The IT Girl Set Limited Edition CC+ Lip Serum Holiday Collection 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.**

Here is a photo of the IT Girl Set.

Aging is not particularly kind to women.  Besides dealing with creases that are settling in and changes in our complexion, lips thin.  A way around that particular problem is with The IT Girl CC+ Lip Serum Limited Edition Holiday Collection that I have been using from one of my favorite companies, IT Cosmetics.

This IT Girl Set ($39.50) has three of their awesome CC+ lip serums in Snow Bunny (sheer pale pink), Joy to the World (pinkish berry-plum) and Under the Mistletoe (sheer red raspberry). I think these lovely shades would be loved by most, but my favorite was a tie between Under the Mistletoe and Joy to the World for how those colors lit up my fair complexion. 

The amazing thing about this trio is that your lips get beautiful color while receiving a treatment to heal and hydrate with anti-aging ingredients such as collagen, peptides, hyaluronic acid, essential butters, and oils.  These lip serums are also intended to deal with lip lines and for color correcting.  

Take it from me, these lip serums really are wonderful products with what they can do. My dry lips instantly felt that soothing moisture coming to the rescue and were left in better condition afterwards.  Furthermore, these have a pleasing, non-sticky texture, which is just as important to me.

If you haven’t ever tried any of the CC+ lip serums from IT Cosmetics, I truly do recommend them. In fact, this set is a great place to start at a bargain price.  If purchased separately, this $39.50 priced set would run $72!

Find the IT Girl Set Limited Edition CC+ Lip Serum Holiday Collection at IT Cosmetics, QVC and qvc.com as well as ULTA stores and ulta.com.  Check it out!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Review: Guess Dare Eau de Toilette -- I Love This Fragrance's Notice-Me-Vibe!

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

Guess Dare

It may be winter, but I have a sure bet on how to stay warm.  You might want to get your hands on Guess Dare because this fruity-floral fragrance is wickedly irresistible in getting his focus on you with its flirty energy and fresh bold appeal. Created by perfumer, Bruno Janovich, this exciting new Guess fragrance originally launched July 2014 in collaboration with Coty Beauty. 

Guess Dare Eau de Toilette 

The opening fruity notes  of this fragrance are attention-getting with crisp citrus from kumquat  and lime flower against pear blossom.  The result of this marriage is a cleaner fruity scent with an unmistakable confidence coming through from that notice-me-vibe.

In the heart, however, this Guess Dare becomes even more of a flirt as well as feminine with cactus flower, jasmine, and wild rose.  The mix is relentless in its daring pursuit of romance as this fragrance warms and unfolds.

As Guess Dare dries down there is no refusing that sexy invitation it delivers so beautifully with the green and woody base notes of its blond woods against the coconut palm.

Guess Dare Eau de Toilette Unboxed

Take it from this perfumista, this fruity-floral fragrance is fresh, but yet seductive.  It is also one that makes the wearer feel unstoppable in her sexiness.  I do love it and think you would to if you tried Guess Dare Eau de Toilette also.   It also would make a great gift, if you’re doing some last minute holiday shopping.

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Stetson Caliber Cologne Spray for Men Review

Disclaimer: This post is based on a free product provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.

Stetson Caliber Cologne Spray for Men

Stetson Caliber Cologne recently hit store shelves in time for holiday shopping.  Unlike the original Stetson, this one is fresher and aimed at pleasing a younger crowd (men in their 30s and 40s) with its adaptation of a fragrance for the chivalrous and daring,  modern cowboy.

The clean opening notes demonstrate eager energy with key lime, mandarin, lavender, and artemesia.  Black pepper adds an element of daring as well.

The heart shows character from notes of cyclamen and basil while nutmeg and violet leaf lend a genuine warmth.

As this cologne dries down, you can sense the strength from the notes of red sequoia and oakmoss in the base.  Due to the sandalwood and ambergris, there is also an earthy, manly appeal to keep it interesting and sexy.

Stetson Caliber Cologne (1-oz.) retails for $27 at drugstores.  Do check it out for your own cowboy!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Lady Gaga’s Fame Eau de Parfum 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.**

This is a bold, but sexy fragrance.

