Archives for June 2016

Your Closet: Moth-Avenger Old Cinnamomun Camphora Root Block

June 27, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Moth-Avenger Old Cinnamomun Camphora Root Block

These Moth-Avenger Old Cinnamomun Camphora Root Blocks are a great investment if you own expensive wool coats, clothing, and rugs. They can provide extended moth proof protection without chemicals or frequent reapplication. And if you ever had a favorite item of clothing ruined by moths, the name Moth-Avenger feels very appropriate.

ABOUT CLOTHES MOTHS
Tineola bisselliella, better known as the common clothes moth, are tiny beige moths that eat fabric and paper, especially wool and cashmere. They are also fond of eating fur, silk, felt and feathers. When they are done, they leave behind a trail of tiny holes in their wake. Clothes Moths can attack coats, clothing, rugs and even upholstery and bookbindings. By the time you actually see a moth in your house, it is too late: the microscopic eggs have hatched and ate some fabric in your home. With only a 10-day or less hatching cycle, a hoard of moths can be attacking your wardrobe pretty quickly before you even know you have a moth problem.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CLOTHES FROM MOTHS
Some limited success has been had with lavender to keep these wardrobe ruiners at bay, but the lavender fades after a while and loses its effectiveness. Camphor Oil has an intense scent that deters moths and flies but needs to be frequently refreshed.

ABOUT MOTH AVENGERS OLD CINNAMOMUN CAMPHORA ROOT BLOCKS
Cinnamomun camphcra is an aromatic wood that is safe to be around children and pets but can still provide moth control. The scent is a general deterrent to other pests as well. The Camphora root smells stronger than the branch or Oil, so it provides the best protection.

They come four blocks to a pack. The blocks can last for a decade, which makes them ideal for the long-term storage of items like wedding dresses, vintage clothing, winter coats, hats, and furs. They each have a hanging loop, so they can be placed on a hanger or hook and hung in a closet to protect multiple items at once. When the smell dissipates, rub it lightly with sandpaper to renew the scent.

I hung one in my winter coat closet, one in my winter wardrobe closet and another in my currently used clothing closet, the fourth I put in with my Grandmother’s wedding dress. I have been pleased with how easy it is to hang them and forget about them, and while multiple blocks are an investment, they are cheaper, smell better and are more efficient than mothballs or lavender, especially when they can be used for years.

Recommended item, safe and effective. Wish I had these blocks sooner.

How to Use Lift Care Lift Wand Pro

June 27, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro

I’ve been on a beauty gadget binge lately. I was impressed by the other gadgets I have tried from Lift Care, so I am happy to have tried their flagship product, the Lift Wand Pro.

The Lift Wand Pro is a very powerful gadget. It is a high-frequency tool to clarify and refine the skin. After having used it a few times, I am thrilled with the results.

This tool treats a broad range of beauty woes, ranging from hair loss to acne to the signs of aging. The underlying mechanism of high-frequency skincare is a)bringing circulation to the skin, and b)killing bacteria. In addition to the seven high-frequency electrode attachments, the kit contains a 540-needle derma roller. I am a huge fan of derma rollers to increase collagen production. The one that comes with this kit is well made and precise. I use it twice a week, and I haven’t had any issues with pinpricks that led to bleeding. It gives my skin a lovely glow and smoothes out my skin.

There are seven electrode attachments to use with the device. Each has a gas inside it (I believe Argon) which emits a glow when the electric current reacts with it.

I found the hair comb electrode fascinating. It causes circulation to increase on your scalp (and therefore in your hair follicles) much the same way a peppermint shampoo would. There is also a tingle that goes along with this increase in circulation, also like peppermint shampoo has when it brings circulation to the scalp.

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro Comb

I had a recent weight loss, so I was eager to try out the body roller electrode to prevent sagging skin. This is more of a preventative step, but I was surprised (and thrilled) by how much tightening I have had on my upper arms. If you aren’t thrilled with how your arms look in short sleeves, this attachment makes the whole kit worth it!

