Exfolimate: Exfoliating 2 piece Face and Body System #Review #FaceBodyTool

I admit it, I am addicted to exfoliating and even use a machine once a week that delivers at-home Microdermabrasion results. I still do a mild exfoliating treatment every couple of days to keep everything smooth and dead skin cells at bay. Being that I prefer no chemicals like using an acid based peel, I am always hunting for devices that may deliver the same or better results.

In comes Exfolimate with a simple scraper system. It gently removes dead skin cells in a more gentle manner, not requiring any acid based peels or rotating discs. The simplicity continues when it comes to use. You have a larger size remover that is for the body and the smaller is for the face. The handle is made out of a plastic, while the part that makes contact with your skin is made from metal. The idea is to run the Exfolimate over your skin to aid with the removal of dead skin cells and any debris (i.e. clogged pores), leaving you with a smoother looking and feeling surface.

Retail Price Point: $29.99 via Amazon and with Amazon Prime membership, the Exfolimate ships for free.

• Each Kit includes (1) Face Exfolimate and (1) Body Exfolimate

 

Verdict:

The Exfolimate system is easy to use and will always be a better option that using your nails or a wash cloth as an exfoliating method. I found the handle and size to be ergonomic and easy to hold in use.  No discs to worry about changing, chemicals that may cause irritation and/or redness. The Exfolimate can also be sanitized by using alcohol after each use to avoid any bacteria from building up. I used the system in between my Microdermabrasion treatments (usually 3 days after) to keep my skin feeling smooth, so think of it as a “touching-up” method. Th Exfolimate glided easily and was painless both in use and how it performed. I still prefer a scrub over the Exfolimate and this is because a scrub can be purchased with anti-aging or acne treating properties. I still have to wash my face, so I see using a scrub as a multi-tasker versus the Exfolimate being a one use only tool. The other stickler was the price point. I just do not see paying $30 for what pretty much breaks down to being a scraper for your skin. I get the functionality but again, this is a piece of plastic and a thin metal strip. Now, I did find the body tool more useful as I find it a waste to use a scrub intended for my face on my body. I usually purchase sugar based scrubs for body exfoliating, but I can see using the tool more on my legs and especially when some shaving creams/gels tend to leave an undesired residue behind. I can see wanting a Exfolimate for the body but again, I just can’t see the price versus results here. It was one of those things where the item did not hurt me but also did not help me (kind of thing).

Connect with Exfolimate at:

• Online
• Amazon
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• #Exfolimate #FaceBodyTool

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Exfolimate. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Advertisement

HouseParty: Chromecast with a side of Game of Thrones Premeire Event and #Review #ChromecastGOT #Sponsored

It always seems like the best shows take forever to come back, and Game of Thrones, Season 6 was no different. Pretty soon I will start forgetting what happened the season before if they keep doing this! I knew (spoiler alert!!!!) Jon Snow was killed but was unsure if he would stay dead, plus all the other stuff with all the families….okay, it’s starting to sound like a soap opera but this one is always a bloody one, which I tend to enjoy shows like this. When Houseparty said Game of Thrones party, plus Chromecast……I just heard the first part and said yes and told myself I’ll learn about the second part.

I already own a “stick” from another company, so even though we went so long getting rid of antennas you could see on television sets, here we go sticking devices on them again. I will say at least these “bunny ears” need no foil, or someone to hold them (did I just date myself here?). Chromecast is another device used for streaming, which just plugs in via an HDMI port on your television. You need a Wi-Fi network and Chromecast also has an app for phones (or mobile devices), and computer. Easy to install and disconnect…..but what does it do? Well it opens up a new world of entertainment from movies, television shows (both new and old), to sporting events, music and even games. You are also not limited when it comes to viewing from streaming sites like:

• YouTube
• NetFlix
• Hulu
• HBO Now
• Showtime Anytime
• MLB.TV
• to Watch ESPN and More!
• There are over 200,000 movies and TV shows at your fingertips, plus millions of songs to access. Okay, that is a lot!

Retail Price Point: At just $35, Chromecast allows you to cast from your iPhone, iPad, any Android device or laptop and television. You can learn more here about what Chromecast.  HBO Now is just $14.99 a month and no television package is required!  Plus, HBO Now offers a free trial for new members.

