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Zodica Perfumery: Your Zodiac Scent and Fragrance Soulmate

February 20, 2020/0 Comments/in Beauty, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Product Reviews /by Glasgow Skinner

Have you ever wondered about the essence of your zodiac sign? Or what it would smell like? When it comes to dating and even friendship, we take birth or zodiac signs very seriously. We use our signs to describe our personalities and find our perfect mates, so why not use it to find our perfect fragrance. That’s the whole idea behind Zodica Perfumery. The small-batch, artisanal line of celestial-inspired fine fragrances each reflect the emotion and season of its sign, as designed by founder Kristi Moe.

The fragrances from Zodica Perfumery are designed to be worn in three ways: by your sign, by the season, or by attraction. You may embrace your sign, reflect the current season, or attract the sign’s intention into your day through scent and spoken-word. You may remember we highlighted them in our Valentine’s Day fragrance gift set feature.

We had the wonderful pleasure of attending the press launch of Zodica Fragrances to discover the pairing of our astrological signs with the perfect fragrance notes. Would Zodica perfectly capture the essence of Scorpios? The short answer, yes!!

We already knew what fragrance notes we were attracted to – sweet, oriental, and spicy. As soon as we smelled the Scorpio Crystal Infused Zodiac EDP, we knew it was perfect. The “Scorpio zodiac perfume captivates dark Autumn with a fierce oriental theme.” This blend of Tuberose, Ylang Ylang, Rose, Patchouli, and Oak Moss would be the exact same fragrance we’d purchase for ourselves. As an intuitive sign, we love the fact that the Scorpio fragrance is infused with Black Obsidian crystals. This crystal helps to unearth shadows and clear negative energy. In fact, each Zodica Fragrance is infused with crystals and a poem; the poem is meant to be spoken before wearing to unleash the inspired intention into the universe.

As previously said, each perfume is paired with a poem meant to be spoken and unleashed into the universe. We enjoyed an amazingly calming and mind-clearing meditation class with sound vibration at the wonderful Inscape Studio.

All 12 zodiac signs are available in the following products:

50ml Crystal Infused Zodiac Perfume, $125.00 – this sprayer is removable so you can refill the travel size and eventually remove the stones to use in meditation or Reiki.

8ml Gift Set Twist & Spritz, $40.00 – a travel size perfume housed in an unbreakable container.

Hair Perfume Serum, $34.00 – a hair serum that adds shine and scent that lasts all day. It features a natural UV filter and vitamins to protect and nourish dry hair. It prevents fading in color-treated hair and boasts Argan oil moisturizes that defrizzes hair. This multitasker also doubles as a dry body oil.

All Zodica Perfumery fragrances are handcrafted in the USA with organic ingredients. They are all cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free.

Celebrating Galentine’s Day with Hotel Chocolat USA

February 18, 2020/0 Comments/in Drinks and Beverages, Food /by Glasgow Skinner

Valentine’s Day has come and gone and many couples enjoyed celebrating the day of love and coupledom. But the day before Valentine’s Day, lovingly known as Galentine’s Day, is a day to celebrate female friendship. In honor of this wonderful day of friendship and support of the fellow women in your lives, Hotel Chocolat hosted a Galentine’s Day event with chocolate tastings, wonderful pairings, and showcases of their special Valentine’s Day hot chocolate drink and sundae. You may remember we indulged in some chocolate delicacies when Hotel Chocolat’s Rabot 1745 Beauty made it’s US debut.

We grabbed one of our favorite gal pals and headed out for a night of fun, friendship, and chocolate. Along with the above Love Potion Hot Chocolate and Sweetheart Sundae, we enjoyed an evening of chocolate delicacies that included the following: White Chocolate Batons, Supermilk Batons, Billionaires Shortbread, Gianduja Bombe, Salted Caramel and Pecan Spread with Milton Amish Cheddar, Enrobed Mango with Saint Antoine, Passionfruit Truffles paired with Dos Alas Blanco Tequila, and Dark Ginger Truffles paired with Hamilton Jamaican Dark Rum.

One of our favorite Hotel Chocolat chocolate treat combinations (and this may sound a bit strange to you guys but trust us, it is delicious), was the Enrobed Mango with Saint Antoine cheese. For those not in the know, the Enrobed Mango is mango immersed in mango liqueur and covered in Hotel Chocolat’s signature 70% dark chocolate. It is a delight for the palette and beyond delicious. We also could not stop eating the addictive Passionfruit Truffles (also pictured above). This delight is why the words amuse bouche exists because your mouth will be so happy.

There was so much decadent chocolate to love and so much to indulge in. Nut lovers will go wild for the Cashew Nuts Chocolate Selector. Each bite will reward you with the popular nut.

Ladies, we hope you celebrated the women in your life with joyful Galentine’s Day festivities. If you’re looking to treat your besties to some amazing chocolate, this is the place to be. Make sure to stop by Hotel Chocolate or visit their website for your decadent yumminess.

Makeup Lzunch: Revlon X Ashley Graham Never Enough Lip Collection

NEW Revlon X Ashley Graham Never Enough Lip Collection

February 14, 2020/0 Comments/in Beauty, Collection Previews, Product Reviews /by Glasgow Skinner

Beauty addicts know, when it comes to makeup, enough is never enough. This is why we’re excited to dive right into the new Revlon x Ashley Graham Never Enough Lip Collection. This versatile lip collection from the Brand Ambassador offers shades that can be worn alone but beg to be mixed and matched for a variety of intensities, textures, and finishes.

Ashley’s sophisticated style shines through each component. Get ready for luxe glossy packaging, shimmer caps, and Ashley’s silver-foiled signature. After the success of the limited edition Revlon x Ashley Graham Lip Kits in Worship and Unapologetic, Ashley and Revlon expanded the collection, featuring her favorite lip products in diverse shades. The lip collection features glosses in soft, everyday shades, high-impact kits and lip colors for dramatic lips that do all the talking.

Revlon x Ashley Graham Never Enough Lip Super Lustrous The Gloss ($8.99)

Boasting a high-shine formula, Ashley curated 6 all-new, soft, everyday shades that take any look to the next level. Infused with Agave, Moringa Oil and Capuacu Butter, your lips will shine with a soft, natural finish. You’ll need not worry that they will feel sticky or tacky. The 6 shades are Fiery Spirit, Wild One, Flourish, Vibrant Soul, Feelin’ It, and Into The Bloom.

Revlon x Ashley Graham Never Enough Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor ($9.99)

Ashley’s favorite Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color gets 6 all-new limited-edition dramatic shades that work for everyone. The lightweight liquid lipstick has a lush, moisturizing feel with a 100% wax-free gel formula and plush doe-foot applicator. The 6 shades include Hot In Here, Ride or Die, Rocking Red, Keep It Real, Loud And Proud, and Red Affair.

Both the lip gloss and lip color collection are available this month on www.revlon.com and www.walmart.com; Look out for it on www.amazon.com and drug/mass retailers nationwide in March 2020. The limited-edition Worship and Unapologetic lip kits are available now.

Valentine’s Day Gifts: All Set(s) for Gifts This Valentine’s Day

February 13, 2020/0 Comments/in Beauty, Lifestyle, Shopping /by Glasgow Skinner

This gift set isWhen it comes to gift-giving on Valentine’s Day, it’s always best to give something personal. Nothing is more personal than the gift of fragrance, plus it’s a no-fail option Valentine’s Day gifts. For those special women in your life, we present the following must-have fragrances; these fragrances are sure to excite, and they come with bonuses. We’re sharing the best fragrance gift sets to give the love of your life or your best friend.

This year, Viktor&Rolf and Valentino are making gifting fragrance even easier with their adorable Valentine’s Day sets featuring their iconic fragrances Flowerbomb, and Donna Born in Roma. Both of these Valentine’s Day gifts will ensure your special someone feels extra loved this year. Zodica captures the true essence of your loved one based on their zodiac traits and turns it into a fragrance as unique as they are, and the power of Jason Wu and Deborah Lippmann combine to bring you the ultimate gift set.

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Valentine’s Day Box, $125.00 – this beautiful gift set contains a 50ml EDP, 50ml Shower Gel, a 40ml Body Cream, and a Flowerbomb Mini EDP.

Valentino Donna Born in Roma Valentine’s Day Set, $148.00 – this striking gift set contains a 100ml EDP and 30ml Body Cream. The fragrance is born in a trio of the world’s best-selected jasmine flower varieties, blended with vanilla bourbon. It’s also infused with the cool kick of a woody, animalistic overdose in an irreverent twist.

Zodica Perfumery 8ml Gift Set Twist & Spritz, $40.00 – this travel-size, handcrafted perfume is designed based on the zodiac signs and comes in an unbreakable container. They are all cruelty-free, vegan and gluten-free. Our Scorpio fragrance features the following notes.: Oakmoss, Patchouli, Dark Musk, Apricot, Black Plum, Tuberose, Rose, Sandalwood, and Cedarwood. Made with Certified Organic Alcohol Derived from Grapes

Jason Wu x Deborah Lippmann Perfume & Polish Giftset, $25.00 – this Limited Edition collaboration is perfect for the beauty lover. This gift set is beautifully crafted from the inside out. The Eau de Parfum is constructed around one of perfumery’s most prized ingredients: the rare jasmine. Enhanced by an extravagant floral bouquet and sensual woods, the fragrance reflects Jason’s uncompromising passion and attention to detail.

Like we said, giving a fragrance gift set as Valentine’s Day gifts is no-fail. They are sure to love it!! Wouldn’t you love to receive one of these gift sets this V-Day?

The First Fully Reflective Bike Helmet Is Gaining Ground On Indiegogo

February 2, 2020/0 Comments/in Frontpage Article, Lifestyle /by Contributing Writer

Cycling is an activity that people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy. Whether you take the occasional trip around your neighborhood with your family or you prefer to hit harder trails across the country, this type of exercise is great for your health. An adult cyclist usually has a level of fitness that is equivalent to a person 10 years younger as well as a life expectancy two years above the average for their demographic. Although this and other health benefits of cycling make it an excellent pastime, it can quickly become dangerous.

Many people use their bicycles on the same road as motorized vehicles, but the two are far from equal in terms of speed, force, and protection. Auto accidents are among the top five most common types of personal injury cases. When these accidents involve someone on a bicycle, they often occur because the driver of the car did not see the cyclist.

Luckily, there is a new product on the market to solve this problem. An Indiegogo campaign is about the launch for the first fully reflective bike helmet, called Moment. This helmet shines bright and gives cyclists protection at night without the use of batteries or LED lights.

Instead, the Moment helmet is made of a next-generation, lightweight synthetic material. This material makes the helmet durable, heat resistant, and stiff. It features a reflective surface that wraps all the way around the helmet and is 50 times larger than the reflective surfaces on an average helmet. This means that a moving vehicle can spot you from almost 500 feet away.

In addition to superior reflection, the Moment helmet’s design includes a unique ventilation system. With this system, the reflective bike helmet pulls cool air in through its front and pushes that refreshing breeze over the head with special air channels. While it circulates cool air, the ventilation system allows warm air to escape.

According to the campaign on Indiegogo, Moment gives cyclists the ability to extend their riding time to long after the sun has set. For those who work long hours in the office and can only hop on their bike after dark, this ability is essential for their health. For serious cyclers, Moment provides them with the protection and aerodynamics they need for their sport.

The Moment reflective bike helmet is not for sale quite yet, but you can sign up to access their 50% off Super Early Bird deal and receive the latest news and updates from the campaign.

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week: Yanina SS20 Couture Show

January 28, 2020/2 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Lifestyle /by Glasgow Skinner

Completely captivating our fashion senses is Yanina’s new Spring/Summer 2020 couture collection. This new collection marks a new chapter in the history of Yanina, celebrating 25 years of dressing women around the world, and presenting 13 couture collections during Haute Couture week in Paris. The stunning Yanina SS20 Couture show is an ode to freedom and boldness; it magnifies the female body with chic and timeless pieces. Journey with us as we get better acquainted with the luxurious collection.

Stepping aside from her usual noble and discreet black and white style, designer Yulia Yanina reveals the additional facets of her work with colors and flowers in her in SS2020 couture collection. The collection is inspired by the legendary beauties of the sixties; Audrey Hepburn, Catherine Deneuve, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Lee Radziwill, all of whom created the most memorable images of their generation.

The Yanina SS20 Couture show is bursting with color, nude illusions, exquisite embroidery, and fringe. The very elegant and edgy jumpsuits will remind of such legends as Cher and Jane Fonda; striking mini skirts evoke the iconic style of Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy.

While bold color is prominent, classic black and white looks (many with pops of color added) make this collection and fashion lover’s dream. Favorite looks from the Yanina SS20 Couture show include black dresses with the signature embroidery of filigree work, the nude illusion garden looks, and of course every look prominently in bold hues. Be still our hearts for that standout fuchsia Dusker with 3/4 sleeves and embroidered detail. We want that in our closet. The Yanina SS20 finale look was also a showstopper. The starry gown is what we imagine the midnight sky would look like if the stars were somehow visible during the day.

What are your thoughts on the Yanina SS20 Couture show? Did the sixties inspiration speak to your soul as it did ours? We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this beautiful collection.

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week: La Métamorphose SS2020 Collection

January 23, 2020/0 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Lifestyle /by Glasgow Skinner

Haute Couture design sisters, Ewa Gawkowską and Margaret Szczęsną Marek are back with their La Métamorphose SS2020 Collection during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. Inspired by the heart-melting poems of Sully Prudhomme, their ethereal Les Couleurs de l’Âme collection (roughly translated to “The Colors of the Soul”) celebrates the evanescent nature of women that inspired Prudhomme. Our first introduction to this stunning female designer label was their La Métamorphose Spring Summer 2019 Collection, a stunning pastel vision also inspired by women and poetry.

