Influenster Vox Box

Had the pleasure to receive the so coveted purple box in the mail few days ago: the Influenster Vox Box!

Full of wonderful goodies......what a blessing to be able to try them! 

Here they are in all their splendor.....well, almost all of them!

As you can see from the wrapper, the first thing I "used" was the new Tastykake Kandy Bar kakes.

 Now, I have few excuses for devouring the whole thing at first sight without taking pictures of it or sharing it with anyone.....like, I got the box out of my mail box on a late Saturday afternoon after cleaning condos on the beach all day long, I was hungry, thirsty, tired and with no willing to cook myself anything, completely vulnerable.....XO

Truth is that it was a delicious chocolate care, made with Hershey cocoa. It smelled fantastic when I opened the wrapper and let me tell you: it was soft like if it was freshly baked that very day! 60 g of pure goodness of a chocolate covered cake with a creamy filling.....Yummy in a wrapper for 260 calories. Even with a person like me that is watching what I eat, it is totally worth it to include this snack in!! Definitely gonna find the closer distributor and stock up on those! 

The second product to come out of the Influenster Vox Box was the clear gel deodorant by Secret. It came in just in time as I was running out of my deodorant and was contemplating choosing a different brand from the one I was using as I was having problem with discoloration of my clothes in the underarm area. I usually prefer roll-on to the clear gel, but the Secret was a pleasant surprise ad it dries pretty quickly so it doesn't wet your clothes. 

I also was very thrilled that when I removed to cap, there was a protective paper slip on the top, a seal to assure the customer that the product is new and never been used before you. I don't know about you, but I always wonder when I buy deodorant at the store that someone before me might have tried on and put it back on the shelf.....eeeeewwwwwwwwwww! But it happens believe me! With the seal on the Secret deodorant, there is no doubts! So, thank you Secret for that! 

The claim that it last for 48 hours it also absolutely true! I live in Florida and it's already in the 90's here, believe me: perspiration occurs wayyyyyy too much! This product surely helps with odors and keep the area clean, so Secret: thank you for that as well! I will never go back to a generic roll on again, the Secret definitely wins my vote!

Also very impressed with the NYC Applelicious Glossy lip balm. I

 don't wear make up often, but when I do, I really have a hard time finding a lip color that I like for everyday use. 

When I opened with lip gloss, I noticed that it was called big apple red so I immediately thought "Here we go again, it's going to be a bright red that it's going to look hideous against my white complexion" :( 

But I couldn't be more wrong then that! This lip gloss gently tint my lips on a nice shade of red that it's not over the top and it's magnificent for my everyday make up style! 

I think it's because is basically 2 lip glosses in one with the outer layer in red and the orange center.....that is shaped like an apple, can you see??

I guess that's why the shade of red is so pretty and particular, rich but not too dark, plus is shiny! Even bigger plus: it smells like a real apple....puts me on a good mood every time! 

It definitely has a spot in my purse every day, so I can quickly put it on to retouch my lips. 

The other 2 products in the box were a press-on manicure set form imPRESS Broadway nails and a OSIS+ hair gel that I haven't had the chance to try yet. 

I want to try the press on nails so bad but for the whole summer I will be cleaning condos like there is no tomorrow and I don't wanna waste them, I'd like to use them for a very special occasion instead. 

The hair gel really isn't my thing as I never found a gel that looks good on me, but I swear I will give it a try. Eventually!

Trading: Soaplicity

Found a new shop I love though the pipes of the Trading Post: Soaplicity. 

The owner, Roshan, is a sweetheart and real piece of cake to work with it! So thrilled we worked out a trade! 

I was impressed by the mission of her store:

"Soaplicity was born out of my desire to eliminate as many toxins and chemicals from my family's daily routine and as simply as possible. After much research to learn about the properties of botanical and essential oils, clays, and organics, and experimentation (i.e. - using my family as test subjects. Don't worry, no family member was harmed in the development of any product), I now offer these wonderful products to the public!
That is how we can give you OUR PROMISE: you will never find artificial colors, artificial fragrances, microwave processes, parabens, sulfates, or cruelty testing in any of our products."

My eyes were immediately caught but her lilac soaps: I love lilac scented soap, I feel it's a very relaxing and soothing scent and that's what I need at the end of a long day. 

I was intrigued but the fact that she had 2 different lilac soaps listed in her shop and decided to get them both to see the difference between the 2! 

A big plus in choosing her bars for me was the inclusion in her formula of seeds and buds: call me silly, but it makes me feel close to nature when I wash with soaps like that, it feels natural and just "right". 

My interest was even more acute when I received the sweetly wrapped soaps: I could already smell the difference between the 2 bars. 

 

Lavender Kiss has a clear and sweet orange note. 

From Roshan description: "A tantalizing blend of lavender, orange, and patchouli essential oils makes this bar deep-breathing heaven. A moisturizing blend of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Cocoa Butter deep conditions the skin while it cleans, and locks in moisture all day. Topped with organic lavender buds and calendula pedals. A "must try" for lavender fans." 

I couldn't agree more! I found this soap to be very soothing, yet at the same time the citrus hint make it energizing as well: perfect to use before heading out for a big day when you need to be focused and relaxed and conquer that big project you've been chasing.

  

Luxe lavender instead is truly soothing and relaxing, perfect to wash off the stress of the week off your skin, with a gentle note of vanilla and the perfect amount of oatmeal to exfoliate and cleans.

I strongly suggest you visit her shop as she has some pretty sweet deals going on: "At Soaplicity, we love our customers so now through February 14th, when you leave a comment on one of our fantastic products you get 20% off your entire order! We are also giving FREE SHIPPING on all orders of US $20.00 or more with coupon code: SOAPYLUV13"

Earrings part I

Last trade event on Artfire I traded for tons of earrings, and I mean TONS of earrings.
Don't ask me why, as I don't really know.
Of course, some will go as gifts, but some were all and ONLY for me!
While I do agree that a girl can never have enough blings, I had to wonder tho, when I'd wear some many different pairs, so I started matching them to my mood and my outfits and I'd like to show them off to all of you.

Today for example, I'm relaxing home and I'm wearing my purple outfit while I type this

So I'm sporting these matching Gold Filled Swarovski Amethyst Teardrop Earrings from Alisuns

Very elegant and cute and what I love the most is that they are very lightweight and don't bother me none if I forgot to take them off before going to sleep.

Why do I love my customers?

Yesterday afternoon my photo shoot session was interrupted by the door bell. When I opened the door there was this cute little package from Jelly Belly waiting for me.
Ready to see the content??? Yes??? Look further then!

The packaged contained a huge tin of jelly beans (shaped like a giant jelly bean!), sock with jelly beans designs and 2 jelly beans key chain, one in red for Gabriel and one in Purple for Michelle.
Surprised but slightly confused, I dag the rest of the package to see who was from and found a sweet and lovely card for my recent customer, Gail, thanking my for the hard work in serving her.....woot!!!

So, let me get this straight....I got the change to make some wonderful items, expanding my limits and play with new media and supply and for it not only I got paid, but I also got a jack pot prize???? I guess I died and went to heaven! Hoe did she know that I like to wear silly socks is beyond me. We exchanged emails and talked about fave colors (that's why she knew which colors my kids love) but the socks thing was completely a guess and she guessed right!!

And that's why I love customer orders, it really creates a connection between me and my lovely customers.

Monday cupcake Find

This Monday the feature is for knitsandmorebywlsm12!



Beanie PHOTO PROP Infant to 6 Month Cupcake/Snowball Hat Hand knit, $14 by knitsandmorebywlsm12


Couture For the Newborn

PHOTO PROP - My new Design CUPCAKE/SNOWBALL SERIES
This Newborn Photo Prop Couture is one of my New Additions - so cute - so cuddly, so soft, so irresistible.



Are you a PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER looking for some interesting ideas for BABY PROPS? You've come to the right place. I will be adding more of these PROPS and many of them will have fun seasonal, festive and holiday themes.


Babies will look absolutely adorable in this Shades of Purple Cupcake/Snowball Beanie!

Approx 6 1/2" in height from brim to top center, will fit up to 15" circumference.

I have knitted this cap with a 100% Acrylic(brim)/100% Polyester(cupcake/snowball)yarn .

Recommended Care:
Hand Wash with Wool Wash. Roll in towel to absorb excess moisture. Lay Flat to Dry, without stretching.

Can be Machine Washed and Dried Flat, although, as usual, I suggest the recommended care.


Do you have a cupcake to share with me??? XO

September recap!

A little recap about this awesome month: September.
A lot happened, happens and I hope it will keep happening on September.

The month start with my dear daddy birthday and a week later, my brother's. Don't see them from almost 4 years, miss my daddy encouragements and my brother's jokes.
In between this 2 occasions, there is also a painful occurrence in my family: my grandfather (my dad's dad) death. This year have been 10 years. I didn't make a blog post entirely for him because I know that I wouldn't want to be remembered in a sad light, but rather for his strong spirit and for the fact the he was the bond of the family, with 8 children and 16 grand kids. He wasn't lucky enough to met my Gabriel, his first grand grand son. He also suffered of asthma and that's how he passed away in a cold night of September of 10 years ago.
I was there, with my father. We got a call in the middle of the night from my grandma asking for help and my dad asked me if I would accompany him. Was like 3 in the morning but was wide awake, so I went. I'm glad I did it because I had to drive my poor destroyed father at home.
I think my dad misses him terribly, but we always laugh thinking of my grandpa, because this is how he wanted it.

2 years after that cold night, I started dating my husband as I already write about it here.
I couldn't believe he wanted to date me too, I watched him from behind the ice creams that I used to serve him for over 2 months, thinking he was sooo out of my reach.
I'm glad I was wrong about that ♥

This month also is special because Gabriel completed his first year of being on a gluten-free diet with major results.
He's now wearing a size 8 without me having to fix it anything with my sewing machine, which I'm glad because he looked very skimpy in a size 6 pants what was just right in his waist, but too short on his ankles.
One more year to go and we'll be ready to slowly reintegrate some gluten in his diet to see if he can tolerate it. Life would be easier if he could, but still I'm just happy he's growing good on this diet.

I call September the purple month because is grape time.
I'm enjoying the fact that hubby's grandma has a vine and donate us lots of grapes and I had the ability to try my hand at making grape juice. Didn't get to make any jelly, but I did get some from my mother in law that was very good.
Envious?? Don't be! Here some grapes for you!

Grapes

Curated By: Crochetedlitt...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

In Italy September is also back to school month: until i was in school I enjoyed so much going to shop for school supplies, the smell of new notebooks and used school text books, finding the right memo book to keep up with my million things to do.
Now that I'm a parent of 2, back to school is a lot of headaches, infinite waiting for school buses and this year a very big delusion with the school system that has Gabriel in care at the moment.

For a month that goes, another that comes! Stay tuned for October topics, like Halloween, Breast Cancer awareness, getting ready for holiday season and a little surprise, something a bit different from my "usual" me ;)