1. Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill
I read a very interesting story the other day in this week’s Entertainment Weekly about Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. The album turns 20 years old this year (GULP!). Can you believe that…? It seems like I was just listening to it yesterday in my college dorm while doing o-chem and pondering the meaning of life… LOL!
So the article had some interviews with people who were involved in making the album, like Alanis, of course, who was 20 at the time, and her writing partner Glen Ballard. They had a very organic writing style, apparently. At times they’d write an entire song a day, and they finished with the whole album in weeks.
I hadn’t listened to the album in years, so I put it on the other day, and ya know what? It holds up really well! My favorite song used to be One Hand in My Pocket, and it still is…
I’ve been singing it to Baby Girl a lot this week. 🙂
2. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo ($22)
At the risk of sounding totally and completely gross, I haven’t washed my hair since Sunday night.
It’s Thursday afternoon now, sooo… Yeah. I’m trying to see if I can make it to Saturday. Which will be five days.
Why am I so excited about this?
Well, Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo. Stuff is pretty great.
My long hair is a pain in the booty to style, so I’ll usually wash it on something like a Sunday night, then curl it the following morning. Then I’ll try to see how long I can go before washing it again, because I just dewnt like to deal with the drama.
Dry shampoo really help. With a good one like this one from Living Proof, my roots don’t get too oily or stinky throughout the week.
The one I’d been using is from Klorane, and I still think it’s very good, but I think Perfect hair is even better. Like, “change your life” better!
So, about dry shampoos, after I’ve used one for a few days in a row, the powder, which is what they’re made of, starts to build up at the roots, and I can feel it piling up and sitting there… Usually after three days or so, I’ll get to the point where I just can’t stand it anymore.
Living Proof is supposed to have some newfangled dry shampoo technology, and the way I understand it, you’re supposed to brush the fine powder spray through your hair, and when you do this, it sort of whisks away the oil, dirt and funk, to “clean” (air quotes) your hair. 🙂 There’s also a fresh, light time-release fragrance that I like.
I bought it on a whim at Sephora a few weeks ago and have been using it a lot since. It works great! Straight up, this is the cleanest and freshest my hair has ever felt while using a dry shampoo, so homegirl is already making plans, yo! When the next VIB sale hits, I’m gonna stockpile.
3. This month’s Cooking Light magazine
I’ve mentioned this a few times, but after Baby Girl set up shop in my tum, I wasn’t really feeling the cooking bug (feeling a bug??). Anyway, it was the first-trimester food aversion thing, but I’m just about completely over it now, so I’ve started cooking again, yay!
I mean, El Hub — that man? He did his best to keep us fed while I didn’t want to cook, but as much as I love him, one can only eat so many grilled cheese sandwiches…
Now that I’m starting to cook again, I’m thinking that it’s one of those perishable skills that you start to lose if you don’t use. My friend gave me this month’s Cooking Light magazine, and it’s been very helpful, ’cause seriously, it’s like I totally forgot how to cook anything that isn’t toast or pasta.
My OB/GYN has me eating a more varied diet than I usually do with the prime goal of “growing that baby!” so she has me eating meat again (I’m usually a pescatarian, but fish still tastes a little funny to me), and the mag has a bunch of easy beef and chicken recipes, like a 20-minute Speedy Shepherd’s Pie (no, it’s not just for speedy shepherds, haha) I made a few nights ago.
It was tasty, albeit under-seasoned, and that’s one thing I’ve noticed about Cooking Light. They tend to go easy on the salt and spices.
4. RMS Beauty Nail Polish
Vegan makeup line RMS Beauty just came out with a new nail polish line ($15 each and available in 10 shades), and the ones I’ve tried are great! They’re vegan, cruelty-free and 5-free (no parabens, DPB, toluene, camphor, xylene or formaldehyde).
I’ve been wearing two coats of creamy orange Curious with pearly gold Solar as an accent nail, along with a base coat (no top coat because I forgot, whoops!), and after four days, there are just a couple of extremely tiny chips at the ends, which is pretty good for me. I think try try one of the darker shades next.
5. Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Deep Moisture Body Milk ($12)
This stuff smells like a vanilla shake, it’s hella moisturizing, and a huge 16.2-ounce bottle is just $12.
The only downside is that after I’m done moisturizing with it, I want a vanilla shake. LOL! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Chelsea says
I definitely want to try the Living Proof dry shampoo! I can’t stand the dry shampoo residue or build up, especially as someone who struggles with trichotillomania, so this sounds up my alley. However, in the spring, summer, and fall, my hair doesn’t mind everyday washes, so I usually just do that.
