Clarisonic
I heard about the Clarisonic when it first came out on the market but I balked at the nearly $200 price tag. Especially since I have very sensitive, reactive skin that has never done well with microdermabrasion or scrubs.
But over the next year, people I knew who had beautiful or much improved skin were raving about it. People on messageboards were raving about it. Oprah raved about it. Still, I was hesitant until months of travel had left me and my skin weary and I thought I’d give it a try and forked over the money.
Money very well spent.
Within one use I noticed a difference in my skin; clearer, fresher, smoother. I kept my receipt just in case my skin flared up in the morning or later in the week but it never happened. Instead, my skin continously kept improving - fewer blotches, dry patches, redness and no breakouts. Using this has helped me reduce my skincare regime - I just use a cleanser, serum and moisturiser. No more scrubs, no more masks, no more monthly facials. So is it worth it? I definitely think so. And if you’re not sure, buy it from a place that offers an easy return and try it out. And if you’re still nervous buy the sensitive brush attachment which is gentler on the skin. You’ll go from petting pretty to being pretty.
BUY AT: Amazon, Sephora and Nordstrom
Joshua Radin “We Were Here” CD
I’ve been in a very hectic, overloaded, somewhat chaotic state as of late (and by ‘as of late’ I mean months). I needed to slow down and just fall in-love with the world again and I needed some theme music to help me do this. Something I could play late at night whilst writing that wouldn’t be intrusive but move me along gently. And perhaps, if possible, swoon just a little.
Ingrid Michaelson’s The Way I Am worked perfectly this but I was in need of more than a 2 minute song to cancel out the craziness of two months. Searching her on iTunes lead me to her duet Sky with Joshua Radin. So I started previewing his music and adding each song to the cart - something I never do. But sure enough I had added his entire album.
The best way for me to describe is softly sweet. It’s not sickly, not syrupy. It’s not overloaded or underdone. It’s just perfectly charming, sweet music to remind me of simpler times, of prettier times and that swooning by music is indeed, possible.
BUY AT: Amazon
Travel Kitty Interactive Art Project
I travel a lot and 99% of the time it’s alone. And during my travels it’s my job to write and photograph all that I see. I try to make it fun but sometimes an assignment wants a more serious, structured tone. So how to I break that up and put a little fun back into my job and not feel so by myself?
The Travel Kitty!
I forget how I discovered this on Etsy but I’m glad I did because, although I’ve often hated those ‘Gnome in Photo” photos, there’s something so charming to me about the Travel Kitty (along with the blog about where all the kitties go). The creator calls it an “interactive art project” - she makes the art, then you create more art by photographing the art. Get it? Good!
The orange kitten had me smitten and so I placed an ordered and was even more charmed by the packaging of it - professional, fun and completely thought out. My kitty came with the name Suki and and a map which shows she’s instantly ready to travel - no set up required! So now I’m looking forward to taking more pictures and having someone to play around with on those long haul flights and trains! You can see my Travel Kitty photos on my Flickr.
BUY AT: lmdalton’s Etsy Shop
Two Owls Luggage Tag
With buying a new travel bag comes the need to buy a new luggage tag. Since my Orla Kiely bag was colourful and fun, I wanted a tag to match. But all the travel stores seemed to carry the same black or neon tags - definitely not what I had in mind. With all the luck I’ve been having on Etsy lately, a quick search turned up Two owls linen and cotton travel luggage name tag by Minmade!
There are several reasons why I love this; the colour combinations, the fact that it’s linen, the stretchy loop to secure it to my handle, the snap closure to put my business card in (and keeping my info private), the fact that it’s unique and handmade and I confess, most importantly, is that it goes perfectly with my luggage!
I’m not sure how it would stand up to repeated uses as checked luggage but for my carry-on pieces, it’s perfect.
BUY AT: Minmade on Etsy
Orla Kiely’s Crayon Crocus Wheelie
I will always sing the praises of my Victorinox luggage as it has been all over the world with me and still looks fabulous. But there came a point when I wanted a second, lighter carry on bag for a longer trip and a smaller bag for just overnight excursions. And, I must confess, wanted something pretty instead of just the full on red of my Victorinox. I do run a site called Pet the Pretty Things after all.
But since I had a great set of luggage, I resisted buying this Orla Kiely Wheelie when I was recently in London. But then when I saw it pop up again at my local Anthropologie and heard my good friend dish about recently purchasing it, I caved and went from petting it to bringing it home.
At first, I thought it’d be a more whimsical bag because it’s colourful and definitely made for fashion. But upon closer inspection I came to discover it’s actually a decent travel bag; a gorgeous and large enough main compartment for a weekend’s worth of clothes or as a nice carry on. There are three inner, two outer pockets, great top handles to carry it or a 17″ extendable handle to roll it. It’s light, it’s definitely hard to miss and above all, it’s well crafted.
I wouldn’t use it as checked luggage - that’s what the Victorinox is for but for a carry on or car trip? Absolutely perfect.
BUY AT: Anthropologie or Orla Kiely
What a Hoot Camera Strap
As an artist, I love colourful, unique things and especially love to support other artists. However, I find a lot of gear for my camera is boring black - not creative at all - and generally made by great big corporations. So I was happy when a quick search on Etsy revealed the shop What a Hoot that was selling beautifully made (and colourful!) camera straps!
I was a little hesitant because my camera and lens can be quite heavy so I wasn’t sure if something home made would be sturdy and comfortable enough for my gear. However these straps are made from real manufactured camera straps so they are very durable and a felt backing makes it very comfortable around your neck. I also really like the thickness of the strap (1.5″ wide) and the length (42″ long). The colour selection is beautiful as is the craftsmanship.
So if you have a camera, banish the black and get into some colour!
BUY AT: What a Hoot Etsy Shop
Lily Crowned Tea Cosy
I survive on tea and must always have a cup on hand. It can sometimes take me a fair bit to get through a cup so that when I go for my second (or third!), the tea in the pot has usually cooled off. I’ve searched for years for the perfect tea cosy but since I didn’t want one that had cats, pom poms or was crocheted I seemed to out of luck.
Whilst browsing on Etsy I came across the Lily Crowned Tea Cosy which suited my aesthetics’s and tea warming purposes perfectly!
Lined with an insulating layer of batting and decorated with a vintage image on French vintage linen sheets and stamped on image, these hand made cosy’s are not only pretty but practical. I loved tea before but having this to put on makes it even better (Tip: I put warm water in the tea pot whilst brewing water and put the tea cosy on top so that the pot stays extra warm).
The cosy’s come in a couple of sizes so check the measurements and buy the one that’ll fit your pot the best.
BUY AT: Gloaming Designs Etsy Shop
Maison Belle Orange Rosemary Washing Up Liquid
Two of my favourite places (France & Denmark) team to make one of my not favourite things (washing dishes) more pleasant. “This effective and nontoxic, detergent-free dish soap quickly removes it all from your dishes without harming your skin or the environment. Scented with essential oils, this special formula leaves your dishes smelling naturally clean” so says the web site and frankly, I couldn’t have said it better. What I love is the size, style and the fact that it has a pump dispenser. The scent is heavenly and really does help when you’re washing up caked on food that might not be so nice. Not that I let things cake on. Well. Maybe.
In any event, this product of Denmark with its French name and feel really works weather you’ve a sink full of nasty dishes or one delicate tea cup to rinse out. I love the fact that it’s eco-friendly with a short ingredient list so I don’t have to worry about leaving a chemical film on dishes that I eat off. And I confess I’m always a sucker for pretty packaging and a good story - especially when it all works together to form a great product like this.
BUY AT: Anthropologie in the US or at Isabella Smith for Europe
biokleen Automatic Dish Powder
I’ve only had a dishwasher a handful of times in my life and confess that I actually really don’t like them for a myriad of reasons. But for a long time it was because I couldn’t find a decent eco-friendly washing liquid/powder to get the dishes clean without chemicals. I didn’t want things I couldn’t pronounce leaving a film on my dishes that I’d have to eat off. And I didn’t want that run off to go into streams. But eco-friendly detergents just didn’t cut it.
That is until I found Biokleen’s Automatic Dish Powder. I had had really good success with biokleens Bac Out which I have recommended to everyone and their mama so I decided to try this powder since, by purchasing it at Whole Foods, if it didn’t work out I could return it. However, it worked on the first go even with caked on eggs, chocolate batter stuck on bowls and a few delicate peices of china.
Because it’s concentrated, a little goes a long way making it a great value. And it’s completely natural so it’s good for the environment or for people with cemical sensitivities and allergies. And for me the best part is that there is no fragrance! I’ve always found fragrances with dishwshers to be slightly overwhelming, not so with this!
So if you do use a dishwsher but want a great, eco-friendly option, I heavily recommend biokleen.
BUY AT: Whole Foods & Drugstore.com
John Masters Organics Citrus & Neorli Detangler
I’m always on the search for an everyday conditioner that is lightweight yet moisturising for my fine, knotty, curly hair. It’s been hard. Conditioners are either too heavy, leave a film, don’t get the knots, smell funky, are a million dollars or simply don’t moisturise enough. I kept searching in hope that since I was a goldilocks, that something would eventually be just right.
And I think that something is John Masters ORganics Citrus & Neorli Detangler.
I’d heard the raves on message boards about this organic, parabean-free conditioner but I had resisted it for a long time. Why? It wasn’t the $14-16 price tag for 8oz (although that didn’t help) but I think it was because I had previously had bad experience with “Green” conditioners. The smells, the film, the strange hair that came out after. But I caved and glad I did.
The first thing you’ll notice is the scent - it really is citrus and neroli. It’s fresh when you put it on but it doesn’t linger in your hair after. The next thing you’ll notice is that a little bit will go a long way. I have very long hair and I just use a small amount and this product leaves my hair virtually tangle free without being weighed down. My hair is almost downright bouncy.
And the last thing you’ll notice is that you’ll want to buy it again and again because it works. And it’s organic. And parabean free. And makes you pretty. So don’t hesitate like I did - just get it and do some good for your hair and the environment. Everyone gets pretty that way. Win win!
