TokyoMilk

I don't have a lot to say about beauty products here on D&OC unless the packaging is pretty and the price is right.  It's no surprise then that the gorgeous packaging on TokyoMilk is designed by Margot Elena, the same designer of another line I've featured, Love & Toast (both of these lines are as pretty as they are affordable).  I'll have to remember this line the next time I'm looking for a hostess or thank you gift. 

Under $10: Love & Toast

Not only is the packaging for Love & Toast's line of perfume and hand creams  flat out adorable, but the products are paraben and phthalate free, never tested on animals, and the packaging comes from "100% annually renewed resources."  Oh, let me not forget to mention that many of the products are under $10!

 Mandarin Tea Hand Creme $9

Honey Coconut Little Luxe Eau de Perfumes $9

Pomme Poivre Hand Creme $9

Eco-conscious, well designed products for under $10? Someone pinch me- I'm pretty sure I'm dreaming.

Lush Day

Yesterday I spent an amazing day with two of my best girlfriends in Atlanta. Our day began with a delicious lunch where I consumed a fresh lemonade+ginger+vodka concoction that was out of this world. We then perused the Da Vinci exhibition at the High Museum of Art and finally we went on a little shopping spree at Lush. I had never been to Lush nor tried any of their products but one of the aforementioned friends raved about the eco-friendly, handmade, cruelty free, often vegan beauty products. Needless to say, I left with a sea salt scrub shampoo, a dry bar heavenly smelling shampoo, a garlic face mask, a little pot of solid perfume, and a plethora of free gifts. With my purchase, I was even able to donate a small amount to Dr's Without Borders.

Sugar Scrub $4.95
Big $21.35
Godiva Dry Shampoo $9.25
Karma Solid Perfume $7.95
I just used the garlic face mask and my face feels amazing (fresh face masks are only available in stores)! All of the products come in recycled containers with a little picture of the person who made them. If you return 5 of the black containers to a store, you even get a free face mask. I may have just my new beauty product go-to brand. If you're in the market for eco-friendly or fair trade body products or if you are simply looking to indulge a little, I definitely recommend Lush. I also recommend spending a day with friends at an art museum, nothing is more inspiring.

Guest Post at You Can Call Me Chris

{Today's going to be kind of a strange day here at Down and Out Chic so bear with me. I have a couple of guest posts going up and then later I will be announcing the winner of the most recent giveaway. If you haven't entered, it's not too late! My posts today will lead you to other people's blogs so please go visit and then let me know what you think!}

Christina (no I'm not talking in third person) from You Can Call Me Chris asked me to part of her Tried + True Series and, of course, I obliged.
If you want to know my favorite beauty products please click here, but I warn you, they're pretty simple... if you don't already read You Can Call Me Chris, please go check it out. This blog is on my daily reading list and I promise you won't be disappointed.

One doctor and 60 bucks later...

Luckily, I didn't have to wait long at all to see a doctor and I was lucky enough to find an Allure in the magazine stack, so it wasn't that bad. Here's my problem though, do you ever feel like doctors aren't listening to you? For example, I say, "I don't like using antibiotics, and I try not to use them if I can help it." Doctor- "Alrighty, well I'm going to give you this antibiotic which will clear that infection right up." Me- "What about my ear?" Dr- "It looks like sinusitis." Me (after looking down and realizing what antibiotic he prescribed,) "oh, I think this medicine hurt my stomach in the past." Dr- "Really, why was it given to you?" Me- "Well I had this tick bite once..." Dr.- "ummm, no that wasn't the medicine. I wouldn't have prescribed that for an infection caused by a tick." Me- "i'm pretty sure that was it." Dr. -"No, I don't think so." Ok, I'M SORRY, AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE? First of all, this Dr. was NOT the one who prescribed this last medication and just b/c he wouldn't have prescribed it doesn't mean the other Dr. didn't. Why is he arguing w/me??? Do I look stupid (the answer to that is NO.) Before I acquiesce to the Dr's advice, I ask him if I should keep taking my normal dose of Benadryl, which I responsibly wrote down on the 'Current Medication' section of the form. He states, "Oh, Benadryl makes a sinus infection worse." Well, I'm glad I friggin asked! Grrrr.

So I'm going to write my own prescription beginning with a long bath...
source: marie claire maison
And since I can't drink alcohol with the stupid antibiotics, maybe I'll indulge in some choclates.
source: Oakland Magazine
A cooling face mask might help sooth my sore sinuses. This one reduces redness and swelling.
Laura Mercier Hydra Soothing Gel Mask $32
source: Sephora
I think I'll curl up with some hot tea and watch 'Ugly Betty' (I don't think Betty is ugly, she just reminds me of myself in my tween phase.)
source: Newsday
And last but not least, I'll catch up with my favorite blogs. What makes you feel better when you're sick?

