The Teen Diva and The Pimple ~ Success in the Battle for Healthier Skin ~ X-Out

Just a few weeks ago, the Teen Diva deigned to share 

a source of much personal distress 

~  the blasted Pimple.  

A horrifying beast, inclined to reappear monthly, with no regard for her reputation, self esteem or even coordination with her wardrobe.  Only in the interest of science and complexion restoration, would she allow The Pimple to be documented, fervently hoping her participation might lead to a healthier outlook for both herself, as well as for other teens in her same predicament.

The possible remedy?

X Out™ 

a new product from the makers of Proactiv®

X Out™ sucks. Literally. 

We call it a Wash-In treatment because it has prescription-grade acne medicine that gets sucked deep into pores and stays behind to help kill breakout-causing bacteria on contact, even after you wash.  It's an extra-strength anti-microbial. 

Which really means it blasts out acne bacteria.  

It's part of what makes it so easy and effective-- it keeps working so you don't have to. 

Designed specifically to be effective and kind to the special skin care needs and dramas of teens, the X OUT systems was well received by both the Teen Diva and her pre-teen brother.  Immediately intrigued by packaging that screams Teen, both kids were excited to give X OUT a try.  The two product kit they received to test included both the X OUT Wash Out Treatment, as well as a Cleansing Bar, perfect for battling acne prone bodies.

Our Take ~ 
Offering three methods for use, the X OUT Wash In Treatment was welcomed with enthusiasm.   My pre-teen son, liked to use the foaming formula, and was easily able to work the 2 minute morning and evening wash into his routine.  As a Mom, I enjoyed watching the Diva imparting her savvy older sister skin care advise to him, while they explored the kit together.

The Teen Diva loves options and those offered by X OUT were no exception.  Beyond use as a daily wash, X OUT functions as the only acne product she needs, with option to use it to effectively fight individual break outs, as well as as a weekly deep cleansing mask.

Immediately, the Diva was hooked!  Where many of the other products she has tried leave her skin raw and rough,  over dried in effect to battle acne, the X OUT product balances a teen's sensitive skin, attacking the bacteria which causes inflamation, exfoliating for a fresh appearance, as well as gently moisturizing, leaving her with soft, glowing skin.  Although she still holds some concern regarding the appearance of monthly breakouts, her experience thus far with X OUT leaves her optimistic regarding it's ability to combat any rouge pimples as a spot treatment.

As a parent, this Mom appreciates products that work as intended, are affordable and certainly, products that keep the Teen Diva and her pre-teen brother's complexions clear and faces smiling.  A 60 day money-back guarantee doesn't hurt, either!

Stay in the Know ~ 

Website      Facebook     Twitter

 I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of X Out and received a X Out product sample to facilitate my review, one to giveaway, and a promotional item to thank me for participating.  The opinions above are both honest and of our own experiences.  Some images and information sourced from various X OUT  online sources. 

Take Over Social Media Tuesday ~ Gaining Followers In All The Right Places ~ #CMM

Welcome to 
Take Over Tuesday Social Media Hop
Gain Friends and Followers 
In All The Right Places
Your Hostesses are:
   Closer to Lucy             
 Have Sippy Will Travel       
 3 Princes and a Princess 2         
Just Like June (formerly The Thrifty Things)       
That's What She Said





<a href="http://www.closertolucy.com/"><img src="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj112/crystalpw/Image2-3.jpg"/></a>

Add your link to any or all of the Social Media Follow Groups below!  Follow as many people as you would like and be certain to leave a comment on their page to let them know you are a fan!

Please be certain to follow your hostesses.  Your presence and participation is appreciated and we will always follow you back!

We'd love for you to grab the Take Over Tuesday button to display on your site!  

The more the merrier!

Google + Linky

Facebook Linky

Twitter Linky

Pinterest Linky

GFC Linky

Please be certain to join us again next week for 

Take Over Tuesday!

~ Guests welcome ~

Spring Skin Care Routines ~ Putting Your Best Face Forward ~ Exuviance Daily Solutions ~ Giveaway

With temperatures rising and daylight hours gloriously increasing, my thoughts naturally flow to all my usual spring time routines:  wardrobe change overs, pre-season outdoor preparations and a deep cleaning of our home environment.  Amid all the hustle and bustle, it is always easy for this Mom to forget to take time out for herself.  A quick glance in the mirror is the only motivation required to realize that my skin needs its own springtime sprucing up routine!

