Category: Promotions

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Nintendo America Superb Customer Service

Customer service is vital for the success and or failure of any organization. Not to mention that customer service is a huge selling and marketing point to consumers. I am one to rant and rave about terrible customer service by companies and their employees. My recent trip to my local Mesa Starbucks resulted in me never visiting that location again due to an assistant manager (sad that managers have this poor customer service) by the name of Sean who treated me like I was a third rate citizen and argued with me despite my simple request. Sigh, I digress because my focus is about fantastic, exceptional, no questions asked customer service where an organization values their customers.

This Christmas Big G was given Guitar Hero Heroes of Rock for Christmas in addition to Sonic and The Dark Knight and other miscellaneous games on behalf of family to play on the Wii. Our family LOVES, let me stress, LOVES our Wii. We workout to the Wii Fit and love the sports games and Mario Cart to name a few favorites, and we enjoy a family game afternoon where we all get involved. So when Grant got these cool games to enjoy all for himself (and mom and dad when he’s not looking) we immediately wanted him to play the games and get his initial fix. However, the poor guy did not get to enjoy his game at all. When we loaded the discs into the Wii we received an error.

We thought nothing of the error at first because the boy had lost his privileges to the game console for a bit. Maybe the unit just needed a good cleaning and maybe had an excess of dust or just needed to be rebooted. After these trials had failed we resorted to our owner’s manual and then to the web. These fixes did not bring our poor Wii back to life.

Finally the hubs called Nintendo America to find a service center or more information to find out where we could get our Wii repaired. The service specialist on the other end of the line told us that we would be better off just sending our Wii straight back to Nintendo to have it repaired. Furthermore Nintendo added that the shipping to them and back to us was included along with the full refurbishing and repair of our Wii. They would tear apart, clean, rebuild and make sure the entire guts of our Wii are in proper working order for us to begin enjoying our Wii again.

More so, we sent our Wii in and within two weeks we receive our Wii delivered UPS to our doorstep. Nintendo America told us that the repair would be six weeks so the delivery was a great surprise to us. Now here is the best part…the cost. The cost was totally minimal, $92 for us to have our Wii cleaned, repaired and the guts all in working order and all the shipping costs. Needless to say I had to brag about how awesome and wonderful Nintendo was to us and our Wii.

Thank you Nintendo.

For anyone who has trouble with the Nintendo gaming consoles or their personal gaming unit be sure to contact Nintendo before you waste your time and money with the traditional repair centers.

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Organic Home Pest Control

As the weather begins to warm up and the family gets out and about to play, our insect friends are doing the same. They too are enjoying the warmth and unfortunately at our expense. Invading our homes, yards, and causing annoyances and grief to keep them at bay.

USDA Organic, organic, Karie Herring, thefivefish.comI am a firm believer in not using chemicals in and around my home because my kids can get into them, the residuals can get on their skin, and even my dog can get sick from the chemicals used in home pest control.

So I sought out non-toxic, alternative, safe methods, for the most part, an organic ant killer. I tried cinnamon, I still use diatomaceous earth (for my pool mostly) but also to ward off scorpions, fleas, and other exoskeleton buggers. I even found that corn meal can get rid of ants, but did not repel them.

EcoSMART is my savior. When I received the package I immediately surveyed the ingredients. How in the world could an insecticide, ant killer, and repellent be organic? Non-toxic? The answer? The ingredients are all natural oils, like peppermint oil, thyme oil, water, the ingredients are easy to understand and read.

I noticed as well after I received the package that our back patio is acquiring ants again. I went to work on eradicating the buggers so I did not and do not have to worry about my any of my kids being bit by the ants and my bulldog being besieged. I sprayed the ant killer around my back door, and where the ants were congregating and watched as they died on contact and as others came within any distance of the spray they immediately hauled off.

The scent was also completely tolerable. No smell of chemicals, just a fresh minty smell and as my kids were walking in and out of the back door, I did not have to worry about them coming into contact with the spray. While I did wash their hands and feet, I felt safe knowing that them coming in contact would not require me to take IMMEDIATE action or fear calling poison control.

