OTL: L'Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream #MagicBBCream

I am not a big makeup girl. I tend to prefer a very natural look and I want it to take as little time as possible. So when L'Oreal Paris and SheSpeaks.com offered to send me the Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream to try I was intrigued. The claim is that this one cream will perform 4 different beautifying actions: Prime, Perfects, Hydrates, and Corrects. That sounded perfect for my quick morning routine. I received one tube of the Fair shade to review.

The cream looks white with little grains when first squeezed from the tube. Those grains are the Beautifying Beads, the pigments that actually blend in to your skin tone to add just enough color. I think the fair shade was just right for my skin tone. It was enough color to reduce the redness in my face without leaving me looking like I was wearing a colored mask. The "Flawless Bare Skin Finish: description is very accurate. You aren't going to look like you are wearing foundation with this cream but it gives you a great natural look.

Bare Skin - No Product

With L'Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

While I like the way the BB Cream took the redness out of my face, I don't really like the way it feels. Although it claims to hydrate for all day moisture, it feels dry to me when I put it on. It also doesn't contain any sunscreen which is an issue on days when I am going to be outside with the kids a lot. I feel like I need to put a moisturizer with sunscreen on first which defeats the purpose of having one cream to do everything. I don't want my skin to feel oily throughout the day but with this my skin felt like it had a dry, almost powdery, finish that I didn't enjoy.

I'm glad that I got to try the L'Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream but for right now I will probably stick with my combination foundation/moisturizer. It gives me more moisture with just a touch more color.

Note: All opinions presented in book and product reviews are my own. Opinions presented in posts authored by others reflect the view of the author only and not necessarily my view or opinion. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Amazon and Book Depository links are affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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OTL: Add Some Flavor with Torani Syrups

Last year, I participate in a program from SheSpeaks and Torani and shared my experience with the Peppermint syrup. This year, I was once again selected to participate in the holiday program and I received full-size bottles of Salted Caramel and Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie Syrup. Some lucky person at my husband's work got to try the Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie syrup since we try to stay away from artificial sweeteners but I really enjoyed trying the Salted Caramel flavor.

The first thing I tried with the Salted Caramel syrup was simply adding it to my coffee along with a little bit of milk. I wasn't super crazy about it this way. I got a sweetness from the syrup with a bit of the caramel flavor but the saltiness was lost entirely. I also tried it without the milk (we ran out) and had the same issue. When you get a drip of the pure syrup on your finger, you can definitely taste both the salty and sweet but the coffee seemed to overpower some of the flavor.

Next I tried making a caramel mocha using brewed coffee and hot chocolate mix. (Yep, we are fancy around here.) That was a little better but the salt was still overpowered. Caramel hot chocolate was next and that was definitely a step in the right direction. The chocolate and caramel flavors combined well without creating an overly sweet drink and the salt from the syrup came though as well.

My favorite use for the Salted Caramel Syrup wasn't in a drink though. I took vanilla ice cream and crumbled a brownie on top. Then I used the Salted Caramel Syrup over that. YUM! The syrup soaked in to the brownie a bit and flavored the vanilla ice cream. The flavor was the perfect combination of salty and sweet. The Torani syrup is much thinner in consistency than traditional caramel ice cream topping though so you want to make sure you stir the ice cream around a bit or it tends to pool on the bottom of the bowl.

Torani flavored syrups are great for the holidays or any time of year. Some flavors go well in coffee or other hot beverages and then there are lighter fruit flavors that make fantastic cold drinks. You can even cook or bake with the Torani syrups. Be sure to check out Torani.com for recipes and inspiration.

What is your favorite flavor and how do you use it?

Full-Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of SheSpeaks and Torani. I was provided with two full-size bottles of Torani syrup and some $1 off coupons. The opinion presented in this post is my own and this post was not edited by SheSpeaks or Torani in any way.

Note: All opinions presented in book and product reviews are my own. Opinions presented in posts authored by others reflect the view of the author only and not necessarily my view or opinion. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Amazon and Book Depository links are affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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OTL: Help Aflac Help Kids with Cancer

Do you know a child with cancer? It is sad how many of us do. It is sad how many children spend their days in the hospital having surgery or getting chemo when they should be outside playing with their friends. It is devastating how many parents grieve for children lost to cancer.

Research into cancer treatments and cures is a cause that is near to my heart. My family lost my sister to complications of cancer fifteen years ago. She was only sixteen. Although cancer research and treatments have come a long way since then, there is still so much more to be done.

