MomLife VoxBox from Influenster

I received my first VoxBox from Influenster in March and to say I was excited is an understatement.  I love not knowing what to expect!  My box was a MomLife box so I knew it was going to contain some fun products for me to sample.

#MomLifeVoxBox

Six new products and brands that I have never tried before!!  Eek!!  Here are my reviews of ALL my goodies. ❤️

Eva NYC 10-in-1 Primer & Hair Mask

I have been battling a very serious illness since November 2017 and my hair care has fallen by the wayside. It has become a tangled, frizzy mess that I can't seem to tame no matter what I do or what products I try. When I saw the Eva NYC 10-in-1 Primer and Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask I was beyond excited and used both products the day after my VoxBox arrived.  

I used the Hair Mask in the shower in the place of my regular conditioner, left it on for a few minutes, and rinsed it out. It felt silky in my hands and the smell is incredible! I sprayed the Primer on my hair as soon as I got out of the shower and it made the perfect detaingler, making it so much easier to comb out my hair than it normally is. I also noticed that I wasn't losing as much hair as I normally do (I've had a lot of hair loss due to the medications that I'm on). While blowdrying my hair I could instantly tell that my hair wasn't as unruly as it has been and I could already see the shine. Exciting!!

Once I styled my hair like I normally do my hair didn't have that usual frizzy look to it. It had a beautiful shine, felt healthier, and I instantly felt more confident. One of my sons and my sister commented that my hair looked great so I call that I win. I LOVE this product and will be adding this to my daily hair care routine.

Jacuzzi Lavender Epsom Salt

Epsom salts are a staple in my house. There are so many wonderful uses but what I mainly use mine for is to soak in the tub after a tough workout or to soak my feet when I am in pampering mode. I normally purchase the unscented bag but I have always been curious about the scented salts so I was excited to try the Jacuzzi Lavender salts.  

The lavender scent is pretty strong but it didn't bother me. I actually found it quite relaxing and the salts were like other Epsom salts that I've tried. It dissolved quickly, left my skin feeling soft, and after soaking I felt so relaxed! Having sensitive skin I was nervous about having a reaction but I had no reaction whatsoever and loved that the lavender scent lingers for awhile after your soak. I can definitely see me purchasing this in the future.

Success Boil-in-Bag Tri-Color Quinoa

I love quinoa and was so excited to see the Success Boil-in-Bag Tai-Color Quinoa in my box and was curious to see if boiling in a bag was easier than how I normally cook quinoa. After testing it out I can honestly say it is! I made mine as my lunch with some sautéed spinach and a dash of Eden Organic Tamari Soy Sauce and it was perfection!! 

I could see this being perfect for meal prep or a quick meal or side since it's super easy to make and clean up after you cook it. My only issue was getting the quinoa out of the bag after I cooked it but it was my fault for not letting the bag cool for a few minutes before handling it.

The flavor is a tad nutty and almost flavorless; a light dish that has a lot of versatility. This is my first time trying the Success brand but I am very pleased and plan on having this as a staple in my pantry.

Twining's Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea

I'm not a big fan of ginger and lemon can, at times, be off-putting to me so I was apprehensive to try Twining's Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea. The packaging itself is calming and beautiful and when you first open the tea packet the aroma is captivating.  

When I finally brewed myself a cup and took a sip I was stunned. The flavor combination is not overpowering at all but has a wonderful lightness. Neither the lemon or the ginger are too overpowering like what I had feared and is the perfect balance. This is a very calming tea and perfect for those days that you're wanting a drink that will help you unwind or if you're having tummy troubles since ginger is wonderful for those types of days. Just add a little bit of honey if you want some extra sweetness and you are good to go!

Vera Wang Embrace: Marigold & Gardenia

I have always been a Vera Wang and love her fragrance line.  For awhile Princess was my favorite scent but I think it's been replaced with Embrace.

Embrace Marigold and Gardenia is a light, floral scent that is perfect for warmer seasons. The aroma is not sickly sweet or overpowering but this also means that it does not seem to have the same staying power as some other perfumes do but I'm ok with that. I would rather have to reapply than to have an odor that is too strong or off-putting to others. I've been complimented on this perfume the several times I've worn it and I fell so in love with it that I'm asking for a bottle for my upcoming birthday.



If you've stuck it out with me this long I thank you. Each of these products were a joy to review and I hope that Influenster will choose me in the future to do more VoxBox reviews.

*I received these products in exchange for honest, unbiased reviews. All opinions are my own.

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Flying at Night

Autism is something that has affected my life since my youngest son was diagnosed as high-functioning autistic when he was five years old.  I always knew my son was different but it became abundantly apparent when he was in kindergarten.  He was lucky enough to have his teacher and myself as advocates and was able to get tested and the help he needed quickly but not everyone is as lucky. 

Flying at Night is the debut novel from Rebecca L. Brown about a middle-aged woman that is pulled in all directions, wearing the many hats that women often wear.  Piper was raised in an emotionally and abusive environment at the hands of her father, Lance, and continues to be haunted by its effect years later, their relationship incredibly strained, as well as the effect trickling down to her other relationships, including the one she has with her mostly absent husband. 

