New Year, New Skin: What I'm Loving Lately

2012 has started off with so much fun. I've been living it up with great friends and spoiling myself with fancy food, wine, and clothes! Ahh! Right now I'm on a bit of a detox and my head is killing me, but I know it's a good hurt---I'll feel better than ever in a couple days. In the meantime, I'd like to share my skin routine as of late that really seems to be a good combination of products. My skin is clear and happy! 

Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash - Original

Pure, simple ingredients including castile soap, tea tree oil, and awapuhi---It leaves you sqeaky clean, with no residue, and doesn't dry my skin out. Love, love love it and it's inexpensive. The Heritage in VB carries it and it can be found at Vitamin Shop or on the Desert Essence website.

Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Toner

 Shout out to my good friend Tiffany for telling me about this toner. It's pretty awesome--my skin hasn't been this clear in a while and I'm positive this is what's making the biggest impact. It's hard to find in stores; the Heritage has it of course, but you can always order it on the Burt's Bees website.

100% Pure Super Fruits Concentrated Serum

Lastly, I can't get enough of this brand...Everything smells like berries or coffee and chocolate. Incredible. I was skeptical about buying this serum...because it's more of a super-rich, concentrated oil. Oils on the face have been hit or miss for me. I had one vitamin E oil that I loved a few years ago, but tried the oil cleansing method [OCM] with castor oil and my skin went all to hell. THIS one, by 100% Pure is a HIT. Love it.

It's never too early for prevention; pack yourself internally and externally full of antioxidants every day!

Buy it at the Heritage, Vitamin Shop, or at 100percentpure.com

Highly Addictive Nail Polish; I Give Essie 5 Stars for Durability and Chromatic Originality

 up's, mint candy apple, bahama mama, mezmerised

Oo lala! I've never collected anything in my life...until now. Essie nail polishes are super trendy and affordable at about $8 a bottle. The color options are endless: ranging from good-girl pinks and classy opaques (perfect for french manicures) to edgy greens and metallic blues. Check out the collection here and get stoked on a nail polish that'll actually last you a few days without chipping (especially when you finish with one of their awesome top coats).

allure, sexy divide, going incognito, trophy wife

The collection doesn't stop there. For those of us who need some extra help to grow our nails or to keep them from breaking and splitting, essie provides a solution. Mine are brittle and tend to break and split, but I've noticed a huge difference in their health and appearance since I've been using the Rock Solid Ultimate Strength Treatment. The nail care line by essie features base coats, top coats, and more. You'll find the treatment polishes for growth and breakage in the base coats, high gloss setters, anti-chip coats, a pretty sweet matte finish if that's your thing in the top coats, and a cuticle remover, cuticle oil, and nail masks in others.

Essie's 2011 fall collection  showcases the very season-appropriate colors pictured below. My personal favorites are power clutch and very structured for perfectly replicating the warm colors of autumn.  

carry on, very structured, case study, glamour purse, lady like, power clutch

Find the nearest Essie retailer near you here. 

Try Truvia Instead of Sugar or Splenda. It's Natural AND Zero Calories

     Truvia isn't exactly a new sugar substitute to hit the market, but I'm positive a lot of people still haven't tried it. If you're like me, you haven't put regular sugar in your coffee or tea in years and are nervous about the chemicals in Spenda, Equal, and Sweet'N Low.
     I tried natural Stevia a few years ago but couldn't get past the taste. This is why Truvia is different: It's made from the Stevia leaf, but the makers isolate the best tasting, sweet component of the leaf called rebiana.  Trust me, it's delicious. Delicious enough to sprinkle on fruit if that's your thing. I love it in coffee, tea, and oatmeal. There is no nasty aftertaste, and it even has a hint of vanilla. It tastes more like sugar than Splenda or any other sugar substitute I've tasted. Kind of a dream come true.

     You can pretty much buy it anywhere groceries are sold or use their website to find the store nearest you here. To see a list of products including Firefly Sweet Tea flavored vodka and Vitamin Water Zero that are now being sweetened with Truvia instead of sugar or aspartame, click here.

My Chickpea Salad with Fresh Tomato and Herbs

When anyone asks me what my favorite food is, I pause for a second...not because I'm trying to think of my answer, but because I know they're going to have a "what? seriously?" kind of response. My favorite food is chickpeas, you know--garbanzo beans. I literally eat them almost every day. Because I LOVE them.

My favorite way to eat them is in a salad with feta, onion, fresh tomato, and herbs. Summer is the best time of year for it because everything except the garbanzo beans, onion, and feta are from our garden. Truly a beautiful thing. Also, you can use any variation of ingredients you have on hand. Fresh herbs can be expensive from grocery stores, so use what you can get your hands on and in the meantime plant an herb garden!

Chickpea Salad with Fresh Tomato and Herbs

1 15oz can of garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

~1/4c crumbled feta

1 clove of garlic, minced

~1/3c red or vidalia onion, thinly sliced

~1 med. tomato, chopped or 3/4c cherry tomatoes, each sliced in half

~1c fresh basil, chopped

A handful of fresh thyme, ~7 sprigs, (*tip-to remove leaves, hold sprig near the tip with one hand and pull or rub down to the base with your thumb and pointer fingers to remove the leaves)

~2tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

~2tbsp. balsamic vinegar

salt & pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Serves 3-4.

And if you know me, you know I'm enjoying it like this ;)

Flying Dog RAGING BITCH: The 8.3% abv BEER You've Gotta Try This Summer

Oh man, this is straight-up the best bang-for-your-buck beer I've found...ever, and that's not the only reason I love it. Like its name suggests, this beer holds nothing back and guarantees an unforgettable drinking experience. But first, let's get something straight---Flying Dog Raging Bitch is not for the weak at heart---This stuff is intense and will knock you on your ass if you drink a six-pack to yourself. Now that we're clear, let's party.

My boyfriend and I thought Harris Teeter must have made a mistake by pricing Raging Bitch (8.3%) the same as other Flying Dog selections when it's nearly 3% higher in alcohol by volume. I guess not because it has remained the same price at $7.99/6pk for sometime now. SOLD. So you're getting WAY more alcohol for your money and you get to look at some really sweet Ralph Steadman art while you drink it. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas anyone???

So how's she taste? Like a growling pit with froth on her lips, that's how. She's a Belgian Style Pale Ale and I'm not going to sugarcoat it, if you don't like the taste of hops, you probably won't like it. It does, however, have a bit of sweetness that makes the strong hops flavor more palatable. I'm no expert on beer tasting but I do like me some IPA's and I love the way this Flying Dog nips at my tongue.

Make it a part of your 4th of July plans and let me know how you like it. I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed. I know Harris Teeter and Total Wine carry it or you can use Flying Dog's beer finder tool to find a retailer nearby.

Best Soap Evaa!: Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap

Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap Made with Organic Oils!

     
     Call me a hippy, call me a tree-hugger--I don't care--Staying as natural as possible is the way to go and Dr. Bronner's just happens to be some of the best soap out there. This brand stands for all things ethical and is a great value at about $9.00 for a 16oz. bottle that, trust me, will last forever. There are smaller sizes available if you want to spend less money before you are convinced of how much you love it, but trust me, you'll be back for more. Click here to read about why their soap-making process is unique, including how Dr. Bronner's uses quality ingredients like Organic Coconut, Hemp, Olive, and Jojoba oils while most commercial brands skimp on quality to cut costs and use mostly the tallow from beef fat (eww).
     I found out about this stuff at one of my favorite restaurants in the whole world, Little Grill, in beloved Harrisonburg, VA. Next to their soap dispenser in their bathroom was a little hand-written sign giving Dr. Bronner's some love, and well, that little sign was a good idea because it was effective enough for me, and who knows how many other people, to go out and look into this pure feeling, awesome soap and use it from there on out. 

So, I've only tried the Almond scent and peppermint, and I'm in love with the peppermint. It makes you feel tingly all-over and smells great. It's especially good during the summer when you need a little extra help cooling off; Imagine rubbing mild Vick's vapor rub all over your body when you're hot...*yes, please.* Other scents available include: eucalyptus, rose, citrus, and lavender. Also, the bottle has tons of great literature written all over it which I love reading while I let conditioner sit on my hair. 
     I know that it can be found at Vitamin Shoppe, Trader Joe's, and The Heritage Store in Virginia Beach, but of course you can also order it online at Amazon.com or Dr. Bronner's website as well. 

Try it, I love it---and it's cheap!

Perfect Go-to Complexion Product: Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer by Stila

Sephora $32 or anywhere stila is sold

     I've never gotten into wearing full-on foundation, and that isn't because I haven't tried. For a long time, I thought that foundation was a necessary part of any makeup routine, but I've never found one that I felt comfortable wearing. They are either too oily or heavy on my skin or I feel like they cover up all my freckles and turn me a color that doesn't look "me," and I simply cannot hang.

     So, despite my dislike towards most foundations, I do like enhancing my complexion with a little blush and/or bronzer and have been trying for a while to find a highlighting cream or powder that looks natural while adding a dewy glow. 

     Stila pretty much did it for me. While I was shopping for a highlighter, I noticed Stila illuminating tinted moisturizer, and had to buy it on the spot. It does everything I want face-makeup to do: it's subtle enough to be worn all over the face and adds a natural-looking luminance to your skin while not actually making you appear like you're wearing makeup at all. It really just makes you look healthy and vibrant and dries without leaving any oily or heavy feeling. 

It really is that  little something that makes you're skin look and feel radiant

     So, this is the order in which I apply it in my makeup routine: face wash, tea-tree and e oil, light lotion, stila illuminating tinted moisturizer, concealer on any needed areas, sometimes a little bronzer, and always a little blush on my cheeks and a dab on the nose and forehead. Sometimes at the end, I'll add a little more of the illuminating moisturizer high on my cheek bones and down the bridge of my nose for extra light. 

     ...and if you do wear foundation, you can of course still use this (probably one step after applying the foundation, I suppose it depends on if it's cream or powder) and I'm sure it will look gorgeous.

Hey You, Tired Eyes

     At the risk of sounding cliché, this stuff smells good enough to eat. It's Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream by the brand 100% Pure and its ingredients are impressive, containing green coffee, Calendula Hydrosol, coffee cherry, rose hip oil, Vitamin E and C, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and vanilla (to name a few). By the way, check out the link on coffee cherry, I had no idea until researching it recently that the coffee bean is actually the seed of a fruit called "coffee cherry" which is loaded with antioxidants. 
     I picked up a bottle of this heavenly lotion a couple months ago in an attempt to remedy the dark circles under my eyes that seemed to deepen and darken over the past year or more. I blame my prior zombie-like eyes on bad habits in college like pulling all-nighters to finish papers or study for exams and regularly skimping on shut-eye. *Shakes fist at procrastination.* Anyway, I'm about half way through my second bottle and I'm really happy with the results I've seen. Honestly, I no longer have bad dark circles, if any at all. In addition to the great results I've seen from continual use, the cream is excellent for immediately relieving swollen, puffy eyes, which I definitely wake up with some mornings. There's nothing like a product that gives you immediate results, and you'll definitely look more awake and refreshed within minutes of using this. 
     So, using eye cream is a good habit to get into for anyone really once you hit the age of regular stress and lack of sleep (hello adulthood), but this product is particularly great for those with tired eyes, dark circles, and especially puffiness. Its ingredients are also great for anti-aging which is always a plus. I'm only in my early 20's but I'm a believer in preventing the aging process before it begins. I'd rather prevent what I can now rather than fixing problems after they happen...makes sense, right? Try this stuff, I'm telling you, it's awesome and it smells SO good!

Use the link below to purchase from Amazon.com or it can be found at Vitamin Shoppe or the Heritage Store in Virginia Beach.

Young Coconuts: Incredibly Healthy and Delicious

I discovered these little gems through an older Vietnamese lady working at the Harris Teeter in McLean, VA. She was working behind the refrigerated display case in the produce section where the coconuts were sitting, and I picked one up and asked her what it was. She became visibly excited and came around from behind the counter, told me how delicious they are, and explained how to open them. She even took my arm and pulled me aside from my boyfriend to tell me I should drink the water from coconuts before and during my periods for reasons I'll spare you the details of. Needless to say, she was awesome and hilarious. Anyway, of course I bought one and ever since I got it open and tasted it I have been completely and totally hooked...like seriously hooked and in love.

Coconut water has gotten pretty popular within the past couple years--and rightfully so. I'ts incredibly nutritious, refreshing, and tastes divine. It's been dubbed "nature's sports drink" because its naturally fat-free, low in calories, and super-hydrating for being rich in electrolytes. It has an impressive amount of potassium that nearly doubles the amount in bananas and the perfect amount of sodium in relation, making it ideal for re-hydrating post workout or say...a night of heavy drinking (seriously, it's amazing for hangovers :)

The health benefits don't stop there though. Coconut water is packed full of vitamin C as well as B vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin which are essential for our bodies to replenish and can only be obtained from external sources.

ALSO AMAZING:
Coconut water even has similar properties to human blood plasma and can therefore substitute the standard IV fluid for transfusions in emergency situations. During WWII when soldiers were wounded in the Pacific, there were an abundance of coconuts and many men were saved by transfusions of coconut water as plasma.

Of course, the water isn't the only beautiful and delicious thing about young coconuts. The thin gel-like coconut meat is sweet, soft, and velvety unlike the hard insides of the brown hairy coconuts that most Americans are used to seeing in grocery stores. It can be easily scraped off and eaten with a spoon (yumm).

I am going to post a video of how to open these tricky coconuts, but until then here are directions:

You'll need a big, strong, and sharp knife--a chef's knife will work fine. 

• Shave off the white pithy part on the cone-shaped top in order to expose the hard shell underneath. 
• Using the blunt corner/angle of the blade near the handle, pierce the shell using quick, hard jabs all the way around making a complete circle. 
• Pry open the top with the knife or your fingers.
• Stick a straw in it or pour it into a glass and enjoy!!

Unfortunately, they are pretty hard to find in grocery stores. Currently, the only places I know of that carry them in Virginia Beach are the Harris Teeter-Brennan Farm location and The Heritage Store. In Northern VA, like I said, they usually have them at the Harris Teeter in McLean. If you know of other places to find young coconuts, please leave the info in the comments box :)

Lipstick Obsession: Clinique Black Honey

I've been using this regularly since I got it months ago and absolutely love it. They call it an "almost lipstick" because it's lightweight and adds only a wash of berry that deepens your natural color while adding beautiful richness and shine. I highly recommend it because it's a universal shade and therefore looks great on everyone. If you need convincing, just check out the thousands of glowing reviews on one of the websites below.

                            Buy it on Clinique.com or Sephora $14.50                              

What's also great is that you never risk looking like you're wearing too much. I apply it as heavily or lightly as I want depending on my desired shade and it always looks really pretty. It's a perfect dress-down/casual lipstick but can certainly be played-up as well.

Definitely an excellent purchase and valuable product!

Two Seriously Amazing (and pure) Skincare Products

I am thrilled with how the products I'm about to share with you have improved my skin. Fortunately, my skin has never been extremely bad; I've never had full-blown acne or anything, however I have struggled with breakouts and combination skin problems. In the past when I would break out I would apply a strong spot treatment to target breakouts, but I found that it irritated my skin more and left me with severe dryness and even red scars on my face.

I've stopped using harsh acne treatment cleansers and lotions completely and found natural products that give me the clearest skin I've had in a very, very long time.

The miracle in a bottle that I am most excited about is derma e's Tea Tree & E oil.

Buy it on Amazon.com or at VitaminShoppe

Tea Tree oil is known for its antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal properties when applied topically. Vitamin E oil is great for scars, wrinkles, and is packed full of antioxidants. I love that derma e combined the two for the perfect combination of cleansing and purifying without over-drying. This stuff is no-joke; it seriously gets rid of and prevents breakouts like nothing else I've used.

So, I apply the oil over my entire face after washing and before applying moisturizer, and will reapply it a couple times throughout the day if I have any beginning signs of breakouts. For proof that it really does prevent acne: I actually ran out of it about a week ago and for the few days I wasn't using it, I had already started to breakout slightly around my hairline...but when I bought more and started using it again, my skin immediately improved. I'm telling you, this stuff works!!

The only negative thing is the smell which is similar to camphor (or bug spray). Personally, it doesn't bother me...but I can see how some people wouldn't like it. I say its worth it though and the smell only lasts until it dries.

Alright, so the second product I'm in love with is Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay.

Buy it on Amazon.com or at VitaminShoppe

This stuff is intense...I've only used it as a face mask, but apparently it can be used for other skin conditions and even on hair. It is 100% Natural Calcium Bentonite (green) Clay powder that you mix with either 'Bragg' raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar or water. I definitely suggest using it with the apple cider vinegar rather than water because it makes it much more powerful.

So you mix the clay with the vinegar or water until it forms a thick but still runny consistency and apply it to your face. Within a few minutes you will start to feel the clay drying along with a tingly, pulsating feeling. It will actually move the skin on your face as it dries because it is so strong. I leave it on for 15-30 minutes or at least until all the clay has dried. Rinse with warm water and a washcloth, and be aware that your skin will be flushed red right after you remove the mask. Don't worry, this will go away, but depending on the sensitivity of your skin it could take an hour or more so I suggest trying the mask for the first time at night before bed.

I follow up with the Tea Tree & E Oil and then a Vitamin A Moisturizer by the same brand, derma e. It leaves my skin feeling clean,  pure, and visibly tightened. The combination of the Healing Clay mask followed up by the Tea Tree & E Oil is a powerful weapon against acne and I would recommend trying it to anyone who wants to improve their skin without using harsh chemicals. 

I now love these products so much that I feel like I can't live without them. If you try either or both of them, please let me know how they work for you and if you love them as much as I do!

THERE HAS TO BE A FIRST

I'm so excited about my blog! My intention is to just have fun with it. I'll talk about whatever stuff I'm into at the time and share lots of great products, foods, recipes, and other things at the same time. 


It's going to be awesome...and I think I know what I want the REAL first post to be about...so I'm going get started on that.


hint: it's skincare.