Star Looks review and promotion information

Mother's Day is drawing near. Less than 2 weeks left to find that perfect gift. I found a great cosmetics gift idea. The StarLooks beauty box.

It's a monthly subscription box that will mail a box of cosmetic goodies for her to try out before purchasing items from online.

Each box contains 3-4 full sized products and you only pay a flat rate of $15 per month.

You can get 1 subscriptions for yourself or for someone else as a gift. StarLooks sent me the April Star Box to try out. April was a "Neutral" theme with products for all skin tones, retailing $50. It contained Tendergloss Lipstick (retail $11), "Mint" SPF Lip Balm (retail $5), "Translucent/Nude" Mineralized Powder (retail $19), and Sensation Mascara Primer (retail $15).
The mineralized powder was great! It matched my skin and looked natural unlike most foundations that can look caked on. It didn't cause any itchy feelings or irritate my face either. Really does great at keeping that "shiny" look your face gets when it's oily, away. It wasn't a powdery feeling like my old foundation. My nose wasn't twitching all day (like it normally does). This was my absolute favorite!

The mascara primer is a bit odd for me. It is supposed to protect and moisturize your lashes. I wasn't really into that. I had little pieces of white in my lashes at first. It did, however, make a difference in my lashes. They looked fuller.

The Lip Balm, I like. It has SPF in it. Living in sunny Florida we need the extra protection. It is really smooth and feels refreshing on my lips. I love the smell also.
The Tendergloss Lipstick gives your lips a fuller, glossy look. This is amazing! Makes my lips feel moisturized but doesn't have that sticky feeling that you get with most glosses and lipsticks.
I decided to show you a full look, so below is a glimpse of what these fine products have to offer!

So what else is there to know about StarLooks? Let's say you do buy a month subscription box. Perhaps there is something that you fall in love with. You can then go online to see all their products and make a purchase based on what you have tried and know for sure you love! Just that easy. Star Looks products are cruelty free. They do not test their products on animals. They are also lead and emollient free. Why else should you be interested in their products?

• FREE shipping on all Domestic orders under 10 pounds!
• Starlooks has a generous Points Program: 1 point for every dollar you spend in their online store.
• They have a large selection of pro-quality make-up to choose from.

And here's another reason, they have a Special Offer going on if you refer your friends - you can get up to 3 months of free shipping. Refer a friend and have them use the phrase "give it back to" with your name in there on the referral section on the checkout page. Then you get a refund for 1 months shipping up to 3 new subscribers! So let's say you guys decide to buy based on reading my review... When you get to the checkout, find the referral box, enter "give back to Emily Vinyard". Then when you get friends who start asking how you look so amazing, refer them and have them do the same for you! Make the world a little more beautiful with a lot more happy women ;-)

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think! Also happy Mother's Day shopping!

it Factor hair products review

I have naturally thick, coarse hair. And frequently I like to grow it out to a point that I have enough to cut it and donate to Locks of Love. In the meantime, however, I have to deal with a rough horses mane for hair. It's unruly, plain, and not as soft as I'd like.

Before....

At least until now. I was given the chance to try out some it Factor™ products that have had me saying Wow! for the past couple days now.

Shampoo, Conditioner, and Smoothing Lotion - all with the Quick Blowdry formula and VaporBoost System™. One washing and a couple dabs of the smoothing lotion had me ready for a night with the girls! I let my hair air dry since blow dryers can be so damaging and take so long with the amount of layers I have to go through. it Factor™ has a quick drying formula that enables your hair to dry faster. It also keeps your hair smooth and soft. I've always wanted hair like the commercials and this is the closest I've come yet!

After!

I also love how it doesn't have all those unhealthy added chemicals such as: sulfates, parabens, or sodium chloride. I was able to wear it down all night and not once be tempted to pull it into a pony tail which has had me breaking at the top.

The scent is really light. It's not like the name brands that are overwhelming but don't last. I think this is great also for those like my mom who have allergies to string scents. I can't even spray much perfume on when I go to visit or she starts sneezing like crazy. Have a lighter scent in my hair means I don't have to forfeit a hug to save her nose! The Shampoo leaves your hair clean and shiny. The Conditioner gives it the soft, bouncy, smooth and shiny effect. And the Smoothing Lotion also helps keep your hair smooth and shiny while helping to keep your hair detangled and frizz-free.

