Granado Jardim Real Bar Soap Review

Take me  to Brazil. I probably won't be getting to Brazil anytime in the next couple of years- so I guess trying their soaps is the next best thing? I bought this on sale a couple of months ago in a three pack. So this makes the 2nd one of the pack. I also bought another gift set that has two soaps in it...I just want to test them all. 

Granado claims:

Inspired by the lush gardens of 19th-century Rio de Janeiro, Jardim Real combines the citrus and effervescent freshness of bergamot and mandarin with the romantic delicacy of flowers, highlighting orange blossom as the star of the creation.

The creamy bar soap, made with 76% natural-origin ingredients, contains a plant-based formula enriched with vegetable glycerin, murumuru butter, and coconut oil, which help to hydrate and soften the skin while leaving it delicately scented.

First up, let's talk packaging. I don't think this is the normal packaging but it comes in a cute tin ornament that I will definitely be keeping to reuse for something. Not sure what. This one has a cute little fish on it. Then it comes wrapped pretty nicely. I like it. And bonus the packaging is super earth friendly.

The soap itself is nice. Looks like high end soap. Has the name embossed in it. 

It lathers well, rinses clean, doesn't dry my skin. In fact, my skin feels pretty soft.

But the scent. Not a fan. 

It had potential. It has some lovely floral notes, I can't pick them out but they aer definitely the scent of flowers. But not the same old, same old flowers. The floral notes in this are different. According to the scent notes it's supposed to be orange blossom, mandarin, and bergamot. I can definitely tell that there is citrus but I wouldn't have picked those. The floral notes are lovely and unique. But there is something off about it. It's a very loud floral. Not headache inducing but it has some punch to it. And for some reason the scent reminds me of port-a-potties. I'm not sure what notes is giving that association...and I tried to get past it...or overlook it. Or get used to it. But I really didn't enjoy whatever note that was.

Ingredients: 

 ELAEIS GUINEENSIS OIL (ELAEIS GUINEENSIS (PALM) OIL), AQUA (WATER/EAU), COCOS NUCIFERA OIL (COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL) , SODIUM HYDROXIDE, CALCIUM CARBONATE, STEARIC ACID, PALMITIC ACID, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), ASTROCARYUM MURUMURU SEED BUTTER, GLYCERIN, SORBITOL, DISODIUM EDTA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, MYRISTIC ACID, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ETIDRONIC ACID, DISODIUM DISTYRYLBIPHENYL DISULFONATE, PEG-12, CELLULOSE GUM, TETRASODIUM EDTA, TOCOPHEROL, HEXAMETHYLINDANOPYRAN, TETRAMETHYL ACETYLOCTAHYDRONAPHTHALENES, BENZYL SALICYLATE, LINALYL ACETATE, CITRONELLOL, COUMARIN, POGOSTEMON CABLIN OIL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, AMYL SALICYLATE, TRIMETHYLCYCLOPENTENYL METHYLISOPENTENOL, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS FLOWER OIL, PINENE.

I did really like the first soap I tried from the brand..and I'm still excited to try more. But this one did not do it for me. 

 

Estee Lauder Youth Dew Eau De Parfum Review

 Got an oldie to review today. Although most of the older perfumes aren't my thing, I do enjoy trying them out. Youth Dew is an oriental perfume that launched in 1953. So it has definitely been around. I had never heard of it...but it does feel familiar. I think mainly because a lot the oldies really start to smell similar after awhile. 

Youth Dew claims: 

Youth-Dew by Estée Lauder is a Oriental Spicy fragrance for women. Youth-Dew was launched in 1953. The nose behind this fragrance is Josephine Catapano. Top notes are Spices, Aldehydes, Narcissus, Lavender, Coca-Cola, Orange, Peach and Bergamot; middle notes are Spicy Notes, Cloves, Cinnamon, Rose, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Lily-of-the-Valley, Cassia and Orchid; base notes are Incense, Tolu Balsam, Oakmoss, Peru Balsam, Patchouli, Amber, Vetiver, Vanilla and Musk.

Absolutely captivating, with opulent flowers, rich spices, precious woods. 

It has been called one of the sexiest fragrances ever created, and more than 50 years after it was launched it continues to entice with its sensual, yet timeless appeal.

THE INSPIRATION

"Women still like to feel beautiful, pampered and loved, And that is what Youth-Dew is all about."

-Estée Lauder, Founder

Estée Lauder wondered why women relied on the men in their lives to buy them perfume. And why they reserved fragrance only for special occasions. To change women's minds-and forever change the world of fragrance-Mrs. Lauder created Youth-Dew Bath Oil in 1953.

