PF Candle Co. Arroyo Oak Candle Review

 

I just realized my blog has hit over a million views- wow. I honestly thought that would never happen but I'm very pleasantly surprised and grateful for all the views. Every now and again I consider just quitting the blog- but I really like writing reviews and keeping track of all the things I've tried (and cooked) . Especially hair and makeup. And of course soap. And in the past few years I have certainly stepped up the candle reviews. 

This is my third PF candle....and I think I'm going to take a little break from the brand for a few months. Just to make sure I am rotating brands and continuing to try new things. Although PF is a brand that I like and definitely want to explore more. 

PF claims: 

A love letter to the quiet wild of the Arroyo Seco. A passageway of twisted terrain perfumed by native sagebrush, crushed oak leaves, shady creek beds, and canyon stone. Vetiver, frankincense, & california oak.

TOP

wild sage, silver artemisia, bay laurel, black pepper

MID

chopped cedar, vetiver, pine needles

BASE

palo santo, olibanum, oak wood, white smoke

Of the three I have tried- this is my least favorite. It's supposed to be earthy, smoky, and woody. I get that- but I also get something that I keep thinking is kinda citrus...but I know it's not citrus. And whatever that note is I don't like it. I can smell it in the cold throw and the hot throw. 

I was curious about the name so upon a quick google- the Arroyo Oak is an endangered oak tree native to Mexico. I also just learned that Mexico is home to more species of oak than any other country. I like oak trees. I really hope they can find a way to save the oak trees. They are beautiful trees. 

I kinda wish this candle did an educational moment on the trees and maybe donate a portion of the proceeds to saving the oak trees.

As for the quality- it takes a while to get going. I find that to be true for most soy candles. The scent is really hidden in the lower 2/3 of the candle. Until then the candle will give you nothing. It's throwing scent pretty well now though so I can really smell it. The smoky part of the scent s intriguing but there is just something off about this scent to me. I don't enjoy it. 

It is soy though, so it's pretty clean burning. It burns evenly and I haven't had any trouble with sooting, smoking, or tunneling. Also-- I love the packaging. I just love anything packaged in amber glass. It gives a very apothecary feel. 

Still really like the brand- I would just prefer something like Iris Suede over this type of scent. I think when I circle back to this brand I really need to get my hands on the Sandalwood Rose scent...

Fajita Marinade and Chicken Club Sandwich

 Two chicken recipes this week- kinda boring. But I'm just happy I ended up cooking because I had burned myself out a bit. 

Anyway...I'm just gonna post these rather quickly- Starting with the Fajita marinade. It's been a little while since I have had fajitas. This marinade was not it. It was a little too vinegar-y. It sure has me craving sizzling hot fajitas that you get in a restaurant though--- the problem is I don't know where to get some great ones and I don't think I want to make anymore anytime soon. I did break out my wok that I got for my bday...I've been so excited to use it. I have a lot to learn about Wok cooking...I def need more practice but I'm happy with what I did here- except for the flavor of the marinade. 

Next up- a chicken club sandwich. The chicken club originated in NYC. Next time I'm there I definitely wanna grab one. I never order chicken club sandwiches- they just seem a bit boring. I didn't make mine any kind of traditional- I bought the wrong bread on purpose. I had a use for the other three that came in a pack. And I also swapped the bacon for beef bacon. Added extra seasoning to my chicken. And I used a spicy mayo. It was pretty good. You really can't go wrong with a chicken sandwich. Served with rice and lentils and green beans. 

And that's all! Hope I have a bit more variety to post for next weeks post...

Zoya Wyatt Professional Lacquer Review

 I've been meaning to do this review for a little while now. I just have been lazy to paint my nails because they have been in such awful condition- breaking and peeling everywhere. And nothing I do has helped.

Zoya claims:

Wyatt is a true racing green with a deep pigment, full coverage, and smooth application.

Finally I just figured I would go back to painting over their ugliness. Disguise it a little. And get this review out the way. This is my very first Zoya polish. I've always heard the greatest things about them. I bought it when I went back to the states- another thing I wanted to be sure of what to make sure I picked a more unique color- at least unique to my collection. I tend to by the same shades in multiples but I'm trying to stop.

I did a horrible job of painting my nails- but the excess polish will come off tomorrow in the shower...

So I picked up this lovely shade of green. Packaging is nice.  I guess at least you get a nice package for the price. Because I don't think the polish inside is worth that.

I don't love the brush. It's just your standard thin brush. I've been spoiled now with the Essie wide brushes- without a doubt my new fave. The formula is nice though, it goes on easily and very opaque. A second coat can easily be skipped.

I expected more with the formula though. I don't find it to wear any better than any other brand- it could be my top/base coats but I just haven't been impressed so far.

The color is stunning though- I can't believe this is my first true deep green- it's definitely one of my favorite shades in my collection at the moment. I think it looks great on me- manicure and pedicure.

Love the color- the formula and brush aren't my favorite. This shade is one I would be very tempted to re-purchase if I manage to get through my bottle. 

Beekman Glacial Mint and Eucalyptus Goat Milk Soap Review

 I've been looking at flights for my summer trip back home-----and tell my why the flights are all about four to five hundred dollars more than I have ever paid before. My two trips back last year are just about the same price as this one trip.  It's completely insane the price jump. In between that, I have also had the worst luck with ordering..usually I stick with the same old companies but occasionally I do venture out and order from a dud company. So it looks like I will be filing a claim to get my money back.

