Review and Giveaway: BzzAgent - Got2b Smooth Operator

If you don't remember what BzzAgent is or my love for them, please read the beginning of this post. I received a pack from them this week and it couldn't have arrived at a better time! I have very thick hair that tends to frizz in the summer and the BzzAgent campaign I signed up for and got a pack from is for a smoothing hair product! Great timing, right? Here's some more about it from my BzzAgent packet:

Got2b Smooth Operator Smoothing Lustre Lotion really works. It shapes, smooths, controls fly-aways and gives your hair an amazing weightless lustre that's touchably soft. Plus it protects against damage from heat styling and contains a UV protectant. There's nothing it can't handle. It's been perfected for use on all hair types, wet or dry. It features a luxurious fragrance fit for a goddess and was recently reformulated with an indulgent cashmere infusion. (How smooth is it? Imagine a baby chick, draped in velvet, on a silky down pillow in the middle of a cloud and you're almost there.)
The product comes in a sleek and modern 6.8 oz. dispenser with a newly improved pump and a unique charm. (Each charm - heart with lock and key, glittering heart and "Charm Me" shield - represents a different facet of your beautiful self!) It's part of a full line of Got2b Smooth Operator products - also including mousse, satin drops and hairspray - and is available at grocery or drug stores for the suggested retail price of $5.99.

I tried out the lotion to see what it was like and it's great! It's not heavy or gunky and it goes on smoothly. It looks just like lotion. The smell is nice and pleasant. As I said, my hair tends to frizz and this went to work immediately. I can't say that I noticed an increase in "lustre" but it did tame my frizzes. Oh, and the packaging on it looks ridiculously adorable! ;)

If you're interested, here's a tip I received from the BzzAgent crew: CVS Pharmacy is going to have the got2b products on sale for $3.99 this coming week! (Check your local CVS first to make sure.)

Since BzzAgent sends me awesome stuff, I have 3 (three) packs to give away! Each pack has a sample for you, a sample for a friend and a coupon for a $1 off of a Got2b Smooth Operator product! To enter this giveaway, comment telling me what your hair is like. (Also, don't forget to make sure and leave your email address if it's not already on your profile.) Other ways you can enter are as follows:

- Become a follower through Google Friend Connect OR if you are already a follower just leave a comment letting me know you already follow.

- Subscribe via feed reader or by email.

- Become a fan on Facebook.

- Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter or post about it on your blog. (Don't forget to leave a link to your tweet or post!)

- Add my blog to your blogroll or display the button for my blog somewhere. (Please leave a link!)

- Vote for me HERE, HERE or HERE.

This giveaway will be open until Saturday June 12th at 9 PM (EST). I will choose the winners via random.org and notify them via a blog post and email. Products will be shipped the following week via USPS. This giveaway is open to all residents of the USA and Canada.

This Got2b giveaway is courtesy of BzzAgent. I received the products in exchange for my opinion and for spreading word of mouth. The opinion in this review is my own.

Review: Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

In our every day lives, we use communication in a variety of ways. We speak one-on-one with our children, families and spouses. We talk to different people online, in town, on the bus, on the phone and via email or instant messenger. These communications may be meaningful or they may just be small talk. In certain situations, we don't just want to talk, we want to make a connection. In John Maxwell's newest book, he tells you ways to effectively communicate and make connections with others. Here's a little blurb about the book:

The world's most respected leadership expert gives five principles and five practices for breaking the invisible barrier to leadership and personal success. You have a good idea but can't convince your peers of its merit. You crafted a groundbreaking strategy, but the team trudges on in the same old way. Certain people move forward in their career while you seem to be stuck. If this describes you or someone you know, the problem is not the quality of what you have to offer. The problem is how you connect with people to create the results you desire. John Maxwell believes that a person's ability to create change and results in any organization — be it a company, church, nonprofit, or even a family — is directly tied to the ability to use the teachings of this book.

This book was an intriguing read. I can see where it would be beneficial to practically anyone - a preacher wanting to connect with his congregation, someone involved in business, teachers, writers wanting to connect with their audience, people in a position of power - the list goes on and on. He writes in a way that I think anyone could understand. I especially liked the lists of ways to find common ground with others and ways to recharge yourself. Real communication requires giving a lot of one's self but no one can be a "people person" all the time. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn how to connect with others better.

