Thursday, September 15, 2011

Jadience review & GIVEAWAY-hydrating gel mask w/ green tea ($58 value)



Photo Source - JADIENCE website

I'm going to start this review / giveaway with absolutely no suspense. I LOVE this mask!

First, I just love this company. As per their site-

" Jadience™ Herbal Formulas has combined the powerful properties of jade powder with our exclusive East Asian Herbal formulas to bring you our renowned skin and body care collections. Our skin and body care collections are noted for their powerful effects of detoxifying, regenerating, and revitalizing the skin. Additionally, our all-natural skincare products also have the power to heal and correct existing damage, protect against future damage, and rejuvenate the skin’s tone and quality, leading to skin that will become dramatically softer, smoother, and more radiant with consistent use. "

When I looked through the Jadience skincare collection, I was like a kid in a candy store. Everything looked so unique, so appealing and I just wanted to try them all! Those of you that know me know I am somewhat of a skincare "guru" of sorts. I couldn't love anything more than opening a new skincare product and running to the bathroom to try it, all excited about experimenting with my new goodies. This particular Jadience product, the "Hydrating gel mask with green tea" sounded so intriguing, I was sure it was calling my name when I browsed through their site.

-about the product, from the Jadience website -

" Green Tea, White Peony and Goji Berry are known to hydrate, nourish, and firm the skin, while stimulating cellular regeneration. Hyaluronic Acid and active herbal ingredients immediately improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, promote new and healthy collagen, and protect skin from environmental damage.

Key Ingredients:

Green Tea – Contains powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that topical green tea polyphenols slow down the development of some signs of aging, neutralize UV light, rejuvenate skin cells, fight free radical damage and inflammation, soothe acne, and lighten skin.

White Peony & Goji Berry – Penetrate deep into the dermal layers to tone and firm the skin, leaving skin looking absolutely radiant and youthful!

Hyaluronic Acid – Dramatically increases cell renewal and supports collagen fibers to immediately correct and reduce signs of aging. "
------------------------------------------------

The first thing I noticed after applying the mask is how nice it felt. Not too sticky, not too thick like some masks, so you feel like you have to use half the bottle for a single use. Don't you just hate that? So I was pleased with the feel, and I immediately loved the scent. It smells very subtle and bakery-ish. It reminded me of a gingerbread cookie. I almost wanted to taste it! Yum.

After applying the mask, I got ready to put my feet up and sit back for a relaxing mask wearing, "Big Brother" watching time. Right away I was pleasantly surprised by the very light tingly sensation, that actually felt quite soothing and delicious.
The best part of all was when I rinsed the mask off, 20 minutes later. When I looked in the mirror, I grinned. My skin was positively glowing. I am lucky enough to not have wrinkles or lines yet, but I guess I hadnt realized that my forehead area hadn't been looking as young as it could have. After using this mask, it looked 100% better, and my whole face was as smooth as a baby's booty. Love it!!

Here is the site where you can purchase Jadience products :-)
http://www.naturalskinrx.com/


Now for the REALLY exciting part. Jadience is going to give a full size Hydrating Gel Mask with green tea, to one of you. $58 value!

There are several different ways to earn entries. Leave a separate comment for each one that you do. Your comment is your entry. The more you do, the more chances you have!)
Don't forget to include your email! If I can't contact you, you can't win!
Giveaway ends Sept 25, 11:59pm

Here is how you can win:

Mandatory entry, this must be done for all others to count!

*visit the Jadience site and tell me in a comment what other product you would like to try
http://www.jadience.com/products

***Extra entries***
( leave one comment for each. They will all be verified)

* become a public "follower" of this blog. (2 entries. Leave 2 comments)

* follow me on twitter @artistic0mystic (1 entry)

* "like" Jadience on Facebook. (1 entry)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jadience-Herbal-Formulas/194068133969183

* follow Jadience on twitter (1 entry)
http://twitter.com/#%21/Jadience

* share this giveaway on Facebook & leave link
(2 entries)

* tweet about this giveaway comment with the link ( may be done once daily for 1 entry each day)

* leave a comment on Jadience Facebook wall telling them - Melanie of the Artistic Mystic blog sent me, thanks for the giveaway!
(2 entries)

* subscribe to the Jadience "consumer" newsletter on their site
(2 entries)
http://www.NaturalSkinRx.com/

*blog about this giveaway and leave link in comment
(4 entries)



Good luck!

http://www.naturalskinrx.com/





Disclaimer
I was not compensated for giving my opinions. I was provided the above product by the company for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own

Special thanks to
http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/

Saturday, September 3, 2011

PonyUP! Kentucky review

Have you heard of this handbag company, PonyUP! Kentucky? Well, I had heard a few things about their bags, and how their shoulder straps were made of genuine horse halters, with the brass fittings and everything. Of course I just love unique things, and I love handbags, so I knew I had to have my own PonyUP! Kentucky bag.

