Flora & Fauna

So this Sunday I went on one last practice hike before Colorado. Also turns out my digital camera just had crappy batteries and it is indeed NOT broken. So I got to take lots of pictures at Ledges State Park. I spent 3 hours out there and was exhausted afterward but it was a really amazing day and it felt good to get back to nature.

(pretty flowers)

( a view from the sort of top)

(Tested the waterproofness of my hiking boots. They work well.)

(probably more what you think Iowa looks like)

I also saw a few herds of deer.

I was totally racking up the outdoors man points all day. Climbing through mud, traipsing through/across creeks (and apparently a field of poison oak...don't worry I'm magically totally fine) hiking in the rain. So just as I feel like I finally earned my outdoor cred and would arrive in Colorado a true outdoors man (woman?) thennnn......Well there was a HUGE bumble bee after me and I was not paying attention to the ground and then I looked and almost stepped on a snake, screamed and ran away. Adios outdoors man points. I suppose I'll always be a pink dress wearing, pageant loving, fashion obsessed, make up loving girl at heart. But hey I can brave it with the rest of them. So long as bugs spiders and snakes stay away. Like far far away. In case you were curious this is what the snake looked like.

(Yeah Black Mamba. I know I don't know how it got lost in Iowa either..)

Cheers!

Marisa

P.S. okay this reallllly what the snake looked like.

(Common Garter Snake....In my defense it was the biggest one I've ever seen)

Wake Up in the Morning Feeling Like P. Diddy....

Okay that's a total lie. I do love Ke$ha however and often find myself rocking out to her while getting ready for work. Point being, I thought I'd share with you my favorite beauty products that are part of my daily morning routine. I've a huge fan of comparing designer products to drugstore brands. I do not mind paying good money for products that work and I haven't found it's drugstore (cheaper) equivalent. So without further ado, here are my fav products.

First step: Cleanse! I absolutely love this Garnier cleanser, not just for the awesome brush attached. It really does help my skin look fresh and less blotchy. My major skin complaint, not acne, but blotchiness. 

Step 2: Tone! I have been using this C.O. Bigelow toner for....years. Love it. It is amazing the amount of makeup & oiliness it removes that the cleanser doesn't get. 

Step 3: Spot Treat! This Murad Spot Treatment is seriously the BEST spot treatment I've tried. Most of them have just dried up my skin and made it all flaky. This does not do that just helps make everything practically perfect again overnight! What's not to love?

Step 4: Moisturize! I have two that I use, well technically one's a treatment but whatevs. Just started using the C.O. Bigelow triple task eye treatment couple months ago but I am hooked. I am one of those unfortunate souls who is cursed with dark circles regardless how much I sleep. This is a life saver. And is saving me from early crows feet. Wooo! Also I use Neutrogena Visibly Even daily moisturizer for two reasons: Again helps with even skin tone and it contains SPF 30. I am the SPF police and I don't want to look 50 when I turn 30.

There you have it, all that I do to look fabulous. Is there anything out there you love, might work better? I'm always up for trying new products so let me know!

Cheers,

Marisa