Influenster May Wax VoxBox: VEET EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit REVIEW

*All products were sent to me for testing and review, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I hate reviews like this, and always feel bad about giving them, but when I agree to try a product I give my word for an honest review. I'm not going to tell you, my lovely followers, to purchase something that I wouldn't repurchase for myself. I think I've been exceedingly lucky to be asked to review some really great products; it's not all bad, but the time has come for a review that isn't rainbows and puppy dogs.

I received this Veet EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit compliments of Influenster. I've tried waxes before, but only those that come in a pot that you stick in the microwave and zap for a few seconds to a few minutes, so I was really excited to try this one.

The first slight disappointment came upon reading the instructions and finding that instead of seconds or minutes it would take 30 minutes (or more) just to heat up!! That doesn't even take into consideration the amount of time it will take to actually wax.

I didn't time this step exactly, but I think it took closer to 45 minutes to a full hour to get the wax to roll out smoothly. That's fine; I didn't have anything else to do today, but for someone in a hurry that is definitely something that is off-putting.

Finally, the wax is heated up, and I have my supplies ready. I have washed and dried my legs completely as the instructions recommend. Having clean legs and leg hair will make the wax stick better. You can also dust your legs in baby powder for optimal hair removal. The baby powder acts as a barrier between your skin and the wax. This (supposedly) cuts down on irritation and makes it easier for the wax to grab just hair. I didn't use baby powder for this review, but I wish I had. Things may have gone more smoothly.

I was a little surprised at how hot the handheld wax warmer was to the touch. The wax inside was the perfect temperature, but the warmer did feel a lot hotter than I expected. Not 'burn your fingers off' hot but just hotter than I expected.

Things started out beautifully! The wax went on smoothly, the strips seemed to be of a better quality than other waxing kits, and while the first strip hurt slightly it really wasn't anything to scream about. I actually stopped after that first strip and raised an eyebrow. Very little in the way of pain and lots of hair on the strip?? That was definitely something to smile about.

Everything seemed to be going perfectly. However, my hands got sticky very quickly ... meaning the waxing system got very sticky very quickly. I also realized that the strips weren't grabbing all the hair. The instructions specifically stated not to wax the same area more than once. However, I was made to break the rules so going back over them even a few times didn't catch them. I even used different directions since I know some of my leg hair grows oddly. "Nope, not gonna happen," my leg hair screamed at me.

I was starting to get frustrated but refused to give up! I soldiered on; some hair removal was better than none, right?  Until I realized that the wax wasn't rolling on smoothly anymore. I had nowhere near an outlet to set up, so I had unplugged the unit and taken it with me. I trusted the directions when they said it would stay at the right temperature for 15 minutes. I say I only got about 5 minutes before I had to pause, still exceedingly sticky on both leg and hands, and plug the unit back in.

I let it sit and heat back up for a few minutes before I got back into position and started again. And again, I only got about 5 minutes before the wax started getting thick and tacky again, pulling uncomfortably on my skin. And again, I paused to plug it back in.

This continued on for nearly an hour as I wrestled with just one leg. I finally got the whole way around, cleaned up my sticky hands and leg with one of the provided wipes. They cleaned up the wax but left my hands so itchy!!

After cleaning up and seeing the finished product I decided that it wasn't even worth attempting my other leg. The wax had taken a lot of hair, but left nearly as much behind. In addition to having the prerequisite prickly, wiry hairs I have finer, slightly softer hairs. I'm blond, so while these can't be seen they can be felt. The wax had left all these behind.

My final thoughts: The wax took a lot of the wiry hairs, yes, but also left a lot behind. It also left behind all of my finer leg hair, leaving my legs just as touchably hairy as when I started. The red irritated bumps and sensitive skin left behind was expected, but is extra frustrating because I still need to shave!

*Update to final thoughts: That night my leg broke out in a horrible rash of irritated bumps and itchy red skin. Far worse than the expected bumps and irritation. You can see below a small pic of the irritation - it is actually much worse than the picture shows. The flash downed out most of the red. I don't have exceedingly sensitive skin, so I would be extremely hesitant about using this product if you have any doubts about the sensitivity of your own skin.

Would I recommend this product? I am very sorry Veet and Influenster, but no.

