Today is #WinkDAY

From the Beauty Gives Back website :

WE WILL BE ENCOURAGING WOMEN
TO BUY A BLUE EYELINER/EYE SHADOW, AND FOR
ONE DAY, TO COLOUR THEIR EYES BLUE IN
SUPPORT OF WOMEN GOING THROUGH THE
EMOTIONAL TRAUMA OF THE CANCER BLUES

For today (June 18th) only, you can post your picture or video of you wearing your eyeshadow/liner on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and hashtag it #WinkDay. For every selfie or video, the Canadian Beauty industry will donate $5 to Beauty Gives Back.

Today I am wearing blue eyeshadow and will be posting it to social media. Are you?

#beatthecancerblues

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02qRSCtpx_U]

Find out more: http://www.beautygivesback.ca/

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A Review of the new Keurig 2.0 #Keurig2point0

#Keurig2point0...is it worth it?

When I learned that I was getting a Keurig VoxBox, I was pretty stoked. I had thought it would be a VoxBox that had K-Cups in it to try out in my older Keurig machine.  As it turned out, what was in the Keurig VoxBox was actually a Keurig 2.0 K300 to try out. I was floored!! It had been one of the items on my wishlist.

I've had my older Keurig for around two years now and I have used it daily ever since I bought it. I love the convenience of brewing one cup at a time.  I've even purchased several more to give as gifts to family members. 

The newer Keurig 2.0 (left) and the Keurig Special Edition (right)

Upon learning about the Keurig 2.0, it immediately went on my wishlist. That is, until I learned that I could not brew my favourite brand of coffee in the newer models. You see, the Keurig 2.0 models will only let you brew K-Cups that have the Keurig 2.0 Brewing Technology^TM. These K-Cups have the white ring around the top and say “Keurig Brewed”.

A Keurig Approved K-Cup

I really have no issue with the fact that only approved brands can be brewed in the brewer as there are many available to pick from. My issue was having to go through all available to find one that would replace my old favourite (especially in a small time like mine where selection is few) and the fact that I would have to pay a significant amount more to buy the Keurig approved coffees.

The Keurig 2.0 K300 does not have a time display or programmable features, which I will miss when going from my Keurig Special Edition to the Keurig 2.0. It is available in higher up models though. Another thing that is not really big deal, but would be nice to have.

Okay, so those are some of the issues I had with this. I wanted to get through the cons first so I could focus on the features that I really like.  My first being the carafe.

All of the Keurig 2.0 models come with a carafe that you can use to brew multiple cups at a time. You will need special K-Carafe packs, which look like this:

A Keurig Carafe Pack

This is so convenient! When I have had people over in the past, we have all stood in line waiting around for our cups to brew or I've had to dig out my old coffee maker.  Now that I can make multiple cups at once, that old thing is going bye-bye! 

The next feature that I have been loving is the Strong setting. I can choose to make my coffee stronger. This is perfect for me since I love a bold (or what my hubby calls “strong enough to walk” LOL) cup of coffee, especially in the morning.

It also has a feature for brewing Hot Cocoa and other specialty beverages which require a different brewing method to ensure you get a perfect cup.

All in all, I am pleased with the Keurig 2.0. and I think it is has earned its place on my counter…and it looks great while being there, too! The Keurig 2.0 is something that I do recommend, but my suggestion would be to spend a little extra to buy higher models that have more options available like high water capacity, time display, and programming features. To learn more about the other models, you can click here.

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/v4gRG_avjqA&source=uds

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Have you joined Influenster?

Join, Influence and be Influenced!

I've been a member of Influenster since early 2012. When I joined, the site was limited to the United States but were accepting Canadian members for their upcoming Canadian Vox Boxes. I love the concept behind the site and waited eagerly for them to roll out to Canadians.

I was surprised and delighted to be picked for Canada's first every VoxBox, called the Maple VoxBox. It had lots of goodies in it to try out like Ice Breaker's Duos, Skinny Cow treats, imPRESS Nails, NYC cosmetics products, and a Montagne Jeunesse facial mask.  I love this type of box as it lets me try out different products that I haven't tried before.

There have been several boxes that Influenster has sent out to Canadians so far. I've also received boxes for Garnier Fructise Damage Eraser, Lancome Grandiose Mascara, and imPress Nails from Broadway. I've also won a few prize packs from them for completing campaigns.

Not only do they send out exciting VoxBoxes with products to try, but they have a HUGE section for product reviews. I go here whenever I want feedback on a product I want to purchase. It has saved me from buying a few items that I wanted to try out and has influenced me to try products that I was on the fence about. They even have the awesome InfluensterApp that you can use on your mobile phone to help you make decisions while you are shopping! How neat is that!?

Sound like something you want to do?  Check them out at https://www.influenster.com. Want an invite? Just leave a comment below and I'll send one to you ASAP.

Check out some of my past reviews for Influenster here:

Lancome Grandiose Mascara
Garnier Fructise Damage Eraser
Broadway imPRESS Nails
Broadway imPRESS Nails pt 2

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Lancôme #Grandiose Mascara Review

About a week ago, I was sent Lancome's new Grandiose Mascara compliments of Influenster to test out.  I decided to review it on camera this time...eek! My first time on video:

https://www.youtube.com/v/LPxboqmK-Qg?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata

The packaging for this mascara is gorgeous and just speaks luxury. Feels nice to hold and is easy to open.

