diffusing myself to sleep: gurin aroma diffuser for essential oils review
March 31, 2015 • green, health and beauty, review
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to a product which was provided in exchange for review.
All opinions presented are my own.
I've only been applying oils topically due to limited resources. I've been lusting after a diffuser (or five) to expand my oils use for what seems like forever. Thanks to Gurin, I was finally able to start diffusing!
I was sick all of last week and half of the week before, so when the box with my Gurin Spa Vapor Advanced Wellness Instant Healthful Mist Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser arrived, I ripped it open and hastily snapped a few cell phone pics before putting the diffuser to immediate use. So, the pics aren't the best...but I feel way better, so #sorrynotsorry.
The diffuser comes with a bottle of lavender essential oil (which is great considering the rate at which I use mine) and a container to add water. It also doubles as a light:
Overall? I'm happy with it. I just wish it were bigger. For a full run down, take a look at my summary video:
Baltimore, MD, USA
it shoulda been you + the proverbial bucket list
March 30, 2015 • life, theatre, travel
What a weekend! I'm exhausted, but it was well worth it.
My mom came up Friday and we finally saw the Cinderella film before heading off to New York for the main event: It Shoulda Been You.
It really all started with my love of The Little Mermaid. When they announced the Broadway version in 2007, I wanted to see it so bad. It closed before I had a chance. But, it introduced me to Sierra Boggess whose theatre career I've followed ever since, and my dream of seeing The Little Mermaid (it tours sometimes, I still want to) live turned into a dream of seeing Sierra Boggess perform live.
Eight years later, one of the two dreams were crossed off the proverbial bucket list when I won tickets to ISBY, Boggess' newest show.
So, we were on a bus to New York Saturday morning and on another one right back to Baltimore Sunday afternoon. In between, we enjoyed great front mezz seats (one day I'll sit in the orchestra and cross that off my list, why are tickets so expensive!?) to a hysterical show (really, go see it!), then froze outside the stage door until this could happen:
Equally as rewarding was the fact that Tyne Daly is in the show (really, the entire cast is phenomenal, but we all have our favorites!) and my mom loves her! So, right after we snapped this pic, we saw Tyne come out and mom got a memory, too!
Not a bad weekend at all. How was yours?
My mom came up Friday and we finally saw the Cinderella film before heading off to New York for the main event: It Shoulda Been You.
It really all started with my love of The Little Mermaid. When they announced the Broadway version in 2007, I wanted to see it so bad. It closed before I had a chance. But, it introduced me to Sierra Boggess whose theatre career I've followed ever since, and my dream of seeing The Little Mermaid (it tours sometimes, I still want to) live turned into a dream of seeing Sierra Boggess perform live.
Eight years later, one of the two dreams were crossed off the proverbial bucket list when I won tickets to ISBY, Boggess' newest show.
So, we were on a bus to New York Saturday morning and on another one right back to Baltimore Sunday afternoon. In between, we enjoyed great front mezz seats (one day I'll sit in the orchestra and cross that off my list, why are tickets so expensive!?) to a hysterical show (really, go see it!), then froze outside the stage door until this could happen:
Equally as rewarding was the fact that Tyne Daly is in the show (really, the entire cast is phenomenal, but we all have our favorites!) and my mom loves her! So, right after we snapped this pic, we saw Tyne come out and mom got a memory, too!
Not a bad weekend at all. How was yours?
New York, NY, USA
sleep beautifully this weekend!
March 27, 2015 • green, health and beauty
I'm so excited for this weekend! My mom is coming up and we're kicking things off by finally seeing the new Cinderella film before heading up to NYC to see It Shoulda Been You on broadway! I'm not sure how much sleep I'll be getting, but I want to look fabulous in those stage door pics, so I'm remembering these awesome holistic beauty tips from Alight for looking good despite lack of sleep.
Any fun plans for your weekend? How do you look your best when you're tired?
Any fun plans for your weekend? How do you look your best when you're tired?
Courtesy of: Alight
spring cleaning with apothecary extracts tea tree oil
March 24, 2015 • essential oil, green, health and beauty, review
Disclosure: I received this product free in exchange for my opinions which are my own.
