Arbonne RE9 Advanced Facial Cleanser and Day Creme Review

Over the course of my thirty something years I have tried out numerous different skincare lines with some great results and some serious failures.  Through these trial and errors I have really discovered what works for me and what doesn't which is why I was sort of reluctant when a friend wanted me to host an Arbonne spa party.  I was already very happy with my current skincare line (Clinique) and have been to these kinds of parties before and really considered not having the party but I didn't want to let my friend down so I agreed to the party.  It turned out to be a very fun evening full of spa treatments and skincare product testing.  The presentation was very pleasant and informative and I was very impressed with the product line.  The company boasts some pretty big expectations for the results of their products and also offer a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with your purchase.  By the end of the night I ended up purchasing the RE9 Advanced Smoothing Facial Cleanser and the RE9 Advanced Restorative Day Creme with SPF 20.  I was very excited to try the products out and the following is the results of my purchase.

The RE9 Advanced formula from Arbonne is a botanically based product line that addresses anti-aging concerns for both men and women.  The products are clinically proven to start working within 24 hours.  One of the first things that I noticed from the cleanser is that it has a nice light citrusy scent and feels silky in texture.  The cleanser goes on very smoothly and leaves your skin feeling very fresh and clean.  The cleanser does not lather up a lot but lathers up enough to really get a nice clean result.  A little bit of this product goes a long way.  One cleanser should last about 3 months using it twice a day.  Over all I was very pleased with the RE9 Advanced Smoothing Facial Cleanser.  It cleaned my skin well and left it feeling moisturized too.  Compared to some of the other cleansers that I have tried in the past I would consider this cleanser to be one of top cleansers that I have tried.  The retail price for this cleanser is $40.00 .

The Arbonne RE9 Advanced Restorative Day Creme with SPF 20 is probably my favorite product out of the whole Arbonne product line.  It goes on smoothly and leaves my skin hydrated and refreshed all day long.  It doesn't feel greasy or go on too thick and has a nice silky texture.  Top that with the fact that it has an SPF of 20 in it and you have a dynamite day creme.  It really helped out with the appearance of my fine lines and small wrinkles.  It is a very concentrated formula and again a little bit of product goes a long way.  One thing to note about this product is to avoid the eye area.  When ever I got this product to close to my eyes they would water for about 10 minutes which can get annoying.  It does state right on the packaging to avoid the eye area but I thought it was worth mentioning what happens if you happen to get the product to close to your eyes.  I found that I did go through this product a little bit faster than the cleanser by about two weeks. The retail price for the day creme is $50.00 .

I loved the results of using the cleanser and the day creme together.  I used them both twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening and really enjoyed the results.  I saw a noticeable difference in my skin within the first couple of days of using the products.  The products left my skin feeling smooth, soft and silky.  Everything that the company stated the product would do it did.  I was very happy with my purchase and would consider purchasing this product again.  One of the turn offs for me on this product is the price tag.  $90.00 for cleanser and day creme is a little steep for my budget but a saving grace is that you can earn free product by hosting a party which allowed me to get my set at a discount.  

Over all I give Arbonne high marks for the quality of their products and really can't say enough about the results that I have achieved with the use of these two products.  As with any type of skin care product results may vary from person to person and I am only reporting to you the results that I experienced from my own purchase.  I am a very happy customer and give kuddos to Arbonne for a great skin care product line.        

 

The Bucket List

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What if you lived your life as if each day was your last?  How would it be different?  What would be on your bucket list and how would you accomplish your goals?  I recently sat down and compiled my own lengthy “bucket list” and was surprised at just how many things were on it.  Some of it was light hearted fun things that I would love to get a chance to do before I die while other things on the list are a bit more serious.  It gave me some real insight as to what is important in my life at this moment in time. 

