TOCCA Eau de Parfum

TOCCA means to "touch" in Italian and each of the scents will take you on a journey. If your looking for a stocking stuffer, there's a scent for everyone to pick from. The Eau de Parfum comes in a beautiful cut glass, Italian-made bottle with a heavy embossed gold-colored cap. The bottle was inspired by vintage 1920's cognac bottles, in the whimsical shape of Cinderella's pumpkin carriage. The most popular fragrances are Cleopatra, Florence, and Stella.

Tocca was kind enough to send a few samples over. The 50ml size goes for around $72.
The ones I tried were Emelia and Maya. First let's start with Emelia. Tocca describes it as:

"A wanderer and explorer, Emelia call the world her home. Adventurous and curious, she could be found climbing the Western Cape mountains, picking fresh loquat fruit, or sipping and iced latte in Paraguay. Her vivacious, bohemian spirit enchants with refreshing notes of fig and clementine balanced by the natural earthiness of geranium and magnolia.'

 Key Notes: Watery Clementine, Geranium Coeur, Mate Absolute Paraguay
It's light, refreshing and clean smelling.

Maya is described by Tocca as:

"Distinctive and confident, Maya exudes strength of character with a rare joining of Wild Iris, Sweet Violet Leaf, and Blackcurrant. Daring is cocooned in elegance as Rose Damascena and Jasmine are wrapped with Patchouli Heart and Oakmoss, creating the ultimate expression of thoughtfulness in beauty."

Key Notes: Wild Iris, Blackcurrant, Patchouli Heart, Oakmoss
This is a deep seductive scent and reminds me of a romantic night when I smell it.

To find out more about TOCCA and all the products they offer, please go to: https://www.tocca.com/

You can use promo code HOLIDAY35 during checkout to get 35% off your order.

TOCCA can also be found at stores like Barney's, Sephora, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, & Neiman Marcus to name a few.

Thanks TOCCA!

Vitabath - Luxury Bath & Body Products

Vitabath has been making superior bath and body products for over 60 years. At one point Vitabath was only available in Europe. Nowadays, you can hop over to Ulta or Walgreens and they are on the shelf. The Vitabath Original Spring Green Geleè was their classic top selling fragrance that brought Vitabath into popularity over 6 decades ago. The fragrance is a refreshing blend of patchouli and pine, lightly accented with accords or rosewood. 

They have expanded line and now offer tons of other products like:

• bath bombs
• epsom salts 
• bubble bath
• bath fizzies
• bath soaks
• shower tables
• lotions
• body oil
• body cream
• body wash 
• bar soap
• shower and bath gelee
• fragrance mists 

Plus, they have a whole fragrance line to pick from with scents like: Lavender Chamomile, Heavenly Coconut Crème, Cool Spearmint & Thyme, Pomegranate Bellini Blush, Lime Citron Basil, Cucumber & White Tea, Coconut Noir, Pomegranate & Blood Orange, or Luscious Lemon Crème.

Vitabath was kind enough to send over a few items of the line for me to check out. My favorite out of the bunch was the Lavender Chamomile Bath Bomb. These go for $7.95, so they are typically the same price point as Lush. Smells great, and this is a calming way to soothe away stress from a long day. 

Next, I tried the Original Spring Green Moisturizing Lotion which 20 fl oz goes for $19.95. It's an intoxicating mix , it's moisturizing, and it sinks in quickly without being greasy or oily. The smell is strong but nice, so if strong scents are not your thing, I would find something more subtle. It smells very refreshing and clean and I can understand why this scent is one of number one picks. 

Lastly, I tried the Cool Spearmint & Thyme Fragrance Mist which 8 fl oz goes for $7.95. This offered a cool sensation of spearmint, eucalyptus, tea tree, french thyme, & rosemary. I would personally prefer a different scent ....some of the others sound more tempting to me than this one. The spearmint reminded me too much of mouthwash and/or gum, and I find it more suiting for a man than a woman.     

