Review: Red Gate Beauty LipSense & Lip Gloss

*This is a review of Red Gate Beauty products. I was provided the product to complete this review. All opinions are my own.

How many times have you put on lipstick in the morning only to have it completely erased before lunch? It’s rather annoying because no one has time to constantly reapply; yet you want to keep your lipstick on for more than an hour. Did I mention the fact that cosmetics aren’t cheap? So when you do invest in products, you want them to get the job done.

That’s where Red Gate Beauty products come in. I recently had the opportunity to try out LipSense by Red Gate as well as the moisturizing shea butter based gloss. With 40 warm, cool and neutral colors to choose from there is something for every facial tone. I chose the “Bella” shade as well as the “glossy” lip gloss. The color is guaranteed to last 4-18 hours, so I put it to the test.

I applied it as recommended; one thin layer at a time for a total of three layers (waiting a few seconds in between each one). I noticed a big of a tingling sensation, but that’s normal with this product because of the denatured alcohol that creates a bacteria free environment in the tube. If you have dry lips, like me, you tend to feel it a little bit more. It does diminish within a few seconds, so don’t get scared.

The color went on smooth and I really liked it. It’s horrible when you like a shade in the store or online and then once you get it home, you’re disappointed. But, this was not the case with the LipSense. Since I liked the color, I went ahead and applied the gloss. What I loved about the gloss is that while it made my lips shine, it didn’t leave them feeling gooey. I’ve tried other lip glosses that have left my lips feeling sticky and actually on the gross side. But, not with the LipSense products.

After the products were applied, it was time to put them to the test. That meant a normal day of eating, drinking, wiping my mouth, etc. Through lunch and even through dinner time, the color did not disappear. While the gloss factor diminished, the color was still visible. There was no need to reapply. By the time I was ready to wash my face for bed (about 15 hours after applying); I could still see trace amounts of color! This was easily removable with some oil based makeup remover.

If you’re looking for a long-lasting lip product, give Red Gate’s LipSense products a try. Get a 15% discount when ordering online by using the coupon code bloggymoms15 at the checkout. You won’t be disappointed!

Finding the Perfect Family Car with Cars.com

This is a sponsored post for Cars.com. All opinions are my own.

Whether you’re in the market for a new or used car, safety is priority number one when toting around your most precious cargo…your family. While we all know we want a safe car, what does that really mean? One that performs well in crash tests? One that has a good track record when it comes to repairs? Everyone looks for different traits when it comes to finding a safe vehicle, but I think everyone can agree on the fact that we wouldn’t put our family in any car that was deemed dangerous. That’s why finding information you can trust is so important.

When you’re looking for accurate information that is easy to digest, cars.com is a great resource. It provides clear and concise information that will help you find the best choice when it comes to deciding on the safest car for your family.

Searching the site is easy; just choose the make, model, and year you’re interested in from the drop down menu. You’ll immediately see how well it ranked from customer reviews, based on a best 5-star rating system. From there you can read up on all the specs of the vehicle as well as reviews from people who have bought and used it. For many people in the market to buy a car, reviews are key. They rely on hearing the honest opinions of people who have hands-on experience with the vehicle, not just information from someone trying to sell a car.

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a couple of cars you have decided rank best for safety, it’s time to see how much it’s going to cost you. Budgeting is a big part of family life for any mother, so breaking down the dollars and cents is just common sense, don’t you agree? You can estimate your payments to see if the car you want is affordable. If it is, then great! If not, you can go back and research as many vehicles as you wish until you find the right fit for your family’s safety and your wallet. Finding a new car has never been so easy thanks to cars.com!

Get a New Look with Divatress #ad #spon

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

We’ve all been there…those times when we’ve had a bad hair day. How about the times when we’ve gotten a haircut that didn’t turn out the way we thought and now we need to find a quick fix? What about the days when we just want a different look? How about those days when you want to unleash your inner diva? These are the most fun!

That’s where Divatress comes in. Whatever the situation, Divatress has a variety of sensationnel human hair that will leave you feeling beautiful. Whether it’s a full wig with curls or a cute, short pixie cut, you can transform yourself into whoever you like with products from Divatress.

courtesy: divatress.com

Sometimes we all want a little hair flair. If that’s the case, then a braid or a ponytail extension may be the answer for you. Choose from a wide selection to accentuate your style. All hair products come in a variety of colors and textures. Experiment with a new color or be a diva and try out several!

Whether it’s a full wig, extension, or even a weave, you can count on Divatress to deliver high quality hair care products right to your door step. Don’t keep that inner diva hiding for one more second!

