Pink Panda Candy Review and Giveaway

 

For those of you who like gummy candy's, there is a new gummy candy with only 2 grams of sugar and 90 calories per 1.8oz. bag (23 candy's), and it's called Pink Panda. Same great texture and taste as other gummy candy bags with less sugar and less calories. It's candy without the guilt! Pink Panda currently comes in 3 varieties; Astro Blasters (sour), Treasure Chews (chewy) and Gummy Bears (juicy). ***Bonus*** All Pink Panda candy's are made in the USA, vegan friendly and their Gummy Bears are keto friendly at only 5g of net carbs per bag. So what makes these tasty treats sweet? They contain allulose, a natural form of sugar found in foods like raisins and figs. 

"It tastes like sugar, but doesn't act like sugar in your body. Since allulose isn't absorbed by the body, you subtract it, along with fiber to find the net carbs per bag. "

I was sent some Treasure Chews and Astro Blasters (pictured above) for review. The Treasure Chews are on the chewier side, kinda like a fruit snack. They are sweet, but not to sweet with just a bit of tartness to them. The Astro Blasters are sour and taste very similar to a popular brand of sour gummies, you know the kid ones. My daughter also enjoyed both varieties and snuck off with a couple of bags for later. 

If you have have a sweet tooth you will surely enjoy these. You can get your fingers on them online. Unfortunatly the gummy bears are currently sold out, but they are working on making some more. 

I also have a couple of bags of Pink Panda Candy I would like to treat one Girly Girl reader to. You can enter to win 2 bags of Treasure Chews and 2 bags of Astro Blasters. That's a total of 4 bags of Pink Panda sweets! This giveaway is open to US residents. Be sure to make your email address visible so I can contact you if you win. Good luck! 

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or PR company representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone.

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***Gift Idea*** Novica Review and Giveaway

 

Novica is a company that is dear to my heart. I have written several product reviews in the past and have remained a customer of theirs through the years. They call themselves the Impact marketplace because purchasing from them has a direct impact on the global artisans that create the array of products they have for sale. These artisans share their time, creativity and skills to create art pieces, and Novica offers the platform to sale them. To date Novica customers have helped send over 100 million dollars to artisans around the world! When you purchase from Novica you are not only receiving a one of a kind masterpiece, but you are helping empower people to share their crafts,  make money, and  improve their lives and the communities they live in.  

Since I first learned about Novica several years ago, they have expanded their marketplace with over 70,000 products. They carry everything from jewelry, clothing, housewares, clean beauty products, and they have kept up with the changing times and our now carrying a selection of unique face masks. Sewists from many regions including Thailand, India and Central America are putting needle to thread and creating fashionable face masks to do their part in keeping the world healthy. 

I was given anther opportunity to chose and review one of the many products available on Novica. Let me tell you, this was not an easy task. They have so many lovely things,  but I finally settled on this beautiful pitcher by artisans Javier and Efren in Mexico. 

Since the 1990's Javier Gutierrez and Efren Canteras have worked together on preserving Mexico's blown glass industry. I love the bubbling and variances of color shown in their creation. The pitcher has an ice chamber which is what really drew me to it. It is so unique and a the aquamarine color suits my kitchen perfectly. This pitcher will be great for keeping everything from sangria, margaritas, or lemonade cool, but not watered down. I love that Novica always includes a special thank you note with purchase. My postcard included a handwritten thank you in Spanish for supporting Mexico's artisans.  They also have this pitcher in this gorgeous lemon green color that would make a wonderful gift this holiday. 

The people over at Novica have also been generous enough to allow me to offer one Girly Girl reader the chance to win a $50 gift code to use on their site. This giveaway is open to US residents. Be sure your email is public so I can contact you if you win. This giveaway will end on November 27. Enter below and good luck! 

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or PR company representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone

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Lyda Beauty Cleopatra Cat Eye Stamp Review and Giveaway

There are two makeup products that are a must for me to have in my kit, mascara and eyeliner. I could probably live without my mascara...probably, but I for sure can't live without my black eyeliner. My go to look is a cat eye, sometimes it is thin and on point and sometimes I go with a thicker winged eyeliner. It really depends on how much I screw up that day. You see, I have a hard time getting my eyeliner to be perfectly symmetrical because I can't see very well out of my left eye, whatever... I make it work. Recently I was introduced to Lyda Beauty's Cleopatra Cat Eye Stamp. 

This eyeliner is pretty special. One end is a fine point pen like liner that goes on smooth, and with just one swipe. The other end has a pointed stamp to give you that perfect winged cat eye. You apply the stamp on the outer corner of your eyelid and than use the eyeliner to draw a line across your lid to connect it. You can make it as thin or thick as you like. You can also try a double winged look like this!

