 |
| Now, October 2015 |
 |
| Then, October 2014 |
 |
| Now |
 |
| Then |
Friday, November 20, 2015
Now & Then.
Labels:
attachmentparenting
,
babystuff
,
blog
,
fall
,
family
,
hunter
,
momlife
,
momstuff
No comments
:
Nexxus #hairthatmoves
Influenster recently sent me a package that included Nexxus Emergencée shampoo, conditioner, and reconstructing hair treatment. The shampoo and conditioner is meant to be used as often as you wash you hair, and the treatments are formulated to be used once a week.
I used the shampoo for about two weeks. I have been a fan and used Nexxus products in the past. Sadly, this shampoo was way too heavy for my hair, and made it oily by the next morning. Because of #momlife, I shower every night, sleep on wet hair, and hope for the best the next morning. These products do not do well hours of sleeping then making yourself presentable for work. I used the reconstructing treatment once, and my hair remained tangled and unbrushable after the shower. Typically, I expect silky smooth hair after such a treatment... but wasn't the case.
Above is after freshly washed hair, barely dried with a hairdryer at the last minute, and it would be acceptable for this scenario. This scenario, is me, never, or once every few months at best.
Surprisingly, even my husband felt it was too heavy for his hair and made it also oil.
I think this would be a great shampoo for anyone with dry, damaged hair that does not have a tendency to become oily with a heavy and repairing shampoo and conditioner.
The ingredients list is pretty awesome - I would definitely be willing to try other products in the Nexxus line, this combo just wasn't for me.
Dear Hunter | 18 months
Dear Hunter,
This month ended with a not so fun viral illness that has kept you out of daycare almost a week and feeling pretty crummy. You have a great attitude about it until midnight - 4 am when you are awake a lot, sometimes happy, sometimes crying, and sometimes just need extra cuddles. This month you became very attached to a miniture baby panda stuffed animal you have loving nicknamed "Baby". You walk around hugging him, holding him, kissing him, and feeding him puffs. It's pretty much the cutest toddler thing ever.
Until this past week, we were having a wonderful Fall! I was able to leave work for a few hours at the beginning of the month and we went with your daycare friends to a local pumpkin patch. You didn't really enjoy the hayride (screamed the whole time) but you loved jumping up and down in a bouncey house with some fellow toddlers.
Daddy was home lots of weekends working hard on installing a coal stove and preparing for another Preston County winter. We had fall pictures taken mid October in Deep Creek MD. It was blistery cold and windy but you didn't mind at all - you giggled as mommy sang to you and laughed uncontrollably when daddy played hide and go seek behind the photographer. The pictures turned out amazing and I hope when you read this at least one is having up on our walls.
This month marks when I really need to start calling you one and a half year's old and then later almost two instead of saying the amount of months. Someday. Some days you look so much like a little boy and are so independent, others you still want to be right next to mama and cry at day care drop off.
Mama and daddy had a wonderful October with you and are looking forward to this upcoming holiday season :)
This month ended with a not so fun viral illness that has kept you out of daycare almost a week and feeling pretty crummy. You have a great attitude about it until midnight - 4 am when you are awake a lot, sometimes happy, sometimes crying, and sometimes just need extra cuddles. This month you became very attached to a miniture baby panda stuffed animal you have loving nicknamed "Baby". You walk around hugging him, holding him, kissing him, and feeding him puffs. It's pretty much the cutest toddler thing ever.
Until this past week, we were having a wonderful Fall! I was able to leave work for a few hours at the beginning of the month and we went with your daycare friends to a local pumpkin patch. You didn't really enjoy the hayride (screamed the whole time) but you loved jumping up and down in a bouncey house with some fellow toddlers.
Daddy was home lots of weekends working hard on installing a coal stove and preparing for another Preston County winter. We had fall pictures taken mid October in Deep Creek MD. It was blistery cold and windy but you didn't mind at all - you giggled as mommy sang to you and laughed uncontrollably when daddy played hide and go seek behind the photographer. The pictures turned out amazing and I hope when you read this at least one is having up on our walls.
This month marks when I really need to start calling you one and a half year's old and then later almost two instead of saying the amount of months. Someday. Some days you look so much like a little boy and are so independent, others you still want to be right next to mama and cry at day care drop off.
