040: Empting out the empties

Part of my list was to try and use up my beauty products. And I tried real hard this last month and now, I have a few empties. These empties however, are the special ones, the ones I'm going to have to buy again because my hair/skin/body loved them.

Firstly, Bump Eraser Lotion. This cream is an absolute gem. For years I have been trying to find something that can actually make a difference with my stubborn ingrown hairs. Not only did they disappear but it also reduced the amount of hair actually growing. And, it's less than $15 if you know where to shop.So many wins!

Then, I finished my iron tablets. As someone with pretty low iron, I think this is a little achievement, because  I always forget to take them. My healthcare professional will be thrilled.

I was using Dr Lewinns Medic Oil Control Night Lotion when my skin was playing up real bad and after only a couple of weeks it cleared it right up, and helped with a little of the scarring the previous outbreaks left behind.

I've started to become aware of the things I put in and on my body, so housemate and I started looking into some organic alternatives to the usual products. I had used Organic Care before, but it wasn't until I did a little research did I find out that not only is it entirely organic, vegan friendly, sustainable and free from the nasties in most other products, it also smells amazing and costs around $4 a bottle. Naturally, I am in love.

In the same idea as the finding ethical and natural products I recently started to wear Nude By Nature and I love it. My skins loves it too. I only got the starter pack to begin with my am now needing to invest in full size portions.

And very sadly I just finished my favourite perfume. My sister game me Red Jeans by Versace two years ago, and it was the only perfume I took with me to England. I'm not going to throw the bottle out though, one wiff and it takes me to the other side of the world.

Although it is not many, I'm beginning to see some space in the back of my cabinet. Slowly getting there.

  Kathleen x

039: The Best Uses for Coconut Oil (that doesn't involve eating it)

Over the past year I have been trying to cut down how many bathroom products I really need. I always seem to have at least a dozen different bottles half full cluttering up the small space that I have, so I get really excited when I find something that can double up and be used for something other than its intended purpose. (conditioner as shaving cream! Bronzer for eye shadow! Hairspray as make up setter! [I don't think this is condoned in the industry, but it works]) so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the joys of coconut oil and all the wonderful things it does.

So, dear coconut oil, how much do I love thee, let me count the ways

1. Moisturiser - This was how I was introduced to the oil. A little scoop and my skin is left feeling silky smooth, it makes an excellent night cream and an all over body lotion (if you are willing to let yourself air a little before getting dressed)

2. Make up remover - I don't wear heavy make up, so one little scoop also is able to wipe off most of my face at the same time. And I'm left moisturised. Night routine has been reduced to one step, one product. Win.

3. Lip Balm - for when I've got really chapped lips, just whack it on

4. In the bath - I good spoon full - let it melt away and let yourself slip off into a tropical haven in your own bathroom.

5. Shaving Cream - I doubt you would have ever had such a silky smooth shave before using coconut oil (or maybe you have, I did confess just before I'd been using conditioner for most of my adult life) but it moisturises at the same time, so bonus lovely-ness

6. Hair Treatment - Lather the stuff through dry hair and let it sit for a couple of hours or over night (don't sleep on your good pillow cases though) and rise out in the morning for glossy hair. If you have naturally oily hair you might need a couple of washes to get all the oil out. And if you have very thick hair (like me) I suggest melting the oil down first to make it stretch further.

7. Foot Treatment: Rub this stuff all over your toes and wrap them up in socks for the night, silky feet, here we come.

8. Post Waxing Wipes: I never understood why they only ever gave you four Post Wax Wipes and 40 Wax strips, it baffles me. But rubbing a little oil on the remaining wax dissolves it straight away. No more sticky pins for me!

And this doesn't even begin to cover all the amazing health benefits that this little super food has to offer, which you can read about here, on an apparently scientific website  It is simply amazing. Do you have any products that you love to bits? Or have you got any other uses for my darling coconut oil? I would love to add them to my list.

  Kathleen x

038: Half Way There - Fifty/Fifty Challenge

As part of my "Things to do Next" List I decided to take part in the 50/50 Challenge: to read fifty book and watch fifty films in one year. The biggest catch, that I can't have seen or read them before. As it is coming up to the 1/4 way through, I thought I might recap how I'm going and how I hope to get to the goal of a hundred new texts by the end of the year.

As of today, I am 22/50 for movies and 14/50 for book. I say that this is no too bad. Nearly half way for films (plus I have two movie dates [with friends, don't get excited] in the coming fortnight so hopefully I hit my halfway soon). Books are a little harder. I am trying to make my way through the Game of Thrones series so it is taking longer than a couple of hours to finish a book. There was a disclaimer on the 50/50 home page that suggested that longer booked can count as two, ands but I'll see if I want to bend the rules come December.

So far, my favourites so far have been -
AustenLand (2013): A Jane Austen enthusiasts enrols in a Jane Austen experience. So rarely do I laugh out loud during a film, but this was hilarious. Jennifer Coolidge had me in stitches and JJ Feilds is a dream.

The Cuckoo's Calling Robert Galbraith (on goodreads) I liked this, I love JK's style and loved that it was in a different genre. I had thought for many years that she should write a mystery novel and my prayers had been answered. 

Saving Mr Banks (2013) I love Mary Poppins, I love Emma Thompson, I can tolerate Tom Hanks. I knew I would love this movies. It funny, beautiful and heart warming. 

Do you have any recommendations for what I should read or watch next? To see everything on my 50/50 list this year, check out my Pinerest Board.

  Kathleen x