Luckily for me, they’ve added a bunch of new food to the plan recently. A few months ago I reviewed a few of the new Chef’s Table dinners. Today, I’m reviewing the rest, plus a few new breakfast items and the new shakes.

Mmmm, new food…

I’ve been tasting a lot of new stuff.

First, the breakfasts:

• Chocolate Frosted Donut: Oh man, this was so good. It was just the right amount of chocolate and the donut part was soft and yummy. I’m not usually a donut person, but this was great. I would eat so many more of these.
• Honey Wheat Bagel: I’m a big bagel fan. While I liked this bagel, it wasn’t as dense as I’m used to. The bagel was a bit bread-like. Still, it was nice to finally toast up a bagel and spread some fat free cream cheese on that bad boy (the cheese being a PowerFuel serving.)

Nutrisystem also added protein drinks to their meal system. You have them once a day. They suggest drinking them with breakfast, but I have mine as an afternoon snack. (In addition to the flavors I tried, they also have a Refreshing Coffee flavor. I’m caffeine-free, but I know that’s a favorite flavor for a lot of people.)

The protein drinks:

• Smooth Vanilla Protein Shake: I thought this one was going to be my favorite because I’m always a huge vanilla fan. But, in the beginning, it was actually my least favorite. It just didn’t seem all that flavorful. It’s grown on me though, and now I like all the flavors the same.
• Creamy Chocolate Protein Shake: The name has it right: this is really creamy. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this tasted more like a creamy, cold cocoa drink rather than something way too chocolaty. It was yummy.
• Sweet Strawberry Protein Shake: I expected this was going to be my least favorite flavor. I’ve never really been a fan of strawberry flavored stuff. I’d always avoid that one in Neapolitan ice cream. But…this was my favorite. Lovely and sweet and not super artificial tasting.

Finally, there are some Chef’s Table dinners that I had yet to try. This is what I thought:

• Chef’s Table Adobo Rubbed Pork: I liked the flavors in this dinner, and I especially liked that it came with chunks of sweet potato, but I was still kind of unimpressed overall. The portion was pretty small, especially the pork.
• Chef’s Table Arroz Con Pollo: I’m not normally a fan of rice, especially Mexican rice, but this chicken dish was awesome. It was a large portion of food with a satisfying flavor.
• Chef’s Table Butternut Squash Ravioli: Mmmmmmm. That’s my main reaction. I love ravioli, and I love butternut squash. The squash was flavored with what tasted like brown sugar and clove. I’d say the only downside was how watery the outer sauce was and the big wad of caramelized onions. Big portion, though!
• Chef’s Table Steak Tagliata: This is my favorite! It was so ridiculously delicious. The flavor of the sauce was great, the portion of steak, couscous and spinach was just right. I could eat this all the time.

As you can see, there is a lot of new food I’ve been eating. And, for the most part, it’s been awesome.

I’m here for the weigh-in.

Yeah, me too. Here’s what the scale said today:

I lost 0.6 pounds this week! That means I’ve lost a total of 77.2 pounds in the last 43 weeks.

I could feel bad about the small losses lately…but I just can’t muster up the disappointment. I mean…look how much I’ve lost overall. 77.2! There’s no way I can feel bad.

Here’s my progress from the beginning:

• Week 1: –6.4 pounds
• Week 2: –2.4 pounds (-8.8 total)
• Week 3: –3.8 pounds (-12.6 total)
• Week 4: –2.4 pounds (-15.0 total)
• Week 5: –3.0 pounds (-18.0 total)
• Week 6: –1.6 pounds (-19.6 total)
• Week 7: –3.4 pounds (-23.0 total)
• Week 8: –1.0 pounds (-24.0 total)
• Week 9: –2.6 pounds (-26.6 total)
• Week 10: –3.4 pounds (-30.0 total)
• Week 11: –0.6 pounds (-30.6 total)
• Week 12: –4.2 pounds (-34.8 total)
• Week 13: –1.0 pounds (-35.8 total)
• Week 14: –1.8 pounds (-37.6 total)
• Week 15: –3.0 pounds (-40.6 total)
• Week 16: –1.2 pounds (-41.8 total)
• Week 17: –2.8 pounds (-44.6 total)
• Week 18: +0.8 pounds (-43.8 total)
• Week 19: –2.6 pounds (-46.4 total)
• Week 20: –1.4 pounds (-47.8 total)
• Week 21: –1.6 pounds (-49.4 total)
• Week 22: –3.4 pounds (-52.8 total)
• Week 23: –2.6 pounds (-55.4 total)
• Week 24: –0.6 pounds (-56.0 total)
• Week 25: –1.8 pounds (-57.8 total)
• Week 26: –1.4 pounds (-59.2 total)
• Week 27: –2.2 pounds (-61.4 total)
• Week 28: –1.0 pound (-62.4 total)
• Week 29: –1.6 pounds (-64.0 total)
• Week 30: –2.6 pounds (-66.6 total)
• Week 31: –0.6 pounds (-67.2 total)
• Week 32: –0 pounds (-67.2 total)
• Week 33: –2.2 pounds (-69.4 total)
• Week 34: +1.0 pounds (-68.4 total)
• Week 35: –3.0 pounds (-71.4 total)
• Week 36: –1.0 pounds (-72.4 total)
• Week 37: +2.6 pounds (-69.8 total)
• Week 38: –1.4 pounds (-71.2 total)
• Week 39: –3.4 pounds (-74.6 total)
• Week 40: –0.2 pounds (-74.8 total)
• Week 41: –1.4 pounds (-76.2 total)
• Week 42: –0.4 pounds (-76.6 total)
• Week 43: –0.6 pounds (-77.2 total)

