***Total Beauty-Better Than Black Friday Warehouse Sale***

Total Beauty is having a "Better Than Black Friday Warehouse Sale"!

You can pick from a selection of Total Beauty Collections or Grab Bags for $30.00 with coupon code 2FOR30 or save 20% off one with coupon code SALE20!

Here is a peek at the different Collections & Grab Bags...Get them before their gone!

Better Than Black Friday - 2 for $30

  Better Than Black Friday - 20% Off

Get the best prices of the year at our Better Than Black Friday Sale at TotalBeauty.com

Thursday Thoughts-"I've got the POWER!"

So long doom & gloom, you have no power over me!  I have never really been one that stays in a funk for very long.  For one thing, I have too much going on in my life to sit around and feel sorry for myself, for another I have way too many people that rely on me.  

So, I am back & I have a new focus.  I decided I needed to set some new goals for myself and my family and rearrange my priorities.  With life being so hectic it's easy to forget the things that really matter and that it's really important to stop and take some time for yourself.  For me, some time for myself was what I was in desperate need of.  Even though I really wanted to escape by myself for an entire weekend I decided that, that was not really an option so I did the next best thing and took a personal day off work.  I finally able to get caught up on a few things that I had been putting off which in turn allowed me to FINALLY have a full day on Sunday to just RELAX.  I realized that I had not felt relaxed or that I have not allowed myself to relax in the past 3 months (no wonder I was feeling full of doom & gloom).  I have been living on adrenaline and no sleep for so long that I think my body and mind finally just had enough!

My advice...if you do anything this week, make YOU a priority, everything else will fall into place!

Deals & Steals **Valid 08/28/14**

Deal & Steals Valid 08/28/14

It's Thursday and that means it's Deals & Steals day!  This week it's all about sweets & treats.  There are some interesting things to choose from, some things I have heard of and some things I haven't.  One thing is for sure, I would like to try everything!  The following are my two picks...

HannahMax Baking: Cookie Chips

Tastes like a cookie and eats like a chip.  This sweet treat is just the right amount of indulgence. HannahMax Baking’s Cookie Chips are made with high-quality ingredients including milled cane sugar, pure creamery butter, farm-fresh eggs, fine chocolate, and pure vanilla.  There are no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, trans fats or GMOs in any of the Cookie Chips.  A pack of 4 (6.0oz) bags are available in Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Sugar, Dark Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Original Flavor, or Sea Salted Peanut Butter.  Or, try each flavor with pack of 6 (6.0oz) bags. Shipping is included into this deal price of $17.97.  Use coupon code GMA2014.

DIVINO: All Natural Gelato Filled Fruit

Handcrafted by Italian artisans on the Amalfi Coast, each fruit has its pulp spooned out and turned into fresh gelato.  DIVINO’s gelato is then placed back into the two halves into the original skin of the fruit. Gluten-free, non-GMO and preservative-free, each gelato is individually packaged with a spoon.  Select from 5 flavors including Amalfi Lemon, Black Diamond Plum, Ciaculli Tangerine, Roman Kiwi, and Apulian Peach.  Each flavor comes in a pack of 12. DIVINO has an 18-month shelf life if stored properly in the freezer.  I am dying to try these but they may just be too pricey for me.  Even at 50% these are at $49.50 + Shipping is $13, promo code GMA.

Check out these yummy treats and see what else they have for Deals & Steals this week!

***Autographed Make-up by ONE DIRECTION Giveaway***

Autographed Make-up by ONE DIRECTION

The Wait is Over! Makeup by One Direction is now available at Macy's and to celebrate the much anticipated launch you can enter to WIN a Limited Edition Make-up by ONE DIRECTION autographed by all the members of One Direction! (insert teenage screams here, lol)

Winners will receive a Make-up by ONE DIRECTION limited-edition collection of beauty essentials, housed in a collectible keepsake tin.  Inside is everything you need to rock all your beauty looks on or off the stage.  The tin will be autographed by all the members of One Direction.  One of the 3 available collections (Midnight Memories, Take Me Home, or Up all Night) will be sent.  Check out the official rules to see if you're eligible.  Winners will be selected at random.  Filling out the form below gives the brand consent to contact you about winning, announcements, and other promotions. No Purchase Necessary.

