Art Break! - Paper Quilling

I have got into the art of paper quilling!
Here are some of my pieces, a part 2 may follow :)
I use an embroidery needle, strips of coloured paper and craft glue for this, so it would be pretty easy for anyone to try.

A wolf:

A flower/heart arrangement:

A fish: 

Same Product, Different Scent - Head & Shoulders - Sanfte Pflege (Gentle Care) - Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

This is a anti-dandruff shampoo which, like all of the Head & Shoulders line, works reliably to prevent dandruff.
The only thing that is disappointing is the lavender scent it is meant to have is so faint, you may not even recognise it as lavender scented.
Otherwise, it works great.

Tee Gschwendner - Grüner Rooitea Limone-Ingwer (Green Rooibos Lime Ginger)

Even just in the packet, this smells amazing, like lemonade.

When brewed, this light coloured tea tastes like a ginger ale/ lemonade mix!

I didn't think I would like it just based on the name, but it is delicious!

As a green Rooibos tea it is naturally caffeine free.

Price: 3/5 ($9.06 for 100g)
Rating: 5/5

Fa - Active Pearls - frischer Rosen-Duft (Fresh Rose fragrance) - Antiperspirant Deodorant

This is a nice, reliable antiperspirant.
The scent I would describe as soap-rose.

I don't know what the 'active pearls' refers to, it isn't lumpy or anything.

Price: 5/5 ($2.16 for 50mL)
Scent: 4/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Burt's Bees - Baby - Nourishing Lotion

This is a really nice, rich lotion with a lovely scent (like baby powder meets dark honey).
It is made of 98.9% natural ingredients and unlike so many of Burt's Bees other products, this doesn't have a problem with the formula separating.
It is non-irritating and I really like this lotion.

Price: 1/5 ($11.93 for 170mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Art Break! - Engagement Card for S and J

This will be a quick one since I don't have progress pictures (sorry).

I used a purple background (a favourite colour of the couple). 
The flowers were varied as I wanted it to look like a botanical garden. I drew them with pencil then coloured them with water colour paint.
The two foxes (our couple) are also pencil and water colour.
I did two gold rings with acrylic paint and the gems on the engagement ring (in the style of her engagement ring) are arranged on silver foil paper.

Prokudent - Zahnseide (Dental Floss) - Black Sensitive

This is a dental floss with activated charcoal, which gives it it's cool black colour. It has a mint flavour.

The packaging is cool, you twist it to open and close it.

It is a thick floss (width-wise), which makes it great for removing anything between the teeth.
Price: 3/5 ($1.57 for 25m)
Effectiveness: 5/5

Принцесса Нури (Princess Noori) - Tea - бергамот (bergamot)

This is a flavoured black tea from Russia, the one I tried was bergamot (Earl Grey) but they have many flavours to choose from.

I really liked this. The black tea wasn't bitter and the bergamot flavour was strong (just the way I like it).

Often with flavoured teas the flavour is more of a scent, this tea doesn't have that problem.

I cannot speak for all of the flavours they offer, but if they are anything like the bergamot one, they will be fantastic.

Price: 5/5 ($1.33 AUD for 25 teabags)

Rating: 5/5

Burt's Bees Baby - Daily Cream to Powder

This is a diaper cream that is meant to have a powdery finish.
And it does dry down to a powder, which is cool.

It has a soapy scent which is quite strong, so if you don't like they way it smells, you are in for a bad time. I personally like the scent though.
The product also boasts to be 99% natural, which includes a natural fragrance.
It also has no phthalates, parabens, mineral oil or SLS.

I really wanted to like this product, but it separates almost immediately.
You go to squeeze some out of the tube and just the oil part comes out.
If you have a baby, this product is just annoying and is going straight in the bin!

It's a nice idea, but it needs to be reformulated.

Price: 1/5 ($12.24 for 113g)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 0/5

Hair Removal Sponge

This is a double sided sponge.
The pink side is like a very fine sand paper to break the hair.
The blue is a 'polishing' side (read: useless)

You are meant to rub it in a circular fashion on moist skin (but not taking the sponge into the shower with you).

And... Nothing! (as expected)

Save your pennies.

Price: 5/5 ($1.24 for one)
Effectiveness: 0/5

Facelle - Slipeinlagen (Panty liners) - normal

These panty liners have no scent, which is nice.

It doesn't cost much for a box of 50, so they are great value for money!

They aren't the most robust, they do tend to break up a bit by the end of the day, but not to the point to being unusable.
Not my favourite design, but they work in a pinch.

Price: 5/5 ($1.87 for 50 liners)
Effectiveness: 4/5

Isana - Anti-Transpirant - Grüne Frische

This is an antiperspirant with no alcohol. 
The scent is called 'Grüne Frische' (Green Freshness) and it has a fresh, green, cucumber scent that isn't overpowering.

It works well and I have to say, I really like it.

Price: 5/5 ($0.86 for 50mL)
Scent: 4/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Podcast Review - BFN (Big Fat Negative)

This is a podcast about going through infertility, hosted by two friends.
They interview specialists from different areas such as mild IVF, acupuncture, and overseas clinics.
They also have a doctor they ask about a different 'old wives tale' each week.