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What comes with your Chromecast:

1. One Chromecast Unit (You can pick from black, coral or lemonade). Available at places like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Staples and the Google Store. Coral and Lemonade are exclusive colors to the Google Store.
2. One Power cable
3. One Power adapter

• Ports/Connectors needed-
  HDMI
  Micro-USB
• Resolution- 1080p

Game of Thrones Map

Game of Thrones Journal

Verdict:

I already have HBO, so that means I have HBO Go but decided to check out HBO Now for this premiere event.  Sunday gets here and I have planned for this event all week.  I wanted to serve something new and out of the ordinary, so I went with Lobster Raviolis on a bed of spinach, with large prawns.  Needed something round (Hey, the Chromecast is round in shape), so went with a homemade pizza, topped with sausage, pepperoni, bell peppers, red onion on a bed of 4 different cheese blends.  Call it the Stark Pizza, if the Stark family served pizza 🙂 Plugging in the Chromecast is really as easy as plug and go.  I know many of these units sometimes state this and then when you get ready to be entertained, half the entertainment is getting them to work.  We experienced zero issues with connecting, our Wifi network being recognized and watching.  The Chroecast also plays nice with the surround sound system, so you do not lose the quality of sound if you have a home system and the resolution was as beautiful as ever.  So, Game of Thrones comes on and the first episode of season 6 starts playing.  I thought I would have more of my questions answered but I ended up with more questions at the end of the episode.  My weeks now seem longer until Sunday arrives again!  Being part of this event was fun because Houseparty included a nice journal to keep and I got to play with a new device.  I like being able to see what these units bring and will be signing up to one of the movie streams (30-day free trial) because of it.  I figured give them a try again since I was happy staying connecting, which when I first tried the service, that was not as easy before with another unit.  The price point for everything the Chromecast brings to your television and other devices makes it an affordable purchase, plus not trying to find room for another box on the entertainment console is very much appreciated.

Pizza a la Stark

Lobster Raviolis with Grilled Prawns

 

Connect with Chromecast and HBO at:

• Chromecast
• Chromecast (Google Store)
• HBO Now
• HBO Now on Facebook
• HBO Now on Twitter
• Game of Thrones
• #ChromecastGOT #GameOfThrones #HBONow #Sponsored #HouseParty

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Chromecast and HBO. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Blissful Lotus: Lotus Flower Incense Burner and Votive Tea Light Candle Holder #Review #LotusIncenseBurner

When it comes to candles and decor, I am always seeking something unique that adds both beauty but usefulness too. A double-duty item!

Blissful Lotus offers a lotus flower shaped incense burner, which is cast from plastic (poly-resin) and hand painted. The lotus center has holes, which would hold the incense sticks. You can also use the holder as a tea candle/votive holder, so it has several different uses.

Verdict:
The item came nicely wrapped and in a white colored box. Upon opening the box, the first detail I noticed, was that the bottom of the lotus has a painted flower too (almost like a brand emblem) however the glaze/coating used to protect the paint, was only applied about 3/4 of the way. You can actually notice the brush stroke and color change, since a clear coating tends to give that “wet look” when the sealant is applied. Yes, it’s the bottom of the holder, however this also means as you move it, use it and/or place it in different rooms, the paint will begin to flake off the plastic and leaving black colored flakes behind. It’s the small details that only took one more second when the sealant was applied. Next, comes the holes, which represent the center of the lotus flower. Some are bigger in circumference and depth. This means my incense sticks do not rest properly in some and only at a slant in others, while some holes are just too small. This limits how many holes I can use because of how the uniform shaped incense sticks rest in the uniformed holes! Some of the holes look like the form used when the plastic was injected, had debris and you get that look of clumping when casting (old material mixed with the new injected one). Yes, the item is plastic and a small drop will not break it, however I don’t plan to be careless and especially with an item that most times will have a slow burning incense stick or candle going. Last but not the least, the paint job. When the original image does not represent the care the final piece was made with. Okay, if the product retailed for $4.99 or something, not okay when it retails for $13.99! Yes, a plastic flower that really the only thing it has going for it is weight, meaning no worry of tipping if you are even are able to use 1/2 the holes with incense sticks that are a little fatter than usual but that is about it. Real wood or glass items cost less and some of the wood ones even come with brass metal details…….it’s hard for me to just tell you buy it, it’s cute. I will be drilling the holes to at least have a matching size so my sticks rest evenly too, and then painting it. Again, a craft project where the items costs almost $14 is not something I can push even with the positive spin I am sharing here because I dislike just throwing something away if I can save it.

Connect with Blissful Lotus and they sell just this one item, at:

• Amazon

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Blissful Lotus. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Romwe Limited: Bohemian Shirt style dress in Navy Blue #Review #Romwe

I am always looking for affordable fashion options and especially with designs that are hot now and won’t be so hot later. Most times I make purchases with the idea I want the items to last, so I opt for classical styles and I must admit, my wardrobe starts to look kind of boring. Everything starts looking alike and the difference may be same cuts but in different colors or patterns.

In comes Romwe, and they distribute both via their website and on Amazon. Buying clothes on-line can be iffy at times. You just don’t know how sizing runs and certain production lines may run true to fit, while then you get a huge swing where items start then running large. Being that I was new to Romwe, I decided to play it safe and ordered one size up. Romwe differs where they list how their sizes run for each item, but I did notice where I may be a small in one version/style, I could easily jump to a medium in another style. Like with every female we run into issues where some shirts you just don’t want to pop out of!

