Lily Organics Skin Care Review and a Home Spa Kit Giveaway!

 

I have been blown away recently with the quality and effectiveness of natural beauty products. I remember that just a few years ago, it was difficult for me to find products that were natural and really worked. Lily Organics is an award winning natural beauty line that has amazing skincare products including moisturizers, cleansers, toners and treatments. I am thrilled that Lily Organics has products that are free of synthetic chemicals and perfect for my sensitive skin.


I recently was able to review HOMESPA the Home Spa Relaxation on the go kit.   When you decided to use your Hope Spa kit you have to set 2 hours aside to enjoy the full effect. You will be able to relax, reflect and re energize. This Home Spa Kit contains cleansers, astringent, herbal moisturizer, facial herbs, hot oil treatment, botanical enzyme exfoliant mask, lotions, creams, incense, bath oil, candle, cotton balls, relaxing tea, meditations and eye toning pads. It comes with full instructions and is a one time use although I had leftovers from most of the products.

When I tried it I had a wonderfull time. I felt very spoiled for two hours. The hardest part of this kit was finding the two hours to treat myself. I liked all the products and the scents were very nice I would highly recommend giving this as a gift for your mom, wife, or girlfriend as a lovely pampering gift!! Just make sure to give her a coupon for two hours to do it with.


My favorite product that I have tried from the spa kit was the Organic Lavender Moisturizing Cream. This luxurious cream is designed for dry to normal skin and helps to diminish wrinkles by keeping the skin hydrated. A small drop of this moisturizer instantly absorbs into my dry skin and it feels simply amazing after I apply it to my face and neck. The wonderful scent of organic lavender is relaxing and perfect before bedtime.

I am impressed with the pricing for the two products that I tried from Lily Organics because I have paid 2-3x that amount in the past for similar products that are far surpassed by the quality of Lily Organics. I can also feel confident that the products that I am using are the highest quality natural ingredients. In fact, Lily Organics is SEED to SHELF™ meaning it has its own organic farm and make all of its own products. Lily Organics skincare is handcrafted, cruelty free, organic and chemical-free.

You are invited to visit the Lily Organics website to purchase the products mentioned in this review or you can shop by skin type including sensitive, dry/mature, normal/oily, acne prone and anti-aging.

Connect with Lily Organics on Facebook and Twitter.

 

The Giveaway!

 

Lily Organics has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a Home Spa Kit of their own.  Use the rafflecopter below to enter.

 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/40f5a143/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

RULES: This Giveaway is open to users 18 years of age or older. USA and Canada. No purchase necessary. Please enter the Giveaway using the rafflecopter widget. The winner will be selected by random and notified by email . All entries will be verified.  If an entry isn't completed it is considered invalid and a new winner will be chosen.   The winner will have 48 hours to reply back to email before the new winner is selected.  Contest is no way associated with Facebook.  Hearth and Home is not responsible for prize fulfillment.  Good luck!

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Cool ideas for cheap make your own yard and summer project!

New England Cheese Making Company Review and A Cheese Making Kit Giveaway!

So, this morning I set out to make my own homemade mozzarella cheese for the first time EVER. With the help of an awesome Mozzarella and Ricotta cheese-making kit from The New England Cheese Making Company.

Now, I LOVE cheese, and have made simple vinegar clabbered cheese before. This 30-minute Mozzarella & Ricotta Kit has incredibly straight-forward directions and contains practically everything you need to make your own homemade CHEESE!

The kit includes:

Dairy Thermometer

Citric Acid

Cheesecloth

Rennet Tablets 

Cheese Salt

and a lovely recipe booklet that has great suggestions on what ELSE you can make with your fancy homemade cheese (prosciutto & cheese calzones, easy lasagna, and more)

What YOU need to have on hand:

(1) Gallon of Milk
Chlorine-free water

1 gallon stainless steel pot (or any other non-cast iron or aluminum pot)

Colander (strainer)

Slotted spoon

Long knife

A deep desire for an exciting CHEESY adventure 

Get the milk & citric acid up to temp, add rennet mixture - easy

If you're on the right path, this is what it looks like after sitting for 5 minutes and sliding a knife through. 

Back on the heat - oooh, it's starting to look like cottage cheese, I think we're doing okay! 

Removing the curds from the WHEY! Time for a hot water bath (not me...the cheese curds) 

Pulling it like taffy - "hey this is fun" 

 

The best part about this, is that none of this has to be over - this kit includes the ingredients for 29 more batches of cheese!!!

Just think, you can go buy one little log of mozzarella at the store for $6.00-7.00 bucks - or you can make 30 batches of your own for $24.95!

