Archives for October 2016

The Essential Traveler Bag

October 11, 2016 · 1 Comment

I’ve long admired and envied women who get through their day and their lives needing to carry only a small bag.

Throughout my life, I’ve felt the need to anticipate and pack for every possible daily eventuality. But now a torn rotator cuff and a request to review the Essential Traveler bag has led me to lighten my load, and to my surprise, I’m getting along just fine with what I can fit into my beautiful new little leather purse. Actually, I can fit a lot into this handy purse!

The Essential Traveler

The purse itself is a high-quality gorgeous Wine colored leather with five exterior compartments, four of which have zippers. The central interior part of the purse also has a zippered closure. The bag measures 7″ by 8.5″ by .5″ and has an adjustable shoulder strap. The front zippered pouch compartment comfortably fits my RFID wallet. My ring of fifteen keys neatly stores in the compartment directly above and behind the front pouch without bulging. The top front zippered compartment is a great place for coupons in that it is more than seven inches deep. I keep my checkbook in the back zippered compartment and a pack of tissues plus and a pack of mints in the open compartment.

The Essential Traveler

That leaves the entire interior to hold a comb, compact, lipstick, glasses case, and whatever else a particular trip might require, such as a magnifying glass, which is an essential for weekend excursions.

Why a magnifying glass, you ask?

I’m now enjoying the bag daily, but one day of the week it has become irreplaceable – going to estate sales on Saturdays! Both my hands are now free to examine jewelry with a magnifying glass and to be able to hold the piece securely with the other hand.

The Essential Traveler

One more thing I like about this purse is that it easily fits under a jacket or coat for those occasions when one might like an extra measure of security, such as walking to and from a parking garage. And once you arrive in the office, you can show off your beautiful bag all day long!

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I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

Skincare: Mediderm MD-12 Advanced Anti-Aging Cream for Face and Neck

October 9, 2016 · Leave a Comment

I have come to be a huge fan of the Mediderm line, and Mediderm MD-12 Advanced Anti-Aging Cream for Face and Neck is an excellent addition to the wonderful Mediderm line of skincare products.

This cream is packed with potent ingredients to fight signs of aging, most notably neck/throat sagging and crepiness. What I really like about this cream is that it works as both a preventative measure as well as treating existing problems. Sagging creeps up slowly, and crepiness is one of those issues that you only notice after it happens. It’s pretty jarring when you realize that you were missing the subtle signs as they were happening. So if you start early in the skin aging process with a fantastic cream like this, you can stave off these signs of aging.

While this cream work for both face and neck, I find that the results are particularly dramatic on the neck. The skin on the throat is so thin that is shows aging faster than your face, and needs extra attention. Add to that the fact that even a lot of ardent sunscreen wearers neglected their throats over the years, and the throat is ripe for aging. And let’s not even get started on the effects that looking down at your cell phone has on throat skin – the wrinkles become so much more pronounced!

As I mentioned before, the ingredients are incredible. I am a huge fan of Maxtrixyl 3000 for firming skin, and I am always excited to see it in a product. That and the Dermaxtyl Peptides work to firm and smooth skin. Hyaluronic Acid, a staple of my daily routine, plumps skin and gives it a dewy glow. Alpha Lipoic Acid is a potent anti-oxidant and is phenomenal for skin. Ceramides provide moisture and keep skin supple. Liposomal Vitamin C is a type of Vitamin C that I only recently learned about (but actually was in a few creams that I already owned and loved) that fights wrinkles and works on age spots as well.

The texture is that of a mid-thickness cream, but it absorbs easily and leaves no trace of greasiness. It just leaves a soft, dewy texture to the skin. I like when products make an immediate difference and then work to reduce or correct a problem in the long term. This cream definitely does that.

There is a pleasing but pronounced floral scent to the product. Even in high allergy season here in Connecticut, it didn’t really bother me, but if you prefer fragrance-free, you might want to take note of this. The scent dissipated pretty quickly.

And it is paraben free, which is a major factor in choosing a skincare cream!