In one day Piper's world is turned upside down when her father suffers a major heart attack that leaves him with a severe brain injury and her nine-year-old son Fred is diagnosed with autism.  Her mother, who has weathered her husband's abuse for years, is done and leaves her life and her husband, leaving Piper to be his primary caretaker.  Flying at Night is told from the perspectives of Piper, Lance, and Fred as they adjust to this new normal and each deal with their own personal journeys.

I found myself on a rollercoaster of emotions with this novel.  I would go from incredibly angry to completely heartbroken and everything in between.  Reading about Piper's reaction to Fred's diagnosis was different from my own but by the end of the book I could totally relate to what she was going through in that respect as well as the strain that changes can have on a family and the strength it takes to be your child's advocate. 

I also loved reading from Fred's autistic perspective.  Autistic children have such a different viewpoint and it was neat being able to get inside Fred's mind like that.  My only complaint in the book was the language that was used.  There were times that I could see it warranted but many times it felt forced and unnecessary which was off-putting to me. 

I finished this book with sadness but also with closure which appreciated.  Flying at Night is well written, with the exception with the language in several of the parts, and wonderful for a debut novel.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley Publishing and First to Read in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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Hidden Women

With the release of Hidden Figures in 2016 many have realized the importance that mathematicians, or "human computers" as they were otherwise known, were in the Space Race in the 1950's and 1960's.  There were exceptional women who worked behind the scenes.  They were the Hidden Women.

Hidden Women is the incredible story of four women African-American mathematicians who were momentous in the NASA program and the space race.  They worked behind the scenes, fought to overcome sexism as well as racial strife, and overcame it all, becoming instrumental in the NASA program.

As I read this book I was awe-struck by the strength that each woman incapsulated.  To go through what they went through and do what they did is so inspiring!  They helped put a man on the moon as well as broke barriers not only for their race but also their gender.  After reading this book I wonder how different the journey to the moon would've been without these incredible women.

Hidden Women is well written, fast paced, and incredibly informative.  It is geared towards an 8-12 year old audience but I believe older audiences would also enjoy it.  Highly recommend!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Capstone and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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The Weaver's Daughter

What do you do when the small town that you love is divided down the middle and that division makes its way into your home?  What if you were that sister that loves her brother but is also fiercely loyal to her father?  This is the situation Kate Dearborne finds herself in.  She is The Weaver's Daughter.

It is 1812 in Amberdale, England and there are two prominent families with successful textile businesses that keep the little town afloat, the Dearborne's and the Stockton's.  There has been bad blood between the families for as long as anyone can remember but now the division is spreading to others in their small-knit community.  It is the weavers against the millers.  The Dearborne mill wants textile production to continue the way it always has but the Stockton mill wants to be progressive and use a new type of machine that will increase production substantially but will also take away jobs away from men in the community.  To add to the drama, the Dearborne estate and the Stockton estate are right next to each other.

Kate is a Dearborne who feels suffocated and unheard by her stubborn, weaver father.  She is not content to be like all the other women in their community, staying home and sewing, being a wife and mother but that's exactly what her father wants her to be and he refuses to allow her to be anything else.  Wanting to please her father Kate fights the restlessness she feels inside and tries her best to be obedient.  The only thing that she refuses to yield to is not having a relationship with her brother.  He is one of her only friends.

Henry is a Stockton, a miller who had been agreeable to the direction of the mill, and his life, until he went off to war for three years and comes home a changed man.  The Stockton's are a prominent family and act as such and though Henry previously enjoyed those spoils it now all seems frivolous and pointless.  It is the things that money cannot buy that now matter.

The Weaver's Daughter is multi-faceted which makes this Regency unlike many others in the genre.  Yes, there is a love that grows throughout the story but you also feel the angst and strife this feud has on the community and includes characters that you yourself fall in love with and stubborn characters that you feel yourself growing frustrated with.

The author has a wonderful writing style that draws the reader in with wonderful character depth and vivid imagery.  Highly recommend!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are all my own.

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Courage for the Unknown Season

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven" 

-Ecclesiastes 3:1

I have always considered my life to be like chapters in a book, or seasons if you will.  Right now my season is shifting as my boys are becoming teenagers (my oldest turned thirteen a few weeks ago) and I am beginning to prepare myself for a life of an empty nester. 

The unknown is always hard but we can always learn from those that have gone before us, which is the motivation behind Courage for the Unknown Season by Jan Silvious.

Each chapter is filled with stories either from the author herself or close friends who have went through whatever season that chapter focuses on which I found very personable and relatable.  I do feel like this book is written for those that are a little older than myself, so there was quite a bit that I skimmed over, but there is still a lot of wisdom to be gleamed from this book at this stage of my life.  I personally liked the chapters on fighting fear, not forgetting to laugh, and asking yourself, "Why not?"  These are helpful reminders no matter what your age is.

