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
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• #TheTeaBook

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.

 

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Influenster: Products that go beyond the Winter Season #Influenster #FrostyVoxBox

 

I was very excited again to get a VoxBox from Influenster. There is never a box that does not contain a new item to new brands I have never tried. This box was a beauty and food themed box, which really sums up the holiday season. The Frosty Vox Box really brought a little bit of everything from several very know brands:

 

• Rimmel London

Was very generous and gave us two products to try out that go hand-in-hand, the Gentle Eye Make-up Remover and the ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal eyeliner.  Both products are reasonably priced and that is welcomed after the holiday splurges.  What I like about the line is that their beauty items always exceed expectations and they allow me to keep up with whatever new fashion trend and/or look is in, but still be able to keep the lights on!

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• NYC New York Cosmetics

Even with the nude colors being in, we still need lipstick and sometimes things get too pale or plain.  NYC fixes that by adding a touch of color with their Expert Last Lip line in Sugar Plum. The Sugar Plum color is rosy but also sheer, with a hint of shine but thankfully not super glossy.  The last thing you want to do is look back at every picture you took in Winter and your lips are blinding everyone.  With Valentine’s Day approaching, this color again fits perfectly with the season……so not just a one holiday and done product.

 

• EcoTools Hair Brush

This is my first time using this line and I was happy that the brush kept my locks nice and smooth, did not create static and was gentle enough to not break or stress my hair.  The brush has a nice handle for easy hold and also is nicely balanced, which is appreciated when I do a ponytail look.  What I like is how easy it is to clean because even though I use a low amount of leave-in products, the oils I do use can cause our hair tools to create build-up.  Dirty bristles is not an issue with this brush!

• No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Advanced Sachet 

I was so happy when I saw this brand included and before the box arrived.  My happiness sort of faded when I noticed this was not even a deluxe sample, but more of a packet with maybe 2 uses if I am lucky.  Two uses does not mean I can be fair or even really know about performance.  I may be able to share my opinion about the texture, and this product does have a light feel and quickly absorbs.  Unfortunately, that is all I can share because results take work and time, plus I’m always willing to give it to a beauty product but that also means I need a little more than 2 applications. 🙂

 

 

• Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea

Just when I thought I was peppermint and pumpkin out with the holidays, this shows me that a tea can make the difference.  This tastes like true peppermint with it’s subtle and refreshing notes, that not only soothe but also calm me perfectly before bedtime.  Being decaffeinated allows me to enjoy this selection of herbal tea anytime I want and still get a good snooze in.

 

• McCormick Gourmet Thyme

I grow our own thyme but sometimes the cold snap we get decides I did not need that plant, so I always have thyme in dry form.  I also like to add dry ingredients with fresh ones because the flavor profile does change and even sometimes is preferred over the fresh (i.e. oregano) kind.  This jar arrived and I was happy to have more thyme and then looked at my thyme and even though it was not an aged bottle, my thyme was lacking that nice color, aroma and started to feel ashamed about how pretty the McCormick Gourmet one looked so I set it free and left this new bottle in it’s stead.

• Fruit Vines Bites

Not all can be winners and this was one again taught me all because it says cherry, it does not mean even 1% of a real cherry is in it.  Not the juice, I would have even been happy with cherry skin at this point but these vines are fruit lacking and sugar is all they bring.  I even chuckled when it came to vitamins and everything was 0%.  I know it’s candy and even for some a snack, but let me sin with something at least partially real.  I think the cherry needs an asterisk or maybe it should be called wanna-be cherry or sugar vines.  It has no preservatives but then again there is nothing real to preserve!

 

Final Verdict-

Influenster always delivers an array of products that make me re-look at what I buy, own or even want.  I brought economical beauty brands back into the mix and just like my clothes, my fashion looks now are like my beauty products……in all price ranges!  I’m happier this way and that is really what matters.  These Vox Boxes are always a hit even when I get some so-so products because trying is really the only way to know and share with others!  Thank you again Influenster for another Vox Box experience!

 

• #FrostyVoxBox
• #GetAdvanced
• #Rimmel
• #SugarPlum
• #CelestialTea
• #LoveMyECOhairbrush
• #McCormickGourmet
• #SweetSide

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Influenster. 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.

