Happy New Year

Wishing you all the best for this New Year 2016!

Merry Christmas

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  I trust you have a wonderful Christmas and take time to reflect on the true meaning of the season.  Merry Christmas!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge Bars

These bars are simple to make using a boxed cake mix.  They are rich and satisfy a sweet tooth!

Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix (I used Duncan Hines, 515g)

1 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter

10 tbsp. margarine or butter, melted

2 eggs

1 can sweetened condensed milk (300 ml)

1 3/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1.  In a bowl combine cake mix, peanut butter, margarine and eggs.
2.  Set aside 1 1/2 cups of this batter.
3.  Spread remaining batter into an ungreased 9" x 13" pan.  Spread batter partially up sides of pan as well.
4.  For filling, combine condensed milk and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and melt mixture in microwave for about 1 minute.  Stir until smooth.
5.  Pour filling over crust.
6.  Drop remaining reserved batter mixture on top of filling.
7.  Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes.

Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Anti-Aging Moisturizer

I received a sample of the Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Anti-Aging Moisturizer to review.  I received a 15ml sample size which is a new size that will be available in stores in February 2016. 

The moisturizer easily dispenses from the pump which allows for an easy and clean application.  The product is more of a cream consistency and is lightly fragranced.  

This moisturizer claims to fight seven signs of aging:

1. Visibly smoothes fine lines and wrinkles
2. Evens skin tone appearance
3. Enhances brightness
4. Minimizes the look of pores
5. Visibly reduces age spots
6. Restores firmness
7. Replenishes moisture

After having used this product for 2 weeks I can honestly say I did not see all of the above results.  I did find that the moisturizer evened out my skin tone.  My skin tone was less red than usual and more uniform.  I also found the moisturizer did replenish moisture and left my skin nicely hydrated.  

As for the other benefits, I did not see any results.  I have very fine lines around my eyes but saw no change.  My skin still seemed to have a dull appearance.  I have large pores in the cheek area close to my nose but didn't find they were minimized with the use of this product.  I didn't notice any change in the firmness of my skin.  I actually don't have age spots yet so I can't really comment on that aspect.

Perhaps with continued use of this product I would see more of the claimed benefits.

I do suffer from oily, acne prone skin.  I'm happy to report that my skin did not get any oilier than usual but I did develop a few pimples while using this product.  Maybe it was too rich for my skin or maybe I was going to get those pimples regardless of what I used.

My final opinion on this product is that it is an excellent moisturizer but not a good anti-aging moisturizer.  I would recommend it as a good every day moisturizer but would skip it for its anti-aging benefits.

I received a free sample size of this product from BzzAgent to facilitate this review.

Wordless Wednesday

We had our first major snow fall of the season over the weekend. It's pretty but I'm not ready for the snow just yet!

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara Review

 The Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara is a new product.  It is different in that a multi-layered, volume-fanning brush has been created to capture all of your lashes.  There are 6 different bristle lengths to this brush.  The "inner bristles reach to reveal layers of sensational lashes" while the "outer bristles unfold and comb through lashes for clump-free sensational eyes".  

The tube is a little fatter than other mascaras I own which will take up more space for storage. When I saw the brush of this mascara I was a little apprehensive that it would do a good job.

The brush is smaller and bristles shorter than what I am used to. However, after applying this mascara I am really impressed with the job it did! It got all my lashes and gave amazing length and volume to them. My lashes are even slightly curled and I won't need to use my eye lash curler! 

Upper lashes with mascara on

This formula does not smudge, flake or clump.  It was easy to work with and apply.  Overall, this is a mascara I am pleased to add to my collection and will reach for time and again.

Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter No-bake Candy Bars

A friend posted this recipe on facebook and they looked so good I had to try them!  I've made them a couple times now and they are so easy to whip up and then just set in the fridge to firm up.  

Ingredients:
1 cup peanut butter
2/3 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil (no substitutes, this is what gives its creamy texture and flavor)
2 cups oats (not instant)
1 1/4 cups mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup dried cranberries

Directions:
1.  In a medium sized saucepan, melt together peanut butter, honey and coconut oil.

2.  Remove from heat and add oats, chocolate chips and dried cranberries. 

3.  Stir until combined and chocolate chips are melted.

4.  Spread into a 9" x 13" pan. 

5.  Refrigerate until hardened, about an hour.  Store bars in the fridge.

NOTE: I used instant oats in these bars and regular sized semi-sweet chocolate chips and they turned out fine for me.