By now you should know that I am madly, head-over-heels, truly in love with my Keurig. It’s by far my most favorite appliance in our home. I cannot go a day without using it.

Most people associate Keurig and K-cup portion packs with coffee. Some might even think about tea. But did you know that you can make MORE then coffee and tea with a Keriug? How about rich, dark chocolate hot cocoa? Or sweet Chai Latte? Mmm!

There are many brands that offer K-cup portion packs for the Keurig. I have reviewed several of them over the past year. I’d now like to tell you about Cafe Escapes.

Cafe Escapes offers Keurig users something different than coffee and tea. They offer rich indulgences like Cafe’ Mocha (a combination of cocoa and coffee), Milk Hot Chocolate, Dark Hot Chocolate and Chai Latte.

I have had the Cafe Escapes Milk Hot Cocoa before. In fact I’ve been purchasing it for the past couple of years from a local store. I didn’t know that Cafe Escapes offered Cafe Mocha, Chai Latte or even a Dark Hot Chocolate.

As a Keurig Brand Ambassador I received samples of all four varieties to try out and share with family and friends. I tend to share my K-Cup portion packs with others. This time I might just keep them all to myself. LOL!

I have already been using the Milk Hot Chocolate for some time now. It’s perfect for me. Not too sweet. It’s just right. Sometimes hot cocoa mixes tend to be too sweet for my personal preference. I have found that the Milk Hot Chocolate make a perfect cup for hot chocolate for me.

The first K-cup portion pack I tried was the Cafe’ Mocha. It’s a sweet combination of cocoa and coffee. To me it takes more like cocoa but with a bit of a kick to it. My husband had a cup. He doesn’t drink coffee. He liked the Cafe’ Mocha but did say that he noticed there was a little more to the taste then just regular cocoa. It wasn’t until after he started to drink it that I told him it was also made with coffee. He was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed it too.

I like Chai Latte. I have ordered it when I’m out and about or out to dinner. The Cafe’ Escapes Chai Latte smells amazing! The aroma alone is enough to make you drool. I did find that this K-cup portion pack was too sweet for me. I have to remove some of the hot water with the Chai Latte mixed in and then add more hot water to water it down a bit so it’s not as sweet. I’m not suggesting that there is anything wrong with it. There is not. It’s just too sweet for my personal preference.

I was really excited to try the Dark Hot Chocolate. There is an obvious difference between the Milk and Dark Hot Chocolate varieties. The Dark Hot Chocolate is richer. I don’t know if it tastes like dark chocolate, but it’s much more “chocolatey” then the Milk Chocolate variety. Toss in some marshmallows and you have a delightful and super delicious treat.

All four of these wonderful and indulgent coffee house treats are specially blended to allow you indulge and enjoy more “me” moments. I agree with that because I have been enjoying some quiet time with a hot cup of one of the Cafe’ Escape varieties and a good book or magazine during the day when the kids are at school. Ahhh… perfect!

To learn more about Cafe’ Escapes please visit Cafe’ Escapes on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/CafeEscapes. If you “like” their Facebook page you will be entered into a “sweet” giveaway for a year’s worth of spa quality indulgence. Check it out!

You can also follow them on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/CafeEscapes). You can even follow the conversation using the hashtag #YourPerfectCup.

You can also check out Cafe’s Escapes and other K-cup portion pack varieties on the Green Mountain Coffee. I even have a special discount code. Upon check out use the code AM0016-3593 to save 15% off the entire store and free standard shipping (within the U.S. with no minimum order) at www.GreenMountainCoffee.com. This code is valid through February 29, 2012.

Keeping with the theme of indulgence I have a special giveaway from Birchbox. Birchbox is an innovative, new way to try beauty products before you buy them, Birchbox provides its subscribers with monthly deliveries of samples from well-known beauty brands. Each month subscribers will receive 4-5 hand-picked beauty samples form the best brands around – from the luxe lines you covet to the new and niche companies you’ve yet to discover.

But Birchbox is so much more than that!  

-   An online mini-mag filled with how-to videos, articles, and tips from the pros

-   An online Shop filled with the best skincare, haircare, makeup, and more – we’ve done the editing for you!

-   Birchbox Points, a super generous rewards program – so easy to earn, track, and redeem points

-   Great shipping offers on full-size orders, including free shipping on monthly product picks, and all orders $50+

One lucky reader will win a FREE 12-month subscription from Birchbox, compliments of Keurig/Green Mountain.

To enter please comment on something you love to indulge in?

For extra entries you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each that you have done. Extra entries are optional. 

- Subscribe to She Scribes via RSS or E-mail. Both options are found on the right side bar.

- “Like” She Scribes on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/SheScribes.

- Follow She Scribes on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/She_Scribes and tweet about your favorite flavor from Cafe’ Escapes and/or this giveaway. Please include @She_Scribes in the tweet AND the hashtag #YourPerfectCup. This is limited to three tweets per day.

