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Establish A Night Routine With Brandless

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Do you have a self-care night routine? While I am diligent about using sunscreen in the day, I am more sporadic about the skincare products I use at night. Brandless is a company that makes high-quality personal care and household products at a reasonable price point. I recently had the opportunity to try out the Brandless Night Routine Bundle.

Brandless Night Routine Bundle

The Brandless Night Routine Bundle contains some of Brandless’ favorite skincare products. Notably, these products are not tested on animals and are “cruelty free”. Here is a list of the included products, along with some of my thoughts on them.

Grapefruit Facial Cleanser: Grapefruit is one of my all-time favorite scents, so I had high hopes for this facial cleanser. I love the scent and it left my skin feeling clean and refreshed.

Depuffing Eye Gel: I like that this eye gel has the word “depuffing” in its name since my under-eye area is prone to puffiness. In addition, this eye gel provides moisture and claims to reduce dark circles. This eye gel was light going on, and not greasy. It felt slightly tingly and cooling under my eyes as well.

Green Apple Facial Toner: I tend to think of toner as being somewhat harsh on the skin, but this one felt more gentle. The green apple is a welcome addition to the usually strong witch hazel scent. It is a good step to use in between a cleanser and a moisturizer.

Night Cream: My face did indeed feel softer and less dry after applying this night cream before bed. Recently my daughter has been complaining that her facial skin is dry, so I am going to have her try using this cream at night.

Acai Berry Lip Balm-2 Pack: This is a colorless lip balm that anyone can use. The acai berry scent is subtle and it does a nice job of moisturizing my lips.

The Acai Lip Balm is a product you will want to keep in your bag so that you can reapply it throughout the day.

Avocado Basil Hand Cream: I was curious about this hand cream since I like to eat avocados and basil, but I do not necessarily want to smell like them. I found the scent to be pleasant, but difficult to describe. I would not guess that it was avocado and basil! It does have a nice rich consistency and I find myself reaching for it often during these dry winter days.

Mint Foot Cream: I confess that I often neglect the skin on my feet, and my feet deserve better. I tried slathering this cream on my feet and putting on socks to seal in the moisture before bed as suggested. My feet appreciated this treatment! Now I just need to remember to do this more often.

I started to keep the Avocado Basil Hand Cream and Mint Foot Cream in my nightstand drawer so I have it handy before bedtime.

Charcoal Mask: Charcoal seems to be a popular skincare ingredient these days. It is known for drawing out impurities from the skin. This paste has a thick consistency and is easy to apply and rinse. My skin felt like it received a “deep clean” and I would like to incorporate this into a weekly routine.

Where To Purchase Brandless Products

Brandless carries a wide variety of products which are available for purchase through their online store. They are currently offering free shipping on purchases over $40.

Brandless Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Brandless Night Routine Bundle (products may vary slightly).

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Costoffs Office Chair Review

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Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Like many others, next month will be the one year anniversary of D working from home. Over this past year, he has changed his work-at-home configuration several times. Currently, his setup is in a downstairs corner adjacent to our living room. Several months ago, he realized that he needed to buy a bigger desk. Now, he has a new Costoffs Office Chair to complete his makeshift home office.

This Costoffs Office Chair in Dark Gray features a mesh back and a swivel base with casters. It arrived neatly packaged with an instruction manual easy enough for my eleven year old to follow.

We have gone through several office chairs over the years, but this is our first time trying out an office chair with a mesh back. According to the Costoffs description, the mesh back “allows better airflow, accelerating heat and moisture dissipation”. This makes sense if you have ever spent a long time sitting on a leather or pleather chair.

The Costoffs Office Chair has several other additional features designed for comfort. The cushioned seat made with durable mesh fabric has a good amount of padding. The arm rests provide support and the smooth-rolling wheels provide mobility. This chair also includes a lumbar support, which I personally am not used to. (I would try to test out a similar chair to see if this type of lumbar support is what you are looking for). The chair also has a lever that allows the back to be tilted and locked in place. As you can see, there are a lot of elements to consider when purchasing an office chair. The Costoffs office chair seems to cover them all.