To find out more about Vitabath and to view the complete line, please go to: https://www.myvitabath.com/

Thanks Vitabath!!

Woosh Beauty

Woosh Beauty offers innovative and time-saving beauty, because makeup shouldn't be that complicated. The Fold Out Face offers 13 different cosmetics in 1 portable palette, PLUS a coordinating, full-size blush set. This is great to travel with as well to eliminate bulky makeup bags.  Application time should be cut in half using the palette, and the products work. I usually spend most of my time trying to locate each product in the makeup drawer, apply, search for next product. This eliminates the big search from the makeup abyss because it's all right there.

The Fold Out Face Palette + The Essential Brush Set (Bundle) goes for $99. It can be ordered here: https://wooshbeauty.com/collections/gifts/products/the-essential-face

The palette includes:

• 4 eye shadows
• 2 concealers
• 2 contour powders
• 2 blushes
• 2 blender powders
• 1 highlighter

If you want to skip on the brush set, ULTA offers just the palette for $29.50 and it can be viewed here: https://www.ulta.com/fold-out-face-wsecret-brush-set?productId=xlsImpprod16501477 

Ulta also carries the rest of the line as well. 

The Spin-On Lips Glosses and fun and nice glosses to keep on stock. They aren't tacky at all, and Woosh offers 8 different semi-sheer nude tones to pick from. The brush part spins so you don't have to turn your wrist to apply, very innovative. These go for $16 each. 

The Eyeliner Wheel goes for $29 and you can get sleek straight lines without tugging, just roll it over your lid, and use the brush to fill in any gaps. Great for shaky hands. 

The find out more about Woosh Beauty and what other products they offer, please go to:

https://wooshbeauty.com/

Thanks Woosh Beauty for sending these treats over!

Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival 2018 Sept 21-23

If you are a food and wine lover, there is no BETTER way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon than sipping away on the Marble House lawn. There are still some tickets left for Sunday, but Saturday is sold out. Looking forward to the weekend...Cheers!

Press Release:

13^th Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival

Just Two Weeks Away

Tickets still available for weekend events including A Conversation with Zac Posen, Sunday Grand Tasting, and Seminars

NEWPORT, RI (September 10, 2018) ­–The Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival Saturday Grand Tasting is sold out, but plenty of tickets remain for the Sunday Grand Tasting and many other weekend events, including A Conversation with Zac Posen on Saturday, September 21 in the elegant gold ballroom at Marble House.

Presented by The Preservation Society of Newport County and FOOD & WINE Magazine, the Festival runs from September 20-23 in three of Newport's most beautiful historic mansions.  A combination ticket that includes a special Conversation with Zac Posen on Saturday morning followed by admission to the Grand Tasting is still available in limited numbers. Posen, an internationally acclaimed designer and now cookbook author, will also appear on the MONOGRAM Culinary Stage and sign copies of his book, Cooking With Zac.

Tickets are still available for the Sunday Grand Tasting, with access to hundreds of wines from around the world, cooking demonstrations by local and regional chefs, and samplings of a variety of cuisine from regional restaurants and caterers.

Seminars will take place on Friday and Saturday at The Breakers Stable & Carriage House on Coggeshall Avenue in Newport, allowing visitors the opportunity to learn about wines from different regions of the world.  Led by vintners and industry experts, these engaging educational seminars are designed for every wine and food lover – from oysters to artisan cheese, to bubbles and caviar and beyond.

For more information on additional weekend events and to purchase tickets, visit www.NewportMansionsWineAndFood.org or call (401) 847-1000. 

The Presenting Sponsor of the 2018 Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival is FOOD & WINE Magazine. MONOGRAM is the Culinary Stage Sponsor. Additional sponsors include Dole & Bailey, Simi Winery, Santa Margherita, Chateau d'Esclans, Tito's Handmade Vodka,  Atria Senior Living, Boar’s Head, Coca-Cola, Gurney’s Newport, Calvisius Caviar, Alta Vista, Forty 1˚ North,  Kobrand Fine Wine and Spirits, Dasani, Outdoor Kitchen Design Store, Peak Event Services, Brockman’s Premium Gin, West + Wilder, National Trust Insurance Services LLC, United, Maker’s Mark, Sequoia Grove and St. Francis Winery. All proceeds from the event benefit The Preservation Society of Newport County.

