Thursday, October 24, 2013

Review: LUSTER NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste

Through BzzAgent, I was given a chance to try LUSTER NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste. I was also given samples to pass out to friends and family. Everyone I talked to said the same thing about their first reaction to the toothpaste.....it's BLUE!

According to the LUSTER NOW! description: Luster NOW! is infused with Bluverite®, a unique formula that makes teeth appear instantly whiter with just one brushing, with results that last for hours. Luster NOW! is enamel safe, ideal for daily use, and provides intense stain removal with regular use. For an instantly brighter smile for every day or a night on the town, use Luster NOW!. Luster NOW! is conveniently packaged in three portable tubes, so you can keep one by the sink, in your purse or at your desk to ensure you have a bright, white smile wherever you go. It's perfect before a night out on the town, a first date or a party. In a time where everyone is used to instant gratification, Luster NOW! provides the fast fix for a white smile that lasts for hours. Directions for use: Brush teeth thoroughly with Luster NOW! following meals or twice daily. If excessive blue appears on teeth or gums, simply swish with water to reveal your whiter smile.

Honestly, I really couldn't see that much of a difference in my teeth, even after a week or so. I asked my kids, and they couldn't really see a difference either. They *may* be a shade whiter but it's not THAT much whiter.

The toothpaste itself tastes like a mint toothpaste and foams up very well. It feels like there may be some peroxide in it. The only thing that really throws me is the LUSTER NOW! toothpaste is very, very BLUE. I have a hard time with that...nothing should be that blue. I have to say that my teeth do feel very clean after I brush with the LUSTER NOW!

The cost of the LUSTER NOW! is what concerns me. I don't know if  I would spend the $14 for the toothpaste. That's the cost I found on Amazon for the 3  1.5 oz tubes. The 4 oz tube I saw for as cheap as $8, which is still more than I usually pay for toothpaste.


Monday, October 14, 2013

The German Students are Here!!!

It's been a busy week, as the 18 German students and 2 teachers flew in to Atlanta just over a week ago. We've been taking them around Georgia and letting them see the sights. The first place we took Stella and Karina was to Waffle House for lunch.
 
Then it was over to play paintball with a group of the students. I think the 11 of them had a great time. I know it was a lot of fun for me to watch, though I would have loved to have played also.
Stella and Angela

The whole Crew
 

 

I've been trying to post photos on facebook for the kids, but it's slow going with my computer. I'll try to get more photos and activities up here also. I want everyone to see what we are doing. Boy, I didn't realize just how short my daughter was until I looked at the group shot.
 

Monday, October 7, 2013

Book Review -- Shadow Stalker by Barbara Ann Derksen

Shadow Stalker by Barbara Ann Derksen is the first in her Finder's Keepers Mystery Series. I had previously read another series by Derksen and enjoyed it very much. I had high hopes for this book and it did not disappoint.

 From the back of the book: An ominous shadow hangs over her, as Christine Finder, alias Melissa Rompart, visits the brutal slaying of her parents most nights in a dream. The threat of discovery propels her to search for the whereabouts of the killer to see the man brought to justice. In the meantime, the killer stalks her mind while she operates Finder’s Keepers, an agency that searches for the people her clients hire her to find. Nathan Brent is only four years old and missing. Will she find him in time or will the killer find her first?



When I first read the book, it had a few technical glitches (no fault of the author, printing issue). These have since been corrected in the hard copy version, and I did received a new, corrected copy of the book. I will also mention that Barbara Ann Derksen is a Christian writer, so expect there to be Christian elements throughout the story, especially with the character of Jeremy.  She is not preachy though. There is also nothing objectionable in the book, so I happily gave it to my teenager to read.

Shadow Stalker hooks the reader right from the prologue, and I will admit that I stayed up way too late reading the book. I just HAD to know what happened next. I really want to write more about the story and plot, but I don't want to give away any spoilers by accident. Admittedly, I'm looking forward to the next book just so I can see where the relationship between Jeremy and Christine goes....and to get involved in the next mystery. The next book in the series is scheduled to come out in May 2014.


As a member of the Christian Women's Affiliate (CWA), I was given a copy of Shadow Stalker to read and review. The views and opinions are all my own, and  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.