Review: Scent Trunk Women's Box

I wish I could start off by telling you how excited I was while waiting for my Scent Trunk box to arrive so I could review it for y'all, but truth be told I ended up with this assignment on accident. Scent Trunk does two versions of their fragrance subscription boxes - for men and for women. We had two reviewers set up to review Scent Trunk, one man and one woman.

Our male reviewer, who happens to be my husband, was sent a woman’s box, while our female reviewer, Chelsea, received nothing. After I spoke with the company about what had happened, they attempted to fix this problem, however only sent another female box to my husband, Daniel. Realizing it was just going to be too much trouble to ask them to send out any more boxes for review, I opted to take over the women's box since it was already in my home. At this time, we are still awaiting the arrival of Daniel’s male box.

I have to start off by admitting I am not a perfume wearer on regular occasion. Back in the day I use to wear body sprays often, but once I had nursing babies I didn’t like the idea of them any longer. That being said, and in spite of our delivery miscommunication, I still think this is a pretty great subscription service!

Scent Trunk sends three fragrances to your mailbox each month, allowing you to try a variety from top of the niche indie market to small batch companies. Their goal is to get you away form the big names so everyone isn’t wearing the same few scents. I really love that idea.

As a customer, you get to fill out a unique profile on their site, so Scent Trunk can get a good idea of your personal preferences. This allows them to curate a box specifically geared to your tastes.

For this review, as the originally assigned reviewer, Chelsea did fill out a profile. We are still unclear on whether or not the boxes that arrived to my house were based on that profile, or selected at random.

In the box I received was three very different small sample bottles in a black velvety drawstring pouch, a cardstock description of each, and four tester strips.

The first perfume I tried was called Interlude Woman by AMOUAGE. Flipping the card over, I got to know it a little bit more.

I loved that they show you on the card what the full size bottles look like.

The fragrance had a very citrusy, fruity smell right off the bat. As the day went on it dulled to a more sweet and floral scent which I enjoyed. It lasted just about all day.

This was probably the most grown up and ladylike of the three I got to try. I would wear again, especially for an evening out. I notice the bottom of my card for this one stated “PRICE: 384 CAD”

My first thought is sheesh that’s some expensive perfume! My second thought is.. why don’t the other two cards give me price points?!

The next one I tried, I honestly didn’t even want to put on. For the sake of review, I did of course. It was called Elegance Sombre by PERFUMES BY TERRI, and is not currently available for sale by Scent Trunk.

The bottle looks to be a more inexpensive homegrown business. It didn’t come off as less professional than the first.  But that wasn't what made me leery - removing the cap, its immediately smelled just as the card described and I feared. I smelled the hint of vanilla and orange, but overpoweringly I picked up my most hated smell—black licorice.

I was very pleased that this one only lasted a few hours. I will not be wearing this one again. I know this is some peoples cup of tea, in fact my husband was quite the fan, but a big hard pass from this lady. I’m blaming this one on something Chelsea said in her profile quiz.

I somehow managed to accidently save the best for last. It came in a bright hot pink sample bottle, which actually made me think I wouldn’t be a fan, go figure. This last sample was called Lady Cool by Dueto Parfums.

I noticed right away it didn’t have a cap covering the spray nozzle, and that bothered me for some reason. but it meant I could smell it before spraying and I was very intrigued. I thought it smelled nice and fruity, with gentle intoxicating earthy notes underneath. I LOVE the smell of sandalwood.

I put this one on in the morning and stopped noticing it probably around 4pm or so. I would wear this again, and I have a few times. I liked finding this one in my box!

I thought the three samples were all very different from each other and I really appreciated that about the box. I realize a customer who fills out a scent profile may not have the same diversity within their own box, but at least it’ll be in tune with what you may wear. I also really loved all the information the cards gave for each one.

I even had to look up what SILLAGE means. For anyone else who doesn’t know, it’s the trail of scent left in a room after you leave it. Good to know…

It was really hard to find their price points for a subscription box on their website. So much so, that I never did. Luckily their Facebook page has it on the banner.

A box of unique scents could be yours for just $18 a month!

