Friday Favorite: Wailani's Body Scrubs

If you've ever spent any time with me, I've probably told you about a product or place I love.  Sharing my favorite things is one of my favorite things.

Want to know one of my new favorite things?  Wailani's Body Scrub

Golden Pineapple and Salty Hibiscus (courtesy of Wailani's)

Here's why:

1. The scents are inspired by Hawaii. If I close my eyes and breathe deeply, it's like a mini vacation in the shower...as long as my kids stay out of the bathroom.
2. The ingredients are all natural and pronounceable. Read: I don't freak I'm poisoning myself for smooth skin. No fear abides in this girl for coconut oil or Kona coffee or organic flower petals.
3. It's not super oily.  Some scrubs I've purchased use ingredients that are next to impossible to remove so that if I forget to put my contacts in before I shower (seriously, who does that?), I spend the day peering through lenses damaged from an oil slick.
4.  Lisa Czlonka, the founder, is a friend of mine who lives in Oklahoma and brought her childhood in Hawaii with her.  Clearly, she likes sharing what she loves with others, too.  I like to buy from "mom and pop" businesses, maybe because one puts food on my own table or maybe because it just seems like the right thing to do. Small business owners are in close contact with what goes into a product and how their clients feel about it.  That matters to me.
5. It's a great gift.  I'm not a great gift giver, but I play one on Pinterest. My mind keeps coming up with different gift baskets. 

The morning coffee for those who drink tea. (courtesy of Wailani's)

 Kona Coffee. I am not a coffee drinker. This scrub is the closest I will ever get to the coffee craze. Maybe it's the smell or the intense scrub, but I am alert and ready for the day after having my morning Kona Coffee in the shower. Unlike me, my husband loves coffee. So, I shouldn't have been surprised when he absconded it for his own use. Gift idea: Pair it with a gift certificate to a local coffee shop and some chocolate covered coffee beans to make any coffee lover--male or female--jittery with joy (and a little caffeine).

Golden Pineapple. Citrus smells make me happy.  This scrub is like opening the window to morning sunshine.  It has a smaller grain than the Kona Coffee so keep that in mind when you consider your preferences.  I'm glad to have both. I like using the pineapple on my legs because my skin is more sensitive, and I like using the Kona Coffee for my elbows and feet. Gift idea: The pineapple is often a symbol for hospitality, so the Golden Pineapple body scrub would be a nice leave-behind after being an overnight guest. For a new homeowner, pair it with bath towels.

Salty Hibiscus. Wow.  Just wow.  I'm extremely picky about floral scents, and I adore this scrub. I wish Salty Hibiscus came in a lotion and a candle and a laundry detergent and.... The smell is not overpowering, but it is distinctly relaxing and feminine. Plus, the scrub is a pretty pink and contains actual organic flower petals. Gift idea: A lovely gift for a girly girl would be Salty Hibiscus and a gift certificate for a mani-pedi or massage. In the spirit of Hawaii, why not toss in a bikini? Yes, I'm serious. Your favorite gardener might appreciate it paired with an actual hibiscus and gardening gloves.

Warning: You'll love being indulgent so much that you might get selfish. Case in point: Lisa gave me the coffee one.  Then I bought the last two with the intention of giving them away, but used them for myself instead. This works in your favor because some lucky reader will get to select a scrub of his or her choice.

Yep. I'm giving one away.

Want a mini vacation?  Here's how you can win one of Wailani's Body Scrubs in three easy steps.

1. Check out the different body scrubs here.

2. Comment below with which one you'd like to win. Leave your contact info.

And...here's where you earn it...

3. Give me an idea for a real mini-vacation.  Tell me your favorite place to go for a long weekend.

Contest is through next Thursday at midnight.  I'll announce the winner Friday, September 13, 2013. 

Lisa Czlonka, founder of Wailani's Body Scrubs

If you missed Lisa's Tasty Tuesday contribution to my summer salad virtual potluck, check out her Kalua Pig here.

Also,  Wailani's Facebook page has all sorts of healthy tips.

Go ahead.

You can enter the contest now.

Aloha!
 

For the love of ... knicknacks

Grandma worried about me.

