Great Hair Tools

Here are some of my favorite hair tools that I have on rotation. I don't always use the same thing and half the time I just let my hair air dry and don't really style it. I have been trying to make more of an effort to style it. 

Remington Hot Rollers. I know that most people don't use hot rollers anymore, but I love these. They give my hair big curls and my hair is HUGE at first, but it quickly tames itself down. 

Babyliss Pro Curling Iron. A friend of mine had this and let me try hers out and I immediately loved it. It gives you the perfect "beach waves" hair curls.

John Frieda Hot Air Brush. I saw this suggested on Cup of Jo and decided to order it. Sure enough it gives you that salon look, but for me it doesn't always stay styled that way throughout the day, which is a bummer.

Babyliss Pro V2 Hair Dryer. This hair dryer is something that my hair stylist uses and I decided to bite the bullet and buy it because I hadn't had a new hair dryer since I was about 13 years old. I am soooo glad I did buy it. I love this thing. When I do decide to blow dry my hair it only takes 5-10 minutes depending on how wet my hair is. I know it is expensive, but it's worth the investment in my opinion (I actually got mine cheaper than it is on Amazon right now). For me especially if I keep it for 15 years like my old one.

Mason Pearson Brush and Swissco Comb. I bought this hairbrush several years ago after constantly reading about it in magazines, online, etc. Sure enough it has held up great and is the perfect size for me. I have the Junior size. The Swissco comb I have been using these for years and years. My husband actually uses them more than I do. They are great and durable. They used to be on Drugstore.com because I would buy them in bulk for a much cheaper price, but I looked the other day and didn't see them on there anymore. 

Eco (& not so eco) Lipsticks and Chapsticks

I don't wear lipstick often, but seem to have a lot of different options. I wear more chapsticks than anything because my lips get super dry. As you'll see I lean more towards pink colors.

These are some eco lipsticks. The Hourglass lipstick kind of has a funny taste, but I really like the color. The Ilia lipstick conditions and goes on smooth. The Hourglass lipgloss gives a great pop of color, I love wearing it during the holidays.

 Hourglass Lipstick in Whisper, Ilia Lipstick in Blossom Lady, and Hourglass Lipgloss in Icon

These are the not so eco options that I use. The Nars lip pencil and lipstick is the colors the make up artist used at my wedding 2.5 years ago and I loved it and decided to buy it. The Chanel color is one that I saw in a magazine years ago and has since been discontinued. YSL lip gloss my husband bought for me as a birthday gift. 

YSL Golden Gloss #19, Nars Lipstick in Mitzi, Nars Lip Pencil in Sex Machine, and Chanel Rouge Coco #20 Rose Comete

I use chapstick more than I use lipsticks. I have been using EOS since they came on the market several years ago. Carmex I have been using for years. I know many people think it is gross to use the kind in the jar, but that is what I prefer, I think because this is what I always saw my grandfather use. Lucas Papaw Ointment is something relatively new I have been using. When I first started using it I thought it was great and it is supposed to work miracles on chapped lips, but as time goes on I am not sure how I feel about it. I think it may dry out my lips more, but I am going to give it a go for a bit longer. Lucas and Carmex are petroleum based, which is not eco at all.

EOS Chapstick, Carmex, and Lucas Papaw Ointment

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Eco & Natural Make-Up

This week I am going to highlight some eco and not so eco beauty items that I use in my day to day life. These are all products that I really like. Please don't take this as expert advise because I use a very minimal amount of products.  I just thought I would share what I like.

As you can see, I am a fan of Josie Maran's makeup, which I have talked about on here before. The only issue I have with Josie Maran products is that they discontinue items often, which really annoys me. I use a very, very small amount of make up. My daily makeup is mascara, eye liner and chapstick. If I am "dressing up" I put on eye shadow and lipstick.  I don't use a daily foundation, powder, etc. on my face, but I do use an SPF face lotion.

I will talk about the lipstick I use later this week. Above is Hourglass and Ilia lipsticks I use.

W3ll People Elitist 814

Josie Maran eyeshadow (it has been discontinued) and as you can see I dropped it and broke it.

Josie Maran Argan Black Oil Mascara and Josie Maran eye liner.

