Travel to Aruba for One Happy Island Vacation!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Aruba Tourism Authority for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

You all know I love to travel. If I could travel every day of my life, I would. It doesn't matter where I go or what I see. As long as I can discover new places, meet new people and have new adventures I am there. But, honestly, I am partial to traveling to places where I can be warm and I can sit in the sun. Give me a beach or a pool and I am one happy traveler.

Aruba, is on of those places I am dying to visit. I have friends who have visited Aruba and they absolutely loved it. The pictures I have seen are amazing and I am ready to visit! Aruba has amazing beaches. The beaches are beautiful retreats where visitors can enjoy lounging and relaxing or visitors can take advantage of the variety of water sports offered like waterskiing, snorkling, parasailing or swimming. If you want to get away from it all, you can head over to the secluded and underdeveloped beaches. There you will find magical coves and breathtaking views.

There are so many other things to see and do in Aruba. Besides the beaches, you can enjoy gourmet restaurants and fantastic shopping. If you want other activities, you can golf, sail or take a horseback ride along the beach. You can also get your cultural fix by visiting one of the many museums, festivals, the Bushiribana gold mill, the Aruba Aloe Factory or even take go on an adventure to the Arikok National Park.

Visit the Aruba Facebook page for more information on Aruba travel. Visit Aruba.com to start your Aruba adventure. I know Aruba has just moved up on our travel list!! Tell me why you would love to visit Aruba.

Princess Cruises Celebrates National Relaxation Day + GIVEAWAY!!

You all know I LOVE to travel. I will travel anywhere at anytime because it is one of my passions. Sometimes travel can be stressful but, ultimately, traveling is relaxing and wonderful. This month National Relaxation Day fell on August 15th. I love that there is a National Relaxation Day but Relaxation Day should be every day of the week! Luckily, I was actually relaxing by a pool on Costa Rica so I am glad that I was able to celebrate it to its fullest! (see below)

In an effort to see how men and women prefer to relax and disconnect from everyday life. Recently, Princess Cruises asked 1,000 adults across the U.S. about their own personal vacation relaxation styles.  Here are some noteworthy findings:

* Silence or Sensory Delight? – More than a third of respondents consider themselves as "sensory relaxers," who like to recharge by soaking up the sights and sounds of events and activities around them, such as sporting events, movies or beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Whereas, another third of respondents consider themselves as "silent relaxers," who prefer quiet spaces, ceased conversations, and losing themselves in books or the soothing sounds of nature.

* Tried and True or New? – More than half (64%) of respondents prefer somewhere new when choosing a relaxing vacation, compared to only a third (36%) who prefer a tried and true destination.

* Relaxation Setting? – The most popular type of scenery found to be most relaxing when on vacation is ocean and waves (59%). Mountain scenery came in second (20%), followed by sunrises and sunsets (17%).

* Play it by Ear? – Respondents were evenly split when asked if pre-planning every vacation activity (52%) or being completely spontaneous (48%) produced a more relaxing experience when planning a vacation.

* To Cook or Clean? – More than two-thirds (67%) of respondents agreed that having someone else cook for them was the most relaxing way to enjoy a meal on vacation.

It's nice to see that many people are as adventurous as I am. I love traveling to new places. I prefer ocean and waves to mountains. Although give me a pool and I am a happy camper. And although I love to cook, there is nothing better than having someone make your meals while on vacation!!

If you are looking for vacation inspiration or just want to escape from work for a minute? Check out the Princess Cruises Relaxation Minutes videos where you can experience 60 seconds each of more than 50 glorious getaways!

And in celebration of National Relaxation Day, Princess Cruises has a Relaxation Pack for one lucky reader!! This is a great gift prize! The prize includes: an embroidered bath robe, bath slippers, body wash, body lotion, sugar scrub, candle and more! This is perfect for relaxing on a Princess Cruise (my dream) or just relaxing at home!!

To win, all you have to do is enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!! Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Fisher Nuts Fresh Twists on Summer Recipe + Giveaway!