This post contains affiliate links to the product.
that would be snow. |
Thankfully, the sun came out and the temps went up the very next day (go figure) and I knew it was the perfect time to crack the windows open and commence the spring cleaning.
Also thankfully, Apothecary Extracts sent me a huge bottle of their 100% Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil
to test out...just as I had used up my last bottle. Perfect timing!
I have to ooh and ahh a little bit before getting to the point here. Tea tree was the first essential oil I ever used. I loved it then and love it now, but this packaging is the cutest ever. Plus, with that box, it's ready to gift to someone. Even better (maybe) than the packaging is the size. 4 oz of any essential oil is huge, guys! I'm sure this bottle will last me a few years.
Onto the good stuff: 100% Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil . What does it do? Well, everything. And that nifty packaging I mentioned? It even tells you some of those things. I think that's great since most oils I see don't have uses right there on the label:
Tea tree oil has lots of great personal care uses from zit zapping to deodorant making (and I adore the smell! I know that's an opinion people are split on), but right now I've got the spring cleaning bug which is another perfect use for the stuff.
Now, ideally, when working with any essential oil, you should use glass. Essential oils are potent and can eat away at plastics. In this case, I just had to clean and knew I'd be able to use all the cleaner in one day, so I went ahead and mixed my cleaner in a plastic spray bottle. Basically, if you do use plastic, don't leave any mixture "for later" in there.
This is the easiest thing ever: in the spray bottle, mix 3 cups of water with about 10 drops of tea tree oil. You can also add 1/2 cup vinegar, but I'm not a fan of the smell. I proceed to grab some cloths and wipe down everything: countertops, sinks, tubs, window ledges, baseboards, tile...you get the idea. If I have any left, I use it as floor cleaner. I've just naturally disinfected my home and it smells so fresh!
Oh, and remember how I mentioned the bottle offers you some ideas for oil usage? I love how Apothecary Extracts didn't stop there. When you purchase the oil on amazon (a steal at $25 for such a large amount), they throw in a FREE e-book with 50+ tea tree oil uses.
If you'll excuse me, I'm off to debate which use I want to implement next.
Baltimore, MD, USA
never say never
• health and beauty, life, love
Sean and I have been together ten years. In that time, we've determined his immune system and mine are very different. He gets sick fairly often, complaining of a sore throat or an upset stomach. He thoughtfully tries to avoid kissing when that happens.
I just roll my eyes. "You won't get me sick."
And in ten years, that's always been true. I've never gotten sick from him. Never.
Ha, ha. Until last week, that is.
At the start of the weekend, I heard the sore throat complaint. We went about our business. by last Wednesday, I felt a throat tickle. Now, almost a week later, I'm downing cough syrup and wishing I could sleep this nastiness off. Of course, we all know, coughs love nothing more then to assault you when you lay down.
Moral of the story: when you share your entire life with someone, never has plenty of time to find a way.
Oh well. I'll keep kissing him when his throat hurts and I love him anyway.
I just roll my eyes. "You won't get me sick."
And in ten years, that's always been true. I've never gotten sick from him. Never.
my desk decor for the week. |
Ha, ha. Until last week, that is.
At the start of the weekend, I heard the sore throat complaint. We went about our business. by last Wednesday, I felt a throat tickle. Now, almost a week later, I'm downing cough syrup and wishing I could sleep this nastiness off. Of course, we all know, coughs love nothing more then to assault you when you lay down.
Moral of the story: when you share your entire life with someone, never has plenty of time to find a way.
Oh well. I'll keep kissing him when his throat hurts and I love him anyway.
Baltimore, MD, USA
are you in LOVE WITH FOOD? Try FREE!
March 18, 2015 • food, review
Disclosure: this post contains referral links and review of the Love With Food box which I received in addition to compensation for my review. The opinions presented are my own.
It looks like the voices of crunchy people are finally being heard, though! When Love With Food offered to let me try a tasting box of their all-natural snacks to see what they were about, I was skeptical. Then I read more and realized I could probably take advantage of the entire box!
You'll note that the pics are a little blurry in this post. I was in a hurry to eat everything and didn't pull any equipment out!
Anyway, the box was filled to the brim with healthy, snack-y goodness:
There were brands I'd heard of, brands I hadn't, as well as coupons and a brochure giving info on every item in the box. Imagine my happiness when I realized every single item was vegan (including the 3 chocolate items which I ate first)! Other dietary preferences like gluten free are also notated by each item.
