Books Are Not Snakes.

A couple days ago, around 11pm, I was lying in bed with a book when it hit me.

Books are dangerous.

Now, I get it.  Books are not snakes.  They wont come up and bite you in the buttocks, sending you to the hospital while you're wrenching in pain.

They will just get in your head and make the rest of the world disappear for the next 3.5 hours, at which point your bath water is cold and your cat is twitching in her sleep on the chair next to the tub.  Meaning when you try to finally snatch your towel away from her, she will snap at you angrily.

I had then proceeded to get into bed and continue reading.  I made the mistake of sending a message to my night-shifting boyfriend and was quickly reprimanded for my outrageous behavior.  You need to be up at 7:30!

Well, I know, but.  I'm just kind of in a mood.  To read, you know.  Not that what is currently on my nightstand/next to the tub is a fantastic piece of literature, but it's so easy to get whisked away.

I think, when each of the Harry Potter books came out... I read them in about a day.  Maybe two.  Every spare moment of mine while at school and at home was dedicated to reading them.  As I got older the amount of books I read decreased.  Maybe it was just because I had less time to sit around in a classroom while everyone learned about the difference between your and you're at the age of 16?  I'm sure playing video games had something to do it.  Having a social life, not so much.

I feel as if I need to be a productive adult, and if I get absorbed into a book for a few hours I'm neglecting my duties.  Not that I really am; I make sure everything that needs to be taken care of is taken care of.  But, aren't there more adult-y things for me to be doing?  I'm pretty sure that doing dishes is more important than learning about why and how the entire Kender population was plagued.

But oh... oh it's so enticing.  We have enough dishes to get through dinner.  I can load the dishwasher while I make my coffee tomorrow morning.

See?  How responsible is that?

But, on the flip side, I feel like I'm being irresponsible for not reading more.  I think back to reading an entire novel in a day, and look at my list of 10 books read in one year.  Only ten books.  If I could read an entire Harry Potter novel in a day, how many books should I technically be reading a year?  What should my real goal be?  I'm almost ashamed to say I read less than one book a month.

I'm going to try and make it habit to read for at least 30 minutes a day.  I think that's a good place to start.  I'd also like to start trying to write for at least 30 minutes a day.  I have the time, it's just dedicating it to a certain task.  I need to work on my time management skills. >.>

Anyways, that's it!  Something a little different, but something I'd like to do more often. :)

TTFN.

Review: Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips

I signed up for Influenster and got my first VoxBox not too long ago!  Influenster is a place to share your opinions about the products you use, and sometimes you receive products to  try and review if you're active in the community.  The first product I've recieved is Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips!  Now when I smile people wont know that I'm a coffee addict.  They'll only be able to tell if they meet me before I've had my first cup of the morning. :3

Even better is that this isn't just a sample of the product - it's a full sized box containing 20 days of top and bottom strips.  Hooray!  As I've said in a previous post, it advertises seeing results in only three days, but Kevin and I saw results after just one use!  It's just 30 minutes a day for super white teeth.  They also boast some super teeth-sticking power, and they aren't lying.  When I put them on it feels like I have my braces or retainer back on.

Since I had braces, my teeth are super sensitive.  I only use the strips once every 2-3 days, so any progress I have it sorta slow.  I do use a whitening toothpaste, and that helps during my off days.  Gargling with Hydrogen Peroxide once in a while doesn't hurt, either!

Overall I am very happy with this product.  I've tried a couple other white strips in the past but never really got into it; perhaps I just didn't stick with it, or because one of them dissolved as they whitened and left an unpleasant goo on my teeth.  Bleh.  I think a box of 20 sets retails for around $44, and is worth picking up if you'd like to spruce up your chompers.

Remember, if you're not whitening, you're yellowing!  http://www.3dwhite.com/

I received this product complimentary through Influenster, but I was not paid or otherwise compensated for this review.  I really do like them!

Mail Call 11/11-11/17

Well, last week's mail wasn't as bountiful as previous weeks.  I have a feeling it'll be the same this week, too, because of Thanksgiving and all.  Oh well!

Allure: Free Magazine. :)

Caran D'Ache Pastel Pencil+ Cube: I got a reddish and a brown pastel cubes and then a white pastel pencil.  I don't really work with pastels, but I'm sure I could incorporate them with my watercolors!

Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy Ultra Shea: THERE BOTTLES ARE SO CUTE!  I was sooo excited when I opened the box.  I'm starting to get enough shampoo to where I'll never have to buy another bottle!  These bottlesshould last me for 2-3 weeks!

Boss Orange Cologne Sample:  Not the best cologne I've ever smelled, but not horrible.  Also not too interested in Orlando Bloom, hence why I've covered up his face.  Okay, that's a lie.  Just poor photo planning.

