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

037: Mandatory Bag Search

 Through my hectic work behind the register, I get the chance to peer into many a different peoples wallets, purses and bags. ( I'm curious , not a kleptomaniac) I always find it insightful to see what a person chooses to carry around with them, and the things we think we couldn't go without.My bag is a strange and magical places, where all things once lost tend to reappear, and the jumble of things i need readily accessible.

So I thought I might share with you today, the content of my bag.

1. Sunglasses: Apparently, those people with fair skin are more likely to find glare when our less pasty companions don't. I couldn't leave the house without these without fear of driving into a pond.
2. My wallet - I found this little fellow in Scottland and fell in love straight away. Although, me being me didn't buy it because 30pounds is a lot money to a poor traveller. But when I found, by some twist of fate in the duty free of Glasgow airport, I knew this little man was coming home with me.
3. Moisturiser: This is one of the rotating tubes in my bag, but I feel naked without. I love this Swisse Moisturiser, because it doesn't have any of the nasties or the perfume that makes my skin feel less than beautiful.
4. Note book, pens, take away musings - I almost always have a docket from work scrunched up in my bag - with any idea that strikes me when I'm working, because inspiration always strikes at the wrong time.
5. Key, because, I like unlocking things
6. Salsa cards - I have had way too much Mexican this month, and I blame these coupons, but who doesn't love a free upgrade for lunch.
7. Prime example of something stuffed in my bag - a sample of Jerico Body Butter, lucky me.
8. Lip Balm: this little tube of  Burts Bee's Beeswax Lip Balm had so much love, that the label is now long gone. It's so moisturising and has a minty freshness that leaves my lips tingling.
9. Green Aids; A friend at work were selling these, and as they were for a good cause, I had to buy some. Green Band Aids that would help fund a better life for children in third world countries.
10. Lipstick: Rimmel London, Lasing Finish in Heart Breaker This was another find from overseas. I bought it because a) I wanted a red lipstick and b) its called heart breaker and I was feeling ambitious
The is also a cork there, because I think corks are beautiful and one day I'm going to do something with all the ones I have acquired from work.

So, thats the contents of my bag, and a little insight into the contents of my heart. What's in your bag right now? What sort of things to you seem to carry around with you, whether intentional or not. Let me know, I'd love to hear


  Kathleen x

036: Adventures In: Meditating

I would like to say that I am a relativity calm person (when I'm not driving that is) but I never really got into the habit of meditating. I used to do it at school - when our teachers decided that instead of PE we could lay on the gym floor and try to focus on every part of our bodies.

However, since finishing school I have never really had the time to stop and on how my third toe was feeling. Which is quite a shame because that was when I needed it the most (not only my third toe, but the rest of my body as well.) Today however, I decided that it might be the time when I stop and refocus on myself for a while.

To help me with my reconnection I downloaded the Smiling Mind Ap. I always found it difficult to focus on my own, so I liked the idea of having a voice to guide me through the meditating.

Aimed at children, teenagers and young adults, Smiling Mind a tool for the modern age, aiding people in finding a sense of calm, clarity and contentment. I think the program I started in was for beginners, as I quickly fell into the deep stupor of peace and calm, while the program was telling me to focus on my breathing.

I love having something progress my development, telling you exactly how long you have meditated for and what 'level' you are at, but that is merely a bonus to how I was feeling when I returned to the 'real' world once I had completed my daily session plus a little extra, just because I was feeling good.

Next time I will opt out for the music playing in the background and go for a longer session, and although I didn't expect to see a grand difference straight away, I hope to build it into my daily habits and start to feel the difference.

What about you? Do you meditate? Do you have something that helps you get into the zone? I'd love to know

  Kathleen x

035: What I'm Listening to This Week

I thought I might share with you this week a few of the songs that I've fallen in love with.

1. Andy  Grammer - The Pocket

 This song is part of my cleaning playlist, because I need something to grove along to when I'm cleaning. 

2. She & Him - In The Sun

Zooey Deschanel is one of my favourite actresses, I love her energy and attitude, so when I found her band and album I gobbled it up straight away. All of the songs are beautiful, I particularly love her voice its so unique. In The Sun is one of my favourites - plus the film clip is adorable.

3. Sara Bareilles - Many The Miles

This is my go to driving song, particularly if I am driving to see someone I've been missing. So fun to belt out to the steering wheel.

4. Sara Bareilles - Fairytale

I couldn't just have one Sara Bareilles song on my list! I love the lyrics to this one I love her sass, plus another cute clip, what's not to love?

5. Betty Who - Somebody Loves You

I first heard this when I was driving home from a fairly awful day, it was just what I needed to re-vamp my mood and put a smile back on my face. And she's Australia, yay for the Aussies!

What do you think of my favoruites this week? Have you got something that's been playing on repeat for a while now? Love to know

  Kathleen x

034: My Accident Prone Life

Last week, I was in a car crash. Not even, I was in a slight bingle with another vehicle. I was driving one of my house mates home from the shops, we had stocked up on food, wine and we planning on celebrating finalising the move. We were laughing, she was crumping and the traffic was stop start, stop start all along a busy main road.And due to my slow reaction time, hit the car in front of me.

