'Tis the Season

'Tis the season for...making wreaths!  This is a wreath that my sister made with branches, pinecones and berries she found outside on our property.  She did a great job!  It adorns the wall by our front door.  Warmest wishes to all this holiday season.

Vichy Normaderm Routine for Acne Prone Skin

I was sent these Vichy Normaderm products to test on my acne prone skin.  Acne has been something I have battled for over 25 years!  I thought as I got older it would significantly improve.  I have tried everything from over the counter treatments to prescription pills and creams.  I even gave Proactiv a try with no effect.  While my acne has become more manageable, I still suffer from pesky breakouts.  I was happy to give these products a whirl, because why not, it can't hurt after all the products I've tried over the years!

Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel

This cleansing gel contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid and LHA. Together these ingredients work to remove excess oil on the skin, minimize the look of large pores, reduce acne scars and fight pimples and blackheads.

My Thoughts
I have used many anti acne cleansers over the years. This Vichy Normaderm cleanser rates up near the top of my favourite cleansers. The scent was fresh and clean. It lathers well which is an absolute must for me in a cleanser. The texture was perfect--not too runny and not too thick. I appreciated the pump dispenser as it made for a quick and easy way to dispense the product. I used this product in the morning. My skin is quite oily after waking up in the morning and this cleanser cut right through the oil to leave me with normal feeling skin. I noticed that after using this cleanser my skin feel soft and smooth. 


Normaderm Purifying Pore Tightening Lotion

This product contains the same active ingredients as the cleanser: salicylic acid, glycolic acid and LHA.  This product is like a toner that is applied to the skin after cleansing and is not rinsed off.  This toner mattifies the skin leaving it shine free, tightens pores, and fights breakouts with its antibacterial action.

My Thoughts
I always use some sort of toner/astringent after cleansing my face. I used this product after cleansing with the Vichy Normaderm cleanser. The product easily dispenses onto a cotton ball. To me this toner has a floral scent which is very pleasant considering the medicinal ingredients in it. I have found that while using this toner my pores look smaller than usual. I am very pleased about that!  I also find that it makes my skin look matte and keeps the oily shine away. My skin also feels softer and smoother. I'm pleased with the positive effects I have seen from this toner.


Normaderm Corrective Anti Acne Treatment

This product is a moisturizer but oh so much more than just a moisturizer.  It contains salicyclic acid + LHA to unclog pores and eliminate acne causing bacteria.  It also has Phe Resorcinol which helps to reduce the appearance of acne scars.  Finally it has Air Licium which helps to reduce oil production and minimize large pores.  

My Thoughts
I loved the pump dispenser as it makes it easy to pump out just the right amount of product.  It is also a more sterile way of dispensing the product as my fingers won't contaminate the product as it would in a jar.  The lotion has a fresh clean scent to it.  The texture is perfect--not too runny or too thick.  I used this lotion as the final step in my routine, after the cleanser and toner.  I found that the lotion takes a little extra time to absorb into my skin compared to other moisturizers.  It definitely does tighten my pores and make my skin look matte.  I do tend to get shiny skin within a couple of hours of washing my face and this lotion kept my skin matte a little longer than usual.  I also found that while applying my foundation with a brush, there was a little drag after I had used this lotion.  My brush didn't glide over my skin as smoothly as it usually does.  This is not a big issue and I have gotten use to it.  I do have multiple acne scars and some new scars from recent breakouts.  With this lotion I found that the new scars were less intense in colour but it had no effect on the older scars.   

Overall, I am happy to add this trio of products to my acne fighting routine.  While I continued to develop pimples while using these products, the pimples were smaller than usual and healed up much more quickly.  They were also less likely to leave a scar.  I am so happy with the results that I have swapped out the products I was using for these Vichy Normaderm products.

Do you suffer from acne?  Have you tried the Normaderm line of products from Vichy?




I received these products free of charge for review purposes.  #trywithtopbox  #freesample #freeproduct

Garden Goodies

The garden is still producing an abundance!  Lots of peppers, beans, cucumbers and tomatoes.  Even a cantaloupe!  It has been a good season despite its late start.

Love Beauty & Planet Smooth and Serene Shampoo & Conditioner

I received this shampoo and conditioner set to test from Chickadvisor a while back.  The scent is argan oil & lavender.  The lavender scent is a very realistic scent.  

This company is very committed to producing natural based products and having a near zero carbon footprint.  From the back of the packaging it says, "Our goal is a carbon footprint so small, it's like we weren't even here."  The bottles are actually made with 100% recycled plastic.  

This brand also uses no silicones, parabens or dyes in their shampoo or conditioner.

Shampoo

In the past, I haven't always had the best experience with more natural based hair products so I wasn't sure what to expect from the Love Beauty and Planet shampoo. I was pleasantly surprised however! First off, the packaging is beautiful and makes my shower look like a spa. Next, even though I am not a fan of the scent of lavender, I found the scent to be subtle and not too overpowering. 

The shampoo lathers really well and rinses easily from the hair. I really felt that my hair got a thorough clean with this product. The consistency of the shampoo is perfect: not too runny and not too thick. After my hair had dried and throughout the day, I could smell the subtle scent of lavender in my hair. So it has lasting scent power.

My hair tends to be frizzy and this shampoo calmed the frizzies and left my hair soft and manageable. Sometimes products that control frizz can weigh the hair down but not this product. My hair felt light and airy.

Overall, I am impressed with this shampoo and would definitely recommend it to others. Since I'm not a huge fan of lavender, I would love to try other hair products from this brand in another scent.


Conditioner

This conditioner has the same lavender scent as the shampoo. The scent is subtle and not too overpowering as I found with the shampoo. The consistency of this product is great. It is not too thick that it won't spread and not too runny that it won't stick to the hair. 

After shampooing my hair, I applied the conditioner and left it on my hair for 3-4 minutes. It rinsed cleanly from my hair and left no residue behind. 

I did find that while using my pick comb on my wet hair that my hair had a few more tangles than usual. Maybe this conditioner is not as moisturizing as my usual products? However, after my hair dried, it felt soft and smooth. My frizzy hair was controlled and easy to manage. I also had the subtle scent of lavender in my hair throughout the day.

Overall, this is a product I would be pleased to use in my hair care routine and would recommend it to others to try.

You can learn more about this brand on their website: lovebeautyandplanet.com

I received these products free of charge for review purposes.

Strawberry Cinnamon Muffins

I love making these muffins when strawberry season is in full swing.  They are quick and easy to whip up and make for a great snack.

Strawberry Cinnamon Muffins

Ingredients
1 2/3 cups fresh strawberries
2/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

Topping:
1 1/2 tbsp. white sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. Slightly smash strawberries using a fork.
3. Combine sugar, oil and eggs.
4. Add smashed strawberries.
5. Stir in flour, soda, salt and cinnamon
6. Spoon into muffin liners.
7. Mix cinnamon and sugar for topping.  Sprinkle over muffins.
8. Bake for 15-18 mintues.

Yield: about 10 large muffins

Fresh Radishes

We have been enjoying radishes fresh from the garden for the last week or so.  They seem to be in abundance this year despite the slow start the garden got.

Lovely Lilacs

The lilacs are in full bloom in my yard.  Love the sweet fragrance they give off!

Bursting Blooms

Our crab apple tree has finally bloomed!  I love these blossoms so much that I had a picture made into a canvas print last year.   It has been a very late spring here where I live.  We have had lots of rain and farmers have had a tough time getting their crops in. 

Rhubarb Pudding Cake

My family has enjoyed this pudding cake for the last few years I've been making it.  It is a dessert that always disappears quickly!  It can be served warm or cold and goes perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Rhubarb Pudding Cake

Ingredients
1st Layer
2 cups chopped rhubarb

2nd Layer
1/3 cup white sugar
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 tbsp. margarine
1/2 cup milk

3rd Layer
1/3 cup white sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch
2/3 cup boiling water

Directions
1.  Cover bottom of a 8" or 9" square pan with rhubarb.  You could also use a deep dish pie pan.
2.  Mix 1/3 cup sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and vanilla.  Cut in margarine.  Add milk and stir to combine.  Pour on top of fruit.  (If mixture is too thick to pour, add a little more milk).
3.  Mix 1/2 cup sugar with cornstarch.  Sprinkle over mixture in pan.
4.  Pour boiling water on top of entire mixture.
5.  Bake at 375F for 45 minutes.

Rhubarb Muffins

Rhubarb season is on now where I live.  Yay!!  I love baking with rhubarb.  I dusted off my recipes and pulled out this one for rhubarb muffins.  They have a cinnamon sugar topping that makes them extra special.

Rhubarb Muffins

Ingredients for Muffins

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 cup buttermilk

2/3 cup oil

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups chopped rhubarb

Ingredients for Crumb Topping

1/2 cup white sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp. margarine, melted 

Directions

1.  Combine flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a bowl.

2.  Combine wet ingredients in another bowl: egg, buttermilk, oil and vanilla.

3.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir till combined.

4.  Fold in rhubarb.

5.  Fill muffin liners (I used regular liners but next time I would use the tall liners with high sides as the crumb topping spreads onto pan).

6.  Combine crumb topping ingredients: sugar, cinnamon, margarine.

7.  Sprinkle muffins with crumb topping.

8.  Bake at 375F for about 18-20 minutes.

I was able to get 17 muffins by filling the liners about 3/4 full.  

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Hydrating Care Moisturizer

I found this to be a great moisturizer for my skin. I tend to have oily skin which is very acne prone. I have to be careful not to use moisturizers that are too rich or creamy. This moisturizer has a light, silky texture. It is more of a lotion than a cream which is perfect for my skin type.

The moisturizer absorbed quickly into my skin and did not leave a greasy or sticky residue. My skin had a matte finish to it and was not shiny at all like some moisturizers. My skin felt soft and smooth after application.  This product is unscented which is great for those sensitive to scents.

This product kept my skin hydrated all day and did not aggravate my oily skin. I did notice that I had three small, red, almost pimple like spots appear on my skin while using this moisturizer. They never developed into anything more and disappeared in a day or so. I can't be sure it was from the moisturizer as they may have developed anyway. Nonetheless, I had no further issues with continued use.

Overall, this is a moisturizer I am happy to recommend and add to my skin care routine. 

I received this product free of charge for review purposes.

Amazing Deal at Rexall

I found an amazing deal at Rexall drug store while shopping yesterday.  I found these 2 cans of Gillette Series shave gel marked down to $2.14 in the clearance section.  In addition, on each can was a store coupon for $2.00 off.  So each can came out to just 14 cents!  What a fantastic find!

I love shopping the clearance section at Rexall.  I have found some great deals over the years. Just last year one of my local Rexall's had monitors like blood pressure monitors and oxygen saturation monitors marked down to just $1 from an original price of over $100. 

Do you shop the clearance section at Rexall?  What is the best deal you have found?

got 2b Volumaniac Mousse

This mousse really holds your style for hours!  I have a slight curl to my hair and often times I will use gel on my towel dried hair to bring out the curl. Having this mousse to test, I used it in place of my usual gel. I applied it to my hair and scrunched my hair to increase the curls. I found that it held a curl in my hair all day long.

I really liked the smell of this mousse. To me it reminded me of the scent of apples. It was a very fresh and fruity scent. I did have some trouble depressing the nozzle to dispense the product. I couldn't just use my index finger to press down on the nozzle, very little product came out this way. I had to use the palm of my hand to dispense the mousse and apply a lot of pressure. Maybe it was just my can that had this issue?  Nonetheless, it did take a lot of effort to get the mousse out of the can!

At the end of the day my hair still looked great and my hair looked curlier than if I just used my gel. I didn't find the mousse added a huge amount of volume as I would expect from a volumizing product. But that's OK, my hair still looked great.

When I went to comb out my hair I could tell the mousse had a really firm hold. I struggled a bit to comb out my hair and lost a number of hairs in the process! Overall, I enjoyed this mousse and will probably use it in place of my usual hair gel to achieve and hold the curly look I want.

I received this product free of charge from ChickAdvisor for review purposes.  #gotitfree

Happy New Year 2019

Happy New Year!  Wow, 2019 is here already!  I hope this year finds you happy, healthy and enjoying life.