Saturday, December 31, 2011

New York Color Lipshine Review

I am loving the NYC Liquid Lipshine that Influenster recently sent me as a product test with my voxbox. NYC products are affordable (.99 - $4.99) and there are plenty of color choices to match your needs.

NYC Liquid Lipshine retails for $2.49 and is well worth the low price. I like the soft-tip wand that is unlike most lip glosses I've tried. The color is highly pigmented, but very subtle to wear every day. It contains Vitamin E and is available in 10 shades.

The shine was not too glossy or sticky, which is the worst feeling from a lip gloss.

The color and shine lasted longer than I expected and I will definitely be wearing this to celebrate New Year's tonight!

Check out the New York Color website for product information and the variety of products to match your style!

*I received the following product as a part of Influenster's product testing program. However, all opinions are my own and are based on my feedback after using the free product.*

Friday, December 30, 2011

iPad 2 Giveaway

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS GIVEAWAY HAS EXPIRED

Tyler's Coffee Giveaway

Who wants to win some free coffee? Enter via Rafflecopter below.

Please note that this giveaway or post has expired. Thank you for reading and I hope you enter my current giveaways on this site.


Thursday, December 29, 2011

Tyler's Coffee Review


Tyler's Coffee recently sent me their regular coffee product to review and it was one good cup of Joe. They recommend using a french press to make the coffee in order to get the best aroma and flavor, but since I have a Vietnamese coffee press I made the regular coffee they sent me with my press. It's great using coffeemakers too!

  • Acid-free coffee that is good for teeth enamel
  • Reduces Acid Reflux
  • Limits heartburn, indigestion, bloating
  • Does not irritate sensitive stomachs
  • Interstitial Cystitis Network Approved
Tyler's Coffee comes in regular or decaf. They're made from Brazilian Arabica beans.

If you have sensitive teeth like I do or love coffee, but it often irritates your stomach, give Tyler's Coffee a try. 

I was surprised at how strong and flavorful this coffee tasted! 

If you're interested, you can purchase directly from their website
here: 
                    Tyler's Coffee Products

One pack of Tyler's coffee makes about 18 cups of coffee. 

Based on the aroma, taste, and how many cups of coffee I've made from just one small pack, I highly recommend their coffee and rate the product 5 out of 5.


Just Dance 3 Review




Just Dance 3 was given to me during Thanksgiving, and I've been addicted ever since. I worked hard this year to lose 16 lbs. and finding ways to maintain my weight hasn't been easy!

I lost the weight from June - October using the My Fitness Pal app for the iPhone. You can also use the website if you don't have an iPhone. (See my "Lose Weight" blog post for more info.).

Just Dance 3 helped me lose another 2 lbs. in the past month. It keeps me active on those days when my regular workouts are too mundane and routine. For each song, you get "sweat" points and when added together, can be the equivalent of walking, jogging, or swimming for 30 minutes.

I'm not compensated for this review in any way, but I've had so much fun and such a positive experience with this video game that I want everyone to know about it!

The Wii is pricey, but well worth it for your family. Your kids will love this game - exercise while having fun. Get your entire family to play!



Thursday, December 22, 2011

Flash Coupon Giveaway

Some bloggers and I are hosting a flash coupon giveaway. Hurry, enter now! Ends tonight at midnight EST!

Please note that this giveaway has ended. Thank you for your interest!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Influenster Holiday VoxBox


My Influenster VoxBox arrived last week with some great stuff! Items included were:

  • Softsoap Coconut Scrub Bath Bars
  • imPRESS Hot Pink Nails
  • NYC Lipshine Lipgloss
  • LaraBar Coconut Creme Pie
  • Mentos Gum
(and 7 packing peanuts along with a $1 off coupon for imPRESS nails)


Anyone who regularly uses social media (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, blog sites) should sign up and join Influenster.com for some great product tests.


Sunday, December 18, 2011

Couponizer Coupon System Giveaway

Thanks for your interest, but this giveaway has already ended. Please stay tuned for the next giveaway!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

iCaughtSanta Review and Giveaway


Want to show your kids proof that Santa was in the house the night before to deliver their Christmas gifts? Catch Santa "in the act" on iCaughtSanta.com. Here's how you can get the proof:

  1. Upload any image where you want Santa to be "captured"
  2. Create the photo by choosing the Santa pose and border you want
  3. Share the photo by downloading, emailing, or sending it to your nearest print center
It's that simple! 

iCaughtSanta is a great idea for kids to be able to see Santa in action. It makes Christmas a more magical time. No more making dad dress up as Santa and risk getting caught by the kids!