The concept of creating a bucket list has been around for ages and continues to challenge us all to push our limits and accomplish our goals.  Even Hollywood has cashed in on the list craze with a movie aptly called “The Bucket List”.   For some people the list is a list of things they would literally like to accomplish in their lifetime while for others it is more of a symbol or fun thing to do and may not matter if it is ever completed.  Sometimes the bucket list gets created after hearing some extremely bad news about our health.  You only have months to live and have to figure out what you want to do.  In my case my bucket list is composed of real literal things I would like to do before I die.   I created my list earlier in life so that maybe it will give me a fair shot at completing some of things on the list.  Life sometimes gets in the way and financial situations sometimes keep us from reaching some of our goals so I wanted to give myself as much time as possible to get some check marks on the ole bucket list.  Some of the things on my bucket list might take years of saving up for.  For example one of the things I have on my list is to go an a African Safari, which will take quite a while to save up for while others can probably be checked off relatively soon.

 

The how’s and why’s of a bucket list are easy enough to figure out but how does one stay motivated enough to accomplish everything they have written down?  It’s pretty easy to get into the mentality that we have all the time we will ever need to get it all done.  But in truth anyone of us at any second could die.  We are arrogant to think that we have all the time in the world because in truth we don’t know if we have years, months, days, or even seconds left which to me is a very strong motivator to get busy on my goals.  If I live each day as if it might be my last it is an extreme motivator to get out there and make a difference in the world.  The creation of my bucket list is going to be a very useful tool in helping me stay on track and not lose sight of some of my dreams and desires of what I would like my life to look like when I am gone.  I don’t want to look back on my life with a bunch of regrets and “wish I would have done that” moments.  My bucket list sort of holds me accountable for the things I did or didn’t accomplish.  I may never be able to put a check mark next to ever thing I ever wrote down but I am sure going to give it my best.  The very fact that I took the time to write it all down suggests a certain amount of accountability and makes the list less of a dream and more of a goal.  Here are the top 5 things on my bucket list.

1. Experience true joy and happiness.

This may sound like an easy goal to have but in the life I have had so far true joy and happiness have been extremely lacking.  It is something I need to work on and definitely something I want to experience.

2. Travel with my family to the Holy Land.

This might take a while to save up for but it is something I really want to see and do before I die. 

3. Learn a foreign language.

I am actually working on this one right now.  With any luck in a couple of months I will be able to speak Spanish with some confidence. 

4. Meet the President of The United States.

Ever since I was a kid I have always wanted to meet the President.

5. Go skydiving.

There is something about the idea of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane for no reason other than for enjoyment that intrigues me.  I don’t particularly like heights and have never even been in a plane before but something about skydiving really grabs me.  Not sure why but it makes the top 5.  By the way number 6 is to go on an African Safari.  

My bucket list will grow and evolve as I grow and have new experiences and when the time comes where it is finally time to look back at my life and ask the question of if my life mattered and how I will be remembered I hope I will be remembered fondly and with a sense of accomplishment at having many check marks on my bucket list.        

The Benefits And Risks Of A Vegetarian Diet

 The vegetarian diet in all its complexities can be a very fun and rewarding life style change if done correctly.  When a person is making the decision to go the route of a vegetarian life style there are several things to consider.  As with any diet, too much or too little of one thing can lead to some disastrous consequences.  It is always best to sit down and come up with a plan and do some research before just jumping into such a drastic life style change.  Even with all the proven health benefits of eating a vegetarian diet there are some risks and pitfalls that need to be evaluated and taken seriously when planning a vegetarian meal plan.

Many studies have been done and most studies agree that a diet made up of predominately plant based foods including fruits, vegetables legumes and minimally processed foods if any at all can have some very great health benefits.  Some of those health benefits include lowering cancer risks, lowering heart disease risks, increasing the longevity of life, weight loss and lowering the risk of diabetes and other major health problems.  A report published by the World Cancer Research Fund states that a regular consumption of fruits and vegetables provides significant protection against cancer and heart disease.  A recent survey of 47,000 people showed that the people that followed a vegetarian based diet with very little meat if any at all had a 21% reduced risk of heart attacks versus the non vegetarian people.  A glance around the world will show that some of the longest living populations in the world have diets consisting of very little meat and high contents of fruits, vegetables and grains.  With all of the great health benefits associated with a vegetarian life style it seems hard to believe that there could be any negative risk factors to consider but as with all diets that omit any particular food group there are always going to be risk factors.


