The Fast Metabolism Diet by Haylie Pomroy

 

 

 

When SheSpeaks invited me to try this book I was over the top excited I want to lose weight and if I don't have to diet even better. I don't follow diets very well because I have little or no will power when it comes to food. I don't mean I eat EVERYTHING I just mean I don't like to deprive myself. I feel if I want a cookie, I will eat a cookie. I started reading this book and thought WOW this is great I may actually be able to follow this non-diet plan.

 

It's a 28 day process and there are four phases to follow, Haylie talks about eating every four hours and hey, I can do that,I do on daily basis. I have never done it like she describes but when I do snack I try to make it as healthy as possible. But she gave specific things with specific time frames to eat them and again I thought this won't be so bad. I like fruits and vegetables there is even a "phase" that allows for carbs.  Then she gives you exact foods you can eat during the phases. She also tells you what type of exercise to do during the phase.  There is one HUGE rule if it's not on the list don't eat it.

 

None of this is hard and I understand that but this is what happened. I started out with every intentions on following phase one to a T Monday morning then life got in the way. The first excuse I had was I forgot to bring the book or a list with me to the grocery store so I wasn't stocked up on phase one foods to eat, then you know I looked at the list and coffee was not on it OMG I can't live without my coffee, then the last thing was I forgot to eat within thirty minutes of waking.

 

So needless to say I never actually made it through any of the phases but I am hoping one day I will work up the will power and have the mindset to be completely prepared and work my way through all of the phases.

 

This books is very well written, easy to follow, with very basic instructions. There is no guess work on your part so if you are looking to lose weight and have the will power to eat only certain things this book would be for you. From what I see this is not a starvation diet it is just a "strictly limited to" these foods on these days. Sorry I really wish I could sit here and tell you -- or show you that I'm 20lbs lighter but I never even tried.

 

 



• I received this product free from SheSpeaks but the opinion is all mine.

 



Olay FreshEffect Shine, Shine Go away Minimizing cleanser



I was around twenty but I remember the day it like it was yesterday. I was walking around Walmart and one the sample ladies asked me "What do you use to clean your face?" I stopped to talk to her thinking  to myself what does she mean? I told her "nothing just soap. I wanted to hide when she answered me "I can tell". Shocked and embarrassed I followed her down the isle and she handed me a ton of products she said I needed. I was feeling pretty bad about myself, I mean my skin must be terrible if a stranger can tell I don't use anything special to clean my face. I decided a little later during the shopping trip (probably just making myself feel better) that she was only try to sell me those products and put them back. Plus my husband said his mom and sister only used Clinique and it was the best I would be wasting my money buying those products.

A few weeks later I was at the Clinique counter getting my "free" makeover and my makeup had never looked so good. As far as makeup I have always been a Covergirl or Maybelline user but when I saw how good my make up looked after my "makeover' I had to have theirs. I remember looking at the price of some of the products thinking WOW this will cost a small fortune but  I purchased everything the girl recommended for my skin plus more. I do have to admit my makeup NEVER again looked the way it did that day but  I never got insulted about my skin by a total stranger after using the products so I guess they were working.

I never questioned it and for years I went to the counter but cringed a little when I spent $200/$300 but it was the "best" plus it was for my skin and I'm worth it.  I recently started doing product testing for some my favorite sites you see me talk about here, I have also met some great people in the process.  During my testing I've been introduced to some other brands of makeup which were not necessarily new but something I hadn't tried.  I would see reviews of other cleansers, makeup, and moisturizers that were not near as costly as Clinique. I thought it would be great to find something that worked and not have to spend a small fortune for it.

One of the girls I follow on Twitter posted about how much she liked the Olay Fresh Effects Shine, Shine GoAway cleanser so when there was a sample available I was excited to try it for myself. I also was very excited because I have a problem with my forehead getting shiny mid-day. The first thing I have to say is the sample was very generous in my opinion it was 20ml and not just one of those little pods that other companies send.

Since it is a cleanser I used it in place of my facial soap. The first time I used it the color threw me off because it is a silverish color, my camera could not capture it enough for me to show you.  I put a small amount on my finger and started to lather it. The smell is very light but very pleasant and it lathers wonderfully. After creating a great lather I lightly scrubbed then rinsed my face. The first night I noticed that my face didn't feel dried out like it did sometimes after I washed my face with my previous facial soap. After using for a few days I grew to love the Shine, Shine go away, my face has never felt fresher, or cleaner. I follow it with my moisturizer and my face feels amazingly soft and smooth. Last but not least my face is not shiny and oily mid-day -- EVEN after using BBCream and that usually makes me look like and oil slick.

Not only is this just as good as the Clinique I was previously using, it is better I will replace my facial soap with this. I also look forward to trying other products in this line. This proves that you don't have to spend more to get a good quality product.  The entire FreshEffects line is inexpensive and they often have coupons in the Sunday paper. If you want to check out the line her is a link to the Olay website

Although the product was a sample, I was not asked to do this post nor did I receive any compensation for this post.. And yes the opinions are all mine!

Aveeno Nourish and Dandruff Control

I don't use dandruff shampoo all the time but I do need it occasionally when I feel the annoying itch. I usually use Head and Shoulders but I didn't like using it when it was a 2n1 because it never left my hair feeling conditioned enough. Then they came out with a separate conditioner and it was okay but I still felt like it was pretty harsh for my hair. When I got accepted for the Aveeno Nourish mission from Smiley360 I was very excited to try something new and I had not heard of it before.

Aveeno Nourish and Dandruff control is available in a 2n1 or separate shampoo and conditioner they sell for around $7.50 a piece and can be found at WalMart. I would say your favorite drug store but my CVS did not carry it. Of course, I choose the separates because I never feel conditioned with a 2n1.

 The first thing I noticed when I opened the bottle was the smell is fantastic, it is the second best smelling shampoo I have ever used. The shampoo was very thick but I didn't find the shampoo lathered a lot and that was a little disappointing. The conditioner was also thick and it didn't take very much to make my hair feel soft. I was very pleased because  my hair feels and looks great after using the Aveeno and I don't have that aggravating itchy scalp. Overall I give it a 4/5 because I wish the shampoo would lather more.

If you want to know what other Smiley members think check it out here.  I received this product free from Smiley360 but the opinion is all mine.





Your LBD will thank if you use Secret Outlast

As much as I hate to admit it I sweat like crazy and I have a hard time finding a deodorant that works. I remember when I worked a dentist office being under the bright lights all day I would have pit stains and not smell so fresh. WOW talk about embarrassing so I immediately shopped for new deodorant. After four or five woman's deodorants I couldn't find one that worked for me so I used a man's for a while. Thanks to perfume, I didn't exactly smell like a man but I sure didn't feel feminine using a man's deodorant.  But compared to pit stains and BO smelling like a man's deodorant was better than smelling "manly" if you know what I mean. When Degree came out with a woman's deodorant and I was so grateful that it worked.  I dried cleared but it did leave white marks on several of my clothes in the morning but I dealt with the mess.

I have never really thought about trying another deodorant and I was scared to try  others fearing they wouldn't work. When I got the Secret 24 Hour Outlast in my SpringFever voxbox from Influenster I gave it a try. It's little black dress approved because it won't leave white marks. Honestly I'm very careful not to ruin my little black dress with white marks, it's the everyday black shirts that get the stains.  I hate that because then you either have to scrub the stain off or change. Who has time for that in the morning? Plus white marks will run up your dry cleaning bill.

When I pulled the Secret out of the box the first thing I noticed was how good it smells. It has a feminine, floral smell which I adore. I was little hesitant t because it is a gel and I was afraid it would feel funny under my arms. The first time I put it on it was different but nothing I couldn't handle and it dried very quickly. The deodorant itself is clear so it goes on clear and stays clear. It doesn't feel sticky or gooey plus it leaves no deodorant balls to haunt me when I wear sleeveless. The wonderful smell lasts all day I have smelled it even after getting out of the pool.



I applied Secret once a day in the morning and lasted throughout my busy day --  10 hours of work, a brisk walk on my breaks, cooking supper, washing dishes, helping with homework, then putting the kids to bed all of that with no odor, wetness, or pit stains. I recommended it to someone who wore it on a two and half hour job interview and she stayed dry. For weeks now I have worn Secret without being let down and that says a lot in Louisiana summer. I would wear this deodorant under any circumstances with confidence and I think you can too.  

Even though I was not in the market for a new deodorant I found one that works better then my former favorite.  I give this an A++ and will continue to buy Secret Outlast Clear. I would recommend it to friends and family.  It sells for around $4.59 so it's equivalent to it's competitors. 

I saw a deodorant sponge the other day when I was shopping and I thought I'm so happy I don't need that anymore. I'm also so glad I don't have to do the Deo dance anymore but it pretty funny to watch this dance check it out here.   If you want to see what other Influenster members think here's a link

I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes but the opinion is all mine. For those of you who are not familiar with  Influenster, what are you waiting for -- check it out. Influenster is a free-to-join community of invited trendsetters who live to give opinions of products and experiences. Influenster creates links between brands and members to reward participation and influence future products. As I mentioned before it's a very fun site and I think they rock!!

Dickinson Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes

I received a box of Dickerson's Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes they sell for $5.99 for a 20 count box. You can find it at your favorite local drug store.  I was very excited to try these because mid-day my forehead starts to shine almost as bright as a light bulb. I apply powder but it never makes it go away. I can't stand that oily look so this was something that I thought would be very useful and I couldn't wait to try them.  



Excitedly I ripped open one of the individual packets, the first thing I noticed was the towelette is nice size, it also is pretty thick and with it being individually wrapped it stays very moist. Witch Hazel can be used in so many different ways I wasn't sure how to work the towelettes into my skin care regimen.  I started using them in the afternoon after my toner and on lazy days I used them as a make-up remover wipe.  Then I followed with my regular moisturizer and eye cream.  I have seen where others replaced their toner with these wipes. I'm sure there is no wrong way to use them, whatever fits your lifestyle best. They are great to bring with you to the beach, gym, or on your morning run to refresh your face.


When I first open the wipes the smell was not my favorite but after a few uses I started to get used to it.  I love the way it makes my face feel cool after using it reminds me of an old toner I used when I was a teenager. After a few uses I saw the bags and dark circles under my eyes starting to go away and my face did not shine like a light bulb mid-day.

So what are the perks of Dickinsons Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes? They make my face feel cool and refreshed, they have lessened the appearance of the bags and dark circles under my eyes, they have stopped the mid-day light bulb on my forehead, and they are very portable. The only con is the smell but I got over that quickly.  Plus Pintrest has tons of great uses for witch hazel, it's good for sunburn, diaper rashes, and insect bites.

Overall I think these get an 8/10 and I would purchase these again.  I would also like to try other products from this line.  Check out the Dickinsons website for products and skin care tips.

I received a box of in my SugarNSpice VoxBox complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. The product was free to try but the opinion expressed in this post are all mine and I was given no additional compensation for it.