Lady Gaga’s first fragrance, Fame launched Fall, 2012 from her own The Haus Laboratories Paris and in conjunction with Coty Beauty.  Just as theatrical as the singer herself, this fruity floral is meant to be just as boldly shocking as the performer on stage to attract attention.

This fragrance is about walking on the wild side and the price of her stardom both sweet and glorious as well as the dark, destructive aspect of fame. Thus, the color choice of the perfume of black for the liquid (that does change to clear on the skin), symbolizing the dark side of her pop stardom to the gold detailing and cap that represents the light side, sweetness and allure associated with it.

Fame is based on three accords so it comes off differently with a “push-pull” sort of effect than utilizing top, middle, and base notes.  The dark accord is composed of the Belladonna notes, and the sensual accord consists of the honey, saffron, and apricot notes, and the light accord covering the Tiger Orchid notes to create it.

Though I do not find Fame as cheap or outrageous as I was led to believe, I do feel this fragrance is quite unique and mystifying with how the fruit, floral, spice, and musk merge almost at once as it seductively plays against the skin.  There is a mild sweetness from the honey and saffron that has been kept in check by the apricot, but I would label this more of an oriental floral than a fruity-floral due to how the belladonna weaves through this fragrance to intensify the floral. And yet, the incense adds to its intriguing allure and sultriness due to those deep musky tones.

If you like a floral fragrance steeped in mystery, I think you would enjoy Lady Gaga’s Fame for yourself or give as a holiday gift.  The 3.4 oz. eau de parfum retails for $79. Do check this one out.

Moon Cats Blue Velvet Shawl 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.**

Moon Cats Blue Velvet Shawl

The trend is toward incorporating more scarves and shawls into our wardrobes than ever. They are functional besides lending an exciting fashion element to what we wear.  When Moon Cats, the scarf company, reached out and asked if I would be interested in reviewing something from their collection, I was more than happy to oblige.

With all the beautiful possibilities at their website, I had a challenge.  I debated between one of their lightweight scarves that I could tie like their Principessa to drape stylishly around my neck or a shawl.  I thought the long scarf would look spectacular to dress up a pair of jeans or basically anything.

Then, my eyes kept drifting back to their lovely shawls.  Honestly, all styles in that section appealed to me, but my top choice was between the Aztec Blanket since that design is quite the rage now and the Blue Velvet shawl. 

Finally, I selected the Blue Velvet because I love black as well as that glittering royal blue detail woven through this shawl and its finished scalloped edging.  It also looked cozy.  This shawl is 100% acrylic, washable by hand,  and is also a shorter length at 56" over the 78" Aztec Blanket with a wide cape-style sleeve.

I was pleased when I took my shawl from the box and got a good look at this piece.  It really was lovely with nice workmanship for a $49.95 shawl.  The even nicer part was cuddling up in it because it was soft and warm to grab on a chilly winter day.

If you’re hunting for new scarves and shawls, I think you would like what Moon Cats has to offer.  In fact, you can save 20% on all their scarves from now until January 15, 2015 when you enter NUTSFORSTUFF20OFF.   Scarves and shawls do make a great gift as well so check their site out!

Review: IT Cosmetics Limited Edition Naturally Pretty Celebration Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette!

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

IT Cosmetics Limited Edition Naturally Pretty Celebration Matte Eyeshadow Palette

Perhaps, age is starting to catch up with you with lines around the eyes.  Then again, maybe you just prefer the look of matte over shimmery eye shadows.  If either describes you, listen up because I was sent the ideal palette to help on both those fronts with IT Cosmetics Limited Edition Naturally Pretty Celebration Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette. 

Just as wonderful as IT Cosmetics original Naturally Pretty Matte Luxe Palette, this one consists of more darker neutrals that are on the cool side compared to the first that had some warmer and brighter shades. These 14 shadows are well-pigmented but somewhat sheerer than the original but look just as amazing and wear in the same incredible way.

Due to this company’s strides in formulating their shadows with anti-aging ingredients such as peptides, collagen, silk, green tea, acai, and antioxidants, these shadows blend and cling beautifully to your lid without looking dry.

These gorgeous colors included are: Snow Angel (soft creamy white with just a hint of peach); Champagne (pale beige); Cozy (light tan); Warm Wishes (dusty pink); Miracle (plum-taupe); Wonderland (pale brown with some plum); Peace (pink-toned brown); Hot Cocoa (dark neutral brown); Gingerbread (medium taupe-brown); Toasty (plum); Spice (plum-brown); Sugar Plum (medium purple); Starry Night (deep blue), and the last shade of Coal (nearly black-gray).   

Swatches of Limited Edition Naturally Pretty Celebration Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette

Another reason to love this set is if you ever tire of wearing mattes, you always have an option of shimmering eyelids again just by opting to use the Transforming Pearl shade along with the Transforming Ombre Radiance Ribbon over the shadow.

Now tell me can life get any better with IT Cosmetics Limited Edition Naturally Pretty Celebration Matte Lux Transforming Eyeshadow Palette ($42) in your corner?  Take it from me, you will want one of these for yourself.  This palette would also make a great holiday gift for any woman on your holiday shopping list!  

Pur Minerals Soul Mattes Eye Shadow Palette of Rosy Neutrals Is One to Check Out! (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.**

Pur Minerals Soul Mattes Eye Shadow Palette of Rosy Neutrals

Pur Minerals came out with a beautiful set of eight rosy toned neutral eye shadows in their Soul Mattes Shadow Palette.  These are Fall/Winter shades that would look good on any complexion with how amazingly that influx of pink perks up duller neutrals to make eyes more captivating.      

The shadows are well protected in a sturdy metal container with a snap closure. Inside, you find a great full brush and a mirror to work as you apply.

The texture was quite smooth and blended wonderfully when I experimented with these shadows.  Most I found were deliciously sheer except for two, Alter Ego (a red-plum) and Better Half (raspberry), which lavished the eyes with some rich, deeper color.

Pur Minerals Soul Mattes Eye Shadow Palette opened

As to the eight colors, Sweetheart is (pale pink); Companion (vanilla); Adore (light warm brown with plum or puce as Pur Minerals describes this shade);  Better Half (raspberry); Alter Ago (a red plum); Sidekick (mocha); BFF (cinnamon), and Confidante (Tea Rose, which to me looks like pale beige-pink).

Swatches of Pur Minerals Soul Mattes Eye Shadow Palette of Rosy Neutrals

This palette is so versatile and one that won’t be left in your cosmetic bag because a few of the shades don’t look good on you.  You will get a lot of use out it from wearing everyday to work to dressing up for the holidays with how these colors compliment each other.        

                                   

Take it from me, stop at Pur Minerals and pick a Soul Mattes Eye Shadow Palette ($32) because you will do yourself a favor for the way these colors can open up your eyes.

Fab Beauty Find!--BECCA Holiday Collection One Perfecting Brush in Limited Edition Gold (Review)

Disclaimer: This post is based on a free product provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.

BECCA One Perfecting Brush in Limited Edition Gold

A great gift for any beauty lover that hates cluttering up her vanity with too many makeup brushes is BECCA’s Holiday Collection One Perfecting Brush in Limited Edition Gold ($49) that I have been playing with since it arrived a few days ago.  With this very attractive brush you can switch from liquids like your foundation, primer, cream blushes, concealer to dry powder cosmetics like bronzers, finishing powders and highlighters without blinking an eye.

The natural hair bristles are packed in a 3.5 inch horizontal design with flat edges.  I liked how nicely this brush smoothed my primer and then doubled for spreading my liquid foundation to save me time.  The way this brush covered in a few sweeps practically hid all the pores.  

I think my favorite part about the One Perfecting Brush is how adaptable it is to your needs and the various techniques you use to apply cosmetics like blending or stippling for instance.

I must admit it did shed some hairs the first few times I used it, which the company says is natural on their website.  I haven’t noticed more lately so I am pleased because I do like all the tasks and maneuvering that I can do with it. 

Have you gotten your pretty hands on one of these brushes yet?  You can find the BECCA Holiday Collection One Perfecting Brush at Sephora and ULTA Beauty stores and at Sephora.com and ULTA.com.

For a Flawless Look Every Time I Am Loving IT Brushes for ULTA Your Superheroes and Multi-Taskers Brush Sets! (Review)

When you want to get a flawless look every time, the right tools like a great set of makeup brushes can help you do it.  Good brushes are essential for smoothing and blending cosmetics, otherwise, your makeup will look obvious instead of natural.  If you are looking to buy some wonderful makeup brushes, you are going to love the two sets I received of IT Brushes for ULTA with their Superheroes and Multi-Taskers Brush Sets.

Both sets are fabulous and compact in a faux leather case whether you travel with it in your handbag to the office, vacation, or leave on your vanity.  They also feature luxurious brushes with soft bristles that feel comfortable when holding, which is important when trying to recreate a certain look that you're after.  Furthermore, there is no animal cruelty involved because these use synthetic fiber hairs that are both antimicrobial and antibacterial.  

The Multi-Taskers Travel Set ($48) is really handy with five nice brushes that you depend on for face and eyes every day.  This set includes one for powder and another for foundation. You also get three dual end brushes consisting of a liner & brow brush, a crease & concealer brush, and the all-over eye shadow brush & smudger.  You might say this is comparable to having eight unique tools in one set.  This is a $90 value if purchased separately.

This is the Multi-Taskers Set that has five brushes.

On the other hand, the Superheroes Travel Set ($50) is another fine choice with six full size brushes for face and eyes.  You get their unstoppable powder brush, a seamless foundation brush for applying cream and liquids, an effortless crease brush, a smoothing concealer brush, an absolute shadow brush, and a dual-sided flawless liner & brow brush that will amount to a $100 value, if you bought each separately.

The Superheroes Set 

You can’t go wrong with either set or any of IT’s brushes because they are functional and hold up through time.  The only thing that I wish the company would come out with next is a lip brush, preferably one that can be capped.   Do check these IT Brushes for Ulta for yourself or any beauty lover when making out your holiday gift list!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Recapture Summer for Her–Crabtree & Evelyn’s Summer Hill Duo Gift Set (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.**

Crabtree & Evelyn's Summer Hill Duo Gift Set

What better way to warm her heart this holiday season than bringing summer to her with scented body care that can make her forget freezing winter temperatures. With this delightful Crabtree & Evelyn fragrance duo of Summer Hill that I got to try, she will forget the bitter cold or snow once this lovely white floral aroma hits the air.

With notes of orange blossom, lily, freesia, white flowers, wildflowers, and peach, the fragrance opens brightly recapturing a beautiful summer day. You can’t help but rejoice in its pleasant warmth when inhaling that mix of ripe orchard fruit and flowers sailing toward you.  The woodsy notes add just a hint of spice, resulting in a powdery white floral fragrance with a gorgeous creaminess to it.

Bathing with the Summer Hill Bath & Shower Gel was a beautiful retreat to experience at this time of year with this scent and how it cared for my skin with its extracts of linden flower, mallow and moisturizing honey along with glycerine and peach kernel oil.  

The Summer Hill Body Lotion that I followed locked in the moisture with its milk proteins, linden flower, mallow, and honey while draping me in that enchanting light scent.

The Summer Hill Duo Gift Set ($40) includes the Bath & Shower Gel (200mL) and the Body Lotion (200mL).  Do keep this Crabtree & Evelyn gift in mind as well as other Summer Hill fragrance choices when you’re making out your holiday gift list because it is a enchanting.

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Review: Blush Mystery Beauty Box November 2014

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

Blush Mystery Beauty Box November 2014

A must-have gift for anyone obsessed with beauty is giving them a beauty subscription this holiday season. One of my favorites is Blush Mystery Beauty Box because their beauty experts have excellent insight in scouting out the best new makeup, skin and hair care products to save a busy girl time with their monthly beauty picks. 

In fact, I have discovered so many wonderful products through them that I might not have found on my own. For just $24.95 a month or a one time box for $34.95, you always count on a mix of full to sample size products that are a higher end and always worth at least $100 in each black bag, which is a deal.

For example, I want to share what I found when I opened up this month’s bag.  Take a look below and you can decide yourself because I thought it was another awesome assortment.

