Stilettos and Diapers Reviews: April 2014

Monday, April 21, 2014

My Healthy Home with Ology

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. #WalgreensOlogy
Since moving into our house back in December, we've been cleaning things out, trying to get rid of stuff we don't need. We both tend to be "savers" and I don't mean that in a good financial sense kind of way. We've gotten to the point, after several moves, that we just don't want to move this stuff around anymore. We just want an organized, healthy home. We've been slowly but surely, weeding through unnecessary things and and giving things to people that may need them. 

In all of this cleaning out and organizing, I've been doing actual cleaning as well. In our quest to be eating as healthy and naturally as possible, I've been paying a lot of attention to chemicals and processed foods. Why haven't I been looking at the labels on the back of my cleaners? I'm wiping these chemicals on the counters that my kids pick up food from and the bathtubs they sit in. It's actually so gross! 
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After being introduced to the Ology line at Walgreens, I decided to give it a try. Now, Walgreens isn't somewhere that I would automatically think of as having natural products. Wrong. The Ology line is very large and has not only cleaners and detergent,  but paper towels, toilet paper and tissues. My store didn't have everything from the line yet, but they also make shampoo, hand soaps, paper plates, napkins and much more. 
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Ology products contain no ammonia, bleach, parabens, formaldehyde, artificial dyes or fragrances. The wonderful thing about these Ology products doesn't stop at their ingredients, though. They're tree free, not tested on animals and are cost effective. With these products I bought, I got $8 back on my Walgreens Balance Rewards card! 
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These products fit right into our goal of a more natural, healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, eating healthy is much more expensive than junk food. I didn't find that comparison with the Ology products. They are very comparable in price to other products I buy and the sales at Walgreens are fantastic. I so appreciate Walgreens for actually making it easy for us to care better for our bodies, our homes and our environment. 
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You can find Ology products at your local Walgreens right in the aisle with their counterparts. No searching around the store for a natural section. 
You can check out more about Ology products in this "Mom's Cool Things" video from Walgreens.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Make a Caramel Macchiato at Home {with Verismo}

Did y'all know that I used to be a Barista? Yep. Through nursing school, I wore that Starbucks apron proudly. I loved making fancy drinks, seeing regular customers and of course, drinking all that coffee myself. I loved that job so much, that after I graduated and worked as a nurse, I kept working there. I would open at 4am and do a 4 hour shift before my nursing shift started. It was awesome. Until I realized that I couldn't go on very little sleep anymore, no matter how much coffee I drank. 

10 years later, I'm still a huge fan of the good ole joe. But probably the last coffee drinker on the face of the planet to not have a single cup coffee maker. Until now. I just got the Starbucks Verismo brewer from Staples. And take a look, it's champagne! 
Caramel Macchiato with Starbucks Verismo
This beautiful little machine makes a darn good cup of coffee. The House Blend pods are my favorite variety for a good cup of coffee in the morning. 

But, the barista in me loves this machine for more than just a good cup of coffee. The Verismo won my heart when it gave me a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato at 7am, while I was in my bathrobe. See, the Verismo has Milk Pods and Espresso Pods that let you create a "fancy drink" right in your own house. 

First up, I bought a bottle of Starbucks Vanilla Syrup. It's the same thing they use behind the counter and it comes in a bottle big enough to basically last your whole life. Put a Tablespoon of that stuff in your cup and get to brewing. 
Caramel Macchiato with Starbucks Verismo

The milk pod actually makes the milk froth up a bit, creating a thin layer of foam on top. When the milk pod is done, run the espresso pod right on top. You know what's next. Ooey gooey caramel. You can use the stuff you find with the ice cream toppings, or make your own. Give a generous drizzle of that stuff over the top and you're ready to serve! Caramel Macchiato with Starbucks Verismo
At 7am, when I just finished packing lunches, fixing breakfasts and am about to start on the mountain of laundry, a fancy coffee is just what I need. And I love that I can make it now in the comfort of my own robe! 
Caramel Macchiato with Starbucks Verismo
Now that the weather is warming up, the Verismo would be perfect for an iced drink as well! Put your vanilla in the bottom of a 12 oz glass, as you would in a hot caramel macchiato. Fill the glass halfway with ice, then almost to the top with the milk of your choice. Brew one Verismo espresso pod and pour it through the center of your drink. Drizzle with the caramel and enjoy! 

I am so excited to keep trying new drinks in the VerismoI will also be impress guests this weekend with some coffee alongside dessert! 

I was given the above Verismo brewer by Staples in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own. 

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Date Night Makeup Looks on a Mom's Schedule.

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #CollectiveBias
Lets talk makeup. 

I typically don't wear much outside of eye makeup, but lately my body has forgotten that I will be 30 this year and I've been breaking out like mad. I'm blaming all my sweaty workouts for this case of teenage insanity.

I definitely needed a fresh makeup look. I started off with Rimmel's new Stay Matte Foundation. I was shocked at how well it covered all my imperfections, but didn't feel caked on at all. I was even more shocked that 8 hours into a 75 degree day later, it was still holding up perfectly! 
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Since I'm not the best at pairing eyeshadow colors to create a perfect look, I always get a trio of colors. I just love this one by Rimmel called Summer Chic. 

First, I swipe bottom half of the upper lid with the brown on the right. Next, it's the darker grey-ish color on the bottom of the case in the crease, followed by the light shimmer under my brows. I usually skip the eyeshadow step on a daily basis, so I love the look when I take the extra minute to get glam eyes. I do always wear a dark eye liner on the top and bottom lids. 


I love a good bronzer and am a big believer in it. It can completely change the look of your face and give you a nice summer glow. The Stay Matte Foundation really held my bronzer in place all day.  photo file_zps035409b0.jpg
Last step in the perfect quick date night look is mascara. I am quite the mascara junkie and have a little collection. The perfect mascara leaves thick, long lashes without clumpiness. I used Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara to create that look quickly!
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A little pink lipstick and this girl is ready for date night! 
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Check out all the other amazing Rimmel products on your next trip to Walmart!

Does you need a little #BeautyInspiration? Rimmel is giving away 25 $50 gift baskets full of Rimmel products! Simply enter using the rafflecopter widget below! Also, April 2014 is Rimmel's 180 year anniversary, so to celebrate, there will be a $1 off coupon in this Sunday's newspaper for both the Stay Matte Foundation and Scaldaleyes Retro Glam Mascara I used!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. The Coty® Rimmel® Giveaway starts at 4/2/14 at 12:00 A.M. (midnight) ET and ends on 4/25/14 at 11:59:59 PM ET. Open only to (i) members of the Social Fabric community, (ii) legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia, and (iii) who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry. Click here for Official Rules and details including how to enter, entry criteria, prizes and restrictions, etc. Void in PR and where prohibited. Sponsor: Collective Bias, Inc.