REVEAL Men Calvin Klein Review


What Calvin Klein says about their newest fragrance:

REVEAL Men Calvin Klein captures the tension between instant attraction and playful seduction. Make him feel confident and sexy with this vibrant, salty oriental fragrance. Crystallized ginger, raw salt, and vetiver notes will leave him charismatic and spontaneous. The scent is addictive and he will be irresistible.

What I think about it:

My husband and I loved this cologne. Calvin Klein is known for timeless scents, and this is no different. It's not too strong, spicy but fresh, with staying power so it doesn't even need more than one spritz.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

No7 PROTECT AND PERFECT ADVANCED SERUMS!!!


Here is what Boots had to say:

No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum - Powerful prevention. Supercharge your skincare regime with this clinically proven serum*. No7's highly acclaimed Protect & Perfect technology has been re-engineered to deliver even better anti-aging results. Independently tested and proven to work. This serum is powered by Matrixyl 3000 Plus™, a combination of the most powerful form of Matrixyl plus a next generation peptide that work together to help restore more youthful skin. With our patented antioxidant complex it helps protect skin from future signs of aging, keeping it looking younger for longer whilst salicylic acid promotes clearer, more radiant skin. After 2 weeks skin looks younger and more radiant, by 4 weeks skin looks clearer and fine lines are visibly reduced**. Results keep getting better with continued use. 80% of women said this serum provided the best anti-aging results they had ever seen**.

*Clinical studies over 3 months for Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum
**Based on consumer evaluations (373 women in the UK, 2013)

Here's what I had to say:

I wish I could give this an honest and fair review, but the sample size wasn't enough to determine it. A $2 off coupon was also included in the VoxBox, but at $24, the sample size didn't motivate me to buy it.

I received this product complimentary of Influenster with my FrostyVoxBox for testing purposes.



NYC NEW YORK COLOR EXPERT LAST LIP COLOR!!!


Here's what NYC had to say:

Ready to take your lips to the next level? Try our NEW Expert Last Lip Color in twenty tantalizing shades. Get intense amplified color and shine that lasts up to 6 hours! Our moisturizing formula glides of easily for a silky, smooth, velvety finish for all day wear.

Here is what I had to say:

I'm not much for lipsticks, but SugarPlum is such a nice neutral color and has a smooth application. I applied it int he morning around 8 am and even after eating and drinking, the color remained. The color never bled or feathered. It's nice to pair with a neutral look.

I received this product complimentary of Influenster with my FrostyVoxBox for testing purposes.

SCANDLEYES WATERPROOF KOHL KAJAL EYELINER!!!


Here's what Rimmel had to say:

Get long lasting shocking color intensity with Rimmel London’s Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Eyeliners.  Their high intensity pigments give you an instant color impact and the ultra smooth & creamy formula glides on easily.  They are waterproof, smudge-proof, sweat-proof, heat-proof, humidity-proof and scandal- proof!

Product Details:
- Waterproof, smudge-proof, sweat-proof
- Dermatologist & ophthalmologist tested.
- Safe for sensitive eyes.

Here's what I had to say:

I have come to love Rimmel's Scandleyes line. The first time I used it, I wasn't pleased, but I gave it a second try. At first it did not go on too smoothly, but the second time around it was much smoother. This eye liner is really waterproof and stays on long, even without primer. I love how long it stays on. 

I received this product complimentary of Influenster with my FrostyVoxBox for testing purposes.

MCCORMICK GOURMET'S THYME!!!


Here's what McCormick had to say:

The freshest flavors deserve a fresh new look! McCormick Gourmet's Thyme imparts a light minty flavor that is distinctively warm and aromatic. We use FlavorSealed technology to lock in the fresh thyme flavor and deliver it to you.  Our All Natural Thyme can be used throughout the day in dishes such as breakfast casseroles, hearty soups, stews, stuffing and oven-roasted chicken.

Here's what I had to say:

I used it on my Christmas turkey along with some McCormick Oregano and it turned out so yummy! The flavor seemed much stronger than I usually get with most dried spices and I love that! A little definitely goes a long way. 


I received this product complimentary of Influenster with my FrostyVoxBox for testing purposes.

ECOTOOLS STYLER + SMOOTHER!!!


Here's what EcoTools had to say:

A versatile half-round design provides the styling features of a round brush, while the cushioned paddle gently smoothes and detangles.

Best Hair Type: Versatile. 
Desired effects: gentle detangling, volume and body.

Here's what I had to say:

Even though I usually go for paddle brushes this one was great.  I have long, straight, thick hair and I am really picky about brushes. It went through my hair really easily and left it feeling silky smooth. It was really comfortable to hold even through some tough knots. All in all, I think this brush is great! It got all the tangles out and helped my hair dry much faster.

I received this product complimentary of Influenster with my FrostyVoxBox for testing purposes.

FRUIT VINES BITES - STRAWBERRY!!!



Fruit Vines Bites - Strawberry 

Here's what Red Vines had to say:

Fruit Vines® Bites are a new, soft, chewy fruit candy, from the Red Vines® family, available in two fruit flavors – strawberry and cherry.  Low fat and made with no preservatives, Fruit Vines® Bites are available in three sizes: a 2oz single serve, a 5oz hanging bag and a 10oz re-sealable stand-up bag.

Here's what I had to say:

I love Red Vines! I prefer them over Twizzlers any day. These Bites reminded me more of Twizzlers than the Red Vines taste I've always loved. I still liked them and my kids and sister loved them too! They are soft to chew and yummy. But I miss the Red Vines taste.

I received this product complimentary of Influenster with my FrostyVoxBox for testing purposes.

RIMMEL GENTLE EYE MAKEUP REMOVER!!!


Here is what Rimmel says about it:

At the end of the day, Just Let It Go with Rimmel London’s Gentle Eye Makeup Remover. This Eye Makeup Remover gently removes all eye make up, including long lasting & waterproof make up, with no oily residue.  Gently remove all of your eye makeup and start fresh again in the morning!

Product Details:
- Removes all eye makeup – including waterproof mascara
- Oil Free
- Suitable for sensitive eyes & contact lens wearers.
- Dermatologist & ophthalmologist tested

Here's what I say about it:

 I don't always wear a lot of heavy eye makeup, so I waited for NYE and tried it after I partied hard! This product gets all the eye liner off, with minimal effort. A little cotton ball, and a little Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover and you can hardly tell the eye liner was there. I usually wear waterproof mascara and this was able to remove it with a couple of swipes of the cotton ball. Overall, I loved it. It worked well for me and had no irritation.

I received this product complimentary of Influenster with my FrostyVoxBox for testing purposes.

THE FROSTY VOXBOX!!!

Do you use Influenster?



I signed up for it last year and have loved finding reviews of products that I want to try. They have reviews for almost everything! You can also post your reviews of the products as well. The more you do, the more influence you have and you can be chosen to do reviews for products for FREE!

Right after Christmas, I received the FrostyVoxBox!


Here's what I got!


Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be doing reviews on all of these products! 

REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUP & PIECES COOKIES!!!

I really think peanut butter is a guy thing. 

Don't get me wrong. I love peanut butter, but every guy I know LOVES peanut butter!

Our anniversary is a couple of days away and I want to make him something he loves! These are super yummy and chewy!


Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups your favorite candy or chocolate chips (I used 3/4 cups of each)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°
Line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper or tin foil, set aside
In medium bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In mixer cream butter and both sugars together on medium speed, beating until light and fluffy 2-3 minutes. Turn mixer to low and add in egg and vanilla. Turn mixer back up to medium and mix until incorporated, scraping sides when necessary.
Turn mixer to low and add in flour mixture until dough comes together.
Stir in candy until evenly distributed.
Drop by heaping tablespoon onto lined baking sheet and bake for 8-9 minutes until edges are just golden. Make sure not to over bake.
Remove from oven, let cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes, and then transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.
Makes 2 1/2 Dozen

BEST EVER BANANA BREAD!!!

