Tis The Season

Tis The Season by jennifer-cortez featuring 18 karat gold jewelry

November Birchbox

I was so excited when I finally got my first Birchbox in the mail. I'd been considering subscribing for a while because I love the idea of receiving goodies in the mail every month and it comes so beautifully wrapped (it's like Christmas every month). And for just $10 a month I figured it was so worth it. If you're not familiar with Birchbox (which I'm sure all of you are by now) you can check out their website Here.

I went ahead and took some pictures of what I received this month. Personally, I think the night cream alone was worth the $10, seeing as how the price for a full size bottle is $112. And... I guess I should confess, I actually ripped open the chocolate bar as soon as I finished taking these pictures and devoured it before I'd even turned off my camera. *blushes* I will definitely be stocking up on these bad boys. It's dark chocolate with chipotle, salt and popping candy. With a name like Firecracker, how can you go wrong?..











Products:

Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee Cologne Absolue
Chuao Chocolate Bar - Firecracker
LaROCCA Champagne and Shimmer Acai Sugar Polish
TAY Safflower Seed Night Cream with Jojoba
Zoya Gems & Jewels Collection - Noel

My "Homemade" Herbal Shampoo

                 

So, due to the fact I love trying new products I tend to buy various shampoos and conditioners which I love for a short time and then realize they've left my hair feeling waxy due to build up. And inevitably I end up going back to my trusty "homemade" version. I use quotes on homemade because I technically still use shampoo, I just dilute it a whole bunch because most shampoos are too strong anyway. Keep reading, it's pretty awesome...


What you will need:


1/2 a cup of shampoo of your choice 
I am currently using Giovanni Organic Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo, but any shampoo will work. Just think of what you want the end product to smell like.


1/2 a cup of vinegar 
Because I also make all my house hold cleaning products, I like to get a large 5 Liter bottle of vinegar from Costco and then add herbs and/or citrus fruits to it to not only mask the vinegar smell, but to up the cleaning power. With the one I am currently using I've added orange, lemon and grapefruit peels. During the summer every time I ate an orange, lemon or grapefruit I'd just add the peel to the vinegar bottle until it couldn't hold any more. LOL. 


About 1 cup of dried herbs. 
For this one I am using a combination of thyme, rosemary and parsley. You can also use fresh herbs if you'd like.


32 oz. of water


A 1 quart mason jar with lid
Really any 1 quart glass jar with a lid will work. If you don't have a mason jar on hand, the next time you make spaghetti save the jar and lid.


A 32 oz. bottle to store it in
I am currently using a recycled Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap bottle, but any empty bottle works. 


A funnel is optional but, makes for less mess 


First, boil the water and add your herbs to your glass jar. Then cover herbs with boiling water and put the lid on. Let this sit until cooled. There's no exact time frame for how long you let this sit. Sometimes I'll wait until it's just cool to the touch and sometimes I'll leave it all day because I am doing other things. After, add shampoo, vinegar and herbal infusion to your bottle and you are all ready to wash your hair. No need for conditioner because it will leave your hair nice and soft.


Why it works:


Vinegar removes build up and residue from the hair and closes the cuticles. Since residue coats the hair causing it to look dull and weighing it down, removing the residue leave your hair looking shiner and more voluminous. By closing the cuticles the hair will slide more easily and will leave you with fewer tangles. It's also a natural softening agent. Win- win, right?


Herbs are also great for your hair and different herbs have different effects on the hair. Thyme is good for oily hair, dandruff and mild hair loss. Rosemary is good for all hair types and problems and acts as a tonic and conditioner for your hair. It gives luster and body, helps with dandruff and brings out the warmth, richness and depth of dark colored hair. And has also been know to stimulate the scalp, prevent hair loss and help to regrow hair. Parsley enriches hair color and gives a nice luster to the hair. 


Other herbs to use:


Black Tea: Stimulates hair growth, reduces shedding, brings out dark tones, highly astringent. Not good for every day use due to it's low pH level.
Burdock: Great for thinning hair, dry, irritated scalp, dandruff and seborrhea.
Calendula: Conditions and brings out blonde and/or red tones. It also has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. 
Catnip: Promotes healthy hair growth.
Chamomile: A healing and soothing herb to soften hair, soothe the scalp, lighten, condition and stimulate growth. It also has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cinnamon: Brings out red tones. Cinnamon shows anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It increases restricted blood flow demonstrating mild anticoagulant properties.
Green Tea: Stimulates hair growth, reduces shedding, somewhat astringent. Less acidic and therefore more suitable for every day use.
Horsetail: Helps brittle hair due to its high silica content.
Lavender: Useful for all hair types it stimulates hair growth and degreases. It also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial qualities.
Nettle: Conditions, improves color and texture, helps with dandruff, irritated scalp and dry scalp. Also, brings out dark tones. And stimulates circulation in the scalp. Excellent for use during winter.
Peppermint: Stimulates the scalp. Peppermint is lesser known for its properties as an anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, (although is has been demonstrated in numerous studies).
Plantain: Great for dry, irritated scalp, dandruff and seborrhea.
Red Clover: Brings out red tones.
Sage: Traditionally used to restore color to graying hair, excellent for weak hair. Sage is mildly anti-fungal, as well a good anti-septic and astringent.
Saw Palmetto: Good for thinning hair and hair loss. 
White Tea: Stimulates hair growth, reduces shedding, mildly astringent. Less acidic and therefore more suitable for every day use.
Witch Hazel: Leaves and bark are astringent and cleanse oily hair.
Yarrow: Good for oily hair, stimulates circulation, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, astringent and it's also been said that yarrow can restore your natural hair color for people with graying hair.
Yucca: Navajos swear by yucca root to prevent hair loss and to cure dandruff.



