BeautyArmy: April 2013 Review.

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Let’s get right to it, shall we?

What I Received (Chose):

YES TO Tomatoes Daily Pore Scrub

New York Streets Dry Shampoo

Mark. Hook-Up Lip Gloss in “Honey”

GG Gatsby “Raise Volume” Conditioner

Amlactin Moisturizing Body Lotion

COTZ Face Tint SPF 40

Product #1: YES TO Tomatoes Daily Pore Scrub ($9.99)

Back in February, I had given YES TO Carrots Body Butter a glowing review. Seeing another YES TO product available to try this month, this time a pore scrub, I didn’t hesitate to select it as one of my samples. The scrub, which didn’t smell too much like tomato (only a little bit, but it wasn’t grossly overpowering), was gentle enough on my face where it didn’t hurt to apply, and yet it was powerful enough that when I rinsed it off, my skin felt really smooth and exfoliated. I wish I had gotten a bigger sample so I could see the results over the course of a few days as opposed to just a one time only use, but I liked what I saw and what I felt, and I wouldn’t be opposed to trying it again.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This product is pretty inexpensive compared to other pore scrubs and exfoliators on the market, and as I mentioned, the results after just one use were impressive. I’d like to try to see if the results stay consistent with continued use, and I’d be willing to make the purchase to find out.

Product #2: New York Streets Dry Shampoo ($17.99)

Having hair as curly as mine poses an issue with dry shampoo, especially in the warmer seasons. A lot of dry shampoos I’ve tried in the past either make me look like I have dandruff (ew) by not absorbing properly and just being stubborn when it comes time to brush it through my hair, or they disappear almost instantly on my scalp and I’m left with hair that feels a little greasy. I’m selective with dry shampoos, usually sticking with my trusty Lush one, but I decided to give this aerosol dry shampoo a try.

I sprayed some of this product on my scalp, and immediately noticed that it turned my roots white- which wouldn’t be an issue except that it would NOT fade, even after excessive massaging and brushing. I eventually had to apply styling product on top of it, thus wetting the shampoo and pretty much defeating it’s purpose- and making my hair feel not very refreshed at all.

Would I Purchase?: No. This product was a dud for me. The one good thing was that it had a pretty scent to it, but I could get the same result- without the powdered wig effect, that is- from hairspray.

Product #3: Mark. Hook-Up Lip Gloss in “Honey” ($6.50)

I have an addiction to lip color that can’t be controlled or stopped. I’ve come to terms with it. I’ve accepted it. It’s part of who I am. I love to try all kinds, colors, textures, and finishes. I’ve heard good things about Mark. lip gloss, and seeing this pretty pink-ish, neutral tone up for grabs, I couldn’t resist.

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One of the things that I loved about this lip gloss, apart from the flattering shade that’s perfect for everyday wear, was that even though it looked thick on the sponge applicator, it actually applied smoothly and didn’t feel sticky or tacky on my lips. It gave a great glassy shine finish, but it wasn’t as long lasting as other formulas I’ve tried. I had to re-apply shortly after I finished my morning coffee.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! Longevity downfall aside, this is a nice gloss with a decent and reasonable price tag attached to it. I’d love to see more shades!

Product #4: GG Gatsby “Raise Volume” Conditioner ($14.99)

In February, I also reviewed GG Gatsby’s “Raise Volume” shampoo. I was on the fence about it, since certain aspects like the color-safe formula and the scent were nice, but it didn’t quite give me the results it advertised. The same can be said about this conditioner. Like the shampoo, the scent to this creamy, light-weight formula was lovely, and it detangled and moisturized my hair without making it feel greasy- but I didn’t quite get the shine or the volume the packaging promised.

Would I Purchase?: Maybe. I’m still a little indecisive about this brand and their products, since they seem to only make it halfway with their results. I liked this conditioner, but I wasn’t in love with it. However, the price isn’t obscene, which is definitely a plus and might weigh in on my decision to eventually purchase a full size bottle.

Product #5: Amlactin Moisturizing Body Lotion ($11.99)

I have a drawer full of body lotions, body butters, body oils, etc., but the exfoliating aspect of this body lotion caught my attention and I wanted to see what type of results I’d get with it. Advertised as being deeply and intensely hydrating, and for being capable of boosting cell turnover to promote radiant, glowing skin- I slathered some of this on after a morning shower and again before bed. While the formula absorbed into my skin quickly and didn’t feel greasy or leave any kind of film behind, I had a couple of reddened, itchy patches pop up a short time later, signaling a small, but noticeable reaction to the product.

Also, the lotion is fragrance-free, which is great for people with sensitive skin, but it seemed that the ingredients that make up the moisturizer developed a scent of their own, and in this case- it was sort of medicinal, like something I imagine you could find in a hospital ward.

Would I Purchase?: No. I’d pass on this one. The combination of the weird smell, the irritated patches on my skin after applying, and my skin not feeling all that hydrated was the deal breaker for me. I’ll stick to nicer smelling, less abrasive lotions and body butters.

Product $6: COTZ Face Tint SPF 40 ($19.99)

I swear by SPF, and I try to make sure it’s in everything I use- whether it be my facial moisturizer, BB cream, body lotion, etc. I have fair skin and I burn entirely too easy (my last accidental sunburn from a couple of years ago resulted in my missing nearly a week of work and almost being hospitalized for how severe it was), so I have to be careful and conscientiousness about sun protection. I decided to see if this tinted mineral sunscreen was worthy of praise.

When I first got a look at the color, I had a sinking feeling I was in for a messy situation. The shade was entirely too dark for my skin tone, so even after some of it had absorbed, I was left discolored, like I had dirt on my face, and had to apply my BB cream over it to conceal both the SPF tint and any imperfections it didn’t cover. Also, the texture, almost foamy in a way, wasn’t my cup of tea and made applying it evenly a little bit of a pain. On the plus side, it had a matte finish, and seemed to be long-lasting from what I could tell.

Would I Purchase?: No. The shade, which I believe is the only one this SPF comes in,  was too dark for my complexion, and the consistency made obtaining an even application a hassle. I’d recommend a creamier, un-tinted sunscreen to wear under makeup, or even a BB cream that has a decent amount of SPF added to it if you’re looking for sun protection and good coverage.

With the exception of the tomato pore scrub and the rose-colored lip gloss, this month’s box was kind of a let down. Admittedly, I’m the one choosing the samples for this particular brand of beauty box, but it seemed my options were sort of limited during my selection window. I’m hoping for a wider, more diverse selection of products to choose from in May.

Out on the Town.

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This past weekend, I made it a point to spend some time around the city. It was a little chilly out, but a couple of friends and I headed down to Beacon Hill, then the Common, and finally, Boylston Street- the site of the Boston Marathon bombings and the above-pictured makeshift memorial. A section of the street, stretching down to Copley Square, was still closed off to the public while officials and authorities finish cleaning up the scene.

It was my first time back to the area since before the attack, and it was so strange to see a street that is usually bustling with people on a Saturday night so empty and quiet. The mood was a somber one, despite the relief and elation the night before after Dzhokhar Tsarnaev had been taken into custody. It’s still hard to believe that this happened. It’s still very surreal.

Not wanting to end the night on a depressing note, we headed to Tangierino & Koullshi in Charlestown for a late night snack and some apple flavored hookah.  We’d passed by the place while taking a stroll earlier this winter, and quickly added it to our list of things to do and places to check out. It’s a little on the pricier side, but definitely worth a night of splurging if you and your friends want to treat yourselves to an exotic atmosphere, some good food (if you’re just looking for something to pick at, I highly reccomend the Moroccan-Sicilian Eggplant Tagine), a decent martini, and beautiful belly-dancers (yes, the place has belly dancers and they’re INCREDIBLE.)

We rented out a secluded corner of the lounge for a couple of hours called “The Bedouin Cave”, which was sort of like a remodeled brick dome/tent area with plush carpeting, fancy pillows, and dim lighting that made for a really relaxing couple of hours. Apparently there are sometimes tarot card readings that take place in there, too, which I’ll have to remember for the next time.

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Sunday was, thankfully, another day without errands to run. After a morning of video games, Sean and I eventually made it down to the South End for a late brunch at South End Buttery where I ate what I can only describe as the best omelette I’ve ever tasted in my life. No exaggeration. It was the most delicious thing. Completely worth the hour and a half wait time for a table (we split an equally delicious cranberry-walnut muffin to hold us over ’til we were seated.) If you have time for a proper breakfast in the morning, that’s the place to go.

After leaving brunch, I managed to snap a couple of photos of the trees blossoming (finally!) around the city before I had to start preparing for the work week. So much pink and soft white and the occasional yellow- colors I missed seeing growing out of the ground and on the treetops over the winter.

Boston Strong.

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To describe the events that have taken place in Boston over the past 24-48 hours would read more like an elaborate script to a Hollywood blockbuster, or like an episode of “Homeland”. I’ve seen some crazy things in my life- but this definitely trumps them all. I have never, ever, seen anything like this.

On Thursday afternoon, following the attack on the Boston Marathon this past Monday and a moving speech given to the city and the nation by President Obama earlier Thursday morning, the FBI and Boston officials released video surveillance footage and photographs compiled after hours and hours of research and tips, of two men they deemed as persons of interest. In the surveillance footage, the men can be seen walking a distance apart, but were later photographed standing together, only to separate again. In footage not released to the public, it is said that one of the men can be seen placing down a backpack and then leaving it shortly before the second blast.

The photographs and the footage were viewed and circulated at such a fast speed that the FBI’s official website momentarily crashed- but it means something- it meant people wanted to find these men. They wanted answers.

Meanwhile, Boston attempted to move forward with healing and helping those affected by the attack.

And then Thursday night happened.

Video surveillance from a 7/11 in Cambridge, around the time an unrelated armed robbery took place, shows one of the marathon bombing suspects entering the store. Shortly thereafter, there was a fatal shooting of a MIT Campus Police Officer and a carjacking nearby, leading police on a pursuit into neighboring Watertown. During this pursuit, an MBTA officer was critically injured.

During the pursuit, which extended into the early hours of Friday morning, various explosives were thrown from the windows of the vehicle being chased and numerous shots were fired at police, leading to a massive gunfight. It became clear after determining there were two suspects involved in the shoot-out and the style of explosive devices they were attempting to detonate that these were, in fact, the two men the FBI were looking for in connection with the marathon bombing.

I had gone to bed on Thursday night following the news of the shooting at MIT, but was woken up around 4 a.m. by numerous phone calls/texts/and social media messages- all of which were essentially the same thing: asking me if I was watching the story unfold. By then, one of the bombing suspects had been killed. The other had fled on foot, leading to a massive manhunt in Watertown. Both suspects had been ID’d as 26 year old Tamerlan Tsarnaev (the one who was killed) and his 19 year old brother, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who immigrated to the United States from Chechnya in 2001.

Within the hour, the MBTA was suspended, which eventually led to taxi service being suspended as well. Certain neighborhoods, including Watertown, were placed on mandatory lock down so that the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, the FBI, National Guard, and SWAT could conduct an unprecedented manhunt. No one was allowed to leave their homes. Businesses were ordered to close. All vehicles were ordered off the roads. It wasn’t until I was halfway to my office when I was informed that the order had been extended to the city of Boston as well, and not just it’s neighboring communities that were at risk.

And if you think that a deserted city is eerie, you’d be 100% correct.

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via Neal Hamberg for Reuters.

via Jim Davis at the Boston Globe

via Jim Davis for the Boston Globe.

via David L. Ryan at the Boston Globe.

via David L. Ryan for the Boston Globe.

via George Rizer for the Boston Globe.

via George Rizer for the Boston Globe.

via Jessica Rinaldi for Reuters.

via Jessica Rinaldi for Reuters.

For the remainder of the day, myself and millions of others stayed glued to our televisions, radios, and social media feeds waiting for updates, press conferences, and confirmations. Some people were saying they’d located him, others were saying they’d found more bombs strewn around the area, and some others were saying he was still at large and had possibly fled the state. The uncertainty of the situation, and numerous conflicting reports, was grueling and frightening.

At 6 P.M. a press conference took place, in which we were informed that they hadn’t been able to locate Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, but were going to continue the search. Re-instating MBTA services and lifting the city-wide lock down, citizens were once again asked to stay diligent and keep their eyes open, since the suspect could still be within the area- and still armed and extremely dangerous.

And then there was a lead.

A man in Watertown, stepping out to get some fresh air after being cooped up in his home all day, noticed something amiss with the boat he had stored in his backyard- specifically, the tarp covering had been cut open and there was blood on it. Peering under the tarp, the owner noticed an injured man hiding inside the boat and immediately contacted authorities.

Those of us who hadn’t quite gotten to venture outside and were still glued to the news, frustrated that the suspect hadn’t been apprehended, suddenly heard gun shots in the background of the reports- and watched as officers and authorities scrambled into action and ran towards the scene.

The man in the boat was soon confirmed to be Dzhokhar. He had been injured in the gunfight the night before, and had hidden in the one place authorities had yet to search. After another tense stand-off, authorities were finally able to get him out of the boat and take him into custody- news that sent Boston into a relieved, happy frenzy and saw thousands take to the streets to cheer on law enforcement, and each other- after what had been a traumatic, emotional week:

There’s still a lot of questions that need to be answered, the biggest one being “why?” Why would two legal residents of this country, and this city, who lived and worked here for years, who friends and neighbors described as funny, smart, well-liked and kind, who were believed to be living a life so many people who want to immigrate to America hope for- do something like this? What is the reason? What was the motive?

The other question, of course, is are there others involved? Did this act of terrorism stretch beyond these two brothers? Did they have help? Accomplices? Other attacks planned?

Hopefully with Dzhokhar’s capture and recovery at a nearby hospital, we’ll eventually get those answers. Until then, this was a huge step in closing one chapter of this attack- and this case.

I am so proud of the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, the FBI, the brave citizens of this amazing city and the countless unnamed heroes who have emerged in the aftermath of an unfathomable tragedy. This capture- a true victory- is for the people we lost too soon on Monday- Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, Lingzi Lu. It’s for MIT Officer Sean Collier. It’s for those who were injured.

It’s for Boston.

It’s for Massachusetts.

It’s for New England.

It’s for America.

It’s for us.

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Boston, you’re my home…

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I think I’m still at a loss for words.

First and foremost, I’m okay. I’m safe- as are my friends and loved ones in the Greater Boston Area. I am so unbelievably thankful for that.

I had a half day at work yesterday (Patriot’s Day) and after running a couple of errands and meeting up with my mom and my cousin, I had every intention of heading down to the Boston Marathon with them to try and snap a few photos and root on the runners, including a friend of a friend who was participating after months of training and hard work.

My mom changed her mind last minute and asked if we could do something else instead, and together, the three of us headed out to Western Massachusetts to do some shopping and have dinner. A couple of hours later, the marathon was attacked. Two powerful bombs were detonated near the finish line, leaving 3 dead, one being just a small child, over 150 people injured, and the city I love and am proud to consider myself a part of devastated and shaken to it’s core.

The phone lines jammed up and my service was unstable following the attack, understandably, and I apologize to those who tried to reach me via phone calls or texts to make sure my friends and I were okay. I tried to keep people updated on social media but it wasn’t easy, what with how many people were trying to check in with each other all at once. There are no words to describe the panic, the helplessness, of trying desperately to contact friends who were in close proximity of the blasts to see if they were alright- and I wasn’t the only one who experienced it.

I appreciate the concern and well-wishes I’ve received from so many, but ask that they be directed to the victims of this senseless and horrible tragedy. Please keep those we’ve lost, those who were injured- most of who are still fighting for their lives in local hospitals- and the unbelievably heroic first responders and civilians who, without hesitation or regard for their own safety- ran towards the chaos to help others- in your thoughts, your hearts, and your prayers.

In the past 24 hours, I have been so touched by the love, support, and sense of comradery and selflessness around Boston (and all of New England) in these confusing and grim hours. The stories of runners in the marathon continuing on without stopping to Mass General Hospital to give blood, residents offering space in their homes to strangers who were misplaced after evacuations in the area, and people utilizing the emergency hotlines and social media to help others reunite with loved ones who were separated in the confusion- it’s awe-inspiring and heartwarming.

And although there is anger (there always is in the aftermath of terrorism) and the desire to punish those who are responsible for this heinous act, it’s nice to see that everyone is focusing more on doing whatever they can to help out, and being supportive to those affected by the events of the past 24 hours.

Boston is truly one of the best cities in the world- with some of the bravest, most kind-hearted and resilient people around. Keep being good to each other and taking care of one another, everyone. I love you all and I’m so, so proud of the strength and positivity that is stretching far beyond Massachusetts state lines right now.

I love you, Boston.

Thanks again, everyone.

BostonStrong

If you want to make a donation/contribution to help the victims, the first responders, and their families, here are a couple of good places to start. I’ll be updating this list in the coming days, so please check back:

The One Fund

Donate to the Boston First Responders Fund

Give Blood (Note: As of right now, the Red Cross has PLENTY of blood, but considering the severity of some of the injuries sustained in the attacks, that could change. Keep it on the back burner if they need more!)

The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation (The Kraft Family will match $100,000 in donations to support marathon tragedy victims.)

Donate to the Boston Children’s Hospital, where 10 injured kids were brought in following the attack. 3 remain in critical condition.

Donate to Massachusetts General Hospital

Donate to the Boston Athletic Association (Donation page will be up within the next 24-48 hours)

My Spring Essentials.

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Spring in New England is a funny thing. Some days are sunny, beautiful and warm (we hit 69°F at the beginning of the week), and other days are rainy, gloomy, and cold (we capped off at 37°F today, for example). With warm weather struggling to fight it’s way through the remnants of what has proven to be a harsh winter, I’ve compiled a list of seasonal products and items- some long-time favorites, and some newer discoveries- to help me prep for when the flowers finally bloom- much like my small “Winter Essentials Post” back in January.

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1. Olay’s “Fresh Effects” Cleansing Brush System: This is a newer find for me. My lovely friend Imogen linked me to a beauty blogger’s YouTube review of this product one night while we were discussing Clarisonic skin-cleansing brushes, which although work wonderfully- are a little pricier than most people would feel comfortable spending. The review was a glowing one, so on a recent trip to the drug store, I picked up a package (retail value was about $15 USD) to try out for myself.

In the winter, my skin was pretty dry, but with temperatures rising and falling at the drop of a hat, and April showers aplenty, my skin is starting to lean towards being on the combination side this season. Olay’s rubber-bristled brush (which makes it so easy to clean) is small enough to fit into my palm, and is triangular shaped, allowing me to get alongside my nose and hairline with no difficulty. The cleanser, “Shine, Shine, Go Away” is a metallic colored cream that lathers up nice and doesn’t smell too perfume-y, which is a plus if you have sensitive skin like me.

I only use this brush at the end of the day, after I take my makeup off (I feel using it more than once may prove to be too drying), to give my pores a deep clean. After I rinse the lather off, I’m left with smooth, glowing skin that better absorbs my clarifying lotions and moisturizers. Even better? The brush only takes one AA battery to run and you can use any facial cleanser of your choice if you don’t particularly like “Shine, Shine, Go Away”.

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2. The Body Shop’s Coconut Body Scrub (6.9 oz for $20): My face isn’t the only thing I want to keep glowing and smooth in the Spring. I love wearing flowy, flirty dresses and skirts this time of year, which means I have to keep my legs and my arms looking polished and soft. This particular scrub is packed with nutrients, coconut milk, and coconut oil (which is one of the most versatile of the all-natural beauty miracle ingredients). Coconut shell and husk pieces that are mixed in help buff away imperfections and dead skin cells while the milk and oil conditions and moisturizes. I always feel so sparkling clean when I rinse this off- and it smells delicious, too!

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3. Garnier Fructis Sleek Finish 5-In-1 Serum Spray ($5.99): This was one of those “stumbled upon by accident” products. I had forgotten to pack hair care products when I went to San Diego last month, and ended up stopping by a local pharmacy for some color-safe shampoo and conditioner that wouldn’t break the bank or potentially be a waste should anything happen during my travel/flying (like a spill, or a broken container, etc.) This spray caught my attention, and I grabbed some, having flat-ironed my hair and desperate to keep it shiny for a night out. It’s been a style-saver since, especially with Spring rainstorms being as unpredictable as they are.

The formula applies, tames frizz and holds down fly-aways like a typical aerosol hairspray, but the serum mixed in makes my hair very, very shiny- NOT greasy- and soft- NOT stiff. Best of all, I get the same result when I leave my hair natural and curly, too. This particular spray doesn’t just apply to those with straight or styled hair.

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4. Flowy, Flirty Dresses: As I’ve said before, I love breaking out the softer colors and florals for my Spring wardrobe. The dresses pictured above, three of my favorites from ModCloth, are just a snippet of my style when the nicer weather peeks it’s head out. Short, ultra-feminine, and fun to accessorize- these are the types of frocks I covet for picnics, walks in the park, and afternoon shopping on the warmer weekends.

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5. Pastel Polish: If winter is resilient, kind of like it’s being right now, and I can’t show a little leg in a dress without risking catching pneumonia, it helps to keep my spirits up if I at least have a pretty pastel polish on my nails to look at from time to time. My go-to color is O.P.I.’s “Bubble Bath”, a beautiful ballerina pink that can be played up in a variety of ways with other colors and designs. It’s just a lovely shade that goes with pretty much anything.

“Spring Essentials” Not Pictured: A good pair of nude colored pumps, my nude/light rose toned matte lipstick, a lighter, more floral perfume (Calvin Klein’s “Euphoria Blossom” has been my signature Spring scent for years now), a gym membership I can’t ignore anymore because “it’s too cold out” or “it gets dark too early” are no longer valid excuses, fresh cut grass or clean linen-scented candles to help freshen up your place and get you ready for Spring cleaning, and a relaxing playlist, fan, or earplugs to drown out the sounds of chirping now that the birds are back to making noise at an ungodly hour in the morning.

What are some of your “Spring Essentials”?

Hot Child in the City…

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Yesterday, on a whim, I drove out to NYC (and didn’t have road rage once!) to meet up with my friend Alison for dinner and catch a comedy show at Carolines on Broadway. I’m surprised I don’t hang out in NYC more often, really. It’s just a few hours away and every time I do make it out there, I almost always have one hell of an adventure. Yesterday was no exception. It was beautiful outside, which made for a lovely night, post-show, of walking around, sipping coffee, and just enjoying the sights and sounds of the city after dark before I headed home.

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(Ali took this photo!)

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(She also took this one of Chris and I’s matching smirks and graphic tees.)

The aforementioned comedy show we attended was headlined by Chris Hardwick, of Nerdist and “The Talking Dead” fame, and was a blast. Chris is a phenomenal sweetheart, and it was really nice to talk to him between his sets. I highly recommend checking him out if he performs in your area. It was a lot of fun.

I have every intention of visiting NYC more often, although I think I may just catch a train next time. It’d be a lot easier than the drive home was.

xx

That’s a Wrap! Dissecting Season 3 of “The Walking Dead”.

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As most people can probably guess, either from knowing or meeting me in person, or from even skimming this blog, I’m such an avid long-time fan of “The Walking Dead”. Every Sunday night that this show is on, it’s like an event- something to be prepared for. It’s gripping, it’s gory, it’s often infuriating, and sometimes even heartbreaking (especially with scores from the show’s composer, the brilliant Bear McCreary, playing in the background) and when it’s over, you’re left wanting, no, NEEDING, more. It’s like a zombie-filled television version of crack-cocaine- and I need to check myself into rehab for it.

I remember seeing the advertisements for the series premiere (which took place on Halloween night, of course) back in 2010, during AMC’s annual “FearFest”. At the time, I had only heard about the comic books and novels in passing from friends and acquaintances, and wasn’t quite sure what to expect- but I was intrigued, so I tuned in to watch it, and was immediately captivated by the story- and have been ever since. In nearly three years, I have yet to miss an episode, and thanks to other helpful die-hard fans, I’m nearly caught up on the comics.

It should also be said that I also love the hell out of other “Walking Dead” fans, too. So many passionate people with such spot-on senses of humor when it came to picking out characters’ flaws and poor logic in post-apocalyptic situations, or just making light of certain story lines all together. I’ve met and corresponded with some brilliant, hysterically funny, and just generally great people because of this show, which makes it even more fun to get into.

This past Sunday wrapped up the frenzied and bloody third season, and I wanted to share my thoughts (and probably some .gifs from Tumblr, naturally.)

*PLEASE BE WARNED: THERE ARE HEAVY SPOILERS AFTER THE CUT. Please don’t read if you’re not caught up or don’t want to know how the season ends!*

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March 2013: In a Nutshell.

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[Photos 1 & 2 – The floral arrangement I put together for Easter.]

[Photos 3 & 4 – Peeps Sunflower Cake, an actual thing that exists, courtesy of my Aunt.]

Happy Easter, everyone. I spent the afternoon at my mom’s house with cousins, aunts, and uncles, having dinner and hoarding chocolate bunnies like it’s my job. Now I’m settling in for the night to enjoy (see: scream and cry at) the season 3 finale of “The Walking Dead” (how can it be over already?!), getting ready for opening day of the 2013 Red Sox season, and bracing myself for the work week ahead.

March was a blast. Between a wild St. Patrick’s Day Weekend to closing out the month with an equally wild trip to San Diego- it seems I was going non-stop, and loved every minute of it. With the seasons changing, I also experienced a bit of a personal transformation in terms of re-evaluating and reflecting on myself, my friendships/relationships, and my future: including re-discovering my aspiration to eventually make the move out to the West Coast once and for all after I had put it on the back-burner for nearly two years.

April will hopefully be as lovely and as busy as March was. I have a couple of mini-road trips planned for early on this coming month, which should be fun now that it’s nearly warm enough where I can drive with the windows down and my music playing nice and loud.

xox

GLOSSYBOX: March 2013 Review.

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A few days before I left for California, I received my March 2013 GlossyBox in the mail. I packed a couple of the samples in my suitcase to try while I was out West, and recently finished the others now that I’m back home. The theme for this month’s box, “Spring Fling”, revolved around products to help the transition from cold and bleak winter into the warmer, sunnier Spring season that seems to have finally arrived here in New England!

What I Received:

Sebastian Professional “Shaper Fierce” Hairspray

ModelCo Cheek + Lip Tint in “Rosy Red”

Elite Models Intensity Eye Pencil (Full Size!)

Prestiche Essential Oil Bar Soap

Koh Gen Do Oriental Plants Emollient Cream

I also received a $40 voucher valid for Prestiche’s online store, which I’m planning on applying towards one of their “Wonder Body Polishes”. With warmer weather on it’s way, that means I have to keep my skin exfoliated and smooth for when I break out the flirty dresses and shorter skirts.

Product #1: Sebastian Professional “Shaper Fierce” Hairspray ($17.00)

Curly hair + hairspray is a tricky combination. In some cases, hairsprays can smooth down frizz and help keeps curls defined. In other cases, they only succeed in making curls crunchy and weighed down. Over the years, I’ve found only a couple of hairsprays that have been lightweight enough to keep the bounce in my curls but still strong enough to tame any flyaway strands.

In January’s GlossyBox, I was introduced to Sebastian Professional’s “Potion 9” Styling Cream and had loved it- so I had my expectations pretty high when I received this spray that promised to not only give my hair a flexible hold, but would also add a “high shine gloss” effect as well.

Unfortunately, this spray was one of the crunch-creators, and no matter how many times I tried to brush or tousle my hair to break up the product, if only a little, it built up fast and dried heavy, making my hair and scalp feel anything but soft. The spray also smelled HORRIBLE. Seriously nauseating. I ended up feeling really self-conscious about how crunchy my hair looked and the way it smelled most of the morning after I’d spritzed some on before work.

Would I Purchase?: No. I’ll be sticking to the aforementioned lightweight sprays (one of which is made by Garnier Fructis and not only smells delicious- but makes my hair so soft and shiny) the next time I need a little extra hold. This stuff was just too heavy for me, and I can’t get over how bad the scent was.

Product #2: ModelCo Cheek + Lip Tint in “Rosy Red” ($24.00)

Considering how much I loved the cheek, eye, and lip tint cream I received in my March BeautyArmy kit, I was open to try this gel, packaged in a precision point tube, which claimed to give a natural, “freshly pinched” look to my cheeks.  Upon applying a couple of drops to my fingertips to tap onto my face, I was immediately concerned with how dark the color appeared. The only way I could describe it was that it had the same look and consistency of food coloring. When I began blending, however, the dark red faded into a rosy pink.

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While the consistency was nice and very lightweight, it took a few more drops than I expected to get a noticeable flush to my cheeks- and even after that, the tint ended up making my cheeks look more like I had a patchy case of rosacea instead of a beautiful, natural blush.

My lips didn’t fare much better. Not only was the tint drying to the point of it being painful, but it didn’t spread evenly at all, and my pout looked chapped and dry.

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Would I Purchase?: No. As unique as the texture of the tint formula was, This product just didn’t work well for me at all. I’ll stick to my cream or powder blushes for my cheeks, and with more moisturizing colors and balms for my lips.

Product #3: Elite Models Intensity Eye Pencil ($14)

This soft, creamy pencil eyeliner applied like a dream, giving me an even, precise, and mess-free application along my upper lid. This particular brand is long-lasting and waterproof, but is formulated with Shea butter and vitamin E, making it safe and non-drying for the sensitive eye area- even after wearing it for hours. Although I experienced a little fading in the outer corners of my eyes as the day wore on, for the most part the liner didn’t budge and didn’t irritate my lids the way other pencil liners have done in the past.

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Would I Purchase?: Yes! Absolutely!  This is such a quality product. It’s gentle and easy to apply, gives a great amount of color, stays in place all day, but comes off easily with no fuss with a basic makeup remover. I’d love to try more of these in different shades!

Product #4: Prestiche Essential Oil Bar Soap (16.99)

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before how much I love all-natural soaps. I don’t like putting anything loaded with chemicals on my skin, as I find it will either be extremely drying, or the complete opposite of the spectrum- and make me feel super greasy. This hypoallergenic soap, loaded with antioxidants, essential oils, moisturizers, and vitamins not only smelled wonderful, but lathered nicely, and made my skin feel so, so soft and conditioned without leaving any kind of oily residue behind.

Also, unlike some other all-natural soaps, this bar didn’t disintegrate after one use. I still have plenty left over to last me a while, meaning that this product also gives you your money’s worth, too.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I liked this soap the second I felt how silky it made my skin during the very first use- and how it stayed that way long after my shower. It’s made of really great ingredients, and should last a while.

Product #5: Koh Gen Do Oriental Plants Emollient Cream ($123)

For $123 a pop, I expected this botanical extract cream to be nothing short of a miracle in a jar. I applied it before bed, and hoped to wake up with a glowing, radiant, flawless complexion. The cream absorbed quickly, felt lovely, and didn’t have any artificial fragrances to it, which was definitely a plus- but I didn’t see or feel a significant difference to my skin, even after using it for another few days. It certainly didn’t do anything that any less-expensive creams couldn’t do.

Would I Purchase?: No. This cream, as nice as it felt, isn’t worth the money, in my opinion. There are so many other alternatives out there that could not only give me better results, but wouldn’t cost as much, either.

2 out of 5 products in the March GlossyBox were fantastic and were definitely things I’d purchase in the future. The other 3, not so much. I’d say the box was a bust, but the $40 Prestiche voucher was a pleasant surprise and definitely made up for the lackluster hairspray, cheek + lip tint, and moisturizer.

California Dreamin’…

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The first time I ever visited Southern California, specifically San Diego, it was 2007, I was in my very early twenties, and I had gone to visit friends who were both performing, and working, at an all-day, outdoor music festival. I made a weekend out of it, sticking around an extra few days to take a look around and spend time with said friends who lived in the area. It didn’t take long for me to fall completely head over heels in love with the city and all it had to offer a wide-eyed, and (then) innocent girl like me. I wasn’t a jet-setting, world-weary traveler. At the time I’d barely gotten used to Boston, had taken NYC by storm a couple of times, and had even traveled to London, England the previous Summer for what will forever be known as the “Dynamic Duo Tour de Force”, as my best friend Samantha had come with me for the sight-seeing and the Reading/Leeds Festival experience- but I knew San Diego was different from anywhere I’d been before. I could feel it almost immediately.

Not only is the weather perfect nearly year-round, making outdoor activities and exercise all the more fun, but the scenery is picturesque, the nightlife options- bars and restaurants- are so diverse and easily accessible for whatever mood you’re in, and the San Diego music and art scene, in my opinion, is one of the best in the country.

Six years and countless trips later, I’m not as wide-eyed (and definitely not as innocent) as I used to be, but I’m just as enamored with San Diego as I was the very first time I visited- maybe even more so now that a good chunk of my dearest friends and family have moved there, and in surrounding areas, over time. Some visits have been great, others not so much, for different reasons, but I always go back because I feel so “at home” there. People I know, friends, family, new and old alike- have told me on more than one occasion that I belong there- that I need to make the move.

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I had said in 2011 that I had every intention of moving out west, but as most of you know, and have probably experienced yourselves, life has a way of throwing curve balls when we least expect it. No sooner had I expressed my desire to leave New England when my father was diagnosed with cancer, and any and all plans to relocate immediately came to a grinding halt while I spent the next year at his side until his untimely death in the Summer of 2012. The idea was, obviously, put on the back-burner ever since- until now.

My father knew how much I wanted to move to San Diego, and he supported the decision (almost) 100%. Of course I was, and still am, his little girl- and the idea of me moving across the country to a place he hadn’t been in a long, long time- made him uneasy, but he wanted me to be happy, and as long as I flew back to Massachusetts from time to time, or found a suitable sofa for him to sleep on when he dropped by to check on me, probably unannounced knowing how my dad was- he had nothing but good luck and well wishes for me. I feel like holding myself back by not doing what I truly want to do, or going where my heart is telling me to go would make him so disappointed if he were still here- and I want so much to make him proud of me, wherever he is.

During my recent stay, I discussed the possibility of going through with the move with a couple of friends out there. They were so unbelievably eager, as well as helpful, with giving me advice and ideas of where to look for a safe, suitable place. One of my longtime friends, Duncan, even suggested we become roommates- which, if anyone knows Duncan- knows that it would be AWESOME.

Nothing is set in stone just yet, but I’m staying optimistic and positive that things will work themselves out in due time. I’m going to continue saving my money, planning, and preparing- and hopefully soon, I’ll be a permanent California girl, and not just a frequent visitor.

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