Disclosure: Nutrisystem is providing their program and support services free of charge for my participation in the Nutrisystem Nation Blogging Program.

PS: Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting the Nutrisystem website.

As you lay out your outfit and choose the night’s most romantic makeup, don’t forget about feeling clean and smelling great.

In both of those cases, you may want to try the LUSH Sweetheart Soap.

This limited edition chunk of vegan soap can either be kept by your sink for hands-on cleaning, or in the shower if you want to go full-body.

The scent has notes of jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood. I found it a cross between fruity and flowery. While the scent isn’t cloying, it is strong, and my entire bathroom smells like a Sweetheart.

If I had to put my own name on the scent, I think it smells like a mash of peaches and roses. If you like that kind of scent, then you may not mind smelling that way as you sample appetizers at the restaurant on your Valentine’s Day date.

It’s Valentine’s time!

Get this soap if…

• you like the scent of fruits and flowers mixed together.
• you’re in dire need of some vegan soap.
• you want to smell nice for your Valentine’s Day date, but you don’t want to load up on perfume.

You can pick up the LUSH Sweetheart Soap on the LUSH website or $6.95 for a 3.5 oz bar.

So, the idea of Pacifica as a beauty brand is kind of exciting. In addition to candles, they have 100% vegan fragrances, lotions, lip tints and other natural body products.

I recently got to try the Sephora-exclusive Pacifica Take Me There Set in Island Vanilla. It’s a travel kit featuring products in the Island Vanilla scent.

It comes with…

• 0.33 oz Island Vanilla Perfume Roll-On
• 2.5 oz Island Vanilla Body Butter
• 0.25 oz Island Vanilla Color Quench Natural Moisture Lip Tint

Notice that each of the products are under 3 oz so they can go in your carry-on as you jet off to your island vacation (or in your purse to only feel like you’re on vacation, as in my case.)

I’ll start with my favorite first.

Island Vanilla Body Butter

Normally when you get a lotion labeled “body butter,” it comes in a big unruly tub. You have to dip your fingers in to get a big glob of the stuff.

When I saw that this Pacifica lotion was called a body butter but came in a tube, I was skeptical. Could it really be thick enough and quenching enough to be called a butter?

The answer is a resounding yes.

The lotion was thick and quenching without being oily or greasy. It soaked right into my skin and made me feel soft for hours.

And then there was the scent (and this is the case for all three items in the Take Me There Set): I loved it. The vanilla was warm and sugary and not perfumey at all. It didn’t irritate my fragrance-sensitive skin. I loved it.

Here’s a bonus: I rubbed this onto my hands and forearms right before bed. In the morning, I woke up to skin that still smelled like lovely Island Vanilla. In other words, this stuff lasts.

I couldn’t find anything wrong with this body butter. Anything. The only downside would be if you don’t like vanilla-scented items, but then you would be avoiding this set anyway.

Island Vanilla Perfume Roll-On

The perfume roll-on features the awesome Island Vanilla scent in a long glass bottle with metal roller ball.

I question their choice of a glass bottle. If I’m taking this on my travels, I ‘d worry that it might break, leaving me soaked in an Island Vanilla scent that would probably take ten showers to remove (any scent, no matter how good, can be too much when spilled all over you.)

I also question their use of the metal roller ball, as opposed to plastic. It has gotten stuck several times through my many uses. But when it does work, it works well.

