August Fabletics Review!

*I'm not compensated in any way for these reviews.  All opinions are my own.  However, reviews do contain affiliate links *

I am a workout junkie.  I don't feel like my day's been productive unless I've done something that really makes me sweat, so you can find me at the gym most mornings.  I have been wearing a variation of the same workout outfit for six years at this point: black "supermodel" pant from Victoria's Secret Sport, an American Eagle boyfriend tank top, some manner of zip-up sweatshirt, ponytail and a silicon-backed Goody thin headband.  I've branched out a little lately, working a few new, more loose-fitting cotton tanks into the rotation, but I always go back to my favorites.  My husband makes fun of me for wearing so much clothing to the gym, and it's true; the pants are somewhat thick, though they wick away sweat nicely, and I sometimes feel like the slightly flared bottoms get in the way when I'm spinning.  I was eager for a change, and when I saw an ad for Fabletics (affiliate link) that boasted a full workout outfit for $25, I decided to give it a try!

Fabletics is the same sort of subscription model as Jewelmint, ShoeDazzle, etc: become a "VIP member," pay a monthly fee, in this case, $49.95, and pick out an outfit.  You can skip a month by the 5th by clicking a button on the site.  Otherwise, the credit card on file is charged, and you will have a credit for $49.95.  You can shop the site without becoming a VIP member, but prices are higher.  You also take a short quiz to determine what outfits fit your style and needs.  You can buy separate pieces, but the outfit deals are way better.  New styles come out each month.  Kate Hudson collaborates on the designs and often models them.

There is no earthly way I need a new workout outfit every month, even with all the exercise I do.  I just can't see spending $50 a month - I have a washing machine!  Also, I'd rather spend that money on other clothes.  But for $25, I figured it was worth a try... I plan to skip months unless there is something I love.

Outfits generally consist of 3 pieces: a top, a bottom, and a sports bra.  One glance at the bras they have on the site, and I knew they weren't gonna cut it.  I'm busty, and I do hardcore cardio.  I need maximum strapped-in support and an underwire, and the bras they have are more like shelf bras.  Too bad; some of them are cute!  A few outfits had a scarf (huh? who needs a workout scarf) or socks or a headband with them, so I went for Sept: a pair of patterned "Salar" black/grey/white capris, a "Leon" black racerback tank, and a peach headband.  The tank comes in other colors, but they were sold out.  Apparently, styles/colors sell out quickly in desirable styles.

Standard shipping is free.  You can't mix and match items to create your own outfit, though, which is a bummer.  I wanted a different pattern, but it only came with outfits with sports bras, which are basically useless to me.  I received my order relatively quickly.

Each piece comes separately wrapped in plastic.  You can return items, but they must have tags attached.  When I tried on the top, the tag fell off.  Oops.  It's okay; I planned to keep it anyway.  The top and pants are both made of a combo of polyester and lycra.

I wore the outfit to a typical sweat session today.  The pants are definitely thinner than my VS ones, but not in a bad way.  They felt lighter and made it easier to move, though the somewhat shiny fabric squeaked a little against my bike seat.  They are definitely tight, but I think that's because a) they are compression pants, and b) I'm used to my VS pants, which I bought before I lost weight but still fit, more or less.  They're also very opaque; there's no seeing through these bad boys, even the white parts!  I liked the top quite a bit; it was definitely body-skimming but not overly snug, and the small mesh panel in the back kept me cool.  It seemed to wick away perspiration nicely, so while I was still very, very sweaty by the end of my time at the gym, I didn't feel disgusting.  The headband was definitely comfortable and soft.  It stayed put during a jog, but I had to readjust once during spin class.  I hardly ever have to touch my cheapie, silicon-backed Goody headbands, but adjusting once isn't so bad.  I also just generally liked the way the outfit looked; I thought it was pretty flattering for gym attire, and I got compliments on my pants.

So on  the whole, I give Fabletics a 7 out of 10.  I like the product, but I really hate getting roped into these monthly charge websites.  I'll inevitably forget to "skip" a month, and then get mad and cancel.  For what it's worth, you can cancel at any time, but you have to call them to do so.  I also don't like how quickly desirable colors/sizes sell out; I would have liked this tank in a different color, but only black was left.  On the plus side, the clothes are very cute, and they're a pretty darn good deal at $49.95 for a full outfit.  I've skimped on workout clothes before (hi, Old Navy!), but it never works out.  My 4 pairs of VS pants, despite being washed probably once a week for the past 6 years, have held up impeccably.  Fabletics say to wash their items cold, tumble dry low, so we'll see how that goes.

You can use my link to get your first outfit for $25 - if you use it, I get $10 off my next order!  And you'll get your own referral link when you sign up, too!

Little Black Bag Review 2014!

Hey guys!  My last review of Little Black Bag inspired a bunch of you to sign up yourselves - yay!  I hope you found the review helpful, and since you used my referral link, I got a bonus item in my next bag!  I thought I'd do another review of my latest bag.

I've been really enjoying the variety of items available on LBB.  If you want a detailed rundown of how it works, please see my last post - but it's basically a website where you pick an item (shoes, bag, jewelry, accessories) that you want.  The item is then bundled with a few "surprises," and you can then trade everything for a week with other site users.  All the trading happens before the items ship, so you know you're getting exactly what you see online in brand new condition.  New items come up almost every day.

One of my favorite things about LBB is their promotions.  Seems there is always something going on - free bonus items, sales on bags, or just a plain ol' coupon.  I got $10 off and decided to take the plunge on a Betsey Johnson bag I'd been wanting.

I reloaded until I got "bonus" items I thought I might like - a beauty product from Minerologie and accessories from Dye Ties, plus an extra bonus for referring someone.  Your referral bonus is a product worth $50 - not one that costs $50.  I got something called a "bangles case."  What the heck is that?! I stared at the item for a long time and still couldn't figure it out.  LBB, I love you, but you need to hire some better writers to describe the items.  I guess a bangles case is a pouch to keep your bracelets in so they don't get tangled... except my bangles never get tangled... and is that such a global problem that they needed their own pouch?  Anyway, I knew I had to get rid of that ASAP.

The beauty item was an eyeliner, and eyeliner freaks me out, I traded it pretty quickly.  Here's what I ended up with:

Betsey Johnson Front Stripe Speedy Satchel:

My husband actually said, "Wow, that's a cool bag."  Which is saying a lot.  He thinks the quilting looks like the seat of an old car, haha.  I got a lot of offers for this bag, but I turned 'em all down.  I like that it will go with anything, and I'm willing to overlook the subtle (but kinda cheesy) heart details.  It's the perfect size, and the strap drop is just right - fits under your arm comfortably. Tag says $98.00, but who's paying that for a non-leather bag??  Came nicely wrapped and had no flaws.

