empties #13 & some decluttering

It's been a while since I've rounded up all of my empties, but here's another go with some mini reviews. I've included some decluttered items that I'm just not going to end up finishing. I never realized just how many non cruelty free and non vegan products I had until I started using them up and replacing them with kinder products.



Suave Invisible Solid Deodorant in Powder // I don't know where these things keep coming from, but I'm still going through them. Haha.

Yes to Tomatoes Acne Control Gel Cleanser // cruelty free & vegan // This worked really well when I first got it, my face cleared up, and then I just used it occasionally as a cleanser. I'd get this again to control redness and blemishes, if I needed it. I believe this has been discontinued, but they have tons of good looking cleansers in the Tomatoes line.

Biore Baking Soda Acne Scrub // This was an alright cleanser sample, but Biore isn't cruelty free.

KenetMD Shampoo & Conditioner // These were hotel bottles from when I met my mom halfway for a girl's night. The conditioner was pretty nice, but the shampoo made my hair a little dry. I can't find any cruelty free status for them, though.

Carmex Pomegranate Lip Balm // I've had this tube for forever and finally finished it. Carmex isn't vegan or cruelty free, unfortunately.

Victoria's Secret Pink Body Mist // This little bottle is sooo old. VS isn't cruelty free, so even though the scent was nice, I won't repurchase.

Secret Body Spray in Citrus Breeze // I got this little bottle in my stocking for Christmas, and I liked it, but it's not cruelty free.

Dial NutriSkin Replenishing Lotion // Finally finished up the last of these that I got free forever ago with coupons. I won't get this again.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter* // cruelty free // I liked this lotion, but sometimes it was just too thick, and I can't verify if it's vegan or not.

Ulta Mattifying Balm* // cruelty free & vegan // When I first bought this I wasn't sure how to use it, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I really like this stuff! It could also double as a primer and worked nicely at mattifying. I'm definitely getting this again!

Mary Kay Foundation Primer Sunscreen // This was a decent primer. However, MK isn't cruelty free.

Estee Lauder Foundation Sample in Pure Beige 2C // EL isn't cruelty free and this sample that I got from a friend wasn't a good color match, so I'm glad to be rid of it.



NatureMade Magnesium Supplements // These may not be vegan and I now have a different actually vegan supplement now.

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash // I got this little sample and got quite a few uses out of it, but unfortunately, Dove isn't cruelty free.

Up & Up Biotin Supplements // Another supplement that I'm not sure is vegan, but I believe it is? I need to do some more research on these supplements.

Bynature Textured Waves Sea Salt Spray in Coconut // This spray isn't bad! I like it. It has an odd smell, but it works well. I just need to contact the company for CF status.

Aveeno Gentle Scent Lotion in Nourishing Coconut // Another little sample I used up to get it out of here. A decent lotion, but Aveeno tests on animals. :(

Charcoal Sculpting Mask // This mask came in a cup that you added water to, and it made SO MUCH MASK. I spread it on way too thickly and still could've had four more masks out of the cup, but had no way to preserve the rest of the mix. I wouldn't buy this again.

The Beer Soap Co. Blue Ribbon Bar Soap // cruelty free & vegan // Beer soap? Yup! My boss gave me this bar that's made with PBR. It's a pretty nice soap and I might order a couple different things, like the American Hops or the Karma Deodorant.

Palmer's Coconut Oil Facial Moisturizer // cruelty free // I've been looking for a new moisturizer, so when I got this sample I was thinking it might work, but it burned when I put it on. Sad face.



L'Oreal Voluminous Primer in White Primer & Original Mascara in Blackest Black // I did not like either of these products. I got them in an Influenster VoxBox. The formula got better as it dried out a bit, but it was globby and cakey and just bad. Do not recommend.



Glade candles & Dollar General Candle // More things I decluttered that were sitting around the house for forever. I wouldn't get any of these again.

Now on to my decluttering items:



Here's some items that I just didn't like enough to finish. I hate throwing out product, but I know I won't finish these and they're just taking up space in my super small bathroom. I won't be getting any of these again.

Rimmel 60 Seconds Polish in Hot Black to Go // I've had this for years and it made my nails look funny and it's separated, so it goes.

Estee Lauder Mirror // I don't generally use compacts while out and about, so I'm tossing this.

Covergirl Makeup Remover // Hate, hate, hate, double hate, loathe entirely. This was greasy as all get out, required a lot to remove simple mascara, and gave me blurry eye if it got into my eyes.

