February Orange Glad Review

Well, this review is pretty late, but I wanted to post it anyway for continuity's sake (March's box will be reviewed shortly as well).  The Orange Glad Sweet Box is a gourmet dessert box that, for $15 a month, will deliver a variety of sweet treats to your door.

I was gifted a three-month subscription to Orange Glad, and February's box was my second.  I expected a lot of Valentine's Day themed treats, and they certainly didn't disappoint.

February's box contained a total of five snacks, and I felt that they had a pretty good variety of types of treats to try.

• A Couple of Squares Valentine Sugar Cookie - Sugar cookies are always a win for me, so I was happy to receive one in this box.  The frosting was a bit crunchier than I prefer, but still delicious nonetheless.
• Chocomize Belgian Milk Chocolate On a Spoon - I've seen a bunch of "on a stick/on a spoon" products around but hadn't tried any prior to this box.  I actually still haven't tried this hot chocolate, which you stick in a mug of milk and microwave so that it melts, but that's mostly because I just (shockingly) haven't had a craving for it.  I have a feeling that it's going to be very rich, so I want to drink it during a time when I know I'll really want it and finish it all.
• Desserts on Us Almond & Dark Chocolate Cookie - You can't see this cookie in the photo above, but it's behind the heart-shaped chocolate.  It was really crunchy and amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed it!  It was kind of wafer-like in texture, but covered in caramel and chocolate.
• Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier Chocolate Heart Lollipop - I appreciated the simplicity of this milk chocolate lollipop -- who doesn't love milk chocolate?  It tasted great and was fun to eat.
• Renaissance Kosher Foods Coconut Macaroon - I don't like coconut so I passed these off to a friend who said that they were delicious!

Here's a photo of the Desserts on Us cookie, along with the A Couple of Squares Valentine heart.

Bottom Line: February's Orange Glad Sweet Box was another great box for me.  I like that even though it's all desserts, they do a good job of sending a variety of different products.  To learn more about the box and sign up for a subscription, check out the Orange Glad website.

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

March The Tasteful Pantry Treat Box Review

If you have a diet that requires certain restrictions, The Tasteful Pantry is the perfect subscription service to help you discover new foods that fit your needs!  You can let them know exactly what you want or don't want in your box, and they'll send one to you each month that's perfectly tailored to your needs.

The Tasteful Pantry's Treat Box costs $21.99 per month, or $23.99 for a one-time purchase.  Shipping is free for addresses within California and $3 for US addresses outside of it (they hope to be able to offer free shipping across the entire US as they grow).  Currently they only ship within the US.

Each box contains five to seven individually sized snacks, customized to any "free-from" preferences you provide to them.  You can choose any or all of the following: gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, soy-free, and nut-free.  Customers can also purchase the free-from snacks that have been included in past boxes directly from the Tasteful Pantry shop if they so choose.  Members who register their contact information gain access to a members-only section of the website where they receive discounted pricing and specialty products only available to them.

I don't have any of the above-listed dietary restrictions, but I chose to receive nut-free products because they (nut products) aren't my favorites.  I love that The Tasteful Pantry offers so many "free-from" options, though, because I can appreciate how frustrating it must be at times to find quality foods that are also in line with specific dietary needs.

My Treat Box came with seven snacks, as well as seven small cards that detailed each product.

• The Better Chip Spinach and Kale Chips - These are made with whole grain corn and real, fresh vegetables and are also all-natural and GMO-free.  I haven't tried them yet, but I love kale chips so I bet they'll be delicious.
• Giddy Up & Go Seriously Seedy Granola - This nut-free granola contains organic pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds as well as antioxidant-rich dried fruits.  I'm going to take this with me to work tomorrow and eat it as my breakfast.
• Way Better Snacks Simply Sprouted Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips - These chips were the only product that I knew of before receiving this box, and I was so excited to see them!  I buy Way Better Snacks chips on a regular basis and the Sweet Chili sprouted chips are one of my favorites.  They're perfectly spicy and have a great crunch, I highly recommend them.

• Bee Nut Free Oatmeal Cinnamon Cookie - This cookie is huge!  I was so happy when I saw it because I love cookies and anything that has cinnamon in it.  It's free from the top eight food allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and gluten/wheat) and made with all-natural ingredients.
• Mediterranean Snacks Rosemary Herb Lentil Crackers - I opened these up right away because I was really curious about how they tasted, and unfortunately I didn't care for them.  It wasn't that they tasted bad, I just didn't care for the flavor combination.  I gave them to my brother, and he thoroughly enjoyed them.
• Jumpstart Apple Bar - This bar is hand-made and unrefined and a source of all-natural energy.  This is going to be another on-the-go breakfast bar for me in the near future.  I think I'll really like it because I love apples.
• Golden Valley Natural Organic Beef Jerky - This protein-rich snack contains natural smoky flavors of ranch-raised beef, sea salt, and onion.  It sounds great and I will definitely be giving it a try soon.

I was incredibly impressed with this Treat Box from The Tasteful Pantry!  I loved the variety of snacks, especially because I had never heard of most of these brands before.  I look forward to trying them all and purchasing more in the future.  I especially appreciate how easy it is to use the website's shop feature, and that you can sort by any of the "-free" options to view products to try.

• Learn more about The Tasteful Pantry's Treat Box at their website
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

Bottom Line: The Tasteful Pantry's Treat Box is an excellent, affordable subscription option for anyone who has special dietary needs, or someone who simply wants to receive a box of delicious, health-conscious snacks!

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by The Tasteful Pantry.  I did not receive monetary compensation.

March MunchPak Review

MunchPak is a fairly new food subscription box that delivers snacks from all over the world to your door each month!  They have three different box sizes, and this review is for the MunchPak Mini box.

MunchPak has a lot of different size and delivery options, so you'll surely find a box to fit your needs and price point.  You can sign up for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly deliveries of their Mini-, Original-, or Family-sized Paks.  The Mini costs $7.95, Original is $13.95, and the Family is $24.95.  They ship to the U.S. and Canada, and shipping for my MiniPak cost $6.89 within the U.S.  I'm not sure if the larger boxes have a higher shipping cost, and I'm assuming shipping is a bit more expensive to Canada.

My MiniPak arrived in a standard cardboard box with the MunchPak logo taped around it, and the box was much bigger than I was anticipating.  Don't let the "Mini" name fool you, this option promises one pound of snacks (two for the Original, and three and a half or more for the Family)!  It ships from Arizona and I live in New York, and I think it took around five or six business days to get to me.

I was really impressed and happy with my selection of snacks!  Like I said, I was not expecting this many items, so it was a pleasant surprise.  My eyes immediately went to the cute bunny package because rabbits are my favorite animal.  I really like that MunchPak sends international snacks, because it's fun to discover different foods that I don't otherwise have access to.

• Japanese Cookies: I am not sure what the brand name is for these, but the bunny package has a label in English on the back that just says "cookie."  I haven't tried these yet, but they look like little puffs.
• Banana Passa: I believe this is a Brazilian snack, since the Brazilian flag is on the front of the label.  It's dried slices of banana and I haven't tried it yet, but I'm assuming it will be a bit like fruit leather.
• Gansito Cookie: These are from Mexico and they were my favorite snack in the box!  They are absolutely delicious and I am going to see if I can purchase more.  They're covered in chocolate and filled with a berry jelly, and have chocolate sprinkles on top.
• Calbee Shrimp Chips: I have a friend whose family is from the Phillippines and she said she basically grew up on these chips, so I'm assuming they're a Filipino brand (or from somewhere else in the Pacific Islands).  I couldn't bring myself to try them because I do not like seafood, but I gave them to my brother to try and he said they definitely tasted like shrimp, but there was something about them that he didn't quite like.
• Orange Chewits: These are a candy similar to Starburst from the United Kingdom.  I wish I could have tried other flavors, but the orange was good and fruity.
• Smarties: These are also from the UK, they were kind of like M&Ms in the sense that they were candy-coated chocolate, but they tasted more like Sixlets to me.  I liked them, and I thought the name was fun because to me here in the U.S., Smarties are these.
• Rowntree's Randoms: These gummies are also from the UK and are basically just a mix of random shapes and flavors.  They tasted great!
• Nature Valley Crunchy Oats 'n Honey: This is the only snack that was familiar to me, as I purchase them from time to time to eat as a breakfast-on-the-go.

Bottom Line: I don't know the retail value of this box, but to me it was definitely worth it.  I really like MunchPak and I can't wait to see what they include in my box for next month!  The only downside I could see is if you have dietary restrictions then this box may not be for you, since some of the labels are not in English and therefore you might not be able to tell what ingredients are included.

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

Beyond Polish Spring Collection Review - Part I

Beyond Polish is a great resource for nail polish and supplies; I've reviewed them once before and I was more than happy to try out some more colors when they asked me to review some of their new arrivals for spring!

I received five polishes total, but I'm splitting this review up into two parts.  The first polish I'll be reviewing is When Stars Collide from China Glaze's Hologlam holographic collection.  Ignore my disgusting cuticles in these swatch photos and just concentrate on how pretty the polishes are!  I love China Glaze's formula and I'm never disappointed by their color collection.  The polishes in the Hologlam collection are absolutely gorgeous, and I loved When Stars Collide.  As you can see from the swatch photo, it really has a ton of holographic reflecting particles (I don't know what the technical term would be).  It's just absolutely gorgeous when it hits the light!

Next up is C-C-Courage, also by China Glaze.  This is from their Wizard of Ooh Ahz collection.  This one isn't a holo, but it's definitely glittery.  The hue is purple with hints of blue, and I really love how the glitter catches the light.  This one is great for day or night, and was opaque to my liking after three coats (but you could probably get away with two as well).

Last but not least is Prima Donna by Jessica Custom Nail Color.  This brand was new to me, but I looked up a few swatches of the colors that Beyond Polish had available and they all looked amazing so I had to try a bottle.  This purple/blue (can you tell I went with a purple theme this time around?) shimmer is just stunning!  The swatch photo doesn't do it nearly enough justice.  I was also impressed by the formula; the polish applied very smoothly and was opaque after two coats.

• Visit Beyond Polish to view their full line of products
• Connect with them on Facebook

Bottom Line: Beyond Polish has a ton of nail polish brands to choose from, and they just got a bunch of new arrivals for spring.  I chose to review cruelty-free only brands, but they also have lots of new colors from brands like Essie and OPI.  Aside from the plethora of polishes available (including gels), they also have acrylics, nail treatments, tools, and spa items for sale.  Beyond Polish really is a one-stop shop for all of your nail care needs!

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Beyond Polish.  I received no monetary compensation.

Birchbox Limited Edition Party In a Box Review

Last month Birchbox announced that they were releasing a limited edition "Party In a Box" box, and the only way you could acquire one was by winning one.  I was lucky enough to be one of the winners, so here's what was inside!

The box contained a bunch of items to throw an Oscars party with.  Now, I feel pretty stupid, because even though the box was called "Party In a Box," I didn't make the connection until I opened it up and started reading the informational card.  I thought it was a really cute idea.

The box was much bigger than the standard Birchbox, and it came as a box inside of a box (it was about the same size as the other limited edition boxes I've gotten before, so if you've purchased one from Birchbox you'll be familiar with the size).  The packaging, as you can see, was really pretty.  The little paper strips were a fun detail, but they also got all over the place, so that wasn't so fun to clean up.

There was a nice handwritten card on top of the box when I opened it, which I thought was a nice personal touch.  Inside of the envelope beneath that card were a bunch of mini cards with party ideas, and larger cards where party guests could cast their votes for all of the Oscar categories.  There was also an informational card that gave further details about the items inside of the box.

The party supplies that were included were as follows:

• Assorted Decor: napkins, plates, straws, and ballons.  The napkins and plates aren't pictured above, but you can see them in the first photo in this post.
• DIY Tissue Paper Tassel Garland: The box contained tissue paper (which also can be seen in the first photo) which you could turn into a garland.  One of the smaller cards in the envelope gave the instructions on how to make it.
• Fatty Sundays Pretzels: These pretzels are hand-dipped in white chocolate for a mix of salty and sweet.  I actually haven't tried them yet, it kind of weirded me out that they were so metallic in color.
• Pens: These markers were for casting your ballots with and have the Birchbox name on the side.