Save Big With Groupon Goods

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

As a mom, you’re always looking for ways to save money. You also know rule number one…never pay full price. Moms have radar for deals and coupons. If you’re like me you even get a little rush when you know you’ve gotten a steal!

My bargain hunting led me to Groupon. When I first started using it, I thought it was only a great resource for excursions and event tickets. I quickly discovered Groupon is so much more. The site has bargains on thousands of Groupon Goods. It’s like a mall at your fingertips, but at prices you can actually afford.

Are you looking for Ray Ban sunglasses? Groupon’s got it. What about 18K White Gold rings? Groupon’s got that too. How about deals on your favorite protein bars? Just go to Groupon . Those are just a few of the long list of things you can get at a fraction of the price. By fraction, I’m talking about more than 60% off in some cases! It all depends on what you’re looking for. No matter what it is though, you’ll never pay full price. In fact, Groupon Goods is a great place to not only shop for yourself, but also for gifts. Just give yourself enough time for shipping and you’ll get some deals of a lifetime.

If you don’t have time to search through the Groupon site, download the app to your smart phone. This is one of my favorite ways to get the goods from Groupon Goods. Alerts flash on my phone when there are some mega deals that I need to know about NOW. There’s no waiting around or missing out. If there’s a deal I want to take advantage of, I don’t have to wait until I get home to check it out. This is great for mommas on the run. If you’re like me, you’re always a momma on the run! Groupon is the place to go. It’s not Groupon Goods, it’s Groupon Greats!

How to Choose the Right Card: Some Top Tips

If you’re the kind of person who simply walks into a shop and blindly picks up the first card they come to, maybe it’s time you started putting a little more thought into the selection process. After all, in today’s highly digitalized world – with its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – receiving a card through the letterbox is the nearest thing to a hand-written letter most of us will get.

We know it’s much simpler to type a quick message via social networking sites, but that’s the very reason that opening a card – taking in its front cover, the well-chosen verse and the words carefully scrawled inside – is almost a little bit special.

With that in mind, don’t make the card buying process become as instant as pinging out a quick Facebook message, or tapping out a tweet. Here are a few questions you might want to bear in mind next time someone’s birthday, anniversary or wedding is on the horizon…

If you’re in need of some card inspiration take a look at these beautiful handmade cards I found at: www.decorquecards.com

How Often Do You See the Recipient? – If you’re sending a card to someone you see weekly, or even daily, you might not spend too long poring over cards in the shop. True, it’s still important to consider what your friend or close family member might like, but if you catch up with them on a regular basis the sentiment can almost be lost. In this case, a silly or jokey card might work best; pay attention to the things they tell you, the stories they relay. And then try and pick out a card based around them. It’s all about raising a smile, even if you do see this particular friend so often that you’re worried you’ll struggle to find time to buy them a card without them lurking around the corner peeping over your shoulder. Choose something light and witty and that’s guaranteed a laugh. If you’re sending a card to a relative or friend you don’t see so often, think about getting a blank one you can write a little note in. It’ll go a long way to letting the recipient know they’re never far from your mind and it acts as a traditional pen-letter too, saving you money on an additional letter/notecard in the long run – it’s win-win!

What’s the Occasion? – Now, this may seem like a simple one, but if you’re choosing a card for someone you don’t see too often, it’s really worth double checking the facts before you ping off a card. This is particularly important if you’re sending a card to a niece or nephew and you’re perhaps not so sure of their age. Find out in advance before you upset the birthday boy or girl by sending a card that says ‘Hooray, you’re nine!’, when in actual fact your recipient is 10. It may only be a year’s difference, but when you’re young it matters greatly if, for example, you’re desperate to finally make it to double digits age-wise.

How Long Have You Got? – When it comes to choosing the right card, it’s not just about the card itself. Ask yourself in advance how long you have to ensure the card reaches your recipient on time. Have you factored in the time it takes to make its way to their home via post? If, for example, you’ve bought a sympathy card in time for the day of the funeral of a loved one’s relative, make sure you send it so it at least arrives before or on the day itself. A new home card, on the other hand, can be sent weeks after someone moves into their new place – the sentiment is still there and it’ll still be a fairly new abode even a few months later. Don’t forget to also bear in mind the recipient’s interests, too. Are they someone who’d appreciate a lovingly-crafted handmade card, for instance, or a card based on a particular theme?

Ask yourself these questions (above) and you’ll always get it just right when it comes to selecting a card.

*This is a sponsored post.

Gymboree’s Newborn Essentials

As a mother of two, I can tell you first-hand how important it is to have the right clothes for your newborn. It’s kind of like the story of “Goldilocks and The Three Bears”…the porridge can’t be too hot or too cold…it needs to be just right. In this case, the clothes for newborns can’t be too tight or too rough…they need to be just right for baby.

