Rocky Baby Face Sprague My Angel on Earth

My beautiful angel on earth 😇 you are loved and adored more than words can ever say! I love you to the moon and back and around the world, infinity times! You're my everything and my reason. I love you so so much! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 (📷 October 5,2021) https://t.co/sGKCV54QlP

You took care of so many, so selflessly.  You are needed by so many but your life was cut short. I tried to keep you so healthy so you could have a very long and happy life. I was certain that you'd make it to the world records of one of the oldest living cats because I tried to take such good care of you from day 1! 

You saved my life when I rescued you from a shelter in 2007, the year you were born. You made so many people happy and brought so much joy. You always took care of me when I wasn't feeling well. You were feisty and a bit wild on the outside but the biggest sweetheart on the inside. 

We started this blog together one sleepless night in 2015. You were always by my side and we did everything together ❤  I'll forever miss the fun we had together from playing patty cake (aka pat a cake), and pinch pinch, playing with toys, doing brush, singing to you (which you loved), and I know how obsessed you always were with your arches!

You gave me an unbelievable feeling of love and happiness when I was with you. No one and nothing else gives me that feeling. I long for it so so much! 😭

You will always be my Rock, my Rockstar, my little star, my babe, my baby, my lovey, my sweetheart, my little darling, my pumpkin, my snookerdoodle, baby yawner, my reason, my everything!!! 💖💓💌

And you will always be loved, needed, and wanted! And, you will always be my sun, my moon, my stars, my everything! 💓

Rest in peace my beautiful boy 😇 

Rocky Sprague February 20, 2007 - October 6, 2021.

"I won't be long. I promise! Wait right there. Don't go anywhere!!

🎶 We belong together forever and ever, we belong together forever and a day. 🎶 

Ask China to end dog and cat meat trade horrors including the Yulin festival

I always want to do my part to help those without voices. Animals are a huge love of mine, and I am compelled to share this email that I received from The Humane Society including a link to a petition that we all can sign to help end the slaughter of of cats and dogs.  They are our pets, best friends, and family, not food!

The following is the email from The Humane Society:

The annual dog meat “festival” in Yulin is scheduled for June 21st and animals need your voice as part of the effort to bring cruelty like this to an end.

After being snatched from the street, the journey to the country's slaughterhouses is horrendous for these animals. They are crammed on top of each other and transported in trucks for days without food or water in the unforgiving heat. Those who survive will wait until it’s their turn to be pulled violently out of their cage by the neck with iron tongs and beaten to death for someone’s meal.

The world has applauded the cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai for being the first in mainland China to ban the consumption of dog and cat meat and welcomed the Chinese government’s confirmation that dogs are companions not livestock. However, millions of stolen pets and stray dogs in China continue to suffer terrible abuse for this trade and are killed in horrific ways.

The brutality of the dog and cat meat trades tarnishes China’s global image and reputation, and opinion polls show that most people in Yulin and across China don’t eat dogs and cats. Large public gatherings for the Yulin festival also runs contrary to public health and safety in the wake of COVID-19. We implore China to end dog and cat meat trade horrors like the annual Yulin festival.

Please ask Guangxi Party Secretary Lu Xinshe to end the slaughter in Yulin.

Sign Petition here ➡️  Please act now

Thank you for helping save the lives of so many beautiful souls! 😽🐕

HUGE Monthly Empties | Skincare, Makeup, Health, Pets

I knew that it's been a while since my last empties post but I didn't realize that my last empties post was actually back in November 2017!  I haven't saved everything that I've used up but I've saved a lot for this post.

Usually,  when Spring arrives, I get in full-on Spring cleaning mode. But, this year, I don't have the urge to Spring clean at all. So, I'll let this clean out of my empties box be my Spring cleaning this year.😁

I will include links to products in the headings and be as brief as possible with my mini-reviews.

Skincare

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

This product has a ton of 5-star reviews! I found that it was okay, but I didn't notice anything special. Maybe it's more suitable for younger skin types. 

Repurchase: No

Nip & Fab Exfoliate Glycolic Cleansing Fix

I really enjoyed the way this cleanser worked and seemed to clarify my skin. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to use it up before it seemed to turn as I'm always testing new skincare. This product has the symbol that indicates how long it's good for and it's only good for 6 months after opening. I'm sure that would be sufficient time if I wasn't switching my products so much. Nip & Fab is a great affordable brand whose products are actually very effective!

Repurchase: Yes

Simple Eye Makeup Remover

I didn't like this product as it stung my eyes and my eyes are not sensitive. I do LOVE this brand's micellar water which also removes eye makeup. Now that we have micellar water, I do not find a need for a separate eye makeup remover.

Repurchase: No

NeoStrata SecureWhite Brightening Serum

I didn't notice much brightening with this product but it's possible that it was just sitting too long before I got to it and it may have lost some of its efficacy.