"Midnight Memories"

The Midnight Memories tin holds all the essentials for you to look more rock and roll than Zayn in his leather jacket, with some intense blacks, bold red lip and metallic nail polish.

• Through The Dark’ Liquilights glow gloss: Electric glitter poppy lip gloss that glows to neon red orange under UV light
• Eyeshadow palette containing:
  Little White Lies – palest warm grey
  Don't Forget Where You belong – Soft pink shimmer
  Half A Heart – Metal grey
  Strong – Charcoal black matte shimmer
  Midnight Memories – Silver glitter creme
• ‘Best Song Ever’ – Crimson red creme lipstick
• ‘Little Black Dress’ – Volumizing black mascara
• ‘Right Now’ – Metallic steel nail polish
• ‘Better Than Words’ – Black eye and body crayon

"Up All Night"

This one’s for you if you love super cute colors and more of a fun, flirty side to your girly beauty look.  It’s packed with bubblegum pinks, summery shades of blue and flattering shimmers. 

• ‘Taken’ Liquilights glow gloss: Powerhouse glitter pink lip gloss that glows to neon orange under UV light
• Eyeshadow palette containing: More Than This – Soft blushing pink
  Gotta Be You – Silvered taupe shimmer
  Save You Tonight – Shimmering turquoise blue
  Another World – Royal blue shimmer
  Up All Night – Sapphire glitter creme
• ‘I Should Have Kissed You’ – Bubblegum pink creme lipstick
• ‘Little Black Dress’ – Volumizing black mascara
• ‘Na Na Na’ – Aqua blue metallic chrome nail polish
• ‘Stand Up’ – Dark denim eye and body crayon

"Take Me Home"

This one’s a little bit more bronzed up, with softer, more golden shades to make the effortlessly gorgeous, girl-next-door sorta beauty look completely foolproof.  Peachy shimmers, sheer lips and sparkles all over the place.

• ‘Kiss You’ Liquilights glow gloss: Orange glitter rush lip gloss that glows to neon yellow under UV light
• Eyeshadow palette containing: Back For You – Velvet creme
  Change My Mind – Peachy shimmer
  C’Mon C’Mon – Soft taupe
  Little Things – Smokey brown
  Take Me Home – Golden glitter creme
  ‘Last First Kiss’ – Nude pink sheer lipstick
• ‘Little Black Dress’ – Volumizing black mascara
• ‘Live While We’re Young’ – Multi Dimensional gold glitter nail polish
• ‘I Wish’ – Chocolate brown eye and body crayon

For more details on the Autographed Make-up by One Direction check out the OneDirectionMagazine.com or Make Up by One Direction.  (Post Sponsored by BrandBacker)

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Exuviance Illumination Duo & Exuviance Performance Peel AP25 Reviews

Exuviance Illumination Duo

I was so excited to receive free samples of the Exuviance Illumination Duo since I love anything skin care related and I have read some great reviews on these products and have been wanting to try them out for myself for awhile now.

The Exuviance Illumination Duo combines the power of the Evening Restorative Complex, with the 100% pure active formulation of Vitamin C+ Antiaging Booster for a potent antiaging cocktail that combats the visible signs of aging.  Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex is clinically proven to improve overall skin texture, tone, and appearance and 90% of people see smoother skin after 4 weeks of using Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex.  The Exuviance Vitamin C+ Antiaging Booster amps up the effects of the Evening Restorative Complex, helping to fade the look of dark spots while improving skin firmness and smoothing texture and wrinkles.  

