Showing posts with label Influenster. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Influenster. Show all posts

Friday, August 21, 2015

Fitness Friday - 8/21


Currently training for: 
Gulf Coast Half Marathon

Princess Half Marathon (Glass Slipper Challenge)
Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon

Saturday – 6 mile run with the running group
Sunday – Rest Day
Monday –  PT exercises - lunges/squats
Tuesday –  3.25 miles on the TM
Wednesday – PT exercises - lunges/squats
Thursday – 2.25 miles on the TM
Friday – Rest Day

This weekend, I'm planning a long run with the running group (might stretch to seven miles...we'll see)!  I'm also going out of town for an overnight Bachelorette party which should be fun!

In the meantime, here's a glimpse of my week:


Early morning treadmill run


Good morning snuggles from the fur-kids!


My recent Influenster "I Do" VoxBox will get put to good use over the next two weeks with the upcoming bachelorette party and wedding! 


I tested out the Covergirl Outlast Stay Luminous foundation for last weekend's bridal luncheon and I loved it! 


Smooth coverage all day! 


Speaking of the bridal luncheon, we had a fabulous time! :)


Last but not least, my sweet girl loves to watch for the neighborhood cat and it's so cute! I heart this girl!

How was your week? Any weekend plans?
Disclaimer: As part of the Influenster Blogger Network, I received the Influenster VoxBox free of charge. All opinions stated are my own.

Monday, September 15, 2014

Keurig 2.0 Review

Disclaimer: I received the Keurig 2.0 for testing/review for free from Influenster. No further compensation was received for this review. All opinions stated are my own.

How many Keurig lovers do we have out there? I did a little research and discovered an interesting fact – back in 2011, one in four coffee makers sold in the US at Christmastime was a Keurig. Can you imagine how those numbers have changed today, a mere three years later? Source

Recently, I was given the opportunity to review the Keurig 2.0 K550 model through Influenster and I couldn’t have been more excited!

I read up on the Keurig 2.0 before receiving the shipment and I found that a few changes had been made from prior models– some of the changes work for my personal preferences and others do not work for me. Keep reading and you’ll see what I mean…

Keurig 2

One new perk of the Keurig 2.0 that I LOVE – this brewer brews a POT of coffee!!
Prior to this Keurig model, I kept my old school coffee maker tucked away in the cabinets for company so I’m really happy for this change!

Keurig 2 (3)

Included in the shipment were two sample boxes of cups – six K-Cups and four K-Carafe packs.  Also included was an additional box of eight K-Carafe French Roast packs. You can see the size comparison of the K-Cup/K-Carafe in the photo above.

For reference, the K-Carafe is on the left and brews a pot of coffee up to four/five cups (30 oz) and the K-Cup is on the right and brews a single cup of coffee.

Keurig 2 (4)

An additional difference between this brewer and other Keurig brewers is the functionality of the system. No longer can you brew your own coffee grounds (whomp whomp) OR your “old” K-Cups that don’t have the specialized logo on the lid.

Keurig 2 (13)

For example, we have a box and a half of “old” (aka “unlicensed”) Starbucks Sumatra K-Cups. How can I tell the difference? Well, there’s a white ring around the lid of the Breakfast Blend/Pike Place Roast that says “Keurig Brewed” – notice the Sumatra cup doesn’t have this ring. Included in every Keurig 2.0 is a scanning system which reads each K-Cup that’s placed into the machine.

Unfortunately, the “old” K-Cups do not include the correct system and the Keurig 2.0 will not read them as a usable K-Cup.

Keurig 2 (9)

See what I mean? No coffee for you!
 
(P.S. - Don’t worry, those Starbucks K-Cups won’t go to waste!)

OK I’m getting ahead of myself here – moral of the story…make sure that each K-Cup package you purchase has the “Keurig Brewed” logo on the box.

Keurig 2 (5)

I’ve yet to see a box of K-Cups that doesn’t have the Keurig Brewed logo on it…“old” and “new” system alike (even the “old/unlicensed” box of Starbucks Sumatra K-Cups  has the Keurig Brewed logo on the box). If you’ve seen a box that doesn’t include this logo, please let me know…I’m so curious!

When preparing the Keurig 2.0 for use, I also found another change – the filter was SO much easier to put in place! Yay!

Keurig 2 (6)

I also love the new digital screen! There’s so many new functions and features on the Keurig 2.0 – even the “background wallpaper” of the screen can be programed as well as the light/water color of the tank!

Keurig 2 (10)

Setting the machine up was super easy, too!

Keurig 2 (12)

In no time, my coffee was ready for brewing.

An additional feature that wasn’t included in my old Keurig model is a timing/programmable system – want a cup of coffee ready when you wake up in the morning? No problem!

Keurig 2 (14)

See the Keurig Brewed ring around the K-Cup? I used one from the sample pack…

Keurig 2 (15)

All ready! The Keurig 2.0 can brew 6, 8, or 10 oz. of coffee along with hot water for tea! I was really happy to hear that this Keurig model kept the hot water/tea option because I brew a cup of tea to drink every Saturday before my long run.

Keurig 2 (16)

The 2.0 brewing system is a bit quieter to me as well.

Keurig 2 (17)

Thanks, Keurig, I will! :)

Lets review the changes I’ve noticed with the Keurig 2.0 from my older Keurig model:
  • Brews a pot of coffee up to four/five cups (30 oz)
  • New K-Carafe functionality
  • All digital screen
  • New features including customization of screen/light preferences
  • Timing system for programmable brewing
  • Easier filter insertion
  • Quieter brewing
  • Does not brew unlicensed K-Cups
  • No longer brews coffee grounds
I do love the new Keurig 2.0. The sleekness of the design and new digital screen is so much fun to work with. The major downfall in this machine (in my opinion) is the lack of ability to brew coffee grounds. Apart from that, I love everything else about the Keurig 2.0! (If you never brew your own coffee grounds and don’t really care about this change, then this system will 100% work for you!)  
There you have it, my thoughts and opinions on the brand new Keurig 2.0 system. It’s now available in stores, I’ve seen these systems in several locations around town.

If you purchase the new Keurig 2.0 system, I hope you enjoy!

Special thanks to Keurig and Influenster for this opportunity!
 
Are you a Keurig fan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! 

Interested in becoming an Influenster? Email me at kren2700@gmail.com and I’ll send an invite your way!

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Current Favorite: Breakfast

I love breakfast. Breakfast foods are an absolute favorite of mine – from eggs to bacon to bagels to English muffins to waffles and pancakes…ok, you get the picture.

I like to vary up my breakfast from time to time and throw new flavors in with each new recipe attempt.

When I was given the opportunity to try Sargento Thin Slices through Influenster, I jumped at the opportunity! Did I mention I also LOVE cheese?

Sargento and Influenster (2)

I even got to choose my favorite flavors from their line of Ultra Thin sliced cheese – and only 40 calories per slice, too! Wahoo!!

Sargento and Influenster (3)

Saturday morning after my run, I returned home and made breakfast for Jason and I. A new favorite of ours consists of eggs/egg whites turkey bacon, spinach, and cheese all piled inside a whole wheat English muffin. It’s pure heaven, I tell you!

I’ll leave you with the recipe!

Egg White, Spinach, and Cheese -
Whole Wheat English Muffin

Ingredients:

1 whole wheat English muffin (brand of choice)
1 tsp EVOO
1 egg (may substitute egg whites)
1/4 cup chopped onion (I used frozen)
1 handful of baby spinach or greens of choice
1 slice of turkey bacon
1 slice of Sargento Thin Sliced cheese (flavor of your choice)
Seasoning of choice

Directions

Lightly grease a small pan. Bring to medium heat on stovetop. Add onions and brown (about 3 minutes or so); add spinach or greens and allow to wilt (about 2 minutes). Add egg or egg white mixture to onions/greens mixture. Scramble until no longer wet. Add seasoning of choice if so desired.

Cook turkey bacon according to package instructions.

Toast English muffin until lightly toasted.

Once toasted, remove English muffin from toaster, add sliced cheese, bacon, and eggs – voila!

Serve and enjoy!

Sargento and Influenster

I chose Colby Jack cheese for mine complete with a cup of coffee.

Sargento and Influenster (4)

Jason asked for Pepper-Jack cheese on his and preferred a glass of orange juice.

Both sandwiches had an awesome flavor, I wouldn’t say I liked one over the other!  At only 40 calories per slice, I knew I found a favorite!!

Disclaimer: Although I received this Sargento promotion without cost through Influenster, I’m a lover of cheese and wouldn’t tell you it had a good flavor if it actually didn’t taste good. I did not receive any additional compensation for this review.

What’s your favorite breakfast item? Have you tried anything new lately?

Thursday, March 13, 2014

VoxBox Favorite: John Frieda 3 Day Spray

Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product in my latest Influenster VoxBox, I was not compensated for this review and this review was not mandatory. I am giving my honest opinion because this product truly worked for me and I hope it will also work for some of you!

Frizz. Frizz. Frizz. My flatiron is my best friend – welcome to my life.

Prior to the discovery of my flatiron, I was a mess. Think: Princess Mia, Princess Diaries, Pre-Makeover. No kidding.

In the past, I’ve tried products with Keratin in them. I even had a keratin treatment last year, which did wonders to my hair. Living in the south proves an even bigger problem because I have to deal with humidity. High humidity days = ponytail hair.

Influenster JaDore Vox Box

I was excited to find John Frieda’s Frizz Ease 3 Day Spray included in the Influenster JaDore VoxBox - imagine my surprise when I discovered that the spray also listed keratin as an ingredient!

After reading up on the directions, I got to work. First, I washed my hair with my everyday shampoo and conditioner.

John Frieda 3 Day Spray

After towel drying, I brushed my hair then applied about 10-12 sprays of John Frieda’s Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight formula throughout my hair. (It is ok to use more or less depending on thickness and length of hair, but try not to go overboard with the spray…)

The directions state to spray this formula on your hair while still wet – do not dry your hair before applying the spray.

I ran a brush through my hair again, then used a blow dryer to completely dry my hair.

This spray is heat activated, so blow drying is an important step.

Once my hair was dry, I straightened my hair with a flat iron.

Ok, you ready for this?!

Before:

(No, this is not exaggerated in any way. This is my hair on a daily basis. *sigh)

Frizzy Hair

After:

Flat Ironed Hair John Frieda

Pretty amazing difference, right?!

Flat Ironed Hair John Frieda 2

My hair was soft, smooth, and shiny - I couldn’t stop running my fingers through it! Day 2 was the same and I only had to touch up a few spots with the flat iron. (I wash my hair every other day, so I didn’t get the chance to test out a third day with this spray.)

I will continue to use this product and will keep my eyes out for it in stores! I’m excited I had the opportunity to test out this product as it’s one I will add to my normal hair routine.

Thanks Influenster and John Frieda!

Interested in becoming an Influenster? I have four invitations to give away! Shoot me an email (kren2700@gmail.com) with your name and email address of choice and I’ll send one your way! :0) (First come first serve!)

Is your hair low or high maintenance? What does your hair maintenance routine include?

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