Welcome to Beauty and the Beets! I have been recapping my recent road trip to Augusta, GA and South Carolina here on the blog, and while that has been one of my most favorite trips, I am taking a break from it to post my other Friday Favorites. I hope you enjoy it!
This week is all about those beauty products we splurge on. I know we are all careful about watching our money and sticking to budgets, but we all also have those special products we like to justify spending a little extra money on. Here are my favorites-
1. Aveda Rosemary Mint products
Aveda has had this collection of products out a long time and I have never grown tired of it. I especially love the lotion. It smells amazing and it is very light on your skin. Here in Florida, when the temps are in the high 80’s constantly, the last thing I want on my skin is a heavy lotion. I am only reminded this is one of my most favorite things because my lotion bottle is almost empty!!
2. Body Shop Tea Tree Oil line
I love this stuff. I have used various products from this line for years but my favorite is still the face wash. I love how the smell wakes me up and clears my head. It is a great product for oily-prone skin and really helps my skin to glow.
3. L’Occitane Hand Cream
After using a homemade hand scrub I love to slather my hands with this L’Occitane hand cream. I love the original Shea Butter version but the Mango Flower, Lavender and Green Tea Gel are also on the top of my list. As with my lip balm, I am never far away from this stuff.
4. Body Shop Lip Butter
Did someone say LIP BALM? I can’t go anywhere without my lip balm. Usually I just carry my mint Blistix or my Burt’s Bees stick around but I love these Body Shop Lip Butters. There are so many flavors to choose from and I probably have tried them all. The lemon flavor is my all time favorite.
5. Origins Sensory Therapy
This tiny little bottle is absolutely life saving. Whenever I am starting to feel overwhelmed with anything, I dab a few drops of this on my temples and earlobes. It tingles, it calms and I feel more relaxed. I especially use it at the beginning signs of a migraine and I am amazed how well it keeps my headache at bay.
Other favorite things I am loving this week:
Ulta Stores
My beauty splurge list is exactly why ULTA is my most favorite store- they carry everything I mentioned except the Aveda products.
Carrot Burgers
Carrot “burgers” have become one of our favorite things to eat at my house ever since we discovered the slaw dog on a recent road trip. We mix our own slaw with Greek Yogurt and some spices, then sauté shredded carrots with some soy sauce and throw it on a burger bun. And of course, what better to go with our “burgers” than our all time favorite roasted veggie? The brussel sprout.
Balsamic Glaze
I bought this balsamic glaze at the grocery store and have used up most of this bottle so quickly. I use it on everything from roasted sprouts to sliced tomatoes- it is certainly not cheap. I just need to learn how to make my own at home and then I will be set.
And some of my favorite blogging websites:
Louise Hays – I love reading her daily affirmations every morning. Fun and inspring
Housewife Glamour – Heather keeps it real talking about fitness. She inspires me to get my training runs in! She has also been hosting the Friday Favorites link up for a while now.
Fitting It All In – Clare has been very open about her struggles with an eating disorder and she inspires myself and others to overcome our own struggles. She is also a host for the Friday Favorites link up.
Run Eat Repeat – Monica is just funny. Yet so serious about her running and training. She makes it fun for everyone. I have been following her long before I started my own websites.
Lysa TerKeurst – Lysa writes about women and faith and inspires me to follow my own faith and beliefs. I have read a few of her books as well and she is a great role model for women everywhere.
And lastly- here is a Fun Fact for your Friday:
Coca-Cola would be green if the food colorant wasn’t added
This fun fact somehow led me to find this interesting tidbit- there is a Mystery Coke Machine in Seattle, Washington from the 1970’s that never seems to run out of soda and nobody knows who owns or stocks the thing. People have stalked this machine 24 hours a day and no one is ever seen stocking it. Plus there is a mystery button that pops out random flavors of soda not offered by the machine. Weird huh?
What are some of your favorite beauty splurges? What are some of your other favorite blogs?
Sharon
Friday 21st of March 2014
I just discovered the Aveda, Rosemary Mint products last week. The hotel we stayed at had them in the room & I fell in love with them also. I agree that the lotion is great. I WAS going to Ulta today to get some - glad I read your blog first. So where CAN I get them?
Anna-Marie Walsh
Sunday 23rd of March 2014
Hi Sharon! They Aveda products are harder to find, however, most major malls have Aveda stores that carry all the products. There are also specialized Aveda salons throughout the country that carry most products. Personally, I am signed up for their email program so every year on my birthday I get a full sized bottle of lotion in which you can mix your own fragrances with and I always ask them to replicate the rosemary mint!
Jess @dearhealthyness
Friday 21st of March 2014
Ahh thaaaaaaaaat burger!!!! I want it so baddd! sounds really delicious!! Can you send me some? or maybe when I move to Miami I can visit you :D!!
Some of my favorite blogs include Peanut Butter Fingers, Sprouts and Squats, and obviously housewifeglamour ;)
Heather @ Housewife Glamour
Friday 21st of March 2014
Thanks so much for the blog shout out! So glad you've been doing the #FFavorites!
Also, that L'Occitane hand cream is amazing! I got some for Christmas and can't stop using it. Those rosemary mint and tee tree oil scents also sound phenom. Hope you have a great weekend! :)
Cassie
Friday 21st of March 2014
I also love Ulta. Thanks for the tip about the Origins sensory balm. I can't wait to give that a try.
Helen Corbin
Friday 21st of March 2014
I have it on good word that there are little coke elves inside your mystery coke machine :-) It’s very easy to make your own balsamic reduction. Just pour balsamic vinegar in a strong pot, bring to a boil and then lower the heat and continue to cook until it’s reduced by half. It will coat the back of a spoon. I use this to make strawberry vinaigrette among other things. :-)