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect - John C. Maxwell

Thomas Nelson Product Page

Disclosure: Thomas Nelson provided me with a complimentary copy of this book, via BookSneeze, in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own. Clicking on the picture above will take you to Amazon - through which I am an affiliate - where you may purchase the book.

Review and Giveaway: Covergirl ShadowBlast & ShineBlast

This giveaway is closed.

I've been a BzzAgent since 2007 when I accidentally stumbled upon their website. For anyone who doesn’t know what BzzAgent is, it's the leading word-of-mouth marketing company. You can sign up on their website and they will send you emails about new "campaigns" which feature different products and/or services they’d like for you to try and spread the word about. All you have to do in exchange for the products is submit a few reports on your opinion of the product, who you talked to about the product and their responses. Pretty simple, huh? The more reports you submit, the more benefits you will get like MyPoints, that you can redeem for gift cards and BzzPerks, which enable you to be notified of campaigns sooner, among other things. Since becoming a BzzAgent, I've gotten to try lots of neat products and have networked with a lot of other people who are also BzzAgents. I highly recommend them if you like try products (for free!) and have an opinion! (Who doesn't?) If you're already a BzzAgent, leave me a comment or add me HERE.

My review and giveaway today is about Covergirl ShadowBlast and ShineBlast. Here's some info on the products from Covergirl:

Not many of us can claim the talented hand of a professional make-up artist. But with Covergirl's new Smoky ShadowBlast and ShineBlast Lip Gloss, we don't have to. These new innovative tools and shades will amplify your eyes and play up your pout for looks that get you noticed, no make-up artist required.
SHADOWBLAST: The smoky eye just may be the most desired, yet most challenging look to achieve - but with Smoky ShadowBlast you can do it yourself in just two simple steps using one smart tool! This innovative new eye shadow features expertly coordinated shades and a unique double-ended stick with precision tips to let you easily apply colors, smudge and blend them to smoky perfection.
SHINEBLAST: This striking gloss boasts light reflecting shimmer, layed under a high gloss finish for attention-getting, bold, "look at me lip." While most lip glosses just have a traditional sponge tip (you know, the classic "slap it on and rub your lips" application), COVERGIRL ShineBlast Lip Gloss features a breakthrough applicator, the ShineSculpt. It's made from unique soft and flexible material that allows for its optimal tapered shape, comfortable feel and precise application. There’s science in that ShineSculpt!

I'll admit, I got VERY excited for this Bzz! When we got the mail and I opened up the big box of makeup from BzzAgent, I probably looked like my son when he gets mail! (You know, dancing up and down and smiling a cheesy grin!)
I don't wear makeup all the time but I do enjoy it. And I will admit that I am a lip gloss addict. I always have some in my pocket, the diaper bag, wherever - and even if I don't have time for makeup, I usually swipe some on as I go out the door. I found the ShineBlast to have just the right amount of shine. It wasn't overpowering, like "there's a strobe light on my lips" but it wasn't incredibly subtle either. I've tried some lip glosses in the past that was nice but smelled horrible. ShineBlast is not one of those. It barely has a smell, which is a plus for me. The colors I tried were nice - a few I thought were a little too light but all the others had a nice color.

I absolutely LOVED the ShadowBlast. It was a simple two-step product that I did in no time. It would definitely be a valuable product for a mom who's on the go or busy chasing after kiddos! And most importantly, it looked great! The smoky eye was surprisingly very easy to do. I received a variety of colors and they were all very vibrant - but not so vibrant that I could be mistaken for a clown. Overall, I really enjoyed the products. You can find them in any store where Covergirl is sold. The retail price for ShadowBlast is $7.99 and $7.49 for ShineBlast but I see coupons in the paper every Sunday for Covergirl so I'm sure you could find a deal on it. Below I posted a little picture of my mini-makeover, please don't mind the dark circles. :)

Now on to the giveaway! I'm giving away three (3) ShadowBlast eyeshadows and two (2) ShineBlast lip glosses to five (5) lucky readers! To enter this giveaway, comment telling me your favorite makeup product. (Also, don't forget to make sure and leave your email address if it's not already on your profile.) Other ways you can enter are as follows:

- Become a follower through Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs (see the sidebar) OR if you are already a follower just leave a comment letting me know you already follow.