Blush Mystery Beauty Box November 2014

1.  Lauren B. Beauty Nourishing Hand Creme–Full Size (2 fl.oz.)–$24.00

2.  Miracle Skin Transformer Face Spotlight SPF 20–Sample Size (3ml)–$3.25

3.  Traditions By Nick Chavez Prickly Pear Restoring Mist–Sample (2 fl. oz.)--$6.00

4.  Laura Geller Beauty Cool Lids Cream Eyeshadow in Silver Sands–Full Size–$12.50

5.  Skinmedica TNS Eye Repair–Sample (15ml)–$13.00

6.  Jane Iredale Eye Gloss (Aqua Silk)–Full Size–$15.50

7.  Nuxe Clarifying Cream-Mask With Rose Petals–Sample (15ml)–$8.70

8.  Julien Farel Haircare A2B Technology Hydrate Restore for Normal or Fine Hair–Full Size (8.5 oz.)–$33.00

Total Value: $115.95!

The Lauren B. Beauty Hand Cream has a beautiful floral scent in a luxurious feeling formula that helped do away with dryness.  Unless you hate or can’t take fragrance in your skin care, you would have to love this product.

I didn’t test the Miracle Skin Transformer Face SPF 20 BB cream yet, but I did try other skin care from this company from a previous bag and really thought it worked well.  I am looking forward to sampling this one soon.

I was so glad to find another Nicky Chavez hair product this month.  I first became acquainted with this brand through this subscription box when they included the Plump ‘ Thickening Shampoo from an earlier bag.  I fell in love with it because I can skip wearing mousse when I use that shampoo for what it does to pump up my curls. This leave-in conditioning spray was also quite nice.

The Silver Sands eye shadow from Laura Geller first appeared a few months back.  I was surprised to see the same tube return.  Though it’s a fine product, I would have liked another shade.

The eye cream from Skinmedica spread wonderfully without being too sticky or slick. 

The Jane Iredale Eye Gloss is a very good eye shadow for how it wears and looks.  My only problem with it is the shade of Aqua Silk.  I am into more browns, plums, and neutrals for the most part.  

The Nuxe Cream-Mask will be wonderful to try soon.  But, my face is once again under current skin care testing to do it now.  I am a big fan of masks whether they come from a store or my kitchen for improving a complexion.

Finally, I didn’t get to treat my hair to some deep conditioning with the Julien Farel Hydrate Restore only because I just did that the other day. You forgo shampoo and conditioner and use a bit of this instead to revitalize as it cleans for the return of gorgeous hair.  I can’t wait to try this the next time my hair is suffering.

I really thought the selection overall was great with the exception of aqua eye shadow.   What about you?  Have you tried Blush Mystery Beauty Box yet?  Do look into it for yourself and those beauty lovers that you're buying gifts for!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Give a Gift of Healing Relief With L’Occitane en Provence’s Hand Cream Bouquet! (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 en Provence's Hand Cream Bouquet

What a beautiful gesture to receive to a holiday gift set of L’Occitane en Provence’s award-winning shea butter hand creams like this Hand Cream Bouquet, especially at this time of year when the weather can be brutal on hands. 

I love this stuff because it honestly works quickly to help heal suffering hands without any greasy feel. Before you know it, your hands are soft and not to mention exquisitely scented.

The Hand Cream Bouquet sells normally at $72 but now is $54!  There are other hand cream sets to choose but I really am drawn to this one because it has six glorious (1 oz.) tubes that are perfect for toting to the office without taking much space in your handbag. You’ll find a Shea Butter Rose, Shea Butter Lime, Shea Butter Vanilla, Shea Butter Hand Creams along with an Almond and Lavender Hand Creams.

Do the ultimate kindness and give this as a holiday gift for yourself as well as those you shop for this holiday season.  Find the Hand Cream Bouquet at L’Occitane en Provence along with other tempting holiday gift ideas!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Holiday Travel Plans? You Might Want to Take the Umberto Beverly Hills Moisture Travel Gift Set With You! (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.**

Umberto Beverly Hills Moisture Travel Gift Set

If you’re still stumped for a small gift for your child’s teacher or the office holiday grab bag where you’re not allowed to spend over a certain amount or if traveling out of town for the holidays, you might be interested in a travel set of professional hair care products like the Umberto Beverly Hills Moisture Travel Set ($14.99).

This set comes with (3-oz.) Moisture Shampoo (color safe for dry, coarse), (3-oz.) Moisture Conditioner, (3-oz.) Controller Conditioning Spray (for detangling and protecting from heat damage from styling tools), and a (2-oz.) Super Hold Hair Spray.

I have used Umberto styling products before and liked how my hair behaved afterwards. But I had never tried any of their shampoos, conditioners or a thermal protective spray until this set arrived.

I will be saving this set for packing in my bag for an upcoming holiday trip. You can find this handy Umberto Beverly Hills Moisture Travel Set (which also is available in a Volumizing set) at Target stores and Target.com.  Check it out!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

The Selfie Brush Review

Disclaimer: This post is based on a free product provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.

Selfie Brush

If you are constantly pulling out your phone to snap selfies, then you probably also are bringing out your entire beauty arsenal to prep before sharing your image with the world. But if you want to simplify the task for camera ready hair, I think that you are going to love the concept of the Selfie Brush because it doubles as a phone case.

From the makers of the Wet Brush, this paddle brush is compatible for iPhone 5 and 5s for the type of shots needed to work on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Furthermore, its functional design allows the user to talk, text and adjust volume with the phone inside the hard plastic brush case, which also protects your phone.

Check this brush out for yourself or anyone that also loves instantly uploading their photos because this is a nice stocking stuffer!  Find it for $19.99 at the Selfie Brush website.

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Crabtree & Evelyn's Botanical Hand Therapy Trio and Citron, Honey & Coriander Ornament Holiday Tins 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.**

Crabtree & Evelyn's Botanical Hand Therapy Trio

Deciding what sort of gifts your family and friends can take a lot of thought.  But, if you’re looking for a few wonderful stocking stuffer ideas that would be especially welcome at this time of year, then you came to the right place. 

Regardless of age or sex, who on your list wouldn’t appreciate some winter hand care in festive holiday tins like the Botanical Hand Therapy Trio Tin ($20.00) or the Citron, Honey & Coriander Ornament Tin ($14.00) that Crabtree & Evelyn sent me for this review?

This Botanical selection comes in with three tubes (25g) of Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy in Citron, Honey & Coriander scent, the second in Avocado, Olive & Basil, and a third tube in Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed. This hard-working formula heals dry, irritated hands with macadamia nut oil, shea butter, myrrh extract and moisture-locking ceramides.

Crabtree & Evelyn's Citron, Honey & coriander Ornament Holiday Tin

These holiday hand cream tins also are available in other tempting Crabtree & Evelyn scents so do check them out!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Give Her the Gift Women Long for–The Ultimate Gift of Youth Gift Set From L’Occitane en Provence! (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.**

Ultimate Gift of Youth Gift Set From L’Occitane

After my love affair with L’Occitane en Provence’s Divine Youth Oil and Immortelle Precious Cream, I couldn’t wait for the Ultimate Gift of Youth Gift Set to arrive.  This anti-aging collection includes their two-award winning products of Divine Cream (1.7 oz.) and Divine Eyes (0.50 oz.) in addition to the Divine Lotion (1.7 oz), and Precious Cleansing Foam (5.1 fl. oz.). 

L’Occitane en Provence’s Divine skin care line gets its greatness from the Immortelle flower, which really does have an amazing way to kick start a dull complexion into one that is glowing and revitalized from what I have observed using that Divine Youth Oil along with their Immortelle Precious Cream.  Read my earlier review for all the details.

I discovered the Divine Lotion is so much more than a toner.  It is an enchanting floral pre-treatment of beneficial plant oils and immortelle before turning to the Divine Cream.

The texture of the Divine Cream is so luxurious and rich, but quite light when applied.  My dry complexion immediately felt soothed, hydrated, and fresher.  Although I just started it, I am looking forward to seeing further improvements once L’Occitane en Provence’s immortelle fueled up botanical complex of 7-plant derived active ingredients has even more time to work.

I tried the Precious Cleansing Foam last night for the first time to take off my makeup.  After gently massaging my face with a bit of this fragrant foam, I had all the old gunk rinsed off and down the drain. What was left behind was comfort and softness without any tightness.

If you haven’t tried any of the Divine products yet, The Ultimate Gift of Youth Set is a perfect introduction to experiencing some skin wonders. Normally, this set retails for $227.50 but now can be hand at L'Occitane en Provence's website for just $182.00 in time for gifting yourself or someone else this holiday season!  

Ultimate Gift of Youth Gift Set From L’Occitane, opened

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

TrekStor Xiron SurfTabs 7" Tablet PC By Mediasonic (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.**

TrekStor Xiron SurfTabs 7" Tablet PC By Mediasonic 

Technology gifts are always wonderful to receive.  If you happen to be shopping for a tablet this holiday season, I found a terrific and inexpensive model from Mediasonic that you should be aware of--the TrekStor Xiron SurfTabs 7" Tablet PC.  

The TrekStor Xiron SurfTabs 7" Tablet PC I got is sold on Amazon for only $89.99, which is a far cry from plunking down $500 or $800 for one. Those are laptop prices. And if all you want to do is a little surfing, checking your email, or maybe listening to internet radio or viewing some videos,  this is a fabulous value.

I have a technology nut in the family and, of course, he gravitates toward the most expensive toys in the store. But when I first got this tablet and had it lying on my desk, I found guess who playing with it before I had a chance to use it.  In fact, he got so involved that he wouldn’t relinquish it even when I told him I had a review to write.  You bet he loves it.  I didn’t tell him the price. 

From the technical part, the tablet is fast since it has an ARM Cortex A7 Quad Core 1Ghz processor. With four cores in the processor you get the amazing speed. Here are the detailed specs:

· ARM Cortex A7 Quad Core 1Ghz, 1GB (DDR3) RAM, 8GB Memory, PowerVR SGX 544 MP2 (2 Cores, 8 threads), 7" IPS 1280 x 800 Capacitive HD Screen IPS 5-Point-Multitouch, Bluetooth, Wifi b/g/n

· Aluminum Body, Camera: Rear 2.0MP & Front 0.3 MP, 1 x Micro-USB 2.0 connector, Micro HDMI connector (female), Microphone, Stereo Audio Out

· Support MicroSD / MicroSDHC (max 64GB) expansion, G Sensor support automatic 4-direction rotate screen

· Max Video Resolution 2160P with Aspect Ratio 16:10

· Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), 3000mAh lithium polymer battery support 5.5h (WiFi off), Approx 5h (Wifi on), Standby (approx 4 days), charging time 4 hrs. Multilanguage support by Android OS

As I read the specs, I could see why my guy was so riveted to this device. He connected to our WiFi with the 802.11n that’s set up on our router. It supports other standards, but this is the latest one. I even got him to charge it and set all the passwords.  (Leaving gadgets out is a great way for someone to do your work for you). 

The tablet feels like a quality unit with a very light aluminum case. You get not one, but two cameras, which is amazing for the price! Furthermore, you get a  safer lithium polymer battery that gives up to  5.5 hours of power.  You can even hook this tablet up to the HDTV with an HDMI cable, since the unit comes with ports for Micro HDMI as well as a Micro USB.  If you need to add more storage, you have a Micro SD card slot where you can increase that up to 32GB!

The tablet is run with Android, which allows me to use tons of great software, a lot of it totally FREE.  Installing and uninstalling Apps on this tablet is far less trouble than Windows. It is as simple as just going to the Google Play Store.

Of course, you can spend a  lot more for a tablet.  Depending on what you want to do with it, the TrekStor Xiron SurfTabs 7" Tablet PC may be a better choice.  In my case, this particular tablet is small enough to put in my handbag and actually use it without straining my eyes like I do with a smartphone since it has a spacious 7-inch screen. 

I don’t know about you, but lugging around some giant tablet is tough. With its compact size, Mediasonic’s TrekStor Xiron SurfTabs 7" Tablet PC makes my mobile surfing easier all around with functionality, viewing, and its inexpensive price.

Before you plop down more money than you need to, do look into the TrekStor Xiron SurfTabs 7" Tablet PC.  At only $89.99 and for what you get, this Mediasonic tablet would make a terrific holiday gift!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*