Summer Products

As my sister already shared, she is a recovering shop-a-holic.  While I don't share her clothing obsession, I have one of my own.  Beauty products people, it is a situation.  I am obsessed with product.  As we speak, I have two totes in my bathroom closet, one for face product, the other for hair product.  I just want to try it all.  In my shower, I have bar soap, body wash, 3 different shampoos, 3 different conditioners, and 2 types of face wash.

When I still lived with my parents, Cat (our mom) used to threaten me on a daily basis that if I didn't throw out some of my product that was slowly but surely taking over the bathroom, then she would just get rid of it all.

To make matters worse, I am a hoarder in the making.  I know I already clued you guys in on my decision making problem.  The decision of whether or not to keep something or throw it out is the absolute hardest for me. (I tell myself that if I throw something out there will come a time when I need it, then I will hate myself because I threw it out.)

Anywho, I digress.  What I wanted to share with you guys were some of my favorite products I'm using this summer.

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First up, morrocan oil.  I have wavy, semi-frizzy hair that can look great when it air dries but only with the right product.  This stuff is so light weight and absorbs like a dream without making my hair look greasy at all.  I just towel dry my hair and scrunch into the bottom hair of my hair and let it dry.  Once my hair is dry I'll give it a once over with my curling iron to fix any curls that need it.  Another benefit, it smells great!

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Moving right along I give you my sunless tanning lotion, Coppertone Summer Color.  This looks very natural while giving fast results.  You can notice a nice glow within the first few uses.  I put it on a few times a week after I shower.  It doesn't come off on my clothes like some other products and while it does have a scent it is not that strong.

I will be the first to admit, I am not a fan of sunblock.  It is greasy and I don't like the way it smells.  However, this summer I bought Coppertone oil free and fragrance free sunblock spf 15.  It is not greasy and doesn't make my face break out.  It is not 100% fragance free--I still get a little of the sunblock smell--but you really have to be sniffin' for it.

In the summer, I like a lighter, brighter makeup look.  So this summer I decided to try N.Y.C. white eyeliner on the bottom inner rims of my eye (not sure if rims is the right word but it's all I can come up with right now).  So I just draw a soft line and finish it off with mascara on my top lashes and it brightens your eyes a bit without being too "Hey, I'm wearing white eyeliner".  

So there you have it, some of my fave( not to mention inexpensive...working with a college students budget here people) summer products!

M

Summer fun, running shoes, and pool etiquette

Well I have had a packed few days! Saturday I went to the pool and the park, love it. Sunday was full of studying and laundry. Monday I had a test and today I worked. So that's why I have not had a chance to post! My lovely sister has made up for my absence though. Is it not beautiful where she goes in NC? JEALOUS!

I also went shoe shopping. Not really fun shoe shopping. I have been shopping for a new pair of running shoes. Apparently there is a science to choosing the correct shoe. Who knew. Puma's are great for flexibility when I run, but the toe area is not big enough so I get gigantor blisters on my pinky toes. I am also losing two toe nails right now because of them. Sooo I bought a Nike shoe. These shoes are great for toe comfort but are not flexible enough so after I run I get crazy foot cramps the next day and can barely walk.

So now what? Well I went to dick's and the nice shoe guy explained running shoe science to me. First you must have a thumb nails worth of space between your big toe and the top of the shoe. Why you ask? Well your feet apparently swell when you run, hence why I am losing two toe nails right now and am forced to wear winter color toe nail polish. Yes this is a catastrophe. Second, shoes have to be bendable when you try to bend them in half. Otherwise your foot will cramp. Third they have to be light weight. Then once you get a shoe that meets all of these requirements you have to choose whether you want a traditional running shoe or something similar to barefoot running. I LOVED the barefoot shoes. O my. They bent in half and were light as air. However, nice shoe guy said you either love them or hate them, and for 90 dollars I did not want to take my chances. So I ended up with Mizuno's which I am not quite fond of looks wise and which definitely left a hole in my credit card. So I am hoping that these work because now I am $150 in the hole in regards to footwear.

While I was writing this lil sis rang in and suggested I discuss pool etiquette. Yes pool etiquette. We do not have the luxury of having our own pool but luckily we have a neighborhood pool. Usually our pool is pretty empty. It's not very big anyway. Well today not so much. Full of I'd say 13 year old boys who decided to post up on opposite ends of the pool and throw balls at each other. Meanwhile I am in the danger zone, almost being hit a few times by the balls and being periodically splashed. Rude. If that wasn't enough they were hogging the entire pool so it was impossible for anyone to get in and it is 94 degrees today! So I was forced to leave and I am hoping that tomorrow there will be no such shenanigans because I lack patience with rude people, just ask M about the HP midnight showing incident, I may have lost my temper just a little bit. So for the safety of these prepubesent males, I hope they do not show up at the pool tomorrow.

Anyway, not to dampen the mood. I had a lovely weekend and rocked my test on monday. I am psyched for the pool tomorrow and some more summer fun!

I hope everyone else is enjoying the weather!

R

Vaca!!

Happy Monday!

Thought I would share what is making me happy this monday with everyone.  The b.friend and I just finalized our plans to go visit his family in North Carolina in a few weeks and I am too excited!  They live in a log cabin with a wrap around porch in the Smoky Mountians, it is soooo pretty and relaxing.



The porch



The mountains

 I am so excited to get away from school and work.  And other than the winding road part--car sickness--I love a road trip.

{Heads up, this is going to seem very random at first, but I promise it ties in.}

Growing up on the east coast, our family always vacationed in Maine.  To me, Maine is the most beautiful place ever, so clean and fresh.  Yup, those are strange words to describe a place, but it just seems like there is less pollution and other nastiness in Maine. The sign at the state line says it best.