I love bread!

I don't discriminate. It's all good to me. 

I'm usually a cheap date. Take me to a restaurant and plop down the bread basket and I will fill myself up on that and order a salad or a soup and I'm good to go. (Oh, you're a waiter/waitress? Never worry, I always tip big. Yes, usually over 20%.)

One of the things the holidays do to me is turn me into a baking fool. Well, this year, I just wasn't into it. I don't know why, but it just wasn't there. It came back this morning! 

Banana bread is one of my favorites. However, with two little boys under the age of 4, bananas don't last very long here. This time I set them aside just for this purpose and told my 3 year old at least a dozen times a day for 5 days, that those were not for him. (Insert pouty lipped , big brown eyed puppy dog eyed boy here.)


I found this recipe on the back of the flour bag about 3 years ago.

It's name was just begging me to come and try it. 

I've never regretted it.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 c sugar
1/2 c butter
2 eggs
3 - 4 ripe bananas
1/2 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 c chopped nuts (whatever kind you like) optional

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix flour, baking soda, salt. Set aside.
Mix sugar and butter till smooth. Add eggs, milk, vanilla. Mix until smooth. Add bananas.
Mix in flour mixture.
Pour batter into pans. (I use these here. Best for gift giving)
Bake for 1 hour.
Place on cooling rack.
Cool for 1 hour.

Sometimes I add toppings to my bread too. The one pictured above is a cinnamon sugar butter mix. 
1 T of butter 
2 T of sugar 
1/2 tsp of cinnamon

Stir it together.
Make the mixture into little chunks and plop on top of the bread before cooking. 
It melts into the top and adds an extra little yumminess!

When I add nuts. I put 3/4 c in the mix and add the other 1/4 c on top before baking.

What do you add to the top of your banana bread?

OWL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!!!

Holiday decorations make me happy!

It's right up their with cleaning and organizing. 

I know. Lame. 

Anyway. I looked at last year's wreath and I wasn't too happy with it. I do have to admit that I've gotten better in my wreath making skills.

My new Valentine's Day Wreath:


I am in love with it, no pun intended.

Here is how you make it:

What you need... 

14 inch straw wreath form
yarn
felt sheets
glue gun & glue
foam
googly eyes
scissors
ribbon
clothes pins

Step by Step...

1. Start by hot gluing one end of your yarn to the back, or underside of your wreath.

2. Now you are going to start wrapping. I literally take the entire roll of yarn in my hand and loop it through the wreath, over and over and over. **Do this step while watching your favorite movie, it is a Valentine's Day Wreath, watch a romantic comedy... wrapping gets kind of boring.


Onto the felt:

I used three colors: white, pink and dark pink.

Diamonds:
1. Take your sheet of felt and fold in half, cut. 
2. Take a half sheet and fold it in half. Take one of those halves and guess what? Cut it in half. Repeat.
3. Take a half and fold it in half and don't cut in half, cut a triangle, that way when you open it, it's a diamond.  4. Smaller ones: Repeat the steps above and add one more fold in half and cut.
5. Make 8 large and 8 small diamonds.

Hearts:
1. Do the steps above all the way down to the smaller ones.
2. When you fold in half the last fold, cut half the heart so that when you open it, it's a whole heart.
3. Make 3 small hearts.

Flowers:
1. Cut a long strip of felt, I prefer wool felt (my strips were about 18″ long and 2″ wide) then fold over and glue lengthwise…just along the edge.
2. Then cut little slits however wide you like, and end them about 3/8″ from the bottom (glued part).
3. Then start rolling and gluing along the bottom edge.
4. The bigger ones: the darker pink before you complete step one, glue the white onto one side of the pink one on both side, fold in half and complete step one, step two and step three. The lighter pink ones: do steps one and two and then glue them together and complete step three.

On to the foam owl:
1. Here is the closest template I could find, here.

