2017 Oh, Hello Stationery Co. Black Friday Sale + Gift Guide

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you Black Friday Sale information and a Gift Guide for one of my favorite small businesses, Oh, Hello Stationery Co. I’ve purchased from this brand for over two years now, and I love supporting shop owners Kayla and Alex. Not only are all of their products designed by them, but the customer service is fantastic. I think it is really important to support small businesses, especially during the holiday season. Oh, Hello is the perfect place to grab a gift for everyone on your list, and on Black Friday you can get more bang for your buck!

This post contains affiliate links. All images are courtesy of Oh, Hello Stationery Co. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Black Friday Sale Information

Here is a run down of Oh, Hello’s Black Friday Sale. The sale runs from Friday, November 24, 2017, through Sunday, November 26, 2017, on the brand’s website HERE. If you make one of the first 100 orders, you can use the code EARLYBIRD to get 25% off the entire website, and you will also get a pack of freebie stickers. All other orders can use the code BLACKFRIDAY for 15% off throughout the weekend.

Gift Guide

Oh, Hello Stationery Co. is known for its planner stickers, but there are so many great gift options available. I’ve combed through the website and picked out my top ten favorites. Please keep in mind that I have not tried out all of these items personally, but after being a regular customer of Oh Hello’s over a long period of time I feel comfortable sharing these gift ideas with you!

1. Beauty and the Book Enamel Pins – $8.75 [BUY]

Enamel pins are extremely trendy right now, and they make amazing stocking stuffers. Oh, Hello offers a wide variety of adorable pins, but my favorite is the Beauty and the Book design. I keep mine on my bookshelf as a decoration, but it can be worn on a jacket, hat, backpack, or simply displayed on a bulletin board. If you have a friend who loves reading, this is an amazing gift!

 

2. Autumn Love Pencil Case – $12.95 [BUY]

I am a huge fan of the Oh, Hello pouches. I personally own a makeup bag (see my full review HERE), but I think the pencil cases are great for anyone! They are made of a neoprene material and are extremely sturdy. Plus, you can personalize each case at no additional cost. I love the Autumn Love design, but there are several cute patterns available.

 

3. Personalized World’s Greatest Mom Floral Mug – $16.97 [BUY]

Who doesn’t love getting a mug for Christmas? Pair it with some coffee or hot chocolate and you’ve created a wonderful, custom gift! I own an Oh, Hello mug and absolutely love it. Once again, there are a variety of styles from which to choose, but I think the World’s Greatest Mom design is very beautiful.

 

 

4. Doughnut Traveler’s Notebook Bundle – $18.95 [BUY]

Traveler’s Notebooks are all the rage right now, and Oh, Hello carries its own line in both the A6 and B6 sizes. I think this doughnut themed set makes a great gift. You can pair it with a pen or notebook cover as well!

 

 

 

5. Monthly Planner Sticker Subscription – Starts at $19.96 [BUY]

Picking out a gift for the planner lover in your life can be really difficult. Why not make things easy with a sticker subscription? Each month’s kit comes with a 7-sheet sticker kit, roll of washi tape, greeting card, and surprise bonus item. Each kit is beautiful and sure to make your planner buddy smile!

 

 

6. Greeting Card Sampler Pack – $24.99 [BUY]

A nice stationery set is always a wonderful gift. Oh, Hello creates fun and witty cards that they hand-cut and print themselves. This 12-piece set includes a variety of cards for events throughout the year.

 

 

 

 

7. Washi Tape Grab Bag – $5.97 [BUY]

If you have a friend that loves washi tape, a grab bag is the way to go! Each grab bag comes with 4-5 random rolls of washi that is amazing quality. I’ve used several rolls of Oh, Hello washi and highly recommend it. The designs are always beautiful!

 

 

 

8. Customizable Navy Whimsical Floral Planner Case – $24.95 [BUY]

If you have a friend that is always on the go, a planner case is a great gift option. Each planner case is made with the same neoprene material as the pencil case. They measure 12″ x 9.5″ and fit an Erin Condren planner with room to spare. There are many designs available, but my favorite is this floral pattern. You can also get the case personalized for no extra charge.

 

 

9. Customizable Row of Books Clipboard – $17.75 [BUY]

Looking for a unique teacher gift? Grab a customizable clipboard! Not only does this keep paperwork in check, but it doubles as a dry erase board! I’m in love with this Row of Books design since I love reading.

