Sunday, June 24, 2012

Online dating made me feel pretty (for like a minute)

Meet Singles in your Area!!

One night a couple of months back the little "Single" message popped up, and I decided on a whim to go ahead and make a profile and see who was out there...and I'll admit, it was a nice little ego boost at first.

I posted a couple of pics (one even without a stitch of makeup) and was pretty honest in my about me section.  The gentlemen seemed to appreciate it.  I got messages telling me that I was beautiful, hot, cute, funny...all kinds of things that are nice to hear/read about yourself.  It felt good, and I proceeded to chat with a few prospects.  This is where I found out that perhaps the online dating scene was not for me.

Bossy&Clueless: We went for a drink at a local Chili's...he admired my nails and said "I like when girls paint their nails...you should paint them red." (I don't even own a red polish).  Shortly after we met, I lost my job.  A day later he asked me out, if I didn't have to work that day.  Dude! Pay attention, I just got fired!  These things plus the fact that I almost fell out of my chair scooting away from him on our date were clear indicators that he was not the man for me.

TheVanishingAct: We chatted online, we exchanged numbers, we texted and then one day he was gone.  Was it something I said? I reviewed my notes, I couldn't figure it out.  Then almost three weeks later, he sends me a very sincere apology, so we began talking again.  Three days later he's pulled the missing person act again. No thank you sir.

SplitPersonality:  Sweet and attentive. It felt like we were really getting to know each other.  We talked about jobs, friends, family and all sorts of other things. We even set up a date.  We became facebook friends...and as I perused his facebook I began to wonder if this was the same guy.  The pics matched, but his facebook was filled with pics of hot, mostly naked, tatted up women... most of which he referred to as "my future wife".  The Saturday before our date he too became a missing person and I haven't heard from him since.  

BlahBlahBlah:  We've run out of things to chat about, actually we ran out of things to talk about a week ago but he continues to text me daily.  Yesterday I decided to ignore his text, I just didn't have anything to say.  Later that day he called me out on ignoring him. Come on guy, let's face it...we don't click.  There's nothing there to fight for, or fight over.  Oi!

 I think I will take my chances elsewhere.

Do you know anyone that online dating worked for?  Have you ever tried it?  Where does one meet new people?

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

pretty booked up (my book pile)

Someone suggested that I start reading the Game of Thrones series, and offered to let me borrow their set...then I looked around and realized that my current TBR (to be read) pile is growing at an alarming rate...

Right now I'm reading:

"On Hitler's Mountain", by Irmgard A. Hunt.

A little German girl growing up during World War II.  As a small child she really only knows about war and nazis from what she hears from the adults around her.  It' an interesting perspective.







"The Skinny", by Melissa Clark and Robin Aronson

Basically, a diet book that talks about how to eat instead of what.  Rather than telling you how much kale and tofu to eat, it talks about eating what you want (in moderation of course).






 "How to Master the Art of Selling", by Tom Hopkins

I understand that selling and retail will most likely be a large part of my       occupation (once I find a job again).  So in an effort to be a better salesperson, I picked this up.

It's pretty much just what it says. I'm still not quite sure what I think about it.




"Hope in a Jar, The Making of America's Beauty Culture" by Kathy Peiss

Another beauty history book, this has a focus on products and how makeup went from being forbidden (only daring women and prostitutes dared to wear in public) to being something we can use everyday.







Have you read anything interesting lately? What's next on your list?

Monday, June 18, 2012

getting pretty sweaty...as seen on TV

So after my recent struggle with my pants, and with the super evil "bodyshapers"...I opted to to try "The Belly Burner" (as seen on TV!!) Now, admittedly I seem to somehow have missed their infomercials in between all the ones for Insanity and the Brazilian Butt Lift.  I went online and Googled "weight loss belt" this one had decent reviews and I had a 20% off coupon for Bed, Bath & Beyond...so there you go.

Oh my! The good ole days.
I've been to the gym twice with it on now (as discreetly as possible beneath my top).  It does really seem to heat up the area around my belly.  I can feel the sweat starting to form as I hit about 7 minutes on the elliptical.  It for sure heats up my core temperature (or feels like it anyway).  There doesn't appear to offer too much info on how it works, just basically that "The special Neoprene cell fabric creates a sauna around your mid-section, melting inches off your waist." (From The Belly Burner box).  I assume that I'm just losing water weight...but I'm at the point where an inch is an inch (not that I've measured inches, I'm just hoping my pants will fit better soon).  My two trips were a little spread out (a Friday and Monday)...so, I'm going to give it a little more time.  It doesn't bother me to wear it to the gym; however there were several reviews on Amazon saying that the belt stained their gym shirts (I just wear dark shirts with it anyway because it would show through a light shirt and I'm self conscious about that).

My heart goes out to anyone out there fighting with their pants!! (My pants are so not invited to the pants party!) heehee ;)


Thursday, June 14, 2012

not a pretty sight (or my dressing room ordeal with spanx)



Around mid-April I began noticing that my pants were fitting a little more snugly...fast forward to now where my "just in case the weight comes back" jeans don't fit.  I refuse to buy new jeans.

I've been hitting the gym at a pretty frequent rate for the last couple of weeks.  I've upped my veggie/fruit intake. I've cut out soda. I'm not adding salt. I'm watching my portion size. I decided to go to Spanx or other such brand for help (it's not like I'm in any position to be picky).

I went to Target, because I figured there's no one lurking around wanting to help me...(cause let's be honest no one really wants to help someone look for tummy hiding undies).  I opted for two types, an undie that offered superior support and a camisole that boasted it's "tummy tucking" skills.  I reached the dressing room with five of the items in assorted sizes.  Then it began.  I wiggled, and jumped and who knows what else to get myself squeezed in.  The underwear style worked at getting my jeans to fit, I'll give them that.  So I put my top on over to see the overall look.  Below my bra area and above the (crazy high) panty line was all the jiggle that was missing from my tummy. That was not going to work. I moved on to the camisole, which may have worked, had I been able to somehow get it on...but it just kind stuck around my shoulders.

I went back to the body shaper section. I grabbed two pairs of those super long shorts, that cover from below your bra to over your thighs. Getting into them was still not pretty, but I made it.  I tried the overall look again...well hello back fat, I don't believe we've met...I sighed.  I didn't sit down to ponder (I had images of splitting the seams and having to run from Target never to return again).

After working myself out of the tummy/thigh control shorts fiasco, I quietly put my items on the "no thank you" rack and handed over my number card thingy without making any more eye contact than necessary and fled the store.

Hello sweatpants, I'm home.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

pretty delightful Lush haul

I'm such a an easy sell.  Really, tell me how lovely something works...show me how soft something feels and if it smells nice to boot, I'm in.  Which is why at the end of my interview at Lush when my interviewer said "Hey, walk around the shop, check things out, get to know what we've got" (or something similar) I ended up with a couple of items and some samples.  I could so work there, everything I tried felt and smelled soooo nice.

I only got a couple of things that I actually needed (I have some willpower...not a lot but oh well).

1. No Drought, Dry Shampoo: Citrusy, but not heavy.  It actually is a powder (unlike other dry shampoos that spray onto your hair).  It's first three ingredients are cornflour, magnesium carbonate and talc. So, we've got flour, a salt/chalk like substance, and a powder all of which are going to help absorb oils and dampness (as I like to use this kind of thing after the gym). I like that you can just shake a little into your palm and rub it in, and it didn't leave a powder residue.  I've read other tips that say you can use baby powder to remove oils, but that always felt like it left my hair feeling like a powder wig...and seeing as I'm not one of our founding fathers, it's a look I avoid.


2. Prince, Shaving Cream: Shaving cream that is an actual cream, I've been using light lotion consistency stuff forever. This comes in a tub (and the sales guy assured me that it lasts a long time).  Again, it has a lovely light scent and it's great for both the scruffy gents (who it appears to be marketed for) and the ladies (I was told this was a staff fave).  For best results they recommend letting it set for a minute or two on your damp skin, which will help to lift up the hairs a little for a closer shave). Haven't tried it yet, but I'm actually excited to get to shave my legs which is a completely new feeling for me. (The key ingredients for this shave creams are cocoa butter, linseed oil, witch hazel and orange blossom.)


It was recommended to me to try their Ro's Argan Body Conditioner after shaving to really help lock in moisture.  My mom tried this little sample out on her arms and fell in love instantly because it really improved the look of her arms.  Main ingredients: argan oil, shea butter, and rose absolute (pretty sure that's for fragrance) and lemon peel.

They also threw in a sample of their Ocean Salt scrub, which smells super refreshing.  It can be used for the face or the body, and is supposed to be good for all skin types too.  Main ingredients being: sodium chloride (duh, salt) ;0), grapefruit extract, lime extract, and vodka.


So, all in all I do hope my interview went well, but if it didn't at least I got some good stuff out of it.  (Really keeping my fingers crossed that it went well though). :0)


How important is scent in your product purchase? Do you have any great Lush experiences?

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

my pretty wishlist (summer edition)

my summer wishlist

my summer wishlist by tamorama featuring lucky lou shoes

Oh Summer, how I've missed you.  This is my most wonderful time of the year! What I'd really like this summer is to spend some time by a pool, with a pina colada by my side.  I'd also really like to get back into shape...and I've got plenty of time on my hands right now, so I've got no excuses!(That is also where the yoga comes in a bit).  I'd love to go for a ride on my beach cruiser down by the ocean (I know it's not pictured, I just thought of it).  And those shoes! I've wanted a pair of Lucky Lou's forever, and they seem like a perfect summer shoe (that I could wear all year).  The palm trees...my namesake, and hopefully the tattoo that I'll get....eventually, if not this summer, then you know sometime else. haha, I'm such a chicken!


What's on your wishlist for summer? Things to do? Places to go?


Monday, June 4, 2012

pretty lush and kind of envious?

Here I go into the job hunting phase...

A friend brought up to me that I should apply at Lush (which just so happens to be opening up at my mall this summer).  I looked into it, and while it's not a lot of skincare, I really like the company itself. I do love how their shops smell too.  It could be pretty fun.  I think I'm definitely going to apply, I just had a little trouble with their website.

There is also a Massage Envy opening near me at the end of the month.  I feel more confident about applying with them now that I've taken my three day class at IDI.  So, there's that too. Also they use Murad products there, which I used in school and I like.

I have a appointment call with unemployment coming up later this week. I never thought that would be me.  I'm still not quite sure how it works.  I hope I can pick up a job quickly (and that it's something that I like, and a place that is comfortable).