Mama and daddy had a wonderful October with you and are looking forward to this upcoming holiday season :)
Hunter's Second Halloween | October 2015 | 17 months
Our Halloween this year was spent with me and work and Hunter with a viral illness (notice the spots around his mouth!) so we didn't have any trick or treating excitement. I still put his costume on and grabbed a few photos as his costume was too cute. I found it at a local consignment store for $10 and I had some credit, so I scored it for $5!. I found out later it is "Sully" from Monsters Inc, a children's cartoon movie. When I finished work Halloween night, we watched the movie. :)
Friday, November 13, 2015
Two booking bonus!
Hello! If you have an avaHOUR or an Ava Anderson Non Toxic virtual Facebook party... and two friends agree to book their own party... you get this for free <3
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Meal prep Sunday | November 8, 2015
I got ingredients to make baked eggs, skinny taste easy crock pot chicken verde, skinny taste picadillo, and a one pan chicken/butternut squash/Brussels sprouts recipe. I also got some flax/chia berry prepackaged hot cereal mix, pears, trail mix, and flavored seltzer water for snacks/extras this week.
We won't talk about my crunchy cookie butter or ginger candy chews!
Anyways, I figured 2 crock pot dishes and a one pan roasting recipe would hopefully be minimal extra dishes on top of what I left behind from late last week.
Recipes I made:
Skinny Taste Blog Easy Crock Pot Chicken Verde
Skinny Taste Blog Crock Pot Picadillo
I also got ingredients and will make this later in the week:
Eating Bird Food Blog One=Pan Roasted Chicken with Butternut Squash and Brussel Sprouts
Hunter is thankfully on the mend and I enjoy meal prepping so I have a good, healthy, fresh start to my week!
Recipes I made:
Skinny Taste Blog Easy Crock Pot Chicken Verde
Skinny Taste Blog Crock Pot Picadillo
I also got ingredients and will make this later in the week:
Eating Bird Food Blog One=Pan Roasted Chicken with Butternut Squash and Brussel Sprouts
Hunter is thankfully on the mend and I enjoy meal prepping so I have a good, healthy, fresh start to my week!
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Traveling Vineyard Wine Tasting | My October party
This past weekend, I planned a wine party with Ashley from Traveling Vineyards. (Ashley happens to be the teacher that my mom works with in a nearby town.)
My sister and mom helped with the food preparation and "the men" including my hubby, dad, and mom's husband all helped with other needs throughout the day.
If you know me, you know red wine and I go together.... like red wine and goat cheese. Red wine and dark chocolate. Red wine and a nice steak. So it was a no brainer when Ashley asked me to have a tasting party.
Here's how it works:
She brings an assortment of wines, based on what you and your friends prefer. I love dry and red. She brought two dry-er whites also. She provides a list of wine pairings so you have all kinds of options on what to make to go with each wine. She comes that day and sets up before your guest arrive. You gather around the table with your company and get to know her, the traveling vineyard company, and the wines. Everyone gets to taste each wine, and I had a food to pair with each. After you taste everything, you have the option to buy a bottle of any you may be interested in adding to your wine collection.
My wine should be here by the end of the week! I ordered 3 bottles and got a free one for hosting the party. For my free bottle, I chose the wine she used to make a fall sangria. I can't wait to make it soon before fall ends. Prices of the wine vary from $15-30. Only one bottle was at the higher price point and the rest were less. I enjoyed learning more about each wine and different ways to make each type. It was especially nice to know what I was buying. I go to the grocery store and buy the $3 wine and its "okay" but these bottles were "wow" in comparison. I plan to save them for company or a dinner party. I hope to have an Ava Anderson Non Toxic party next month so I can make and bring Fall Sangria to share with others.
Here's the wines and the food pairings from my party:
Spruzzi, Grillo, Italy - 2014
ITA696 | $14.99
Pale yellow hues with green notes in the glass. Aromas of grapefruit, stone fruits and
flowers on the nose. Rich mouthfeel with ripe fruitiness on the palate, notes of lemon-
lime, wet stone and herbs. Minerally finish, nice balance, acidity and extraction, lip-
smacking deliciousness.
- Paired with Asian meatballs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zeffer Hills, Chardonnay, San Benito, California - 2013
CAL975 | $17.99
Brilliant metallic lemon-yellow hues in the glass. Toasted almond and ripe apple on the
nose, with notes of freshness and vibrancy on the palate. Long finish, rich mouthfeel,
good overall structure.
- Paired with buttered popcorn
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activist, Private Reserve, Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley, California - 2013
CAL961 | $27.99
Inky garnet color in the glass. Dense and rich with black and red fruits, jammy and
plummy notes balanced with some smoky and black pepper elements. Supple and
intense but balanced
-Paired with pulled pork
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Santoreggia, Sangiovese, Puglia IGT, Italy - 2014
ITA695 | $18.99
Slightly transparent garnet hues in the glass. Blueberry-cherry fruits on the nose with a
whiff of violet and earth as well. The palate shows black pepper, spice and smoke. Nice
acidity, medium tannins and a lingering finish give this wine vibrance and a serious
structure.
- Paired with goat cheese and crackers
- Paired with italian meatballs and red sauce
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LUXX, Merlot, Happy Canyon, California - 2014
CAL976 | $29.99
Purple-to-garnet hues in the glass. Aromas of black cherry and ripe plum over dried
herbs and black tea. The palate shows cherry-plum notes with some black pepper
and a hint of caramel. This is a hefty, serious Merlot with concentrated fruit, good
extraction and structure and a lingering cherry finish.
- Paired with dark chocolate salted caramels
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My favorite was the LUXX. I purchased 2 bottles. I also purchased the Spruzzi. My least favorite was the Chardonnay, but I'm just not a Chardonnay girl. It was still tasty, I just liked the Spruzzi better.
I had such a good time, I'd like to have another soon.... but hope to attend someone else's wine tasting first!! If you are interested in having a wine tasting with Ashley and Traveling Vineyards... please comment below and I'll be happy to give you her information.
If you know me, you know red wine and I go together.... like red wine and goat cheese. Red wine and dark chocolate. Red wine and a nice steak. So it was a no brainer when Ashley asked me to have a tasting party.
Here's how it works:
She brings an assortment of wines, based on what you and your friends prefer. I love dry and red. She brought two dry-er whites also. She provides a list of wine pairings so you have all kinds of options on what to make to go with each wine. She comes that day and sets up before your guest arrive. You gather around the table with your company and get to know her, the traveling vineyard company, and the wines. Everyone gets to taste each wine, and I had a food to pair with each. After you taste everything, you have the option to buy a bottle of any you may be interested in adding to your wine collection.
My wine should be here by the end of the week! I ordered 3 bottles and got a free one for hosting the party. For my free bottle, I chose the wine she used to make a fall sangria. I can't wait to make it soon before fall ends. Prices of the wine vary from $15-30. Only one bottle was at the higher price point and the rest were less. I enjoyed learning more about each wine and different ways to make each type. It was especially nice to know what I was buying. I go to the grocery store and buy the $3 wine and its "okay" but these bottles were "wow" in comparison. I plan to save them for company or a dinner party. I hope to have an Ava Anderson Non Toxic party next month so I can make and bring Fall Sangria to share with others.
Here's the wines and the food pairings from my party:
Spruzzi, Grillo, Italy - 2014
ITA696 | $14.99
Pale yellow hues with green notes in the glass. Aromas of grapefruit, stone fruits and
flowers on the nose. Rich mouthfeel with ripe fruitiness on the palate, notes of lemon-
lime, wet stone and herbs. Minerally finish, nice balance, acidity and extraction, lip-
smacking deliciousness.
- Paired with Asian meatballs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zeffer Hills, Chardonnay, San Benito, California - 2013
CAL975 | $17.99
Brilliant metallic lemon-yellow hues in the glass. Toasted almond and ripe apple on the
nose, with notes of freshness and vibrancy on the palate. Long finish, rich mouthfeel,
good overall structure.
- Paired with buttered popcorn
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activist, Private Reserve, Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley, California - 2013
CAL961 | $27.99
Inky garnet color in the glass. Dense and rich with black and red fruits, jammy and
plummy notes balanced with some smoky and black pepper elements. Supple and
intense but balanced
-Paired with pulled pork
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Santoreggia, Sangiovese, Puglia IGT, Italy - 2014
ITA695 | $18.99
Slightly transparent garnet hues in the glass. Blueberry-cherry fruits on the nose with a
whiff of violet and earth as well. The palate shows black pepper, spice and smoke. Nice
acidity, medium tannins and a lingering finish give this wine vibrance and a serious
structure.
- Paired with goat cheese and crackers
- Paired with italian meatballs and red sauce
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LUXX, Merlot, Happy Canyon, California - 2014
CAL976 | $29.99
Purple-to-garnet hues in the glass. Aromas of black cherry and ripe plum over dried
herbs and black tea. The palate shows cherry-plum notes with some black pepper
and a hint of caramel. This is a hefty, serious Merlot with concentrated fruit, good
extraction and structure and a lingering cherry finish.
