The 4th Annual

The holidays aren't the holidays unless you've got a loft full of friends, some spiked egg nog, a photobooth, mudballs, major dance jams playing on the speakers, and a yule log on the widescreen. A 4th year running, the annual holiday bash NEVER disappoints.

I'd write a review, but the pictures pretty much sum it up. If any of my fellow bloggers care to take a gamble, I'll provide a link at a later date.

Happy Holidays your favorite unicorn!

xoxo

Angels on Bare Skin

I lied! It's not Herbalism I tried from Lush...it's Angels on Bare Skin!

I'm referring back to my post I made about all the Lush products I've been captivated by. I thought I'd give an update on my product review.

First of all, the picture above makes it look like a lump of poop, but really it's a lump of heavenly sent amazingness. As I've mentioned before, I definitely have problem skin so I was super wary about trying some product that has never been recommended by my dermatologist. It's only been a week, so I can't really do a complete judgment call until I would say about a month (to see how my skin really takes to it). However, so far, I've noticed a HUGE change in my skin's texture and it's balance between having combination skin. I'm not even exaggerating when I say my skin feels so smooth. I literally noticed after the first use! Not only that, my skin doesn't feel dry in any random spots anymore, and the oily T-zone I normally have seems seriously under control. I'm literally in awe of this product and how it's worked for me so far. It hasn't cleared up any blemishes or anything like that. I don't really have any at the moment, so it's hard to tell. I definitely do get them, though, so I'll let you know how that goes in the near future. As for now, I'm super impressed and give Angels on Bare Skin two thumbs up.

Lush has been changing my world one product at a time. I am a newly devoted Lushie. Anybody ever try any of their products? What do you think of them? I'm really curious to know.

Two things I love

Beards & Christmas.

Wishlist Take 13: Where Are The Wild Things?

I definitely want this soundtrack. It's beautiful and makes me smile, and it belongs to one of my favorite movies of the year.

Wishlist Take 12: Can I buy another Owl, please?

I just can't stop, can I? They're so darn cute! Where are they all coming from?

Good Readings

I've probably mentioned before how I love to read. I've also probably mentioned how I buy books faster than I can read. Sometimes, I think I like the idea of reading itself even more so than the actual act (I get frustrated that I don't read fast enough or that it, sometimes, makes me too sleepy to get fully enveloped in a story).

I have a whole list of books I want to read on my GoodReads page. Everytime I get through one book, I feel so accomplished. It's a great feeling, and I want to feel more of it. I'm thinking one of my new year's resolutions will have to do with this. I really want to take the time to slow down my days by reading, relaxing, and calming my thoughts.

Seriously, I know it sounds cheesy, but I really want to be good to myself in the new year. This is just one of the ways I want to start.

Today I bought Audrey Niffenegger (The Time Traveler's Wife)'s new novel, Her Fearful Symmetry. I'm really excited to read it because I loved TTW so much. It was brilliantly written, and it's my second favorite novel of all time. I can only hope she lives up to the expectations I have for her. I'm a little cautious, though. After reading my all-time favorite, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, I chose to read her second book titled Lucky and only made it 200-something pages in. I just lost interest, and eventually put it down to rest. I don't want to be disappointed like that again. TLB and TTW were too influencial and important to me to be let down again by their authors.

But first, I must finish Songs For The Missing by Stewart O'Nan.

Wishlist Take 11: Owl take you to bed

I have no idea what the point of these are, but they are cute as hell. Do want owls to snuggle at night.

(via ABC Carpet & Home)

Wishlist Take 10: Tree I don't need

I don't really have a need for this jewlery tree by Tré (everytime I use a jewelry holder like this, I find it to look silly), but I really just like it simply for it's design. It looks cool without anything on it. I mean, who wouldn't want a minz dead tree in their living room as decoration? Am I right?

(via Kisan)

Misguided notions

I love covers...mainly from bands/artists covering other bands/artists, but every now and then, you hear one from someone you've never met or heard of. At first, you can become defensive (you don't want them ruining your favorite song, do you?). But then you listen, and you realize they're not half bad. Listen a little longer and you find yourself actually enjoying it. Now, before you know it, you wonder if it's possible that like your favorite song even more now. Of course, nothing compares to the original, but hearing it in a new way gives you another sense of appreciation for it. I know it does for me.