Captivating, rich and exceptionally lasting, women bought it for the bath, but, as Mrs. Lauder predicted, soon began wearing Youth-Dew as their fragrance as well. Because it was sold as a bath oil, not perfume, women felt free to enjoy and wear it every day. Instead of using Youth-Dew by the drop, women used it by the bottle. Men loved it too, saying it was "simply the sexiest fragrance ever."

Made in USA

It has all of the notes that I like- it has bergamot, spice, Vanilla, Patchouli, Amber. I think those are the notes that I pick up and really like...but there's also something to it that I really don't like. It has a similar scent to Tabu, Hermes Caleche, and Guerlain Shalimar. But there's something there that I don't like- especially when wearing it. Maybe it's a floral note of something? I'm not sure but it just makes it smell like an older perfume and I can't help but think it definitely smells like something that was popular a few decades ago. It also kinda reminds me of this old Tinkerbell perfume I picked up in the mid 90's from JC Penny. That was my first perfume and the scent of that is burned into my brain. 

I think of all the old perfumes I have tried that have a similar DNA to this  Guerlain Shalimar is my favorite.- it doesn't smell quite as "old". So of all the oldies with a similar DNA- Shalimar is my favorite. 

One interesting note I kept reading about is a Coca Cola note. If I'm thinking about it, I get it. But it's not the first thing that cross my mind and not something I really pick up when I smell it. 

It is a very heavy, intoxicating scent. I don't think this is one for everyone (not one I can wear). It can also be a little headache inducing if I wear it. 

I mostly smell that odd note when I tried to wear it. I have found the best way for me to enjoy is as a room spray. I get more of the powderiness to it that I love but none of the old floral notes. So that's probably how I'll use up the rest of the bottle. 

Speaking of the bottle- I love it! I think there are two different bottles. I saw the glass one in store and was going to get it until I saw this. I have never seen a bottle quite like this. I think it's Tiffany Blue? It look s vintage and I love that! Keeping the bottle forever...

One thing I usually like to do when I try out an old fragrance is look up celebs that supposedly wore it. According to the Googles- Madonna, Joan Crawford (This seems like a JC scent!), Gloria Swanson, and Janet Leigh

It's had many ads. I always love looking through them: 

Overall, I'm glad I gave it a try- but it isn't for me. It's not something I would ever wear out the house...but it does suit as a room spray and I'm happy to add the bottle to my collection. I also added the lotion to my collection when I thought it would be a hassle to get my hands on the perfume- review of that should be coming in the next few months.

Tina Turner

One more post for the day. Today we talk Tina Turner. I remember being so excited to listen to her discography- but then I found out that her music is just really not my cup of tea. At least most of her solo stuff. I think I liked more of her music under the Ike and Tina band. 

So I only have one song to share today. And of course it's What's Love Got To Do With It. Not my favorite look of hers but it's ICONIC. I'm so tempted to go do my hair like that for fun....

And of course- gotta have the live version..

I really should have a movie night and go watch What's Love Got To Do With It. I have never seen it somehow- but I know it's a classic.

Fennel and Apple Salad, Greek Chicken Wraps, and Blueberries and Cream Pie

 Yet another food post- I haven't been blogging. But I have been cooking. Usually after fighting through some extreme laziness. For the next couple weeks I think I have just going to cook one thing a day on my cooking days. I had just been doing too much and I'm going through a kinda burn out. 

Anyway...here is what I made this week...

Fennel "Salad"

I don't know what the name for this was. And I'm too lazy to grab the cookbook. I almost skipped this recipe because it seemed like it was doing too much. I'm glad I didn't skip it though. I have never used fennel or radishes in anything I've made...so it was nice to come across a recipe that uses them. It is a vitamix recipe and supposedly the vitamix is supposed to shred the veggies. And it didn't. So once I saw that it was blending it, I went with it and basically made a fennel, radish, apricot, apple smoothie. Or basically a puree. It didn't taste bad. Kinda like apple sauce with fennel. I think this would made an amazing juice..if I had a juicer.. It wasn't bad. Just not what I had intended. 

Also---I bought the apricots for this...and they were terrible. I have never had a good, fresh apricot. Do they exist? 

Next up- Greek Chicken Wraps...

 ..that I turned into flatbread. I wanted to make my own wraps but was too lazy to roll them out and cook them so I just spread it out like a pizza dough and applied all the toppings. This was really good! I made a small batch of hummus too since I had cooked chickpeas earlier in the week. This is like the perfect summer/sunny day dinner. So fresh!

