The last Tuesday of my birthday month is here and I'm sharing my recommendations with you because I like you.
And of course I'm linking up with Lauren & Bre for their Add it to my list linkup, which they're doing the last Tuesday of every month. Some things I think you should add to your list, if applicable:
1. Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara - Steph recommended this, and since it's only $5, I got a tube to keep at the shore. Well, I tried it and got a tube to keep at home too. Now hear this: It has made me put down the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara I've been using exclusively for a year. They were BOGO50off at Ulta so I got Lori one and she loves it too. It doesn't hurt that it's $18 cheaper than BTS and cruelty free, which is one of Steph's makeup musts.
3. Avoid VRBO/HomeAway booking fees - This past year, VRBO and Home Away started charging a service fee for people who paid through them. Every person who has used them to pay has paid $120-$155 more to rent our house for the week. Some of them thought it was our fee. Newp. It's not. If you are booking a place through VRBO/HomeAway, contact the owner and see if they accept payments directly. We do and they would have saved $$ if they did that. I tried to tell people but they pushed book through HomeAway and it was too late.
4. Get outside. You know what I forgot about being at the shore? That when I spend so much time outside I just don't care that much about scrolling through anything online. I don't care that much about anything aside from what's right in front of me. Just being is so much easier outside. Check out this video from Nature Valley my friend Kate shared yesterday. Sad times - and while it focuses on kids and technology, I think we all know we are guilty of too much tech.
5. Penzey's - As a cook, I love their spices even though they're pricier than the ones I used to buy. Their Fox Point seasoning is an absolute must for me. As a human being, I love their stance and willingness to take one as a small, private business. I support them and don't buy spices elsewhere anymore. I vote just as much with my dollars as I do with a button in the voting booth.
I know I was busy spraying myself with perfumes , but you should have clued me in on that mascara. I paid more for maybelline that day and it's sucky. I will look for it on my next Ulta trip. So many products these days.
ReplyDeleteLove. Your. Momma.
$5?? I'm in need of a new mascara so I'll have to go try that one!
ReplyDeleteI'm addicted to mascara, so of course, I'll be trying that one.
ReplyDelete"Get outside" is something I added more to my life this summer. Since I don't live in a harsh climate, I plan to keep it going year round.
I didn't know that about VRBO! Thats so annoying! Will definitely keep this in mind when/if we rent through them again because we've definitely done it in the past!
ReplyDeleteMy friend has been using a charcoal toothpaste and really likes it. I hadn't heard of the soap before!
I absolutely LOVE Penzey's! I loved them before (because of their amazing products) but I love them even more now. My best friend ordered me a sampler with that pin and a bumper sticker/magnet in it for Christmas, just because of their willingness to stand for what is right.
ReplyDeleteI love the packaging of the mascara! So cute!
ReplyDeletedoes the mascara smudge? i have huge issues with mascara smudging onto the lower part of my eyes which is why i never wear mascara.
ReplyDelete"I vote just as much with my dollars as I do with a button in the voting booth." THIS.
ReplyDeleteI got very excited when I saw the picture of the mascara pop up :) So glad you're loving it! $5 cannot be beaten and the fact that it holds up to BTS is just such a win. It's a hardcore fave of mine!
ReplyDeleteThat pin, and that letter, I just can't. What an amazing company.
I was JUST getting ready to order some NYX doll eyes (or something like that) mascara, but now I have to check out your and Stephanie's recommendation! Esp. since I know it's c.f.!
ReplyDeleteWe've been leaving our front and back doors open lately for the dogs, but it's made us wander outside for a bit, too. K washed the cars yesterday and I did some porch/patio maintenance on Sunday. We had friend over Sat. night and just sat on the front porch. It was so nice to be outside :)
More than ever it's so important to vote with our dollars. Go you!
I'm so excited it finally looks like it's warming up enough to get some fresh air- it really makes such a huge difference to be able to open the windows and get outside.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, the price on BTS is killing me. Been toying with getting some lash extensions just for fun because mine are just so pitiful. Will give this a try for sure. I'm just about to book a lake house for July through VRBO, thanks for the tip. Every penny I can save is a bonus!
ReplyDeleteOhhhh better than BTS mascara and cheap and cruelty free?!? Yup, totally jumping on that train! Good to know about VRBO!
ReplyDeleteI love companies that you can stand behind & support as well.
ReplyDeleteBeing outside is all the YESSSS - it makes you forget the world in your hand that doesnt really matter compared to the world you are standing in & seeing & breathing in.
I'm off to order some of that mascara!! STAT!
Definitely trying that mascara!
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in a charcoal bar for general body use. The air here is so dry and sandy...I feel like I need something that will exfoliate and really cleanse, you know?
ReplyDeleteI love buying spices at TJs because they have a great selection but are reasonably priced. They cost more at Walmart!
We just booked a house this past weekend through VRBO and I had no idea that they were charging an extra $100/house for using their website! That seems ridiculous! I'll definitely be emailing from now on to see if they'll take payments themselves instead of going through Homeaway or VRBO.
ReplyDeleteI am getting that mascara stat, I use BTS and love it, but if this can replace it at that price, sold! I will have to let my mom know about VRBO, she books our annual family vacay through them. You are just chock full of helpful info today!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to try that mascara. I need some and wasn't terribly keen about forking out big bucks because I don't wear it that often. But $5 and it works well - sold!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :) Also, I'm glad you posted the VRBO info - I use them all the time and just looked at the rental info for a bachelorette party in a few weeks and sure enough, that charge isn't really explained but on there. I'll have to be more stealthy in the future. Also, I might just have to try that mascara when mine runs out.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely trying that mascara. I've never heard of Penzey's but I've been really stepping up my cooking game lately so maybe I need something a little better than McCormick's.
ReplyDeleteokay, i love better than sex so i am definitely trying that mascara. i save BTS for special occasions or at least not everyday because of the price, i'd wear it everyday if it was cheaper so if this one is similar, sold.
ReplyDeleteoh that video. i couldn't watch it properly at work but i got the gist. i know it's not the same, but i am so excited to have our sunroom because i will be able to read and hangout 'outside' or at least with some sun without all the bugs and noise hahaha. i definitely spent a large chunk of my childhood outside, but i also played video games and was super anti social at holiday parties because i always had a book. i think it was a good balance, which i don't know if kids have the benefit of these days. not that i am a parent of course. i guess there's just too much tempting them, there wasn't so much when i was a kid.
I completely agree with #4. I especially dislike when people film videos of fireworks, rivers, etc. Just put the phone away and enjoy those things. Most followers won't even watch them.
ReplyDeletePenzey's is the TRUTH! I love that they send out the email blasts and put them on facebook as well. But I did just use the fox point on some sauteed asparagus and . Love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up again!
You have me sold on the Essence Mascara. The price point is so reasonable and only I only use my BTS mascara for dressy occasions because it's so expensive. Good to know there's a cheaper alternative out there.
ReplyDeleteI almost pulled the trigger on that Better than Sex mascara but alas, I'm cheap. For $5 I am definitely going to give this one a try. I love Penzey's. Even going in there is fun and it's my go-to gift when I'm stumped so I love even more that they're a company I want to support. Thanks for linking up with us!
ReplyDeletei have recently decided to be more conscious about buying cruelty free cosmetics. It was really something I never thought about before, but once I did was I was like "ugh I need to make this change".
ReplyDeleteLove the BeautyCounter charcoal bar. I like their face moisturizer too. Haven't tried the other stuff yet. Must try the mascara y'al have all been raving about!
ReplyDeleteGotta try that mascara!! As far as the Hidden Valley video goes, my kids would also probably say their favorite thing is video games, but they only get one hour a day, only on Fri, Sat, and Sun. They play with their friends outside all the time, even when it's raining, and we do stuff as a family outdoors every weekend. What parents are letting their kids binge-watch tv?! I guess it's a sign of the times. It's just what we do now, so it's easy to fall back on that.
ReplyDeletei don't know about that charcoal thing. saw something on the news the other day about gals using charcoal masks and it peeling off too many layers of skin and risking infection. looked painful. i get it's just a scrub or whatever, but... i'm very wary.
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