thriftyy-ladyy
Reviews
FoodSaver Cordless Handheld Food Vacuum Sealer
I've been wanting to try out a vacuum sealer for years now since I make and freeze a lot of homemade meals, but it just seemed wasteful to buy yet another large kitchen appliance. I was so happy to learn that the FoodSaver, which is the leading food... +
I've been wanting to try out a vacuum sealer for years now since I make and freeze a lot of homemade meals, but it just seemed wasteful to buy yet another large kitchen appliance. I was so happy to learn that the FoodSaver, which is the leading food vacuum sealer on the market, now comes in a small cordless size! I was so impressed with this little thing! It's so powerful and effectively sucks all of the oxygen out of the bag, which is the main culprit of freezer burn and mold. This method keeps food fresh for 5 times longer than just storing in ziplock bags or regular containers.
I like how this style of vacuum sealer is meant to be used with special FoodSaver zipper bags and food containers. I never liked the traditional vacuum sealers that come with those large rolls of vacuum seal bags that get sealed by the vacuum sealer itself. I feel like I never cut the bags to the right size and then they'd go to waste. The other downside of the old sealers is that those bags couldn't be reused, while these can!
- Product received for free from FoodSaver in exchange for an honest review.
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PADERNO Alberton Mirror Finish Stainless Steel Flatware Set, 60-pc
Out with the old and in with the new! I just got the PADERNO Alberton Mirror Finish Stainless Steel Flatware Set and I don't think I was truly ready for how much this would elevate my kitchen game. I really like to buy second hand so I always... +
Out with the old and in with the new! I just got the PADERNO Alberton Mirror Finish Stainless Steel Flatware Set and I don't think I was truly ready for how much this would elevate my kitchen game. I really like to buy second hand so I always thought that my mismatched vintage cutlery set was cute, but when I put it beside this brand new set of cutlery, I very quickly tossed my old cutlery into my donation bin! This cutlery set is minimal, sleek, luxurious, and gives "I've got it together" vibes. The design and weight of each piece of cutlery in this set is perfection. Cutlery design is such a personal preference but I really feel like this is such a timeless set that most people would enjoy using it.
This cutlery is very polished and high-shine, is made with corrosion-resistant 13/0 to 18/10 stainless steel, and is dishwasher safe. It includes 12 of each: dinner forks, dinner knives, dinner spoons, salad forks, and teaspoons. The teaspoon is a bit bigger than all of my old style teaspoons but after trying it out, it was an easy adjustment. Overall, I'm completely obsessed with this set and I'm very curious how the mirror-like finish will hold up! Based on how high-quality this set is, I'm assuming they'll look good as new for some time to come!
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TYLENOL® Daytime Relief
As someone who has always suffered from tight neck and shoulder muscles, tension headaches, and the occasional migraine, Tylenol Daytime Relief has been my go-to pain relief medication for many years now. As hard as I try to alleviate my muscle... +
As someone who has always suffered from tight neck and shoulder muscles, tension headaches, and the occasional migraine, Tylenol Daytime Relief has been my go-to pain relief medication for many years now. As hard as I try to alleviate my muscle tension and pain naturally with stretching, working out, and natural supplements, the fact of the matter is that I sit at a computer 9-10h a day for work, and that takes a huge toll on my body in terms of bad pasture and being more sedentary than I'd like to be. Tylenol provides relief without making me feel groggy or unable to concentrate, which is crucial for getting through a busy workday and being able to workout after work without pain. The tablets are easy to swallow, and the relief seemed to kick in fairly quickly, which is always a plus when you're not feeling your best. The one downside for me is that one pill contains 65 mg of caffeine, which I find to be a bit much, given that one cup of coffee contains about 40 mg, so I can only take about 1-2 of these a day, which is all I really need anyways. -
L'Occitane Almond Shower Cream
I've always been drawn to L'Occitane skincare products for their luxurious packaging that looks like something straight out of a French boutique. I was excited to try the L'Occitane Almond Shower Cream because almond is one of my favourite scents. I... +
I've always been drawn to L'Occitane skincare products for their luxurious packaging that looks like something straight out of a French boutique. I was excited to try the L'Occitane Almond Shower Cream because almond is one of my favourite scents. I liked the smell of this cream, which was warm, sweet, and nutty with a hint of vanilla, however, it didn't blow me away. It didn't have that elevated sophisticated scent I'd expect from a product at this price point. The scent also dissipates from your skin after 10 minutes or so.
The texture is creamy, thick, and a little bit chunky. It has a minimal lather and definitely feels more like a silky cream that you put all over your body then wash off. I will say that this shower cream is extremely moisturizing and leaves your skin feeling super hydrated and soft. The ingredient list contains shea butter, glycerin, and several oils, including: almond, vegetable, olive, and sunflower, all of which are very conditioning.
- Product received for free from L'Occitane Canada in exchange for an honest review.
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Listerine® Total Care Zero Alcohol Free Mouthwash
I received this Listerine Total Care Zero Alcohol-Free Mouthwash for free for my honest review. Fortunately, this is a product I already buy and use daily. Ever since I learned that mouthwash does not need to have alcohol to be effective, I made the... +
I received this Listerine Total Care Zero Alcohol-Free Mouthwash for free for my honest review. Fortunately, this is a product I already buy and use daily. Ever since I learned that mouthwash does not need to have alcohol to be effective, I made the switch immediately and trust me, it is SO much better. You don't get that burning sensation plus alcohol (specifically ethanol) can actually cause mouth dryness since alcohol is very drying.
I love this mouthwash because it promises six benefits in one solution: reducing plaque, protecting against cavities, strengthening teeth, preventing gum disease, freshening breath, and providing a cleaner mouth feeling. After several weeks of use, I noticed a significant improvement in breath freshness that lasted hours! I'm a huge fan of this mouthwash and will continue to use it every time I brush my teeth or when I just need to quickly freshen up my breath!
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Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
As a longtime user of Urban Decay products, especially their makeup palettes and shadow primer, I had high expectations for their All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray. All in all, I'd say that this product performed amazingly, I just had a... +
As a longtime user of Urban Decay products, especially their makeup palettes and shadow primer, I had high expectations for their All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray. All in all, I'd say that this product performed amazingly, I just had a few minor things I think could be improved.
First and foremost, this product claims to be waterproof. I put this setting spray to the test during a particularly humid day and my makeup remained flawless throughout. Whether you're dancing the night away or caught in unexpected weather, this spray locks in your look without budging. The application is really simple and the spray nozzle produces a nice fine mist that covers your face in a thin layer. Definitely don't forget to shake it first and don't spray too close to your face. It doesn't leave any sticky residue and dries down quite quickly. I think this is the purpose of the "alcohol denat." in the ingredient list, but I do wish this extremely drying ingredient wasn't in there as it's not great for dry skin. It also contains "fragrance", which isn't great for sensitive skin either. However, I do really like that the formula is vegan and free of parabens and sulfates.
- Product received for free from Urban Decay Canada in exchange for an honest review.
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YSL Candy Glow Tinted Butter Balm
The Candy Glow Tinted Butter Balm by YSL must be the juiciest, butteriest, creamiest, and luxurious lip balm I've ever tried in my life! This balm melts onto your lips the moment you apply it, adding a generous buildable layer of moisture and... +
The Candy Glow Tinted Butter Balm by YSL must be the juiciest, butteriest, creamiest, and luxurious lip balm I've ever tried in my life! This balm melts onto your lips the moment you apply it, adding a generous buildable layer of moisture and radiant glow that lasts so long! Since this product does apply so easily, you do have to be a bit careful with application because it can break/get nicked easily. My lips are so hydrated and plump after applying this, and each colour is so subtle and natural looking on the lips. The formula actually contains pH-Adjusting Pigments that react to the body’s natural chemistry, creating a unique shade for everybody that uses it!
Shade 1B "Pink Sunrise" is a clear sheer pink that was very subtle and didn't add much tint to my lips. Although I love how this balm feels on my lips, I don't think I'd pay this much money for a balm that doesn't really do much else other than hydrate and add shine to my lips.
The ingredient list is clean and free of parabens and sulfates SLS & SLES, and also contains incredibly hydrating ingredients like squalane, maracuja, jojoba and passion fruit oil, and shea butter. The packaging is also so sleek and elegant, which is to be expected from YSL. The gold metal tube has the iconic YSL logo embossed on the cap and it feels so luxurious in your hand and looks so beautiful on my makeup vanity.
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CANVAS Marlene 10-Light Gold Chandelier, Brushed Gold
I have found the chandelier of my DREAMS! I've been slowly giving my old 1880's house a facelift while maintaining as many original features as possible and complimenting them with new pieces that maintain the same aesthetic. I've been going for a... +
I have found the chandelier of my DREAMS! I've been slowly giving my old 1880's house a facelift while maintaining as many original features as possible and complimenting them with new pieces that maintain the same aesthetic. I've been going for a 60-70's mid-century modern vibe, and I've been on the hunt for a Sputnik inspired light fixture. Enter the CANVAS Marlene Brushed Gold Chandelier! I truly couldn't have dreamed up a better fixture for my living room. I was so impressed by the quality of the hardware and I think it's hard to replicate a vintage looking piece and make it look authentic, but this light hits every mark! I think it's also so cool that they made the light arms adjustable, so you can create two totally different looks!
I was able to install this light myself, even though I've just started learning how to do my own house upgrades, including using power tools, wiring my own fixtures, etc. The instructions were very easy to follow and the wiring is straight-forward. Like with any ceiling fixture, it'd be very hard to support the fixture while connecting the wires to the ceiling box/bracket at the same time, but I had the brilliant idea of taking an S-hook and hooking the fixture to the bracket to support the fixture while I did the wiring! The two screws that were provided to mount the fixture to the ceiling box didn't work for me though, so you may have to go out and buy longer/thicker ones. For the bulbs, I really wanted to find a clear bulb with a vintage filament, and I found the perfect ones at IKEA - the Lunnom LED 15W E12 bulbs. The NOMA G16.5 E12 Base Vanity bulbs would also be great (from Canadian Tire). I honestly can't say enough good things about this light. CANVAS is really blowing it out of the water with their light fixture options lately! I already have my eye on two other ones that I'm going to buy for two other rooms in my house!
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Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint
I just tried the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Shade 65 - Intense Berry and this is literally without a doubt my new favourite cheek tint/blush product. First off, can we talk about how pigmented this stuff is? All I need is the... +
I just tried the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Shade 65 - Intense Berry and this is literally without a doubt my new favourite cheek tint/blush product. First off, can we talk about how pigmented this stuff is? All I need is the tiniest dab on my cheek and I just blend it out with my finger tips. It's so creamy and blendable and it gives the most beautiful flush of colour to my cheeks. The formula is incredibly light-weight and silky, so it just melts into your skin and looks so unbelievably natural, thanks to the Micro–fil™ technology. This cheek tint comes in 6 different shades, all of which are vastly different! They range from bubblegum pink, to coral, to a bright red, to the deepest plum/berry shade, which is the one I have.
I'd say the finish is dewy and it mimics a natural flush better than any other cheek tint/blush product I've ever tried. The longevity of this product also blew me away. I live in Ontario, which has a veryyyy hot and humid climate in the summer, and this stuff helf up for the entire day without a single touch-up! I am truly obsessed.
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NOMA Baxter 4-Blade 6-Speed Ceiling Fan with Integrated LED Light Kit & Remote, Matte White, 48-in
I recently got the NOMA Baxter 4-Blade 6-Speed Ceiling Fan for my living room and I love how seamlessly this modern simple fan integrates with my old century home ceilings. My review is broken down in the sections below. DESIGN: This matte white... +
I recently got the NOMA Baxter 4-Blade 6-Speed Ceiling Fan for my living room and I love how seamlessly this modern simple fan integrates with my old century home ceilings. My review is broken down in the sections below.
DESIGN: This matte white fan is sleek and contemporary, and works really well in various interior styles, from minimalist modern to historic homes with old-fashioned finishes. There are four blades in two different colour options - one side is white, while the other is a light grey/brown wood-like finish, which I think is a very unique and practical feature of this fan. The fan light also provides you with options - it's dimmable and can emit both cool or warm lighting. I also love that this fan comes with a remote, which makes operation so convenient!
PERFORMANCE: One of the key performance highlights of this fan is that it has a powerful DC motor and yet it is so quiet! All the fans that I've ever had in the past only have a couple of settings, but this one has six, giving you so much control over the airflow! This is key for me at night when I'm trying to sleep. The fan's motor also allows for both summer cooling and winter heat distribution, promoting energy efficiency, with its reversible motor.
INSTALLATION: I only have basic home DIY skills, but I have installed light fixtures before, so I figured this couldn't be that much harder. I was a bit confused/uncertain by the instructions, so I watched a few Youtube videos on fan installation and that helped immensely. I was able to install this myself since the mounting bracket holds pretty much entire the weight of the fan, making it easy to do the wiring and rest of the install. Some of the fan parts had screws in them that you had to first take out, and I found that a couple weren't properly fitted to the holes, resulting in me accidentally stripping a few screws that wouldn't come out easily. Otherwise, install was a breeze!
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