WARNING: Mom, look away...Do not read on! If you do, you might have to hear about your daughter's "adult relations". Yep, that's right everyone! It's time for another EdenFantasys post! So as always, while my post will remain PG, PG-13 at the most, the links within this post should not be clicked when you're covered in children...or at work...or at church...Or anywhere else where you may offend someone or embarrass yourself! The links within this post are intended for adults 18+ ONLY! Okay...So while having babies 12 months apart has definitely been entertaining as well as incredibly rewarding, it has also been exhausting, stressful, and the Jack Kevorkian of romance. That's right. I said it. Children can really kill a sex life! Sure, the desire may be there, but with diapers to change, bottles to feed, imaginations to nurture, and a home to take care of, by the end of the day, parents can be ready to pass out as soon as their weary heads hit the pillow. This happens ALL of the time in my house. Usually, it's my husband playing the role of Rip Van Winkle. He actually starts falling asleep while sitting up...On the couch...Sometimes during mid-sentence! Poor guy! He works so hard to take care of our family he gets totally drained some days. Yes, my husband has turned into a Zombie.Unfortunately for me, this means I ain't gettin' no lovin' recently. So I have been brainstorming on ways to kick the heat up a notch in my relationship. After all, men seem to respond well to little changes of pace in the bedroom, so I am all for getting a little creative! So naturally, I turned to EdenFantasys to find the perfect solution for my boudior boredom. EdenFantasys carries a huge selection of romance-enhancing products sure to bring some spice back into the bedroom. From mild and vanilla to totally wild, EdenFantasys has something sure to tickle everyone's fancy. So while browsing the adult shop online, I got to work and came up with a plan. We'll call it Operation Nookie! Here it is: PLAN A: Set The Mood Okay...So not all men are into hearts, flowers, and candles. But mine IS sometimes. So I thought the Bed Of Roses kit from EdenFantasys would be perfect! It includes 100 silky scented petals, 4 tea light candles, and even a sultry invitation to help set the mood and build anticipation for the events to come. Pair this up with a nice massage or maybe a bubble bath and you're in for a night of passion! I love the sensual love products on EdenFantasys. These items are perfect for a lazy weekend afternoon while the babies are sleeping. What a wonderful way to relax together and hopefully create a spark! This kit looks so romantic, and sure to help make some wonderful memories together. But then again, this could also go against me, depending on the hubby's particular mood on any given day...Sometimes he LIKES slow and sensual, sometimes, not so much...And if he happens to be sleepy? Forget about it! A bath and massage would surely send him off to sleepy-pie-land. So of course, we have Plan B and Plan C! PLAN B: Role Play Okay, if the candles and flower petals don't work, I know I'll have to step up my game. My husband, like most men, is a very visual creature. He liked seeing me in revealing clothing, and he loves lingerie and costumes. He especially likes the whole School-Girl look for some reason. I have several little numbers to get his blood boiling, but I am always looking for more. EdenFantasys has a fantastic selection of adult costumes and sexy lingerie. I can just imagine getting a sitter and greeting my husband in this Chamber Maid costume when he comes home from work! Maybe he'll get lucky in more ways than one, and I will make the whole French Maid experience even more authentic by actually doing some housework in it! I know he'd love to walk in to seeing his wife revamped into a sexy maid! Or maybe a referee while he watches a sports game...Or a Sexy Police Officer to "arrest" him when he's been bad....Hmm...The possibilities are truly endless! PLAN C: Bam-Chicky-Wow-Wow If for whatever unforeseen reason, the above attempts to rouse my hubby's desire fail to produce results, he's either dead and I need to find a coroner, or I need to break out the Big Guns. That's right. If all else fails, and I am desperate, I will bring on the adult DVD's. I know a lot of women are opposed to adult entertainment. I however, am not. I find it can be a great turn-on when viewed with your partner and can be a welcomed addition to a healthy marital relationship. Now am I saying that it would be fine if my husband engaged in watching this ALONE and became addicted to it like so many do? Not all all. I would probably cut the crotches out of his pants if he were to do that. But viewed together as a couple, adult dvd's can be quite stimulating and can open the door to discussions about fantasies, preferences, and can even give new ideas to try in the bedroom! Erotica can be a very healthy practice, if used openly and honestly as a marital aid. Yes, I admit it. We watch dirty movies on occasion. But chances are, you do, too! Most couples do, even though it's considered a taboo to talk about it. And with EdenFantasys, you can purchase these items discreetly so none of your neighbors will have a clue. And if for whatever reason, ALL of the above-mentioned plans in my Operation Nookie mission fail, I will need more than sex toys....I will need a marriage counselor! But with all the great ideas I got from browsing EdenFantasys, I am sure that won't be a problem at all...wink, wink!
