So as you all heard, Sami and I went to New York this weekend.  My trip was business but I still had the best time.  The International Beauty Show was held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, which was a beautiful space! Day one was full of classes and learning.  I saw new techniques for color, cutting, styling and bridal make up.  These people are my professional idols!  I saw Nick Arrojo and his team work on classic hair cutting techniques and talk about our industry. I watched Eve Pearl, a 5 time emmy award winning make up artist.  Her class was awesome!  I watched her do Hi Definition makeup on two women of different races, amazing!  I got such great insight from her about the business.  So of course after that I went to her booth and bought some product.  Pretty great, I wore it the next day.

Day two was full of more educational classes.  First I went to Martin Parsons up styling class.  He was unreal and I loved him so much!!!  (Sara and I later got our picture taken with him!!!)  Then we went shopping!!!!  We looked at trade books, beauty supplies, smocks, make up, tools…pretty much everything!  I got a new pair of shears!  I can’t wait to use them at work!  Then it was back to class.  The last class of the day was Jon Gonazales.  His class was about personal growth as a hairdresser and how to enhance your career.  It was life changing.  He was so inspiring uplifting.  It really made me look at my career and start to realize the path that I had to take for success.

Any one who is in the industry has to go next year!  It was the most amazing city and beauty is all around there.

<3mish

I re-fell in love with this nail polish this week when I got my nails done.  It’s the perfect matte Barbie-pink.  Not too bright..not too dull.  Perfect!!!  It’s OPI Strawberry Marguerita.  It seemed like the best color to go with for my birthday weekend (since pink is my favorite.)

The Conscious Cook By Tal Ronnen.  My boss at the salon saw this book on Oprah and got it for me for my birthday!  I have this strange obsession with vegan/vegetarian food even though I currently eat meat.  This book has “delicious recipes that will change the way you eat”.  His goal was to come up with vegan food just as satisfying as carnivorous dishes.  I can’t wait to try some of these recipes!!!! I’ll let you guys know when I do!

I tried it and I’m in love!  Aveda Foot Relief is awesome!  Especially for those of us who are on their feet all day, it’s great to come home and get some relief.  The lotion is invigorating and cooling plus it deodorizes with lavender and rosemary oils.  It also softens calluses. (eiwww, those are no good.) But if you really want a treat after a long day this is the stuff to get.

And last but not least…

I’m OBSESSED with Starbucks Chai Tea Lattes!

Try one.  I can’t explain it…

<3 mish

I can’t believe we haven’t done one of these this month! In our defense, it has been an incredibly busy month for us. I’ve got midterms coming up, and Mish has been taking classes and working overtime. Phew! Anyway, here are a few of my latest faves!

1. The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler. Everyone seems to go a little ga-ga when they hear the word “vagina,” especially when followed by the word “monologues.” What? Vaginas can speak?! Yes! World renowned feminist-activist Eve Ensler wrote The Vagina Monologues in 1996 to give women {and their vaginas} a voice. They were written after Ensler interviewed 200 women about their views on sex, relationships, and violence against women. The monologues are both hilarious and empowering, and others will make you cry. Both men and women should see it, it’s simply amazing. I’ve seen it twice with Suzi {once at Trinity College and once in New Orleans} It made it to my list because I’m seeing it tonight at UConn! Whoo!! If you’re interested in attending, it’s at 6pm at the Student Union Theater, $12 for students and $15 for non-students. All proceeds go to the V-Day Movement, which works to end violence against women all over the world.

2. “Raditude” by Weezer. The name says it all, this album is rad. I love Weezer, they can do no wrong. This latest album features “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To,” which is a long name for a song, but it’s a really good one. Okay, I admit to belting it out in my car. Get your hands on this!

3. Swirl. Swirl is a website put together by the authors of Daily Candy, a culture blog that features “a handpicked selection of all that’s fun, fashionable, food related, and culturally stimulating in the city you’re fixated on (and all over the Web).” Swirl offers insider deals on hot fashions and designer labels. Although the prices are still sometimes a little out of my budget, you can’t beat 80% off designer clothing! You do have to sign up for it, and they have to approve your account {which can take a few days}, but it’s definitely worth if you’re a fashonista with a small wallet.

4. LUSH Trichomania Solid Shampoo. Okay, so it looks like a chunk of Parmesan cheese, but I promise it’s shampoo! I am constantly on the hunt for new shampoo. Every one I’ve used {and I’ve used many, many different brands} has either left me with residue or dried out my hair. Then, I found LUSH {cue angelic sound}. LUSH Trichomania Solid Shampoo does neither. It’s a bar shampoo, which I had never tried before and was skeptical of, but as the Monkees once famously said, now I’m a believer. LUSH’s solid shampoos contain no preservatives, no packaging, and last at least twice as long as your regular liquid shampoo. I like Trichomania because it makes my hair super soft, helps controls frizziness, and it’s safe to use on dyed hair. Not to mention it has a delicious long-lasting, but not overpowering, coconut smell. Just try not to eat it! :)

What are you fav’ing right now?

I woke up this morning expecting to not be able to see out of my window because of the insane snow we’re supposed to get in Connecticut. Instead, I woke up around the time I’d normally leave for my classes, saw only a dusting of snow, and almost had a heart attack. Luckily, classes were canceled anyway! When I asked my co-worker Kim how she was going to spend the day, she said, “I’m going to eat my way through it!” Swell plan!

So, Stan and I made BLT’s, cupcake brownies, and we’re catching up on Glee, which makes me wish I could sing and dance. After the fun of munching on delicious wintry comfort food, I decided to make some sugar scrub. I’ve been making this for a few weeks now, and my friends and co-workers won’t stop raving about it (or pressuring me to post the recipe here!). Here it is!

Gimme Some Suga, Scrub! (10 oz)
(Sami’s organic, unscented sugar scrub)

Ingredients/tools:

• 1 cup raw cane sugar
• 1/4 cup carrier oil ( jojoba oil, safflower oil, castor oil are good ones to use)
• 1/2 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)
• jar (for storing)
• mortar & pestle (for grinding the sugar)

Directions:

Grind the sugar in the mortar and pestle for a few minutes to soften up the course sugar. This will produce a small amount of fine, powdery sugar and the rest of your sugar will be smaller, less harsh, crystals. Combine all of your ingredients into a bowl and stir until well mixed. Dump it into a jar, seal it tightly, and store it in a dry place. To use, stand in your shower/tub and massage a handful all over your body. This will gently exfoliate your skin and leave it feeling super moisturized and silky smooth! Just ask Kim, Pam, or Mish!

Note: If you’re allergic to nuts, don’t use the vitamin e oil, as it tends to contain almond oil.

What are you doing for the snow day? Do you make your own cosmetics? Tell me about it! :)

xoxo
~Sami

As I continue to become less and less dependent on cosmetic companies for my beauty products {I now make my own lip balm, face masks, shower gel, lotion, and sugar scrub, which I will be posting the recipe for soon!}, I came across a woman who also has the same ambition as me and has turned it into a one-woman-owned business. Dissatisfied with “boring” scents and not-so-animal-friendly products that permeate the beauty market, Luca Cusolito began mixing up her own cosmetic cocktails and launched Lollibomb. Lollibomb products are 100% vegan and have received raving reviews in places like Threadbanger, Bust Magazine, and Etsy. Inspired, and curious about her delicious scents {such as warm pumpkin muffin, deep fried ice cream, and strawberry shortcake}, I bought a few things.

I bought a Vegan Surprise Box, which came with Luca’s Vegan Whipped Body Frosting in Birthday Cake and Sugar Rush… I couldn’t believe how spot-on the birthday cake scent was!! I can’t stop smelling myself! The box, which was a clear plastic Chinese take-out box with pink polka-dots on it {nice style, Luca!}, also contained a Warm Vanilla Bean Fragrance Roller and a sample of her Kiss & Tell Fragrance Oil. All for only $15! Totally worth it! I also bought Strawberry Splash Edible Massage Oil {which smells, feels, and tastes scrumptious!} and a sample pack of the Vegan Mineral Foundation Powder light shades. Of course, as I suspected, I am Lili, the lighest shade of all. Sigh. The mineral powder goes on smoothly and even though it feels like I’m not wearing any powder, it evens up my skin tone and covers blemishes very nicely. I will be ordering more when I run out of my sample, for sure!

Anyway, I loved EVERYTHING I bought from Lollibomb, and it was such a great deal. The scents last longer than any other product I’ve ever used. I highly, highly recommend purchasing from Luca if you’re looking for some delicious scents with natural, cruelty-free ingredients. Even if you’re not a fan of sugary scents, Luca has something for everyone: earthy, feminine, floral, fruity, and clean scents. It’s no wonder an alternate address for her website is smellpretty.com! <3

Love Lollibomb as much as I do? Be a Lollibomb fan on Facebook, or follow Lollibomb on Twitter!