haul

Mini Haul: Ursa Major VT

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I love, love, love Ursa Major VT.  They have amazing skincare (read my first review here) that reminds me of being in the woods.  Many of their products have a pine-y note.  Even if woodsy scents aren’t your thing, you will love their face wash, body wash, and my personal favorite– face wipes.  The face wipes are cooling, hydrating, exfoliating, and make perfect travel buddies.  I used them while I was away, and they were the best.  If you need to freshen up, no matter where you are, the little wipe will meet your needs.

Anyway, I had a promo code and knew that I wanted to get some things.  This mini haul, I purchased a shirt, citrus body wash, and a bag of wipes.  Since you can choose samples at checkout, I picked:  A wipe, sticker, and bob of matches.  They also had an awesome promo for a free travel deodorant, so I got that as well.  I am really excited to try the deodorant as it smells so fresh!  The shirt (American Apparel) is VERY soft and will probably be a new favorite.  They do run a bit big, so if you like more form-fitting shirts, I suggest going down a size.  In case you were wondering, they are unisex.

Have you tried Ursa Major VT?  If you have a favorite (or any questions), let me know!

LUSH Kitchen Mini Haul

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This little box o’ happiness
 came sooner than I expected.
A look inside the box.

I recently made a purchase through the Lush UK site.  Even with shipping the products can be cheaper.  Things have changed, so the difference isn’t as good as it used to be, but I digress.  About a week ago I bought a few things, and the parcel arrived exactly 7 days after it was dispatched. I’m not sure if every product is unwrapped when it ships, but everything was this time (except for the soap).  When I have placed orders in the past, products were usually wrapped in a cellulose film with an ingredient list sticker.  I digress…  What’s in the box?  Well, let’s take a look!

The products, unboxed!

1.  Mouthwash Tabs

Two of the three they offered.
More fun little Polaroid cards…
not sure what to do with them.

Both of these mouthwash tabs have menthol in them.  If you aren’t a fan, then I suggest skipping them the next time they are available.  Personally, I love menthol– it opens up my sinuses.  To use them, pop one in your mouth sip some water.  Next, chew it up, just as you would with a toothy tab.  Swish, spit, and you’re ready to go!  These are are less compressed than the toothy tabs, and break up quite fast.  You can also feel them fizz because of the combination of ingredients.  Each bottle contains approximately 75 tabs.  The were a Kitchen item, and I don’t think they’re available anymore.  But, they may bring it back.

  • Creme de Menthe

Green, shimmery, and minty!

These little tabs really pack a punch.  They are very minty because they contain peppermint powder AND peppermint oil.  My mouth was first hit by the saltiness of the baking soda.  Next came the menthol, followed by mint and a hint of sweet.  The cooling effect lasted for about 30 minutes.  I think that is mostly because I didn’t have anything to eat or drink in that time.

  • Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster
Light, shimmery yellow tabs!

This product smells like a lemon & menthol cough drop.  They have a real Asian herbalist quality to them.  Because of the sweetener, there is a definite diet-taste to them.  Initially I was hit by sour/salty flavor, followed by a stinging sensation and that sweet, diet flavor.  It, literally, tastes like a super strong Ricola (save for the diet part).  My mouth felt refreshed thanks to the menthol, but there was a little bit of grit, simply because of the formula.  This tab didn’t foam as much as I expected it to, but I could feel it breaking apart, due to the acids and baking soda reacting with the liquid.  There was also an aftertaste of diet-y sweetness, lemon, and menthol, but it didn’t last more than about 10 minutes for me.

2.  Hairy McClairy Solid Shampoo

I think this looks like a light green, melting Rice Krispy bar.

During Valentine’s there was a product that smelled remarkably similar to this shampoo, mixed with something else that I can’t pinpoint.  Maybe Prince Charming?  Ugh, I can’t remember.  This solid shampoo is supposed to help with testy scalps, and because of the weather, my scalp is really off.  I have been using it every other day.  It does do a thorough job of cleaning my hair, and leaves it conditioned and shiny.  I have noticed that my hair doesn’t get greasy as fast (thanks to an oily scalp), but no other noticeable changes.  Maybe it takes more than a few washes to see the change.

3.  Soap

  • Hippy Cold-Pressed Soap
I think that’s supposed to be a lion in the center…

This is probably one of my least favorite products, scent-wise.  It’s very strong of patchouli, and reminds me of the lumber department at Home Depot.  I have not used it because I actually bought it for a friend.  I’m sure you’re wondering why I would say something negative that I bought for someone else.  Well, she loves patchouli, so I figured it would be the perfect for her.  Sadly, the center doesn’t look like anything recognizable… 

  • Quinquireme of Nineveh
Sam made the soap!

The smell of this milky, white soap reminds me of Trichomania.  It contains coconut, orange and vanilla oils, as well as other nourishing ingredients.  I really want to try this on my hair to see how it works out.  I liked the little Polaroid card with the photo of who made the soap (Sam).  

4.  Solid Conditioners

I have tried the U.S versions of these two solid conditioners, and wanted to see if the formula was any different.  I have purchased Ocean Salt from the U.S. and U.K. stores, and both were different.  The U.K. version had more salt and was a different color.  One thing I have noticed with the solid conditioners is that I really only notice its effectiveness after my hair is completely dry.  The same hold for the Avocado Co-Wash (read more about that here).

  • Sugar Daddy-O
Goes great with the Daddy-O shampoo.
This bar matches the shampoo in color (minus the shimmer) and fragrance.  It is supposed to be more for blondes as it helps to rid tame brassy tones.  The shampoo was great for my hair (brown w/gold & red tones) as it kept it shiny and beautiful.  I have yet to try this conditioner, but I hope it works as well as the U.S. one.   
  • The Plumps

Got about ½ as much as the Daddy-O . *sad*

I have been using this for the past three days, and I have not noticed a difference (yet).  The scent is really indescribable;  earthy/herbal with a sweet finish is the best I can describe it.  The scent does not linger in my hair.  While my hair feels conditioned, it is NOT more voluminous.  Also, if you’re thinking that the bar will look like the picture, it doesn’t as far as the color is concerned.  It is a much deeper pink.  Do you remember the Easter LifeSavers?  The pink one was cotton candy, and that’s what the photo reminded me of.

5.  Samples

Thank you so much to
whoever provided all of these!

In the comments box, I asked to sample the new toothy tabs, since we don’t have them in the U.S. yet.      They were kind enough to send me samples of ALL of the tooth products!  Obviously I have not tried them yet, but as I do, I will provide updates.  I think it’s interesting that they have left the Toothy Tabs in their pre-pressed, powder form, and have pressed nearly all of the new flavors.

  • Limelight
Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

  • BOOM!
Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

  • Oral Pleasure
Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

  • Atomic (powder)
Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

  • Ultrablast (powder)
Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

  • BLING!
    BLING! tabs are covered in a light gold shimmer powder.
Between the old tabs and this one, I have to say this is one of my least favorites.  I was excited because I love orange, well anything citrusy really.  I should have realized, though, that the guarana  powder and frankincense oil would overpower the flavor.  I do like the tab easily broke apart when I chewed it, unlike the old ones.  The old tabs would leave me spitting out big chunks of product no matter how much I chewed them.
  • Miles of Smiles
Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

  • Tooth Fairy (powder)
Not the best photo.  You can’t see the sparkles, but they’re there.

Have you used any of the new LUSH products?  Let me know if you have a new favorite, or what you’d like to try.

Stay beautiful!

Whole Foods/Sprouts/Mother’s Market Haul

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Since there is a Sprouts, Mother’s Market, Trader Joe’s, and (now) a Whole Foods within about a 3-mile span, I decided to hit up just about all of them.  The only reason I didn’t go to Trader Joe’s is because I was just there.     

So Whole Foods finally opened up near me, and I must say that I was ecstatic.   They have recently been in some pretty hot water, but they offer things other markets don’t.   Yes, it can be pricey.  You just have to know what you want and how much other places charge.   Anyway, I’ve been having some GI issues, so there are things I’ve been cutting out to see if it makes a difference.   There hasn’t been a change, but I’ve fallen in love with some alternative food products, so I continue to get them.  This Whole Foods is located in a new center at the corner of Valencia and Imperial Hwy.  The shopping center looks like they pulled it out of Newport Beach.  It’s beautiful, with several shops and dining establishments.  They are putting in a Mendocino Farms, which is exciting.  They have a great selection of sandwiches & salads for everyone– you can view their menu here.

It took nearly 10 minutes to find parking!  Of course, I went on a Saturday, but I didn’t think the entire lot would be full.  Eventually a space opened up, and I headed in.  This location is beautiful…and packed.  But of course it is; it’s Whole Foods.  This 38,000 square-foot location has two entrances; the side I entered on greeted me with produce, bulk items, and the seafood department.  I started on that side since I wanted to end with the salad bar.  I wanted to check out the other food stand options, but there were too many people.  Perhaps this week; hopefully a week day morning/early afternoon won’t be as crowded.  The staff is friendly and more than willing to help out the customers.  I wasn’t able to get a picture of the front, so here is the logo:

Image courtesy of wholefoods.com
The view from the side entrance
of the center and parking lot.
Care for some cacti?
Just a small portion of the bulk items offered
One section of the salad bar.
My salad:  Grilled veggies, edamame,
gold/red beets, watermelon
radishes, & Tuscan kale.

       

Due to the crowds I wasn’t able to take as many photos as I would have liked.  Maybe on the next trip there will be more opportunities for photos.  Now, onto the purchases.

Tried to capture everything…
Refrigerated & frozen goods.

 

 This time I remembered to bring a small cooler.  Whole Foods had some of my favorite things on sale!

Belgian chocolate milk & my
favorite Argo tea (there were two)

My partner really loves this chocolate milk.  It is made with Belgian chocolate, and is far better than any other pre-made chocolate milk brands.  They used to sell it at Fresh & Easy, and we didn’t know who else would sell it.  While at Sprouts, I just happened to look up while looking for almond milk, and this was “staring me in the face”.  Argo tea was on sale at Whole Foods (2 for $4.00), and I love the Mojitea.  Anything with mint in it is amazing.   

My favorite brand of meat alternatives.

Also at Whole Foods were Gardein meat alternatives.  They are rarely on sale, so when I saw that they were 2 for $7.00, I got a couple of items I hadn’t tried.  When I got home I sampled both.  I love the flavor of the meatless balls; the fennel seeds really come through, which gives them more of an Italian sausage flavor.  The texture is similar to a mushier meatball.  I cooked the beefless tips in a sauce of garlic, soy sauce, red pepper, and sugar.  They were awesome, but if you overcook them they will be dry & tough.

I LOVE Field Roast products.

In case you don’t know, I LOVE Field Roast.  Chao is my favorite dairy cheese alternative.  You can read more about my first Chao experience here.  I have been wanting to try their deli slices.  In the Whole Foods refrigerated section there is a case dedicated to dairy cheese and meat alternatives.  I grabbed the two I could see (Smoked Tomato and Wild Mushroom).  I didn’t see the Lentil Sage flavor, but if I do I will be trying it as well.  I haven’t had an opportunity to test them out because I have the endoscopy today and have been on a liquid diet.  I did try the Apple Maple Sausage.  The flavor was good– similar to a light breakfast sausage, but the texture was less than desirable.  They are very mushy even when browned in a pan.  I might try frying them to see if the outside will crisp up.  Since they are not real meat, don’t expect it to have the juiciness of an actual sausage.  I really want to try them in a scramble or breakfast bowl because I love the flavor.
     

Anything with fennel is something I’m willing to try.

 
While looking for the Gardein products in Whole Foods, I saw these Italian fennel patties by Engine 2.  They are meat-free, and contain the following:  Cooked brown rice, garbanzo beans, spinach, caramelized onion, red quinoa, roasted garlic puree, sundried tomatoes, fennel, ground flaxseed, toasted fennel seeds, thyme, sage, black pepper (list courtesy of wholefoods.com).  I can’t wait to try these!  They will be great as wither a burger or on its own…maybe with some scrambled eggs, or crumbled in a sauce.

I found this at Mother’s Market for $10.95
The product out of the container.

I have been reading about the cheese alternatives from Miyoko’s Creamery, and since they have been highly received, I wanted to give them a try.  I chose to purchase one because of the price.  They had the Smokehouse, Rustic Alpine, and Black Ash.  I bought and tried the Black Ash.  The product tastes good, but I wish it wasn’t coated in ash.  The gritty ash is not texturally pleasing given the creaminess of the wheel.  It is tangy and sharp, much like Laughing Cow, with a slightly sweet finish.  Black ash is slightly firmer than Brie.  If it were to sit out, it could be soft enough to spread on a cracker.  I could see this going into a Mac & not-Cheese dish, or having it paired with dried fruit.  I may end up washing the ash off because it felt like my teeth were biting into sand.  I would be willing to try other flavors, but not necessarily at those prices.      
I bought most of the dry goods at Sprouts.
In the left column we have some salt and vinegar almonds as well as some Tamari almonds.  Almonds are amazing!  While these probably aren’t the best snack option, I had to try the salt and vinegar…I haven’t yet…but I will.  I have had Tamari almonds, and prefer them to the roasted/salted option.  Adding them to salads and snack packs gives a nice crunch and a hit of flavor.  Next to the almonds are raw cashews and quinoa (from Mother’s Market).  Luckily the cashews were on sale at Sprouts, and the quinoa from Mother’s was far cheaper in bulk ($5.95/lb, I think).  In the thrid column there are red lentils, dried blueberries and dried cherries.  I am going to try and make a fruit bar, or maybe a fruit & chia seed bar, so I’ll let you know how it goes.  If they turn out I will post a recipe.  

The best cheddar cracker sandwiches in my opinion!

I never thought that something could be better than Ritz, but I was wrong.  My partner and I purchased these when Fresh & Easy was going out of business.  The crackers are a wee bit saltier than Ritz, but they taste amazing!  I’m not sure what is in them that makes these crackers so good.  I tried the peanut butter cracker sandwiches, but they aren’t as good as the cheddar.  They, too, were on sale, which is why I bought two.  They go fast!  If you see them in the smaller packs give them a try, and let me know how you like them. 

