Cyber Monday Announcement with Simply Pru

I know it's been a while.......

.....Since I've written a blog post, but I have been busy posting vlogs on my YouTube Channel Simply Pru.  And even though I'm not posting on my blog everyday (week or month) I am sharing my videos from YouTube.

I still receive my monthly subscription to Vegan Cuts and I am so pleased with the samples of cruelty free and/or vegan beauty products I've received.  For me, this is the easiest way to find new cruelty free beauty products to incorporate in my daily beauty routine.  Have there been some misses?  Of course, but for the most part I've liked the products that I've received.  I post two videos regarding my Vegan Cuts box - the first being the box unveiling.  For this vlog, I open my Vegan Cuts box and share the products that I've received.  I also like to do a little sampling of the products such as scents, texture, etc... The second video is after I've used the product samples and I give my thoughts regarding the products.  So, if I receive a sample soap, I throw it in my shower and use it over a week or so and then come back and give my thoughts.  So, please head over to YouTube and watch my Simply Pru video so you too can see what I've been up to.

Next, yes, I am still a Thirty-One Gifts consultant.  I love my company and the products we offer.  There is literally something for everyone.  And the best part.....over half of the items in my catalog can be personalized.  Do you have someone with an unusual name or an unusual spelling of their name?  Well, head on over to my web site and see how their name can be added to a tote, purse or any other item.  I think this is awesome!!  I mean really, have you ever seen the name Pru (or Prudence) on anything?  Nope, me either... not even a key chain!

Cindy Tote in Black Houndstooth $70

Thirty-One has great customer specials every single month!  To see what I have in store for you, head over to www.mythirtyone.com/prupowell

And finally........yes, I'm still in school, but not for much longer.  Going back to school to earn my MBA is one of the best decisions I've made for myself.  And I have the navy to thank for that.  Because of my military service, I have earned my undergrad and soon to be graduate degrees.  Something I never thought I'd be able to do.  And those are all mine.... not matter what, no one can take those away from me!! 

So, thank you for taking a minute to catch up with me.....I'll be back soon!

~Pru

November 2014 Vegan Cuts

Thank you for your service!

October Vegan Cuts Product Review

August 2014 Vegan Cuts Box Reveal

August 2014 Vegan Cuts Box Reveal

Isabelle Vegan Handbags

31 Retirement List 2014........AND August Customer special!!!!

Hello!!!

So, let me start of with our August Customer Special......YEA!!!!
For every $35 you spend, you can get the NEW Chill-icious Thermal Tote for only $10!  OMG!! And that's not all.......you can get a matching ice pack for only $5!

Also, its that time of the year - the release of the 31 Gifts 2014 Retirement List! NOOOOOOOOO! Say it isn't so!  Well, my pretties, it is.  Unfortunately, some good things must come to an end.  There are several items and patterns that will no longer be available after August 31, 2014.  

For some reason, not all of my pictures want to upload.  I'll work on this and get more pictures posted.  In the mean time, should you have any questions about what is on the retirement list, please feel free to contact me at prupowell72@yahoo.com

And finally, I do have an open party on my website www.mythirtyone.com/prupowell 

Look for my parties and then Retirement Party.  

Thank you All so much for your support!!!

~Pru

Just the Goods - Vegan Cuts July 2014

Hey guys!  If you watched my video - the July Vegan Cuts product review - you'll see I didn't have all of the product info regarding the Just the Goods body lotion samples I received, so here is a quick up date.

I received 2 body lotion samples from Just the Goods in the scents lavender and peppermint.  I looked up the products on http://shop.justthegoods.net and found that there are several size options to choose from should you want to purchase this product.  Please note - I did not find the scents that I had received in my Vegan Cuts box.......

1 oz. - $2.00
4 oz. - $5.50
8 oz. - $8.50

Just the Goods is also running a promo:

$5.00 off any product purchase $50 or more!

And, as I stated in my video, I really like this lotion.  It is not greasy, it is quickly absorbed, and I really liked the two sample scents I received.

So, stay tuned to Simply Pru!  I'll have some more cruelty free product reviews and some great info for Thirty-One Gifts!!!!

