Weekend Bits & Bobs: The Perfect Cuppa

It is no secret that tea is one of my favorite things. I keep the pantry well stocked with tea and when the supply is getting low, I start searching for the next best tea. There is nothing like snuggling up with a hot cup of tea, a good book and fuzzy socks (I still wear the socks my sister gave me several years ago with fuzzy lambs stitched on the sides. I have not shame!).

This Sunday morning was grey, drab and quite frankly, miserable. By midday, it was pouring rain and there were even a few instances of thunder and lightening. What better way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon than with the perfect cup of tea!?

For this weekend’s post, I have for you guys three teas that are perfect for a cozy, chilly day in.

The Republic of Tea Vanilla Almond Black Tea. The Republic of Tea is one of my favorite tea companies. The quality of their teas is exceptional and they have such a wide variety of teas to choose from that it’s almost overwhelming! Their Vanilla Almond Black Tea is definitely a treat. It’s smooth, with the perfect balance between the vanilla and almond. It’s a warm flavor, definitely appropriate for the colder seasons. It has a bit of natural sweetness to it, so with just a touch of honey, it can satisfy that sweet tooth without leaving you high, and dry, and ready to cry, with guilt. When paired with milk, this tea becomes a decadent treat. 

Tazo Orange Chiffon. This is a black tea that Tazo describes as Earl Grey, but with a touch of orange. In these loose-leaf tea sachets you can even see the orange peels. Tazo isn’t my favorite tea company. I think they tend to over flavor some their teas, but they do have some standouts. I think this is one of them. The orange makes this take on Earl Grey brighter, but it’s not overpowering. It’s a great chilly morning tea to help perk you up!

Teatulía Organic Green Tea. This is my first time trying anything from the brand Teatulía. I was in Target last weekend and decided to try this, as I had run out of green tea. I can’t be without green tea! It’s a must have in my tea arsenal. I’m also on the hunt to find my favorite green tea, so I’m always trying different brands. This is a nice one. It’s smooth, light and fresh, bonus that it’s organic! There is something comforting about a simple green tea on a gloomy day; it’s familiar. After staring at these three teas and debating which one to drink, I chose this one this afternoon.

*Quick tip: Green tea is a more delicate tea than black tea and is easy to burn. To prevent the bitter taste that results from burned green tea, wait five minutes after your water boils and then pour the water over your green tea. Don’t let it steep for more than 3 minutes. This will ensure you have a perfect, non-bitter cup of green tea! The same applies for white teas.

I finished Cold Mountain and I have now started the second installment of Game of Thrones. Only 60 pages in and I’m already nervous!

I hope you all enjoyed this post! What are your favorite teas to snuggle up with on a dreary day?

-Alana 

Book Review: Stoner by, John Williams

Stoner by John Williams is not a novel I would typically gravitate towards. The only reason I was intrigued by it was because some of my favorite YouTube vloggers mentioned the book (if you don’t watch essiebuttonvlogs you need to get on it. Estée, her boyfriend Aslan and their dog Reggie are addicting). They have such unique taste and Aslan was reading it and said that it was extremely interesting.

I like how I’m talking about Aslan and Estée like I know them. Wishful thinking…

So, I looked the book up on Amazon and read the reviews and it had high ratings. I was curious as to how a novel about a man named William Stoner, from a poor Missouri farming family, and his life at university could be so fascinating. So I bought it. And I liked it.

Upon entering the University of Missouri, William Stoner lives the rest of his life there. He enters as a student and then becomes a professor in English. The story follows his life as a member of the university, his unhappy marriage, strained relationship with his daughter and his brief romantic escapade.

From my point of view, there is something existential about this novel. When William Stoner discovers his love for English literature, the reader watches him grow into an independent person. Yet at the same time, there is this irony of his increasing independence. He doesn’t know how to define himself outside of the image and culture of the university. The reader is constantly aware of this tension as William Stoner struggles his way through life.

This novel has quite a melancholy tone. By no means is this a happy story and when I finished it I felt slightly exhausted, but not in a bad way. In the way that one feels exhausted after finally coming to the end of a difficult time. It is a novel of a mediocre life and how life can beat one down. There is nothing exceptional about William Stoner. He is an average man with average abilities. It is amazing to me how John Williams took the story of such a simple man and made it compelling.