I really love experimenting with this basic recipe by using different scented shampoo's, herbal vinegar and herbal infusions. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy! xoxo


** Photo was taken from Here

TKB Trading

I found this great site to order inexpensive pigments from a youtube video by Nuberxo; I highly recommend checking out her channel. The quality of these pigments are really good and the color range is amazing. It's only $1.50 for the sample size (which is plenty) and they ship internationally. I've already placed my second order with them to fill up my little case which holds 24 pigments. The idea to use a bead organizer as a pigment case is pure genius, in my opinion, and I wish I had thought of it. LOL. If you want me to do swatches of any of these colors or do a makeup tutorial using these pigments let me know. Here is a list of the colors I bought:

Aster Hue

Storm

Off Spec Satin White (sample is free)

Dusty Rose

Winter Rose

Echo

Smokey XXX

Chamoisee (sample is free)

Virgo

Swiss Chocolate

Moonstone

Honey

To order: Click Here

** I am not being sponsored by this company. All opinions are my own.

Fall Scented Beauty

For me, seasons are all about scents. In the spring and summer I love wearing fresh florals and ripe fruit scents and in the fall and winter I absolutely adore warm comforting scents and anything sweet. Here are some of my favorite beauty products that put me in the mood for colder weather.

1.  Dessert Essence - Pumpkin Spice Hand Repair Cream
2.  Fresh - Sugar Honey Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15
3.  Lush - Sweet Lips Lip Scrub
4.  Philosophy - Caramel Apple High-gloss, High-flavor Lip Shine
5.  Laura Mercier - Crème Brûlée Honey Bath
6.  The Body Shop - Spiced Pumpkin Bath & Shower Gel
7.  Lush - Cinders Bath Bomb
8.  Tree Hut - Brazilian Nut Shea Body Butter
9.  Tree Hut - Brazilian Nut Body Scrub
10. Lolita Lempicka - Lolita Lempicka Eau de Parfum Spray

Enjoy! xoxo


**Photo was taken from Here

Outfit Of The Day: REFLEXIONS

So a while back I went to an Exhibition for two very talented photographers. One of which happens to be my friends little brother, Wade Vandervort. I've known Wade since he was a little boy carrying around a brief case full of spy gear. So I know it might sound like I'm a little bias when I say he is definitely one of my favorite photographers, but I think the proof of his talent is in his photographs. He has such a creative eye and his pictures are a little dark and mysterious. You can't help but be drawn in. I really urge you to take a look at his website: wadevandervort.com

And because this is a fashion and beauty blog, I couldn't help but show you all what I wore to the exhibit.










Shirt: Armani Exchange
Skirt: Handmade
Shoes: Trouvé

And The Winner Is...

Okay, firstly I'd like to apologize for being such a lousy blogger lately. I've had a lot going on and I thank you all for being patient with me. I have a lot of fun blog posts coming up though that I can't wait to share with you all.

I am so excited to announce the winner for my first giveaway.

Erika of Fashion Herbal Soup!!! If you haven't already checked out her blog, you really should. She is a very talented blogger with a great sense of style.

Congratulations, Erika.

(Winner was generated using random.org)

My First Giveaway

I'm so happy that I had such a great response to my last post and that you all like my monthly favorites. So I decided to do a giveaway based on those favorites to show my appreciation. 

Here's what you get:

1. NYX Eye Brow Shaper Wax, 1 Ounce

2. E.L.F. - Blush - Tickled Pink

3. DKNY BE DELICIOUS by Donna Karan for Women ROLLER BALL EAU DE PARFUM 0.20 OZ

What you need to do:

1. You must be subscribed to my blog.

2. You must be 18 or older or have your parents permission.

3. You must leave a comment letting me know you'd like to be entered.

**Contest ends September 30, 2011 at 12:00 AM PST**

That's it. This giveaway is open internationally.

Hope you enjoy! xoxo

A Few of My Favorite Things: August

1. Origins by Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream To Brighten and Depuff --/0.5OZ
2. Aveda Brilliant Damage Control with Camomile, 8.5 fl oz (250 ml) (Pack of 2)
3. E.L.F. - Blush - Tickled Pink
4. NYX Eye Brow Shaper Wax, 1 Ounce
5. Dkny Be Delicious By Donna Karan For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4-Ounce Bottle
6. Galaxy Granola Cranberry Orange

Hope you enjoy! xoxo