*All products were sent to me for testing and review, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Influenster Sugar 'n Spice VoxBox: Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This will be my last post for the Influenster Sugar 'n Spice VoxBox. I will of course continue to use my products, but with this review of Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer this is an ending. 

I held off on this review until last because I honestly wasn't sure what I was going to say. Would I give it a good review or a bad review?? I just didn't know. It has its good points, but it does have down sides. Though what product doesn't?

One of those downsides is their big seller. The new continuous spray nozzle. It's a nice idea, but you hold it 4 inches from your skin and spray. Moisturizer comes spraying out in a steady, slightly foamy stream and some of it is going to miss your arm or leg or whatever else you're spraying. This means you do not want to be anywhere near ... well ... anything. My first use got moisturizer all over the side of my television as it shot around my arm. Also, you really don't want to use it around hardwood or tiled floors as they will become insanely slippery!

Overall, kind of messy.

You can see the moisturizer here on my arm, partially rubbed in. I really wish you could smell this because it is yummy! Definitely a good point! The other good points? It's not greasy. It dries quickly; I wouldn't say in seconds but quickly. And it really does leave my skin insanely soft.

Does that make up for the messiness of the sprayer? Now you see why I left this review so long. I finally decided that Vaseline Spray & Go will be perfect, essential even, for the beach in August. It will also be great for those days I'm in a horrible hurry and want to be out the door quickly. That said, I will be reaching for my usual moisturizer when I have the time.

Still, don't take my word for it. I definitely recommend you read reviews from other Influensters here and make up your own mind.

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Influenster Sugar 'n Spice VoxBox: Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hello again! Here is my review of Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes. That's a mouthful!

I told you when I got this box this was the one thing I was hesitant to use. My skin is very sensitive to change. The littlest thing can cause a breakout or dry patches. However, these things work beautifully! I do recommend using a moisturizer after using one of these towelettes since I've heard witch hazel can be very drying, but I haven't had any breakouts or dry patches since I started using these and my box is nearly gone!!

Here is the packet containing the towelette. These are all nicely stacked inside the box for easy grabbing. Each packet tells you that Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel is oil free, non-drying, and for all skin types. It will gently remove dirt, oil, and impurities while eliminating shine with botanical extracts. It's a gentle formula with a touch of aloe.

The back goes more in depth on the benefits of witch hazel; listing that it refines pores, removes & controls oil, soothes irritation, and locks in moisture. Be warned that these towelettes have a very strong scent. I wasn't sure I liked it at first, but once I got over how strong it is I actually find it has a pleasant scent.

My favorite part? They remove makeup beautifully!! They are so much better than my makeup wipes. I have to rush through cleaning my face with my makeup wipes because they dry out so quickly. But Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes are nearly soaking when you pull them out of the packet, and they stay wet long after I'm done! Do be careful cleaning around your eyes; it'll sting a little if you get some of the witch hazel in them.


I even use these when I'm not wearing makeup, and I have to tell you ... I realized very quickly that my face isn't as clean as I think. These towelettes pick up some major yuck! They're not lying; the interlocking mesh really does pick up and trap dirt and oil, and the spun lace fibers really do clean deep into pores.

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Influenster Sugar 'n Spice VoxBox: Nectresse

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I told you I was going to try to get through these reviews quickly. :) This one is for Nectresse. 

Nectresse No Calorie Sweetener is from the makers of Splenda. It's made from 100% natural ingredients. The main one being monk fruit. Fruit is naturally sweet so it's a great way to sweeten foods. The monk fruit is an amazing little fruit. It is naturally 150 times sweeter than sugar without all the calories!!

The Nectresse website explains how the monk fruit is used to make their sweetener. They pick the monk fruit fresh from the vine. The fruit is crushed to release its sweet extract. The crushed fruit is then soaked in hot water to extract all the sweetness. They filter the monk fruit infused water and then it's dried to create monk fruit extract. Finally, this extract is mixed with other natural sweeteners to create Nectresse!

I don't use much sugar in my everyday life to be honest; certainly not in my coffee or tea! I struggled to find something to sweeten that I didn't have to bake since I am trying to fit into my swimsuit this year. Thankfully, one of my Holiday VoxBox brand prizes arrived the other week. Quaker sent me a box of some of their best products. Included in this was some really cute heart shaped Cheerio-style cereal.