You should check them out, too! As moms, we tend to get so wrapped up in our everyday demands, our love lives often get put on the back-burner and forgotten. Let EdenFantasys help put the fire back into the bedroom! After all, beds are meant for MORE than sleeping...At least that's what I heard before I had kids! ***Disclosure: While I am receiving a gift card for blogging about EdenFantasys, all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way. As a matter of fact, I am a happy customer and am delighted to spread the love!***
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While my blog may tend to focus on the joys of being a woman by reviewing amazing baby, beauty, and fashion items and sharing my sometimes crazy adventures as a SAHM to a baby, a toddler, and a preteen, I know all too well that being a woman is MORE than parenthood and things to make us feel pretty. (Although, let's face it: We all LOVE to feel pretty and feminine!) There are certain issues that women face every day, and yet discussing these sensitive topics is still considered taboo by many. So I am putting on my proverbial "Big Girl Panties" and shedding all my inhibitions, and I am going to be 100% honest and open regarding one such topic: Heavy monthly bleeding. Gasp! Did she say heavy monthly bleeding? Why yes, yes I did. This is a problem that many, many women face every single month, and they often suffer in silence. I personally have been experiencing heavier monthly bleeding after having my tubes tied in January. I was used to a period that came like clockwork, lasted 3 days, and was never overly heavy. Well, since having my tubal-ligation after Xander was born, the flood gates have opened, and I have been experiencing flows of an epic proportion, along with cramps that I have never had to deal with at such an extreme. I have found that during the first couple of days of my cycle, I am bleeding through a tampon in about an hour, where I was used to having a tampon last around 6 hours. I have found myself waking up at night to change my protection, and have even woken up with staining on my pajamas. (Told you I was going to be blunt!) It is not fun, but I have been assured by my fabulous OBGYN that this type of heavy menstrual flow can sometimes happen after a reproductive surgery such as a tubal-ligation. Will this craziness ever correct itself? Will my cycles ever return to normal? Maybe...And maybe not. Time will tell. I may just have to get used to the change in flow, since there are no underlying problem with my womanly parts. But WHY does heavy monthly bleeding occur? There are many possible causes of heavy monthly bleeding. Some can be quite serious and require medical intervention and correction, and other causes are less serious and can often be managed at home with non-prescription remedies. If you're experiencing heavier than normal periods, it is essential that you discuss this with your health care provider and find the right treatment. Yes, it may be embarrassing. But trust me: Doctors have seen and heard everything. I actually had to be seen before because I "forgot" a tampon for over a week and wondered what that nasty smell and black discharge was. I never imagined it was a tampon, since I had tried to feel around for one and it was hiding. The little white string was ALL the way in there, too! I was mortified when my doctor fished it out. But you know what? My doctor said he's dealt with lost tampons several times per week in the office! I felt a little less stupid when he told me this. That's what doctors are there for. Nothing seems to phase them, and they are there to turn to when it comes to sensitive topics. Need suggestions on how to bring up your heavy monthly bleeding? Click here for tips on how to start this dialogue with your doctor. You'll be glad you did! So since talking to my doctor about my more intense cycles, what am I doing to help combat my heavy periods? There are many treatments available to combat heavy monthly bleeding. I am currently taking Aleve, using ice-packs, taking a multi-vitamin rich in vitamin C to help aid iron absorption, and I am also taking an iron supplement to help keep my bleeding under control and avoid anemia. I am also making sure to stay very hydrated at all times and to get plenty of rest during that time of the month. These methods have really seemed to help a lot. Are my symptoms gone? No. But they have gotten to be more manageable. Hopefully in time, my body will figure things out and go back to "normal". I guess time will tell! Can you relate? Does your period leave you going through tampons and pads at lightning speed? Welcome to the club! Countless women experience this right along with us.How common is it, really? Well, VERY common! We just don't like to talk about