"I Love Princesses"..."I Know"...

I'M TOO OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You may have heard about Disney's limited-time merchandising...I'm going with "experience", here...where you could purchase a figurine of your likeness frozen in Carbonite? It was launched during Star Wars Weekend, and much to Thomas' weeping and gnashing of teeth, we missed it. Well, now the personalized action figure opportunity is back, only slightly different.

Photo Credit (This and All): Disney Parks Blog

Yes, you can now be a Disney Princess! At least, you can be one if you're between 3 and 12 years-old and have a parent or legal guardian's permission. I'M TOO OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The "D-Tech" process takes about ten minutes, and the princess of choice will be personalized to match the child's hair and skin color, as well as bear the child's likeness. In 5-7 weeks, the 7-inch figure will arrive at your door. Pricing runs $99.95 plus $15.95 shipping, with additional 7-inch figures running $74.95, and 3-inch figures priced at $39.95. A silver charm bracelet is included with each purchase.

Admittedly, the finished product can be a little...I don't want to say "creepy", but that's the only word I can come up with. I don't know what it is, but I find them just a bit off-putting. I still want one--don't get me wrong--but I think it's just seeing a child's face on an adult's body that's throwing me. I also don't understand the age restriction. There wasn't a max age for the Carbonite figure. Why one for princesses? I know some 13 and 14 year-olds who would go bonkers for these! Plus, an adult face on an adult body makes more sense. I think Disney is missing out on a very important demographic here. Plus, think of all the Mother/Daughter sales they could be making! The mind boggles.

What do you think? Creepy or Cute? What about the age limit? Leave your comments below!

Buy or DIY? Halloween Spider Headband

Yes, I realize it's only August, and the beginning of the month, at that, but over the weekend I saw that Michael's already had some Halloween merchandise out, and there was a spider headband too cute to pass up!

Way cuter than a witch's hat, any day.

The headband isn't available on the website (actually, nothing is. You have to go to a brick and mortar store to make any purchases), but I wanted to share it with you, in the event you have a Michael's nearby, or are crafty and want to DIY your own.

It's like a fascinator, but on a headband. It's cocked to one side.

It doesn't appear to be a difficult project, if you choose to make one. The base is just your basic, black satin headband. It looks like some sequinned tulle was either stitched or glued on to the band, then topped with a black organza bow and a beaded spider. The spider might be a challenge to replicate, but that could just be your excuse to get really creative and come up with your own design! Maybe you could go crazy with curling ribbon? How about some grinning felt pumpkins? Or, you could use the basic design to come up with something not even remotely Halloween-y. I can see this becoming a glamorous, feather and crystal covered evening accessory, without having to spend too much money or exert too much effort.

Close-up of the construction. Sequinned tulle, ribbon, ornament. Easy peasy.

However, if you're like me and burn yourself everytime you think of plugging in a glue gun, the Michael's I visited carried these in the lime I got, red, and hot pink. They also had variations with skulls and pumpkins, and all were $9.99. I used a 40% off coupon to snag my headband for around $6.00. I think it'll look really sweet with my Little Mermaid t-shirt for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Happy Haunting!

Disney Artist Collection Heads To Target

Photo Credit: Target

This is not a real post; just a head's up. Disney has just released its "Artist Collection" at Target, and it's really, really cool.

The collection is a line of fashion tees and sweats (yes, fashion sweats. Sounds like an oxymoron, but these are too darn cute) featuring both favorite and slightly more obscure Disney characters. Think: Oswald, Cleo, Figaro, Sleepy, Butch, that girl fawn from Bambi (I should have my Disney fan card revoked), and images from Silly Symphonies. Mickey and Minnie also make an appearance, and I left the store last night with a Tinkerbell sweatshirt. Prices range from around $12 up to around $25. I'll be honest, I can't remember off the top of my head, and the Target website isn't being helpful. The sweatshirt I got was $19.99. Items are available for women, men, and children, and selection varies by store.

Unspeakable(-y Cute) Dooom

One site that I just love is Shirt.Woot. Every day, a new, original tee is featured and available for only $12. Yeah, there are a lot of sites like that, but this is the only one I've seen where the shirt is still available for sale after its featured day. The price just goes up to $15. I can totally deal with that. I don't know about you, but I don't always have the extra money lying around, and have missed out on some truly epic t-shirts on some other sites.

Anyhoo, the other day, one of my favorite Shirt.Woot artists unveiled the third installment in their Unstealthiest Ninja collection. Unfortunately, the first two are sold out, but I just had to share this with you:



Photo Credit: Shirt.Woot

How freaking adorable is that?! Oh, I just want to hug him! The artist goes by the handle dooomcat, and you can learn more about them on their site. You can also purchase prints and other items, as well as check out a web comic.

Know of any other cool artists? Want to share with the rest of the class? Let me know in the comments section.

Frugal Friday and Some Heavenly High Heels

A favorite blog of mine is The Erin O'Brien Owner's Manual for Human Beings (God, I love that title). Today, Ms. O'Brien posted a picture of her Valentine's gift: a chocolate high-heeled shoe, filled with gourmet truffles. The mere fact that such a thing even exists makes the world seem a little brighter.

This polka-dotted, treat-filled pump (available in dark or milk chocolate) is roughly one pound of chocolaty deliciousness, and can be yours for $39.95. Not really feeling into the whole "Cinderella's lost slipper" vibe? Pick up a pair (delivered in the most adorable tissue-lined shoebox!) for $76.95. In case you're wondering, yes, they are life-sized, but no, I would not recommend wearing them. Of course, that is one way to get around having to share...

Photo Credit (All): Sweet Designs Chocolatier

Want to read more from the delightful Erin O'Brien? Her new book, The Irish Hungarian Guide To the Domestic Arts, is available on Amazon for $14.00. While you wait for the beautifully-written hilarity to arrive, check out her blog for an oasis of intelligent humor in this increasingly crass cyber-world.

And now, it's time for some Frugal Friday deals!

Disney Store: Use code HAPPY25 for 25% off any Parks merchandise through 2/20/12.

Smashbox: Enter the code SMASH25 for $25 off any $100 purchase. Ends 2/19/12.

Old Navy: Save 15% off any online order, or 25% off any online order of $100 or more with code ONSAVEBIG. Ends 2/20/12.

MAC Cosmetics: Free shipping on any online order through 2/20/12. No code necessary.

Victoria's Secret: Free 3pc. travel bag set with any $45 in-store Beauty purchase. Expires 2/17/12.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Frugal Friday and the Once and Future Heartbreaker

One of these days, should Thomas and I have any kids, I hope that we are half as cool as Arthur's parents.

This site showed up on my Facebook the other day (and thank you to whomever it was that posted! I can't find it now to thank you properly, so if you see this, let me know who you are in the comments), and I couldn't stop smiling! As you probably have guessed, I'm a bit of a movie buff. I also happen to adore babies, and Arthur's parents were kind enough to combine my two loves into one absolutely precious blog: Arthur Recreates Scenes From Classic Movies.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind:

Photo Credit (This and All): studioarthur.co.uk

The Blair Witch Project:

And my personal favorite, American Beauty:

Check out some more of adorable little Arthur's work on his blog, or follow his (amazingly talented and sweetly goofy) Mom on Twitter: @EmilyCleaver. Oh, I just want to pinch those little cheeks!!!

And now, for today's Frugal Friday alerts!

Forever 21: Now through Valentine's Day, take 30% off all lingerie. Online only, but no code is needed. There's some really cute stuff available, so I'd jump on this one.

Victoria's Secret: Again, now through V-Day, spend $75 in stores and receive a box of Vosges Haut-Chocolat truffles, inspired by VS collections. They're only available in select stores, so check before forking over any dough.

Wet Seal: Take $10 off any purchase of $50 or more with code Luv2shop. Ends 2/14/12, online only.

Sephora: Use the code BIGBALM to score a full-sized Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Balm in Wakiki with any online purchase of $25 or more. I have these in Bora Bora and Portofino, and they're amazing, so this is a real steal.

Have a lovely weekend!!

Soo-EE! I Like a Pig With Style!

This showed up in my email this morning:

Photo Credit (All): MAC Cosmetics

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I don't know about you, but I needed that laugh this morning. Of course, Miss Piggy should have her own products at MAC! She's a glamorous movie star with a highly-anticipated film set to roll-out nationwide next week, and can you name a bigger diva? I mean, besides Lady Gaga, who already has her own Viva Glam deal at MAC? Yeah, I couldn't either. 

It's not a full line, but the fine swine has a cute little collection that includes false lashes 36 ($15), a Penultimate eyeliner in Rapidblack ($17.50), and her very own Miss Piggy Pink eyeshadow ($15). There's no special packaging, but the shadow is a mid-tone blue pink, and supposedly (according to MAC, anyway), "the universe's most perfectly pink eye shadow." Moi recommends checking it out, s'il vous plait. 

P.S. Currently working on an upcoming Gift Guide. Here's a hint: Based on a 1961 Ricky Nelson song that has been stuck in my head since watching a rerun of Quantum Leap. Give me your best guess in the comments, and stay tuned!

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Something is missing, and I can't quite put my finger on it...

Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?

Photo Credit (This and Above): Collider.com

Oh, that's it! He forgot his pants!

Photo Credit: Entertainment Earth

Honestly, I've not been too impressed with this costume since the original press photo came out, and that was even before I could tell that somebody forgot his Underoos. Then, I just didn't care for the fabric texture and the muted colors. Last I checked, Superman was supposed to be a bright beacon of hope. This one...well, I wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley.

Photo Credit: ScreenRant

*He kind of scares me.* 

This is nothing against Mr. Cavill, of course. He's a fine actor and looks every inch the part. I just don't like the suit. At all.

What I do like, on the other hand, is this shirt from Trunk Ltd. Now, that truly is a super man. ($39.95, Trunk Ltd.)

Photo Credit: Beauty's Blog

Why Must You Taunt Me So?

This came to me yesterday, and I have scoured the Internet like mad ever since. These items are, sadly, not available in the US...yet. I will continue to hold out hope. I give you...