While my sample sizes only had enough product for about a weeks use I am sold on both products!  I really loved how both products were quickly absorbed into my skin and they way they made my skin feel immediately afterward.  I even loved the fresh, light scent of the products.  In the morning my skin felt & looked smoother and at weeks end it even looked a little more even toned.  I can't imagine how great my skin would look with continued use!

I also received a few samples of the Exuviance Performance Peel AP25 which I also loved!  I am a huge fan of skin peels of all kinds and I have tested well over a dozen and I have to say I was really impressed with how my skin looked after just a few uses.

Here is a description directly from the Exuviance website...

The creators of the original Glycolic Acid peel introduce a high performance peel that is safe and easy to use at home. The Exuviance Performance Peel AP25 contains a 25% blend of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA) including Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid and Gluconolactone. Performance Peel AP25 not only works at skin's surface to exfoliate dead, dull surface layers, it also stimulates the process of cell renewal among all layers, to reveal fresher, healthier cells. With regular use, up to twice a week, this peel has been clinically proven to:

• Refine pore size and smooth texture
• Visibly diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improve clarity and brightness
• Brighten and even skin tone
• Provide an all-over healthy glow, suppleness and smoothness to skin

You can purchase both products from the Exuviance website and you can also get 7.5% Cash Back on your purchase by using your Ebates account!

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

Tone It Up Tuesdays-Fritzzas!

Fritzzas

I know I've said this before but I really do love the Tone It Up girls.  They are an inspiration to so many people (including me of course!) and they have created such an awesome brand and I love sharing it with my readers!

They recently posted a yummy recipe for Fritzzas that I wanted to share with you.  What is a Fritzza you ask?  A Frittza is basically a fruit tart that makes a perfect, healthy treat.

Ingredients

Crust:

1 batch No Bake Everything Dough (See below)

Icing:

• 1 Cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 Tbs. vanilla extract
• 3 tsp. honey or maple syrup

Topping:

Your favorite fruit and berries!

Prepare no bake everything dough and place in muffin tins, press into the sides making an even thickness throughout. Cover and place in the fridge to set. Combine icing ingredients together and place in the fridge to set. Place a spoonful on top of each Fritzza. Top with a selection of your favorite fruit and berries.

No Bake Everything Dough

Use this versatile dough as a base for a number of different recipes! Anything from healthy snack balls, bars, or an easy crust for healthy pies like your Fritzzas!

Ingredients

• 1 Cup quinoa
• ½ Cup oats
• ⅓ Cup raw cashews
• ½ Cup dates, pitted & chopped
• ½ Cup coconut oil
• ⅓ Cup almond butter
• ⅓ Cup coconut butter
• 2 Tbs. honey

Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until everything is combined. Put dough into the fridge until ready to use!.

Can you say YUMM?

Xium Raspberry Ketone-Review

*Xium Raspberry Ketones

I did a previous blog post (read here) where I mentioned that I have been testing out a few different brands of Raspberry Ketones.  I am fortunate that each product has been very high quality and that each has given me great results.  Xium sent me their Raspberry Ketones as well as their Green Coffee Bean Extract (which I am still using) that I did a review on as well and you can read here.

The science behind the all natural Xium Raspberry Ketones is that it produces a hormone, which helps in the break down of fat cells and acts as an appetite suppressant.  I have had great results with the Xium Raspberry Ketones.  Since I haven't got back on my regular exercise schedule just yet I haven't noticed any weight loss but I also haven't gained any weight either which is great since I have not been making the best food choices lately since I've been so stressed.  So, it has really help me maintain my weight!

As with all of the supplements that I use this one has no fillers, binders and is all natural!  The Xium Raspberry Ketones is a quality product that I will continue to purchase.

You can get more information from the Xium2.com website and you can also purchase a bottle of the Xium Raspberry Ketones at on Amazon.com.

Stay tuned for a future blog post where I will share all the supplements I take on a daily basis, their benefits & where you can purchase them!

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.

Pure Raspberry Ketones-Review

*Pure Raspberry Ketones

Raspberry Ketones has been a staple in my supplement arsenal for awhile now because it's been proven to be a fat burner and great for appetite control.  Over the past few months I have been sent a few different brands to test out and give my unbiased reviews.  Today's review is for Raspberry Ketones Suppressants Supplement Capsules by Summit Nutritions.

First I wanted to share a brief description of how Raspberry Ketones Supplement Capsules work...
In Vivo and In Vitro studies, it shows that it increases the fatty acid oxidation; stimulate Adiponectin, which is a protein involved in regulating glucose level and fatty acid oxidation.  It burns the body fat and converts it into energy when body needs it and that is how it helps body to control appetite; as a result it is appetite suppressant.  Raspberry Ketones works as an efficient weight loss supplement when it combined with balanced diet and regular exercise.  When one does exercise, it require body to burn extra energy and also burn extra calories, and if you are taking Raspberry Ketones, it burn the Existing Body fat to convert it into Energy which is required for Exercise.  As a result one doesn't need extra nutrition to get energy for exercise.

I have been taking Raspberry Ketones Supplement Capsules for the past several weeks and I am super happy with my results!  The supplements have really helped control my appetite and while I haven't noticed any weight loss I also haven't gained any weight which is a big bonus for me.  However, I also have not been exercising as regularly as I should be so as I start getting back to my regular exercise schedule I anticipate being able to see some weight loss.  I really like that it helps control my appetite since I am a big stress eater and while I normally eat really healthy when I'm stressed out I tend to go for the typical comfort foods and unfortunately I have been really stressed out.
I take several supplements for a variety of reasons and the most important thing I always look for in a supplement is that is has no fillers, binders or other artificial ingredients.  That should be something everyone looks for when choosing a supplement!

You can order your own bottle of Raspberry Ketones Supplement Capsules at Amazon.com.

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.

THE GREEN YOUR ROUTINE COLLECTION BY TOTALBEAUTY.COM

Green Your Routine Collection

Have you been wanting to revamp your beauty products and try to incorporate some "green" products?  Well here is your chance to test out some great products to you can green your routine!  Total Beauty has put together a fun Green Your Routine Collection, an array of top natural, organic and vegan beauty products, a $85 value for just $25.00 and right now you can get an additional 15% off that by using the coupon code BEAUTY15.  Simply click on the link below and enter the code at checkout to get your collection now...

Use the code BEAUTY15 and get 15% Off the Green Your Routine Collection

eSutras Organic Golden Flax Seed-Review

*eSutras Organic Golden Flax Seed

Oh how I love my Flax Seed!  eSutras sent me a bottle of their Organic Golden Flax Seed to try out and I am loving it!  I usually buy my Flax Seed in a bulky bag and I have to say I LOVE the fact that their Golden Flax Seed comes in a easy to use container and it's so easy to just shake some out onto my morning yogurt or one of my breakfast smoothies and then at lunch I just sprinkle some onto my salad or even my sandwich to give it a light nutty flavor.  It's also a great quality product and you simply cannot beat the fact that is Organic and it's just a bonus that it's also inexpensive at just $5.00!

As someone who struggles with inherited high cholesterol I rely on Flax Seed to naturally keep my levels in check.  Here are just a few health benefits of Organic Golden Flax Seed...

• Helps with heart disease and lowering cholesterol. 
• Its high content of alpha linoleic acids has made the ancient flax seed become our modern miracle food. Alpha linoleic acid is a type of omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon.
• Helps in lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) levels. 

Make sure you check out the eSutras Organics website to order your own Organic Golden Flax Seed and to check out all the other amazing Organic products that eSutras has to offer.  I already have a long shopping list started! 

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.

Must Have Monday-bareMinerals Natural Light Face Lifting Duo

Natural Light Face Lifting Duo

I am feeling like things are looking up a little more from last week, it's a new day & a new week!  

Happy Must Have Monday!

