April Empties! Garnier Shampoo, Sexy Hair, Sally Hershberger, Aloe 80 Organics, & More!

I know, I know it's May. :) But I have emptied out some products over the last month while working on emptying out a few more this month, so I'm calling this Aprils. ;)

 My bathroom is always overflowing with different products so I always get a really accomplished feeling when I can make way for new. 

A few of these products are old favorites and a few I just tried for the first time, so without further ado here is a few of my April Empties. :)

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Shampoo

This was the first time I tried this product, I really like this Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Shampoo! Made for Extra Dry/Damanged Hair, it was very kind to my hair. It was very moisturizing much like a 2-in-1 Shampoo/Conditioner. It smoothed out my hair and made it silky soft. There were times when I didn't even need to follow with a conditioner! :) 

My hair never felt stripped like some Shampoos can leave your strands. It has a very pleasant fruity-creamy scent that I love. I would definitely buy this Shampoo again. If you'd like more details I did a review on this Shampoo, you can read it here! :)

I give this Shampoo:

4 Kisses ;)

Aloe 80 Organics Daily Conditioner

Ok.... So. ......I. Love. This. Conditioner! :) 

This conditioner is an old favorite that I have been using for years and years! I think I discovered it at Whole Foods when I was about 18 and I have been using a few bottles each year since then. I really need to do a full review on this baby but in short, It's awesome! The ingredients are 82% Organic, the main ingredient consisting of, I'm sure you guessed it, Aloe Vera. :) 

It will make your hair the silkiest and softest you've ever felt! This is the kind of conditioner that will detangle the snarliest of dreadknots that I sometimes get under the back of my hair. :) The only downside to this conditioner is that that even though it says 'Daily', it's not meant to be used Daily. It will cause a lot of build up on the hair and can even make your hair dry out with repeating uses. I use this conditioner about 1-2 per week as a conditioning treatment when my hair really needs it. The scent is pleasant Lemon-Herbal. It can be difficult to locate but I highly recommend you check your Natural grocers for this product! It earns our Moxie Green Beauty Award for Natural & Effective Beauty :) 

I give this Conditioner:

5 Kissys! and we don't give those out easy ;)

Sexy Hair Organics Leave In Conditioner

Made with 90% Organic Ingredients and by the Sexy Hair brand, I had high hopes in loving this leave in conditioner. Made with Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Organic Gogi Berry Extract, Organic Avocado Extract and Sunflower Oil. This Leave in Conditioner is Paraben and Sulfate Free. It also has a soft, conditioning herbal scent that is very pleasant. The only problem? I don't feel like it did much for my hair. Yes it felt a little moisturizing where I applied a good amount and yes it made my hair smell nice while it lasted but overall I didn't notice that it really did any good for my hair. I feel like it's not worth the money. I really hope it's just me and some are able to find it useful. 

I give this Leave In Conditioner:

2 Kissies!

Naturelle Hemp Volumizing Conditioner

I love Hemp Milk, Hemp Protein, gorgeous Hemp rugs, and Hempz lotions, so there has to be something to this Hemp thing right? :) This Naturelle Volumizing Hemp Conditioner is made with Hemp Seed Oil to strengthen and moisturize hair. Unfortunately as a conditioner..... it sucks. :(  It's very drying and makes my hair feel stripped and tangled. :(

Dear Naturelle: 

Maybe your Conditioner is non-conditioning because Alcohol is your first ingredient!

 However, I am so obsessed with the Herbal scent, that I might just keep buying it so I can smell it..hehe. The packaging is cute too. ;)

As a Conditioner I give this product:

1 Kiss! :( 

As a Shower Flower I give this scent:

4 Kissies! ;) I know..I'm a little crazy. :)

Sally Hershberger Bust Out Body Style Primer

This style primer dispenses in a mousse like foam. It's lightweight and nicely scented. I liked using it while blow drying my hair for extra volume. It was very affordable, I paid about $5 for it. It lasted me about 2 weeks. The performance is about average but for the price it's a great deal, would purchase again. :)

I give this Style Primer:

4 Kissies! 

Punto 16 Hair Mask

I found this strange Hair Mask in the bargain bin at TJMaxx. Lol. I decided to give it a try because it was only $1.99! I have never heard of it before and I don't even know where one might purchase this. It has a really weird smell (like Generic Hotel Hair Shampoo) but it worked soo well! It's made with Olive Oil and it made my hair so soft. I've been looking on the internet trying find it to no avail. :( 

Do any of you ladies know where this is sold?

Other than the smell, it works really well.

I give this Hair Mask 

4 Kissies! 

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Empties! Let me know if you've tried any of these Hair products! 

