Exercising in comfort with Wilson

When I was younger, it took no special attention to stay fit and in shape. I didn't watch calories or count carbs. I made no particular effort to exercise any more than running around with my friends. We skateboarded. We took long walks together. We played ball and climbed trees. There was no way to be plugged into anything so my friends and I simply played outside when we were together.


Times have changed a little in the past 30 years and I spend much more time connected and plugged in than I did when I was younger. That means I'm not outside running around as much any more. When I am running around, I am generally connected to the Wii in some way shape or form whether it's Zumba or Wii Fit. Exercising inside is just easier for me now. I don't need to be concerned about the weather or who is doing what, where. One thing I do need to be concerned about now is comfort.

When I exercise, I wear clothes made for exercising. I want to be comfortable when I'm huffing and puffing and sweating to the oldies. No, I don't mean a pair of baggy warm up pants and my husband's 3x too large t-shirt. They don't offer any kind of support at all and honestly, they look awful on me. Since they don't fit correctly, they can chafe and tug and be irritating.

I recently received the Wilson La Divine Tennis Capri Pants to try out while I exercise. Wilson Tennis Apparel isn't just for wearing while you're playing tennis. It works just as well for any exercise or even for doing housework our lounging around in.  It has a compression fit for light support and the fabric is moisture wicking which means it's breathable and helps keep you cool and dry while you exercise.

I also like that the pants come in capri style.  In the warmer months, I tend to wear capris instead of long pants to exercise in.  They're cooler but still offer modesty and comfort which is important to me.  I also like that they're available in black which is very slimming and one of my favorite exercise colors. They're not totally black though. They have a little burst of bright blue color at the bottom of each leg band. They're really comfortable to exercise in because they're made of 92% poly and 8% spandex for a snug but comfy fit. If you're going to exercise, you might as well be comfortable while you're doing it!

My thanks to Wilson for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Contest & Chardonnay Pork Chops with Creamy Gravy using Tavern Direct Chandelier Chardonnay & Fire Grilled Garlic Marinade

We like to stretch our grocery dollars as far as we possibly can. One of the ways that we can do this is by watching the prices of the meat that we buy. Sure the more expensive cuts of meat might be a bit more tender but with a growing family, they just don't work into our budget. One of the ways we can make the most of the meats we can afford to buy is by marinating them. Marinating meat brings out the flavor and also breaks down the proteins which makes meat more tender.

I recently had a chance to try the Tavern Direct Chandelier Chardonnay & Fire Grilled Garlic Marinade on some pork chops. The marinade contains grape seed oil, chardonnay wine vinegars, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, sea salt, spices and roasted garlic oil. According to the website, it's also good with poultry and sea food but pork is what we had so that's what we used it on.

Tavern Direct is a philanthropic organization that was created to to support the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's® (NCMEC) efforts to provide education about how to keep every child safer.  For every product you purchase on TavernDirect.com, they'll make a donation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.  Tavern Direct offers a variety of gourmet marinades & sauces, balsamic vinegars, flavored oils, dipping oils and bbq & grilling sauces that are used in their New York restaurant, Tavern on the Green.  Tavern Direct was recently featured on All Recipes.

Chardonnay Pork Chops with Creamy Gravy

4 pork loin chops thick cut
1 cup of Tavern Direct Chandelier Chardonnay & Fire Grilled Garlic Marinade
1 tablespoon flour
heavy cream

Marinate the pork chops in the marinade for at least 3 hours.

Fry in a cast iron pan until seared and cooked through.  Remove from the pan and keep in the oven to keep warm. 

In the cast iron pan, add about a cup of water and slowly whisk in one tablespoon of flour.  Stir constantly over very low heat until it gets bubbly. Add enough heavy cream to make it thick and creamy. Remove pork chops from oven.  Serve gravy over pork chops and mashed potatoes.  This was amazing. The kids loved it and came back for seconds.  The pork came out really tender and absolutely delicious.  We're definitely having this again.

Get $20 for $10 of Tavern Direct Gourmet Marinades and Sauces (shipping not included), with Coupon Code AllR10.  May 25th is National Missing Children's Day: http://www.take25.org/ and this is a great time to show your support for the cause by making a purchase from Tavern Direct.