###                      

About Marble House and the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival

Built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt, Marble House was a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport’s subsequent transformation from a quiet summer colony of wooden houses to the legendary resort of opulent stone palaces. The house was designed by the architect Richard Morris Hunt, inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles and made of 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Mr. Vanderbilt gave the house to his wife Alva, a leading hostess in Newport society who envisioned Marble House as her “temple to the arts” in America, as a 39^th birthday present. Alva would later have the Chinese Tea House built on the seaside cliffs, where she hosted rallies for women’s right to vote.

All proceeds from the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival benefit The Preservation Society of Newport County, a non-profit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts.  Its 11 historic properties—seven of them National Historic Landmarks—span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.

Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen

Whether your hitting up Long Island Sound, the coast, the bay, the lake, the pond, the pool, or a kiddie pool in the backyard this weekend, don't forget your sun block! I have always been a fan of Australian Gold. They offer great products that smell wonderful and it will leave your skin feeling nourished and protected. They offer reef friendly products, and the new Botanical line is perfect for the whole family.

The Botanical Mineral line includes SPF30 & SPF50 ($15.99 each)  Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF30 & SPF50 ($15.99 each) Natural Spray Sunscreen, SPF50 ($15.99 each) Kids Sunscreen Lotion, and SPF50 ($12.99 each) Tinted Face Sunscreen Lotion ($13.99 each). Australian Gold was kind enough to send me over some of the new collection to check out for myself.

These are very water resistant and last up to 80 minutes. The sprays are my favorite and they have a Citrus Oasis fragrance with notes of pineapple and pomegranate. The line can be found at CVS, Ulta, Target, and Walmart. To read more about Australian Gold Botanical's, please go to: https://www.australiangold.com/shop/product-line/botanical

The Tinted Face Sunscreen comes highly rated if your looking to blend and not clog pores. It leaves a powdery rather than a sticky feeling on your face.

Thanks Australian Gold!

DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge

Did you know that sun exposure is responsible for the most visible aging of your skin? DERMAdoctor offers a Rescue & Protect Eye Balm if your looking for something a little extra to treat the eye area specifically and help repair sun damage. This is a super-hydrating eye balm that will hopefully improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It's great to apply to the upper lids, under-eye area, and crow's feet region.

It does not have a scent and it's quick to absorb and not greasy. It can be a little pricey at $50 for 0.5 fl oz, but a little dab will go a long way. It's moisturizing and a great base before applying makeup, but I do not expect drastic results. They recommend using it twice a day.

To find out more about Wrinkle Revenge, you can go to: https://www.dermadoctor.com/

It can also be found at stores like Ulta, Sephora, & Nordstrom.

Thanks DERMAdoctor for sending this over!

Hard Candy Plumping Serum

Check out these volumizing lip glosses from Hard Candy available in 24 different shades. Sheer and full color shades are available at Walmart for a great price of $6 each. It has a slight tingle for a plumping serum and even the darkest color I tried was still a sheer.

My favorite color was Skin Deep, followed by Love Child, and then Barely There which is just a sheer gloss. If your looking for a reasonably priced new gloss, check these out!It has a nice wand to provide easy application, and it comes in a nice looking copper colored tube.

To find out more, please go to: https://hardcandy.com/products/plumping-serum-lip-gloss?variant=8648173486185

Thanks Hard Candy for sending these over ;)

Emma Hardie Skincare

Emma Hardie is an award-winning British Skincare line that offers natural products aimed at improving skin health. They believe in treating skin, "from the bone up' and help to achieve plumper, firmer, and renewed skin without the use of harsh products or invasive techniques. Emma Hardie was kind enough to send over a few hot summer items for us to check out.

First up, protect your skin this summer with Protect and Prime SPF30 ($72) with this non-greasy light-weight, skin priming and anti-ageing SPF30 that gives long lasting UVA and UVB protection. Mongongo oil, oat extract and Vitamin E work to give skin an immediate firm, smooth and primed base and help to blur out any imperfections. 

Next, I tried the Age Support Face Cream ($65) and this is an intense super-hydrating and lifting treatment cream. Natural oils Moringa, Evening Primrose and rose hip nourish moisture and soothe the skin, while Vitamin E protects the skin against pollution and toxins. It's a heavy cream that hydrates well and it takes a few hours for the fragrance to wear off, so if you are sensitive to scents, be aware. 

To find out more about Emma Hardie or to order directly, please go to: https://shop.emmahardie.com/

Thanks Emma Hardie for sending these treats over!

Nubian Heritage - Wellness Collection of Bath & Body Products

Two Harlem street vendors fresh out of college in 1991, came up with the idea to bring together ancient Nubian traditional healing practices, cultural wisdom and indigenous ingredients, to create modern wellness solutions for skin and hair. Several of their ingredients are sourced from woman's cooperatives around the world and they have a product for everything. If you have dry skin, try the Infused Butters, if you have sensitive skin try the Goat's Milk & Chai collection, and if you have problem skin try the African Black Soap that soothes with shea butter, oats, aloe, and cocoa pod ash.

I was able to check out a few of their products myself. My favorite of the group is the Olive Oil and Green Tea Body Lotion. It's great for dry skin and aging skin. This goes for $12.99 for 13 fl oz and it smells amazingly fresh. The lotion has a fluffy whipped appearance and it feels creamy and moisturizing. I keep reapplying just to smell it again.

The next item is the Mango Butter Body Wash. This goes for $10.99 for 13 fl oz and it's a refreshing scent and great way to start any day. Mango Butter is formulated with Vitamin C, to rejuvenate and firm the skin.

Lastly, I checked out the Cococut & Papaya Bath Bombs which 6 go for $14.99. Unfortunately when you have kids, you don't actually to get to use the bath bombs. These are fun and they smelled so much better afterwards. You can never go wrong with a great bath bomb. So, for an average of $2.49 a bomb, it's cheaper than a Lush bomb, and provides the same soft skin, and not as hard to watch wash down the drain after 4 minutes.

Shea butter is the base for most of Nubian's products. They work with 7 different woman's Shea Butter cooperatives in Ghana. They are working to empower these woman by paying ethical wage premiums, ensuring positive quality of life, plus providing access to education and the benefits of financial freedom.  Not only will you get great looking skin by using ancient Nubian products, but you will be helping to alleviate poverty and helping out your soul sisters on the other side of the world.

To find out more about Nubian Heritage, or to order directly, please go to: https://www.nubianheritage.com/
Nubian Heritage can be found at Vitamin Shoppe.
All natural and cruelty free. Made in the USA.

Thanks Nubian Heritage for sending these over!

Steel Cut Oats

Here's a tasty healthy breakfast option that you can customize to your cravings. Steel Cut oats are less processed than rolled oats. The same groats used to make rolled oats are instead chopped into two or three pieces rather than flattened. Steel Cut Oats make a great breakfast option because they are high in fiber, and it's a slowly digesting meal that will keep you full and energized until the next snack or meal. The nutritional value of rolled and steel cut oats is basically the same, but steel cut will keep you fuller longer. Steel Cut can take longer to cook, but the good news is that they have quick cook options.

The best part is you can change your toppings so it does not get old. Pineapple, strawberries, bananas, blueberries, kiwis, any kind of fruit your craving. Another option I love to use is the raw bar at Whole Foods. They have some great granola mixes to pick from like French Vanilla Almond or Coconut Granola and I always keep a few options on stock in the pantry to use as toppings. Mixed nuts and shaved coconut add some extra texture and crunch to it.

