Hey there! Man, yesterday was so hot that I had to wait for it to cool down a bit before going on my bike ride. Running in the heat I usually avoid, but biking in the heat typically doesn’t bother me. Yesterday though, it was well over 100 and the short ride from my office to the train station told me all I needed to know: there is such a thing as “too hot” for biking.
I still put in my miles (hey, wouldn’t it be cool if I actually updated my tri training page and could put a link right here to the story of my bike ride…yeah…I need to get on that…) but not until much later into the evening.
In the meantime we spent a little time picking up the house and doing some laundry. Now, I won’t have to worry about the cleaning fairy breaking in and leaving me a bill. (seriously, read that story..)
Have I mentioned that Nick can cook? And that he actually likes it? I’ve done pretty much all of the cooking for the past few weeks (other than weekend breakfast – that’s his territory) and I think Nick was missing his time in the kitchen.
When he picked me up at the train yesterday he had a bag of goodies that he’d picked up with the express intent of making spicy peanut chicken for dinner.
He’s definitely a keeper 
I’m also really proud of myself because I stayed up and watched a movie with Nick – I watched the whole thing! I’m pretty good at falling asleep within the first twenty minutes of a movie and then pronouncing it “boring.” I’m also really impressed that I baked on a weeknight!! Pshhh, yeah buddy! I made zucchini bread. But then I fell asleep before even tasting any. I watched the entire movie, give me a break!
Babble, babble, ramble on… My brain is all over the place today.
June Birchbox
It’s about friggin time I reviewed the June Birchbox, given that the July one should be arriving any day now (they ship on the tenth).
What’s in the box:
- Comodynes Self Tanning Intensive
- Stila One Step Bronze
- theBalm cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen
- Wonderstruck Taylor Swift
- Lifestyle Extra: LUNA Bar Luna Minis (mine was “Chocolate Peppermint Stick”)
Okay first things first, I thought this box was a little “late.” I mean, I think of self tanners and bronzers at the beginning of spring when I want to start wearing shorter sleeves and bust out my girly skirts. Self tanners in the middle of summer (especially now that I live in Utah and it is sunshine-lovely every day) just seems odd to me.
That being said, I’ve stashed away the Comodynes for a greyer time when I’ll want to have golden legs – perhaps if we go on vacation or if I’m going to a wedding or something. I just can’t bring myself to self-tan my legs right now – not even in the name of “experimentation.”
However, I am in love with the Stila bronzer. Is that the very antithesis of the above tirade about self tanners? Perhaps. But hear me out. I’m not wearing a lick of makeup these days other than tinted moisturizer so this little bronzer is a wonderful new friend of mine. It adds just a bit of sheen (not shine) and dimension to my skin tone which the matte-ness of the tinted sunscreen really needs. The bronzer is silicone based which also really helps with oil control! The pump works very easily and you only need a tiny, pee-sized drop to add lots of luster! It is a bit pricey at $36 but I’ve been using mine for a month and the container still looks completely full so I have a feeling the price is worth it over time. Will this thing ever run out?!
Think it might be too dark? Well, I was a little scared of the intensity of the color (just looking at the tube) at first too but trust me, it pans out just fine. I spread just a bit over my T-zone giving a nice, natural look.
*Quick, look natural*
In these photos – snapped on the train ride to work – I’m wearing only a tinted sunscreen, the Stila Bronzer and theBalm for some lip color.
Moving on, theBalm is also a great pick! I have tried stains before and have always been so scared of them – intense red colors in a liquid that you supposedly blend into your cheeks and/or lips – I’ve always ended up with rosy splotches and look like a clown that has just cried the ugly cry. No bueno. theBalm is not as runny thanks to the gel formula which makes it much more manageable. While it does work on cheeks and lips, I prefer to wear it on my lips. Oh did I mention how stains usually STING LIKE THE DICKENS?? This one doesn’t sting at all. It stays on during a long run or a bike ride, even during a swim! I like that it adds just enough color to be appealing without being glossy or too done up. Summer is all about minimal makeup and that’s exactly what this is.
Ah, Taylor Swift. I’m so sick of your songs and your bad break ups. And so, if I had seen your perfume at the store I would have steered clear of you entirely. Lucky for me, Birchbox is still diggin your tunes and sent a sample of Wonderstruck to me. I wanted to hate it but alas, I have succumb to the wafting scent of summer. You win this round, Ms. Swift.
LUNA Mini! Okay, I already love LUNA bars – have loved them since the beginning. But make something mini and extra cute, well now you’ve really got me. The Chocolate Peppermint Stick is so tasty. HINT: put it in the fridge and enjoy it cold. I think this would be a great treat for after a run because the flavor is so refreshing but you’ve still got a ton of great nutrients in there. The mini offers up 70 calories and 3 grams of protein – just enough to help in post-workout recovery.
And now, I’m awaiting the arrival of my July Birchbox – what will we get to try this time! Have you signed up yet?