Photo Credit (This and Below): Tokyo Fashion

...Batman lingerie!!!

How cute is that?! This set is from Aimerfeel's "We (Heart) Hero" collection, which also features this little number:

Look at the itty-bitty ears!!!! Oh, me wants it, my precious!!! Superman styles are also available, but I'm really digging the Batman sweetness. See you tomorrow! Same adorable time, same adorable channel!

You Don't Even Need a Helmet: Tokidoki Prisma Lipgloss in Rocketeer

Photo Credit: Sephora

As promised, I now have a review of Tokidoki Prisma Lipgloss ($15, Sephora--currently on sale for $7). Seems the UPS guy finally took pity on me and delivered my order, so there may be even more reviews coming soon. Or not. I'm fickle that way.

So, a little backstory on this particular purchase: in addition to being a lipgloss junkie and slave to all things cutesy, I'm also a sentimental fool. When Thomas asked me out for our first date, he did it with flowers. That's right, folks. My sweet husband found out what kind of flowers I liked (daisies--they don't make me sneeze) and had them delivered to my house. When he picked me up, there was my favorite Starbucks drink (decaf, non-fat caramel macchiatto, for those keeping score) waiting for me in the car. We ate dinner in a charming little Italian place (*cough* that's currently condemned for too many health violations *cough* but was really nice at the time *cough, cough*), then got ice cream and ended up at his apartment, where we watched The Rocketeer. Seriously, how much more wholesome can you get than a Walt Disney movie? We were good children. Anyway, by the end of that date--heck, by the middle--I'd decided I'd like to keep him around.

With that in mind, how could I pass up a lipgloss with an itty-bitty Rocketeer encased in the cap? How? I couldn't. There was no way.

What Sephora has to say:

These non-sticky glosses offer a sheer touch of color and a yummy blueberry flavor, plus protective kudzu and marine extracts. Each gloss cap holds a criminally cute tokidoki character inside a snow globe, so you can take the playful tokidoki spirit wherever you go. The clear silicone paddle applies gloss smoothly and evenly. These products are not tested on animals.

They're also paraben-free, if you're into that. I am.

What I have to say:

OMGLOLROFLMAOIDKABCXYZBBQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, so I have no idea what that even means, but I feel the need to type in tween text speak, now. This packaging is too freaking cute for words! First off, it comes in a clear plastic box, littered with little Sanrio-on-crack-esque characters. The tube, itself, is brilliant in its simplicity. You get a generously-sized square tube. I emphasize the square because, really, it just makes sense. My makeup train case has squared-off compartments and a flat bottom. Squared objects fit better than rounded ones. Likewise, my makeup tray is completely squared-off. Even the individual comparments for lipsticks and glosses are squared, even though most lipstick and gloss tubes are round. That has never made sense to me. Plus, the square shape makes this easy for me to blindly locate in the bottom of my gaping voi--um...purse. Yeah, that's what I meant. Purse. Moving on.

As I said, this is a very simple tube. Clear plastic displays the gloss inside. A black band separates the cap from the tube, and the minimalistic Tokidoki logo is printed in black down one side. Left as is, this would be a grown-up, sophisticated piece of packaging. But it's not. Not by a longshot. See, the cap is clear, large, and hollow. That emptiness is filled by a teensy little Rocketeer, and about a zillion pieces of magenta and silver heart and crossbones confetti. It kind of jingles when you shake it.

It makes me happy.

At this point, I'm already squeeing myself into a little puddle of tween-ish delight, without ever opening the tube. However, the gloss, itself, is the most important part of this review. Onward!

When you open the tube, the first thing you notice is the fragrance. "Blueberry Muffins" is the only way I can describe it. Well, "yummy" is another description, I guess. The second thing that'll catch your eye is the applicator. It's not a brush, nor is it one of those little fuzzy wand thingies. This is a clear, flat, flexible, plastic paddle. It's ingenious. The paddle is comforable, distributes well, lines beautifully, and best of all, never gets gummed up with product. Also, if you apply this over a lipstick, you don't have to worry about the lipstick sticking to the applicator and getting mixed with the gloss in the tube. How has this just been thought of?

The gloss is amazing. It's not completely non-sticky--you might get your hair caught in it on a windy day--but it's not goopy, and it won't make your significant other miserable if they kiss you, or worse, you kiss them on the cheek. Ever try to get goopy gloss out of stubble? No worries with this. I also feel like my lips are well-moisturized with this gloss.

The color, in the case of Rocketeer, is a scary black-ish purple. When you pull the applicator out of the tube, though, the color has diluted to something more akin to blueberry pie filling (appropriate, I suppose). Then, when you apply it to your lips, the gloss goes on so sheerly that you end up with a very flattering, high-shine, berry flush. It's really pretty, and great for a naturally glowing Summer look. I paired it with shimmering neutral eyeshadows, bronzed cheeks, and beachy waves for a care-free but polished Cali-girl look.

