Mummy's Product Reviews

Low Maintenance Looks

2012-01-18T10:24:00.003-05:00

As a very busy mother of three kids under the age of five I am always looking for ways AND products that help me streamline my morning routine. The Mummy Chronicles has a great post this week about how to Look Awake! and a list of products that assist in this sometimes difficult task.

I need to take my own advice this week. Cold temps, winds and a lack of sleep and exercise have me looking like an old dishrag.

Open Call for Guest Bloggers

2012-01-18T10:15:00.002-05:00

WANTED: Guest bloggers who want to share ideas, tips, tricks and advice on products and all things beauty, fashion, travel, cars and green living. You want to talk about your obsession with lip gloss? Go ahead! Love the new models rolling out of Detroit? Tell me about and share with MPR's readers.

I'm looking for bloggers who want to submit a post or two and reach a new audience. Email me at veamason AT gmail DOT com.

Noodles & Company

2012-01-16T06:25:00.000-05:00

The tag line for Noodles & Company is "Noodles, Salads & Sandwiches from around the world." The restaurant serves up a variety of comforting food that ranges from healthy, leaner fare to the indulgent with its mac 'n cheese dishes. Each dish is around $7. I was invited to test out their grown-up macaroni & cheese at my nearest location and here is what I found.

I have been to a Noodles & Company before and had always stuck to the same food genre- Thai. I love it, it's simple with complex flavors and can be a bit healthier than a bowl full of macaroni and cheese or other pasta dishes. I feel like if the place is called Noodles & Company then that is what I am going to have when I eat there.

This time I brought a friend and we tried the Chili Mac and the Bacon Mac & Cheeseburger. My first thought was that it sounded a lot like a boxed one dish meal. However, each dish is topped with a large amount of fresh vegetables like tomatoes, green onions and more. The green onions adds zip and is the best part of both dishes, I think. The crispy bacon on the Bacon Mac & Cheeseburger is perfect too. Both dishes are pure comfort food. They are substantial in flavor and fill you up. Great for a cold or rainy day and for sharing. The Chili Mac is loaded with red chili meatballs that are crumbled over the cheesy pasta that is al dente and not mushy and overdone. The kick in this dish is spot on and the combination of cheddar-jack cheese and green onions kept me coming back for more forkfuls.

I don't normally think of going to Noodles & Company when I am out because my closest location is not in a path I typically travel but I think after trying more of the menu I will head over there now for a nice change. The kids loved the place and the staff was friendly each time I have gone. It's casual and a good place to grab a bite, catch up with a friend and take the kids. They also have a nice variety of Vegan and Gluten-Free options.

MPR Rating: Three Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Meals were given by Noodles & Company for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's own.

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2012 Mistubishi Eclipse Review

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Recently I rented a car. When I got to the rental desk I asked for something, anything that wasn't a Hyundai. For as much play Hyundai has gotten in the last year I have not been converted. When it comes to fleet cars they have been shown no love. The woman assured me that she had reserved something fun, sleek and sporty for me. I would love it. She almost squealed. I breathed in deeply, knowing I'm hard to please when it comes to vehicles and took the keys.

When I got to the garage I let out a laugh. There amidst a host of empty spots was a black 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Shiny and with less than 500 miles on it. I circled it and chuckled. I placed my luggage into the trunk and slunk inside. The engine roared to life with an audible growl and I was off.

Starting at just under $20k the 2012 Eclipse has a 162 horsepower and 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD. It gets 28-mpg and has six standard air bags. There is a rather sleek looking black-out roof and black grille. I did rather like the 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels too. The car has a nice look to it but I did not find it fun to drive. The loud, gruff sound of the engine sounds one way outside the car. It sounds cool, tough and like it wants to challenge you. Inside it actually makes a tinkering noise that is a tad alarming. The seats are low which is to be expected but they are not comfortable and neither is the ride. I drove all over the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut in this car and felt almost every bump and pothole along the way. I nicknamed the Eclipse the "teeth-banger" while I had it.

The 2012 Eclipse has dual exhaust outlets with polished exhaust tips, ice-blue LED illumination on the instruments and controls and a chrome rear spoiler. It's all looks and noise but not a lot of substance. I'm hoping that the 2013 has a bit more of the latter while keeping up appearances as well.

