have already cancelled my Smiley360 account (too hard to figure out what the heck they want you to do!).

On BzzAgent you have to fill out a lot of surveys for them to match you with available campaigns. On houseparty you apply and may or may not be accepted to host a particular party. Your chances are increased by doing things like posting to facebook and twitter, or starting conversations on the houseparty site. Then for both you have follow up things like writing a review of the product and handing out coupons and spreading the word, or having a party.

I am SO EXCITED to be picked for this one!! This is the first party I have really been interested in, I also REALLY want the Kmart Halloween party…I mean REALLY REALLY WANT!!! Halloween is a HUGE event at our house, my husband and I both love it!!

But I am also in love with these Kleenex hand towels. I am told by my family and friends that I have a little OCD in me…and admittedly I do. And cleanliness of things is one of my biggest pet peeves. I hate going to the bathroom to wash my hands and go to use the towel and wonder to myself, what germs could currently be growing on this and ready to jump onto my hands and spread all over my body! Ok, so in my head it may be a little dramatic, but seriously the thought creeps me out, especially if I need to wipe my face at all. With these hand towels, I don’t have to worry…at all!! I especially love them to use to dry my face after I wash it, they are absorbent yet gentle.

Also, I took a 25 minute walk yesterday, which was less than I wanted to do, but a start none the less. Today after work I am planning a workout…wish me luck!!

Told you I am pretty random J

My weightloss journey so far and about how I need to kick my ass back into gear!

There I go again, not updating in over a week. Ugh. I just find myself SO busy lately! But I do have to admit, I also watch too much TV. Its my husbands fault really lol. He is always seeing advertisements for these new shows that he feels the need to put a season pass on them (which means the DVR will automatically record it whenever it is on), and since we have similar tastes and spend a lot of time together after work, I find myself being sucked into watching these shows! Most recently it is going to be Go On and Animal Practice, we watched the pilots for both and fell in love. Thankfully Hell’s Kitchen just ended and America’s Got Talent is almost over! And thank the Lord for DVR!!! I love not having to watch commercials all the time, and it saves time!

I personally cannot wait for the show The Biggest Loser to come back on!! I LOVE this show, it is what gave me so much inspiration to start losing weight. I started watching it in season 10. For Christmas 2010 my brother got me The Biggest Loser game for the wii and I began my weightloss journey. I got books and workout DVD’s from the library, I read articles on the internet and signed up for newsletters and to be a part of 10 pounds down group on facebook (which is ran by Jessica Smith Gomez, she is AWESOME! I fell in love with her on the 10 minute solution DVD’s but she has done so much since then including the newer 10 pounds down DVD’s and the upcoming Thin in 10 book and DVD. If you are trying to lose weight, go check her out!).

Anyway, I ended up losing 40lbs in 2011 J and I have maintained that loss and actually lost about 5lbs more this year, but I am still shy of my goal by 20lbs. So I know I need to step things up, last year I was basically a workout machine, at least 4 days a week, usually for an hour total. But lately I have allowed myself to slack quite a bit!! And I know that a person’s diet is probably the most important thing, and I have NEVER been good with keeping my fingers out of the cookie jar. But I do try to log what I eat on my Lose It app (which I also recommend and like very much). I have the most trouble on the weekends.

After I am finished with this I am going to get a workout in this evening, probably 35 minutes on the elliptical. I am hoping to try to work myself back up to workout out M-F for 45 minutes to an hour a day. And I am going to try to work on my diet more…but I think I may struggle with that my whole life…what can I say I just love food! Wish me luck, and I’ll be letting you know how it goes. Oh, and I am working on telling you about my popsugar must have box, that will be posted soon. Until next time…..