(PS...I can't say Misguided Ghosts is my favorite song off of Paramore's Brand New Eyes album, but I do love it very very much)

Wishlist Take 9: Owl Sweat-her

I love coming up with the worst headlines to my blog posts.

Now somebody find me this, and gift it to me! Who is the genius that knitted this thing?

Wishlist Take 8: LUSHious

I know I used the word "obsessed" quite frequently, but I am completely obsessed with the Lush product line. I'm literally addicted. Have you ever tried it?

Well, it all started a couple years ago for me when I was taking a shower at a friends place, and I had forgotten my moisturizer. My friend had recommended I use hers. I'll be honest, I don't remember which product it was that I used, but I remember it being from Lush. It wasn't this amazing wonder cream that made my skin look like a supermodel's, but it definitely perked my interest. I ventured into one of their shops not too many months later, but was turned away by their prices and the fact that it just seemed like a waste of money (kinda how I feel about Bath & Body works). Honestly, do we really all need that fancy stuff to waste our money on? Just give me something to get me clean, smells relatively good, and doesn't make my skin freak out. Thanks.

Okay, so fast forward to about a year later, I pop into another Lush store (the one at Union Square) to kill some time before meeting up with a friend for lunch. Before I go any further, I have to say they have amazing salespeople! I wasn't looking to buy at all. I just wanted to look, but the lady was looking for someone to have fun with. She brought me over to the sink and had all these different kind of soaps, creams, etc. to try. I forget what she started with, but I ended up leaving with Buffy.

Buffy Body Butter

Buffy is an exfoliating bar. It has ground up rice, almonds, and aduki beans that exfoliate your skin like no other. I guess you can say it's a bit abrasive, but sometimes you just need a good scrub. Then it has cocoa and shea butter in it, too, and that makes your skin feel soooooo soft. You don't even need a lotion after you get out of the shower. I also can't even describe the scent, but it's somewhat herbal. Some people may not like it, but I personally love it.

And that was it, after I bought Buffy, it was all downhill from there. Now, I have only gotten to try Shave The Planet (a thick shaving cream) and Lemony Flutter, but everytime I venture into a Lush shop, I have to fight the urge to buy something (it's not cheap, and not really in my budget). However, I have been noticing, their products do go pretty far. You really only need a small amount of whatever it is, and it goes such a long way. So now, I'm realizing it's pretty much worth the money because not only does it last a while, but it really does such an amazing job. Plus, everything is organic, and it just makes you feel so fresh, healthy, and happy.

As a little product review, I'll explain my experience with the few items I've got to play with. Shave The Planet comes in a small 3.5 oz. pot for about approximately $15. While I liked using it, I don't believe I'll make the investment in it again, and I'll tell you why. The cream is so thick that not only is it hard to spread evenly, it gets stuck in your razor. Seriously, anytime I shave with it, I have to throw away my razor right after it. It just isn't practical for me. I love the way it makes my legs feel, but I'd rather just use one of their amazing moisturizing soaps after I shave instead. Then, there's Lemony Flutter. It smells soooo lemony delicious it's ridiculous. It comes in a really small 1.5 oz pot, but let me tell you, I've used it 3 times already and I've only used the small section thats left on the cap when I opened it. It's basically a butter that you put on places like your elbows, heels, and even cuticles. The last time I tried using it on my feet before bed to soften my heels. I put cotton socks on to help lock in the moisture, and the next morning my feet felt so nice and soft...and still smelled super lemony (hence my tweet about my feet smelling like lemons)! It was awesome. I had to go back. The other day, I walked in again actually looking to buy a gift for someone who would appreciate their bath bombs. I've always been so intrigued to try them, but unfortunately I can't (long story, but I can't take baths). Anyways, I bought her the Honey Bee Bath Bomb and the Cinders Bath Bomb (part of the Christmas line they have). Both smelt so good. I can't wait to hear how she likes them. The Cinders one is supposed to fizz up and smell somewhat cinnamony and remind the bath taker of a glowing fireplace...not just because of it's fire-y color, but it actually contains pop rocks in which crackle like an actual fire. Gah, I'm jealous my friend gets to try this.

Cinders Bath Bomb

Ok, well while I was there, I wasn't really looking for myself, but one of the girls (I was at a different store from Union Square, but honestly, all their employee are amazing...so friendly, and so great) let me take home a sample of Herbalism, their cleanser. I will be the first to say, I do not have great skin. I've always had problems. I will not let anything touch my face unless my dermatologist approves (I've been seeing one since I was 10), but I not gonna lie, I was dying to try it. So, tonight, I did. Of course, I have no idea what the long term results will be as of right now, but I will say that my skin feels so soft and actually really good after using it. I never feel anything after using my basic cleanser, besides clean, I guess. I probably didn't even need to use a moisturizer afterwards, but I did. I used the smallest dab, and I don't feel oily, or dry...it feels just right. I'll let you know if anything awful happens when I wake up. I'm kinda keeping my fingers crossed cause I think this could be a cool product to use.

Herbalism Cleanser

That's basically the small extent of my Lush use, but from this point on, I am a believer! I love the way it makes me feel (I really love organic stuff and the fact that there is no testing on animals), and the smells are to die for. I'm not kidding, I don't think any body products can match the scents they have in their lines. Everything smells so good (a little secret, I kept the bags I bought the bath bombs in for my friend, just because they smelled so good). I seriously cannot stop smelling their products. I highly recommend Lush to any and everyone.

Here are some products I'd like to try that are on my wish list:

Honey I Washed the Kids Soap

Therapy Massage Bar

Porridge Soap

Snowcake Soap

Flying Fox Shower Gel

Snow Fairy Shower Gel

Fairy Tale Sugar Scrub

Double Fast Luck Emotibomb

Banana Moon Soap

Cocktail Soap

and

Seanik Solid Shampoo

Wishlist Take 7: Rosetta Stone me

Ok, so I minored in French in college, I spent a summer in France, but I still feel like I didn't learn enough. I want to speak fluently, dangit! I don't want to have think about what I speak, I want to speak about what I think.

Seriously, I love languages. I think it's such a privilege to be able to communicate with other people and learn their cultures. I admire people who are multi-lingual (by choice or by default). I'd like to learn it to keep it with me for a lifetime and not just for when I plan on returning to France for small periods of time. I've heard so many good things about Rosetta Stone. Even though it's super expensive, I feel like it's worth the investment.

Wishlist Take 6: Trout pout how do I find you out?

I fell in love with this dress a while back. I had it saved on my compy, so I can go back and maybe someday buy it? However, my only note to myself was "Troutpout." Now, I can't find it anywhere. Was that was the name of the label, the place I found it, or the way in which this model's expression is? We may never know.

Wishlist Take 5: Owl give you a ring

You remember how I like owls? Yea, I'm sure I'll be posting plenty of 'em right here in my wishlist...like this owl ring!

I need some other owl accessories besides all the owl necklaces I have. Sheesh.

Wishlist Take 4: In tune with New Moon

Make fun of me all you want, but I want this. The New Moon soundtrack is said to be really good. All great artists in one place, you can't really ask for more.

Wish List Take 3: Jumpin Jammerz!

If these had unicorns, I'd buy like 5 ...in every color they had. They look soooo comfy and fun!

(via JumpinJammerz.com)

Wish List Take 2: Owl love you forever

As many people know, besides unicorns, I have a slight obsession with owls. My favorite thing is collecting the most unique ones I can find. I find them at flea markets, vintage stores, ebay, my grandma's basement...wherever.

Now, this one may not be a one-of-a-kind, but it certainly is adorable and much different from anything else I have. How many people do you know have an owl lamp? I, personally, can't think of any.

I want this one from Kisan. Now, if only it wasn't so pricey.

Wishlist Take 1: Unikey to my heart

I'm starting a wish list for hoo haa's. I really can't think of anything I need or seriously want. But these are some things I wouldn't mind having, if you know what I mean.

I'll start simple with Unikeys from popdeluxe.net:

I already have one similar courtesy of Angela, but I would love to have a collection of them. The one Angela gave me has rainbow colored hair and it's own horn. These use the key as their own "magical" horn. It's so so cuuuuuute!

My Comfort & Joy

Not like you need to know...or even want to for that matter, but I think I now have more Christmas undies than regular ones. I seriously can't help it. I love festive undergarments.

This season Aerie came out with so many amazing ones, that I couldn't get just one set. Plus, they were on super sale, and I'm obsessed with their boybriefs.

Yayyyy Christmas!

Take me to you

Either Paris or Phoenix.

My little helper

Xander loves to help make the bed. It's his favorite.

He plays underneath the covers and likes to hide.

He's so fluffy like a lil' bunny. I like to snuggle him as much as I possibly can.

He's way too cute. I can hardly take it. Sorry, I just have to brag.

Dancing without limbs

A lot of you will probably find this creepy, but I find it quite beautiful.

The next video is really astonishing. It literally took my breath away, and actually made me believe that anything is possible. Would you ever think dancing could be possible without an arm or even a leg?

Sometimes seeing things like this only make me angry at myself...for getting upset over such petty things in life. I'm not saying losing a limb or something like that has ruined people's lives, but really, it's hard to realize just how lucky we are until we've experienced a loss.

I tear

Marissa, will you marry me? from justin on Vimeo.

The most beautiful, most romantic proposal. Bravo, kid....bravo. I'm literally tearing.

Tricks aren't just for kids

I'm totally wandering into being the world's most boring blogger, but here's what I wanted to discuss anyway:

The other day someone offered me some of these awesome looking yogurt covered raisins. Of course, I'm thinking, raisins = healthy + yogurt = still healthy...and come on, look at the packaging! I figured, at least it's not Raisinets, so why not?

I'll admit, I'm not what you would call a healthy eater, but sometimes, I like to see if I can be. Anyways, come to find out later, these things are awful for you! Now, chances are I can eat half the bag if not the whole thing in one sitting, so let's see if I can explain some calculations I came up with.

One serving size is 18 pieces, and there are 8 servings to a bag. Per serving is 6 grams of fat (and even worse, 6 grams of SATURATED FAT), and 140 calories. So say I were to eat the whole bag...that's 48 GRAMS OF FAT and 1,120 CALORIES (that's more than half of what your average daily calorie intake should be). This just completely blew my mind.

Then, I decided to take your average snack of a chocolate chip granola bar and compare some factors. There are only 50 calories in one bar, so that means I would have to eat approximately 22 granola bars to equal the calorie intake of these so-called yogurt covered raisins! I mean, seriously!

I guess my point is you can't judge a book by it's cover (which I find myself so often doing). The packing totally sold me on this one. Bravo to them for having a great advertising team, but yikes, I realized I really need to start reading more into the labels and nutrition facts on the side or back panel.

I'm really not happy, and let me tell you why

So apparently, there's been one open in the US for about a year now, however, it's taken me a while to get my butt in this place. I hate large stores, especially ones that remind me of department stores (I'm much more of a small boutique kind of girl). I have avoided this so-called fashion haven at all costs, but I feel, I may have made a mistake. I might have to make an exception for this holy place...TOPSHOP! Que the harmonizing angels singing Hallelujiah.

Ok, don't patronize me. I knew of it's excellence for quite some time. An ex of mine had bought me some things from there when he flew across seas that I love, and I lurk lookbook.nu like it's basically my job. I'm not completely in the dark! But seriously, it only really hit me when I was actually inside the store. I almost had an anxiety attack; there were so many wonderful things.

I still hate the setup. Anything with multiple floors the size of basketball courts should be banned (i.e. Forever 21, H&M, Macy's...yuck!). I just feel like I'm stuck inside a corn maze when I'm in one of them. It is harzardous to shoppers' health. However, let's just say, Topshop, for you, I will.

I literally ran out of that store before I could do any serious damage. It took all the control in my body to resist. Only one pair of shoes fell victim. Luckily, they were on sale.

If anybody questions what to get me for Christmas, please start here. Fanx. I don't think there could be anything from this store that I wouldn't love.

Movie of dreams

One of my favorite movies I used to put on all the time before I went to bed. It made me have lovely dreams, and I'm sad I no longer have this. It 'twas Ashley's, my old roomie's :( I need to go out and invest in this for myself. I also think Where The Wild Things Are will be my next Science of Sleep. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD.

Halloween happiness

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Mark my word, there will be a party next year. With all the lack of haps this year, I'm just not gonna let that happen again. Halloween is too great of a holiday to go anti.

The past 5 years for me have been rough around this day as it is the anniversary of my grandfather's death. He passed just 5 years ago on the 27th of October and we had his funeral on Halloween day. Even though time passes by, I can't help but feel the pangs of sadness. This man had such an influence in my life. He was so jolly, so loveable. Everybody in town knew him. He was so memorable. He would have wanted me to celebrate this day.

Halloween was one of his favorite holidays. Every year he dressed as Fred Flintstone. He loved to give candy out to the children walking up and down the block. The young ones of the family always made a trip over as their last stop of the night. No one could be a better Fred than this man. "Yabba dabba do!"

I wish for just one more time, I could squeeze him tight...make him laugh so I can see his smile. I can still feel the whiskers of his chin when he used to plant a kiss on my cheek. And his round hard belly in between the way of my small wingspan wrapped around him when I hugged him goodbye. I miss him so much.

Everything he had was "just for you." He liked to please and make everyone around him happy. If he baked a cake, he baked it just for me (though, the next person to walk through the door, he made sure to tell them he baked it just for them, too). If it was Italian bread he bought, he bought it just for me (though, he really did cause every Sunday I came over there were 2 loafs...one for me, and one for everyone else. He knew how much I liked it, so he made sure there was always enough). It was always something with him. He knew how to make everything just right for everyone.

A man that has seen the world had loved nothing more than just being home and with his family. He was a stern father of 7 boys and 3 girls but was as gentle as a kitten of a grandfather of 15. I'm so happy he got to meet all 15 of his grandchildren, but I'm so sad that half of them won't get to remember his magnetism and have the kind of memories I got to share with him.

There's nothing like a relationship between a girl and her grampa. <3

Again, Happy Halloween everyone. Tell me what you wore. I can't wait to see all the costumes.

2AM Club

Dearest friends,

I apologize for taking so long to get pictures up from last week's Trainwreck (sadly, I have lots of other commitments I have to concentrate on, too), and I apologize for the confusion of the changing of domain names (I tried to make the easiest transition possible...for everyone).

BUT without any further adieu...the only thing you really care about in my babbling: pics from our fun night out.

Babes in boyland. It's not polite to stare.

Two of my favorite people. A party is not a party without either one of them.

Nash-town knows how to throw down.

Meeting Patrick was like meeting a celebrity. Jeremy's and his homeboys from home.

I'm not really sure either, but it's her party, and she can do as she please.

Me and the jerms...go all the way back to my "ghetto" days and before his first emo haircut.

No one touch her, she's mine.

What? My friends are amazing? I know.

Moose-staches for Angela. Okay now, where's the beard?

Whatcha got playin for me? Are we gonna have parties in your bedroom?

Ginger alert. Nobody move.

That's exactly my question.

What you want more? Fine...Click Here.

Via iPhone

This is my first official post from my iPhone and I'm just writing to say I loved seeing everyone out at Trainwreck last night. From besties to new friends...you all are friggin awesome. Seriously, I have amazing people in my life (I brag about this all the time, I know).

Anyways, I am up too early with a migraine and this is probably not helping, so check back again within the next week and I should have pictures up.

Unicorns and magic,
Jiscilla (via iPhone)

The Last Analysis

Before my bloggy blog went MIA, I got a pretty cool analysis of it just by simply sending my link to Typalizer.

I got the idea from my friend, Pat, when he found out his blog's personality. Somehow, I like how mine turned out. I think this even better than any horoscope or "fortune" I've ever received. It all matches up.