Dial Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap {Review & Giveaway}

Listen up, you are going to want to hear this!  Dial has just released a new collection of boutique hand soaps! Whoop-Whoop! Did you know that handwashing more than six times a day with soap and water is considered the basic hygiene minimum by the Global Hygiene Council? Did you catch that word, minimum? Think about how many times you wash your hand in a day.   

Hand washing is something everyone does, you should be washing your hands before you eat and after going to the toilet.  If your skin is anything like mine all that soap really dries out your hands and fingers, right? The Dial formula in the boutique collection features gentle micro scrubbers that deeply cleanse and moisturize while exfoliating your skin. Clean and moisturized hands? Sign me up! 

Today, I am going to introduce you to the Dial® Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap, which is newest member of the Dial® Boutique Collection Hand Soap line. With an indulgent scent inspired by freshly cut Sugar Cane, this premium formula brings luxury to your hand washing experience with gentle micro scrubbers cleanses deeply while moisturizing and smoothing skin.

As a Mom, I have always been able to trust Dial to clean my kiddos messy hands and was interested to see if the Boutique Collection would work as well as their other hand soaps. Well, Spring has sprung and after a morning of helping me tend to our garden my daughters hands were a disaster. 

Perfect time to put the Dial Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap to the test!

I am pleased to announce the Dial® Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap did gently remove dirt from her hands....ALL of it! BONUS, it did not dry out her hands so there was no need to apply lotion afterward! Scarlett even gave it her seal of approval with a thumbs up.

So we already know that when put to the clean test this stuff really works. But what about the scent? The new Boutique collection includes four new amazing scents: Sugar Cane Husk, Yellow Raspberry Black Sugar, Coconut Lime Verbena, and Water Blossoms. (I was sent the Sugar Cane Husk to try.) I must add the bottle is decor friendly, so it goes with the decor I already have in my kitchen, though it would also work well with my bathroom colors. :) 

If you would like to learn more about Dial Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Hand Soap, or any of the other fantastic body products from the Dial® brand, be sure to visit their website. To stay up to date on new products and promotions, follow them on Facebook and Twitter. 

Now, since you know I love giveaways I am offering 1 lucky reader 3 bottles FREE bottles of hand soap from Dial! (Coupons include a bottle of Dial Boutique Collection Sugar cane Hand Soap, a bottle of Liquid hand soap and a bottle of Complete Moisture foaming Hand Wash.) Enter using the rafflecopter form below by April 1, and I’ll select a random winner April 2. You must be a resident of the U.S. to win. Winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: The Dial brand provided me with a sample of Dial Sugar Cane Husk Scrub Soap in Exchange for a product review, all the opinions expressed here are my own. Prizes are in coupon form and will be mailed. This blog is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen prizes. I am not responsible for replacing coupons under any circumstances.

{A long road ahead}

 On March 16th, my "baby" cousin Mandie was involved in a truly tragic accident. She was riding as a passenger in a vehicle when the driver to lost control (we are unsure of the details at this time) and Mandie was ultimately ejected. She underwent emergency surgery to have her spleen remove, she suffered a broken collar bone, broken pelvic bone, seven broken ribs, internal bleeding and both lungs were punctured. Thankfully, she is a fighter and I am pleased to report she is doing as well as expected given her injuries. 

Last night, I could not sleep. You see, lately Mandie and her parents (my Aunt and Uncle) are all I can think about. I am constantly looking at my phone throughout the day to see if there are any progress updates on her condition. I just need to be doing something more for them. That is when I decided to use my "mad" photo skills and put them to use. So I came up with a photography fundraiser. :) 

Then I decided that I wanted her to have her own hashtag.  I know it sounds silly but I am working on a secret project for her and I wanted there to be a way, that when I am ready to expose it to her and everyone else, we could easily find posts related.  Thus #loveforAMM was created. :) I even registered in on TWBS. 

After watching me design my "Mini's for Mandi" flyer my youngest child came to me with an idea and all the money she had...$2.00. She said, "Mama, can I help too?" She then handed me the money. How could I say no?!?! Promptly, I told her to go get dressed for her shoot. 

