I've tried some stuff from Zep previously, and was impressed by it. As in, "Where has this been all of my life" type impressed. It makes any cleaning job so easy. So you can imagine, when I had a chance to try Zep's Microwave Miracle, I got excited!
We all know how a microwave get get dirty quick... things splatter and explode, and it seems no matter what you use to 'cover' your food, it still happens. And all too often, you see the mess, think to yourself, 'I'd better wipe that up.' But then you get distracted by the very food that caused it. So it dries, and then bakes on more the next time you use the microwave.
So Zep Miracle Microwave Foaming Cleanser lets your microwave do the work for you. You just generously 'foam up' the bottom of your microwave with it, turn it on for a couple of minutes, and then wipe away all the dirt. Seriously... that easy. I got it in the mail to try, and within 5 minutes of opening the box, I had a clean microwave. This stuff will forever be a part of my cleaning supplies.
So Zep Miracle Microwave... two enthusiastic, go out and buy it now, thumbs up!
I'm sure like most of you, the Brookside name is nothing new to me. I've seen it around on store shelves, and even tried the chocolate cover fruity bites. Always a tad different with their flavors. And even though I did enjoy them on occasion, it never quite grabbed me enough to be a regular purchase.
Well, that's about to change. Enter Brookside Crunchy Clusters. When I had a chance to try these, I didn't think much of the concept. But then I tried them. I was hooked, instantly! The flavor combination of the fruit and chocolate, paired with this crunchy, crispy rice bit. Wow! It's the perfect combination! And they say there are some other grains in there, too... whatever the combo is, it's awesome.
Normally, when I'm posting about various things on this blog, I have some caveat that I speak about... you know, 'it's great, but...' However, other than being highly addictive, I can't find something even remotely bad to say. So bottom line, if you see this on the shelf, buy it. Try it. Love it.
Seriously. This is a new fixture in my snack cabinet.
In the last year or so, I've become a fan of 'shading' with eye shadows. In other words, different shades or colors on the lids (not necessarily a smoky eye, though). So I was quite excited to get the opportunity to try out Neutrogena's Nourishing Long Wear Eye Shadow.
When I first received it, I got a little scared of the colors... grays. I LOVE the color gray, in general (for clothes, decorating, etc), but I've never tried it in make-up form (except for liner and mascara, which looks almost black, anyway). Without any special events coming up made me even more nervous to try it out at work... didn't want to get all crazy with eye make-up! But I figured one day, no matter how it looks, wouldn't be a big deal.
Well, my first surprise about it was how you can truly go as light or dark as you want with it, even following the suggested layering on the back of the compact. Which I followed. But I kept the strokes light, and made it a point not to 'dig in' to the color. 
I was actually quite pleased with how it turned out (though the picture gives it no justice). So that alone really sold me on it, as if the Neutrogena name wasn't already helping matters.
Unfortunately, with the term 'Long Wear' in the description, I assumed it would wear long (crazy, right??). I admit, I have a bad habit of rubbing my eyes when I'm stressing, which I did during my trial day. Which really made it NOT 'Long Wear'. There were still some remnants in the creases, but for the most part, it was gone (as seen in the before vs. after photo).
That said, I still loved the color palate, and if the other selections are similar in shading opportunities, I'm all for buying it. And maybe if I DID put more on (or if it was just not at work, where I stress-rub), it might last longer. Regardless, it goes back to being a complete shadow palate for your eyes, and that makes it way easier to coordinate a final look. I say Neutrogena has another winner.
Have I mentioned that I love trying new products? Especially when they're NEW new!
Case in point... Neutrogena Rapid Dark Circle Repair. Who doesn't have problems with dark circles? So when I had an opportunity to try out this new product through CrowdTap, I got a little excited. So far, I've used it about a week, and while I still have a bit of a dark circle under my eyes, I see improvements. 
I'll admit, I didn't think I was seeing any improvement until I looked at the before and after pictures closely - there was/is definite fading. (click on the picture if you want to see a bigger version) But what I really found interesting was the 'instant' fix that was involved.
I assume this was part of the product design, but when you brush on the lotion (yes, it's a brush applicator), it leaves behind a bit of a pearlescent shimmer that reflects light, thus seemingly hiding the dark circles in the interim. The only pitfall what sometimes that shimmer would get stuck in an under-eye wrinkle, which only emphasize that!
As this product rolls out full scale, if you are someone that is concerned about the dark circles under your eyes, I'd give this product a try. Neutrogena is a great name brand to stand behind something like this - you know they have the research behind it. I plan to continue its use and track my results. But for one week of use, I'm pretty happy with the results.
I've been a HUGE Listerine fan for a long time. After I got over the burning and realized what it was really doing for me, I couldn't get enough of that burn. Plus, they kept coming out with new flavors... my parents only had the original gold, very medicinal flavor to choose!
