Sunday, January 18, 2015

Lush Collection Review

It has come to my attention recently that I may indeed have a bit of an addiction. At least it's a healthy one...for now.

I am addicted to Lush Cosmetics. I love everything about their products. Our introduction was made while abroad last summer. I blame my very lovely travel companion and my favorite beauty YouTubers for all of their influence.

You can check out Lush Cosmetics here and learn about all of the great things they are doing through their products. Hint: It's not just making you feel good.

This post is a complete list of my current collection, and what's to come. I'll give you a review of each product and if I loved or hated it. I hope to inspire the same enjoyment in others.

Note: This is a completely unsponsored post. I bought all of these products or got them as gifts. They're all worth it.


1. Tender is the Night: Massage Bar 

I bought this one in my local Lush (Nashville) store. After going through and smell testing each massage bar individually, the scent of this bar was undeniable. Although meant to be used by more than one person I use my massage bar on my arms and legs after a hard day. This massage bar melts instantly on contact with skin and glides on like butter. It's so nice to fall asleep smelling wonderful.


2. Sympathy for the Skin: Hand and Body Lotion

This is probably my favorite Lush product. It came in a gift set that I got for Christmas. If you're anything like me your hands start to fall apart during cold months. They're probably really dry and rough, or in extreme cases cracked. This lotion can fix that. It smells wonderful (like bananas) and magically turns any dehydrated skin into silky smooth baby skin. I can't say enough good things about it.

Although I have the smallest pot, I have used it almost every night on my hands. So far I haven't even made a dent in the product. It lasts a long time.

3. Sparkly Pumpkin: Bubble Bar

In case you can't tell, mine is chopped in half. I believe in getting as much as you can for your money. This bubble bar is soft and sparkly. It will turn your bath water orange and cover every inch of your tub in bubbles.

 

4. Yog Nog: Soap

As you can see this one is still in the wrapping. (Not for long.) This soap is next on the chopping block. Lush does not disappoint with their soaps. Every one smells uniquely different and equally as yummy. Their soaps have a wonderful lather without dissolving quickly. My last soap bar was Honey I Washed the Kids and it lasted for over a month.


5. Honey Trap: Lip Balm

Granted Honey Trap is a little pricy for a lip balm, but when I say it's worth it believe me. I have used this lip balm for just under a month and barely any product is gone. It's very moisturizing and it lasts. You won't feel the need to keep re-applying.

6. Butterball: Bath Bomb

I've been saving this bath bomb for a special occasion. It smells like a vanilla-y heaven and I can't wait to use it on a relaxing Sunday in the future. Word of caution: Bath bombs are not bubble bars. I know that seems pretty self explanatory but just learn from my mistakes. If you want a bath that's bubbly and smells great go ahead and combine them with a bubble bar.


7. Butterbear: Bath Bomb

Unfortunately this little guy came beheaded in the package. He's very similar in smell to the Butterball bath bomb but with a Christmas-y flair. He's reserved for a very special "extra relaxing" day.

8. Jumping Juniper: Shampoo Bar

Can you be physically in love with a shampoo? No? Well I'm pretty close. I started at the end of last year trying to use more organic products on my hair. That's when I decided to try the Shampoo Bars from Lush. Jumping Juniper is a re-purchase. I loved it so much the first time, it's become my go-to shampoo. My last bar lasted over two-months on my medium length hair and the lather is something from fairy tales. Just rub it a few times over your hair and you have more lather than a handful of regular shampoo.

9. The Sunblock: Solid Sunscreen Wash

For my American readers this one is a little unfortunate. This product is only available in the UK. Due to Lush's refusal to test on animals it doesn't meet US standards and is not available in the US.

However, this product is certainly amazing and worth the spontaneous trip to England. This sunblock is a 30 SPF. It is meant to be applied in the shower by wetting your skin and applying a light layer all over the body. I used it by wetting the bar and rubbing over any areas I was afraid of getting sunburned.

If you're asking if it works, the answer is yes. I took it on vacation to Tybee island. I used The Sunblock as my main form of UV protection and supplemented with a higher SPF sunscreen where needed. I am happy to announce I spent the entire trip sunburn free.

10. Snow Fairy: Shower Gel

Snow fairy comes every Christmas to Lush. It's a super sweet smell mixed with loads of sparkle.

The thing I love most about Lush's shower gels is that they are perfect for traveling. A lovely Lush worker I met in London told me that shower gels can be used as body washes as well as shampoos and she was completely right. I keep a couple of these around and whenever I pack for a trip I throw them in my bag along with a conditioner and I'm ready to go. You can see from the picture that Snow Fairy has already been on a few trips with me.
 

11. Hot Toddy: Shower Gel

Another unopened goody that I expect nothing but the best from. This shower gel has a more cinnamon spicy smell that reminds you of the winter months.
 

12. Cozy Christmas: Knot Wrap

I had been trying for a while to snag one of these nifty wraps. Luckily my mother was able to get me a gift set that included one for Christmas. This wrap was made from two recycled plastic bottles and is deceptively soft. You would never have guessed it was made from plastic. I can't wait to use it to wrap up my goodies for trips, or in my hair next Christmas. The possibilities really are endless.


Here is a short video to give you a closer look.


If you aren't completely sick of my raving reviews of Lush products then keep reading, otherwise you can stop here. Now I'm going to tell you about what's to come.

Lush is currently having a BOGO sale on what's left of their Christmas stuff. They often have sales on limited edition holiday items so keep checking their website. Currently I'm waiting for two pots of Celebrate body lotion, one Snow Cake soap, and one Gold Fun Bar. All of those came to a total of $14.90 before shipping. For Lush that's a STEAL. I can't wait to try them out when they come and I promise to update you on whether they were worth the hype or not.

I hope you enjoyed my collection and review. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask or go to a store near you. I promise once you go Lushie you never go back, and if you're in the mood to watch my Fall Lush Haul you can see me obsess over Lush products in moving pictures here.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

DIY Upcycled Book Purse

I recently stumbled upon this gloriously easy DIY that turns beautiful old books into fashionable useful clutches. One look at the tutorial and I was sold.

You can see the tutorial here at abeautifulmess.com.
The instructions are super easy to follow and the results are stunning.

Here are some pictures from my attempt. If you'd like to see how I did it just keep scrolling, scrolling....scrolling.


If you need more detailed instructions please check out the link above.

What you will need:

  • Old Hard Back Book
  • 1 yard of fabric or two one dollar bundles of fabric from Walmart
  • Marker
  • Scissors
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Purse/clothing snap
  • Iron/Flat iron
  • Needle and Thread

 

Step 1: 

Find an old hard back book. I tried to find a book title that was relevant to my life. As a traveler and thrift store discoverer I was happy to find this book for four dollars at a local used book store. Hint: The thicker the book, the wider your purse will open.




Step 2: 

Cut out book pages. I know it's painful, but the result is worth it.


Step 3:

Cut fabric to about one inch bigger than the book, and set it to the side.  Then line the inside of the book by hot gluing a thin layer just shy of the edges. Cut out side panels and hot glue them to the ends of the book.
This step is given in much more detail here.



Step 4:

Create a snap for your purse. They can be sewn or hot glued on to the first set of lining. Be creative with this step. the crazier the clasp the better.

I found my snaps at Walmart in the fabric section.

Step 5:

Fold lining set aside to be approximately the size of the book. Hot glue the final layer in. This step can be extremely tricky if your folded edges are not ironed flat. Being the non-ironer I am, I used a flat iron and ran it along the folded edges to create a crisp line.


Step 6:

Enjoy your cute new clutch!





Wednesday, January 14, 2015

I Had a Job Epiphany



A while back I read this wonderful blog post by Nina at the-littlenomad.blogspot.co.uk. It's about how our expectations about love change over time. Which probably leads you to your first question, "What does this have to do with a job?"

Simple!

On her updated list about what she wants in a man, one key point stuck out to me.
"Must have a good job he enjoys (non-negotiable)"
It got me to wondering... Why is this so important? Surely a man with any job at all would be a plus? It took me a while but I finally understood what she meant, or at least what I'm meant to take from it.

Just having a job isn't good enough. I've lived long enough to know that just having a job can get you anywhere from just plain miserable, to waking up everyday so excited just to see what you can accomplish.

Why does it matter?

It's the attitude. I'm  notorious for taking my "bad days" out on people around me. I come home in a terrible mood and almost anything sets me off. (Literally. I snapped on my brother once for trying to ask me something while the radio was on.) It's not fair to the people around me when I have a job I don't love or enjoy. It's also not fair when even now that I have a job I love my bad days always seem to destroy my attitude.

I guess what I'm saying is that it's only fair to be the type of person that I myself want in others. I've resolved myself to love my job, at all times. Even when I hate it. I'm going to do my best not to bring the bad days home with me.


Friday, December 26, 2014

My 2015 Fortune Cookie

 I'm really horrible at setting and keeping New Year's Resolutions. I just can't do it. So this year instead of starting myself off with what will ultimately lead to failure, I'm going to make some predictions instead. If I get them right...Great! If I get them wrong...Great! I'm sure something better came along.

