Folgers Flavors Coffee Enhancers

Disclaimer: As a member of Crowdtap, I was given free samples of this product to evaluate. All opinions are my own.

As a self-admitted coffee-holic, I was so thrilled to be chosen to sample one of Folgers' newest products: Folgers Flavors Coffee Enhancers. I'm always looking for new ways to flavor my coffee and I'm always up for trying out new products, so it was a total win-win from the get go.

Before my sample pack arrived, I had preconceived notions of what the four bottles would look like: I figured they'd be the size of normal coffee creamers and I figured they'd need to be refrigerated. Boy, was I ever wrong!

For one thing, they're tiny, as you can see from the bottle perched on my hat. I guess I didn't pay much attention when the documentation said each bottle would hold 1.62 ounces of product! They also don't need refrigeration, though you should try to use it all up within a month once a bottle is opened.

With all of that aside, let's get to the brass tacks.

* I received four bottles of product. Flavors included were Hazelnut, Caramel, Mocha, and Vanilla.

* The bottles may be mini, but yowza, they pack a serious punch! If you should happen to get some of the liquid on your finger, don't taste it! It'll be way stronger than you'd ever imagine. The Caramel one actually burned my tongue a wee bit (though it's totally fine in coffee, so no worries there!).

* Flavor preferences vary per person, of course, but I found that a gentle squeeze or two gave me more than enough flavoring. The bottle looks so small that you can't imagine it'll last long, but trust me: it will. That little bottle goes a long way. And be very careful when you squeeze: it shoots out like a rocket!

* I found the flavors to be true-to-life, eg, they taste how you'd expect them to taste. My personal favorite is the Hazelnut.

* It's not a creamy product, so if you like cream with your coffee, you'll need to add that separately. These are flavors ONLY.

* I LOVE that they're so tiny. They're super easy to store.

* I also love that there's no refrigeration required. It saves me much-needed fridge space!

All in all, I give these a thumbs up. Look for 'em at your local retailer!

Vichy Idealia Life Serum

Disclaimer: As a member of Crowdtap, I received free samples of Vichy Idealia Life Serum to test. All views expressed are my own.

I'll be honest: I was very skeptical that this product would make much of a difference at all for me. I've always had decent skin; I never had issues with acne as a teen. In fact, if anything, my skin is on the dry side. But given that I'm always keen to try out new skincare products and that I'm increasingly concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, I was pleased to accept this sample and share.

So here's the scoop from my perspective.

The Good.

* The texture. It's rich and creamy.

* The feel. It's surprisingly lightweight and goes on smooth. I could feel it slowly sinking into my skin and to me, that's a plus because I can FEEL something happening.

* The scent. Now others might have mixed feelings about the smell, but it worked for me. It's very strong and kind of perfume-y. I was surprised to find that I liked it since I usually run from any facial care products that are scented, but the scent is appealing. AND it doesn't make my nose itch.

The Not-as-Good.

* How to use it. Yep, you read that right: It doesn't appear to have any SPF (per the ingredient list), so I wasn't sure if I should use it before or after my facial sunscreen.

* No SPF. I neeeeed my facial care products to contain SPF. I'm a fair-skinned girl and need my sun protection!

* The Effects. So this is kind of a major issue, but I didn't see a huge difference after the eight-day trial ended. But again, my skin was in pretty good shape to begin with, so I can't expect miracles. It does give you a nice pinkish glow, so if you're into that, it's for you.

All in all, I like this stuff. I can't comment on the price since I didn't have to purchase it, but I'm guessing it's pricey. But if you get the chance to try it out, do it.

Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Cleansing Cloths

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Cleansing Cloths via Crowdtap. Opinions expressed are my own.

I have kids so I understand the vital importance of having wipes on hand for, uh, unexpected bathroom emergencies. Since my youngest child recently potty trained and no longer uses diapers or Pull-Ups, I didn't realize how dependent we'd become on having wipes handy at all times until a recent potty accident with my 6-year old re-opened my eyes. How does anyone make it without pre-moistened wipes?! Sure, I could wet down some toilet paper, but a) we're living under serious drought restrictions and b) the TP falls apart almost every time!

So yeah. You could say I'm a fan of the Cottonelle Wipes. Why?

The Pros.

1. They smell surprisingly good. I wasn't expecting the light, fresh scent. It's not overwhelming; just pleasant and clean.
2. They're actually moist (at least, they are when you first put them in the dispenser). A lot of wipes aren't seem to lose their moisture before the package is even open. Not so here.
3. They're great for little, uh, clean-ups. Everyone has a need for these now and again, whether or not we want to admit it.
4. The dispenser rocks. They're easy to insert. I had a wee bit of trouble with them sliding back into the dispenser at times, but it was easy to just stick my fingers inside the rubber top and pull the next sheet on out.
5. They're a nice, reasonable size. Think a little larger than a few squares of toilet paper. Not huge, not tiny.
6. They're refreshing. Seriously. Try it. Aaaahhhh.

The Cons.

1. They're not free. I got mine to try out for free, but the dispenser with 42 cloths --a starter kit that works well for any bathroom surface-- runs about $5 at Target. (Yeah, I'm stretching a bit. I like these so it's hard to come up with cons!)
2. They don't do well with persistent rubbing. I used a few of these to wipe off my kids' feet after a fruit-picking excursion at a local orchard. After about five wipes, they tore down the middle. I doubt anyone would ever rub his or her bum quite as vigorously as I rubbed their little feeties (because man alive, they were dirty!), but just something I thought I'd throw out there.

All in all, I recommend these. They make a great addition to any bathroom.

Kleenex Brand On-the-Go Packs

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of Kleenex On-the-Go Packs to try out as a member of CrowdTap. All opinions expressed are my own.

I like Kleenex brand tissues. If I took a trip in the way-back machine to visit my childhood, I'd probably find my younger self wiping my schnoz with them. So I was pleased to get the chance to try the brand's next generation item, so to speak.

But that's neither here nor there when it comes to my current purposes. So I'll dive on in.

The Pros.

1 - The tissues still rock. Soft and smooth yet strong and they feel good against the nose.
2 - The packages are super cute. Mine (see photo) is a bright, bold floral print. A big style upgrade over the old crinkly clear plastic versions.
3 - The packages are surprisingly strong. No more wimpy plastic. Nope. This things are thicker, smoother plastic. And even better, they don't offend my often texture-sensitive fingertips.
4 - Yet more on the package! They open up and then actually close again with little to no effort, thanks to a strip of surprisingly effective sticky stuff! Score.

The Cons.

1 - There are only 10 lonely tissues in each pack. That's not many. I'd like a few more.
2 - The price tag. Generic tissues are still cheaper. The packages aren't as cool, but we are still talking about things we use to wipe away boogers.

All in all, I recommend these, especially if you can find a good coupon to bring the price down a bit. Quality is quality, and if you like quality, Kleenex is where it's at.

Coppertone ClearlySheer

Disclaimer: I received free samples of Coppertone ClearlySheer as a member of BzzAgent.

When I initially signed up for the Coppertone ClearlySheer BzzAgent campaign, I didn't expect much. My past experience had taught me a few "truths" about sun protection:

1. It smells like the beach.
2. Even the non-greasy formulations that promise not to clog my skin will still clog it.
3. The lotion will feel vaguely mask-like and uncomfortable on my face.

When I received the box in the mail, I pulled out two formulations --a yellow bottle designed for Sunny Days, and a blue bottle for the Beach and Pool. I popped open the bottle of Sunny Days lotion and took a whiff. And I was surprised --like, genuinely surprised-- to find that it actually didn't smell like your stereotypical sunscreen! Instead, it had a pleasant, light, floral aroma.

The next morning, I slathered some on my arms and legs and paused as I got to my face, remembering the breakouts and the uncomfortable sticky feelings of the past. But I pushed through, applied a small amount, and was again pleasantly surprised by the product. It has a barely-there, light-weight feeling. And even better, it didn't do a single thing to clog my pores. A few days passed by, and no pimples! But best of all, the broad spectrum SPF 30 protection effectively shielded my skin from all apparent sun damage.

All in all, I recommend this product. Visit the Coppertone website for more products details and coupons.

McCormick Grill Mates

I was uber-lucky to be chosen by Crowdtap to host a party featuring products from McCormick's Grill Mates line for free.

Even though I knew what I'd be getting, I was still stunned to get the box, open it, and find a super selection of tasty spices and seasoning packets inside.

The Premium Montreal Steak Sauce made for an unexpectedly yummy addition to my plain burger. I generally use plain old ketchup and mustard to top my meat, but without a steak in sight, I opted to use the steak sauce as a burger topper. It was very good; less sweet than a traditional barbecue sauce would be, but with a good tang that makes it a nice deviation from tomato ketchup. I'd definitely use it again on a burger, probably with a pile of lettuce and tomato on top. It might also be really good with jalapeno peppers; the sweetness of the sauce would probably cut the heat of the peppers quite nicely. An A for this one.

I'm usually a butter-only kind of girl, but I must admit that the Chipotle and Roasted Garlic Seasoning served as a nice complement to my corn on the cob. I prepared it on the grill with a healthy slathering of butter, and then sprinkled the seasoning on top just before taking my first bite. The hot, spicy, vaguely smoky flavor teamed up nicely with the sweetness of the corn. I didn't care so much for the big flecks of spice --I wish it had been ground a wee bit finer-- but the flavor was excellent. It burned my lips a bit, but that's nothing some good lip balm can't cure! A B+ for this one.

The Classic Burger Seasoning Mix made good, flavorful hamburgers, though I tend to prefer mine with just salt and pepper. A B for this one.

As I try new products from the Grill Mates line, I'll add my comments here!

Litter Genie

Disclaimer: As a member of Crowdtap, I was given a free Litter Genie to test. All opinions expressed are my own.

I grew up with cats, and with the exception of my college days in the dorms, I can't remember a time when a feline didn't grace my home. So when the opportunity arose, I was excited to try out a Litter Genie. To put it simply, it's a Diaper Genie for cats: a large plastic bin that holds litter box waste in an odor-proof plastic bag.

It arrived on my doorstep in a large box, and I assembled it in about 15 minutes using the illustrated directions provided. My 14-year old cat, Ms. Kitty, was less than amused by its presence initially, but adjusted within the first few days.

About 10 days into the process, here are the pros and cons of the unit:

Pros:
It does indeed do away with odors effectively.
It's easy to assemble.
The color of the unit is very neutral, so it can be left plain if you prefer discretion or jazzed up nicely with stickers, drawings, and so on.

Cons:
It's big. If you have a small space like I do, it could be hard to find a spot for it that's both close to the litter box and far from your feet when you're using the restroom.
The slider handle that separates the area where you dump the poo clumps from the bag of waste suspended below the unit can be hard to use.
Depending on how often your cat goes #2, you may need to change out the bag quite frequently.
You still need to scoop out the litter box!

All in all, it's not a bad product, but it would definitely work better for someone who keeps his or her litter box in, say, a basement away from human traffic. I do give it kudos for odor control and management and for extending the life of a batch of cat litter. But if you're the kind who deposits kitty's waste directly into an outdoor trash can and doesn't mind doing so, this probably isn't a product that should be on your must-have list.

Poise Microliners

Disclaimer: I received free samples of Poise Microliners as a member of Crowdtap. All opinions expressed are my own.

It can be awkward to talk about light bladder leakage. In fact, I cringed a little while I wrote that last line there as I imagined my friends reading it. And giggling. (And then, though they would never cop to it, peeing just a little as they laughed!)

But I'll forge ahead anyway and give my honest take on this product. I received four free sample liners in three different absorbency sizes to test out as a member of Crowdtap's Poise Crowd: one Light, one Very Light, and two Lightest. (So no, they don't get points for creativity in product naming, but at least the naming convention is pretty straightforward.)

After giving birth four times, I won't lie: I leak sometimes, especially after I've been running or when I laugh heartily at a joke. So I was interested in seeing how the Poise liners would address my little issue.

After trying them out, I can say one thing with certainty: they all perform as advertised. I didn't experience any leakage outside the pad and I felt dry; it seemed as if the material that makes up the liners --cleverly called 'SAM'-- successfully pulled any and all liquid away from my skin, which left me feeling comfortable. (Since it doesn't really have any bearing on this review, I won't go into details on the 'SAM in my pants' ad campaign, which I personally find questionable.)

They're all also very small, thin, and discreet, which are essential factors when it comes to this kind of product! While some traditional pads feel more like diapers, these have a nice, barely-there feeling.

Of course, we have to know our own bodies. If you're a heavier leaker, you may want to stick with a heavier microliner, like the Light or Very Light absorbency models. I tend to experience very light leakage, so the Lightest model generally afforded enough protection for me.

All in all, it's a good product. I haven't purchased a box so I can't speak to the relative cost or value (since pricing varies depending on region), but it's worth giving them a try. In fact, you can order your very own free sample by clicking to visit the Poise website.