THERE CAME THIS WOMAN

Dayspring's "Love Came Down Collection" Giveaway

2012-11-16T15:31:00.000-06:00

I recently blogged about the wonderful items that Dayspring has so graciously shared with me. If you haven't had the chance to read the article/review yet, please go to this link.

This wonderful company was kind enough to sponsor a giveaway...so to my wonderful readers and subscribers - here's your chance to receive all the items that Dayspring shared with me!

Please go to this link: "Love Came Down Collection Giveaway" for a chance to win these wonderful and inspiring items. Please note that this giveaway is open to US Residents only.

Please visit Inspired Deals, for more beautiful products that promote inspiration and encouragement. These products and this website in particular is very near and dear to my heart, because it truly is a home for the hearts of women.

Disclaimer: All the products in this showcased in this blog entry were sent to me for free by Dayspring. However, I was not compensated for my opinions – they are all my own.

Love. Faith. Hope.

2012-11-15T11:34:00.000-06:00

Almost a year ago, I was very sick and never thought I would ever regain total control of my health. Needless to say, I was down and out - and very scared. My diabetes took on a very scary turn, and was slowly affecting my kidneys, liver and even my heart. During those times, I had nothing to turn to but my faith and no one else to hold onto but my family and closest friends.

The "Love Came Down" collection reminds me day in and out of how faith and love can move mountains and heal broken spirits.

A year later...I am still here - with a clean bill of health.

Happy. Healthy. Loved.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:11

I remember all the positive things that kept me going when I was very sick, every time I look at the beautiful collection that Dayspring was kind enough to share with me.

Love, beauty, happiness - they all exist in great abundance. We just have to open our eyes and hearts to witness and experience them.

Disclaimer: All the products in this showcased in this blog entry were sent to me for free by Dayspring. However, I was not compensated for my opinions - they are all my own.

Low Carb Recipe: Coconut Flour & Milled Flaxseed Peanut Butter Cookies

2012-11-13T15:09:00.000-06:00

I am an ex-diabetic who's always on the lookout for low carb products that I can incorporate in my daily meals. One of my latest finds is Coconut Flour - which ranks very low in the Glycemic Index. It only has 6 grams of effective, slow-release carbohydrates per serving and as you can see these carbs are mostly fiber.

This product is ideal for diabetics, ex-diabetics and for those who are simply conscious about their health and over-all well being. It is gluten-free - and we all know that gluten is highly allergenic. It's also high in fiber, which aids in the absorption of sugar in the blood stream and lowering cholesterol levels. It effectively aids in the prevention of heart disease and diabetes. Lastly, it is loaded with protein - which is very helpful in weight loss.

Here's one of my favorite "Coconut Flour" Recipes: Coconut Flour and Milled Golden Flaxseed Peanut Butter Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 Cup Sifted Coconut Flour

1 cup natural peanut butter (it has a reasonable amount of carbs and nuts in general is a healthy snack alternative)

1 and 1/2 cup sugar substitute

4 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 cup Wildroots Milled Golden Flaxseed (click on this link for more information on the health benefits of Flaxseed) Note: This is an optional ingredient but I love adding it to my batter because of the flavor and the added texture.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven at 375 degrees fahrenheit.

In a bowl, mix sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt and peanut butter.

Gradually stir in Coconut Flour and mix well.

Add optional ingredient (a personal favorite of mine) - Wildroots Milled Golden Flaxseed.

Drop by spoonfuls on a baking sheet/pan lined with parchment paper. Make sure the cookies are 2 inches apart. Note: Indentations on the cookie were made using a fork.

Bake for about 14 minutes.

Let it cool for a few minutes and enjoy!

Our health is in our hands but we need not deprive ourselves of the things we enjoy eating, just because we have to be conscious of what we should ingest. It's always a matter of doing your homework and looking for healthier substitutes for ingredients that we're used to cooking with.

Disclaimer: I’m no health guru, dietician, what-have-you. I’m just a normal consumer and an “ex-diabetic” who appreciates honest feedback about products that I use on a regular basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Product Review: NYC Individual Eyes Palette

2012-11-08T18:53:00.000-06:00

I received this NYC Individual Eyes Palette from Influenster, and it's one of the many amazing products inside the Beauty Bloggers Voxbox 2012. It was a pretty interesting kit, because it had all the essential eye products that you’ll need in one compact palette.

I have always been loyal to my favorite high end brands - so naturally, I didn't know if I'd like this product/brand or not. Also, some of the product were all over the palette (may have been caused by shipping), so I did not know what to expect as far as the quality goes. I have never used this brand before so I was also very interested in the pigmentation of each individual eye shadow color.

Pros and Product Highlights:

The suggested retail price for this palette is $4.99 – very affordable!

It has 4 eye shadows that were respectively labeled (contouring, highlight, crease) according to how/where they should be used which makes it ideal for pros and beginners alike.

This little palette also comes with an eye base/primer and an illuminator. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised at how these two components work – the quality is good! I have been using the illuminator on my face as well, as part of my “contouring” routine. I really like it!

The eye shadows are highly pigmented – what you see is what you get.

Cons:

The colors don’t flake or bleed around the eye area when used in conjunction with the eye base/primer and MAC’s Fix Plus. It smudges/bleeds under the eyes a wee bit (where I like putting extra color before using a kohl pencil to line my lower lash area – hope I made sense!) if you don’t use setting sprays like Fix Plus or Skindinavia.

DISCLAIMER: I did not purchase any of these products. They were sent to me by Influenster for review and blogging purposes. I’m just a regular consumer and I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a daily basis or consider buying. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Creative Bioscience 90 Day Weight Loss Challenge….Here I Come!!!

