BEAUTY: 5 Products I Love Right Now

I like to try new things, but I tend to be cautious with my wallet and even more cautious with my shelf space. All things considered, here are five products I’m happy to recommend for any person on any budget:

1. Johnson & Johnson Lavender & Chamomile Lotion

This lotion smells like a warm, cuddly bed feels. The large pump bottle goes for about $4 at drugstores and it’s worth every penny. It moisturizes well and absorbs quickly, without any greasy after effects. Some lotions on the cheaper end feel like hair conditioner on your skin – this is not one of them. Honestly, the function is all well and good, but the heavenly scent is what makes me want to apply it again and again (you’ll get whiffs with every movement!). You’ll never have a dry patch again with the addictive scent of this lotion.

  

2. Say Yes to Carrots Lip Balm

I’m a big fan of the Say Yes to Carrots brand as it is, but since it’s nice and natural it also tends to be on the pricey side (nothing crazy) so I only indulge when I’m not feeling cheap. Their shampoo and conditioner combo transforms your hair into a silky root vegetable infused dream, so I was hoping their lip balm would do the same for my lips. I scored this on clearance for $1 (yay!) but I think they go for around $4 regularly. I’m a diehard Burt’s Bees chapstick fan so I almost never buy lip products, but this one won me over with it’s moisturizing capabilities and the fact that I didn’t need to reapply every time I turned around like a lot of other lip balms. I command you: Say Yes to Carrots!

3. Suave Dry Shampoo

Is there any greater invention of the last century than dry shampoo? Forget the automobile, penicillin and cell phones – going an extra day without having to wash your hair is where it’s at! For those days that you just can’t bring yourself to do it, you want to preserve an amazing ‘do or maybe your hair just can’t handle the harshness of every day washing there is dry shampoo. Spray, fluff and you’ll look like a million bucks that just took a shower! It’ll be our little secret. This goes for about $3 and lasts a pretty long time with semi-frequent use. Be warned, it does have a strong fruity/tropical scent so sniff in store first.

4. Boots Sensitive Skin Face Wash & Lotion

I think I found The One! I’ve had many face washes over the years (remember Oxy pads?) and, while I’ve had a few serious courtships, I’d never fully committed until I found Expert Sensitive Gentle Cleansing Wash and lotion from Boots. The brand is less common than most, but I get this at Target in the fancy-ish section of beauty products (near Burt’s etc.) for only $4-$5 for each. The lotion lasted for almost a year, too and the face wash can be rubbed into my eyes to remove makeup with no irritation whatsoever. It’s love!

5. CoverGirl Outlast All-Day Lip Color in Ever Red-Dy

You may recall me mentioning in my What’s In My Bag post that I was in search of a red lipstain. I know Chanel is great and Mac makes some of the best lip products, but I wanted something more affordable so I’d feel like I could use it as frequently as I want without mentally calculating the cost of that use divided by the amount I have before it’s time to buy again. This CoverGirl stain was about $8 and from the first use I was hooked. The color is saturated and classic, and somehow manages to stay in place through drinking, eating and kissing all day. It will need to be smoothed over with the included clear lip gloss stick occasionally but my lips never felt desert-level dry at any point. Pro tip: exfoliate your lips first (apricot scrub works well) to get even coverage.

xoxo,

Michelle

ROUNDUP: Weekly Links 11/6/11

Here's what I'm rounding up this week:
Blind Dog's Guide Dog

Who better to guide a sightless dog than another dog? When Lily lost her eyes due to a rare condition, Maddison stepped in as her pooch pal as well as her seeing eye dog.
Can't Get Arrested

Full House alums Dave Coulier and Jodie Sweetin have teamed up for the new web series "Can't Get Arrested" featuring fellow greats like Dennis Haskins (Saved By The Bell's Mr. Belding - who I'VE MET TWICE...nbd) and poking fun at their struggle to find work in a post Tanner family world. There's only been one episode so far and aside from the title "Full Blouse" nothing actually made me laugh, but I'm holding out for a Stamos cameo.
Tricked Out Caramel Apples

I know caramel apples are probably supposed to go out with the Halloween decorations but with new twists on this classic autumn treat offered from Chow, I think they can stick around a bit longer.
Dapper Animal Art from Berkley Illustration

Animals in suits and other fancy garb are high on the list of things that make me smile/giggle. Everything from Berkley Illustration is high on the list of things I want to buy. I have the skunk print and I'm looking forward to making it part of a collection!
Used Bottles Into New Art

This beautiful and unique fencing substitute is made from used wine, water and other bottles. The serene cool colors make it both literally and figuratively green!


xoxo,
Michelle

Waffle Breakfast Sandwich Recipe

I would likely rank sandwiches as my favorite food (which I know is kind of cheating since that encompasses sooo many things) so in honor of National Sandwich Day today, I bring you the new and improved breakfast sandwich! There are waffles instead of bread, you guys! This is super simple, delicious and very customizable, depending on what you like to nosh on in the A.M. (or P.M. – no one ever got mad at breakfast for dinner).

