HIATUS +SOME

taking a hiatus while i determine the focus of this outlet

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i'm going on a ten day silent meditation on the 3rd until the 15th - this has been on my bucket list since i was a freshman in college… i'm pretty freaked out but i'm also p excited.

i know i'm late on this, but have you seen Steve Jobs' Stanford commencement speech? it's so good and definitely worth watching… it gives me chills:

here's the text & video of Obama's State of the Union Address last night (NYT), which is also obviously worth a look see. i'll refrain from getting political, but i really do admire the fortitude of Obama's presence.

the polar vortex pt 2 ARTIC temps are making me lazy again, so I've been on the prowl for the perfect robe. get this one while all the sizes are still available and it's on sale for less than $10!

ok that's it, see you in two weeks. xoxox.

TUESDAY TEN {JAMES PERSE SAMPLE SALE}

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James Perse is having their summer sample sale. You can get up to 75% off pieces from the collection - amazing. It's for a limited time only so get them quick.

Here are my favorites:

MX IN PICTURES

I Finally got around to sorting through the hundreds of pictures I took during my month in Mexico. (I've been inactive for the last couple days because I was visiting some old friends in Charleston)

Here are some a lot of my favorite shots:

MADEWELL 40% OFF SALE ITEMS

Use code COZYUP for an extra 40% off on all sale items! 

Some of my picks from their 30% off holiday sale are on sale now: the bootlegger jeans ($47.99 with COZYUP) and the frankie pump (sz 9, $86.70 with COZYUP).

Here are my faves:

perfect chambray ex-boyfriend shirt in ferrous wash
$38.70 with COZYUP

veda x madewell denim jacket
$146.70 with COZYUP

pavé arrowstack necklace
$35.70 with COZYUP

han kjøbenhavn wolfgang sunglasses
$119.50 (excluded from promo but on sale and so fab!)

colorblock linear stitch sweater
$41.70 with COZYUP

twinklelight shift dress
$161.10 with COZYUP

TUESDAY TEN {PRODUCTS $10 & UNDER}

I own all of these products and I love them.

1. Boscia blotting linens - $10
   The Boscia blotting linens are the Best ones I've ever used, by far. I bought a pack of the peppermint linens when they were on holiday sale at Sephora and loved them so much, I went back for the original green tea. They're even better than Tatcha and each pack holds 70 more sheets.
2. Bernard Jensen Body Brush - $8.99 
   There are lots of noted benefits to body brushing, but I just like how soft my skin feels afterwards. The Bernard Jensen brush has all natural bristles - I bought mine from Whole Foods.
3. Sea Minerals Dead Sea Mud Mask - $6.69 
   I bought the Sea Minerals Dead Sea Mud Mask when it was on a special sale for $3 on VitaCost. It is amazing. It's actual mud from the Dead Sea, so it smells salty (read: beachy) and feels really gritty. My skin literally glows afterwards.
4. Ole Henriksen Complexion Sponges - $6 
   The Ole Henriksen complexion brushes are perfect for traveling; they're also great for daily use, so use them on the off days from a Clarisonic.
5. Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap - $3.99 for 3pk 
   I just discovered this soap. I was trying to find some other coconut soap my mom recommended but this was the only coconut soap at Walgreens so I decided to give it a try (you can't beat the price)… I am in Love. It's way less expensive than Dr. Bronner's castile soap, only contains five ingredients (coconut soap, water, vegetable glycerin, coconut oil, & natural fragrances), my skin has been ridiculously soft all day, And I didn't feel the need to use lotion after my shower. I've texted everyone I know to recommend it - it's That good.
6. Savannah Honey Company Beeswax Hand & Nail Salve - $9.50 
   I originally used to buy this as professional gifts, like for my old tutors or coworkers, but I finally bought one for myself because my hands have been really dry lately (which never used to be an issue… someone explain what's happening!), and I will Never turn back. It's not greasy at all, it absorbs really well, it's made from all natural products, And smells amazing to boot.
7. Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips - $9.49 
   Boscia, which is a company I like, has these pore purifying black strips, which are 12 for $28. I've used them and they're nothing to write home about. The Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips are almost 3 times less for a pack of 14 - they work just as well, if not better, than Boscia's. 
8. Alaffia African Black Soap (Peppermint) - $8.39 
   My friend Nelli introduced me to Alaffia's African Black Soap. It's a miracle product you can use as shampoo, hand/face soap, body wash, etc. I love the peppermint soap as shampoo (I love all peppermint shampoo) and face soap when my skin needs something more mild.
9. Kiehl's Ultra Face Toner (2.5 fl. oz.) - $8 
   I usually use Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner (at night) or their Rare Earth Pore Refining Toner (in the morning), but the 2.5 fl. oz. Ultra Face Toner is perfect for travel and a great way to acquaint yourself with Kiehl's toners.
10. alba botanica very emollient natural sunblock spf45 - $6.99 
    If you're like me, you have a really hard time finding a good spf. I know this is horrible, but even though I've been trained all my life to treat spf as a basic need like food or water, I used to never wear it because I hate how greasy and thick it felt on my skin. All of them, no matter how hyped or expensive, always feel as though they're clogging my pores from the moment I put them on. I bought alba botanica's very emollient natural sunblock on a VitaCost product haul for travel size products to take on my trip to Mexico. It was a total whim.. I didn't expect much but I knew it wouldn't matter either way for the price. But this sunblock is the shining glory of my list - a tiny bit goes a long way: it's so light you hardly notice it's there. It's the perfect spf to use under makeup and it's made from all natural products - you're welcome.