With middle years Moms like me in mind, the Exuviance line from NeoStrata offers a full line of products, specifically and scientifically designed to bring a spring glow back to my complexion.  

Exuviance®
Skin care that is clinically proven to reduce lines and wrinkles, increase firmness, smooth texture and even skin tone with a patented bionic blend of highly evolved Polyhydroxy and Alpha Hydroxy acids. Discover dermatologist developed skin care that has perfected the science of skin transformation by delivering full-strength anti-aging benefits without irritation. 

As a long time fan of the Exuviance line of skin care products, as well as an appreciator of their results and quality, it is always a special treat to be given an opportunity to explore the latest offering.

Daily Antioxidant Peel CA10 

The Exuviance Daily Antioxidant Peel CA10 is specifically designed to work in harmony with one of my favorite products from NeoStrata, the Exuviance Performance Peel AP25.  While the Performance Peel is intended for twice a week to diminish existing signs of aging, the Daily Antioxidant Peel is formulated for daily use, to exfoliate and prevent the development of the signs of aging.  Packed full of antioxidants, this daily system both protects and exfoliates. A perfect pair!

With naturally occurring citric acid, known to be safe for skin in frequent applications, as the primary ingredient, I was completely comfortable in testing this new anti-aging product.  The kit contained a jar with 36 application pads, as well as a bottle of peel solution.  Activating the pads was a simple as pouring the peel solution into the jar.  As with any new-to-me product, I like to test it prior to a full treatment; I appreciate that Exuviance anticipates this, supply a pad specifically for testing.

My Take ~ 

Just as I was very satisfied with the results of my test of Exuviance Performance Peel AP25, so I was in exploring the Daily Antioxidant Peel CA10!  The formula was extremely easy to use and convenient, with a pleasant light scent.  Both my initial test and full treatments caused no irritation or discomfort, rather a refreshing effect.  Post treatments for one week, I found my skin noticeably smoother and firmer - a BIG win for this Mom!  As with any skin peel product, one does want to take care to fully read the directions, as well as take care in regard to sun exposure, as your skin may be extra sensitive to sunlight during treatment.

Stay in the Know ~ 
Website    Facebook     Twitter


***SPECIAL OFFERS***

***GIVEAWAY***
NeoStrata is generously offering That's What She Said readers a chance to win your own Exuviance Daily Antioxidant Peel CA10 kit, a $65 value in skin care quality!  This giveaway is open to residents of US, 18+ and will end on Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 12:01am EST.

From Fabulous To Family Friendly ~ Explore the Give It Away Gala #CMM

Welcome to the Giveaway Gala. A collection of featured giveaways from 5 blog's including a linky for you to link up your giveaways!

This linky will be hosted on 5 blogs giving you the benefit of reaching all of our combined readers. So feel free to check out giveaways and link up your giveaways. We only ask you link directly to your giveaway, any links to your homepage will be removed.

Week 3/18 Featured Host Giveaways:

Just Like June:

PetSmart Marvel Dog Toy 3/30

Hershey's Easter Assortment 3/30

Publix $25 gift card 3/23

Have Sippy Will Travel:

iplay snow Pants 3/30

Happy Napper 3/30

Easter Giant Egg and Bunny from Hearthsong 3/28

3 Princes and a Princess 2:

Step 2 Wagon For 2 3/27

$25 Publix GC 3/27

NuWave Oven Pro 4/2

Closer To Lucy:

Tommee Tippee Bottles 3 pack 4/12

$50 Novica Gift Cards ( 4 winners) 3/31

Nature's Sleep Pillow 4/12

That's What She Said:

Exuviance Daily Antioxidant Peel (value $65)

Collective Media Magic Reader Appreciation Giveaway Enter To Win:

1 $50 Coldstone Creamery Gift Card

1 $20 Coldstone Creamery Gift Card

1 $10 PF Changs Gift Card

1 $20 Target Gift Card

1 $10 Fandango Gift Card

Giveaway featured on each of the #CMM Sites:

Just Like June

Closer to Lucy

3 Princes and a Princess 2

That's What She Said

Have Sippy Will Travel

Help Improve Your Child's Math Skills The Fun Way ~ Dimension U Online Educational Games

I can well remember the excitement both of my children had, in anticipating their first days of school.  With great fondness and humor, I can recall my daughter,  reporting back to me after her first week of preschool with disdain, because she wasn't assigned any homework and my son's eager face, as he presented a skills workbook to explore together.