Here's the breakdown:
There were 10 edible items (which disappeared in 2 days) and I loved 8. (those chocolates on the bottom tasted like soft tootsie rolls, and the chickpeas were a crunchy delight!) The entire box (aside from the herbs, of course) was devoured! I was skeptical about the strawberry tea and the peanut butter banana bar, but both surprised me as quite tasty. I'd definitely consider purchasing some of these again—and you can, right from the Love With Food website.
So, the healthy part is covered. The vegetarian-friendly part is covered. We all know how important those are to me. But, there's more awesomeness:
Philanthropy. For every box sent, Love With Food donates a meal to a hungry child. There are actually three levels of boxes: tasting, deluxe, and gluten free. If you choose one of the latter two boxes, Love With Food actually donates two meals!
I'm sold, but if you're still skeptical, no worries, Love With Food doesn't discriminate when it comes to free stuff. I got a free box, but so can you! Just purchase via this link, and you will get a free box—all you pay is $2 shipping!
Does Love With Food sound like your kind of box? What is your current favorite subscription box?
Baltimore, MD, USA
Global Philanthropy with CARE
March 17, 2015 • sponsored
A special thanks to CARE for sponsoring today's post while fighting poverty and empowering others.
a mother with her child in Chad. Credit: CARE |
I love reading over the many amazing success stories on the CARE Knows How page, but one particularly cracked me up. Feminism is a hot topic in the US and this story would probably appall women fighting for that cause, but overseas....women and families are fighting for their lives:
"An intercultural approach to fighting poverty is complex. When dealing with indigenous people, it often goes beyond language to include a respect for local customs and traditions.
In western cultures, white is associated with cleanliness, but in rural Ayachucho, Peru, white is the color of death.
With a maternal mortality rate of 240 per 100,000 mothers, CARE was desperate to find ways to encourage indigenous mothers to seek care at local health clinics.
So we stripped white sheets off of the beds in the clinics and replaced them with pink ones.
The result?
More women visit the health centers, and combined with other health-related efforts, Ayachucho's maternal mortality rate has been cut in half!"
I can agree completely that getting mothers to seek care in health facilities is a difficult task in and of itself. I don't think the pink sheets idea would fly in the US, but I love how the simple swap (and cultural understanding—note what white means in Peru) has saved lives!
Girls in school in India. Credit: CARE |
Empowering women with CARE is only one facet of the CARE philanthropy—other areas of empowerment include education, world hunger, health, disaster relief, and economic development. Take a look at their inspiring stories and be sure to check out the ways you can also CARE for others!
essential oils: what is a carrier oil?
March 16, 2015 • essential oil, green, health and beauty, review
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and mention of a product which was given in exchange for my opinions which are my own.
We know essential oils are awesome. We know they offer all sorts of cool benefits.
What is not known by everybody knows is how to use them.
I'll be the first to admit that I knew about essential oils long before I ever heard the term "carrier oil."
Say what now?
Nothing fancy here. Really. Essential oils are potent and generally shouldn't be just slapped onto your skin. They need to be diluted in something that will safely carry the oils into your skin.
Example: one of my favorite allergy remedies is a mix of lavender, lemon, and peppermint oils. I apply this by taking a glob of coconut oil, dropping the oils into the coconut oil, and rubbing it all together to mix before rubbing the mixture as a whole into my feet. In this case, the coconut oil serves as the carrier oil for the 3 essential oils.
Coconut oil is my personal favorite as it has so many benefits, but other common carrier oils include grapeseed, sunflower, apricot, or even olive oil (though olive isn't preferred by many). Up until recently, I used regular solid coconut oil. keep one jar in the kitchen for culinary use and one upstairs for health and beauty purposes.
Then I found out about the goodness that is fractionated coconut oil (i.e., this stuff is already in a liquid state and it stays that way). It has all the same benefits of coconut oil because, well, it is coconut oil...you just save some time on the whole melting process. It's perfect as a carrier oil because it's so quick to blend whatever you need without waiting to soften/melt. It's perfect for topical essential oils—I especially love using it as a massage oil. Ahh!
Pure Body Naturals kindly sent me their 16 Oz Fractionated Coconut Oil which has been working out great for me! Aside from the little bit of time saved, it's easier to gauge the amount of oil used since it's already in a liquid state...and we all know I'm all about wasting less! I feel like you can't lose with either form of coconut oil, but I definitely love the convenience that comes with the fractionated form!
EO users, what's your favorite dilution method?
Baltimore, MD, USA
Win a Jamberry Nails gift card in the #LuckoftheIrish giveaway hop!
March 10, 2015 • brands, giveaway, health and beauty
I admit it: I've joined the ranks of lots of other Jamberry nails lovers. I love having fun manis and keeping an eye out for new wrap designs. I was eagerly waiting for March 1 so I could see all the new spring designs. I didn't think I'd like these wraps at all, but as it turns out, I love them!
I find that application gets better and easier with each "Jamicure." My wraps sometime get caught in my (very fine) hair, so I looked for a way to really get the wraps to bond this time around. Enter the baggie method. I'd heard of this but didn't think I needed it. Oh, I'm so glad I gave it a try! There are several great how-to videos for this method, but I love how short and sweet this one is:
Jamberry consultant Kim let me choose a wrap to practice this with...and what a difference! My wraps stayed on well before, but I can tell the seal is definitely stronger with this method. Overall, it's an easy extra step in the application process (it's very hot, but worth it!) I chose Fresh Fern from my previous wishlist and love how it looks! This is definitely my most successful Jamicure yet (this is #5 for me!)
Onto the good stuff: giveaways! I've teamed up with Kim to give one winner a $25 Jamberry e-gift card! This is perfect timing since Jamberry released their new spring and summer collection this month I mean, look at these pink pretties:
Bon Voyage, one of my new wrap favorites! |
I find that application gets better and easier with each "Jamicure." My wraps sometime get caught in my (very fine) hair, so I looked for a way to really get the wraps to bond this time around. Enter the baggie method. I'd heard of this but didn't think I needed it. Oh, I'm so glad I gave it a try! There are several great how-to videos for this method, but I love how short and sweet this one is:
Jamberry consultant Kim let me choose a wrap to practice this with...and what a difference! My wraps stayed on well before, but I can tell the seal is definitely stronger with this method. Overall, it's an easy extra step in the application process (it's very hot, but worth it!) I chose Fresh Fern from my previous wishlist and love how it looks! This is definitely my most successful Jamicure yet (this is #5 for me!)
Onto the good stuff: giveaways! I've teamed up with Kim to give one winner a $25 Jamberry e-gift card! This is perfect timing since Jamberry released their new spring and summer collection this month I mean, look at these pink pretties:
Welcome to the Luck of the Irish Giveaway Hop, brought to you by The Hopping Bloggers & Up All Night Blogging!
Hosted by
Mama Smith’s Review Blog & Women And Their Pretties
Co-Hosted by
DownshiftingPRO, Melanie Meditates, Feeling Fit, Bit by Bit, Enza's Bargains, Golden State Mom , Deb Knows Best, Barbie's Beauty Bits, & Ninas Bargain Beauty
Each blogger participating in this hop has a giveaway with a prize value of at least $15 – and some are much more than that! Be sure to scroll down the whole list and visit them all – there is no limit to how many prizes you can win! Good Luck and Have Fun!
DISCLOSURE: Mama Smith’s Review Blog and Women and Their Pretties are not responsible for any of the prize fulfillment. Each blogger is responsible for providing their sponsor with their winner’s contact information.
!
Baltimore, MD, USA
take that spring break indoors...to Medieval Times! [+giveaway!]
March 7, 2015 • giveaway
UPDATE: The BOGO promotion has now been extended to ALL CASTLES!
So, if you're not in or near Maryland, no more missing out—just go here and enter code BOGORB to get an amazing steal on tickets for shows from now until 5/3 (not valid on Buena Park Saturday shows).
It's March 6 and I'm home on a snow day for the second day in a row.
Today, it's more of an ice day. I'm certainly not complaining about some time off, but still....it's March!
March means spring break is coming up for many people....like, now. And if you're broke like I was and aren't making it to Miami or Cancun, that means staycation. And if you were planning on a staycation, you'll definitely be staying indoors with these temps.