She had a china cabinet stacked with teetering towers of coffee mugs from places she'd visited.  My brother had a bulletin board filled with pins about politics, bands, or silly sayings.  My mom even had a display of thimbles from different states.

I collected diddlysquat.

Grandma decided I was to collect spoons.

It soon became clear to me that these spoons weren't used for cooking or eating or anything else.  They had no soul. They were made to sell.

So my well-intentioned Grandma went on her trips and brought me back spoons. One with a hula girl.  One with the Statue of Liberty. Spoons.

I preferred money. 

Only after I realized that it could be seen as a detriment did I discover I did collect something.  I had a little tin of coins people gave me from their travels.  A peso.  A Canadian penny.  A buffalo nickel. I wondered about all the people who had held them and what purchase had caused them to part ways.

My coins had soul.

But by the time I realized I did collect something, Grandma was too invested in the spoons.

Now, I don't collect coins.

Or spoons.

But I still collect stories.

Does Marcellus Wallace shop at Target?

Failing to ensure all of the doors were closed, we locked the car and went shopping. Upon our return, the back door was still ajar.

No, not ajar. Wide open.

In addition to many other kid related items--we really need to clean the car--the following objects were as we left them:

• Starbucks gift card in front cup holder
• iPad in driver's side door 
• Assorted DVDs in back floor board
• DVD player attached to back of front passenger's seat

The door touched the cart return, so everyone who parked in our row and were good citizens who didn't leave the shopping carts in the middle of the parking lot witnessed the vulnerability of our car. But no sticky fingers took anything.

I'd like to think the lack of theft is a commentary on society.

(insert rainbows and sunshine here)

Listen up! There really are good people in the world who don't take easy opportunities.

And they shop at Target.

Of course...

...it could be a commentary that people suspected no one could be stupid enough to leave their doors open with valuables inside unless he or she was Pulp Fiction crazy and not to be messed with.

Either way, I'm grateful.

Friday Favorite: Eggciting news!

Remember how my parents decided to get chickens and see what happened?

Well...

Project Egg Gatherer is a success!

Eggcellent!

Writer's Wednesday: Out of Print Clothing

Need a gift for you or someone else?

Out of Print is an online shop for a cause. Not only do you get cool looking stuff, but you can feel good about it, too.

Check out their mission here. For each shirt you purchase, they donate a book to a community who needs it through their partnership Books for Africa.

They use incredible artwork from the covers of books--many of which are now out of print.

I like this Pride and Prejudice sweatshirt...

 ...and this Wuthering Heights tee.

I may purchase this one for hubby for Christmas.

My love for this site isn't only about clothes.

These e-reader covers may trick you into thinking you're holding the real thing.  How cool are they? Plus, they are made in the USA.

Happy shopping!

Friday Favorite: Goodbye Cozy Slippers

The Christmas before moving to New Jersey, I received a wonderful gift from my mother: Jessica McClintock house shoes. Now, don't think slippers get me all excited usually. They don't. But these were special. Completely animal friendly, these boots felt like they'd been lined with the fluffy fur of a magical woodland creature.

I wore them all the time. 

My feet aren't as cold here in Oklahoma, so I haven't worn them as much since we moved.  

But when pregnant, a woman longs for any little bit of comfort. So, I dug them out of the closet and let them work their magic again--even during the hottest summer in Oklahoma's recorded history.

Pieces of black fabric and plastic appeared around the house.  We wondered what caused the mess. Several times I jumped because I thought a piece was a bug.

Eventually, I realized it was my shoes!

So, so sad.

Dorothy had her ruby slippers to lead her down the yellow brick road.  

My house shoes have led me to motherhood.

Friday Favorite: Keen shoes

A few years ago, a student commented I'd never worn the same pair of shoes twice.  It was second semester. I was no Imelda Marcos, but she was right. Shoes were a weakness.

I lead a different life now.

Heels aren't practical while chasing a toddler or pregnant. Neither are they practical when my office parking lot is "paved" in gravel...but that's another blog.

During this pregnancy, it is not uncommon for me to change my shoes four times a day due to discomfort--and I used to happily teach on concrete floors while wearing high heels.

But I really need comfy shoes to get me through this hot summer pregnancy. 

In my experience, if someone says a brand of shoe is comfortable, it's the equivalent of getting set up on a blind date and having the matchmaker stress what a great personality your date has. In either case, you know the recipient of praise is not going to look good and you don't want it touching you.

A couple of years ago, our family friend Paul recommended Keen. Since the day my husband wore his first pair out of the store, he's rarely donned any other kind while not at work. It's a struggle to keep him from sporting the sandals with socks in the winter. (I told him if it embarrassed me, it will mortify his children, but I think that statement only served as incentive.)

Alas, pregnancy makes you do strange things. I made a list of all the comfy shoes people have praised over the years and sought them in stores.

Only Keen has lived up to the hype. 

In my pregnant discomfort, I acquiesced and bought a pair.  The store was out of aqua, so I purchased the bright yellow. I figured if I was going to wear those shoes, I should be bold and truly own the ugly.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I love them so much, I think I may buy another pair.

Have you tried Keen shoes? Do you have any other comfy shoe suggestions?

Friday Favorite: art

I'm not an impulse buyer. 

I'm that person who  touches everything in a store and then leaves without buying anything--only to come back a week or year later to purchase it. 

It took me three years to finalize a flooring choice in our home so that the people could complete what they started--three years ago before we even moved in.  A portrait of Santa Clause still hangs in our entry way because I like it better than other options I've found since December. 

My husband told me recently I needed to decorate. He said he was embarrassed to have people visit. Eek.

But I want to be surrounded with things I love. Or that have a story.  I don't want my house to look like I walked into a shop and bought the room.

So, imagine my surprise--and the ladies at my office--when I bought this picture on a whim and finally hung it on the hook that had been bare for months. Aloof? Regal? Wondering? The lady gazes into the distance above my computer screen.

I've heard it said that one should only have things around that speak to you. I don't know what she said, but the lady in the picture must have been convincing.

Read the book...wear the shirt

My hubby helped me set up a shop online since I don't know how to convert my ideas to jpg files. I still have more plans, but we went ahead and posted the shirts already created.

A link to the shop is on my website. Check it out: www.brandibarnett.com/buystuff

You may think they're just t-shirts, but I think you'll be surprised at how versatile they are. Here are some ideas for where to wear your Glamour swag:

a Glamour booksigning
a first date
the prom
a job interview
a slumber party
the gym
a voting booth
a basketball game
summer school
a canoe trip
a shopping spree
your cousin's graduation
a book club meeting
a study group
during standardized tests
a PTA meeting
a college visit

so...basically...do I have this straight?

any school event
any work event
any social event

Yep. Enjoy.

I hope to see you at one of the Glamour events. More are planned, so keep checking back here for updates: www.brandibarnett.com/events If you'd like to arrange an event, contact me at brandi at brandibarnett.com.

New moms can save your job

The mall was eerie. Few people were shopping. It made the recession that's all over the news when they're not talking about politics feel very real. Workers stood around at kiosks with no one to talk to as they passed by. Some store employees were so accustomed to doing nothing that they didn't offer service when they saw an actual customer. Too bad. Before long I fear many will be out of a job. Some of the shops were already closed.

Here's a suggestion for anyone working in the retail industry:

If you see a woman pushing a stroller containing a tiny baby, wait on her. Make suggestions. Bring her anything you think might look good on her. She's gone to the trouble of getting out of the house. She will buy something. If you work on commission, this customer is your dream.

Why? Because if that baby is still little, she's aching to get out of her maternity clothes but probably can't get any of her pre-pregnancy clothes over her hips. None of her tops will fit either because things are bigger there, too. She has no idea what her size is. If she doesn't have to look at the sizes--which are so much larger than they were several months ago--and can put on clothes that actually fit and that have a real, not elastic, waist band, she will be happy. Happy women buy stuff.

No one offered to help me, so I didn't buy stuff. One of these days, I'm going back to some of those stores carrying lots of shopping bags like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman so I can say, "Big mistake. Huge."

So, remember...new moms=easy targets.