As the owner of this site, I often have new product samples come across my desk from various promotional mailing lists. Some of these are expected, and some of them are surprises. One such surprise came in over the weekend when I received a complimentary pair of Marika Miracles Slimming Capri Leggings in the mail for my consideration. Although it was listed as being my size, I took one look at it and said, “There is no way that is going to fit.” It appeared to be too small for me, but not wanting to dismiss it out of hand, I tried pulling them on. To my pleasant surprise, not only did they fit, but they fit well enough for me to decide that I would try wearing them on my physiotherapy walk yesterday afternoon.

As the name suggests, these pants are designed to offer lift and support with the hopes of creating a more slender appearance, along with DryWik technology meant to help the material breath during workouts and other activity. Because these pants are meant to be activewear, I found that they are one of the most comfortable pieces of shapewear I’ve tried. Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t lounge pants, but the snugness feels more like firm support than being suffocated. I thought they would get uncomfortable during my walk, but I actually really enjoyed wearing them. I could feel the lift and support of the fabric while I wore them – this isn’t like a girdle that will cinch your waist or make big changes to how you appear, but the support makes me feel a little sleeker and sportier when I’m wearing them, if that makes sense. I thought these pants were quite flattering on my calves, which I liked. The capri length is perfect for spring – to think, just a few months ago I had to wear a big coat and scarf on my beach walks not to freeze!

These pants are really cute for working out, walks and hikes, and would also double as leggings under a dress. For me personally, I don’t feel comfortable wearing super tight workout clothes, and since these pants are very clingy, I wore a dress shirt over the top to add more coverage. My fashion inspiration for this look was “Christina Aguilera meets The Rolling Stones”.

Check out the full line of active shapewear products from Marika Miracles at Marika.com. Through the end of May 2012, enter coupon code MIRACLES at checkout to receive 20% off any full priced item. These leggings are currently marked down to $48 through the end of this week and this promo code can be also used on top of that.

When I was a kid, I used to get eczema on my hands and feet. It would manifest in patches of itchy bumps on my skin, and it was no fun; my parents used a prescription cream to treat the flare-ups when they happened. For whatever reason, it gradually went away as I got older. I still have sensitive skin, but it’s been a long time since I’ve gotten that familiar eczema rash.

If you or your children suffer from eczema, then you probably keep your eyes out for any new products that might better treat the symptoms and bring relief. Not to mention, those with sensitive skin have to be more careful with the skin care products that they use in order to avoid irritating the delicate epidermis. Neosporin, the well-known first aid cream, has introduced a new product just for eczema sufferers: Neosporin Eczema Essentials. This is a full line of products that includes an anti-itch cream, body wash, and moisturizer. Here is some detailed information about the products and what they do, courtesy Neosporin:

“Get visibly healthier skin in 3 days! Here’s how it works:

#3 Anti-Itch Cream
• Clinically shown to improve dryness, flaking and appearance of redness
• Maximum strength of itch relief
• For occasional use”

Neosporin Eczema Essentials can be found at Walmart in the first aid aisle or on Walmart.com.

You know I’m crazy about coupons, so I’m excited to let you know that you can visit Walmart.com to print a $5.00 off coupon for Neosporin Eczema Essentials! Click here to access the coupon and learn more about the products.

Do you suffer from eczema? If so, how do you deal with it?

I’m always looking for deals on items that my family need, from household supplies to clothes. Jai wears prescription glasses, so I always keep an eye peeled – no pun intended! – for discount offers on eyewear. We all know that specs can be extremely expensive, sometimes costing hundreds of dollars. Since Jai isn’t dependent on glasses and only wears them sometimes, there have been long periods of time where he didn’t own a pair at all. Last year we went to a mall to get him an eye exam and an updated prescription so that we could pick up a new pair of glasses for him. Surprisingly, in the last year I’ve been able to get several pairs of eyeglasses either completely free or very inexpensively. We’re stocked up now and Jai won’t ever be without specs again!