In a way, this book reminded me not to get complacent. Life is too short to stay comfortable. I definitely think this book is worth a read, even if it’s not something you would initially be drawn to. It’s also a book I plan to re-read because there are always things that stick out more the second time around.

Noteworthy Quotes:

·      “It [love] was a passion neither of the mind nor of the heart, it was a force that comprehended them both, as if they were but the matter of love, its specific substance.”

·      “A war doesn’t merely kill off a few thousand or a few hundred thousand young men. It kills off something in a people that can never be brought back. And if a people go through enough wars, pretty soon all that’s left is the brute, the creature that we – you and I and others like us – have brought up from the slime.”

Have you read this book or any others by John Williams? What did you think?

-Alana

Weekend Bits & Bobs: LUSH Goodies

I have a bit of a thing for LUSH. Their products are packed full of wholesome, fresh ingredients and everything I’ve tried thus far from LUSH, I have really enjoyed. There are so many smells, textures, and unique products that you just cannot find anywhere else. Going into a LUSH store is definitely an experience and can also be rather overwhelming. I prefer to peruse online first, read reviews and do a bit of research so that when I go into the store, my visit is short, sweet and to the point.

I had my eyes on three items recently and I finally bit the bullet and indulged. I haven’t had the opportunity to really dive into these products yet, as they are literally brand new to me, but I figured a small LUSH haul would make for a quaint weekend post. 

Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner. I have been curious about this product for at least a year, maybe a year and a half. You are supposed to apply this in the shower after you’ve already washed, rub it in, rinse off sans soap and then pat your skin dry with a towel. Only so much of this will rinse off. It’s supposed to leave behind a residue. This is like hair conditioner, but for your skin. It’s supposed to be hydrating enough for you to be able to skip the body lotion after the shower, which is perfect for me because I get lazy after the shower. It’s packed full of intensely hydrating butters and oils like shea butter, cocoa butter, brazil nut oil and of course argan oil. I haven’t used this yet in the shower, but I will tonight. I have however applied some to my hands. This is quite greasy, as to be expected. I have the suspicion I may also apply this to dry skin at night, when I really want to give my skin a treat. And the smell! MY GOODNESS THE SMELL! This is the same scent as their Rose Jam shower gel. It’s rich, luxurious, rosy, sweet, warm and dare I say, delectable! If you were to marry rose, vanilla and a touch of honey, this would be it. It really is a decadent treat for the senses. The scent persuaded me to purchase this, much to the dismay of my wallet. If you haven’t smelled this product yet, go give it a whiff and you may just want to slap the nearest person to you. It smells that good. You’ve been warned. 

Helping Hands Hand Cream. I was in the market for an intensely moisturizing hand cream for nighttime use. I really enjoy the Crabtree & Evelyn hand creams, but they haven’t been cutting it for me lately. They are great for daytime use because they are light, moisturize well and sink in quickly. However, by the end of the day, my hands feel tight and almost painfully dry, even with the Crabtree & Evelyn. In comes Helping Hands. I actually wanted to purchase the Handy Gurugu hand cream, but the lovely LUSH employee told me they were sold out, but that Helping Hands was actually a more intense hand cream. It was created for nurses who have to wash their hands a ton. It contains Chamomile water, shea butter, cocoa butter, honey, lavender oil and African marigold oil. It doesn’t really have much of a scent, just light and natural smelling. I have only applied a small amount to my hands and that small about (less than a pea sized) was rich in texture. This is definitely a heavy hand cream, which is what I wanted. I’m excited to apply this tonight and see what this is going to do to my hands.