Colleen P. says
I love that Alanis album so much! Did you see the acoustic version she did of it a few years ago? It’s fantastic. Pick it up if you can find a copy.
Cooking Light is my new magazine crack. I’m trying to lose weight and it’s difficult to look at magazines bc food porn. Cooking Light is good porn, but healthier! And most the stuff sounds so good and easy.
Lulle says
Oh, Alanis Morissette… reminds me of my youth! Still love her music. I guess I’ll remain a 90s music lover forever!
I need to try that Soap & Glory lotion, $12 sounds too good to be true!
LindaLibraLoca says
And I just bought the Klorane dry shampoo…
I have started eating meat again through this pregnancy (also did throughout my last), to keep up the protein intake, and I wasn’t too keen on fish when we were in France. Which is funny, because I usually live of fish and pain au chocolate when I am there. Prawns are still fine though.
Kiss & Make-up says
I kinda wanna eat the body milk now, lol.
Kim says
I’ve had good luck with the Living Proof stuff I’ve tried, as well. I’m glad you’re digging the dry shampoo. 🙂 Btw, I think you’re spot-on with the Cooking Light. I went through a phase of trying a lot of their recipes and felt the same way. Everything was a bit on the bland side. I know meat’s not generally up your alley but at least you’re at a good time of year for easy, slow cooking things like pot roast/beef stew, etc, that include lots of veggies. 🙂
PS As soon as I saw Jagged Little Pill, I was like “ah, someone else has been reading EW”. HAHA!
Jennifer says
Thanks for the lowdown on the living proof dry shampoo. That’s my go to shampoo and conditioner most of the time and I really love it but I’m not so nuts about dry shampoos. But, with your recommendation I’ll have to pick up a bottle. Any tips for using dry shampoo?
My favorite fashion twins, the Olsen’s, have released a dry shampoo of the perfume I’m addicted to–Nirvana. So I’m going to have to get that one too.
I was just looking at the cover of that Cooking Light this morning while waiting for my iced Americano. I tend not to read Cooking Light because I think their recipes are more complicated than they need to be but that cover caught my eye. I may have to pick it up.
I’m glad you’re eating more.
Karen says
OK, so I’ve made three dishes so far, and yes, I have to agree — the recipes are way more complicated than necessary. You know what I like though? How they put together weekday meal plans. I have a really hard time with that, because I never know what to pair with what.
Nicole says
Aww..I so love Alanis! Such good memories came flooding back! I was in college when that album was a hit and that was my jam also! I gotta get some of that dry shampoo. I hate washing my hair. I can make it 3 days a week now. My goal is at 2x. But, one time would be amazing! The dry shampoo build-up you talked about drives me nuts too! I saw a smaller size bottle at Ulta last week for $12 and I passed it up! Ugh. Regretting that!
Karen says
Hi Nicole,
ME TOO! Doesn’t it feel like just yesterday when it was playing 24/7? My roommate and I used to listen to it all the time.
OK, so… dry shampoo. I came this close to washing my hair last night, but I made it to Friday. 🙂 I think you’ll like this stuff! I feel a little bit of funkiness at the roots in the very back of my head, but still, that’s not bad at all. Thumbs up to Living Proof.
By the way, what was your college major? Do you work in a field that uses your degree?
Nicole says
Hey Karen,
Yep! It sure does feel like it was just yesterday! Gosh, time flies for sure. Wait until your bambino arrives and then it soars! Congratulations on that front!
In college for the first year, I really was clueless about what I wanted to do so I just did general studies courses and then I decided to major in Nursing. I finished with a Bachelors in Nursing and when my daughter was 5, I went to get my Masters and finished that when she was 7.( Once you have a child, time starts revolving around their age you will soon discover.)) Yes! I do use my degree in my career. I work as a Home Care Liason and lately have been covering also for a Care Coordinator position that needs filled.
BTW, you just sold a bottle of the LP dry shampoo! 🙂 I had to order myself one to check this stuff out!
Karen says
Thank you Nicole! I’ve been waiting for Baby Girl for a long time and I can’t wait to meet her when she comes in March. I keep hearing that time flies when you have kids so you have to enjoy every minute; honestly now I already feels like time is passing by so quickly! I can’t imagine it going by any faster.
BTW, that’s cool that you get to use your degree in your field. Do you enjoy your work?
Oh, and I hope you love that dry shampoo. I’m really looking forward to washing my hair tonight after my workout (I gotta go walking…my doc has me doing low-impact exercise), but I have to say that I was able to at least handle having my hair down today, which is amazing for fifth day hair!
Happy Friday to ya and have a great weekend. 🙂
Nicole says
Aww, I bet you and El Hubs are super excited! She will change your world in so many wonderful ways no one can describe!
I do enjoy my work. I work mostly from home now. I used to work in a hospital doing a job that is similar to what I do now. But, I have a chronic illness which was bad for a while. While I went on leave, they filled my position. It’s sometime difficult to work form home for me. Sometime it’s awesome for the flexibility. But, I miss being around people sometime and not having the structure sometime finds me working some funky hours!
Five days of no hair washing IS amazing! My hair feels super nasty at 3!That is max grossness for me right now. Five days of hair down is just a dream! C’mon UPS man..Thank goodness for Sephora’s free 2day shipping!
Happy Friday and Happy weekend to you as well Karen!:)
Melissa says
I’m so glad you shared your polish with us. I’ve been too shy to ask you in your other posts ☺️. As for Alanis Morrisette, I remember in high school everyone said I looked like her (long curly hair flat against my head). I wasn’t sure how to take that.
Karen says
Hi Melissa,
Aww, I know how that is. I was a very shy child and remember that feeling very well. (It took me a while to pop out of my shell but I did eventually after taking a lot of drama classes.) I just want to let you know that your questions are always welcome here! I’m happy to help.
And thank you for noticing the polish! It’s the closest I’ve come to doing a halloween mani, LOL!
TGIF!
Melissa says
The funny thing is I’m 35 and a school psychologist (I need to talk in front of groups of people all the time), yet I always feel nervous speaking up. Plus, I’m always telling my 11 yr old about speaking up, advocating for herself, and tips for speaking in front of larger groups. Hey, at least I can pretend. Thanks Karen!
Karen says
I think that nervousness never goes away. I still get those butterflies whenever I have to speak in front a group! It’s natural. And that’s so cool that you’re teaching your daughter about the importance for advocating for herself; it’s such an important lesson to learn, and I hope that when Baby Girl gets old enough I’ll be able to pass that onto her too.
Do you like your job? How long have you been doing it?
Melissa says
I think you’re going to make an excellent mommy and teach Baby Girl so much. I’m so happy and excited for you.
I’ve been at it for 6 years now, and overall I enjoy what I do. There are many stressful moments, it’s non stop work, and there are some aspects I don’t like, but when I’m working one-on-one with the kids, or when I see them doing better in school (or feeling more confident) because of what I did, it all makes it worth it.
yelena says
shut the front door, a dry shampoo better than Klorane?
But I just bought a backup :/
thanks for sharing tho, I will have to try the living proof now!
one can never have too many dry shampoos 😀
Karen says
Yeah, I never thought I’d ever find one to top Klorane’s (which is really, REALLY fantastic), but I like this one even better. My roots feel nicer with the Living Proof one. I’ve heard that they have sample sized bottles at Sephora! That might be a good idea; that way you don’t have to spring for a whole bottle.
Happy Friday, by the way. What are you up to this weekend?
yelena says
I actually just found a set of 7, yes SEVEN, travel size dry shampoos on Sephora.com (Sephora Favorites – Extend your Style) so I may have to indulge. It contains both PHD and Klorane, and 5 others to try 😀
Check it out, have you tried any of the other dry shampoos in this kit?
I’ve always wanted to try the Dry Bar and Bamboo ones…
Happy Friday! This weekend will include a trip to Sephora and some much needed sleep 😀 zzzz
Karen says
Just took a look and it looks interesting! The only one I’ve tried was the Amika one (it’s just OK). If you end up getting it and find some winners please let me know. I’m addicted to dry shampoo and am always looking for more to try (I have R + Co’s lined up next).
Yelena says
OH EM GEE KAREN! I ended up just getting the full size and I LOVE IT! I returned the Klorane because it doesn’t compare.
This has a delicious smell and REALLY cleans hair!
With Klorane I could go about 2-3 days without washing, but this stuff makes is through day 3 and 4 comfortably. (I haven’t pushed it all the way to Day 5 yet, but I’m sure it could hang in there that long 🙂
Thanks so much for recommending this! 😀
Karen says
Hi Yelena,
I’m so glad that you love it as much as I do! It’s such a change-your-life product, yay!!!
Tulipthecat says
I was just looking at that Entertainment Weekly with the story of Alanis. I listened to that CD after a break up with a boyfriend. I think I washed my hair on Sunday too and just washed it on Thursday. I get so lazy about washing my hair so it usually ends up in a bun. I’ve been youTubing different hair bun styles. I’ll have to try that dry shampoo. I haven’t really found one I really like. I also was just looking at the Cooking Light magazine and if I had more time I would try those recipes but I would add more salt.
Karen says
Wasn’t the story interesting? I always love getting the backstory on things that I like.
If you find any cool hair bun styles please send them to me! I want to try new styles too. 🙂
Say hi to Tulip for me. I hope her allergies aren’t too bad today.
Stacey says
Still love that album, too! “Hand in my Pocket” is my favorite, as well. I tend to start belting it out when it comes up on my playlist. 🙂
I’ve been going through a food funk, too. I just get bored with cooking or work gets nuts…and then I wind up eating take out for a week. Not good for my weight! So, I’ve been trying emeals.com for the past few months. (Nope, not affiliated with ’em.) What I like is that they have a bunch of different types of meal plans, you can switch plans when you like, side dishes are given with the main dishes, and each meal takes maybe 30 min. or less to make. I chose “clean eating” (the weight…sigh). It’s just what I wanted–more veggies, but still some dishes with meat. And to me, everything tastes flavorful. But then, I grew up with my mom still habitually underseasons everything because “spices hurt the tummy.” Groan.
Anyway, I think you can trial it, so see if it floats your boat. I like just downloading the menu list every week and having the whole meal thing taken care of.
Karen says
Hi Stacey,
That sounds like a really great site! How are they recipes? Are they easy? The ones in Cooking Light that are supposed to be 20-35 minutes are too complicated for me. If the recipes on emeals.com are easy and yummy, then I’m sooooo in!
Stacey says
Karen, what I like the least is that it seems like there’s a lot of chopping (veggies)…but that’s probably because I hate chopping. LOL I do think they’re pretty easy recipes. Mostly chop, add to pan, and cook kind of recipes. Or chop, make sauce/salad dressing/vinaigrette, and toss. So, it’s not too bad. I’ve enjoyed about 95% of the recipes I’ve tried, which is pretty good.
Try the trial–there are a bunch of different plans, including a quick/easy one. You can easily change plans, too, if the first one you chose doesn’t float your boat. Like I said, I’m on the clean eating one, since I need more veggies in my life!
I think I pay $10 a month for the service, but since I’m using it, I don’t think that’s too bad.
Ruchita says
Ha, I took organic chemistry in college too! Initially I thought I would be pre-med, but honestly once I hit that class I decided it wasn’t for me. 🙂 I can’t believe that album is 20 years old. It takes me right back the college years.
That Soap & Glory moisturizer sounds amazing. Can’t go wrong with anything that smells like a vanilla shake. Yummy!
Karen says
All I remember from that class are the chair and boat formations — and not much else! I was pre-med too once upon a time, but then I learned that it wasn’t for me, and honestly I didn’t want it as bad as some of my peers. I had a lot of friends who were so hard core about getting into medical school, but I was like, “Eh.” Oh, and I can’t stand the sight of blood. WHOOPS! That would’ve been a bad career choice.
I think you’ll like the Soap & Glory moisturizer. They also have a scrub with the same scent, too!
Erin says
That dry shampoo sounds like a winner. I have yet to try any of their products.
Rachel R. says
Jagged Little Pill is a classic. Morissette has such a distinctive voice. I wish I’d kept up with her better after the 90s, but…kids. Kids put you in time stasis.
Karen says
That’s what I keep hearing. I was talking to my mom-in-law today on the phone and she said, “Life as you know it is OVER,” which I guess could be a good thing. Gotta keep changing and evolving, ya know?
Happy Friday to you and your family! I hope that you have something fun lined up for the weekend. 🙂
Kecia S. says
Hey Karen! I can’t really say that I’m an Alanis fan (I did like her on Nickelodeon’s “You Can’t Do That on Television”) & I’ve never listen to the entire “Jagged Little Pill” album, but I do like “Ironic” & I belt out “You Oughta Know” every time it plays in my car. Such a fantastic “angry” song! In fact, I think I’ll go crank it up right now!
My Beauty Dreams says
Great products! I really want to try some Soap and Glory products… I’ve never heard a bad review!
m says
I am very curious about that shampoo now! Have been using Klorane myself.
As re cooking I am loving Friends Food Family cook book.
Iris says
The vanilla lotion sounds amazing!
Janet says
I love Cooking Light, but I nearly always end up doubling the amount of spices they suggest (though not quite so much on the salt). I like things flavorful!