MPR Rating: Two Stars (out of five).

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Opinions are MPR's only.

Tips for Getting Product Reviews on Your Blog

2012-01-12T13:19:00.000-05:00

Spend any time at all immersed in the blog world and you’ll begin to notice that some bloggers get to review different products from time to time, and some bloggers to get to review different products all the time and some bloggers get to review products none of the time. And yet, you’ve never been offered a chance to review any products. Why is that? How come some bloggers have so many different opportunities to review products and some have none at all?

1. Make your contact information easy to find

Companies are constantly perusing the web to find different places to promote their products. However, if they can’t find any way to get in touch with you, they’ll never reach out to you to try their products, which is why it’s imperative to have a Contact tab on your blog that gives a valid email address and explains that you’re open to discussing honest product reviews.

2. Reach out to companies you’re interested in promoting

If there’s a particular company or product that you really believe in and want to promote you should email their marketing person and ask them about coordinating a review or sponsoring a giveaway on your blog. You don’t have to wait for someone to find your blog, and a lot of companies are more than happy to work with bloggers and get some additional exposure.

3. Join a blogging network

There are a lot of different blogging networks out there that will partner with you to create a mutually beneficial relationship – they’ll place specific ads on your website and in turn will promote you as well. A lot of companies find blogs to utilize for product promotions through these types of networks.

4. Review products on your own

If there’s something you’re passionate about – whether it’s in a positive or negative light – review it on your blog! This will help show others that you’re the type of blogger that does open and honest reviews, both of which are qualities that companies appreciate. No one wants to read glowing reviews all of the time, they want to read truthful reviews. This will also show marketers that your blog is a place for credible information and good exposure.

5. Use social media to your advantage

Promote, promote, promote. Promote your blog, promote any reviews you’re doing, link to companies on Twitter, tag companies on Facebook – do whatever you have to do in terms of social media promotion to get people’s attention. Social media is a free and easy resource to connect with others, so use it!

It might be a little intimidating at first to contact a company, but most are more than willing to at least talk to you about sponsoring a review, and once you have one it becomes easier for other companies to find you and utilize you. Reviewing products is fun and informative, and readers love unbiased opinions on products. If someone knows they can count on you to give a candid review of something, even if it’s not necessarily the most glowing review, you immediately become a credible source of information and will become more and more likely to be contacted for product reviews on your blog.

Author Bio

Nancy Parker was a professional nanny and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, and Babysitting, find a nanny tips etc. You can reach her @ nancy.parker015 @ gmail.com.

Marriott Marquis in Downtown San Diego, CA

2012-01-11T06:50:00.000-05:00

The Marriott Marquis in downtown San Diego, CA is one of the most convenient hotels in the city. It is located only five minutes from the city's airport and attached to the convention center. Right outside the hotel lobby the city by the sea awaits! Trolley cars go by, the Gaslamp District is within walking distance and the inner harbor is right there to run along, view from your hotel balcony and just soak in.

I stayed at the Marriott Marquis for three days during a very busy conference. When I arrived I immediately loved the lobby with its light, space and sense of openness and zen. There were more than enough front desk clerks to assist guests and the rather long line went fast. Fruit-infused water was there while you wait, which after a cross-country plane ride was quite refreshing.

My room at the Marquis was a good size with a harbor and pool view. It had all the basics that a two double bed-sized room typically has- desk with chair, flat screen television, ample closet space for two women and a decent amount of bathroom sink counter space. That last one is something I look for in a hotel room and many places fail. This 25-story hotel has over 1300 guest rooms that are filled with light. The linens were white and fluffy and clean. The whole room and hotel was immaculate and despite the massive number of guests at the time it stayed that way during my entire visit.

There are a few bars, lounges and restaurants in the Marriott Marquis and here is where I found a weakness. The service is not up to standard. On a relatively quiet morning at the pool side bar I was able to enjoy breakfast. Except the Eco-friendly wooden silverware was flimsy, could not cut my food or even scoop it up to my mouth and looked like something the airlines would try and give you. My wooden, disposable fork was so tiny it could barely get a teaspoon worth of eggs on to it. My order came much later than the rest of my table and I had to ask for it twice. My breakfast burrito was decent but not what one would expect from a Marriott. I found the same lack luster service and food at DW's Restaurant inside the hotel. It was quite disappointing.