One of the biggest pitfalls of a vegetarian diet is poor menu planning which can lead to nutritional deficiencies.  Some of the most common nutrient deficiencies in a vegetarian diet are Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12 and some basic proteins.  The lack of some of these key nutrients in a persons diet can cause anemia.  Anemia is a condition where the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells.  Red blood cells are what get oxygen around the body.  Without enough healthy red blood cells  a person can become very fatigued, ill and in severe cases even die.  It can also cause irreversible nerve damage.  It is extremely important for anyone considering and maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle to make sure they are getting enough nutrients from their food to avoid these nutrient deficiencies. One way to do this is to have a well balanced menu of many food groups that include Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12 and proteins.  Vegetarians who do not eat dairy and eggs should combine grains and legumes. such as beans and rice to make a complete protein.  Most plant life in a vegetarian diet will have some protein in it but not enough to make a complete protein, so a well balanced diet is crucial to a vegetarian diets success.


Another way to make sure that a vegetarian diet is staying healthy and not becoming nutrient deficient is with vitamin supplements.  If you are concerned that you might not be getting enough of the vital nutrients your body needs, taking a vitamin supplements can help maintain a healthy nutrient level.  Your body will not absorb the supplements as well as if it were the real thing but it can still help give your body what it needs to maintain healthy red blood cells.


Remember that the goal with a vegetarian life style is to live a long and healthy life.  The best way to do that is with proper food menu planning and some common sense.  Research your menu and make sure you are getting all the nutrients that your body needs.  Have a diet plan rich in fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes.  The health benefits of a vegetarian life style are many and the rewards can be great just make sure to keep your diet well balanced so you can keep your new life style choice a healthy one.

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Review

About 2 weeks ago I received a coupon in the mail from John Frieda entitling me to get one of their John Frieda Precision Foam Colour's for free.  The timing couldn't have been more perfect.  I was well over due to get my hair colored and I have been wanting to try out the new foam coloring dyes for a while now, so off to Walgreens I went.

I selected the color 5G (Brilliant Brunette Medium Golden Brown).  It is about two shades darker than my current hair color and seemed to be the closest match to my natural hair color.  The package includes the colorant, developer, conditioner, foamer, salon professional gloves and a instruction and tips sheet.

The whole process from start to finish is very easy.  The instruction sheet is very clear and easy to follow and also has photo illustrations.  One thing to note that is different from other hair dye coloring kits is that when you add the colorant to the developer you do not shake the bottle up to mix the two together, instead you gently mix the two products together by slowly tilting the developer upside down about four or five times.  If you shake the bottle it will cause the foam to be runny and not work correctly.  So shaking the bottle is a  big no-no.

I must admit I was a bit apprehensive about using a foam over the traditional dye mix but after getting used to the application process I found that it was much easier to use than the traditional dye kits.  It doesn't drip all over the place and you can see more clearly of where the product is on your hair and the areas you still need to cover.  The product saturated my hair easily and without all the mess.  I was very happy with how easily and quickly I was able to get the product into my hair.  From start to finish the whole process took about 40 minutes, 5 minutes applying product to my hair, 30 minutes for setting time and another 5 for the conditioner and viola, you are done!

After drying and styling my hair I was very pleased with the end result.  My hair color was exactly what I was expecting and my hair was also very soft and shiny.  In the past I have used some hair coloring treatments that have left my hair extremely dry and damaged but this one did not do that to my hair.

All in all I would highly recommend trying this product out.  The price point for this product is $12.99 (at least in my area that is the current price point).I am very satisfied with the results and can definitely see myself purchasing this product again.  Two thumbs up from me for John Frieda Precision Foam Colour.

Are Clipping Coupons Worth The Effort?

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!  Clipping coupons really does save you a lot of money!  Who doesn't love the idea of saving a little bit of money especially in today's economy?  I know I do.  I almost make a game out of how much money I can save at my local grocery store by combining good coupons with good in store sales to maximize the savings and leave some extra cash in my pocket book.  The key to successful coupon clipping is to not let it overwhelm you and to get organized.

