Shower Bouquet: Extra Large Mesh and Lace Shower Pouf (4-Pack) #Review #ShowerBouquet

There are two things I can never have enough of, slipper socks and shower poufs.  I’m such an addict that I have boxes filled with both.  My reasoning behind my hoarding….I mean insanity…..let’s call it stocking up, is because neither has a long life span.  My slipper socks end up with thinning material at heels or even holes, and my shower poufs are one of those things that I want them to last in one piece but would like to be able to change to a new one within a reasonable amount of time for hygiene/sanitary purposes.  Soaps and body washes leave residues, so I always want to get rid of a pouf before any shows and you never want to be washing with a dirty pouf.  My problem these last few years, has been poufs that come apart.  I’ve spent from $1 to $8 per pouf in the past and price tag has never equated with quality.  Most I try to get on clearance and especially the specialty kind that have fabric textures that exfoliate and so forth.  The worst that can happen is a pouf…..well, un-poufing!  You are one week in and happy as can be and then you go to grab it, and the pouf comes apart!  Leaving you trying to try to reassemble it when it is wet and making a knot in those conditions can be frustrating, so I now want to only invest on poufs that are headache free.

In comes Shower Bouquet with a colorful 4-pack of shower poufs.  They are extra large in size and feature a combination of fabrics, lace and mesh.  The lace helps exfoliate and rid the skin of any surface dead skin cells, and the mesh makes sure you get the desirable lather when showering so you can feel clean.  The poufs from Shower Bouquet also have a long ribbon to hang the pouf from for hanging and to allow the pouf to properly dry.

 
 

Retail Price Point: $15.95 via Amazon for a 4-pack

 
 

Verdict:

I always try to find poufs in various sizes because I tend to sometimes use a body wash and other times a soap bar, so it depends what I use what pouf I select.  I look for shower poufs that are full when it comes to material because I want it to be able to hold and maintain a lather, plus I don’t want to scratch my skin if there is not enough material when using.  I also don’t want a mesh that sheds pieces with use and of course it has to hold together in one piece until I dispose of it.  Shower Bouquet’s 4-pack is perfect for me because it gives me 4 poufs that should last me about 6-8 months because you just don’t want a pouf that harbors bacteria and who knows what.  I sanitize mine with alcohol (if delicate) or in the dishwasher (top rack only) but that will only safeguard you for so long and with the price point of Shower Bouquet’s poufs, I don’t feel bad about tossing it way within a timely manner.  The poufs are not the largest I have used before because I have used some larger than these and would state they are more a fluffy size large.  The poufs are soft against the skin and makes lathering a cinch, plus you use less product when using a pouf.  I have used exfoliating type poufs in the past and this one is softer on the skin, so it’s not a feeling of a deep scrub you will get but perfect for everyday use.  Plus, the colors are bright and happy and don’t bleed dyes when you first start using them.  Yes, I have looked like a smurf when I once bought a pretty blue shower pouf that made me and the shower look a beautiful sky blue!  Shower Bouquet’s poufs don’t do that and they also remain in one piece, so chasing mesh and trying to gather it up so you can finish showering.

 

Connect with Shower Bouquet:

• Online
• On Amazon
• On Facebook
• #ShowerBouquet

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Shower Bouquet.  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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Dr. Bronner’s: Organic Baby Unscented Pure-Castle Liquid Soap, Bar of Soap and Sanitizer #Review #DrBronner

Going green or trying to simplify your beauty and hygiene routine is something we all should consider. Why? I never knew how many toxins and irritants were in beauty products until I experienced a negative reaction and unfortunately, it takes that for some us to take notice. I now adhere by the 80/20 ideology when it comes to my beauty routine. Eighty percent of products that are natural and nice to my skin and body, and twenty percent of the naughty stuff. So, my mascara and eyeliner fit in the latter category, but I have even cleaned up my nail polishes and face washes. My skin actually appreciates me being nicer to it!

I have used the Dr. Bronner’s soap collections before but not in this formulation. I was sent a nice array of products from Dr. Bronner’s:

• Unscented Pure-Castle Liquid Soap
• Lavender Organic Hand Sanitizer
• Lavender Pure-Castile Bar Soap

I love the smell of clean and this means just the freshness, minus the chemical storm I use to create. The parcel from Dr. Bronner’s had a glorious scent that was clean and just in an instant made me feel relaxed and tranquil…..and I’m high strong! I blame the lavender for trying to subdue me in the middle of the afternoon, but I enjoyed every second of emptying out that box!

Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 liquid soaps are hemp derived and I’m already on the hemp bandwagon when it comes to beauty products and solutions. I use a lip balm that saved my forever chapped lips and the miracle ingredient was simply hemp. The soaps are not only friendly to you but also the environment because they are 100% biodegradable. The Baby Unscented Pure-Castle soap is also Organic, Non-GMO certified and to add to the goodness list, Fair Trade Certified.

Ingredients (as listed on the website)-
Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Palm Kernel Oil*, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol.  *CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS
** None remains after saponifying oils into soap & glycerin

Retail Price Point: $15.29 Special Price for the 32 ounce bottle on the website. $4.49 for for the 4 ounce bottle.  Via Amazon, the 32 ounce bottle is $16.89 and free shipping for Prime members.

Verdict:
Everything is great on the outside but does the Baby Unscented Pure Castle liquid soap deliver? Yes!!!! A little goes a long way and the soap cleans but does not strip away your skin’s moisture. It actually enhances it because the product contains Olive oil and Coconut oil……two of my favorite oils that are inexpensive but packed with nutrients. The soap is unscented but we all still pick up a smell from such products and this just smells nice and clean. Think of how freshness and a clean spring morning smells and this little bottle captured it. I have caught myself giving in to a few extra sniffs when using it. The liquid soap also has many applications beyond a face and body wash. I have used the soap for:

• Washing Fruit and Vegetables
• Giving the Dog a bath and especially after her surgery where she has an incision on her belly
• Washing bird baths and because it’s gentle and kind to the surrounding, don’t mistaken that for lack of cleaning power.
• Washing down the feeders where the squirrels and raccoon come to dine.
• To even treating my roses for aphids because there is no way I would spray 40 rose bushes if I did not trust the brand.

The uses are endless and I feel safe and comfortable using the soap, so that makes me a big fan of Dr. Bronner’s products. I saw the big bottle being sold at Costco and I definitely have already picked up two and you can easily find where you can purchase their wonderful products here.

Now, for the Lavender Sanitizer. Thank you for making a sanitizer that does not dehydrate my skin or nails. I have been experiencing dryness in excess from over use and because I try not to apply lotion to my hands when I’m out shopping (don’t want dirt and grime to have a welcoming surface), my hands have gone a dusty white in color from the over dryness. Yeah, the dryness that makes even closing your hands hurt but after using only Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Sanitizer spray, all that is gone. I finally found a formula of sanitizer that is kind to me but unkind to germs!

Ingredients (as listed on the website)-
Organic Fair Trade Ethyl Alcohol (62%)*, Water, Organic Glycerin, Organic Lavender Oil *CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS

Retail Price Point: $4.99 for a 2 ounce spay bottle.

Last but not least, the Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castle Bar of Soap in Lavender scent. Let me just rename this my make-up brush cleaner. I simply shave a piece off and added it to a candle votive holder made of glass. The holder allows for easy cleaning of my brushes because I can make little circles while the soap foams and the cosmetic residue, and whatever else stuck on there, just washes off. I simply then rinse the brushes and allow them to air dry before storing. My brushes both natural and synthetic have perfect bristles that are now clean and soft. This bar will also yield many washes because it is large and the lavender scent is calming…..something a girl desires when applying make-up!

Ingredients (as listed on the website)- Organic Coconut Oil*, Organic Palm Oil*, Sodium Hydroxide**, Water, Organic Olive Oil*, Lavandin Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Lavender Extract, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Tocopherol *CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS
** None remains after saponifying oils into soap & glycerin.

Retail Price Point: $4.69 for a 5 ounce bar.

I highly recommend trying anything from the Dr. Bronner’s line of products because I am confident you will be satisfied as I am with their products.  I actually plan to try one product in each line due to how well the items I received performed.  The products may be simple in what makes them but not simple when it comes to cleaning!

Connect with Dr. Bronner and their line of products at:

• On-line (free shipping when you spend $35 or more and check-out the 15% off Monthly Specials section)
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• YouTube
• #DrBronner #MomsMeet #AllOne

 

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

 

 

 

SqueakyCleanCo’s Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer

Some days, cleanliness is next to impossible. Some days, my hands are toast from constant washing and drying. And like some people nowadays, I’m hopelessly addicted to hand sanitizer. Like, I have a bottle in every bathroom, in my purse, in the car, in the bedroom, in the garage. When Squeaky Clean offered me a bottle of their antibacterial had sanitizer to try out, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.

Good sanitizers, at their most basic levels, are pretty much the same: Copious amounts of ethyl alcohol in a glycerin suspension. There’s usually some other things to stabilize it, some fragrance, and maybe a moisturizer to keep our hands from becoming dry, cracked like an old catcher’s mitt. And because alcohol is ridiculously cheap, hand sanitizer is  affordable. I usually pick up Target’s Up & Up brand for about $5 for a 32 ounce bottle. It’s not too fancy, it’s got some weird green color to it, but it also does the job. So here’s where brands like Squeaky Clean start diverging from Purell, Up & Up, and almost every other brand I’ve tried: It’s expensive. A 16 ounce bottle is over $14 on Amazon.com. Yikes! Multiplied out, I’d be spending nearly $30 to get the same amount as what I normally pay $5 for at Target. That makes no sense.

In Squeaky Clean’s defense, their product smells divine, and the aloe and vitamin e left my hands smooth, soft and not at all dried out, plus there’s no added dyes to make it that funky green color as my usual brand. It has 62% ethyl alcohol instead of my usual 70%, so it’s more on par with Purell there too. The box it came in looked very chic and high-end, and the pump reaches to the bottom so you’re not shaking the bottle at end to use the last little bit of it. It’s delightful fragrance stays with you for some time, too. But I don’t know that those pluses are worth more than 3 times the price of leading brands. In fact, I’m sure they’re not. I like the product, it does what it says it’ll do and is what it says it is, but it’s far, far too expensive for me to recommend.

Connect with SqueakyCleanCo:

• Online
• On Amazon
• Buy your bottle here

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

Majestic Bombay: Dental Tartar Scraper and Remover Stainless Steel Set #Review #TartarScraperkit

 

Like many of us, going to the dentist and coming out with zero issues is not only welcoming news but also a positive towards our check book. In my world, I want to walk out after a cleaning and the only thing the dentist has to discuss with me, is my next appointment for another cleaning.

For many year now, I have been doing my own cleaning in-between dentist visits. I will gently scrape any build-up and at my last cleaning, the dentist stated she barely had to do anything and then started questioning me if I went somewhere else before seeing her again. Will I ever make the leap and do the cleaning myself minus the dentist? Of course not! I still need those educated eyes to look and see, plus I don’t do the polishing you get after a do-it-yourself cleaning at home.

In comes Majestic Beauty with their 3-piece Dental Hygiene Kit:

• Dental Pick
• Dental Scaling Instrument
• Dental Mouth Mirror

All the tools are stainless steel and this is wonderful when it comes to disinfecting the pieces. Easy to use and when my mirror arrived overly bent due to shipping, Majestic Beauty quickly sent out a replacement. I only needed to establish contact once to get the small issue fixed and I like that in a company. I have been using the dental tools for a couple months and with zero issues when it comes to the quality of the metal, using the tools, and I’m very satisfied with the performance of the kit. The pick has the proper curvature and my only advice and this goes with any project, learn before you start. The key is to avoid damage from tartar and plaque build-up, not give yourself damage when removing it!

Retail Price Point: $19.99 via Amazon for the kit.  You can save and purchase from the manufacture directly and pay $9.99 via their website.

Connect with Majestic Bombay at:

• On-line
• Amazon
• #TartarScraperkit

 

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

Tweez’em: Stainless Steel Tweezers for Ingrown Hair (Majestic Bombay) #MBSplinterTweeze

I have owned every type of tweezer from slanted to straight and like many of us, finding a good pair you can depend on does not come easy. Yes, there are many brands on the market and I must admit that some of my favorites, are “no-names” that came part of a manicure and/or grooming set. I then purchased higher priced brands where a mini tweezer costs over $20 and you can barely hold on to the thing if you have normal sized hands. Drove anyone I ever lend to use that tweezer crazy, but it created laughs while you are trying to dig out a splinter, so I saw it as a great distraction while you are digging into someone’s hand!

Majestic Bombay offered I try out their Twwez’em pair that was normal size and created with a pointed tip, which aids in digging out anything from splinters to ingrown hairs. I find that when it comes to reviewing devices of this kind, it comes rather easy, as they either work or they don’t. I have tweezers I have coveted over the years as the ones you depend on, so I keep those pair in a box safely.  I never had a set that even had a 50/50 rating of getting a hair. Most just snip the hair, cause bleeding and if you are lucky….both occur.  Like I said, you work or you don’t!

Retail Price Point: $9.99 on Amazon for one and comes with a plastic sleeve and a plastic cover for the tip.  The product retails for $8.99 on their website and that is with free shipping.

