Classic Book review and giveaway: Catherine Marshall Christy 50th anniversary of a classic American novel #sponsored #giveaway

I remember reading this as a teenager. What a great book. Really, start reading it and who can resist this captivating story of young Christy Huddleston and her new life as a novice teacher in rural Cutter Gap. The details just keep you reading and reading. Christy tells riveting stories with such vivid details. In fact, you learn so much with the character development about people and life deep in the Appalachians. The habits and mentality of the people are ingrained in the old country because of the isolation. You just get pulled into this story and can't stop reading it. You have to pick this up and read it, or perhaps re-read it again now on the 50th anniversary. This book is a classic that you will love if you have never read it before. Take a peek at the Christy giveaway and win too!

This edition of Christy celebrates the 50th anniversary of the beloved novel's first appearance on the New York Times Best-Seller List in November 1967. You will truly see why millions of readers fell in love with Christy back in the '60's, '70's and even 80's. The book is loosely based on the life of Catherine Marshall's mother.  Christy captured the hearts of millions and became a popular CBS television series many years ago. The story was crafted with Catherine's mom and Catherine around the kitchen table back at Evergreen Farm.  As her mother reminisced about her experiences as a young teacher, Catherine probed for details and insights into the rugged lives of these Appalachian highlanders. The story began there as she realized how interesting the experience was and how fascinating it would be to put the story to paper.

Early on in the book you find Christy on an ancient train taking the young nineteen-year-old teacher from her home in Asheville, North Carolina to rural Cutter Gap. That train might as well be transporting her to another world. Once Christy arrives, the Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels like another world. The people live in an old way. Many of their ideas are suspended in time. Most everyone is trapped by extreme poverty, disease, superstitions, and traditions from the old country.  The book shares all the struggles that Christy goes through to become respected and a part of the community. It is really hard to break into the connections of the people of Cutter Gap. You see and feel all the challenges she experiences as a novice, young teacher in her one-room school and how she manages them. Her faith is challenged many times over. Of course the story includes love and you have to wait to see which man wins her heart.  You will enjoy reading about Christy's devotion and her hope to make a difference and live a life of purpose.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Goat Milk Lotion by Canus is ultra hydrating and feels great on my skin #gotitfree #trynatural

Winter is coming and my hand and skin situation was not doing so well up until recently. Winter has always been the bane of my existence when it comes to my skin. It is hard when you have dry skin your whole life. It certainly makes many challenges especially when you are in a profession where you need to wash your hands frequently. What is a girl to do, really? Good moisturization does make a difference but I like to keep it natural if possible. So I was excited to try this new Goat Milk Lotion from Canus. It is fall and the cold is setting in so my skin needed more help than ever. I had never tried this brand before and I was impressed with the really clean ingredients in the lotion.

Canus has crafted a Fresh Goat’s Milk Lotion that contains plant-based ingredients to soothe and hydrate skin. I received 2 complimentary samples (0.34 fl.oz each) of Nature by Canus Goat’s Milk Moisturizing Lotions in their Original Formula. I liked the way the lotion felt on my skin. It contains shea butter, minerals, vitamins, proteins and triglycerides to moisturize skin naturally. It is free of parabens, chemicals, gluten or sodium lauryl sulfate. It contains only eco-friendly preservatives. It is not tested on animals.

This is a nice option to try to moisturize dry skin. The Canus Goat's Milk Moisturizing Lotion did not irritate my skin and it absorbed quickly. I received two small samples. One was the Original Formula and the other was the Shea Butter. They were both nice and left my skin feeling smooth and comfortable.
  
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

SPLENDA Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener taste testing with #crowdtap #splendasavvies @crowdtap @splenda #sponsored #splendanaturals

Ready to try something delicious and new? You know all kinds of sweeteners are out there now and some of them save a few calories or a lot of calories but the tastes and flavor really make the difference. A sweetener has to truly taste great to be good. You know SPLENDA, it has been around for eons. Well, they just came out with a new option that is a winner. We taste tested new SPLENDA Naturals Stevia Sweetener in a bunch of drinks and we even baked a batch of sweet treats. The results are in and we LOVE it. This new natural stevia-sugar combination is an extension of the SPLENDA Sweeteners portfolio. SPLENDA Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend contains non-GMO ingredients, has no artificial ingredients, no bitter aftertaste plus it has no added flavors or colors. This sweetener has 50% fewer calories than traditional sugar and is great in almost any recipe or beverage. What more could a busy mom that is trying to save a few calories want?

