Influenster Holiday VoxBox has arrived!!!

So, I'm a self professed sample-whore who loves to get things for free. When I found out about Influenster I wasted no time in going over, signing up, and collecting my badges. I learned back in early December that I had been selected to receive the 2011 Holiday VoxBox and I was stalking my mailbox nightly.

Well, my wait is over - it arrived yesterday!

It came in a plain white cardboard box with the cute little holiday Influenster logo on the top.


















.... and what to my wondering eyes should appear......?

















Inside was a pre-printed card with all the goodies on it and a brief description of each. Here's what I got to sample and review!


New York Color Liquid Lip Shine
"Straight from the city that never sleeps, New York Color's Liquid Lipshine is uptown style at a down-to-earth price. With pure pigments that create a 3-D gloss effect and vitamin E that provides shine and moisture, this product is perfect to keep lips looking and feeling fabulous this season. Comes in 10 shades from neutral nude, to berries and fuchsias."















First Impression - While this is not a new product to me, this is a new color. I received color #582 - Nude York City. I've already tested it this morning and will link the review here once I can type up the review!


imPress Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails
"Introducing imPress, the revolutionary way to apply nail polish! Featuring advanced technology, you will get a salon-perfect manicure in seconds - simply peel off, press on, and you're done (no drying time!). imPress comes in 36 colors and patterns, including trendy brights, fun prints, classic darks and animal prints."















First Impression - This one I'm a bit skeptical about. I have very large nail beds and I just don't think they'll work well. I grabbed the largest one out and did a quick size comparison -















You can see the outline of my nail polish on the side of the press-on nail - and there's the same amount of space on the other side. I'll try them out and do a full review that I will link here.


Softsoap Coconut Scrub Bar Soap
"Renew your skin with NEW Softsoap Coconut Scrub bar soap. Enriched with crushed coconut extract, this bar soap gently exfoliates to renew your skin's surface, while helping retain natural moisture for soft, supple skin. Also comes in two other exotic fragrances: Juice Pomegranate & Mango Infusions and Sweet Honeysuckle & Orange Peel."















First Impression - while I'm not a fan of bar soaps or coconut smell, I'm curious to try this one out since it is "exfoliating". I'll link the full review here.


Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask
"Montagnue Jeunesse's face masks are jam packed with the most delicious natural ingredients and are bursting with luscious juice fragrances. Influensters will receive one of the following flavors: Strawberry Souffle, Cucumber Peel Off, Passion Peel Off, Dead Sea Mud, Fruit Smoothie."















First Impression - Well, I got the Fruit Smoothie and I'm pretty happy with the flavor choice I received. I have used these masks several times in the past and I just adore using them on a Friday night with a Lifetime Movie and a glass of red wine at hand. I'm curious to see how this particular one works. Although, I must say, the size is pretty small, so I may only be able to test one part of my face.


Mentos Pure Fresh Gum
"We're sure you know Mentos, but did you know they have a sugarfree gum? Whether it's before a holiday party, date or meeting, pop Mentos Pure Fresh Gum for a quick refresh! The crunchy outer shell conceals a green tea extract core that provides an immediate burst of coolness for long-lasting fresh breath. It's unique container keeps gum protected in your purse."















First Impression - I'm a sucker for packaging and I like that there's no wrapper to end up at the bottom of my purse. I'm not a huge gum chewer (I have TMJ), but I'll give it the old college try! I'll link the review here.


Larabar
"Made from only 2-9 ingredients, each LARABAR is a delicious blend of just fruits, nuts and spices. Pure and simple, just as nature intended. Larabar comes in 19 delicious flavors!"















First Impression - I received the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavor. I do like that there's minimal, natural ingredients. I think I'll test this one out this afternoon at work! I'll link the review here.

Well, that's it for my box contents. Look for full reviews on each product soon!

Did you receive an Influenster Holiday VoxBox? What was in yours?!

Cafe de Bernard

Well, I guess Bernard isn't shy about making new friends. It appears that he has quite the crush on Aurora and in a move to impress her, set up a dinner date on my kitchen island. The kids continue to get a kick out of his antics... and I'm having a harder and harder time thinking of ideas!!!

Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? What are some of the places he's shown up in your house?