- Share this review and/or giveaway with others on Facebook, Digg, Technorati and so forth. Be sure to tell me what you did and please provide a name and/or URL so I can verify.

- Leave a thoughtful comment on a non-giveaway post on She Scribes and tell me which post you commented on. There is a limit of one comment per post, but you can comment on as many posts as you want for an unlimited extra entry option.

- Post about this review and/or giveaway on your site and please link back to this post. Please provide the URL.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on February 4, 2012 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply. Failure to do so will result in a new winner will be chosen in their place. A gift code will be sent via e-mail to the winner.

Other awesome giveaways can be found on the right side bar under “Win It”.

Kimberly

*I am a Keurig/Green Mountain brand ambassador and I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own. 

Jessica Simpson is well known for you music career, as well as her fashion empire. But did you know that she also has a line of beauty products? Well, they are not her products, per say (she didn’t make them), but rather she is their spokesperson. The product line is called BeautyMint.

I heard of BeautyMint    several months ago when I watched an interview with Jessica Simpson and she spoke a little about the products. In a way I thought were made with mint as one of the ingredients (thus the “mint” in BeautyMint). That is not the case at all.

So what exactly is BeautyMint?

The BeautyMint line of products was created based on the principal that every person is different with varying skin issues and goals. It’s hard to find one product line that will work for all people. I have found that to be the case myself. I have purchased products to help with one skin issue, but other skin issues are either neglected or the products I am using are intended to “fix” something else which I don’t have a problem with. For example, I don’t have “crows feet” or too many wrinkles (thankfully) but I do have deep lines around my mouth. I don’t need a product that helps wrinkles. I need one that helps those deep lines by my mouth. 

BeautyMint takes a personalized approach with customized skin care systems that match specific problems with targeted solutions. I like that you don’t have to purchase products for issues that you simply do not have.

The nice thing about BeautyMint is that their products are affordable compared to other high end beauty products.

I checked out the BeautyMint website to see what kinds of products they sell. They have an online “consultation” that helps you determine what products would be best for your skin and your beauty goals. I took the consultation myself. It consisted of several multiple choice questions. It was very easy to do.

Based on my answers, the BeautyMint online consultation make some recommendations as to which products I should consider to help me with my skin issues. The products selected for me will help me target the signs of aging, increase firmness in my skin and correct uneven skin tone.

Unlike other skin care lines I know the products from BeautyMint will target the issues with my skin that I am most concerned about.

BeautyMint works be providing you with products to cleanse your skin, enhance it, hydrate your skin and then special products to target some of my problem areas.

With my consultation it was recommended that I try one of two different product lines. One of the product lines had an advanced product to really help one of my skin issues. 

Products recommend for me include;

Essential Cleanser – This gentle, lightly foaming cleanser washes away dirt, makeup and impurities, leaving skin feeling fresh and soft. Benefits from this cleanser include no harsh lathering agents, it’s fragrance-free, oil-free and made with an Aloe, cucumber and chamomile blend is designed to soothe and refresh.

Ultra Replenishing Serum- Comprised of an incredible 50% marine collagen, this exclusive serum targets visible and future signs of aging from every angle. The ingredients also help to promote hydration. 

Renewing Moisturizer – This lightweight, elastin-rich cream contains anti-aging ingredients delivered to skin with a patented technology designed to maximize benefits. It’s made with Jojoba esters and Hawaiian macadamia nut oil hydrate and Vitamins C and E, which are antioxidants. There are even some light-diffusing properties help promote a luminous glow.

Sculpting Treatment – This revolutionary serum boasts a combination of not just one, but FOUR peptides. It’s helps to target the visible signs of aging like diminished firmness and tone. It’s made with Botanicals like acai and green tea which contain protective properties.

I have never tried any of these products, but they certainly sound really nice. Best of all they are affordable. The above mentioned products can be purchased at BeautyMint for $39.99 plus $4.95 shipping. I have seen other beauty products sell for that much for just ONE product, not four, full size products. It’s certainly a great deal. 

BeautyMint’s products are made with nature’s most nourishing botanicals with proven benefits including;

-  Marine collagen

-  Elastin

-  Peptides

-  Aloe Vera

-  Chamomile

-  Cucumber extract

-  Acai fruit

-  Mulberry extract

-  Green tea

-  Shea butter 

I would much rather put a product made with ingredients like these then ingredients I can’t pronounced.

BeautyMint’s patented technology is designed to protect the integrity and structure of ingredients for supreme functionality. By virtually supercharging the formula, this breakthrough delivery system applies the high volume of actives to skin in an intensely powerful way. With other skin care products, ingredients can be wasted when applied, but BeautyMint’s exclusive technology works to maximize benefit payload. Another words, nothing goes to waste. When you use BeautyMint products your skin is benefiting for all of the product and not just a small fraction of it.

I’m certainly very curious about them and I am planning on placing an order to try them out as soon as I have the funds to do so.