- Subscribe via feed reader or by email.

- Follow me on Twitter.

- Become a fan on Facebook.

- Tweet about this giveaway or post about it on your blog. (Don't forget to leave a link to your tweet or post!)

- Add my blog to your blogroll or display the button for my blog somewhere. (Please leave a link!)

- Vote for me HERE, HERE or HERE.

This giveaway will be open until Saturday March 6th (my daughter's birthday!) at 9 PM (EST). I will choose the winners via random.org and notify them via a blog post and email. Products will be shipped the following Monday. This giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada.

This COVERGIRL giveaway is courtesy of BzzAgent. I received the makeup in exchange for my opinion and for spreading word of mouth. The opinion in this review is my own.

Book Review: Ending Female Pain

I received Isa Herrera's "Ending Female Pain" awhile back and am just now getting to my review of it! Sorry for the delay! Here's a short summary of the book, borrowed from Amazon:

Isa Herrera, MSPT, CSCS, women’s health physiotherapist, has written the quintessential self-help book for women suffering from chronic pelvic and sexual pain. In this unique book, Ms. Herrera delivers the goods, sharing her trade secrets with you and putting you on the right track to a pain-free lifestyle and enjoyable sex life. The large selection of techniques in this book are based on Herrera's real life experience in treating women at her NYC based healing center, Renew Physical Therapy, where she treats women who suffer from conditions such as vulvodynia, vaginismus, interstitial cystitis, vestibulitis, endometriosis, and pre and post-natal pain. Ms. Herrera has written a multi-layered book, fusing yoga, pilates, internal massage, scar therapy, visualizations, and vulva self-care, ensuring that there is something for every woman who has suffered long enough with sexual, pelvic, or scar pain. With this book Ms. Herrera shows you how she helped countless women get on a path to self-healing, ultimately breaking their cycle of pain. With this book Ms. Herrera is declaring a revolution, stating "I have given you the tools you need, don’t hesitate to get started, end your pain and be the heroine of your own story."

This book has been endorsed by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein (the lovely ladies of The Business of Being Born and My Best Birth) and numerous doctors and gynecologists. You can see more about the book here.

What I appreciated about this book was it's open and honest nature. It was completely candid about how these issues can affect women but also explained the technical details in such a way that anyone could understand. I had no idea how these problems could affect women in so many ways and interfere with their everyday lives. Ms. Herrera takes you step by step through the female system and explains how to counteract the problems by a variety of techniques. While I myself have never had problems like the ones that are mentioned, I can see how it would be helpful for a woman who has recently given birth or had surgery, or for someone who had those types of problems. The stretching exercises and mind-body techniques could really be beneficial for anyone. Overall, it was a very informative read.

Molly Brown London Children's Jewelry

One thing I hate about online shopping is that some websites aren't very specific or user friendly with their search features - even some of the bigger websites have yet to make options that will help me to find exactly what I'm looking for. When I was contacted about Molly Brown London - which is a British designer of children's jewelry - I immediately went to their website and checked it out. On the main page, there's a "Gift Finder" option that has drop down menus to suit just about anybody's needs. You can search by price, occasion or collection which is exactly the type of thing I (and I think many other shoppers) look for.
Molly Brown London was established in 2006 by a mother (Yay!) who was inspired by her daughter to make a jewelry collection for young girls. Her work isn't over the top and it's not plain - it's simplistic and stylish, just the right feel for a little woman who's often admired momma's "sparklies" in her jewelry case.
They have several different collections of jewelry, one of them being the Alphabet collection - which features cute initials which can be bought separately or added to necklaces or charm bracelets:

Initial Necklace

They also have lots of neat little charms that can be put on charm bracelets that I think my step-daughter would love. There's flowers, stars, fairies, hearts - even jelly beans! I know I would have liked them when I was younger. How cute is this little jelly bean charm bracelet?