 

 

 

10. Shoot for the Stars Coin Purse – $5.95 [BUY]

Last but not least is this adorable coin purse! This reminds me of the pouch I used to carry around in college for my dorm keys and student ID. It measures 5″ x 3″ x 1/8″ and has a heavy duty zipper. The coin purse makes an excellent stocking stuffer, and you can even slip a gift card inside as an added treat!

 

 

That wraps up my 2017 Gift Guide for Oh, Hello Stationery Co.! I hope this introduced you to a new small business, or helped give you holiday shopping inspiration. If you miss the Black Friday Sale, you can use my coupon code POLISH15 for 15% off any order at any time.

What is your favorite Oh, Hello product? Let me know in the comments!

2017 Zoya Nail Polish 50% Off Black Friday Sale | Top 5 Vegan Gift Ideas

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Today I am excited to share with you information for Zoya Nail Polish’s 2017 Black Friday sale. Zoya is my all-time favorite nail polish brand, and I absolutely love giving Zoya polishes and lipsticks during the holidays. This year Zoya has a fun sale promotion for what the brand is calling Black Friyay. This blog post will give you all of the details for the sale, as well as share my top vegan gift ideas from the brand this year.

Images in this blog post are courtesy of Zoya.

This year’s Black Friday sale from Zoya is 50% off your entire order plus free shipping! Use the coupon code FRIYAY at checkout to get this promotion. The sale is one day only on Friday, November 24, 2017. The sale is valid for both the United States and Canada, but international shipping fees apply for Canadian customers.

Last year I shared my Top 10 Zoya nail polishes on the blog, so I recommend checking out that post HERE to see which nail polishes I love. This year I thought it would be fun to share my Top 5 gift ideas from Zoya’s website, including lipstick and gift sets.

1. Zoya Polish Quad in Under the Mistletoe – $15.00 [BUY]

Zoya has a few gift sets available on its website, and I am particularly loving the Under the Mistletoe quad of nail polishes. This kit contains Zana, Caresse, Lauren, and Jill. The pink and mauve shades make this the perfect gift for someone with a professional job, as the shades are work appropriate. Plus, with the Black Friday sale this set will be just $7.50! What a steal!

 

 

 

2. Zoya Polish Quad in All Spruced Up – $15.00 [BUY]

I’m also loving the All Spruced Up quad, which contains the dark colors of Envy, Olivera, Giada, and Lidia. If you are shopping for someone who loves more deep and dramatic shades, this is a great gift. You can give this entire set to one person, or break it up for smaller stocking stuffer gifts!

 

 

 

3. Zoya Lips & Tips Quad in Sleigh Away – $20.00 [BUY]

Zoya also offers a few gift sets that include three nail polishes and a lipstick. My favorite of the bunch is Sleigh Away, which contains Mia, Daul, and Madeline, and the Wren lipstick. I think the colors in this kit will look beautiful with any skin tone, and I love that you get a light, medium, and dark polish.

 

 

 

 

4. Zoya Perfect Lipstick in Wren – $12.00 [BUY]

I also wanted to share my top two Perfect Lipsticks with you in this gift guide. My favorite is definitely Wren, a rosy pink shade. The Perfect Lipstick line is all vegan, and each lipstick is quite creamy and hydrating. Wren does have a cream formula, and wears very nicely.

 

 

 

5. Zoya Perfect Lipstick in Frankie – $12.00 [BUY]

My other top lipstick pick is Frankie, a bright red shade with a satin cream finish. Red lipsticks are absolutely perfect for the holiday season. Grab one for you, and a few for your friends! The $6.00 price tag on Black Friday is too good to resist!

 

 

 

That wraps up my 2017 Zoya Nail Polish Gift Guide! I hope you found this post helpful as you prepare for Black Friday. I would love to hear from you in the comments – what are your favorite Zoya products?! There are so many from which to choose!

15 Vegan Gifts at Tarte Cosmetics | 2017 Gift Guide

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I am excited to share with you my 2017 Gift Guide for Tarte Cosmetics. Tarte has quickly become one of my favorite beauty brands. I absolutely love that Tarte is a cruelty free brand with many vegan options. I recently combed through the brand’s website and found fifteen gift ideas to share with all of you ranging in price from $12.00-$60.00. Whether you are looking for a small stocking stuffer or big beauty set this holiday season, there is a product on this list for you!

This post includes affiliate links. All images in this blog post are courtesy of Tarte Cosmetics. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Please note that I have not tried all of the products mentioned in this blog post. That being said, I love using many Tarte Cosmetics products on a regular basis and am comfortable sharing my picks with you!

1. Limited Edition Scrub Clean Cleansing Set – $12.00 [BUY]

This skincare set includes the Deep Dive Cleansing Gel, Travel Frxxxtion Stick 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser and a Scrublet. This set is budget-friendly and perfect for those on your list who love skincare. I absolutely love how cute the bright pink latex-free scrubber is!

 

 

2. Delightful Discoveries Skincare & Color Set – $15.00 [BUY]

This travel set includes the Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer, Twinkle Stick Highlighter in Spotlight, Fake Awake Eye Highlight, and a set of Pack Your Bags Undereye Patches. If you love the dewy, highlighted look, this set is for you! I love that this has a mix of skincare and makeup products that helps you hydrate and illuminate.

3. Limited Edition Sex Kitten Squad Lash & Line Set – $16.00 [BUY]

For those of you who love glam makeup, this set is perfect! It includes the Sex Kitten false lashes, Lash Adhesive in Black, and Sex Kitten Liquid Liner in Black. I love that you get everything you need for a more dramatic eye look in this one kit. Plus, it comes in a cute box that makes it ready for gifting!

 

 

4. Limited Edition Skin Win Hydrating Skincare Set – $18.00 [BUY]

This kit is perfect for a friend who loves to travel! It includes deluxe samples of the Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer, Maracuja Oil, Rainforest of the Sea 4-in-1 Setting Mist, and Quench Lip Rescue in Shell. I’ve been loving the Drink of H2O lately, and think this set is the perfect way to try it out!

5. Limited Edition Gym Bag Grabs Athleisure Essentials – $19.00 [BUY]

If you know someone who lives at the gym, this kit is a great gift! It includes a mix of skincare and makeup products: Lifted Sweatproof Mascara, Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer, Quench Lip Rescue, and Fresh Eyes Maracuja Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Wipes. Pair this kit with a cute gym bag or yoga mat!

6. Brightening Bundle Spray & Sponge Set – $19.00 [BUY]

This set is perfect for those on your list who you know love makeup, but also seem to own a lot of it already. The kit includes the Ready, Set, Radiant Skin Mist and the Quickie Blending Sponge. Both products can be enjoyed by anyone no matter the skin shade or type!

 

 

7. Limited Edition Pretty & Purrrfect Eye Set – $20.00 [BUY]

Calling cat eye lovers! This kit is made for you! It includes the Sex Kitten Eyeliner, Sex Kitten Liquid Liner, and Tartiest Lash Paint Mascara. I always have friends asking for liquid eyeliner recommendations, so I’m sure many makeup lovers would adore this gift.

 

 

 

 

8. Limited Edition No Shower Happy Hour Athleisure Essentials – $22.00 [BUY]

If you’re busy and constantly on the go, this is the kit for you! I purchased this myself a few months ago and am completely in love with it. The set includes the Clean Queen Deodorant, Hair Goals Dry Shampoo, Tarteguard 20 Tinted Moisturizer, Tartiest Glossy Lip Paint, and Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush. This kit is worth the money for the dry shampoo alone – it’s amazing!

 

 

 

9. Limited Edition Mermaid Kisses Lipstick Set – $23.00 [BUY]

It can be really difficult to pick out a lipstick shade for someone else, so kits are such a fun idea during the holidays! The Mermaid Kisses set includes four shades of 12-hour lipsticks in hydrating formulas. Plus, the packaging is absolutely adorable!

 

 

 

 

10. Limited Edition Goddess Glow Highlighter – $25.00 [BUY]

Sometimes it’s nice to give a more luxurious makeup product, and this special highlighter is a beautiful option. This is an extra large compact with a stunning Golden Champagne Highlighter. The unique packaging of this compact really makes it a statement piece. I can’t get over how gorgeous it is!

 

 

 

11.  Limited Edition Lip Luxuries Deluxe Lip Sculptor Set – $34.00 [BUY]

The next lip set on the list is a really unique and fun gift. The kit comes with five tubes that are each double sided. On one end is a satin lipstick, and on the other is a super pigmented lip gloss. Think of all the fun lip looks that can be created with just this one kit! Simply tie a bow around it and you are ready to gift.

