Any other Gleeks out there?? I have to admit that I caught onto this show late -- I didn't watch from the very beginning, though now I am hoping to be able to catch up before the new season starts. I probably started watching about halfway through the most recent season.
Glee is a show about a midwestern school's band of misfits who all sing in their high school's glee club. The club itself is comprised of a cross-section of all walks of high school life -- you have your super-popular cheerleaders, your jock, the wheelchair-bound nerd, the goth girl, the annoying-yet-talented girl, etc. The one thing that brings them all together is their love of glee club and their AMAZING talent.
I must say that the musical numbers are what really won me over. Finding actors/actresses who can both act and sing is rare, and Glee has managed to do that. I am completely riveted by all the performances! I am hoping to get a DVD of the first season soon so that I can catch up on all the episodes I've missed. I must say, when I was in high school (granted, it was half a lifetime ago, but whatever), I don't remember going through half the things that any of these kids went through, but this is a TV show and not reality, so that's OK ;-)
The reason I thought about this is because the nominations for the Primetime Emmys came out the other day, and Glee garnered 19 nominations! All of them are well-deserved, also! Another new show that I really enjoy that also got a lot of nods is Modern Family. Both are great shows, and if you haven't seen either, check your local listings for when they're on and catch an episode or two :-)
Showing posts with label my favorite things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label my favorite things. Show all posts
Friday, July 09, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
My Favorite Things: CVS Salon Rounds
Have you ever wanted to change the polish color of your pedicure, but you knew that in the process of removing your pedicure polish, you'd end up ruining your manicure?? I can't tell you how many times that's happened to me, and luckily, CVS has a nifty little product that eliminates that predicament! They're called Salon Rounds:
At first glance, they look like regular cotton rounds:
However, turn them over, and you'll see that the other side has a cool grip handle and is paper, so the polish remover doesn't soak through the cotton round, and your manicure is safe!
Isn't that awesome?? Seriously, why hasn't anyone ever thought of this before??
At first glance, they look like regular cotton rounds:
However, turn them over, and you'll see that the other side has a cool grip handle and is paper, so the polish remover doesn't soak through the cotton round, and your manicure is safe!
Isn't that awesome?? Seriously, why hasn't anyone ever thought of this before??
Monday, November 30, 2009
My Favorite Things: LUSH Lemony Flutter
I know many people are probably already familiar with this product -- it is a staple in pretty much any nail fanatic's arsenal. It is Lemony Flutter from LUSH:
Lemony Flutter is marketed as a cuticle cream, but honestly, it can be used as a regular hand/elbow cream as well. It has a nice, thick consistency and a delicious lemon smell that I love. Some people aren't too crazy about it, but it smells delish to me, and I am kinda tempted to eat it sometimes ;-)
I love this stuff so much that I have two tubs of it - one at home and one in my office. When you initially apply it, you have to rub it in pretty well. It stays greasy for a few minutes, but then it absorbs nicely into your skin and leaves your cuticles soft and manageable. It is a tad pricey at almost $14 a tub, but given the size of the tub (1.5 ounces), and the small amount used each time, I am expecting each tub to last me one, if not several, years.
The other thing I love about LUSH is how socially responsible they are. All of their products are handmade, and there is a sticker on the bottom of each product to tell you who made it, and on what date. Also, they don't do animal testing! Score another one for LUSH and their great products!
Lemony Flutter is marketed as a cuticle cream, but honestly, it can be used as a regular hand/elbow cream as well. It has a nice, thick consistency and a delicious lemon smell that I love. Some people aren't too crazy about it, but it smells delish to me, and I am kinda tempted to eat it sometimes ;-)
I love this stuff so much that I have two tubs of it - one at home and one in my office. When you initially apply it, you have to rub it in pretty well. It stays greasy for a few minutes, but then it absorbs nicely into your skin and leaves your cuticles soft and manageable. It is a tad pricey at almost $14 a tub, but given the size of the tub (1.5 ounces), and the small amount used each time, I am expecting each tub to last me one, if not several, years.
The other thing I love about LUSH is how socially responsible they are. All of their products are handmade, and there is a sticker on the bottom of each product to tell you who made it, and on what date. Also, they don't do animal testing! Score another one for LUSH and their great products!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
My Favorite Things: Crocs Prima
Before anyone kills me, I need to preface this entry by saying that I used to think Crocs were the most hideous things on the face of the Earth and I would have been caught dead in a pair. Since then though, I've actually had a chance to wear them and I *really* like them.
