Kroger Comforts for Baby

Kroger Comforts for Baby

I was pretty excited when this BzzKit arrived (another BzzAgent testing opportunity).  My how life has changed in that I get excited about wipes, sippy cups, and diapers.  Macey can't even use the sippy cups yet, but I'm still excited for when she can.  We've tried, and she understands the point of them, but the flow of liquid is still too fast for her. So I can't review those at this time.

The wipes...  I wasn't too impressed with the wipes.  They were extra thick, but surprisingly dry for their thickness.  You would expect a thicker wipe to be more moist, but these just seemed to be coarse and not flexible enough.  Wouldn't buy these again.  Even in a pinch, I think I'd try another brand.  It's hard to say that about something, but they just weren't impressive.

Look at these cute diapers:

Not bad looks for a store brand!  Upon taking them out of the package, they felt thinner than I was expecting.  I decided to try one as an overnight diaper.  And it held through -- even after an early bedtime (6:45pm - 7:45am) -- and her PJs were dry in the morning.  Yay!

I'd buy the diapers but pass on the wipes.  Can't wait to try the sippy cups in the future.  I love that they have a flippable lid that covers the spout.  Perfect for on-the-go cleanliness.

Private Selection Frozen Foods

Private Selection Frozen Foods

As another BzzAgent trial, I tested Private Selection Frozen Foods.  Specifically, I tested one of their frozen pizzas, one of their frozen appetizer packs, and a frozen dessert.  Here's my review, ranked in the order that I enjoyed them.

PIZZA:  I chose the pepperoni pizza.  The placement of the pepperonis and mozzarella "blobs" wasn't very even, but the taste was great.  Given the price, the size, and the fact that it is thin crust, it's not the greatest bang for the buck, but it's definitely a "fancier" frozen pizza than we typically buy.

APPETIZERS:  This appetizer trio was great.  The cost, when you factor in that there are only 9 pieces in a box, was not.  If you are needing a few appetizer snacks for a small group, then this would be a good option.  If you're looking to serve a crowd, though, save your money and either make your own or buy another brand that offers more pieces.

DESSERT:  I was excited about this dessert, but was let down.  The cake was kinda dry, and not even the gooey hot fudge center was enough to fix that problem.  This would be a good dessert to have on hand for kids, because it is FAST.  Pop it in the microwave, flip out onto a plate, and enjoy.

Foodbuzz: Godiva Coffee

Foodbuzz: Godiva Coffee

As a member of Foodbuzz, I had the opportunity to test out Godiva's fall coffee flavors: Pumpkin Spice and Caramel Pecan Bark.  I was very excited about this one.  I love my morning coffee and I love all things fall (if you haven't gathered that already...), so this was RIGHT up my alley.

I drink my coffee black.  For whatever reason, I drink my iced coffee with flavored creamer.  I got into drinking my hot coffee with flavored creamer while pregnant, but then my tastebuds reverted back to pre-pregnancy once little Macey joined us outside the womb.  Anyway, I'm getting away from intended goal.  The coffee.  The Godiva coffee.

The fall flavors were fabulous, but I especially enjoyed the Pumpkin Spice flavor.  It had a smooth coffee flavor, but a strong pumpkin spice flavor, which I really enjoyed.  Paired with pumpkin bread (or pumpkin pound cake or pumpkin cookies or pumpkin delight!!!) and a good friend, it was the perfect way to start my day.

This is a coffee flavor that I will hate to say goodbye to come winter, and will welcome again next fall.  And in between?  I guess I will just have to test out some of Godiva's other flavors!

Tyson Grilled & Ready

Tyson Grilled & Ready

As a Foodbuzz Tastemaker, I had the priviledge of trying out a new Tyson Grilled & Ready product.  I chose the Fajita Chicken Breast Strips, from the freezer section, and decided to make... no surprise here... fajitas.