it! There was a recent study done with the participation of over 500 moms, and the results show: Heavy monthly bleeding symptoms impact daily routines. The vast majority (92%) agreed that the condition frustrates them, and more than two-thirds (68%) feel that their periods control them. Women don't always know where to turn for help with heavy monthly bleeding symptoms. More than 75% of women don't know help is available for their heavy periods. Less than half have spoken to their OB/GYN about their symptoms. Information and persistence may empower women to seek the right help. Of those who were satisfied with their treatment, 38% went to two or more visits with a health care professional before they found an option they liked. For any woman who suffers from heavy bleeding, learning the symptoms of an abnormal period and discovering available treatments can prove transformative. HealthyWomen.org, the nation's leading independent health information source for women, has put together a series of online resources about heavy monthly bleeding, an issue affecting millions of women. The resource section includes a survey to determine if your symptoms align with heavy monthly bleeding, key questions to ask, and available treatment options to discuss with your physician. I am glad that HealthyWomen.org is bringing a new understanding to this hush-hush topic. If you are experiencing heavy monthly bleeding, it is nothing to be ashamed about, and is a problem that needs to be addressed with a health care professional. If women choose to empower themselves and take proactive measures regarding their health, many diseases and issues can be treated or cured before it's too late. Why live with heavy monthly bleeding if you don't have to? Talk to your physician today! I'm so glad I did...even is it was a little embarrassing! At least I have the peace of mind knowing that there's no life-threatening issues and that there are steps I can take to help manage this monthly problem. For more information and frequently asked questions about heavy monthly bleeding, please check out HealthyWomen.org. ***Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Ferring Pharmaceuticals and received a promotional item to facilitate my review.*** Christmas In July is just a few days away! I know I am super-excited, and you should be, too! With 125 blogs all offering great prize packages, I know there's a lot to be giddy about!
Since the event only allows a small number of entry options, I am offering my extra entries HERE. So I hope you'll take the time to like my sponsors on Facebook and follow them on twitter! There are a TON of extra entries available to you! Please make sure you take advantage of these extra entries. You'll have a HUGE advantage once the festivities begin! So what can you win? Let's Recap! One thing that makes my daughter a bit odd is the fact that she, unlike most other toddlers, does not generally care for fruit. At all. Unless it's hidden in ice cream, of course! Ever since she started her venture into the wonderful world of solids, Sophie has put up a fight when it comes to eating fruits. She MUCH prefers veggies for some reason. I guess I shouldn't complain, but I want her to get all of the antioxidants and vitamins found in fruit, since eating only veggies just isn't going to cut it with this mama! I have tried to find creative ways to sneak fruit to my picky daughter. I have mixed applesauce in a number of dishes, added banana to some of her meals, all mushed up and unrecognizable, and I have even started incorporating fruit into more savory dishes in order to fool her. (By the way, chicken breasts grilled with a blackberry balsamic glaze and topped with a simple blackberry compote is FANTASTIC!) That's why I was so excited to get the opportunity to review Buddy Fruits. I have seen these and other to-go fruit pouches in the store before, but have always been a little skeptical about whether or not Sophie would enjoy them. I have reviewed similar pouches from another company, and had success with a couple of the flavor combinations. With Sophie, it's really hit or miss. She KNOWS what she likes! Luckily, Xander is now 6 months old and eating solids now, too. He isn't nearly as picky as his older sister, and will happily inhale anything I give him. Buddy Fruits offers a wide variety of the highest quality fruit products on the market. The company is fully committed to delivering to the consumer a nutritious alternative to unhealthy foods. Buddy Fruits products are made of 100% REAL fruit...No added sugars or preservatives in sight! Why mess with perfection, right? With Buddy Fruits' wholesome choice of all natural ingredients, it is an easy way to outsmart temptation! Buddy Fruits is a low calorie taste experience. Recipes are always made