Jules Smith Bow Charm Necklace:

Cute and easy to wear - it'll go with lots of stuff.  Looks like it's good quality, and the bow charm is sparkly but delicate enough to be wearable.  Original price was $65, but again, I find that hard to believe.  I'm seeing them on eBay for around $30, which seems more reasonable.

K. Kreative Rope Chain Link Bracelet:

Looked interesting and funky online.  In person, it's kinda cheap-looking.  The gold chain is really lightweight and flimsy, probably just painted plastic.  I actually can't find this brand sold elsewhere, which is odd, but it's the kind of jewelry I wouldn't pay more than $5-$10 for.  I'll probably skip this brand in the future.

Dye Ties At World's End Headbands:

These were a huge surprise.  I was curious about these, since they are always floating around LBB.  I figured if they were a total bust, I'd use them for working out.  I actually really like them!  They're super sparkly, and not in a cheap way, either.  They're not too snug, though I must admit that the fabric is just a little itchy due to the sparkle.  Not much of a problem except for places where it touches my neck - but I got used to it.  On the Dye Ties website, each headband sells for $10 apiece.  I believe LBB had them listed as $18.

Here I am looking matchy-matchy, but I was making dinner and already had my hair up - the headband was the perfect way to keep hair out of my face (and food) but still look presentable.

All in all, I continue to feel like LBB is a good deal for the occasional accessories purchase.  The cost for all the above items (plus shipping/tax) was $50.40, which seems like a great deal to me.  I'd pay $40 for the bag alone.  The trading element is super fun, though it can also be stressful, so make sure you have time to trade during the week you choose!  Just make sure to skip the month before the 5th, or you'll be charged $9.95 on the 6th, though it goes to your next bag.  You can cancel at any time.

You can use my referral link to save 25% on your first bag/bundle - now THAT's a great deal.

Hope you found this helpful!  What do you think of Little Black Bag?  Have you scored any great deals?  Feel free to ask any questions in the comments!  LBB maintains its 8 on the Awesome Meter for stylish and affordable accessories and a very fun way to shop!

Graze Box - US Review!

Happy New Year!  I'm back with more fun reviews to help you get an awesome start to 2014.  

A friend of mine recently tried Graze Box, a new snack delivery service.  She had great things to say, and she even had a code for a free box.  Hey, I'll try anything once, and I particularly love subscription "surprise" boxes, so I eagerly signed up.  The company is popular in the UK and is now branching into the United States.  Lucky us!

How it works:  Sign up for a Graze Box on their website.  Each box is $6, including shipping, and contains 4 individually packaged healthy snacks.  There are more than 90 varieties, most including some sort of dried fruit, nut, or seed, and all with a healthy benefit.  Before you receive your first box, you can go through the selections and rate each of the snacks: trash, try, like, or love.  They default to "try," and you can leave 'em there if you're open to trying any of the items.  However, if you have allergies, are vegan, or simply dislike certain foods, you can through and "trash" items you never want to receive.  For example, I don't like spicy food, so I eliminated anything that looked too zesty.  I know, I know... I lead a bland life ;)  Once you get your box, you can rate your snacks to determine what future boxes will contain.  Thus, your snack selection is a guided surprise.

You can also choose between their regular Graze Box and their Lightbox.  Snacks in the Lightbox are all under 150 calories each.  In my ongoing efforts to be healthier, I selected the Lightbox.  You still have a decent selection of items, though their granola bar-esque "flapjacks" are unavailable.  You can switch between types of boxes at any times.  

Boxes ship out every 2 weeks or 4 weeks, depending on your preference.  You can cancel at any time.  

So what did I get in my first Graze Box?

Olive and Rosemary Bruschetta: Tomato-flavored breadsticks, rosemary and garlic cashews, and kalamata olive croutons.  

Black Pepper Pistachios: Roasted pistachios sprinkled with black pepper.

Tropical Daiquiri: Lime-infused raisins, dried green mango and pineapple.

Coco Paradise: Milk chocolate drops, dried cranberries, and dried coconut flakes.

Overall, a good selection - a nice mix of nuts, savory items, fruit, and sweets.  I've got a major sweet tooth, so I went for Coco Paradise first.  I found the coconut flakes a little tasteless, but the rest was great and very fresh.  The "bruschetta" was equally yummy, especially the cashews, though the croutons were somewhat artificial-tasting.  Tropical Daiquiri was interesting and flavorful; I've never had a lime-infused raisin before, and it was intriguingly sweet and sour.  The black pepper pistachios were my favorite; the serving felt generous, and the seasoning added just enough kick.  Each sealed packet contains perhaps 1/4 cup of food, depending upon which snack you get, and I found them very satisfying.  I prefer my snacks around 100 calories, since I work at home and tend to graze during the day, so this service worked out really well for me.

Verdict: I love the variety, and the snacks really are tasty, healthy, and fresh; they're made with real ingredients and very little "filler."  No weird ingredients!  If you like unique trail mixes, you'll love Graze.  I didn't feel limited by my Lightbox, either - I still enjoyed the snacks and even got some chocolate.  Packaging was streamlined yet eco-friendly, and the little packets are well-sealed and convenient.  I even took one to a movie theater in my purse and ate it in lieu of popcorn or overpriced candy!  Not a bad swap.

I give Graze a 9 on the Awesome Meter.  Lots of flexibility, tasty, filling, natural snacks, and a good price.  I've already gotten my second box and can't wait for my third.  I only wish you could get more than 4 snack pouches per delivery!

If you would like to sign up, head over to www.graze.com/us.  You can use my friend code (click here) to get your first box free.  If you choose to continue getting boxes, you'll also get your fifth box free.  As mentioned earlier, you can cancel at any time.  Once you sign up, you'll get a friend code, as well.  For each friend that signs up, you will either get $1 off your next box, or you can choose to donate $1 to a school of farming in Uganda.  Pretty cool!

In case you have trouble with the link above, my friend code is: JANS2WJ3P

Here's to a wonderful 2014!

Awesome giveaway time!

A quick note on an awesome contest you should know about...

Effortless Anthropologie is having a fantastic 5 Year Blogiversary giveaway - the winner gets $1000 to Anthropologie (where else?) and a personal shopping appointment with Anthro's head personal stylist!  How amazing!!  Click here to enter, and do it quick - the contest closes Nov. 3.  If you're an Anthro fan, Roxy's blog is the best place for information on sales and promotions, product reviews, styling tips, and just about everything else Anthro-esque.

I'll be back with a new review and a holiday gift guide very soon!

Little Black Bag Review (and haul!)

I'm pretty late on this, but I recently discovered Little Black Bag (that's a referral link), a shopping website with a unique concept.  If you like monthly boxes and surprises, you'll find LBB pretty exciting!

So here's how it works:  You purchase something from the site.  They carry handbags, beauty products, jewelry, accessories, and home items.  With each item, you can either buy it alone, or "bundle" it with other surprise items.  The bundles are generally good deals, and you can see the categories for the surprises.  When you buy the item, your surprise items are revealed.  Here's where it gets fun: you can either keep your items, or trade them with other users!  All the trading is done before the items ship; LBB does the dirty work for you.  You can trade for up to a week.  If you fall for an item that's sold out, you can try to trade for it.

You can make a one-time purchase, or you can join as a VIP.  VIPs get slightly lower prices on all items, and you are charged $9.95 per month, but you get a $10 credit toward whatever you purchase.  You can choose to skip a month, and you will not be charged at all, but you must choose the option by the 5th of the month.  VIPs also get free bonus items.

I had a coupon code for 25% off, so I decided to give it a try.  While I initially made my purchase as a one-time thing, I ended up joining the VIP program to save $13.  Customer service seemed extremely confused about retroactively applying the credit, but I think I eventually got through to them.  I need to check my credit statement to make sure.  Next time I have an issue, I'll call instead of using their chat function.

So here's what I bought:

The Olivia and Joy Regards satchel in black and white.  Cute, right?  I looked around the internet before purchasing it. LBB lists its suggested retail price as $92, as does the tag on the bag itself.  However, on the Olivia and Joy website, it sells for $78.  I also found it on the DSW website for $60.  The LBB price was, after my coupon code and VIP discounts, as well as after tax and shipping, about $44.  That includes the surprises, so I decided to go for it.  Why not??

My surprises were a pair of earrings and a bracelet.  I quickly discovered that you can control, to an extent, the kind of surprises you get.  When you put an item in your basket, it will show you the brands and categories of bonuses you will get.  You can reload that until you get something you're happy with; for example, I wanted jewelry, not beauty items.  I also opened a new tab and looked at the items from each designer and their price points to figure out what bonuses were items I might genuinely like.

So I received a pair of gold alligator earrings by Robert Rose, valued at $15, and a friendship-style bracelet valued around $20.  I loved the gators - totally cute.  Couldn't find them elsewhere online, though Robert Rose items are sold at Nordstrom for around $12.  The bracelet wasn't really my style, but I very quickly was offered a pair of dangly gold, orange, and brown earrings.  I made the trade, and that was the end of my trading, though I kept the bag open for a week just to see.  Most people wanted to trade for my bag, but I still liked what I had chosen more than any other options.  Some people even offered two purses for my one!

Here's what I got:

The Robert Rose Alligator Earrings.  Super cute.  I love quirky jewelry!

Carol Dauplaise Double Link Stone Drop Earrings. I wear a lot of orange, and I'm really into gold jewelry right now, so these will go with a lot of items in my closet.

Olivia and Joy Regards Satchel.  The tab in the front is just decorative, as are two zippers running down the sides.  There is one compartment with a few inner pockets, plus one smaller zippered back pocket.  The inside is nicely lined.

I was impressed by the quality of the bag.  LBB carries some brands I'm familiar with, but I've never seen Olivia and Joy bags before.  It's certainly not a bag I'd pay $92 for, as it's not real leather, but it's definitely a sturdy, well-made bag.  It's the perfect size; not too big, not too small, and I like the gold touches.  Both pairs of earrings are cute in person, too, though the earrings looked orange online but are more coral in real life.  I couldn't find these Carol Dauplaise earrings for sale elsewhere.

So for $44, I got a bag and two pairs of cute jewelry.  I think I actually got a great deal.  The items were packaged nicely and arrived promptly.  I'll be trying LBB again, because the trading aspect adds a little fun and excitement to the experience, and I do feel like I got some great bonuses.

If you want to try LBB, here's my referral link!  Use it to get 25% off your first bag, so you can score a great deal, too!

Have you tried LBB?  I love seeing what other people got!!

LBB gets an 8 on my Awesome Meter.  I'm very pleased with what I got for the price, and the experience as a whole is unique, fun, and seamless.

Healthy Living Reviews!

Lately, my husband and I have started to focus heavily on getting fit.  It started because we were going on a cruise for the wedding of good friends who happen to be actors.  Of course, they are exceptionally good-looking and in shape, and a lot of their friends are beautiful actors or models, too.  We didn't want to be out of shape on the lido deck among a bunch of super-toned models in bikinis, so we stepped it up.  Since then, fitness has become a big part of our lives.

The wedding came and went, and it was on a cruise ship with tons of people, so we didn't need to be self-conscious, but regardless, we wanted to keep up with dieting and just generally getting fit.  My husband is at the point where he wants to put on weight and muscle, but I'm, well, not, haha.  This means a lot of the time, I make very low-cal (and low-carb, high protein) meals, but he just eats twice as much as I do.

That being said, here are a couple of tricks I've used to lose weight without a fad diet or anything like that.  If you're looking to make a healthy change in your life, there are, as I see it, three essential pieces of equipment you'll need:

1) A digital food scale.  We use the food scale for everything, including fruit.  It helps us record our calorie intake properly, and it's also just a great way to control portions.  Once I've measured out, say, 30 grams of trail mix, I probably won't go back for more.  Serving size is a major issue for many people, so having a way to control it without estimating is very helpful.  These are relatively cheap; the one linked above is $15 at Amazon.com

2) A heart rate monitor.  Okay, so you're measuring your intake carefully... now what about your calorie expenditure?  We love our heart rate monitors; they show you how hard you're working by displaying your heart rate in real time, and they count calories for you based on your height, weight, and age.  They are much more accurate than the calorie counter on cardio machines at the gym.  We use them for everything - I've even worn mine to Disneyland to record how many calories we burn walking for miles and miles all day!  I know that if my heart rate is dipping during spin class, I've got to step it up.  I wouldn't go to the gym without it.  I like the Polar F7, which is linked above.  At $60, it's a bit of a splurge, but it comes with a chest strap (like Iron Man!) and a watch that displays the information.  My husband has a slightly pricier Polar HRM that connects to an app in his iPhone.  I prefer watching my heart rate at all times, but he would rather see it at the end of his workout.  My HRM is one of my favorite purchases ever and has really stepped up my workout.

3) MyFitnessPal.  This one is FREE!  It's a calorie counting website, and it's kind of amazing.  You can set your height, weight, age, and activity level, and it'll tell you how many calories to eat to lose, maintain, or gain weight.  You need to cut 3500 calories a week to lose a pound - that's 500 calories a day.  However, if you work out, you can eat back your calories - that's why it's so important to use your HRM to get an accurate count!  And that's why you'll find me at the gym daily... I love to eat.  MFP is an amazing resource; almost every food can be found in its database.  You can input recipes, save your favorites, and even use your phone to scan barcodes of products.  The iPhone app is free and amazing.  Just the act of recording your calories makes you eat less.  Open up your diary to the public, and take advantage of the huge, supportive community there.  With calorie counting, you can eat what you want for the most part, you just have to do it in moderation and fit it into your day's calories.

