Simply Earth Subscription Box Review

Ever since college, I’ve loved using essential oils.  However, I only use them in diffusers. I’ve started learning more about the many things you could do with them, so I was thrilled to collaborate with Simply Earth subscription box.  I like to use clean products around my family and pets, and essential oils can be used to create many of these.  Finally, a box that gives me all the ingredients and recipes to create these for my home.  This box was so much fun and I would 100% recommend it for families!

What do I love about Simply Earth Subscription Box?

Every month, their box will teach you many things you can do with essential oils.  I love that the oils are clean, and free of filters, fragrances, and contaminants.  Did you know that there are many fake oils out there?  Some even contain contaminants like pesticides.  With this box, you don’t have to worry if the oils are clean because they’ve already done the work for you by using oils sources from small, ethical farms.

What comes in each box?

4 full-size therapeutic grade pure essential oils

Supplies and recipes to create 6 natural home, body, and wellness products

What did we get?

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Review of Finders Seekers Subscription Box

Ever since I was a kid reading Nancy Drew books, I have always loved a good mystery.  Finders Seekers gives you the ability to travel around the world solving crime without leaving the comfort of your couch.  Finders Seekers is a subscription box that takes you to a different “location” to solve a mystery as a member of the Society of Seekers.  It is like going to an escape room in your own home.

I love that the clues, puzzles, and mysteries are created by the founder and his team.  Imagine being that creative? I also love that the founder and his wife have traveled to all of the locations of the box and have toured each city to learn more about the culture.  All of the pictures you see in your envelopes were taken by them.  This gives the pictures an authentic look!

Our Finders Seekers Box

Take a peek at the cover… Makes you want to tear it open!

Inside is a top-secret envelope that contains your task.

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Review of Kinder Beauty Subscription Box

No one likes to travel with too much makeup and skin care bottles, so it’s important to find some good products that you’ll want to travel the world with.  I love to try new products and a subscription box like, Kinder Beauty, allows me to find ones from companies that have the same values as I do.

What do I love about this box?

Each box contains products that are clean, 100% vegan, & cruelty-free.   The products and ingredients are never tested on animals and they don’t even include brands that have parent companies that test on animals.  I also love that a portion of all sales benefit animal rights and environmental causes.

What comes in each box?

Each month you’ll receive skincare, makeup, hair-care, and accessories.  I love that you receive at least two full-sized products.

What did we get in our box?

The value of our box was $77.

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Review of Well Told Etched Barware

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM:

I love when an item in my home tells a story, sparks a memory, or makes me nostalgic of a place I’ve visited.  I was thrilled when Well Told reached out to me asking if I wanted to receive some of their etched glassware, and was so impressed when I opened the box up and saw how gorgeous they were.

WHAT IS WELL TOLD?

Well Told offers glassware and other items etched with maps from popular places around the world. They have lots of different options so there is something meaningful to everyone.

WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTS DO THEY OFFER?

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Yoga Nidra

In the last year, I have become more and more interested in finding methods for relaxation (meditation, deep breathing, etc) and have been wanting to devote more time into doing it.  It seems like such a simple task, but in yoga, I can’t seem to ever turn my mind off during savasana.  So, I figured since I have nothing but time on my hand, along with a ton of anxiety, I would expand my search.  First stop…YOGA NIDRA.

WHAT IS YOGA NIDRA?

Through the use of body sensing, breath awareness, guided imagery and other practices, you are systematically guided on a meditation journey. You remain in a state of relaxed awareness, but not sleep.

HAVE I DONE IT BEFORE?

Yes.  I actually love doing it at home when my friend Becky leads them in a salon that has a salt cave.  (Local friends…if you haven’t done this you NEED to check it out!  Email me for more info.)  It is so relaxing! A few weeks ago, Becky offered a virtual class so I was able to do it from my own living room.

WHAT PROPS DO YOU NEED FOR IT?

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Review of One Girl Inspired Subscription Box

With these uncertain times, tweens/teenagers can have lots of negative feelings.  They may be missing their friends, becoming overwhelmed with remote learning, or nervous about what they are seeing on the news.  Now it is more important than ever to make them feel powerful and stay positive.  One Girl Inspired subscription box is the perfect way to bring positivity and empowerment into your home.

What do I love about this box?

As a mom of an 11 & 13-year-old, I am always trying to make them feel powerful, encourage them to be themselves, help others that are in need, and be kind to everyone. Girls these days have so much weighing on them from social media, peer pressure, and the pressure of getting good grades.  This box is a wonderful monthly gift that will help them build self-confidence and self-love.

What comes in each box?

Each month they’ll receive 4-6 fun and inspiring tools that coincide with a different theme. Items may range from journals, personal development books, tech gadgets, fun school supplies, jewelry, beauty items, and much more.

What did they get in this box?

The theme of their box was USE YOUR VOICE!

They stress, “Your voice is your own, and it is within your power to control that. There is power in using your own unique voice to bring about the positive change you wish to see in the world. Always speak your own truth.”

