OLD NAVY FOR THE WIN!!!

I was lucky enough to be chosen by Crowdtap to get a free Old Navy outerwear item of my choice. What a deal! I chose a bright red wool coat. I absolutely love it. I have been wearing it for about a week now, since it finally got cold enough in the mornings for a wool coat. It has a retail value of $90. It's well made, it's comfortable, it fits true to size. Normally I would get a large but I decided to get an XL because I figured I'd be wearing it over bulky sweaters all winter.

I love the way the coat looks....it even inspired me to get out the red lipstick this morning!

I highly recommend Old Navy outerwear. This is the third year in a row I have gotten a new Old Navy coat, and I haven't been disappointed yet.

Also, you should join Crowdtap. Just go to Crowdtap.com and sign up...it's fun, and you have a a chance to try things for free as long as you spread the word!

Here's some pics of my coat.

FREE JOHN FRIEDA HAIR COLOR

http://www.startsampling.com/sm/101994/qualifySurvey.iphtml?item=101994&source=sn%2Dsmart%2D11746&ss_id=&key=f3eb025628f2488b810128141d98657e&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2Freader%2Fview%2F%3Ftab%3Dmy

PRODUCT REVIEW - MIRACLE SKIN TRANSFORMER

Recently I got a sample of Sarah McNamara Miracle Skin Transformer from Sephora. It's a "moisturizing tinted skin enhancer with UVA/UVB SPF 20". So, fancy way of saying "tinted moisturizer. with sunscreen."

This retails for $48, which, as far as I am concerned, is Too Much Effing Money.

The sample is pretty good sized. It's a .16 oz tube, rather than the little packet that some samples come in. I wore this 3 days in a row and my sample is pretty much gone. I think that's a good amount of time to decide if you like something or not.

And did I like it? Eh. It was OK. I did like that it didn't have much of a scent. It felt outstanding on my face. Very smooth and silky. The coverage wasn't much. I think that was my main problem with it, but I'm not sure if that makes for a fair review because I'm not really a tinted moisturizer sort of gal. I prefer to really spackle it on. Especially if I'm spending half a Benjamin on said spackle. Anyway, the coverage is very sheer. I received the "light" shade. I do in fact have "light" skin, but the problem with these tinted moisturizers is that they usually come in only 3 shades, "light", "medium", and "dark". That's fine and dandy, but as we all know, skin comes in way more shades than that. Way. So this "light" is actually maybe a bit too light for me, and so it ends up looking a little chalky. Once I put blush on top of it it wasn't that big of a deal, but, like I said, half a Benjamin, yo. I shouldn't have to doctor it. I feel like it lasted an OK amount of time...probably about 8 hours. The moisturization was good. I assume the sun protection was good since I don't currently look like a lobster. However, if I'm being honest, the only time I left the house when wearing it was to run to Noodles and Co. to pick up my order of Wisconsin Mac and Cheese.

Final verdict...the price sucks, the formula is great, the color is iffy.

Would I purchase it? No. Does it make a great free sample? Yes. Was my skin "instantly transformed in one application"? No. Do I recommend that you skip this one? Yes.

OLAY SAMPLE

Free sample of Olay.....

http://olayclear.safeprocessing.com/

Strivectin

Free sample alert!

Free sample of Strivectin Tighten Up Face and Neck cream. I've used the stretch mark cream and found it to be moderately effective...hopefully this is too!

http://www.strivectin.com/tightenup

Delicious Chicken

I made a new recipe last night...it was EFFING DELICIOUS. Here it is. Make it. Eat it. Love it.

MARGARITA CHICKEN

4 chicken breasts
juice of 1 lime
can of black beans
salsa
pepperjack cheese
salt
pepper
1/4 tsp cumin
1 tbsp vegetable oil
rice if you want to serve it over rice

Preheat oven to 450. In a saucepan, heat the cumin and black beans until hot. Add lime juice. Take off heat, put aside. In skillet, heat oil. Salt and pepper both sides of chickens. Sear for 4 minutes on each side. Place in baking dish (or if your pan goes into the oven just leave it there) and put salsa on chickens. Cover with shredded pepperjack cheese, Bake for 10 minutes at 450. Serve over rice and the beans.

Sales! Sales!

Last night I went to Old Navy to buy jeans. They were having a massive jeans sale. I got two pairs, including one of the new flare styles, for $17 each. I also picked up a dress and a few shirts, making my total just over $60. They were also running a promotion where for every $20 you spend, you get $10 Old Navy Bucks. I got 30 Old Navy Bucks. I can use them as of August 26th. The stipulation is that you must spend double your bucks. So basically I will get $60 worth of clothes for $30. That's great, because I spied a shirt that was full price and I didn't buy it. I hope that by then it goes on sale!

This morning I logged on to Bath and Body Works to find that they are running a handsoap sale. You can get 5 handsoaps for $15. Today only, you can get shipping for a dollar when you purchase $25 worth of stuff. I am a sucker for those foamy handsoaps, especially since they have the fall scents out now. I picked out 5 handsoaps, and also some clearanced summery candles and bubble bath.

I love birthday money!!!

DOWNY UNSTOPABLES

Recently I got a full sized product from Vocalpoint in the mail. The product is Downy UnStopables In-Wash Scent Booster. I've been using it for a few weeks now, and I really love it. If you aren't a member of Vocalpoint, you should be. They send you random coupons and samples. Usually you get more than one coupon for any given product, so that you can share them. You can sign up here....

http://www.vocalpoint.com/registration/acquire.aspx?sourceid=466

Anyway, this product. I love it. It looks like this.


I got the "fresh" scent. The container has a "squeeze and sniff" feature, so when you are in the store trying to figure out what you want your clothes to smell like, you can just squeeze this bottle. Nice that you don't have to actually open the container to smell it.

So the point of this product is to make your clothes smell good. A scent "booster". Some of us need all the help we can get, I guess. I admit I was skeptical, because doesn't detergent already make your clothes smell good? Or at least not like smoke and sweat from spending twelve hours in a casino? I decided post-Vegas was the perfect time to try this out. I started the washer, put in my usual detergent, then overturned the contents of my suitcase into the washer. Then I poured some of these little scent chips into the cap of the product, and then into the wash. You can use as much or as little as you want. I used probably half the cap. That's it. The clothes are washed, then they go into the dryer, and then when they come out, you grab them and take a big whiff......and you know what? There really, truly is a difference. This stuff smells GREAT. Way better than regular detergent smell, and this lasts longer, too. I could smell it all day and into the next day, too. (Why yes, I did wear the same shirt 2 days in a row. I work from home and rarely see anyone but my dog and my son and every now and then the guy that delivers the Amazon packages.)

I will buy this product again. I can tell that it's going to last a long time, I have already used it on 10 loads of laundry and it isn't even half gone yet.

There's a few different scents available, and it retails for $5.99. But......secret insider information here...I hear through the grapevine that Vocalpoint will be sending more of these out to members, so go sign up! Do it and do it now!

MODERATE COUPONING 101

You'll never see me heading out of a store with four cases of Gulden's Spicy Mustard, even if they ARE free, but I do pride myself on being a pretty decent Moderate Couponer. (no extreme here.) Here's a lowdown of my expeditions this week.


WALGREENS


(3) packages of Twizzlers. On sale for $1.50 each, and I had a manufacturer's coupon(hereby known as MC) for $1 off three. Total Cost (hereby known as TC) $1.15 each, and a $1 Register Reward (RR).


Cottonelle wipes, pack of 42. Regular price $3.99. Priced at $1.99 with a Walgreens coupon, and I had a MC for $1.00. TC 99 cents.


(3) bottles of Gillette Men's Bodywash, 16 oz each. Regular price $4.99. I had a raincheck on these from last week's sale, for $2.99 each. I also had three MC for $2.00 each. TC 99 cents each.


Baking soda, regular price $1.29, priced at 50 cents with a Walgreens coupon, TC 50 cents.


Ponds Facial Cleansing Cloths, pack of 30. Regular price $6.99, on sale for $5.99, and I had a MC for $1.25. TC $4.74. I need these for my upcoming trip to Vegas so that I don't have to pack liquid face wash.


Finesse Shampoo and Conditioner regular cost $3.99, buy one get one free promotion. I had two MCs for $1.00 off. TC $2. I also have two mail in rebates for $2 each, so I will actually make $2 off this deal! It's this sort of thing that thrills me. And I LOVE Finesse!


