It’s already Independence Day! Be safe everyone. Also, please make sure your pets are safe. I know most people keep their animals outside, but they really should be inside… especially if you live anywhere near fireworks.
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| Image courtesy of geeksugar.com |
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| Image courtesy of Facekins.com |
I was sent a sample of Facekins to try out, and I am in L-O-V-E! For those of you who don’t know, Facekins are washable, reusable fabric facial pads.
I took these with me while I worked camp, and they were such a blessing! I didn’t have to gauge the amount of cotton facial pads and cotton balls I would need, and the Facekins took up far less room in my kit! Since I wash my face at least twice a day (morning, night, and in the shower of course!) and always use makeup remover and toner, I go through a ton of cotton. Okay, not literally a ton, but you know what I mean. It is one of the softest products to ever touch my face! It reminded me of something that would be used during a luxury spa treatment.
I also found myself using less product. At first, I thought it was too good to be true Facekins, but no. I tested out how far one spray of toner would go on a cotton pad versus the Facekins. Both items were the round-shape, and were about the same in width. I tried to do things as error- and bias-free as possible. I used the same amount of pressure on the spray nozzle, held the spray bottle at the same distance, and as I said, just one spray. To make sure that the temperature didn’t affect the outcome, both products were used within a few minutes of each other. My results were that the cotton pad, even though it distributed the product fairly evenly in the beginning, it was nearly gone by the time I was done. The product on the Facekins pad, however, lasted throughout the application process, which was the same as the process for the cotton pad, and is most likely due to its composition.
Here is how my experience went (and I still do this at home):
– Morning routine, side 1 used.
– Night routine, side 2 used.
– Wash after night routine.
– Let it air dry while I slept.
– Repeat.
Now, of course you can throw them in the washing machine. Because of our location, I couldn’t do that, but it also wasn’t necessary. I can see how useful having Facekins are. For those with stubble, these are a wonderful option because you won’t have a bunch of cotton fibers hanging around.
I love that they are:
– Ultra-plush
– Reusable
– Come in a variety of shapes & sizes
– Multifunctional
– Soft enough for those with very sensitive skin
– Saves money (I won’t have to spend near that much on cotton anymore)
– Saves landfill space
– Handmade and packaged in Southern California
Ladies, they also make nursing pads! They help to alleviate soreness, and even work for women who are sensitive before/during menstruation.
Thank you so much, Connie!
To my parental units:
I know that things didn’t always come easy. You both were brought up in very different households. Mom, your parents experienced The Great Depression and didn’t have a lot of money until you and two of your siblings were grown and gone. Dad, your parents had to suffer through the interment camps, and despite your brother being born in one, everyone made it out. They were release with what they could carry, and had to start completely over. They (my grandparents) sacrificed so much to make sure there was food on the table.
Fast forward a couple of decades and you two are married. Then, after some time, I was born. Unlike my younger brother, I was born early…three months early. I wasn’t expected to make it, but somehow I did. You and dad sacrificed so much time, making the nearly two-hour drive to see me every day after work. Grandma and Grandpa went sometimes, but I don’t know that Baachan and Jiichan did. When I came home, I was on monitors and you two had to make sure everything was okay. It was hard emotionally and financially, and you were so lucky to have the support you did. Luckily, when my brother came along four years later, he was healthy and full-term.
I was lucky to not have the plethora of health problems associated with prematurity. Even though we have always had our spats, you have (for the most part) been supportive in whatever I was doing. I can remember asking why you two decided to have kids. Growing up, I was picked on periodically because I was mixed, and not just by classmates. Family (on my White side) would says things, which made me fill that I didn’t belong. Now, I am comfortable enough with who I am to tell them to f**k off. Why can’t we all just see each other for who we are and not our skin color, ethnicity, and/or race? Anyhow, in the video below the people were asked, “Do you have anything to say to your parents?”…and yeah, I do.
I know I don’t say it often, but I really appreciate everything you do and have done for me, especially financially. You could have been like other parents and literally kicked me out when I went to college, but you didn’t. Mom, Dad, thank you. I love you!
– Me
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I know that this video focuses on Asian immigrants, and wish they would do videos on Americans who have come from all over the world. Of course there are outliers, but in general, people have made some sort of sacrifice for the betterment of their family. It can be a hard thing to just head to a new country, especially when you don’t have a job laid out and are essentially alone. Hope you like it, and that it makes you think about those who have sacrificed for you, whether or not they are your parents. Thanks, Buzzfeed!
**Video courtesy of Buzzfeed
I know I’ve pretty much been gone most of this month. Things have been pretty crazy, and are finally winding down. Here is a little overview of what I’ve been up to and what is to come:
– Packing, packing, packing!
– Giveaways (one has CLOSED, but there will be at least one more for the summer).
– Traveling (hoping to get to Canada this summer. It has been far too long!).
– Tech Trek (I’ll get into that later).
– Mountainous adventures and visiting family.
– More reviews, and possibly a first video on my YouTube channel (stay tuned!).
– Tips & tricks for makeup, packing, etc.
– Dissertation writing, editing, etc.
– Booking for future events (I already have a room for CES 2016, and am so excited!).
There has been one pretty important event this month, which involves summer camp I work…well, worked. It is only a week (this one in particular ended Saturday), but as with many things, it can feel like it lasts a lifetime. Anyway, this year marked the last Tech Trek I will ever work. For those of you who are not familiar, Tech Trek (AAUW) is a science and math camp for girls who are 12-13 years of age. Many of them are interested in going into a math and/or science field when they grow up, and it is an excellent opportunity for them to see that there is more out there than just the gender-typed professions. I should note that there is nothing wrong with women taking on gender-typed roles; this camp just provides other experiences that girls may not have thought of. I digress…
Each girl is sponsored by a branch that pays all expenses for them (including meals, excursions, etc.), and this year they are going national. It used to only be offered in California. The process is much like that for a job interview. The girls write an essay and are interviewed. Many of them must provide an oral presentation at the end of camp, or produce an essay detailing their experiences. During camp the girls go to a core class, attend a guest speaker panel, network, bond with their dorm mates, go on field trips, and get a lot of hands-on experiences with various workshops. Each camp is different, with varying activities depending on their location. All-in-all, it is a one-of-a-kind experience that any chosen girl is lucky to have.
For the past 13 years, I have been a part of Tech Trek, and due to circumstances out of my control, I decided that this would be my last year. My friend (we met at camp), who has worked camp for 14 years made the same decision. To be honest, we were both much more sad about it than we thought we would be. As Friday night rolled around, I realized that this would be the last time that this group of women would be sitting together. It was the last time we would be in the dorms “shooting the breeze”…everything was really “the last”. You know that moment in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, where Tula says that she stopped to take a mental picture of what was going on? Well, I had that moment during their slumber party Friday night. The girls were dancing around, and it was one of the happiest things I had ever seen in all the years of being a part of Tech Trek. And then it dawned on me that this was it. A sad yet serene moment, and now all of us originals are gone. The end of an era.
The older I get, the less focused I am on doing things for my birthday. These days, I have just as much fun going around town and getting all the “freebies” to celebrate the day of my glorious birth. Okay, glorious may be a bit exaggerated. Anyway, here are some places that treat you on your birthday, as what you may get, since I’m not sure if the items change. If you know of any that are not on this list, post them in the comments!
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Starbucks (for rewards members)
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Drink of your choice. Any size, any flavor.
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Teavana (**If you don’t use the Starbucks reward)
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A free drink or 1oz of any tea. I always opt for the tea. More bang for your reward.
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Ulta (e-mail is sent for members; free sign-up)
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Free Urban Decay travel-sized eyeliner.
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Jo Malone (gifts with any purchase)
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Two sample-sized fragrance of your choice from a set list, and a deluxe travel spray of Lime Basil & Mandarin
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Sephora (for Beauty Insiders)
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One mini sample of velvet matte lip pencil, and one mini sample of satin lip pencil
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Medieval Times
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Free entry during your birthday month. Upgrades are extra.
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Applebee’s
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Free dessert.
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Ten Ren’s Tea Time
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Free drink of choice; must present ID on your birthday.
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Denny’s
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Free Grand Slam valid only on your birthday; must present ID.
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Red Robin (for e-club members)
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Free burger on your birthday. Not sure if ID is required, but better safe than sorry.
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Buffalo Wild Wings
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Free dessert on your birthday.
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Sprinkles Cupcakes
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Free Cupcake.
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It’s nearly time for summer vacation, and what better way to protect yourself than with the Sun Safety Kit from Sephora? The 16 pieces of SPF fun are encased in a hot pink and clear train case, perfect for traveling. Find your new favorite SPF product with the deluxe samples in the kit. Because of their size, each product fits perfectly in any bag, whether you are driving or flying. The best part is that $20.00 of the purchase price has gone to benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation! One of my all-time favorites products is in the kit– fresh sugar lip treatment, because your lips need protection, too! Questions? Leave them in the comments below, or shoot me an e-mail.
How to Enter:
1. Like the blog page.
And that’s it! An easy step for one great gift, and of course, shipping is included. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on June 22nd. Good luck!
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| Side 1. Image courtesy of sephora.com |
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| Side 2. Image courtesy of sephora.com |
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| Image courtesy of sephora.com |
A huge shout-out to ktina1219 for providing the information listed below. Click here to see the original thread on Sephora.com.
Amorepacific Natural Protector – SPF 50 (5mL / 0.2 fl oz)
Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution Broad Spectrum – SPF 50 (10mL / 0.3 fl oz)
Clinique Moisture Surge BB cream – SPF 30 (15mL / 0.5 fl oz)
Dr. Dennis Gross Dark Spot Sun Defense – SPF 50 (7mL / 0.25 fl oz)
Dr Jart Premium Beauty Balm – SPF 45 (5mL / 0.17 fl oz)
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment – SPF 15 (2.2g / 0.08 fl oz)
Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer – SPF 47 (15mL / 0.5 fl oz)
Korres Yoghurt Nourishing Fluid Veil – SPF 30 (10mL / 0.34 fl oz)
Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield – SPF 30 (5mL / 0.17 fl oz)
Ole Henriksen Total Truth Eye Cream – SPF 15 (3g / 0.1 fl oz)
Origins VitaZing Energy Boosting – SPF 15 (15mL / 0.5 fl oz)
Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense – SPF 30 (15mL / 0.5 fl oz)
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream – Water Resistant – SPF 50+ (15mL NET WT 0.6 oz)
St. Tropez One Night Only in Light Medium – BRONZER (50mL / 1.69 fl oz)
Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum – SPF 30 (10mL / 0.34 fl oz)
Vita Liberata Passion Flower and Argan Dry Oil – SPF 50 (10mL / 0.34 fl oz)
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Open to US residents 18 years of age and above.
Sephora, Facebook, and any other companies named/related to the giveaway are not affiliated with this giveaway. The kit was purchased by me, and this giveaway is all in good fun.
**Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for official guidelines/restrictions.
Just when I thought things were calming down, they took a turn, which means I’ve been a busy bee! There are going to be a couple of exciting giveaways over the next month, so be sure to subscribe to stay updated. I will have several reviews up soon, I promise, that will even include one for Medieval Times, and who doesn’t love a knight in shining armor?
Thank you all for being so patient.
Stay beautiful!
The older I get, the more my skin changes. I went from never breaking out to breaking out (I guess my skin is making up for lost time), and I HATE it. Nature’s Chemist provides high-quality, organic, 100% pure essential oils to combat skin concerns. Dr. Lori Culberson, founder of Nature’s Chemist, received her PhD in chemistry, and knows exactly what works. She took the time to research the combinations and quantities of oils to create the most effective skincare.
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| Image courtesy of Nature’s Chemist |
I must admit that I am fairly new to face oils. I always thought that it would just leave my skin feeling like an oil slick…boy, was I wrong! Not only have the breakouts all but stopped, I also don’t have the dry patches that I did before, and the oils are very lightweight. Prior to my absence, I was in the mountains, which completely dried out my skin (have you noticed that?). These oils saved my face. They also smell nice; I like the smell of tea tree and clove oils. And no, you won’t smell like a spice rack all day long…and even if that were to happen, the efficacy makes it all worth it. What makes these products even better is that purchasing them supports small business, everything is eco-friendly, and all items are made in the USA.
Cleanse your face, then use a cotton ball or pad to apply the toner. I usually wait a bit and get other things going (like a cup of tea). Then, I put a couple of drops of the moisturizer on my hands, and pat/swirl my hands around my face to make sure its applied evenly. All-day moisture plus combative properties against breakouts, and there are no harsh chemical or additives! What could be better?
Stay beautiful!
I look forward to the Sun Safety Kit every year, and this year’s set was especially nice since there was only one tanning product. The Sun Safety Kit is not yet available online, but most (if not all) of the stores have them now. I apologize for the glare; I should have probably taken a photo of just the products…but I didn’t.
This year’s kit features SPF products from: fresh (one of my favorite lip balms!), Peter Thomas Roth, Josie Maran, Supergoop!, Korres, Origins, Ole Henriksen, Amore Pacific, and more. All of the products are wrapped up in a clear plastic train case trimmed in pink. I will post the complete list following the pictures. Using an SPF, even when it’s overcast, it so important. Your skin is constantly exposed and deserves to be protected. This kit is great for you or as a gift. The variety allows you to try out different brands and textures/consistencies so you can figure out what best suits you.
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| Side 2 |
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| Side 1 |
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| Donating to a worthy cause |
A huge shout-out to ktina1219 for providing the information listed below. Click here to see the thread on Sephora.com.
ITEM: 1702067
$32.00 (Retail Value $155)
Amorepacific Natural Protector – SPF 50 (5mL / 0.2 fl oz)
Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution Broad Spectrum – SPF 50 (10mL / 0.3 fl oz)
Clinique Moisture Surge BB cream – SPF 30 (15mL / 0.5 fl oz)
Dr. Dennis Gross Dark Spot Sun Defense – SPF 50 (7mL / 0.25 fl oz)
Dr Jart Premium Beauty Balm – SPF 45 (5mL / 0.17 fl oz)
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment – SPF 15 (2.2g / 0.08 fl oz)
Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer – SPF 47 (15mL / 0.5 fl oz)
Korres Yohgurt Nourishing Fluid Veil – SPF 30 (10mL / 0.34 fl oz)
Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield – SPF 30 (5mL / 0.17 fl oz)
Ole Henriksen Total Truth Eye Cream – SPF 15 (3g / 0.1 fl oz)
Origins VitaZing Energy Boosting – SPF 15 (15mL / 0.5 fl oz)
Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense – SPF 30 (15mL / 0.5 fl oz)
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream – Water Resistant – SPF 50+ (15mL NET WT 0.6 oz)
St. Tropez One Night Only in Light Medium – BRONZER (50mL / 1.69 fl oz)
Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum – SPF 30 (10mL / 0.34 fl oz)
Vita Liberata Passion Flower and Argan Dry Oil – SPF 50 (10mL / 0.34 fl oz)
What are you looking forward to trying out the most? If they are still available, I may have this as a giveaway item. Thoughts?
Stay beautiful!
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| Image courtesy of lifensoul.com |
Darphynia's Diary 
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