BIC Velocity Max

Have I told you how much I love being a part of the Smiley360 family!  Well, I do, and it's not just because they send me awesome stuff to test.  It's also because they clue me in to some really great products in the process.  The latest thing that I've had the privilege of testing was BIC Velocity Max pencils.  I say that I've tested them... more like my kids have tested them.  They came in the mail and before I could open the package, they were gone!  My children have written with nothing else since we received these pencils!!  My son said that they are the smoothest writing pencils that he's ever used!  The grips are great and help the kids keep a good hold on the pencils during their work.  The lead seems to hold up pretty well and doesn't break super easily.  The erasers are big enough for big mistakes.  The best part is that they don't have to sharpen their pencils every 15-20 minutes!!!  I homeschool my children and I swear it seems like as soon as I mention the word test, they have to sharpen their pencils.  Funny how that works, right?

Here's what BIC has to say about these great pencils...

BIC® Velocity® Max Mechanical Pencil - Large eraser for more erasing power!

• 75% wider eraser* 
• Soft gel grip molds to your hand for a comfortable writing experience
• Smoothest, darkest writing vs. other BIC® mechanical pencils
• Strong lead erases cleanly
• Barrel colors may vary

I must admit that I've found everything they mention to be true.  If you are looking for a great option to start your children's (or your) school year, give BIC a try.  You won't be disappointed.  

I received a free 2 pack of BIC Velocity Max pencils from Smiley360 in exchange for my written review.  All opinions are my own and no other compensation has been received.

I love ripples...in both the ocean and my toilet paper :)

I absolutely LOVE Cottonelle toilet paper.  I know it's a crazy subject to talk about... I mean who wants to talk about what they use in the bathroom but I seriously love Cottonelle toilet paper!  It's just the right thickness, just the right amount of sheets and who doesn't love the ripples!!!  Thanks to Crowdtap, I got 4 free rolls of Cottonelle with CleanRipple Texture to try out.  Now that I'm down to my last roll :( I can give a fair review.  The worst thing that can happen when you are using the restroom is to have your toilet paper let you down.  It's a science to the amount of sheets vs. thickness that you need to use the restroom (or at least they make you think it is).  Cottonelle has figured it out and they offer it with ripples for that extra clean feeling when you need it the most!  Thanks to Cottonelle, my toilet paper no longer lets me down :)

I received a free 4 pack of Cottonelle toilet paper from Crowdtap in exchange for my written review.  All opinions are my own and no other compensation has been received.

Seventh Generation upped the bar!

I have been a fan of Seventh Generation products for a while simply because of their work to take care of the environment.  It doesn't hurt that the products are easy on my children's sensitive skin.  I've always had to use sensitive or fragrance free products on my children's skin to keep them from having allergic reactions.  When Smiley360 offered to send me Energy Smart® laundry detergent from Seventh Generation for free, I was still skeptical in regards to the skin sensitivity so I used it on my laundry first.  I was so excited that the detergent had such a clean and refreshing scent!  I know you've noticed how environmentally friendly products sometimes have no smell or are not to pleasant smelling.  Now the true test.... my children's laundry...  Guess what?!  No allergic reaction!!!  I can FINALLY use a detergent with a scent on their laundry and it doesn't cause issues!!!  I am so excited!  Now, not only does this detergent say that it saves me money, but I can finally use one detergent for everyone in the house!!!  No more buying 2 different detergents for the family!!  I'm sold, what about you???  Here's some more information on this new detergent that has won me over...

With Seventh Generation™ Energy Smart®, you’re able to use more efficient settings with your washing machine that will save you both money and energy. You can save $17 per year using low energy settings†. And, it cleans just as well! Let’s start washing the right way!

I received a coupon for a free bottle of laundry detergent in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.  No other compensation has been received.

COFFEE! Yes, please :)

Is it just me, or is it that when you have kids there are times when you need a coffee IV?  Honestly, I have days when my morning coffee seems to do nothing.  I will drive by Starbucks just a few hours later and have to fight myself to not stop for more coffee!  Do you know what happens later that afternoon, I get more coffee!  I don't know if I am not getting enough sleep or if it's just that I love me some coffee :)  Here's the kicker.  I can't just drink coffee.  The taste of coffee is disgusting to me, just like beer.  I can't stand the taste of either.  So I need a ton of sugar, creamer, milk, etc. to make my coffee not taste like coffee.

Usually I use 2 TBSP of creamer, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of almond milk and hot chocolate in my coffee.  At that point, it's sweet enough and I can't taste the coffee flavor.  When Smiley360 offered me the chance to try Nescafe with Coffee-mate, I was super excited but I was also skeptical because of the extreme sweetness that I need in my coffee.

The next morning after received my free sample from Smiley360, I decided to give it a try.  I used 2 TBSP of Nescafe mixed with 6oz of hot water.  The first taste was okay but the coffee was really weak.  I added more of the Nescafe and it tasted somewhat better.  I was able to finish my coffee and it actually tasted okay.  I must admit though that I haven't used it since.  Here's my breakdown as far as the Nescafe with Coffee-mate...

Pros:

1. The coffee and creamer is already mixed together.  Super quick and super easy!
2. There are only 80 calories in a serving!  2 TBSP = 80 calories (SWEET!)
3. You have the awesome taste of coffee-mate mixed with the Nescafe coffee that you've grown to trust!

Cons:

1. You can't change the strength of the coffee without adding more creamer.
2. If you like a super creamy coffee, this may not be your favorite.

Overall, I think it's a great idea for people who don't need either super sweet or super strong coffee.  I will probably keep mine for those times when I am out of creamer or when I have company.  If you aren't super picky about your coffee and you need something quick and easy, try it!  I definitely think it's worth a shot :)

Click here for a coupon to try this new Nescafe with Coffee-mate for yourself!  I can't wait to hear what you think!!

Thank you Smiley360 and Nescafe for the chance to try this new product.  I was sent a FREE canister of Nescafe with Coffee-mate for myself and FREE coupons for friends and family.  #freesamp #NescafeCoffeemate All opinions are my own and no other compensation has been received.

Skintimate Happy Legs!

Thanks to Crowdtap, I was able to sample a new Skintimate shaving gel.  I have always loved Skintimate gels because I feel like they keep my legs moisturized and prevents the unwanted nicks.  So, I was super excited when Crowdtap wanted to send me a full size product to try!  The scent is Mandarin Burst and I absolutely love it!!  It's a nice summer scent that isn't too overwhelming but adds that nice whiff of smell whenever I walk by :)  Today when I was shaving, I thought I had cut my legs but nope, no cuts on these pretty legs!  Thanks to Skintimate, my legs are happy!!  #SamplingSkintimate #SkintimateHappyLegs

Thank you to Crowdtap and Skintimate for sending me a free can of shaving cream to try.  All opinions are my own and no other compensation has been received.

Do you color your hair?? If so, you need this! **Giveaway!!**

Let me begin by saying that I have NEVER colored my hair....

Yep, you read that right.  I have never colored my hair.  The closest I have come to it was highlights and I have blonde hair so you can only imagine how well that worked!  Honestly, I have always wanted to try lowlights or a different color but I am too afraid that I will not like it so I never follow through with it.  

Anyway, I have been a member with Vocalpoint for a few years now and I have had the opportunity to try different products as well as give them my reviews.  So, when they asked me to review Root Touch-Up by Nice 'n Easy I wanted to help them but, as you read earlier, I have absolutely no experience with hair color.  When I received the blogger kit in the mail, I was a little shocked but I will do my best to do what they ask of me (minus trying the product myself).  

First, let me tell you what I have read... (this information is from the Vocalpoint website)

Root Touch-Up by Nice n' Easy is a permanent formula designed to extend the life of your color for up to 3 weeks.  It can match salon and at-home shades, so your roots never get a chance to peek through.

I have been around enough people who color their hair to know how much of a pain it is for their roots to start showing.  Just imagine if you had this product at home and could keep that embarrassment at bay!  Well, I have the awesome opportunity to give away 4 coupons for FREE boxes of Root Touch-Up thanks to Vocalpoint!  Now you can try this product out for me and let me know how much you like it!  I am sure Vocalpoint would love to know what my readers think of this product!!

On to the giveaway...  GOOD LUCK!!

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Leave a comment telling me what color of Root Touch-Up you need for your hair.  
2. For an extra entry, follow me on GFC (leave a comment letting me know that you've done it).

Giveaway ends November 30, 2013 at 11:59pm.

You will receive a coupon for a FREE box of Root Touch-Up (valued up to $5.99).  Coupon expires 12-31-13.  

I received 4 coupons for FREE Root Touch-Up from Vocalpoint to share with my readers as well as a gift card for my time and review.  However, all opinions are my own and no other compensation has been received.

Lunchables Jr. Snack Packs

I know I am not the only mom that is always scrounging around trying to find decent snack options for her children.  I am pretty good at planning breakfast, lunch and dinner, but to be honest, by the time I am finished spending money for those, I am DONE!  I usually try to piece together some crackers and fruit or something that seems somewhat healthy and that will fill the munchkins up for a short period.  However, I have had my days when I just handed them whatever they asked for because, quite frankly, I didn't have anything else here for them to snack on.  I just didn't plan correctly and we had NO snacks!  

Well, the makers of Lunchables are trying to fix this problem that many of us moms find ourselves in.  They have created Lunchables Jr. snack packs.  These awesome little packs are great for little ones because the pieces are fun, flavor packed and bite size.  They are also great for moms because they are nutritious as well as quick and easy!  

There are 4 different kinds to choose from:

Ants on a Log

Very Beary Crunch

Teddy Bear Picnic

Blueberry Bonanza

Thanks to Crowdtap and Lunchables, my daughter was given the opportunity to try these new snacks for you and give her honest opinion :)  We received two packs of snacks (Ant on a Log and Very Beary Crunch), one for us to try and one for us to share.  Calleigh chose to try the Very Beary Crunch, simply because she doesn't like raisins and we gave the other one to her friend.  The Very Beary Crunch contains mini Ritz Bitz sandwiches, Teddy Grahams and strawberry flavored dried apple pieces.  The Ant on a Log contains honey graham sticks, peanut butter and Sun-Maid raisins.  

During snack time, Calleigh immediately went for the Ritz Bitz sandwiches (which I had anticipated). My daughter has a love for cheese that is just ridiculous ;)  After about 10-15 minutes, she was done and the snack was almost demolished.  In the end, the only thing that was left were the strawberry flavored apple pieces.  I was really surprised that she didn't eat those but after asking her about it, she said she just didn't like them.
  

I am super excited about these though because I often find myself searching for a snack option, especially when we are in the store, and it will be nice to be able to pick these up for those hurry up moments.  I feel good about serving these because the kids love them and they aren't completely sugar-filled.  

Thanks Crowdtap and Lunchables for offering us the opportunity to try these new snacks.  All opinions are my own and no other compensation has been received.