March 2015 archive
How to Care for Leather Products
My knowledge of how to care for leather products used to consist of don’t step in water and use some shoe polish when they get scuffed. But actually you can use conditioning products to keep those fancy purses, belts, and shoes looking spiffy.
I was offered the chance to review three of Leather Nova’s non-toxic products: leather cleaner, leather conditioner, and 2-in-1 leather cleaner + conditioner. My most frequently used of leather products are my dance shoes, which I will do pretty much anything to extend the life of. So I figured learning how to care for leather products better was worth a try.
How to Care for Leather Products: Review
I especially liked the leather conditioner, which I applied to my shoes after using the leather cleaner. I left it on for half an hour, then buffed the leather surface which left it shiny enough that I didn’t need to use shoe polish. Since the leather conditioner smells much less toxic than shoe polish, this was a great discovery. While it’s still a cleaning product and you’ll want to use gloves or wash your hands afterward, the color is clear so I didn’t have to dig black shoe polish bits out from under my nails later, either.
Using leather conditioning products supposedly extends the wear of your leather products. Since this is the first time I’ve ever used it, I can’t comment on that.. Check back on this blog post in a few years and I’ll have a better answer for you!
Since Leather Nova sent me three large bottles to review, I had to think about how I will make good use of the product. (Calling all friends with leather products, I am willing to share!) I made a list of all the things I can use this on:
-Dance shoes
-Sperry’s (any non-suede shoes)
-Purses, both real and fake leather
-Leather jackets
-Leather furniture
Can you think of anything else to add to the list? Let me know!
I was sent these items to review in this how to care for leather products post in exchange for my honest opinion on products that my readers might find helpful. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Adam Wold Photography: Step into Spring Style
Step into spring style with Adam Wold Photography
For this shoot I worked with my friend, the amazingly talented photographer of Adam Wold Photography. Check out his work which includes diversity from landscapes to portraits. Seriously, he is so talented.
For this look I wanted to do a transition to spring, which as my northern readers know can pose a challenge when it’s still sloppy, wet and windy outside (If you live someplace where there isn’t still snow on the ground today, consider yourself lucky).
We played around outside in downtown Minneapolis at dusk, then finished up shooting inside the Minneapolis City Hall building (more on that later!).
How are you transitioning your outfit choices into spring, even if “spring” is a concept on the calendar and not the thermometer?
Outfit Details: Dress courtesy of Luxx Loren / Basic black tights / Shoes Jessica Simpson / Jacket Similar at H&M
Venue: Minneapolis City Hall
Photographs all by Adam Wold Photography. Connect with him on Facebook.
Vitamin C Serum Giveaway
Discover vitamins for your face! A Vitamin C serum giveaway opportunity is at the end of the post, so stick around.
Using vitamin C serum can:
- Neutralize free radicals and reverse damage to your skin caused by environmental factors like the sun, pollutants or cigarette smoke.
- Give you a more even skin tone and replace your skin’s natural elasticity.
- Shrink wrinkles and lines on your face to make you look and feel younger.
- Diminish scars and acne marks.
Questions & Answers about the Imbue Naturals Vitamin C Serum giveaway
Is it for men too? Yes! Vitamin C can benefit all types of skin. This product is very gender neutral.
Is it scented? No fragrance is added to this serum. It smells slightly acidic due to the ingredients, so I added one drop of lime essential oil and one drop of lavender essential oil and now it smells great. I don’t consider that to be a negative attribute, because unscented products are good for those with perfume sensitivities. Plus I was able to make it a scent of my own choosing.
Is it cruelty free? Yes! Imbue Naturals does not test on animals.
Does it contain alcohol or parabens? No! I’m happy about the short ingredients list: Purified Water, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 20%, Hyaluronic Acid, Amino Acid Complex, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol
Vitamin C Serum Giveaway
After Imbue Naturals gave me the chance to try out their 20% Vitamin C serum, I wanted you to be able to try it too! The company will be giving away one full size bottle of the serum to the winner of this giveaway, sent to U.S. and Canada addresses only. Good luck!
Casual Wedding Dresses
Sponsored post disclosure: this casual wedding dresses post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.
Casual Wedding Dresses
It’s wedding season, and brides will soon be needing a variety of dress choices for parties and events in addition to the big day. These wedding dresses from Modcloth’s Wedding Shop are perfect for casual weddings and more. Think engagement parties, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners or anywhere else you want to wear a pale frock.
These choices I picked out are not-quite-white, for the bride who wants a little color.
Bored of monochrome? Colored lace adds an exquisite contrast to solid white in this dress.
Simple elegance provides a little blush of color while still staying true to the bridal palette. Wouldn’t this dress look perfect at a shabby chic or country wedding?
Not enough white for the bride to wear to a party? Add a little white jacket (the Victorian style lace in this one is a lovely complement), cardigan, capelet or stole. This pale peachy pink would also make a great bridesmaid dress choice.
Another great non-white choice of dress, perfect for 1920s style weddings or celebrations. Blush is beautifully close to traditional white while still adding flattering color that’s good on many skin tones.
What do you think of casual wedding dresses? Would you wear white or go for something a little different?
Evian Mist Spray Review
When I was offered the opportunity to do an evian mist spray review, at first I was a little skeptical of this product! It’s literally just water in a spray bottle. That’s it. There are two ingredients: water and nitrogen. I’m not a frivolous spender or a name brand water snob, but I was so curious I just had to try it out. I was sent a bottle for review through BrandBacker, and guess what? Of all the new products I’ve tried recently this is one of the ones I am most excited about.
Evian Mist Spray Review
So what can you do with evian® water in a spray can? The season has been so dry where I live and this spray is like having a little humidifier for my face. I can use it throughout the day for a refreshing moisture boost.
The best use I can think of for this is travel. The company sells travel sized bottles, which would be perfect for taking on a long airplane trip. The air on planes is so dry, a little mist spray would be so very welcome. A few weeks ago I was on a flight that was almost five hours long and my eyes were miserable afterward. After my evian mist spray review I am definitely adding it to my list of carry on essentials.
When putting on stage makeup for Irish dance or princessing, I like to mix powdered eyeshadow with a little water on a brush. This product works well for that purpose. I also sprayed the mist on after applying mineral powder to set the makeup and give it a blended tone. It seemed to work, since my makeup still was intact after a few hours of intense dress rehearsals for St. Patrick’s Day.
Can you think of any other uses for this product? Let me know!