Anyway!  I'm not a fitness expert, just a regular person trying to get fit in a healthy way.  Stay tuned for more reviews of healthy living products.

What tips do you have for getting fit?

Skinny Cow Ice Cream Bars Review

Oh man, you guys know I am a sucker for Skinny Cow products.  I love their candy, especially the Dreamy Clusters and the new Divine Caramels.  When I saw they had a new product at my grocery, I knew I had to try both varieties.

The first ones I tried were the Cookies 'n Dough ice cream bars.  They are vanilla ice cream topped with a sort of sugary, gooey layer with small lumps of cookie dough, then enrobed in chocolate.  The bars are fairly small, but I found them very satisfying for 160 calories.  The gooey layer can be a bit gritty - almost like the gooey filling in a pecan pie - but it balances out the vanilla ice cream nicely.

It was a bit harder to find the Salted Caramel Pretzel bars, as they always seemed to be sold out, but I finally located a package.  Same calorie/fat content as the Cookies 'n Dough bars.  These ones start with the same vanilla ice cream, then a layer of more fluid caramel and a sprinkling of pretzels, enrobed in the same milk chocolate - which is described as a "chocolatey coating," so I guess they can't call it "chocolate."  I love the salty/sweet combo.  These ones are the same size as the Cookies 'n Dough bars - smallish, but great for an after dinner treat.

Given the choice, I prefer the Salted Caramel Pretzel bars.  They're unique, rich, and nicely balance sweet and salty.  However, I've had difficulty finding them.  I also tried the Weight Watchers equivalent, which are called Ice Cream Candy Bars.  It's the same basic deal - vanilla ice cream, a layer of caramel and some peanuts, then enrobed in a milk chocolate coating.  They are 4 points plus and 150 calories and 9 grams fat, so very similar to the Skinny Cow bars.  However, the WW iteration seems slightly larger, though they may just be longer but less squat.  I definitely prefer the Skinny Cow versions - much more decadent and flavorful for the same basic calorie/fat content.  The WW ones are much easier to find in stores, though.

I give both the Skinny Cow ice cream bars a 8 on the Awesome Meter.  Highly nommable treats without the guilt!  Hooray!

While I'm posting, I wanted to link you to this awesome giveaway on Lisa's fun fashion blog, Respect the Shoes - $50 to J. Crew, Zara, or Anthro!  I love her blog - lots of fantastic clothes inspiration, as she always looks adorable - and some really great conversation topics, too!  Check it out - and just a heads up, Anthro's tag sale starts this Wednesday!  You'd better believe I'll be looking for good deals.

*Note - All views are my own.  I am not compensated in any way for these reviews - I'm just trying to help you find awesome stuff!

Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge Review

I recently joined BzzAgent.com and was sent a sample of Garnier Fructis's new Hydra Recharge shampoo, conditioner, and hydrating treatment.

I have dry, curly hair.  My life got a whole bunch easier when I stopped fighting the curls, put down the flat iron, and learned to embrace my natural look.  I'm very low maintenance with my hair, preferring to mash in a few curl-enhancing products after a shower, scrunch a bit, and let it air dry.  If I'm going to a formal event, like a wedding, I'll splurge on a blow-out; it always looks WAY better than anything I could manage.

I work out almost every day, and I pull my hair back in a ponytail and use a headband to keep it out of my face.  Basically, I pull, pinch, and punish my hair daily.  I do not shampoo every day, though - usually once a week or so - because that will send my hair directly to frizzville.  However, I do shower and condition daily, but frizz and dryness are still my mortal enemies.  I was excited to try this new line of products that claims to hydrate even the driest strands!  All products contain goji berries, kiwi, and passion fruit - ooh la la!

The shampoo is clear with bursting blue beads.  It seemed to do the job just fine - foamed a bit and rinsed clean.  The hydrating treatment is to be slathered on your hair for 1 minute, then rinsed.  This seemed odd to me, as I usually apply conditioner and let it soak in for over a minute while I do my other showerly duties.  So what's the difference between the hydrating treatment and just letting plain ol' conditioner sit on your scalp for a while?  I'm still kinda unclear on that.

Anyway, the hydrating treatment and conditioner, both of which are moderately thick and light blue, did a great job of softening my locks, and they rinsed off much more cleanly than some of my more expensive conditioners.  No residue, so nothing to weigh down my hair!  The conditioners detangled and left my hair feeling smooth and silky.

However, when my hair finished air drying, it was pretty frizzy, and the curls were not defined.  I needed further product to make me look polished.  Alas!

Another minor issue for me is the smell.  I've always been particularly sensitive to fragrances, and Garnier uses a fairly strong, fruity, sweet fragrance that I'm not incredibly fond of, kind of like sour green apples.  I also color my hair (which can exacerbate dryness!), and the shampoo does contain sulfates that could fade color.

If your main issue is dryness, this might be a great product for you, as it did hydrate nicely and felt weightless in my hair.  I particularly liked how easily it rinsed clean.  However, if you have curly hair and frizz issues, you may need to look into Garnier's other lines, like Sleek and Shine.

In the end, I decided to return to my usual hair care regimin, but I think I'll keep the Hydrating Treatment in the shower in case I need an extra moisture boost!

While it's not the perfect product for me, I still enjoyed trying the Hydra Recharge and would give it a 6 on the Awesome Meter.  One big plus: it's extremely affordable, even for the luxurious Hydrating Treatment. Find it at your local drugstore, Target, or on Amazon.com.

Views expressed here are my own, but I was provided with the products free of charge.

The ArchMount

If you're a filmmaker, blogger, vlogger, musician, artist, or any other creative type, you probably use your iPad for a variety of purposes.  iPads are versatile devices, and their cameras are high quality.  

My brother-in-law is part of a team that has created a new iPad accessory to help you out and make the creative process easier and more efficient!  If you've ever tried to balance your iPad on a stack of books or steady it on a table so you can film something without the camera shaking, you know it's pretty difficult.  The iPad is sturdy, but it's also thin and can be difficult to balance.  

Enter the ArchMount!  This lightweight device easily straps onto your iPad and attaches to a tripod.  Check it out:

Now you have a stable way of mounting your iPad - and you can use it to film your vlogs or webseries, create stop-motion animation, or whatever else you can dream up!  You can even use it to scan photos!  Musicians can use their iPad as a modern music stand - just load up your sheet music in the display, mount the iPad, and you're good to go!  It's really an ingenius little invention, and it's made even better by the fact that it's very light and easy to carry.  Plus, it's super affordable - just $22 if you get in on the Kickstarter deal right now!  Only 8 days left in the campaign!