Fact is that children are more often hurt in their own homes by products that we use everyday and assume to be “safe.” Additionally, bugs and pests are becoming more and more resilient to synthetic pesticides and as the formula’s change and the insects evolve combating the problem is only a band-aid and causes further harm to our children, pets, home, and family as we spray over and over and over again.

With EcoSMART you can spray over and over without the worry of residual effects of a synthetic pesticide to harm  your family. If you would like a safe, alternative to ward off pests be sure to check out EcoSMART which is available at Home Depot and other home improvement stores. Or you can enter my giveaway which ends April 15th, 2010. *I received product in exchange for a review and giveaway promotion.

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Babies The Movie

Last weekend The Chad and I went to see “How to Train Your Dragon” in 3D, which by the way TOTALLY ROCKED! Well while we were amped for the movie we enjoyed the trailers for the newest releases, and if you ask me, that is generally the BEST part of any movie.

As the trailers were moving along, the best film that is sure to touch many hearts, as well as the hearts of mothers across the globe popped onto the screen. BABIES. This documentary captures the moments of four children from San Francisco, Tokyo, Mongolia, and Namibia during all their firsts during their first year of life. Here watch the trailer:

The Chad and I were ooh’ing and ahh’ing at this super feel good movie of the year. Heartfelt, unique, and positively breathtaking capturing all the sweet moments of humanity during a child’s first year of life. Be sure to check it out, maybe take your mom or any mother in your life to the movies for Mother’s Day to enjoy a feel good film.

*I wrote this post as part of being a BzzAgent.
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Ward off Spring Pests with Organic Insecticides

Now that Spring has officially sprung and the warmer weather is well on her way, the dormant and pesky pests of summer begin to creep out. Where I live in Arizona, insects, bugs, ants, and the all despised mosquito run rampant in the spring and summer. I despise bugs. With a wrath of passion I cannot stand bugs. Especially ants.

I searched the net high and low for a natural ant killer and the best I could find was cornmeal. Even then, the little buggers were back. I tried cinnamon, water, whatever I could find that was non toxic.

Why non-toxic you ask? Well with my kids running around everywhere, since this is their home too, and an English Bulldog, I needed pest control that I felt comfortable using around them, but effective enough to eliminate my exoskeleton enemy.

EcoSMART is a fabulous company that prides itself in making organic insecticides, among other products, that are safe to use  in and around your home, children, and pets. Not only do they pride themselves in their non-toxic product, it really works!

You too can have this wonderful product in your home to use around your children, animals, everything, without fear of calling poison control! Visit EcoSMART and tell me what products you could use in your home?

Extra Entry

  • Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect
  • Subscribe to my feed (it’s a new one, so you get 2 entries!)
  • Fan The Fish
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Tweet this giveaway as much as you want without having a double entry: #organic alternative to eliminate bugs http://bit.ly/cl3Q5z  @KariewithaK Ends 4/15
  • Read more entry options (which you can blog, Stumble, whatever!)

CONTEST ENDS APRIL 15TH

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Boost Your Immunity and get Gut Happy with Bio Gaia

Healthy diets result in overall health. I know, I am queen of the obvious. But our on the go lifestyles often times mean that our meals and or snacks are the on the go as well. Which can result in adverse affects on our stomachs. Add to that our indulgences in rich, spicy, and decadent foods and our stomach is calling for disaster. Now our children on the other hand are an even more delicate situation.

All of my children were breast fed, however, I had to put Grant on formula as he got a little older because my supply could not keep up when I returned to work full time. The formula would often wreak havoc on his poor little tummy as he transitioned. We do what we can to maintain our digestive and stomach health, but our lifestyles are not always conducive for “happy” digestive processing, including babies and children.

Now add Bio Gaia to your daily digestive routine as a supplement. Bio Gaia is a probiotic supplement to help boost your immune system as well as promote a healthy digestive track. Lactobacillus reuteri is one of the world’s most studied probiotic strains. To date more than 60 clinical studies have been done proving its health promoting effects.

Safe enough for the entire family which is a HUGE plus, Bio Gaia offers infant drops, a 30-count pack of straws, and a 30-count pack of chewable tablets. A lot of probiotics are only offered to adults only, whereas the Bio Gaia line is almost universal for the entire family. The drops, shown to significantly reduce symptoms of colic, are ideal for infants and toddlers because they can be added to a liquid like juice or water. The chewable tablets or straws work well for older children and are effective in preventing common tummy upsets and all three forms support overall gut health.

Our family has fairly decent gut health, The Chad suffers a bit due to chronic back pain, which often results in a crabby tummy (to say the least). He has been taking these daily and is amazed at how well he feels in addition to how happy his “tummy” feels as well. Needless to say “the deuce” is a topic of big conversation in our home. My kids love the chewables and the straws and I even have put the drops in the twins milk or juice if they seem a bit “off.”

You can win a package of Bio Gaia to up your topics of conversation in your home as well as promote a happy healthy digestive track and boost your immune system.

Main Entry

Just tell me a fact about probiotics and which product would be best for your child in your home (drops, straws or the chew-able tablets).

Extra Entries:

You can:

  • Follow this blog publicly through Google Friend Connect
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Fan The Fish on Facebook (2 Entries)
  • Subscribe to my feed (it changed if you subscribed to me when I was with blogger, so please resubscribe) Worth 3 entries
  • Fan Bio Gaia and Everdis Health Sciences on Facebook for more updates
  • Tweet this giveaway for unlimited entries, as long as another comment separates your tweets (no double entry): #giveaway Win a customizable BioGaia probiotic pack from @KariewithaK Ends 4/10 Unltd Entry http://bit.ly/brxLFH
  • Enter any other ongoing giveaway for additional chance to win, just tell me which giveaway you entered here on The Five Fish

Open to CAN residents.

CONTEST ENDS APRIL 10TH

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Hottest New Girls Toy Hot Locks

hot locks, think wow toys, mom select

We all know how hot those pesky pets were, so how about another hot new toy for the season with Hot Locks for girls! My Little Bitty received a Hot Locks Deluxe Morgan to play with as part of the MomSelect Hot Locks toy promotion and giveaway.

hot locks, think wow toys, mom selectWhile Sara may be a bit young at age two she LOVES her Hot Locks Morgan with 28″ of hair to play with, style, and twirl. However, she is all girl with playing with her bright colored Morgan Hot Locks doll. Although she cannot get the full play now, we have had lots of fun styling her “pretty” as Sara calls her brightly colored barrettes and hair ties.

The hair is made of a soft vinyl that can be detangled by the included styling comb. But the hair can become twisted around the doll and in knots if not stored properly. The dolls clothing all stays on the doll (super plus mom!) , but some parts are small enough to be considered a choking hazard. So the suggested age would be 4-6. Each doll comes with different accessories, names, and a coordinating hot locks extension for your daughter to sport in her hair as well!

Your daughter too can play with this fun hair doll where they can spend hours of play andhot locks, styling. Win a Hot Locks Ami doll, and for those who do not win the doll get a choice of Hot Locks hair extension for your daughter so she can be a Hot Locks girl too!

Main Entry

Tell me what you think your daughter would love most about this brightly colored at home salon full doll. Visit the Hot Locks site and tell me which doll or which options.

Extra Entries

These are in addition to the many entry options I offer:

  • Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Fan The Fish on Facebook (2 entries since we rebuilt the fan page)
  • Tweet this giveaway, unlimited tweets daily but no double entry: Giveaway – Hot Locks Ami doll from @KariewithaK before they hit stores http://bit.ly/btXWcJ Ends 4/13
  • Subscribe to my feed (2 entries since the feed changed too if you followed me when I was on blogger)

Open to CAN residents.

CONTEST ENDS APRIL 13

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Jambu Footwear

Last year I was in search of the perfect comfort shoe. My search started in part because of my upcoming Gift Guide event but I am a shoe fanatic, connoisseur, lover of all things footwear. Seriously I have two closets full of shoes, and that does not include shoes I have donated over the years. So last year I found a brand that was formerly known as J-41 and I held a great review and giveaway. Well they were in the process of rebranding to Jambu at the time, along with launching their new website and this year as part of their launch they wanted me to help spread the word on their name and the fabulous brand.

Truly these shoes ARE the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. EVER!