Tokidoki Prisma sale glosses also come in Burger (sheer orange), Bullets (sheer berry), and Sandy (sheer apple green, but I hear it's actually pretty colorless). Other colors can be found here for $15 each.

Gripes: Not terribly long-lasting. Non-plumping.

Final Verdict: 9 out of 10. As long as I keep it around for touch-ups, this is a cutie-patootie keeper.

Talk About Young and Rebellious...

Here's something extra adorable to get you through Friday Eve:



Photo Credit (this and below): The Official Star Wars Blog

 That's the happiest Han Solo I've ever seen. I want to hug all of those little cuties!!!

OH MY GOD, THEY'RE SO CUDDLY I'M GONNA DIE!!!! I think the funniest bits are Luke's open shirt and Leia showing some leg.

These posters (and two more you can view on the Star Wars blog) are by Hong Kong artist Dorothy Tang. Tang came up with these ridiculously precious propaganda-style posters for the arrival of the Star Wars x adidas Original Collections. I only wish the collection was as awesome as the advertising.

Who Knew the Dark Side Was So Cute?

Yeah, I'm late to the party (as per usual), but I couldn't help but talk about little Max Page, the baby Vader in the Volkswagen Super Bowl ad.

 

In case you're even more behind than I am, here's the spot:

Now, I'm sure you'll be shocked to know that Thomas and I skipped watching the Super Bowl (*gasp*), so I actually stumbled across this thanks to a friend's Facebook post. After about two solid minutes of cracking up, I calmed down, caught my breath, and found Thomas to show him. The commercial's cute, but it's this kid's reactions that really sold it for me. Thomas was convinced it was a very small adult, and that a child couldn't possibly have pulled that off. How wrong he was...

 

Max Page is six years old, and just as cute as a bug. It should come as no surprise that he's a veteran actor, with commercial spots for Walgreen's and Clear Channel under his...um, hood, and a recurring role as Reed Hellstrom on The Young and the Restless. His mother told Today that she originally thought this would be his first national commercial spot. It wasn't until halfway through filming that the family was told Max would be in a Super Bowl ad. The popularity of the ad has been a pleasant, albeit overwhelming surprise.  

 

"I can't even keep up with the messages and the calls," says Jennifer, Max's mom. "It's just overwhelming. The first night, [web hits] were at 60,000. I went to bed and the next morning it was at 1 million. My mind couldn't comprehend!"

 

A couple of interesting facts about young Padawan Max are that he has a congenital heart defect, and has used a pacemaker since he was three months old. He also has, believe it or not, NEVER SEEN A STAR WARS MOVIE!!! How can this be? Someone get this child a copy of Episode IV, stat!!

 

Also, who's with me in thinking he looks a bit like a tiny Mark Hamil? Anyone? Bueller?

Photo Credit: Today

 

Okay, so on a totally unrelated note, I think I may have finally found a shaving cream that I like almost as much as the Soap & Glory that is now, unfortunately, no longer available in the states. (You may recall my overly melodramatic lamentations here.) However, I do have an update that S&G may be back in the good ol' U.S. of A. in September 2011. No word on who's distributing, but they promise to keep the shelves fully stocked, unlike Target. Apparently, my local stores weren't the only ones with empty shelves.

 

Anyhoo, until the S&G shows back up, I'm really enjoying eos (Evolution of Smooth) Shave Cream in Pomegranate Raspberry. For this review, I thought I'd go with a Pro/Con list. There's so much good about this, but the bad is, well, really bad.

 

PRO:

Lovely texture. It's silky, like a body lotion, and leaves almost a light glaze on your legs. It shaves away easily, and leaves no residue.

 

Wonderful scent. I love raspberry, so this was a nice treat. However, it's not so overpowering that you can't use your favorite moisturizer or perfume later for fear of mixing. (Vanilla is wonderful, too, but I've not tried any of the other varieties). 

 

Close shave. I am smooth and soft, with nary a nick. Really, I think this is the most important part.

 

Heavy duty plastic container. I love the design of this container. The lid stays on tightly, the pump is large enough for wet fingers to manage, and the shatterproof bottle has grips hewn into the side. Most shaving cream cans tend to be metal, and leave little rust rings on your tub. This won't do that. Plus, it's just darling to look at.

 

So...basically, it's a fantastic shaving cream in a really easy to use pump that won't leave rust on your tub. So far, so good.

 

BAD:

Clogs blades. However, you can rinse it out fairly easily. Bad, but not horrible.

 

Can't tell when you're running low. The container is solid plastic and not see-through, so there's no way to tell, by looking, if you need to add another one to the shopping list. The cream itself is very lightweight, so there's also no real difference in the heft of the bottle as it runs out. I've found myself in a pickle before, from running out with zero notice. I now keep a spare in the cabinet, just in case.

 

Bottle doesn't hold a lot of product. You only need one pump per leg, but one bottle won't get you very far. I'd estimate I replace a bottle every three weeks, give or take. I replaced my S&G about twice a year.