You can also choose to create photos with other icons besides Santa! I'm definitely going to use this site for upcoming birthdays and events.

What do you think of this idea and how excited would your kids be to see Santa in their homes?
My dog was caught taking off his ugly sweater so he's getting a lump of coal for Christmas! Just kidding I love my dog :)


As a bonus, iCaughtSanta has provided me with 5 codes to give away to 5 lucky winners. Each code is valid towards 1 Santa photo ($9.99 value). 

Flash giveaway will run from Dec. 14 - Dec. 17 (11:59PM). 

Enter via Rafflecopter.


Gift Ideas for Kids - Get Them in Time for Christmas

I finally finished toy shopping for the little ones and was looking for affordable and unique toys. Amazon saves me the frustration of waiting in lines and the stress of holiday shopping. Here are some ideas that you might like:

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes $8.09
Great for car rides




 
Melissa and Doug binoculars with fun designs $6.59, $6.99




      


Mattel Sing-a-ma-jig bunny, sweetheart, or birthday soprano $4.99!!




           
 
Sesame Street Toys: $6.99, $12.61, $14.61, $15.99



     



Happy shopping!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Dole Product Coupons Giveaway - 5 Winners!

Who wants FREE Dole Products? I could use some right about now.

5 winners will receive 5 FREE Dole Product coupons! This giveaway will run until December 16, 2011 at 11:59PM EST!!

Use the rafflecoptor to like and follow the blogs and you are entered.

This giveaway has ended.





Saturday, December 10, 2011

$100 Victoria's Secret Reward Card Giveaway



Hi all! Freebie Corner and a group of bloggers is bringing you this giveaway for a $100 Victoria's Secret Reward Card! Enter to win it below!

This giveaway has ended, but we hope to bring you more in the future!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Click To Give - A Few Clicks A Day to Help Charities



I am a big supporter of charities and non-profits especially around the holidays. Having worked at a non-profit, I know the struggles and hardships they face to keep up with the demands and costs associated with running their operations.

If you can't make any monetary or clothing/item donations this year, consider signing up for the Click to Give website.

All you do is click on 6 categories each day. That's it. It takes no more than 1 minute of your day to perform a good deed. Every click provides monetary donations to the charity listed, by the sponsors of that website.

You also accumulate points that can be redeemed for prizes or be donated back to the charities. It's a win-win in my book.

Consider helping out and get your friends and family to join!

Happy Holidays,

GG

Monday, November 21, 2011

150 Coupon Giveaway!

I'm giving away a giant envelope filled with 150 coupons worth at least $100 in savings. Coupons include Bounce, Swiffer, Biore, Bic, Organic Valley, Target coupons, and much more! Giveaway runs from Nov. 21 - Dec. 6.


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

I'm a fan of Melissa & Doug toys because of their quality and educational value. I'm also supportive of companies who actively seek out opinions and feedback from consumers. Here's a deal for blog readers that you won't want to miss!

Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North "Poll!" You'll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!






Have you ever purchased Melissa & Doug toys for your kids? Which ones are their favorite?

Saturday, November 12, 2011

New Giveaway - Lilac Small Purse/Clutch



                                           (Click on image to enlarge)

On a recent trip I picked up these adorable small purses with intricate designs. They're small enough to be a clutch, but comes with a purse handle. I'm giving away a small lilac purse to one lucky fan!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Amazon Deals of the Week

Amazon's low prices, free shipping offers, and excellent customer service have made me a loyal customer for years.
In addition to subscribe and save options, where you can sign up for timed deliveries of a product for a 15% discount, you can now apply available ecoupons to certain items. Subscribe and save can be canceled any time, offers free shipping, and shipments can be delayed. Combine the subscribe and save option with a coupon posted on the item's page for an even greater deal.

-Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers
Subscribe and Save + Amazon Mom 20% off
$3 off coupon


 
 
Sizes 1-6 available (prices vary). Sign up for subscribe and save and Amazon mom for 20% off to get size 4 for just $26.80. On the same page, click on "clip this coupon" to take another $3 off at checkout for a final price of $23.80 for 140 ct. diapers.


