Etsy Pick Of The Week: Rainwater Botanicals

*UPDATE*
I originally posted this on Sunday May 20th. Unfortunately, for reasons not clear to me, Blogger decided to delete it. Lucky for me, it was early on after publishing, and there were no entries in Rafflecopter. Enjoy!

Happy Sunday Readers! 

This week I would like for you to meet Rainwater Botanicals! 

Image: etsy.com

Imagine this....

The scene is beautiful Pacific Beach, Washington, 1999. A group of friends are camping, and everyone is having an awesome time. There is only one problem. Every single person in the group suffered cuts and scrapes during the day's hike. They hurt. But, sigh. They have nothing to apply to their minor wounds because back then they could not find a healing, all natural salve to soothe their boo boos.

The group took this problem and created their own. Rainwater Botanicals Healing Salve  was born in 2000 and quickly gained a cult following among friends and family. Due to word of mouth, the Healing Salve's popularity grew. Inspired by the salve's new fame, the group began sending out samples of the natural healer, and the brand continued to receive positive feedback.

In 2004, the new company started to formulate several other skin care collections, and opened up their Etsy store in 2008. The company vows to only sell products that they believe in. And to take this promise even further, each and every product is tested by the folks behind the brand before selling to the public. They only buy raw materials from reputable sources, all products are free of parabens, phtalates, and sulfates. Also, all of their shipping materials are recycled and/or reused. TOTALLY GREEN COMPANY GUYS! 


I would also like to point out that the products are all reasonably priced. I find this to be truly amazing, since the formulations, ingredients, and packaging are of such high quality!

The Interview-

1. What inspired you to start making your own beauty products?

At the time when I started making natural goodies there just wasn't much available, even in the health food stores. I knew what I wanted and what I didn't but there was no place to buy it so....I made it.

2. Tell me about your biggest success since opening Rainwater Botanicals.

Probably coming up with a deodorant that is natural and works for most people. I knew there was a demand as many of the so called "natural" deodorants either don't work well or aren't exactly natural. Hopefully soon we are coming out with a sensitive skin deodorant to add to the lineup as well as a liquid for those who prefer.

3. What is the one product from Rainwater Botanicals that you cannot live without?

The Troubled Skin Serum...for sure! Without it things get real bad for my skin. Ha ha ha. I never want to be without. The soap is pretty important too!

The Products-

Troubled Skin Facial Cream

Facial Cream for Troubled Skin


$10.00 for a 1oz jar

This healing cream provides nourishing moisture without greasiness. Nature’s soothers treat redness and calm irritation. Packaged in a glass bottle with a pump dispenser. 

*Superstar Ingredients*

Tamanu Oil- Ultra-moisturizing, antimicrobial qualities, and is capable of healing acne. 
Frankincense- Antibacterial, helps treat existing acne breakouts and scars. Also fights against aging. 
Black Willow- Natural source of aspirin-like chemicals that reduce redness and cystic acne. 
Lactic Acid- An Alpha-Hydroxy acid used widely used in rejuvenation products. A gentle, yet effective anti-aging treatment. 
MSM- Softens skin and gives your skin cells the permeability to absorb beneficial nutrients while flushing out toxic waste.

Troubled Skin Facial Cream

This face cream has a very unique texture. It is light and fluffy. Almost mousse-like. I do think that this is really important since troubled skin tends to be on the oily side. The cream absorbs quickly, and leaves no trace of anything behind. You are only left with hydrated skin. The fragrance is very light and disappears after sinking into skin.

Antioxidant Facial Serum 

Antioxidant Facial Serum Woodland Berry

$9.00 for a 1oz jar
Using natural ingredients rich in antioxidants, this serum effectively combats the signs of aging. The serums natural essential oils, extracts, and plant oils make skin glow with health.

*Superstar Ingredients*
All of these beneficial, hydrating oils:
Plum Kernel, Apricot Kernel, Blackberry Seed, Pumpkin Seed, Carrot Seed, Organic Rose Hip, Pomegranate, Jojoba, Olive Squalane, and Vitamin E.
This serum has quickly become one of my favorite skin care products. First of all it smells amazing. Like fresh blueberries. Second, it truly does make you glow! I know the thought of putting all of these oils on your face terrifies you, but trust me. Your skin will look amazing! The serum is contained in a glass bottle with a dropper dispenser. I have been using it day and night. I place three to four drops in my hand, rub my palms together, and apply all over my face and neck. LOVE IT!