Sally Hansen Hard as Nails nail polish, regular price $3.99, on clearance for $1.69, and I had a MC for $1.00 off. TC 69 cents.


Hallmark card for my cousin's graduation $1.99. No deals here. Sometimes you have to buy a damn card.


My total cost was $20.12 and I saved $26.60, and I earned $1 Register Reward.




TARGET


Sunglasses for the upcoming Vegas trip $7.99


Pampers Jumbo Pack regular price $8.99, I had a MC for $1.50, TC $7.49


Up and Up baby wipes, regular price $1.79, I had a Target coupon for 50 cents, TC $1.29


Method All Purpose Cleanser, regular price $3.99, on sale for $2.54, I had a MC for $1.00, TC $1.54


(2)Mossimo Tank Tops on sale for $8.00 each


Pajama pants on clearance for $6.48

(3) pairs of underwear on clearance for $1.50 (2) and $2.80

floral dress on clearance for $6.24

HP printer paper regular price $6.79, on sale for $3.36, I had MC for $1.00, TC $2.36

Doritos regular price $3.00 on sale for $2.00

Ritz Crackerful crackers regular price $3.59, on sale for $2.40, had MC for $1.00 and Target coupon for $1.00, TC 40 cents

Pepperidge Farms Cracker Crisps regular price $3.99, on sale for $2.00, had MC for $1.00, TC $1.00

Driscolls strawberries (1 pound) on sale for $1.79, had Target coupon for $1.00, TC 79 cents

(2)Bananas 24 cents each TC 48 cents

Banana Boat trial size sunscreen for the Vegas trip 97 cents

Ponds Facial Cleansing Cloths 30 count, regular price $5.99, on sale for $4.39, I had a Target coupon for $1.00 and a MC for $1.25, TC $1.14

Nivea Happy Sensations lotion, regular cost $5.04, I had a MC for $3.00. TC $2.04. This is my favorite lotion and I buy it whenever I can find a good deal.

Mitchum women's deodorant regular price $3.99, on sale for $2.69, I had a Target Coupon for $1.00 and a MC for 75 cents, TC FREE. This is the only deodorant I use, so I stock up when I can find deals.

Aquafresh Total Clean trial sized toothpaste, 97 cents, had MC for $1.00, TC FREE

Up and Up cotton rounds $2.19. I need these for travel, but sadly I misread the price for $1.19. I wouldn't have bought them for $2.19 but since I need them, I'll let it slide.

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette shampoo and conditioner, $4.99 each, I had two MCs for $2.00 off and a Target coupon for $2.00 off two, TC $1.98 each. If I don't decide to use these myself, I will donate them to the food shelter/women's shelter.

Aussie 5 Minute Miracle $2.84, I had a Target coupon for $1.00 and a MC for $1.00, TC 84 cents. I love this stuff and use it a few times per week.

Biotrue 2 ounce contact solution, $2.80, had a $2.00 MC, TC 80 cents. This will come with me to Vegas.

watermelon $3.99

Oil of Olay Complete Moisturizer $6.89, and I had a MC for $3.00 and a Target coupon for $2.00, TC $1.89

Oil of Olay Regenerist Cream Facial Cleanser $5.89, and I had a MC for $5.00 off with purchase of Oil of Olay moisturizer, TC 89 cents

I also got a $5.00 gift card for spending over $50, and I used my Red Card Debit Card to get 5% off.

I spent $76.83 and I saved $55.55!

Welcome to Madelyn Sue

Welcome to my blog.

Why "Madelyn Sue"? My middle name is Susan, and when I was little, my mom would sing "Madelyn Sue, I love you, Madelyn Sue, my honey-poo!" (Awwwwwwwww, I know, right?)

I'm anxious to start posting and see where this takes me. I know that I will be posting about money-saving deals, using coupons, and keeping to a budget. I also hope to post some product reviews and giveaways, and who knows, maybe I'll show you some of my photography every now and then.

This isn't my first blog. I got burned out on my last one, yet I really, really want to have one. So hopefully this fresh start will help me to post more often.

So pass this link along so that you aren't the only one reading (that would be sad, wouldn't it?) and congratulations on being one of my very first readers!