Here's The Mister's fajita trio:

And a singleton, so you can actually get a glimpse of some of the chicken:

Overall, the chicken was a breeze to prep and great for when you need dinner ready in a few minutes.  Like all frozen chicken strips, however, I just feel like it's not a replacement for freshly cooked chicken.  There's something about it that just doesn't do it for me.  Would I buy these again?  Yes, because it's so nice to have something like this in the freezer, ready and waiting.  Would I serve this fajita meal to guests?  Eh, probably not.  I'd make the time to prep and cook some fresh chicken.

Looking for a fajita recipe?
Click on one of these:
Fajitas with Guacamole
Fajitas on the Grill 

Magnum Ice Cream Bars

Magnum Ice Cream Bars

As a Foodbuzz Tastemaker, I've had the priviledge of trying out Magnum Ice Cream Bars.  I chose the Magnum Double Caramel, which is "silky vanilla bean ice cream enrobed in a luscious chocolately coating, rich caramel sauce and thick Belgian milk chocolate."

A little disappointing that there's only 3 in a box.  Makes for a semi-expensive treat.  They are, however, bigger than I expected:

Here it is out of its wrapper:

And after the first bite, the review is that it's terrific!  The caramel makes it for sure:

MyGetTogether: Chex Mix Snacks "Game Day" Get-Together

MyGetTogether: Chex Mix Snacks "Game Day" Get-Together

Through the MyGetTogether program, I was chosen to host a Chex Mix party -- specifically themed "Game Day." The party fell together easily, given that I was going to be with a bunch of friends that day anyway for a friend's wedding. And because there was time to kill in between the ceremony and reception, we appropriately scheduled to "get-together" at my place in the meantime. We munched on Chex Mix and caught the tail end of some football games.

Here's what I received:

In addition, I also got a large stack of Chex Mix coupons to hand out to guests.

The three flavors, ready to be devoured:

The verdict:

While all three snack mixes were enjoyed, there was a definite favorite: Original Chex Mix!

2nd place was divided between the other two. Turtle catered to the chocolate-lovers, while Sweet and Salty had a taste that was interesting and addicting, but got to be too much after a while.

But, it's funny, because the longer it's been since Sweet & Salty, the better my memory of it. Kinda like I want it again.

But you know what I want more? Original! And better yet? Homemade Original!

Kellogg's Fiber Plus Antioxidants Cereals

Product Review: Kellogg's Fiber Plus Antioxidants Cereals

As a recipient of Kellogg's breakfast cereals through the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program, I was able to taste-test two new offerings: Berry Yogurt Crunch and Cinnamon Oat Crunch, both healthy cereals with loads of Fiber, and - you guessed it - antioxidants!

Both cereals were tasty, and a healthy way to start my day. I'm a cereal lover, so I often eat it in the afternoon and evening as well. These have not lasted long in my house. I can't resist sugary cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but I love when I find a good-for-me cereal that gives me lasting energy beyond the initial sugar rush.

Let's talk about the Berry Yogurt Crunch first. My favorite, although both were tasty. The B.Y.C., as we'll refer to it, was crunchy, sweet, and perfect with cold milk. The yogurt bits were welcome surprises in my spoon, and the light fruity flavor was definitely there, but not over-powering. All in all, a great cereal that's good for you too!

The Cinnamon Oat Crunch was good, but somewhat bland and lacking in flavor. Keep in mind that I admitted earlier to being a sucker for Cinnamon TOAST Crunch, so sometimes a "healthified" version just doesn't do the trick. I'm still making my way through the box, though, as it's a great snack for before bed or when dinner seems hours away.

Hasbro Game Night

Hasbro Game Night!

Ahh, the perks of the internet. As a member of HouseParty.com, I have the opportunity to apply for parties I'd like to host. HouseParty reviews the applications and then offers you a party pack if you agree to host. The party packs usually include various items to help make your party a success. In this party pack -- for a Hasbro Game Night House Party -- I received the three games shown above: Taboo, Catch Phrase, and the highlight of the pack, Trivial Pursuit: Bet You Know It -- the latest version that hadn't even hit stores yet when I received it!

Brainstorming how to make my party extra special, I decided to combine game night with a wine and food pairing, which the guests would enjoy while taking a wine trivia quiz -- the first game of the night.