The new swan neck wand that claims to makes application easier and helps to coat every lash. I did find it coated everyday, but I am still learning to get used to applying with this wand.  It gets easier each time I use it.

As you can seen, it did a great job at giving me length and volume. There was some clumping, otherwise it looks very natural. I'm just not used to using a formula of that consistency. I prefer a dryer mascara that doesn't clump.

Would I recommend it? Yes. Just because it isn't my preferred type of mascara doesn't mean I don't like it. I think it looks great and from other pictures I've seen online, some people can really rock this.

Would I buy it? Honestly, no. It is a bit too pricy for me ($35, Sephora).  I often do splurge on beauty products, but I just don't love this enough to buy it.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

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I'm Impressed Yet Again! Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure #imPressManicure

I recently received another VoxBox from Influenster.  This box was specifically for the imPress Press-On Manicure from Broadway Nails.  As you may recall, I had received these in my #MapleVoxBox back in December 2013.  I did a review on them here.

This imPress Manicure Canada VoxBox contained two packages of the Press-On Manicure, complimentary for me to tryout.  The names of them are Holla! and Working Girl, as seen here:

One, which has a fancy fishnet stocking type design called "Holla!" that I am wearing here:

The other is named "Working Girl" and has a black background with a sparkly silver crackle top, seen below: 

Beautiful! This one I am saving to wear to an upcoming family function. 

I really love how these manicures are so easy to apply.  I have yet to have a problem finding a nail to match each of my fingers.  I have great looking nails in just a few minutes.  The only downfall is that I have really short nail-beds so the nails are pretty long on me, which I am not used to.  I'd love to see Broadway Nails come up with a set or two for those of us with this problem.  (Even the short length ones are a little too long for me)

Some tips/recommendations I have are:  

• Pick your sizes and nails and lay them out before applying. You want to make sure you have the best fitting nails ready.
• Save your thumbs for last, especially if you aren't used to wearing longer nails.  It makes it so much easier to apply with them off.
• Look at the remaining nails to see if you can come up with another set to wear.  I kept the leftover nails and will be able to get 2 uses out of the package.
• If you are concerned about potentially "breaking" a nail while out, take carry the package with you so you can easily swap out a nail for the next closest size. 

I highly recommend the Broadway imPress Press-On Manicures. Give them a try.  They are available in many different patterns and colours. They can be found at many retailers, such as Walmart.

What are your thoughts? Have you used artificial nails before? Would you? Have you tried any of the Broadway imPress Press-On Manicures or other Broadway products?  Lemme know!

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Mystery Revealed! The #MysteryBrand was Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser!

I knew it!

After about a week and a half of testing the L'Oreal #MysteryBrand for Influenster, testers were sent another package revealing what the brand is.  If you read my previous post here about about the #MysteryBrand, you would have seen that my guess was the new Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser line, and I was right!

The box contained four Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser products, three of which I had already tried from the mystery box:

The Damage Eraser Shampoo

Smells great, makes my hair feel nice and clean and it doesn't feel stripped or dried out afterwards.

The Damage Eraser Conditioner

Conditioned my hair really well without making it feel heavy.  Also smells great.

The Damage Eraser Strength Reconstructing Butter

A thick, creamy hair mask that left my hair feeling really conditioned and soft.  It didn't leave my hair feeling heavy like a lot of other hair masks or butters.  Has the same great fragrance as the rest of the line.

and my favourite out of the whole line....

The Damage Eraser Split Ends Bandage

I just love this stuff! It leaves my hair feeling so soft and shiny. My hair is normally frizzy, dry, coarse, and lifeless. When I use this it makes my hair feel so much different. I even told friends that when I touch my hair it feels like I am wearing a wig! It doesn't even feel like my own hair! I highly recommend this!

Overall, I am very satisfied with all of the products. They have made such a difference to my hair.  There is one downside to them though, and that is that they make me breakout around my hairline and on my neck. Hopefully this is only temporary because I really want to keep purchasing this line.

Have you tried any of the Damage Eraser line? If so, what did you think?  If you haven't, what one do you think you'd most like to try?

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Valentine's Day 2013

Valentine's Day isn't really a big deal in my house, unless you're me.  I love all holidays or "themed" days.  It gives me something to look forward to and get a little creative.

Every year I make my boys a special treat for the day.  I was hoping to surprise them after school with a "Cookie Pizza".  School ended up being cancelled due to bad weather, so I had to work quietly in the kitchen.  My youngest son did glance over at one point and ask if I was making a pizza, so I knew it was starting to turn out the way I wanted it to.  Here is the end result:

Really simple to make, and it tasted great.  I'd definitely make it again. 

One of the other little projects of Valentine's Day was "Lego" Valentine's for my son's class.  Jennifer from Mom vs. The Boys posted a DIY Lego Valentines here, and I thought it was so cute and decided to make my own version of it.  Here is how my son's turned out: 

I was pretty pleased with them.  My son is so proud and can't wait to give them out. His class party has been delayed until Monday, February the 24th, and he can't wait.

All in all, this year was pretty fun.  I received some chocolates from my hubby.  I'm a chocolate fiend, so this is the best gift anyone could give me :)  

How did your Valentine's Day go? Did you do anything special? Make anything special?

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