Monday, July 21, 2014

beauty review:: dry shampoo

Inspired by Becky's recent (ish, I'm behind as usual...) post on this same topic, I was inspired to do this ranking for you all.  Dry shampoo is my dirty (clean??) little secret that I've been using for years.  To be honest, it started when I began college and tended to rush to class before a shower, or just needed a refresher after a nap.  My blonde hair tends to show products and look oily easily, so dry shampoo has been a go-to beauty-saver time and time again.  Over the years, I've made sure to try a few different brands, so here are my reviews of a few...



Suave Dry Shampoo
I've used this brand once.  Some people absolutely LOVE it, but it wasn't for me.  There is a distinct scent to it, one I wouldn't necessarily describe as pleasant.  The biggest issue I had with this one was that it left a slight residue in my hair.  Yes, I brushed out the white powder, but my hair still felt grainy to the touch.  If you don't mind either of those, it is a wonderful budget option, and it did add quite a bit of volume to my hair!







Let me start by saying, the smell isn't nearly as wonderful as some other products.  It's not bad per se, just not fantastic.  It eliminates some oily sheen, but not all.  If you're only using dry shampoo for a bit of volume, or to get rid of some oils for a quick meeting (face-to-face/Skype) before you hop into the shower, or one last errand after the gym, this is a great, low-cost option.  For all day use, you'll find yourself needing to reapply. 






This is my favorite.  It's not as popular, or as easy to find, but it is my favorite brand (it's cheaper at Wal-Mart or Target!).  Personally, I love the smell.  Others find that it's a little strong.  I agree it's strong at first, but it doesn't linger.  The only linger is a nice, light, clean scent.  The only con to it is that if you spray too much, roots can look a little gray.  If you take the time to brush it out and shake it through the roots a bit, it disappears.  It lasts forever though, which is why the pros outweigh the cons for me.  As someone with hair that shows grease so, so easy, a long-lasting product is what I need.










In a pinch, Johnson's Baby Powder is the go-to.  I bring the little 3oz one with me on vacation and just put a little on if needed.  Cheaper than a travel size dry shampoo, easier to find, and great in a pinch, just puff some on your roots, brush, and go!  This one is the winner in smell too, ha!




What's your dirty (clean??) little secret?

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Ginger Hop:: Minneapolis musts.




I apologize for the lack of good pictures on this one... I only had my iPhone with me, and the lighting there isn't the best for photos.  If I had taken more, you'd see the gorgeous palm fans in the bar!

Ginger Hop, in Northeast Minneapolis, is one of my favorite places.  I started my birthday there for one reason alone - the cream cheese wontons.  Nathan and I went back awhile ago, and I've gotten the wontons on take out multiple times since.  Literally the best cream cheese wontons I've ever tasted.  They have both plain cream cheese and carmelized onion cream cheese options, the latter coming with a soy/peanut/something delicious dipping sauce (though I'm a traditional sweet & sour).

Their cocktail drinks are delicious, and their wine & beer list isn't bad.  I will warn about the food - it is slightly spicy.  I made sure to order a dish that did not list "spicy", "hot", "medium", or "tangy" in the description, and I still ended up not being able to finish my meal due to my mouth burning.  Aside from it being surprisingly spicy, I enjoyed my dish, as did Nathan.  It should definitely be a place you check out, and if you're just going for the wontons, go during happy hour.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

be you.


Just a friendly reminder for your weekend. Stay you, stay true. Enjoy it everyone!!

*be-you-tiful acrylic and gold leaf on canvas is available in the Dankbar Designs etsy store and on Facebook. Mention this post and receive a discount on any of our paintings, even if it's a custom order!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Pineapple Obsession

If any of you have checked out my Pinterest lately, you'll notice that I'm obsessed with anything and everything pineapple related.  It really is just making me crave grilled pineapple from my favorite Brazilian steakhouse and a linen shirt from J.Crew last summer (similar here).  Here are some of my favorites...


I actually found this dress at J.Crew Factory when I was in Florida.  I literally wear it every chance I get!

Now I just need an iPhone 5...








What's your latest obsession?

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

take me back..4th of July



I was running errands for work yesterday and received these lovely flowers from the grocery store.  As they had no use for red, white, and blue flowers any longer, each purchase was accompanied by these - so wonderful!  I couldn't stop smiling over them and I couldn't help but think about the amazing Fourth of July weekend I'd just had.

For the first time in over two years (!!), I was able to go out on the lake that my grandparents have had a cabin - and now a house - on, for over a decade.  Nathan had never been on the water, but my joy of sharing that with him was surpassed by my happiness of just being out there again.

I managed to only get a bit of splotchy sunburn (#sunscreen4ever) and it was all worth it.  Growing up, my grandparents had hosted a bash each Fourth of July and I have so many happy memories from those parties.  Unfortunately, my grandmother was hospitalized during the weekend.  It was a bummer, but Nathan and I made our way to Sioux Falls to spend the afternoon with her and enjoy a dinner out with Papa.  

As I reflect back on the weekend, not one part, not even spending half of a gorgeous day in a hospital room, has a negative cloud above it.  Fireworks on the lake, old friends boating over to say hello, games of guesstures with some of my favorite people, and just enjoying a part of my childhood happily, without the sad-tinged nostalgia of growing up, is enough to tide me over for quite awhile.  

And if it doesn't, I can look back on the one picture of the weekend that Kit sent me...

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

buttered tin.




I'm so behind on my posts it's embarrassing.  I visited the Buttered Tin in St. Paul with my friend Michael weeks ago.  Over a month ago.  So embarrassing.

We happened to be able to go on a weekday morning, so there was virtually no wait.  I ordered the Banana Foster French Toast and a mimosa - hello, it's brunch! - and I was not disappointed.  Everything tasted perfect, and the house-made whipped cream was the perfect touch.  Michael ordered the Biscuits and Gravy.  It wasn't to my taste (I don't like pepper), but I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who wouldn't like it.  I even got one of their cupcakes to go.  I brought it back to my apartment and put it in the fridge for a few hours until Nathan came over and I could share it with him.  It was soooo good, even hours after it was made!

One of my favorite parts of the Buttered Tin was their table numbers - playing cards!  It was the perfect quirky touch, I took a picture of it right away.  I cannot wait to go back.  I want to try the Buttermilk Pancakes and the Loaded Hashbrowns, though I may end up just getting the Banana Foster French Toast again!


Wednesday, July 2, 2014

chloe + isabel

My friend Lindsay has started selling chloe + isabel - so, naturally, I picked out an item and couldn't have been more impressed.  The packaging is adorable the earrings I ordered were perfect, and have been working well for me the last couple weeks I've been wearing them.  I leave my earrings in all the time, so cheap ones (and a couple not-so-cheap ones) have caused my ears to get an odd greenish hue as the vibrancy of the color faded.  Not with these!  When I do take them out, they still look like they did the first day I put them on!  I definitely recommend this brand to anyone and everyone.  What's not to love?




Aren't the earring backs so unique?  I love the shape of them, and they feel great on sensitive ears.  I love that chloe + isabel is engraved on them!  Here's the pair I got and the adjustable (!!) cuff I'm lusting over.

What will you be purchasing?