Renew your skin with the AVEENO® Skin Relief Gentle Scent Collection GIVEAWAY! #BellezaEspontanea #AVEENO #Ad

I have a great giveaway! If you saw my post about AVEENO® Skin Relief Gentle Scent, you know that it is time to think about renewing your skin for the summer.

I received some AVEENO® Skin Relief Gentle Scent products with Nourishing Coconut, Soothing Oat and Chamomile to try. These are the perfect products for my summertime skin. My skin needs renewal and these products are perfect. The coconut, oat and chamomile make it great for my skin yet provide the moisture needed to help keep my skin smooth and looking great!

To help you renew your skin, I have an AVEENO® Skin Relief Gentle Scent set to give away to one lucky reader. You will absolutely love this lotion and body wash. It will leave your skin soft and smooth and looking great for the summer!

To win, just enter 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 Light Between Oceans Trailer! #LightBetweenOceans

I am so excited for this movie! I am actually part of a book club and this book was chosen as our July read! I am glad I get to read it before the movie comes out. Plus, who doesn't love Michael Fassbender? And Alicia Vikander was so good in the Danish Girl and Ex-Machia that I can't wait to see her again! Here is the trailer!!

THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS, a heart-breaking drama about fate, love, moral dilemmas and the lengths to which one couple will go to see their dreams realized. The film, which is based on the best-selling novel by M.L. Stedman and stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz, Bryan Brown and Jack Thompson and is written for the screen and directed by Derek Cianfrance, opens in theatres everywhere on September 2nd!

Like THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLightBetweenOceans

Follow THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLBOmovie  

Follow THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelightbetweenoceans/  

  

THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS opens in theaters everywhere on September 2nd!

Memorial Day

Thank you to those who died defending our country.

Tips for Entertaining with Glad® OdorShield® Gain™! #ad

I love entertaining but with work and so may events that I coordinate, I have little time to entertain. But we have some good friends that we have over and sometimes family visits from out of town so there are times that I have to entertain. I have had to perfect entertaining on the fly because we often have unexpected guests. I have had to put on dinner parties in a day. I also have had to make sure the house is ready for entertaining as well. I have learned a few tricks in the past few years that help me make entertaining fun and easy and not so stressful. I want to share those with you!

Tip 1: Always have food in the fridge that can be turned into quick and delicious appetizers. If you come to my house and look in my refrigerator, you will always find cheese and olives. Sometimes, you will find a salami or pate. In my cupboard live a few boxes of crackers. Why? Because you can get a beautiful platter or wooden cutting board and make it a beautiful cheese board. Add one or two cheese, a few olives, some salami and add crackers and you are set.

Tip 2: Have a space in your house where you can take all the clutter and hide it. Sure, this is a lazy girl's way of cleaning but I kid you not, I have had people call me 10 minutes before they arrive, uninvited. I take a bin and pick up the random cat toys and junk. Then I take the bin into our guest room closet where no one will see.

Tip 3: Keep it simple. Entertaining can be stressful so I have learned to keep it simple. Making a great meal does not have to take hours. You don't need to buy fancy ingredients. My go to dinner party meal is a roast chicken. It is easy to prep and all you do is put it in the oven and let it do its stuff. Cook it with potatoes or squash and they will soak in all the chicken juices and YUM! Make an salad and some crusty bread and your guests will be in heaven!

Tip 4: Use Glad® OdorShield® with Febreze® Trash bags. Sometimes cooking can be messy and if you don't have enough trash to take it out right away, it will sit there all week. I love Glad OdorShield Trash Bags because they neutralize odors so my guests don’t smell them. With its 5 day Odor Control, my guests will never smell my trash. I especially love the Glad® OdorShield® Gain™ scent. If my guests come into the kitchen, they will never guess there is some smelly things in the trash. The Glad bag neutralizes the odors and keeps my kitchen smelling fresh. The bags have reinforcing bands to add strength so when I do take the trash out.

Make sure to buy Glad OdorShield bags to help your entertaining easy. Click to get $2 off any one Glad Odorshield Trash Bags (15ct. and higher). Glad OdorShield bags are available in a variety of scents to suit your taste!

I hope these tips help you next time you are entertaining family or friends.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Glad. The opinions and text are all mine.

The Finest Hours Review - Available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere TODAY!

This heroic action-thriller is based on the extraordinary true story of the greatest small-boat rescue in Coast Guard history. In 1952, a massive winter storm strikes off the coast of Cape Cod, ripping a T-2 oil tanker in half and trapping more than 30 sailors inside its rapidly sinking stern. When word of the disaster reaches the U.S. Coast Guard, four men led by Captain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine) set out in a 12-seat boat on a daring mission to rescue the stranded men, braving freezing cold, 60-foot waves and hurricane-force winds, and guided by Webber’s vow that “We all live, or we all die.” Packed with thrilling, larger-than-life action and anchored in a belief in the strength of the human spirit, The Finest Hours is a triumph.

When I saw the trailer for his movie last year, I was excited to see it. I never got around to it though. So when I had the opportunity to review an advanced copy, I accepted.

This is a great movie. It starts a little slow but then builds to the climax which is the rescue. The movie sets up the story by alluding to an incident that happened and the result was not positive. Because of this, Captain Bernie Webber, is gun shy about the rescue he needs to go on after a huge storm breaks a tanker in two. There are other smaller stories as well but this is the main part of the movie.

The movie works best when it cuts to the crew on the tanker. Casey Affleck is wonderful as the Ray Sybert the chief engineer of the Pendelton tanker. He really impressed me. Chris Pine is wonder as Captain Webber. The rest of the cast is pretty amazing as well. Ben Foster (Richard Livesey), Kyle Gallner (Andy Fitzgerald) and John Magaro (Ervin Maske) are also fantastic as the crew that volunteers to go with Webber to help save the crew of the Pendelton.

The movie is a little slow trying to give us insight into the relationship between Webber and Miriam played by Holliday Grainger. But director Craig Gillespie really takes us into the action when the Captain Webber has to take go out to see and conquer his own fears. And the scenes on the Pendelton will keep you entertained. The fact that this movie is based on a true story makes the movie even more compelling.

I enjoyed the movie and so did my husband. I highly recommend it.

The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital HD has some great BONUS FEATURES* that include:

· AGAINST ALL ODDS: THE BERNIE WEBBER STORY – Visit the quaint and close-knit town of Chatham, and experience the events surrounding the most heroic Coast Guard rescue ever through the eyes of the people who witnessed them.

· BROTHERHOOD – Cast members reflect on the bonds they forged during the shoot.

· TWO CREWS – Chris Pine and Casey Affleck share insights into Bernie Webber and Ray Sybert, men who led their respective crews against all odds.

· WHAT IS YOUR FINEST HOUR? – A Coast Guard member recounts an incredible rescue.

· THE FINEST INSPIRATION: THE U.S. COAST GUARD Meet the people who put their lives on the line for others.

· DELETED SCENES:
o A Desperate Idea
o The Story of How They Met

DVD
· BROTHERHOOD
· THE FINEST INSPIRATION: THE U.S. COAST GUARD

The Finest Hours is available today!!

Queen of Katwe Trailer and Poster!

When I was a the D23 Expo last year, we learned about this movie and I have been waiting for it ever since. You all know I am a sucker for super heroes and action movies but sometimes I love these smaller, quieter movies that tell stories that inspire. Plus I LOVE Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo! 

“Queen of Katwe” is the colorful true story of a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. Directed by Mira Nair (“Monsoon Wedding”) from a screenplay by William Wheeler (“The Hoax”) based on the book by Tim Crothers, “Queen of Katwe” is produced by Lydia Dean Pilcher (“The Darjeeling Limited”) and John Carls (“Where the Wild Things Are”) with Will Weiske and Troy Buder serving as executive producers. The film stars Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo (“Selma”), Oscar® winner and Tony Award® nominee Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave”) and newcomer Madina Nalwanga.

Here is the new trailer!! This looks like an amazing movie!

Like QUEEN OF KATWE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QueenOfKatwe/  

Follow QUEEN OF KATWE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/queenofkatwe  

QUEEN OF KATWE opens in theaters on September 23rd!

Finding Dory Memory Game!! #FindingDory #HaveYouSeenHer

Oh how exciting! "Finding Dory" is opening on the 17th of June! I cannot wait to see this movie, I know it will be great fun and great for the whole family. If you missed the "Finding Dory" activities sheets I posted, then head here. Here is another fun activity for the kiddos!

Like FINDING DORY on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarFindingDory

Follow FINDING DORY on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FindingDory

Follow Disney/Pixar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PixarFindingDory/

Follow Disney Studios on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/disneystudios/finding-dory/

Visit Disney/Pixar on Tumblr: http://disneypixar.tumblr.com

Visit the official FINDING DORY website here: https://disney.com/findingdory

FINDING DORY swims in theatres everywhere on June 17th!

$25 Gift Card Giveaway!

It's Summer. Well almost. But I want to give away more $$$!!

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.

Renew your skin with the AVEENO® Skin Relief Gentle Scent Collection #BellezaEspontanea #AVEENO #Ad

It's May and, to me, that is the beginning of summer. It's a renewing time when the flowers start peeking out from the under the cold ground. The earth around us begins renewing itself and it becomes green and lush. The flowers come out! It's time to head to the Farmer's Market! I also love that it's time to go to the beach and enjoy the sun and warmth!

In May, I am out in the garden planting my vegetables. In May, I start putting away my sweaters and pants and pull out my shorts, dresses and short sleeve tops. My skin which has been shielded from the cold and is pale. It is also not ready for summer.

That is why when it's time to shed the winter clothes, I have to start a new skin regimen. During winter, I use a heavier lotion because my skin really get dry and needs daily care. That's why I love using AVEENO® Daily Moisturizing Lotion. But in the summertime I need something lighter.

I received some AVEENO® Skin Relief Gentle Scent products with Nourishing Coconut, Soothing Oat and Chamomile to try. These are the perfect products for my summertime skin. My skin needs renewal and these products are perfect. The coconut, oat and chamomile make it great for my skin yet provide the moisture needed to help keep my skin smooth and looking great!

The lotion has a gentle yet soothing scent. The lotion and body wash go on smooth and leave my skin feeling fresh and renewed. Like all AVEENO® products, they are gentle but really work. I am ready for the change in the seasons. If you want to renew your skin this season, try AVEENO® Skin Relief Gentle Scent!

To help you have great looking skin here are some great tips from Board certified dermatologist for AVEENO® Dr. Bertha Baum to revamp your skin routine now that summer is coming:

Switch your heavy moisturizer for a lighter lotion - For spring skin care, swap your heavy moisturizer for a lighter lotion if you have normal skin or skip it altogether if you have oily, acne-prone skin. Featuring Active Naturals Triple Oat Complex, the AVEENO® Skin Relief Gentle Scent collection has the perfect line of lotions and body washes to treat your winter-damaged skin with a delightful scent, specifically designed to sooth the calm sensitive skin and the benefit of oat oil to help restore the skin's natural moisture barrier. 

Bathe More Frequently - if you avoided frequent showers during winter, spring is the perfect time to start up again, as you'll likely be sweating more. But don't overdo it since this can also dry your skin. For wonderful benefits use the AVEENO® Skin Relief Gentle Scent lotion on damp skin, which contain natural colloidal oatmeal to help lock in moisture.

Exfoliate for a Healthy Glow - Exfoliating can cast off dry, dead skin cells left over after the winter months and restore a fresh glow to the skin. A gentle exfoliation once a eek helps moisturizers absorb into skin and smooth its texture. However, avoid harsh scrubbing or grainy products that may irritate the skin and cause flare ups.

Monitor Your Sun Time carefully and Slather on the Sunscreen - Spending time under the sun in spring feels good, especially after a long winter. It's important however to avoid excess sun exposure and protect your skin by wearing hats, appropriate clothing and sunscreen for added protection. While it's important to wear sunscreen all year long, bumping up to at least SPF 30 for spring is a great idea. Choose waterproof, broad-spectrum sunscreen and re-apply throughout the day. Remember to cover your face, arms, legs, neck, chest, and any other areas exposed to sun. 

