Random Favorites of Early 2015

I was considering doing a YouTube video for this, but since I have a hard enough job getting the other videos I do out on time I thought it would be safer to just go ahead and make this a blog post. So without further ado, here are some of my random favorite things of the first part of 2015.

Steeped Tea’s Pop Top Tumbler & Strawberry Fields Tea

In January a friend of mine hosted a “Tea Party”, which is one of those parties where a bunch of people (usually women, let’s be honest) get together and look through a company’s product line. The company in question is Steeped Tea, and since I love me some tea I decided to order a few things. One of the teas I ordered, Strawberry Fields, is my absolute favorite so far. Not only is it made with all-natural ingredients and flavors, but it smells so heavenly that I would be happy to sit with a spoonful of it under my nose all day. Plus, the most important part: it’s delicious. It’s an organic green tea with strawberry and papaya that is smooth and comforting, with just a hint of sweetness. It needs no additives; it tastes absolutely perfect all by itself.

The other super awesome item that I picked up through the party was one of Steeped Tea’s Pop Top Tumblers (in purple, to match my coat, purse, carry-on luggage, etc…I have a problem). I grabbed it because I wanted a travel mug to take out West to work with me, and because the steeping net inside is made of a stiff material it looked like this one would be a lot easier to clean than the last one I had (which was a disaster). What I didn’t realize when I bought it is that this thing is super air-tight. When closed you can shake it around upside-down if you want and nothing will escape. There’s even a little locking mechanism on the cover release so that you can make sure you don’t accidentally pop it open while you’re traveling with it. All this means, of course, that the heat is sealed in. The tumbler is double-walled so you don’t feel a hint of heat when you touch it, and inside your tea is piping hot for hours. I have actually made tea, forgot about it for several hours, and then burned my tongue on it when I finally had a sip. It’s seriously that good, and I’m so glad I picked it up because it has made my 12-hour shifts a hell of a lot more tolerable.

Tibetan Goji Berry Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Serum

Let me first say that I don’t go in for products that make outrageous claims like “anti-aging”. I think that the majority of products that claim to make you look younger, make your wrinkles vanish, or otherwise defy normal biology, are generally just a pack of lies wrapped in clever marketing.

But. I received this item as part of my Fab Fit Fun box for Winter 2014/15, so of course I was going to give it a try. And I have to admit that I’ve fallen in love with it. I don’t know if it necessarily lives up to all its claims, but I have definitely noticed a difference. By dabbing a small amount under my eyes at night I’ve noticed that the skin under my eyes has been tighter, smoother, and significantly less dry. I really suffer from dry skin under my eyes, so this is a pretty nice result. My only problem with this product is the price. The bottle, which only stands about an inch and a half high, retails for $88. Now, I’ve been using it nightly for over a month with no signs of running out, but it would have to last at least four or five months more for me to even consider maybe spending that kind of cash. So, while it is one of my favorite things at the moment, I don’t expect I’ll be buying more of it in the future.

The Dragonball Z Funko Pop figures

My husband and I have finally begun the task of turning our basement into a geek and gamer area, which means that I’ve finally begun opening my Funkos. There are lots of the little guys that I love just to death, but right now I think my absolute favorites are the Dragonball Z crew. I don’t have them all (I missed my chance to get black-haired Goku…booooo…) but the ones that I have make me giggle like a fool every time I look at them. My particular favorite is Vegeta, whose crossed arms and little scouter make him extra-super adorable. I love cute versions of things that have no business being cute.

Physician’s Formula Super BB Powder & Bye Bye Under Eye from IT Cosmetics

I had to combine these two items because I always use them together and I love the effect. The Bye Bye Under Eye I got as a sample in one of my Ipsy Glam Bags. I originally didn’t think that it was the kind of thing I would use, but I gave it a try and I’m so glad I did. I have chronic black circles because the skin under my eyes is very thin, and this product does a great job of minimizing those circles. It doesn’t get rid of them completely (I don’t think that’s even possible), but with only a tiny application I look instantly brighter, healthier, and more awake, and I love that.

The Physician’s Formula Super BB Powder I actually purchased on a whim after seeing how great the Bye Bye worked and noticing that it was on sale at my local drug store. I don’t like a lot of gunk on my face, but I thought I’d try this out as a complement to the Bye Bye, and I wound up loving it. Because of my work in the super-dry Alberta oil sands, I often wind up with dry, red patches on my cheeks and forehead. With a little moisturizer to combat the dryness, the Physician’s Formula does a beautiful job at hiding that redness. The “Light” option matches my skin tone extremely well, it blends very smoothly, and it doesn’t make me look like I’ve got a ton of crap on my face. When I use these two products together I absolutely love how I look, and with just a little lipstick I feel ready to face the day!

Dragonforce

Does this seem way out in left field? It may be just a little bit.

I listen to a lot of different kinds of music, but most people wouldn’t expect Dragonforce to be the kind of band that I would listen to regularly. Most of their songs are extremely loud, fast, cluttered with an abundance of different instruments and sound effects, and their lyrics more often than not sound like they were written for the soundtrack of a 1980’s swords and sorcery movie. And I love it.

I mentioned before that I find their music counter-intuitively relaxing because it’s so complicated that it practically forces my brain to turn off, and that hasn’t changed. I have five of their albums on my phone now and I’ve been rather enjoying how the loud, fast tracks strangely make my anxiety melt away when I’m trapped on a work bus. I’ve even been known to fall asleep while listening to this music on said buses, and believe me when I say that is a big deal.

So that’s it for now! Are you familiar with any of the things I’ve mentioned? What do you think of them? Have I convinced you to try anything new? What are some of your favorite things so far this year? Please share!

Also, a reminder that I am running a contest throughout the month of March. For each comment you post on my blog throughout the month, you will receive one entry toward a draw for a hard-copy of my zombie apocalypse novel, “Nowhere to Hide”! Please note that in order to accept the prize, I will need you to give me a mailing address where I can have the book sent. If the winner drawn did not intend to enter the contest and/or does not want the book, I will draw another name. Please also note that obvious spam/duplicate comments/etc. will not be counted toward an entry…play fair! And good luck! ❤