Going Vintage a Book Review

When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you online). She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done. Somehow.
I am a lover of past eras, movies, music, fashion, design, lifestyles. The 1940's through the 1960's have always held a special place in my heart. No, I was not born then, but the nostalgia of those past times have always drawn me. Back in my late teens/early twenties I lived in San Francisco. I was part of the "oh so hip and swinging" mod crowd there. We dressed in sixties mod attire, listened to 60's music, and rode around on 60's Italian motor scooters. Basically we lived and breathed anything and everything from the era, as much as we could anyway... in the 1990's. While I am no longer wearing mini skirts and go go boots I will always be fond of those times.

I was given the opportunity to read Going Vintage by author Lindsey Leavitt. The story is about a teenage girl, Mallory, that decides to leave the modern conveniences of life and live as she were living in a simpler time, the early 60's to be exact. The idea is brought on when first she discovers her boyfriend is "cyber cheating" and second when she discovers a list made by her grandmother, when she was her age in 1962. Mallory soon finds out that while dressing the part is pretty easy, especially when vintage fashion is so popular these days, avoiding modern technology a little trickier.

This is a very cute, funny, lighthearted book. It does a great job capturing the daily life of a teenager. The book was written for teens but I must admit that I still enjoy reading books that are targeted for that age. It was an easy and quick read and I think any teenage girl would enjoy and relate to this book. Who knows it might even peak their interest to learn more about the time period.

You can purchase Going Vintage online or at your local bookstore.

***Monica***

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.

PregPrep Giveaway

CLOSED

Winner #3

 

 

As I have mentioned in the past my husband and I have struggled with trying to have a baby for a couple of years now. After going through a devastating miscarriage last year we decided to stop stressing over it and just let whatever happens, happen. I believe if it is Gods will for us to conceive again then we will but that doesn't mean I can't prepare my body for a healthy pregnancy should it happen.

PregPrep has created a kit containing 3 products to help promote conception. The Make That Baby kit is all natural and includes:

FertilPrep 

this formula for conception is a natural dietary supplement with the optimal over-the-counter dose of NAC (N-acetyl Cysteine), a mucolytic and potent antioxidant that optimizes the quality of cervical mucus to help facilitate the successful transport of sperm to egg. FertilPrep is further bolstered by other natural derivatives, including Chaste Berry Extract and EveningPrimrose Oil.

 

VitaMelts

an easy to swallow, specialized prenatal vitamin that contains the absolute essentials

a woman needs during pre-pregnancy. Unlike the large prenatal vitamins on the market,

PregPrep’s VitaMelts won’t make a woman feel sick or constipated. VitaMelts melt on the tongue and contain the optimal amounts of Folic Acid, Vitamin D and B12 for women trying to conceive.

Essential Balance Oil

a select blend of essential oils (including lavendine, bergamot, and evening primrose) to calm the mind, harmonize your body, and support the reproductive system. And best of all, Essential Balance Oil helps put women in the optimal mood for the best part of baby making!

 

Here are a couple of things I love about the products in this kit aside from them being all natural. First, I love how easy the Vitamelts are to take. Not only do they taste good but I am not trying to swallow one of those big horse pills. Second, I love how relaxing the oil is. It smells wonderful and I have been putting drops of it into my bath, and just feel my stresses and worries of the day disappear.  

 

If you are like me and have been struggling with infertility then I would try this kit and help nourish your body and mind.

 

The 2 month supply kit sells for $39.95 and can be purchased online.

 

The PregPrep website also has some valuable information to help you on your baby making journey, including an ovulation calendar. 

 

Want to win a Make That Baby kit?

 

To Enter: Leave me a comment telling me you would like to win. You can get extra entries for following GGG through GFC, Subscribing via email, liking us on Facebook and following via Twitter.

This giveaway will end on June 3, 2013. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please leave a valid email address if it is not visible in your profile. US entries only.

***Monica***

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.

Crabtree & Evelyn Product Review

In the past I have gotten to review some great products from Crabtree & Evelyn. A couple of months ago I was given another opportunity to try a couple of their products.

The Tarocco Orange, Eucalyptus & Sage Body and Hand Collection is inspired by energizing botanicals of Italy. Featuring Tarocco which is known as the Sicilian Blood Orange and grown largely in the Italian region. The Tarocco orange is loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C, while the eucalyptus and sage add purifying, and refreshing elements. This collection is also fragranced with bergamot, and neroli. I wasn't familiar with neroli so I looked it up. Neroli is an oil produced from the blossom of the bitter orange plant. Basically the fragrance you get from this product is citrus-y and fresh with just a bit of herbiness from the eucalyptus and sage.

Their are six products included in this collection; Deep Cleansing Body Scrub, Body Souffle, Body Lotion, Bath & Shower Gel, Body Mist, and Hand Therapy. The two products I was sent to try were the Tarocco Orange Body Lotion and the Tarocco Orange Bath and Shower Gel.

The body lotion absorbs quickly and does not leave your skin feeling greasy. Rather it gives your skin a soft satiny feel.

The bath and shower gel is a nice cleanser. It creates a rich lather and you can also pour a little into your bath water for a nice refreshing foam bath.

Both of these items wake you up with their lively scent and leave you feeling refreshed. I thoroughly enjoyed them as did my mom when she paid me a visit and tried them out. She was especially a fan of the way the Tarocco Orange, Eucalyptus & Sage smell. Want to try these products out? You can get this Little Luxuries set which includes smaller versions of Bath and Shower Gel, Body Lotion, and Hand Therapy for only $16.00.

You can purchase these items and more online or in a store near you.

***Monica***

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.

Bremenn Review and Giveaway

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Winner #17 Amanda

 

 

Bremenn Research Labs is the maker of several skin and body care products that target specific problems. Have a problem with dark spots on your face? Wake up with an awful pimple? Does your behind need a little lift? Then Bremenn's got you covered.

I was sent two of their products for review, Bremenn's Hylexin for "Serious Dark Circles?" and Bremenn's Upper Eyelid Lifter.

Have some "Serious Dark Circles?", Hylexin is a product developed for those with dark circles that remain long after you have woken from a restless sleep. This product was made to reduce the appearance of those pesky dark circles that seem to always be there. This product was also formulated to help reduce chronic puffiness under your eyes. Are you looking like you haven't slept in days? Then this is the product you need to try.

This is the first formula comprising a functional compound engineered to radically reduce the appearance of serious dark under-eye circles, discoloration, and lower-lid puffiness, while improving the appearance of the thin tissue around the eye to help reduce future discoloration.

I have been using Hylexin for a couple of weeks now. While I do not have a problem with puffiness I do tend to have dark areas under my eyes. While not extreme I do notice that my skin is just a bit darker there. I have been applying Hylexin morning and night everyday since I received it and I am not quite sure I see a difference in my eyes just yet. This cream is concentrated so you only need to use a very small amount and my tube is far from finished. I think two weeks is probably not long enough to see a difference so I will continue to use it till I'm out and hopefully will notice my dark circles have improved. A few things I do like about this product already is it is paraben free and I have noticed that it works great as a primer before applying my makeup. My makeup does look smoother under my eyes. Also the product seems to be very gentle. It has not irritated the sensitive skin around my eyes at all. Hylexin does mention that you may feel a slight warming sensation while using this product but this has not been the case for me.

Do your upper eyelids tend to sag or droop? Upper Eyelid Lifter was developed to alleviate this problem. Want to get rid of that sleepy eye look? This product is formulated to make your eyes look bigger, brighter, and awake.

This unique product harnesses a potent synthetic skin brightening agent that mimics a natural molecule from Scotch pine, a biopolymer from sweet almond proteins, key amino acids, a synergistic peptide pairing, and standardized extracts from yeast, rye seed and soy.

While I haven't actually noticed my eyelids sagging just yet. I am getting older and I do know that I very likely may have this problem in the future. I decided to use this product in hopes that it will delay the inevitable. I have been using it for a couple of weeks now and again I can say this has been great to use under my eye makeup. The moisturizing effect makes my shadows go on smoother and not look cake-y. As for stopping my eyelids from drooping, well time will only tell.

Both of these products can be purchased online or at your local Walmart.

Want to win one of these products to try for yourself? One GGG reader will win their choice of Serious Dark Circles? or Upper Eyelid Lifter.

To Enter: Leave me a comment letting me know which of the two products you would choose if you won. You can get extra entries for following GGG through GFC, Subscribing via email, liking us on Facebook and following via Twitter.

This giveaway will end on May 31, 2013. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please leave a valid email address if it is not visible in your profile. US entries only. *Alaska and Hawaii excluded*

***Monica***

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.

Band Angels Giveaway

CLOSED

Winner #9, 14

 

 

Here is something for the little ones in your life, Band Angels! Band Angels are bandages with healing bible verses printed on them. They also have adorable angel characters that little ones love. I know this because a while back we were sent samples to review on my personal blog and my daughter Penelope loved them. Any little scratch, bump, or poke, she was trying to convince me that she needed a Band Angel to make her feel better. She loved hearing what was written on each one and I loved the fact that I was sharing scripture with her in such an endearing way. When we were sent Band Angels for review they only came in blue but now you can get your Band Angels in pink! Wait until Penelope finds out. These bandages are latex free and made in the USA, we love them, and so will you!

Band Angels can be purchased online or in a few retail shops. Be sure to like Band Angels on Facebook for all the latest information on these precious bandages.

The people at Band Angels would like to bless two of our Girly Girls with 2 boxes of Band Angels each, blue and pink.

To Enter: Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite Bible verse is. You can get extra entries for following GGG through GFC, Subscribing via email, liking us on Facebook and following via Twitter.

This giveaway will end on May 26, 2013. I will choose the winners using Random.org. Please leave a valid email address if it is not visible in your profile. US entries only.

***Monica***

 

 

 

From all us Girly Girls!