July Vegan Cuts Products:

Original Sprout 

Emani Vegan Cosmetics

Ellovi Body Butter

Savvy Boheme Bath and Body Oil

Nouveau/ Organica 

Just the Goods

July 2014 Vegan Cuts product review

July 2014 Vegan Cuts Box Reveal

Follow up info for Lip Glosserie

Greetings!  I hope this finds you all doing well on this glorious summer day!  Hopefully you watched my recent vlog on my thoughts regarding the product samples I received in my June Vegan Cuts Beauty box.  If you didn't be sure to watch that video - it's my review on the products I received and what I would and would not purchase for my cruelty free beauty stash.

One of the featured products was the Lip Glosserie lip balm in the scent Light Asian Pear.  I really like this lip balm - it's soft, it smells great and leaves my lips feeling.......well, yummy!  I Google'd the company to find out how much this product costs and where it can be purchased.  I came across the Lip Glosserie web site www.lipglosserie.com and read about the company and products.  Lip Glosserie is a woman owned (Jinny), small business based out of Austin, TX.  Jinny has lots of lip balms in all different scents available on her web site.  She also has body creams is different scents as well.  She makes all of the products herself and is the sole "employee" of the company. 

Anyways, I emailed Jinny to find out if her lip balms had any kind of SPF in them.  She promptly responded and was very sweet, but unfortunately, the balms DO NOT have any kind of SPF in them, which is kind of a bummer.  But this would not deter me from purchasing her product - I mean, I use lip balms at night before bed and don't really need an SPF for that! But, I do like to have a lip balm with SPF for use outdoors.  I don't want chapped lips......do you?  

So, back to Google I went in my search for cruelty free lip balm and found that Say Yes to Carrots has a lip balm with SPF!  Yea!  Perfect for those blistering summer days and brutally cold winters!

Now, I do not have this product, but on my errands today, I'm going to certainly look for this.  And of course I will let you know what I think.........So stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Pru

Vegan Cuts - what I think.....

What is in my Vegan Cuts box

Hellooooooo!  And welcome to "What is in my Vegan Cuts box"!  I've been on a quest to find cruelty free/vegan beauty products and came across a company - Vegan Cuts - that will send you monthly beauty samples when you subscribe.  For $19.99 (free shipping) a month, Vegan Cuts will send you 4-7 beauty product samples that are cruelty free/vegan.  This is a great way to find new products without having to commit to a full size product only to find out that you really don't care for it.

For June, I received 6 beauty product samples:

Superchic Lacquer in Coming Unblued -  a light, shimmery blue nail polish
Pacifica Waterproof Eyeliner in Nude
NYL facial serum
La Fresh Nail Polish remover in the scent Fresh Tuscan Orange
Lip Gosserie lip balm in Asian Pear
Jane Carter Solutions hair butter

My plan is to test each of these products over the next week and then come back with an update of each product.  I will also include pictures of each sample and prices.

Stay tuned.........I'll be back!

~Pru

Going Cruelty Free!

Its July.....its summer.....its hot.....and I have a great customer special for you!!

Happy July!!  I hope you all are having a great summer!  So, I know I've been a way for a while, but time really did get away from me - moving, school........ I guess I've been preoccupied.

Any- hoo..... this month's customer special is for every $35 spent you can get the Essential Storage Tote for only $5!  What a deal!!!

There are several patterns to choose from, so head on over to www.mythirtyone.com/prupowell to get yours today!!!

It's PARTY TIME!!!!

Hey!  I will be hosting a Facebook Party on Thursday, April 17th at 7pm EST.  If you would like to attend this party and see some wonderful 31 products head over to Facebook and "Like" Simply Pru!

I look forward to seeing you all there!!!

~Pru

Welcome April - what do you have in store for us this month?

It is April and spring.....well, spring is trying to make an appearance. Its a rainy, gloomy day today.  But hey, April showers brings May flowers!

So, I know its been a while since I've posted, but there has been a very good reason - I promise.  I recently moved and though it has been very exciting for me, it has also been a little stressful.  But, I'm making progress and look forward to all of the boxes being unpacked and putting things in their new places.

With a new month upon us, so is a new Thirty-one Gifts Customer Special.  For every $35 dollars spent you can get one of two totes for $25.  

AWESOME!