- Paired with dark chocolate salted caramels
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My favorite was the LUXX. I purchased 2 bottles. I also purchased the Spruzzi. My least favorite was the Chardonnay, but I'm just not a Chardonnay girl. It was still tasty, I just liked the Spruzzi better.
I had such a good time, I'd like to have another soon.... but hope to attend someone else's wine tasting first!! If you are interested in having a wine tasting with Ashley and Traveling Vineyards... please comment below and I'll be happy to give you her information.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Saturday, October 10, 2015
My favorite Ava products so far | Empty bottles
I have recently seen some "empty bottles" blog posts. There are few Ava Anderson Non Toxic products I have been using so much that I have to replenish already.
My favorites are:
- Ingredients
corylus avellana (organic hazel) seed oil, pongamia glabra (organic karanja) seed oil, limnanthes alba (organic meadowfoam) seed oil, cera alba (organic beeswax), angustifolium flower ( organic helichrysum /everlasting immortelle) essential oil, melaleuca alternifolia (organic tea tree) essential oil, boswellia carteri (organic frankincense) essential oil, citrus nobilis (organic mandarin orange) peel oil
- The green tea EO heals my breakouts in 1-2 days!
- Green tea EO also helps the "tingle" you get before a cold sore. I spent a day outside without chapstick/sunscreen chapstick, and I kept applying this when I felt a cold sore coming ---- and no cold sore came!
- Ingredients for exfoliator
barbadensis leaf juice (organic aloe), yucca glauca root extract (organic yucca), glyceryl stearate, prunus armeniaca (organic apricot) seed powder, butyrospermum parkii (organic shea butter), carthamus tinctorious (organic safflower) oleosome, citrus aurantium dulcis (organic orange) peel oil, punica granatum (organic pomegranate) seed oil, aspalathus linearis (organic rooibos) leaf extract, xanthan gum, vegetable glycerin (kosher, non-GMO), stearic acid (from non GMO coconut), citrus paradisi (organic pink grapefruit) essential oil, olive wax, raphanus sativus (radish) root extract.
- Ingredients for moisturizer
aloe barbadensis (organic aloe leaf) extract, rosa damscena (organic rose) flower extract, olea europaea (olive wax), oryza sativa (organic rice bran) oil, helianthus annuus (organic sunflower) seed oil, camellia sinensis (organic green leaf tea) extract, royal jelly extract, persea gratissima (organic avocado) oil, raphanus sativus (radish root) extract, medica limonum (organic lemon) essential oil, citrus sinensis (organic sweet orange) essential oil, citrus paradisi (organic pink grapefruit) essential oil
- I love how my face feels after a good exfoliation and moisturizer. This seems to minimize my pores and brighten/smooth my face for days I don't wear makeup. (Lets be honest, for all.the.days. that I don't wear makeup)
- Ingredients
cera alba (organic beeswax), simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) seed oil, olea europaea (organic olive) fruit oil, butyrospermum parkii (organic shea) butter, theobroma cacao (organic cocoa) seed butter, calendula officinalis (organic calendula) flower oil, arnica montana (organic arnica) flower oil, rosa rubiginosa (organic rose hip) seed oil, melia azadirachta (organic neem) seed oil, lavandula angustifolia (organic lavender) essential oil, rosmarinus officinalis (organic rosemary) essential oil, melaleuca alternifolia (organic tea tree) essential oil, salvia sclarea (organic sage) essential oil, anthemis nobilis (organic chamomile) essential oil
The ingredient arnica is not recommended for use by pregnant or nursing mothers.
- I use this on Hunter's many bumps and bruises due to #toddlerlife
- It helps his abrasions heal quickly
- Ingredients
aloe barbadensis (organic aloe vera) leaf juice, calcium carbonate (filtered), vegetable glycerin (organic), xanthan gum, bambusa vulgaris (organic bamboo) powder, sodium bicarbonate (aluminum free baking soda), radish root ferment extract, calendula officinalis (organic calendula) extract, echinacea angustifolia (organic echinacea) extract, hydrastis canadensis (organic goldenseal) extract, mentha piperita (organic peppermint), mentha spicata (organic spearmint), cinnamomum zeylanicum (organic cinnamon) leaf, eugenia caryophyllus (organic clove) flower
- I love the minty fresh feeling but the mild clove flavor as well
- This bottle is empty because I use it multiple times a day (#obvi)
Have you tried to reduce the toxic chemical burden in your home? Have you tried any Ava products? If so, what is your favorite?
To shop for my favorite products please use the following link Kassandra Olgers, Ava Anderson Non Toxic Independent Consultant
and use # 98339 to shop my October party @ checkout
My favorites are:
- Ingredients
corylus avellana (organic hazel) seed oil, pongamia glabra (organic karanja) seed oil, limnanthes alba (organic meadowfoam) seed oil, cera alba (organic beeswax), angustifolium flower ( organic helichrysum /everlasting immortelle) essential oil, melaleuca alternifolia (organic tea tree) essential oil, boswellia carteri (organic frankincense) essential oil, citrus nobilis (organic mandarin orange) peel oil
- The green tea EO heals my breakouts in 1-2 days!
- Green tea EO also helps the "tingle" you get before a cold sore. I spent a day outside without chapstick/sunscreen chapstick, and I kept applying this when I felt a cold sore coming ---- and no cold sore came!
- Ingredients for exfoliator
barbadensis leaf juice (organic aloe), yucca glauca root extract (organic yucca), glyceryl stearate, prunus armeniaca (organic apricot) seed powder, butyrospermum parkii (organic shea butter), carthamus tinctorious (organic safflower) oleosome, citrus aurantium dulcis (organic orange) peel oil, punica granatum (organic pomegranate) seed oil, aspalathus linearis (organic rooibos) leaf extract, xanthan gum, vegetable glycerin (kosher, non-GMO), stearic acid (from non GMO coconut), citrus paradisi (organic pink grapefruit) essential oil, olive wax, raphanus sativus (radish) root extract.
- Ingredients for moisturizer
aloe barbadensis (organic aloe leaf) extract, rosa damscena (organic rose) flower extract, olea europaea (olive wax), oryza sativa (organic rice bran) oil, helianthus annuus (organic sunflower) seed oil, camellia sinensis (organic green leaf tea) extract, royal jelly extract, persea gratissima (organic avocado) oil, raphanus sativus (radish root) extract, medica limonum (organic lemon) essential oil, citrus sinensis (organic sweet orange) essential oil, citrus paradisi (organic pink grapefruit) essential oil
- I love how my face feels after a good exfoliation and moisturizer. This seems to minimize my pores and brighten/smooth my face for days I don't wear makeup. (Lets be honest, for all.the.days. that I don't wear makeup)
- Ingredients
cera alba (organic beeswax), simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) seed oil, olea europaea (organic olive) fruit oil, butyrospermum parkii (organic shea) butter, theobroma cacao (organic cocoa) seed butter, calendula officinalis (organic calendula) flower oil, arnica montana (organic arnica) flower oil, rosa rubiginosa (organic rose hip) seed oil, melia azadirachta (organic neem) seed oil, lavandula angustifolia (organic lavender) essential oil, rosmarinus officinalis (organic rosemary) essential oil, melaleuca alternifolia (organic tea tree) essential oil, salvia sclarea (organic sage) essential oil, anthemis nobilis (organic chamomile) essential oil
The ingredient arnica is not recommended for use by pregnant or nursing mothers.
- I use this on Hunter's many bumps and bruises due to #toddlerlife
- It helps his abrasions heal quickly
- Ingredients
aloe barbadensis (organic aloe vera) leaf juice, calcium carbonate (filtered), vegetable glycerin (organic), xanthan gum, bambusa vulgaris (organic bamboo) powder, sodium bicarbonate (aluminum free baking soda), radish root ferment extract, calendula officinalis (organic calendula) extract, echinacea angustifolia (organic echinacea) extract, hydrastis canadensis (organic goldenseal) extract, mentha piperita (organic peppermint), mentha spicata (organic spearmint), cinnamomum zeylanicum (organic cinnamon) leaf, eugenia caryophyllus (organic clove) flower
- I love the minty fresh feeling but the mild clove flavor as well
- This bottle is empty because I use it multiple times a day (#obvi)
Have you tried to reduce the toxic chemical burden in your home? Have you tried any Ava products? If so, what is your favorite?
To shop for my favorite products please use the following link Kassandra Olgers, Ava Anderson Non Toxic Independent Consultant
and use # 98339 to shop my October party @ checkout
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)