Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Pangea Organics Wild Plum & Willow

After my experience with Pangea's Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry mask having to me, such a terrible smell that I couldn't keep it on the proper length of time recommended. I wasn't sure what to expect from the Wild Plum & Willow Cleanser. Nevertheless, I had high hopes as I've heard really great things about Pangea's products as a whole. Here is what Pangea says about this cleanser, "Balance is key Combination to oily skin requires a little extra love. Too much cleansing can lead to an oil backlash while a lack of oil control leaves us vulnerable to build up. We’ve formulated a pure lather from sugar based cleansing agents and Yucca extract to thoroughly cleanse the skin while respecting its delicate pH. This luscious lather is infused with a triple fruit complex of Wild Plum extracts to purify, refresh and protect your complexion while Willowherb works to maintain skin clarity. To top it off, we’ve added precious and nutrient-rich Manuka Honey for an amplified antibacterial benefit to deliver clear, balanced, radiant skin."
Photo Credit: Pangea Organics

I love this cleanser! It left my skin feeling really clean without that dry tight feeling, as well as feeling moisturized.  My oily, acne prone skin actually cleared up while using this cleanser. This cleanser created a great lather although it is on the watery side. Which is my only complaint. Being on the watery side I felt that I lost a good deal of product whenever I opened it. They do sell a bigger bottle that comes with a pump, which would be in my opinion a better investment.  I used the small 1fl. oz $8.00 bottle. The Bigger 4fl oz bottle is $28.00. Most of the time I would be complaining about the price of such small bottles, but I was really impressed and feel that this cleanser is definitely worth the price. I also really love that Pangea's products are all natural with no synthetic preservatives,  Sulfates, and other things we don't want on our skin or in our bodies. That being said Pangea is currently sold out of the 1 fl oz bottles of their Wild Plum & Willow cleanser which I feel is a testament to just how great it is. You can be put on their email mailing list to be notified when it comes back into stock or buy the bigger bottle. You can check out what Pangea Organics has to offer and find the right products for your particular skin type on their website www.pangeaorganics.com
 Don't forget to enter the Giveaway:) 100 GFC Follower Giveaway!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Fully Loaded

I took my 2 yr old son to the circus this past week. At first I really struggled with whether I should go to the circus. If I did would I be contributing to the abuse of animals? In the end it was a local news report that convinced me I should go. I could go on and on about the circus and peta but I'm not going to. All I will say is we had a really great time. We saw a beautiful show from both human and animal performers and I so glad that we went.  I wanted to share some pictures, there not the greatest because they were taken from my phone.
Asia the Elephant painting a picture.







Don't forget to enter the Giveaway:) 100 GFC Followers Giveaway!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Google Friend Connect.

Hello, and thank you to everyone that is following or trying to follow Kristy's Place. I've had several people contact me that after several refreshes they still cannot get my GFC to show up. I want all to know that I have contacted Google and Blogger and hopefully it will be fixed soon. Thank You for letting me know and thank you for your patience. :)

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Bobbi Brown Crystal Lip Gloss

"This clear, high-shine Lip Gloss is the easiest way to instantly enhance lips. Wear alone for a naturally luscious look or layer over your favorite Lip Color and Lip Liner for added brilliance. Comes in an easy-squeeze tube that makes it ideal for home-or on-the-go." -Bobbi Brown Website
  While this lip gloss does offer the absolute highest shine I have experienced with a lip gloss, and has the longest wear of any lip gloss I have ever owned. It is extremely sticky, and I hate sticky. I just can't do sticky lip gloss. I was really disappointed. Honestly, I expected more from Bobbi Brown. She has this gloss almost perfect if she can just fix the sticky problem. Although I suppose that without the sticky it wouldn't be super shiny or have such long wearing power. If you don't mind sticky and $17 for a lip gloss doesn't make you cringe than this is a great lip gloss. For me though, those two things especially together make this lip gloss not worth buying. Sorry Bobbi....
While this lip gloss was a flop. Bobbi Brown offers other great quality makeup designed by a world renowned makeup artist. If you would like to check out other products head on over here.
If you enjoyed this post I would love for you to follow with GFC. I'm having a giveaway please check out the giveaway post below and enter. :)

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

It's That Time of The Month.....August Eco Emi!!!

