Q & A: Should I use an oil cleanser/cleansing balm?

I get asked for advice a lot. Like, almost constantly. It's cool with me because I know some stuff. I like sharing that knowledge, and I'm always up for making recommendations or just generally talking about beauty stuff. I especially like talking about beauty products and trends that may have escaped the notice of people...

First impression: Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner mask

I received this mask in my April Boxycharm, and since my skin is a bit out of whack from traveling I was excited to use it. My very first thought: Holy Hell, what is that stench?! It smells like sulfur and... I can't think of anything else. It just stinks of sulfur. Rarely have I...

What am I reading? Deliver Us From Evil by Ralph Sarchie and Lisa Collier Cool

I picked this book up at Haslam's in St. Petersburg, Florida, one of the biggest and coolest bookstores I've ever seen in my life. I was so overwhelmed by the sheer size of this place that I didn't take any photos, but trust me, it's amazing. Supposedly it's also haunted, but that's another story. Unfortunately...

Spring anti-haul: stuff I won’t be purchasing

Happy Spring, friends! If you're lucky you've had spring weather for more than a week. I'm currently in northern Michigan with Dan and there are still snowbanks here, though it's been consistently above freezing so they're rapidly disappearing. I head home to NY next week, and from what I hear their weather has been pretty...

Ughhh this is why we can’t have nice things

Garden brows. Seriously people?

#floridalife

I promised you some photos and commentary from my trip to Sarasota, and here it is. Finally. The whole point of my visit, aside from spending time with my lovely, darling friend Sarah, was to start talking wedding with her and her gorgeous fiance, Jess. We checked out the venue, talked logistics, brainstormed and ate...

Let’s review something different: a podcast!

I know I've mentioned it in passing, but recently I've been super into podcasts. I used to find them incredibly boring, but I was also listening primarily to This American Life and Savage Lovecast, which are good, but after a while get a little redundant. I mean, how many times can you listen to Dan...

Review: Soap & Glory Scrub of Your Life

You're likely tired of reading about how much I love this brand, but... I LOVE THIS BRAND. This scrub is another product I decided to bring with me on this trip. I don't normally bring body scrubs because they're usually in big, bulky tubs; who wants to haul them around? Even if I wanted to bring...

What am I reading? The Liberal Redneck Manifesto: Draggin’ Dixie Outta the Dark by Trae Crowder, Corey Ryan Forrester and Drew Morgan

Disclaimer: This post is about a book, not the politics discussed in the book. Full disclosure: I didn't read this book. I listened to it on audiobook with my Scribd membership. I think there's a review of this service coming soon, but for now, just know that I love it. If you're not familiar with Trae...

I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk about this

So... my grandpa died. It happened early Thursday morning, and while it wasn't exactly sudden since he'd been in and out of the hospital for the last few months, it definitely was a surprise. Right before I went to Florida he fell and was experiencing loss of sensation in his limbs, but he was stable....

Review: Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter

I'm always excited about new Soap & Glory products. So excited that I took this big ass tube of body wash traveling with me, which isn't something I ever do. This brand is easily among my top 10 favorite bath brands, and their Clean On Me body wash is my all time favorite. I use...

Road trip advice!

If you've been paying attention, you'll know that I drove from my home in western NY to visit my bestie and her future wife in Sarasota, Florida. After my glorious week in the sunshine, I drove back to Michigan to spend another few weeks in the frozen, rural tundra with Dan. The entire trip took...

I’m still here!

Right now, "here" is a cheap motel in Chattanooga, Tennesee. There's a giant bed that's comfortable enough and the hot water is plentiful, so I really can't complain. I have lots of photos and stories to share, but for tonight I'm going to read a book and go to bed extra early. I'm about 800...

The ultimate wedding/funeral mascaras

I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I have remarkably watery eyes. Yawning, laughing, coughing, breezes; they all make my damned eyes water. This sucks for a lot of reasons, not least among them is wearing mascara. You know I love mascara, and as I've gotten older and worn more makeup I've learned to...

What am I reading? Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between) by Lauren Graham

I'm not ashamed to admit that Gilmore Girls is one of my favorite shows in the history of ever, and every time I get sad or need comfort I watch it. I have my favorite episodes and at this point can almost recite the entire original series. Again, not ashamed. I'm not even sure why...