influenster venus embrace razor review

As you know, recently, I received the cosmo voxbox from influenster. Inside were several totally awesome products, one of those products being the VENUS EMBRACE RAZOR. 

I got the opportunity to try this razor out just before heading out for the evening with my husband.  Honestly, I didn't care for the razor very much. It felt like my skin was being shaved off as well as the hair. I think maybe the blades are too small, or to close together.

Below is my video review. 

INFLUENSTER COSMO VOXBOX 12/2012

I finally received my first VOXBOX from INFLUENSTER! I am so excited to be testing some great products :)
I hope you guys enjoy my video, I will make a separate video for each product after I test it. So stay tuned and keep checking back for new videos and blogs.

INFLUENSTER!!

A few months ago, I joined a site called INFLUENSTER.COM
this site occasionally sends out a "VOXBOX"  to random members of their site. This box is usually filled with full sized products to try and review. 

I just got an email telling me that I would be receiving my very FIRST voxbox. It's pretty awesome and I am totally excited to be getting this box. It's called the  "cosmo voxbox". I can only imagine the cool things that are going to be in this box. 

As soon as I get it, I will review my items and maybe even post a video of the cool stuff I get :)

STAY TUNED......

Shoot me a message at CALLIEJAMES1978@yahoo.com if you'd like an invite to become an influenster :)

HOME MADE TWINKIE RECIPE

Supermom saves the day....and the twinkies :)

The bankruptcy of Hostess is effecting Twinkie lovers everywhere, but not all hope is lost. We present to you, the  homemade Twinkie recipe.
     Golden "Twinkie" Cake:
    2 cup all-purpose flour
    3 tsp. baking powder
    ¼ tsp. salt
    ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
    1 cup sugar
    2 large eggs
    1 tsp. vanilla extract
    1 cup whole milk

    Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray molds/pan with non-stick spray.
    Sift together flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl and set aside.
    In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute in between each addition. Reduce the mixer speed and add flour mixture alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Add the vanilla and mix until the batter just comes together. Over mixing with make your cake chewy. Makes 12 cakes.
    Spray your Twinkie canoes and bake at 350 for 15 minutes, or until the cakes are just a light golden color and a tester inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool.

    Cream Filling
    ¼ cup shortening (I prefer Crisco brand)
    ¼ cup margarine
    1 cup sifted powdered or 10x sugar
    2 tsp. vanilla

    Beat together the shortening and margarine until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar in a little at a time and beat on high until peaks form. Add vanilla and beat for one minute. Place in prepared icing tubes for piping into cakes.
    To fill the cakes, insert the icing tip – preferably a large star tip – into three points along the flat-side of the cake, about 1/8 of an inch deep. Squeeze lightly until you see the filling begin to ooze out.

20 states want out!

I'm sure by now you've read the articles on the 20 states petitioning to secede from the US. I've read them, as well as reading the comments that come with each one. This is actually what I wanted to address today.

With each of these articles, you get ridiculous comments. Anything from accusing people of being racist to calling people sore losers. I personally don't think this is the case at all. I think that people are just tired of BOTH sides not doing as they claim they will. OBAMA has done nothing that he "promised " in the first four years of his presidency. Neither has any other president!!

I find that people tend to run on blind emotion and what they are told instead of actually researching the topic before spewing all of the hatred and bigotry that I am reading in these comments.

~ BrownGregory Renee King • 19 hours ago

People saying this country will turn socialist are either A. Stupid or B. Racist. Either you are too stupid to look up what socialism actually is or you just don't care and are mad because a black guy is president. He forced everyone to get PRIVATE INSURANCE (READ: NOT SOCIALIST). Before you go using dog whistle terms from the 60's regardless of their veracity do a little research. Every time you say something blah blah socialist people just think you are a racist moran and they are correct because this country isn't anywhere near socialism. ~

Apparently, our comment contributor above has done very little research of her own, while telling everyone else to do theirs. All the while calling people racist and dumb. Why does this make you so angry? Blind emotion and no FACT!

~

Frank Pinko • 15 hours ago

Hey I've got an idea. Lets round up all the republicans put them in an internment camp, along with all the stupid people. We should then make the Republican party Illegal. If they try to assemble, we'll send the FBI in to arrest them. That would make American safe for all us smart, educated people. ~ again, Obama supporter ~

I'm not for either party, it doesn't matter any longer which party you are for. They are all the same. They all say the same things and do nothing. What does this solve? Absolutely nothing. If someone wants out, they should have the right to go. This country has gone to shit. I'm not on here to call anyone racist or stupid because they don't follow along with my point of view, I just wish people would use the internet at their fingertips to LEARN about these things before spreading garbage around making them look like the very names they are calling everyone else.

OUT OF CONTROL CHILDREN

I recently got a request for a blog about out of control children. Trust me, I have tons of experience in this area. So let’s just jump right in to it.