• SPLENDA ® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend is is made with pure cane sugar and stevia leaf extract.

•  It uses a blend rich in Reb D so there’s no bitter aftertaste.

• ½ teaspoon of the blend is equal to the sweetness of one full teaspoon of traditional sugar.

• SPLENDA ®Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend contains two non-GMO ingredients, and has no added flavors or colors.

• SPLENDA ®Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend can be used almost anywhere traditional sugar is used.

•  Has 50% fewer calories than traditional sugar.

• Average retail price: $7.99 for 2LB bag.

I was really impressed with the SPLENDA Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend. It is a delicious option that lets you cut the sugar by blending it with natural stevia. It has a great flavor that dissolves very quickly. It gives you versatility to use it in beverages or baking. My family has been trying to cut down their sugar consumption and we thought this was a great way to do it and not feel deprived. We agreed that this is a good option to use for the whole family. I liked that this comes from a brand that I have used for years and that gives me a lot of confidence and comfort as well. We would recommend that you give this blend a try! You can find it at Walmart and a host of other retailers around the country. Let me know what you think.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Affresh Sampling via Crowdtap: affresh® Disposal Cleaner, affresh®Dishwasher Cleaner and affresh® Coffeemaker Cleaner @crowdtap #sponsored

I recently had the opportunity to try some new products from Affresh. This was interesting and fun and really a good learning experience for me. I never thought about it before but the reality is that  kitchen appliances aren’t all made equally – so as Affresh says, why would you use the same cleaning product on each of them? Now you don't need to either! Affresh® Specialized Cleaners offer you the right tool for the job. I was able to try out three different household products including: affresh® Disposal Cleaner, affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner, and affresh® Coffeemaker Cleaner. These affresh® Specialized Cleaners were effective and easy to use too.

affresh® Disposal Cleaner is a great way to keep your disposal clean and fresh. Affresh disposal cleaner is specially formulated to clean and remove odor causing bacteria in the disposal. It is an easy to use solution that works quickly and effectively. You can use it monthly or as needed to keep your disposal clean and free of odor causing residues. It has a pleasant, natural smelling citrus scent too. I was impressed that it is #1 recommended by Whirlpool and KitchenAid too. 

My dishwasher gets a lot of use and it is hard to clean. I was impressed with how easy and effective these were. The affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner is the powerful new solution to get your appliance fresh and clean again. It really works and is a cinch to use. It is the ultimate cleaner to remove unwanted dishwasher odor. These innovative little tablets help prevent odor from accumulating in the dishwasher.  They help remove even the most stinky odors from dishwashers. You can use once a month or more as needed for a cleaner and fresher dishwasher. The manufacturer says that Affresh cleaner keeps the dishwasher fresh for up to a month too. It works by penetrating, dissolving and totally powering away hard water mineral residue. It makes sense too. It's a fast and really simple way to keep the inside of dishwasher clean and smelling fresh.

affresh® Coffeemaker Cleaner was another product that I was able to try out. I like that there is no need to mix, measure or stir anything at all.  Just drop in the tablet and brew like you do with coffee. It got my coffee maker clean and fresh very quickly. The reality is, over time, your coffeemaker can build up lime scale deposits, resulting in increased brewing time and degrading the taste of your coffee. It can also cause performance issues with the coffee maker which has happened in the past for me. That is a real pain when you can't get coffee. It is easier to just keep the coffee maker clean. Afresh Coffeemaker Cleaner uses a convenient tablet that is designed to descale the coffeemaker and remove mineral build-up. You can use it monthly to maintain peak performance from your coffeemaker. If you have not cleaned your coffee maker in a while you may require additional cleaning cycles to get it really clean.This is a better solution than what I was doing with the vinegar. 

