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Giving Back

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Soon, I will be embarking on a new venture.  For years I have wanted to give back.  There are so many things out there that need change.  Without going into too much detail right now, let’s just say I have figured out a small way to make a difference.  There is so much I would like to accomplish.  When I was younger, it seemed as though life was never-ending.  Now, I realize how we are just a “blip on the radar” of what we call existence.  I will post more information as soon as I can.

All it takes is one act of kindness to turn someone’s life around.  It may seem insignificant, but it could be the catalyst to something wonderful.

Italy, Day 4: The War Cemetery and Assisi

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Day 4:  War Cemetery & Assisi
The War Cemetery and fountain.
There are few things more sobering than visiting war cemeteries.  They are a reminder of casualties of war.  Most of the graves were those of people who were no more than 30.  Many never saw it past 18-19.  Our tour director bought roses, in red and white, for each of us to place on the grave of a headstone of our choosing.  

Those who know me know I am NOT a crier.  There are rare exceptions.  This was one of them.  Its’ not like I was balling my eyes out, but I did tear up.  It just seems so senseless.  If only we would take a step back and really see what we, as humans, are doing to each other (and the planet, but that’s a rant for another time). 

“Their name liveth for evermore.”


After the war cemetery we went to Assisi.  Saint Francis, who believed in living simply and loving & respecting each other and all that the world contains, resided in Assisi.  There is a beautiful cathedral.  The local specialist, Giuseppe (hopefully I spelled his name correctly), was one of my favorites.  He had so much information on the cathedral, St. Francis, Assisi, and the surrounding area.  I wish I had taken notes.  Anyway, the cathedral there was something else.  It was one of the most ornate holy structures we had entered.  It took ages to complete, and the intricacy shows that.  They did not allow photos, which is why you won’t see any of the interior, unless I am able to find some.  The paintings on the walls date back centuries.  They contain precious metals and minerals were mixed in to get the various colors of the paint, such as lapis lazuli and real gold flake.  Because of the rarity and value of paint ingredients, people scratched the walls just to get enough dust to mix it with a medium.  They would use it for their own financial gain.  Thus, some of the murals are difficult to decipher.  I am not religious by any means, but there was something about that structure, as if it were alive.  You could feel the religiosity and centuries of faith.  Everyone on our tour had mentioned that.  
Driving up to the basilica.
The courtyard of the basilica.

Once the site of executions.
It is now a beautiful, green hill.
The house of the largest
meringue is also a deli
w/cured, hanging meat.

My birthday scarf and necklace
from our tour director.
My little monk cup.
The meringue was bigger than my face!
I am holding it a little bit down,
but right in front of my face.
During our free time we were able to wander the shops, even though there was not much time.  I went into a pastry shop with the largest meringue cookie I had ever seen!  Of course I had to buy it.  I split it with three people and there was still some leftover.  I will post a photo of that.  we saw a man who was haggard and barefoot, carrying a backpack, and speaking to a priest.  We assumed he was on a pilgrimage, but still don’t know for sure.  My friend and I grabbed some gelato, and we were back to the bus.  At the hotel dinner was served, and included a starter, main course, and dessert.  I had the vegetable soup, which was okay.  The other starter was penne pasta in some sort of cream sauce with beef (I think).  It was far better.  Then we were given a stuffed pork loin with potatoes, and dessert was ice cream; that ice cream was amazing.  After dinner we packed up, as it was time to go to Venice.  

The table setting.
Whitest.  Butter.  Ever.

            
Ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Vegetable soup appetizer.
Pork and potatoes.

Italy, Days 3-4: Pompeii, Sorrento, & Capri

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Days 3-4:  Pompeii, Sorrento & Capri
Some recovered artifacts and a plaster cast of one of the residents.
On our way to Sorrento we stopped at Pompeii.  It was definitely not as I had imagined.  The city was considerably larger, and they continue to excavate.  

It takes years just to uncover a small space.  I wonder how long it will be before the whole area is revealed.  According to our guide the inhabitants of Pompeii died from carbon monoxide poisoning and suffocation from the falling ash and debris.  Due to the way the city fell much more was preserved than originally thought.  We got to see the bathhouse, “red-light district”, and so much more.  The places where houses and businesses once stood are mostly in ruins, but the brothel (ironically) was quite well-preserved.  There were even paintings on the walls, not as pornography, but drawn so anyone who entered could point to the position they wanted and could be charged accordingly.  The rooms, no bigger than a walk-in closet, had built-in stone beds in order to speed up the process.  I am amazed at how much could be accomplished and built considering they had no modern conveniences.  .  .  and things lasted.    


