Review: Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Culinary Grade vs. Ceremonial Grade

Photo Credit: Intrice Blog

In the past when I visited Japan, what I remembered the most when going to most places to eat was seeing a container with a green powder inside. Usually, the server would bring you a piping hot cup of water and then you scoop one spoonful of this green substance into your cup. With a quick whisk, the water turns green. It might look unappealing to some but once you taste it, you will change your mind about this drink. This was my first introduction to matcha green tea.

Since then I have spent a long time trying to find something similar in the states. It wasn’t until today that I can say that I have found a close match to the matcha tea in Japan from trying the tea from Kiss Me Organics. I was given the opportunity from Kiss Me Organics to sample both their Culinary Grade and Ceremonial Grade organic matcha green tea and to write a review about their product. In this post you will also find tips on how to prepare matcha green tea and tips for storing it.

If you are an avid tea drinker, you will notice that the way matcha green tea tastes is slightly different than traditional loose leaf green teas. The aroma is different and is more concentrated. When drinking a loose leaf green tea the after taste is light and sweet on the tongue. However, with matcha green tea, it’s a little bitter and strong because you are ingesting the whole tea leaf.

There is also a major color difference between the two. When you dissolve matcha green tea in water, it appears green while steeping loose leaf green tea gives off a golden yellow color.

According to the Kiss Me Organics website, some benefits of drinking matcha green tea are:

• It can prevent many age-related diseases because it is loaded with antioxidants (137 times the amount in brewed green tea).
• It can boost your metabolism and help with losing or controlling weight.
• It can give you increased energy and focus for 4 to 6 hours.
• Improved skin health through improvement in blood flow and oxygen levels

Exclusive Review and Swatches for Makeup by One Direction Tins (Limited Edition)

Photo Credit: Markwins International

Just in time for the holiday season, One Direction recently released its new collectible limited edition Makeup by One Direction Tins with Markwins International. These make perfect standalone gifts or stocking stuffers for lovers of makeup as well as fans of One Direction.

I was lucky enough to get an exclusive look at 3 of the 5 makeup tins in their limited edition collection and share photos with my readers and write an honest review about the makeup. Each of these limited edition tins features one out of the five bandmates of One Direction. The tins I received feature Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik from One Direction.

Besides my review of these makeup tins along with makeup swatches, there is also a giveaway in this post! Don’t forget to check the end of this post to enter for your chance to win your own limited edition Makeup by One Direction Tin.

***Giveaway is open to residents of U.S. and Canada and sponsored by Markwins International***

My 3 limited edition Makeup by One Direction Tins: Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik // Photo Credit: Intrice Blog

“Created for—and inspired by—fans of the world's biggest band, this limited edition beauty collection is fun, bold and a tad mischievous, just like ONE DIRECTION!” – from Makeup By One Direction

Demonstration and Review: KISS InstaWave Automatic Hair Curler

KISS is a brand that specializes in beauty, nails, and hair styling tools. They have been around since 2012. Their KISS InstaWave Automatic Curler is one of their more popular products and you might have seen it before in an ad on TV or magazines. 

The KISS InstaWave is a fully automatic tangle-free curler that instantly creates beautiful curls. It promises to make hair curling be easy, quick, and effortless leaving you with fabulous results. I have been dying to get a new curling iron for months now so I felt very fortunate to be given the chance to try this out by the company. In this post are a tutorial and an honest review to let you guys know how it went. 

"Instantly create natural curls with ease!” – From KISS InstaWave box 

**Warning: This post is photo intensive!

Review: Toni and Guy Classic Shine Gloss Hair Serum

Photo Credit: intrice.blogspot.com

Toni and Guy is a hair care brand with products that help make hair styling become effortless. If you read my hair care related posts before then you probably remember that my biggest hair woes are frizz and flyaway hair. 

When I took a peek at what was coming in my October Birchbox and saw that Toni and Guy's Classic Shine Gloss Hair Serum was part of it, I knew it was something I had to try. This product promises to make your hair sleek and shiny all while taming frizz throughout the day. 

November 2014 Birchbox: Unboxing

November 2014 Birchbox // Photo Credit: intrice.blogspot.com

I just received my box yesterday and I have to say that this is one of the few times that I have been able to get a Birchbox shipped to me so quickly. It shipped Wednesday and arrived Saturday. 

Birchbox + (RED) #shaRED November 2014 Birchbox Outer Cover
// Photo Credit: intrice.blogspot.com

For November, Birchbox also teamed up with (RED), which is a non-profit organization that works towards bringing awareness and raising funds in the fight against AIDS/HIV. You might have heard about (RED) if you are a fan of Bono from U2, he is one of their ambassadors. The outer packaging of your Birchbox this month will be red and labeled with facts about AIDS/HIV. If you share photos of the facts from this special edition Birchbox cover sleeve with hashtag #shaRED on Instagram and Twitter then Birchbox will donate $1 (for each shared photo) to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS Campaign.

Total Cost: $10.00

Actual Value: $31.61

Let's start the unboxing of my November 2014 Birchbox and my reactions.

Liebster Award - Part 3

I was nominated this time by Hayl of { Life with Hayl }blog.
She runs a very cute lifestyle blog and is very funny.
You should definitely read some of her posts. ^^ 

Thank you for the nomination Hayl!

This is my third nomination.

For those who have not read a Liebster Award post before, it's a way to promote really awesome bloggers who have less 200 followers (usually I base it on Bloglovin'). It is also a great way to get to know the person behind the blog as well. Personally, I enjoy reading posts like these from other bloggers because you will always learn something new and, who knows, realize you share similarities.