2012-11-07T17:19:00.000-06:00

Almost a year and 185 pounds ago, I was a full blown type 2 diabetic who had no clue what to do to address this health condition. I started with turning my eating habits around and hitting the gym religiously with my favorite workout buddy - my husband. After months of regular gym routines and healthier meal choices, my weight went down from 185 to 148 pounds (hurray!). My doctor informed me that according to my latest blood panel results, my blood sugar level was that of a normal person’s numbers. I was also informed that I am no longer a candidate for any heart conditions and that my blood pressure was back to normal.

Everything should have been well and dandy after all this right?! Well…not exactly, because according to my endocrinologist, I still have a certain percentage of body fat that I have to lose in order to attain that clean bill of health that I am aiming for. I’m 5’6” and a healthy weight for my frame is around 125 to 130 pounds. Try as I might though…I seem to be stuck at 148 pounds and I cannot figure out what else I need to incorporate in my routine and lifestyle to lose those last 23 annoying pounds. If my reasons all bordered on vanity – I wouldn’t have cared that much. But after experiencing a lot of health problems due to diabetes (e.g. protein leakage, kidney problems, heart and blood pressure concerns…to name a few), I was bound and determined to be healthy and stay healthy.

These frustrating issues that have been weighing heavy on my mind lately, have all been answered when Creative Bioscience contacted me to be a part of the 90 day Weight Loss Challenge. I guess I was in the right place (errr…more like cyberspace) at the right time and I couldn’t be happier!

I was asked to choose a product from their website and blog about why I chose it. I decided to accept the challenge and chose... *insert drumroll here* Raspberry Ketone 1234! They have plenty of other wonderful products to choose from but I picked Raspberry Ketone because it addresses my weight loss and health goals. This is a supplement that I see myself taking on a regular basis.

For those of you who don't know what Raspberry Ketone is, it's the characteristic in raspberries that gives it its distinct flavor and aroma. It's also been proven in a few studies to help release fat and store less of it – PERFECT for my health goals! It was shown in a 2005 study to protect the liver against fat build up in mice who ate a high-fat enriched diet.

My main goal in this 90 day challenge is to drop 23 pounds and to significantly lower my Body Mass Index numbers. Creative Bioscience 90 Day Weight Loss Challenge….here I come!!!

If you're a blogger and want to be a part of this challenge as well, you can go visit this website:

Creative Bioscience 90 Day Weight Loss Challenge

I'll keep y'all posted on this health journey - so stay tuned!

Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce Product Update and Giveaway Winners

2012-11-04T21:42:00.000-06:00

I do not have enough good words to say about Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce and the company behind this new-found kitchen staple of mine. Their products are great and the people behind these culinary elixirs are wonderful individuals. Click here for the complete product review.

Since we got our complimentary bottles for the review, me and my husband have used and incorporated it in so many recipes. We specially love using it whenever we bake or grill meat on our Foreman and traditional outdoor grill.

A few days ago, I received another packagel from Country Bob's. I was so excited to see that they sent me a barbeque/grilling set! Fortunately, we still had some ribs...so me and my husband wasted no time and put our new toys to work!

PHOTO ABOVE: The Grilling Set sent by Country Bob's

PHOTO ABOVE: We used Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce as part of our marinade mix.

I was fortunate that I was given this chance to do a product review on a product that I am proud to write about and endorse. I am also excited to share this culinary experience with the winners of my "Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce Product Giveaway'! The winners were electronically picked via RancomPicker.com and they are:

Thank you to those who took part in this giveaway and congratulations to the winners!

Disclaimer: These bottles of Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce were sent to me for product review and blogging purposes. I did not pay for these items, nor am I getting monetary compensation for posting an honest review about this product. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Product Review : Bath and Body Works Candles

2012-11-03T13:20:00.000-05:00

How much do I love candles?! Let me count the ways…

Kidding aside…I have always loved “smell good stuff” in my home. I think I have them all – plug ins, oil warmers, sprays and my personal favorite – candles! There’s just something soothing and romantic about lighting candles. It instantly transforms the atmosphere in any room – which is why I have always been a candle fanatic!

I love “matching” my candles to what season it is but I have to say that my favorite ones are the fall and winter scents from Bath and Body Works. When I saw that this “colder season” staple of mine was included in my Influenster's Beauty Bloggers Voxbox 2012, I was in “smell good heaven” because not only did they give me a mini candle for free…they also included a coupon that I could use to purchase up to 5 candles at a discounted rate.

Hurray for the candle aficionado in me!

PHOTO ABOVE: I was supposed to use these in December - in time for the Christmas Season. However, I love these scents so much and couldn't help but light them - which explains why they're all used up now! "Sparkling Icicles" has that clean, winter smell that I am absolutely in love with. When I have this scent lit up, I am reminded of pine trees, snow...and Christmas! "Frosted Cranberry", on the other hand, has that fun/festive berry scent that I really like. It has the right amount of tang and does not smell overly sweet - it's definitely worth checking out, y'all!

PHOTO ABOVE: "Nutmeg and Spice" was the mini candle that Influenster included in my Voxbox. Most of the candles that I purchase from BBW are made by Slatkin & Co. but this one is by White Barn. The smell of this candle is absolutely divine - it smells like pastries, cakes and desserts. It has the same undertones as Vanilla Snowflake (another winter favorite of mine)...with hints of its namesake coming through (nutmeg and spice).

PROS AND PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:

The packaging of these candles are awesome. They look like home décor even without candle sleeves!

The quality of the candles are stellar. The smell is great from the first time you light it up ‘til the very last drop of wax in the container.

There’s no “candle wax smell” when you light these babies up. That’s probably one of the reasons why I prefer BBW Candles over the less expensive ones that you normally find in stores or groceries.

Bath and Body Works offers good customer service – and on those rare occasions that you don’t like how a candle you picked out smells like, you can always go back and get it replaced with another scent. It happened to me when I picked out the “Pineapple and Mango” scent. It just didn’t work out for my smellers so I took it back and had it replaced hassle-free. Customer Service can make or break a product – so kudos to BBW coz y’all are doing a wonderful job on keeping your customers happy and satisfied!