I have the All-Pro Tote and let me just tell you - I love this bag for the gym.  There is an outside zipper storage for your shoes, a large outside pocket and a pouch to carry a towel or your yoga mat.  The inside of the bag boosts a large interior with two mesh pockets and another pocket for your cell phone.  There is also an interior snap strap to hold your watch or bracelets and two holes to hold your earrings.   This bag would also make an awesome pool bag, travel bag, overnight bag....... you get the idea.  

There are several prints that each of these totes are available in, so head on over to 

www.mythirtyone.com/prupowell

Happy shopping and thanks for stopping by!!

~Pru

March Customer Special and 31 Flash Sale

Let's Make March Tote-ally Awesome!

Hey, hey, hey!!!!  Happy March 2014!  Just a quick note about this month's special.  For every $35 spent get 50% off one of five totes:
Retro Metro Fold Over
Easy Breezy Tote
Euro Straw Tote
Cindy Tote
Inside Out Bag
What a tote-ally awesome deal! Head over to www.mythirtyone.com/prupowell for all the details and photos of all of the totes included in this customer special and feel free to contact me at prupowell72@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
Thanks for stopping by and happy shopping!!!

~Pru

End of Feb./ March Customer Special Announcement

The End is Near.......

......Of February that is!  If you would like to take advantage of the February special, make sure you get your order in by this Friday, February 28th.  Yep- that's right - February 2014 is almost over!!
So, for this month, for every $35 spent you can get a Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote (ZOUT) for only $10.  Also, for the month of February - personalization is only $5!
www.mythirtyone.com/prupowell
Thanks for stopping by!!!
~Pru

31 Relaunch Wrap up and raffle

February Specials for 31 Gifts

Greetings!  Just wanted to pass on this month's special to you all.  For the month of February, for every $35 you spend you can get a Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote for only $10!!  Say what?   Isn't that AWESOME?

Also - do you have a birthday this month?  Well, if you do, I would like to pass on a very special happy birthday gift from me to you - take 20% of any single item in the current Thirty-One catalog!!! Yea!!   If you would like to take advantage of this special, please contact me at prupowell72@yahoo.com.
As always, thanks for stopping by!!
~Pru

L'Oreal Rivitalift Miracle Blur

Soooooo, have you tried this?  "Instantly erases the look of wrinkles and pores" is what this product claims to do.  And so do a lot of other products. I've been using this instant skin smoother for several weeks now and though I like the skin primer aspect of this product- it leaves a kind of weird greasy feeling behind.  Ok, let me explain.  When I apply this to my skin, my skin has a smooth silky feeling to it.  But after several minutes, it feels a little greasy.  I have to immediately wash my hands to get the product off of my fingers or I can forget about opening a lipgloss or mascara tube without the assistance of a towel.  I guess I just think this is ok - and for the $24.99 price tag, there are other primers that I can think of that I'd rather use (Too Faced Poreless.....).  Anyways, Marlena of Makeup Geek turned me on to a cheaper alternative to high end face primers, skin smoothers......... its the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel.  Say what???  I know - when you hear Monistat, you think of...... well, you know.  I'm telling you, this stuff works great as an under makeup primer.  It lessens the appearance of pores and it helps my makeup last.  And another great thing about this product.....it cost $5.98 at my local Walmart.  So, if you've tried either one of these products or any other skin smoother, primer, or pore minimizer let me know.

Thanks for stopping by!!

~Pru

Beauty - Fashion - Celebrities - OH MY!!

So, I have a confession.  I use to be a gossip magazine, beauty magazine, fashion magazine junkie!  Seriously!  I would make my weekly runs to the drugstore and pick up the latest magazines and catch up on celebrity gossip, latest fashion trend or makeup trends.  I would carefully flip through and view every single page front to back.  I wouldn't want to miss anything!  I would dog ear the pages of things I liked, especially in the beauty mags, and then make a shopping list and head out to find those products.  I wanted to look youthful and pretty just like the models for those particular products.  I wanted to have clear skin, perky boobies, and long shiny, healthy hair.  Well guess what?  Unless I can photoshop my body, not just a picture of me, but my actual body, face, and hair it ain't gonna happen!