Eating this was surprising. I'm not sure what I expected. I guess another 'all natural' sweetener that left a horrible aftertaste all while not tasting like sugar. Again, I was surprised. First off, this tasted really sweet! But it was a good sweet. I actually thought it tasted very slightly fruity, like a good fresh peach. Not as great as real sugar, but so much better than the fake aftertaste of other sweeteners! Definitely the best alternative I've tried yet. That said, a full packet was just too sweet for me. I'll definitely be using only half the packet next time.

Don't take just my word on the goodness of Nectresse, check out what other Influensters are saying here.

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Influenster Sugar 'n Spice VoxBox: belVita Breakfast Biscuits

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Here is my review of the belVita Breakfast Biscuits that were included in my Influenster Sugar 'n Spice VoxBox.

There was one packet in my VoxBox, nicely wrapped in bubble wrap to keep the biscuits all in one piece. I thought this was very thoughtful of Influenster!

Opening the package shows four large biscuits. The reason I never purchased these before was only because I thought there were two biscuits inside, likely small, and probably not a great breakfast. I WAS WRONG! I have no problem admitting how wrong I was.

The biscuits are perfectly sized and to have four in the pack was amazing! The biscuits are designed to be your breakfast and to give you continuous energy throughout the morning. They are made with a whole grain blend of rolled oats and rye flakes making them a good source of fiber and B-Vitamins which help you convert food to energy. Even better: they have NO high fructose corn syrup, NO partially hydrogenated oils, and NO artificial flavors or sweeteners.

You can see the whole grains in this close-up. They give these biscuits a wonderful texture. They have just the right amount of crunch without being too hard. I also found them just the right amount of sweet too. I'm not a doughnut for breakfast kind of girl; I'm actually not a breakfast person at all. I hate all the ultra sweet breakfast foods and tend to just skip it all together, so this was perfect for me.

Coffee and belVita Cinnamon Brown Sugar Breakfast Biscuits have become my normal breakfast now, and my body couldn't be happier with me!

PS: They also make a great snack! :)

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Influenster Sugar 'n Spice VoxBox: Colgate Optic White

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hey everyone! Welcome to the first review of my Influenster Sugar 'n Spice VoxBox. I'm running a little behind with this box, but I'll get them all up quickly.

See this smile? What could possibly make me smile so big?? Okay, so it's not my real smile, but I couldn't smile big enough on my own to really get my feelings across. :)

This review is for Colgate Optic White. In this VoxBox was a Colgate Optic White toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash.

The toothbrush is the Optic White 360 with whitening cups and polishing bristles. What does this mean exactly? Have a look for yourself.

Here is a closeup of the brush. You can see that the bristles form cups that will fit around your teeth. You can also see the odd little polishing bristles, or what I assume are the polishing bristles. They're not exactly bristles, looking more like little white sponges to me.

On the back is a tongue and cheek scraper. There's really not much to say about this. Good to have but kind of yucky to talk about.

On the opposite end, the handle has nice ridges to make sure you get a comfortable and firm grip.

And smack dab in the middle is a rubber cushion on both sides, again to aid in a better grip. A better and more comfortable grip means a better brushing experience. The last thing I want when I'm trying to brush my teeth is my fingers slipping around on a wet handle so in my mind so these are perfect additions.

The last toothbrush picture I have for you is one with toothpaste. You can see that the bristles don't just cup your teeth, they cup the toothpaste too. No yucky running; the toothpaste you put on your brush actually makes it into your mouth and onto your teeth!

Next up is the toothpaste. I actually already used this toothpaste before receiving it in my VoxBox, so that has to say something about my love for it. When we first started buying this I actually hated it. Not because it didn't whiten or because it tasted bad but because it is such a strong toothpaste! The first time you use it it will likely knock you off your feet. It's probably not a toothpaste for everyone, but I'm one of those people who like to know my mouth is clean. And this toothpaste lets me feel it, taste it, and just know.

And the mouthwash? I love the mouthwash. It's crystal clear, tastes really sweet, and as it starts to foam it turns minty to leave my mouth minty fresh. Why did I stay away from foaming mouthwash all these years? I have no ideas because it's pretty darn awesome!

