Late December Haul: Votivo Candle, Nars Sheer Matte and yet more lip stuff

Two weeks ago, Sephora was nice enough to remind me that I had an unused credit on their web site. I took it as an opportunity to snatch up a new bottle of foundation as well as my forgotten birthday freebie. To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled with the birthday gift at first. But once it arrived? My mind was completely changed about the Fresh Sugar Lip treatment products! I was a bit wary of the rose-colored lip treatment, in particular, but it is so sheer that it’s hardly noticeable– leaving just a hint of color on the lips.

I also snagged a new lipliner and a 100-point sample while I was at it. Nars’ Rosebud lipliner turned out to be hilariously unflattering on me but thankfully I have a friend who I think the color would suit perfectly. I haven’t gotten around to trying out the Clarisonic Daily Clarifying Cleanser, but once I do– I might do a quick review.

My favorite product for December  was actually a Votivo candle in Red Currant. Exciting, right? Yes, because: the candle’s scent is super strong, and I found it to be a pleasantly sharp and refreshing.

Thanks for reading! And if you have any recommendations, let me know in the comments!

 

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Happy New Year 2013!

 

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Review: L’Occitane’s Riz Rice – Foaming Rice Cleanser, Purifying Rice Toner and Rice Ultra-Matte Face Fluid

Over the summer, my skin became a little more oily than normal. A friend suggested that I try out a line from L’Occitane called Riz Rice that is meant to help control oil throughout the day. I was a little hesitant at first because I have rather sensitive skin that is prone to breakouts, but I went for it since I already use a number of other L’Occitane products without a problem. After using this line for a number of months with some success, I thought it was time to write a review.

1. L’Occitane Foaming Rice Cleanser
At first, I started off with the L’Occitane Foaming Rice Cleanser. I used it in the morning and then in the evening, and it smells great—which does help! I use a clarisonic skincare brush at night, and this cleanser worked well with the brush. The cleanser didn’t leave my skin feeling dry at all, which I was sort of expecting. Actually, I had been imagining that it would leave my skin super dehydrated and tight, a feeling that I loathe. But after patting my face dry, my skin felt soft with no noticeable tightness whatsoever.

2. Purifying Rice Toner
However, I also didn’t notice any remarkable oil control until I paired the cleanser with the Purifying Rice Toner. I used the toner in the morning, and this is when I began to see a reduction in oiliness throughout the day. Again, the toner, like the cleanser, didn’t leave my skin feeling stripped. My skin still felt moisturized but instead of getting oily in the afternoon, it stayed closer to normal after a few weeks. Be warned: a little of the toner goes a long way. I put a few drops on a cotton swab to apply it and then added my regular moisturizer/sunscreen once it dried.

3. Rice Ultra-Matte Face Fluid
Toward the end of the summer, I attended an all-day wedding. The temperature was high, near 104F, which made me dread even trying to apply makeup for fear it would slide off an hour into the event. Normally, I wear a primer when I want my makeup to last but decided to give this item a try instead: the Rice Ultra-Matte Face Fluid. And, no, I didn’t try it out in advance. I planned to, but then life got in the way. So I can tell you, I was thrilled to find that it worked so well. By the time I checked my makeup in the late evening, it was still in place and there was little shine to my skin. This isn’t a product that I used everyday over the summer but it was perfect for when I knew I was going to be going for 12+ hours.

As the summer ended, my skin began to dry out again and while I am still using the cleanser everyday, I began to use the toner on an “as needed” basis. My friend, who suggested the line to me, said the same thing—it’s great for when you need help with a bout of oily skin but it can definitely be too drying unless your normal skin type is oily. Since my skin type is combination the majority of the year, using all three products together, too often, isn’t necessarily a good idea. But when summer rolls around again, I’ll have this regime to fall back on.

Thanks for reading! If you’ve used any of the products mentioned in this post, or have other tips for oily skin, please share your thoughts in the comments!

 

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Recipe: Adie’s Chicken Stew

It’s been quite chilly here recently, making it the perfect time for a stew! I’ve already made this dish twice in the last few weeks, and thought I’d share the recipe in case anyone is interested. If you have your own favorite stew recipe, please share in the comments!

Adie’s Chicken Stew

1 lb. chicken thighs
14 oz. of chicken or vegetable broth (homemade or low-sodium)
1/2 cup water
4 medium-sized potatoes chopped
1 cup carrot chopped (about 1 large carrot)
1 cup celery chopped(about 2 stalks)
1 small yellow onion diced
2 garlic cloves minced
2 tbsp. olive oil
2-3 tbsp. flour (optional)
1 tbsp. of dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup pale ale or white wine (optional)
Salt, pepper to taste

Rinse chicken in cold water and leave to dry. Set the stove to medium heat and add olive oil to a 5 1/2 quart pot, letting it warm for roughly half a minute. Add onions, letting them sweat until translucent, 4-5 minutes. Add carrot and celery, stirring occasionally. If you like, slowly add a few splashes of white wine or your favorite ale and allow to reduce while the vegetables begin to soften.

Add chicken to the pot, cooking both sides lightly and seasoning with salt and pepper. Then add garlic but don’t let it brown. Add the broth, water, potatoes, thyme, bay leaf and give it a good stir before turning the heat up to medium high. Let the liquid come to a mild boil before setting the temperature to low. Put the lid on the pot and allow to simmer for 40-50 minutes.

I have two options for thickening stews. One is flour based and the other uses the potatoes from the stew. The first option can be done by making a roux in advance, but there is a simpler way. Stirring a few tablespoons of flour in a small amount of cold water will also work. Just make sure no lumps remain in water when you add it to the stew—which is why you want to use cold water. If you don’t like the idea of adding flour to your stew, remove roughly ½-1 cup of your potatoes and mash them in a bowl with a fork, along with a little of the broth. Once the potatoes are broken up, return to the broth. You can do this more than once, depending on how thick you would like your stew to be.

Allow the stew to continue simmering for another 35-45 minutes, checking the tenderness of the chicken from time-to-time, stirring the stew as you go. Also, give the broth a taste once the chicken is fully cooked and see if it needs more seasoning (salt and pepper). Once the chick breaks apart easily and your vegetables are soft, you know your stew is done. Take out the bay leaf and enjoy!

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Adie’s Five Late Fall Favorites under $35!

Macadamia Natural Oil – Deep Repair Masque $33

I’ve been using this hair masque on and off for the last two years since picking it up at Ulta. The difference after using the masque is noticeable, but the condition of your hair is what really counts. I have naturally straight hair and I rarely apply heat to it, which usually keeps my ends reasonably healthy (a bit of hair-styling laziness does have its benefits). However, when it’s time to get a trim my ends will usually begin to drag in my comb. Once that happens, I slather a bit of this treatment on and no more dragging! And it’s great for the colder months, especially– as my hair tends be a bit drier than normal over winter. NOTE: I also tried it on a friend with naturally wavy hair. She colors her hair and also applies heating tools daily, and we found that while it was not a cure all for hair that’s been damaged, it definitely helps with texture and appearance when used regularly!

Korres Lip Butter in Guava $12

It seems like every time there’s a list of favorites, I slap yet another lip product onto it! I also picked this up at Ulta and it is a favorite for a variety of reasons. The first is that it doesn’t contain color, though there are shades to pick from in the line. Secondly, it smells wonderful. And lastly, it works. It isn’t overly greasy or sticky but it definitely doesn’t let me down when I’m looking for some much needed moisture. Plus, Korres is a company that tries to use natural products, which is always a bonus.

Essie – Penny Talk (Metallic Copper) $8

I love this color. A couple of coats, and I’m ready for holiday celebrations. Plus, while metallics have really surged back this year, the colors are no longer limited to simply gold or silver. Rose gold, copper and bronze have been dominating my recent picks, so this nail polish color was an easy choice.

Women’s Mossimo® Valerie Blingy Flat – Rose Gold $24.99

I’m not sure about the wear and tear yet, but the price was right for a pair of rose gold ballet flats. I’m also not quite sure about the comfort yet either, but I would never recommend taking a long walk in ballet flats. If you’re a heavy stepper like me, you know how badly a bruised heel goes down. So, I’ll reserve these flats for the upcoming holiday festivities.

Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy in Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed – $19

Last winter, I was generously offered a sample of this lotion while passing by a Crabtree & Evelyn store. What first drew me in was the scent, but beware if you are sensitive—it packs a serious punch. I used the sample up within two days and then lamented a bit. Not only had it smelled wonderful, it had also worked on keeping my hands moisturized. Actually, it stayed on my mind for so long that I went back nearly a year later to buy it. I have no regrets. NOTE: It’s also formulated without parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, or mineral oil.

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