Fear and bravery

laelene Posted in general blog,Tags: , ,
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Fear. The thing that holds us back so often.

As open as I am, my deepest secrets I hold dearly. I want to trust others with them, but I haven’t been able to. So I fantasize about writing fiction and hiding in my stories. After all, who’s to say how much is real and how much is fabricated there? Even then I’m hesitant, though. What if those who knew the situations I speak of see my thoughts? What if people just assume it’s all true? (And maybe it is.)

Bravery to be vulnerable. To share those feelings, no matter how painful or silly or uncomfortable it feels. Like songwriters pouring out their souls in their lyrics. I want to be like that too. I want to express myself without censorship. But this is going to take time… maybe I’ll adopt a pen name. Sometimes it’s easier to be an illusion.

It’s a conflict of interest though – am I not sharing myself to connect with others? How can I truly do that if I’m hiding behind a facade? How much honesty is too much? I’m definitely grappling with that. Right now I recognize this weakness and I accept that I don’t know how to deal with it. I’m hoping I’ll get to the point where I’ll embrace it. Will it be liberating when I do? I sure hope so.

Yuzen Summer 2014 edition review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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It always seems like I sit on my Yuzen boxes for a long time before I finally get the review out. Don’t know why that keeps happening, so I’m finally getting this done before summer is truly upon us! I filmed the video for this a week and a half ago and it should be showing up on Yuzen’s YouTube channel in a few days. But hey, you get to see what comes in the box here!

Yuzen is $33 per quarter (with boxes sent Feb, May, Aug, and Nov) and comes with around 7 or 8 eco-friendly beauty, skincare, food/snacks, and home products. Boxes are sent quarterly with no option to skip, but you can get one-time gift boxes too. Sometimes there’s a waitlist to get the subscription. They do not offer a referral program.

unboxed summer 2014 yuzen box with contents shown

ShamanutiSeaweed Toner: I’m a huge fan of sprays and mists, so this toner is just fantastic. It has a light scent that is wonderfully relaxing and has a very soothing effect. I like how it’s ocean-inspired with the kelp they use. Some great skincare comes from the ocean! I did accidentally overspray myself at first because one push of this sends out a lot of product. I learned to hold it at a much further distance to get better coverage. Use code yuzenlove by 8/31/14 for 20% off at Shamanuti.

Kerstin FlorianLavender Body Spray: Wow, this was a major surprise when I tried it. I thought it’d just be a normal spray, but what I got was a sheen of ultra-moisturizing amazingness. A gentle rub into the skin and felt soft and smooth. This is fabulous! I love how the spray head allows me to quickly moisturize my skin with a spray and swipe. That’s all it takes to absorb and heal my skin. I’m very impressed. Use code ZEN20 by 9/30/14 for 20% at Kerstin Florian (restrictions apply).

KneippHerbal Bath in Lavender: What a relaxing bath additive. Lavender is the perfect choice for a bath and this bottle of concentrated goodness promises a most excellent bathing experience. Of course I still need to get around to drawing a bath in the first place… I’ll probably end up doing that within the week, since I’ve been so drained and I could use a good soak. Just smelling it in the bottle is helping ease my mind already. Use code Yuzen14 by 12/31/14 for 10% off the full size product at Kneipp.

MyChelle  Ultimate Lash and Brow Serum: I like this brand and I certainly like the idea of increasing my lash length. This is a small tube, but I’m sure it will last quite some time since you barely need any each time. I’ve applied it to my lashes and I hope it works! It doesn’t smell or feel like anything, though it did tingle a bit when it was drying. The consistency is liquidy enough to come on easily and we’ll just have to wait and see for results. Use code YUZEN25 by 2/1/15 for 25% off at MyChelle.

Aromaflagefragrance & insect repellent: Ok, this has got to be the most unique thing I’ve seen! Taking a fragrance (aka perfume) and making it an insect repellent too? What a brilliant way to make something I’d never care for (perfume) into something I’d actually consider! The scent is very special, with a warmth and citrusy notes. When the bugs start coming, I’m totally using this as my insect repellent. I mean, who wants to go out smelling like bug spray, right? Might as well disguise myself as a fine lady with this scent. It smells more down-to-earth than your typical perfume fluff too. 🙂 Use code Yuzen2014 by 7/31/14 for 15% at Aromaflage.

Hugo NaturalsVanilla & Sweet Orange soap: This is a brand and scent I’ve tried, not as a soap, but as a lotion. Funny enough, that was the same box I got my first taste of MyChelle from too. This is a generous full size bar that will last me ages! I’m saving it until my current soap is done so it doesn’t lose any of its scent or go through too many cycles of drying out and getting wet. I like the sweet scent of this bar that’s perfect for cleaning my body and giving me a fresh smell. Use code VSO20 by 8/31/14 for 20% at Hugo Naturals.