What You Need (Makes 1 Sandwich)

2 Eggs

2 Frozen Waffles

2 Frozen Veggie Sausage Patties

1Slice Cheddar

Maple Syrup (optional – if you don’t like delicious things)

Salt & Pepper

How to Make It

1. Toast frozen waffles.

2. Scramble eggs with a bit of salt and pepper.

3. Cook sausage patties and cut or crumble into smaller pieces.

4. Place a slice of cheddar on one waffle and top with eggs and sausage. Place the other waffle on top.

5. Dip into delicious maple syrup as you eat it to get a mouthful of amazing sweet and salty heaven.

6. Wonder why you’ve never replaced bread with novelty items before (pancake grilled cheese?! Ok, this probably doesn’t work for everything).

What is your favorite sandwich and can I have a bite?

xoxo,

Michelle

DIY (Dancing) Corn on the Cob Costume

I was finally able to live out my life long dream of dressing as an ear of corn! Admittedly, I do have a bit of a corn obsession (even my Etsy shop is named after the stuff!) but this was my first time truly embodying my mother vegetable and I'd call it a success. Without further ado, I present...

BROADWAY DANCING CORN ON THE COB

Just giving them the ol' razzle dazzle...

My tiny top hat and vintage bow tie

The "butter" on my shoulder was melting down my arm

My cuffs had buttons made from corn holders with the metal prongs cut off! Please note my corn colored manicure.

Dress: DIY by me

Cuffs: DIY by me

Bow Tie: Vintage

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Thrifted from Savers

I've entered a few costume contests on Craftster, the We Love Colors Facebook page and the Savers Facebook page so feel free to vote for me if you like my costume!

What were you this year?

ROUNDUP: Weekly Links 10/30/11

Here's what I'm rounding up this week - Halloween edition:
DIY False Eyelashes

Here's a great way to save some scratch this Halloween (or any time) by making your own DIY false lashes from a few strands of a makeup brush and some other basic elements that you likely have on hand.
Spooky Party Snacks

What Halloween party is complete without eating something that looks totally disgusting? To keep your guests gagging check out these bloody brain cupcakes or their melting head cake. Yes, it looks as creepy as it sounds.
50 Best Dog Costumes

Halloween is great for a lot of reasons, but not least among them is the wonderful world of pet costumes. Check out this collection of canine costumes that are sure to get your tail wagging.
Last Minute Halloween Costumes

I know that not everyone has it together when it comes to costumes, even if that means always beating the clock to get something assembled at the last minute. Real Simple brings us a quick list of cute costume ideas that are actually doable last minute.
Creepy & True Urband Legends

I love a good urban legend and I love it even more when there's a legitimate story to back up the creep fest. This collection of terrifying but true tales reminds us that not every scary story is complete folklore.


xoxo,
Michelle

ETC: Halloween Party Playlist

This is THE night for Halloween parties this year so if you’re still looking for some spooky tunes to pump up the volume at your shindig then look no further! Here’s a carefully curated collection of Halloween inspired jams that will get any party started.

xoxo,
Michelle

OOTD Farm Style!

Taking advantage of an October weekend, I headed to a local farm to take part in free hayrides (so what if we were the only people over 8 years old), apple cider donuts, pumpkins, fresh veggies, apples and an overall New England-y good time.

Cardigan: Kohl's

V-Neck: Old Navy

Tank Top: Forever 21

Skirt: Target

Knee Socks: Marshall's

Shoes: Lane Bryant Outlet

Collar: DIY by me

Apple Ring: DIY by me

Here's a closer view of the collar, ring and milkmaid braids (well, my not-quite-long-enough-hair version anyway). Clearly the plaid collar makes me farm ready!

BONUS: Check out some shots of the adorable farm I went to, including some "spooky" hayride displays that were meant to scare the kids but were pretty much the cutest thing of all time!

Plus, PURPLE CAULIFLOWER! WHAAAAT?!

Are you making the most of this most precious of seasons?

DIY Octopus Costume

After several years of large costumes that I could never actually drive to a party in (hello, changing on the side of the road!), I decided to cool it one year with a wearable, but still crafty, octopus costume. You can buy or DIY many elements of this one depending on your skill level or budget. The bendable legs will be the major focal point of this costume – just think of the amazing hugs you can give with all of those arms!

What You Need

Aqua/Blue dress with sleeves

Blue sequined fabric

White felt

Wire & wire cutters

Stuffing

Hot glue gun

Sewing machine or needle & thread

How to Make It

1. Start with a blue or aqua dress (or whatever color you want your octopus to be!). I made mine from scratch from a pattern I drafted and included several shades of ocean-inspired colors as well as satin, sequins and sparkle. On the underside of the 2 sleeves cut out and hot glue or sew circles of white felt about the diameter of a quarter. Your arms will serve as 2 of the octopus legs.

2. To make the skirt of octopus legs, cut out 6 semi-V shaped pieces of the blue sequined fabric. Mine were about 9” wide on the top and 3” wide at the tip and 17” in length. Hot glue a length of wire vertically down the center of each piece.

3. You have 2 options here: I folded the V-shaped pieces in half with the “right” sides touching and then stitched the entire side edge and bottom tip. I then inverted the cone shaped piece to have a clean seam, but inverting them was tough with the wire inside so you could also hand sew the seam with a hidden stitch instead. Your call.

4. When the shapes are sewn with just an open top, fill them with the stuffing until they are completely full except for a 1” section left empty at the top. Fold this 1” section over twice and stitch, closing off the leg.

5. Cut out and glue more white felt circles to the underside of each leg. Cut a length of the blue sequined fabric long enough to tie around your waist. Stitch each leg onto the belt by the top “tab” hem, making sure they are evenly spaced out down the length of the belt. Bend each leg in a different curled position to look extra octopus-y.

6. Tie the belt over the dress and wear with black tights, aqua shoes and blue eye makeup.

Done – you’re the prettiest thing under the sea!

ROUNDUP: Weekly Links 10/23/11

Here's what I'm rounding up this week:

Cyclops Shark

Check out this freaky albino fetal cyclops shark caught by a fisherman in California! With a description like that I know it should freak me out, but I can't help but think it looks like an adorable baby whale straight outta a Raffi song.

DIY Upcycled Lanterns

These chic and simple lanterns are made from metal radiator covers - inventive and attractive!

Long-Married Couple Passes Away Holding Hands

Married 72 years, this couple died in a hospital last week while holding hands within one hour of each other. At one point, though the husband had passed, his heart monitor continued to register a beat because her heart was literally beating through him!

Kitchen Knife Set

This set of knives seems more fun to use than your typical butcher block fare.

Favorite Fall Recipes from Bust Magazine

Fall foods are my favorite, and this list is full of sweet treats with pumpkin, apples, chocolate and more. Check out the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from A Beautiful Mess.


xoxo,
Michelle

STYLE: I Met Betsey Johnson!!

It's a long, weird story that starts in a car dealership and ends in a mall several towns away, but the moral of the story is that...

I MET BETSEY JOHNSON!!!!

Ok, now that we've all calmed down I can recall a brief version of my tale. Last Saturday I was innocently driving on a busy road when I saw it: a fluorescent sign at a Fiat dealership proclaiming "Betsey Johnson: Live Appearance Sunday!" I did not know how to process this information; even though the message was clear, I couldn't fathom that THE Betsey Johnson was going to be right there - right where I was! On Sunday I headed to the dealership expecting to battle the crowds for a glimpse at my favorite fashion designer. What I saw when I headed in was a beautiful mod table full of Sharpies, bottles of water, a stack of Betsey postcards ready to be made out to yours truly and a crowd of two teenage girls waiting in "line." That was it - I was definitely going to meet her and, apparently, have plenty of time to do so due to the minuscule line. 

Time crept by until a man who seemed to be in charge formally announced that Betsey was not going to make it due to traffic, time, a flight to catch...I had to admit I was disappointed, but truthfully it had seemed a little too good to be true. I was heading out when I (and my 2 line mates) were informed that Betsey was actually making another appearance at one of her stores in a nearby mall and if we wanted to go we'd be whisked to the front of the line and given the VIP treatment as long as we informed organizers that Patrick from Fiat talked to Petra who talked to...it was a series of information that seemed doomed to fail in application. Being hopeful, I hopped on the highway and headed over to the mall and straight for the event. Luckily I said enough important sounding words to a mall cop that he got someone from the store for me to repeat them to and she got one of Betsey's assistants (!) and before I knew it I was walked to the front of the crowd and let behind a literal velvet rope and presented to one miss Betsey Johnson! 

She was adorable in a calf-length pink and black striped dress with a worn in leather belt that had a pink rabbit's foot dangling from it. She asked if I'd been at Fiat and immediately apologized about her missed appearance and thanked me for making the trek all the way to the next appearance. Before I knew it she was embracing me for a picture perfect hug and I was hugging her back! Photos were snapped and I proclaimed my love before heading out and going home. It was a chance meeting on an odd Sunday morning, but I'm glad I went with the flow (it's so hard sometimes!) just to see what would happen - it really paid off! 

In honor, please enjoy this collage of some of my favorite Betsey pieces: