This year I have found myself struggling to come up with awesome gifts to give my loved ones. I set the bar pretty high with my stepdad's gift last year. He keeps saying when they add on to their house there will be a huge media room. He will have a awesome record player, his awesome keyboard my mom got for him two years ago, and musical/movie themed art. So I framed some awesome albums for the walls. He was absolutely thrilled with them; I believe he said "best gift ever". I have spent hours online window shopping for everyone on my list (mom, stepdad, brother, stepsister, brother-in-law, ect.) and I can not come up with something awesome to purchase and gift for my mom and brother. What do you buy a mother with everything or the ability to purchase it for herself? As for my brother, well he's just so damn picky, claiming he just wants a Visa gift card, nothing really tangible, except the plastic card and outer wrapper. But we'll get to that later.
My mom is my best friend. I know her likes and dislikes. I know her have's and have not's. She just has the capability to purchase anything for herself. My stepdad is very successful and my mom could be on the Real Housewives of South Florida or something like that. I think I have finally decided on something Adele or Lady Gaga related. She's a huge fan of both and we jam out all the time. My stepsister got them vintage vinyl this year, but lets face it, it's kinda copying my gift from last year.
Now my brother and I had a huge disagreement over his gift. He asks for Visa gift cards from everyone so he can waste his money on something stupid he'll use once and never use again. I have a problem with that because I don't want to know he's pawned the item he purchased with the money. He does that pretty often. So this year when I pretty much demanded he chose a gift under $200, he wasn't happy. When he asked for a gift card, I let him know the gift card would be for substantially less. Is that wrong of me? I don't think so. I want to hand something to someone rather than money or a card. Especially him, because he will waste it on something he doesn't need. He is a jobless man-child who lives with our grandfather. He has things he really needs, but he won't spend money the correct way. He ended up asking for something for the entire amount, go figure. First he wanted me to buy him a PS3. Finally, I bought him a crazy expensive coffee maker for him and my grandpa. My coffee maker cost $60. I spent $190 on this Keurig maker for them.
I wanted to buy my aunt something nice, but she only wants money also. She took in my Golden Retriever when I lost the time to take care of her. She has done A LOT for me over the years. She's my second mom. She works really hard, and is a care giver to my grandpa.
As for me, I say I'm pretty easy to buy for. I love the Red Sox, Bruins, Mountaineers, pretty dresses, nice shoes, Fiesta ware, movies, books, and music, in no specific order. Oh, and sea turtles; I like sea turtle trinkets. My stepsis got me two of those things with her gifts for me doing her hair for her wedding and my Christmas gift. She got me this really cute sea turtle bracelet and Bruins earrings. I adore both of them. My parents, however, gave me money.
Money, after I sent them lists of things I find amazing. The lists had probably a thousand things to chose from. Now the decision for what to purchase for myself is up to me. When I don't need anything, it's hard to decide what I need the most of my wants. When it comes down to it, I don't need any of it. My mom will tell me to get something for my apartment. There's a problem with that, I've lived on my own for 6 years, I have all those things. I purchased the last of the needs last year, a new dining table and chairs. I really want a record player, but I have no albums to play on it. I left all of them at my dad's and have no way to get them.
My mom's sisters are giving me gift cards also. They don't have to, they just chose to be lazy. One basically told me I can only have a gift card from two places: The Gap, or American Eagle. I don't shop at either store. I saved the gift cards from AE from last Christmas until July this year. I had $60 and got a bunch of tops on sale. A few of them, I haven't worn. I told her the stores I like shopping at, and she could have one of her sisters get the gift card for her or order online. I don't feel like if someone is going to give me a gift, it's in bad taste for me to tell them what I like or that I won't like it. I also told my family to donate the money to one of my charities. And NO ONE has done so. My stepdad was going to, but my mom told him not to.
What does an adult buy when they have money to spare? Do tell please.
Monday, December 12
Tuesday, November 1
Let's Talk About Skin
I am a creature of habit when it comes to my skin. I have used Origins Cheeks & Balance cleanser & Balanced Diet moisturizer for 10 years. TEN YEARS! And if there was a time I ran out before getting to Charleston when I lived in WV, I'd used the same thing I used before I switched, Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser or the newer and hard to find Rapid Clear cleanser - basically the same but fights oil a little harder. I love the Rapid Clear line. I use the two-in-one Clear Pore cleanser/mask as a mask in rotation with Origins Charcoal mask or one of the $1.99 deep sea mud masks from Ulta. Before I switched to Bare Minerals foundation, I used Almay Clear Complexion liquid foundation with salicylic acid. I tend to go towards things which keep me from breaking out. Not a huge problem for me, except during that dreaded time of the month. So, I just like to stay ahead of the game and be completely preventive. During the humid Summer months when I have been tanning (I know, it's bad for my skin) I use a tinted moisturizer from Almay or Clinique or nothing at all in leu of a more full coverage option.
