Last Saturday, I headed down to Franklin, TN, just south of Nashville, to the annual Franklin Main Street Festival. My objective was to seek out the Garnier Cleaner Greener World Tour bus so that I could see for myself what this tour was all about.

Found it!

And let me tell you, that place was hoppin’! They had people handing out samples, taking pictures and guiding guests through the tour. You see, the tour bus is actually a kind of mobile museum (and laboratory, as you’ll see later)! Inside the bus there is all kinds of information about Garnier and their new Pure Clean line of hair care products.

The Garnier Pure Clean Tour

After you go through the tour, you can make a Pure Clean Pledge and have your picture taken to go on the Garnier Facebook page.

My Pure Clean Pledge. Also, watch out for ginormous goldfish!

And you may remember from this post, that Garnier has teamed up with TerraCycle to give people ways to recycle used personal care and beauty products. There was a huge box set up in front of the bus for people to put items in for recycling.

Recycling Rocks!

I also got to meet-up with One2One Network member, Brigid!

O2O members are awesome!

And the probably the most ingenious part of the whole set-up was the the mobile laboratory inside the bus! Inside the laboratory, you could take hair samples and wash them using the actual Pure Clean shampoo and conditioner. Plus, a helpful lab assistant was on hand to give all the reasons why Pure Clean is good for your hair and good for the environment. (Just so you know, the video is completely unedited.)

Also, a goldfish mascot. Fun!

Goldy

The Garnier Cleaner Greener World Tour bus is currently in Ft. Worth, TX and will be continuing on to Detroit and New Orleans later this month! If you are in those areas, I would highly encourage you to head over there and see the tour yourself. It’s fun and informative!

Many of our members are very familiar Yanni’s music. We had a project two years ago that covered his ‘Voices’ album and concert tour. This time, it’s a brand new album of original music. Truth of Touch is his first release of original songs in over eight years. Members who signed-up to review this album included many who had participated in the last project and some who were completely new to Yanni’s music. We have been very pleased with the response from everyone about this album! One2One Network members really love them some Yanni!

Here’s a sample of the high praise that this album is receiving:

Truth Of Touch is a gorgeous collection of original pieces. – Amy of Coffee With The Mrs.

I love listening to instrumental music and Yanni does it best! – Kristi of Books & Needlepoint

As I listened to Yanni’s instrumentals, I was soothed, totally different than the songs that we hear on the radio these days! – Barb of FL Mom’s Blog

It is a beautiful album from first to last composition. – Rita of One 2 Try

I felt the stresses of my day melting away and I became energized at the same time. – Andrea of Adventures in All Things Food

The instrumental background is so soothing, yet so invigorating I am amazed at what it does for my soul and my spirit. – Joelyn of the days go on…

I was pleasantly surprised and found it was interesting that  almost every song gave me a visual as I listened. – Tina of My Highest Self

The music never fails to lighten my mood and make me feel relaxed and at peace with the world. – Dina of Just Another New Blog

Many thanks to all the members who have reviewed Truth of Touch and helped us spread the word about this amazing new album from Yanni! Several of our members will also be attending concerts and we are really looking forward to hearing about their experiences seeing Yanni live!

Truth of Touch is available for purchase online and in stores. Yanni is also currently touring the U.S., entertaining audiences with music from his new album. Check the site to see if he will be near you!

The most anticipated awards show of the year is just a few days away! The 83rd annual Academy Awards happens this Sunday, February 27th. Glitz! Glamor! Fashion! Movie Stars! And there’s always much speculation about who will win and what everyone will be wearing.

I took a peek to see what our members are saying about the upcoming awards show:

• O2O member, Kelly of Kelly’s Lucky You has a rundown of the films nominated for Best Picture and her take on them.
• If you’re hosting an Oscar Party, SusieQTPie has some ideas for games and food.
• What’s That Smell has been doing a series of bests and worsts, like this one: Worst Best Pictures Ever

One favorite activity leading up to Oscar Night is picking winners. We’ve put together four polls about the top four awards: Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Picture. We’d love to see who our readers pick as favorites in these categories!

 Loading ...

 Loading ...

 Loading ...

 Loading ...

Be sure to check back and see who’s getting the most votes!

