Health & Lifestyle Management

Monday, March 28, 2016

Moroccan Mosaic Lamps & Lanterns

By Lisa VanWilliams

When I was in San Juan last week, I fell in love with these Moroccan Mosaic Lamps I saw when we were strolling past some shops in Old San Juan. They have a magical appeal to them and my eyes were immediately drawn to these beautiful pops of light. They are hand-blown glass globes made with intricate beading and they come in a variety styles whether your looking for chandelier, desk lamp, or lantern. I love the look of Bohemian styles mixed together and a Moroccan touch adds some flare to any room or atmosphere. They add an exotic alluring glow and they are sure to draw the eye. The light filters through the intricate cutwork patterns and colored glass, and creates a beautiful "starry" canopy. We picked out a few of our favorites and where you can find them.

Mosaic Table Lamp in Blues, Swan Neck $165.00
http://mosaiclampsnyc.com/products/mosaic-table-lamp-in-blues-swan-neck-1

Moroccan Mosaic Chandelier $147.95

https://www.etsy.com/listing/260960884/moroccan-mosaic-lamps-hanging?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-home_and_living-lighting-fixtures&utm_custom1=4d7dc720-0d43-4fd2-948d-324699186771&gclid=CK-i3Pfn4csCFRFZhgodGRcGeQ

Turkish Mosiac Handmade Lamp $149 (customize your own color options)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/259947271/customize-it-yourself-turkish-mosaic?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-home_and_living-lighting-fixtures&utm_custom1=4d7dc720-0d43-4fd2-948d-324699186771&gclid=CKuP5tno4csCFdBZhgodGsAJWQ

Moroccan Candle Lantern $6.31 each

http://www.galleydirect.com/product.asp?dept_id=5010&pindex=449

A variety of colors can be used to create this beautiful look:

Moroccan Hanging Lamp Collection $198-$298 each

http://www.vivaterra.com/silver-moroccan-hanging-lamp.html

To get more ideas on how to incorporate a Bohemian vibe in your surroundings, we found this great pictorial on Pinterest with 45 different styles:

http://residencestyle.com/45-pictures-bohemian-lifestyle/

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

CLEAN Perfume

Review by Lisa VanWilliams

If you are looking for a new Spring scent, CLEAN is where it's at. CLEAN Perfume has been around since 2003, and they offer a collection of high quality perfumes for the body and premium home scents. They use all natural gentle ingredients which means no harsh sulfates, mineral oil, artificial colors or dyes. They are a cruelty free brand, and they strive to leave a small carbon footprint, and they use eco-friendly and recyclable material for packaging.

"Smell has the power to invoke memory, trigger emotion, and create connection. It is the oldest of all of our senses, and helped spark our evolution. The smallest whiff of a scent can transport us to moments of pleasure, well-being, and comfort - and we have discovered the key to bottling this nostalgia." CLEAN Perfume

I have been using CLEAN Perfume for years and it's a brand I love and would recommend. I normally go with the CLEAN Original. That was the first scent of theirs I tried and I have been hooked on it since. It smells fresh and clean and crisp, like you JUST walked out of an incredible smelling shower.

They were kind enough to send me some Cashmere and Blossom to check out, and they do not disappoint either. I have been wearing the Blossom during the day and this is the perfect time of year for it. It's literally Spring blossom captured in a bottle. It's sexy, feminine, and it will catch some attention when you breeze by.

BLOSSOM

Top Notes: Tunisian Neroli, Seringe Petals HP, Yellow Freesia
Mid Notes: Orange Blossom, Rain Lily HP, Georgia Magnolia, Blue Dianthus
Dry Notes: Skin Musk, Cotton Wood, Sensual Sandalwood

I have been wearing the Cashmere as a nigh time perfume. It's a little deeper, and more sensual, and warming.