Lime light

I've run across some really colorful posts today, a few of which contained some bold lime accents. So now I'm itching to share some other lime colored things that I find fun, bright, and endearing.

Why shouldn't your door and dog match? Don't ask why, ask "why not"?

source: Living Etc

This pillow speaks for itself.
Atelier R. Bernier {via print & pattern}
Masking tape doesn't have to be ugly.
Japanese Masking Tape $7.50
source: Ginko Papers
These are almost too cute to use...almost.
Lime Sprite Bath Bomb $5
source: bubbletub
The chocolate colored couch works to tone down the super bright walls.
source: Apartment Therapy
The opposite is true here: the lime saves this space from being overwhelmingly dark.
source: Apartment Therapy
So what's your verdict on lime? Do you use it in your decor at home?

Snow cleaning

I know moves are difficult and I know inclement weather is a part of life, but severe winter weather with a bunch of Southerners who do not know how to drive in snow is nothing short of a disaster. My patience has really been tried with this move, but B and I have hung in there and we are now treating ourselves to a totally gross dinner of mac n cheese and corn dogs (and by gross, I mean delicious). B and I woke up at 6 am only to get his car stuck in driveway, hmph. I spent the latter part of the day cleaning the old place and found a couple of new favorite cleaning products. These might make your spring cleaning a bit easier.

I am a huge fan of the Method line and was thrilled when I ran across this scrub cleaner. It helped get some nasty stuff out of my refrigerator and it smells lovely.
Le Scrub bathroom cleaner
eucalyptus mint $6
source: Method
Regular mopping is a necessity for hardwood floors and tile. I love the smell of Murphy's Oil and this spray helps reduce the amount of water needed which means less drying time.
Murphy Oil Spray Soap
source: Ashley Hill Janitorial Supplies
Whatever you do, throw on some protective gloves. I did not take my own advise and am paying for it with chapped, dry skin.
Gloveables $12.95
source: ComfyBath
And if you decide you're too good for gloves, make sure you have plenty of hand salve to repair damaged skin.
Burt's Bees Hand Salve $9

source: Burt's Bees
Happy cleaning!

Moving on up

My first night in my new home...I feel like I'm staying in a cluttered hotel sans the icky hotel smell. I'm exhausted but thrilled that I'm picking up internet (I know, I know, just for a little while). After a long day of moving, I am sitting on the couch in the kitchen with my two dogs who are equally as exhausted but can't relax b/c of all the new noises. How to relax:

If I had my teapot and mugs here, perhaps I would make some Valerian Root tea:

source: iHerb
Then a bath with the super soothing bath salt I received for my birthday. The spearmint/eucalymptus formula is great for sore muscles or if you're just feeling icky.

source: The Bubble Roome
Maybe a massage w/some "firming" oil?
Korres Geranium & Grapefruit Toning and Firming Massage Oil
source: Sephora
And then it's off to sleep in my new, light blue bedroom (if only it looked like this)...
source: LivingEtc
Any suggestions on how to relax?

Nourish your skin

This past Christmas I received a lovely gift set by Pangea Organics from B's sister (if you haven't noticed B has, quite possibly, the sweetest family ever). I'm a huge fan of organic body care, but finding a brand I really like has been somewhat of a task. I love a foamy body wash and although I'm not intimidated by scents like sandlewood and jasmine, I prefer them in moderation. The gift set I received includes Shower gel, bar soap, sample lotion and a soap dish. The scents are spot on and the shower gel foams like a dream, but the coolest thing about this brand is the packaging. The boxes are made using a "Zero Waste process with 100% post consumer paper" and you can actually plant the packaging b/c it contains seeds!

"Harmony" holiday gift set $35

source: Earth 911
I have the Egyptian Basil and Mint body wash and B uses the Canadian Pine w/White Sage bar soap. Body wash costs $16 a bottle (8.5 oz) and it goes a long way.
source: Vickery
I'm currently in the market for a good facial mask and if this is like the other products I've tried, it will be worth every penny.
Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai and Goji Berry $40
source: All Natural Baby
My mom taught me that if there's one thing to spend money on, it's your skin. I have a lot to live up to b/c my grandmother never had wrinkles, although I attribute that to her living on an island and eating only what came from my grandpa's garden. Regardless, I don't generally skimp on skincare b/c good skin is something you'll carry w/you til' the end. Any other organic body care favorites out there?