Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Empties #1:


I hope that you're like me, and enjoy looking at products that people have used up because today I’m going to share with you a few products that I have used up.  Some I loved, some not so much.  I love these type of posts because it shows that the opinion is 100%.  The products wasn't used just for a few days, it was used for a month or so...I hope you're the same way.

 
Colgate Optic White Toothpaste:
This isn’t my first tube, and it won’t be my last.  I’ve been using this toothpaste for about six months now and I’ve notice a difference in my teeth.  They’re not like the commercials, but is anything ever?  My teeth are pretty normal; they’re not movie star white.  So, if that’s what you're looking for, then maybe you should invest in going to the dentist for a bleaching.  But if they’re a little yellow, and you want them to be brighter, than I suggest you try this product.  I’m sure that I could get my teeth whiter if I used the mouthwash that is specifically paired, but I’ve always used Act.  But I am thinking about switching, and when I do, I’ll update if there are any big changes.


Olay Fresh Efforts Make-up Remover Wipes:
For the past three years or so, I’ve used make-up wipes to remove my make-up.  Usually I would use Neutrogena wipes, but I decided to give Olay a try.  They smell really nice, but the cloth was rough.  I liked them at first, but eventually I noticed how rough they were.  They did the job, but I will not be repurchasing them.


Herbal Essence Tea-Lightfully Clean Shampoo and Conditioner:
I’ve been using Herbal Essence since high school.  When they stopped selling the drama clean with a very fruity scent, I was devastated.  I think I switched to treseme after that, and then  I went back to try their voluminous range.  When I started seeing the green bottles again, I was excited, but when I looked closer, I saw that the scent had changed.  I decided to try it, and I fell in love, not as much as the older scent, but very close.  I think these particular bottles were my third.  These are very minty.  I’ve accidentally gotten the conditioner in my eye, one word OUCH!  But I do love me so mint. 


Estee Lauder Take it away Make-up Remover:
I’ve talked about this product 100 times, and I will continue to talk about it.  I love this make-up remover, but it’s not within my price range at the moment.  This product is what made me decide that I love lotion removers, and I won’t be going back to make-up wipes.


Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser:
I’ve had this face wash for about a year now.  I got it because it was natural and I was in a class that was talking a lot about how gross chemicals are, and that there are so many chemicals in US products that aren’t even thought of in other countries. I eventually got tired of it, and moved on to a different product.  While using this facial cleanser, I didn’t notice much of a change, but if you know anything about my facial washing schedule, you’ll know it’s sporadic.  It also kind of smells like ketchup to me.  The moisturizer that goes with it smells of oranges, but it’s a very thick formula, and I stopped using it because it made my face way too greasy.  As much as I love the naturals, I will not be repurchasing. 


Not Your Mothers Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo:
I have no idea why I’ve never talked about this product before.  I love this dry shampoo.  I’ve used one other dry shampoo and I hated it.  (Talked about here.)  It’s hard to describe the smell, it’s very fresh.  It leans more towards citrus than floral, but it’s not exactly citrus either.  I love it, it works wonders and it works all day long.  I never have to think “Do I need a touch up?”  I’m pretty sure this is my fourth or fifth can. 

Have you ever used any of these products?  Do you love the ones I don’t or vice-versa hate the ones I love?  Tell me.

xx

Monday, April 14, 2014

Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival:

On Saturday I took the metro into D.C. and went to the annual Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival.  I’ve been going for the past four or five years to just this festival, but this year we decided to also go to the actually cherry blossoms.

The cherry blossoms trees were a gift in 1912.  The Japanese mayor, Yukio Ozaki, gifted 3,000 trees to the U.S. to celebrate friendship.  There are now 3,750 trees with 16 different variations. 
You can visit the cherry blossom trees any time in April.  The National Park Service try to have the trees bloom around April 4th, but sometimes the weather doesn’t allow that.  The street festival is planned around when the trees are mostly in bloom so that you can make a day of it all. 

Waiting in line for some food
My sister's chicken teriyaki chicken.  (So yummy)
My Thai tea.  (So delicious) 
The street festival this year was on Saturday, and luckily this year the weather was perfect.  I’ve been when the humidity was super high, and I’ve been when it was raining.  Saturday was perfect with a high of 77 and breezy.  While there, I got my usual chicken on a stick and Thai tea.  If you get the chicken freshly off of the grill, it’s perfect and the tea is so delicious, perfect amount of sweet and tea.  I actually have a recipe for Thai tea that I’m hoping is exactly what I get at the festival, so I can have it more than once a year.
Since I go every year, I know exactly what every table has (except for jewelry tables…) and I typically don’t buy anything.  My sister bought a new cell phone charm and a  Kimmidoll, and my mom bought a necklace and earrings set.


After we were all done looking we decided to get onto the metro an go to the actual trees.  We walked past the Washington Monument, (which was damaged by an earthquake we had a few years ago) and we walked all the way to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.  I didn’t actually go into the monument, because I had been more recently than my mom and sister, but they went all the way up and in.

Jefferson Memorial  
Washington Monument
We then went back to the metro and went home. 

It was a long, but beautiful day and I’m hoping to soon go back.  I live just a metro trip away from so much, so much free stuff, that I need to start taking advantage. 
xx 

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

No. 7 Cleansing Balm:


Ever since I got the Estee Lauder lotion make-up remover, I’ve been on the hunt for one that is more affordable, and while in Target, I found just that, plus a little extra.


When I saw that Target had a No.7 section I was surprised because I thought that was only a brand in the UK.  I don’t know if the brand is anywhere else, but I can for sure tell you that it is not at wal*mart, CVS, or Walgreens. 
I wasn’t really sure if I was going to like this lotion because it says it is for very dry skin, which I don’t have, I have combination leaning towards oily.  I was thinking that is was going to be too greasy for me, but I haven’t noticed any excess, and I've been using it for two weeks.  It’s a very smooth lotion, and when I put it on it feels a little heavy, but it works wonders.  On the label it says to avoid the eyes, but I don’t and I haven’t had an issue with it  burning my eyes.  
The plus of this make-up remover, is that it is a full cleanser, meaning that it is my only step at night regarding face washing.  I love that. 
  I haven’t used this cleansing balm on waterproof make-up, because I don’t own any, therefore I cannot say if this product will work as well for you if you use waterproof.
I think that I paid around $9 for this which is much better than $28 in my opinion, but it won’t stop me from splurging every now and again. 

xx 

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Food in a Mug: Mac & Cheese


This week’s recipe is one of my all-time favorite dishes, Mac & Cheese.  I love a good homemade dish, but unfortunately that makes 8 servings.  So, I went out to find myself a single serving of mac & cheese, and of course I found it. 

Ingredients:
1/3 Cup Pasta 
½ Cup Water 
½ Cup Milk (I used Fat Free because I have a dairy complex)
¼ Cup Shredded Cheese


Directions:
Combine the pasta with the water and put it in the microwave for two minutes.  The water might boil over, and the only way that I know how to stop that is by opening the door if it starts to overflow.  
Once the two minutes are up, stir, and then repeat for another two minutes. 
After those two minutes, add the milk and the cheese, and then put the cup back into the microwave for another minute.  ( I had to extend the time to 1 minute 30 seconds.) 


Let sit for a minute then enjoy! 
xx