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My Experience with Dannon Activia
I'm at the end of the Dannon Activia challenge and here's what I've found:
Overall this was a very positive experience. I really like that Activia doesn't taste weird and is basically a good yogurt with extra good stuff added in. I'm glad that I've found an easy way to fit more calcium in my diet without having to guzzle milk.
The kicker is that I've lost two pounds since the start of the challenge, but I think that's down to eating yogurt for breakfast instead of pastries or other unhealthy things. That's one reason why I'm going to continue having it every morning. Here is a picture I snapped just a few minutes ago here at work:
Don't forget that you can get your own coupons for Activia at the website or by clicking below.
The Raucus Return of My Chemical Romance
Say what you want about this band (I happen to like their brand of post-punk-pop) but no one knows how to drum up publicity better. My Chemical Romance has just wrapped up its fourth studio album called "Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys", which is expected to be released in late November. After years of flying the banner for The Black Parade - their dark and highly acclaimed third album - they're back with an outrageous pop of color in a new trailer called "Art is the Weapon" promoting Killjoys. It features the song "Na Na Na", which is widely believed to be queued up as the first single from the new album. Judging from the tremendous online response from fans, this could be the start of something huge and strange.
Dannon Activia 14-Day Challenge
For months now I've been looking for healthy ways to get more calcium into my family's diet and to keep our digestion on track. So when I got some coupons that could be used for free servings of Dannon Activia, which contains a special culture that could help with digestion, it seemed like fate. I've decided to take this opportunity to participate in Activia's 14-Day Challenge to find out if incorporating this yogurt into my daily diet will boost my nutrition and help me to feel better. I'll be keeping all of you posted! In the meantime, you can find out get your own Activia coupons (yay!) by clicking below. 
Friend Friday: Fall Fashion
Today we're starting a new getting-to-know-you series called Friend Friday, which is run by Katy over at ModlyChic. Katy sends out personal questions each week and several of us answer them. It's a good way to reveal little things about ourselves and find out things about each other at the same time. I've been wanting to join the Friend Friday posts for weeks now, but couldn't seem to find a good point to jump in. (Blogging can be that way sometimes, kind of like double-dutch.) Anyway, today's topic is Fall Fashion. Jump!
1. What new fashion trend are you looking forward to sporting this fall?
I'm really excited about wearing vintage dresses and boots. But I'm sure I'll continue dabbling in the military styles, too. Love that stuff!
2. Which item in your closet is most likely to be your go-to transition piece?
I've already started reaching for my blue/grey Evans jacket my (army? olive?) green utility jacket as I head out the door, so I think light jackets will be my staples for the next few months.
3. What item from last year are you looking forward to reinventing this fall?
I'm eager to take out my jumpers and see if they'll work under jackets and blazers.
4. What is your favorite part about this time of the year?
Fall is my favorite season, so I enjoy the weather this time of the year. Fashion-wise, I love being able to layer clothing and experiment with heavier textures.
5. Will you be attending any fashion events this fall?
I don't know for sure yet. But I hope so!
Image by Thomas Blackshear
Incognito Featuring Ursula Rucker in "Gotta"
Incognito’s latest album Transatlantic R.P.M. (released this Summer) features this smooth cut “Gotta” with singer Ursula Rucker. The album also taps other
collaborators including Chaka Khan, Mario Biondi, Eric Benet, Stuart Zender, and Maysa. Enjoy!
The Big Eggs Recall
So, basically, if you have eggs in your fridge right now you might need to think about chucking them. Or at least I would, until federal regulators figure out what's happening. That's because the recall has grown since it was announced last week.
So far hundreds of people have been sickened by an outbreak of salmonella on egg shells. The egg brands affected by the recall include: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms, and Kemps.
Here's how to check your carton to find out if your eggs are part of the recall.
JMS Review & Giveaway
This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Just My Size Sportswear apparel.
As we’ve discussed before, sportswear is one area of my wardrobe that is sorely lacking. Fortunately, this week I had a chance to try some sportswear offerings from Just My Size. I picked up some of the newest items from my local Wal-Mart and had a great time doing it.
I found the entire line of sportswear to be ultra affordable. The tops, leggings and shorts were very soft and size-friendly, with lots of vibrant colors. I was surprised to see that many of the pieces featured details like ruching, ruffles and even studs. I snagged a little of everything. Here are some of the outfits I’ve put together so far:
There was also something else that was a little unexpected. Jeans! Raise your hand if you already knew JMS made kick-arse jeans with tummy control. Well, I didn’t know until I saw them this week and I’m very pleased with my pair. So cute! (Please forgive the fuzzy blogger-on-her-day-job pics.)
Alright, enough about me. You have a chance to win a $500 Wal-Mart gift card so you can go on your own Just My Size shopping spree.
{CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER CHOSEN!}
Say Goodbye to Drop-Side Cribs
After years of incidents surrounding drop-side cribs, government regulators have seen enough. The Consumer Product Safety Commission - that's the group that keeps an eye on items that might be unsafe - is rolling out new guidelines that will essentially ban the sale of drop-side cribs. This is one of those things that some people may be resistant about because they feel drop-side cribs make it easier to put a baby into a crib or because they've been handed-down a drop-side crib. But these kinds of cribs might not be worth it anymore - not when the CPSC says the cribs could pose a "suffocation or entrapment risk to young children."
What do you think? Is the government over-reacting? Did you have a drop-side crib that worked out fine?
Janelle Monae: Cold War Wondamix
Check out the Wondamix version of Cold War from Janelle Monae's album "Cold War."
Running for A Cause
If you've been following the fitness journey of Renee on CutieBootyCakes, you know that her training has been an inspiration to many of us who want to live healthier lives.
But now she's preparing to run in the Nike Women's Half Marathon (that's 13 miles!) for someone who has inspired her. She is running with Team in Training in honor of a friend's 4-year old daughter, Ja'Naya, who is battling (and currently winning against) leukemia.
You can get involved in the fight against childhood leukemia by helping Renee to reach her fundraising goal of $4000 by August 5th. All proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Click HERE for the link to Renee's donation page. 
Beyonce Embraces Vintage Style
Just when it seems female pop stars have done it all to grab our attention, they reach into the past for inspiration. Beyonce rocks the "vintage" aesthetic as BB Homemaker in the video for the single "Why Don't You Love Me", which has caused some controversy over retro and race.
Thanks to BVikkiVintage for the tip!
Arcade Fire Singles
Arcade Fire's forthcoming LP, The Suburbs, is due out August 3 in the U.S. (August 2 in the UK/Europe). But at least two singles are floating around.
OneThirtyBPM.com now has studio-quality versions of "The Suburbs" and "Month of May."
Also check out live performances of the new singles on Pitchfork.
So THAT's why Twilight is so popular?
Admittedly, I always wondered what all the fuss could be about. Then, just when I had decided to give in to the hype and buy the book, one of my bloggy buddies, Liana, revealed that she had just read the first Twilight book and that it was "complete and utter drivel". That was good enough for me and I no longer felt I needed to read the book or rent the movie(s). So if the theory put forth in this video is true, I'm glad someone has figured it all out.
