lucky bandit | RVA based lifestyle blog

Friday, August 18, 2017

summer 2017

Summer is winding down and coming to an end, finally. I worked a lot, but did manage to get out a do some really fun stuff!
In June, I spent a week out in Tennessee and it was great. Saw some baseball, got sunburnt, laid around the house. Back home, N and I sat on a lot of patios and complained about the heat, saw some great local sights, stopped by the farmer's market and the soap box derby, and caused general mayhem. In late July, N and I took a trip out to Tennessee, Mumma made us some amazing vegan spaghetti sauce, we did a lot of outdoor sitting and talking, and I found my favorite seasonal beer, RJ Rockers' Son of a Peach, and tried Shiner's Strawberry Blonde. I'm now in love with both. Jess and I saw Jurassic Park, one of my favorites, at Byrd Theatre, which was my first time going and it was awesome. A few weeks later, N and I shot down to the beach one weekend spontaneously and that was a lot of fun, then stopped at a friend's on the way back for some night swimming, squealing over hound puppies, and hanging out.

I'm normally a homebody, especially during summer, so I'm really glad I could get out more than usual.

Follow

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

empties #14

Since it's been summer, I haven't been using many products up. I hardly wear makeup unless it's planned, so my makeup has just been sitting there. Sorry, pretty things.


Dove Advanced Care Deodorant  // I didn't care for this. It didn't work for me.

Theraneem Naturals Skin Lotion in Neem Therape* // cruelty free & vegan // This lotion helped with my eczema and was pretty rich. I'm going to add a full size to my next iHerb order.

Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera* // cruelty free & vegan // It's aloe vera. I don't know why I even had this bottle, but I'd buy this brand again if I needed it.

Alba Botanica Body in the Buff Firming Scrub in Espresso* // cruelty free & vegan // This scrub was great and the coffee was a great plus. It wasn't oily like some sugar scrubs, and it rinsed out of the tub fairly well. My skin felt a lot softer after using it.

Simple Pleasures Hand Soap in Summer Peach // I didn't think I'd ever finish this. This was a $1 purchase at Joann Fabrics when I thought I was out, but I'll be replacing this with something cruelty free.

Good Things Fresh Start Creamy Cleanser // cruelty free & vegan // I grabbed this on a whim at Marshall's one day because the ingredients looked decent. It was an alright cleanser. I'm beginning to think that cream cleansers aren't my thing, though, but if I found this at a cheap enough price I'd pick it up as a backup.

e.l.f. Volumizing Mascara* // cruelty free & vegan // This is the cheapest mascara e.l.f. offers. I pick them up religiously to use as a base coat for my other mascaras. It's a decent product, doesn't get all over my eyelids and doesn't flake.

Madre Labs Rose Petal Witch Hazel // cruelty free & vegan // I used this as a toner and really liked it. Sadly, it's been discontinued.

e.l.f. Pressed Powder in Buff* (similar) // cruelty free & vegan // I didn't like this and it broke all to pieces, as e.l.f. powders seem to do when I have them. I wouldn't repurchase.

Avalon Organics Bath & Shower Gel* in Grapefruit and Geranium // cruelty free & vegan // This bottle lasted forever and I really liked it. I got a few compliments on the smell, too! They've since changed their packaging and this scent has been discontinued, but I'd try some of their others.

Vegan True Melatonin* // vegan // This is my go to melatonin. Definitely already in my iHerb cart.

Not Pictured:
Gilette Fusion Hydra Gel Shaving Gel // I'm still using up shaving cream from my years of couponing. I won't buy it again, but it's been nice having a supply of shave gel.

Up & Up Biotin plus Keratin // I suppose these worked, but I picked up a different brand.

Dial NutriSkin Lotion // A decent lotion from the coupon stash, I won't pick it up again.

Jergens Ultra Healing Hand Moisturizer // Meh. I still have like six of these that I'm using up. I'll be glad when they're gone.

And there's another month of digging through my trash. Hurrah!

Follow

Sunday, August 06, 2017

link love


This is a neat little "primal astrology" page that connects your signs. I'm a kangaroo.

As a small town umpire, I love reading about MLB umpires. Check out this article about Joe West, who just called his 5,000th game.

Seven signs of dehydration and five tips to prevent it.

Here's a nifty guide to identifying clothing by union label.

What Hogwarts teaches about running a business.

NEVER put your dog on a retractable leash and ALWAYS leash them in areas that require it. If you need more convincing, read this story.

Basic as a stereotype.

I'm so ready for fall and this baked potato soup or this creamy potato and white bean soup is perfect for cozying up with a book.

I really love the Pearl the Spider collection from The Oblong Box Shop.

Nurturing creativity in solitude.

This pin showcasing rescue dogs busting out of shelters brings happy tears.


Kalegin Michail
Follow

Wednesday, August 02, 2017

library haul

I recently got a card (again) for a huge library system in the city I work in. It's a little easier to access than my county library and I was eligible for a card since I have one in a surrounding county. Well, I checked out their online catalog and holy cow. SO MANY TITLES. I'm ecstatic! I put a ton of hold and on my to hold later list, but this is my first haul. I've already finished one of these.
Alllll of the graphic novels. They have such a selection and I'm trying a ton of new ones. I've already finished Rat Queens, which was amazing, and I'm going to start on The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen next. Y: The Last Man has been on my list for quite some time, and it comes highly praised, even by Stephen King. While I was browsing graphic novels, I stumbled upon The Hospital Suite and added it. Last but certainly not least, A BOOK ON BIGFOOT.

I have so many books I already own and need to read that I tried to stick with graphic novels as they're quick to get through when I want to read but don't have time to sit down for hours like I'd like. Luckily I have a few people to pass my books onto when I'm finished, so hopefully that motivates me to knock out my TBR list.

As usual, all links are Thriftbooks and not affiliate, but use this link* for 15% off and I get a discount, too!

What you reading?

Follow

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

summer wishlist

summer 2017 wishlist



I loathe summer, so I try to pretend it doesn't exist. I don't get excited about warm weather (Ice Queens, unite!) and I don't start covering everything with pineapples. I sit inside in the air conditioning and stare at my beloved sweaters, longing for the day when I can wear them again.

But anyway, that doesn't mean I can't have a summer wishlist!

Bee-Q-Box's F*ckboy Repellent Primer & Setting Spray // Uh, yes. Enough said.

Korres Vanilla Guava Showergel* // I just found out that Korres is cruelty free (where have I been??) and I'm lusting after the vanilla guava shower gel, which is vegan friendly.

Killstar Full Moon Cold Brew Cup // I have to have a drink with my constantly, it's some kind of sickness. Well, I need more drink containers like I need a hole in the head, but I love this one from Killstar.

ban.do Whatcha Thinkin' Bout? Journal* // Normally I just use small wire bound notebooks for my purse, but I'd like to get a nice journal to jot things down in.

OCC's Black Dahlia Lip Tar* // I swatched Urban Decay's Blackmail lipstick and fell in love, but sadly it's not vegan. No worries! I found Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' Black Dahlia Lip Tar which is a close dupe and I think that's going to be on my next order.

I'm trying pretty hard to minimize the items I bring home, not to mention I'm trying to save money, but it never hurts to treat yoself every once in a while. ♥ ♥



Follow
^