with the highest quality of fruits... it's time to satisfy your hunger! These fruit goodies are great for babies, toddlers, kids, and even adults who want a tasty and nutritious snack on the go! The Buddy Fruits Promise: 100% Fruits, 100% Tasty and 100% Pleasure! So when my Buddy Fruits assortment arrived, I couldn't wait to try them out on my babies! I knew Xander would like Buddy Fruits, because at 6 months old, he seems to like everything. He's probably the best beginning eater I have ever seen! Minimal mess, minimal fighting, and he opens his mouth and swallows his food beautifully. So it's no surprise that Xander loved his Buddy Fruits fruit pouches! Now my real challenge was Sophie...She is very picky....I gave her Buddy Fruits one night with her dinner. She looked at it curiously, put it into her mouth, smiled when she tasted the apple cinnamon flavor, and proceeded to squirt the entire contents of the package into her bowl. And then she began "painting" with it! This is no surprise, as my daughter loves to play with her food and make things as messy as she possibly can. But as she played in her fruit, I noticed that some was actually making its way to her mouth. She liked it! Yay! After her artistic energy was exhausted and her tray was a mess, she finally decided to use a utensil to eat more of her Buddy Fruits! I have since given here other flavors to try, and to my amazement, she seems to like them! She's even figured out how to suck the fruit out of the pouches, and seems to like the independence she feels by doing so. My little girl ALWAYS has to feed herself and gets angry if you try and help her. With Buddy Fruits, she can feed herself easily! She also LOVES the Buddy Fruits Pure Fruit Bites. These are awesome little fruit snacks that can be eaten as finger food. Think of lunch box fruit snacks, but actually made from 100% REAL FRUIT! These snacks are also highly portable and make a nutritious addition to your lunches, diaper bags, and even your purse for a quick snack! Here's a video of Sophie eating...or should I say playing with....her Buddy Fruits! As a family of 5, there is one thing that is as inevitable as death and taxes...Something that HAS to be done several times per week. Sure, I could just ignore it, but then no one would have clean underwear to put on and my husband would be forced to wear my Pajama Jeans rather than his comfy, old Chicago Bears sweats that he's had for decades. So this chore HAS to get done, no matter how much I'd love to be able to avoid it. I'm sure you all know I am talking about LAUNDRY. I'll be honest: Doing the laundry is probably my least favorite chore. I hate it so much, my husband actually does it in my house, aside from washing our cloth diapers. Washing our clothing is his ONLY real chore, aside from going out and working to bring home the bacon. I gladly do the rest. (After all, I want things to get done right!) Speaking of laundry, have you all noticed how expensive laundry detergent has gotten? This is something I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to until the babies came, and a couple of loads per week turned into mountains and mountains of stained clothing that had to get washed. When you have 2 babies under the age of 2, along with 2 adults and a pre-teen boy, laundry can really pile up FAST! I started noticing how much detergent costs, and how quickly we'd have to run out to Walmart or Target to restock. So yes, our laundry detergent was eating a hole in the very pockets it was meant to clean! That's why I was beyond excited when Oransi, authorized distributers of Robby Wash contacted me and told me about this awesome new product that promises to save TONS of money on laundry while remaining kinder to the environment than your typical laundry detergents. I was definitely intrigued, and couldn't wait to try Robby Wash for myself! So what's so great about Robby Wash? This uniquely designed product comes with enough detergent to last an average of 12 months. That's right! 12 WHOLE MONTHS without having to buy laundry detergent! The Robby Wash is a laundry ball that is filled with small, reusable detergent "pellets". The detergent used in the Robby Wash is hypoallergenic, baby safe, and is gentle on the skin yet highly effective in removing stains. (For more stubborn stains, use the included Robby Wash Stain Stick to give added stain-lifting power.) Each Robby Wash ball comes with 3 extra pellet refills, so when you notice that the detergent has dwindled to less than 75% full. This keeps you from having to throw anything away, as the ball can be reused for 2-3 YEARS! Additional refills are also sold separately. More Robby Wash Facts:
