Facial Moisturizer, anti-residue shampoo

I picked up Caramance facial moisturizer at Ulta.  It was only $2 on clearance.  I read a model's autobiography years ago and she recommended using a facial moisturizer like this, especially when traveling.  The model said flying can dry out your skin and a light water mist can make all the difference.  So I thought why not give it a whirl?  Especially at clearance prices.

And I have to say, it was kind of awesome!  It's basically just a light water mist over your face.  It feels very luxurious.  And supposedly it doesn't mess up your make-up... it doesn't do much damage... but I certainly wouldn't use it right before a photo session.  It does give you a really youthful, dewy, glowing look... so if that's something you are going for, definitely give it a try!  And it's just kind of fun.  And who doesn't want a little fun in their day and to feel a bit like a super model!

I also forced the product on my friend and fellow blogger Sarah.  She wasn't so sure, but afterwards she did agree...

"My skin feels really nice." --Sarah

Neutrogena's the anti-residue shampoo

I headed to the aisles of my local super store in search of a clarifying shampoo.  I don't know exactly what has gotten into my hair, but it has some build-up that just won't go away.  Gross!  I know there is probably something where it's because I wash my hair everyday and that's really bad for it and if I just stopped shampooing completely it would be perfect or something... BUT that's not happening.  I like my hair to be clean.

I tend to be very partial toward Neutrogena products so I was so happy when I found this shampoo that seemed to be exactly what I needed.  "Instantly removes over 90% of dulling residue."  And I would say that's pretty spot on.  I washed my hair with this shampoo twice (this is normal for me) and it definitely got rid of a A LOT of the build up in my hair.  Did it get rid of everything?  No.  But did it get rid of about 90%, I would say yes.

I didn't read the fine print on the shampoo before I purchased, but it does have specific instructions to use once a week to make your favorite shampoo work better.  I'm guessing it's probably to harsh or would strip you hair to use it more than once a week, but I'm crossing my fingers--this seems like it going to help out a lot.  I think I still need to find this "favorite shampoo" they refer to, but at least I can get rid of some of that build-up!  I'll let you know about a couple weeks of use how it's going with the anti-residue shampoo.

I hope you enjoyed my 2 little product reviews!  Have a wonderful weekend honeybees.

XOXO

Melissa

Saving Mr. Banks is a GREAT movie

Some things Disney just does right and the movie Saving Mr. Banks is definitely one of them.  This movie is everything I hoped for and more.  It was inspirational.  It was funny and sad and filled with superb actors like Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson.  It was much more than a couple hours of entertainment.  It was the kind of movie that makes you think in a good way.

By the way, did you know that Walt Disney was from Missouri?  Maybe I did at some point, but I had forgotten until I watched Saving Mr. Banks.  I spent a number of years in Missouri during college and it seemed fitting that Walt Disney was from Missouri.  Some really great people seem to hail from the Midwest.  I think I'm going to read a biography on Walt Disney.  I read that Walt Disney also worked in Journalism.  I majored in Journalism myself and I think I might learn a bit from Walt Disney.  I'll let you know what I end up reading about the great Walt Disney.

For now, let's focus on some Walt Disney quotes.  We can always use a bit of inspiration, especially as 2013 comes to an end.

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/waltdisney163027.html#d6ZiEre6RakPF67k.99

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/waltdisney163027.html#d6ZiEre6RakPF67k.99

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/walt_disney.html#iuQD6iPSkF0X6CVC.99

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/walt_disney.html#iuQD6iPSkF0X6CVC.99

Win Some, Lose Some - Carrie Diaries

Carrie Dairies is back on Fridays on the CW.  I'm hoping this is not a bad sign.  A Friday night time slot seems to be the kiss of death for so many shows and I quite enjoy this one.  As always, it's super easy to catch up online too.  This show is pretty much exactly what I thought NYC would be like.  That is until I actually lived there for a summer and it was pretty much the most unglamorous thing ever.  I much prefer The Carrie Diaries version of NYC then the actual sweaty, expensive and grimy real life version.  The Carrie Diaries is your perfect saucy high school soap opera.  And this particular episode was a great start to the new season!

