Hey all!


I know I haven't particularly posted much in a long time, but with business, kids, and everything else I have to do on a regular basis, time seems to be something I don't get much of.... along with sleep.

That being said, I have a few posts coming soon, along with a personal update or two to let you know how I am, how the beasts are, and how life is in general <3

Totoro Power Bank (Black) Review

  I recently got the opportunity to try a black Totoro power bank. I was really excited because its so adorable. So here is my review:

  Upon receiving the power bank, I had total fangirl squealing going one because... Totoro. Right?! Anyhow. I opened it up to check it out. I had a hard time with the instructions because they weren't very instructive. It was full of the usual electronic warnings, but didn't really explain how to use the power bank or what the lights meant. I figured it out myself pretty quickly and plugged it in to charge.

  The first thing I have to say is that this power bank is adorable AND functional, which is becoming a rare quality in character based items more and more. Fortunately, this power bank not only works, but it also works better than any other power bank I own. After charging, I was able to charge my Samsung Galaxy S6 from 14% to full in about 2 hours. I was also able to charge my husband's S6 from 73% to full, and my tablet from 46% to 92% before the power bank was out of juice. For me, this is amazing as most power banks don't even charge my phone all the way (much less charge several devices) and it was pretty fast at doing it!

  I want to talk a little about the design. This is definitely made out of high quality materials. It feels smooth and matte, and it has some weight to it but its not really heavy. The button is one the nose and is easy to push. The whole set up is pretty intuitive and easy to figure out even if you don't have instructions. I love the lights on the belly and the smile that lights up. Its super cute and makes it easy to see that it is charging and how much power is left in the power bank with just a glance. The lights really add to the cuteness for me. I mean, I'd like it anyway, but the lights make it more unique and attractive.

  My bottom line is this: This power banks is cute and effective. It would be great to have on hand to charge your devices when you're on the go. Its a little large, but still portable and for the price you won't find anything comparable. The only serious downside is that I'm going to have to wrestle my kids to get it back xD

** Disclaimer**

I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Petunia Skincare Review Summaries

I just got to try a lot of products from Petunia skin care. 

I'm going to sum up my reviews on all the products here and I'll include the links to the full reviews.

-Petunia Skincare's Derma Roller-

  Great investment and totally worth the money. Easy to use without being painful. You see results almost immediately, especially how your skin absorbs other products and how firm your skin feels. It actually makes your serums and lotions more effective so you see better results from them. Its going to save me a lot of money in the long run because I generally try a product and if I don't see results within a few weeks, I move on to the next product.

Read the full review here

-Petunia Skincare's Revitalize Eye Serum-

  A good combination of ingredients makes this worth every dime and more. The fact that the pump is removable tells me that Petunia is in touch with customers and strives for realistic packaging that customers need and want. Instant results (for me!) make me want to try Petunia Skincare's other products to see if they're just as effective.

Read the full review here

-Petunia Skincare's HA Serum-

  Absorbs faster than any other HA serum I've ever used before. Additional ingredients like vitamin C and ferulic acid make this more effective and adds more anti-aging benefits than most standard HA serums. It has super unique packaging that really explains Hyaluronic Acid, how it works, and what it does for your skin. I'm not that fond of the scent, but the benefits make it completely worth dealing with it.

Read the full review here

I also reviewed a 12-piece makeup brush set from Petunia Skincare. If you're interested, you can read the review.

** Disclaimer**

I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Petunia Skincare Professional 12 Set Makeup Brush Kit - Review

Here's my review of Petunia Skincare's Professional 12 Set Makeup Brush Kit.

  These brushes come in a decent travel case/pouch with a magnetic button closure. The case is pretty stiff and doesn't lay flat when you first get it, but it should soften over time and be easier to lay open on a surface. It has a flap that lays over the brushes when it is closed to keep debris from getting in the bristles. If it loosens up, it is a great case because it has space that you could probably fit an extra brush or two if they've got small handles. It also rolls up to a manageable size. You can easily place it in most purses without using up too much space.

Each brush is individually wrapped in clear plastic when you first open it. I would definitely recommend washing them before you use them (as with any new brush), which you can easily do with soap or shampoo and water. You can also blow dry them if you don't have time to let them air dry. The brushes are made of natural (goat and pony hair) and synthetic hair. While the natural hair brushes seem to hold up rather well, the synthetic brushes can lose their shape very easily if you're not careful how you store them.


