Sunsella Silicone Baking Cups (12 Pack) Review #sunsellalittlegems

There are so many kitchen products made of silicone these days. I've got silicone tongs, silicone spatulas, silicone gloves & silicone ice cube/popsicle molds, but I've never tried a silicone product that actually goes into the oven. I was excited to receive these Sunsella Little Gems Silicone Baking Cups to test & review because it would be my first experience with baking in silicone & we love cupcakes & muffins!

I love these cute little baking cups. Just look at the bright colors! Baking makes me happy & baking with these bright colored Little Gems makes me even happier. And they are so easy to use & easy to clean. They are made of 100% food-safe silicone & are BPA, lead & phthalate free. These baking cups will withstand oven temperatures up to 400 degrees & are dishwasher, microwave & freezer safe. There are so many things that these can be used for but I'll admit I'm probably only going to bake with them.

The first thing that I did when I received these baking cups was to make a batch of Blueberry Muffins. It's one of our favorites & I had a bunch of blueberries in the freezer from the last time we picked them at one of those cool "pick your own" farms. So I stirred up the batter & arranged my baking cups on a cookie sheet, filled them & popped it into the oven. Since it was my first time to use a silicone baking product, I was kind of worried that I would find a melted mess so I avoided looking into the oven until the timer went off. But they were perfect! And the muffins popped easily out of the molds without sticking or leaving a mess.

I think these cute little brightly colored baking cups are just awesome! I don't have to waste money any longer buying those little paper cups that only stick to the cupcakes or muffins & then get thrown into the trash. I love that I can use these over & over again. It makes me feel so green!

There is only one thing that I don't like about this product & that is the fact that it is made in China. I prefer to buy & use products that are made in the US.

You can buy your own Sunsella Little Gems Silicone Baking Cups on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F6FIJO8/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1430411827&sr=1&keywords=Silicone+Baking+Cups+%2812+Pack%29

#sunsellalittlegems

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Large Heavy Duty Toenail Clipper Review #VixenToenailClipper

A great pair of toenail clippers is something that everyone needs in their bathroom medicine cabinet or toiletry kit. We've had several pairs over the years but most of them were not quality products so they didn't work well or broke. Now we are using the Large Heavy Duty Toenail Clipper from Vixen Supply which I received to review.

This is an attractive toenail clipper that looks very sleek & ergonomic. It has a curved design which makes it easier to grip & I like the look of the brushed stainless steel. It measures 3.5" long & the jaws of the clipper open 2 millimeters. Because of the curved design, you can get better leverage when using it & it won't slip.

Both my husband & I have used this toenail clipper. It works really well for both of us. This clipper is sharp & cuts easily without tearing or breaking our toenails. It leaves a clean smooth edge & I find that I don't need to use a nail file after I use this clipper.

This is a sturdy toenail clipper that should last for years & because it is stainless steel it won't rust. The only thing that I don't like is that it is made in Pakistan. I prefer buying & using products that are made in the US.

You can purchase your Large Heavy Duty Toenail Clipper on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-Toenail-Clippers-Vixen/dp/B00UI13JB8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

#VixenToenailClipper

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Keep drinks ice cold! 100% Copper Mug for Moscow Mule Review #purecopper

I have a new favorite mug! I want to drink everything from this mug all the time! Let me tell you all about the 100% Copper Mug for Moscow Mule that I received to review from PureCopper.

Just look at it! This mug is a hand-crafted pure copper mug & it's shiny & gorgeous. There is no nickel, no tin, no steel, no plating, no lining, no alloying....just pure copper to keep your drink icy cold. The handle is welded so there is no leaking because there are no rivets. The mug is 4" tall & 4.8" wide including the handle. It holds 16 ounces of your favorite beverage so it's perfect for drinking icy cocktails on those hot summer day....or nights....or anytime you choose!

And check this out! Each copper mug comes with a set of recipe cards for the classic Moscow Mule plus other Mule-inspired concoctions: Mule-jito, Blue-Blooded Mule, The Jack-Ass a/k/a Whiskey Mule, Mexican Mule & Black Honey Mule. These are all fun variations on the original Mule & I can't wait to try them all. We know we like a Moscow Mule & that is what is pictured in these photos. But once the photos were snapped, our Moscow Mules didn't last long as we enjoyed them while cooking dinner.