Eye Serum with Carrot Seed Oil and  Olive Squalane

Eye Serum with Carrot Seed Oil and Olive Squalane

$9.00 for a .5oz jar 

Diminishes fine lines and hydrates the delicate eye area. Never oily or shiny and can be used under makeup.

*Superstar Ingredients* 
Olive Squalane- This is one of the major components in human sebum so it has a natural affinity to skin. Prevents moisture loss and restores suppleness.
Castor Oil- Rich in fatty acids and acts as a humectant because it draws moisture to itself.
Carrot Seed Oil- A long time darling of natural skin care products. Nourishes, tightens, revitalizes, and rejuvenates skin. Also reduces skin problems resulting from sun exposure due to its high level of natural UV protection.  

Again, this will not make your face oily. I absolutely loved this eye serum. My eye area is always so dry and I frequently reapply eye cream during the day. Ever since I have started using this eye serum, my eye area has been bothering me much less.  I feel hydrated and look all bright eyed. 

Walnut and Elm Facial Scrub

Walnut and Elm Facial Scrub

$10.00 for a 3 oz jar

Finely ground walnut shells, healing organic oils, and herbs exfoliate dead skin cells. 

*Superstar Ingredients* 
Glycerin and Castor Oil- Hydrate and plump skin.
Slippery Elm and Organic Rose hips- Provide gentle exfoliation.
Baking Soda- Polishes and balances skin.

Oh my, how I love a good face scrub. This scrub will most likely last me forever. It is very dense and feels like sand. You only need the smallest pea-sized amount. Wet your face, mix your pea with a touch of water and scrub. Gently though, as this is very abrasive. I like it rough though. Rinses easily.

Healing Earth Soap
Image: etsy.com
Stock Photo, sorry.

Healing Earth Facial Soap with Double Distilled Witch Hazel

$5.50 for a 3 oz bar

Treats combination skin and helps minimize the look of pores. Effectively removes makeup.
*Superstar Ingredients* 
Double Distilled Witch Hazel- Widely used in skin care products as a mild facial astringent. Treats blemishes, cleanses oil from skin, and it is beneficial for all skin types.
Kaolin Clay- Gently exfoliates and cleanses skin. Mild drying and disinfectant properties help to heal existing pimples while preventing new ones from forming.
Organic Helichrysum Extract- Rejuvenates and heals skin while antioxidant qualities reduce free-radical damage thus preventing premature aging.


I honestly thought that this would be a miss for me. Generally I am not a fan of using bar soaps on my face because they are usually very drying. When my oily skin dries out it goes into oily sebum producing overtime creating an eve oilier mess than what I had before. Speckled with pimples. Not pretty. This soap did not dry my face out though. After cleansing with it my face did not feel tight at all. Not the miss I predicted after all. It's a hit baby.


I took this picture exactly two weeks after starting my new Rainwater Botanicals skincare routine. This picture was taken immediately following use of the soap, scrub, eye serum, face serum, and troubled face cream. I really wanted to show you guys how healthy and gorgeous my skin looks. That sounds all vain and awful, but seriously! Just look at it! 

GLOWING!

I also wanted to prove by showing my face immediately after applying two oil based products to my face, day and night, for fourteen days, that my skin did not freak out. The beneficial oils used in these products did not leave me face decorated with pimples. Also, my skin is not shiny AT ALL. I dare you to find a trace of oil or shine! It's impossible!

Do you know what is possible though? Finding the worst hair ever because it's on my head in this picture. Terrible hair though. Just terrible. One of these days I will get it together and all parts of me will look good in a picture. Really great skin, really awful hair.

Monoi de Tahiti Hand and Body Cream

Monoi de Tahiti Hand and Body Cream

$12.50 for a 4.5 oz jar

Luxe hand and body cream drenches skin in moisture. The scent is a soft whisper of ultra-feminine Gardenia. The fragrance is all natural and produced using the Tahitian method of infusing coconut oil with Tiare Gardenia. The flower is placed in coconut oil and left to sit. The longer it sits, the more fragrance is infused into the oil. Divine.
*Superstar Ingredients* 
Organic Hibiscus Extract- Antioxidant and skin toning properties.
Organic Rosewater and Organic Aloe- Provide additional moisture.
Organic Olive Oil- 100% cold pressed ad extra virgin from high quality Tunisian olives.

This cream has also become a favorite. It sits on my nightstand and I coat my entire body with it before going to sleep. The fragrance is TO DIE FOR. I find it calming while falling asleep. When I wake up, my skin is soft, moisturized, and has a gorgeous, toned appearance. In fact, the cream is so intensely hydrating that it even my always dry feet are now smooth. 

Sweet Almond Body Lotion

Sweet Almond Body Lotion

$10.00 for a 6 oz tube

A non-greasy, light lotion scented with delicious Bitter Almond, Vanilla, and Bergamot essential oils.
*Superstar Ingredients* 
Organic Aloe, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil and Organic Geranium- Efficiently hydrate and soften skin.

Are you eating something???

This is a very light-weight lotion that absorbs very fast, and leaves skin super silky and smooth. It smells so good! Like yummy cookies! As you can see from the picture, my dog Buster sprinted into the bathroom right after I applied this to my leg. Coincidence? I don't think so. The Almond Body Lotion smells so realistic and sweet, that he thought I was hiding in the bathroom eating scrumptious cookies without him.  

Madagascar Big Bath Soap

Madagascar Big Bath Soap

$6.75 for a 6 oz bar

Madagascar is scented with warm Vanilla and spicy Ylang-Ylang. Does not contain artificial soap dyes or irritating fragrance.
*Superstar Ingredients* 
Kaolin Clay- Helps the soap produce a cushiony lather.

Just like the bar facial soap I talked about earlier, the Madagascar soap blew my mind. What a giant bar of soap! A whopping 6 oz people! HUGE! It was super moisturizing and I was able to use the lather to shave my legs without drying or irritation. Oh, and the smell....sweet and clean.

Dead Sea Salt Spray with Virgin Coconut

Dead Sea Salt Spray with Virgin Coconut

$9.00 for a 4 oz bottle

Dead Sea Salt is a fantastic natural way to make your hair look all "just spent all day at the beach sexy." 
*Superstar Ingredients* 
Dead Sea Salt- Nutrient rich ingredient that keeps hair silky and adds fullness.
Organic Virgin Coconut- Nourishes and hydrates hair. Enhances the beachy feel with its unmistakable summery scent.
Organic Aloe- Adds an extra layer of much needed moisture to the hair.

OMG. I DIED. 


First of all I feel like I have mentioned before that one of my daily beauty goals is to smell like I am surrounded  by a fluffy vanilla and coconut scented cloud. Rainwater Botanicals Dead Sea Salt Spray is impeccable, and helps me get one step closer to my goal. Hair care perfection beach bunnies! Obviously, I have been using this non-stop. When used on wet hair it helps my mane to dry shiny, full, and helps my natural wave look gorgeous. On dry hair this miracle spray refreshes and adds fullness to my limp mid-day hair. I also use it wet before blow drying. The Sea Salt adds lush texture and the Coconut smooths. This product is absolutely a must have. In addition to the Coconut formula, there are two other versions of this spray. One contains only Dead Sea Salt and the second is a Monoi de Tahiti version, which if the cream is any indication, probably smells out of this world. All soft and feminine. It's on my list!


Phew! That was a lot of reviewing, but SO WORTH IT!

I really and truly LOVED everything that was sent to me. The standouts in my opinion were the Woodland Blueberry Serum, the Carrot Seed Oil Eye Serum, and the Dead Sea Coconut Spray. Now that I know that these game changing products exist, I can never life my life without them. And the fact that they are all natural and made using top notch ingredients makes me smile. I can be obsessive and indulge in these products as much as I want to without worrying if I will experience a reaction or if yucky chemical ingredients will cause long term damage.

Want to find out even more about the delightful brand? Visit Rainwater Botanicals on their website or browse their Etsy Shop. To stay in the loop with all of their latest news and specials, like their Facebook page.

Huh? What's that?

You want to try Rainwater Botanicals for yourself??