Last up--- blueberries n cream pie. I ended up making a small one because I had a small pie crust I wanted to use up from the freezer. I would definitely make a larger one next time- I think it would bake up better. I think I might bake one when I go to the states that way I can share it with my family. Also..they have a fresh blueberries growing in the backyard that would be perfect for this.  I ate this one with vanilla ice cream...perfect pairing!

And that is all for this past week. Not a bad week for me.

Maison Louis Marie No.4 Bois de Balincourt Soy Candle

I took a much longer break from the blog than intended. But I think I'm back now. I have a few posts I need to knock out. Starting with this candle. I thought candle season was sure to be almost over but we are back in a cold spell. I had to turn my heat back on the other day...for Mid May that's really crazy. So I'm still lighting up my candles. And also ordered two more just in case the cool weather continues. I like having my candles going to make the atmosphere feel a bit more cozy.

Maison Louis Marie claims:

Timeless. Endlessly wearable. Deeply personal.

A warm woody scent with sandalwood, vetiver, and amber wood. Creamy, earthy, and quietly addictive.

This candle is a dupe for La Labo Santal 26 candle. Which is a candle I have already burned through and reviewed. It's a very popular candle. Also a very pricey candle. Although it was nice- it isn't nice enough that I would want to drop that kind of money on it to have it again. I also don't think it's special enough to seek out dupes- but it definitely was pretty unique. It was more so a candle that was nice to experience once and then I wanted to move onto other scents. 

But I did pick up this MLM candle. Mostly because I want to try all their scents and this was just next in the line up.

I think it smells extremely similar if not straight up the same based on memory. So what I get from it is a spiced sandalwood. I get a slight hint of cinnamon or something. I think the Le Labo had more vanilla to it. I don't really detect much vanilla.

Also...I thought the Le Labo was lightly scented. But this is lightly scented. It is not strong enough for the price. My living area is not that big...I can barely detect this while I am burning it. It needs hours and hours to build up. It just doesn't feel or perform for the price. It is much cheaper than the Le Labo...but it is still a pricey candle and I expected more for the price. I've tried a few candles from MLM and I find that they can be really hit or miss depending on the scent. 

As always I like the packaging. It comes in a nice box and very clean, goes with anything type of packaging. I like that the brand name is printed on, etc. It's supposed to be soy- I think maybe a soy blend but they don't say. I find with this brand as long as I trim the wick etc the candle performs really well with no sooting/smoking etc. 

It comes in a few different forms, I have tried and reviewed the perfume oil,  It also comes in a perfume, and diffuser. It even comes in a deodorant. So if it is something you enjoy, you can buy it in other forms.

As for me, it's not for me. I'll still pick up their other candles to review...but I think I might be done with this iteration of the scent. 

Irish Lamb Stew, Cookies N Cream Cake, and Roasted Celery Root and Pear Puree

 I've been busy in the kitchen again and I'm feeling a much needed break will be coming on. Or at least I'm taking a break for today. I made all the things in the title- along with cinnamon rolls yesterday because I didn't want the icing ingredients to go to waste. 

So...here we go. Starting with Lamb Stew. I had my doubts about this recipe..just seemed too simple. And I was right. I'm not into it. I so badly wanted to add carrots and all kinds of things but I resisted because I really wanted to find out it if it would be good on its own. It was edible- but I wouldn't make this again. This is from the Unofficial Harry Potter cookbook which I am cooking right through. I'm not about 65% through the book. Only 35% more to cook through! 

Looks very meh....

Next up- a cookies n cream cake. I was craving one for a little while now. It came out OK. I think if I were to make this again I would use a chocolate cake base with a deeper chocolate flavor. I just used the Hershey's Chocolate cake recipe and freestyled the icing. I used a mix of butter, cream cheese, and mascarpone with crushed Oreos. I wish I took a picture of the inside. This was actually the second attempt. The first time I baked the cake I baked it for about two hours because I went to watch TV and complete forgot I was baking a cake. 😂😂😂 Whoops. The remake was a lot better though. 

And last up- Celery Root and Pear Puree. I thought this was the last puree in the Vitamix book but looking ahead- there are more. I almost skipped this recipe thinking Celery Root would be hard to find. But---apparently not. To my knowledge I have never had celery root. Had no idea celery even has roots. But I'm always down to branch out and try new vegetables. So I very loosely followed the recipe...and I really like it. It has an edge to it. Very flavorful- kinda spicy. Complex. And the added pear (I used canned) gave it enough sweetness. I still am not really 100% sure what to do with puree. I feel like they go best with fancy food- you know where they place a smidge on the plate and then small portions of whatever food. I just served with Salmon and Rice. It was surprisingly good. 

And that's all for this week!