Category: review

April 22, 2015

NAAT Cream with Argan Oil and Macadamia Review

Your hair is one of the first things people will notice about you (besides your teeth!). I want my hair to shine and be as strong as it can be but with the amount of colouring and swimming I do it has become quite the chore. Years of damage have taken its toll on my hair and it is now dry and damaged.

Here is a closer look at what I am dealing with:

While it may be hard to see from this picture I have frizzy, hard to contain hair with dry, damaged ends.

What is Argan Oil?

Argan oil is extracted from the nuts of the argan tree found in southwestern Morocco. It has been used for centuries by Berber women to help neutralize the damaging effects of the extreme hot weather. The argan oil has age defying, restorative properties as well as being high in fatty acids and Vitamin E.

NAAT Cream with Argan Oil and Macadamia

The NAAT Cream comes in a 32.5oz container and is recommended for individuals with dry and frizzy hair. It is a deep conditioning cream with long-lasting frizz control. It replenishes moisture and restores hair’s natural shine and softness. It can be used for everyday use.

So how did it work out?

I loved how soft my hair was! I used the NAAT cream three times a week for two weeks and noticed a significant improvement in the texture and shine of my hair. My hair was softer to the touch and when I went to shower it didn’t immediately turn into a thick and rough mess. This all combined to make styling and combing my hair that much easier after showering.

The application was easy, as you literally scoop out some of the cream and apply. The cream is thick with no smell to it. They recommend waiting three minutes but you can wait up to fifteen minutes for a really deep condition. So in those few minutes it takes to get a good deep condition I used that to practice on my singing skills much to my family’s delight! The container contains over fifty applications which is perfect for so many of us that need those extra treatments. I find that deep conditioning products are usually quite expensive and only come in small containers that you go through more often.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product free of charge in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 21, 2015

Crossroads a Miller’s Creek Novel by Cathy Bryant

Cathy Bryant is back with her new book, Crossroads, which is a Miller’s Creek novel and Christian contemporary romance.

About Crossroads a Miller’s Creek Novel

A former soldier battles for the soul of a prodigal…

After a devastating divorce, a bitter single Mom and atheist starts her own real estate company in the nostalgic and picturesque town of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Then her young daughter’s disturbing symptoms lead doctors to discover that her leukemia has relapsed. With her new life now turned upside down, Mara Hedwig struggles to keep her business afloat. Her daughter’s worsening condition forces her to rethink her belief’s about Carter Callahan and his God. Will Mara make the return to Christian faith in the face of life’s greatest challenge?

An ex-military operative struggles with the return to civilian life while coping with his rebellious teen-aged daughter. During a house search, Carter meets Mara, a headstrong Realtor who wants nothing to do with his God. But when Mara’s little girl is diagnosed with leukemia, the clock begins ticking for him to convince Mara to return to a life of faith. Just as he seems to be making headway, circumstances beyond his control throw his efforts into a tailspin. Can Carter learn to rest in the sovereignty of God?

About Cathy Bryant

Amazon best-selling author Cathy Bryant writes Christian fiction set in the heart of Texas. Her popular romance and romantic suspense novels take place in the fictional town of Miller’s Creek, where folks are friendly, the iced tea is sweet and Mama Beth’s front porch beckons. All of the Miller’s Creek novels have been on the Amazon Best-Seller List. Her debut novel, Texas Roads was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist. Readers have compared her work to that of Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks.

A native Texan, Cathy currently resides in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico with her minister husband of over thirty years. She has written devotions for The Upper Room devotional magazine, two devotional books in collaboration with other Christian authors and for online sites. She also has released a Bible study book, The Fragrance of Crushed Violets. In addition to her writing, she enjoys thrift store shopping, romping in the great outdoors and mini farming. To learn more about Cathy and her books visit her website or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest and Amazon.

Enjoy this trailer from Crossroads:

April 21, 2015

The Artisan’s Star Review

Set in the majestic and historical city of Florence, The Artisan’s Star follows the Barati’s family, their perfume shop and the passion of artistry.

About The Artisan’s Star

Elio’s perfumery in Florence is marked at the gates with a mosaic star. The shop immerses him in the artisanal world he loves but he harbors a regret. When a young man, he had created his own perfume but with his stubbornness he boxed it away before it ever came to fruition.

A second star now lights his life, his daughter Romina who is also an artist. She matches her father in talent, ambition and wonder for the world.

Changes are slowly coming to Florence and gone are the days of the true artist. When Romina tells her Father she does not want to carry on the family business, he tries desperately to hold on to the Florence he cherishes. He is forced to confront the lost opportunities of his youth as well acknowledge that tradition and modernity can co-exist.

My Thoughts

I have only been to Italy once in my life and in that short time that I was there I fell in love with the magic and tradition that is Italy. The streets are full of history and art is everywhere you look. You feel as though you are walking through history as you walk the streets. Florence is one of those cities that comes to life with its history. The Artisan’s Star had me wishing for another taste of Italy and inspired me to create some delicious recipes including amaretti cookies (and maybe some grappa too!).

The Artisan’s Star is a powerful book of the arts and how times have changed age-old traditions. Elio while young did not understand the beauty of his hometown and the traditions his Father tried to foster in him. As time goes by and life changes him, he takes on the responsibilities of his family perfumery even though this was not his dream. He gave up on his dream to ensure tradition stood strong. He is caught in the past not able to let go. This is a trap so many of us can fall into. Many times throughout the book we are witness to his struggle to let go and live in the present. At times it had me re-visiting my own life choices and how I wish I had pursued my own love of the arts but realized it never is too late to give up on your dream.

This is an incredible novel from start to finish that opens up slowly to Elio’s world and the artistry world of Florence full of tradition but rapidly changing environment. You will fall in love with the characters and the setting as Gabriella takes you to a world alive in the senses.

You can purchase the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Gabriella Contestabile is an author, educator and owner of Su Misura Journeys, a boutique travelling company connecting people to the artisans of Florence. She emigrated from Italy to New York City in 1959. She currently lives in New York with her daughter, husband, mother and their Shih Tzu Oreo. The Artisan’s Star is her first novel.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 20, 2015

Designing Your Home Your Way with Art Prints From Artollo

My home is my sanctuary. It is where as a family we come together to relax, eat, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. I want our home to reflect our uniqueness and personalities. In order to do this sometimes we have to think and make purchases outside the box.

Artollo is a creative studio founded in 2011 designing limited edition Art prints, posters, watercolour prints, vinyl wall decals, mini decals, mugs, t-shirts and more! Artollo consists of a group of artists located in Brooklyn, New York who are dedicated to bringing you the best selection of art elements for your home, office, restaurant, children’s room, nursery or teen bedrooms.

You can find a great variety of unique designs on their website which also includes wall decals and onesies. You literally have easy one stop shopping!

We received this print for our youngest son:

He loved it! It suits his personality perfect and he decided he was the Elephant leader and the three followers were his cousins and brother (of course since he is the youngest this makes the most sense!). The print is on a water-colour textured paper with a similar look and feel to a water colour painting which I loved. I love working in water colours and have created my own designs for them using superheroes. This print was just fantastic and felt like it was created for my son alone. We put his print in a frame that we had picked up over the weekend and easily hung it up in his room.

One of the most unique sections on the Artollo site is their wall decals. I fell in love with their nursery selection (what child would not want to have their room look like this!). It feels like a story that came to life in their room.

The art designs vary in price on the website and all are within a very reasonable rate for the quality and unique design you receive.

Artollo is offering one of you the chance to win your own unique design from their website! My Canadian and American readers can enter via the Rafflecopter form below – GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure to follow Artollo on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on current news and new designs!

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 9, 2015

A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron | New Book Plus a Book-Inspired Giveaway

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection in Kristy Cambron‘s new book, A Sparrow in Terezin. Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

Kristy is celebrating by giving away a basket filled with goodies inspired by her new book!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A set of poppy notecards
A poppy pin
A copy of I Never Saw Another Butterfly
A copy of the Mrs. Miniver DVD
Literary tea bags
Tumbler
A copy of A Sparrow in Terezin

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 28th. Winner will be announced April 29th on Kristy’s blog.

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}