Give these specialized cleaners a try and let me know what you think. You can find them online and in stores like Home Depot and Target. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Crowdtap Unilever Sampling Take Two: Dove and Suave Beauty and healthcare products #sponsored @Crowdtap @Dove

I recently had the opportunity to sample a variety of Dove and Suave products through a sampling from Crowdtap. This was a fun box to try out and I was surprised at the quality and value of the Suave line of products. The fragrances were enjoyable and the products were effective and fun to use. If you are looking to find some good products and save money, Suave is definitely a brand to check out.

Dove Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorants both had a light, fresh scent. They are reasonably priced and smell really fresh and clean.  Neither of them had a super strong pefume kind of scent either. They went on smoothly and left just enough scent to feel fresh. They both worked well during my regular work day when I tested them during the week. The formula in the Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant Rebalance glides on easily and keeps me feeling clean. It has a fresh plum and sakura blossom scent. I like that it is moisturizing and alcohol free too. The formula in the Dove Care Clear Tone Sheer Touch was also very good and had a nice fragrance as well. For the best results,  I apply my products after a shower and wait until my underarms are dry. Both of these keeps me from sweating during a long and stressful workday which is important and provides effective odor protection. There were no white marks on my clothes either.

The Suave Extreme Hold 10 Hairspray left my hair with a natural-looking hold and control. It sprayed easily and smoothly on my hair. I liked that this is a vitamin- and protein-enriched formula that works for all hair types. The formula adds back moisture instead of drying the hair out. The hairspray creates a fresh, natural effect and held my hair all day long.  The extreme-hold formula provides a natural-looking effect and all-over control that kept me looking good all evening long during a recent special event. It is inexpensive and leaves my hair looking great. This product is a great value and works effectively.

Suave Silkening Body Lotion is infused with real baby oil. It moisturizes my skin deeply and left it feeling comfortable. If you like the scent of baby powder you will really like this. It is not my personal favorite though I love so many other scents. I liked the feel of this lotion though. This lotion is made with a unique formula that is super enriched with baby oil. It leaves your skin silky smooth to the touch. It is gentle enough to use on the whole family so it is perfect if you have little ones since you can save time and money with one moisturizer for everyone.  I like to use this right after a bath or shower to lock in the moisture. You can smooth this gentle lotion on hands and body every day. If this scent is not your fave you can try one of the other Suave Professionals Body Lotions. One of the things I do love about these lotions from Suave is that they are clinically proven to provide 24-hour moisturization which is key for me. This product is a great value and works effectively to moisturize my skin.

Suave Professional Firm Control Sculpting Gel is a great option to keep hair in place all day long. This is easy to use and perfect for men or women that want firm hard. Add a dime sized amount of product to damp hair and scrunch it in for pretty curls and firm hold. It is great if you have naturally straight or super wavy hair. You don't need a lot and be careful about using too much. You only need a bit to create a really nice look that will last all day long. I like the large size and it is an excellent value. This is a good one to try if you like firm hold and want to save money.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 

Crowdtap Unilever Sampling with Suave line of beauty and health care products #sponsored @crowdtap

I recently had the opportunity to sample a variety of Suave products through a sampling from Crowdtap. This was a fun box to try out and I was surprised at the quality and value of the Suave line of products. The fragrances were enjoyable and the products were effective and fun to use. If you are looking to find some good products and save money, Suave is definitely a brand to check out.

Suave Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant Coconut Kiss has a light, fresh scent. It is inexpensive and smells really fresh and clean. It doesn't have a super strong pefume kind of scent either, it is just enough to feel fresh. It almost has a light cherry coconut scent. It lasts most of the day but after my evening workout it was a bit challenged.  It worked well during my regular work day.  The formula glides on easily and keeps me fresh during the day. I would reapply for a long evening or a hard workout.  It keeps me from sweating during a long and stressful workday which is important and provides effective odor protection. There were no white marks on my clothes either. This is a great value.