Ryan Reynolds. RIPD. Rambling good time?

R.I.P.D. or the Rest in Peace Department

Ryan Reynolds dies at the beginning of the movie.  But don't worry I'm not giving away anything!  (I totally don't believe in giving away the movie plot lines, so no worries about that on a honey lust)

Reynolds joins his new partner Jeff Bridges.  They are one hilarious duo!

I would give this new movie a honey lust's best rating:
♥♥♥♥♥= AMAZING true love

So kick back this weekend and a comedic ride with some great actors.  (Kevin Bacon and Mary-Louise Parker were pretty awesome in this movie too)

Cheers to a great weekend.  Let me know how it goes honeybees. :)

On the Tube ♥ Revenge Season Finale

On Sunday it was Revenge time, 2 hours of Revenge was a great way to end season 2!  This has become one of my favorite shows... it might even be my favorite show.

Now I am definitely not happy about the person who died during the season finale... but I'm not going to ruin it in case you haven't seen the episode yet.  BUT I do remember when Victoria supposedly died last year... so who knows right?

Conrad Grayson has somehow managed to squirm his way into political office... really?!?

Then the initiative strikes again...

This time with a big explosion at Grayson Global.  Who to blame, but Aiden?  (Well, at least it's convenient to pin it on him.)

There is a whole lot of other drama too... Emily finds out Aiden killed her mentor.  Our favorite hacker Nolan gets hauled off to jail.  And does Jack find out who Emily really is?  

I'm sooooo going to miss Revenge this summer.  Do we really need to have summer breaks?  It's going to be a long while until we get to see Revenge again the fall and I for one cannot wait. 

At the Cinema ♥ Safe Haven

I thought I would like this film and I was right!  Is it the next notebook?  No, but it's definitely a good romance/drama movie and much better than Dear John (thank goodness).  Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel both did a great job... although, personally I thought Julianne looked a little young for Duhamel.  But I haven't read the book and I know people who have and they said he was supposed to be older.  I would definitely say this movie is a fun way to spend an afternoon.  Did you see Safe Haven?  What did you think of Nicolas Sparks' latest movie?

At the Cinema ♥ Side Effects

A side effect.  A peripheral or secondary effect, especially an undesirable secondary effect of a drug or therapy.

For a movie where you think you know exactly where it's going... you really don't have a clue.  But I liked that the end of the movie made sense.  The pieces fit together.  It was not one of those crazy movies where you never get it.  Rooney Mara was actually quite pretty in this film and of course Channing Tatum is always easy on the eyes.  It was an interesting movie... is it worth an evening movie ticket price?  Probably not, but it was still an entertaining end to a Monday night.  Did you see Side Effects?  What did you think?  I'm off to pack for a little trip to North Cali this weekend. :)

Red Box It ♥ The Amazing Spider-Man

Peter Parker was so likeable played by Andrew Garfield.  I also love the fact that I finally watched the movie where Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone met.  I think they are such an adorable couple.  (Although, I still love her as a red head the most.)  The movie has a wonderful all-star cast including Martin Sheen and Sally Field.  It is most definitely worth a Red Box rental to The Amazing Spider-Man.

On the Tube ♥ Lie with Me

The Carrie Diaries Episode 102 Lie with Me

The Nemesis

Let the cat fight begin.  Carrie's new relationship hit a round bump as the most popular girl in school set her sights on Carrie's beau.  Carrie also managed to lie (this week's theme) out of a tricky situation at work.  It was another great episode... AND fun fact.  Did you know Vanessa Hudgens is dating Carrie's love interest, actor Austin Butler?  Me either!  Are you watching The Carrie Diaries?  What do you think?

At the Cinema ♥ Here Comes the Boom

Here Comes the Boom is a GREAT movie and it's even at the cheap theater!  You can't really beat $4 for a movie at Valley Theater.  I knew the basic storyline that a high school teacher goes into the ring to raise money to save the school's music program.