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In Maine, you can actually smell the ocean and woods, not car exhaust.  Just look at these pictures I took on one of our vacations not too long ago.

The oreo cows

The harbor

So when he took me to North Carolina for the first time, I thought to myself "Hey, it's just like Maine, only warmer!"  Needless to say, I am counting the days until we go!

(P.S. After reading that post, maybe I have missed my calling as a travel agent or state tourism person, hmmm...)

Weekend Update:

We went to see X-Men First Class over the weekend.  Overall, it was really good. I would definitely recommend it.

M

Me too, me too!!

Along with my sister, I love all things handmade.  In fact, our dream is to open a store full of handmade crafts, products, and gifts one day.  So I wanted to dedicate this post to handmade gifts.

In my opinion, when you make a gift for someone, it means so much more because you took the time and effort out of your day to create something for someone else.  Whenever my boyfriend asks me what I want for any given holiday I always say I want him to make me something.  He is not the craftiest of fellows so he never does because he doesn't think it will turn out nice.  But to me the fact that he would go out of his way to try even if it wasn't perfect would be amazing.

My newest obsession is handmade cards.  In the past, I have not been a card giver because I feel like it is a waste of money.  Being a full time student and then working part time and having to pay for everything that comes along with living on your own doesn't leave a huge budget for what I think of as "non-necessities"--like cards.

So, Riz and I went to our local craft store and I bought a pack of blank cards for $2.99 and now I  make my own.  They are so much cheaper and way cooler.  One I just made was for a co-worker who is moving out of state.

The envelope. The comics section of the newspaper is like duct tape for me, 101 uses.

Comics baby I'm telling ya, can't get enough of 'em

And this will be the front of the card...



Another handmade gift which I love is wreaths.  If you buy them pre-made they are like $100 or more and they aren't even that nice!  I can make them for wayyy cheaper than that and they look just the way you want them to.

My spring wreath. Yes, that is a feather, and it's awesome.

My winter wreath. No, there is not a bird in a nest on there, Riz wouldn't let me. But next winter, a bird will be on my wreath, and everyone will be jealous.

Once we get our Etsy store up, I definitely want to sell wreaths. Can't wait!

Happy Crafting,

M

Etsy

(Not me but I thought it depicted my night well)

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It's already thursday so I will once again show what I have come across on etsy.

Book Worm Update:
I did buy Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. It was VERY good. And only three dollars! I say was because I read it through the night last night. Not by choice but I couldn't sleep so there you have it. I would highly recommend it. Now to find my next book... This time I think I'll wait and get one at the library.

So to say the least I am tired and wish I had more to say. But my etsy finds are sure to keep you entertained. Without further adieu...

Scarf
Heart Ring
Tank Top
Love Yourself Tank Top
Heart Monogram Necklace
Tub Caddy
White Rose Ring
Top
Bamboo Soap
Three Soaps

R

Update:
I did decide to go to the library, hopefully this will keep me entertained for a while so I don't have to drive to the library again and waste my precious gas!

On the Hand Made Horizon...

Once I am out living on my own I would love to be hands on. By this I mean grow my own food and if not buy it at the farmers market. Bake my own bread, make my own pasta, can, etc. I find it amazing when people completely support themselves living off of their own land. I care so much for the environment and I would really feel like I was doing my part to live more environmentally friendly.

It is so satisfying to eat something you made yourself or to wear something you made. There are a few things that top my hand made list that I have been dying to do for ages.

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1. Make my own bread

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2. Make my own pasta

3. Make a quilt (no picture because I have difficulty finding any that I really love, I think I would just figure out the basics of quilting and go from there)

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4. Learn to can

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5. Make homemade soap. Specifically cold process soaps.

If you'll notice I have created a link to sites or videos with info on how to make these handmade goodies.

Book Worm Update:
I have finished The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston. It was good overall. It lacked the amount of romance I need to keep me interested. It mixed history in with the story which I am not opposed to as long as its not a full on history book (it cannot resemble a textbook in any shape or form). It was a good mix and set itself up for a sequel which I may or may not read. Probably would. I am currently reading a sample of Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. It's only $3 so I will probably get it. It's good so far. The character is a best selling author who writes books depicting history but makes it more novel like by creating interesting characters etc. In the story she apparently keeps jumping back and forth between history and the present and has a lover in each time period.

It feels like Monday, I'm all screwed up,

Riz

Super Awkward Anyone?

Alright people, I found this incredibly awkward so we'll see if you agree. Riz agreed with me that it was awkward, Cat on the other hand found it nice and thoughtful.

First, a little information to hopefully clarify this story.  My boyfriend and I live in an apartment complex where all of our doors open outside, not to like a hallway or anything.  See below...

I am extremely antisocial and never become friendly with our neighbors, I might smile if we pass on the sidewalk...maybe...

However, B and G love to sit in the window and check up on the outside world.

So, I came home sometime after 9pm the other night to nothing unusual or out of the ordinary. My boyfriend came home maybe a half hour later and said "Hey honey, what's this at the door?".  I had no clue what he was talking about since there was nothing there when I got home.  He proceeds to bring inside these opened boxes...

with this note on top...

Let me remind you, we are not friends with our neighbors nor do we talk to them.  So I find it very strange for someone to notice our cats in the window and drop off cat related items at night with a post-it attached and not sign it or anything.

And since I am paranoid my first thought is "Wait! We have to check it for a camera or listening device or anthrax (it could happen!) or bed bugs. Something, anything, because what wierdo would perform a random act of anonymous kindness without an ulterior motive, right?"  Let me add that we live in the Midwest in a town with a very low crime, yet I still panic.

So what's the verdict people? Creepy, stalkerish neighbors or just someone trying to be nice??
M