When listening to them, it's like hanging out with some good friends while also being very insightful.

It is a wonderful podcast if you want company on your own TTC journey!

Category: Infertility/TTC
Rating: 5/5

Alnatura - Rooibos Vanille Tee

This is an organic rooibos tea flavoured with ground vanilla pods from organic farming.

The scent is initially very strong, but once brewed, the tea has a lovely mellow vanilla taste.

I could drink this every day easily!

Price: 3/5 ($5.16 for 20 bags)
Rating: 5/5

Schwarzkopf - Drei Wetter Taft (Three Weather Taft) - (Ultimativ Styling Gel) Ultimate Styling Gel

This is a strong hold hair gel.

The scent is a marine scent, perhaps a little too strong for my liking.

As with some hair gels, this can leave the hair 'crunchy', so keep that in mind when using it.

Price: 5/5 ($2.80 for 150mL)
Scent: 2/5
Effectiveness: 3/5

MooGoo - Strawberry Tinted Lip Balm

This is a tinted lip balm with no camphor, paraffins, parabens, or phenoxyethanol.
It has all natural ingredients.

It has a subtle, red tint from beetroot and a wonderful strawberry scent.

A swatch so you can see how tinted it is.

I really like this lip balm!


Price: 4/5 ($5.50 for 5g)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Nivea Men - Body Shaving Stick

This is a stick of shaving balm that you apply directly to your skin.

The scent is generic "men's" scent, marine notes.

When applied directly on the skin in the shower, it creates a lubricating soapy film which works really well with a razor.
You don't get 'razor burn' and it is non-irritating.

This would be absolutely perfect for travel!

Price: 3/5 ($9.99 for 75mL)
Scent: 2.5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Isana - Lippenpflege (Lip Care) - Berry Love

This is a lip balm with the smallest bit of shimmer, vitamin e, red currant seed oil, a faint purple tint, and blackberry and raspberry fragrance
This smells so lovely!

This is a really nice lip balm, especially if you want a no-makeup/little touch of colour look.

Price: ($1.41 for 4.8g)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Facelle - intim - Intimwaschlotion (Intimate Wash Lotion) - Sensitive

This is a wash (soap) for your vaginal area.
It has avocado extract, chamomile extract, lactic acid, and a pH of 4.2

The scent is a mild, clean, soapy smell.

A little goes a long way, so you don't need much.
It cleans really well.

Price: 5/5 ($2.89 for 300mL)
Scent: 2.5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Isana - Himbeere & Jasmin (Raspberry & Jasmine) - Rasierschaum (Shaving cream)

This is a shaving foam with aloe vera.
The scent is really nice, more raspberry than jasmine which I am very happy with.

The foam itself is soft and gives a really close shave.

Price: 5/5 ($1.44 for 150mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Alterra - Naturkosmetik - Repair-Shampoo - Bio-Kakao & Bio-Baobab

I couldn't pass up an opportunity to try a shampoo with chocolate (cacao) in it!
It has organic cacao, baobab, and jojoba in it.

You can smell the cacao (a cacao butter scent), which is awesome!
It lathers and cleans really well.
Price: 4/5 ($3.23 for 200mL)
Scent: 4.5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

XXX Review - Durex - Naturals - Lubricant

This is a water lubricant with all natural ingredients.
It contains no silicon products. 
It contains prebiotics, to support natural flora, and is a moisturising formula.

As a lubricant, it acts like any other water-based lubricant, except a bit less viscous.
In use, it is very pleasant.

Price: 2.5/5 ($16.23 for 100mL)
Scent: 2.5/5 (no real scent)
Effectiveness: 5/5

Dove - Original - Anti-Perspirant - Roll On

This is another package calling itself an 'Anti-Transpirant'. Is it a European thing? Can I put it on a plant? Only time will tell I guess.

This deodorant makes the Dove claim to be 1/4 moisturising cream. 
It didn't really make a noticeable difference to me, and I think it was more valuable to your skin that it doesn't contain alcohol.

I don't think I agree with it's claim that it lasts for 48 hours, but it was effective for 24 hours and worked well.

It smells very soapy and clean and it isn't too strong, scent-wise.

Price: 5/5 ($2.58 for 50mL)
Scent: 4.5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Alterra - Körperöl Bio-Pfingstrose & Bio-Mandel (Body Oil Organic Peony & Organic Almond) - Harmonie & Entspannung (Harmony & Relaxation)

This is a vegan, natural body oil with peony and almond.

It absorbs really well and smells very nice, the almond and floral notes of peony almost combine to smell a little like pomegranate. 

The price was very reasonable, especially for a natural cosmetic.

Price: 5/5 ($6.52 for 100mL)
Scent: 4/5 (I would have preferred more floral and less almond)
Effectiveness: 5/5

Bio-Kult - Advanced Multi-strain Formula - Probiotic

This is a nice, easy to take probiotic.
It contains 14 different live bacterial strains, is gluten-free and vegetarian.
I really liked how small they were and how many came in a box.

Price: 2/5 ($59.81 for 120)
Rating: 5/5

XXX Review - Sweet Cherry Liebeskugeln (Love Balls)

I have been interested in love balls and pelvic floor training for a while, but honestly none of the designs really appealed to me previously.
I don't like the love balls that are attached by a fabric string, it just seemed like a breeding ground for bacteria.

I like these because they are super cute, aren't obvious what they are by looking at them, and they are all silicone (so easy to clean).

The instructions said to use them twice a day for 15 minutes (working up to a longer time period as you feel comfortable) when walking or doing pelvic floor exercises. 
One exercise is like doing a slow version of the pelvic trust (without having your knees bent in).

It is meant to help with increasing sensitivity, pelvic floor strength, and even to help with incontinence (a problem some women face after having children).

After using it daily for a week (and I will admit, after the first few days I only used it once a day) I have experienced an increase in internal (vagina) sensation during sex. 
It does take a little longer to orgasm via clitoral stimulation, but once it is achieved, it involved more internal movement.

I feel like I shouldn't have to say this, but don't put these in your butt. Get anal beads if you want something like this for your butt.

I would happily recommend these!

Price: 3/5 ($32.09 for a set)
Rating: 5/5

Schwarzkopf - 3 Wetter Taft Pump- Haarspray Classic Extra Stark

This is a hair spray that comes as a pump spray.

The pump instead of an aerosol keeps it from spreading too far in the air and stinking up the house. It is also better for the environment.

It holds really well and does not disappoint.

Price: 4/5 ($4.64 for 150mL)
Scent: 2.5 (normal hairspray stink)
Effectiveness: 5/5

Dusch Das - Golden Cashmere - Deodorant

The packaging calls it 'Anti-Transpirant' ... I think they mean 'Anti-Perspirant', plants transpire.

This is meant to work for 48 hours, it certainly works for 24 hours.

The scent is synthetic musk and white jellybeans... not as nice as I was hoping for.

While it works, I doubt I'll get this scent again.

Price: 5/5 ($2.10 for 50mL)
Scent: 3/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Teekanne (Tea Pot) - Spanische Orange (Spanish Orange)

Finally a tea I picked! XP

This is a fruit tea with apples, hibiscus, sweet blackberry leaves, orange flavor, white hibiscus, orange juice concentrate, licorice, and peach flavor.

It is a nice, refreshing fruit tea with a nice orange and peach flavour.

Price: 5/5 ($3.24 for 20 tea bags)
Rating: 4/5

Same Product, Different Scent - Lavera - Frische-Kick (Fresh Kick) - Duschgel (Shower Gel)

This body wash has organic lime and verveine extracts.

It is vegan, organic, all natural fragrance, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and mineral oil-free.

It is a clear gel which cleans well, not much of a lather though, but that's ok.

The scent is very green, too much verveine and not enough lime for my liking, but still nice.
I would probably not get it again, just because I know there is an orange scent and I love citrus.

It is a bit expensive, but a little goes a long way and it is a good quality product.

Price: 4/5 ($6.26 for 200mL)
Scent: 4/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Blütezeit Naturkosmetik (Flowering time Natural Cosmetics) - Pflegende Körpermilch (Nourishing Body Milk) - Bio-Malvenblüten Extrakt (Organic Mallow Flower Extract)

This is an organic, vegan, natural body milk with organic shea butter and organic mallow flower extract.

It is meant for intensive care for dry skin.

The scent isn't what I would call floral, it reminds me of a 'coconut' flavoured antibiotic liquid I had to take once as a child. 
I regret getting this scent. :/

It spreads well and absorbs quickly. The formulation is nice, not too runny or too thick.

I will happily buy this again, just in a different scent.
Price: 5/5 ($4.69 for 250mL)
Scent: 0/5 (reminds me of a bad time)
Effectiveness: 5/5

Salus - Schwangerschafts Tee

Another free tea that someone didn't want!

This tea is all organic and has yarrow, lady's mantle, nettle leaves, birch leaves, lemon grass, peppermint leaves, lavender flowers, and lemon myrtle leaves. 

The taste is very mild and herbal, it is a real blend with no one flavour being the main note.

It is very easy to drink, but not for those who prefer strong tea.

Price: 2.5/5 ($5.41 for 15 teabags)
Rating: 4/5

Rossmann - For your Beauty - Wellness Duschnetzball (Shower netball)

I like to use these or a bath sponge so I'm not putting soap directly onto my skin.

I love the colour so much.

It works as expected, really well. I love the lather I get with it!
It isn't scratchy either :)


Price: 5/5 ($1.23 for one)
Effectiveness: 5/5

Alterra Naturkosmetik - Kajal Eyeliner - 01 Black

This is a vegan, natural eyeliner pencil.
It is also suitable for people who use contact lenses.

It is quite soft, which I don't hate.

The colour payoff is really nice!

Eye liner on the outer half of the top lid and with mascara on the top lashes.

Price: 5/5 ($2.80 for one pencil)
Effectiveness: 5/5