CONS:

It is pricier than some candle brands out in the market – but BBW always has great sales and coupons! Also, the price is at par with the quality that you’re getting…so I’m a happy customer, regardless.

WOULD I PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?

I’ve been a Bath and Body Works gal for years on end…and their candles are one (out of many) of my favorite items from their store. So without a shadow of a doubt…I will buy their candles again…and again…and again. I’m sure y’all get the point – lol!

DISCLAIMER: I did not purchase all of these products. Some were sent to me by Influenster for review and blogging purposes. The other candles were purchased at a very discounted rate using coupons sent by Influenster. I’m just a regular consumer and I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a daily basis or consider buying. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Dallas/Fort Worth Haul

2012-10-31T19:41:00.000-05:00

Me and my husband occasionally go to the Dallas/Fort Worth area to shop, splurge and spoil ourselves a wee bit. I won't bore y'all with details on where we went, what/where we ate, where we shopped and all that. I'll share photos of the goodies that I bought tho - because it's always fun to "exchange notes/tips/favorites" with my lovely readers via blog posts. However, my DSLR ran outta juice somewhere in between snapshots - so you have to excuse the quality of some of the photos that I took. I had to resort to using my backup camera, 'coz I wanted to finish this entry before I completely forget about posting it - lol!

I am almost out of my favorite contouring palette - NARS Orgasm Laguna Bronzer and Blush Duo...so I got another one.

We don't have a local MAC store in my area...so every time we go to the Dallas/Fort Worth Area, I always stock up on stuff that I'm running low on (and then some).

I got another bottle of Fix Plus and Studio Fix Fluid Foundation.

I also got three shades of lipstick - Viva Glam III, Velvet Teddy (my FAVE shade) and Ruby Woo (I am all out of this color so I had to get a new tube). I'm still well stocked on my other makeup staples - so that was it for me, as far as MAC products go.

Our next stop was at LUSH. Thank goodness I was blessed with a patient and wonderful husband because my "baby, I just need ten minutes 'coz I know what I'm getting" turns to forever when I'm at this store. I love my bath stuff - that's my only excuse. *silly grin*

These are the stuff that I ended up purchasing from Lush - my bath and skin care staples.

I got two more bath bombs to add to my stash - Big Blue and The Enchanter

I also got more "Fresh Farmacy" - it works great on my face specially during Winter Season.

My favorite - The Godmother

Freebie Soap - Rock Star. I love most of Lush's products but I don't know how I feel about the scent of this soap. It smells too much like Play Doh (uuuh...or a rubber eraser?!) to me. It's a freebie tho...so no hard feelings!

Lastly, I got more "Buffy" (I got my husband hooked on this too) - an exfoliant and body butter that you can use while you're in the shower. It's specially great during the winter season because our skin tends to be VERY dry during the colder months.

I also bought more shower/smell good stuff and hand soaps from Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret.

I'm a "smell good fiend" and I stock up on hand soaps from BBW when I have good coupons and when they have crazy sales going on.

Me and my hubby also went to Trader Joe's to get some of his favorite healthy snacks and a few of my favorite low carb treats.

My favorite treats from Trader Joe's: low carb chocies and "no carb" irish cheese

I couldn't resist getting this owl organizer from Barnes and Noble. I love OWLS and I can never live without an organizer. I know I have my iPad, laptop and there's all the technology that I can/should take advantage of - but I'm old school and I can't seem to remember things unless I jot them down!

It's a treat for the li'l kid in me...lol!

Thanks for droppin' by and I hope y'all enjoyed this post!

Product Review: Palmolive Fresh Infusions

2012-10-30T18:33:00.000-05:00

I was stoked that I got picked to review a second Voxbox from Influenster. This time, the box I received was called "The Newest Premium Dish Soap Voxbox" and it had 3 big/full sized bottles of Palmolive Fresh Fusions Dish Washing Liquid - one of which is meant to be shared with a friend. Palmolive and Influenster were also very generous because they included 5 coupons in the box, that my friends/loved ones can use.

Here's a few photos of the box and goodies that I got:

I do rely on my dishwasher to do all the "washing" for me - but then I have pots, pans and delicate stuff that I prefer to wash by hand. Regular stuff goes in the dishwasher and some stuff goes in the sink for hand washing - pretty simple chore repertoire, right? Add sensitive skin/contact dermatitis in the equation...and simple chores aren't that simple anymore. Gloves don't really help my plight, because it only aggravates my skin. So I am left with no other recourse but to pick mild products that will play nice with my hands - so to speak.

PROS AND PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:

This dish washing liquid is surprisingly mild to my ultra sensitive hands and that's always a big plus in my book!

It comes in 3 sophisticated smelling variants: Ginger White Tea, Lime Basil, Lemon Thyme. As far as my nose is concerned...these dish washing liquids almost has that spa quality to it - specially when I used it to soak some of my pans in hot water. It just smells so soothing...so Zen.

It may be gentle to my hands but it's really tough on any kind of "gunk" left on my pots and pans - which was a very pleasant surprise to me.

CONS:

It costs more than your cheaper/regular dish washing liquid - anywhere from 50 cents to a dollar more. I mean, the extra cost is not enough to make you cringe but there is the glaring fact that it's slightly more expensive than your regular dish washing liquid. My hands love it tho - so I will probably buy more when I run out...with coupons of course. *wink*

DISCLAIMER: I did not purchase any of these products. They were sent to me by Influenster for review and blogging purposes. I’m just a regular consumer and I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a daily basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Product Review: Not Your Mother's Curl Defining Cream

2012-10-23T14:53:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned in my Influenster’s Beauty Bloggers Voxbox 2012 blog post, my hair is very confused. It can go from perfectly shiny and wavy/curly one minute...to poofy and dry or limp and straight the next. I'm pretty sure that the weather and humidity level (or lack thereof) here in Texas plays a major role in my hair's mood swings, so I am always on the lookout for products that can fix this dilemma.

"Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream" (it's quite a mouthful, i know...) is part of the Beauty Voxbox 2012 that Influenster sent to me for product review. I was so excited to see this product in my box, because I have never used it before and I am always very eager to try hair products that can potentially tame the wild and moody beast that I fondly call "my hair".

Photo Above: My husband trying to take a snapshot of my long hair. We used a smartphone - which explains why my curls weren't really captured in this snapshot. But anyway...I was very happy about how my hair looked like after using "Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Cream". I thought it had more body and definition.

PROS AND PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:

This product provides just the right amount of moisture. It doesn't leave that overly greasy residue behind like some other curl shaping products do.

It is so delicious smelling. This hair product is infused with Grapeseed and Jasmine...and it doesn't have a tacky/overpowering scent. Instead, it has fruity undertones - I love it!

It does what it's supposed to do - and then some. After using this product, I find that it's all I really need to have my hair's waves looking the way I want them to look the whole day. I'm too lazy to use curling irons and blow dryers - so this product is perfect for me. I normally take bubble baths or showers at night...and I am happy that even after a rendezvous with my sheets and pillows, my hair still looks good the next morning.

It works for sensitive scalps too. I have very sensitive skin and when I use a product that's too harsh or greasy - my scalp lets me know right away. I was hesitant to use "Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream" at first because of my sensitive skin. I didn't want my scalp to flake up...or itch...but I wouldn't know if this product would work for me if I won't give it a chance, right? The good news is...my scalp loves this hair cream too. *big happy sigh of relief*

It's affordable. A 120 ml bottle costs around $5.99 at Ulta...so I'm guessing it's around the 5 to 6 dollar range in other stores (e.g. Walmart, Target, Drug Stores, etc.).

CONS:

For people with long hair like myself, a 120 ml bottle won't go a long way. You have to saturate your hair with the product, so you can get your desired effect. Ergo, that's a lot of $5.99's along the way.

WOULD I PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?

I like how the product smells like. I like how it makes my hair look like. So in all honesty...I would probably buy it again. Low maintenance hair = priceless.

DISCLAIMER: I did not purchase any of these products. They were sent to me by Influenster for review and blogging purposes. I’m just a regular consumer and I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a daily basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Product Review and Giveaway: Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce

2012-10-22T10:29:00.000-05:00

I have heard a lot of good things about Country Bob’s from my Blogging Community and they had nothing but wonderful things to say about the company and their products. I was fortunate to be among the bloggers chosen by the company to try out their “All Purpose Sauce”.

I was very excited to receive my complimentary bottles because me and my husband are both in low carb diets and eat a lot of lean meat. I have to be very creative in the kitchen because “no carb and healthy eating” should not mean dry, boring and redundant meals.

When my all purpose sauces got delivered, I had to take it for a taste test right away because I wanted to check what the flavor profile's like. I was pleasantly surprised about Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce’s robust flavor. It has the right amount of tang which makes it easy to work with and incorporate in most dishes – even side dishes!

Below, I have posted photos of a couple of dishes that I made with Country Bob’s All Purpose Steak Sauce. I always tweak traditional recipes or substitute them with low carb ingredients in accordance to me and my husband’s lifestyle/meal preferences.

Fried Bread with Chicken, Avocado Slivers and Baby Spinach:

Usually, the recipe for this fried bread calls for flour. I used a combination of Coconut Flour and Wildroots Milled Flaxseed as healthier and low carb substitutes. I used Country Bob’s All Purpose Steak Sauce to marinade the chicken and come dinner time, all I had to do was “grill” it on my Foreman. I added some baby spinach and avocado slices to my concoction for more nutrients and a healthy dollop of omega 3!

Baked Turkey Meatballs with Sauteed Low Carb Pasta:

I used Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce to season my ground turkey…and boy oh boy…was it YUMMY! I also sautéed some Dreamfields Low Carb Pasta on the side with a few drops of this wonderful culinary elixir from Country Bob’s.

My husband’s verdict on Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce: “Can we get more of this sauce when we run out?!” *burp*.

My verdict on Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce: They weren't kidding when they say this sauce is "all purpose" because you can use it on anything and everything. Your only limit as far as using this in the kitchen would be your imagination. It definitely is worth checking out and buying. I know for a fact that I'll be buying another bottle when I run out - it's that GOOD.

Please do check out their products at your local stores' barbeque/sauce isles or through Country Bob's Website (click me). They have a variety of products that would suit your culinary/bbq-ing needs!

PRODUCT GIVEAWAY:

Do you want to win your own bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce?!

The company was kind enough to sponsor my very first giveaway, so that my lovely readers can try this amazing All Purpose Sauce. There will be two (2) winners for this giveaway and each one will receive two (2) bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce. The giveaway is open to US Residents only. This raffle starts today (October 22, 2012) and ends on November 5, 2012. The winners will be announced on a separate blog entry - so keep checking my blog for updates!

All you have to do to qualify is "like" this post and tell me what you are looking for when purchasing all purpose/barbeque sauces (e.g. price, specific flavor profile, ingredients, etc.) by "leaving a comment below" .

Thank you for dropping by and GOOD LUCK!

Disclaimer: These bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce were sent to me for product review and blogging purposes. I did not pay for these items, nor am I getting monetary compensation for posting an honest review about this product. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Influenster’s Beauty Bloggers Voxbox 2012

2012-10-20T09:51:00.000-05:00

I finally got my first Voxbox from Influenster. Needless to say, I was pretty excited because not only do I get to try a couple of new items for free so I can decide if I want to purchase them again in the future – but I also get to share my insights with my blog readers as well!

One thing that I want to commend Influenster on, is the fact that they have a very “well-rounded” mindset when it comes to mixing and matching products that they send out to their product reviewers. As you can see from the photos that I posted below, they sent a couple of products that complement one another (e.g. cosmetics, hair products, candles, etc.).

Without further ado…here are the things that Influenster sent to me for review:

This NYC Palette's pretty interesting. It has 4 eye shadows that were respectively labeled (contouring, highlight, crease) according to how/where they should be used. This little palette also comes with an eye base/primer and an illuminator. I must admit...I have never used this brand before so I am very interested about the quality and pigmentation.

I rarely use fake lashes because I'm lazy (lol...hey, at least I'm honest about it, right!) and I have read so many "eye articles" that discourage the use of falsies. I am willing to give this baby a try tho...because if it doesn't irritate my eyes (and that happens a lot), then I just might jump into the false eyelashes bandwagon!

I am a complete and utter failure as far as fixing my hair goes. So when I saw this tiny hair contraption at Walmart....I had all kinds of questions running like athletes on a caffeine high in my brain. I would always hover, inspect and read the instructions at the back of the boxes but I never bought any...because I was too skeptical about the product.

When I found this in my Voxbox, all I could do was look at my husband and give him the goofiest smile I could muster. I am so excited to try it...and I will let y'all know how my adventure with Goody's Spin Pin goes in a more detailed product review!

I have wavy hair that can get extremely curly on some days and straight/flat/icky/lifeless on others. I guess it all depends upon the weather and humidity...but there are those days when my hair makes me wonder if it has a separate working brain that was genetically engineered to irritate the living bejezzuz out of me. My hair just randomly goes on zombie mode sometimes (or so I've noticed)...too much "The Walking Dead", perhaps?!

I am joking of course. Lol. Not about my hair tho...just about the tv show.

I always switch from one brand to another to tame/shape my curls and to keep the curls err...curly?! Wait...what?! Lol. I know...I don't make sense sometimes but neither does my hair *dramatic sigh*. Anyway, I am very thrilled to get this in my voxbox because if it works...then I have another hair product to turn to when my hair's being evil to me. *crosses fingers*

I am a big Emergen-C fan...so I was pleasantly surprised to find this in my box. Beauty should always go hand in hand with health - so I love the fact that on top of the other cool things that I got for product review, I got this too!

I am of the opinion that prevention is always better than cure. A healthy person... is a happy person... is a beautiful person.

Candles and "Smell Good" Stuff - I have all kinds of room in my heart of hearts for these things! I like keeping my home neat and organized - and smelling good all year round! I love plug-ins, diffusers...but candles are my absolute favorites because there is just something sexy and relaxing about lighting them.

This candle from Bath and Body Works is my nose's idea of heaven - more like baked goods heaven. It is just so YUMMY smelling! I cannot wait to get the full-sized jar with the coupon that came with the candle! Hooray for me and my nose!

I wanted to share the lovely items that came in the voxbox that Influenster sent to me for review purposes. I will do further product reviews with more information on the quality and price of each individual product - so stay tuned!

DISCLAIMER: I did not purchase any of these products. They were sent to me by Influenster for review and blogging purposes.

Product Review: Wildroots Coastal Berry Blend

2012-10-12T12:37:00.000-05:00

Before I delve into the actual product review, I would like to share some information on how my typical morning routine goes and what kind of products/food items I consume to jumpstart my day. I may be free from Type 2 Diabetes now, but I am still and will always be on top of my health, nutrition… and my glucose level.

I normally eat a low-carb granola bar or some trail mix and drink a cup o’ joe before I head out to the gym for a morning workout routine with my husband. I don’t eat my normal breakfast spread until I am back home from my exercise session, but I always make a conscious effort to eat something light before leaving.

Working out naturally lowers a person’s blood sugar levels and this is why diabetics are encouraged to be more active. However, blood sugar level drops or hypoglycemia is just as dangerous as sugar spikes or hyperglycemia – if not more. For a simple explanation on hypoglycemia versus hyperglycemia, please click on this link.

I like consuming natural food items instead of crazy chemicals before heading out to the gym. Coffee for instance has a lot of anti-oxidants. It’s also a good source of “fuel” before a rigorous workout. Some health studies claim that drinking coffee on a daily basis may help decrease risks of having a stroke, type 2 diabetes, basal cell carcinoma, clinical depression and cirrhosis of the liver – to name a few. Berries are very good for diabetics too – or for people who are trying to shed some weight. Most berries are low in carbohydrates and can easily be burned while working out. Lastly, nuts are great snack alternatives because researches show that they improve our blood lipid profile and lower the risk of coronary heart disease and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes.

I love the fact that Wildroots Coastal Berry Blend has all the ingredients that I love. It’s healthy and it’s DELICIOUS. I kid you not...it’s seriously tasty. This product summarizes everything that I am looking for in a pre-workout snack - so without further ado, here’s my review on this wonderful product:

PROS AND PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:

- I am a fan of the taste, the quality of the ingredients…and the fact that the makers did not skimp on anything. Some trail mixes go a wee bit “economical” on their products and add “fillers” (way too much at times) - such as heaps upon heaps of the most inexpensive nut out in the market (aka peanuts). Not that I have anything against peanuts . My point is, Wildroots’ Coastal Berry Blend has generous amounts of ALL the ingredients in the list.

- Wildroots Coastal Berry Blend is made of all natural ingredients. Some trail mixes that are readily available in local stores have crazy chemicals that I can’t even pronounce. Most are loaded with sugar, sugar…and you guessed it right – more sugar. Not this bad boy! Berries, nuts, dairy products…these are the main and only ingredients that are in this health nut’s dream snack in a bag.

- I cannot even begin to articulate how YUMMY this trail mix is. My all time favorite used to be Trader Joe’s Anti-Oxidant Nut and Berry Mix – but Wildroots’ Coastal Berry Blend just tops my favorites chart! I am not saying this because the company was kind enough to send me a free bag of the trail mix. I am happily gibbering about it because I believe in it, it is definitely worth sharing to the public and my wonderful blog reader/subscribers…and I am in love with this product.