As usual I have been impatiently awaiting the arrival of my Eco-Emi box since I got my email telling me they shipped it. Thank goodness my wait is never very long. August's theme is saving Manatees, and sadly it will be my last box until Jan. With all the holidays coming up this mommy has got to save every penny. October will bring Halloween(30+ bucks for a toddler costume!), November is my son's 3rd Birthday, and of course December means Santa Claus is coming. Whew! Any way back to the August Eco-Emi. I am never disappointed when it comes to Eco-Emi. So many good samples.
  • Radiant You by Dr. Hauschka $11.96. This came with 4 samples inside Lavender Bath, Cleansing Cream, Facial Toner & Mask. These products are said to work together to "transform your skin to a state of lasting radiance and vitality. You can even go on their website to find out how to get a free Radiant Skin set.
  • Egyptian Fennel with Grapefruit & Sweet Orange .25oz $12.00 Deep moisturizing organic oils that easily absorb into the skin to protect and nourish. 
  • Vanilla Vegan Raw Protein Powder by Health Force Nutritionals $59.95 1000 GramsPowder
  • Organic Seaweed Revitalizing Bath and Shower Gel by Gabriel Cosmetics 8oz $22.50
  • Rejuvenating Hand & Body Lotion by Auromere $7.95 I'm excited about this, another Auromere product! So far I have really loved the past three samples we have received in our boxes. 
  • Organic Chamomile Herbal Tea by Eden Organics 16 Packet case $2.51. This smells really spicy for a tea.
  • Organic Chai Herbal Tea By Eden Organics 16 packet case $4.10
  • Acai Vitamins Super Chews by Genesis Today 30 Chew Bag $10.99
I'm very excited about all the products and as usual I will post about them as I use them. I still have some from last month that I haven't used! I love Eco-Emi. If you are looking to get into green, organic, vegan, earth friendly, all the above or you already are and would like to receive samples from green companies I highly recommend signing up for a subscription. Plus, its just really fun to get a box full of goodies every month. Please check out Eco Emi.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Mini Giveaway in Honor of Reaching 100 Blog Followers! EXTENDED TILL SEPT.15(CLOSED)

Thank You for following! I never thought I would reach even 100 blog followers.
Rules:
1. Must be a blog follower
2. 18yrs or older
3. US Residents Only (Sorry to those who live outside the states)
4. Please leave a comment on this post telling me your Google Friend Connect Follower name and What reviews you would like to see in the future.
*Giveaway ends Sept. 5th Midnight Pacific Standard Time. Winner will be chosen with Random.Org. One Entry Per Follower Please*
Thanks again to all my followers I really appreciate you! Good Luck

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Exceptional...Because You Are an exclusive perfume to Fragrance.net Review

Before I get into my review of Exceptional...Because You Are perfume, I want to let you know a little about fragrance.net. Fragrance.net is a online store that sells genuine and authentic brand name perfumes, beauty products and candles at very discounted prices up to 70% off department store prices. I found it on my hunt to find my favorite perfume Beyond Paradise at a more reasonable price than my local department store.Great find because I love perfume and have quite a large collection that I'm always looking to expand especially because my daily scent changes depending on my mood.
  Alright, let's get into Exceptional...Because You Are. This perfume is available exclusively from Fragrance.net created by Exceptional Parfums.  It retails for $54.99. It's descrption states, "a crisp and elegant introduction, a lightly spiced floral and oriental heart, and a sensual dry down."  When I smell it I do get the spicy floral and oriental heart. I sprayed it onto myself in the morning and by evening although lighter,  I could still smell it. So it really does last quite a long time. Unfortunately, this scent is just not for me. Described as a scent for all ages. I feel its more of a scent that an older woman would wear. 
 If you are looking for a great place to get good prices on your favorite designer perfume and 10% off your first purchase,  then check out Fragrance.net.

*Exceptional...Because You Are was sent to me for free to review. All opinions are my own honest reviews. I was not paid for this review.*

Friday, August 19, 2011

Nature's Brilliance By Sue Review

We've all worn makeup with ingredients that we didn't recognize and couldn't pronounce. Well, no more. Not with Nature's Brilliance By Sue. Sue herself suffers from several different allergies and searched for years trying to find makeup and bath & body products that suit all different skin types without irritation. "Sue has a Diploma in both Holistic Beauty Therapy and Holistic Herbal Therapy; with Certificates in Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Bach Flower Remedies, Crystal Healing, and Business Development for the Alternative Health Therapist, from the Natural Health Institutes, based in Canada." Sue will not sell anything that she has not personally tested herself and is not 100%  natural or organic.
Lemonade, Magical Magenta, Heirloom Lavender, Perfect Pansies, Silver Snow, Faded Denim
  I am so incredibly impressed will the quality of Nature's Brilliance by Sue. The pigmentation of all her products is amazing! Just the tiniest amount of product provides a huge amount of color. The eyeshadow's are beautiful and bright even without a primer. I kid you not these are my new favorite eyeshadows, and I can pronounce and recognize the ingredients! For example Iron Oxide, & Mica. Yep that is it! The blush is great too, mine was in Pink Sunset and provided a pop of baby pink shimmer to my cheeks. All these mineral powders I'm finding are very buildable.
  The same goes for the Pomegranate Cream Lip Gloss. I received Blushing Pink a gorgeous frosty pink color. Nice and creamy, smooth and not at all sticky. Giving my lips the glossy, shiny look that I love with ingredients that I know are not going to harm me in anyway. My only problem was that I felt I couldn't reapply on the go because it does have the color of a lipstick and I couldn't apply it without having a tissue or wet wipe near by to clean my finger. Sue does offer lipstick and lipgloss which I WILL be buying.
Nature's Brilliance by Sue is very affordable with prices ranging from $5 to $13. All her prices are the same as cosmetics that you would buy at the drugstore which is another thing about her company that really impressed me. Generally you will find that organic and natural cosmetics are expensive, but Nature's Brilliance by Sue is going to give you quality organic and natural cosmetics as well as soaps, lotions, and perfumes that wont break your budget. Sue's website also offers products from other organic and natural companies. With low shipping! Yay!
Sue was kind enough to send over a discount code for all my readers. At checkout receive 10% off your entire order. This code has no expiration and no minimum. It is KRISTYB10. Awesome! Thank You Sue. Please head on over and check out Nature's Brilliance By Sue




*I was sent the products in this post for free to review. However, all opinions are 100% honest reviews. I was not paid for this review.*

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Global Green USA's Green School Makeover Competition presented by Pureology

  Influenster has teamed with Pureology to give you and your school of choice, the chance to win a Green Makeover. With one grand prize winner of a Green School Renovation and four schools that will each receive $2,500 towards their own Green School renovations.
 "Did you know that most schools spend more money on  poor energy usage than they do on books and computers?" Wow! This fact blows me away. When I got the email from Influenster my first thought was, Which school would I pick to nominate and help? There are so many deserving schools that could benefit from this makeover. I live in a very populated city. A city that has days where the air pollution is so bad that residents are urged to stay indoors as much as possible. Where to start too? Would an Elementary, Middle or High School best benefit? Not to mention that a green school with fruit and vegetable gardens, insect gardens, composting and other incredible learning tools are further improved in my area because we are surrounded by large farms, fruit, nuts, cotton, you name it we have got it. When the wind picks up just right you can smell the garlic from a local grower. LOL. These kinds of learning tools would help the students better understand and appreciate the farms surrounding them. Possibly leading them into careers of improved, smart farming themselves.
 Green schools reap the rewards of their labor with their own grown healthy food. Another benefit being water and energy conservation. Green schools would help in teaching children and young adults the importance of conservation and our environment. Sending them out into the world as well informed adults creating a better future for themselves and our planet.
  As, my child is not yet school age and I'm relatively new to this community I'm still learning about all the schools in my area. I would like to make an informed decision and pick the best one. So, my question to you is...Do you know of a school in your area that could benefit from a Green Makeover? I know, I know. What school couldn't. For More information, to donate, or join please check out http://pureology.com/greenschools

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Fortune Cookie Soap with Lavender Essential Oils

(This photo is from Fortune Cookie Soaps Website)
 I was really excited to find Fortune Cookie Soap in this last months Eco-Emi. With their awesome array of scents and natural ingredients I could not wait to try this soap. I smells really amazing and has a light shimmer in the soap. I didn't notice any of the shimmer on my skin after the shower. I was hoping that it would make my skin feel soft but honestly my skin felt kind of dry after my shower These would make a great gift or party/shower favors. They can be ordered to come in cute little Chinese takeout boxes. Their prices range from $2.75 to $3.24.  I'm not ready to give up on Fortune Cookie Soaps there are so many different scents, as well as body butters, scrubs, masks, bar soaps, melts,  and really cute bombs that literally look like Gelato and shaved ice. I'm going to continue shopping around the Fortune Cookie website and let you all know how each product goes. 
UPDATE: I just realized that I forgot to put a link in to their website. http://www.fortunecookiesoap.com/

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Coming Soon

Hey all! I wanted to get on and let you all know that I have some great reviews coming up. I have been slow at getting reviews up for the past week because my old laptop kicked the bucket. I’m happy to report that I have gotten a new laptop and will be back to posting as normal. Smile

Sunday, August 07, 2011

J.R. Watkins Aloe & Green Tea Hand & Body Lotion

As you may remember this hand and body lotion was one of the sample products that I received in my July Eco-Emi. Out of all the July products this lotion was my favorite. It is certified by the Natural Products Association and is 97.80% Natural. It leaves my skin super soft, absorbs quickly and does not leave even the slightest bit of greasiness. Although it is Aloe and Green Tea it smells to me to be a soft mixture of sweet Jasmine and Rose. Which I love. Jasmine is one of my absolute favorite scents. I have checked out the J.R. Watkins website and found that they have a Coconut Milk and Honey Hand & Body Lotion, which I plan on purchasing and trying out on my son whom has Eczema. It has been an uphill battle finding a lotion that works well at moisturizing and not irritating my sons skin. After using some of the Aloe & Green Tea lotion on him and finding that it didn't irritate and did a great job of keeping his sensitive skin moisturized it's my thinking that the Coconut Milk and Honey lotion is going to be a winner. J.R. Watkins products a very affordable with the lotion retailing at $9.99 for 11 fl. oz.  They also make natural food seasoning products as well as home cleaning products. Check out their website here www.jrwatkins.com
I have to thank Christine at Eco-Emi for introducing me to yet another great product and company!

Saturday, August 06, 2011

S'more Pie

Hey everybody! This is not a makeup or review related post but I really wanted to share this super simple S'more Pie recipe. On my trip to Oregon I had eaten at a restaurant called Shari's. I had a really good pie, and as I was enjoying it I realized I could easily make it at home. A major plus is that it requires no baking. Making it perfect for summer. Here is how I made mine. Feel free to take liberties with your pie. Have fun and enjoy!
I forgot the chocolate chips. Still delicious.
  • 1 Box Chocolate Jello Pudding
  • 1/2 cup Marshmellows(overflowing)
  • Whipped Cream
  • Pre-made Graham Cracker pie crust
  • Graham Crackers
  • Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
1. Follow instructions for pie filling on Jello Pudding box. 2. Stir in Marshmellows. 3. Pour filling into graham pie crust.4. Cover filling with Whipped Cream 5. Place graham crackers on pie as desired. 6. Sprinkle with marshmellows and chocolate chips. Your done!

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Luminess Air Review




 Luminess Air is an airbrushing system that offers even makeup novices the chance to have flawless air brushed makeup at home. I cannot tell you how incredibly excited I was to be able to review a Luminess Air system. Although I had seen the infomercial videos about how easy it was, I was unsure about whether I was going to be able to receive the same results.

  When I received my system I watched the quick 20 minute video and read through the booklet that comes with your system. Immediately after,  although late in the evening I was ready to use my new airbrushing system. My first application was horrible. It was everything the video tells you not to do. I looked terrible and blotchy. Half the time I wasn't pulling far enough back on the bucket and nothing was coming out, then I'd pull too far back and get too much. Determined not to give up, and learning from the mistakes of the first application I washed my face and tried again. The second time was the charm. I did it! That night I got compliments on how great my skin looked, and people were actually surprised to find that I was wearing makeup at all! So, as a beginner with my Luminess  Air system I was able to achieve that flawless natural complexion their commercials had promised. For me this is a huge deal as I have suffered from bad skin for many years and have some discoloration as a result. I also have a purple birthmark on my right eyelid that the Luminess Air system covers very easily. I was initially worried that the water and mineral based foundation was not going to hold up to the triple digit heat of the California Valley. I'm happy to report that it did very well in the heat and lasted most of the day without a powder touch-up, and I have oily skin. I have been using my system everyday since receiving it. Since then, I have gotten even better and faster. I now can have a fully made up face including mascara, eyeliner, and lipstick in less then 10 minutes. Which is half the time of my normal makeup routine. 
One of the other things that I was impressed with when it comes to Luminess Air is that they offer payment plans so that even women on a limited budget can afford their own system. My system has a payment plan of four monthly payments of $49.99. The also offer a trial for $29.95, so you can try it for yourself and see if it is right for you.  The makeup its self is very pricey but well worth the cost. Not to mention that you are only using about six to eight drops everyday, so even the smaller bottle of foundation should last quite a while.
  So, if you can't already tell. I would highly recommend the Luminess Air system. I am so happy with my results and the sheer ease of use. Amazing product. If you would like to check out Luminess Air for yourself please head over to their website, Luminess Air.