100% Pure

I picked up this awesome lotion, 100% Pure, in Truckee on our way home from Tahoe. The lavender scent makes me super excited to put it on everyday. But what is more exciting that this lotion really is 100% Pure. For instance, this is a completely vegan lotion, meaning no animal products and no animal testing whatsoever!

I bet you didn't know that 60% of things absorbed through the skin (like lotions) end up in your blood stream. I didn't know that before perusing the 100% Pure website. That fact really scares me-think of all the chemicals that end up in your bloodstream! Well I don't have to worry about that with 100% Pure-no chemicals AT ALL! Best thing is I can read and know what ALL of the ingredients are!

I love supporting companies like 100% Pure because it is about time we start putting all natural products in the forefront of our consumer consciousness; it is best for the environment and our bodies!

Dove "Go Fresh Therapy" Shampoo and Conditioner

My hair and I don't get along all that well. You see I would appreciate a little cooperation from my hair; a little softy, silky, Anne Hathaway from my hair. Instead I get hard to manage, poofy as all get out, Halloween store wig. I have tried many different shampoos, leave in conditioners, and still I get the same result. So after a while I just stopped trying, I chopped my hair to the shortest length I have ever had it and just bought any ole shampoo and conditioner; I had given in to the idea that my hair was a lost cause.

While shopping at my local Target I perused the shampoo aisle and chose the one that smelled the best-it happened to be Dove's "Go Fresh Therapy". I decided to buy it because Dove products have never let me down in the past and they are all about spreading the word about positive body image to young girls-win win!

Well I tried the shampoo/conditioner duo and was pleasantly surprised that my hair actually started to look, wait for it... shiny and pretty!! I thought it was a fluke so I kept using the shampoo and conditioner. But time and time again it kept performing, so much so that I actually started to grow my hair longer. It has been about three months that I have been using Dove, "Go Fresh Therapy" and I am still pleased as punch. You guys, I have PRINCESS HAIR!!

I cannot sing the praises of Dove enough!!

The only thing that would make me want to skip on down to city hall with my shampoo and conditioner and marry it would be if it got rid of my dandruff. While the Dove shampoo doesn't aggravate my dandruff or make it worse, it just kinda makes it a little less offensive. So all that means is that I have to keep on top of my hair washing and wash it as soon as I see the first signs of dandruff (the dirtier my hair is the less shy my dandruff is).

I absolutely recommend this product! Upon searching for images of the bottles I also found out that there is a whole line of body sprays and deodorant to go with the shampoo and conditioner. Seeing as I am SO PLEASED with the shampoo and conditioner I will totally try the other ones out too!

*Photo credit here

Holiday Gift Guide For The Ladies

It is the time of year again where we look for that special something for those special someones in our life. But the landscape of gift giving looks a little different since we are all operating with a little less money. (And if you aren't having that problem, good on you! You can still look at this list...just buy multiples of the items haha!)

These items are for the ladies and I have tried to stay under or veeery close to $50!

The first item on the list is the only one to go over $50 but I just had to include these jeans. I was given the jeans at a Born To Fit Party and ever since I have been literally attached at the hip with the Always Skinny cut. They are comfortable and flattering to any woman. I know it sounds too good to be true but I have seen many different shapes and sizes in these jeans and they all looked great! If a lady you know is in need of new denim treat her to these!

Price: $69.50 They can be found here.

I was browsing etsy the other day and stumbled upon these adorable soaps! Yes, the picture below features real soap. The seller has so many other awesome, realistic looking, vegan, soaps. Check out their shop here.

Price: $10 for this whole s'mores set!

My wristlet is one of my most favorite purchases that I have made for myself. The wristlet is so perfect for evenings out when a whole purse will prove to be too cumbesome. I am able to fit my phone, cash and i.d. in it. And at $48 this snazzy coach wristlet is hard to resist! You can find it here!

The next item is Nars blush in Orgasm (giggle giggle). I reviewed this blush way back in the day. I loved it then and I still love it today, in fact I still use it to this day. Nars blush in orgasm is a color that really compliments maaaany different skin tones during many different seasons. Whether this is a gift for someone like myself that doesn't know much about make up or a seasoned pro, any girl would benefit from having this shade of blush in her make up bag.

Price: $25 and can be found here

The Pioneer Woman Cooks is a cook book by Ree Drummond, most widely known for her website, thepioneerwoman.com. Each recipe includes step by step instructions with photos which makes it very easy to make creative meals for the whole family. The Pioneer Woman Cooks includes a peek into what life is like for a family on a cattle ranch too. If a long time cook needs a little oomph in her kitchen routine or a novice cook needs some really easy meal ideas this is the book for either of them!

Price: $16.50 and can be found here

The Help is one of the best books I have read in a very long time and for an avid reader like myself, that is a title you don't just throw around. The Help follows the story of women living amidst the turmoil of strained race relations of the 1960's. It is a page turner that leaves you wondering what happens next after each chapter. I absolutley recommend this book for any book lover.

Price: $16.21 and can be found here

Jewelry is one of my favorite gifts to give and receive. Rachel Eva's jewelry line is a wonderful collection of simply stunning accessories with affordable price tags. The earrings below are a personal favorite of mine and they are available for only $28! Rachel Eva has an Etsy shop and a website where you can pick out the perfect piece of jewelry.

I love Nail Lacquer by OPI, check out my review here. I have quite a few of their shades but this one in Big Apple Red is a classic must have and it's seasonal to boot! Great stocking stuffer indeed.

Price: $8.50 and can be purchased here

Fragonard solid perfumes are another item on the list that I personally own (You can read my review of them here). These scents are great to throw your purse so you can refresh as often as you need without worrying about a bottle breaking in your bag. The scents of all six solid perfumes are classic and a great tester to see if you want to sample them before buying a larger spray perfume.

Price: $40 and you can find them here

These undies are the best! They are called Hanky Panky Panties and they are so comfortable. I guarantee a thong loving lady will be over the moon for these lacey wonders. A very exciting stocking stuffer for your lady friend!

Price $18 and can be purchased here with free shipping!

Hope this list inspired the little gift elf in you! Stay tuned for my gift guide for men!

P.S. And what kind of granddaughter would I be if I didn't mention my nani's (grandma's) etsy shop. She is selling her home made slippers and will do custom orders if you like :) Check it out here

Olay Thermal Pedicure

I have dancer's feet, tried and true. If you don't know what dancers feet are just picture toes bent over from being crammed in tiny little pointe shoes and calluses trying to defend the formerly soft skin of the foot. Scary picture huh? Well sadly my feet are dancer's feet and within the last couple months I have developed (deep breath) cracks in my heels. Noooooo!

I decided to poke around in my drawer of numerous products. I came across Olay Thermal Pedicure that my mom had put in my stocking for Christmas last year. Well I was so distraught from my new development of cracked heels that I whipped the cap off of the container.

Olay Thermal Pedicure claims to get rid of rough icky skin while a heated sensation makes your feet feel downright delicious (so maybe those aren't the words printed on the package). But guess what you guys? IT WORKS! I rubbed the lotion on my feet and was caught off guard by how well the heating agent works. It feels so good I could drool! And what is even better is that it got rid of my heel cracks!

Now I keep this secret weapon in my shower and use it any time my feet feel like a little spruce up is in order. I totally recommend this product!

-This Is NOT a paid review

Photo Credit Here

Lush Solid Shampoo and Conditioner

I have mentioned a couple times how I have been looking for a shampoo that would take care of my dandruff once and for all! Well, I think I might have found it...

Squeaky Green Solid Shampoo

I have never tried solid shampoo before so I was pretty skeptical. However, I had heard that some good things about some other products from Lush so I decided to give it a go. This solid shampoo is lathers amazingly with very few swipes on my scalp and smells so refreshing and earthy. It also happens to have lasted me for about a month and a half so far...and it is still not finished yet! I was very impressed by this solid shampoo in the shower and what do ya know? Out of the shower it worked just as well....it got rid of my dandruff!! Woot woot! At $7.95, how can you not pick up this little gem?!

Jungle Conditioner

Unfortunately, I wasn't totally wowed by the solid conditioner. This didn't seem to last as long as the shampoo and it actually seemed to melt in my hands. The Jungle conditioner doesn't cover the hair as well and it leaves my thick hair feeling stringy and hard to manage.

But, one out of two isn't so bad is it?

Proactiv Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner

Alright, I'll be honest I have a dandruff issue. And having dark brown hair does not help at all.

I was pretty happy with the way Proactiv helped my skin so I had faith that the anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner would help me out with my dandruff problem.

