Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Deep Cleansing Milk | Skincare Sunday

Welcome back to Skincare Sunday!  Since I have been loving all the Soap and Glory products I have been trying recently.  After how much I loved the Vitamin C cleanser [read my full review here], I thought I would pick up the Peaches and Clean version to try it out.

Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Deep Cleansing Milk
A four-in-one deep cleansing milk
PEACHES AND CLEAN™ Deep Cleansing Milk features a special clogged-pore formula with PEACH & GOJUICE™ extracts and an OXYGINSENG™ daily skin detox which will help to purify and clarify, invigorate, soften skin, and melt away makeup, dirt, and impurities for a smooth, luminous complexion.

Price: $10.99 [Target - goes on sale, can use 5% Red Card discount]
Product Amount: 11.8 oz

The scent is amazing - like fresh Peaches with a bit of mint.  It wakes up my face up with it's minty scent and light refreshing feel on the face.  The packaging is great too - love the pump.  I keep it in my shower and it's so easy to use - just squirt a few pumps into my hands and wash.

The formula doesn't lather up at all.  I've used cleansers that don't get full-on frothy like the Origins Checks and Balances Face Wash [read my full review here] or the Clean and Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser but this one is different in that it stays the same milky texture you see in the bottle.  I don't think I've ever used a milk cleanser before, so maybe I just didn't know what to expect texture wise.

Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Cleansing Milk

One of the claims is that it melts off makeup.  I don't think it does a better job than any other face wash, but it still feels nice at the end of the day and makes my face feel buttery smooth.

The product amount for the price is also really good.  You get about twice the amount of an average drugstore price which makes it the same or less than the amount per ounce.

Overall, as much as I loved the refreshing scent and awesome packaging, I will be sticking with the Vitamin C cleanser from now on just because I personally like a deeper clean.  This product would be great for people with skin more on the normal to dry side or sensitive skin as it isn't as harsh as most cleansers and the smell is amazing

Peloton Bike App | Fitness Friday

A friend and I were chatting about fitness stuff recently and she inspired me to work on myself and my fitness even more this year.  I had been coming off a bad month of fibromyalgia flare after a cold took me down (colds really do my muscles in and leave me with no energy) but I am finally back at the fitness game.

{This post includes affiliate links.  Affiliate links are where I make a portion of sales from links used, which helps keep Beauty Freckled going.  Thanks for your support!}

A while back I wrote a review of my Bladez Master GS bike [read the review here] and I've been loving it but wanted to push myself further.  So I decided to try out the Peloton app, which has live and on demand cycling classes all from the comfort of your own home.

The app is perfectly set up and easy to navigate.  There are classes from 5 to 10 minutes all the way up to 120 minutes.  There are both male and female trainers to choose from and a variety of ride styles like Endurance, Metrics, and different theme rides like Hip Hop or 90's rides.  You can ride live or on-demand once classes are over.  The On-Demand filter let's you narrow down your choices by time, theme, and trainer to make what you are in tthe mood for easy to find.  My favorite rides have been by Alex Toussaint, especially his Bless Up rides - definitely check them out! (And I love his motivational quotes so I included a few here).

Peloton App - Available Classes

Feel Good.  Look Good.  Do Better.  - Alex Toussaint

As for the bikes, a quick comparison in price (Peloton vs my Bladez):

The Peloton bike costs $1995, plus $39 a month for the workout app/plan.  The bike includes weight racks behind the seat and a water bottle holder.  There are a few accessory packages such as The Essentials Package which includes Peloton spin shoes with cleats, hand weights, and headphones for $149.

My Bladez Master GS was around $500 (on Wayfair) and the Peloton app for iPhone/iPad is $12.99 a month or $5.99 for a week.  The app gives you the freedom that if you were on vaca or away but had access to a bike rental or a hotel gym with a bike you could get the week and still sneak in some fit time.

I currently use the Shimano WR42 in Black ($79.99) with SPD cleats I transferred from my last pair since they were in good shape.  I also use 2lb and 5 lb C9 weights from Target ($3).

My only other accessories are: my Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor (around $63) and my iPad Air 2 ($499 on sale at Target) in an OtterBox Defender series case that can be positioned in multiple angles for easy viewing on my bike.

Using the app at home with a solid bike is a great option, especially if you already have an iPad, iPhone, or some other device you can use the app on.  There are lots of stationary bikes on Amazon with great reviews that are $500 or under.  The Peloton bike looks amazing.  I love the added weight and water bottle holders but my home set up is working out pretty darn great right now.  The app is keeping things fresh and interesting.

Overall I have been so pleased with the Peloton app and have continued my subscription after my free trial expired.  I highly recommend it for those with bikes at home, at a gym (earphones!), or for those looking for a bike as a way to stay motivated.  For less than half of ONE Soul Cycle class you can get a months worth of spin classes plus their growing Beyond the Ride classes like yoga, strength training, cool downs, and stretching.

"Smile.  You woke up today.  Don't look so damn mad." - Alex Toussaint

The Peloton Cycle app is available on the iTunes Store.

Again, please check out my bike review here and let me know what your favorite workout apps and home workouts are in the comments below!

EcoTools Brushes

My collection of EcoTools brushes is growing so I wanted to do a post on them.  EcoTools makes super affordable brushes that are such good quality that I keep coming back to them.

EcoTools are 100% cruelty free, vegan, made with recycled materials, have all bamboo handles, and use eco friendly, tree free packaging.

The bamboo handles are smooth and easy to hold and the bristles are super soft and blend makeup like a dream.  They make all their products in eco conscious practices which is fantastic.  More reason to love them!

{This post includes affiliate links.  Affiliate links are where I make a portion of sales from links used, which helps keep Beauty Freckled going.  Thanks for your support!}

EcoTools Eye, Bronzer, and Fan Brushes

Here are the brushes I own from EcoTools:

Eye Enhancing Duo Set - $5.79 @ Target
I use these double ended brushes almost every time I do my eye makeup.  They are dense enough to pack on color but the bristles are super super soft.  This kit is so affordable and you basically get four brushes for about five bucks!

Domed Bronzer Brush - $7.99 @ Target
Don't let the name fool you here - this brush is great for bronzer, but it's also great for powder and powder foundation.  Great handle, and so soft!

Fan Brush - $4.00 @ Amazon
This is my newest EcoTools brush and I love it!  I thought it might pick up too much color at first but it doesn't - it's the perfect brush for highlighter.  I've been using it with The Manizer Sisters Highlighter Palette and it does great even with the small pans in it.

I will definitely be adding to my EcoTools collection and am super excited about their new line.  They are constantly adding to their collections so check out EcoTools at Target or on their website.

Toddler Restaurant Busy Bag | Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick

As I have mentioned before I watched a lot of diaper bag videos before baby beauty came along.  I always loved the idea of a small activity bag for children for restaurants that you can pull out while you wait for your food.

If you saw my recent post, you know that I switched from my Skip Hop Duo Double [full review here and packing post here] to a Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. because we carry less now and wanted something more compact with a backpack style [read my full review of the B.F.F. here].

{This post includes affiliate links.  Affiliate links are where I make a portion of sales from links used, which helps keep Beauty Freckled going.  Thanks for your support!}

Most times if we are at a restaurant I just leave the diaper bag in the car and grab the Be Quick and bring that in - so quick and easy.

Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick in Charcoal Roses

Here is what we keep in our restaurant busy bag/clutch for our 3 year old:
Table Toppers in Minnie Mouse and Hello Kitty - Baby Beauty loves to count all the different activites and tell me what colors she sees and what characters.
Doc McStuffins Mini Coloring Pages - these come with markers and my daughter loves Doc!
Crayola Crayons - Regular and Triangle (the Triangles don't roll off the table)
Play Pack Grab & Go - fantastic because they're an all in one with crayons, coloring book, and stickers
Extra Stickers - who doesn't love stickers?!  These are ballerinas - she loves them!
Crayola Actvity Pad - this doesn't fit in the Be Quick but it does fit in the bottom of the diaper bag and has great activities.  It's almost like a bigger version of the Grab & Go.  It comes with markers and has different activities.  We love the Doc McStuffins, Finding Dory, Frozen, and Minions ones so far!

Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick in Charcoal Roses with activities

We keep the crayons, coloring pages, and tables toppers each in their own small plastic bag, so each is easy to pull out.  This keeps the activity kit nice and organized.

Many of these items will work for kids of any age and you can rotate out what you put in based on age and what characters they like at the time and to keep things fresh and new!

Updated packing/what's in my diaper bag post up next!  Stay tuned!

What do you keep in your busy kits and what do you store them in?  Comment below!

Soap and Glory Face Soap and Clarity 3-in-1 Daily Vitamin C Facial Wash

I've been working my way through the whole Soap and Glory line since they re-released into Target.  I remember when they were in Target years ago, then pulled out to go into Sephora.  The price point when they were in Sephora was a bit high for me, but with their return to Target, I've been scooping everything up!  Be on the look out for sales too!

One of my first purchases was the Face Soap and Clarity 3-in-1 Vitamin C Wash.  Let's take a look!

Soap and Glory Face Soap and Clarity 3-in-1 Daily Vitamin C Facial Wash
From Soap and Glory's site:
FACE SOAP AND CLARITY™ 3-in-1 Daily Detox Vitamin C Facial Wash smoothes and purifies for super clean, fresh and bright skin. With complexion-friendly, non-drying, easy-rinse ingredients including natural SUPERFRUIT™ YUZU and ULTRA-SOFT SCRUB-BEADS, this high-tech foaming facial wash is a multitasking miracle.
Instructions for Use: CLEAN UP WELL: Squeeze a grape sized measure of this fabulous Face Soap And Clarity™ onto damp skin, rub into a lather, then rinse. Follow with eye cream, moisturizer, and spot treatment if needed.

Price: $12.00 [Target]
Product Amount: 11.8 fluid ounces // 350 ml

This face wash is one of the best face washes I have ever tried!  The slightly citrus scent is so light and refreshing and your face feels so awake after you wash and rinse it.  You only need a tiny dime sized amount to do your whole face and neck.

The microbeads aren't too much, but definitely do their job without overdoing it.  They are eco friendly as well, being made of wax instead of plastic, which I love.  No one wants to hurt Mother Earth at the expense of clean skin.  Plus, the microbeads are much softer and gentler on the skin.

While $12 may seem expensive for a face wash, you do get 11.9 fluid ounces which is over two times what you get in a normal drugstore face wash.  An average face wash is $6-8 anyhow, so I think the price point is great for what you are getting.  With a bigger bottle, you also won't run out as fast.

Definitely check out the Soap and Glory line, especially the 3-in-1 Vitamin C Facial Wash.  I think it would be great for all skin types and will leave you clean without being overdried.

After loving this wash so much I tried the Peaches and Clean Face Wash as well because of it's claims to melt off makeup and deep clean pores.  That review will be up next on Skincare Sunday!

Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. in Charcoal Roses | Diaper Bag Review

You all know I loved my Skip Hop Duo Double {read my full diaper bag review here and my "What's in My Diaper Bag" here}, but as Baby Beauty got bigger and wasn't needing as much, we decided to downsize to something more compact.  I also wanted something easy to carry, and easy to clean.  Enter: the JuJuBe B.F.F.  Being able to use backpack straps and/or a messenger strap PLUS the ability to machine wash it?  I was SOLD!

Ju-Ju-Be BFF in Charcoal Roses
Stats from Ju-Ju-Be's website:
This bag will be your BFF. It will also make you new BFFs because all the other ladies will want to be your friend. It might make your current BFF a little jealous, but that’s OK because she wasn’t all that good of a friend anyway.

• Front mommy pocket holds keys (stretch key fob) and sunglasses (cleans lenses too!) with plenty of room for more! 
• Memory foam changing pad included ... nice 'n comfy, super cushy. 
• Quick reach pocket for cell phone. 
• 2 exterior insulated bottle pockets … with Thinsulate by 3M. Keep it warm? Keep it cold? Sure!
• Unique main zipper closure system makes for easy access. 
• Picture pocket to keep photos handy when bragging to friends. 
• Detachable and adjustable messenger strap has removable memory foam shoulder pad & can be shortened to tote strap length. 
• Optional shoulder straps ... so versatile! 
• Inside organization includes 4 gusseted pockets, 3 zippered pockets & lots of wide open space! 
• Back pocket works great for diapers and wipes organization. 
• Structured bottom with luggage feet. 
• Teflon™ fabric protector … helps repel stains.
• Agion® treatment protects the liner by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew.
• Crumb Drains ... bye-bye mess! 
• Metal Hardware ... we don't trust any of the cheap plastic stuff. 
• Light-Colored Linings ... you can actually see what's inside; it's not just a big black hole in there.
• Machine Washable ... air dry.

Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. in Charcoal Roses

The B.F.F. is amazing!  It's the perfect size for what we need right now, and I could still fit more in.  You could easily use this for a baby, even with bottles and formula, change if clothes, and all those other emergency 'just in case' items baby needs.  I don't even use the back two zippered pockets inside, however, I could put what I have in the interior bottle pockets in those and still have room for more cups or bottles.  As an overpacker, I always thought I needed a bigger bag but with the right organization and all the pockets in the BFF, this bag could even work for more than one child.  I love all the interior pockets for organizing, I just wish the picture holders were another big zip pocket (like the one below them) or two smaller zip pockets for added storage.

Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. inside and pockets

I love, love, love the backpack straps!  This was my major reason for getting this bag.  It comes with a messenger strap as well so you can change up how you carry it.  The straps are super padded and so comfortable.  I always keep the backpack straps on and the messenger strap inside folded up in case I want to ever change it up.  I love the handle on top too - it's easy to grab when you're trying to get out of a booth at a restaurant or wherever - just grab and go!

Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. Backpack Straps

The other game changer for me was this bag is fully machine washable - not just spot clean as most diaper bags are.  I have washed it probably 8 or 10 times and it still looks brand new!  Throw it in the wash with some delicate detergent on your machine's delicate cycle and hang to dry - it's as easy as that!  It does take 12-24 hours to dry, so I do it during the week when I know we are home and won't need it ASAP.  The changing pad takes the longest to dry so sometimes I repack the bag and leave that part at home.  It does include crumb drains so if your bag just needs a good shake out but not a wash you don't need to take everything out - just push the ickiness through the vented holes.

Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. Mommy Pocket with Felt Sunglasses Case

The details on this bag are much better quality than most bags.  The all metal hardware doesn't break and includes little rhinestones (that Ju-Ju-Be replaces if lost!) on each one and it has sturdy zippers that don't get all out of whack.  The gussets on the pockets let them open wide enough so you can see everything without it all falling out.  The outside bottle pockets stretch to the size of what you put in there and are insulated.  All the stitching is super strong and the fabrics are top notch quality.  This bag is going to last you a long while.

My iPhone 6s does fit in the pocket but won't zip (it might be because of my LifeProof case) but I don't always bring my phone with me if Hubby has his.  This felt lined pocket is great for cameras, sunglasses, or any other little items you want to grab fast. My phone does fit easily in the mommy pocket.

You can find Ju-Ju-Be Diaper Bags, organizers, and accessories on their website or at BuyBuyBaby.

I will do a Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. packing and 'What's In My Diaper Bag' post again so you can see how I pack this bag, but I can fit everything I had in my Skip Hop Duo Double in here.  This is definitely usable for two kiddos!  It hold a LOT more than I thought it would.  I also have a Toddler Restaurant Busy Bag post coming up using the Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick in Charcoal Roses.  Stay tuned!

New Releases from Tommee Tippee

As we gear up to go through our second adoption journey, I've been making lists of what we need, what we can reuse, and what we missed out on the first go-around.

One thing I know I will be using again is bottles by Tommee Tippee.  Baby Beauty loved these bottles and I am excited to use them again.  Not only are they super cute, they are easy to hold (both for mom and dad but also for baby), anti-colic, and BPA free.  They also come in cute colors and graphics.

When I saw Tommee Tippee had come out with some new products, I was super excited!  We loved the brand so much with Baby Beauty and are excited to grow with them.

The Ultra Bottles are like the Closer to Nature Bottles, but the nipple is angled and more on the side, rather than in the middle.  They continue to reduce air intake with their valves, and are BPA free for peace of mind.

Ultra Bottle features from Tommee Tippee's site:

Revolutionary, offset nipple for a smooth milk flow.

Raised dome on nipple allows for a secure seal, reducing air intake and dribbles.

Breast-like shape for a natural latch and easy switching between breast and bottle.

Unique, ergonomic bottle shape for greater comfort and bottle control.

Super-sensitive valve reduces baby's air intake 

BPA-free for your ultimate reassurance.

Our Ultra Bottles are compatible with Ultra Nipples only.

The Moda pacifiers are so super cute!  They are updated to be reversible so if baby drops the paci and puts it back in, it won't matter which way they put it back in, unlike some pacis which are direction-specific.  This is great hand coordination for baby to learn and pick up on too.

Moda Pacifier features from Tommee Tippee:

Pacifier with a classic shield style but updated with a modern, edgy fashion twist.

Reversible pacifier nipple, making it easier for babies to correctly insert the pacifier.

All pacifiers are BPA-free for ultimate reassurance.

Available in 2 age stages – 0-6m and 6-18m

*68% of babies accepted this new style pacifier first time, compared to just 43% for the old style closer to nature design – in an independent product trials conducted by Swift research, February 2013 with 112 UK mothers and babies.

I can't wait to try both of these products out with baby #2!  I look forward to seeing what else Tommee Tippee comes out with.  Check out Tommee Tippee products on their site for all your baby needs.  they now have everything from bottle feeding, breast feeding, diapering, feeding including plates and bibs, sippy cups, and more!  They are also available at BuyBuyBaby, Target, and Babies R Us.