The Robby Wash comes in two different colors: Blue, which is ideal for washing your whites, and Fuchsia, which is for colors. Each 10oz ball is designed to take the place of 75lbs of traditional detergent. This greatly reduces the environmental impact that normal laundry has. Think of all the detergent that gets sucked down our pipes...Wait. Let me give you a visual to help show how much detergent you won't have to use when using the Robby Wash! I have a BUNCH of winners to announce today, so let's get down to business, shall we? :)
Wholly Guacamole: Michelle S. (cooler) *confirmed* Debra B. (coupons) *confirmed* Kimberly S.(coupons) *confirmed* Lara J. (coupons) La Famiglia DelGrosso: Karen M. *confirmed* Growums: Beth H. Sugar Free Ring Pops: Mel B. Danni Green Pan: Gabriella I. *confirmed* Hello! Skinny Jeans: Carolsue Congrats! I am e-mailing you all now! You have 48 hours to respond and claim your prize. If I do not hear back from you, I will be forced to re-draw new winners. Please check your Spam folders! As many moms know, getting a child to transition from the bottle to sippy, and then from sippy to big kid cup can be quite a challenge at times. It's quite a confusing task for little lips, as most bottles and sippy cups require much different sucking actions to drink out of them. This can result in frustration on baby's part, as well as a potential mess all over your floor! Properly learning to drink from a cup is a process that should be mastered by taking baby steps, teaching a child to master skills on par with their development before tackling new and confusing skills they just may not be quite ready for. I know having babies 12 months apart has not made this learning process any easier for my toddler, Sophie. She sees her baby brother with a bottle, and she wants to regress and be "the baby" all over again. This sibling rivalry has even caused her to reject her sippy cups at times! So rather than take the hubby's route and sneak her the occasional bottle which she has already outgrown, I have been looking more closely at her sippy cups and trying to find the ones best suited for her developmental stage. That's why I was so excited to get the opportunity to review the new Learning System Sippy Cups from NUK. NUK is a household name that has been trusted by families for years to provide quality baby and toddler products that are durable, attractive, and just right for meeting baby's ever changing needs. I have been using NUK pacifiers for as long as I can remember, and I also have some of their older sippy cup models. These products have never let me down in the past, so I was definitely intrigued by the Learning System line of sippy cups! How is the Learning System different than a traditional sippy cup? It's in the science behind the design, of course! The Learning System has 4 unique stages that will carry your child from infancy all the way to the big kid cup seamlessly and effortlessly. The new Learning System Line continues the good oral development habits you started with NUK's orthodontic bottles and pacifiers into the toddler years. This exclusive age-stage collection addresses motor skill and oral development with an evolving spout shape for each milestone of 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months. This system makes the transition from bottle to cup simple. Developed in collaboration with the NUK medical team's pediatric dentist, the special spout progressively evolves into a soft curve, encouraging baby's mouth to transform from accommodating an O-shaped nipple to a U-shaped cup. As such, it teaches proper lip placement for sipping and drinking from an adult cup. How cool is that?! I received the Learning System Stage 2 for my review, which is right on par for Sophie's development. This cup has a hard spout which is perfectly shaped for easy drinking. It is also very spill-proof, which makes this mama happy because my little princess loves to shake her cups, often causing a huge, sticky mess! One thing I love about the Learning System sippy cup is that as she grows, this system will grow with her! All of the tops and bottoms are interchangeable, making it easy to always have to proper sippy on hand at all times! Here are some photos of our Learning System Cup: Overall, we love our Learning System Stage 2 Sippy Cup from NUK! It is easy for my daughter to use, and helps teach her how to properly drink from a cup! Soon she'll be ready for Stage 3, and I can't wait to see how she does! I think it's also time to introduce Xander to this system as well, since he's not 6 months old and ready for Stage 1 of the Learning System. I would definitely recommend these cups to any parents looking for an easy, relatively painless way to teach their baby how to go from the bottle to the Big Kid Cup. These cups are durable, fun, and created with your child's orthodontic development at the core of its unique design!