- Eating this trail mix is like having dessert so early in the morning – minus the guilt! For some reason, the yogurt chips taste like white chocolate to me…and the wonderful part is, I don’t have to worry about sugar spikes.

- I always check my blood sugar levels before and after consuming a food item that I have never eaten before. I did the same when I got the Wildroots Coastal Berry Blend in the mail. When I woke up, I tested my blood sugar level and it was at 90 mg/dl. I went about my normal morning routine: drank my cup o’ coffee, ate some Coastal Berry Blend Trail Mix and worked out at the gym with my husband. When I got home, I tested my sugar level again just to see how the product impacted my glucose level. I was very happy to see 98 mg/dl on my monitor’s screen.

- Like most Wildroots Foods Products, you get a lot o’ bang for your buck with this Trail Mix. You get 1.6 pounds of healthy goodness for only $9.99. It’s hard to find great and reasonably priced trail mixes that would send me in a carb-induced coma…so I cannot help but be overly excited about this brand! =)

CONS:

I must admit…coming up with a list of “cons” about this product had me stomped. I literally stared at my computer screen for what seemed like an eternity.

- As I mentioned earlier, I use this product before a rigorous physical activity. If you’re diabetic and wish to consume this product as a snack, you might have varying glucose level results. Not all pre-diabetics/diabetics are hormonally engineered a certain way, if you know what I mean.

- I could not find it in my local stores but I am happy to note that I can order some online. I know that we can never put a price tag on our health…but I would rather get these in stores, so that I don’t have to worry about shipping fees. Honestly tho...I would still purchase it online because it is a very good product and surely worth the extra money for shipping.

I honestly think that this product is worth raving about – because it truly is made with high quality ingredients. This company is a personal favorite of mine because of so many reasons. One being the fact that their products epitomize "health and nutrition" in its truest form. They make awesome products that are worth your while and worth trying out for yourselves. If you wish to try out their delicious products, you can visit their online shop (click me!).

Disclaimer: I’m no health guru, dietician, what-have-you. I’m just a normal consumer and an “ex-diabetic” – it feels so good to say that! I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a regular basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

All Cartooned Up

2012-10-07T13:39:00.000-05:00

In my past blogging experience, I've always used cute "cartoon-ish" characters, that us bloggers fondly refer to as avatars. Privacy...I guess that's the rationale behind my choice of "avatars" in the past.

An old friend of mine, who happens to be a talented artist, created this wonderful digital artwork for me...and I have decided to use it as my blogging avatar.

The inspiration behind her artwork was a dolled up photo of...well...myself.

Uuuh...

Why hello, Captain Obvious!

I know...I know. Lol.

Now I can blog as me - not that I turn all schizo when I blog and take on an alter ego...lol! I did not mean it like that at all. My point is, my avatar is now a cartoonized version of myself and not just some random animated artwork.I dunno...it's just more honest. It has "there came this woman" (my blog) written all over it. It's more me. I like it.

Ri...this post is for you. Thanks so much for this amazing artwork.

Scarves...scarves...and yeah, more of 'em!

2012-10-06T09:29:00.000-05:00

The colder months are just around the corner, so I started making scarves of various designs and forms.

Scarves are one of my favorite winter fashion staples - next to cute boots! I absolutely enjoy making them because of several reasons: crafting has always been therapeutic for me, i DO NOT like looking like everybody else ( if you make your own stuff...no one else has it, right?!)...and I sell some of my crafts on my eBay store so it becomes a work/play mix of sorts for me (if that even makes any sense...lol).

Scarves...scarves...scarves! Plain, embellished, long, blinged...I love all of them!

What about you? What are your favorite "clothing add-ons/fashion staples/what-have-you" for the colder months?!

I give a hoot!

2012-10-05T21:02:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure how my love for owls started and where it all began but anyway...I love 'em as much as I love crafting, makeup and anything/everything that's carb-free - lol!

I decided to visit one of my "happy places" - Pier 1 Imports and sure enough...they had new owls! For almost 2 hours...I was in owl heaven! I wish I could take all of them home!

Unfortunately, I wasn't there for more owls or home decor...I wanted to pick up stuff that me and my husband can give as Christmas presents to the supervisors and employees under his management. I know...it's a wee bit early to go Christmas shopping but the thing is...I wanted to be prepared ahead of time this year. I did a lot of cramming and last minute shopping last year and it was a nightmare. Last minute shopping trips always spells out disaster and spending more money out of desperation. That is not going to happen this year - not if I can help it!

Have y'all started making shopping plans for the upcoming Holidays?!

Goodbye Diabetes, Good Riddance High Blood Pressure...Hello Wild Roots!

2012-10-02T10:27:00.000-05:00

I have always been open about the fact that I used to be a full blown Type 2 Diabetic for several years. The changes I made to my lifestyle and most importantly to my diet, all led to a clean bill of health and a significant amount of weight loss (yay me!). No more diabetes, no more blood pressure and cholesterol issues, no more palpitations, no more kidney problems...and the list goes on and on! Needless to say, I am a VERY happy camper.

I'm sure some of you are wondering how flaxseed helped me kick type 2 diabetes out of my system. It took me and my husband months and months of research before we figured out what we can do to address my health concerns - and flaxseed was a big part of the equation. Here are a few (out of the MANY) health benefits of flaxseed consumption:

Flaxseed is very low in carbohydrates. This equates to low or zero blood sugar level spikes.

Flaxseed is rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids that generally helps with inflammation, which is associated with heart disease, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and even some cancers.

Flaxseed is very high in fiber and is considered a "power food". It is very beneficial to diabetics because fiber promotes weight loss and weight maintenance.

Flax Seed is high in Antioxidants and Phytochemicals. Some researches that I've encountered in the past mentioned that these characteristics of flax seed promotes hormonal balance and helps combat type 2 diabetes. I've also read that flaxseed may possibly promote fertility and help prevent breast cancer.

I recently blogged about a product that I absolutely am in love with - Wild Roots' Milled Golden Flaxseed (click on this link for the product review). This brand was (and still is) my BFF as far as my fight against diabetes goes.

Most health nuts out there would know that there are a lot of varieties/brands of Milled Flaxseed available in the market. Some are cheaper than most - but with carbohydrates that are unaccounted for. Some are ridiculously expensive because they claim that it's "organic". Uuuh...what...like supercalifragilisticexpialidociously organic? How organic can "organic" get?! *Crickets Chirping* Exactly.

I love Wild Roots' Milled Flaxseed because I get the best of both worlds. It's a non-GMO product, it's naturally organic and cold milled, all the nutrients/carbohydrates are accounted for, and most importantly it's very affordable. It's almost as if this brand echoed my thoughts on how I want health products to be: economical, honest, straightforward, no beating around the grammar bush with fancy schmancy scientific words that half of us won't even understand and it tastes wonderful! Trust me, I've had brands that tasted overly organic (aka grass-y). Wild Roots has that nutty flavor that I personally like.

I sent the company a message to convey my heartfelt thanks for coming up with such a wonderful and budget-friendly product. I never thought I would ever hear from this company when I sent them that message. All I truly wanted to do was thank them from the bottom of my health and budget-conscious heart, for coming up with a product that has tremendously helped me when I had health issues left and right and was at the verge of having kidney and liver issues due to my elevated case of diabetes. I was stoked and touched when I received an email from Renette of Wild Roots. I was right about this company all along - these people do care. Their sales and marketing initiatives do not start and end with "a purchase". Their blogs and the way they reach out to customers speak in volumes - to me at least. I guess I pay attention to small details like that. =)

This morning, my husband found this box of Wild Roots goodies waiting by our doorstep as we were headed out to go to the gym. These babies are not always available at my local stores...so Renette and Wild Roots - thank you very much, from the bottom of ex-diabetic heart!

Again, I'm no health guru, dietician, what-have-you. I'm just a normal consumer and an "ex-diabetic" who appreciates honest feedback about products that I use on a regular basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

If you would like to check the other products that Wild Roots has to offer, please check their website (click me!).

Product Review: L'Oreal's Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream in Medium

2012-09-29T14:45:00.000-05:00

PRICE: FIVE STARS

L’Oreal has always been good about providing its patrons with coupons – which makes this product very affordable. It retails for $7.96 at my local Walmart and L’Oreal had a $2 coupon that I used so I only paid a total of $5.96 (taxes not included) for this product. Not bad, huh? Pretty darn affordable.

QUALITY: TWO STARS

Pros:

The product starts out green when you initially squeeze it out of the tube – so it also acts as a color corrector, if I’m not mistaken.

The color contours/matches your skin and the product itself is easy to work with.

It does what BB creams are supposed to do – it blots away minor imperfections on your skin and makes pores appear smaller.

Cons:

This cream has tiny beads that are supposed to help exfoliate and beautify the skin. However, my face does not respond well to products with “exfoliating ingredients” so I had a major breakout after using this product a couple of times. I wasn’t very happy about that.

My t-zones are VERY oily (they should be called oil spill zones….no, really) but the sides of my face are extremely dry. I bought L’Oreal’s Magic Skin BB Cream because it claims that it’s supposed to act as a hydrating product that is suitable for combination skins. It didn’t work for me though…and after all was said and done, all I was left with were battle scars – aka zits.

I have extremely dry skin on certain spots, so I use moisturizers formulated for sensitive skin before putting any kind of makeup on. I was determined to make this BB Cream work, obviously – so I decided to use it with my favorite moisturizer from Origins. *Insert Horror Music Here* Very bad move. L’Oreal’s BB Cream does not work well with moisturizers. The product always ends up looking weird and caked up when I apply it in conjunction with another moisturizer. Let’s not even talk about applying it on the eye area – that’s a whole ‘nother horror story in itself.

WOULD I PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?

If I wanted to be the official endorser of “ProActiv” in my area complete with “before and after” shots – then I guess I would continually use this product. Kidding aside, L’Oreal has a lot of good products that I’ve used before…but this “Skin Beautifier BB Cream” just doesn’t do it for me. If anything…it had me stressed out because my skin reacted violently to it and I had a major breakout that took forever to go away. I guess I’ll stick to my old reliable “cleanse-tone-primer-foundation” routine for now. ..and no, I will not buy this particular product again.

DISCLAIMER:

I’m not a makeup artist or cosmetic expert. I’m just a regular consumer and I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a daily basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

I have a new Cyber Home and I wish y'all can drop by and say hi!

2012-09-29T01:20:00.001-05:00

Y'all have been wonderful and I cannot thank you enough for the support you've bestowed on my blog. I decided to move to wordpress tho and I would truly appreciate it if you can drop by my new blog:

There Came This Woman (click me!)

I mentioned a while ago that my blog was looking all confused. I didn't want to delete it tho...because I do have my blog frog folks on here.

Again, I would be very grateful if you can drop by my new blog and leave a comment or two. I would be more than happy to return the favor and show some blog support! <3>

Much Love,

Sharon

Soft Smokey Eye

2012-09-28T17:19:00.000-05:00

This is my version of a soft smokey eye look using Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette...

Mission Accomplished!

2012-09-27T19:47:00.000-05:00

T'was my sister-in-law's birthday and I wanted to give her stuff that were well thought of - not the usual things that can easily be bought from stores.

She's been admiring a bag that I made for myself and was sporting the last time I saw her...so I decided to make one for her special day.

I also made a bib necklace for her because she's a big accessory fan like myself.

I was stoked that she loved 'em! I guess it's safe to say that I accomplished my "birthday mission" and made my sister-in-law happy.

YAY ME!!!

Product Review: NARS' "Hungry Heart"

2012-09-22T07:09:00.000-05:00

PRICE: TWO STARS

This product retails for $41 and I feel like I really didn't get my money's worth on this particular purchase. I am a big NARS fan/consumer...but this blush/hi-lighter duo just didn't do it for me.

QUALITY: THREE STARS

I don't like "overly shimmery" makeup or products on my face. A wee bit of shimmer on my eye products is okay but on hi-lighters and blushes...not so much. I purchased this particular product from NARS because I've read a lot of good reviews about it. I don't have a NARS outlet in my area so I had to resort to online shopping. Unfortunately, the item does not look anything like what it's "supposed to look like" based on the photos on NARS' website. I still don't know how I feel about the product but if you like the "glittery/shimmery" look - then this would work for you.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: N/A

I never had problems with shipping or anything and I never had to contact them for problems with my order...so I don't really have a lot to say about their Customer Service. Maybe I'll update this portion sometime in the future...if and when the need to contact their CS Department arises. =)

WOULD I PURCHASE THEIR PRODUCTS AGAIN?!

They have products that I purchase regularly - like their blushes and other face items. So yeah, I would still purchase their items in the future - but not their Hungry Heart Blush Duo.

DISCLAIMER:

I’m not a makeup artist or cosmetic expert. I’m just a regular consumer and I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a daily basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Fall Favorites

2012-09-18T10:48:00.000-05:00

MAC's Wonder Woman Eye Quad in Lady Justice

This palette is so much fun because of the colors. Some gurus are not big fans of this eye quad but I'm not a guru...I'm a regular consumer and I love it. Blue is supposedly one of the favored colors this fall - so I intend to mix and match it with some of my other eye palettes. It's a limited edition eye quad...so it's not available on MAC stores anymore but you can always try your luck online! ♥

Mally's Beauty Professional 24/7 Blush System in Light

I love Mally's Beauty Professional 24/7 Blush System Duo 'coz it's a powder and cream blush in one gorgeous packaging. It also comes with its own dual ended brush. The colors are highly build-able...so a little bit goes a long way with this baby. Nars has always been my go-to brand when it comes to blushes but lately...I've been grabbing this palette more often.

Product Review: Wildroots Non-GMO Milled Golden Flaxseed

2012-09-12T20:20:00.000-05:00

I’ve mentioned in my previous posts that a few years ago, I was a full blown Type 2 diabetic. It took a lot of researching of my own before I figured out what products are good for me…what kinds of food I can eat…and what kind of diet I need to subject myself to.

I was pretty adamant about kicking diabetes out of my life because it’s a pretty tough health condition to deal with. It also has serious complications. Anyways…I’m pretty sure y’all know how that goes.

A few months ago, I finally achieved what I have worked so hard for– freedom from diabetes. The weight loss that came with my healthier lifestyle was a welcome bonus. All the trips to the gym, all the changes I made to my diet finally paid off! Yay! I still have to be on top of my diet and exercise regimen but hey...my clean bill of health is a wonderful surprise and a big deal to me. Just sayin'. =)

One of the things I gave up when I started my low carb diet was bread. However, I did some research and found out that there are alternative ingredients that I can use so that I can eat my favorite breakfast staple again. The recipes I initially found didn't agree with my taste buds...so I tweaked and re-tweaked them until I came up with a concoction that I was happy with.

I posted the carb friendly microwave bread recipe that I'm talking about a while ago but failed to mention what brand of flax seed meal I use. I know there's a lot to choose from out there, but my preferred brand is Wildroots Milled Golden Flaxseed. I am not an affiliate of this company...I didn't get paid to advertise this brand...and I don't even have/use coupons when I purchase this product. Shocking...'coz I love saving money and I adore my coupons. =)

Pros:

The flavor is awesome! No icky "overly organic" (aka grass flavor) aftertaste.

Reasonable price. I mean Walmart carries a cheaper flaxseed meal brand BUT it has several grams of unexplained carbohydrates. I won't mention the other brand's name out of courtesy...but I really scrutinize the nutrition information and ingredients of all the products that I buy and eat. Needless to say, unexplained carbs is a big deal to me. Wildroots' carb info is well tabulated/accounted for...and I like it. Actually...I love it. =)

It's a non-gmo product. Yay!

Cons:

I don't want to sound biased just because this product is a personal favorite of mine. However, the only beef I have against this brand is the fact that its availability at my local stores is very unpredictable. Now you see it...sometimes you don't. I mean, I always have the Red Bob brand to run to (because it doesn't have "unexplained carbs"...but I love my Wildroots.

If you're very conscious about your daily carb intake and you're looking for products that will suit this particular need...then Wildroots Milled Flaxseed is worth a shot.

Disclaimer:

I'm no health guru, dietician, what-have-you. I'm just a normal consumer and an "ex-diabetic" - it feels so good to say that! I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a regular basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

What's your favorite finishing powder?

2012-09-11T19:21:00.000-05:00

My Current Favorite: Ben Nye

Shade: Banana

Price: Very Affordable

Pros:

Does not cause breakouts and I am all for that ‘coz I have very sensitive skin.
Packs up good and makes sure that your foundation and concealer DOES NOT go anywhere.
A little bit goes a long way….so a small bottle lasts quite a while.
The color adjusts to your skin shade. I don’t have a scientific explanation for it…it just does. =)
It is the perfect companion for “face contouring” aficionados.

Cons:

Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist was lovin’ this product oh-so-much…so it’s almost always out of stock
If you like the “super matte” look…this is the product for you. But if you like the “dewy and natural” look, you might need a finishing spray like MAC’s fix plus or Skindinavia’s finishing sprays.

Disclaimer:

I am not a makeup artist or a beauty product expert – never claimed I was. I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a regular basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. I’m just a regular consumer/makeup fanatic and my views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.