Here are 3 ways that I’ve managed to get cheap eyeglasses:

1. Giveaways: Of course - after all, this is Contest Corner. If you’ve read any of my article on “How to Enter & Win Giveaways”, then you know that I’m a big proponent of winning items to supplement your budget and reduce expenses. In fact, our motivation for getting Jai an eye exam last year was that I had won a blog giveaway for eyeglasses and we needed to find out what his prescription was so that we could redeem it. Winning a big-ticket item is a fab way to save yourself some serious cash, so if you need a new pair of glasses, watch out for any contests that could help you win a pair. I often see eyeglasses giveaways on blogs – and I’ve even hosted one myself! Which brings me to my next point:

2. Reviewing Products: I frequently write product reviews, and have found it to be a great way to essentially barter my time for something that I need – so if you have a blog, or are considering starting one, it’s something to bear in mind. We reviewed a pair of eyeglasses a few months back in conjunction with a giveaway that I hosted, and it was a great way to pick up a new pair. Think of the time it would take to earn enough money to purchase eyeglasses, versus the time it takes to write a blog post; it’s an extremely efficient way of reducing expenses and freeing up cash for things you can’t review – like the power bill! (Although if any power companies out there would like me to review their electricity, feel free to get in touch. ) Even better, it gives me the opportunity to share my forthright opinions with my readers and host all kinds of awesome giveaways.

3. Purchasing Online Eyeglasses. Between discount websites, coupons, special offers, and cashback, purchasing glasses on the Internet seems to be the way to go these days. For example, I was able to score a pair of glasses for $16 back in May thanks to a deal I found on a website. There are plenty of online retailers for eyeglasses these days and the market is competitive, often resulting in lower prices for consumers.

One such website, GlobalEyeglasses.com, recently contacted me and wished to offer a discount code to my readers. I haven’t ordered from this website before, but from looking through their website, it appears that they offer fairly low prices. They have frames starting at $6.95 and lenses ranging from $19 to $69 – general use and reading lenses are free. GlobalEyeglasses.com offers everything from eyeglasses designed for use in sports to cheap prescription sunglasses, so you have a wide selection to choose from! If you’d like to check out their website, here’s a coupon code:

Enter discount code supercoupongirl at checkout to save 15% on your order.

Readers: Where do you get discount glasses? Do you have any tips for saving on specs that I haven’t covered here? I’d love to hear from you!

So have you wrapped up all your Christmas shopping yet? I have all of my gifts taken care of now, so the only thing left on my list is to wrap gifts and do some more Christmas baking. I did a big mail-out of packages in the last week, sending out presents and cards to my loved ones at a distance – which I have a lot of! One of the gifts that I shipped out was a Scala Pronto Wool Cloche Hat.

I received this hat as a promotional sample for review, and as soon as I saw it I immediately thought of a family member that it would be perfect for. This cloche hat is high quality, well-made, and versatile – it would go with any outfit, from casual to formal. Since it’s made from wool, this is a warm hat that will be perfect now that it is officially winter! The color I received was charcoal, which would work with a number of outfits, making it an appreciated gift.

Another aspect of his hat that makes it a perfect gift to send in the mail is the fact that it is so pliable. It easily bends and conforms, then pops right back to its original shape immediately. I was able to roll it sideways in order to wrap and ship it in a large padded envelope, which made it very efficient to send!

Enter promo code ScalaPronto at checkout on Womens-Hats.com to receive 20% off + free ground shipping (U.S. delivery only). Not valid with other offers, expires 12/31/2011.

If the woman on your holiday list is one of the many people with sensitive skin or a preference for handcrafted, natural products, then I have a great company to introduce you to! Celtic Complexion specializes in soothing skin care items, crafted in small batches by master esthetician Jennifer Devlin. I frequently discuss how notoriously sensitive and dry my skin can be – I do have to be careful what I put on my face since I’ve had so many bad reactions. Since Celtic Complexion caters to customers such as myself, I was very interested to give the products a whirl and see what they’d be like!

I received a complimentary travel set from Celtic Complexion which included Celtic Complexion Cream, a Calming Serum, and a Peppermint Lemongrass Natural Lip Balm. The first thing that struck me about this set was the beautiful pink and gold bag it came packaged in. The presentation alone told me that this would be a fab gift!