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro Body Roller

The undereye (Spoon) attachment produces a peppy, wide awake look by tightening the undereye and bringing fluid-draining circulation to the area, great for late nights, early mornings, and allergy season!

The neck electrode is a powerful anti-aging tool and probably one of the most recognizable electrodes if you have gotten high-frequency facials in a spa. It improves circulation to the thin skin on the throat and tightens jowls. It makes a noticeable difference.

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro Neck Attachment

Next to the neck electrode, the most recognizable attachment would be the Face Electrode, commonly called a Mushroom Attachment in spas. By running this attachment over the face, skin is smoothed and left with a dewy, rosy glow to it.

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro Facial Electrode

The most impressive result for me came from the Acne Electrodes. One is for use behind the ears for sagging in the area and for acne, and the other is just for acne is areas like the nose. They are more powerful wands than the rest, with more concentrated energy than the rest of the electrodes. They work by killing bacteria and creates an environment that is unfavorable to acne. I had a few blemishes last week, two that were red and visible, a whitehead, and one that had not yet shown up on my skin, but I could feel forming under my skin. I followed the directions and lightly tapped the Acne Electrode on each of the blemishes a few times. They were each immediately tighter and drier. Over the next 24 hours, the two red, visible blemishes were slightly lighter in color and reduced by about 75%. They were flat by the next day, and one of them returned to normal flesh tone within 72 hours. The whitehead dried out and was gone in 48 hours. The blemish that hadn’t shown up on my skin came to the surface and dried up in less than 72 hours. I am thrilled with the results of these attachments! Results come faster than if I went to the dermatologist to get a blemish injected, and less expensive in the long run if your insurance doesn’t cover acne.

There are several warnings in the instructions of those who shouldn’t use the Lift Wand Pro due to medical conditions, so take a look at that before you use it. The gadget comes with a 1-year warranty, which is great!

The whole kit comes in a sturdy aluminum briefcase style box, which is fantastic for storage of these delicate items. I wish more beauty gadgets came with good storage like this, and it definitely adds value to a great kit.

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro Case

Find this great kit at Amazon.com.

I received this item at a discount for testing and unbiased review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!

Friday Fitness: Sela Fitness Total Core Ab Workout Machine

June 24, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Sela Fitness Total Core Ab Workout Machine

OVERVIEW: This machine is sturdy but easy to lift. There are several exercises that are possible with this unit. Workout program videos available on the website and YouTube. The resistance level is adjustable. Easy to store. Good value.

WHY I NEED A HOME EXERCISE MACHINE
When I am in Grad School, I have ready access to my amazing college gym and keep up a good exercise schedule. When I am home on break, not so much. I have my share of home equipment and contraptions that I don’t use much because they are somewhat flimsy and limited in what I can do with them, so I lost interest in them over time. I also have a treadmill and stationary bike, but nothing for upper body except some hand weights.

ASSEMBLY
It comes mostly assembled except for screwing in the coil that controls the tension, adding a pin, and placing on the arm grip pieces. All the pieces are included. It does come with instructions, but I found the video on their website to be more helpful. I was confused at first with how to get the coil to fit into the slot. Move the handle forward to release the tension and it will be long enough to fit in easily. After that piece is in place, the rest is simple.

The second item that comes with this machine is a rotating disc that can be used with or without the machine. If you place it on the seat base of the machine, you can add a twisting dimension to your core workout.

USING THE MACHINE
A series of exercises video demonstrations and entire suggested 20 minute and quick workouts are available on the website that also give verbal instructions and tips about the machine exercise options. You can also find them on YouTube if you search “Sela Fitness.” Some example exercises are the assisted abdominal crunch (sit on the base of the machine, lean back into the two arm handles, do partial sit-ups with back support) and triceps workouts. The videos incorporate some non-machine based cardio with the machine exercises to get the most out of a home workout.

