these are a few of...

My Favorite Things!!

I've thought about doing this for quite some time, and finally have enough of my favorite things to actually make the post worthwhile. Here they are, some of my favorite products that I enjoy/use. I hope I'll help someone to find something they love too!

1) Tarte's 4 Day Stay

I love this stuff! I adore makeup, but don't actually want to bother with putting it on most of the time during the summer. This product is in effect a lash stain that does what its name suggests, it gives your lashes color for 4 days. I used to use DiorShow Mascara, and thanks to Sephora, I always had samples and never had to buy it!- but I hate washing mascara off every night. Thank you, Tarte, for such an amaaaaazing product!

2) Hippo Shower Cap

How CAN you resist this? Isn't it the funniest/cutest thing you've ever seen? I saw this and knew I had to have it. Since washing your hair every day is supposed to be bad for it, I've tried skipping every other day and found that a shower cap was a sudden necessity. I adore this one, but it comes in other styles too, a strawberry, a watermelon, devil's horns and a teddy bear. But I have a thing for hippos, so this was right up my alley.

3) Beautique Day Spa & Salon

I hate trying to find a salon. Hate it. I've always been in the habit of using whoever my parents use and that's been working fine, but my friend Sherri (from fencing class!) recommended her guy at this salon, the Rice Village location, and I love the place. The stylist I use is awesome, he's the extension specialist, and he's so nice and friendly. His assistant is the sweetest woman and they're so personable and helpful, it's seriously the best experience I've ever had. Hello, Beautique!

4) Philosophy Surfer Girl Exfoliating Shower Gel

As a rule, I love Philosophy's shampoo/body wash/bubble bath combo products. But this one is even better than those other ones! I've used their Raspberry Sorbet and their Apple in the 3 X ones, and this one is the best yet! I love it for summer, the scent is yummy and the exfoliation factor is so nice, it makes me feel so clean.

5) Philosophy Surfer Girl Flavored Lip Shine

Yum, yum, yum! This is my first try at their lip balms/ glosses and I have to say, thus far I am impressed. They're not greasy or sticky and smell so nice and are so silky on. And as for the scent, it just smells like summer.

6) OPI Russian Collection- Midnight in Moscow

When I was in high school, I used to get my nails done regularly, but once I graduated and moved away, I stopped bothering with the solar nails and just let mine go natural natural. I never painted them or anything, until I found myself really liking the dark nail trend. Over Christmas 2007, I picked up the Russian Navy shade and wore it constantly, until I found Midnight in Moscow, which is in fact a more brown with red shimmer. It's so pretty, and I love the color on my skin. The picture doesn't do it justice- It's NOT purple-y at all.

7) Revlon Nail Jewels

I hate going to nail places anymore- I'm so particular now about my nails and I just am not satisfied to pay to have them done when I can do better myself. I love to add a little something when I have the chance- and usually end up using these small rhinestones to add a small flower to my thumb or a heart or something like that. I did have flowers all over my big toes for a while, and that was neat. It's way cheaper than getting it done at a salon too!

8) Victoria's Secret Stimulating Body Scrub

I bought this stuff not really knowing what I was getting. I love it though, and only use a very little at a time. I usually rub it on my legs right before I shave, if I want a really, really smooth shave. It's the best, there's a noticeable difference and I really like the way it buffs away all the gunk that lotions and creams leave behind. Seriously, a great product, even if I don't use it the way they say to on the package.

9) & 10) Fresh APPLEseed Brightening Exfoliator & Essence

This product is one that I rely on Sephora for, I always take the opportunity to snap it up in sample form when it's available. At the moment, the product itself is just too expensive for me to buy regular. Together, they're a wonderful product, I love the way my skin looks and feels when I've used it. The smell is also really nice and clean, which is wonderful, because I hate when anything I put on my face smells alcoholic or harsh. Together, quite the wonderful little combo!

11) Masterpiece: The Complete Jane Austen Collection

I adore Jane Austen's work, and recently, PBS showed all of these films over a few months on Sunday evenings. I wasn't able to catch most of them (okay, any but Sense and Sensibility) the first time around, but now Houston's station is re-airing them on Thursdays so I've been able to mostly catch myself up. I've also invested in most of these films, all except Pride and Prejudice, because I frankly just don't like this version as much as the new version, and since I already had that one, I'm good. This is the CLOSEST thing to a stereotypical 'chick flick" that I'll watch. Of the group, I like Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility the best- they're wonderful! This is what I pop in the DVD player after Zach's gone to bed and I need to wind down.

12) Skinny Cow No Sugar Added Ice Cream Sandwiches

I crave ice cream, in a bad way. Especially during the summer. I recently discovered these, and since they're only 2 Weight Watcher's points (I don't do WW, but I have a general enough understanding) and that's better than a cocktail. These are really delicious, you can't tell they're low fat and they're guilt free. Thank the good Lord above for giving me ice cream I can't feel guilty about. It's a wonderful thing!