Friday, December 30, 2016

Lucy B. Tinted Lip Balm - Ruby Red Gloss Balm



















The gloss balm promises to hydrate, smooth and protect lips. The lip balm is enriched with natural shea butter, Australian flower essence and vitamin E. The lip balm has a delicate scent and goes on smoothly. It had a slight tacky feeling but it left my lips feeling soft and smooth. The creamy lip balm also left a soft tint on my lips.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Philosophy Green Jelly Bean Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath






Another gem found while cleaning my stash. This exclusive scent was apart of holiday Gingerbread theme gift set I believe I bought last year from Sephora. Like most of Philosophy’s products the scent was exactly as described in the name. The sweet scent body wash wasn’t very overpowering and left skin very delicately scented while providing a generous lather. It was a fun treat and definitely a no calorie way to enjoy a sweet treat.

Monday, December 26, 2016

BBW Aromatherapy Stress Relief Eucalyptus Tea Body Wash and Foam Bath







The soothing eucalyptus scented body wash is packed skin conditioners to soothe and nourish skin. The eucalyptus and tea essential oils help relieve stress and uncertainty while promoting calmness.  I have tried the other stress relief body wash and they both smell almost the same. The soothing body wash provided a generous lather and a soothing scent. Unfortunately, the body wash didn’t  moisturize my skin.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

The Body Shop - Pink Grapefruit Body Gel






The soap free shower gel provides a rich lather in a sweet and refreshing grapefruit scent. The body wash is packed with pink grapefruit seed oil that energizes and lifts spirits. The sweet scented body wash was a treat to use in mornings when I couldn’t get up. The citrus perked me up almost instantly.  I didn’t notice any hydrating or moisturizing properties in the body gel so be sure to follow up with a moisturizer.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Esthenique Essential Honey Lift Massage Cream








I finally got around to using one of the products from Memebox Honey box. Although, lately I been ordering a lot from Memebox even if it's just one off products. Sad part is, most of it I can’t read and it’s a bit difficult to find instructions online or even ingredients (so bare with me if my reviews seems a bit sparse at times!) The massage cream is composed of 20% honey which can explain its semi-sticky and tacky consistency. The creamy cream goes on smoothly and melts into your skin. It can be a bit sticky and it does have a bit of a gooey/stretchy texture but it’s probably from the honey and collagen. It is recommended for women who are pregnant but I used it over pre-existing stretch marks (it didn’t help). My skin did feel soft and smooth when I used the cream. I am not sure if I would get it again, it didn’t wow me enough to pay  the full retail of $14 for it.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Goldfalden MD Wake Up Call Overnight Regenerative Facial Treatment


Photo Credit - Amazon

The overnight treatment is packed with CoQ10, DMAE, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Retinol, Vitamin E, Avocado, Grapeseed Oils and Organic Red Tea to revitalize dull complexion. The creamy moisturizer goes on smoothly and left my skin feel soft and smooth. When waiting up in the morning, my face felt soft, smooth and radiantly beautiful. I didn’t notice my skin feeling any firmer but it definitely revitalized my skin. I tried a small sample and I am sure the full size product might have enough product for me to notice my skin getting firmer. I would definitely get the full size but it’s a bit pricey ($85) so I might wait for a sale.

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Marlowe Extra Moisturizing Body Lotion






The hydrating moisturizer is  enriched with passion flower fruit, green tea, willow bark and deep sea algae. The lotion promised to nourish, smooth, and revitalize skin. The Marlowe had a gender neutral pleasant scent but a fellow coworker told me it smelled faintly like dish soap. The lotion left my hand soft and smooth but unfortunately, it didn’t last after washing my hands.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Book Review - Of Stillness and Storm by Michele Phoenix

Photo Credit - Amazon
Lauren and her husband, Sam took ten years to achieve their dream of visiting remote regions of Nepal to spread the word of their ministry. Sam and Lauren have a unique situation; Sam travels to the Himalayas for three weeks each month for his life calling. While, Lauren and their 13 year old son, Ryan stays behind continuing life without Sam. Both Lauren and Ryan miss the states and find it hard to cope with their current poverty living situation. They feel that their life is unfulfilled and filled with isolation. Their life gets more challenging when someone from Lauren's past reaches out to her. This further fueling the tension between Lauren, Sam and Ryan. How will Lauren, Sam and Ryan be able to cope with their current situation? What happens when one person's loyalty is divided and it becomes life or death?

A heartbreaking novel of a women who is trying to do good by everyone. She is being pulled by her husband to follow what seems like his destiny and make it hers as well. She notices  her once happy go lucky son is now sullen and keeps to himself . While, her good friend now suffers from a disease that can end his life and wants to amend and reconnect. Lauren struggles to make the correct decision and in the end, she realizes that she should have done it the first place but unfortunately, that decision didn't come without many dire consequences. This beautifully written novel leaves the reader fighting for Lauren and her family. 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Book Review - Pursuing Gold: A Novel of the Civil War by Cynthia L. Simmons and Rene Holt

Photo Credit - Amazon


Peter Chandler inherits a bank after his father's untimely death and his father's business partner on his death bed. Peter just recently graduated college and has no experience running a bank. He finds guidance in his partner's daughter, Mary Beth Roper but they both struggle to keep the bank afloat during the Civil War.  However, their problems deepen when they find counterfeit bills in circulation.  Will they be able to work together to save the bank? Who is circulating the counterfeit bills?

The novel is an interesting perspective of the Civil War. It doesn't just give the views of the North and the South but also the people who are caught in between and are trying to live their lives. I was entranced by the novel but after a few chapters in, the novel became boring. The story line was interesting but not enough action. A majority of the novel could have been left out and you wouldn't even miss it. The characters seemed to aloof and mild -- I couldn't see myself rooting for any of them. The novel seemed a bit disjointed that writing didn't seem to flow smoothly. A decent read but I don't see myself picking up this book again.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Monday, December 12, 2016

Sephora Collection Rouge Creme - #49 Belly Dancing









The hydrating lipstick imparts lips with a vibrant color. The creamy lipstick goes on smooth and leaves a soft sheen. I should note that the color online and the color I received looked completely different. It looks dark red in the tube but a more tomato red color on my lips. It was more moisturizing than other lipsticks but I wouldn't stop using my lip balm. The color also sadly didn't last very long.