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Style Chicks

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Lifestyle: Live the Lovely Life

Lifestyle: How to live a lovely life ... in style!


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Wine Wednesday: Magicdo 12 Colors Glass Paint Set

September 14, 2016 · Leave a Comment

We love to create unique, colorful tablescapes at parties, brunches, gatherings, showers, and special occasion dinners. I like a balance of not too stuffy and formal but not too whimsical – just a nice blend of eclectic and classic with some artistic elements thrown in to keep things interesting. Some attention to details with personalization with color, monogramming and patterns can make your guest feel special and really make a party unique. So I was happy to find this Magicdo Glass Painting set for glassware, it is a way to customize glassware such as wine and champagne glasses for an occasion to give a pulled together look to an event, adding color or personalization to plain glass stemware or mirror surface objects.

Wine Glass painted with Magicdo® 12 Colors Glass Paint Set

Wine Glass painted with Magicdo® 12 Colors Glass Paint Set

WAYS TO USE THE MAGICDO GLASS PAINT SET
Personalized glassware is useful for a party, putting names or initials on guests glasses prevents the accidentally use someone else’s glass. And a custom glass can stand in as a table setting place card for a seated dinner or brunch. It also makes an easy, custom party favor if desired.

COORDINATE TO PARTY THEME: Glass Paint can add color or design to plain glassware to color-coordinate or theme coordinate to other pieces, tying in eclectic or mix and match tableware. Instead of keeping glassware for numerous types of parties or entertaining, one set of plain glassware can be customized for each event. With a little practice, it would be easy to hand paint custom champagne glasses for a bridal couple or special anniversary event to make for a handmade, custom gift.

PAINT PARTY: A fun activity for kids and adults alike, painting on glassware is an enjoyable and easy activity.

VERSATILE ONE TIME USE OR PERMANENT PAINT DESIGNS
Handwash the glasses carefully if you wish to retain the design for more than one use. If you wish to paint the glasses with a different design, the paints wash off in the dishwasher.

TIP: If you intend on keeping the painted result on the glassware for more than one-time use, I would recommend allowing a few days for the paint to fully set before use. While it is dries quickly, it remains tacky for a few days, especially in warm weather.

HOW TO USE THESE PAINTS
These paints are applied on the outside of the glass, so generic glassware can be turned into customized special occasion glassware, adding theme elements, color-coordinated patterns, monograms or names. You can use your existing glassware, or purchase low-cost, plain glasses for the occasion. This particular glass that is used in these photos and video is a simple basic glass that could be purchased at any Bed, Bath, and Beyond or IKEA type store.

For patterns, there are endless stencils for free on sites such as Pinterest, some are available on Etsy, and it is easy to create your own pattern as well. To create a name stencil, I selected a script font in Microsoft Word and printed it out and taped it to the inside of the glass and then just traced over the script with the paint.

THE KIT
This kit consists of twelve non-toxic rich pigment color paints. It is suitable for use for kids 3 and older, teens and adults.

The kit comes with a plastic palette with several wells to hold paint and mix colors, and a large well for water to clean the brushes.

The kit does not come with brushes, but any simple craft store Glass Brush Set, Nylon bristle brush or even some Q-tips can be used to get started.

The paint: The paints are high pigment yet very sheer; it takes multiple layers to build color or a thick dab for opaque pigment. They are high- pigment tints, which make them highly suitable for “glass coloring,” or the filling in an existing or pre-applied outline on the glass. The pigment of the paint seems so intense and opaque; I was surprised to see how sheer it applied. I came to like this, as the very sheer nature of the paint makes it very usable for the less artistically inclined, because no one paint stroke can make or break your design. I like the ability to blend and create a pretty unstructured freehand tinted or stainless glass look.

I liked the two shades of green for creating realistic depth to leaves. I lightly mixed but did not thoroughly blend the shades to have some variegation to the leaves.

HOW TO PAINT:
These paints blended nicely and had a very creamy texture that is easy to use. The layers of paint are very sheer. To create more opaque color, dab it on the glass and allow it to dry for about ten seconds, then feather it out. Paint can also be dabbed on with a sponge or cotton swab for more intensive color. For multiple layers of sheer color, apply it in thin coats, similar to how you would apply nail polish. Since the paint does not absorb into the glass, the first coat is more of a sheer tint and takes multiple layers to create an opaque look.

If you make a mistake, just wipe off the paint with a Q-tip and start again. I got some of the paint on my hands and nails; it washed off quickly with basic soap and water.

CONCLUSION: A fun, relaxing, easy way to create custom glassware to match a theme or color palette for an event, these paints are non-toxic, making them suitable for use by children and adults. As a non-artist with artistic yearnings, I found the sheerness to be very useful to slowly build and blend color into freehand abstract patterns that are manageable to create my own simple artistic creations. Blendable and creamy, it is easy to quickly paint custom glassware that gives a look of expensive artisan glass for entertaining and use as gifts.

Find this great set at Amazon.

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.

Posted by Style Chicks / Filed In: For the Home, Gifts
Tagged: Entertaining, Glass Paint, Magic 12 Colors Glass Paint Set, Wine Wednesday

Travel: Giovanni Navarre 17″ Italian Stone Design Leather Tote Bag

September 14, 2016 · Leave a Comment

This Giovanni Navarre travel bag is 17″, not as large as a briefcase, and slightly longer than a laptop case or hobo style handbag, yet it holds lots of stuff. Not as cumbersome or heavy as a backpack or a full duffel bag, this can carry all of your gym workout wear with room to spare, especially in the summer months when workout wear is generally lighter. I am also able to carry multiple textbooks in the bag.

Giovanni Navarre 17" Italian Stone Design Genuine Leather Tote Bag

Giovanni Navarre 17″ Italian Stone Design Genuine Leather Tote Bag

 

FEATURES
It comes with a sturdy detachable shoulder strap and handles to carry the bag. The leather has a textured pattern; there is a zipper pull top to provide a full covered closure. There are full around zipper pockets on either end of the bag and a long deep pocket along the length of the bag. The side pockets are suitable for holding shoes, liquid containers, or dirty laundry. The pocket along the front length of the bag is long enough to hold a book, tablet, or water bottle.

QUALITY:
No loose threads scratched leather or subpar workmanship, it looks more expensive than I expected. Handles and strap are sturdy enough to hold the contents of the bag without tearing or pulling on the leather. Zippers are solid. The stone design pattern on the leather emulates the look of a more expensive bag.

FOR TRAVEL OR BEAUTY EMERGENCIES
There is enough room in this bag for a low-maintenance last-minute overnight getaway. It is also roomy enough to hold all of my beauty essentials (makeup, hair styling tools, beauty products) for a trip, or for packing all the makeup and tools needed to prepare for a special occasion, makeover session, wedding, prom or photo shoot. But the reason I use it most often is beauty emergencies due to weather-related mishaps.

New England weather can be tricky: it rains frequently and often unexpectedly, so hair or makeup disasters due to humidity, fog, snow, sleet or rain are almost inevitable. And on special occasion events such as weddings, or important presentation meetings with clients, looking like a drowned rat is unacceptable.

On bad weather days, I bring along this bag with my trusty hair appliances and duck into an out-of-the-way ladies room (or the office building fitness center when necessary) and quickly dry or restyle my hair as needed. The inside of the bag can easily hold my CHI ionic HairDryer with the full diffuser attachment, a set of the T3 Hot Rollers, and a round brush. The long outside pocket can hold an InStyler to quickly straight iron and style damp or even wet hair. The two side pockets can easily hold four full-size styling products such as mousses, sprays, dry shampoos, serums, or other styling aids. I like to keep a hair towel in the other pocket just in case I get drenched, or my makeup bag if a full beauty overhaul is required. If I am leaving directly from work or the gym to go out for the night, this bag is an easy way to keep all my beauty tools in a discrete bag that looks like a large handbag.

Giovanni Navarre 17" Italian Stone Design Genuine Leather Tote Bag

Giovanni Navarre 17″ Italian Stone Design Genuine Leather Tote Bag

Find this great bag at Amazon.com

I received this product 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!

Posted by Style Chicks / Filed In: Accessories, Fashion, Gym Beauty Bag, Travel, Weddings
Tagged: Giovanni Navarre 17" Italian Stone Design Genuine Leather Tote Bag, Leather Bag, Tote Bag

Why We Love Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo

September 12, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I used a lot of straightening emulsifier in my hair to combat the humidity. A LOT of emulsifier. And by mid-day, my hair looked gunky because of the amount of product, not the sleek waves I had in the morning.

