My Current Skin Care Lineup

I am no beauty guru, but I'm at a place where I'm pretty happy with my skin and my skincare routine, so I thought I'd share!

Just for reference, I think my skin is a little on the oily side (at least the T-zone). I'm always battling a little bit of acne/hormonal acne, and I've been seeking other ways to tackle it than the continual drying/moisturizing cycle of over-the-counter acne products.

As a part of my semi-simple, semi-healthy personal campaign, I've also been after finding a set of products that really works for me, versus the constant trial and error (i.e. pitching in the garbage or letting collect dust in my bathroom) of prettily-packaged sale items at Target. :) Here is where I've gotten to today and some short product reviews.

My main exciting find:

Beautycounter's Charcoal Cleansing Bar

In the first 2 weeks or so that I had it, I felt like it started shrinking red spots on my face immensely. I've been using it morning and evening nearly every day for over a month, and I love it so much, I've been recommending it to everyone! I generally shy away from bar soap, but this isn't like regular soap at all, and because it's in bar form, it seems like it will last forever (making it seem like a deal compared to some other beauty products!)

Beautycounter is on a mission to give women safe ingredients in skin and makeup products, which shockingly isn't something that you can be guaranteed is in most of your cosmetics. Read more about their mission here. And shop through these links with my friend, Janis! I know she's happy to answer any questions you might have.

My other, every-night product:

Norwex Makeup Removal Cloth and Norwex Body Cloth

These products only use water to work, which makes them both simple and healthy! I take off my makeup with the makeup removal cloths (duh), eliminating the need for any other makeup remover (for me, at least!) Then, I wipe my face down with the body cloth - it seems like it's giving me some slight exfoliation, and just makes my face feel clean. Some people say it's helped their acne by really cleaning and removing oil and bacteria from their face. I can at least say that I think my face has been much more under control (ie no crazy unexpected breakouts) since I've started my new routine.

You don't *need* to use a facial cleanser after the Norwex cloths, but I do. I generally follow with the charcoal bar. The body cloth is great in the morning, though, to feel like you've got a fresh face for makeup without necessarily using more cleansers.

My previous cleanser that I still rotate in:

Mary Kay Timewise 3-in-1 Cleanser

I really like this cleanser - it's smooth and gentle, but feels very effective without drying out my skin. It's got little beads in it that I assume are part of the "3-in-1" formula, and somehow make me feel like the product is working :) I still use it a couple of times a week, and I have a bottle in the shower. I also love my Mary Kay consultant!

My other secret facial weapons are a face oil serum and essential oils which I will post about next!

Do you have a facial skin care routine that works or do you feel like you're stuck in a rut?!

Things I Love Tuesday : Audible

Well, after 6 years, I finally gave up my trusty iPod Nano + Creative speaker and joined the ranks of those who use their smartphones for everything, including my always-necessary audiobooks.

I am still a huge fan of my local library, so I use the Overdrive app for free, instantly downloadable audiobooks that you can borrow.

But for things the library doesn't have, I saved my pennies and got myself an annual subscription to Audible.com. (This is actually my 2nd year!) You get 12 credits to use whenever and other audiobooks are discounted. I buy cheaper books/shows and save my credits for more expensive ones.

The app is great, the instant gratification is phenomenal. You can download previously purchased books from the cloud, or get new ones. 

I have a whole homepage on my phone dedicated to various audiobook players.

Now I just need to figure out the perfect bluetooth speaker situation  (one that can rival my little Creative speaker). Any ideas? Anyone else use/love Audible?

Things I Love Tuesday: Jag Jeans

I used to do “Things I Love Thursday”…but now the youngin’s do “Throwback Thursday”?? I don’t know, but I don’t want to confuse matters and who knows if I’ll actually remember to keep up these posts on Tuesdays anyhow.

So anyway, Jag Jeans. I’m usually late to the party, so I don’t know if everyone already knows about these amazing jeans, but I love them and I want to spread the love.

THEY HAVE ELASTIC WAISTS!

Let me tell you the best part of being pregnant (besides eating all the cheeseburgers): It was the elastic waist pants. I didn’t want to give up that luxury just because my baby is on the outside now.

And luckily a friend told me I don’t have to.