Well my sweet readers you can! Along with some other stuff!

Check it out!

I am giving away an awesome set of stuff! If you are the lucky winner your prize will include:

Set of deluxe samples from Rainwater Botanicals including Madagascar Perfume Oil, Natural Deodorant in Lavender Vanilla and Patchouli Citrus, Brightening Facial Cream with Zinc Sunscreen, and an adorable tiny jar of the Intensive Eye Cream.

A full size tube of the Sweet Almond Body Lotion.

A full size tube of Beecology's Buzz Balm Peppermint Lip Balm. You can read my review of it here.

And a brown pouch containing a mystery item! Ooooo! What could it be?? Only the winner will know!

So what do you have to do to win this amazing prize? Just complete the entries on the Rafflecopter below and keep your fingers crossed!



a Rafflecopter giveaway






*The products featured in this post were sent to me directly from Rainwater Botanicals in exchange for my review/consideration/promotion. Please know that the opinions and thoughts expressed by me in each and every one of my posts are of my making, and always will be. I promise to my sweet readers to guide them through the wonderful world of beauty with truthful content that helps, rather than hinder their decision making processes.* 

Beauty Swag For Your Momma: Part Two

I'M BACK!!


Miss me? Have you been super excited all day long just dying to know what swaggy gifts I' going to feature in Part Two? The hours were long today weren't they? Soooooo loooong!


But here we are! It's just you, me and my last Mother's Day gift idea.


So pay attention slacker so you can buy a gift that makes your Momma feel like the special lady she is this Mother's Day! 


Oh....right. And there is a really awesome surprise for you at the end of this post!


Part Two is ON!!! 


Ladies and Gentlemen, my final Mother's Day gift suggestion for you. 

Image: themefragrance.com

Theme Fragrance
Perfume Oil and Body Butter Set in Sarong, $24.00
Available in multiple scents and there are sets with Perfume Sprays instead of Oil.


Before Theme Fragrance was born, creator and owner Elizabeth Morrison was frustrated and bored with the perfumes she found in stores. Most of them were endorsed by celebrities, yawn, and every single one of them smelled the same. She was desperate to find a place where she could find unique perfumes for individuals, instead of mass produced perfume clones for the masses. Unable to scratch her itch, Elizabeth started to make her own. 


Her wildly popular collection of scents have been featured in multiple glossy magazines like Bride's, French Glamour, and Life and Style. 


In addition to the huge array of perfume oils and sprays the brand offers, you will also find candles, lip balms and tints, and occasionally themed collections. 


Theme Fragrance also carries a Perfume Oil (or Perfume Spray) and Body Butter gift set in a small selection of scents the brand offers. My pick is Theme's best selling scent, Sarong.

Perfume Oil and Body Butter Gift Set
Image: themefragrance.com

Sarong scent description from themefragrance.com:


"Luscious creme de coconut, White Vanilla Sand, and Night Blooming Flowers."


Mmmmmmm....I like it! Sounds all sweet and beachy to me. 


The gift set includes a 5 ml perfume oil or a 15 ml concentrated perfume spray and a 5 oz rich body butter. The non-greasy cream is laced with a touch of fragrance and loaded with beneficial ingredients. Really good for you stuff like Shea Butter, Green Tea Extract, and my favorite beauty product ingredient, Vitamin C.


I seriously doubt you could find a gift set containing such high quality products, in insanely gorgeous packaging, and in so many scent options for $24.00. Am I right?


To make the deal even sweeter, Theme Fragrance will wrap your Momma's gift for you and supply you with a gift card. FOR FREE! All you have to do is ask for it in the "special instructions' box when checking out.


Nope. Still not inspired? Wow. You are one stubborn cookie. Your poor Mother.


Well, maybe this will start your gift shopping engines....


Theme Fragrance was feeling generous and wanted to give something special to my readers! From May 6, 2012 to May 12, 2012, all Frances Is A Beauty fans will receive 10% off their entire purchase by entering frances10 during the checkout process. 


Dude, come on! We are making this so easy for you! It's the perfect gift for your Mom, wrapped and sent with a card, at a fantastic regular price that is made even better after using a 10% discount code!


What are you waiting for? Go now! 