 

 

 

12. Limited Edition Cheek Charmers Deluxe Blush Set – $35.00 [BUY]

This blush set is one of my favorite items on the list! I am so obsessed with Tarte blushes that I do not own any other brands now. I got last year’s blush set for Christmas, and I’ve loved it all year long. The shades can be worn alone or mixed together. If I didn’t already own a bunch of Tarte blushes I would be grabbing this for myself!

 

 

 

13. Limited Edition Pout Pleasure Lip Set – $42.00 [BUY]

The last lip set includes five full size Lippie Lingerie Matte Tints in a variety of new vegan shades. These are great if you like to add a little color to your lips without putting on a full lipstick. I think this would make a great gift for teenagers, or people just getting into makeup, as they are not as intimidating to apply. Of course, it can be enjoyed by anyone, and I know I would love it!

14. Limited Edition Treasured Tools Brush Set – $44.00 [BUY]

You can never go wrong by gifting a beautiful set of makeup brushes! Tarte offers a few great sets, but I personally love the art featured on the Treasured Tools kit. It also comes with a gorgeous mosaic brush holder!

 

 

 

 

15. Big Blush Book Volume III – $60.00 [BUY]

Last but not least is the Big Blush Book Volume III. If you want to give a huge makeup gift this year, look no further! This amazing palette contains seven full size Amazonian Clay 12-hour blushes. I cannot get over how stunning this palette is! Go big or go home with the Big Blush Book!

 

 

 

That wraps up my 2017 Tarte Cosmetics Gift Guide! I hope this helped you out if you are looking for vegan makeup and skincare gifts to give this season. Tarte does an amazing job at labeling its products online, and there are many other vegan options available. I’m always excited to try out new vegan goodies from this brand!

Shop Tarte Cosmetics online through Ebates HERE to earn cash back on your order!

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash Review | Soap Free Facial Cleanser?!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash to share with you. I’m not a brand loyalist when it comes to most skincare products, and I love trying new-to-me facial cleansers. The Body Shop is one of my favorite stores for skincare, as many of the brand’s products are vegan and suitable for sensitive skin. I was really intrigued by the Seaweed Gel Wash, as it is soap free but still designed to deep cleanse the skin. Let me share more about this product and my experience using it.

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash has an oil-free and soap-free formula that is designed to effectively remove impurities from the face. I thought this cleanser would work really well for me, as The Body Shop says it is suitable for combination/oily skin and gives a shine-free matte finish. I also like using gel cleansers with my FOREO LUNA. 

I’ve been using this cleanser for a couple months now, and I really like it! The cleanser does not have much of a scent, and if anything it just smells clean. My skin does feel really soft and clean after using this product, but I haven’t seen a big change in my skin at all. For instance, my skin still gets oily quite easily, so I don’t think the cleanser has helped to balance it. However, it is a nice and gentle cleanser that I enjoy using.

Overall, The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash is a good cleanser option if you are looking for a gentle face wash that will leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed. While I don’t think it’s a skincare game-changer, I do think it is above average, and I would consider purchasing it again in the future. This product retails for $16.50 HERE, but The Body Shop often has sales and coupons available. Make sure to shop using Ebates to earn cash back on your purchase!

What is your favorite face cleanser? Let me know in the comments!

PerfectlyFree Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert in Caramel Café | Vegan Ice Cream Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I have a review of a new-to-me variety of vegan ice cream from the brand PerfectlyFree. I love to look through the ice cream case at the grocery store to see if there are any new vegan ice creams available, and I spotted the PerfectlyFree line right next to Ben & Jerry’s. I love to try any vegan product, but I got really excited when I saw the price tag for this brand. Each pint was on sale for $2.50! That is about half the price of Ben & Jerry’s, so I knew I had to try it. I grabbed the flavor Caramel Café and got to tasting!

PerfectlyFree is a brand that is focused on providing products that are Big 8 Allergy-Friendly. Thus, if you are allergic to dairy, gluten, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, egg, fish, or shellfish, you are able to enjoy this non-dairy frozen dessert. Of course, I love that it is vegan friendly! PerfectlyFree has three flavors of ice cream: Strawberry Sundae, Caramel Café, and Fudge Swirl. I decided to grab Caramel Café since it can be difficult to find caramel products that are vegan.

Here is a look at Caramel Café. As you can see, you get a ton of caramel mixed in with the vanilla ice cream! As for how the ice cream tastes, I think it is delicious! The texture is really nice and creamy, and it definitely tastes very much like traditional ice cream. I did find this flavor to be very sweet, so keep that in mind if you are not into sugary treats. Otherwise, I cannot think of anything about this ice cream that I did not like! I even repurchased it again because I enjoyed it so much. If you are looking for a more affordable vegan ice cream, I think PerfectlyFree is a great one to try.

All in all, I’m so glad I decided to try the PerfectlyFree Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert in Caramel Café. So many of the vegan ice creams available are quite expensive, and this brand allows me to satisfy my sweet tooth without going over my grocery budget. I also love that the PerfectlyFree flavors are quite simple, so I can add in my own toppings if I so choose. I hope the brand will release even more flavors in the future!

What’s your favorite vegan ice cream? Let me know in the comments!

 

My Top 5 Vegan Leather Fashion Items

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my favorite vegan leather fashion items. I absolutely love leather when it comes to clothing and accessories, and I think it’s amazing that there are so many faux leather options out there! Before I was vegan I did own many real leather handbags and pairs of shoes. While I liked each piece, the leather wore out quite quickly and required a lot of care if I wanted it to look nice for a long period of time. Not only is faux leather often much more affordable than real leather, but I’ve had amazing luck with the wear of vegan leather, too. Here are my top five vegan leather fashion items!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Image courtesy of DSW.com

G by GUESS Brittain Combat Boot [BUY]

The newest addition to my wardrobe is this pair of boots from DSW. I recently found out that G by GUESS offers faux leather boots, and I love this particular style. These boots are very comfortable, and they go with any outfit from jeans to dresses. Plus, they are quite affordable at just $59.99 at DSW. This will be my go-to pair of boots this fall and winter!

Image courtesy of express.com

Express (Minus the) Leather Double Peplum Jacket [BUY]

One of the oldest vegan leather items in my closet is an amazing jacket from Express. I purchased this jacket in 2015, and cannot believe how well it has lasted over time. This vegan leather jacket is perfect for the fall and winter months, and I like to pair it with a plaid blanket scarf and black beanie hat. I’ve even taken this jacket in my suitcase several times, and it still looks almost new! While the retail price is $128.00, Express often offers coupons and sales. Nonetheless, I think this jacket is worth the investment seeing as I’m going on my third fall with it.

Image courtesy of forever21.com

Forever 21 Pebbled Faux Leather Wallet [BUY]

Another faux leather item that I’ve used and loved for years is a wallet from Forever 21. Back in law school I interned at a fashion company, and it was frowned upon to use products from competitor brands. I ended up buying this wallet as a replacement for the branded one I owned, and I’ve used it ever since! I cannot believe that a vegan leather wallet I paid less than $15.00 for has lasted me almost three years now. It has just started showing signs of wear, and it is the only wallet I’ve used! I highly recommend it!

 

Image courtesy of jcpenney.com

Liz Claiborne Mini Tuxedo Satchel [BUY]

As I mentioned at the start of this post, I used to love using leather handbags. One of my favorites was a Michael Kors satchel. Once I went vegan, I wasn’t comfortable using that bag anymore, so I sold it on ThredUp and purchased this faux leather bag at JCPenney. I’ve used this bag for about five months now, and really enjoy it. The material feels just like the real leather I used to use, but it is man made instead. Of course, the bag is also really affordable since it is sold at JCPenney. With sales and coupons I got this bag for under $30.00!

Image courtesy of jcpenney.com

Arizona Lexie Bootie [BUY]

Last but not least is another item from JCPenney. I purchased a pair of wedge booties last year, and absolutely love them! The Lexie bootie is made from faux suede, and features a 3-inch heel. I love that these booties are very comfortable to wear since they are wedges. They can also go with many different outfits, and are extremely affordable with a regular price of $59.00. As always, make sure to take advantage of the sales and coupons offered at JCPenney!

That wraps up my favorite vegan leather fashion pieces! I hope this post introduced you to some new faux leather items or clothing brands. If you love leather, but want to go vegan, it’s really easy to find affordable options from a variety of retailers! You can also grab THIS pin from PETA that lets others know your leather is fake if that makes you more comfortable.

What is your favorite faux leather fashion piece? Let me know in the comments!

October Reading Wrap Up | Books I Read Last Month

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! It’s been a while since I shared any book reviews with you on the blog. I thought I would jump back in by doing a quick wrap-up of the three books I read last month in October. My reading has definitely slowed down a bit in the latter half of the year as I’ve focused on other things during my spare time. That being said, I did manage to read three books in October, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on them with you. Make sure to let me know in the comments if you enjoy these reading wrap-up posts, or if you prefer full length book reviews.

Help support my blog when you shop using the included Amazon affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars, and had high hopes for Genuine Fraud. This young adult mystery novel follows Jule, a teenager on the run. I really liked how the story is told backwards in this novel. That was a unique take on a mystery, and I found the writing to be very well done. However, I was a bit disappointed with this book. While I can appreciate an open ending, Genuine Fraud lacked a true conclusion. The book also ended without much character development for Jule. I’m glad I read this book, as it was truly a creepy mystery for Halloween season, but I would only recommend it if the synopsis really calls to you.

We’ll Always Have Summer (Summer #3) by Jenny Han [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

My Thoughts: I absolutely fell in love with the Summer series by Jenny Han. I finished up the third book this month, and I’m really happy with how the story came to a close. This series follows a girl named Isabel (Belly, for short), and her time spent at Cousins Beach with her family and family friends each summer. Readers get to grow up with Belly as she learns to navigate love, loss, and life. I felt a strong connection to these books, and know I will return to them again in the future. This series is often criticized for reading too juvenile, but I disagree with that and find the stories show great depth. If you’ve considered reading this series in the past, I highly recommend it!

Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★★

My Thoughts: I picked up Warcross this month after hearing so many good things about it from other readers online. This young adult science fiction book takes place in a not-so-distant future where a virtual reality game called Warcross has taken over the world. Our protagonist is Emika Chen, a bounty hunter who accidentally hacks into the game during the championship’s opening ceremony. Emika is then hired by the creator of Warcross to help find a mysterious figure who is altering the game. I thought this book was imaginative and a lot of fun. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but I’m still very much looking forward to the sequel. If you like science fiction with a hint of romance, Warcross is a great choice!

What did you read in October? Let me know in the comments!

Follow my reading on Instagram! You can find my #Bookstagram HERE.

 

Nature’s Gate Aloe Vera Body Wash Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review for the Nature’s Gate Body Wash in the Aloe Vera scent. I purchased this product from the online store Vitacost, which I love for finding a wide variety of vegan products. I had never tried any products from Nature’s Gate before, but I liked that I got a big, 18oz bottle of body wash for around $5.00. Let me share with you more about this product, and my experience using it.

The Nature’s Gate Body Wash comes in a large pump bottle. In addition to being vegan, the product is also made with wholistic beauty in mind. I decided to purchase the Aloe Vera scent, as I figured it wouldn’t be a heavy fragrance. I really like that Nature’s Gate does not add any synthetic fragrances to its products. I also hoped that the Aloe Vera variety would be on the moisturizing side, since the plant is naturally hydrating.

Overall, this is a nice body wash. I use about 2-3 pumps on a loofa and it produces a lot of lather. The scent of this product reminds me of the Flintstones vitamins I used to take as a child! While that is a bit odd, it definitely does not bother me. The scent also does not linger on the skin once you get out of the shower.

My biggest surprise with this body wash is that it is quite drying. I expected it to be more hydrating than other body washes I’ve tried since it is made with aloe vera, but my skin is quite dried out when I get out of the shower. I make sure to apply a body lotion after washing to combat the dryness. Thus, while I will use this whole bottle of body wash, I do not see myself repurchasing it. I love that it is affordable and convenient to use with the pump dispenser, but I will be trying something more hydrating in the future.

What is your favorite body wash? Let me know in the comments!

Save $10 on your first Vitacost purchase when you use my referral link HERE.