I like my shoes to be versatile. As a woman and mother I like to be able to wear shoes that I can maneuver with the kids and still wear out on a date with the hubs. I also love a comfortable shoe that can move with me when I move with the kids, but still be stylish and not a “tennis shoe.” Basically I am not your average sweats and t-shirts or t-shirt and jeans mama. My step-father coined me best as a “classy broad.” Need I say more. In addition to style and functionality I also am conscious of the brands; are they eco-friendly, are they trade friendly (equal rights and labor in developing countries), etc. Here is why Jambu was so appealing to me, in addition to their fabulous line of stylish footwear.

The Evolution of Jambu

Inspired by the beauty and mystique of the rainforest, Jambu™ Footwear is designed to guide you in style and comfort on your next personal journey – at home or across the globe. Let Jambu™ join you as you zip line through the rainforest, stroll the beach, navigate the city, or travel the world. Be you with Jambu™.

JAMBU™ uses only 100% recycled, recyclable and re-usable packaging. Jambu™ outsoles are made with partially recycled and re-usable compressed rubber. In this small way we hope to preserve our great outdoors for future generations. Renew with Jambu™.

Be You with Jambu

Versatile: Unlike other outdoor brands, Jambuâ„¢ shoes are designed by women for women, therefore, details such as floral motifs, contrast stitching and materials keep Jambu a step ahead creating an outdoor fashion feel.

Comfort: With its Memory Foamâ„¢ Footbed, Jambuâ„¢ will cradle your foot and keep you comfortable all day.

Eco-Design: Because conserving our environment is important, Jambuâ„¢ shoes use partially recycled rubber outsoles, animal friendly materials available in Vegan collection, recycled and recyclable packaging.

The pair of shoes I received for review were the “Journey” which are part of the Sporty WedgeDesign line of Jambu. This cute, sporty wedge features pretty floral motif detail, soft, nubuck leather and is quick and easy to put on. Perfect for a lady on the go, the Journey has a contoured foot bed and extra cushioning for additional support and comfort (Jambu, 2010). Truly these shoes are perfect for on the go, are stylish for casual everyday activities like running errands, chasing the kids at the park, but are chic enough to wear out for an evening.

The shoes are similar to a clog, with the feel of wearing a wedge and the comfort of wearing your favorite tennis shoes. Growing up in Arizona I have always loved to be barefoot so shoes are always so cumbersome and what I ADORE about the Jambu line is the breathable design of their shoes, the no stink insoles, and the extra cushioning for comfort. Plus the soles are rugged and tough and show little to no wear with how much I am in them.

My favorite pair? I could not pick just one. Narrowing my decision was hard enough, but needless to say that any shoe from the Sporty Wedge line would be a favorite. So to pick a true wedge or a sandal wedge? That was the question.

If you love a great shoe but are wanting a multi-purpose, fully functional, COMPLETELY comfortable shoe I would recommend Jambu. You can find them online too at Planet Shoes and Zappos. But feel free to browse their site and find out more about each line of shoes and their eco-friendly materials and animal friendly Vegan collection.

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Verizon Wireless Palm Pre Plus

Palm Pre Plus, Verizon Wireless, Palm, Palm Pre, Karie Herring, mommy blogger, thefivefish.com

Palm Pre Plus, Verizon Wireless, Palm, Palm Pre, Karie Herring, mommy blogger, thefivefish.comFor the last several weeks I have shared the options, features, and capabilities of the Palm Pre Plus from Verizon Wireless and how much I have enjoyed the multi-functional use of the phone. I began to compare the phone to the ever popular iPhone as my husband is looking to upgrade and we wanted to be able to compare side-by-side the iPhone to the Palm Pre Plus. We did the comparison because of the options, pros and cons each of the phones carries and as a consumer, you always want to have educated decisions based on available information.

Service

Our comparison started first and foremost with service. I am with Verizon and he is with AT&T. Need I say more. All joking aside, we did compare service coverage and while AT&T boasts a “nationwide network,” we felt their coverage is spotty at best. The Chad can be outside in his office and have a terrible signal and reception, whereas I can be in the latrine, by the pool, in the car, and never lose service with Verizon. Service was also compared when we made  a road trip to California. On Interstate 10, 85, and 8 I had complete service, except for a brief moment when we passed the Federal prison. Whereas his service was cutting in and out as he was making business calls from the road, resulting in dropped calls, returned calls, or resorting to text only. The final result is that Verizon Wireless has a superior coverage area and the drop rate is nil.