When the Tweeze’em set arrived, I had a small ingrown hair by my eyebrow towards the lid. One of my many older sets just cut the hair and trimmed it so nicely that the hair remained visible but impossible to pluck! Love when that happens. I tried the Tweeze’em right out of the package and noticed the tips did not meet so well, but I have pairs that look like they don’t but still perform very well. I used the tip and  attempted to lift the hair and it did but could not pluck it. I tried and tried and the skin became red and irritated, I then started to bleed, so I now was left with a visible ingrown that would get a nice scab to go with it. This ingrown hair was making friends! I then decided to try the tweezers on a normal hair that was not ingrown or short in length. Probably should have tried this first before but the idea popped into my head after. The Tweeze’em could not pluck that hair either. I tried another hair and again nothing. The tweezers are also not ergonomic when it comes to holding and using. They are straight and the metal is hard to bend closed, plus the yellow paint makes gripping difficult, as the paint was not applied smoothly. I thought the issues with the paint would aid in gripping but the uneven surface makes how you hold the tweezers difficult and especially if you have even the slightest of length on your nails (the bumps in the paint bother and some look like drips of paint running down). I can only maybe see using the Tweeze’em as a craft tool, where I don’t want paint on my hands and need to hold something that is not delicate or easy to mark. I wanted to like this pair but it just did not perform well in what it was meant to be use for……plucking a hair!

 

Connect with Majestic Bombay at:

• On-line
• Amazon
• #MBSplinterTweeze

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from the Majestic Bombay Company.  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.

 

Klout: Completely Bare Hair Removal Products #Review #CompletelyBareSummer

 

Get beach-beauty ready with completely bare!

Got another Klout Perk and this one is package that has four products from Completely Bare.  CB is a line of products that I noticed recently being stocked at our local Target. Completely Bare makes hair removal……..well, more likable and less of a chore, which I thought was not possible. I love Summer but I don’t enjoy what it takes to achieve perfectly bare skin that is nice enough to show. CB takes the hassle away, so I am always up for making the shaving, waxing, plucking…….I wish I could torch them off experience just a little nicer. No matter how much we shave, “they” always grow back!

 

• “Not Feeling It” 

It’s a numbing and cooling spray that can be used before or after you remove unwanted hair. I use the Tria Laser and can say that I do yelp when it comes to the bikini area no matter how low I have the intensity, so I feel every zap. I came to the conclusion that it hurt if I am dialed down to 1 so might as well make the pain worth it and get faster results by just going full power to level 5…..the thought made sense but that zap made me question my bravery! Let’s say I underestimated. I used the numbing spray and I still feel the zap but the yelp is not there except for a few super sensitive areas. I’ll take it! I now can brave through it and just keep telling myself it’s for a good cause 🙂 My spray was leaking due to shipping damage (nozzle was hit and it keeps oozing) , so that is why it’s in a baggy but I could still use what was left.

Product Retails: For about $9.99

 

•  “Don’t Grow There“

I have told my leg hairs that many times but they don’t listen. They have a mind of their own and I think some are even possessed, or maybe one day I was driving and cut the wrong person off and they now have a voodoo doll made of my me, in form of a topiary. I shave and they return sooner than in my opinion they should. My Voodoo Master must be using Miracle Grow! No matter what I try to barter with, my hairs are loyal to my voodoo doll owner. In comes Completely Bare with a potion that makes them listen. More of a lotion that does two jobs, moisturize and it’s laced with a hair inhibitor. Me likey already! I have tried this before from another brand and my hairs laughed at it. Not this time! Results show after 28 days of continuous use, so my magic potion has powers. I have wasted a month doing less than rubbing lotion on my legs and it works……so I claim my voodoo doll back. Mine!

Product Retails: For about $9.99

 

 

• “Bikini Bump Blaster“

Love the names because the products do perform like they are called. These pads are not like the acne pads of before, so don’t worry. These do kill bacteria with salicylic acid but also have glycolic acid to gently exfoliate and most importantly, help prevent the bumps and ingrowns from even happening. That’s Blasting in my book! I also used them on my legs and other problem areas and they work! No bumps and much better than picking, causing a scar, and without even getting the satisfaction of plucking the hair that caused the trouble!

Product Retails: For about $9.99

 

 

•  “Hypo-allergenic wax strips for: Face, Bikini, and Body“

These strips are ready to use, no heating required and the kit contains everything you need.

Kit Includes: 42 wax strips in total: 12 body strips; 18 bikini/underarm strips; 12 face strips; 6 completely off towelettes

You simply rub the strip gently between you hands to create heat, apply, and pull when it has set just a bit. Some areas you will find some wax reside left behind but nothing the towlettes can’t take care of.

Product Retails: For about $12.99

 

• Overall Results:

Overall, I was very happy with the performance of the top three products and found the wax strips performed better than most brands but some areas were tricky to wax due to the shape/size but I blame myself because I was not familiar. This is how I am at first with any wax removal product until I know what piece and/or shape works where. I like that there is finally a line of products that make the task of looking girly much easier! Thank you CB and Klout for this awesome perk!

Connect with CB and find your smooth skin at:

• On-Line- http://www.completelybare.com/store/products/category/32
• FaceBook- https://www.facebook.com/completelybare
• Twitter- https://twitter.com/completelybare
• #KloutPerk
• #CompletelyBareSummer or any season 🙂

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Completely Bare and Klout .  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.

 

Orgullosa Event: Entre Nosotras, Mi Casa es mi Estadio #Fùtbol #Orgullosa

With the FIFA World Cup matches heating up, this has been a year where record numbers are starting to tune in. I can say that I have had more “soccer” conversations than I usually did in the past. Orgullosa, a Procter & Gamble division was kind enough to treat my guests and myself to some P&G products and a little party to celebrate the event(s). I have found serving a buffet of desserts and making it a “sweet treats” event keeps the guests happy and I have mastered the art of mini pies and desserts. Finger foods and small servings lets everyone make enough room to have a little bit of everything 🙂

Let’s begin……

 

• Tide & Orgullosa T-Shirts:

Finally, shirts that are cut beautifully to fit a female. Each shirt featured a colorful Futbol embraced with the Orgullosa logo and colors. The slogan read, “Orgullosa De Mis Colores”, meaning Proud of my colors. A Tide logo is located on the bottom left corner and the facebook address and Orgullosa logo on the back. Nice white shirts that are comfortable to lounge in and my guests were excited to receive them. I folded the shirts to resemble a basket and stuffed them with goodies and others I used as a base, and stacked the Procter & Gamble items with a finished bow to hold it all together.

• Tide Pods:

The pods are perfect for HE washers and regular models. You simply toss a pod in the drum, add your clothes and the machine and the Tide Pod do the rest. Everyone received the Spring Meadow scent. One pod is enough to do one large load and if it’s an extra large one, simply add two. I love that they dissolve easily in any water temperature and perform well when it comes to removing stains and getting clothes clean. Not hard on fabrics and actually tends to brighten colors. Each pod contains detergent, stain remover and a brightener, so you are covered when it comes to getting clothes cleaned their best with Tide Pods. You can find these pods at your local stores and don’t forget your coupons. A 72 count usually retails for $17.99 and places like Target have the Cart Wheel app, where savings can be greater.

• Head & Shoulders 2-in-1 in Green Apple:

Shampoo and Conditioner with a nice fresh green apple scent. This is a anti-dandruff shampoo that has a clean and crisp scent. The product contains Pyrithione Zinc in 1% as the active ingredient. Many anti-dandruff shampoos tend to be drying to hair and even the scalp, making the dandruff problem worsen plus creating others. Head & Shoulders leaves your hair manageable and looking beautiful, plus benefiting from a healthy scalp. This product contains conditioner and for those days that I am short on time or need a quick wash to get the pool’s chlorinated water off, this fits the bill perfectly. A 14.2 ounce bottle is a low price of $5.79.

 

• Charmin Basic Huge Rolls:

I have purchased the normal rolls, double to big rolls and when I saw the word HUGE, I just thought the big rolls had changed their name. This roll saves my sanity! Why you ask? I seem to be the only one in the house that has mastered the skill of changing the TP roll. Since I have held such a skill, this means for some reason I go in and the roll is empty but still there, empty but a roll was placed on the counter (like saying “almost got there”) or two square sheets are left and this includes the one that is glued on. The Charmin Basic Huge rolls have 385 sheets, which breaks down to 41.9 square feet of peace. You save with the Basic line and you don’t sacrifice quality. Even though this is a 1-ply tissue roll, the sheets are comfortably soft and still “hold up”. I like saving and that includes my skills as bathroom TP roll installer! You can find this new product at your local store and if you can’t find it, ask for it!

 

• Head & Shoulders 2-in-1 Old Spice:

Being that I also have male guests, Orgullosa sort of figured out that not all the guys want to smell like flowers or even a green apple. In comes the Old Spice scent that smells clean but with less of a floral bouquet fragrance. The product still contains the same fighting power of 1% Pyrithione Zinc and conditioner because guys even with short need it. I don’t want to date a Porcupine, so please condition your locks no matter how long or short they are. The “handsome scent” as listed on the bottle does smell nice and not at all like most men products that smell like musk or the woods. This is a welcoming scent that does it’s job but in a more “manly” way 🙂 A bottle retails for $5.79 for the 14.2 ounce size.

 

• Orgullosa Tumbler:

I have been on a kick to increase my water intake and it has helped to add lime and lemon slices.  My skin has improved and I feel better, so I have continued the habit.  I do not enjoy always refilling a bottle and trying to stuff citrus slices, so these types of tumblers always make things better and easier.  Easy to wash means I keep my water drinking habit and the Orgullosa logo just makes me appreciate it that much more.  Great gift because it will get used on a daily basis.

 

• Coupon Booklets & Tide Pods Magnets:

Every guest received not only all the items above to try but also a savings book filled with coupons.  There was also other coupons for other P&G products like Covergirl, which were not included.  The Tide Pods magnets gave instructions and tips about the pods.

• Futbol Feast:

Pies before baking (day before event)

Pies after baking

Blueberry Pie slice

As I mentioned, I find serving an array of desserts and treats as a way to make something for everyone.  I made 4 mini pies that each yield 4 slices.  I went with a star theme as the that is what La Copa (the cup) had.  I went with an apple, blueberry, blackberry and a strawberry rhubarb pies.  I also included 2 other treats, a Lemon Pound cake with a cream cheese swirl laced with Meyer Lemon curd and a Blueberry Buckle.  I wanted my guests to leave with a treat but a not so sweet one, so I made each a small artisan loaf.  My way of thanking them for coming and something they can enjoy at home with their next meal.  Nothing like fresh bread to make a sandwich for two or just enjoy with a little butter.  We plan to see los partidos together that involve the countries we are rooting for.  I wanted Argentine, Brazil or Germany and then I was told I had to pick one.  I’m waiting for more games to finish to see who ends on top when it comes to my favorite.  Orgullosa also supplied us with a field poster and cut-outs.  We had fun….maybe too much fun 🙂

Fresh Baked Bread for guests to take home.

 

We got crazy with cut-outs and even the dog was included but she smiled 🙂

 

Visit the above Procter & Gamble products to learn more:

• P&G on-line
• P&G on Facebook
• P&G on Twitter
• Orgullosa On-line
• Orgullosa on Facebook
• Orgullosa via Twitter

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Orgullosa and P&G.  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.

Influenster: Spring Fling Vox Box featuring Nivea, Rimmel London, Kiss, Soft Lips, Playtex to the Labor Day Movie release #SpringVoxBox

Another great Vox Box from Influenster and this one had a little bit of everything.  Even though Summer just arrived, this Spring Fling Vox Box has you prepared to take it on and look as beautiful as ever doing it!

 

 

 

• Rimmel Londom Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara

The new ScandalEyes Retro Glam Mascara by Rimmel London, has a great brush that distributes a non-crumbling and free of clumps formula evenly to your lashes. The delivery of the mascara via the nicely shaped bristles, gives you a look you can build-up or down. The even coats lets you glam your eyes with intensity for a bold look or you can just apply a light coat for a nice and classic finish. I also feel when the formula sets, it tends to hold the curl up through out the day and your lashes do not feel ultra stiff or heavy. Pair it with a “cat eye look” and a bold lipstick, you get a gorgeous look that never fades and is perfect for summer. I have been using a smokey bronze shadow and a thin wing tip at the end to get that copper-ish glow and I pair it with a nice nude colored lipstick. Great and an easy daytime look! You also can’t beat the $5.99 price tag!  A water-proof version is also available in case there is a beach or a pool in your future.

Connect with Rimmel London:

• #RetroGlam
• Twitter
• On-line
• Facebook

 

• Kiss Everlasting French Nails

Each packet comes with 28 nails in 14 different sizes that lasts a recommended 7 days. You get Kiss’s “no chip nail ” technology, which is easily applied in less than 10 minutes and this includes fitting to make sure you have the nail size that suits your finger nail best. No waiting to dry your nails, you literally glue and go! The glue is gentle to your natural nails but strong enough to hold the nail in place. No one wants a flying nail no matter how gorgeous they may look, but with Kiss Everlasting French, you are free of “nail attacks”. I love the peachy pink colored base that has a nice tone that matches any skin color beautifully. The white tip has a pleasant hue but not so white that it looks unpleasant or to intense. The box supplies you enough nails to get 2 applications and for the cost of under $6.50, you can get a salon look without the price tag. Any girl’s dream and you can find the Kiss Everlasting French nails in Flat or Regular nail arches, which come in a Medium length. Available in stores like Target, CVS, and Walgreens to Rite-Aid and Kmart. Pick-up yours today to get a classic that never fades and that includes the nail polish in this case too!

Connect with Kiss and their nail collection:

• #EverlastingFrench
• On-line
• Twitter
• Facebook

 

• Soft Lips Cube

The lip balm advertises a 5 in 1 lip care system. Think BB cream but for your lips! You get protection from future damage with the SPF 15. The formula helps Hydrate and Replenish moisture. You get Smoothness for that kissable look and a touch of shine. All that protection in a cute looking cube! I would rate the shine as low ,so you get more of a natural sheen that is not super glossy with zero tint. I liked the new Pomegranate Blueberry and because it’s in cube shape, I could easily find it when needed and it also stacked well with my other items in my purse. I used it both as a primer and protection under my lipsticks/glosses, but it performed well alone too. The product retails for a fair price point of $3.49 and you also have the choice of Fresh Mint or Vanilla Bean if the Pom & Berry is not your thing.

Connect with SoftLips:

• #SoftLipsCube
• On-line
• Facebook

 

• Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion

A lotion that has skin toning properties and also improves skin’s firmness and all in as little as 2 weeks. With bathing suit and bikini season in motion, I don’t want my skin to be in motion too. Nivea’s lotion has Co-Enzyme Q10 and Hydra IQ that deliver rejuvenating properties and also helps your skin retain deep and moisture longer. You won’t see my complaining if I can get skin improvements out of a bottle and especially firming and toning. It does not replace a work-out but it definitely softness my skin and with the extra hydration, I did notice a plumper feeling, which gave me a tighter/firmer look. They say to drink water to keep hydrated and this helps with smoothing out wrinkles…..well, Nivea’s new Skin Firming Hydration formula is a nice cool glass of water for your skin and gave me satisfactory results in all fields. No irritations and even after shaving, plus 2 weeks is a cinch when it comes to waiting to see results. The body lotion comes in two size, a 2.5 ounce bottle for $2.49 and a 13.5 ounce bottle for $10.99.

Connect with Nivea:

• #NiveaSkinFirming
• Twitter
• On-line
• Facebook

 

• Playtex Sports Fresh Balance

Playtex has added a new variety to their Playtex Sport’s line, which now not only gives you the same protection no matter what the day has ahead but also the option of Odor Shield. Odor Shield technology helps neutralize odors for that extra protection. A box of 18 tampons retails between $3.99 and $4.99 and the new Plus + Odor Shield is available in all absorbency/sizes.

Connect with Playtex:

• #PlayOn
• Twitter
• On-line
• Save $1.00 coupon link 
• Facebook

 

• Labor Day the Movie

Paramount’s Pictures movie release, which features Kate Winslet and John Brolin. This drama is directed by Jason Reitman and is about a single mother that picks up a wounded man and offers him a ride. The man ends up being an escaped convict and the novel based movie depicts what the duo must choose, as they get to the know the stranger and Police edge closer. Available on Blu-ray and DVD for just $19.99. I was sent a nice little pie shaped air freshener to commemorate the movie’s release!

Connect with the movie Labor Day:

• #LaborDayMovie
• Twitter
• On-line
• Facebook

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

 

No offense, Defense is the best! Defense Soap #Review

 

A while back, I was doing some gardening in my front “succulent garden” in our courtyard. We have no “outside” pets, just a dog who acts allergic to sunlight. So, since we use good organic dirt and have (had?) nothing to fear, I was gardening bare handed. Little did I know some neighbor and their “outside” cat had decided my front door garden was also suitable as a litterbox. Truly, truly a disgusting find. I washed my hands almost immediately, but as anyone who gardens will tell you, little scrapes and scratches happen. I started to get what our Google-fu told us was ringworm. Double ew. Luckily for me, hubby had been in contact via The Underground forums with Guy Sako of Defense Soap. I started washing with his bar and shower gel poste-haste. In a matter of about a week, I was itch and worry free. Huzzah!

Now you may be wondering what all this has to do with my usual posts of beauty, health, and food. See, hubby uses this soap fairly regularly after exercise or especially after doing yard work, because again, for some reason, inconsiderate people think a cat’s dirty business belongs in our yard. I liked how it smelled, and a little added bonus was that he stopped getting really bad blemishes or breakouts from sunscreen and grime. So I thought I’d give it a try on my face. And have I been ever so pleased with the results.

 

 

 

Defense Soap uses simple, natural disinfectants like the highest quality 100% natural Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oils. No petrochemicals or triclosan. No sodium lauryl sulfate either. It helps balance your skins natural pH and bacteria, and not be so harsh as to cause redness, irritation or cracked skin. And lo and behold, within a week’s time, I noticed that my skin started clearing. No breakouts after a long, hot day wearing make-up. No over-dried feelings that made me afraid to smile or laugh. Best of all, no micro-beads that made me leave my little electric face scrubber in the drawer. Just clean.

Defense Soap’s unique blend of essential oils manage to devastating to harmful bacteria, virus and fungus but are gentle enough to your helpful bacteria that your skin is recolonized in just a few hours.

