2013 Garden report

I feel like I'm a little late getting this post up this year. We considered not doing a garden at all this year after last year's disappointing season. But I just couldn't resist the call of nature and we've ended up with quite a nice setup.

In the long bed I've got onions and tomatoes.

This year I sort of blocked the main garden out a little bit in the Square Foot Gardening style, with all the plants in groups.

I've got 2 squash,  2 cucumbers, a boat load of peppers, both hot and sweet, 2 more tomatoes, 3 varieties of eggplant, a small patch of lettuce, a patch of spinach that did not sprout (will probably plant pumpkin here) and 2 rows of okra. Ants have been a huge problem this year. I'm trying to fight them with homemade bug spray which is working to a point.

In the far bed we moved our blueberry bush (which will soon have ripe fruit!), I also planted some Stuttgart onions (supposed good for storage) and a variety of sunflowers. I love sunflowers and can't wait for them all to bloom.

So far the weather has been good for the garden. We've had some good rain and nice sunny days. Hopefully we'll have a better summer than last year!

June Ipsy bag

My June Ipsy bag arrived this week and once again, I am delighted. This month's theme is "On the Wild Side" hence the leopard spotted bag. Here's what was included in my bag:

Cailyn Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner in Iron. I've never tried gel eyeliner so I'm excited to have received this one. The color is a silvery medium grey. It comes with a brush in the handle and applies like a dream. Full size with a retail value of $21.

StarLooks lip pencil in Bare. I am on such a nude lip kick right now and this is a perfect nude shade. Full size with a retail value of $12.

NYX Mosaic Powder in Cafe. NYX is on of my favorite makeup brands so I was psyched to see a NYX product in my bag. I am unfamiliar with their Mosaic powder. I think it is a blush or possibly a bronzer. The shade I received definitely leans towards bronzer. Full size with a value of $7.

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter. This is a soft, creamy highlighter pencil. I love a pop of highlight under my brows and this one looks great. Not sure if this is full size, probably is, retail value $18.

J.Cats Sparklng Cream Palette. I thought this was eyeshadow, but according to Ipsy's site this is for use on the body only. It appears to be straight up glitter in a bit of a gel base. Perhaps for a Halloween look or for someone who maybe goes clubbing...no idea. Definitely not for me. It's going straight to the donate box. Full size, retail value  $4.49.

So, final count... received 5 full size products, 4 I will definitely use, retail value of products $62. So totally worth the $10 I paid. Truly loving Ipsy! Click here if you want to check it out.

May Ipsy bag

I've mentioned before my love of sample programs. I've tried (and left) Birchbox, Sample Society and Eco Emi. Eco Emi was probably the best of these but also the priciest. Birchbox and Sample Society were always hit or miss. I rarely had more than one or two samples in a box that I liked, the samples were ridiculously small or unsuitable to my skin/hair type/color (why do they have you fill out a beauty profile if they aren't going to use it?!) So for a while I was off the sample boxes. Then I started to notice a lot of YouTubers talking about Ipsy and how much they had improved since their GlamBag days. I decided to give it a try.

I just received my second bag this week and am delighted.

In my totally retro looking bag I got 3 (THREE!!!) full size products! A Zoya nail polish in Julie. The frosty lilac shade is totally my color and I can't wait to get it on my nails (love Zoya). A Mirabella Shimmerati lip gloss. This, unfortunately is not my color and the packaging is terrible so I will be passing this on to someone who will love it more than I. A Pacifica rollerball perfume in Gardenia. As we all know, I am a complete perfume hoarder so I was thrilled to get this. The scent will be great for summer (a less sweet version of Kai). Also included was a travel size Pacifica bronzing body butter. This should be nice for adding a bit of color to my pasty white legs here at the start of shorts weather. And finally a sample of Yaby concealer. I am unfamiliar with Yaby and don't use concealer so this was a pass for me.

All in all, I got well over the value of the $10 I spent on this bag even with the two dud products. Last month (which I didn't photograph or post about) was really good as well. I love that Ipsy is including some full size products along with generous size samples. They seem to be paying attention to the beauty profiles too as the products and colors I'm receiving are mostly ones I may actually use.

Colgate Optic White system review

After a month or so of use I'm happy to report that the Colgate Optic White products I received in my Sugar n Spice Influenster box do seem to have whitened my teeth.

I received the Colgate Optic White toothpaste and mouthwash along with a Colgate 360 toothbrush.

I've been a diehard Sonicare user for years and years and nothing is ever going to get me to give it up. That said, I did give the Colgate 360 manual toothbrush a try since it was part of the box. It is like no other toothbrush I've ever tried. For starters it feels huge in my mouth (especially compared to the compact head of my Sonicare). The 360 in the name (I believe) refers to the concept that this is a whole mouth brush, rather than just a toothbrush. There are ridges on the back side of the brush that clean the inside of your mouth while you brush and can also be used to clean your tongue. There are 3 different size and textured bristles as well as rubber "whitening cups" that help to polish your teeth. I feel this brush is incredible at cleaning every surface of my teeth and mouth.

