A little off topic-Glade Expressions, new smelly stuff!

There’s lots of cool sites out there that let you try free products, usually as a free sample or maybe as part of a survey where you get to test new products before they hit the store shelves to make sure they actually work.  One of my favorite sites is BzzAgent, a social marketing company that runs “campaigns” for different products.  How it works-you sign up on the web site, answer surveys so they can determine things like demographics and such, then they’ll notify you when there is a campaign that you would qualify to join.  For example, if you don’t have any babies or toddlers, you wouldn’t be offered a campaign that is about baby foods or toys.  Once you join a campaign, they’ll send you products (or coupons to pick those products up free at the store).  All you do in return is share your opinions about the products to others through reviews, Facebook posts, tweets, pictures and so on.

Anyway, I love to use Glade products, especially the plug-in oil warmers, so when I saw a campaign for the new Glade Expressions products come up, I immediately signed up to participate.  They sent me coupons to pick up one each of the fragrance mist and oil diffuser to try out myself and a bunch of high-value coupons for both items to share with others (yeah, those went REALLY fast LOL).  This is my review of those items.

I decided to pick up the Glade Expressions Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice scents for both the fragrance mist and oil diffuser so I'd have the same scent going throughout my house.  The oil diffuser was very easy to set up and the second I opened it up I just thought "Yum!"  I love those apple and spice smells and this smelled wonderful!  

I set the diffuser up in between my kitchen and living room.  It’s designed to look like an artsy-type piece so you can display it pretty much anywhere without it actually looking like it’s there to make things smell nice.  The only thing that was slightly disappointing (and why I gave 4 stars in my review instead of 5) was the reach of the fragrance.  You needed to be pretty close to the unit to smell it.  So while it did diffuse the fragrance, it didn't cover a very large area.  In that respect I believe the regular Glade plug-in units with the fans do a better job.

For the fragrance mist, we've been using it on an as-needed basis, like after cooking or if the bathroom gets used and any...ahem...lingering smells are around.  Or even if I just want to smell a boost of scent just for the heck of it.  I plan on keeping the fragrance mist handy for those situations going forward.  It’s basically a can of the scent with a decorative piece that goes over it-all you do is squeeze the decorative cover and the mist comes out.

Overall I was pleased with both products and would recommend both to anyone looking for a good way to introduce pleasing scents into their home.  Just be aware that, in my experience, the diffuser will only cover about a 100-150 square foot area well so you may want to get more than one (of the same scent) if you have larger rooms.  In addition to the Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice scent I got, both the diffuser and mist also come in Cotton & Italian Mandarin, Pineapple & Mangosteen and Lavender & Juniper Berry scents.  I think I’ll try the lavender one next, I’ve always loved lavender scents.

As far as prices go, when I got mine I went to Target where the diffuser ran $5.99 for the starter kit and $3.49 for a refill.  The fragrance mist was $2.99 and refills were $1.99.  I would consider those prices about average when compared to other scent products, but like most Glade products you should be able to score some coupons either online or in the Sunday paper in your coupon inserts.

Do you use fragrance products in your home?  What are your favorite products and scents?

Rainbows and sweat

Yesterday was a scheduled 7-miler.  Started out fine, 76 degrees but 86% humidity-though there was a slight breeze at first.  I was trying to get out ahead of supposed storms that were moving in.  I did have a light sprinkle for about 10-15 minutes and considered turning around and trying later, but turned to see a rainbow (can you see it?) and decided to just keep on plugging-might as well just get the miles out of the way early and have the whole rest of the day to myself.

I did do small loops around my immediate area instead of my usual out and back that I prefer for anything over 4 miles so I'd be close to shelter.  Turns out that wasn't necessary, after that first sprinkle the rain stayed away.  Unfortunately, it did stay overcast...which is usually a good thing since it blocks our scalding sun, but when there's rain clouds around that means one thing-humidity.  Lots of it.  Meaning another sweat-fest of an outing.

Yeah, I'm used to it-SoFla native here ya know...but I prefer sweating from exerting myself, not from walking out the door just to stand outside.  Yes, there's a difference-humidity can really sap the life out of you which just makes the exertion part uncomfortable and very tiring.  Like, take a 3 hour nap in the afternoon tiring (yes, that's exactly what I did after we ran some errands).

Anyway, 6.93 miles in the books.  I am concerned though about pace.  Been having problems keeping up run intervals with all this humidity (makes it hard to breathe while running) which means overall pace has been horrible--bringing up big concerns for ToT.  Just keep swimming...right? Almost literally...

Virtual Racing: The Cupcake Classic 2012

Jess from Run with Jess has another fun free virtual race coming up-The Cupcake Classic 2012 .  It's a virtual 5K being held from October 14-21, 2012.  Lots of great sponsors and there'll be a random drawing at the end for prizes.  You can even buy a shirt if you'd like.

You may remember back in April I had fun doing her Jelly Bean run (you can catch up with my post from that here).  Virtual races are fun and there's less pressure since you can just run by yourself or with some friends instead of being surrounded by hundreds or even thousands of people.  Jess has a fantastic blog, so check her blog out and sign up for the virtual race!  You may even win a prize...and don't forget, it's free to enter!  And of course, don't forget to treat yourself to a cupcake when you're done ;-)

Mmmm....cupcakes....

2012 Tower of Terror waivers posted!

Nothing like having the waivers posted to make a race seem closer and more real.  I pulled mine up and I'm going to be bib #10192.  Way way way in the back of the corrals...again.  I have no idea how many runners there are registered, but I'm hoping it's way more than 10,000 so I'm not in the very last corral.  I've avoided the last corral for my last few Disney races, crossing my fingers that it's the same for this one.

If you'd like to look up yours, click here 

5 weeks to go...

This or that

Okay, I’ve seen several different blogs doing a “this or that” for these so I’m jumping in too.  Not that I eat or drink any of these things too much...*hides guilty face*

So, here we go:

1. Coke or Pepsi?

Definitely Coke.  When I was a kid, I would go through phases where I’d like one, then switch to the other.  Now it’s all Coke, I think it's sweeter with a slight citrus touch.  But I’d rather have a Mr. Pibb.  

2. Caramel Apple or Cotton Candy?

Both are favorites, but I’ve got to go with cotton candy.  Especially when I can find the purple cotton candy at Disney World...mmmmmm.......plus cotton candy is less calories.  Yes, I know it is straight sugar.  What's your point LOL

3. Salt or Pepper?

Depends what I’m eating...I usually don’t use much of either, but I suppose I use more salt than pepper.

4. Pudding or Yogurt?

This depends on time of day.  Morning-yogurt, especially Yoplait’s Fiber One key lime pie flavor (only 50 calories!).  Afternoon or evening, pudding (Jell-O’s sugar free butterscotch or chocolate are my faves, especially with a little bit of Cool Whip Free on top!

5. American or Provolone Cheese?

Neither...well, okay American if it’s a grilled cheese sandwich.

6. Cookies or Brownies?

Mmmmm....brownies.....mmmmmmm....

7. Pretzels or Chips?

Pretzels for sure, we always have a bag of pretzel sticks in the house.

8. Cake or Pie?

Cake please!  Make mine Red Velvet.

9. Oatmeal or Cereal?

Cereal.  Tried oatmeal and to me it just tastes like mush.

10. Mexican or Japanese?

Japanese...hibachi preferred, much more fun!

11. Chinese or Italian?

As my waistline will attest, ITALIAN!  I do love my pasta ;-)

12. Surf or Turf?

Most definitely turf.  My surf repertoire consists of one thing-tuna fish sandwiches.  Give me a nice, juicy steak any day of the week.

13. Pizza or Pasta?

While I love pizza, pasta will always win in my book (don’t forget the freshly grated cheese, please-preferably romano cheese)

14. Mustard or Ketchup?

Ketchup.  Mustard is gross and smells funny.  Yes, I know I’m weird.

15. Sandwich or Wrap?

Sandwich.  Wraps are too flimsy for this carb-lover.

16. Apples or Oranges?

Granny Smith apples, yum!

17. Strawberries or Raspberries?

Strawberries, the darker and sweeter the better.  LOVE berry season!

18. Blackberries or Blueberries?

Blueberries.  Love taking them to work as part of my snacks, good finger food while working.

19. Rice or Noodles?

Noodles.  As in pasta with tomato sauce noodles.  No other noodles please.  Again, weird picky eater here.

20. Spicy or Mild?

How about medium?  I always like a little spice, just please don’t burn a hole in my esophagus.

21. Salad or Soup?

Salad for sure.  

22. Soup or Stew?

Neither.  I’m not much for liquid-y food.

23. Salted or Sweet Popcorn?

Salted with a slight touch of butter (Pop Secret Homestyle is my fave)

24. Cauliflower or Broccoli?

Oh, ugh, ewwww and gross to both.  No thanks.

25. Onion Rings or French Fries?

French fries.  But can I please have them in the form of tater tots?  Much more fun to eat!

26. Burger or Hot Dog?

Hmmm...depends on the day.  If I had to pick one, I’d say burger with bacon and barbecue sauce.  But I do love my Ball Park smoked white turkey franks on a potato roll.

27. Popsicle or Ice Cream?

Ice Cream.  Make mine a Cold Stone Cake Batter please (with cookie dough mixed in)

28. Coffee or Tea?

Tea.  We are tea crazy in our house...especially from Teavana.  Coffee is just way too bitter.

29. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Wow.  I’m stumped.  I’d say vanilla, though if you asked me when I was much younger I’d have said chocolate.

30. Sausage or Bacon?

No brainer.  Bacon please!

31. Peanut butter or almond butter?

Peanut butter...with grape jelly

32. Salty or Sweet?

Sweet for sure.

33. Fried or Scrambled Eggs?

Um, no thank you to either.  I may have loved my morning egg when I was an infant/toddler (according to my mom), but now...yuck!

34. Waffles or Pancakes?

Pancakes...nice and fluffy buttermilk pancakes.

Dang, now I’m hungry.  So, what are your choices?  Don't play the healthy card and say "neither"...what do you REALLY like if you could have whatever you want, no consequences?