Repurchase: No

Glo Skin Beauty Conditioning Hydration Cream

This product claims to moisturize, strengthen, and prevent dryness. I would agree with all of these claims. This product provides long-lasting hydration and I feel it would be great for many skin types including sensitive as it seems to be fragrance-free.

Repurchase- Yes

Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum (Normal, Oily, Combo)

I used this product over my Retin-A as I read that it's good to use antioxidants with Retin-A products. I did like it but I didn't notice anything special. I do like Paula's Choice and would try some of her other products that may give me the results I'm looking for.

Repurchase: No

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Bouncy Mask

This was just a sample size. I recall that this product irritated my skin and my skin is not really sensitive but can be reactive and acne prone. 

Repurchase: No

Makeup/Beauty

Sonia Kashuk Cream Eyeshadow in Tiger's Eye

I LOVE this cream eyeshadow. I wish I had used it up before it expired but you know how it goes when you love makeup! I have heard that SK is no longer going to be selling makeup. If that's true, it's unfortunate as she makes some great products including my Holy Grail Lipstick (Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Color in Sheer Pink Lust).

Repurchase: If available

Paula's Choice Best Face Forward Foundation SPF 25 (in Best Champagne Beige)

Claims to give natural-looking coverage, shield against wrinkles and dark spots, leaves a silky matte finish. Check, check and check! This colour was surprisingly good for me (it can be hard to choose the right colour online). I liked the finish, the feel on my skin and the SPF 25 coverage.

Repurchase: Yes

Bath & Body Works Fragrance Mist in Secret Wonderland

I love this scent. It reminds me of my signature scent "Fantasy" by Brittany Spears. I know, I know but it suits my chemistry and I've been wearing it since it came out. I don't like to wear a lot of fragrances or perfumes so a light misting of this gives me that hint of sweetness that I'm looking for. 

Repurchase: Yes

Health

Madre Labs CocoCeps Organic Dark Cocoa Beverage with Medicinal Mushrooms
This product gets featured on my site a lot! I go through about one per month and I've been using it for years. It tastes great in my smoothies and has the benefits of organic dark cocoa as well as cordyceps and reishi mushroom powders (no, you can't taste the mushrooms!). I have an aversion to mushrooms, so this is the only way I can get their health benefits.

Repurchase: Always!

Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies with Biotin
As the name implies, these vitamin gummies are supposed to be good for hair, skin, and nails. I'm not sure if they are doing anything, but I'll keep taking them for a little insurance as I'm experiencing more hair loss as I get older. I have had issues with acne breakouts with biotin on its own but I don't have these issues with this supplement.

Repurchase: Already have 2 on backup!

Nature's Way Calcium & Magnesium Citrate with Vitamin K2 and Collagen
I love that this liquid calcium and magnesium supplement also includes collagen and vitamin K2. Great mix of vitamins. Good for bone health and tastes great. Can also assist with sleep if taken at night time.

Repurchase: Yes

Nature's Way Alive Once Daily Women's Ultra Potency Multi-Vitamin
I've been using this supplement on and off for years. It has an excellent array of vitamins, minerals, superfoods, probiotics, and more. I purchase the one with Iron since I am always a little low in Iron and this vitamin contains 18mg of iron in just one pill (just what my Dr. Recommended). I take so many other supplements, so it's important for me to have a multivitamin where I only have to take one a day. The price is right, too!

Repurchase: Yes

Now Foods 5-HTP 50mg
This is an excellent supplement for sleep. I've tried other brands but I prefer this one as I find it more effective. I also like the 50mg capsules as sometimes 100mg can make my sleep more restless. The 50mg dosage allows me to customize my dosage as needed. I take it for sleep but noticed my mood improve when I take these more regularly.

Repurchase: Always!

Pets

True Raw Choice Colloidal Silver
If you have a pet, I highly recommend that you keep this product on hand. It has many uses and is good for both cats and dogs.

Colloidal Silver is used against 650 disease organisms found in pets and bacteria, fungi, viruses and infections. Can be used internally and externally to combat yeast infections in the ears. Can also be used internally to combat immune system disorders and much more. Can be used externally to help speed healing on cuts and sores, open wounds, hot spots and skin irritations.

I purchase mine at my local Pet Valu.

Repurchase: Always!

Hyalogic HyaFlex Hyaluronic Acid Feline Hip & Joint Formula

This is a fabulous product! I purchased it for prevention. As my kitty ages, I want to make sure to support his hips and joints. Luckily, this product is easy to add to his wet food and he laps it up! The first time that I gave my kitty this supplement, about 3 hours later he went nuts running around the house like a madman! He played like he was a kitten again. So, although this is a rather expensive product, I will continue to purchase it as it seems to work wonderfully.

Repurchase: Absolutely!

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I used up, and hope that you find my reviews helpful. 

Happy Spring, everyone!