The box also contained five or six (I'm a bad reviewer---I can't remember how many exactly) gift bags to give to your guests!  Each bag had lots of gold glitter in it, a Beauty Protector Protect & Oil, Cynthia Rowley Beauty Liquid Liner, and a Ruby Wing Nail Polish in the color Ride 'Em Cowgirl.

The last presents in the box were for the hostess (me!).  They included a Cynthia Rowley Pouch, Liquid Liner, and Beauty Palette No. 1.  The pouch is nice and large so it will definitely come in handy for when I go on trips.  The palette is gorgeous; it contains neutral shades, which are my favorite.  I haven't tried the liner yet, and to be honest I'm not a huge fan of liquid liners so I will probably give this to my mom to use.  Pictured below are the five shades in the palette (the speckled one in the middle is shown in both photos).

 

Bottom Line: I actually didn't end up hosting an Oscars party (I was just too tired), but I did give away the gift bags to friends, which they loved.  The No. 1 Palette was definitely my favorite item from the box, and the other party supplies will not go to waste.  One of my best friends' birthdays is coming up, so I'm going to use the items to decorate her cube at work!

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.

Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask Review #powerofplants

My favorite product in the Influenster J'Adore VoxBox was definitely the Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask.  This brand was entirely new to me before receiving the mask in my box, so I was really excited to give it a try!

I have oily skin, so I am always interested in trying new clay masks.  The clay works to draw out excess oil in the skin and balance sebum production, but I've found that some clay masks are too harsh on my also sensitive skin.  It's a really strange combination of skin types to have, so I was so glad to find that the Ionic Clay Mask works perfectly for both!

The mask "actively removes impurities and deeply cleanses with clarifying willowbark," as stated on the front label.  Willowbark is a natural source of salicylic acid, which helps to refine the skin.  It also contains oceanic minerals that draw out deep-rooted oil without over drying, so skin is left feeling cleaner, softer, and smoother.  Boots Botanics uses plant extracts approved by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to bring skin care that is proven to work.  I like that the ingredient list is very short: sea silt (natural oceanic clay), aqua (water), potassium sorbate, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, and salix nigra (Willow) bark extract.

I recommend giving the tube a good shake before using.  The first time I used this mask I didn't, and a bunch of liquid ended up getting all over the place.  It's a lot less viscous than other clay masks I've used before, but a few good shakes will help mix it all up so that you get a consistency like the one in the photo above.  It dries really quickly after applying to the skin, and the instructions recommend leaving it on for only 10 minutes.  I appreciate that it's so fast drying, because sometimes I don't feel like sitting around with a mask on my face for too long.  With other clay masks I've experienced a stinging sensation as the clay got to work, but this one was very gentle and I didn't have any sort of stinging feeling.  My skin was left feeling really soft and smooth after, and I really did feel that the extra oil and been drawn away.

• Visit the Boots USA store to browse their full line of products
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube

Bottom Line: I really like this mask!  I'm definitely going to look into Boots Botanics some more.  I like that they are using plant-based ingredients and are also cruelty-free.  The best part about this mask was that it balanced my oily skin without irritating it too much.

*Disclaimer: I received this product for review purposes through the Influenster program.

February Nature Box Review

Since I just got my March Nature Box in the mail today, I figured it was about time for me to post my February review.  This was the second box in a row where I had a snack replaced because something was out of stock, which was a little disappointing, and the shipment was also delayed.  I contacted Nature Box because I was worried that it shipped and I still hadn't received it after a week, but they informed me of the delay and gave me a $5 credit toward my next box, so that was nice of them.

This is my third box (see past reviews here); I didn't write a review for January's box because the photos I took weren't great and by the time I realized it I had already eaten all of the snacks!  I tried Nature Box on a whim when they had a Black Friday sale, and after my first box I was hooked.  It costs $19.99 a month for five snacks, but they also have plans for 10 or 20 snacks.

First up is the Homestyle Cheddar Mix, which is my new absolute favorite snack ever!  This was so good, I can't even do it justice in this review.  I ate the whole bag up pretty quickly and I also didn't share it with anyone!  If you're a fan of salty snacks and cheese, this is definitely worth trying.  As you can see from the photo above, it contains cheese-flavored corn chips, corn nuts, and pretzels.  They were all nice and crunchy and the flavor was just absolutely amazing.  I'm absolutely going to order another bag of this in my next box.

I love seaweed crackers and dried seaweed, so I was curious to try the Seaweed Rice Pops.  They didn't disappoint--they have a great flavor that's almost sweet (probably from the soy sauce) that balances well with the seaweed flavor.  They were a bit dangerous, though, because their small size made it easy to just pop a bunch in my mouth at once and snack away!

I love cheese, and I actually had selected the Sourdough Cheddar Pretzels for my January box, but they were out of stock that month (much to my chagrin).  I was going to be really upset if they were missing again from my February box, but I obviously did not have to worry about that.  These were great!  The cheddar flavor wasn't as strong as with the Homestyle Cheddar Mix, but it was still really yummy.

I love guacamole, so the Guacamole Bites were another natural choice.  These were a little disappointing.  They tasted good, but the guacamole flavor wasn't as strong as I was hoping for.  They honestly just tasted like really salty corn chips.  They weren't bad, but I probably wouldn't order these again.

My last snack was a replacement item.  I had requested the Apple Orchards Granola, but it was out of stock so I got the Whole Wheat Apple Pie Figgy Bars instead.  I wasn't crazy about them, but they actually turned out to be a great little snack to take on-the-go (I threw them in my carry-on when I went on vacation a few weeks ago).  They tasted good, but it just wasn't quite what I wanted so I felt pretty indifferent about them.

Bottom Line: Nature Box is my favorite food subscription of the ones I've tried.  I think the portion sizes are great, and I love that I can select which snacks I want each month (there are a ton to choose from).  Overall, this box was a good one!

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.  Post contains referral links.

Hask Hair Products Review

I have long, thick hair, but I do not treat it very nicely.  I haven't been straightening it as much as I use to, but I still blowdry it for a few minutes each day before putting it up into a bun.  Needless to say, years of heat styling leave it pretty dry and fried, so I'm always on the lookout for products to help repair my hair.  Hask has a wonderful line of hair products that do exactly that!

Hask sent me a total of eight different products to try, along with two Twistbands and a shower caddy (not pictured).  The products on the left are from the Keratin Protein line, and the ones on the right are from their Argan Oil line.  I was so excited to try these because I've used argan oil before, but never keratin, and of course I was curious to see what the results of both would be.

Normally I would sample hair products for about a month before writing up a review, but for this one I had a seven day period to try the product before I needed to publish.  I wasn't sure if that would be enough time for me to really see results, but I was wrong!  The Keratin Protein Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner made my hair feel so much softer after just one use!  I also really enjoyed the Shine Oil, which amplified the effects of the shampoo and conditioner.  I have not yet tried the Deep Conditioner, but I bet it is amazing.  Keratin protein is what your hair is made of, so Hask's products work to restore, revive, and strengthen damaged hair using ingredients that are naturally found in your hair.  I also really liked how great they smelled; the scent was slightly fruity.

The Argan Oil Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner also made my hair feel soft and smooth.  The argan oil used in Hask's line is from Morocco, where it is prized for the way it strengthens and moisturizers hair.  It's loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, and the effect these products had on my hair was wonderful.  Like with the Keratin Protein line, my hair felt noticeably different after one use.  I was able to use the Deep Conditioner for this set, and I couldn't stop touching my hair because it left it feeling so smooth and soft!

• Visit the Hask website to learn more and view their full line of products
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest

Bottom Line: If your hair is damaged in any way, whether it be from heat styling, coloring, or just general environmental factors, I highly recommend the Hask Keratin Protein and Argan Oil lines!  Both left my hair feeling restored after just one use.  Best yet, they are a 100% cruelty-free company.

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Hask and powered by BrandBacker.

Influenster J'Adore VoxBox Review

I hadn't been chosen for a full Influenster VoxBox in a while, so I was excited when I found out that I'd been selected for the J'Adore VoxBox!  I like to be surprised but I'm also super impatient, so I looked up other blog posts before mine came to see what was inside, and I was pleased with most of the items.

Influenster is a program that connects members with various products for free in exchange for promoting them across their social media accounts.  Aside from these themed VoxBoxes, they also have had brand-specific boxes such as the Celestial Seasonings VoxBox that I recently reviewed (you can view all of my past Influenster programs by clicking here).  The only downside is that you have to just wait and hope that you're chosen for a program, since the companies dictate what kind of demographics they'd like to reach.  You can increase your chances by being active on social media and participating on the Influenster site, though.

The J'Adore VoxBox contained items from five different brands, and I liked the variety of items this time around.  Here's a rundown of what I thought of each product:

• John Frieda Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight: I wasn't sure if John Frieda was a cruelty-free brand or not (I usually just assume that most drugstore brands are not), but according to a post by Beauty and the Freak, they confirmed with her via email that they do not test on animals.  However, according to PETA, their parent company, Kao USA Inc, does test on animals.  I tried this product once, but after learning that they are not entirely cruelty-free, I will not be using it any further.  It didn't really work that well on my thick hair anyway.
• Hershey's Kisses: I loved the family bag of Kisses that was included in this box!  Who doesn't love chocolate?  It was a fun item to have for Valentine's Day.  This box arrived a few days before I left for my vacation to Florida, so I took them along with me on the trip.
• Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask: This brand was new to me, and I was intrigued by this mask because I have oily skin and I like to use clay masks for purification, but a lot of them are really harsh.  This one is made from plant extracts and was much more gentle, but still effective at reducing oiliness.  An article on Buying Cruelty Free provides an email from a Boots representative stating that they are a cruelty-free company.  I like that they state that they are looking into becoming Leaping Bunny certified as well!
• Kiss Lashes: I've never used fake lashes before and I'm a little intimidated by them.  I have short lashes that stick straight out, but I'm just afraid that these are more trouble than their worth.  I also couldn't find any definitive answer about whether they are cruelty-free or not.
• Red Rose Teas: I received teas in Lemon Chiffon and Creme Caramel.  The Creme Caramel flavor was delicious!  I have yet to try the Lemon Chiffon, but I do like lemon teas.  I was familiar with this brand prior to the VoxBox, so I knew I would enjoy them.

Bottom Line: My favorite product in this box was definitely the Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask.  Even though not all of the brands were cruelty-free, I can appreciate the variety of items that Influenster sent.  I had a fun time with this VoxBox!

*Disclaimer: I received this box as part of the Influenster program.  I received no monetary compensation.

Noxicare Natural Pain Relief Cream Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I've set some new personal fitness goals for myself recently, and part of that includes a lot of push-ups and sit-ups.  Since it's been a while since I've actively worked out my upper body on a regular basis, these bodyweight exercises leave me feeling a little sore in the morning sometimes.  I discovered the Noxicare Natural Pain Relief Cream just in time to help me through the day-after soreness!

Noxicare's Natural Pain Relief Cream is a patented formula that contains a proprietary combination of seven of the world's most potent natural pain relievers, formulated by Reza Ghorbani, MD ABIPP, FIPP.  They work quickly to alleviate inflammation, muscle aches, and nerve pain and suitable for everyday use.  The seven natural ingredients are:

• Alpha Lipoic Acids: antioxidants used for increased blood flow to the nerves
• Boswellia Extract: anti-inflammatory used to treat arthritis and joint pain
• Ginger Extract: helps alleviate muscle strains, pains associated with arthritis and rheumatism, and is a catalyst for improving the effectiveness of the other herbs
• Holy Basil Extract: boasts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
• Rosemary Extract: has served a variety of purposes, including topical use for joint or musculoskeletal pain
• Turmeric Extract: one of the most powerful healers found in nature, it is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties
• Willow Bark Extract: has been used to treat pain and inflammation dating back all the way to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians

The cream is yellow in color and its consistency is similar to that of a body butter.  It spreads onto the skin very easily and absorbs quickly with no greasy residue.  I've been using it mainly on my shoulders and along my obliques when I encounter post-workout soreness, and it really has been helping to cut down on the muscle pain.  I also have back issues, so a dab of this cream in the morning helps me feel less pain throughout the day.  It doesn't have that signature tingly feeling that other mass-market creams have, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's not working.  I can say with confidence that this cream performed extremely well in combating my aches and pains.