As most of you already know I am a bareMinerals fanatic so when I came across this highlighting product from bareMinerals I knew it had to be on my "Must Have" list.  Apparently it's been around for awhile so I am not sure how I am just now seeing it but now that I know about it I simply must have it!  It has great reviews for the actual product but I have also seen a few complaints from people not knowing how to really use it and that the product itself does not come with instructions.  However, the bareMinerals website has these instructions..

• Warmer Back-Lit tone creates a lift effect when applied above brows, on inner and outer eye corners and cheekbones
• Lighter Well-Lit tone diffuses shadows in nose folds, lip corners and lower cheeks

It would be nice to have one of those easy to follow face charts or diagrams that some bareMinerals products come with so I took it upon myself to do a little research.  I could not find any face charts or diagrams, just a couple "How To" articles that I have listed below...

How to Use Bare Escentuals Natural Light Dual Powder

Natural Light

Have you tried the bareMinerals Natural Light Face Lifting Duo?  If so, leave me a comment below, I would to hear what you think about it!

Number One Probiotic-Review

*Number One Nutrition Advanced Probiotic

I am already an advocate of Probiotics and I usually get them by drinking lots of Kombucha or adding Probiotic juice to my morning smoothies so I was excited when  Number One Nutrition sent me a bottle of their Advanced Probiotic Dietary Supplement to test out for them.

I love the simplicity of getting my daily Probiotics by taking a simple veggie capsule vs. drinking a kombucha or probiotic juice.  Being able to take Number One Nutrition Advanced Probiotic Dietary Supplement anywhere and not have to worry about keeping anything refrigerated like you do with Kombucha or other Probiotic juices is a huge benefit for me.  Plus, I already take a pretty wide variety of supplements so adding one more to my regime is really easy for me.

There are a lot of benefits to taking Probiotics on a normal basis and I primarily take them to help support my immune system but I also use Probiotics to help with some of the digestive distress issues that I deal with.

 Number One Advanced Probiotic has other benefits like the ones list below:

- Balance your intestinal flora

- Improve your mood
- Break down allergy causing proteins
- Accelerate your fat loss

- Fight off infections

Go to the Number One Nutrition website & order yourself a bottle and to find out more information on Probiotics or you can also order yourself a bottle of Number One Advanced Probiotic from Amazon.com.

I would love to hear about your experience with Probiotics and why you take them so leave me a comment below...

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.

Thursday Thoughts-Doom & Gloom

Do you ever get in one of those moods where you just feel like nothing in your life is going right and you kinda just want to runaway?  Yeah, me too. :(  I want so bad to be & feel grateful for all the blessings in my life but I just can't seem to shake this feeling of doom & gloom.  

I really do have a lot to be grateful for, good health, husband, kids, family & friends, pets and a roof over my head.  You know the usual stuff.  I also love writing my blog & doing all the fun things that it entails.

I'm just in a weird funk and I am trying desperately to get out of it.  It also doesn't help that I am a "suffer in silence" type".

We are hosting a little gathering at our house this weekend for a friends birthday so I am hoping that will help pull me out of my self-inflicted black hole.  Do you ever get in a funk & find it hard to pull yourself out?  What do you do to help yourself?  I would be open for any suggestions!

HealthyNow Colon Cleanse Detox Plus - Review

*HealthyNow Colon Cleanse Detox Plus

I received a bottle of the Colon Cleanse Detox Plus from HealthyNow and I have been taking it for a few weeks.  I am always up for a good detox and Colon Cleanse Detox Plus has been a mild and effective way to help me clean out my system and help get everything back in balance.  I am a firm believer in doing a detox and I try to do one every few weeks or so.  This detox has even made me feel like I'm not as sluggish and I also feel like I have a little more energy!

Some of the other great benefits of this detox are that it regulates digestion, improves digestive health and improves absorption of nutrients.

You can get more information on Colon Cleanse Detox Plus @ HealthyNowBrands.com & You can purchase Colon Cleanse Detox Plus at Amazon.com.

Do you like to detox too?  I would love to hear how you detox and what you use, leave me a comment below...

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.