Product Reviews

  • 12 Days of Wellness Giveaway and Giveback (Value $200)

    FYI: The 12 Days of Wellness & Giveback is sponsored by Mommy R+R in partnership with Emma Loewe & Lindsay Kellner, Ami Wellness, and Moorea Seal. I was provided complimentary products for the purpose of this giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are always my own.

    It’s the most hectic time of the year which means it’s holiday time. The season isn’t even in full-swing yet and I’m ready tired and worn out. So I know if I’m feeling like this then you must be too. Which is why I thought this would be a great time to host a wellness giveaway. I haven’t hosted one in a long time so I came out swinging to close 2019 with the ’12 Days of Wellness Giveaway & Giveback’ which is valued at $200!

    The ’12 Days of Wellness’ giveaway with it’s carefully selected wellness-themed products is designed to help you get through the holiday season and beyond. In addition, to the giveaway, I’m also hosting a giveback. The giveback is a mirrored prize for a mom in need within the Mommy R+R community. The recipient of this prize who has already been chosen is going through a really difficult time right now and she really needs your prayers and positive energies. I added this layer onto the giveaway because I wanted her and all the women who follow me to know that I’m always thinking about them and their mental and physical well-being is important to me. I will share the name of this special recipient on Dec 4th when the giveaway winner is chosen.

    What are the prizes in the 12 Days of Wellness Giveaway & Giveback?

    12 days of Wellness mommyrandr

    The prizes for the giveaway and giveback are the exact same. These wellness-based products can be used separately for a few moments of relaxation or in combination for an extended rejuvenating experience. One lucky randomly selected winner and the special pre-chosen giveback recipient will receive:

    The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide To Ancient Self-Care by Emma Loewe & Lindsay Kellner

    This book right here – let me tell you, Emma and Lindsay of MindBodyGreen put both of their feet in this book. They beautifully and simply break down rituals that will nourish and empower you through the seasons of life. As soon as you open The Spirit Almanac you will learn about astrology, crystals, essential oils, and meditation. And don’t worry if you don’t know that much about it cause guess what? I don’t either and I still found it easy to follow along.

    My favorite part of the book are the rituals. I’m going to warn you right now get really to be pulled out of your comfort zone cause that’s what’s gonna happen. I’m actually looking forward to the New Year ritual in which I create my own calendar with will center around my astrology sign and instead on hardened new year resolutions, I’ll focus on who I am in the moment and where I want to be going forward. This book is deep and requires your time and attention which is why I thought it would be a perfect addition to this giveaway.

    MindBodyGreen.com

    Ami Wellness Calm Tincture

    Calm Tincture herbal remedy is all about relaxin you from the inside out. Simply put 3 drops of their vegan, all-natural, gluten-free supplement in your drink 3x a day and its ingredients will give you the peace and serenity you deserve. I’ve been adding it to my teas for the past week and I can really tell the difference and because it’s tasteless and odorless I couldn’t even tell it was there. While I may have some stress (I have 2 kids under 10) I’ve noticed I’m not as physically edgy or tension which is great cause I can accomplish more without the strain and drain of stress.

    What’s in the Calm Tincture supplement?
    Fresh California poppy: Helps with sleep and relaxation
    Fresh oat seeds: Eases stress and anxiety
    Fresh pulsatilla: Eases tension, nerve pain, and restlessness
    Rose flowers: Eases stress and anxiety
    Fresh lemon balm: Eases anxiety
    Fresh scullcap: Eases anxiety and tension
    Organic maple syrup: All natural organic sweetener
    Organic peppermint essential oil: Relieves mental fatigue

    AmiWellness.com

    52 Lists For Calm by Moorea Seal

    You might recognize this 52 Lists Calm by Moorea Seal from a previous feature as I recently shared my thoughts on her newest list journal. This weekly creative journal makes you slow down and reflect on people, places, and things that are important in your life through prompts. Now while the journal says ‘lists’ that doesn’t mean you have to use this journal in that way. You can get creative and do a collage, use washi and other stickers or even sketch the choice is yours. The ultimate goal of this journal is right in the title – to make YOU calm.

    MooreaSeal.com

    Calm Club Yoga Deck

    The soothingly scented (yes, scented) Calm club Yoga Deck has one goal – to introduce you to the world of yoga and take you from novice to enthusiast in 52 weeks. The cards show you positions and instruct you on how to position yourself. Now as you move along through the deck you’ll notice each week they will get harder and harder. But you won’t notice this as the transitions are smooth. What makes this deck so great is you can set aside some time in your day to fine-tune that week’s pose. do a stretch. At the end of the month put those 4 cards together and now you’ve created a yoga routine just for you. 

    Earth Therapeutics Anti-Stress Sinus Pillow

    When I’m stressed out and have a headache my lavender-scented weight eye mask comes to the rescue. I place it over my eyes and allow the scents to relax and comfort me. Now, this particular weighted eye mask from Earth Therapeutics is unscented and that’s because not 1. not everyone likes lavender and 2. there is a removable pouch so you’ll be able to make your own in whatever scent and weight you like. The best thing about this mask is you can use it hot or cold. And, unlike some others, this one has an adjustable head strap so it won’t fall off if you doze off.

    Pearlessence Argan + Vitamin E Nourishing Facial Oil

    Anytime someone asks me about my skin and it’s glow I direct them to Pearlessence. I really need you to experience product so I got the Argan + VITAMIN E Nourishing Facial Oil. Winter is coming and the cold air will crack your skin up so you want to make sure you keep it oiled and supple. Now if you’re not familiar with facial oil I need you to know this is not and heavily oily product. All you need are a few drops for complete coverage and you’ll be good to go. I even used it in the summer and I face was still able to breathe. What’s in it? Soybean oil, Aragan oil, Vitamin E, and fragrance – which is light. That’s it.

    The Republic Of Tea Get Relaxed

    Get Relaxed is a caffeine-free, herbal blend that’s pretty much composure in a cup. It has calming aromas of lavender and rose petals. Ahhhh. This brew has a blissful blend of health-promoting organic rooibos laced with nerve-soothing chamomile and passionflower, along with stress-reducing eleuthero root that helps you chill out, unbend and unwind. So you should just probably add it to your bedtime routine cause you’re going to be knocked out.

    La Jolie Muse Candle in Blue Louts Scent

    Scents play a huge part in dictating the mood of your home and this La Jolie Muse candle in Blue Louts is going to help you relax. I can only describe this candle as heavy and light as it has a base of musk and amber but also has bergamot, lemon, and hyacinth for top notes. Now you probably already have a ton of candles but you need this one. Its gonna transform you and your home.

    Azure Rose Gold Face Mask

    This luxury hydrating treatment has a Rose Hip oil that’s going to minimize any skin damage you have. So that breakout you got from your last cycle, say goodbye to those little scars. It’s also going to minimize wrinkles and improve your skin tone – yes and yes! This mask is meant to firm your skin and give it a healthy glow. I’m wearing it right now as I type this and it’s heaven on my face. You’re going to get two masks so you can put your best face forward for the holiday season.

    TheraWell Moisturizing Gel Socks

    If you’re prone to dry feet then treat your tootsies to these moisturizing gel socks. There is a gel lining on the inside of the sock that is infused with essential oils that are going to leave your feet feeling sooo soft – and believe me, you’re going to need to survive all your holiday preparations. You’ll be putting your best feet forward into the new year as you’ll be able to get 40 wears out of these socks.

    Shea Moisture Bath Soak in Coconut & Hibiscus

    I know your bathroom may not feel like the spa BUT this Shea Moisture bath soak is gonna get you close to it. Run a warm or hot bath add the bath soak, and allow the fragrance transport you. The soak is infused with organic coconut oil, shea butter, and botanical extracts. Your body hasn’t felt anything like this and is deserving of this experience.

    Beditations by Latham Thomas

    Let me just say off the bat I love me some Latham. Her voice puts me out as it’s so soothing and comforting. That said, her nighttime audio Beditations is a perfect bedtime wind down. Snuggle up and listen as Latham shares things you can do that lead you to improve your sleep. The better rest you get the more you will be able to function come sunrise. This audiobook is gonna have you feeling well-rested and ready to tackle the day.

    How do I enter?

    Easy. Complete the entry form below. The more you complete the more points you earn the better your chances are for winning.

