Saturday, March 30, 2013

Recipe: My Special Drop Biscuits Are Simple and So Delicious!


 My Special Drop Biscuits.jpeg
 My Special Drop Biscuits 

A delicious choice of bread to serve at dinner is a plate of homemade biscuits.  Fresh from your oven, these little beauties never cease to put smiles on faces once they appear.  

I shudder at the thought of a packaged mix to make biscuits.  They hardly compare to what you can turn out in your kitchen at a fraction of the cost.  Furthermore, my recipe is quick to assemble, even when you're tired after a long day at work.  Best of all, my recipe is a better choice without preservatives and a healthier oil.

Although you can be fancy and roll them out, I prefer the easiest method possible with drop biscuits.  This recipe involves the least amount of work to whip out and one of the best biscuits you will ever taste. 

You will notice that I am using a tablespoon of lemon juice to sour my milk.  This is the secret to a tastier biscuit.   Bottled lemon juice works well. 

Most people swear by using butter or margarine to turn out the perfect biscuit.  I, on the other hand, like the healthier and easiest route with canola oil, which produces a supreme biscuit.

Enough said, I do hope you try this recipe one day because it is very good!

My Special Drop Biscuits

2 cups of sifted flour
3 tablespoons of canola oil
2/3 cup of milk
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of baking soda, leveled
1-1/4 teaspoons of baking powder, leveled
1 tablespoon of sugar
3/4 teaspoon of salt

First, you need to sour your milk with the lemon juice.  Let it rest for a minute or two until it starts changing in appearance with some lumping before adding your baking soda.

Sift together in your mixing bowl:  the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

Add the oil and milk mixture next.

Don't exert yourself.  You only need to stir together until moistened before you're ready to bake.

Grease your baking pan and drop using your tablespoon or ice cream scoop.  You will get about six biscuits but you can make them any size you want.

Bake your biscuits in a 400-degree oven for about 12 minutes or until a toothpick or slender knife inserted comes out clean.

Just remember, the larger you make your biscuit, the longer your expected baking time will be. 

ENJOY!


Friday, March 29, 2013

Brighten Skin While You Sleep: Own Skin Health's Refining Moisture Night Cream Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**
Own Skin Health's Refining Moisture Night Cream.jpeg
Own Skin Health's Refining Moisture Night Cream

Own Skin Health was a new brand to me when I first discovered them with a product review for IFabbo.  The product that introduced me to this company was with their Lifting Eye Cream, which worked wonderfully for me.  Therefore, I was glad to try their Refining Moisture Night Cream when the opportunity presented itself.

At the heart of their formula is their CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)  plant-based technology.  This specially developed process allows the ingredients to penetrate deeper through three main layers of your skin for raising moisture and collagen while repairing.

There are no retinol, paraben, or sulfates in Own Skin Health's Refining Moisture Night Cream to concern yourself with.  

I liked how lightweight and non-greasy this cream felt upon application and the fact it quickly absorbed into my skin. Upon using for the first time, I did feel a bit of mild tingling.  The feeling wasn't really irritating, but you knew those ingredients were doing something.

Though I practically just started using this new night cream, I did notice my skin looked somewhat brighter in just a span of a few days.  In addition, it felt very smooth and soft.  I can't wait to see what else it can do over the course of longer use and will continue using it.  

The 1.7 fl. oz. retails for $24.99.  Find Own Skin Health's Refining Moisture Night Cream at Ulta's website or nationwide or at Own Skin Health.

Look for this product because I think it might just be what you're searching for!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Lisa Hoffman Beauty's Japanese Agarwood Body Care Review + Giveaway!--Ends April 15, 2013

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


Lisa Hoffman Beauty's Japanese Agarwood Body Care.jpeg
Lisa Hoffman Beauty's Japanese Agarwood Body Care


Lisa Hoffman Beauty gives the graceful serenity of her Japanese Agarwood fragrance another form of beautiful expression in her newly launched Bath and Body Collection.  This 2009 FiFi Fragrance Award Finalist  that I was sent for this review and giveaway now is available in a skin pampering Body Lotion and Body Wash and is not to be missed!

The reason I am so thrilled is because now I can lavish myself totally in this soulful woody-floral fragrance from head to toe! You may want to read my original review on the perfume.  