They look like regular jeans…except they fit better and they stretch. And you don’t have to zip them. (I think Jag makes some zip jeans…who knows why. The “Pull On” is what you’re looking for here.)

You can go get your size and style now at Zappos or Nordstrom and usually Amazon.

Or you can be a cheapy like me and wait for your size and style to come on sale at 6pm.com or Sierra Trading Post. (You can always find coupon codes for Sierra Trading Post, too!) I pay an average of $25 a pair for these babies!

(I got my first pair or 2 on Amazon – free shipping and free returns! Nothing to lose if you don’t like them or don’t like the size. Same with Zappos!)

My favorites are the Paley bootcut (I’ve also got Keller bootcut and like them just fine) and the Nora skinny jean.

You’re welcome.

New Toy: Holga Lens for DSLR

We all have fun playing with the fun filters on Instagram and similar programs, so when, during my daily immersion in the internet one day, I found a plastic Holga lens to fit on a DSLR, I thought it might be a fun thing to play with.

I got the blue version :) because I love blue and because I didn’t really care if it looked a little nutty on my camera (there is a black version, as well as lots of other colors!). It’s a toy lens after all!

Before I got it, I read some reviews, so I was prepared to mess around with manual settings to be able to actually take pictures.  (Thanks, Shoot Fly Shoot, for teaching me how to mess with those!) 

Puppy the cat in the yard

Shadow the dog

Flowering bush

Siberian Wallflowers

The opening on the camera side of the lens is the tiniest hole ever, and the whole thing is plastic, so there are no aperture settings.  You adjust the brightness or darkness of the picture with shutter speed and ISO settings, and even then, it pretty much only works outside. :)  The day I took these pictures was sort of overcast. I can’t wait to get to try it when there’s some cool bright spots and shadows.

Here are some pictures where I was changing up the settings.

1/50 sec, ISO 800

1/15 sec, ISO 800

1/50 sec, ISO 800

1/25 sec, ISO  800

There’s a “focus ring” on the lens…I put it in quotes because it’s pretty primitive :) and really, the point of this lens is that it’s a toy lens, so I wasn’t too worried if the pictures were really in focus or not. I did notice when I took some flower close-ups it looked better when I had the lens set to “portrait” or whatever on the focus ring. The whole thing’s plastic, so I did have to be really careful when I was adjusting anything, for fear that it might pop off the camera! :)

I definitely want to keep playing with this lens and having fun with it. What do you think? Like the pictures? Would you want to play around with a lens like this?

Bigger pictures on Flickr.

Things I Love Thursday: Chalk Pens

So I’m a little late to the chalk pen game. 

Now that I think about it, I must have seen the results of this amazing product everywhere, but just wasn’t thinking about it, or realizing just how glorious it must be. 

I love chalkboard stuff: paint, labels, you name it, but the chalk, of course, is messy. (There used to be a nice layer of yellow dust under my island where the dogs eat.)  Then I saw this post on Evolution of Style, and when I asked Jenny what she was using to write on her chalkboard labels, she said “chalk pen”!  I was excited.

She got hers at Hobby Lobby, I got mine on Amazon.  And ever since, I have been one happy gal. The chalk pen is inky and wet-erase, so it goes on like a paint marker and doesn’t wipe off as easily as chalk. And your writing is much neater and cleaner.

I shared a little sneak peek of the cute jars my friend Janis got me from Anthropologie: they are much cuter and more practical when written on with a chalk pen.

I covered an old Nestle Toll House container (the big one from Costco) with some Contact paper (from Marshalls), cut a Contact paper chalkboard label out on my Cricut, and labeled it with the chalk pen.  Voila, dog treat container!

You know I love dry erase things, and for some things I still do love dry erase, but in the instance of these jars I have, my labels were just getting erased. The one on the right used to say “raw sugar” and the on the left used to say “hot chocolate” (that label was completely gone!).

But now, with chalkboard Contact paper and chalk pen, I’ve got this!

(The dark blue canisters above still have dry erase labels that have remained in tact!)

And my island! I still have regular old chalk around for when kids (or adults!) come over because it is totally fun to write on the island and erase and start over…but in the meantime, I’ve semi-immortalized (what would that really be? just “extended the life of”?) this cool horse drawing that a friend’s daughter drew and neatened up my “dog’s diner” with the chalk pen! Doesn’t it look nice?