Despite these few complaints, I still liked the perfume roll-on. The scent was lovely and not cloying or perfume-y, and the scent lasted all day.

Island Vanilla Color Quench Natural Moisture Lip Tint

This lip tint has the same Island Vanilla scent, though it’s a bit more understated, which I like in a lip tint.

Part of the name of this tint is “Color Quench” and I’d have to disagree. I didn’t find this moisturizing or quenching at all. It felt like a lip-drying balm. But, in that way, it’s preferable for people who don’t like super glossy or wet lip tints.

I also wish the tint was a bit more sheer. The color was a light pink that had a white base. It looked slightly chalky on my naturally-dark lips. If your lips are super light naturally, then you’d probably like it better than I did.

I did like the scent and the shimmer, though. Still, this is my least favorite part of the Pacifica Take Me There Set.

The Final Verdict

If I was grading this purely on the Island Vanilla Body Butter alone, it would get an A+. But I’m not. I’m grading the Pacifica Island Vanilla Take Me There Set as a whole. Since I found some problems with the Perfume Roll-On and Lip Tint, this makes the grade a bit lower. I give the travel kit a…

In this case, Valentine’s Day can be pretty sexy.

That’s where the SOS 3 in 1 Candles come in.

They have 3 uses:

1. Light it like a regular candle.
2. Use the cold, unlit wax as an emollient lotion.
3. Drip the warm wax onto skin for a massage oil. (Rawr!)

I got to try the Lueur Mon Amour version of this candle. It has a sweet melon scent that was very nice.

I was skeptical of the 3 different uses it had. Obviously, the soy candle would light like any other candle (and it did that just fine) but what about the cold lotion or warm massage oil? Do I really want to use wax on my skin?

But, I tried it anyway, and was pleasantly surprised. As a cold lotion, it easily comes right out of the jar and onto skin. It wasn’t super waxy, but smooth.

For the massage oil, I lit the candle for a while, blew it out, then drip it onto my arm. And it work like it was supposed to. Rather than a rapidly-cooling waxy residue, it acted like a melon-scented oil that left my skin glowing.

It’s Valentine’s time!

Get this 3-in-1 candle if…

• you like sexy novelty gifts.
• you’re planning a one-on-one night with your date for Valentine’s Day.
• you like a sweet melon scent.

You can pick up any of the three SOS 3 in 1 Candles at the SOS website for $49.99 for a big jar or $5 for a small sample.

Well, you missed a good one. Why? Because there were before and after pictures (mid-loss, since I’m not done losing weight)! Go check it out to see how different I look now compared to 75 pounds ago. Very different indeed.

Let’s get right down to business: the weigh-in.

This morning, the scale said…

I lost 0.4 pounds this week! That means I’ve lost 76.6 pounds in 42 weeks.

I’m slowly chipping away at the last 45 pounds.

Coming up next time…

Next week, I’m going to tell you about the new foods I’ve been trying on Nutrisystem Success, including the shakes and Chef’s Table dinners.

I was going to do that today, but I feel totally wonky. I shoveled thick, heavy snow yesterday for an hour and 40 minutes straight. While that’s totally good exercise, I feel a little dizzy today and my arms and hands are too tired for typing. Talk about overdoing it!

It needed to be done, though.

Here’s my progress since I started on Nutrisystem:

