Smiley360 Mission: Sleep Number DualTemp Layer

For this Smiley360 mission I received an information

card about the Sleep Number DualTemp layer and an invitation to visit a Sleep Number store and try it out.  In exchange for doing that, and posting my review on social media, I received a Sleep Number Memory Fiber Curved Support pillow.

At first I really thought this DualTemp layer was a perfect idea.  The cooling system means we'd always have a wonderfully cool bed in the summer with optional heat in the summer.  But the more I thought about it, I wasn't so sure...

Here's why...

These two beautiful creatures sleep with us.  And as a result of them and us moving around all night, nobody really stays on "Their" side.  All this movement effects the way the sheets stick to the bed as well, so I was afraid the layer would end up bunched up or being pushed off completely.

The other thing is power. We live in a rural area where power can go out and be out for days.  A gel-infused memory foam matress doesn't need power to stay cool..

Regardless, I love the thought of it and I'm sure it's great for some people.  And the pillow is AMAZING!
Thanks Smiley and Sleep Number.

For more information about this product, click here!

Sargento's Ultra Thin Cheese Slices

I got another VoxBox from Influenster. It seems to be a trend now that I get single item boxes instead of the goody filled boxes like the first one I had.  Oh well... This one had a special goody inside!

I got a coupon (they didn't wanna ship cheese for obvious reasons) for a free package of Sargento Ultra Thin Slices and a cute polka dot lunch bag!  It's one of those neoprene bags, like the BYO ones you see in the stores.  It's very soft and holds a lot more than you'd think by looking at it! And when it's empty, you can fold it up into a tiny little thing and put it in your purse or backpack! Thanks Sargento!  I'll be picking up my free cheese this evening more than likely and be sure to post the results of my taste test!

This month's Weigel's fare.

Ahh.. I love Weigel's.  They have the BEST skim milk.  They give you free milk after you buy 16 gallons and the same card you use to track that is loaded up with amazing freebies every month. It seems that every time someone comes out with a new product that they're going to carry, they give it away free to their Rewards customers! I've tried things I like and things I didn't, but it's almost always been something I would not have tried had it not been for the promo.

I suddenly realized, I'd been neglecting to mention them here in my "I Got Them Free" blog.  What a shame!

So on to this month:

1. HYPE Energy Drink
2. Jack Links Squatch Stick (1 oz)
3. Regular size Butterfinger

I'll admit the Butterfinger puzzles me since it wasn't anything new at all, but hey.. it's their choice and who doesn't love a nice crunchy Butterfinger every now and then!

I just cracked open the energy drink.. and what can I say.. it tastes like an energy drink.

That wierd, tangy, overly carbonated taste that I'm not really sure I like, but I don't hate it enough to throw it out.  I still like the taste of Neuro Fuel better.


As for the Squatch Stick... I can defintely see myself buying more of those! It had a really nice, crisp SNAP to it where I feel most sticks fall flat.

The texture seemed meatier than a Slim Jim and the spices were more lively.. more tasty! I had the "original" and it was plenty tasty.

Dr. Scholl's Active Series!

The Sof Sole inserts I've been using... until now.

Now this is one I can REALLY get behind.  Influenster sent out a survey a while back asking about insoles in shoes.  I have been using a pair of Sof Sole insoles in my Reebok Zigtech shoes since I bought my first pair of zigs a couple years ago.

The insoles had a lifetime warranty according to the salesperson at the store and have been moved from shoe to shoe each time I swapped shoes.  I currently own three pair of Zigs and these insoles have been in every one.  With the insoles and the zig outsole, I've found these to be the most comfortable shoes for long periods of walking and standing on hard floors. My feet are picky and I put them through a lot.  I have one that was broken once so it's very particular about what I put it in and how I walk on it.

So when Influenster said "Hey! Fill out this survey and you might qualify to test a new insole by Dr. Scholl's I was both happy and apprehensive. I didn't want to mess with a good thing, especially if pain was involved, but I was starting to feel some wear in my old soles, so maybe this was the time to move on.  Enter the Active Series insoles from Dr. Scholl's.

Right off the bat I noticed they were thicker. Even the toe area which tends to be neglected had almost twice the padding underfoot. At first I was afraid this would make my shoes feel too tight once they were on, but it just provides a snug fit that helps keep them "in line."

They also have a higher arch and heel cup than the Sof Soles brand insoles.  It felt a little funny at first because apparently my feet are on the flat (and wide) side but they soon adapted and now they feel quite comfortable.

I recently took a trip that involved 6 hours of driving and another 10 hours of walking and standing on concrete and hard gym floors.  At the end of the day, my feet felt fine.  (My back hurt from sitting on the gym bleachers but that had nothing to do with my insoles. LOL).

Overall, I'm impressed. I may just pick up another pair to put in some of my other zigs, to keep from moving them back and forth. :)

Well, this is awkward.

Apparently, Influenster has entered me into a program without sending me anything to test.  I have been getting emails and requests saying I needed to complete tasks for the Ponds BB program, but never recieved anything in the mail to try.  So I'm attempting to follow the needed steps without ever having used the product in question.. AWKWARD!!
Here's my Facebook entry:

And this blog entry should satisfy this task:

Share the POND'S® BB+ BFF Sweepstakes News

3. If you've tested POND'S® BB+ before, review it on your blog
 

• Share your review of POND'S® BB+ on your blog
• Include a link to the Sweepstakes and tell your readers why they should enter
• Submit the URL to your blog by clicking the link above

About all I can do with this one. :)

Not that imPRESSed.

One of the items I received from my very first VoxBox (The Spring Fever box) was a set of Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure. I really wanted to like these.. but it just didn't work out.

First Impressions:

I thought the packaging was cute.  You have a plastic "bottle" inside the clear packaging that resembles a bottle of nail polish.  The "bottle" has a black cap that you twist to remove.  Once the cap it removed, you open the bottle by pulling it apart... it opens in a clamshell design. I like the fake bottle and am looking for a way to reuse it... but I hope this packaging doesn't drive up the price of the product.

Application:

The hardest part of the application was trying to figure out which nails I needed to use.  I noticed that they didn't quite match the shape of my nails.. the fake ones tended to be straight on the sides where my real nails flare a bit towards the ends, so upon application I had some small gaps on the sides of some nails towards the tips.
There is a wipe included in the package that you use to clean your nails.  I used the wipe and let them dry before applying.  Do take the tip from the package and leave your thumb nails for last. I did, and I can only imaging how much more difficult it had been had I not.

After applying I went to bed.

The Next Day:

The following morning I awoke ready to start the day with my new, longer, stylish nails.  I was making a point of being very conscious of them in an effort to not destroy them before I got a chance to try them out at work.  I type all day, so I was curious how they would hold up through that torture.  My natural nails tend to be prone to chipping and peeling due to the strain from the continuous pounding on the keyboard... so I was hoping these would prove to last longer since the material seemed sturdy enough to avoid breaking or peeling.  

Unfortunately, they never made it that far.  As I was pulling out of the driveway I realized my left index finger felt... off.  I looked down and gasped in shock... the nail was GONE!

Several weeks later I found it in the top drawer of my dresser.  It apparently came off while digging for socks. :(  This makes me sad, but I can't help but wonder if maybe I slept on them too soon?  I'll probably pick up another set at some point to try again... I REALLY want these to work!

My first VoxBox!

I've been joining a couple free review programs lately and have received some exciting stuff to try out.  Yesterday, I received my first Influenster VoxBox.. the "Spring Fever" box.  It came with a nice assortment of stuff that I will be testing and reviewing here.  I also have some stuff from Smiley360 and other sites to review as well.  Each of the items posted here (unless otherwise noted) will be items I have received for free in exchange for my honest opinions. 
Stay tuned...