Pinch Provisions: Good Luck Minimergency Kit Review

Sometimes praying to the fashion gods just isn’t enough. Luck favors the prepared. That’s why Pinch Provisions has taken our classic Minimergency® Kits to a whole new luxe level with the Good Luck Series. The Good Luck Series features rich, saturated patent pouches in ten on-trend colors: Cherry Red, Eggplant, Yellow, Periwinkle, Neon Pink, Black, Taupe, Cobalt Blue, Coral, and Green. Each bag is adorned with one of five good luck charms: a Chinese symbol of good fortune, a wishbone, an evil eye (to ward off wardrobe malfunctions), a horseshoe, and a four-leaf clover. Measures 3.5" x 2 " x 2".

The Good Luck Minimergency Kit contains anything a gal might need...IN A PINCH®. Includes 17 must-haves: hairspray, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, emery board, lip balm, earring backs, clear elastics, safety pin, mending kit, Shemergency® tape, stain remover, deodorant towelette, pain reliever, tampon, breath freshener, dental floss, and an adhesive bandage

No matter where you see me, chances are that you will see me packing a large purse with a ton of stuff in it. I don’t know how many times Adam has looked at me and said “I’m pretty sure you carry everything in there but the kitchen sink.” I’m pretty sure he’s right!

I can‘t go anywhere without my “essentials.” This consists of things I “think” I might need. Deodorant, Perfume, makeup case, lotion, wallet, and tons of other stuff. If I don’t bring it, I start thinking “I might’ve needed that.” How else can I freshen up if I don’t have it? LOL

This darling little mini clutch is an amazing way to embellish and organize your purse. It contains 17 REAL essentials that are ready to come to your aide if need be. It includes:

hairspray, clear nail polish, stain remover, nail polish remover, an emery board, lip balm, two metal earring backs, two clear elastics, a mending kit with a needle and four colors of thread, a safety pin, double-sided tape, a deodorant towelette, two Advil, breath freshener, dental floss, an adhesive bandage and a tampon.

They sent me the Taupe GOOD LUCK MINIMERGENCY® KIT, which comes with a Wishbone zipper pull. It is an adorable companion to have with me at all times, putting all these “emergency items” right at my reach. I never have to dig in my gigantic purse looking for a small item! Also, because it’s so small, it makes it easier to just slip in a smaller purse and GO!

Half of these items can be used more than one time. For example, the mini lip balm contains more than 100+ uses. The shemergency double sided tape comes in a resealable package, so it can be used more than once. The hair spray, dental floss, earring backs, breath freshener, nail polish, mending kit, emery board, elastics and safety pin can definitely be used more than once.

The rest of the items come in a one-time use packet. That’s a lot of helpful items for only $15, and when all those items are used up, you can always buy a refill kit. OR if you’re like me, I’m just going to buy an entire new bag (just so I can collect them) LOL.

Don’t let the tiny size deceive you, it really does have everything you might need. The quality of the products are very high quality and would make amazing stocking stuffers! They would even be a great gift to give a college student or someone at the office!

Great things DO come in small packages!

Get YOURS: GOOD LUCK MINIMERGENCY® KIT

Connect with Pinch Provisions online:

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram

 

Jessica Renee

Beauty Review: Marc Anthony Morocco Argan Oil Volume Hair Care Line Shampoo, Conditioner, Mousse, Hairspray, & Oil

Argan Oil has become very popular in hair care over the last year or so. I’ve tried many different products with Argan oil in it and somehow they didn’t manage to work out AS well as I had hoped. It’s because although my hair is damaged a little from coloring it and heat styling it, it is also oily.

Most Argan Oil products make my hair look like I dipped my head in a frying pan of oil. So, I’ve been craving the much needed hair repair of Argan oil without it being over oily. So when I got a chance to try the new Marc Anthony Argan Oil Collection I was super excited.

They have an entire hair care line dedicated to Argan Oil. This collection consists of the Marc Anthony Shampoo & Conditioner, Mousse & Hairspray, Treatment Oil, Dry Styling Oil, and 3-Day Smooth Perfect Blow Dry Cream. They sent me the Shampoo & Conditioner, Hairspray, Mousse, and Treatment oil.