Want to win some Chandelier Chardonnay Fire Grilled Garlic Marinade for yourself?   5 winners chosen for this giveaway and it will run through June 11.  Enter HERE.  Contest Rules HERE

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.  I am a Tavern Direct Preferred Blogger.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

WillowPads Natural Feminine Care

Feminine care is one of those touchy topics many people just don't discuss openly. It's one of those aisles in the grocery store that my son won't walk down. It's the *invisible* products I bring home from the store that my husband pretends he doesn't see when we put the groceries away. While I appreciate the convenience of the disposable feminine care products, I really don't like the environmental aspects of throwing away these products every month.

I also prefer to be prepared for emergencies and relying on products that you have to continually purchase and throw away every month just doesn't sit well with me.  You never know when there might be an emergency that prevents you from getting to the store when you need to.  Then there is the cost associated with buying disposables all the time. If these things bother you too, there is another option!

The Willow Store offers natural feminine care products. They use only certified organic fabrics with no plastics, no perfumes, and no harsh chemicals or synthetics. They are completely environmentally friendly and much safer than disposables.

They use an exclusive cotton flannel shell that gives WillowPads the comfort I'm looking for in feminine care products. They don't use tape or any bulky synthetics to cause irritation. They use breathable cotton which is recommended by doctors. Their WillowPads use a hemp inner core that is very absorbent without feeling bulky and uncomfortable.

I really love the flexibility of WillowPads.  You can wear your WillowPad without an insert to have it serve as light protection.  Wear it with one insert for normal protection or wear it with two inserts for heavy protection.  They're available  in both organic hemp fleece and organic cotton flannel depending on your needs.  You can also find WillowPads in regular size for daytime wear or long for overnight wear. They're available in natural, black or tie dyed colors.   The quality of the stitching is fantastic and I'm really impressed with the comfort.  I've tried several brands and some are just extremely uncomfortable.   That's not the case with the WillowPads.  WillowPads can last an average of six years which can save you $300! In today's economy, who doesn't want that? They can be purchased singly or in packs of three.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Book review: The Alarmists by Don Hoesel

Book Title: The Alarmists
Author: Don Hoesel
Genre: Fiction, Suspense
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0562-0
Publisher: Bethany House
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99

From the book:

It's December 2012 and the world is approaching the brink of panic--the timing of which eerily coincides with the ending of the Mayan calendar. But beneath the chaos and despair, and amid a rising tide of earth-shaking disasters, something far more dangerous emerges--someone is orchestrating it all.

Recruited to a special Pentagon unit, sociologist Brent Michaels and his team have been tasked with discovering why the world is rushing toward doomsday--but can they uncover the truth before the unthinkable happens?
******************
More and more things are happening around the world that brings the world a little bit closer to chaos. Some of them are natural disasters like floods or earthquakes and some of them are man  made like terrorist attacks.  The government is trying to find out whether there is a connection between all these different events and then find out who is behind them and why.   Brent Michaels is a college sociology professor who has been recruited by the Pentagon to see if there is a connection.

I'm sure many of you are familiar with the *end of the world* in December 2012.  This book is roughly based on that theory.  Is the world really going to end in December 2012?  If you like action and suspense stories, The Alarmists will be right up your alley.  I've never read any other books by Don Hoesel but this one is very well written and easy to follow.  While it contains scientific/military jargon, it's written so that your average reader has no problem understanding it.  Though some of the terms were unfamiliar, I still managed to follow the story line and understand the general idea of what the technical jargon meant. It just made the story all the more interesting for me.   I love the way that Brent Michaels discovers that science and religion don't need to be two separate things at all. That's something missing in too many stories today.

My thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to review this book.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Win $100 GNC GC because May is Mental Health Month

As moms, we need to be on top of everything in not only our lives but in the lives of our families as well. It's up to us for the most part to provide a clean, comfortable home and make sure there are healthy, delicious meals on the table (or at least a house that's livable and meals that are edible depending on your day). We manage everyone's schedules and keep things running smoothly. We are the keeper of lost keys and the finder of lost sports equipment.

