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mirra products (Review/Giveaway)

Posted on March 13, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Please raise your hand if you are always on the look out for new skin and hair care products.

*wildly flailing my arms around*

As a thirty something year old woman, I still have a hard time finding products to tame my thick, wavy/curly and very frizzy hair. Add to this, trouble locating items to moisturize my extremely dry and sensitive skin. Most of the products that are out there are too heavy on scents/perfumes and cause me to sneeze and/or make my skin to break out in a rash.

When I was asked by Global Influence to review some new beauty/hair products, I agreed and was sent items from the new line of mirra products sold at Kroger stores.

Information about mirra:

Launching now, mirra products include shampoos and conditioners; hair styling products; body washes and mists; facial and skin care lotions, cleansers and cleansing cloths; eye firming and age defying creams; and cosmetic brushes.

mirra products are made with natural ingredients, such as olive oil, aloe leaf juice, and cranberry, bamboo, honey and chicory root extracts. Proven technologies are used for many of the products too. For example, the revolutionary oleosome emulsion technology is used in skin care products to deliver long lasting moisture that keeps protecting and nourishing skin long after application.

mirra products can be found in the beauty care aisles exclusively at all stores that are part of the Kroger Co. family. For a limited time, mirra is offering $5 off when you purchase any two mirra products. To download the coupon visit www.kroger.com\coupons.

My thoughts about mirra:

For the last two weeks, I have been using the mirra products that I received. For my hair, I was sent the mirra Daily shampoo and conditioner along with the mirra Daily strong sculpting gel. As I have mentioned before, I have extremely thick hair that tends to have a frizzy life of it’s own thanks to unruly curls/waves. When I tried the shampoo, the first thing I noticed was the subtle scent. It was not overpowering and was thick in my hands. I can not stand shampoo and conditioner that is thin and runny. This held up nice. A small amount went a long way. When I was done washing my hair, there were no snarls. I was able to easily run my fingers through my tresses. Then, it was time to put in some sculpting gel. While my hair was still damp, I ran a small amount into my hair and crunched my hair to maximize my curls. As my hair dried, I was pleasantly surprised that there was little or no frizz throughout the day. In addition to this, the curl stayed the entire day and my hair did not feel crunchy from too much product.

I also received mirra Renew replenishing body wash and protective lotion. Time to admit something here. I am not a big fan of body wash. When I use them, I usually feel slimy when I am done. As someone with very dry and sensitive skin, with eczema in the winter months, I need items that are gentle and helps me to keep needed moisture. When I tried the body wash, there was a hint of fragrance, but nothing that made me stop using it. After my shower, my skin felt clean and I did not have a slimy feeling that I have experienced with some other body washes. I also liked that a very small amount lathered up significantly and went a long way. The winter is not kind to my skin. There are times when I feel like my skin is a desert and needs constant moisture or I get cracks from extreme dry areas. The lotion also had a light and natural smelling fragrance to it. When I used it, I immediately noticed that it was not very thick. I put it on my skin. It took a little while to completely sink into my skin, but I did not feel greasy. For my skin, this will probably do better in the summer when I am not lacking moisture from the lack of humidity.

For my face, I received the mirra Renew deep-moisture day cream and wrinkle reduction eye cream. The first thing that I noticed about both of these was they were extremely thick. A small amount of each went a long way on my face. When I used the Day Cream before my make up, my face and neck were ready and did not need more cream the rest of the day. It has been a little too short of a time to see if there is really a differece from the eye cream, but I will keep using it. The only thing I was not thrilled with was the lack of SPF in the day cream. As a red head with really pale skin, I need protection from the sun each day.

My overall thoughts are that I really like the mirra line of products. I only wish I had a Kroger store in my area to buy them in. Hopefully, they decide to offer them online for people like me to buy because I was really sold on the haircare products in particular and would like to try some of the other items that I was not sent.

Giveaway:

Thanks to Kroger, one lucky reader will win a package similar to the one that I received with a variety of mirra products.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Answer the following question: Which mirra product are you most interested in trying?
1 Bonus Entry – Who will these products be for and why would you be excited to try them?
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and mirra products Giveaway in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): Enter for a chance to win mirra products from @TheAngelForever –> http://bit.ly/dDp04A
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of January/February/March. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done only twice per person.
3 Bonus Entries – Add my blog button to your website and leave a link with the location. Be sure to give yourself 3 comments for credit.
5 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the giveaway. Be sure to leave 5 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today March 13th and ends at 10:59 EST on March 28, 2010. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post. Product samples were provided by The Kroger Company for review and giveaway as a part of the Global Influence Network. The opinions expressed in the review are my own feelings about the products.

Categories:
giveaway me moments Product review

National Geographic Kids – Weird But True (Review/Giveaway)

Posted on March 10, 2010 10:36 am by TheAngelForever

Have I mentioned lately how we love books? Seriously, we are constantly getting new books,going to the library and reading something with the boys. NHL is in first grade and likes to read books with history, science or things to learn. Yes, our first grader is slowly warping very nicely into a mini-Geek!

When we were asked by Family Review Network to review the new National Geographic Kids: Weird But True! 300 Outrageous Facts book, we jumped at the opportunity. As a teacher, I had many National Geographic Kids books in my classroom, so I knew it would have amazing photos to share with my boys.

About the book (from their website):

At last, all those weird but true facts that readers of National Geographic Kids love so much are collected into a fun-filled book that you’ll come back to again and again!

Weird But True is based on the hugely popular magazine page of quirky, fun facts that many readers of National Geographic Kids magazine turn to first. Why? Well did you know that…

Peanut butter can be converted into a diamond?

The world’s oldest pet goldfish lived to be 43 years old?

The world’s longest soap bubble was as long as four school buses?

On Neptune, the wind blows up to 1,243 miles an hour?

An elephant’s tooth can weigh as much as a bowling ball?

All of the facts in this handy book will amaze friends and family: Animals Superpowers, Chills and Thrills, Eat or Be Eaten, Mini and Mega, Wild and Crazy, and much, much more. Adjacent pages for such facts present a one-paragraph explanation of how that fact is possible or why it is so.

Purchase your copy for $6.95.

What we thought:

Both of the boys are fascinated with the photos within Weird But True. Yes, even my 2 year old will sit with the book for an extended time looking at all of the photos. JSL will chat away and call out all of the items that he recognizes. NHL, in first grade, will read the facts to me and then talk with me about what it says. Our conversations actually made me think about ways to use this book in the classroom. (I am always a teacher, even when on hiatus.) I could see the fun facts in this book being used as a prompt for classroom discussion and/or a writing exercise. In addition to this, the facts could easily create interest in a subject for kids to do more research on. Anything that excites children to learn gets a thumbs up from me.

Giveaway:

Thanks to National Geographic Kids, one lucky reader will win a copy of National Geographic Kids: Weird But True! 300 Outrageous Facts for your family.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Answer the following questions: What is one weird fact about you that you are willing to share with others?
1 Bonus Entry – Who will this book be for if you win and why would they love to have it?
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and National Geographic Kids Giveaway in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): Chance to win National Geographic Kids – Weird But True book from @TheAngelForever http://bit.ly/9YBplK
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of January/February/March. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done only twice per person.
3 Bonus Entries – Add my blog button to your website and leave a link with the location. Be sure to give yourself 3 comments for credit.
5 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the giveaway. Be sure to leave 5 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today March 10th and ends at 10:59 EST on March 24, 2010. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for National Geographic, who supplied the book for review and giveaway. No other compensations was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own feelings about the product.

Categories:
books Educational giveaway Product review

Betty Crocker Fruit-Flavored Snacks Win & Give (Giveaway)

Posted on March 7, 2010 9:55 pm by TheAngelForever

Right now, the world economy is in a tough spot. Even during these penny pinching days, people all over are working hard to help others. Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I learned about the new project that Betty Crocker is working on. They have joined efforts with One Lap Top per Child to help provide laptops for children in Africa.

Participating is easy thanks to the Win and Give campaign. With this new program, children can help in an easy and fun way.

More about the program:

With specially marked boxes of kid favorites – including Fruit Roll-Ups, Gushers, Fruit by the Foot, and Stickerz & Shapes – your child could win one laptop to keep and Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks will donate another to a child in Africa.

Each day from now through May 30, 2010, one laptop prize will be awarded to a U.S. winner. For every laptop won, one laptop will be donated to an African child through One Laptop per Child, an organization that creates educational opportunities for the world’s poorest children by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. For your chance to win, simply enter the unique online code printed on participating Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snack packages on www.WinOneGiveOne.com.