 

Price point. The actual price varies (widely) by store. I've purchased bottles at both Target and Walgreen's brick and mortar shops for somewhere in the $3-$4 range, which I think is a little high. Drugstore.com has it listed at $5.29, which is flat-out ridiculous for such a small amount of shaving cream, especially if you have to buy two at a time to keep from being left in a lurch. The best deal I've found is actually on the eos website. You can buy any of the scents you want for $3.49 each, and they'll throw in a free Bic Soleil razor. Keep in mind, though, shipping is a flat rate of $2.75, so if you only buy one bottle, it'll cost you $6.24. Of course, if you buy more than one at a time (recommended) it's not so bad.

 

All in all, it's the best shaving cream I've been able to find since the whole S&G debacle. I've been able to live with the flaws because the actual product itself is exactly what I wanted: a light, non-foaming, non-greasy, moisturizing lotion that gives a clean, nick-free shave. Final Verdict: 6.5 out of 10, but come September, the real judgement will commence.

Warm Fuzzies

I love this.

Email sent by the Layman Group. I can't crop it. Le sigh.

Not long ago, a group of actors were traveling through Huntsville, AL, and saw a similar set of signs on an overpass. It brightened their day so much that they were compelled to pay it forward. The performers grabbed some paints and posterboard, created their own signs, and stood by a busy road to let passersby know that they were, indeed, beautiful. According to a spokesperson for the group, the response was overwhelming. Motorists were even rolling down their windows and returning the compliment! All it took was a little paint and a little time, but the effort was extremely appreciated.

This really made me feel good, and golly, I needed it. In an effort to make up for yesterday's dreary post, here's a couple more things to make you feel good.

First up, we have a group called Feel Good World. This is made up of college students at 21 universities, all helping to end world hunger one grilled cheese sandwich at a time. From the website:

FeelGood is a youth movement committed to ending world hunger in our lifetime. On college campuses across the U.S., FeelGood students run non-profit delis specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches. 100% of deli proceeds are invested in organizations sustainably eradicating global hunger. But FeelGood delis are more than a vehicle for raising money. They’re also a place for creative interaction and education—an inviting environment for customers to learn about hunger’s causes, consequences and solutions.

How simple is that? I think that's the genius of it. Currently, they're at the $800,000 mark on donations. I'd love to see them reach a million by the end of the year. You can donate here, or check out their shop on Facebook.

Lastly, we have the Pincurl Girls. Jen Lukas-Landis created "Grace"--an expression of her inner child--while she was having a rough time in Graduate School. She lost her self-confidence, and Grace helped her regain her spark. As Jen became more self-assured, Grace grew, too, and now they hope to help other girls who are facing self-esteem issues.

There are inspirational greeting cards, cute "I Believe In Myself" bracelets, even wall art and clothing, all at reasonable prices. These whimsical little line drawings with motivational sayings are helping to cheer up tons of girls, and couldn't we all use a little cheering up now and again?

The Most Dangerous Bathroom

Well, folks, the big move (two miles away, maybe?) is in less than two weeks!  That means that we've been packing like fiends, Thomas has a sinus infection from all the dust, and you can't walk through the house for all the boxes.  It also means that the decorating bug has latched onto me, and I've been scouring the Internets for all things art deco for the new place.  Somehow, that search led me to this:

Photo by BustedTees

It's a ninja toothbrush sanitizer!!  $29.95 at BustedTees.  After you brush your teeth and rinse your brush, place the head of the brush into the sanitizer, and a special germicidal UV light ninjas away 99.9% of germs.  I want one.  It doesn't go with a darn thing in my house, but it's so cute, and Thomas would love it.

Since I had ninjas on the brain, anyway, I thought I'd see if I could find any more decor to go along with this.  Oddly enough, I could.

Photo by ThinkGeek

Throwing star coat hooks!  Perfect for hanging up bathrobes!  They screw right into the wall, so you don't need any tools (awesome, since I can't hammer worth a flip).  $12.99, ThinkGeek.  I'm going to be in so much trouble if Thomas reads this post.

Photo by Mystake

Okay, nobody panic!  These are not real!!  You're actually supposed to light these little guys--they're candles!  Just don't open the package in front of the mail carrier.  $12.00, Mystake.

Well, that's enough of that.  On to the magic bag o' samples!  Today, class, we're going to discuss First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.  $28 for 6oz, Sephora.com.

According to Sephora:

This Ultra Repair Cream is a thick, rich, emollient product that hydrates deep down with exceptional penetration. This cream is for anyone with severely dry, scaly skin due to harsh winter weather, aggressive cosmetic treatments, or any of the following conditions: atopic dermatitis, irritant eczema, allergic eczema, and keratosis pilaris. With the help of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, soothing eucalyptus oil, and ceramides, Ultra Repair Cream provides immediate relief and visible improvement for distressed skin. The FAB Antioxidant Booster defends skin from free radical damage and the cream deeply hydrates with exceptional penetration, providing immediate relief and visible improvement. The cream is immediately absorbed into the skin and can be used all over the body and on the face.

Now, my skin isn't that bad.  It's just a little dry from all the dust that packing's stirred up, and a little broken out from stress.  Really, nothing a little scrubbing and some moisturizer couldn't handle.  Still, I thought, now might be a good time to give this a whirl.