It all started innocently enough -- every child I know owns a pair. Literally, I don't think I know any kids, whether they be a toddler or a preschooler, who does not own a pair of Crocs. You know which ones I'm talking about -- the clog/mule-shaped ones with the holes in the front and the slingback. I still think those are somewhat ugly, but for my fellow Croc-haters out there, have you ever tried a pair on?? After I did, I started to like them. I have really high arches on my feet, and Crocs are so incredibly comfortable and lightweight. After I slipped into a pair, I feel in love.
Of course, after I realized that I wanted to own some, I read that the company was in financial trouble and might have to fold soon. Grrrrrreat! So, my quest for colorful and comfy Crocs just hit a little speedbump. No biggie.
I decided not to start off with the ugly-looking Crocs and decided to get the Primas instead. The Prima is a ballet flat and is actually kinda cute!
I came across a pair in my size at my Nordie's Rack, and they were only $15, so I picked them up. I wore them all weekend and absolutely LOVED them. I decided I needed more. So, I found a website, www.endless.com that had them in a bunch of colors and sizes. The ones I got at Nordie's were light pink, so I also ordered a black pair and also a red pair. Endless.com is amazing -- the Primas were between $19.95 and $24.95 and they had free overnight shipping. Yep, you read that right -- FREE overnight shipping. I ordered my shoes at around 4pm on Monday and they were at my doorstep at 1pm on Tuesday. Is that amazing service or what?? I don't think I can recommend Endless.com nearly enough.
Anyway, now that I have three pairs of Croc Primas to whet my appetite (I am wearing my black ones today), I am going to try and look for some colorful Caymans (that's the name of the traditional Croc style that most people are used to seeing). I am debating what color to get next -- I am kinda diggin' on the green, but there are a million colors, so I will most likely change my mind (or just buy multiple pairs... haha). Another Croc convert here!! Wow, there are four words I never thought I'd say.
Oh, and for sizing reference, I believe Crocs only come in whole sizes. If you are in between sizes, you can most likely size DOWN. Happy shopping!
It all started innocently enough -- every child I know owns a pair. Literally, I don't think I know any kids, whether they be a toddler or a preschooler, who does not own a pair of Crocs. You know which ones I'm talking about -- the clog/mule-shaped ones with the holes in the front and the slingback. I still think those are somewhat ugly, but for my fellow Croc-haters out there, have you ever tried a pair on?? After I did, I started to like them. I have really high arches on my feet, and Crocs are so incredibly comfortable and lightweight. After I slipped into a pair, I feel in love.
Of course, after I realized that I wanted to own some, I read that the company was in financial trouble and might have to fold soon. Grrrrrreat! So, my quest for colorful and comfy Crocs just hit a little speedbump. No biggie.
I decided not to start off with the ugly-looking Crocs and decided to get the Primas instead. The Prima is a ballet flat and is actually kinda cute!
I came across a pair in my size at my Nordie's Rack, and they were only $15, so I picked them up. I wore them all weekend and absolutely LOVED them. I decided I needed more. So, I found a website, www.endless.com that had them in a bunch of colors and sizes. The ones I got at Nordie's were light pink, so I also ordered a black pair and also a red pair. Endless.com is amazing -- the Primas were between $19.95 and $24.95 and they had free overnight shipping. Yep, you read that right -- FREE overnight shipping. I ordered my shoes at around 4pm on Monday and they were at my doorstep at 1pm on Tuesday. Is that amazing service or what?? I don't think I can recommend Endless.com nearly enough.
Anyway, now that I have three pairs of Croc Primas to whet my appetite (I am wearing my black ones today), I am going to try and look for some colorful Caymans (that's the name of the traditional Croc style that most people are used to seeing). I am debating what color to get next -- I am kinda diggin' on the green, but there are a million colors, so I will most likely change my mind (or just buy multiple pairs... haha). Another Croc convert here!! Wow, there are four words I never thought I'd say.
Oh, and for sizing reference, I believe Crocs only come in whole sizes. If you are in between sizes, you can most likely size DOWN. Happy shopping!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
My Favorite Things: Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara
Before I discovered this cult fave, I thought mascara had to cost over $20 in order to be good. Well, that certainly isn't the case anymore!
Lash Blast has turned into my everyday mascara. I have short, stick-straight Asian eyelashes. With the help of my Shu Uemura eyelash curler, I am able to get them to curl up and look a tad longer, but I was never able to find a mascara to really thicken and lengthen my eyelashes without clumping or the dreaded Tammy-Faye look. Enter Cover Girl Lash Blast!!
