Lifeway Kefir First Impressions- Influenster Lifeway Kefir program

I recently received a envelope from Influenster,  with a different type of testing program.  I was asked to participate in the Influenster Lifeway Kefir Program.  Usually this would be a VoxBox program, where Influenster sends the products for review in a box directly to me, but because Kefir items need refrigeration, Influenster sent me a coupon for a free product.

What is Influenster, you ask?  Influenster, for those of you who were living under the same rock I was, is a company that gives surveys and collects reviews of pretty much any product or organization under the sun.  Every once in a while, you are offered to take a special survey to see if you qualify to receive a VoxBox- a box of goodies, to test out and give a review for.  Influenster is totally free; both to join, and to receive the samples (if they choose you).  It's an awesome program for those who are trying to get noticed in the blogging world, or in the youtube community.  While Influenster is free, you do need a personal invite from a current member in order to join.  If you would like an invite, email me here and I would be happy to send you one (I only have ONE left!).

Ok, on to the goodies :)

My letter from Influenster

Influenster sent me a letter, asking me to use the enclosed coupon for a free product, and with a little information about the Lifeway Kefir brand.  Kefir is basically yogurt with a kick: it has more probiotics than any other yogurt.  

Coupon Packet

In my envelope, I received a cute little coupon pack.  Lifeway produces their Kefir brand in both drinkable yogurt and frozen yogurt.

From the coupon packet:
     "Good bacteria" like the probiotic cultures in Lifeway Kefir may help support a balanced digestive system and a healthy immune system.  Pour it over granola and fresh fruit, blend it in a smoothie, turn it into a dressing or dip-or drink it straight from the bottle.  Lifeway Kefir is a healthy breakfast or snack that the whole family will love-and try our Frozen Kefir for dessert!  Visit Lifeway.net for recipe ideas, product information and to download new money-saving coupons every month.

My coupons

Influenster provided me a with a coupon for a free Lifeway product, and a coupon for $1 off any 2 Lifeway products.

Lifeway Lowfat Keifer Strawberry Smoothie, 32 fl oz.  Retail $3.99

I went to my local grocery store, and the only Lifeway Keifer product that they currently stock is the Smoothies (found in the drinkable yogurt section). I chose the Strawberry flavored smoothie.

I bought this home and immediately my kids wanted to try it.  I poured them each a glass, and they downed it in no time flat- they LOVED it!

I tried it out for myself, and while it is a little bit tangy, it tastes really good.  It has a smoothie consistency, like most drinkable yogurt.  I found that the colder the drink is, the less tangy it tastes.  I'm not personally a "tang" person, but I really liked this drink!  It's good for you, tastes great, and my kids love it- I'm totally sold!  The added bonus is the boost of probiotics- who doesn't love a healthy body?!

I'm glad I have another coupon to try this again with- I will be getting more of the drinkable Lifeway Kefir, and try out a couple different flavors.

Would you like a glass of Kefir?

Now tell me, have YOU tried Kefir yet?  What do you think?  

Here is my video first impression of Lifeway Kefir:

Until next time, my lovelies, stay Average!

Disclaimer:  I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.  The opinions in this review are my true and honest thoughts- no amount of compensation will ever change that. 

Glamour Doll Eyes Of The Month July 2013 Review

Yep, you all guessed it- I'm trying out another subscription!  While this is not a "new" subscription service, it is new to me, and I'm excited to share it with you!

Glamour Doll Eyes OTM (Of the Month) is a beauty subscription service that sends out a limited edition eye shadow loose pigment each month, for $8.  You can sign up for a 1, 2, 3, or 6 month subscription, on the 8th of each month.  Glamour Doll Eyes only offers 100 subscriptions of each month- you have to be quick to sign up to receive an OTM sub!  Each order from GDE comes with extras- samples of pigments with regular orders, and other extras with a OTM subscription.  Glamour Doll Eyes also has a shop with beautiful shades of eye shadow pigments, that are safe for the eyes, lips, face and nails.  Check out GDE today, and head over HERE to sign up to get an email reminding you to sign up for OTM on the 8th!

My package arrived safely in about a week or so, in a brown bubble mailer, shipped via USPS.  USPS misdirected my package, so it might have arrived sooner, but I'm still happy with the shipping time.

July 2013 OTM

I love how the OTM is packaged in a pretty organza bag- what a nice touch!

Insert Card

GDE sends cute business card sized insert cards, with information about the shade of shadow that you are receiving.  This month's shade was designed by Rachel, one of many ladies asked to create their own unique pigment color.

Back of the card

The back of the insert card talks about the extras included this month.

Additional cards

My package also included a couple GDE business cards, a card from Kiss My Sass Cosmetics (one of the extras this month is from them!), and a card from Sedona Lace.  Feel free to check these cosmetic companies out: at Kiss My Sass, coupon code GDEOTM0713 will save you 20% off your order, until 8/31/13, one time use; at Sedona Lace, promo code glamourdoll will earn you $4 off your next order (no expiration date listed).  I love me some discounts, so I will definitely be checking these sites out!

GDE ships all of their pigments shrink wrapped, and I really love that idea.  I know my little pots of color will make it to me safely!  As this is my first experience with GDE, let me just say that I am really impressed by both the size and quality of the pigments that I received. 

Sherbert July 2013 by Glamour Doll Eyes

I seriously love Sherbert in the summer- it's so rich and creamy, with a light orange taste.  This shadow seriously captures that feeling.

Swatch of Sherbert

This shimmery coral-orange shade has green micro glitter and is so pretty.  A little goes a long way, and this pretty shade is perfect for the summer- pair it with a green for a mermaid eye!

Casen July 2013 by Glamour Doll Eyes

Casen is a gorgeous blue, and is named for the newborn son of Sherbert's creator, Rachel.  While I think that sherbert is beautiful, Casen is definitely the star of this month's bag, in my opinion.  

Swatch of Casen

This beautiful baby/medium blue also has green micro glitter.  I seriously love this shade!

Emma Lipstick by Kiss My Sass Cosmetics sample

I love me some lippies, and was exicted to see this sample in my bag.  This pretty coral shade tastes like pink lemonade, and glides on smoothly.  

Swatch of Emma

I love how this lipstick is lightly pigmented, and while the sample looks small, there is actually plenty in the little pot- enough for several wears.  I'm going to check out Kiss My Sass' site soon!

Starbursts!

I seriously love me some Starburst candies, and I thought it was sweet that GDE included some in my bag.  What a sweet summer treat!

Glamour Doll Eyes OTM July 2013

For a monthly subscription that was under $10, I am very impressed.  I will definitely be ordering from GDE again, and trying out some of their other pigment shades.  One thing that I forgot to mention, is that everything that I received in my bag is 100% vegan, and cruelty free.  This makes me SO happy, that I have found another company that is choosy about what ingredients they use, and don't test on our animal friends.

So, tell me, have you ordered from Glamour Doll Eyes before?  What did you think of them?  I signed up to be an affiliate for them, so stay tuned for referral links!

Until next time, my lovelies- stay average!



Disclaimer: I purchased these items with my own money my husband's money, and any gifts with purchase were because I met the purchase requirements to receive them.  I was neither requested nor required to review these items, and all links in this post are NOT referral links.  I strive for honesty.

How To Repair a Broken Blush or Eyeshadow The Only Average Way

Recently, I was at my local Ulta store and received a sample of Cargo blush.  As I was walking into my house, the bag slipped from my fingers and fell, crashing to the ground.  Everything that i had purchased was just fine, with one exception.  The pretty Cargo blush sample that I had received was a broken mess.  I shed no tears, though, because I had learned a trick a long time ago: how to repair a broken pan of shadow or blush!  I can't wait to share this simple trick!

Things you need: 

• rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)- the higher the content the better; I used 91%
• toothpick or other tool to crush and smooth the broken powder
• cloth to press the powder, and a coin if one will fit nicely in the shadow pan
• The broken makeup

First, take your toothpick and break up the rest of the makeup in the pan.

Then, use the toothpick to evenly distribute the powder in the pan.  Try not to spill, but if it's a new product, that is hard to do!

Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol, and mix the powder with it until it makes a paste.  Add more alcohol a drop at a time, if needed, to create the paste.  You want the powder to absorb all of the alcohol, with no puddles in the pan, and no dry spots either.

Smooth out the paste with a toothpick as best you can.  It doesn't need to be perfect, but try to evenly distribute the paste in the pan.  This will make the pressing easier.

Cover the pan with a clean cloth.  If you have  a coin that fits just inside the pan, place it over the cloth.  Quarters work well for many eye shadows.  Press on the cloth covered pan with gently but firm pressure.  You are trying to absorb the excess alcohol, as well as bind the powder together.

Remove the cloth, and the shadow should look smooth and solid.  If not, try pressing again.  The pattern of the weave of the cloth will transfer to the top of the newly pressed powder.  Let the pan sit and dry overnight (or a few hours in the sun).

All done!  Your shadow, powder or blush should work just fine now.  I will say, that this process sometimes can intensify the pigmentation of a product, so the color may not be exactly the same as it was before you pressed it.  However, a little change in shade is a small price to pay to save your broken makeup!

Have you ever tried to fix a broken pan of makeup?  What process did you use, and was it successful?  Shalene's daughter likes to grind makeup into the carpet, after it's broken.  I don't think there is a save for that, but hopefully a good carpet shampooer will at least remove it from the carpet!

Until next time, my lovelies, stay Average!

Hand-Picked Words Giveaway WINNER- plus discount code!

Hi everyone!

 Over the weekend, Rafflecopter chose a winner for the Hand-Picked Words Giveaway I had posted a couple weeks ago, and I would like to congratulate...


MIRANDA L.!

Miranda, I'll be sending your info over to Dani at Hand-Picked words, so look for an email from her soon!


For the rest of my wonderful Only Average friends (and I had NO idea how many people agree with me that average is just fine!), Dani has offered a FREE MONTH subscription of Hand-Picked Words for each of you, so you ALL can try it out!  Simple enter the code AVERAGEMOM at checkout for your free month.

Thank you to all who entered, and I hope everyone enjoys their free month!



Until next time, my Only Average Friends...



Disclaimer: Hand-Picked Words provided this prize for me to giveaway at no charge to me.  The links in this post are not referral links and I received no monetary compensation for hosting the giveaway.  No amount of freebies or compensation could EVER influence me to give a review that was NOT my true and honest opinion!