I’m thrilled to find this amazing cream that is packed with such great ingredients!

Find Mediderm MD-12 Advanced Anti-Aging Cream for Face and Neck here.

Mediderm MD-12 Advanced Anti-Aging Cream for Face and Neck

I received this item at a discount for testing and 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!

Minos Moka Pot 6 Cup Espresso Maker

October 7, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Nothing makes your morning like a good cup of coffee or two. While I love a morning Starbucks run, I am often in a rush and don’t have the time to stop. For me, quality coffee equipment to make coffee beverages myself is a worthwhile investment. I have invested in a few espresso and coffee maker machines over the years. But nothing beats the kind of espresso my Grandmother would make for us in an old-fashioned Moka espresso maker directly on the stovetop. Minos has done it one better than what our Grandmother used in their Minos Moka Pot Espresso Maker It is a modern updated twist on a classic.

Minos Moka Pot 6 Cup Espresso Maker

The Minos Moka Pot Espresso Maker is a convenient way to get your morning (or afternoon) caffeine fix of artisan style espresso coffee. It makes up to six cups of espresso at once. In this case, a “cup” means espresso cup sized portions, or “shots,” not a full coffee mug sized “cup.” In total, it makes about nine to ten ounces total of espresso. If you are used to ordering your favorite Starbucks beverage with multiple shots of espresso, this Moka is a good size for one to two people, or enough to serve a traditional espresso with a twist of lemon after a meal.

Some features:
1) It is Stainless Steel. This is important as the coffee oils build up over time and create a richer coffee taste. It is also important so that you get a long-lasting Moka pot. A sturdy one can last for years, my Grandmother’s Moka lasted since the 60’s. This Minos Moka Pot seems much sturdier to me.
2) It also has Stainless Steel and switchable, colorful Silicon Handle options. This is a cool, practical and innovative modern twist. The reason for this option is because while Moka Pots last a long time, the handles are often the first to break or melt due to intense heat. The spare handles extend the life of your Moka pot if the handle starts to melt. They are also useful if you wish to color coordinate to match your kitchen or bar area.
3) It is suitable for Gas, Electric And Ceramic Stovetops

Minos Moka Pot 6 Cup Espresso Maker

HOW TO USE THE MINOS MOKA POT EXPRESSO MAKER

The Moka pot comes with easy step-by-step instructions. Here is how to use it:

1) Remove the tamper and funnel from the inside of the coffeemaker
2) Pour cold water into the bottom chamber. Fill up to one cm below the safety valve. This is roughly between 1/2 inch and .75 of an inch. When in doubt, fill with less water so that the safety valve is NOT submerged.
3) Grind fresh coffee beans to a medium to coarse grind. A fine grind will block the funnel. Alternatively, you can use pre-ground espresso.
4) Place the funnel inside the bottom chamber
5) Fill the funnel with ground coffee until it is full.
6) Using the tamper, flatten the grounds so that they are level with the top of the funnel.
7) Brush away any grounds that have spilled on the threads or funnel top.
8) Remove the tamper from the funnel. DO NOT LEAVE IN THE TAMPER DURING OPERATION.
9) Tightly screw on the top of the Moka pot.
10) Place Moka pot onto a heat source.
11) Keep the cover (the lid) open while brewing.
12) Turn off the heat once the coffee stops coming out of the tube.
13) Add espresso directly to your coffeehouse-style beverage or for a traditional espresso style drink, pour espresso into espresso cups and add a small curl of lemon peel.

CONCLUSION: This is a high-quality Moka Pot made of sturdy stainless steel. It looks sleek and attractive. It is easy to clean and use, and best of all, it makes tasty artisan espresso that would make any Grandmother proud. A quality Moka pot like this one, with proper care, can last a lifetime and is an excellent investment for entertaining friends with a traditional post-dinner espresso or your own personal coffee needs. I am very happy to have gotten this Minos Moka pot for my daily coffee fix!

Buy it here.

I received this item for testing and 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!

