Always Pan from Our Place Updated Review

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I thought I would write an update on my Always Pan from Our Place. I think I have recommended this pan to a lot of people, but mostly in person. I have friends who have come over for dinner or vice versa and I brag about this pan. BUT after having it for 5 months, it wasn't as good as it was when I first got it. 

Always Pan

When I first received the pan, I used it pretty much anytime I cooked. I followed the instructions on only using a sponge or the pad that came with it to clean it. I never cooked anything at high heat as most recipes only call for medium high at most. I never used anything else other than the bamboo scraper/spoon/spatula that came with it. I always let my pan cool completely before washing it. I even made my husband follow these instructions when he used it to cook eggs. 

But after time went on, things would stick more when cooking them. I couldn't just wipe things out on only one side of the pan. I even tried the letting it sit in water overnight. But within the last month, it just got worse and worst. And the stains went "deeper and deeper". See below. I have a friend who has had it as long as me, maybe even a bit longer and it hasn't happened to hers. 

Always Pan - Our Place

I had gone over the 100 day return policy, so I wrote them describing what happened, sent some pictures and asked if they could do anything since I loved the pan. And you know what...they have some pretty amazing customer service. 

First they gave me some tips. They gave me ways to clean it (boil some water, let it cool slightly and then use the scrubber provided to get the stains and food off or let it soak overnight), and tips for only using "good" oils like EVOO, avocado oil, coconut oil, etc., which I only use those oils.

Once I told them that I had already done those things, then they started the process of an exchange. I gave them my address, color of choice (I changed to charcoal this time) and the order number again, so that everything is under one "order". Then they sent me a shipping label to send back the item and now I wait for my new one to arrive and then package my old one in that box and send it back. 

So fingers are crossed that this new one holds up since this is a great pan (overall).

I wanted to give an honest update on this pan as I like to hear updates on loved products and things that just didn't work. 

UPDATE: I got my new pan in 2 days. And here she is...

Stitches Update and a Marc Jacobs VoxBox

My stitches are out! I could scream this from the rooftops if I could. It feels SO much better now. The process of taking them out, not so much. It even hurt when they put the cleaning solution on it. And the stitches. Ouch. But they are all gone, and I have an infection as I suspected. So now I am on antibiotics (again) and I am hoping it clears up enough in 3 to 4 days (on meds for 10 days). My shoulder is still sore, but so much better than yesterday. Now onto healing. And lifting weights again.

In other news, I recently received a #voxbox from Influenster and this one was a good one. I received the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara. First, I love make-up and second, I love Marc Jacobs products. But I had never tried their make-up. Heck, I don't think I knew they made make-up. I love their perfumes though.

 The brush so you can see the color, shape and size

Once I received my #voxbox, I used it the next morning and I loved the results. Please excuse the awful selfies below.

Before (only part of my eyes on)

After

I love the color (black), how it lengthens my lashes so much (gives me a little feeling of my old extensions), volumizes, separates (thanks to the great brush) and gets in the inner corners of my eyes (again thanks to the brush). 

I had bought a mascara a week or so before I received the Marc Jacobs mascara, and I haven't used my other one since. I love this mascara. I can't wait to try out other Marc Jacobs make-up.

* I received the items complimentary from Influenster to test and review. All opinions are my own.

YSL Black Opium

I received another Yves Saint Laurent VoxBox from Influenster. This time, perfume. Oh, be still my heart. I love a good fragrance, but I am very picky when it comes to perfumes. I tend to favor the floral and fruity smells, but I am always willing to look and try new ones.

Yves Saint Laurent put out a new perfume named Black Opium.

The bottle is very pretty, but dainty. And it doesn't have a perfume spritzer, so you apply it using the top or the bottle.

Now onto the scent. It is heavenly. I have been using it everyday since I received it. It has a slight spice mixed with a vibrant vanilla and floral smell to it.

I put a small amount on my wrists and neck and it lasts all day long. Once my bottle is gone, I will be purchasing a bigger bottle. The price tag is a bit steep, but well worth the price. I received a .25 fl ounce bottle which is shown below. A one ounce bottle is $67.

   0.25 ounce bottle seems so tiny

What are your favorite YSL products? I have been buying more and more products over the last year and have fallen in love with their brand. Thank you YSL for giving me my new signature scent.

* I received the items complimentary from Influenster to test and review. All opinions are my own.

Yves Saint Laurent Vox Box Review

Recently, I was chosen to receive a Yves Saint Laurent Voxbox from Influenster. I was very excited to receive this box as I love their make up line. I bought their foundation while I was pregnant because it had a light feel to it, better for sensitive skin (skin that was raging with hormones), filtered several times, a glow to it and smelt nice (which is a biggie when pregnant). I also bought their concealer to cover the dark circles from not sleeping much, and I still use it today.

In the Voxbox was two items. The YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer and Perfector.

I have used both of these items several times over the last week and I am in love with them. Reviews of the primer said they didn't like the gold specs in it and how it makes your face glittery. I would have to disagree with this.

The primer (for my sample) came in a bottle with a paddle handle. You simply dab primer on your face in several places and rub it in gently. I washed my hands after this, so it gave the primer time to set and so I could open up my other make up items I was to use next. The primer goes on so smooth, has an amazing smell to it, leave a slight shimmer on your face, evens out the pours, makes your skin feel so smooth, brightens up the face and it isn't greasy at all. I tend to have oily skin and this doesn't make your skin oily at all. I love how light it feels on your skin, how fast it dries (literally 10 seconds is enough time) and how it "primed" my face.

After the primer, I used my Touche Eclat (which I already owned) as my concealer and brightener. And finally put on my Le Teint Touche Eclat (foundation which I also already owned). I love the combination of all the products together and even using them separately.

 image

Throughout the day my make up gets its wear and this is where the perfector comes in handy. I just swipe on the perfector with the applicator and it freshens my make up. The perfector can be used in three ways: as an overall base (either alone or under make up), to set your make up or touch up your make up. I have used this product all three ways. I love how it is a balm that turns into a powder when you rub it in. Again, it smells amazing, goes on light and turns to a powder quickly, goes on evenly and smoothly and isn't heavy.

A few hours after I used all the products I listed above (on my birthday)

* I received the items complimentary from Influenster to test and review. All opinions are my own.

Nursing and Pumping Clothes

Recently, I was contacted by Figure 8 Maternity and Beyond to review some products. Since I am a new mom, I jumped at the opportunity. I am nursing/pumping and I need shirts and dresses that easily allow me to do either.

I can wear regular shirts if need be while pumping/nursing, but wearing a dress isn't so easy. So when I was contacted, I wanted a dress. Really badly. And since I wanted something I could wear to work, for a date night or just casually, I chose a little black dress. More specifically, the Sophie and Eve Charlotte Bamboo Wrap Dress.

* I received this dress complimentary to test and review, but all opinions are my own.

Note: I am definitely not a model.

This black dress is AMAZING. I can wear some heels or flats with it to work with some simple jewelry and then when I come home, I can throw on some black boots and a fun necklace for an evening out with my husband or a wine night with my girlfriends.

The dress isn't see through at all, sits just above the knee and is made of the softest material. I wore it to work recently and was able to easily pump. I just moved the outer bra area to the side and comfortably put on my pump parts. Since it has an inner area (cut-out), the pump parts stay easily and keeps your breast more secure.

 Easy access for nursing and pumping

 Necklace: Chewbeads Hudson Teething Necklace

I love that it is a wrap dress, so it ends up being very flattering to all shapes and sizes. This dress can be worn even after you are done nursing or pumping.

I have my eye on several other items including a Cake Lingerie bra, Seraphine Alana Sleeveless Nautical Nursing Dress and Vidia Nursing Dress for an upcoming Bridal shower I am attending at the end of the month.