The Optic White toothpaste was not new to me having tried it before, but I have used it for the last month to test the whole system. I have quite sensitive teeth and am always cautious with tooth whitening products as they can be quite irritating. I was very pleasantly surprised with the Optic White toothpaste. It is non-abrasive and gently but effectively whitens my teeth. I did not find it increased sensitivity in my teeth. The only downsides are that it tastes pretty awful, no minty-freshness feeling after brushing. And it is quite foamy. A little toothpaste goes a long way which makes it very economical.

The final product is the Optic White mouthwash. This stuff is just awful. It tastes terrible. It leaves an unpleasant coating in my mouth. I usually have to rinse with water after using it to clear the gross foamy coating it leaves behind. I don't know if it aids in the whitening process or not since I haven't used it consistently.  I would not purchase this product.

In all, big thumbs up to the toothbrush and toothpaste. With just these two products used about once a day I have seen noticeable whitening after a month. 

Steamcream

I don't recall where I first saw Steamcream. I think it was when I was browsing on Beautyhabit sometime last fall. I'm a sucker for cute packaging and I'll admit that's what first drew me to the brand. Steamcream comes packaged in tins that are decorated in gorgeous designs, often limited editions.

I sprung for Meadow first (that's the one with a sheep) when Steamcream was offering free shipping and the actual price came out a wee bit cheaper than Beautyhabit. The package arrived quickly even though it shipped from the UK. The tin was indeed adorable, but the proof is in the pot.

Steamcream is a light but incredibly moisturizing cream. It has an herbal scent that is very pleasant and lingers for a bit on the skin. The cream can be used anywhere..face, hands, body. I love it as a face cream. My skin feels super soft and moisturized. During these cold winter months I've been applying it before we go walking to protect my skin from the wind.  It absorbs quickly making it a perfect hand cream. A small amount goes a long way but I still don't think I'd use it as a body lotion (unless I hit the lottery).

Steamcream is a mostly natural product (there are 2 parabens, but they are the very last thing on the ingredient list and the amount is minimal). The first ingredient is oatmeal infusion which makes the product very soothing. You can read all about it on Steamcream's website.

Since purchasing my first tin, I did go back and order more. Last month they still had free shipping and were offering a free tin if you ordered 2. I picked up Verona (heart) and Prudence (cat) and gave the freebie to my sister. If you think you'd like to try Steamcream, I suggest you sign up for their newsletter as they often run specials.

Influenster Sugar 'n Spice box

I just received a new Influenster voxbox. The theme of this one is "Sugar 'n Spice". I was shocked to find the box packed full of stuff I think I will actually use and love. I've heard of Belvita and am excited to try them. Colgate has been my go-to brand for toothpaste forever and with the amount of coffee and chocolate I consume, whitening products should be most helpful. Vaseline spray lotion could be interesting. I've tried spray lotions before and have not been a fan so I'll be interested to see how this performs. Splenda is another favorite brand of mine but I had not heard of this version of sweetener. And finally Dickinson's oil absorbing towelettes. I have pretty dry skin so I'm not sure how much use I'll get out of these. All in all, very exciting. Reviews to follow.

Scents of Winter 2012/13

With only a few weeks left in winter I thought it was time to list my most worn scents from the last few months. Fall and winter are my favorite times for perfumes. I can pull out all my heavy, cozy scents that just don't work in hot weather. Here are the ten I've reached for the most, in no particular order...

Burberry Brit - Almond and lime are at once refreshing and comforting. This one is light enough to be multi seasonal, but I prefer it on cooler days.

DKNY Golden Delicious - This one is a year round favorite. The fruity floral is perfect when I want something lighter than my usual winter fare.

Molinard Habanita - This is an old fashioned, somewhat grandma-ish perfume. Heavy powder with a slight tobacco background. The old-lady vibe makes it a bit hard to wear. I love it for around the house or bed time. I have the original formulation although I do know it was recently re released with an updated formula.

Violette Market Fezziwig & Company - Sadly this limited edition indy perfume is no longer available for sale, so I use it sparingly. It is a delicious chocolate/orange concoction. The dry down does evoke images of sitting in old Fezziwig's Merchantile with its hardwood floors and melange of imported coffee, fruit and chocolate. I am desperately trying to find a mainstream perfume to dupe this.

By Kilian Back to Black - Honey tobacco that lasts and lasts and lasts. Super strong, a little goes a very long way. Good thing since it costs a kidney to buy!

Serge Lutens Chergui - A recent acquisition that became a fast favorite. Sweet hay and amber. Delightful sprayed on a scarf so the scent wafts up as you move. Love. (No I did not use 2/3 a bottle already. The bottle arrived with the cap loose and most of it leaked out in shipping!)

Opus Oils M'eau Joe #3 - Holy Grail. Want to wear nothing else, but since it smells like whiskey and cigarettes that's not really practical. See last week's review for a full review.

Prada Prada -  This is the original Prada. I got this refill bottle for an absolute steal! I just fill a $10 atomizer I picked up on eBay and I'm good to go. Prada is a blend of amber and patchouli. Rich, sophisticated and long lasting.

For Strange Women Decadence and Debauchery - Another indy favorite. This one is still readily available. Rich and earthy. I get compliments whenever I wear this one.

Coty Wild Musk - A blast from my past that I recently repurchased. I wore this nearly exclusively in late high school and then went off it for years. Revisiting it I find I still love the soft powdery sweet musk.

I'm working on paring down the perfume collection again as it ballooned immensely over the last year since I got back into mainstream perfume. This list is a good solid list of keepers for me.

And now for something completely different...My sweet hubby sent me flowers yesterday. Aren't they gorgeous?!

Stuart (the grey cat) chewed up the leaves so I'm having to keep them up high where he can't get to them. But I just had to bring them down and snap a picture and share this harbinger of spring.

Mental Floss & the pinecone bottle

A few years ago my sister gifted C and I with a subscription to Mental Floss and has kindly continued the tradition since.

The magazine is a delightfully quirky source of information. Topics are all over the board...science, history, biography, trivia, even beauty! It is one of the few magazines I read more than 80% of the content and save the issues! Much to my delight, they now give you the tablet edition free with your print subscription so I can read on my Kindle Fire (seriously, why doesn't EVERY publisher do this?!)

Earlier this week I was reading the March/April 2013 issue and found a nifty little craft project on page 17. Similar to the concept of a ship in a bottle, they presented a pinecone in a bottle. Fortunately we are still in the right time of year to find closed pinecones and happen to pass under a spectacular pine on our walking route. We found a smallish closed cone and I had an old nifty looking olive oil bottle with a neck just wide enough to squeeze the cone through and voila...

I'll be sure to post a followup photo when the cone opens. I think it will be quite cute.

M'eau Joe No 3

In fall 2012 Opus Oils released a new perfume called M'Eau Joe No 3, Hollywood Whiskey Fragrance. I love boozy scents and thought this sounded intriguing. But since I am actively trying to reign in my perfume buying, I decided to wait for some reviews to come out and see what people were saying. When I saw Boo's review a few weeks back, I knew I had to give it a try.

I ordered a sample first. Customer service from Opus was great and it came within a few days. The scent blew me away. (A bottle purchase soon followed!) It is absolutely unique. You won't smell anything like it anywhere else. It is straight up booze and tobacco. But not in a bad way. M'eau Joe is the most comforting, cozy fragrance I've had the pleasure of wearing. It conjures images of a richly wood-paneled room with big cozy chairs, a fireplace burning fragrant logs, pipe smoke and glasses of whiskey. I do not smoke or drink, nor do I ever got to bars, so I can not fathom why this scent strikes such a chord for me. But it surely does.

This scent would not be for everyone, that's for sure. It is strong. VERY strong. One spray lasts for hours and projects very well. Probably not the best choice for work unless you go really light on the touch. Perfect for lazy days at home or for going out. Great scarf scent! Walking outside on a cold day with a bit of this wafting up, sheer heaven.

The notes are: 
Top Notes - Whiskey, Saffron Attar, Rice Paddy Herb, White Cognac & Geosmin
Middle Notes - Pyralone, Honey, Rose, Violet & Chocolate Base Notes - Dark Amber, Vanilla, Tobacco, Musk, Moss & Woods

If you love tobacco or boozy scents, you have got to get this one. 

Morningstar Veggie Burgers

Recently I was invited to join a new Bzz campaign for Morningstar Veggie Burgers and I jumped right in. It was a no-brainer since I am familiar with Morningstar and know I would be able to find them at my local store.

I love a good hamburger. My grandfather raised cattle so we grew up with good beef to eat. However, now that C and I have more healthy eating habits, beef doesn't figure in to our diet much anymore. Chicken and turkey burgers are a pale substitute. So, we've turned to veggie burgers. Most, to be frank, are not very good at all. But Morningstar is a notable exception.

Morningstar burgers come in a variety of flavors. Our favorite are the Mushroom Lovers. They have a mildly smokey flavor and the mushrooms give them a more "meaty" texture. I wouldn't really call the flavor overly mushroom, though. We also like the Garden Veggie variety. The water chestnuts in these give an interesting bit of crunch.

Morningstar burgers are great for a quick lunch since they can be heated in the microwave. We prefer them heated in the oven or a skillet though (microwave can leave them a bit tough if you overcook them). On a whole wheat roll with regular burger fixings like tomato, onion and a slice of cheese, they make a great dinner.

If you are looking for a lower fat/calorie option for a hamburger and have possibly been disappointed with other non-meat burgers out there, you should give Morningstar a try.