Here is my first attempt using the cat eye stamp. 

I think it may take me a couple of times to perfect my look, but  am looking forward to it. I really do love this liner...you will too! 

I have one Lyda Beauty Cleopatra Cat Eye Stamp to give away to one lucky Girly Girl. This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents. Be sure your email is public so I can contact you if you win. This giveaway will end on 11/19. Enter below and good luck! 

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or PR company representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone

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Eco Lips Review

 

I don't know about you but I have noticed my lips have been really dry lately. I think it may be due to all the mask wearing. While I know we are not wearing lipstick because, well, no one can see our lips these days. We can still keep them soft, moisturized and feeling great! Eco Lips has a new line of Mongo Kiss made from organic Mongogo oil and fair trade certified cocoa butter  perfect for providing your lips with the essential nutrients they need. Ok, so I had to look up Mongogo oil because I had never heard of it. Apparently it's this oil derived from the Manketti tree from in Sub-Sahara Africa. It is filled with vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids that are good for moisturizing the skin. But enough of that, all I know is I love these lip balms. 

I was sent all flavors of Mongo Kiss minus the coconut, strawberry lavender and unflavored. They included:

Blood Orange

Peppermint

Vanilla Honey (my fave)

Yumberry

Pomegranate

Berry 

Acai

Banana

I was also sent a bonus lip scrub, which is a great exfoliator for your lips. You can even lick off any remaining sugar and eat it, I do, and it is yummy. Mongo Kiss is sold individually or you can buy them in packs. They also have a shimmering lip balm that I know I would love, but since no one is seeing my lips right now... 

I am going to be giving away a couple of these along with some other beauty products shortly so stay tuned...

Purchase online   or at a Walmart store near you. 

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or PR company representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone.

Allure Beauty Box Review

 

It's no secret...I love subscription boxes. Snail mail is the best, especially when you receive a package filled with surprises. It's like having a birthday every month! Honestly, checking the mailbox is one chore I really enjoy, is checking the mailbox a chore? Anyway back to subscription boxes... I have tried a few. Recently I decided to check out the Allure Beauty Box after discontinuing another beauty box subscription. Allure Beauty Box includes at least 5 deluxe sized products that have been chosen by the editors of Allure magazine. The box is $15 a month  but contains a value of at least $50 in products and you can cancel at any time. Beauty boxes are a great way to learn about, and try out some new products without paying retail price on something, and then figuring out the product is not what you thought.  

My first Allure Beauty Box arrived in August and contained a total of 8 products. New members receive a welcome gift. My welcome gift was a Mally Eye Shadow Stick in Autumn Shimmer. Retail price for this item is $25 so I already made my money back and some! The other 7 items included:

•  Full size Pixi Rose Oil Blend Nourishing Face Oil valued at $24. 
•  Full size Floss Quarts Pressed Highlighter valued at $20.
•  Deluxe sample size of Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum full size sells for $84. This is a Korean line of skincare and makeup and their products are not cheap! The deluxe sample I receive had about 2 weeks of serum in it. The perfect amount to find out if you indeed like the product or not. I really liked this serum. It goes on like an oil but absorbs quickly into your skin and does not leave an oily residue. Instead it leaves your skin feeling smooth and soft. 
•  Full size Erno Lazlo Exfoliate and Detox Face Bar valued at $23. This deep sea mud cleansing bar is sitting on my bathroom counter. I have been using it daily. It does not lather up and leaves a little bit of a black mess in my sink. It also stings, bad, if you get it in your eyes...careful. It's just okay, I am not really a fan of face cleansing bars. 
•  Sample size H2O+ Hydration Sensitive Gel Cream Moisturizer full size sells for $42. I wouldn't consider this one a deluxe sample. It's pretty small and while I haven't tried it yet, it looks about no more than a weeks worth. 
•  Deluxe sample size of Whish Botanical Primer full size sells for $44. This is a larger sample size that I think will get quite a few uses when I finally give it a try. 
•  1 Looks and Meii  Brightening Lift Up Perfect Fit Mask valued at $3. My daughter Penelope is loving sheet masks right now so I gifted this one to her. 

Ok now for the tally....let me get out my calculator. Excluding sample sizes and including my new member gift. The total value of my Allure Beauty Box is $70! Not bad for only $15. I still haven't decided if I like this subscription box or not. I have another box that should be arriving any day now. I will share it with you and we can decide together. If you would like to check it out for yourself you can subscribe here. 

Mango Publishing Books Review

It's been a few months since I last posted, right before we were put on stay at home orders. So how have I been spending my time? I've been getting projects done around the house, cooking and cleaning a lot more, spending more time with the family and of course doing a lot more reading. I love to read but it is sometimes hard to find the time when you are working all day and exhausted by the time you manage to get home. So, I have been finishing up partially read books and reading ones that had been sitting on my bookcase waiting to be opened. Reading is a great way to relax and escape from all the craziness that has been going on lately. So when I was contacted by Mango Publishing and asked if I would like to check out a few of their titles, of course I said yes. One can never have to many books.   

Your Brain on Facts Things You Didn't Know, Things You Thought You knew, and Things You Never knew You Never Knew by Moxie LaBouche is entertaining and brainy. This book is full of facts and trivia from movies to medicine and everything in between. I consider myself a trivia buff, I often surprise my husband by knowing stuff he assumes I couldn't possibly know. My brain has a way of retaining information I've heard, seen or read along the way and I am always eager to learn more. This is my kind of book. Believe it or not many of the things I read about in this book I already knew, but I did acquire some fascinating new knowledge to impress during my next dinner party. For instance did you know that cat's can't taste sweet? Huh? Why does my cat Merlin always try to steal my ice cream than? There is a whole story about pharmaceuticals and antifreeze behind this fact. Get a copy and read for yourself! 

Anxious Art A Creativity Journal to Help Calm You by Elina Diaz and Yaddrya Peralta is a book to help you de-stress. It's part journal, part sketch book and all fun. I decided to gift this one to my tween daughter. Although kids tend to hide it a little better, they do feel stress. With school shutting down, and not being able to spend time with her friends, and being around mom 24/7, she's gotta be going nuts! This book has silly tasks like doodling a snail going on a trip to more thoughtful tasks like starting a breathing journal to share thoughts and ideas as you find your calm.  

The Crafty Gardener Inspired Ideas and DIY Crafts from Your Own Backyard by Becca Anderson has some great ideas to help you get crafty. I know a lot of people are finding more time to show their creative side since we have been at home. Sewing, baking and gardening have made a comeback and this book offers helpful gardening tips and recipes to make the most of your new hobby. 

Check out this rosemary ring my husband made using rosemary and pink peppercorns grown in our front yard. You can also find some things to make and gift or even sell for some extra spending money, for more books! 

You can find these titles and more from Mango Publishing on Amazon or Bookshop.

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or PR company representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone.

Sunless Tanning Towelettes Review

Summer is here! Time to pack up those layers and and pull out some lighter tops, flowy dresses and slip on some sandals. And since it is 2019 we all know the dangers of too much sun bathing, so go ahead and lather on that sunscreen too! Wait! How am I going to get that sun-kissed skin to go with my cute summer dresses you ask. I have the perfect solution, Comodynes Sunless Tanning Towlettes. 

These totally convenient and safe self-tanning wipes will leave your skin summer ready in less than 3 hours and without any help from those pesky UV rays. Sold in packs of 8 and individually wrapped so they are ready to toss into your purse, luggage or beach bag for some quick color. 

So I have to admit I don't wear dresses very often, in fact my legs are a totally different color than the rest of my body, and since I am not a fan of sitting out in the sun I usually have to live with the unsightly color difference when I do decide to show some leg. I was sent samples of these self-tanning towelettes for review and was pretty excited to try them out. You simply apply the tanning towelette in a circular motion starting from your feet and working your way up. I only used from my ankles up since my feet are already pretty tan. You wait about 10 minutes before dressing and your skin will gradually begin to reveal a faux glow. At first I only saw a slight difference but a few hours later I noticed my legs definitely looked more tan. It was that easy! I was also afraid that the towelette would leave my hands looking weirdly orange but there was no trace at all. Another bonus with these towelettes, they leave your skin feeling super soft. It is recommended to use a towelette every 3 to 4 days to keep up that sunbathed look. These also come in a intensive and fast bronzing option if you are are really looking for that deep tan. 

These are available online at www.comodynes.net and www.drugstore.com. 

Carmel-by-the-Sea Vacation and Hofsas House Review

So a couple of weeks ago I posted about how I and my family had been invited to visit the quaint town of Carmel-by-the-Sea and stay at Hofsas House Hotel. Well, we did and guess what?! It was amazing! First I need to tell you about the charming place that is Carmel-by-the Sea. I grew up in southern California however, I lived in San Francisco for a few years during my late teens, early twenties. Despite San Francisco only being about two hours away from Carmel I never visited, but now that I have I can't imagine why no one ever mentioned it to me. It is the most adorable seaside town located in Monterey County. A peaceful hamlet that is picturesque and clean and reminds me of a fairytale village. 

 












It has numerous restaurants, art galleries and shops all in close walking distance. It is also super dog friendly and I saw so many locals walking the uneven paved streets with their four legged companions. More on that later... Many of the homes in the area are cute cottages and Tudor style that remind me of something out of Hansel & Gretel. In fact, the houses don't even have addresses instead they have cute names like Dream Catcher or Robins Nest. They have a local post office where you can stroll to and pick up your mail, so who needs an address, right? I also learned that they do  not allow chain restaurants because they want to keep that small town vibe going. I love this! Another fun fact is that as of 1963 it is actually illegal to to wear high heels. What?! That's right a municipal code bans shoes with heels taller than 2 inches or with a base of of less than 1 square inch. This law was put into place to protect the city from lawsuits due to the irregular pavement and tree roots that have grown through the sidewalk. Don't worry though, local police do  not enforce the law, however if you want to be on the safe side you can actually visit city hall and get a permit to wear said high heels. I really wanted to get a permit as a souvenir however city hall is closed on the weekends. One more thing you may not know about Carmel-by-the-sea, from 1986-1988 Clint Eastwood was mayor. Did that make your day? 

Now there are several places to stay when visiting Carmel-by-the-sea but my suggestion for you would be to stay at the Hofsas House Hotel. 

   












This Family run Bavarian inspired hotel fits Carmel-by-the-Sea's setting perfectly. Built by Donna Hofsas and her then husband in 1957 it is now run by her granddaughter Carrie Theis. Today they are celebrating 70 years of hospitality. During your stay be sure and have Carrie share the hotels history with you. She is absolutely lovely and you can tell she is proud of the grand accomplishment that is Hofsas House. The room we stayed in was one of the larger ones 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and a wood burning fire place. All the rooms have these cute dutch doors. 

Our room had a balcony and ocean view ideal for enjoying Carmel's beautiful sunsets. 

I loved the traditional old world vibe of the room and it was really comfy. We were greeted with this fabulous gift. 

One of their additional add-ons that can be added to your room when booking. This was their Champagne & Cheese Pairing complete with champagne from a local winery and cheese from the local cheese shop. Yummy! As you can see they also gifted us with a Frisbee to take home to our pups. The hotel is also dog friendly however our dogs are the size of mini horses and they would have never fit in the car up. In addition to the wonderful offerings that can be added to your room Hofsas House also has special packages available; The Artsy Package, The Wine and Chocolate Package, The Tail Wagging Package and a Cinq Mondes Spa Package. Inquire about them when you are booking your stay. Amenities include on and off street parking, on-site meeting room, free wireless and a heated pool. My daughter loved taking advantage of the heated pool because although the local beaches are picturesque, the water sure is awfully cold. 

They also have a complimentary continental breakfast complete with pastries and muffins from the local bakery, yogurt and coffee and juice. Delicious! 

We were also invited to visit a local gem, Lugano Swiss Bistro. Here, you can find authentic Swiss food in a rustic setting. 

Of course we had to partake in some fondue! Just an FYI when you are planning your trip, Lugano's is closed on Mondays, and the 4 Course Fondue Dinner is the way to go. 

Our stay was fabulous and I truly want to think owner Carrie for being so gracious and all the staff at Hofsas House for the world class hospitality. To the people of Carmel-by-the-Sea, I envy you and absolutely want to live in your beautiful oasis. 

I was provided a complimentary stay at the above mentioned hotel by the owner or PR company representing them.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone.

Biore Facial Masks Review

A few months back I was introduced to the New Biore Blue Agave and Baking Soda Collection. The collection includes a Pore Cleanser, Instant Warming Clay Mask and a Nourishing Whipped Detox Mask. These products are meant to not only provide a deep clean but nourish the skin with the help of blue agave and baking soda. While the baking soda cleanses the blue agave provides skin conditioning making the perfect duo. These are especially nice for those of us with combination skin that need some exfoliation and deep cleaning while also moisturizing any dry patches on the face. 

I was sent both masks in the collection for my review. 

The Instant Clay Warming Mask is sold as 4 individual packets. It is designed to open pores and cleanse them removing dirt and grime and excess oil. Once the mask becomes activated it will start to warm up. You simply wet face, massage mask on to face for about a minute. It wills start to activate and warm up as you massage. Then simply rinse with warm water. This mask does not harden or dry up and is easily washed away. It leaves your skin feeling clean and smooth. I like the warming sensation and also like that you do not need to leave it on for to long and still get maximum results. 

The Whipped Nourishing Detox Mask is used for a deeper clean and unclogging those pores. It is sold in a 4 oz. tube and also contains menthol for a tingly clean. To use this one you want to wet your face and then lightly rub onto skin avoiding the area around your eyes. Leave on for 3-5 minutes and then rinse with warm water. This mask does dry a little on the face and is a litter tougher to remove. I used a warm washcloth to get it completely off. I like the tingly sensation it provides and it left my skin feeling refreshed. 

I know there is a lot of us out there that just love facial masks. I would definitely give these a go! They can be purchased at food, drug and mass merchant stores. Check out Biore online to learn more about these and other Biore products. 

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or PR company representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone.

Rebels Refinery 2- in-1 Body Wash and Shampoo Review

In case you missed it, you can check out my previous Rebels Refinery post here. Today, I am going to share the latest Rebels Refinery product I was sent for review, their 2-in-1 Body Wash and Shampoo. I decided to gift this to my husband and get his input. He works a 3 week hitch in Alaska and shares a bathroom with other oilfield workers so he doesn't have a lot of room to for toiletries, yes roughnecks use toiletries, at least mine does. I figured this would be a nice convenient addition to his Dopp Kit. The first thing he said when I asked him what he thought about the 2-in-1 Body Wash and Shampoo was that it smelled really good. I asked him what it smelled like, his response was "like a man". Interesting, the Rebels Refinery website states that you will smell fantastic after using this stuff, according to my husband they are right. My husband also has sensitive skin that tends to be irritated easily and Rebels Refinery products which are made with natural ingredients and free of the harmful ones are perfect. While Rebels Refinery are not solely products for men, their logo reads Premium Natural Skin Care For Humans, they do carry products specifically for men and their products seem to lean towards a male fan base. 

Fathers day is right around the corner and this as well as other Rebels Refinery products would make a great gift for the man in your life. 

In fact, this Essential Rebels Kit sells for only $40 and would up any mans grooming game. Check out more of their products online. You can also find them at Target stores nationwide. 

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or PR company representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone.

Mimzi by Marguerite Germaine Perfume Review

Dr. Marguerite Germaine is a board certified dermatologist and creator of a variety of skincare products. Practicing out of Charleston, South Carolina, she has been voted best dermatologist for 13 consecutive years. The latest addition to her accomplishments is the fragrance Mimzi by Marguerite Germaine, created in celebration of her mother, affectionately known as "Mimzi".  

The lovely 1.7 fl.oz. bottle is filled with a scent that combines citrus and floral. 

Top Notes: Citrus-floral, soft lemon, sweet orange, currant, watery, airy, fresh

Middle or Heart Notes:   tuberose, jasmine, grassy, light bitter orange

Base Notes:  sandalwood, light cedar, jasmine

To be honest I do not wear Perfume very often because I am very particular about what I like. I am not a fan of overly floral scents or anything too woods-y. I tend to stick to light airy scents with a touch of sweetness. However, I am really enjoying this perfume. It's floral notes are very light, the citrus notes smell of lemon. It smells wonderful and for some reason it makes me think of a fairy garden. Dr. Germaine did a great job honoring her mother with this enchanting perfume. You can purchase your bottle by visiting Germaine Dermatology online.  

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or PR company representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone

Curél Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer Itch Defense Lotion Review

Hey everyone! Welcome to my debut post on Girly Girl Giveaways! I was given the opportunity to review a lotion from Curél and I’m so excited about it. Here’s a little back story… When I was pregnant with my first back in 2013, my belly was getting itchier and itchier as my belly grew and grew. I reached out to my fellow mom group and asked how to combat the itchiness of my growing belly. A ton of moms recommended Curél Itch Defense. Let me tell you, this lotion saved my sanity when I was pregnant! I was going nuts trying to get the itch away with regular lotions and trying not to scratch but nothing was working. This lotion immediately calms itchiness and even redness! The consistency is great because it’s not greasy and not too slick like other lotions can be. It has a very slight fresh smell as you apply it but it goes away within a minute or so. I love the fact that the lotion absorbs into my skin and doesn’t add a gross film on top of my skin like some other lotions do. 

Now, Curél has a new lotion called Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer Itch Defense. It’s a mouthful but basically, you use it on wet skin right out of the shower so it’s able to penetrate better into your skin. I use it right after the shower to combat itchiness and dry skin all day. This has been so helpful during the winter when my skin dries out!

You can buy it from Walmart, Target, Amazon, and other local retailers. It’s a great price for this single mama and one 20 oz bottle of the original Itch Defense lotion lasted me through my whole first pregnancy and into my second!

If any of you have tried it out before let me know what you think in the comments below!

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or PR company representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone