Weekly Product Review: Sonia Kashuk Remove Eye-makeup Remover

I think I have literally tried every makeup remover out there.  I used to be faithful to Pond's Bare and Repair--it was gentle and had "good-for-your-skin" ingredients...I loved it.  And then they discontinued it.  Since then I have been on a search to find something as good as it was and I have tried high end (Lancome), mid-end (MAC) and drugstore (Neutrogena) and while some were good, none of them were good enough to repurchase. 

But then I found Sonia Kashuk's Remove!  I really, really like this stuff!  It comes in a 4 oz. container and it is one that you have to shake to mix the oil and water.  It feels like nothing going on and it doesn't sting!  Let me repeat, IT DOESN'T STING!!!   That right there is enough to make me repurchase if it takes off any makeup at all.  I wear contacts, so I have to have something gentle and this is definitely gentle...but somehow they figured out how to take makeup off at the same time!  It takes all of my eye makeup off very easily  Retails for $10. 

So friends, this might be a repurchase in my future!  For now this is what I am loving and the pretty purple color is a little bonus!  Plus, it's easy to get as I am at Target 2-3 times a week...shhh. 

I hope this helps you if you are looking for a good makeup remover!

Dinner in a Pumpkin

I love pumpkins...I make something with pumpkin in it once a week during fall so I am always looking for new recipes that include pumpkin.

I found this recipe this summer on one of the blogs that I follow and I could not wait for fall to arrive to try it!  As soon as pumpkins hit the stores and the weather cooled off enough, I tried it!  It was a hit with Darling Husband and I, but the kiddos weren't as keen, so I plan to make a few small changes to make it more enticing to them next time.  It is definitely a hearty recipe and I will probably wait until it is downright cold outside to make it again.

A couple of recommendations:

If When I try it again, I will probably do individual sugar pumpkins and make them each a little different.  For example, I love mushrooms and Hubby does not, so I will probably add mushrooms to mine and I want to try the water chestnuts idea as well. 

I will only make 2 cups of rice to add.  Four cups was way too much and I found that it was mostly rice, whereas I would have liked more meat. 

Overall, it was a very easy recipe--the hardest part was cleaning out the pumpkin :)  I can't wait to try more from the same blog---some of them looked DELICIOUS!

Here are a few pics of how mine turned out:

Getting ready to go in the oven

 My boys waiting for it to get done.

Happy Cooking!

Maybelline Falsies Mascara Review

This week I will be reviewing my current favorite mascara.  I admit, I tried it purely because the tube was pretty.  Purple is my favorite color and I like the pretty blue writing.  As you will soon find out about me, I am a sucker for packaging.  Well, lucky for me, this time the product lived up to the pretty package :)

I picked it up in Blackest Black at Target for about $6.  I don't like to spend a lot on mascara because it has to be replaced so often, so most of my mascaras come from the drugstore.  The first time I used it, I didn't love it, but this was due to user error more than the product itself.  I quickly found out that you have to use a light hand when applying, because it can look too thick and clunky if you don't.  This may be a positive aspect to some, but for my everyday "mommy" errands, I like to look a bit more natural.  When applied with a light hand, it separates and lengthens lashes beautifully and even adds some natural volume.  I usually use two light coats and the result is perfectly polished "stand-out" lashes.  For a night out, I think I could definitely use a heavier application to get the "Falsies" look, but I would be a little more careful to actually keep the mascara on my lashes and not my eyelids. 

Overall, this product is a win and unless I hear about a new mascara that guarantees something that I have to have, I will be repurchasing.   For now, it is a staple in my everyday makeup routine. 

Weekly Product Review: MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

This is a new product from one of my favorite makeup companies: MAC.  I have always loved MAC for their eyeshadows, which have amazing staying power and an unending color selection.  However, I have never been wowed by their foundations and concealers.  I have tried them and they were alright, but not something that I repurchased. However, I have been on a hunt for the perfect concealer for my undereye darkness.  My circles have nothing to do with how much sleep I get or don't get as they are there regardless.  I guess I am just genetically lucky...