In the end, I think these products are great. I'm a heavy coffee drinker; I can't live without my coffee fix (multiple times a day). Sadly, this leaves a great deal of staining on my teeth which leaves me very self-conscious. I've noticed a big difference in the amount of staining left behind while using Colgate Optic White. They work beautifully together. I didn't get the same amount of whitening using just the toothpaste as I do when using all three together.

So, would I recommend them: YES! But don't just take my word for it; see what other Influensters are saying here.

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Influenster Sugar 'N' Spice VoxBox

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was going through old posts the other day and realized I never got around to doing a blog post on the Sugar and Spice VoxBox I received from Influenster! How did I forget something this important you ask?? Well, I got my VoxBox very early, one of the first or second shipments likely, and (knowing how much I hate VoxBox spoilers myself) I held off in an attempt not to spoil anyone else. Then I guess I just forgot completely that I never actually posted. But it's here now!!

Have I mentioned that I adore picmonkey.com?? The things that can be done with pictures, the awesome way it creates collages is so much easier than trying to do everything myself.

Here is my box. I love the new boxes Influenster is using. They're so much prettier than the plain brown box I got for the Holiday VoxBox. You can see that it's from Influenster right away. The box is emblazened with Influenster from every side, which just ramps up the excitement. I was immediately giddy and wondering what's inside. The questions you take to qualify for the VoxBox do give you some idea but Influenster always throws in some awesome surprises!!

The first thing you see when you open the box is the Influenster Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox 2013 card. It explains the box and the opposite side tells you what's inside. I never look at this because I love the surprise.

I won't say too much about the products in this post because each one will have its own in-depth post.

The first thing under the VoxBox card is a handful of coupons. Save $2.00 on the purchase of any Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel product. The main retailers listed are Kroger, Rite Aid, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS. You can find Dickinson products elsewhere as well, so be sure to look the next time your out.

I received Dickinson's Oil Controlling Towelettes. Though they say they are oil free, non-drying, and good for all skin types I was anxious and very hesitant about using these. I have some of the worst combination skin. It's odd, my skin is usually fairly normal. A dry patch here or a bit of extra oil, but then I use the wrong thing and BAM! My skin practically drips with oil or peels from dryness or breaks out horribly! However, I wouldn't be a very good blogger if I wasn't willing to take some risks so I used one. I'll have a full post on this product shortly, but I will say I was impressed. It didn't cause any kind of breakout whether from oil, dryness, or acne. It did exactly what it says it does in addition to soothing my skin.

Next in the box was the package of Nectresse Natural No Calorie Sweetener. It's 100% natural, made from monk fruit. I don't use much sweetener, certainly not in my coffee or tea. But ...

Nectresse included an awesome recipe book. Not only does this recipe book come with yummy recipes like apricot fig cinnamon rolls, cinnamon hot chocolate, pumpkin walnut pancakes, and mixed berry yogurt parfait, but it explains everything you need to or could want to know about the sweetener and the monk fruit as well as gives a conversion chart so you know you're always getting just the right amount of sweetness compared to sugar.

Once the Dickinson's and the Nectresse are removed this just rolled right to me. It's Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer. Turn the lid to the left and it clicks open, revealing a spray nozzle. Press down on the top and you get a continuous spray of soft, non-greasy moisturizer that leaves your skin moisturized in seconds so you can spray and go.

This yummy little beauty was packaged carefully in bubble wrap. I thought this was really sweet of Influenster! These are belVita Breakfast Biscuits. You get four in a pack like this; this one is cinnamon and brown sugar, and they make a nutritious and energy sustainable breakfast. I found eating one of these packages in the morning filled me right up and left me full even through lunch! They have such a wonderful texture to them too. They're filled with whole grains that give them just the right amount of crunch, and the cinnamon and brown sugar isn't too sweet!

Last but not least is the Colgate Optic White trio. I really couldn't be happier with this. I already use the toothpaste but only knew in passing that they had a mouthwash, never mind a toothbrush!  The 360 Optic White toothbrush complete with whitening cups and polishing bristles, Optic White toothpaste in Sparkling Mint said to make your teeth whiter in one week, and the Optic White alcohol free mouthwash, also in Sparkling Fresh Mint. I've been using this trio since I got the VoxBox, and I have noticed a difference! It's odd how all three together do what just the toothpaste couldn't. I certainly won't be doing any toothpaste commercials, but I feel less self-conscious smiling in public.

