Going Green on the Net

Why be green? If we don't start taking care of the environment now, then our future generations will have to pay the consequences. The past couple of months I've been recycling, printing my assignments double sided (make sure your professor doesn't mind first!), and carpooling. Now, I've just found out other ways to be green that I never would have thought about!

Use a "green" search engine! Well, more specifically, use one that has a black background. Why does this matter? I wasn't aware of this, but apparently more of your computers battery life is used when your on a white or light colored website, then a black one. So, by using a black search engine, you are using less of your computers battery. So if your on a laptop, you have to charge your battery less often, and as an effect of that, there are less computer batteries in land fills, poisoning the earth. A much better explanation can be found here.

There are quite a few of these "green" but really black search engines. The most popular would be Blackie. But, I prefer this very cute one called Ecocho. When you go to Ecocho's page, its white, but if you click on the "Black version" button it will be black each time you go to the page. What sets Ecocho apart is its adorable mascot Cho Cho the tree, and the fact that for every 1,000 searches done on Ecocho, 2 tree will be planted! Isn't that wonderful? You can now plant trees, while your searching for a new pair of shoes!

Since we are on the topic of shoes...Another very cool eco site is Green Maven. Unlike the other standard search engines, Green Maven is a site where you find eco products! If you type "shoes" into their search engine, all the results will be either vegan, recycled, or vintage shoes! Now shopping and online searching is much easier!

I've made Ecocho my home page so I use less energy every time I open up my web browser, and make searching much easier and cleaner online! There is also an Ecocho toolbar for even more convenience if you are an Internet Explorer or Firefox user.

To find out more websites/search engines to help you "Go green!", click here.

Random Writing Friday: Wind

Wind never dies.

Billowing. Swallowing.

Leap. Fly. Soar.

Follow this path, that path 

Search forever more.

Like running. Running?

Why, and what for?

In the breeze, I ponder

To the next tree, I flow

Kicking up your papers, here I go!

One more jump

One more hair blown kiss.

Moving across the ocean,

Disheveled. Who's this?

Billowing. Swallowing.

Leap. Fly. Soar?

What in the world is all of this for? 

At Home Beauty Solutions

(From now on I will try and post regularly every Wednesday. )

(Read a personal entry: "When I grow up...")

Have you been sucked into the advertisements that promise you eternal youth, dewey skin, and hair that shines brighter then the sun, but then does not deliver? I am very naive and always believe what these commercials promise me. Then when I buy the products, I get less then stellar results. 

But no more! Here is a compilation of at home beauty solutions from Seventeen and Cosmopolitan magazine over the past year. 

Makeup Tricks

1) Customizable lipgloss! If you run out of lip gloss, or want a more customizable color, and happen to have eyeshadow that you don't want, try this trick! Mix a quarter sized amount of vaseline into your palm with a good amount of eyeshadow. Use different kinds of eyeshadows to customize your color. Instant lip gloss! The color stays on just as long as vaseline does. Am I the only one that uses vaseline as lip gloss? Anyway, the color is shiny and non-streaky. The only problem is that each time you want to use it, you need to re-mix it. However, if you have a tiny jar and loose eyeshadow then you can make a supply to use later. 

2) Tasty lip stain! Wet a finger and dip it into flavored Jell-O or Kool-Aid powder, then apply to lips. This takes a while to master, but its long lasting. If you want, put vaseline on top of it to make your lips a little shinier. 

Moisturize

1) Really dry skin! If you have really dry skin, dab on a small amount of Cool Whip on problem areas. It feels a little heavy though, so put it on sparingly. According to Seventeen "Its ingredients contain sorbitol, a humectant that helps bind water to skin"

2) Hydrating face mask! Leave this concoction on for 5 minutes. Mix together 3 tablespoons of dry oatmeal, and 2 tablespoons of honey (I accidently put money here instead of honey the first time I posted lol) then apply to face. 

3) Dry/Peeling skin? Dr. Brown says to soak a washcloth in cold milk and lay it on your face for 10 minutes. "The natural lipids in the milk will plump up and rehydrate your skin, while the cool temp and lactic acid will tone down redness and remove flecks". 

4) Glowing skin! Mix 1/4 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup dry oatmeal, and 2 tablespoons of honey. Sit for 10 minutes then rinse.

Hair

1) Damaged hair? Mix 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup of egg whites. Apply to damp hair, leave in for 20 minutes and then rinse with shampoo. This is supposed to strengthen your strands and encourage shine. Honestly, it smells a little bit, but it worked really well!

So what did you think? Everyone  post a comment to let me know how these remedies worked on you. What are your prows and cons? Or, do you have any cool beauty remedies to share?

Starting this Friday at 9pm is Fox's new show Dollhouse staring Eliza Dushku as an "Active" named Echo who can be imprinted with any personality and skill. I'm so excited to see it! 

I just realized....

I just realized that I have never, ever, finished anything that I have ever started. I have a fictionpress (poetry) account, a livejournal, and photography website. I completely forgot about all of them and it looks like this blog is on its way as well. I will not let this happen. 

