Now this BuzzAgent is testing CoverGirl BlastFlipStick! Who am I kidding?! As soon as my Covergirl box came in the mailbox, it was removed from my clutch by my 15 year old daughter. A new make up diva! lol! What can I say, she IS stunning anyways. Yes, the box is still lying on her floor with flyers strewn all about as well. Ha ha! She was kind enough to give ME the coupons though, and the color looked amazing on her! Now I'm just waiting for her to give me intell on how she loves her new BlastFlipStick!

I visited the CoverGirl website and researched all the shades they come in and more! It's a great website because it gives you ideas on what shade(s) fit what skin type and style. Check it out:
http://www.covergirl.com/blastflipstick
As always I am always happy with CoverGirl as I have always trusted their brand! I am a bargain shopper and rarely buy anything for myself, let alone something to make me "going out" worthy. I am also greatful to BzzReport for my free sample and my friends love you all for the fab coupons so that they may try this product as well. I always try to find my friends the best bargain to use their coupons too! Looking forward to my daughters input soon!

Gorton's Skillet Crisp Tilapia is FANTASTIC! We are avid hunters and Fish as much as we can here in Ohio. This not only means to get our fill of trout, bass and Catfish at our local club pond but to do lots of trolling for our favorite: Lake Erie Walleye! The two years since we sold our boat we have not had any Walleye filling our freezer like in the past and since then we have not had much in the way of our usual fish frys and occassional fish dinners. That being said, I was eager but skeptical about trying Gortons Skillet Crisp Tiliapia, but I can't argue with a free sample.

I went to our local Giant Eagle and got the Garlic & Herb seasoned fillets (which were on sale as well). I did not cook these right away as it was not added into my monthly meal schedule at the time but on one particular day when I was feeling a little under the weather, my husband decided to give it a whirl. In reading the instructions I was surprised when he said that it didn't require any oil or anything to coat a frying pan to cook these,so naturally I thought for sure they would be dry. He was pleasently surprised and happy to tell me that it was fantastic, tasty & moist!

Recently we finished the whole box in cooking the last 3 fillets with our Pirogie night and I too sampled some along with our 1 year old daughter. She gobbled the fish up and was asking for more, more, more. I managed to get a little bit of fillet from her to try myself and I do have to say Gortons has this nailed! Fantastic!

My husband has since told me that this is the best fish he has ever had, frozen from any store and wants me to buy more!
Our ONLY question is this: wonder if you could deep fry these fillets?!

Well after many many days of sampling Glade Expressions products we are happy to make them a permanant home within our house. We absolutely love the spray refill and plan to use this for the camper when we reopen it in spring after our long Ohio winter has come and gone. That is, If I can pry it away from my 14 year old daughter who LOVES it! The home decore, oil is something that has grown on me. At first I thought it resembled a Christmas time scent, however I now realize how much the scent resembles one of those hip teen mall stores like Hollister! I have become very attached to this scent and plan to purchase again! Glad to also report that these items have lasted the 30 days plus in a near century home with 3 dogs and 3 kids!
Thank You BzzReport and Glade!!!!!

Whatz the Bzz 'bout Glade Expressions?

 

Well I received a campaign invite to Glade Expressions which I thought "WOW does BzzReport know how much my house smells like my 3 dogs"?! lol! I was interested in trying this product because I personally rarely purchase any air freshener items unless I can get a real deal. Lets face it, in this economy it's hard enough to feed 5 people and 3 dogs in a household like mine for only $100 a week! So air freshener is a luxury. With this said, I was a little pressed to find this new product on local store shelves right away. I managed to find a SMALL selection at the next town over- Giant Eagle. There were only 2 varieties of the oil diffuser kits and 2 selections of the fragrance mist starter kits.
I purchased the Cotton & Italian Mandarin fragrance mist starter kit at the Painesville, Ohio Giant Eagle and on first impression of the "kit" it simply looks like a fancy spray can. I am not sure how it works as a refillable kit. Now I see how the bottom unscrews open and there is a canister (under pressure) inside which is the spray and because it is refillable with any scent, the label is easily removed if you wish. Nice. I can say the only small draw back is the screw open/close bottom. This will be a little difficult for people with arthritis as to screw it close (you have to get it just right to screw it back on). Now about the scent I purchased. I didn't use it right away. It was my daughter who was complaining about a "smell" in her room that initially wanted to use the fragrance mist. The next thing you know, she is spraying it all over the house and what a nice scent the Cotton & Italian Mandarin turned out to be! We both looked at each other and exclaimed it smelled "fresh" yet not overwhelming.

