review: 100% Pure's Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream

I recently bought this body cream or lotion or moisturizer from 100% Pure upon the recommendation of one of the organic/non toxic blogs that I have been reading. I am always in the look out for great non toxic beauty products, don't ask why, and I am willing to try anything as long as my budget permits.

image: 100% Pure Canada

But first let me share what other products I have tried before this.

We have been using Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion (J is loyal to this) for the longest time and it's working just fine with me. It scored 5 in Skin Deep, with a 10 on PropylParaben, 8 on Fragrance, and 7 on DMDM Hydantoin (formaldehyde releaser).

image: Jergens Canada

I also have the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (score: 4, with a 5 for Benzyl Alcohol and 4 for Petrolatum) but I am finding it really hard to apply.

image: Cetaphil Canada

As I have said I have tried Body Shop's Body Butter but I only liked the Almond. Last time I checked, Almond is not being offered anymore (But I checked today and it's back on stock!!!!), I have tried the Shea, Mango and Honey Mania. And half jar of the latter is still sitting on my dresser for about a year now. They all scored 6, because of the paraben ingredients and fragrances.

image: The Body Shop Canada

The Curel Moisture Lotion Daily Moisture Lotion for Dry Skin, Original (scored 4 because of paraben, fragrance and petrolatum) works fine with my skin too.

image: Curel Canada

I have tried Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Creme but I didn't like the smell and how it felt on my skin. I think I have only used it twice. I can't seem to find it in the Skin Deep database, though.

image: Burt's Bees Canada

I still have my first travel tube of L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream in my bag (scored 7: paraben, alcohol, fragrance).

image: L'Occitane Canada

The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion I have on my desk works wonder on my hands. I have been using for about a year now at the office and I am liking it. I will be buying a bigger size and will try it as a whole body lotion. It scored 2 overall on EWG with a 5 on Benzyl Alcohol as the ingredient with highest concern.

image: Aveeno Canada

Back to 100% Pure's Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream. It scored 2 on EWG's Skin Deep database so it is safe and natural. I have been using it daily for about 3 weeks now. I chose the almond because I really loved the soft scent of Body Shop's Almond Body Butter. And 100% Pure's almost smells the same way. The consistency is thick and I really have high hopes for this product.

It came in easy to squeeze container and is also easy to apply. I must say it really moisturizes my skin. But sadly, only for a few minutes. Maybe it is my skin, maybe it's the pregnancy hormone making my skin really, really dry, maybe it's the weather here in Canada. But I don't think this is the right body moisturizer for me. My skin feels okay after applying it but immediately feels parched after just a few minutes of applying. As if I haven't applied any at all. It's not even winter yet, we are still above the normal fall temperature so I guess I shall stop using this for now and use it again come summer. Hopefully I can write a more favorable review when that time comes.

review: 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze Watermelon

I am a lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm, lip shimmer, lip-whatever-kind-of person. I have tubes of those products that I have only used once or twice. Why do I keep buying? Because.

I don't usually wear make up and the eye brows and lips are the only parts of my face that I can confidently put products on, on a daily basis. If I have something on them, I already feel made up.

And we all know that lip products are either a hit or miss. You have to buy it and try it to truly determine if it's going to work for you (unless you're comfortable on trying the testers at the store). Amongst all those that I have tried, these are the memorable ones:

DuWop Lip Venom (ca 2000):

image: DuWop

The Body Shop's Lipstick (only using it for occasions wherein I have to appear to be truly made up), I forgot the exact shade but it's reallyyy RED:

image: The Body Shop

Skin Food Tomato Jelly Lip Tint (just found out that they are still available up until now!):

image: The Skin Food

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1.

image: Kiehl's

All of which I can't seem to find in Skin Deep database. 

And the latest that I have been using for about a year now is the Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Spicy Honey and Black Honey.

image: Clinique

I have also bought Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Strawberry but as usual, didn't work out fine.

image: Clinique

Clinique's Almost Lipstick works fine with me, specially the Spicy Honey. Although Black Honey has a lot of rave reviews, I find it too dark for me for everyday use. But I see it is a good Fall/Autumn shade. 

And since, I have been reading about organic/non toxic products, I decided to try 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze Watermelon,

image: 100% Pure

I ordered it together with the Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream. And came with sample products in sachets: shampoo and 2 other nourishing cream of which I gave to somebody else to try on to. 

I first used it when I attended a wedding. The color is rich and the feel is creamy and non-drying. However, the stain didn't last long and and it clumped on my lips. Again, maybe it's just my lips or pregnancy hormones. Our body chemistry reacts distinctively with each product. It doesn't mean that we'll have the same results so you have to try it yourself to see how it's going to work for you. Given, it didn't deliver the way I have expected it. But I still think it's a keeper and I plan to use it in replacement of the Body Shop Lipstick. I find the shade too festive for everyday use so I will use it on need-to-be-fully-made-up-occasions. I don't want to buy a tamer shade for everyday use because the price is a bit too expensive for me at C$22. 

I have bought 2 lip balm from Burt's Bees last week and I have been using it alternately for days now. I will write a review too after a couple more weeks but I am loving it, I want to buy another shade. At $8 a piece, not bad.

baby stuff: milk

Right on the start of our 38th week, I have received a surprise package. We got home from work one afternoon and saw this hefty box on the dining table.

I know it is for me although I was wondering what could it be and where could it came from? I wasn't expecting any parcel: my recent online purchase was the day before, it couldn't have arrived the next day; and they were not that big.

I checked the box and it came from Nestle:

Hmmm.. must be promotional items. Nestle has been sending me emails about pregnancy and becoming a mommy again. I didn't sign up to any company's mailing list except for Thyme Maternity when I shopped for a few maternity clothes. I started receiving the emails right after that. I didn't bother me and doesn't bother me still. The information they're sending me is welcome and useful.

So what could be inside this hefty box?

Inside was a small diaper bag/back pack with a change pad. We can use it. And then inside the bag were: 

Nestle Good Start Powedered Formula and a Nuk Baby Bottle with nipple.

But what really caught my attention are these little bottles with liquid inside. They are the heavy ones inside the bag. 

Apparently, infant formula are now available in 3 forms: Powdered, Concentrated and Ready To Feed (RTF). And Nestle has just sent me 8 bottles of those Ready To Feed formula. So much has really changed since I had a baby!

I read some information about RTF formula today and apparently it seems RTF formula are more gentle on the newborn's tummy compared to the powdered version. And they come quite handy. You just have to put compatible nipple to the bottles and voila, you can feed the baby right away.

I haven't really thought much about prepared formula yet because I am really determined to breastfeed the baby. Even Nestle agrees that breastfeeding is still superior compared to the rest of the available formula in the world. But, you'll never know.

With Kid #1, I wasn't able to breastfeed him right away because I was confined to the bed longer than I should be. So I believe he was fed formula milk thru a cup while I was still incapable of breastfeeding. So this RTF formula is definitely going inside our hospital bag.

Aside from Nestle, Similac and Enfamil also have RTF formula (Kid #1 used to be an Enfa baby). Go read more about Nestle Good Start Infant Formula.  Thanks, Nestle!

home improvement: drawer organization

I'm not an organized person. You can ask my mother and my husband. In fact, I am a self proclaimed disorganized person. I remember telling my mother not to touch my stuff and to not organized them because I wouldn't be able to find things that way.

But maybe it's the magic of pregnancy or finally I am maturing (old?), but as I have posted earlier, I want to organized everything in the house. 

So I'm posting my first attempt. This is the drawer by the sink. We don't have an office space. This drawer houses all the pens, elastics, notepads, receipts and everything else. 

Has been a catch all drawer. I think I got about 2 spoonfuls of crumbs from here. Don't know where that came from. And after I have organized it, J said he didn't think we have those socket plugs anymore. So he got almost of them and put them in the sockets that we don't usually use. 

And here it is now:

Yay for me! I have thrown away most of the boxes in the house just a couple of weeks back. Just when I thought I wouldn't need them. These are the remaining cereal and cookie boxes that I have found, and I ran out of cereal boxes for the elastics so I just put them in inside a large safety pin. That way they are all still together. 

I am not sure if I should put everything in their little boxes. And I don't think they will fit in the drawer. I still wanted to put the push pins inside here but we'll see. 

I'm sure this will still change when I'll get to see the contents of the other drawers. I believe the groupings will change. Because, honestly, our stuff is everywhere. Some drawers are overflowing and some are underused. My plan is not just to organize but to maximize space as well. I hope I can do those planned tasks during my Mat Leave. 

One down, 69 more to go. 

scatter brain

Yup. One moment it is busy with all baby stuff. Next minute I want to redecorate the entire house. And before I know it, I am looking at charms. Sheesh. Let me walk you through it.

We are almost done with all the baby stuff. I think. Still have a few unchecked items on the list but those can wait after the baby is born. J would just have to do the shopping alone.

As with the other goals, I am very glad to say that Kid #1 has been sleeping in his own room now for more than a week without any hassle! Yay for us! Though sometimes he tells us that he gets lonely in his room, but still that is a big feat. On his first night, he just went straight to his room after our good nights. He said he woke up a couple of times thru the night but just let himself sleep back. And every night he asks his Dad to tuck him in. Awwwww.

There was a slight improvement on his room from this. I was meaning to take an "after" photo of his room for another post but I haven't still. No time. One of these days.

The "nursery" in our bedroom had been partially set up, meaning the crib. We are still trying to find a dresser but haven't got any luck. Oh well. Our room has a bit of a space now but still cramped. And cluttered. We have managed to throw away some "stuffs" a week ago but still not enough.

I still haven't started on our closet. I was vent on organizing the closet and purge.

the clothes inside the white garbage bags are the clothes that I know I wont be wearing in the coming year. But don't be fooled. There are new acquisitions lying on the floor + my purses. I am just too ashamed to show it ;) 

I am sure I can throw away some of my clothes and make up (no, not purses). I was dilly-dallying on buying this for my purses. By the time I decided that yes I need it, it is now out of stock. Back to zero. At least I got 2 of this for my shoes. And I am more than happy to be able to just see all my shoes in one location. Well except the boots.

And remember Kid #1 gifted me with a bracelet on my birthday?

The original cord was just a plastic thingy that is just waiting to be untied anytime. I was worried that the beads would all just fall off. And it was a great excuse to look at bracelets and charms.

I was able to find a replacement cord/string for the beads:

And managed to snatch a new charm:

Thee hearts for my three loves:

And it comes with a free tote bag!

Still in the look out though for a charm for the new baby. I don't know if I should just get a "baby" charm or another "boy" charm. There are lots of baby charms but only found a couple of boy charms.

So that's where my brain is. Happy Hump Day!

customizable planner

Happy Hump Day! 

And with that I am happy to announce that I have found the new planner/notebook for me! 

I have mentioned on my previous post that I am on the lookout for a new notebook to replace my old one. With it having the option to refill pages and to customize it. Initially my search lead me to Levenger website. But it is pretty steep for my budget. On that same day though, I have found out that what I am looking for is available at Staples (duh) -- the M by Staples™ Arc Notebook System. I went and bought the notebook and have finally started using it today. 

It is the same system as the more expensive one -- discbound. It's like a personal binding machine where you can insert whatever type of document, as long as it is punched. Versatile because pages can be swapped in and out easily.

However, ARC still don't have that much refills available. So far I have only seen the regular lined refills and the graph refills here in Canada. I'm not sure if there are more options in the US. Unlike the Levenger, there are several options on the refills -- address pages, unlined pages, calendars, colored, etc. And there are other colors too for the discs. You can check out the website to see what I mean.

But I don't think I need those special refills (just yet). And if I do, I can order it from Levenger because I believe it can be adapted to ARC. Besides, I can make my own refill if I want to. That is if I am willing to invest on the $43 puncher.

But with that puncher, one can really customize the notebook. There are lots of seller on etsy catering to ARC/Levenger system. I believe Martha Stewart has her version too. 

I have high hopes that this new notebook system will work for me. So long for now, Moleskine. 

planner

Are you one of those people who still need pen and paper to jot things down? Or do you rely mostly on your phone? Well, I belong to the former. I have this notebook that acts as a planner-organizer-diary-everything-list personal management tool (aside from the phone).

We've been together for 3 years now. They say that a planner/organizer is not a one size fits all thing. That's why we have a bajillion kinds of planners: Daily, weekly, monthly, plain, artsy, businesslike, colorful, you just have to find what works for you. Mine's just a simple lined notebook. No dates or calendars or fancy schmansy features. But it's what works for me.

It houses our budget:

A list of anything and everything:

Recipes:

Occasional art attack: 

Some work stuff:

Travel Planning: 

Sewing notes:

Appointments: 

Party planning: 

Kid #1's drawing book:

Computation / scratch paper: 

Address book: 

The reasons why I love it:

1. Nice enough for me. The paper, the cover, the lines. 
2. Just the right size at 8.5 in. x 5.5 in. And I can still slip a bunch of papers, receipts, cards in between the pages. 
3. It is not heavy. It usually fits my purse (unless I'm using a super duper small purse) and I can lug it everywhere. 
4. It doesn't restrict me to write a day's note/thoughts in a single page or tiny single square within a page. 
5. I don't intend to and I don't have the need to write anything and everything for every single day so it is good that it doesn't have a date printed per page. 

But .... I am on the last 20 pages or so ... 

I know I will need a replacement soon. And I have to say that while it works for me, it has one major drawback:

It doesn't have refills. That means I have to buy another notebook again. Which is just fine. But my issue is what's gonna happen to my existing lists? My important notes? My recipes? My address book (although those were in my phone address book too).

Sure I can rip them off but where would I put them on the new notebook/planner/organizer?

I have to find something else.

Just the beginning of this year, I tried this same brand's weekly planner. But I didn't work for me. It's now Kid #1 notebook (for whatever purpose it may serve him) and he feels fancy using it as his notebook/drawing book/scratch paper. As for me, I went back to my old trusted notebook. I have tried Franklin Covey's planner eons ago and I found it too cumbersome and heavy!

So I am in the market looking for a notebook/planner that will work for me. And my requirements are:

1. To be able to have refills. 
2. To have sections (for addresses, notes, recipes, etc.) 
3. Undated - so traditional planners will not work. I want to have the freedom of not having specific dates per page (and I think it's cost efficient too). As I have said, I don't have anything to write for every single day. 
4. Leather cover/binder. 
5. Thick enough lined paper. 
6. Still the same size 8.5 in x 5.5 in. 
7. And hopefully, light enough to be brought every day. 
8. Price? 

This new notebook is going to serve the same purposes I've listed above. And it is not just for personal use, it will serve the entire family's needs as well as work's (long term -- when I return back to work). I don't think I can handle multiple organizer/planner.

I've searched a few and I already have my eye on a specific brand. It is quite expensive so I wanted to somehow make sure that this is what I really needed and wanted. As usual, I will update once I have purchased it. What about you? What is your personal management tool?