I Promise It Was Technology's Fault, Not Mine!

After making a big deal about how I was going to try to post here at least once a week, I didn't post at all the next week!  But truly, it was not all my fault.  Google sent out an update for Chromebooks that had a typo (a typo!) that caused Chromebook users to not be able to log in at all.  They supposedly sent out an update, but I never received it, so on Monday morning, I performed the "nuclear option" and wiped my computer clean, meaning I had to start all over again.  I did manage to post on my other blog using my tablet, but it was so slow and painful, I decided to skip posting here.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  

Anyway, there are like 2 people who read this, so hopefully they are willing to be generous.  😊

Today I want to share with you the BEST everyday sunscreen that I use on my body all summer long.  I may have shared it before, but that was a while ago, and I want everyone to consider giving it a try.

Yep, the lowly store brand from CVS is my holy grail of body sunscreen for everyday use.  Here is why:

1. It is very inexpensive (particularly if you have one of the many many coupons CVS gives you whether or not you care). This bottle/tube of sunscreen generally lasts me about 4 months - which means it is very effective on a cost pers use basis. I slather this on my arms, chest, and neck every single day, and I use a lot of it!
2. It has an extremely light scent that almost immediately disappears once you apply it (it's barely coconut scented);
3. It stays on without making you feel like a greaseball all day;
4. It WORKS!  I recently wore this when I was at a baseball game on a very hot, very sunny day, and when I got home, I didn't even have a light pink spot on my person.  

Now, one thing you should remember is that you need to get the YELLOW sunscreen - the one in the blue tube or the yellow tube smells more like you expect, and they are harder to get out of the tube!  Just say no to the other containers.  

Just for the record, CVS doesn't know I exist, so they are neither sponsoring this post, nor do they give me any kickback for recommending this product.  It's just that there are a lot of the CVS stores near my house, so I tend to go there more frequently for this kind of stuff.

Please note that I don't use this on my face.  That's mostly because I have really sensitive eyes, and the only time I tried this on my face, it moved into my eyes when I sweated, and that whole thing did not end well.  Your mileage, of course may vary.

But no matter what brand/type you use, PLEASE USE SUNSCREEN!!!

Time For a Reset

I realized today that it has been just short of a YEAR since I posted here.  Now I know I don't post that often here to start, but ALMOST A YEAR???  That is completely unacceptable! Why bother to have a blog if you never write anything?

So I have determined that it is time for a reset here.  Part of my hesitancy to post here was because I am not really a "beauty influencer," an exercise guru, or really an expert on anything related to beauty, health, or fashion.  But you know what - who the H cares???  I started this blog in addition to my other blog because these are also things I enjoy, and I should be able to share that if I like.  Most of the readers of my other blog are primarily interested in crafting and reading, and I'm not sure they would care what I thought about say, eyeliner, you know?

Now I'm not saying I'll have something to say every day here - I don't even do that on my other blog or on social media.  But I'm not going to sit back because a) I'm not an expert, and b) because I am worried what my non-interested-in-this-topic friends might think if they come across this particular blog.  Like most people, I contain multitudes, but that doesn't mean that everyone has to like all of them!  And if reading what I think about a lipstick or what my latest exercises consist of annoys you that much, I probably don't care if you just sign off altogether.

It feels good to get that off my chest.  😌

Anyway, my goal is to post at least once a week here if not more frequently when something strikes me.  I can't say it will always be riveting, but that's not the point.  I enjoy writing and I like to share things I do like and don't like with others, whether or not "others" are even here!

******

Consider this the first post in my reset.  Have you heard of Flower Beauty?  I know it started a few years back, with Drew Barrymore* behind it.  I was kind of excited to hear about it, because it was a cruelty-free brand at a time when there were not that many of them at a lower price point.  Originally though, the brand was only available at Wal-Mart or online.  I tend to not buy lower price point things online if I have never tried them, because the shipping and handling often takes the price up enough that it's no longer any more affordable than other brands.  And I am not a fan of Wal-Mart at all.  I'm not saying I never have gone into a Wal-Mart, but when I have, it's usually been a last resort, and I am fortunate enough to live someplace where there are other choices.

Anyway.  About a month ago, I was in the neighborhood CVS, and noticed they had an endcap devoted to Flower Beauty products - surprise!  

I decided to give one a try (well, OK I also had a CVS coupon for $3.00 off), and chose the Color Shift Lip Smoothie.

It only comes in this one shade, but supposedly once you put it on your lips, the color adjusts to your pH and your lips look like yours, but better.

I figured if nothing else, it might be a nice lip moisturizer, and as someone who has dry lips year round, I use something all of the time, even when I'm just sitting around at home.

Well - in my case at least, this turned out to be a lovely product.  It goes on nicely, without any "tugging" on your lips, and feels not just smooth but soft, if that makes sense.  The color actually was extremely subtle, but it did make my lips look a little bit brighter.

Like most lip balm/moisturizer/whatevers, it isn't long lasting, but I didn't expect that.  The very best thing as far as I'm concerned is that it is NOT sticky at all.  Nothing bugs me more than anything on my lips that feels sticky or tacky - ICK!

I recommend this if you want a bit of a color upgrade with your lip balm.  As I said, I had a CVS coupon, but I think it generally retails for $10.00, which is not completely cheap.  But it's not that expensive, considering that a tube will last you for a while.  And it's not expensive at all when you compare it to some of the "better" brand's products that make you feel like your lips are either varnished with glue, or with some sticky substance that will never go away!

*Drew Barrymore.  Sigh.  I'm never sure how I feel about her.  On the one hand, she kind of makes me crazy.  On the other hand, I have a sense that she is exactly who she appears to be, and I give her props for that.  It's a love-hate relationship I guess ...