Anyway...I also wish I could get my money back from this soap. But at least I didn't pay much for it. I think I got it for around four dollars and some change.

Beekman claims:

Our microbiome-friendly fragrance is like a spa day for tired skin and is gentler on the skin than traditional scented bodycare.

Make every bath or shower a luxurious spa experience with this revitalizing bar soap. Creamy goat milk and our ultra-sudsy lather deeply cleanse without stripping moisture, while the scent of cool mint and soothing eucalyptus instantly calm and refresh the skin.

Benefits:

• Triple-milled to last even longer, extending all of the benefits of nourishing goat milk down to the very last lather
• Goat Milk boosts skin health with the same pH as human skin, and it’s rich in lactic acid, vitamins, and minerals to help renew and strengthen skin

Top: Hint Of Mint, Lemon, Basil, Eucalyptus

Middle: Agave, Jasmine, Lavender, Sage

Bottom: Vanilla, Cedar, Amber, Sandalwood

So far I have only been impressed by one of the Beekman soaps- the rest have been duds. I thought this one might be different. Eucalyptus Mint is a very popular combination. And so very easy to find across multiple brands. This isn't straight up Eucalyptus Mint. It's like a men's cologne with a tiny hint - but I don't get that hint in the shower. It seems pleasant enough just sniffing it...until I get it in the shower. There is something so unpleasant about it- just some sort of sourness that I really did not enjoy in the slightest. Kinda reminds me of how some of the Bath and Body works sometimes have a sourness to them.

Otherwise the soap is fine- it lathers well, cleans fine, and rinses easily. It isn't particularly drying...wouldn't say it's moisturizing but it is softening. 

Ingredients seem to be the same across the board. It has goat milk powder, kukui nut oil, jojoba and shea butter. 

Ingredients:

Sodium Palmate, Sodium Cocoate and/or Sodium Palm Kernelate, Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Chloride, Caprae Lac (Goat Milk Powder), Aleurites Moluccana Seed Extract (Kukui Nut Oil), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Pentasodium Pentetate ... and Kindness.

Overall, thought I would like it. But I really don't. There are better Eucalyptus Mint scents out there and if I had to recommend something better I would say you should try the Lush Outback Mate, or Ursa Major Morning Mojo. Both are better options than this- albeit without Goat Milk but still decent ingredients.

Tevin Campbell

Now, Tevin Campbell is my sister's favorite. One year I bought her the best gift ever- tickets to see Tevin and a few other artists.Bought the tickets months in advance, only for it to be cancelled. I don't know why it was but I'm still so very disappointed it was! 

I didn't know until a few years ago how big he was- he was Usher's main rival as a child star. I think he was probably ruined by the industry...we all know the industry is not kind to child stars. Or anyone really.

Very talented vocalist though...and I have quite a few songs in my library from him.

Starting with...Can We Talk. They still played this one all the time on the radio. It still hits today...it's timeless for real. I love a tenor voice- I think him and Kevon Edmunds have the best tenor voices I have ever heard. You can definitely tell this a Babyface penned song.

Next up, I'm Ready. More Babyface writing. He sure could write a hit back in the 90's.  It definitely sounds like it came off the same album. 

Guess who wrote this one? Yep, another Babyface penned. I love this one. I think it's all the repetition. I love that in a song.

Last song- not penned by Babyface. But By Prince. Who covered it himself a few years later. It Goes on Hard. I have both versions of the song in my collection. I think this might be his best performance..you can see the difference and how much more comfortable he was on stage than older videos. Nice to see. Also..who is that tearing up that guitar solo?? I love it.

His sophomore album was very much so my favorite- but I'm looking through his catalogue thinking maybe I should give that first album another listen? 

He had some bops and if somehow you aren't familiar, I recommend checking his music out! 

Shredded Taco Beef and Bouillabaisse

What's cooking in the kitchen this week? 

Well, shredded taco beef to make the best shredded bean and cheese burritos I have ever had. Basically I made something like this- but better. I grew up on the Jose Ole and will still occasionally pick one or two up when I need something quick and easy.

Basically I used the recipe from Budget Bytes.  I mainly followed the recipe....and then added a jar of salsa and homemade cheese sauce to make the filling. The cheese sauce was just some milk, butter, and cubes of cheese blended in the Vitamix until it was warmed and then cooked into the beef in the slow cooker. Then I just filled the burritos and warmed them up before eating. I intended to make a ton- but somehow I only make five. I didn't make the full amount of meat per the original recipe because I don't really have the freezer room right now. I'm doing a freezer clean out now in between new recipes. 

Served with  steamed Brussel Sprouts (trying to get them out the freezer) 

Then...bouillabaisse. This recipe came from the Unofficial Harry Potter cookbook. It was made for the Beauxbatons. 

I watched a video on the traditional sea food soup and I already know mine won't measure up. I would love to try a bowl of the authentic stuff. But really I just did what I could with what I had. And it did make a nice dinner. I used real lobster (first time making it, only used a small amount cause the price!)  imitation crab, a tin of smoked oysters (was supposed to be clams but I forgot and grabbed the wrong thing), and some shrimp. I think you can really use any seafood you have access to. I toasted some bread, added butter and served. 

And that's all for this week...not a bad week. Made some really hearty stuff. I'm hoping next week is nice and simple- I think I am wearing myself out and may need to recharge my cooking "battery".