I am a firm believer that time is money and if I spent all of my hours combing through magazines, newspapers and websites day after day I would have to give up.  I may be saving a bunch of money but it's not worth it if I have no life in the process.  If you can get organized before you even start, than couponing doesn't have to take a lot of time or effort.

Before I even think about opening the Sunday newspaper or checking out all the great online coupon sites that are available I make a list of the things I will need to purchase for that week.  I stick to the list and do my coupon clipping accordingly.  What ever coupons I don’t clip at that time I file away under the date they were published and save them for when I need them.  I also use the in store fliers to figure out when the best time to use my coupon is.  I never try to use a coupon on any item that isn’t on sale.   Waiting for items to go on sale not only saves you money from the sale but then you can save even further with a great coupon on top of the sale price.  The whole process takes about an hour or two a week for me and is well worth the effort when I am going through the checkout lane and see the final bill.  There have been times where I have had about $200 in groceries and by the time the cashier is finished scanning all of my coupons and in store sales my final total comes out to be around $90.  That is a savings of over 50%.  In this case I can definitely say that the hour or two that it took me to get all of my stuff together was well worth it.

I guess the argument of whether or not couponing is worth the time and effort is up to each individual.  I personally like saving money so couponing is definitely worth it to me.  Making my families budget dollar stretch further is a great incentive for me.  Couponing doesn't have to be a big burden.  Getting organized before you start is the best advice I have to give.  It will save you a lot of frustration and a lot of time.  Investing in a good binder or some sort of organizing system will save you a lot of headaches and really make couponing fun.    

In today’s economy it is important to try and be frugal where ever possible.  It's hard to try and keep family budgets in balance when everything around us keeps costing more and more.  So if that means I have to spend a little bit of time to try and save up some of my hard earned cash than I say that is time well spent.         

December 2011 Favorites

December was quite a whirl wind of a month.  It came and went within minutes or at least it felt that way.  Throughout the hustle and bustle of the month with all the Christmas parties and festivities going on I was still able to try out some new and some old favorite products.  It was all about the pampering this month!

1.  Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in the color Soft Silver Rose - I love the way this lipstick wears.  It goes on silky smooth and leaves a very luxurious feeling on your lips.  It also doesn't need to be reapplied every 15 minutes.  It has some staying power and looks great too!

2.  Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in the color Pink Ice - I think this lip gloss is awesome.  It glides on in a nice  sheer color and feels really great on your lips.  It doesn't have the sticky icky feeling that some other lip glosses have and stays put.

3.  Covergirl Natureluxe Gloss Balm in the color Clove -  This lip balm glides on super smooth and even has sunscreen in it (spf 15).  It has a nice tint to it so you could get away with wearing this only on your lips for a more natural look.  It leaves your lips nicely hydrated and lasts for quite a while.

4.  Bath and Body Works Shower Gel "Jingle Bellini" - This smells so good!  It is a festive cocktail of peach champagne, apricot nectar, and powdered sugar.  It lathers up very nicely and leaves your skin smelling oh so good!  Love it!

5.  Bath and Body Works Triple Moisture Body Cream "Moonlight Path" - This body cream not only smells really good but also leaves my skin feeling really moisturized and refreshed!  It is described as an opulent floral bouquet that captures the essence of moonlit strolls in lush gardens.  Sounds great to me!

6.   Satin Hands Pampering Set by Mary Kay - I LOVE this set for my hands.  It is a 3 step process that leaves your hands feeling like smooth satin!  I use this at least once a week or more especially in the winter when my hands tend to be their driest and this stuff works miracles on my hands!  Absolutely LOVE this product!

7.  Revlon Colorstay 12 Hour Eye Shadow in Nude Elements - This is a more neutral eye shadow quad that has a lot of versatility.  Can be used to create a number of stunning eye make up looks and the color really stays put.  Easy to work with and blend.

These are just a few of my favorites for this month.  I probably could have listed more but figured 7 was good number to stop at.  I wonder what kind of fun things I can discovery in January!  What are some of your new favorites?  Please leave your comments and let me know.