So, Better-Late-Then-Never-New-Years-Resolution! Okay, so, I pledge to update at least once a week (I will make the time) and check my following list as well. 

This habit of leaving things unfinished WILL change. Looking through all my old entries on all these various website really got me to realize how much I have changed, and how much still needs to be done. 

Also, I recommend that everyone check out Anythingbutgrey's Anti-Valentines Day Mix CD. 

On wednesday I will post an entry all about natural and at home beauty remedies! There are some very interesting beauty alternatives out there.

Lucky

Disney Dream Portraits, Annie Leibovitz

Today I found a dime, and 3 pennies! How much luck can you get out of 13 cents, I wonder... I have a class jar in the shape of an apple that I put my change in every day after school and nothing gives me more joy then to add more figurative luck to that jar. 

My friend Donna told me such a sweet story. A friend of hers is not a big fan of the penny, so she throws pennies out of her window while she is driving. She explains that she does this, so she can share luck with the world and increase her good karma... I hope no pennies flew and broke another drivers wind shield as she threw them out into the world! But, I still think thats a cute story. 

It makes me wonder, whose penny did I pick up? Did they drop it and not care enough to pick it up? Or did they leave it intentionally like Donna's friend in an attempt to bring good fortune? I will never know. 

Sorry for the lack of updates, taking 18 credits is really taking it out on me! Hopefully my lucky pennies will help me get all my work done today. 

On a side note, google Disney Dream Portraits. You will not be disappointed, they are beautiful! 

Also, my Mr. Cutie Patootie is making an online web show called rooMMates. I'm an extra in it for about 2 seconds, but check it out! 

P.S.

I am slowly going through all the posts that I have missed. I'm sorry I haven't been commenting lately :(

Goodnight! 

How to Keep an Organized Purse

I am an addict. I have almost 30 purses. I have a problem, I know. But I swear I am getting better. Here is a guide as to how to keep your purse organized, and how to prevent an impulsive purse shopper (like myself) from buying more bags then you need. 

1. Use a purse organizer! The one above is from The Container Store, and it costs $19.99.  It is adorable in polka dot and it makes switching purses so easy. I got this one for Christmas and it is so convenient. There is also the Purse Brite, which is basically the same thing but in beige and with a portable light. 

2. Don't bring what you don't need! When it comes to makeup, do your makeup at home and only put the products in your purse that need to be re-applied, like lipstick. No one needs so many pens, but I tend to bring about 5 pens in my purse because somehow at the end of the week they are all gone. I lose everything. I don't know how I do it. But, for a normal person I would say only bring two, one blue and one black.

3. Never buy a purse that does not have a pocket for your phone. I have several purses that don't have pockets, and I can never find my phone or my lip gloss (I am also a lip gloss addict). Looking for your phone or keys shouldn't take long because those are very important items. 

4. Have an agenda, PA, or a notebook that can fit in your purse. At Office Max there are miniature composition notebooks that are very cute. Everyone needs one place to put down your grocery list, to do lists, notes, etc. Having a bunch of tiny papers running through your purse is a disaster. I have my life planned out in my agenda. Its also important to have your important phone numbers somewhere in this notebook. I never charge my phone, I just wait till it dies then I charge it. So, when I'm out and about and I don't have my phone, its a disaster. Having important numbers in my agenda has really helped me. 

5. To prevent myself from buying more purses, I switch my purse at least every two days. I used to get a new purse, and then use exclusively that one for a couple of weeks and then I would get bored and want a new one. So, by changing my purse every two days, I am always visually stimulated. I do the same thing with my wallets and makeup bags. 

Well, I hope this helped everyone out. Sorry for the lack of updates. 

How was everyone's new year? I had a surprisingly good time, definitely the best I've had in years.

Apologies and the Three D's

My apologies everyone! I haven't had much time to comment on everyone's blogs like I normally do, but I wanted to let you know that I will catch up soon! Everything has been very hectic lately, with school and Christmas cheer (I love decorating!). Thank you everyone who has congratulated me on passing Business Calc (I'm pretty psyched about that!). I will try and post a blog next week, but if not then for sure by January 5th, so I can let everyone know how my first day of the spring semester went. 

And congratulations Patrice for her 100th post. 

Also, May, please comment and give me your email or your last name so I can find your facebook! I have no way of contacting you while we are on school break! 

Now, I have come to realize the triple D's (keys to my happiness)

1. Diamonds! I have a weakness for shiny things. Glitter too! 

2. Deserts! Ice cream and chocolate are my lovers and also my arch nemesis. I went to the dentist last week and holy crap I have so many cavities. 

3. Diaries! I don't keep a diary in the traditional sence, but I always need something to write in, to keep myself organized and entertained. I am decorating my Victoria Secret Pink school organizer right now! 

What are your keys to happiness? 

Soon I will try and post a list, explaining what you should and should not bring to school on your first day of the new semester.

Happy Holidays everyone! My thoughts are with you, I will try and comment on your blogs soon.