Holiday Quicky

It’s been a while! I’ve been out of commission due to school, work, illness, and life in general. I found something, however, that I could write up quickly, and it’s something I think useful during the holiday season, especially in a time crunch like we are, now. (By the way: Christmas is less than a week away!)

Gifts are tough, especially for the estranged relative, the odd boss that only steps in on occasion, a friend you didn’t know would be arriving for the holidays, etc. I’ve fallen in love with making gift baskets – slightly cheesy – we could also call them care packages, whathaveyou. These can be thrown together with or without a theme, done up for couples (neighbors, boss and his or her significant other, the list goes on) or families that need them.

Let’s do this…

• 1.       Care Basket/Get Well Soon Baskets?: I like to include daily-use things here like *hand sanitizer, *multipurpose wipes, *tissues (purse-packs or otherwise), *nail grooming items (files, slippers, etc.), *bottled water (name brand, think Voss, Figi, Pelegrino), *cough drops, *multipurpose pain killer like acetomenophen or ibuprophen, *lotion, *lip balm, and anything else for personal well-being!

• 2.       Themed Baskets: Movie Night? Get Well Soon (just like above ^^). Date Night…Cozy Night In…Kids? Whatever you can think of. For a Movie Night basket: grab a good DVD or movie tickets, even. Throw in: *bagged popcorn, *sodas, *boxes of theater-style candy, *3D glasses are a cute retro touch, *maybe pack a fleece throw, one of the very inexpensive ones? And pack it all in a plastic popcorn bucket (these can be found at the dollar store). Date night: *a rose, *inexpensive wine or champagne, *wine glasses or champagne flutes, *chocolates, *breath mints or gum, for fun, *candles – okay, it doesn’t get any cheesier but this would be cute for newly weds or valentine’s day, huh? Go nuts with the themed baskets.

Think about your pets lovers, those that work outside, those that have desk jobs, those that eat out often, your coffee and tea drinkers, watch your age ranged, and consider couples gifts. A little thought can be great here but not totally necessary! Just mind your audience.

These can be thrown together at the dollar-store, too, from start to finish. I finished four baskets in one day having purchased the baskets, the basket fill, basket items, and basket bags (complete with ribbon and holiday cards on the inside) all for about $20 each; so affordable and so incredibly thoughtful.

Life After Acrylics

Can I just say: I love my nails being done. Being done, getting done, staying nice and shiny, click-clacking on things that would annoy most but no, not me, I love it. Until recently, I had loved it for about three constant years. After community college, that year off had me trying and doing things I never did. Before acrylics month after month, I had always primped and polished my own nails and they always looked wonderful until I got sick of the chipping, the constant repainting, and not being able to grow them at all (not ever longer than my own fingertips, anyway).

A few days ago, I was reaching for a door knob and one way or another, a long, pretty acrylic nail, my now swollen middle right finger, got wedged into the lock somehow and broke completely in half horizontally and took the length of my natural nail with it. I cursed, stomped around, and cursed some more but now I had bigger problems. I had to take off my others because I knew immediately no salon - rightfully so - would do work on a swollen (and now bleeding) nail. No, way.

After hours with nail clippers, tweezers, acetone, and shot or two of hard liquor, I finally got all of my acrylics off. I did this all while adding up my investment and I was staring at an ugly pile of bright pink acrylic shards that totaled to about $75 - not including tip. Horrified, I took to the internet. After blogs telling me about nail rehab, I decided to do it myself.

I clipped my nails down to the shortest they'd go without hurting (this middle one is just gone, I've got half of a nail there and the rest is just red and swollen, yuck). And then buffed them all to a nice texture. Now, they're paper thin and I can almost hear them crying. I immediately went out to get straight Vitamin E oil (in the vitamin isle, not the diluted stuff) and Biotin, or some places call it H.S.N. or Hair, Skin, and Nails vitamins. This should do it and get them looking healthy again. I'll update with picture later if so. But this is a starting point. Vitamins three times a day, oiling in the morning and at night, and keeping them short and smooth should do the trick for now.

Ten Digit Creations - Small Haul/Review 2

I ordered again - oops! - just days after my smaller one came in. They were having a 20% off sale, so what the hey. I also was able to stock up on some of their clearance goodies, too, and for around $25 shipped, I got some great stuff, as always! (Forgive the fuzzy picture, I was excited.)

 

What you see first are two sets of their incense. I've explained before that they have great incense, all hand-dipped and very pungent. Not too smoky, either, which I enjoy. I have Lavender Woods and Vanilla Cream. Lavender Woods is pretty decent but also pretty basic. I may not get these again just because they smell a bit generic; they're be used, however. Vanilla Cream is to die for. It's a deep, sweet vanilla scent laced with a roasted tobacco background. Love this one. 

Next, there's the two 2oz. body sprays. I got Twisted Lime and Georgia Peach. I'm always satisfied with these! Twisted Lime is like the scent of a margarita + fruit loops, it's interesting and fun! Georgia Peach is ripe! It's like popping open a fresh peach! Not too sweet, but more tangy and sour/bitter like a peach can be. Both are super authentic. 

Next, 4pk. wax tarts; these were marked down too low to pass up. Fig & Melon is candy-like, but sour candy rather than sweet. Heavy on the melon. It's interesting but after all four are gone, I might get sick of it! D'oh! Then There's Havana - I didn't know if these would be good or not! I have to say, I like it! I expected more patchouli but no, it's slightly floral and powdery, slightly cleaner than I anticipated. Love it. Then there's Aphrodisiac. This is a re-buy. I love how fresh and green this scent is! It's like standing in a summer-ripened tomato garden. It's earthly and herbal and you can really smell the summery greens. Love this one!

Two freebies! These are always something I look forward to with TDC. You don't get this sort of surprise with other companies. They sent Tobacco Caramel and this is one I'm flipping over. It's so wonderful! It's a slightly smoky, creamy vanilla scent. Very even and clean. I love it. This would make a great room or body spray. Next, there's Vintage Vanilla. (I love how they pick extras based on what you actually ordered. Very thorough!) This one is different but still creamy and even. Smells like a vanilla musk. Love it!

I am currently enjoying everything! No affiliation with the company, their products, though, are always on point and for the price, unbeatable! 

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