  This kit includes 12 brushes:

• Powder brush
• Blush brush
• Foundation brush
• Eyeshadow brush
• Smudge brush
• Fan brush
• Concealer brush
• Eyebrow brush
• Eyeliner brush
• Sponge applicator
• Lip brush
• Spoolie brush

  It also comes with several brush guards that I haven't used yet but could really come in handy for helping your brushes keep their shape in and out of the case. I also really like that it comes with an instructional insert that identifies each brush, what it is used for, and most state which kind of hair they're made out of.
 

 These brushes are supposed to be "professional studio quality".
Do I feel like these are TRUE professional quality? No. I don't.
Do I think they're good quality?
Definitely. They're better than most brushes you're going to get at a basic store like Walmart or Target, but they're not as good as what you'll get at a high-end store.




  In all, these brushes are alright depending on what you're using them for. The variety of brushes that comes in the set is great. I don't think I've ever seen a kit that comes with this combination of brushes for the price. Really, you'll pay more for each brush individually for the same quality or fewer brushes. If you're looking for brushes that will do the job decently without costing a lot, these are perfect. If you're looking for professional brushes, these might not be for you unless you're looking to supplement brushes you already have or want additional brushes for travel.

** Disclaimer**

I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Totoro Power Bank (Pink) Review

  I have the black Totoro power bank, well had it. My kids stole it and refuse to return it. So I went with a pink one to replace it and figured that I would write a review for both. They're the same product, but I do feel like color makes a bit of a difference in how you view them.

  I think Totoro is one of the most adorable characters on the planet. This power bank really does him justice as its just as adorable. I love the pink color. Its completely girly and cute and if my kids wouldn't have stolen mine, I would have picked it as a gift for my daughter.

  As with the black power bank, it works beautifully. It charges my devices faster than a standard charger and even has enough juice to add some power to another device or two when I'm done. I love that it comes with a convertible USB cord so you can change the tip and charge virtually any device. Its a little heavy not overly so and it's still very portable. The fact that is bigger than a lot of power banks only makes it more adorable as far as I'm concerned, and makes it easier to lose.

  The only complaints that I have are that it takes forever to charge it completely and it seems like there is a learning curve as the instructions don't particularly explain how to use it. The nose is the power button (how cute is that?!) and the light on the belly indicate that it is on and/or charging.The teeth also light up to let you know how much power the bank has. Hopefully its easy to figure out how to use from all the reviews. I will also say that when I received the black one, it already had a charge but the pink one was completely dead. If you bought or are buying more than one, don't get worried until you charge it!

  I'm huge on quality and this baby is made of high quality materials and feels great. It has a smooth matte finish that feels good in your hands. It's pretty easy to keep clean and its a great conversation piece or a gift for a teen. I would definitely recommend it for any Totoro fan that also likes pink. Oh! I almost forgot the best part! Instead of lighting up blue on the belly, the pink one lights up purpleish pink! How adorable is that??!!

** Disclaimer**

I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Kitchen Supreme Liquid Chalk Markers Review

I recently tried out Kitchen Supreme chalk markers, so here is my review.

  These chalk markers are absolutely wonderful. The vivid colors make them fun to use, and there are so many different ways to use them. The reversible tips make them versatile for just about any project. The tip comes out and is double sided so you can choose bullet tip for writing or the chisel tip side for drawing and fine lines. The chalkboard labels are just as fun and useful. You can use them over and over for whatever you want to label. I've pulled them off and was able to restick them a couple times, but I'm not sure how many times you ca restick them before they lose their stickiness.

  The instructions for first time use of the chalk markers is straight and to the point. I did find that I had to press the tips of some colors for about a minute or so while some took only seconds for the liquid to saturate the tip. Not a big deal, but worth mentioning so you don't think you received a defective product.

  The markers write smoothly and evenly. The chalk is long lasting both in the marker and on surfaces. I haven't had any chalk accidentally wipe off or be stubborn to remove. I've used these on glass, dry erase boards, chalk boards, and chalk board labels. I was able to remove the liquid chalk with a wet rag or paper towel on everything except the chalk boards, but a little bit of glass cleaner took it off easily.

  I use these to label spice jars and mason jars, and I love using them to leave notes for my family on windows and dry erase boards. They work great for writing down the weekly meals on my kitchen dry erase board. I prefer them to dry erase markers because they don't stain if you leave something written for a long time like some dry erase markers can, and you won't accidentally wipe it off. These are absolutely worth the purchase and with so many things that you can do with them, its hard to find a reason why you wouldn't want to have these on hand. 