 

2014 Review:


Favorite Movie: Pacific Rim

Favorite Book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Favorite Piece of Music: Gustav Holst Second Suite in F - Movement Four: Fantasia on a Dargason

Favorite New Food: Halloumi Cheese

Favorite Place: West Hampstead, London

Favorite Smell: "It's Raining Men" shower gel from Lush Cosmetics

Favorite Memory: Honestly... It's a toss up between seeing Pentatonix as a VIP with two of my very best friends, and every moment from my two weeks in London. Even the crap parts like getting hit on by a sketchy Parisian. I'm so glad I conquered my fears and went for it.

Biggest Regret: Wrecking my Jeep, because I was stupid and thought I could drive on ice.


2015 Predictions:


I will finish my first full year of teaching. I will be exhausted and constantly on the verge of tears, but I will be done.

I'll have/be in the process of getting my first home on my own.

I will spend the summer going to places I've never been before. (My first summer without a job.)

I will stop being the type of person that takes out my job frustrations on other people. I will love my job even when I hate it.

I will get a puppy.

I will work on meeting a Male Friend this year. (Did you catch my Sex and the City reference?)


What are your plans for the new year?



Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Christmas Memories

I genuinely love this time of year. Not only is it a very needed break from reality, but it's time I get to spend with family. This year is the first in a long while that we will be celebrating right here at home. You can tell our excitement by the pure number of presents under the tree. Normally we could only get what would fit in the car with us. 

Below are pictures from a walk around my house...my Christmas memories.


 This little man is my favorite ornament of all time. You don't hang him off of a branch, or set him on a shelf. He was made to be put onto a Christmas light so that he can glow from within.


Why yes... that is a tea infuser disguised as a Christmas bauble. It's a random thrift store find that my dad wanted to make feel special.



 This is my baby Christmas tree that's been with me since my early days of college. Here you can see it looking up to the big tree and dreaming of a far more glamorous life.


 It's almost here!




This is only a small portion of the presents. It really is astounding. I actually believe there may be a Christmas wrapped pack of peanuts in there.



I hope your holiday is filled with warm fuzzy memories, and that you have a VERY Merry (and safe) Christmas!

Monday, December 15, 2014

Christmas Adventure

It's Christmas time in Tennessee! To get myself into the Christmas spirit I went on an adventure. The day was spent with my wonderful God-family and friends. We went to the Tennessee Aquarium and ended the day at Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights. I hope my video gives you some ideas for some excellent ways to get into the Christmas mood.



Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Why I'm Giving up Facebook in the Name of Peace

I once had a life changing conversation with a good friend of mine. It was one of those talks where I updated her on everything new that was happening, and about half way through I stopped and said, "I think the world is falling apart." Her response was so profound that I carry the thought with me everyday. She said, "You only think that because you watch the news."

Truth:
It is the sole purpose of any news station to share and dramatize any and everything wrong with the world. It's their job, and we can't fault them for it.

Truth: The world is a terrible, awful, mind numbingly terrifying place.

Lie: That's just the way it is.

I can't be the only person that gets absolutely heart broken each and every time the news is on. I'm talking heart broken to the point of tears that this is happening in the world, and I can't do anything to make it better. What's more terrible is that immediately after watching the day's most gut wrenching stories, I flip over and check Facebook. And what do I find there? Engagement announcements, new cars, job celebrations, baby pictures, etc. What a bipolar world we live in.

Now, I know it's not Facebook's fault. I don't blame it on them in the least. It's my fault. Facebook is a guilty pleasure of mine. It's where I go to read mind numbing stories about pointless things that happen in daily life, and I add to it. I'm guilty of my own string of ridiculously unhelpful STUPID status updates.

So I'm making a change. This year on December 15th I'm going to deactivate my Facebook. It won't be forever, just until New Years. I'm going to use the habitual tick of checking my Facebook to remind me that I'm going to be different this year. Instead of checking in on the "First World" incessantly I'm going to do something positive.

I'm going to bring extra food to work to make sure my students who are hungry have a little something extra. I'm going to make sure that I let people know that if they need me I'm here for them. I'm going to make the world around me better than "just the way it is."

I'm also going to challenge you to do the same. You don't have to get rid of Facebook or Twitter or anything like that. Heck you don't have to give anything up if you don't want to. I challenge you to make your immediate world better than it already is. (Unless you live in Pleasantville, in which case keep up the good work.)

Go make a difference, because I'm tired of crying every time the news is on.
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