Review - Old Factory Candle Gift Set in "Fall Harvest"

I'm so excited that I got the opportunity to review these candles!

A couple things that appealed to me:

1.  They are made in the USA!

2.  They are natural, and made of soy.

3.  The set of 3 candles come in smartly organized scents.

I couldn't wait to open them the day they showed up.  They shipped VERY fast.  It's nice and convenient that you can order them through Amazon as well.  They come in very cute and secure packaging.  They are perfect for wrapping up as a gift, or even just adding a cute ribbon or bow before gift-giving.

I chose the "Fall Harvest" assortment that comes with Pumpkin Spice, Cranberry, and Autumn Leaves.  Perfect for this time of year!

Burning them, they have a great throw, and are really true to the scent descriptions.  The scent seems to be really even throughout the candle as it burns as well.  Also, these really seem like they will have some great burning time!

Priced at $25 a set, they are a little on the pricier side, but considering the lasting power, and the fact that they are handmade in the USA?  That totally makes up for it.  All in all I have to give this cute lil candle set an A+.

Here are some links to their various sets so that you can purchase them for your very own:

 http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MRF8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MPGE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8L902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8LBIM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8L9J8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MQUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MQ9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8LAWY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MO7E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MORY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8LA1U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00MX6F36U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle

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Review - Apothecary Extracts 100% Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil

I've been using beauty products with tea tree oil for some time now.  So when I found the opportunity on Brand Backer to test out and review a bottle of the stuff by itself, I jumped at the chance!

Tea tree oil has been used in Australia for years as an antiseptic, and is now used topically for a wide variety of things cosmetic and medical in nature.  Acne, dandruff, skin tags, and skin infections are just a few ways to use this essential oil.

You an also use tea tree oil in various recipes found throughout the internet, and Apothecary Extracts includes an awesome free eBook with every purchase with 50+ recipes to use with your tea tree oil.  You can even use TTO to make your own cleaning products!

My favorite uses for TTO have got to be for my acne ... it is literally the only thing I have found to work!  I also like the idea of having my very own cleaning products made from tea tree oil ... it's nice knowing *exactly* what all is in the things you are using to clean your home!

Apothecary Extracts as a company has really won me over.  With their informative recipe book, the high quality product they supplied me, I know I will be purchasing my TTO from them.

Their tea tree oil is available for purchase here, on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Australian-Potency-Aromatherapy-Household-Cleaning/dp/B00GF1NZLY/ie=UTF8?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&keywords=tea+tree+oil
http://www.apothecaryextracts.com/

I love their packaging!  (I'm obsessed with cute, retro packaging)  It's adorable.  And the product works great.  It's very potent, and a little definitely goes a long way ... this bottle will last me for quite some time!

Have any of you ever used tea tree oil?  What are your favorite uses/recipes?  I can't wait to discover other ways to use this awesome stuff!

Thank you so much to Brand Backer and Apothecary Extracts for supplying this sample to me for free to review!  (this is a sponsored post, and is powered by Brandbacker!)

Review - Valentia Even Glow Serum

I received a bottle of Even Glow Serum from Valentia to review.

Here is the product's website:

http://valentiaskincare.com/even-glow-serum/

Valentia claims that this product evens skin tone, is an antioxidant treatment, increases glow & radiance, absorbs rapidly, boosts collagen production, and reduces wrinkles and fine lines.

The first thing I noticed right away was the scent and texture.  The scent is really fresh, citrusy and smells like quite a few products with vitamin C.  The texture looks a bit thick at first, but is really thin, and spreads evenly across the skin.  It's a sort of cloudy yellow in color.

The ingredients list is full of awesome things like:   Sea Buckthorn Oil and Rosehip Seed Oil,
Resistem (Plant Stem Cells), Hyaluronic Acid (Botanical), and Green Tea.

It absorbs really, really well.  And quickly.  I noticed an immediate softness to my skin.  After using it for about a week, I feel that my skin tone has evened out more, and I can see a glow about my skin.  I don't think I've used it long enough to report on the collagen production for the reducing of fine lines and wrinkles, but I have high hopes for this serum!

I do recommend this to anyone in the market for a serum.  I liked it, and I have pretty bad allergies/reactions to lots of things.  As always though, those with allergies should always, always, ALWAYS do a patch test before using any products!  I will most definitely continue to use it, and report back!

If you'd like to purchase the product it is available here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJD8NLY

If you'd like to see video of my unboxing, and first impressions, you can view that here:

Thanks for reading, and let me know if you've tried any awesome serums lately!

PS, this is a sponsored post, and is powered by Brandbacker!  (I did receive the sample for free for reviewing purposes)

GO VOX BOX From Influenster

I swear, every time I receive a vox box from Influenster, I think ... there is no way the next one will be better.  But so far they've proven that every single one *does* get better!

The theme for this Vox Box was fitness and health.

From Profoot I received two things:

The Profoot Pedi-Rock.

http://profootcare.com/p-pedi-rock.html

and the Profoot inserts:

http://profootcare.com/pc_insoles.html

I had never heard of this brand before Influenster, and I am SO glad these two items were included in my Vox Box.  The Pedi Rock is PERFECT for summer pedicures, and the inserts are such an awesome thing.  I have Plantar Fascitis, so anything to help with support is a huge plus to me.

Next, I got the Aquaspa Relax Collection Body Creme. I got a smaller version of this in a recent Glossybox, and absolutely LOVED it, so I'm glad to receive this in full size.  The Lavender and Chamomile is divine.

http://www.aquaspabath.com/#!collections/cnj7

I also received the Next Step Shake System from Vitamine Shoppe.  The Swiss Chocolate is one of the best meal replacement shakes I've ever tasted!  The shaker cup is really cute, and the Jaxx used inside of the cup to agitate the contents of the shake is such a brilliant idea.  It mixes up your shake to perfection.

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/controller?N=200790266&type=brand

And speaking of super healthy, I also received a snack pack of Blue Diamond Almonds in the Blueberry flavor.  They were yummy, and I can't wait to try the strawberry flavor next.

https://www.bluediamond.com/index.cfm?navid=706

I also got a box of the Playtex Play On tampons.  Even though it's silly, I still get a little bit bashful about talking about feminine products!  We'll just say that these are really awesome, especially for being on the go in the summer time.

http://www.playtexplayon.com/

The only thing I received that I didn't try was a coupon for a free Quaker Muller yogurt.  I swear, every time I go to the grocery store I forget the coupon!  But I will try it when I remember, and will be sure to report back!

http://www.mullerquaker.com/

Did any of you guys get the Go Vox Box?  What were your favorite items?  Mine is a tie between the Next Step Shake System and the Profoot items!

J'Adore VoxBox from Influenster

I thought I loved the Violet VoxBox I received recently from Influenster ... but I think I love the J'Adore VoxBox even more!

Here is a picture of everything I received!

Here is the front of the card:

And the back, listing all of the products and values:

The first thing I noticed was the HUGE bag of Hershey's Kisses!

I've been sharing these yummy treats with my friends and family, and there are still a TON left.  Diet?  What diet?  The mix of colors is adorable, and perfect for the Valentines Holiday.

Next thing I noticed was the Vaseline Men Spray Lotion:

My husband was excited to get this, and try it out.  It has a nice consistency, and a more "manly" scent.  Not that my husband cares about that ... he also enjoys some of my fruity lotions from Bath and Body Works!  But I think he likes having this lotion all to himself.  He's been experiencing dry skin quite a bit this winter, so I'm sure he'll use this up in no time.

The Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask was something I couldn't wait to try!  I'm a mask lover, and am always willing to try out new masks, no matter the price point.  (This one only retails for $9.39, not too bad!)  I'd been wanting to try some of their products for a while too.  At first, I was a little worried.  I opened the tube, and stuff that I can only describe as muddy water went everywhere.  Oh, no ... is this mask going to apply this thin?  But once I closed the cap, gave it a good shake, and reopened it the consistency was MUCH better.  And this mask did a great job.  My face felt wonderful afterward.

The John Frieda Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight was nice to receive as well!  I used it a few days ago, and it kept my hair fairly soft and straight for most of the 3 days.  I did have to touch up a little with my flat iron (which it recommends to do on the package!)  I liked the scent, but it didn't linger.  Sometimes it's nice to have a hair product that isn't too overpowering, I hate it when something competes with a fragrance I'm wearing.

The Kiss Looks So Natural Lashes I received are very nice, and very natural looking.  I don't normally wear lashes too often ... so I usually buy the crazier ones when I do.  But as I get older, my lashes do seem to fall out more often, and maybe I should give some of these a try!  They are really cute.

We even got Red Rose Simply Indulgent Teas!  I got 3 of the Creme Caramel, and one of the Lemon Chiffon.  There was a card listing the other flavors available, and a $2 off coupon, so I can't wait to try more of these flavors!

All in all, this has been my FAVORITE VoxBox I've received from Influenster for reviewing purposes.  I hope they keep up the good work!

Not Your Mothers Hair Products.

I recently received a small travel-sized can of Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo from Influenster to review.

It's funny, because I already own the full size of this!  I'm already in love with the NYM brand.

I *love* the way all of their products smell, and how they leave my hair.

Along with the dry shampoo, I'd have to say my other favorites are the Lock Luster Hair Oil, Beach Babe Texturizing Spray, and the Way To Grow Shampoo and Conditioner.  I also love the rest of their products!


Between the price point, and the quality, they are definitely one of my go-to brands.