Weeeeeeeeee!

Hi all!

This week is stressful, as I'm expecting the rest of the semester to be as well :/ but that's NOT what I wanted to talk about!

As I mentioned before, I participated in rush week for Alpha Phi Omega, the national co-ed community service fraternity. I GOT MY BID! That means that I've been accepted for the pledge process!

I couldn't be more excited - I LOVE all of the brothers (it's co-ed, so you're called a brother no matter your gender - I'll even be a brother!) that I've met so far. They're truly amazing people, and I can't wait to get involved in service projects with such great friends. 

Pinning and first dues are on Sunday morning. I get to collect my official bid tomorrow afternoon, but the Pledgemaster Jess decided to alleviate the suspense and notify us if we were selected ahead of time. I love that, I love my future brothers, and I can't wait to join the family.

That's all for now! I could rant all day though!

Ali

SEVEN HUNDRED VIEWS!

I just checked, and I have 704 views!

This means SO much! Thank you to each and every reader who has bothered to stop in and read what I have to say! Thank you for putting up with my animal rights rants, my pointless opinions, my random breaks, all of it. I couldn't do it without you :)

This week will be busy, as I've got a test in organic chemistry, a lot of work due in Religions of the West, and an event almost every night of the week for Alpha Phi Omega, the national co-ed service fraternity that I'm rushing. I'll do my best to keep you all updated and not be a horrible blogger!

Cruelty-free beauty- Part III!

Hi all!

I am SO SORRY that this post is coming an entire week late :/ after this post I'll be resuming the 30 Day Self-Esteem Challenge, just picking up where I left off. This will make it more than 30 Days, but whatever.

Classes have been going well. I already have a lot of work piling up :/ but so far at least it's been interesting. We got some snow on campus Thursday night! Sadly not enough to cancel Friday's classes :(

Anyway! I thought I'd finally review some of the awesome cruelty-free products I acquired over the break and since! Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to take individual photos, and my new shampoo doesn't get a photo at all :/

1: 24/7 Glide-on Pencil in DEMOLITION [v]. 2: Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara in SKYSCRAPER. 3: Naked Beauty Balm (Sample). 4: Eyeshadow Primer Potion 5: 24/7 Glide-on Pencil in MILDEW (Sample) [v]. 6:  Supercurl Curling Mascara (Sample). 7: Grind House eyeliner sharpener
[v] = vegan

So, what can I say except that I LOVE Urban Decay?! This is my first purchase since learning they were purchased by L'Oreal, but I wasn't disappointed. The eyeliner is simply to die for - it can last through my hour-upon-hour, face-smashed-into-pillow after class naps, so I'd say it's pretty durable. The name is not deceptive, it does indeed glide on very smoothly. The mascara also leaves no complaints - my lashes look great and don't take an hour! I haven't had MUCH use of the free samples (which, by the way, you get a sample of SOMETHING every time you order - just another plus!) outside of the beauty balm considering I already bought mascara and why on EARTH would I use mildew-colored eyeliner?! I LOVE the balm, but don't really have $34 to drop on it :/ To be honest, I threw the sharpener in my order rather than dropping into CVS and getting a cheap one because I was a few dollars shy of the free shipping limit :P but I enjoy it quite a bit! I don't usually wear enough eyeshadow to need a primer, but it DOES work very well when I have special occasions.

I've also been using their Surreal Skin Creamy Concealer in DREAM [v], which may or may not be on sale at the moment (hint hint), for my under-eye circles that will inevitably appear when one has 8am classes, their Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Midnight Cowboy [v], and their Midnight Cowboy eyeshadow palette (not currently on sale). Love love LOVE all of it, and I do recommend it. A lot of it's vegan, but it's all cruelty-free. But it doesn't stop there!

