Charcoal Toothpaste: Does It Work

I recently purchased Charcoal toothpaste from a local Houston Business named: No Crap In It. This is my first time purchasing charcoal toothpaste, though I have been curious to try it for a while. No Crap In It offers products with just that, nothing artificial, or toxic, just natural organic goodness! So if figured if I was going to try this type of toothpaste, this was the way to go!

No Crap In It offers 2 flavors of charcoal toothpaste; Chocolate and Peppermint. I decided to go safe with the classic peppermint this time around.

On my first use the consistency was a bit strange and uneven. I will also say that the flavor is not like regular store-bought toothpaste, it is not as sweet or sticky. The toothpaste is grainy and minty similar to the texture of toothpaste used at the dentist office. When I finished brushing my teeth I immediately noticed a whiter appearance, but what really surprised me was how clean my teeth felt! Similar to when I exfoliate my skin, the teeth felt silky smooth! I will also add I did not have any gum irritation.

I have now implemented this product into my routine using this toothpaste a few times a week to keep my teeth looking ultra fresh and white.

If you are interested in trying charcoal toothpaste, I totally recommend it! Yes, it is weird at first and takes some getting used to but the results and quality of the product are totally worth it! No Crap In It’s charcoal toothpaste starts at $12.99 and at that price, why not try it out? That is way cheaper than whitening kits and much safer for your teeth and gums. So give it a go! Your teeth will thank you.

Summer Pieces

Click here to shop some of my favorite summer pieces! 🙂

Olive Flutter
Olive Babydoll Top
Mules
Faux Suede Mules
Floral Dress
Tropical Floral Dress
Embroidered Tie Front Top
Embroidered Tie Front Top
Woven Heels
Woven Stacked Sandals
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Striped Weekender Dress
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Flowing Hi-Lo Dress
Sparkle Sandals
Embellished Sandals
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Statement Necklace
Geo Print Dress
Geo Print Wrap Dress
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Mixed Print Romper
Black Shein Shorts
Black High Waist Shorts
Embroidered Heels
Embroidered Heels

 

The Urban Explorer

So this top has become one of my total favorites! The lightweight chambray highlighted with embroidery and a tie front make this top perfect for this summers’ trends!

Here I have paired it with black high-waisted shorts and fringe ankle booties for the perfect look to explore the city!

First Impressions: Hilltop Gardens

I am always on the hunt for quality skin care and hair care products, so when Hilltop Gardens reached out to me I had to give them a try!

First of all, they are a Texas based company, which is actually an aloe vera farm, and one of the first in the United States! What interested me in the brand and product line is that they practice sustainable agriculture on the 700+ acre farm, and the products are organic.

Growing up, we always had aloe vera plants potted in the backyard and would snip from it when we had a burn, or sunburn. Little did I know there are so many other uses for aloe vera!

First impressions Borrowed by Design

**Giveaway and site coupon code available at the end of this post!**

Borrowed By Design is an online dress retailer that sells and rents dresses. What makes the unique is that they also offer the option to donate to dresses to them and percentages of purchases made gets donated to non-profit organizations!

I was offered the opportunity to review the website and product selection. I chose 3 dresses from the site and anxiously awaited my order. All three pieces arrived separately which was to be expected as it explains on the site. The pieces were well packaged and as described.

This dress in particular is a summer must-have! The length and fit are perfect, and the material is light and breathable. I especially love the striped print and layered design. And at $25.99 you have no reason not to pick this one up!

Flowing Wrap Dresses and Early Arrival of Fall Palettes

This summer has been really fun when it comes to color palettes. Traditional fall shades and textures have been re-purposed into summer silhouettes! These shades and designs lend a 70’s feel and I’m loving it!

I picked this gorgeous wrap dress up from Shein.com a fast fashion website featuring the latest trends at amazing prices. This dress was $34.00 and worth every penny. The material is heavy so that it holds its shape accordingly. The faux wrap design is accented perfectly with the sash tie waist and side slit accent. The print is so fun and really makes this piece an eye-catcher! I recently wore this piece to the Pop Shop Houston event at Silver Street Studios and received so many compliments! You can dress this piece up or wear it casual with sandals as I did, the options are limitless!

I purchased this dress in a size M, but definitely think the S would have fit perfectly. The M fits a tad big on me, but it isn’t too bad. I would say order true to size on this piece.

 

Bold & Bright Accessories

Since it gets pretty hot here in Houston, my summertime wardrobe generally consists of shorts. Because of that, I like to find creative ways to spice up my ensemble with sparkling and fun accessories that maybe wouldn’t normally be paired with shorts. Enter this over the top large and in charge statement necklace from Mirina Collections. I had the opportunity to try out their brand and selected two pieces from their collection. This one is by far my favorite! Pairing such an eye catching piece with shorts, and a solid top really changes the feel of the look.