I am thrilled to announce that NUK will be adding a Learning System cup to my HUGE baby prize package in the upcoming Christmas In July event! How cool is that?! In the meantime, here's how to connect! BUY IT: You can learn more about NUK products on their website. You can also follow them on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions. FYI: Doing so NOW will put you one step ahead of the game once Christmas In July begins! NUK products are available at most baby retailers, supermarkets, drug store chains, online and at many local stores selling baby products. Products may vary by store. ***Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** I'm sure you all know by now that I am a beauty junkie. I have more cosmetics and other various "girly" products than most people I know. I just turned 30, (Shh! Don't tell anyone!) and with age comes wisdom, so I have been a lot more conscious about what I put onto my face in recent years. Most beauty products contain a ton of chemicals and parabens. Since skin is a penetrable organ and does in fact absorb chemicals, the harmful ingredients in many cosmetics have been linked to problems like cancer, hormonal dysfunction, and even infertility. So these are not ingredients you want to slather on to your skin! I have been leaning towards both natural and organic skin care and cosmetic products for the past few years, and have found that such products are actually often more effective than their chemical-laden counterparts. Not only are naturally derived products offering comparable performance, your skin will actually THANK you for making the switch. Take away all the chemical compounds found in common cosmetics, and your skin will be able to breathe properly and begin to take on a more healthy, natural glow. That's why I was so excited to get the opportunity to review Emani Minerals. Emani is a fantastic line of mineral make-up that is completely Vegan friendly and free of talc or parabens of any kind. This cruelty-free, mineral based make-up has been taking the beauty world by storm by offering a skin-loving, greener alternative to conventional cosmetics....And you don't have to sacrifice quality or variety! Emani offers a gigantic selection of fun, flirty, and simply gorgeous colors. Especially in their Crushed Minerals Color Dust! (Eye pigment) When using the Emani Minerals collection, the possibilities are endless! Whether you're seeking a fresh, natural look, something more bold and playful, or even a sultry and seductive look, Emani has the perfect variety to meet your every desire. I was lucky enough to receive an assortment of cosmetics from Emani Minerals for my review. I received the Emani Minerals Liquid Mineral Foundation in Natural Beige, the Emani Minerals Pressed Blush in Miami Tan, and the Color Dust in Moon Raker, a gorgeous shimmery shade of purple. The first product I'd like to tell you about is the Emani Minerals Liquid Mineral Foundation. I received this product in Natural Beige. I absolutely love this foundation! It goes on with a light, sheer feeling finish, and can be applied in a way that will customize your coverage needs. If you desire light coverage, just use a very small amount. For medium to heavier coverage, you can simply add a touch more product to problem areas to maximize coverage as needed. A little bit of this product goes a long way! Another thing I love about the Liquid Mineral Foundation is that it does not strip the skin of moisture or have an accumulative, drying effect. Emani Minerals infuses their foundation with Jojoba Oil, Vitamin A, and Hyaluronic Acid to help keep skin balanced and moisturized. This foundation feels wonderful on the skin. In fact, you probably wouldn't even realize you had it on! There is no cakiness, no flaking, and no heavy feel. This Liquid Mineral Foundation is the next best thing to bare skin. And it stays on fairly well, too. I found I did not have to reapply or touch up my make-up while wearing this foundation. It stayed on my face until I took it off. This foundation gets an A++ from me! The next product I would like to tell you about is the Color Dust! I have to say, this is my favorite product out of the bunch! I absolutely love having a collection of gorgeous pigments, and the Color Dust in Moon Raker is among my best loved. This is a shimmery, multi-dimensional shade of purple that is absolutely dazzling. As with most pigments, it is long lasting and a little goes a very long way. The Color Dust can be built-upon, creating a beautiful, smoky effect. You can layer