Wine Club from Uncorked Ventures Review #Uncorked

I consider myself a little bit of a wine connoisseur. I have lived abroad and many moons ago cut my teeth on a variety of good quality northern Italian wines. Well, my love affair with wine just expanded over the years and I learned more and came to enjoy a variety of wines from different areas of the world. I find my wines here and there locally and love to discover interesting new wineries and wines in the mid-Atlantic.  I heard about a new kind of exclusive wine club recently, something truly different that I thought was worth a try. This is a totally different kind of wine club.  I think you will forget those big internet newspaper branded clubs after you hear more. 

Uncorked Ventures is a family owned and operated startup wine club based just outside of San Francisco.  They don't buy the standard run of the mill wine through middle men and distributors either. They actually spend time in wine country getting to know winemakers, vineyard owners, farmers and others directly involved in the creation of what's in your glass. As a result they find some exceptional, special and rare wines. I know...maybe I need to seriously consider a career change....

I received two bottles of white wine from Uncorked Ventures and I was excited about trying them. The first bottle I received is from Lennox Vineyards. Each bottle comes with an personally written information sheet from one of the Uncorked Ventures owners. It shares interesting tidbits about the winery, the locale and even the owners. Of course it includes  tasting notes as well which I found to be accurate and added to my enjoyment of the wines. So my first bottle was a Russian River Valley Chardonnay. If you don't know, the Russian River is in Sebastopol, CA.  I was interested in trying this one because Lennox is actually a tiny winery... producing  only 1-2 tons of grapes per acre. They shared that this factor often translates into the potential for a concentrated, more distinctive flavor.  Obviously, fewer bottles in the market as well so the opportunity to try a wine that you are not going to find in the corner wine shop too.

My 2010 Lennox River Chardonnay was actually created to for the wedding of the owner's daughter. The winery owner, Mike Bielawski created this special wine just to celebrate his daughters wedding as she had told him for years that she wanted a special wine from their vineyard when she got married.  She had requested a unique Chardonnay and of course her dad came up with something special. I love the idea that I get to be part of their family celebration, in a way. Mark Aseltine from Uncorked Ventures shared that Lennox Vineyards entire winery is about 2/3 of an acre, situated right next to the owners house. I love that because you know they are out there checking on those vines just like I am in my own 2/3 acre with my rosebushes and garden beds. Interesting that we both have the same acreage! You know they are tending to their vines and really care about the wines they produce.  The Lennox Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay was light and slightly fruity with an oakey finish. Mark's tasting notes were accurate and picked up on the pineapple and lemon aromas as well. I thought that added an interesting quality to this bottle. We both enjoyed it immensely the other evening. 

My second bottle was also a white wine but quite different. This was a 2012 Semillon from Chatom Vineyards.  Mark shared some interesting facts about the Chatom Winery which was wonderful since I was not familiar with it. It is based very far east in Calaveras County, California.  The area is also described as being part of the Sierra Foothillls. Mark pointed out that the owner, Gay Callan, is a little known innovator in the California wine industry. Sadly, she recently put the winery up for sale. Chatom has been known in local circles as an innovative winery introducing varietals like Semillon in California which was unheard of 30 years ago. Remember the ubiquitous California Chardonnay? That's all people knew back then. Those awful wines in the...ugh...jug. Chatom helped change all that. 

Jason Lewis is part of the brains behind Chatom after having worked his way up the ranks of winemaker. He enjoys crafting a more austere French style wine that is uncommon in the region. Think about your typical California whites...austere is not the first thought that comes to mind. That makes the Chatom wines a bit more unique. They chose Semillon originally to blend with Sauvignon Blanc but then were pleased to see it held it's own and produces a light, crisp and almost creamy wine. 

The Chatom Semillon 2012 was crisp and slightly creamy. I was surprised at the clean flavor for a California Semillon. I am always expecting fruit or oak finishes. Not with this. They can vary a lot in quality but this was pleasing.  It went beautifully with a light salad and grilled chicken.  

Uncorked Ventures is definitely a different kind of Wine Club.  I love the small-sourced vineyards which give it an exclusive feel.  I would consider Uncorked Ventures a top source for Christmas and holiday gift baskets as well. You know they put the personal, but exclusive touch to all that goes out the door. 

