Category: Product Reviews

A few weeks before we bought our van, I had the fun opportunity to test-drive the 2011 Kia Sorento for a week.  I was interested in this crossover because it has a third-row seat and can haul more kids!  But it’s not as big as an SUV or a mini-van, so it didn’t feel like I was driving a monster.

Here’s what I liked about the Sorento:

• Super-cool navigation screen
• Lots of room for groceries in the back
• Third row was super-easy to put up and down
• Snazzy leather heated seats
• Two sunroofs!  You know, the kids need one too!

I really enjoyed my test-drive!  I don’t feel that this car is right for my family at this time because you can’t get in and out of the rear seat with car seats attached in the middle seat very easily.  But, it’s a great vehicle for anyone with older kids, or if you just want to use the third row seat to haul your kids’ friends around once in awhile.

You can go to Kia’s website here to build your own Sorento and see all the options available.

A few weeks ago I told you I was going to use tips from ApartmentGuide.com to help green up our house.

While I haven’t installed solar panels or anything, I have incorporated some of their tips, and a little goes a long way! I really liked their tips on green cleaning.. My favorite new cleaning product?

Baking soda.

It works great, it’s good for the environment, and it’s cheap. I use it to scrub gunk out of my pans and to shine my kitchen faucet!

I’ve also added a few plants to our house and my office… and so far they are still alive!

Apartment Guide has a ton of great tips – whether you live in an apartment or not! “Like” Apartment Guide on Facebook or follow them on Twitter for real-time tips and updates on making the most of your space.

I’ve made it no secret that I loooove Mary Kay skin care AND makeup, so I am always *thrilled* to be able to review their products.  I’ve been wearing their Mineral Powder foundation for about two years, so when I heard they were re-vamping their liquid foundations, I didn’t really think anything of it, because I was so happy with the powder.  But THEN, I had baby Jonah, and my hormones did some wacky stuff with my skin!  It’s a little drier than it was, so I was actually really happy to try the new liquid foundations to give my skin a little more moisture.  I tried both the matte and luminous wear foundations and they are both great.  The matte is awesome for when you want a really super-flawless look, and they luminous is great for anytime you want a bit of a dewy glow. I like the luminous for every day because I like the subtle glow.

Both foundations hold the color of your blush, bronzer, etc. really well –  definitely use LESS color on my face when I’m wearing the liquid vs. the powder because color grabs to the liquid a bit more.  And they feel light and wear ALL.DAY.LONG.  You do NOT need to worry about re-applying!

Speaking of wearing all day long, another great go-along product with these is the foundation primer.  I use this with both the liquid and the powder and it works GREAT. It’s a very lightweight gel that you just smooth over your face before you put your foundation on.  It perfects your skin so you have a flawless canvas for your foundation, and it helps extend the foundation’s benefits.  I love it!

Finally, there is also a foundation brush to go with these liquids.  A brush?  YES!  I thought it was odd at first but soon I was in love with the brush!  I’ve never used one to apply liquid foundation so I was skeptical, but it REALLY blends it so well, and it’s nice not to have foundation-covered fingers when I’m done!  Plus, unlike a sponge, it doesn’t absorb the liquid, so you waste less.  I gotta say, the brush applies foundation really evenly. It’s an accessory I am definitely going to stick with!

Thanks, Mary Kay, for letting me try these great new products!  Can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with next!