What Are Your Favorite Snacks?

My makeup room is decorated with a lot of nostalgia. One of those nostalgic items is this Little Debbie Snackopoly (Monopoly) board game ('90s). Just looking at the cute characters on the front of the box, puts a huge smile on my face. Snackopoly is also a fun game to play. As I looked at the game, it made me think about my favorite snacks.

My favorite snacks as a child, is different now that I am an adult. Is it that way with you? When I was a child, I chomped down on Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey Bars, Hostess Cupcakes and Twinkies, Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Wafer Bars, Powdered Mini Donuts, and Raisin Creme Pies. Thankfully my family prepared healthy and wholesome home-cooked meals and made sure I ate all snacks in moderation. Another thing that helped me, was an active lifestyle. In school we had physical education twice a week. My mom also enrolled me in ballet, creative dance and piano.

As an adult, my favorite snacks couldn't be more different. I snack on a lot of fruit and yogurt. I prepare and drink different kinds of smoothies. I eat cheese and crackers. I pop Orville Redenbacher popcorn. I love Nestle Raisinets. Every now and then, I'll have a Kit Kat, 100 Grand Bar, Whatchamacallit or some M&M's. I still love cake, cobbler, pie, and ice cream ... especially around the holidays. Its interesting how your taste changes over the years. Let me know what your favorite snacks are in my comments section. I'm interested in reading what you snack on.

MP Magic | Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towel Review

Disclosure: MP Magic sent me their Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towels for review. All opinions are 100% my own. 

PR Sample: Hey Everybody! PR for MP Magic reached out to me and asked if I would like to try their NEW MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towels. I said, most definitely! My two favorite rooms in my home are my bedroom and bathroom. I enjoy pampering myself. You may be asking yourself, who is MP Magic? I know I did! Let me give you a little background information. They started in 2017 through crowdfunding, with their first product MP Magic Socks. They have since branched out into bedding (MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheets) and bathing (MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Towels). Their MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towels are one of their newest products.

Not all waffle towels are made equally. What's been your experience with waffle towels? I've had some good ones and lots of bad ones. My main complaint with waffle towels is heaviness and stiffness. I'm happy to say that is NOT the case with MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towels. They are super soft (feel great) and extremely lightweight.

What are MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towels made of? They are made of 100% Egyptian Cotton. MP Magic uses Giza 86. What is Giza cotton, you may be asking? It's the best and most expensive cotton in the world. I challenge you to do a search. I did. It will tell you about the excellent quality of Giza cotton and its various grades. 

Are these towels durable? Yes. They are made extremely well and are of excellent quality. MP Magic uses the most advanced knitting technique compared to standard towel manufacturing processes. They show this technique in their crowdfunding campaign (linked above). With the combination of high quality fabric, high tech manufacturing, and knit design, MP Magic has made a winner of a towel. You want an excellent quality towel to have for years to come.

What about absorbency? The purpose of a towel is to absorb water. As you know, not all towels do this effectively. Have you ever looked for a 'dry spot' on a towel to dry yourself off? I have. HaHaHa You won't be looking for a 'dry spot' on these towels. They did an excellent job absorbing water and drying me off. Not only are they ultra-absorbent, but they are fast-drying and super-soft as well. It makes for a great combination!

Some other things to consider. Size. I love the size of this towel! I'm 6'0" and do you see how easily this towel wrapped around me? Do you see how easily it ties in the front? And may I add ... CUTE! None of my other towels do this! The MP Magic measures 59x31 inches (150cmx79cm) and weighs just 530 grams. These bath towels are certified with 100% Egyptian cotton by Oeko-Tex. That means they are completely free of harmful substances with quality assured. Because MP Magic uses a long staple cotton, there is no fraying, breaking or separating. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with MP Magic's Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towel. I know you will love them as well as I do.

Coffee And Dessert

When I dine out, I usually start with an appetizer, select an entree and then pick a dessert. I really enjoy the entire dining experience. Lately, I've added a new twist to my dining experience. I order coffee with dessert. Are you giggling? I started doing this a year ago. I don't know why. I've never been a coffee drinker. I rarely frequent or visit coffee shops. My mornings begin with a glass of water, cup of juice and if it's chilly outside, a cup of hot chocolate (with marshmallows please). But lately, I've been really enjoying pairing coffee with a delicious slice of cake, pie, brownie or cobbler etc. 

So all of this made me wonder, what is the etiquette for serving coffee and dessert? I did a quick online search and discovered some interesting things. Formally, dessert is served first, followed by coffee. The more casual approach is to serve coffee and dessert together. I also found out, coffee cuts the sweetness of the dessert (source). Another interesting fact is that coffee, which is a stimulant, aids in digestion (source). Hmm, maybe this will make me feel less guilty about what I ate. I thought these little tidbits were interesting. When you go out to eat, do you ever think about the details? I'll elaborate more about dining in a future blog post. I'm definitely paying more attention and asking myself why things are done the way they are. Feel free to share your dining experiences and preferences in my comments below.

Pictures: Coffee and Tres Leches Cakes || Fogo de Chao Dallas, Texas

Effective Techniques To Determine Your Hair Type

Knowing your hair type makes it much easier to choose the right products and keep your hair looking fantastic. That means you need to know how to decide your hair type, fortunately this is easier than you thought.

However, before you start, it is worth noting that quality products, such as the Kerastase range, are designed with natural ingredients and have different hair care products to suit every type of hair. It is preferable to spend a little more and look after your hair.

Image Source: Pixabay

There are several factors that dictate the type of hair you have:

Density

The density is the number of strands of hair you have on your head. The more you have per square cm the more dense your hair. It is important to note that this is not the same as thin or dense hair, this is just the amount of hair you have on your head. 

Thin

Look in the mirror or get someone to look at your hair from above. If it is easy to see your scalp you have thin or low density hair.

Medium

When you look at your hair if it is possible to see glimpses of your scalp you have medium density hair.

Thick

Unsurprisingly, if you can’t see your scalp at all then you have dense hair.

Thickness

This is what most people think about when you mention hair type. You can have thin, medium, or thick hair. It is possible to measure it with a laser pointer, but just feeling it should be enough.

Thin

Hold a strand of hair in your hand. If it is difficult to feel or is so thin that you can barely see it, you have thin hair.

Medium

Being able to feel the strand means you have medium hair.

Thick

Finally, if it feels like a lump in your hand, perhaps more like fishing line diameter, you have thick hair.

Level Of Porosity

The more porous your hair is the harder it will be for it to retain water. This means that you’ll suffer from dry hair which can be easily damaged.

Hair with high porosity is good at retaining water but more likely to look greasy.

To tell the porosity of your hair place one hair in a glass of water. If it sinks to the bottom you have high porosity. Should your hair float the porosity is low while medium porosity means it sinks slowly to roughly halfway down the glass.

Ability To Hold Grease

The grease level of your hair tells you how often you need to wash your hair. Greasy hair needs washing 4-5 times a week while dry hair is more likely to need washing 1-2 times with a hydrating product. Normal hair should be okay with 1-2 washes a week.

To check how greasy your hair is place a dry tissue on your hair for a few seconds. If there is a visible oil patch its greasy. No oil means dry while a trace of oil is normal hair.

When In Doubt…

Still not entirely sure about your hair type? Your best option may be to ask a professional hairdresser who can assess the nature of your hair. They will usually be able to recommend hairstyles, products and haircare tips based on this. Look for a hair salon near you and consider seeking some advice.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the type of hair you have will help you to choose the best products for your hair. However, regardless of hair type, it is always preferable to go with natural products.

When Is Your Half Birthday?

I was trying to decide, when I should start My Dreams, Wishes And Desires. I wanted its beginning to have meaning. What date should I start this blog? I started A Very Sweet Blog on New Year's Day back in 2012. So I thought and pondered. I remember receiving an email from a local radio station years ago. The email had a picture of a half-eaten frosted chocolate layer cake on it and the heading of the email exclaimed "Today Is Your Half Birthday". The email made me smile, because I had never heard of Half Birthdays (let alone celebrate one). I found the whole idea to be very interesting. Have you heard about Half Birthdays? Do you celebrate them? Simply put, Half Birthdays are the halfway mark (in a calendar year) to your actual birthday. I love the idea, because it gives me another reason to eat cake. I especially love birthday cake. Birthday cake with lots of frosting. I'm a frosting girl. So I looked at the calendar and said, I will start this blog August 20th, because it is my Half Birthday. It's interesting that I started A Very Sweet Blog in 2012 and My Dreams, Wishes And Desires in 2021. What an interesting play on numbers. Life is truly amazing. This makes both blogs really special to me. At the very bottom of this post is a picture of the chocolate cake the radio station emailed me. They sent it to me again this year. HaHaHa I went to a restaurant here in New Orleans called Landry's and they had the most delicious chocolate cake. It had layers of both dark and white chocolate. Just absolutely delightful. I took a picture of it and thought it would be perfect for this post. Prettier and more befitting. I think I'm going to start celebrating my Half Birthday. Nothing big. Nothing fancy. No gifts. Maybe do just a little something special to recognize my halfway point to the next year of my life. I think it would be fun. Is this something you would consider? Is it something you would do? When is your Half Birthday? Do you know? You don't? Well you must know! If you type 'Half Birthday Calculator' in search, a number of birthday calculators will show up. Input your real birthday and it will calculate your Half Birthday.

Wishful Thinking

Do you have dreams, wishes and desires? I think we all do. Every now and then, something is placed in our heart. Something in our mind. There's a desire for them to be fulfilled, yet sometimes they go unfulfilled. Even if unfulfilled, they are still there. They don't go away, unless they no longer serve a purpose for us anymore. Sometimes we fulfill our own dreams, wishes and desires. Sometimes they are fulfilled by others. It's interesting how things play out in life. My name is Kim, and I am the author of My Dreams, Wishes and Desires. I also author A Very Sweet Blog. I created this space on A Very Sweet Blog to capture my personal dreams, wishes and desires. I will be sharing my thoughts, feelings and life experiences with you. This sub-section of A Very Sweet Blog will be like a personal diary, but with no lock and no key. Its contents and information will be like an open book. As I go on this journey, I invite you to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. People will always have different opinions, but whether different or not we can all learn from one another. So welcome! Enjoy! Let's begin this journey.

wishful thinking - interpretation of facts, actions, words, etc., as one would like them to be rather than as they really are; imagining as actual what is not.

How Much Does A Party Bus Cost Per Hour?

Party buses are an excellent way to take the town by storm. From weddings and birthdays to hen parties and business outings, these vehicles will provide a truly unforgettable experience. Of course, there are several important factors which need to be taken into account before and during the reservation process. The type of transportation, the number of guests who can be accommodated and on-board amenities are some prime examples. Price is another real concern if you do not wish to exceed a specific budget. So, what can you expect to pay per hour? Let us take a look at some issues that will ultimately impact the price of a party bus.

 Image Source: Pexels

The Time of the Year

Party bus prices can be impacted by the time of the year. As these vehicles tend to be in higher demand during the spring and summer, their costs may be slightly higher.

The Type of Vehicle

As this article notes, some types of transportation may be more expensive than others. This often depends upon the size of the vehicle as well as how many occupants can be handled at any given time. So, those who are looking to save money could be wise to choose a smaller unit.

The Distance Being Travelled

Some party bus services charge by distance and time. This is similar to how a typical taxi meter functions. This may be ideal if you are only planning on a local excursion, as the associated rates will be lower. Be sure to ask the provider in question about how they calculate any ongoing fees during transit (if applicable).

The Number of Stops

Well-known firms such as the Bergenlimo NY party bus rental company have become famous for their knowledge of the best spots to visit. So, it only stands to reason that the number of stops may be taken into account when determining the price per hour. The duration of each stop could also play a factor in terms of cost.

On-Board Services

Some party buses are equipped with a plethora of creature comforts. Flat-screen televisions, minibars, leather seats, and wireless Internet are some common examples. Of course, vehicles which offer these and similar services will normally charge more per hour.

Putting it All Together

We have now taken a look at some of the most important factors that can determine the price of a party bus. Having said this, industry experts estimate that the price of an average party bus equates to between $100 and $170 dollars per hour. However, we should note that this is only a rough estimate. Costs can vary between different companies and locations. This is why it is a good idea to work with reputable transportation providers in order to enjoy a fully transparent experience.

Are you curious to learn more about party bus rates? Do you have a question in regards to what vehicles are available? If so, please take a moment to find out more.

Too Faced | Teddy Bare Collection Review And Swatches

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

Not Sponsored: If there's one thing about Too Faced Cosmetics, they always come out with the cutest packaging. It suckers me in all most of the time. Their Teddy Bare Collection, came out earlier this year for Spring/Summer 2021. I loved stuffed teddy bears as a child. I had an assortment of both sizes and colors. So, this collection appealed to my inner youth. The packaging displays the cutest brown bear with round eyes, heart-shaped nose and Too Faced logo on his round belly. And I love the color combination of the packaging ... brown and gold. To me, it looks chocolate-y! I'm always thinking about food. LOL The lip injection has the cutest teddy bears scattered on the wand. As usual with Too Faced, the packaging gets an A+. So what are my thoughts on the makeup itself? I purchased all three (3) items from the collection: Teddy Bare Bare It All Eye Shadow Palette (also here), Teddy Bare Bare It All Bronzer (also here) and Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumping Gloss in Bee Sting (also here). Below are my thoughts on each one. 