Lovely Jubblies Breast Cream. Yes you read that properly. Lets save the most awkward for last. I love awkward topics. Tonyette and I are convinced that these LUSH people like awkward topics as well; just go to their site and read their descriptions of their massage bars. So lets venture into the world of TMI. This cream was formulated with the Girls in mind, but after laughing hysterically when I stumbled across this product online, I was surprised by the magnitude of great reviews. People are actually saying this has tightened and fimed their… assets (and who doesn't want that!?). People also use it for much more, as an eye cream, for stretch marks, areas they have cellulite and any area they want to have a firmer appearance, such as arms and legs. Women who have nursed especially seem to like this product. Products like this automatically get filed into the “what a gimmick” category in my mind. But I was so intrigued I decided I wanted to test drive this. This product contains rose, cocoa butter, evening primrose, ylang ylang oil, jasmine and tiger lily petals. This definitely has as floral scent, but the ylang ylang gives it warmth and depth. It’s not my favorite scent, it’s definitely a more mature fragrance, but I don’t think it’s bad by any means. Again, I’m excited to see what this does and get a good giggle every time I reach for it. I’ll have to keep you guys posted.

Have you tried any of these LUSH goodies? If so, how did they work for you? I’ll definitely have to provide more in-depth reviews for each product once I use them for a while and develop an opinion.

Until next time,

Alana 

Weekend Bits & Bobs: Lippies, Masks and Cold Mountain

Happy New Year! I’m going to start a post on the blog titled “Weekend Bits & Bobs.” I snagged the phrase “bits and bobs” from the British. In a nutshell, it’s equivalent to the American phase “odds and ends.” 

For these types of posts I’ll feature a few items or maybe even something completely random, that I either used a lot over the weekend, stuck out to me, or made the weekend more pleasant, peaceful and relaxing.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey and YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in #9 Pink Caress. Both of these shades are the typical everyday pink shades. They don’t lean too bright, too red, too pastel, or too brown. They are the type of pink shades that look flattering on almost everyone and are easy to wear whether you are wearing a full face of makeup or nothing at all. Both are very similar in terms of color. Honey is a bit more mauve than Caress Pink, which is a bit brighter. Both have great, smooth, pigmented formulas and noteworthy lasting power on the lips. I kept my makeup simple and understated this weekend and wore quite dark clothes, so I wanted shades that would perk up my face, and these fit the bill.

C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Lip Balm 8 Hour Overnight Recovery. I have a lot of lip balms and I’m on the hunt to find the best of the best. I’ve owned this one for a while now, but have never really gravitated towards it. I decided to give it a go this weekend and I’ve really been enjoying it. It’s quite thick, though not sticky. It contains 5% shea butter and has a pleasant, sweet fragrance that is not cloying. I do have to be careful not to get it outside of my lip line, or I fear it may cause some clogged pores, as it is quite emollient. When I wake up in the morning, it’s still there and my lips feel smooth and hydrated even after I eat breakfast, wash my face and brush my teeth in the morning. It’s a great lip treatment for those dry winter lips.

Illamasqua Monogamous. After the saturated green and red polishes I sported on my nails in December, I was in the mood for something simple, clean and understated. Monogamous thus landed itself on my nails. Monogamous is a nude shade, though it has strong pink undertones. I don’t have a polish like this in my collection. This is my first time trying an Illamasqua polish and I’ve got to say, I think I like it. It’s difficult to get a nice formula on a polish that is this beige. The formula on this polish is creamy, smooth, pigmented and easy to control. It actually dries to a semi-matte finish, but a topcoat makes this nice and glossy. Two coats made this polish perfectly opaque.

Clinique Turnaround 15 Minute Facial. First, let me get the disclaimer out of the way: Clinique discontinued this product but if you are lucky, you may still be able to find it online. Never underestimate the power of eBay! They replaced it with Turnaround Instant Facial. This came in the mail last Saturday and I ordered it because the concept really intrigued me.  It claims to give you the effects of microdermabrasion without the harsh effects. It contains salicylic acid and other non-physical exfoliants that are supposed to reveal smoother, brighter skin after leaving it on for 15 minutes, when using this mask once or twice a week. I’ve only used this mask once, but will be using it again tonight. To me, it’s the perfect Sunday mask. It has shimmer in it, so it even looks flattering on after it dries down to a matte finish. It’s not drying like most masks I use. I actually leave it on for 30+ minutes, because I like to live on the edge! When I rinse this off, my skin feels so smooth and soft. And in the morning, after the first time I used this, I noticed my skin just looked nicer, though I couldn’t quite pinpoint what the difference was. I’m looking forward to slathering this on again tonight and settling down with a book and a cup of tea while this works its magic on my face. A perfect Sunday night treat.

Cold Mountain by, Charles Frazier. I started reading this book in December and I’m almost finished. I’ve really been enjoying this book and I will do a proper review on it once I’ve finish reading it. I look forward to the weekends just so I can get cozy and settle in with this novel. It really is beautifully written. When the Clinique mask is on, this is the novel I’ll be diving into.

Those are my Weekend Bits & Bobs for this first week of January. My goal is to have post for this new series on the blog every Sunday, so keep your eyes peeled.

What were some standouts for you this weekend?

- Alana

Courage

The devotional I've been doing for the month of November encouraged me to sit down and really meditate on the meaning of courage this week.Courage means "the ability to do something that frightens one" or "strength in the face of pain or grief"

What I love the most of this word is its Latin roots. It's root word cor which means "heart". At the root of courage is HEART. When you are passionate or love something - your heart is manifested. It takes heart to press in the face of opposition or distress. Heart means having faith even when everyone questions your ability or decision. 

BE COURAGEOUS<3 <3 <3 Take heart and remember your purpose and passion 

Just wanted to stop by and encourage you all.

Things I basically live in this season =)

1.) American Apparel Circle Infinity Scarf (top right): I am LIVING in this scarf. I bought this for a little less than 9 dollars at Marshall's. I was able to wear this in the mild Fall weather and today's 35 degree weather. Definitely glad my sister saw into the future and encouraged me to buy this. It is made of fleece and it is HUGE. Like it can be worn as a shawl, shawl-hat, shirt, dress, etc. etc. But I've been wearing it as a BIG 'OL SCARF. Very versatile and it looks so good with everything. 

2.) Wet N' Wild Copper Dust (below the scarf): Purchased this baby for 1 DOLLAR at Walgreens. This has been my baby for the past two months. It is in the Red lipstick family- but I classify this as a orangey-brown with a tint of red lol. It literally WAKES my face up. This definitely makes a difference when I jumping out of my bed in the morning and want to do the least possible. 

3.) Lancome Desert Sunset Eyeshadow Palette (bottom left): My mom purchased this for me about a year and a half ago (summer after I graduated from college)for like 15 dollars. This palette definitely goes for A LOT and we scored it for NOTHING. Honestly - I love this palette and it definitely is a summer color palette but I love the darker colors and I don't really care too much for anything other than neutral colors. AND I keep coming back to this lovely <3. Here's another view.

Photo from Beauty2Couture

4.) Old Navy Women's Chambray - So I couldn't find the actually top but I wanted to put a photo of one of Old Navy's Chambrays in the post lol. The one I purchased is a tad too big for me and I honestly didn't like it when I first purchased it. BUT I love how it looks on me and I love wearing it with jeans, leggings, and I am actually going to try to wear it with a skirt tomorrow and belt it! Woooot. 

5.) Pacifica Color Quench Balm - I purchased the Blood Orange color a few months ago from Marshalls. This stuff is LIKE BUTTER. It literally has Shea Butter in it and it has so amazing oils in it that keeps my lips moisturized. I've bought another with Cocoa Butter in it and that one is equally amazing. This keeps my lips moisturized like NO OTHER LIP BALM. I am grateful for this. lol. I've seen this lip balm at like two different Marshalls for 4 dollars. Definitely be on the look out for them.

6.) American Eagle Party Cardigan (Bottom right) - My sister bought this for me when she worked at AEO last Christmas. I totally went into the store and almost bought it and she had already picked it out for me. BEST CARDIGAN EVER. It is really comfy and it has two slits on the sides that definitely makes it edgy. I live in this thing and it makes me feel like I am walking around with a blanket on all day LOL. It is my comfort item hahah. Thanks sis - you da best giiirl <3

7.) Madewell Transport Tote - Okay...I took forever to purchased this tote yall. I looked at it for months.I finally purchased it and it has been so great to me for the past few weeks. I can comfortably carry my laptop,wallet, water, umbrella, journal, a book, pens, and chargers in this tote. CHANGED. MY. LIFE. I am glad I invested in it because I know my future educational/life goals will keep me on the move. What better way to transport with the transport tote...hahaha. 