Don't forget our Hands, Feet and Lips! - Our lips go through changes from winter to spring. If you're experiencing dry or chapped lips use a protective lip balm with hydrating components. Have you ever heard that old wives' tales about drenching your feet in a heavy lotion and then donning a pair of socks? Well, it's not a myth and it really can dramatically change the way your feet look and feel. Sear your hands and feet with your favorite moisturizing lotion before you put your gym socks and sneakers, and if your hands are in equal need of spring makeover, coat them in lotion as well, and then don a pair of cotton gloves. You will feel the difference overnight!

I hope these tips can help you renew your skin this year! I know I am ready to tackle the new season with the AVEENO® Skin Relief Gentle Scent collection.

Urbana sacs Review!

I love tote bags and bags and have way too many. But I also use them a lot.  I use them them for work. I use them to shop. I use them to travel. I use them to go to the beach. I figure you can never have enough.

I received the The X-Large Carry Sac from urbana sacs. It is a beautiful bag that is huge with two Hemp Straps. These bags are individually designed and handmade in Los Angeles. They are also made from virgin pulp fiber and recycled polyester felts. So they are really cool.

The urbana sacs are also washable and you can dip them in water and shape them like clay! They can also be made smaller or larger by folding them. Urbana sacs are available in six shades (white, stone, chocolate, black, shine and sand} with two strap colors to complete the look.

I love my bag. Not only is it light and durable but it looks good. They are not kidding when they say it is XL. I can fit a lot of things in my bag. I took mine to the Riverfront Farmers Market on the weekend and it was perfect. I was able to fit in my baguette, fruit, pastries and vegetables with room to spare. I got several compliments on my bag as well.

I cannot wait to take it to the beach. I already know it will fit my towels, cover-up, hats and books. This bag is perfect for the beach because it is washable. I can also see myself using this bag for travel. It would be perfect for a weekend trip!

Urbana sacs are the perfect bag for those who want a unique bag that is also super practical. You can buy urbana sacs online. The bags cost $85+ and are so worth it. These are so perfect for the upcoming summer!

Follow urbana sacs on Twitter and like on Facebook and Instagram.

Invisible Glass EZ Grip cleaner and Reach & Clean Tool Review + Giveaway!

It's Spring and that means my hubby gets all crazy and starts Spring cleaning. If it were up to me, I wouldn't clean but I have to. It's just what has to happen.

One of the things I hate doing is windows and glass. One of the worst things I have to do is the shower glass. We renovated our Master bathroom last year. We put in a walk-in shower with a glass door and glass wall. I love it but what I did not expect is the upkeep needed to keep the glass clean.

If you have read my blog for a while, you know I hate cleaning and am not the best housekeeper. So when I see the glass in my shower, I tend to ignore it. I did ignore it for a long time and the glass started to get really dirty. I tried some glass cleaner but it was not working really well.

Luckily, I was contacted to review the Invisible Glass Reach and Clean tool. I had no idea if it was going to work but I figured, I had to clean the shower and other glass in my house. It also looked like a great cleaning tool that would make my life easier.

I am all about making my life easier. So I decided to review it and see if it would work. It did. What I really liked about the Invisible Glass Reach & Clean tool is that it is a compact tool that I can store any place. It was easy to put together and easy to use.

The Invisible Glass EZ Grip soap-free glass cleaner was great because I just sprayed and wiped. There was no residue and it left the glass very clean. The Reach & Clean was great because I was able to clean the top of the glass and then use the tool to reach down to the bottom. I didn't have to bend over that much so it made it easy.

And it really worked. I took a before and after picture to show how well it worked. The Invisible Glass cleaner left the glass sparking and shiny. It took away all the grime and soap scum. And it was so easy.

Invisible Glass® is available at Wal-Mart in a 19oz EZ Grip spray aerosol can. Invisible Glass® is a division of Stoner Inc., a family owned company providing time-saving solutions since 1942 and proudly manufactured in the U.S.A. For more information visit www.invisibleglass.com.

If you want to win one of these great tools along with the cleaner, just enter 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.

Captain America: Civil War Prize Pack Giveaway!

