Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookies = yum!

Recently I was able to try out the new Oatmeal Raisin Soft Baked Cookie from Quaker, complimentary, thanks to Influenster! I have tried other yummy treats from Quaker, including breakfast bars (banana warmed up slightly = heaven!) but did not know that they made COOKIES, too! So I was incredibly excited to try it out. I am not a huge fan of oatmeal raisin, but these cookies literally melted in my mouth. So good, I may have to start eating more oatmeal LOL!. The cookie was sweet, but not overpowering. Great snack, will definitely try again! I even gave a small piece to Keira and Elise and they both asked for more!

Cuteness Overload!

It's been awhile since I have posted an update on the girls, and luckily Em took some beautiful pics for us this weekend to show off! As of March 29th, Keira is now 3 years old and Elise is almost 16 months! Keira is learning to spell and quite the little smarty, and Ellie is walking like a pro, talking more and more, and so incredibly cute! Especially with her sideways, toothy smile :)

imPRESS Press-on Manicure

How cute are these imPRESS nails?! I love to try new nail products, mainly because mine are horrid and I need to hide them :P Plus, I bite my nails and putting pretty things on them helps to curb my addiction. So, press-on nails in general sounded a bit 80s to me, mainly because it has been awhile since I have tried any that did not require glue since then (by the way, the packaging on these is very cool, another way it pushes its way out of the 80s LOL). I was hopeful that over the years the product had improved. And they definitely have, but alas, they still had issues :( My nails are quite broad and ugly, and I think these are sometimes made for those who already have pretty nails. After a bit of back and forth, I did find enough out of the set to fit, mostly anyway. Some of my natural nail still showed but I have to admit, these are definitely the closest to natural I have ever used for press-ons. I love the shape and length - perfect for a mom of two who can't handle much more than that :) The pattern was a bit wild, but actually super cute on much to my surprise. My main issue/problem was that they fell off not more than a few hours later :( I am not sure if it is due to the shape of my nails or the quality of the product, but I was bummed. I think if they had stayed like they are advertised I would actually buy more. I might try them again anyway, just in case it was the application I did that caused them to come off. Till then, I'd give this product a B minus :)

*Note: I received a complimentary sample of this product from the Influenster Holiday Voxbox program.

NYC New York Color

I have to apologize because this is a complete RAVE review, I could pretty much gush about NYC Liquid Lipshine. First off, it's cheap, which is always good in my book :) But really, it should cost more. This lipgloss actually stays on (even though my instincts tell me to reapply based on all the others I have used), it smells wonderful - like a warm sugar cookie, and the color is perfect. The shade I tried is called Nude York City(582), it is a pale shimmery nude shade that gives my lips the perfect "pop". The applicator is easy and soft and so are my lips!
Another funny - I went to grab it out of my purse to apply and almost freaked when I couldn't find it. Sad, but that is really how much I love this gloss. I can't wait to try more shades!

*Note: I received this product complimentary through the Influenster Holiday Voxbox program.

Holiday Voxbox!

Recently, I was able to sign up and receive some samples to try and review from Influenster.com. So far this is a great program & I am having fun unlocking "badges"! The posts to come will highlight a few of the products they sent, so if you have any questions I welcome them!

Walmart Double Deals!

Yay! The Bemidji Walmart has decided to double coupons when Kmart does! This is pretty awesome for savings (especially since they will double up to $1 coupons whereas Kmart only goes to $.99), but so much easier to do at Kmart. Kmart's registers do the doubling automatically. Walmart not so much. The cashier didn't know WTH I was talking about when I said they were doubling, but called a manager who came over and verified that I was correct and showed him how it is done. First you have to hand over coupons individually with each item, can't just scan them all at the end like normal. Before the cashier scans the item, he has to look to see what the coupon amt is, hit the price override button, scan the item and then input the price minus the coupon, then scan the coupon, ending in doubles. It seriously took forever, but I did leave with BAGS of groceries and some pretty awesome deals :)

My deals (IP = Internet Printable, MQ = Manufacturer Coupon)
Del Monte whole fresh pineapple: $2.98 - (.50 IP) = $1.98
Rhodes Rolls: $2.28 - (1.00 IP) = $.28
(2) Toaster Struedels: $2.37 x 2 - ($1/2 IP) = $1.27 ea
Pillsbury Breakfast sandwiches: $2.50 - ($1.00 IP) = $.50
Pillsbury Breakfast skillet: $2.50 - ($1.00 IP) = $.50
(2)Steamfresh veggies: $1.78 - ($.50 MQ) = $.87 ea
(2)Softpretzel boxes: $2.33 - ($1.00 IP) = $.33 ea
(4)Totinos Pizzas: $1.25 x 4 - ($1/4 IP) = $.75 ea
Ovaltine: $3.48 - ($1.00 MQ) = $1.48
Vlasic Baby Gherkins: $2.28 - ($.75 MQ) = $.78
Tobasco Buffalo Sauce: $2.43 - ($.75 MQ) = $.93
French's Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce: $1.97 - ($.75 MQ) = $.47
Hidden Valley Salad Mix: $2.50 - ($1 MQ) = $.50
(2) KCMasterpiece BBQ Sauce: $1.42 - ($.50 MQ) = $.42 ea
(2) Hungry Jack Potato mix: $.98 x 2 - ($1/2 MQ) = +.03
eggs = $1.04 (no coupon, needed eggs though :)
(2)Dole Real Fruit Bites: $2.98 - ($1 MQ) = $.98 ea
Hormel fresh Pork: $4.50 - ($1 MQ) = $2.50
(2) Hormel Compleats: $1.68 - ($1 MQ) = +$.32 ea
(2) Mrs. Dash: $2.64 - ($1 IP) = $.64 ea
Int'l Delight Creamer: $1.81 - ($.55 IP) = $.71
Country Crock: $2.18 - ($.75 MQ) = $.68
(2) Crescent Rolls: $1.98 x 2 - ($1/2 IP) = $.98 ea
Trop50 OJ: $2.98 - ($1.00 IP) = $.98
Welch's Grape Juice: $2.00 - ($.75 IP) = $.50
Langers Pineapple Juice: $2.68 - ($1.00 MQ) = $.68
(2) Sierra Mist 2L: $1.38 x 2 - ($1/2 IP) = $.38 ea
(2) Finish Quantum dish tabs: $2.97 - ($1.00 IP) = $.97 ea
Krunchers Kettle Chips: $2.68 - ($1.00 MQ) = $.68
Windex Wipes: $2.87 - ($1.00 MQ) = $.87
Jet Dry: $2.51 - ($.75 MQ) = $1.01
(2)Glade Decor Scents: $2.98 - ($1.00 MQ) = $.98 ea
Gerber Little Entrees: $2.00 - ($1.00 IP) = 0.00
(4)Beechnut baby food: .68 x 4 - ($1/4 IP) = $.18 ea
Gas X: $3.33 - ($1.00 IP) = $1.33
(4) Schick 12 ct razors: $1.97 - ($6/2 IP x 2) = +$4.03

Total was $31.34 plus tax, saved around $90! I love that you can get overage on coupons at Walmart (the ones in the list that have +) - every little bit helps :)

Even though the checkout took forever, they were really nice about it and it was definitely worth it. I could have gotten way more, too, but I was definitely past my normal 8:30 bedtime :P Happy shopping!

2011-10-02

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