BlingGuard BlingWraps & BlingDots - pics, review

Hello, Beautiful!

Have you ever gotten frustrated because your rings kept slipping off or turning around? Or how about your earrings pulling down? Want an easy way to fix that? Try BlingGuard! They offer BlingWraps (invisible ring guards) and BlingDots (earring supports and stabilizers). I even have a giveaway where you can win both these products - check back later for that! Read my full review and all the info on these products after the photos.

BlingGuard BlingWraps

BlingGuard BlingDots

BlingGuard BlingWraps & BlingDots Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $14.99 (for 30 disposable ring guards, or for 45 disposable pairs - that's 90 individual dots - for your earrings). Available on the BlingGuard website and on the HSN website.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

BlingWraps:
Whether he's put a ring on it or you've treated yourself to a gorgeous gift, keep your stunning stones on top, and stop them from turning, twisting or slipping off your finger with these easy-to-use, disposable ring size adjusters.

The hypoallergenic, latex-free band adds 1+ ring sizes to your finger and forms an invisible "padlock" to hold rings in place.

One BlingGuard BlingWraps container comes with 30 disposable bands.


BlingDots:
Easy to apply, these discreet and disposable backs relieve the weight and pressure of your earrings, lifting them up on the ear lobe and positioning them perfectly!

BlingDots also work with clip-on earrings and your favorite pins, brooches and badges.

One BlingGuard BlingDots container comes with 45 pairs (90 individual dots).


Review on both:
I personally have problems with rings turning around - not all my rings, but some of them do it and I avoid wearing them because they're just annoying. I used the BlingWraps and it held them in place. Now it may not work with every single style ring you have - for example, you may still see the BlingWraps under it if the ring band is thinner than the BlingWraps band - but it's still clear so unless you're really looking you're not going to notice it. It's not an every-day solution either; but a use-on-special occasions solution (at least, for me).

I don't have pierced ears, and don't wear clip-on's, so I wasn't able to personally test drive the BlingDots but pretty much everyone I know so I divided up the pack to a few friends and had them test drive the BlingDots - they ALL came back with rave reviews saying how it helps relieve the weight when they wear heavy or larger earrings and it helps them stay in place and not droop down.

Overall, I think these are excellent products to aid in how your jewelry wears on special nights out. I'd recommend giving these a try if you've ever run into any of the issues BlingGuard can solve!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of these products? Have you tried them or are they are your wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

Stars and Stripes Love Heart Charm Necklace - pics, review

Hello, Beautiful!

Stars and Stripes is a military inspired jewelry line. They combine the strong aesthetic of military design and feminine touches with precious metals and diamonds. Initially created to honor our military heroes, their jewelry line has expanded to have special meaning for every individual. I was sent their Love Heart Charm Necklace, which is in silver (although also available in gold) and has a genuine diamond. It's a cute dog tag style necklace, without being a huge regular-sized dog tag. This is the feminine, dainty version of a dog tag. It's small and cute, and I've gotten compliments on it - surprisingly mostly from those who have a loved one in the military. What's best yet is a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the charity Our Military Kids.

Check out my pics, info, and review... click on pics to view them larger.

Stars and Stripes
Love Heart Charm Necklace

Stars and Stripes Love Heart Charm Necklace Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $149.00. Available on the Stars and Stripes website [http://www.starsandstripes.us] 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses

This mini dog tag style necklace, with heart charm, is small and dainty - a feminine version of a regular sized dog tag.

Silver plated with a genuine diamond (2mm diamond --- it is small, just fair warning), on an 18" chain. The pendant measures approximately 1.1 cm x 1.5 cm (which is just a little under half an inch, but a little over half an inch). It's comparable to the size of a dime.

I'm all about love; I have two Be Love tattoo's on my body so I was instantly drawn to this necklace. The heart charm is cute and the message, Love, is something everyone can relate to. I've worn this necklace several times and have gotten many compliments on it, asking where they can find one because they have a loved one in the military, or lost a loved on in the military - and even those that have no connection to the military but just find it to be a cute necklace.

There are other designs; as I mentioned at the start of this post this necklace also comes in gold. There are a four different messages: Love, Courage, Inspire, Hope  - and then there are 5 different charms: heart, anchor, wing, star, ribbon. They have them combined in a few different ways, so check out the different options they have. Each has a genuine diamond in the dog tag. I don't know how much the carat weight is, but it is a very small diamond so if you're looking for big bling-bling this isn't it. If you want something more understated and sweet, then this is perfect.

The price is a bit steep, I will admit that it won't be in everyone's budget at $149, but keep in mind a portion of the proceeds is donated to the charity Our Military Kids. For some reason anytime a portion of sales is donated to charity it makes buying something more okay to me, lol. On the Stars and Stripes website it doesn't say how much is donated, but considering this line is all about the military I would assume they do a good part for that charity. You can read up more on the charity Our Military Kids on the Stars and Stripes website; click the 'We Care' tab at the top, or visit the Our Military Kids website.

