Crave Naturals Giveaway Winner!

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Our winner has been chosen, congrats to Jessica J.!  

Work It Wednesday: Crave Naturals & a Giveaway

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from Crave Naturals & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

You might remember me raving about the Whiplash Eyelash Curler or the Precisio Slant Tip Tweezers from Crave Naturals. Both of these products quickly became favorites and my old eyelash curler & tweezers found their way into the trash. And after the arrival of Crave Naturals remaining products, my hair brush & an old mascara wand that I used to separate my lashes followed suit. 

I love the design of this brush!

Glide Thru Detangling Brush 

I may have just chopped my hair into a long angled bob (previously it was past my waist), but that doesn't mean that I'm immune to knots. Furthermore, I have two daughters who try to evade getting their hair brushed as much as possible because they both tend to get knots easily. Well, at least they used to evade me.

I'm used to having to clean out a fair amount of hair after brushing my own. But with this Glide Thru Detangling Brush, there's really not much to clean out aside from a few strands, which I'm going to credit to the design of the brush itself along with the alternating length of the bristles. It's also easy on the scalp, which is why it's so perfect to use on children. 

This brush can be used on all hair types, wet or dry.

Brow & Lash Kit

This kit is everything I need in one when it comes to grooming my brows & lashes. This 4-in-2 kit contains a Lash Perfection Comb & a Duo Ended Masterpiece of an angled brow brush & a spoolie. 

Now I am by no means an expert when it comes to eye makeup, but I am trying to learn. (Better late than never, right?) So it's somewhat nice to know that I've been doing it all wrong all along! The Lash Perfection Comb does wonders to help de-clump my mascara when I put it on, but I had no idea I could use a spoolie on my eyebrows to help soften up the look. 

Mirage Argan Oil

Let me just say that I'd like to know where this Mirage Argan Oil has been all my life! I love the versatility of it since it can be used on my hair, skin & nails. And it even comes with a a dropper along with a spritzer so you can dispense it accordingly. 

I wish I could tell you my favorite way to use this 100% Organic Argan Oil imported from Morocco, but I don't have one. That's because I use it in so many! 

To bring shine to my lackluster hair, I wet my hair, apply roughly a quarter size & let it sit for about ten minutes before washing & conditioning as usual. For those wonderful rough, dry patches I get (mostly on my elbows & ankles), I spritz on a bit of Mirage Argan Oil for some intense hydration. And let's not overlook the fact that my cuticles are in love! 

One lucky winner will receive the Whiplash Eyelash Curler & the Precisio Slant Tip Tweezers from Crave Naturals! 

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Tuesday 12/16/14. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday 12/16/14. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit information, which will then be passed on to Crave Naturals for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. Smith and Blessings is not responsible for prize shipment.
 *Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

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All products are available on Amazon. 

   

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Hilltop Sunset & a Giveaway!

NEW RELEASE.....

A mystery set in wine country pitting financial exec Brynn Bancroft against a determined stalker, a troubled love interest, and career clashes.

Brynn Bancroft learns that a former employee who beat her nearly to death has returned to stalk her and her friend, Jillian Hillcrest, also a former victim.

Recently divorced, Brynn turns to a new love interest only to encounter additional unwelcome issues. Meanwhile, short-timer Brynn, who has resigned from her Silicon Valley company, becomes bored fulfilling her remaining responsibilities there. She begins to prefer supporting the launch of her ex-husband’s new hilltop winery while waiting to move to her next position. Between her stalker and her new love interest, Brynn faces a series of life-changing events.

My Review

I have to start out by saying, that when it comes to books, romance is not my preferred genre. So when I started reading this, I was a little taken aback by the added romance, but there was a quality to it that made it different from the typical romantic nostalgia. 

Then I noticed the amount of chapters & realized that they were small enough that I should easily be able to squeeze in a chapter here & there. That all went out the window one night when I read the remaining half of the book because I just couldn't put it down! 

I don't want to give much away about the plot, but I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the characters grow. Brynn discovered emotions that she never knew she was capable of, Todd was actually the polar opposite of what he appeared to be, Mattie came out of her depression & Isabel was more psychotic than anyone could have imagined. But of course what I really want to know now, is if Brynn & Liam get back together and live happily every after with Josh. I know that really does sound like a typical romance story, but I assure you that this book is filled with lies, deceit, drama & plenty of murder.  

Book available from....

Amazon.co.uk   Amazon.com   Barnes & Noble

About Brynn Bancroft

Brynn Bancroft evolved from the Jillian Hillcrest mysteries where she served as Jillian’s manager while Chief Financial Officer of Harmonia Therapeutics in Silicon Valley. A shapely blonde with a MENSA IQ, she had an affair with the CEO of the company. Unfortunately for Brynn, the CEO’s wife figured out that the two were involved and asked Brynn to leave the company, which she agreed to do. In the meantime, her husband, Liam—not unfamiliar with extramarital affairs himself but also understanding that Brynn grew up in an abusive household- grew tired of waiting for Brynn to commit to their relationship and asked for a divorce. At the same time, he solicited her assistance in developing his new winery in Sonoma County, Calif. Much like Jillian--who does appear in the Brynn Bancroft mysteries--Brynn, too, attracts mystery and murders as she grows to enjoy life at her ex-husband’s Hilltop Sunset Winery.