I've seen the prototype, and it's VERY cool - definitely the perfect accessory to add to your arsenal! The design is sleek and thin, so it won't add bulk or cramp your style.

So click here, check out the video, and let me know what you think in the comments!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/serialkickers/archmount-the-sturdy-ultraportable-tripod-mount-fo

More reviews coming up very soon!

Sole Society Review (Sierra Slingbacks)

I'm not really a shoe person.  At 5'8", I feel too tall for heels - and if I'm wearing them, I teeter, and they're never really comfortable.  I have a massive collection of flats, but when I find something I like, I stalk it until it goes on sale, then buy it in lots of colors.  My feet were size 10 until I stopped working retail - now I spend most of my time with my feet up on the couch while I work... or have my feet stuffed into sneakers at the gym - so I've gone down to about 9.5, though I still need a 10 in some styles.

Anyway, I'm going to be in a wedding this October.  The bride has requested we wear vintage-style dresses in jewel tones with heels that are a different jewel town than the dress.  I bought this gorgeous dress on second cut (plus an additional 30% off) from Anthro:

Pretty!!

I was unsure about what color shoes I should wear until I saw these lovelies in a Facebook ad:

These Sierra heels are sold through Sole Society, a website I'd heard of but dismissed as a shoe club - you know, those sites where you are charged a monthly "credit" unless you opt out.  I'm kind of over that whole structure since I forgot to opt out of Jewelmint in January and felt forced into a purchase.  Blech.  However, Sole Society is no longer a "shoe club."  You can just make a purchase, and you're not obligated to purchase again.  They won't charge you unless you make a purchase.  Armed with that knowledge, plus a $10 off code, I bought these lovely shoes in a size 10, not knowing how they ran.  Sole Society's selection is all "Sole Society" brand.  They are the same company as HauteLook (affiliate link, or just go to HauteLook.com), the flash sale site, and HauteLook sometimes runs cross promotions.

However, when I received them (free shipping - got them within 3 days, but that may be because the company is based in Southern California), I discovered that:

a) The shoes were a bit big

b) If I chose to return them for money rather than store credit, I'd be charged a $7.95 restocking fee.

I wanted to buy the 9.5s and try 'em - just to see if they fit better - but I wasn't about to pay $8 to try on a size.  I spoke to the Sole Society live chat help, but when I didn't budge about wanting my money back rather than a store credit, they recommended I call customer service.  I did so, and they thankfully waived the fee.  I mean, if they want me to re-purchase from their site, I need to figure out what size I wear in their brand, right?

I still don't feel like I should've had to jump through hoops to avoid that restocking fee, but I'm glad customer service was ultimately helpful.  However, I am going to lose that $10 off code in the process of this whole thing.  Alas - the 9.5s were the better fit for me.  Here's a few IRL pics of the shoes:

The shoes are quite pretty.  Both pairs smelled heavily (almost nauseatingly) of plastic, as they were wrapped really thoroughly, but the smell dissipated with time.  The color is rich.  They have a supportive platform under the toes, and the heel is 3 inches - about as high as a heelphobe like me can go.

 Some toe cleavage, but not an unacceptable amount.

The bows are a little limper/less shapely than in the product photos.

Overall, these are quite cute, and $59.95 seems like a decent price (made better if you can find a discount).  I like the other colors, too, and think these will be versatile.  They were fairly comfortable - for heels - though the soles are not super padded, and I'm not sure how well they are attached to the base of the shoe.  The lining looks to be curling ever so slightly near the toe.  The slingback stayed up nicely on the 9.5s.  It slipped on the 10s, as they were clearly a bit too big.  The Sierra Slingback also comes in a cobalt/grey combo and a yellow/nude combo, both of which are really stinkin' cute.

For now, I'd give Sole Society a 7 on the Awesome Meter.  I do like cute shoes with modest heels - and they have cute flats, too - as opposed to the skyscraper, edgy heels I see on ShoeDazzle.  I like that it's not a shoe club, so I don't have to stress about opting out each month.  The shipping was fast (and free!), but the restock fee bums me out.  Customer service was good, but I'm used to Modcloth's amazing service now.  The quality of the shoes seems about right for the price.

If you see something you like on the site, you can use my affiliate link here to sign up.  If affiliate links skeeve you out, you can just sign up at SoleSociety.com. Make sure to check RetailMeNot.com for coupon codes before you buy!  

Nifty Gifties for Him! A Men's Gift Guide

Here are some gift ideas for that guy in your life.  Guys are so much harder to shop for than women, for the most part. Hope these suggestions are helpful!

Gifts for Him by janalyssa on Polyvore

1. Shaving Set ($60) - Even guys deserve pampering sometimes, and this set includes fancy soap and a bristle brush for a closer shave.  You could also get him a gift certificate to The Art of Shaving, where he can get a fancy-shmancy shave with a straight razor.  I gave a gift certificate to my husband  before our wedding; I figured, if I was getting spa treatments, maybe he'd like something somewhat similar (but manlier, of course!).

2. Robot Tea Infuser ($15) - If he's a tea drinker, he might like this cool robot; it sits in your tea cup and helps evenly infuse hot water.  Pair it with a fancy loose leaf tea blend, and you have a great gift. 

3. Death Star Ice Mold ($10) - If he prefers to drink something a little stronger, he might like this awesomely geeky ice mold.  Large spheres of ice melt more slowly, so they cool your drink without watering it down.  I got my husband these simple sphere molds for Hanukkah, but the Death Star ones are just so cool!

4. Adidas Track Pants ($30) - My brother asked for comfortable pants that he could actually wear outside the house.  He usually relaxes in giant basketball shorts, but those aren't always the best things to wear to a grocery store, and sweatpants can look somewhat sloppy.  These pants are comfortable and breathable but cool enough to wear in public. Plus, they have pockets!

5. Merino Wool Sweater ($80) - Every guy needs a warm, fashionable sweater this time of year. This one has features a v-neck and neutral stripes that will go with jeans or dressier pants; even the pickiest of guys can't argue with simple navy stripes! J. Crew has been running some great promotions, so watch for those!

6. MistoBox ($45 for 3 month subscription) - If he's a caffeine addict, he might appreciate this subscription box delivered to his door each month.  Each box contains 4 unique types of coffee beans from artisan roasters.  If he finds one he loves, he can order it on the site with free shipping.  Make sure he has a grinder - or you can add one on if you'd like.  Check their website and Facebook page for special deals!  Right now, you can get your first box for $5!

7. Modern Briefcase ($248) - This practical office essential is cool, not stuffy, and has a great vintage patina.  It will help him get organized and look professional yet stylish.  It may seem pricey, but it's high quality leather and can be worn as a messenger bag or briefcase-style. It's the kind of thing he'll carry for years.  This one is from Fossil, but you can find similar styles at Banana Republic, J. Crew, Kenneth Cole, or department stores.