Julep Polish in Helen 2339 // cruelty free & vegan // This separated and I couldn't get it to mix again.

Milani Color Statement Polish in Cupcake Icing // cruelty free // I liked this polish! It just separated on me.

Revlon Colorstay Eye Shadow Mini Palette in Nude Elements // These shadows didn't transfer color well and the colors were wonky. The darkest color was more of a purple than a neutral color.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Polish in Gone Grey // Another that separated.

That was quite the group of products. What have you used up lately?

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thrift haul: books

I continually moan and groan about how large my To Be Read pile has gotten, but I repeatedly scope the books out every time I got to a thrift store. I've gotten better about only picking up books I really want or I've been looking for, though. I snagged these two books for $1.49 each!

A couple years ago I gave my mom a copy of The China Study* and I've been wanting to read it ever since. Now I can! And of course, as a Yankees and memoir fan, I had to pick up Bat Boy*.

These haven't been started yet as I'm still working my way through Haunted* (that's a slow go) and I started Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry, too.

I linked all of these to Amazon, but if you don't mind secondhand books and want a discount, check them out on Thriftbooks* and get 15% off!


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mini Sephora haul

This is a super small Sephora haul because I'm still trying to use up the massive amount of beauty products I have, but I couldn't pass up the birthday gift and a points redemption! I chose the Tarte set, which includes the Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint* in Birthday Suit and the Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush* in Paaarty. I'm not a huge blush fan, but my face does look better with it so I thought I'd start somewhere.

Since I'd racked up some points, I redeemed some for the drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1* dry shampoo. I don't wash my hair every day and it normally handles that well, but I've wanted to start using a dry shampoo for a little boost, so I snagged this one.

This will probably be the last of the beauty supplies I buy for a while, but at least it was a fun, frugal haul. ♥

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thrifting tips

I'm a big fan of thrifting. Not only for the savings but for the opportunity to find some great quality items that are sometimes unique. If you've ever wanted to start thrifting or just get a bit more efficient at it, here are some tips that I utilize whenever I go.

Keep a running list and know what you like.

I typically keep a mental list of things I'd like to look for at the thrift shop. I've been hunting for a denim jacket for forever, but I've yet to find one I like, so that stays on the list. It's a lot easier to go in with a plan than to wander around looking at every piece in the store (unless that's what you want to do). I know that I tend to go for oddball patterns, stripes, and sweaters, so I visually scan and find most things that way. I do have days where I just go through the racks, but on quicker visits I've gotten it down to an art.

Learn your fabrics.

If you're looking for clothing, learn to identify fabrics just by sight. When I was sourcing for vintage a lot, I'd learned what polyester and linen looked like just by walking by and seeing them. Granted, there are exceptions as rayon can look really similar to cotton, but with a general knowledge of knits and such, you can easily find things you're looking for.

Have a buddy.

I'm fortunate that my two best friends are thrifters, too! Jess and I meet up for thrifting trips and always find some amazing stuff. It really helps to have someone with you for when you pick up that odd piece and want an opinion on it, or you need someone to talk you out of an absurd wall hanging.

Don't always go by the tag size.

Clothing sizes vary wildly and so do folks' laundry habits, so don't always go by what the tag says. Don't be afraid to try things on or hold them up to your body. Look through all of the size racks and remember, especially if you're looking for vintage, that a size 14 could really mean a modern size 4.

Follow thrift store etiquette.

Don't take things from others' carts, replace items where you got them or on the fitting room return rack, don't bombard the workers that bring new carts of merchandise out, don't eat in the store and then touch merchandise with your greasy hands, and be polite.

If you have any more tips, leave them in the comments! :)

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currently: reading

I've been really slowly making my way through a couple books here lately. I finished A Head Full of Ghosts* by Paul Tremblay earlier in the year, which was a great read if you're into horror and thrillers. I'm currently working on a couple books, The Stand* by Stephen King and Haunted* by Chuck Palahnuik, which are both at slow spots, but I'm still chugging along.

Did you know that the cover for Haunted glows in the dark? I didn't until I woke up at 3am one morning to a glowing face in bed next to me. It was terrifying and I didn't realize what is was until my sleepy brain had cleared. Just a heads up.

My TBR stash is growing and I need to get it under control. I have an entire two bins of books to read and send to new homes. There are quite a few little informative ebooks I've gotten into that need to be finished, and I really need to clean up my 'currently reading' list on Goodreads. I'm very behind on my 2017 reading challenge.

Speaking of Goodreads, are we friends on there yet? :)



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