• Visit the Noxicare site to learn more and purchase a tube
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Bottom Line: The Noxicare Natural Pain Relief Cream is a great option for combating common aches.  Whether you're new to homeopathic remedies or an old fan, I think you'll be pleased with the results!

If you'd like to try Noxicare for yourself, enter to win a tube using the Rafflecopter below!  Open to US residents aged 18+; please see the bottom of the form for full Terms & Conditions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Beautiful Prom Dresses From JenJenHouse.com!

It's prom season, and that means time to shop for dresses!  I remember the anticipation of picking out the perfect dress, and the excitement of trying one on for the first time.  March might seem too soon to start dress shopping, but I promise you that the sooner, the better for prom dresses.  You don't want to miss out on the dress of your dreams, so head to JenJenHouse.com and snatch one up right away!

JenJenHouse.com is the perfect place to look for your dress.  They have tons of gorgeous dresses to choose from in a variety of styles and colors, so you're sure to find one that you'll love!  One that really caught my eye was the A-Line/Princess One-Shoulder Floor-Length Chiffon dress pictured above.  I love how flowy the material is!

Another lovely option is the A-Line/Princess V-neck Chapel Train Tulle Prom Dress With Beading, pictured above.  As you can see from just these two options alone, JenJenHouse.com has many different dresses to suit your style; whether you like something simple or a bit more glam!  They ship worldwide and have dresses for every price point, so no matter what your budget is you're sure to find a great dress.

JenJenHouse also has an in-depth search feature, so you can narrow down the type of dress that you want by silhouette, neckline, hemline, embellishment, fabric--plus many more options!  They make it so easy to find your perfect dress, so shopping the website is stress-free and a ton of fun, too.

• Visit JenJenHouse.com to browse their full line of dresses
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Bottom Line: Check out JenJenHouse.com for all of your prom dress needs!  You won't be disappointed.

*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by JenJenHouse.com.  I received monetary compensation in exchange for writing about the website.

Forever Flawless Diamond Infused Skincare Review

Forever Flawless creates luxury skincare products that contain micronized, natural, and genuine diamond powder for exfoliation.  Their line caters to those who seek to defy the aging process and to retain fresh, energetic, and revitalized skin.  They kindly sent me a few of their products to try, all of which are cruelty-free.  I was excited to try them because I could channel my inner Lindsay Bluth (Arrested Development, anyone?)!

The first thing I noticed about Forever Flawless is that their packaging is exquisite!  They sent me four products total, the Diamond Infused Eye Serum, Snake Venom Correcting Cream, Diamond Infused Collagen Boosting Cream, and the Diamind Infused HYDRA-PM Night Cream Complex.

I really loved the packaging for the Night Cream and the Collagen Boosting Cream!  The jars are just so pretty and would look great on any vanity.  The Night Cream is part of the White Diamond collection and the Collagen Boosting Cream is from the Pink Diamond collection.  Both have silky-smooth textures and are very lightly scented.  My skin is sensitive, and these didn't irritate it at all.  A little bit goes a long way, too, so each jar will last quite a while.

I don't currently have a problem with fine lines or wrinkles, but using creams such as the Collagen Boosting Cream (pictured on the right in the photo above) can't hurt as a preventative measure.  It works to boost natural collagen production and is infused with an extra-fine diamond powder, vitamin E, and soothing botanicals.  The Night Cream contains the diamond powder, rich botanicals, skin-conditioning vitamins, and milk proteins to revitalize and regenerate the skin while you sleep.

My favorite product of the bunch was the Diamond Infused Eye Serum.  It has a rich, silky formula that was developed to deliver immediate results to the delicate skin around the eyes.  I loved how smooth the texture was; it made it very easy to dab this around my eye area without pulling on the skin.  It promises to correct existing fine lines, under-eye circles, and puffiness.  Like I said, I don't currently have any wrinkles, but I don't want them any time soon either, so I definitely enjoyed using this product to help keep them away!

