Click here for your coupon – McCain Harvest Splendor Medleys

If you have recently gotten a coupon you should now be able to get one again.

First a quick recap on the week:

• Day One
  • Fixed Jack’s sandbox
  • Cleared off the landing
  • Cleaned up the cigarette butts
  • Raked out all the gardens except the ones in the backyard
  • Cleaned up all the garbage in the yard
  • Tidied up the yard
• Day Two
  • Cleaned the main floor
  • Cleaned the boys’ rooms
  • All the laundry in one place
  • Raked out the vegetable garden (now its ready for grass seed)
• Day Three
  • Cleaned out my basement
  • Organized items for sell and donate
  • Put all military kit in one central location for cleaning and organization at a later date
• Day Four
  • Failed at complete my task – clean out the drawers in the kitchen
  • Scored some great deals while shopping
  • Dyed my hair back to normal colours for work
• Day Five
  • Cleaned the kitchen drawers
  • Setup appointment at RBC for their Shoppers Optimum Rewards
• Day Six
  • Went to RBC appointment to set up our bank accounts (have to go back Friday to finish)
  • Took a break – Patrick and I went out for dinner without the kids
• Day Seven
  • Hung out with my son Jack and watched Jimmy Neutron
  • Worked on my coupon book
  • Read two new books  Investing for the First Time and Money $mart Kids

Habits – Week One

• Day One – Put my garbage cans back to their proper place on garbage day & quit smoking by April 1st.
  • Two Thumbs Up – I put them away right after the garbage truck came by
• Day Two - Open, sort and put away all mail every day
  • Two Thumbs Up – Sorted the mail every single day
• Day Three - Put dirty laundry directly into a basket and do one load everyday. (we have a lot of laundry with two kids)
  • Two Thumbs Down – Never did a load since Day Four. Come to think of it I think the second load I started is still in the wash.
• Day Four - Load the dishwasher every night and start the load if it is full.
  • Thumbs Up – Didn’t unload the dishwasher or reload it on Day Seven and still have to do this today. On my task list for tomorrow.
• Day Five - Take my vitamins every morning and every night. ( I can never remember to take medication)
  • Thumbs Up – Remembered to take my vitamins at least once during the day.
• Day Six – Drink at least 3 glasses of water every day. (My husband sometimes calls me a Camel because I never drink.)
  • Thumbs Down – Forgot to drink water today, I was too busy drinking coffee…. hmm do I sense a new habit….
• Day Seven - Read everyday for 15 minutes or more.
  • Two Thumbs Up – This ones an easy one. I love reading. Guess I have to some enjoyment.

I think that I need a task reminder because today I did not do one single that I had plan to do. Yesterday I said I would file all my paperwork away and setup my online banking at RBC. All of which I did not do or even remember until I sat down to write. LOL… I thought I had a completely different plan today. I actually thought before I started writing that I had accomplished a lot, even more than what I had original set out to do but I didn’t because I didn’t even do what I had planned. I did however get a few administrative things done for our move to Ottawa. We also met with Brookfield the company who will be organizing our move. Even went and bought more formula for Dexter because it was on sale and its never on sale.

To fix my problem of forgetfulness I went searching for an app for my iPod because I never go anywhere without. I came up with a few good options. Which I have listed below for you:

1. HomeRoutine – This is my favorite app out of all the ones I have looked at today or in the past. It has little gold stars for every task you complete and lets face it who doesn’t like to earn little gold stars for a job well done. This app actually comes with a chore checklist built-in. This check list is a list of cleaning tasks that we should be doing around our homes either every day or every month depending on the task. They are actually from a site called FlyLady. If you haven’t been to her site go check it out as it has tons of great stuff to read and lots of great advice. You can customize all the lists and create new ones or edit the existing ones to fit your own needs. All of the customization can also take place at their website. This helps because then you do not have to type everything into the small screen. If your anything like me (I hate texting), then you know its frustrating to try typing on these screens.   This app also comes with a push notification reminder so every time a task becomes due it will push a notification to your iPod that its time to complete that task.
   • Cost – $3.99 (Even though this app costs money I highly recommend it as you will not be disappointed) – Available on iPod, iPhone, and iPad
2. Cozi- This app is by far the best free app out on the market today. It does everything you need calendar’s,  to do lists, shopping lists and journals. You can set reminders however this goes to your email so your inbox quickly becomes full. You can also share the tasks with you family if everyone has the app. The best part about this app is that it has an online website where you can add everything you need. Once complete all you need to do is sync the app with your account – viola all your data is in the app. I find this easier than trying to type everything in on my little iPod. This app also allows you to add FlyLady’s chore lists into your app.
   • Cost – Free  I recommend this app only if you want everything built into one or don’t feel like paying for an app. – Available on iPod, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, and Android
3. Intuition - This app is good as it can do a lot. You can customize your lists with categories and assign reminders as well. Unfortunately the reminders aren’t push notifications so your e-mail quickly becomes full. The lists are a basic check lists – no stars – but the interface is pretty to look at. They also provide inspirational quotes at the bottom of the application. You can also share your tasks via Facebook and twitter. 
   • Cost – Free  - Available on iPod, iPhone, and iPad

