Saturday, July 7, 2012

Rembrandt {a review}

A while back, Rembrandt asked if they could send me some items for my review.

Let me start off by telling you that I get asked this a lot by companies.  90% of the time, I decline.  If I don't feel strongly compelled to a product, I pass.  If I don't feel like you all would benefit from a review, I pass.  Get what I'm saying?  Ok, good.  :)

I figured that both you and I would love to find out if a new mouth care product is worth the purchase, so I agreed to this one.  As for the products they sent me, there were some standouts and some, well... not so standouts.


Now this, I love.  I'll talk more about this toothpaste in a moment, but first, here's another product they sent me....


I immediately began using these two toothpastes in conjunction with one another.  I use the Intense Stain at night and the Deeply White in the mornings.  Honestly, I couldn't be happier with the results I've seen.  I used these two leading up to our engagement photos and was really pleased with the brighter smile I noticed.

I will say, the taste of the Intense Stain toothpaste is great.  I love it.  The Deeply White tastes awful.  It's not that it tastes revolting, it just has little to no taste at all.  It's not a clean, minty taste, but similar to some high-grade paste at the dentist's office.  I really had to train myself to use it, but I continued because of the great results I was seeing.  I usually follow it up with a mouthwash which gives me the mint flavor one would expect in a toothpaste.  So, no big deal.  I will definitely continue to use this, even despite it's lack of flavor.

I know these two products are a bit more expensive than other toothpastes, but I promise you the results are super apparent, after only a couple weeks of using it.  That's more than I can say for any of my other toothpastes, where I don't really ever notice a change in whiteness.  Oh, and you can find coupons on their website.

Now, the not-so-pretty.


I really contemplated whether to review these or not.  I never want to say negative things about a company's product, but I promised I'd give a review -good or bad!

Honestly, I can't say much about the whitening power of these because I couldn't bear to keep them in my mouth for over two minutes.  The strips are supposed to dissolve in your mouth within 5 to 10 minutes, but they started dissolving in mine once I applied them.  No, they weren't gradually dissolving into nothingness... they were sticking all over my lips and tongue, spreading their "sticky" everywhere. I really don't know how else to describe it.  I've been terrified to try these again.  

They also sent over the Rembrandt Two Hour Whitening Kit, which I gave to Brandon and he LOVES. 
In Brandon's words, "the whitening trays mold to your teeth, so the product stays right where you need it and doesn't ooze all over your mouth."  (He was super excited about these because Men's Health Magazine strongly recommends them.)

Just so you know, Rembrandt didn't pay me to write this review.  They sent me the items above and this is what I think about them.  I love Rembrandt's products (except for the dissolving strips) and really hate I didn't use them sooner!

Do any of you use their products?  Do share.  :)
Xo-M


Friday, July 6, 2012

The Friday Five {plus a GIVEAWAY!}


{1}

Fourth of July


We had such a fun Fourth.  A group of us took the boat to Morris Island for the day.  We all got sunkissed shoulders and, oh yeah...we got worn slap out!  We pushed through the temptation to get in bed super early and had a little cookout.  Later, we all went downtown to the Sea Breeze Marina to watch the fireworks.  Is that view not crazy good?  It was so neat to see the Cooper River Bridge illuminated right next to the fireworks. 


{2}
this quote


{3}
Grifone Primitivo Wine


This stuff is really amazing.  I'm more of a white wine girl, but I love, love this red.  It's full-bodied, warm and fruity.  The best part... you can snag it at Trader Joe's for about five bucks. 


{4}
I really, absolutely need this canvas.  
I'm imagining all of the places I could put her and I don't hate any of them.




{5}
Giveaway time, y'all!
I was contacted my an amazing jewelry company, Wild About Jewelry, for an opportunity to give one of you lucky ladies one fun piece of jewelry.

"Wild About Jewelry" offers trendy accessories in weekly, fixed-price auctions each Monday night at 
9 p.m. EST on their Facebook page. All items are priced between $15 and $45 and shipping is always free!
Here's the item they are giving away...


I'm obsessed with that necklace.  If you know me, you know I love my shades of turquoise.  You also know I love a good statement necklace, as do all of you (I'm sure!).

So here's how to enter.  

For one entry: You must be a follower of my blog AND you must "like" Wild About Jewelry 
by clicking here.
For an extra entry: Blog about this giveaway!
For another entry (if you want to get crazy): Tweet about this giveaway!


Leave a comment on this post and let me know which tasks you completed!
(You can list all tasks in one comment.  Or not.  Up to you!)

This giveaway will close on July 12 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  
I will announce the winner one week from today! 
Happy Weekend! Xo-M


Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The Top Shelf

I spent Sunday afternoon laying in bed, eating Jolly Ranchers, and discovering a new blog that makes me gaga.  Seriously, one of my favorite things to do is to find out what other ladies keep in their makeup bags, what products sit around their sinks, and what products they swear by.  The blog, Into the Gloss, allows readers to do just that.  You can virtually peak into celebrities' vanities.  It's fantastic.  My favorite segment of the blog is called "The Top Shelf," where amazing ladies, like Tory Burch, spill the beans on their favorite beauty tips.  And I seriously could stare at the photos of their bathroom counters for days (I've literally done it for five hours and I would totally continue but I've looked through every single featured post.).

Here are some of my favorite photos, with links to their interviews.










Xo-M

Monday, July 2, 2012

weekending


images 1, 3, and 4 via pinterest


Who's still in weekend-mode?  I think I feel this way because we've got a mid-week holiday.  Brandon and I had such a relaxing weekend... went to dinner at Mellow Mushroom and to the movies to see Magic Mike on Friday evening (yes, Brandon too!), went to the beach on Saturday to get as close to the ocean breeze as possible (it was over 100 degrees!), and went to church, brunch, and on a walk downtown on Sunday.  That evening may or may not have consisted of laying around in sweatpants for hours on end.  That, and about two hours worth of ironing (least favorite chore).  It's Monday though...got to get back into the grind.  We can do this! :)  

Xo-M

Sunday, July 1, 2012

On My Radar

After receiving some deluxe samples from the Chanel counter, I seriously have my radar set on a few items.





Has anyone used any of these items?  Worth the price or no?
Xo-M