Well I was wrong.

Not only did it not clear up my dandruff but it made my hair feel nasty. Like I'm talking wiry, greasy, and un-manageable. Even if it did clear up my dandruff I would not be willing to deal with such awful hair as a by-product. Thinking it might have been a fluke I tried the shampoo and conditioner duo a couple more times and the outcome was the same each time.

This product is a no go for dandruff relief.

Speaking of which, does anyone have any good recommendations for anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner?

Bamboo Dog De-Shedding Comb

Frank has started to shed like a mad man and that means every inch of my clothing is covered in fur; fur of the cutest pup that ever walked the earth, but fur no less. I saw this comb at my local pet store and decided that I would give it a try.

Thankfully it took no more than one stroke to realize that this comb was the real deal. Not only did it get the loose surface fur but it got nice and deep and got tons the other fur that was waiting to attack my next black outfit.

I totally recommend this de-shedding comb if you have a dog or cat that has a knack for shedding. You can find out where to get it here!

Flying Duck By Hyper Products

Frankie recently hurt his leg (oh and for those of you just tuning in, Frankie is my adorable english bulldog.)

See told you he is flippin adorable. Well anyway, Frank managed to tweak his leg and the vet ordered that he be confined to small spaces (i.e. his crate and such spaces). Well as you can imagine this made me really sad, so what does any guilty mom do? Buy their baby new toys!

I headed to Target's dog isle and bought Frank a "Flying Duck" by Hyper Products.

Frank has a love for ducks. He has 3 stuffed ducks that he plays with constantly. I really like the duck by Hyper Products because it seemed to be made out of a nylon-like material which seemed like it would last longer than the plush ducks that he already had.

Well I was wrong. I gave Frank this duck and he LOVED it! However, he was able to tear open both wings and take out squeakers that were inside. This is really scary because if he put those squeakers in his mouth he could have easily choked on them. This freaks me out like no other.

So unfortunately I don't recommend this product to other dog owners because of the choking hazard, which is a shame because Frank really liked playing with this toy.

J.R. Watkins

Okay, I'll admit it, I was attracted J.R. Watkins all purpose cleaner because of the packaging. Yup, I fell in love with the clear bottle and the olden timey label. At first I told myself just to grab the Windex like usual, because hello!, not a good idea to buy stuff because of what it looks like. I read the label and saw that it was all natural and not tested on animals, and get this, reasonably priced ($5.99 for a 24 0z bottle)! So I decided to give this new all purpose cleaner a try.

I got this pretty little bottle home and literally used it for all purposes! It works on the mirrors without leaving streaks, it works on counter tops, on on the bathroom floor after the pup has an accident...I could keep going on but I am feeling like you get the picture. And let me tell you the lemon scent smells awesome! Which I think is muuuuuch better than a chemical smell any ole day. I mean really, who wants to smell chemicals after you are done cleaning your house?

Being so pleased with the all purpose cleaner I decided to buy the Aloe and Green Tea dish soap. Again, totally pleased. It bubbles nicely and gets the dishes nice and sparkly-with of course a delicious scent.

I am so happy with the two J.R. Watkins products I have purchased that I cannot wait to try the rest (and they have tons of products, they even have spices!). In other words I totally would not mind it at all if J.R. Watkins sent me some more of their products to try. DO YOU HEAR ME MR. J.R. WATKINS?

Earth Friendly Tumbler

When we last spoke about re-usable drink holders I was all about the Sigg. And to be honest, I still do love my Sigg but I needed an update on my drink holder for many reasons. The main reason being was that the Sigg became increasingly stinky with fewer and fewer uses between each wash, the next reason being was that I enjoy hot beverages and the Sigg was not hot beverage friendly.

So I figured that Starbuck's would have a nice array of tumblers that would be hot and cold drink friendly and I was right. I picked this lovely little 16 oz number.

I liked the look of it and the amount of beverage it could hold. Not only is it cute but it is made from 28% post consumer recycled content! And as a pat on the back there was a coupon for a free drink because I was saving the earth with my purchase. Also, when you bring in your cup to order a drink you get a discount (I think it is somewhere around 10 cents, but still a discount is a discount).

If you are interested you can get it here

Suze Orman: 2009 Action Plan

My least favorite word right now? Economy! oof!

But let's face it we need to take a long hard look at ourselves (our bank accounts) in the mirror. We can't dance around the topic anymore can we?

I know I can't. But I didn't know where to start.

That's where Suze steps in:

As you may remember I am huge fan of Suze Orman. She is honest, tough, but always fair. Suze saw that we all needed some guidance when it came to our current economic situation so she quickly put together "Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan".

I sped through this book so quickly it's not even funny. There were many times when I wanted to turn away, shut the book and go on living blissfully unaware. But I knew I had to forage ahead, this was important. I learned many helpful tips from Suze (once again) and it was especially helpful because she had our current situation in mind.

And like last time Suze offered this book free on the Internet for a few days. While it isn't available now I still have a copy saved on my desk top and I am willing to share. So e-mail me if you would like me to e-mail you a copy!

Heart Shaped Measuring Cups

Ever since I melted my old measuring cups in the dishwasher I was in search of some new ones with a little more pizazz. I originally wanted these measuring cups made out of bone china. But then I said, who am I kidding? I am clumsy, those darling geese would not last more than a week in my kitchen. So I kept looking from some adorable plastic ones and behold I found these:

They are adorable and make me smile whenever I use them. Who knew a measuring cup could do that? Oh and yes, most importantly they work well.

So there you have it, adorable measuring cups that I love and recommend a million times over.

I purchased mine at Target for $2.50 (they were in the dollar spot area). If you don't have a Target nearby (gasp!), you can find them here for waaay more money, but I would probably still buy them for $14.

Seeing Me Naked By Liza Palmer

When I am up to my ears in text books it is so important that I make time for really fun books too. Well my dear friend Carrie bought me the book, "Seeing Me Naked", for Christmas. Carrie had been raving about this book so I was so glad that I had the chance to read it.

"Seeing Me Naked" is about a twenty something woman, Elizabeth Page. Elizabeth is doing her best to make a name for herself as a chef, however it proves difficult when she has to come out of her father's shadow. There is so more to this story, family relationships, finding your own voice, and making the choice that feels right-regardless of the odds against you. There is truly something that many women could relate to, I know I did. I loved the character of Elizabeth so much that I wish that her character would have her own series of books!

I totally recommend this book. I finished this book in two days, and if that's not an endorsement I don't know what is!

Dare I say it...I rate this book watermelon!

Cold-Eeze

This may be the time of year for holiday cheer but it also happens to be a time for nasty colds. There have been about three times this season where I felt a cold creeping up on me, the aches, the stuffy nose, the sinus headaches-you get the idea. But thankfully I was introduced to Cold-Eeze this year!

Cold-Eeze shortens the length of the common cold and reduces the severity of symptoms. Sounds too good to be true doesn't it? Well I have used it three times this year when I felt a cold creeping up and it stopped the cold dead in it's tracks each time.

Cold-Eeze is all natural and uses zinc as it's main ingredient in fighting colds. (Be warned, the zinc can make your tongue feel a little numb for about ten minutes after you suck on the lozenge) Some people say that it may be the placebo affect in action and I say if it is then I don't care. But I honestly believe that cold-eeze works and I invite you to try it the next time you are feeling the symptoms of cold coming on.

(You can download coupons, get more information, and find out where you can buy cold-eeze at their website here.)

Britney Spears: Circus

She's baaaack.
Ladies and gentlemen, Britney Spears is back!
Today Britney releases her sixth studio album. This album, Circus is different than the rest because it is her official "Comeback album". Last year she did release "Blackout", a surprisingly good attempt at jump starting her career again, but due to personal issues, it never really got the attention it deserved.

Circus, appropriately named after the type of year she has had, does not disappoint. While Blackout was a manic (and incredibly sexual) attempt at a comeback, Circus sounds as though each track was carefully selected.

My Fave Songs on Circus:
-Circus: Really catchy chorus and makes me want to shake my bootay.
-Kill The Lights: Fun, sounds similar to Pussy Cat Dolls.
-If U Seek Amy: I am not sure what this song is about, but it is so dang infectious. Oh wait I get it "IF U SEEK AMY"...say it slow, clever Britney, very clever.
-Unusual You: Not quite a ballad, not a fast beat-but somehow it works. Very mellow, sounds very different from the rest of the album.
-Blur: With lyrics like, "Can't remember what I did last night, everything is still a blur", I have to guess this is about that time in Britney's life that we all wish we could forget. Again, this one is mellow, very mid-nineties Madonna sounding.
-Lace and Leather: This is a funky song, funky in the good way-like funkay.

Songs I Could Have Done Without:
-Out From Under: This ballad kinda killed the momentum of the album.
-Shattered Glass: It's just okay, and the chorus will stick in your head in an annoying way. Trust me. Like shattered glaaayyaasss, glaaayaaass
-Mmm Papi: This song is just bizarre and her voice sounds really forced and annoying.
-Mannequin: It's just okay, not great, not bad.
-Baby: Not.another.ballad

Overall not bad at all. I could have done without any of the ballads. I probably don't need to say this but ballads are not Brit Brit's strong suit.

If you have long been a fan of Britney, you will be pleased by her newest cd. If you have never been a fan, you could probably find a few songs that will compliment your work out play list perfectly. And if you haven't picked it up already I suggest picking up Blackout to compliment the comeback effort.
Images courtesy of Google Images.

OPI Nail Polish, Excuse Me I Mean Nail Lacquer

Lately I have been obsessed with painting my nails. It's like I don't feel fully dressed without some nail polish. I went for a manicure a while ago and they used OPI nail laquer, a color called "Aphordite's Pink Nightie". I really liked the way the color popped on my nails and how thick the color went on, oh and the cute name didn't hurt either ;)I went for another manicure months later (I don't get manicure's very often) and I chose another color called "Tropical Punch". This color too went on thick and vibrant-this is when I decided to invest in some OPI polishes myself.

I have

Big Apple Red

Magala Wine

Tropical Punch

The less than desirable thing about OPI polishes is that they are a little hard to find. If you know of a local salon that sells the polishes then you are in luck; if not you might be searching for a little bit. Luckily there is a great OPI vendor locator on their site (you can access it here)

One other thing that I wish was different about hte OPI polishes is that they have an "extra wide brush" Which I think is something they pride themselves on but I think it makes it a little tricky to paint your nails with.

But other than that I absolutely recommend OPI nail lacquers. Whether it is the gorgeous colors, their quirky names or the great price ($8-which may seem like a lot but the lacquer is a very high quality), you can't go wrong!

Timbuk2 Laptop Bag

Before going to BlogHer in July I quickly realized that I needed a laptop bag to carry around my new computer. I wanted a something cute but functional and that is harder to find than you think. Jon directed me to the Timbuk2 website, where he bought a messenger bag a couple years back. I browsed the selections and found the Marina Computer Laptop Bag.

I loved it's unusual shape and flashy colors (I got yellow). It arrived less than a week after Jon ordered it for me. It was slightly more bulky than I had imagined but I still loved it. It had plenty of storage places and a safe little area for my laptop.

The inside of the bag is a soft, thick, felt like material. The bag has a pocket on the front that zips shut. The front pocket also has a cell phone holder and pen holders. You can fit quite a bit in this trendy little bag. The only negative thing about this bag is that the handles are very thin and made of strong material. Normally this wouldn't seem like a problem, however when the bag is filled completely the weight of the bag will pull the straps down onto the shoulder, thus digging the bag into your shoulder-ouch!

If you are interested in this bag you can find it here, and guess what it's 50% off!

Honey Lust by Mac

I am not really a make-up girl. Growing up as a dancer I was slathered in makeup from a very young age so I didn't ever have that pubescent urge to put on make-up during my off time because I had been doing it for shows for years already.

This can prove to be a little tricky for adult Sarah because I can't really get away with walking into work without a stitch of makeup on. People might think I was sick or something. My day to day makeup routine is very simple with very few bells and whistles.

When my friend Serina suggested I buy MAC eye shadow in the color called "Honey Lust" I was skeptical. I usually bought my eyeshadow at the local drugstore or Target. But I bought it anyway and tried it out the next day.

To my pleasant surprise the Honey Lust was the perfect addition to my make-up regimen. I love the way the flecks of gold are picked up in the light making me look all goddessy. It works great as a highlight to other eyeshadow or on it's own for a summery look.I appreciated the fact that I didn't have to reapply, because if I did I wouldn't have done it anyway. But most of all I love Honey Lust because it is the perfect color to go with any outfit; if I am feeling lazy I just whip on some of this eye shadow and I am ready to go!

As you can tell I recommend this eyeshadow!

You can get it here for $14.50