Tweet

I have time for a music post- so here we are. I used to have a LOT of songs by Tweet. I think as time went on though they started to feel a bit dated and I ended up deleting them. But there is still a chunk of music I still know all the lyrics too and will still vibe to. 

Starting with Oops. This is one of those songs I was listening to and singing along to without knowing what I was singing about . Embarrassing 😂 But Oops is still my song. 

It also made it into Dance Central. I have only played the song on Easy and Medium...but now I kinda want to pull the same out. Except I'm still working on playing through all the playlists on the new Just Dance game...

I still bump with the song Complain. I do have to be in the mood for it though so I do tend to mostly skip it. But sometimes it hits.

And that's all for today! 

Chili Lime Shrimp Bowls and Classic Vanilla Ice cream

 Last week was an extra long week. So long I forgot what it was I made....

Which was Chili Lime Shrimp Bowls. Sounds better than it was. I think the flavors in this were OK but would be sooo much better as a shrimp taco. Shrimp Taco- nix the rice and black beans. Add the pineapple salsa and there you go. Oh..and add avocado. I bought an avocado for this but unfortunately for me it went  was already too ripe so I didn't get a chance to add it. But yeah...this just missed the mark. Luckily I only made enough shrimp to eat that day..the next day I just mixed the leftover rice/ black beans and pineapple salsa. Very healthy. But I wouldn't make it again. 

Then taking it back to the Unofficial Harry Potter book. I'm in the ice cream section of the book. Of course- it would happen now that we are heading into colder weather. I have missed homemade ice cream though..so I don't mind. There seem to be quite a few ice cream recipes. Vanilla ice cream can be a little classic (boring) but it's the perfect flavor for accompanying a pie, crumble, brownie...so it's necessary to have a good one. My go to is just Cuisinart one that comes with the ice cream maker and it's essentially the same without the pinch of salt. I was a little bit extra though and decided to use half a vanilla bean, vanilla paste, AND vanilla extract.

In the ice cream maker. 

Also...I went to multiple stores-multiple times and could not find sugar cones or kept forgetting. I am on the hunt for really cute ice cream dishes/dessert spoons...in the meantime I decided to serve in a vintage tea cup. And I think I'm gonna stick with it. Also I plan on getting a few more vintage tea ups to add to my collection. I think it would make the cutest idea for an ice cream shop- ice cream scooped into a vintage tea cup.

It was creamier than it looks in the photo- this was fresh out the freezer. Would have looked better had I let it soften a minute before scooping...

And that's all...until next week! 

Siblings Clean Candle Refill No 3 Tangerine Jasmine Vetiver Review

Happy Halloween! I'm up a bit earlier than usual so I thought before I get on with my planned Halloween activities, I would knock out a post. This is the other candle refill I bought before summer started and pretty much waited all summer to burn. Now that the weather is truly Fall we are back to our regularly scheduled program of burning through candles. 

Siblings claims:

A citrus tree leans into the kitchen.

Tangerine peel on your fingers. Lemon oil in the air. Somewhere outside, jasmine and orange blossom are opening in the heat — soft, white, wild.

The doors are open. The wood floors are warm. For a second, you’re in an Italian garden.

Or maybe it’s just a candle.

Top: Tangerine, Blackcurrant, Bergamot, Lemon

Heart: Jasmine, Orange Flower, Violet

Base: Vetiver, Teakwood, Musk

If you like: Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi, Diptyque Jasmin, Byredo Sundazed, Jo Malone Jasmine Sambac & Marigold

I really like this brand. There are many candles out there that claim to dupe high end candles but they don't always smell as good for the price. This brand gets it right as far as I can tell. I haven't burned the candles this candle dupes- but I am certain it is just as good as those. 

It does state a lot of different notes- but to me- it's just Jasmine. A true Jasmine scent. I've had a few good Jasmine scented candles: Voluspa Jasmine Midnight Blooms  and Maison Souquet for a more complex and smoky Jasmine scent. I thought I would have more to list- but those seem to be all. I would put this one right up there with those. If you are looking for a Jasmine candle- this is perfect. I don't really get the other stated notes of Tangerine or Vetiver. I was really hoping those other notes would come through.

I enjoy the scent of this candle- but I think overall I want a more complex Jasmine scent rather than just Jasmine. So I am enjoying the candle but if I were repurchasing from the brand I would probably pick up the No, 1 scent  rather than this. Unless I just wanted a good Jasmine scent.

I refilled my Byredo candle jar, I thought the black would go well with the season.