So it was time to pull out my new go-to product, Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo. The world was a happy, frizz-free place again.

Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo

Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo

Why I Love Dry Shampoo

I’ve loved dry shampoo for quite some time now:

  • it is great if you want to go an extra day or two before washing again
  • a lifesaver if you need to mitigate product overuse like I did yesterday
  • it is the best texturizer even on freshly washed hair.

Still, most dry shampoos have a downside.

  • Some leave a shadow of white dust on hair
  • most leave hair dull
  • some make hair feel dirtier than before you used them.

None of these are problems with Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo.

Why Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo is Special

One of the reasons for this dry shampoo’s superiority is the amazing ingredients it contains.

The first ingredient listed in arrowroot, which is a thickener, and is typically featured in high-end dry shampoos for its’ ability to soak up oil and freshen the hair.

It also contains antioxidants like Vitamin B, and Vitamin A.

Vitamin A is interesting here, as the Vitamin A derivative, retinol, has been shown in studies to promote hair growth. So (and this is me saying this, not the company), ostensibly if you are using this dry shampoo on your scalp to soak up oil, you could have the added benefit of promoting hair growth when used on the scalp. Plus, it is gluten-free!

The next ingredient is kaolin clay. You are probably familiar with kaolin clay from luxurious mud masks. But in dry shampoo, it is used to remove sebum and oil and keep it from forming. So, not only do you immediately refresh your hair with Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo, but you get an extra day or two beyond when you use it because of the kaolin clay.

The third ingredient is rice powder. Rice Powder is found in a lot of good dry shampoos, but Pure Glam mills the Rice Powder to an exceptionally smooth and fine consistency, so you get the benefits without the usual tell-tale white dust in your hair. Nice!

Look at how finely milled Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo is!

Look at how finely milled Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo is!

The fourth ingredient is baking soda, which is an excellent way to freshen up hair.

And I love the name of the essential oil that the dry shampoo contains: Organic Cymbopogon Martini. While it sounds like quite a drink, it is a scented essential oil with light rose and geranium hints, and it also has antibacterial properties.

One of my big issues with a lot of dry shampoos is the overpowering scent, but this is light and refreshing, not perfumey or chemical scented. Just light and lovely.

So with all these great ingredients, how does this dry shampoo fair?

The Experience

I love it. As I said earlier, yesterday I had a bit of a product mishap, and then the issue was compounded by extendedly being outside in the heat and humidity. It only took a small amount blended into my roots for my hair to feel clean and smooth again.

The ability to control how much you sprinkle on an area is one of the things I find superior about Pure Glam. A lot of dry shampoos that come in an aerosol can are unpredictable when it comes to how much will be deposited in an area. Not a problem with this dry shampoo! It also gave my hair incredible, luxurious volume.

How to Use Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo

I worked it through the length of my hair in sections and brushed it out, and my hair had a great bounce, which is rare to get when using a dry shampoo.

What impressed me as well is that my hair was incredibly shiny after using it: my blonde and red highlights shimmered in the sun, and the bulk of my brown hair had an incredible luster. A few strangers commented on it, which impressed me!

I also love how my scalp felt in using it. It gives a cool, refreshing feeling when it is being massaged into the scalp and roots of the hair. You know that saying “My hair hurts”? That was how I was feeling, and a nice massage with Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo made my scalp feel light again!

I am truly impressed with this dry shampoo. It has an impressive, all natural ingredient list, smells great, cleans fantastically, and makes hair so shiny!

Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo

Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo

Where to Buy it

Find this amazing Dry Shampoo at Organic Beauty Now.

Style Chicks readers can get 20% off with coupon code SC20!

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAczSXmyBLo[/embedyt]

More Organic Haircare We Love From Pure Glam

Did you enjoy Why We Love Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo? Then you may also like:

Pure Glam Volume Root Powder

Hair: Pure Glam Volume Root Powder

About this POST

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.