** Disclaimer**

I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Life & Food Garcinia Cambogia Supreme - Review

  I generally don't take any supplements other than your typical vitamins, but with all the 

Garcinia Cambogia hype, I figure that it is worth a try.

  Since I didn't know much abut Garcinia Cambogia to begin with, I did a lot of research... you know... so I don't die or anything...

  Garcinia Cambogia is a fruit native to Indonesia. You've probably heard of tamarind at some point in your life, Garcinia Cambogia is a type of tamarind that is usually referred to as "Malabar tamarind". It kinda looks like a pumpkin. Tamarind is used a lot in cooking for things like curry and fish curing. Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA) is the active ingredient in the rind. HCA has many benefits including blocking citrate lyase (an enzyme your body uses to make fat) and raising serotonin in the brain.

Now that we're educated, onward to the review.

  The first thing I noticed about Life & Food Garcinia Cambogia Supreme is that it has a larger percentage of HCA (80%) than I've seen with other products while doing my research. The bottle is simple, no frills, with a dark green label and plenty of details and information about the supplement. I like the green label on the bottle because it stands out and is more noticeable to me.

  Life & Food's Garcinia Cambogia Supreme contains no artificial ingredients, soy, wheat, shellfish, peanuts, dairy, stimulants or any additives. They have added calcium and potassium to help with absorption. Beyond that, it seems pure and high quality. The product itself looks great. The veggie caps are great quality as well. They aren't falling apart or discolored. The powder is a uniform color and texture. Overall, exactly what you would expect from a high quality supplement.

  After taking this for several weeks, my results are mixed. I didn't experience any miraculous weight loss. But I did notice an increase in energy and I definitely FELT better while taking this. I would compare it to the feeling of taking vitamins for the first time (like B-12). I got that little boost of energy and wellness. On the other hand, my husband has taken this for just as long and has lost 5 lbs.

  I can't honestly say how effective this will or will not be for anyone else. I think it depends on the person. What I can say is that Life & Foods is a high quality brand with a high quality product that is worth trying.

** Disclaimer**

I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Petunia Skincare 1.0mm Derma Roller - Review

 

Today's review is Petunia Skincare's 1.0mm Derma roller.

  This derma roller has 540 stainless steel needles, a sturdy plastic handle, and a plastic case. Derma rollers can provide a lot of benefits including:

• No permanent damage to your skin
• Short healing time
• Stimulates collagen production
• Improves your skin's absorbancy of skin care products
• Reduces cellulite, fine lines, and wrinkles
• Helps improve the appearance of scars
• Promotes pore reduction
• Gives you visibly tighter, smoother skin

  First, let me just say that this was really scary for me. I'm totally up for trying new things.... but the thought of piercing my skin with a roller full of needles was terrifying.I had mental images of blood, puncture wounds, and pain. After many false starts, I finally worked up the courage to use it.

  I was impressed by how easy it was to use. It didn't really hurt, just a little stinging during and after, and I didn't bleed (yay!). Since I am new to derma rollers, I'm so grateful that Petunia Skincare has so much information on their packaging. Directions for cleaning, rolling, and other tips are right on the box so you don't have to go searching for more information anywhere else.

  I don't have any other experience to compare with, but I think Petunia Skincare's packaging is really suitable for a derma roller.The derma roller itself has its own hard plastic case that the roller fits perfectly in. The case comes in a sealed plastic and foil bag, and then it is boxed. It makes me feel like there's less of a chance of germs getting all over the roller during shipping.

  The roller feels good in your hand. It sits comfortably in your palm and doesn't feel awkward when you roll. It looks and feels like it is made out of high quality materials that will last a long time. I would have liked to have a rubber grip of some sort on the handle, but it isn't slippery so I really can't complain. Even the needles look high quality. The whole roller has a sterile, professional look and feel to it.

  I've been using this roller for less than a month, but I have definitely seen some results so far. My pores look a little smaller and my skin looks tighter. I have also noticed that my skin really absorbs lotions and serums better, which seems to make them more effective. I have no doubts that I will see more results using this dermal roller long term. Honestly, I'm seeing more results with this roller for less money than all the serums and lotions I've tried. I absolutely love that it can be used on your face or on your body because you get so many benefits in so many different locations from one product. I think that if you're looking for more bang for your buck, this is for you.