 

Vegan Recipes I’ve Tried and Loved | Fall Dinner Ideas

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I am excited to continue on with my series where I share with you vegan recipes I’ve tried and loved. It can be really time consuming to search for the perfect recipe online. In fact, I comb through dozens of recipes before I find one that I hope will work for me! Today I’m saving you some time and sharing four fall dinner recipes I highly recommend. Each of these recipes is simple to make, but absolutely delicious. I still consider myself to be a beginner cook, so if I find these recipes manageable, there is a very good change you will, too. Let me share these vegan recipes that are perfect for fall with you!

Easy, Healthy Vegetarian Lentil Soup Recipe [LINK]

I haven’t always been a big fan on lentils, but I definitely want to find new ways to enjoy them since they are an amazing source of plant-based protein and other vitamins and minerals. I began with this super easy soup from The Spruce. If you are new to making soup, this is a great place to start. There are less than ten ingredients, and the recipe is easy to customize as well. I found this lentil soup to be very tasty!

 

Curried Potato & Lentil Soup (1-Pot!) Recipe [LINK]

I then kicked my lentil game up a notch by trying this amazing soup from Minimalist Baker. This curry-flavored soup is still quite simple to make, but it is so flavorful and packed with amazing fall foods. I left out the ginger and coconut sugar, and used sweet potatoes and green kale. I cannot stress how delicious this soup is! I highly recommend trying this if you are looking for a unique soup that is a bit on the spicier side.

Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe [LINK]

Another curry dish that I’m loving lately is from the website Say Yes. My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me, and it is an easy dinner to whip together in a short amount of time. As per my sister-in-law’s suggestion, I add about one cup of coconut milk to the curry recipe. I did use dried ginger the first time I made this, but I’m going to skip that step in the future. I’m not a huge fan of ginger, and this dish can easily go without it and still be very flavorful. I served the curry over Indian style rice (my favorite is Kasmati from RiceSelect). I really love this dinner, and it also heats up really well for leftovers. Throw in some different veggies each night to keep it interesting!

Spaghetti Squash with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce Recipe [LINK]

Last but not least is this amazing spaghetti squash dish from the blog Lean Green Nutrition Fiend. I love anything pumpkin based in the fall, and this was a fun new way to eat it! I would describe this dish as a plant-based macaroni and cheese. I, of course, made the recipe using Nutritional Yeast instead of cow’s cheese, and I left out the red pepper flakes. This isn’t a recipe I would make all the time since it has a very distinctive flavor, but I will definitely be making it again at some point. If you’re looking for a festive autumn dish, this is perfect!

That wraps up my four vegan dinner recommendations for the fall season. I hope you discovered a new yummy meal to make! I will have another blog post very soon featuring all of the sweet treats I’ve tried lately, so make sure to follow my blog to see when that goes live. As always, if you try one of these recipes, please tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter so I can see your creation!

What is your favorite fall food? Let me know in the comments!

This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share a review of The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover with you. I purchased this product a few months ago when I was having a difficult time removing my mascara (see my full haul HERE). Since I’ve decided not to purchase makeup remover wipes for a while, a dedicated eye makeup remover was definitely needed. The Body Shop offers many vegan products, so it is one of my favorite places to buy skincare products at an affordable price. Let me share a bit more about this product with you, and let you know my experience with it.

The Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover is formulated to remove all traces of makeup quickly and gently. This product is fragrance free and suitable for sensitive skin, which I really love. To use, shake the product thoroughly and apply to a cotton round. I use this regularly for removing eye makeup, but haven’t tested it much for removing lip products. Thus, my experience is based on eye makeup only.

Overall, I think this is a good eye makeup remover. I really appreciate that it is gentle and fragrance free. However, I do find that it doesn’t take off all of my mascara. Whenever I use this product, I can still see traces of mascara on my lashes. I do try to get it all off by gently massaging the cotton round on my lashes, but I avoid rubbing the eye area too vigorously. Nonetheless, I’m able to get off the majority of mascara with this product, and I also sweep the cotton round through my eyebrows quickly to dissolve my brow gel.

In the end, I do recommend The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover if you have sensitive skin. It does a good job at removing the majority of my eye makeup, but it does not remove all traces of mascara. I would consider repurchasing this in the future, but I hope to try at least one other eye makeup remover to see how it compares. This product retails for $18.00 at The Body Shop, but make sure to shop during one of the store’s many coupon events for big savings. You can also buy this product at Ulta HERE for $15.00.

What is your favorite eye makeup remover? Let me know in the comments!

This post includes an Ulta affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.