Beachy Summer Hair (#NYMBeachBabe)

How many of you have perfect hair that air dries into beachy waves?  If you raised your hand, we aren't friends anymore.  That just isn't fair!  Until now, I've had to use a combination of products and prayers to try to get some semi-decent waves in my hair.  Even though my hair is naturally wavy, I straighten it daily because it's actually easier than trying to get those perfect waves!  Whenever I try to wear my hair wavy, it's either too flat, too frizzy, not enough wave, etc.  I could never get it just right...until now!

Enter the Not Your Mother's Beach Babe collection (#NYMBeachBabe)!  Not only do they have a cute brand name, but their products work!  (Scroll down for individual product links!)

I received the Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Shampoo and Conditioner complimentary from Influenster to review.  The products smell DELICIOUS.  Like, I almost wanted to eat it.  They smell like some sort of tropical candy or beverage and it just makes me feel like I'm at the beach!  I love that the shampoo and conditioner are sulfate-free.  The shampoo and conditioner I normally use are also sulfate free so I was happy to forgo the sulfates again.  These products really brought out the waves in my hair without making my hair feel heavy or weighed down.  I'm really anxious to try the shampoo/conditioner WITH the texturing sea salt spray!  Just for kicks, I decided to use this shampoo on a straight hair day too.  My hair smelled delicious and felt extremely soft after blow drying.  After a little humidity, my hair poofed up and got a little wavy.  These products really do bring out the waves!


Here's a look at the products in this line (click on the picture to get more info):
 

Who Doesn't Love Free Stuff?!

A while ago, I signed up for two sites to help take surveys and review products.  I love trying new things so I thought it would be fun.  PLUS I get packages in the mail which is always fun...especially when I'm getting the products free to try!  The two sites I belong to are BzzAgent and Influenster.  If you aren't familiar with either, click the links to learn more.  I would only suggest signing up if you have the time to dedicate.  You aren't going to get many products if you aren't willing to take surveys and then share your thoughts on the products (like I'm about to do)!

This past month I got two new products to try from BzzAgent: Fiber One Meal Bars and Tone Body Wash.

These Fiber One Meal Bars really are meal bars.  I'm not the type of person to replace meals with bars (especially while pregnant) but these bars are a really good size and they're actually filling!  I'm not a huge fan of yogurt and fruit bars so I let my husband try the Strawberry Greek Yogurt bars.  He took the box to work and said it made a great breakfast for busy days when he had a morning full of meetings!  Obviously I kept the Chocolate Peanut Butter bars for myself!  Like I said, these bars are filling and they're great for people who are on the go...like Moms!  I always try to keep one in my diaper bag in case we get busy out running errands.  I always pack snacks for Carson in the diaper bag so why not include some for myself as well?!

The next product I was sent from BzzAgent was the Tone body wash.  I've seen this in the store, but to be honest, I never was tempted to stray away from my normal brands.  I'm not super brand loyal, but when I find something I like, it's hard to find a reason to change!  I'm glad I was sent this product to try because now I want to try some of the other scents!  The body wash smells delicious and with ingredients like cocoa butter, it really helps leave my skin feeling moisturized...even during these dry winter months!  Check out some of the other scents here!

Finally, I'm going to share my J'Adore VoxBox from Influenster!  Influenster works with brands and creates themed packages that they ship out to their members to review.  [Please know that not all Influensters are guaranteed a Vox Box!  You have to be active on their site!]  This particular VoxBox had a Valentine's theme which was so fun.  Plus it arrived on my porch ON Valentine's Day....what a fun little surprise!

Here's a look at what came in my VoxBox:

Here's a better look at the products I received complimentary to review.  (Click the links to find product details and descriptions!)

Hershey Kisses: Need I say more?  I already had some of these at home when I received my J'Adore VoxBox and I was excited to get an even bigger bag.  Did you know the Hershey Kisses website has TONS of amazing recipes using their yummy chocolates?  I already pinned quite a few to try!

Red Rose Tea: I'm not a huge tea drinker but how can you resist flavors like Creme Caramel and Lemon Chiffon?!  It's basically dessert in a mug.

John Frieda 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray: I love this product and I'll definitely be buying the full size version when my trial size runs out!  It doesn't have too strong of a scent and it really does help to keep my hair straight.  I usually shower at night which means I sleep on my freshly blow dried hair.  Which means I wake up with crazy kinks and waves.  With this 3-day straight I can blow dry and flat iron at night and basically just do a quick minute touch up in the morning.  Perfect for moms!

Boots Botanic Clay Mask: I'm not typically a face mask type of girl but this was kind of fun to try!  It's like having a fun spa day at home.  You can put the mask on and give yourself a mani or pedi at the same time!  It's a nice pampering feeling and I'm not sure if I was just imagining it, but my skin felt smoother and moisturized afterwards!

Kiss Lashes: I'm a stay at home mom....therefore, I haven't had the chance to wear any false lashes yet.  I'm thinking maybe I need to bust them out for a fancy date night.  6th Anniversary dinner?!  We shall see.  :)

Vaseline Men's Spray Lotion: This stuff is awesome!  I'm super jealous I didn't get a women's version but I'm totally going to buy one now!  Nick isn't a lotion guy but he likes this because it rubs in so easily and doesn't leave you feeling greasy.  I put some on my arm to test it out and it goes on so nice!  It does smell very manly though so I can't get away with stealing it!

What new products have you tried lately?  

Accessories for My Shoes!

Does anyone remember "Bow Biters"?  I know I had some and I'm pretty sure I had a pair of Garfield Bow Biters.  They kept your shoes from coming untied back in the 90's (and apparently they still make them today).  Talk about stylish!

Luckily shoe "accessories" aren't the same for me anymore....

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to receive the Dr. Scholl's Active Series vox box courtesy of influenster.  I have never used inserts in my shoes so I was excited to see how these would work.  I was surprised how perfectly they fit into my shoes.  You can't even tell there are inserts in there!

Here are some of the features of the Dr. Scholl's Active Series inserts:

• Reduces shock by 40%
• Designed with Triple Zone Protection for your ball of foot, arch, and heel
• Helps relieve and prevent pain from shin splints, runner's knee and plantar fasciitis
• Helps reduce foot odor with SweatMax™ technology

Have you tried inserts in your shoes?  These inserts are super affordable and super comfortable!  If you're looking to try an insert, I suggest the Dr. Scholl's Active Series!

Note: I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing and review purposes.  

Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth!

What do you look for when shopping for a toothbrush?  Are you loyal to a certain brand?  Do you always buy soft bristled toothbrushes?  Do you look for a certain feature?

I'll be honest, I usually buy what's on sale.  I typically buy soft bristled brushes, but I've never been loyal to any certain brand or style.

I was recently sent a Colgate SlimSoft toothbrush to review and I really fell in love.  Yes, I fell in love with a toothbrush.  The life of a mom is SO exciting!  ;)  The bristles on this brush are SO soft.  I've always had sensitive gums and this brush is so gentle on my gums, but still leaves my teeth feeling squeaky clean.  I love that the bristles are very thin and vary in length because they get into all of the little cracks and crevices between my teeth.  After brushing with the Colgate SlimSoft and some Colgate Total toothpaste, my mouth feels so fresh and so clean-clean.  :)

Here's a little sneak peek of what I got thanks to Influenster!  Carson was excited and got out his toothbrush as well.  :)

Note: I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing and review purposes.