With notes of bergamot and lemon, Japanese Agarwood starts out vigorously with an effervescent energy paired up with lily of the valley and jasmine to rein that beauty in.  As a result, a softer floral freshness emerges until that calming  warmth due to its exotic woods, amber, ginger, and cardamon float up to the surface to help you get in touch with your inner self.
 
To me, this scent is perfect for settling into a tub after a stressful day because the longer you linger with those rich, scented bubbles, the more that scent does to improve your state of mind and tired muscles.  I have been loving spending time with this Body Wash and appreciated how that scent seemed to delicately remain on my body after I emerged from my bath.

The Japanese Agarwood Body Lotion is lightweight and instantly absorbs to hydrate your skin with moisture and fragrance.  The warmth of your body seems to draw that sensual earthy warmth out as it blankets you with that haunting and delicate woody-floral scent.  It is luxury at its best.

As a fan of Lisa Hoffman Beauty's fragrances, I am now addicted to her newest achievement with the Japanese Agarwood Body Lotion and Body Wash.  Trust me, I think you will be too--so look into these.  You can buy the products in a travel size (2.5 fl. oz.) for $16 each or regular size (8 fl. oz.) for $34. 

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  Free products were provided to facilitate this review.*

Thanks to Lisa Hoffman Beauty, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the continental United States wins both 2.5 fl. oz. sizes of Japanese Agarwood Body Lotion and Body Wash ($32 value)!

Mandatory to Enter:

You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then INCLUDE your ***EMAIL*** with name in a comment!

Extra Entries:

(Provide proof once with email when doing each form of entry and number the rest):

Tweet Calming Body Care  #Win @LHBeauty #JapaneseAgarwood #Giveaway ($32) @Nuts4Stuff  http://bit.ly/14qMAAU Ends 04/15 (Tweet up to 3 times a day, but at least 3 hours apart for each tweet.)--1 to 3 extra entries to leave in separate comments with proof.

Go to Lisa Hoffman Beauty and tell me what product that you would love to try next--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments

"Like" Lisa Hoffman Beauty on Facebook--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments

Follow Lisa Hoffman Beauty on Twitter--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments

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List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where with proof in one of them)

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Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it with proof in one of them)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 2 more extra entries to leave in two separate comments)

Enter another Nuts 4 Stuff giveaway (enter as many as you want, however, only 1 extra entry will count) and tell me which one in a comment--1 extra entry

Enter the Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Defender Giveaway--1 extra entry   

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.   This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  No PO Boxes just USA-based street addresses.

**Any entries that contain a link or website address for redirecting readers to your site to sell your products will be deleted when found.  I am giving you a chance to win, not advertise for free.*** Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends April 15, 2013 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Call Me a Fan of The NEW Hydra Recharge Fortifying Line for Dry Hair From Garnier Fructis! (Review)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**
Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge


Being a BzzAgent, I was chosen to test out a few of the new Garnier Fructis hair care products in their Hydra Recharge Fortifying Shampoo, Conditioner and 1-Minute Moisture-Plenish Treatment for Dry Hair.  I had used their various hair care and styling products in the past.  Some of their products on my hair were wonderful, especially their Wonder Waves Shampoo while others were just so-so that is until I experimented with these three products.

Geared for those with dry hair, the Hydra Recharge line has goji berry, passion fruit, and kiwi to help hydrate hair without weighing it down.

Unlike that sour smell I associated with some of their earlier shampoos I had tried in the past, the Hydra Recharge formulation has a sweeter fruit scent, which was a wonderful beginning.  Lathering up was so pleasant as I worked this rich foam through my hair.

I followed next with a small amount of the Hydra Recharge Conditioner after rinsing my hair and squeezing out the excess water.  I left this conditioner on for about a minute and rinsed before towel drying.

Since I was anxious to see what my hair looked like, I only applied some styling gel to my long bangs before grabbing my blow dryer. 

The surprising part was how this shampoo and conditioner managed to turn my slightly layered hair into a thick mass of voluminous curls without any styling mousse.  As I mentioned, I do have some natural wave in my hair and go to either smooth or make more of my curls. 

Another thing I want to explain was how incredibly shiny and extra soft those strands I stroked felt.  It truly boggled my mind.

