Utterly Smooth with Udderly SMooth®

'Tis the season.....for baking cookies, drinking hot cocoa, and spending time with some of your favorite family and friends. And....... DRY skin. Where I am (NY), it's inevitable; as soon as the furnace kicks on full time, out come the humidifiers, the cold/allergy medicine and the heavy creams and lotions. My oldest has cold weather induced asthma, and my youngest has eczema which flares up this time of year. I, personally,  have a pet peeve with dry skin, especially on my hands. This becomes even more of an issue during the colder months because the air is much drier, cleaning tends to be more frequent (because we are indoors more, no one here knows how to take their boots off when they come in from the snow, and those pesky germs are intruding my house) and hand washing reaches a whole new level of constant. You can imagine my relief (and excitement) when I received a complimentary package full of Udderly SMooth® products to test and review for Mosaic Reviews. Not only was this a treat for me personally, but it came at the perfect time of year.

Look at this generous package!

Love the packaging too!

I had preconceived notions about this line of products before I received them. Due to the name Udderly SMooth® -as in cow udders, and care for said udders- I pictured a thick, heavy, waxy/greasy type product which worked so well that people just didn't care that they were leaving their greasy hand prints all over things. I despise lotions, creams, etc. that leave your hands greasy, and you locked in the bathroom because your hands can't properly grip the doorknob without wiping half of the product off. Ahem, waste of money, ahem. Let me tell you that this is not the case with Udderly SMooth®. Just another life lesson in not judging a book by it's cover, or in this case, a lotion by it's name.

I received two tubes of the Hand Cream, a 2-ounce and a 4-ounce size, and the smaller one has taken residence in my purse. It is the perfect size to keep with you for on-the-go. It has a super smooth consistency, and is a silky-white color. It absorbs effortlessly, and smells clean as well. I enjoy the simple scent because it is subtle, and neutral. Therefore, it doesn't override the scent of my perfume, but gives me a nice pick-me-up when I put it on, and my son and the hubby can use it without complaint of a "girly smell". I keep comparing the scent to soap, but I think that is because I feel that it has a fresh scent. Again, it is subtle, and doesn't linger, and I imagine it would appeal to most everyone, however, they do offer a fragrance-free variety for those with super-sensitive nostrils, or skin. This is the product that I use most frequently because I rarely allow my hands to stay dry for long-It gives me the heebie-jeebies. This time of year I feel like I should have lotions stationed at every corner of the house. Would it be tacky to have those pump-style hand sanitizers and lotions placed sporadically throughout my home?

See, it's nice!

The Body Cream is a little bit thicker than the hand cream, however, is rubbed in and absorbs just as effortlessly. This surprised me, as most of the targeted body care items seem to be thick, difficult and messy. This comes in an open jar, so you can use as little or as much as you need. I will mention that a little goes a long way. My son gets SUPER dry elbows and knees in the winter, and we have been using the Udderly SMooth® Body Cream on it with much success! In the past I have used ointments to get the added benefit of using more of an oil-based product, however, it gets messy. I love that we are getting better results with this without the consequences of using the greasier ointments.

Udderly SMooth® Body Cream - Thick, yet creamy!

The foot cream is superb as well! It has a consistency similar to the hand cream and, again, absorbs completely leaving feet soft, smooth and smelling nice. I feel as though my feet are the most neglected members of my body during the winter because I constantly have thick fuzzy socks covering them. It's like I forget they have skin on them that is prone to all of this dryness too. Then, come Summer, I have to put a bit of effort into getting them ready for flip-flops and barbeques. Luckily, the opportunity to try the Udderly SMooth® has given me the motivation to keep up with them during the Winter months. Hopefully this will make for less work later on! Additionally, I like that it doesn't smell like mint - what is the relationship between feet and mint? Aren't our mouths supposed to smell like mint?

