New Year's Resolutions....

According to Statisticbrain.com, last year's were.....

Rank	Top 10 New Years resolutions for 2015
1	Lose Weight
2	Getting Organized
3	Spend Less, Save More
4	Enjoy Life to the Fullest
5	Staying Fit and Healthy
6	Learn Something Exciting
7	Quit Smoking
8	Help Others in Their Dreams
9	Fall in Love
10	Spend More Time with Family

I ordered a # 1,2, 3, 4.....yeah, I don't remember.  2015 didn't go that well on any resolutions for me.  How did you do?

Taking a look at 2016 and what I want to accomplish, I'll be working on some repeat offenders.  I'd like to order a #1, 2, 3, 4, and heck, why not a 6, 8, and 10?

Some of the cool tools and gadgets that I've gotten to help me with my goals are some things I've been collecting as I do product reviews.

Physical Health
Go camping/biking more: 
Hydration Pack 

USB Bike Light

Camping Pillow  #pillowtogo

Camping Lantern

Eat Better (good for the physical and financial!)
3 Compartment Containers

Bento Boxes

10-Pack Meal Prep Containers

Veggie Spiral Slicer

Infuser Water Bottle

Mental/Emotional Health
I struggle with depression and anxiety, I've shared some about that in a vlog HERE.  
I have an appointment to see a Dr and get back to happy pills this January (I've tried without but it's not working so well for me).  I'm also hoping to see a therapist to help me sort out some things and re-program my brain a bit.  (i.e. stress does not have to equal food binge!)
I also got THIS ADULT COLORING BOOK and have enjoyed it so far.  I know it's becoming a real trend, but I think it is calming to color, and get away from the glowing screens in our lives (she writes as she types up a blog post lol)

Spiritual Health
I don't really have any recommendations that you can buy to help with that.....that's kinda the way it goes.  I recommend a healthy dose of prayer, soul searching, and scripture study.  I've been slacking at this and I know that my life goes better when this is tended to as well!

Leave me a comment and let me know what you resolutions are for 2016!

More Product Review Goodies :)

I just wanted to share a couple of goodies that I got for free to review :)

These chalk markers are super cute for craft projects and decoration.  I have some craft projects in mind, but for now I plan to use them for decorating mirrors & windows for the holidays :)  They have reversible tips so you can change the style of your writing too!  #ZAMart

Check them out HERE.

Next up is a new Essential Oil!

I shared with you Lemon and Peppermint oils from this company, and I was excited when they sent me a Tea Tree Oil to review as well!  Tea Tree Oil comes from the melaleuca alternifolia plant's leaves.  Whereas the Peppermint and Lemon essential oils can be used orally in small doses, Tea Tree Oil is actually poisonous if ingested.  That being said, it has a lot of great properties topically-it's known to help with fungal & bacterial problems-use it for acne, lice, athlete's foot, and a ton of other uses.  I'm curious to try it and have it in the medicine closet for future use! 

It has a pretty unique scent but I like it.  The company I got these from-Simply Earth-also donates a percentage of each sale for a good cause so I recommend them :)  #simplyearth

Check it out HERE.



I received a sample of each item above to review for free but I was not compensated and I genuinely recommend these guys if you're in the market :)

Recent Goodies!

I've been trying more goodies as a product reviewer and there have been some great ones and occasionally a dud.  Last night I tested a horrible dud.  I tested out a mouth guard (stop teeth grinding at night) and it was HORRIBLE!  We're talking horrible quality, fit....made me drool (tmi, right?) and I'm serious-it bruised my gums!  OUCH!

But on a more positive note....here are some tasty goodies that I actually have enjoyed!

Here are some sassy Silicone Kitchen Gloves-we love these!  I think I've posted about silicone kitchen gloves before...this is the 2nd brand we've tested.  They're pretty similar but my husband likes this brand a bit better.  I'm seriously never going back to traditional oven mitts.  You can't make me :P    #QueHeads

Next up-a duo of Essential Oils-Lemon and Peppermint.  These are from the company Simply Earth.  I'm not an essential oil expert, but I love the smells and that's all I'm really using it for at this point-aromatherapy.  And compared to brands like doTerra, MUCH more affordable!  I'm supposed to be getting an oil diffuser to review soon so I'm excited to have the whole house smell of this goodness!  #simplyearth

I would say that the majority of products that I opt to review are kitchen stuff (love me my kitchen gadgets!) but I occasionally try other stuff out too.

My husband was glad that I decided to try these guys out--

Leather Cleaner (we rated 5/5 stars on Amazon)

And Leather Conditioner (we rated 4/5 stars on Amazon)

Another couple of products we've tried out that aren't among our "norm" are these skin care products:

A Scar Gel-I used it for a month here and there (the instructions say to do it twice a day but I'm terrible at remembering that sort of thing) and I still noticed some change in one of my scars!

And some Stretch Mark/Scar Cream.  The jury is still out on this one.  I didn't notice a huge difference in my stretch marks (though...like I said...I'm not the most devoted at twice a day applications) and I didn't try it on any scars. 

I'm not being compensated in any way to review these products, but I was provided free products for my honest and unbiased review.  Links are affiliate links to Amazon where all of the products can be purchased.

And if you'd like to be a product reviewer, HERE is a video I shot about how I started out as a product reviewer.

I need to shoot another one as an update soon to show another site that I'm loving for product reviews :)

Anywho, these are my goodies as of late.  I'm off to go make a Christmas craft and will hopefully post it this Sunday!

3D Christmas Mason Jar Craft Tutorial!

I've been wanting to get into crafting and tutorials again but moving and gardening this year took over, but here's one that I just posted on my YouTube channel :)  I'm hoping to do a Christmas craft each week this season :)  You can watch the video by clicking on the photo and it will take you to YouTube.

COUPONING FOR A CAUSE~BLACK FRIDAY GAME PLAN!

We've got 3 major Black Friday plans going on that I wanted to share with you guys.

1) As product reviewers, we decided to do a Black Friday video on our YouTube channel of our favorite "giftable" items that we've reviewed.  We asked the sellers for coupons and most of them obliged :)  If you haven't checked out our channel, go HERE and subscribe so you'll be able to find the sweet deals!

2) I had the pleasure once of trying UV color changing nail polish that my Mother-in-Law had bought.  That means that indoors it's one color and when you head out in the sunlight, it changes color.  It's pretty neat.  It turns out this company not only has nail polish, but they also have shirts, hats, backpacks, hair clips, and lots more.  I'm in LOVE with the shirts and plan to hint heavily for my husband to buy me one for Christmas, because....that's so cool!  Here are some examples of what they have:

Pretty dang neat eh?  The name of the company is Del Sol.  You can check out their inventory HERE (referral link).  For Black Friday sweetness---They are offering 50% Off Sitewide.
Use the Coupon Code: WOAH
- Valid 11/27 – 11/29

3) Our physical Black Friday plan of attack-which stores we're going to show up at and take FREE STUFF home.  Without further ado-here are the stores and the loot we're planning on getting:

WALGREENS


Scünci No Damage Hair Elastics 18 pack 2/$3 = $3 RR
Final cost FREE!

Oral-B Complete 5 Way Clean Toothbrush, Crest Select Toothpaste 4 to 4.6 oz, Pro-Health or 3D White Mouthwash 8 or 8.45 oz 2/$6 = $2 RR
Use the $4/2 Oral-B/Crest coupon available 11/26 to digitally clip to your rewards card here (one time use) Pay $2
Get back a $2 RR
Final cost FREE!

*RR stands for Register Reward.  Essentially, you'll buy 2 packs of hair elastics, pay $3, and then a $3 off of your next purchase coupon prints up.  You can only get a deal one time per transaction, but you can purchase multiples if you pay in separate transactions.

RITE AID

5 Hour Energy 2 Packs $4 *1offerpercard
Get 400 Plenti Points = $4 (limit 1)
Final Cost FREE!

Carefree 20 ct $1
Use the $0.50/1 Carefree Product coupon found here (prints with 30 day expiration date!)
Pay $0.50
Get 100 Plenti Points = $1 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE + $0.50 moneymaker!

Colgate Toothpaste Enamel Health 4 oz or Kids 4.6 oz, Toothbrushes 360 Total Advanced or Enamel Health or Slim Soft 1 ct or Mouthwash Total 250 ml 2/$6
Use two $0.75/1 Colgate Optic White Toothpaste coupons found here
Or use $0.75/1 Colgate Enamel Health Toothpaste coupon found here
Or use $0.75/1 Colgate Mouth Rinse coupon found here
Pay $4.50
Get 600 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $6 (limit 2)
Final Cost 2 FREE + $1.50 moneymaker!

Conair Color Vibes Brush or Scunci Hair Elastics 18 ct $3
Get 300 Plenti Points = $3 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Eucerin Calming Creme 1 oz $1
Get 100 Plenti Points = $1 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Glitter Tape, Gold or Silver 2/$5
Get 500 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $5 (limit 2)
Final Cost Cost 2 FREE!

Kleenex Facial Tissue 85 ct White $1
Get 100 Plenti Points = $1 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Nabisco Convenience Packs 2/$3
Get 300 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $3 (limit 2)
Final Cost 2 FREE

Nivea Creme Tin 1 oz 3/$2
Get 200 Plenti Points when you buy 3 = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost 3 FREE!

Oral-B 3D White, ProHealth or Complete Manual Toothbrush 1 ct (excludes ProFlex or Clinical) $3
Use the $0.50/1 Oral-B Adult Manual Toothbrush coupon found here or here
Or use $1.50/2 Oral-B Adult Manual Toothbrushes coupon found here or here
Pay $2.50
Get 300 Plenti Points = $3 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE + $0.50 moneymaker!

Rite Aid Home Gift Wrap Tape 3/4″x300″ 2/$2
Get 200 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost 2 FREE!

Russell Stover Holiday Candy Bags 1.5-2.95 oz or Gift Box 1.5-2 oz 2/$2
Get 200 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost 2 FREE!

Sharpie Pens and Markers 1 ct 2/$2
Get 200 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost 2 FREE!

Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Enamel $4
Get 400 Plenti Points = $4 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

TRESemme Travel Size Stylers $1
Get 100 Plenti Points = $1 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Zim’s Max Freeze Pain Relievers 4-3 oz $5
Use the $2/1 Zim’s Max Freeze coupon found here
Pay $3
Get 500 Plenti Points = $5 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE + $2 moneymaker!

Clear and Hair Therapy Shampoo or Conditioner 12.7-12.9 oz $2.99
Use the $1/1 Clear Scalp coupon found here
Pay $1.99
Get 200 Plenti Points = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Listerine Pocketpaks 72 ct and All Floss and Flossers $2.99
Use the $1/1 Listerine Floss or Flosser Product coupon found here or here
Pay $1.99
Get 200 Plenti Points = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Plenti Points go onto a store rewards card (you'll want to sign up, it's free) and can be used as soon as the next day on purchases at Rite Aid, as well as AT&T, a gas station, and other stores.  I believe you have 2 years to redeem the points (I haven't couponed there since they changed to Plenti Points so it's a bit new to me.)

A couple of other Rite Aid deals you can get for free with points are:


GE Light Bulbs 1 Pack $4

Get 400 Plenti Points = $4 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Philips Earbuds $6
Get 600 Plenti Points = $6 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

So, one might ask: What do you need all of that stuff for?  We plan to donate a large amount of it to a local Women's Shelter.  Nail polish, lotion, hair ties?  Great items!  Now, you want to ask what we could possibly do with all of those Register Rewards and Plenti Points....because it's a lot!  You are potentially spending around $120 at Rite Aid if you get the maximum allowed amount of freebie items per card.  You should get about that much back in register rewards.  

The answer is simple-stock up!  We plan to buy some things that don't go on sale often i.e. the kind of sensitive skin lotion I like, I'm getting low on my favorite deodorant, and we'll probably stock up on toilet paper with the rest.  If all else fails....they have food too!  It's easy to re-spend that $120!

 
 We also plan to stop by some office supply stores for freebies:

Office Depot/Max


*Office Depot Brand Copy & Print Paper, 3 Reams $10.01 (Reg. $18.49)
Plus, Rewards Members will get $10 back in rewards
Final cost after rewards $0.01!

*Duracell Coppertop AA/AAA Alkaline Batteries, 16-pack $13.99
Use the $1/1 Duracell Coppertop or Quantum coupon found in the 11/1 PG (exp. 11/28)
Pay $12.99
Plus, Rewards Members will get $13.98 back in rewards
Final cost after rewards $0.99MM!

*McAfee Antivirus Basic $39.99
After $9.99 Instant Savings
Pay $30
Submit for the $30 Mail-in Rebate found here
Final cost FREE!
 
Staples


*Kaspersky Internet Security for Windows (1 User) $59.99
Minus the $14.98 instant savings at checkout
Pay $45.01
Submit for the $45 Easy Rebate (not yet available)
Final cost 1¢!

*Multipurpose Paper 500 sheet ct. $7.79 (I believe 4 is the limit?)
Submit for the $7.78 Easy Rebate (not yet available)
Final cost 1¢!

Easy rebates are easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.  Rewards-again, can be spent on stocking up on printer ink, or toilet paper, or snacks, or any other office-y thing :) 

*Huge thanks to Hip2Save.com for the coupon match-ups-they are my favorite couponing site.  The links to print coupons for the 4 stores mentioned are their affiliate links.