 

Celestial Seasonings: Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea #CelestialTea #FrostyVoxBox

Influenster’s Frosty Vox Box included a sample of their holiday tea, along with a coupon to save on a future purchase. I enjoyed the tea as-is with just a touch of honey. I like that the tea is decaffeinated because that means I can enjoy a cup at anytime and not worry about being too alert later, and not getting any sleep. The peppermint is not overwhelming and really makes this herbal tea different from the everyday flavors I already enjoy. Not just a holiday drink, since I have been enjoying it all Winter!

Connect with Celestial Seasonings and find your favorite at:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• On-line
• Flickr
• Pinterest
• #CelestialTea
• #FrostyVoxBox

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Influenster and Celestial Seasonings. 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.

Mighty Leaf Tea : TeaTop Brew Mug and Vanilla Bean, Organic African Nectar and Green Tea Tropical #Review and #Giveaway

I have a coffee travel mug and even a tea mug, but I have never tried a TeaTop Brew Mug until now. Like with coffee, I feel a fresh cup of tea is as desirable and even though tea holds it’s flavors and quality better than it’s counterpart, I still would like the option to brew as I go. The Mighty Leaf Tea Company not only makes this happen but the mug works perfectly with no mess or fuss. The tea bag hangs freely but you won’t lose the string, as there is a nice notch that holds it in place. When you have achieved the strength desired in your cup of tea, you simply just pull the tea bag up and the cup does the rest.  You even have a place to rest the bag away from your ready to drink tea. The insulated cup allows you to just sip and enjoy!.

Retail Price Point: $16.95 for a cup that let’s you make sure ever cup steeps perfectly every time, plus it’s snazzy looking.

When it comes to enjoyment, Mighty Leaf Tea sent a trio for me to try:

Mighty Leaf Taste of the Tropics Gift Sampler-

• Vanilla Bean
  A black tea base with a deep infusion of Vanilla Beans from Madagascar. This tea tastes as good as it smells and even though vanilla has warm notes, this tea’s flavor is so clean that you get a light and almost crisp notes. As much as I love Vanilla, it can overpower if not used wisely but that is something that Mighty Leaf tea was able to balance out with true perfection. Simple but left me craving for a second cup in no time!

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• Organic African Nectar
  This variety is tropical and almost fruity in flavor. You get nice herbal notes and a kiss of sweetness that makes you believe there is honey in your cup already. This tea uses a blend of rooibos leaves, organic hibiscus and dried blossoms. I enjoyed this blend cold by brewing a cup, allowing it to cool, and then letting it rest in the fridge to get ice cold. It went well with dinner and because it’s caffeine free, I did not have to worry on those late dinner nights either.

• Green Tea Tropical
  You have a green tea base that is accompanied by dried fruits and flowers. The blossoms are marigold petals and cornflowers.  The fruits are also not your usual citrus mixes like with other teas. Think pineapple sweetness with even notes of guava. This variety pushed all my other green teas a notch down and became my favorite. I love adding just a touch of honey to not take anything away from it but most times I just enjoy it as-is.

Retail Price Point: The above trio retails for $30.00 and you get a generous amount of tea bags. Each box has 15 whole leaf pouches…..that’s 45 cups of happiness!

Like what you saw?

Well, it’s GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

One lucky winner will be able to win the above items and Mighty Leaf Tea will send them directly to your home. It’s their nice way to share and play Santa for us! All you have to do is:

1. Sign-up to their Newsletter and you already are rewarded with a 15% off coupon towards their artisan teas
2. Follow them on Twitter
3. Follow “Like” them on Facebook
4. and please leave a comment on this blog post below

Four easy steps and it could be yours. #Giveaway starts today 12/01 and ends on 12/14. I will announce the winner on the 15th and then ask for your information, which I will forward to the company. Good Luck!!!

Connect with Mighty Leaf Tea and find your favorite tea at:

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• Pinterest

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Mighty Leaf Tea.  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 Giveaway prize will be supplied by the manufacture and items/product package may change if items above are out of stock.