Last up is the Snake Venom Correcting Cream.  At first the name scared me a bit, but no need to worry -- it doesn't actually contain anything venomous!  The key ingredient is an advanced peptide which mimics the activity of Waglerin 1, a polypeptide found in the venom of the Temple Viper.  What does this mean for your skin?  Much like Botox, this peptide blocks nerve signals that tell your face muscles to contract, which prevents wrinkles from forming.  I used this a few times and noticed that it absorbs very quickly.  You definitely only need to use a small amount and only on specific areas, since this is a highly potent cream.  I used it on a few spots on my forehead.

• Visit the Forever Flawless website to view their full line of products
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

Bottom Line: If you're in the market for luxury skincare, I think Forever Flawless is definitely worth it!  Their products are not all-natural, but they are cruelty-free.  I enjoyed all of these products, especially the eye serum and night cream.

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Forever Flawless.  I received no monetary compensation.

STEAMCREAM Precious Tin Review

If you've been around my blog for a while, you already know that I'm a huge fan of STEAMCREAM (read all of my reviews here)!  They're a cult favorite in the UK and Japan, and recently started selling in the U.S. as well.  I'm so glad they did, because their moisturizer has been a must-have for me this winter.

STEAMCREAM kindly sent me their Precious limited edition tin to review, and the beautiful floral design helps me remember that spring is on the horizon, and hopefully that means an end to these single-digit temperatures!  To be honest, though, I kind of love the winter.  I don't mind the cold temperatures, but I do mind the havoc the dry air wreaks on my skin (especially my hands).  Luckily, STEAMCREAM came to my rescue!  Their unique formula is freshly-made with all-natural ingredients using a steam process that locks in its moisturizing properties in a light emulsion.  Another fun aspect is that each tin really is a work of art and only available for a limited time, so they're fun to collect and re-use once the cream is gone!

One of my favorite things about STEAMCREAM is its scent--it's very light and slightly herbal; it's hard for me to describe, but I find it to be very soothing.  The cream itself is also incredibly smooth and feels weightless on the skin.  Essential oils, including lavender, chamomile blue, and organic jojoba (and others), sink into the skin to moisturize effectively without leaving a greasy feeling on the skin.  I've been using STEAMCREAM these past few months on my hands, body, and face, and I can say with certainty that it is incredibly effective and long-lasting.  It's my favorite moisturizer to use all-around!

• Visit the STEAMCREAM website to learn more and purchase some tins for yourself
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

Bottom Line: STEAMCREAM is a fantastic natural, cruelty-free moisturizer that can be used anywhere you need it.  I love how it makes my sensitive skin feel, and I also appreciate how easily portable the eco-friendly tins are.

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by STEAMCREAM.  I received no monetary compensation.

February Nicely Noted Review

Nicely Noted is a subscription service that sends gorgeous letterpress cards to you each month.  I was so excited to learn that they had chosen me to review their February set, because I've seen reviews on other blogs and the cards were always lovely.

Perry Nelson, the founder of Nicely Noted, created the service to express her love of writing and receiving letters.  I can definitely relate--there's nothing quite like receiving a handwritten note in the mail!  Each package contains three cards, with postage, and will cost you $20 a month.  These aren't your standard drugstore cards; they really are beautiful works of art from different artists each month.  Nicely Noted ships internationally, too: the service is available in the U.S., Canada, European Union, Australia and Singapore.

I loved the cards in the February set!  The quality is fantastic and I feel like I could frame them all instead of sending them out!  The cards included were:

• Thanks A Million by Wishbone Letterpress of Hudson Valley, NY
• BDAY by Greenwich Letterpress of New York, NY
• Get Well Soon by Sycamore Street Press of Herber, UT

I think my favorite card was the "Get Well Soon" because I gravitate towards cute animals, and the bear drawing is adorable.  All three of these are great cards, though, and I can't wait to share them with my friends and family.

• Check out the Nicely Noted website to learn more and subscribe
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram

Bottom Line: Nicely Noted is a fantastic service and a great deal.  I like to have cards on hand for any situation, so this makes it so convenient to do so, plus the quality can't be beat.

*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Nicely Noted.  I received no monetary compensation.

See more photos of the individual cards after the "read more."