I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with Leo & Nicole, a women’s apparel label and was able to try out, and review, a few pieces from their fall 2017 collection.
The pieces I selected included a transitional cowl neckline tunic length sweater, and a cable knit cold shoulder sweater. Both sweaters arrived promptly, and I must say, I was very impressed with the quality of the pieces. The sizing is true-to-size and the fit is flattering. The weight of the materials is excellent and the colors are vivid and beautiful.
I have enjoyed wearing both of these pieces over the past few weeks and have styled them many different ways! Leo & Nicole pieces are so easy to wear, and seamlessly fit anyone’s style! I love the classic woven designs they offer, but with a trendy spin like the cold shoulder detailing and transitional cowl neckline. These pieces are great for any age range, and are perfect for gifting and sporting this holiday season. You can accessorize to your hearts content and are sure to look ultra fabulous with Leo & Nicole!
To see some more of my favorites by this brand click here!
This past month I had the opportunity to partner with Yosi Samra for a fall campaign where I was able to try out two styles from their shoe collection and review them. Their fall line in out of this world and I am so excited to share my faves with you! The selections I landed on included the Valentina, in fig suede, and the Vivian in metallic boa.
If you are unfamiliar with Yosi Samra, they are a shoe brand famous for the foldable ballet flat which transitioned into an expanded line of shoes with a split sole. This design makes them super convenient to pack for travel, and incredibly comfortable!
Vivian
Metallics are a huge fall trend this year so I selected the Vivian in this amazing golden tone, platino! I’m also a huge GOT fan so these shoes really appealed to me as they remind me of the Targaryen style with a dragon scale inspired flare! The material is extremely lightweight, yet durable and subtle pointed toe adds the perfect finishing touch. The insole is plush and extremely comfortable and the split sole design keeps your feel flexible and mobile. I have enjoyed styling these with dark jeans and rich caramel, burgundy shades as well as cheetah prints.
Valentina
This is the perfect shoe to slide on and go! The comfortable and luxurious suede construction hugs your foot and the wrap style keeps the shoes securely on your feet. This dark burgundy shade is one of my favorites for the fall season and I love to incorporate it in accessories and lipsticks so, these shoes were the perfect selection for me! Opposite the Vivian, I like to pair these with light wash denim, and golden tones.
I personally love nontraditional flats which makes this brand perfect because they offer such a wide selection of quality made flats in a variety of silhouettes, such as the Vivian and Valentina! But if you have a love for the classics, they offer those as well!
I must say that I am very impressed with the quality of construction, premium materials used, and overall design of Yosi Samra shoes. The brand is definitely luxe, with an affordable price tag! And what’s even better? If you shop now, you can get a 20% discount with “HALEYS20” at checkout from their site, so what are you waiting for?!
So I really want to start off this post with some confessions. Over the past few years I have not taken very good care of my hair. With color, bleach, stripping of color, color, bleach, and repeat. My endless desire to change my hair has really brought damage to it over the years. This year I have really focused on ways to pamper my hair and give it some much needed TLC, so when David Douglas Beauty reached out, I of course welcomed the opportunity to try out their product line!
David Douglas Beauty is a professional hair care company founded in 2002, offering products made with high quality ingredients and best of all, never tests on animals. So lets get started with my review!
The products I have tested on my hair include:
- Violet Toning Shampoo
- Violet Toning Sealer
- Keratin Infused Shampoo
- Keratin Infused Conditioner
- Spray Straight
- Keratin Infused Serum
Packaging website and ordering
The packaging is sleek and minimalist, perfect in my opinion for hair products, that way the focus is on what is inside! The website is beautiful, and is neatly categorized by Product Type, Hair Treatment, and Hair Concerns. This makes it super easy to find exactly what you are looking for. As for shipment, my order came quickly and everything arrived safely. Each item was securely sealed with no leaks or damages.
Violet Products
The violet shampoo is a deep shade of purple and has similar texture to other violet shampoos I have tried. The benefits of this particular brand are the quality of ingredients and, for me the fact the I don’t have to sacrifice feel for color. Normally when I use color toning shampoos my hair is left feeling brittle and dry on the ends. That is simply not the case with this violet shampoo. My hair felt clean and workable. There is no heavy leftover residue, just soft clean hair that looks brighter and a cooler shade of blonde even after one use!
For the sealer, the shade is a pastel purple and has what appear to be sparkles in the formula. You apply to towel dried hair, let it sit for a few minutes then rinse with cool water. I really like this product! It sort of feels like a conditioner but not as heavy and doesn’t leave hair weighed down. You have the option to leave it in longer based on the shade you are trying to achieve, which is really cool, and again, I like this product because it is not over drying of harsh. – best of all it does not stain my fingers!
Over the next few uses of the violet products, I have noticed my hair has felt softer as well as brighter. When you have bleached hair, it can often feel very dry especially if you wash it too often. Since using these two products I have noticed that I can extend the life of my hair between washes, as it does not produce as much oil at my scalp, so that I can go 2.5 days between washes versus everyday. This process is much healthier on hair so I am very pleased with this product and its payoff so far.
I have been using these two products as my regular routine to keep my hair shiny and its best shade of blonde.
My New Straight Hair Regimen
Now these products are the real game changer for me. I have always struggled to manage straight hair. With the Houston humidity, and the fact that I have curly/wavy hair, even with the best straightener I end up with a frizzy mess every time! With the Keratin infused products, and spray straight I am able to achieve my straightest hair that lasts!
Keratin Infused Shampoo and Conditioner
On days when I want to straighten my hair I have been using the keratin products. The formula is thick and provides a rich lather. My hair is left feeling clean and ready for styling.
Styling Products
Following the wash, I towel dry my hair and apply the Keratin Infused Serum then blow dry. The serum is by far my favorite smelling product, seriously it smells amazing! It is not too oily or sticky and doesn’t leave my hair greasy. To finish off, I apply the spray straight. This is seriously the miracle product when it comes to keeping my hair straight. It does slightly change the texture of my hair…meaning you can tell there is product in it, but it looks natural and reduces frizziness which keeps my hair tamed in the humidity. Basically I would like to know where this product has been all my life?! 😀
To Sum It Up
My overall thoughts on the David Douglas brand is the products are very high quality and perform as described. They definitely surpassed my expectations, and I would recommend them to anyone looking to improve their blonde, combat frizziness, or just want to enhance the appearance of their hair! David Douglas the go-to for it all!
Here is a great example of my results! The left image is what happens to my hair is the humidity, before I had David Douglas products, the right image is how my hair withstands the heat and humidity with David Douglas products!
Now that I have had the A Perfect World line for over a month, and have been using a few of the products in my daily routine, I wanted to provide you all with a quick review of the products I love and what results I have actually seen from using them on a daily basis!
So the 4 products I will be reviewing include:
Origins A Perfect World Age Defense Eye Cream with SPF 20
Origins A Perfect World Age Defense Skin Guardian
Origins A Perfect World Age Defense Treatment Lotion with White Tea
Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea
I really wanted to share my opinion with you after continuous use of the products, and specifically the changes I have seen in my skin over the past month.
So lets start with the Treatment Lotion with White Tea. I have been using this product in the morning when I wake up and at night before bed. The scent is consistent with the rest of the line, and since it is alcohol-free it doesn’t irritate or burn the skin, eye area, or nose. I apply this product to a cotton ball and glide it across my face. The product is cool and tightens my pores effortlessly. It leaves skin feeling clean with a slight tightening sensation.
Once the Treatment Lotion has dried, I apply the Skin Guardian. This product is by far my favorite from the line. The texture is like a gel, and leaves my skin feeling like silk! I use 1.5 pumps and disperse the product over my face evenly. I can definitely tell a difference in my skin overnight from this product. My skin is softer and smoother. In the mornings it makes makeup application so simple and gives me a “primed” canvas to smoothly apply my liquid foundation.
At night when I shower, I use the Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea. This creamy cleanser removes all dirt and make up from my face, leaving my skin feeling squeaky clean, yet not over dried. I am prone to breakouts and redness but I have noticed since I have started using this product, and this line in general, my skin has balanced out and I create less oil on my forehead, my redness has subsided, and uneven texture and breakouts are minimal – if even at all! If you are thinking of trying out this line, I would recommend purchasing this product first.
I have been finding the eye cream most valuable on days I decide not to wear makeup. It lightens the area under my eyes a slight bit while hydrating. Plus, the added bonus of the sunscreen means I am protected while letting my skin breathe.
My regimen:
AM: Treatment Lotion with White Tea – Skin Guardian – Eye cream
PM: Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea – Treatment Lotion with White Tea – Skin Guardian
If you are debating on trying out the collection, I highly recommend it for breakout prone skin, prone to t-zone oiliness, redness, and even if you just want something with anti-aging properties. This line has truly worked wonders on my skin, and I love that I can feel good about the product that I am using because it is from Origins!
I hope you have found this review helpful, and will give this line a try!
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.
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!
I recently had the opportunity to try out the brand Heavenly Organics. This company has some of the tastiest honey I have ever tried, along with delicious chocolate treats!
The Brand Story
What mostly attracted me to the brand was the story behind it. All of the honey used in Heavenly Organics products were extracted in a sustainable, bee-friendly, and smoke-free way. A way that the founder’s father created, and shared with other local farmers. This ethical company currently supports over 600 family farmers and has been leading the authentic fair trade movement.
The company was “built on the belief that products can create peace, and will continue to expand on their early ideas of respecting the earth, animals, mankind and all who contribute to the circle of life.”
How amazing is that!?
I also found it really interesting to see the difference in benefits between raw honey over processed. If you are interested in seeing this, chart I have attached the link. 🙂
Taste and Packaging
So the next thing that really attracted me to this brand was the packaging! I mean, how cute is it? I love all of the bright colors, and and intricate circular logo design. It just makes you want to smile looking at it!
Now on to the taste! The chocolate patties come in a variety of flavors, and all of the options I tried were delicious. My favorite was the mint chocolate honey option. If you love dark chocolate then this is the candy for you! The cocoa is bitter and delicious, with the hint of sweet honey and peppermint to tie the flavors together creating a decedent sweet treat to please any sweet tooth! I also enjoyed knowing exactly what was in the candy. The ingredients are so minimal; you can count them on one hand! Delicious, and something I don’t feel guilty about putting in my belly.