I am working with Fisher to share recipes and create my own original recipe using Fisher Nuts and tools they provided. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

I love cooking with nuts. I rarely do because I stick to tried and true recipes that are fast and satisfying. When I was asked to make a recipe with a twist using Fisher Nuts, I had no idea what to do. I ended up doing my willy-nilly type of cooking by looking at my what I have in my fridge and my pantry. I love taking different ingredients and making them into a tasty dish.

I found chicken, pasta, asparagus, mushrooms and cheese. I decided to make a summer casserole with fresh veggies and almonds. I browned the chicken then set it aside to cool and then cut it up into small pieces. In the meantime, I made a roux with flour, country crock spread, ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, fresh thyme, beer and milk. Then I added some Gruyere and Cheddar cheese to the roux to make a cheese sauce.

I cooked the mushroom and asparagus with some Fisher almonds. I actually used the same recipe I use to make green beans that I saw on the Fisher site. The recipe from Chef Alex Guarnaschelli is one of my favorites so I figured if I made asparagus and mushrooms the same way, it would be just as tasty. It was.

When I had the pasta cooked, I layered the ingredients into a casserole dish and added the sauce. Then I mixed bread crumbs, butter and almonds to make a topping. I placed it in the oven at 300 degrees for an hour.

It was delicious! I was surprised at home much flavor the almonds brought to the dish. There was an crunchy element that was surprising and even hubby loved it. I realized that if I changed up the ingredients like using butternut squash instead of asparagus and walnuts instead of almonds, this would also make a really delicious fall casserole. Yum!

I loved making a casserole with a Fresh Twist. The casserole was a perfect summer meal because it was full of yummy veggies. You can even make this dish without the chicken and go vegetarian!

In hone of making a fresh twist on a summer meal, Fisher Nuts has a great prize pack for one lucky reader. This is a fantastic prize pack! The prize pack includes:
· $75 Visa gift card
· Fisher Chef’s Naturals Sliced Almonds
· Fisher Chef’s Naturals Walnut Halves & Pieces
· Fisher Pecan Halves

Fantastic! Wouldn't you love this prize pack? I know I loved mine. And with summer coming to an end, it is a perfect pack for Fall. I know I always use lots of nuts in my Fall cooking! To win, enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Dollar General and Procter & Gamble honor teachers who make a difference + GIVEAWAY!

I love these posts where I can you, my readers, great information about companies doing something for the community. Once again, Dollar General is teaming with Procter & Gamble® to honor our nation’s schools and teachers who make a difference in the lives of children through its Every Day Heroes program . The Every Day Heroes campaign honors educators who teach students to be their best by offering great savings on school supplies and other products for the heroes closest to our hearts.

Dollar General also has a strong commitment to education through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and believes learning to read, earning a GED or learning the English language are investments that opens doorways for personal, professional and economic growth. I love that!

All through the month of September, Dollar General is recognizing Kimberly Shearer, an English teacher and library science teacher at Boone County High School in Florence, Ky., as its Every Day Hero. As an eight-year veteran of Boone County High School, her commitment to educating our youth and advocating for 21st century literary skills through the use of technology helped earn her the title of “Kentucky Teacher of the Year.”When she is not busy helping her students succeed, Kimberly is spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Congrats to Kimberly for her achievement and for being such a great teacher! Education is something that we all should support! And we need to thank those people who take the time to become teachers!

Check out the September P&G brandSAVER® found in local newspapers on Sunday, September 1 for some great deals on P&G products! I know I always grab a brandSAVER from my paper because I love deals! Plus, if you shop at Dollar General, you get even better deals on P&G products!

And in honor of our Every Day Heroes, Dollar General and P&G have a great prize pack for one of my lucky readers. The prize pack includes:

· A $10 Dollar General Gift Card
· CoverGirl Black Ink Eye Pencil
· Tide PODS Spring Meadow (sample size)
· Febreze Fabric Refresher Gain Scent Spray
· Febreze Air Effects with Gain Fresh Scent
· A Dollar General reusable shopping bag

You know the drill, just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

The NFL's new All Clear Policy. Go Carolina Panthers!

Although my favorite sport is baseball, every so often I need a football fix. I usually get it watching my favorite college team, the Canes. I went to school in Miami so I feel loyal to team. Bu it's a little different when it comes to regular football.

I grew up in Los Angeles so I was a Rams fan but then they moved and then the Raiders moved and then I just stopped following them. In Miami, I tried following the Dolphins but since I had a college team I didn't latch onto them. And now that I live in North Carolina, I am partial to the Carolina Panthers. Yes, I am very fickle when it comes to football.


This year, we decided we would head over to Charlotte for a long weekend and take in a Carolina Panthers game and also take in some of Charlotte's sites. We love doing short trips during the school year since hubby works and doesn't have that much time off.

But when I heard about the NFL's new policy on not allowing purses or backpacks into the stadium, I was not happy. I think the reason is because my purse is like another appendage. I cannot live without my purse. I take it everywhere and the only time I am not attached to it is when I am at home. But even then, it is close by. How can I not have my wallet, money, lip gloss, business cards, mints and all the other junk that seems to accumulate, right?

I could not imagine attending a NFL game without my purse. But once I thought more and more about it, it
made perfect sense. I understand the safety concerns that the NFL has. Since the Boston Marathon bombing, I think many of us have concerns when attending large events with thousands of people. I know that I am always vigilant when attending big events. I am more vigilant now.

With so many people in one place, it is a tempting place to do bad things. That is why when I thought about the new NFL policy, it made sense to me. They NFL is only doing what they believe is the right thing. And, I appreciate that. They are following what is in place for other stadiums and also college stadiums as well. Plus, I realized that the NFL had banned coolers and backpacks in 2001, which also made sense.

It might seem a little harsh to purse loving women like me but if I have to get my bags checked at the airport, Disney and other places, it is not a big deal. Plus, you can buy a clear bag and bring in all the stuff in your purse. Many teams are also providing clear bags and bag-check facilities as well. My favorite part is that the NFL is selling the cutest little clear bags that have your team logo on them!

So, I guess now I have to go shopping and buy a new bag for myself, right? I can't wait. The Carolina Panther bag is adorable! Plus, the bags are a great size. I think I can manage to fit everything in my purse now into the new All Clear teams bags. YAY!

In a post 9/11 world, we must make sacrifices in order to be safe. If that means buying a new cute clear bag to go see a football game, so be it! I would definitely rather be safe than sorry and I am glad the NFL is being proactive.

What do you think about the new policy? Follow me on Twitter @carogonza and join in on the discussion about the new #NFLAllCLear policy. On August 28th there will be a Twitter Party with The Online Mom. Join us at 9:00 EST and let us know what you think about the new All Clear policy. We would love to hear your thoughts!!

Disclosure: I am an ambassador for the #NFLAllClear campaign. This is a sponsored post but all opinions are mine.

Cottonelle Let's Talk Bums Care Routine #Let'sTalkBums

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cottonelle.

I don't know about you but I am a germaphobe. I honestly try to make sure that my house is clean and that I am also not exposed to germs. I use sanitizer and always practice good hygiene. It is awkward to talk about but one of the places I like to make sure I am germ free is my bum.


Sometimes I feel paper alone doesn't clean enough. But that is all we have. Although Cottonelle is on a campaign to make sure that North Americans have a better way to keep clean. Cottonelle has partnered with London journalist Cheryl Healey to get people to open up about their bathroom routine.

The Cottonelle Clean Routine combines the use of Cottonelle Toilet Paper and Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths. Cottonelle is encouraging consumers to "makeover” their old toileting routine.

Wipes are weird to me only because they are something I am not used to. Growing up we never had wipes, just paper. The funny thing is I use wipes for so many things. I have wipes to clean my bathroom. I use wipes to clean my kitchen. I keep wipes in my car in case of messes on the road. It's not that I opposed to wipes for my bum but it is something I have to get used to.


So, when I received the Cottonelle supplies to makeover my routine I was a little reluctant. But I have to say that after a few days, it didn't feel that weird. In fact, I never felt cleaner! It was easy to incorporate wipes into my daily routine. Frankly, using wipes cuts down on germs and I am all about cutting down germs.

The Cottonelle Cleansing Cloths are flushable so there is no mess, no fuss. They also come in an upright dispenser that fits anywhere in the bathroom and makes it easy to use. The dispenser is pretty sleek and looks great in the bathroom. I left it there to see if my hubby or guests would get into the Cottonelle Care Routine as well.

Head over to the Cottonelle Facebook Page and try the Cottonelle Care Routine for yourself. Doesn't your bum deserve the best?

Cottonelle wants to get you talking about your bum and on a better way to clean "down there" by using Cottonelle Clean Routine. By combining the use of Cottonelee Toilet Paper and Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths, the Cottonelle Clean Routine is a revoluntionary way to keep your bum cleaner.

Are you ready? Don’t be shy! Visit http://www.facebook.com/cottonelle to learn more about the Cottonelle Clean Routine and join the clean routine conversation.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cottonelle.

How to Combat the Effects of Allergy Face! #ALLERGYFACE #ZYRTEC

Disclosure: This post is part of a sponsored campaign on behalf of Latina Bloggers Connect and the makers of ZYRTEC®.

I know that when I get allergies, I also get Allergy Face. My face gets puffy, my eyes water and I look like a hot mess. Thank goodness that the makers of ZYRTEC® have partnered with beauty and fashion expert, Carmen Ordoñez from VivaFashionBlog.com, to help women combat Allegry Face.

Carmen has a series of videos that give some great tips on how you can combat Allergy Face. I know I could use these because when I have Allergy Face, I honestly do not want to go out and be seen. I usually hide out at home, take Zyrtec and hope that the effects go away.

In this video, “Embracing Your Natural Belleza Latina,” Carmen shares simple beauty tips to help women look naturally beautiful when you have Allergy Face.


My favorite tip is to drink plenty of water. I always try to drink as much as I can. Keeping your skin hydrated also helps fight the puffy face and eyes. The ice tip she gives is great because it is a quick fix before you go out. I like taking a wet towel and putting it over my face because that brings the puffiness down.

I also use cucumbers for my puffy eyes. My abuelita taught me that trick. It actually works. I also make sure to use a little concealer on my red nose and top it off with a matte powder. I don't use a lot of makeup but I find that a little goes a long way when trying to hide Allergy Face.

Having Allergy Face can make or break your day so if you get Allergy Face, you need to check out Carmen's videos to get those tips on how to fight it. I know I will take her tips to heart because there is nothing worse than not feeling good about how you look!

Visit ZYRTEC® on Facebook to learn more about how to combat ALLERGY FACE.

Tell me, how do you battle Allergy Face?

Kmart has all your Back to School supplies! #KmartBacktoSchool

Disclosure: I am a Kmart blogger, though all opinions are my own.

It's that time of year when kids are heading back to school. On campus, kids will studying hard and trying to make the grade. Before school starts though, you will have to try and make the grade by buying your kids the essentials they will need for school.

Shopping at Kmart is the way to go. Kmart has savings on dorm style, studying supplies, small appliances, the latest gadgets & even a shower caddies and flip flops (a dorm life must)! You can do all your Back to School shopping at Kmart and not break the bank.

And remember, if you’re looking for a little shopping extra credit, you’ll get it as a ShopYourWay Member when you earn points on your back to campus purchases. What are you waiting for? Start shopping smart!

Brew Over Ice K-Cup GIVEAWAY!! #LoveBrewOverIce

I don't know about you but even in the heat of summer, I crave coffee. I also crave iced tea and any other cool and refreshing drink. Sometimes, I skip the coffee because it is too hot. Sometimes, I am too lazy to brew my own iced tea.

Luckily, now I can enjoy an iced coffee or iced tea using my Keurig brewer with the Brew Over Ice K-Cup® packs! I love these new K-Cups! Like any other K-Cup they are easy to use. Just add some ice to your tumbler or glass. Put in the your favorite flavor. Then brew away!  That's it, easy peasy.

There are so many tasty flavors that you will be able to find one to suit your taste. I enjoyed a cup of the Sweet & Creamy Donut House Iced Coffee while sitting on my front porch. It was delicious and refreshing! I cannot wait to try some other flavors!

Head over to the Brew Over Ice site and enter the "Brew Over Ice Sweepstakes".  Enter and you might win $10,000. You know I entered already because $10K would come in super handy! Don't forget to watch the Brew Over Ice video and download a $2 off product coupon!

And I have a great prize pack for one lucky reader! The Brew Over Ice Prize pack includes 3 Brew Over Ice K-Cup® samples, a Brew Over Ice tumbler, 4 Brew Over Ice coasters, plus a Brew Over Ice light-up ice bucket and tongs.

To win, just enter on the Rafflecopter widget below! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

Back to School Twitter Party with FiOS #SomosFiOS

It's Back to School time! I don't have kids but I remember how much I loved Back to School time when I was a lot younger. It was always so much fun to go to the store and buy new pens, pencils, ruled paper, calculators, folders and all those other school supplies on our list.
It is funny to think that way back then, we didn't even know what a computer was. Nowadays, when you go into the store and see the Back to School supplies, they include the usual pens and pencils but there are also tablets, laptops and e-readers!! That is something we never had when I was in school. 

I find it pretty cool that kids now have all this technology at their fingertips. But along with all that technology, parents need to be aware of the dangers of that technology as well. Verizon has some great Back to School tips for parents. To read the full story and get some great tips, head over to Verizon and read this useful article.

Then join me and a few others as we join the Online Mom for a special Twitter Party on August 21 at 9 pm (EST). You can RSVP here. Remember to RSVP so you can have a chance of winning a Kindle HD or Samsung Galaxy tablet! One of these great prizes would be a fantastic item for Back to School!! 

Verizon FiOS, an all-fiber-optic-based network that delivers America’s fastest, most consistent, and most reliable broadband connection, as well as TV service with HD picture quality that tops cable in customer satisfaction, offers home communications (Internet, telephone and television) service in parts of 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Verizon has received top ratings in major third-party studies and from various major media outlets that review cable television and Internet service providers.

With bundles available to suit your needs, FiOS TV offers over 575 channels, including more than 165 HD channels. The FiOS network of Verizon surpassed 17.8 million premises as of the end of the end of this year's first quarter.

At the end of the first quarter of this year, the company had a total of 5.6 million FiOS Internet customers and 4.9 million FiOS TV customers. FiOS Internet penetration reached 38.2% at the end of this year's first quarter. In the same period, FiOS TV penetration reached 34.1%.

Disturbing Facts About Identity Theft & How Travelers Can Protect Themselves

Since I travel a lot, I am always worried about my identity being stolen. In May when I was in Europe, I actually had to have my American Express card cancelled because someone was trying to make a charge that was not authorized by me. I had to go back and forth through email and, ultimately, they ended up closing my account. I do not even know how this happened because I had used the card just once in London. Luckily, I had a MasterCard and was able to use that for the remainder of the trip.

Security expert Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-Founder of Keeper, the world's most downloaded password management and security software, has put together several tips for avoiding identity theft while traveling, with a mixture of both online and offline best practices for domestic and international travelers to safeguard themselves from vulnerability.


Keeper's Top Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft While Traveling

1)  When traveling, or when on any public or shared computer,  ALWAYS make sure you are fully logged out of any site you are accessing.  This doesn't mean simply closing the window you are using, but log out...fully!

2)  Don't alert the world (or your thousands of Facebook friends or Twitter followers) that you'll be traveling and away from home for any given amount of time.  You never know who might gain access to that information and an empty house is a target for Identity thieves to get your information.

3)  Use a highly secure Password manager, like Keeper, you can store your passwords under one master password with military grade encryption, and random passwords will be automatically generated for you making it much more difficult for hackers to get your personal information.  Make sure your Master Password is totally unique, i.e. not used in any other application or website.

4)  Generate long, complex passwords and then auto-fill the password using a Browser extension tool from your password manager and you never need to remember it.  You can then log into your password manager and securely access all your personal and private sites from one place and from any computer with a browser.

5)  Turn on Two-Factor Authentication on any of your providers that support it.  If the site or service doesn't support Two Factor, change your password every few months and make them random.

6) Always make sure you are at a "real" web site address.  Look for the "https:" and the lock icon, which indicates a secure connection.

7)  Be careful where you use your credit card when traveling to foreign countries.  You might find upon your return home that you were overcharged for items or charged for items you never bought.  You are safer making credit charges not debit charges or use good old fashioned Traveler's checks.

8)  Always keep your wallet, passport, plane tickets, and other important documents somewhere especially safe like in a money belt around your waist when traveling.  Don't keep it in your luggage or a back pocket, where it could get lost or stolen.

9)   Better to be safe than sorry.  If there is a safe in your hotel room, use it.  It's hard to know how many hotel workers have access to your room and it would be easy to swipe or copy your passport, drivers license, etc.  

Regarding online tip numbers 3, 4, 5 & 6, Keeper is perfect for travelers because it offers a convenient, powerful and secure solution for storing and retrieving passwords and private information through integrated mobile, desktop and web-based security software and works across all major operating systems platforms to support Smartphones, Tablets, PCs and Web Browsers. 

Disclosure: This information was provided to me by SparkPR. No compensation was given. I just wanted to post this travel info because it is important to be aware.

Post it Brand Mobile Attach and Go Collection!!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love Post-it Notes. I adore them. If you have ever read any other of my "I LOVE POST-IT NOTES" posts, then you know that I can go on and on and on and on about Post-it Notes. I won't do that here though.

A few weeks ago before I left to Europe, I received this cool little Post-it Note suitcase. In the paper suitcase were items from the Post-it Mobile Attach and Go Collection. I was so excited because I knew that I was going to travel with these babies.

In my pack were a bunch of goodies. I received Post-it Attach and Go Tabs Clip Dispenser, Attach and Go 3 in 1 Pen, Attach and Go Car Visor Pop-Up Dispenser, Attach and Go Full Adhesive Note Pad, Attach and Go Pockets and other products.

These were perfect for me because I was ale to go to Europe with my new 3 in 1 pen and the Full Adhesive Note Pads. I took the Note pads and placed them on my tablet case so I would always have Post-it Notes handy. And let me tell you, I used them all the time. Because they have full adhesive in the back, they stuck to the case and never came off.

The 3 in 1 pen is wonderful. The pen itself writes smoothly. It also has a highlighter and flags. These were perfect when we were lost and had to look at maps. We could use the highlighter to mark where we needed to go and the flags to make sure we also knew where we were.

I was also able to use the Post-it Products when I attended the P&G Conference in June. Since that was work related, it helped to have my Post-it supplies handy. I used them to take notes in the sessions and, of course, I had my pen with me. I use this pen so much that I need another one!

I love having the Attach and Go Pop-Up dispenser in my car because I now longer have to dig around my glove compartment for notes if I need them. I love having Post-it Notes in my car because if I have to do something or go somewhere, I write it down and pop it on my dashboard so I do not forget!

These products, of course, feed into my Post-it Note obsession. I can never have enough Post-it Notes and love having them everywhere in my house. Post-it Notes are one product that I will always buy and have until the day I die. I think it is a sickness.

If you travel a lot like me, you might want to check out this new line of Post-it notes. They are so practical. And again, when I am in Costa Rica, I will have these with me because they are so handy! My motto is that you can never ever have enough Post-it products!

Infusium Frizz Control Collection Review and Giveaway!

It's strange because in the wintertime my hair actually looks good. It gets straight and easy to manage. It is in the summertime when my hair goes nuts. It gets wavier and frizzier.

It does not help that I have to cover my gray hair and have to color my hair every so often. Coloring my hair makes it dry and brittle. But it has to be done. The frizz after I color my hair is our of control. I usually do not use anything other than shampoo and conditioner but when I do color my hair, I have to use something else.

Luckily, Infusium has come to the rescue. I have used Infusium for years. I have used it since I was in my 30's and that is a long time! It is one of my favorite brands of shampoo. It always leaves my hair soft and silky. I can always trust that my hair will feel clean and conditioned after I use Infusium products.

Infusium products feature a unique i-23 complex enriched with pro-vitamins, proteins and amino acids, specifically designed to revive and condition hair while protecting it against future damage. I received a few new Infusium products to try. I received the following:

Frizz Controller Collection: A must-have for the hot and humid summer months, this three step system consists of a shampoo, conditioner and leave-in treatment designed to tame and smooth frizz-prone, distressed hair with a blend of moisture enhancers and anti-frizz ingredients.

Repair & Renew Leave-in Treatment Spray: Works to alleviate breakage and split ends while strengthening hair to prevent future damage. This spray instantly detangles wet or dry hair and provides protection from daily elements and styling – whether it’s chlorine-filled water, over-exposure to the sun or excessive heat from blow dryers or straighteners.  Drop it in your beach bag for instant conditioning after a swim!

Like I said, I have used the Infusium Shampoo and Conditioner before. This new Frizz Control worked well. It actually did keep my frizz down and my hair was smooth and silky even days after coloring my hair. I really love the Leave In Treatment because I it helps my hair even after washing and through drying.

The Repair and Renew Leave In Treatment is the best. I used it because I am out in the garden an my hair
gets sun damage. I am also taking this to my trip to Costa Rica because I will be needing this when I am at the beach.

Overall, I really liked the Frizz Control Imfusium products and I will choose the Frizz Control instead of the regular Infusium from now on. If any product can control my summer hair, I am all over that. But I also saw that Infusium has a Color Defender line of hair products and I might have to try those before I make any rash decisions.

Thanks to Infusium, I have a great prize for one lucky reader. If you want to win the Frizz Control Collection then enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rules: One entry per person per day. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.

I will be MIA in Costa Rica!!

Thanks to my mami, I get to visit Costa Rica for a week or so! She was so generous to offer me an airline ticket to come visit the family. I haven't been to Costa Rica since last year so I am excited to go back.

That means I will be MIA for a week or two.  But keep coming back and entering my giveaways. And when I get back, I will definitely have a great Costa Rican products giveaway!

Shabby Apple Knaves of Heart Dress Review and Giveaway!

I am always looking for cute plus-size clothes. Sometimes it is tough to find the perfect dress but I found a new place to shop. Shabby Apple Vintage Clothing.

Shabby Apple Vintage Clothing carries so many cute clothes from dresses to skirts to tops. You can find really cute clothes in any size. I am glad they had quite a few really nice dresses in my size. When I was asked to review a dress, it took me a while to figure out which one I wanted because they were all so cute.

I finally decided on the Knaves of Heart dress in Navy. It is beautiful. The dress is made with beautiful lace. The neckline is high and it has a full dirndl skirt and cap sleeves. There is a grosgrain ribbon at the waist. It is also lined. The fabric is soft and comfortable.

What I love about the dress besides that it fits perfectly is that it can be used for a business dinner or event or a more formal affair like a wedding.

If you want to find really beautiful vintage clothing, you might consider shopping at Shabby Apple because you will find something. They even have swimwear. I know when I need to find another dressy dress, I am heading over to Shabby Apple because there are a few other dresses I saw that I loved.

If you want to win a Shabby Apple dress, then you can enter here to win one of the following dresses listed after the Rafflecopter widget!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Snapdragon                                                
Heart of Me
Dressage                                                  
Grand National
Hackney
Captain
Admiral
Cut the Cake
At last
At first site
My vow to you
Maid of honor
Together forever
Ever after
Save the date
Moon River
Ski Bop
Some like it Hot
Tiber
Andes Skirt
Jetty Skirt
Ballerina
Nantucket
Boogie Woogie
Marigold Skirt
Lime Ricki Skirt
Park Picnic Skirt
Hully Gully Skirt
Newcomb Skirt

Disclosure: I received a sample product for review purposes. No other compensation was given and the opinions in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the product. Sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes unless otherwise stated. I am not responsible if sponsors do not fulfill prize. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of any prizes.