Oscar statue picture by FrogStarB on Flickr

The 2011 beginning of the NASCAR racing season is just two days away. The season starts in mid February with the Daytona 500, held in Daytona Beach, FL and lasts most of the year ending with the Ford 400, raced in Homestead, FL, in November. The Daytona 500 is the most prestigious and lucrative of the four major NASCAR Sprint Cup Series which is one aspect of the sport that sets it apart from others. While other major sports work up to a Championship event, NASCAR starts with one.

Another aspect of this sport that distinguishes it from others is it’s fans. While other sports can boast loyal and involved female fans, NASCAR’s female fans are knowledgeable, loyal and passionate, says driver David Ragan in an article from The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “The women are passionate about one driver and they’re usually decked out from head to toe in gear… That’s cool to see.” And competitive. That’s how driver Clint Bowyer describes them, saying they even more competitive than male fans.

Who is the typical female NASCAR fan? Doey eyed girls who just swoon over good-looking drivers? Housewives just taking an interest in their husband’s obsession? Oh, no. They are much more savvy than that.

Lisa DeSpain, NASCAR fan and blogger for RubbingsRacing.Com says,

“While I have met women who follow the sport because they think “Kasey Kahne has the most beautiful blue eyes ever”, or because their boyfriend or husband is into it, I know quite a few who can talk stats, tracks, and smack about their drivers as well as or better than some hardcore male NASCAR fans.

I’ve talked to numerous women who don’t care what color a driver’s eyes are as long as he can see well enough to stay out of trouble. They can quote team stats and qualifying times. They support their driver rain, shine, win, or lose and will fight for his honor with anyone who puts him down. Make no mistake, women are fans every bit as much as men.”

A 2007 article from CBS news claims that over 40 percent of NASCAR fans are women and that number is growing. In that article, Ruth Crowley of Motorsports Authentics says, “I think women like the sport of racing because it’s fast. There’s this element of danger. There’s an element of skill. And it’s just something that they can enjoy. You know, women understand the sport of racing. And I think that there’s pieces of this sport that really appeal to them.”

Taking this information, I decided to look into it a little more. We’re a network of women, what do our members have to say about being NASCAR fans? I caught up with three of our members, all longtime NASCAR fans, who were more than willing to answer some questions and dish about their favorite sport: Carrie, from Carrie With Children , Julee from Mommy’s Memorandum, and Lisa, from Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy!

We’ll start with the obvious, “What do you like about racing?”

Carrie: I love the speed and excitement of the races!  How could you not love watching cars go over 180mph just inches away from another car?!   I really love getting to know the personalities of all the different drivers, even if it is just through my television each week!  There is truly someone for everyone.

Julee: Racing is exciting! I love cheering for my driver and seeing different tracks and learning about how they came to be.

Lisa: I love the intensity of it. I know a lot of people think its boring, just cars going in circles.  But if you understand it, it really is an intense sport.  And if you see it live….you can’t beat the feeling the roar of the motors in your chest.  And I also think that if you watch the sport very long you get drawn in by the drivers personally.  You get to know which drivers are friends and which clearly aren’t.  There’s a lot of external stuff going on that makes it more interesting.

And how long have you been a fan?

Carrie: since I was a kid

Julee: since I was sixteen (that’s 25 years ago!)

Lisa: for more than 10 years

Who introduced you to the sport?

Carrie: It’s really all my grandfather’s fault. He used to set his VCR each Sunday to record the races, just so he could watch them again later in the week.  As a kid, I would always love it when my grandfather would ask which race I’d like to watch with him…and he’d open the cabinet and have stacks of old racing videos.

Julee: My dad introduced me to racing and I picked, then rookie, Jeff Gordon, to be my driver. It was based more on his looks, rather than his driving ability and I’ve been cheering him on ever since!

Lisa: I became a fan through my friends but then when my husband and I got together we went to a race our first summer together and seeing and feeling it live was what really hooked me.

Do you travel to races? Do you accommodate your schedule to be able to watch races?

Carrie: I live in Florida and have been to a few different races in Daytona. The last race I attended was the Daytona 500 in 2008. Although I love watching the races on TV, it’s always exciting to be there in person. You can just feel the energy! Now that I’m a mom, traveling is limited but I hope that when my girls are old enough we can take them to a race one day!

Julee: I’ve never been to a NASCAR race in person. My dad and I usually watch the races together on Sundays.

Lisa: I’ve never traveled for a race but would consider it. We used to plan around races more but it’s hard now with my kids getting older and having so many activities, so now we just DVR races.

