Vow VoxBox Review #VowVoxBox @InfluensterVox

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received samples of the products for testing and review purposes from Influenster. The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience with the product.

Wow, it is always exciting to get in on a Vox Box. It has been a while so I was thrilled to hear I was getting a #VowVoxBox.  This is a perfect box for brides, bridesmaids, mothers-of-the-bride, wedding guests and wedding crashers of the Influenster Nation. I fall into the last category but I did get married a few years back and I have a friend's wedding coming up next month so I guess I fit into two categories! Lots of goodies to share here.

I have been a long time Olay user for years.  The Regenerist line just keeps expanding and for good reason. The product work and the price is right. You don't need to go to Nordstrom and pay a bundle for good skin care. March yourself right on down to Rite Aid or CVS or even Walgreens and pick this one up. Fade those dark spots in 8 weeks with Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream. This one goes 10 layers deep into your skin. Don't forget to pair it with a good facial sunscreen every single day. @OlayUS #BestBeautiful

We all need smooth legs that is a fact. If you don't need smooth legs, well, I guess just skip over this one. I don't know what to say. Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave Cream is packed with aloe and extra moisturizers to keep your legs soft and silky. 7 varieties ensure that you will find one with a scent and a formula just perfect for you. #PureSilk @PureSilkShave

EcoTools Pure Complexion Sponge is the first step towards a fresh summer face for a wedding or any day. This tool is handmade with 100% natural ingredients. including Konjac vegetable fiber. I love the soft rounded edges which help you clean your face all around. #ecotools @ecotools

Riley & Grey believe in love, laughter and a little kookiness.  If you are getting married in 2014 and beyond you need a wedding website. No can do without one or people will think you are old. Get with the program and take a peek at Riley & Grey. Even if you are IT unenabled they can help you. They will help anyone craft a unique wedding website. I got a 50% off code as well.#DoYou @RileyGrey

 I have used this for a bunch of years now. There is ALWAYS one stashed in my car. I pack one in my suitcase for biz trips too. I didn't know that Tide to Go is the #1 instant stain remover though. Why not....it really works. I just didn't realize that so many peeps knew about my little tidy secret. @Tide #TideToGo

Sally Hansen is my go-to for nail polish. I love to do my own manis and pedis because the fact is, I usually do a better job than the ladies in the salons. I am THAT GOOD. I have been doing my own nails since I was a teenager. Skip the salon and save some moulah. Go buy yourself a fancy cocktail instead. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure is going to make your nails look amazing and I must say this Barracuda looks so pretty for the summer. It is a light blue-grey color. Goes on super smooth and lasts up to 10 days. Remember the base and top coats too. @CSMHaveItAll @SallyHansen

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."

Ice Ball Mold Perfect for Summer Cocktails and Beverages #sphereicemold

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I was excited about using these StyloPhora ice balls for an upcoming party but I had to try them out right away. The product is designed for making large perfectly round ice balls to make great looking drinks for parties and also is great for whiskey drinkers.  I remember our big dog used to love playing with ice so StyloPhora suggested you could make these to put in your dog's bowl too...excellent to keep your pooch cool in the summer heat too. I don't have a dog but I do have parties and I entertain a lot so these are super for me.

The round silicone molds come in a pack of 3 and include a silicone funnel in the pack. StyloPhora packs these ice ball molds in a great clear tube packaging and they have easy to follow instructions. The funnel can be used to fill the molds without mess or spilling your choice of liquid, it is also very useful for other applications in the kitchen.  I found it easy to fill even without the funnel but if you are filling the molds with expensive whiskey I can see how the funnel would be a definite benefit.

The molds also have fill lines printed on them so that they can be easily filled with the correct amount of liquid.  As I said, the molds come in a big tube which is also great for storage when you are not using them. First of all you must wash them first with soap and water and the instructions suggest that as well. Fit the top onto the bottom (it is very easy) Fill them up with water directly from the faucet or you can use the enclosed funnel to fill them with a beverage of your choice. There is even a fill line where you can tell you need to stop. They freeze up super fast in a few hours and you just pop out these huge bigger than a golf ball ice balls. Perfect for a punch bowl or drink dispenser or even for whiskey or other cocktails. They are so huge they take a LONG time to melt. Very cool invention.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Beauty Box 5 June Subscription Box Unboxing Event @beautybox5 #bb5fave

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

I can't believe summer is finally really just about here. We have been using sunscreen like crazy around here. I am a real skin protection kind of girl. 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 find your new faves without being stuck with a huge bottle of this or that. I know you know what I mean. 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.  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. The ideal solution for all of us brought to you by Beauty Box 5. They understand  and created their great 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 to sample new cosmetic products and see what works for you.  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 June Summer Chic Box this week.  The team at Beauty Box 5 knows that sometimes we all need a little beauty boost. Perhaps we are deciding on our fave bathing suit for a day at the beach or planning our summer vacay but we need to stay in the zone at least to get through the workday! Beauty Box 5 is here with a few pick-me-ups to keep you going.  Here is the scoop on the cool goodies that were in this cute little box:

