LUSH Review: Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask

Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask

Hello! So, I couldn't decide which item to review for you first, but yesterday (day off of work!) I decided to use my face mask again and figured I might as well review it since it's fresh in my memory.

And speaking of fresh! This is one of the fresh face masks by LUSH, meaning they contain no preservatives, and therefore must be used in a few weeks. I have used the Mask of Magnaminty, which is also a face mask but it lasts for a few months (or a year...in my case). So this one was actually my first fresh mask.

I chose the blueberry one because it smelled delicious. That's about it. I didn't need any exfoliating masks because my Angels on Bare Skin cleanser is a mild exfoliant and I use that one or even twice a day. I also didn't want something too...erm...energizing, like the minty mask I just mentioned. I wanted to feel like going to bed right afterward. 

In that respect, I hit the jackpot with this one. I had used a bit of the pot before yesterday, and I think there's maybe enough left for 1 or even 2 more uses. 

That was about all I could muster for a smile...may have left it on a bit too long. :P

What I loved about this mask: The smell. Fresh blueberries. There might also be a bit of a floral scent in there too, but I mainly just smell blueberries. I also love that it's easy to remove. I just wet my hands and pat them on my face to re-wet the mask and then take it off with a moist cloth. 

What I don't love about the mask: Nothing! Maybe it hardens too fast? That's hardly a con for me though.

Effects: I feel immediately calmed when I put on this mask, as opposed to when I use the mint mask which makes my face tingle and wakes me up. Catastrophe Cosmetic also reduces redness, but I'm not sure if that's an effect of the calomine, or the whitening effect of the talc...maybe both? All in all, it's lovely as a relaxing, softening mask. The (UK) website* talks about it containing antioxidants...but really there's no instant visual or tactile result of those working on your skin. 

*The Canada website doesn't mention the Fresh Face Masks. I'm not sure if the US site does, but the UK site has descriptions for all of them. They're all the same masks everywhere, so check out the UK site for info. :)

Story-time: The first time I used Catastrophe Cosmetic, I only followed it up with Eau Roma toner and Imperialis moisturizer, but yesterday...well...I had MEANT to use my sample of Ocean Salt scrub before the mask, but I forgot. So I stupidly used it afterward. I will review Ocean Salt later (after I experiment more), but yesterday after that lovely mask, Ocean Salt scrub felt like I was rubbing glass on my face. So then my face hurt, and was red. Oy! 

To fix that, I spritzed on my Eau Roma toner (it has calming ingredients) and let it sink in. No moisturizer. As much as my face hurt after the scrub, about 10 mins later it was pretty much the softest thing I've ever touched. No joke. Probably because of the talc? Next time I'll try the Ocean Salt scrub BEFORE the mask though, and maybe mix the scrub with a moisturizer to make it a bit gentler. I'm glad I at least have some scrub left to work with. I had a small sample but only had to use a tiny bit. 

Two more scrubs at least! :)

(Nails: Sephora by O.P.I - Break a Leg-warmer!)

Overall, if you want a nice-smelling, calming, skin-softening mask before sleepy-times...this is the one! :) 

LUSH bath melt

Jack-of-all-Trades, Master of Science!!!

Turns out my plan of posting a LUSH review or two before the weekend was pretty ambitious of me...

My parents arrived Thursday night and it's been busy busy busy around here! They left early this morning and I scooted off to work at the sailing club. 

Recap:

Thursday: Worked at the mall until 5pm, and wandered around until parents showed up (after their 14-hr drive) to give me a lift home and have dinner in my campus town. They were feeling too gross to go out for dinner so we ordered in some delicious Indian food. Yum! (or as the French say: Miam!)


Friday: Graduation Day! Parents drove back to my place from their hotel and we all went for breakfast in town. Got my cap and gown and hung out with them on campus. They got an almost-front-row seat for the big event and took many many photos and videos. Photos were taken outside in a gazebo on our rugby field, since it was raining. 

 

Then we went out for dinner and returned to campus later for a grad celebration (open bar!). After they left, the party continued until I found my way home to my wonderful bed around 1am to catch some much-needed zzz's.