I was also able to try their three raw honey options. I usually add honey to my tea, or with peanut butter on toast, but this honey is delicious with all sorts of things! I really enjoy pairing it with granola and fruit in the morning, or even with a bowl of yogurt. The natural sweetness is spectacular and so delicious.
If you are looking for a delicious and organic way to add some sweetness into your life, try out this amazing brand!
Origins recently re-launched their A Perfect World line and I had the amazing opportunity of trying it out!
To start the fun, I was invited to the re-launch celebration at my local Origins store, where I received a skin care consultation/ mini facial. At the consultation I was given a one-on-one skin care regime for my skin, and taught how to apply and use the products. The consultants were enthusiastic, and knowledgeable of the Origins line and my skincare concerns, which was really nice!
After that, I was taken over to receive a makeup application so that I would be ready, and refreshed for the rest of my day. The event also featured product demonstrations, treats, and even featured a charcoal artist and a tea leaf reader! All natural elements featured in Origins products.
Featured Products
Antioxidant Moisturizer with White Tea
Age Defense Eye Cream with SPF 20
Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea
Age Defense Treatment Lotion with White Tea
Age-Defense Skin Guardian with White Tea
Creamy Body Cleanser with White Tea
Highly Hydrating Body Lotion with White Tea
SPF 40 Age-Defense Moisturizer with White Tea
My first impression of the products
Packaging: The A Perfect World packaging is simple, clean, and beautiful. The light shades of green are complemented with crisp white and a mosaic palm print.
Scent: LOVE the scent! It smells of lemongrass with a hint of citrus, leaving your skin with a light refreshing scent.
Effectiveness: The White Tea and antioxidant rich ingredients really drew me in to this line. I am at the age now where I am focused on preserving further premature aging and caring for my skin. This means age defense products are on my top list of “wants” when it comes to my skin care regimen. The products do not over dry my skin nor do they leave it greasy or sticky. Just a natural healthy finish.
Origins overall
I have always loved Origins products as they have a wonderful story and product line. The natural, renewable ingredients they use, along with cruelty-free testing is something that really interests me in a skincare brand. To know that I am using a product that is good for me, and is not leaving a negative imprint on the environment is amazing. Stop by your local Origins and try out this impressive skincare line! You will not be disappointed.
A special thanks to Preen.Me for selecting me to attend the Origins re-launch party and review this amazing product line!
Everyday I want to do something different with my hair. From cut to color, my desires for change are never ending. And with the trends constantly changing, who’s to blame me? I love to have my hair bleached and colored different shades based on the seasons, or even when I get inspired for a change. Because of this, my hair is not as healthy as it used to be, therefore the length has been somewhat compromised. The lucky part of this is there is a solution! Clip-in extensions!
Some days I feel like having long hair and others, short. With extensions this is possible! I was recently contacted by Best Hair Store to review a set of their extensions. I selected an ombre style that would blend well with my current hair color. After ordering, the product arrived within a week. I was very impressed with the quality of the hair as well as the color. There was no shedding as I brushed out the hair, or even when I applied heat tools.
The installation was quick and easy. All I needed to do was part my hair in desired locations, tease the hair at the root, and then clip in the tracks.
The clips have a secure hold and do not pull, or pinch my hair or scalp. Each extension is lightweight, so there is not heavy pulling on any areas of the scalp. I love the ease of installation and removal of this product, not to mention the excellent quality!
This hair is most definitely worth the value and can be used to create so many exciting looks for me without further damaging or changing my natural hair!
If you are looking for some fun- current trend extensions, check out The Best Hair Store’s offerings! They have a beautiful assortment of extensions!
I absolutely love to get my hands on a great dress. There is something about it that gives you that “conquer-all” vibe. I am partial to purchasing “safe” neutral shades that transition, and can easily be re-styled, but ever so often, I find a piece that is bold, bright and I’ve just have to have it! That was this dress!
I selected this dress from Shein. Not only was the dress adorable, but the price was unbeatable! I just love how the mix of pastel shades blend together with the yellow back panel to create such a cute color block garment.
The details
With a back ¾ zip closure swing silhouette, and front pockets, this dress has it all. I especially love the length of the sleeves, and the neckline. It is perfect for adding a sparkling statement bib necklace, and dainty bracelet as accessories. I would recommend a short slip be worn with this dress as it is not lined, and the back panel is slightly see through.
My thoughts
I ordered this dress for $20.00 in a size medium, and would say it is a steal at that price! I believe the size small would also fit, but I decided to size up for the length as I am 5’8″. The construction and fabric quality is well produced, and the colors and shape of the garment online are true to what I received.
It only took about two weeks for me to get my order in from Shein and the garments were very well packaged. Each piece was placed in a separate zip bag and folded neatly.
If you are looking for a great spring dress to go to your next daytime wedding, birthday party, baby shower, or even to work, this must-have dress will fit the scene and get you noticed!