Uncorked Ventures has several options available from monthly shipments to gift baskets.  These exceptional wines from California, Oregon and Washington's best producers arrive securely packed and cushioned in boxes. You can choose from the Explorations, Special Selections or Reserve Selections Wine Club. You can call or order easily online and start your membership quickly or even order a gift basket for friends, discerning clients or colleagues.  

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.

Phantom Fit Wrist Wraps Review #phantomfit

Some of my friends ask me how I do it? What do you mean by "do it?" I mean keep fit after 40.  It is a lifestyle for me. Does my weight stay exactly the same week to week? Of course not. Don't be totally ridiculous. But I am careful. I enjoy life and I love to eat but I know it is not an endless pit. Well, it could be if I just ate everything I wanted. I have to really think about it more and more as I get older. I will treat myself but then go back to the diet and fitness plan.  I don't mean "diet" in the crazy sense either, just a healthy eating plan that includes lots of fresh veggies, lean meats and fish and fruit. A few treats here and there too of course.

Included in the whole master plan is fitness, fitness, fitness. It doesn't work if you don't eat right so pair it all together in whatever way it works for you. I try to keep it fresh with new equipment and even a new pair or capris or top here and there to keep me motivated. I recently had the opportunity to try out PhantomFit Wrist Wraps.

These are excellent quality wrist wraps that really work:

• Durable, long lasting wrist wraps (with LIFETIME guarantee)
• One size fits all for both men and women of all ages
• Protects your wrists and increases your lifts 
• Boosts lifting confidence and ability
• Are lightweight and portable so you can take them anywhere including on a plane or train

What do you get?

• 2 Phantom Fit Wrist Wraps with Thumb Loop
• Access to our custom workout mix MP3 file to improve your workout intensity!
• Nylon Phantom Fit bag to store your wrist wraps. Perfect for taking to the gym or any workout on the go!
• They are easy to learn how to use and very comfortable to0
• A bonus is the PhantomFit favorite workout music downloadable as a mp3 file

I have been using the PhantomFit Wrist Wraps here for my boot camp classes and they really help. I am in top shape...I do bootcamp type workouts regularly, run hills and all kinds of crazy regimens and these are the real deal. They help you lift more and I feel like my wrists are protected better than without them. You can pick up your Phantom fit Wrist Wraps on Amazon so you don't even need to leave the house.

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.

AlphaHealthy Probiotics Review #AlphaHealthy

Always check with your physician before starting any supplement product and specifically AlphaHealthy Probiotics. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.

I can't tell you how many friends I know that have GI issues. Yikes. I am mostly lucky but I have been a victim of salmonella and norovirus and not just one or two times.  I travel often for business and that doesn't help. I do my best to really make sure I am clean and wash my hands but who can control when someone else is preparing the food? What about when you are between a rock and a hard place and have to eat from a buffet? My latest secret is probiotics. You really have to consider it.  Probiotics are known for their ability to protect and support your immune system. I recently tried AlphaHealthy Probiotics to do just that.

I had never realized that the gut is  literally one single cell layer away from an extremely toxic environment. If this layer is damaged, you get sick and produce inflammation throughout your body.  A compromised immune system can lead to a variety of health issues.  It could even lead to the loss of energy, weight gain and not to forget that it has the potential to speed up the aging process. AlphaHealthy custom probiotics can support and  strengthen that one cell layer, which in turn can boost your immune system.

Most people don't recognize that digestive problems can really be hard on your entire body. Digestive problems could lead to so many other problems. Since the digestive system is responsible for producing necessary vitamins, helping regulate hormones and excreting toxins, it is important to keep it healthy. AlphaHealthy Probiotics were designed to do just that.

100 million Americans suffer from gut related problems so I am not so surprised I have more than a few friends that have issues. Probiotics for women are something that has more recently been in the news.  I have seen articles about probiotics for kids as well in parent's magazines and in the pediatrician's office. So many people suffer from issues ranging from gut pain to diarrhea.  Who wants to take prescription pills to promote healthy digestion?  A natural solution is the ideal option. Of course, you should always check with your physician before starting any kind of supplement.  One way to maintain a healthy digestive system is to take a probiotic supplement or probiotic pill like AlphaHealthy.