But, you can still have fun!
Spend some of that indoor time at Maryland's Medieval Times! They respect your staycation and your wallet: I just found out they are doing BOGO tickets on all shows now until April 12! Grab a broke friend and go halvsies, or find a sugar daddy and tell them what a great deal they're getting - that's dinner and entertainment!
We have out of town guests coming in April and may very well use the deal to entertain them one night while they're in town..it's always a fun experience for first timers!
Anyway, you're welcome. Cheap, warm, spring break fun in the Baltimore area! Just use code SBWEB15 to redeem! Or, enter below for your chance to win 4 tickets!
So, if you're not in or near Maryland, no more missing out—just go here and enter code BOGORB to get an amazing steal on tickets for shows from now until 5/3 (not valid on Buena Park Saturday shows).
It's March 6 and I'm home on a snow day for the second day in a row.
Today, it's more of an ice day. I'm certainly not complaining about some time off, but still....it's March!
March means spring break is coming up for many people....like, now. And if you're broke like I was and aren't making it to Miami or Cancun, that means staycation. And if you were planning on a staycation, you'll definitely be staying indoors with these temps.
But, you can still have fun!
Spend some of that indoor time at Maryland's Medieval Times! They respect your staycation and your wallet: I just found out they are doing BOGO tickets on all shows now until April 12! Grab a broke friend and go halvsies, or find a sugar daddy and tell them what a great deal they're getting - that's dinner and entertainment!
We have out of town guests coming in April and may very well use the deal to entertain them one night while they're in town..it's always a fun experience for first timers!
Anyway, you're welcome. Cheap, warm, spring break fun in the Baltimore area! Just use code SBWEB15 to redeem! Or, enter below for your chance to win 4 tickets!
Baltimore, MD, USA
seeds of love [re•view]
March 5, 2015 • garden, green, review
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links and mention of a product which I received in exchange for my opinions which are my own.
It's March 5 and I'm home on a snow day...
...and blogging again about gardening.
I really have no right to be doing so; I bought 4 ivy plants back in the early fall to keep the air fresh and one is dead. The rest are hanging in there.
Regardless, I love the idea of picking my own vegetables this summer. I also love the idea of some cheerful flowers adorning the outside of our home.
Vremi, the folks who so kindly sent me the veggie seeds I previously mentioned, also produce Seeds of Love organic flower seeds.
Actually, they produce organic flower seed "greeting cards."
I was pretty thrilled when I heard this. Would they be made with that cool seed paper? Or just be pretty cards that happen to include seeds?
The answer is neither. These are, in fact, organic flower seeds. I'm totally cool with that.
They are not, however, "cards." At least not the way I think of them. They are your normal seed packet that just happen to also have "Happy Birthday," "Thank You," etc. printed on them. So greeting? I guess. Card? Not so much. You can't write your own greeting. There isn't even a TO/FROM field to fill out.
I was looking forward to a unique, less-waste greeting. But this won't be the case. They're not cards. In fact, to use these, I'd be putting them in cards:
Which brings me to two issues: 1. blog ethics and 2. customer service.
- Blog ethics: this serves as your friendly reminder that you can trust my reviews. If I say I like something, you can trust that I mean it since you know I don't shy away from telling you when I don't. I wonder how many reviews on amazon really like the product and how many are just kissing butt because they got free seeds.
- Customer service: it goes a long, long way. I contacted Vremi not once, but twice, when I realized I found the product as advertised to be lacking. They completely ignored me. Rude (also, I knocked an extra star off of my amazon review just for this reason). Sales are competitive right now; new businesses are always popping up (especially on amazon), and the companies that have the edge are the ones who communicate with their customers and offer services like follow up e-mails and how-to resources. If you can't be courteous enough to have a conversation with someone who is going to represent your brand to a large audience, how should an average paying customer be treated?
The bottom line? These are flower seeds. I'm sure they'll grow lovely flowers...if spring ever comes. But the branding? Needs a little work. And the company? Better customer service is definitely available from other comapnies. I loved the veggie seeds they previously sent me, but based on this experience, I'd recommend that paying consumers get their seed needs met elsewhere.
Baltimore, MD, USA
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