All three products are safe for colored and chemically straightened hair. Overall, I'm absolutely thrilled with them. I was a Dove™ only user, but this has changed my tune. Compared to it Factor™, Dove™ seems dull. Check them out and let me know what you think about them! They have products for coarse and fine hair. You can purchase them online here.

Mediterranean Snacks contest open to everyone!

I wrote a post about a delicious and healthy snack  company. that my whole family enjoyed - http://foreveranerdmom.blogspot.com/2012/11/mediterranean-snacks-review-and-giveaway.html. Now I'm here to tell you about a promotion they are holding that could win you over $300 in prizes! They have a contest going on which you can read the guide lines on here. Grab a back of Mediterranean Snacks, snap a picture of you with them then post it to any of their many social media outlets! You will be entered to win automatically. Each place you post on earns you another entry!
The contest lasts from now until December 20th of this year.
Guide Lines are as follows:
Rules and Guidelines:
Our Snack & Snap Sweepstakes starts now until December 20, 2013 with three (3) lucky winners selected at random.
First winner will be announced on: June 3, 2013, second winner on September 3, 2013, and third winner on December 20, 2013!
What MUST be included in your post:

• 1. Use hashtag: #LiveSnactive™
• 2. Name the store (or event) and location (city,state) of where you purchased/received our snacks.
• 3. Be sure to TAG us in your posts! NOTE: In order for us to see your post, you must be connected to us on the social platforms and the tag is active.

Good luck to everyone! Let me know if you post or even if you win!

Bad Parenting meets the Retail Team

I get a call asking for my assistance and make my way to where I’m needed. A coworker is there with two young girls looking for their mother. Just as I arrive the mother is claiming her children. “See what happens when you wander off?” - is all she had to say. No - thanks for finding my daughters! No – oh I was so worried about you two!

So I asked what the story was and how they came to be with my coworkers. While one of the women was straightening aisles, the two girls came by alone and looking scared. The worker asked if she could help them find something. They told her they had lost their mom and were trying to find her. When the worker offered to have their mom paged on the intercom system, they were immediately terrified and begged her not to do that. “I remember what happened the last time I did that. I was in so much trouble! Please don’t do that.” What the?! Excuse me?? They began crying at this point so the employee told them she would just walk with them and try to help them find their mom and when they found her, she would walk away so the girls wouldn’t be in any trouble. And that’s what they did. What kind of mother punishes her kids so horribly that they are afraid to call her if they get separated or to ask for help? Suppose someone in the store colors who wasn’t an employee found them and tricked them into coming outside? Suppose mom didn’t come around the corner just a few minutes later and get them? NEVER should a parent make their kids scared to ask for help, especially in a large retail store! If you are embarrassed to have your name paged, don’t bring your kids with you. OR pay more attention. I’m willing to bet, she was the one who kept walking when the girls had stopped to look at something and didn’t realize mom wasn’t there. I also wouldn’t be surprised if she punished them when they got home. Like they say… Any idiot can be a mom. But it takes a lot of love, patience, and understanding to be a Mother. You Madam, are not worthy of being a Mother.

Ridiculous Ramblings in Retail part 4: Are You Security?

So, you know I work in retail. I’m a security guard in retail. I wear a Navy blue uniform with a badge and name tag, carry a mini Mag Lite and even a pair of real handcuffs. Most days I can stand for hours in the front and basically people watch. You strike me as suspicious or look like our “regulars” I might even follow you through the store.
This is what I really look like at work. Remember this for later:

One nice day, I’m trapped inside watching everyone coming and going. This guy had just finished buying his stuff and walks towards me as he heads out the door.

A puzzled look crosses his face. “Are you security?” (Remember the picture above??)

In my head I’m saying, “No, I just randomly dress like security and waste nice days inside.”

“Yes, sir, I am,” I reply with my plastered on smile.

“Well, you are the cutest security guard I have ever seen,” he says with a wink.

What?! Cute?? I’m going for intimidating!!! Security guards aren’t meant to be cute. Okay maybe the really hot guys with guns are classifiable as cute, but not the skinny chick wearing hand me downs from the previous guy guards.

“Why, thank you, sir.” I have to be nice after all. Its retail, dont'cha know!

About five minutes later, another guy walks in.  This one is older, wearing a black shirt that says CATS (yes, as in the play) across the front and has eyes in the back. He stumbles my way and gets just a little closer than I’d like. “Are you security?” Alcohol breath flows hot and heavy into my face.

I’m strongly tempted to reply with a sarcastic, “Nope. I’m just playing dress up as a security guard today. Tomorrow I’ll be a princess with a purple pony.”

“Yes, sir. I’m security. Can I help you with something?”

“Well, if I ever get arrested, I hope you’re the one arresting me!”

*Insert metal head slap here* This is probably what he thinks he sees:

“Where’s the pharmacy at?”

I point and give directions. He leans too close and looks at where my finger is pointing.

A few minutes go by and he comes back by. I get a call warning me about a drunk who just bought cough syrup wearing a CATS shirt. Good times people. Now if they will just let me come to work looking like this....

Ridiculous Ramblings in Retail part 3: The Missing Car Dilemma

I'm all for elderly having their independence and keeping their rights to live like they want. Just not when they can't remember something as simple as what they drove to the store in....
It's a nice afternoon. I'm standing at the front watching people as they come in and go out. It had been relatively peaceful that day.
The cart attendant comes up and asks if I was going to help "that lady". *Insert confused face here.*
"What lady?"
"That one". He points to the side door where two women are standing practically blocking the entrance.
"Which one? There are two. And why does she need my help?"
"I walked the whole parking lot with her because she lost her car."

Lost her car? I'm doing a mental forehead slap here as I walk over to this lady. She's got a cart full of merchandise that she just bought. She's blocking the entrance, talking to this other woman that's on the phone.
"Can I help you with anything?"
"Oh, yes! I can't find my car. I'm certain I parked it right here in front of the doors. And now it's not there!"
The other lady asks if she's sure it was the black car.
"Yes! I only have a little black car. I don't have another." The lady insists there's only one car.
"What about the green Miata? The dark green one?"

"I don't have a dark green car. It's black."
"Well, ma'am. I'd be happy to help you look for your car if you wanted me to." I mean that's my job, right? Helping people no matter how crazy they are...
"Oh that would be wonderful! Would you please?" She tries to turn and walk out the entrance doors only to find they won't open.
"Ma'am, the exit doors are this way."
We finally get outside and she keeps giving me the same description of a "little black car" that she "parked right here in front". We are standing at the side entrance though. I point to each black car I see and she keeps saying, "No, that's not it."
I'm beginning to think a cab would be a wonderful suggestion for her. We slowly go around to the front. I see a dark green Miata parked halfway down the lot to the side of the entrance. "Is that it? Oh wait, you said it was a little black car. That's a dark green Miata."
"Where?" She squints and puts her hand over her eyes even though dusk has already fallen. "Oh, my gosh! That's it! That's my car! How'd it get there? I thought for sure I parked closer to the door."
Another mental head slap.
"Thank you so much!"
Someone please take away her license before she forgets how to drive.

Keva Structures game review from MindWare Toys

I'm a home schooling mom of three. While my two boys are still preschool level, I use every opportunity I can to teach and enrich their knowledge. Children learn more from birth to five years old than they learn their entire life after. They have minds like sponges, soaking up concepts that we as adults might not understand. For my boys' learning, the best way to teach is through hands on activities. They are hyper active and don't like sitting still for long without some kind of stimulating exercises. MindWare sent me the Keva Structures game for a review.

It comes with 200 pine wood planks and a guide book with ideas for building. There is no messy glue, no connector pieces. Just wood and imagination!

I love these. Growing up, my dad had a wood shop. When he had small pieces of wood left over from a project he would let us play with them. In our minds it was more fun than any multi-gadget toys and noise makers. These planks smell like fresh pine. They are smoothly cut so as not to give little fingers splinters. They provide hours of quiet fun.

They actually used Keva planks to construct the worlds tallest Keva Structure in the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.. It was 51 feet, 8 inches tall! They used 5,123 planks and took 13 hours to build it.

Even my baby girl wanted to join the fun!

When the fun is all done, the kids get a chance to pick them up and practice their packing skills to fit everything into the box neatly. This game requires concentration and helps to refine motor skills as they design and build amazing structures.

As an added bonus, they also sent a sampler book of their MindWare Brain Teasers.

Extreme Dot-to-Dot anyone??

Highly detailed coloring pages.

And Venn Perplexors to really boggle the mind.

Everything at MindWare is based on learning and exploration. You can check out their website, Facebook or their Twitter to keep up with specials and news.