I think that is a very fair price, especially when I clicked on the SHOP tab on their website. Browsing there, I discovered you can purchase the full size bottles of anything they send. Some were priced as low as $18, however many resided in the “over $400” gated community, and everywhere in between.

www.facebook.com/scenttrunk
www.scenttrunk.com

Review: Mother's Nature Aromatherapy

I am forever looking for natural alternatives to everyday problems. I use baking soda and vinegar to clean, make my own laundry detergent, cloth diaper my children, and turn to essential oils for many of my problems. This makes the Mother's Nature Store just about perfect for me.

The Mother's Nature Store carries easy to use natural remedies for everyday ailments. Each balm, oil, or soap is handmade by a certified aromatherapist and herbalist. In the store, you can find aromatherapy and complexion balms for a variety of purposes from zit zapping to stress relief, aromatherapy soaps, beard oils, and even consultation sessions.

Laina, the store's founder, initially started her explorations in aromatherapy and herbology after her third child was born with numerous health issues, requiring lots of medication.

Knowing how well natural remedies helped her third child, Laina continued her studies in herbology and aromatherapy to help with a difficult pregnancy with her fifth child.

Mother'sNature Store is the place where she can share her knowledge and skills with others who are interested in natural remedies.

I was able to try out her Headache Helper Aromatherapy Balm. This balm is a blend of rosemary, peppermint, lavender, and lemon essential oils in a coconut oil and beeswax base. This blend is what is listed on the back of my tin, though it seems to have been recently reblended, as on the website it says that the balm's blend is one of rosemary, peppermint, lavender, and clary sage in beeswax and organic coconut oil. It comes in a 2 oz tin that fits neatly in the palm of my hand and retails for $10.00.

Upon opening the tin, I smelled the very soothing herbal blend. I'm very fond of it, and honestly will occasionally just open the tin and take a good sniff because it smells so good! Even the Mr and Mischief seem to like it.

The texture is very smooth, with absolutely zero graininess, and it melts beautifully in your hands.

The website says to rub it in your forehead, back of the neck, pulse points, and tip of the nose, though I usually just rub it into my temples and the back of my neck. The balm and the process of rubbing it in really does help to relieve a headache if I catch it in the beginnings.

Once it has turned into a raging headache, though, not much besides sleep and time seems to help, though the balm does help calm me and gets me in a state better for sleep.

I've even used it on Mischief. One night when he just couldn't sleep, I rubbed it into his shoulders and back while he drank a cup of warm cinnamon milk and soon he was out like a light.

I've also used it after a tantrum (on both of us!) and it seems to help us get back to normal a bit quicker. This little tin now has a home in my purse, so I always have it, no matter when or where I may be!

A 2 oz. tin of the Headache Helper Balm can be purchased on Mother's Nature Website for $10.00. Once this tin runs out, I know I'm going to be ordering a replacement, as the Headache Helper Balm has most definitely proven itself very useful. I've even got my eye on a few of the other balms and soaps; I think that a lot of them will be helpful! I look forward to using more of Mother's Nature Store's products!

Mother's Nature on Facebook

Mother's Nature Website

Review/Giveaway: Candle Charms

“This is definitely the coolest thing you’ve gotten to review,” my boyfriend said, as I opened up the package containing a large, handmade green candle on the dining room table. Anita at Candle Charms makes her “candle charms” by hand, using herbs, essential oils, and quartz crystal aligned to the purpose of the charm.

This particular candle contained herbs and oils dedicated to Anu, the Celtic mother goddess of abundance. The scent filled up the entire room.

“Candle Charms” aren’t just your everyday candle to scent your home; they’re designed with a purpose in mind. Each candle is created with the intention of bringing beneficial energies into your home.

The slip included with the candle reads:

“Call upon this Goddess when you need to be ‘fed’ and when you need to tap into the primal energies behind and within everything. By reconnecting with Her, you will be able to experience the abundance of life and its inner vitality. 

As a Triple Goddess, in her form as Danu, She is also a goddess of movement, tides, and process – the flux and flow of existence – all that is connected with water for human beings (survival, refreshment, and pleasure). 

In Her form as Tailtiu, She is the goddess of vigor, strength, and endurance. 