Costoffs Office Chair Measurements

When buying a new office chair, it is important to make sure the chair will fit well in your space (and for your body!) Here are the measurements of the Costoffs Office Chair for your reference:

According to the website, the recommended user weight for this chair is under 200 lbs. The lever (which is powered by a gas cylinder) that adjusts the height of the chair is handy and easy to use.

#MOLDIV

As I grow older, I realize how important it is to sit in a chair that provides adequate support. D is disciplined about making sure he takes walking and exercise breaks during the workday. However, having a comfortable and ergonomic office chair is essential when you spend several hours a day sitting at a desk. We are now realizing that our kids should also be sitting on better office chairs while they Zoom for online school. Do you need an office chair upgrade?

Where To Purchase Costoffs Furniture

This Costoffs office chair is available for purchase through their online store. It comes in a variety of colors, including black, gray, red, blue, orange and dark gray (as featured). Costoffs also offers a wide selection of other types of furniture for the home and office. As noted on their website, they offer free shipping, no minimum! I found their shipping time to be fast and efficient.

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Poptime Popped Chips Fuel School + Work

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Well, we have almost completed a full year of the kids Zooming from home for school. They are currently doing a hybrid schedule where they go in person two times a week and are virtual three times a week. I actually like the flexibility of this type of schedule, and it has just become part of our routine.

I try to keep a stash of relatively healthier snacks on hand so the kids have something to munch on to keep them going through the school day. Poptime Popped Chips are the perfect choice! They come in four highly poppable flavors:

  • Jalapeno
  • BBQ & Honey
  • Sea Salt
  • Truffle

Everyone in my family devours these light and crispy Poptime Popped Chips. Seriously, all of the flavors are winners. In addition, they are non-GMO, cholesterol-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, contain zero trans fat, no preservatives, and no artificial flavors.

Let’s not forget about my husband, who is also still working from home. I think he is even more of a snacker than the kids. Poptime Snacks help fuel our family during both school and work.

Where To Purchase Poptime Snacks

Poptime Snacks are available for purchase on the Poptime Snacks website (with free shipping on all orders). Use code LIM10 for 10% off your order! Poptime snacks are also available for purchase on Amazon.

Poptime Snacks Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Variety Pack of both Poptime Popped Chips and Poptime Creations Popcorn (12 bags total). There will be three winners!

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Barely There Block Island Organics Suncare

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Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

Wearing facial moisturizer with SPF is one of my daily habits. I think we have all heard about how much damage UV rays can do to our skin. However, we also need to be careful about which skincare products that we use to protect ourselves from the sun. Block Island Organics Suncare is a line that uses non-toxic ingredients. In addition, their products do not contain parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dyes or artificial fragrances.

I had the opportunity to try Block Island Natural Face Moisturizer SPF 30. My personal experience is that most “natural” sunscreens leave a white film on my skin. I do not find it too bothersome when I am at the beach and the sunscreen makes my arms and legs look white. However, going to work with a pasty white face is not attractive. Therefore, I was curious about the “transparent zinc” found in this facial moisturizer’s description.

After using this moisturizer for several days, I am pleased to say that it really does blend in clear, not white. Although the moisturizer itself appears whitish/yellowish out of the tube, it miraculously disappears after applying it to my skin.

This Block Island Facial Moisturizer does a great job of moisturizing my face, which is especially important in the winter. I like that it does double-duty by simultaneously providing SPF 30 UV protection. The fact that it also does not make me look like a mime is a wonderful bonus!

Where To Purchase Block Island Organics

Block Island Organics skincare products are available through their online store.

Block Island Organics Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win Block Island Natural Face Moisturizer SPF 30.

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Compact Fun With Winning Moves

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Even though playing epic board games with large, beautifully illustrated boards is fun, sometimes you only have time for a quick game. It is also convenient when a game can easily fit in a bag and not take up too much space. Today I am sharing about three games by Winning Moves that are small in size and quick to play, but offer big fun:

Words Over Easy

Words Over Easy involves making words from letters that look like eggs. The catch is that you need to use all of the letters on the side with the good eggs and none of the letters on the eggs on the bad side. I can see how this would be a good game for strengthening vocabulary and spelling skills. This game is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Trashed

The goal of Trashed is to line up your cards in the correct order, from 1 to 10. The challenge is to beware of the “Trashed” and “Stop” cards, which make the game more difficult. I appreciate that all of the cards fit neatly in the cute blue trash can. This game is recommended for ages 7 and up.

