Brands love it when consumers try their products and share their opinions. Social media is a great way for brands to get direct feedback from consumers, and folks like us, who might like their products. One way that they do this is by teaming up with public relations firms or with companies who specialize in blogger outreach.

Influenster is one such company. Recently they sent me their TLC VoxBox for the Moms of the Influenster Nation to try our a few great products. I love surprises and there’s nothing better than getting a surprise box, filled with items to sample in the mail.

Here’s what was in my TLC VoxBox:

• A Shell rewards card good for gas discounts. Can’t wait to try this!
• A coupon for a free Breyers Gelato Indulgences so we can give it a try. Yum!
• Puffs to Go, Which I always carry with me in my purse. My kids and I have seasonal allergies.
• Neosporin’s Neo to Go, another staple. I have one in the car and now, one in my purse. I’m a mom and my kids are typical kids.
• A beautiful bar of Ivory Soap. Years ago my doctor recommended I use Ivory, and I do! So it’s nice to have this bar on hand.
• Avon’s Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother. This is something I’ve never tried, so I’m looking forward to it – even though I don’t have any wrinkles yet.

Here’s how you can reach these brands:

• Shell Fuel Rewards Network  [affiliate link] Tweet them at @Shell_US using #FuelRewards
• Breyers Gelato Indulgences Tweet them at @Breyers using #GelatoLove
• Puffs to Go Tweet them at @Puffs using #PassthePuffs
• Neosporin Neo to Go Tweet about their products using #NeoReady
• Ivory Bar Soap Tweet them at @Ivory using #SudLife
• Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother  Tweet them at @AvonInsider using #AvonANEW

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know what you thought about them. Are you part of any blogger outreach programs? Which would you recommend? Let me know in the comments below! Also, If you’d like to become an Influenster too, let me know and I will send you an invite code from my account. Win/Win! 

Ever watch one an award shows on TV and wish you could score some of the awesome swag that the celebrities take home? I’ve teamed up with Bloggin’ Mamas & Hollywood Swag Bags through this sponsored post to make that wish a reality.  One lucky winner will receive a Swag Bag that was given out to Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2014 Presenters and Nominees ($800 Value) + a $500 gift card sponsored by The Children’s Place. Who doesn’t love a Swag Bag and Gift Card Giveaway?

Guidelines

The giveaway starts 4/17/14 at 12:01 AM EST and ends 4/30/14 at 11:59 PM EST.  It’s open to United States Residents 18 and over. Winner will be selected via random.org and notified via email within 48 hours after the drawing. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Winner’s name will be displayed via the Rafflecopter widget below.

Here is some of what you might find in your swag bag if you win:

• Buddy Ball – The Buddy Ball is a multi-functional toy that can go from a teddy bear into a ball in a matter of seconds. The soft plush also stores a variety of kid treasures inside. The company gifted the nominees with a variety of their bears named Max, Eva, Landry, and Sam.
• OPPOS – A line of girls leggings featuring interchangeable legs. Short for opposites, OPPOS™ enables girls to mix and match the legs of their leggings for a different look every day of the month (and beyond).
• Various pieces of AngieShel Design’s gorgeous handcrafted jewelry.
• Ericka La Presle-Freer, creator of Starbars is added her gourmet organic superfood bar in a delicious mint chocolate chip flavor.
• The “Brain Bar” was included to help nominees get their “Think On”, particularly helpful during an acceptance speech.
• Darby’s English Toffee is the finest toffee maker in Southern California. They have added their classic box for the nominees.
• Author Jennifer Ormond gifted her precious book Baby’s Binky Box.
• Oxylent Multivitamin Supplement Drink Oxygenates, hydrates, circulates and rejuvenates. Drink Oxylent Breathe Life.
• SeaSnax, a favorite among celebrities, launched a new product “Chomperz” to all the recipients. Chomperz can be described similar to a chip, but with the low calories and nutrition of seaweed. SeaSnax are gluten-free and all natural. Try Chomperz and you will be hooked.
• Crave Naturals included three items from their product line, featuring the best-selling Glide Thru Detangling Brush, Whiplash Eyelash Curler & Mirage Argan Oil.
• Tat Patch takes your ripped, destroyed and distressed jeans to a new level. Tat Patches go on the inside, peeking out. Everyone received an assortment of cool designs.
• DidiPopMusic supplied nominees with a collection of her smart and soulful music for kids.
• Rusk Hair made sure the nominees’ hair was perfectly groomed with its entire line of products.
• Nominees over the age of 21 enjoyed Tipsy Girl Wine Design Custom bedazzled wine glasses for the sophisticated oenophile.
• Focal Instincts Photography is including a gift certificate for award-winning photography.

Enter Now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Sponsored Post}

I consider myself pretty lucky to get to sample and learn about new products. So, I was pretty excited to learn about Früsh! What’s Früsh you ask? Früsh is yogurt on the go, so you don’t need a spoon. It’s made with real fruit, creamy yogurt and all-natural health boosters like HOWARU® Bifido probiotics and TruCal® calcium. Ok, so how do you pronounce it? It’s Fruit and Fresh together, so it sounds like fr-ooo-sh (ü = ooo, like moon). It doesn’t rhyme with rush.

Party Time

At the end of May, I had the privilege of hosting a Früsh sampling party with a few of my very busy friends who are always on the go! Früsh gave me a variety of flavors for us to try, a helpful information kit, coupons and lots of practical goodies to share with my party attendees. Since we’re all always on the go, it was only natural that I’d invite them to take the spoonless challenge and try Früsh with me.

Blueberry was a hit with Jennifer.

She even gave it a thumbs up. That’s impressive.

Blueberry was also a hit with Shannon, and Kelly liked Strawberry.  They liked how smooth and creamy Früsh was and that it didn’t have chunks of fruit in it. They also thought the bottle had a unique shape. It’s sculpted to fit in your hand, which might sound silly until you’re trying to drive kids to school and have breakfast on the go. In situations like that, going Spoonless makes pretty good sense.

Less Sugar and Gluten Free

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Früsh had less sugar that many of the well-known brands of yogurt we buy at our house, which makes it a better choice for me and for the kids. I was also happy to learn that it’s Gluten-Free and has more calcium than a glass of milk.

Buying Local and Helping the North Carolina Economy

Buying local is important to me for several reasons. It’s a greener option and it helps the local economy. Therefore, I was pleased to learn that Origin Food Group, the company that makes Früsh is investing $7 million to build a brand new, state-of-the-art processing facility, retrofit an existing site, and develop a brand and a product that will meet the expectations of the demanding current-day consumer. This processing plant is off of Interstate 40 in Iredell County. The company created 28 jobs for the launch of its Früsh line. Origin Food Group projects that it will employ 40 to 50 people by 2014 as the company expands its product lines. The company also is investing locally by purchasing milk from neighboring partner Stamey Farms, located about one mile from the production facility.

Try Früsh for Yourself

Interested in trying Früsh for yourself? No worries, you can find Früsh in your local grocery stores like Harris Teeter, Lowes Food, Winn Dixie and more.

Learn More About Früsh

• Follow Früsh on Twitter
• Connect with Früsh on Facebook
• Visit the Früsh Website
• Grab the Daily Shake Up App

We enjoyed Früsh and I think you will too! Have you tried it? Let me know what you thought in the comments below.