Today Captain America: Civil War hits theaters everywhere and a group of bloggers has gotten together to give YOU the Ultimate Prize Package! In honor of the film release today, you have a chance to win a huge Captain America: Civil War prize pack including:

• Captain America: The First Avenger DVD
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier DVD
• Captain America Funko Pop
• Iron Man Funko Pop
• Captain America: Civil War Graphic Novel
• Iron Man 3-Movie Collection (DVD)
• Captain America Throw Blanket

About Captain America: Civil War
Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in twocamps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.

Get ready to pick a side and join the nonstop action playing out on two fronts when Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” opens in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2016.

Like CAPTAIN AMERICA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptainAmerica
Follow CAPTAIN AMERICA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaptainAmerica
Follow Marvel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvel/
Visit the official CAPTAIN AMERICA website here: http://marvel.com/captainamerica

Enter to win this Captain America: Civil War Prize Package using the Gleam form below. ARV $120. GOOD LUCK!

Captain America: Civil War Ultimate Prize Pack Giveaway

Prizes subject to change depending on availability. A prize of equal or greater value will be substituted.

Baby Shower Registry Must-Haves + Dreft giveaway! #amazinghood #ad

“This post and giveaway were made possible by iConnect and Dreft. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine."

I am not a mom but understand how important it is to have certain items when you are having a baby. Now that our nephews and niece are grown, married and having babies, I have become a mini-expert on what parents might need. I have had to buy baby registry items quite a few times in the past year!

I love baby showers and buying baby gifts. There are so many wonderful things out there that you can buy for the expectant couple. I love buying fluff gifts like plush toys. I love buying tiny baby clothes but there are so many other things that new parents need.

I asked my niece-in-law about what she needed when she had her baby. And with her help gathered up a list of baby registry must haves.

A good diaper bag - it should be a diaper bag that is also pretty and fashionable. Forget the old clunky bags, there are so may cute diaper bags out there that you can buy. Most diaper bags nowadays can be actually used as purses. I know I have done that before. Why shouldn't mom look good while carrying diapers?

Humidifier - My niece lives in Ohio and the winters are brutal. She said she really didn't realize what a life saver a good humidifier was. There are so many types out there. They are small and compact and work wonders for baby. I especially like the ones shaped like animals. 

Baby Bath - this is me when I was a baby in an old fashioned baby bath. But my niece said that a bath is essential and safe. There are so many on the market today that you will find the perfect one for your baby.

Unique handmade items - crochet baby booties or hat. Make a baby dress. Or buy handmade products from other countries like this cute bib made in Africa. The plus side of this is that proceeds help a non-profit charity.  

A laundry basket filled with items that parents need - Buy a baby hamper and fill it with laundry products! Like diapers, this is one gift that parents will always use!! I love Dreft because they have created a line of laundry products that are specially designed for different stages of babyhood. Dreft Stage 1: Newborn; Dreft Stage 2: Active Baby and Dreft Blissfuls. Dreft is also the #1 baby laundry detergent choice of pediatricians and the #1 dermatologist recommended brand for baby clothes. Dreft Newborn is also hypoallergenic and a light scent. It can also be used in both standard and high efficiency washers. It is also sensitive on baby's skin.

If you haven't heard, Dreft is partnering with popular reality TV couple Sean and Catherine Lowe from “The Bachelor” to celebrate their new role as expectant parents and share their beautiful, messy journey of “amazinghood.” Dreft believes that for many moms and dads, doing baby’s laundry is more than just an ongoing chore – it serves as a way to relish in the amazing moments and stages of babyhood. Parenthood and babyhood is messy. But those messy and imperfect moments are often the most memorable and thanks to Dreft, parents can embrace the mess of #amazinghood.

Sean and Catherine had a “Loads of Love” baby shower on April 27th. The couple was "showered" with all the basics they might need for the new arrival. Of course, they received Dreft because it was a must have for the new parents. Make sure to like Dreft's Facebok, Twitter and other social media channels page to keep up with Sean and Catherine and their #Amazinghood.  exclusive content and messy memories.

To celebrate Sean and Catherine's new baby, Dreft has given me a wonderful "Baby Shower" gift to giveaway to one lucky reader!

The Dreft “Baby Shower” Package includes (see above):
•Dreft product (Newborn, Active Baby, & Blissfuls)
•Little Me Welcome to the World Bib and Burp Set
• Little Me Giraffe Gown
•Gender Neutral Lovey

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.