Suave Suave Waterfall Mist Shampoo has a light, fresh scent. It is inexpensive and leaves my hair looking great and smelling fresh and clean. The Waterfall Mist Shampoo gently cleansed my hair and left behind a light ocean air kind of scent.  The fragrance was not heavy but I did notice it during the day in a good way. It left my hair feeling soft and hydrated when I used it along with the accompanying conditioner. This product is a great value and works effectively to clean my hair.

Suave Suave Waterfall Mist Conditioner has a light, fresh scent. It is inexpensive and leaves my hair soft and shiny. My hair was easy to brush though too. After my usual routine I left the house looking great with freshly styled hair. The Waterfall Mist Conditioner moisturized my hair and left behind a light ocean air kind of scent.  The fragrance was not heavy but I did notice it during the day in a good way. It left my hair feeling soft and hydrated when I used it along with the accompanying shampoo. This product is a great value and works effectively to condition my hair.

Suave Essentials Wild Cherry Blossom Body Wash is a great cleanser that has a really nice fragrance that I enjoyed. It totally smells like fresh cherry blossoms. It smells good in the shower and the scent lasts during the day. I have smelled the one from BBW and this one really does smell as good as that one. After my shower this body wash left my skin feeling clean and soft. The scent lasted and was really pleasant. I like the large size and it is an excellent value. This is a good one to try if you like cherries and want to save money.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 

Red Gate Beauty LipSense makes it easy to have a pretty lip color lookall day long plus a discount! #sponsored

I have a busy career and spend my day running around from account to account and fielding calls in between it all. Thank goodness I found Red Gate Beauty and LipSense to help me maintain a pretty lip look without worrying about reapplying over and over throughout the day. LipSense from Red Gate Beauty is a lip color system that is unique in that it is waterproof, kiss-proof, smear-proof and beautiful too. LipSense colors work in tandem with their moisturizing shea butter based gloss. You use both products together to get that lasting effect. I received the two gorgeous colors you see above: Aussie Rose and Bougainvillea Gloss.

LipSense is easy to apply and use and really does last throughout the entire day. LipSense is a long lasting liquid lip color that is also free of lead, wax, gluten and is kosher, vegan and not tested on animals. I love that LipSense is made in the USA to ensure high levels of quality control too. You can mix and match the LipSense colors to make your own custom look too. LipSense is a great option for women of any skin color from very light to very dark and everyone in between too. You can customize the colors to best fit your personal skin tones. The nice part about LipSense is that it is not a challenge to remove after your busy day is over. You don't need to scrub hard or rub. You can use the Red Gate Beauty Ooops Remover, another oil based remover of your choice, Neutrogena bar soap or just plain castile soap. Easy peasy! 

How do you apply LipSense to make sure it stays on the guaranteed 4-18 hours? That is a cinch. Clean and dry your lips. Shake the LipSense tube. Apply the color in 3 layers. Swipe one direction with a thin layer and wait 10 seconds. Leave your mouth open and no touching the lips. You might feel a little tingle. That is normal. Apply your second layer after 10 seconds. Wait 5 seconds then apply the gloss to magically seal the color and add moisture. Reapply gloss before meals and to keep the color longer.  Don't forget to store LipSense at room temperature. Avoid high heat.  

All of my special readers get a 15% discount when you go to Red Gate Beauty and shop for your favorites. Just use the coupon code: bloggymoms15 

  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 

Tio Gazpacho delicious chilled soup for on the go #socialnature @socialnature @tiogazpacho

I focus on healthy eating and living an active life. Some days it can be a challenge.  Now it is easier toeat healthy on the go anytime and anywhere. I found them recently at a Whole Foods near me. I tried Tio gazpacho de sol which was delicious! These handy and yummy soups are great for on the go. You can even tuck one in your lunch bag or in your tote. These would be great for parties, tailgating or even picnics in the park. There are six delicious flavors so you can try all your faves. They have Clasico, de Sol, Verde, Rosado, Maiz and Fresa.

I loved the homemade flavor of the variety I tried. It made a delicious lunch with a simple salad. These are great for work, school or even a picnic. Fall tailgating takes on a new level with fresh Tio gazpacho too. All the soups have no added sugar, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. They are gluten free and vegan too. As I mentioned, I found it at Whole Foods this past week. They are also stocked at Wegmans and some Shoprite stores. Check their website since they are adding new stores all the time.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

InStyle TRENDSETTERS Fall Fashion discounts and coupons from People's Style Issue #sponsored

They’re good through 10/2/17 so be sure to use them before then!

Check out People’s Style issue and www.people.com for amazing discounts on fall fashion and accessories including:

• PEOPLE COLLECTION FROM SHELLY BROWN JEWELRY:Score 25% off our 15-piece capsule collection from People and jewelry designer Shelly Brown by using the code PEOPLE25 at checkout at www.shellybrown.com/people.

• HENRI BENDEL: Score 25% off your purchase of $200 or more at www.people.com/henribendel

• DANSKIN: Get 25% off any full-price purchase at www.people.com/danskin

• CLUB MONACO: Get 25% off all full-price purchases at www.people.com/clubmonaco. Exclusions apply.

• BAUBLEBAR: Get 25% off all full-price jewelry at www.people.com/baublebar. Maya Brenner and other exclusions apply.

• DRAPER JAMES: Score 20% off any full-price purchase of $200 or more at www.people.com/draperjames

• ANN TAYLOR: Get 25% off all full-price purchases at www.people.com/anntaylor

Color Garden is a pretty and natural way to add color to your baking #sponsored #momsmeet

I love to bake with my daughter but I really try to keep my food free of chemicals and additives. Fake colors really used to bother me but it was challenging to find ways to make our baking more fun. Now it is easy as 1-2-3 with Color Garden. I was so excited to discover Color Garden a while back and I was really excited to work with MomsMeet to share my personal experience with this line of beautiful 100% plant-based food colors! I have used color garden to make pretty icing for cookies, make rainbow cupcakes and more.

Color Garden makes baking fun and guilt free with the family.  What could be better than pretty colors to use in your baking that are free from any harmful artificial colors or additives?  You can create gorgeous, vibrant shades with Color Garden and they are made from all-natural ingredients. Even better, Color Garden food colors are gluten free, vegan, non-GMO, allergen free, and autism approved by the Autism Hope Alliance. It really is a win win for the mom who cares about what she puts in the food that her family eats. Color Garden colors are super easy to use. They come in single packes for the ultimate in freshness too. You can use them to color cookies, cakes and even icing. Take plain sanding sugar and make is pop with beautiful color anytime you like. Think about all the holiday baking coming up this fall and winter with Halloween, Hanukkah, Christmas and even Valentine's Day. Color Garden colors can make every holiday a winning occasion. 

The natural Color Garden food colors can be used right out of the box to color anything you like from icings, butter cream or even sanding sugar. Perhaps you have another crafty bakery topping that you were hoping to color in a pure and natural way. Color Garden lets you bring the fun and creativity back to baking without guilt or worry. 

I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

SPLENDA ZERO® Liquid Sweetener lets you enjoy life without compromise. @crowdtap #splendasavvies #sponsored

Splenda Zero Liquid Sweetener is the easiest way to sweeten my coffee or tea on the go. The tiny container stashes right in my purse so I can travel with it to my local coffee shop or on the road. I know I have it when I have to fly across the country, I like that it has the same amount of sweetness as 100 packets of SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener so it lasts forever. This tiny container is microscopic!  Each squeeze has the same sweetness of a ½ packet of SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener so I can use what I need. Usually one squeeze is perfect for all my needs.

I get warm on hot summer days so I like to cool down with a Lemonade Cocktail on Fridays after work. It is a special treat that I really enjoy! Ready to get sweet without those cocktail mixer calories? Use SPLENDA ZERO™ Liquid Sweetener like I do. The tiny container easily fits in your purse or pocket, but contains the same amount of sweetness as 100 packets of SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener. You can take it anywhere you go to enjoy the sweetness of sugar without all those calories.

Mix up a fresh batch of lemonade using this instead of sugar. Each squeeze delivers the sweetness of a ½ packet of SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener so it is a cinch to measure. Sweeten up summer with SPLENDA® minus the calories. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Beauty Box 5 July 2017 @beautybox5 #beautybox5 #sponsored #lusetabeauty #lusetabeautybox5 #stylistyle #mannakadar #mannababe #seraphinebotanicals #nanacoco

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the products for review purposes. The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience with the products.