    The 12 Days of Wellness Giveaway will run from Wednesday, Nov 20 through Wednesday, December 4th and is for U.S. residents only. Try your luck and YOU could spend the holiday season recharging yourself just in time for the new year. Thanks for entering!

     

  • Women+Patterns+Plants Is Your New Favorite Self-Care Coloring Book

    self-care coloring book women+patterns+plants mommyrandr

    I was in my local bookstore not too long ago just browsing, as I usually do. No title or author in mind. Just me in the store walking slowly letting my eyes scan around for covers to jump out at me. This is how I shop for books sometimes. Nothing special grabbed me from the stacks so I wandered over to the planner section, the last section I always visit before I exit the store – and I saw it.

    I could only see a small corner of it. It was the color of a beautiful sunset. I knew this was a newly added item cause I know that section like the back of my hand. Let me tell you when I pulled this book out from it’s hiding spot, my gawd. I was standing still but I stumbled. I was holding Women + Patterns + Plants a self-care coloring book by Sarina Mantle (@wildsuga).

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Artist Designer Sarina Mantle (@wildsuga) on

    This was the most gorgeous coloring book I’ve ever laid eyes on. I couldn’t believe this beautifully illustrated Black woman was staring back at me. I thought to myself, “this is too good to be true”. Books can be funny, you know. The cover can be one thing and the insides another. This was not one of those times. As I flipped through the pages I could tell this was a self-care coloring book made FOR US by us.

    About Women + Patterns + Plants self-care coloring book

    This book is simple, it’s a self-care coloring book made up of women, patterns, and plants. Sarina wants you to immerse yourself in divine feminine energy and wonderful natural imagery, as a way to rekindle your creativity as you work your way through empowering images. There are also question prompts and statements that allow for self-reflection as you color.

    self-care coloring book women+patterns+plants mommyrandr

    I’m telling y’all right now I didn’t color that. Only in my dreams would I be able to perfectly execute something like this. But I’ma try tho. I first gotta get me some high falutin color pencils cause these Crayola’s my kids got ain’t gonna cut it.

    self-care coloring book women+patterns+plants mommyrandr

    Believe me when I tell you I’ve never purchased anything so quickly. And you should too, cause quantities are limited. So get off social media (after you’ve read this post and bought the book) and take a few moments for yourself to color in some happy little plants.

    BUY $10.13
    Do you enjoy adult coloring? What do you think of Women + Pattterns + Plants? Is this a self-care coloring book you would consider buying for yourself or a friend?
  • I Don’t Know Where Pearlessence Came from but I’m Obsessed with It

    pearlessence valerie pierre mommyrandr

    One day I stopped in Marshalls (which I never do cause my store has shit and always looks like a tornado hit it) to check out if they had any hair/beauty products. Since my store is such a hit or miss I never have high expectations of finding anything useful. But then there are those rare times when they surprise me and I strike gold. What I didn’t know was, on this day I would find way more than what I bargained for, and it would become a beauty obsession

    On a shelf at the end of the aisle, a chic little glass bottle with a clean minimal label caught my eye. It was Pearlessence Rose Water facial mist. I didn’t know anything about the brand nor the product. Cause, I mean, what is rose water? And why should I mist this shit on my face? A quick in-store Google search let me know that rose water will help control excess oil in my face, soothes acne prone skin, and hydrates dry skin. And at $7.99 I couldn’t pass it up giving it a try since I suffered from all of those things. I also copped some Argan + Vitamin E facial oil for $6.99 cause why not.

    So I started using the facial mist immediately and I can say it was refreshing as shit. My skin felt perked up and the fragrance was rosy and not overpowering. I then topped it off by applying a little of the facial oil. Bruh, I felt the tide turn with how I take care of my face. I knew I could never go back to my shitty facial routine – which was nothing as I’ve never had one.

    One week later…I found Glow face masks, Radiance Serum, and Charcoal matting spray.

    pearlessence valerie pierre mommyrandr

    How did my skin react to Pearlessence?

    I started seeing a real change in my face. I found it to be no longer an oil slick, even with using Aragan oil. My face was evened out and I started to see blemishes disappearing. Another thing I noticed was I broke out less frequently. I mean, I still broke out around my cycle but there were no new pimples outside of when I would get PMS. Now I ain’t gonna say it’s all due to Pearlessence since around this time I cut out soda and juice from my diet. But I will say, everything is working together and the results have been amazing.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Mommy R+R (@mommyrandr) on

    Who makes Pearlessence & where did it come from?

    The answer to both is, I don’t fucking know. So if someone knows please do clue me in. But what I DO know is the only place you can find any of these products is Marshall’s or T.J.Maxx. And because they never know what stock they’re going to receive you have to check randomly. If you’re lucky you’ll find something new that wasn’t there before, like this Ready, Set, Glow! kit I scored.

    pearlessence valerie pierre mommyrandr

    I haven’t used it yet but cause I don’t really take pictures and I hardly wear makeup. But that may change and I would rather be excited knowing I have this rather than kicking myself for passing it up.

    It’s funny how one random visit to Marshalls where I didn’t expect to find anything worthwhile lead me to find my latest beauty obsession.

    Have you used Pearlessence? What do you think of it? Do you have a favorite?

  • Building My Empire with the 2019 Pipsticks + Workman Planner

    *This post contains Amazon affiliate links that provide this website a small commission of every link purchase made.

    pipsticks workman valerie pierre mommyrandr

    For the past month and a half, I’d been eyeing this 2019 Pipsticks + Workman planner in Barnes & Noble. Every time I go in there the display case whisper calls me, “Vaaaalerieeeee. Vaaaalerieeeee. Buy me, Valerie.”

    After thumbing through this planner every other day I was in the store I finally whispered back…

    So here I am with yet another planner. I gave up on my bullet planner months ago. Not cause I didn’t like doing it but cause all the work that I had to put into it. It was beginning to drain me and I don’t wanna feel drained while playing with washi.

    But now that I’ve got this bad boy in my possession I’m pretty hype about it. This is Pipsticks first line of planners. They teamed up with Workmans Publishing and I think they came out pretty damned cute. Out of the three covers I chose the typewriter, for obvious reasons. The other covers were oversized shades and roller skates.

    Out the gate, I liked how simple and fun the cover looked. I especially love the falling letters that are sprinkled in with the dotted background. Then it was the size. It wasn’t so big or heavy that I couldn’t carry this everywhere I went, and it wasn’t too small that I couldn’t really jot any info in it. It’s literally just right. I also liked that there was a lot of space to write. I write pretty big and sloppily so I need all the space I can get, especially in the daily layout.

    Let’s take a closer look at the Pipsticks planner

    pipsticks planner valerie pierre mommyrandrSize 10in x 8in (8.75in including the spirals).


    pipsticks planner valerie pierre mommyrandr

    This planner comes with two pockets. A clear ziplock that comes with cute hello card and stickers (not shown).

    6 seasonal pages of stickers. Plus VIP access to Pipsticks Printables Library (not shown).

    2019 and 2020 calendar spread.

    pipsticks planner valerie pierre mommyrandr

    Aug 2018 – 2020 holiday’s to celebrate.

    pipsticks planner valerie pierre mommyrandr

    4 pages of goal setting from Aug 2018 – Dec 2019.

    pipsticks planner valerie pierre mommyrandr

    Each month starts out wanting to know your current situation.

    Monthly spread with cute pop quizzes or activities for you to do.

    pipsticks planner valerie pierre mommyrandr

    Lots of space in the horizontal weekly breakdown.

    pipsticks planner valerie pierre mommyrandr

    The back of the planner has several sheets of patterned notepaper.

    pipsticks planner valerie pierre mommyrandr

    The second pocket comes in the form of a sleeve in the back with the two bands.

    Cute right? And check it, Pipsticks + Workman didn’t stop with planners. They have a whole collection of sticker and goal books. Now I haven’t gotten anything more than the planner but I did see the now sold out sticker books in the bookstore. From what I can remember I thought they were cute but I’m not a sticker person like that to really go crazy. I was just drawn to the planner. But I spend a lot of time in B&N so if there’s anything left over in the display and report back.

    Did you get a Pipsticks + Workman planner? What about the sticker and goal books? Share your thoughts in the comments.