As the goddess who returned to the body of the Earth, She is the connection with the land, its manifestation and protector.”

I certainly felt like I needed to be “fed”. This last year has been tough financially.

We had an unexpected loss of income of the sudden unemployment variety.  We had just bought a house, and unemployment benefits aren’t much more than a pittance. Bills began to stack up. I had recently gotten a new job, but the coffers had to be restored to their former glory (har, har).

So my Anu candle would be used for bringing financial wealth and abundance into my home.

I am a Neopagan Druid, and the Celtic pantheon is my “hearth culture”, which means this sort of thing is right in my wheelhouse. I dressed my home altar in green and set the candle in the middle on a nice glass plate.  

I had done a tarot reading to sort of direct me where to go in all of this, in which the first card was the Magician, the second was the Eight of Pentacles, and the third was the Three of Cups. This means if I direct my Will (and literally in this case, through magick) and work diligently, I will achieve results.

Seems like kind of a no-brainer, but when it pops up in a reading right in front of your face, it’s encouraging. I laid the spread out in front of the candle and left it there.

Every day, from the Full Moon in February until the Full Moon in March, I lit the candle and said a variation of the prayer that came on the wrapper while lighting the candle:

“Anu, Celtic Mother of the Gods, Goddess of Sustenance, Nurture, and Abundance — help me bring success and prosperity into my life. So be it!”

 I didn’t want to get too specific because I didn’t want to put limits on how it would manifest in my life.

After making up a little budget, I realized that my situation isn’t as soul crushing and hopeless as I had originally thought.  I began to notice little things right away; opportunities to pick up extra shifts at work, bills being considerably cheaper than originally anticipated, finding money I didn’t know I had, and little windfalls here and there.

It managed to spill over into my boyfriend’s life—he won a decent chunk of change in a little lottery game they had at his work’s belated holiday party.

I had also received a couple of small bonus candles—one for Cerridwen and one for Morrighan. I’ll have to think about how I’m going to use these later, but of course, they smell lovely.

A variety of Candle Charms are available, including intention candles (used for completing goals or drawing things to yourself), spiritual candles (dedicated to gods and goddesses, saints, or angels), totem candles (dedicated to animal totems), and personalized wedding candles. All are handmade to order with eco-friendly palm wax, fragrance and essential oils, and herbs. If you have sensitivities to certain scents or herbs, just ask and Anita will be happy to accommodate you. 

Visit CandleCharms on Etsy and see what she has to offer for you!

Candle Charms is giving away one candle of the winner's choice!  The value is variable depending on the candle chosen and would not include sets or custom candles.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in this entry as instructed by the Rafflecopter, then leave the name you commented under and your email in the box in the Rafflecopter entry. (This allows us to contact you if you win!)  This will open up additional optional entries to increase your odds of winning.

This giveaway is open to US RESIDENTS ONLY
and will end just before midnight ET on 3-27-15. 

The winner will be notified by email within 24 hours after the end of the giveaway.  In order to claim the giveaway prize, the winner will need to respond within 24 hours of notification, or an alternate winner will be selected.

Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Review: OM Potions, Lotions and Balms

I've become quite smitten with the use of essential oils lately. Mostly because I love the smell, but also for their medicinal properties. When the opportunity came up for me to conduct another essential oil based review, I was very excited!

OM Potions, Lotions and Balms is a fledgling company, founded in January of 2013 by Danielle Seering. Danielle only uses essential oils to add fragrance to her products and never uses artificial scents.

The product I was given the opportunity to review is called "It's All In Your Head". Its a blend of oils designed to relieve headaches. I love the catchy name.

"It's All In Your Head" contains oil of peppermint, marjoram and bay leaf blended in a grapeseed oil base. The bottle I received retails for $4.50 and contains one dram of oil. Shipping is $3.50 if you order from her Etsy Store. The fragrance is very mild and peppermint definitely takes the lead.

I suffer from occasional migraines, so I was very anxious to give this a try. Fortunately (hah!), my body responded within days of my receiving the oil with a migraine of epic proportions. I used the oil as directed, which is to rub gently into your temples at the onset of the headache. I believe this migraine also stemmed from neck tension, so I used a bit of it to give myself a neck massage.

