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By Sami, on July 1st, 2011
Happy July!
…It just occurred to me that I haven’t done a Friday Faves post in three months! Yikes! Today, I’m going to focus on literature. I’d say that summer is a time for me to read fun fictional novels {which is true}, but I also have this need to constantly be learning something new, so I always end up reading a few nonfiction books as well. Here are a few of the books I’ve been loving lately:
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen — I’m not even a third of the way through this book, but I had to include it because it’s already becoming a favorite. I like the way Sarah Addison Allen writes sort of mysteriously, like she’s keeping things from the readers. I’m not always a fan of narrators that divulge everything about themselves within the first few pages. I also love that she blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. Another author that does this amazingly well is Francesca Lia Block {loooove her Weetzie Bat series}. Oh, and, in case you’re wondering about the “Advance Reading Copy” thing — we used to get these when I worked at Borders.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky — I read this in high school and just started re-reading it {I often read several books at a time, and read really great books several times}. I’ve been reading it to Stan because he’s too impatient to read a book himself, but I want him to experience Charlie like I did. You can’t help but immerse yourself in the pages of his fictional letters and want to give this naïve and intensely caring and generous boy lots of hugs. It’s really the best way I can describe the feeling I get from Stephen Chbosky’s book. I think there’s a little bit of Charlie in all of us. I’m slightly nervous about the upcoming movie though.
Green Beauty Recipes by Julie Gabriel — I love that Julie Gabriel, Founder of Petite Marie Organics, provides a resource for beginners who just want to make some simple one-ingredient beauty fixes and also tips for those of us who may ultimately sell our natural cosmetics. Unlike many of the other natural beauty recipe books out there, Gabriel discusses which ingredients to avoid and which preservatives are best for keeping cosmetics fresh without adding toxic chemicals to them. Overall, a really great DIY cosmetics book with lots of great recipes and information.
Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger — Hard Love is one of my favorite books of all time. I have recommended this book to — and sometimes even bought it for — so many people. I’m re-reading this one again, too. I usually re-read this every summer. It’s fiction, but it’s one of the truest, most heartbreaking young love stories I’ve ever read. I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t say more than that.
What are you reading this summer?
By Sami, on April 1st, 2011
1. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Red Alert — the website “smudge” image of this lipstick does not do it justice. It is the perfect red lipstick, hands down. Besides beautiful color, it’s also SPF 18 and contains Hylaronic Acid, Collagen and Vitamins A, C and E to make your puckers smooth and kissable!
2. MAC Frost Lipstick in Pink Burst — found this at one of the makeup outlets in Clinton Crossings. It doesn’t look like it’s carried in regular stores anymore. It’s a pretty vibrant/shiny pink.
3. Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum in Deep Brown & Ultra Black — wow, that’s a long name, huh? I’ve been searching high and low for an affordable, paraben-free liquid eyeliner. These are perfect!
4. Tinted Face Moisturizer for Light Skin by Green Beauty Cosmetics — remember my Etsy Spotlight on Mati Fuller/Green Beauty Cosmetics last summer? Well, I’ve been using the tinted moisturizer sample I got from her and, I’ve gotta say, I like it better than the MAC one I featured here. It’s a very light {as in weight} moisturizer and it makes my skin look healthier and gives it a nice glow. Most of the time, I don’t even put anything on over it.
By Sami, on January 28th, 2011
Stan and I are very, very excited to have our first apartment all to ourselves! While we’re still in the organization process, here are a few of my favorite things about our new place:
My Jones Soda & candle rainbow is definitely my favorite piece of the new apartment. I thrive in an environment with lots of color. Color makes me happy, motivated, and inspired, and I like the harmony of rainbows. In case your interested in making this yourself, it’s just water with food coloring inside of the Jones bottles.
Here’s my work space. See? Lots of color! Also, lots of fragrance oils and cupcake soaps. Of course, my office would not be complete without my Harry Potter collection and the wand my fellow HP-obsessed friend Ray whittled for me.
Above are my favorite things found in the kitchen {okay, other than cooking/baking supplies!}. My new colorful apron with red heart pockets is so adorable. I got it at Target for only $10! The picture of cupcakes makes me smile every time I look at the fridge. I love the strawberry magnet my boss gave me, too {it was on top of a washcloth folded into the shape of a cupcake}. <3
I also love hearts! The heart mirror I bought from Ikea for around $8 and I’ve got a few heart necklaces as well. I’m not a fan of jewelry boxes because everything gets all jangled and tangled up, so I hang my necklaces on the wall with pushpins. I totally stole this from my friend Jordan, who’s been doing this for years. Smart cookie.
By Sami, on November 19th, 2010
Be forewarned: I am about to share my super nerdy side with you.
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. I am a huge Harry Potter fan. If my house was burning down and I could save only two things, one would be my Harry Potter book collection {it’s in a collector’s box, so it’s definitely considered only one thing}. The other would probably be my MacBook, assuming my family is okay.
Anyway! Yes, I’m a big fan. I was working at Borders Books & Music when the Deathly Hallows book came out and I dressed as Hermione {above right, with a co-worker dressed as Snape}. That was the craziest night I’ve ever worked. When Stan and I first started dating, and my family/friends would joke about how he resembled Harry Potter, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go as Harry and Ginny for Halloween {above, left}. I think I could have made a good Luna, too, if you look at my facial expression {and if I had dyed my hair white instead of red}. I went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 last night and it was everything I ever hoped it would be, and more. Go see it! {First image © Warner Bros}.
The rest of my Friday Faves have absolutely nothing to do with Harry Potter:
2. Yes To Carrots™ Exfoliating Cleanser {also Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser}. I found the Yes To brand while checking out the natural beauty section at Target a week or so ago. The bright color and simplistic design caught my eye first, but when I read the ingredients, I was very, very happy. No Parabens, no Propylene Glycol, no Petroleum or SLS {which I’ll talk more about soon!} and no other nasty, harmful chemical ingredients. It’s choc full of nature: carrot, bamboo, aloe, shea butter, and Dead Sea mud. Plus, it’s made from 95% natural ingredients and is certified cruelty-free. It smells wonderful and leaves your skin seriously smooth and exfoliated, not dry or scratchy.
3. Yes To Carrots™ Lip Butter. The lip butter is just as wonderful. Because I’m addicted to lip balm/gloss and have to have one with me at all times, I’m very glad I found this one. It actually heals and hydrates your chapped lips, rather than just covering them up. It doesn’t sting, like Burt’s Bees does, and it smells great too! This is a cold weather must-have! Check out their website for the entire lip balm set — 5 certified organic lip balms for only $13!
4. Bamboo Wear™ Bamboo Compact & Silk Face Powder. Okay, I admit it. The packaging caught my eye for this, too. When people say not to judge a book by its cover, they’re lying. We all do that! But, once we get over the beauty/ugliness of the packaging/cover, it’s super important to find out what’s inside, too. This face powder, made by Physicians Formula®, is 90% natural, hypoallergenic, fragrance free, Paraben free, non-comedogenic {doesn’t block your pores, so it won’t cause blackheads}, oil-free, and Dermatologist approved. It also comes in a sustainable compact made from bamboo, a highly renewable resource. The compact also comes with a small bamboo brush applicator, mirror, and the powder compartment is magnetic so when you’re out of powder you can pick up a refill and re-use the same compact. Yay! I’m not a huge fan of the applicator, so I use a cruelty-free kabuki brush I bought from The Body Shop, but the powder goes on smooth, doesn’t get cakey, and doesn’t make me look old {some makeup just makes you look old}!
5. Vegan Liquid Foundation by Lollibomb Beauty®. I know, you get it, I love Lollibomb Beauty. I just had to include this in my Friday Faves because it’s another winter essential. I love my loose powder from Lollibomb, but in the winter, I need something liquid because my face gets super dry. This is perfect. You only need to use a tiny, tiny bit, too, so it will last a long time, and there’s a shade for everyone!
By Sami, on October 8th, 2010
1. Side Tie Tote by Carissa Black. I don’t believe in love at first sight, but I adored this bag as soon as I saw it! I picked this up last weekend at Brazen Betties, a boutique in Torrington that sells Connecticut-handmade clothing, art, accessories, cosmetics, and home accents {more on Brazen Betties next week!}. Carissa uses beautiful, tactile, and high-quality fabrics in her totes, purses, and wristlets, which she sells in shops all over the US and online in her Etsy shop.
2. Vanilla Lip Butter by One Hand Washes the Other. This was another takeaway from my visit to Brazen Betties. I actually found the Torrington shop through One Hand Washes the Other’s Etsy shop. I love this lip balm — though it truly is more like butter, the way it melts right onto your lips to give them that “wet” look without needing lip gloss. It smells and tastes delicious, too!
3. Craft Inc. and Craft Inc. Business Planner by Meg Mateo Ilasco. As I develop my cosmetic-crafting skills more and more, I’m becoming pretty serious about expanding Poor & Pretty into an Etsy shop. These books —which I received in the mail today and have practically read cover-to-cover already — are a must-have for anyone who wants to “turn your creative hobby into a business”. From helping you determine your niche in the craft world, to developing your brand identity, to finding out what government forms you need to fill out and which trade shows you should exhibit at, Craft Inc. literally has it all! I bought the business planner alongside it because it’s a great way to get organized {one of my weaknesses} and plan out your business goals and product ideas. I can’t rave enough about the duo. Thanks, Meg!
4. Eco Awesome Shampoo & Conditioner by Tigi. I knew I had to try out Tigi’s new line, Love Peace & the Planet, as soon as Mish posted her video about how to use their Totally Beachin’ Body & Waves Styling Mist. The last time Mish dyed my hair, I picked up the Eco Awesome moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and I think I’ve finally found a shampoo and conditioner set that I will use until I die {assuming they still make it then}! It’s made with 71% organic content, free of parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances & colors, plus it’s packaged in a bottle made from 50% postconsumer waste. Oh, and it smells… well, awesome!
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