BDB: The Billion Dollar Brow, Universal Brow Pencil is NOW Available at Kohl’s! #bdbrows #billiondollarbrows #BDBatKohls

 

 

I have reviewed before for BDB, Billion Dollar Brows and can proudly share I still use their brow products on a daily basis. Having access to products is a must for me. Yes, I will hunt and order online products that are worthy of a shipping cost, but there is nothing like finding your favorite in store, so you can easily pick it up and go. Finally, the BDB product line has arrived at Kohl’s!

• You can order on-line here
• Or just visit your nearest store, which also offers “in-store” pick-ups if the items are not currently in-stock.  Just order on-line and wait for the e-mail when the item is ready for pick-up.
• My previous reviews are here and here if you need to become familiar with the BDB line

 

 

So, this is a win-win for us brow obsessing girls. I have not found a product yet that allows me to accentuate my brows by having them look tame and still natural. The brow obsession is a good thing because it’s amazing how much eyes can change by just making your brows pop BUT it can be taken too far. There is such a thing of too much of a good thing. Many products pile on the brow liner and/or powder. It’s like you can’t apply softly even if you wanted to and you end up with my Husband calls “scary brows”. With Billion Dollar Brows, I can’t error. That is a big thing when you are beginner to a pro applying make-up in a hurry because you hit the snooze button one time too many! I don’t want to work at making a product look right, it has to work from application and beyond. This means with BDB products you can easily blend, there is no fighting or having to worry about dark and thick strokes. The Universal Brow brow pencil allows you to apply in two ways. You can mimic hairs by following your own pattern to making your arch stand-out, by applying a line that then you can blend or leave as applied. This is where other products fall short. I have had eyebrow pencils play the “on or off” game, meaning it goes on and if I touch it, it just vanishes. There is no middle ground. I have had the “brow crumbles”, sort of like when bad mascara fails you, well eye brow products can do the same kind of shedding. With Billion Dollar Brows, I can get to the last part of the pencil and the product performs just as well as when I first popped it open. No drying out, no playing just nice when you have a fresh pencil, their products just do not fail and this why I use BDB products exclusively. I can’t say that about other brands! I change mascaras so often that I dread being asked what brand I use. It’s like asking me a trick question because I use one for length, one to build but that builds too heavy so I use another brand to separate and set. I also use one with a mini short brush for the end of my lashes that was really made for bottom lashed (told you not ask!).  No tricks with BDB and when I have 15 minutes to be out the door because I binged on NetFlix on Sunday night…..I need my brows to not show it 🙂

 

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Connect with BDB products at and don’t forget to order at Kohl’s:

• On-line
• Product Link
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• YouTube
• #bdbrows #billiondollarbrows #bdb #BDBatKohls

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from BDB.  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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Giveaway Time: Rigoni di Asiago Nocciolata Box filled with goodies ENTER TO WIN

Starting today and until June 1’st, you can enter to win the above package, which I received from Rigoni di Asiago.  The box came filled with goodies that you can taste and some that you can wear, to the hazelnut bag you can shop with!  Entering is super easy too:

Please, kindly just:

 

1.  Follow Rigoni di Asiago on Facebook here- https://www.facebook.com/RigonidiAsiagoUSA
2. And also here on Facebook–https://www.facebook.com/NocciolataUSA
3. Then on  Twitter– https://twitter.com/NocciolataUSA
4. and lastly leave me a comment on any of the reviews and/or recipes I shared.

• http://wp.me/p2B5Rd-Tj
• http://wp.me/p2B5Rd-SX
• http://wp.me/p2B5Rd-SB
• http://wp.me/p2B5Rd-Se

4 easy small steps and this gorgeous box could be yours……..the hazelnut shopping bag melts your heart while you munch on the Nocciolata.  Good luck!

Winner will be notified via the contact connected to your account.  I will then forward the address to the company, which will then send the box to your home address, minus the squirrel of course 🙂

Rigoni di Asiago: Nocciolata with Raspberries, this is a 2-in-1 #Recipe Turnovers & Cookies Part 2

I wanted to create a filling that is easy to make, does not require a plethora of ingredients and is fast……but of course delicious. With Mother’s Day upon us, many of us want to give something chocolate and fruity but the same fallback of strawberries dipped in chocolate is so yesterday! Think chocolate and raspberries snoozing in a puff pastry dough.

 

Let’s Begin……

• 35 grams of Nocciolata spread
• 7 grams of Almond Flour/Meal
• 20 grams of Frozen Red Raspberries
• 2 sheets of Puff Pastry (each sheet measures 5X5) and is in square shape
• 1 egg at room temperature (whisked and with a brush)
• Optional- Raw Hazelnuts
• Powder Sugar for dusting

Make your filling like in part #1 http://wp.me/p2B5Rd-SX

Cookies (yields about 12 to 14 cookies):

Take Puff Pastry out and allow it to come to temperature, but just enough to be manageable.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

 

Get two sheets and begin spreading your filling like this-

A dollop of 1/2 the filling to each sheet

Spread but mind the edges

Then brush with egg wash

 

Begin to roll dough over from each edge, towards the inside like this-

 

Again, more egg wash and fold again and again…..you will be creating a heart ❤

Keep going

and going

until it closes

I use the same parchment papers that come with the puff pastry to keep the roll sealed and then wrap in plastic wrap.  Put roll in the freezer to stiffen up (15 to 20 minutes) so you can cut without destroying the cookie.  Repeat with the other dough sheet the same process.

Tightly wrap with parchment

so it can keep the heart closed and you can add more egg wash to the center if needed.

Wrap closed

Then in Plastic Wrap and into the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes

 

 Once the dough is stiff enough to cut without destroying the shape, you can start making cookies.

Unroll log

Cut into cookies, you will 6 to 7 out of each roll

Place on parchment

Then take the Hazelnuts (optional) and chop roughly, placing one small piece in each center.

Cut Hazelnuts

Place a piece in the center of each cookie

Then wash with egg and place in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes to bake at 400 degrees.

Take the cookies out and allow them to rest on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a rack.  This helps dehydrate and also finish off the cooking in the dough, plus give it a crisp texture.

Allow to cool on cookie sheet

For 10 minutes before moving on rack or dusting with Powder Sugar

Dust with Powder Sugar.

Then you can eat them semi-warm or completely cooled.  Enjoy!

Get your Nocciolate fix at:

• On-line– http://rigonidiasiago-usa.com/our-products/nocciolata/organic-hazelnut-spread-with-cocoa-and-milk/
• Say “hi” to their cute Squirrel on Facebook–https://www.facebook.com/NocciolataUSA
• It’s a popular Squirrel so you can also visit Facebook here-https://www.facebook.com/RigonidiAsiagoUSA
• See what Nocciolata can do for your taste buds on Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/nocciolata/
• Chitter on Twitter– https://twitter.com/NocciolataUSA
• Available for purchase on Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Rigoni di Asiago.  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.

Rigoni di Asiago: Nocciolata with Raspberries, this is a 2-in-1 #Recipe Turnovers & Cookies Part 1

 

 

I wanted to create a filling that is easy to make, does not require a plethora of ingredients and is fast……but of course delicious. With Mother’s Day upon us, many of us want to give something chocolate and fruity but the same fallback of strawberries dipped in chocolate is so yesterday! Think chocolate and raspberries snoozing in a puff pastry dough. This is a 2-in-1 recipe where you can make heart shaped cookies or turnovers. You pick!

Let’s Begin……

• 35 grams of Nocciolata spread
• 7 grams of Almond Flour/Meal
• 20 grams of Frozen Red Raspberries
• 2 sheets of Puff Pastry (each sheet measures 5X5) and is in square shape
• 1 egg at room temperature (whisked and with a brush)
• Fork or you can crimp dough by hand
• Powder Sugar for dusting

 

Start by taking out your Puff Pastry out of the freezer.  I used 2 sheets that measure 5×5 each.  Turn your oven on to 400 degress to preheat.  While the dough defrosts just enough to be manageable, combine your fillings ingredients.