When I made the switch to Bare Minerals, I've never been more happy with a change. I received more compliments after the switch than I had ever received before. I've never been a heavy makeup wearer, I tend to go very natural and switch it up my eye shadows to something crazy on days I need a compliment or two. When my aunt looks at me first thing in the morning, when I think I look the worst and says "what have you changed with your face routine? Your skin looks amazing." I beamed and pushed for my mom to make the change.
The only item I change like I change hair products (I like trying new things when it comes to hair care) is my mascara. I've been using Maybelline's Lash Stillettos mascara since InStyle or Marie Claire said it was their favorite second to Dior's Runway mascara. Dior is a big favorite for people who can spend $50 plus on one cosmetic item. The only mascara I keep going back to when I'm bored and know it will make my lashes look great is Almay's Triple Effects. Such a great mascara, it lengthens and thickens my already curly lashes.
For eyeliner, I've used the same liner since high school, Almay 16-hour liner in brown or brown-black for daily use. It's my absolute favorite liner ever. I will be splurging on a MAC or Smashbox cream liner to try soon, but I like my old friend. We know each other very well.
It may surprise some that my rituals don't have many skin care products. I never felt the need for all the serums or toners until recently. I'm getting older, my skin is changing. Most people get more dry as they age, but right now I'm getting really oily. Not just on my face, my scalp has gotten increasingly more oily causing me to change up my shampoo and conditioner often to combat this issue. One thing I do try to enjoy once every two weeks is a mud or charcoal mask. It helps combat the days I am too tired to stand at the bathroom sink and remove my makeup before bed. I have tried to be more on top of taking my makeup off at night since reading in Marie Claire that sleeping with make up on for one night ages you 7 days. One night isn't so bad but doing it nightly, builds up over time.
The first change I made was 7 months ago when I started using a toner after cleansing. Not an astringent, even though some toners can be labeled so, but a liquid which balances out the pH of the skin. It helps with redness and irritation when you use a more striping cleanser. I started using Murad Clarifying Toner after a facial. It improved my monthly break out as well as some of the oiliness. It is rather expensive for how often I use it - twice a day at $22 a bottle - so I picked up a cheaper option from the Neutrogena Acne Stress Control line - I've used this line when the Rapid Clear cleanser was MIA on my local shelves. (I've used the every cleanser in this line - foam, cream, scrub) We will see if this cheaper alternative works as well.
I'm a big testimonial on products person. If someone says they love it and can give me results proof, then I will be more willing to try. I currently work from home and take online college courses so I don't have much reason to put makeup on daily. I still need to cleanse often because of my oiliness, but I wanted a quick option. I've been plagued with hereditary dark circles (thanks dad) and I'm a huge laugher so I have laugh lines I want to slow down a little. As a lover of paraben-free, naturally derived, and eco-friendly I have been looking at the Yes To products for about 2 years. I finally made the purchase after reading Sophia Bush's blog on her website. She has her own Water Bobble filter! I tried Water Bobble after seeing her giving them away on her twitter. I have a very weird palette when it comes to water, I can takes the littlest bit of chlorine left in it when I take a sip. Brita filters tend to leave those impurities in the water that I can taste, so for me to make the change to a filter system and love it, then it's pretty impressive.
Well, I was browsing her blog after she posted a music option last week and she had blogged about the Yes To products she loves. It triggered the need to try them. I finally purchased them last night at Target and I've used them twice now. She spoke of her love for the Yes To Blueberries cleansing wipes but I went with the Yes To Cucumbers wipes. I need gentle and a little less nourishing because of my oiliness, and they don't currently have a Yes To Tomatoes wipe. Of the Yes To Tomatoes line, I purchased the mask. I look forward to trying it later tonight. The second product in the Yes To Cucumbers line I got is the Soothing Eye Gel. WOW! Using this with the Yes To Blueberries Brightening Eye Roller is amazing. I have tried quite a few dark circle correctors and nothing stuck with me or worked. I used last night before bed and my eye area is less puffy, brighter, and tighter. ONE USE! And I only got 5 hours sleep so my dark circles would normally be down to the bottom of my cheek bone. I am sold on those two products alone. I used again this morning and my eye area is even more radiant. I never believe a person when they say a product works overnight on commercials, but dang it if these two finally proved me wrong.
The final Yes To Blueberries product is the Age Refresh Intensive Skin Repair Serum. I have an issue of when I break out, I pick the affected area with obsession that can only be rivaled by a meth addict. I've been better about this over the years but there are a few spots where my skin shows discoloration and I wanted to correct it while I'm still young. The product also corrects firmness - feels better already, reduces wrinkles, and protects skin.
One night and I'm sold on this company. And to make things better a portion of proceeds got to the Yes To Seed Fund which works to engage children with Mother Nature. How cool is that when kids are such indoor creatures anymore.
There you have it. My new and old skin care rituals. What are yours?
Peace & Love - and good skin!
When I made the switch to Bare Minerals, I've never been more happy with a change. I received more compliments after the switch than I had ever received before. I've never been a heavy makeup wearer, I tend to go very natural and switch it up my eye shadows to something crazy on days I need a compliment or two. When my aunt looks at me first thing in the morning, when I think I look the worst and says "what have you changed with your face routine? Your skin looks amazing." I beamed and pushed for my mom to make the change.
The only item I change like I change hair products (I like trying new things when it comes to hair care) is my mascara. I've been using Maybelline's Lash Stillettos mascara since InStyle or Marie Claire said it was their favorite second to Dior's Runway mascara. Dior is a big favorite for people who can spend $50 plus on one cosmetic item. The only mascara I keep going back to when I'm bored and know it will make my lashes look great is Almay's Triple Effects. Such a great mascara, it lengthens and thickens my already curly lashes.
For eyeliner, I've used the same liner since high school, Almay 16-hour liner in brown or brown-black for daily use. It's my absolute favorite liner ever. I will be splurging on a MAC or Smashbox cream liner to try soon, but I like my old friend. We know each other very well.
It may surprise some that my rituals don't have many skin care products. I never felt the need for all the serums or toners until recently. I'm getting older, my skin is changing. Most people get more dry as they age, but right now I'm getting really oily. Not just on my face, my scalp has gotten increasingly more oily causing me to change up my shampoo and conditioner often to combat this issue. One thing I do try to enjoy once every two weeks is a mud or charcoal mask. It helps combat the days I am too tired to stand at the bathroom sink and remove my makeup before bed. I have tried to be more on top of taking my makeup off at night since reading in Marie Claire that sleeping with make up on for one night ages you 7 days. One night isn't so bad but doing it nightly, builds up over time.
The first change I made was 7 months ago when I started using a toner after cleansing. Not an astringent, even though some toners can be labeled so, but a liquid which balances out the pH of the skin. It helps with redness and irritation when you use a more striping cleanser. I started using Murad Clarifying Toner after a facial. It improved my monthly break out as well as some of the oiliness. It is rather expensive for how often I use it - twice a day at $22 a bottle - so I picked up a cheaper option from the Neutrogena Acne Stress Control line - I've used this line when the Rapid Clear cleanser was MIA on my local shelves. (I've used the every cleanser in this line - foam, cream, scrub) We will see if this cheaper alternative works as well.
I'm a big testimonial on products person. If someone says they love it and can give me results proof, then I will be more willing to try. I currently work from home and take online college courses so I don't have much reason to put makeup on daily. I still need to cleanse often because of my oiliness, but I wanted a quick option. I've been plagued with hereditary dark circles (thanks dad) and I'm a huge laugher so I have laugh lines I want to slow down a little. As a lover of paraben-free, naturally derived, and eco-friendly I have been looking at the Yes To products for about 2 years. I finally made the purchase after reading Sophia Bush's blog on her website. She has her own Water Bobble filter! I tried Water Bobble after seeing her giving them away on her twitter. I have a very weird palette when it comes to water, I can takes the littlest bit of chlorine left in it when I take a sip. Brita filters tend to leave those impurities in the water that I can taste, so for me to make the change to a filter system and love it, then it's pretty impressive.