The best part is, these products are made in the USA and extremely affordable! Here is what they retail for:

• Udderly SMooth® Hand Cream - 2 oz. tube - $1.75
• Udderly SMooth® Hand Cream - 4 oz. tube - $2.75
• Udderly SMooth® Body Cream - 12 oz. jar - $5.75
• Udderly SMooth® Foot Cream -  8 oz. jar - $6.50

Plus, they are sold at several common retailers. For the entire list, go here.

To keep up with the brand, and you want to because they host giveaways quite frequently, follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

I have enjoyed using the Udderly SMooth® products, and will continue to do so when I run out. They get 10 stars from me:

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Check out what some of the other reviewers had to say on Mosaic Reviews!

Review of Escape From Mercy Hall by Garth Edwards

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

My son is getting to that age where he kind of secludes himself from everyone else. This is normal, right? It is almost like the pre-pre-teen weirdness. It makes you realize that the baby you once did EVERYTHING for, is getting a little more capable of doing most things *gulp* on his own. In an effort to do something together, and get him reading, I applied and was accepted through Tomoson to review a book perfect for his interests and a little above his reading level: Escape From Mercy Hall by Garth Edwards. The story takes place in an orphanage for abandoned kids named Mercy Hall (surprise, surprise?). Some weird things happen when the main characters, Sam and George go on a search for their friend Milly, who made an attempt at escaping Mercy Hall in search of her brother Tom.

Right from the get-go this book ropes you in. I loved reading this with my son because I could see his comprehension wheels turning when we would discuss what was going on and what might happen next. This book is a little over his reading level (he is only in third grade, this book is written more for Middle School aged kids) which is why I made sure we read this one together. We took turns reading, and we discussed when we came across a word he didn't know or understand. What was great about this was the fact that several of the special vocabulary words they have hanging on the wall in his classroom were in this novel, and he got so excited each time that one came up. Plus, the chapters are the perfect length. It was simple to sit down and read a couple of chapters together before bedtime.

The world that emerges beyond the hedge of the Mercy Hall, called Littlewich, is full of twists turns and surprises that are out of this world - Literally, the characters (both people and animals) are quite intriguing! Luckily, there are few illustrations throughout the text to give you a bit of a visual representation of what is being described. I love this aspect about the book because at some point in life, we grow up. We leave behind the creativity and the imagination that makes childhood such a magical and innocent time. So quickly that is stolen away. My son still has a wild imagination (which most of the time I am truly thankful for), but Middle School tends to be the time when that changes. I love that we have this book on our Kindle now, and hope that my son will continue to read, and re-read it as he grows. We are looking forward to purchasing the other two books in the trilogy to see what excitement and adventure they hold!

We give Escape From Mercy Hall 9 out of 10 stars:

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If you are interested in grabbing yourself, or that special child in your life a copy, you may do so from Amazon.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Boots With the Fur - Review of Dr. Scholl's® For Her Cozy Cushions

I'm one of those people that need to keep their feet warm at all times. If my feet get cold, my entire body gets cold. It could be the middle of Summer and I will have to throw on a hoodie and some socks to warm myself up. I know people (one of which is my one year old) who go barefoot year round. Just looking at bare feet on cold surfaces makes me shiver. During the colder months I keep my feet and toes warm by wearing my slippers around the house, and owning those boots, you know, the ones with the fur. That being said, they are kind of plain (although I do love some of the styles with the button embellishments and what not). I decided this year that I was going to break out of my comfort zone a little bit and buy a pair of "tall riding boots". I'm not planning to ride horses in them, but I do plan to wear them this Winter. The problem.... there is no fur on the inside of them. What are my poor, little, prone-to-coldness feet going to do? Bump-Ba-Da-Dum (trumpet noise?): Stay warm and comfortable with Dr. Scholl's® For Her Cozy Cushions!!!!! (Thanks to Influenster for allowing me to try them free for review purposes)

Yay for fuzzy!

I am a sucker for all things comfortable, and I am almost certain that if it was fashionably acceptable I would wear comfortable clothes (AKA sweats) year round. Speaking of which, why don't these big time, extremely rich fashion people make clothing that is fashionable AND comfortable. Hello, fleece lined leggings.... can't we do that with everything? Luckily, we can now do it with our feet! The Dr. Scholl's® For Her Cozy Cushions take those not-so-cozy winter, rain and dress boots, casual shoes and flats to the next level by adding a warm fuzzy layer that absorbs moisture. They are hand washable too! 

Easy to follow size guide

First, you need to cut them to size. This is not a one-size-fits-all product directly out of the box, but it is super easy to get them into your least comfortable footwear, regardless of your size (10 and under that is). Use sharp scissors to cut along the guide on the bottom of the insert to the size that is closest to your own. I used our sharp kitchen scissors and they worked perfectly!

A perfect pair :)

They were very easy to place into my boots once they were cut to size. I got a little ahead of myself and just wanted them in there, but that was not appropriate. They were a perfect fit once I cut them. These boots are normal width and I had no problem getting them in with a little maneuvering. You want it to be a tight fit so that you aren't dealing with them moving all over the place while you are trying to walk, drive, work.... live. If you have footwear that is tight, I would not recommend trying to squeeze these in there and then your feet. They are thin, but they do add a little fluff for comfort.

All tucked in!

I chose to use the Dr. Scholl's® For Her Cozy Cushions in my new boots to give them that extra coziness right from the start. Sometimes breaking in new footwear can be a pain, but not with these. I can say that these insoles keep my feet toasty warm in this blistery cold weather, and make the time I spend on my feet cushioned and comfortable. I have enjoyed the Dr. Scholl's® For Her Cozy Cushion inserts while waiting out the crowds and the lines while Christmas shopping this season.  

So far, I give these insoles a 9 out of 10 stars:

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These insoles retail for $12.49 and can be found at these retailers.

I would recommend following Dr. Scholl's® on Facebook and checking out their website to keep up with promotions (they are currently offering a $2 off coupon) and product development - you never know what they will come up with next!

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product complimentary from Influenster for testing and review purposes. The opinions stated here are my own, based on my personal experience. 

Getting Retro with Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara

I have a thing with mascara.... yes, a thing. I don't know what that means either, but it accurately describes my relationship with the product so, chew on that for a little while. I am a mascara junkie (and a make-up junkie in general), meaning I buy things unnecessarily, just because I like the way it looks, and for the sake of trying something new. I think there are worse addictions, right? At this point in time I probably have upwards of 10 different mascaras in my make-up closet stash. The upside to this? I have a pretty good idea of products that work well for me, and can customize my look based on the way the product and I work together - it's like a team effort.

I recently received Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara through Influenster for testing and review purposes. I was like a kid in the candy store when I saw that I got a new mascara to try out. The kicker was, this mascara just hit the shelves in November 2013, so we had a bit of a head start in trying it! I can tell after trying a mascara ONCE whether or not we have "chemistry" and will be able to work together. I know it sounds ridiculous, but there are just some mascaras that make me sad in regard to their performance.

Here is a before and after picture of my first time using the Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara:

It is amazing!

Clearly, Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara and I were a match made in Retromania heaven <3 In order to get these glamorously lengthened and defined lashes I first made sure my lashes were clean and dry, second, applied one coat to each set of lashes (moving slowly and carefully from root to tip), and third, applied a second coat while also using the wand to ensure my lashes were separated and evenly covered. Note: this mascara dries pretty quickly - to avoid clumping from over application, move quick enough to get it situated, but not too quick as to cause smudging/smearing or getting it all over your face. Simple enough for the most amateur of make-up appliers! Another mascara application tip: "swirl" the wand versus "pumping" it. Pumping can push air into the product making it dry out quicker and become prone to clumping and flaking.  

I love the thick, hourglass shape of the Retro Glam Mascara brush, the color of it (black without being harsh), and the effects it has on my lashes (I have very short lashes, and you can obviously see the results after using this mascara)! I definitely give this mascara a 10 out of 10 stars!

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Another feature of this mascara is that it is affordable! It retails for $5.99 and can be found anywhere they sell Rimmel London products (unless they are sold out - this is a HOT item!).  

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product complimentary from Influenster for testing and review purposes. The opinions stated in this post are my own. 

My #bareselfie Moment with Lancôme DreamTone

I am one of those people who, unfortunately, STILL suffers from acne. I have been fighting this battle since I was a teenager, and I have the marks, scars and pimples to prove it. Not something I am proud of, but hey, what am I going to do? I have to say that the only time that I have been able to enjoy clear skin (aside from my pre-teen years) was when I was pregnant. Unfortunately (or is it fortunately?), I can't remain pregnant all of the time because I can't afford it! That being said, you can imagine my excitement when I received an e-mail from SheSpeaks that I would be receiving a complimentary bottle of Lancôme DreamTone to try out in return for my review. A $98 bottle of clinically proven results? Thank you sir, may I have another?!?!

So pretty!

Here is some information on the product itself:

DreamTone is the next generation in dark spot correction. This customized skin tone correcting serum is so powerful, 72% of women dare to bare their skin.* The new DreamTone is 3 barely-tinted serums formulated to visibly correct dark spots, color imperfections and give you a more even-looking skin tone. It comes in 3 serums customized for your skin tone: 1- Fair, 2 – Medium, 3 – Dark.

The results:

IMMEDIATELY:
• 74% saw glowing skin*

7 DAYS:
• 70% noticed a more even skin tone*

4 WEEKS:
• 69% saw the appearance of dark spots reduced*

8 WEEKS:
• 78% saw color imperfections reduced*

*All results based on global self-assessments of women of multiple ethnicities in an 8-week study. 72% reflects 8 weeks of use.

Here is my #bareselfie from before beginning to use this product (please be kind, there is nothing I wanted to do any less then post this picture on the internet for the world to see):

Ewwwww....Gross!

This product is slightly tinted, has a bit of shimmer to it, and smells divine! It smells a bit like roses to me, and that is one of my favorite scents of all time. This fact alone made me fall in-love with this stuff. Plus, anything that claims it will help out my poor skin, and is backed with clinical results is a little more believable in my opinion. The serum is to be used twice per day underneath your moisturizer. I have a pretty intensive skincare regime due to the acne-related issues, so I altered my routine to look like this: Remove eye make-up (at night), wash face, apply toner (I use witch hazel), apply 2 pumps (about the size of a pea) of Lancôme DreamTone, apply moisturizer. I found that it was simple to incorporate into my daily and nightly routine. The scent has a nice uplifting effect too! 

After 4 weeks of using Lancôme DreamTone, here is yet another #bareselfie:

I definitely feel as though the Lancôme DreamTone has done a decent job of lightening up some of my long-lived acne marks and scars. The only wishes I have would be for it to target some of the current acne and be a bit more affordable (a girl can dream right?). I plan to continue to use this serum as part of my daily skincare regime until the bottle runs out. If I purchase in the future it will have to be through a promotion or as a gift from someone, as I personally cannot afford to spend $98 on a single product. For women (or men) looking for proven results, who have the money to drop, I absolutely recommend and encourage them to try out the Lancôme DreamTone.

I give Lancôme DreamTone a 9 out of 10 stars:

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If you are looking for a brighter skin tone and mark/scar/dark spot reducer, I highly recommend going here (or your local department store retailer) to learn more and grab yourself a bottle of Lancôme DreamTone.

Feel free to follow Lancôme on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date with their line of high quality products, and learn more about the #bareselfie movement here!

Disclosure: I received this product for free for review purposes from SheSpeaks. The opinions stated here are my own.

Taming the Peek-A-Boo Roots - Review and Giveaway of Clairol® Nice'n Easy Root Touch-Up

I am 28 years old, so my experience with gray hair is pretty limited. I HAVE found some on my head (to my shock and dismay) and had to face the rude awakening that apparently I am getting "older"... and by that I mean that it was clearly my vision that was failing me. I am a hair color-er (technical term), in that I like to have my hair colored. In doing so, I choose to go to a salon (because "ain't nobody have time for that"), pick colors similar to my natural hair color, and use semi-permanent color to ensure that fading and growing out happen simultaneously, plus, it adds a tremendous amount of shine. Most people despise their natural hair color - we can refer to this as being ungrateful (be thankful you have hair!) you-always-want-what-you-don't-have syndrome. Other individuals, namely my mother, suffer from a whole different situation. We can refer to it as a discrepancy between "natural" and "desired" hair color (AKA - gray coverage, sorry Mom!). For those not suffering from those pesky grays, you may suffer from your dreaded roots that seem to surface just weeks after you spent a fortune getting your hair colored, or the laboring task of coloring it yourself. Either way, I have your solution, and it is in the form of my latest review through Vocalpoint! Introducing: Clairol® Nice'n Easy Root Touch-Up!

In between colors at the salon, my mom experiences this:

#StubbornGrays

In this day and age it costs the equivalent of owning a small island to get your hair colored, cut and styled leaving most people on the search for something to stunt the growth of their hair, or elongate the effects of their most recent color. Enter in, Clairol® Nice'n Easy Root Touch-Up:

She chose Light Brown

What is so great about the Clairol® Nice'n Easy Root Touch-Up is that it only takes 10 minutes (minus prep time and wash time), it comes with a small angled brush which allows you to get the color to go precisely where you need it to go, it will cover those roots for up to 3 weeks, and it is guaranteed! That sounds like a winning combination if you ask me. After 10 minutes (then some washing and drying), these were the results that my mom got:

All covered up!

The Clairol® Nice'n Easy Root Touch-Up comes in 21 different shades that you can check out here, and retails for $5.99 per box. If you dye your hair from home on the regular, their Match Tool will even tell you which color to buy in order to match the color you currently use! That takes the fuss out of going to the store, searching around, holding boxes to your head (don't pretend like you haven't done that before), coming home, using it and finding out you should have gone a shade (or three) lighter/darker.

We give it 8 out of 10 stars  

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What are you waiting for? Enter my giveaway below for a chance at winning a Free Clairol® Nice'n Easy Root Touch-Up coupons (they expire 12/31/2013)!

Disclosure: I received a for free coupon and a giftcard for an honest review of the aforementioned product through Vocalpoint. I would never recommend or endorse a product that I would not see fit for my readers

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keeping Ahead of the Game with Math Mammoth

I always hear that kids who excel in Math tend to do so in Science, and kids who excel English/Language Arts do so in Social Studies. I did well in all subject areas when I was growing up - not perfect, but I kept my parents pleased which in turn kept me sheltered and fed. That being said, I had my favorites. I LOVE (and notice that this is present tense because I still do!) Math! Love, love, love, love it.... I think I may be one of the few people that I know that does, but I do. There is something so rewarding about putting the work into a Math problem and then finding out that you got the answer right. On that same note, Math is pretty black and white in that your answer is either right or wrong, and the kicker is.... you can prove it! When my son brings home Math homework I get excited and secretly hope that there is something he is unsure of so that I can help him with it. Most of the time he understands it, but sometimes I think he knows how much I love it so he lets me help him - bless his heart. He too has a loving relationship with Math, and that makes me proud. Sometimes when kids get discouraged early in the game in a certain subject area, it has detrimental consequences throughout the remainder of their schooling. I think we notice this most when they scream out of frustration: "I hate (insert hated subject here)".

You can imagine my excitement when I saw my name on the Mosaic Reviews reviewer list for the Math Mammoth materials! Math Mammoth is a company that provides a wide range of Mathematics related materials and curriculum for grades 1-12. The entire collection consists of:

• The Light Blue Series - This is the series that I received in the 3rd Grade Level. It contains 2 downloadable workbooks and the answer keys. These hold the entire curriculum for that particular grade level (grades 1-6), and my favorite part, they align with the Common Core Standards. The full set for this series only costs $34 (note that you can purchase each workbook separately as well as the supplemental materials).
• The Blue Series - This collection resembles the traditional textbook in that it explain how to do the material, followed by worksheets to practice. Because "practice makes perfect" these are great for the times when you want to sharpen a certain technique or find a "math niche" that your child truly enjoys. Each workbook covers a couple of concepts relevant for grades 1-7, and costs between $2 and $7. 
• Worksheet Collections (Golden Series)- These, surprise, surprise, are a collection of worksheets that cover specific topics and materials relevant for grades 3-8. These run in price from $6.25-$8.75, where you have the option of buying printed or hard copy versions of it for a little extra.
• Review Workbooks - These are review books that cover an entire grade level. The materials cover grades 1-5. These cost $5.50 per download, or $10 for a printed copy.

The first thing that I fell in love with was the math assessment test available right on the main webpage. This way, you can ensure that you are buying something that is useful with the child(ren) you will be using it with. Luckily, the materials are very affordable if you bypass this little test, but for those of us who like to get our money's worth, it's there! Additionally, you can access some great free worksheets right from the website to get started.

The Light Blue series honestly requires minimal instruction or help from me (even though I sit like a vulture ready to prey waiting for my opportunity), and it uses concepts that build off of one another making it progress in a logical manner. Sometimes my son comes home from school and they have jumped topics completely. One day we are adding and subtracting with 2-3 places, and the next thing you know, we are working on fractions? What is that? No wonder they lose interest, become discouraged, don't "get" Math. One day they have something mastered and their self-esteem is high to the sky, the next day they are slapped with "back to square one". Either way, I have found that these workbooks truly flow smoothly through the material.

What I enjoy most about the Light Blue Workbooks is the fact that my son can practice Math at home, or while on Summer vacation to keep himself ahead of the game. I know he feels more confident in his work at school when he walks in there knowing the material, and being familiar with the concepts. We downloaded these workbooks before school had even started this year, so we began the school year prepared in Math! As a parent, or at least in my experience, I love seeing Math tests and materials (or any tests/assessments honestly) come home that we have already covered. Perhaps it is my OCD-like tendencies, or my competitive nature, but that makes me feel like I am taking a major role in my son's learning, and not just being the "helper" when he is home. I guess it makes me feel like I am doing my part.

My son is also excited about the Math Mammoth workbooks we have. He enjoys being able to sit at the computer and do his Math. Speaking of which, I wish I would have copied them and had them bound - It would be great to practice on the go as well! He also loves the little Puzzle Corners that they have throughout the text. They provide a little break-up between the material, and they are fun! I wanted to add a picture to give an example of them (although I am a trustworthy individual), however, in true laptop power cord fashion, my laptop's power cord decided that being one month old was old enough, and he/she had experienced all he/she wanted to, and died. Therefore, my Math Mammoth workbooks, and answer keys are currently unavailable to us until I worm my way over to Amazon and purchase my third power cord in 2 months. Yay! When I do that, I will come back and add my screenshot of the Puzzle Corners because they are cute!

My son and I give the Math Mammoth Light Blue Series Grade 3 Workbooks 10 out of 10 stars: 

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To learn more about Math Mammoth, be sure to check out their website here. 

Check out the other amazing reviews here!

Disclosure: I received these products for free for review purposes through Mosaic Reviews. That being said, I would never recommend products or services that I do not deem beneficial to my readers.