I like this Sela machine because it is sturdy, but it is easy to lift and move. It is useful for arm and leg exercises. When I did the leg exercises, I was sitting in a chair, which is very convenient. A few times the base tipped a bit which was not a big deal, I prefer that the machine is easy to lift and move than be heavier. For most exercises, one sits on the base of the machine for arm and ab exercises and lays in front of the machine for leg workouts.

STORAGE
The Sela machine can slide underneath a desk, bed, or couch for easy storage when not in use.

EFFECTIVENESS
This Sela machine is worthwhile for someone looking to add to their home workout equipment or someone who has some level of fitness but has not developed core strength. If you are a bodybuilder, you probably won’t get much use from this machine. But if you are getting more serious about fitness but are not ready to join a gym, this is a good starting machine. If you have just finished physical therapy and need to start a home exercise program, this will be a suitable machine. A semi-sedentary lifestyle person could benefit from this machine as it is easy to lift and move and does give some resistance while exercising but it is not too difficult. But it is a solid machine for stay at home Moms; college students home from school who want to keep up their workout, or for days you just can’t get to the gym, or you are short on time and want to find a way to work out at home while watching TV. It is suitable for several days a week use and is easy to use. I like using the machine for doing partial sit-ups because it provides some stability for my back, so I keep good form, and it also provides some resistance, so I get a better core workout. Keeping good form is something I find difficult to do with many of these home exercise machines, so I am happy to find a machine that helps to retain form on a basic core exercise.

CONCLUSION: I would recommend this machine, it is a great price for what you get and is easy to assemble and store. I wish I had watched the assembly video on their website before trying to figure out the written instructions; the video is much easier to follow. No complaints, happy to have a machine that is easy to use and a home workout that is easy to do daily.

Find this great machine at Amazon.com.

I received this item for testing and unbiased review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

Office Decor: Startonight Wall Art Canvas Maple Tree

June 23, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Startonight Wall Art Canvas Maple Tree

Our office recently underwent renovations, and I had to clear out all of my decor so it didn’t get damaged. It seemed a good a time as any to redecorate, so I will be talking a bit about some office decor ideas here. I was thrilled to find a lovely piece of art in the Startonight Wall Art Canvas Maple Tree.

I picked this piece because it reminded me of the front yard of my childhood home. We have a huge maple tree in the yard, and this painting looks like it was a commissioned work of that area of the property, and of my childhood. My father and I used to play in that area, so it is nice to bright a bit of home into my office. It is beautiful and always brings a smile to my face.

The close up details are stunning. It is one of those paintings that is beautiful from across the room, but breathtaking close-up. The turns of the tree trunk, the individual leaves, the crystal clear water – all are stunning surprises to be found when you examine the painting closely.

Guess what else is cool about this painting? It glows in the dark! Not a neon green, stick-on-planets kind of way, but almost a replica of how light in that area of the yard appears in twilight or if there is a bright, full moon. All it needs is some sunlight and the Dual View Eco Light Inks create a beautiful, soothing view. The Eco Light Inks are interesting: they do not contain phosphorus, which is typically an ingredient in luminescent paints While direct sunlight is ideal, I put the painting near a window with good sunlight, but not direct sunlight, and it worked. In the instructions, it stated that 1 minute of direct natural sunlight per day or 25 minutes of indirect or artificial (aka overhead) light is enough to keep your beautiful twilight view going all night. The light isn’t so bright that it would keep you up at night, I think it would just be a soothing light like a window looking out on a suburban back yard. This painting would be great if you lack windows and would like a view that changes like the outside light. This is ideal if you have a basement apartment, or you simply don’t get as much light as you would like in an area.

The canvas is sturdy and canvas wrapped. It comes with hardware to mount the painting and glow in the dark stars if you want to add some extra light.

Find it at Amazon.com.

Startonight Wall Art Canvas Maple Tree