Quaker Soft Baked Banana Nut Bar

So here is another review of some of the fun free stuff that I got to test for Influenster!  Who doesn't love to test a free yummy treat?!

OK, Lets talk about something near and dear to my heart.....banana bread.  If you follow my other blog, you may or may not have seen my perfected fat free banana bread recipe.  If you missed it and are interested- here you go :)  I have spent a lot of time and energy trying various recipes and finding what I like and don't like about banana bread- so I feel quite qualified as a banana bread connoisseur.  So to be sent a free Quaker Soft Baked Banana Nut Bar, I was both enthused and nervous.  If I can find something at the store that rivals homemade that I can pack on the go- I am ALL about it!

So, that's maybe where I went a little wrong.  I was expecting homemade creamy soft banana bread.  I bit it and was a little surprised by the texture.  It almost had a crispy quality to it- like the innards of a Crunch bar.  There were little crisp pieces in every bite!  Not like my homemade recipe AT ALL.  Back to the actual bread part of the banana bread- it was good!  Not the same as homemade- but it was good!  It also had walnut pieces on it- which is great for nut lovers like me!  I prefer pecans on banana bread- but walnuts will do.  So all in all- I'm not RUSHING out the door to grab them but I would pick a box up if they were on sale.  Try them and tell me what you think!  They are different!

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color!

OK guys and dolls- its been a while admittedly- I don't have to tell you how insane the summers can be, especially with three kids and a Katy leaving for Romania!  WELL- I got ANOTHER Vox Box compliments of Influenster and I got some fun goodies to share with you!!

FIRST UP! Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color!  I had heard about these magnetic nail polishes and the theory intrigued me.  I have to admit, I'm a bit lazy and typically wont travel to many stores to hunt down nail polish.  When I saw that Sally Hansen was making one, I thought- GREAT!  If I love this, I can get it at Walmart!  They sent me a really pretty metallic silver and black color which as you know is RIGHT up my ally.  I loves me dark, sometimes vampy nail colors.  I was a little worried though because since getting my own gel nail system, I seldom use traditional nail polish.  This effect was so unique I couldnt pass it up for a try though!  

Isnt it cool looking!

Can you see the waves of color?

They sent me a cuticle and hand cream by Sally Hansen too!!

So as you can see- the effect is super cool!  You put on a base coat followed by a thin coat and let dry completely.  You then put a thicker second coat on and IMMEDIATELY hold the cap (which is where the tricky little magnet is hidden) over your nail for 10ish seconds.  When you remove the magnet- voila!  Rippled, waves of color!  

So what is my overall impression??  I LOVED the color, I really liked the effect and it dried somewhat quick for traditional polish.  You can only do one nail at a time because you have to get the magnet on there ASAP.  I actually waited just like 10 seconds to see what would happen.  It still waved but not nearly as crisply or as pronounced.  I would still recommend a base and top coat.  I am TOUGH on my nails so it only lasted about 3 days which is to be expected with traditional polish on me.  I really like it!  Its a really fun thing to spice up boring old manicures! 

OH!!  And I got a sample of the Nails and Cuticles Hand Creme too.  I have the most deathly dry hands and cuticles and so I am ALWAYS in need of a good moisturizer.  I really like this as a hand cream.  Its not as thick as I need a cuticle cream to be- but it worked great as a lotion.  It also absorbed pretty well and didn't leave me all greasy!  

Whats your new favorite mani for summer?