-Band-Aid Brand Bandages, Mickey Mouse limited edition collector's tin, $5.68






Subscribe and Save price: $6.68
"Clip the coupon" for $1 off (taken at checkout) for the final price of: $5.68


-Tide Free & Gentle Detergent, $5.13





Subscribe & Save price: $7.13
Clip the $2 off coupon for final price: $5.13
(The $2 off coupon also works on other Tide liquid detergents sold on Amazon)


-Febreze Air Effects New Zealand Spring, 2 pack, $6.49




Subscribe & Save price: $7.49
Clip the $1 off coupon
final price: $6.49 for 2 pack


-Pampers Cruisers Diapers
(sizes 3-7, prices vary)




Size 3, 120 count
Subscribe & Save price: $28.79
Clip the $2 coupon
Final Price: $26.79


-Crest Pro Health Mouthwash, 2 pack



Subscribe & Save price: $10.83
Clip the $2 coupon (coupon also works on other Crest Pro Health rinses from Amazon)
Final Price: $8.83 for a 2 pack

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Bryton Floss Pick Product Review

The folks over at BrytonPick were kind enough to send me their new floss product to try. You must be wondering, floss?!? Being the oral hygiene enthusiast that I am, I couldn't resist reviewing this product.

12% of the population floss regularly..doesn't that bother anyone else but me? Some people floss with staples, paperclips, and pen caps. I wish these people knew that there was a better alternative than shoving staples in your teeth!

If you've ever had braces or have them now, you know how hard and frustrating it can be when it comes to flossing. You also don't want to be that braces kid with food stuck in your teeth with nasty breath. Using string floss in public bathrooms makes you look like a weirdo (trust me, I did this at work) and your coworkers and bosses will give you funny looks.

The BrytonPick floss is convenient and discreet. It doesn't look like traditional floss and is reusable for 30 days. I had my braces removed 9 months ago and in the 4 years of wearing braces, this product would have been useful since I was always caught flossing at school and at work.

The BrytonPick floss is thin and it fit through most of my teeth, but there were some teeth crevices that the floss just could not wiggle through. This may be due to the fact that my braces were removed earlier this year and my teeth are still adjusting. It took me just one minute to floss with this product. I tried it again the next day and noticed the floss ends were not as sturdy as the day before. The floss ends are made of stainless steel, which are resistant to bacteria.

The convenient part was being able to floss with one hand! I find traditional floss picks wasteful and the BrytonPick floss is a convenient alternative if you like reusable and recyclable products. Also great for kids who don't like to floss thanks to the different colors and easy to use design.

What's my rating?

4.5 out of 5

- portable, convenient, discreet, reusable and recyclable, kid-friendly

Overall, a highly recommended product especially for those with braces, adolescents and teens, or adults who are on-the-go.

Available at your local Walgreens, CVS, or Winn-Dixie stores. 
www.brytonpick.com for more information and to order online

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Ways to Control Rosacea

   Rosacea is a problem I've had to live with since I was very young. Every time I went outside and there was wind blowing, my face would turn -red- and become blotchy, not to mention itchy and puffy. It scared the neighborhood kids; hell it scared me half to death.

   My parents are practical people and external afflictions were not a concern to them. After much begging and pleading from me (a seven year old me), they sought alternative Eastern medicine which did nothing to ease my condition. What it did was traumatize me because the treatments were brutal.

   Once they forced me to take large circular pills made out of snakes (skin or meat I don't ever want to know) which I couldn't even swallow because they were the size of marbles. Marbles! It stopped when my parents declared they had no more money to help me. How could you tell a 10 year old you don't want to help with a skin condition because you would rather buy a house with your money?

   Ever since then, I've been on a quest to find treatments for my rosacea on my own. There is no cure, and the research is not as extensive as what has been presented for acne. Often those suffering from rosacea and even dermatologists will mistake rosacea for acne since rosacea can present bumps and breakouts along with redness. Always get a 2nd opinion on your skin and don't trust 1 person's judgment.

   Dermatologists in the past diagnosed and treated me for acne. Now my skin is discolored from the Retinol products AND red. I probably added 10 years of damage to my liver by taking the cycline medications (tetracycline, and some others).

Since I can't cure it, I try to ease it with certain products.

Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Night Crème, 1.7 Ounce combines a redness easing ingredient with a green tint in the lotion which helps to cover up the redness. This lotion is non-comedogenic, has SPF 15, and is oil-free.
This is a great choice for anyone who doesn't wear makeup or foundation. It does make my skin a bit pale, but I use loose powder over it and it works.



There is also a Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Night Crème, 1.7 Ounce . I prefer the day lotion when my rosacea is at its worst, but use this once in awhile. The reason why I like Eucerin's products are because they're affordable (not as expensive as other rosacea targeting products) and they're great for sensitive skin.

Another redness relief product is Eucerin Soothing Cleanser, Redness Relief, 6.8 oz. This cleanser is very mild. I use it during winter months when my skin is very dry. It doesn't dry out skin or gives you a tight skin feeling.