Click here for your coupon – Lip Smackers

Today was another relaxing day. My son stayed home from day care and we got to hang out. We watched that old cartoon Jimmy Neutron. It’s an okay movie I didn’t think it was very funny but Jack really liked it so that’s what matters. I did manage to keep up with my new habit of drinking water but I think I would like to give the crystal lights a try. I worked a bit on my coupon book but didn’t get to finish this so I will have to do that another day. Tomorrow I have to go into work and get some administration done for our big move in June. I also need to start calling day cares in Ottawa and get on some waiting lists for July 1st.

So I bought two new books yesterday at Chapters – Investing for the First Time and Money $mart Kids. I have gotten half-way through both. I recommend them both for anyone who has kids and wants to save money. The book Investing for the First Time has lots to offer for people who are not financial brainiacs. It breaks down the different types of Investment option from safe to aggressive. The book Money $mart Kids is very useful in helping parents decide how to explain money management to your kids. I will be taking some great advice from Gail Vaz Oxlade’s book. If you’re not sure who that is then I recommend going to Slice.ca and watching a few episodes of Til’ Debt Do Us Part. She provides lots of great tips on saving money and paying off debt in this show.

I have decided that I want to add a new item to my journey and my blog. Every month I will read a new book on finances or time-management and I will write a review. This is to help encourage learning everyday within my life. I believe it always important to never stop learning. So this month I will be writing a full review on these two books. So check back on April 1st for my book reviews.

Day Seven complete and only 358 days left.

Habit

• Read everyday for 15 minutes or more.

Tomorrow’s plan is to file all my mail away and set up my new online banking with RBC.

Being Frugal Efficient Mommies just helps to keep money and tranquility bountiful within our lives. ^_~

Click Here to get your free sample – P&G Health & Beauty!

My day was pretty good. I went to the bank and finished setting up my husbands accounts but I will have to go back on Friday. We didn’t have enough time to finish setting up my accounts. I also booked an appointment for my son Jack to open a Leo Savings account. I decided I am going to start giving him an allowance and I will be teaching him to save half of his allowance. Besides that my day was relaxing. Patrick and I had our babysitter come by and we went out for dinner to Boston Pizza which was really good.

Day 6 complete and only 359 days left.

Habit

• Drink at least 3 glasses of water every day. (My husband sometimes calls me a Camel because I never drink.)

Tomorrows plan finish my coupon book.

Being Frugal Efficient Mommies just helps to keep money and tranquility bountiful within our lives. ^_~

To celebrate the launch of of skyn ICELAND’s brand new White Cloud
Spot Corrector at The Bay, and to add some extra de-stressing to your day,
print and present this offer to receive a sample of Oxygen Infusion Night Cream.
In store only at select locations of The Bay. One per customer.
Offer valid March 26 to April 1, 2012. While quantities last.

Click Here to get your free sample - Print Coupon

Recommended Stationary Provider:

http://www.calliespondence.blogspot.com/

Recommended Skin Regimen:

http://www.beautybar.com/b/skynIceland

http://www.beautybar.com/b/clarisonic

Recommended Coffee:

http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net (and where to find it)

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/09/dining/20100309-new-york-coffee-map.html

Recommended Laugh out Loud Funny:

http://marcyrankin.blogspot.com/

Happy Weekend xoEB

Summer is a funny time for my skin.  I live in a humid climate so my skin becomes oilier in the heat, but since I wear less makeup my pores aren’t as clogged as they could be.  Still, I believe if you take care of your skin in the summer with quality skin care, it will look fantastic!