** Disclaimer**

I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Petunia Skincare Revitalize Eye Serum - Review

Today I'm going to tell you about Petunia Skincare's Revitalize Eye Serum

  Petunia Skincare's Revitalize Eye Serum is part of their 3-step skincare regime that also includes hyaluronic acid serum and vitamin C serum. Although I haven't gotten to try the Vitamin C serum, I did review their HA serum as well.

  The first thing you'll notice about this eye serum is the shiny chrome and silver bottle. The bottle is clear so that you can see the serum inside. It also has a standard pump.hough I found the pump dispensed way more product than I needed, it is possible to only press it down a tiny bit and get the amount you need without wasting any. The best part of this bottle is that the pump actually unscrews like a lid so you can get every last drop. The lid is really refreshing because I've thrown away so many products that still had a little left in the bottom because the pump couldn't reach it and wasn't removable. I applaud Petunia Skincare for being so understanding!

  This eye serum is pretty great. It absorbs faster than your typical lotions/creams and has a ton of ingredients that are great for your skin. Among some of the ingredients are Sea Kelp, Sodium PCA, Vitamin C, Matrixyl 3000, Hyaluronic Acid, Pomegranate Extract, and Ferulic Acid (all of which are great for your skin!). It also has Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Alpha Bisabolol, Vitamin C + B3 and Caffeine, to reduce under-eye circles and treat puffy/swollen eyes.



  The serum isn't exactly "eye exclusive". You could really use this over your entire face if you wanted to and it would still be good for your skin. It does have a slight scent, but I wouldn't really call it a fragrance, it is barely noticeable and doesn't linger. It goes on easily and is absorbed in seconds so you don't have to feel it sitting on your eyes.

  As soon as you apply it, you'll notice that your eyes look and feel better. It instantly makes your eyes feel more awake and the skin around your eyes feels tighter and less swollen. It helps with crows feet by moisturizing the skin and almost "plumping" the crows feet out.




  I haven't found any cons to this eye serum. Its exactly what I wanted and needed. All in all, its it worth the cost and works effectively without being harsh on your eyes or being inconvenient. Petunia Skincare also backs their products with a 90 days 100% Money Back Guarantee (even if the bottle is empty!) so it is risk free.

** Disclaimer**

I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.

Petunia Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum - Review

 Today we're trying Petunia Skincare's hyaluronic acid serum

  I've always touted the benefits of HA serums and I have tried many different brands. The first thing you'll notice is that Petunia Skincare tells exactly what hyaluronic acid is and exactly how it works right on the box. I love that because there isn't any guesswork or searching to find out what it is, what it does, or how it works.




  The back of the box reads:

"Discover younger skin with out Hyaluronic Acid Serum. The secret is its sponge-like properties, which holds in moisture responsible for plumping skin and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles."

  The side of the box reads:

"Hyaluronic acid works by helping the skin retain and pull in moisture from the liquids we drink to the products we put on our skin and works as a "water-reservoir" for skin cells by binding water within the inter-cellular structure of the skin."

  This HA serum has your typical brown bottle with dropper. I really like the pretty blue and white label. I also really like that it has a sealed ring on the lid so you know when the seal has been broken. It's helpful if you have a lot of products and don't know if you've tried something yet. I haven't seen this feature on any other HA serum.

  The other thing that makes this serum pretty unique are the ingredients. On top of the 1.6% hyaluronic acid, it also contains 1.1% MAP (Vitamin C), and 0.5% ferulic acid. In case you're unfamiliar with ferulic acid, its used to treat sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles.  Petunia Skincare's HA serum is also non-greasy, non-sticky, alcohol free, oil free, paraben free, and promises to not clog pores. It does have a slight scent that I'm not fond of, but it isn't unpleasant or overpowering.




  I think this HA serum is the most effective I've ever used because it absorbs faster than any other I've tried. It goes on easy and smoothly and it completely absorbs within seconds. My skin feels fresher and softer after using it. I tend to use this HA serum during the day because it is quick and easy to reapply throughout the day if my skin is feeling dry.




  Petunia Skincare's HA serum is part of their 3-step regime that also includes their Vitamin C serum and Revitalize eye serum. I haven't tried the Vitamin C serum, but I'll be reviewing the Revitalize Eye Serum soon!

** Disclaimer**

I was provided a product or coupon for testing and review purposes. In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that all opinions are my own and I will only endorse items which I truly feel are of value to my readers.