I selected two items to review and now comes the Bohemian Shirt style dress in a blue toned fabric. Being that I have Prime on Amazon, I did not experience a delay in delivery. All items were in stock and shipped rather quickly. This is where I had a difficult time choosing a size that fir accordingly because of the dimensions listed.

Sizing (as listed on Amazon):

• XS: Bust:31.5 inch, Length:32 inch,Sleeve Length:22.8 inch
• S: Bust:32 inch, Length:32.5 inch,Sleeve Length:23 inch
• M: Bust:33.5 inch, Length:33 inch,Sleeve Length:23.2 inch
• L: Bust:35 inch, Length:33.5 inch,Sleeve Length:23.4 inch

Retail Price Point: Via Amazon, the dress is $24.19 and free shipping if you have Prime membership.

There is no waist or hip size! I looked at the dress on-line and noticed there was not a fabric listed, so I had no idea if the dress had give or not. I figured if the dress was too tight in the chest area, a tank top could fix that.  I opted on going with a size that is more true fit on the chest, thinking it would then flow a little loose on the waist and hips, as per the style (fitting) on the model. I went with a size Small. The dress gets here and I should have gone with an X-Small! The dress is very largely cut and the dimensions listed are not a true representation. I love the style but the cut (final piece) is not sewn or like the picture, and this is the one I had higher hopes on. I call it a tarp but my Husband calls it a frock. If you have a waist, it’s all lost in the shirt. The dress has pockets, creating again that replication of bunching that I had with the first dress where it was sewn. There is no light flow to the fabric, as it is 100% polyester. This means no breathable feeling when worn. I’m short, so the arms were a perfect length but because there is elastic at the ends, my elastic band is still loose around the wrist. I attribute this to going a size up even though my chest/breast area is between a 33 and 34, this dress is lose there but the sewing on the shoulders……well, it was not done evenly. The shoulder area (seam) rests on the front of my shoulders, not on the shoulders themselves. Think collarbone. The dress is closed on the front by one stitch, which cause a gap if you move in it. I will be removing the stitch to stop this from happening and altering it so a tank top shows, but not so down that my undies show. This will also fix that forward like feeling of where the seams rest. My pockets sag because that is how much fabric gathers at the hips and waist. I think if we knew the model’s size (height, dimensions and waist/hip sizing because mine looks like it belongs on a large versus a small). If I ordered an extra small and the seamstress was the same one……well, the seams issues would have been the same. I wanted to love this dress but I think mine was just cut way too big on the bottom to be able to enjoy it and it look flattering on me. One thing is a little baggy for comfort/casual and another thing is so baggy that I am swimming in it.  The reason for the extra star, I can fix this dress.  I have a sewing machine and will be altering it but this is not always an option for everyone.  I also noticed by the reviews, the sizing is all over where some reviewers found the dress to fitting and some to loose.  I again attribute this to maybe this design the sewing/fitting is all over the place.  Kind of how the sleeve states 3/4 length but on the model that is not the case.  My dress also does not rest shorter on the front and longer on the back, it’s just the same all around.

 

Romwe Promo Codes

• Save 15% each on Qualifying items offered by ROMWE Limited when you purchase 2 or more. Enter code 97292H6W at checkout.
• Save 30% each on Qualifying items offered by ROMWE Limited when you purchase 4 or more. Enter code BQSKZAOC at checkout

 

Connect with Romwe Limited On-line at:

• On-line
• Amazon
• Product Link
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• #Romwe

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Romwe Limited. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

ROMWE Limited Dress: Nude Colored Slip with a Black colored Lace Pattern overlay (Women’s V neck & Short Cap sleeve) #Review #Romwe

I am always looking for affordable fashion options and especially with designs that are hot now and won’t be so hot later. Most times I make purchases with the idea I want the items to last, so I opt for classical styles and I must admit, my wardrobe starts to look kind of boring. Everything starts looking alike and the difference may be same cuts but in different colors or patterns.

In comes Romwe, and they distribute both via their website and on Amazon. Buying clothes on-line can be iffy at times. You just don’t know how sizing runs and certain production lines may run true to fit, while then you get a huge swing where items start then running large. Being that I was new to Romwe, I decided to play it safe and ordered one size up. Romwe differs where they list how their sizes run for each item, but I did notice where I may be a small in one version/style, I could easily jump to a medium in another style. Like with every female we run into issues where some shirts you just don’t want to pop out of!

Size Chart (as listed on Amazon):

• XS: Shoulder:14.0 inch, Bust:33.3, Waist Size:26.0 inch, Length:32.8 inch, Sleeve Length:2.6 inch
• S: Shoulder:14.4 inch, Bust:34.8 inch, Waist Size:27.6 inch, Length:33.1 inch, Sleeve Length:3.0 inch
• M: Shoulder:14.8 inch, Bust:36.4 inch, Waist Size:29.1 inch, Length:33.5 inch, Sleeve Length:3.3 inch
• L: Shoulder:15.2 inch, Bust:38.0 inch, Waist Size:30.7 inch, Length:33.9 inch, Sleeve Length:3.7 inch

 

Retail Price Point: On Amazon, the dress retails for $22.32 and ships free if you are a Prime member.  This means returns/exchanges are also free for Prime members!