So, you've seen what's in the box. Stick around for the reviews. They're coming soon. For real this time; no more forgetting! :)

Which reviews are you most looking forward to? What products from the Influenster Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox do you most what to see in use??

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Influenster Holiday VoxBox — Goody Quikstyle Paddle Brush

I just received the email from Influenster letting me know the Holiday VoxBox survey was up, and I realized I never posted a review for my Goody Quikstyle brush! This is definitely not a review I want to forget.

As you can see, I received the Paddle Brush version of the Quikstyle. It's not the one I would have bought for myself, but it's all I'll buy now! There's just something about it that I like better than the Half-Round Styler Brushes.

The Quikstyle is made up of the regular ball tipped bristles with the addition of absorbent microfiber bristles. They remind me of those microfiber hair wrap towels of the same color. The microfiber is antimicrobial so the brush stays fresh. I recommend hitting it with a bit of hot air from your blow-dryer if you use it on wet hair since they will start to smell a bit like mildew if you put them away wet. The vents along the sides of the brush will pull the air deep into the microfiber bristles and direct it out so don't worry about ruining the brush or causing overheating! The brush is also lightweight with a textured ergonomic handle for better grip.

The packaging tells us that these microfiber bristles are super absorbent and will help reduce water by 30% to help hair dry faster. My hair is fairly thin and dries well on its own, so I really didn't notice any difference in my dry time.

What I did notice was the brushes ability to detangle every knot on my head and leave behind frizz free hair! My hair is always somehow managing to tie itself into knots. Honest to goodness, tied in knots — sometimes big knotted bows that are literally impossible to unknot. I either have to attempt to unknot them, but really only end up yanking the hair from my head, or trim the knots out. Seriously, I would buy this brush for its seemingly magical detangling ability if nothing else!!

I'm loving my new knot-free, frizz-free, perfect hair day every time hair. There will be no other brush for me unless Goody comes out with a better version of the Quikstyle, but I'm not sure that's possible. I'm pleased with it just the way it is.

This will be my last Influenster Holiday VoxBox review since I wasn't one of the lucky few who received one of the Montagne Jeunesse Face Masques, and I still haven't tried the EBOOST. After much debating with myself, I really can't bring myself to try the Pink Lemonade energy/immunity dietary drink supplement I received. I would love to try it, but I really hate lemonade. It would likely be a really unfair review.

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster.

Influenster Holiday VoxBox — Sole Society

Hey girlies! The month is coming to a close and the Sole Society promo code I received in my Influenster Holiday VoxBox will be expiring on the 31st. Just use the promo code INFLUENSTER25 before January 31st and you'll get $25 off your first pair of shoes from Sole Society.

I really wanted to have this code out there sooner but I searched and searched, debated and talked myself into and out of half a dozen shoes and then finally used my $25 off code last Friday. I have been posting it like crazy on my Twitter account from the start though, so I'm hoping someone got some use out of it.

Aren't they gorgeous? I love the heel! The reason I bought these when there were so many amazing shoes to choose from? I recently purchased a summer dress, had another summer dress bought for me, and remembered I already have the perfect outfit to match these shoes. Seriously? To have 3 outfits made with these shoes and to get said shoes for $24.95 after using the promo code is awesome!!

This is a picture of the dress I recently purchased for myself with an Amazon gift card I earned through Swagbucks. It is an Allegra K dress sold by uxcell. I recommend checking out their Amazon store or just doing a search for Allegra K on Amazon because they sell some really great things at wonderful prices!! These shoes also match the dress bought for me which is a really pretty flowing beach style blue dress with a brushstroke pattern. I've paired this with a thick brown stretch belt and pulling the fabric up from the belt makes it the perfect shorter length beach dress. I also have a really gorgeous tiered brown mini skirt that I pair with a simple tank top and heels in the summer.

Like I said though, before deciding on Monica, I had picked out half a dozen or more shoes. Here's the ones that got a serious second look and actually made it into my cart before I talked myself out of them. Miranda actually made it into the cart more than once. However, I live in the middle of nowhere ... the middle of nowhere that gets knee deep snow at times. And honestly, I'm just not good enough walking in wedges to risk it. As for Vida ... well, I've been told I was made for heels. I'm like an elephant in flats — an elephant that trips over nothing.