We were sent two boxes of Betty Crocker fruit snack. The boys enjoy them and they bring back fun memories from my childhood. One of my all time favorite snacks growing up were the strawberry Fruit by the Foot. There is just something fun about them, plus are a low calorie snack.

Giveaway:

Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Betty Crocker, one lucky reader will win two boxes of Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks and a $25 donation to One Laptop per Child will be made on your behalf.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Answer one of the following questions: What have you done to encourage your children to help others? -or- What is your favorite experience that has been with helping others?
1 Bonus Entry – What is your favorite flavor fruit snack?
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Betty Crocker Win and Give Giveaway in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): Win Betty Crocker fruit snacks and have $25 donated in your name to One Laptop Per Child from @TheAngelForever http://bit.ly/bMHKBy
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of January/February/March. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done only twice per person.
3 Bonus Entries – Add my blog button to your website and leave a link with the location. Be sure to give yourself 3 comments for credit.
5 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the giveaway. Be sure to leave 5 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today March 7th and ends at 10:59 EST on March 21, 2010. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: I received two packages of Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks with the Win & Give game pieces on them. In addition to this, $25 has been donated in my name to One Laptop per Child. No other compensations was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own feelings about the promotion.

Categories:
Blog Tour charity giveaway Product review

Curious George 2 CD (Review/Giveaway)

Posted on February 16, 2010 7:22 pm by TheAngelForever

I believe the first full length movie that NHL (now 6) saw on DVD was Curious George. I remember sitting there watching him cry during the sad scenes and laugh hysterically at Geoge’s antics. It was at that moment that we became big George fans. We have dozens of the original books and several from the television show. In addition to that, each of the boys have a George stuffed animal and JSL has a George flannel pillow case. Our DVR is filled with Curious George episodes, plus we own the original movie and soundtrack.

When we were asked to review the "Curious George 2 – Follow That Monkey" CD, I jumped at the opportunity. Thanks to The Family Review network, we received an advanced copy of the CD to listen to. The “Curious George 2″ Soundtrack will be released by the Savoy Label Group on March 2nd, 2010. The Soundtrack features Brian Wilson, Jackie Greene, and Carbon Leaf.

Here is more about the soundtrack:

The world’s most beloved and inquisitive monkey is back in “CURIOUS GEORGE 2: FOLLOW THAT MONKEY,” the sequel to the 2006 animated hit movie. The soundtrack to “CURIOUS GEORGE 2: FOLLOW THAT MONKEY” features the Rivieras hit “California Sun” performed by Brian Wilson as well as all new songs by Carbon Leaf, a special title track recorded by 429 Records’ artist Jackie Greene and an original score by Heitor Pereira. Extensive retail and online marketing campaigns are planned globally in support of the soundtrack which will be released worldwide on March 2nd to coincide with the release of the DVD.

Join Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat as they set out on a madcap cross-country adventure to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family. This unlikely trio faces all types of comic calamities and colorful characters and in the end learn that with family, friends and determination you can achieve anything. Featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Matt Lauer, Jamie Kennedy and Jerry Lewis, CURIOUS GEORGE 2: FOLLOW THAT MONKEY, “proves that family, friends—and curiosity—are number one.” (Francine Brokaw, Los Angeles Family Magazine)

Track Listing of FOLLOW THAT MONKEY:

Life Less Ordinary – Carbon Leaf
The Friendship – Carbon Leaf
California Sun – Brian Wilson
On A Roll – Carbon Leaf
Heart Of The Day – Carbon Leaf
Let Your Troubles Roll By – Carbon Leaf
Walking In The Sun – Carbon Leaf
Follow That Monkey – Jackie Greene
Moon Man – Heitor Pereira
Going East – Heitor Pereira
Giving A Hand – Heitor Pereira
Zoo – Heitor Pereira
Friendship – Heitor Pereira

What we thought:

The minute the boys saw the CD with Curious George on it, they demanded to listen to it. We put it on and, within seconds, both of the boys were dancing away. The catchy beat of Life Less Ordinary by Carbon Leaf allows a Curious George fan to picture the little fellow romping around with the Man in the Yellow Hat. My six year old really liked this song and got his brother to do a monkey dance along with him. I really liked The Friendship Song, also by Carbon Leaf. The words are powerful and really tells a story about friends within the song. I am intrigued to see how California Sun is used in the soon to be released movie. I can just picture George getting into trouble at a beach in the warm California sun. Brian Wilson does this a little different than the original, but I love the twist on a classic song.

