Enjoy Life Gluten-Free Cookies: Thanks, I'll Try.

Nora

Going gluten and dairy free after decades of eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, is not easy. See, I love food. I love food so much it's stupid. There is a very short list of Things I Will Not Eat, and it's basically mayonnaise and burgers from McDonald's (those are NOT hamburgers and don't you dare tell me otherwise). I was bred from the foodiest food-snob stock, and so much of my family's identity is wrapped up in our celebration of The Meal. Recalling any night during high school or a visit home from college, I can picture a number of us hanging out in the kitchen, making dinner together. Mom or dad hovers around the stove, while my siblings and I chop vegetables, whisk salad dressing, and steal hunks of rustic bread from the center of the table, swiping them in olive oil. There were usually candles, and fresh herbs from the garden. My parents are a slightly more middle class Williams-Sonoma catalog come to life, is what I'm saying, and it would be obnoxious if they weren't so goddamn nice and the food wasn't so good.

Birchbox Treats: Ojon Damage Reverse (TM) Restorative Conditioner

Nora

This creamy, light conditioner, Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Conditioner, was in my very first Birchbox order, but, like the fool I am, I didn't use it until a month or so after I received it. I was a little put off by the "damage reverse" part of the name. See, I'm an odd combination of proud and lazy. I use very little product, if ever, and I really only blow dry my hair once a month. So my initial reaction to Ojon was "How DARE you insinuate I need your damage reverse technology!", followed by a glove slap across the neck of the bottle. After some time, though, I was able to admit that I've been growing my hair out for the better part of a year, and my ends are gross and prone to dryness. Instead of getting a haircut, I opted to try out this nifty little conditioner.

Dry Goods Athletic Spray: Keep Your Goods Dry

Nora

Before reading this review, there's something you should know: despite running consistently for many years, I've never used any sort of athletic powder before now. I have no idea how this stuff is actually supposed to work. I mean, I know that it's supposed to prevent chafing and absorb moisture and all that jazz, but I have no idea how it stacks up against other products (my only experience with Gold Bond was finding it as a child in my parents' bathroom cabinet and mistaking it for baby powder). Just wanted to get that out of the way in case any of you guys are actually, you know, knowledgeable athletes (I'm more of the bumbling, haphazard sort).

CoverGirl LashPerfection: More like "TrashRejection", Amirite?

Nora

My love for CoverGirl's LashBlast mascara has been documented here before, but upon a bored trip to Target one day, I decided to branch out the tiniest bit and try a different CoverGirl mascara. Read: CoverGirl LashPerfection Mascara was a dollar cheaper, and I'm broke, so I thought I would try it. I didn't think anything could go wrong; it has “Perfection” in its name, after all.

You'd think that I'd have learned by now that sometimes spending just the tiniest bit of extra money pays off big time in the end. For example: the $20 Brazilian bikini wax I once tried, dying my hair blond in my friend's basement sink, and buying CoverGirl LashPerfection mascara.

None Of These Speak Of Presidents. Or Pickles.

Nora and Pinky McLadybits

Have you ever read the hilarity of David Thorne? I especially like the pranks he pulls on co-worker Simon. I laughed so I hard I cried. This post about a permission slip from the school to allow his child to see a religious program is pretty amazing as well. (27b/6)

Do you like animation and accents? How about video games? Actually, you don't need to like video games to enjoy this review of Batman: Arkham City. NSFW. (The Escapist)

I enjoy first date stories, especially when they sound horrific but the couple ends up together. These stories will make you giggle and possibly say, "AW!". (Persephone Magazine)

Too Many Contributors Only Serves To Create AWESOMESAUCE

Kolby, Park, Nora

So, they've made another Spider-man movie.  I...don't know how I feel about this, and it's probably because I can't bring myself to care.  (Pajiba)

Well, just like everything else in this great country of ours, Chrysler's Super Bowl "Halftime in America" ad has become political fodder.  What's your take on it?  (MSNBC)

We've all overheard someone stating a fact that we know to be completely untrue.  Here are a few doozies.  (Reddit)

Online dating is now the second-most popular way for couples to meet.  The first is still drunk sex followed by an awkward breakfast "date."  What you you mean?  That totally counts as a relationship!  (The Huffington Post)

One With My Bank Account: One With Nature Rose Petal Soap

Nora

I have an unfortunate habit of trying to live luxuriously on a tight budget. I'm the kind of person who will get a Brazilian wax anywhere as long as the place promises to get the job done for under $30. At department stores, I buy cosmetics I don't actually need to meet the requisite minimum spending amount in order to get a $28-value bonus gift of miniature lipsticks and eye palettes.

When I wanted to go blonde, I made the mistake of letting two friends who thought it would be "fun" dye my hair because I didn't want to shell out the bucks for a professional. Not surprisingly, I'm usually disappointed with these experiences (never let someone get near your ladybits unless you're sure they've had practice), but sometimes - SOMETIMES - I get it right. An impulse buy of One With Nature's Rose Petal Soap was one such occasion where my penchant for getting the finer things at a cheap-ish price worked out in my favor.

Winter Weather Skin Savers

Nora

I've mentioned before that I have eczema and psoriasis. It's delightful this time of year, when typical dryness and irritation is exacerbated by extreme cold, wind, indoor heaters, and the prevalence of wool clothing. There are days when I'd like nothing more than to bathe in Vaseline and swaddle myself in a Snuggie made of the purest organic cotton, but when that isn't an option, I rely on a few tricks I've learned over the years to keep me feeling sane and comfortable.

These suggestions are not exclusively for eczema/psoriasis sufferers either, they'll work equally well for anyone looking to give their skin a little TLC.

Nora's XXXmas Wishlist

Nora

I am a ridiculously easy person to shop for. Seriously. My favorite present is ALWAYS my mom's annual gift of a box of socks and underwear (we thrill easily, my family.) As much as I love socks, though, there are many expensive, unnecessary things I lust after with all my heart and tiny savings account. These are the things that if I were able to splurge on, guilt free, I would consider essential to my everyday happiness:

First, I'd Like to Thank God...

Nora

Ah, Thanksgiving. Undoubtedly, this is my favorite holiday. I know a lot of people gripe about it, but I happen to love its simplicity, tradition, and the fact that gluttony is not just encouraged, but required (USA! USA!). In between games of football, I'll be hanging out at my parents' house, contemplating how thankful I am to be surrounded by people who genuinely love and care about me, and brimming with generally mushy emotions.

I'll spare you that right now, though, and show some love for 5 things that enrich my life on a daily basis:

Cover Girl Lash Blast Length Mascara

Author: Nora

During the week, I like to keep my makeup routine fairly simple, which is why Cover Girl Lash Blast Length is essential to my makeup bag Monday through Friday. I work in a pretty casual place where the dress code is less than informal (ie, scrubs), so there is zero need for dramatic makeup. Still, I feel zombie-esque if I get less than nine hours of sleep at night, so I like keeping my peepers looking naturally peppy with the help of my favorite drugstore mascara.

I Mustache You, Hair Do I Get Rid Of This?

Author: Nora

I've recently noticed something different about my face. Out of nowhere, for inexplicable reasons, my upper lip has decided to start sporting a new look: a sparse, vaguely blond cropping of just-a-bit-too-long hairs. Coming from a family of smooth-skinned women (where apparently nobody encounters this problem before menopause), I've become slightly obsessed with finding a way to restore my upper lip area (ULA) to its original unnoticeable state. After a misguided attempt to pluck the hairs out one by one, I embarked on a quest to find the easiest, cheapest, most effective method possible. The results? Decidedly underwhelming.

Neutrogena Ageless Intensives® Anti-Wrinkle Deep Wrinkle Night Moisturizer

Author: Nora

I should probably preface this review with the admission that at my age, I don't have very many wrinkles to combat. I mean, I actually do have a few, but since I'm not actively trying to reverse them (yet), I haven't paid much attention to what Neutrogena Ageless Intensives® Anti-Wrinkle Deep Wrinkle Night Moisturizer does in that regard. However, as a freckled, thin-skinned girl with an extensive history of sunburns, I do have a bit of sun damage on my face, and I've started to notice that my skin doesn't quite have the luster it used to. I mention this stuff because this moisturizer is AMAZING, and I feel pretty confident that it has broad appeal. It's marketed as an anti-wrinkle cream, but it works remarkably well as a general skin improvement cream too. I guess I take it for granted that it reduces wrinkles, but who knows? This moisturizer might be the very reason I'm able to sit here all carefree and baby-faced.