If you would like to learn more about BeautyMint and their products visit www.BeautyMint.com. I also found them on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/BeautyMint) and on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/BeautyMint). 

Kimberly

If you have a ‘tween or a teen, chances are you are all too familiar with acne. Many adults still suffer from break outs from time to time as well (myself included).

There are so many acne treatment products on the market. It’s hard to know which ones work and which ones fall short. My kids have tried MANY over the counter acne treatment products. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t.

My kids use the OXY Clinical Acne Solutions products frequently. They seem to be one of the very few products that actually help alleviate their acne issues. I’ve even used to products from time to time. Once in a while a pimple pops up on my face too.

The OXY Clinical Solutions Pack consists of a Clearing Treatment, Advanced Face Wash and a Hydrating Therapy product. Together these products contain and advanced delivery system that helps the products work continuously over time.

The OXY Clinical Solutions Pack has been proven to kill 99% of acne causing bacteria in 8 hours. It actually start to work as soon as you put it on your face. 

When you use the OXY Clinical Solutions Pack you can expect to see results in as little as 3 days, and significant results in about 4 weeks. (It does take time for skin to renew itself, so typical benchmark times are 3, 10 and 30 days).

OXY does have another product line called OXY Maximum. We have not had the opportunity to try any of those products yet.

OXY Maximum gives users acne-fighting power. These deep-cleaning formulas utilize benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to treat, heal and help prevent acne breakouts, while still leaving skin feeling clean and smooth.

Unlike other over the counter acne proudcts, OXY Maximum products are as affordable as they are effective—so clearer, healthier skin can be a reality for everybody.

OXY would love to give a lucky winner the opportunity to try out their OXY Clinical Solutions Pack AND OXY Maximum products, along with some AWESOME gift certificates.

The prize package includes:

-   OXY Clinical Solutions Pack

-   OXY Maximum products

-   $50 Gift Certificate to H&M

-   $50 Gift Certificate to Dairy Queen

-   $50 Gift Certificate to Best Buy

The prize package as a retail value of $182! Thanks OXY!

To enter please comment on who the OXY products would be for if you won (a child, grandchild, yourself, your spouse…)?

For extra entries you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each that you have done. Extra entries are optional. 

- Subscribe to She Scribes via RSS or E-mail. Both options are found on the right side bar.

- TWO EXTRA ENTRIES – “Like” OXY Skin Care of Facebook, www.Facebook.com/OXYSkinCare. 

- “Like” She Scribes on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/SheScribes.

-  Follow OXY Skin Care on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/OXYSkinCare.

- Follow She Scribes on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/She_Scribes and tweet about this great giveaway. Please include @She_Scribes in the tweet so I can see it too. This is limited to three tweets per day.

- TWO EXTRA ENTRIES – Share information about this giveaway on YOUR Facebook page and include www.Facebook.com/OXYSkinCare in your post, as well as a link back to this giveaway. You can use this short link to link back to this giveaway, http://bit.ly/zG0IiA. You will have to “like” their Facebook page so that it links to them in your post.

-  Share this giveaway on Digg, Technorati or other social networking sites/forums. 

- Leave a thoughtful comment on a non-giveaway post on She Scribes and tell me which post you commented on. There is a limit of one comment per post, but you can comment on as many posts as you want for an unlimited extra entry option.

- Post information about this giveaway on your site and please link back to this post. Please provide the URL.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on January 28, 2012 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply with a name and mailing address (no PO Box). Failure to do so will result in a new winner will be chosen in their place.

Other wonderful giveaways can be found on the right side bar under “Win It”.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post. I posted this for the benefit and enjoyment of my site readers. Oxy Skin Care will be providing the prize.  

I’m sure you have seen them – those colorful feather strands that people wear in their hair. They were all the rage a few months ago, and I still see people (teens and adults) sporting them in their hair these days too.

To have the feathers attached to your hair in a beauty salon will cost  you a lot of money. We have seen kiosks at the mall that charge $10.00 per feather. That is not bad but most people want a few of them in their hair.

I have seen websites that offer feathers you can put in your own hair but the procedure is way too complicated. And those feather clips don’t stay in your hair too long. It takes my teen daughter too long to get ready in the bathroom on school mornings to begin with. I don’t need her spending even more time trying to attach feather clips to her hair.

Thanks to Picasso Hair Feathers I was able to attach several feathers to my daughter’s hair by myself, quickly and easily. It’s so easy you can even put one in your own hair! I was thinking of doing that myself but I am waiting until I dye my hair (I need to get rid of all those white and silver hairs on my head).

Picasso Hair Feathers come in a variety of colors (including a Rainbow package). Picasso Hair Feathers are also Cruelty-Free. They are synthetic feathers so no animal was harmed to harvest the feathers. Other hair feathers come from Roosters and as you can imagine it’s cruel to tear feathers off their bodies for the sake of beauty. Synthetic hair feathers are a logical choice, especially if you care about animals. They look just like real feathers too.

My daughter has dark reddish brown hair, so the hair feathers really stood out on her head.

I can’t believe I was able to put them on her hair by myself and I didn’t need any special tools. Just some pliers. I would explain the process to you but I think the visual explains it a lot better then I could.

The first time I did it I didn’t put the end of the feather as far up on her scalp as I could. I also didn’t squeeze it hard enough with the plier so it came out when she was brushing her hair. With the other feathers I did a better job. It’s been several weeks now and she still has a couple of them in her hair. They can last up to 6 weeks, even longer if you don’t use a lot of styling or heat products.

My daughter was in one of her not-so-lovely teen moods today so she wasn’t cooperating as far as taking her picture. These are the best pictures I could get. I’m sorry that her hair was a bit of a mess. It’s the weekend and she was being lazy around our home.

The colors are really vibrant, although the lime green one (shown above) is not THAT bright in person. I think the flash made it brighter then it actually is.

I lifted my daughter’s hair up so you can really see the feathers. Normally they are blended in with all her hair. They accent her hair, they don’t stand out like bright streaks like they do in my photos. They look much more natural with her hair down.

Even though these hair feathers are synthetic you can still style your hair with them on. My daughter washes and styles her hair with no problem with the feathers in her hair. She can even flat iron her hair with the feathers too. They can withstand the heat. 

Attaching the hair feathers is so easy. Simply get the hair in the invisible thread and pull through the bead, then pinch close with the pliars.

Here is an up close photo of the clasp area.

The clear piece is the part you hold on to so it’s easy to pull the thread. The brown piece is the part that you clamp closed to hold the feather on to your hair. The line coming out of it (going towards the left) is the invisible thread.

A five pack of Picasso Hair Feathers is only $19.95 plus FREE shipping. You can also buy 12 and 25 packs.

What I love about the Picasso Hair Feathers is that I can apply them myself and they are affordable. My daughter can change her look at any time and I don’t have to spend a small fortune at the local beauty salon.

I think these would be a lot of fun at a birthday or slumber party. Most teens and ‘tweens should be able to apply these themselves. Having fashionable feathers put in your hair would make a fun “party favor”.

If you would like to check out the different colors that are available, or if you are interested in learning more about Picasso Hair Features visit www.PicassoHairFeathers.com. Be sure to check out the informative videos too.

You can also follow them on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/PicassoHairFeatures.com) and on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/PicassoHairFeathers).

Kimberly

*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.

I dread having to shave. It just takes up time in the shower. Sadly it’s a part of life, especially if you are a woman. Women are not meant to be hairy like a caveman. We need to keep our legs nice and smooth so they look good when we’re wearing skirts, dresses and shorts. Not to mention most men don’t exactly find hairy legs attractive.

I have to admit that I’ll use whatever disposible razor I can find on sale and my husband’s cheap shaving cream. That is not always a good thing. I have plenty of scars on my legs from nasty nicks that I recieved shaving with a cheap razor. Often cheap razors don’t cut close enough and you have to deal with razor stubble.

I recently had the opportunity to try out a new razor for women called Schick Hydro Silk. I honestly didn’t think I’d be overly impressed with a razor, but with this razor, I am!

The Schick Hydro Silk razor features five curve sensing blades to give you a close shave for silky smooth skin. There are also Skin Guards added to each blade. The blades and Skin Guards work together to smooth your skin when you are shaving as well as to help reduce irritation.

The Schick Hydro slim razor has a Aqueous Soft Touch Handle. The handle was ergonomically designed with a soft rubber grip. It’s look was also inspired by water. 

My FAVORITE thing about the Schick Hydro Silk razor is a special serum that is activated when the razor is wet. On both sides of the razor are small holes. Each hole is infused with a special serum made out of nourishing marine extracts and rich Shea butter. When the razor is dry you can’t really feel the serum (it just seems like “bumps” on the razor head). When the razor is wet and you carefully glide your finger across the “bumps” they are silky smooth. That silky smooth serum is rubbed onto your skin when you are shaving leaving your skin feeling so soft and smooth. I also think that the serum helps you to get a really close shave.

The first time I used the razor I couldn’t believe how effortless it was. It didn’t even feel like I was shaving. The razor was so smooth over my skin. It didn’t pull. It was if I wasn’t really shaving.

I was so impressed when I first used it that I had to have my husband feel my legs the moment I got out of the shower. It was as if I had baby’s legs because there wasn’t a hair to be seen or felt. My skin was oh-so-soft and smooth.

I have used my razor several times since and each time the results are the same – perfect!

I love the new Schick Hydro Silk razor. There is no way I can go back to just any old razor that is on sale that week. Once you’ve tried the Schick Hydro Silk there is no going back.

