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Candi

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Back to school shopping haul

Karli and I started our back to school shopping. This is pretty early for me, usually I am scrambling the last couple of weeks before school starts. But Justice had their 50% off sale so we went to check things out. Funny how “checking things out” turns into a small splurge. Of course I got those darn cards to get 50% off again next month. I despise those things. Luckily I am not one that feels like I HAVE to use them.

As we were shopping Karli thought of making this video and then she kept saying, this would be cute for the video, this is a must for the video, etc. Like just because I was going to help her make a video that would get her more clothes. Don’t worry Karli, I’m already a sucker for those darn adorable Justice outfits!

She was a little nervous, but overall I thought she did a great job. Be sure to stick around and watch the BLOOPERS at the end!!

July 22, 2013 by Candi

blog

Dermagist Ultimate Clarifying System & Giveaway!!

This isn’t the first time I have written about pimples. Earlier this year I shared a video regarding my struggle with acne. I feel confident in saying that for the last 12 months I have been struggling with pimples constantly appearing on my face. As soon as I would get rid of one, two more would appear in it’s place. I have googled this a bit and I’ve read it is pretty common for women who haven’t necessarily struggled with acne in the past to all of a sudden have issues once they are in their 40’s. I turned 40 in September (eek!), so I may be experiencing some early hormonal changes.

I’ve tried many products ranging from Clarisonic to drugstore brands like Neutrogena and Clean and Clear. Nothing seemed to work in regards to preventing future pimples. I’ve also tried many products to assist in fading my acne scars such as Mederma and Borba Skin Lightening Spot Treatment. Nothing has worked. The pimples have continued to show up and the scars have lingered on.

I’m often nervous about trying online skincare products (some things I just like to see in person before I make a purchase), but I decided to give the Dermagist Ultimate Clarifying System for Acne Prone Skin a try. After doing some research, the reviews were positive and at this point I had nothing to lose in trying about something new. I liked that the products did not contain Salicylic acid or Benzoyl Peroxide which tends to dry out my skin and hasn’t been effective in getting rid of my pimples thus far. Dermagist products contain more natural products such as Resveratrol, Aloe and Chamomile.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

The Ultimate Clarifying System includes a bottle of Detoxifying Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin, a jar of Acne Clarifying Cream and a jar of Acne Scar Fading Cream. The system costs about $120 for a 45 day supply and you are able to save money if you sign up for the Replenish plan where Dermagist will send you a new supply every 45 days.

The skincare products come in very nice packaging. The cleanser comes in a squeezable bottle and both creams come in really nice glass jars. After using the products for 4 weeks,twice a day as instructed, I have about 1/4 of the cleanser left (I used it liberally) and about half of both jars of the cream left. All of the products have a very pleasant smell. Not overwhelming, not perfume-like either, more of a gentle, natural smell. The cleanser is not gritty or harsh. It is a light, easily spreadable cleanser that also rinses off easily. The creams are both similar in regards to look and feel. The creams absorbed into my face quickly, not leaving my face feeling greasy either. Also, I didn’t have any negative reaction to any of the products, no skin irritation at all.

After using the Ultimate Clarifying System for 4 weeks I am very pleased with the results. I feel as though the products did exactly what they were supposed to. The cleanser and clarifying cream prevented my face from breaking out the entire time that I used them. Not one pimple showed it’s ugly face! UNBELIEVABLE!! I can’t even recall the last time I have gone an entire month without a pimple popping up. Both products also helped even out my skintone. As for the Scar Fading Cream, well, it’s hard to say. My scars have certainly faded, but I was a little surprised they haven’t faded more than they have. I can’t say that any other products have worked more effectively than this scar cream, so possibly my expectations were just set too high. I mean, what is a feasible time for scars to remain even with treatment? It’s a hard thing to judge and I am sure everyone’s face is different. Unfortunately I tend to scar easily and my face has broken out so much the past year I am fighting a big battle. At any rate, the entire system is amazing and I am so happy to have finally found a product that prevents future breakouts. That alone makes the system worth it to me.

MY 4 WEEK RESULTS

VIDEO: PRODUCT REVIEW & RESULTS

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

I am excited to share that one lucky OUR FAMILY NEST reader will be receiving the Ultimate Clarifying System FOR FREE!! A $120 value!
This giveaway will end on Thursday, July 25th and I will contact the winner via email. Good luck!
(Winner must like our Facebook page to qualify and this will be verified before winner is announced. Meaning “liking” and “disliking” immediately will disqualify you!)

This giveaway is open to all U.S. and Canadian Residents. You are not able to win if you have been a previous winner of Dermagist products.

To Enter see the details below. You can enter more than once by completing all the options!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was given the Dermagist products for free in exchange for my honest opinion and review on the products. All opinions are my own and I am not being compensated for this review.

July 17, 2013 by Candi

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What’s on my iPhone – Candi

For those of you who are just dying to know what’s on my iPhone…here you go.

July 15, 2013 by Candi

books

Weekend Happenings

I’m loving summer right now. Everything feels so laid back and relaxed. Thursday we took the kids to the drive-in to see Despicable Me 2 and Monsters University. Both of the movies were really good. Despicable Me 2 was hilarious and Monsters University, while not quite as funny, was a cute story with the usual amazing Pixar animation.

Friday evening I started watching Orange is the New Black on Netflix and I have to say it’s really good. It’s about a women who spends a year in prison after getting wrapped up with some drug dealer. If you have a Netflix membership all 13 episodes are available to watch. I guess it’s a Netflix original series and heads up – it’s NOT for kids.

Then I decided to finally take the plunge and download Entwined with You on my iPad. It’s the third book of what was supposed to be a Trilogy, but now is a series of at least 2 more books. I was nervous reading it because I didn’t want to be disappointed because a lot of people were giving it bad reviews. I’m thinking many of the negative reviews came from people who were angry that the trilogy is now a series. But come one, that is like being told Twilight is now going to have 2 more books as part of their series. That would be AMAZING! Anyways, Entwined with You was very good. I finished it in two days and I couldn’t put it down. BUT I do have a couple of complaints. Without spoiling the story for anyone I will say that I didn’t feel like there was much substance to the actual storyline. When I was done reading it I didn’t feel like a whole lot happened. There was very little character development and it felt like the story ended too abruptly. It just didn’t stop at a good place. Like possibly the author wrote too long of a book and someone just picked random chapter to cut it and make it into two books. At any rate, I’m not going to hesitate to read the next book whenever it’s released. I’m hooked!

Saturday Karli and I went to a few garage sales and while we didn’t find much (she was looking for Monster High dolls mostly), Karli was thrilled to have found this mom and baby Artic White Fox set. Her favorite animal of all time! At least until she changes her mind again.

Sunday we went to a Polish Festival for lunch and then chilled the rest of the day. I had to rerecord my “What’s on my iPhone” video because the first one was not in focus. This darn Canon T3i! While I love it dearly, the video camera isn’t as easy to use as a regular camcorder. You have to manually focus the camera when recording video, which is fine, but someway somehow I think it is in focus when looking at it through the view finder, but then when I upload it to my camera it’s not focused enough. Even this recording could have been a little bit more in focus. Oh well, I’m doing my best and hopefully I will get better as time goes on :)

July 15, 2013 by Candi

blog

Things I’m not allowed to do

Throughout my (almost) 14 years of marriage there are certain things I am pretty much not allowed to do in our household. I mean these are Ken’s little rules, so really they don’t stand much ground.Â {haha}Â For the most part I don’t really mind though…you’ll see what I mean. In no particular order…

I’m Not Allowed To:

Cook spaghetti, especially if meatballs are involved. Ken’s mom is Italian and has a special way of making spaghetti so Ken believes that is the ONLY way to make spaghetti. It involves not only using spaghetti sauce, but a can of tomato sauce and tomato paste. Which honestly I can’t tell the difference when it’s made without those items. But whatevs, it gets me out of cooking.