Face Of The Day

Simple eyeliner and lip gloss. :)

Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Take 2

This is a continuation of the Wet N Wild Comfort Zone looks.  This time I used the "day" side!  They are really pretty neutrals.  

These photos were taken after a couple days of using Crest 3D Professional White strips... omg they are amazing!  I got them from Influenster.com to try out.

It says three days until you start seeing results, but we saw results after just one.  (Maybe because I love coffee.)  My teeth are a little sensitive from braces, so after the first three days I only use strips once every 3 days.  Brushing with whitening toothpaste keeps up my pearly white just fine in between those times!

I used:

Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Palette

bareMinerals Flawless Definition Volumnizing Mascara

bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipgloss in Rose

bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipcolor in Parfait

My lips are so pink! Eeeee!

TTFN :)

Kirsten

Hemming Jeans

This was a project I did a little bit ago.  I'm not exactly finished; I think I have two more pairs of my jeans to do, but I finished all 6 pairs of the kid's jeans.  I don't remember where I found this, maybe Pintrest or just one of the sewing blogs I read, but I fell in love when I realized I could hem pants keeping the natural cuff.

On my pants, I did the hemming and ironing, then cut off the extra fabric.  As much as I may wish to gain a couple inches, I am past growing any taller and wont need it.  On the boy's jeans, however, I left the extra fabric there so when they get taller I can rip it out and re-hem them lower.

My Pants

There were some unhappy remarks about the height at which I hemmed the older boy's jeans - but before I sewed them, he rolled them up kinda high.  At the moment, the hem of his pants rests on the top of his shoes when hes standing.  At this point in his life he honestly doesn't care, which I could tell because of the way he'd roll up his pants in the first place.  If it does become a problem for him, I can take out the stitches and re-sew no problem.

On the little guy... he's a little small for his age, so all pants are WAY too long on him.  You can see how much fabric I folded up!  The hem of his pants skims his shoes when he's standing, now.  I'm hoping he'll have a growth spurt soon so he can grow into the length.

Little Guy's Pants

So, as an almost-midget, I am super excited about having the ability to nicely hem things.  I've done it by hand in the past but it is SUCH A PAIN and never looks this good.

Do you have problems with clothes being too long?  Ever tried hemming them?  Tell me about it!

Mail Call 11/4 - 11/10

This one was a good one - I finally got my Target Beauty Bag!  I had already seen others that got theirs and weren't too ecstatic about the contents, but free stuff is free stuff.  I'll use it all eventually.

Target Beauty Bag: 

           Fekkai Shampoo and Conditioner:  I have always wanted to try this line.  I have heard such good things about it, but the price has been a major major turn off.  I don't even know if I want to test it out, now, because then I'd want to go spend money on it.

           Jergen Daily Moisture:  I don't think I've tried the daily moisture version of Jergens.  Hopefully it smells better than the stuff I have right now.

           L'Oreal Evercreme Sulfate-Free Moisture System Shampoo, Conditioner and Deep Moisturizing Masque:  I have one of the L'Oreal Sulfate-Free shampoos and I like it.  I didn't get the conditioner for some reason.  I'm glad this sample set even came with a hair masque.

          pixi Flawless Beauty Primer:  I am not sure I have ever heard of this  brand before.  I think it's a Target thing?  I'll try it out the next time I put face make up on.  Mmhmmm.

          Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy Total Care Shampoo and Conditioner:  I've also heard a lot about this shampoo.  It's hailed as the next best thing since sliced bread, but I guess most products are when they first come out.  I guess I get to see what the hubbub is about, now.



Martha Stewart Living December Issue:  I found it somewhat odd that I'm getting December magazines in the beginning of November, but whatever.  It's full of winter cheer. :)

Prilosec OTC:  More singles to stash in the boyfriend's car for when he forgets at home.  He already used the last samples I gave him, and whined when I didn't put these in his glove compartment immediately.  Sorry. :(

Head & Shoulders 2in1 Hair Endurance For Men: Another thing for the boyfriend.  Right now he's using Denorax, but I'm sure if I stick this in the shower and hide the other stuff he'll use it up for me.

Ponds Luminous Clean Cream Cleanser:  I've got a face routine already, so this might sit around for a little bit before I get around to trying it.  I haven't ever used any Ponds stuff, so I don't know how to feel going into this.

Laci Le beau Super Dieter's Tea:  Not a big tea fan, and I'm pretty sure I wont see any "diet results" after one cup.  Wont hurt to try, though.