The Shampoo & Conditioner

The Argan Oil Shampoo and Argan Oil Conditioner are an amazing duo. They help to restore strength, revive shine, and protect from further damage. My hair health means a lot to me, so I was glad that these actually help keep it healthy and adds a brilliant shine without the excess oil.

This duo is sulfate, chemical, and dye free. They both contain keratin, grape seed oil, and argon oil. They protect from color fade, replenishes the moisture to dry/damaged hair, and they smell amazing!

The shampoo lathers up pretty well for it to be sulfate free (most sulfate free shampoos hardly lather at ALL). I only have to use about a quarter size amount, which isn’t a lot considering my hair is almost lower back length at this point. It deeply cleanses my hair while refreshing and restoring the vitamins and health to my hair.

The texture is very creamy and feels very silky to the touch. It renews the silky feeling to the hair without stripping the natural oils. I used the combination for about a week straight and then the second week started using it about twice a week.

The scent of the shampoo/conditioner duo is very light and not overpowering at all. They smell really good and unlike any other hair care line I’ve ever used. They seem to have a grape/flower mixed smell which is invigorating and relaxing! I love the scent and the fact that it’s still there even after I blow-dry my hair! Most scents disappear after heat styling.

I am LOVING this conditioner and how rich & luscious the formula is! It has made a HUGE difference in my hair and EVERYBODY has noticed. It totally seals the deal! It supplies and nourishes the hair with the moisture that it needs to be brought back to life.

It is ultra hydrating and doesn’t need to be used on a daily basis. I can now use the shampoo/conditioner twice a week and get the moisture my hair needs. My hair is definitely more healthy, shinier, and less has less frizz.

it works so well for my hair because it is so light. It doesn’t weigh it down and make it look oily like other keratin/argan oil hair products do. I love it. It maintains the dehydrated/split ends while keeping my hair from looking like a grease pit at the end of the day!

I could tell a difference in the way my hair looked and felt after the SECOND day, which is amazing. I have gotten some amazing compliments since I started using this! People asking me what I use to make my hair so healthy and shine like it does.

I also love the fact that they HELP from my color fading, which also helps with hair health overtime. The less you color you hair, the healthier it will be. If you use a color fade shampoo and conditioner, the color stays in for a longer period of time!

I’ve noticed a huge difference in not only my hairs health but volume and manageability. Usually my hair is kind of hard to brush after showering because of its length. Because of the added nourishment and moisture, my hair is completely tangle free and stays beautiful and tangle free all day!

Get them: Check the list of retailers near you OR online with the Where to Buy Page!

Argan Oil Shampoo and Argan Oil Conditioner

You can buy them on Ulta for $7.99 a piece.

 

The Argan Oil Treatment

This Argan Oil Treatment is a daily, lightweight oil that will never weight your hair down or make it look greasy. It transforms dry, dehydrated, damaged hair no matter what texture your hair is. My hair is now glossy, shiny, and absolutely no frizz in site.

It doesn’t matter if you have straight, wavy, curly, thick, or thin hair- it works like tiny drops of magic. It will instantly become a favorite must have treatment for your hair. I love the fact that I can use this on a daily basis , even if I don’t use the shampoo/conditioner. The trick is to find out how much is needed for your hair type. Obviously thick, curly hair would need more than thin, straight hair.

Even though my hair is long, I only have to use a very small amount. I use less than a dime size portion and make sure that I disperse it throughout my hair evenly (and I avoid my roots). It comes with a pump action bottle, so it’s easy to get the right amount without being wasteful which makes it last a whole lot longer!

You can use 2-4 drops on damp OR dry hair. I’ve use it both ways and my hair was still looking freshly cleansed, didn’t look oily in the least! For extra damaged hair you can also do a night treatment by adding 2-4 MORE drops before bedtime. It never leaves an oily reside on your bedding or clothing.

It’s ultra lightweight because it is a mixture of Argan oil and olive oil. It being micro-light helps it penetrate the hair to better condition and protect while the vitamin E and shea butter hydrates and softens.

Get it: Argan Oil Treatment at drugstore.com for $7.99

 

The Mousse & Hairspray

The Marc Anthony Argan Oil Volumizing Mousse is a light, airy whip that lifts each strand for fuller volumous styles with extra flowing movement. I love it provides hold for styles that last all day long. It allows bounce and your hair will actually move when you turn your head (GASP)!