Scrabble Slam!

I can see this game becoming a family favorite. To start the game, players choose a four letter word. Players then put down their cards one at a time to make a new word as fast as they can. The first person to use all of their cards wins. I like how this is a fast-paced game that you can play in just a few minutes. This game is for ages 8 and up.

Where to Purchase Winning Moves Games

Winning Moves games and toys are available on their website, Amazon and other retailers near you.

Winning Moves Games Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win Words Over Easy, Trashed and Scrabble Slam!

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A Magical Morning With Jacey’s Magic Mixes

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

As you may recall, I first heard about Jacey’s Magic Mixes via the New Hope Blogger Box. These mixes are “magical” because they are made from allergen-friendly cassava flour. In fact, Jacey’s Magic Mixes are free from nuts, soy, gluten, grains, corn and dairy.

I had the opportunity to try two of their products: Golden Vanilla Magical Waffle and Pancake Mix and Chocolate Cake Magical Waffle & Pancake Mix.

I was eager to try out the Chocolate Cake Magical Waffle and Pancake Mix. I opted to make waffles, and the mix made it so easy. All you have to do is add eggs, milk or dairy substitute, and avocado oil (can substitute other types of oil) to the mix and stir. The chocolate waffles had a nice cakey-texture and were not as sweet as I expected. I added chocolate chips in this picture, but they would also go well with berries or syrup. Valentines Day breakfast, anyone?

The Golden Vanilla Waffle Mix produced nice crisp waffles that were indeed “golden”. As I mentioned before, no one in my family could tell that they were gluten-free. If you or someone you know follows a gluten-free diet, these waffles would be a real treat!

Where to Purchase Jacey’s Magic Mixes

Jacey’s Magic Mixes are available for purchase through their online store.

Jacey’s Magic Mixes Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a combo pack of 32 oz. Golden Vanilla Magical Waffle & Pancake Mix and 16 oz. Chocolate Cake Magical Waffle & Pancake Mix!

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Undercover Crispy Quinoa Snacks Are Utterly Delicious

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Have you seen that Progressive commercial where they make fun of middle-aged folks mispronouncing quinoa? It makes my family laugh every time! If you have never tried quinoa before, Undercover Quinoa will be an easy introduction. The combination of quinoa and chocolate might seem strange at first, but it works! The quinoa has a great crunchy texture that perfectly complements both the milk and dark chocolate.

Undercover Crispy Quinoa comes in several delicious flavors, including:

These Undercover Snacks are highly snackable on their own, but I also tried them in a yogurt parfait. I crumbled a few rounds and tossed some fresh blueberries on top of vanilla yogurt-yum!

We also brought along a bag of Undercover Snacks during a family outing to the park. My only complaint is that I wish they came in a bigger package!

Not only are Undercover Snacks gluten-free, but they are also peanut and tree-nut free as well. I also appreciate that they use all-natural, non-gmo ingredients and Rain Forest Alliance Certified chocolate. 

Where To Purchase Undercover Crispy Quinoa Snacks

Undercover Crispy Quinoa Snacks are available for purchase online or at a store near you.

Undercover Crispy Quinoa Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win an assortment of Undercover Crispy Quinoa Snacks (approximately $30 value)!

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This giveaway is part of the Heart to Heart giveaway hop hosted by MamatheFox.

Disclosure:

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

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Healthy Hair With Mill Creek Botanicals

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

It is official. I have gone almost an entire year without a haircut. I have tried to make appointments, only to have them cancelled or rescheduled and then cancelled again due to the stay at home orders. Even though I have cut the hair of all of my family members in the past year, I refuse to let any of them cut my hair-ha! As a result, my hair is in desperate need of some help.

Enter the Mill Creek Botanicals Biotene H-24 Tri-Pack.