I picked three white wines: Champange, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay.

No, these are not expensive wines. Yes, you can get them at your grocery store for under $10. No, my guests didn't care. :)

And here are the three reds: Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon

The first course!

Champagne goes well with salty appetizers, such as the nuts and crackers. It also pairs well with parmigiano reggiano cheese and peaches and plums.

The wine quiz!

The 2nd pairing: Marinated Chicken and Shrimp Skewers, served with Sauvignon Blanc

The 3rd pairing: Crab Cakes Over Salad Greens, served with Chardonnay

The 4th pairing: Open-Faced Hamburger Sliders, topped with shredded cheese and french-fried onions, served with Zinfandel

The 5th pairing: Spaghetti with Homemade Marinara Sauce, served with Merlot

The 6th and final pairing: Dark chocolate, served with Cabernet Sauvignon

All guests received coupons from Hasbro!

***All recipes shown in this post will be available over the course of the week -- keep checking back for updates!

CoverGirl LashBlast and ShineBlast

BzzAgent Challenge: CoverGirl Lash Blast and Shine Blast

It's so fun to be a BzzAgent!  You get to try new products and respond with your opinion, each time working your way toward a higher status.  Do you want to be a BzzAgent?  Check out their website, where you can sign up for free!

This time around, I was assigned to BzzCampaign CoverGirl Blast, trying out two new products from CoverGirl - LashBlast and ShineBlast.

LashBlast is an eyeshadow.  It's not a powder, but more of a soft solid that you essentially "draw" on your eyelids.  One side is a smoky brownish maroon, and the other a bright green.  Here it is in its packaging:

I was a little hesitate about the colors.  The green is really bright in this product.  I was also a little nervous about the style of application.  I ALWAYS use powder eye shadows.  I have tried soft solids before and have never had much luck.  They always tend to crease and the application just isn't easy for me.  But it's my job as a BzzAgent to try out new products, so that is exactly what I did.

I started with freshly clean eyelids:

And added the green first, as directed:

Some parts were darker, some were lighter.  It didn't go on very evenly.  So I used my finger to smooth things out.  

Next was the darker shade, and the diagram and directions on the packaging told me to apply it to the crease of my eyelid.  So, that's what I did:

Once again, I wasn't totally impressed with the application.  I used my finger to blend the colors, but the overall product feels greasier than I'd prefer.  I think I'm just a powder girl.  I mean, it looks good above, but by the end of the day, it didn't seem to hold up as well as my typical routine.

Next up was the ShineBlast, and I had more faith in this.  

Here it is before I ripped off the packaging:

Warning: Super close up!  Not sure how I feel about my lips this magnified:

And then I applied the ShineBlast.  It's thick, but not too thick; sheer, but still adds a bit of color.  It's good for when you want something feminine on your lips, but don't want to go as far as full out lipstick.  A great day-to-day, any hour lip shine.  And it feels good on your lips too!

Take a look for yourself:

Wondering what the two products look like together?  Your wish is my command!

Yep, another close-up.

Starbucks Pike Place Roast

Starbucks Pike Place Roast

I'll admit that I'm typically pretty cheap when it comes to coffee. I buy the big cans to make coffee at home. I once bought the wrong style of coffee filters and "made them work" because I didn't want to just throw them away. I cringe at the thought of spending $4 on something I could easily make at home for about $0.04 (And actually save time when you factor in the lines at those places!). I don't use sugar. I don't use milk. And I don't use flavored creamers. Okay, so maybe those last ones are simply preference. I'm not THAT cheap. :) I like it black; I got that from my mama.

Every once in a while, I'll buy a special BAG (which is important to note, because typically the bags offer less coffee and are, therefore, you got it, more expensive in the end) of flavored coffee. I started something I like to call "Flavored Coffee Fridays." And, simple to understand, I make flavored coffee on Fridays... from a small, special, bag that costs about the same price as my large, industrial can. I get excited about Flavored Coffee Fridays. The Mr., while not as enthralled with the occasion, lets me a kick of it. I get a kick out of a lot of little things. (Such as receiving this BAG of Starbucks Pike Place Roast FREE from BzzAgent!):

And they also gave me a free bag of Caffe Verona, another great coffee!

