1. Menchie's Frozen Yogurt- Where do I begin? I am currently obsessed with this wonderful place and their glorious products. On any given day they offer 12 or more different flavors such as angel food cake, coffee, red velvet, vanilla, chocolate, tart, seasonal fruits, cookies and cream, NY cheesecake, etc. You may sample ANY or ALL of these flavors for free. It's self-serve so you can fill your cup with as many flavors as you wish and as many toppings as you wish. Did I mention toppings? There is an entire bar...self-serve, again...with nothing but goodies and sauces to sprinkle over your yogurt. Anything your heart may desire in the topping realm is available. My favorite of the moment is angel food cake/coffee swirl with almonds, granola, yogurt chips and fresh strawberries. My son loves chocolate with M&M's, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, granola, Heath Bar, fresh strawberries and chocolate sauce. YUM! Almost forgot...they weigh your cup of goodness to determine the price and believe me, it is cheap! Our family of three usually gets out of there for under $10. Now that's SWEET!
2. L'Oreal's Double Extend Beauty Tube Mascara- I stumbled upon this drugstore find after using another tube mascara for years. As a result of insomnia one night, I signed up for and ordered Leeza Gibbon's makeup line, Sheer Cover. In my sleep deprived haze, I consented to having my credit card charged every three months for a year in order to have a full makeup kit dropped at my door. I hated everything in the kit EXCEPT the mascara. The mascara was the "new" tube technology where it goes around each lash like a tube and fortunately comes off while cleansing like one, too. When my year ended with Leeza, I surely cancelled my standing order, but I didn't know what to do about my favorite mascara. Off I went to Target to check out the scene. This is when I found L'Oreal's Double Extend Mascara! I love it. There are two steps involved. One end is the lash primer which goes on white. This step helps the mascara stick to your lashes and it helps in the removing process. The other end is the mascara. Try it. It will make a believer out of you. It's also CHEAP. I would much rather pay $10 than $30 for something I'm supposed to replace every 3 months. That's $80 a year I can save which helps with my shoe obsession.
3. Peace Love and Hip-Hop- This movement was created by my dear friend and inspiration, Angel Roberts. Her mission is to bring hip-hop dance to the masses. She has danced since she could walk, but she is also a certified fitness guru. This Wonder Woman/Queen of Cool has done it all or shall I say...does it all...hip-hop teacher to adults and kids, interior designer, stylist, Crossfit trainer, retail expert, etc. Her classes are THE BEST WORKOUT I HAVE EVER HAD. Yes, I know I'm yelling, but there is no other way to express my utter devotion. Angel offers classes Monday-Thursday in different venues around Charleston each night. She combines stretching, Crossfit exercises, a kick-ass hip-hop dance routine and yoga. If you've danced all your life or you've never danced at all, Angel breaks the steps down in manageable chunks while she teaches. It is life-altering good. The women there have become like sisters to me. We cheer each other on and pump one another up. There is definitely peace, love and hip-hop going on! I leave sweaty and tired but I leave grinning from ear-to-ear. For more information visit, http://www.peacelovehiphop.com/.
4. Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt Soaking Solution-Sleep/Lavender-I think listing this product is pretty apropos after talking about hip-hop. Ha This 3 pound bag of goodness is just plain magic. After my workout, I retreat to a hot bath with these salts poured in. First of all, it smells just heavenly. The essential oil, lavender, has always been known for its relaxing qualities. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate which is the second most adundant element in human cells. It is easily absorbed through the skin which makes soaking in it a great thing to do. Doctors and researchers suggest these health benefits from having the proper magnesium and sulfate levels: improved heart and circulatory health, flushed toxins and metals from the cells, reduced inflammation to relieve muscle pain and serotonin levels are elevated by the magnesium which reduces stress. If all of that wasn't enough reason to use this wonderful stuff, the $5 price tag is. Sprinkle two cups in your bath and reap the benefits!
5. OPI's Axxium Soak-Off Gel Lacquers- My manicurist, Carmen, tried to get me to let her use this product the last time I was in. I didn't know anything about it so I was skeptical. Then I open up one of my favorite magazines, Real Simple, and I read an article about great beauty ideas that save time and money. A gel manicure/pedicure was one of the featured items. The bottom line is your mani/pedi stays perfectly intact for up to 14 days. Ding! Ding! We have a winner. In my house, I wear many hats and the hat that messes with my beautifully manicured nails the most is the cleaning lady/cook hat. Scrubbing sinks, washing dishes and chopping vegetables isn't conducive sometimes to being a perfectly groomed diva...even though I try and pull it off! Running shoes also wreak havoc on my polished toes. As far as I'm concerned, this is a problem SOLVED!
6. Boar's Head Roasted Chicken- I have been a fan of Boar's Head Cracked Pepper Turkey and Boar's Head Honey Maple Ham for many years. A sandwich made with one of these deli meats is a piece of heaven, BUT now my heart belongs to their roasted chicken. My favorite lunch lately has been a Mission jalapeno/cheddar tortilla wrap slathered with spicy roasted red pepper hummus. I sprinkle a large handful of arugula and some diced avocado or some diced tomatoes or both on top. The Boar's Head Roasted Chicken goes on last. I roll up, slice and eat! The possibilities are endless with this wrap. It is smack-somebody delicious!
7. Fruit of the Earth Vitamin E Lotion- My sister-in-law, Lindsey turned me on to this product. The smell is fresh but not overpowering. The formula is not greasy but it conditions my dry winter skin just perfectly. Because it seems I am constantly slathering my snake-like scaly appendages and torso with lotion, the best thing about this product is the price. Walgreens and Wal-Mart carry it, but the Dollar General has the greatest deal. I get two 16 ounce bottles for $3.
8. The Script- I LOVE all music! Many of you know this already. My first love is and always will be R&B! Let's just get that out of the way. :) But lately when I'm being a domestic goddess with a list of chores or when I'm sitting on my porch at Edisto with a cocktail, I've been playing The Script on my iPod. They are an Irish trio whose music has been described as "Celtic Soul." (No wonder I love it.) The lead singer's voice has that cool cat/smokes-a-cigarette raspy/sexy vibe. Their songs have a soulful groove that scream chill-axing. Their self-titled first album came out in March 2009. "Break Even" and "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" are my favorites, but the other songs are beast! "Science and Faith," their second album was just released January 11th. "For the First Time" is a single from that album that I love. You will LOVE them. They aren't bad on the eyes either! Ha
9. The Butterfly's Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe- I could write an entire blog about my love for Mary Alice Monroe, but I will try to be brief. My sister was the first person to tell me about her awesome books. I am a nonfiction lover so reading her books was new territory. Let's just say, it changed my life. The Beach House and Swimming Lessons started me on a journey of loggerhead turtle volunteering and a journey of self-discovery. This summer will be my fourth summer doing this. I was lucky to meet Mary Alice a few years back...that is an INCREDIBLE story which I will save for another time...when she shared with me the title and storyline of her new book set to be released in May. The title and its connection to my story is wild enough, but to read an excerpt on Mary Alice's blog, freaked me out with all the similarities. An orange VW bug, four women on a journey, monarch butterflies and their migration, and a burial are just a few things I connect with so far...and it hasn't even been released yet! I can't tell you how excited I am!!!!!!!!! Another sign from God!!!!!!!
10. Water mixed with Northland Cranberry Juice/Lime wedge- My new favorite way to choke down my daily water! I've never liked the taste of water nor do I feel like it quenches my thirst. Since January like every other fool, I've been trying to make healthy choices with food and drink. I have even tried to cut out my one time a day soda fix and that's how I came up with this little jewel. Last year I read in my Whole Living magazine (Thanks, Annie!) how cranberry juice is a wonderful antioxidant, can help prevent stomach viruses...WAIT. STOP. I didn't need to read another thing. Vomiting is one thing I loathe and fear most!!!! Since Northland products are 100% juice with no sugar added, I felt like I was killing two birds with one stone.
Okay, I am going to try a lot of your "favorite things." First up... the mascara, and the Dr. Teals... thanks!
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