This natural hair care system includes:

The Mill Creek Biotene products contain a concentrated dose of Biotin, as well as Vitamin B3 and Amino Acids. They are formulated to help hair look and feel thicker and healthier.

I have been using all three products as part of my nightly routine. I had my daughter try them as well. We both noticed that our hair felt immediately more nourished and hydrated. The scent of the shampoo and the conditioner was pleasant and not over-powering. (They do not contain any artificial colors or fragrances). I applied the Biotene H-24 Scalp Massage Emulsion after towel-drying my hair. The directions say that you can leave it on for extra conditioning or rinse it off. I chose to leave it on and it felt nice and tingly on my scalp. I can see why the Biotene H-24 line of hair products is one of Mill Creek Botanical’s top-sellers!

Where To Purchase Mill Creek Botanicals

Mill Creek Botanicals products are available through their online store and at a store near you.

Mill Creek Botanicals Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Mill Creek Botanicals Biotene Tri-Pack.

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Eat Real Food With Picky Bars

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Today I want to share about a company founded by athletes called Picky Bars. They started out by creating Picky Bars, which are made from “real” food and provide balanced energy. However, they have since expanded their brand to include several other products, including oatmeal and granola.

I had the opportunity to try out their Performance Granola and a product called Drizzle (see below for more details).

Picky Bars Performance Granola

Picky Bars Performance Granola comes in a variety of flavors, including PB&J All Day Granola, Sassy Molassy Granola and Call of the Wild Blueberry Granola–love those names! I sampled their newest flavor, Ready to Rumble Apple Crumble Performance Granola. The ingredients are: organic gluten free oats, maple syrup, almonds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, tapioca starch, almond butter, pumpkin seeds, dried apples, cardamom, sea salt and cinnamon. This is a hearty granola that will give you sustained energy. It is lightly sweet and I really liked the touch of cardamom.

I think this crunchy granola is a great snack on its own, but it also pairs perfectly with yogurt. This is a picture of a parfait that I made by layering vanilla yogurt, Picky Bars Ready to Rumble Apple Crumble Performance Granola and fresh blueberries. My husband ate it as a dessert, but I think it would also be perfect for a quick breakfast.

Picky Bars Drizzle

Picky Bars Drizzle intrigued me from the start. The ingredient list is quite simple: Organic Almonds, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Maca, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Vanilla. After trying the Drizzle on toast, ice cream and fruit, I have to say it is dangerously delicious. I like how it has a thinner consistency than peanut butter, which allows drizzling it on as a topping (hence the name).

Here, I spread some of the Drizzle on a piece of toast and topped it with sliced strawberries with flaxseed sprinkled on top. I think bananas would be a good addition as well.

Where To Purchase Picky Bars Products

Picky Bars products are available online or at a store near you.

Picky Bars Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a bag of Picky Bars Performance Granola and a jar of Picky Bars Almond Drizzle.

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Chum Fruit Bites Are Wildly Good

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Since my kids are learning from home three days a week, I have been on the search for more healthy snacks for them to munch on. Chum Fruit Bites are made from 100% fruit, high in fiber, gluten-free and contain no added sugar.

Chum Fruit Bites come in the following fruity flavors:

  • Strawberry
  • Mango
  • Apple
  • Berry
  • Peach (not pictured)

We loved them all! If your family likes fruit snacks, they will definitely enjoy Chum Fruit Bites. However, you will feel better knowing that Chum Fruit Bites do not contain added sugar like conventional fruit snacks.

Chum Fruit Bites make a great homeschool snack because they are an easy way for kids to eat a serving of fruit. The little triangles are highly snackable and are not messy or sticky. The individual packs are very convenient for packing in a lunchbox.

It is also notable that Chum Fruit Bites donates 15% of their profits to
Wildaid.org, which helps endangered animal species like those featured on their labels. Love that!

Where To Purchase Chum Fruit Bites

Chum Fruit Bites are available for purchase through their online shop.

Chum Fruit Bites Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win an assortment of Chum Bites. There will be 3 winners!

**The winners are: Susan E., Roberta T. and Karen A.!

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