L’Oreal Skin Expertise Go 360 Clean Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser ($6.99 USD) — A salicylic acid acne treatment with a daily pore by pore cleansing with “the  scrublet” soft cleansing disk. The cleanser claims to control breakouts and clears blackheads and is oil free.

What I Think:  I like to use a little anti-breakout skin care in the summer to control the oil. I have tried this with the scrubber that is included, but it is a little rough for my sensitive skin.  I use it with my Clarisonic cleansing brush and my skin feels super clean afterwards. My skin has also been clearer this summer.

You can find the cleanser at drug stores or ma

NUDE Hydrating Water ($20.00 USD) — NUDE Skincare’s refreshing rose and vanilla floral water removes final traces of cleanser and locks in moisture, leaving skin calm and beautifully soft.

Mist natural toner onto clean skin and wipe gently with a cotton pad. A skincare essential, Hydrating Water is perfect for setting make up and instant refreshment. Revives normal, dry and sensitive skins.

What I think:  I love this gentle face mist.  It smell fantastic.  I like to spray it before I moisturize and throughout the day for a refresher.  A good tip is to keep it in the fridge in the summer for a cool spritz to refresh in the hot weather. http://nudeskincare.com/ is the website and the products are also available at Sephora.

Paula’s Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% Alpha Hydroxy Acid ($21.21 USD)

• 5% glycolic acid plus 0.5% salicylic acid exfoliates sun-damaged skin
• pH range of 3.5–3.8 for guaranteed efficacy
• Reduces signs of aging, including wrinkles, sun damage, and discolorations
• Corrects uneven skin tone
• Restores a healthy, radiant, firmer look to your skin
• Calms your skin with potent anti-irritants
• Contains ingredients your skin needs to look and act younger
• 100% fragrance-free and contains no dyes or coloring agents

What I think: I apply this after the face mist and my skin tone instantly looks more even.  It dries almost instantly so that you can apply moisturizer.  After a few weeks of use, my skin is softer and so smooth.  Serums are incredibly important in keeping wrinkles at bay and skin really glowing, and this one is a good choice!

Skyn Iceland the ANTIDOTE Quenching Daily Lotion ($45.00 USD) — Is your skin oily, congested and prone to redness or premature aging? Stress may be increasing breakouts and oiliness, while depriving your skin of essential nutrients, moisture and oxygen.

The ANTIDOTE Quenching Daily Lotion is a lightweight hydrating lotion for chronically stressed skin. It goes on with a cooling burst to decongest, detoxify and stabilize skin, returning it to its natural fresh and healthy state. With daily use, skin is fortified and protected from the ravages of stress. You can purchase this at http://www.skyniceland.com/ or at a Sephora store near you.

FEATURES & BENEFITS:

• Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids help preserve skin’s natural moisture
• Aloe vera, jojoba and shea butter help soothe, moisturize and heal dry skin
• A mint derivative provides a cooling sensation and helps improve microcirculation to reduce redness in skin
• White willow bark, a naturally occurring form of salicylic acid, soothes irritation and helps prevent breakouts and congestion in the skin
• Icelandic kelp helps revitalize skin and fight inflammation
• Meadow sweet extract helps control oiliness, tighten pores and clear skin
• Yeast extract revitalizes and helps calm inflamed skin

What I think:  This is a refreshing, soothing lotion that is helpful in keeping skin clear during the summer.  I use this after the Paula’s Choice smoothing lotion. I notice that after use, my skin is less red and my pores look smaller. It doesn’t make my skin greasy so that I can apply makeup almost instantly.  Visit http://www.paulaschoice.com/ for more info or to purchase.

I recommend one or all of these fab skincare products to clear and smooth your skin this summer, no matter what your age. Enjoy!

There are definite perks to working at an international beauty company, one of them being the annual Sephora Employee Sample Sale that I eagerly partook in for the first time just before Thanksgiving. The sale is more like an epic company-wide event, where tickets are sold weeks in advance for entrance and the chance to score sweet deals on products ranging from high-end hair tools to pricey skin creams that claim to be better than Botox.

Each $5 ticket gets you a 25-minute time slot to dig through the mounds of product on the 32nd floor of Sephora’s corporate offices in San Francisco and a choice of either five new and full-size products or one “super” product, such as a multi-piece travel set, a hairdryer, or a train case.

The best part—other than the obvious fact that it’s a beauty buff’s ultimate dream—is that all proceeds from the sale are donated to the  non-profit Raphael House, a homeless shelter for women and children.

I was completely amused throughout the work day as I witnessed excited coworkers cheering each other on before they went off to their scheduled shopping timeslots (“Good luck, girl! Hope you score!”). Others would come back to present their “haul” in a dramatic show-and-tell at their desks to a chorus of “Oohs!” and “Aahs!”

I couldn’t help but notice a few men stumbling out of the sale looking wary and bewildered carrying box loads of product, not knowing exactly what they got, but seemingly hopeful that they snagged cool Christmas gifts for their wives and girlfriends.

I was pretty stoked with my own haul: a Pur Minerals Mudd Mask, a full-size Korres Yogurt Body Butter, a giant bottle of Ren eye makeup remover, a bottle of lily and gardenia-scented French parfum, a five-piece Skyn Iceland Detox Travel Kit in a white cosmetic case, and an Amore Pacific Skin Hydrating Botanical Mist—absolutely perfect for perking up my skin on the plane for my upcoming holiday travels- and all for less than $10.

Next year, as a seasoned vet, I’ll be sure to go back more prepared with a targeted wish list, my own tote (I learned the hard way that it was BYOB–bring your own bag), and maybe even a cup of coffee beans to sniff in between testing out multiple fragrances!

Toners and Face Mists are fantastic ways to get your skin a little extra clean and refreshed. Place any one of the following fab products in your fridge for a bit of summer cooling! All of them offer different benefits, so be sure to find the tonic that is perfect for you!

Arctic Face Mist with Multivitamin Complex ($29.00 USD 3.99 fl. oz) — Refreshing, toning mist with a multivitamin for skin to instantly soothe and protect stressed, irritable skin. Has your frantic lifestyle led to a surge in stress-related hormones and histamines? If so, your skin may be irritated, exhausted and depleted of vital hydration and nutrients. You need relief and protection against future damage — and you need it fast.

The newly reformulated, dye-free Arctic Face Mist instantly helps calm and stabilize irritable, depleted skin with a cooling burst of natural mineral water, while fortifying it against the aging effects of free radicals and environmental stress. Powerful antioxidants and a daily dose of multivitamins for skin help energize and replenish for a radiant, healthy glow.

What I think: I always feel pampered with Skyn Iceland products, and the Arctic Face Mist is no exception. It not only feels great going on, it leaves the skin glowing, and smells lovely.  Learn more at www.skyniceland.com.

H2O Plus Oasis Mist ($16.50 USD 6 fl. oz.) — An energizing mist of nutritive hydration enriched with natural vitamins and minerals to replenish skin instantly.

Sea Mineral Complex™ delivers hydrating extracts of wakame, sea lettuce and sea fennel plus anti-aging extracts of himanthalia, spirulina and nori to help restore skin’s natural balance. Enriched with vitamins A, C, E and Provitamin.

What I think: This is the only mist in a can of the bunch. It sprays on pretty hard, so it’s like a blast of hydration. You’re face will be instantly moisturized and freshened! Purchase at www.h2oplus.com.

Zensation Deep Purifying Toner ($35.00 USD 4.2 fl. oz) — A detoxifying and revitalizing toner with tea tree oil to control misbehaving skin and for occasional spot prevention, this toner is dedicated to soothe and refresh the skin as it removes any excess of dirt, debris or cleaners residue, the mixture of essential oils of thyme, sage, lavender and mint to produce a calming, yet mildly astringent effect.

What I think: This luxury line is new to me, and I was happy to try a product from Zensation. Not a face mist, dab a bit of this toner on a cotton pad and wipe away all of the crud. I like that this is alcohol free, but will help with blemishes. Visit www.zensationbeaute.com to learn more.

Boscia Clear Complexion Tonic with Botanical Blast  ($19.00 USD 4.06 fl. oz.) — This soothing, preservative-free tonic gently clarifies and refreshes skin that needs pampering and deep cleaning.

Preservatives have been shown to over-dry and cause further irritations to the skin. Our preservative-free, botanically rich proprietary formula offers a gentle and effective means to ensure your skin stays clear and healthful.

Botanical Blast technology is a pure, highly effective problem skin treatment using a select blend of the finest botanicals available to improve skin clarity, tone and texture. This product contains Willow Herb, a unique anti-irritant, and Jojoba Leaf, a strong and effective antioxidant.