One of the amphetheaters.
Part of a shop
A view from the top
This guy…the first thing that came to mind was, “FOR SPARTA!”
Gnocchi with fresh basil.
Not sure what this was, but it was tasty.




After Pompeii it was time get to Sorrento.  It is such a beautiful area.  Our group went to Positano and Capri.  They are quintessential Italy.  The only thing we have to compare Italy to are films, and we all know that films don’t often accurately represent an area.  While I knew it wasn’t all built on hills, when I initially thought of Italy, what I saw in Position and Capri were what I had imagined.  First, Positano.  Positano is a coastal town built in the hills.  It is absolutely stunning.  The streets are narrow, some with steep grades, and lined with wisteria and other plant life.  Most of the shops are geared for the tourists (of course), and since many of them sell the same thing, it is a good idea to browse different locations for the best price.  Positano is apparently known for its Limoncello and its lemons in general, which is why lemons are so prominently featured.  After taking a stroll and meandering through the shops, we stopped for a dessert and coffee/tea.

Lemons everywhere.
Some the size of footballs!
One of the local shops.
A coffee dessert from La Zagara in Positano.
And, tea.




Next up was the isle of Capri.  Capri is similar to Positano in that it was built in the hills.  We took a boat to the isle where we were greeted by a tour guide after taking a car (similar to Angel’s Flight in Los Angeles) up the hill to where our guide was.  He told us all about the history of the area and about the Carthusian monks who were known for their parfum.  Oh, we also had the opportunity to try granites (sp).  I had a blood orange & lemon mix.  It was amazing!  Light, refreshing, and just sweet enough to not make one sick.  I am a bit sad.  I’ve only just realized that some of the photos I took either (1) didn’t actually take or (2) were deleted somehow.  I have been uploading (over 3,000) pictures, and haven’t noticed until just now, about a week in (no, I’m not posting these on the days they happen), that some photos are missing.  Well, I guess I will just have to come back some day.  Where was I?  Oh yes.  After the beverage we walked, with the guide, through the streets of Capri.  The tour ended at a garden overlooking the water, and then it was free time.  We took  a walk, and had lunch at a hotel.  After our time was up we took the car back down the hill, and took the ferry back.  

A view from the hotel courtyard.
Another angel as the sun set.





The water was so beautiful!
Did someone say, “Granita”?
The view from the end of
the tour around Capri.







Capri.
This cat was roaming around
the garden in Capri.
We finished off our time in Sorrento with a trip to a wood inlay factory.  There was a demonstration, and the speaker discussed the process of making each piece by hand.  There is so much work involved.  .  .  no wonder the pieces are so pricey.  I opted for a few coasters since they were what I would probably use the most, and they were the least expensive.  The entire process to make the pieces can take days or longer, depending on the intricacy of the item.  They had a table that didn’t look like much more than an average table, until he opened it up.  The underside of the tabletop was a game board.  Under that was a house of games including, but not limited to:  Checkers, backgammon, roulette (complete with a wheel), etc.  It was thousands of dollars, but included free shipping.  There was a little bit of free time left, so we explored the street.  The main square was a busy intersection of cars, buses, motorbikes, and bicycles.  Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the bus.        
    
The name of the wood inlay factory.
A demonstration.
I love cats!
  
Somewhere below is a watermill.
It was full of gaming surpri
ses!
The table I mentioned.
At night we had dinner on a farm.  Yes; it, too, was located in the hills.  There were some animals (cows & geese), fruit trees, and other edible plants.  We learned how mozzarella cheese is made as well as how to make pizza.  Not all of us got to participate in the pizza-making, and that was okay.  It was quite an entertaining moment.  After the demos it was time for dinner.  There were so many wonderful things: olives, various meats, caprese salad, fresh ricotta with red pepper flakes and oregano, bread, and pizza (of course!).  That was followed by a cake drizzled with Limoncello & a lemon cream plus two small squares topped with a lemon marmalade and an orange marmalade.   
Fresh cheese!
Fresh bread.

Asstd. meats, fresh cheese, and tomatoes.
More pizza!
Dessert.
The only negative was the hotel room.  There was hot water for maybe 5 minutes, and that’s being generous.  The tile and colors reminded me of the Mediterranean.  Was it clean?  Yes.  Was it as nice as the previous hotel?  No.  I will say that the view out the back was indescribable.  You could see the isles, and the sunset was spectacular.  If only the hotel lived up to the view.  Did I mention that it was my birthday?  Our tour director gave me a card and beautiful scarf on behalf of the tour company and our group, which was amazing and unexpected.  To add to it, our tour director told the people at dinner.  They brought me a special dessert and everyone sang.  What a special birthday it was! 

Cannelloni.
Meat & potatoes.

Pistachio dessert for my birthday!

Italy, Days 2-3: Rome, The Vatican City, & Other Sights

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Days 2 & 3:  Rome, The Vatican City & Other Roman Sights

Managed to find a Korean restaurant
within the first 24 hours of being there…
There are so many things to see and do that you could be in Roma itself for two weeks, and it wouldn’t be long enough.  The architecture, history, food, and culture are remarkable.  If only the locals could appreciate as much as the visitors do.  But I guess it’s the same anywhere.  I don’t see the fascination with Los Angeles, and as much as I love Disneyland I often forget why the tourists are so awed.  Since we live around these things, we really take them for granted.  Okay, rant over.  Each building has a story to tell.  Many of the homes owned by the wealthy have been converted into apartments or government buildings.  You can tell which time periods the buildings were constructed by the architectural style. 

Ticket to the museum.
A fountain.

A view of the grounds.
Overlooking Rome
A view of the ramp leading to
another part of the museum.


We headed to the Vatican City, which is a country
of its own, in case you didn’t know.  The Vatican City is well guarded, and you have to have a ticket to enter.  We went through the bag check and the metal detector, and then headed up the stairs.  After going through the doors, we were outside in a courtyard of the Vatican City.  Our guide, Silvana (hopefully I spelled that correctly), was wonderful.  She was a fountain of information about the Vatican City, its buildings, and everything contained within its walls.  There is no photography or talking once inside the Sistine Chapel, so she told us all about it while we were in the courtyard.  The inside is magnificent.  Partly painted by a group of artists and most notably painted by Michelangelo, there are no words to describe how it looks.  Before it was restored the walls and ceiling was covered in soot form years of candles being lit as well as neglect.  There are patches left untouched in order to compare the work prior to it being restored. 

We continued around the grounds.  I was able to take some photos inside of different works of art as well as the landscaping.  It’s amazing, to me, that areas, paintings, statues, etc. have lasted as long as they have.  I imagine what the people were doing, what the language and mannerisms were, the clothing, and the atmosphere.  Imagining a world with less pollution, no traffic noise (at least not as we know it today), and relatively no light noise.  All modern conveniences aside, it must have been incredible.  As we walked the halls, each room had different art pieces from different time periods.  Renaissance, Baroque, you name it.  Where else can you go
and experience centuries in such a fluid manner?   

One of many ornate ceilings.

Ladles and cups thousands of years old.






Afterwards we went to the Colosseum.  It is really magnificent.  It would have been a wonderful sight to see it being built, even though it was used for less that humane “entertainment”.  The stairs are steep, tall, and uneven.  It was a real workout getting to the upper floor.  They had put in an elevator, but we didn’t bother with it.  The second floor had a small gift shop, but I didn’t find anything eye-catching.  Part of the floor of the Colosseum was removed to show the various cells and halls that housed the people and animals.  Prior to those being placed, it was filled with water.  We had about an hour on our own, and then it was time to meet up with the tour for a group photo. 

The Colosseum.
Interior view of the Colosseum
from another angle.
Interior view of the Colosseum.




The Pantheon was the last well-known sight we saw.  The pictures do not even do it justice.  Silvana showed us some of the surrounding area before we entered the Pantheon.  It may not look like much from the outside, but it is a sight to behold.  I will probably sound like a broken record, but I really wonder what it was like when the building was being constructed, and when it was completed.  To think that things last for thousands of years is mind-boggling.  The inside looks so new!  While there have been new additions, such as statues, the structure itself is well preserved.  The arches in the dome are what support the dome itself.  If only there was a virtual reality tour.
Inside the Pantheon.
The Pantheon.
  
    


We left the Pantheon and headed to the piazza where we met up with our tour director.  He recommended a place to eat, and that’s where we went.  I got the pizza, which came with an arugula and tomato salad, and fruit cup.  After dinner we went for a tartufo, which was a ball of rich, thick, dark chocolate ganache-like ice cream with cherry, then covered in dark chocolate and chocolate shavings.  It was decorated with whipped cream and two different wafer cookies.  Three of us split one that was about the size of a baseball, and couldn’t finish it.  But it was pretty tasty.   

Yes, they charge for bread without
saying anything, and just place it on the table.
Bruschetta

Tomato & arugula salad.

Pizza.


Tartufo!

Italy, Day 1: LAX to Rome

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About 15 years ago, I took a trip to the UK using Trafalgar.  We had such a great time, and it was decided that we would use Trafalgar again on our next trip.  If I ever decide to take a tour again, I will be sure to ask specifically for the tour guide we had this time.  I can’t say enough about Paolo.  He is a fountain of knowledge, and has a great sense of humor.  He made the trip memorable and so much more.  I actually meant to have these bits posted up the week after we came home, but I was so sick and recovering from mosquito bites (I’ve never reacted to them before, and don’t know why I did then).  And then I relapsed, but I’m 100% better now.

You will probably notice that the posts are in different tenses.  That’s because I wrote them at different times.  Anyway, here is Day 1:

Day 1:  From LAX to Rome
LAX-Chicago

From the wing. 

The day has been quite long.  I hate leaving things
to the last minute, so I was packed a week in advance, but I cannot say the same for my travel companions.  After some drama, I was finally able to head for bed around midnight.  Mind you, the shuttle was coming at about 4:15am.  But sleep was not in the cards for me because someone decided to blare the TV.  At about 3am I had started dozing, just to be loudly woken up.  I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but when I am jolted awake my heart goes all out of whack, and it can take up to an hour before it calms down.  Anyway, I wash up and the waiting game begins.  The shuttle arrived on time, and we headed off to LAX.  For any of you not familiar, it is a busy airport pretty much any time you’re there.  AM, PM, it matters not.  We arrive at the gate, are told to go to a premier check in (or something like that), just to be told we were sent to the wrong area.  You know how this day is starting, right?  We make it to security, and (luckily) passed through without incident.  We get to the gate with time to spare, so the rest of my group grabbed a bite to eat while I had a Lärabar.  My innards have been a bit dodgy, and of course one of the worst things that can happen before a flight did.  Yes, you guessed it:  “Montezuma’s Revenge”.  So here I am having to go back and forth to the restroom.  That might be a bit TMI, but it happens to the best of us.  Luckily our flight was delayed for (what was supposed to be) a few minutes.  We boarded about 30 minutes late because the captain hadn’t arrived.  We got on the plane, and he still wasn’t there. . .our flight was delayed about an hour and fifteen minutes!  The stewardesses tried to get them to suspend boarding, but that didn’t happen.  Finally the captain boards and informs us that he was late due to a late call to come in and traffic (OC to LA is awful, especially during rush hour periods).  As I type this we are en-route to Chicago, where we are hoping to meet our connecting flight.  Once we are there it’s off to Rome we go!  When we arrive in Rome the day will just be starting.  We have some time before the welcome dinner, so hopefully we will be able to see something. 
Here’s something I often think about.  When people live in an area, especially one with a rich history, they often overlook the wonder that surrounds them.  I mean if walls could talk, can you imagine what they’d say?  Places that date back hundreds or thousands of years and still look new fascinate me, and yet those who live with that go un-phased.  Jean-Claude and Christo were a famous duo in the art world for wrapping buildings and creating other magnificent installations.  It was meant to draw the attention of citizens and passersby who took their surroundings for granted.  You may not notice that 300-year-old complex, but wrap it up in a white sheet, and you will.        
The US is so new in comparison to other countries, and we tend to tear down old structures to make room for new, modern facilities, with rare exception.  That being said, I have noticed how tourists react to places like Disneyland, Hollywood & Highland, and other famous venues.  They are in awe just as we are when we go to a foreign country.  Since we live with and are surrounded by these places, we never think about it from a tourist’s perspective.  Maybe if we did we would learn to appreciate everything we do have, and everything we have that is accessible.  There may be a lot of s**t going on, but there is still beauty in this diverse world.  
Chicago-Rome
We will arrive in Rome (Roma) at approximately 9:30am their time, and it is supposed to be raining.  Just in case, I packed an umbrella.  Better to be prepared than not, eh?  Especially since we have the better part of the day to explore. 
So we are in the air.  There is more turbulence than I expected.  That aside, it has been a nice flight thus far.  I always take a water bottle with a filter.  A word of caution:  I don’t know why I didn’t think to do this this time, but the first leg of the flight I twisted the cap off to relieve the pressure inside.  Of course, I didn’t just now, and water went everywhere.  I’m just glad (and lucky) that the water didn’t get all over my laptop.  I read reviews about others doing that as well.  Avoid the mess and twist the cap off.  Y
ou may also want to shake the straw to release water water is in it.  Okay, back to the story. 
What else could possibly happen today?  Let’s talk a little bit about periods.  I’m going to go on a bit of a rant, so please hang in there.  I can’t, for the life of me, understand why there is such a stigma around bodily functions.  Maybe if we were more open about them, we wouldn’t be so embarrassed when accidents happen.  Luckily, for me, an accident was avoided.  Sometime between leaving the house this morning and now, I started.  I used to be very much against period cups, and rarely (if ever) use tampons, which left me with pads.  You can read about my first experience with period cups here.  At home it’s fine because the restroom is at my disposal, but traveling is a different story.  The first 1-3 days are very heavy, and I would have to change every 20-30 minutes with pads…sometimes more frequently than that.  Recently, I tried a different brand of period cup.  I am so glad I did!  I found a Diva Cup, but that didn’t work.  Then I tried Sckooncup after my best friend recommended it to me.  It is my new favorite thing.  It is perfect for traveling.  Here I sit on a long flight, not really having to worry about leaking.  I should note that I have a heavy enough flow that I do have to change it out about every 3-4 hours the first day or two.  Found that out the hard way.  If I know I am not going to be able to get to a toilet for hours on end I will use an ultra thin pad (regular) for added protection, and a long ultra thin pad at night.  For the rest of the time I use liners.  It helps when traveling AND it makes it easier on the pocketbook.  I don’t spend nearly as much money on feminine hygiene products as I used to.  The up side:  At least I started at the beginning of this trip instead of on the way home. 

*TIP:  If you purchase your products at Target and don’t have Cartwheel, download that app.  There are always percentages off of their Up & Up products the occasional brand-named items.  I actually prefer their pads to others because they have a stronger adhesive.  My favorite brand of liners is U by Kotex.  Now that that’s over…
Dinner
Breakfast.  Sorry it’s tilted!






We have just flown over Niagara Falls, but with all of the cloud cover we couldn’t see it.  At least there is Ride Along 2.  Admittedly I love Ice Cube and Kevin Hart.  I think they are hilarious, especially together (I secretly hope for a Friday movie with the addition of Kevin Hart). I am about what I hope to see.  One thing I am interested in, and it may seem odd, is what our hotel room holds.  Every country is different; therefore, they have different standards.  I will continue this when we get to the hotel.  
We have arrived!  Our hotel is very new, or at least it looks that way.  To enter, you wave the key in front of this pad, and push on the door.  Apparently when you ask for two beds, they always come pushed together.  At least, that’s how this room is.  There is a bidet and lighted mirror.  I do hate that we have a shared door, but oh well.  There is a speaker in the restroom, and a cord.  Have to remember not to pull it, otherwise an alarm will go off, and someone will think I need assistance.  There is a bidet, and the toiletries include emery boards, personal wash, and cotton face pads, along with the usual shampoo/conditioner and soap.     

Traffic…there’s no escape!

Of course you have
 to have pizza when you arrive.
An assortment.  Crispy, hot, and delicious.
Mushroom was my favorite.
The first of many gelato.  This is Nutella.
The cutest little delivery truck.

Part of The Forum
The room key is needed to
activate the electricity.
The room.

Since this is the first day we had time to walk around and relax prior to the dinner that was planned to welcome us.  We walked down to the Forum to see the ruins.  It’s so amazing to think that these items were built without any of the modern tools and have lasted this long.  They have outlasted wars, natural disasters, and even repurposing.  We had pizza (see photos above) at this little place around the corner from the hotel, which was followed by gelato.  The pizza, believe it or not, tastes completely different despite it looking relatively the same to the kind you get in The States.  The cheese and crust were crispy, and the freshness of the ingredients is incomparable.  Our welcome dinner consisted of; you guessed it, more pizza.  There was also a variety of bruschetta, herb salad with Roma tomatoes, and desserts.  Everything was delicious.  We sat with some of the other people on the tour, which made for good company and conversation.  After eating it was back to the hotel since we had an early start.  Oh, every single day is an early day, but it’s all good.  How many times will any of us be able to come back?  Since this is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for most of us, there are several optional excursions that the majority are going on.  

First night’s restaurant.

The table setting.

Wine.  Up close.
The first of many pizzas.
Tomato & arugula salad
w/balsamic vinegar & olive oil.

TOAST!
An assortment of desserts.

Starbucks NEW Granitas & Trifles

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Left to Right:  Chocolate Brownie Trifle, Strawberry
Lime-Lemonade (Venti), Youthberry (Venti), Strawberry Shortcake Trifle. 

Starbucks has been phasing out their Fizzio sodas (which were surprisingly good) in exchange for fizzy teas.  Now they have introduced something new.  Today granitas and trifles were added to their summer menu.  Available after 3pm, these infused, blended lemonade or chocolate beverages are probably one of my new favorite things.  The trifles are either chocolate or strawberry shortcake– sort of.  More on those later. 

Youthberry, up-close.  

The granitas are definitely not like the real thing, but are delicious nonetheless.  It’s a super smooth lemonade shaved ice (at least that’s what they’re calling it), topped off with either Youthberry tea (my personal favorite) or strawberries & limeade.  The Youthberry granita is less sweet than the strawberry, and is very refreshing, especially in this heat.  The flavor of the tea (fruity with a slight floral finish) pairs well with the tart, sweet lemonade.  The strawberry lime-lemonade is quite sweet and tart, and reminds me more of a dessert.  Real strawberry slices are blended right in!  I have yet to try the chocolate one, but I hear it’s also pretty good.  They come in Tall, Grande, and Venti…no Trentas for these drinks.  

We were also asked if we wanted to try the trifles.  They were good, but not necessarily worth the price.  Personally, I find the name misleading.  The concept is a good way to move product, though.  There are two to choose from:  A chocolate brownie trifle and strawberry shortcake trifle.  The chocolate brownie trifle is a chunked up chocolate brownie (of course), topped with whipped cream and mocha drizzle.  The strawberry shortcake consist of broken up mini vanilla scone(s), whipped cream, and a strawberry drizzle.  Both are served in a mini cup.  The brownie is very sweet & rich, so if you need a chocolate fix, that’s your best bet.  The strawberry shortcake was less rich and filling, but good.  I would have liked whip on the top and bottom, or layered, because it helped to cut the sweetness (and chocolaty-ness).  
All-in-all, I would say give the granitas a try.  I was told they are only here for the summer, and they are quite refreshing, especially in 100-degree weather.  You could skip the trifles.  Just grab a brownie and top it off with whip, or get a vanilla mini scone and dip it into the whip on your strawberry frapp.   But, if you feel like trying them, they are pretty tasty.  
What are you most excited to try?  Do you have a new favorite?  
Stay beautiful!

Valentia: Skin Detoxifying Mask

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Face masks are a wonderful addition to any skincare routine.  I love to use them when I’m winding down for the night.  I was able to try out Valentia’s new Skin Detoxifying Mask, and I LOVE it!  My skin is not sensitive, and is combination (oily T-zone, and dry around the hairline).  This vegan mask
contains kaolin clay, CoQ10, and other skin-loving ingredients.  After a nice hot shower I put my hair up in my knockoff Turbie Twist, changed into my nighttime wear, and used a brush to paint on the face mask.  First things first, though:  mixing.  The mask had separated a little bit, so I used a Q-Tip to mix it up.

The product after I mixed it.

Sorry for the ultra-bright flash!  Anyway, you
can see how the product separated.

I applied a thin layer with an old foundation brush, and noticed right away that it had a cooling/tingling effect.  The cooling effect was soothing after the hot water from the shower.  It has a fruity, medicinal scent, so if you are sensitive to smells, you may want to test a small area first, or try one of their less fragrant masks.  Also, if you have sensitive skin, be sure to test a SMALL area first.  That way, if your skin react to it, you will only have a small area that is affected.  The tub says to leave the product on for 15-20 minutes, or until the product has dried.  As the mask dried I could feel tightening against my skin, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.  I love that it didn’t flake off as bad as other clay masks I’ve used in the past.

After the mask dried I rinsed it off with warm water, and my face felt smooth and clean.  Most of the time clay-based masks feel like they’ve left a film on my skin, so I end up washing it after.  Maybe it is due to the plant fibers that are in the product (it worked as a very light exfoliant), but my skin felt like I had washed it with my usual cleanser.  While my skin didn’t feel dry, it wasn’t overly hydrated either.  I followed the mask with my normal toner and moisturizer.

Since then, I have used it weekly, and have noticed that my skin’s texture, tone, and pores have greatly improved.  While nothing can get rid of enlarged pores (thank you, genetics), this mask has improved their appearance.  One of the best uses, for me, was after a day at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire.  For those who haven’t been, there is a lot of walking in dirt– at least at the faires I’ve been to.  You get covered in a layer of dust and dirt regardless of what you are wearing, and you skin really takes a beating.  I followed the routine I mentioned above after a day of faire, and my face felt so clean and detoxified.  It was like going to a spa, but without the hefty price tag.  I can’t wait to see the results of long-time use.

You can find out more about Valentia and their products on Facebook and Instagram.  

Stay beautiful!

**I received this product in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  Powered by BrandBacker.**  //www.brandbacker.com/trk/bb_clk_trk.js

Touring Italy

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There is so much to catch up on, but first, Italy!  I took a tour of Italy, and recently returned.  It was amazing.  While I was on the plane home, I tried to finish up the daily entries, but that was difficult to do with so many people being sick (including myself).  The plane ride was definitely less than desirable.  Anyway, everyone has made it back in one piece, which is what counts.  I will be uploading the tour (it was two weeks), photos, and tips this week, so stay tuned!  I will also have a “What’s in My Bag” post as well.  Until then, here are some random pictures…of food:

 

Down the street from the
hotel was this pizzeria…

We decided to try a few. Ham, tuna
(I didn’t eat that one), mushroom (my favorite),
and tomato.  It was crispy, delicious, and inexpensive!
Dessert; also from our first dinner. Cake, tarts,
and some chocolate thing.
Bruschetta from our first dinner.

#MAKEYourself with MAKE Beauty

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MAKE Beauty creates professionally formulated skincare and makeup that are user-friendly and “designed for personal experimentation.”  You may be wondering what that means.  That means you are able to customize your look and tailor every product to your specific needs.  You can go from barely-there to super-pigmented in just a couple of steps.  Blend, layer, and play to your heart’s content.  Their makeup formulas contain high-quality pigments that can be toned down or cranked up, depending on your mood.  Want a no-makeup look?  No problem!  Headed out for a fun night on the town and want a bold, super-pigmented look?  MAKE has all you will need.

I was sent a mini eye shadow & mini lipstick to try out (see my Instagram post here), and I must say that I love both of them.  The eyeshadow is a wonderfully neutral color that looks great by itself or blended with other colors.  Taffy is the color of the lipstick I received.  I love that it doesn’t dry my lips out.  Sometimes, depending on the brand (and it can be drugstore or the pricey kind) my lips will crack and dry up in no-time.  MAKE’s did not do that.  Currently we are overseas, so I decided to take these with me, especially since they didn’t take up much space.

Anyway, celebrate and show off your own creative skills with MAKE’s expertly- designed products.  I am sure you will not be disappointed.  Each product is packed with ingredients that are good for you, such as antioxidants, safflower oil, and chamomile extracts are just a few.

PROMOTIONAL OFFER:  Use the code MAKEYOURSELF to receive 20% off your purchase (site-wide, valid through 5/31/2016)!!

Stay beautiful!
**I received this product in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  Powered by BrandBacker.**

Valentia: Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum

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Image courtesy of Valentia.com
Valentia’s Lifting Serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing cream that contains:  Seaweed extract, lactic acid, and argan oil.  Those are just some of the ingredients that help to make skin look its best.   I have been using this product for approximately 37 days, and have noticed a change in the texture and firmness of my skin.  My face feels slightly lifted, so I am hoping that continued use will yield even better outcomes.  You don’t need a lot during application.  I like to apply one pump after cleansing and toning during the day and night.  I pat it on my face, leave it for a minute, and then rub it in using circular motions.  This travel-friendly product fits easily into the quart-sized bag for carry-on liquids, and the glass bottle can be reused to house favorite (Valentia) skincare.  Follow them on Instagram and Facebook.  Try out their skincare, take a photo, and don’t forget to tag them.   

Stay beautiful!



**I received this product in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  Powered by BrandBacker.**

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