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Puff Puff...I'll pass. Exuviance DePuffing Eye Serum Review

Who likes puffy eyes? I'm sure absolutely nobody raised their hand on that one. I suffer from acute insomnia so puffy, tired eyes are something I struggle with a lot. I also have seasonal allergies, so I have allergy puffiness to deal with on top of that.
I've tried different kinds of creams and serums that are supposed to clear up puffiness around the eyes, but I've honestly never really had anything work towards dealing with the underlying cause of the issue. The only results I've ever gotten were temporary, instant results from serums that contain caffeine. I do like those results because they are instantly visible, but they do wear off after a few hours.

When I was given the chance to try Exuviance DePuffing Eye Serum, I was pretty excited for the opportunity. I've already added an Exuviance moisturizer to my skin care routine and trying another one of their products was an attractive idea. The fact that the DePuffing Eye Serum is supposed to address the causes of eye puffiness by targeting microcirculation and strengthens the skin to reduce the pooling that leads to puffiness and bags. It also contains caffeine, cucumber, and chamomile so that you get those instant benefits on top of the long-term benefits. I was a bit of a bad girl and kept pushing back the due date for this review so that I could see some of the extended benefits in action.

The applicator is really nice on this product. I like roller ball applicators for eye serums because they deposit the product smoothly and they don't pull at the delicate undereye area. I also like that they are cool to the touch so that they feel refreshing. This applicator has a triple micro-roller that massages and stimulates circulation while depositing the serum. I've never seen an applicator like this, and I really like it.

One thing that instantly caught my attention after the application is that this serum is not sticky at all. A lot of eye creams and serums are very tacky to the touch, which can be irritating. I got that great instant boost from the caffeine, so I could see right away that the short term benefits are there. The serum soaks in quickly and my eye area felt refreshed and no longer looked puffy and tired. I looked alert and sassy, ready to take on the day. Of course, like any caffeine-containing products, those short term effects are short lived. They wore off after a few hours, but it's the long-term effects that are the real fruit of this serum.

Exuviance DePuffing Eye Serum contains  Eyeliss™ and Actiflow® which target microcirculation and strengthen the fragile eye skin to reduce the pooling that causes puffiness and undereye bags. It also contains NeoGlucosamine® which helps to tone and firm the eyelid and undereye areas to reduce droopiness over time. Caffeine helps stimulate and invigorate the skin while chamomile, green tea, and cucumber refresh the eye area. The serum has been ophthalmologist tested, so you can be secure knowing that it isn't going to damage your eyes.
I've been using the serum twice daily, as per the instructions and I've already started noticing some of the extended benefits. The dark circles under my eyes have been reduced quite a bit and the area is quite a bit flatter than it was before. I have slightly hooded eyes, and I had never really realized how puffy the area right below my brow bone was until I had been using this for a few weeks and that puffiness subsided. The crease in my eyelid isn't nearly as deep looking now, and my eyes look less sunken. I really wasn't even aware of this before and was a bit surprised.

The only negative I've found is that the combo of the serum and my moisturizer didn't play too nicely with my primer and foundation. Everything kind of peeled off around my eye area. I just had to avoid using primer around my eyes and that solved the problem, so it was a very minor problem. This isn't the first time I've had a product not play nicely with primer, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

In all this is a really good eye serum. Exuviance is slowly taking over my skin care routine, and I'm not complaining about it one bit. I like products that work, and this one really works.

For more about Exuviance, check out my review of the Exuviance Age Less Everyday Moisturizer

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The Kitchen Staples You Should Make Instead Of Buying