CASHMERE

Top Notes: Cedar Leaf, Bergamont, Lime, Lavandin
Mid Notes: Mimosa, Jasmine, Guaiacwood
Base Notes: Heliotrope, Tonka Bean, Musk, Sandalwood

You can find out more about CLEAN and order online here:

http://cleanperfume.com/

CLEAN is also available at Sephora locations nationwide, and sold globally in over 20 countries.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Fusion Beauty

Review by Lisa VanWilliams

Fusion Beauty has been creating cutting-edge multifunctional treatment cosmetics for over 10 years now. Stylewatch Magazine recently asked celeb makeup artist Joanna Simkin which colors every women should have as part of their lipstick wardrobe, and "Fusion Plump and Shine Lipstick" was on the list.

Fusion Beauty offers Stimu.Lash treatments, Insta.Lash color (mascara), Stimu.Lip treatments, Insta.Lip Color (lipsticks, glosses), Stimu.Lift treatments, & Insta.Lift color (primers, bronzers, & blush).

You can find Fuson Beauty at a few Connecticut locations, and a bunch of NYC locations. To find out more about Fusion Beauty, the closest store, or to order online, please go to:
https://fusionbeauty.com/

We tried out some of their products and I like them. The glosses and lipsticks remind me of Lip Venom if you have ever tried it, but the Fusion line scores higher with reviewers. It makes your lips tingle while it's plumping them up. The LipFusion InFATuation comes in a nice little black and clear case and we tried In the Flesh which is a great nude day color. It's high gloss, and it feels good on the lips. The applicator has a tiny brush on the end instead of your typical swab type.

The Plump + Shine lipsticks come in a rainbow of great colors. We tried Pillow Talk for a light neutral day color and Peep Show for a mauve rose night shimmer look.

Try out the Lash Fusion XXL Mascara if you need extreme volume without the clumping and flaking. I think it's a hidden gem and most people don't know about this mascara that will create dramatic eye-popping eyes. The wand has great dimension so you can get all your lashes, it applies easily, and it looks awesome with only a few coats. Overall, we really like these products and would recommend trying them out.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Ellovi Body Butter

Review by Lisa VanWilliams

Ellovi makes lip butters and body butters and they are passionate about creating pure skincare ingredients that are ethically sourced and wildly harvested. Kelly and Ryan started the company because they believe what you put on your body goes more than skin deep. Ellovi products are vegan and cruelty free.

The Butter collection that's made from just six all natural ingredients comes in Original, Vanilla, Mint Chocolate, and Blossom. They go for $26 and they say 3.5 ounces should last a year. (Macadamia Nut Oil, Hawaiian Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Hemp Seed, Non-gmo Corn Starch, and African Marula Oil.)

The Lip Butter collection comes in Original, Vanilla, Tinted, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Blossom scents. These go for $5 each. (Hawaiian Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Macadamia Oil, African Marula Oil, Shea, and Vanilla Bourbon extract.) You can get the whole Lip Collection for $18.

To find out more about the company, or to order some, please go to: http://www.ellovi.com/

They were kind enough to send me one of each to check out. These are made in the USA, right here in California. The packaging for the body butter comes in a cute little black jar that is easy to open and small to store. I thought the butter would really be like a stick of butter consistency but it was more like a Vaseline consistency. The Original smell is neutral and it smells a little waxy, I would probably enjoy Vanilla or Blossom scent more. It's not overly greasy and my dry hands absorbed it quickly.

The Lip Butter comes in a cool black case, but this stick is oval instead of your typical round stick. I am loving the Lip Butter. It's rich, it's creamy, and my lips feel intensely nourished. I would recommend the lip butter.

Monday, February 29, 2016

Melanie Mills Hollywood

Review by Lisa VanWilliams

Melanie Mills is an award-winning makeup artist and Hollywood's leading leading lady to go to when the starlets want to get glammed up. She created her own beauty line called Gleam when she was Makeup Department Head for ABC's television show, "Dancing with the Stars" and she created Gleam Body Radiance cream /body makeup to even out blotchy spray tans or instantly bronze skin without a tan. A few years ago, she also launched her Gleam Lip Radiance line which offers seven gorgeous eye catching long-lasting colors to match any skin tone or mood.