Now with this 'award' there are some rules:

1. Thank the blog that nominated you and link to their blog.
2. Post eleven facts about yourself.
3. Answer the eleven questions provided by the person who nominated you and then create an eleven question set for the next group of nominees.
4. Choose eleven people to nominate and link them on the post. 
5. Let your nominees know they've been tagged - and no tag backs!
6. Nominate blogs with under 200 followers.
7. Post a link of your reply to the blog that nominated you.

Here are 11 Facts About Me (I tried to not put repeats from other posts ^^;)

1. The coffee I drink is the brand Pilon or Cafe La Llave. (Cuban style coffee is the best!) 
2. When I feel like I have too much on my mind, I like to write to declutter.
3. My least favorite food is asparagus.
4. My favorite perfume at the moment is "Live in Love" by Oscar de la Renta.
5. I love to go swimming because it is great exercise and relaxing.
6. I am really bad at mental math but fabulous at using a calculator.
7. I love sales, discounts, and free shipping. (Who doesn't? lol)
8. I have a love for potatoes. The potato is so versatile in cooking and has so many tasty variations.
9. The first CD (compact disc) I have ever bought was I think for the band All American Rejects and it was their very first EP. You know that band that sang that song "Swing, Swing."
10. I think dressing pets in clothing is cute.
11. I am starting to get into reading and watching things in the Sci-Fi genre because everything is so imaginative and sometimes gets crazy. I like how there's always a mystery to be solved in these storylines.

Here are the questions I was asked by Hayl:

1. What do you do that others find strange?

Hm...I would say that it takes me forever to figure out the perfect outfit, which includes accessories. While you know there are those who can just quickly throw on a top and throw on a bottom and off they go in 5 seconds, I (for sure) am not in that category of people.

2. What is your proudest moment?

My proudest moment so far was achieving one of my goals I set for myself to live in China for at least a portion of my life. (I realized I couldn't see myself spending the rest of my life there, which is why I came back.) I think when I told people about my plan, some were supportive and others were skeptical I could even do it. However, I got super lucky to have won a competitive scholarship and was able to study and live there for free after college.

I think life works in mysterious ways. Sometimes when you want something enough and very badly, the opportunity will appear. In my case, this is what I felt happened in relation to this. My advice for people is to never give up on your dreams no matter how hard it may seem for you to get there. Ignore the negative vibes from the unsupportive and focus on yourself and what you want. Always believe that all your hard work will pay off in the end.

3.  Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging because I wanted a way to express myself visually and I really enjoy writing. I created this blog also as a place to give advice because I got tired of not finding reviews sometimes for products I am interested in purchasing. It feels nice to have something I can call my own.

4.  Do you have a favourite accent if so which one?

My favorite accent is Russian. I think it is so cool!

5.  What's your favourite genre of film?

My favorite genre is comedy mixed with action. Why not have laughs and be blown away by special effects?

6.  If you could be anywhere in the world where would you be?

This is a hard one to answer. I guess I would pick Europe but I am not sure, which country because I have yet to visit. I love it's vast and deep history, the architecture, and the scenery. It is on my bucket list to visit that part of the world.

7.  If you could meet any celebrity (dead or alive) who would it be?
It would be Edgar Allen Poe. I love his work and he has a brilliant [dark] mind.

8.  What is your favourite song and artist? (They can be different)
My favorite song is "I'm Only Happy When It Rains" by Garbage.
My favorite artist is Okgo.

9.  Do you collect anything?
Yes, I collect things with Tony Tony Chopper on them. It's a character from the manga/anime One Piece. I think all of my friends when they see this character they think of me, haha.

10.  Are you funny? What's your best joke?
I can be funny but I am not the "joke telling funny" sadly. :( It's more situational or being witty funny.

11. What is the opposite of your biggest fear?

The opposite? I think what I am least afraid of is clowns.

Here are my nominees for the Liebster Award. 

*These bloggers all put a lot of work into their blogs and have very fun posts. I encourage you to visit them. (They have less than 200 followers at the moment,)

1. Casey of The McClarnon Situation

2. Tash of A Brim Full of Tasha

3. Michelle of Teach in Fashion

4. Cathy of Cathyahh

5. Caoime of Velvet Lilies

6. Celise of Geeks Path 2 Beauty

7. Catherine of Catherine Sarah

8. Chloe of Chloe, Of Course

9. Joyce of Terribly Great

10. Row of What Row Chose

11. Bernie of Feed Ur Passion

Here are my questions for my nominees to answer:

1. What is something about you that most people would find surprising?

2. What is at the top of your bucket list?

3. Do you believe in the supernatural?

4. What was your last memory about relating to the circus?

5. Who is someone you look up to and why?

6. What do you like the most about blogging?

7. What is one item you feel "naked" without?

8. Do you have something you like or follow obsessively? ( Example: tv show, book, celeb, etc.)

9. What app on your phone/tablet do you use the most?

10. What tv show can you not stop watching at the moment and why?

11. If teleportation was real, where would be the first place you would go and why?

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Whoa, this was a very long post! I hope you had fun reading it and found it to be interesting. :) Looking forward to the answers of my nominees, please leave me a comment on this post so I can read your answers!

x Carol

One Lovely Blog Award - Part Two

I have nominated by the lovely Samantha of Samantha's Beauty and Lifestyle blog.
She has a very cute and very pink blog. I especially like the shapes she cuts her photos too. ^^
This is my second One Lovely Blog Award. Thank you for the nomination Samantha.

Rules of the award :

1. Thank the person who nominated you and include a link to their blog.
    (My link: intrice.blogspot.com)
2. List the rules and display the award logo in your post.
3. Add 7 facts about yourself.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers you want to know better.
5. Follow the person who nominated you on bloglovin'.

7 Facts About Me: