A few weeks ago, I entered a giveaway contest by Eco Diva Beauty. (If you haven’t heard of them, PLEASE click on the link and check out their site. They’ve got all kinds of great skin products)
The giveaway was for a 1 Liter size bkr water bottle.
I hadn’t heard of bkr before, but I loved the look of the bottles right away. More importantly, I loved that it was a glass bottle, free of any unnecessary chemicals that we sometimes find in plastic water bottles.
So, I entered the context and lo and behold, I won!! Yahoo! THANK YOU Eco Diva Beauty!
My black bkr
I’ve been using this as my main water bottle at work for the past two weeks. I wasn’t quite sure how I’d feel about carrying a 1L bottle around with me. To my surprise, it hasn’t even been an issue. Here’s what I love:
The bkr is made of glass. No need to get a paraben-free one…they are all paraben free!
The silicone sleeve is so easy to slip on and off for cleaning.
The silicone sleeve dresses up the bottle, makes it easy to grip, and protects it from breaking.
The cap/handle — it’s genius! The cap is a simple screw top that makes a great seal. The handle is perfect for carrying a full bottle around by a few fingers. I love it.
My bkr – This is the funky cap/handle that functions perfectly
There’s just one more thing that I love about this water bottle. It holds a full liter of water and I have found myself drinking way more water than before. Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water is the best thing you can do for your skin!
Here’s one last shot of my beautiful bkr. (And yes, that’s my son in the background!)
For the month of January, I have been using a whole new set of skin care products. It’s the Evande Skin Care Set. This set was sent to me free of charge. In return, I’ve been using it religiously so that I could provide you all with my personal review of the set.
Scent
The scent of any skin care product is really important to me. I have to like it or I simply won’t use it.
The scent of the Evande set reminds me of a light baby powder. It’s a very feminine and delicate scent. I love the way it smells when I put it on. I also love that I catch a whiff of it every once in a while throughout the day.
Each of the products in the set has the same scent, so they work really well together.
Evande Cleanser and Make-Up Remover
The soap-free cleanser is light and creamy all at the same time. It works well as a makeup remover. The hardest makeup I had to remove was some lipstick that had lasted beyond its best before date. It was very sticky on my lips and felt horrible. A dab of the cleanser/makeup remover allowed me to wipe it off in one swipe. So yes, it works as a makeup remover.
As a cleanser, it is gentle on my skin. After I’m done using it, my skin feels clean without that dreaded squeaky clean feeling. My skin doesn’t feel dry afterwards, either.
Evande Cleanser
Evande Alcohol-Free Pore Minimizing Toner
This is the only toner I’ve ever been able to use without breaking out. In fact, I had all but given up on toners until I received this set to try. I figured I had to give it a try in order to do a complete review. To my surprise, my skin didn’t react poorly at all. I love spraying this toner on my face and neck after cleansing. It seems like such a lovely way to ensure my skin stays moist. I am totally hooked.
Evande Face and Neck Moisturizer
The moisturizer is light. I just need a little bit for my face and neck, especially after the toner. It leaves my skin well-balanced and hydrated, but not greasy or feeling heavy.
Evande Face and Neck Moisturizer
Effectiveness
This skin care set has served me well for a whole month. It’s been cold and dry for most of the month and my skin has been well hydrated throughout. The cleanser is gentle and the moisturizer is nourishing. It’s exactly the right combination I need to keep my skin clean and moisturized.
Packaging
The packaging is simple. The pumps for the cleanser and moisturizer and the spray nozzle for the toner make each product really easy to dispense. I personally like the clean look of the white bottles and the touch of gold classes it up a little bit.
Ingredients
The Evande brand uses the tag line, “Feel the Natural Elegance”. Evande prides itself on creating products that are great for your skin without using harsh unnecessary chemicals. On their website, they have listed the chemicals that are prohibited from use in their product line:
DEA (Diethanolamine)
Dyes
Mineral Oil
PABA
Parabens
Paraffin
phthlates
Sulfates
I love that Evande uses more natural substances to create their products. They also clearly list all their ingredients right on the back of each bottle. I’ve also reproduced the ingredient list below, in case you’re interested.
I looked up this brand on the Good Guide and on Skin Deep. Unfortunately, it was not listed on either site, most likely because it’s such a new brand. I’d love to know how these products rate on either of those sites.
Affordability
Is this magic skin care set affordable? In short, YES!
Each bottle contains 200 mL of product. My best guess is that, after one month, at most, I’ve used about one-quarter of each bottle.
You can buy the whole set of three for $24.99!
Honestly, I didn’t even look at the price until it was time to write my review. I was floored when I saw how well priced the set is.
Would I Recommend Evande?
Yes – I most definitely would. I’ve had a great experience using this set for the past month. My skin feels great and I’ve finally found a toner that works for my skin! I also love the clean packaging and the great price.
A few weeks ago, we spent a long weekend visiting some friends. We don’t get to see them very often, so it was a very special weekend.
I wanted to give them some treats as a gift. I decided to make a bunch of different skin care products and then let them divide them up among themselves.
Their gift box included:
1 jar of peppermint foot cream
2 bottles of lotion
3 jars of hand balm
6 tubes of lip lube
And a whole bunch of soap!
I had so much fun putting everything together. Here are some photos of the final product.
Gift Box!
Gift Box of Goodies
Skin Care Treats!
Lip Lube and Hand Balm
Hans Solo Soap
Fish Soap
As you can see, I made some specialty soaps for this gift box. The blue and purple fish and starfish soaps were specially made for our friends’ daughter. Her favorite colours are blue and purple, so I thought these would be perfect. And one of our friends is a Star Wars fan. I thought he might appreciate the Hans Solo soap!
With the arrival of our son, we’ve been busy visiting a lot of family. One of our trips was to Argentina. We saw lots of family and friends while there. Even though they all said it was a treat enough to meet our son, I also wanted to bring a little something for them to enjoy.
I put together some gift boxes that had a bar of soap and some Smoothing Serum.
Soap
I made the soap with Goat’s Milk Melt and Pour and Extra Fine French Red Clay. I scented it with the essential oils of vanilla and grapefruit. The bars turned out a dark red colour.
Smoothing Serum
I also made some Smoothing Serum. I put it into 10 mL bottles with a dropper cap, so it’s easy to dispense a drop or two at a time. I like to dab this under my eyes before bed at night.
Labelling
Whenever I give a product to someone else, I ensure that it has a complete label. That way, it’s really clear what ingredients I chose to use when making it.
Packaging
I packed each gift in a clear top gift box. I bound each box with a silver elastic. Here’s the finished product. What do you think?
Please welcome Katie Moore to my blog! Katie and I have a few things in common these days. We’re both mommies and we’re both very interested in clean living. Katie graciously agreed to write a guest post for my blog! Thank you, Katie!!
Please keep reading to learn more about Katie’s switch to natural living. If you like what you see, (and I’m sure that you will!) check out Katie’s blog at Moore From Katie.
I Switched to a Natural Lifestyle During Pregnancy
Although most women strive to live a healthy lifestyle, there is just something about pregnancy that gives natural living added importance. It was during my first pregnancy that I realized the choices I made had a significant impact upon the health of my unborn child. Suddenly, how I ate and lived was no longer just about me; I knew that my baby depended upon me to maintain a healthy body that would stimulate his development. While I knew that I had to make some changes, I also knew that they would have to be easy to incorporate and inexpensive enough to make them a regular part of my fast-paced life. Here, are a few of the changes I made to live a more natural lifestyle throughout my pregnancy.
Relaxation and Exercise When I first became pregnant, I had no idea how hard it would be to get exercise. Morning sickness took its toll and made me feel less like doing my daily workout. When I mentioned this to a friend, she suggested that I change my normal workout to one that is geared toward promoting both relaxation and physical health. In response to her advice, I visited a prenatal yoga class. Not only was this form of exercise easier on my changing body, but it also provided me with an exercise option that can be done anywhere. Even now that my son is born, I still enjoy practicing yoga outdoors for the natural relaxation benefits it provides.