1: e.l.f Tinted Moisturizer in NUDE [v], 2: Mineral Blemish Powder in TRANSLUCENT (with brush included) [v]. 3: Glitter nail polish in FAIRY DUST

So first of all, e.l.f is THE go-to brand for really affordable, cruelty-free/vegan makeup. They're truly fantastic. The moisturizer has, for me, who enjoys simplicity, replaced liquid foundation and consolidated 2 steps into one. Not that I'm saying that's right for everyone, but for me it works. Loveeee it. The mineral blemish powder and brush make up what's called the Mineral Blemish Kit, and it's arguably my favorite recent makeup purchase. It's better for zits than caking on liquid makeup because it's a light, breathable powder, and it's treated with willow bark and tea tree to try and heal breakouts WHILE covering. It's also translucent, so it works on ANY skin tone. The nail polish looked BEAUTIFUL online, but wasn't really what I expected upon receiving it. It's a nice glitter that I think will look nice on top of black once my nails grow back, but by itself it isn't my favorite. :/

On top of a makeup overhaul, I also picked up Renpure Originals Luxurious argan oil shampoo and conditioner [v], and am planning on switching to the Shick Intuition razor. Schick is owned by a company that tests, but I have it on good authority that they themselves do not. :)

I will now begin discussion of feminine hygiene products - if you're uncomfortable reading about it for WHATEVER reason, feel free to skip it. It's the end of the post, so you're NOT missing anything! Don't say I didn't warn you!

****************************************

Over the break I made the decision to switch from using pads/tampons during that time to using what's called a menstrual cup. It's a reusable silicone cup that you insert that catches products of menstruation. Once it's full you simply dump it, wash it, and reinsert it. It looks a little something like this:

It's much more absorbent than pads and tampons, so you can wear it longer. Because there's no rayon present, wearing it longer won't give you toxic shock. Most importantly (to me, maybe not to anyone else), the only packaging or waste is the original packaging it comes in. This makes it MUCH more eco-friendly than pads OR tampons. It IS sanitary if you keep it clean and wash it regularly, though of course misuse and improper care can make that not the case. There are many brands, all of which I'm sure are fine, but I bought one called the Diva Cup (shown above). It's available on a variety of websites, including CVS and Walgreens and Target, but the cheapest one I found was at Wild Earth Market, a really awesome website dedicated to natural cures and remedies.

Generally I like it a lot. I initially had a hard time inserting/removing it, but once I got used to it it was fine. I had ONE leaking incident, but it was due to improper insertion. After that, no problems whatsoever. I'd definitely recommend it!

I hope you guys have an awesome week!
<3,Ali

30 Day Self-Esteem Challenge - Day 3

A part of your personality that you like.

I'd have to say the part of me I'm most proud of is my over-nourished inner child. I'm a bad sufferer of Peter Pan Syndrome. I've never quite allowed her - or, rather, forced her - to grow up, so I've never lost my sense of wonder at things that are new. I've never lost the importance of play and laughter, and I've never stopped seeing innocence as something nice instead of something to be overcome. That doesn't mean I'm childlike or innocent or immature or anything like that, it's just that I can be perfectly happy playing with my baby cousin's farm animals with her and watching Disney movies from my childhood. It's fun, and you're only too old for it if you tell yourself you are.

Well, now that that's over, some announcements:

Today is the first day of classes! I've had Organic Chemistry, Genomics/Proteomics/Bioinformatics (study of DNA sequencing and protein form and function), and Herpetology (study of reptiles and amphibians). I have the same o-chem prof as last semester, so that's good, and so far I really like both of my other classes I've had. Then again, it's a little early to make such judgements :P

I have Religons of the West and Cultural Anthropology tomorrow, so I'll let you know how those go!

This weekend I want to accomplish two posts: One on my new cruelty-free makeup products, shown below:

Images from my Instagram

And one on Pantheism. I promised all the way back in my intro that I'd do it, and I haven't. Reading Carl Sagan has inspired me! I'll give you a sneak peak to that one, a video put together by Max Schlickenmeyer featuring a fantastic quote from astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson:

Looking forward to sharing all of it with you guys!

<3, Ali

30 Day Self-Esteem Challenge: Day 2

A physical feature you like on yourself.

I like nice collar bones, and I have really strong collar bones that I find attractive and actually enjoy showing off.

The 30-Day Self-Esteem Challenge

I have let many things over the past several years corrupt and demean my self-image and perceived self-worth, but with this I am making a commitment to see a new me in this new year. If any of my readers wish, I highly encourage you all to participate. It can be scary and painful, but in the end it is worthwhile. I linked the source in my last post, so here it is (I'll complete Day 1 at the end):

Day one: A facial feature you like on yourself

Day two: A physical feature you like on yourself

Day three: A part of your personality that you like

Day four: A habit you have that you like

Day five: Something about the way you think that you like

Day six: Something about the way you just are that you like

Day seven: When do you feel best about yourself? Why?