The world just got a little sweeter for parents searching for the right clothes for baby. Gymboree’s newborn essentials would be just what Goldilocks would be looking for if she was searching for clothes instead of porridge. The clothes are just right.

When it comes to baby clothes, you want and need something that is soft. Gymboree offers 100% combed cotton. This adds a soft feel to your baby’s already soft skin. The clothes are not just soft; they are also breathable and comfy. This is perfect for playtime, naptime, or those rock-rocks in the baby swing.

We all know babies grow faster than you can say tummy time. That’s why it seems like we’re buying more clothes for them than we ever have for ourselves. To ease that burden and give our wallets a break, Gymboree’s pants have cuffs that can be unrolled to grow with your baby. It really is just a simple idea that makes mommy’s life a little easier…and less expensive. Another bonus that’s a real bargain is the reversible tops and pants. This not only gives mom more options, but also lessens the laundry load.

Once you get all of these great clothes home, it’s time to dress baby. Some days that’s easier said than done. Gymboree’s newborn essentials have easy peasy snap buttons and stretch envelope shoulders so dressing your baby doesn’t feel like you’re stuffing a sausage. It not only eases the stress of getting ready but also cuts down on the time. We all know how long it takes to get baby ready and out the door. Anything that can help in this department is welcomed!

It’s not only great to buy Gymboree clothes for your own baby, but they also make a great gift. I really love to give Gymboree sets because you can always find some cute accessories for every outfit. Although baby may not be fully able to appreciate it, moms love every extra ounce of cuteness they can pile on their little ones.

So there’s no need to go store to store to find the right fit and style. Don’t be a Goldilocks. Get it right the first time with Gymboree’s newborn essentials. It really will make life with your baby a little sweeter.

*This is a sponsored post.

Review: Cave Man BBQ Tools Set

We all know how great it is to eat food on the grill. But, finding the right grilling tools is just as important as having the best BBQ recipe. Nothing is worse than losing some of your meal through the grates on your grill just because you don’t have the proper tools.

That’s where Cave Man Tools comes in. I recently tried out the High End BBQ Tools Set. The set comes with a BBQ spatula and fork as well as grilling tongs. All three tools are stainless steel which is great when it comes to cleaning them when you’re done grilling. They’re also heavy duty. No dollar store quality here! You know you’re working with some serious tools.

The quality of the spatula is an added bonus for flipping burgers. You don’t have to worry about your burger falling apart when you’re trying to cook it thoroughly. Hot dogs won’t roll all over the place when you use the fork. It is immensely strong for picking up meat off the grill.

As for the tongs, they come in handy when turning over meat like chicken. It not only makes it easier, but lessens the amount of flames that may arise when you turn your meat.

The best part is that when you’re all done, you can just throw them in the dishwasher. Gone is the time-consuming task of scrubbing each utensil clean.

If you’re looking for a durable BBQ set for yourself or for a gift, give the Caveman BBQ set a try. It’s definitely worth it!

*I was compensated with the product in order to complete this review.

Review: Sands Alive!

If you’re like me, the thought of your child playing with sand inside your house makes you want to curl up into a ball and hide under a table. Sweeping…vacuuming…more sweeping…an endless clean-up will await you all in the name of your child’s “fun”.

Right?

Actually, wrong. Kids playing inside with “sand” doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

My kids and I recently tried out Sands Alive! by Laddine. The sand isn’t like the stuff you’d find at the beach, but it’s still pretty darn fun. It’s moldable, allowing your kids to make different shapes, but still feel like they are playing with sand.

Our set came with a roller, cutter, and a few tools for molding. I simply opened the package, poured it out onto a tablecloth and let them get crazy! They were able to roll it and do just about anything else they wanted without making a major mess!

We’ve honestly played with similar play sand sets that claimed to be “mess-free”. Let me tell you, that was a lie. We played with it inside and outside on a patio table and the sand went all over the place and was a real pain to clean. The Sands Alive! product was much better. Don’t get me wrong, some dropped on the floor. But, I was able to easily clean it up without having to sweep numerous times to catch every single particle.

The best part….my kids really loved it! It kept them occupied and entertained while allowing them to be creative.

If you’re looking for a unique, cost-friendly gift for the holidays, this should definitely be on your list.

*I was compensated with the product to complete this review.

The Mommy Rundown

As a mom, the rundown of your day’s activities can make you feel so run down you want to scream. When I can’t scream, I write, laugh, and drink plenty of coffee!

POSTS TAGGED : sponsored posts