I love it....Beauty Box five has the fun beauty ideas for every day of the year whether it is spring, summer, fall or winter.  My little blue box from BB5 helps me manage to keep it all together at work and at home to freshen up my glam look no matter what the day holds for me.  BB5 shows you how you can squeeze in quality beauty time into even the days you gotta speed things along with a few little special products.  Check out all the trendiest of autumn fashions now that the long, hot days of summer are starting to fade! Don't forget to share your fave finds and share with friends too. Take a peek at a few beauty goodies to go along with your pretty fashions and maybe grab a few extra for friends. A BB5 subscription makes a great gift any friend would appreciate all year long.

Everyone loves getting the inside scoop. I like trying new beauty products from sunscreens to lipsticks and find that I often find new faves.  That is one of the great things about BB5.  You can try lots of new things and sub in new favorites without being stuck with a huge bottle of this or that. I happens to the best of us even with green intentions. Sometimes I look at a product in the store but I worry it might not be for me and I don't want to spend all that money if I don't know that I really like it.  Who needs something else to sit on the bathroom shelf or take up more room in a drawer? I would always feel guilty. Every once in a while you get lucky and the store has a sample or perhaps a beauty company sends you a sample and you get to try it first.  That is the premise behind BB5.

The ideal solution for all of us is brought to you by Beauty Box 5. They understand and created their great beauty sampling box program. Beauty Box 5 is an amazing subscription beauty box sampler that is delivered right to your doorstep (or mailbox) filled with a combination of 5 brand new cosmetic samples monthly, quarterly or annually. You can start out at just $12 a month or save more by getting a longer subscription. 

Signing up to receive Beauty Box 5 each month is a great new way for anyone from teens to moms and even a savvy fashionista Gramma to sample new cosmetic products and see what works for you. Good skin care and the joy of beauty has no age limit!  Each month they include tips and tricks for the products on the back of this little card below to help you get the most out of your beauty samples each month.

Beauty Box 5 is always on the lookout for the latest new items to make the best matches for your own personal taste and lifestyle.  The prices are reasonable too. You can get a Beauty Box 5 monthly for $12, quarterly for $30 or annually for just $99.  Shipping is always free.  A fun way to check out lots  of the new beauty stuff out there without a whole lot of $$ investment. The great part is that if you like something, you can just up and buy the full size item, right?  Much better than buying a full size you-know-what-beauty-item and paying a fortune and then it sits in the makeup bag gathering dust because it doesn't work for you.

Beauty Box 5 mixes it up with their brands and keeps things adventurous. They source from a mix of niche, luxe, regular drugstore, vegan and eco-conscious brands.  One month you might get hair care, nail care,  makeup, skin care, fragrances or even beauty accessories or a mix of any of the above.  I love the suspense!  You will get a carefully curated blend of travel, full-size and deluxe samples from their most current collection.

I just received the July Globetrotter Let's Get Lost box this week.  The July theme is all about getting yourself pretty for those summer adventures here and there. A little bit of glimmer is a nice way to add some elegance and sparkle all summer long. This box makes it easy to squeeze in some extra time for a little elegance with a Midas Touch. Beauty Box 5 always has all the tools and tricks to help you look pretty from your head to your toes.  Okay, but just how do you get your hair, lips, eyes and nails looking just so? Let BB5 help you out! The team at Beauty Box 5 wants to remember you are it is all about taking care of yourself.  They show you just how to style your hair and eliminate the frizzies. They give you the tools to freshen up your nails super fast and glam them up with hot winter colors.  Just as often they tuck in moisturizers and even a gentle wash for the face or body. This month the focus is on the skin and hair.  Beauty Box 5 is here with a ton of special treats to help you along the way.  Here is the scoop on the amazing treats that were in this month's sweet sea blue box:

As always, my box was filled with of lovely goodies that I could not wait to try. There were all kinds of treats for my eyes tucked in there this month.  There were several special items to keep me looking fresh and alluring wherever I go-or even if I stay home.  Even if I am home or staying local, I will still be looking good with all my goodies stashed in my bag.