Calling Plans

Side-by-side the calling plans between AT&T and Verizon are comparable. Each offering a 10 person calling plan (the 10 most dialed people in your network or out of network), data plans, unlimited calling plans, minutes and unlimited text, so on and so forth. Pricing is obviously comparable and variable based on the level of service (minutes desired), phone, etcetera, but again comparable. The calling plans will differ based on the phone options and here is where: AT&T offers mobile WiFi for laptops (only) with a WiFi data connect card, Verizon Wireless offers mobile WiFi with a data connect card, but Verizon Wireless offers the “Mobile Hot-spot” function with the Palm Pre Plus (for the same fee as a data connect card) thus eliminating the need for the card for WiFi anywhere, in theory you just need the phone. While the iPhone does offer a “router” of sorts for WiFi connectivity on the phone to your computer, the phone itself is NOT mobile WiFi, where the Palm Pre Plus is a true WiFi hotspot anywhere.

Capabilities, Functions, Creature Features

Now this is where the Palm Pre Plus is dead even, if not surpassed by the iPhone. CurrentlyPalm Pre Plus, Verizon WirelessPalm offers a 16GB phone where Apple offers a  8GB, 16GB, and 32 GB. The amount of applications available is hundreds of THOUSANDS for Apple, where Palm has only a few thousand. While still offering a vast amount, the iPhone is far superior. The touch screen for each phone is also fairly comparable, however, whereas the iPhone offers the landscape touch keyboard, the Palm offers a true slide out Qwerty keyboard to handle true style typing, where the touch keyboard may be cumbersome and annoying on the iPhone. Multi-tasking is another upgrade for the iPhone that is comparable to the Palm Pre Plus. The 3G networks are offering so many options with the ability to handle a call, read an email from said caller, toggle between the two tasks and open another if need be, a true smartphone. However, while the iPhone and Palm Pre Plus are neck and neck in options, the brass tax is the operating systems.

A vast majority of smartphone users have been accustomed to Microsoft based operating systems due to their personal computer operating systems, which are largely Microsoft based. When deciding on a phone, one might consider that differences encountered with the iPhone and Apple based operating system as opposed to the Palm Pre Plus and the ever user friendly Microsoft based operating system.

Music. Music is another factor as the iPhone also doubles as an iPod to play music. Have no fear…the Palm Pre Plus is designed and programmed to sync with iTunes so you can download your favorite music, videos, pictures and more. Windows Media Player is also installed on the Palm Pre Plus for those who prefer the Windows based player.

Conclusion

My personal feeling is I LOVE, yes I LOVE my Palm Pre Plus. I have been with Verizon Wireless for over five years,  I have yet to drop a call due to lack of service area, I have yet to have a problem with customer service (I have had faulty phones, I walk into the store, I am helped in less than 30 minutes, problem resolved, no money out of my pocket, no hassles), and my calling plan price is fixed. I am not worried about hidden fees, extra charges, or hiccups. If I were faced with the option to choose a new plan with AT&T and or choose Verizon, my choice is clear, as was my choice in phone. I could not be happier with the ease of use, the multi-tasking abilities, fun, the clarity of the screen, video, and pictures of the Palm Pre Plus. The Palm Pre Plus from Verizon Wireless is definitely mom (and Dad if you ask my husband) approved!

To see how easy the Palm Pre Plus is to use you can check out my quick YouTube video on how easy the Palm Pre Plus is to navigate.

Thank you Verizon Wireless for the opportunity to review your newest phone.

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Pom Wonderful

POM Wonderful

Have you heard of free radicals? In case you have not or are unsure, free radicals are molecules that float around until they bond to something. Free radicals are pollution, sun rays, anything in the air that cause premature aging, tissue damage, and some believe diseases are causes from free radicals.

Science and research are showing that many of our foods are POTENT in anti-oxidants and vitamin C which have been suggested to fight free radicals, improve skin and health. But I won’t bore you with all the great facts about POM Wonderful as a daily beverage to provide you with wonderful health benefits.

And….the beverage tastes WONDERFUL (really….it does), makes for great additions to food recipes, and as the research suggests, good for you.