Posted by Style Chicks / Filed In: Hair, New Products
Tagged: Cruelty Free, Dry Shampoo, Gluten Free, Hair, Organic, product review, Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo, Vegan

Tea Tuesday: Coastal Tea Company Mango Green Tea

September 6, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Coastal Tea Company's Mango Green Tea

Coastal Tea Company’s Mango Green Tea

Here at Style Chicks, we drink lots of green tea. Green tea is a beauty powerhouse for youthful, glowing skin as well as a metabolism and energy booster. For example, studies indicate if you have a cup of green tea each day instead of your standard afternoon coffee for a year, that alone can result in up to a ten-pound weight loss. But to get the beauty benefits that green tea can offer, the brand of tea one chooses is critical in order to make sure it is the quality of tea to derive benefits. And, if you are not a fan of green tea, it helps if it is a tasty, flavorful tea. Coastal Tea Company makes a delicious Mango Green worth giving a try.

GREEN TEA
Green Tea has often been touted as the miracle drink for glowing skin, weight control, increased energy, improved immunity, and reducing inflammation. EGCG in doses of green tea shown to be effective in preliminary studies for cancer prevention. Multiple cups of green tea per day are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers. But not all green teas are created equal when it comes to taste, quality, EGCG levels, freshness, and safety.

WHAT MAKES COASTAL TEA COMPANY MANGO GREEN TEA SPECIAL?

– Coastal Tea Company’s Mango Green Tea is a 100% leaf sencha green tea blend with dried mango pieces with hints of peach and mint. The chunks of mango are plentiful and big, how they appear in the pictures is how the tea looks poured directly out of the bag, they were not “arranged” for the photo. What you see is what you get.

– All natural. There are no artificial flavors, chemicals or additives for flavor.

– It is tasty. Green tea can taste somewhat vegetal and is something of an acquired taste. This mango tea has a sweet mango and peach flavor with a notable mint infusion.

– The tea is actual full leaves, not dust or remaindered tea. This is the freshest type of tea, the best of the batch, and it holds the most benefits. The batches are small batches to ensure freshness and quality.

– In addition to being an organic green tea that is tasty, low caffeine and healthy, Coastal Tea Company takes special efforts to avoid the risks associated with green tea: lead and radiation.

Coastal Tea Company's Mango Green Tea

Coastal Tea Company’s Mango Green Tea

 

LEAD
A concern with the otherwise incredible health benefits of green full leaf tea is the level of lead it can contain. This problem is inherent to green tea, as it is highly prone to absorb chemical pollution, especially so in leaves picked in China. This problem exists in many brands of tea. The cost of the tea is not necessarily always correlated to the probability of higher levels lead, but small batch, hand-picked teas had the least possibility of containing lead.

According to the New York Times Well Blog, an independent study analyzed the lead content of various brands of green tea leaves. The study stated that the leaves in the Lipton and Bigelow tea bags contained 1.25 to 2.5 micrograms of lead per serving. (What’s in Your Green Tea?, May 23, 1013)

Coastal Tea screens their tea leaves for lead and metal traces by running it through a metal detector, a sorting machine, and a heavy magnet to sort out any tea leaves that have absorbed any lead or metals. I haven’t heard of a company taking such efforts to screen their tea leaves, but it gives me much more confidence that Coastal Tea Co teas are safe.

RADIATION
Another risk for green tea leaves is it is susceptible to absorbing radiation. While this is chiefly a concern with matchas (because the leaf is actually consumed not just steeped), it is something to be aware of in the selection of tea. Coastal Tea tests tea for radiation levels, as well as only selects tea leaves from areas that are known as safe (Uju City) and have never had reports of radiated tea.

TASTE
Brewed for 2-5 minutes, the tea has a lovely, golden-yellow hue and tastes of peach, mango, and a crisp, fresh-tasting mint. I got a second brew out of the same leaves that were just a flavorful as the first.

Coastal Tea Company's Mango Green Tea

Coastal Tea Company’s Mango Green Tea

CONCLUSION: A tasty, natural tea that has all the benefits I look for in a green loose leaf tea without any of the risks associated with some loose leaf tea brands. I am impressed by the strict standards and precautions Coastal Tea Company undertakes to ensure their teas are fresh and safe.

 

Coastal Tea Company's Mango Green Tea

Coastal Tea Company’s Mango Green Tea

Find this tasty tea at Amazon.

 

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggqv2SkshiQ[/embedyt]

 

I received this product 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!

Posted by Style Chicks / Filed In: Tea
Tagged: beauty, Coastal Tea Company Mango Green Tea, Green Tea, Health, Tea, Tea Tuesday

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