Day eight: The last time you smiled when someone complimented you. What was the compliment and why did you smile?

Day nine: Something that you yourself do that makes you smile. Why?

Day ten: Why are you the way you are?

Day eleven:  Do you like the way you are? Why or why not?

Day twelve: If you could change something about your personality, what would it be and why?

Day thirteen: What do you think of your smile?

Day fourteen: What do you think of your laugh?

Day fifteen: Why do you think people are attracted to you, either friend-wise or romantically?

Day sixteen: The last thing you did that made you smile

Day seventeen: Another thing you like about yourself

Day eighteen: The last thing you did that made you laugh 

Day nineteen: Is there a particular outfit/article of clothing/accessory you like on yourself? Why or why not?

Day twenty: If you finish this challenge and still feel that your confidence is low, would you be willing to do it again? Why or why not?

Day twenty-one: When do you feel your most attractive? Why?

Day twenty-two: What do you think others like about your personality?

Day twenty-three: What physical feature do others seem to find most attractive about you?

Day twenty-four: What is your definition of “beautiful”?

Day twenty-five: Do you often compliment other people?

Day twenty-six: What is your favorite compliment to give and receive, and why?

Day twenty-seven: Do you often accept compliments? If not, why?

Day twenty-eight: Do you feel good about yourself today? Why or why not?

Day twenty-nine: When you don’t feel good about yourself, what do you do to change that, if anything?

Day thirty: Are you happy with yourself?

Day One: A facial feature you like on yourself.

I have nice skin (most of the time) and during the summer when my freckles come out I think they’re kinda cute.

I can tell you right now not all of them will have a picture, but for this one I figured why not.

I'm really excited for this challenge! :)

Post-holiday, pre-semester laziness.

Hello my dear readers!

I'd like to apologize for the unannounced (and genuinely unplanned) hiatus I took from blogging over the holiday and break from school. I haven't been SUPER busy, but I've been enjoying family, both mine and Dylan's. I had a wonderful Christmas, and I got some great stuff:

Prada's perfume isn't actually produced by Prada, which is a major fur powerhouse. It's actually produced by Puig, which is a completely vegan fragrance company. This is "Candy" and it smells fantastic!

I also got a really cute elephant  necklace, an plug-in for my iPhone that looks like the receiver for a corded phone from the 90's, and some clothes. With my Christmas money I ended up buying a TON of music (which I'll get to later), Windows 8 (love it), took my mom to see Les Mis for her birthday, a TON of vegan makeup I'll review in a future post, and these babies:

$23 at Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse in Newport News. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

New Years was fun, Dylan and I spent it together, which is nice because we had to Skype our New Year's kiss last year :(. It was pretty low-key, so I ended up just wearing skinny jeans, a sparkly tank top, and a baggy cardigan (curses for me not taking a picture of it!).

Now on to some other news:

First of all: GO SEE LES MISERABLES. I've seen it twice now. I hardly ever cry in movies, but I was bawling. It's so beautiful! I want to name my daughter Fantine. (The soundtrack is, needless to say, wonderful as well).

Second: Go listen to Marina and the Diamonds. Yes, as usual I'm late to the party and they've been around for a while, but I bought both of their albums within 24 hours. So good. 

Third: I bought a lot of Urban Decay and e.l.f makeup, not all of which I've been able to try. Once I have, I anticipate a Cruelty-free Beauty Part III post in the works! :)

Fourth: I'm thinking about doing a 30 Day Self-Esteem Challenge (links to a Tumblr that I greatly enjoy; follow her for great advice and social commentary!), both on here and my personal Tumblr. Each day I'll answer a question with something I enjoy about my body, my personality, or my interactions with others. I think it sounds fun and uplifting, and I encourage all of you to partake as well!

Fifth: Feel free to follow my tumblr (linked above), as well as my Twitter, Pinterest and my instagram: AlexndraRae! 

I hope you all had a great holiday season, and for those readers about to start their semesters like me, good luck and study hard!

<3, Ali