Tree Tents

"The Tentsile Stingray was conceived as a portable 3 person treehouse. It offers occupants a spacious triple hammock interior, accessed via a hatch through the floor or via a large front door. It can be suspended at any height and if dry, can also be pitched on the ground." - tentsile.com

There's very little that attracts me to the idea of camping - the bugs, the night bugs, no proper toilets, the shitty food, possible bear attacks, night noises, the wet morning air, the stinky people around you (not my own stink, I'm kind of into that stink), etc. - but if one of these floating tents were involved? I'd be all over it. And the thought of sleeping in mid air? Neat as hell. I don't really understand how you'd actually get into it, but since it costs about $1000, I'm sure there's some kind of invisible ladder or something.

 (Also, the lumpiness of the ground is never a good bed, world. Stop sleeping outdoors if you have the choice. It's silly.)

Full Eyebrows

This is the Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil that I use daily. Now listen to me, I do not use it to draw on some eyebrows. I use it to fill in the eyebrow area (not the entire area, but more of a dusting over the areas that are sparse) and to create the look of a normal human being who has effortless eyebrows. (Though it could be a myth, that anyone on earth has effortless eyebrows... usually everyone could use a bit of darkening in that area.) If I had to use one makeup item for the rest of my life, it would definitely be this one. They come in different colours and the best one to choose is, obviously, the one closest to your own hair colour.

Some people use it to give themselves more of an arch in their brow, but I primarily use it because when I was 13 I shaved off half my brows (also known as the eyebrow incident of '98) and they never grew back as full as they once, beautifully, were. To this day, my main piece of advice to my 14 year old niece is constantly, "Whatever you do, don't touch your eyebrows yet. You'll regret it later. Just wait a bit." (Well, that and incessantly telling her to lotion her elbows every day so they'll be soft for life.)

Just to prove my point further, here are before and after shots of me not using and then using this brow pencil. (Please excuse the ridiculous eyelashes. I love them. Bury me in them, please.)

Before

After

They're a little pricey for a pencil ($23 at Sephora), but considering that it'll last you for at least about seven months or so? Definitely worth it. 

Also, this is kind of an embarrassing post. You know? To admit you use this product? But I realized that's a dumb thing to be embarrassed about. (Anytime I use fake eyelashes or fill in my eyebrows I think of that scene on Fresh Prince where Will gets locked in a room with that girl (Gina!) who has the fake hair and fake nails. Love that scene so much.)

View fullsize

This is the updated version of the pencil - still the same product, just a new black design and box.

Baby Shower Cap

If you type that phrase into Google, you can find a bunch of places where you can purchase this little hat.  I'm really only posting it here for two reasons:

1. This is actually a crazy practical and great idea.
2. Look at that baby's face. Ridiculously sweet and semi... contemplative. And a baby with that expression gets posted. Always. 

Bright Nail Polish

I'm not a religious woman. I do, however, have very strong beliefs and convictions. One of these core beliefs? Fluorescent nail polish. 

Does that make me sound dumb? 'Cause it shouldn't. This is a blog where I write about stuff I use and love, so you really should've seen that coming. 

I'm writing about this love now especially because the crisp autumn air has arrived. And one of the things that enrages me about this time of year? When women abandon their bright summer hues and replace them with the dreary dark or pastel colours that every fashion magazine will tell you is gorgeous this season. Why is this the norm? I have no idea. It happens every year. I guess because summer's over, you're not allowed to have any more fun? Honestly, if ever there is a time to be cheered up by beautifully striking nails - that time is now. Or better yet, the dead of winter. These are the times we need to see these beauties to wake us up! (And a tip for all humans? Unless you're a 14 year old boy or girl entering his/her testy phase, black nail polish should always be avoided. You're better than that, everyone. C'mon.)

That colour up top is called Hot Tub and it's available at Urban Outfitters for $5 (or two for $8). That is usually my go-to colour because it's as bright as all hell. They've got other great ones too, such as Ringo (bright yellow) and Tiny Shorts (bright orange). (Sidenote: I love the names of nail polishes. My dream job is to be the person who comes up with them. The best one I've ever heard was called, "I'm Not Really Just A Waitress" - Ugh. LOVE.) They also have a bright blue, but personally I find any kind of blue immensely unattractive on toenails (because it looks like ten different hammers fell on all your toes and you're recuperating... ie. gross). 

I'm not even advising you to wear these kinds of colours all the time. At least once in awhile, though. I like to do it almost all the time because I crave attention. And when you're wearing this kind of hue? People talk to you a lot. Good people! Some not great people, but mostly good! And honestly, it just cheers me up to look down and see these guys on terrible, cold days. For sure that's a dumb thing to say, but I'm probably happier than you are... so I'm comfortable with that. 

Avon Makeup Remover

Two things about me? 

1. I'm loyal as fuck.
2. I'm not, by definition, poor; but I have very little money. 

I have been using/buying this makeup remover for about ten years now and I'm never gonna buy another brand. I can't. This dude costs $2 a bottle through Avon and lasts - oh, I don't know, ABOUT SIX MONTHS! By the by, do you have an Avon lady? Get one. She'll be talkative and lovely. Get one.

It's a creamy remover and maybe that seems gross, but you get used to it. It works amazingly and doesn't leave me shiny and glossy like a new penny.  

Also, a tip? Wash your f-ing makeup off your face. Every night. You're not as tired as you think you are if you're already lying in your bed, trying to decide if you can muster enough energy to get up and wash that shit off. DO IT. I've been there, man. I know what it's like. It's so lazy and gross to admit how many times I used to not wash that off before bed, but I've been there. And I've grown. And so should you. (Especially if you wear mascara.) I have a feeling the 50 year old version of me is hanging out in some dimension going, "Yeah.. yeah... wash that stuff off! You're doing me such a solid right now."  You ain't gonna be this young forever. Neither is that face of yours. 

Anyway, this remover is wonderful. Try it out if you aren't already loyal to some great one that I've yet to hear about.  It's $4 if you get it online, but if you get an Avon catalog, it'll be $2.

The Oilless Fryer

If this is for real, well, I'm pretty sure it'll change the world. How does this work? No idea. I got a 58 in grade nine science. But here's what I read about it:

"The Oilless Fryer is capable of cooking crisp, succulent fried food – all without the need for any oil. Just how is this “magic” achieved? Well, there is an infrared heating element that will be able to heat to 400° F, while an internal fan circulates the dry hot air in order to cook golden-brown fried food using 80% less fat than deep-fried foodstuffs. This particular Oilless Fryer is capable of handling chicken wings, french fries, or spring rolls without batting an eyelid, delivering the same crunchy exterior and moist interior that you will find by using conventional deep fryers. The thing is, is this capable of handling a high volume at any one time? That depends on the appetite of your guests, as it can cook up to four cups of french fries simultaneously."

$249.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer.

So much want.

Exfoliating Bath Gloves

Here's a short story.  

I used to use these bath gloves reLIGiously for months and months (for, oh, about three times a week? Some say there's a danger of over-exfoliating if you do it that much, but... well, you already know how I thrive in the face of danger). Then the summertime happened and I stopped - why? No real reason, was just trying to shake up my shower life so I started using more soap and less body wash. ANYWAY, I haven't used those exfoliating bath gloves in months. About two weeks ago, I started noticing some rough skin on one part of my back, which puzzled me. And today, I was hanging out in my shower and thought,  "Hey! Where are my gloves?! I could use a real scrubbing." So I put those gloves on and went to town. Then I came outta the shower and I looked at that rough patch of skin and... FUCKING SMOOTH AS EVER. All that roughness was gone. In ONE exfoliation session. Do you understand how nuts that is? I can only imagine all that rough ass skin on all y'all who ain't using these gloves. Makes me shudder. 

Story over.  

Moral of the story? You need these gloves in your life. Men and women alike. You feel like a freak at first, just naked and standing there with these silly gloves on, but man - the outcome makes it so worth it. And I've grown to love these guys. They'll be apart of my shower hangouts for the rest of my life, I think. I'm pretty sure you can use soap with the gloves, but it just feels so much more refreshing to use some body wash that you love that smells outrageous, in my opinion. 

The gloves cost around $5 and are sold, um, everywhere. Drug stores, Wal-Mart, The Body Shop, online, etc. I'm not sure how often you're supposed to replace them, but I think I probably replace them... twice a year. And if that sounds gross to you, well, that's really judgmental. 

Campfire Fishing Rod

If there are two things you should know about me, here they are: 

1. I love grilled food.
2. I hate fire. (Really. I was forced to learn how to strike a match at age 21 when it became ridiculous that I hadn't learned already.) 

Now, with this knowledge in mind, I am the perfect candidate to own one of these guys. 

Campfire Fishing Rod!

If this looks as wonderful to you as it does to me, you can buy one for $29.95 over here. Just a great idea.

Splash Red Chopping Board

I feel like I could find this in Pee-wee's house, and that makes me love it. Honestly, I'll like anything that looks fun like this - I hope that one day the majority of things in my home will be as fun. Runs for $22. Or £17.

Even the spoon rest is great! 

Essence Sun Club 100% Splash-Proof Eyeliner Pen

This is the only eyeliner I use anymore. I found it in a Dollarama in Canada eons ago and have been using it ever since. I literally never fuck up my eyes when I use this pen. I've been told that you can find them in some Shoppers Drug Marts as well, but definitely look for them in any dollar store 'cause, obviously, they're way cheaper there. 

I used to only use this eyeliner in the summer, since it's really great in hot weather and it doesn't come off as you sweat (it's gross to imagine my eyelids sweating, but let it be known that it does infact happen) - but now I just use it year-round since I've come to love it so. I like the ultra black one, since, well, who the hell uses brown eyeliner? Weirdos, that's who.