• Week 1: –6.4 pounds
• Week 2: –2.4 pounds (-8.8 total)
• Week 3: –3.8 pounds (-12.6 total)
• Week 4: –2.4 pounds (-15.0 total)
• Week 5: –3.0 pounds (-18.0 total)
• Week 6: –1.6 pounds (-19.6 total)
• Week 7: –3.4 pounds (-23.0 total)
• Week 8: –1.0 pounds (-24.0 total)
• Week 9: –2.6 pounds (-26.6 total)
• Week 10: –3.4 pounds (-30.0 total)
• Week 11: –0.6 pounds (-30.6 total)
• Week 12: –4.2 pounds (-34.8 total)
• Week 13: –1.0 pounds (-35.8 total)
• Week 14: –1.8 pounds (-37.6 total)
• Week 15: –3.0 pounds (-40.6 total)
• Week 16: –1.2 pounds (-41.8 total)
• Week 17: –2.8 pounds (-44.6 total)
• Week 18: +0.8 pounds (-43.8 total)
• Week 19: –2.6 pounds (-46.4 total)
• Week 20: –1.4 pounds (-47.8 total)
• Week 21: –1.6 pounds (-49.4 total)
• Week 22: –3.4 pounds (-52.8 total)
• Week 23: –2.6 pounds (-55.4 total)
• Week 24: –0.6 pounds (-56.0 total)
• Week 25: –1.8 pounds (-57.8 total)
• Week 26: –1.4 pounds (-59.2 total)
• Week 27: –2.2 pounds (-61.4 total)
• Week 28: –1.0 pound (-62.4 total)
• Week 29: –1.6 pounds (-64.0 total)
• Week 30: –2.6 pounds (-66.6 total)
• Week 31: –0.6 pounds (-67.2 total)
• Week 32: –0 pounds (-67.2 total)
• Week 33: –2.2 pounds (-69.4 total)
• Week 34: +1.0 pounds (-68.4 total)
• Week 35: –3.0 pounds (-71.4 total)
• Week 36: –1.0 pounds (-72.4 total)
• Week 37: +2.6 pounds (-69.8 total)
• Week 38: –1.4 pounds (-71.2 total)
• Week 39: –3.4 pounds (-74.6 total)
• Week 40: –0.2 pounds (-74.8 total)
• Week 41: –1.4 pounds (-76.2 total)
• Week 42: –0.4 pounds (-76.6 total)

Happy almost-February!

Disclosure: Nutrisystem is providing their program and support services free of charge for my participation in the Nutrisystem Nation Blogging Program.

PS: Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting the Nutrisystem website.

Basically, I’m trying out one of their regimen kits for 30 days (it started Monday) so I can tell you all how it works.

I’m trying the Naturopathica Normal to Dry Regimen Kit. It comes with products for washing, exfoliating, seruming (I made that word up) and moisturizing your skin with both an AM and PM routine.

I’ll tell you more about my experience with this toward the end of the 30 days, but here are some of my initial reactions:

• “Are some of these products really going to last 30 days? We’ll see.”
• “Hmm. My skin is soft.”
• “Yay! No allergic break-outs!”
• “Mmm, my face smells like tea.”

Intrigued? Come back in a few weeks for a full review.

For Valentine’s Day, you might want to try a body scrub from SheaMoisture.

The SheaMoisture Organic Red Bush & Sage Body Scrub features sugar as the main scrubby ingredient. Plus, it has red bush to help exfoliate and sage to calm your skin afterward.

The big 12 ounce tub features a huge chunk of the soft sugar scrub. It’s easy to take some and rub it over your skin while you shower.

Because of the sugar, plus all natural plant material, it smells like a super sweet and sugary tea. In other words: yummy.

This SheaMoisture body scrub does a great job of buffing skin and making it feel ultra moisturized. It does leave a bit of a greasy residue though, so make sure you rinse thoroughly after using it.

It’s Valentine’s time!

Get this body scrub if…

• you want glowing skin for your big Valentine’s Day date.
• you’re giving yourself a single girl’s spa day instead.
• you just really love a sweet body scrub.

You can pick up the SheaMoisture Organic Red Bush & Sage Body Scrub at Target and Walgreens (in stores) for $9.99 suggested retail price.

Speaking of getting ready, you might want to prepare for the big day with some hair removal action from Japonesque.

The Japonesque Artisan Slant Tip Tweezers come in a wide variety of colors and designs. Red, pink and cheetah print are the most Valentine’s-centric. Sassy.

These heavy-duty metal tweezers are easy to use and feel very high-quality.

They also come with a black carrying case. Unfortunately, the case doesn’t feel nearly as high-quality as the tweezers themselves. It actually feels pretty cheap. Still, it’s nice that they provided this extra in the first place.

The slanted tip grasped hairs easily and there was no slippage. It made tweezing unwanted hairs a whole lot easier.

It’s Valentine’s time!

Get these tweezers if…

• you want to spruce up for your big Valentine’s Day date.
• you’re single and you’re giving yourself a spa day.
• you’re just in dire need of some good tweezers.

You can pick up the Japonesque Artisan Slant Tip Tweezers online at Naimie’s and Ulta for $20.

We’ve got a lot to cover in today’s post. First, you’ve been asking for it, and I’ve delivered: before and after photos!

Then, the weigh-in. Plus I discuss a new weight loss milestone I’ve reached. So, let’s get down to business.

Before and After Pictures, Mid-Loss

You’ve all been asking about before and after photos while I’m on Nutrisystem. I don’t blame you. It’s one thing to see the number of pounds I’ve lost, and quite another to see it in person.

