Solstice Surrender

The winter solstice is about the time of darkness yielding over to the light; from this point on, the nights grow shorter and the days are longer. It is a time of hope and rebirth, a time for self-reflection when we determine what no longer serves us: ways of thinking that haven't allowed us to be our True Self, unhealthy habits, regrets and resentments, sadness, anger, pain, old wounds that prevent new growth, and things whose time has passed; the winter solstice is the time to release those things - to surrender them -  and prepare the ground for new seeds to grow.

One of the ways that I've heard of to do this is to write down those things which you want to surrender on tiny slips of paper and then burning them, releasing them to the darkness to make space for the light. I like this idea.

I have much in my life that I need to examine and, then, let go of tonight. There are even a few things that I thought I had already surrendered during past years' rituals only to find that they had crept back into my life when I wasn't looking. Tonight, I will once more search my heart and give over these things which serve me no more, things which block my spiritual growth and potential.  Tonight, I join with Great Mother as She goes into labor and give birth to my own Child of Light.  I will pour all of my intention, determination, and courage into bringing forth this Child of Promise, that with the coming year, the change that arises will be a blessing not only to myself but to all whose lives I enter.

Brightest Blessings to you and yours on this Winter Solstice.

Small Business Saturday

With all of the television and radio ads for Black Friday, I felt I should remind folks of the importance of shopping small and local.

Small Business Saturday is nestled in there between Black Friday and Cyber Monday as the holiday shopping season opens and it’s an opportunity to recognize that our local small businesses are the backbone of our economy.

Dedicated to helping small businesses and their communities, the concept came about 3 years ago with the help of American Express. By shopping and buying from local, independently owned small businesses, you’re helping create jobs, boost the economy and preserve local neighborhoods.

In addition to the Small Business Saturday initiative, I am a strong supporter of the 3/50 Project.  

So, while you're out shopping for gifts this holiday season, please keep in mind the fact that you can help your community a LOT more by shopping at local, small, independantly owned businesses.

Happy Holidays!! 

Influenster - What's it all About?

I absolutely LOVE being a member of Influenster.  Since joining a few months back, I've already gotten to test out a plethora of products I might not have ever tried otherwise - and have pretty much LOVED all of them! So, you're probably asking yourself, "What is Influenster?"

Well, Influenster is a FREE program where you take short surveys and earn badges on their website in order to qualify for a FREE box of samples (sometimes the samples are actually full-sized products!) to try out or share with your family and friends, then review on Influenster.com.  You can also qualify for even more FREEBIES and special deals from the brands that work with Influenster!  What’s really unique about Influenster is that it is not a paid subscription program (the boxes are sent to you at no cost), rather, it’s a community of “trendsetters” who like to try out, share, and spread the word about products. Members qualify for boxes based on demographics and statistics as well as unlocking “badges” and promoting the products you try through reviews and social media. I've already earned several badges that have qualified me for the VoxBoxes that I've already gotten and I am totally geeked out about trying to earn more!  It's such a blast to open those boxes and unpack all of the goodies inside - it feels a bit like my birthday just keeps coming over and over again! (See? I told you I was geeked out. ;) )

You're probably thinking to yourself, "There has to be some kind of catch."  Believe me, I was skeptical at first, too, but there isn't one! Influenster is completely FREE to sign up for and when you qualify, it's completely FREE to receive your very own box of the latest product samples.

Alrighty, I can tell you're interested.  I bet you're wondering, "What are the benefits of joining Influenster?" Well, here they are in a nutshell. (OK, in a blog post.  Who reads nutshells, anyway?)

• as an active, contributing member of Influenster, you get the chance to share your knowledge and experiences with other like-minded people. People actually pay attention to your reviews! That's a big deal. 
• You also get exclusive discounts on products and services based on the Expert Badges that you unlock.
• As an active member, you get the chance to be invited to join in Influenster programs where you can try the latest and coolest products that are geared to your lifestyle before anyone else. 
• Members who participate actively on Influenster and engage in programs increase their opportunities to receive rewards.

Is that not awesome? So, what are you waiting for?  I mean, who has the money to burn buying and trying all the latest new products?  If you do, more power to you! If you don't and you are the kind of person who loves to share your opinion, then why not visit Influenster.com for more details and to join?!  I guarantee you, it's more fun than waxing your eyebrows. ;)

My IMpression of the imPRESS Press On Manicure

I received the imPress Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails complimentary to test in my MomVox box of goodies from Influenster. I thought the packaging was really cute.  I mean, how neat to have the nails in a faux-nail polish bottle. When I finished, the Bear enjoyed shaking the extra nails around in the package because it sounded like a maraca. The bottle stayed securely closed even through a two-year-old's play time -- THAT'S impressive, too. 


Well, as I've mentioned in a previous post, the last time I'd tried a press-on manicure, I think I was 14.  Needless to say, it was not at all imPRESSive (get it? :P) in any way, as I recall.  I remember sitting there for the longest time trying to find the exact fit for my nails and being very disappointed in the fact that they just didn't have enough sizes, not to mention the over-all effect looked very unnatural.

The first thing I noticed about the imPress Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails was the sheer variety of sizes.  I have pretty small hands and my nails tend towards slender, meaning that it can be hard to get the size just right when using this kind of manicure.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover that in almost no time I had found the perfect sizes! While I was doing that, I had to smile to myself over my luck at the color I was sent. It's like they knew! 

The next step was to use the included prep-pad, which smelled like it was nothing more than rubbing alcohol, to wipe over my fingernails before peeling off the backing on the nails and pressing them to my own nails. This was the part that took the most time as I wanted to make sure I aligned them correctly.  (No one wants to walk around with crooked fingernails.)

It was that easy! And the results were not too shabby at all. Have a look for yourself:

Aside from everything else that I liked about these press-on nails, I really like the practical length. Too often these kinds of things are made to look super glamorous or high maintenance but these nails were just the right length to be pretty and still practical. I felt well-groomed, but not over-done.  And finally, removal was a cinch!  I just lifted the corner and carefully pulled them off. 


So, I highly recommend the imPress Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails, the revolutionary way to apply polish! Featuring advanced nail technology, you get a salon-perfect manicure in seconds – simply peel off the backing, press on, and you're done. There's no drying, a killer shine and a manicure that lasts up to a week! And, imPress is so easy to remove, you can change it up to match your mood as often as you want. Check out all 36 colors and patterns, including trendy brights, classic darks and animal prints. With imPress, your nails will always be your best accessory.


You can find the imPress Manicure at CVS, Rite Aid, Duane Reade, KMart, Walgreens, Walmart and more. For a full list of online and in-store retailers, visit imPressManicure.com, where you can download an exclusive coupon and virtually try on all the colors and patterns! Suggested retail price: $5.99 for colors and $7.99 for patterns

Ever Heard of Influenster?

I hadn't until about three weeks ago, so I'll give you a brief description of what it is.  It's a community of trendsetters who are invited to share their lifestyles and show off their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love. Members get the chance to test out the latest products, give feedback, and spread the word about their favorite finds in shipments that are called a "VoxBox".

Well, my very first VoxBox arrived yesterday and I have to admit I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning when I saw it.  (Ok, ok, you've got me.  I'm like that every single time a package comes in the mail, even if I am expecting it and already know exactly what's inside.)

Anyway! This time, I had no idea what I would find, so I tore open the box as I stood in the kitchen and quickly snapped this photo:

Then, while looking at each product in closer detail, I'm sure I heard the Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal-Raisin Cookie calling my name, so I opened it and my son and I shared it as I decided which of the products I had received for testing purposes compliments of Influenster I would be trying out next.

It didn't take me long to decide that I really could use a manicure, so we finished off the DELICIOUS Quaker Soft Baked cookie in record time - did I mention I LOVE oatmeal cookies? - and settled down on the sofa so that I could measure out the proper sizes of the BROADWAY imPRESS press-on nails I'd need.  Now, the last time I'd tried a press-on manicure, I think I was 14.  Needless to say, it was not imPRESSive (get it? :P) in any way, as I recall.  The first thing I noticed about this press-on manicure was the sheer variety of sizes.  I have pretty small hands and my nails tend towards slender, meaning that it can be hard to get the size just right when using this kind of manicure.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover that in almost no time I found the perfect sizes! While I was doing that, I had to smile to myself over my luck at the color I was sent. It's like they knew! 

The next step was to use the included prep-pad, which smelled like it was nothing more than rubbing alcohol, to wipe over my fingernails before peeling off the backing on the nails and pressing them to my own nails.

It was that easy! And the results were not too shabby at all. Have a look for yourself:

Only one hand because I needed the other to take the picture.

So far, those are the only products I've tried, but I'm pretty pleased with the contents.  I'll blog again after I've had a chance to try out the other items that came in my box.  In the meantime, thank you, Influenster!!