I selected two items to review and I will first start with the dress I ordered. Being that I have Prime on Amazon, I did not experience a delay in delivery. All items were in stock and shipped rather quickly. The dress arrives and the pattern matches the one that is pictured, with a nude colored slip and a black colored lace pattern, which overlays nicely over the slip. I am a size 33 to 34 in the chest/breast area but a C cup, so I ordered a Medium size in this version. Waist is stated as a 29 (I’m a 27-28) and I found it rather larger than stated, closer to a 31. The stomach area (hips) is large again, like it bunches a bit due to the sewing detail Romwe added. When you look at the dress on-line, you see those pleats on the bottom of the dress? Well, the seamstress that did the dress sort of bunched the material a bit so above the pleats, I have two small bunches of fabric that causes that extra room. Not a big deal because it creates comfort but I would have liked a more fitting (tighter/neater) when it comes to the sewing. I think too much fabric was left to create the pleats but thing created extra tummy room too.  The dress flairs out towards the bottom if you move (just like with the model pictured) and because I’m a short girl, my dress is not as short as it is on the model but again, it adds to the comfort level. So, my little black dress is not as little as I wanted it to be but then again, I was playing it safe and ordered a size up. The fabric has no odd chemical order and smells almost freshly laundered, so I appreciated that. The fabric is not scratchy and I found zero snags. Now, you recall how I mentioned bunching of fabric? Well, the same bunching happened to my zipper, which is located on the side of the dress to give the article a nicer flow in pattern when worn. My zipper has a hiccup 3/4 up and thankfully because the dress is roomy, I can easily insert my index finger while my Husband takes the zipper the other 1/4 up. My finger serves as a smooth bridge, so the zipper can travel over, negating the bunching of fabric.  The bunch thankfully can not be seen when worn (even if I lift my arms) because the lace on top helps mask the beige fabric underneath, so the knot of material is undetectable. I look at everything above and weigh in on the price point. It’s fair for a dress of this quality and most importantly, this style. I have not washed mine yet and will be doing so on extra gentle and with Woolite for dark. I can see as long as I treat the dress nicely, the dress should last me the amount of wears I desire to have out of it. If when the zipper no longer can make the jump over the fabric that gathered, by then an almost $25 investment would have yielded a bargain on a really pretty style of dress. It’s comfortable, has a sexy flair and it’s great for a little date night! It looks like it cost more than what it is priced at so this is a win-win in my book. Perfect!

 

Romwe Promo Codes

• Save 15% each on Qualifying items offered by ROMWE Limited when you purchase 2 or more. Enter code 97292H6W at checkout.
• Save 30% each on Qualifying items offered by ROMWE Limited when you purchase 4 or more. Enter code BQSKZAOC at checkout

 

Connect with Romwe Limited On-line at:

• On-line
• Amazon
• Product Link
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• #Romwe

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Romwe Limited. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Just Jan’s: Jams, Preserves, Curds, Marmalade……Fruit Spreads and More #Review! Plus, a Meyer Lemon Sponge Cake #Recipe

Being a fruit lover and especially when made into purees and spreads, the one thing I find difficult in locating, is good jams and the such. The market is flooded with everything from gourmet brands, local “Farmers Market” varieties, to the common major brands and store brands. You flip a jar over and you find that there is much more going on than just the fruit. Heck, sometimes even the fruit itself is last on the list and I’m sorry but when you advertise a spread as Raspberry, but you start with apple, pear, and white grape……I may smell Raspberry in the jar but that is as close as I may be getting to one! Jars of shame is what they should be called! I no longer even venture further if the list of ingredients starts wrong, no matter the art/picture in the front, if the prominent fruit pictured is not the only fruit being used. You tell me Raspberry and the next question should be with seeds or seedless? Not, red dyes, strawberry as a filler, and flavor enhancers, plus an emulsifier here and there to hold the lab experiment together. I desire simple, real and honest ingredients.

Just Jan’s Gift Pack

Great way to try the most popular varieties

Made the same honest way as the all the other spreads

 

When Tryazon offered me the Just Jan’s campaign, I first did some nosing around. I did not want to take a spot away if in the end by just looking at the list of what makes this stuff…..well, is not to my liking. I first spot the “About Us” page and notice that Jan started this company in 2012. Has a dog in the picture (always a plus) and I see no preservatives, 14% lower in sugar and refusing to compromise quality or flavor. Okay, Jan, you are my long lost twin! I found ya! So, I quickly sign-up and especially when the Fig fruit spread and Lemon curd were the focus of the campaign. Hard finding a good fig spread. So many are figgy jello like spreads that sort of spread in a lumpy manner even though they have few seeds and fruit. It’s like the sugar water they made, found a way to keep together wants to stay forever together. It then tastes like if someone just took fig juice and jarred it. No backbone to the product and it’s really mostly water and sugar…..oh, and some even get cute and add caramel coloring. The only thing cute is Jan’s dog and after that, she is serious about the 13 different products she offers.

