The Best Set of Measuring Cups--by KitchenMade

KitchenMade Stainless Steel Measuring Cups-Set of 6

#measuringcups

My take:

This just might be the perfect set of measuring cups!

Even though I have owned many sets, I have never own a set that contains more than the basic 4 measurements—this set has 6 and I love having the 2/3 and 3/4 cups. I was always taking my 1/4 c. for recipes, and measuring it 3 times—now this cup does it in one step! Moreover, the cups have marks on the outside also indicating partial measurements so even the 1 c. size has a 3/4 line marker.

NEW Dial Coconut Water Refreshing Mango Body Wash and Giveaway!

*GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED*

#GetNoticed

Dial has done it again! What a great new tropical scent for summer! Hints of green coconut and tropical mango will whisk you away to an island paradise without ever leaving the shower!

dscout research

dscout is truly one gem of an app. you simply apply for 'missions' and do a short screener. if chosen, you complete the mission by taking quick 30 second snippets of whatever the mission topic is.

it's free, it's fun, it's on your phone and it PAYS.

Parentspeak Online Community

i love this community/site! they are run by c + r research, a company out of chicago. you won't see very many surveys, maybe 1 or 2 a month, but they usually are screener surveys for an upcoming focus group or interactive study. so don't be so quick to brush off their $1 surveys---the MAJORITY of times they have lead to a future 60 or 90 minute session that will pay anywhere from $25-$50! even if it doesn't, often they will ask me to continue on with an extended portion of the survey and add additional incentives for 10 or 15 extra minutes.

you can request a check at anytime too--no minimum threshold. the only requirements are that you live in the US and you are a parent.

parentspeak is an online community so there is also lots going on within the site---forums, polls, open discussions etc.... participation for these activities is purely optional and non-paying but it's a nice way to meet other parents and share ideas. 

here is their link to sign up!

www.Parentspeak.com

Snuggle Bear Den Community---Free To Join!

Snuggle Bear Den Community is accepting new members!
Be the first to try and discover new products, content and offers. Share your thoughts with friends to earn points, badges and more!

Foxbrim 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil Review

#foxbrim

My take:

Argan Oils seem to be the latest beauty craze so I was thrilled to finally try one myself. What most impressed me is how versatile this little bottle is. Nails, hair, skin, face---a few drops can be beneficial to just about every part of you!

OneOpinion Review

i have mixed feelings about this site. on the positive side---their customer service is second to none. prompt responses to any issues, credits made to incentive errors-- no questions asked, and probably my biggest source of Invoke interactive studies (typically 60-90 min. online sessions that pay anywhere from $20-$50).

Middle Eastern Kabobs With Tomato Relish

Kabobs Recipe

Ingredients: (makes 6 kabobs)

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces

1/4 c. plain low-fat yogurt

1 TB. lemon juice

1 ts. dry mustard

USA Talk Now Review

This canadian based site has quickly become one of my favs. they do not offer paypal but do offer amazon in $10 increments. although the surveys themselves are only average paying, they offer many focus group opportunities (which pay in cash!). better yet, the majority of the online focus group screening questions do not ask when your last focus group was so you can qualify for several within a 3 month period! i can easily qualify for at least one online project a month which can pay anywhere from $30-$75. itracks actually is behind usatalknow and they are a major online research company.

Loreal product testing!

i love this company! join today to be a part of their consumer testing program. it's free and fun.
i joined 2 years ago and have done 6 product tests already. they send you a product (usually 2 to compare), and after 1 or 2 wks you just need to fill out a survey about it---that's it.

E-poll Survey Review

i certainly don't get rich from this site, averaging just $5-$10 paypal per month but epoll is still fun and fresh compared to other sites.
practically all of my surveys involve watching a pilot episode of a new reality tv show. some are 45 minutes, others just 20. afterwards you give your opinion on the concept, pace and characters and how likely you would watch the program if and when it aired.
it's actually quite entertaining and i love getting a 'sneak peek' and sharing my opinions about a show that hasn't even aired yet. if you like reality tv definitely check them out.

payment does take several weeks but you can cash out for paypal once you reach $5.

here is the link to sign up!

epollsurveys.com

Ology From Walgreens--For a Happier, Healthier Home.

Walgreens has launched a whole new line of healthier, more environmentally products called ology. in fact, you won't find any of these ingredients in the product line:

NO

*ammonia

*chlorine bleach

*DEA

*TEA

*parabens

*phthalates

*formaldehyde

*nonylphenol ethoxylates

*triclosan

*SLS/SLES

Become a product tester for McCormick!

i love being a part of this site. every 3 months you are eligible to take a short screener and qualify to test one of McCormick's newest products. they send you the product, even supply a recipe or two, and even PAY you $10-$20 in amazon gift cards once the study is complete. all you need to do is fill out a survey about your experience.

additionally, they even have bonus activities--make a collage or video about the test product and possibly earn an additional incentive.

American Consumer Opinion Panel-ACOP

American Consumer Opinion Panel/ACOP

this is another one of my main sites. they pay in paypal or check and you only have to reach $10 for a payout. they do lots of small screener surveys for 5-20 pts. which is great since you never start a survey and then get disqualified with zero compensation like most other companies.
they also are GLOBAL--anyone can join!
the topics and format are unique and a change of pace from other sites as well. i also have done special project diarys which were super easy to complete.  i can easily make $15 a month from them but be warned--payouts do take FOREVER to receive.
still, they are a constant contributor for me and you too should add them.

click HERE to join ACOP now!

Checkout 51

my friend just recently introduced me to this app/site. i had been a huge fan of Endorse, which sadly shut its doors a while back. i use ibotta occasionally but my regional grocery store (schnucks) doesn't support it. Checkout 51 can be used with ANY retailer which makes it a winner with me! in fact you can buy from ANY retailer (even online!) as long as you have a validated receipt.

similar to the others, you simply check off their promoted items that you bought that week and then upload your receipt. easy as pie. i have made $7 in just the few weeks i joined. every week they have at least one 'generic' item like milk, eggs or bananas so that's easy money. once you hit $20 you cash out and they mail you a check.

available for iOS devices, android and online through their website. united states and canada.

give them a try!

http://www.checkout51.com

shopalong mobile app

Shopalong is a mobile community where you get paid for completing fun and rewarding assignments at places you shop every day.

you can bring them along on your next shopping trip and earn rewards (typically $5-$50)!

they typically pick certain shopping occasions--back to school, black friday, mothers day, spring etc... and ask you to pick the initial budget you have in mind. then you just log all your purchases until the project ends--easy-peezy!

i made $45 for just logging in my spring home improvement purchases (submitting receipts, answering short surveys and taking pics) over a 6 wk period. it took minutes and it was fun! better yet, it even logs all your purchases so you can see if you went over or under your initial budget!

join today! available on iOS and android.
https://app.shopalongapp.com/assignment/

join i-say today!

i-say by Ipsos is a company that has been around for awhile. while i don't get a whole lot of surveys from them i manage to eek out about $15 a month. they have paypal and amazon as reward options too. the best part about i-say is the 'poll predictor' at the end of each survey---they ask a random question and you guess what % answered that way--you then earn 'raffle tickets' for the current prizes and the number of entries you earn depends on how close you were to the correct answer. so even if you disqualify for a survey you at least know you earned a sweeps entry.

i also have received a fair amount of products to test through them which is always a bonus.
a heads up--they seem to be going through a few hiccups right now with changing their site format and interface--very glitchy lately. hopefully they will iron them all out soon!

click the link and join today!

http://www.i-say.com/Join/tabid/160/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Adovia- Dead Sea Salt Soap Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

i was lucky enough to receive a sample from the manufacturer for testing and review purposes. here's the 411! this is a bar of Adovia Dead Sea Salt Soap #saltsoap. features and benefits are:

summer detox water!

i have been seeing various concoctions of detox water all over pinterest lately and decided i too was going to minimize my diet sodas this summer and drink something with some nutritional/healthy value. i am here to say---this stuff is FABULOUS! it still pretty much tastes like water but with subtle hints of the lemon, mint, ginger and cucumber. nothing is overpowering--it's just REFRESHING.  it's super simple to make too. you just need water and a pitcher along with these ingredients:

Influenster TLCVoxBox!

SCORE! i was lucky enough to be chosen to receive a special TLCVoxBox especially for moms. look at all the useful goodies packed inside!

first up---Avon Anew Reversalist wrinkle smoother!

slickdeals.net --a great resource!

slickdeals.net is a great resource for the serious survey taker. i always thought of them as a 'sweeps, coupon, deals and sales' type site but i discovered they have a whole forum devoted to surveys and focus groups.

go to slickdeals.net
click on 'forums'
click on 'freebies'
click on 'surveys'----now bookmark this page!

surveymini--a great mobile site!

SurveyMini Review

here is an app that i just discovered this past month and its another good one! its only available on iPhones though through the app store.
you get quick 2 minute surveys after you visit most retailers or restaurants (it detects your location) and you rack up points QUICKLY! in just one month i earned enough points for a $10 gift card and they have several to choose from: burger king, jamba juice, chick-fil-a, and sonic to name a few. you can also accumulate your points and cash them in for a $25 gift card to places like bath and body works, petsmart, office max, even amc movies.
its a quick and effortless $10 gift card each month!

http://www.surveymini.com

survey spot review

i must admit this one is not my favorite, their sister site, http://www.opinionoutpost.com is much better--most surveys are ridiculously low paying--however there are a few gems in the mix so it makes it worth my while. i just back out of the majority of surveys when i know they are not leading to a product test or focus session. that being said, i have scored great products and further online opportunities through this site---you just need to get some familiarity with the different surveys so you can sense the good ones!
click this surveyspot link to join!

Unsung Hero---a must-see ad!

yes, this is an ad for insurance, but it is a must-see. get ready for your feel good moment of the day!

PINECONE RESEARCH LINK!

this one is the holy grail of survey sites! every survey pays $3 and no disqualifications midway through! they offer prize rewards, check or paypal.  they also have lots of product tests. typically invitation only but i have a link! apply today! pinecone is a slow and steady income earner that may take a few attempts to get accepted but keep trying!

you are going to love pinecone research!

link to apply:
http://www.pineconeresearch.com/signup/

heads up! pinecone has a monthly 'allowance'  for new recruits so if the link doesn't work please try again next month!

Samplesource!

Samplesource is a freebie site with no strings attached! 3 times a year they send you an email saying a new shipment is available and you just log in and claim one--thats it!

samples go quickly so DO NOT HESITATE when you get that email!

here is a pic of my last sample source box---some great stuff and all i did was answer an email and confirm my shipment!

sign up and get in on the next sample pack!
https://www.samplesource.com/?site=us

BABY MAGIC BLISS BY AIR WICK!

Oh-My-Goddess

this stuff is mind blowing amazing! i have been on the electronic diffuser merry-go-round for decades now. i used bath and bodyworks wall flowers for years but the scents never lasted beyond a few days. i gave glade a chance last year but again i was so impressed the first day when my whole house was infused with wonderful fragrance and then would not detect ANYTHING 48 hrs later! i pretty much was coming to the conclusion that no one has yet mastered long lasting fragrance in an electronic diffuser.

but then i tried air wick in the baby magic scent.

iPoll--they have been very good to me!

i have to say, the regular ipoll site is JUST OKAY--however, i make scores of money on their mobile site. very high paying missions---$5 - $30 for going to the grocery store and buying a specific item and then reviewing it at home. seriously, i have made over $100 just in one month. the caveat is you don't get notifications so you HAVE to look at the app daily, even twice a day to see any missions in your area. still, its super easy money and one of my most profitable apps.
as for the site itself--i don't really bother with the majority of their low paying surveys but i still check it daily for their frequent 'gut-check' focus groups. a few times a week they have 2-5 online focus groups but you have to find them on your 'available surveys' dashboard. they pay anywhere from $5-$20 and they are super easy and actually fun to do.
ipoll is a very profitable site if you are proactive and make it part of your routine to check both the pc and mobile site at least once a day for the good ones because they go fast!

click link to join!

https://www.ipoll.com

Win a 4-pack of Purex Crystals---Pinterest Contest!

*GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED*

Inspiration is in full bloom with the freshness of spring in the air. Scents evoke emotional reactions, awaken fond memories, and enhance moments. What scents inspire you this spring?

Enter to WIN this scent-sational Pinterest Contest!

click link to enter!

http://go.purex.com/PMtgT

Please note this giveaway will end May 30th, 2014 at 3:00pm PST. 

Enter to win a FREE SUBSCRIPTION from Purex!

*GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED*

*CLOSED*
Ready, set, GO! Summer is right around the corner and what a great way to prepare for all that summer fun than with a subscription to Family Fun Magazine! Enjoy all things fun with a magazine that celebrates families, cooking, vacations, parties, crafts and more.

Fifteen thousand (15,000) grand prize winners will receive a FREE subscription to Family Fun Magazine. Enter to win a subscription for your family to enjoy!

click link to enter!
http://go.purex.com/DxRb

this giveaway will end May 30th, 2014 at 3:00pm PST

Become a Purex Insider!

okay, i am a newbie here but i am loving it so far! first off, you need to have a blog to be eligible. once you have the blog it is great product tests--just submit your honest review on your blog and report it back to purex. they highly encourage giveaways and give you extra stuff as prizes. i just hosted my first giveaway and used https://www.rafflecopter.com--having zero clue as to what i was doing but it was super easy and free!  the site is very community based and a great place to make connections as well. highly recommend!

Invitation link to become a Purex Insider

mindswarms review

mindswarms is another great site that pays extremely well and is global. you do need a webcam or video function on your phone or tablet in order to be eligible for interviews. 

mindswarms basically consists of two formats:

$50 for answering 7 questions (you watch a video tape of each question and then webcam/record your answer back)
$10 for answering 1 question (same format)

it is difficult to be picked for these. i apply to many and have only been accepted 3 times so far. what i really liked about it was my answers weren't 'live' in front of someone else across the computer. i had time to think about my answer, even taking a few notes, before i had to tape my reply. and you can always erase an answer and re-answer it.

its actually very easy money--you just have to get chosen! i find they are hit or miss with emailing new studies so its best to check the site yourself often to see whats available.

https://www.mindswarms.com

YES you can make $1000 a month doing surveys

no joke--it took me about a year but currently i have consistently been making over $1000 a month doing surveys, online communities, focus groups and interactive studies. it breaks down to about 35% amazon gift cards and the other 65% is either paypal, visa gift cards or checks mailed to my home. i also average about 15-20 product tests each month--most are things i would be buying anyways--dishwasher detergent, cat litter, facial products, tons of food, toilet paper--the list goes on. and some are AMAZING ones--coffee makers, vacuums, yogurt makers, bluetooth speakers.
its like christmas every day when ups or fedex pulls up!

three-berry focaccia bliss

this is your perfect dessert! its so tart, sweet and delectable--ideal for a hot summer day. you only need a handful of ingredients and its ready in 30 minutes!


ingredients:
*1 10 oz portion fresh of frozen (thawed) whole-wheat pizza of bread dough
     (i just used a boboli whole wheat crust and it was perfect)

*1 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

*1 tsp. olive oil

*1/4 c sugar

*1/4 c each of fresh blackberries, raspberries and blueberries--i used a lot more though

herbal essence hello hydration crowdtap sampling

my first crowdtap sampling!

Trying out my new herbal essence hello hydration bodywash--compliments of #crowdtap and#TheHerbalistas

you can get on our other great product samplings too by joining crowdtap!

http://home.crowdtap.com

crowdtap!

here is a site that is fun and is purely luck of the draw. do 'quick hits' daily about brands and earn drawings for monthly gift card prizes. i find it fun, quick and worth my time. i only do the quick hits though and rarely do the challenges or more involved activities. the more active you are within each brand the more entries you receive--even so, nothing is guaranteed. one month i went all out and did as many extra point activities possible to increase my odds and that was the one month i got zilch so i am leery now of investing all that effort again. so far i have won gift cards 3 out of the 4 months i have been active. granted they are only $5 amazon or walmart gift cards but it only takes me minutes a day. one month i won 4 gift cards total! the key is to do your quick hits everyday so they don't accumulate and get overwhelming.

crowdtap also does product sampling--however i have yet to be accepted into any! and i believe you can only register with them through Facebook.
sign up! http://home.crowdtap.com

right now you can sign up through this link http://ctap.it/jointruvia and instantly get a free Truvia sample!

Purex Crystals Dryer Sheets review and giveaway!

*GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED*

Take a deep breath and experience the freshness of Purex Crystals Dryer Sheets.

Who knew one tiny sheet could do so much?

Seriously, i whip one of these sheets out and my house whole smells amazing--and it scents your freshly cleaned laundry for an ENTIRE MONTH! I love a whole lotta scent in my house and laundry  and this stuff does the work of 5 plug in diffusers!

Now here is the bonus--it even repels pet hair and lint! I have 2 cats and the lint roller is practically my third child--we use it constantly! anything that will minimize all that hair clinging to our clothes is a must-have for me. I even stuck one by the fish aquarium and by the cat litter box for an extra burst of freshness.

A MUST-DO FOR EVERY WOMAN!

buy an ordinary magazine holder and now you have the perfect storage container for all your hair styling tools! i bought mine from ikea. it neatly houses my style tools--prior they would be all tangled up together in a drawer!

voila! its easy, takes up hardly any space and now your hair gadgets look cute and organized.

Time to win some Purex!

*GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED*

Try Your Luck & WIN $500!

http://insiders.purex.com/TryYourLuckWIN?id=60

FREE MONEY with Ebates!

this one is a no-brainer. if you do any shopping online AT ALL you need to sign up with ebates. i just joined 2 yrs ago and already have earned over $700 CASH! its free and all you do is go to ebates first and then go to the retailer site through their link--thats it! i highly recommend you install the ebates toolbar on your computer because then it automatically will activate cash back and you don't have to bother with going to ebates first. when i didn't have it on my toolbar i often forgot to activate it and lost out on lots of free cash. now i never miss an opportunity.
they also have lots of coupon codes listed for each participating retailer so you also can check those out to save even more. tons of retailers are part of the ebates program--target, kohl's, gap, old navy, priceline, rakuten, drugstore.com.....just about everyone! sadly zappos is not part and only a few categories in amazon.com.
they pay you 4 times a year and you have your choice of paypal, check or amazon gift card. click my link below to sign up!

click this link to join ebates today!

here is proof of my current earnings so far!

Mediterranean dinner!

here is a recipe i stumbled across and it turned out to be a definite hit with the family!

very easy and can be made early in the day and refrigerated until you are ready to cook it. the original recipe calls for 'smoked paprika' and i only had regular paprika but otherwise i followed the recipe faithfully.

you just need chicken, tomatoes (yellow and red), cilantro, lemons, cannelloni beans, and the usual herbs and spices. the avocado yogurt sauce was a nice addition but my kids didn't like it.
i served it with whole grain pita and couscous.

another honorable mention--springboard america!

here's a link for springboard america---they only pay in $50 increments but they offer paypal!

SurveySavvy Review

https://www.surveysavvy.com/

UPDATE!

surveysavvy has quickly become one of my biggest money makers! Yes, you do have to install their savvyconnect on your computer and phone (i realize some people have privacy issues with these types of applications) but once it's downloaded and active--huge paying opportunities will come your way!

Best 7 minute workout video EVER!

The Scientific 7 Minute Workout

since i had major open abdominal surgery in december, i have not worked out AT ALL since my body needed to heal--even a sneeze hurt for months!

now i feel its time to ease into an exercise routine and i discovered this outrageous version of the much hyped scientific 7 minute workout. there are many versions of this on youtube but this one really makes the minutes go fast---check it out if you need to fit in a quick workout in your day---because some exercise is better than none!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LezARmLDu6U

sandbox community surveys

i just discovered this site a few months ago--and i love it! i already cashed out for $25 amazon and it took hardly any time at all. ensure you connect to their mobile app, surveyswipe---thats where i make most of my points. i do quick daily diarys 4-5 times a day and it takes SECONDS. surveys are interesting and customer service is super responsive.
click link to join!

UPDATE!
this is one of my TOP sites! easy $25 amazon every month for such little effort. the system is 3 tiered--survey swipe: the daily diaries, panolopy: installing an app to monitor your mobile phone activities and lastly surveys on the go: a notification and short survey every time you exit a big box retailer. easily the most generous survey site!
http://sandbox.community.surveyanalytics.com

*if you need an invitation code--just leave a comment here and i will get you one!

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day®

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day®: Lookout for the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day® Get Messy Contest starting on March 10th! http://on.fb.me/1i5B9pg #MrsMeyersCleans #freesample

I am IN LOVE with this stuff! At first i was like 'ugh' geranium, really--i immediately thought a grandmas perfume type scent--and i couldn't have been more wrong!