 First off, the parent should look at their own behavior.  I know you’ve all heard of “monkey see, monkey do”. This could be the case. Children copy their parents behavior. It’s simply a fact. It’s our job as parents to show them the right way to behave through EXAMPLE. This isn’t the case with all children, sometimes it’s multiple things. We’ll discuss several options to try later on in this post.

Sometimes, a good change in diet can help. This is a big one. More natural foods, less processed, less sugar infused, less wheat infused foods. We heard it as kids, and now I’m using on my own kids. Meat, veggies and fruit. No sugar, no grains, nothing processed, nothing pre-made. I can not tell you the differences that my kids have with their behavior. Before, they would be bouncing off the walls, totally lazy, disrespectful, hard to deal with…the list goes on. But now, I can actually stand to be in the same room with them. Yes, the diet doesn’t cure everything, but it’s a big step in the right direction.

Another big step, is making sure your kids get outside. Take them to the park, go for a hike, have a race around the block. DO SOMETHING with them that requires physical activity. Just this past weekend, I took my 3 kids out to the Natural Bridge State park to hike and check out a few of the wonders of nature. We came home, they went to bed without a fuss, no problems.

I’m not saying any ONE of these things will cure a child bad behavior. I’m saying that you should be doing ALL of these things. I understand that there are kids that still would have some problems, even with all of the changes. We as parents need to remember how it was to be a kid. Not having the freedoms to make their own choices, having to ask for everything. It kind of sucks and it is very frustrating. Open the line of communication by asking them what they would like for dinner, and allowing them help make it. Give them incentives for being responsible and finishing their chores or homework.

Parents, WE are the example that our children are following. WE have to make ourselves better so our children will be better. My ten yr old is in therapy once a week, her behavior is out of control. I’ve been dealing with her this way since she was born. This is how I knew that it wasn’t only a behavioral problem, it was something more. I had to choose to see that my child had a problem that I wasn’t equipped or educated enough to fix on my own. There is nothing wrong with getting outside help, if and only if everything else has failed.

I am a firm believer in just about everything I’ve talked about here. It wasn’t that long ago that I had to make these choices for my children to have a better future. Is it time for YOU to do the same?!

BLOG TOPICS

I've been sitting here trying to figure out just what to write about today. I was unable to come up with a topic, so here is a job for my readers.

Tell me what you'd like me to write about. Anything at all. I did a little journalism back in high school and college, as well as play writing and short stories. I'm sure I can write about anything you'd like to see. SO, if you have an idea, send me a message at CALLIEJAMES1978@yahoo.com or leave it in the comments section.

Out for now ~ CALLIE

SEPHORA WINNERS!

Congrats Meagan V. Your number was closer to the winning digits. You should be receiving an email shortly from me. Thanks for those who entered. 
Enjoy your Sephora Lip and Cheek Stain!

TOURETTE SYNDROME

A year or so ago my two year old was diagnosed with a tic disorder after he began to squint his face up uncontrollably. This happened if he got upset, was tired, or just wasn't feeling well. 

For the last couple of months my son, who is now four years old, has developed a vocal tic on top of the motor tic. He makes noises that sound similar to him swallowing air really hard. sort of like clearing his throat, but not exactly.

I've done my research online and every sign points to tourette syndrome. He has the vocal and motor tics both, and have had them both happen in the last few months. I made him a doctors appointment for tomorrow. I really hope this is not the case. I don't even know how to handle a child with a disorder. I supposed this is how every parent feels when they are facing a struggle like this.

I'm finding it extremely difficult to even potty train him. If he gets the least bit upset, his tics come out and that makes him even more stressed out. I feel lost. I don't know where to turn or what to do. 

If any of you guys have any info or just plain old support. That would be awesome. My comment box is always open.

~ out for now ~ CALLIE

CAVEMAN MUFFINS

Today I tried out a new recipe for caveman cookies. Yes, they are paleo and gluten free.

First you'll need to gather your ingredients ~
2 Cups ground almonds
1/2 cup organic coconut oil
3 TBS organic local honey
                                4 organic free range eggs
                                1/2 tsp vanilla
                                1/8 tsp organic sea salt
                                1 cup organic raw cane sugar
                                1 cup dried fruit of your liking ( I used   chocolate chips )

   

Grind your almonds in a coffee grinder or food processor

melt the coconut oil and honey in the microwave for about 30 seconds

mix your eggs, honey, coconut oil, salt, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl

slowly stir in your sugar and ground almonds, then add your dried fruit

Put into muffin cups and bake at 375 for about 15 minutes

here is the finished product.....they taste delicious!

You can drizzle a little honey on top or add some melted butter, whatever you like.

Enjoy the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments.
~out for now ~ CALLIE

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

~ DON'T FORGET TO ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A SEPHORA LIP AND CHEEK STAIN ~ ABSOLUTELY FREE~ JUST FILL OUT THE FORM TO THE RIGHT WITH YOUR NAME AND EMAIL. DRAWING WILL BE HELD ON THE 18TH OF THIS MONTH. I WILL NOTIFY THE WINNER THROUGH EMAIL TO GET SHIPPING INFORMATION. 