Our family has been fans of POM for some time and they even have a hybrid tea/juice and is superb! My twins are hooked on POM, 100% pure Pomegranate juice. So much so that I had to restock the fridge as we drank all of our samples rather quickly.

POM WonderfulHowever, before we guzzled all the anti-oxidant goodness that is POM. I made a few spritzers for the kids with POM and Diet Sierra Mist. No caffeine, no sugary hype, and the kids loved it. I also made a wonderful POM reduction glaze for my fruit salad that we served over pound cake. Of course we drank POM Wonderful straight up too….why wouldn’t we?

POM Wonderful is a U.S. product, the orchards are located in California. Whereas other pomegranate juices are a mix of import products from pomegranates from Iran, Turkey, India and are mixed with fillers and other unhealthy additives. As a lot of you may know I am ALL about buying as much domestic and organic products as possible. I want my kids to enjoy every bit of “fruitful” benefits without all the fillers and harsh chemicals.

Not to mention that POM Wonderful pomegranates are like grape varieties, the breeds with wonderful health benefits and the other breeds that just have great flavor. To read more about how POM Wonderful can make a difference in your life and how your family can enjoy it’s many healthful qualities be sure to check out the website. There you can find lots of recipes and find out more information on health matters as well.

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Beauty of Mirra

mirra, Kroger, thefivefish.com

Here lies Karie Noel Herring; beauty addict. Hi, my name is Karie and I am a beauty addict. Admittedly I love to try new beauty products and I have cabinets (and truly boxes) filled with tried and true and tried and failed products. I have invested in some of the finest products from France, Switzerland, and I have invested in some of the greatest bargain products available at your local grocer.

mirra, Kroger, thefivefish.com

I recently was presented with the opportunity to try a new beauty line exclusive to Kroger brand stores, Mirra. The goal of the Mirra beauty line is for the effortless beauty care for women which are: Daily – routine personal care; Renew – a rejuvenating time out; and Inspire – quick transformations for a night out. The Kroger Company, on behalf of the Global Influence Network, provided me with the following products to review and share:

  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body Wash
  • Body Lotion
  • Under Eye Wrinkle Cream
  • Daytime moisturizer and wrinkle reducer
  • Night time moisturizer and wrinkle reducer

Here is my take; I truly enjoyed the shampoo, conditioner and body wash. While they are Mirra, Kroger, thefivefish.comsulfate free products they are wonderful for cleansing and moisturizing. My skin and hair do not feel stripped or quenching for thirst like some sulfate products that I have used. Especially because the shampoo and conditioner are the “volumizing” option which tend to strip hair a bit more to give it oomph. The scent is very light and not loaded with perfumes. The body wash, however, is a bit overwhelming with scent. I felt like I was bathing in gardenias. While a very lovely scent, I am not a big “flower” girl.

The body lotion is wonderful! Very smooth and silky and quenching. A little goes a long way and I did not feel greasy, thick, or heavy. Whereas the facial creams cannot be described in the same fashion. The under eye cream is nice, blending well and seeming to absorb well into the skin. However, when I would apply my makeup the under eye cream would appear to cake up and pill off of my face. Almost as if dry skin flaking off.

The day and night creams I was excited to use as well. My skin is not as supple as it used to be, especially because I tended to abuse it in my 20s with smoking, tanning, and inconsiderate care. But the creams seem to do more harm than good. After application my face would feel greasy and as if I had just spent time working out. Furthermore, my face DID NOT react well to the creams and I began to have breakouts. Upon discontinuing use my face returned to a normal state. While the consistency was very nice the cream was NOT for me.

Even though the creams were not for me and the washes and lotion were, doesn’t mean they cannot be your complete and affordable, total beauty regimen. You can win a beauty pack very similar to the products I received myself and receive a coupon for $5 off the purchase of two Mirra products at Kroger and Kroger brand stores. Here is how you can win:

Tell me in a comment your peeve with beauty products or the WORST product you have ever tried.

Extra entries:

  • Follow this blog with Google Friend Connect (right hand side)
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Tweet this giveaway with unlimited tweets, no double entry: Win effortless beauty Mirra full size beauty prize pack with @KariewithaK  http://goo.gl/3wbt Ends 3/23
  • Subscribe to my feed (Worth 3 entries)

CONTEST ENDS MARCH 23RD @ 11:59PM