Completing the wreath:
1. Glue the large diamonds.
2. Glue the small diamonds.
3. Start out on the the back side of the wreath at an angle. Wrap it around, crossing across the diamonds. And back peddle in the opposite direction.
4. Take a piece of yarn for your banner and glue the ends to the back of the wreath.
5. Glue the owl and flowers to the wreath.
6. Flip over and glue a 2 inch piece of ribbon to the back/ top of the wreath. I usually place sewing pins in the wreath for additional support.
7. Hang that baby and show off your mad skills!

This wreath is also available for purchase in my shop: Owl Always Love You

Need some more ideas? Check out my Pinterest board, here!

I WON!!!

It's no secret. I really love small businesses!

I love the American dream coming to life in small businesses.

I found this shop not too long ago, called Juniper Tree Skin Care.



Here is what the shop's owner, Eva has to say about how and why she started this shop.

How Juniper Tree Skin Care came to be:
"I have always had sensitive skin, so I resorted to making my own skin care products, because the all natural products on the market cost me a fortune and love making things I can use. From the beginning, my home in Southern Utah has always been my inspiration. Soon my body creams and lip balms became loved by everyone who I ever gave it to, so I decided to set up this Etsy shop for all my family and friends to have a more convenient way to purchase from me.
I really wanted my skin care products to be unique, so I decided to add one of my favorite essential oils to all my products; pure juniper berry essential oil. The benefits of this essential oil are amazing for skin. Recently after I decided to open my shop, I went out to take some pictures and was able to capture an amazing picture of a juniper tree that eventually became my logo. It all fit together after that and my shop became Juniper Tree Skin Care, inspired by Southern Utah and made Juniper Berry Essential Oil."

Well, not too long ago, Eva ran a giveaway for her shop and I won! I could choose 2 lip balms and 2 creams. So, here is what I chose:

I guess I should start by saying, "Hello, my name is Tammy and I'm addicted to all things vanilla." It's true. 


The smell is amazing! And this cream is by far the softest and creamiest and leaves my skin feeling so soft and moisturized! My 3 year old has some serious dry skin on his back and bum. I started adding this to his moisturizing routine and it is really improving for him! I will definitely be buying more of this soon! 



Heavenly! I would seriously just leave it at that, but I can't. This lip balm is so creamy and goes on my lips so smoothly. My lips are definitely softer and smoother since I began using this product. I am in love with it! 



So good! To me, it wasn't as creamy as the vanilla lip balm, but it was still good. It smelled so good. This helped  my little guys with their dry cracked lips. 



This has become my night time hand cream. And I usually rub it on my boys as well. The lavender helps soothe them to sleep while both the lavender and tea tree help their skin.


Here is what I love about it:

It is so nice to know what goes on my lips and skin and not have to worry about the other products that I cannot pronounce. 

The smells are not overpowering, but still enough that you can smell it 20 minutes later, ya know?

The price is just right. The lotions are reasonably priced between $6 - $7 for the body cream. And the lip balms are $2. 

And  RIGHT NOW, Eva is running a special! When you buy 2 or more body creams you get a FREE vanilla lip balm! 

Make sure to check out her shop!

BROWN SUGAR GLAZED CHICKEN!!!

Do you ever struggle with a meal calendar?

Sometimes I have a hard time coming up with something the husband will enjoy and that the boys will enjoy too! Ya with me on this one too, huh?

Yeah, well this recipe is so good (husband and kid approved)! I made it with chicken, but can easily be used with pork chops!



Ingredients:
4-5 boneless chicken breasts or pork chops
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Rub your sugar/spice mix on both sides of each chicken breast, using all of the spice mix. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium/high heat. After the oil is hot, cook the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through.

Add some yummy steamed veggies and you'll be good to go!

Note: I've also used the ingredients, sans the chicken/ pork chops, as a rub on a turkey breast. Rub all over and bake the turkey as directed on the packaging.

2013'S TOP 10 POSTS!!!

It's that time of year again!

This year was such a success and I saw my blog really start to take off and that's all because of you!

Thank you so much for reading my blog!



Here they are: My Top 10 Posts of 2013!


Did your favorite post make the top 10? What posts were your favorite?
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