Then I went to lie down in a dark room and wait for the magic to happen. Unfortunately, there was no magic. I think my migraine was just more than the oil could handle. The one thing I did notice is that I didn't get nauseous like I normally do with migraines and I'm going to give the credit to the peppermint oil there. I think that, if the essential oils were a little stronger in the blend, I may have had better results.

Overall, I was not displeased with the product and I've used it a few times when I feel a slight headache creeping up. The grapeseed oil makes it a very nice base for massage and I'm looking forward to having my hubby give me a nice shoulder rub with it. . . we'll see if that ever happens.

Meanwhile, OM Potions, Lotions and Balms has several other intriguing products to try, ranging from a soothing muscle and bruise balm, to a selection of skincare products, and even some household cleaning products, all made with natural ingredients and essential oils, all for very reasonable prices - I hope you'll check them out!.

You can find OM Potions, Lotions and Balms on Etsy, on Facebook and on Tumblr.

Shared with:
~ Anything Goes, Freedom Friday.
~ Link Party Palooza, No Rules Weekend, Serenity Saturday, Super Saturday, Weekend Re-Treat, My Favorite Things Saturday.
~ Mostly Homemade Mondays, Thank Goodness It's Monday.  
~ You're Gonna Love It Tuesday. 
~ Cast Party Wednesday, Pretty Wednesday, Wake Up Wednesday, Whimsy Wednesday, Works For Me Wednesday.
~ Fabulously Frugal Thursday, It's a Party, Thrifty Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things.   

Giveaway: DoTERRA Essential Oil (US) ends 5/26

If you haven't had a chance to read our review on the amazing health benefits of essential oils from DōTERRA Oils by Gina Lillie , click on over there now and check it out! Gina is offering a 5ml bottle of dōTERRA Deep Blue Essential Oil for this generous giveaway.

Deep Blue is designed to relieve pain, reduce inflamation and repair cellular damage using a unique blend of oils including wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, blue tansy, blue chamomile, helichrysum and osmanthus.

Please be sure to read our DōTERRA Oils by Gina Lillie review and also check out Gina's Facebook page to get more information on the wonderful things you can create using your dōTERRA essential oils.

This giveaway is for US residents only, and will be active from May 12 until just before midnight on May 26, and is worth approximately $42.00.  Good luck, everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shared with:
~ Katherine's Corner Monthly Giveaway List, Sweeps4Bloggrs Daily Giveaway List.
~ Contesting Monday, Linky Your Giveaways, Monday Giveaway Linkup, Monday Giveaway Linky, Monday Madness, Monday Morning Link Up, Plenty of Sweeps, Posh on a Budget Giveaway Listing, Tales of Mommyhood Monday Madness, Weekly Giveaway Linky, Winning Rocks!. 
~ Apron Full of Giveaways, Bless Their Little Giveaways, Fortune Follies Tuesday, Giveaway Linky By Country, Got Giveaways?, Handmade Giveaways, Link Up Your Giveaways, Terrific Tuesday, Treasure Hunt Tuesday, Tuesday Giveaway Link Up, Tuesday Giveaway Linky, WIN at the Weekly, Why Buy It?.
~ Cha Ching Queen Blog Giveaways, Happy WINSday, Moms Win on Wednesdays, Pretty Wednesday, Wake Up Wednesday, Want to Win Wednesday,  Wednesday Whatsits, What's It Wednesday, Whimsy Wednesday, Win It Wednesdays, Winning Wednesdays, Whispered Inspirations Winning Wednesday, Winning WOW Wednesdays.   
~ Fabulously Frugal Thursday, Give It Away Thursday, Giveaways Galore, Great Thursday Giveaway Linky, It's a Party, Lilac's Linky, Linky Love, Someday Crafts Giveaway Directory, Thrifty Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Thursday Giveaway Linky, Thursday Tell All, Thursday Treasures, Thursday's Giveaway Linky.   
~ Anything Goes, Blog Giveaway Roundup, Fantastic Friday, Freebie Friday, Freedom Fridays, Friday Fun Sweeps, Friday Giveaway Link Up, Hen's Friday, Linky For All Giveaways, Round 'Em Up Friday, Sonya's Weekend Giveaway Linky, {TGIF} Friday Fun, Windy Pinwheel.   
~ Blog Giveaways I Want to Win, My Favorite Things Saturday, Super Saturday, Sweeping Saturday, Sweepstakes Saturday.
~ Giveaways Galore, Living Montessori Now Giveaway Linky, Sunday Linky Edition, Sunday Stroll.
~ Aquariann's Giveaway Linky of Treasure, Bacon Time Giveaway Linky, Blog Giveaways Directory, Chic Monkey Giveaway Linky, ChicNSavvy Ongoing Linky, Cuckoo For Coupons, FabFit40s Ongoing Giveaway Linky, A Parent's Perspective, Your Golden Ticket, Ongoing Giveaway Linky, Rafflecopter Giveaway Linky List, Rafflecopter Only Giveaway Linky, Raindrops & Sunshine, The Steady Hand Rafflecopter Giveaway Linky, Sweeps Factory Giveaway Linky, WAHM Resource Site Giveaway Linky.                
       