The Chimes were from Mother’s, but the
others were bought at Sprouts.

It’s always nice to find things that are travel-friendly.  Peanut butter Chimes are my favorite of their flavors.  Creamy peanut butter meets slightly spicy ginger in a chew that doesn’t stop at one.  Not for me, anyway.  I also got the but butter packs to try out the product without having to buy an entire jar.  Is it cheaper?  No, but it’s better than being stuck with a whole jar of a product you don’t care for. 

It’s nice to have salt alternative options.

The first time I had anything with liquid amino acids was at my best friend’s house.  She used it in place of salt, and I loved it!  I purchased a small bottle at Whole Foods and will start trying it out when I can.  Nothing is as good as the real thing, but you can use this in place of shoyu (soy sauce).  Not that I plan on that, but it might go well in onigiri (rice ball) or onigirazu (rice ball sandwich).  When I have some recipes I will post them.  Do you cook with liquid aminos?

They also had a white cheddar option,
but I went for yellow cheddar

I have been flip-flopping on whether or not to purchase this.  I really like Velveeta and Kraft (I know, I know), but wanted to give this a try.  Since I’m cutting down on a lot of dairy because my GI isn’t always happy after it’s been consumed, I am hoping that this is a nice alternative to mac & cheese.  

A Little Chocolate Haul

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Chuao is one of my favorite brands.  At one time there was a shop near me, but it has since closed.  My dad was the one to tell me about it, so every time we went to the Irvine Spectrum, I would grab a strawberry balsamic bonbon (or two) as well as something different.  On a side note, if you have a positive relationship with your parents, you are never too old to hang out with them.  I have great memories associated with this wonderful brand.  Anyway, this is the first online order I placed with them, and it did not go quite as I had planned.

My order consisted of two 16-piece bonbon/truffle custom boxes, one 5-piece custom box, two Share the Love gift sets, four S’Mores bars and one Caramel Apple bar.  There were some great promotions happening, so I got some things for my friends in Australia and some things for my household.  After placing the order I assumed it would be shipped within a couple of days (giving extra time because of the holidays).  I was contacted at the end of the week that the items would be shipped that coming Tuesday.  Since the weather had been in the 90s they didn’t want the items to melt if they were left out.  That was fine– I’d prefer the products to come in their intended form, even though you can’t always control for that.  My box shipped Wednesday, and the box was in my hands by Thursday.  Everything arrived in perfect condition– not a thing melted (granted, it ended up being cold and rainy).  Originally I wasn’t going to open all of the boxes, but then had second thoughts because…well, you never know.  Needless to say I’m glad I did.

I had custom ordered bonbons because Modena, now Strawberry Seduction, is one of my favorites.  Dark chocolate envelops a sweet and tangy strawberry balsamic caramel resulting in a perfectly balanced bite (bottom right in the image).  That arrived, as did the other bonbon/truffle boxes that contained a mix of dairy, non-dairy, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate pieces and the individual bars.  I opened the other two boxes to make sure that the Share the Love gift sets were there.  One was, but the other wasn’t.  Instead, one was a Milk Chocolate Bar set.  I wrote to the company to let them know, and they are shipping out the correct item on Monday.  The customer service (chocolate concierge as they call it) representatives I had been in contact with were wonderful. 

So many boxes!!…of love & chocolate.
…and the dark box as well.

As you can see, we sampled
the milk chocolate box…
This is the set they sent instead of
the second Share the Love.

You may be wondering what the point of this story is.  Chuao is not only one of my favorite brands because of the wonderfully flavorful chocolates; they are also my favorite brand because of their customer service.  Yes, they did ship the wrong product, but they are also correcting the situation, and could not have been nicer about it.                

To make a custom order, all you need to do is place an order, then email the chocolate concierge so they can make adjustments.  If you are interested in purchasing the items I did, here are the pictures, prices, flavor profiles, and items included (all lists & images courtesy of chuaochocolatier.com).  Each bonbon/truffle set comes in 5-piece, 9-piece, or 16-piece boxes.

Dairy-Free Chocolates, $12.95-31.95

Image courtesy of chuaochocolatier.com

 Citrus Crunch: Roasted almond slivers, pistachios and caramelized orange peel in dark chocolate. (Formerly known as Grignotinne.) Contains tree nuts.
Framboise: Raspberry “pate de fruit” and almond hazelnut praline in dark chocolate. Contains tree nuts.
Marzipan: Almond marzipan covered in dark chocolate and topped with a roasted macadamia nut. Contains tree nuts.
Smoky Macadamia: Macadamia nut praline spiced with s
moky chipotle in a dark chocolate shell. (Formerly known as Candela.) Contains tree nuts.
Trail Mix: Dark chocolate topped with dried fruit and roasted nuts. (Formerly known as Mendiant.) Contains tree nuts.