Instanatural Age Defying Skin Clearing Serum What to Know

October 7, 2016 · 1 Comment

In my teenage angst, I thought that at least my acne would clear up before I started to get fine lines on my face. Nope.

The majority of daily skin care products address one problem such as acne, wrinkles, dullness or fine lines. The problem is, if you are like me, all these problems can occur at once: adult acne, dry skin, wrinkles and fine lines all at the same time. How does one go about treating multi-concern skin?

THE PROBLEM: SKIN CARE FOR THE ACNE PRONE ADULT
If you have a tendency towards adult acne *and* you’re forming fine lines and wrinkles, you know the difficulty of skincare multi-tasking. Your acne care makes your skin look dry and old, and your anti-aging skin care can give you breakouts.

Add to the problem that most acne remedies are for teenagers with younger, oily skin. A teen can tolerate covering their chin and forehead with harsh benzoyl peroxides or other pimple creams and be none the worse for wear, but on an adult, these ingredients are too harsh, and they magnify the fine lines on anyone but a teenager.

Meanwhile, your skin requires moisturizing, and a daily program to enhance and repair your skin, as well as ideally, build collagen. These products generally include Vitamin C and Retinol serums as well as moisturizing ingredients.

INGREDIENTS FOR ACNE PRONE OLDER SKIN
Studies indicate that Salicylic Acid best targets the acne of adult skin, it is less harsh and will not make skin look flaky, red or dry, it treats existing breakouts and pre-empts new acne from forming.

A MULTI-TASKING SOLUTION: INSTANATURAL CLEAR SKIN SERUM
Instanaturals gets it that you can have more than one skin care issue occurring at once. Instanaturals Age Defying Skin Clearing Serum is designed for just that: it has enough Salicylic Acid to pre-empt acne breakouts, yet it also contains grown-up skincare ingredients including Vitamin C, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin B3.

HOW IT WORKS:
Vitamin C and Retinol works for both anti-aging and pre-empting acne. Both Vitamin C and Retinol lighten discoloration from skin damage and acne scarring. They help build collagen, which makes skin look smoother and clearer, smoothing out fine bumps and pitting left from acne scars. Collagen also keeps skin from wrinkling and smooths fine lines. Vitamin B3 works to reduce scarring and red inflammation at a deeper level of the skin, so scars fade faster. Hyaluronic Acid holds moisture, plumping the skin, so it stays smooth and supple despite acne-sacking ingredients like Salicylic Acid and Tea Tree Oil eliminating acne. This combination of moisturizing yet effective ingredients gives an overall unblemished, clear appearance to the skin, all while building collagen to fight future aging.

APPLICATION:
It is a thin liquid; it is not sticky. I only need about 1/6 of the dropper full for my entire face. It goes on smooth and dries down evenly so that makeup can be applied over it. Unlike some acne treatments, there is no tell-tale chalky residue or scent. The only scent is from the Vitamin C, a citrus scent that dissipates as it dries. It does not sting, and my skin feels smooth. The only advice I would give is I would skip the delicate eye area, as the ingredients for acne are indeed too drying for this skin. It applies quickly.

RESULTS:
I am very glad to find a product that addresses so many of my concerns at once. For areas such as forehead and chin, it is wonderful to be able to simultaneously address aging and acne concerns. The low-dose Salyclic is just enough to keep acne at bay while not overly drying my skin, and the Vitamin C, Retinol, and Vitamin B all have lightened some existing acne scars. I am especially happy seeing how it treats the dark redness surrounding a pimple; it lightens it without excess dry, flaky skin. Not having flaky skin is a big plus for me and makes it so much easier to cover healing pimples with concealer during the day.

CONCLUSION: a one-step product to address multiple skin concerns. If you have bouts of adult acne, there is no need to forgo an anti-aging skin care program. Instanatural Age Defying Skin Clearing Serum gives fast results without dryness, redness or skin flaking. It heals and prevents new acne and fades existing acne scars and marks. Excellent product for multi-tasking your skin care needs!

Find it at Instanatural.com

Instanatural Age Defying Skin Clearing Serum

I received this item free for my honest and unbiased testing and 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!