All of this can put a strain on your mental health and can result in stress, depression, low energy or problems with sleep and relaxation. If we don't take care of ourselves, how are we going to be expected to take care of our families? You have got to make sure that your own health is a top priority and that includes your mental health. Nobody likes a cranky, overworked mom!

One of the ways that we can take care of ourselves is by eating properly and getting daily exercise. Exercise for the day might be something as simple as running after your toddler or you might luck out and actually get some quiet time at the gym or a few minutes access to the Wii Fit. Another important way we can take care of ourselves is by taking vitamins and supplements that address our individual needs.  I take a multi-vitamin daily to make sure I'm getting what I need to keep my body in the best of health.  It's also important to address specific areas of your life that you may need a little extra help with.  For me, that's stress. Who would have guessed?

GNC offers a huge selection of products for not only your general health but in my case, I can also find things to help with my stress level.   There's really a huge variety of items.  I had no idea GNC carried that many things.  I found supplements like SAM-e, Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon Drink, Masada Dead Sea Mineral Bath Salts and even a Stress Eraser! Yes, I need one of those!

I like the ease of shopping on the GNC site.  You can shop by condition/goal, by brand, or by ingredients.  There are many GNC physical locations as well.  I'm in and out of the one in our local mall all the time.  Check out their store locator to find one near you.

Connect with GNC on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all the latest news.  Connect with GNC's Marketing Director Jeff Hennion.

One of my lucky readers is going to win a $100 GNC gift card! Here's what you can do for a chance to win:

To enter you must follow my blog & visit the sponsor’s site.  Leave a comment telling me what product you would use your GC on other than the ones I've mentioned.

For extra entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter @scentednights & tweet about the contest. +1 daily

Win a $100 GNC gift certificate @scentednights #giveaway #win @GNCLiveWell @JeffHennion http://tinyurl.com/67owdnt

2. Be my friend on Facebook & post this contest on your wall. +1

3. Follow the sponsor on Twitter +2
4. Like the sponsor on Facebook.  Please tell them I sent you (optional)! +2
5. Blog about this giveaway on your blog AND leave a link back to my site. +5
6. Leave a comment on a non-contest post on this blog. +1

7. Put my button or text link on your blog side bar. +1

8. Enter another of my current contests. +1 for each contest

9. Subscribe to my blog. +1

Remember, to please leave a separate comment for each entry. And please enter only in the ways listed above. I reserve the right to delete comments not adhering to the above entry guidelines.  You must be 18+ years old & live in the USA. The last day to enter is 5/21/2011.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Please note that  I am not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize but ultimately I am not responsible if they do not fulfill your prize win.

Pomi Tomatoes and recipe for Mediterranean Spaghetti

I love to cook most nights. It's relaxing and lets me be creative in the kitchen. I get tired of eating the same old thing every week so I like to try new recipes and new cuisines. I always return to my favorite Italian cuisine though. It's just one of those tastes that I cannot get enough of.

Just because I love to cook doesn't mean I want to spend all day in the kitchen. I have a business to run. I have a job. I'd much rather be outside playing in my herb gardens or doing Zumba on the Wii with the kids. So I like to rely on a few healthy short cuts to make meal preparation time a little shorter. Nope you're not going to see me with any neon orange helpers in my pantry. What you will find are natural products that have been slightly prepared to shorten my time in the kitchen.

Pomi offers tomato products that are 100% from fresh Italian tomatoes. You can find chopped tomatoes, strained tomatoes and marinara sauce. You won't find any artificial flavors or preservatives. You won't find any added water or any citric acid. What you will find are tomatoes yup that's the only ingredient in the chopped tomatoes and the strained tomatoes I received from Pomi. Pomi tomatoes are all natural and have no fat and no added sodium!

Want to know another great thing about Pomi tomatoes? They come in these really cool little PBA-free, stay fresh containers. Traditional canned tomatoes are often packed in cans that are lined and contain BPA in the plastic lining. Pomi doesn't do that. I love it! One step closer to a healthy product.

I decided to use my Strained Tomatoes from Pomi in Mediterranean Spaghetti. They have lots of other recipes too. Here's the recipe:

Mediterranean Spaghetti

1 1/2 cups Pomi Strained Tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 tablespoons of olive oil
12 ounces spaghetti
4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Saute the onion and garlic in a large pan in half the olive oil for 2-3 minutes.  Add Pomi and remaining ingredients. Simmer for 10 minutes.  Cook the spaghetti al dente.  Drain and add to the sauce.  Return pan to the stove and mix thoroughly over low heat.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve.  Serves 4.

I love the taste of the Pomi tomato products I tried.  They really do taste all natural and I'm so glad to have found a tomato product that doesn't have anything added to it and isn't stored in a can lined with BPA.  Make sure you connect with Pomi on Facebook to keep up with all the latest product news & recipes.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Win D'Orsay Shoes in the Luna style from Coloriffics

There are a few staples every woman absolutely must have in her wardrobe. She needs a little black dress, a sexy pair of heels, a faded pair of jeans and a classic white t-shirt. No matter where you are in your life from teenager to mature woman, having these four things as staples in your wardrobe will take you far.

Sarah18 is graduating high school in another month and she's starting to accumulate pieces of her wardrobe that will help her as a young woman. Investing in a quality pair of heels is very important. You want a pair of shoes that's well made and comfortable in addition to looking fantastic.

Sarah18 chose the D'Orsay Shoes in the Luna style from Coloriffics. This shoe is a black satin platform sandal with a 4" heel and 3/4" platform that is perfect for prom time or any semi formal or formal event. The feminine straps, accentuated with flat pleating, crisscross the instep to create an eye-catching black matte satin platform sandal. These shoes are available in black, blue, ivory, rose and white. They come with a shoe bag to keep your shoes safe and protected when you're not wearing them.

Not only this shoe gorgeous, it's very comfortable too. Who wants to invest in an amazing pair of shoes to go dancing in only to have to take them off because your feet hurt? These shoes have built-in heel grippers and non-slip leather soles and they are enhanced with leather linings and suede insole cushions. This shoe definitely combines comfort and style into one amazing package.

Coloriffics offers shoes that will rock any outfit whether it's a prom dress or a wedding gown. They even have shoes for younger girls to accent a flower girl or communion dress. You can even find gorgeous bridal and evening handbags! Check out their store locator to find a store near you.

Connect with Coloriffics on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all the latest styles.

One of my lucky readers is going to win a pair of the Luna shoes in black in their style.  Here's what you can do for a chance to win:

To enter you must follow my blog & visit the sponsor’s site.  Leave a comment telling me what your favorite shoe is that isn't the one I'm reviewing.

For extra entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter @scentednights & tweet about the contest. +1 daily

Win a pair of D'Orsay Shoes in the Luna Style from Coloriffics @scentednights #giveaway #win @coloriffics http://tinyurl.com/6fybvqw

2. Be my friend on Facebook & post this contest on your wall. +1

3. Follow the sponsor on Twitter +2
4. Like the sponsor on Facebook.  Please tell them I sent you (optional)! +2
5. Blog about this giveaway on your blog AND leave a link back to my site. +5
6. Leave a comment on a non-contest post on this blog. +1

7. Put my button or text link on your blog side bar. +1

8. Enter another of my current contests. +1 for each contest

9. Subscribe to my blog. +1

Remember, to please leave a separate comment for each entry. And please enter only in the ways listed above. I reserve the right to delete comments not adhering to the above entry guidelines.  You must be 18+ years old & live in the USA. The last day to enter is 5/18/2011.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Please note that  I am not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize but ultimately I am not responsible if they do not fulfill your prize win.