Usually mousses give so much hold that it looks like my hair is plastered to my head, which isn’t a look that I would like to EVER recreate! I don’t like my hair to look stuck to my head. I want my hair to look as natural as it can, not frozen in time. This mousse allows my hair to actually look and feel NATURAL.

It hydrates and nourishes dry hair. I can put this in my hair while it is damp and scrunch my hair into natural, beautiful looking beach waves. My hair looks healthy, strong, and shiny. It can also be put in my hair when it’s damp and I can blow dry it into a full volumous style.

I definitely love that it doesn’t make my hair stiff. It helps keep frizz away and it lasts all day! My hair has never loved another mousse twice as much as it does this one. My hair is still so soft and it never looks oily or greasy, because the mousse is lightweight.

I adore the smell of these products, they all smell similar. Usually mousse smells too much like chemicals, so I am glad this one doesn’t!

This Marc Anthony Argan Oil Volume Hairspray is dual purposed. It not only makes for an amazing styling aid but it also helps hair health. How many hairsprays can you say that about? Definitely not many at all. This hairspray is a non-water based, fast-drying formula. I love that it holds all day without flakiness or stickiness. It still lets your hair feel natural (So NO stiff head! YEAH!)

It’s flexible finish creates the ability to re-work styles without any gunky product build up. It adds an amazing luminous shine that makes my hair look glossy, healthy, and nourished. It adds strength and also helps condition as I style my hair.

I am in love with the fact that it adds volume without smelling like aerosol. It is sulfate free so I also use this to style my 4 year old daughter Adisyn’s hair for school. Her hair doesn’t come loose from the hair tie all day.

She remains looking her adorable, beautiful self even after a nap! How awesome is that? You can’t beat the prices either. These products (ALL of them) are definitely high quality products, and they work 10x better than most high priced items. I’d take these over the others in a heartbeat. Every single one of these products add shine, health, and vitality as well as volume without product build-up, oil, or stiffness!

Get yours: Marc Anthony Argan Oil Volume Hairspray at Ulta.com for $8.99

Connect with Marc Anthony Hair Care online:

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest & Youtube

 

Jessica

Blurb- Create YOUR Own Book for someone you love this Christmas! #HolidayGiftGuide2013

Blurb continues to wow me each year with how easy they make it to create your own high quality custom book. Use Blurb's 2013 Gift Guide to find inspiration! I love the ABC children's book on page 6 and the cookbooks on page 7. The Gift Guide is also an instruction guide for how to make a beautiful Blurb book gift for anyone in your life. Get a head start on your Holiday gifts by creating your own Blurb book and save 20% through 10/7 with code EARLYBIRD20

 

Jessica Renee

Toy Review: Raskullz 3 Wheel Cutie Cat Scooter #HolidayGiftGuide2013

 

Give your child a ride on the fun side with this Cutie Cat-themed three-wheeled scooter. The scooter is designed with tri-wheels for stability and balance, a skid-resistant foot plate for safe footing, and a steel frame for super durability. This pink scooter is adorned with Cutie Cat graphics and is perfect for new riders to cruise around the neighborhood in style. It also features a 3D molded character attached to the handlebars.

My daughter was absolutely ecstatic to be able to choose her own scooter from Raskullz. If you were reading Stylish Southern Mama last year you seen that my son got to review a Raskullz Radgon Backpack last year. So, when my daughter got to get herself a cute little character scooter, she chose the Raskullz Cutie Cat Scooter of course!

It comes really quickly and isn’t put together. It didn’t take us very long at all to get it together and let her roar up and down the sidewalk! She has so much fun riding it everywhere. Of course my son wanted to ride it when he got home from school, even if it DID have a cat on it, lol.

She loved the cat scooter so much that we bought her the matching helmet at Wal-mart this past weekend. It was cheap, only $20. She needed a good helmet though and this was the same price as the other helmets so we let her get it! It was definitely the cutest helmet on the shelf!

I even let her ride the scooter in the house, up and down the hallway. The scooter is extremely safe for a 4 year old who is just learning how to drive a scooter. The wheels are pretty big and don’t scratch the floor at all! It gives her entertainment on rainy days, and she likes to show EVERYBODY that comes over that she got a new “scooter”.