Theme Fragrance can be purchased through their website, and in their Etsy Store. Please keep in mind when browsing that the coupon code for Frances Is A Beauty readers is only valid for use on the company's website and not in the Etsy Store.


You should also like their Facebook page, and follow them on Tumblr and Twitter.


So kids....what are you going to do for your Mom? Do you have any awesome Mother's Day gift ideas to share with us? What do you want for Mother's Day?


Big thanks to Theme Fragrance for sharing the discount offer!


Sweet Readers, I will be back soon. I have so many exciting things in store for you! Make sure you never miss a thing from me by subscribing to Frances Is A Beauty with your email. The subscription box can be located on the right hand side of my blog. Thanks!!


xo

Beauty Swag For Your Momma: Part One

Mother's Day is only one week away! I'm dying to know....

What did you get your Momma to show her your love and appreciation? To celebrate her patience and dedication? To make her feel extra special on this glorious holiday? 

Nothing yet?!

Slacker.

Lucky for you, (and your sweet Mom) you have me to swoop in and save the day. (And your ass.) I have searched all across the interwebs, and made you a list of perfect gifts your Mom will love. 

All beauty swag of course.

Image: tokyo-milk.com

Tokyo Milk 

Bubble Baths 

Small, 16 0z., $22.00  Large, 33.8 oz., $36.00

Nine Scents and Images to choose from.

I absolutely love everything Tokyo Milk makes. The brand offers a wide variety of products in a huge array of scent combinations that you have never smelled anywhere before. The product formulas are beneficial and effective and everything is reasonably priced.

My sweet Octopus is scented with Linden,
Honeyed Rose, Wisteria Petals, and
White Musk.
Image: tokyo-milk.com

But just look at those bottles! The unexpected, bizarre images linger behind a sea of bubble bath, suspended in a simple glass jar. Super weird but totally beautiful right? I am smitten with the Octopus version. I have a strange obsession with those tentacled creatures so this is right up my alley. 


Oh wait.... We are shopping for Mom. Not me. Oops.

Skull With Roses is scented with
Deep Vanilla, Exotic Wood,
White Orchid, and Ebony.
Image: tokyo-milk.com

Fish Bowl with Floral Background
is scented with Lily, Peony
Vanilla Bean, and Violet Petals.
Image: tokyo-milk.com

Tokyo Milk threw together extract of Japanese Green Tea, rich Avocado, hydrating Olive Oil, and Vitamin E and created what could possibly be THE best bubble bath in the world! Mom will be thrilled to take time for herself and soak all of her stress away. The intoxicating scent will fill the bathroom, adding to her bliss. As she inhales Tokyo Milk's scent, she will glance at the gorgeous bottle on the side of the tub, admire it, and think about how happy she is to have it in her life.

Maybe that's a bit overboard, but you get the idea. 


Visit tokyo-milk.com, follow on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.

Image: 100percentpure.com

100% Pure

Bunnies Chasing Carrots Clutch

8.5x4.5 $35.00

Hand Wash 

11 oz., $11.00

Available in four scents.

Hand Buttercream
2 oz., $8.00

Available in four scents.

Lip Butter Tin
$13.00

Available in seven flavors and colors.

My Mom likes her beauty products to be so natural you can eat them. She is a strict vegan, and I am amazed at how many beauty products she cannot use. The good news is that her beauty product choices may not be as narrow as they would have been a few years ago. Recently "Green Beauty" has exploded and experienced a surge in popularity, and as a result formulas, packaging, and prices have changed for the better. These days you can even find decadent, luxury brands and collections who offer expertly crafted, beautifully packaged, all natural potions for crunchy but chic tree-huggers everywhere. 

For a perfect example of how fabulous green beauty can be, saunter on over to 100% Pure's website and drool over their impressive products. The brand offers makeup, skin care, hair care, among many other delightful odds and ends. There are so many indulgent treats to be had, and at prices that won't make you have to adjust the rest of the month's budget to make up for splurging. Ramen Noodles anyone? 

Also, 100% does not hurt one single animal during the creation process or through product testing. That is super important. Period.

