Review: Clean & Clear Pore Perfecting Moisturizer

This photo was taken in the car.... right before I returned this product to CVS. So nice that they have such a good guarantee on their health/beauty items, because I was allergic to this product.

I thought it would be a great product- an oil free moisturizer with SPF that acts as a primer. And I figured if it was by Clearn & Clear, it certainly wouldn't break me out.

And it seemed fine in the morning. My makeup went on nicely. I was shine free at lunch. But by mid-afternoon, it was getting warmer outside (and in my office, sucky A/C), and I started itching. Very bad. I need to take a look at the ingredients, because the itching was similar to the effect that Bare Minerals has on me, and I've been told that it could be bismuth.

So this was a no-go. What moisturizer with SPF are you using right now? I'm testing out one from Kate Sommerville and so far so good- more on that later.

TGIF

I'm just not sure we could take another day this week. The Wild Child had been doing so well at therapy and in school recently. In fact, our behavior therapist suggested we take a break since she was doing so well- she thought we had it under control. It's probably been about 6-8 weeks since we have had an appointment for WC. We are still doing maintenance listening therapy for her Sensory Processing Disorder, doing 10 minutes per day of a Samoas CD in an effort to minimize what her OT thinks is Central Auditory Processing Disorder.
And in what I thought was an unrelated note, I was just thinking that I hadn't done a "Notes from School" post in quite a while. But *this* is not the post I wanted to do.
5-18 WC was loud and restless at nap. While Miss C was talking to a parent in the room, WC rolled over and kicked her multiple times.
5-19 WC had a very hard time listening to teachers today. At lunch she was asked many time to get her knees off the table, and she continued to put them up there on purpose, so she ate in the office.
5-20 WC had a hard time listening again today. She got mad at one of her friends and scratched them on the face. We talked about using our words and telling the teacher instead of hurting others. She did very good at nap today!
And when I went in her classroom today and saw a cookie in a baggie on her hook, I knew that was a bad sign- that meant she didn't get to participate in a birthday snack.
5-21 WC still had a hard time listening and following directions. She shoved her friend in line instead of using words.
I am so full of sad right now....... I figured we would need to go back to behavior therapy at some point, I just didn't think it would be so soon. That's 4 days in a row! I can't put my hands on Monday's sheet right now, but I bet there was something on there as well...........................

Thirsty Thursday: 5-20-10

Hair Bows & Guitar Picks is hosting Thirsty Thursday today, and I of course am joining in.

On Monday, Hungry Girl told me about Sinless Margarita Mix, and I am intrigued! I think I may place an order but wondered if anyone has tried it?
Here's what Hungry Girl said:

Sinless Margarita Mix - We tend to be a tad skeptical of stevia-sweetened products until we taste them. Well, this all-natural, non-alcoholic mix is REALLY GOOD. No bitter aftertaste. Really. A 3-oz. serving has only 5 calories, 2g carbs, and nothing else (POINTS® value 0*). Just combine 2 - 3 parts mix with 1 part tequila, and you're good to go! Click to find (if you live in Georgia) or buy online.

A shot of tequila has about 100 calories in it, so it looks like you could have a very-low calorie margarita using this mix. The Sashas are getting a new back patio poured and will hopefully get to spend many an evening outside enjoying the summer while the kids play. In my vision, I am drinking a margarita... should it be a Sinless one?

Attn: Girls of the 70s

Don't you think we need this Hello Kitty fragrance set from Demeter?

Music Monday: Smashing Pumpkins "Today"

One of my friend just tweeted that she was listening to Smashing Pumpkins "Today". Wow- the 90s came rushing back to me and I had to listen to it myself!

Join me!

What are you listening to today? Head over to Hair Bows & Guitar Picks and join in!

Amazon Anonymous

My friend Beth posted last week about her recent purchases from Amazon and I got scared. That's right, scared! I know that having a Prime membership has seriously spoiled me... I can get things at my door so quickly I often impulse shop.

