Add this to my list of things to do....

COACHELLA 2012

Seeing the images, reading about, and watching video clips of Coachella 2012 makes me wish I would have been there to see it for myself.   I guess I didn't realize how major it was, and how many acts it draws.  My list of would not miss from this years line-up:  Andrew Bird, Bon Iver, Dr. Dre & Snoop (including hologram TuPac), Feist, Florance + the Machine, Gotye, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Mazzy Star, Santigold, The Black Keys, and The Shins.  There were SO MANY amazing acts.  I wouldn't even consider myself a music snob in the least, in fact, I readily admit that I just might have THE WORST taste in music, and even still...I want to go to this show!!  So...I am adding it to my list of things I want to do in life.  I just did a snippet of research and VIP tickets + transportation to the shows + hotel comes in around $700 -$1000.  Not totally unattainable.  Now who's with me?!

 Images via : 1 /  2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Back to basics.

Dr. Bonner's 18-in-1 hemp pure castile peppermint soap

 I recently read a very interesting article about Dr. Bonner on his  holistic and organic approach to making soap.  He is a VERY interesting character - I recommend even just looking him up on wikipedia and also researching this amazing company, now run by his grandsons.   Reading this article made me remember seeing this soap everywhere in Eugene, OR...the hippie-esque town where I lived for 4 years while attending university.  I would stop and read the crazy labels and think to myself, what the heck is this stuff?  

 The thing about this soap is that it is SO natural, that all of the ingredients are food grade, meaning you could literally EAT this soap and it wouldn't harm you.  Which got me thinking...maybe instead of washing my skin with chemicals and terrorizing it, perhaps I should approach washing my sensitive skin with just the basics.  So I started using this soap on my face, in the peppermint version (there are several types) with a natural loofah about 2 months ago.   And....it is clearing up....in a major way.  Very little breakouts, AND the scarring and marks left from years of inflamed pores, well...they are slowly fading away too.

While I understand my skin is fickle, after a few months of using something new, it goes right back to its old self, I am hoping that I have stumbled across the very miracle product I have been looking for all this time.  Spending HUNDREDS of dollars at department stores, attempting to find my saving grace, when this soap has been lingering on supermarket shelves, at a whopping $1 per oz.  I bought a 2 oz bottle for $2 over 2 months ago - and still have about another weeks worth of use left.  Still going strong, and still staying clear.

For those of you interested in trying it out, Fred Meyer aka Kroger sells little 2 oz bottles in their natural food/beauty department in peppermint and lavender.



Weekend obsessions.

I am obsessed with these Target heart shaped sunglasses I scored this weekend for $10. 

Another major Target score, 2 tubes of baby lips, one 'pink punch' (as seen above) and the other clear, on clearance for $2.58.  The pink one goes on a literal baby pink and is so awesome.  They have a few other colors that look equally gorgeous too!  These have a sheer color to them, and for under $3 are a major steal.  Go get one ladies.  The pink is definetly going into the make-up rotation and the clear, mosturizing one went to K, to keep those manly lips kissable!

Love, Love, LOVING these vintage t's from Old Navy.  I loved the heathered feel, they have such a great fit, and were on sale for $7.50 this weekend.  I picked this grey one up, a white, and a coral/red.   Perfect spring time basics to add to the wardrobe.

Why can't these be made in a women's size?   I am so in love with these sandals, but they are only made in little girls sizes.  This is  a time where having a midge foot, like my sisters size 5-6, would come in really handy.  I saw a girl rocking these on the cruise and have been aching for a pair of my own ever since.  Ugh.

So, yes, I did do some shopping this weekend.  BUT! I kept it to a minimum, only buying a few items and mostly just helping my bestie, and some other random people, pick things out for themselves.  I think I kept it under $40, which is pretty darn good in my book!  I am still working on becoming a reformed shopaholic, but I can slip off the wagon every now and then. :)



Make-up counter

So I had a reality check last week.  While shopping at M.A.C. on our lunch break, with my favorite co-workers/friends, we were discussing make-up and what we have/like, and I realized I might be at least 5x more high maintenance than these girls.  As you can see in the photo above, this is what it takes to just get me ready in the morning.  Confession time.  So....this is my 'everday' make-up selection.  This is what I keep out on the counter to get ready every morning...this isn't all of it.  I have BOXES of make-up stashed away.  While, OBVIOUSLY, I don't use everything in these bins, mentally I need it available to me for my daily make-up application.  Yes, I NEED 5 different primers, and 16 different blush colors.  Why?  Because I am an artist, and putting on make-up is fun, and I view it as an expression.  And without it...I couldn't transform myself from swamp monster to lady who lunches.  Because under all that sparkle and glitz, there is a WHOLE different animal...and it's not good.   I am not exaggerating.  Without all these tools and camouflage, underneath there is a 55 year old walmart shopper that looks sleep deprived, angry, and ready to smoke her next menthol, after she lights a match on her stubble.

Nutella Fudge Pops

K insisted we do a photo with a bite out of it.  He's so darn cute...

These Nutella fudge pops are sooooo good.  I have seen this recipe cycling through pinterest for a while now and put it on my list to make, because 1) it looked delicious and 2) much lower in calories/fat than ice cream.  I tracked down a good recipe on Chocolate Covered Katie.  There are a few versions with cream in them, which I am sure adds to the deliciousness, but as I was going for the lower fat version I had to find one without the sugar and cream. 

The 'ice cream' turns out very creamy, almost like soft serve.  It was too tempting not to eat right out of the food processor, but we also froze it, and made our own little fudge pops.  I will for sure make these again.  They totally satiated my ravenous 8 PM craving for dessert.

And...check out how easy this recipe is...

NUTELLA FUDGE POPS

3 frozen bananas

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1/2c choc-hazelnut butter (Nutella)

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

tiny pinch salt

Blend all ingredients until super-smooth. (We used a food processor, and we thawed the bananas a tiny bit so they’d blend.) Eat as ice cream, or scoop into popsicle molds (or paper cups) and freeze for fudgsicles.

Deliciousness!!

Etsy prints - take 2.

Remember when I posted this cute Alice in Wonderland eye chart?  I ordered it from Etsy last December and was so excited to hang it in my bedroom.    This Etsy store I ordered from had such cute stuff.  I posted so many cute prints on the blog and a few of my readers also made orders.  But something totally crazy happened...and...Well...sadly, we never got them. 

I am so pissed about this.  Just thinking about this situation makes me want to punch my laptop.  The woman who ran this shop, claims she was so overwhelmed with orders around Christmas that she was delayed in shipping these items.  She then emailed about some shipping mix-up and said the items would be resent.  Then, Poof, she was gone.  She took off with THOUSANDS of dollars she made from bogus items she posted in her Etsy shop.  She never filled the orders and just simply slipped away with all of our hard earned money.  I filed a complaint with Etsy, they did nothing, and neither did Paypal as my 45 day window had passed (due to me allowing this seller ample time to get items shipped, then reshipped, per her fake emails).   Who does this!?  I hope this lady gets paper cuts in her eyeballs while counting all of the money she stole from all of the people who made purchases.  Before Etsy took her shop down you should have read the scathing comments.  This woman has A LOT of bad juju and karma headed her direction. 

So now I have a super cute 8 x 10 frame that is empty and waiting to be hung.  And I decided that I am going to take another chance.  I found a very similar shop on Etsy - but NOT being ran the same as the other, with over 1000 orders and 100% feedback!!  I ordered these little cuties...and keeping my fingers crossed that I will ACTUALLY get to have these soon! :)

via Etsy

I hate sweating.

So.  I joined a gym a few weeks ago.  I've been twice.  I HATE working out.  I hate smelly gyms.  I hate having to drag my ragged ass, after work and being yelled at all day, to go try and pretend that I give a shit about being healthy and losing weight.  I actually don't really care about the weight loss.  I am more motivated by the need to lower my stress level and blood pressure.  Of course I wouldn't MIND the weight loss...just am not super motivated by that. 

Some days I get home and I am so wound up, and I feel the pressure building, and I KNOW I need to do SOMETHING.   My job has eaten my soul, and all I am left with at the end of the day is a carcass with frizzy hair, bags under the eyes, half a face of makeup, and a blank stare. 

I just don't understand how these people can commit to this lifestyle.  Getting out of bed early, running 7 miles and hitting the Zumba class after work.  What is the secret!?   How do you people do it?  Who are there these girls on pinterest, pinning women with abs and 14" waists to their inspiration boards!??   I feel like something must be wrong with me.  All I am motivated by throughout the day is thinking of myself after work, running home to get into my pajamas, eating a brownie, and watching bad girls club.   My idea 'trimming up' is getting a lil plastic surgery to get my double chin sucked off.

I guess I am going to try to get to the gym on a more regular basis and see if I can get a taste of what not being winded after going up a flight of stairs feels like.  Let's start there and see what happens.  

High Tea.

Irish breakfast & Scones with clotted cream

I consider myself lucky to work with some pretty sassy, articulate, caring, unique, and amazing girls.  One thing I DO look forward to in my day is spending our lunch breaks out of the office.  We shop, eat, talk, gossip, laugh, and enjoy our few minutes of fulfillment we get out of the day.  The other day, my co-worker Jillian suggested we go have lunch at a tea shop.  We went to the Lady Di British Store & Tea Room in Lake Oswego, OR and it was SOOOOOO fun.  We were instantly transported to a quiet dining room where we chatted over tea and ate a spectacular lunch.  It was such a diversion from the norm that I even watched my usual potty mouth and didn't let any curse words fly across my lips.  Kept my elbows off the table and sat up straight, like a proper lady! :)  We ate the ploughers lunch which consisted of baguette, tomatoes, several delicious cheeses, fruit, and a sausage roll with Branston pickle.   I want to eat that lunch everyday now.  It was so, so good!!  Flaky crust around delicious sausage, with tangy vinegary Branston pickle...this was a first for me, but certainly not the last.   