Maximal Reserve by Sam Batterman

Book Title: Maximal Reserve
Author: Sam Batterman
Genre: Fiction, General
ISBN: 978-1-935265-52-8
Publisher: Deep River Books
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99

From the book:

What if oil isn't scarce? A secret that can change the balance of the world's power and finance in a moment is known by the most unlikely of people - and he's only been employed for a week.
*****************
Phillip Channing just graduated from college and wants to do something with his life rather than continue on with his education.  He goes for an interview with a very prestigious company and is flown via helicopter to learn something that will change his life.  He accepts the job and finds the biggest oil reserve in the entire world.  Unfortunately, he isn't the only person that's discovered this.  There are a host of criminals and power hungry politicians who have discovered the same secret that he has and they don't want him to tell. They'll stop at nothing to keep him quiet so that the balance of power in the Middle East doesn't change.

This is a really awesome Christian thriller. It will make you question everything you think you know about the origins of oil.  If you like conspiracy theories and secret government missions, you are going to really get into it.  While it contains a lot of technical jargon, it's written in a way that is very easy to understand even by someone who has no technical history at all.  I had no problem imagining that this exact same scenario could happen today in the real world.  This made the book even more fun to read.  Very easy to read and hard to put down.  Great book!

Follow Deep River books on Facebook & Twitter.

My thanks to the author and MamaBuzz for allowing me to review this book.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Find your favorite pillows and rugs at Dash and Albert

Years ago when we were house hunting, in order to get the most bang for the dollars we had to spend, we purchased an older house in need of serious repairs. Over the 13 years we've lived here, we've replaced just about everything that can be replaced in a house from the roof to the furnace. Because all of our money has been tied up in repairing and remodeling the house itself, we've had very little time to redecorate the living area.

I've decided that enough is enough and it's time to redecorate the living room. We desperately need new furniture and accessories. Founded in 2003, Dash and Albert boasts a collection of rugs that are as durable as they are beautiful and, most importantly, affordable. Durable and affordable are music to my ears. I like knowing that something I purchase is going to last me for years.

One of the easiest ways to dress up a room is by changing around your accessories. maybe a new pair of curtains. Maybe a new set of throw pillows. How about a potted plant on the coffee table.  Just a few little things added into a room or changed in a room can really bring a whole new look and feel to your decor.

Dash and Albert has some really gorgeous throw pillows. I chose a beautiful Birmingham Red Woven Cotton Decorative Pillow. It's cream with red stripes. We are going to redo the living room in an Americana/Patriotic theme and this will go perfectly with the navy couch/chairs we HOPE to get.  This pillow is available in 20"x20" or 26"x26" sizes.  It's nice and big so that it's actually usable and stylish! Hand loomed in 100% comfy cotton, these cozy decorative pillows are ideal to curl up with. Complete with a feather/down insert and zipper closure. Their cotton decorative pillows may be machine washed in cold water. Tumble dry low.

I'm really very impressed with the construction of the pillow.  The shape is perfect. The stitches are tight and neat and everything lines up perfectly.   I like that I can take it apart and wash it.  That's so important when you have kids and pets.  Lots of throw pillows can't be washed. You just have to toss them and start over when they look dingy.  That won't be the case with this one. They have a great selection of patterns as well so no matter what your decorating scheme, you'll find something to compliment it at Dash and Albert.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Carrots 'n' Cake by Tina Haupert

Book Title: Carrots 'N' Cake
Subtitle: Healthy Living One Carrot and Cupcake at a Time
Author: Tina Haupert
Genre: Cooking, Nutrition
ISBN: 978-1-4027-7824-7
Publisher: Sterling Epicure
Suggested Retail Price: $14.95

From the book:

Like most brides to be, Tina Haupert wanted to look her best on her wedding day.  After using an online calorie and exercise tracker and reading food blogs, Tina was inspired to start her own blog.   Shortly thereafter, Carrots 'N' Cake was born.  Then came the readers; Complete strangers starting posting comments and asking questions.  Tina was all too happy to help and loved sharing her experiences and advice with them.  What started out as a hobby soon became her passion.
***********************
Most people who think of dieting think of a never ending meal pan containing grilled chicken, salad, fruit, cottage cheese and yogurt.  They think of saying good bye to pizza, carrot cake and donuts. They have visions of no more lunches with their friends or date nights out with the husband at a fancy restaurant.