Those days are long gone now, with my daughter a high school junior and my son in his last year of elementary school.  Upon arriving home from school, their eyes are not lit with joy when I query about their homework assignments.  In fact, quite the opposite seems to be true.

Although my daughter has had a fairly easy time, adjusting to the increasing demands of her classes, my son's experience has been a different case altogether.  While his comprehension skills are quite high, a short term memory deficit makes much of his classroom learning an extra challenge.  Finding ways to help him engage enthusiastically in educational subjects, as well finding flexible lessons and opportunities for repetition.are key to his success as a student

Both he and I were quite excited to have been provided an opportunity to explore Dimension U, an online site specifically designed to engage and challenge students in core curriculum subjects, strengthening their skills in a fun, comprehensive way, while providing multiple levels of encouragement to succeed and advance.

Our mission is to engage and motivate students so that they choose to devote more of their time to even the most difficult subjects. Standards-based, research driven and proven to delight, these games offer all of the action adventure fun associated with commercial video games, integrated with truly effective educational content. 

Dimension U offers programs that can be utilized in classroom, as well as online from home.  Students are able to set up their own personalized profile, including selection from numerous avatars and interact and challenge each other through the program, as well as play on their own.  The educational games are designed to function similarly to a video game, a format certainly appealing to any child.  Parents, students and educators will certainly appreciate the ability to vary the grade level of any particular subjects tasks, accommodating the varying needs of each child.

Beyond the natural enticement of conquering a given level, parents are also welcome to enroll in a unique U Gain program through Dimension U, offering an additional allowance incentive to their child for completing a certain number of tasks through the program.

Our Take ~
My son tested two mathematics games on Dimenion U: Gadget Works and Meltdown.  As a parent, I appreciated that both games, presented in a fun and excited video game format were flexible, allowing my son to work at the best level for his needs, while offering opportunity for him to advance to more challenging work.  Beyond the level of challenge, we were able to select from a variety of specialized math skills, enabling  us to focus on the specific areas in which he needed additional support and practice.

Although my son enjoyed both games, his level of engagement was significantly greater when exploring the Meltdown game.  In particular, he loved the ability to "learn his way" to earning more gadget and gizmos to use in game play.  While he did think that Meltdown was a more action packed game and better suited for older students, like him, he felt that Gadget Works was appropriate for students of any age.

This Mom is all for any program that increases the fun factor of learning and has the ability to engage students, encouraging their participation and success;  Dimension U seems to do just that!  The online program offers opportunity to both challenge a student individually, as well as promoting positive competition in a classroom setting or through the Dimension U Tournament site. Dimension U is a site certainly worth exploring with your student!

Stay In The Know ~
Website    Facebook     Twitter    You Tube  

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for DimensionU. I received a free trial of DimensionU to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.   The opinions and experiences above are both honest and my own.  Images and information sourced from various Dimension U sites.

Explore Pinterest ~ Your Way ~ Join In, Follow, Get Pinned and Re-Pin

Please follow the hostesses and comment and we will follow you back. 

Blessed Elements Create
Have Sippy Will Travel
Random Deals
Thats What She Said

 Choose your Pinterest Hop 

Either ~  Go Grab the Pin It Button For Your Tool Bar and Go Hop From Blog To Blog. Those listed on this linky have posted pictures on their blog to share pictures with you that you can RePin on your boards. 

~ or ~ 

Join us by adding some pictures to your site that you want people to RePin on their boards too. Add your blog link to the linkie below. Lets have fun and find new pictures for our boards.  Just want to find Pinterest followers?  Then add your link to this hop!
~ or both!  

Explore Pinterest and Hop Your Way!

Just want to find Pinterest followers? Then add your link to this hop! The bottom link wasn't working for the Follow me link. I had to re-do it. Here is your new link. just for the bottom part of follow me.

Delicious Recipes For the Lactose Intolerant ~ Hello, Yoplait Lactose Free! ~ Giveaway

That's What She Said is full into green mode and it wouldn't do to not nod at the greenest holiday of the year ~ St. Patrick's Day.  Although, based upon family history indices, I am one of the only people I know who lacks a drop of Irish heritage, I've never let that stop me from appreciating the day.  While St. Patty's Day may have deeper meaning for some, for me, it is a precursor to the much celebrated, long awaited spring season.