this with other pigments for a stunning, artistic look, or you can wear it alone, for something simple and pretty. One of my favorite things about color pigments is that they give you total creative license and you can create any look you can dream up! For a sheer finish, use a light sweep of product. For a more intense, vibrant finish, add a little water to your make-up brush and have color that really POPS! Something else I love about Emani Minerals Color Dust is that this great product isn't exclusively for the eyes! You can use this on the eyes, lips or face! And with dozens of beautiful colors to choose from, you'll never get bored experimenting with different looks! I love this product. It's versatile, lasting, and definitely rivals all of the more expensive, big name pigments I have used in the past. I can't wait to add more of these great little color pots into my collection! This product gets an A++ from me! The last product I'd like to share is the Emani Minerals Pressed Blush. I love a good blush, as it gives a healthy, youthful glow to one's appearance. Emani Minerals has a fantastic line of pressed blush that offers a clean, multi-dimensional glow in universally flattering shades. I chose their Miami Tan color, since I felt it would be great with my skin tone, and perfect for the summer. I love this blush! It has a great finish, beautiful color, and just a touch of highlighting shimmer for a more natural looking appearance. A little goes a long way with this product, as well. This awesome blush can be used for an all-over glow in place of a bronzer if desired. This product also gets an A++ from me! I love the ease of application and the ability to build color with this highly blendable blush. And the color is simply to die for! Here are some photos of me using these products from Emani Minerals. (Please note: Accompanying cosmetics include: Lash Food Conditioning Liquid Eyeliner, it Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye concealer, Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Waterproof Mascara in Carbon Black, and Revlon ColorStay Mineral Lip Glaze in shade 530.) Overall, I would definitely recommend Emani Minerals to anyone who wants the performance of professional make-up with a greener formulation. Emani Minerals make-up is effective, beautiful, and long lasting. It is also cruelty-free, PETA approved, and totally paraben-free. Not to mention, some of the BEST make-up I own...And I own a LOT of make-up! I look forward to trying more of these wonderful products in the future!
GET THE LOOK: You can check out the HUGE selection of available make-up on the Emani Minerals website. You can also follow them on Facebook and on twitter for their latest products and promotions, as well as some great make-up inspiration! ***Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** Yes, we may be in the middle of the summer, enjoying pool parties, cookouts, and outdoor concerts and events. But Halloween will be upon us sooner than you think! The end of the summer and back to school craziness will have us all busy here soon. Next thing you know, it will be time to carve Jack-O-Lanterns, buy ridiculously large amounts of sugary sweets, and find the perfect costumes to parade our little ones around the neighborhood in for Trick-Or-Treating! Time flies when you're having fun, and I like to prepare early for these events. For one, getting an early start on Halloween costumes for my family ensures that I have plenty of time to find the best ones to fit my children's larger than life personalities. Also, buying early means I don't have to pick through mostly bare shelves that have been picked clean of all the best costumes by last minute shoppers. So obviously, I have already begun choosing this year's costumes for my kids. Xander will be a monkey (what else?!) and Kyle, my oldest, wants to go as a Goth. I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to review a costume from Anytime Costumes, and set out to pick the perfect costume for my toddler, Sophie. They have SO many adorable ones to choose from! I was torn between a few great ones,and the Sugar Plum Fairy seen above was included in my top choices. How cute is that?! But I knew my daughter would never in a million years keep the hat on, so we decided to go with the Darling Devil Toddler Costume. After all, she has got to be one of the smartest, most cunning and mischievous children I have ever met. She definitely has a devilish streak to her, so we thought this costume would be absolutely perfect for little