The Kitchen Staples You Should Make Instead Of Buying!
I went grocery shopping yesterday and I guess I was having a nostalgic day because when I got the final bill I nearly cried. Even though I was trying to shop smart I still had to pay over $200!!! When I think about what $50 could buy when I was a kid (i.e. a lot) versus what $50 can buy today (i.e. very little) I can’t help but wonder how on earth anyone feeds their families these days.
I just got invited to my ten year high school reunion by the way, so I wasn’t a kid that long ago either! I don’t know when last you actually had a look at the price of each item on your final grocery bill but if you do, you’ll see that it is usually the ‘convenient’ foods that cost the most. In other words the things that your grandparents used to make at home, but that you buy premade or prepackaged because you’ve never done it any other way!
So here’s some things that you normally buy, but that are cheaper AND better when you make them at home! Still, you need to pay attention when you're buying the ingredients or necessary kitchenware so you take advantage of the best deals. If you use grocery coupons your meal is gonna be a lot cheaper than without them, and a Kohl's coupon from Discountrue can make a new pan all the more affordable! And now let's take a look at a couple of dishes you can prepare by yourself and enjoy more than ever:
Pizza
Now pizza is first on this list because it is the ultimate convenience food and there is pretty much NOTHING better than a pizza – ever. Whether you pick them up on the way home from work or you’re using the frozen variety you just can’t beat it because even picky eaters eat pizza! But you can make an entire pizza from scratch at home – no shop bought anything, whether frozen or not!
You can make your own pizza dough (the traditional kind or some other healthier variety) AND your own marinara sauce, then customize with whatever toppings make you happy (which you can pre-make and freeze too!). You can freeze the dough and the sauce on their own, or you can prepare your pizzas and freeze them ready to go straight in the oven.
The options are literally endless, although I would suggest investing in a pizza stone to get that perfect crispy pizza crust we all crave! And if you’re freezing the dough without prebaking, then remember that it is going to need to defrost for at least 12 hours in the fridge before you actually use it.
You can also use the homemade marinara sauce when you’re whipping up some spaghetti and meatballs, or for any dish that you would normally use a tomato sauce for!
French Fries
This is next on the list because again it is pretty much a staple food in every home. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like French fries in some shape or form. Now I always used to buy oven chips because I don’t own a chip fryer and using that much oil, even when I reuse it, just seems like a massive waste. But now I make my own!
All I do is slice the potatoes into chips, then boil them. You can do this on the stove, but 2 medium potatoes cook in about 7 minutes in the microwave (invention of the gods!) so I do it that way. Then I dry them off – and chill them if I have time (the chilling gives that perfect French fry crispiness). Now you could deep fry them if you like, or drizzle them with oil and pop them in the oven.
And you can freeze them once they’re boiled for even more convenience. Just make sure they are completely chilled, and that there is NO excess moisture before you freeze them or they can go soggy. And by the way, this technique works for any kind of potato that is usually fried or roasted – including sweet potato!
Nut Butters
Peanut butter is yet another household staple and also one of those things that you can make at home – even though it probably NEVER occurred to you! Someone, somewhere decided that plain old peanut butter is just too boring though so now you get cashew nut butter, almond butter, hazelnut butter and even sesame seed butter.
And pretty much all you need is your food processor, your nut of choice and salt (additional oil is sometimes necessary). You can even make your own version of that little slice of heaven in a jar or the chocolate nut spread (Nutella in case you didn’t realize!). Nut butters keep for up to a month in an airtight container in the fridge but don’t make huge quantities at once!
Pancakes or Waffles
Whether it is the middle of the week or a lazy Sunday morning (afternoon, evening!) there is nothing better than a pancake or a waffle. You won’t normally have pancakes for anything except breakfast, but waffles can be paired with a wide variety of savory options and used for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. Although no one ever said you can’t have pancakes at any time of the day!
I started out buying frozen waffles and frozen pancakes because, well I was lazy! Then I started buying pancake or waffle mix because I decided that fresh was better. But making my own premade mix at home is so easy a five year old could do it! And I also make and freeze some for those mornings or afternoons where convenience trumps freshness!
Meat or Vegetable Stock
Stock is one of those things that nobody can do without in their kitchen if they want their food to have any kind of depth of flavor and is the base of pretty much every hearty, family friendly meal! Whether you buy stock cubes, canned or boxed stocks all you’re really getting is a WHOLE lot of sodium (i.e. salt) and a vaguely stocky flavor!
And all you need to make your own stock is some bones, a few herbs and a couple of vegetables. As well as time and a stock pot! You can use the bones from your own leftovers or you can get the bones you need from your butcher. And once your stock is made, you can divide it into smaller containers and freeze until you need it!
Condiments
Now I know that you’re going to ask why you should make your own mayo, your own ketchup, your own salad dressing and your own pesto when it is SOOO much easier to just buy them. But the truth is that while store bought condiments are highly convenient, they have a load of ingredients that taste great together but aren’t any good for you!
Making ketchup requires a little time and might mean you need to invest in some spices you don’t have right now. But imagine the best ketchup you’ve ever had and multiply it by a thousand, then you’ll understand why it’s worth making yourself. The other condiments are infinitely easier to make so long as you have a food processor and some sharp knives!
There are a whole lot of other things that you normally buy from the store because they are convenient, but that you could actually be making at home. But the ones I’ve listed here are, in my opinion, the staples that no kitchen or pantry can do without and that you don’t need to be any kind of culinary professional to make!

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Summer Character Sleep Pants




Reviewz & Newzis excited to promote this giveaway.  You have so many chances to win!


Welcome to the Summer Character Sleep Pant Wardrobe Giveaway Event!

With the summer heat in full force, we thought you could use some cool new PJ pants! These character sleep capri pants from Richard Leeds International are made of soft, 100% cotton to help keep you cool all summer long, and are available in MickeyMinnieArielMinions, Dory, Eeyore, Hello Kitty, TMNTBatman, Wonder Woman, and more.

Holly from Southern Mom Loves reviewed these new sleep pants (available at Walmart.) You can see her full review here, and then enter to win a full summer sleep pants wardrobe below!


  • 1st Prize: 1 (One) winner will receive one of each sleep pant design for a total of 11 pairs of sleep pants!
  • 2nd Prize: 2 (Two) winners will each receive 5 pairs of sleep pants!
  • 3rd Prize: 5 (Five) winners will each receive 3 pairs of sleep pants!
  • 4th Prize: 16 (Sixteen) winners will each receive 1 pair of sleep pants!

      24 total winners will be sent fun Character Sleep Pants in randomly chosen designs from the styles shown above, in their Women's size as they state it in the Giveaway Tools widget below. (ARV $518!) Enter below, the odds are fantastic!

      Giveaway begins on 7/8/16 at 1:00 am CST and ends on 7/29/16 at 11:59 pm CST. Must be 18 years or older, open to residents of the US only. Once confirmed, the winners will be added to the Southern Mom Loves Winner's List.


      Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. All entries will be verified. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will be contacted by email; Please add southernmomloves@gmail.com to your whitelist. Richard Leeds International will be responsible for prize delivery to the winner. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest, or any other social media platform.

      Contact Holly at southernmomloves@gmail.com if you have any additional questions or comments, or would like Southern Mom Loves to organize your next giveaway.
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      4 Ingredient Cookies.

      Do you ever have a craving for cake, but you know you don't really need cake? I found this great recipe that uses a cake mix to make cookies that are light, moist, and perfectly cakey. At first I was a bit dubious, because the ingredients seemed ind of odd, but I gave it a try and I was not dissapointed. Each cookie tastes like a delicious little mini cake, and they perfectly fullfill that cake craving, but in smaller, more waistline friendly portions. (As long as you can resist eating more than a few at a go.)


      You can use pretty much any cake mix to make these cookies. They are quick and easy, and only require 4 ingredients. My kids love triple chocolate fudge, but my favorite is lemon.


       Ingredients:

      1 box cake mix, any flavour
      1 egg
      1 8oz. tub of whipped dessert topping, thawed
      1/2 cup powdered sugar

      Directions:

      In a medium sized bowl, beat egg and then add whipped topping until just combined. Do not over stir. Add cake mix and stir until combined. Dough will be sticky. Form dough into small balls and roll in powdered sugar to coat. Place dough balls on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.



      One of my favorite ways to finish off an evening is to pop one of these in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it through, then topping it with a small scoop of ice cream. If I use a chocolate cookie, I might add a drizzle of hot fudge. So yummy, and just the perfect amount of sweetness to end the day on a high note.


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      Tech Fun for Kids with Osmo from Best Buy

      The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.


      Osmo is gaming systems  that changes the way children interact with their Ipad, but implementing hands-on play!  This great GENIUS KIT set comes with five games: Words, Masterpiece, Tangram, Newton and Numbers.


      Set up is easy and you are ready to play.  I mean your children are ready to play! The games are so fun, I found myself mesmerized in the Tangrams.  You use the pieces to match the pieces on the screen.  This is so much fun.  My son enjoyed the Tangrams quite well.




































      Words was really great, too. You choose the missing letters until you get the picture clue correct.  I really like that the pictures are bright and vivid.  My son giggled every time he got one right.  And on some,he purposefully chose the wrong letter just to see if Osmo was right. My son is autistic and this was his way of testing Osmo. 

      With so many tech gadgets on the market, I think Osmo hit a home run with this set.  I love that my child can learn about numbers, addition and subtraction while he is out of school this summer. It reinforces what he has learned in the school and he has fun doing it, too!
      We briefly tried out the Masterpiece and Newton portions of the set, but my son kept wanting to play the others. Yes, autistic kids do that a lot.  From what I was able to see, it looked like so much fun.  We have so much more to explore with the Osmo!  Thank goodness for that, he will have some fun and new things to try! 

      Overall, we had lots of fun playing all the components of Osmo.  It is compatible with Apple iPad 2, 3, 4, all versions of iPad Mini and iPad Air, iPad Pro(9.7)  Set includes mirror,  ​sturdy base, ​game pieces, and ​5 game apps in the Apple App Store (free download).  You can check out the Osmo Genuis Kit  available at Best Buy for $99.99 



      What do you like best about Osmo? 

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