Water Softener - Okay, so I’m probably exaggerating by classifying this as an obsession, but I am super excited to share this winter hack. Instead of spending $15-20 per bag on animal safe ice melt, use water softener pellets. Not only are they less expensive, but they are also pet friendly, work well, and don’t contain salt, making them less erosive and easier on floors. The pellets are a bit larger than the granules in the ice melt mix, but they are not so big that they’re awkward to walk on. Most importantly, they work and work well. And, at around five dollars for a forty pound bag, amount to a large savings over the course of a winter.
The Leftovers- This show though…
I had never heard of HBO’s The Leftovers, but my brother recommended it to me. I watched the first episode with him and my sister in law, and I was instantly drawn in. The events in the show take place after a rapture-like event causes three percent of the world’s population, or about 140 million people, to vanish. Kevin Garvey, police chief in a sleepy suburb of New York City, is among “the leftovers” trying to cope with life in the wake of this tragedy. I watch a lot of trashy reality TV that I love, but this is the first scripted series that I’ve been super excited about since Sons of Anarchy. My favorite part is that it makes me think. This show explores grief, relationships, spirituality, and the desire every human has to “be okay.” There are definitely some weird and shocking moments, but I can’t stop gushing about The Leftovers.
Arbonne CC Cream- I went to a girls’ night/Arbonne party at my friend Alicia’s house and intended to buy the typical eyeliner and eyeshadow I purchase at every skincare/makeup party. Aside from lotion, bronzer, and the rare application of some Bare Minerals foundation, I never wear anything on my face. I have always taken good care of my sensitive skin, so I’ve never been in the market for “face makeup,” and the few items I have purchased, sat in a bathroom drawer for years until I finally threw them out. At this point in my life, my biggest complaints about my skin are my forehead wrinkles and redness. At the party, I played along with the whole step-by-step process. I mean, it’s always fun to have drinks and experiment with makeup. I overheard the Arbonne rep talking to another attendee about their CC cream. I was intrigued by her description of the product, so I opted for that as my base coat. I was quite impressed. It is very light, goes on smoothly, and is easy to blend. It doesn’t irritate my skin, and I notice a visible difference when I have it on. My wrinkles are less noticeable and my skin tone looks more even. To be fair, these issues have been helped by all of the foundations I have tried over the years. Still, I bought those and never used them. While I don’t put on my CC cream daily, I use it several times a week, which is huge. It was definitely worth the money, which was relieving since I was feeling a little guilty about the price ($40).
