Coconut Oil For The Nose? YES!

I have mentioned my love for coconut oil before.  I believe my first post to this blog was about coconut oil.  You can see that post BY CLICKING HERE!  I wanted to shine a little light on coconut oil again, though, because it has been a lifesaver recently!

My entire household has caught some kind of nasty little bug and we've all been sniffling and sneezing.  It is a lovely sight.   HAHA, no...not even a little bit.  Our noses have become so raw and even with the nicest lotion tissues, they are getting red and angry.  I should have done this from the get-go, but I blame pregnancy brain on not properly coming to this conclusion faster....  Coconut oil is saving our chapped noses.  I took a bit out, allowed it to warm so it became a liquid, and rolled a q-tip through the oil.  I took the coconut oil soaked q-tip and swabbed it around the tip, nostrils, and under our noses.  It immediately provides relief.  Within 24 hours of continuous application our noses are less red and the dry, chapped parts are going away.  WHEW!

It even works for chapped lips.  With the stuffed up, yet running, noses we have....  we have become mouth breathers.  Seriously, what is more sexy than the picture I am painting for you?  Anyway, because of this we are also getting dry lips.  I don't particularly like the feel of just coconut oil on my lips.  It seems a bit too thin.  So, what I do is apply a generous amount of coconut oil to the lips, allow it a few minutes to soak in, and then I go back with another moisturizing balm to apply over the top.  This way I feel that I am doubling the moisturizing action.  I'm getting the deep moisturization from the coconut oil and then a moisturizing and protective barrier from the balm. 

I have also been using it religiously over my entire body (not the face) to help moisturize my ever growing pregnancy belly and body.   I love the way I smell after coating myself.  It even mixes well with a good portion of fragrances I choose to wear.  

I just wanted to share a few other things that can be done with coconut oil.  It is such a wonder product!  

The photos of the coconut oil in this post were from quite a while back.  I have used several different brands since then.  I am currently using one that I can get from Kroger.  It is UNREFINED (which is what I recommend over this refined kind).  Also, when you are picking up coconut oil, don't just grab a jar from the regular aisles.  Make sure you are looking in the organic, natural products for one that is of higher quality and will have more health benefits. 

Autumn Boots!

I have been lusting after a good pair of tall, flat boots for a while now.  I am pleased to announce..  I HAVE FINALLY BOUGHT SOME!  No, I didn't buy the most expensive, fancy-dancy pair at the department store.  I'm a mama to one with another on the way, not to mention Christmas is just around the corner. So, I got mine from Target....  and let me tell you, I have zero shame in admitting that is currently the highest dollar store that I am willing to buy my shoes from.  Moving on!

These are the Mossimo Supply Co. Kamari Tall Buckle boots in brown. The color they actually are is lighter than what is advertised on the target site.  Here, you can take a peek for yourself:  Boots, boots, everywhere boots!  I prefer the color they actually are.  It is more of a tanned color.

They have a small heel at only 3/4 inch.  They are listed at 15 inches tall, which lands just at the bottom of my knee.  They're a fantastic height, in my humble opinion. 

I love that they are so incredibly comfortable and easy to get on, too!  They are pull on boots, so there isn't a zipper or anything on them.  If they were tight, that might bother me, but I find that I can easily slip them on and they aren't too snug around my calf.  I have room to get them on and off, which also means less bunching of jeans that go into the boot.

They have a worn in, relaxed look and feel to them.  They aren't too crisp and straight up and down like a lot of riding boot styles.  The material is just soft enough so they have some slight crinkling to them.  In my opinion, it isn't in a bad way.  It just looks like a favorite pair of boots that have been well loved and worn.

These will run you $39.99 at the moment. Not too shabby!

October Favorites

I could say "Where has the time gone?" or "Sheesh! I can't believe it is already November!"  ....but I won't jibber-jabber. Let's cut the small talk and just jump right in with the favorites!  

I have three favorites that should have been in this skincare-esque section but only two have been photographed.  The first are these facial cleansing pads.  They are soft on one side and textured on the other for exfoliation.  I have been using these to apply my toner after cleansing my face and also in the morning with my astringent as a morning refresher to remove my evening skincare products. They work well, do the job, but I will say they aren't actually lint free.  No big deal, though.

The second item is the Burt's Bees sensitive eye cream.  It only takes a tiny bit.  It is gentle, but applies a perfect amount of moisture under my eyes.  It has a slightly minty scent that I quite enjoy. I don't feel any kind of tingle, though, from that.  

The third item, which isn't photographed, is my pure virgin coconut oil.  The brand doesn't matter so much, as long as it is as pure as I can get it.  I have been slathering myself in it.  I've loved using coconut oil as a body moisturizer for some time now, but have really appreciated it since being pregnant.  I feel good about using it, it smells fantastic, and is a godsend for a pregnant belly.  I think of the hot sauce commercial... "I put that sh*t on everything!"  I use it to remove my makeup, I use it in the ends of my hair (lightly) after showering, I use it all over my body as a moisturizer, I will eat a tablespoon of it for health benefits, I cook with it......  it is amazing stuff!  Get some!

In the fragrance field there are two perfumes I have reached for the most often.  The first is Coach Poppy.  My husband tells me this is one of his favorites from all of my perfumes.  That is my queue to wear it more often! HA!  Who doesn't want to smell delicious for their husband?  I have a full review on Coach Poppy HERE!  

The second perfume is L de Lolita Lempicka.  This is one of my favorites from my stash.  I've come to enjoy it year round.  I also have a full review on this perfume that you can find HERE!

This last grouping of products is mostly eye shadow but I also have a blush and eyeliner tossed in.  I have gone simple with my shadow this past month.  I've let my lips be the stand out, but because I have rotated with numerous different colors I couldn't include any for an actual favorite.

In the top, left is Ulta Mystique eyeshadow.  On the bottom, center is Ulta Truffle eyeshadow.  In the top, right is Milani baked blush in Rose D'Oro.

To the left is Michael Marcus Amazing eyeshadow. In the middle is Ulta Toast eyeshadow. To the right is Ulta Silk eyeshadow.

The eyeshadow here is from the Wet n Wild 8 pan palette Comfort Zone. The very bottom pan on the right side is the one I have been using a lot.  The eyeliner is Rimmel Scandaleyes in nude.

All of the shadows I have shown (with the exception of one) have been worn completely (or nearly completely) on their own.  As I said, I have been going for a very simple eye this past month.  The colors I have been wearing hold their own, though.  I may go in and define the crease with a deeper color, but beyond that, these are pretty much it.  

The exception that I mentioned above is the Michael Marcus shadow.  I haven't been wearing that on my eyes.  I have actually been using an angled liner brush and brushing it through my brows.  It defines nicely and isn't overpowering or too bold.  

As for the blush, it is an amazing fall color.  It gives that chilled look to the cheeks, but if you tap off your brush to remove the glitter specks, it is quite natural looking.  I highly recommend that color for everyone, light or dark complected. 

I think I may have included this liner in my favorites for last month.  It lasts nicely and also gives a bright eyed, awake look.  I can sometimes have reddish on the waterline and this perfectly cancels that out.

That is pretty much it for this month.  Let me know the items you have been wearing/using through the month of October.