Honest Kitchen Preference Review

Now for my other little dumpling Eevie to review her product.
I wanted her to like this so bad!
Look at this amazing ingredient list! From the Honest Kitchen website:

Sweet potatoes, organic alfalfa, cabbage, organic coconut, apples, spinach, pumpkin, bananas, celery, organic kelp, honey, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate.

This is a base mix to mix with your dog's raw food. Although I love the benefits of a raw/ barf diet...it is a huge hassle to prep her food! It basically takes me half a day to prep her food with the proper ratios of meat, organs, etc. With a new baby, prepping her food became an almost impossible task! I was tempted to go back to a high quality kibble but didn't want to cut back Eevie's food just because I lacked the time. I still wanted to give my little dumpling the best! (Kibble-- regardless how high quality is never fresh!)

Then came along Honest Kitchen! I could easily prep her food in a little over 5 min! I just added water to the dehydrated food and portioned each day's worth into a zip loc baggie. I also just cut up whatever meat she was going to eat for the week! No more measuring out ratios of muscle meat to organ meat, grind up egg shells or bones for calcium. When I was feeding her raw I was also concerned if she was getting the right amount of vitamins since I do not feed her whole bones in her meat. (I've read one too many horror stories online about feeding bones-- better safe than sorry!) This ingredient list gave me the piece of mind that provided whatever vitamin supplement needed when feeding raw.

The first time I gave it to her she sniffed it a little, lapped at it-- then walked away! She just picks at it on and off for about 3 hrs D: Now Eevie is normally not a picky dog when it comes to food or anything she ingests! She's like a goat--she will eat anything! Crayons, her doggy friends kibbles (When Eevie goes over anywhere for a play date all the mamas know to put their pup's kibble away!--It's that bad!), she's even found a new fondness for baby poop! Ick! O and ever since I came home from the hospital, she has learned how to open the lid of the garbage can to steal my breast pads! 

This was taken an hr after I gave it to her-- barely touched! I even added avocados in there for her! Smh :(

So I don't know why she won't eat this?! Maybe because she knows it's actually good for her??...ugh! This dumpling drives me insane.
Anyways, I purchased the 7lb box-- don't know what I'm going to do with it. Maybe give it to another fellow doggy mama :(  In the meantime, I'm going to try whatever combination of food or meat possible to get her to eat this. Once this is done, I know better now to order a sample size first from the Honest Kitchen D:

Lalabye Baby Cloth Diaper Review

A cloth diapering mama who came up with a wishlist of things she wanted to see in a cloth diaper created Lalabye Baby Diapers. Who's been in that position where they're sick of stuffing pocket diapers? Me. Who's tired of having to constantly remind their DH which snap or have them guesstimate with Velcro? Me. What about the poor baby who's diaper is so big with inserts her legs are uncomfortably splayed out and her bum has become the most disproportionate feature of her body? The lack of trimness is the only thing that would tempt me to go back to disposables! Sorry-- Yes I'm vain and I want my baby to fit into all those cute printed leggings on Etsy! Who likes the convenience of AIOs or pockets (one and done) but wants to save money on laundry and drying time with AI2s? Yes-- I'm a greedy person but I'm glad someone else out there is too! Meet the ultimate modern cloth diaper, the Lalabye Baby Diaper!!!!

This diaper has become 70% of my cloth diaper stash because it is so versatile and easy to use!
To cover the basics-
- It has stay-dry inner fabric (micro-suede lining)
- TPU (waterproof) outer fabric
- Diaper comes with 2 bamboo inserts


 O and the cute prints and snaps also don't help in feeding my cloth diaper addiction.

Bottom 2 diapers (Best Bottoms Fox Trot, Softbums Nebula) are not Lalabye--just the solid prints

Aren't the colors so vibrant?! As a makeup artist-- colors are my biggest soft spot!
Top to Bottom:
- Ring Around the Rosie 2 (hot pink with bright blue snaps)
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star 2 ( yellow with bright blue snaps)
- Baby Beluga 2 ( aqua blue with lime green snaps)
- All Around the Mulberry Bush 2 (purple with lavender snaps)
- Itsy Bitsy Spider 2 (black with rainbow snaps)
- Mary Had a Little Lamb 2 (white with rainbow snaps)

All Around the Mulberry Bush 2

The color coded snaps are absolutely brilliant! No more accidental leaks or blowouts because the sizing of the diaper is wrong! Easy for dh, grandparents, caretakers to easily understand and remember. If not-- you can just put a post it note by the changing table haha. Right now, Ms. Aaron is at Blue with Green Hip Snaps--easy enough to remember.

As you can see from the picture there are 4 rise snaps. The website recommends: (But of course depending on how tall or skinny your baby is, you adjust to your own preference!)
- 1st Rise: 8-12 lbs
- 2nd Rise: 10- 16 lbs
- 3rd Rise: 17- 22 lbs
- 4th Rise: 23- 35lbs

There are two openings in the front and the back to use as a pocket diaper. The benefit of two openings is that if you choose to use it as a pocket diaper you don't having inserts scrunching up or trouble stuffing it to the other side-- you just pull it through!

Now the beauty to me of this AI2 diaper is that there are 2 snaps..not just one like Softbums. Becuase of the two snaps, I can make sure TWO inserts--not just one!-- stay securely in place without moving around since Ms. Aaron is a squirmy little worm!

The width of the diaper is the widest out of all my diapers but in no way is it bulky! It just means more room for little presents from the Lo haha.

Leg gussets are so soft from the micro- suede inserts and haven't left any red marks at all! The leg gussets are also so trim but I haven't had a leak once! It still blows my mind how trim this diaper is!

The two inserts (one newborn- one reg) are made from a super soft bamboo rayon material and actually come with the diaper! For only $17.50 (+$1-2 for special prints) you get an entire diaper! Did I mention that this diaper is super trim? haha The bamboo rayon is more absorbent than your normal microterry inserts and is THINNER! Say what? Yes, Ladies (and Gents)-- this is practically a bulletproof diaper that's the closest you can get to the trimness of a disposable!
The creator of this diaper is definitely a gal after my own heart-- which I'm sure a lot of you guys can relate! :)

I purchase my Lalabye Diapers from these websites--Hurry and get yours as this diaper has a growing cult following and is always out of stock!

Dream Diapers 
 Dearest Diapers They have a 5% off military discount for all you military mamas like myself :) code: MILITARY
Earth Baby Boutique
Spray Pal
Green Path Baby
Peapod Essentials
Kebbie's Diaper Bag
Stella's Baby Boutique
Green Bean Online
Nicki's Diapers

This is not a sponsored advertisement-- all diapers were purchased with my own money :)

Raspberry Roots Collagen Eye Patch

Raspberry Root Collagen Eye Patch Review

This review is for the Raspberry Root Eyepatch. I absolutely loved the Raspberry Root Sleeping Mask!!!... so I decided to try the eye mask as well! 

Description (back of package): Water- soluable Chitosan, Water- Himalayan Raspberry Roots, and Aqua Collagen optimizes elasticity, soothes, and hydrates eye area. The addition of plant extracts promote the national secretion of pleasure-- inducing beta endorphins and stimulates the formulation of collagen for more youthful looking skin. 

Directions: Use PM after toner, remove clear film from both sides of patches and apply one under each eyes. Leave on for 30~40 min. 

Verdict: 4.5/5 stars I love the gel consistency of this eye patch and it actually yields noticeable results. Mind you I use always this the day after I've partied and intoxicated myself all night long (dehydration and puffy eyes!!) ;p haha. Since it's a clear eye patch there is a netted mesh side holding the gel together, so I apply gel side down. To give the eye patch some oomph!... I place it in the fridge to depuff my eyes. As with all masks which are serum based, I apply my eye cream to seal in that goodness. I've used many eye patches from SaSa, Shiseido (Benefiance),and SK-II and this by far yields the most immediate results after application. My eyes are immediately de-puffed, hydrated without a heavy sticky feeling, and much brighter so it definitively promotes circulation. Taking away 1/2 star for the way its sold. $12 for two separate applications--not sold in bulk boxes so it can get pretty expensive! 

Happy Masking! :)

Please excuse my puffy makeupless face! :)

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OOTD

My Easy Winter OOTD

MANGO parka '11 fall collection- (detachable fur piece from HK)  Global brand denim shirt (Hong Kong); Foreign Exchange Cross twisted tank; Forever 21 Black shorts; black tights- drugstore

Ferragamo necklace

Skull earrings from Hong Kong (current obsession--so McQueen-esque!) 

Jefferey Campbell Black Litas

Aveda Invati System Review

Left to Right: Conditioner, Shampoo, Treatment

Aveda's Invati Hair Loss Treatment System claims to be clinically proven to reduce hair loss and breakage by 33%*. Unlike other hair loss systems it is also 97%* naturally derived. Sounds intriguing....

Main Ingredients:

• Aveda's "Densiplex" 
• Turmeric-  Used in India as an anti- irritant and is known for its soothing properties.
• Ginseng- Used in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-stress reliever ( thumbs up for hair loss due to hormonal imbalances such as stress), promotes circulation, and antioxidant
• Ayurvedic herbs- Not sure what this is a combination of.

The System:

• Shampoo $24.00 200 ml/6.7 fl oz - Sulfate free and Paraben free. It's main purpose is to exfoliate using "wintergreen derived salicylic acid". I don't know what wintergreen is suppose to be--perhaps a more gentle form of salicylic acid? Salicylic acid is a well known exfoliating agent mainly used for the skin to help boost the cell turnover process--therefore minimizing pores. A common ingredient found in acne--oily skin products. 
• It's interesting that they choose to use it on hair, but out of the three products this one seems to yield the most immediate results. It has this wonderful tingling feeling that you find with most hair loss products but its not overpoweringly stinging like other hair loss products that use other chemicals to stimulate the scalp. I normally wash my hair every other day since it is long (longest layer hits my waist) and prone to dryness. By the second day I normally have this annoying itching feeling in my scalp from dryness or oiliness depending on the weather---but I've experienced neither since using this!
• Conditioner $24.00 200 ml/6.7 fl oz - Paraben free. It's main purpose is to thicken and improve elasticity in the hair to reduce breakage. Using guar, palm and grapeseed to thicken; Arginine derived from sugar beets and soy protein to help with elasticity. 
• This is definitely my least favorite product. It doesn't help detangle or feel like its hydrating the hair at all. With the first step being a really deep cleansing shampoo I would think that moisture would be a considered as a top ingredient. But I can see how they thought breakage and thickening the hair fits into the system...I just wish they'd just add some hydration!
• Scalp Revitalizer $60.00 150 ml/5 fl oz- Paraben free. Main function is to improve circulation in the scalp to stimulate hair growth. They use "Densiplex" and Vit E oil to allow the ingredients to penetrate better while giving fluidity for the scalp massage.
• The number one thing I hate is putting things on my scalp-- I always feel like treatments are too oily or they make my roots stiff and my hair harder to work with. But this treatment definitely deserves to stand in its own category. It doesn't feel like anything after you massage it in---I repeat..it feels like nothing! Other than the wonderful tingly sensation that you get while you're massaging your scalp. My only gripe is that they suggest you spray this 8 times on EACH side of your head. For being the most expensive part of the system at --I think they should make it last with the rest of your products. I've used mine for 2 weeks and it's more than halfway gone :(

Overrall Review: 3.5/5 stars
Taking one star away for the Conditoner's lack of being able to condition.
Taking 1/2 a star for the steep price point of the Scalp Revitalizer which won't even last me a month when used for the suggested amount.
The smell makes your hair smell like an herbal shop but I don't mind because its fresh and relaxing.
In the 2 weeks that I've religiously used the system I have noticed a significantly less amount of hair coming out during the shower and when I comb my hair. When I would run my hands through my hair after showering I used to be able to make a hairball and now just a few strands! The baby hairs around my face seem to be getting thicker and longer! Finally! I would say that if you wanted to try the system definitely substitute the conditioner or apply a hydrating hair mask 1-2x a week-- which you normally should anyways, but now you have more of an excuse to treat your hair better! :)


http://www.aveda.com/product/8419/24550/Collections/Invati%3Csup%3ETM%3C/sup%3E/index.tmpl?cm_mmc=Pricegrabber-_-Null-_-Null-_-Null