Eco Emi Box - December 2014 - Full review

Hi friends,

Even though I just went through a drastic declutter of my cosmetics and skin care products (you can watch it here), I am continuing both my Eco Emi and my Ipsy Glam Bag subscriptions. I find both to be providing me enough new items, on a monthly basis, to try and satisfy my need for variety. Eco Emi in particular, is one of my favorite boxes to receive monthly. While the company had a few months in 2014 were the boxes were lame at best, I am truly glad I stuck with the program. The past 6 have been phenomenal and December 2014 truly was a treat.

Eco Emi  - December 2014

Eco Emi, which is normally $15 per month, is now offering different types of boxes which you may check out on their website, they also have one time box purchase option a well as a Deluxe box with full size items only. In other words, the company, which focuses on eco friendly and cruelty free products, is expanding, and THAT is a good thing!

Check out other boxes by Eco Emi

Here is my featured video for the December 2014 box, you may want to check it out prior to reading my full review of all the products I received:




1.  Element - Strawberry and Cream Rice Cake - $32 / 16 packs (2 rice cake per pack)

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"Strawberries'n'Cream-coated rice cakes are made with Italian fresh fruit and vegetable concentrate, natural vanilla and non-GMO Italian rice. Crunch happy knowing that your gluten-free treat is naturally nurturing. No GMOs, no hydrogenated or trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup, no yeast, no preservatives." (Quoted from Element Website).

I love anything strawberry and was pretty psyched about receiving this sample. These rice cakes are covered with a strawberry and cream frosting, leaving the rice cake blah behind. They are actually low in calorie, making them a good snack alternative for those of us struggling with snack attacks. I thought they were pretty good, the frosting giving it enough BAM to make it not feel like a diet food. Elements provides other flavors such as chocolate or vanilla, in case Strawberry is not your thing. I was pleased with this sample. I am usually underwhelmed with food items provided in my Eco Emi box, but this one was good. My only con: the rice cakes are produced in Italy and I would have liked for the company to be supporting American farming. They are also a tad expensive at $1 per rice cake!  B+.

2. Bakery on Main - Blueberry Scone Instant Oatmeal - $5.99 / 6 packs

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 "Satisfy your craving for a coffee house scone with a savory bowl of our Blueberry Scone Instant Oatmeal. This breakfast treat won't let you down with pieces of real blueberries, chia and flax meal and our favorite ancient grains, Amaranth and Quinoa. " (Quoted from Bakery on Main website).

 Blueberry scones (or any type of scones for that matter) are some of my favorite treats when I visit my local bookstore. Here is another food item I was very excited to try. First, and unlike the Element rice cake mentioned above, these assorted instant oatmeals ( a total of 6 distinctive flavors) are produced and packaged here in the US! This is a Mom & Pop business that has been growing out of awareness of Celiac disease and now producing all gluten free cereals. I found this oatmeal to be easy to prepare with hot water and a few seconds in the microwave. It came out thick and very filling. The flavor I received (Blueberry Scone) was also very good, not overpowering like other flavored oatmeals, it lingered for a while and smelled delicious. This is another good snack alternative for the diet conscious. Really liked this. A.

3. Snack Out Loud - Jalapeno Beans- $15.99 / 8 packs

"Snack Out Loud is a deliciously crunchy snack that is full of flavor, fun to eat, and made with simple, all natural ingredients. Similar in shape and texture to roasted nuts, our crunchy beans are an excellent source of protein and fiber, plus they are also a natural source of vitamins and minerals." (Quoted from Amazon retailer).

This was an interesting thing to try. I am not a big fan of nuts as a snack, I never found them to be particularly filling. These were very dry and brittle unlike peanuts for instance. The flavor I received (Jalapeno) was a bit too spicy for my taste but my husband enjoyed them. They would not be my first choice and so I thought they were just okay. They are also pricey for what they are. B-.

 

4. Kelapo - Virgin Coconut Oil - $7.99 / 10 packets

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"Harvested from exclusive coconut palms in Sri Lanka, this 100% organic, trans fat free oil can be used as an all-natural, flavorful, and energy packed, butter alternative." (Quoted from kelapo website).

 Kelapo is the only brand of coconut oil I use. I am therefore very familiar with this product. Having been using a huge jar for the past year, I was unaware the company was also providing this miracle oil in single packs. It makes it very convenient for travel. I do not use Kelapo Coconut Oil for cooking, instead, I use it as a skin care and in particular face cream. Coconut oil is very moisturizing and does wonders on wrinkles. I always said that if given the choice of using only one product on my face, I would use coconut oil. I find that it not only moisturizes, it also evens out my skin tone and never leaves my face with a greasy residue. This is an outstanding product and one I strongly recommend. A+.