I can see why Celtic Complexion is popular for women with skin issues. The products are richly moisturizing and gentle, with a fresh, distinctive scent from their natural ingredients. You start with several drops of the Calming Serum, which is “Developed for those who cannot tolerate anything on their skin” and aims to reduce irritation. You can use it alone or follow it with a moisturizer such as the Complexion Cream, which is what I do. The Complexion Cream slides on my skin like silk and is easy to apply – it doesn’t drag or tug at the skin. These rich, moisturizing products leave my skin smelling and feeling great! The lip balm is refreshing, although my lips have been so extremely chapped that I find it wears off quite quickly.

This set of products would be great for any woman who likes natural products, has sensitive skin, or just enjoys trying new bath & body products! What makes this a special present is the fact that it’s handmade and unique – it will be a one-of-a-kind and special present for the recipient that no one else will have gotten them. Plus, since these products are travel-sized, they’re perfect for taking with you during holiday commutes!

Discount Code

Enter coupon code BEEB at checkout to receive 20% off your entire order at Celtic Complexion through November 30th!

Celtic Complexion’s Travel Set is available on CelticComplexion.com for $35.00 plus $5.00 shipping & handling to US addresses – you can also contact them to inquire about international shipping rates. You can keep up with the latest updates from Celtic Complexion by becoming a fan of them on Facebook.

Last week, I tasted some of the best nuts I’ve ever had.

It all started on Friday when I received a complimentary sampler pack from Santé Nuts in the mail. The box contained Candied Pecans, Candied Walnuts, Garlic Almonds, and Roasted Salted Pecans. We went “Nuts” for these, so to speak; in fact, I’m having a hard time reading the product notes I jotted down, because I was typing with one hand and eating the nuts with the other! My very favorite was the Candied Pecans – they are so sweet, delicious, and addictive that I had a hard time putting them down. The Candied Walnuts are also good, although I didn’t find them to be as delectable as the sweetened pecans. Jai noted that he doesn’t usually like walnuts, but he enjoyed these.

My second favorite was the Garlic Almonds. My love affair with garlic is well documented, so I knew this would be right up my alley. These almonds are spicy and garlicky, but with a sweet aftertaste. The Roasted Salted Pecans are tasty, but not as notable to me as the other varieties. Jai liked every flavor and agreed that Santé’s nuts are among the best he’s tried.

Save 25% on any order at SanteNuts.com by using coupon code 2011-Blog-191 at checkout. This coupon is valid through December 16th, 2011.

As I recover from my knee injury, it’s important that I have easy-to-prepare foods on hand, since I can’t be on my feet very much. So when Bagel Bites invited me to taste test their products, it was great timing! I haven’t eaten Bagel Bites since I was a kid, so I was looking forward to trying them again. Bagel Bites sent me enough coupons for ten free boxes, so I sent Jai to the store to pick them up along with a few other items that we needed. His coupon training has really paid off!

Jai picked up two varieties: Three Cheese and Cheese & Pepperoni. Cooking Bagel Bites is easy: They come pre-packaged in a special cardboard tray, so all you have to do is open the box, remove the plastic, and stick them in the microwave. We cooked them for about 3 minutes (This time will vary depending on your microwave), let them stand for one minute, and then served.

These were super tasty! Both Jai and I thought the Three Cheese was the best – I was surprised that these mini bagels retained a nice firm texture even though they were microwaved and not toasted. These are yummy and quite filling. If you’re wondering about the calories in Bagel Bites, both varieties are 190 calories per serving, which is 4 pieces. Each serving also has 8g of whole grain, which also pleasantly surprised me.

Would you like to access a Bagel Bites coupon and support the Boys & Girls Club of America at the same time? This summer, Bagel Bites is asking parents to take part in their “Snack Simply” pledge. Every parent who visits SnackSimplyPledge.com and pledges to make simple, wholesome choices for their kids at snack time will be able to access a Bagel Bites printable coupon for $1.00 off. And for each pledge received, Bagel Bites will donate $1.00 to the Boys & Girls Club of America to help support childhood health and wellness initiatives, up to $50,000!

Would you like to score some free movie rentals? Then you’re in luck! Now through St. Patrick’s Day, Redbox is offering a free movie rental for each friend that you refer who rents a movie through their “Lucky to Have Friends Like You” campaign! All you have to do is sign up for your own personal Redbox referral link, then spread the word to your friends, family, and social network! Every time your friends use your link to rent a film, you will receive a credit good for one free Redbox rental, valid for 10 days. Want to learn more? Here’s all the details:

• Sign-up at www.redbox.com/luckyus
• Redbox will email you a unique web address
• Every time someone reserves a movie online through your unique web address, you’ll receive a credit for a free one-night DVD rental
• If it is their first time reserving online, they’ll also receive a credit for a free one night rental
• Spread the luck! Email it, post it to Facebook, Tweet about it

NoMoreRack is an online retailer that offers daily deals on a variety of items. Each day, NoMoreRack posts 8 new deals. To spread the word about their company, they are offering a free $10 gift card when you sign up, which can be redeemed on your purchase of $20 or higher; shipping is a flat rate of $2 per item. And if 35 of your friends sign up through you before noon EST on December 16th, you will also receive an iPod Shuffle! Here’s the details:

1. Click here to sign up for NoMoreRack.
2. Click on “My Profile”, then select “Redeem a Gift Card”.
3. Type in code P1070 (They will also show you this code on the confirmation page when you register)
4. Your $10 off $20 credit will be added to your account.
5. To refer friends, click on “Invite friends” and send them your referral link. If 35 of your friends sign up, you will receive an iPod Shuffle; if even more of your friends sign up, you can select another product (All the way up to an iPad for 400 friends). This referral promotion ends December 16th at noon EST.

NoMoreRack is a legitimate site that has been featured on CBS – click here to watch their segment mentioning NoMoreRack. If you have any questions about signing up, just leave a comment below or email me!

Last month, I posted my first review of LifeShield Security, who provided me with a complimentary home security system and monitoring so that I could test it out for myself. In my last post, we had just installed the system and were looking forward to learning more about it and seeing how the monitoring worked. I wanted to post a few updates as we used the system, so you could get a realistic idea about what it’s like having LifeShield installed.

It’s been over a month since we started using LifeShield, and we’re very happy with it so far. It’s integrated quite seamlessly with our routine and provides so many benefits, not to mention added peace of mind. My biggest concern with using a home security system was that it might be a hassle to use, and I was also afraid of setting it off on accident. However, neither of these things have turned out to be issues. Using the alarm is simple and integrates easily with my routine – I simply arm the alarm at the same time that I lock the door before leaving the house or going to bed. When you enter the home after going out, the alarm chimes for 30 seconds while you enter your code to deactivate it; if the code is not entered, the alarm will go off. I thought this would be a stressful thing to come home to, but it’s very easy – just unlock the door and punch in your code, and you’re done.

The alarm has been set off twice by accident: Both times when Jai needed to open the back door early in the morning and forgot about the alarm. Since there’s no console by the back door, it’s easier to forget, although I think we’ll remember it by habit after we use the system for a longer period of time. And, although the alarm went off in the house, we were able to cancel it easily – you have 30 seconds to cancel the alarm when it is set off.

As I learn more about this system, the more I am impressed with the levels of security and functionality that it provides. For example, the kit includes a siren detector that sits next to your smoke alarm, and will send an alert to the monitoring system when the fire alarm goes off and meets certain audio requirements. So if a fire was to occur when no one was home, LifeShield would automatically alert the monitoring center that the fire alarm was set off so that they could dispatch help.

You can also set up your monitoring service to notify designated friends or family members in the event of an alarm via text message or email. I think this is a great way to set up a safety network so that you can summon help from both the authorities and neighbors during a potential crisis. For example, a senior citizen living on their own might set up their system to notify their children when the panic alarm is set off. Since the Home Kit also comes with a keychain remote, it would be a great thing for seniors to keep with them in case of a fall or other medical emergency.

In addition, features like the cordless phone and little bonuses like weather alerts on the keypad console make this system useful in many different ways. I think the LifeShield Home Security Kit has been a real asset to our household so far!

Special Discount:

LifeShield would also like to offer a special discount for Contest Corner readers. You can receive $50.00 off the HomeKit and one month of free monitoring by visiting www.lifeshield.com/momdeal and entering promo code “momdeal50” at checkout.