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  The Too Faced Teddy Bare Collection is Bittersweet

 

Too Faced | Teddy Bare Bare It All Eye Shadow Palette

The Too Faced Teddy Bare, Bare It All Eye Shadow Palette contains 14 shades of eye shadows. The names are really cute. Top Row: The Snuggle Is Real, Fur Real, Teddy Bear, Pot of Honey, Embareassed, Lace Teddy, Boop. Bottom Row: Bare It All, Mama Bear, Gild A Bare, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Press Paws, Stuffed, Sharing Is Caring. The shades are fairly neutral in scheme. You have an assortment of beiges, browns, golds, bronzes and such. As you can see below, all of the colors swatched really well on the back of my hand. There were no problems there. My only gripe were the metallic shades. They're very "chunky". When applying them to my eyes, there was a lot of fallout that I had to wipe away. For the look below, I used The Snuggle Is Real from lid to brow. I then used Teddy Bear from lid to crease. In my crease, I applied Mama Bear. I lined my eyes with Boop. I love using eye shadows as eye liner. I then pressed Fur Real on my eye lids and inner corner of my eyes. I used Sharing Is Caring (teddy bear face) as a BLUSH. Overall, I felt everything looked ok. I wasn't jumping up and down excited, like I was when I used my Natasha Denona Biba Eye Shadow Palette (which to me creates a softer neutral look). I love that palette! I haven't purchased Too Faced makeup in years (since 2019) and honestly, I think I'm growing out of the brand. That can happen! It's a FUN brand, but over the past several years I've bought it more for the packaging than the makeup.

Too Faced | Teddy Bare Bare It All Bronzer

I have quite the Too Faced Bronzer Collection (here, here, here, here, here). Some I LOVE and others I don't. So what about Teddy Bare, Bare It All Bronzer? Well, if you look at the swatch of it on my wrist, it's a shimmery bronze and gold. To me, it seems more like a HIGHLIGHTER. I don't want anything shimmery all over my face. So I applied it as a HIGHLIGHTER to the bridge of my nose, atop my cheeks and cupids bow. It's a soft shimmer. Again, OK but nothing where you have to HAVE IT. You probably have something similar in your makeup collection. I just love the packaging.

Too Faced | Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumping Gloss Bee Sting

The first time I tried Too Faced's Lip Injection, I promised NEVER to purchase it again. It stung my lips so badly. No adverse reaction, but I didn't like the way it made my lips feel. Very unpleasant. Well again, I fell for the cute teddy bears. Well Too Faced has toned the stinging part down. Its not as intense. It does plump up your lips and has a wonderful candy scent, but I was disappointed that this gloss didn't give off more color (brown/bronze). It's very CLEAR. I will say, it doesn't feel sticky. It feels very good on the lips and is moisturizing. I just wished it had more "color" (brown, bronze etc) to accent the eye look. I would use a different kind of lip gloss to accentuate this eye look.

So you guys, those are my honest thoughts regarding the Too Faced Teddy Bare Collection. 

I hope this review helps you in your decision-making.

Virgil's Zero Sugar & Handcrafted Craft Soda Root Beer Review

Disclosure: I received Virgil's Root Beer for review. I was not paid. All opinions are honest and 100% my own.

PR Sample: I've loved root beer, since I was a little girl. I've always been a fan of the drink. So when PR for Virgil's Zero Sugar & Handcrafted Craft Sodas asked if I would like to try Virgil's Root Beer, I said, Yes! Please send me some samples! I've never heard of Virgil's, so let me share a little background information about them. They don't like fake anything! Their products contain no artificial preservatives, no aspartame, no high-fructose corn syrup, no GMOs, no MSG, but are made from naturally sourced ingredients. In addition, their sodas are gluten free, kosher certified, vegan, certified ketogenic, and even their aluminum cans have a BPA-Ni lining. All of this is fine and dandy, but I know you're wondering how does their root beer taste? It tastes really good. It's light. It's smooth. It has a nice foam to it when you pour it. Nice bubbles. Overall, it just has a really good taste. What's also great, is their products have a 1-2 year shelf life. Another thing I love about root beer! Root beer floats! I scooped several scoops of ice cream in the glass below, poured some root beer, swirled on some whipped cream and drizzled some chocolate syrup atop it. So tasty! So good you guys! You should try making one of Virgil's Recipes. Virgil's not only makes root beer, but an assortment of drinks such as Grapefruit, Dr. Better (wink wink ... get it?), Ginger Ale, Vanilla Cream, Black Cherry, Lemon Lime, Cola, Orange Cream, and Orange. So there is a flavor for everybody. Give Virgil's a go! Use their store locator, order online (via their website) or order on Amazon. I'm impressed with their products and definitely want to try more flavors.