That's the reason most diets fail.  People stay on them for a week or two, loose a pound or two, realize they cannot give up their favorite baked goods for the rest of their life and they give up.  Tina Haupert understands that leading a healthy balanced lifestyle doesn't mean having to give up all of those tasty treats for the rest of your life.  The author explains how you can still enjoy treats and drop pounds. Dieting doesn't need to mean constant calorie counting and being hungry all the time while you gnaw on a celery stick.

Carrots 'N' Cake is look at how the author managed to loose weight and keep it off.  It's a collection of her thoughts and ideas on a variety of topics including exercise, how to splurge, maintaining your weight, becoming accountable, cravings, traveling and more.  Each chapter focuses on a different topic and inside that chapter are recipes that deal with what you've just learned. She also shares a number of very in depth samples of her work out routines in strength training and treadmill workouts.

I really love the tone that this book is written in.  She doesn't come off preachy and she acknowledges a number of things that many women suffer from like cravings and binges.  For the most part, her recipes are simple and use ingredients that most people will have in their pantry already. She doesn't encourage the use of artificial sweeteners in her recipes and encourages whole grains and fresh produce.  All in all, this is a very doable program that won't leave you feeling exhausted, starving and ready to eat an entire cake in one sitting.  I'm really looking forward to trying these recipes.  They're healthy enough for me to feel good about making them and delicious looking enough for me to want to eat them.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this book.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Article first published as Book Review: Carrots 'N' Cake by Tina Haupert on Blogcritics.

Win Human Planet on DVD *3 winners*

Human Planet is a BBC/Discovery Channel co-production that focuses solely on human behavior. Since premiering in the UK, the series has received overwhelming critical acclaim. It focuses on people and the relationship they have with nature. The DVD includes 80 stories that shows our ability to adapt and live in every corner of the world.

These 80 stories are part of six episodes that are contained on three DVDs. Each episode focuses on a particular habitat and shows how its people have created amazing solutions in the face of adversity. The regions that are included in this DVD journey are oceans, desserts, arctic, jungles, mountains, grasslands, rivers, and cities. There are also extras included that a set of ten behind the scenes bonus features and (exclusive to Blu-ray) a further making of feature called Zanskare that showcases the lives of a group of people who live at the edge of the Himalayas.

This is a truly amazing DVD series.  The footage is spectacular and gives you a chance to see places that you will probably never see.  You see how the people live, their families and children, how they dress and what challenges they face that are fairly unique to their area.

If you have BBC/Discovery Channel, you may have seen this already. However, you still want to pick up the DVD because exclusive to the DVD and Blu-ray is the episode on cities and the extra features. The DVD release date is 4/26/2011 and you can own it on Blu-ray as well.  reCheck out the official site.  Check out the trailer above.  Connect with WB on Facebook & Twitter for all the latest movies.

Three of my lucky readers are going to win their very own DVD set of Human Planet.  Here's what you can do for a chance to win:

To enter you must follow my blog & visit the sponsor’s site.  Leave a comment telling me what you learned there.

For extra entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter @scentednights & tweet about the contest. +1 daily

Win a 3 DVD Set of Human Planet from WB @scentednights #giveaway #win @wb_home_ent http://tinyurl.com/6eadxwf

2. Be my friend on Facebook & post this contest on your wall. +1

3. Follow the sponsor on Twitter +2
4. Like the sponsor on Facebook.  Please tell them I sent you (optional)! +2
5. Blog about this giveaway on your blog AND leave a link back to my site. +5
6. Leave a comment on a non-contest post on this blog. +1

7. Put my button or text link on your blog side bar. +1

8. Enter another of my current contests. +1 for each contest

9. Subscribe to my blog. +1

Remember, to please leave a separate comment for each entry. And please enter only in the ways listed above. I reserve the right to delete comments not adhering to the above entry guidelines.  You must be 18+ years old & live in the USA. The last day to enter is 5/17/2011.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Please note that  I am not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize but ultimately I am not responsible if they do not fulfill your prize win.

KioKio Launches at Anthropologie!

When I was little, I had an amazing imagination. Rather than running around outside like some kids, I would sit underneath my favorite weeping willow tree down near the river and daydream. What I daydreamed about would vary depending on what was going on in my young life. But what was usually fairly constant was that the fact that I was anywhere but the United States.