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15 movies that Inspire a Love of Travel

I had a whole list of projects that I put on my list to do while socially distancing, but somehow those lists turned into lots of movie marathons! Movies have a way of transporting you to new destinations without having to leave your porch, and what a better time to veg out and catch up on some old favorites.

 Here are 15 movies that inspire a love of travel:

EAT, PRAY, LOVE

Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) thought she had everything she wanted in life: a home, a husband and a successful career. Now newly divorced and facing a turning point, she finds that she is confused about what is important to her. Daring to step out of her comfort zone, Liz embarks on a quest of self-discovery that takes her to Italy, India and Bali.

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN

When Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) learns her husband is cheating on her from a writer whom she gave a bad review, her life is turned upside down. In an attempt to bring her out of a deep depression, her best friend, Patti (Sandra Oh), encourages Frances to take a tour of Italy. During the trip, the new divorcée impulsively decides to purchase a rural Tuscan villa and struggles to start her life anew amid colorful local characters, including the handsome Marcello (Raoul Bova).

PARIS CAN WAIT

Anne (Diane Lane) is at a crossroads in her life. Married to a successful but inattentive movie producer (Alec Baldwin), she unexpectedly finds herself taking a car trip from Cannes to Paris with her husband’s business associate (Arnaud Viard). What should be a seven-hour drive turns into a carefree two-day adventure replete with diversions involving picturesque sights, fine food and wine, humor, wisdom and romance, reawakening Anne’s senses and giving her a new lust for life.

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FaceTory Face Mask Review

I may not be thrilled to be in social isolation, but my face is so happy right now! No makeup, face masks several times a week, and more than enough time for keeping a good nighttime skincare routine. (Keep your eye out for our DIY home facial coming soon.) My skin has never looked better! I was so happy when I got this fantastic set of face masks from FaceTory and my girls and I couldn’t wait to test them out.

Enjoy!

FaceTory Face Masks

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM:

Travel can wreak havoc on your skin.  From changes in temperature, sun irritation, and that mysterious craziness an airplane creates on your face. (I always break out after a flight!)  A face mask is the perfect skincare tool to carry in your suitcase.  It takes up almost no room, is easy to apply, and it is a nice way to relax and unwind after a long day of exploring.

We LOVED using these masks.  Trust me when I say we are experts on face masks because we have tried a ton! All of these masks left our skin moisturized, but not greasy like many masks do.  They also don’t have too much face cream on them so they were not gooey like some can be.

They come in such a cheerful package…which is a fun thing to see when you’re home in seclusion.

WHAT ELSE I LOVE ABOUT THEM:

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Ways to Stay Positive During Social Isolation

Life is pretty crazy right now and certainly not anything we ever expected to happen in our lives.  Remote learning, social isolation, and fear have overtaken our lives.  I’m an anxious person and I can get pretty frantic if I work myself up by thinking about it all day, so after a week of freaking out, I decided to add some normalcy to our lives and realized positive thinking and creativity would make our days memorable.  We are using this time together to bond as a family and do things we complain about not having time to do when we’re in our “real lives.”

I plan on using this time on my blog to share strategies that have been working for us and encourage people to make the most out of this situation.  We have been calling it our Corona-cation in our house.    I’ll be touching on each of these more thoroughly as the weeks go on.  We’re all in this together! I’m loving all the feedback from everyone telling me what they’ve been doing and sending links and suggestions.  Please keep it up!

Hope your family is staying healthy and happy!

STAY POSITIVE AND ENJOY THIS TIME TOGETHER

No one knows how long this will last and it’s very easy to become overwhelmed.  I know I can be pretty bitchy when I’m anxious and I tend to take it out on the people I love.  Now is the time to stay positive and encourage your family to do the same.  I try to stop my kids from fighting, and suggest we all do something fun together.  I have only 4 more years with my oldest and 6 with my youngest and I’m loving every day I get to have them all to myself.

GET OUTSIDE

Make sure you get outside EVERY day, even if you don’t want to.  I find the hardest part is just getting your sneakers on and walking out the door.  Go for walks, play some basketball in your driveway, do some sidewalk chalk, or just have a picnic if the weather is nice. (Obviously..avoid other people.)

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Hand Care Product Roundup

I have been religiously following the 20 second rule of washing your hand…doing it so often that my hands have become red, cracked, and raw.  Add in hand sanitizer and my hands have been a disaster! I needed to do something about it, so I decided to give them a little TLC.  Here are 3 great products that have my hands looking great.

Enjoy!

MaqueBAR Moisture & Nourishing Hand Mask

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM:  Many people are experiencing the effects of washing their hands and using bleach wipes.  Hands are becoming dried, chapped, and cracked because of the soap and alcohol.  This hand mask restored my skin by hydrating them, and they came out soft and moisturized.

WHAT ELSE I LOVE ABOUT THEM: Since they are created as a glove, they were easy to use and actually fun to wear.  (We felt like Minnie Mouse!) What I really liked was it left our hands smooth, without being greasy, like many hand masks do.  (Head over to my Instagram account to watch the video of my daughter and I testing the hand mask out!  It is stored under the tab PRODUCTS) The company also sells an ultra-rich hand cream, but I haven’t tried it out yet.

COST: $9.99

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