For a nice frosty cold beverage, you need a pure copper mug that will get frosty fast. And this 100% Copper Mug for Moscow Mule is the perfect size as well as just being a beautiful addition to our barware.

You can purchase this mug on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/100-Copper-Mug-Moscow-Mule/dp/B00UMNP64A/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

#purecopper

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Forever Fused Infusion Water Bottle Review #LiveInfinitely

I love adding fruit to my water to give it a nice refreshing taste. I almost always have a big pitcher of fruit water in my fridge. Right now I've got a pitcher of water that is full of lemons, limes & cucumber. But if I want to take this water with me when I leave the house, I have to pour just the water into a bottle because the fruit pieces won't fit. Then I received this Forever Fused Infusion Water Bottle to review & my problem is solved!

This water bottle has four parts. The top, the water bottle, the infusion tube & the bottom. All you have to do is unscrew the bottom & then unscrew the infusion tube. Fill it with whatever fruit you like & then screw it back together. Then unscrew the top, fill it with water, screw the top back on & in just a few minutes the fruit flavors will be infused in your water & you've got a refreshing drink. The only thing that I would change about this bottle is to add a flip-top or some other way to actually drink from the bottle without having to unscrew the lid. Other than that, this is a great idea. I've seen other infusion bottles that have the tube attached to the top so that once your water level is below the fruit, you no longer get the fruit taste.

This water bottle comes with a drawstring sports pack so you can take it with you everywhere you go. I like to pack a small towel, sunscreen, a couple of granola bars & my water bottle when I go to the walking trails or to the park. I've never experienced any leaking from this bottle. It is made of BPA-free Tritan Copolyester & is scratch resistant as well as impact resistant. 

This bottle is also top-rack dishwasher safe. I haven't put mine in the dishwasher yet. I just wash it with warm soapy water, rinse it out & fill it right back up with more fruit & water!

If you're ready to add great taste to plain water, you can purchase the Forever Fused Infusion Water Bottle on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Day-Gift-Special-FREE-Sports/dp/B00UCKBNK4/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1_m?ie=UTF8&qid=1430242861&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=Live+Infinitely+water+bottle

#LiveInfinitely

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Unboxing....Target Beauty Box Spring 2015

I almost forgot that my Target Beauty Box came last week! This is the first time that I've bought a beauty box from Target. By the time that I knew about them last time, they were all sold. You have to be really fast to get one! They don't sell them on a set date like the other boxes so you kind of have to stalk them.

This is a nice sturdy box that can be repurposed to use to store something else after I empty it. On the back of the "hello Beautiful" card is a coupon for $3 off of any Target Beauty Department purchase of $15 or more.

The products inside are wrapped in Target Red tissue paper. This was the $5 box. I understand that they sometimes have a bigger $10 box plus a box for men. Here is what came in this box:

Maybelline Color Elixir by Color Sensational Lip Color in Rose Redefined (full-size)

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender (full-size)

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream (.25 ounce)

TRESemmme TRES Two Extra Hold Hairspray (1.5 ounce)

SheaMoisture Superfruit Complex 10-in-1 Renewal System Shampoo (3.2 ounce)

The L'Oreal Makeup Extender is $13.99 at Target & the Maybelline lip color is $6.99 at Target so this box is worth a lot more than five bucks!

I'm happy with this box so I'll be stalking the Target Facebook page & website to watch for the bigger box & any other box that they may offer!

Premium Lavender Essential Oil Review #essentialoils

I'm still new to the world of essential oils so I've only tried a few of the basics so far. The essential oil that I was sent to review this time is Premium Lavender Essential Oil from aVo Essentials.

It was only when I started researching the uses for lavender essential oil that I discovered that there are different varieties of lavender oils that come from different regions. This lavender essential oil is Bulgarian lavender which is grown in the Himalayas. It comes in a large 4 ounce bottle with both a stopper & a glass dropper. The label states that it is 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Lavender Oil Steam Distilled.

There are so many different ways to use lavender essential oil. It is used to naturally ease headaches, anxiety, tension & stress. I know a lot of people diffuse it in their homes to keep a calmer environment. I have also heard of diluting it to use as a spray on sheets & pillow cases prior to bedtime. I tried both of these & quickly discovered one important thing: lavender seems to give me a headache rather than relieving one! I knew when I opened the bottle that I wasn't going to be a fan of the scent of lavender but I didn't expect to get headaches. The scent reminds me of my days in high school working at a local fast food place where we used a heavily scented bathroom cleaner with added lavender fragrance.

