Skin deep

I've used self tanner for years, my first memory of it is excitedly buying The Body Shop's Watermelon self tan in sixth grade. That's thirteen years of a fabulous orange glow! Nowdays, I rely on a daily application of body lotion that has a touch of DHA (the active ingredient in all self tans). Through much trial and error I have found that this is best because the moisturizing aspect of the lotion keeps the fake tan looking flawless the longest, and the easiest way to spot a fake tan isn't its orange hue, but its uneven spotches once the tan ages.

I've always preferred Dove's "Energy Glow" lotion in medium/deep because of the nice scent and the way it leaves my skin feeling. Lately, Dove lotion has been difficult to find in little San Luis Obispo so I tried the new Olay "Touch of Sun", also in medium/deep and I've found that it is a worthy successor! It has a nice coconut-y scent and gives a nice color. Thanks Olay, I wouldn't feel sexay without you!

Wall Frosting

As an interior design aficionado, I know that taste in art is preeminently important in making a room comfortable. No matter how much you invest in furniture, the blank canvas of your walls must be addressed! In this vein, the issue of decorating with color weaves itself into the challenge. One should incorporate the warm base colors of the room into the wall hangings(tapestries, canvases, etc), while subtly departing from the color scheme in order to avoid being monochromatic.

In my home, I am feverently devoted to the work of Natasha Wescoat. I decorate in warm colors (ruby, chocolate, pumpkin) in order to give the room a cozy feel. Her work incorporates these tones in the subject of abstract trees. I have these three pieces, and I plan buying more.

With the Waves


Tender Sprouts


Trinity

My wish list

The Christmas holidays are only 45 days away as of this post (doesn't sound too far away now does it, slackers?). I am really excited about decking out Casa de Wagner in full festive regalia this year. I usually buy all of my Christmas decorations from the thrift shop next door then donate them back at the end of the holidays. I can't wait to see what tacky finds await me this week.

Another Christmas idea I have for you readers is kaboodle.com. For those of us who are more on the materialistic side,(don't be ashamed, I unabashedly include myself in this category) you can create an online wishlist for yourself! Anyone can search for your name on the website and access your list, which resembles a department store gift registry with quantity desired, color, size, and priority with which you desire the gift. All you have to do is find an item online that you want, click the kaboodle toolbar, and it's instantly on your list.

If you're feeling spendy, check out my work in progress here at Julia's wish list

Kombucha

Kombucha is one of my all time favorite things. I have sung its praises to most people I know, spurring them to try the delicious beverage for themselves, but none have attached themselves to it with the religious ferocity with which I view it.

Kombucha is made by brewing tea, adding sugar then fermenting the sugar-tea with a culture of bacteria and fungus(yeah, I know, but bear with me). This results in a tangy, carbonated beverage. It has been around since BC times, supposedly originating in China.

Kombucha is touted with health benefits including fighting cancer(!), abolishing cellulite(!!), restoring hair color, curing diabetes, preventing illness, and curing hangover(let me personally attest to this!). In my experience, it also gives this wonderful sense of well being that I can best compare to the way you feel after a few sips of wine on an empty stomach.

Kombucha is also endorsed by many celebrities, hehee

I drink the GT Dave kombucha, which is available here in San Luis Obispo at the co-op and New Frontiers. It is also available at Whole Foods.

This is a link to an article about Kombucha and the founder of GT Dave

Where To Buy My Halloween Costumes

I've received a few requests for the websites that sell the costumes shown in my posts!

The Christmas tree and creepy/sexy(?) Freddy Kruger are at target.com

The sexy Sherlock Holmes is at Yandy.com

The "One Night Stand" costume is at chamberofhorrors.com (This is the website I bought all of my costumes from this year, seen in my jholiday blog)

All of the other costumes were self-made by their wearers!

I want a Kindle

But when are the prices going to drop? It just doesn't seem to be a worthy purchase right now. I'd love for them to come out with a new generation, too. Currently, I read myself to sleep every night by scrolling through publications on my blackberry, but a Kindle could take that to a whole new level...

the "WTF?!" costume award

This is not sexy. This is creepy and weird.