And I'm happy to write that Here Comes the Boom is everything you want it to be... inspirational, heart warming and a lot funnier than I expected.  I don't think it did great at the box office, but I loved it.  So go see it at your local cheap theater or wait until February 5 to watch it on DVD.  And that's right before my birthday (February 7) if you are looking to get me a birthday present ;)  Did you see the movie?  What did you think?

At the Cinema ♥ The Hobbit

Nothing like a good movie to take your mind off your own problems, right?  I wanted to see The Hobbit and was having a terrible night so I decided to do it!  And it was still a great movie even considering my awful mood.  So I'm sure it will be even better the second time.

I saw it in 3D and there were a lot of scenes that seemed designed especially for 3D.  That being said, I didn't like the clarity of some of the faster moving sequences in 3D so I would like to see it 2D and see if this fixes the clarity issues that I noticed.  

I didn't think The Hobbit was as good as any of the Lord of the Rings movies, but maybe it's just me.  It still is most definitely worth seeing in the theater to see how the unexpected journey began.  You will get acquainted with new characters and old friends.

On the Tube ♥ Voting Day

  ***SPOILERS BELOW***

Tonight was a new episode of Hart of Dixie and it was Voting Day!  Lavon and Ruby continued battle it out in the mayoral race.  Lavon was very distracted by Ruby... and Lemon didn't seem any too pleased to find out Lavon was still interested in Ruby.  (Okay, this might be an understatement...)

Brick is very grouchy this episode, love troubles? Zoe to the rescue.

Wade & Zoe seem alright...

 Ruby is looking ravishing in red

 

 I love this outfit!  So patriotic, so cute.  I think a red skirt might be a nice wardrobe addition.  Here's a pretty plus size red skirt from Calvin Klein at Macy's.

Calvin Klein Plus Size Skirt on sale for $70.99

But Lavon wins!

He also wins a kiss from Ruby... (Oh, how I love my Tuesdays thanks to Hart of Dixie)

Redbox It ♥ This Means War

Bring on the cheese.  Bring on the chick flick.  This was a cute movie where two CIA agents fight over the blonde.  (Who else does blonde better than Miss Witherspoon?)  It's funny, entertaining and lighthearted AND $1.20 at Redbox.  So worth the price!

On the Tube ♥ Keeping it casual on the Hart of Dixie

At the beginning of the episode a confident Zoe said she loved keeping things casual with Wade.  She was having fun without any strings and it was perfect.  But when Zoe saw a hot blonde heading into Wade’s apartment, Zoe quickly changed her tune.  Jealousy!  It's an amazing thing folks.  So Zoe decides two can play this game and takes up Ruby on her offer for a blind date with Ruby's cousin to make Wade jealous.  Only Wade doesn't seem to get jealous, Zoe ends up drunk and spills the beans that Lavon got caught shoplifting to his opponent Ruby (who decided to run against Lavon for Mayor of Bluebell).  But all is well at the end when Zoe asks Wade if they can be casually monogamous... and she finds out the hot blonde was just dropping off tile.  So Zoe and Wade have taken the next step... kind of.  They are absolutely adorable!  Meanwhile, Lemon thought she was pregnant, hence, the stolen pregnancy test that Lavon covered up for.  But then it turns out she isn't (PHEW).  Lavon tells Lemon they are officially friends and hired her to run his campaign.  Meanwhile, George manages to break it off with girl he wasn't really into in the first place.  Wooooo.... another great episode of the Hart of Dixie.  ♥♥♥  So what do you think is going to happen next is Lavon going to fall for Lemon or Ruby?

