DISCLOSURE:  I received a free Secret Outlast Clear Gel antiperspirant/deodorant from Influenster.com to try and review.  All opinions are my own.

I'm not really loyal to one brand of deodorant.  For some reason, one deodorant may work well for a little bit and then one day, it just stops working for me and I have to switch over to a different brand.  So, I've tried many different brands.  But, I haven't tried Secret Outlast Clear Gel!

Normally, I buy invisible solid deodorants.  They go on smoothly and normally don't leave many white marks on my clothes or underarms.  They also dry quickly after applying.  I haven't had success with gel deodorants in the past.  They don't always dispense evenly and don't normally go on clear.  But, I was definitely willing to give this deodorant a try. 

Secret Outlast Clear Gel is supposed to go on clear and stay clear, avoiding white marks on your clothing.  Have you ever put on deodorant and then struggled to get your clothes on without getting deodorant on them?  See Jenni Pulos (from "Flipping Out" on Bravo) and her "Deo Dance" as she tries to get dressed after putting on deodorant!


The deodorant is also said to provide 48 hours of odor protection and is available in four scents: Completely Clean, Protecting Powder, Sport Fresh and Unscented.  Secret Outlast is also available in an invisible solid and smooth solid.

DISCLOSURE:  As a member of Influenster, I was chosen to receive a set of several items to try and review.  All opinions are my own.

I'm super excited to again be chosen to receive a VoxBox from Influenster!  If you're unfamiliar with Influenster, it's a community of members who are sent products to try and review.  Members share their experiences and complete Brand Challenges, for a chance to earn rewards.  The more you share, the more opportunities you have to earn rewards.

The theme of this VoxBox is "Spring Fever."  I was familiar with some of the brands featured in this VoxBox, but have never tried the products themselves.  The package contained:

• Secret Outlast Clear Gel Antiperspirant/Deodorant - I've tried other forms of Secret deodorant, just not this one.  It's supposed to leave fewer white marks on clothes and provide 48 hours of odor and wetness protection.
• NYC New York Color Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm - I've heard of this brand of makeup but have never tried any of their products.  This lip balm is supposed to deliver color, shine and moisture all in one swipe.  We'll see how well it works.  I have super dry lips!
• Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-On Manicure - So, I haven't used press-on nails since the old-school Lee Press-On Nails.  They were horrible.  Let's hope these are a lot better!
• Schwarzkopf Professional OSIS+ Dust It - I've never heard of this brand of hair products and I use a lot of salon hair products.  It's a mattifying powder that's supposed to add incredible root lift and texture -- things I normally don't look to add to my super thick hair.  We'll see if I like this.
• Tastykake Kandy Bar Kakes - I haven't had a Tastykake in FOREVER!  My Mom used to bring us the Krimpets when she came home from work.  They were so good.  Too bad the one sent in my package was the Peanut Butter flavor.  I'm allergic. I guess someone else will have to try it for me.  Maybe I'll look for the Peppermint or S'mores one in the store so I can try that.
  

I'll be trying these out and posting my reviews in the next several days.  Check back to see what I thought of them!

DISCLOSURE:  I received a free bottle of Nude by Rihanna fragrance from People StyleWatch Style Hunters to try and review.  All opinions are my own.

I usually wear perfume or some sort of fragrance pretty much everyday.  I like to smell nice, even if I don't end up leaving the house.  Thanks to being a member of the StyleWatch Style Hunters, I was able to try out a new fragrance: Nude by Rihanna.  It's the third fragrance by Rihanna.

Rihanna has been a favorite musical artist in our household for awhile.  My kids would sing "Umbrella" all the time!  So, it was going to be interesting to see what it would be like to smell like Rihanna!


I usually wear lighter fragrances.  I found Nude by Rihanna to be little stronger than what I'm used to wearing.  It's definitely a scent for those who want to be noticed!  It's a very complex fragrance, blending many layers of scents together.

The fragrance's top notes blend layers of guava nectar, mandarin and pear.  The center of the fragrance opens into a sultry softness with a blend of orange blossom, gardenia petals, and velvet jasmine sambac.  The seductive, milky gourmand base weaves together Sandalwood and Second-skin Musk, with the fresh and feminine hints of Vanilla Orchid, rounding out a fragrance that is at once daring, yet accessible.

Nude by Rihanna is available in a 1.0 oz bottle, 1.7 oz bottle and 3.4 oz bottle, a 6.7 oz body lotion and a gift set that includes a 3.4 oz Eau de Parfum Spray, .34 oz Eau de Parfum Pencil Spray, 3 oz Body Lotion and a bonus 3 oz Bath & Shower Gel.

Would you recommend it?  Maybe?  It depends on what kind of fragrances you like.  I found it to be much too strong for me.  But, if you like strong, bold scents, then you might like this one!

How much does it cost?  The 1.0 oz spray retails for about $35.00.  The 1.7 oz bottle retails for $49.00.  The 3.4 oz bottle is $59.00.  The 6 oz. body lotion is $30.00.  The gift set is $65.00.

Where can I buy it?  You can buy it from department stores and fine fragrance retailers. 

DISCLOSURE:  I received samples of Seventh Generation products from Smiley360 to try and review.  All opinions are my own.

As a whole, our family has been moving towards eating more organic and natural foods and using more natural products.  One area that we haven't made a total switch yet is with personal care products.  They tend to be expensive and sometimes not as effective as their chemical-laden counterparts.

Recently, I was given the opportunity to try out several products in the Seventh Generation line.  They included personal care and baby care items.  I was sent a kit that included samples of:

• Seventh Generation for the Wee Generation Baby Shampoo & Wash, Light, Fresh Scent
• Seventh Generation for the Wee Generation Baby Lotion, Light, Fresh Scent
• Seventh Generation Baby Natural 4x Laundry Detergent
• Seventh Generation Lavender Moisturizing Lotion
• Seventh Generation Mandarin Nourishing Body Wash
• Seventh Generation Mandarin Refreshing Facial Cleansing Cloths

I received these products when I was at the end of my last pregnancy and thought it was perfect timing!  I could use the baby products when baby arrived and I could pack away the personal care products in my hospital bag!

DISCLOSURE:  I was given a coupon for me and a friend to receive a free Old Navy Active top and bottom, as a member of the Old Navy Style Council on Crowdtap.  All opinions are my own.

I just delivered my fourth child about a week ago.  I gained about 45 pounds with this pregnancy!  What would be a better motivator to get rid of the baby weight than some cute new activewear?  Luckily, I was selected to receive a free top and bottom from Old Navy's latest Active line and I got to share this opportunity with a friend!

I chose to go with one of my sisters.  After successfully finding a podiatrist and physical therapist who were finally able to help her with the foot problems that had been plaguing her for years, she's finally been able to start running again.  She desperately needed some new active wear and was so happy when I let her know we were going to get a complete set for free from Old Navy!  She had actually participated in one of these activewear sample shares with me before, but it was in the fall.  This time, we got to choose from Old Navy's activewear line for Spring!  Here we are with our coupons before we left to go shopping:

Old Navy's line of Activewear include pieces for running, yoga as well as general workout wear.  Some items feature Old Navy's GoDRY moisture-wicking fabric.  They also have a line of compression tanks, jackets, sport bras, capris, shorts and pants.