For added fun and sun protection I paired this look with my current favorite grey faux suede hat, and to coordinate with the texture and shade, I am wearing these on-trend mules by Kensie from Stage. This style of shoe is super comfortable and gives any look a little 90’s throwback.

By adding these accessories to my look an otherwise simple top and classic pair of shorts is transformed into a trendy ensemble that demands attention.

What I’m Wearing

The top I have on is from Romwe. I am actually really pleased with the quality of the piece. The design is well crafted and the fit is on point. This top is only available in one size so I am sure it will fit everyone a little differently, but I do like how it fits!

For bottoms, I am wearing high waisted shorts from Shein. These are currently my favorite pair of shorts! They are super flattering and I can pair them perfectly with my cropped shirts for a modestly trendy look.

My top was only $9.99 and the shorts were just $15.00 so if you are on a summer budget, these pieces are definitely worth ordering as they are transitional and can easily pair with other pieces in your wardrobe!

Summer Days & Tropical Florals

Once summertime rolls around I always find myself eyeing the racks for the perfect tropical floral piece. There is something about the June heat that really brings forth those tropical floral, pineapple, and flamingo vibes! I recently found this gorgeous dress from Groopdealz and had to get my hands on it!

This lightweight dress features an intense side slit with a conservative internal layer, halter neckline with exposed back and shoulder straps, self-tying back, a comfortable elastic waist and embroidered cut-out accents.

Yes, it sounds like a lot is going on, but this dress looks like a simple wrap dress with a beautiful resort-ready tropical print! I decided to pair it with woven tassel accented flip-flops from Stage, and my favorite straw hat. This complete look is perfect for vacation, the beach, or even brunch! Anywhere the sun is out this dress will have you looking your best and ready for wherever the day takes you!

Groopdealz promo items sell out quickly, so I have found a similar dress from Shein!

First Impressions: Coola Sunless Tan

Summer is here and that means tan skin. Since I am super pale, and have a history of skin cancer in my family, I love to find alternatives to achieving a luminous glow. This year I had the opportunity to try out COOLA Tan products!

If you havent heard of COOLA, they are an amazing sun care company creating quality products that are vegan, cruelty free, and are non GMO.

The Tan line currently consists of two amazing products, the sunless tan anti-aging face serum, and the sunless tan dry oil mist. Both products offer gradual tan results, perfect for year-round use.

Packaging: The packaging is beautiful! The cocoa and aqua packaging is textured with a subtle matte feel, similar to NARS products. The box slides open to reveal a dark brown glass bottle with a white cap. Both products are securely sealed ensuring oil leaks will not occur.

Scent: The scent is a light cherry scent. It sort of reminds me of a white cherry icee scent. This was really surprising to me as most sunless tanning products have a musty banana or coconut scent.

Product impressions: The dry oil is light and sprays evenly, making application quick and simple. Since the results are gradual, you don’t have to worry about streaky mistakes! The anti-aging face serum is a clear product with a silky finish. It applies easily and absorbs quickly, leaving skin smooth and nourished.

I also was able to try out the Tinted Mineral Liplux in the shade Bonfire. This lip product offers a brilliant sheer bronze shade and SPF 30 coverage. I enjoy using this lipstick on days when I know I will be outdoors. My lips are protected and have a gorgeous summer bronze glow.

Try out COOLA for quality sun care and sunless tanning products that you can truly feel good about wearing, and your skin will thank you for! – please also note that the tan line does not include SPF*

 

Blue Dress & Embroidered Heels

As most of you already know, one of my favorite clothing items is a great dress! I love finding solid color dresses that I can re-invent in different ways with accessories. With trends moving as quickly as they do, it is nice to have pieces you can hang on to for more than one season, but that you can change based on the shoes and necklace you style it with. That is why I love classic silhouettes and solids, they are so easy to transition!

This fabulous dress features extended sleeves, an empire waist, front pleating and pockets! The material is heavy enough to hold its shape correctly and lay properly when worn. It is unlined which makes it perfect for the spring and summer seasons, and is offered in pink blue and beige!

I decided to pair this dress with my new favorite embroidered heels from Stage, a chunky bib necklace, and a straw hat from Forever 21. These heels break up the look and add just the right amount of print to the mix. I will admit they are not the most comfortable pair of heels I own, but the beautiful style they offer makes them worth the pain!

This is a wear-anywhere dress had me feeling amazing all day! It’s always a good day when you feel amazing, and how could I not in a dress as adorable as this one?! So if you are looking for a great piece to wear to work, or to church on Sunday this is the perfect piece! Check it out on Groopdealz at an amazing price while it is still available!