I was generally on a mysterious island somewhere with exotic plants, animals and birds. I lived on the beach in a grass hut and spent the hours during my idyllic days picking fragrant flowers and watching brightly colored birds fly from tree to tree. That was much more exciting for me than going to school and riding my bike.

Well as I grew older, I had less and less time to spend daydreaming under the weeping willow tree but I never lost my love of exotic islands. I've despaired of ever actually getting to visit an exotic island but I can still steal away a few minutes to daydream here and there.

KioKio gives me the opportunity to enjoy the scents of New Zealand in their new line of body care products. KioKio has soap, body lotion, body mist, body cream and body wash products available in four different exotic scents.

Pacific Tiare & Ti Kuaka - White flowers and citrus combine in this sparkling Pacific Ocean fragrance. Sweetly scented Ti Kauka is naturally cleansing and nurturing for the skin.

Rainforest & Koromiko - Fragranced like a morning walk in the forest after it has rained. Koromiko renews and smooths stressed skin.

Citrus Petal & Tarata - Fresh, clean and uplifting. Tarata was traditionally used as a perfume in thermal pools to revive tired muscles. The Tarata tree has sweet, lemon scented leaves and flowers.

Frangipani & Puriri - Frangipani's rich, heady perfume infuses the air with its warm tropical notes. Puriri gives balance and tranquility.

I recently had the chance to try the body mist and body lotion in the Pacific Tiare & ti Kauko scent and WOW is all I can say. I have absolutely no idea what a Pacific Tiare or Ti Kauka is but they smell amazing.  It's a very light, floral scent that is not at all overpowering.   Reminds me sort of a slightly more floral version of lilac.  Really fantastic scent. Goes on smoothly & is quickly absorbed to leave your hands very soft.

All of the KioKio scents are free from parabens, mineral oils, petrochemicals, silicones, artificial colors, PEG, DEA, TEA, etc.  They are not tested on animals. The packaging is uncoated and uses water-based dyes to ensure full recyclability. The unique rare botanicals featured in the products are “wild harvested” and only leaves that can be removed without damaging the plants are used. I love this!

New Zealand’s eco-conscious body care collection launches on Anthropologie’s e-commerce site on May 13th, just in time to kick off the spring season.

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My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Say goodbye to acne with L'Oreal Go 360 Clean Anti-Breakout Cleanser!

I remember when I was a teenager in high school. I struggled with acne. It seems like I spent forever looking in the mirror hating my complexion and wishing I wasn't one of those people cursed with acne breakouts. I longed for the days when I was no longer a teenager so that I didn't have to deal with acne any longer.

Fast forward 20 30 years and guess what? I still have acne. I have no idea why since I wash and care for my face regularly but for some reason I do. New L'Oreal Go 360 Clean Anti-Breakout Cleanser removes acne causing bacteria in just one wash pore by pore! Pores look smaller and skin is cleaner, smoother and softer. It is also the winner of the 2011 Self Magazine Health Beauty Award for Best Acne Cleanser!

Go 360 Clean is a line of deep pore by pore cleansers. There are five different formulas to choose from. Every Go 360 Clean cleanser has its very own super soft Scrublet built into the bottle to help you reach into every last pore for the cleanest clean.

I really love the scent of the L'Oreal Go 360 Clean anti-breakout cleanser. It has a very fresh, soap like scent to it that's very pleasant. I didn't find that it dried my skin out at all and the Scrublet is really neat. It's nice and soft and very flexible so it's easy to fit on the side of your nose and your chin which are areas that I break out in. It lathers up really nicely too.  I can tell that the Scrublet is helping clean my pores and my skin feels smoother.  I love that it fits right into the bottle itself so I won't lose it and have to hunt for it when I need it. Really cool.

I've seen the L'Oreal Go 360 Clean products in all our local drug stores including CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens.  Have you tried it yet? Which variety is your favorite? 

As required by the FTC:  Compensation was provided by L'Oreal Paris via Glam Media.  All opinions are mine and mine alone.