Touch anything that involves electrical. I find ways to just make things worse somehow. There have been a few times I have attempted to do electrical work around the house like switching the dimmer switch from one light in the bathroom to another and I just mess things up royally. Same thing when it comes to hooking up video game systems or dvd players, etc. Me and HDMI cords and the like don’t get along to well.

Cut the grass. Oh darn on this one! I mean it sure is quite disappointing that with all my other chores around the house that I can’t cut the grass too! Main reason for this is I don’t cut straight lines. Ken is polish. That’s all that needs to be said about that one.
Photo is from 2009 when Andrew cut HI into the grass.

Cut the boys hair. I would think a lot of moms out there cut their sons hair, right? I mean when you are talking a basic #3 on the sides and back and blend the top…how hard can it be? Well I have failed many times and have run out of chances. I am allowed to cut the dogs hair though, which wow, I realize now is not a compliment.

Put food in the refrigerator after grocery shopping. Anytime I come home from the store we take everything out of the bags first and I put away the pantry items and Ken does the fridge. I would just throw stuff wherever where he reorganizes the fridge and freezer. Every. single. time.

Watch certain TV shows without him. He doesn’t watch that much television, but the shows he does watch he gets all Mr. Grumpypants if I watch them without him. Big Brother, Modern Family, Big Bang Theory and Two Broke Girls are his favorites! Oh and The Office when it was on, but I didn’t watch that one after Michael left the show.

I’m thinking that may be all, at least for now. My memory is getting pretty bad these days. I spent 10 minutes the other night searching for my glasses to watch TV in bed to finally find them on the top of my head.

One more thing I wanted to share… Ken also makes Pickles and Bologna that his mom used to make. Did your mom make this when you were growing up? I remember my mom making it too, but I never did like it. I still don’t like it, it looks disgusting. I hate it just about as much as Ken hates Cream Chipped Beef which I did in fact make the other day. Yum!

Daily Nuggets

–> I have some giveaways coming up folks! They are all super cool and I’m excited :) I know I said one of them I was going to do back in June, but I am so behind in the list of videos I need/want to make.:(

–> I filmed a What’s on my iPhone video today and that will be posted by the end of the week. Be sure to be subscribed to my YouTube Channel. Thank you!!

–> Despite all the rain, I’m having a great summer…how about you?

July 10, 2013 by Candi

videos

4th of July festivities

Our 4th of July holiday week consisted of swimming, baseball, lighting fireworks and watching fireworks. Oh and dodging raindrops because it has rained every day the past two weeks. I think we had one day of relief. The grass looks beautiful at least.

Kinda same old same old 4th of July. It’s always a relaxing time and I love just kicking back and enjoying the time with the kids. I have to say that I’m pretty happy that baseball is behind us and we have the rest of July sport free. Well not really, Karli still has dance and cheerleading starts soon and Blake has football workouts 4 mornings a week. There never really is any down time when you have 4 kids. But it’s a lot slower than most months anyways.

July 8, 2013 by Candi

blog

June Pictorial

It’s hard to believe 3 weeks of summer vacation have passed already and here we are in July! Just like every summer we have been super busy trying to keep up with Blake and Chase’s baseball schedules. It feels like this season is never going to end because the games keep getting rained out. We have had rain the past 11 days straight I think. This is the first year that Andrew hasn’t played baseball since he was 5 years old. It’s bittersweet, but I also feel like everything happens for a reason. His back still bothers him every so often especially when he doesn’t exercise. He has been working at a car dealership and I’ve been pushing him to save money for college. We are going to help him out, but he needs to have some stake in his education as well. OH GOODNESS!!! I can’t believe I have a son that is almost 18 years old and will be a Senior in high school. Today is the exact date that we moved into our house 12 years ago and shortly after Andrew began Kindergarten. Now here we are discussing Senior photographs and visiting colleges.

Blake turned 13 and is growing up so fast as well. Now it seems like he is separate from the little kids. Sure every so often he still gets wrapped up into their fights and chaos, but for the most part he is starting to mature and act like a teenager. Which is not ALL good, haha! He is also at that age where he gets bored easily. Good thing he has football workouts to keep him active this summer.

