New Year, old products

I found it hard to keep up on blogs over the holidays, so I didn't. I decided it was too much effort and since the holiday season requires enough effort in itself I gave up on blogs temporarily. I applaud those of you that could still keep up on it all, that's a lot of work.

I'm taking down all of the Christmas decorations today and I have to be honest, for the first time ever, I'm not so sad about it. I sent 2009 into the past with gusto, I have to say I'm glad it's gone; 2009 was one of the most challenging and humbling years of my life, and I wont miss it. I love the blank slate that a new year can provide you, even if it is just in my imagination that all things from the past year are gone or ended, it's nice to know there is a marking point where things can come to a close and there's that fresh hope of a new year and what it may bring. I thought 2009 would bring a lot of good changes for me, and it did bring changes and maybe one day I'll look back on this time and think that they were good changes but while I'm still in the thick of it, it's hard to see it that way. I do have high hopes for 2010 though, I have good feelings that big things are going to happen in my life that will boost me forward, which is a very good thing, and I look forward to it.

Looking back there were a few things (products, movies, music etc) I discovered that I wanted to share with you that made 2009 just a wee bit easier to handle.

I discovered a few products that I decided I love and will continue to use:

Bath and Body works is not a place I usually shop, I find I go in there once in a blue moon get so annoyed with all the smelly products I want to buy but know I will never use that I end up just leaving. However, I had a gift card that someone gave me just sitting in my wallet from ages ago and since they have that new aromatherapy line I went in to check it out. I got this conditioner as a bonus product for free with what I had purchased and I LOVE it. It makes my hair so soft and shiny which is hard to do with my hair. I like it so much I only use it occasionally for fear I will run out of it and then have to go back for more. But seriously, this stuff is surprisingly great, and it comes in a few different scents.

While I'm still on hair, I found this Moroccan oil for hair that I use every day after I get out of the shower. It smells great and it helps smooth out coarse poofy hair like mine making it easier to work with, strengthens weak brittle hair and makes in shiny and contributes to overall healthier looking hair. Something we all could use a little help with, with all the coloring and straightening and blow drying we do.

The hippy in me is telling you all to seriously start using this soap. Dr. Bronners castille soap smells so good, and a little really goes a long way. Instead of using regular shower gel or regular soap which all run out very quickly with this just a few drops on a loofah is all you need. It comes in a million different scents, my favorite are the peppermint and lavender. I heard it even comes in rose, which I havent tried but I bet is lovely. You can find it at your local co-op, sometimes Trader Joes, and I've even seen it once in a while at CVS drug stores. Go out and get it, I promise you wont be sorry. You can even re-use the bottle by taking it to your local co-op and refilling it right in the store. Good for you cause it wont dry out your skin and good for the environment reducing your amount of waste a little at a time.

I get bags under my eyes, like big ones. Like ones I could pack clothes into when I go on trips. I think it's my pre-med days still trying to get me back and probably has a lot to do with my allergies and bad caffeine habit. I've tried a lot of "under eye care" products and clinique has the best one for the most reasonable price. It still follows along with the whole "a little goes a long way" business. I put it on in the morning before I do my makeup and at night with my regular skin care routine just a dab under each eye will do the trick. It helps, and it's worth it so I don't look like an 85 year old woman at 25. I don't think any of us would mind a little face lift when it comes to our makeup routine. I've been doing the same makeup routine since I don't know when but it works for me. Sometimes though I get bored with it and when I want to add a little spice to the mix I wear this lipstick. It's called watermelon and you can find it at Clinique. It's reasonably priced compared to other makeup counters in your local department stores. I went to Lancome first looking for a fun lipstick I could wear on nights out, then went 2 counters down and got the basically the same color for half the price as Lancome was asking. It stays on all night, you don't have to keep applying it, something I can appreciate. It's not something I would wear every day but I didn't want a red I wanted a color not everyone would wear all the time. And it makes me feel French and seductive, something we might all appreciate on days when we're not feeling so pretty.

This week I'm going to post on things I found or used in 2009 that I actually realy liked and want to pass on to all of you. What are some of your favorite products and items you use that you love? You can't keep them all to yourself you know.

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year and embraces the hope and excitement that a blank slate can bring.