How would you like to try a FREE sample? I have 200 sample razors I can give away. Simply click on the link (below) and fill out the necessary information and a FREE Schick Hydro Silk razor will be sent to you. But hurry… I only have 200 samples I can giveaway.

http://www.schickhydrosilk.com/influencer/welcome.php?ref=dbz2cbf

To learn more about Schick products visit www.Schick.com.

Kimberly

*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.

When I was an infant and toddler I had platinum blond hair. As I got old my hair turned into a strawberry blond. By the time I was in high school I had “dirty blond” hair with some strawberry highlights. My hair used to look so nice! It was also very thick and full.

When I was in my early 20′s I started to notice gray hairs. At first I plucked them out when I found them but I heard that was the wrong thing to do. Instead of plucking them out I started to dye my hair to cover them up.

Over the years I have experimented with different colors, from bleached blonder to Chocolate brown. I found that I look my best with dark Auburn hair. So for the past 15+ years I always dye my hair dark Auburn, about every 3-4 months. I do it myself, at home, because I can’t afford to go to a salon and have it done professionally.

One day I’d love to have my hair professionally colored and styled. I’ve always dreamed about having a professional make over. It’s on my “Bucket List”, although I have no clue how you would go about getting one done.

I normally dye my hair in our bathroom. Many times I’ve accidentally had dye splatter or drip on the walls, toilet, counter or sink. Dye, as you know, stains. Prior to having our bathroom re-done there were dye spots all over the place.

Over the summer we had our bathroom re-done including a new sink, toilet, vanity and fresh paint. Out of fear of messing up our new bathroom I have not dyed my hair in about six months – and it shows!

I think I can just stand or sit on our balcony and dye my hair outside. I’ll just wear old clothes. That way if the dye gets on the wood (balcony) or bricks (building walls) it won’t matter. I just have to make sure none gets on the sliding glass door windows. They are new too.

It’s getting colder and colder with each passing day. I can’t imagine standing outside in 40 degree weather dying my hair.

You can tell it’s been ages since I colored my hair. My hair is actually turning white and silver. I have no doubt if I left my hair alone I’d eventually have hair exactly like Paual Deen.

I would NEVER look as good as Paula does. Her hair suits her. She’s also a beautiful woman.

Right now that hair on both sides of my head is a combination white and silver. The top part is still somewhat my natural color. All the hair on my sides and in the back are my natural color too. It’s not as obvious until I pull my hair back in a pony tail, which is normally how I style my hair (if a pony tail can be considered a hair style). When I pull my hair back the silver and white hair takes over.

I’m only 43 years old. I don’t FEEL my age (well, physically I do, not mentally). I don’t really want to look my age (or older!).

Notice my reddish hair and all the silver and white around it? UGH!

I don’t know if I should dye my hair again, or just give in to the silver and white and let it take over? I know there is going to come a point in my life when I’ll have to let my hair go and let it all turn silver and white. But when? What is the appropriate age to stop coloring your hair?

I know many of my readers are around my age and older. I’m pretty sure many readers color their hair to hide the gray, white or silver hairs that are making their way out.

When do YOU plan on stop coloring your hair and let nature take over? Is there an age that you have in mind? I was thinking in my 60′s, but I don’t know if that is unreasonable or not.

I know I feel better and I think I look better when my hair is dark Auburn. I know my husband goes nuts for that color too (he loves it when my hair is dark Auburn). At the same time I think I’m fighting a battle that I’m not going to win. Especially now that I haven’t colored my hair since the summer. I have A LOT more silver and white then I normally do and they tend to resist being colored.

Any advice or suggestions my readers might have I would love to hear from you.

Thanks! 

Kimberly 

*Paula Deen photo from PopSugar.com.

We’re now entering a brand new year. It’s a great time to develop some positive changes in your life. Some people vow to eat healthy and lose weight. Others plan on kicking an unhealthy habit. Many people also like to set personal goals they would like to accomplish in the new year.

Now that the stress of the holiday season is over, and a new year has begun, it’s a great time to think about something that is often neglected – your skin. During the hustle and bustle of the season, how often have you thought about your skin? I know I sure haven’t. To be honest with you it’s not even something I would really think about. The only time I really give my skin care regime any thought is when I develop a pimple or notice a new wrinkle (blah!).

I always love to try out new skin care products. It’s great to see what other products are on the market aside from the kind I pick up from the local drug store.

I had the opportunity to try out the Artistry Time Defiance Skincare System, as well as the Artistry Intensive Skincare Renewing Peel. It’s sold through Amway (www.Amway.com) and local independent Amway representatives. My father and stepmother are big fans of Amway products. They purchase many products through the company.

Artistry is by Amway and is on of the world’s top five largest selling premium skincare brands. Artistry offers unprecedented skin care solutions backed by dermatologist testing, advanced science, unparalleled proof of performance and personalized service unmatched by any beauty counter in the world.

This sounded really exciting to me so I was thrilled when the package of Artistry products arrived at my door. I couldn’t wait to get started using them.

I received the following products.

ARTISTRY TIME DEFIANCE Skincare System (Cleanser, Toner, AM & PM Moisturizers).

 -   Time Defiance improves your skin’s firmness, smoothness and luminosity, and increases hydration by 181% by using smart technology to deliver extra hydration where your skin needs it most.

-  Time Defiance products are dermatologist approved and clinically proven to reduce signs of aging.

 ARTISTRY Intensive Skincare Renewing Peel

-  The peel serves as an at-home alternative to a chemical peel and is appropriate for all skin types.

-  It’s a targeted resurfacing treatment that helps skin’s smoothness and softness with dryness and flakes virtually eliminated. Radiance is restored, and over time, fine lines and age spots begin to fade and skin becomes firmer-feeling with smaller-looking pores.

In total I received five products – the peel and the Artistry Time Defiance Skincare System. 

I LOVE the facial cleanser! Of all the products that is probably my most favorite. It is very gentle and smells so good! The scent actually reminds me of something you would use on a baby. It has a soft, pleasant and dare I say – comforting scent to it. I also love how my skin feels after I use it. My skin actually feels CLEAN. Sometimes facial cleansers leave residues on your skin which causes you skin not to feel as fresh and clean as it should. This cleanser made my skin feel so clean that I hesitated to wear make up because I enjoyed that fresh and clean feeling.

The toner was nice. I don’t normally use a toner. I don’t get the appeal. I mean, I really don’t notice much of a difference when I use a toner or not. Often toners are rather harsh and burn my skin too. The Artistry toner was gentle. I liked that. I used it as part of the system but I didn’t notice much of a difference.

I also received AM and PM moisturizer. I’m rather picky about moisturizers because I don’t like anything on my skin that is goint to make it feel weighed down. I also don’t like how some moisturizers make your skin feel greasy, especially PM moisturizers. I hate having to wash my face the moment I get up in the morning because my face feels greasy.

The AM moisturizer also has SPF 15 which is great.

I did not notice that greasy feeling with either of these moisturizers. They didn’t make my skin feel weighed down either.

I used the products in the AM and PM. I liked how my skin felt so much that I went without make up. I normally don’t wear much  make up to begin with but I hated the idea of weighing my face down with make up when it felt fresh and clean. It also leaves your face feeling soft.

I was a bit weary to try the Artistry Intensive Skincare Renewing Peel. I was concerned it would bother my skin. My skin tends to be sensitive. I used it twice a week (as per the directions). It didn’t bother my skin at all. As it is with the cleaner my skin felt so clean that I didn’t want to put anything on it – even the toner and moisturizers! But I did because that is part of the program.

I had a wee bit of a problem – UNREALTED to the Artistry products. My eye lids became swollen and burned as well as itched like crazy. I wasn’t sure what could have caused it. At first I was concerned it was the Artistry products. Then I thought maybe it was my mascara. It’s a couple of months old and could have gone bad which could have triggered the allergic reaction. THANKFULLY I figured out what it was. I have an allergic reaction to a new household cleaner that I just started to use a few weeks ago. I figured out that is what it was when I started to use it and my eyes got very itchy. Even my face started to feel itchy.

I’m glad I figured it out because I wanted to get back to using the products.

I haven’t had a chance to use them long enough to see a big difference. The only difference I’ve noticed so far is how clean and soft my skin feels when I use the products. I am very pleased with them. They are a million times better then the drug store products I use.

To learn more look for an Amway Independent Business Owner in your area or visit www.Amway.com/Artistry.

Amway has generously offered to give THREE lucky readers the Artistry Time Defiance Skincare System and Artistry Intensive Renewing Peel. This is a $270 value! Thank you Amway!

To enter please comment on which product you are most excited to try if you are one of the winners. 

For extra entries you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each that you have done. Extra entries are optional.

- Subscribe to She Scribes via E-mail or RSS. Both options are found on the right side bar.

- “Like” Amway on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/Amway.

- “Like” She Scribes on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/SheScribes.

- Follow Amway on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/Amway.

- Follow She Scribes on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/She_Scribes) and tweet about this review/giveaway. Be sure to include @She_Scribes in the tweet so I may see it too. This is limited to three tweets per day.

- Blog about this review/giveaway and include a link back to this post. Please provide the URL of the post.

- Share this review/giveaway with others (Facebook, Digg, Technorati…). Be sure to tell me what you did and provide a name and/or URL so I can verify.

This giveaway is open to US residents and will end on January 10, 2012 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winners will be chosen at random using  a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winners will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply with a name and mailing address (no PO Box) or a new winner will be chosen.

Other awesome giveaways are found on the right side bar under “Win It”.

Kimberly

*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own. Amway will be providing the prize packages.

Are you scrambling for some last minute gift ideas? No worries! Head on over to your local drug store or grocery store and pick up a few of the P&G (Proctor and Gamble) gift sets – all under $10!

This year P&G is offering a nice assortment of gifts sets great for any lady on your holiday shopping list. They are also ideal for teens, teachers, Secret Santa and even Grandma. While you are at it you should stock up on some of the sets so you have great gifts ready to go year round.