I have always tried to set a healthy example that life is not all about getting… it’s about giving. As a family we have raised money for countless organizations and I am always trying to give back to the community and those in need. But I have always wondered if my children understood what this all meant. Today it was confirmed that they do listen, they do comprehend and they do have a desire, like me, to help others.

Usually Scarlett loathes being in front of my camera. Sure, she does great for the first few shots but she soon tires of it and wants to go play. Today was different. Maybe it was because she knew what this session meant? Or maybe it was because she just needed to be the center of attention for a few minutes; I am not really sure. The reason does not really matter. What matters is that today she was striking poses left and right, suggesting locations and enjoying the moment. As was I.

When we got home from the session I talked with Mandie's Mom and told her about Scarlett's donation. She suggested that instead of the monetary donation Scarlett could read to Mandie once she is farther along in her recuperation. I mentioned the idea to Scar and her eyes lit up, reading is something she struggles with but she was super excited about getting to share a story with her cousin. {Proud moment #2.}

This is not my usual editing style but I was going for something a little different today. So glad I decided to mix it up because I love how the images turned out.

If you would like to help there are a few ways you can do:

1. If you are a prayerful person please, please, please lift her in prayer and if not I am asking for crossed fingers, positive thoughts, positive energy vibes, love and well wishes.

2. Click here and make a donation on the gofundme account. Any amount is welcomed and appreciated.

3. Please spread the word. Mandie and her family can use all the support we can give!

Thank you, I hope everyone reading this has a wonderful week! 

DIAL MARULA OIL BODY WASH REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

If you are like me, you are sitting at your computer desk or snuggled on the couch trying to pronounce "Marula". Allow me to help, say it with me now Muh-ROO-luh. As in the tree or nut of the tree, or 'Amarula', the liqueur made from that nut. Okay, now are you asking yourself why would Dial make a Marula body wash? Allow me to be of assistance again...

BECAUSE IT IS AMAZING! :) 

Dial's new Miracle Body Wash combines the skin restoring benefits of marula oil with a  rich, clean-rinsing lather for beautifully soft skin. You see, Marula oil deeply hydrates and nourishes your skin while protecting it from damaging free radicals. Free what? 

Free radicals on top of the lovely Missouri winter weather, have really done on a number on my skin. . So you can imagine how happy I was for the opportunity to try out this product. (Sadly, my happiness was short lived - we will get to that in a few minutes.) Moving on, I am not one for overly perfumed scents and I am happy to report that Dial's Miracle Body Wash has a light, slightly floral/earthy scent. Overall, it leaves you smelling nice and clean. Better yet, it has really helped with my dry skin! For the first time in forever I can use words such as soft and smooth to describe how my skin feels! {Picture me doing the happy dance.} Oh, I should add, never once after my kiddos or I used it did our skin feel greasy, despite that it has the word oil in the name. 

Truth time: I even used it on my face! Why not?!? My arms were feeling so smooth while my face was still flakey from the harsh winds. I will say over all, I can definitely see an improvement. Let me put it this way, for those of you reading that know me in real life, I WILL be purchasing Dial's Miracle Body Wash with or without a coupon. Enough said! 

Oh, yes...my short lived happiness. It all started when I went to take a shower and to my surprise almost ALL of my body was was gone. It was as if it vanished into thin air. It only took about 2 seconds to realize my daughters were the culprits. 

 Don't worry, they did not get in much trouble. After all, who can blame them? This stuff is AMAZING! Speaking of amazing, I was to give a shout out to the awesome people at Purex and the Purex Insider Team for picking me as one of the people to try Dial's Miracle Body Wash. You all are awesome! 

Who's ready to run out and try the new dial body wash? I may be able to help you. :) 

Those awesome people at Purex that I just mentioned not only sent me (and apparently my kiddos) a bottle to try, they have also provided me with 3 coupons for a FREE bottle of Dial Miracle Oil Body Wash! (Max  value $4.49) This giveaway is open to all residents of the US and will end on 3/31/2015.

Good Luck!

EDIT: I just learned that my entry form is not working. If you have signed up to win please comment below to be entered.

