My locks are grateful

Once again I was chosen for an awesome campaign from www.bzzagent.com, it was for the Nuetrogena Triple Repair Hair Care System. The system included shampoo, conditioner and leave in conditioner. It protects your locks from heat for up to 400 degrees, which is perfect for me since I am pretty much attached to my flat iron since getting my hair cut ! I know it's terrible for my hair but I love the way it looks. 

I am also known to color my hair every couple of months since is again not fantastic for my hair but this is needed, lol I have grays that need to be covered ! Since starting the system my hair has gotten softer, and shinier. It also claims to help prevent split ends and I agree so my friends put the scissors down. 

There were some things that I did not love such as the scent, not a huge deal since I do spray stuff in my hair after using the flat iron so the shampoo/conditioner scent really doesn't matter. Also I feel like I have to use a lot of shampoo because it doesn't "spread out " well, it lathers fantastically but just wanted to stay in one spot.  Other than that I am a fan.  

I am glad I was chosen for this campaign because I never would have tried this Hair care system considering Nuetrogena is known for their facial cleansers, etc. I am a happy mama, with good hair :-)  

I went exploring

I took advantage of the weather yesterday and ventured out into the new neighborhood, I must tell you I really enjoyed having completely shoveled sidewalks. When I first moved here I was hesitant, there is no public transportation...none. No buses, subway, commuter rail, cabs..nada, zip zero however there are shoveled sidewalks so that pretty much makes up for it I guess. I could always borrow a horse, just kidding, there is no place to put the baby...again I am kidding !!

Back to my adventure; last week I spied a bakery called Bliss when I was out running errands with my aunt, I made a mental note of it's location and made it my destination. I am so glad I did, it was worth the hour long walk there and the hour long walk home ( my body is sore today ). I bought my mom an apple pie turn over which she had told me was very good. I got a vanilla cupcake with buttercream frosting for the girls to share and Jewels said it was delish, whoops some of the frosting got on my finger and OMG it was so good. I snagged a lemon tart for myself, the crust was oh so buttery and tasty the filling was tart and lemony, it tasted so fresh. Gina of course got in on the action, she just loves herself some lemon- lol ! Bliss Bakery was definitely worth the trek. In addition to sweets they also carry savory goodies as well such as home made soups, sandwiches and pretzels. 

While I was out I came upon an all natural grocery store which I went into. I came out with Hylands Restless Legs all natural pills. My legs have been twitching, cramping, jerking etc at night and making me nuts, I have been losing sleep over this. I took them last night and they helped immensely. I am so glad I went into the market. Also the market holds seminars, have all natural beauty items, skin care etc. My new town is quite "granola " and I am loving it ! 

I finally moved

I know you all probably thought I dropped off the planet earth, I haven't written a word in a month ! I do apologize. It's been a whirl wind of craziness on my end, and it feels like it happened over night. 

I finally got the call that my apartment is ready, my lease was shipped over night to me and it's been a ton of paper work, phone calls and packing all with a toddler trying to help and when I say trying to help I mean taking everything out of the box as I put them in.

It feels surreal right now, tonight is my second night alone. I am adjusting. Keep in mind I have never lived alone, I went from living with my parents to living with my husband, back to my parents and now completely alone. I think I am doing alright with it though. I miss having help around the house when it comes to Gina and having someone to talk too but everyone is a phone call away and lots of weekend visits are already in the works. Time will make things easier. 

I have the best family and friends that's for sure they helped so much with the move and helping me acquire furniture. I had to start fresh, which is good, this furniture has no memories attached to it. I am having a good time decorating the rooms, Gina's room has been the best how can you go wrong with Sophia the first ?!

Here is to new beginnings, change is hard but a good thing ! 

Samples galore

If you know me then you know I love samples and coupons !  I recently emailed Seventh Generation asking them for a diaper just to see if I liked them and to see if they would cause a reaction on my daughter. I noticed that ever since the Pamper Swaddlers got a revamp she is getting more rashes...anyway, the reg emailed me saying of course I can get a diaper all she needed was my mailing address, score !! 

