DISCLOSURE: I received free samples from Crowdtap for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

I turn 40 next year, which is such a scary thought! And while I'm fortunate to look younger than I am, I know that it won't last forever. The past few years, I've added more products to my daily skincare routine to try and delay any signs of aging.

I recently had the chance to try the Youth FX system from Revlon. It consists of a primer for your forehead, a primer for your face and neck, a concealer and a foundation.

DISCLOSURE: I received free samples from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

My eye makeup routine is pretty simple. I put concealer under my eyes. I put some eye shadow on. I tightline my top lid and then put a little mascara on. I never really do anything with my brows, other than brush through them and get them threaded every couple weeks.

DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Crowdtap to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

I tan pretty well. If I spend enough time outside during the summer, I get pretty dark. This was me last summer, hanging out with my buddies, Wilbur and Orville Wright. That was after spending two weeks at the beach.

Tan and chilling with my homies

So, I've never even considered trying a self-tanner before. Yes, I'm more pale in the cooler months, but I actually prefer that over being too tan. Recently, I was sent a sample of Almay Healthy Glow Makeup + Gradual Self Tan. It combines a medium coverage makeup with a gradual self tanner.

DISCLOSURE: I received free samples from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I recently had the chance to try some products from the latest line of hair care products from Garnier. Whole Blends combines a signature blend of select natural ingredients with unique fragrances to restore the health and beauty of hair. The formulas are paraben-free and the bottles are recyclable. The ingredients used are purchased fairly and sustainably to support local farmers & communities. Garnier Whole Blends is available in six varieties:

• Honey Treasures Repairing Shampoo/Conditioner - Strengthens and heals damage
• Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter Smoothing Shampoo/Conditioner - Tames and controls frizzy hair
• Coconut Water & Vanilla Milk Hydrating Shampoo/Conditioner - Quenches and softens
• Green Apple & Green Tea Refreshing Shampoo/Conditioner - Revitalizes and boosts shine
• Avocado Oil & Shea Butter Nourishing Shampoo/Conditioner - Deeply replenishes and restores
• Argan Oil & Cranberry Color Care Shampoo/Conditioner - Protects color and reveals radiance

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample of Reynolds Cookie Baking Sheets from Crowdtap to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

The kids were off from school the other day because of snow and they were getting bored. I thought it would be fun if we baked some cookies.

I had pinned a recipe from the Reynolds website for White Chocolate Red Velvet Cookies, after receiving an email from them, sometime before Valentine's Day. But, because I didn't have all the ingredients on hand, the kids and I decided we would try the Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

DISCLOSURE: I received free samples from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

As I've gotten older, I've been seeing more changes in my skin. It's a little more dull. My face doesn't seem as full and my skin's texture has gotten more rough. So, I've been using more and more skincare products to help combat those signs of aging.


But, I also don't like having to use so many things! I'm always on the look out for products that multi-task. So, I was pretty excited when I got the chance to try out Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

In the colder months, my skin gets so dry. My arms, my legs and especially, my face. I often have to switch moisturizers because my regular moisturizer doesn't do enough to keep my skin hydrated.

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to try out Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream. It's made for extra dry skin. It instantly hydrates skin, keeping it looking smooth, supple and hydrated day after day. It absorbs quickly, like a gel, but has the long-lasting intense, moisturizing power of a cream. It's oil-free, dye-free, fragrance-free, and contains purified hyaluronic acid.

DISCLOSURE: I received Playskool Friends My Little Pony toys for free from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

It's funny. I remember watching My Little Pony cartoons and playing with My Little Pony dolls when I was little. And now, my daughter does, too! Granted, I think the newer My Little Pony characters are cooler than the ones I watched growing up.

A few weeks ago, I received some of the new Playskool Friends My Little Pony toys to try out. My daughter was so excited when the package came. She kept asking me to open her pony toys.

DISCLOSURE: I received free samples from Crowdtap to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

Recently, I had the chance to share some new products from Garnier Skincare with my friends and family, thanks to Crowdtap. I received the party package right before Christmas, so I thought it would be fun to bring it along to my sister's Christmas Eve party.

The party package included samples of Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water (regular and waterproof) and Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Brightening & Smoothing Daily Moisturizer.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I'm not always able to brush my teeth or rinse with mouthwash when I'm away from home. So, I often carry gum and mints with me to help freshen my breath during the day. I keep them in my purse, in the car and in my drawer at work.

A week ago or so, I got the chance to try Listerine PocketPaks Breath Strips. I've actually used them before, years ago. But, it's probably been at least five years since the last time I tried them.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Cold and flu season is here. We've already had a couple colds in our house and my oldest daughter has had a cough for a couple weeks now. She doesn't usually like to take medicine because of how bad a lot of cough medicines taste. But, after struggling with her cough for 2 weeks now, she needed something to help her get through the day.

In the past, I've had coughs that hung on for weeks. Short of going in to the doctor for prescription strength medication, the only thing that really gave me relief was Robitussin. We recently had the chance to try out a new product from Robitussin: Maximum Strength Severe Multi-Symptom Cough Cold + Flu.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

My kids don't really watch Sesame Street, but they love Elmo! We recently got the chance to try out the new Play All Day Elmo from Playskool!