The next time I shampooed, I gave myself the 1-Minutes Moisture-Plenish Treatment.  This is a hair mask that you leave for a minute before rinsing.  This seemed to turn my hair's new brilliance up even more, which was so hard to believe.

My hair is thick and dry, but not coarse and these products worked like champs for me.  I highly recommend picking them up if you also have the same type of hair!

Great job on this one, Garnier Fructis! 

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  Free products were provided to facilitate this review.*

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Defender Review for a Flawless Finish + ($40) Giveaway!--Ends April 12, 2013

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Defender with sponge.jpeg
Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Defender with sponge for your flawless finish.


The idea of  Mally Beauty's Evercolor Poreless Defender fascinated me when I was sent one for this review and giveaway.  This is a primer-corrector/finisher in a colorless silicone form that you apply after your foundation much like a setting powder.  This compact  comes with a sponge to perfect your complexion while keeping the shine at bay and is quite unique and here's why.

Usually, I use a loose translucent powder to set my foundation for a lasting all day finish.  I also take along a compact of pressed powder for touch ups to blot any oily shine near my nose.   I had thought this was the best I could do despite how in time some powders could settle in fine lines, look caked, or too powdery.  Then I experimented with Poreless Defender and noticed something remarkable.

After I had swirled my sponge into the product and dabbed (not rubbed) over my foundation, I practically said good-byes to my pores once I studied my work.  The pores melded with the foundation to look nearly invisible without that dry powder settling into them.

I was stunned that with its clear solid deodorant type of texture, it could accomplish what my current powders could not.  How was this possible? I had flawless matte coverage that made my face look silky smooth.  I wondered how long will this little miracle would last with this unusual consistency that was unknown to me.

Just in case, this Evercolor Poreless Defender disappointed me  later that day  I threw the translucent pressed powder in my handbag as a precaution.  Here's the shocker because it turned out I skipped my usual repairs and was good to go from that morning to later that night when I returned home for dinner.

I was truly impressed with this product because it gave me that beautiful airbrushed look.  Have you tried the Evercolor Poreless Defender from Mally Beauty yet?  If not, what are you waiting for!

Thanks to Mally Beauty, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the continental United States wins an Evercolor Poreless Defender ($40 value)!


Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Defender with box.jpeg
Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Defender for shine control!


Mandatory to Enter:

You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then INCLUDE your ***EMAIL*** with name in a comment!

Extra Entries:

(Provide proof once with email when doing each form of entry and number the rest):

Tweet Want Perfect Skin? #Win @mallybeauty #EvercolorPorelessDefender #Giveaway ($40) @Nuts4Stuff  http://bit.ly/11GQ41G  Ends 04/12 (Tweet up to 3 times a day, but at least 3 hours apart for each tweet.)--1 to 3 extra entries to leave in separate comments with proof.

Go to Mally Beauty and tell me what product that you would love to try next--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments

"Like" Mally Beauty on Facebook--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments

Follow Mally Roncal (Mally Beauty) on Twitter--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments

Share Mally Beauty on your Facebook Wall--5 extra entries to leave in five separate comments (show me the proof) 

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"Like" Nuts 4 Stuff on Facebook--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments)

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Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--3 extra entries (Orange button in my sidebar) to leave in three separate comments

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where with proof in one of them)

Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where with proof in one of them)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it with proof in one of them)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 2 more extra entries to leave in two separate comments)

Enter another Nuts 4 Stuff giveaway (enter as many as you want, however, only 1 extra entry will count) and tell me which one in a comment--1 extra entry

Enter the Ko Denmark Jasmine Neroli Rose Body Lotion Giveaway--1 extra entry
   
Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.   This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  No PO Boxes just USA-based street addresses.

**Any entries that contain a link or website address for redirecting readers to your site to sell your products will be deleted when found.  I am giving you a chance to win, not advertise for free.*** Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends April 12, 2013 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Monday, March 25, 2013

Are You Ready to Fall in Love? L'Occitane's Limited-Edition Spring Cherry Eau de Toilette Spray and Velvet Moisturizing Gel Review!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


 L'Occitane's Limited-Edition Spring Cherry Eau de Toilette Spray.jpeg
L'Occitane's Limited-Edition Spring Cherry Eau de Toilette Spray


What a way to welcome in Spring than with what L'Occitane captured to bottle in their new limited-edition Spring Cherry body care collection.  This is a very feminine fruity-floral that will blossom with untold fresh beauty from the moment you wear it just like the season of its inspiration!  I was fortunate to receive the Eau de Toilette Spray and the Velvet Moisturizing Body Gel to experience the French wonder for myself.  