Overall, I do think this is a really cute necklace. I love that it's a feminine version of a dog tag, and that it has a positive message. For sure this would make a great gift!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this necklace? Would you wear this or give this as a gift? Which necklace from their website is your favorite? Discuss in the comments below.

MASSI Coraggio Heart Necklace in Fuchsia - pics, review (Plus: Win your own!)

Hello, Beautiful!

I recently reviewed the MASSI makeup bag, which I've been using in my purse on a daily basis (it fits everything and holds up really well). In this post I'll share with you another product from MASSI, their Coraggio Heart Necklace - which I have in the color Fuchsia. This dainty and sweet drusy heart necklace makes a perfect Valentine's Day gift to someone special in your life or to yourself. I get compliments on this necklace every time I wear it.

MASSI is having another giveaway on their Facebook page; enter for your chance to win your own Coraggio Heart Necklace in your choice of color (8 colors to choose from). The giveaway ends February 5, 2013 so hurry and enter for your chance to win 1 of 5! CLICK HERE to enter.

Check out my pics, info, and review... click on pics to view them larger.

MASSI Coraggio Heart Necklace
Shade: Fuchsia

MASSI Coraggio Heart Necklace Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $95.00 (per necklace). Available on the MASSI website in 8 color choices.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses

Swing into the soiree in this sweetheart pendant necklace. This elegant treasure shimmers and features a vivid druzy stone. Multi-faceted quartz crystals top an embossed medallion, adding a sweet touch of sophistication.

16" chain and 18K gold composition.

I love all jewelry that is heart shaped (my last name is Valentine so I've always had an obsession with hearts). I also happen to love druzy jewelry too, so this necklace was a perfect match for me. I love the pink color (fuchsia), and the gold goes well with my warm skintone.

I do have to say the heart pendant is smaller than I thought, as there is no size listed on the website so it's hard to tell (which is why I photographed the pendant next to a penny). However, I ended up liking its dainty size. I know druzy jewelry (good druzy) isn't cheap so I think the price is reasonable for what it is - although still understandable that it may be a high price point for some.

Available in 8 color choices. I chose the fuchsia, but I think I would equally love any of them. I am also really drawn to the color Polar - which looks heavenly and sweet.

Overall, a great necklace that I really enjoy wearing and would recommend!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this necklace? What color heart pendant would you choose? Discuss in the comments below.

Make Your Own Body Scrub!

Hello, Beautiful!

I just wanted to post this quick and easy body scrub tutorial. This is really so simple you'll wonder why you've never tried this before.


What You'll Need:

1. Olive Oil
2. Sugar
3. Bowl
4. Spoon
5. Measuring Cups (just the half-cup)


How It's Done:

1. Pour 1 cup of sugar into a bowl. [I use the 1/2 cup measuring cup for this whole recipe so I don't need to wash more later]

2. Pour 1/2 cup of olive oil onto the sugar.

3. Stir until a scrub is formed and you're done!


Yes, it's that easy!


My Tips:

• I use regular granulated sugar - no name brands, just generic (whatever is cheapest or whatever I have in my kitchen).
• I use extra virgin olive oil, although probably any olive oil will work just fine.
• I did run into a little issues... it tends to separate rather quickly and you need to stir frequently to get it back to its scrub-like texture. I added a little more sugar and it helped a lot.
• I also had extra scrub left over, so you could probably half this recipe and still get good use out of it.
• I wouldn't recommend saving any left-overs only because it will likely separate.

The Verdict:

This scrub works amazingly! It feels a little gross at first, because when water meets oil it tends to do that greasy texture thing. But if you can get past that you'll be headed for great results!

It scrubs your skin perfectly. Not too soft and not too harsh. The olive oil does a great job at conditioning your skin. In fact, I didn't need to apply lotion after my shower and my skin stayed smooth all day (it also looked healthier).

The smell isn't wonderful, but it's not awful either. It smells like olive oil (of course).

After you use this scrub and rinse it off you'll want to use a body wash afterwards to get that oil-meets-water greasy feeling off your body.


So there you have it, a quick and super easy scrub you can make at home!

Bonus Tip: If you have darker elbows/knees cut a lemon or grapefruit in half and rub it into those spots for a few seconds. This will help a little, although it won't make an amazing change the first time you try it.

Also, be sure to check our website early next week (week of July 12). I'm super busy at the moment photographing new products for the website. We got in an amazing shipment of items including beautiful jewelry, cute hair accessories, and great L'Oreal, Maybelline and Sally Hansen cosmetics!



xoxo with love & beauty,

Crystal Valentine B.
- The woman who runs ValentineKisses.com