Thursday, July 26, 2018

EarthyGals Natural Toothpaste {review}


Good afternoon and HAPPY PRE-FRIDAY! 
Today I have a review for you guys from Earthy Gals, a Mom/Daughter organic shop on Etsy!

Are you sick of the synthetic fluoride-ridden toothpastes at the store? Those little tubes that have such long ingredient lists it takes up most of the packaging? Time to go natural and try an alternative that your teeth (and oral health) will love!

  I was sent a container of Organic Activated Charcoal Toothpaste  to test and share with y'all. It definitely doesn't look like your typical bleach-white toothpaste from Colgate or Crest, but I'm totally okay with that for a number of reasons! As you can see from the above photo, the ingredients list is incredibly simple. Which is good, good, good! In my book, the simpler, the better. Just because a product has a ton of things listed in it doesn't make it quality! 


I have actually made my own toothpaste before, using bentonite clay and some other natural ingredients. I hadn't used charcoal before in my toothpastes so I was curious to try this.

Charcoal has a great cleansing effect and also promotes a white, bright smile. 
I was also happy to see coconut oil included in this toothpaste because of its amazing ability to draw toxins out of the mouth, teeth, and entire body. For example, if you have ever heard of "oil pulling", (read about it more on my post here) Normally coconut oil in toothpaste is not something most people would think about, but I think it's ingenious given all the health benefits. And it doesn't feel greasy or too oily when I use it. 

The addition of baking soda provides more cleansing factors, and the clove and peppermint oils provide a pleasant smell and slightly minty flavor. 

Not gonna lie, if you're not used to natural toothpaste involving charcoal or bentonite clay, you probably will have to get used to the taste and texture of it. It's definitely different! I was already used to it so I didn't mind at all, and honestly it tasted a lot better than my homemade concoction so I'm happy! 


A little bit goes a long, long way! And it's pretty easy to use, too. Since coconut oil can change in texture due to temperatures rising and falling, some days it's a little more liquid than other days. 

Overall, you get a great product here that leaves your mouth, teeth and gums feeling squeaky clean! After I have used this toothpaste for a few weeks, I can see my teeth getting whiter!
You get a lot in just one little jar so it is definitely a good deal, price-wise!

Go check out Earthy Gals today! They have more than just toothpaste on their shop! Natural deodorant, natural sunscreen, you name it! Go show them some love today! 

www.leahoxendine.com 

//
note: I was sent this item in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Thursday, July 19, 2018

CafeNawlins New Orleans French Pralines {review}



Happy Thursday loves! 

Do you have a sweet tooth? 
Who am I kidding…the better question is, who doesn’t? Well if you’re craving something sweet, I have something that you will enjoy today.

Have you had a homemade French praline before? I hadn’t but I was curious to try it! Nawatha from  CafeNawlins sent me a couple of hers to test for this review.  I was sent several of the original french pralines. Click the link to see the original Etsy listing. 

(photos from the Etsy page as my camera didn't really capture the pralines like I wanted it to)

Initially I was a little skeptical, looking at them in the packaging. Like I said, I'd never had a praline before! 
Then I took a bite and was still unsure. It was a very uniquely sweet experience. Hubby tried it too and agreed that it is very, very sweet. A few more bites and we were won over, and between the two of us the pralines were gone over the next several days. I like the pecans mixed in for an extra crunch. It almost tastes like you’re eating a maple-flavored icing of sorts, but in cookie form.

The ingredients list is delightfully simple. And y’all know how I appreciate that! Simple is better! No synthetic products were used, just the good old fashioned basics.

Overall, if you want to try a different type of sweet treat, get yourself some pralines and enjoy! Also, Nawatha has a TON of other flavors and varieties so there's a lot to pick from! She also makes other yummy goodies and baked goods!

Go check out CafeNawlins today!

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Delicious Seasoned Pecans from Modern Mixology! {review}


Good evening my friends! 
I just got back from a week-long road trip with my husband up to historic Gettysburg for the 155th reenactment of the Gettysburg battle. After all the traveling, I am excited to bring y'all some new review this week and next!

Today I'm featuring Modern Mixology, based out of Virginia! This shop features yummy snacks that are expertly crafted and made with natural ingredients! 

I was sent two different kind of seasoned pecans to test and write about - yum! Who else loves nuts as much as me? 


I got to try the Cinnamon Spiced Pecans, and the Bourbon Pecans. Both are delicious and I love how simple the ingredients are.


Both are definitely sweet in flavor. The Cinnamon Spiced pecans are very true to the name, they taste just like cinnamon and sugar. So yummy and addictive! I had to stop myself from eating the whole bag in one sitting! 
Neither varieties were messy. I can tell they were made in a professional setting. 

The Bourbon pecans give you that little taste of sweetness mixed with a distinctive hint of alcohol. Yes, the bourbon flavor is very noticeable here. Great gift for that person in your life who enjoys a little drink now and then! And I must say, I've never tasted anything like these pecans before. It's a unique experience...bourbon on nuts? Huh? But it definitely works! I'm not even a big fan of bourbon! 


I am excited to see what Modern Mixology will offer in the future. Definitely keep an eye on their page for new items and new flavors coming soon! If they are anywhere as delicious as what I've tasted here, I'll definitely want to try them out! 

I give the Cinnamon Spiced Pecans a 5 out of 5 star rating, and the Bourbon Pecans a 4 out of 5, just because I liked the Cinnamon Spiced Pecans best of all. 

Go visit Modern Mixology today and show them some love! And make sure you tell them I sent ya! Happy Wednesday!

// note: I was sent these items in exchange for my honest opinion. Photography is mine. 

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Silba Body and Skin Care {review}






Good afternoon lovelies! How was everyone’s weekend? Today I have another awesome product review for you guys, and your skin is going to love it! We are featuring Silba Body and Skin Care today, with all natural facial care products from Silke Bayer, an International Certified Aromatherapist. It’s time to pamper your skin!


I was excited to get to try out the facial care line from Silba Body and Skin Care.  I was sent a sample of each of the following: Lavender/Tea Tree Face Wash, Grapefruit Face Wash, Rose Toner, Rosemary Toner and Lavender/Frankincense Toner, Vanilla Infused Facial Jojoba Oil, Citrus Splash Facial Scrub, Rose Hibiscus Mist, and three different lip balms – lavender/geranium, lemongrass, and peppermint.

Before I go on, I must comment on how professional all of these products looked. The packaging was so pretty and even color coordinated. It was so much fun trying out each of the items! And now here’s my breakdown on each one.


  
Lavender/Tea Tree Face Wash
So, this facial wash smells awesome. The combination of lavender and tea tree works really well. This is a good facial wash if you have dry skin. I know the label says for “all skin types”, but I have oily skin and felt that this was a bit too moisturizing for my own skin type. Of course, my preference in facial washes is to have a wash that leaves my face feeling clean and dry, instead of clean and moist. That might sound kind of silly, since a lot of people struggle with dry skin, but I’m the opposite. Anyways!


Grapefruit Face Wash
Once again, awesome scent on this facial wash.  I love citrus scents so this one really got my interest. It’s similar to the lavender/tea tree wash in consistency, so refer back to my previous statements above. If you have dry skin, you’re going to love this stuff! If you have oily skin like me, you might find it a little too heavy on the moisture.

 

Rose Toner
Have you used a facial toner before? These things are the bomb. I love to use a good facial toner in the morning when I first wake up, or in the evening before bed after showering. It leaves your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, but also moisturized. The rose toner was designed for “dry/normal/and or sensitive skin.”  I love the scent of rose and this supplied just the right amount of moisture. Definitely a fan! Hubby liked the scent on me, too. *wink*

Rosemary Toner
This toner was described as being best for “oily/acne prone/combination skin.” Of course this was one of the first toners I tried, since I definitely fall into that category. While I normally wouldn’t gravitate towards rosemary as a scent for body products, this toner smells very pleasant. I like the consistency and feel like it compliments my skin type. Another YES, to this toner!

Lavender/Frankincense Toner
Originally I was going to pick a favorite of the three toners, but now that I think about it, I like them all equally in a different way.  They each offer a unique scent and moisturizing quality, and I’ve enjoyed using all three!
The lavender/frankincense toner is definitely awesome, because it’s promoted as being great for all skin types. It’s not heavy on the moisture and it leaves my skin feeling awake and refreshed. It’s almost like the feeling of splashing cold water on your face on a hot day - but with a lovely scent to it, and also additional skin vitality benefits. Can I just say the addition of frankincense made this toner all the more amazing? Definitely another WIN!


Vanilla Infused Jojoba Facial Oil
This facial jojoba oil smells so warm and delicious.  The ingredient list is delightfully simple, too. Just pure jojoba oil infused with vanilla, and vitamin C.  I honestly feel like I’m rewarding my skin with this decadent oil. A small amount goes a long way!


Citrus Splash Facial Scrub
While I love the citrus scent, I wasn’t super hyped about this particular item’s consistency. When I think of a scrub, I think of exfoliating textures that are relatively easy to wash away. This product felt more lotion-like to me than scrub-y. I tested it in the shower while going through my normal routine and felt like it was a little too moisturizing and heavy on the oils to be a facial scrub.   Going back to the whole moisture thing, though, if you have a lot of dryness, your skin would probably love this!
For example, my husband liked this. He tried it and said it felt really moisturizing on his face. His skin gets really dry after being in the sun a lot, so it worked well for him.


Rose Hibiscus Mist
Okay, so this mist was actually one of my favorite things in the whole box! Y’all know I love anything rose scented, and the fact that hibiscus flowers were infused here just made it a whole lot better.  If you want to feel refreshed, spray this mist near your face and enjoy! You can use this mist to set your makeup, too. I love the floral undertones and how easy it is to use this mist. Another win!  


Lip Balms
All three lip balms are the perfect consistency and provide excellent moisture to dry, chapped lips. The scents are not over-bearing at all. They remind me of summer! The lavender/geranium scent is unique, and I’m not sure I’ve ever tried a lip balm with that combination before. Initially you smell the geranium first, but the lavender compliments it nicely.
The peppermint scent is on point – probably my favorite of the three. The lemongrass scent smells just like real lemongrass. Believe me, I would know, I’ve grown lemongrass before.

//

Overall, my conclusion is that Silba Body and Skin Care provides a luxurious, all-natural facial care line that is particularly awesome for people with dry to normal skin.
 And as somebody with oily/acne prone skin, I am a big fan of the facial toners, vanilla oil, and facial mist! 

The products in the Silba Body and Skin care facial line will leave your skin feeling hydrated and free of harmful, synthetic chemicals. 
You should try them out today and let me know what you think! 
Be on the watch for their new, upgraded body care line coming soon!