So, are you loyal only to NASCAR or do you also watch Indy League racing?

Carrie: I’m loyal to NASCAR. I’ve tried many times to watch the Indy League but I just can’t do it.

Julee: Indy Legue Racing is only watched over Memorial Day weekend at our house. It’s not a big deal if we find ourselves camping instead.

Lisa: I only watch NASCAR. It’s hard for me to get into if I don’t know the drivers, so I stick with just Sprint series.

Most importantly, who’s your driver?

Carrie: I’m a Dale Earnhardt, Jr fan!

Julee: Out of loyalty I cheer on Jeff Gordon…always.

Lisa: I have several favorites but they change as the years go by so really its the sport I love.

While they are not scientific findings, it was refreshing to see that, for the most part, the answers these ladies gave fall in line with what is generally being said about female race fans. They are loyal, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and passionate!

What about you? Does NASCAR rev your engine?

photo credits: Rubbertoe and Rob Harris on Flickr

I know the snow has been the bane of many at the moment but there are some instances that an abundance of snow is a blessing.  Personally, I like all kinds of travel but I think I’m more of a mountain/snow person than a beach/sun person.  Those who know me know that I’m happiest when I’m at the top of a mountain soaking in the view before I hit the slopes with my husband and family on our snowboards.

I had only ever gone riding in the west (CA, UT, CO, AK and BC in Canada) but recently I had the pleasure of being invited to experience Sugarbush Resort in VT.  The fun thing was that not only was it my birthday weekend (which I got to share with my best friends) but also, I got a chance to experience a Learn To Ski/Snowboard weekend.  After almost 20 years of snowboarding, I figured I was ready to ‘Learn to Ski’ again.  The last time I put on skis, I was in my late teens and they were straight skis and super long.  (Yeah, and I may have been sporting a headband and raybans as well.  So like totally awesome!) The technology has changed so much over the past two decades and I was ready to give it shot.  My daughter skis now and I thought I would be great to be able to have the choice to ski or snowboard.

Me & My BFF's Chris & Shanna

So as a guest of the fabulous folks at Cabot Creamery and Ski Vermont, we joined Susie and Chelsee of We Are Not Martha and Robyn Moreno of BePracticallyPosh to take the ‘First Timers’ challenge.

Sugarbush has a really amazing program where if you are a true first-timer to skiing or snowboarding, for only $230 you can take a 3-Day First Timer Package and then at the end of the third lesson, you get a SEASON PASS to Sugarbush.  What a brilliant way to not only encourage learning but also incentivize them to keep coming back to enjoy their new skills.   Sugarbush is only a few hour drive from Boston, Providence and New York and if you like to fly (like me), it’s a quick one hour flight into Burlington and just a 40 minute drive to Warren, VT from there.  It really IS perfect for a weekend trip with the family or a couple of friends.

So our weekend was to show it’s never to early (or late) to learn to ski or snowboard. In our group, we had ladies representing 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50 year-olds and yes, one wonderful newbie who was finally learning to ski at 60. Her kids had skied for years and now, it was her turn!

Here’s a video of our Team Snow How experience at Sugarbush.

There is no way that I could do a better job of showing what our weekend was all about than the girls at WeAreNotMartha did so check out all the fabulous details there.   The folks at Cabot and Ski Vermont really thought of everything.  You could tell how much care was put into the entire experience.

I’m not surprised though because the more I find out about people behind Cabot, it makes total sense, they do things from the heart…but that’s a whole other post.

There is still so much time left in the season and you might as well put all this snow to good use.  Here’s more information about Sugarbush tickets, accommodations and special events.  They also have great women’s programs and a resourceful ‘Parent’s page’ that answers a bunch of questions you might have.  I highly recommend it.

Thanks to our hosts Roberta Macdonald, Jen Neary and Candace Karu from Cabot, Kathy Murphy from Ski Vermont, the impressive President of Sugarbush, Win Smith, along with our instructors Gary and Meredith and ski legend John Eagan as well as renaissance-man (pro-snowboarder/video producer/graphic designer/cool daddy)  Sean Neary for the Team Snow How video, his bad-ass designs for our Drop goggles & gloves and for escorting me on one last run before we had to go.

Thanks again for such a lovely experience oh and by the way, that habanero cheese is ree-dic-u-lous!

Note: I attended this event where my travel, accommodations and lessons were gratis. There were no obligations to recap my experience and all opinions in this post are my own.