Ready to emerge from my wintry hibernation, my thoughts swirl around all manner of light-hearted, warm weather activities to add to my perpetual 'To Do' list.  Unpacking the warm weather clothes, gardening, the onset of another busy sports season, quick and light meals for my family on the go.  Of course, there are always the less than pleasant thoughts of my slowing Mom metabolism.  Oh, joy!

Although I certainly don't feel like a middle years Mom most days, nagging little reminders have a way of popping up to make this brave, new stage difficult to ignore.  Beyond my slowing metabolism, I have noticed odd changes, particularly in food sensitivities.

As a child, just looking at an orange or tomato, filled with naturally occurring citric acid was sufficient to set off a rash of angry hives.  Now, I am fully able to enjoy a refreshing glass of orange juice without issue, however a new, very undesirable development seems to have replaced the citric allergy ~ lactose intolerance. This Mom enjoys dairy in her diet, from cheeses to yogurt and, most importantly, to tasty frozen ice cream treats!  Curse you, Lactose, and your presence in my favorite creamy Fudge Swirl!

Naturally, you can imagine my excitement to learn that our family favorite maker of yogurt extraordinaire, Yoplait®, has introduced a Lactose Free line!  Each member of my family has a favorite from among the Yoplait® lines. both kids enjoyed Yoplait® kid varieties when they were younger, Go-Gurt® featured regularly in lunch boxes and as a favorite quick snack.  The Teen Diva has transitioned to berry and peach flavored Yoplait® Light, with my son's tastebuds craving the creamy goodness of the custard style version, strawberry banana in particular.  My husband is steadfast in insisting we keep a supply of Yoplait® original, stocked in the refrigerator for his work lunches.  As for myself, I enjoy all the styles of Yoplait® but have developed a particular fondness for the greek style yogurt.  However, as much as I enjoy yogurt, it has not been liking me back.

Hello, Lactose Free Yoplait®!  A brand new line, specially created for yogurt lovers like me, with four delicious flavors: Strawberry, Peach, Vanilla and Cherry!  Those, like me, that suffer from lactose intolerance are cautioned by the National Institute of Health to ensure the absence of dairy products in their diets doesn't result in a lack of important nutrients, Vitamin D and calcium, both essential for middle year Moms. Lactose Free yogurt from Yoplait® is an excellent way to supply these important essentials in your diet, as each cup contains 50% of the recommended daily allowance of calcium, as well as Vitamins A and D!

Delicious Lactose Free Recipes ~ 
Whether you seek a delicious recipe for a creamy Mom treat or a special St. Patrick's Day concoction, you can create a delectable treat that won't cause a fuss with your system, using Lactose Free Yoplait!

Lactose Free St. Patrick's Day Shakes

Prep Time:5 min

Start to Finish:5 min

Makes:4 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 cartons (6 oz each) Yoplait® Lactose Free French vanilla yogurt
1 pint (2 cups) vanilla nondairy frozen dessert
1/8 teaspoon mint extract
1 drop green food color

DIRECTIONS
1. In blender, place all ingredients. Cover; blend on medium speed until smooth.
2. Pour into 4 glasses. Serve immediately.

Find more Lactose Free Yoplait® recipes at Yoplait.com!


Yoplait® Coupons and Savings ~ 

Lactose Free Yoplait® coupon      Yoplait® Greek coupon      Yoplait® Delights coupon 

Stay In The Know ~ 

Website      Facebook     Twitter

***GIVEAWAY***

Courtesy of Yoplait® through MyBlogSpark,  I was able to explore the tempting new line of Lactose Free Yoplait® and received a wonderful (and green!) reusable lunch kit, perfect for including Lactose Free Yoplait® in my lunches and my family's on the go lifestyle!  Work, school, sports events and travel, this kit will certainly get a great deal of use, packed full of tasty Yoplait® goodness!

Yoplait® and MyBlogSpark are offering That's What She Said readers a chance to win their own Lactose Free Yoplait® lunch kit!  This kit contains: a VIP coupon to purchase Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt*, Lunch tote, 2 Gel packs, Individual bowl and spoon.  

This giveaway is open to residents of the US, 18+ and will end on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 12:01am EST.  The winner will be notified by email and must respond by 12:00noon EST on Monday, March 19, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

Disclosure:  Prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.  The opinions above are both honest and my own.  Images, information and recipe sourced from various Yoplait® sites and through MyBlogSpark.  Shamrock Image moomsabuy / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

*The coupon offer for Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt is not valid in some states, including Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota and Tennessee