8.  Automobile Magazine Subscription ($10 for a year) - If he's into cars, he'll love this monthly magazine - and he'll think about you for a whole year!  Magazines are awesome (and generally affordable) gifts.  If he's not a car guy, there are about a zillion other options. Just google his interests plus "magazine," and check out what comes up!

9. Record Coasters ($18) - These colorful, useful coasters are made from real vinyl record labels.  They're the perfect gift for a music lover - everyone needs coasters, especially if you're hosting any holiday parties, and these ones have personality!

Happy shopping!  Remember to check RetailMeNot for coupon codes before you buy online!

Review - Zoom Groom

I'm taking a quick break from holiday cheer to bring you a review of a new product I received yesterday.  Our dog, Wilson, is the best dog ever.  He's sweet, loving, and loyal, and it doesn't hurt that he's also super cute and mega soft.

Glamour shots!  Anyway, Wilson, who is a rescue dog of indeterminate breed, but likely some sort of cross between a mini Australian Shepherd and a long-haired chihuahua or dachshund, is one sheddy long-haired puppy.  Seriously.  Now that we have wood floors, we sometimes see tumbleweeds of black Wilson fur gathering in corners.  Yikes.  On the one hand, his fur rarely needs to be cut, but on the other, there is fur everywhere!

We have used the Furminator deshedding tool since we adopted him; it works really well at getting the under layer of loose hair out.  However, it's a little bit rough on him - it's made of metal, and he gets squirmy when we use it and runs away.  Some dogs love it, but Wilson seems to think it's too harsh, which makes us not want to use it.  

A groomer friended recommended Zoom Groom by Kong, maker of all things durable and rubber for dogs.  They're much less expensive than the Furminator - mine was about $5 on Amazon - and are made of rubber with little rubber fingers.  I tried it right away, and to my surprise, Wilson loved it! It likely just feels like being pet and is very gentle.  It trapped a good deal of hair, though  not as much as the Furminator... though I think it's worth it to use the Zoom Groom instead, because Wilson tolerates it so much better. He holds perfectly still while we're grooming him and even leans into the brush instead of struggling to run under the table.  A good brushing with the Zoom Groom left Wilson very sleek, as the rubber fingers also help with natural oil production, which helps keep his coat shiny.

The Zoom Groom gets an 8 on the Awesome Meter.  I don't think it gets as much excess fur off as the Furminator, but it's a more gentle choice. I read that it works better on short-haired dogs.  It can also be used when bathing and shampooing your dog.  I purchased the small one (Wilson is 13 pounds), but there is a larger model for bigger dogs, and there's even one for cats!

This could be a great stocking stuffer for a pet lover.

Nifty Gifties - An Awesome Gift Guide

You guys, I am almost completely done with my holiday shopping!!  Granted, Hanukkah is super early this year - though not as early as next year, when I'm told it will start in late November.  Yikes.

Anyway, I took advantage of all the online sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday... and scored a few things for myself, too.

Here are some fun ideas for the women on your list:

Gift Guide by janalyssa featuring cotton sleepwear

1.  These Starfish Earrings ($24.50 plus 30% off with code XOFACTORY) are adorable and versatile - I ordered them on Black Friday and just received them today. They're the perfect size and super sparkly. They are substantial but not too heavy and seem to be good quality.  Remember to check J. Crew Factory for coupon codes - there's usually at least 30% off, but on Black Friday it was 40% off plus an additional 15% off if you hit a minimum.

2. A comfy sweater ($94 plus 30% off with code XOFACTORY) with pretty details - perfect with jeans and boots.

3. Can anyone say no to cotton pajamas ($49.50)? When I worked at VS, our pajama sets were always top sellers, and I loved snagging a pair for myself. They come in flannel, too, and they're so cozy.  They're running a sale right now - free slippers with a cotton pajama purchase (code: SLIPPERS12)!  You'll look so generous! Remember to use your Secret Rewards card!

4. Llamas ($59.50)!!  So cute.  I think llamas have suddenly become the "it" thing without me realizing it.  This scarf has a fun print, and the neutral colors will go with just about anything.  I love wearing light scarves with sweaters or t-shirts - they're a fun alternative to necklaces.

5. Leg warmers ($34) via Etsy store Grace and Lace.  I ordered these and can't wait to get them.  I love the lace detail peeking out over boots! They also have equally adorable socks.  Like Grace and Lace on Facebook for great coupon codes and weekly deals.

6.  Birchbox subscription (my referral link)! If you know a beauty junkie, they'll love getting a box of surprise deluxe samples each month. You can get a 3 month subscription for $30 - good deal, and she'll think about how thoughtful you are each month!  This is also a good one if you've forgotten someone - just a few clicks, and she'll instantly get a notification!

7. You know you can't resist cheesy magazines ($70).  Sure, it's a guilty pleasure, but celeb gossip mags are so much fun!  Check the deal sites (like LivingSocial or Groupon) for special offers.

8. I absolutely adore these sweet gloves with velvet bows ($60).  That little detail makes them so special! Modcloth has some awesome and affordable gift ideas for guys ans gals, plus free shipping over $50 and the best customer service ever.  You can use my referral link to get $15 off your first purchase - good deal!  Also on my ModCloth gifting list: these cozy, ladylike earmuffs and fun, dangly art deco earrings.

9. Your friend who loves hosting parties will adore this brightly colored agate coasters ($64); they'll match any decor!  Each set is unique.

I'll be back with gift ideas for guys, couples, and kids!

Arm and Hammer Whitening Booster Review

I'm kind of crazy about oral hygiene.  I notice teeth and smiles first when I meet new people.  I had two (yes, two!) sets of braces as a child.  So it makes sense that I'm into whitening products.  I've tried several different kinds of whitening sets, and while I find that the "traditional" type - ones that use clear, gel-covered pieces of plastic that sit on top of your teeth for a certain amount of time - do work, they tend to be messy, goopy, inconvenient  and pricey.  I always feel gross pulling off the plastic, and I end up missing days because I just forget to put them on.  Lately, they also hurt my teeth and gums.  I wouldn't consider myself to have sensitive teeth, but perhaps the whitening products are just getting stronger.  Anyway, because they cause a dull ache, I haven't used white strips in a while.

I noticed a teeny, pinprick-sized stain on a tooth the other day and decided it needed to be eliminated, ASAP.  At the drugstore, I scanned all the usual whitening suspects, but then I saw something different: Arm and Hammer Whitening Booster.  At $5 for a smallish tube (2.5oz), it was a much cheaper option than white strips, so I decided to give it a try.

The booster is a clear, mostly tasteless gel, not unlike the stuff on the back of the white strips. You put the normal amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush, then add a dab of the boosting gel and brush as usual.  It seems to foam a bit more, but it doesn't affect the taste of the toothpaste, and you can use whatever toothpaste you prefer.

The booster says it contains 3 times the whitening action of strips, and it recommends that you brush with it twice a day.  I've been doing it for about 2 weeks now, and I've actually seen a difference.  The stain is all but gone, and my teeth generally look whiter.  I did not experience any pain at all, likely because the gel is sitting on your teeth as long.  I think the tube will last for quite awhile; I haven't made a dent in it yet.  It also encourages me to brush for longer to get the full effect, so that's a plus!

I'd recommend giving this a try if you're looking for a whitening product.  It's not a big investment, and it's very easy to use.  I just keep it on the bathroom counter with the toothpaste; it's not much effort to add the gel in the morning and at night.  Sure beats watching the clock while wearing those slimy white strips!

I bought mine at CVS, but you can buy them at almost any drugstore, or online here for $4.99.

Hydraluxe Always Cool Gel Pillow Review / OpenSky

It's been so hot here the past few weeks.  It's finally cooling off, but there's always that threat of the temperature skyrocketing for no good reason, even in October.  This was an especially hot summer, and I had issues getting comfortable at night.  I was constantly seeking the cool side of the pillow... and then I saw this product, the Hydraluxe Always Cool Gel Pillow.

It's a memory foam pillow with a layer of cooling gel.  Somehow, I was fascinated by this idea and had to try it.  I managed to finagle a credit on OpenSky, which made the pillow much cheaper than anywhere else online, so I decided to give it a shot.  My husband made fun of me; he thought the idea of the pillow was pretty silly, as was my extreme excitement for it.

They say the pillow will have a slightly chemical smell when you first get it that will dissipate if you air it out for a day or two, but I didn't notice it at all and began using the pillow immediately. You guys... it's a game changer.  Though the picture shows the bubble pattern prominently, it actually comes wrapped in a satin-like fabric that covers the bubbles, plus a white, thin pillowcase piped in your chosen color, so you don't really see the bubbles.  They recommend you use the pillowcase for maximum effect.  Only one side has the gel.

It really is pleasantly cool!  I have no idea how it works.  It stays cool for a few hours, after which your body heat warms it up.  However, if you shift to another section of the pillow, you'll get the cool sensation all over again - when I wake up, the center of the pillow is generally room temperature, but I can move to either side to get more glorious cooling action.  I love it; the memory foam is comfortable and supportive like no pillow I've had before.  If I want it to "cool down," I just let it sit for maybe half an hour, and it's cool again.  And guess what - my husband loves it, too, and has begun stealing it.  Because he apologized for calling it silly, I bought him his own.

OpenSky is a members-only shopping site, but to be a member, you just need an email address.  I recommend using a secondary email, because they email you a TON.  They have celebrity curated collections, and you can choose who to follow.  They also have a semi-complicated reward structure that allows you to earn free shipping and coupons.  I've bought the pillows and a cute purse off OpenSky and had a very pleasant experience; their prices can't be beat, even though I always double check before purchasing anything!

You can buy the Hydraluxe Always Cool Pillow on OpenSky.  Sign up using my affiliate link, and you'll get a $20 gift certificate, which makes the pillow $35.  It retails for $140 (in a bizarro world where you'd pay full retail), and can be found on OpenSky for $55 (before your awesome discount, of course).  It comes in 4 colors and 2 patterns; when the pink is in stock, a portion of your purchase goes to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  And they make a mattress pad, too, though I dunno if I can drop $300 on that!

The Hydraluxe Always Cool Gel Pillow gets an 8 out of 10 on the Awesome Meter.  If it stayed cool all night long, it'd be a 10!  I think this would be a great holiday gift, too.  And as a bonus, they just introduced the his-and-hers set - it's exclusive to Open Sky and allows you to get a pink and a blue (or two pink, or two blue) pillow(s) for $99 (or $79 after your discount!).

*Note - All views are my own.  I am not compensated in any way for these reviews - I'm just trying to help you find awesome stuff!

October 2012 Birchbox - Goop Review!

Goop goop bedoop!

When I heard that Birchbox was doing a collaboration with Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop.com, I figured I'd opt into it.  I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of Goop; I've looked at it before, and it just seemed very focused on expensive and pretentious things.  Seriously, have you heard Gwyneth fawn over the fact that her kids like vegetables?  I mean, barf me.  And they can only watch TV in French or Spanish?  Good luck with that.  Anyway, they have some recipes, too, but they're a bit too fussy for me.  Oh, and they sell stuff, but today's main item is simple gold hoop earrings for $795.  It's not gonna happen, Gwenny.  Sorry.  However, the collaboration Birchboxes always seem somewhat better than the regular ones, and since Goop specializes in upscale stuff I can't afford, I figured maybe I'd get a little taste of it.

I've gotten off-track.  Let me show you what I got this time around.  I'm actually very pleased with it!

Ooh la la!

First up is a full-sized Essie nail polish, the Goop pick (is it just me, or does the thought of a "goop pick" make you think about Gwyneth digging for nose gold? No? Just me? Okay then).  I've gotten a lot of polishes since starting up with Birchbox, which is great because I hate buying them.  I've yet to use an entire bottle of polish.  Since I've been getting all these samples, though, I've probably saved a lot of money in manicures! This dark red is definitely classic and will work for fall and winter, and once my current gel nails are off, I'll give it a go. Full size: $8.

Next is a tiny vial (5 ml) of Joanna Vargas Daily Serum, which promises to brighten your skin with various vitamins.  My skin is mega dry right now thanks to a nasty cold, so I'm looking forward to trying it.  Full size: $85.

Next, Marie Veronique Organics Body Oil in an adorable itty bitty jar.  It has a vaguely fruity smell and is meant for use on skin, not hair.  I have been getting a ton of oils from Birchbox, and while I don't mind them, I hardly ever use them in their entirety.  I find it really hard to get the oil out of the jar or bottle - there's never a pump or easy way to dispense it!  Full size: $36 (and the full size DOES have a pump, huzzah!)

There is also a Sprout Lip Balm in Cocoa.  These come in a pack of 4 and are all-natural.  I slicked this on as soon as I opened the box - my lips are majorly chapped, again, from that icky cold, and the balm offered relief.  It goes on soft and smooth and isn't at all waxy or sticky.  After one application, my lips felt much better.  It doesn't have much of a smell - is it meant to be chocolate?  Or is it just cocoa butter?  Unclear!  The other "flavors" are cinnamon, peppermint, and citrus, all of which sound appealing to me.  You can get a pack of 4 for $18.

Lastly, I received a Luna Bar in Lemon Zest.  I do like Luna Bars, or, as I call them, lady bars, but I'm not a lemon fan.  Nope, not lemon meringue, lemon bars, or lemon cake.  I'll probably give this a try anyway, but I can tell you that I love the caramel nut brownie and peppermint stick flavors!!  Nom.  This is the "extra," and you can buy 15 for $18.75 via the Birchbox site.