We loved this excerpt from Sully Prudhomme’s poem

Deep in my heart, behind my brow,
There is a soul, invisible but manifest:
The suspicious will look for it;
I spread it, then feel it!

We think it perfectly describes the La Métamorphose SS2020 Collection, which was overflowing with its feeling of lightness, transparency, and grace. This transparency of the french tulles is sublimated with the chiffon, the silk, satin, and taffeta, in a whirl of jewel tones and true pastel colors.

While the La Métamorphose SS2020 gowns were stunning, we found ourselves completely enamored with their pantsuits and trousered looks. While they were essentially structured, the pants still looked light and elegant. We especially loved the pant looks which boasted a flowing maxi jacket, asymmetrical dress, and chiffon train.

The term “pretty in pastels” does not do this collection justice but the looks are just oh so dreamy. We love a celebration of the feminine and the romantic and the La Métamorphose SS2020 Collection honors both. As with their Spring/Summer 2019 collection, this collection was filled with layers of strategically placed feathers, stones, embroidery, and flowers.

We’re excited to see what their next collection will be. We want to see if they will continue being inspired by poetry and women. Are you as excited about PFW as we are? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this Paris Fashion Week show.

How To Celebrate National CBD Month This January

January 20, 2020/0 Comments/in Drinks and Beverages, Events, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle /by Contributing Writer

CBD is taking off in the U.S. with the market expected to triple in size and reach $1.3 billion by 2022. People all across the country are using it to treat physical ailments, reduce stress, and bolster beauty products and skin care creams. Chefs and mixologists are even using it as a critical ingredient in foods and beverages.

With its popularity booming, it is only reasonable to back up for a moment and answer some underlying questions, the most important being: what is it?

CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid or molecule from the cannabis family. It can often be produced precisely and manufactured into oils and vapors for cleaner ingestion. It is entirely free of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive element present in marijuana.

What is National CBD Month?

January is National CBD Month. What does that mean? According to its founders, the purpose of this dedicated month is “to raise awareness, provide education, and bust myths about one of the great wellness breakthroughs of our age.”

cbdMD

January 2020 is the first National CBD Month on record. The same organization began inviting men and women across the U.S. to celebrate CBD day starting two years ago on August 8, 2018.

National CBD Month aims to nurture growing awareness, banish stigma, and educate the general public about the many safe uses of the cannabinoid. Thanks to legislation passed in 2018, namely the 2018 Farm Bill, farms can now legally grow and distribute hemp and hemp-based products like CBD. Shortly thereafter, CBD ranked as one of the topmost searched wellness trends in the United States, coming in at number four in April 2019. Searches for CBD beat out searches for veganism, vaccination, exercise, and meditation.

You can celebrate National CBD month by asking your doctor about its medical uses, researching distributors who practice safe and sustainable production, and posting on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram about your experiences using the hashtag #NationalCBDMonth. National CBD Month also has its own Facebook page! For updates throughout the month, follow cbdMD on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or sign up for the official cbdMD email newsletter.

What are the benefits of CBD?

CBD packs a whole host of potential benefits. Ongoing studies show that CBD may help adults get relief from pain, cancer-related symptoms, anxiety and depression, and acne. What’s more, it may provide protective benefits to patients’ heart health and brains.

Those suffering from epilepsy have been using CBD to reduce instances of seizures for years. CBD can be used to help treat muscle spasm in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and possibly even improve sleep and overall quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease as well. If you think CBD could help you or a loved one with a condition like this, be sure to ask your physician. As 96% of hospitals and 78% of physician’s offices now use electronic health records, your doctor should be easily able to review your medical history and tell you whether or not CBD could help you.

What products are made with CBD?

It is more than safe to say that products containing CBD run the gamut. While oils, pills and capsules, lotions, and topical treatments are most popular for medical, skincare, and pain relief purposes, there are many other types of CBD products out there.

You can choose from a variety of CBD-infused beverages, including coffee, tea, juice, or even beer. They even make CBD pet treats for pets with chronic pain symptoms. Companies also make hygiene products such as CBD toothpaste. Brushing with CBD toothpaste twice a day may offer benefits on top of removing plaque and getting your teeth clean, such as decreased inflammation and protection from bacterial and fungal infections.

CBD is gaining traction and may even be one of the top wellness trends of the past couple of years. If you would like to enjoy all the benefits of CBD during National CBD Month, choose at-home products carefully. Look for labels that stipulate that products have been lab-tested and/or the U.S. organically grown. If you enjoy a CBD-infused beer or meal at a restaurant with CBD as a key ingredient, ask your server about where they get their CBD and plan accordingly. Remember, it takes up to two hours to fully feel the effects of edible and drinkable varieties!

Try CBD before January is over and you just may find yourself starting your year off in a rather relaxing state of mind.

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