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I Finally Found a Great Ring to Go With My Earrings! Gorgeous Aurora Borealis Gems

I so love my sparkly Forever 21 Aurora Borealis rhinestone earrings! The iridescent rhinestones are so easy to pair with many different colors. They're gorgeous to wear with turquoise, coral, pink, and white. 

I was looking for a great necklace or ring to go with these earrings and have been having a harder time matching them to something but I found this cute ring on eBay that matches fairly well! Between the earrings and this chunky Dome Cocktail ring, a necklace isn't needed! 

Excited to wear this duo to Sushi night with this weekend with a sassy Black dress! ;)

I purchased the earrings at the Forever 21 store about a month ago but if you'd like to get the Aurora Borealis Dome Cocktail ring you can find it on eBay for $8.96 + Free Shipping ** here! ** The band is a strechy one size fits most. It's really comfortable. Love it! It looks like there are only a few left so hurry on over and get you one! :) 

I also got this gorgeous Gold/Multi Gem chain statement necklace that is beautiful for Spring! Thinking it will look perfect with a white tank + cute spring blazer. Love! 

I don't have a link for this item as it was a unique Auction listing but you can check ** here **for the latest Forever 21 Necklace listings! There is always something cute to be found. :)

Have a gorgeous Monday! 

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Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino Review ~ Starbucks Happy Hour!

My boyfriend and I are really obsessed with Caramel Frappuccinos so when we heard about the new Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frap that came out Friday, we were in line at 3pm to try one! ;)

So what's the verdict....?

IT'S AMAZING. 

So what is difference between a Caramel Frappuccino and a Ribbon Crunch you say? 

Well not too much ingredient wise, except the Caramel Ribbon Crunch is like a regular Caramel but on steroids. There's lots of extra caramel ribboned and swirled around on the inside. It's like when you ask for extra caramel on the bottom. On the whip cream they also add these crunchy little caramel-y Brown Sugar tasting sugar balls. 

In a nut-shell: It's sugar on top of sugar on top of sugar. :) Yum!

nom nom nom

It's definitely more indulgent than a regular Frapp and is something that should probably be enjoyed sparingly. Personally I won't be abandoning my regular Caramel Frappuccino for this, the Caramel Ribbon Crunch is much too decadent. My boyfriend on the other hand, has declared this his new drink of choice. :)

Not only is the new Frappuccino delicious but Starbucks is also featuring Starbucks Happy Hour all week long! One of my favorite times of the year! This year, from May 3 - 12 between 3pm and 5pm you can get half price Frapps so it's a perfect time to try something new or get your standby on the cheap.

We also shared a Green Tea Frapp for the heck of it! Boyfriend didn't like, he said it tasted like grass or wheat grass (I think he means green tea leaves ;) I love it though! yum! 

noms.

I will definitely be making a few more stops this week before Frappy hour is over. The only thing not to love? Timing. Why oh why do they do this right before Summer :( 

We need to petition Starbucks and ask them to move this til after Swimsuit season. Like the start of Fall. So perfect! And starting THIS Fall! ;)

What do you ladies think?

Tell us! Which Frappuccino flave' is your fave'?

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How to Tell if Your MAC Pigment is Fake ~ The 7 Signs of a Counterfeit MAC Pigment Cosmetic

I love Shopping online! I especially love shopping on sites like Amazon and eBay where it's easy to find a unique item or a great deal! Unfortunately on these websites there are a handful of sketchy sellers who are selling customers counterfeit or knockoffs largely against eBay's strict No Replica item policy.

As en eBay store holder it's not fun for me to admit these things as I love and promote eBay as much as possible, but there are certain measures we need to take to make sure we're dealing with legit sellers and avoiding getting swindled. Checking a seller's feedback for any history of complaints is a great start but it's not guaranteed and though most of the auctions are real items, replicas can fall through the cracks. My advice would be to completely stay away from high end cosmetics if you're absolutely not willing to take a chance, or to research how to spot replicas. 

Remember eBay will always back you up if do happen to receive a counterfeit item. They have a great Buyer protection policy. I will be posting more about how you can protect yourself and have the best shopping experience possible on eBay, soon. 

I purchased this fake MAC pigment for $10 on eBay so I could make a post to show you how to spot a MAC Pigment replica. As soon as I received the fake pigment in the mail, I opened a case against the seller and received my money back. Karmas a... :) 

Surprisingly enough this Seller has zero Negative feedbacks. The seller apologized profusely directly to my e-mail, avoiding communicating through eBay completely (using strange English) and sent back my money +$1. Hush money? :)

I went to go leave my Negative feedback after receiving my refund and it seems the seller has either deleted or their account has been suspended. Hopefully it has caught up with them.

I took my Pigment to a MAC store and interviewed a MAC employee. We compared product boxes and I was given some helpful insight to add to the list below. I hope this helps! 