When I went to the site and looked through their catalog, I had a blast. The designs and styles are so varied and so interesting, there's probably a style perfectly suited to anyone who is compelled to have a PonyUP! Kentucky bag of their own. One of the coolest things about them (at least to me) is that they make very few bags with each design and fabric. Sometimes as few as 1 or 2 each. I LOVE that! I had a hard time choosing from all of the cute and quirky designs, I had a list of about 5 that i wanted. I ended up picking the "Blue Lagoon" because it just felt right to me and reminded me of the water..(hence the name i suppose). Being a waterbaby since birth, I felt it suited me perfectly. I think the right bag for each person will just 'speak' to them. It showed how few they make of each when I saw a note by the one I chose saying there were only 2 left in that style! So I feel pretty good knowing that I very nearly have a one of a kind bag, and the chances of meeting someone else with the same PonyUP! Kentucky handbag are almost nil.



(the pic is of the handbag I chose. Isn't it cute?)

Another thing I love is that the shoulder strap, made from a genuine leather horse halter, is so comfortable! Having a great love for horses, this is one of the things that gave the company's founder the idea for this unique bag. One day on her way out to pasture to get her horses, she had slung a leather halter over her shoulder, which gave her the thought of how great a leather halter would be as a handbag shoulder strap! And so the PonyUP! Kentucky handbag was born. And the bags come with a brass nameplate on the strap that is engraved with whatever each person chooses, be it their horses name, farm name, their own name or a cool little phrase that means something special to them. Love it.

The cherry on the top is that a portion of each sale goes to help retired and rescued horses in need. Being an animal advocate myself, that means alot to me. Of course the bags aren't cheap, but you pay for unique-ness and for comfort, and the bags are well made. One nice thing is that after buying the first bag with a strap, you can then buy the bags without the strap, which is easily switched from one Ponyup kentucky bag to another. So that cuts down on the price considerably. The bags that intermittently go on sale are also good to keep an eye on. Deal alert!

In the end, I'm very happy with my PonyUP! Kentucky bag. I love that it feels like it was designed just for me. I love that buying them helps horses in need. And I love how my bag looks with jeans! So cool. And their customer service is impeccable, I appreciate how personable and helpful they are. Definitely the kind of company that helps you feel good about the whole experience after it's ended.. I'm already considering whether I should be planning my next bag..Hey, without needing a strap next time, it's almost a no brainer right?

http://www.ponyupkentucky.com/

Disclaimer:
I was not compensated for this review. The product was provided by the company for review purposes. The opinions are my own. Yours may differ.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Book Review - " Tales from the Crib" by Jennifer Coburn

Ok...first off, I am very discriminating as a reader. I have been an avid reader since I first learned how, 25 yrs ago, and there are, sadly, many many books that I stop reading a few chapters into them, for one reason or another. This book, tales from the crib, never even made me come close to putting it down. It quite simply is the best book I have read in some time. I immediately felt bonded with the main character...and truly felt her ups and downs. The pages just flew by, I almost cried a few times, and snickered or laughed out loud many many times. The author puts so many small things into this story that helped me, as a reader, to get more involved, care more, and remember the story as unique and standing out among so many other chick lit books and authors.

Jennifer Coburn does the most fantastic job of going between side splitting humor, heart touching moments, and a bit of poignancy here and there that just made me love it more and more with each page, and root for this woman more and more. It has the feeling throughout that she's a good friend of mine, so easy to relate to it appears deceptively simple. Outstanding. My fave authors right now are Jennifer Weiner and Jodi Picoult. Jennifer Coburn just joined them on my short list. I would buy this book again any day. The most important thing that this book has, and that is the test of a truly excellent read: you finish it feeling great, smiling, and yet sad that its over...wishing you could read it again fresh, or had a sequel you could hop right into. This book had that feeling.. i only wish she's written more books for me to read now! absolutely insanely wonderful... 5 stars

