Tryazon SmartGames Party

I recently hosted a SmartGames party through Tryazon and boy did the kids have fun!  I invited a few friends to our house for dinner and games.  While the adults were finishing up dessert, I brought out the games and introduced them to the kids.

 

Some kids decided to play a friendly game against each other and others played individually.  The three SmartGames that we played were Busy Bugs (using 4 puzzle pieces, kids had to find the hideouts of the busy bugs!  This game is magnetic and perfect for on-the-go!), Ghost Hunters (this was the party favorite!  In this game, kids light up all of the ghosts in each challenge by placing all the flashlight puzzle pieces correctly) and IQ XOXO (this game is neatly compact and is also great for on-the-go.   Players are challenged to fill the grid with 10 colorful, double-sided pieces, leaving X’s and O’s in sequence).  All three games were fun brain teasers and the kids had such a fun time comparing how they did on each of the games to their opponents. 

After the kids got the hang of how each of the games work, the adults got in on the action and we teamed up - parents against kids!  It was so much fun!  I explained to the parents that SmartGames has won over 70 awards worldwide and then we browsed their website for other games made by SmartGames.  All parents agreed that their website is laid out so user friendly with games categorized by "The Originals", "The Compacts", "The Pockets" and "The Magnetics".  Games are further broken down by age group.  Each of the games are awesome because they can grow with the kids.  Challenges are divided into 4 or 5 levels of difficulty. You start with the easiest challenges. Gradually, the challenges get more difficult so that they stay interesting and fun.  These would make GREAT gift givers, especially with Christmas right around the corner!  http://www.smartgamesusa.com/about-smartgames/

 

#tryazon #SmartGamesUSA 

Blount Organic Soup Party

I recently hosted a Blount Organic Soup party through Tryazon with several family members.  While the snow was falling outside and the temperatures were dropping, we were warm and cozy inside, enjoying each other's company and sampling many of the wonderful soups by Blount Organic.  We sampled Blount's Organic Coconut Lentil, Minestrone and Chicken Tortilla soups.  Each one was unique and had a wonderful flavor!  We paired the soup with some cheese fondue and oven crisped bread.  The combination was yummy!  After enjoyed each one of the soups, I will definitely be looking for other varieties at my local grocery store.  All of the ingredients used in Blount's bulk organic soups & sides contain no genetically engineered ingredients and are USDA Organic certified.  For more information on Blount Organic soups, please visit http://www.blountfinefoods.com/blount-organics.    #tryazon #blountorganics 

AMOPE® GelActiv™ Insoles - Crowdtap Review

I was recently sent a free package of AMOPE® GelActiv™ Insoles, compliments of Crowtap, in exchange for my honest review. 

Upon receiving the insoles, I immediately had to try them out.  I have had problems with foot pain for several years (had a bunion removed a couple of years ago and still have a bunion on my left foot).  So it hurts to wear flats, heels and any shoe with a tampered front.  For as long as I can remember, most shoes are uncomfortable to wear, especially for long periods of time.  But I've continued to hang onto my favorite pairs of shoes, uncomfortable or not, for special evenings out with friends and date nights where I will be sitting most of the time (going to dinner) or only need to wear the shoes for an evening.  I first tried the insoles with my favorite pair of Mary Janes - they are classy and go with lots of different outfits.  To my amazement, the shoes that were once uncomfortable to wear now feel like I'm walking in sneakers!  YEAH! 

The next pair of shoes I tried on using AMOPE® GelActiv™ Insoles is my favorite pair of flats.  I tried wearing these a month ago when I started my new job, but by the end of the day, my feet were in lots of pain.  With the insoles, I was able to wear them all day long without a problem. 

I love how versatile AMOPE® GelActiv™ Insoles are - I am able to use them with lots of different pairs of shoes, they are thin enough to fit into my shoes and still be comfortable and provide arch, heel and toe support for my feet.  Also, the insoles stay firmly in place inside my shoes and don't shift at all - this is a huge plus!  I am so glad that Crowdtap has introduced me to AMOPE® - I am a huge fan!

 

T-fal Ingenio Stop, Drop & Chop Party

I was lucky enough to be selected another Tryazon party last weekend.  It has been such a fun summer with lots of family gatherings and time with friends.  July is no exception -- my son turned 5 years old and I hosted a birthday party for him.  The afternoon before the party, I hosted a T-fal Stop, Drop & Chop party using a T-fal Ingenio Rapid Chopper, Micro Edge Peeler, 4 Quart Bowl, Zen 6" Utility Knife, Tripod Strainer and Cutting Board.  These items were sent to me along with peelers for guests to take home, compliments of Tryazon, in exchange for our honest opinions.  We started by cutting the food into smaller pieces so that they would fit into the chopper.  With just 5 pulls of the string, the food was evenly diced and ready to be added to the bowl.  What would have taken me 30 minutes to chop by hand only took 10 minutes with the T-fal Ingenio Rapid Chopper!  Already I was a HUGE fan!  This chopper is going to allow me more time to get other party preparations done before the big day tomorrow!  Other great features of this gadget is that it uses no electric power, is very easy to clean, can chop food in 5 seconds and has a lifetime warranty!

For the next recipe, we made home made guacamole.  I was curious if the food chopper would dice the avocado or if the avocado would come out mushy.  Much to my delight, the chopper did the perfect job and the avocado was diced perfectly!