I am excited to have this because of the upcoming winter months. There isn’t much she can do inside (except play with her regular toys), so having the scooter will cure the winter blues. I love the fact that the handle bars are padded, it makes it easier for her to grip!

She loves the fact that the kitty is in 3D. It looks just like a cartoon hanging on her scooter, and she adores it. I love the fact that the scooter is extremely durable and can take a lot of abuse from a little girl. She has knocked it over and the cat on the front still looks the same. It hasn’t chipped, cracked, or broken ANY which makes me love it that much more!

The “foot” part of the scooter is wide and also decorated with the cat. The bike is super adorable and she is sure to get a LOT of use out of it! I love the fact that she now has something to ride. She doesn’t know how to ride a bike yet because there isn’t a place to teach her because we live RIGHT in town where people speed up and down the road like demons.

So, I’m glad that she can ride this in our driveway, in the house, or even in the grass without a problem!

This would make a perfect gift for the holidays! They have more characters (for boys too).. So, if you’re looking for the perfect gift.. here it is!

• 3D molder character attached to handle bars
• Adjustable height handle bars
• Awesome printed kick plate
• PVC wheels
• Easy assembly
• Max users weight 40 lbs

Get Yours: Raskullz Cutie Cat Scooter $34.99

Connect with Raskullz online:

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, & Youtube

 

Jessica Renee

Home Décor Review: Southern Homes & Gardens=Dual Tier Metal Filigree Tray

The detailed metalwork and practicality of this decorative, tiered filigree tray makes a perfect addition to any room of your home. Use it to display other, simple decor or simply leave it as a standalone that makes a statement in itself.



I was excited to get a chance to work with Southern Homes and Gardens. I had a ton of fun window shopping through their many categories! They have SO many adorable items that I really liked, that I couldn’t choose. They sell items for baby & child, fashion items, gifts, and home & garden decoration.

I ended up choosing the Dual Tier Metal Filigree Tray for my vanity! I really needed something that was sturdy enough to hold my vast collection of styling tools. I was definitely tired of sticking them in a box or a drawer! I wanted to be able to showcase them in a unique way.

I love this tray! It came within NO time, and was VERY easy to put together. It took me less than a minute. It comes with the bottom and top trays in parts. All I had to do was screw the poles inside the holes inside the trays and was DONE!

I immediately filled it up with my hair tools at the bottom. I was amazed at the beauty of having them all together without tangles getting in the cords. I never have to dig for a certain item now, which makes it 10x easier for me to get ready. EVERYTHING fits which is amazing considering how many styling tools I have!

I am very pleased with the Metal Filigree Tray! It is absolutely stunning, beautiful, and well built. I even MOVED it with everything on it that you see and it never ONCE swayed. It’s strong as an ox. I am glad that I now have a place to store everything with it being out of reach so my loving and curious daughter doesn’t dump out all my hair supplies! Kids! Got to Love Em’ LOL



I’ve already gotten at least 4 compliments on this! Everybody has something different they want to do with it, and somewhere they think it’d look best in their home. My mom was over the next day after I got it, and she said she thought it would look good outside with small potted plants on it!



I like it where it is though, and that is where it is going to stay! I absolutely love the elegance it brings to my vanity area! The black metal is just so stylish and the heart designs built in give it a classic feminine look! I adore it!

This would make the perfect gift for your mom, sister, or best friend for Christmas. They will definitely love it just as much as I do, and immediately find their FAVORITE place for it!

Get it: Dual Tier Metal Filigree Tray  $71.95

Connect with Southern Homes & Gardens Online:
Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest


Jessica Renee

Book Review: Not Your Mother’s Make-Ahead & Freeze Cookbook by Jessica Fisher; Harvard Common Press

In today's fast-paced society, TV dinners and fast food can easily take the place of good home cooking. But with the help of one of the most underused appliances in most people's kitchen -- the freezer -- anyone can make and preserve about two weeks' worth of delicious home-cooked meals in a matter of hours. Jessica Fisher' s Not Your Mother provides the key to doing so. Fisher outlines 200 recipes for delectable breakfasts, lunches, and dinners through the method of batch cooking that saves both time and money.