A hotel the size of the Marriott Marquis boasts a gorgeous outdoor pool setting with lounge areas and many food and drink options. Heat lamps surround you in the evening and it is quite pleasant. A fitness center, lobby bar and hotel store offer up good options that are standard for a city hotel of this size and caliber.

While I enjoyed my stay at the Marriott Marquis and found the staff at the front desk and lobby helpful I was not overly impressed with the property as a whole. It is in a good location, aesthetically pleasing and very clean however so I might stay again and hope for better food service.

MPR Rating: Three Stars (out of five). Trip Advisor review gives it four stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. My stay was paid for by me while there on business. Opinions are MPR's only.

RazorPit Review

2012-01-09T06:47:00.002-05:00

When items such as the RazorPit filter into my inbox I have a tendency to look the other way. It seems gimmicky. Then I go to my local Target to pick up some razor blades for myself and my husband and I feel like I need to take out a loan. Hello, people at RazorPit? I'm ready for my review now.

The RazorPit is a razor blade sharpener. Plain and simple it works with all razor blades and can increase the use of a single blade up to 150 times. Using friction technology (that stand has give to it like skin) it removes residue, hair, soap and skin from the blade letting you use the the blade a whole lot more. I tested it out this weekend after realizing my razor needed to shave my leg three times in one spot to get a clean, close shave.

To use the RazorPit you need only to apply your shave cream, gel or soap to the RazorPit's flat surface. Run your razor forwards about 4-5 times. Rinse both the RazorPit and razor clean and you are done. Pretty simple and fast. It worked too! I immediately took my razor and went down the front of my calf. The whole line was smooth and clean with no need to retrace. I'm ridiculously happy I don't have to replace my blade again! I ran it through the RazorPit a few more times for good measure. My husband tested his out too and it seems that the more blades you have (Mach 3 Turbo) the less success you might have. His worked out but not as noticeably sharpened as my dual blade.

The RazorPit Razor Blade Sharpener (about $25) is sold online at Amazon (pink, black and white colors available) and the company website.

MPR Rating: Four Stars (out of five).

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

Sun Ridge Farms Organic & Natural Foods

2012-01-06T12:27:00.001-05:00

Powered by 70% solar energy (at peak usage) and located in Pajaro, CA, SunRidge Farms is an all natural, organic snack food company. Founded in 1982 and a certified green business this is a company that pays its employees if they bike to work. That's wonderful! I wish there were more places that operated this way.

But what about the snacks, right?

I tried the Organic Cranberry Harvest mix ($4.65) which has a great combination of dried apples, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, giant almonds and even some dark chocolate chips. It's a nice mixture that I loved to eat right after I left the gym or was running errands and getting a bit hungry. I thought there were a bit too many chocolate chips for my taste but then again it is January and I'm trying to eat less sugar. Overall, I thought the combination of sweet and tangy was great and I would definitely eat it again.

I also had the Thai Curry Cashews and the Dark Chocolate Almonds. Swoon, to both! The Thai Curry Cashews are a great source of protein that also have no artificial dyes, additives or colors. Packed with curry seasoning but not overpowering I really enjoyed this different, crunchy snack. The same goes for the Dark Chocolate Almonds. A few at a time has become the answer to my mid-afternoon snack attack. When I want something sweet the dark chocolate is perfect but I still get a bit of protein and sustenance from the almonds.

SunRidge Farms makes a variety of snack mixes, in-house roasted nuts and even confections. You can purchase them online at their website.

MPR Rating: Four Stars (out of five).

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

Natural Vines Licorice Tasty Resolutions $10,000 Sweepstakes!

2012-01-05T07:03:00.001-05:00

I don't normally post this type of thing but the Natural Vines company and their delightfully yummy licorice has decided to run a contest offering a grand prize of $10k! All to help you be a new, super amazing you in 2012!!

To encourage healthier lifestyle choices in 2012, so they’ve launched a sweepstakes that gives away cash and merchandise to help us live healthier lives.

What does it all mean for you? Well,

-Weekly prize of healthy lifestyle merchandise or $500 gift cards

-Grand Prize: $10,000 Visa card

Contest runs from January 1 to February 29, 2012. No purchase necessary. Open to legal U.S. residents 18 years and older. Increase chances to win by referring 3 friends. One entry per person per day.