Retail Price Point: $6.95 to $7.50 per jar.  Each jar measures a generous 10 ounces.  My gift pack is the “green gift pack“.  The green gift pack sells for just $15.00 and comes with 6 jars.  This pack includes, Kadota Fig, Tangerine Marmalade, Meyer Lemon Curd, Muscadine Grape, Apricot, and Seedless Raspberry.  They sell a red gift pack but it seems to be out of stock at the moment.

Meyer Lemon Curd

Made Simply!

I started off with tasting the Lemon Curd. I buy two different brands and one being from Trader Joe’s. Jan’s has a more lemon flavor, is less yellow in color and less sweeter. The curd is lighter in texture too. This means I can have more options when using it. I decided from the get go making a marbled Meyer Lemon pound cake. As the days passed and I ate this curd. That seemed like the lazy way out. I wanted the spread to be the focus more. So, I changed it around and decided on a Meyer Lemon Sponge Cake! It’s still Spring and Summer is like right there, just a few inches away from getting into pool weather, so why not a more lighter and delicate dessert. This also allowed me to make Jan’s Meyer Lemon Curd the focal point. You also need no milk or butter because again, this about the Meyer Lemon Curd popping!

Let’s Begin……

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs at room temperature (divided)
• 3.5 ounces of Sugar
• 1/2 a teaspoon of Vanilla
• 1/2 a Zest of a Meyer Lemon, Sweet Lemon or just a normal Lemon
• 1/4 cup of Lemon Juice from the lemon you used for zest
• 1/2 cup of Cake Flour
• Jan’s Meyer Lemon Curd (about a teaspoon to a tablespoon of spread per cakelette, so you will need 6 teaspoons or tablespoons because you add the amount you are comfortable with)

This recipe is a super easy and fast to make. Set the oven to warm at 350 degrees and I used the Convection mode.

Then divide the eggs and first whip the egg whites until firm and form peaks. Not soft peaks or super firm ones, just peaks (somewhere in between). Scoop the egg whites out and set aside.

Then add to the mixing bowl the 2 yolks, the sugar, the zest, the lemon juice and the vanilla. Whip for about a minute and stopping in between to scrape down and around, just so everything mixes well.

Then in intervals, add 1/2 of the egg whites and 1/2 of the amount of cake flour. Whip quickly and stop the moment it combines about 75% of it coming together. Scrape down and around, and then add the remaining of the ingredients until combined.  Again making sure to not over whip. You can also try the folding technique if you do not trust yourself by folding in the egg whites and flour. This makes sure you do not break the cake batter.

First portion of flour

Combined with the first half of the egg whites

Repeat agaian

Then take 6 (buttered or cooking spray) ramekins and fill them evenly with the batter. The batter should fill about 6 of the smaller ramekins leaving none to waste.

I used a baking spray

Filled Ramekins ready for bakin

Bake for 15 minutes. Then take the almost set cakes out and add Jan’s Meyer Lemon curd to the center (amount of your choosing) and return to bake between 4 to 5 minutes.

Cakes that baked at the 15 minute mark

I opted for a tablespoon of Just Jan’s Meyer Lemon Curd (in the center)

You can eat them warm by flipping them upside down and they taste like a Molten Meyer Lemon cake that is moist and light in texture (airy).

You can also eat them cooled by serving them in the ramekin and you can dust then lightly with powdered sugar or even serve them with ice cream. A dessert that is done in 20 minutes and gives you the option of eating both warm or at room temperature!

 

Verdict:

Phenomenal cake!  You can make these cakes with pretty much any of Just Jan’s spreads.  The juice and zest are optional and you can add a little more vanilla, even orange zest with juice, extracts of different flavors, and so on.  Imagine a center dollop of Just Jan’s Raspberry in the center of a lemon flavored cake?  Replace some of the cake flour (about a 1/4 cup) with unsweetened cocoa powder and you can create chocolate sponge cakes!  The possibilities are endless and in 20 minutes, you are munching!  The Just Jan’s fruit spreads were very well received.  No one found a negative thing to say and the most common thing said, “so fruity and not sugary, I like that.”  It’s nice to know I am not the only one that found ways to avoid jams, preserves, and spreads because they just stopped being what they were suppose to be.  It’s a way to preserve a fruit so you can enjoy it at any season.  Just Jan’s did just that and in the good way!  Thank you Jan and cute dog 🙂

Connect with Just Jan’s and find your favorite fruit spread (plus they carry a few savory blends) at:

• Online
• Where to Buy
• Order On-line
• Facebook
• Twitter
• #JustJanJams #JustJan #Tryazon

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Just Jan’s and Tryazon. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

 

The Utlimate Tea Storage Device: The TeaBook #Review #TheTeaBook

Being a coffee and tea drinker, I always found it kind of humorous when looking at kitchen canisters, and the set came with one that was labeled tea, one coffee container, one flour and so forth. I use 4 different types of flours alone, so I usually stick my bread flour in the container because it’s the one most used. I would not be able to do this with my tea or coffee selections. Impossible! We use too many varieties, seasonal flavors and the 3 to 4 stand-bys alone.