This cookbook puts a modern spin on the age-old idea of freezing meals for later, and appeals to today's diverse tastes, providing recipes for not only chicken, beef, and pork, but also fish, shellfish, and vegetarian main courses. Fisher also details how to go about using the freezer to its full potential, giving information on the best freezer bags and, most importantly, how to thaw food safely after it has been frozen.

 

Supper time! The sound of those two words can conjure up memories of your family sitting down to dinner together and enjoying themselves. Lively conversations that make your heart squeeze, and everybody loving your handmade meal!

BUT at the same time those same two words can also bring to mind being so tired that you feel dead on your feet. While you are trying to conjure up something actually edible that doesn’t take forever to cook; the kids are fighting, the dog is running rampant, and your phone just won’t SHUT UP!

So, take out food clearly runs through your mind. Maybe a can of soup or something microwavable? This is clearly the easy way out but definitely not the healthy way! All those extra calories and added sodium is a big no-no!

When I asked to review the book Not Your Mother’s Make-Ahead & Freeze Cookbook by Jessica Fisher , I thought it was going to be a book of nothing but recipes. I was pretty sure there would be some recipes that I couldn’t ever possibly make because of the extensive and expensive list of ingredients. NOT so! There are no weird ingredients and nothing in this book is expensive or hard to find!

This book definitely exceeded my expectations because it has how-to and tips for freezing the recipes! What can and can’t be frozen, freezing techniques, packaging to freeze, and so much more! The recipes aren’t just a bunch of weird high priced ingredients thrown together, they all look very delicious! The instructions are very detailed and easy to understand as well!

There are cooking plans that consist of breakfasts, beef, meatless.. etc. then gives the grocery lists to go with the plans, which makes it easier for a busy mom! Then she goes even further into detail with packaging guidelines for freezing, prep lists, appliances/gadgets needed, and the complete detailed cooking plan.

There is so much information on the first 64 pages that truly helped me out and came in handy. It’s like Jessica (the author) is holding your hand throughout the process and explaining. She does all the hard work for us, all we have to do is shop for the ingredients, cook the food, and then freeze it.

She even explains how to successfully organize and plan  a few hours a week or every other week into making and freezing! These recipes are definitely healthier than take our or high calorie, high sodium microwave dinners! Something you can just come home and pop in the oven!

This book has definitely changed my outlook on life (no kidding). I’ve never owned a recipe book that influenced my life in such a manner that makes those long days bearable! No more tired, dragging, standing over a hot stove cooking! I can now just come home and take something from the freezer if I have had a long day and don’t feel like cooking!

The expectations and advice about buying and freezing by the bulk is amazing. Not only will your sanity be saved but it definitely helps save money in the long run! Buying the ingredients in bulk when they are on sale and then making a ton of recipes that include those ingredients. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be buying a deep freezer here soon.

There are a variety of recipes too, which is another plus for the book. Usually make ahead and freeze books contain a TON of casserole recipes, but this one has plenty of everything. It has stews, casseroles, soups, and even pizza kits and taco kits.. etc.

Calzones, burritos, meatballs are ready for you to make and freeze. Your family will definitely thank you if you get this book! They will love that they can take the burritos and calzones and pop them in the microwave if you have a late day or early meeting. You’ll definitely love that a couple dedicated hours a week will save you so much time throughout the week, and you’ll actually be able to enjoy dinner with your family!

This is definitely a book to buy in bulk and give as Christmas gifts to all your family and friends. They won’t EVER forget what you got them by next Christmas. They won’t lose it and it definitely won’t go unused! This is definitely something for anybody no matter how old, what gender, or how many kids they have!

Get yours: Not Your Mother's Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook (NYM Series) $12.14

 

About the Author

Jessica Fisher is a busy mom of six young children, aged toddler to teen. Homeschool mom by day, freelance writer and blogger by night, she writes two popular blogs, LifeasMom.com and GoodCheapEats.com and contributes to both SimpleHomeschool.net and Food.YourWay.net. She also writes for various parenting publications in the U.S. and Canada. She lives with her husband and children in San Diego, California and is an avid home cook. Not Your Mother's Make-Ahead and Freeze is her first book.

 

Jessica Renee