Clairvoyant Perfume by Clairvoyant Beauty

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's a new year! Why not a new scent? I'm a huge fan of citrus-based scents. In fact, my husband actually thought I naturally smelled like Origins 'Spring Fever' when we first met. Silly boy. Beyond that I tend towards perfumes with a peppery scent, like Theorema by Fendi. I typically wear Hermes "Un Jardin Apres La Mousson" on a daily basis. So I was excited to learn about Clairvoyant Beauty and its new scent, "Clairvoyant".

Created by Lexie Masterson (yes, she's related to actress Mary Stuart Masterson) Clairvoyant is deliciously crisp, floral fragrance that has a hint of citrus to it. Like the products in the luxury Clairvoyant Beauty line the perfume is hand-crafted using natural and organic ingredients. Produced in small batches it is an all-natural fragrance that can be worn alone or to enhance ones own fragrance. I love that! When I put it on it is light and a bit sweet but if I add to it and layer it with my citrus lotion the scent changes and becomes deeper. It's a small thing but perfume is so rarely versatile in this way and this unique quality sets Clairvoyant apart.

I also love that each small batch contains base notes of Tabacco Absolue, Green Cognac with top notes that include Mexican lime and bergamot. All things I look for in a fragrance. It's light but the more you add the more the scent changes and continues to bring out its layers. The 100% natural formula is pure fragrance too. No unnecessary chemicals here, even the alcohol is made from organic corn alcohol.

Clairvoyant perfume ($45-100, sizes vary) and other Clairvoyant beauty products are available online and at some salons and boutiques.

MPR Rating: Four Stars (out of five).

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

*Image from cherelynn.com

CouponSherpa Coupon Codes

2012-01-03T14:01:00.001-05:00

Because who doesn't love a good deal anytime of year? These are some of CouponSherpa's top coupon codes for January.

1. Heels.com
Now through Feb. 28, get $25 off orders of $100 or more by applying coupon code WINTER25.

2. JCPenney
Take $10 off orders of $90 or more by Jan. 27 using JCPenney promo code 10JCP90.

3. Shutterfly
Get free shipping on orders of $30 or more before Jan. 19 using code SHIP30.

4. Disney Store
Use code SHIPTODAY before Feb. 1 and get free standard shipping with orders of $75 or more.

5. Bath & Body Works
Save 20% on any online order through Jan. 15 with Bath & Body Works coupon code 20SEMIANNUALSALE.

6. Karma Loop
Take 20% off orders of $75 or more by Feb. 1 using promo code JAN20.

7. HP
Use coupon code SAVE15HP before Jan. 31 to save $15 on orders of $75 or more.

8. Avenue
Take 30% off your highest priced item with coupon code AV121016 when you order three or more items by Feb. 1.

9. Justice
Enjoy 40% off already reduced merchandise before Jan. 10 with coupon code 745.

10. SkyMall
Save 15% on any order before Feb. 2 with code LSA57.

Discovery Kids Puterbugs Game

2011-12-30T06:55:00.000-05:00

Geared for children's ages 8 and under Discovery Kids Puterbugs is designed to take kids beyond apps and playing games. This new website teaches kids how to use technology as a tool in a healthy way.

It works like this- there is a virtual, cowboy hat wearing teacher, "Mr. Scott", (my daughter thinks he is hilarious) and a set of little bugs called, 'Puterbugs' for each letter on the keyboard. It's that simple but watching my child play it showed a whole lot more. Mr. Scott takes her on a self-guided tour of games, activities and missions on the Puterbugs site that goes with only her level of knowledge. Everything unfolds in various ways and avenues based on her level of competency. Games like "Frozen Pizza Pops" have her using the mouse, space bar and learning all the letters on the keyboard in no time. While she normally plays games on other television websites it usually results in her watching videos or designing cakes and dresses. Not collecting microchips, driving with a mouse or using learning to spell, add and work all the components at one time. Words like 'luau' are now part of her vocabulary and list of words she can spell. Call me happy and impressed. I love that the site keeps her focused while building concentration. It is beyond anything I have seen her do on other websites.

