Saturday, October 24, 2009

Join the Makeup Revolution!

http://mineralmakeupmutiny.wordpress.com/about/

Support indie mineral makeup companies that create unique, original products. Say NO to straight-up repackaged mineral makeup and pigments!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Amazing Grass - Amazing Meal


So I just tried the first of my Amazing Grass order, and I must say I am pleasantly surprised! I tried the Amazing Meal in the flavor 'Chocolate Infusion'. Amazing Meals are meant as just that, a meal. Use it to start of your day with energy, or fill in the gaps when you're hungry. It is chock full of healthy certified organic ingredients which themselves are full of vitamins and minerals. There is also beneficial bacteria like you find in yogurt, which aids in digestion. Its sweetened with Organic Cane Juice and flavored with Organic Red Dutch Cocoa. I had planned on making a shake with it but didn't have any ice cream, so I just added it to milk. My first impression upon opening the single serving packet was the smell, yum! It smelled just like you want chocolate powder to smell, although its very understated and mild compared to some other things like sugar-laden hot cocoa, etc. I also let my husband take a whiff, and he goes "Mmm, that smells tasty!"

Then I proceeded to add it to my glass of milk. It recommends approximately 10 ounces of liquid, I'm not sure how much I put but it was about half of my large red cup. I was a bit disappointed in how it mixed, there was a lot of lumpiness even after stirring. I think Ill try putting it in a shaker next time and see if that helps. Or perhaps adding more milk would help, but I like my drinks really strong so I didn't. Upon first taste I was a bit wishy-washy about how I felt. At first you get the delicious chocolate taste, but soon after it tasted a bit like grass. And the texture (because it was hard to mix) was sort of like dirt. Which, when you think about all the ingredients in it, makes total sense. But still it is a bummer! I think I often set my expectations way too high, rather than remaining neutral to begin with. It causes everything to fall short in my eyes, which is silly because nothing is perfect!

But consider the fact that they pack in all organic ingredients including wheat and barley grass, alfalfa, rice and hemp protein, rose hips, maca, Goji, carrot, flax seed powder, etc. We don't eat most of those things in our everyday food, and few of them taste great to begin with, so to be able to make them palatable is actually quite amazing! And after I sipped at it for awhile, the taste no longer bothered me. I did end up adding a scoop of Ovaltine to it since I had it in the cupboard, and that gave it a little more chocolate flavoring but it didn't make a huge difference.

It has been about a half hour now since I drank my Amazing Meal and I'm actually quite shocked. It may be coincidence but I had a headache before and now its gone! Also, I just feel good. I felt fine all day I suppose, but now I'm just like "lets go run around the block!" I'm sure part of it is just a placebo effect, but given what its made of I think the whole point is to make you feel great. In reality it may take drinking it regularly to make a real difference in my health, so we will just have to see. But overall, this is a very worthwhile product. And if it really can make a difference in health and how you feel, then a little aftertaste is worth it for what you get in return!

Id definitely recommend everyone to at least order the samples like I did, they are very affordable, and see for yourself. Its great to read peoples thoughts on stuff, but the best thing to do is research it yourself! As I try all the other product samples I bought, I will post on them and let you know what I think! Thanks again for reading. Stay healthy this fall!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Just checking in!

Just wanted to let everyone know I finally received my Amazing Grass supplements, as well as the rest of my Aromaleigh order. I was going to try out the Amazing Grass this evening but I have no milk, and no blender to make a smoothie. :) Soooo I will try to take care of that problem tomorrow, and then I will post my review. I'm also on the lookout for a better camera so that I can get some more photos on here. A lot of times I slack on posting because I cant get a decent image!

I also need to try out some more eyeshadow looks and share them. I ordered samples of a few more colors, including the Le Mystere collection. They are one of a kind, unable to replicate colors that Kristen creates with the 'scraps' from creating her other collections. They are in limited supply so I thought I might try some samples and see if they are worth ordering full sizes before its too late! I also received the fragrance sample collection, indelible gel eyeliner in blackout, a free Rocks! glitter in rebelrebel. So far I'm liking the looks of everything, and have a feeling Ill be very pleased with my purchases!

The last thing I wanted to mention was that along with the usual 3 free eye shadow samples with every Aromaleigh order, I also have been receiving a free sample of a lipstick! I just wanted to express how awesome that is, and what a nice surprise. I'm not used to all this wonderful treatment from a company! Aromaleigh is really wonderful though, and one of a kind in not only its products but its customer treatment, etc. I am so glad I stumbled upon this company!

Well, that's all for now! Thanks again for reading. I hope everyone's week is going well, have fun and stay safe!

Friday, October 16, 2009

WWF - Videos - 2009 Public Service Announcements

Id like to share this video with you all. The environment and its future are very important to me. WWF - Videos - 2009 Public Service Announcements

Shared via AddThis

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Aromaleigh Makeup Haul

So yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon I checked the mail and there was a bunch of junk advertisements of course. But there was also a small package! At first because it was so small I thought it must be my Amazing Grass supplements (I also ordered those first, so it made sense) but it turned out to be my Aromaleigh Mineral Makeup samples, yay!!! I guess since it was all samples its pretty easy to get them all into a small package ^_^. So here's a picture of the envelope (bubble wrap padded). The itemized purchase list with free samples stapled to corner is under it, and the tissue paper wrapped samples on top.



I really, really love how they wrapped up the samples. Its so cute! Inside of the tissue paper were all the individual zip lock samples, which were in one big zip lock bag to keep them all together. So far they've made a great first impression!



What iced the cake for me was the handwritten thank you. Its thoughtful, and just goes to show you how much better small businesses are compared to corporate owned. Also, Kristen (the owner) has personally responded to comments Ive left on their Facebook. She is very much involved! Plus to top it all off they have amazing sales, free samples with EVERY order, and customer incentives. So not only are you getting a great product, you are getting it at a reasonable price, as well as being rewarded by them for no other reason than to say, "thank you for being a customer!" If I made a checklist of all the features I look for in a company or in makeup, they nearly fulfill them all!



This last picture is of all my samples laid out. I have them in piles based on the collection they are from, and their use. The upper left corner are the lipstick samples, the center right are foundation, and the rest are basically eyeshadow. There are also a few blush, a night repair mineral, a foundation primer, and a mineral glow. As I use them I will add pictures as well as naming each product individually! So keep checking in as I add more!


Thanks again for reading! Have a great week, stay safe, and come back soon!

*I was not paid for this review, nor were the products free. I bought them with my own money for my own personal use and enjoyment. I blog about them so that I may share the joy and/or dismay I have in the product.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Maris Farms Pumpkin Patch & Cornmaze!



So this last Saturday my hubby, son, and I were able to get out to Maris Farms (marisfarms.com) near Buckley, WA. Ive been waiting for pumpkin patches and corn mazes to open up for the season, and when a friend invited us to go I jumped at the opportunity! We all had fun but I think my son had the most fun! There were little tractors he could ride himself, farm animals to see (definitely a favorite...he misses my moms farm back in California), TONS of pumpkins to choose from, great food, a giant bounce mat, tube slide, etc.


I had been to a farm similar to this back in California but at Maris we got a lot more for our money I think, and it was so beautiful out there with the rolling fields and fall colors! The corn maze was really neat because they gave you questions, and if you knew the right answer it helped guide you through. Its definitely worth going especially if you have children and/or a group to go with.

Only disappointment was how early they closed. At Hawes Ranch in California, it was opened until at least 10pm, so we always went late to do the corn maze in the dark! Anyway that's about all I did this weekend worth noting. Hubby works 12hr night shifts including weekends so I spend a lot of time home because he is sleeping and then wants to just relax before work. Hopefully tomorrow we will get out and get some things done. On another note, I should be posting soon about the goodies I'm waiting for! So until then have fun, be safe, and thanks for reading!






*I was NOT paid to review Maris Farms, nor did I get in free in exchange for advertisements. I paid with my own personal money, and just wanted to share my experience with my readers!

Friday, October 9, 2009

What Ive been up to & review soon to come!

I haven't posted in a few days. I wouldn't say Ive been busy exactly, just not up at the right time or in the right mood. My husband had finally finished his on the job training for his Air Force job and has been switched to nights/12hr shifts. Huge change in our habits! We are slowing adjusting and at least they make up for it by giving more days off as well as time off on weekdays which is when we've needed it the most! Currently do to our move we have become a one vehicle family so getting anything done while he is working during the week has been impossible...so now we are able to! Yay!

On another note today I was busy busy! I was watching a friends daughter (5 months younger than my son) while she and her hubby were at the hospital. She is due with their second child soon and has been having complications. But they sent her home this evening and shes doing okay. Hopefully she can get a closer to full term before he decides to come out! I really enjoyed watching her daughter, and my son enjoyed finally having a friend of similar age. And shes such a well behaved, adorable little girl!

Anyway, just to wrap this up so I can sleep...I just wanted to let you know Ill be doing a couple reviews on some products Ill be trying. To comply with FTC I just wanna let y'all know I am NOT getting paid for this, NOR were the products free. I purchased samples with my (hubbies) hard earned money!

The first is Amazing Grass. This company makes nutritional health products mostly in powder forms to be added to smoothies/shakes. Ive heard about them before and was impressed by what people had to say so I wanted to see for myself! I bought a sample of their Superfood, Kidz Superfood, Wheat grass, and a few other things. I'm very excited to taste test and see health wise what they might do for my family and I.

The second is Aromaleigh Cosmetics. This company is owned/run by a lovely lady named Kristen and a small handful of ladies (and a couple gentleman Ive noticed!) The majority of their makeup is mineral, and it has some of the purist ingredients Ive seen in a makeup company. She responds to customers personally and is very much involved with the creation process. I'm ecstatic about this purchase and cant wait to try out the eye shadows, foundation, and lipstick samples! Its been a long time since Ive experimented with makeup and I cant wait to get back into it. Ill post lots of photos and if I can muster up the courage, Ill eventually do a video too!

Well that's all for now, I babbled on long enough already. I hope everyone enjoys the coming weekend! And thanks again for reading!