I'll be honest with you, it put me off a tad bit at first, because it feels like diaper cream.  The cream has a very thick, whipped texture, and almost no scent, whatsoever.  I started to apply a very light layer, and it immediately sank into my skin.  I mean, "shluurrp", it's gone.  I applied a thicker coat, rubbed it in, and by this point, I really didn't want to stop rubbing my face.  This cream feels amazing.  My skin looked about 80% better than before, too.  The dry patches were gone, my tone was more even, and my skin feels petal soft.  This stuff is pretty darn awesome.

I'm not thrilled with the packaging of the full-size product.  It comes in a tub, which would make traveling with it a pain, and there's not a travel size.  It also seems a little unsanitary, but that could just be me.  The tub is really cute, though, and there is a travel kit available with four other moisturizers and cleansers for $15, that, while I haven't tried it, has gotten some wonderful user reviews. 

With the Fall upon us and Winter approaching, we're all going to need a little extra protection from wind and dryness.  This is definitely a moisturizer to consider.

There's a Little Black Raincloud Over Me

I needed a smile today.  After three years with his company, Thomas was let go.  It's just one of those things that happens, and we'll deal with it, but it's a huge blow to our budget.  Those of you who have been keeping up with this blog know that we're in the process of moving and are also working on an independant film.  Obviously, this is not a good time for one spouse to be out of work.  It's also not the best time to be job-hunting, since unemployment is at a high right now.  We could both definitely use some smiles right about now.

Luckily, there is a man out there who seems to specialize in smiles.  His name is James Hance, and he deals in what he calls "relentlessly cheery art".  Hance's work is unapologetically pop--celebrity portraits, TV subjects, and Star Wars as far as the eye can see.  Oh, and Muppets galore.  We must never leave out the Muppets.  He's described as "a big kid at heart, with an infectious sense of humor," and really, shouldn't we all be so lucky to have someone like that in our lives.

They're not the equivalent of a new job, but these pieces did, momentarily, put smiles on our faces, so I thought I'd share them with you.  All are available as prints for $10.

I love this.  First off, Super Grover!  Secondly, the look on (an incredibly realistic) Christopher Reeve's face just beams out affection.  You feel happy looking at it, and I'm not entirely sure that feeling has anything to do with the subject.  I think a lot of love went into this painting, and it just comes pouring back out. 

My favorite Fraggle Rock guys, the Doozers.  Little fellas who worked dilligently, paid only with an occasional, "Thank You," as a Fraggle bit into one of their radish-flavored buildings.  They were unsung heroes, making the world a better place for Fraggles, and this, somehow, seems very appropriate.

Okay, this one's just silly.  Kermit of the Dead?  It does seem fitting, though, that the frog is carrying a cricket bat. 

Now, we're getting into my favorites.  Hance has done a series of cartoons that are based on A.A. Milne's "Winnie the Pooh" children's books.  If I ever have a kid, this will be his/her nursery (consider this warning, Thomas).

Wookie the Chew!!!!!!!

I'm not posting the entire series here, but I think you get the idea.  I adore the little Han!!!! 

Heehee!!!!!  The little AT-AT as Eeyore has completely made my day.  I've seen some cute Star Wars stuff in my life, but this wins, hands down.  I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

Okay, today's dip into the magic bag o' samples yielded Olay Quench Advanced Healing Body Lotion.  $8.99, Walgreen's.  I guess it's appropriate that the day my husband loses his job is the day I stop pulling out Sephora samples and start pulling out ones from the drugstore.  The universe has a sense of humor, no?

I liked it.  It's unscented, so it doesn't compete with perfume, which is always a plus.  The results were also immediately noticeable.  My skin looked more moisturized and felt smoother.  Another plus, the lotion didn't irritate my freshly shaved legs.  No little red bumps or stinging with this stuff.  Several hours later, my legs still feel silky soft.  For nine bucks, it's definitely worth a try.

*Photos by James Hance

The Most Contested Cruise That Ever Sailed

I'm a Disney girl.  I get it from my parents.  We watched the movies, visited the park (a lot), and I even worked for the Mouse for a short while after college.  Then, I had to go and marry a guy who's as much a Mickey freak as I am.  Our kids have no hope.  We're planning a trip to Disney World right now, and are seriously considering a trip to Disneyland next year.  Neither of us have ever been to the park in Anaheim, so I thought I'd do a little advance research to see what's different, new, or exciting.  I had no idea what I was walking into.

Talk about controversy!  Back in February '09 (yeah, I'm late to the party), it's a small world (no, they don't capitalize it) re-opened following a massive overhaul.  Mechanics were repaired, dolls were cleaned up, costumes were laundered and pressed, sets were painted and re-glittered, lighting and sound were upgraded, boats were slightly re-designed...you know, the usual, but all fairly unnoticeable changes.  One thing, however, that is noticeable, is the Rainforest characters have moved to the South America room.  This was to make room for a new "Spirit of America" display, featuring cowboys, farmers, and Native Americans frolicking through the countryside, with an exit through the Hollywood Bowl.  Um...okaaaay...