I don’t know how those dogs are so messy when they eat/drink, but chalk on that side never lasted! But chalk pen is so far holding up great!

So tell me the truth, am I really the last person to have heard about chalk pens? Are you as excited as I was when I found out? Are you going to go buy one right now? :)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

A little bit of love for and from one of my new favorite artists, Katie Daisy.

Let’s all spread some love and teach some love! Today and every day.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

I have been a bit under the weather since this weekend, but I survived thanks to Jerry Seinfeld’s web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

Please watch. They are all hilarious and he’s got some really great guys and real stars on there. I was obsessed with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks. (I’d heard of this web series, but it was brought back to my attention by the lovely Joanna Goddard of Cup of Jo. Also, this article and video about Jerry Seinfeld were fascinating. It’s amazing to see people work at their craft. As a blogger, seamstress, and DIYer, I love seeing how other creative people work on the things they love.)

The second most amazing thing is Plex.  I do not really understand it (my head it still a little too stuffed up to understand anything), but I do know that Brian signed up for an account, and somehow now we can send videos from our smartphones or computer (I have a “Plex it!” button on my browser window now) to our Roku box, thereby allowing us to watch YouTube (or any internet) videos on our TV!  It’s so awesome – it makes a web series like this much more enjoyable. And with all the HD video out now, even YouTube videos look great on TV (which is amazing! Remember the crappy quality of videos on dial-up? If you could even see the video, that is!)

And lastly, Happy Inauguration Day!  I, of course, love Michelle Obama’s dress. I love most everything she wears. Plus, she’s a great role model for women and girls everywhere!

What have you been watching lately?

Things I Love Thursday: Tamron 18-200mm Lens

Here’s a little review of the Tamron 18-200mm lens that I got for my birthday in August.  I’ve had it for a while, and  in case you need a holiday gift idea or a good all-around lens for traveling this holiday season, this might be your answer!

I’ve already told you how much I love my boyfriend of a camera, as well as my 35mm lens, and SB400 flash!

Let me remind you that I  am no pro photographer. I’m just a picture-happy gal who wants to capture everything I see and keep the pictures as memories. That said, I definitely want to tell you how I use and like my gear because I know that a lot of you are in my boat, and when I'm shopping, I want this kind of review.  It's not techy or geeky or heavy on specs, just how I use it.

So, the Tamron 18-200.  I am so happy I got this lens as an all purpose/travel lens.  I really do have it on my camera 80% of the time now. (I put the 18-55mm Nikon lens that came with my camera into my camera basket on the living room bookshelves.) The Tamron 18-200mm zooms out to the 18mm wide angle so I can take pictures of rooms and large groups of people and it also has the ability to zoom in and frame shots or take nice close up shots of things across the street.  Traveling in Boston with it was amazing. I felt like I never missed a good shot (and was able to put together an awesome photobook of memories with it!)

I chose the Tamron version of this lens over the Nikon version based on weight but mostly price. (Really, mostly price!)  As far as techy/geeky things go, I was a little worried about the lack of VR (vibration-reduction, for when you’re zoomed out all the way to 200mm, a feature that’s on the Nikon but not the Tamron), but so far that hasn't been a huge issue for me.  It's definitely heavier (just read the specs) than my kit 18-55 or my trusty 35mm...in fact, when my mom is using my camera with this lens attached and the SB-400, she gets tired of holding it.  (Remember, I don't, that's just my mom who's used to a point and shoot, but still good for you to know!)  To me, though, the extra weight is worth the amazing versatility. (And when traveling, I don’t normally have my external flash attached.)  Another techy/geeky note, in some reviews comparing the Tamron version to the Nikon version, people talked about sharpness, distortion, etc, of the lens (I say “etc” because my eyes began to glaze over), but I haven’t noticed. Maybe pro or art photographers would, but for my snapshots, I couldn’t be happier with the Tamron!