Finally, here are the shoes I think deserve a mention because they're so darn pretty listed by heel height.

Remember that my 1st Blogiversary Giveaway also ends on the 31st. This giveaway is open to both my US and international followers. Click on the link, go take a peek, and definitely enter! You can't win if you don't enter. And if you buy yourself a nice pair of shoes from Sole Society with the INFLUENSTER25 promo code and you do happen to win one of the prizes in my giveaway imagine how great you'll look opening the package I send you!!

*All products (unless otherwise stated) were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster.

Influenster Holiday VoxBox — Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal+

I had a horribly hectic weekend. Those of you who follow me on my Facebook Page know that I had a wedding to go to this weekend. Yes, my oldest niece is now married. Boy, does that make me feel old! She had one of the most beautiful dresses, and she looked so happy. On top of that, it didn't rain, snow, sleet or anything else, so I don't think it could have gone better for her with a January wedding.

Getting ready in the morning was insane! While rushing around the house trying to get my hair fixed, my dress zipped up the back, and wrestling my pantyhose on ... food was the last thought on my mind; I didn't get to eat breakfast ... or even lunch. Honestly, it all had me wishing I had a cup of Quaker Real Medleys just so I could have a quick, easy, and filling meal. Sadly, I ate the oatmeal the day my Influenster Holiday VoxBox came in the mail.

I received the Apple Walnut Real Medleys in my VoxBox. The front of the cup tells me it has sweet apples, tart cranberries and chopped walnuts along with multigrain oatmeal.

Looking at the ingredients tells me that that is not a lie. I was very happy to see that the first ingredients are whole grain oats and a multi grain blend for that extra healthy touch. After that is apples, cranberries, and walnuts. You don't see that often. Usually things like that are added last, after all sorts of preservatives and additives, so applause Quaker for being real!

The nutrition facts make me cringe a little. The calories are actually great for such a quick breakfast. Compared to the usual quick breakfast foods this is a godsend. The sugar is a bit higher than some of the ultra sweet cereals (usually ~15-20g) but compared to the doughnuts and cookies (most over 50g!) a lot of us reach for in the morning rush it's a perfect exchange! I've been using Weight Watchers for about two years now, so everything gets changed over into points for me, and I tend to base my eating choices on that number. With that in mind, I went ahead and entered the info. I got 8 points for Apple Walnut Real Medleys. That's definitely in the range of what I try to keep my breakfasts at. It's certainly better than using all my points on doughnuts and cookies for breakfast.

So, deciding that it's a good breakfast choice means it's time to actually make it. The directions read a bit like cup ramen. Pour in hot water to the line, put the top back on, and let it sit for three minutes. This would give you enough time in the morning rush to gather up your purse and coat, put the finishing touches on your makeup, or even just grab it and go - letting it sit as you make the drive to work. The only thing you need is a spoon; can't forget that! You can also use the microwave for even quicker cooking.

It looks so yummy once it's done. I used the exact amount of water called for, let it sit, and gave it a good stir. I know others who reviewed their Real Medleys said it was runny, but I had no problems with this. It was thick with just the right amount of creamy. At first taste, it was oatmeal. What is there to really say about oatmeal? It's pretty tasteless, and again, other reviewers said it was much too sweet. I didn't find it sweet at all! I actually added a scoop of sugar and some milk to sweeten and thin it some more after pictures. As for the walnuts ... I'm actually not a fan of nuts (unless it's almonds) so I could have done without the walnuts ... but I have to admit they weren't bad. Eating this, I was really reminded of Autumn with the apples and cinnamon and Christmas with the cranberries and walnuts. It was the perfect blend ... homey and comforting. It also kept me full past lunch; full enough that I only had a mid-sized snack between lunch and dinner.

Quaker Real Medleys comes in not just Apple Walnut but also Cherry Pistachio, Peach Almond, and Summer Berry which contains strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Personally, I'm really looking forward to trying the Peach Almond Real Medleys. Quaker Real Medleys retail for about $1.79 per cup. Much cheaper, and healthier, than a fast food drive through!

*All products were sent to me for testing purposes, completely complimentary, from Influenster. All photos and opinions are my own.