I do have an Amazon Visa credit card that gives Amazon credit as a reward (sign up now and get an instant $40 Amazon reward!), and I do make a very small percentage on my Amazon referral links, so it's not all out-of-pocket, but still, seeing this list makes me look like a shopaholic!

So here we go.....

For me

• Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers (Deluxe)
• Rolling Stone (12 issues auto-renewal) (had a reward of some sort- got this for $1)
• Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna
• The Summer Before (Babysitters Club) (yes, for me- I have fond memories of this series)
• Five Love Languages, Small Group Study Edition (multiple copies to use for a Sunday School study)
• Five Love Languages, Leader Kit, UPDATED (again, for Sunday School)
• Hillbilly Bone Blake Shelton's new CD
• Wii Nunchuk Controller
• The New Adventures of Old Christine: The Complete Second Season (birthday present for my mom)
• Golf Magazine (2-year) (for the hubby)
• Good Housekeeping (2-year)
• Camwear Polycarbonate Round Food Storage Containers (for bread making)
• Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
• Not Just Spirited: A Mom's Sensational Journey With Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
• Arnie and His School Tools: Simple Sensory Solutions That Build Success
• Jay Johnson's Boot Camp Fitness: Ultimate 3x30
• Dance with Julianne: Cardio Ballroom
• Order Up! (wii game for me- and it's so much fun!)

for the kiddos....

• Fancy Nancy and the Late, Late, LATE Night
• Fancy Nancy and the Sensational Babysitter
• Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (Single-Disc Version) (1 for the kids, 1 for a gift)
• Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey
• Disney Bedtime Favorites (Disney Storybook Collections) (1 for the kids, 1 for a gift)
• Fancy Nancy: The 100th Day of School (I Can Read Book 1)
• Fancy Nancy: Explorer Extraordinaire! (gee, can you tell my kids loves Fancy Nancy?)
• Day by Day Kid's Bible: The Bible for Young Readers (Tyndale Kids) (for The Politician

Are you embarrassed to be my friend?

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon referral links, upon which I earn a very small percentage....

Dear Honda,

If you want to make the Honda Odyssey version of this, just holler.... the Sashas are glad to oblige.



BTW, the whispered "I gotta go potty" kills me every time.....

Lylas,
Sasha

Shit My Kids Ruined

Thinking of submitting this to my new favorite site, Shit My Kids Ruined, with the tagline "My last roll of TP."

Block Party: Best Little Neighborhood in the (South)West

I am still tired from a wondeful weekend. Saturday was our annual block party, and let me tell you, we throw down. Kegs, street closure, a salsa contest, Minute to Win It, inflatables and other fun stuff for the kids- it's a blast.

The hubs won second in the salsa contest with his Pineapple Chipolte salsa, which he made for me since I am a huge fan of Taco Cabana's.

These two little girls went sno-cone crazy. See why we call her Wild Child (right)?

My little budding artist.

Hope you had a great weekend too!

Love!

I am officially obsessed with Glee, this we all know. But how cool is this?????

For My Fellow Owl Lovers

Megan? Erin? Christy? Holly? Shannon? Katy? Michelle? Any of you guys around? Lookie what I got to see!

Our family went to a special kids night at the zoo, and one of the highlights was that they brought out this little guy for us to see. So cute!

This Just Can't Wait Until Thirsty Thursday

I know it's only the beginnig of May, but I'm putting out the announcement that it's officially "The Summer of Beer 2010". Are you ready?

My good friend Gina came over Saturday night with a drink recommended by the cashier at the liquor store and as she says, "It's delightful!".

Mixing equal parts of Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss and Summer Shandy (a lemonade beer) makes a Pink Lemonade that's very refreshing and summery.

Do you know of any other beer combos I need to try this summer?

How Do I Save Money? Ebates!

I just checked my history at ebates, and look! I have gotten back over $1000 since I joined!

Last year I just found the coolest link and description of my blog on the ebates blogroll:

A mother of two breaks down all aspects of her life from her shopping habits to her children's health. Generally entertaining, and always value-focused, it's a great resource.

I'm a great "resource"- how fab is that??

If you've been living under a rock and haven't signed up yet, what are you waiting for? Ebates is a shopping site that gives you up to 26% Cash Back every time you shop online. You can shop at over 1000 stores including Sephora, Gap, Target, Buy.com and Victori'a Secret. Plus you get additional savings with exclusive coupons, free shipping offers, and limited-time sales!

Sign up with Ebates today and we'll each get a $5 bonus when you make your first purchase!

Click here to sign up:
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=m3mwtfM2CWTiwGJU%2Bp86ew%3D%3D

Happy shopping!
Sasha

Thirsty Thursday: 4-29-10

Hair Bows & Guitar Picks is hosting Thirsty Thursday today, and I of course am joining in.

If any of you locals happen to be traveling to neighboring states anytime soon, will you pick up some Wild Blue for me? It's not sold in lovely state with crazy beer laws, and I've got a hankering for it..... I think I have one lonely bottle left that some good friends brought me recently and then I'll be fresh out.

It's just about time for the Summer of Beer of you know.

Award: Festival Band Now On My Playlist

This weekend I ventured out from behind my post at band check-in at the festival I volunteer with, and got to catch Those Darlins and they are so my new favorite. Such an awesome blend of punk, rock, and country..... and cool chicks to boot. They even signed my CD.

I am so sad I didn't get to hang with them- just as they showed up at midnight at festival HQ looking ready to party, an off-duty cop was ready to escort me to my car with the cash.... so I had to take him up on it and put down my celebratory champagne and head home.

Shucks. Maybe they can come back next year?

Designing Women: Did You Watch?

Surely you've seen this..... love. Oh, I wish I had a sister!

Thristy Thursday

Hair Bows & Guitar Picks is hosting Thirsty Thursday today, and I of course am joining in.

The Sasha family has found a new Crystal Light flavor that we absolutely love- Natural Cranberry Apple. It's so tasty and refreshing and at only 5 calories a glass, I can drink all I want guilt-free.

Disclosure: I purchased this product with my own hard-earned cash. No freebies here.

Is Your Makeup Ready for Summer?

Pixi Lumi Luxe Bronze Palette ($25 at Target)

I have been doing quite a bit of experimenting with blush recently, and since I am pretty pale, I am finding that a bronzer works great for my skintone as a blush.

I had never tried Pixi products, but thought this was a beautiful item and was excited to try it. It's a bit shimmery, and leaves a gorgeous glow on my cheeks. I tried (and loved!) the outer edges (on separate days) first as I felt they would be the easiest to wear. I'll try the middle of the palette on my next night out (when will that be?).

Disclosure: This item was provided to me by a PR firm for review purposes.

How Do You Parent?

You know I'm always on the hunt for the perfect life motto. And with those two crazy kids up there living in my house, life is always changing and no motto seems to last very long.

Most recently I thought of "Trying to find the balance between overbearing and neglectful" as that phrase that fit me best. Isn't that genius?

I have been a faithful reader of Sorta Crunchy, (*whispers* although I'm not all that crunchy myself) and Megan's recent post on boundaries absolutely spoke to me. As I read her discussion on Jaime's post on Licking the Floor, I had a eureka moment and stopped dead in my tracks.

When you read that post to the end, you see that Jaime is careful to say: "I parent them today so that they won’t be shocked when I parent them later. Five years from now and ten years from now and twenty years from now."

Ah yes, that's better.

I Need It!

I have been needing a new Yankees hat, and look! Victoria's Secret's PINK line has MLB now. Love it and I have to get one. Don't forget to go through ebates for 2% back.

I am off to look for a free shipping code. Anyone have one?

I'm Still Here

Just up to my eyeballs in music festival planning and attending a week-long supervisory course, which is actually pretty good. See you soon!

Do Something Big

Friends, I have a favor to ask.

If you know me in real life, you know that my husband's dad was diagnosed with leukemia about 7 years ago, and a drug called Gleevac has been suppressing it.

That drug is no longer working, and he is not doing well. His best chance for good health is a bone marrow transplant.

So many friends and family have asked what they can do, and we have an answer.

You can join the National Marrow Donor Program. Volunteer donors can join the registry for free right now at http://www.bethematch.org/ to have a free kit delivered directly to your door step. There is usually a $52 fee involved, but it is being waived right now, which is wonderful.

We'll ask his doctor to scan the registry again in a few weeks to see if any of the new donors happen to be a match for him.

We have been on the registry ourselves for a few years, and haven't been a match for anyone, but I certainly hope that someone day I can help someone in my father-in-law's situation.

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks....

I Have More Energy!

Since I found out I have Vitamin B-12 Deficiency Anemia a few weeks ago, I have made several changes and I can already see a big change in my energy level. I now see how much of a fog I was walking around in!

First, I started taking a B-12 supplement. I was told to get 1000 mcg and take one a day. I found one at Target that said it was "timed-release" so I got that one.

Also, I've been drinking a glass of Cranergy every day, usually after lunch when I would typically get the I-need-to-go-get-in-bed-now feeling. This stuff tastes great, is low in calories (35 calories for 8 ounces), and I truly feel like it helps my energy level.

Do you have things you do for extra energy? And Angry Julie, I already know about your love of Monster drinks!

Disclosure: I purchased these items with my own hard-earned cashola. Ocean Spray has no idea who Sasha is.

Little Miss Bossy Pants

takes after her mother.

The Eye Matches the Dress

Poor WC had an unfortunate accident on Saturday night involving a Giga ball and our neighbor's foot and has quite a shiner. She's been a pretty good sport about it, although she does want to keep her eye covered with her hands, which makes walking and interacting with others a little difficult.

Never a dull moment, that's our family motto.

Thirsty Thursday: 4-1-10

Hair Bows & Guitar Picks is hosting Thirsty Thursday today, and I of course am joining in.

A few weeks ago we were over at our neighbor's house and the Mr. made me a drink using 1 part Kahlua and and 2 parts sparking water. On the Kahlua website, it's named Sparkling Water, which strikes me as very funny. Get creative Kahlua marketing people!

It was very good- quite refreshing!

This Is Gabriel Making Sense of School

Do you know what is so fabulous about the Internet? I bet you do.

In this day and age, when you as a parent are faced with something (a diagnosis, a problem, or just something new), all you have to do is google and help is right there! Our parents weren't this lucky.

When The Wild Child was first diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) in 2008 at age 2, I was in awe of all the information that was available to me online. There were other kids like mine! There were other parents going through the same thing as me!

But when the The Politician was diagnosed as well last fall, I found my emotions were a little different this time- he was 6 and in public school, which was a whole new ballgame and I felt so overwhelmed. We were fortunate that P has a teacher who was willing to make accommodations and work with us to find way to manage him and the resulting behavior. Many times I sent links to his teacher to various articles and websites in an effort to help find ways to help him in the classroom.

I can't tell you how excited I was to find Hartley Steiner, who blogs at Hartley's Life With 3 Boys. Hartley's son Gabriel is 8.5 and has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, as well as having some other challenges. Hartley always has insightful posts packed with helpful information. She's even come up with a downloadable Sensory Accommodation Suggestions Page that she describes as "a tool for parents, caregivers, teachers and therapists who are involved in helping meet the needs of a child with Sensory Processing Disorder in the classroom."

Hartley has written a fabulous book called This is Gabriel Making Sense of School and I was lucky enough to receive a copy to review. The book was written to give everyone (teachers, parents, and students) a better understanding of SPD and how it affects school and learning for children with SPD.

You first note that the book is absolutely gorgeous- the illustrations are vibrant and colorful and eye-catching.

This book contains nine pages of text: an intro, a page for each of the seven senses, and a conclusion. I think the contents and length are just perfect for an elementary-aged child's attention span. Each facing page is colorful and packed with beautiful pictures that illustrate and relate to each of the senses and how SPD may affect it.

I will be purchasing additional copies of this book to share with my OT and with P's teacher- what a great resource!

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes. I received no compensation for this post.