My Nikon D5100 with Tamron 18-200mm lens, 77mm step up ring, and SB400 flash

This Tamron lens uses 62mm filters, so I did get a nice clear filter to leave attached all the time to protect the lens.  For other filters, though, I did get a 77mm step up ring that I am leaving attached all the time.  I don't always use a lot of filters, but I like to be prepared when I do.  I’ll sometimes use a star filter, warming filter, or polarizing filter, and since my other lenses are 52mm, I was going to have to buy a new set anyway. Well, I would hate to buy a set of 62mm, then need another size in case I do get other lenses later. 77mm seems to be the biggest, non-commercial lens size you can buy, so I’ll be getting step up rings for any future lenses to accommodate 77mm filters.

The lens does creep (zoom out as you’re walking) :) so I use the lock – which is why they put it on there!  The Nikon version may be a "better" lens, but for my picture taking, I couldn't be happier with this lens, especially for the price.  After getting this lens, (along with the things already in my camera bag), I haven't been craving a lot of gear like I was before.  (Though, there are a few things on my Christmas list, like colored gels for my flash and a wired remote, hint hint.) :)

What about you? Do you have a lens like this and like it? Did this rambling review help you choose a lens? Is there another lens that you have and love that I need? :)

Things I Love Thursday: Cute Dry Erase Boards!

I was doing errands at Target the other day when I saw these cute dry erase boards in the $1 bins.

I love that they look like paper! They’re supposed to be for kids to practice their handwriting, but I think they’ll be so cute for lists all over the house! For $1 each. You can’t beat that.

For grocery lists:

For to-do lists:

I really bought quite a few ;) and I will be putting them in various places all over the house. :)

And then, I was so inspired by cute dry erase boards to keep things organized, that I took the photo dividers that always come in photo storage boxes, laminated them, and put them in my pantry to label what’s supposed to be behind each door.

No excuses for not putting things away in their proper places :)

An organized pantry makes for a happy lady.

Kind of cute, right?

So, go to Target and get some cute paper-like dry erase boards!

Things I Love Thursday: Velcro, Organization, & InvisibleHand

Oh man, did I get a good deal on some Velcro One-Wraps…the Velcro strips that you can use to organize all the cords in your life!

Look at those gorgeously tamed cords! And that’s just the beginning! I just grabbed a few things to photograph, but boy, pretty soon almost every cord in my house is going to have some Velcro around it, keeping it tidy!

Here are the straps I bought:

I got the colorful ties at JoAnn’s when their notions were 60% off, and I had a coupon on my smartphone from their app for an extra 15% off! Each package of 10 was just over $1. They’re smaller wraps, 1/4” x 5”; supposed to be for portable electronics (think earbuds) but they work just as well on any cords (that aren’t overly long or thick that is). I got 3 packs and I was pretty excited to start Velcroing everything.

Then I realized, I wanted more One-Wraps. Okay so, I’m a bit of a hoarder…I’ll admit it. But also, when I find something that’s such a good and easy idea as this one, I want to go with it!

I found these on Amazon for a good price (and they’re bigger: 1/2” by 8”), but then my next favorite thing, my InvisibleHand extension for my internet browser, found me the same wraps at Walmart.com for about 1/2 the price! Woohoo! I bought 2 packs! 200 One-Wraps! I am in heaven!

So about the InvisibleHand extension: You install it as an add-on to your browser. It’s silent most of the time, but when you’re looking at product pages, it sees what you’re shopping for and searches the internet for a better price. Sometimes it turns up good  hits, sometimes it doesn’t.

But this time it was a gem! The link on Walmart.com was one that I wouldn’t have found easily on my own: it’s part of a “bundle” but you really don’t have to buy anything but the wraps. Each pack of wraps ships for $.97, so even with shipping it’s still a great price compared to anywhere else!

I love InvisibleHand since I always shop Amazon, I really don’t often think to check other websites. (Don’t worry, Amazon, you still have my loyalty and 90% of my business!) :)

Anyway, check out InvisibleHand and get yourself some Velcro One-Wraps to tame all your cords!

Things I Love Thursday: Audiobooks

In my various attempts at blogging before, I’ve chatted about my love of audiobooks, but this will be the first time, I believe, on Frankfully. :)

I love audiobooks.

I listen to them while I’m working on the house, while I’m painting, while I’m sewing, while I’m cooking, while I’m driving, while I’m mowing the lawn, and while I’m in the shower.  And probably more times.