As for the refill style- I love it. I don't always need another candle vessel, I have recycled an up upcycled and  kept entirely too man.y candle jars. I also  like this because I get to enjoy whatever vessel I liked by essentially refilling it. 

I also love that the entire packaging is recyclable. 

And as this was my 2nd go with this I found the whole process a lot easier than the first time I did it. I heated the wax at a lower temperature and had less issues with the bag leaking overall. This time was much more relaxing than before. That being said- this is more work than your typical candle. It's definitely not a process that everyone would enjoy. I don't mind it at all. I like a good project every now and again.

The kit comes with everything you need- the wick is a wood wick. I don't have a preference for wood but some people find the crackle relaxing. The wax is paraffin free which is nice. So many candles will just state they are a blend and never say if the wax is paraffin free or not. 

Overall, I would recommend it if a little DIY appeals to you and you are looking for a Jasmine candle. I will definitely purchase more- I have my eye on some of the sets for sure.

AKT The Deodorant Balm SC. 01 Orange Grove Review

 

I thought I was done reviewing more high end deodorants- but somehow and someway this ended up in my cart, checked out and shipped to me. Maybe I just thought some of the scents sounded interesting? Not sure. But I bought two of them. This being the first one I opened. 

AKT claims: 

The Deodorant Balm is a multi-award winning personal performance essential, infused with DEO-BARRIER COMPLEX™ for professional grade protection that lasts all day. Tested and perfected on stage in London’s West End and on Broadway, AKT's revolutionary, aluminium-salts free formula transforms from a luxurious, skin-nourishing balm into a dry, invisible powder: actively protecting, deodorising, and absorbing perspiration to keep you feeling dry and confident – without breaking character. Ever.

Midday sun beats heavily on the grove. Sweet aromas burst from the freshly peeled orange. Neroli blossom dances, alive on the breeze. Another negroni over ice – it’s summer after all. 

AT FIRST 

Sliced orange, sweet mandarin, Tuscan sun 

AND THEN

Bitter negroni, neroli blossom, afternoon siesta 

FINALLY

Italian cypress, petitgrain, la dolce vita

Made in England 

First things first- the price for the size is outrageous. I was expecting it to be small- but NOT THAT SMALL. This is literally what I would call a sample size and if I must pay for it- the product itself should be no more than $1-3 or so. Even something like $4 is too much. It's 5 ml or .17 ounces.

It does come packaged nicely though. In a little box and you get a metal tube. Which is completely plastic free. Love to see plastic free packaging. I'm not sure of if the pricing comes in because it's a custom packaging but you can definitely do more affordable plastic free packaging- for instance a glass jar with a metal lid. I would rather cheaper packaging than paying crazy prices for a deodorant because of the packaging.

The smell is really nothing memorable though. It reminds me of petitgrain and ingredients. Nothing as transportive as the description. Just pleasant, light and mainly forgettable scent- perhaps slightly reminiscent of oranges.  I used it a few times and as recently as yesterday and I don't have anything to really say about the scent. Except if I were to buy more ( I bought another one) I would probably opt to try other scents rather than buy it again. 

I have used it sporadically...and I have to say- it does work. Probably the best of any deodorant I have ever tried. But I do notice it has baking soda in it and with consistent use- baking soda gives me the worst reaction/rash. This might not- I can't say for sure since you only get a sample size and I have only used it sporadically. Maybe at some point I will get a full size and really test it out but that won't be anytime soon! 

It is all natural. Another thing that is nice to see. 

Ingredients: 

Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Magnesium Oxide, Diatomaceous Earth, Parfum (Fragrance)**, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Behenate, Zinc Oxide, Limonene*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil*, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Juniperus Virginiana Oil*, Pinene*, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Linalyl Acetate*, Linalool*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil*, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil*, Geraniol*, Beta-Caryophyllene*, Anethole*, Citral*, Terpineol*, Geranyl Acetate*, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract*, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil*, Terpinolene*, Alpha-Terpinene*, Citronellol*, Farnesol*

Overall, it works. It works very well. Probably the best of all the deodorants I have ever tried- natural or traditional. But that price! I do wish it were more affordable. Sustainability should be affordable and accessible for all. Just sayin'.

Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Bath and Shower Gel Review

 I am really quite excited for today's review if only because I'm going to tie it in to Bridgerton. I have tried a few Bridgerton collabs here and there. I really enjoy the show and have seen it multiple times. I'm watching it now actually. I know they did a soap collab with Beekman (was tempted but never picked it up) and they also had a collab with Dove. But that was only available in Target and I don't shop at Target. Also the Dove collection looked a little uninspiring. 

Molton Brown claims: 

Bring the essence of island bliss to your bathroom with our iconic white-floral body wash, sensuously filled with lingering notes of lively ginger, elegant lily and soft musk.

According to the googles- Ginger Lily is a real flower. But from what I have seen from Molton Brown- the scent is more so named because it's a combination of Ginger and Lily. Unexpected combination but really quite lovely. 

Floral scents in the shower are really growing on me. Especially when they are well done as Molton Brown scents tend to be. I wouldn't have thought it had Ginger in it...but now that I know it is there I can definitely pick it up. It's just so expertly blending in with the Lily. Speaking of Lily,  I really enjoy the scent of Lillies. I guess this is Lily scent? There are just so many different types. I'm not sure..but it does smell quite lovely. It makes perfect bath/shower scent. 

Everything else about it is nice. It's medium strength. Lathers well. Rinses clean. Doesn't dry my skin. And it lingers a bit.  The try it size is good for about 2-3 showers for me. It is one I would be interested in trying in the hand soap.....or  a larger bottle of the shower gel...and even trying the perfume. Might even gift a bottle or two. 

The reason I thought about Bridgerton: I love that show- particularly season 2. I have seen it multiple times times and could finish watching it and restart it. My favorite Bridgerton couple is Anthony and Kate. I just love watching them SO MUCH.

What made me think this would be the perfect Kate scent was when Kate is stressed out from all the stuff going on with her sister/Anthony her mother tells her to use the Lily soap.

Side note: That copper bath tub is gorgeous. If I had the money for it, I would absolutely have a clawfoot copper bathtub. 

But anyway...Lily soap is not common. At least not that I have seen. And here Molton has been producing this for quite awhile. Then I thought the ginger twist is so Kate. Traditional Chai has ginger in. And when I think of Indian cooking- I always think of ginger. Kate is from India. And she vastly prefers chai to traditional British tea. She says so at least twice in the series. 

So to me- this is the scent of the soap that Kathani Sharma Bridgerton uses. 

Then of course you remember when Anthony sniffs Kate? That part sends me. It's more towards the end of this video. 

I don't know if I'm being fanciful. But this is where this soap scent took me. 

Ingredients: 

Water/Aqua/Eau, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance/Parfum, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Laureth-7 Citrate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polyquaternium-7, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Ppg-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Sodium Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Blue 1/Ci 42090, Red 33/Ci 17200, Red 4/Ci 14700.

Overall, I was sad when the bottle ran out. It would definitely be top 5 for me as far as Molton Brown. If the scent combo appeals to you...or you just like Molton Brown it is definitely worth a try.

Danessa Myricks Lightwork VIII First Impressions/Swatches

 It's here! I went to pick up the palette yesterday.  Which means it's time to do some first impression/swatches and share my thoughts thus far.

This palette coming out might just be my favorite thing about the fall season. As soon as August hits, I was thinking about what we might get this year. I think this one came a bit later than last year...

As far as this years colors- I can already tell this will not be my favorite of my DM collection. The neutrals just bring it down for me. I know there are a lot of people excited for the palette because of the neutrals- which I can't say I understand at all. You can get neutrals anywhere and I'm sure most of the people happy about the boring brown/beige shades likely have shades very similar to these already. For the price of the palette I want it to be all special and unique shades like when she first dropped the Lightwork shadow palettes. That's really what drew me to the brand in the first place. I think if the trend continues and they continue to increase the amount of neutral shades I likely won't be purchasing Lightwork 9.  

Another thing- the price increase kinda bothers me. I have been watching just about every Instagram video I can on the palette as mine was making its way to me through the mail. I noticed a lot of micro influencers (that don't even wear colorful or interesting make up) received the palette in PR. That and the price increase just makes me side-eye them a little bit. 

And the last criticism I have before we get into the swatches- I like the Freedom palette system. But I don't think it's being used to its full potential. She doesn't sell single pans or refills. Nor the option to opt out of the plastic casing- I would very much like the freedom to choose just the special shades and opt out of the large plastic casing- since I have bought the palette every year I now have three of them. It's getting to be too many. 

Each shade is 1.2 gram. I was thinking there is not a lot of shadow in each (since I hit pan on one of the shades in my other palettes) but that's a decent amount considering a MAC shadow is 1.5 grams.

And now let's get into swatches and first impressions of the shades. 

Starting with the first palette.

Bedrock- I It's a boring brown. These type of shades rare a dime a dozen. Quality is nice--- but I really don't want these shades in this type of palette. 

Ember Glow- A beautiful sparkly red shade. I love shades like this- I'm not sure it will top my favorite red (Sonic from Urban Decay) but I'm excited to compare it. It's a bit of a more muted red. Very sparkly with a lot of gold shimmer/glitter. 

Molten Magma- I think this is one of the stars of the palette. It's is the most flippy shade. It is a super multi-chrome with a strong flip to a teal/green and some gold orange in between. It's stunning. I am going to wear it work tomorrow. 

Crystal Flame- We have a new finish here. This a red with a surprising lilac flip/marbling throughout. I can't wait to play with it more. If you just barely swirl it the colors can really stand out from each other. There is also a strong green shift. 

Canyon Clay- This is a better color neutral than the others in the palette. But I do have colors similar to it in other brands so I'm not too terribly excited for it. The quality is good though. 

Sahara Glow- A very pretty pink to gold shift. I think it will be a challenge to find how to pair this one...but I'm up for it. 

Island Sunrise- This has the most unique texture. You can really smooth it out and use it as a topper. Or you can keep some texture to it. I used it today and it's nice but I think it leans too white? I don't know how to explain it. I wish it showed up more pink on my skin. The shift is gorgeous though. Lot's of yellow/teal to it. 

Crystal Sands- Gorgeous. I feel like this might be one I can just wear with mascara and go. It has a pretty unexpected pearl (and muted purple) look to it. I can't wait to try it out. 

Horizon Kiss- Stunning. A marbled shade with copper and teal. Another palette stand out. I also cannot wait to wear this one. The teal also has a surprisingly strong shift to purple. 

Coastal Clay- A snooze fest. Boring clay/beige. 

Salted Earth- I think Salted Earth will be a favorite. The metallic/bright finish is stunning. And it's a color I can easily and happily wear every single day. The swatches don't do it justice. But it's not really doing any of these justice. 

Driftwood- A brown. So disappointing getting yet another snooze shade. I have no shortage of these type of shades in my collection....definitely didn't need another. 

Sparkling Glaciers: Stunning pink/green glittery shade. Most of the palette does have seem to shift to the same color is something I am noticing. It's still very pretty but something I am noticing and definitely worth noting. I would have thought with the theming of the palette we would get more blue- specially with a name like Glaciers. Or maybe the glaciers is the super subtle base color? 

Mountain Peak- Earthy color with cool toned shimmer. This reminds me of a color in past light work palettes. I'm not sure I will love it- I like warm shimmer in my warm colors but I'll reserve true judgement for when I try it on my eyes.

Crystal Sky Lagoon- Another of the marbled finishes. It appears to be a pink purple but it shifts to teal/gold and looks stunning. Another one I can't wait to get on my eyes. Looks very similar to Glaciers in the picture-- but they seem different enough in person.

Twilight Sky- The name is really confusing me on this one. Maybe the glitters/micro shimmers are reminiscent of the night sky? But not the base shade. I do really like this one though because the color pairing is very unique. Haven't seem anything similar to it...

Indigo Glow- This is another stand out in the palette. I love a good purple and this type of was missing in past palettes. It is stunning. I have no shortage of purple shades to match this with. I did brush it over what I was wearing yesterday but it diluted so I can't wait to wear it on its own and see if it's as flashy as it looks in the pan. It also shifts to green.

Night Rock- Another snooze of a color. It can provide depth but I have similar colors and really wish she had included something (anything else) it's in place. I really wish she swapped these boring shades out with a fun color matte. Maybe a blurple. Or an earthy forest but still bright green. Or a deep lilac. As is, this shade is my least favorite of the whole palette. 

All of the shades of pigmented, super smooth, and easy to apply with a brush/fingers. The only thing that kinda concerns me is that after swatching them- I'm not sure the shades are different enough from each other and I feel like maybe there could have been more variety. Feels like the looks I make will all end up looking more of less very similar? And it is starting to feel like all of the shades shift to a green/gold although the greens are slightly different.  I'll have to play with it more though. 

And now...a look at all my Danessa palettes. Maybe I'll do a ranking at some point after I get to know this palette This picture makes me so happy. 

I just love colorful, sparkly shades 😍😍😍

Comparison Swatches of the purples from Lightwork Vol 5 and III.

Indigo Glow (8),  Healed(50, Inspiring (5), Twilight Sky (8)