Bear Naked Nut Cluster Crunch Cereal:  I love crunchy cluster cereal so I'm sure I'll love this.  I've been kinda biting at the bit to break it open since I got it, but I reined myself in so I could make this post D:

Emergen-C Vitamin C:  Love the Orange flavor, Raspberry Flavor is drinkable, never tried the Acai flavor.  I'll get back to you on that, too.  I love Acai in smoothies and stuff, but considering how the raspberry translated in these supplements I am a little scared.

Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Take 1

Here I used the Wet N Wild Comfort Zone palette, the "night" side.  I used every color, but the define shade doesn't really show up.  I think it would look pretty on its own, so I'm going to try that out.

I used Maybelline Lash Stiletto and  Gel  Eyeliner.  I absolutely love these greens, but I don't think these colors are for an every day look.

On my lips I put Smashbox Lip Enhancing Mega Gloss - True Color, which I talked about in my last mail call post.  I really like how it looks on my lips.

I'm also loving my hair!  It's still a little frizzy, but it's not as poofy and it's definitely more manageable   The night before I took these, I tried Aussie's 3 minute  miracle for the first time.  I've heard so many rave reviews and, much to my boyfriend's dismay, bought some.  Very glad I did.  I am also growing my bangs back out since the cowlick in the middle of my forehead makes it tough to style them nicely on a regular basis.

My eyes are so hooded that if I'm doing anything besides looking down you can barely see most of my eye shadow.

Oh, and uhm.  Try to ignore the color of my living room.

Review: Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Palette

I bought this one a while after I picked up the Petal Pusher Palette, which I have already done a review on.  On that palette I liked the "night" side better, but on this one I am definitely a fan of the "day" side.  It might just be because I feel I look better in darker colors.

I love green!  I don't think I look amazing in it, but the browns... I really love the browns on this palette.  I think these are a steal for less than $5.00 each.  Wet N Wild has been doing so much better with their pigments.  I'm very impressed.










Here are the swatches for it.  Left for are the "day" side and right four are the "night" side.  I love the shift in the define shade for the night side.  It's so iridescent in the palette, but once it gets on the skin it's such a bold color with a light shift.  The color pay off for these eye shadows are amazing!  Each swatch is only two swipes of a brush.





Tomorrow I'll put up what I did with some of these colors.  Rwar! :)

-Kirsten

Mail Call for Last Week

Yay!  Another week of freebies in the mail!

Garnier Fructis Fall Fight Shampoo and Conditioner: I loved the last samples of Garnier Fructis that I got, so I'm hoping I'll love these, too.  Their products always smell delicious.

John Frieda Root Awakening Shampoo and Conditioner: I have never used a John Frieda product, so I am excited about trying this out.  I'll probably use it after the Garnier stuff.

Downy Unstoppables: This is supposed to be a scent enhancer or something.  I'm not very excited about this because I just want my laundry to smell clean, not like any sort of product.  It's actually a pet peeve of mine when stuff smells heavily.  I'll still try it out to see what all the hubbub is about.

Green Mountain Coffee House Blend: I have never tried this brand of coffee.  I am a staunch Starbucks consumer, except when I make it to Winco for their coffee.  Still interested to try it out!

Always Infinity Pad: Self-explainitory.  Looks thin, big plus in my book!

Eucerin Professional Repair for Extremely Dry Skin: I love Eucerin lotions.  This sample will not be nearly enough to see how good it is, but I don't have any doubts to begin with.

Jiffy Mixes Recipe Book: This is actually pretty awesome.  I'll be frank, I didn't know there were more jiffy mixes than just corn bread, so maybe I will have to try some out.

Smashbox Lip Enhancing Mega Gloss - True Color:  I don't even know where I got this from.  It might have been a facebook thing where the first x amount of people who request get one.  I looked on their website and they don't even have any of these on there, so maybe they don't sell them anymore and were just trying to liquidate product.  This was like an early Christmas because they never tell you if you've got one, they just surprise you. :)

It's a decent lip gloss.  Sticky, but not unpleasantly so.  I wasn't very happy with the color as it kinda globbed on, but it smoothed out and highlighted my lips nicely.  It doesn't have very much of a color after it settles.  Since it's sticky, it has some good staying power.  I only noticed it disappearing after I ate some Toaster Strudels.  Ahem.

So, that's it!  I had a good mail week.  I've already got one of my goodies in this week, and I'll be making a post about that soonish.  I say that about everything, don't I?

October Empties

Well... here they are!  I really thought there would be at least a couple more, but I am apparently horrible at finishing up bottles of things :x

I only condition my hair every other wash (should I be doing it every time?) so my shampoo runs out faster.

Here is my review for Aussie Hair Insurance.  I'm not too impressed with it and wont be buying it again, but I did enjoy it while it lasted.

I haven't reviewed the organix shampoo and conditioners here yet, but I assure you that I love them.