At the same time I had opened the Oil Diffuser starter kit in Lavender & Juniper Berry and quickly put it together. I placed it on my computer desk origionally but after my 17 year old son complained of how strong the smell of pine and wild flowers was, I moved it. I don't recomend placing it right where it will be in your face. It is a great item to fill a room slowly and the Lavender & Juniper Berry scent would be better suited for the holidays I think.

I love the cotton & italian mandarin so much that I plan to purchase refills as soon as I can but I personally don't plan to purchase a refil for the oil kit anytime soon. I am extra happy that I have these items as of this moment though. Not only for the dogs but we have grandma and grandpas recently purchased 5th wheel camper which we started to clean out. It has been in storage for years, thus finding it turned into a mouse habitat and smells quite musty. Will Glade help this? I plan to find out quickly! KIT.......

Candy Unjunked- Unreal (good)

Well, we've tested our Unreal candy- Unjunked thus far. (we meaning myself and my 14 year old candy consumer daughter) Myself, I will say I prefer MORE peanut butter in my peanut butter cups, but it was good. I do like the candy coated chocolate candies and the Chocolate peanut nougat candy bars were also good. My daughter liked the candy coated chocolates and the chocolate nougat bars herself. We both agree that the candy has a "different" taste than those well known brands we all eat. Possibly because these candies are "natural" in that they have none of those extra artificals.
Would I purchase these items, you may ask? The answer is as long as the price is good, and possibly a coupon or two here and there then YES! I feel better as a parent of a daughter who LOVES to eat "junk food", giving her these candies for occassions!

I also plan to purchase more this weekend and continue our testing by offering my daughters best friend to try them as well!

My surprise from Covergirl & Olay!

This WAS my daily routine, to get ready for the day. My moistureizers, foundation, concealer and pressed powder.

 



 



Since testing for BzzAgent the Covergirl & Olay foundaion and pressed powder I have fallen in love. The foundation goes on seemingly dry at first but as a few days go by you start to notice a difference in texture. I beleive this is because to be fair, I did quit totaly, the use of all my moistureizers to get an accurate and honest feel for the product.
One day recently, I was quickly hurring through my make-up routine and grabbed my old foundation (Covergirl TruBlend) and was imediately surprised to notice a total difference in coverage on my face. My dark circles returned under my eyes, the creases and fine lines became noticeable and I QUICKLY grabbed the CoverGirl/Olay foundation to FIX my look! I barely need any concealer (use it only in the corners of my eyes) and it hides any blemishes (don't you hate those middle-aged blemishes).
I have spread the word to people I talk to and have passed out coupons, thanks to BzzAgent. I plan to do my bi-weekly shopping tomorrow (Friday) and will stop at my local CVS where they have CoverGirl on sale b1g1 50% off! I also plan to offer up coupons and speak to any customers I see in the make-up asile!

BzzAgent Irony -Free sample of Unreal

Well, the second BzzAgent item I am to test/sample is the new Unreal candy which anyone can now sample by going to your Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CVS/app_243024652485836

You will receive a coupon for a free sample of one Unreal candy of your own. I'm sure it's a limited time offer, so you have to hurry

Bzz #1 campaign RECEIVED & ready to start!

Well, after a very long and arduous day I was happily surprised to find I had finally received my very first BzzAgent campaign... My Cover Girl/Olay foundation and pressed powder came in the mail and I am so excited (though you wouldn't know it from the bags under my eyes and the ache in my body) to start my "grand tour" on the product! Day number one comes on the same day as my husbands family reunion picnic here, where many will travel to meet. I not only hope to see some results to take the tired look from my over worked 42 year old face, but to hopefully have family say "hey, did you do something different"? I will also be sure to bring my fliers with coupons to offer to any who are interested as well!

<img src="https://img.bzzagent.com/image/covergirlOlay.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=1058041311&Campaign=3550050590&Uid=1339996&token=315951fc1716a076c46daa696d12e796" alt=""/>

Still waiting for my 1st campaign to arrive :0(

Well, I'm still waiting for my first campaign from Cover girl and Olay to get here.... Don't know what is the problem as of yet. I am concerned that there are only 35 more days left to use the product and hope to see some results for Cover girl!!!! Not sure what to do yet. I did email Bzzagents.

OH yea! campaign for candy!

<img src="https://img.bzzagent.com/image/unrealCandy.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=6106959830&Campaign=1567983861&Uid=1339996&token=21791c8ce538f4e07b5ec2da7a196ed8" alt=""/>

Campaign no 2 for me and I'm VERY EXCITED! Why?! Well, I get to test candy.... Every girls fav (even if it's only 1x a month)......