Well, I was browsing her blog after she posted a music option last week and she had blogged about the Yes To products she loves. It triggered the need to try them. I finally purchased them last night at Target and I've used them twice now. She spoke of her love for the Yes To Blueberries cleansing wipes but I went with the Yes To Cucumbers wipes. I need gentle and a little less nourishing because of my oiliness, and they don't currently have a Yes To Tomatoes wipe. Of the Yes To Tomatoes line, I purchased the mask. I look forward to trying it later tonight. The second product in the Yes To Cucumbers line I got is the Soothing Eye Gel. WOW! Using this with the Yes To Blueberries Brightening Eye Roller is amazing. I have tried quite a few dark circle correctors and nothing stuck with me or worked. I used last night before bed and my eye area is less puffy, brighter, and tighter. ONE USE! And I only got 5 hours sleep so my dark circles would normally be down to the bottom of my cheek bone. I am sold on those two products alone. I used again this morning and my eye area is even more radiant. I never believe a person when they say a product works overnight on commercials, but dang it if these two finally proved me wrong.
The final Yes To Blueberries product is the Age Refresh Intensive Skin Repair Serum. I have an issue of when I break out, I pick the affected area with obsession that can only be rivaled by a meth addict. I've been better about this over the years but there are a few spots where my skin shows discoloration and I wanted to correct it while I'm still young. The product also corrects firmness - feels better already, reduces wrinkles, and protects skin.
One night and I'm sold on this company. And to make things better a portion of proceeds got to the Yes To Seed Fund which works to engage children with Mother Nature. How cool is that when kids are such indoor creatures anymore.
There you have it. My new and old skin care rituals. What are yours?
Peace & Love - and good skin!
Tuesday, October 18
Favorite Items of the Day
Ok, so my fav website HelloGiggles has two features which I adore. Molls' weekly "5 Favorite Things" and the "Item of the Day". I have yet to contribute to a reply to Molls' weekly video with my own, but I think this blog will suffice.
To start off, I've been doing a lot of internet shopping recently. I had to find a dress and accessories for my step sister's wedding. I'm a lover of all thing vintage and elegant. I wanted a vintage 1950's-60's dress, but because I'm curvy girl and I've gained a little weight recently I couldn't find a dress I liked. I trolled Etsy and other sites looking for the right dress and then the right jewelry to make it pop. What else did I end up finding on Etsy and other sites around the interwebs.
Item #1
My dress - Anthropologies' Damselfly dress
To start off, I've been doing a lot of internet shopping recently. I had to find a dress and accessories for my step sister's wedding. I'm a lover of all thing vintage and elegant. I wanted a vintage 1950's-60's dress, but because I'm curvy girl and I've gained a little weight recently I couldn't find a dress I liked. I trolled Etsy and other sites looking for the right dress and then the right jewelry to make it pop. What else did I end up finding on Etsy and other sites around the interwebs.
Item #1
My dress - Anthropologies' Damselfly dress
This dress is just adorable. The geometric design is retro and the shape just worked for me. It even has two pockets in that cute hidden dress style. I got it on sale and it's not available online any longer, but if you have a Anthropologie at your local mall, go grab this cute frock for $40!
Item #2
Gorgeous Mixed Media dress
This garment can be found on Etsy in Cristina Pires shop. I love the idea of this with some black leggings, funky silver jewelry, and a messy, curly updo. China Glaze's "For Audrey" polish on nails of course.
Item #3
I make lists. I have to. I would forget many things if I didn't write them down to either purchase or get done. My mom has kept me very stocked with all different sorts of notepads. I have Hello Kitty, The Who, and many more. But I feel I need these notepads from www.urbanoutfitters.com.
Item #4
I just discovered the first season of six episodes last week and I'm hooked just in time for the new season to start this past Sunday. And wow did it ever start! I LOVE zombies. I don't know why, but three of my top 50 favorite movies include three zombie movies (Zombieland, Shaun of the Dead, and Resident Evil). Seriously, if you like good tv and a great zombie story, check it out!
Item #5
I have three favorite things that are shows....
Ah, film noir at it's best. Love Jason Schwartzman as Jonathan Ames is phenomenal. And two comedic geniuses of Danson and Galifianakis. I could go on and on about this show but I won't, I'll get to the next show.
Item #6
My absolute favorite new show this season? 2 Broke Girls of course! Now it has head way on the New Girl because Fox decided to be a sports network and cover the ALCS/NLCS Championships and the World Series. Now if my Red Sox had made it to the big show, I wouldn't care, but it took my shows off! But Broke Girls is still on CBS Mondays. This show would be me in both aspects if I were broke and in Brooklyn. I would have major life changes to make, but I'm also a hard ass when I need to be. So all I'm missing is the horse in my backyard.
Item #7
And to end on my zombie love. These heels are both gory and girly. I'm in love. Check out the other awesome shoes in this store! Sweet Sin Couture.
So there are my favs of the day/week, what are some of yours?
Peace & Love my friends.
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