Wonka Randoms Gummies Review

I received 2 packages of Wonka Randoms free from Smiley360 in exchange for my unbiased opinion. First of all the packaging is highly appealing with it's bright colors and fun shapes. I enjoy the resealable package because there is no way I could eat them all in one sitting and nobody likes a stale gummy. Well maybe some people like stale gummies in the same way I enjoy a stale Peep but that's a different story.

So the idea behind these is that all the gummies are different, or random as the name implies, and that no two bags are the same. In all honesty who is really checking to see if all the bags are the same? Are you going to dump every one of the gummy shapes out and compare it on a chart? Moving on, so the shapes are all random and some of them have white stuff on the back, like those gummy frogs you see with the soft bellies. They are my favorite.

The gummies are slightly larger then gummy bears and fatter too. They have a nice fruity flavor and thankfully leave no gross film on the roof of your mouth. I thought I got one gummy with a fruity center, although I could be mistaken.

Long story short, they are scrumptious and you need to buy them when this product hits store shelves.

Kahiki Frozen Vegetable Egg Rolls Review

I purchased Kahiki Frozen Vegetable Egg Rolls from Meijer last week. They were on sale 2 for $5 for 4 egg rolls and I loved that the package says they have no preservatives and are made with all natural ingredients. 

I didn't look at the ingredient label, my first mistake, before I went home so I was of course disappointed by the very large list of not so natural ingredients I saw.



I baked them according to package instructions and was disappointed again that they fell apart while baking and came out looking nothing like the package. My husband and I decided to try them anyways, heck we had already made it that far, and it all went downhill from there.

First of all they looked very limp and of course had fallen apart in the oven. My first bite was repulsive. All I could taste apart from the soggy wonton outside was pepper, lots and lots of pepper. They were doughy and soggy with way too much breading for my liking and not nearly enough filling. The vegetables were a mushy mess and lacked any flavor other then pepper. I made it through about 3 bites before giving up and making us a sandwich instead for lunch. I do not recommend these at all, steer clear!

JCPenney Portraits Review -Twelve Oaks Mall

I found a Groupon for JCPenney Portraits about 2 months ago. For $20.00 I got a 10 minute session that included the session fee (normally $10 per person), a disc with 3 images of my choice on it, rights to the photos on the disc, and 1 printed sheet of my choosing. I've had experience with JCPenney in the past, we are talking probably 20 years ago when I was photographed as a child, but never think to use them.

I was so thrilled and surprised by my experience. We arrived about 20 minutes early and were immediately greeted by a man at the counter. He went through the questionnaire I had completed online ahead of time and answered any questions I had.We spent a few minutes choosing the 2 backdrops that were included in the price and making sure they wouldn't clash with our outfits. I was impressed by how thorough he was and pleased that they asked again what poses we wanted to be shot. We were asked to wait a few minutes and my family was called back. I was disappointed that the room we were in was not private but instead anyone and everyone who was walking by could look in and see. Thankfully my 3.5 year old daughter was not distracted and no stray people photo-bombed us.

There were 2 ladies taking our pictures, Kimberly was there to pose all of us and call out the shots she wanted to the girl taking our picture (sorry I never caught her name). We had a 10 minute time slot which included setup of the backdrops, costume change, and posing. Kimberly was fantastic and my daughter responded really well to her. We got 20 amazing shots to choose from and trust me I wanted to keep at least 15 of them. After the shoot you are asked to wait outside of the studio again while your pictures are pulled up on a computer. Then, a young lady came to collect us to review our photos and show us some collage options. This is where the sales pitch comes in. While you are trying very hard to make up your mind the girl is trying even harder to sell you a whole bunch of stuff you may or may not want. I could have made countless collages which would have cost me $9.99 a sheet (umm no thank you), holiday cards, a CD of the entire session for "only $80! That's half the price". Of course I wanted to buy the CD but definitely not for $80.

We ended up getting 6 complimentary holiday cards, the montly promotion, and walked out with our 3 image disc. I have to say I had major buyers remorse after leaving with only 3 pictures but was relieved to find that I have web access to the other pictures for the next few months (only not at a discount).

All in all I was incredibly pleased with my experience and will definitley be using JCPenney Portraits again, although probably not without a Groupon or major coupon.

Here is a peek at my session:

Gevalia Kaffe Sample Review

I received 2 free samples of Gevalia Kaffe's house blend coffee to try from Pinch Me this week and I gave it a try. The sample makes 4 cups of coffee (is that even enough?!) and I had issues with both. The first time I made it I wound up with a coffee pot full of grounds, then when I made it again this morning the same thing happened? Coincidence or faulty coffee pot? Not sure, but I have made my usual brand twice in the same coffee maker since with no issue. Back to the sample. Despite the mouthful of grounds the coffee was not half bad! The flavor was mild and just as advertised there was no bitter flavor. Would I buy Gevalia? Maybe, if it was on sale for a really good price, but I would not dump my regular brand for it.

5 Hour Energy-Pink Lemonade Review

I received a free sample of 5 Hour Energy Pink Lemonade from Smiley360 in exchange for my honest opinion. This is my review.

I've had other flavors of 5 Hour Energy before and never cared for the taste but have always been impressed with how the product works, unfortunately (flavor wise) the results were the same. 5 Hour Energy works great at giving me a boost of energy that lasts a long time in a convenient little shot form. It's nice to not have to sip on an energy drink all day to get a long lasting pep in my step. I tend to use 5 Hour Energy on work days, I'm a daytime in home daycare and waitress by night). By the time I get to the restaurant I'm exhausted and in definite need of an energy boost. 5 Hour Energy starts working within the first 30 minutes of drinking and for me lasted about 4 hours. I have never noticed a "crash" afterwards but do feel tired once it wears off. I did not care for the pink lemonade flavor, just like all the others I've tried, they taste fake and have a bad aftertaste. Thankfully it's in shot form so you don't have to suffer through it long.

I have recommended 5 Hour Energy to my friends even before receiving my free sample and will continue to do so as long as I find it to work.

Sleep Number Sleep IQ Review

I was given the task of trying out the new Sleep Number Sleep IQ smart bed by Smiley360. These opinions are my own.

I went into the Sleep Number store with my husband and handed over my mission card from Smiley360. I was taken over to the Sleep Number beds and given information about the new Sleep IQ. This technology basically turns your bed into a "smart bed" and gives information to you about sleep cycle, if you are tossing and turning, when you are in a deep sleep and so on. It also helps you figure out how to get a better nights sleep. This technology is pretty darn cool! I think I need one in my house hehehe. This also allows you to journal what you eat, and also exercise to see if these factors are contributing to your sleep at night. After testing everything out I was given a sleep score and then was encouraged to purchase a new mattress (sorry not happening, I don't have that much money)

All in all a very cool experience but not something I would purchase, I would take one for free however *hint hint