You can make and shape the cheese into logs, a ball, braids, or even bocconcini (those little balls that you toss with fresh herbs and olive oil). I can see making some pretty fancy appetizer plates with your own HOMEMADE mozz cheese balls!

So, if it's a culinary challenge you're after (although I have to say, this was pretty easy to accomplish), or fun activity to do with your kids, or even a way to get some bragging rights at your next mom's function, I'd seriously recommend heading over to The New England Cheesemaking Supply Company and picking up a kit for yourself.  Also if you still feel nervous about it they have videos on the sites to guide you through each step!

 The New England Cheesemaking Supply Company  also carries all sorts of other kits and cheese making supplies.  These would make a great gift to anyone who likes cheese, has children, or likes to cook.  It's perfect for that someone who is hard to shop for.  Also as it saves so much money I would buy this just to make my own cheese and then giving it in gift baskets for Christmas!

Connect With New England Cheesemaking Supply Company

Website

Facebook

The Giveaway!

 

 The New England Cheesemaking Supply Company has generously offered one Hearth and Home reader a Mozzerela and Riccota cheese making kit like the one I reviewed. Enter via the rafflecopter below!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/40f5a142/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

RULES: This Giveaway is open to users 18 years of age or older. USA and Canada. No purchase necessary. Please enter the Giveaway using the rafflecopter widget. The winner will be selected by random and notified by email . All entries will be verified.  If an entry isn't completed it is considered invalid and a new winner will be chosen.   The winner will have 48 hours to reply back to email before the new winner is selected.  Contest is no way associated with Facebook.  Hearth and Home is not responsible for prize fulfillment.  Good luck!

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Say Please Lunchbox Love Cards Review and Giveaway!

Say Please was started by life-long friends and fellow moms Judi Willard and Mary Fuller, because they were tired of seeing products being peddled for kids and adults with messages like: "My favorite accessory is my dad’s credit card", ‘‘Boys are stupid", or “I’m a Biotch.”

They decided to create a company that produced greeting cards, clothing and other accessories that featured positive messages, but in a hip and humorous way.

Willard, a licensed psychotherapist, and Fuller, a journalist, were able to combine their talents to come up with upbeat phrases and sentiments that, quite simply, make people feel great.  It is no longer a secret, but scientifically proven that positive thoughts and words have a positive affect on our mental and physical health.

Both women were in a place in their lives where they wanted to be able to work independently at a company with a greater purpose. That’s why a portion of the profits from Say Please’s products go to a specially selected charity.  Positive words can change someone's day, a life, and eventually the world

My 8 and 9 year old children are in 2nd and 3rd grade and I pack their lunches.  I really love these little cards and I remember how special I felt as a child when my mom would put a note in my lunch box.  With Lunchbox Love my kids get a really neat fun fact on one side and a special message on the other. The messages range from I Love You to Seeing you is the best part of my day. They have cards just for kids, for friends, for holidays and even ones for people you work with. They have been so excited lately by these neat cards. The shares the trivia facts, like "some turtles can breathe through their butts", with friends and they know I'm thinking of them when they are at school. This is one of the neatest products I've come across and I'm so glad I got to review these. My son actually has saved every one I have given him!

I really enjoy the ones for the different holidays  and am planning to get them this fall.  I know my kids would have a great time with them.  One thing I would love to see them make is a set for kids from the with bible facts on the fact side.  As a Christian I would love to be able to give my kids some cool bible facts as well as love and encouragement.  Also they would be great to have a set has the encouragement on one side and then a matching bible verse.  That would be perfect for parents doing bible memorization with their kids.

You can connect with Say Please below

Website

Facebook

Twitter

The Giveaway!

Say please has generously offered to give one of my readers several lunch box love sets! Use the rafflecopter to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RULES: This Giveaway is open to users 18 years of age or older. USA and Canada. No purchase necessary. Please enter the Giveaway using the rafflecopter widget. The winner will be selected by random and notified by email . All entries will be verified.  If an entry isn't completed it is considered invalid and a new winner will be chosen.   The winner will have 48 hours to reply back to email before the new winner is selected.  Contest is no way associated with Facebook.  Hearth and Home is not responsible for prize fulfilment.  Good luck!

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

how does my garden (and chickens) grow with pics

the new chicken run

the garden with peas, broccoli rab, radishes, beets

my smart pots with the potatoes coming up

the old chicken run tilled and ready for planting

the days egg take

Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes Review and a Giveaway!

Today I have a tasty review and give-away for you - Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes! They sent me such great goodies. 3 packs of Sun Dried Tomatoes in flavors of Greek Oregano, Italian Basil and Zesty Peppers. In the jars, we have Bruschetta with Italia Basil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Sun Dried tomatoes, Tomato Halves with Italian Herbs, Tomato Pesto Sauce with Whole Pine nuts, and Julienne Cut tomatoes with Italian Herbs. They all come with little mini cook books on top of the jars as well as recipes on the back of the Sun Dried packets and if that doesn't appeal to you they sent a cook book in the shape of a menu. This will hang on the side of my refrigerator.

I loved the flavor of these tomatoes, they were so intense, like the best tomato you have ever eaten on steroids.  They are also a little sweet and savory.  It’s that time of year where spring is here and summer is lurking around the corner and my entire winter menu goes out the door. Instead of the heavy comfort food I start making  Fruit salads, Veggie Salads and Pasta Salads. I used the tomato halves in a sauce over homemade pasta, and I love the bag tomatoes on salads.   These are so versatile in recipes.  You can use them not just for a garnish on salads or appetizers, but in sauces, dips, main dishes and soups.

Bella Sun Luci sun-dried tomatoes are made in Chico, California, at family-owned Mooney Farms - it's a small business that started out with a kiwi farming operation, but expanded to sun-dried tomatoes, and they've really taken off. Check out their website for inspiring recipes and ordering information. You can actually read more about Mooney Farms and how they came about right here. 

The Give-Away

Mooney Farms has generously offered two of my readers prize packs for this giveaway - you'll be receiving four jars of assorted sun dried tomatoes and fie bags as well! To enter use the rafflecopter. U.S. only for this one.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RULES: This Giveaway is open to users 18 years of age or older. USA only. No purchase necessary. Please enter the Giveaway using the rafflecopter widget. The winner will be selected by random and notified by email . All entries will be verified.  If an entry isn't completed it is considered invalid and a new winner will be chosen.   The winner will have 48 hours to reply back to email before the new winner is selected.  Contest is no way associated with Facebook.  Hearth and Home is not responsible for prize fulfilment.  Good luck!

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Ecolunchbox review and Giveaway!

Like many parents, I want my child to have what’s best for them. This has started me on a quest to make sure I find the most eco-friendly options available for most things, since stuff that is ecofriendly is often times the best for you and your family (less toxins, natural ingredients, etc). I’ve been slowly transforming the way my entire family lives, and snacks were bound to come up eventually.

With summer fast approaching one of the things I was looking for was a portable snack container for my daughter.  She goes to tons of activities in summer and takes frequent bike rides as well so a way for her to transport a snack and drink along was essential.

Searching the net I found EcoLunchboxes. The stainless steel alternatives to plastic containers intrigued me, and these products offered me a back-to-the-basics solution. They were generous enough to send me out a sample of some of their products to review: The Solo Cube (square) and the ECOsnacksack.

I have to say that I love the stainless steel because it is durable and also wont leach chemicals into food.  And the minute I saw the snacksack I knew my daughter would love it!  They come in a variety of colors and all are cute.

I used the ECOsnacksack to hold the Solo Cube and a drink, but it wasn’t big enough to hold anything else. It is a “snack” sack and not a “lunch” sack. That’s something to keep in mind! (Ecolunchboxes also offers a larger bag called the ECOLunchwrap if you want the bag to hold your full lunch!).  I was very impressed at how easy it was to wash the container. I opted to wash it by hand, and they might as well have been unused with me washing them as it was a cinch! 

All in all, I love these and so does my very picky teen aged daughter.  They make a great idea for summer outings and activities. Obviously you cannot microwave the containers, but that is the only downside. They hold food great, nothing leaked.  The containers were easy to open, and easy to clean. They were wonderful! They are also non-toxic and waste-free! The ECOsnacksSack  was not only adorable but sturdy. It functions great for a snack carrier, just look for the next size up if you want it to hold a meal. If you want more information on EcoLunchboxes, you can read about the why and story behind ECOlunchbox .

Give-away!

Ecolunchboxes is giving one lucky reader a $10.00 off coupon to use however they want on the Ecolunchbox  site.  Goodluck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RULES: This Giveaway is open to users 18 years of age or older. USA and Canada. No purchase necessary. Please enter the Giveaway using the rafflecopter widget. The winner will be selected by random and notified by email . All entries will be verified.  If an entry isn't completed it is considered invalid and a new winner will be chosen.   The winner will have 48 hours to reply back to email before the new winner is selected.  Contest is no way associated with Facebook.  Hearth and Home is not responsible for prize fulfilment.  Good luck!

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own.