This happens to be one of my favorite songs of winter, among many others. It reminds me of my younger days playing out the snow and building snow animals and snow caves. It was a blast.

I'm not sure why many adults today don't just go outside and play. Go out with your kids to a park or out with a friend and play Frisbee. I still do this today at 33 years old. I can't wait for it to snow. I will be the first one outside to build that snowman, and start a snowball fight.

I'm not sure why this topic has come up today, I guess because of the ever approaching winter season. Holidays are another topic. I really don't enjoy the holidays. Even though we try to keep the commercialism of the holidays down in my household, it is still there. It's everywhere. What happened to enjoying a good meal with your favorite family members and friends on the holidays? Or sharing stories from some of our favorite memories as children and growing up. Isn't THIS how the holidays are supposed to be?

I miss having a good holiday. It's been so long since I have been around decent friends and loved ones for a good meal and goofing off.

Any who, this was just a random snippet of what I was thinking about today.

WIN SEPHORA LIP STAIN ENTER BELOW!

I just bought some sephora lip and cheek stain in "lush flush" and I have just used it for the first time. I absolutely LOVE IT! It stays on well and the color is amazing.

Since I liked it so much, I will be giving ONE tube of SEPHORA lip and cheek stain away FREE! All you have to so is fill out your info on the right side of the page and leave  a number 1- 100 in the message box and i will use a random number generator to pick the winner.

Please check back on October 18 to see who the winner is. Please don't forget to leave me  comment and let me know that you've entered. :)
If this contest goes well, I will hold one once a month or maybe bi monthly.

BROKEN TOE NAILS, BLOOD AND A CRYING 4 YR OLD

My poor little son tripped and broke his teeny tiny pinky toe nail. He thought it was the end of the world. Crying and freaking out. He kept saying "it's gonna make me blood all over".

It was bleeding, but not terribly. It stopped just shortly after it started. I am not saying that it didn't hurt, I'm sure it did. But the way he was crying you'd thing someone was beating him.

I had to close up the windows so someone didn't send the cops over. Eventually, we got it bandaged up. During the night last night, he pulled the bandage off and it was bleeding again.

Not sure what to do, the nail is still attached and I can't get close enough to it to clip the part that was broken. He really broke it all the way down too.

Guess it's time for ^ to handle things :)

POP SECRET POPCORN (extra butter)

~ PRODUCT REVIEW ~

I bought a box of pop secret popcorn (extra butter) for my families movie night. Got home, popped the first bag, opened it, and to my surprise there was less than a quarter bag of popped popcorn! I shook the bag around to see just how much was left un popped and saw the "extra butter" sloshing around in the bottom of the bag with tons of popcorn kernels.

I thought to myself "this must be a bad bag", so I popped another one...and another one....until I had poipped all six bags of popcorn. The end result was one full bag of popped popcorn out of all six bags that I had popped.

Very disappointed the product, I emailed the company expaining what had happened. I recieved an email back about an hour later stating 

" Dear Ms.             :

Thank you for your recent e-mail to Diamond Foods.

We were sorry to learn of your disappointment with Pop Secret Extra Butter Popcorn.  I will be sending you a letter and refund by US Postal
Mail.

We appreciate your interest in our products.

                   
         

It was nice to get an email back so quickly, but they didn't even seem surprised that I thought so poorly of their product. I guess they get many of these types of emails a day. Why else would you immediately offer a refund and end the email? 

I DO NOT recommend this product at all. It is not worth the five dollars they charge for a box of six. I say, make your own. It's better quality and cheaper.

out for now ~ CALLIE

PINEAPPLE COCONUT CREAM PIE!

Pineapple Coconut Cream Pie – adapted from Kitchen Daily News

3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, in its own juice, well drained, reserve juice
1 can (14 oz) coconut milk (not cream of coconut)
5 egg yolks
2 tbs butter, cut into pieces
2 tbs. coconut rum (optional, but highly recommended)
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut, chopped
1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
2 Tbsp sugar
1 prebaked 9″ pie shell crust of your choice

Mix sugar and cornstarch in a 2-qt saucepan. Add enough pineapple juice to coconut milk to make 21⁄2 cups. Stir into sugar mixture, then bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring slowly but constantly. Boil 1 minute, again whisking slowly but constantly. Remove pan from the heat. Whisk yolks to mix, and gradually whisk in about half the hot mixture; return yolk mixture to saucepan. Stir over low heat 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add coconut rum and butter, and stir gently until butter is melted. Stir in pineapple and coconut. Pour into prepared crust. Cover surface with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Right before you are ready to serve the pie, beat together cream and sugar with mixer until stiff peaks form, and spread over the pie.