Better Homes and Garden March 2013

Happy National Women’s History Month. It celebrates women in sciences. Women invented windshield wipers and the dishwasher.

For the gadget geeks who has a green thumb, here are some cool picks -

Photo Credit - Aero Garden

Photo Credit - Sprout Home

BHG recommend using “Mint Green” to waken up your surroundings. They recommend these picks

Photo Credit - BHG.com., Crushed Mint

Photo Credit - BHG.com, Wintergreen

Photo Credit - BHG.com, Mint Gala

Photo Credit - BHG.com, Garden Room

Photo Credit - BHG.com, Aloe

Designer Paige Sumblin Schnell gives these tips for the “soothing color” -

1. “Mint greens are happy colors that work in a lot of different climates as long as the room gets plenty of bright daylight”.

2. “Pale hues fare well in a high contrast palette. The complement needs to be either very dark or very light”.

3. “Paint finish affects how we perceive color. For a pale tone use eggshell which has a slight sheen”.

BHG’s picks for freshening up your kicks for Spring -

Photo Credit - Nine West

Photo Credit - C.Wonder

And for spicing up your makeup, BHG recommends using fuchsia to brighten up your face.  I love the colors but I don’t think it would look very good on me. 

 

Photo Credit - Sephora, Smashbox Blush Rush in Radiance

Photo Credit - L'Oreal, L’oreal paris colour caresse by color riche lipcolour in Pink Vinyl

Photo Credit - Nars,  Nars blush in Desire

Here is a random but nifty tip - to pick the best garlic bulb “look for one that is firm, plump cloves and unbroken, dry skin. Store them uncovered in a cool, dark place for about a month. Once a head of garlic is broken, it should be used within several days.”

Pick up the issue to read more tips on decorating tips, a walking tour of Karen Fabian’s house, how to read food labels [it was actually pretty interesting] and other neat tips.

Deal - Cake Beauty and Stila

Cake Beauty is offering a full size Satin Sugar Glistening with any $75 purchase.

Stila Cosmetics is offering a free gift if you reach the minimum purchase threshold. Personally, speaking it is a bit to high for me.

Burt's Bees Natural Toothpaste - Multicare with Fluoride

 

Photo Credit - Burt's Bees

I bought the travel size version of this on a recent trip and it wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would be a bland tasting toothpaste that does a mediocre job. It was actually had a pleasant tasting [very tasty, indeed...waiting isn’t eating toothpaste frown upon?] toothpaste and it didn’t have a bad aftertaste. I did find the toothpaste a bit gritty and not as smooth other toothpastes.  Overall, it left my mouth feeling clean and refreshed. I am not sure if it actually whitens but I don’t really need to whiten my teeth. My go to whitening tip....don’t smile and it works every time and it’s free!

Goodies Company March Taster’s Box 3

This was my first Goodie box. The theme this month was “Breakfast Food”.  I was a bit impartial to this as I rarely change my normal “Honey Bunches of Oats or Honey Nut Cheerios with Reduce Fat Lactose Free Milk” or my favorite “Everything Bagel with boatloads of FULL FAT :) [Just in case you thought I was health nut :) ]Cream Cheese” on Monday mornings. But I guess, I can always try something new as a snack.

Here is what I got -

Alo Water Watermelon and Peach  - I was a bit hesitant to try this as I am not quite fond of peaches. I actually have no idea why I dislike them and find them so disgusting.  The juice was highly fragranced of peaches with a hint of watermelon. I took a sip and a gulped down a bit of aloe. While I did taste a bit of peaches and the aloe was a bit tasteless, I didn’t like it at first but after third or fourth taste I kind of like it. My brother took a sip and swallowed a piece of aloe and asked if he was going to die. And then he asked if we had any more coconut water. I can’t blame him, the juice does remind me of coconut water. Overall, I did enjoy the water but I would definitely try the other flavors instead.

Nabisco Newtons Triple Berry - I remembered wolfing down the fig newtons when I was younger. I can’t say these taste any different from the fig newtons. These were sooo delicious, I wish I had more than two. Make me wish I never did share with my brother.

BelVita Cinnamon Brown Sugar Breakfast Biscuits - These were so good!  They did have the whole grain taste but I didn’t mind it much because the cinna brown sugar tasted a lot better. I had them during lunch and it satisfied my sweet tooth  while not making me feel “ugh...I need to work off that 600 calories worth of cookies”. Best part, I only had two biscuits and felt completely full!

Erin Baker’s Breakfast Cookie - Peanut Butter - I was quite disappointed about this. I love  peanut butter but this tasted and remind me more of carrot cake. The cookie was hearty and had pretty strong whole grain taste. While, I wouldn’t recommend as snacking cookie it does seem like a breakfast cookie [just like the label says!]. Overall, I wouldn’t see myself going out my way to buy this to have for breakfast, I still rather my bagel or cereal.

Ola! Handbaked Granola - No Nut Vanilla - Handbaked? There better not be any human flesh in here as I already wolfed this down. My favorite part of this snack was on the packaging “Ingredients you heard of....Non-GMO Expeller Pressed Canola Oil”.. WTH is that? That sounds more like a Power Ranger. Anyways, enough with the fluff, I rarely eat granola, so I don’t really have anything to benchmark it against. I did taste a hint of vanilla and it was super crunchy. I ate out straight of the bag  and it did make me a bit thirsty but I imagine granola would do that. All in all, it was enjoyable but I wouldn’t go out of my way to get this.

Rickland Orchards Greek Yogurt Coated Granola Bar - Toasted Coconut  - The sweet pineapple and mild coconut complement each other so well. This tasty granola bar was sweet but not so overpowering in which gives you one of those nerve wracking toothache. My only qualm was I really thirsty after eating this. While eating this I imagined being in Hawaii at the beach with my toes buried in the sand or the very least at home watching Hawaii 5-0.

Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves -All I can say is, “Sweet Delicious Heaven”. When I popped the lid, the sweet scent of strawberries filled the air..[Is it wrong that I am drooling?] The jar was good for two slices of bread. I greedily used the whole jar in one serving on top of hearty whole grain wheat bread. The sweet jam was delicious but not overpowering and best part it was soo good I didn’t even mind eating wheat bread. Although, I was tempted to using my fingers to pick up the little preserves left in the nook and crannies. Okay, full disclosure, I did use my fingers to get every bit.

Even after a stiring and shaking for 4 minutes

Jovan’s All Natural Instant Breakfast - Rich Cocoa - In all honesty, I am not a fan of liquid diets or liquid replacement meals. I am a big on “I love chewing”. The instructions calls for 8oz of cold milk to mix the baby formula I mean instant mix with. I am not sure why it asked for cold milk because it took a bit of effort stir and the mixture just got clumpy. If I really wanted something that required this much effort, it better be “the best thing I ever had” good. It had mild chocolate taste but it had a weird aftertaste, overall I am not a fan.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

Photo Credit - Ole Henriksen

The serum is boasts a high potency of vitamin C complex. It promises to prevent and corrects signs of aging while brightening and evening out skin tone. The fast absorbing serum went on easily and smoothly. It made my skin look smoother, softer and had a bit of a glow. My favorite part of this sweet scented serum is that a little bit goes along way and delivers. I got couple of compliments from using this product and because I am a bit vain, I will probably continue using this.

Latina February 2013

I like reading magazines with different themes and point of views. While I don’t consider myself a Latina, I get confused for one all the time. Then again, I get confused for a lot of other nationalities too. Either way, its a nice magazine for finding makeup tips for people of color.

Red Carpet pros give tips on how to look red carpet ready without actually being on red carpet..wait I think I can come with a better ending...nope, I got nothing.

Oribe, the hair stylist recommends brown hair with subtle blonde highlights. “The look is soft, sexy and not too exaggerated”.

Covergirl’s manicurist Marisol Inzerillo gives brilliant tips on get salon looking nails at home. “Keep cuticles moist at all times. Massage cuticle oil into your nail bed daily. This boosts blood circulation and helps you avoid biting your cuticles.” Also be sure “to keep hands protected, apply a moisturizer with sunscreen daily”. Her recommended color for spring is the minimalist color of “skin tone colors and nude nail colors”.

Photo Credit - Drugstore.com, Toasted Almond

 

Photo Credit - Drugstore.com, Smokey Taupe

Makeup artist Jackie Gomez says, “Don’t skip cleansing and moisturizing your skin before bed - clean, supple skin provides the best base for flawless - looking makeup every day”.  I couldn’t agree more even though it has been said over and over -- you can’t believe how many times I say I am going to wash my face and I get lazy and just fall asleep. Washing your face is not only healthy but it makes your skin look and feel a lot better. Ms. Gomez recommends “soft green tones on the eyes. It’s a nice touch and makes them pop. Go with soft pink lips to complement the look”.

Photo Credit - MAC cosmetics, Aquadisiac

They had a section on shopping but the theme was coffee. It wasn’t as boring as it sounds. Here are some of my favorite picks -

Photo Credit - MaryGreen.com

Photo Credit - Seltzer Goods

Did you know “heart disease is the number one killer of Latinas, responsible for 30 percent of all deaths”. This often preventable disease, “doctors recommend maintaining a healthy weight, walking 30 minutes a day, trimming salt and unhealthy fats from your diets and not smoking”. The reason why I bring this up because not only is it important for Latinas but people in general. I know I might be sound preachy but it isn’t my goal to be that way but more as a friendly reminder :) to you and to my lazy self!

Gina Rangel of Bliss Spa in Dallas gave tips for a great relaxing feet massage [In all honesty it looks like too much work] :

“1. Soak in a warm foot bath filled with lavender essence, lemon slices and rose petals.

2. Dry your feet and apply lotion to the foot and calf using long, soft strokes.

3. Make a fist and massage the ball of your foot, arch and heel using a circular motion.

4. Finish up by enclosing your hand around each foot, as if a holding a football, and moving up and down. “ Is anyone else sleepy after reading that?

Pick up an issue to read the interview with Jordana Brewster, Jennifer Lopez, Amelia Moran Ceja and non profit founder of studentmentor.org. Along with style tips for your shape, makeup tips, chocolate recipes and lifestyle tips.

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