Whatever.  Here's where things get interesting.  The addition of 29 characters from Disney and Disney*Pixar films has been made to the ride.  That's right.  Twenty-nine characters are floating (some literally) through it's a small world, making it a 15-minute game of Where's Waldo.  Also, the music was remixed to include snippets of movie themes.  This has caused some fans to get their Mickey ears in a bunch.

Purists are crying foul.  Many are saying that it's just Disney trying to advertise (although, if you're already in the park, I think that job is done), and protest groups have formed.  Seriously.  Think about that for a minute.  People have joined protest groups against it's a small world.  I'd link to one, but they all seem to have disappeared.  If anyone finds one, please send it to me.  I'd love to get their side of the story.

Now, I can't post any pictures here, due to copyright, but here's a link to some fantastic shots.  You can also find more here, here, here, and here.  I'd like to know what you guys think.  Personally, I'm a little mixed about it.  Some of the characters fit in beautifully, and a few even blend into the background.  I'm a little sad that my surfer boy is gone, but Lilo and Stitch have replaced him, and I'm okay with that.  The Three Caballeros seem a little too far centerstage, and Cinderella seems completely out of place.  I'm really not sure how I feel about it.  I love when rides are renovated--really!  Like anything else, rides grow stale without freshening up.  In this case, though, I don't really see the point, and I'm afraid it's detracting from the overall message.  On the other hand, little kids sure seem to like it, and really, isn't that what it's there for?  Let me know your opinions in the comments section.   

Well, I messed up this morning, and forgot to pull anything out of the magic bag o' samples.  I was running late for my hair appointment, and coffee trumped experimenting.  Please forgive me.

Anyway, so as to not leave anyone hanging (in the event anybody even cares about the sample of the day), I thought I'd tell you about the cool stuff Jessica, my stylist, put in my hair.  I don't own this, and therefore don't use it everyday, so you could argue that, technically (love all the commas!), this might be considered a sample.  Sort of.

Jessica sprayed my damp hair down with Agadir Argan Oil Spray Treatment.  According to sleekhair.com:

This spray treatment is ideal for applying to longer hair lengths for ease in coverage, enabling protection from heat appliances and a smoother comb through. Agadir Argan Oil Spray Treatment instantly repairs and adds elasticity to dry, damaged, frizzy hair. It hydrates, conditions, smooths and shines.

Yes.  Yes, it does.  My hair feels amazing, my curls are shiny, and there is not one single frizzy hair on my head.  It's not the first time she's used it on me, and the results are always the same.  Retails for $23.99 for 5.1oz, sleekhair.com, and I highly recommend it.

SQUEE!!!

Very rarely do I squee. I might giggle. I might coo. I'll most probably let out an awwwww, but rarely, if ever, do I squee. For this, I made an exception:

OH MY GOD, HOW CUTE IS THAT?!?! I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!! I think it's the tiny curl that grabbed my heart and put it in a choke hold.

I actually saw this little guy on a recent trip to Toys 'R' Us. He's $8.99, and yes, I squeed. It greatly embarrassed Thomas, and I felt silly, but then...well, then I saw his little friend:

SQUEE!!!!!!!!! I HAVE TO HAVE THEM!!!!! I will put them on my guest room bed, and they can protect the room from all sorts of evil. I've had my eye on Thomas' Jack Sparrow action-figure for some time now, and he's bad news. These little guys and the Bruce Campbell figure can guard the Care Bear from danger!

Wow. Um...I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I just...OH MY GOD, THERE'S ANOTHER!

I really don't know how much more I can...NO WAY!!!!

That's it. No more Toys 'R' Us. My little heart can't handle it.

Moving on. Ahem. Today, folks, you get a two-fer out of the old magic bag o' samples. Lucky you. To start with, I just received a deluxe sample of Make Up For Ever's HD Microfinish Blush in Quickie. Apparently, I am never going to run out of samples. They just keep 'em comin'. Anyway, it looked interesting, so I thought I'd give it a go and see what happened.

First off, it's a cream blush that comes in a pump. This is just a sample, but it's in packaging identical to the full-sized product, and I swear, this Make Up For Ever is going to last me forever. All you need is a miniscule amount to start with, and you can build color intensity from there. It's always easier to add than take away, and this stuff is highly pigmented. If you use too much, you might as well see if the circus is hiring.

Secondly, the color is very similar to NARS Powder Blush in Orgasm, which is what I normally wear (sorry, Mom, I didn't name it). If you've used that, then you know where this is going. For those of you who haven't tried the NARS blush, it's universally flattering, won a bajillion awards, and is probably the most natural-looking color you're going to find. MUFE's Quickie's peachy-pink color is so close it's scary.

Now, would I recommend it? That depends. If you want this particular shade, then no. I would suggest going with the NARS. They have it in powder and cream versions, it's the same price, and there's no pump to deal with. While I should note that I had no issue with the packaging, the pump design seems to be a major bone of contention among users who have reviewed the product. It tends to dispense more product than is needed, so you either end up wasting a lot, or you look like Bozo. Neither option is particularly appealing.