What I think: I can really tell that this mist cleans the skin, it is so refreshing! It is a soft spray that soothes as it cleans. Visit www.bosciaskincare.com to purchase.

2 layers of puffiness

Please, I beg of you! Don’t waste money on expensive eye cream wonders. I’ve sampled them so you don’t have to!

Want your skin to glow? Skyn Iceland creates products that are free of harsh chemicals and they use pure ingredients like pristine glacial waters, powerful antioxidants, potent anti-inflammatory elements, skin-soothing moisturizers, medicinal herbs and purifying extracts. These ingredients are touted to help stressed skin regain its natural glow.

Skyn Iceland’s products do not include parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petroleum, formaldehyde or paraffin, are allergy and sensitivity tested, and are cruelty-free. Another great plus is that the packaging is 90% recyclable.

This all sounds good, but how do the products work, you ask? Well, I tried two Skyn Iceland products that have been recently released, the Glacial Cleansing Cloths and the Arctic Brightening Serum, and I really like the gentle and soothing way that they treat my skin.  

Glacial Cleansing Cloths($15.00 for 30) - These pre-moistened cloths are fantastic for nighttime, when I’m too tired to wash my face (which is often). They are infused with Icelandic glacial waters and natural extracts to remove makeup, dirt, oil and other impurities while refreshing and soothing the skin. The formulas is non drying and soothes the skin. This is also touted to help prevent breakouts, and since my skin does appear clearer, maybe it is helping! They do sting my eyes a bit, so I use a different eye makeup remover on my eyes and this one all over my face. 

Arctic Brightening Serum ($65.00 1 oz) – I love this serum! The claim is that it helps, “reverse the progression of stress-related damage to restore luminosity and improve texture. Arctic Brightening Serum helps protect against premature aging” Ingredients in the serum include arctic root, Siberian ginseng, and maral root, which is touted to “delay cell aging by bolstering skin’s cellular defenses and resistance to stress. While your skin is being fortified, kombucha goes to work to brighten skin and bring back the glow you left behind. A gentle retinol derivative helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Arctic Brightening Serum helps restore the skin’s immune system to optimum levels so skin looks and more importantly, acts younger than ever.”

I apply this serum every morning and evening before moisturizer. I have been using it for a few weeks and my skin is noticabley brighter and smoother. I swear I look younger! It also feels so good when I apply it, it is cooling and soothing. I really recommend the Arctic Brightening Serum and think it is worth the price!

Visit www.skyniceland.com to learn more and to purchase these great products!

I recommend this to anyone who is less than satisfied with the state of their skin. I bought this Detox kit (≈ $45.00) for stressed skin by Skyn Iceland as a travel kit for my Miami trip, but my skin has become so incredibly even and baby-soft that I won’t stop using it even now that I’m back. Granted I rarely break-out, medium coverage tinted moisturizer had always been a necessity as I had this evil redness around the ridge of my nose. Alas, it has vanished. I am going to buy the whole Skyn Iceland set of glacial face wash, arctic facial mist (toner), and the antidote quenching daily lotion, as soon as I find a good deal… or even if I don’t. 

I was using: 
Makeup remover: La Mer cleansing fluid (oil-based)—————————————$65.00
Cleanser: ReVive gentil (one of THE most expensive face wash) (177 mL)———-$70.00
Toner: Kiehl’s herbal toner (250 mL)————————————————————-$24.00
Pre-moisturizer:  Dr. Wu’s hyaluronic acid serum——————————————-$78.00
Moisturizer: Chanel hydramax + active moisture gel cream (50 mL)——————–$70.00
Occasionally: Neutrogena rapid-clear treatment pads————————————-$6.00
————————————————————————————-Total of $313.00

With Skyn Iceland: 
Makeup remover: La Mer cleansing fluid (oil-based)———————————$65.00
Cleanser: Skyn glacial fash wash (176 mL)————————————————$30.00
Toner: Skyn arctic face mist (118 mL)——————————————————$35.00
Pre-moisturizer:  Dr. Wu’s hyaluronic acid serum————————————-$78.00
Moisturizer: Skyn antidote quenching daily lotion (52 mL)————————–$45.00
Occasionally: —-
———————————————————————————–Total of $298.00 

Okay, I guess the glaring conclusion here is damn I’m high maintenance… but my point was not this but that Skyn is the better routine. I feel ashamed now. I think I will switch to a cheaper make-up remover.