We each tried a turn dicing ingredients for the recipe and love how effortless the chopper is to use!

The guacamole was delicious!  Not much left in the bowl!

 

We saved the Hawaiian Salsa to serve the next day - I spooned it into a halved pineapple to make it look fancy!

The party was a huge success!  I made sure to speak with everyone about the T-fal Ingenio Rapid Food Chopper and how it made food preparations so much quicker.  I spoke with them about how all of the T-fal Ingenio products are such nice quality and can be purchased on Amazon. 

#tryazon #tfal 

Sterno S'mores Maker Party

I was recently sent a complimentary Sterno S'mores Maker, compliments of Tryazon, in exchange for my honest opinion of this product.  This past weekend I hosted a family gathering and we were able to make S'mores right on the table on our patio without the need to build a fire!  Adults and kids alike had a great time.  The S'mores Maker was easy to set up, cleanup was a breeze and it provided wonderful S'mores and fun entertainment.  Here are some pictures of my family enjoying the great outdoors with one another and making tasty S'mores!  #tryazon #smoresanytime 

Kids on the Block Party

I was recently introduced to IO Blocks (a product made by Guide Craft) compliments of Tryazon, in exchange for my honest review.  As an alternative to Legos, kids can use them to build all sorts of things (animals, robots, buildings, vehicles and more) by using their imagination or the set of creativity cards that come with the set (showing them how to build certain things).  The blocks are soft to the touch, come in bright colors and are very easy to assemble (easily adjustable friction fit) as well as disassemble.  I recently hosted a "Kids on the Block" party and the moms that attended love how these blocks foster their child's imagination as well as foster STEM skill development.  Another very cool feature to the set is that it comes with an innovative augmented reality IO Blocks App that acts as a virtual build guide: free download included for your smartphone or tablet.  Below are a couple pictures from the party:

                                The kids are enjoying sharing ideas and using their imagination

                                  What a fun filled day playing with friends while learning!

For more information on this product, where to buy and to view the different IO Block sets, please visit http://www.guidecraft.com/product-cat/ioblocks/.   #tryazon  #ioblocks

L'Oréal® Paris Advanced Haircare

I recently sampled L'Oréal® Paris Advanced Haircare Extraordinary Oil Shampoo, Conditioner and Lustrous Oil Serum, compliments of crowdtap, and LOVE the results!  I have used other L'Oréal® products in the past and have been very happy with them, so I was very excited to try this product line for the first time.  The shampoo easy lathered (but contains sodium laurel sulfate, so is not safe for color treated hair) and smells wonderful.  I left the conditioner on for 5 minutes (directions stated 1-3 minutes) and as soon as I washed it out, my hair felt the silkiest and softest it's ever felt!  After showering, my hair felt so healthy and nourished.  Next, I applied the Extraordinary Lustrous Oil Serum and once my hair dried, it was so shiny and my hair wasn't frizzy like usual.  My hair is prone to breakage, so I love that this product line targets this problem and also contains coconut, argan, chamomile, amla, soja and sunflower oils that penetrate and nourish each strand from deep within and then seals in each cuticle to protect hair.  And even with all the oils in each product, my hair didn't feel weighed down at all or greasy.  Once again, I was not disappointed with this line of L'Oréal® Paris products.  I would definitely recommend!  Below is an after photo:

Getting Crafty With Mr. Sketch® Scented Washable Markers

My kids and I recently sampled Mr. Sketch® Scented Washable Markers, compliments of Crowdtap.  It was the perfect day to try out these markers because it was snowing outside and the kids made artwork with these markers for 2 hours!  I sat down with them and began drawing, too... the smells brought back lots of great memories from my childhood and I loved being able to pass that down to my kids.  The boys very much enjoyed closing their eyes and trying to guess the scent of each marker.  We had so much fun!  They love the bright, bold colors and I love that the marker easily washed out of their clothing after all the fun.  Thank you Mr. Sketch® and Crowdtap for a fun afternoon!

Cooking With Country Crock® Calcium plus Vitamin D

I recently received a free tub of Country Crock® Calcium plus Vitamin D, compliments of Influenster, in exchange for me honest opinion of this product.  Before receiving a free coupon for this product, it had been YEARS since I used Country Crock®.  I forgot how delicious and creamy it tastes!  Not only that, but this variety has added Calcium + Vitamin D.  It is also easy to spread and is made with natural flavors and oils.  This is a butter I can feel good about using!  Here is a small sampling of some of the desserts and melted chocolate I recently made using this butter.  The dessert turned out delicious!  If you haven't tried this butter in awhile, give it a try - you won't be disappointed!

Garnier Clearly Brighter Challenge

I recently took the Garnier Clearly Brighter Challenge and can honestly say that my skin has never felt and looked better.  After using this Brightening & Smoothing Daily Moisturizer for only one week, my face is visibly more radiant, feels smoother, appears more even toned and is moisturized.  I love that the Clearly Brighter Brightening & Smoothing Daily Moisturizer is infused with antioxidants (Vitamins C & E, Pine Bark Essence, and gentle exfoliating Lipo-Hydroxyl Acid), and contains a broad spectrum SPF 15.  It has a wonderful smell (unlike some moisturizers with sunscreen in them) and absorbs into the skin quickly without that greasy feeling.  After seeing results with this product, I plan to add other Clearly Brighter skincare products to my daily routine.