Nicka K New York has a smashing bright nail color perfect for summer pedicures. I am going to let you in on a secret. I taught myself how to do professional manis and pedis as a teenager. It is not that hard to learn...you just need to practice to get that steady hand. Once you master it you will save yourself a bundle! This is a gorgeous red which will keep your finger and toes looking hot all summer long. I like that it is free of formaldehyde first of all. Also important is that it is a really pretty color that applies smoothly and evenly. I have been doing manis and pedis for years now and trust me I know my polish. They are not all the same.  This brand goes right to the top of the list. I was pleased with how quickly it dried too. Very smooth and bright finish. I kept looking down at my toes in my yoga class yesterday and I felt so confident with my pretty Nicka K New York pedi. Retail:  $4.99 for one bottle

The next product in the box I love. Organix makes great organic hair care products.  Their Coconut Water Shampoo and Conditioner was tucked in my box ready for a weekend away or a beach day.  I had to sneak a try.  I love the scent of coconut and this one did not disappoint me. I have to confess:  it is one of my faves. This is very light and cleans your hair gently.  I thought it was kind of cool that this hydrating shampoo and conditioner combo is actually charged with electrolytes plus coconut oil. The electrolytes and coconut oil combined really ramp up the shine.  It is also sulfate free so yippee..safe for keratin treated hair. I have the full size bottles of this sulfate free shampoo and conditioner on my To-Buy List because at $7.99 for 13 oz it is a bargain.  

VitaBath Body Wash is a classic and this one is a cutie. What could be yummier than Dreamy Pink Frosting Body Wash? That's right, nothing! It is the perfect way to clean your skin and and leave a light fresh scent behind. No worries with VitaBath either, this one is free of propylene glycol, mineral oils and even silicone. That makes me love it even more. It makes a very soft and luxurious lather and I didn't want to get out of the bath. I feel good about using products with cleaner ingredients like this that also feel great on my skin. It is  $7.95 for 12 fl oz.

Glam Natural Mascara is a great option if you have some sensitive peepers or even if you don't you can feel good about using it.  Glam Natural is gluten free, paraben free and hypoallergenic and even vegan. It covers all the sensitive issues that I can think of. In addition, it totally made my lashes go BOING. It went on very smoothly and my lashes really looked amazing. I used it with one coat for day time and added a second coat for a more dramatic evening look.  I felt like my makeup came out great...no lumpy or clumpy lashes makes for a happy day or evening for me.  $28.00 for 0.25oz .

The last item in this exciting June box for a little bit of extra fun is the Eslor Introductory Collection Calming Kit. It has minis of the Soothing Refiner and Cleanser, Replenishing Scrub, Comforting Mask and Soothing Cream so you can try out the whole collection and get your skin hydrated, protected and treated so you are ready for that special date night or a weekend at the shore (or beach).  I was thrilled to hear that this kit is totally paraben free and actually very easy to use. I tried it out the other night and really liked it. Very gentle even the Soothing Refiner and Replenishing Scrub. My skin looked super in the morning after I used it.  $28 2fl oz, $28 1.7 fl oz, $38 1.7 fl oz, $65 1.7 fl oz

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 for summer. Don't forget to join Beauty Box 5 and get in on the goodies.  You can spread the news on Instagram and have an opportunity to win full-size versions of these products too! Don't forget to tag @beautybox5 and #bb5fave so they know who was spreading the love!

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."

Organic Black Matcha Tea Review + Giveaway #tea

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

You may not have tried Black Matcha Tea yet but you are truly missing out.  I really enjoy it in the afternoons as a pick me up and sometimes I even go for it in the morning instead of the usual ho-hum coffee. I am pretty particular though and I only buy organic black matcha tea. I recently had the opportunity to try a DNA Black Matcha Tea.

This is a Swiss certified organic black matcha tea.  They have tested for heavy metals and it is certified BPA free as well USDA organic.  It makes me feel relaxed just thinking about the quality.

You can get more familiar with the DNA organic teas brand by visiting their website and seeing what all the buzz is about. You can even watch some of our videos to see what other consumers think too.  I really like that Matcha DNA™ tea is organically grown and hand picked. I have made it hot and cold...you can even get adventurous and make tea  lattes, martinis or used in food like green tea ice cream and in other recipes.  Match DNA tea tastes great and has a very rich and pure taste both hot and cold. I saw a ton of tea recipes and drinks when I did a quick search on Pinterest.

Few people know that the current practice of drinking powdered tea in the Japanese tea ceremony is actually from the Song dynasty in China. It dates back to over 1,000 years ago. This practice was carried on in Japan and is now considered a pillar of Japanese culture. Today. once again high quality Matcha is being made in China.

The tea has a slightly different character than its Japanese counterpart. Both teas have a deep green color and thick, savory taste and texture. Both are high in EGCG and antioxidants. However, Chinese MatchaDNA™ is smoother, without the bitterness, and has rich, smooth and fresh taste unlike any other!  You can find it on Amazon so that makes it easy too.

Enter to win your own MatchaDNA™ via my Rafflecopter giveaway below. Good luck!a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.