Nocciolata Spread

Almond Meal/Flour

Frozen Raspberries

Using a small spatula or spoon, just mix.

 

Set the mix aside and then begin by opening an egg and whisking.  You can set your pastry brush by it as you will need it.

Crack egg

Whisk and I like to just rest my brush in the bowl

Take your 2 sheets of Puff Pastry and by now they should be pliable (not overly soft) to begin working with.

 

For Turnovers (this will make 4 of them):

Cut one 5 x 5 Puff Pastry Sheet at diagonally, so you are left with 2 triangles

Take your filling and add about 1/4 of it to each triangle

 

 

Then take egg wash and brush all sides lightly

 

Fold dough, as to create a smaller triangle

Softly press making sure each side meets with each other nicely and if any filling comes out, give it a wipe but try not to stress about it 🙂

Then crimp closed with a fork

Give the top an egg wash and repeat the same process with your second turnover

Place both turnovers on parchment paper and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 400 degrees.  Allow the pastry to cool and give it a dusting with powder sugar! Serve warm alone, with cream or ice cream.

 

This one slightly opened and still looks beautiful so this is why I say not to worry

Gooey on the inside and delicious

Get your Nocciolate fix at:

• On-line– http://rigonidiasiago-usa.com/our-products/nocciolata/organic-hazelnut-spread-with-cocoa-and-milk/
• Say “hi” to their cute Squirrel on Facebook–https://www.facebook.com/NocciolataUSA
• It’s a popular Squirrel so you can also visit Facebook here-https://www.facebook.com/RigonidiAsiagoUSA
• See what Nocciolata can do for your taste buds on Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/nocciolata/
• Chitter on Twitter– https://twitter.com/NocciolataUSA
• Available for purchase on Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Rigoni di Asiago.  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.

BzzAgent: Fiber One Protein Cereal in Cranberry Almond #Review

I drink Cranberry juice on a daily bases and use the fresh fruit in baked goods even when it’s not the Winter season. Cranberry in dried fruit form is something I enjoy by itself, on salads to even mixing what I call a “snack cup”, with whole raw almonds and even sometimes a few peanut butter chips.

When I saw the second flavor in the box was Cranberry Almond….I felt this mix was made for me. That evening I took 1/2 a cup of yogurt and mixed in some cranberry preserves, so it could sit overnight and have that Cranberry punch I desire. I woke up the next morning and then just added a 1/4 cup of the Fiber One Protein cereal and it was perfect!

Fiber One’s Protein cereals are made with sweetened granola so it goes beyond just the flakes. You get 10 grams of protein in every serving and this is a value with the addition of milk. The Cranberry Almond version has dried cranberries and small almond pieces. You also get 20% of your daily fiber intake.

Nutritional Facts:
220 calories per one cup serving and it goes up to 260 with skim milk. You have whole grain oats, crisp rice and soy protein isolate to Corn Bran and Puffed Wheat. Lower in sodium than the Maple Sugar version, at 140 mg of Sodium and 16 grams of sugar. I found several undesirable ingredients like Caramel coloring and Corn Syrup listed and below is the link for you to review.

• Full Nutrition Index Link-

http://www.fiberone.com/products/cereal/fiber-one-protein-cranberry-almond

Cranberry Taste Test:
I did find the Cranberries are not as bountiful and when you catch one, it is very sweet but still good when it comes to moisture. I barely picked up the Almond pieces and chunks in the mix. I did find when I added more of the dried fruit and some whole raw almonds to the cereal, it was then to my satisfaction and again the additions help mellow out the sweetness. Since the cranberries were super sweet as was the cereal, I did not eat this box with milk but with plain yogurt. I even had some with frozen vanilla flavored yogurt in one of our many non-winter days we have been enjoying in California. I thought this mix would be my favorite but because it lacked in quantities of fruit and nuts listed, I tended to be left with a sweet mix that tasted more like brown sugar coated cereal. I also noticed as I reached the bottom of the box, the cereal was finer and more crushed, so the texture was not as crunchy as the Maple Brown Sugar variety……almost mealy.   I don’t think this is a bad variation but I will just stick to adding cranberries and whole almonds to the Maple Brown Sugar & Pecan version for a bowl that is more to my liking 🙂

If you would like to visit Fiber One’s Protein Cereals, please visit:

• On-line– http://www.fiberone.com/products/cereal/fiber-one-protein-cranberry-almond
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/fiberone
• Coupons– https://www.facebook.com/fiberonecoupons

I received the above product free of charge from BzzAgent & Fiber One. 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. #GotItFree

BzzAgent: Fiber One Protein Cereal in Maple Brown Sugar #Review

I love Maple Brown sugar flavored treats from cereals, bars to even a bowl of oatmeal, so when BzzAgent and Fiber One had this campaign……well, I was hoping to get in and so happy I did.

I still eat cereal regularly but not always with milk. I go with my cravings and love switching it up from Coconut milk, Almond milk to just regular old fashioned….well, cow milk. There are times I even mix milks just because I can! Other times I use cereals as my “granola imitation” combined with yogurts and dried fruits. It’s like eating a delicious but healthy parfait.

Fiber One’s Protein cereals are made with sweetened granola so it goes beyond just the flakes. You get 10 grams of protein in every serving and this is a value with the addition of milk. The Maple Brown sugar version has Pecans, so you get a nice crunch and the nuts were fair in size. You also get 20% of your daily fiber intake.

Nutritional Facts:
220 calories per one cup serving and it goes up to 260 with skim milk. You have whole grain oats, crisp rice and soy protein isolate to Corn Bran and Puffed Wheat. 150 mg of Sodium and 16 grams of sugar. I found several undesirable ingredients like Caramel coloring and Corn Syrup listed and below is the link for you to review.

• Full Nutrition Index Link- http://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Big_G/Fiber_One_Protein_Maple_Brown_Sugar.aspx

Maple Brown Sugar Taste Test:
I found the texture nice on it’s own but did find it more on the sugar sweet side than the Maple side. The bites that contained pecans helped to mellow out the sweetness. When added with milks, I did notice it did not play well with my Vanilla flavored Almond Milk, so I stuck to plain. I found it was better with yogurt because of the crunch and the yogurt tends to dilute the sweetness. I usually just purchase a large container of plain greek yogurt that lasts a little under a week, so making this mix was great. I added almonds on certain days and on others even added a banana with flax seeds. I did enjoy the cereal and  how versatile the it can be, just wish it was a touch less sweet but it’s nothing you can’t fix!

If you would like to visit Fiber One’s Protein Cereals, please visit:

• On-line– http://www.fiberone.com/products/cereal/fiber-one-protein-maple-brown-sugar
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/fiberone
• Coupons– https://www.facebook.com/fiberonecoupons

I received the above product free of charge from BzzAgent & Fiber One. 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. #GotItFree

BzzAgent: Kroger/Ralph’s Supermarket Private Selection Gourmet Cookies

As a baker and cooking enthusiast, I sometimes will seek out a day off. This means I resort to someone else filling in for me and in the cookie department, BzzAgent and Ralph’s Markets came to my rescue.

In my home the only cookie that usually gets made every other week is my double chocolate chip and chocolate chunk creation, so I am very particular about how a cookie needs to measure up and in came Ralph’s with a wide selection to choose from.

You have:

• White Chocolate Macadamia Nut – White chocolate chunks meet crunchy macadamia nuts, in nice buttery dough.
• Ultimate Chocolate Chunk – A large amount amount of rich chocolate chunks in every bite that will make you forget you had a chocolate craving in the first place.
• Turtle Brownie – A brownie-like cookie, which is loaded with gooey caramel and pecans. You get two desserts in one with this baby!
• White Chocolate Coconut Almond – White chocolate chunks with sweet coconut and almond slivers. It’s a tropical flavor to get you out of the everyday rut.

In this campaign, I had issues loading my digital coupon for the free product onto my card even though it was registered but after several attempts, Ralph’s finally rewarded me but only after I had visited the store. I head off to the store to hunt for 3 of the cookies I know I will be trying. I make it to my local Ralph’s bakery and unfortunately all that was available was the Ultimate Chocolate Chunk and the White Chocolate with Macadamia nuts varieties, but I buy what they have.

Ultimate Chocolate Chunk Taste Test:
I must admit my curiosity was piqued so I figured I’d try a Ultimate Chocolate Chunk cookie in the car. I may not have milk but I have water! The cookies look soft and gooey but when I opened the box, I could smell the sweetness from all the sugars, but not the chocolate. I see some chunks but they are chunks more described like misshapen chocolate chips, small in size and not even medium in size. I would say these look more like rejected chocolate chips that did not make the cut! I bite and find that the cookie crumbles but it’s because it’s hard……like over baked. Due to the cookie being high in sugar and not chocolate, you get a burned flavor from the fats so I left this ultimate experience to one bite. My Husband bailed on trying the cookie at all after he “saw my face”, so this cookie did not make a good first impression at all! So sad 😦 I had the cookie box on the counter and when anyone tried them, they quickly asked, “where did you buy these”? Let’s say it was not because they were liked and they were seeking to repurchase, but more to avoid getting these cookies themselves.

White Chocolate & Macadamia Nut Taste Test:
I know we are in a drought in California but it seems that includes a shortage on White Chocolate and Macadamia nuts too. Again the package says chunks and the idea is sort of stretched because these are chips all the way…..nothing chunk or misshaped about them. These chocolate chips at least are not from the rejected chip factory like the Ultimate Chocolate chips cookies were. These are from the 2 chips-per-cookie ONLY factory! Yes, we counted and it took some effort with the mealy base the cookie had. The nuts were so chopped up that they seemed to add a “meal” effect versus just tasting and crunching. You get zero crunch and they are sort of soggy in nature. Never had a macadamia nut behave this way so we figured we got the “misbehaved” nuts in this cookie. Not worth the calories, we just put our white flag up and did not pass the 2 bites we had with these cookies.

Price Point: $3.99 for a box of 6 cookies

Cookies can usually be saved and even made into ice cream sandwiches when they go array. These could not! That is saying something because this was always my go-to idea when a cookie met heat for too long or just did not bake up as it should. Both cookies had one thing in common…..super dry and did not taste like the flavor listed on the box, just sweet. Maybe Ralph’s Bakery was having an “off day” but I also noticed the bakery was empty and not super stocked, or moving product as some store are at that hour. I was in the market at peak time but no one was buying the sweet goods from the store. I hope these improve because they sound delicious in description but just did not deliver in taste and texture.

If you would like to connect with the Private Selection Gourmet Cookies, please visit:

• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/PvtSelection
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/kroger

I received the above product free of charge from BzzAgent and Ralph’s Market (a Kroger 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.

 

PINCHMe: Gevalia Keurig K-Cup Caramel Macchiato and Froth Pack

I just signed up to become a “PINCHer” and my first items to review arrived from Gevalia Kaffe. Included was a froth packet, which you pour into your mug before brewing, and then you just brew as you would. The flavor is Caramel Macchiato and I definitely am a fan and very familiar with the flavor.

Unfortunately, the coffee was not that great and had a bitter almost burnt smelling aroma. I thought it was my nose but it also was picked up when I tasted the coffee. The froth packet tasted very sweet and almost had a coconut flavor, which I am a fan of but it did not translate well with the flavor or the bitterness. I just was not a fan and I really tried to find the caramel notes in all this, so my first “Pinch Me” moment was not spectacular but I am eager to see what else the program has to offer. I find these programs useful because even the not so positive experiences let me know what I like and don’t enjoy, so I know what to buy and what to pass on when I’m shopping!

If you want to become a member (PINCHer) of PINCHme, please visit them at:

• Online to join- https://www.pinchme.com/samples
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/PINCHme
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/pinchme_now
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/pinchme_now
• YouTube– https://www.youtube.com/user/PINCHmeUS

I received the above product free of charge from PINCHme and Gevalia Kaffe.  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.