Imagine Tomorrow along with the experts at Discovery Kids (Discovery Channel) identified the 'Top 100 Tech Skills' that children should learn. Concepts like typing, texting, swiping and more are definitely involved and used frequently in Puterbugs. While I am still limiting her time this game is now at the top of hers and my 'favorite' list.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

Angel Minaro Exquisite Beauty

2011-12-27T14:32:00.000-05:00

Fun Find- It's that time of the year when we are looking for renewal, a bit of a break and a chance to recharge. We're also kind of broke. Am I right? Angel Minaro is luxurious body care made from natural, cruelty-free items from all over the world. Designed to nurture and detox your body within the comfort of your home Angel Minaro products are also anti-aging.

I received a bottle of Romance body lotion ($19) and Acai & Honey tropical blend smoother ($32). While I liked the lotion, the almond oil based scent was not something I would normally choose. However it works well and is thicker than your average lotion. It blends into your skin really well and I noticed an immediate difference in my skins texture. The argan oil, shea butter, and silk proteins are responsible for that. I absolutely adored the Acai & Honey smoother. It is so soft, silky and smells fantastic! It is one amazing body scrub. Using it twice a week your skin will be softer and have a great feel to it.

Angel Minaro products are available for the body, hair (protein wraps!), face and more. They can be purchased online.

Mini Kittour by Vonda Just in Case Collection

2011-12-27T14:23:00.001-05:00

If you travel a lot then the mini kittour Just in Case individuals and refillables are something you are going to love. I really could have used this collection when I was traveling so much in the last few years. While you can pick up a pill case or travel-sized bottles at many drugstores you won't find such a high-quality set like the pieces from mini kittour.

In beautiful chocolate brown and accented with gold each item holds up well and is the right size for air travel. They are leak-proof, refillable and customizable. That last one is one of the best parts to this set. The recyclable, flexible set of bottles ($6-7), sprayers, vitamin case, jars with screw on caps, and 3 piece dual-ended makeup brushes ($35) comes with a memo pad with 80 waterproof labels and a mini-sharpie ($10) to label each one. I love it! You can put your conditioner, shampoo, eye cream, lotions and even makeup remover in these bottles without fear of them breaking and leaking all over your other luggage. I also love that the four well Vitamin case ($5) is square and flat instead of a bulky rectangle. You can also get a set of 3 of the clear PET bottles (like the sprayer or lotion pump) for $8.

I also happen to like the mini kittour Daily Kit ($50) for storing things like makeup and brushes inside my gym bag, diaper bag and car. I don't have to worry about powers smudging, lip gloss stains or any of those yucky accidents when I carry this. The outside wipes clean and has a large mirror that many of these cases just don't have. The three brushes inside are super soft and luxurious. They are long lasting and won't scratch your skin like many cheaper versions do. In addition to holding two bottles and jars you can add other makeup, a cell phone or even your credit cards. The outside is nice enough to carry as a clutch too. It's so perfect!

Created by Vonda Simon a mother, lover of beauty and fashion and business mogul, mini kittour is based on aesthetics, function, portability and convenience. You can purchase mini kittour items, there are larger cases and so much more, online and stores like Beauty Bar.

The Best Parental Control Software to Protect Your Family

2011-12-23T14:07:00.003-05:00

The Internet can be an incredible resource for your children, but it can also put them in danger without proper supervision. There are many ways that a child can be at risk online, including predatory websites, bullying, and, exposure to graphic content. Parents cannot
monitor their kids Internet activities all the time. This makes using parental control software very handy, especially for working parents.

Not all parental filter software available today offers the best protection for your kids. Some may have the protection you want, but they’re not user friendly. For your ease and for the safety of your kids, here are a few of the top most effective and easy to use programs you can
buy.

Net Nanny

Net Nanny ranks first among the rest of the filtering software because it blocks not only adult
content but also suspicious chat rooms, emails account, and other forms of Internet danger.
It assures that your children can only play and install games that you think are appropriate.
This parent control program is simple to install and easy to set-up. It also has a feature that
helps you to choose the appropriate program, games and other online activities based on your
child’s age.

PureSight PC

PureSight is a newer company – they’ve been protecting kids from online treats since 1998
– but their software is still very effective. Its latest filtering software ensures your child’s
protection from sites that are considered threats, but at the same time allows access to sites
that are useful. Similar to Net Nanny, PureSight also has many user-friendly features in its
interface.

PureSight is designed to totally block pornographic sites. It allows social networking sites
such as Facebook and chat rooms but under strict real time analysis where parents are alerted
in case suspicious interactions or communication happens.

CYBERsitter

CYBERsitter may not be the most popular name in parental software, but it is one of the best
filtering programs available today. It’s effective and easy to use and is designed to protect
kids from any treats that can be accessed through the Internet. The program is developed so
that you can customize filtering features for any program that allows chatting and emails.
This program also helps to avoid ‘overblocking’ (blocking of harmless programs)
and ‘underblocking’ features (unblocking programs that are considered as threats).

There are many great programs out there to help a busy parent keep an eye on their child’s
online behavior for a reasonable price. For other objective and data driven comparisons, be
sure to check out FindTheBest, where you can compare everything from antivirus software to
tablets.

*Guest post by Tom, who is part of the editorial staff at FindTheBest.

Tilvee Argan & Sea Buckthorn Age-Defying Creme

2011-12-23T13:49:00.000-05:00

I had never heard of Tilvee skincare products until they sent me a request for review. After reading the press release I was intrigued. Tilvee is eco, ethical skincare. Made from organic, fair trade ingredients Tilvee's products are a natural luxury skin care product line. Free of parabens, petroleum and fragrances the ingredients work to repair sun damage and fight the harsh winter weather. Their anti-aging properties from Moroccan argan oil, Vitamins A and E and protective kokum butter keep skin calm and safe from UV rays.

Tilvee Argan & Sea Buckthorn Age-Defying Creme ($34.99, 2 oz.) is an age-defying creme made specifically to repair summer-damaged skin for a more youthful appearance. It helps fight red, rosacea-like spots, fine lines and wrinkles. Sea buckthorn oil heals skin from pigmentation, aging and acne. You are supposed to apply it twice a day, however, I only did it once since I am in the middle of another skincare routine that has a heavy duty nighttime moisturizer. When I did use the Tilvee Argan & Sea Buckthorn creme I immediately noticed its lack of fragrance and its thick texture. Despite that it melted into my skin quickly and applied evenly and smoothly. It didn't interfere with the whitening system I've been using or cause any irritation or redness. My skin really did feel calm. It also felt soft both day and night after only using it about four days. I was really surprised. It was such an effortless but fast working creme. It's impressive.

Tilvee Argan & Sea Buckthorn Age-Defying Creme received the “best anti-aging award in 2010” by Delicious Living Magazine due to amazing anti-aging benefits of Moroccan Argan Oil and Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil.

Tilvee Eco Ethical Skincare has a full line of luxurious, toxin-free skin care, outdoor, and hair care for women, kids, and babies. Tilvee products are formulated with 100% natural and sustainable ingredients sourced from fair trade cooperatives. I love that! The products are also packaged in sustainable materials. Tilvee items are available nationwide at Whole Foods Market, Vitamin
Cottage, other natural stores and online.

Girl with a Dragon Tattoo Inspired Nail Polish by Duri

2011-12-21T13:11:00.001-05:00

Fun Find- Inspired by the amazing film "Girl with a Dragon Tattoo" Duri nail polish has created six gorgeous and fun shades. I say they are here just in time to wear to the opening of the US film version today!

Colors like Dragontini (eggplant shade) , Icicle, Frozen, and Black Diamond look great on your nails. I like to mix them up and put Angels and Demons (dark silver) on my thumbs and coat my remaining fingers with Fallen Angel. It makes people look twice and I have gotten loads of compliments on each shade every time I have used them. At $5 a bottle you can love the whole collection all at once!

You can purchase Duri nail polish online and worldwide at find salons. Nail blog, Scrangie, has a really detailed review of each color with some gorgeous photos too. Check it out!

*Image from thestylecloset.net

A Nude for all Seasons

2011-12-19T12:43:00.001-05:00

I love a good nude lip. However, I think it is really hard to find a lipstick that is nude and complimentary. Laura Mercier Pink Champagne is a great one for every season.

beautyADDICTS BeautifullLIPS

2011-12-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

Fun Find- beautyADDICTS BeautifullLIPS Lipstick ($18) collection contains eight rich and creamy colors infused with intense hydration. Formulated with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and other natural ingredients your lips are protected and nourished with beautiful coverage. BeautifullLIPS has natural peptides that stimulate collagen for a firmer more plumped up lip.

