Thursday Thoughts

My thoughts this Thursday are all about Santa Barbara!  I am leaving on Saturday for a conference and I am beyond excited.  Even though it's for work it will be so nice to get away and be in the sun & sand for a few days.  Being in the sand and near the ocean always feeds my soul, I love it!  Someday, in the distant future, I will make a permanent home on a beach somewhere.  But, for now I will take my time on a beach however I can get it!  While I'm in Santa Barbara I plan to "Breathe it all in and Love it all out" and feed my mind, body & soul!

Happy Thursday!  

Deals & Steals **Valid 09/11/14**

Deal & Steals: Fit & Fabulous

This week for Deals & Steals the focus is "Fit & Fabulous".  There are some great products this week and I love that the focus is "Fit & Fabulous" since I am trying to get back on the workout wagon and also trying to eat better.

So, my picks for this week are...

Fit & Fresh: Assorted Meal Kits

Packing your own lunch everyday gives you a huge advantage because it allows you to control exactly what & how much you eat.  Plus, packing your lunch is cheaper than eating out everyday.  These Meal Kits are created with portion control in mind, the reusable containers are BPA free and microwave safe  There are 5 kits to choose from including the Adult Lunch Kit, which features containers with reusable ice packs to keep your food chilled for hours.  Shipping is $1.95 or free for orders over $25.  Promo code: GMA50KIT  **You can also get an additional 4% Cash Back when you shop through Ebates so make you get signed up for that, here.**

Julep Beauty: Plié Wand & Fall Color Mani Kit

This one is a pick for the obvious reason!    I LOVE Julep products!   This set includes the Plié Wand which I happen to already own and it's fabulous!  It improves accuracy and control for a less-messy manicure.  With a long handle for balance and control, the comfy grip options allow you to pivot the wand 360 degrees. Simply snap it over your Julep polish and you’ll achieve the perfect manicure, especially when using your non-dominant hand.  This kit also includes the Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat, Performance Top Coat, as well as nail polishes in the popular fall colors Gayle and Zelda.  Limit 1 per person. Free shipping!  Promo code: GMAFALL2014  **You can also get an additional 1.5% Cash Back when you shop through Ebates so make you get signed up for that, here.**

Apothecary Extracts Australian Tea Tree Oil-Review

*Australian Tea Tree Oil by Apothecary Extracts

Tea Tree Oil has been used by natives for centuries but has gained a lot more popularity among the rest of over the years and now you can find it in everything from shampoo to acne medications.  Apothecary Extracts was nice enough to send me some of their Australian Tea Tree Oil to test out along with a free eBook of 50+ Uses for Tea Tree Oil.  I have used Tea Tree Oil in the past but mostly just to treat blemishes or other minor skin issues.  I guess I never really thought about using it for anything else.

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That's why I am so glad they included the handy ebook that shows all the different ways you can use Australian Tea Tree Oil.  I love one use in particular that's for an all purpose cleaner that works really well and here is the recipe...

All Purpose Tea Tree Oil Cleaner
2 tsp. Apothecary Extracts Australian Tea Tree Oil
1 clean spray bottle
2 cups distilled water
6 oz. white vinegar
20 drops of cassia or lemon essential oil (optional to get rid of vinegar odor)
Mix all ingredients into spray bottle and give it a good shake.  Make sure to shake it before each use because the oils will separate from the water.

I have also been adding it to some of my facial masks and to some of my steam facials that I do because of it's antiseptic and anti fungal abilities and because it promotes faster healing.  But, one of my favorite uses has been to use it on some really bad mosquito bites that I have had.  The Apothecary Extracts Australian Tea Tree Oil gave me immediate relief from the itching & irritation and it also helped heal the bits so much faster than if I would of just left them untreated.  I love this stuff and now that I know there are so many more uses for it, it will always be found around my house!
You can get more information on Apothecary Extracts Australian Tea Tree Oil on apothecaryextracts.com.  Or order yourself a bottle it & get your free eBook of 50+ Uses 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.

UNi 100% Organic Pure Moroccan Argan Oil-Review

*UNi 100% Organic Pure Moroccan Argan Oil

Unless you have been living under a rock then you have probably heard about Argan Oil and all the great benefits that it has.  There seems to be so many different types of oils out there now but Argan Oil was the first oil that I started using and I still love it!  Uni sent me some of their 100% Organic Pure Moroccan Argan Oil to try out and like most 100% Organic Pure Moroccan Argan Oils it really can't be beat.  Argan Oil is such a fantastic all-around moisturizer.  I use it on my entire body, seriously, from head to toe, including the ends of my hair

A little interesting history is that UNi 100% Organic Pure Moroccan Argan Oil comes from

the Kingdom of Morocco, a traditional product known in the cosmetic industries as liquid gold.  Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa) is a plant based oil produced from the kernels of an Argan tree.  The tree survives and lives only in the driest desert of south-western Morocco, making it extremely adaptive and resistant.   It is this natural resilience that makes Argan oil prized and unique.  Traditionally used for culinary and medicinal treatment oil and now this wonderful oil is used for cosmetic uses.

Just a few of the benefits from UNi 100% Organic Pure Moroccan Argan Oil is that it helps to hydrate and restores damaged hair.  Also, for generations, locals have used Argan Oil for the treatment of skin diseases, such as, chickenpox, acne, psoriasis, rash, itchiness, burnt skin, inflammation and dry eczema.  What makes Argan Oil simply amazing are its natural properties that can be used on all skin types from sensitive to normal and even oily skin and also damaged to frizzy hair.

Amazing gold liquid in a bottle, that's what this stuff is!  Check out unipurity.com for more detailed information on UNi 100% Organic Pure Moroccan Argan Oil.  Also, you can purchase UNi 100% Organic Pure Moroccan Argan Oil 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.

Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream-Review

*Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream

I love Adovia products, I'm not sure if it's the Dead Sea Minerals that they use in their products or what but I love the way they make my skin feel and the products smell so clean & fresh.  I also really love their packing.

I actually have to be really careful with moisturizers since I have really oily skin.  A lot of people think that when you have oily skin you don't need to use a moisturizer but that can't be further from the truth.  Us oily girls need moisture too!  If you pick the right moisturizer it can actually balance your skin out and it won't want to produce as much oil which will result in your skin being less oilier.

Luckily, this Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream is good for all skin types, and it contains natural oils & aloe vera gel for hydration that absorbs quickly, it's non-greasy and lasts all day.  It does wonders for my oily skin.  Plus, it's hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested & approved, all natural UV Protection, 100% CRUELTY FREE and Never Tested on Animals!  Love, love and love!

Take a look at all the great products that Adovia has to offer at Adoviaspa.com and you can also purchase them at Amazon.com & Cleopatraschoice.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.

Youphoria Yoga Towel-Review

*Youphoria Yoga Towel

I love a good Barre3 workout and I love it even more with my new Youphoria Yoga Towel!  I loved the idea of a nice, soft towel to put over my yoga mat so when Youphoria Yoga offered to send me one to try out I was super excited.  I really liked all the different colors they had to choose from but I had to have the pink & gray one (so pretty).

Not only is the towel super soft & pretty but there is a lot of great benefits to using a yoga towel over your yoga mat (Youphoria Yoga also makes a cool Yoga Mat that you can check out here).  Some of the benefits of using a toga towel are that it extends the life of your mat & reduces the risk of bacteria.  Sometimes it's pain to wash your yoga mat after each session (does anyone really do that?).  It's great to be able to just throw the Youphoria Yoga Towel in the wash instead and get rid of any harmful bacteria.  Plus, it's nice not have to worry about sliding around on your mat when you use the Youphoria Yoga Towel!

You can order yourself one of these cool Youphoria Yoga Towels at Amazon.com for only $24.99!

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.

**Tone It Up Tuesdays**

Frisky Fall 8 Week Challenge

Are you ready for a new you & a new Tone It Up challenge?  I know I am!  The summer totally got away from me and I did not find the time to take care of myself like I should have (shame on me!).  So, I love second chances and this is it!

Sign up with me for the Frisky Fall 8 Week Challenge and with the Tone It Up girls, here and let's get back on the workout wagon.  Get ready to boost your metabolism and cinch every inch of your body. You’re about to get INSANE with this incredible cardio routine!!

Be sure to sign up and let's take on the Frisky Fall 8 Week Challenge together!