I don’t usually just sit and listen to books (which is what most people think when I say I listen to audiobooks), I listen to them while I’m doing other things. But sometimes they’re so good, I do end up just sitting and listening till the good part’s over.

It started while Brandon and I were dating in college. He lived in Lafayette, IN, and I lived in Chicago. That 2 hour drive back and forth and back and forth could be pretty sleepy at times. And then someone told me to listen to Harry Potter.

It was amazing. Jim Dale, the reader, really made the story come to life. His reading and J.K. Rowling’s writing made listening to that book like watching a movie in my head, while driving my car! Amazing. And since I was invested in the story, I didn’t get sleepy.

My addiction to audiobooks got worse when I was out of college and started sewing more (as a part-time source of income).  I’d watch TV while I sewed, but the problem was…I’d end up watching TV instead of sewing.  I remembered my dad used to buy us tapes (cassette tapes!) of Fibber McGee and Molly radio shows for our road trips when I was a kid. So I started listening to those, then I remembered audiobooks! Cha-ching! Interesting stories that helped keep my focus on whatever project I was sewing. And as a bonus, having something great to listen to helped me get through all the boring parts of sewing that would usually lose my interest.

Which is how my addiction to audiobooks became complete. Boring wall to paint? Audiobook. Stuck in traffic and want to scream? No problem: more time for audiobook. Have to cut yards and yards of fabric into multitude of squares to eventually turn into handbags? Audiobook. Gotta mow an acre of lawn? Audiobook. In fact, is there someone else’s lawn I can cut while I’m at it? :) You get the idea.

Thank goodness for the iPod. You know what? I’ll post about the means to my audiobook addiction later. And I’ll post about what I read/listen to. For now, maybe try an audiobook out yourself!  I get mine from the library in CD form or by digital download. I love you, library!  Good ones that I want to keep or good ones that the library doesn’t have, I get from Amazon.  There’s Audible, too, but I haven’t quite gotten there yet.

Read an audiobook! ;)

Things I Love Thursday: More Blue Stuff!

Last week, after I posted about blue kitchen stuff, my awesome friend, Janis, alerted me to this amazing blue koi fish teapot that she saw at Cost Plus World Market, a store I’ve never been to, but apparently need to visit ASAP.

I want one of these in every room of my house. I want to just carry this around with me! So cute.

Here’s another angle:

Love.

So, of course, I spent more time on Cost Plus World Market’s website, and found these lovely blue things:

Great milk bottle with blue writing:

Fun blue ramekins (at a great price by the way! and they also have soufflé dishes!):

And fun, fancy, blue knobs:

Have fun shopping!

Things I Love Thursday: Blue Kitchen Accessories

My favorite color is blue. My friends and family know that I will buy things just because they are blue, and not for any other reason. :) I know this will be a theme on my blog. :)

Here’s some blue stuff in my kitchen:

Blue canisters, blue pitchers, blue bowls, blue plates, blue pots, blue platters: you name it, if I see it, I want to buy it. :)

Blue kitchen accessories aren’t always easy to find, however. Red, white, and black dominate the kitchen accessories scene. So when I see blue kitchen things, I snatch them up!

So, imagine my surprise when I saw an entire Joss & Main sale, dedicated to blue kitchen things! I’m only sorry I didn’t see it and post about it sooner!

I love this blue fish jug! I love blue and I love fish!!

But, it’s super similar to my bird pitcher (on the shelves pictured above!) that I got from Anthropologie a while back, and I do have a similar (mulit-colored) fish jug on the opposite shelf…so I guess I do have a little self control when it comes to buying blue things…

I also love this blue frying pan wall clock:

There’s a good chance that this blue serveware is going to be on its way to my house:

And I’m currently debating whether I have room to store this cool blue chip and dip set:

 

Since the Joss and Main event is ending soon, here’s some other blue stuff I love from Anthropologie:

I have a sort of sickness for latte bowls. You can see some in my cabinets above, and I have some more all blue ones stashed in another cabinet.

I’ve got my daily jewelry in this Anthro egg crate:

I don’t set sticks of butter out, but I want to just to use this butter dish:

 

Of course, one day I’d love to find the countertop space (or innovative storage solution) to start making cakes, cookies, and doughs with a blue KitchenAid stand mixer.

 

I love blue!