The 3 youngest kids just completed a two week catechism course so we officially felt that we started summer break today. It is a church in another town that offers CCD to be completed in 2 weeks (like summer school) instead of having to go one day a week for most of the regular school year. It allows us to have that one day each week to focus on the kids activities and sports instead. It’s hard because you try to make CCD a priority, but you don’t want the kids to not participate in sports because of schedule conflicts. We thought we would try it out and it was rough getting them out the door at 8am every day when they really wanted to sleep in (me too!), but now that it’s over it is a great relief. Blake will have some other commitments to meet throughout the year yet since he is making his Confirmation this year.

With all that being said…Happy July to you all and I hope you are having a great summer so far.
Here are my Instagram photos for the month of June.

Daisy and Pippa have no idea how their quiet days are about to end once school is out.

I was excited though…and ready for school to be over with for awhile. Even my nails were celebrating! This is the Sally Hansen All Yarned Up, Fuzzy Coat layered overtop of a pink polish.

The last week of school Karli just had to wear these yellow jeans she picked out at Target even though it was warm outside.

Lazy Tori always napping in our bed.

Yummy strawberry shortcake made with strawberries that the kids picked with Grandpa.

Reverse oreo cookie doggies!

My Knockout Rose bush is looking nice so far. Ken picked out a good one for me.

Our yard looks so nice now after finally ditching the black mulch we always buy every year and getting some nice landscape rocks instead. I love how it turned out. We took some video of the new yard too.

Blake and Chase helped us dig up a large tree that we got rid of and replaced it with the exact same tree, just a baby one.

My summer guilty pleasures…My Favorite TV Shows right now!

I also recently watched the first episode of Under the Dome on Hulu. It was really good! Excited to watch the next episode tonight.

My babies trying to share Tori’s new bed.

Happy 13th Birthday to Blake!!

He had his buds over to swim and sleep over to celebrate his birthday.

Check out some of our other pictorials!

July 1, 2013 by Candi

travel, videos

Sky Zone – Canton, MI

We took the kids to the Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park in Canton, Michigan. We had never been to one before so we weren’t sure what to expect. The prices seemed pretty reasonable; $10 for 30 minutes, $14 for 1 hour, $18 for 90 minutes and $20 for 2 hours. It made the most sense to pay the $20 a piece and allow the kids to jump for 2 hours. The fee also includes the shoe rental which I was surprised about. I had thought they would just jump in their socks. This particular Sky Zone had a large “jumping only” area, multiple Dodgeball areas, a SlamDunk basketball court, as well as some foam pits that you can jump into. I was surprised that everything is very well managed by the staff at Sky Zone. They make sure the kids playing Dodgeball are similar size/age so no one gets hurt. The foam pit and basketball court is controlled as well and the kids have to get in line and take turns. I thought this was a little overkill, but I understand it’s for everyone’s safety. In my mind I thought the basketball court would be a large trampoline where you could actually make teams and play against one another. Instead it is just 3 hoops at various heights that you take turns trying to slam dunk. And NO hanging on the rims the sign said!! I thought that was funny considering you have to sort of hang to dunk the ball.

The kids loved every bit of it. Blake played Dodgeball most of the time, while Chase and Karli practiced their acrobatic skills. I really think that we could have purchased just one hour and they would have been happy since they wore out so quickly. But for just $6 more you can get double the amount of time, so why not? Ken was just adding up the number of kids strolling in during the two hours that we were there and saying how the place has to be bringing in major bucks. I checked it out… you only need somewhere between $789,900 and $1,843,600 as your initial investment to open your own Sky Zone. Anyone who has that lying around feel free to let me know.

If you are planning a trip to Sky Zone they allow them to start jumping every 30 minutes – like 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, etc. and they wear stickers on their chests so the staff know the window of time they are allowed to jump. You have to sign a waiver , which can be found on their website. You can book your jump time online too. If you go later in the evening I guess they get pretty busy so you may want to reserve your time in advance, especially if you drive a ways like we did.

June 26, 2013 by Candi

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