“I use Grammarly’s plagiarism detector because I want to be sure my content is absolutely, one hundred percent original.” – said no blogger ever. Well, some bloggers do all original stuff for sure. I like to share great stuff from other sources – “finds.” I’m kidding, of course, I do attribute to folks as much as possible. That said, I do love Grammarly’s free plug in for Google Chrome which “protects you from spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes wherever you write online.” They also have a great sense of humor. Follow them on Twitter where their 140 description is, “Give me your dangling modifiers, your misplaced apostrophes, your comma splices longing to be corrected.” Hilarious. I checked (the first version) of this passage in the free “Grammar checker”:
All kidding aside, I love the Grammarly free plug in(s) and I can definitely see the value in their product. Truth be told, I am a bit of a grammar nerd and a stickler for spelling!
Have you tried Grammarly? I hope you score better than me!
Well, speaking of grammar, here is a non-sequitur for you. You may remember that I was an Athleta Esprit de She Ambassador last year. I am an Ambassador for this great race series again this year! If you register today for any of the events, you will get the lowest prices of the season. You also will have something to train for and in Chicago you can “fondly” recall that it was VERY warm last July for the race. It gives me hope that some day it will be warm here again.
The events are reasonably priced and have great perks! You get:
- Fashionable gear
- Athleta gift bag
- 1 year subscription to SELF magazine ($12 value)
- Custom race bib (limited time offer)
- Tasty post race tapas and treats
- Access to the Beauty Bar
- Complimentary drinks at the signature Bubbly Bar (Run events only)
You can follow Athleta Esprit de She on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest for more information and updates. And, register today before prices go up.
One additional perk of being an ambassador is that Lifetime Fitness offers us some products to test and try. With this harsh winter, I was lucky enough to try AmLactin® Ultra Hydrating Body Cream. They tout this as, “the ultimate hydrating cream for severe dry skin.” This cream contains a patented formula that gently exfoliates and is “clinically proven to intensely hydrate for long-lasting moisture.” It smooths, repairs and softens “even the toughest dry skin.”
Well, let me tell you, this Chicago runner’s dry skin is VERY tough at the moment. I tried this cream and I really like how easily it is absorbed into the skin. It definitely made my skin feel smoother and less dry/flaky. The formulation feels dense, but does not wind up all over my clothes and sheets. It says that it is unscented, but I think it has a scent. I can’t decide what it is. It is not a bad scent, but it is not “fragrance free” or perfumey.
I scored us some additional sample/travel size samples. I will send six readers trial sized bottles ($2.99 value) and some additional samples. Leave a comment on this post and tell me what you have been doing to fight dry skin this winter. Want an extra entry? Share this post on social media and leave me another comment to tell me that you did. Winners will be selected and notified at random based on comment order next Thursday, February 6th.
Please note: I was not compensated for this post, but I was provided free product samples for review and giveaway. All opinions are my own.
And it’s Friday, so here are some great deals I found for you/your Valentine this week:
- Rue La La is offering GREAT Valentine’s Day deals from Kabloom (up to 50% off). Act now – ends today. They also have a great Valentine’s Gift Boutique if you need ideas!
- Hey Chicago friends – It’s freaking cold but this is the best time to sign up for Active Transportation Alliance’s MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Save $7 by registering online through Sunday, Feb 2. Get an additional $2 off and a free CamelBak(TM) water bottle if you stop by any MB Financial Bank location for an online promotion code good through Feb 2.
- Check out Travelzoo local deals in your area! In Chicago, they have $99 massages at the Four Seasons! Yes, please.
- Get up to 85% off on great local spa deals from Lifebooker Loot with the code TAKE20.
- Get an extra 25% off on all sale items at Title Nine through 2/2 – no code needed.
- Get $15 off of your $50 purchase at Bliss through Valentine’s Day with code 15VDAY.
- In Chicago, save at Finds’ Fave Artizone. Get $5 off + free delivery on orders of $20 or more with code IC5; Get $10 off + free delivery with orders of $40 or more with code IC10; Get $25 off + free delivery on your order of $100 or more with code IC25 or Get $50 off + free delivery on your order of $150 or more with code IC50. All offers one per customer and expires 3/31.
- Enter the Spi-Belt one a day giveaway to be entered to win a Spi-Belt (one per day through January) and a year’s subscription to Runner’s World each week.
- Get 2 months free at Taste Guru a gluten free curated monthly box with your subscription.
- Get up to 60% off gifts & heartfelt finds at Beauty.com just in time for Valentine’s Day!
- Get $50 for $15 or $60 for $20 on photobooks at Picaboo from Living Social + 4.0% cash back if you start from ebates
- Order from curated sale hub Gilt and get $25 off your first order or try awesome local metro deals like Pump Room Chicago or cool national online deals from Gilt City and get 40% off your first purchase. Start with ebates for additional cash back.
- Check out the winter gear sale at the Clymb for up to 70% off on gear for your favorite sports! Spend $100 by 1/31 and get $20 credit to shop in February and get an extra 10% off of any Adventure (trip) with code EXPLORE at checkout.
- Valentine’s Day Special! Get 15% off at AHAlife.com with promo code VDAY2014 (Valid until 2/15 midnight PST)
or get $20 Credit On Your First Order $100+
on curated “creative and inspired” items at AHALife.
- Buy a dozen Crown Majesty Roses and get one dozen free at OrganicBouquet.com
or save 20% site wide! on eco-elegant gifts at OrganicBouquet.com!
- Need some cute workout wear to help with those New Year’s Resolutions? Get 20% off at Ellie or 50% off your first outfit and free shipping from Kate Hudson’s Fabletics.
- Get $20 off your first Uber ride click here to sign up.
That’s all for now! Have a great weekend!
PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways: PB & Co Cookbook/peanut butter and Platinum Performance!