Bunnies Chasing Carrots Clutch
Image: 100percentpure.com

This adorableness is called the Bunnies Chasing Carrots Clutch. It's the big enough for all of you essentials when you only need a small purse, but small enough to use as a makeup bag in a larger tote if needed. Made with organic cotton that has been dyed pink with vegetable ink, trimmed with a sleek silver kiss lock frame, this could easily become Mom's go to bag. Scattered all over the bag are the cutest little bunnies! What's on the inside? Well, there is not a picture of the inside. Anywhere. Word on the street is that the lining of the clutch is spotted with itty bitty carrots! I have an inside source at 100% Pure who gave me the exclusive inside scoop the other day. No really, I do. That happened!


Well maybe that's stretching it a bit. My "inside source" is the person behind the company's Twitter account. The "exclusive inside scoop" was delivered to me via three tweets after I whined about not being able to find a picture of the clutch's inside lining They informed me that a picture would be up soon. Once I see it, I will update this post with the picture!

The best part about the clutch is that 100 % Pure is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Bunnies Chasing Carrots Clutch to the Humane Society. If reading that sentence made you think "Who is the Humane Society?", then I am ordering you to  stop reading my post right now, click on the link, and read all about this inspiring and super important organization. Not only will you learn something, but your heart will melt.


But why stop there? The clutch is a nice gift by itself but THIS IS YOUR  MOTHER! Why not be amazing and pop some goodies into the clutch? Like I mentioned earlier, 100% Pure carries a wide range of products that span multiple categories. 


Oh.... I know.... choosing something that will become your Mom's new beauty obsession can be so hard. Shhhh....don't distress boo. I picked three very basic items that most of women always keep in their arsenal of beauty products. These are simple, every day items, but 100% Pure has transformed them into luxe must-haves.

Clementine Hand Wash
Image: 100percentpure.com

I don't know about other Mom's of the world, but this Mom washes her hands about 10,000 times a day. All of that washing can be harsh on hands most hand soaps strip the skin of it's natural moisture. Most of the time I go through life with dry, irritated hands, and ragged cuticles. It's the worst. 100% Pure apparently got inside my head and came up with the hand wash of my dreams. Their all natural hand washes are made with antioxidants, vitamins, and other anti-aging properties. Yucky germs are annihilated by antibacterial herbs, while Aloe and Rose Hydrosol replenishes the moisture that was lost from constant washing. 

Virgin Coconut Hand Buttercream
Image: 100percentpure.com

I dare you to find someone who doesn't love a good hand cream. And, if for some reason you just laughed at me and thought, "Ha! I don't like hand cream!" then I challenge you to try the one above and not fall in love. 100% Pure's hand cream intensely hydrates dry hands and cuticles with anti-aging Vitamin E and C, Aloe, Coconut Oil, and Shea Butter. It is totally Gluten Free, Vegan and all four scents smell so good!

Cranberry Lip Butter
Image: 100percentpure.com

We all know that I am obsessed with lip balm, but I am willing to bet that you and your Mom share my addiction. How pretty is the pot of Lip Butter up there? It's so delicate and feminine! There are nine shade and flavor combinations, all in different colored tins. The butter itself is Vegan and Gluten free, and packed full of Avocado, Shea, and Cocoa butters. Natural fruit and berry pigments give the lip treatment it's color, and have the added benefit of infusing lips with antioxidants and vitamins.


Visit http://www.100percentpure.com, follow on Twitter, and Like the Facebook page!

Image: Mor Cosmetics

Mor Cosmetics


Winter Wonderland Gift Tin
3-Piece Gift Set Contained in a Collectible Tin, $40.00
There are three versions of this Gift Tin to choose from.


Australian based Mor Cosmetics is one of my all time favorite beauty brands! Each product is so special, and makes you feel like a princess who owns some of the most wondrous treasures the world has to offer. Mor packages their delightful goodies in exquisite boxes and papers, and ties each one off with a bow. On the soaps, instead of a bow, the ribbon is held together with a wax seal. Fancy right?! The swanky product packaging could really help you out during gift giving crisis. Since the smart folks at Mor have taken the time to pay attention to details, the grunt work of finding and wrapping the perfect gift is all taken care of. Simply buy anything from their website and BAM....you have an insta-gift that will bring the recipient endless joy. It's seriously that easy.


A few years ago, my sister gave me this very same gift tin in Mor's most famous fragrance, Marshmallow. I loved everything about the set, and was so brokenhearted when I inevitably used up every last drop that was contained in the pretty little tubes and pots. I cried billions of tears while I was unwrapping the soap. I hated to throw the beautiful, delicate wrap away. I actually stood at the trashcan, looking in at my precious Mor soap wrap with it's broken wax seal and searched my brain for ways to repurpose it. Then I would be able to keep it and make it into something new and useful! Then I can love it forever and ever! 


Quickly I realized that I was starting to blur the line between rational and irrational thinking, and was inching closer to crazy. So I shut the lid and backed away from the trashcan, cursing all of the uber-talented people with mad crafting skills. Being so furious with the ENTIRE crafting community made me realize that perhaps I needed to add another session to my once a week date with my beloved Psychologist. 


But good Lord, the wrap is just so pretty!

Winter Wonderland Gift Tin
Image: morcosmetics.com

Don't be scared or put off by the festive, Christmasy name of the gift set. Who cares what it's called? It's what's inside the Winter Wonderland Gift Tin that matters. 


Close your eyes and imagine a fluffy cloud puffed full of Candied Almonds and Sugar Blossom swirled into a warm Vanilla base, floating all around you. 


Sounds delicious and wildly comforting right? That my friend is what Mor's Candied Almond Vanilla smells like. Creamy, indulgent, and sweet.


First let's talk about the tin. Instead of a black tin, the one I received was pink with gold flourishes. Each gift set has a different color tin. The lid and base are hinged together, so the tin opens like a jewelry box. I haven't stopped using mine since receiving it. Currently, my pink tin houses all of my hair accessories. It's perfect. I never loose hair ties, clips, or bobby pins anymore! And it looks so chic on my dresser.

Candied Vanilla Almond Soap
Image: morcosmetics.com

This slice of suds is such an opulent indulgence, I promise that your Mom will actually get excited about a bar of soap. Once she opens it, (and cries when tossing the wrap!) she will swoon while inhaling the sumptuous fragrance that wafts up her adorable nose. In the shower or bath, she will be astonished at how much lather this triple-milled soap creates. And her mind will be blown all day at how soft and hydrated her skin feels. AFTER USING A BAR OF SOAP PEOPLE! 


Mor's soap is different from others because of the high quality ingredients the utilize. Vitamin E nourishes the skin, Shea Butter works hard to moisturize, and Glycerin protects that moisture while adding a little of it's own.

Candied Almond Vanilla Hand Cream
Image: morcosmetics.com

The rich Hand Cream will drench Mom's hard working hands with a wash of rich moisture. The silky cream formula is made up of deeply soothing elements, and was designed to make hands look and feel their healthiest. Top notch ingredients like Shea and Cocoa Butter, Irish Moss, and Sesame Seed Oil work together to heal, hydrate, and protect hands.

French Vanilla Lip Macaron
Image: morcosmetics.com

Pulling out my Lip Macaron in public made me feel so posh. The swanky little tin made any grown women around me squeal with delight and intrigue. They needed to hold it, smell it, and demanded to know where I bought it. 


Can you imagine their frustration when I shrugged and replied, "I received it as a gift." 


Now imagine me laughing like an evil witch.


The texture of the balm surprised me because it wasn't as thick as other balms or glosses are. I was also baffled by the lack of flavor because the balm is very perfumed.  It does not feel sticky or thick at all, just really slick and thin, like a silky nightgown for your pout. It's thin consistency didn't it matter one bit because it is such an effective lip balm. Vitamin E and Beeswax nourish your pout, and the delicious little Lip Macaron gives your lips the prettiest, subtle sheen. Mor's balm is a really stellar lip product!


I do want to put out there that while all of Mor's products smell lovely, their fragrances are very intense. So while their impressive, lavish packaging may dazzle your Mother, if she has a sensitive nose, this is not the gift for her.


Visit http://www.morcosmetics.com, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page!


That wraps up part one of my Mother's day gift guide. (Pun intended.)


Make sure you come back later today for Part Two of my Mother's Day Swag post. I have such an exciting surprise in store for you guys! Think of it as my Mother's Day gift to you! I don't care if you aren't a Mom yet. I'll let it slide because I love you boo!


Smooches!