4. Shea Radiance - Moisturizing Hair Milk - $16/ 8 oz

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"Get easy comb-outs,responsive curls and love-to-touch conditioned hair. Our Moisturizing Hair Milk is nothing like you have ever tried before. This light and weightless spritz conditioner softens, detangles and eliminates frizz. It leaves curls soft and smooth, just the way you like it." (Quoted from Shea Radiance website).

 If you have watched my open box video, you know how excited I was about receiving this product. One of my very first Eco Emi box (back in 2013) contained a Shea Radiance Hair milk which I fell in love with and ultimately led me to purchase a full size bottle.  I loved everything about the product, from the smell ( a tad exotic) to the results (a complete control of my otherwise out of control frizzy hair). When I opened this December box, I had expressed concerned that the company may have changed the formula. I certainly did not recognize the bottle. The scent, though at first appeared to be the same, has been changed too. This one is more of a citrus scent as opposed to the deep nut and shea butter scent of the original. While it did provide good control over my frizz, I did not feel this version of Shea Radiance was as good as the original one I had received. In other words, I was disappointed. I am not sure why the company chose to change a perfectly good product and while I gave it an A+ in my original review back in the days, this one is only receiving a B+. I will not re purchase it as it is not the same.


5. Ocean Elements - Sheer Daily Moisture Spf 30 Moisturizer -   $48 / 3 oz

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"Keep your skin hydrated and protected every day with this gentle, effective marine-based moisturizer with SPF 30 that looks and feels great. Formulated for sensitive skin, Ocean Elements reduces damage from daily sun exposure while nourishing your skin with a host of natural moisturizers, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. The smooth, matte finish is perfect alone or under makeup." (Quoted from Ocean Elements Website)

I do not know what it is with me and SPF moisturizers, I simply do not care for them. I really wanted this one to work since it claims to be mattifying. I did not like the formula, I felt that it was not absorbing well for my combination skin and continued to feel the cream on top of my skin throughout the day. Maybe it is psycho somatic, I am not sure, but really did not care for this. That being said, if you like this type of product, I liked the scent, which is very faint as well as the fact it is loaded with marine elements. I am just not sure how much of these actually get absorbed through your skin in time prior to being washed away at the sink. C+.

6. Mineral Hygienics - Mineral Blush in Promenade Pink - $18/ jar

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"A sheer blush that is also a crowd favorite. A light to medium shade. Promenade Pink is a delicate blush for that can provide the perfect look." (Quoted from Mineral Hygienics website).

Here is another example as to why you cannot judge a book by its cover. I first was very put off by the brand's name. When I think "hygienic", I am thinking intimate hygiene and other cleanliness related products. I surely would not associate the name with makeup. However, I received this full sized product and instantly fell in love with it. The formula, a powder mineral blush, comes in a jar that has a sifter (think BareMinerals as it is very similar). The color, Promenade pink is that perfect pink hue to give your cheeks a baby flush that is not only feminine but goes very well with  fair skin tones. I have been reaching out for this blush every day since receiving it! So now, I am intrigued and want to try other products within the brand, including other blush shades and eye shadows (this one in particular). Forgot to mention, these are Made in the USA! A+.

7. BWC (Beauty Without Cruelty) AHA Facial Cleanser -  $11.95 / 8.5 oz

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"AHA Facial Cleanser is a lightly-foaming, soap-free cleanser that removes
dead surface skin cells, daily impurities, and excess oil without over-cleaning
your skin. Natures own alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) gently and
deeply clean and actively clarify your skin without disturbing its natural
balance. Pure premium Oshadi aroma-therapeutic essential oils tone, condition,
and calm-leaving your skin clean, clear, and refreshed." (Quoted from BWC website).

 I like BWC as a brand. I remember receiving a shampoo and conditioner combo from Eco Emi a while back, and thought these were good products. Unfortunately for me, they are not readily available in my area, I think that Whole Food Market is the only store that carries that brand where I live and do not go there often enough for me to make a mental note of purchasing an item from them  or looking at the other ranges. That being said, I was very pleased with this product. My first interest was as to whether it would work well with my Mia 2 cleansing brush, and it did. It does not foam so much that your brush is creating suds all over your face. I felt that it removed my makeup well and did not sting my eyes. The deluxe/travel size I received was also good enough to last me an entire week and therefore plenty time to truly experience the product. It is non drying and smells pleasant enough. It is a good product but I cannot say I would rush to purchase this for my daily routine, it is not the holy grail of face cleansers and I only wish it would come as a cream formula rather than a clear gel, it's just a personal preference of mine. B+.

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So there you have it, an excellent box indeed, it is rare that I provide high ratings for so many items received in one box.I really love my Eco Emi subscription and as mentioned at the beginning of this blog, I am very glad that I stuck with the subscription and did not cancel when the boxes were becoming lame this time last year! Thank you Eco Emi team for yet another great box!

Thank you so much for reading my blog and watching my YouTube videos! Share the love!

Sophia, NJ


Connect with me:

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TWITTER

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Want to send me a product for review? Have a product request?

Mailing address:

My Great Challenge
PO Box 402
519 Pompton Avenue
CEDAR GROVE, NJ 07009-9998



This blog contains affiliate advertising, this is how I support my blog and YouTube Channel.  I was not solicited to advertise for the products mentioned above, all opinions are my own. 

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Too Faced - New Chocolate Bar (#2) is here!

Ipsy Glam Bag - December 2014 - Full Review

Hi friends,

Ipsy never ceases to amaze me with the selection they send my way every month. For $10 (shipping included) you simply cannot beat this sample subscription. I say it all the time, it is like Christmas, each and every month, opening a new bag and discovering new brands and products I did not even know existed and the December bag was no exception.
You can begin your own subscription by clicking the link provided here. Further, when you are an Ipsy subscriber, you will earn points through reviews, which allow you to customize your monthly bag even further in addition to earning points when other new subscribers get their own bag through your links...points = new products you can redeem for free on the Ipsy site. It truly is a great program.

Here is the bag I received for December 2014:

Ipsy Glam Bag - December 2014

It was loaded with a wide selection of hair, face and makeup samples, so let's dive right into the review, which I keep as objective as possible.

You may want to check out the opening box video first:

 


1. Pixi - Fairy Dust by Petra - $10

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"Elevate & transform your eye in a few fairy seconds with this glimmering dust. Loose pigments add a lit-up high shine finish to lids, reminding you what wishes are truly made of!" (Quoted from Ipsy Website)

This is a negative - I am sorry, this stuff sucks. And it seems that, so far, no Pixi product has been able to win me over. 
For start, I absolutely hate the packaging. It comes as a wand in a tube type powder which I find to be incredibly wasteful both with regards to the powder that falls all over the place as well as the powder left in the container which you will never be able to reach with the wand, ever! I am not sure what Pixi is thinking with regards to their packaging but seriously, someone needs to get re-assigned to a different department.
Then there is the color. This is supposed to be an eye brightener and sparkle mac-thingy. First, there is no sparkle, I am not sure how you can call something "Pixie Dust" and have not a hint of glitter in it. Second, this is not brightening at all, in fact, and on my fair skin, it gave me the look of tired, depressed and just plain beat up by life in general look. The color I received is called Bare - Medium Beige. It is a terrible muddy yellow color that dreams to be a beige. It is not. Terrible product. It's making it to the Hall of Shame by my book. F. 


2. NYX Butter - Lip Balm - $4

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"Dip your lips in a sheer wash of color with NYX Butter Lip Balm. One swipe leaves dry lips feeling supple and hydrated." (Quoted from Ipsy Website)

 Completely fell in love with this lip balm! The formula is wonderful, not too waxy, glides on nice, it is moisturizing without being gooey, smells great ( a mix of vanilla and honey). The color I received (Parfait) is a beautiful fuchsia with a blue undertone which is sure to correct the look of yellow teeth. It is very similar to the CoverGirl Lipslicks Smoochies in Selfie . It also has good color pay off for a tinted lip balm and stays on for a while. Maybe three applications per day at best. Love it and super cheap. I am recommending this product if you are in the market for a tinted lip balm. A+.
Here are the other available colors:

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 3. Tarte - Light - Camera - Lashes Masacara - $20

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"Like a pushup bra for your lashes, tarte’s best-selling mascara lengthens, curls, volumizes and conditions to deliver a 330% increase in lash volume instantly. The high-performance formula is also infused with naturally-derived olive esters to help nourish and protect lashes." (Quoted from Ipsy Website)

I am still working with this mascara, overall I think I like it. It is a bit too wet for me as far as the formula is concerned so I need to take my time when applying it otherwise the stuff gets all over my eyelids. That being said, I like the brush, it is made of natural bristles, a classic brush ALL companies should stick with (seriously, enough with the plastic gimmicks already!). This one is jet black. You can also purchase a Fiber wand for an additional $19 to give you the look of false lashes. Personally, this one does the job at extending my lashes, though it is a bit thick. So in all fairness, I would say it is  a good mascara but nothing extraordinary. B.

4. Bumble & Bumble - B Straigth - Blow Dry Cream -  $30

"Make short work of smoothing and frizz-fighting rituals with this heat-protective styling balm that keeps blow dries soft and sleek for up to 3 days. To create your perfect style, work evenly through damp hair then blow-dry with your favorite Bb.Brush. Start small (try a dime-sized amount) then build as necessary."(Quoted from Ipsy Website).

So, let's talk about my hair. It's curly, frizzy, totally unreasonable and unmanageable. I can straighten it with a blow dryer, or a flat iron and maybe it will stay straight for 48 hours, and that is in optimal - as in no humidity - conditions. This is a pomade, gel-like formula you add to your hair prior to blow drying. I liked the scent, I thought it did an okay job but if you put too much in one area, and you have thick hair, the stuff makes it hard to comb through. My hair also lost some of its bounce as a result of using this product, perhaps because I used to much. Otherwise, it is okay when in a pinch. Unfortunately for me, I fuss with my hair way too much and could not stand having the stuff in it so I washed my hair again on day 2 - meaning that I cannot vouch for the 2-3 day straight claim. I have used better products in the past. B.


5. Nourish Organic - Avocado Eye Cream -  $30

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"Nourish Organic Renewing Eye Cream provides rich hydration to the delicate skin around the eyes. This powerful product will leave your eyes looking brighter, smoother and younger looking." (Quoted from Ipsy Website)

I was very excited about receiving this product sample since I am such an eye cream junkie. Unfortunately, this formula did not work out for me. I found it to be too fluid and difficult to work through. The stuff literally stayed on top of my eyes and would not penetrate/absorb unless I went over it again and again with my fingers. To be honest, it ruined the experience for me, you are supposed to protect this area of your skin by gently patting down the cream and avoiding stretching the skin and therefore creating more wrinkles. This did the opposite for me. It is however, a good emollient. So if you are brand new at using eye cream, maybe you want to give it a try, but if you are like me, in your mid 40s and over, know that this cream, while moisturizing and nourishing, is not well formulated for sensitive and delicate skin. I am currently using it as a hand cream in the evening, since it was such a big size sample. C+.

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So, this was my complete review for the latest Ipsy Glam Bag (December 2014)  I received.Was it a good bag? Absolutely!

Regardless of how I feel about the products I receive, I am always interested and most often excited to try new ones. It really was too bad the eye cream did not work for me, but it is still a good cream.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and watching my YouTube videos! Share the love!

Sophia, NJ


Connect with me:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

Want to send me a product for review? Have a product request?

Mailing address:

My Great Challenge
PO Box 402
519 POMPTON AVE
CEDAR GROVE, NJ 07009-9998



This blog contains affiliate advertising, this is how I support my blog and YouTube Channel.  I was not solicited to advertise for the products mentioned above, all opinions are my own. 

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Too Faced - New Chocolate Bar (#2) is here!

2015 Planner Setup - Franklin Covey Classic + Paper Plum Designs Planner

Hi friends,

Here I am again with my planner setup for 2015! This is a very exciting time of the year for me as I get to reorganize and prioritize my goals for the new year. It may sound silly to some, but a paper planner makes me very happy, any planning tool for that matter and watching planner videos on YouTube is one of my small addictions.

Here is the coordinating video for my 2015 Planner Setup:



This year, my planner is set up a bit differently in that I did not separate it into two distinct categories (Planning and Home Management). You can refer to last year's planner setup here.
I also removed my blog and vlog sections, and opted instead to use a separate/stand alone planner for My Great Challenge. For this specific task, I am using a Plum Paper Designs Family Planner which you can find on Etsy and will be featured later on in this post.

I am using the same planner than last year, a Franklin Covey Boston in Classic size. Unfortunately, Franklin Covey no longer makes the Classic size but you can still find the same model as a Compact size, which is similar to a Filofax Personal. I prefer Franklin Covey because of the softness of the leather, it is a semi-structured planner and the rings are 1.25 in (Filofax A5 is only 1 in). 0.25 makes a big difference when you tend to stuff your planner!

When I open my planner, the first thing I see is my lovely DIY dashboard:

I made this dashboard out of a cutout piece from of gift paper bag I had received this past Christmas. It is simply glued (with a 3M Glue Spray) onto a leftover Franklin Classic page lifter. To ensure it would not get damaged over time, I used packing tape in vertical strips to protect/laminate the top. This provides not only a decorative dashboard but also one that will last for a long time.

On the left, I keep binder and paper clips, some note paper which I pre-punched as well as a few assorted post it notes and flags. I write with a Paper Mate Ink Joy Quatro pen in Medium. It writes well and provides me with enough color variety to keep my notes from being boring.

As mentioned above, sections this year are a bit different. I am only keeping the following for 2015:
Planner, Notes, Goals, Finances,  and Q Branch. For dividers, I am using the Recollections/Michael's plastic dividers that are part of their "Smashbook" collection. I used my Dymo Label Maker to mark my different sections.

In the Planner section, I obviously keep everything that is planning related, using my DIY inserts which you can find on Etsy:

Monthly

Daily

I also have a separate tab to mark "today", it is from a recycled Martha Stewart for Avery divider onto which I taped/laminated my daily, weekly and monthly cleaning routines.

In the Notes Section, I keep enough blank and lined paper, about 40 pages that should last me for at least 6 months.

In the Goals Section, I keep my personal and home goals as well as an ongoing list of home to-do's and projects. I call it my Black-Ops section (It's an inside joke) and pretty much separates every room in my house with its own list of home improvement projects. As I accomplish one it gets scratched off and of course, room is left available to add on new projects.

In my Finance Section, I keep a laminated version of our current budget, complete with all recurring expenses in their chronological order by which they need to be paid as well as all sources of incomes and what funds are left each month for food and gas - this leftover money goes into a cash envelope.
The Finances section also has a complete spreadsheet for the Dave Ramsey's Debt Snowball. Each month, I check off a payment made and add any additional payment we may have been able to make. We are trying to get rid of our debt, though it is way below the average debt for folks our age, it is something we just do not want to have hoovering over our heads, so it will get paid off and that is that!

In the Q Branch Section (a reference to Jame Bond), I keep and manage all accounts information, whether account numbers or memberships as well as log in and password information for all. It is my Central Command System. I made this simple data sheet using a Word Document:

I am also using additional tabs to separate information into distinctive categories: Banking, Websites, MGC Affiliates (my blog) and Billing. I write in full ink but will keep the passwords in pencil as I regularly change them.


I don't think I could survive without my planner. It has been my life and sanity saving tool for almost two years now. I no longer forget things, everything is documented and has a place to go. If you are still using your PDA or phone App, I can only tell you one thing: nothing beats or replaces a good old paper planner!


Because I removed my Blog and Vlog sections from my FC planner, I purchased a separate spiral bound planner from Plum Paper Designs on Etsy. These planners are very similar to the Erin Condren Life Planners, only cheaper. They offer similar customization whether in content or color schemes.
I picked the Family Planner version, though there are many more to choose from, because it allowed me to have specific categories related to MGC.

They really are beautiful and functional planners. My only con is that they are spiral bound and therefore restrict your ability to add or remove sections, and or move things around.

It comes with a Month on Two Pages, you can pick whichever month you want to start with.

And when you order the Family Planner, you can choose up to 6 specific categories within your Week on Two pages (e.g. one for each family member).

Because this is my business planner, I picked the following categories: Blog, YouTube, Etsy, Earnings, Affiliates, Marketing and Design. Each gets tracked daily and I plan my blog and vlog posts one month ahead of time.

You can also add more inserts, for instance, I added extra note paper for each end of the month, as well as a Monthly Checklist which allows me to keep track of everything I do with my business.

Each planner comes with a year-at-a-glance as well as special dates and you can also order additional sets of stickers.

Special Dates - Calendar of Events is also included in each planner:

The bottom line here is that there are a lot of options out there for someone who wants to become more organized and create a better daily structure (and discipline) for themselves.
I may not be able to follow all my to-do's to the T and within the preferred time frame that is my biggest challenge: putting too much on my plate and thinking I can achieve it all, but, one thing is for sure, not a bill has been paid late in two years, not a valuable piece of information has been lost, the debt snowball keeps rolling and I have found what we planner addicts refer to as "PLANNER PEACE".


Here is the link to my Etsy shop again:

My Great Challenge Etsy Shop



You can get your own Franklin Covey Planner here:

And, if you new to paper planner and want to get your life organized once and for all you may want to check out these new Classic Caroline and Quinn Binders from Franklin Covey, They are the closest to my Boston, minus the buckle:

Classic Caroline Binder - Cobalt

Classic Quinn Binder - Grey

   
Thank you so much for reading my blog and watching my YouTube videos! Share the love!

Sophia, NJ


Connect with me:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

Want to send me a product for review? Have a product request?

Mailing address:

My Great Challenge
PO Box 402
519 POMPTON AVE
CEDAR GROVE, NJ 07009-9998



This blog contains affiliate advertising, this is how I support my blog and YouTube Channel.  I was not solicited to advertise for the products mentioned above, all opinions are my own. 

My Advertisers:



Too Faced - New Chocolate Bar (#2) is here!