There ya go! Some of my faves and here I am in FOUR of the seven I posted =D 

See yaaaa

<3,

Tonyette

Fall and Winter Make-Up Essentials

It’s my favorite time of the year people! November to January is prime time for me! I love the weather, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the prospects of a New Year. I also look forward to breaking out my warm cozy sweaters, boots, scarves and changing up my make-up routine just a bit. Like most people, I start whipping out deeper lip and blush colors and go for a more “flawless” face look.

So let’s talk about my staple make-up products for the fall and winter seasons! As a disclaimer, the majority of the products in this post are high-end products. I’ve been experimenting more with higher end makeup and I have really grown to like what I’ve tried out so far!

Lips

Clockwise: Dior Ultra Addict Gloss in #652, NARS Russian Doll, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey, YSL Rouge Volupte Shine #2

Swatches from Left to Right: YSL Rouge Volupte Shine #2, NARS Russian Doll, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey, Dior Ultra Addict Gloss #652

 *My lighting makes everything look too red. I'm going to work on different lighting. But in the mean time bear with me. The YSL and NARS lipsticks are a lot deeper and more purple than shown. 

·      YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick in #2 – What would be a fall/winter makeup look without a berry lip? I’ve wanted to try one of these YSL lipsticks for AGES but the price tag is nauseating! One of these bad boys is $35. But I ransacked the Internet and on eBay I scored this one for significantly cheaper. I should do a post on how I find good deals on eBay and not get ripped off by scammers. Hmmm, that’s an idea…. But this is a beautiful lipstick. It’s got a light, smooth, pigmented formula, think Revlon Lip Butters, but not so soft to the point where you feel like it’s going to crumble when you apply it. It smells like a Jolly Rancher and you can wear it sheer or build it up to an intense berry. It isn’t overly shiny, provides a nice sheen to the lips and leaves behind a nice even stain on the lips as it wears off. It claims to be moisturizing, but I’m not too impressed with how well it “moisturizes” my lips.

o   A great drug store alternative is Revlon’s Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush. It has a different finish on the lips because it’s a stain, but the shade is in the same family.

·      NARS Russian Doll – Don’t be fooled by how dark this lipstick appears in the bullet. It’s extremely versatile. It has a satin finish and I prefer to wear it as a stain by lightly applying it to the lips and then really working it in with my finger. This is a deep, cool burgundy shade with purple and brown undertones. This can be built up to full intensity if you want to go for a really vampy look. I think this would look amazing on really pale skin with a subtle, smoky eye and flawless foundation. Literally like a porcelain doll (I see what you did there NARS).

o   Other lip products of a similar shade (though different finishes) are Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Raging Raisin and YSL Rouge Volupte Shine #1.

·      Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey – This a great, everyday lip color. I gravitate more towards this product in the cooler months because it has more mauve, brown undertones than Rimmel’s Show Off/Apocolips in Celestial or YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick #9.

·      Dior Ultra Addict Lip Gloss Glow in #652 Mischievous Rose – The Dior Addict Glosses are my Holy Grail favorite lip glosses. The texture is so silky, smooth, shiny and luxurious. They are pigmented, hydrating and make your lips look unreal. They don’t last incredibly long on the lips because the formula is so slick, but I don’t mind. Mischievous Rose is a brown toned rose shade, that once it warms up on your lips, it looks so natural and pretty without being over the top. When I saw this in the tube I was scared it would be too brown, but it’s not once applied. Good stuff Dior, good stuff. I have no dupes or similar products to this one. 

Eyes

·      Urban Decay Naked2 Palette – For what ever reason I tend to stray away from eyeshadow in the warmer seasons, but once things start to cool down, I break this bad boy back out. Even though I have warm, yellow undertones to my skin, I prefer taupe eyeshadows and there is something about this palette that screams fall and winter to me. It’s slightly cooler toned than the original Naked palette, but still won’t look odd on those of us with warmer undertones. It’s got a ton of shimmer shadows and three matte shades that make it versatile; perfect for a simple every day look, or a festive sparkly look for those holiday parties.

·      Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze – This is the perfect eyeshadow base for the Naked2 palette and it works well on its own. Another eye product I really only break out during this time of the year because it’s a taupe shade.

Cheeks 

Swatches from Left to Right: theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer, NYX Mocha, Milani Red Vino, Tarte: Breathless, Embraced, Whimsy, Bashful, Irreplaceable.

*Again, my lighting makes everything too red. My bad!

·      NYX Blush in Mocha – This is the perfect everyday blush shade that goes with a variety of looks. In the summer I tend to go for blushes like NARS Orgasm, theBalm’s Hot Mama or Milani’s Baked Blush in Luminoso, but once things start to cool down, I want shades that lean more on the berry side. This blush just gives the perfect flush with a matte finish. It’s also at a great price point to at around $5.

·      Milani Baked Blush in Red Vino – This blush looks horrifying in the pan and it is insanely pigmented, so you do need to use a light hand, but when applied lightly, it gives such a beautiful berry hue to the cheeks. It is laced with gold shimmer, so it also provides a nice glow to the cheeks. I remember the first time I wore this, a coworker asked me why I looked so flushed. This is one of those blushes that makes you look like you’ve been in the cold for a few hours. It’s a great quality blush at around $7-8. Can’t beat that!

·      Tarte Pin-Up Girl Blush Palette – This  is my first Tarte purchase and I’ve wanted to try their 12 Hour Amazonian Clay blushes for a while. So, when Sephora had Tarte’s holiday blush palette, I snagged it. I really like this palette and it has a great selection of shades for any look you may want to do. It has three matte blushes and two with subtle shimmer. The main reason I wanted this palette was for the matte tan blush (perfect for when you want to wear a bold lip) and that purplish blush next to it with the subtle sheen. Very pretty.

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer – I’ve wanted this highlighter for aaaages! Literally, I think at least two years, but I always talked myself out of it. But I finally caved and purchased it and I have used it practically everyday since getting it almost two months ago. Like I said earlier, I tend to go for more of a golden sheen on the cheeks in the warmer months and I like to cool things down in fall and winter. I wanted a highlighter that would still compliment my warm skin tone, while also complimenting the cooler toned blushes I start to wear again. This is also such a nice highlighter; soft and pigmented. It’s easy to go over board with this though, so apply with a light hand!

Face

·      Laura Geller Spackle Primer in Ethereal – I love to mixed this in with the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer. It provides such a lovely glow to the skin and really makes your foundation look nicer.  I wouldn’t say this is shimmery, it’s more opalescent. It doesn’t look glittery at all, it just glows. Perfect if you’re trying to achieve that flawless skin look that people strive more towards when the weather is colder. It really makes you look “lit from within.” This is also a very generous size. Most primers come in 1 ounce tubes. This is 2 ounces, so you are getting more for your money.

·      The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals Liquid Foundation – I can only wear this foundation when it is cold and dry outside because otherwise it will slide off my face. It has a dewy finish and I find it to actually be quite moisturizing. This is not an oil free foundation, but it does not break me out. It has light to medium coverage and gives a natural look to the skin. It’s perfect for those cold winter days and you want a foundation that’s going to provide some extra moisture to your skin.

·      Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation – This foundation has a huge hype around it and I’ve been curious about it for quite sometime. I finally got my hands on it and I like it quite a bit. I have the shade B40, which is the perfect shade for me when I don’t have a tan. It’s wears nicely and has a satin finish. It feels like nothing on the skin. It has light to medium coverage and I feel like the longer I have this on my face, the better it looks. It really makes my skin look flawless. The wear time is great on my skin, for me being having oily skin. For the price point I wanted it to really perform, but at the same time I didn’t want to like it so much because then I’ll want to repurchase when I run out. Guys, I like it too much. So long money. Send me a post card from France, signed by Chanel (that ain’t gonna happen). Lovely. Pricey. But lovely.

These are all my makeup staples for Fall and Winter. Quite a long post I know, but I really wanted to share these items with you all! So for those of you who actually read everything, you're the best!

That are you cold weather makeup staples? Have you tried any of these?

- Alana