Sometimes I like to add some vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, raisins, craisins, and chopped Hazelnuts. Pick what you like and the healthy combo's are endless. Enjoy!

Ola - Hawaiian Body Products

Ola Tropical Apothecary offers organic bath and body spa products hand-crafted and centered on the Hawaiian concept of beauty and wellness. Ancient herbalism is a concept the culture still practices and Ola believes:

"The concept of oneness is intrinsic to Hawaiian culture and is realized when the Earth's energy is transferred to the plant, to the hands that harvest the plant, to the hands that transform the plants into healing products, to the hands that use the products.

Whether you need skincare, hair care, or bath and body products, they will have you covered. Masks, cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, oh and don't forget some volcanic foot scrub. To find out more about the company and to view their complete line, please go to: https://www.hawaiianbodyproducts.com/

 

Ola was kind enough to send me over two of their products to check out for myself. My favorite item is the Body Butter. These go for $32 for 6 oz and I tried the scent Pikake. Pikake is a sweet heavenly jasmine fragrance. It's often used to make lei's and it totally reminds me of what Hawaii smells like if you could capture the essence in a scent. It's rich and moisturizing and helps to repair, replenish dry, thirsty skin.

The Body Lotion goes for $29.50 for 8 oz and I tried the Passion Fruit scent. Not as thick as the body butter but still great to hydrate and quickly absorb leaving a great scent. Both products smell wonderful and leave the skin feeling great. Other scents they have include Coconut, Plumeria, Rainforest, & Tuberose.

Mahalo Ola!

Kocostar - Home Beauty Treatments

Scorching hot summer days can dry out your hair and skin, and here's a great option to do at home instead of heading out to the Spa. Check out these do at home moisture packs from Kocostar, whether you need a face mask, a slice mask, feet, hair, or nail care, they will have you covered.

My favorite of the group was the Long Hair Pack. It comes with a cap that is awkward though. I thought it was going to be like shower cap but it had a long slot to put your hair into and it was just strange, I gave up and opted to just put all the product directly onto my hair. The product smells amazing and feels conditioning & moisturizing while in hair. It was easy to rinse out after and the great smell continued for the rest of the day, along with highly conditioned hair. Love this stuff, but wish the conditioner came directly in a pack without it being in a cap already. Dislike cap, love conditioner.

The Foot and Hand Moisture packs are like doing a paraffin treatment at home but not as softening. The packs come with cute little booties and gloves that already have the lotion inside. Put them on, peel the tape off to secure and stick them on for 20 mins. Great for a quick touch up in between manicure/pedicures.

To find out more about Kocostar and to view all of the products they have available, please go to:
http://www.kocostar.com/

You can find in stores: Ulta, Anthropologie, Neiman Marcus, Free People, American Eagle & World Market to name a few.

These are affordably priced between $5-10 depending on which product you go with.

Thanks Kocostar for sending these over!

Ulta Beauty - Lip Plumping

Set off those summer tans with these awesome Ulta Beauty Lip Plumping Transforming Top Coats. Take your lips to sexy status in seconds with 5 different shimmering shades to pick from. Lips instantly appear fuller and lip color takes a duo chromatic effect. You can apply it alone or over your desired lip color. These normally go for $10 each but Ulta is having a buy two, get one free special right now: https://www.ulta.com/lip-plumping-transforming-top-coat?productId=xlsImpprod16501159#

These have a small application brush for easy, precise application and they are not gloss is not sticky at all. The colors are all great and give off a little bit of a different sheen on each one, I can't pick a favorite. Must try!

Colors available to pick from are:
Divine (rosy pink with gold and pink pearl)
Euphoria (off white with golden pearl)
Celestial (bright blue-pink with pink pearl)
Ethereal (warm peachy-pink duochrome with gold pearl)
Utopia (cool lavender-blue duochrome with pink pearl)

Thanks Ulta Beauty for sending these over! 💗💄