You can add more jelly beans or whatever charm you prefer to the bracelet. They have a wide selection of gifts that would be perfect for the little flower girl in your wedding, a baby's christening or baptism or just as a birthday present for a daughter, niece or grand-daughter.
This is a British-based company but they do ship to the US. They've been featured in a variety of publications, including bride and fashion magazines. They also offer gift wrapping services and a refer-a-friend program where you can earn rewards.

According to my disclosure policy, I have to note that I am being compensated for this article.

Natural Childbirth Books: A Guide

I don't know everything about natural childbirth but when I first started researching and learning more about it, I found these books to be the most enjoyable and helpful! If you can't find them at your locally, I've included links to Amazon (my favorite place to shop) where you can buy them directly. The "about" summaries I've copied either from Amazon or from the author's website. Enjoy and feel free to ask me any questions!

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
Author: Henci Goer
About: Award winning medical writer and birth activist Henci Goer gives clear, concise information based on the latest medical studies. She was a doula (labor support professional) for over twenty years and a Lamaze educator for ten. Her book will help you compare and contrast your various options and show you how to avoid unnecessary procedures, drugs, restrictions, and tests.
My Thoughts: This book is exactly as described. It's chock full of facts and statistics. I often reference it when telling people about natural childbirth just because it puts things out there plainly and easily. The chapters on how hospitals/doctors regard labor is spot on. This is definitely a book to read to inform yourself and to get to know your options in childbirth.


Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery
Author: Ina May Gaskin
About: Using history as her guide, nationally recognized midwife Gaskin explores what she hopes will be a renaissance in natural childbirth, something that she's been advocating since the mid-1970s in her Guide to Childbirth. By focusing on how women of ancient civilizations and other modern peoples give birth, Gaskin puts our own hypersensitivities in perspective, uncovering a beautiful experience rather than a dreadful, painful one. Sure, pain is part of childbirth, but preparing for the pain in a realistic rather than sentimental way--whether giving birth at home or in a hospital--can be the key to a woman's ability to deal with it naturally. Within the pages of personal anecdotes, some touching, some startling, from Gaskin's patients and colleagues, every woman is sure to find something to relate to, whether or not she chooses to have a medicine-free labor.
Spirtual Midwifery is the classic book on home birth. The first section details the experiences of parents and midwives during the birth experience. The second section is a technical manual for midwives, nurses, and doctors. Includes information on prenatal care and nutrition, labor, delivery-techniques, care of the new baby, and breast-feeding.
My Thoughts: Ina May is the ultimate childbirth educator, in my opinion. She's a wonderful speaker and professional. Her books have a personal touch to them that really spoke to me. In her Guide to Childbirth, she explains things concisely and consistently reassures you. The first section's birth stories are inspiring and uplifting - not the kind of stories you USUALLY have to endure during pregnancy! It's refreshing to hear about good experiences for a change. I thought it was interesting to see the differences between people's childbirth experiences. Ina May was and is truly an innovator in natural childbirth. This book is definitely my favorite. Spiritual Midwifery is more like a manual but I like to think of it more like the ultimate "how-to" guide for labor, delivery and baby. If you're considering having a home birth, this book will tell you pretty much anything you could need to know.


Husband-Coached Childbirth (Fifth Edition): The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth
Author: Robert A. Bradley
About: The book that started a revolution in the birthing experience and helped millions of women and their partners to a safe and natural childbirth.
The Bradley Method has changed the way men and women-and the medical establishment-think about childbirth today. Now this new, updated edition of the groundbreaking work by Robert A. Bradley, M.D., has all the information you need to approach a natural childbirth safely, confidently, and wisely. From the reasons to choose the Bradley Method to the steps you will take as your birth day approaches-and after the birth of your baby-this book is designed to help couples share completely in the birthing experience.
With its time-tested wisdom, medical soundness, and reassuring first-person accounts of natural childbirth, this book is the "gold standard" of childbirth books. The Bradley Method is an essential guide for anyone considering childbirth without unnecessary medications or medical intervention and to share fully in your child's arrival into the world.
My Thoughts: The Bradley Method is great for those with good support partners. Even though the Bradley method is called "Husband" Coached Childbirth, whoever you find most supportive can use the techniques mentioned in the Bradley methods. I had my husband and my father with me during both my children's births. They were and are both calming and reassuring support partners.
The Bradley Method has been around since 1970 and the newest edition of the book is just as good as the others. I'm glad to see that it's been updated with more current information.


HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method: A natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing (3rd Edition)
Author: Marie F. Mongan
About: Childbirth is not something to be feared; it is a natural expression of life. With HypnoBirthing, your pregnancy and childbirth will become the gentle, life-affirming process it was meant to be.
In this easy-to-understand guide, HypnoBirthing founder Marie Mongan explodes the myth of pain as a natural accompaniment to birth. She proves through sound medical information that it is not our bodies but our culture that has made childbirth a moment of anguish, and that when we release the fear of birth, a fear that is keeping our bodies tense and closed, we will also release the pain.
HypnoBirthing is nature, not manipulation. It relaxes the mind in order to let the body work as it is designed. The HypnoBirthing exercises-positive thinking, relaxation, visualization, breathing and physical preparation-will lead to a happy and comfortable pregnancy, even if you are currently unsure of an intervention-free birth. Your confidence, trust and happy anticipation will in turn lead to the peaceful, fulfilling and bonding birth that is your right as a mother.
My Thoughts: When I first heard about hypnobirthing, I pictured mind control and following a swinging pendulum with your eyes. BUT that is definitely not what it is! It really just teaches you a lot of different tips & techniques to use during labor. The techniques will help you either to one - concentrate and focus or two - relax and breathe easily: both of which are things you'll need to do at different times during childbirth. The different visualization exercises I found very useful during my daughter's labor.


Also, (this is not really a book but is definitely a good natural childbirth resource) I highly recommend the DVD "The Business of Being Born." I saw it when it first came out and was just in awe. It inspired me to search for a midwife for my subsequent pregnancies and to get more active in natural childbirth education.
Synopsis: Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business.
Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies.
The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal.
Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?


Since writing this list awhile back several new good books have been published and others have told me of different ones that helped them - so I guess I'm going to have to make another list! :)

Book Review: Elena's Big Move

I received a free copy of the book Elena's Big Move recently and wanted to share with you all my (and my child's) review of it. Here's a little about the book and the author:

Elena’s Big Move (Synergy Books, 978-0-9823140-4-3, $16.95) tells the story of a 9-year-old Puerto Rican girl, Elena, who is moving to Indiana. Faced with the scary idea of leaving her island, she turns to her family for support. Her parents give her a camera and an empty scrapbook, assuring her that memories will travel just as well as her belongings. She photographs her favorite places, documenting everything from her school to her family’s favorite spot to picnic. When it’s time to walk into her Indiana classroom filled with new faces, Elena is braced by the memories she holds in her scrapbook. When her photos prompt a class discussion, Elena learns that home, even a new one, always holds both the past and an exciting future.
Elena’s Big Move provides more than just an entertaining story. With tips for parents in the back of the book, Olivieri encourages parents to actively prepare for a new beginning, even before leaving their old home. Sarah Olivieri is a second grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in Gary, Ind., as well as a youth leader at First Christian Church, where she helps with at-risk teenagers. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and received her bachelor’s degree in education from Purdue University Calumet. Olivieri briefly worked as a realtor for Coldwell Banker where she encountered many families struggling with a big move. She currently lives in Munster, Ind., with her husband, Jose, and three children. Olivieri is excited to add ‘author’ to her job title and plans on writing more children’s books in the future.

Zeke (my four year old) and I read the book together. He especially liked that the little girl in the story moved to Indiana, which is where we live. The pictures were wonderful and it highlighted some neat things from the girl's hometown and in Indiana, the place she would be moving to. I, as an adult, liked that the author wrote about her own experiences moving as a little girl to help others who might be going through a similar situation. We've never had to move (well, we did but it was very short) but I think the story and the tips in the back would be especially helpful for parents that are planning to move to read with their children.