Melanie Mills Hollywood also makes the following products:

GLEAM BODY RADIANCE ($40) - Makeup, moisturizer, and glow all in one. Cover up those imperfections anywhere on your body.
GLEAM LIP RADIANCE ($24 each)- Infused with natural botanicals, this is a highly pigmented, long-lasting glass, that will help to improve lip texture. Conditions your lips while providing great color.
GLEAM RADIANT DUST ($59)- loose shimmering (all-over body) powder that leaves your skin feeling like silk.

These products are all paraben and sulfate free, They are a cruelty-free brand as well. They were kind enough to send me the Gleam Radiant Dust and Lip Radiance to check out for myself and they are awesome. I choose the Rose color Radiant Dust since I am pretty fair skinned. I use it as a finishing dust once I have applied all my makeup and I'm ready to go. I dust this over my face, neck, chest, & arms and it provides a subtle sexy shimmer.

I picked Naked Lip Radiance to use during the day since it's subtle but alluring neutral color and Up Against the Wall for a more dramatic red evening look. The glosses come in a coppery gold case and the gloss applies easily in one or two coats depending on the look you want to achieve. The gloss is smooth and moisturizing as well and the colors are great. I would recommend this brand if you are into quality shimmers & gloss (and I'm a gloss junkie).

They are offering 50% off on all Gleam products (promo code: Love16), so here's your chance to try out some great products at half the price. To find out more about the company, or to order online, please go to: http://melaniemillshollywood.com/

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

GIVESCENT - Captivating Scents

Review by Lisa VanWiliams

GIVESCENT makes captivating scents inspired by the first sultry summer days in Italy. Elena Brower fell in love with Sicilian almond oil when she lived in Italy for two years. When she came back to NYC, she collaborated with her sister Alexandra to create a scent of her own, and GIVESCENT was born. The perfumes are free of alcohol, formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, & they are cruelty free.

They have 4 scents to pick from:
GIVESCENT Signature - a blend of sun-ripened citrus, and spicy vanilla
GIVESCENT Green - a blend of bergamot, lemon, and mint
GIVESCENT Orange - a blend of bergamot, grapefruit, and musk
GIVESCENT Azure - a tranquil beach scent with notes of amber & musk

Alexandra was kind enough to send me their Signature scent to check out for myself. This is my new favorite and I can't wait for Spring/Summer to wear it more. It reminds me of a LUSH bath bomb that you can wear. The sweet almond oil smells like candy. I keep going back to smell my wrist for more, it's that captivating & alluring. It's refreshing, it's sexy, and it's making me anxious for nice weather! I would recommend this if you are looking for something new. 5 ml Roll-on bottles go for around $49, and if you can't decide which scent to choose from samplers go for $6. To find out more about GIVESCENT or to order online, please go to: http://givescent.com/

By purchasing a bottle of GIVESCENT, you are helping to support women worldwide. GIVESCENT supports EVERY MOTHER COUNTS (http://www.everymothercounts.org/) which is a campaign to end preventable deaths caused by pregnancy and childbirth around the world. They also support WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL (http://www.womenforwomen.org/) and they support female survivors of war with tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty, to stability and self-sufficiency. Way to go GIVESCENT! Cheers to making great products, and supporting some incredible causes on your journey.

LIVE
GIVE
SWEETLY
PURELY

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies

Since 1983, Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies has been making all natural home baked goods. These would make a great treat for co-workers at the office, or show up at any house at Easter time with a delicious tin of Rugelach or Babka and it surely won't disappoint. They also offer cookies, babka crumb cakes, and brownies. If you can't decide which one to get, you can get an assortment box to try a variety (2 pound assortment box starts at $36.95 with two choices). These baked goods are made with the freshest all natural ingredients, no artificial anything, kosher certified, and shipped around the world. The cookies come nicely wrapped in a huge tin that could be kept and reused again for cookies or as a storage tin. They were also fresh. My pick of the batch would be the marble cookies.