Fleur de Vie Skin Care and Color Line

A while back I was given the opportunity to test a few products from the Fluer de Vie skin are line as well as sample their lipsticks. These are findings…

The cleanser doesn’t work up a lather. Although it did not irritate my oily skin that’s prone to breakouts, I didn’t feel a deep clean. I like cleansers that tighten pores and leave an over all refresh feeling. This didn’t do the trick for me. I feel it would be better suited for dry skin types.I noticed they use aloe extract, olive oil, grapefruit oil, as well as other fruit extracts. A full list of ingredients can be found on their site http://www.myfleurdevie.com/product-category/skin

The B Energized has a strong Vitamin C scent. Not just a citrus scent but smells like medicine to me. This didn’t bother me. It made me feel as though I was feeding my skin. However, I didn’t notice any change in the look or feel of my skin.

The Grant Me Shelter SPF left me with the same overall response that I wasn’t displeased or pleased with these products honestly. I feel I was looking for something more.

Moving on to the color line. I am in love with Fleur De Vie lipstick!! I love the consistency. Not too sheer and not to matte. I’m picky about lipstick which is why I will often skip it all together. These smell delicious and contain aloe, rosemary and vanilla. They are long lasting and leave your lips moisturized. My favorite colors are Nude Beach and Cocoa Rose.

All in all, even though I am not crazy about the skin care, I feel that many women would be pleased with it and it just depends on your skin type. If you have normal, dry or sensitive skin I would suggest you give it a try. The lipsticks I highly recommend and I still would love to try the rest of the color line.

I think Fleur De Vie gives women an opportunity to make money from home or in their free time. Also getting the products at a discount is a perk. The sign up cost is a bit high at $199. And the brand doesn’t seem to be well known…yet. Have you heard of Fleur de Vie and would you be interested in trying their products or already have and would like to share your review? I not a representative and I would love to hear your opinion.

What are some ways your making extra money for the holidays?

As a stay at home mom, I’m always looking for ways to rake in the dough, especially during the holiday season. Saving money can be as good as making it so before placing ANY online order, I first google search for any promo code that can be applied to my order. I rarely come up empty handed and usually score at least 20% off plus free shipping.

Something I have done for 10+ years is sell on eBay. If you haven’t yet sold on eBay don’t be intimidated, the eBay app is user friendly and makes listing your items a breeze. You’d be surprised by what is lying around your house that won’t be missed and will make a quick profit.

I would love to hear your most treasured eBay find or flip…

I recently found a gorgeous pair of custom, hand crafted cowboy boots by world renowned David Little of Little’s Boots, San Antonio, Tx. They were black calf leather with inlay white music notes. A steal from our local Salvation Army for $9 that I sold on eBay for $90. Little’s Boots sell new starting at $1,400 so this made both my buyer and myself satisfied.

How about local craft shows and Etsy’s online market for turning your handmade goods and vintage items into quick cash?

Last spring I fell in love with the little girls bubble gum necklaces and made a few myself which I sold on a local facebook trade and sell site. Of course, I held onto a few for my daughters who adore them! What do you think?

Endulging in Fall with AA eco Pumpkin Body Scrub

Tags

Autumn, beauty review, eurorganics, Fall, Pumpkin

I adore EurOrganics http://www.eurorganicsbeauty.com/ from their clever name, pleasant costumer service, and quality of high-end products from around the world. They were kind enough to send me AA eco Pumpkin Body scrub from Poland.

Here is what EurOrganics says about it:

AA eco pumpkin body scrub 150 ml

 

REGENERATING CARE

Body scrub 150 ml

• Body scrub based on organic rice bran exfoliates epidermis gently and stimulates cell regeneration, leaving skin smooth and refreshed;
• A unique combination of shea butter and cocoa butter nourishes and intensively regenerates, providing long-lasting hydration. It creates a delicate protective film on the skin surface. Organic pumpkin seed extract has a soothing effect and aids skin renewal processes;
• Designed for: Dry skin in need of regeneration.
• Application: Apply to wet skin, massage gently with circular movements and then rinse with tepid water. Apply once or twice a week;
• INCI: Aqua, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Canola Oil, Parfum, Octyldodecanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Myristyl Myristate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Glyceryl Stearate, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid

   

  Here is what I think:

  I have used this 3 times in the last week. The first thing I noticed is that it doesn’t have the pumpkin spice scent as I had expected. I got over that quickly because I like the product. The scrub is very fine and works with the natural enzymes in pumpkin to gently exfoliate skin. Your skin instantly feels hydrated and soft. You really only need to use this once a week and a little goes a long way. All AA eco products are designed for sensitive skin. It’s so important to exfoliate your face and body on a regular basis. This is a good option. Let me know if you have tried anything else from AA eco. I would love to hear how the fall season has influenced your beauty routine? What new products have you picked up lately?

Cute and Cozy Wooly Buddy Plush Kits

Tags

art, children, crafts, creative, kids, wooly buddy

Autumn is finally here. I am saturating myself in all colors, scents and tastes of fall. Still warm days here in Nor Cal and the leaves haven’t changed to the beautiful oranges and reds, but the brisk mornings and cool nights are a nice break from the still hot days. I am already making preparations for the creature comforts we crave, such as home-made baked breads, stews, cuddly blankets, seasonal decor and our new Wooly Buddy’s!

I love the warmth and whimsy of each of these hands-on plush kits for kids 12 and up. These wooly, cozy creatures are perfect for your next fall craft day and much more original that Build A Bear Workshop. They add whimsy and fun to any room. Throw them in with your sofa pillow, topped on your kids bed, or simply a new friend in the toy box. These are just way to cute! Can be purchased as a kit that you knit together yourself, with complete instructions. Kits start at $24.00 Above are examples of a few. View complete line at http://woolbuddy.com/

Patch Design Studio’s Artisian Organic Textiles & Baby Onsie Line

Tags

art, artisian, green, home, houseware, interior design, organic, Patch Design Studio, sustainable

We are packing up and moving back to the South! I will always be a California girl; born and raised! Our dreams of going off grid and living off the land can be made reality in another place. I will cover the move and future plans in an upcoming post. For now, a review on Patch Design Studio Organic kitchen towels for our new home!

Ya’ll know I am constantly digging up quality green products. I recently found Patch Design Studio designed by artist Heather Mithoefer from Chattanooga, TN. Featured in Taste of the South and Southern Living Magazine, Patch Design Studio offers organic housewares linens including dish towels, cloth napkins and pillows, as well a baby onsie line. Each product is hand-painted using hand-carved blocks, with only water-based paints.  Inspired but not limited to tradition southern design. Here are two examples of their work with the organic, sustainably sourced dish towels retail $19.00 each. Note: They have an intentional distress look. These are new.

My great-grandmother always used dish towels as opposed to paper towels. She had a drawer full of them, each one a different print. So these are reminiscent for me. Since I buy most of our stuff second-hand, rarely do we have a complete set of anything. I prefer that things aren’t “matchy-matchy”. I appreciate the individuality in each Patch Design Studio piece and will be using these in our home. I don’t know the material content but it feels and looks like it contains hemp which adds texture and durability. I adore the anchor print on other pieces they offer. You can see for yourself here:

http://www.patchdesignstudio.com/products

Trend-Spotter: Eco-Savvy Eyewear

Tags

eco-friendly, fashion, fashion trends, sunglasses, sustainable

I can dig it when the fashion industry utilizes green methods in their design. Eco-eyewear breaks the scene, destroying mass-produced, environmentally damaging labels along the way. There are many designers jumping on the green bandwagon, but of those, a pioneer, Shwood sets the standard for wooden eye art. Portland based Shwood, represents the alternative, freestyle fashion and artistic culture of their home Portland. The raw, sustainably sourced, wood-grain sunglasses are effortlessly edgy. Hand-crafted, Shwood offers custom features for their clients such as different lense options for a wide variety of frames. I am instantly smitten! Their Canby Select Rosewood/Maple sunglasses a favorite staple, that is reminiscent of the classic Wayfare design. Average price $200 USD.

Shop http://www.shwoodshop.com/

eurOrganics Beauty Store Spotlight

Tags

beauty, beauty review, cosmetics, eurorganics, phyt's, phyto, skin care

I want to talk about eurOrganics Beauty “Your Passport to Beauty”, which says it all in their creative name. This beauty store offers Europe’s best in organic beauty to the US! I love it! What a great concept. We all hear about Europeans containing secrets to youth and beauty in their diet and products. Now, we can shop the hottest labels from United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, France, Spain and Scandinavia, without leaving our living room.

EurOrganics sent me best-selling face wash from PHYT’s, their Water Soluble Cleansing Cream, along with small packet samples of products they carry from brands like Phyt’s, Phyto, Akta,and more. I fancy the pretty packaging and thier brochure that resembles a passport is a charming touch!

Phyt’s cream cleanser comes in a 7 oz tube for dry/normal or normal/combination skin. Retail $28.00

Pht’s Cleansing Cream is very rich and creamy and I can see the bottle lasting a long time. You can feel the hydration and it would be a gentle daily cleanser for someone who has dry skin. It wasn’t a great match for me, who has oily skin. It’s too bad. I think this is a good cleaner just not for oily or acne prone skin types.

EurOrganics Beauty store definitely carries something for everyone. It’s a smart alternative to stores like Sephora who carry some organic products but you have to search for them and read the fine print. This is a healthy skin store that has the romanticism of french couture and the exotic blends of a Greek goddess. What a luxury to shop here! I am dreaming of AA Eco Pumpkin Body scrub this fall! Yum! Check it out on the front page. If you find something you really want to try but aren’t ready to invest in the full size, ask to try it for free! US address only.

Shop http://www.eurorganicsbeauty.com/

Please share your opinions. I welcome any individual product reviews from products purchased at EurOrganics.

Jane Iredale Tantasia Sunless Self Tanner Review

Tags

california, Jane Iredale, self tanner, summer, sun, sunless tanner, tan

As a California girl, I feel my signature style is influenced by Cali’s laid back culture. I was nicknamed the “Coppertone Kid” when I was a toddler. My mom didn’t waste anytime taking me to the beach. Toe-head blonde, sun-kissed skin. Through my teen years, I would slather on the olive oil or tanning oil with no SPF, laying out at our pool, not a care in the world. Never was tan obsessed like “Tan Mom” or others who have become oddly addicted. I just wanted a nice summer glow, nothing wrong with that, right? Well, after skin-cancer scares with friends and family, I learned how important it is to protect our skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sun,get your vitamin D. Even a light SPF makes a difference. For the colder months or busy summer days when you don’t have the time to get some sun, a self tanner is a great solution. I tried many sunless tanners and had almost given up entirely before trying Jane Iredale’s Tantasia. After many sunless tanning lotions and sprays, they all had a horrible, sweet after-smell that I despised; Some left streaks, some looked orange, and all of them fell short of my expectations. Already a fan of Jane Iredale for healthy make up and skin care, when I learned of her new Tantasia product, I was hopeful. Tantasia is similar to the popular Jergens Natural Glow, in that it is a gradual sunless tanner that builds and deepens with daily use. Only Tantasia does not have the awful smell! Tantasia gives you an instant but subtle bronze glow that, as mentioned, will darken with continued use. I just appreciate that you get some instant results which is gratifying. It leaves your skin feeling soft, and is non-greasy. I recommend this product. Tell me what you think. Retail $36.00 and can be purchased here http://shop.janeiredale.com/products/blush-and-bronzer/13706-tantasia-self-tanner.htm

Faerie Organics Mineral Foundation Review

Tags

beauty review, Faerie Organics, make up, mineral foundation, natural, organic

Every girl has at least one product I their bag they can’t do with out. For me that is a good foundation. Mineral powder foundation revolutionized the cosmetic scene promising to be the healthy make up. Made up of rare minerals, it naturally conceals, corrects and protects from the sun. It goes on effortlessly, delivering a full coverage while feeling light and breathable. I have reviewed many great liquid foundations, powders and BB creams but always go back to a mineral powder. It does wonders for acne prone, oily skin, and rosacea.

Bare Essentials has dominated the mineral make up market for a long time. Naturally, I tried them first and shuffled out $27 bucks on for an 8 g jar and a hope for flawless, beautiful skin! My high hopes plummeted after about 2 hours of wearing the foundation and my skin is oily and almost iridescent. Coverage is light-medium. Performance is mediocre at best. Again, I gave Bare Minerals a try after they came out with the Matte formula, for the same price for the smaller 6 g jar. This foundation was less iridescent but didn’t wear long, keeping skin matte. I just wasn’t satisfied and I do not think Bare Essentials lives up to all the hype. I have been content with a couple of drugstore mineral wear but still looking for something more. I set out to find the best mineral foundation money can buy.Having been let dow before I was skeptical when Faerie Organics sent me their fair-light sampler kit along with one bronzer (equivalent to Bare Escentuals Warmth) and one blush i the color True.

I was immediately impressed with the colors. Usually for fair skin like mine, it’s hard to find a light enough foundation that doesn’t have yellow or pink undertones. The 5 light shades that come in this sampler are all neutral that vary slightly, enabling you to find your perfect shade. Other sampler kit include : Light to Med, Med to Tan, Tan to Dark, and Honey to Golden. Unlike Bare Essentials and every other mineral foundation I have tried, Faerie Organics Mineral Foundation contains only 5 ingredients.

I tested the Faerie Organics Mineral Foundation during 100 degree weather, sitting outside all day at a pool party. Only I wasn’t swimming. I did not reapply all day and it lasted a full 8 hours. I love that it’s a true matte, helps minimize the appearance of pores and is buildable without looking cakey. I really like this foundation and it will become a staple in my make up bag. I feel privileged to bring it to you! At $18.50 for a 9 g jar, it’s $8.50 less than Bare Essentials and has more product. Faerie Organics doesn’t use preservative, acneogenic or any other known irritants. Their Sun Godess Bronzer and Blushes are only $8.00 and are comparable to Bare Essentials. Shop at http://www.faerieorganic.com/#!store.

Have you tried Faerie Organics? Please share your opinions and reviews!I love to hear from you.

Natural Remedies for Common Ailments

Tags

acne, anti aging, beauty, beauty review, eco-friendly, hair care, hair loss, just natural organic care, natural, organic, Psoriasis, skincare

I challenge my beautiful readers to stop what your doing right now and go to your medicine cabinet or make up bag, pickup the first thing you see and read the small print on the back label under “ingredients”. How many of the words can you confidentially pronounce? Are you at all familiar with the ingredients? Are you shocked by the sheer length of the list? If so, your certainly not alone.

Most likely your everyday beauty and cleaning products are chock-full of chemicals! Chemical cocktails I could break down and  identify individually but that would make for a very boring read! The simple fact is that they are there!

Our skin, the largest organ in our body, breathes and absorbs everything we put on it. Most often, big brands will use one or two natural ingredients known for their healing properties and slap it right on the front label “ACAI”, “ALOE VERA” “ARAGAN”. Why? They do this because even they know the benefits and healing properties are in our natural resources! Sadly once everything else has been added to the mix, it’s no longer feeding our skin or correcting a problem, it’s masking the problem.

Lets start taking organic, natural companies seriously! They are utilizing powerful, effective ingredients and turning their nose up to the bad fillers that are unnecessary. Just Natural is another great company I am so grateful to have stumbled upon. There are no secrets with Just Natural Organic Care. It’s all in the name. when you visit http://www.justnaturalskincare.com/index.html you won’t just find everyday care for skin and hair but natural solutions for everyday ailments such as: Acne. Dandruff. Hair Loss. Eczema. Psoriasis.

Just Natural was kind enough to send me some products for review.

Natural Acne Face Polish

This was a light gel with jojoba beads. It comes with a small plastic spatula to scoop it out and smooth over face. It has anti-bacterial properties to fight acne. After rubbing with in for a minute it began to sting a little. Some girls shy away from produvts that burn or stin. I can live with the sting if it works, in fact it makes me feel like it’s working more. Really not too bad, just something to make note of. Maybe it was the tea tree that caused this. The smell is fine, not overpowering and it also calms and helps to reduce redness. Use this once a week.

Natural Psoriasis Body Serum

Here is what Just Natural says “Formulated with deeply absorbed moisturizers that are also anti-bacterial and
anti-fungal in the most potent available source to get rid of your psoriasis and
prevent it from returning.
Karanja and Neem have proven medicinal properties with Neem often used as
an immune system booster, being anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral.
This serum for psoriasis contains high levels of antioxidants combined with
long-chain fatty acids and natural glycerides to help soothe even chronically dry, itchy skin”.

Excessive Chemicals Hair Loss Treatment

Let’s face it ladies, most of us put our hair through hell! Highlighting,coloring,flat irons, curlers, and blow drying. Heat and chemicals pay their toll over time and can cause hair loss. Spray this and massage into your scalp and leave it in at night. This treatment helps restore vital scalp circulation and contains herbal extracts and oils that are proven to help hair regrowth. I would recommend this treatment if you bleach your hair,even if you don’t notice hair loss. It;s going to give back to your hair what the bleach stripped away. Also adds shine and helps manageability.

Just Natural also carries an anti-aging line, men’s care, delicious soaps, lotions and lip balms. Check out all their products at http://www.justnaturalskincare.com/index.html and share your opinions with Eco Home Project! I love to hear from you 🙂