________________________________________________

First check to see if your MAC Pigment has a name sticker on the top of the box. Most counterfeit MAC items don't include any name stickers. The maker of my counterfeit pigment must have been feeling extra crafty and put a name sticker on mine, though mine is still fake.

Number 1: No Name Sticker Means It Might Be Fake

Second check to see if your box's bar code is printed like the one above of if the bar code is printed on a sticker. A real MAC bar code should be on a sticker and attached to the bottom

Number 2: Printed Bar Code = Fake 

Every Pigment comes with a paper description inside the box. Check to see if your Paper says: Caution: The Following Shades Are Not To Be Used On The Lip Area: Teal. A real pigment description would say to not use Golden, Olive and Violet on the lip area. 

Number 3: If your description paper advises not to use Teal, the Pigment is Fake

Like Number 1, your Real MAC should include a name sticker on bottom. Most fakes will just have a number stamped. But like I mentioned, the maker of this fake was feeling extra generous with his labeling. 

Number 4: No Name Sticker On Bottle Bottom = Fake

On the original MAC pigment, the M.A.C logo is a much thinner lettering. This replica's bottle lettering is more bold. 

Number 5: Bold Logo = Fake

Real MAC pigments should have a flat lid that covers over the top of the inside of your pigment. Fake MAC pigments will most likely have a spout type dispenser like in the photo above. FAKE FAKE FAKE :( 

Number 6: Spout dispenser = Fake

If your MAC pigment has a repulsive or strong smell it's likely to be fake. Most MAC pigments have a mild to little scent. This fake has a very pungent plasticy, chemically smell. It smells like a mixture of nail polish and that Nickelodeon play-Gak stuff, hehe! 

Gross, Gross, Gross!

Number 7: Strong Smell Probably = Fake

Most importantly, this pigment is terrible quality. It goes on like dust, the pigment is very non-pigment like and it washes away so easily. No staying power whatsoever. 

People often debate the safeness of using these replica cosmetics. Some will argue that Makeup is Makeup and some will argue that these brands are not regulated and may contain horribly toxic ingredients. Personally I'm not willing to take the chance because I have sensitive skin and allergies as it is. The only replica cosmetic I will use are the brushes. I don't have any replica MAC brushes but I do have some non-branded MAC like brushes out of China that I am satisfied with. 

There are a few other ways to spot fake items, some more obvious than others, like the price, for $10, I already knew this was a fake. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Don't purchase from a Stock images. Ask for more photos. Don't forget to check feedback as well! 

I hope this helps you on your next online adventure! 

Thanks for reading! 

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Vegan Taco Dip ~ Healthy Mexican Sides & Dips ~ Perfect for Cinco De Mayo ~ Fiesta!

I Can't Believe It's Vegan! Taco Dip 

Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients:

1 - 12 oz container Vegan sour cream (Tofutti brand is delicious!)

3/4 Packet Vegan low-sodium taco season mix

1 ripe avocado, mashed

1 cup black olives, chopped

3 stalks green onion, diced

1 cup chopped tomatoes, Pico De Gallo, or our try Garden Salsa Recipe!

1 package Vegan meat crumbles (about 1 pound)

Directions:

Prepare refried beans by heating on stove. While beans are heating, in a separate pan add frozen meat crumbles in into 1/4 cup water or olive oil. Cook according to package directions. Add Taco Season into cooked meat crumbles and stir. (Don't be afraid to get happy with the Taco mix, it's the season that really is needed to give the crumbles an authentic taco meat flavor. It makes the dish!)

In a serving tray or in individual bowls spread bottom layer of refried beans. Next add a layer of meat crumbles, sour cream, avocado, chopped tomatoes or fresh salsa, black olives, green onions, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Delish!

Whole Foods makes some wonderful freshly made tortilla chips that are hardy and great for thick dips! You can find them in their Bakery department and like always, Whole Foods uses quality ingredients. These chips are so good warmed and they don't contain any animal derived ingredients. :)

Enjoy!

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60 Ways to Make Your Marriage or Relationship Rock! A His, Hers & Together List ~ Great Tips!

Here is a great list that is being passed around on Facebook! The Author is 'Brandy' so thank you Brandy for these great tips! A Great relationship is built on a foundation of love and respect, but there are a few more things you can do to take your relationship to the next level. :)

60 Ways to Make Your Marriage/Relationship Rock!

1. Always love each other, even when it's hard to
2. Never go to bed angry.
3. Go on regular date nights
4. Hide notes in secret places
5. Go to bed at the same time
6. Listen to music together-share ear-buds
7. Buy him gifts he will love (see our Gift Guide for Him for ideas!)
8. Revitalize the romance with intimate dates
9. Wear shirts that tell the world you love your spouse
10. Praise your spouse to other people
11. Read a marriage devotional
12. Sleep in his t-shirts
13. Renew your vows privately with whispers and memories
14. Renew them publicly with cake and bubbly
15. Go away together at least once a year

For Women Only
16. Hang pictures of the two of you around your house
17. Make his favorite dessert
18. Make sex a priority
19. Spend time apart occasionally
20. Learn to enjoy something he loves
21. Surprise each other
22. Meet him at the door
23. Text each other from across the room
24. Set reminders on your phone to remember him/her throughout the week
25. Call him right now and tell him you appreciate him

For Men Only
26. Leave work on time and come home early
27. Engage every day in meaningful conversation
28. Compliment each other
29. Take one day a month to make your spouse your total focus
30. Argue fair: avoid these words “you always” and “you never”
31. Kiss every day
32. Find tangible ways to serve your mate without complaining
33. Forgive quickly
34. Be honest.
35. Get on the same page: plan your budget together
36. Look your best as often as you can
37. Guard your marriage
38. Laugh together
39. When you are together-BE TOGETHER (take a break from phones, technology, etc)
40. Tell her she’s pretty, especially when she’s not feeling it

Both
41. Make each other breakfast in bed
42.  Offer to lend a hand in each others Chores
44. Get a couple’s massage or host your own privately
44. Dance together-soft music (both of you alone) or rocking music with the kids
45. Exercise together- hikes, bike riding, etc
46. Choose not to be annoyed by an irritating behavior/disappointment from your spouse
47. Thank your spouse often even for the least reason or gesture
48. Lay in bed together and stare into each other eyes, without talking
49. Learn something new together-take an art class, cooking lessons, etc
50. Leave a sweet comment on the Facebook wall
51. Support each other’s goals
52. Bring her flowers/gifts or him a special dinner (even when she/he says they are too expensive)
53. Wear something your spouse loves
54. Share furniture-sit in his lap
55. Fight for your marriage
56. Make a point to eat dinner together most days of the week.
57. Never let your spouse feel like they come second place to your career or any other thing.
58. Talk about your dreams and aspirations. Be supportive of each other and dream big together!
59. Maintain a united front as your motto: Meaning- “Me and you against the world.
60. Speak well of your spouse.

To a Great Relationship!

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Victoria's Secret Midnight Glamour Temptation Lip Pallete Review & Swatches ~ Pretty!

Happy Sunday Angel Beauties ;)

Today we're talking about one of my favorite Beauty items from Victoria's Secret, Midnight Glamour! Although the Victoria's Secret Midnight Glamour collection has been out for a few years, I love this line so much I wanted to do a few reviews on them. :)

I'm not sure if they still sell the collection in stores, but I have been finding them on eBay for a great price. They are regularly $18 in store but on eBay they have them for around $10.

The Midnight Glamour Beauty line features a beautiful Eyeshadow Palette, Lip Palette, Blush, Hypergloss Eye Shimmer, and Nail polish. I have all of the items minus the blush so I can't speak for that one, but all of the others are great quality and the colors are so pretty! I especially love the eyshadow palette, I use it everyday and the Silver Hypergloss Eye Shimmer. I will be sure to review those soon as well. :)

Midnight Glamour Lip Palette in Temptation

First thing I love about this Palette, and the entire collection really, is the packaging! Everything from the box to the palette itself is just gorgeous! The outer casing is like a multi-faceted jewel. I do believe that is the biggest selling point for these items. Lust at first sight ;)

I love to carry it in my purse or keep it on my vanity. So sexy! 

The colors inside are really pretty as well. It comes with a sparkly clear gloss, a nude gloss, a berry gloss and a dark plum colored gloss. The pigment is easily light or very dark depending on how much you want to build. 

This cute lil' palette comes with a compact Lip Brush and though the brush isn't great, it will get the job done. Definitely better than using your fingers if you're on the go. 

The Shades:

Swatches under Natural Light:

Kissys:

(Sorry I am by no means a good lip model ;)

this one made me lips look hugeamungous, eek. Love the color though!

and of course Clear but you get the idea ;)

The lipgloss itself has moderate lasting power. The Clear gloss isn't nothing to get excited about. It's average with some shimmer. The texture of the clear is very sticky and the nude gloss is a little sticky which isn't great but it does feel hydrating. The Berry & Plum colors are like a hydrating lip stain. They're more smooth textured, not sticky. The colors look very natural with a hint of shine! Love!

Here is the entire collection:

If you're interested in picking one up I'd definitely suggest checking eBay! I will post a link to eBay here and  Amazon here bearing Midnight Glamour Search results! 

I hope you enjoyed the review! :)

XO. 

:)

Tell us! Have you tried any of  the Victoria's Secret Midnight Glamour beauties?

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