I no longer purchase celebrity gossip magazines, because frankly I was getting kind of sick of reading about over indulgent a-holes.  Really!   Now, some of these celebrities - I enjoy watching their movies, televisions shows and what-not, but outside of their profession, their every day lives, if they act like jerks, I don't want, nor do I need to know about it.  I don't care.

As far as beauty and fashion mags, yes, I do still buy some of those magazines.  I do love trying new products or finding out about the latest fashion trends, but even some of that is getting out of hand.  I mean, who can afford face cream at $250 for a 1oz. jar?  Not this budget conscience girl!  Oh, or the handbag that retails for $1500?  What the........????  No, what I like to do is see what is in these mags and then find cheaper comparables.  Target, TJ MAXX, or Marshal's anyone?

The reason for this little rant you may be asking?  Well, I recently came across a photo on Instagram of a YouTube "beauty guru" that I follow and in this photo this particular "beauty guru" was looking...... well, unnaturally flawless.  I mean, skin appeared to be poreless, and hair seemed to be airbrushed.  Not a single hair out of place.  Oh, and her teeth - nobody has teeth that white.  So, my only assumption is that this "guru" is now using some type of photoshop.  I find this to be misleading - just like the models in those fashion magazines.  I'm all for looking your best and using products that help you to look your best, but lets be honest - there is not one single beauty product out there that is going to make you look THAT good!  There just isn't.  We use the products that work best for us.  For me, I always say that I have dog hair.  It's thick and very coarse and VERY frizzy!  Oh my gosh is it frizzy!  But I use hair products that help me try to maintain some of the frizziness, but I still have hair issues.  Oh, and the hair product that I like the best doesn't cost $$$$$.  I use John Frieda Frizz Ease.  Yep, a whopping $7.00 at Wal Mart.  I've tried all kinds of stuff to tame the frizz and yes, I've spent some big bucks, but I always come back to Frizz Ease.  It just works the best.  (I do use some higher end products, such as makeup, but as soon as I find a cheaper alternative, believe me, I will switch.)

Ok, so I guess what I'm trying to say is, first, do not idolize celebrity idiots!  And.... be you!  Find the beauty and fashion products that work best for you (within your budget) and do not be mislead by a so called "beauty guru".

Ok, ok, I'm done.  Thanks for stopping by.
~Pru

Disclaimer: The opinions stated above are just that -  MY opinions.  I do not expect you to agree but I do expect your respect when it comes to opinions - mine or anyone else.  It's late, I'm tired..........

New Spring Catalog for Thirty-One

Hello,

Just a quick post about our new spring catalog for Thirty-One.  We have some great new products and new prints available for spring, so be sure to head on over to www.mythirtyone.com/prupowell to view the new catalog and place your orders online.  Thanks for stopping by! ~Pru

It's 2014 !

Hey!  A big welcome to 2014 and my new blog!  For those of you that have followed my previous blogs, you may be asking yourselves "Why another one?"  Well, its simple.....I wanted to combine my business, Thirty-One Gifts and my love of beauty product reviews.  Soooooo - welcome to my launch of Simply Pru.

Last year got a little crazy for me and I kind of fell off of the radar with blogging and my business.  But, I'm back on track and loving this new direction my life has taken.  After several years of DoD service, I left my job and decided to pursue my MBA full time!  Crazy right?  Well, if you know me, I sometimes do crazy things.  But its all good - if there is one thing that I feel strongly about, it's education.  And I felt that the time had come to further mine.  Now, let me be clear - the MBA program is no joke, but I am completely dedicated to my program and know that I will succeed!  This direction will also allow me to do other things that I enjoy, but just was lacking in the dedication department - like blogging.

So, having said that - let me start of your new year with some very exciting news for Thirty-One.
JANUARY CUSTOMER SPECIAL:  (WHOO-HOO)
 For every $35 spent, you can get 50% off one of eight products from our Small-Space Organization Collection!

• Flip-Top Organizing Bin
• Hang-Up Activity Organizer
• Hang-Up Space Saver
• Pack N' Pull Caddy
• Room for Two Utility Tote
• Your Way Cube
• Your Way Junior Cube
• Your Way Rectangle

Please be sure to check out my 31 web site for all of your 31 needs!

www.mythirtyone.com/prupowell

Thank you for stopping by!

~Pru