Garnier Olia Review

 

 Garnier Olia is an oil powered permanent hair color that leaves hair feeling softer and healthier in addition to coloring it. It is ammonia free and the scent is fairly mild, making to wait while is sits in your hair much easier. I let Monster choose the color I used and she picked a shade close to my natural hair color so I can't speak much for how well it covered but I did have one grey hair in the front that was successfully dyed as I was no longer able to find it. 

My hair was much softer and shinier after using Garnier Olia hair color. The 60% oil blend worked hard at restoring damage; a nice change since hair color is usually so hard on hair. My hair remained soft for around two weeks after use.

Disclaimer: I am a BzzAgent and received product coupons, however, all opinions are my own.

Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox Review

I am so excited that I was selected to receive the Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox full of goodies to try out. I am even more excited that now I get to share my experience with you.

My favorite product that was included is the Colgate Optic White System. I love the toothbrush design; it gets into all the little nooks and crannies. The tongue cleaner is nice too. The toothpaste and mouthwash have a fresh minty flavor that leaves my mouth feeling nice and clean. The mouthwash did feel a little strange while it was doing its powerful whitening thing and I felt like it was difficult to spit it all out when I was finished. But I suppose that's a small price to pay for whiter teeth in days! Yes, days. I have been using this trio for less than a week and my teeth are already noticeable whiter.

Another product I really loved was the Vaseline Spray and Go Lotion. I'm not usually a fan of scented lotion so I first thought that I was going to hate it strictly because it smelled. It turned out to have a light pleasant scent that I actually like. I must say I am a huge fan of spray-on lotion. With two little kids its hard to find much "me time" so my showers are generally rushed. Many days I skip lotion all together in the rush of things. Vaseline Spray and Go Lotion is a breeze to apply. In a matter of seconds you can lotion your entire body and there is no waiting period for it to dry so you can get dressed right away too.

The Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox also included belVita Breakfast Biscuits were were delicious. My daughter got a hold of them and ate half. She even asked me to buy more, which I will be doing. Aside from tasting great I love that they are free of high-fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, and artificial flavors and sweeteners. They have 18-20 grams of whole grain to give you energy to start your day. These are perfect for busy mornings when you still want to eat a healthy breakfast.

Dickenson's Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes were also in the box. I have only been using those for a few days as well but so far I can say that it leaves my soft and clean. They would also be convenient for traveling or to throw in your gym bag.

The final product I get to tell you about is Nectresse Sweetener. I tried this in my coffee and I was pretty happy with it. It didn't taste fake or leave a funky after taste in my mouth. I like that it is a natural sweetener derived from monk fruit. There are enough artificial sweeteners in the foods I eat and I know I'm getting more than I would like even though I have been trying to limit them.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Bathing With Diapers

As any cloth diapering momma with tell you, hand washing diapers is a lot of work. We do not have a washer and dryer in our apartment, and washing diapers at the laundromat would be expensive, so I wash them my hand about 95% of the time. It was getting late last night as a stood over the bathroom sink scrubby dirty diapers. Usually I don't mind much, but between my hands getting sore and the overwhelming desire to take a hot shower and curl up in bed I threw the diapers into the tub and began multi-tasking. I got to take a hot shower and the diapers practically rinsed themselves (okay, I was stomping them pretty much the whole time, but still). I'm not sure I will make a habit of it, but it was a much faster and easier route to rinsing diapers than I am used to!

Glade Expressions Review

 

Glade Expressions fragrances are stylish, refillable air fresheners. My favorite feature of the diffuser is that it is spill proof. Normally I would be worried to use an oil diffuser with small children in the house who get into everything, but this one has been pushed to the floor numerous times without a single incidence of spilled oil.  It is designed so that the container of oil snaps into the black base so when it fell everything stayed together with no problem. I tried the Pineapple & Mangosteen scent. I normally would not consider a Hawaiian scent but I was pleasantly surprised by this product! It is not overpowering or "fakey". I have been using it for over three weeks now and I can still smell it when I walk into the room. I also like that it does not have to be plugged in. Another safety feature with the kids around. 

I also tried the Lavender & Juniper Berry Fragrance Mist. With the removable label, it does not look tacky if left out, however it is not as decorative as the oil diffuser. The scent is sweet and flowery. I thought that it smelled good but it is not long lasting, so this product would be better to use as needed. 

Disclaimer: I am a BzzAgent and received product coupons, however, all opinions are my own. 

Switch to Cloth Giveaway Event

Welcome to the Switch to Cloth Giveaway Event hosted by SAHM of Drama Queens & a Prince, My Cloth Diaper Stash, A Year With Mom and Dad, Mommy of One and Counting and Adventures of Mommyhood. Together we are bringing one lucky winner a cloth diaper prize pack worth over $450. Below is a list of everything you can win! Rockin Green - Rockin Bundle (winner's choice of formula), Funk Rock and a Diaper Sprayer Glowbugs - 4 pack of winner's choice Girl or Boy/Gender Neutral - Read Karine's review and Shannon's review

Chelory - $30 Store Credit

Poppy Fields - Fitted Poppy Fields Diaper - Read Shannon's review

Rumpkinz - Embroidered Diaper - Read Shannon's review

Thanks Mama - Thirsties Duo All-In-One

Sunbaby - Sunbaby 4.0 One-Size - Read Karine's review

BALM! Baby - Diaper Essentials Kit

Irresistibly Green - Sweet Pea Diaper Cover & $50 gift certificate - Read Julie's review

Green Baby Goods -

Medium Planetwise Wet Bag

Sweet Pea Pocket Diaper - Read Karine's review

Sweet Pea Diaper Cover

Spray Pal - Spray Pal

Diapers by Chris - Diaper

Red Barn Cloth Diapers - Heavy Doody Diaper

Sports Bumz - Fleece Cover (custom slot)

This prize pack would make a great addition to anyone's stash and it has everything you would need to start cloth diapering!

One lucky winner will win everything listed above.

Giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on March 14th at 11:59pm EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Staying Sane As Momma is not responsible for shipping prize to winner, nor did I accept any compensation for this promotion.

Switch to Cloth Event: Blogger Sign-Up

Bloggers Sign-Up: Free Event

Dates: February 14th to March 14th

Hosted by SAHM of Drama Queens & a Prince, My Cloth Diaper Stash, A Year With Mom and Dad, Mommy of One and Counting and Adventures of Mommyhood. The prize is an amazing cloth diaper prize package featuring over $250 in cloth diapers and supplies.

Current Sponsors

Glow Bug Diapers

Sun Baby Diapers

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Mod Baby

Stinkerpie

Spray Pal

Thanks Mama

Smart Snugs

Poppy Fields

Boogie Bums

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Willow with Love

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Moster has a cold, and it is adorable

Monster has had a cold for the past couple days. In fact, the other night we thought we were going to be taking her to the doctor for croup. A few minutes by the steamy shower and the bark was gone but the next day it was replaced with a slimy runny nose, cough, and watery eyes.

The way she refers to her symptoms is so unbelievably cute. I have to force myself not to laugh. For instance, she came up to me yesterday morning and asked me sadly why her eyes were sweaty.

And I'm sure it is just me but she looks adorable when she is cute. Her face all red and puffy, eyes swollen half shut. Don't get me wrong, it breaks by heart to see her like that because I know she feels awful, but she is still cute. Oh, a mother's love.

She also was drinking Traditional Medicinals Just for Kids Organic Cold Care Tea. She looked so grown up sipping on warm tea. I hope it helps her recover a little quicker. If nothing else, I would like to think the tea was soothing. I know when I have a sore throat or cold drinking tea helps me feel better.

For dinner tonight I made Chicken & Dumpling soup. I wish I could share the recipe with you all but it is an old family recipe and I actually know how much of anything I put into it. I just add ingredients to the dumpling dough until it feels right and shake in seasonings until the broth tastes right. I started it at 9:00 this morning and let it simmer on the stove all day long. Monster loves my dumplings so it was my way of getting her to eat chicken noodle soup. I'm hoping that between the tea, soup, and extra hugs and kisses she will have a quick, medicine free, recovery.

Thankful Thursday no. 7

Its Thankful Thursday here and I think most would think I'm a complete lunatic for what I am grateful for today. You see, I'm a total Chobani addict. And Target is having a sale. And I had coupons and was able to print even more from their website. Which meant for once my lovely Cho addiction wasn't so expensive. So for once, my hectic grocery trip wasn't so bad. The kiddos and I marched into the the store, straight to the dairy section and loaded the cart with goodness. After that, I strolled though the store happy, knowing I had enough yogurt have some every. single. day. (at least for the next two weeks) even if Monster helps herself too. And the bonus that tickled this mama pink? They had the new flavors. I bought everything except the coffee flavored Bite. That one makes me nervous. I'm sure it will be good but I'm going to have to work up some courage to try it. Tonight I tried the Carmel and Pineapple Bite. Thank you Chobani! I only wish it wasn't so small. I get that it is designed to be a small snack. 100 calories. Oh, don't get me started on the 100 calorie craze. I had to practice a lot of self control not to eat more. I would have, but I wanted to have some later too! And now, I can't wait for breakfast tomorrow to try the pear flavor.

Desperatly Seeking Diaper Help!

Confession time: We use sposies at night. Its not something I'm proud of, but I hadn't been able to find a cloth solution that worked for Alien. Sposies were working for us up until now. He had been waking up dry and we are not spending that much extra since we only use one per day. However recently he has started to basically nurse all. night. long. He still wakes up dry, but immediately upon waking in the morning he poops. And all over his jammies it goes. He even stained his best sleep sack. I'm sure I could find a cloth route that would work, but we just don't have funds to experiment. So I need help! If you have had a similar experience please share what has worked for you. I would really like to remove disposables from our lives altogether. I know fitteds with wool covers work great for most babies but wool is expensive and I don't think its the best option if he is going to be pooping all over it.

Fun on Friday no. 3: Monster's zoo scene

Fridays are laundromat/grocery store days at our house. Not my favorite day of the week. Monster has been staying home with her Dad since she's been having a hard time behaving in public. So when I get home, its our special play time together. I went to help Alien with something when I hear "Mama, look, I made a zoo." I can't get over hubby & I's cake topper as zoo visitors! Way to improvise, Monster!

Thankful Thursday no. 6: Slow Cooker

Today I am thankful for my slow cooker. If my it were to stop working I would be at a complete loss as to how to prepare enough meals to keep my family happy. My dad gave mine to me a couple years ago and since then I have used it a lot! I mean 3-4 times a week a lot. In fact I have a pork butt cooking away in it right now. Using it so so simple and pretty hard to mess up. I throw my ingredients in, turn it on, and come back to a delicious meal. I mainly use mine for cooking meats but I have tried potatoes. Lately I have been scouring the internet for less conventional slow cooker uses. Breads, soups, deserts, and the such. I had no idea until recently that you could do so much with it so I am really excited to spread my slow cooker wings.

This is the slow cooker I own. It has been a hard little worker and it's held up through a lot:

Also, if you don't like cleaning your slow cooker, Reynolds makes a liner that works wonders. I have had them leak some but even then the mess is so much easier to clean up!

 

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