Glasshouse Sunkissed in Bermuda Candle Review

 

This makes Glasshouse candle number two..and probably that last four awhile. They are just really expensive for what you get and I haven't been blown away with the two scents I have chose so far. 

Glasshouse claims:

A Geranium Floral, freshened by Grapefruit with hints of Red Berries.

Basically the size of the candle is a votive. And it costs $20. Which is crazy high. But it does come in nice packaging- complete with a box and a unique little jar with a lid. They kinda remind of Yankee Candles a bit. 

As for scent- it's a very much tropical fruit wit ha hint of floral. I can't really say I can pick out the claimed notes of geranium or red berries and grapefruit. It seems way more tropical- maybe guava, pineapple...

It reminds me of drinking a tropical tea (specifically Caribe from Harney and Sons).

And it also kinda reminds me cheap Glade type candle scents too. If Glade did tropical scents...or maybe they do. 

It does burn very well. Cleanly. No smoking- no sooting. It is a soy blend. I always wish brands would tell use what is in the blend- does it contain paraffin or other veggie waxes. I want more transparency! 

Overall, it's fine. I think it just falls out of the category of scent that I prefer in a candle. Maybe once I cycle back to the brand I should try more of the woody type scents. 

Royal and Langnickel Omnia Gold BOM 38 Complexion Brush Review

 I kinda forgot I was supposed to be reviewing all the brushes in my collection...The good thing is that I have not had the urge to buy anymore brushes. I think I have reached the point where what is currently in my collection is enough Such a nice place to be!. Also..I've kinda gotten into the routine of using the same brushes until I consciously decide to switch them out.

Omnia claims:

This bullet-shaped brush precisely applies powder products to detailed areas of the face for a beautiful complexion. Set under-eye concealer, prevent creasing around the nose and mouth, and delicately apply highlighter to the cheeks with this small face brush.

OMNIA® GOLD is the next-generation of professional makeup brushes. Each brush uses only the finest quality natural hair. This hair is meticulously selected and incredibly soft while still maintaining the density needed to pick up and deposit product with accuracy and precision. Every brush is handcrafted to perfection, creating the finest brush possible, exceeding all expectations.

The gold color is not my favorite on a brush. I also haven't had the best luck with the gold overspray or whatever it is lasting. Some of the brushes I have used them over the years have gotten the point where you can peel off the gold and get to the silver underneath. I haven't had that happen to this brush but it is something I expect to happen eventually.

The brush itself is nice. A long handle and the actual bristles are so soft and well shaped. Although soft, I find it picks up the perfect amount of product. 

 And..it's very affordable. Even more so if you keep a lookout for sales and discount codes. Or at lest they used to have a lot of them a few years ago. I haven't bought any new brushes from them in a few years so I'm not sure they still run the same sales.

The brush itself is very versatile. Mostly when I see brushes like this I think of highlighter. But I rarely wear highlighter. I have oily skin and it can make my skin look pretty greasy. But the few times I have used it to apply highlighter I have really liked it. I think it might be my favorite brush for highlight. 

You can also use it to set undereye makeup. But I never use under-eye concealer. 

I do like it for blush and find that's where I get the most use.

And you can use it for precise powdering.

Overall, I really like this brush. It's not the first one I think of when doing my makeup but it does have a place in my collection. It's pretty versatile. If you don't have a similar brush- I would recommend! 

Covergirl Eye Enhancer 3D Mascara Review

 Last post of the day. I've been meaning to do this review for am minute but I didn't feel like wearing and photographing it. So I just decided to go on and review it..no pics. I hate this mascara anyway...it really isn't worth a picture. 

Covergirl claims: 

Enhance your lashes with a 3-dimensional CURL + LIFT + FAN, for an up & out effect without a lash curler. The 50° curved fiber brush wraps every lash from root to tip, catching even the smallest & straightest lashes. Infused with haircare-inspired, plant-based keratin and lifting waxes to keep lashes lifted and fanned-out all day. Universal mascara for all lash types. Up to 24h wear, transfer-proof, smudge-proof, flake-free.
Available in 3 color-enhancing shades for brighter, enhanced eyes:

• Intense Black for bold, brighter eyes
• Dark Chocolate for natural, softer-looking eyes
• Berry Brown to make eyes pop

Based on a consumer study of 114 women after one week of use:

• 90% say lifts lashes88% say enhances the look of eyes
• 87% says defines lashes
• 86% says doesn't weigh down lashes
• 82% says fans out lashes
• 81% says pushes lashes up & out

Looking through my past reviews I have never liked Covergirl mascara. And yet I keep buying them. I think this one is the worst. Even Lash Blast was better than this. They just make the most unremarkable mascara that have been creeping up in price. I believe this was almost $10.00 

It's so bad I'm thinking about throwing it away. I've been using it a few week now hoping it would dry up and get better.

It's too wet. It doesn't build up. It clumps. It makes a huge mess on my lids. It provides the most dismal results. And it's hard to wash off.

And..the claims annoy me. Lashes area already 3d. We don't need a mascara to make them 3D. 

I bought the very black..or whichever is the darkest shade but I noticed it comes in some interesting shades- Berry Brown and Dark Chocolate. But I hate this so much I would never buy it again no matter what colors it comes in. 

Packaging is OK. It comes in a pretty (but skinny) tube. The brush is a curved traditional brush that just stays clumped up with product no matter how much I wipe off. 

Overall, hate it. It does have decent reviews...so it might work for you but based on my experience I don't recommend. 

Beekman 1802 Hershey Goat Milk Soap Review

 I love chocolate. I hate Hershey's chocolate. If you like it, you might want to skip this paragraph. Hershey's chocolate tastes like vomit (sour, tangy) due to butric acid which is also in actual vomit. Horrible. But I couldn't resist this soap. I'm always down for a chocolate scented soap and I've accepted that most of them won't really be that special.

Beekman claims: 

• ‌Gentle cleansing soap made with nourishing goat milk
• Creamy lather helps cleanse without stripping moisture
• Warm Hershey’s-inspired cocoa scent
• Leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and comfortable
• Large 9 oz bar provides long-lasting use

Just like this one. Nothing special. 

There is barely any scent. But sometimes you might get whiffs of what smells like brownie batter. But there are two different underlying scents I really disliked and did not enjoy. It reminds me a little of the Nudy Rudy bars soaps which I really disliked. Not impressed.

Everything else about the soap was nice. Bubbles up nicely, cleans well, rinses clean. And leave my skin extra soft. 

It comes in two different sizes. The larger bar looks like a Hershey Chocolate bar rectangle. And the smaller size is shaped like a Hershey Kiss. So cute. Reminds me of something Lush would do. 

Ingredients: 

Water (Aqua, Eau), Glycerin, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Chloride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Caprae Lac (Goat Milk), Aleurites Moluccana Seed Extract (Kukui Nut Oil), CI 77499, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Pentasodium Pentetate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 17200 … and Kindness.

Overall, this is yet another Beekman soap that missed the mark for me. It's discontinued now so harder to get your hands on....not that I recommend doing so. If you are looking for a more authentic chocolate shower- I would recommend Lush Poshe Chocolate. 

Teena Marie

I'm excited about today's music post. I love Teena Marie and have been looking forward to posting and enjoying her music. 

 

Jumping right into it...we'll start with Portuguese Love. I really love this song...wish there was live clip. I like this song because it sounds do unique and different from anything else in my playlist. I think it also has those key changes I can never get enough of in a song. Feels like a journey or like I'm traveling through the song. Idk if that makes sense. 

And then we have Square Biz. The most popular sample comes in the way of Missy Elliot. Yes, Miss Teena was that girl and she rapped and sang on her song and knocked both out the park. 

Aladdin's Lamp is one that is newer to me. It takes me am minute to get into it...it's like I forget the song and it's like I'm listening for the first time. But it never falls, I love it all over again..also it has more of those key changes I adore. She did it in a lot of her songs actually.

Work it is a classic. This is my first time seeing the music video. Her hair looks gorgeous! 

Ooh La La La is my absolutely favorite Teena Marie song. I just wish they would upload the actual live vocals instead of dubbing the track over a live vid. The lyrics, the vocals, the sax...I can't get enough of this song. 

Any time Rick James and Teena Marie collab you will have fire. This song is so funky. I LOVE it. 

Robbery was a newer one to me as well...I'm so glad I listened to her entire discography. This was exactly the type of music I was looking for. 

Next up, Lovergirl. Another love at first listen. Words cannot even begin to describe how much I adore this performance.

And last..but not least. Out On a Limb.  This song is often on my lips. It's another one I just LOVE.  I listen to the entire 6:38 and then press play so I hear it all again. That's love.

We love Lady T over here. Can't even put into words how much I love her music. Extreme talent, I recommend her music highly!

Scotch Collops, Carrot Cake, and Cumin Lime Chick Peas

 It might be too soon for a food post but I have three things waiting...so figured I had better get posting.

Starting with a recipe from my Unofficial Harry Potter book. Another recipe I had never previously heard of and that doesn't seem particularly popular. But scotch collops basically means thinly sliced meat. I wanted other use better quality meat to so I did drag myself to the meat market. This was a very easy recipe and kinda bland. I did try to add a few things to make it better and they helped and it was good but I think I would still do more if I made this again. Which isn't likely because I like trying new things. But it's very easy...you just brown your meat...cook down your onion and mushroom and toss together I cooked my onions down in some leftover beer I needed to use up. I also added a dash of Worcestershire sauce- but coulda added more. And lotsa salt and pepper. This was my finished plate. I also made broccoli- not pictured. I warmed up some garlic bread and made some buttered noodles and dinner was served. 

Then I made cumin lime chick peas. I love my chick peas so I was excited for an easy basic recipe. I decided to serve mine on some salad. And I threw a quick dressing together. Healthy....and so good! There really is so much you can do with a recipe like this- serve it as a side dish, serve on rice or quinoa. 

Last up...carrot cake. Almost vegan. I used dairy milk so mine wasn't. I don't usually try vegan dessert recipes. But the cashew icing had me intrigued. I wanted to know if it would work...and if it would be as good as any other icing. And it is. It's super easy to make...and I think much healthier than butter/cream cheese icing. But I messed mine up...I added too much lemon zest. So mine was lemony. Good...but doesn't really go with a carrot cake. Would be bomb on a lemon cake..so I think I would make it for a lemon cake.  The carrot cake itself was also good...but I think it NEEDS a vanilla icing. Preferably actual cream cheese icing. While the cake was good and had a great texture...I can't say I like it more than any other carrot cake I have made.  So I wouldn't make it again- unless I was trying to make something for someone who is actually vegan. I very much prefer non vegan carrot cake recipes. 

And that's all for this week...