I have tried numerous concealers, from high end to drugstore, that have promised the world but I have yet to find one that actually delivers.  I received an email that MAC was coming out with a new line of foundations, concealers and lipsticks called Pro Longwear.  I was intrigued by it and began doing some research about the products, mainly the concealers.  I read many great reviews about it from lucky ladies who were able to get the products before they were released.  As soon as I could, I made it to the MAC store to try it.  I was matched to shade NW20 (the same as what I usually wear in MAC) and was very happy with what I saw when I looked in the mirror.  I decided to purchase it, but my hopes weren't set very high as many times, I get home and it looks totally different.  I have now been using this for about a week and I am pretty happy with it.  Of all the concealers that I have tried, I think this covers the best.  I also appreciate that it doesn't oxidize, crease, or get cakey over the course of the day.  These features alone make it better than the others I have tried.  It also comes with a built-in pump, which I like, once I learned that I don't need to push it all the way down to get the amount of product that I need.

One thing that I don't love about this new product is that it comes in a glass bottle.  With an 18-month old on the loose around my house, nothing is safe and for some reason my makeup is one of his favorite places to play.   

It will take quite awhile to use up this whole container, and it's a good thing because it cost $17.50 for .3 oz. but if it keeps me looking fresh, I will be repurchasing when I run out.

First Product Review--Kirkland Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

This is going to be the first post in a weekly segment that I am going to start doing.  Each week I will review a new "product".  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am kind of a product junkie.  I will be first in line to try something that guarantees anything.  This isn't just beauty products, but also kitchen products, cleaning, etc.  So I figured I might as well put it to good use and let other people know about the things that I have tried. 

Without further ado, I picked up this shampoo and conditioner after a rave review from a member on a fashion board that I belong to (fashionism.org).  It is supposed to be a dupe for Pureology Nanoworks, which is a bit over my budget, so I have never tried to compare.  When I first picked it up at Costco, I was a bit skeptical as my hair is very fine, so I was concerned that the moisturizing ingredients may weigh it down.  I figured if it didn't work for me, I would just use it on Grace's hair as it is not nearly as picky.  I couldn't wait to get home a try it and I have to say that it is as amazing as the reviews!  I instantly felt a difference in my hair, just in combing through it after my shower.  I usually have to use some sort of detangling spray because I have naturally wavy/tangly hair.  Well this time, the comb glided right through my locks and I knew instantly that this was something great.  I didn't use any styling products because I wanted to see what it was like on my bare locks.  It was so soft and frizz-free and actually laid quite nicely.  I didn't even have to use my flat iron!  It is also sulfate-free which is a bonus for my already damaged/color-treated hair.  The best part though, is that the shampoo and conditioner LITERS!! cost me $16 total.  So not only is this stuff amazing for your hair, but it doesn't hurt your pocketbook either!  

I will be repurchasing another set of the shampoo and conditioner just in case Costco decides to discontinue it (as has occurred many times with many things I grew to love).  You do have to have a Costco membership, and honestly after using this stuff, it might just be reason enough to keep our membership, though I think the organic eggs and hormone-free milk that we buy there is reason enough. 

In short, these new products are amazing and if you are like me and like to try new things that promise great results, you must run out and buy this immediately!

Falling for Fall

Today, well tonight at 10:06 PM actually, is the first day of my favorite season!  

I anticipate fall all year long and it never lasts long enough when it finally arrives.  So I start my own "fall" a little earlier every year.  I love everything about the season: pumpkins, candles, leaves, the colors, Halloween, Thanksgiving, baking, I could go on forever...

Fall baking- already in full-swing this year at our house

My first apple pie of the season!

Fall Candles

Picking out pumpkins, which we did last night:

And last but never least, the weather!  Fall weather is perfect for chunky sweaters and new boots!

So blessed!

The end of the school year was yesterday which brought about many bittersweet emotions.  I had to say goodbye to a class that, though they made me dread many school days, I got very attached to and I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye.  However, it was also the beginning of something very wonderful...I get to start a new chapter in my life, a new full-time job: I get to be a mommy and put all of my focus and energy into that.  I am very excited (though nervous too as I know what this entails) and I am so happy for my kids!  They deserve a mommy that gives them her full attention and has the energy to do all the things they want to do and read as many books as they want to read!  We are going to kick-off the summer by going to play in the water and getting haircuts!

Happy Summer :)