 

On the Tube ♥ Love in Bluebell

It was interesting week in Bluebell and we saw some new developments in the love department on The Hart of Dixie.  Zoe and Wade continued their bickering, but Zoe met Wade’s dad who revealed that Wade talked about Zoe all the time.  Later in the show, Wade had a big moment.  It was practically poetic.  Wade told Zoe that she needed to stop thinking about the idea of her life she had in her head and consider doing what made her happy.  He also pointed out that she was the one who had chosen to stay in Bluebell instead of leave to be some fancy doctor.  It was brilliant!  At the end of the episode, Zoe chose what made her happy: Wade.  I have definitely been more and TEAM WADE as of late so this episode made me very happy.  George also went on his first date in his effort to move on.  There was a very funny scene in a restaurant with Brick.  Lemon was so upset over George moving on that she got dolled up in an attempt to win what she deemed the “breakup race,” she said whoever moves on first wins!  Lemon had a showdown with Ruby at a bar over a guy.  Lemon did win, but then she realized she wasn’t ready to move on even with a hot dentist.  At the urging of Lemon’s best friend, Lemon realizes she is resilient and determined to move forward with her life.  At the end of the episode, she ends up on Lavon’s doorstep and makes him an offer that I’m sure that he won’t refuse.  Lemon wants to manage Lavon’s campaign for Mayor and make sure he beats Ruby.  Who else sees some Lavon and Lemon drama in the future?  And a possible love connection…  what a great episode of the Hart of Dixie. ♥♥♥

 

 

On the Tube ♥ Revenge

"Victoria took my mother away from me... it's time I took her daughter away from her."

So it took me a really long time to catch up on Revenge... I just made it in time for my ABC Sunday evenings.  I still don't really see the whole Daniel and Ashley relationship thing.  And Emily is just getting darker and darker.  She even lied to pretend Amanda about Jack being the father of the baby, harsh.  But I still love my Revenge, I'm just finding Emily less likeable.  I think it would be interesting if Emily gets back with Daniel... we'll see!

Red Box It ♥ What to Expect When You're Expecting

Light, fluffy & fun.  Definitely worth a Red Box rental.  An all-star cast and lot of funny moments.  What to expect when you're expecting is a fun spin on pregnancy (something I know absolutely nothing about).  My friend who is actually pregnant said she didn't want to see Hollywood's version of pregnancy and set up unrealistic expectations.  (I'm sure this is absolutely true.)  But it's most definitely an entertaining movie!

You have a lot of choices in Vegas so I would recommend to pick another one.

Travelers Beware

Mandalay Bay = AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE 

I'm just sounding off about Mandalay Bay... we stayed in August and I have been appalled by the terrible customer service we have received.

Hands down the worst customer service ever!  On my first stay, they put us in the wrong room.  When we were moved to the second room it was not cleaned.  There was hair in the bed!!!  They clearly did not change the sheets before the next guest.  Also, the bathroom had hair in the sink where some had shaved and they didn't clean that either.  GROSS.

My second stay was even worse.  I requested an ADA room for my mother who has mobility problems.  We were not given an ADA room.  The bathroom floor is very slick and she slipped and fell and hit her head and back.  She still is sore more than a month later and the hotel has not done anything!  I have contacted multiple people multiple times and they are completely unhelpful.  A little bit of good will and customer service would have gone a long way, but Mandalay Bay had done absolutely nothing!

You have a lot of choices in Vegas so I would recommend to pick another one.  The location isn't great, it's on the end of the strip far away from everything.  It's a pretty hotel, but it's definitely not worth the AWFUL customer service.  I'm writing this review because I'm so frustrated at the horrible customer service from Mandalay Bay.  It's a luxury hotel, but don't expect good service.  Stay somewhere else!

Your Face ❤ Grow those lashes!

So I'm really excited!  I've been using Latisse (well, actually the generic version from India... but that's another story, girl's gotta pay the bills).  I started using it at the end of May.  I'm a little farther than half way through the growth period (it takes 4 months for full results).  And I have to say I'm super excited! My lashes have grown to at least double their original length!  I still have a month an half left to see how long they are going to get.  It's still no replacement for fake lashes when you're getting dolled up, but it definitely makes a difference for your everyday look.  I'll be doing another report at the end of my 4 months.  Have you used Latisse?  What did you think?