I must admit: This was good coffee. And since I strayed from my typical allowance of special coffee on Fridays only, I started to feel a little spoiled by it.

BABIES!

Babies!

Another task as a BzzAgent! BABIES is a new movie, set to premiere (appropriately) over Mother's Day Weekend. It traces the lives of four newborns around the world -- San Francisco, Namibia, Tokyo, and Mongolia -- through their first year of experiencing life.

BzzAgent must know me well. This review was right up my alley...

I mean, really. Can you resist this picture of Ponijao from Namibia?

"Ponijao lives in Namibia with her family, including her parents and eight older brothers and sisters. Ponijao’s family is part of the Himba tribe, and lives in a small village with other families, following traditions including speaking their own (Himba) language. The men in the Himba tribe are generally off looking after the cattle and searching for grass, so Ponijao is most often with her mother and other female relatives; she plays, eats, and is bathed through the traditional method of mixing concrete red ochre with oil. Ponijao’s favorite things to do are dance and play with other children in the tribe."

Get a load of Mari, from Tokyo:

Bayar from Mongolia:

And Hattie, from San Fran:

Want more? Here's the trailer:

And in case you're looking for an "expert's" opinion:

BABIES premieres May 7th.

BzzAgent Report: L’Oréal Lash Boosting Serum and Mascara

L’Oréal Paris® Concentrated Lash Boosting Serum and Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara

I am a member - a BzzAgent, if you will -- of BzzAgent.com, a "word-of-mouth media network powered by 600,000 people." They supply products and digital tools to help promote products for over 600+ brands. This was my first assignment as a BzzAgent. I recieved the serum and mascara, free of charge, in the mail, and set out on the 4-week challenge to document results. The Mr. jokes that I love anything free, so when I'm lucky enough to get something free AND way cool, I'm pretty happy. :) Here are my findings...

Before:

This picture was taken before I starting using the serum or mascara. Yes, I'm pale. Yes, I'm sans make-up. And yes, it was early in the morning.

Moving on...

The serum is intended for use at night, and can also be applied in the morning before the mascara. Its job is to strengthen and condition. Because it's clear and has no immediate results, I was skeptical that it would make a difference. But, I used it. Because I was supposed to. And I like to follow directions.

Halfway Through (2 weeks):

Yep, still pale. Still sans make-up. And this one looks like it was even earlier in the morning!

At this point, I still wasn't sure if the serum was making a difference. But let me tell you about this mascara. I'm not sure if you can tell from the product picture above, but there are two ends to the mascara -- gold and blue. The gold end is a white base coat; the blue end, mascara. The base coat is very white; you wouldn't want to forget Step 2. But, wow, I was amazed at the difference it made. This base coat visibly extended my lashes -- they were longer and thicker instantly before my eyes.

When you apply the mascara, the white hue leaves, but the look remains. I found myself wanting to save the mascara for weekends and "special occasions," because I didn't want to go through it too fast. But, I continued to use it. Because I was supposed to. And I like to follow directions.

After (4 weeks):

I thought I'd cheat a little and put some eye shadow on. Isn't it kind of a rule when you take before and after pictures? I always get a chuckle when I come across ads for an extreme diet product. You know, the ones where the woman on the left is pale, scowling, and with a bulging belly; but the one on the right has a fresh-off-the-beach golden glow, a giddy smile, and a toned, flat stomach.

Refocusing.

Now that the 4-week challenge is all said and done, I can say that I'm actually very impressed with the product. It really seemed to make a difference. I'm not sure if the pictures show much of a change, but I believe the serum, though it worked in quiet, mysterious ways, made my lashes stronger. And the mascara without a doubt made a difference. Now that the trial period is over, I find that I AM hoarding it for special occasions. I've gone back to my normal mascara, using my new "big girl" mascara when I want to look my best. Which, anything you save like that, in my opinion, means you really like it. Right?