I've personally never heard of this particular candy or brand so it should be very very impartial I think. And besides, my family will love it as well! Hope it comes quickly....

Check out this co for yourself: http://getunreal.com/

Well, I last found out that I was officially a bzzagent with a great campaign on Monday the 29th of July... Here it is Thursday August 1st and I am still waiting on my campaign kit to arrive. Wonder just how long this takes........ It is my very first and I am feeling blessed. After seeing the post on their fb site and reading some comments from people passed by on this campaign I am wondering how people are selected. I seen that some have had many campaigns with Cover Girl and did not get selected again this time. WOW! Yea, I'm feeling like I just won $5.00 on a scratch n win ticket or something... Also curious if while you are doing one campaign you are limited to only that campaign or can you be selected to do two or more at once. That would be a nice lotto to win! lol

Yea! Finally doing a Bzzagent Campaign!

My first campaign and it's with something I am REALLY excited about!


<img src="https://img.bzzagent.com/image/covergirlOlay.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=1058041311&Campaign=3550050590&Uid=1339996&token=315951fc1716a076c46daa696d12e796" alt=""/>

I can't wait to try this item. I have seen their line of Olay items prior at my local CVS and always wanted to try it. I currently use CG Smoothers for a moisturizer first, then Avon Anew eye cream, followed by Cover Girl Tru Blend foundation #440 followed by Cover Girl's Tru Blend Pressed Powder Daily! I really like make up itself; playing with new looks and such. I beleive my best feature (face) is my eyes. I have skin problems I developed in my 20's with redness prevailing daily. Example, I applied my usual make up at 7:30 AM and now my redness is showing through. I hate reapplying (mostly because I tend to break out) and many times I just don't; though I love to look good (not only for my wonderful husband but I do like people to do a double take in a good way).
What kind of challenge can I face with this:
Will it make me break out?
Will it show fine lines?
Will the application show the redness through the day?
Will I fall in love with this product?
I hate my picture taken.... Can I do it?!?

Birthday Freebees!

I like free.... I have to admit. Free is always the best price, I say. Though in North Eastern Ohio it is extremely rare/difficult to acheive. We don't have the stores like Kroger and such to accomplish what these extreme couponers on TV do and the Super K here is not that great for those savings as well. I alwyas gauge my savigns on coupon oppertunities if they save me 60% or more! I also have some rebates I am waiting on as well, and will be getting one for alchol for our cook out, soon.

So back to my freebees.... I got a free burger from Ruby Tuesday and a free Entree from Bravo (I also have a gift card from Bravo to use)....

Maybe we just may be going out to eat soon... Who knows....

One hot day.... And I don't want to eat!

The 1st Birthday event goes on! I am in the last stages of purchasing for Emily's party/cook out. I am now worried, after seeing the family's last event pictures from in Youngstown. I am noticing how well off much of the family is compared to myself and I am worried (to myself) that I will not be able to compare to everyone. I am not making this a competition or challenge in any way, nor do I care that I am not as affluent as they are. I know where I am in my life is 100x better than where I was 7 years ago! Not forgetting that I have found the happiness in my life now. I only think to myself when they see my home, they don't see it for the happiness it has with in. Happiness is not found with in what money can produce.

So I have to purchase hay bales yet, a couple grocery items and I still have to order Emily's cake. I am now thinking since I am making cup cake ice-cream cones I can/will order a smaller birthday cake; not only saving money but making more sense.

Today, in the heat that this day produced my mother in law, both my daughters, Anna and myself trekked to our favorite salvage stores to stock up for the party and our homes. I got some fantastic deals and even managed to hit a couple garage sales as well.

Now I am scrambling to make some sort of dinner (at 7:00 PM) which I really have no hunger for. So dang difficult when you are not hungry! Making some sort of concoction with chicken, because that is the only thing I have thawed...


And the baby cries.....

Gettin' started with party plans

Well today is a hot day. Just sent the baby off with daddy for a bit so I could get my bbq meatballs into the oven and get the grill started for cheesy hotdogs made with Ball Park angus bun legnth hotdogs. Going to make some noodle roni also because I can.

Yesterday I checked my buzzagent site and I finally got a survey for chewing gum; something we here are pretty profeciant on! I buy most of my gum in bulk at Sams club, not to how often my children and my husband purchase all kinds of gum. I'm VERY excited and I am keeping my fingers crossed I am choosen to do a campaign.