Personal Hygiene and Skin Care As I began to explore the benefits of natural living, I was surprised to discover that many of my skin care products were no longer safe during my pregnancy. As a devotee to anti-aging products, I knew I would have to find a healthier alternative to my current personal hygiene regime. After exploring the various products that were available, I was surprised to discover that skin care products with natural ingredients were just as effective as the expensive creams I already owned. Since I made the switch to natural beauty products, I have never looked back as my skin now glows just as bright as it did throughout my pregnancy!
Switching to a natural lifestyle during my pregnancy was one of the best things I have ever done for myself as well as my family. In addition to health eating and exercise, I am now more aware of the chemicals that I once used in everyday products. Now, my family and I enjoy living a life that is based upon natural living that helps ensure both our physical and mental well-being. As with anything, double check with your doctor before making any changes. My doctor was able to help me with many baby related topics, including cord blood banking, burping, delivery options and more!
Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26
A few weeks ago, we started to have double-digit temperatures! It was such a treat to be given a sneak peek into Spring. I celebrated by going for a long walk with my son in the baby carrier. Sadly, the high temps did not last and we’ve had more snow since then. In fact, as I write this, I’m looking out the window at a snow shower. Nevertheless, I know that Spring is close and it’s time to get ready for sunshine and outdoor fun!
Spring also means that my skin will have different needs. Here’s how I’m planning on taking care of my skin.
Spring Soap
I just whipped up two small batches of Goat’s Milk Melt and Pour Soap. I made a few bars of soap using green clay and scented them with Patchouli. In the past, I’ve sometimes overdone it with the Patchouli scent. Fortunately, I’ve learned from that and these bars are nicely scented.
I also made some bars of soap with pink clay. I use these on my face. They are gentle and are able to clean my skin without removing all of the natural oils. I scented these bars with Grapefruit essential oil. I like to call these bars Pink Grapefruits!
Light Moisturizers
I’ve been using the Emollient Wheatgerm cream this winter. It’s been great. Now that the weather is turning, I’ll be using face oils only. I love the Suti face oils. They have a delicious scent and are light on the skin. I also make my own face oils and have experimented with all kinds of oils. Once I finish the batch that I have in my cabinet, I’ll be making some more to try!
It’s also time to switch to a light lotion. I always need to help my skin with moisture. However, I can get away with a light lotion during the warmer months, rather than a thicker lotion or cream.
Hair Care
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll already know that I’m a big fan of reverse hair washing. I just love the results and I continue to wash my hair this way. With the added humidity that comes with Spring, my hair can get a bit frizzy. I find that a weekly hair mask is just what it needs to stay under control. My favorite mask right now is plain coconut oil.
How do you pamper your skin during the spring months?
This post is part of the GiG Spotlight #5: Spring Fever. Thanks to Caity of Moi Contre La Vie and Mari of I Love Green Inspiration for hosting this wonderful event. Are you wondering what GiG is? It’s the Girls Inspired Group. Click on the image below to check out their blog and join!
I have really enjoyed making my own skincare products for my son. I feel so much better knowing exactly what I’m putting on his skin. Now that he’s older than three months, I decided to make him some new baby balm, using an essential oil.
Safe Essential Oils for Babies
It’s best to use essential oils in moderation at all times. Ideally, they should be diluted and when used directly, they should be used sparingly. The same applies to babies, especially since they tend to have such sensitive skin.
The two essential oils that seem to be considered safe, in moderation, for babies are lavender and chamomile. My main source of information has been Colleen Dodt’s book, Natural Baby Care.
Even with these oils being considered safe, I chose to use a very limited amount in his new batch of baby balm, just to be on the safe side.
Lavender
I chose to go with the Lavender essential oil. It has such a soothing scent. That’s exactly what I need during those midnight diaper changes!
I ventured out to the spa a few weeks ago for a much needed facial. If you read my last post, you’ll know that, during the facial, I was dismayed to find out that my skin was on the dry side!
One of the products that was used and that I then purchased was the Emollient Wheat Germ Cream. I’ve been using it for a past several weeks and wanted to provide a short review on it for all of you!
Pure Creations Emollient Wheat Germ Cream
Ingredients
Pure Creations prides itself on incorporating natural ingredients in its products. You can see from the website’s description that the cream contains ingredients like organic wheat germ oil, almond oil, and aloe vera. While I wasn’t able to find a detailed ingredient list, after chatting with the folks at Pure Creations, I know that they do not use any potentially harmful or unnecessary ingredients.
Emollient Wheat Germ Cream
Usage
This is a thick, rich cream. A little bit goes a really long way. Personally, I would only use this on my skin during the dry winter months. I think it could be too much for my skin at other times of the year. I also like that this cream does not have a strong scent. (That’s the last thing I want before bed!)
Since my facial, I have used this on my skin before bed each night. It has helped me maintain that smooth polished feel in my skin.
Packaging and Price
Pure Creations’ packaging is simple and fresh. The jars are a good size. At $24.95 for a jar of this long-lasting cream, I think it’s a good investment.
Would I recommend this cream?
Yes, I would! It has worked wonders for me during this very dry winter. I continue to receive compliments on how smooth my skin looks. 🙂
The One Caveat
Just because this cream works for me, doesn’t mean it will work for everyone else. It’s always good to test a bit of any new product on your skin before diving in head first.
2012 was an exciting year for me, both for my blog and on a personal front.
My Blog – Au Naturel Essence
On my blog, I set out to boost the number of views I got each day. I got two major increases in readership throughout the year. In the first quarter, I saw a big improvement and about half way through the year, my numbers went up again. It was so exciting to know that others were keeping track of my blog. To all of you – thank you!
I also set out to post at least once a week. I’m quite proud to say that I exceeded that goal. In total, I had over 90 posts in 2012!
Unexpectedly, I was nominated for several blog awards throughout the year. You can learn all kinds of odd tidbits about me and my blog in the following posts:
I love the concept of blog awards. They are a great way to learn about other blogs and to recognize other blogs that you follow.
On a Personal Front
The highlight of this year was the birth of my little boy. I was so excited when I found out I was pregnant around Easter time. The next few months went so quickly and yet so slowly! Our little bundle of joy was born just a few weeks ago and he’s been keeping me very busy ever since.
Looking forward to 2013…
Looking forward, I would love to keep up with my blog at the same pace as I had in 2012. However, I want to be realistic. Having a new baby on hand has slowed me down a little bit! As I soon as I learn how to blog with a baby in one arm, I’ll be right on track!
Gentle Goat’s Milk Soap for Baby
When I have the time, I’m looking forward to making more baby products. In particular, I’d love to experiment with my own homemade shampoo.
Thank you for all of your support throughout the year. I look forward to sharing more ideas and projects with you in 2013. Happy New Year!
This is one of my favorite times of year — full of good food, family get-togethers, and time spent with close friends.
This year, the holidays are extra special because we have a new family member, Emir.
For the past few years, I have made it my new custom to give handmade gifts to friends and family. This year’s goodie bag was made back in November, as I waited for Emir’s arrival.
Here’s what it has in it!
Soap
There are at least two bars of soap. Each bag has some combination of striped soap, floral soap or a solid bar of goat’s milk or coconut soap. Each bar is mild enough for the skin and full of great ingredients.
Striped Soap
Fancy Feet
Our feet all take such a beating. They deserve a treat. Each gift bag has a jar of minty foot cream. It’s thick and moisturizing and the scent is quite refreshing. It’s a great treat for your feet!
Minty Foot Cream
Bath Bombs
I tried my hand at something new this year. I made bath bombs! As I suspected, it was actually quite easy and I have no idea why I never pursued this before. These provide fizzy fun for the bath and they smell great!
Lip Lube
What would a gift bag be without some homemade lip balm? My lip balms are moisturizing and good for any season. I added a variety of flavour oils to them this year.
The contents of each gift bag were meant to be used. None of these products are good for a hoarder!
On my blog, I set out to boost the number of views I got each day. I got two major increases in readership throughout the year. In the 
Au Naturel Essence 