All of the songs leave us anxious to see the new movie when it is released. Both of my boys keep asking when they will be able to see the new George adventure. I know we will be checking it out as soon as we can.

Giveaway:

Thanks to 429 Records, one lucky reader will be able to win their very own copy of Curious George 2 – Follow that Monkey soundtrack.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Have you seen the original Curious George movie? If you have, what was your favorite part?
1 Bonus Entry – What is your favorite Curious George book by H.A. Rey? (The teacher in me had to ask that question)
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Curious George Follow That Monkey CD Giveaway in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): Chance to win the soon to be released Curious George 2 – Follow That Monkey Soundtrack from @TheAngelForever http://bit.ly/bqAaQt
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of January/February. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done only twice per person.
3 Bonus Entries – Add my blog button to your website and leave a link with the location. Be sure to give yourself 3 comments for credit.
5 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the Exederm giveaway. Be sure to leave 5 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today, February 17th, and ends at 10:59 EST on March 4, 2010. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for 429 Records, who supplied the product for review. No other compensations was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own feelings about the product that our family tried.

Categories:
giveaway Music photos Product review

The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack (giveaway)

Posted on February 4, 2010 10:00 am by TheAngelForever

As a forever child of Disney, I have always bought their soundtracks. If you look in my collection, you will see cassette tapes and CDs for Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and many, many more. These days I buy them to share with my children. When I was asked if I would participate in a review and giveaway for the newly released soundtrack for The Princess & the Frog I jumped right at the opportunity.

Information about The Princess & The Frog Soundtrack (from Walt Disney Records):

Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana, a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.

The collection of magical songs from this amazing soundtrack features Anika Noni Rose(Dreamgirls), Ne-Yo(R&B music star) and Academy Award® winning composer Randy Newman. Set in the great city of New Orleans, the sounds of Jazz, Zydeco, Blues, Gospel and more are all present for an unforgettable musical experience the entire family will enjoy!

To hear some of the songs, head over here to the Walt Disney Records website.

What we think:

The minute the boys saw I had a package, they came running. When I opened it up and they could see it was a new Disney CD they wanted me to play it immediately. Although we have not had a chance to see The Princess & the Frog, both are familiar with it. Thanks to the Disney Very Merry Christmas parade that was televised, both of the boys have watched Princess Tiana and heard several of the songs from the play list.

I turned the CD on for us to listen. Both of the boys started to dance and parade around. They really enjoyed the upbeat songs like Down in New Orleans and When We’re Human. It was like I had my own little Mardis Gras Parade in my living room. NHL (6) liked the music and asked to see the movie. We will definitely be doing this and it is likely going to be the first time JSL (2) sees a movie in the theater.

What I really enjoyed was the genuine jazz feel of the soundtrack. It seemed like I was picked up and placed in New Orleans listening to musicians playing their songs. Something else caught my ear. There was something familiar with the beats, sound. When I read the CD case I quickly saw why. All of the songs and score in The Princess and the Frog soundtrack is composed and conducted by Randy Newman. For some reason I just heard a little that reminded me of Toy Story. The song that strikes me as becoming a huge hit is Never Knew I Needed. Talk about a powerful song with a lesson behind it. This will definitely be a Disney Princess song to remember.

Thanks to the soundtrack, we are even more excited about seeing this movie and it will be listened to along with all of our other Disney music in our collection.

Giveaway:

Thanks to Walt Disney Records, one lucky reader will be able to win their very own copy of The Princess and the Frog soundtrack.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Who is your favorite Disney Princess and why?
1 Bonus Entry – What is your favorite Disney soundtrack that you have heard before?
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and The Princess and the Frog sountrack Giveaway in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): Chance to win a copy of the Princess and the Frog Soundtrack from @TheAngelForever http://bit.ly/aaCEWa
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of January/February. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done only twice per person.
3 Bonus Entries – Add my blog button to your website and leave a link with the location. Be sure to give yourself 3 comments for credit.
5 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the Exederm giveaway. Be sure to leave 5 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today, February 4th, and ends at 10:59 EST on February 18, 2010. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: I received the CD complimentary of Walt Disney Records to facilitate this review as part of a program with The Family Review Network. No other compensations was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own feelings about the product that our family tried.