This is my very first time making gluten free brownies and it was stressful due to my own errors and the fact that brownies can burn very easily. I hope you enjoy my review / walk through of how I made them! 

My friend gave me the Krusteaz Gluten Free Brownie Mix. This brownie mix came with little chocolate chips in the mix already which was amazing but they were so small you didn't really notice them. That can be fixed if you add your own into the mix as well, give a bit extra chocolaty goodness. The mix itself looks like a basic brownie mix. You add your water, oil, and egg. Or your egg substitute. It mixes very easily and it's quite a lot of fun to do. I love watching it turn dark and as I mix it feeling the chocolate chips brush against the fork, that just makes me sound weird, I know. Anyways I had no parchment paper so I just oiled it up with vegetable oil I had, which worked just fine, though I could have used a bit more oil. I had messed up with the pan since all I had was a 9x11 but the recipe called for an 8x8. That isn't a big thing other than it means the cooking time would not be what the box says. I watched it like a hawk and didn't leave the kitchen. Towards the end I kept checking it to see if it was as done as it should be. Apparently brownies are suppose to be slightly underdone, which made me so nervous. 

As you can see from the picture below I poked it to see how hard it was at the top, didn't turn out very well since my finger sunk in pretty quickly. So I kept cooking it in intervals of two to five minutes and kept checking it because I was so nervous. That's why there are so many tiny toothpick holes, trying to see how done it was. I was really determined not to mess this up since I don't have the best of luck with baking things with chocolate in them. 

Once I deemed them done enough I let them cool and let the underdone parts cook on their own without the added heat of the oven. It took a bit but they became less squishy and more soft. But i like my brownies a bit gooey and soft so it was perfect for myself. Since my stove is at an angle apparently one side was a little thinner and it ended up turning a bit hard.

They tasted amazing though! My fiance who is nervous about trying gluten free foods and isn't really a fan of chocolate loved them, so I call that a sucess. My friend had given these to me to bake so I can have gluten free sweets. I would most definitely by this box of brownie mix again or try another gluten free kind. You cannot taste any difference between a normal brownie and the gluten free version. At least to my taste buds. These retail for about 5 or so dollars in most places. Not gonna lie the end picture is not that great but I realized it so late, I'm sorry for the blurry picture. I hope you found my review helpful and honestly you should go try this gluten free brownie mix. 

I purchased the Fairy Garden Sugar Scrub on Black Friday but never got around to fully reviewing it. I wanted to use it a bit to get a good feel of it instead of just always giving a first impression review. After using it for a bit I can attest that it does it's job and it works perfectly for people with sensitive skin. 

To start off this review I just want to state that this product is coconut oil free which is sort of hard to find these days. Tarabusi Creek offers a wide variety of scrubs but not all are coconut free. This one is and quite honestly it makes me feel like a fairy queen. It has a strong floral scent that makes you feel like you're walking through flowers taller than yourself. It remains on your skin for a long time after washing it off. You aren't into strong scents then perhaps this isn't quite for you but if you are into strong floral scents you'll love it. 

I myself personally love floral scents but never found any as strong as this. It was something to get used to since at first it almost assaults your nose. However, it may be strong but the scent is lovely, heavenly even. Once you get passed that initial shock you will love it. The scrub itself is a beautiful pink color that I absolutely love. It was the main reason I wanted to purchase it, that and it was floral and said fairy on it. Don't mind the product smudges on the outside lid, it just shows how much I've used it and it can be a very messy product. 

This scrub is a sugar scrub with very fine sugars inside. It's perfect for people who don't need to scrub off a lot of dead skin and have sensitive skin. My skin gets very dry so sometimes it doesn't work the best for me personally but other times it's just right. It's a very gentle scrub depending on how hard you push it into your skin. Just because the sugars are small does not mean they won't hurt you if you apply too much pressure. I accidentally did this one time and it left a bad patch on my chin that was a bit raw for a day or two, so please use with a gentle hand. 

When using the scrub you have to apply quite a bit to your face since it's a bit denser than the other scrub I tried. Once you have it on your skin you can wet your hands a bit as you rub it in. I found that very helpful when trying to scrub all that dead skin away. Just always be gentle. Once you rub it in it starts to soap up a bit but not a lot, not enough to make it feel as if you're actually washing it off with a cleanser or some sort of soap. That isn't a bad thing since it is a scrub after all, not your cleanser. Also the sugars dissolve pretty quickly so make sure you rub it in as much as you can. 

It's easy to clean off and once it's done your skin won't feel just a bit tight but that's normal. I like to let water fill my hands and splash it all over my face and rub my face with my hands to make sure all of it is off. Also make sure it is out of your hair if you accidentally get some in there. It will make your edges super stiff if you don't make sure. 

This product is perfect for those with extremely sensitive skin and those who don't need to exfoliate as much. I myself personally prefer the bigger sugars since I tend to get very dry skin and need the extra bit of exfoliation I can get but this scrub is one I would buy again since the larger sugars aren't exactly healthy for your skin. 

Overall this product is lovely, aesthetic, and does it's job. I would buy again if I wasn't trying out every product I can from them. I would suggest adding Tarabusi Creek Scrubs or any products into your daily skincare routine. Your skin will thank you. 

photo credits from Steve Buissinne  at pixabay.com

I hope you are all ready for some gluten free snacks! i know I am! These are my favorite five that I adore and each item will have their own little review so you know what you're getting as well as the average prices at stores, and which stores usually have them. If you are like me you have to limit how much gluten you eat or you can't eat it at all. I can only eat small amounts per day and snacks can take up all of them if you're not careful. Or maybe you just love being gluten free, it makes you feel more awake and better, either way these gluten free snacks are ones I enjoy and maybe you'll enjoy them too. Just be cautious that just because it's gluten free does not mean it's healthy, I noticed that is a common misconception to people who don't usually eat gluten free foods. Sure a lot are healthier for you but at the same time there are other bad things than gluten. 

ANNIE'S COCOA & VANILLA RABBITS

These are on the list simply because I love the chocolate ones. I am not really a fan of the vanilla ones since for some odd reason you can feel the texture more. It's not that they are bad but if you aren't used to eating rice flour and such it'll be strange. It's not a bad thing at all and it's something you can get used to. But I ate them when I first started out and couldn't get the hang of it. The flavor though is quite lovely and honestly everything that Annie's makes is wonderful. These can sell for around 3 - 4USD depending on where you look for them. They can be found at Walmart, Target, and even some grocery stores.  

SNACK FACTORY PRETZEL CRISPS

These are one of the most recent ones I found and honestly I love them. I am a HUGE pretzel eater and never second guessed why sometimes they would hurt my stomach. I just loved them too much I ignored it. Sometimes I still do eat them but that is only if I know I haven't already eaten too much gluten that day. However, with these I don't have to worry and it makes me so very happy. They are thin, crunchy, salty, and there is a lot in the package. I got mine at the 99 cent store which was rare and I pray next time I go they are there again. However, you can also get them at Walmart for around 3 - 6 USD or Target and perhaps some grocery stores.

The Tarabusi Creek Sugar Cookie Facial Cleaser Mask is the first face mask I have used that wasn't a sheet. The first thing I noticed about it was the color. On the site it's a light brown color (like cookie dough) much darker and with a slight green tint. When I first got it I was taken back and thought maybe I got the wrong one. But it smells sugary and like vanilla. After looking a bit online of people who also purchased it I noticed it was the right actual color. So keep that in mind when purchasing. It's not that it's a bad thing, colors change with changes of recipe. Colors change with what you use.That is to be expected when purchasing from small businesses. They do everything by hand so usually each batch might be a bit different than the last. Most of all colors change when you take photos. Light hits a certain way, settings on your camera and editing to make the image look nice. Mine turned out a light brown almost peanut butter color in my photos after touching them up so they look decent. Keep in mind when buying anything online that colors will hardly look like what's in the photo.

It is not a very appealing color but that matters little if it works. The scent is strong and very sugary. Almost a bit sharp and made me a bit nauseous when I first used it. However, I have a sensitive nose and overly sweet scents don't agree with me. I still wanted to try it out. The second time I used it I was used to the scent and liked it a lot more than the last time. The scent stays with you well after washing off so if you don't want that make sure to wash your face a lot to get it off the most you can. But that is only if you don't want to smell like a sugary sweet snack. Also if you aren't fond of sweet smelling things it can feel as if you skin wasn't really clean so be sure to wash it off carefully and thoroughly if you are like that. 

This face mask is coconut oil free which is the main reason I bought it and because I love the company so much. It has some nice natural ingredients as well as the preservatives and additives that every skin care person should know. The owner takes no risks and handles everything with the utmost care and knowledge. Which is why Tarabusi Creek is the only small business I currently get my skin care from for a reason. 

The mask itself feels a bit watery but it sticks to your face and doesn't run. It's sort of like putting really wet mud on your face which feels very refreshing. It sticks to your skin and you don't have to worry about it getting everywhere. Still as a warning don't wear high collard shirts, tie your hair back, and be careful. That goes with any facial products you put on. You leave the mask on for ten to twenty minutes, whatever you feel most comfortable with and I love how that is right on the lid so you see it every time you open it. It was a nice detail that not a lot of people do. 

If you put on the mask right after using one of their scrubs it will burn for a few seconds (only way I've tested it, it could be different or not). Once that passes you don't feel much of anything. I didn't feel any tingling or it getting cold which if you don't like that then it's great. The very first time I used it I had a lot of fun putting it on. A little bit of the stuff goes along way so don't overdo it or you'll have to restock soon. 

The fun part about this is washing it off. It's not exactly easy to do simply because if you use a napkin like I do it will start to lather up like a soap! It was so fun to see that and it felt like I was really washing my face as I was wiping the mask off. I don't know if it says it on the site but it was nice to see. I loved washing it off of my face, watching the mask turn into white suds was like watching a science experiment on my face. I find myself getting excited to wash it off now every time I use it since it does that. It feels like it's working extra and that is big points for me. 

Once it's all off your face it's best to splash your face with some water and rub your fingers on your skin, to make sure you get it all off and that helps with the tightness you feel as well. It will make your skin feel a bit tight after it's all washed and dried but that fades after a few minutes. The instant it's off you can notice how much smoother your skin looks, how brighter it looks. If you touch it, it feels so soft and smooth that it surprised me. It hydrates so well that I only have to do it once or twice a week. It keeps my trouble spots hydrated to perfection. 

It is a great product to use if you don't mind really sugary scents and if you need something that is coconut free. It hydrates, it's fun to wash off and it keeps your skin feeling soft for days. I personally prefer more subtle and floral smells so I am not positive if I will order this again for myself but I would gladly buy it for a friend. I would highly recommend for those with dry sensitive skin like myself and those with allergies. Also, as a little note that has no real pull on the review. Using the mask during the holiday season made me feel extra festive. 

There is one more thing I wanted to touch on but this is about the company itself. The customer service is so amazing. I received a wrong item and I messaged them the instant I noticed. Not only did they reply relatively quick but they sent out my new product quick. I get extremely nervous when talking to people, especially when something isn't right. She made me feel happy, welcome, and a bit less shy. Small businesses work very hard and those who are like Tarabusi Creek deserve to be in the spotlight. Within a few days I received the correct item which was this mask that I am reviewing. The wrong item I received is going to be put to good use by a possible future customer, one of my friends.  

Thank you so much for being such a great business that I hope to purchase from for years to come. The company has made my skin feel so much better and honestly has made myself feel better. The owner is extremely sweet and hard working. Nothing can ever always be perfect so be kind when small businesses get your order wrong. They work extremely hard to give you your products. Go check out the site if you haven't. The link is below! 

Visit Their Site ○ See Their Twitter ○ Sweet Apple Scrub Review

I purchased the 2oz Tarabusi Creek Sweet Apple Sugar Scrub. This is my first impression review on it. I will write another one once I've used it for a bit to see if there are any long term notices with my skin. If you don't know about Tarabusi Creek you should! It's run by a lovely lady who works hard to create handmade and completely vegan bath and body products for all under $10USD. Not to mention everything is cruelty free which is a huge plus in my book. At first I thought it might have been a bit too pricey for 4 dollars + shipping for a small container of face scrub but once I saw it in person I realized I was mostly wrong. Sure, something you use daily will go away quickly and only 2oz will go even quicker. However, a little bit of this stuff goes a long way. Unless you prefer a nice good lather then of course use more. I always use things in moderation and just some on the cap was enough to wash my whole face and make it feel smooth. Not to mention the container it came in is sleek, fits in a small place, has the cutest information sticker I've seen with handmade items, and it's sturdy. My only issue with the design is that the ingredient might be hard to read for some peopel. Luckily she's amazing and she lists the ingredients on the site so always read that before purchasing. Even if you don't have allergies like I do.

There is a ton of sugar in the scrub which gently exfoliates your skin, leaving it smooth and getting away that pesky dry skin you struggle with. This scrub is great for people with dry and sensitive skin. It goes on smooth and easy, the sugar starts to dissolve after a bit which feels kind of nice in my opinion when I rub it in. With all exfoliates always rub gently, don't push into your skin or you can do more damage than good. A gentle touch is needed with all and this one is no exception. The jar is filled to the brim with product which I love, some people don't fill up the part where the cap screws on, but not them. They fill it up and gives you your money's worth. The scent is strong and once you put it on you skin it stays on for quite some time. It's rare to find things like that these days with good products. Usually the scent is dulled down and goes away within minutes. Not this one! It stayed on my arm when I tested it on my skin and my face when i finally used it. For a good four hours I smelt like Sweet Apples and I loved it. However, if you aren't into that sugary sweet scents then perhaps try another scrub. If you want to go out and not smell sweet then try another one that I am sure is just as great. 

After I used it for the first time I didn't notice a huge difference in my skin but that's to be expected upon first use. My skin however did feel very soft and unlike other exfoliates I used I don't get that filmy tight feeling on my face, nor did it dry my skin out. I struggled finding facial scrubs until now. It pairs well with a nice facial mist. The one I used is an orange blossom water toner that also has a lot of nice benefits. However, after just the scrub my skin felt refreshed and clean. But if you have extremely dry skin like mine you still need a bit more to keep your face from drying out naturally. You scrub it in your skin and lather it up and once it's all done the product is easy to wash off with some warm water and I use soft napkins than a towel since my skin is touchy. All in all I will be buying more facial scrubs and any other product that has none of my allergies. It's worth the money I put into it for what I'm getting out of it. The next day I haven't washed my face and it still felt smooth. Though my trouble spot which is my forehead will take a bit longer to feel as nice as my cheeks.

If you haven't tried any of Tarabusi Creek's products i highly suggest it. Not only will you be getting a great product but you'll be supporting a small business and a person who works hard to make products for everyone. They deserves the support you can give them and your skin deserves the Sweet Apple Sugar Scrub. Check out their twitter for updates, promo codes, and any deals they may have. Or visit their site to see what all they have to offer. 

Tarabusi Creek's Twitter ○ Tarabusi Creek Site