In comes a solution for tea drinkers, the TeaBook. I had my teas in boxes, canisters (mini metal ones) to them sort of filed in one of those keepsake photo boxes. Take one out now and it could mess up my “organization”, and worse if you pulled an index card out with it. My process was not working and creating a headache. I even tried having one box for floral and fruity teas, and another for chocolate and spice flavors. No sooner I outgrew one box, I then added a let’s just throw what does not fit in the other boxes in this box….box. Get where I am going? For a person that dislikes clutter and mess, this was an ongoing nightmare for me. I have to admit, I sometimes skipped on tea some nights because I did not want to deal with the boxes. Love the huge collection I have but oh’ my goodness, I am drowning in tea and not in a good way.

Retail Price Point: $21.oo Early Bird Special or $25.00 regular price.  The early bird special ends on May 18th!

Verdict:

The Teabook was created via a Kickstarter campaign. I love when companies actually succeeded in not only creating a campaign, getting support, and yielding an actual final product. The books are simple as can be. You get pages with plastic inserts, each insert holds a tea bag that you can easily see, access, and use. No other tea bags tumbling and the entire book holds a generous 144 individual bags. I don’t like my flavors mixing and this again fixes that. You can create one page for floral notes, another for fruit blends, spicy varieties, black teas and so forth. No rules and you organize to fit your needs and I call that self customization there! The binder has a smooth finish and made of partially recycled and recyclable materials. Environmentally friendly and the cover feels smooth and soft, sort of like leather even though it is not. No dyes that smell off either because the materials are non-toxic and BPA free. Just a clean finish and the book comes in 5 different colors. Again, as your collection and tastes grow, the binders grow along with you. The binder also weighs only 2 pounds when filled. So much lighter than my box method, which failed and was not exactly organized. Now, if you buy teas in bulk or tins, the binder method does not work but those come labeled (or you label the container if you purchase in bulk bags). That is the only flaw if you really want to find one but 65% of my collection is in bags and this is a real solution to the most messiest problem, of keeping them in order and still being able to see each individual bag. Never lose a tea bag in a stack again!

Checkout the TeaBook at:

• Online
• Facebook
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I received the above product(s) free of charge from The TeaBook. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Candle Warmers Ect.: Candle Aire Fan Fragrance Warmer in Fleur de Lis style #Review #CandleWarmers

When you cook and bake, it tends to make the house smell like whatever you are making. This may be a good thing or a bad one. Cooking onion and burgers, plus baking fries is a welcoming aroma before you eat and two hours after you ate…..not so welcoming. I most times have to bake before I cook dinner to allow desserts to cool down like pies, cakes, and the sort. So, that sweet smell that I wish would linger longer, gets killed by whatever meal I am making for dinner. One thing I dislike and almost more than dust, is smelling the next morning what I made for dinner the night before. It drives me up a wall, so I am always fighting smells in the home.

I buy candles, pods, blocks, oils, you name it. I purchase my scents after a holiday to use the next holiday in order to save some money. There are some scents I like all year around, even though companies label them seasonal and only for Spring or Fall. Clean linens are a scent that I enjoy all year around. Most recently I purchased a few of those boxes that contain those blocks of wax, which you melt to release a scent. I cleared out the scents I liked most because I have purchased the brand before, love the fragrance this scent provides, had a bundle of coupons……to just get home and realize the fragrance was diminished in strength this time around. Yes, I saved money but not enough to justify a reformulation that really equates getting less for more. Even the amount of wax squares was cut back and now I get 2 less than when the “new style” was introduced. That is another thing that gets to me, the constant revamping. I have devices/plug-ins and sprayers that refills are no longer made for. They hit the market and poof, they leave. I get tired of buying “starter kit” after kit. I like fresh starts but not when it means plunking down more money for a new device that is just a modification to make the last one obsolete. I just don’t want to play anymore. The one thing that has lasted me is my wax melting pot. No matter the brand, that little pot will melt any fragrance rich wax block and deliver results, with just requiring one tea candle.

Retail Price Point: Warmers are $39.00 via Amazon and the candles are $15.99 via Amazon.  Shipping is free for Prime members!

Fleur de Lis Warmer

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When Candle Warmers Ect., offered to send me one of their warmers and candles, well you came to the right house. I don’t just look for pretty, I am after results. Now, I must admit that it was hard choosing between the wax warmers they carry. They are all so pretty and my heart was desiring two of them, but I went with the Fleur de Lis style. It’s a caramel colored glaze and the vessel is really pretty both in color and design. It just looks like a small jar and goes with any decor, plus the earthy tones in the glaze make it welcoming to any colors you may have in your home. Simple but gorgeous! Okay, visually the warmer got me!

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Verdict:
The warmer gets delivered and this is not a dinky device. The size is substantial and the details are more than I expected. It’s beautiful! I turn of the device and the fan is low in noise level but strong. The warmer starts delivering scent within 15 minutes that is significant in aroma. The family room is next to the kitchen and has a cathedral style ceiling. This means what you cook and bake tends to linger above you without escaping. If the air conditioner clicks on, this means the smells collected in the highest part of the ceiling now get to swim around and promptly shared with the rest of the house! Yay…..not! If it was that you can’t leave a candle unattended, I sometimes wish I could burn one at the other end of the house. No worries with the warmers from Candle Warmers Ect., the unit requires zero wicks or live flames. It’s a warming plate with a fan, the flickering light up is for effect and it does look pretty and especially when the warmer is next to a wall. The wall captures the flickering shadows quite lovely. I fried fish on a Sunday. One hour later and it smells like I just fried the fish. Five hours pass and we decide this, “I just cooked fish” smell needs to go. It’s midnight and the house, plus the bedrooms included….stink! I’m about to shower and I’m afraid my open pores are going to capture the fried cod smell and I am going to smell like fish in the morning. We put everything together at midnight, no time like the present. We plug it in and drop in the round that Candle Warmers Ect., provided. I go shower. The scent on the tin stated Sugared Citrus and 20 minutes later after I come out, I can only smell fish at the back of the house. The front area, including the family room smells like no fishy crime was committed. You smell a clean and crisp orange scent. Like a fresh orange, not some orange chemical cleaner. The fragrance is refreshing and nice, plus different from anything I have purchased at the store. I think $16 for a tin…..that is kind of high. Forty minutes later I smell zero fish. I even take the dog out to go potty in case my nose is acclimated to the house’s smell, but when I step back in, no fish. Fish gone. That $15 price tag is seeming not so high now. I use this candle day after day, after I finish cooking. Stays on about 2 to 3 hours and I still have wax left, plus I am nearing a month’s time from owning it. I probably have 2 weeks worth if I continue using it and do not get me started when my Husband left it on after we went to bed. I woke up to a citrus field and that still was okay because no worries, that is not a real candle’s flame burning! That is a major plus in my book and because the fragrance is still strong, pleasant and kills bad odors, this $15 tin is a fair price point. You got to try it and especially if you cook daily like I do.

Connect with Candle Warmers Ect. and their entire warmers and candle tin collection at:

• Online
• Amazon
• Warmer Link
• Candle Link
• Facebook
• Twitter
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• YouTube
• Google+
• #CandleWarmers

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Candle Warmers Ect.. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Valentia Beauty: Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum #Review #ValentiaBeauty

I have reviewed for Valentia before and this year, the company has extended their beauty line by adding new products, which cover a multitude of skin problems. Valentia uses a mix of both natural and organic ingredients to create their serums/creams, and most are multi-taskers, so you reap a lot of benefits from using just one of their products. I have said it before, the less time I can spend on my beauty regimen and still have it be effective, is the more time I can spend doing other things like getting my Spring gardening done!

Valentia’s new product is called the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum. The new serum replaces several of your products by covering such areas as:

• An anti-aging serum, which combats fine lines. Both a prevention and a treatment when it comes to aging skin issues.

• Even though the product is a light serum formula, the user still benefits from deep hydration and moisturizing properties.

• This deep hydration helps replenish loss of moisture, which helps aid with the “plumping effect”. Your skin achieves a tighter appearance by addressing tone and texture issues you may be experiencing, to elasticity.

• You also get benefits from antioxidants rich ingredients and a combination of extracts that aid with achieving a youthful and more brighter appearance. Think of a healthy glow and this serum will help with evening out any pigmentation problems that come from acne scars, sun damage, and so forth.

Ingredients (as listed on the bottle):
Citrus Aurantium (Orange Hydrosol), Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera), HamamelisVirginiana (Witch Hazel), Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide (botanical hyaluronic acid), GlobulariaCordifolia Callus Culture Extract (plant stem cells), Sodium Lactate, UndariaPinnatifida Cell Culture Extract, Organic SimmondsiaChinensis (Jojoba Oil), d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Organic GlycyrrhizaGlabra (Licorice), Wildcrafted Arnica Montana (Arnica), Organic ArganiaSpinosa (Argan Oil), Proprietary Silk Protein Amino AcidBlend, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, (2s)-2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic Acid, Citrus ClementiaHortext Tan (Clementine Essential Oil), Camellia Oil, Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehip Seed Oil), Organic CentellaAsiatica (Gotu Kola), Wildcrafted Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), WildcraftedTaraxacumOfficinale (Dandelion), Wildcrafted Geranium Maculatum (Wild Geranium), Alcohol, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol

Retail Price Point: The serum costs $35.00 for a 1.18 ounce bottle. You can find the product on Valentia’s website and on Amazon.  If you are an Amazon Prime member, shipping is also free.

Verdict:

I tried the new Clear Lift Revitalizing serum from Valentia for 3 weeks. The serum is very light when applied and just a thin coat is needed upon application. The first thing I noticed, was the serum is quickly absorbed. I lightly rubbed after to see if any residue would peel up like with other serums, but no residue was detected. This means I can use the serum before applying my foundation primer and not expect little rolled up balls of serum after. My make-up also did not separate hours later after application, so that is a plus when you can add a new product that does not effect the ones you already use. My skin remained hydrated and plump, which was the first change I noticed. My fine lines did not increase but because the serum gives my skin a nice glow and smoothing effect, it made that area of my skin appear smoother. I never experienced any break-out or blemishes, such as clogged pores either. By week two, the healthy glow remained after washing my face and the smoothing effect was both felt and seen. I had softer skin. I have light colored freckles on the top of my cheeks, which did not lighten but I am only within 3 weeks of treatment. I have not noticed any color changes on the one acne scar I have but not even retinol works this quick either, at least with the OTC products. I usually see color changes with 4 to 5 weeks, unless the product is heavy on “cell turnover accelerators”, which can sometimes cause redness, so I prefer the slow and sure thing when it comes to this process, which Valentia’s new Clear Lift Revitalizing serum seems to provide. My biggest positive change has been being able to drop two products, like my Vitamin C serum and the Lactic Acic in the serum helps renew my skin quickly. Simple to use and affordable when you start adding up the products that equate what this one serum can provide. I save money and time by using this multi-tasker!

 

Connect with Valentia at:

• On-line
• Product link
• Amazon
• Facebook
• Instagram
• #ValentiaBeauty

 

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Valentia Beauty. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Simlu: Long Tunic Tank Top with Criss-Cross straps #Review #Simlu

In the world of fashion, sometimes a simple tank that stays put, keeps it’s shape and lasts is not and easy find. So many of my tank tops have been made into pajama tops, gardening tops and even clothing I paint and do crafts in because they just did not make the cut when it came to everyday wear. The last thing I want to do, is fight with my clothes. Quality matters in both materials and dyes used. I have so many kind-of-black tank tops because after a few washes and even using Woolite for darks, the black turned more like a bluish tint or has that ever loved white haze some black clothing get. I wash everything of this kind even in the delicate cycle and that still can not make a difference when you just start with a bad purchase.

Like everyone, I buy on sale because paying full price is just against my shopping religion 🙂 . This means I usually pay around $3 to $5 per tank top, unless I score a sale where last seasons colors are being cleared out for 4 tops for $10. I sometimes will pay $10 if the color and fit is just perfect.

When Simlu offered I try out of their tank tops at no cost, my first thought was how I buy everything on Amazon except for clothing. Amazon has a great free return policy when it comes to fashion purchases and I have tried shoes but never actual clothes. This was a new area for me!

The Simlu tank top has a cross-over strap pattern, that is already a bit different from every other tank I already own. You get comfort and shape retention by the mix of materials being used, 95% cotton and 5% spandex. I went with a simple black color, as I tend to go through this hue a little quicker because it’s a color that can exhibit age a little sooner than the others.

Retail Price Point: $10.99 for one tank top from Simlu and you can choose from three different sizes from small to large. You also have several colors to choose from, a total of 12 and shipping is free for Prime Amazon members, including returns.

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Verdict:
I received the tank top quickly and it came in a plastic bag with a sheet of tissue paper, nicely folded. So, the presentation was like kind to, which you get when ordering from a catalog. The dyes were not strong in scent and the material felt soft. It’s a long tunic, so no worries in fighting with a short tank that always needs adjusting. I usually wear a small in most brands but because I was unsure how this was going to fit in the chest area, I opted for a size medium. The tank top is a comfortable medium with a nice stretch but does not thin out like some thin cotton shirts do. The bottom area along the waist is a little bigger but because the material lays nice, I don’t look sloppy and I just get a little more added comfort. The chest area has a little bunch finish towards the center and this does add a cute detail and again different from the common tank tops that most companies sell as for “layering”. I want a tank top shirt that can be a shirt itself when needed (so not ultra thin) but also wears well when I want to wear it under a see through shirt or just under another top. The Simlu tank top fits the bill and around $10 you get the shirt, plus the shipping and that is a pretty fair price with convince added.

Connect with Simlu and check out their clothing line at:

• Amazon
• Product link
• Facebook

 

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Simlu. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.