Holiday VoxBox - Winter 2011

I am such a sucker for samples - I simply adore trying out new things and finding new treasures I never knew I would like.

I recently signed up with Influenster and received my notification today that I was selected for the Holiday VoxBox - Winter 2011!

If you're not familiar, Influenster is a community of trendsetters invited to share their lifestyles and show their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love. Members love testing the latest products, giving insightful feedback, and spreading the word on their favorite finds!

They send out product sample boxes to select "Influensters" for sampling and review.

The email I received said the following:

In celebration of our official national launch, Influenster is arming our most influential members with some personal fun this season in the form of a special Holiday VoxBox. And we are so excited to pass along the good news that you have been officially selected to test, evaluate and recommend this batch of featured products!

VoxBoxes are shipping from Chicago via USPS on December 7th, so be on the lookout for your package after this date.

I'm looking forward to receiving my first Voxbox and will definitely share with all of you!

Are you a member of any sample programs? Are you a "sample whore" like me?!

Weekend Recap

WHEW! What a weekend. Have you ever had such a hectic, busy weekend that you're thankful to get back to work on Monday morning just so you can sit down? Well I just had one of those weekends.

Mom came into town and we knocked out the rest of my Christmas and Natalie's Birthday shopping! I've never been done this early. I feel like I can actually breathe and enjoy Christmas now. I have no idea what to do with myself!!!

Bernard made his appearance all weekend, like clockwork. He showed up in Natalie's bedroom on her Christmas tree on Friday night, then under the tree on Saturday night putting the moves on Barbie.

















Then..... last night.....

The little twerp defaced our family photo last night (luckily he grabbed an extra one I had laying around (which was too big for the frame, but I don't think the kids noticed). Natalie said "Naughty, naughty Bernard!!!" and told him she didn't like him drawing on her.
























Mike decided that he liked Bernard hanging around, despite all his antics. Anilyse typically is a bear to wake up in the morning. Now all Mike has to do is say "Guess where Bernard is!" and she bolts up out of bed. He wants to know if we can keep him around all year!

On a separate topic, Natalie and I went to the mall last night to help her ease through the transition of Grammy leaving. She's been on that bungee trampoline thing one time before and wanted to do it again. Somehow, my 3-year old was able to teach herself how to do backflips! I'm still flabbergasted!



All in all, a great weekend. How are you on your Christmas shopping? Anyone else doing Elf on the Shelf? I'd LOVE to hear your Elf stories!

Elf - Day 4

Darn that Elf! I woke up this morning (at 3:30 - thank you very much, Natalie) and found Bernard head-first into a bag of chocolate chips I had on the very top shelf of my pantry! Sneaky little Elf!!

The girls giggled so much when they woke up (Christian thought it was cool - he doesn't "giggle" anymore), then immediately asked if they could have some chocolate chips. Stinkers.

Christian also lost a tooth last night! Luckily, the Tooth Fairy made it to our house last night (last tooth he lost, she forgot to come and came on the 2nd night). Guess she made sure to hit our house first since she screwed up last year.

Those darn Elves and Fairies. They're more trouble than they're worth!

Away in a Manger

I guess Bernard was getting lonely and went looking to make some friends. tee-hee. Anilyse found him first.

Scented Pinecone Wreath - Pinterest Inspiration

Pinterest is not just a phenomenon, but an addiction. Any of you with a Pinterest account can attest. Pinning is like crack - we see a great idea, a beautiful design, a yummy recipe and it takes one click to add to our virtual stash, with the honest intention of making it soon.

I, for one, am horrible about actually completing my Pinterest projects. BUT, Thanksgiving morning, while Tom Turkey was in the oven, I broke out my glue gun, scented pinecones and $1 Walmart ribbon and created this (sorry for the crummy cell phone photo):

















With inspiration from this pin:






















source

I didn't take photos of the process, but it was very simple. I purchased two bags of scented pinecones from the Walmarts and a grapevine wreath. I simply hot glued the pinecones onto the wreath. For the ribbon, I tied two separate bows and tied them together, then hotglued the ribbon at random spots to make it flowy looking.

It smells HEAVENLY!!!!


Can I get an "AMEN!"?

















What have you Pinned lately? Have you completed any of your Pins?