But then I got to try Listerine® Healthywhite™ Gentle through CrowdTap and the Listerine brand. They promised this was a 'no burn' Listerine. I know there are other mouthwashes that have this claim... you know, "no alcohol = no burn." So this wasn't new ground, or anything. But if it's one thing Listerine knows best, it's mouthwash that actually does more than freshen your breath.
Sure enough, there was no burn. I had to overcome a small obstacle I placed myself, being a bad toothpaste flavor right before the Listerine... but once I resolved that, the Clean Mint actually tasted like Clean Mint. And since you have to rinse for twice as long as regular Listerine, there was still that lingering 'sting' you get from any minty flavor mouthwash (or even toothpaste).
All in all, it held true to the Listerine name and adds to the Listerine options out there. This is a great option for anyone that couldn't deal with the burn of regular Listerine. Go, Listerine!
I’m a member of the Crowdtap Kleenex Brand® rewards program, and Kleenex® Brand sent me these two products to review. Everyone might think they know the Kleenex brand already, but these are two products you may have not noticed before.
The first is not a new concept, but it's often overlooked. Kleenex with Lotion. If I can, I always buy tissues with lotion just to keep my nose from becoming completely raw. Which, if I'm buying tissues, then I'm likely going to be using a lot of them! I seriously do not understand why they even sell tissue without lotion - who wants a raw nose??
The second product was Kleenex nit-Viral, which claims to kill 99.9% of germs. Can't help but notice that claim... quite the claim, huh? Maybe it's a mental thing? Makes you just feel better with that thought? I know there are things out there that also make that claim (that aren't tissues), but it's still a huge claim, to me... hard to really be able to accept it. However, the concept is quite appealing and somewhat psychologically reassuring. If nothing else, it gives you a sense that's you're doing all you can to keep from spreading your germs to your family or others around you. So I applaud that. Who know... maybe that layer of germ killing goodness really does work. Regardless, it's a great concept and I'd rather have that sense of germ killing than not. They still have that great Kleenex softness you want and expect, so it's worth the buy.
So again, Kleenex lives up to their name... their brand has become synonymous with tissues, and it got that way for a reason.
I know what you're thinking... Campbell's? They're not new - they've been around forever! Yes... they have. But you might be surprise what all falls under the Campbell's brand. And I was lucky enough to try a bunch of their items, both new and old (but maybe new to me). 
I was actually surprised at a few of the things that fall under their brand umbrella. But it made me like the Campbell's brand that much more.
So CrowdTap helped me discover all these Campbell's brands over the past couple of months or so. Among the items we a new V8 juice (I chose Spicy Mango!); Skillet Sauces; a new Prego flavor (light Alfredo); a new Chunky soup (Beer & Cheese with Beef and Bacon); Easy Cooking soups; Swanson Cream Soup Starter; microwavable Spaghetti-o's; another 'style' of soups for cooking (Creamy Poblano & Queso!); and Slow Kettle microwavable soup. So, it seems like a lot for one blog... but as a quick summary, I loved everything I tried and it really opened my mind up about 'easy cooking options' for a quick weeknight meal. Or a nice weekend meal. The key is they taste great!!
So what all did I actually do? Well, they helped out by including some recipes to kick start my ideas. And they helped. But not everything needed one of their recipes... I found that some of the items helped as a shortcut for my own recipe ideas. 
Like the Cream soup starter... it was perfect for this Roasted Cauliflower soup recipe I had. It was perfect on that first cold weekend we had. It saved so much time and so many steps! I bought another box of it the next grocery shopping trip I went on, knowing that it would come in handy as winter really set in.
I've heard about turning a can of Chunky Soup into a meal for more than one in the past (by pouring it over a starch base), so I tried that with the Beer Cheese soup I was given. It was perfect over some potatoes and Eric even loved it. It really filled both of us up.
Both of the 'soups for cooking' were surprises for me - I used the recipes they sent for both of these; Speedy Sausage Rigatoni and Creamy Poblano Mac & Cheese. Both got raves an will definitely be made again in this house. And while Skillet Sauces are already part of my regular regimen, this was a new flavor for me (Parmesan Chicken), and it, too, will be bought and made again.
I also loved all what I will call 'the simple samples' in the box, which include the V8 juice, the Slow Kettle soup, and the Spaghetti-o's... though I drank all the juice before I got to try the mango simmered rice recipe. Still want to try that one... sounds awesome!
So yeah... if you haven't tried some of these things, get out there and try them. Check out Campbell's website for recipes if you're unsure of how to use something. Or just experiment... they make it so easy to make great meals, weeknight or otherwise. And if you start with Campbell's you are sure to make a meal that will make others smile.
We all know how a microwave get get dirty quick... things splatter and explode, and it seems no matter what you use to 'cover' your food, it still happens. And all too often, you see the mess, think to yourself, 'I'd better wipe that up.' But then you get distracted by the very food that caused it. So it dries, and then bakes on more the next time you use the microwave.