princess. Plus, Xander can wear it next year! Yes, I actually think ahead like that! As the mother of a daughter, I don't have to be a psychic to see hair-brushing struggles and knots in my future. Most little girls are prone to tangles, and most of those little girls will put up a good fight when getting those nasty knots brushed out of their hair. Can you really blame them, though? Detangling hair, especially when there are bad knots, can really HURT! The worst is having to detangle the layer of hair at the nape of the neck. That bottom-most layer of hair just seems to be so much more painful than the rest when tugged and pulled. How do I know? Well, I DID grow up with a little brother! Okay, I'm kidding. But actually, I could probably write the book on tangled hair. I have extremely thick, long, and wavy hair and I am constantly pulling it back into a ponytail or messy bun to keep it out of the reach of my babies. They love to pull my hair for some reason, so I just tend to keep it up most of the time to combat their curious little fingers. I also sleep with my hair in a ponytail so I don't drown in it overnight. (Yes, I have that much hair!) Well, sleeping with my hair back often results in badly tangled hair in the morning, and freeing those knots can be incredibly painful! That's why I was so intrigued by the Knot Genie Detangling Brush. I have tried MANY different types of brushes to detangle my hair, and many have just left me cursing under my breath and getting teary eyed due to the pain of ripping through these tangles. The Knot Genie is a specially designed brush that promises to work through even the nastiest of tangles gently and quickly due to the unique bristles and shape of this little brush. So naturally, I was thrilled when the nice folks at Knot Genie agreed to send me this brush for review. When I received my Knot Genie, the first thing I took notice of was the unique shape of the brush. It is designed to perfectly fit into the hand, allowing you to easily glide this tool over the hair. Think of it as an extension of your hand. That's exactly how it feels! But how does the Knot Genie detangle hair better than a traditional brush? It all has to do with the different lengths of teeth on the brush. When brushing, they bend just right, to gently untangle the hair. And because of this lack of stress, the hair's cuticle stays unharmed... revealing the smoothest, shiniest hair you've ever seen. I was pleasantly surprised when I used the Knot Genie for the first time on my badly tangled hair. I had spent the whole day cleaning, doing outdoor work, playing with the babies and more in the very humid weather. My hair was a MESS! As a matter of fact, when I took the elastic band out of my hair, it even got caught in my messy, sweaty bun! Ouch! I was a little nervous when I started using the Knot Genie. My hair really could have used a pre-brush with one of my Spornette brushes, but I decided to put the Knot Genie to the ultimate test and go right at my tangled mane. Much to my delight, this little brush does exactly what it says it does. It was relatively painless, very quick, and it did take the knots and tangles out of my hair! Even on the bottom most layers of hair where the scalp is most sensitive! Success! I found I did have to go over certain areas a few times, but I have a ton of hair and it is very, very thick, so I do not hold this against the Knot Genie at all. I am used to having to go over my hair several times with ANY brush. This was nothing new to me.
I also noticed that while the Knot Genie does wonders at detangling, it is also quite gentle and doesn't cause hair breakage or nasty split ends. This gets major brownie points from me, since I hate it when my hair breaks due to brushing out my tangles! So overall, I LOVE the Knot Genie. It definitely exceeded my expectations, and I am so happy I will be able to use this brush to combat my own stubborn tangles, as well as my daughter's as her hair grows longer. This little gem will definitely help minimize the future hair-brushing fights and make for a happier child! And happy kid=happy mom! I would recommend this brush to everyone! It makes detangling a breeze while minimizing damage to the hair. I wish someone had come up with this sooner! |
PR Friendly Mama!
I'm Brandy, a happily married, proud Mom of 3 amazing kids. If you're interested in building a working relationship, please feel free to e-mail me at: NewlyCrunchyMamaOf3@gmail.com Links We Love :Archives
June 2023
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