Clean Your Makeup Brushes – Naturally
Did you know that 65.8% of you never clean your makeup brushes? This is a statistic I found in my brain, where I make things up that sound authoritative. But I bet I’m not far off.
It’s okay. Until I discovered this method of brush-cleaning, I never cleaned mine either.
Why would you want to? You’re just going to get them dirty again right away. Right? (That’s how I look at my kitchen sometimes …)
You need to clean your makeup brushes in order to get rid of ALL of the dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria that accumulate on them after regular use. This is especially important for those of you who have oily skin or acne. Keep those brushes clean, or suffer the pimply consequences.
The Great Baking Soda Anti-Hoax
I like to imagine it went something like this:
Five women were sitting around a table eating sprouted whole grain scones, talking about the latest in health scandals. Martha turned to Jody and with a sly smile whispered into Jody’s perfect curly-q ear, “Did you know baking powder has aluminum in it? I bet Janice used baking powder in her scones! We’re all going to get Alzheimer’s now. Thanks a lot, Janice.”
Jody squinted her eyes and gave it a bit of thought, and turned to the manicured Steffi and whispered, “Did you hear? Baking powder has aluminum in it!”
Steffi, not quite sure what to make of this information, leaned over and whispered to Maggie, “What’s the deal with baking soda containing aluminum? I thought that was BAD!” And Maggie, ever the first to know of shameful health trends, stands up, flips over the table and says, “YOUR BAKING SODA HAS ALUMINUM IN IT, JANICE! WE WILL NOT BE LUNCHING HERE TODAY.”
Then all the ladies, except for poor, confused Janice, march out the door and into their nearest Whole Foods to find aluminum-free baking soda.
5 Fresh Ways to Use Ginger in Homemade Beauty
During the winter season, my house is never empty of ginger. It’s a must-have for cough and cold season, as well as any tummy upsets that might sneak up. Also, it’s delicious. And spicy.
Spicylicious.
It looks like toes, though. Don’t you think?
Why Not Mulling Spices? Think About It …
In the Myers-Briggs world, I’m an INFP. This means I’m crazy, but in a mostly self-contained way. It also means I think for a long, long, long time about really deep things that probably have no applicable meaning in the real world.
Like whether or not a blade of grass knows its dying after the first frost. Or why polar bears, so adorable and vicious and uncaring, were chosen to represent Coca-Cola and if it’s just a tongue-in-cheek nod to the evils of modern foods. Or how, when I bite my hangnails, it can be considered self-cannibalism. Cool things like that.
Anyway, I consider a lot of it true mulling. It’s partially why I love mulling spices.
And why not? To “mull” means: To think about a fact, proposal, or request deeply or at length. And this is what happens when you use mulling spices … especially in context with wine.
In the pot goes a cornucopia of complex spices, and the wine considers the spices, steeps in their fragrant thoughts, for a long, long time. And afterward, it comes to a decision. To be the most glorious synthesis of spirits and aromas and flavors that it can possibly be.
So mull this idea over: Mix up your own mulling spices this holiday season and bring a bottle of cheap red wine to life, or create your own homemade mulled cider (it’s SO easy), or even just create a spicy potpourri. Whichever you choose, your house is going to smell like Christmas, and your guests are going to love your face.
Crunchy Gift Ideas: Love ALL the Lavender!
A couple of weeks ago, early in the morning, my friendly postman rang the doorbell. And I trudged. And trudged.
And trudged.
Down the 10 stairs to my front door.
(TRUDGED.)
He handed me a pretty box and said, “Good day, morning-faced lady.” And I mumbled, “Good day to you, fine sir! How are you this gorgeous morning. You’re looking swell!” “Uh-huh.”
Inside this box was a booty full of surprise (just for me!) from the gorgeous Stephanie. Nothing has made my day quite like it since. Inside was a spot of tea, some sea salt, and a little lavender.
By a little lavender, I mean an effing flotilla full of it.
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Crunchy Shopping!
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