            
 

Review: DōTERRA Oils by Gina Lillie

My dear friend, Gina Lille is a product consultant for doTERRA oils and has really opened my eyes to the health benefits you can receive from high quality essential oils. When it comes to quality, it doesn't get better than doTERRA. doTERRA oils are only available from independent distributors and are designed to appeal to both the expert and novice.

Their product descriptions are very clear so you have a good understanding of what you will be receiving. High quality essential oils will be pricey, but cheap oils are just that: cheap. There are a lot of factors that come into play when determining quality and many things can impact it, such as harvesting, distillation, manufacture, distribution, and storage.

doTERRA is committed to providing the highest quality possible and has this to say in their mission statement:

We at dōTERRA are committed to sharing the life-enhancing benefits of therapeutic-grade essential oils and essential oil enhanced wellness products with the world. We will do this by:

• Discovering and developing the world's highest-quality therapeutic-grade essential oil products through a leveraged network of highly-educated and experienced botanists, chemists, health scientists, and health care professionals.

• Producing our essential oil products to the highest standard of quality, purity, and safety used in the industry—Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade™.

• Distributing our products through Independent Product Consultants who, working from home, introduce, educate, and sell dōTERRA™ wellness products locally through person-to-person contact and globally through personalized web shopping sites.

• Providing educational opportunities for all people interested in learning how therapeutic-grade essential oils can be used as a self-care wellness alternative.

• Bringing together health care professionals of traditional and alternative medicine to encourage further study and application of therapeutic-grade essential oils in modern health care practices. 

For those of you completely unfamiliar with essential oils, let me explain a few of the ways they can be used.

~ As an aromatheraputic application, you can place the oils in some sort of diffuser or burner. I use a small ceramic diffuser that has a spot for a tea candle and a basin above that in which the oils go. You place several drops of oil in the basin and light the candle underneath. The heat from the candle activates and warms the oils so the fragrance fills the air. There are also diffusers that work like vaporizers. I have no personal experience with those. 

~ You can use many oils topically as you would a perfume or a massage oil. Not all oils are safe for topical application and most need to be blended with a carrier oil such as grapeseed or fractionated coconut oil. The essential oil should clearly state on the bottle the ways in which you may use it.

~ Many oils can be used internally and have a surprising array of health benefits. Make sure you read the label before you take any essential oil internally!

For my review, I received 3 full sized bottles of their blended oils. I chose Balance, Serenity and Citrus Bliss.

Balance is a blend of spruce, rosewood, frankincense, and blue tansy and has a very earthy smell. It helps calm anxiety and "promote a sense of calm and well-being." I suffer from anxiety issues and this blend definitely helps me feel more calm and focused. 

Serenity is a blend of lavender, sweet marjoram, roman chamomile, ylang ylang, sandalwood and vanilla bean and has a sensual, sweet but not overpowering fragrance. It helps promote relaxation, as the name implies.

Citrus Bliss is a blend of wild orange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, tangerine, and clementine with a hint of vanilla. It has a very bright, clean smell and is my favorite of the three. Citrus has been known to improve mood and reduce stress. I like to blend this with my Balance oil in the diffuser. The two combined have actually stopped a migraine headache for me.

I also received sample bottles of Clary Calm, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon Grass, Peppermint and Purify oils. Clary Calm is my favorite of those. I blended it with lavender and placed it in my diffuser to help my four year old sleep at night. It works wonderfully.


I've had lots of fun looking up recipes for things to make with my oils. I've already used the Citrus Bliss blended with vinegar and water to make an all purpose cleaner for around the house. It works great on glass and surprisingly well for removing stains from the carpet.


Citrus Bliss All-Purpose Cleaner

1 cup vinegar
2 cups water
20 drops doTerra Citrus Bliss Essential Oil Blend.

Mix together in a spray bottle and shake vigorously before using.

~~~

The next thing I plan to make is a room spray using the Serenity oil and also, a face scrub with the Balance oil. Look for future "How-tos" from me, featuring essential oil blended products.

There are so many blends and single oils that I can't wait to try. If you have any questions about essential oils, Gina is the expert to contact! She has been so helpful to me and very prompt in finding answers to questions I've had along the way.

You can order doTERRA Oils at DoTerra by Gina Lillie And you can also find more great information, including recipes at Gina's DoTerra Facebook Page.

 
Shared with:
~ Allergy Free Wednesday, Cast Party Wednesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Down Home Blog Hop, Fluster's Creative Muster, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Homemaking Link Up, Homemaking Party, Inspiration Board, Lovely Ladies Linky, Mommy Club, Oil Me Up Wednesday, Party On the Porch, Pretty Wednesday, Show + Tell, Wake Up Wednesday, We Did It Wednesday, Wednesday Roundup, Wednesday Whatsits, Wellness Wednesday, What We Accomplished, What's It Wednesday, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Whimsy Wednesday, Wicked Awesome Wednesday, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Wonderfully Creative Wednesday, Work It Wednesday, Works For Me Wednesday, Wow Me Wednesday, Wow Us Wednesday, Your Whims Wednesday.
~ All Things Thursday, Fabulously Frugal Thursday, Home & Garden Thursday, Home Sweet Home, HomeAcre Hop, It's a Party, Moonlight & Mason Jars, Showcase Your Talent, Simple Lives Thursday, Thrifty Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Time Travel Thursday, Toddler & Preschooler Moms. 
~ Anything Goes, BFF Open House, Dare to Share, Farm Girl Friday, Flaunt It Friday, Friday Link Party, Kitchen Fun & Crafty Party, Let's Get Real Friday, Old Fashioned Friday, Party Bunch, Pinworthy Projects, Show and Tell Friday, Weekend Re-Treat Party.
~ Get Schooled Saturday, Link Party Palooza, No Rules Weekend, Say G'Day Saturday, Serenity Saturday, Show & Tell Saturday, Show Stopper Saturday, Simply Natural Saturday, Super Saturday, Welcome to Saturday.
~ Creative Collection, DIY Sunday Showcase, Happiness is Homemade, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Our Sunday Best, Share Your Creativity, Silver Pennies Sunday, Submarine Sunday, Sunday Funday, Think Pink Sunday. 
~ A Round Tuit, Block Party, Busy Monday, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Craftastic Monday, Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop, Gathering Spot, Homemade Monday, Homestead Barn Hop, In and Out of the Kitchen, Inspiration Monday, Mad Skills Party, Making Your Home Sing Monday, Marvelous Mondays, Masterpiece Monday, Mix It Up Monday, Monday Funday, Mostly Homemade Monday, Much Ado About Monday, Sweet Sharing Monday, Thank Goodness It's Monday, Tutorial & Tips Link Party.
~ Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, Backyard Farming Connection, Be Inspired, Brag About It, Create Link Inspire, Do Tell Tuesday, Good Tips Tuesday, Growing Homemakers, Handmade Tuesdays, Healthy Tuesdays, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, One Project at a Time, The Scoop, Share It Link Party, Share Your Stuff Tuesday, Time to Sparkle, Too Cute Tuesday, Totally Talented Tuesday, Treasure Box Tuesday, Turn It Up Tuesday, Tutorial Tuesday, Two Cup Tuesday.