Comparison between Dessange and Argon Oil of Morocco

Well, I’ve put it off long enough!



I’m reviewing Dessange Hair care products I received from Influenster.com for testing purposes. The reason for waiting? I wanted to give the products my attention and use them for a while before reviewing the effectiveness.



So I present…. Dessange Vs. Argon Oil of Morocco.

I use Argon Oil of Morocco in my daily hair care regimen (Shampoo,Conditioner, and hair oil). I like this particular product because it has made the condition of my hair so much better! I got the email that Influenster was sending me a new product called Dessange to try! Dessange is a French product being sold at Target stores.



After using it exclusively for the last month I have mixed feelings about Dessange.It has a very strong perfume smell which I didn’t mind but others may find it off putting. The shampoo lathers well on my hair which I liked (Depending on the type of water in your area it may make lathering easier or harder). The Conditioner I did NOT like. My hair felt DRY and STRIPPED after using the product and I was not happy with the results.



The ONE redeeming quality of Dessange?

The Color Correcting Crème! It takes the brassiness out of blonde hair. It is kinda scary at first because it is indigo colored so I wasn’t sure I’d get it out, and or make my hair blue by using it. It worked great! I could actually see the results when my hair was dry. Argon Oil is my go-to. It rehydrates my hair. It replenishes the oils lost in my hair due to products and dying. My hair feels soft and manageable and the hair oil makes it shine.



So final thoughts? I didn’t care for Dessange which is a real shame because I wanted to like it so much. I loved the color correcting crème but if asked whether or not I would buy this product I would not. This product didn’t work for me and my unique hair needs so I would stick with Argon Oil of Morocco. (But for the record… I would buy the color correcting crème again!)

#ReesesSpreads VoxBox from Infuenster Review and Creation!

So for everyone, This is a review of the #ReesesSpreads that I received complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Opening this container it smells like a Reeses Cup and so already it was making me hungry! It has a great taste.

My daughter's and I cut up apples, Strawberries, got Vanilla Wafers and Graham crackers to test with the new Spreads. Everything was good with it. I suggest it with the apples because it compliments the crunch and sweetness of the apple.

Our Recipe Creation:

The #ReesesSpreads Ice Cream Parfait

Ingredients:

-Reeses Spreads

-Vanilla Ice Cream

-Chocolate Ice Cream

-Graham Crackers

-Whipped Cream

-Reeses Cup for a Garnish



Layer The following

Reeses Spreads

Crushed Graham Crackers

Vanilla Ice Cream

Chocolate Ice Cream

Whipped Cream



(take a cup of hot water and lower a small cup with Reeses Spreads in it to warm it up enough to be runny) Drizzle the Reeses Spreads onto the whipped cream and garnish with a Reeses Cup.



Our opinion? Good stuff! The kids absolutely love the taste and it is an easy way to turn a fruit into a dessert!

Influenster? What is it?

I just wanted to take the opportunity to tell you about www.Influenster.com and why I absolutely LOVE this service!

First of all Influenster is a way for people to test new products and help to influence improvements to them based on our opinions. For instance: I received a Color Trio Shadow set from NYC Makeup. The colors were great, however, the application was just too small and made it hard to apply. I was able to give the company feedback on how great the product was and how much better it would be with a longer applicator. I was not alone in the assessment! It is also a way for me to try something and then buy it if I like it but I’m not committed if I don’t!

Second of all I get to learn about products and services I didn’t know about before. There are so many new companies out there with really innovative and unique products that we may not have in stores here. By allowing us to try them those companies open their products to a whole new market of people who otherwise wouldn’t know they existed.

Lastly, they started doing online VOX tasks which are cool. The Ebay contests allowed me to play with features I didn’t know the website had and gain knowledge of how those things work. The pay back is Gift Card for my input!



Is this company worth signing up for? Yes, yes…. YES!!!!! It’s a great opportunity and well worth the time and energy.

To learn more about this amazing site and program please visit: Influenster #Influenster #InfluensterApp

Life has left me busy

Hi all,

I plan on trying to blog a bit more. Business has left me not being online as much. Not that it is a bad thing, QUITE the contrary. I'm going to try and write more.. I've been wanting to start writing poetry and lyrics again and so I'm going to start here with picking a prompt question and answering it.

Prompt 8/23/11

Write about why you think or don't think that each of us is responsible for our own happiness.

Great topic. You have the ability to choose to be grumpy, angry, irritated and all of those negative emotions that you can come up with, BUT you can choose to be happy, excited, content, satiated and whatever term you want to place there as well.

Why, with all the positive emotions you could choose why would you choose to be miserable? What good comes out of being a person with an ugly personality that no one wants to be around. It causes stress, causes body issues, and can cause death early. Not to mention those types of people end up alone and depressed.

Joy can only bring good things. When you feel good, you convey that type of postive energy to others. When you smile, you cause someone else to smile. Smile in the face of adversity.

My Little Secret Friend......

I want to tell you all a little story. I'm going to take you back to 1999. I was in college majoring in voice performance. I used to get on yahoo chat and go to rooms where they had impromptu singing. I used to take turns and sing songs all the time. MOST of the time it would be followed by a private pop-up saying "Who ARE You?" To which I replied, "No one but a local singer really".

I met scores of other people lurking on these rooms and this story is about one of them in particular. He simply went by "Ron". He was one of those random pop-ups after I finished singing a song one day and told me he was a travelling singer with a boy band. THIS IS THE INTERNET so I blew it off for the most part. He was neat to chat at because we had music in common and I like making new friends with similar interest, so I played along.

I kept up with what I thought was an imaginary existence because it was really interesting, and shared what I was working on at the time. One day, he offered to send me postcards from some of the cities he visited. I said sure thinking... yeah right! That was before the first of the postcards came in. I still have all 13 of these. Varying cities from Florida to California to Little Rock.

So he says on one email..... I'm going to be on TRL and Jordan Knight is going to be there... Would you like for me to get his autograph for you? I say, "Sure I'm a fan of his music... he's great!" (I'm still thinking.... whatever....). Yeah.... I thought that until I got his autograph in the mail along with some postcards in a bubble mailer.

Still going on 12 years later I'm curious as to who this was. I have my theories but not really sure. He was really cool and I hope that he did go on to do well with whatever he was working on.

I have the postcards as a reminder of my little secret musician friend from 1999.



Just one of the cards front and back. This was one from Chicago

http://yfrog.com/h65fdwmj



http://yfrog.com/gze7veej





And this is the signature I received in the bubble mailer.


http://yfrog.com/gzx31iyj

A year since my last blog!

I guess I've gotten so tied up in LIFE that I haven't been able to sit back and reflect/write a personal blog so here goes.

I'm taking the time to sit back and review my life as it is now. I've been reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and if you haven't I'm loving it so far. But I have to ask myself... "Am I a Lukewarm Christian?" As I read the chapters I'm starting to feel like I'm so involved with what's going on in the world that I'm missing something.

We studied what our "Spiritual Gifts" are and I've come to the realization that my musical gifts are my "Gift". With that in mind.... what to do with this gift I have been given. I perform in local live theatre, I sing Classical music, But how to apply this to my Spiritual life. I sing in a small group in the back of my Church Family but merely to cover voice parts for the congregation(SATB for the music types).

My heart has been compelling me to sing more publicly. That's what I feel I should do....BUT how to bring people to God using my voice is another question.

Now we're studying how to "Create an Evangelistic Congregation". How to bring the word of God to others and have them really listen. Talk often, do good works, and live in Christ as you should.

I know I'm not perfect but I'm striving to be better. To be a better mom/wife/person.

I, just for fun, flipped my bible open to a random page and this is what I landed on.

Psalm 119


Adelph


Blessed are they whose ways are blameless

who walk according to the law of the Lord

Blessed are they who keep his statutes

and seek him with all their heart

They do nothing Wrong,

They walk in his ways

You have laid down precepts

that are to be fully obeyed

Oh, that my ways were steadfast

in obeying your decrees

Then I would not be put to shame

when I consider all your commands

I will praise you with an upright heart

As I learn your righteous laws

I will obey your decrees

Do not utterly forsake me




So I'm searching... searching for my niche so to speak.. What am I meant to do here? How am I meant to use my gifts? All Questions I plan to pray on and reflect as I figure things out.

Interestingly enough, I brought my bible with me to work today to read and it has led to some neat conversations with people. I plan on bringing it more often.

Have a great day and a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Wordle?

Found this.. thought it was cute!

title="Wordle: Shel Silverstein poetry"> src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/1426959/Shel_Silverstein_poetry"
alt="Wordle: Shel Silverstein poetry"
style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd">

Journal Prompt

Journal prompt I chose for today.

If you could read someone by their signature, what would yours say?


-Jeanette
Exuberant,extrovert,sings out loud,plays brass,dances,Acts,takes pictures,is caring,makes lasting friendships,intelligent,witty and sarcastic at times, simply who she is so take that and love her for it.

What would be yours?
-JJ

Quotes!

Some I found to be good ones.

“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”

Irish blessing

“Don't be dismayed at goodbyes, a farewell is necessary before you can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”

Richard Bach

“The unreal is more powerful than the real, because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it. because its only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. stone crumbles. wood rots. people, well, they die. but things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on.”

Chuck Palahniuk

“I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too, So we're really not that different, me and you.”

Colin Raye

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Reinhold Niebuhr

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

unknown

I'm going to Disney World!!!

No really I am... in June... I love my daddy!

http://www.theaitkenfloridavilla.com/


Hee hee... private pool!

Haiku's

I thought I'd post some of my Haiku's for your reading enjoyment. Some are silly, some are serious but they are all my words!


Coughing and sneezing
Having a cold is a drag
I'm out of tissues


Walking in the rain
The clouds are gray and murky
Rain drips from my hair


Anger flows through me
Keeping myself from screaming
My cheeks are burning


Day turns into night
Everything in sleepy bliss
Wishing on a star


The Lord gives his life
A terrible death to die
We are the sinners


Eyes starting to shut
Talking starts to fade away
While sleeping in class


Tall,dark and handsome
Eyes that look into my soul
Body that lures me.


There you have it... some of the Haiku's I have written over the last 9 years. Enjoy!

-Jeanette

Journal Prompt of the evening (What is your Idea of Beauty?)

Decided to go to http://journalingprompts.com/ and put my cursor over a prompt and this is the one it gave me (completely random.. just a page of * and each mouse roll over gives you the topic)

What is your idea of beauty?

My idea of beauty? Someone with a beautiful heart. Someone who is nice to others, cares about people and truely is a good person.

Outer beauty is nice however inner beauty is more valued and more precious. I can see someone who has a lot of outter beauty and their personality is ugly. That makes them ugly to me regardless of the shell they choose to cloak it with.

Ok I want to do another.

How are you similar or different from the person you were 10 years ago.

Well 10 years ago I was a sophmore in college. I was way over my head in things I was doing which left little time for me to have free time. I was in 7 ensembles a year both vocal and instrumental. Although I enjoyed them all a lot I was overworking myself.I partied a bit more than I do now.

I'm more of an extrovert then I was then. I am more sarcastic and cynical than I used to be. I enjoy what little things I can do to continue using my musical abilities and such. And I'm a mom so I have those responsibilities now. I may occasionally have a beer with a friend once in a blue moon because there simply isn't enough time with shows,soccer,work and such.

Life is definitely busier but for other reasons. Nice to be busy!

The Weather

The weather here is dreary. Rain, drizzle and overcast. They are calling for another cold front to come through which will turn all this precip. into either ICE or FREEZING rain.

Ok so i'm a chick right... I'm not so worried about the rain but I don't like ice..

Not because I am a bad driver because I am not, but people here in texas don't experience ice much so in turn they drive 90 + MPH on black ice... hence REALLY bad accidents. So while I'm confident I can drive on it if I am careful I'm worried about the moron next to me with 4X drive who thinks he can drive that fast. A little bit of info... while you have more traction than I, you still can't stop any faster.

Journal Prompt of the day:What is my favorite area in nature? Somewhere you feel completely at peace?

What is my favorite area in nature? Somewhere you feel completely at peace?

I like hiking through the forrest... You hear the animals making noices, the birds chirping and especially if it is quiet you can't help but feel completely at peace.

It's a place to gather your thoughts, write a bit, and just chill for a while.


Sometimes it is nice to be by yourself and reflect at times.

Friendship

The language of friendship is not words but meanings.

Henry David Thoreau

I am blessed to have many good friends and I'm blessed that I'm able to be a good friend to them :-).. Saw this quote and it struck me as appropriate.

-Jeanette

Ugly People and that has NOTHING to do with physical appearance

Some people I would deem EXTREMELY ugly. Does this have to do with their appearance? NO!!! The people who are ugly to others, make fun of people for NO reason, spread rumor.. Etc.. I could go on forever... THOSE people are ugly..


Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Journal Prompt of the day: Tell me about your family.

Ok I'm going to address this question from the standpoint of where my family came here from and my origins.

My father's family arrived in the States in around 1900 from Southern Wales. I have documents that date back at least until 1815 and then I get lost. With that I have german ancestors that married into the family. There is a bit of a mystery though, My 3rd great-grandfather had a brother. I have no idea what happened to him after the 1880 British Census.

Mom's family is even harder because most are far removed from each other and the older people kept no records. I know my mom's mom's family is from Ireland and all 5 of my great aunts and mother have either RED hair or Strawberry blonde hair.My mom's Mom's dad's family is German.Mom's Dad's Family was primarily from England and Germany I think, and there is speculation that there is some Italian thrown in for flavor but I don't have definite proof of the connection. Not sure where the Dutch plays in either but I'm told I have some of that in my blood too.

Anyhow, A lot of Families in Suth NJ are probably cousins of mine through one family or another. LOTS of the Irish families there are kin to me distantly.

Journal Prompt: Write about a wierd day in your workplace.

Wierd day.. How about wierd person.

We have what's called Share Branching. It is a way for people who have associated credit unions to do basic transactions with us for their convienence. We have many Share Branchers but one man creeps me out.

For a while this man was coming in at least twice a day to deposit minimal amounts, and then would tell me stories that creeped me out. One day in particular he says.... I LOVE my Stella.... and although I may look at other women, and by the way you are a very nice looking woman... I only have EYES for Stella... 26 years we've been married... ahhh yes... only eyes for Stella.. then he goes on to say that his son has anger management problems and that if he disrespected his wife he would beat the poop (expletive ommitted) out of him because that just isn't right.

EWWWW! Ok now everytime he comes in I cringe. Who has the anger management problems?

River of My Mind

River of My Mind


The Moonlight rests on hazy clouds
The rain is gently pouring down
I row in an old boat that I've found
Looking for understanding

The Rain is sprinkling on my face
I don't know if I'll find my place
The Path ahead is but a daze
As my mind looks for the answer

The Boat creaks with the passing wind
The trees appear to be caving in
I'm trapped and noone can get in
To these feelings I have deep inside me

The water calms in this river bed
And the rain slowly ceases to spread
My mind clears and the answer is said
And I row down the path laid before me

Journal prompt of the day: How attractive are you?

How attractive are you?

I think that I'm a pretty girl. I guess it is in terms of what you find attractive. Is it in the look in your eyes or Is it what is in your heart... your very soul that makes you attractive. Physically I think most women, who are not on ego trip, have warped sense of self at times and I am no different. There are times where I don't think I'm pretty at all and times I see myself as beautiful.


So I guess like beauty, what makes you attractive is in the eye of the beholder.