Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controling Towelettes - Sugar 'n Spice Vox Box- Influenster

Yes. Yesyesyes. I practically jumped up and down when I saw these in my box. I love using witch hazel on my face. My skin is oily to combination and blend of witch hazel and aloe is perfect. It's also cooling, so perfect for the Texas summer that is just around the corner. Bonus points for nostalgia, because I remember my grandma using Dickinson's Witch Hazel too.

Overall: A+++
Price: $5.99 for a 20-count box
Would I Purchase: Yes. I would probably save the towelettes to stash in my purse and keep a bottle in the bathroom to use at home for less waste and to save $, though.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. I will be totally honest in my reviews, because I would hate to encourage my readers to waste their money on a sub par product.

Nectresse - Sugar 'n Spice Vox Box- Influenster

This one was a little hard, because artificial sweeteners are something I usually avoid. I am by no means 100% crunchy, but this is one area where I mostly stick with sugar. Honey or molasses aren't bad for some things, but they won't always work, and straight up stevia tastes like dirt, IMO. Yes, I know sugar is highly processed, but it still seems better than something made totally in a lab. 

Nectresse is interesting, though, because it claims to be a 100% natural derivative from monk fruit. Other sweeteners have made similar claims, but in the end turned out to be more chemical than they portrayed, so I'm skeptical. Obviously there is processing involved to turn a plant extract into a granulated product, so I have a problem agreeing that it is 100% natural. What I'm mostly concerned with is whether the processing changes it into something worse for me than limited amounts of sugar. I still have more research to do on the product before I can really say whether or not this is something I would regularly use.

As for the taste, though, compared to Splenda, the "blue stuff" or the "pink stuff", I would go with Nectresse. It does have a little of the artificial sweetener aftertaste, but nowhere near as bad. I could see someone easily using it in place of sugar without much problem. Just be sure to start with less than you would use if it were sugar. It is sweeter.

Overall: A (Based solely on taste compared to other sweeteners. If I find out it makes people grow an extra head or something, I will change my grade.)
Price: $6.99 for 5.9 oz container, or $3.99 for a box of 40 packets.
Would I repurchase: Maybe. I don't use sweeteners often, but I do like to have some on hand for guests. Unless I find out this is totally horrible for you, I would probably buy either Nectresse or Truvia, whichever is cheaper. 


In the interest of full disclosure, I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. I will be totally honest in my reviews, because I would hate to encourage my readers to waste their money on a sub par product.

belVita Breakfast Biscuits from my Sugar 'n Spice Vox Box- Influenster

I received the Cinnamon and Brown Sugar belVita Breakfast Biscuits to try. Before I get on to the review, there are probably a few things I should mention. First, I rarely eat breakfast. My body needs time to wake up before it's ready to digest anything but juice or coffee, so I might have a mid morning snack before lunch. Second, I'm really picky about things with cinnamon. Some things I like with a little cinnamon, but most of the time I prefer to leave it out.

Having said that, the biscuits were not too bad. I ate two and gave the other two to Chris (who could eat a whole cow first thing in the morning) as we rushed to his school in the morning. The cinnamon taste was a little stronger than what I really like, but I might like one of their other flavors. I don't really think four would be filling enough for someone who needs a big breakfast in the morning. For someone who is used to grab-and-go breakfasts, though, I think they would be a nice option.  

Overall: B
Average Price: $3.69 for a box of 5 packets of 4 biscuits
Would I purchase: Maybe, but in a different flavor. I think they would be good to have around for Chris and the kiddos for busy mornings. They would also be handy to carry in my purse or the car to help bypass fast food or grocery splurges when someone gets hungry while we're running errands.



In the interest of full disclosure, I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. I will be totally honest in my reviews, because I would hate to encourage my readers to waste their money on a sub par product.

Sugar 'n Spice Vox Box- Influenster

Yay! I got my Sugar 'n Spice Vox Box from Influenster.com. Once again it was full of products that I would probably have tried on my own. They sent a Vaseline Spray & Go Total Moisture, a box of Nectresse sweetener  Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes, Colgate Optic White Regimen (toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash), and a package of belVita Breakfast Biscuits. Totally awesome assortment.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. I will be totally honest in my reviews, because I would hate to encourage my readers to waste their money on a sub par product.

All my goodies!

Like last time, I will review everything separately.

Vintage sewing presser feet and accessories part four: Stuff that I overlooked while posting earlier

These pictures were hiding. I think most will work on my machine (low shank).

Don't know.

Bias tape foot? Which, btw I've tried to use for that purpose and wound  up with a  mess.

????, darning foot and narrow/rolled hem foot

Weird zipper foot

I think you feed thicker thread through the hole for decoration or to help with gathering. Not sure if it has another purpose. 

Okay, a (formerly) clear foot with metal over the feed dogs. Embroidery? Teflon foot? I don't know.

???????

Vintage sewing presser feet and accessories part three: Stuff in boxes

These are cool things that I can't use. If you can use them, make me an offer.

Accessories for a Touch and Sew. I don't have a Touch and Sew, nor do I want one. If you need this, make me an offer I can't refuse.

Hot mess in an old Singer accessory box.

Buttonholer for a slant shank Singer. This makes me sad. I don't have a slant shank  machine, so I can't test it, but it looks complete. I would like to see $15 for it, not counting shipping.

Vintage sewing presser feet and accessories part two: Stuff that will work on my machines

Here's more presser feet. All of these should be low shank.

1. Simple walking foot? I don't know.

2.Same as above. See the little teeth that go up and down as you sew.

3.Elaborate hem guide or???

4.Side view.

5.Don't know. Maybe for stitching in the ditch?

6.Side view.

7.Still don't know what the back guide does. 

8.Straight stitch, but why the little bend in the foot?

9.Button feet.

10. ???? I need to look again. That might be a hole to feed decorative thread through. Still don't know why it has that shape. 

11. Really should know this one...

12.???????

13.?????

14.Quilting guide I think. Why does the foot have notches for left or right needle position but not center?