Milk Chocolates, $12.95-31.95

Image courtesy of chuaochocolatier.com

Almond Truffle: Almond hazelnut praline rolled in sliced, caramelized almonds & pistachios in milk chocolate. Contains dairy, tree nuts.
Bananas Foster: Ripe banana, brown sugar and butter caramel in milk chocolate. (Formerly known as Cambur.) Contains dairy.
Crunchy Praline: Roasted almonds & hazelnuts blended with caramelized sugar and covered in milk chocolate. (Formerly known as Rio Caribe.) Contains dairy, tree nuts.
Dulce de Leche: Traditional Latin American milk caramel in milk chocolate. Contains dairy.
Hazelnut Latte: Roasted hazelnuts blended with fresh vanilla and a hint of coffee in milk chocolate. (Formerly known as Gianduja.) Contains dairy, tree nuts.
Maple Bacon Caramel: Maple caramel with crunchy bacon and bonfire smoked sea salt in milk chocolate. Contains dairy.
Meyer Lemon Mojito: Meyer lemon caramel with fresh mint-infused cream in milk chocolate. (Formerly known as Le Citron.) Contains dairy
Nut & Honeylicious: Almond hazelnut praline and a touch of honey in milk chocolate. (Formerly known as Miel.) Contains dairy, tree nuts, honey.
Salt Butter Caramel: Soft caramel with a bit of sea salt in milk chocolate. (Formerly known as Melao.) Contains dairy.
Rosemary Salt Caramel: Salt butter caramel infused with fresh rosemary in a milk chocolate shell. (Formerly known as Romero.) Contains dairy.
Sweet Passion: Exotic passion fruit cooked into soft caramel in a milk chocolate bonbon shell. (Formerly known as Parchita.) Contains dairy.

Dark Chocolates, $12.95-31.95

Image courtesy of chuaochocolatier.com

 Black & White: Creamy white chocolate with almond hazelnut praline in dark chocolate. Contains dairy, tree nuts.
Chocolate Margarita: Lemon tequila dark chocolate ganache topped with a preserved lemon chip. (Formerly known as Cinco de Mayo.) Contains dairy, liquor.
Citrus Crunch: Roasted almond slivers, pistachios and caramelized orange peel in dark chocolate. (Formerly known as Grignotinne.) Contains tree nuts.
Dark Passion: Exotic passion fruit cooked into soft caramel in a dark chocolate bonbon. (Formerly known as Parchita.) Contains dairy.
Firecracker Truffle: Chipotle caramel fudge, sea salt and popping candy in dark chocolate. Contains dairy.
Framboise: Raspberry “pate de fruit” and almond hazelnut praline in dark chocolate. Contains tree nuts.
Ginger Green Tea: Dark chocolate ginger ganache infused with green tea. (Formerly known as Zen.) Contains dairy.
Goat Cheese & Pear: “Tangy goat cheese, Pear Williams and crushed black pepper buttercream. (Formerly known as Chevere.) Contains dairy.
Honey Truffle: Dark chocolate ganache sweetened with honey and rolled in confectioner’s sugar. Contains dairy, honey, liquor.
Marzipan: Almond marzipan covered in dark chocolate and topped with a roasted macadamia nut. Contains tree nuts.
Mocha: A rich coffee buttercream inside a coffee bean shaped dark chocolate bonbon. (Formerly known as Java.) Contains dairy, liquor.
Smoky Macadamia: Macadamia nut praline spiced with smoky chipotle in a dark chocolate shell. (Formerly known as Candela.) Contains tree nuts.
Salted Chocolate Crunch: Toasted panko breadcrumbs, olive oil dark chocolate ganache and a sprinkle of sea salt. (Formerly known as Pan Con Chocolate.) Contains dairy, wheat.
Spiced Cabernet Caramel: Napa Valley cabernet caramel infused with spices in dark chocolate. (Formerly known as Picante.) Contains dairy, liquor.
Spicy Maya: Cinnamon dark chocolate ganache infused with pasilla chile and cayenne pepper. Contains dairy.
Strawberry Seduction: Sweet strawberry caramel with a touch of tangy balsamic cradled in dark chocolate. (Formerly known as Modena.) Contains dairy.
The Darkest: Bold 73% dark chocolate ganache. (Formerly known as Gran Cacao.) Contains dairy.
Trail Mix: Dark chocolate topped with dried fruit and roasted nuts. (Formerly known as Mendiant.) Contains tree nuts.
Wild Truffle: Dark chocolate ganache rolled in cocoa powder. Contains dairy.