Play All Day Elmo features eight games and activities and over 150 different responses. It grows with your child and has two modes of play: Toddler and Preschool. In Toddler Mode, kids can interact with Elmo in basic cause-and-effect play. You can tickle Elmo's tummy, clap his hands together and squeeze his nose. With special sensors built in, he can tell when you throw Elmo in the air or jump up and down while holding him or even when you kiss him on the face!

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

As I've gotten older, I've started paying more attention to my skincare routine. The way I did things in my 20's doesn't work as well, now that I'm in my 30's. I've started using different toners, creams, serums and masks to try and reduce and/or prevent any signs of aging.

Recently, I had the chance to try out Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30. I've used Aveeno products for my body and hair, but haven't really tried any products for my face before.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Ever since I had to get a crown on a tooth a few years ago, I've made a conscious effort to be better at flossing. Before it was only something I did when I could feel food in between my teeth or if I had a dentist appointment coming up. Now, I try and floss at least once a day.

I do have a favorite brand of floss that I use. I find that it does a good job at getting food out from in between my teeth and it leaves my mouth feeling clean and fresh. (If you want to know which one it is, leave me a comment!)

But, I recently had the chance to try a different brand. Reach Floss is now Listerine Floss! I was sent Listerine UltraClean Mint Floss to try.

Listerine UltraClean Mint Floss

• uses shred-resistant technology to stretch, flex, and glide for an ultimate clean
• has MICRO-GROOVES technology that removes 2x more plaque than Glide Mint Floss

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I don't buy blush very often. It's hard enough finding one that's the right shade for me. Once I find one that I like, I tend to stick with it and always buy the same thing.

Thanks to Crowdtap, I had the chance to try a new blush: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blush. I've never used any blushes by Neutrogena before, so I was interested to see how it would look on me.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blush is enriched with Vitamin C and botanical conditioners and is designed to blend evenly to instantly enhance skin's healthy glow. The blush uses powder technology that incorporates advanced gel systems for easy application and soft feel. It comes in five shades and can be used alone or blended together:

• Rosy - Soft Pink Blush
• Vibrant - Pink Blush
• Flushed - Pinkish-Red Blush
• Bronzed - Bronzer
• Luminous - Illuminating Powder

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I always have a hard time finding the right shade of blush. Either the blush I buy is too light and doesn't show up or it's too bright and looks clownish!

Recently, I had the chance to try Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Sheer Highlighting Blush. They are designed to give sheer, illuminating color and to help enhance skin's natural, healthy appearance. It's enriched with Vitamin C and botanical conditioners. Its powder technology incorporates advanced gel systems for easy application and soft feel.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends is available in three shades:

• Clean - Translucent powder designed to control oil and shine
• Pure - Blush designed to provide illuminating healthy color
• Sunkissed - Bronzer designed to give a natural bronzing radiance

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

When I wash my face, I normally use a gel or foaming cleanser in the morning and a facial wipe at night. I've never used a cleansing oil before. I didn't really understand how it would work. Why would I be using an oil to wash my face when a lot of times, my face is already oily?!

I was recently sent a bottle of Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil to try. I was a little skeptical, but wanted to give it a go.

Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil is a lightweight cleanser made from a blend of natural oils. Because most makeup, dirt and sunscreens are oil-based, the cleansing oil works like a magnet to pull these impurities from the face. It rinses completely clean and leaves skin feeling clean, soft and moisturized.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample of Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Face Stick from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

My kids love being outside. They love going to the pool, to the beach and just playing with their bikes and scooters. With them spending so much time outside, I make sure they're protected from the sun. Luckily, they've inherited my skin and tan before they burn. But, I still like to use at least SPF 30 sunscreen on them before they go outside.

I recently had the chance to try out Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Face Stick Sunscreen. Usually, I use a generic store brand face stick or lotion sunscreen on my kids' faces. On myself, I just use a facial moisturizer than has SPF protection built in.

Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Face Stick contains 100% naturally sourced sunscreen ingredients and is SPF 50. It's formulated with ACTIVE NATURALS Colloidal Oatmeal and mineral ingredients (Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide) to help provide a protective barrier on top of the skin for superior sun protection. It can be used on sensitive skin, oil-free, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, sweat and water resistant for 80 minutes.

DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Crowdtap in order to throw a Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Star Wars-Themed Party. All opinions are my own.

My two boys are Star Wars fans. So, they were pretty excited when I told them we were picked to host a Star Wars-Themed Kraft Macaroni & Cheese  Party! They love mac and cheese!

We received a fun kit that included:

• 5 boxes of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Star Wars Shapes
• Star Wars themed tablecloth
• Star Wars plates, cups and napkins
• Star Wars tote bag
• Coupons
• $10 VISA gift card

Party kit from Crowdtap (toys not included!)

DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I have pretty dry and sensitive skin. In the winter, it gets so bad that my skin gets irritated and inflamed if I don't keep it moisturized. So, I'm always on the look out for products that will help me take care of my skin.

As a member of Crowdtap, I had the chance to try two products from Aveeno Skincare:

• Aveeno Sheer Hydration Daily Moisturizing Lotion
• Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 30