On the other "store front", we are working hard to get ready for the babys first bithday party & family gathering! Cleaned out the pole barn for now and got a jump on my shopping list & MY menu. The only thing I still have to do reasearch on is a cake and pricing. I just don't want to spend a fortune but I do want something cute (NOT from Giant Eagle).

So my big plans? Well, I realize a one year old could care less and this is why I am doing all of this as cheaply as possible! The theme for the party is "barn-yard bash" in keeping with her theme in her room. I have been purchasing many items from garage sales here and there. Not to mention the foods I have goten from the salvage stores the last month or so.  I still have to find hankercheifs (you'd think that one would be easy) and I have to purchase hay bales. I have much of the decorations made (instructions on my pintrest under "party ideas").

What's on the menu? Well, right now it looks like we will be bringing out the big smoker and slow cooking pork roasts for pulled pork. I also am making a cold creamy italian salad, cow pies, pizza dip, bacon ranch pasta, Beans deluxe, brown sugar smokies, cake cones, Venison ranch burgers, peanut butter hay stacks and maybe more! Yes, I will do it all myself as usual..... I did it for my own wedding!!!! lol I asked my mother in law to make her famous potato salad (its by far the best ever and the only one I like to eat).

Wow?! lol

groceries on $100 a week

A stay at home mother of 3 children and 3 boxers I have had to really tighten our grocery budgets. Thanks to my mother in law and her sister, I am hooked on finding the fantastic deals at our Amish salvage stores. Every 2 weeks I take any left over budget and shop to get scratch, dent and discontinued products that our Amish are able to purchase and resell for VERY cheap. I bring home $300 plus of groceries, health and beauty, tax and general merchandise for under $80!!! I am educated in my pricing to know that I CAN sometimes get products else where (other than these salvage stores) for less as well. For example: some grocery stores carry Pampers and Huggies (as we know, very exspensive). The salvage stores resell these items for around 15+ which is good. However, I know I can get a case of diapers (parents choice) at Walmart for less than this!

Same with dryer sheets, Salvage stores may sell that snuggle dryer sheets for $1.99 (again, a great price) but I can get an off brand at Dollar tree for only $1.00. **mind you, I can reuse these dryer sheets after soaking them in softner in a mason jar, for one more use!

I know I have said it before, but as an educated consumer and a former grocery retail manger I know all the tricks of the trade. This is exactly why the rediculous Walmart commercials really irratate me! I realize that there ARE persons out there who beleive anything that they see and would fall for their price compare (against Giant Eagle) commercials are fact. What they won't show you is that here in NE Ohio, Giant Eagle Doubles coupons up to .99! Add this to their sales with their Giant Eagle Advantage card and you CAN save more than what Walmart can/will match. Given the knowledge that what you spend will also go toward earning money off your fuel at the Giant Eagle Get-Go gas stations! When you use your "fuel perks" and get that price of fuel to go down on a fuel up (and in some cases a totaly free tank of gas), you earn "food-perks" which is a percentage off your total grocery bill the next time you grocery shop.

Now I realize, this doesn't always work. You DO have to really pay attention to prices, dollars off and more. I personally only purchase non-necessity foods etc at Giant Eagle if I can save 60% or higher!

Here in NE Ohio, there is literally no way to honestly save money and be one of those persons you see on that "Extreme couponing" show on TLC.... But to feed a family of 5 persons and 3 dogs on $100 a week, I think I do pretty dang great!

Another Baking frenzy...

Strawberry bread.... This made me actually like fruit!

Beer-spice cake.... This is by far my most favorite recipie for cake, EVER! Yum!

Bzz.... Pork Homemade

Yes, this is bean soup with sausage (pork)! It was fantastic.... This is my own spin on a recipie.... Couldn't get enough and can't wait to make it again

www.bzzagent.com

Ok, so today I tried once again to figure out this bzzagent campaign thing. Not sure how to "join" a campaign but I do know what I AM BEST FOR! Considering how much I cook and with professional technique (passed down from my mother- a published chef); I know I am perfect to do a campaign called: Pork^® Be Inspired^®! I absolutely love all kinds of pork (considering that we are trying to create a pig pen in our back yard to have our own piggies). I faithfully have my freezer stocked with thick sliced applewood smoked bacon, good salty ham for all kinds of recipies and we all enjoy pork chops in every fashion! Did I mention Cracklins?! lol!!!
Well, I am also an accomplished couponer and bargain shopper if I do say so myself! How else can I feed, diaper and care for 3 children, 3 dogs and a wonderful husband on only $100 a week?! That's all