REVIEW | L'OCCITANE Shea Butter Comforting Cream

*I received this item from Influenster for testing purposes.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

I started using the L'OCCITANE Shea Butter Comforting Cream when I received it in my Influenster RefreshVoxBox and few days ago.  I go through with my normal routine of cleansing my face with my Clinique and/or Clarisonic (check out my older blogs for my facial routine).  I use this after I use the 3-Step Clinique process and the cream is smooth, light, and refreshing on my face.  

I am hoping possibly that it will smooth my face out more from my acne and post-acne scarring that I have occurred.  The product boasts that it will keep your face feeling soft, supple and comfortable all day long.  I like to use it at night before bed so I can have the moisture soaking in my face over night as I sleep.

So far so good.  I will give an update later in the future!  #ineedshea

Peace & Happiness~

~Erika B.

New Influenster Box! #RefreshVoxBox

*I received these products complimentary for testing purposes.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Today, after MUCH anticipation I received my new Influenster #RefreshVoxBox!  I know that I always say I love the boxes I receive but this one I REALLY love!  I know that everything will get used (minus the foundation due to color not matching) but I plan on using it someway or giving it to one of my sisters.  

First things first, the Beanitos Chips (Retails $3.49).  These chips were made by two brothers, Doug and Dave and they are free of so many things it makes NO sense!  This is a snack I would grab all the time because they are:  corn free, all natural, no trans fats, no preservatives, gluten-free, no MSG, certified kosher, vegan, certified low glycemic, high fiber (6g in a 1.5 oz bag), lightly salted, and cholesterol free.  HOLY MOLLY!  I have never found snack free of all of these things AND taste good!  I received two bags, Restaurant Style White Bean with Salt and Nacho Cheese White Bean.  There are also only a limited number of ingredients:  whole navy beans, whole grain rice, pure sunflower and/or safflower oil, guar bean gum, and sea salt.  THAT. IS. IT!  I ate them without dip or anything and after a while you can taste the bean taste.  If you don't like beans then you may not want to try them, but I would love to try to them with a dip free of all these things too.

Next, is the L'OCCITANE Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream (Retail $5 (8ml)/ $28 (50ml))  This is a new product formulated with 5% shea butter that is good for those with normal to combination skin.  I am excited to try this as I have combination skin and I hope it will leave my face feel nice and supple.  Also I know that L'OCCITANE is a GREAT product and I am happy I have the opportunity to try their products.  It came in a small jar with a tin lid and was sealed with foil under the cap.  Nice packaging.  The smell is good, reminds me of a Ponds cream product.  Its light to the touch but creamy at the same time.  Definitely can't wait to try!

I also received the CoverGirl UltraSmooth Foundation (Retails $12.99-16.99).  Off top I'm going to say its NOT worth the price for a drugstore product and I haven't even tried it yet.  I only say that based on other drugstore foundations and I don't think it's worth the price.  The foundation includes an applicator and the purpose of this product is to minimize the look of flaws and fine facial hair.  The applicator is used with the foundation and you use it in the direction that your fine hair grows so you won't see the hairs on your face.  Unfortunately, there aren't too many shades to choose from.  I received color 860 Classic Tan, which according to the website is the darkest shade they have.  I'm waaaayyyy darker than that so I may use it as a highlighter or give it to one of my sisters (I think the sisters would be happy with it).  The product also contains Olay serum.

Another product I am interested in trying is the Montagne Jeunesse Face Masque (Retails $1.49).  I have the Black Seaweed Peel Off Masque.  I like the part that says peel off because I have been wanting to try a peel off masque for a while now.  My only concern is that when I try new facial products they tend to break me out.  I am hoping that this doesn't happen; I'm willing to try.  

Two things that will be my best friends in my purse are the Listerine Pocketpaks (Retails $1.40) and DenTek Comfort Clean Floss Picks (Retails $1.39).  I also received a small pack of DenTek Fun Flossers (Retails $2.19-$3.39).  I ALWAYS need a toothpick or dental floss after I eat because food always gets stuck in my teeth.  It can be from apples to chicken caught in my uppers or down in my crown.  I can't even chew gum without it getting stuck between my crown.  I have used DenTek before so I know that this will only add to the DenTek family brands.  The Listerine Pocketpaks are going to be great to freshen by breath after a meal or just in general.  I haven't tried these out since they were released so I am looking forward to see if there are any changes.

I received a Skinnygirl Tasty Nutrition bar in the flavor Chocolate Peanut Butter with Sea Salt (Retails 5 for $5; on sale at Target through February 26th).  170 Calories, 6g protein, 5g of fiber, gluten free and kosher.  All the ingredients I need especially carrying twins!  I'm looking forward to trying this bar and running to Target to get them on sale as well!

Last but not least, I received a coupon for an Orgain Certified Organic Nutritional shake.  The couple is for a free shake (max value $3.99; retails $3-$4 each).  Again being pregnant, I need all the protein I can get and having this to-go is a double plus for me as I don't have time to eat healthy on the go often.

Overall, I love this box.  I love the nutrition and health benefits of this box.  I'm really ready to refresh now!

Peace & Happiness!
~Erika B.

Mommy Series! 14 Weeks

Today marks 14 weeks with my growing babies!  I am excited to be entering into the 2nd trimester as I am looking forward to this energy that people say I should have back.  Some of my struggles have been getting up and getting ready for work.  Every morning it's becoming harder for me to get up and get myself motivated to go to work.  If you read some of my older blogs, you know that I am currently on a mission to work from home.  If I am unable to work from home, then I would like to move from working at a secondary school to high school.  My appetite has picked up as well!  I am thankful that I have a had a pretty good pregnancy where I can pretty much eat whatever my stomach (or babies) desire and keep food down.  The smell and/or the look of food does not make me sick.  However, there are times where I may begin to eat something and all of a sudden lose my appetite, but if I wait about thirty minutes or longer, my appetite will reappear with full force!

Lately, over the past two days, I have been having these small headaches.  They are really annoying because it's not enough to cause a migraine but it's still there causing me pain.  I believe this may be due to my sodium intake as I have been a BIG snacker of salt and vinegar chips and at times I eat things high in sodium (noodles, frozen dinners).  I decided to start cutting back on that stuff (especially the salt and vinegar chips) and hope to see some improvements.  Family and friends who have been pregnant recommend that I drink PLENTY of water and get rest.  These are things that I do consistently but I feel my water intake may need to be much more as at times I feel super dehydrated even when I've bad about 8 bottles of bottled water.  If I'm not drinking bottled water, then I am gulping a bottle or can of ginger ale.  Rarely do I drink anything else.  I also still have not had a craving for too much sugar.  I had a small pack of powered donuts last night and today and I had a blow pop about three days ago.  I only eat sugar in sporadic amounts and only one time a day.  I give myself kudos for someone who was a Snickers junkie for so long :)

Overall, I would like to say that my pregnancy is on the right track.  Exactly two weeks from today, I go in for my routine appointment.  I will be 16 weeks/4 months, so I am hoping and praying that I am able to find out the genders of the babies.  I'm thinking a girl and a boy (but I'm really hoping for two boys!)  Whatever God decides to bless us with, I'll be happy as long as they are happy and healthy :)

Peace & Happiness!
~Erika B