Now It's Time To Say Goodbye, Hot Inkers.

I had an idea to start a beauty review blog with other women whose opinions I trusted. I wanted to share that with other people and see where it took us. I was so surprised when we celebrated one year of posts; when we were mentioned by the businesses and companies we reviewed; and when we scored free stuff for reviews! When our mental horses were fresh, we had a hell of a lot of fun with this project.

1020 posts later, the times have changed for a lot of us - I've moved on to writing trade news posts for Pajiba under my real name. Lainey, Dixie, Metric Jenn, Vee, Rusty, Figgy, Park, Nora, Boo, Mel Biv Devoe and Modern Replica have all chosen to pursue new interests. Hot Ink just isn't our biggest passion anymore - it's time to close it down. We had a great time crafting our reviews and link posts for our friends and readership, and we're grateful you've come along with us. 

Thank you!
~Pinky McLadybits

I loved to chew the fat with you folks, and listen to all your dirty jokes - I'm so grateful for these friends I did receive!
~Modern Replica

It's been a slice...of my fragile little mind!
~MetricJenn

So long, and thanks for all the fun.
~MelBivDevoe

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night! I hate to go and leave this pretty site! (See what I did there?) Seriously, it has been a privilege to write for you all. Thanks for supporting us in our endeavor here. 
~ Dixie

Wake Me Up When It's Spring, Please

MelBivDevoe

I bet many of you were hibernating during Winter Storm Nemo, though probably not by choice.  Storms like that are precisely why we moved south, although I do miss the joy of a good snow day every now and then.  Check out the snowfall totals and pics of the storm here.  (USA Today)

Pinky shared this link recently and I think it's worthy of passing on.  If you've ever wanted to volunteer your time but feel you don't have much to give, this site is perfect for you - it lists "microvolunteering" ideas that you can do from home.  (Help From Home)

I knew Lay's was holding a contest to create a new flavor of potato chip, but I didn't realize they'd started making the finalists already.  Here are three flavors that have already hit some shelves around the country.  I will just stick to the salt & vinegar chips, thanks.  (Laughing Squid)

Here's some macabre (and expensive) bling, just in time for Valentine's Day.  I dig it.  But do the joints move or do you have to hold your hand like that while you wear it?  (Geeks Are Sexy)

How Do I Love Thee Craft Projects, Let Me Count They Ways

                                                               Park

I love lists.  Top ten movies, to do's, reasons to give high fives (I'm with Barney of HIMYM, consolation fives should be a thing).  However, there is no list I like better then a list of different cool things you can do with a simple object.

The focus of today's links are folks that are not so much crafters, but magicians, transforming things in front of your eyes into things you never even dreamed of.  Well, maybe you dreamed of it, maybe you have very crafty dreams.  But still, these folks are impressive.

Oh and there's some cute Valentine's day ideas and life hacks thrown in, because I think you're swell.

35 ways to wear a scarf.  I may never wear a shirt as a shirt again. (Knot Just a Scarf)

Kickstart My Heart: We Love The Cast Of Kings Podcast, But It Needs Your Help!

The Cast of Kings Podcast Kickstarter needs your help, loyal readers! Our friend Joanna is involved in this awesome FREE recap of "A Game of Thrones", but making podcasts can be time-consuming and expensive. In order to bring you another year of Joanna and her partner Dave talking theories, Lannisters, Starks, grumkins, and how Jon Snow knows nothing, they need some funds. Even just a few pieces of silver will be welcome! Let's help Joanna and Dave keep their podcast going, for the night is dark and full of terrors.

Living Proof Full Root Lifting Spray: Get Back to the Lab, And See What's on the Slab

Dixie

Countless ladies with hair on their head, be it curly or straight, want to achieve the perfect balance of healthy, full hair. Some of us may not wish to or even have the time to spend doing our hair, so it remains a wish released into the mirror. Others, like me, try in vain every miracle product they come across in the hopes that it will provide enough volume to avoid sad limp hair, but not so much volume that Kelly LeBrock travels forward in time to hand us a brush and tell us to tone down the mane already. So it was with the Living Proof Full Root Lifting Spray, all I wanted was some volume at my roots.

Aveeno Body Wash: Energize Me So I Don't Feel Like Murdering Everyone At Work, Please.

Metric Jenn

It is the middle of winter, I have no vacation time left, and there is no winter sojourn down to Mexico in my future. My patience with everything and everyone is at an end, and it's a virtual Herculean Feat to get myself out of bed in the morning to go to work. Generally, I need SOMETHING new to motivate me, or just give me that little boost in the morning that isn't a ninth cup of coffee or meth-amphetamines. And so I turned to Aveeno for some help. I picked up the Energizing Body Wash with lemongrass, rosemary, and mint at Safeway about three weeks ago.  I paid 7.99$ for a 16 oz bottle, a bit on the more expensive side for body washes. 

Super Sunday is Over, Here Comes Hangover Monday

MelBivDevoe

How about that major sporting event yesterday, huh?  Both, that one team had such an amazing play!  Ok, fine, I only watched the Super Bowl for the halftime show and the commercials.  I spent most of Sunday lying on the couch and watching a "Bring It On" marathon instead.  Try to contain your jealousy.

The biggest news of the night, according to Twitter, was the power outage that derailed the third quarter of the game.  Here are the best tweets of the night - my faves are from Neil deGrasse Tyson.  (BuzzFeed)

Lenny Kravitz was in New Orleans recently (for the big game, perhaps?) when he heard a choir performing one of his biggest hits.  What he did next definitely made their day.  (Entertainment.ie)

Forget flamingos and gnomes - dinosaurs are the cool new lawn ornaments.  Check out Dug the T-Rex - he even likes to dress up for the holidays.  (HuffPo)

Level-Up Your Workout: Fitocracy

Rusty

It’s January, so I’m sure we've all got some resolutions we’re working on, or just some promises to ourselves that we’d like to keep for longer than a couple weeks. A lot of those sorts of things seem to center around working out, working up to running a 5K, taking better care of your body, or just gaining the ability to go up two flights of stairs without getting winded. But it’s hard to keep your motivation up for that first month or so when you’re not seeing any immediate improvement, and the gym is crowded, and it’s really cold to go outside. Determination can help. But so can points, leveling up, quests, achievements, and taunting your own competitive nature. This is why I’m a member of Fitocracy. 

Herbal Essences: Honey I'm Strong - Honey, You Ain't Lyin'

Metric Jenn

I haven't had much luck with shampoos and conditioners, you guys. I try and I try...but my hair is very crabby. It could be due to the fact that I haven't gotten a haircut in ages; but with my tight budget, some things take priority. 

*ahem*doggyhaircutsinstead*ahem*

Anyhow, as I was waiting in Safeway for my prescription to be filled, I wandered amongst the hair care aisle. The Honey, I'm Strong by Herbal Essences catches my eye, simply because I'd never seen it before as a part of their product line.

Ardell Brow Defining Palette

Dixie

Until I started getting my eyebrows threaded, I never saw the importance of eyebrow products. Brow pencils and powders and gels mystified me. Why do I need those products? I have dark eyebrows already, so I don't need to enhance them!

Not true, ladies and gentlemen. My eyebrow artist impressed upon me the importance of the eyebrows to the overall look of the face. With just a touch of powder or pencil you can bring your face into focus, whether you're rocking an otherwise bare face or in full evening makeup. The eyebrow adds the finishing touch to the face.

Monday... What a Bastard!

MelBivDevoe

Sure, people can be bastards.  You know what else can be a real bastard?  Shelling out $5 bucks a day (or more) to feed your iced coffee habit.  I'm not gonna tell you to cut back on the caffeine - instead, why not try making your own iced coffee at home?  Don't worry, this blogger has even done the math for you!  (Hostess With The Motzes)

Well, this is sh*tty.  "Glee," that trainwreck of a Fox show that just keeps going and going, ripped off Jonathan Coulton's bluegrass cover of "Baby Got Back" - and then put it up for sale on iTunes.  (Wired)
But wait!  You can help Coulton stick it to them by buying his cover of their cover of his cover (whew!) on iTunes - and all of his proceeds will go to charity!  (Geekosystem)

TLC's "My Strange Addiction" has hit a weird new low.  Uh, slightly squicky footage ahead.  And yes, I realize this woman probably suffers from Pica.    (BuzzFeed)

Need a chaser?  Here you go.  (Cute Overload)

D.I.Y! Y? Because we want to!

                                                               Park

So here's something you might not know about me. I heart crafts.  I like psychotically love crafts.  I'm one of those obnoxious people that looks at stuff in trendy stores, rolls my eyes and says "I could make that myself".

I know, it's super gross.  But, if you're completely honest, don't you secretly want to scoff at things in Urban Outfitters too?  Thought so!

Well welcome to an ALL DIY LINKS! Time to make your friends jealous and/or make people a bunch of gifts that they will graciously pretend they like because you made it so they have to (oh the power we DIY'ers have)

Let's start this off with a woman who is my personal style hero: Paloma Faith! Faith's music is amazing and her style is so balls to the wall bizarre that I've wrecked many a glue gun trying to make my own versions. (What Renee Made)

Aromas Artesanales De Antigua Luxury Hand Cream: Massage Me Like One of Your Guatemalan Girls

Metric Jenn

(This review may be a bit on the crazy side, as I am currently suffering back pain and the Doc gave me some sweet, sweet painkilling relief.)

I've been sitting on this product for about 3 months now. I bought it in Santa Barbara from this froo-froo hippie shop (don't ask me what it was called; I barely remember my own name). I was looking for more lotions to add to my hoarder-like collection at home. I smelled each lotion and made my choice based on how Lindsay Lohan-ish I felt. You see, I'd just visited the court house in which she was sentenced and it was like my Mecca.

L'Oreal Nail Stickers In Seductive Temptress: This Is Not The Polish I Was Looking For

Pinky McLadybits

Via 

No, I never learn. EVER. I was at Target, browsing the clearance endcaps like one does, when I spotted L'Oreal's Nail Stickers. Apparently the brand teamed with Project Runway to create these python-inspired nail stickers called Seductive Temptress. Since the price was now $2.38 marked down from $7.99 and since this isn't *technically* nail polish, I was sold. 

I had just painstakingly painted my nails, following all of the tips and rules people have given me. Base coat, two coats of polish, top coat, make sure that the polish goes over the edges of nails, etc. And that shit chipped in less than 12 hours. I was ready to give press on nail color another go.

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr's Life and Legacy

Five Ways To Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

The King Center

Biography

Internet Magic! So basically cool cat pics and general weirdness. Now with 100% more Samuel L. Jackson

Park

So it's mid-January and you're sick to death of hearing about the 20 bazillion diets you can go on and it's increasingly difficult to keep up the "go to bed early, eat right and be neater" resolution (just me?).  Well, don't worry, the internet is here with great stuff to distract me, um, I mean you.

First, let's start with a website that may feature the best kitty cartoons ever, and trust me, I’m a connoisseur (Kitties & Bullshit)

Are you as tired as I am about hearing about people's cleanses? And, do some of them seem a little creepy to you too? (io9)

Time to Break Out your Winter Topcoats: Nails Inc. The Donmar Topcoat

Rusty

Nail polish is probably one of my more frivolous hobbies. I’m not especially good at it, I don’t wear it that often, and I’m terrible at not chipping it within two or three days. But I love nail polish, I’m too poor for manicures, and having a row of little candy-colored bottles lined up on my dresser makes me happy. So I look for deals, and recently I found a great one.

Sephora was selling off some nail kits and I found one for The Donmar Collection featuring the Donmar topcoat and Chelsea polish for $10. The topcoat features clear, iridescent bits that color shift in the light. The polish was a deep plum that looks almost black with two coats. Application was pretty standard, two coats of Chelsea, wait for it to dry, and then another two layers of the Donmar top coat. Right away it began to look good, with the iridescent bits shifting in the light. The effect was completed with a clear top coat and about ten minutes of walking around being very careful about touching things. 

Pour Me Another, Barista!: Trader Joe's Spicy Chai Tea Latte Mix

Pinky McLadybits

Hey, kids! I know we've been quiet around here lately, what with my losing a close friend, the holidays, and my new gig at Pajiba. However, we are hoping to get back up and rolling with reviews you can use! Dixie has been a key component in kicking my ass into gear and we should all thank her and give her lovely presents.

Onward to the review!

After an encounter with some exceedingly vile red grapes purchased from grocery chain Kroger, I have begun doing the bulk of my food shopping at the local Trader Joe's. Kroger has been demoted to bread, ice cream, and milk since TJ's bread spoils faster than we can eat it and I love my Ben & Jerry's. So I was at Trader Joe's today and decided to splurge on a treat for myself: Spicy Chai Latte Mix. 

Here's the Guv'ner, Mrs. Bagnet: Lush Guv'ner Powder Deodorant

Dixie

So, it appears that I am still on my quest for a deodorant that suits my natural scent and works through the day. As I wrote in my review on the Lush Aromaco and Coconut deodorant, I felt the Coconut wasn't quite right for me, that it matched my natural scent too closely and therefore didn't really deodorize. I think that I still stand by that. (Who knows if that will be a permanent stance though. The body is weird.)

I'm Back on the Chain, Gang

MelBivDevoe

(Chain, links, get it?  I slay me!)

Good morning!  How about those Golden Globes last night?  Weren't they amazing/boring/so-so?  (Full disclosure:  I'm writing this at 7pm Sunday night because I don't want to blog and drink at the same time.  It won't end well.)

Another day, another fantastic tumblr to share.  This one mashes the gorgeous poetry of Pablo Neruda with images of adorable cats.  (Neruda Cats)

So the 2013 Miss America pageant took place on Saturday.  All I know is, they fed the losers doughnuts.  Yup.  Makes sense - sugary fried dough masks the salty taste of one's tears oh so well.  (The Gloss)