The fragrance is a happy mix of fresh floral and luscious fruits that play together in the warm sun.  Visualize an orchard of cherry trees loaded with fragrant white blossoms, gradually coaxed to share their sweetness by the golden rays of sun pouring over the Luberon Mountains.  So tempting is this nectar that butterflies and bees take flight, each competing to sample that fruity essence while a gentle breeze brings the scent of  its top notes of  blackcurrants and mandarin orange with it from somewhere off in the distance.  

Laughter abounds from children running between the trees followed by a young woman chasing after them. With their oranges in hands, they stop at times and eat and then squirt the others with the citrus.  

Once she catches up with her charges, the young woman takes them back to town where a cart with a flower seller persuades her to buy a bouquet of magnolia and freesia.  Soon she is dreaming of love and anticipating what romantic prospects Spring will bring for her, inhaling the flowers that combine with that brightness of that cherry perfume floating in the air.  Those are the notes of the heart.

The sounds of restless arguing children suddenly bring her back to reality.  Smirking to herself, she wants to scold them but she is too happy to do so.  Her heart is full of nothing but love.  Despite that broken magical spell induced by that sweetness, she laughs with pure joy before grabbing their hands as they skip along. 


L'Occitane's Limited-Edition Spring Cherry Velvet Moisturizing Gel.jpeg
L'Occitane's Limited-Edition Spring Cherry Velvet Moisturizing Gel

Before long, the wind  whips up an earthy scent to that perfume in the base with notes of woods, musk, and mysterious floral she can't pinpoint, a hint of the iris, perhaps?  Nothing those children do can stop her pleasure now and she knows this will be her time--the Spring when true love will find her!

Whether you chose to loose yourself in the 1.7 fl. oz. Spring Cherry Eau de Toilette that retails for $40 or the 8.4 Velvet Moisturizing Gel that sells for $25 and leaves you silky as well as scented, you would do yourself a disservice if you failed to sample this L'Occitane limited-edition fragrance and body care collection yourself.  Also available is the Soft Hand Cream ($10), Iridescent Shower Gel ($20), and Soap ($5).

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  Free products were provided solely to facilitate this review.*

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Review: A Beautiful Cleaner! NEW Soft Scrub Advanced Surface

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Soft Scrub Advanced Surface.jpeg
Soft Scrub Advanced Surface 

If a cleaning product can perform better than my old standby, then I definitely think it deserves a try.  After all, I can think of lots of other things I would rather be doing than slaving over housework.  Therefore, I was happy to receive my bottle of NEW Soft Scrub Advanced Surface when it arrived for my review.

This a rinse-free gel that  you can use  to clean granite and marble countertops, glass cooktops, and stainless steel without worry of harming them.  You just apply, scrub, and wipe it away without rinsing.

My first thought was the kitchen.  I have a stainless steel cooktop range and oven that I was thought was a good place to start.  All I did was squeeze a little of the gel out and started scrubbing.  Later, I just wiped the product off and it seemed to buff up the shine and catch a bit of grease imbedded along the ridges of the knobs.  

Pleased with what was in front of me, I grabbed another clean cloth and applied some to the oven.  When I finished working and wiped it away, I thought it did a nice job in cleaning because my cloth had more grime than my typical cleaner ever picked up.
 
I also have a stainless steel sink that I worked on next.  When I was thorough, I thought it gleamed more than usual as well.

What I really liked was how tough it was on grime while being a gentle stainless steel cleaner and polishing those surfaces with new luster.  Although it won't remove every last trace, it does work especially well for cleaning those tight spaces.

I suggest picking up a bottle of NEW Soft Scrub Advanced Surface and put it to the test yourself!  

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  A free product was provided to facilitate this review.*

Saturday, March 23, 2013

A Few Tasty and Easy Recipes of Mine to Use Leftover Ham!


Easter usually means serving ham.  In anticipation of leftover ham here are two of my favorite casserole dishes you should try for a delicious change.

