Nothing beats free Rimmel makeup!!

In my #frostyvoxbox I received complimentary from @influenster there were a couple Rimmel London products to test. 

I received the Just Let It Go...Gentle Eye Makeup Remover.  I hate nothing more than an eye makeup remover that's super oily and leaves my face all greasy.  This product is awesome, it leaves no oily residue and works great even on waterproof makeup.

I also received the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner.  It's been over 3 years since I have had to put on eyeliner (I have permanent eyeliner tattooed on!!)  But I wanted to give this product a fair try.  I was impressed with how easy it was to apply.  This was a great color,  and I will definitely keep it on hand if I want my eyeliner thicker sometime.

If you want to join @influenster and have the chance to receive complimentary items to test and share your opinion on you can sign up here.

Love my new #frostyvoxbox

For the last year I have been a member of the Influenster community.  It's a free website to join and you build your "score" by sharing opinions and experiences.  Every once in awhile they will send you a complimentary box of goodies to test and share your opinions on.  I was recently chosen to receive the #frostyvoxbox.   It was packed full of awesome products.

The box included:

* No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum  #getadvanced

* NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum  #sugarplum

* Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea  #celestialtea

* EcoTools Hair Brush  #lovemyecohairbrush

* Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover  #rimmel

* Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner  #rimmel

* McCormick Gourmet Thyme  #mccormickgourmet

* Fruit Vines Bites  #sweetside

So far my favorite item in the box is the EcoTools Hair Brush!  It is AMAZING! I feel like it makes my hair so much softer and straighter when I blowdry it.   My Fruit Vines Bites bag looks like its full, but it was empty within about 5 minutes of opening up the box.  My hubby and kids DEVOURED them. 

 If you would like to join @Influenster and have the chance to receive complimentary items to test and review, you can sign up here.

Pumpkin Cookies

Call me crazy...I hate pumpkin pie (it reminds me of baby food).  But, I love anything pumpkin if there is chocolate involved.  Which means I LOVE pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  There is the crazy easy recipe of just using a spice cake mix, chocolate chips and pumpkin.  But, I decided to embrace my inner Betty Crocker and make some from scratch (don't worry the pumpkin came from a can...I'm not that good).  I was a little concerned my kids wouldn't eat them, especially my super picky eater (monkey #2).  But, they both gobbled them down.  I had to put a couple away in a bag to save for daddy when he comes back from being out of town tomorrow.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c shortening                                               1 1/2 c pumpkin
1 1/2 c brown sugar                                          2 1/2 c flour
1/2 c sugar                                                       3/4 t baking soda
2 beaten eggs                                                   1/2 t salt
1 t vanilla                                                          1 t cinnamon
1 t ginger                                                          2 t baking powder
3/4 c raisins (opt)
1/2 c nuts (opt)
chocolate chips (LOTS)

Cream shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.  Add remaining ingredients.  Drop on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. 
                                                                       
                                                      

I'm in L.O.V.E.

This is a sponsored blog post. Influenster provided me with complimentary Victoria's Secret products to test and review as part of a contest. But the opinions are all mine.  @influenstervox  #vssporttester  #vssportsbra

I'm not gonna lie, I've always loved my old sports bra.  But, I have a NEW love!  I was so excited when I was chosen for this Influenster VoxBox and the complimentary Sports Bra and Workout Pants.  I have been wanting to try the new Victoria Secret sports bras for awhile, but have a hard time spending that type of money on something without trying it out first. 

I'll admit I was skeptical when I first tried on the sports bra.  I told my husband I don't know if this is going to work out for running.  I felt like I was just a big ball of cleavage.  But since then, I have gone running and done kickboxing.  And I am a true believer!  Victoria Secret managed to make their sports bras sexy and supportive for any kind of workout. 

I received the 'Incredible' bra.  It has:

• Maximum Support for High Impact Activities
• Breathable padding with wicking liner to keep you extra dry
• Concealed wire for cushioned support (VERY COMFY)
• Padded Straps and bonded, seamless technology that eliminates irritation
• Super-soft elastic band for comfort & movement
• Cushioned, adjustable back closure
• Body-Wick to keep you cool & dry

I love this bra!  You can tell it is high quality and it comes in several great colors. 

In full disclosure, I did go to Victoria Secret to buy another one and while there I tried on the zip-front Incredible.  I was NOT a fan.  I had the hardest time getting them to zip.

So in the end, I decided to stick with the no-zip Incredible and picked up a cute green one.  I would recommend the Victoria Secret sports bras to everyone, no matter what kind of workouts they do.  They are comfy, sexy, and high quality bras and definitely worth the money.  There's never a better time for a #sportsbrabreakup!

Meal Planning

I finally had some quiet time to sit down and blog and plan out my menus for next week.  But then I looked at my calendar and realized that the hubby and Mas are going to Utah for half the week, so I might not want to cook for just Mads and I.  Luckily, there isn't much grocery shopping needed so I can use stuff I already have at home (I love it when that happens).  I'm hoping it can make the 5 meals & leftovers last for 2 weeks of dinners.

Here is what's on the agenda (almost all were found on Pinterest):
Creamy Spinach Tomato Tortellini - made this a couple weeks ago and Madison asked for it again.  Already posted the recipe on the blog.
Easy Ranch Parmesan Chicken
All American Skillet Goulash
Chicken Enchiladas - family recipe (I'll post later)
Orange Chicken (w/ brown rice)
Baked Chicken Fajitas - I made these a couple weeks ago and they were a HUGE hit!  Already posted the recipe on the blog.

It's Birthday Time!! Happy Birthday Mads!

August is a big month at our house.  It's BiRtHdAy month!
This little angel turned 6 on August 18!

She has only been counting down to this day for the last year. 

 (had to get a picture of her last day as a 5 year old)

 

With both birthdays super close together, we celebrate the birthday parties together.  We had an action packed fun day and loved all our time with family.

*Breakfast at Dennys

*Belmont Park with cousins

 *Mission Bay Beach Fun with cousins

*Cake and Presents

*Corvette Diner

 



Some of her favorites things are:

*Pink & Purple

*Anything fairy, princess, mermaid, and Barbie

*She is an amazing reader

*Her and Mason are inseparable

*Her best friends are her cousins -- Mariah & Rachael

*She is a great swimmer

*When she grows up she wants to be a Sea World Dolphin Trainer & a teacher

 

 

BEST Snickerdoodles EVER!!!

These are the best fuhhhhreaking snickerdoodles ever!  I found them on pinterest and have been making them for the last year or so.  They are soft and taste just like Mrs. Fields.

Snickerdoodles (adapted from here)
Yields: 16-18 cookies

1/2 c butter (1 stick), softened  ---  I used Crisco today when I made them.
1/2 c sugar
1/3 c brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 t vanilla
1 1/2 c flour
1/4 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t cream of tartar

For rolling:
2 T sugar
1 t cinnamon

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars with an electric mixture on high speed.  Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.  In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar.  Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix well.  Preheat the oven to 300 while you let the dough rest for 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator.  In a small bowl, combine the sugar with the cinnamon for the topping.  Take about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the dough and roll into a ball.  Roll this dough in the cinnamon/sugar mixture and press it onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Repeat for the remaining cookies.  Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes and no more.  The cookies may seem undercooked, but they will continue to develop after they are removed from the oven.  When the cookies have cooled they should be soft and chewy in the middle.