From now until September 30, you can help the Aflac Cancer Center research for a cure and support families of children with cancer. Sponsor a duck for $12 in Aflac's Swim With Friends virtual duck race and you not only help fight pediatric cancer but you are entered to win a family trip for four to Orlando, Florida. Aflac is also matching each $12 donation. The virtual duck race will take place on the Facebook page on October 9, 2012.

Are you a Twitter user? Tweet using the hashtag #AflacKids and Aflac will donate $2 to pediatric cancer research.

Please give a little so that children can be children and families do not have to feel the burden that cancer brings in so many ways.

Information for this post was provided by Aflac and SheSpeaks. I was not compensated in any way for this post and all opinions are my own.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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OTL: Ghirardelli Chocolate & Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ah, Valentine's Day... the day to celebrate love and romance. Also a season of advertising jewelry, flowers, and, of course, chocolates. I've seen so many chocolate advertisements lately for pricey truffles with major brand names. The funny thing is that I see those commercials and remember that I actually don't like those truffles all that much. I am a big chocolate fan and enjoy most chocolates so for me to not like a truffle is odd. I haven't completely pinpointed exactly what it is about those truffles that I don't care for but I think it has something to do with the contrast in texture from the outer shell and the inside truffle filling. If that shell doesn't melt in my mouth along with the truffle, it taints the rest of the chocolate for me.

Now Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares are a brand I can really enjoy. I've loved their mint and raspberry versions from the first time I tried them and the milk caramel is a wonderful treat on occasion. I was thrilled when SheSpeaks.com offered me a chance to try the new Milk & Truffle version of Ghirardelli Squares. I was sent one package of the chocolates to try plus two $1/2 Ghirardelli Squares coupons.

I shared my Ghirardelli Milk & Truffle Squares with my husband and my mom. All of us agree they are wonderful! My husband, being a man of few words, simply said, "mmmm" and left it at that. My mom gave a bit more of an analysis, commenting that the milk chocolate square and the truffle filling both melt easily and the flavors complement each other well. I agree with mom and also love the size of the chocolate square. Although the bag states that a serving size is actually three squares, I find that they are rich enough that one satisfies my chocolate craving, at least for a time.

My husband and I don't really have any Valentine traditions - we are both pretty laid back about gift giving for all holidays - but if chocolate were one of our traditional gifts I would much rather have a single flavor bag of Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares than a boxed of mixed chocolates, flowers that will die, or jewelry that I wouldn't wear.

I hope that you have a wonderful Valentine's Day however you spend it. What are your favorite Valentine traditions? Do you have a favorite brand of chocolate?

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Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Torani Flavored Syrups

As part of a program through SheSpeaks.com I was sent two full-size bottles of Torani Flavored Syrups to review. I received Peppermint and Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

I used the Peppermint syrup in coffee and hot chocolate and loved it! With the Torani syrup, I can have some of my favorite coffee shop drinks at home at a fraction of the cost. I also made a lazy peppermint mocha by making hot chocolate with strong coffee and then adding the peppermint syrup and some milk. I only wish I had some whipped cream to put on top.

Every so often I used to get a peppermint mocha or peppermint white chocolate mocha from a coffee shop but I would often ask for less of the peppermint syrup because I found it to be too strong. The peppermint flavor would overpower all the other flavors in the drink. This was not the case with the Torani Peppermint syrup at all. The peppermint flavor and sweetness were both light, enough to taste but not too strong. Check out some more reviews of the Torani Peppermint Syrup from SheSpeaks members.

I have not actually tried the Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon syrup that I was sent and I will probably end up giving that one away to someone who uses sugar free products. The Torani sugar-free syrups are made with Splenda and we try to avoid artificial sweeteners around our house. In general, I don't like the way they make things taste but that is just my personal preference.  The Brown Sugar Cinnamon flavor does sound interesting and Torani does offer it in the regular version as well as the sugar free. Check out what some other SheSpeaks members had to say about the Torani Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup.

I am amazed at the number of flavored syrups that Torani offers! I always thought of the Torani syrups as being just for coffee drinks but the flavors they offer give you so many more options. They have light fruit flavors like Mango, Passion Fruit, and Peach which would be a great addition to lemonade or for making an Italian Soda. You can find an entire list of regular and sugar free Torani syrup flavors at http://torani.com/home/products. While you are there, make sure you check out the recipe section for great ideas on how to use all the flavors.

Torani flavored syrups are available at some retail stores such as Wal-Mart and major grocery stores. Amazon.com also has a large selection of flavors. The best selection of flavors is offered at Torani.com and you can use the discount code shespeaks to receive 10% off your purchase. (Note: I do not know how long this code is actually good for as I did not see an expiration date in the materials I received.)

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Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.