However, if you want to try out different shades, just happen to prefer cream blushes, and have no problem with pump dispensers, then go right ahead. The blush is lightweight, buildable, and long-lasting. I forgot to put on primer this morning (bad, Erin!), and my cheeks are still rosy. It's a good blush, and one that I'll continue to use. I probably won't ever buy it, but it's not getting thrown out. $25, Sephora.com.

Okay, Sample #2: Buxom Lips in Amber. It's Buxom, so it's awesome. Smooth feel, tons of shine, and a color that is, again, a lovely peachy-pink. It makes your lips look polished, but not overly done. I can't recommend this lipgloss enough. $18, Sephora.com.

*Photos by Toys 'R' Us

Yeah, But Have You Tried It With Pink Floyd?

Well, as ususal, I'm a day late and a dollar short.  Apparently, yesterday was the 71st Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz.  Who knew (well, besides Google, the news stations, Thomas, and, it seems, the entire rest of the world)?

Five years ago, I had the opportunity to tour the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, MN.  The museum is a precious little Mom & Pop organization that just so happens to house hundreds of items of WOO memorabilia, music scores, photos, costumes, and Judy Garland's childhood home.  It's adorable.  When I went, there was one little old lady working there.  I don't think she'd ever seen a digital camera before.  Honestly, I'm not entirely sure she'd ever seen a camera that didn't require flash powder.  This was museum security.

The house was a hoot.  Instead of the informational plaques that you usually find in museums, there were computer printouts laying on the furniture--mostly to tell us that the furniture was not what was originally in the home, but they thought this furniture might possibly be similar, and may have even been in the right spots.  My favorite printout was the one on the bed in the master bedroom.  It described in grizzly detail exactly how Judy's mother passed away, and even where her dentures landed when she hit the ground.  Now, that's something you don't see everyday.

The best part of the museum, though, had to be the first thing I saw when I entered:  a printout on a pedastal.  Just a printout, and nothing else.  The printout stated that this pedastal had once displayed one of the six pair of Ruby Slippers made for the film, but that they had recently been stolen.  If anyone knew of their whereabouts, please inform security (a.k.a. the little old lady at the front desk).  I hate that the slippers were stolen, but I absolutely love that they were displaying a "Lost:  Reward if Found" poster, as if it were a lost bicycle, and not an historic piece of movie memorabilia worth an exhorbitant amount of money. 

As of this afternoon, the slippers have not been recovered.  My money's on the competing Judy Garland museum down the street.  I bet they have them tucked away somewhere.  But, seeing as these slippers are gone, presumably for good, I thought I'd find us a few replacements.

Photo by Barnes & Noble

I'll get you my pretty...and read your diary, too!  The witch, the shoes, the poppies, and those awesome striped stockings all combine to make a beautiful place to write down all your "wicked" thoughts (I know, I know.  Don't blame me for the pun.  I stole it from one of the customer reviews).  $12.95, barnesandnoble.com.

Photo by QVC

Here's a bauble for the Oz lover who's too old to actually wear ruby slippers.  Kirk's Folly designed this crystal and enamel bracelet, incorporating the Emerald City, a rainbow, the Wicked Witch of the west, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, Toto, ruby slippers, stars, a magic wand, and Glinda the Good Witch.  See how many you can pick out.  $58.50, qvc.com.

Photo by Amazon

Here's a pretty little lady.  This Dorothy was designed by Madame Alexander to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the film.  The 10" Cissette doll comes dressed in contemporary clothing, and features 8 points of articulation.  The most darling feature:  three pair of ruby slippers.  It looks like Dorothy may have found Oz's version of Rodeo Drive!  $139.95, Amazon.com.

Photo by idotakeu

This is one of the most gorgeous bridal bouquets I have ever seen.  I'm normally the first to see faux flowers and scream, "tacky!!", but this one is exceptionally well done.  The flowers are handcrafted from satin ribbon, then accented with ruby-colored crystals.  The handle is wrapped in satin, and topped off with a tiny pair of ruby slippers.  $119.99, etsy.com.   

Photo by ecrater

Ha!  Proof positive that no matter how fabulous the shoe, sometimes you just have to kick them off!  If you look very closely, you'll see that Dorothy is wearing boots.  The witch may not have been able to remove them, but behold, the power of the blister!  The giggle is free, but the 8x10 photo reproduction will set you back $5 on ecrater.com.
Alright, now for today's sample review.  I reached in the magic bag o' samples and pulled out Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer, SPF 15.  Retail price $42 for 1oz. at Sephora.com.  Short version:  I'm not crazy about it.  It's, well...slimy.  My Tarte primer is very dry, and my Benefit primer is very light.  This was the exact opposite of both.  It was very thick and very wet, and I really wish I'd not put on moisturizer first.  I actually had to let the primer dry a bit before I could put on my foundation, and then I was really afraid that it was going to get mixed in with the foundation when I applied that with a sponge.  Final verdict:  My makeup looks fine.  It hasn't melted or creased, so the primer's doing it's job, but there are other primers out there that are way less expensive and way less icky.  I'm using them.