September 19, 2016

Product Review: Nestle Splash

September 19, 2016/ Toya T

I love water (**Oprah voice**).

Drinking water can aid weight loss. Thirst is generally mistaken for hunger, so staying hydrated can help keep you from overeating. Water fills your stomach and leaves less room in your stomach for food. Studies have shown that people who drank at least a glass of water before meals ate 75 calories fewer.

I love the taste of water. But if you do not, then you may want to try out the

Nestle Splash Natural Fruit Flavored Water.

I received a free bottle of mandarin orange flavored Nestle Splash, along with some cool sunglasses, a bendy straw, and a beach ball, from Influenster to sample.

I took this bottle (and the bendy straw) to work with me to drink during my two-hour lecture. Truthfully, I did not like the taste of the mandarin orange flavor. It tasted a bit artificially sweet to me. Because I did not have another beverage with me, I drank the entire bottle. It is a decent drink option, if you are thirsty or you hate the taste of plain water. Nestle Splash comes in different fruit flavors, including berry and grape, without the sugar or calories. Although I did not like the mandarin orange flavor, I would not mind trying the other flavors.

I definitely recommend you try it if you need to drink more water and hate the taste or if you are looking for a new flavored water.

Note: I received my Nestle Splash products complimentary from Influenster and am entering the Brand challenge for a chance to win a prize, but all opinions are my own.

July 27, 2016

Makeup Application: Covergirl Supersizer Fibers Mascara

July 27, 2016/ Toya T

I don't normally do this. But I thought it would be fun to film a short makeup application video. I got a tube of Covergirl Supersizer Fibers Mascara for free from

Influenster

to review. And, honestly I love this mascara. I wear it every day because it really makes my eyes pop.

Highly recommend you check out this mascara and my application of it.

April 04, 2016

3 Fitness Tools to Help You Lose Weight and Get in Shape

April 04, 2016/ Toya T

Are you trying to lose weight and get in shape?

To reach my body goals, I am utilizing some fitness tools that have helped me lose weight and get in shape in the past.

10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse by JJ Smith

I first learned of the "10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse" from my Zumba instructor. She lost more than 10 lbs after completely her first 10 days of the cleanse. She looked healthy and significantly smaller. Soon after she told me about the book, I bought the book immediately (available at amazon.com for $10.99 kindle/ $9.59 paperback).

The book provides a shopping list, recipes, and detailed instructions for the 10-day cleanse, along with suggestions for getting the best results. It also offers advice on how to continue to lose weight and maintain good health afterwards.

There are two versions of the cleanse---the full cleanse (which includes drinking 3 smoothies as your daily meals) and the partial cleanse (which includes drinking 2 smoothies a day for breakfast and lunch and eating a healthy meal for dinner). I recently completed the partial cleanse and lost about 5 lbs (with some cheats). Honestly, the first few days of this cleanse is rough, and the author tells you that you may experience fatigue, hunger pains, irritability, and other side effects while your body goes through the detox process. But, it definitely is very useful for developing, or redeveloping, healthy eating habits.

2. Nike Training Club App

Nike Training Club is hands down the BEST FITNESS APP!!! My very fit and toned BFF told me about this app about 4 or 5 years ago and it has been my go-to fitness tool to get in shape. Plus, this app is FREE (available for download in the App Store for iPhones and Google Play for Androids) !!

Designed specifically for women, this app provides more than 85 instructor-narrated fitness routines—basically it's an audio-only exercise video you can play from your phone. It tracks your progress and rewards efforts with custom workouts created by Nike’s professionals, pro athletes and celebrities such as Glee star Lea Michele, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, and personal trainer Ary Nunez, who trains Rihanna. You can also create playlists to go along with your workouts, and, if ever you don't understand what the instructor is talking about, you can click into a video.

Since February, I have been working my way through the Get Lean program, which is designed to burn fat and lose inches with 3 - 6 workouts per week and yoga to energize you. The program offers three levels---beginner, intermediate, and advanced---and each level lasts 4 weeks. I am currently in the middle of week 1 of the advanced level, having completed the beginner and intermediate levels. The workouts have been kicking my butt, but I have seen results. My stamina and energy has increased, my legs, butt, and arms are more toned, and the pot in my belly has gotten shrunk with each week. I feel stronger and more energized.

3. MyFitnessPal App

MyFitnessPal makes losing weight a little bit easier. Studies have shown that there are many weight loss benefits to keeping a diary of the food you eat, the water you drink, and the activities you do. MyFitnessPal allows you to log your meals, water consumption, and workouts/activities easily and quickly. It also syncs with popular fitness apps like Fitbit (which I also use in my fitness journey). Plus, the app is free (available for download in the App Store for iPhones, the Marketplace for Windows phones, and Google Play for Android phones) !!

Bonus:

C9 Champion Power Core Compression Racerback Sports Bra ($16.99 at Target)

A good sports bra is also extremely important in losing weight. I got this sports bra for free from Influenster to review and I have used it every week since it arrived in my mailbox. The C9 Champion Sports Bra provides medium support and a compressive fit. Wicking fabric stretches to move with you and dries fast to keep you cool. The sports bra gives me great support during my NTC workouts.

Interested in joining Influenster and getting products from the brands you love (or will soon love) for FREE, click here.

January 29, 2016

Unboxing: Influenster Cheers To You Voxbox

January 29, 2016/ Toya T

I love getting new things, especially when I get those those things for free. One of the best things of living in a digital world is how easy it makes it to get receive free products from companies in exchange for reviewing and sharing their newest products on your social media accounts.

1. Influenster

Influenster is the go-to destination for trendsetters who want to be rewarded for their influence. Qualified members gain access to the latest products, share their expert opinions and spread the word on their favorite discoveries.

Why I Love Them:

I have gotten a variety of great products from Influenster, including Beanitos chips, Rimmel London mascara, Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix, Jergens moisturizer, Skinnygirl snack bars, barkThins, Blue Diamond cashews, and most recently YSL lipsticks and c. Booth bath products. Many of the products that I have received I had never used before and ended up liking them so much I added them to my monthly shopping list.

Join me, Toya T's referral link:

www.influenster.com/r/328764

October 26, 2015

How to Get Free Stuff!

October 26, 2015/ Toya T

Do you love free stuff ?

The past two years I have joined 3 programs that send me products several times during the year and allow me to indulge in my love for free stuff. If you love free stuff like I love free stuff, and you have a Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Youtube, and/or blog, here are the programs that you should be joining ASAP :

1. Influenster

Why I Love Them:

Sign up today: www.influenster.com/r/328764

2. Smiley 360

Do you love to try new products and services? Have you ever tried a product and thought, "This would be so much better if..." As a Smiley member, you can provide this kind feedback directly to the source, as well as share what you think with your friends, both online and offline. Smiley members get inside and exclusive looks at new brands, new products, and new online content -- how cool is that?

Why I Love Them:

I have gotten some pretty interesting products from Smiley 360, including a Sleep Number foam pillow (valued at $200), 5-hour Energy drinks, a K-Y vibrator, Bona wet cleaning pads, Boursin cheese, and most recently Goodness Knows snack bars, Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin, and Nails gummies, and Accuflora probiotic supplements. I always look forward to seeing what new products they are offering for review. I use several of the products I received in my everyday life, particularly the Sleep Number foam pillow.

Sign up today: http://h5.sml360.com/-/5x6i

3. PINCHme

PINCHme is the premier online destination for consumers to DISCOVER and DISCUSS consumer products. For manufacturers, PINCHme is a revolutionary platform built to promote consumer products to motivated consumers - delivering AWARENESS, ENGAGEMENT, INSIGHTS and, most importantly, SALES. PINCHme provides manufacturers with access to a targeted membership database, distributing their samples to a uniquely curated demographic of consumers. Members are encouraged to provide feedback while able to purchase the products they like directly through the PINCHme platform.

Why I Love Them:

I have gotten samples of some pretty good products from PINCHme, including Gevalia iced coffee, Summer's Eve nighttime cleansing cloths, Gold Bond healing lotion, Olay body wash, and Pure Via sweetener. Unlike the other two programs, PINCHme usually sends its members sample sizes, and not full sizes, of the complimentary products they are asked to review. The good thing is if you do not like a product, you don't end up wasting a majority of it when you discard it. But if you like the sample of the product, you have gotten enough to sway you to later purchase it.