I was given three shades from the collection. Peep Show - a bold eggplant shade that my three year-old pilfered from my make-up drawer one day while I was out running. Thanks kid! The shade was too dark for me anyway. It is a deep purple that probably looks better on a darker skin tone. Flirt – is a delicate petal pink. I tend to wear this one on a more regular basis. Sinful- is an red-orange shade that attracts a lot of attention. What is it with people and red lipstick? You wear it and everyone has a comment.

With all three shades I liked that my lips didn't dry out and the color stayed without staining. It's not all day coverage but it does last through a few drinks and most of the morning, which is fine by me. I'm not looking for eight hour lips.

You can find BeautifullLIPS by beautyADDICTS at a find salon near you.

Heidi Klum Shine Giveaway

2011-12-16T15:03:00.002-05:00

Heidi Klum: top model, television presenter, style icon, designer, business woman, wife and mother. Now, Klum can add a fragrance to her multi-faceted life. Her new signature fragrance: Shine, is a sparkling floral oriental. It is a feminine scent that encapsulates Heidi’s joyfulness, her playfulness and her taste for authenticity, which is reflected in her natural, approachable personality.

Shine: The Fragrance

An effervescent floral oriental fusion, Shine perfectly reflects Heidi’s sparkling vivacity and soft sensuality. The elegant fragrance opens with fresh, juicy notes of mandarin and pear, enhanced with spicy pink peppercorn to invigorate the senses. This melts into a beautifully feminine bouquet of exquisite mimosa absolute, lily-of-the-valley and sunflower, exuding a delicious joie-de-vivre. At its base, warm notes of vanilla, tonka bean and musk create seductive, sensual undertones, making this fragrance wonderfully addictive.

Top Notes: Mandarin, Pear Williams, Pink Peppercorn

Heart Notes: Mimosa Absolute, Muguet (Lily-of-the-valley), Sunflower

Dry Down: Vanilla, Tonka Bean Venezuela, Musk Cosmone

I'm giving away three sets right now! Enter to win by commenting on your favorite perfume. For addtional entries you can tweet this giveaway, follow MPR and/or like it on Facebook. Applicable to US Residents only. Winners will be chosen at random on December 22, 2011.

Fashion & Beauty Deals for 12/16

2011-12-16T11:11:00.000-05:00

Today is the day to hit up some great deals on the web. FreeShippingDay.com is the place to go to get the following deals. See something you like, head over to freeshippingday.com

FASHION

Express - Free shipping plus 30% of all orders, plus $25 off orders of $100 or more.
JCrew - Free shipping and 30% off all orders.
Ann Taylor - Free shipping and 40% off your order.
Inhabit - Free overnight shipping on all orders.
Gap - Free shipping and 20% off your order.

BEAUTY
The Body Shop - Free shipping on all orders.
Philosophy - Free shipping on all orders.
Bobbi Brown - Free shipping on all orders.
Beauty.com - Free shipping on orders of $25 or more.
Sephora - Free shipping and returns on orders over $25.

SHOES
Shoes.com - Free shipping and free returns plus 20% off your order.
Puma Stores - Free 2-day shipping and free returns on all orders.
Hush Puppies - Free shipping plus $10 off your order.
ShoeBuy.com - Free shipping and returns on all orders.
Chinese Laundry - Free shipping on all orders.

Ella's Kitchen Organic Baby Food

2011-12-16T09:45:00.001-05:00

If I could give an award to something it would be Ella's Kitchen! I love the idea of fruit and vegetables combined into one packet that I can throw in a purse, the car or diaper bag. I keep them on me at all times and from baby number three to my five year-old Ella's Kitchen food is a magical thing. Everyone wants one and they want them all the time!

Made from 100% organic fruits and vegetables the purees are in handy squeezable packs that come in single food variety or an array of clever mixes. Broccoli, Pears and Peas anyone? Yes, please! I love that I can get my oldest to suck down some veggies without any complaints. The girl won't touch a carrot, pea or potato anymore. It's all carbs and I fear for her digestive tract. Ella's Kitchen was created by a Dad for his kids. He wanted something healthy and portable. He came up with Ella's Kitchen and now there is a whole selection from First Tastes, Baby Brekkie to Smoothies and more.

One of the best parts about Ella's Kitchen pouches is that I can give them to all my kids. When the box for review came to our door it was just days before our Thanksgiving car trip to West Virginia. I knew that these fruit and vegetable packs were going to make the car ride a lot smoother. Each girl loves them, devours them and asks for more. My one year-old can eat them in the car and I don't worry about her choking.

Ella's Kitchen makes many flavors from one fruit or vegetable to combinations of both. You can even use them in recipes! They are available at many grocery stores and retailers like Target and Amazon.com and more.

Top Trainers DVD Collection

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Some call it the ultimate holiday workout but I say it is a great way to squeeze in a workout anytime of year. The Top Trainers DVD ($60) set is an awesome collection of ten DVDs that mix cardio, yoga, Pilate's and other workouts like the Bar Method all in one package. It's fantastic!

I love that I can use this to change things up when I don't want to hit the gym or go for a run. There at my fingertips is a Pilate's workout with 10 of the top fitness professionals in the country. Using the Blend Method you can always change things up and focus on areas you really want to target. I loved Ellen Barrett's Yogini workout. For 45 minutes I was stretching, sweating and getting a great bun, thigh and ab workout without having to leave my house. Two days later my body actually felt like it was craving that workout again. Yes, really. Want more? Top Ten has Latin Dancing, Kickboxing, ballet and interval training too. Included in the kit was a schedule for optimal results too. Love it!

You can purchase the Top Trainer DVD collection at HealthyFitBodies.com and there is a 30 day money back guarantee.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

Reuseit Skoy Paper Towels & Earth Tote

2011-12-13T15:06:00.001-05:00

Reuseit is a fantastic website that I love to shop on whenever I need to replace something in my house. For example, a few weeks ago my Cuisinart coffeemaker needed a new cup to hold the coffee grounds. The mesh had torn and was coming away from the plastic frame. Reuseit had a perfect fit replacement that can be used in my coffeemaker and many others. The Reuseit one is actually a better quality and a finer strainer than the company brand too.

Reuseit recently sent me some Skoy Paper Towel replacements ($4.95). These can be used to sop up a mess and for everyday cleaning. For a set of four in four colors (blue, green, yellow and natural) you can be wiping up messes and cleaning for a week. One Skoy cloth replaces 15 paper towels, which is great for the environment. When the Skoy Paper Towel replacement is dirty just toss it in the wash. Made from 100% biodegradable wood pulp cellulose and natural cotton Skoy is non-toxic and chlorine free. You can even clean it in your dishwasher, which I find to be easier and faster. It's also dryer safe. If you are trying to conserve paper towels, be more green or save money then the Skoy Paper Towel is a good product to buy from Reuseit.

We all have a variety of reusable bags in our homes these days. Companies stick their logos on them and hand them out all the time. The reuseit Earth Tote, Original ($9.95) is a notch above all those other reusable shopping bags. For one, it is bigger and a nice tall rectangular shape. It has sturdy handles and a very handy and deep front pocket that you can put lists, notes or other additional items in. I love it!

Reuseit is the perfect place to start when you are thinking of going green. It can help you eliminate waste like using plastic utensils, straws, plastic baggies, use-and-toss lunch containers and more. I love browsing the site to figure out ways that save me money in the long run and the earth right now.

MPR Rating: Four Stars (both products).

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

sweetriot Chocolate

2011-12-09T11:16:00.001-05:00

Fun Find- sweetriot chocolate company is human, globally responsible, irreverent and built for a new generation. That is the company's mission. Founder Sarah Endline found cacao during her travels and realized that not many people knew that in countries like West Africa, South & Central America and Asia, cacao is a celebrated food. It is considered spiritual and magical. With that in mind sweetriot was formed by the riot team with the idea of supporting social causes like fair trade.

One of the things I love about sweetriot is that they use only all-natural, high quality inredients. The chocolate is intense, rich and lovely. They are known for their smooth dark chocolate varities and sweetriot nibs, which have a celebrity following. The flavor of a sweetriot chocolate bar is deep, varied and all around a premium experience. I loved every savored mouthful of my chocolate bars.

"Welcome to sweetriot. Join us. Life is a riot. Sweet."

sweetriot products are available at Whole Foods, Zabars, World Market, Publix and many other fine retailers nationwide.