Sencha NaturalsPink Dragonfruit mints: How random that just after receiving these, I was in a store and saw them being sold! Was it just that I had never paid attention before? Granted, it was a completely new store I was in at the time. Whatever the case, funny timing. I love the leaf shapes they use and that they incorporate green tea to help with bacteria (and of course give you some antioxidants). This flavor is sweet with a mint that comes later and lingers nicely. Use code YUZEN15 by 7/31/14 for 15% off at Sencha Naturals.

I definitely feel more prepared for the warmer months, what with insect repellent and super healing products for my skin. And hey, I might just get some longer lashes too! What items are you most interested in from this box?

*Disclosure: As a super fan, I was invited to be the Yuzen Ambassador to help them spread the word about their brand. I now receive the boxes for free. I was not compensated otherwise and all opinions are my own, irregardless of my relation to Yuzen. I just happen to think they’re awesome (as does everyone else I’ve heard from). 🙂

Off-kilter

laelene Posted in general blog,Tags: , , , , ,
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What do you do when you drive home with an insane headache? Why, crash in bed as soon as possible, of course.

Somewhere between being tired and having a mild headache, I found myself with a pain in my head that is rather inexplicable. It’s not your normal headache. It was a pain in my head that hurt without feeling like a headache. I think the pain starts near my eyes and radiates out my temples. I’m not really sure, but I drove home pretty much like a zombie (and the freakin’ traffic took a 25-30 min drive and made it an hour, oh joy). When I got home, Panda was still in bed since he’s working the night shift. I joined him and before I knew it, I crashed into oblivion.

It was just what I needed, that nap. The thunder started rumbling right before I drifted off and the gentle pitter patter of the rain sang me to sleep. Two hours later, Panda was getting ready to leave for work and I woke up far more clear-headed than when I arrived home. I’ve had some dinner and I’m ready to see if I can get right back to sleep again after that. I’ve been having trouble focusing and I get bouts of exhaustion that I can’t explain. I mean, I spent the whole weekend recouping! Why am I still strangely out of it?

Here’s to hoping extra rest is the answer.

Treatsie April 2014 review continued

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , ,
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Ok, so I’d originally received my Treatsie box for April with an item missing, so they ended up sending me the other two items I would have received if I was a premium subscriber (as a non-premium subscriber, I would have received only the peanut butter bites).

Treatsie is $15 per box + $4.95 shipping and comes with artisan candy from 3-4 brands (I am grandfathered in for $15 for 2-3 brands and fewer items). That means about 6 or 7 different flavors of treats (or 4 or 5 for me). Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral link program.

treatsie april 2014 box contents with hot cakes bling bling and peanut butter bites

Hot Cakes Peanut Butter Bites: As I’ve mentioned, peanut butter’s not my thing, so it’s no surprise that I’m not big on these bites. They have a really intriguing texture though, that is sort of crunchy and crumbly like Butterfingers. They actually don’t taste strongly of peanut butter, which makes it better for me. I love their small size that makes it easy to pop a few as a snack.

Hot Cakes Bling Bling: Hot dang, this is one massive snack. One single bite (about a quarter of the thing) was enough to last me quite awhile. I thought I tasted a hint of something coffee-ish in there, which is not a flavor I like, so it was ok.

This brand was interesting, but not really to my taste. Do you prefer these items to the other two I got in the box originally?

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

Simpsons Legos

laelene Posted in lifestyle glimpses,Tags: , , , ,
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Oh, the things we do for each other.

Apparently the Simpsons and Legos got together for a Simpsons episode that will be airing tomorrow night and there are even some Lego figurines in honor of the Simpsons characters. Panda is a big fan of both, so he’s pretty thrilled about this whole thing. To get in the spirit, we went to get the little Simpsons Lego figurines that are for sale in select stores. Our first stop was Target, where the entire shelf of 100+ figurines was completely wiped out. We asked one of the guys there to check for inventory in the back and he was amazed that everything they had was gone. A quick check showed another location having some in the back, but it was far away so we decided to go to Walgreens instead.

simpsons lego characters ned flanders and mr. burnsAt Walgreens, I was surprised at how small the packets were. We sat/squatted there for a good half hour looking at the variety of packets, trying to find the characters Panda wanted most by trying to feel through the foil and attempting to identify the bump patterns on the packaging. It was hard to tell which bump patterns were on the packets, so we ended up doing a number on a bunch of the pouches as we felt for unique pieces. We managed to identify Marge, the old dude, Flanders, the clown, and I think one other one. As soon as we were able to confirm the Flanders guy, Panda was happy to take him and the old dude as the ones he’d buy. I felt absolutely silly spending an inordinate amount of time feeling up toys, basically, but I was determined to help Panda get the variations he liked. Ultimately we succeeded and now he can never say I’m not supportive of his quirky nerdy tendencies. 😛

Homegrown Collective April 2014 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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How did the end of the month come up so fast?! Work has really got me off-kilter and I totally didn’t expect this box yesterday. I sure hope I recover enough over the weekend to get one of these projects going. I had no idea that ketchup and mustard were fermented items (though I wonder if the ones with preservatives are still fermented), which I’m kind of fascinated by. I love fermented stuff!!

The Homegrown Collective GREENBOX is $39 per box + $9 shipping (or as discounted as $429 for an entire year, with options in between) and comes with fun and easy projects to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program you can apply to join.

inside of let's get fermented homegrown collective box with the info sheets on the inner lid contents of the homegrown collective april 2014 box with let's get fermented theme the homegrown collective april 2014 fermenting jars info card

Project #1, chipotle ketchup: This is what ketchup is made of?! I’ve been completely clueless this whole time and it never occurred to me that it could be fermented. I’m totally intrigued by this fermentation jar too, which is a funny-looking contraption. I’m not generally a ketchup fan, but chipotle ketchup sounds wonderful and making it myself means I’d totally eat it. It’ll be great to have some around the house to use so we don’t need those packets.

the homegrown collective april 2014 project chipotle ketchup info card the homegrown collective april 2014 products for chiptole ketchup

Project #2, spicy mustard: Well gosh, I learn some much from all this, like how mustard is good for you. I learned to enjoy mustard a couple of years back when I saw my dad always getting it and now I’m a fan too. Panda and I could certainly use some probiotics in our lives, so I’m excited about this and I’ll start with this fermentation process as soon as I figure out how to accomplish this without a blender (or I might just decide to get a blender…). Recipe calls for 4 cloves of garlic, but I only had three left after divvying the other two to the ketchup project, but I have plenty of garlic from my Blue Apron box, so I’ll use that. [Edit: Errr so I totally had a brain fart and thought they meant a head of garlic when they said clove… as I was making the mustard I suddenly realized how preposterous four whole heads of garlic would be for that recipe and it dawned on me that they actually provided way more garlic for future use!!]

the homegrown collective april 2014 project spicy mustard info card the homegrown collective april 2014 products for spicy mustard

This was another month with only two projects. Perhaps this time it was a space issue? Whatever the case, I love the stuff we did get and it’s so cool to learn about condiments I thought I knew. I’ve always wanted to try making my own pickles, kimchi, and other fermented foods. I’ll have to look up some instructions for those too. 🙂 Here’s the info card about fermentation:

the homegrown collective april 2014 fermentation info card

Awaken your inner scientist, crafter, and environmentalist! Get your own fun projects and subscribe to the Homegrown Collective today. It’s totally mind-blowing.

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

Petit Vour April 2014 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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I feel super pampered from this box. It’s oozing luxury though the theme is Boheme Beauty. Perhaps it’s referring to the less mainstream products?

Petit Vour is $15 per box (or as much as $30 for international subscribers) and comes with vegan beauty, skincare, and other personal care products. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you points towards free boxes (email contact@petitvour.com to say I referred you if you sign up!).

petit vour april 2014 box info card with boheme beauty theme contents of petit vour april 2014 box with jane scrivner skin elixir, lily lolo pressed mineral eye shadow quad in smoky rose, harvey prince yogini eau de parfum, and kimberly parry sea organics creamy cleanser

Jane Scrivner Skin Elixir – I like the herbal smell to this oil. It makes me feel like I’m healing my skin and it absorbs to make my skin super soft. It’s so weird to put oil on my face though, so I’ll use this sparingly.

Lily Lolo Mineral Eye Shadow Quad – What a nice full size product. It comes in a nice white compact and this Smoky Rose set includes a white, rose pink, brown, and deep chocolate. I’d have fun with this if I use eye shadow, but since I don’t I’ll trade this.

Harvey Prince Yogini eau de parfum – I don’t know anything about perfumes and they generally smell similar to me, so this reminds me other perfumes I’ve smelled. It’s a nice-sized bottle with a roll-on ball, which is the type of applicator I like. However, I don’t wear perfume, so this is another trade item for me.

Kimberly Parry Sea Orga1nics – I can definitely smell the sea influence in this cleanser and it’s nice. I love how this one foams up as you rub it. Feels really gentle and luxurious. Definitely a keeper!

Well, this time there was a little more on the beauty side of things versus skincare/body care so two of the items are types I don’t use. I think it’s great that they included two full size items though. What’s your favorite item in this box?

[This post mentions a referral program. Signing up and emailing contact@petitvour.com to say I referred you helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

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