Need a break during your day...go for tea!  It was so fun, and so anti-lunch break.  I can't wait until we go again!!

I'm off the wagon.

 Sorry for the fuzzy photo.  Picked this sweater up on clearance at Old Navy - $8

Also an Old Navy clearance purchase - neon yellow cap toed flats - $12

Target dress - $24.95

 

Gap champagne sequins tote - $49.95

I have not been shopping recently due to a wonderful revelation.  While on vacation, living out of one suitcase for 10 days I realized something.  I am happy living a simple life.  In fact, simplicity brings a very serene feeling about yourself.  I have SO much to be grateful for, and so many things, such an abundance of 'stuff', that I don't need to keep getting more.  I should be satisfied with what I have, and what I have is beyond plenty.  I would rather save my $ for trips and memories, and not spend it every weekend on the latest color of skinny jeans and matching accessories.  This being said, I haven't really had that urge to shop, and I have managed to save some money.  Over the past month I have realized just how much I have pilfered away at the mall and Starbucks, so depressing.

But...this weekend I got the itch, and I did go out, and it was EXPENSIVE.  Saturday was nails and spa pedicure + full hair color and cut.  Plus, I left the salon with about $50 of product.  Ouch.  Sunday came, and my sis and the kids came out my way, so we headed to the mall....and....I couldn't help myself.  I picked up a couple of light weight spring sweaters, a pair of flats, a couple of T's and a cute shirt for K, with a coupon, all for around $30 at Old Navy.  I hit the Gap with my sister and we found the most amazing sequins tote and clutch.  I bought the tote for myself and surprised my sis with the clutch.  She deserves it.  Being a mom she would NEVER buy something glamorous for herself, so I got it for her! :)  After the mall, went to Target and found this hippie chic satin dress with the cutest pink stripe.  Will be a fun rotation for spring.  I also got a few other items but got too lazy to take photos.  I guess I m off the wagon, but planning to jump right back on.  And now I have a few cute things to save for Vegas which is coming in about 3 weeks. 

Happy Tuesday my loves!!

It's a MIRACLE!

it's a 10 miracle hair mask

Maybe only blondes will understand this, but I have been SEARCHING for the right product to quench my frazzled, over processed, and stressed locks.  I have found something that has been able to do something for me that NO product has been able to do in the past.  It's a 10 Miracle hair mask is what is says...a MIRACLE.  It's a goddamn miracle!!  I have this patch of hair, on my left side, around my ear/side burn area that is so out of control.  It is breaking off, frizzy, and gross.  Nothing I have put on it has been able to help it's sadness.  I have tried Ojon Damage Reverse, Paul Mitchell awapuhi wild ginger Keratin cream rinse, Enjoy hair mask, Redken anti-snap, Redken extreme, Moroccan oil, Macadamia oil, the list goes on... But, finally, after all my searching I found it's a 10 MIRACLE hair mask and it is seriously hardcore amazing stuff.  After using it just once, leaving it on around 8 mins in the shower, my hair (after straightening) came out SO manageable and soft.  The disgusting frazzled patch, it's tamed, and actually feels soft!!! 

I am so ecstatic I could cry.  Well almost.  Seriously I love this stuff so much and am super stoked at the idea that I could have normal hair after all this madness.

Now I wouldn't recommend this product to people with normal or fine hair.  This stuff is for the dry, coarse, over processed population only.  But for those of us that need something to bring life back to our dead strands...this is it.  Only downfall, it doesn't come cheap.  This small-ish pot of cream comes in around $30.

I need some inspiration.

 

Aren't we all stressed?  I don't know a single soul that doesn't have something going on in their life causing them great stress.  Times are rough.  We are down.  We are out.  And we don't have much control over it all.  But what we do have control over is how we treat ourselves.  Be sure to be good to yourself.  Slow down and take a breath.  You need it. 



Via 1/ 2/ 3/ 4

I love Don Draper.

Mad Men

I was a little slow to the party...but I have arrived now.  I am completely hooked on the TV show Mad Men.  We are slowing making our way through the DVD's and loving every minute of it.  I love how the show production sticks to true 60's sets/fashion/grammar, they make it look so real and you feel like you are right there in that era.  It (almost) inspires me to throw a cocktail party in pure Betty Draper style.  I rarely get hooked on a TV series as I tend to watch a lot of trash TV (bad girls club anyone), which speaks to just how very cool and unique this show really is.  If you haven't started watching it...hop to it!