Not a bad haul, I'd say!  I definitely think I got my money's worth this time around and will continue to subscribe to Birchbox.

You can use my referral link to subscribe to Birchbox, too - $10 per month, and you earn Birchbox points - redeemable for products in their store - for every item you review and everything you buy!  I've gotten lots of free or mega-discounted products by vigilantly reviewing everything I get and saving up my points for a beauty splurge!

Birchbox Review

I've subscribed to Birchbox for more than a year now, and I must say, I love getting a little gift each month in the mail - it's like a little cutely wrapped birthday present filled with girly stuff.

For $10 (including shipping), you get a box with 4-5 deluxe beauty samples, plus a bonus, which may not be beauty related - I've gotten pretty greeting cards, granola, a fruit and nut bar, etc. When you purchase items through the site, you get a point per dollar you spend. You also get 50 points for referring others, plus 10 points for every product from your Birchbox that you review. Every 100 points = $10 off your purchase. Oh, and items from your box - if you decide to buy a full-size product - ship free!

Some months are definitely better than others, and I've had some duds - eyeliner stickers? Ick. This was a pretty good month, though - check it out:

Spring themed box!

5 products plus 1 bonus. From left to right - I Coloniali Deep Massage Body Cream with Myrrh (in a foil packet - this is the bonus), I Coloniali Invigorating Tibetan Shower Cream with Rhubarb (full size $29, sample size is 3.3 fl. oz), Miss Jessie's Quick Curls (full size $32, sample size is 2 fl oz), One Love Organics Waterless Beauty Balm (full size $68, sample size is .5oz), Color Club Nail Lacquer in Jackie Oh! (full size $8, sample size is .25 oz), and WEI Pomegranate Buffing beads (20 packets for $20, sample size is 1 packet).

All in all, I'm very pleased with this box. The hot pink nail polish feels very spring appropriate, and I'm hoping the Quick Curls cream can control my frizz. I'm also excited to try the shower cream after a tough workout! These are all nicely sized samples, too.

I give Birchbox a 7 on the Awesome Meter - I'm a fan. Although some boxes can be disappointing, I think the majority contain some great products, and it's a fun way to try out new beauty trends without shelling out a lot of money. Click here to enroll - remember, it's a subscription, so you'll be charged $10 per month, though it's easy to cancel.

Garlicky Goodness - Garlic Rocker Review

I absolutely love cooking, particularly Italian food. A key ingredient in many of the items I make is garlic. Now, don't judge, but after getting frustrated with garlic presses and sick of manually cutting the garlic into teeny pieces, we came up with a solution at our house. Peel garlic. Put a sheet of wax paper on top. Pound it to death with a hammer.

I SAID, don't judge!! It works, and it's a great way to get frustration out.

However, I came across a device the other day that has changed everything in the world of garlic smashing, which, granted, is a fairly small world.

May I introduce.... the garlic rocker.

Yeah, I don't like unitaskers, either, but this one is fairly small and well worth the space in your drawer if you frequently cook with garlic.

Just position a clove of garlic underneath, press down, and gently rock back and forth. The garlic comes out in neat little squares. The garlic doesn't get minced quite as small as it might in a traditional garlic press, but it works fine for me. It requires little effort and is very easy to clean - it's also dishwasher safe! Not only that, it's made of stainless steel, so it resists the garlic odor. You can also rub your hands on it to remove the odor from your skin. Amazing!

This little sucker has made cooking with garlic much easier. I bought mine at Vat19.com because I found a coupon over at (where else) RetailMeNot that gave me $5 off my purchase. Psst - use code "cookie" (no quotes) to get $5 off your $15 Vat19 purchase through 3/3/12. It's also available through Amazon, where you can score free shipping if you're a prime member. Without discounts, it costs about $15.

9 on the awesome meter. Great product at an affordable price!

Jewelmint Review

It's no secret that I love getting stuff in the mail. I know, I know, nowadays you can order anything online and have it delivered, but I still squee when I get a package.

I heard about Jewelmint a while ago and took a look at the site's offerings but didn't bite, even though I love jewelry, particularly fun statement pieces. Jewelmint, founded by Kate Bosworth and her stylist, works as a membership subscription service. For $29.99 per month, you get a credit you can redeem for one piece of jewelry - rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and broaches. Jewelmint's designs are all unique to the site and limited edition, so if you really like something, you're encouraged to snap it up before it's gone. If, between the 1st and 5th of a month, you decide you don't want anything, you can skip that month. Otherwise, you are automatically charged, but you can save your credit and use it another month if nothing strikes your fancy. However, this IS a subscription site - your credit card WILL be charged $29.99 automatically if you do not select "skip the month" between the 1st and 5th. Shipping is included.

When you first sign up, you take a short style quiz to determine what jewelry will best suit your needs. You are then shown a personalized showroom. However, if you do not like what has been selected, you can click "see more recommendations" and scroll through other selections. Signing up and taking the style quiz is free and does not require you to put your credit card on file.

I resisted for a long time, but Jewelmint sent out a 70% off coupon for new members, and I decided that, for $9, it was worth a try.

I selected the Persephone pendant - a small silver-plated "perfume bottle" with a vintage look hanging on a 30" chain. I personally really like long necklaces; they're perfect for spicing up basic t-shirts.

Here's what I got:

This came in a timely manner in a bubble pack. The magnetized box is mint green with a black ribbon. Cute!

Inside the box, a little description of the product, "signed" by Kate and her stylist, Cher.

Nestled beneath a black sponge is the Persephone Pendant!

The top unscrews, though I doubt you could actually put perfume inside, unless you have an eye dropper. The screw-off cap is topped by a white enamel accent... a nice touch!

The pendant was fairly heavy and felt substantial, and the chain is high quality. Overall, I was pleased with my purchase; I think it will be versatile, as it will go with almost anything. The white enamel detail is a nice touch, and I love how unique it is. However, I don't know if it's necessarily worth $29.99; remember, I got this for $9 (including shipping). For $29.99, I feel like I could find something cool and unique on Etsy.

If you sign up for Jewelmint, peruse their selections, but wait until you can find a coupon to purchase your first piece - they do 50% off - 70% off, from what I've seen, and they'll send emails. I'm not sure how coupons work on subsequent purchases, but I'm determined not to buy anything else until I can get another coupon code! As usual, remember to check RetailMeNot for coupon codes!

BTW, Jewelmint has a sister site, Stylemint. Stylemint works exactly the same way, but features shirts instead of jewelry. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are the spokesgals, but I couldn't find anything I liked more than, say, the generic tees I pick up at American Eagle.

Jewelmint, for now, gets a 6 on the awesome meter.