I am the first person to admit that I am not the greatest driver. I am easily distracted, have a slight lead foot and I'm thinking of introducing a complementary sports bra to my passengers. This incident was just another moment of proof why people look at me, my car and question the sanity of the person who issued my licence. And while I take full responsibility of my action behind the wheel, I am so often surprised by the actions of others.

The woman driving the vehicle in front, leapt out of her car within seconds of hearing that awful crunch (regardless of the traffic passing on either side of us) to yell at me through my half open window, questioning my sanity, my eye sight and my driving ability. After we moved to the side of the road and inspected both of the cars (mine a little beat up from a previous encounter with a pole and an itty-bitty scratch next to her number plate) Muttering and fuming, she took my insurance details, and acknowledging that it was not as significant as she thought, said she would let me off with a warning, that I should be more cautious when driving around "prestige cars"* and drove off in a huff.

This morning, I received a call from her insurance company, letting me know she had filed a claim against me. A fee of $1600 was payable. Yes, you read right, Sixteen hundred dollar for a little scratch on the back of her car.

I am not a wealthy woman. I don't have a European car. And I sure as hell don't have a spare $1600 stuffed beneath my mattress. According to her insurance company, my whole car - plus insurance -  is worth the same amount as her bumper bar, and that is the most expensive thing I own. If someone was to drive over my car with a monster truck, I would be lucky to get a grand. Safe to say I did laugh when I heard the quote.

I would count my life a success if I was not never find myself in her situation, trying to wrestle money out of strangers for my own peace of mind. She was not asking for money because she was inconvenienced, because she needed to get a new car or organise a new road worthy, but simply because the car didn't look brand new any more.

Most of the things I own are second hand, some third- or fourth-hand, and yes, I can value them. Yes, I would be disappointed if my house burnt down tomorrow but not because my iPhone is in there, or my pretty shoes. But because my house burnt down. The things I value most in the world look like rubbish to other people. The shoe box of notebooks and scrap paper beneath my bed that contain all my musings from my adolescence, the bundle of letters tired up with a ribbon, my grandmothers necklace I was given when  turned eighteen. But no amount of insurance would be able to replace these things. But they would be the first things I grab.

I do not want my life to be remembered as a collection of material purchases, of shiny cars and sparkly toys. Sitting bitterly in my old age, the sum of my life  shown in money and prestige. (and although I'm not saying she is going to be, I just sincerely hope she has something more in her life than just that car) I want memories, I want laughter, I want someone crumping in my passenger seat. I want an accident prone life. And if that means I will never have a prestige car, well I think I would be able to mange.

  Kathleen x

*I don't know much about cars, but fairly sure that just 'cause it was made overseas doesn't mean your driving a Ferrari

032: At Least Someone Loves Me....

I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day. It may have something to do with the fact for the last twenty odd  I have been determinedly single and the day normally comes and goes in a blurr of others complaining about being single or happy couples blissfully doting on their significant other.

I woke up this morning, and found myself remembering back to Valentines Day last year, when I was only a few months in to the greatest year of my life. And I laugh to think that I was already ear deep in "boy trouble."

I don't really understand casual dating, and I was beginning to experience it for the first time while I was overseas. I had met a boy, literally within days of landing and worked out we could have a half decent conversation. At first we started sharing a few drinks, and before long, we were sharing a bed.

I knew what I was supposed to be doing, acting all casual and cool and unattached and casual. I tried that, but I was having a hard time getting ideas of long distance relationships and visa applications from lingering as an after thought.

I thought for the first time I was going to have a proper Valentines Day and was ecstatic to a point of ridiculous when he suggested we get a bite together for lunch. I spend way too long picking out what I was going to wear that morning and actually bothered to put mascara on,even battled with some eye liner. So I could waltz in to the cafe, looking cool and casual and unattached but looking smokin' hot.

But I didn't.

I got so lost, walked past the cafe three times, called him for directions twice and ended up stumbling in three quaters of an hour later, wiping sweat of my brow to find that the romantic, intimate lunch I had envisaged to actually  be a gathering of all the people I had met a few days after landing.  

Safe to say my dreams of duel citizen-ship were dashed there and then.

This year however was ever so slightly better.  I was fortunate/ unfortunate enough to be working all day  and all night, surrounded by happy couple, oogling glances and public displays of affection. Upon returning home I was very surprised to find a package waiting for me. Thinking that my secret admirer had finally found me, I ripped the packet open to find this little beauty.

Yep... this V day I got Harry Styles delivered to my door. Not going to complain in the slightest (although next time, a 3D breathing version would be preferable). I consider him to be a vast improvement from last year.

How was everyone else's Valentines Day? Did anyone get some surprises? Was it better than my last two? Have you had worse? I'd love to swap stories.

  Kathleen x