Always apply SPF before going out in the sun. The exposure to sunlight can make rosacea worse.

Vitamin D can ease rosacea so be sure to include this in your daily diet.

It is difficult to pinpoint why rosacea develops, but anything can be contributing factors. Weather, diet and exercise, stress, and skin care products can play a major role in controlling your skin.

What is your experience with rosacea or skin redness? Do you often feel judged or embarrassed by this condition?

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Korres Face Primer Product Review


Sephora had a sale a few months ago that offered 2 Korres face primers for the price of 1. I stocked up enough to last me in case I get robbed. At least I'll have my dignity and well-hidden primers. Nothing more dangerous than a robber who likes to look good on your dime.

I love this primer because it's silicone-free, is 99% natural, and is formulated with antioxidants and vitamin E. If you have sensitive skin like me, ANYTHING will break me out. Silicone primers feel disgusting and greasy. They make my T-zone shine like bright lights in a football stadium. Except my T-zone doesn't look as exciting.

If you wear mineral, powder, or liquid foundation, primer is a MUST. The Korres face primer's formula is not thick or oily. It's more of a lightweight cream and almost resembles a moisturizer.

Apply this primer over your moisturizer or sunscreen. Some beauty experts also suggest that applying face primer at night over your moisturizer or night treatment helps seal the product so your skin will absorb it more.

A must have for anyone with sensitive or dry skin, skin that's prone to breakouts, or anyone who wants a natural primer that doesn't have parabens, synthetic dyes and fragrances, sulfates, Tryclosan, PPG, MEA, DEA, TEA, and Formaldehyde Donors --> these pose potential risks to your health. 

I'm not sponsored for this review and I bought these primers out of my own pockets.

What's my rating?

4.5 out of 5  (minus .5 for the price, but primers are usually expensive anyway)
One tube will last me 4-5 months

Check out the Korres face primer here






Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Beauty Giveaway - CLOSED -

Who wants to win some free stuff? Well here it is! For my first giveaway, 3 lucky random winners will be picked for:


                                                                                


1ST PRIZE:   Macy's Shiseido free complimentary facial service gift certificate + 
                    Shiseido Bioperformance super corrective serum sample

2ND PRIZE:  20 samples in a BareEscentuals makeup bag

3RD PRIZE:  15 samples

Samples include Fekkai, Ole Henriksen, Clinique, Clarins, Bareminerals, John Frieda, Aveeno, Garnier Fructis, Nexxus, and many more!

To enter:


1. Follow this blog or like my Facebook page (info. is on the right side of this site)

1 entry per household per day


 Contest Rules and Disclosure: Open to all U.S. residents only. One contest entry allowed per household. Contest starts October 25, 2011 and ends November 2, 2011. Winners will be picked November 4, 2011. Any information you enter is confidential and will not be shared. By submitting your information, you are entering this giveaway only and are not signing up for any email lists. Administrator will pick 3 winners by using random.org to generate winning numbers. Your submission will be attached to a number in the order it was received. The process of selecting winners will be fully documented and posted on youtube.com/delphik77. By entering this giveaway and all future giveaways, you agree not to hold administrator of these giveaways responsible for any legal actions. Winners will be contacted via email and must respond within 5 days to claim prize. 

This contest is not sponsored in any way by the products in the giveaway. Samples and products have been obtained by administrator from each company included in the giveaway.

Ebates.com, A Site That Pays You Back for Shopping Online

We all turn to online shopping for great deals and to save money.
Ebates is a site that pays you back a certain percentage every time you click on a store link through Ebates.

Sign up for Ebates - You get a $10 gift card or a $5 Ebates credit for signing up.

How it works:

  • Click on the website you'll be shopping in Ebates - JCPenney, Target, and Best Buy are a few examples

  • Each site offers a different cash back amount - Most stores offer 1-8% cash back, but there are others who offer even more than that.


  • After you make your purchase, your cash back will be credited to your account within 1-2 weeks. If you don't see it during that time, contact Customer Care and your cash will immediately be posted to your account.


So, sign up, click, buy, save! How easy is that? Get cash back for the apparel, baby stuff, electronics, kitchen appliances, basically anything you would have purchased anyway!

There is a Tell-A-Friend program that rewards you with money or prizes such as an iPad for referring new members to the site. Once new members make their first purchase through Ebates, you get money or prizes. 