 

Can I talk to you about your makeup brushes, as long as I’ve got you here? How many of you wash your brushes regularly? Because you really should. We spend a pretty penny on our brushes (or even get really good ones on sale, cheap!), and using harsh soap on natural brush bristles? Can we really be that cruel? I was. Until hubby shared his Defense soap gel. A little drop in some hot water…boom; Clean, disinfected brushes on my clean, disinfected face. Especially you there on the couch, you know who you are. The one that reapplies your makeup in the bathroom on lunch? YOUR BRUSH IS DIRTY! Because your brush has all those germs from that bathroom festering in your compact, in your makeup pouch, in your purse. Yuck. You NEED Defense soap. Today. Right now. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

This little discovery has been great, and as anyone who reads my blog with any regularity will tell you, I like to champion the little guy. And Guy Sako has been doing this labor of love with very little support outside of the combat sports community. It’s time I did my part and tried to spread his sphere of influence far and wide, because here is an American company doing all the right things for all the right reasons. You might have even seen Defense Soap at your gym before, and thought nothing of it. I’m here to tell you you should. Not just for the gym either! (because there’s nothing skeevier than the floor of your gym’s shower.) Not only will it keep funk and grime off your significant other keeping them healthy and happy, but will also make your skin healthy and happy too. Sharing is caring after all.

Oh, gym clothes got a serious case of the “YUK”? Defense Soap has you covered there. Don’t feel like a shower after the gym or workout? Again, covered. Want to add some healthy, natural disinfectant to your every day body wash? Defense already thought of that. His shoes giving his feets the itch? Spray the ick away. Got a scratch you don’t want to itch? A little dab‘ll do ya.

 

So, in the end, while on the surface it might seem Defense Soap isn’t for you, you have to remember that every day is a fight us. Against germs. Against viruses. Against breakouts. Against all the yuck the world tries to throw at us every day. The world isn’t fighting fair, either, bringing all it’s weapons to bear. Better bring a weapon of your own. This good Defense is the best offense.

 

Connect with Guy and Defense Soap:

• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On Google+
• On their Website
• Via The Underground

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Guy Sako and Defense Soap. 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.

Influenster: Vaseline 24-Hour Men Spray Lotion #MenSpray

The hits keep on coming with Influenster. Next up: Vaseline has come out with a line dedicated just for Men with non-floral scents and formulas that have “man-staying power”, like 24 hours moisture protection. You have lotions that dry in seconds but hydrate, leaving your skin feeling non-greasy, but still soft. I know many men skip on lotions but no lady wants to see or feel cracked skin……so here comes Vaseline with it’s fast-drying formulas, giving you zero excuses on why a man should skip on skincare!

Finally, a product that is not for me or the pup! Yes, I blog and I try to find products I can share or even just geared towards men but they are really hard to come by. I would so try a hammer and many times would even find it as a stress relieving tool, but I have yet to find the company that sets this lady up with such a tool and I would even take a mallet at this point! So, I may not be able to start hitting things but I can at least help in the skin department. Men sometimes act like toddlers when a lotion bottle is brought up. I hear claims of it smelling “girly” or the ever popular that the skin will feel “icky”. Ummmm, dry and cracked skin is icky and I have seen some guys with let’s say ashy knees and elbows!

Test Results:

In comes Vaseline to save the real icky skin with a light formula. We spray a leg and give it a try. Husband states it feels light and wet but quickly drys, leaving your skin feeling like nothing bad happened. I never knew applying lotion was so traumatizing but I’m thinking some Hubbies add drama to the mix! I noticed the skin color changed (it’s alive!) but remain mum about how his skin now looks nourished and just focus on how it feels……like nothing happened. Hubby uses the 24 hour spray after showering and I hear everyday the spray going after he turns the water off. It goes on and on, day after day,  until I notice it on my shopping list, which hangs on the side of the fridge the words written, “Vas lotion MEN”. This is a guy that tells me he is out of something when I ask to be told when he is low on stuff! I still have to make “emergency trips” to the store to pick-up deodorant because he swore he had an extra one that then disappears. I blame the invisible funk gnome that must be one clean smelling guy for the stash of extra deodorants, floss, to even shampoos that just go poof. In the end, I am glad for the hygiene help and finally a lotion that is “non-icky” and feels like nothing happened, but thankfully is working 🙂

Price Point: $7.99 for a 6.5 ounce can

Ingredients (as listed on the site): Water (Aqua), Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Tapioca Starch, Fragrance (Parfum), Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium, Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Dihydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA.

You can find the Vaseline Men Spray Lotion and other items in the line at:

• Vaseline Men Spray Line on-line– http://www.vaseline.us/products/vaseline-spray-go/fast-absorbing/default.aspx
• Connect via Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/VaselineUS?brand_redir=1
• Connect via Twitter– https://twitter.com/VaselineBrand
• #MenSpray

I received the above product free of charge from Influenster & Vaseline. 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.