The first recipe that I want to share with you is a zesty tomato based casserole with lima beans and onion.  What really pumps up the flavor factor is just enough dry mustard for a bit of spice along with brown sugar.  

You have the option to either dice or slice your onion because both ways are just as wonderful.  Onion lovers may want to slice the onion if they like bigger chunks mixed through the casserole.  If you prefer smaller pieces, I suggest dicing, which I do most often.

This second simple casserole is perfect when you have any leftover chicken in the refrigerator that you also need to do something with.  This recipe has a creamy blend of rice, celery, onions and hard-cooked eggs to equal amounts of leftover ham and chicken along with a crunchy topping of slivered almonds and crushed corn flakes.  The taste of those ingredients once cooked in combination will make your mouth water.

Later when you are staring at that leftover ham in the refrigerator, I do hope you will be tempted to try one or both of mine.

My Zesty Ham and Lima Bean Casserole

1/2 cup diced onion
1 clove of finely chopped garlic
2 packages of frozen lima beans
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2-1/2 cups of cubed leftover ham
2 cups of canned, diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons of dry mustard
1/4 cup of brown sugar (light or dark)

Fry your oil and garlic in the olive oil until golden brown.

Once you take the frozen lima beans out of your freezer, you need allow them to defrost enough so they can break apart.

Take out your 2-quart casserole and add the beans, ham, cooked onion and garlic.

Mix the tomatoes and mustard and pour over the above ingredients.

Top with brown sugar and cover your casserole.

Bake in a 350-degree oven for about one hour.


My Crunchy Ham-Chicken Casserole

1 cup of cubed leftover ham
1 cup of cubed leftover chicken
1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup of diced celery
1 cup of cooked rice
3/4 cup of mayonnaise
2 teaspoons of grated onion
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
3 hard-cooked eggs
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of dried basil (optional)

Topping:

1/2 cup of slivered almonds
1 tablespoon of butter or margarine (not spread)
1 cup of crushed corn flakes

Mix all the ingredients except for the topping and add to your 2-quart casserole.

Top with crushed corn flakes.

Bake in a 375-degree oven for 25 minutes.

Now remove the casserole from your oven and sprinkle with the almonds mixed with the butter.
 
Return to the oven for about another minute until it melts and then serve.

ENJOY!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Can You Count on Plumping Lip Glosses to Really Work?


Perfect lips get harder to keep with every year you age.  The sad truth is lips thin more the older we get due to collagen loss.   Though you might be tempted to plump them back up with injections, this can be a costly process with unpredictable results, depending on the filler used.  However, you do have another option of doing the same thing with a plumping lip gloss, if you know what to look for.

Read the label carefully for Chili pepper, camphor and menthol.  These ingredients can trigger some mild inflammation to cause lips to swell.  Another important ingredient  to look for in a great plumping lip gloss is hyaluronic acid because it draws water to help the effect.

Plumping lip glosses can give you the same full, sexy lips only for a few hours at a time--and lots cheaper than any cosmetic procedure!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

I'm Passionate About Melvita's Fresh Moisturizing Body Milk for Petal-Soft Skin (Review)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**
Moisturizing Body Milk.jpeg
Melvita's Fresh Moisturizing Body Milk

Anyone with dry skin knows what a struggle it can be to keep it soft.  However, I have been discovering some excellent organic skin care products to solve this perpetual problem thanks to French beauty brand, Melvita, like the ones I sampled from their Apicosma and Rose lines.  Therefore, it would be a crime if I didn't try more to share with you.  With that said, let me introduce you to my latest find, Fresh Moisturizing Body Milk, another from their Rose line, than I am wholeheartedly passionate about. 

Though it is labeled a body milk, I consider it a luxurious organic body cream with its aroma of rose while hydrating your dry skin exceptionally well.  As you slather on this sweet essence of rose with its rich, thick consistency, your skin drinks in that beneficial formula of rose floral water, rose seed milk, and wild rose petals without any greasiness, only a feel of petal softness.

Melvita's Fresh Moisturizing Body Milk is not advertised as a hand cream.  Yet, I tell you this is a supreme hand cream.  Suffering hands that had been red and rough seem to thrive and bloom with beautiful smoothness again in no time.  You might think because this is labeled a body milk it would lack that lasting barrier to make this healing possible without constant reapplications, however, this is not what I have found.

If you want a top notch hand cream, I have two close to my heart with their Apicosma Hand Cream and now Melvita's Fresh Moisturizing Body Milk.  Both require a small amount to do their wonders.  I highly recommend them because they are true skin miracle workers for coming to the rescue of dry skin.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Can Skin Aging Be Reversed? Nevaline Anti-Aging Serum by DermaCare Neuroscience Institute (Review)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**
Nevaline Anti-Aging Serum by DermaCare Neuroscience Institute.jpeg
Nevaline Anti-Aging Serum by DermaCare Neuroscience Institute


Aging is like a curse we are born to.  Though it is a natural part of life, it doesn't mean we have to accept what cruel tricks it does to our face and bodies.  Today, we have many more options at our disposal to help lessen skin damage and wrinkling than years ago.  Therefore, I was eager to try DermaCare Neuroscience Institute's Nevaline Anti-Aging Serum when approached by the company to review it.

Nevaline is advertised to enhance the aging skin's natural cell turnover with  DNP, a proprietary peptide. This peptide is said to help with anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-photodamage while stimulating hyaluronic acids necessary for skin regeneration, increasing moisture and firmness.

I have devoted the past month using Nevaline twice a day after washing with soap and warm water without any cold water to close my pores.  Now I think it's time to share my thoughts on this product with you. 

Here I will explain how this anti-aging serum performed on my face and as a good indicator of what you might expect week to week.

The first few days I started Nevaline I felt a tightening of my skin at work.  In fact, you could see the skin appeared somewhat pulled when you examined yourself in a mirror.  I can't say this was completely comfortable or moisturizing because it was not.  Truthfully, I think this was just my own body's way of adjusting to the product because it then became comfortable, but I still wouldn't call it a moisturizing formula. 
Nevaline.jpeg
Nevaline

I must point out that this is strictly an anti-aging product, not a moisturizer, which explains how it felt.  You can use it along with your moisturizer, if desired.  Although you can do that, I found no need once my skin adapted to the product.

By the middle of week one, I started noticing my complexion was gaining a better tone and clarity due to how the product was helping gradually peel some old skin cells away.  At the end of that week, I also noticed the two deeper wrinkles at the sides of my mouth weren't as deep, which excited me.

The second week I used this serum left more refinement of my pores and a bit more of a rosy glow.  Those two deeper wrinkles at the sides of my mouth were still there and just a bit more filled in than the first week.

By the third week, my overall complexion was even healthier looking and felt very smooth to the touch.   The two main wrinkles by my mouth were still not gone, but plumped about the same.  In fact, my skin was gaining such a beautiful texture.

After the fourth week, I must admit my skin looked luminous and was very soft.  However, I still had some slight evidence of those two main wrinkles.  Nonetheless, Nevaline helped improve the beauty of face from the condition it started with and I'm more than satisfied with that.  

This product retails for $299 and comes in a box of ten small dispensers of 3 ml each. This supply does last exceptionally longer than you might think.  I went through two dispensers in a month using it twice daily and still have eight left.

Don't expect miracles to happen overnight.  Nevaline does work to help rejuvenate the look of aging skin but it is gradual as it works on a steady basis doing its repairs.  Just know, it does perform when used faithfully as directed!

You can learn more at DermaCare Neuroscience Institute in Beverly Hills, California at their website or find where to buy.

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  A free product was provided to facilitate this review.*

Monday, March 18, 2013

Review: Eye Popping Color for Spring, 2013! Rimmel London's NEW ScandalEyes Waterproof Eye Shadow Sticks

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

RRimmel London's ScandalEyes Waterproof Eye Shadow Sticks.jpeg
Rimmel London's ScandalEyes Waterproof Eye Shadow Sticks



New to Rimmel London's eye shadow line up are their Scandal Eyes Waterproof Eye Shadow Sticks that I received to review.  These are crayon type eye pencils that can double as blendable eye shadow or liner. 

I received six out of the nine colors in this collection in 003 Bad Girl Bronze (a pretty shimmery bronze), 007 Gossip Green (a pea green), 008 Blackmail (a haunting black), 005 Tempting Turquoise (bright blue-green with some shimmer), 001 Witness White (a bright milk white with slight shimmer to it), and 002 Bullet Proof Beige (an apricot-beige gold color with shimmer).

The company advertises these shadow sticks to last 24 hours without creasing.  Although they last fairly long, I have never worn any cosmetics for that excessive amount length of time to judge the true accuracy of that claim.  Instead, I found them able to stay on my eyes for about eights hours or so without giving me any problems with performance or causing an sensitivity to my allergy-prone eyes.

These were creamy and did blend well.  However, I do want to warn that you need to be careful when first opening these pencils because these can be difficult  the first time.  I did behead one that was exceptionally tight so just remember that you need to twist back and forth with some firm pressure to dislodge that cap.  The good news I discovered in the process is that despite the soft texture of this pencil, it can be sharpened easily enough.

My favorites to bring out my dark brown eyes were 003 Bad Girl Bronze and 002 Bullet Proof Beige, which had the right shimmering color combination to create some striking spring eye drama. 

If you're looking to update your Spring 2013 eye shadows, I think you to take a trip to your drug store and check out these Rimmel London products.


*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  Free products were provided to facilitate this review.*

Sunday, March 17, 2013

This Easy Corn Bread of Mine Will Win a Place In Your Recipe Box!

piece of my Easy Corn Bread.jpeg
Here's a piece of my Easy Corn Bread.

Through the years, I have made quite a lot of different corn bread recipes.  Some of those recipes were delicious, but the texture was too grainy.  Still, I have tried others that turned out to dry with crumbs that stuck in your throat.  And yet, some other corn bread recipes that I made while tasting fine had smelled like hay.  Therefore, I continued experimenting repeatedly until I was finally pleased.

This corn bread recipe that I am sharing with you today is simply the best one ever because it is easy, moist, and not at all grainy!  Furthermore, this one reheats any leftover pieces  in your microwave well on low for about one minute.

This recipe is more on the sweeter side than the bread version.  I consider the taste in between cake and bread.  

Those that prefer less sweet corn breads, I understand if you want to reduce the sugar or add your peppers or cheese to the mix to suit your taste.  Do feel free to adapt, but do make this recipe because it is awesome as far as corn breads are concerned.

Earlier I posted my recipe for My Favorite Cornmeal Muffins, which are also extremely delicious.    Do try that recipe if you are a corn bread lover.  The recipe is perfect for making into giant muffins.

My Easy Corn Bread

1-1/2 cups  yellow cornmeal
1-1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons of baking powder, leveled
6 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons of canola oil
1-1/2 cups of milk

Sift the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt together in your mixing bowl and mix.

Beat eggs, milk, and oil with your whisk and then add to the above dry ingredients.  

Give the mixture a few brisk whips with your whisk or you can take out your electric mixer if you are running out of energy to power your whisk until the ingredients are smooth and well combined.

Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. 

Pour in your batter and bake in a 400-degree oven for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  

(You may need to turn the oven temperature to 425 degrees, depending on how your oven bakes.  I found 400-degrees is better with how my oven is regulated).

ENJOY!




Friday, March 15, 2013

Keep Your Eye Area Smooth! Own Lifting Eye Cream Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Own Lifting Eye Cream.jpeg
Own Lifting Eye Cream

They say eyes are the windows to your soul.  Therefore, you want to make sure the view is attractive by taking care of the fragile skin of your eye area.  A hard-working eye cream like what I have been testing for iFabbo with the Own Lifting Eye Cream from Own Skin Health is a good place to begin.

This is a unique cream that has special CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) plant-based technology  to work with your body's individual chemistry to optimize its power.  The product claims to penetrate deep through three main layers of skin so it best moisturizes and repairs.

I have only been using this product for a week, but the skin in my eye area  is softer and does seem smoother already.   Even with my allergies, this light cream was gentle enough to use and caused me no irritation to my sensitive eyes.    Also, this cream was a great base for using before eye cosmetics  without any heavy greasy feel.

According to the package, this eye cream is said to firm and boost collagen levels within eight weeks.  As to that, I will need more time to tell how accurate that statement is.   However, I like what is has done so far and will keep using it.

The 0.5 fl. oz. tube retails for $23.99.  If you're in the market for a new eye cream, you might want to look into this Own Lifting Eye Cream.