Share the Love Gift Set $36.00

Image courtesy of chuaochocolatier.com

This set includes mini bars (x3) of each of the following:
Firecracker mini bar: Sea salt, a dash of chipotle and popping candy crackle in dark chocolate. Contains milk lactose, soy.
Honeycomb mini bar: Luscious amber honey, caramelized into crisp bits and enrobed in dark chocolate. Contains soy, honey.
Baconluxious mini bar: Crisp bites of bacon drizzled with delicate maple sweetness and a sprinkle of bonfire smoked sea salt, bathed in milk chocolate. Contains dairy, soy.
Potato Chip mini bar: Crisp kettle cooked potato chips and a hint of sea salt, mix and mingle in milk chocolate. Contains dairy, soy.
Salted Chocolate Crunch mini bar: Crunchy, toasted breadcrumbs dusted with sea salt and swirled in dark chocolate. Formerly known as Panko. Contains soy, wheat.
Spicy Maya mini bar: Seductive cinnamon, pasilla chile and warming cayenne bedded in dark chocolate.
Contains soy.
Pop Corn Pop mini bar: Mixed puffed whole grains, toasted corn chips, and a sprinkle of sea salt with a surprising POP in milk chocolate. Contains dairy, soy.
Orange-A-Go-Go mini bar: Rich dark chocolate grooves with zesty bits of candied orange and soulful orange bergamot. Contains soy.
Sweet & Salty mini bar: A sprinkle of sea salt, swirled into creamy milk chocolate. Contains dairy, soy.
Cinnamon Cereal Smooch: Scrumptious cinnamon toast cereal spooning in milk chocolate. Contains dairy, soy.
Caramel Apple Crush: Tangy green apple flirts with buttery caramel in milk chocolate. Contains dairy, soy.
Strawberry Waffle Wild: Crunchy waffles fall for bits of tangy strawberry in milk chocolate. Contains dairy, soy.

Oh My S’Mores! & Caramel Apple Crush, $6.00/each

Image courtesy of chuaochocolatier.com
Image courtesy of chuaochocolatier.com

Mini Haul: Sephora

/ darphynia / Leave a comment
Hair Mini Haul

I just received a package from Sephora, and it only took a couple of days to receive, which was nice.  Since I was running out of dry shampoo, I decided to purchase a set since it was actually worth the money.  I also purchased a set by VERB, a company based in Austin (all products are made in the USA).

1.  Sephora Favorites:  Extend Your Style, $32.00

Image courtesy of sephora.com

If you like to try different types of dry shampoo collection, or are looking for one you will love, this set is perfect.  Currently, I’m really into trying different hair products.  I don’t know about you, but I go through these phases of wanting to use hair products, then not.  Anyway, on with the set.  This favorites set comes with the following (list courtesy of sephora.com):

– 1.25 oz Alterna Bamboo Style Translucent Dry Shampoo
– 0.75 oz Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
– 0.5 oz Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder
– 1.4 oz Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo
– 1 oz Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
– 1.8 oz Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
– 1.5 oz 24K Sally Hershberger Supreme Stylist Voluminous Dry Shampoo

All but the Bumble & Bumble dry shampoo are sprays.  They are all travel-sized, so if you end up not liking one (or more) of the products, you are not stuck with anything full-sized.  The dry shampoos also make for great gifts, whether you give one or all is up to you.  This set will (hopefully) last me through summer.   Did any of your favorite dry shampoos make it in this variety pack?

2.  Style with VERB Set, $34.00

Image courtesy of sephora.com
Image courtesy of sephora.com
Just to show how small the shampo
& conditioner are.

Have any of you tried VERB?  I have yet to, but I’m excited about it.  It’s relatively affordable (each product is $14.00), and this set came with three full-sized products, the bag, and the mini samples of shampoo and conditioner.  I have long, thin hair, but a lot of it, so the shampoo/conditioner will probably be just enough for one or two uses.  The bag fits everything in the photos and then some, so I will be using it as my gym toiletry bag.

Set specs (courtesy of sephora.com):

– 0.065 oz Hydrating Shampoo
– 0.065 oz Hydrating Conditioner
– 2 oz Dry Shampoo
– 8 oz Leave-In Mist
– 6.3 oz Sea Spray

3.  Gift with Purchase and Samples

While supplies last, you can use the promo code PARTY PICKS to choose one of four sample bags.  Each set comes with a small clutch (more like a small makeup bag).  Each bag contains 8 free samples, on top of the three you can choose upon checkout (see photos below).  I chose the Party Prep bag since it contains some of my favorite products, and a couple that I wanted to try.  The samples that are available at checkout always change.  Even though there wasn’t a lot I wanted to try, I chose the following:  Alien fragrance, Nest Verde fragrance, and a serum by Jurlique.

Image courtesy of sephora.com

Image courtesy of sephora.com
Image courtesy of sephora.com
Image courtesy of sephora.com

I think these little packs are pretty great, and well worth the $25.00 purchase you have to make to get one.  For example, the Roller Lash is $12.00.  Which are you looking forward to getting?

Stay beautiful!

Nordstrom Super Mini Haul

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When I say it’s an ultra mini haul, I mean it.  My cousin’s wedding is this weekend, and I really needed a dress.  I’m not all that into dresses, and the few I have are tucked away.  Since I have the Nordstrom debit card, I thought, “Why not spend where I can get some points?”  I did a search, filtering for black dresses only.  This sounds morbid, but since I go to far more funerals than weddings, I wanted something multi-functional.  There were so many cute dresses to choose from, and I came upon the Topshop’s Drape Tunic Dress ($75.00, but some of the colors are on sale for $40.00).  It comes in a few colors:  light blue, cranberry, olive, black, and white (I think).  Originally I was going to get the olive color, but that limits the occasions where it would be useful.

Image courtesy of nordstrom.com

After I placed the order, I figured it would go one of two ways: 1) I would love it, or 2) It would make me look like a whale in a tent.  Luckily I loved it!  Rarely do I purchase anything but tanks & solid tees online in the event that the article isn’t meant for me.  I digress.  After reading the reviews, I opted for a size smaller, which was a wise decision.  My chest fits in large sizes, but my body fits in medium.  Due to the shape of the dress, it’s a bit oversized everywhere, and I ordered a medium.  Fits all my bits perfectly.  I probably could go down to a small, but didn’t in case it shrinks.  The fabric is flows and sheer– far more than the photo shows, so I will be getting a slip of some sort.  The great thing is that this dress can be gussied up with some accessories, or worn during a casual outing.  This tunic dress is the best of both worlds.

Nordstrom was also having a promotional offer, and I was in need of dry shampoo.  I really like the blowpro dry shampoo & conditioner.  They are $20.00 each; the bottles are quite large, and the product lasts for ages.  With a $40.00 purchase, Nordstrom throws in a hair care sampler bag that includes some deluxe samples, including the Invanti trio from Aveda.

Image courtesy of nordstrom.com
Image courtesy of nordstrom.com

Image courtesy of nordstrom.com
I love being able to try new things.  You never know what your new favorite product will be if you don’t branch out a little.  This sampler comes with packets of various shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that are also great for travel.   
What is your all-events go-to outfit?  Is there anything you can’t travel without?  I will have a “what’s in my carry-on” piece up when I return.  Or who knows, maybe I’ll post it prior to leaving if I have time.   
Stay beautiful!

Mini ULTA Haul

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So I thought I would be productive and get a head-start on Christmas shopping.  Since Halloween and fall have been taking over stores since August, you know the holiday items will soon follow.  I try to get most of my shopping done over summer, unless there are holiday sets I can’t pass up.  ULTA had some good promotions, a couple of which may still be available, and BOOM, half my Christmas list is complete (okay, not half, but nearly).  Anyway, here is what I purchased:

Sorry!  The picture isn’t the greatest.

1.  ULTA Brand Eyeshadow Palette:  Gilded Gold

Image courtesy of ulta.com

For a store brand, ULTA has good-quality pigments.  Both this and the Gilded Rose palette are great for anyone who is looking for something to travel with, or someone who is just starting to wear eyeshadow.  There are several finishes (i.e matte, shimmer, etc.) and colors from across the more neutral spectrum.  You can go from a fresh, no-makeup look to a more dramatic night-on-the-town look, by taking the colors from one palette.

Color List  (courtesy of ulta.com)

Lustre – light golden shimmer
Gilded – medium taupe brown with golden shimmer
Flicker – medium orange with copper shimmer
Starlet – deep warm brown with golden glitter
Opal – deep pinkish brown with pink shimmer
Midnight – deep blue grey with multicolor and silver glitter
Bone – light creamy matte
Tan – medium warm tan matte
Singed – medium taupe brown matte
Scorched – deep warm brown matte
Lava – medium violet matte
Coal – deep black matte

 
2.  ULTA Brand Eyeshadow Palette:  Rose Gold

Image courtesy of ulta.com

The Rose Gold and Gilded Gold palettes may look the same, but differ quite a bit.  The Rose Gold palette, for one, does not contain black in any form.  Mauve, pink, brown, and other rich tones are highlighted in this palette.  Similar to its counterpart are the finishes, and a variety of looks can be created using this range of colors.  

Color List  (courtesy of ulta.com)

Champagne – light golden tan shimmer
Pink – light pink shimmer
Hopeless Romantic – medium mauve the silver shimmer
Chandelier – medium brown with golden shimmer
Luxe – deep reddish brown with pink shimmer
Dahlia – deep plum with pink glitter
Prosecco – light cream matte
Bubbles – light pink matte
Breathless – medium mauve matte
Dessert – deep cool brown matte
Sweetheart – deep rich reddish brown matte
Orchid – deep violet matte

3.  ULTA Brand Raincoat Waterproof Mascara Topcoat

This clear coat is supposed to lock in your mascara, so no matter what you’re doing, your mascara won’t make you look like a hot mess.  I, literally, just put it on, and it does dry clear.  It’s a bit opaque; similar to the color of the PTR peeling gel.  In the description, it also says that the product is great as an eyebrow gel, so I put some on my brows.  Most of the time, clear brow gel will start to flake and (of course) look white.  Anyway, I was interested because I have been looking for a mascara setting product.  I used two different mascaras, one from tarte and a duo from Urban Decay.  I will update you on how well it worked.

Short Update:  So, I thought I would test it out by watching something that would make me cry to test the product…alone of course… ’cause everyone knows I HATE crying in front of others.  So far, the mascara has stayed put.  My lashes also don’t feel dry and crunchy.  Thus far, it has been a great product.  I will head to the gym later for further testing.
 
4.  Hask Coconut Monoi Oil Vial

Image courtesy of ulta.com

These oils were buy two get one free, and I am really on a hair oil kick.  I also love the smell of monoi oil.  It reminds me of summer nights on the balcony overlooking Waikiki Beach.  I am quite excited to try this out.  My plan?  Treat my hair, scrub my face, and apply a face mask.  Then, relax with some tea and a hot bubble bath.  It’ll be like a mini tropical vacation.
  
5.  Hask Keratin Protein Oil Vial

Image courtesy of ulta.com

The Keratin oil smells like a light fruit salad.  it is supposed to smooth and strengthen the hair, so once I try it, I will update you on my results. 

6.  Hask Macadamia Oil Vial

Image courtesy of ulta.com

The scent of this oil reminds me of a light vanilla-musk.  I just applied some to my hair to use as a treatment.  You can use it as part of your styling routine as well.  It is definitely lightweight.  This formula is supposed to revitalize my hair, so I guess we will find out.  I like that a little goes a long way.  I applied about a dime-sized amount to dry hair.  Next time, I will apply it on wet hair, to see if there is a difference. 

I have yet to put these oils to the test.  I do like the scents, and I like that they come in a convenient travel vial.  Each vial has a cap that snaps on, so no need to worry about the vials leaking.

Gift With Purchase Items (Note:  Each bag came with a $5 off $15+ ULTA brand purchase.):

1.  ULTA Fall Amethyst Bag Set

 
Image courtesy of ulta.com

This bag is more of a chocolate brown with a purple tone, and is great for holding a small mount of makeup.  It is long enough to fit full-sized brushes and smaller palettes and skincare.  This set in particular came with the following:

–  Three Shadow Quads
–  Two Brushes + One Sponge Tip
–  One Highlighter/Blush Duo
–  One Shadow Topcoat
–  Mini Nail Polish
–  Mini Ligloss
–  Double-Ended Eye Pencil
–  Brow Tint
–  One Full-Sized Mascara
–  One Full-Sized Lipstick
2.   ULTA Beauty Bag

This bag is not that attractive, but holds so much.  I am using it as my gym toiletry bag.  The products you see below (sorry for the poor quality!) took up less than half the available bag space!  The packet samples are a nice way to try something new, but sometimes they are not large enough to really see if you will like the product.  The Urban Decay and tarte samples a
re single-use, but if you play your cards right, you will get a couple of uses out of the samples.
   

The Bag
Makeup:  Urban Decay, smashbox, ULTA,
Laura Geller, tarte, benefit
Hair: John Frieda, Hask, Kenra, phtyo

Skin:  The Body Shop, Algenist,
Mario Badescu, philosopy
Perfume:  Juicy Couture, Gucci

 

3.  Variety Sampler

With every ULTA purchase, you can choose to have samples added, free of charge.  There are three mystery samplers:  Fragrance, Skincare, and Variety.  In the past, I have not found the samples to be anything significant, this time was no different.  Last time I opted for the Variety, and they sent me three hair packets from L’oreal.  This time, I opted for Skincare, and was provided the POREfessional single-use packet and the smashbox Photo Finish Primer packet (not pictured).  Free is always nice, but I prefer Sephora’s selection. 

Leaving for San Diego

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Taking a road trip is just what the doctor ordered!  It won’t be far, but much needed and well worth it.  Do you have any plans before summer ends?  Let me know.  When I get back, I will have more giveaway details for all of you.  I will also try to get in a few haul posts in the next week that will feature Daiso, SPF care, and more!   

Stay beautiful!