Jan Silvious has a wonderful writing style that makes you feel like you're listening to your friend tell stories and the entire book has a wonderful flow to it.  I highly recommend this book for those that are a little later on in their lives: those that have grown children and are managing aging parents.  I plan on holding onto this book and reading it when I'm a bit older.  I have a feeling it will speak to me more than it does now.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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The Room on Rue Amélie

As I sit down to write my review of this incredible story the words escape me.  I finished The Room on Rue Amélie a few days ago and it has haunted me ever since.  How do I put into words the emotions that this book awakened in me?

Ruby Henderson Benoit fell in love.  It was a simple glance at a man in a coffee shop in Manhattan that would forever change the trajectory of her life.  She forgets all about the path that she was on and follows her husband back to his home in Paris.  It's July 1939.  Her parents warned her about going, with rumors swirling of Paris being on the brink of war, but nothing would stop her.  Ruby wanted a life with the man she loved. 

At first everything was like a dream.  Her husband's career as an art dealer for his dads company put them in the most elite social circles and they were "soaking up life."  Even if there was to be a war there is no way it would ever reach Paris.  Less than two months later France, and their British allies, are at war with Germany.  Immediately the climate of the entire city changes as well as Ruby's relationship with her husband.  He is cold and distant, disappearing for days at a time without an explanation.  As the country begins to crumble so does her marriage.

Being alone in a city where she knows no one Ruby is lonely and heartbroken.  She begins an unlikely friendship with one of her neighbors, a ten-year-old Jewish girl named Charlotte Henderson.  As the war intensifies so does the incredible bond between Ruby and Charlotte.

It is revealed to Ruby that her husband has been apart of an escape line in France, which helps aid allied RAF pilots that have been shot down.  The escape line helps bring the pilots back to allied territory so that they can continue the fight against the Nazis.  Ruby feels its her duty to also aid in the escape line and to do everything she can to fight the war herself.  Thomas Clarke, as well as many of the RAF pilots that Ruby helps, feel the exact same way.  Through the escape line many find more than just a means to fight against this cruel war.  They find friendship, love, and even forgiveness in the most unlikely place: the middle of a war.

The Room on Rue Amélie is incredibly well written with characters that you root for from the beginning and a plot that keeps you guessing.  You can feel the anxiety and pressure that these characters were under, being so close to the enemy, and fighting the resistance, knowing that they themselves were putting their own lives on the line for the cause. 

There were moments where I had to stop reading, close my eyes, and will the tears away.  No matter how many times I read about World War II and the Holocaust I am always rendered speechless, my heart aching.  To imagine the horrors that were endured by so many is unfathomable.  It's evil personified and the author does an incredible job of being sensitive to the subject. 

This book is loosely based on the true story of Virginia d'Albert-Lake, an American woman who followed her love to Paris and found herself working for the anti-Nazi French Resistance during World War II by means of the Comet escape line.  There are many parallels between Virginia and Ruby but the author took great care to give Ruby her own story, one that is painful yet beautiful.

This is a love story yes but not in all the ways you would imagine.  It's a gripping read that is hard to put down and one that I highly recommend.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gallery Book and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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The Minimalist Kitchen

In our fast paced world we all want things to be simple.  It seems like we are rushing from one thing to the next and the thought of going home and cooking a healthy, delicious meal has turned into a dream rather than reality.  We live in one of the most well-fed counties and yet the majority of us are malnourished due to poor eating habits.  Simply put, we are killing ourselves, and it's high time that we put a stop to this epidemic, one kitchen at a time.

In The Minimalist Kitchen, Melissa Coleman takes us back to our cooking roots.  She takes cooking to an artistic level while keeping things simple.

The book starts with a note from the author defining what minimalism is and what it means to have a minimalistic kitchen.  Ms. Coleman then tells more about her background and how she herself became a minimalist.  She also includes helpful charts like a seasonal produce guide and metric equivalents, which is great for beginner cooks like myself.

Though the cover is quite simplistic, the inside of the book is chock full of incredibly gorgeous photos, with pictures of the author and her family sprinkled throughout, really giving it a homey feel.  What really charmed me about this book is the little stories that the author has at the beginning of each of her recipes.  It gives the instructions a more personable feel and you can tell that each recipe written was written with great thought and love.

There are a lot of wonderful tips through the book as well as many recipes that I myself have never tried or even heard of before, like the Roasted Chickepea Bánh Mì Salad, but most of the recipes are familiar recipes that all of us have either eaten or made, like Peach Cobbler, but the author puts her own unique spin each and every one, and shows you the minimalistic way to make them.  The recipes are also very easy to follow and the author does give variations to many of her recipes so you can feel comfortable substituting if you wish.

One common thread throughout The Minimalist Kitchen is the author's use of "high-quality mayonnaise."  You will see this ingredient used in a lot of her recipes.  She does mention that this is one of her staples, and does give a good explanation why, I just thought it was worth mentioning.

My only compliant is that I wish the author would've taken more care with people who have nut allergies.  I myself have a almond allergy and there are quite a few dessert recipes that I can't eat and am not sure if I can substitute the almonds for another nut or omit altogether.  This most likely isn't the authors fault and more mine for not being a more seasoned chef and knowing these type of things.

I really enjoyed The Minimalist Kitchen cookbook and can see me putting quite a few of the recipes into my monthly meal rotation.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Time Inc. Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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