Vidia Nursing Dress

Seraphine Alana Dress

Being a mom who nurses and pumps, it is hard to find clothes that fit, look cute and are functional for pumping. So far, I love what Figure 8 Maternity has to offer. They have maternity clothing too (as it implies from the name). They have super fast shipping and everything comes wrapped up nicely which is a great because it's the small touches that matter.

Again, I received this dress complimentary to test and review, but all opinions are my own.

Influenster VoxBox Review

Good morning, lovelies.  Today's post is brought to you by Influenster.  Don't know what Influenster is?  Basically it is a community of people who share their opinions on products and services through social media.  Members are chosen to review VoxBox's full of themed products.   I was chosen to review the Mary Kay box.  All opinions and photos are my own.  I was not paid to give my review, but I did receive the products complimentary of Influenster.   Mary Kay VoxBox

  I have very little experience with Mary Kay before receiving this box.  I went to a party a long time ago where we learned make up techniques and learned about Mary Kay.  I am not one to buy products through catalogs or parties.  I always go to a store, test the product and purchase.  Or maybe I am too lazy to go to the parties because I feel like they will make me buy something.  (Though I am really wanting to buy Younique 3D Fiber Lashes mascara from an online party, but that is another story for another post).
But after receiving the Mary Kay box, I was excited to try the products out.  Here is what I received:

Apricot creme eye shadow, eye shadow brush, mascara, liquid eyeliner and liner brush, blush, bronzer, finish powder and brush   I also used these products from my own collection to have the finished result as there was no concealer, foundation, primer or eye brow pencil.

Mac foundation, Mac brush for foundation, eye brow pencil, Urban Decay eye shadow primer, Benefit concealer   Now get ready for awful selfies.  I never take selfies and this is probably why.

  Notice all my red blotchiness?    Using both Mary Kay and my own make up products Product Breakdown Apricot creme eye shadow and brush: After using Urban Decay primer, I added the eye shadow which applied smoothly, light and stayed on all day without any creases.  The brush gave the eye shadow a smooth well covered area.  I like both of them, but if you apply the apricot shadow too heavily, it appears too orange.
Liquid eyeliner and brush:  The brush is what stood out to me.  I love how compact it was and small the tip was.  It made putting on eyeliner easy.  As for the eyeliner, I am still trying to decide.  It went on really dark (I used a q-tip to soften it up) and I was afraid it would crease later in the day.
Mascara:  I am in love with the mascara.  It makes my lashes longer, fuller and darker.  I love the little brush.  It makes it so much easier to get in the inner crease area of the eye without getting mascara on your skin.

Mary Kay mascara brush Blush:  The pink color applies nicely and isn't too dark.  It didn't show very well over my foundation, but it added the bit of color I needed.  I never wear blush and always opt for bronzer, but I have been using the blush daily to try to change things up.  The pink color pairs nicely with my skin tone.
Bronzer and brush:  I love the bronzer.  But I love most bronzers.  It doesn't give you a orange color and paired nicely with my foundation.  I used the large brush to apply both the blush and bronzer and love this new brush.  The bristles are soft, allows for great coverage and seems high quality.  It lasted all day without reapplying.
Finishing powder:  I was skeptical of the powder and keeping your face oil free, but so far I have really liked it.  I put it on after my entire make-up routine and have found that I don't need to reapply it after work like I do with other finishing powders/sprays.  I was worried the white color would lighten my skin, but it go on colorlessly (if that is a word) and helps control the oil and look of 12 hour make up.
Lipstick/lip gloss:  Not pictured.  I forgot to add the lipstick/lip gloss as I put it on the day I received this and it made my lips look orange.  I did not like it.  I wish it was more of a pink tone than orange.
Overall, this is a nice VoxBox and I have been using some of the products daily in the mix with my everyday make up.  I would recommend the mascara, finishing powder, brushes, bronzer and blush.
Here is a final product.  Also a little shout out to Whitney as I am wearing this month's blogger shirt.  It is so soft and comfy.

Would I consider purchasing May Kay products?  Maybe.  Probably if I didn't have to go through someone or a party to get the products.
And that wraps up my Mary Kay VoxBox Glam Box.  What are your experiences with Mary Kay?