How do you choose the best probiotic supplement? When choosing a daily probiotic, it is important to make sure they are carefully produced in a GNP certified lab (Made in USA) for quality control.  Not all of the products out on the market are made in the USA. I also feel more confident taking supplements that are made here.  I was happy that AlphaHealthy Probiotics are made in the USA by a GNP certified lab. They are easy to take and my gut felt good all week long. I try to adhere to a clean diet but I am not perfect and I do have to eat meals out often for work. No issues here. The AlphaHealthy Probiotics kept me feeling energetic all day long with no GI discomfort.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

You can find AlphaHealthy Probiotics on Amazon and stock up easily without even leaving home.

 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 Five September 2014 Balancing Act @beautybox5

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

I love it....Beauty Box Five has the most amazing outlook.  No reason why you should fall just because the leaves are! The to-do list is piling up between back to school and work, but I can manage to juggle it all with my glam look as always. I squeeze in that time to take care of myself and enjoy life a little.  BB5 is shining right into fall with a smart new fall look just for me and you.  Think about all the little things that make you special no matter what the season. Embrace those fall trends and fresh colors...don't forget to bookmark those fall favorites and share with friends. 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 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.  Who needs something else to sit on the bathroom shelf or take up more room in a drawer? 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 is 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 September Balancing Act Box this week.  The team at Beauty Box 5 wants to celebrate the change of seasons and not by hiding behind layers and layers of dark clothes. Go big. Take care of yourself and add those special touches. If I can do the Glamamama Balancing Act then you sure can. Sometimes it is a challenge, yes it sure is but I do it. You have only one YOU and each one of us is special in our own way. We deserve to take a little bit of time to beautify and keep our look fresh. Beauty Box 5 is here with a few special treats to help you along the way.  Here is the scoop on the amazing treats that were in this sweet sea blue September box:

As always It was chock full of amazing goodies that I could not wait to try. There were goodies for my nails, face, body and hair tucked in there.  Lots of special items to keep me looking fresh and glam wherever my fall days take me.  They take me all over too....from the the mid-Atlantic to Washington, D.C. and to Florida. I am one busy mama!

The first treat in this exciting September box is two samples of Natural Style FUBU Deep Conditioner and Co-Wash.  I am wondering if this was tucked in the box special for me with my dry damaged hair?  My hair solution pretty much knocked on my door this week. I tried this gentle wash on my keratin-treated hair and liked the way it looked and felt. I guess the 8 repairing oils and Shea butter helped. t had a light scent and left my hair easy to style!  It felt and looked camera ready. Already added into my to-buy list. Retail: $9.99/12oz

The next product in the box is perfect for my tired eyes. Christie Formulations 3-in1 Eye Bright is amazing. If this can wake up my exhausted eyes and make me look good than it can work for anyone. It is a light serum that feels cool and refreshing. It reduced the dark circles and made my eyes look more alive.  It feels lightweight and it didn't cause any irritation.  I plan in picking up the full size one at 0.5 oz it is a great size to stash  right into my makeup bag ready for a long work day or a business trip.  A smart splurge at $40.00 for 0.5 fl oz

Sally Hansen Toe Spacers are a bargain secret for home pedis. They cushion and separate with cute patterns and prints.  I feel so professional when I use these it is like a trip to the salon but way less costly! is a smart option for ladies who try to save with at home pedis like me.  Make your life easier with these. Even  the price is reasonable at $1.99/pair. 

You know how much I love makeup. I think it is the combination of color and pop that makes a creamy shadow stick like this one from Nicka K New York a winner for me.  This Nicka K New York Eyelight Crayon is a beautiful, bright green color. It has just the right touch of color for day or night. I love the versatility to use it as a liner or shadow. I tucked this right into my makeup bag after I tested it out...ready to wear all week long!   An amazing deal at $4.49/0.056 oz

The last item in this exciting September box for a final treat is the luxury My Beauty Spot Nail Polish in this pretty fall mauve shade.  I tried it out this week and it goes on smoothly for shiny finish. Go stylish and trendy and bi goodbye to your boring nails with this pretty color. I found it easy to do a pretty mani  and look like a pro.  Retail: $24.99

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 into Fall. Don't forget to join Beauty Box 5 and get in on the goodies to keep you looking fab all four season.

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 so they know that it was you spreading the love around!

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."