Mae Recommends #4

1. Clarisonic: I was gifted one of these for Christmas from some classroom parents and I love it! My skin feels amazing and I don't feel as greasy at the end of the day.  There are also cheaper versions at Target that I have heard work great. 

2. Yes-to-Tomatoes: This is the skin care line I am using as of now and I really like it.  I have used the face scrub, face wash, and body wash and it's not to heavy, smelly, and feels fresh! Oh, and it's cheaper than Clinique! Woo! Found at Target, Walgreens.

3. Siggi yogurt: It's not Greek but its quality and it comes in the on-the-go tubes that are so easy for packed lunches. Found at Target.

4. Publix app: I was a little annoyed at the grocery store when employees were bugging me with flyers and promos but it was worth it! I spend more time in the deli line than is healthy for a person's patience  . With the app you can order what you want ahead with one click while shopping around (or way before on your couch) and pick it up without the wait.

5. Toms Shoes: Will is on his second pair and he gifted me with some cute purple crocheted ones for Christmas and they have turned into a staple slip-on in our house.  I had an old man stop me at the car wash and tell me that Toms commitment to when you buy a pair, a pair is given to a child in need in Africa is true and completely upheld.  His missionary friend had just received two huge shipments of thousands of Toms and they even sent people over to help size each child and make it an experience. 

6. Lorde: For your listening pleasure, Lorde has some pretty good tunes but that comes as no surprise.

7. The Divergent Series: I once again got sucked into another teen trilogy craze.  I have some kind of odd interest in books about dystopian societies. I couldn't put these down and the first movie comes out later this month so speed read through! If you were at all interested in Hunger Games you would like these but I liked this series a bit better because it made you think about values, balance, and the structure of society and communities. 

8. Captain Phillips: Great movie...Hollywood twisted actual happenings and the real crew had some bones to pick, but Hollywood will be Hollywood and it was a very good film. 

9. Blue Diamond Almonds: Almonds are a quick, yummy, and healthy snack. I get the single packs and Blue Diamond has some delicious favors to change things up a bit.  I have tried all the flavors that the single packs offer and they are all delish: vanilla bean, cinnamon, dry roasted, natural, dark chocolate.  

10. Good Earth's Sweet and Spicy Tea: At Christmas my mom had this tea stashed in the cupboard and I made the brave move to venture from my morning coffee to a cup of tea...good move! I don't usually like tea because I find it "weak" and watery and just not as bold and delicious as a good dark, teeth-standing, jolting cup of coffee.  But this was super flavorful and I went more than 2 months with no coffee! I still had my morning routine of a hot drink without the sweating and afternoon crash. :) I've had a cup or two of the real stuff lately although my cupboard now houses many boxes of various teas instead of K-cups. 

Other note worthy sips: Tazo Organic Rooibos Vanilla Parfait, Tazo Earl Grey, Tazo Cinnamon Spice.

11. Eyebrow Threading: If you have been weary of the mall booths that show the ladies shaping eyebrows with a piece of thread... be weary no more and sit down! I am the first to say, "I'll just do it myself" when it comes to hair and nails but this is something I pay the 12 dollars for.  It's precise, clean, way less painful than waxing at the hair dressers, very fast, and lasts longer. 

12. Essie nail polish: Between the health controversy of polish and not splurging on manicures my nails have been going au natural lately.  However, Essie is good to have on hand for bored evenings or when doing some home primping for an event.  It looks "salon nice", lasts awhile, and is "three free" which means it's free of toluene, DBP, and formaldehyde. 

13. Honest Kids juice pouches: The organic and less sugary version of Capri Suns.  I stick these in Will's lunch everyday and while I can't count on him eating everything (like yesterday's seaweed crisps), the juices are always gone.