Now, I haven’t reached my goal weight yet. I still have about 45 pounds to go. But you can still see a big difference in these photos (click on the picture to see it larger):

On the left, a picture from my 28th birthday. I really thought I was hot stuff in that dress. It took me losing all this weight to see how big I really was then.

On the right, a picture from Christmas Eve, while showing off my new fluffy pink slippers.

There are about 9 months between these pictures, and about 72.4 pounds lost.

Honestly, I think I look like a completely different person, and not just because my hair changed colors. I’m excited to see what I look like when I hit my goal.

Now, on to this week’s weigh-in

Here’s what the scale said this morning:

I lost 1.4 pounds this week! That brings my total to 76.2 pounds lost in 41 weeks.

Woo!

Milestone Reached: Uncharted Territory

Today, I weighed 179.4 pounds. That’s significant for me. A very big deal. Why? Because I haven’t weighed below 180 since junior high school. That’s 15 years ago. I haven’t been this low of a weight as an adult, let alone a teenager.

That means that from now on, my weight will be uncharted territory. A new (and awesome) adventure. New clothing sizes. New everything.

And I’m excited.

Here’s my progress from the beginning:

• Week 1: –6.4 pounds
• Week 2: –2.4 pounds (-8.8 total)
• Week 3: –3.8 pounds (-12.6 total)
• Week 4: –2.4 pounds (-15.0 total)
• Week 5: –3.0 pounds (-18.0 total)
• Week 6: –1.6 pounds (-19.6 total)
• Week 7: –3.4 pounds (-23.0 total)
• Week 8: –1.0 pounds (-24.0 total)
• Week 9: –2.6 pounds (-26.6 total)
• Week 10: –3.4 pounds (-30.0 total)
• Week 11: –0.6 pounds (-30.6 total)
• Week 12: –4.2 pounds (-34.8 total)
• Week 13: –1.0 pounds (-35.8 total)
• Week 14: –1.8 pounds (-37.6 total)
• Week 15: –3.0 pounds (-40.6 total)
• Week 16: –1.2 pounds (-41.8 total)
• Week 17: –2.8 pounds (-44.6 total)
• Week 18: +0.8 pounds (-43.8 total)
• Week 19: –2.6 pounds (-46.4 total)
• Week 20: –1.4 pounds (-47.8 total)
• Week 21: –1.6 pounds (-49.4 total)
• Week 22: –3.4 pounds (-52.8 total)
• Week 23: –2.6 pounds (-55.4 total)
• Week 24: –0.6 pounds (-56.0 total)
• Week 25: –1.8 pounds (-57.8 total)
• Week 26: –1.4 pounds (-59.2 total)
• Week 27: –2.2 pounds (-61.4 total)
• Week 28: –1.0 pound (-62.4 total)
• Week 29: –1.6 pounds (-64.0 total)
• Week 30: –2.6 pounds (-66.6 total)
• Week 31: –0.6 pounds (-67.2 total)
• Week 32: –0 pounds (-67.2 total)
• Week 33: –2.2 pounds (-69.4 total)
• Week 34: +1.0 pounds (-68.4 total)
• Week 35: –3.0 pounds (-71.4 total)
• Week 36: –1.0 pounds (-72.4 total)
• Week 37: +2.6 pounds (-69.8 total)
• Week 38: –1.4 pounds (-71.2 total)
• Week 39: –3.4 pounds (-74.6 total)
• Week 40: –0.2 pounds (-74.8 total)
• Week 41: –1.4 pounds (-76.2 total)

I hope you’re having as great a week as I am!

Disclosure: Nutrisystem is providing their program and support services free of charge for my participation in the Nutrisystem Nation Blogging Program.

PS: Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting the Nutrisystem website.

It reminds me of an episode of “Friends.” Ross and Rachel are fighting in the living room so Monica, Phoebe, Joey and Chandler are stuck in Monica’s bedroom while they wait for the fight to end. And all they have to eat is leg wax. Man, I miss that show.

When I was asked to try the new Nad’s Facial Wand and Eyebrow Shaper, I couldn’t resist. It makes me just way too nostalgic!

The kit comes with…

• Nad’s facial wand
• Cleansing wipes
• Washable cloths

Before you do anything, you’re supposed to cleanse the area with the wipes. They smell awesome and fresh and like melons, which I liked.

The facial wand solves one of the main problems with the Nad’s from the ‘90s: it’s a lot easier to use.

You twist the bottom of the wand until some of the green goo comes out the top. Then you spread the wax over the area where you want to remove hair (eyebrows, lip, whatever).

Then you smooth on a cloth, in the direction of hair growth, then rip it off in the opposite direction. Hair gone!

While the wand was easier than the original tub of Nad’s goo, it was still a bit tricky to use. You have to start applying it to your skin as soon as it comes out of the applicator or it may get too hard to stick to the skin.

Still, the stuff worked well. It removed my hair without any problems, and residue is easy to wash off. Plus, you can rinse out the cloths and use them again.

The Final Verdict

I liked how much easier the Nad’s Facial Wand Eyebrow Shaper was to use than the original, though it was still a bit tricky. For these reasons, I give it a…

B

You can pick this up at Drugstore.com, Amazon and local drugstores for $9.99 suggested retail price.

Last week I wrote a post about my favorite websites for fitness and weight loss. You should totally go check that out and add your favorites if they’re not on the list.

A Pantry Full of Nutrisystem Success

As I mentioned recently, Nutrisystem has changed their program around a little bit and are now calling it “Nutrisystem Success.” They’ve altered the menu some and even added protein shakes.

Today, I start the new Success program. Yay! (I’ll be telling you more about it as the weeks go on.)

Well, a few months ago I made a video showing you my freezer full of Nutrisystem.

Now you get to see the pantry food!

Sorry for the shaky cam. I didn’t realize I was so…wiggly.

But you can see what the shipment is like and learn a bit more about the shakes and new packaging.

I’m here for the weigh-in.

Here’s what the scale said today:

I lost 0.2 pounds this week! That means I’ve lost 74.8 pounds total in 40 weeks.

Hey, better than nothing!

It’s also time for body measurements.

I measure key parts of my body every 4 weeks, so I can see a difference in my shape as well as my weight.

Here are the changes from week 36 to now:

• Upper arm: –0.25 inches (-4 inches total)
• Chest: –0.25 inches (-10.25 inches total)
• Waist: –1.0 inches (-9 inches total)
• Hips: –1.0 inches (-9.75 inches total)
• Thigh: 0 inches (-5.25 inches total)

That means I’ve lost 2.5 inches in the last 4 weeks, and 38.25 inches total in 40 weeks.

I haven’t lost anything in my thighs for a few months. Kind of weird, but okay. I tend to get smaller top-down anyway, hence the much smaller chest. I’m cool with it. It’ll all catch up eventually.

Here are my weigh-ins since I started:

• Week 1: –6.4 pounds
• Week 2: –2.4 pounds (-8.8 total)
• Week 3: –3.8 pounds (-12.6 total)
• Week 4: –2.4 pounds (-15.0 total)
• Week 5: –3.0 pounds (-18.0 total)
• Week 6: –1.6 pounds (-19.6 total)
• Week 7: –3.4 pounds (-23.0 total)
• Week 8: –1.0 pounds (-24.0 total)
• Week 9: –2.6 pounds (-26.6 total)
• Week 10: –3.4 pounds (-30.0 total)
• Week 11: –0.6 pounds (-30.6 total)
• Week 12: –4.2 pounds (-34.8 total)
• Week 13: –1.0 pounds (-35.8 total)
• Week 14: –1.8 pounds (-37.6 total)
• Week 15: –3.0 pounds (-40.6 total)
• Week 16: –1.2 pounds (-41.8 total)
• Week 17: –2.8 pounds (-44.6 total)
• Week 18: +0.8 pounds (-43.8 total)
• Week 19: –2.6 pounds (-46.4 total)
• Week 20: –1.4 pounds (-47.8 total)
• Week 21: –1.6 pounds (-49.4 total)
• Week 22: –3.4 pounds (-52.8 total)
• Week 23: –2.6 pounds (-55.4 total)
• Week 24: –0.6 pounds (-56.0 total)
• Week 25: –1.8 pounds (-57.8 total)
• Week 26: –1.4 pounds (-59.2 total)
• Week 27: –2.2 pounds (-61.4 total)
• Week 28: –1.0 pound (-62.4 total)
• Week 29: –1.6 pounds (-64.0 total)
• Week 30: –2.6 pounds (-66.6 total)
• Week 31: –0.6 pounds (-67.2 total)
• Week 32: –0 pounds (-67.2 total)
• Week 33: –2.2 pounds (-69.4 total)
• Week 34: +1.0 pounds (-68.4 total)
• Week 35: –3.0 pounds (-71.4 total)
• Week 36: –1.0 pounds (-72.4 total)
• Week 37: +2.6 pounds (-69.8 total)
• Week 38: –1.4 pounds (-71.2 total)
• Week 39: –3.4 pounds (-74.6 total)
• Week 40: –0.2 pounds (-74.8 total)

I have 1 pound to go before I hit my next milestone. Hopefully that’ll be next week. You’ll be the first to know!