Each set also include $7.00 in coupons.

SOME of this year’s offerings include:

Luscious Luxuries

Great gifts for the woman whose effortless elegance seems a birthright.

Olay Body Collections

- Luscious Embrace Bath Bars (2)

- Luscious Embrace Ribbons Body Wash (10 oz)

- Luscious Embrace Hand & Body Lotion (8.4 oz)

Moisture Therapy

Great gifts for the woman whose effortless elegance seems a birthright.

Olay Quench

- Body Wash (8.4 oz)

- In-Shower Body Lotion (8.4 oz)

- Lotion (8.4 oz)

- Secret Scent Expressions Ooh-La-La Lavender Body Splash (1 oz)

Luscious Indulgence

Great gifts for the woman whose effortless elegance seems a birthright.

Olay Body Collections

- Silk Whimsy Bath Bar

- Silk Whimsy Clear Body Wash (8.4 oz)

- Silk Whimsy Hand & Body Lotion (8.4 oz)

- Secret Fresh Effects Fresh Water Orchid Body Spray (1 oz)

There are several sets available. You can find more sets and their descriptions on the P&G Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PGUnitedWeBeautify?sk=app_129212500516706.

I have one of the sets, Luscious Luxuries. It’s really nice. If my someone gave this to me as a gift I would be very pleased. I absolutely LOVE the body wash and lotion. Not only does it smell amazing but they are both very rich and creamy. They seem more like something you would buy from a fancy ($$) department store, yet they are available at your local grocery or drug store for a nominal price.

The bar soap is really nice too. I haven’t used it that much yet. I tend to use body washes more so then soaps. But I have used the soap too. I like that is rinses clean. Thankfully it doesn’t leave a residue because that tends to try out my skin.

The set even game with a bath “puff” (for lack of a better description). My son says it looks like a snowball on a string. Ha Ha.

With so many different collections available (and all for under $10) it’s easy to find the perfect one for your teen, neighbor, best friend or even yourself.

To learn more please visit www.Facebook.com/PGUnitedWeBeautify. There you can find other great gift giving ideas, chat with others in the community and more. You can also visit www.PG.com for more information about P&G products.

Kimberly

*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.

Have you ever been to Times Square in New York City on New Year’s Eve? I went once. It was New Years Eve 95/96. It was freezing cold and very crowded, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I had an especially horrible year in 1995. A friend of mine name Jeffrey didn’t have a good year either. We were both single (I had recently broken up with my boyfriend of six years). Jeffrey had the idea of going to NYC on New Year’s Eve. I was all for it.

I got dressed up (Jeffrey requested that I get dressed up really nice). We took the train into the city and then a taxi cab to the Little Italy section of NYC. I had never been in a cab before, nor had I been to Little Italy.

Jeffrey took me to one of the most fanciest restaurants I had ever been to. He ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne too.

We had a multi-course meal at the restaurant. In between each course we were served things like lemon ice and some kind of Anise liquor to cleanse our pallets.

I was on “Cloud Nine”.

There were balloons all over the restaurant. As we were leaving the manager offered me a balloon to take with me. He also offered to take my picture in front of the restaurant with Jeffrey with Jeffrey’s camera. We gladly posed for a photo. Then the manager to Jeffrey to “kiss his girl” in another photo. I quickly spoke up and said we were “just friends”.

The whole kiss thing got me thinking. At the stroke of midnight you are suppose to kiss someone. Did that mean I had to kiss Jeffrey? Or was Jeffrey planning on kissing me? I had a feeling he might like me in more then a friend way. Was this romantic “date” just a set up for the New Year’s Eve kiss? Was he hoping that the kiss would turn our friendship into something more?

YIKES!

The rest of the night I dreaded the New Year’s Eve kiss. When the ball dropped and it was finally midnight Jeffrey leaned over to me and planted a gentle kiss on my cheek. What a relief that was! It’s not that I didn’t want to kiss Jeffrey, per say. I just didn’t have any romantic feelings for him.

Aside from stressing over the New Year’s Eve kiss, I had the time of my life. Jeffrey and I made a pact that if we were bot single come next New Year’s Eve we would go back to Times Square together to celebrate. He even reserved a room at the Times Square Marriott so that we could stay in the city that night rather then take the train ride back home.

New Years Eve 96/97 I DID get a special kiss, although that time it was from my HUSBAND. In February of that year I went on my first date with my husband. We eloped in October of that year. What a difference a year makes.

So who will YOU be kissing this year when the ball drops and the click strikes midnight?

Have you heard about the NIVEA’s New Year’s “Kiss of a Lifetime Contest”?  For this contest, NIVEA is in search of America’s most deserving couple to ring in the New Year with Bill & Guiliana Rancic on the NIVEA Kiss Stage in New York City’s Times Square!