Saturday: Woke up...feeling not so wonderful. We went out for breakfast again and I perked up after some orange juice and eggs. Showed them the boardwalk, a couple parks, then we drove to the sailing club to walk around. We came back to walk around our college's Arboretum (protected forest). Took another walk on the boardwalk, I showed them where I work at the lab on campus and then we went out for dinner! It was sunny so we got to sit out on the terrace. After that was a lot of hugs and kisses and hugs again, since they were leaving early the next morning. Booooo.

Yesterday: Snoozed. Until 11am. Aaaaah. Then I went to the sailing club and there was no wind, and therefore, no people. So I studied accounting in the office ALL DAY. It was boring and muggy. But kind of nice. I took photos (of the boats, not accounting). 

 hazy...

 What a quiet, relaxing Sunday!

LUSH Reviews to come! I have 3 days off this week, so no excuses. :)

LUSH. My new GP.

 What my heaven looks like.

Oh hi there! Long time, no write!

Thanks for being patient...I must say, it's been a MOST GLORIOUS little break. A lot goes into blogging "behind-the-scenes" so to speak, and it was starting to get to me. 

SO, last week I wrote about how I'd really try to just blog on topics worth talking about and that I want/need to talk about, and not just...coming up with something last minute (I did a lot of that, I won't lie).

I'm not sure how many of you out there are "Lushies" as some say (not me), but I'm about to discuss/review some items that I have either purchased or received as samples. Some of you may hate the stuff, that's cool too. 


Anyway, I was introduced to LUSH a while back, maybe over a year ago, by a friend of mine. We were looking for a birthday present for ol' PenPen, and we could not figure out what to get her. The gal's got everything (and it's all neatly organized in a system of tiny bags inside bigger bags, inside baskets, inside drawers). So my pal Mega (that's what we call her, it's true), strode into LUSH and suggested we pick out some bath stuff, and massage stuff for her. Perfect! I was a bit curious about the stuff, and I think I bought a Wiccy massage bar (for sore muscles). I still have one from last summer..it's amazing. I didn't really think much about it after that.


Then summer came. PenPen and I lived together, and LUSH came out with their "Sole Revival" foot care kit. I gotta tell ya, all that training for a 10K race was making my dogs bark. I tried it out and used it up slooowly. But that got us in the store, and PenPen and I started experimenting with other things. I think she bought an Ocean Salt scrub, and I got a Mask of Magnaminty (still have it in the fridge...gawd I'm slow). We were smitten for the summer.


But again...didn't really think about it much after that. 


Then. Then it saved my life. And by life I mean hands. But in saving my hands, it saved my sanity, and thus, the quality of my life. Make sense? I'll tell you how, just in case you're confused'ed.

I talked a while ago about a lotion I'd purchased from LUSH, called Dream Cream. I don't really know what made me drop $25 on lotion...maybe it was the sales associate's instant recognition of my problem, or her confidence that THIS was what I needed. In any case, I went home with a strange black pot of lotion. 


I wish I had a photo of my hands to show you the horror. For about 3 years, I'd had these red, weepy, itchy blisters on the backs of my hands and around my knuckles. I had hoped it would go away like my other itchy spots when I cut out gluten...but it hung around. It's not eczema, but I never really found out what it was. I will say this: I have tried every topical treatment imaginable...and most make me MORE itchy. How cruel. 


So Dream Cream really was a gamble. It had a high probability of sitting on my shelf with alllll the other ineffective lotions/creams/ointments/serums/steroids/etc. 


But I did what she said, and I rubbed it in a few times a day. Not only did it cut the itch immediately, but it actually helped HEAL the blisters quickly. It cleared up in 2 days. Mom cried. My roommates gawked. It was a miracle.


Ever since then, I've been doing some research and checking out the store (especially now that I work in the mall...I just mosey on in when I'm on my break). I have to say, their stuff is amazing. It looks expensive...but it lasts SO LONG. Plus, their products actually DO what they say they will do. After Dream Cream, I trust them with my skin. I was having crazy reactions on my face a month or so ago and I couldn't fix it, even by NOT putting anything on my face. So I tried one of their free in-store facials, and purchased some Angels on Bare Skin facial cleanser...and it healed. 

I owe this store a great deal....hence I will throw money at them forever.


This is already a ridiculously long post. Let's call it a pre-post. Tomorrow or the next day I'll post a review. Just so you can get excited (or know to avoid it), here is what I've bought/sampled so far, and thus, will review:

Eau Roma Toner
Wiccy Magic Muscles Massage Bar (Frank used this on his sore shoulders. He approves.)

Volcano Foot Mask

Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter (sample from last summer)

Cosmetic Catastrophe Fresh Face Mask

Mask of Magnaminty (tub from last summer)

Pied de Pepper Foot Lotion (sample from last summer)

Fair Trade Food Lotion (sample from last summer)

Angels on Bare Skin Facial Cleanser

Ocean Salt Facial Scrub (sample)

Imperialis Facial Moisturizer (sample)

Grass Shower Gel (sample)

Buffy Body Butter

Seanik Shampoo Bar (bought a few last summer, one left)

Ultra Bland (make-up remover), got this sample today. 

Noubar Soap


Ok, I think that's it...again, most of these I tried a while ago (and some are actually STILL around), some I JUST bought, and some I've only tried a wee bit of.


I also have Aqua Marina Facial Cleanser (since I'm expecting a lot of "sunburnt face" this summer), the Stepping Stone pumice foot scrub and I got my Mama a Fresh Face Mask to use at the hotel this weekend. 

OH YEAH! My folks are visiting for my convocation this weekend! Weehoo!! Exciting! So I'll ask what she thinks of it and let you know. :) 


I hope you're looking forward to all those reviews! I'm going to have a fun time writing them! If you're at all curious about LUSH, you should check out their website. Everything sold there is handmade and I believe most is organic. It's a really great company, in any case. Also, it's the only "smelly" store I can go into without getting a headache! That's impressive in itself.

Take care! Happy bathing! :D

LUSH

Time-out

I took my own advice this weekend and just....rested. 

Apart from biking 56K over 26 hours, to and from my shifts at the sailing club (14K away). 


But other than that, it was rest, rest, rest. I studied a bit, I baked a bit, I watched a movie, sat on soft surfaces (my poor rear-end is not used to biking so much) and I actually went to bed at a reasonable hour.

I also completely forgot to blog because I was doing such a good job of resting. Go me!

So here's what I've been thinking. I'm going to blog, when I have things to blog about. You'd think that would be a given, but it's really not! 

I will still do my best to provide you with quality PSAs, weekend linkz, Etsy featurettes, etc. but other than that, I'd rather not stress about coming up with something mildly interesting to talk about in a half-assed manner. I would enjoy it far more if I wrote when I wanted to about something worthwhile.


It is pointless to stress over something you're not getting paid/graded for (and really, even then, stress is to be avoided).


I'm sure you'd agree.

Other reasons to think I might be working too hard?

- It took me until just now to realize that Friday was the 13th.
- The 1st anniversary of this blog came and went...long ago.
- Frank and I actually just sat on the couch on Sunday night and groaned for a while. Our backs hate us. My bum was also quite upset at me (cushioned bike seats don't help at all!)
- I made my bed for the first time in 3 weeks last night. And only because I washed all my sheets and pillowcases.


So that's it. When I have a break from work I think I'll just write a slew of posts all at once.


Or I'll sleep. Who knows!


Happy Tuesday folks. :)

bedding

PSA #31: Take the hint

 What I will soon look like on my breaks at work.

I was going to write a post about the importance of sleep last night, but when I went to write it...I could not!

It was as if Blogger knew what I needed.

I saw the words "Blogger dzown!" (not really) and I took that as a sign. It was midnight, and I was knackered and pretty relieved that there was actually no possible way to write anything, so I went to sleep.


I've been stuck in a terrible cycle of staying up late to do homework because I get home late from work, but then I wake up late and rush to catch the bus to work again. No time in the morning means I have to do homework at night. Sigh.


This leaves room for:


a) too little sleep
b) too little real food
c) too little relaxation
d) too much stress
e) too much coffee


I don't think I've actually eaten a proper dinner all week...probably because my lunch break at work doesn't happen until about 3pm. Then I come home ravenous and eat snacks. Hm.


Today at least I don't have to rush, since my shift at the sailing club doesn't start until 3. Wee! It's the most exciting thing to happen all week.


That's sad.


Bonus non-sad moment de la semaine (of the week): Lush gives FREE FACIALS! I went after work yesterday to get my Volcano foot mask replenished and somehow found out that they give free facials right there on the spot.


I did it, and it was awesome. I felt relaxed for 30 minutes. Bliss!

So. Take the hint from your poor body. Sleeeep.


Bon weekend!

Lush

Drool-worthy bags

There's a Nine West store near where I work in the mall.

Therefore, I go in after every shift to ogle and gawk.


And the salespeople dangle pretty things in front of my face and tell me they're 30% off.

I say "But ogling is free!"

They look at me with pity. I would too.

Here are the bags I'm currently lusting after:

"City Bound (Foldover Convertible Cross Body) Bag" - sounds like a bra description, no?

I picked up the black version and started drooling and the salesman said "oh that one isn't 30% off."


Of course it isn't. That doesn't make me love it any less.

More Nine West...

"Softly Structured Satchel"

The beauty of it actually hurts me. I actually already have a Nine West bag this colour...but...but...

"Innovation Messenger Bag"

Ohhh this is the one I keep going back to. It's an army-y olive-y green and it's so soft I may demote one of my pillows and use this. 

And lastly, a non-Nine West bag (but no less pricey, sadly):

Fossil "Vintage Re-Issue Frame" Bag. (Except instead of all that white, picture navy! Oooo)

When mama was here visiting, we stopped into Fossil to check out watches for her, and we ended up looking at bags too. When the clerk brought this over...and showed us how it opened, we both audibly and simultaneously gasped. 

I may or may not have went back a couple days ago to see it again. I may or may not have gossiped with the clerk about handbags for 20 minutes. He may or may not have given me information about an outlet store in Calgary that had 26 of them left...

That's it. If I revealed any more objects of my desire, you would probably begin to be concerned and call for an intervention.

It's not a problem if all I do is stare anyway. I can stop anytime I want!




Pff, no I can't.

Have a great day feeding your addictions everyone!

Nine West

Out with the old...

In with the shiny and new!

Here's an odd tidbit of info: I am someone who will gladly go buy something that I need, so long as I have the dubloons, but when it comes to replacing something I already have...it takes me far.too.long.

The wallet I had until today, I bought 3 years ago in Halifax for ten bucks. I got it at a tiny little kiosk in a mall run by a young Chinese lady who had only come to Canada a year earlier. We struck up a convo and she apologized for her "poor English" and I told her that her English was 1000X better than my Chinese would be after only a year in China. 

She didn't believe me. Then I bought a wallet. The end. 

See? A wallet with a beautiful story!

I really didn't expect it to last for very long, having spent only $10 on it, but here we are, 3 years later. The card slots have been torn for about a year now, so the cards were always half-in, half-out of their respective pockets. All of the seams and edges were cracked and/or ripped. Yet, I have put off replacing it because it's "not that bad. It's still functional!"

I'm as bad as my father and his holey jeans.

Besides, I'm so picky with wallets. They have to have the right number of card slots and multiple pockets, and be big enough to find in a full purse. Ugh, so many criteria.

Yesterday I decided it was finally time. I had $14 remaining on a Winners gift card, and I was near a Winners anyway, so I went for it.


Definitely not as beautiful a story this time...


But it was still a success! I found a Nine West wallet for $25. Gosh I love Nine West. And Winners.

I spent 10 minutes debating whether to get the dark brown, vintage-y blue or orangey-coral colour of the same style wallet.

  
What a beast it is! Not a fan of the zipper detail but...tiny detail.

I like the snap that holds the card area closed. And the fact that there are SO MANY card slots! Heaven. 


Why do I have so many cards anyway?


Let's not explore that question.


What things take you forever to replace? Kitchen appliances? Jeans (but they're so comfy worn in!)? Good shoes? 


It's hard to give in, but gift cards really soften the blow. 


Bonne journée!

wallets

Sensible shoes are heavenly.

I am officially an adult, I think.

I spent the first half of my 12-6 shift cursing my adorable gold-chain-rimmed black flats for their lack of support and cushioning. My heels were feeling every brutal step. 

I spent my 30-minute break walking briskly to the food court and stopping in every shoe store along the way, cursing the cute shoes with no arch support and heel cushioning. Then I arrived at "FeetFirst", which, from what I could gather by its name, was exactly where I needed to be.

I tried on shoes. I found black loafers that were reminiscent of a pair of Michael Kors shoes. The saleslady and I both sighed at the thought of owning a pair of Michael Kors shoes...but alas, we both work minimum-wage shift-work. That's life. She kept the shoes for me until my shift was over.

The last half of my shift was spent still cursing my flats, and waiting until 6 when I could bolt outta there and buy the other shoes. I walked home in them. It felt like walking on little tiny clouds.

Obviously, I do not regret my choice.

 Bonus: as much as the above photos might demonstrate the contrary, these shoes do not actually make me look 80! And the look nifty with skinny jeans. Win.

 My most comfortable work-attire. 

New shoes: Me Too (from FeetFirst)

Jacket: RW&Co

Sweater: Gap

T-shirt: Gap

Trousers: Gap - (style: "curvy", which makes me chuckle)

Dear Gap: apparently, you are comfortable.

 Frank's favourite shots of the day. He actually said "Cute! Oh do that again!"

Seriously, is there a class I can sign him up for? He kinda digs this.

black loafers

Yoga Hems, Neglected Shoes and the Gap

Yesterday, I believe I informed you that I managed to purchase jeans at a ridiculously low price on Friday at the Gap. Not ridiculously low by my thrifting standards, but relative to regular-priced jeans at the Gap. 

I did not intend to buy jeans, and even after purchasing them, they were kind of just another pair of jeans, but for a pretty sweet deal. 

That is. Until I got home and hemmed them. Yoga hem of course, as I always do (I did a tutorial on how to do this hem last summer. Highly recommended.)

The hem is not as important as the revelations that came about after the hemming took place.

Revelation #1: I have not own dark-wash boot-cut jeans since I lived in Halifax (circa 2008). I will also note here, that they didn't flatter me then. That's back when "the tighter in the butt, the better" was my jeans policy. Oy.

Revelation #2: Boot-cut jeans that actually fit...go with every flippin' kind of shoe. I determined this by pulling out a pair of shoes I bought last summer and have not yet worn because none of my pants really worked with them. How sad is that? These poor shoes have sat in the closet for a whole year, just waiting for their day in the sun.

No more! These two go together like peas and carrots.

After this major win, I proceeded to try on virtually every pair of flats and heels I own. These jeans win on all counts. I may write an ode or a haiku to them.

Revelation #3: Working at a tailor has its advantages...

The reason I got these jeans for such a low price...was because I pointed out one pretty small but significant flaw...

 Looking alright so far.

 Notice the problem?

There are teeth missing on the zipper. So the barn door, remains shamelessly open.

Luckily, I know that putting a new zipper on something at Stitch It costs a couple dollars per inch. Which means my jacket getting a new zipper will likely cost ~$40 (yikes!), but for a 2" fly? 5 bucks with tax. Hurrah! 

For all yous DIYers out there who wouldn't want to bother getting a zipper replaced (I feel ya, I was on the fence), may I suggest considering turning that zipper-fly into a button-fly? It's just as simple and maybe even cheaper. If the zipper winds up being too much trouble, that's my plan B. Plan C involves using a safety pin every time I wear them (the least attractive option).

In summary: hem your too-long jeans, fix your broken zippers, boot-cut jeans rock, and show your shoes some love.

Happy Monday everyone. :)

PS Shopstyle's down, so no fancy ads today. What's up with that? Boo.

Update: apparently fixing a fly zipper is not as cheap as I thought. We only measure per inch for certain things. A jean zipper is about $15. Luckily...my manager did it for free in her down-time (aka no customers). So take that into consideration! And if it's too much, ask about making a button-fly. :)

Weekend Round-up (08.05.11)

If you came here looking for links to cute animals and delicious food today, you won't get it! 


It's 1am and Frank and I just finished watching Robin Hood and I got no linkz. I haven't really been on the web much this week, which is incredibly odd, but there you have it. So instead, a round-up of highlights!


I officially started one job, as well as accepted and then later declined a job at a cafe. 


I found new trousers at the Gap that don't need altering, and with an Xmas gift card plus coupon I only paid $13. Ha! I also got perfectly-fitting jeans there for $15 because the zipper was broken (easy fix)....score.


Frank requested my help on his once-a-year shopping excursion. I became a personal stylist for the day and he pretty much doubled his wardrobe (and he only had to buy 7 things). He then rewarded me with a caramel frappuchino. What a pal.

I mixed hot chocolate powder with coffee and milk and it was a glorious accompaniment to magazine-reading.


The two girls have moved out and we have two new boys, who are brothers. They're quiet and kind and amusing. Excellent.


My new DKNY sunglasses finally arrived! It's been 2 months of waiting...I am relieved and squinting less.

Lastly, IT'S MOTHER'S DAY! My mom is my bff, so every day is Mama's Day. She's probably a little sick of hearing how great she is by now (impossible). 

Not her real smile. That's her "I'm exhausted from Christmas" photo smile. Just wanted to clear that up.

My lovely mama is spending today with HER mama and likely drinking more tea than she's used to. They're both wonderful ladies, full of wisdom and good humour. Let me share an anecdote demonstrating both of those qualities.

(Last week, on the phone with the Grandmama)
 

Me: *shiver* brrr!
Nan: Is it cold there? 
Me: yes, a bit.
Nan: Don't you have anyone warm in your bed to snuggle? (She's 91, btw)
Me: *shocked, but rolling with it* I wish, Nan. I wish.
Nan: *laughs until she almost pees herself* Soon I bet, dear! 


That's uuhh...that's my Nan. A side she doesn't show very often, I assure you.
But I like it! what a saucy thing she is. 

 With her Christmas stocking. :)

To all you saucy mamas, keep it comin'. <3

handbags

May Etsy Featurette: BSmithStitchery

 *drool*

This month's featurette comes from BSmithStitchery. Her Etsy shop can be found here and she has very generously set up a coupon code (blog25) for 25% off, just for you guys! :)

She is also on Twitter (@bsmithstitchery) and Facebook (as BSmith Stitchery).

About Me: My name is Brandy Smith and I am a MN native that loves to sew. I make many different handmade items and enjoy creating quilts and handbags along with a few different small sewing projects. If you want any custom work please let me know because I would love to help you out!

1. How/when did you get started making handbags? 

I started making handbags just over a year or so ago. I love purses, but am not willing to spend the mortgage money on them so I figured I could just do it myself. I only was going to make them for myself, but every time I used mine out people asked where I had gotten my purse and if they too could get one. (That's pretty much the best compliment.)

2. Are your friends and/or family frequent customers?

Not necessarily "customers." I have made purses for them though and have a couple of purses on my list that I still need to make for some family members.

3. Do your designs follow any trends or do you just go by inspiration?
I try not to copy trends because if you want a handmade purse, you are probably looking for something that doesn't look like everything else. I like to just go to a fabric store and get instant inspiration. They are so many beautiful fabrics that would make great hand bags.

4. What kind of materials do you use?
I mainly use high quality quilting cotton. They have a diverse amount of colors and patterns, they endure wear and they have a nice sheen to the material a lot of times. I have used home decorator material and outdoor canvas before also, but I like those better as a tote really.

5. Do you make anything else?
I love to sew and have made several quilts, zippered change purses, pillowcases, fabric wrapped rope bowls, plastic bag holders I call bag ladies, pajama pants and table toppers in the shape of a Dresden plate. On my Etsy store I sell both the bag ladies and a Dresden plate table topper.

6. Which bag (or style of bag) is your favourite (perhaps one you kept for yourself :P)?
I personally use the hobo bag, or crescent shaped one. I like a single purse handle and I love the tab closure, easier to rummage through your purse. I am currently using one that is made from the same material as The Lily.

7. How long does it typically take to make a bag?
I can generally make a bag well within two days of leisurely work. For a custom bag it may take longer because I might need to get special supplies depending on your fabric choice and requests.

8. Do you work from a pattern or free-hand? If you use a pattern, did you come up with it yourself?
I originally worked from templates, but now I have created my own pattern/template from a mix of different purse patterns that I like.

9. What other hobbies do you have? Will your Etsy shop ever include other things?
I love reading and doing outdoorsy things like gardening, camping, hiking and when we are trapped in long Minnesota winters I do some knitting, but I am way too slow a knitter to ever make much for Etsy!! I hope to make some fabric wrapped bowls for Etsy and maybe some quilted table runners available. I have several quilt tops, but I need to have them long arm quilted before they would be ready for viewing.

10. What's your favourite handbag brand? I'm definitely a Nine West/London Fog gal myself...if I can afford it! :)
I don't really get interested in a specific designer, I just look for what I like. It is another matter if you can afford what you like!!! (Agreed.)

Thank you so much for the wonderful interview and the discount! 

As always, if you are an Etsy seller or have a favourite shop that you think should be featured, lemme know! I could always use more things to drool over. :)

Have a great Saturday! xoxo

 More lovely bags from BSmithStitchery! Cuuute.

PSA #30: Listerine is some kinda miracle

Thirty PSAs already? I really thought I'd be out of handy advice by now. 


Apparently I'm a veritable fountain of wisdom. 

This week I'm going to share with you a piece of information that likely only a fraction of you actually need. Not that Listerine isn't for everyone, but there is a small bit of the population that could benefit greatly and you probably haven't been told.


Ever since my brother and I were wee ones, we'd go to the dentist and he'd find little black streaks along our gum lines, and running vertically in the ridges of some of our teeth.


His wise wise words were "that's weird. Must be the water." Oh yeah, which explains why mom and dad and the rest of the village don't have it... Good try!


He did manage to tell my mom that we had "black-line staining" but failed in the area of explaining a) what caused it and b) how to prevent it. Back in those days, the interwebz was not as helpful as it is now (there were approximately 100 websites and half of them were blue font on black background with eerie keyboard music playing)... so we had to take him at his word.


Result: For at least 20 years, we've just been going to the dentist twice a year and having our teeth scraped for half an hour (in addition to the regular cleaning procedures). 


Well. Hellooooooo Google. It's a wonder that Google can explain to me what my own dentist failed to for so many years (and yes, I could have Googled it 5 years ago at least...but didn't think to!). So...they're just plaque. But THESE plaques are formed by bacteria that catalyze a reaction between iron and sulphur to create the black colouring of the plaques. There are lots of different bacteria in there, but not everyone has this specific type. Hence my disclaimer.


My first thought: doesn't Listerine kill the bacteria that form plaques? I'm pretty sure I've seen enough of those commercials to list off what it does by heart.


I checked, just to be sure.


Why yes. Yes it does. 


Just a 30 second swish every night for the past month has not only prevented further staining, but has completely obliterated the already existing ones. I'm perplexed. 


HOW DO DENTISTS NOT KNOW THIS?! My brother's friend went through dental school and had never even heard of/seen it. Sigh. 


So, for the other 10 of you out there that have this problem...Listerine, dudes. That's it. 

(For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, and are slightly revolted, tune in tomorrow for an upbeat Etsy featurette, with no discussion of dental issues whatsoever!)


Thank you Joseph Lister, for your antiseptic discoveries. ;)

teeth