Influenster Voxbox Goodies-& how you can join and get lots of great freebies too!

I know you have heard about Influenster and their exciting Voxbox giveaways.  How can you join too?  The most exciting thing about it is that it is totally free to join and get great goodies too!  It is easy to join and I actually have some invites available. Just leave me a comment with a way to contact you and I will be happy to share.  You begin by unlocking different badges which is super easy.  The more active you are the better your chances are to get Voxboxes.  VoxBoxes are released every two months or so.  If you qualify for a Voxbox it is always a fun surprise to see what you get inside-lots of full-sized products.  You need to share your experiences with the products and goodies inside the box via social media like Facebook and Twitter as well-but that is fun to do!  The more you share...the better your chances of getting yet another Voxbox in the future.   I already love sharing my great finds with friends and family so that is a natural for me and just plain fun.

The LoveBox is my second VoxBox I have received.  There were four great, full sized items and one deluxe sample plus a terriffic coupon to use or share with a friend.  

I was excited to see the Stash Tea Terbal Tea Sampler.  Stash Tea is one of my faves!  I do notice that I see Stash in many of the upscale, luxe hotels when I travel for work.  It is delicious tea.   In the LoveBox it noted, "This sampler features some of Stash Tea's most popular herbal teas. All are naturally caffeine free and made from 100% natural ingredients. Steep for 3-5 minutes at 190-209 degrees, and enjoy!"  I can't wait to start checking out all the great flavors.

The next item is Truvia Natural Sweetener.  I really prefer natural sweeteners but don't always love the calories in sugar or honey.  They really add up, ya know what I mean?  Truvia helps me to bridge that gap and save some calories.  The enclosed information tells me, "Truvia natural sweetener is refreshingly uncomplicated, made from the best tasting part of the Stevia plant. Sprinkle this no-calorie sweetener on your grapefruit. Spoon it in your coffee. It won't end up on your conscience or your thighs!"  I love that it is all natural.  I can't wait to try a bit in my coffee or on my grapefruit.

I then saw one of the most fun and crazy items in  there:  the Kiss Nails Dress-Fashion That Sticks for nails.  The card tells me a little more, " Introducing Kiss Nail Dress, the ultimate nail fashion for tips and toes!Just peel, apply, and shape for a manicure that lasts up to 10 days. Available in 18 different styles!" I saw these in RiteAid but I wasn't sure about them. I am excited to try them--I will let you know. They look adorable and fun!

I love smooth legs so this was great to get:  the Gillette Venus & Olay Razor.  The card says, "Gillette Venus & Olay are coming together to deliver a gold standard in shaving with the new Gillette Venus & Olay razor!  Olay moisture bars help lock-in moisture to your skin, while Venus' five blades shave you close."   I bet it will get my legs super-smooth too!

I truly saved the most exciting item for last-can you believe it?  What a super treat!! A Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk Creamy Devotion Bar.  The card reads, "The decadently rich and creamy 32% cacao milk chocolate in creamy devotion delivers an epicurean chocolate experience. Experience a moment of timeless pleasure with all natural Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk Chocolate."  I will have to hide this from the other family members or it will be gone in a flash. I can keep it for myself and have a piece each night.  Yummy! 

What a great Influenster VoxBox.  I definitely suggest you join and check it out at their website Influenster.com!

*I received these items  for free from Influenster through their VoxBox Program.  All thoughts & opinions are my own and I was not provided with any financial incentive for this posting.

Have you ever done any surveys for cash?

I recently joined a few survey companies and found I make a nice little extra bit of change.  It is fun, mostly fast, and interesting.  I have completed surveys about all kinds of things and sometimes even get to try products for free!  MySurvey  is a good one  that you can try and see what you think.  I will see what others I can find!

GIVEAWAY! Crayola and Lisa Loeb Show You How to Get creative & Win

Creativity matters. It´s a skill that all children can learn and when it´s practiced every day, kids become the critical thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders in the classroom, and they´re better prepared for professions of the 21st century.

Crayola wants every child to be creatively alive, so they´re inviting parents "Inside the Crayon Box," for a special live chat with celebrities and trusted parenting experts that will inspire and spark ideas to expand your child´s creative thinking. If you find yourself looking for new ways to inspire your children to express their ideas and build their creativity, you´ll want to join us to learn and share!

The first "Inside the Crayon Box" live chat is Wednesday, March 7 at 9 p.m. EST. Join Crayola and musician, children´s author and mom, Lisa Loeb for a 45-minute live streaming video chat on the Crayola Facebook Page. Lisa, best-known for her number one hit "Stay (I Missed You)," will share as personal stories, practical advice and ways she brings a little creative play into every day for her daughter. We want to hear from you - participants can ask Lisa questions during the event, too! We hope you will share the information about the first Crayola "Inside the Crayon" live chat with your readers on or before Wednesday, March 7th so they may plan to attend as well.

Interested in the topics to be covered during the chat?

• Why Does Creativity Matter? Creativity is not about who´s the best artists or becoming an architect. It´s a way of thinking that encourages kids´ original ideas and develops their confidence.
• Growing Up Creative. Lisa will share stories about growing up in a home where creativity was encouraged.
• Simple Tips. Easy Ideas. Like most moms, Lisa juggles a lot. She´ll share simple, easy ways she sparks her daughter´s creativity as part of their daily routine.

Check out some great Crayola videos here:

Creativity Matters

 Inspire

"Creativity Matters" Just in case you miss the Crayola "Inside the Crayon Box" event, you can also check out the Crayola YouTube Channel where the session will be posted.
To learn more about the tools from Crayola that make it easy for parents to help children develop their creativity www.Crayola.com and like Crayola on Facebook!

Also, be sure to check out Lisa´s book Lisa Loeb´s Silly Sing-Along: The Disappointing Pancake and Other Zany Songs (Sterling Children´s Books, 2011) available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. Sing, laugh, and play with pop Lisa in this fabulous collection of ten of the silliest songs ever. Fun activities, games, and recipes accompany whimsical songs. Take Lisa's Silly Sing-Along with you wherever you go and get the high-spirited good times started. Includes a 10-song CD recorded by Lisa! 

                                                                **GIVEAWAY**


I am excited to be able to offer my readers a great giveaway too!   One lucky reader will win the whole shebang below so don't forgot to comment, tweet and Facebook about this great contest: 
 

One winner will receive a Crayola "Inside the Crayon Box" prize pack that contains:

• My First Crayola Washable Crayons, Markers & Stampers: just the right size and shape for little hands, toddlers can create bright and colorful designs with no caps to lose or no messy ink pads
• Crayola Mess Free Color Wonder Tiny Tube: with over 10 ft of coloring, perforated activity pages, a carry-along handle and the ability to store markers inside, kids can color at home or on the road; markers magically appear only on the special Color Wonder paper, not on skin
• Crayola Crystal Effect Window Markers: turn an ordinary window or mirror into a colorful crystal canvas and create amazing effects on an unexpected surface that can be wiped clean with a damp cloth
• Crayola Washable Kaleidoscope Chalk: experience sidewalk art in amazing new ways, by drawing designs, putting on the 3D Kaleidoscope glasses and watching as creations pop up off the ground
• Crayola Dry-Erase Bright Crayons: a dry-erase drawing and writing tool for kids that´s washable, smudge-proof, odorless, and will never dry out
• Crayola Dual-Sided Dry Erase Board: a two-sided board that makes it fun and colorful to share eye-popping messages or track soccer schedules

Healthy Greek Yogurt Parfait

It is that time of year when we start to think about the potential for fewer fleece jackets and more shorts and even short minis!  After my last business meeting I needed to come up with some new snacks to satisfy those before-gym, late afternoon and after-dinner sweets cravings.  I came up with a great, quick new recipe to curb those hunger pangs, tame the sweet tooth and provide enough protein and energy for a boot camp workout.  Here you go:

one  5-6 oz container of fat free plain Greek yogurt (brand of your preference)
1 small apple, pear, banana or kiwi (again, your preference...you could choose another fruit too!)
cinnamon
1-2 tablespoons of instant or quick cooking oats
1 tiny packet of Sun Crystals (optional)

Chop up the fruit with knife or use food processor or hand blender.  Mix in oatmeal.  Sprinkle cinnamon liberally to taste on chopped fruit/oatmeal and mix well. If desired add Sun Crystals.  In alternating layers place yogurt, and chopped fruit/oatmeal.  Top with fruit.  Freeze for 30 minutes to 1 hour for more ice cream like consistency. I like to tote it with me when I am working in one of those freezer cups and it stays cool all morning till I am ready to eat it.  Enjoy!