Earn $5 for every qualified member you refer (they must sign up for an Ebates account and make their first purchase totaling $5 or more)
- Refer 10 people, get a $150 gift card
- Refer 20 people, get a $300 gift card
- Refer 50 people, get an iPad2 or $750

What are you waiting for? Go sign up now and put more money back in your pockets!

Here is my Ebates referral link. You can always go directly to ebates.com to sign up too.

Friday, October 21, 2011

What is Swagbucks? How to get started


There are several sites where you can earn money or gift cards in exchange for a few minutes of your day. It's like saving up spare change to spend on great prizes.

One of my trusted sites is Swagbucks.com. It's a free site where you earn points to redeem Paypal credits, gift cards, and an assortment of random prizes. You can earn points for taking daily polls, by using the search box (like Google or Yahoo search), or completing special offers like watching short video clips. Points are called Swagbucks. I'll explain the site step-by-step.

Earn: The 'Earn' tab lists all the various ways you can earn points.

Coupons - 10 points for every coupon you print and redeem. You can also add coupons to your grocery or rewards card so no need to print.

Daily deals - These are similar to Groupon or Livingsocial deals. You get points for your purchase of a deal.

Daily Polls - Earn 1 Swagbucks point for every day you answer the poll.

Games or Swagbucks TV - Earn points for playing games or watching short video clips

NOSO (No Obligation Special Offers) - Click through the offers, respond no to them to earn 2 points per day

Search - Use the search box as though you are doing a Google or Yahoo search. Points vary from 5 - 50, sometimes more.

Special Offers - Stick to the free offers that consist of watching video clips.

Tasks - These are job tasks that pay you with Swagbucks points. You will often perform searches or categorize images. Note that these tasks can be tedious and time consuming depending on which one you choose to complete.

Trade in your old electronics or books in exchange for Swagbucks points

Trusted Surveys - take surveys for Swagbucks. I generally skip this entirely since it's time consuming.

There are often Swag Codes that offer points. They expire in a short period of time, and you would enter them on your main Swagbucks.com home page. www.sc-s.com posts these codes if you can't find them.

In addition to redeeming your points for gift cards or prizes, you can enter contests to win expensive prizes.You can also donate your points to certain charities listed on the site. I like to redeem my points for Amazon gift cards (450 = $5).

Earning gift cards or making some money from this site only takes a few minutes of your day. Gift cards take 1-2 weeks to be fulfilled, and prizes are mailed within 4-6 weeks. It may seem like a long time, but those gift cards quickly add up.



Thursday, October 20, 2011

Free Stuff Tips

Yes, there are things in life that are free. No, I'm not talking about hugs.

For those of us who are students, unemployed, or stay at home parents, finding freebies, earning gift cards, and winning prizes becomes an adopted lifestyle. There are a lot of scams out there and too many sites that are looking to spam your email. One legitimate site I use is www.freestufftimes.com. I've received plenty of free things over the past year and even won prizes from many of the contests.  
 www.slickdeals.net lists freebies as well as great deals on products from various sites like Amazon. To protect yourself from spam:

Create a new email - Prevent your current email address from getting constant spam by creating a disposable one that you do not need.

Create an online voicemail phone number - Freebie giveaways often require a phone number and it's not a good idea to give out your primary one all the time, unless you trust the source that's giving away free things.  

www.k7.net gives you free access to an online voicemail number. In order to keep the number you must receive at least one message per month. Otherwise, the company cancels the number and you have to create another one.

There are many giveaways on Facebook, but when you use your account the company or brand giving away free stuff wants access to all your personal information, including friends list. Create a new Facebook profile that is specifically used to enter Facebook contests or giveaways. 

Keep a list of free things you have requested. That way you'll know if you are getting your mail or if your mail is being taken or is missing.

*Never give out your personal information like credit cards or SSN for freebies. *

Hope this helps. Happy freebie hunting!


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Top 3 Legitimate Survey Sites to Earn Money

-Update-
I originally had three sites listed, but they have all gone downhill. The only one I still trust is Pinecone.

Taking surveys requires some time and effort in order to earn incentives such as checks, amazon gift cards, or prizes. Don't believe any site that claims members will make $1,000+ per month or sites that want you to pay them to access surveys. Below are sites that I have used and have found to be legitimate:

1. Pinecone Research

I have been taking surveys with this company for two years. They send you surveys, you take the survey, and you are paid $3 per survey. You can cash out via Paypal immediately. They also have a gift catalog now.


If you're not sure about a survey site's legitimacy, www.surveypolice.com lists reviews and complaints by users. Taking surveys won't replace your monthly income, but it can provide some extra cash along with opportunities to test products and influence products sold in stores.