Book Review - " The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder" by Joanne Fluke


ok im going to make it short and sweet. the writing was bad. really, really bad. like a high school english project...but probably not as good as some of those. lol. im a discriminating reader, and i read a lot. so i just don't have time to waste on these kinds of books, especially with my kindle so full of really good books that im dying to get to. i did not read the whole book however. when my kindle said i was at about 15% through, i had mercy on myself and stopped. i would have given it 1 star instead of 2..if not for all the recipes she mixed in the book. there are 7 pretty good sounding cookie recipes in the book and another 9 in the bonus novella at the back. i paged quickly through the rest just to bookmark the recipes, and do plan on trying some, because they sound pretty good. it might be worth it to some people to buy this book for the recipes alone, but if you're buying it for a good read, compelling characters, an entertaining plot or to get happily lost in a page turning mystery... i'll do you a big favor. look elsewhere....- 2 stars

Book Review - " The Family Man" by Michael Patterson


I first started reading "The Family Man" on a cross country flight. It was my very first book read on my new kindle so i was very hopeful for a good read. I have to say i read it quite happily and was engrossed for the entire flight, and finished 2 days later. The first half of the book was better than i expected and virtually flew by. The plotting of the psychotic villain was well thought out, brilliant in its simplicity and was so realistic it was scary. The fact that any of this could happen easily to you or a loved one is apparent and adds to the suspense and intensity.

My main gripe is that it ended abit too cheesily and simply to be satisfying. There was a huge amount of build up that seemed to leave you hanging at the end...A cpl storylines went in ways that i didnt entirely like, a cpl things and people were talked about too much to be left without resolution...and i guess it just ended too abruptly for how much buildup was put into it. It left me with a feeling of a longer book that was edited down with too much taken out, so it feels anticlimactic at the end. I would still recommend it to a friend though..it was mostly satisfying and suspenseful reading. If the ending were abit better and a cpl of people/stories brought together at the end more, i would have given it 5 stars..as it is, i give it 4. Worth reading though for sure.. 4 stars

campin cookin

This iron cooker by rome pie irons for camp cooking is so cool!!! Sweeps4bloggers is giving one away here. http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22680&cpage=5#comment-1111655

i can tan too!

Being so fair I can't tan...but I'd love to try these tanning gels from Hampton sun, the prize in this sweeps4bloggers giveaway!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22722&cpage=3#comment-1111617

owie lips

I know when my lips are really chapped the only thing that helps is carmex. And this summer my lips are always chapped! So I need this carmex prize package on this sweeps4bloggers giveaway!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22693&cpage=6#comment-1111586

Sunday, August 14, 2011

smelly bye bye!

I really could use these all natural pet odor eliminator products by clean + green..and hope I win them in this sweeps4bloggers giveaway!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22644&cpage=4#comment-1111521

yummy AND healthy???

I want to try these renew life products that are good for you and taste good too. Or so I hear! I have to try this!!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22228&cpage=5#comment-1111469

math helper yay!

This graphing calculator from Texas instruments is so cool! Makes math more understandable. Finally! Sweeps4bloggers is giving one as a prize in this giveaway!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22823&cpage=4#comment-1111419

pearls rule!

This pearl necklace from Pearlotica is so pretty! I hope I win it in the sweeps4bloggers giveaway!

http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22768&cpage=8#comment-1111342

makeup mayhem

I totally need new makeup and hope I win this makeup prize from lamik beauty, that is being given away on sweeps4bloggers!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22336&cpage=12#comment-1110462

acupressure me!

I so want this Acupressure mat from heavenly mats. Sweeps4bloggers has a giveaway for one I want to win really bad!!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22298&cpage=12#comment-1110436

yummy snacks

I would love to be munching on these farm rich appetizers that sweeps4bloggers is giving away. Mmm. Yum. I'm really hungry too. Lol
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21995&cpage=13#comment-1110417

pampered feet time

I think my feet would love this microdry memory foam bathmat that is a prize in this sweeps4bloggers giveaway. Looks cushy
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22307&cpage=19#comment-1110371

dress divas unite!

This book " quest for the dress" looks like the perfect book to guide u in the wedding dress search! I want it! Sweeps4bloggers is giving it away!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22252&cpage=3#comment-1110334

camera pretty!

These camera bags from Jo totes that sweeps4bloggers has a giveaway for right now are so cute! Love them!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22192&cpage=16#comment-1110314

team ice cream !!

Mmmm...sweeps4bloggers has this ice cream breyers Klondike popsicle giveaway that sounds so delish!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22208&cpage=17#comment-1110283

whole new world of chips!

Yummy! I really want to try these CrispRoot chips, all made from cassava root...sweeps4bloggers has a giveaway for some now!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22089&cpage=9#comment-1110120

dehydration no bieno

For water drinking nuts like myself, this Nalgene water bottle that sweeps4bloggers is having a giveaway for right now is perfect! I need it!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22180&cpage=11#comment-1110095

kitty fun!

Cats are so fickle and that's why I would love winning this prize of play-n-squeak cat toys for my kitty that is at sweeps4bloggers right now! Yay toys!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22167&cpage=14#comment-1110044

Monday, July 25, 2011

candle craze

This candle looks so cool! This new giveaway at sweeps4bloggers is to win an Aroma Naturals giant Mosaic candle ...sounds neato torpedo, I want one! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22132

kick ass coffee

Another great giveaway from sweeps4bloggers , to win coffee from kicking horse coffee...love the name. Sounds really yummylicious too! Love me some coffee http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22086

candy is dandy

Mmmm. This sweeps4bloggers giveaway to win licorice from all different countries, from licorice international,sounds delish! ! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21784

glasses are cool!

I REALLY need a new pair of glasses ..and cute ones would be nice! So I want to win the giveaway on sweeps4bloggers right now to win a pair of prescription glasses from BonLook! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=22037

be my chipmate!

Gotta love chips right? Sweeps4bloggers has a giveaway to win frito lays goodies. Yummy! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21991

Sunday, July 24, 2011

make me up scotty!

Yay! Makeup giveaway now on sweeps4bloggers ...luv it!! Win Mistura makeup kit ! I NEED this! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21956

look younger!

Cool giveaway at sweeps4bloggers to win collagen eye pads from Reviva labs...sounds awesome we all can use some youngifying our skin. :-) http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21903

yoCRUNCH

Yogurt with goodies mixins included? YUM! giveaway at sweeps4bloggers to win yocrunch yogurt! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21880

be green with glass

I am loving these glass straws from Glass Dharma ...way to be green and cute! Sweeps4bloggers is having a giveaway for some! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21882

kill cliff!!

Love the name of this sports drink - kill cliff- & sweeps4bloggers is having a giveaway to win a case! Yummy! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21900

custom clothes!!

This giveaway sweeps4bloggers is having to win clothing custom made from EShakti is the coolest thing ever!!I REALL Wanna win this!! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21979

floss no more!

No need to floss when u have an oral irrigator ...so cool! And sweeps4bloggers is having a giveaway for one from ToiletTree! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21872

Bina beauty

This thing called a Bina is so freaking cool! It can be made into so many things...and sweeps4bloggers is having a giveaway for one! I want one! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21627
Sweeps4Bloggers

skincare goodies!

Neato prize from this sweeps4bloggers giveaway ..to win Annmarie Gianni skincare products! Allllways looking for good skincare goodies!

coffee yum!

Another Cool sweeps4bloggers giveaway to win Dr Drip COFFEE!!! LUV IT! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21737

moonstone love

Love this sheyna moonstone necklace in this sweeps4bloggers giveaway ...so pretty! Hope I win! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21756

love Novica!

Sweeps4bloggers has the most awesome giveaway to win stuff from Novica! Art lovers check it out!
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21723

ice tea time

Omg I could sure use some good iced tea this summer ...like the mighty Leaf tea prize package from this sweeps4bloggers giveaway! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21705

manicure time!

Yay! Win cool set of nail polish from Dr remedy at this sweeps4bloggers giveaway ! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21630

tea collection stuff!

Cool. U can win a 100$ gift cert for tea collection stuff in the sweeps4bloggers giveaway ... http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21579

fabulous tablecloth!

This Dolma fair trade tablecloth you can win in the sweeps4bloggers giveaway is SO AMAZING! ! OMG
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21616

ponyup people!

Awesome giveaway at sweeps4bloggers to win a gorgeous PonyUP Kentucky handbag!! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21608

foreue products!

Sweeps4bloggers has another great giveaway, this one to win Foreue vegan products! Looks cool! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21346

cool beach chair!

Really cool giveaway at sweeps4bloggers right now to win a sport-brella beach chair! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21486

jadience giveaway!

Neato herbal prize package from Jadience giving away at sweeps4bloggers! http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21523

Jewelry sweeps!

Cool giveaway about to end from sweeps4bloggers. Pearl earrings! What's cooler??
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=21456