I know, it's beginning to look like all I ever do on this blog is advertise. One of my new year's resolutions was to use this blog more, but frankly I haven't really known what to blog about. Everything's pretty much been covered everywhere else, and my husband would prefer I not tell the world about our personal life. So that doesn't leave me with much material. But since part of my agreement with BzzAgent.com is to talk about the free stuff I get from them, I guess that's qualifies as a blog topic.
The latest BzzCampaign is for L'Oreal Paris Lash Boosting Technology, specifically the 24-Hour Lash Boosting Power System. The Power System consists of Concentrated Lash Boosting Serum and Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara. The Serum is a conditioner meant to be applied at night, and can also be used under the mascara. The Mascara includes a Lash Boosting Primer, a serum-infused basecoat, and Ultra-Lengthening Mascara Topcoat. The BzzCampaign invited participants to take a "4-week challenge," to use the product for 4 weeks, taking before and after photos, to see the difference. I started using the Power System on December 28, so I've been using it for 3 weeks, though I have not been totally consistent. I'm not really a make-up person, so it's hard to remember to put on mascara in the morning. While I like the product - it's easy to use, it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin around my eyes, and I like the mascara more than other brands I've tried - I haven't noticed a difference in the length or thickness of my lashes. I intend to keep using it for another couple weeks before I make my final judgement.
Last spring, when I lost my brand new fancy cell phone and couldn't afford a replacement and was stuck with my hubby's old, scratched, lame phone, I got the idea to try to find ways to become a product tester. I thought, wouldn't it be great if I could test out new tech toys without having to come up with all the money? So I spent some time on Google and while I didn't find any legitimate ways to get the really great stuff, I did find something - BzzAgent.com. By becoming a BzzAgent, I get to test new products in exchange for simply talking about what I'm testing (spreading the Bzz), and reporting back what people say. So far I've gotten free samples and coupons for Diet Mt Dew ( love Mt Dew; diet, not so much), Bic Soleil disposable razors (I'm loving these!), and now Burt's Bee's new Natural Acne Solutions.
For those of you who know me, you know that my children were born premature, at only 27 weeks, and one of my triplets was too sick to survive. The other two, though, are very healthy and normal 2 1/2 year olds, and March of Dimes had alot to do with that with all the research they do. Last year the kids and I walked in our first March for Babies, and we are walking again this year.
Some of my latest layouts -
the first uses Digitreats' Shout kit and her January calendar template
These used Digitreats Run & Skip kits and Teriann Hanks' Year In Review template set (template 1)
And I did this one for a challenge at goDigitalScrapbooking, using Andrea Gold's Holiday Splash kit and the free template for the challenge (it was a december challenge, so it's no longer available).
Andrea is currently having a CT Call, and I'm debating applying for it. I absolutely love her templates and her kits, but I haven't been spending nearly as much time scrapping lately, and I don't know if I want more commitments or not. But it sure would be nice to get more of her templates for free!I like to read. A lot. I get razzed at work all the time because I read and walk. When I walk the two blocks to and from the parking lot. When I walk laps around the parking ramp during break. I even read while I walk down the stairs. No, I have not run into anything or anyone, and have not fallen down the stairs. I don't know why I am capable of doing this, when there are so many other things I'm not capable of, but maybe I can do it just because I am that determined to read, and with two toddlers and a full time job, when else do I have the time? But I get quite a bit of reading done in those 35-40 minutes a day walking (and I'm getting exercise too, bonus :) Last year, with our budget getting so much tighter, I didn't renew my magazine subscriptions and quit making trips to Barnes & Noble, and started making more trips to the local library. I did splurge a little, and I bought the entire Twilight sage (including the Illustrated Movie Companion). But that was a good investment, because I've read it twice. But anyways, the point of this post - I don't even remember all the books I read last year, so I thought I should start keeping a little log here of the books I read and what I think of them, so later I'll know if they're worth reading again. I'm already on book #2 this year, so it will probably be a long list.
The book I was reading on New Years - Wicked by Gregory Maquire.
I already kind of wanted to see the musical, mostly because it's being hyped so much, but reading the book made me even more interested in seeing it. And I'm not really into theater. But it was a very good story, and really interesting to see the Land of Oz from that totally different perspective. Reading this actually made the original Wizard of Oz make a little more sense.
I finished Wicked on Monday (1/5) and started reading The Constant Princess by Phillipa Gregory.
This is the same author who wrote The Other Boleyn Girl, which I read a few months ago because the movie looked good but I hadn't had a chance to see it. I really enjoyed that book, and so far I am enjoying this one also. I've always been fascinated with British history (way more than American), especially Henry the VIII, so I was bound to like these books. But they are a fun read too.
I'm not sure what I'll start on after this one, but I'm thinking I'll pick back up with Harry Potter. I always have to revisit Hogwarts at least once a year :).
One of my New Year's resolutions is to lose some weight. It's one of my resolutions EVERY new year, and I haven't done anything about it yet. Last year I started trying to keep a log of what I ate. That lasted about 4 hours (I have a serious snacking addiction :). This year I'm trying something new, and I've signed up for the Discovery Health National Body Challenge. It's totally free, and it has customizable meal plans and exercise routines, complete with downloadable videos. Maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to stick to this one? We'll see. Anyone want to try it with me? It's always easier to stick with something when you have a team.
National Body Challenge : Discovery Health
Daily Events -
I really think it's time I seriously started potty training my daughter. She's two (27 months) and this is what she did today - her diaper was dirty, so she opened the drawer where the diapers are kept, got one out, got a handful of wipes from the dispenser, climbed up on the changing pad, took off her dirty diaper, and I walked back in the room just as she was wiping herself! Now, if she can do all that, why can't she just go on the potty (which sits right next to the changing table?
Latest scrap layouts
My current project (of a very long list of projects that I'll probably never finish) is to scrap "year in review" pages that I can frame and hang on the wall for a year, then put in an album for each kid. I've got done year 2 for both of them. I'm using Teriann Hank's Year In Review Template set and Digitreat's Skip & Run kits.
I made my christmas blog wear from Boo's contribution to the Christmas Around the World blog train. I had the idea that I wanted Christmas lights running down the sides, but I didn't have a kit with any lights I liked, then along comes Boo's little kit, and it was perfect. Sometimes I swear she is a mind reader! I don't know how long it will be up as a freebie on her blog, so grab it quick if you like it.
The picture from the header is the one I'm using for my Christmas cards this year. Isn't it adorable? Here it is bigger so you can see -
I like this one too, but the smiles are bigger in the first one.
Cookie is such a good pony, she takes good care of the kids. They love her too, and gave her kisses after their snowy ride.