I only use waterproof mascara for several reasons -- the first is that it dries FAST. If a mascara takes too long to dry, what happens is that my lashes start to uncurl and they start falling down :-( The only way for me to maintain the curl I get from my lash curler is to put on several thin coats, and as quickly as possible. The Lash Blast wand is thick, so in two or three swipes, I am able to cover my lashes with mascara. Within 10 seconds, my lashes are already dry to the touch, and none of the curl has gone away. WIN WIN! Also, I don't get clumping and most days, I don't even need to use a lash comb afterward. The waterproof formula is top notch -- I love it! Removal is easy as well. I saturate a cotton ball with some eye makeup remover (Neutrogena's is my remover of choice), hold it over my eye, and then swipe. With a few swipes, the mascara will come off pretty easily. I then follow up with Paula's Choice cleanser, which removes the remaining traces of eye makeup.
In addition to waterproof, Lash Blast comes in a non-waterproof version as well as a new "luxe" version. The Luxe one is red instead of orange. The mascara has a shimmer to it when you apply it. I've bought the Luxe and I've used it, but I'm not a fan. It doesn't come in a waterproof version yet, which is a huge disappointment. Also, my eyelashes are black, so the shimmer is not noticeable at all. I think it would look a lot better on someone with lighter hair. In the meantime, I will stick with my orange Lash Blast, thankyouverymuch!
I usually pick up Lash Blast at Ulta or CVS, but I've also seen it at Target, supermarkets, etc. It retails for around $8, but I always wait for some kind of promotion and stock up. Last week, Ulta had a BOGO free deal, so I bought two tubes. CVS also has promotions quite often. I must have at least 4-5 unopened tubes at my house right now... haha.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
My Favorite Things: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Sin
One of my least favorite things in the world is eye shadows that don't wear well. Of course, they all start out looking amazing, but by mid-day, you get visible crease lines on your lids and let's be honest - it's just ugly. Well, enter Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin!
This genie-bottle-looking product will keep your eyeshadow planted firmly on your lids all day long with no creasing, feathering, or any other signs of wear! If you are like me and own a lot of mineral and cream eyeshadows, this product is a lifesaver! Prior to putting on any eye makeup, swipe some primer potion over you lids and use your finger to blend well. I like the "Sin" version because it has a golden champagne color to it and provides some color and shimmer to my eyelids. Then, apply your eye makeup as you normally would. Most days, I am out my door my 8am, and sometimes, I don't make it back home until 16 hours after that, and I am not someone who touches up my makeup throughout the day. Ever since I've been using the UD Eyeshadow Primer, my eye makeup starts out and ends up looking faboosh. I cannot rave enough about this stuff!
Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion also comes in a colorless version. It retails for $17 and can be purchased on Urban Decay's website, or retailers like Sephora. At least once a year, UD has a Friends & Family sale that is normally 30% off, and Sephora has a similar event several times a year that is about 20-25% off. I usually wait until then and then order a few, since it lasts me a few months. Go get your hot little hands on one now!
This genie-bottle-looking product will keep your eyeshadow planted firmly on your lids all day long with no creasing, feathering, or any other signs of wear! If you are like me and own a lot of mineral and cream eyeshadows, this product is a lifesaver! Prior to putting on any eye makeup, swipe some primer potion over you lids and use your finger to blend well. I like the "Sin" version because it has a golden champagne color to it and provides some color and shimmer to my eyelids. Then, apply your eye makeup as you normally would. Most days, I am out my door my 8am, and sometimes, I don't make it back home until 16 hours after that, and I am not someone who touches up my makeup throughout the day. Ever since I've been using the UD Eyeshadow Primer, my eye makeup starts out and ends up looking faboosh. I cannot rave enough about this stuff!
Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion also comes in a colorless version. It retails for $17 and can be purchased on Urban Decay's website, or retailers like Sephora. At least once a year, UD has a Friends & Family sale that is normally 30% off, and Sephora has a similar event several times a year that is about 20-25% off. I usually wait until then and then order a few, since it lasts me a few months. Go get your hot little hands on one now!
Monday, July 06, 2009
My Favorite Things: Paula's Choice
This is something that I did on a previous 'blog, and I liked it a lot, so I am going to try and do it on this one as well. Once a week, I will post (well, try to post anyway) about some of my favorite products, places, things, etc. The "My Favorite Things" concept is borrowed after one of my favorite movies of all time, The Sound of Music :-)
This week, I am featuring the skin care line that saved my life! I am genetically predisposed to bad skin. As with all things in life, sometimes you come out on top and other times you end up on the shit end of the stick. My siblings and I ended up on the less desirable end of the stick when it comes to skin. I really don't understand, because both my parents have great skin, but the three of us have had skin trouble almost all our lives. I've been the luckiest in that I've had the least trouble, but I have horrible combination skin that breaks out in the oddest places, then sometimes it gets super oily, sometimes it will flake from dryness, etc. It is totally unpredictable, and for the longest time, I was fighting my skin to get it to do what I wanted to.
I am a product whore, and I have tried almost everything short of going to a dermatologist and getting prescribed a treatment (my brothers have been on everything from Retin-A to Accutane). I have tried almost every over-the-counter treatment, cleanser, moisturizer, etc., that you can find. It was not until a few months ago when I decided to actually do some research on skin, breakouts, etc., and join in online discussions that I finally started to understand WHY I was breaking out. One of the products that was raved about was a line called Paula's Choice.
Paula's Choice products are amazing! I can't recommend them for everyone, but I started out by ordering these two products and in a matter of a few weeks, my skin literally cleared up:
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Cleanser
Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Liquid
I also have the blemish spot treatment, but I haven't had to use that in a while since I no longer break out! :-)
The Cleanser is light and refreshing on your skin. I use it every night after I take off my makeup. It is strong enough to remove the last trace bits of my leftover makeup, but it is still gentle enough that it doesn't irritate my skin.
The BHA Liquid is what really saved my skin. If you are just starting out using BHA (salicylic acid), you may want to start with the 1% solution. Start with using once daily, and then move to twice a day. I apply the BHA Liquid at night after I shower. Apply a small amount to a cotton ball and then distribute evenly over your entire face. The liquid is not drying and in weeks, I noticed that my pores were smaller, and my skin tone and texture were more even.
Another important factor in good skin care is to protect it from the sun!! I used to think that fancy moisturizers and creams were helping me, but honestly, all you need is a good moisturizer with SPF. I use Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion in SPF 15 in the morning, and I carry around a trial-size version with me so that I can re-apply during the day if necessary.
Consistent use of these products have saved my skin! I really wish I had before and after pictures, so you can see the difference, but honestly, I don't know why it took me so long to discover Paula's Choice! Her products are *not* incredibly cheap, but they are well worth it, and the products last several months. They are available only through her website -- www.paulaschoice.com, and shipping is very fast!
This week, I am featuring the skin care line that saved my life! I am genetically predisposed to bad skin. As with all things in life, sometimes you come out on top and other times you end up on the shit end of the stick. My siblings and I ended up on the less desirable end of the stick when it comes to skin. I really don't understand, because both my parents have great skin, but the three of us have had skin trouble almost all our lives. I've been the luckiest in that I've had the least trouble, but I have horrible combination skin that breaks out in the oddest places, then sometimes it gets super oily, sometimes it will flake from dryness, etc. It is totally unpredictable, and for the longest time, I was fighting my skin to get it to do what I wanted to.
I am a product whore, and I have tried almost everything short of going to a dermatologist and getting prescribed a treatment (my brothers have been on everything from Retin-A to Accutane). I have tried almost every over-the-counter treatment, cleanser, moisturizer, etc., that you can find. It was not until a few months ago when I decided to actually do some research on skin, breakouts, etc., and join in online discussions that I finally started to understand WHY I was breaking out. One of the products that was raved about was a line called Paula's Choice.
Paula's Choice products are amazing! I can't recommend them for everyone, but I started out by ordering these two products and in a matter of a few weeks, my skin literally cleared up:
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Cleanser
Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Liquid
I also have the blemish spot treatment, but I haven't had to use that in a while since I no longer break out! :-)
The Cleanser is light and refreshing on your skin. I use it every night after I take off my makeup. It is strong enough to remove the last trace bits of my leftover makeup, but it is still gentle enough that it doesn't irritate my skin.
The BHA Liquid is what really saved my skin. If you are just starting out using BHA (salicylic acid), you may want to start with the 1% solution. Start with using once daily, and then move to twice a day. I apply the BHA Liquid at night after I shower. Apply a small amount to a cotton ball and then distribute evenly over your entire face. The liquid is not drying and in weeks, I noticed that my pores were smaller, and my skin tone and texture were more even.
Another important factor in good skin care is to protect it from the sun!! I used to think that fancy moisturizers and creams were helping me, but honestly, all you need is a good moisturizer with SPF. I use Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion in SPF 15 in the morning, and I carry around a trial-size version with me so that I can re-apply during the day if necessary.
Consistent use of these products have saved my skin! I really wish I had before and after pictures, so you can see the difference, but honestly, I don't know why it took me so long to discover Paula's Choice! Her products are *not* incredibly cheap, but they are well worth it, and the products last several months. They are available only through her website -- www.paulaschoice.com, and shipping is very fast!
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