Other Books Available

       

About the Author

Joyce Strand, much like her fictional character Jillian Hillcrest, served as head of corporate communications at several biotech and high-tech companies in Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. Unlike Jillian, however, she did not encounter murder in her career. She focused on writing articles and press releases and delivering presentations to publicize her companies.

Joyce has been a mystery fan since she read her first Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy stories as a teen-ager. She has always enjoyed the challenge of following clues to solve a mystery before it is revealed. Therefore Joyce relished the transition from writing press releases to writing fiction.

Joyce received her Ph.D. from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and her B.A. from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.   She lives with her two cats in Southern California near San Diego.

Follow the Author

Website,   Blog,   Facebook,   Twitter,   Pinterest   Goodreads 

Follow the book tour

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY

Two lucky winners will win either a $50 Amazon.com Giftcard or Paypal Cash
(winners choice)

Open Worldwide
Ending on Sunday 21st December at 11.59pm EST

Enter Below and Good Luck !!

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NeoCell Biotin Bursts Giveaway Winner!

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Our winner has been chosen, congrats to Holly C.!  

New Makeup Kits by ONE DIRECTION Kits! & a Giveaway! #makeupby1D #thelookscollection #markwins

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from Makeup by One Direction via BrandBacker & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.


I know when you hear something about One Direction, makeup is definitely not the first thing that comes to your mind. But it should! 

Introducing new makeup from One Directions, just in time for the holidays! 

Liquilights Glow Gloss

These sparkly glosses are definitely my favorites out of the collection. Enriched with natural oils & vitamin E, they do a great job at keeping my lips hydrated, all without leaving a tackiness that most glosses seem to have. And I have to give bonus points for the light vanilla taste.

And if you happen to be in UV black light, this gloss will change before your eyes! 

•Through the Dark - Electric glitter poppy lip gloss that glows to neon red-orange under UV light

•Kiss You - Orange glitter rush lip gloss that glows to neon yellow under UV light

•Taken - Powerhouse glitter pink lip gloss that glows to neon orange under UV light

Rock Me Nail Kit 

Sadly, I'm definitely not a pro when it comes to applying nail color. Add three kids to the mix (which means that I'm always trying to hurry) & my already amateur looking nails could probably pass as being done by my oldest. Which basically means that there are no photos of my painted nails since I still color outside the lines. But I have to tell you that I love how smoothly these nail polishes glide on! 

These quick drying Neon UV Reactive Nail Varnishes come in three colors.

•Happily - UV iced blue glitter

•Moments - UV neon pink

•Diana - UV 3D holographic (my fave!)

The Rock Me Nail Kit also comes with UV reactive glitter! You can lightly sprinkle the glitter over your wet polish for a subtle effect, or go heavy for more sparkle. 

•Kicks - UV snow cone blue glitter

•Not Afraid - UV electrified pink glitter

•Star - UV holo glitter

Electro Glam Mascara

I have to say that this mascara is just not my cup of tea. I'm more of your basic black kind of girl when it comes to my lashes. Although these can double as hair mascara for brightly colored highlights, I haven't gone anywhere lately that I could really rock the look. (Although I'd love to!) But I do have to rave about the clumpless & even application of these heavily pigmented mascaras! 

• Why Don't We Go There - Shock of blue

•Does He Know? - Pinkest of pink

•Story of My Life - Amped canary yellow

Celebrate youth, style & the uninhibited lifestyle of a new generation.

Enter to win a limited edition makeup set by One Direction! 

;

Makeup by One Direction (created by Markwins) is available in Macy's, Dillards, Boscov's, Stage Stores, Beauty Brands and Lord & Taylor.

Keep up with the latest from Makeup by One Direction on Facebook.  

Tasty Tuesday: Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

I know the season to eat everything pumpkin is over, but quite frankly, I don't care. This Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal is my new morning obsession. And just in case you couldn't tell, I prefer to add some pecan pieces to mine for a little added crunch. 

Ingredients:

• 1C. milk

• 1C. quick cooking oats

• 1/3C. pumpkin puree

• 1/2tsp. pumpkin pie spice

• 1/4tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/4tsp. maple extract

• 1/4C. brown sugar

• pecan pieces or other tasty toppings, optional

Directions:

• Bring milk to a light boil in a medium sized saucepan & add oats, stirring to combine. 

• Set heat to low & stir in pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, maple extract & brown sugar.

• Remove from heat & place servings in bowls, adding toppings if desired. 

Motivating Monday: Grandma Moses Quote