I use this to coverup very small touch ups here and there, like a pimple. In all honesty, this is probably expired and I should get rid of it, but it does the trick for me every so often. I'll look into getting something new soon.

These are the tools I use. Tweezers, eyelash curler, eyelash comb, eye shadow brush and pencil sharpener.

Tweezerman Lash Comb

Tweezerman Lash Curler

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Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!!

Go do something good for the planet. Whether this is recycling, switching to an eco product or picking up trash in your neighborhood. Try to do at least one eco thing no matter what it is, it can be big or small.

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Eco Product: Bamboo Dog Chuck Toy

I'm sure if you have a dog you have seen various ball chuck it toys around. I was shopping at one of my favorite Houston stores, Kuhl-Linscomb, several months back and spotted this bamboo and cork chuck toy. We had been debating getting one for our sweet boy, Rothko, for years. Once I saw the eco version, which I didn't know they made, I decided to pick it up. It is made by Planet Dog. Two bummers with the toy are 1. the tennis ball has to be in there just right or else it won't stay in 2. It is made in China. Seeing as Planet Dog is based in Portland, Maine you would think they would source their products here in the US, but they don't. All in all it does its job and we are all happy with it, especially Rothko.

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Earth Day Deals in Houston and Online

Here are a couple of Earth Day deals in Houston and online. Please note they are not all on Earth Day (April 22) some are this weekend.

• Pottery Barn Kids -  decorate biodegradable pots and plant seeds: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/customer-service/store-events.html
• Anthropologie - crafts for kids: http://us.anthropologie.com/anthro/category/HOME-EARTH-DAY.jsp#/texas 
• Home Depot - organic gardening and low & zero maintenance landscaping workshops: http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/home
• ABC13 Earth Day E-Cycling Event: http://www.compucycle.net/residential-recycling/collection-events/icalrepeat.detail/2015/04/17/70/-/2015-abc13-earth-day-e-cycling-event
• National Parks - free entrance days: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm
• Josie Maran - josiemaran.com promo code EARTH22 thru April 22, 2015

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Where to Recycle Batteries and Lightbulbs in Houston

Batteries and lightbulbs are two common things that often need recycling. You never know just how many batteries and lightbulbs you actually go through. I feel like I won't have any that need to be replaced for a while and then all of sudden it seems like a lot of things need batteries and/or lightbulbs replaced.

I have had the hardest time in Houston finding who will recycle what and where.

Many recycle centers have told me household alkaline batteries like AAA, AA, C, D, etc. can just be thrown in the trash because they are considered safe to throw away. I just feel so bad doing this because I have recycled them forever.

Here are several recycling centers in the area that take different things.

• Batteries and Bulbs: http://www.batteriesplus.com/t-batteries-plus-recycles.aspx and http://www.batteriesplus.com/t-light-bulb-recycling.aspx (this is my go to place when recycling alkaline batteries and lightbulbs)
• This is a great resource of various recycle places in the Houston area: http://www.ehow.com/how_7598937_recycle-batteries-houston-texas.html
• Home Depot: http://www.ecooptions.homedepot.com (bulbs and batteries)
• Lowe's: http://www.lowes.com/cd_Recycling_368967519_ (bulbs and batteries)
• Waste Management Battery Recycle Kit: http://www.thinkgreenfromhome.com/Batteries.cfm (this is something you can purchase and send it in when it fills up)
• Ikea: www.ikea.com (CFL bulbs)
• Montgomery County Recycle Center: http://www.precinct3.org/recycling/

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How to Plant Succulents

This is post I meant to post last year and never got around to it. 

I have always been a lover of succulents. We had them as center pieces at our wedding a) they looked great b) they are cheaper than flowers c) they last longer than flowers. 

My grandmother has always had a succulent garden for all my life and my mother in law has grown a ton of succulents. 

We recently tried starting a succulent garden at our new house, but the yard people keep stepping on it or something. I need to put a sign for them, so they know not to disturb it. Luckily several succulents have actually survived pretty while despite all that. I decided to plant succulents in various pots that I had got at ikea, or got at the hardware store and leave them in our garden window in our kitchen.

Here is what you will need:

• Succulents
• Pots / containers or if they are going in the ground
• Cactus soil
• Rocks (optional)

You decide if they will be in the ground or pot, put soil in, plant succulent, and top with rocks. Super simple. They need minimal water, just every so often. I put several cubes of ice every week or if I forget to do that I take them to the sink and run them under the water for a few seconds. 

The succulents have thrived in our garden window and look great!

You can purchase succulents at places all over Houston. 

• Cactus King off of IH-45 (they have a TON)
• Bucchanans 
• Joshua's in the Heights
• Kroger's 
• HEB
• Whole Foods

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Earth Day Events in Houston

Since Earth Day is drawing near, April 22, many places throughout Houston are starting to have various Earth Day events.

Here are some upcoming events:

• April 11 Earth Day Houston: http://www.earthdayhouston.org
• April 18 Houston Arboretum Earth Day Celebration:https://houstonarboretum.org/events/earth-day-celebration/
• April 18 Urban Harvest Earth Work Day (volunteer event): http://urbanharvest.org/2015-earth-day-workday
• April 18 ConSERVE Houston Earth Day (volunteer event): http://www.thesca.org/earth-day-houston-2015
• April 19 Houston Zoo Party for the Planet: http://www.houstonzoo.org/earth-day/
• April 25 Exploration Green Earth Day (Clear Lake): http://www.explorationgreen.org

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Made in the USA + Eco: The Honest Company

I have been using The Honest Company for several years. I love that all their products are eco and are made in the USA.

Although, I do not have any children yet, I buy their diapers for the umpteen amount of baby showers I go to. They have always been a hit and they are eco. They have so many cute and different prints on the diapers. Their travel wipes are great for on the go.

I have used the veggie wash for a while and it seems to work well compared to other veggie washes.

I just recently bought their lavender-vanilla linen spray. Back in high school I had some lavender-vanilla linen spray from Bath and Body Works that I broke. It smelt amazing and wasn't over powerful. I have smelt many other linen sprays throughout years and nothing compared to the original one that I liked. This Honest Company one is the closest thing, plus I am sure it far more eco.

I thought I would try their toothpaste too, but I am not a fan of that one. Can't win them all.

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Inspiration Book Organization

I have been saving magazine clippings for years and years and years. I subscribe to far too many magazines, but I read everyone cover to cover. Plus, it is great research for my clients and I can stay on top of things. One day I will have to tell you guys all the magazines I subscribe to, it is wide range.

I have had these inspiration books I made many years ago from the magazine clippings and always flip through them for many things whether I am looking for organization tips or gift ideas. This was well before Pinterest came around. About 4 years ago or so when I started working with a new client and I saw that she did the exact same thing I did. For me it is a whole process. I love these books and reference them a lot.

This is what I do:

• I dog ear the pages I want to rip out. 
• Every month or two I go through the past magazine issues and tear out those pages.
• I put them in a folder until it becomes full and should deal with it, which is every 4-6 months or so.
• If something needs to be cut out of a particular page I cut it out
• I get sheet protectors and put the tear outs in those or the small pieces I cut out I glue on a plain piece of paper and make a collage type page. 
• I put the sheet protectors in the respective binders. 
• I have tabs on each section like organization, eco, gift ideas, travel, home, etc. 

This is my client's inspiration books

This is from my client's inspiration books

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Made in the USA: Post-it Notes / Products

Post-it products are something that I use all the time in my office, personally, and with clients. Below are the products that I use most often. I have been using post-it products to help me stay organized for years. Since I am a visual person, I love all the different colors because it really helps me distinguish between different projects and tasks. I know that it is not the most eco thing because of so much paper use, but you all know by now that paper is my eco downfall. 

What I love about this acrylic cube is that it goes with some of my other office products. When I saw it at Target I knew I had to pick it up. I love that there is a lid too. Plus, if I ever decide to use it for something other than post-its it is great for all kinds of things like paper clips, staples, rubber bands, etc.

These flags I use all the time. Whether it is for page marking in books that I am reading or knowing where to sign a document. 

I LOVE these recycled farmers market edition of post-its. They are by far my favorite color combination, plus they are made from recycled paper. How cool is that. I use post-its all the time to make quick notes or the help me stay organized in my planner. 

These types of tabs are great for so many different things just like the tabs above. I use them a lot for my meal planning binder and for my inspiration binders (post coming next week about these). 

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