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: As a Purex Insider, I received no monetary compensation for this post. Purex did provide me a free sample bottle of Dial Miracle Body Wash  for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. All quotes and stock photos are from  the Purex and Dial website and email. Prizes are in coupon form and will be mailed. This blog is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen prizes and in this case, I am not responsible for replacing coupons under any circumstances.

{All you need to know} Thirty-One March 2015

There are so many NEW reasons to love Thirty-One! If you haven’t already heard about our newest product collections and ways to party. Take a peek below to see all the great things you need to know about becoming a Thirty-One Consultant in March!

#1 Your Enrollment kit awaits! Just $99 gets you over $400 in product!

#2 But wait, I have even MORE exciting news to share! New recruits who join between Feb. 1 and March 15 will also receive an additional FREE product – a JK by Thirty-One Monogram Initial Necklace in silver tone valued at $48! 

#3 New consultants who join through March 15th, can order the expander kit for $59. This kit features over $220 worth of product in it! This is an optional extra perk for our consultants to be able to add to their kit! (Trust me when I say it is WELL worth it!) 

#4 You can flip your party into a launch party! I will still come to the event but YOU earn the commission, the hostess benefits and you have an opportunity to earn additional FREE Start Swell Kits. Plus if you have $1,000 in sales within your first 30 days you will get a rebate that covers the initial kit purchase! Also, in your first 4 months, you have a chance to earn a total of FOUR of the Start Swell kits!  

#5 Right now, you have TWO ways to earn $100 easy cash in your pocket! Submit $1000 in your first 30 days, and Thirty-One will pay you a $100 BONUS!  Also, if you get a new recruit in your first 4 months as a consultant, and they qualify within their Start Swell period, you earn $100 BONUS on each of them!

#6 Right now, there is an incentive for ALL consultants going on. 

With a unique metallic cork texture and colorful interior, this style is a summer must-have! Because this product is even more beautiful in person, we want you to have it in your hands to help you book the summer months.

Here’s how to get it:

• With one Personally Enrolled, Qualified and Active Consultant from Dec. 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, you can buy a Style Setter for only $31.* Valued at $150, that’s nearly an 80% savings!
• With two Personally Enrolled, Qualified and Active Consultant) during that period, you’ll get a Style Setter for FREE!*

Are you taking this all in? Let me say Thirty-One Gifts is an AMAZING company to work for! (If you could not tell already.)

It gets even BETTER! Can you believe it?

#7 March 1st-15th is an amazing customer special, which = a GREAT start for you! All purses are 50% on the customer special (for every $35 you spent). As a hostess you will get to choose ANY item in the catalog FREE ($200 minimum party order, the larger the party sales the more FREE items you get to chose!)

#8 The awesomeness keeps going!  Starting March 15th…there’s a NEW customer special AND the launch of our new JK by Thirty-One line!

#9 March 16st-31th your friends/family will love getting up to 3 Oh-snap Bins or Oh-snap Pockets for $5 each OR they can get the new JK by 31 Monogram Necklace for just $20 (for every $35 spent). As a hostess you will STILL get to choose ANY item in the catalog FREE ($200 minimum party order, the larger the party sales the more FREE items you get to chose!)

I almost forgot to mention...guess what is coming back for a limited time!

On the fence about joining?  I am not done yet! 

#10 Enter that $600 mark on your launch party in March, and you’re going to earn $150!! WOOHOO!!

Whether you would like to occasionally sell and get a discount or you would like to make a full time income or somewhere in between. We have a great opportunity I would love to speak to you more about.

Please note:

{I define who I am}

March is National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month and I last night I celebrated in the ER. Yes, I do find ironic that my ER visit coincided with autoimmune awareness month! Talk about fated. While, last night honestly scared the crap out of me it was not all bad. I have really been focusing on getting healthy this year and this was the wake up call I needed. (Though this was more like a drop kick to the gut.) I have ignored the signs, symptoms, disease for far too long. I have a disease and my willingness to accept it or not is not going to make my symptoms disappear. 

dis·ease   noun \di-ˈzēz\ : an illness that affects a person, animal, or plant : a condition that prevents the body or mind from working normally.