Several week went by and I anxiously stalked my mail carrier waiting for said diaper, sadly it never came. I did get a follow up email asking me how my interaction was with the rep and was I satisfied, I was satisfied with the rep herself, she really was nice and I let them know but I never got to try out that diaper. You are probably thinking why not go to the store and just buy a small package for $10, well to be honest I am cheap, lol ! 

Two days later after that follow up email guess what arrived in my mail box ?! Yup a box of samples and not just diapers, I got lotions, detergents, wipes, body wash for me and the baby cakes, cleaning wipes, coupons and more. I was thrilled. 

I was already a fan of the Seventh Generation Multi Surface Cleaner, it's not harsh and it gets the job done. I am now a big fan of their wipes which are fragrance free and their diapers. The diapers are by no means fancy, remember they are "green" so they look thin but they do the job like no other 
Go check out Seventh Generation products you will not be sorry. 
http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

BTW I was not asked by Seventh Generation nor was I paid to write this, all thoughts are my own.

Happy Birthday to you

My birthday was last week, last Thursday to be exact. I did not want it to happen, I did not want to hear "Happy Birthday, receive any cards, gifts or even have a cake...I did not want my birthday dammit !! Sounds silly now because regardless of my demand my birthday still came and I am another year older. I still feel the same and look the same so why the fuss ?

I think I did not want to be yet another year older because of where I am in my life at this point, I did not expect to be back at square one sort to speak...least I am wiser now, least I hope. 

However my day turned out to be great due to my wonderful family and friends. My "Aunt Lou Lou" got me an awesome candle I guess melter from Yankee Candle ( I am obsessed with turtles ) my oldest daughter gave me soap from Bath and Body Works and  Disney dollars and my parents also gave me Disney dollars ( can you guess where we maybe be going this year at some point ?! ) My best friend got me my first Alex and Ani bracelet. It's not about the gifts, it was about them showing me they cared enough to celebrate the day I gifted the world with my presence ...bahaha just kidding but you know what I mean. I received phone calls from good friends who remembered and it just felt nice. I am glad nobody listened to me :-) 

I am going to post some pics of my gifts and of my cake, please do not drool on your keyboards ( yes it was that good )

Showing some product love....

I was watching tv last week, and came across a commercial, normally I ignore them to do a little cleaning or do something other than watch it this time I paid attention and I was glad I did. What was the commercial for you ask ? Well it was for Tresemme Keratin Smooth, I personally bought the spray to use before using the straightening iron and blow dryer, its objective is to keep the frizzies at bay and protect your hair. The bottle says it will keep your hair frizz free for 48 hours. 

I absolutely love this stuff ! I use it every single time I blow dry or straighten my hair now, not once have had big hair issues or frizzy hair since. It also smell good. My hair is looking good ! I also recently colored it so it does need lots of protection from the elements. I am one happy camper for sure and at $4.95 a bottle really you cannot go wrong :-) I haven't had a bad hair day since using this stuff.


I was not paid/compensated or even asked by Tresemme to give this review, these are my own thoughts. I just love the product and wanted to share.  

365 days...

365 sounds like a lot doesn't it ? That's how many days in a year obviously unless it was a leap year. But it goes by so quickly and changes even faster.

It's the second day into the new year and I was reflecting back on 2013, I was blown away on all the changes; last year at this time I thought my marriage was going to work out. I know now that it is not and I am finally okay with that and it's the first time I have actually said it " out loud ". It is over, we are two very different people now and that is alright, people change.  Over the course of the year I have gotten a job, it's not my dream job that is for sure but I am making my own money. Meeting new people and helping myself get my confidence back. 

2013 was a very hard year for me physically as well as mentally. I gained a lot of weight because I was sad which made my blood pressure go up and up and up, on top of that I was under a ton of stress and ended up having a mini stroke. That was a wake up call. Thankfully I am alright, no brain damage or anything like that, some vision damage but it's manageable ( least to me it is ) I have since lost some weight, cut out soda completely and I look at food differently. I admit I do slip up here and there but for the most part I view food differently. I want to feel good about myself as well as look good. 

Also last year at this time I never thought my apartment would open up and finally...finally it is happening !! I am getting super excited. My own space. This will be a huge adjustment for Monkey Girl and I but we will be just fine. 

Through the year we have had the support of our family and good friends and going forward I KNOW they will be there. With that being said, here is to 2014 :-)