Disclosure: Nutrisystem is providing their program and support services free of charge for my participation in the Nutrisystem Nation Blogging Program.

PS: Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting the Nutrisystem website.

Today, I’m talking about Obliphica. This brand uses the sea buckthorn fruit to rejuvenate hair with its vitamin C and antioxidants. Plus, it has John Blaine, celebrity hair stylist, as the official spokesperson.

But, as you probably already know, you can’t really know a product is good until you try it (or read a trusted and honest review).

I did the legwork for you and tried three products from the Obliphica Original Treatment line:

• Obliphica Treatment Shampoo
• Obliphica Treatment Hair Mask
• Obliphica Treatment Hair Serum

All three products are formulated to help dry, damaged or color-treated hair. And, since I dyed my hair black a few weeks ago, my hair fit perfectly with that.

Obliphica Treatment Shampoo

This shampoo works like any other, except that it uses a pump.

Pump it into your palm and work into damp hair. Rinse.

It has an oily, thin consistency  that you don’t normally find in a shampoo.

Here’s something I didn’t like, that’s true for all three products: I hated the scent. I didn’t like it at all. When you hear that the star ingredient, sea buckthorn, is a fruit, you think it’ll probably be sweet and fruity and fresh. It was none of those things. Instead it smelled bitter and harsh and like chemicals. It reminded me of the scent you get with home hair dye kits. I was really disappointed.

As far as the quality of the shampoo, it cleaned my hair okay and left it feeling pretty soft. Still, I can’t get past that scent, so I give the Obliphica Treatment Shampoo a…

C

You can pick this up on the Obliphica website for $33.

Obliphica Treatment Hair Mask

This hair mask, used as a conditioner, comes in a wide-mouthed tub.

After shampooing, spread a thick layer of this mask over hair. Let sit for a few minutes, then rinse.

By the whipped butter consistency and the name of this product, I expected it to deep condition and make my hair ultra soft and hydrated. Unfortunately, it didn’t work that well. Instead, it seemed to do about as well as standard drugstore conditioner formulated for normal hair. Not the super conditioning for dry and colored hair that it promised.

Add in the scent problem, and I give this one a…

C-

You can pick up the Obliphica Treatment Hair Mask on the Obliphica website for $32.85.

Obliphica Treatment Hair Serum

This oil promises to help style and improve dry and damaged hair.

Pump a bit of this thick oil into your palm, rub hands together, and apply it to damp or dry hair. Style as usual.

And the disappointment continues. Since this is formulated for dry, damaged and color-treated hair, you’d think it would tame frizzies and make it smoother and nicer.

Nope. None of the above. I tried it on my damp hair and, once dry, my hair was a complete frizzy mess. As in, frizzier than normal. When I tried it on dry hair, it didn’t seem to do anything at all. When I tried it on straightened hair, it made it a tiny bit smoother, but didn’t get rid of frizz by any means.

All it seemed to do was make my hair super frizzy. I’ll stick to my Suave Professionals Captivating Curls Whipped Cream Mousse, thanks.

For these reasons, and because of the scent issue, I give the Obliphica Treatment Hair Serum a…

D-

You can pick this up at the Obliphica website for $34.95.

It’s always a bummer to write negative reviews, but it had to be done.

Just the idea of the derma e Vanilla Bean series made me excited. I love vanilla scented beauty items! The scent is usually very gentle and yummy and doesn’t irritate my skin.

So, I tried the derma e Vanilla Bean Cleansing Mousse and derma e Vanilla Bean Revitalizing Toner for a full face-washing experience.

You start by splashing your face with some warm water. Then you shake up the Vanilla Bean Cleansing Mousse, pump it into your palm, and work it into the skin on your face and neck.

I loved the scent. It transported me back to my childhood when I used to get Luzier Vanilla Bean Body Lotion from my grandma. It smelled just like it.

The cleanser was delicate and did a good job removing my makeup. It only left a little bit of tough-to-remove eyeliner residue. It also left my skin feeling soft.

After the cleansing mousse, it’s time for some Vanilla Bean Revitalizing Toner. Add a dash of this liquid to a cotton square and spread over freshly washed skin.

This one is alcohol-free, so it doesn’t dry out skin. And it has the same yummy and sugary scent as the cleansing mousse.

But did it really do anything? That’s the big debate about toners in general. I didn’t notice my pores get smaller, but it did make my skin feel fresh and it removed any face makeup that may have escaped the cleanser.

The Final Verdict

The cool thing about derma e is their insistence on using natural ingredients and vitamin E. This cleanser/toner duo had a great scent, a gentle formula, and left my skin feeling soft and supple. Still, the toner seems a bit pointless and the cleanser didn’t remove ALL of my makeup (though, that’s usually the case for cleansers. You almost always need a separate makeup remover). For these reasons, I give the derma e Vanilla Bean Cleansing Mousse and Revitalizing Toner a…

B-

You can pick up the cleanser on derma e’s website and Amazon for $15.50 suggested retail price, though usually on sale for much less.

You can pick up the toner on derma e’s website and Amazon for $15.50 suggested retail price, though usually on sale for much less.

Rawr!

LUSH has come out with a body soap bar to celebrate the new year: Red Dragon Soap.

This bar is shaped like a dragon with a blood orange-colored bar dusted with gold.

Red Dragon Soap is scented with Karma, one of LUSH’s best-selling fragrances. To me, it smells like mango with a large dusting of patchouli and a pinch of cinnamon.

This is a body soap, so you can use it in the shower or bath over your entire body. Red Dragon Soap leaves your skin squeaky clean. Some people don’t like that feeling, so keep that in mind.

It left me clean and smelling yummy. And I loved the shape and color of this bar soap.

Yay for the year of the dragon!

I give LUSH Red Dragon Soap a…

B-

You can pick this up at LUSH’s website for $7.95 for a 3.5 oz bar. This one’s online-only.

I’d say, after today’s Nutrisystem weigh-in, I’m doing pretty darn awesome.

Let’s get right to the weigh-in.

Today, the scale said…

I lost 3.4 pounds this week! That means I’ve lost 74.6 pounds in 39 weeks. Score!

That’s the best week of weight loss I’ve had in months! I blame it on following the plan to a T and exercising with Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 for Xbox Kinect.

Here’s how things have been since I’ve started:

• Week 1: –6.4 pounds
• Week 2: –2.4 pounds (-8.8 total)
• Week 3: –3.8 pounds (-12.6 total)
• Week 4: –2.4 pounds (-15.0 total)
• Week 5: –3.0 pounds (-18.0 total)
• Week 6: –1.6 pounds (-19.6 total)
• Week 7: –3.4 pounds (-23.0 total)
• Week 8: –1.0 pounds (-24.0 total)
• Week 9: –2.6 pounds (-26.6 total)
• Week 10: –3.4 pounds (-30.0 total)
• Week 11: –0.6 pounds (-30.6 total)
• Week 12: –4.2 pounds (-34.8 total)
• Week 13: –1.0 pounds (-35.8 total)
• Week 14: –1.8 pounds (-37.6 total)
• Week 15: –3.0 pounds (-40.6 total)
• Week 16: –1.2 pounds (-41.8 total)
• Week 17: –2.8 pounds (-44.6 total)
• Week 18: +0.8 pounds (-43.8 total)
• Week 19: –2.6 pounds (-46.4 total)
• Week 20: –1.4 pounds (-47.8 total)
• Week 21: –1.6 pounds (-49.4 total)
• Week 22: –3.4 pounds (-52.8 total)
• Week 23: –2.6 pounds (-55.4 total)
• Week 24: –0.6 pounds (-56.0 total)
• Week 25: –1.8 pounds (-57.8 total)
• Week 26: –1.4 pounds (-59.2 total)
• Week 27: –2.2 pounds (-61.4 total)
• Week 28: –1.0 pound (-62.4 total)
• Week 29: –1.6 pounds (-64.0 total)
• Week 30: –2.6 pounds (-66.6 total)
• Week 31: –0.6 pounds (-67.2 total)
• Week 32: –0 pounds (-67.2 total)
• Week 33: –2.2 pounds (-69.4 total)
• Week 34: +1.0 pounds (-68.4 total)
• Week 35: –3.0 pounds (-71.4 total)
• Week 36: –1.0 pounds (-72.4 total)
• Week 37: +2.6 pounds (-69.8 total)
• Week 38: –1.4 pounds (-71.2 total)
• Week 39: –3.4 pounds (-74.6 total)

I’m also really close to hitting a new milestone. I’ll let you know when I do!

Disclosure: Nutrisystem is providing their program and support services free of charge for my participation in the Nutrisystem Nation Blogging Program.

PS: Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting the Nutrisystem website.