A Taste of Honey

I've got time for one more post. A music post of course and I think it will be a quick one since I only have two songs to share. 

Starting with a song that always gets me moving. Boogie Oogie Oogie. Just listen to that music- those instruments. This song reminds me a little of the Rose Royce group.  These ladies are too cool- and so talented.  That BASS! Wow. I can't find a performance where they use the live vocals though...

Next up, a song that is totally opposite of the first. It's a cover of a Japanese song. I should probably go listen to the original which I have so far never heard. I love this song though- such beautiful lyrics and music. Very talented and versatile group. 

Underrated group that has made two of my very favorite songs! 

ECO Curl and Waive Styling Gel Review

I can't believe I am just now trying the infamous ECO gel. I used to read about this gel all the time on the hair boards before and right after I went natural. It seems everyone was using this gel...and if not this one then the Fantasia IC gels. I tried that one and then forgot about this one. They have many different versions- Olive is the one I heard most about but the one I decided to pick up was the curl and wave.

Eco claims: 

For the ones who like things curly. Curl & Wave gel is ideal for curly and wavy hair textures. Define and moisturize your locks with our high-nutrient and botanically infused lightweight styling gel.

Eco gel is more affordable than some of the fancy brands you can get your hands on. It comes in a large amount and it's pretty easy to get a hold of. I have no idea why I am just now trying it.

I'll start with the packaging- surprisingly nice. It has a flip top lid which makes it easy and quick to open. 

The gel itself is typical. A nice thick gel texture. It's pink and has visible sparkle in it that I think helps the hair to look shiny. The scent of the gel is very light...reminscent of roses. I don't notice it lingering in my hair. I like the scent...it could be stronger. But at least it doesn't smell bad. 

I think Eco gel stands out because it doesn't use alcohol. Not all alcohol is drying but a good deal of them are. That being said- I don't feel my hair looks dry. But I do tend to put a leave in conditioner under it. While not crunchy you can still tell there is some kind gel/hold product in the hair. 

I like the way it looks in my hair once it settles but when I first put it on I feel like the frizz is a lot. But I guess as it wears it settles into just enough curl definition. I also really like the shine it gives. I could probably get more definition if I rake it through small sections with a curl brush- but that takes a lot of work and usually doesn't look much different in the end...so I rarely do it.  

It doesn't get too crunchy. Doesn't flake.

The ingredients aren't my favorite. It has a few things in it  that give me pause.  Such as Carbomer which as far as I can tell is considered to be a microplastic.But then again there are much pricier hair products that contain the same type of ingredients.  Not my favorite thing. But it does have some goodies- wheat protein, tea tree oil, calendula,  and echinacea. 

Water (Aqua), Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Echinacea Angustifolia Extract, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, PVP, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Fragrance (Parfum), Benzyl Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Red 33 (CI 17200). 

Overall, it's OK. I don't see myself purchasing it again- but I didn't dislike my time using it. 

Tweezerman Nail Buffing Block Review

 Sooo... Bridgerton Season Four. I was undecided on if I was going to watch it but of course I tuned in for this season. And also watched the last season again. I think this season was based on my favorite book of the series...but I do not like show version of  Benedict so it's hard for me to get into their story. Also, all Bridgerton men are written the same. They are all "rakes" that then turn into the perfect husband. And so we have all just tuned in to watch pretty much the same story over and over. It's about the journey though and some of them have been better than others. I think Pen and Colins was the least developed somehow- the only scene I really enjoyed between them was the carriage scene and somehow the book version was still slightly better. 

Anyway. before I drone on and on about Bridgerton- let's get back to a rather boring review. 

Tweezerman claims: 

File, buff, smooth and shine nails to perfection. Comes with 4 peel-off replacement pads for each side to easily replace worn pads.

I think it was made in Korea- lost the packaging now and can't find it anywhere online. 

I've taken more of interest in my nails this year so I keep this a bit more handy than usual. But still rarely use it. I like that you can easily replace the pads- though I have yet to do so. I do love that it comes with replaceable pads. I haven't seen any other blocks that do the same. Yay for some slight sustainability.

It has four sides. Some work better than others. 

The first side I'm not a fan of. It's the "file" side. I find the shape a bit more awkward to use than a regularly shaped file. Works in a pinch though.

The second side is buff. I try not to do that much either because my nails are on the weaker and thinner side and buffing removes layers. I do it as needed and very rarely. 

Next side is smooth. I should probably give it more use. But I just rely on my base coat to do all the smoothing. When I use the buffer I do use the smooth side after. It works OK.

And last up the shine side. I don't think this works as well as other files I have had in the past. I have gotten far shinier nails. This does OK. Gives you the look of polish sans polish. I don't use this side much either because when I am doing my nails I am typically preparing to polish them. I think if you shine them before hand polish doesn't last as long cause it's harder to bind to a shiny surface.

Overall, not a must have item. I only reach for it occasionally. But it's nice to have when I need it. 

Ancestry DNA Update #10

 I can't believe we are already on update number 10. I always look forward to seeing new information updated to my DNA profile. Usually one of the changes I can count on are always more regions added. This latest update I went from 19 regions to 27! That is pretty crazy. I also tend to have the most regions compared to my immediate family. Pretty Cool! 

I'm going to keep this update pretty brief. Mostly I post these to keep track of my the changes over the years. So here are my 27 regions...

It's interesting that now it is divided up by region. Makes it a little easier to see and group everything

Starting with West Africa which represents the largest (of course!) for a total of 66%. From what I can see they just added some further breakdowns so we have Central Nigeria, Nigerian Woodlands, etc.

Then we have the Iberian Peninsula with a total of 10%

Next up, Central Africa. I don't think much has changed from the last update to this one.

Then we have England. Not uncommon. They get really specific with it, before it was very general and even start talking about what foods come from that area.  I noticed Scotland disappeared...but maybe included in the North East England DNA. 

Then we have Ireland. Also very specific regions. 

Western Europe shows up. I think that's a more recent add.

Then we have the last few regions- which they are so small I won't call up them specifically.

And that's all! Wonder if by the next update I will have 30 regions? That would be exciting! 

Glossier You Eau De Parfum Review

 

One more review and then I am done for the day. The way I usually decide the next perfume I'm going to use is just googling and finding the most iconic fragrances. This popped up on some list- before then I had never heard of it. So I went ahead and ordered it from Sephora. I wish I didn't. Or I wish I had ordered the smaller size or something because this was not worth it.

Glossier claims:

Glossier You is a soft, warm and familiar skin-scent enhancing fragrance. Sparkling Pink Pepper opens into earthy Iris, settling into a strong, slightly-sweet base of Ambrette and Ambrox that wears close to skin–so it smells a little different on everyone!

Musky, Iris, Amber, Powdery, Soft Spicy, Violet, Floral, Earthy

Made in the USA

I think maybe I have a problem with "Ambrette/Ambroxan" type of scents. I don't think I have tried one that I have found to be very good. It's mainly the initial spray and the fact that it doesn't develop into anything good either.

It smells "cheap" to me. Something about the top notes reminds me of cheapie Glade sprays. I can't pick out any of the other notes- I wouldn't say it gives floral, fresh, oriental, woody- or any of the other categories. Maybe slightly powdery?  Just cheap and meh. If I didn't know how much I paid for the bottle I would have thought it was $30 or less. I feel $20 would be a fair price for it. But of course it was much more than that. 

Even the packaging gives cheap. I had been carrying the bottle around in my bag and you can see wear on it. Some of the packaging has worn off and the top has chipped. 

I really wish I had seen the smaller size because that is what I would have gone with. I didn't see that option- unlucky for me. 

I did read that it was reformulated about two years ago- so it's entirely possible that it was much better before. 

Overall, I really dislike it. I might try to use up the rest of it as a room/bathroom spray. I can't see myself wearing through the rest of the bottle. Waste of money for me. 

Shepherd's Pie and Turkey and Stuffing Casserole

 This past week I feel like I made a bunch of Sunday dinner type of recipes- except  I didn't really make any of these on Sunday.

The first recipe was a Shepherd's Pie. I haven't made one of these in years- but the last one I made I really liked so I was really looking forward to this one. I even went to the meat market to grab some lamb so I could make it with the lamb instead of beef. I eat ground beef for most recipes that require meat so it was good to switch it up. This was good but I feel like it would have been better with extra seasonings like Thyme/Rosemary. I made it on a Monday too...and it felt like a little too much work for a weekday. But it was still pretty good! This recipe came from the Unofficial Harry Potter cookbook.

Next up, a Turkey and Stuffing Recipe. Except I subbed out the Turkey for Duck. I didn't feel like hunting for Turkey Pieces and I found the duck on sale in a local store. I thought it was uncooked but it was already cooked. I tried to crisp the skin the wrong way on the stovetop ...I should have just cooked it in the oven and broiled it. I know for next time. Then I just made the stuffing- I'm not a fan of stuffing. But I figured I would try it again just to be sure. And..yeah. Still don't like it. It's just seasoned and moistened baked bread with aromatics. I would rather eat any other starchy side than stuffing. But if you do like it I guess it's a good recipe.

Definitely not the best thing I have ever made....

And that's all for the last week!