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  A free product was provided solely to facilitate this review.*

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

I'm Nuts About This Fresh Fragrance for Spring! NEW 2013 Unbreakable Love Eau de Toilette By Khloe & Lamar (Review)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Unbreakable Love Eau de Toilette.jpeg
Unbreakable Love Eau de Toilette by Khloe & Lamar is as fresh as spring.

Prepare for the newly launched fragrance of February 2013 from Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom with their Unbreakable Love.  This is their third fragrance and it is sure to please as an exciting choice for Spring.  Once again the famous former couple mix it up for a surprising take on a fresh unisex fragrance that is lively as well as one that flirts.

Instead of any brisk crispness, the fragrance opens more laid back with sparkling notes of neroli and bergamot floating in blue water to deliberately tease.  Delicately softened from citrus and yet bursting with hidden playful energy, the scent is sheer brightness before unveiling its floral heart. 

With notes of muguet, bamboo flower, and  petitgrain, Unbreakable Love shows it romantic nature, finely spiced  with touches of cardamon to lend a little mystery and beautiful definition.

The base is subtly sexy and hard to run from.  Once the cedarwood begins to burn, there is a comfortable but growing irresistible heat at work.  Notes of tonka bean and musk fan the flames to keep that spreading heat at a minimum wonderfully before it consumes you.

This is a very well done fragrance in my opinion.  If you like a dewy freshness with an aromatic effect from your citrus fragrances, seasoned to perfection with enough floral to make it romantic, then you would find this light fragrance enchanting.   I know that I certainly am a fan.

Do get a whiff and then be good to yourself or your guy and pick up a bottle of Unbreakable Love--and welcome Spring in style!  

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Temptingly Delicious Skin Care 101! Melvita's Red Berry Body Milk Moisturizer Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**
Melvita's Red Berry Body Milk Moisturizer.jpeg
Melvita's  Red Berry Body Milk Moisturizer


If you want to smell as temptingly delicious as a basket of freshly picked raspberries and soften your skin with beneficial organic ingredients in the process, then look no further.  Lately, I have been pampering myself with Red Berry Body Milk Moisturizer from French beauty brand, Melvita, and it is something to indulge in.

This is a yummy, fruity delight to spoil you as well as treat with Shea butter and sesame oil for their moisturizing capabilities along with antioxidant properties of fresh raspberry, blueberry, and red currant extracts for repairing skin.

The formula bathes your body in a luscious, creamy milk consistency that is well absorbing.  As you dispense this luxurious lotion from its convenient pump and apply, the experience of the refreshing berry scent will help enliven your senses with stimulating aromatherapeutic action.

Anyone hunting for a fantastic organic body lotion would love this product, especially those drawn in particular to raspberry scents.  However, its incredibly scrumptious aroma does seem to make you hungry along with beautifully caring for your skin!   

The 6.7 oz. bottle retails for $28.  Do visit Melvita and test for yourself the stimulating berry driven formula of Red Berry Body Milk Moisturizer.  You will like it.

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  A free product was provided to facilitate this review.*

Monday, March 11, 2013

Award-Winning IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush for Flawless Application! (Review)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

 Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush.jpeg
Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush

Although you can have the best cosmetics money can buy at your fingertips, you won't get all that you can out of them unless you have mastered techniques and rely on quality tools.  Both are just as important if you expect to show off your most stunning self to perfection. 

I had never tried the Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush from IT Cosmetics until PR provided one for me to review.  This is a whooper of a thick brush with tons of synthetic hairs that came in a plastic cylinder.  The rubberized handle feels comfortable in your hand once I prepared to dip it into my loose powder.

The 100% cruelty free hairs grabbed onto the powder like a magnet and simplified the finishing touch to set my foundation.   This brush was excellent to use, especially when you later dust the excess powder away.  I didn't loose hairs escaping from the brush in the process, which I experienced once when using a cheaper one.  

Quality does matter and I do think and the Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush from IT Cosmetics  lived up to my satisfaction.  This brush retails for $48.

I do love mine.  However, I am not the only one that believes this is a fantastic brush because it has won several awards already.   Do visit  IT Cosmetics and pick one up for yourself because it is amazing!

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  A free product was provided to facilitate this review.*