It was nine years ago when I first heard the word. I was scared of what it would mean for my children and me; but the fear was like a child afraid to sleep alone in the dark. The dark is unknown, the monsters unseen. After last night, Lupus truly does petrify me as I realize I have so much more to lose if I continue to let things go as they have been. 

 In the past years I have had dozens of days with foggy memories. A few years ago, I actually "woke up" in the hospital - turns out I forgot who I was and checked myself in. Then I pulled the IV and slipped out when no one was looking. 

Then there are the headaches. I have always attributed those to "caffeine" or "stress" induced. Turns out, I was wrong. I recently GREATLY cut back on the caffeine and guess what no headaches. Nada, Zip, Zilch, NONE! I went about a week without any headaches despite my reduction of caffeine and uptake of stress. Then last night it came creeping back like a long lost stalker.

Moving on the the painful or swollen joints. This one is difficult for me as I also have RA thus it is hard to tell what is Lupus related vs. RA pain. Lately, I have been a lot more swollen and stiff however I have also recently started working out (and probably overdoing it) so I just figured the workouts to be the cause. 

Anemia, oh anemia how I loathe thee. All I will say in this area is I look like Casper the friendly ghost...even in the Summer. :) 

Allergies, that was my "go to" every single time I would wake up with swollen/puffy eyelids. "These darn allergies!" I work for an Optometrist so I would just get to work, put in some drops and within an hour or so I was good to go. Never once did I stop and think maybe Lupus had a part to play. 

The butterfly rash is something I don't experience often. I am always a little red and look like I have extremely mild acne but as you can see in the picture Joe took of me last night (very first picture) I was looking all hot and bothered. (Unrelated to my butterfly rash, I do tend to break out on my lower forearm with what appears to be hives frequently.)

Yesterday afternoon after swimming was the first time I have ever experienced this next symptom...purple feet! So purple the tips of my toes were almost black. My cousin, daughter and boyfriend we all witness to this loveliness. Oddly enough, I was not hot or cold but rather comfortable thus I have no excuse answer as to why this happened.

This brings us to my favorite symptom... fatigue. Seriously?!?! Who isn't tired. I work full time, run a household, sell Thirty-One and run my own photography company.
Tired is an understatement. I have been taking supplements to help me with my energy and they make me bounce off the walls. I am talking full crack-head mode here. (It has felt so good to not be exhausted when I come home from work though I am not sure how my coworkers feel about the new energetic me.) 

So here I sit, still aching from my most recent flare. And I only have myself to blame. Why have I tried to run from my illness for so long? What reason do I have for trying to avoid it's existence? Here it is...I didn't want people to look at me as if I have a disability or that I am weak. Lupus is an invisible fight for me. That being said, I think it is now time I make some noise about it. No, this does not mean I am going to constantly complain or tell you EVERYTHING I am experiencing. If no one is aware of the struggles people with Lupus have, we will get no closer to finding a cure.  

I am not writing this for people to feel sorry for me, treat me differently or try to "protect" me. If you are my friend and you are reading this, please make sure if you see me feeling sorry for myself you tell me to, "suck it up buttercup" because for me that is what I need. (Those words are NOT appropriate for everyone though.) If you want to help, help me to keep my eye on the prize, help me to realize everything I have been able to accomplish in spite of this disease, help me to continue to admit to myself that I have a disease and that sometimes I am going to have to take it easy. But promise to NEVER let me give up!

Lupus doesn't define me. I like to think that it redefines me and the expectations I have for myself. While I still wish I did not have Lupus, I think I have come to realize that it is a part of me and it is a part that I can not longer ignore or brush under the rug. Truth be told, I wish I could have admitted to myself that I have a disease years ago, I wish I had started taking better care of myself earlier in life but such is not the case and I can not turn back the clock. 

I am still very much coming to terms with and dealing with everything that comes with it. Can you tell the Doctor scared the bajeezus out of me? It is funny, when I learned my daughter had hypermobility syndrome I Googled and learned everything there was to know about her disease and how to best help her. Yet when it comes to myself I have not Googled or even attempted to learn anything about my disease. I always seem to put myself on the back burner and that is something that is going to change. 

The world will not come to a crashing halt if I stop and make myself, my health a priority.