The judges have already picked the five most deserving couples and now they need everyone to vote to send one of them to NYC as the winners of the contest.

They are all such sweet stories so it’ll be very hard to choose. Check out the contestants and here their special stories here,  http://bit.ly/NYENIVEAKissVote. The link takes you to the NIVEA Facebook page where you can listen to the contestants as well as read their stories. I checked it out and I can say that it’s hard to choose. I want them all to win!

The voting period ends on December 21, 2011.

In honor of this sweet contest NIVEA is having I have a special giveaway. TWO people will win an assortment of full size NIVEA Lip Care products. That way your lips will be ready for plenty of New Year’s Eve smooching. Thanks NIVEA.

To enter please comment on who you think you will be kissing at the stroke of midnight this year. Or, if you are single, who would you like to be kissing? If I wasn’t married, and Hugh Jackman wasn’t married, I wouldn’t mind smooching with him. LOL!

For extra entries you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each that you have done. Extra entries are optional.

- Visit the Kiss of a Lifetime Contest page and vote for one of the couples. Tell me the couple’s name that you voted for.

- Subscribe to She Scribes via E-mail or RSS. Both options are found on the right side bar.

- “Like” NIVEA on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/NIVEAUsa.

- “Like” She Scribes on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/SheScribes.

- Follow NIVEA on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/NIVEAUsa.

- Follow She Scribes on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/She_Scribes) and tweet about the NIVEA Kiss of a Lifetime Contest and/or this giveaway. Be sure to include @She_Scribes in the tweet so I may see it too. This is limited to three tweets per day.

- Blog about the NIVEA Kiss of a Lifetime Contest and/or this giveaway and include a link back to this post. Please provide the URL of the post.

- Share this giveaway with others (Facebook, Digg, Technorati…). Be sure to tell me what you did and provide a name and/or URL so I can verify.

This giveaway is open to US residents and will end on December 27, 2011 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winners will be chosen at random using  a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winners will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply with a name and mailing address (no PO Box) or a new winner will be chosen.

Other fun giveaways are found on the right side bar under “Win It”.

Kimberly

*I will be receiving a free sample prize package in exchange for this post. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own. NIVEA will be providing the prize packages.

I’m not one to go crazy when it comes to beauty products. I don’t necessarily run out and buy the “latest and greatest” products. I tend to stick with what I know works for me and my skin. However every not and then there is a product that comes along that looks interesting enough to try.

I recently saw Olay Pro X Advanced facial cleaner that really looked interesting to me. The Pro X is a hand held device that helps to scrub and buff your face clean.

The Pro X Advanced facial cleaner features a small rotating brush which you use to gently scrub your face clean. I have to admit that initially I was a bit reluctant to try it. I have sensitive skin and I worried that the bristles on the brush might aggravate my skin and instead of having fresh, clean skin I would have red, blotchy and sore skin.

Thankfully the Pro X Advance has two different speed levels. I started on the lowest setting and eventually moved up to the higher setting. There really isn’t much difference between the two.

To use the Pro X Advance you need to squirt a little bit of a cleanser on your skin or directly on the Pro X Advance tool. I put a little on the Pro X rather them my face. Next you turn the device on and set the speed. Then gently run the Pro X Advance all over your face, making sure not to miss the problem areas (T-zone).

After you have cleansed your face with the Pro X Advance simply rinse off the cleanser and then follow up with your favorite moisturizer or beauty product.

I use the Pro X Advance in the shower. Thankfully it’s waterproof. After I use it to wash my face I simply rinse my face clean under the water stream.

Make sure to rinse your Pro X Advance brush off very well and let it air dry so that it will be ready to go the next time you need it.

You can use the Pro X Advance as often as you like. You should at least use it a few times a week. I use mine once a day. I like to use it at night before going to bed.

I really like how my face feels after I use the Pro X Advance. It feels REALLY clean. I prefer how my skin feels after I use the Pro X Advance compared to my other cleansing routine. Now that I’ve used the Pro X I’m totally hooked on it and I can’t imagine not using it at least once a day to clean and exfoliate my skin.

The bristles on the brush do not aggravate my skin. However be careful of the rotating head around your hair. You hair can get caught up int it (I had that happen to me). It’s best to make sure you hair is pulled back to avoid that from happening.

I have never had a facial before so I’m not sure what they really feel like. The way my skin feels after I use the Pro X Advance from Olay makes me think that is what a facial must feel like.

I’m going to get two more units for my kids. Both of them suffer from acne. I’m hoping the Olay Pro X helps them to better clean their skin in hopes they will have fewer pimples.

The kit comes with a sample size cleanser/exfoliate, but you can use your own cleanser if you wish. Olay does sell cleansers made to go along with the Pro X Advance.

The kits are available at many retail locations. The list price is around $29.99 but you can find it for the low $20′s.

To learn more please visit www.Olay.com.

Check it out on Amazon. It has A LOT of great reviews on there too.

Kimberly

*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.