So I went back to researching what other ways I could use this so that I didn't notice the scent. And I found it! When I combine the lavender essential oil with peppermint & lemon oils in my diffuser, it puts out a wonderful scent that also helps my allergy symptoms. I have also found that when I do get a headache, I can use the lavender essential oil combined with marjoram, thyme, rosemary & peppermint oils to get relief. So I can use this lavender essential oil with no ill effects as long as I combine it with other oils.

This Premium Lavender Essential Oil is highly concentrated so you will always need to use a carrier oil before massaging it onto your skin.

You can purchase this essential oil on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/PURE-LAVENDER-OIL-x2605-BIG/dp/B00U9S6TTY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430239766&sr=8-2&keywords=Premium+Lavender+Essential+Oil

#essentialoils

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Lumi*Essence Organic Advanced Skin Brightening Repair Treatment Review #lumiessence

When I was young & not so smart, I spent a lot of time in the sun. Back then we didn't worry about wearing sunscreen to protect our skin, so I've got lots of freckles as a result. Most of them are on my legs & they don't really bother me but I was curious to see if this Lumi*Essence Organic Advanced Skin Brightening Repair Treatment would lighten them.

This skin brightening treatment is from Sweetsation Therapy & comes in a 2 ounce pump container. The label states that this product contains Kojic Acid to help lighten & reduce the appearance of dark spots plus Alpha-Arbutin which is a skin lightening agent derived from the leaves of cranberry, blueberry & bearberry shrubs to prevent the conversion of pigment-forming enzymes, along with papaya & pineapple extracts which provide intense exfoliation to help reduce the size & color intensity of dark spots & even skin tone over time. My freckles are dark spots which cause my skin tone to be uneven so I'm hoping that this stuff will work!

This product is a white cream with a light texture. It feels smooth & cooling on my skin when I apply it & absorbs quickly with no greasy feeling. The scent is light & refreshing. I've been using this on my legs twice each day for almost a month now. That is not enough time for any product to work on a cellular level but my legs definitely feel softer & hydrated. I'm going to keep using this product because I hope to see good results over time.

Lumi*Essence Organic Advanced Skin Brightening Repair Treatment is hydroquinone-free, contains no toxic ingredients & is Made in the U.S.A. But be aware that it is necessary to wear a sunscreen of at least SPF30 while using this sun damage repair product

You can purchase this skin brightening product on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Essence-Advanced-Brightening-Whitening-Treatment/dp/B009MT5ZXC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

#lumiessence

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Fresh produce! Fresh bread! My Bountiful Baskets goodness.

The last time I picked up produce from Bountiful Baskets was on the Saturday before Easter. I brought home so much that day that this is the first time that I've gone back! It's also the time of year that the local Farmers Markets are open again (some stay open all year, but some only open from May through October) so I want to visit them for even more good stuff!

Bountiful Baskets always offers so many tempting choices each week, but this time I limited myself to the regular basket plus one add-on item.

This is my regular basket: 4 Artisan Romaine lettuce, 2 spaghetti squash, 2 broccoli crowns, 5 sweet corn, 3 orange bell peppers, a cucumber, 8 potatoes, 2 yellow onions, a mango, 6 bananas, 5 Braeburn apples & a honeydew melon. 

This basket was veggie heavy. They usually try to make it 50/50. But I'm not complaining!

This is my Assorted Bread Pack (add-on item): 4 loaves of English Muffin Bread & 2 French baguettes. These have no artificial preservatives so most of it will go straight to the freezer. 

I got all of this for $28.50 (which includes the $3.50 which is added to each order in Texas to contribute to the fuel costs for the trucks). The spaghetti squash are new to us. I've seen them in the grocery produce sections but never bought one so we've never tasted it before. And the cute little Artisan Romaine lettuce which I was told are great to use for wrap sandwiches because they are the perfect size. 

If you want information about Bountiful Baskets, you can go here to read the New Participant Information.

I'll go back for more produce from Bountiful Baskets in mid-May. We have plans to visit one of the local Farmers Markets in our area next Saturday. I can't wait to see what we find there!

Until next time....

Get smooth, sandal-ready feet in seconds! Pedi.Cure Callus Remover Review plus GIVEAWAY! #PediCure

Warmer weather is here! Are your feet ready for those cute summer sandals? Mine are ready thanks to this Pedi.Cure Callus Remover. It helps smooth those rough spots in just a few seconds.

When I'm at home I go barefoot all the time, all year long. Unless I'm going to get in the car & go somewhere, I don't bother with shoes. So I like to know that my feet look & feel smooth all the time. This Pedi.Cure Callus Remover is like a "pedicure in the palm of your hand"!

The Pedi.Cure unit comes with 2 different roller grinding heads, a cleaning brush & a protective cover. It runs on 2 AA batteries which are not included. The roller grinding heads spin to gently buff away the hard dry skin on your feet & heels. This unit is water-resistant so it can be used in the shower. I haven't done that yet, but it's good to know that I can.

I use my Pedi.Cure every time I feel any rough or dry skin on my heels. It's easier to use than the pumice stones that I have been using & I'm very happy with the results.

The Pedi.Cure Callus Remover can be purchased on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pedi-Cure-Solutions-Release-Electric-Remover/dp/B00U6UBPNU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430151434&sr=8-2&keywords=pedi.cure

So. Do you want sexy smooth feet in just minutes, with no hassle? One of my lucky readers is going to win a Pedi.Cure Callus Remover!

GIVEAWAY RULES

You must be 18+ in order to win.

This contest is open only to Residents of the U.S.

This Giveaway will end on May 11

One winner will be randomly chosen & will be notified by email.

The winner will have 24 hours to respond with their shipping information.

The prize will be shipped by the sponsor. I am not responsible for shipping.

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#PediCure

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Knife Sharpener from Priority Chef Review #prioritychef

We are still using a knife set that we got back in 1999. I'd love to have a brand new set of sharp knives in a beautiful cutlery block but, when I find one that I like, they are so expensive that I just can't justify the cost. My husband sharpens our knives from time to time in his work shed in the backyard (I have no idea how he does it & I don't ask!), but then I received this Knife Sharpener from Priority Chef to review.

The Priority Chef Knife Sharpener is black & silver with a sleek modern design. It has a handle that is comfortable to grip. It has a non-slip rubber base so that I feel safer when using the sharpener because I know it isn't going to slide on the countertop. It comes with easy to understand instructions & tips to safely use the knife sharpener. The 2 sharpening slots are labeled for Stage 1 & Stage 2 sharpening.

This is a 2-stage knife sharpening system. Stage 1 is coarse sharpening using Tungsten carbide blades for dull or blunt knife blades. Stage 2 is fine sharpening using ceramic wheels to smooth & sharpen a knife blade that just needs a basic sharpening before use. To use, place the knife sharpener on your countertop or another flat surface. Hold the handle firmly with one hand while you run your knife blade through the slot from the base to the tip (do not pull the knife back & forth through the sharpener). You will always have full control as you use the sharpener. After your knife is sharpened, wipe it with a damp cloth or rinse it under running water & then dry it thoroughly. And that's it!

This knife sharpener is not to be used to sharpen scissors or serrated knives. Do not put it in the dishwasher or submerge it in water. And always keep knives & sharpeners out of the reach of children.

Are you ready to make your old knives better than new knives? Then get this Knife Sharpener & you can save the expense of replacing old knives.

The Priority Chef Knife Sharpener is available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Priority-Chef-Sharpener-Designed-Sharper/dp/B00R9P59OG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429895453&sr=8-1&keywords=Knife+Sharpener+From+Priority+Chef

#priority chef

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Unboxing....WalMart Spring Beauty Box #WalMartBeauty

My Spring beauty box from WalMart finally arrived! The $5 charge showed up on my credit card statement back on the 17th of March, but the box didn't arrive until a couple of days ago.

When I opened the box, the products were covered with peach-colored tissue paper. When I pulled it back, I found 4 sample-sized products, a perfume sample, some foil packet samples & some coupons. The Winter Beauty Box was much better because I received 2 full-size products & not so many foil packets.

Sample-size products: L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Restoring Shampoo & Conditioner, Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream & Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E.

Perfume sample: Lady Gage Fame.

Foil Packet samples: Burt's Bees Renewal Intensive Firming Serum; Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil; Ken Paves Smoothing Shampoo, Smoothing Conditioner & Thick Conditioning Mask; & Garnier Ultra-Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream.

Coupons:
FREE Dove, Degree or Axe Dry Spray Antiperspirant
$3 off Burt's Bees Renewal
$1 off Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil
$2 off any Garnier moisturizer

I know that there are 2 versions of these boxes. This is the "older" box. I think the people who got the "younger" box received a full-size mascara so I'm jealous of that. I wish they would put at least 1 full-size item in every box. Next time I may order one of each just to see the difference in the products.

#WalMartBeauty

Zester/Grater from Smarty Pants Supplies Review #spsupplies

I have a zester & I have a grater. My zester is a tiny little thing that I bought the first time I needed lime zest for a recipe. But the holes are so small that it doesn't work well & causes lots of frustration with little success. My grater is really designed to grate cheese so the holes are larger & not what I need to zest limes or other citrus fruits. But this Zester/Grater from Smarty Pants Supplies is the answer to my problems!

When I opened the box I was surprised to see that the zester/grater comes with a protective plastic cover. Once I removed it, I could see why....this baby is sharp! It is an 8" long stainless steel blade with a 5" handle that is comfortable to grip. The handle has a hole so that the zester/grater could be stored on a hanging utensil rack. I have a drawer where I keep my kitchen gadgets so the protective cover will save me from scraping my fingers when I'm digging around in there.

So far I've only used my zester/grater to zest citrus fruits for recipes & garnish. I have an awesome chocolate chip cookie recipe that calls for one of those BIG Hershey's Dark Chocolate bars to be grated so I'll use this for that task. Plus I want to get a big chunk of hard Parmesan cheese for Italian Night next week & this product will make it a breeze to grate quickly. And Smarty Pants Supplies sent a recipe book in PDF format that has a recipe for DIY Lemon Zest Soap that I'm going to try this weekend.

So, if you want to replace your old zester/grater because it just doesn't get the job done or has become dull, you will be happy with this one. It is dishwasher safe & is backed with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

You can purchase this Zester/Grater from Smarty Pants Supplies on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Zester-Premium-Grater-Stainless-Protective/dp/B00KCY43U2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

#spsupplies

I received this product for the purpose of testing and review. Regardless, I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will be good for my readers. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own and are based on my personal experience and use of the product.

Unboxing....Beauty Joy Box April 2015

I'm a bit disappointed this month with my Beauty Joy Box. Not with the products that are inside the box, but with the packaging. Last month, Beauty Joy finally shipped their beauty box nestled inside of shredded crinkle paper & packed in a sturdy packing box. This month, the beauty box came inside of a not-very-padded envelope. When I opened the beauty box, there was no pretty crinkle paper & they didn't use their cute fleur-de-lis tissue paper inside the box. Just plain white tissue this month. I guess they are still experimenting with packaging, but when my beauty box arrives I like the presentation to be just as special as the contents.

This is what it looked like when I pulled it out of the envelope. Just the Beauty Joy Box & the information card. And when I took the top off of the box, no cute tissue paper. Just plain white. Kind of a letdown.

But the products inside of the box were not a letdown at all! A full-size lip product & how cute is that bracelet?!?! This subscription box comes with 1 hand-curated jewelry item, 1 full-size beauty item & 2 - 3 deluxe samples. Here is what came in the box this month:

Gemstone Bracelet - Each gemstone chip is unique & strung together to form a beautiful bracelet just for you. Made with stones of Garnet, Sodalite, Jade, Rose Quartz, Peridot, Obsidian & more. $8

Too Faced Sweet Sun Shine Lip Gloss in Watermelon Ice (full-size) $16

Tocca Body Lotion Cleopatra Crema da Corpo (2 fluid ounce) $4.50

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Moisturizing Lather Shampoo 

& Keratin Cream Rinse 

(1 fluid ounce each) $3.25 each

The value of the items in this box is $35. The cost of this subscription is $15 per month & can be cancelled at any time before you are billed for the following month. Billing is done on the 1st of the month. Shipping is free for the U.S. & $5 for Canada.

So. I like this box! All of the beauty products are new to me. I've used Paul Mitchell hair products before, but not these. And the bracelet is especially cute. My dad was a Geologist so he used to make bracelets & necklaces for me. This really brings back memories & I can't wait to wear it! 

And....I can't wait to see what comes next month!