The first item in this box is Styli-Style Line +Seal Eyeliner. I love to add a fresh look for summer with pretty eyeliner. This big thing is I need a good eyeliner this this one that I can line and seal so that it doesn't smudge or smear. Add a clean line of color and rev up those summer date nights.  This pretty smooth liner adds drama and a sophisticated look to your eyes. It goes on very smoothly and gives you a special look for day or night. Apply just to the waterline or smudge onto your lids and blend it up. I received a neutral color that is just perfect for my eyes for summer. This deep, dark liner is perfect with a bit of tinted moisturizer and a light lip. You can be as adventurous as you want. This neutral color works on any skin tone. It is a perfect size stick to pop in your purse or travel bag all summer long.  Retail $6.50

The Seraphine Botanicals Quince+ Crimson Lip and Cheek Crayon is a great way to add a bright pop of color to your cheeks and lips with minimal work. I like to keep summer makeup simple and fresh but it is always fun to add a bit of drama. This Lip and Cheek duo makes it easy and slips into that tiny purse or wristlet so you can go all day and night and still look fresh. It is easy to line your lips with this bright and smooth crayon. It is easy to handle and I adore that it is crafted with gentle botanicals. The color I received adds a bright swatch of color to define my lips and brightens my cheeks. This is perfect for those long summer nights when I just don't want to apply and reapply again since it has some serious staying power.  Retail $24.00

Manna Kadar Cosmetics tucked in their Glo Illuminator so that I could look fresh and energized day or night. Get a post vacation glow even if you didn't get to go away this summer. I love this natural looking radiance that gives me the glow I need. Who doesn't need a bit of positive radiant drama like this your life? Swipe this incandescent liquid  on your browbones, forehead, collarbone and eyelids to keep the drama on you wherever you go whether it is the beach, the shore or maybe tropical isles. It gives you the ability to keep your look simple but look healthy and glow-y. It just gives you a fresh, luminous glow and adds radiance. I find I need some help with getting a more natural glow so this is a perfect option. It really works well even with dry skin. It leaves a dewy, fresh finish behind. You can even use it on your  body and get glowing with your arms and legs under a pretty summer dress. This is so versatile and can be used in many different ways. Use it with a lighter touch for a more diffused and natural look. Retail $29.00

  

Luseta Beauty Argan Oil Hair Masque gives your hair a new life. We all know summer sun, sea salt and chlorine from the pool is harsh on hair. This winner of a masque combines argan oil and wheat protein to counteract summer abuses. Use this masque to help relieve that dry hair that just kind of happens in the summer from pools, ocean and running around in the sun.  Apply it anywhere you go after shampooing and leave it in for 5 minutes. Rinse it out and see renewed hair. It supports hair growth and can even protect against further heat damage. Retail $29.00

The final product is a bright Nanacoco Rio II Nail Polish. Who doesn't need a fresh mani and pedi during the summer? Nancoco makes a variety of gorgeous colors that make it a cinch to do your nails at home. Save time and DIY instead of running to the salon and spending a bundle. The color palette is endless but I just love this beautiful shade. The polish goes on super smoothly and dries in a flash. This is just what you need for summer. Warmer weather means more sandals and open shoes so don't neglect those fingers and toes.  I like to keep my mani and pedi looking fresh and bright no matter what so I make it easy and save myself the salon appointment.  Freshen up your mani and pedi this week and there is no guilt about choosing another reasonably priced polish option for next week either. DIY mani and pedi's gives me the option to change my look during the day and add flexibility in there any time of year.  Retail $3.95

So, are you ready to get in on the fun? The ladies from BB5 have put together another really amazing box full of beauty fun perfect to take you straight through winter and right into spring and even summer. Don't forget to join Beauty Box 5 right now and get in on the goodies to keep you looking fab for all four seasons.

After you join, you can even spread your good fortune via Instagram and have an opportunity to win full-size versions of these products too! Don't forget to tag @beautybox5 and #bb5fave that way they know that it was  you spreading the good tips and great products!

 





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising