ORIGINal Negativity

Any of you who read my Favorite Girly Things post know that Origins is one of my new favorite pleasures in life. I love their lotions, their fragrances and my face loves their face care products. My face is softer, less oily, breaks out less and is all around in better shape than it has been in a long time.

When I first went into Origins, all the girls there were super nice. I told one girl what my problems were and she hooked me up with like eight different samples (cleansers, masks, toners, lotions, serums...you name it.) I loved it because their stuff is a little pricy, so I like the fact that I can try things before I shell out the twenty bucks a product. I went back a couple of weeks later and bought an extensive line of products and I have been very happy with it. Unfortunately, with the air being so dry, the toner that worked wonders on my face in the summer months is a little harsh right now, so I am looking to change to something a little less drying and a little more soothing...so I went back to the store to ask some questions. Silly me.

Allow me to explain...

There is a woman who works at the local Origins store that I do not like. The first time I went in there I was looking for their Ginger Rush body lotion. She wrinkled her nose and said "Yeah, that's seasonal and we don't have it." I told her that wasn't a big deal and I would look online for it and I proceeded to buy something from her she asked if I used any of their face care products. When I told her it was all I used, she wrinkled her nose and said "Oh." I was thinking "Oh, what? Oh, please don't tell anyone because your face looks lke crap? Oh, apprantly it isn't working...what?"

In fact, the last couple of times I have gone in to ask questions she has been irritated, short and overall rude and pushy. I don't like that. The last time I went in I explained to this woman everything that was going on with my face. The fact that the toner used to work great but now it is a little harsh, the fact I had researched online and thought this other type of toner may work and I asked her if I could try this other stuff. Here is the conversation that followed:

She wrinkled her nose up and said "Try? As in what?"

I told her I would like a sample to take home with me so that I could try it with my other facecare regiman.

She wrinkled her nose again and said "Well, it's really hard to get samples of toner. There really isn't a good way to do it."

I replied, "I have taken two different samples of toner home before. Can I please get one?"

Her response: "I guess."

She proceeded to get a sample and then said "Do you plan on buying anything today?"

To be honest, I had planned on it, but I was so irritated with her that I decided not to and I took my sample and went home (she didn't even give me a little bag or anything...just the little plastic container that I ended up having to carry through the mall. I looked like I was carrying a urine sample through stores. It was ridiculous.) I am notorious for being super nice to all employees of places because I know what it is like to be working retail...but this woman even tries my patience.

Because she refuses to allows postive interactions, I decided that I would not go in there if she was working. I go in there to browse, to smell, to look, to ask some questions, to (hopefully) buy something, but she is always irritated at browsing, looking and questions. She even does the sigh and eye roll. I don't need that when I am out...but here is where my plan is backfiring--it seems she ALWAYS works! The last three times I have been over that way she has been working. I won't go in there. I want to enjoy my shopping experience and she ruins it.

I don't know who I could write to about her and knowing my luck I would call the store to complain and she would answer. So, until she gains a sunnier disposition, it appears as if online Origins shopping is the way to go for me for awhile.

New Layout

Well, I have given up on the 3-column idea (for now). I figured out how to get a third column on here, but it didn't look like I wanted it, so I scrapped it. I am happy, though, because I have figured out how to get all of my information to transfer from one blog layout to another so I won't be such a chicken in changing things up a bit from time to time. I had no idea I could ever figure out any HTML code at all, and I did it last night. I was thrilled.

Let me know what you think of the new layout. I'll be back later...I have plenty to say today.

Layout Help

As I was looking at my blog this morning I realized that I have a lot of information in my sidebar...so much that i would really like another sidebar to hold it all. So that would mean I need a three column layout. I played around with my HTML scripts this morning and only managed to frustrate myself.

If anyone knows of any good sites to get three column layouts or a good tutorial for editing HTML codes to turn two column layouts into three column, please let me know. I would appreciate any leads or help that you can provide.

Until next time...

What's Wrong With This Picture?

I was reading up on some local news and the advertisment on the side was for a pink diet patch. The headline read "Want to drop 25 pounds?" and the picture attached to the advertisement was this:

Is anyone else bothered by what this is saying to young girls (and grown women, for that matter) that may have issues with body image? Honestly, if this girl lost 25 pounds she would be nothing, nada, zip.

Shame on this company. I plan on writing a letter to them expressing my disgust at their advertising. It does nothing but play of the low self esteem of so many women these days. If it isn't bad enough that we are constantly faced with "perfect" bodies, hair and skin when we look at magazines and watch TV now we have to worry that a girl this size is still overweight when she obviously isn't. A standard is being set that is not attainable...and all that does is lower self esteem more. It is a vicious cycle.

We have had an outbreak lately at school of girls refusing to eat because they thing they are fat and they need to lose fifteen pounds. Fourteen year old girls who are worried about being fat. It's scary to know that there are so many people who play off those fears and use it to their advantage. And the worst thing is that no one says anything about this type of stuff on television...but cuss a couple of times and have a "wardrobe malfunction" and the whole world is falling apart.

Instead of worrying about the violence and such on television today, maybe people need to turn their attention to what the media is doing to the perceptions of young girls. Everywhere you turn there are stick skinny models and actresses. The average size of women in America? 12.

We need to get out priorities straight. And soon. Because as long as the media is allowed to portray the "norm" as a size zero, six foot tall woman, the future of many girls in America looks very grim.

Shan's Top Ten...

Top Ten Reasons I am Not in a Good Mood Today...

10. The weather. It is 60 and rainy...in February. And it has been raining for two STRAIGHT (as in nonstop) days.
9. My hair does not do well in humid weather...as in it gets poofy and gross. Plus, I am not sure i like my haircut, so I am constantly worried I look like a freak with poofy bad hair.
8. Since the weather is so warm there is no chance for a snow day.
7. I had a girl pass out in my classroom an hour ago...and I had to catch her...to keep her from hitting her head on a bookshelf.
6. Because I had to catch the girl, I hurt my back. I feel like I pulled all the muscles on my left side from the momentum of her falling.
5. My husband is in meetings all day so I can't even tell him about what happened today. Just hearing his voice sometimes makes me feel better.
4. Because the weather has been so "blah," I, in turn, have been "blah" so I haven't done yoga in three days...and my body can tell.
3. There has been no really goo TV on for weeks because of the writer's strike. Sure, Lost came back (whoch thrilled me), but I watched Pushing Daisies on Wednesdays...and now what do I have? American Idol and The Moment of Truth. Super.
2. I have realized that there are many people at my work who do less than me and make more money (okay, so I have known this for a while, but today it irritates me.)

And the number one reason I am in a bad mood today...

The kids are driving my crazy. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but these kids are on my ever loving nerve. Complaining, sleeping, not doing work, rumor spreading, bullying...you name it and they are doing it. I think they need a snow day more than any of us so they can get it all out of their system and come back ready to finish out the year.

There. I feel better now. I will feel even better after a good yoga session and a couple of glasses of wine. Maybe tomorrow I will have ten reasons to be in a good mood...

Well...at least two :-)

A Few of My Favorite (Girly) Things...

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a high maintanance kind of girl. I don't wear a lot of make-up, I don't get "gussied up" often, and I don't care much about latest fashion. I go for simple, easy beauty regimans...and the easier the better. I wanted to share with all of you a few of my favorite things when it comes to beauty products.

First of all, for any of you ladies who have the oily skin problem (I posted about it earlier in the school year), I have found a skin regiman that works. This regiman worked so well that it has actually trained my skin not to be as oily during the day.

1. Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash
2. Origins United State Toner
3. Origins Matte Scientist Lotion

My favorite make-up products are not the expensive kind. Instead, I stick to the basics (and I mean basics--this is the extent of what I wear. If I am going out I may throw on some eyeshadow, but that is rare):

1. Maybelline Full and Soft Mascara in brown (I've tried the Covergirl LashExact and it is okay, but I like this better.)
2. Covergirl Fresh Look Pressed Powder
3. Maybelline ExpertWear eyeliner in chesnut brown
4. Blistex Lip Infusion Moisture Splash (I love this stuff...and it is so inexpensive. It works like a gloss but hydrates like chapstick. It's fantastic!)

I am always on the search for the perfect lotion. Although I love Suave products during the summer because they are lightweight, I need something more heavy-duty in the winter.

1. Origins Ginger Rush Intensely Hydrating Cream (the texture is fantastic and the smell is amazing. It is, hands down, the best lotion I have ever used. It is a bit pricy, but it is worth it. I don't throw my money around lightly, so this stuff is really worth it! Unfortunately, it is only available during the holidays. I linked the gift set...it's good, too.)
2. Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme (we all get dry heels. This stuff really gets into them and softens them up. It's great)

My hair is a pain in the butt. It is naturally frizzy/wavy/curly...but not all in one spot, so I have to do a lot with it in regards to getting it to stay down. I also tend to want to pull my hair up by the end of the day because it gets grimy (hazard of fine hair). Oddly enough, I found some relief in a place I would have never thought to look:

1. Head and Shoulders Smooth and Silky Shampoo (I have never had a reason to try this shampoo before, but I saw a commercial with a lady who goes to put her hair up in a ponytail halfway through work only to realize that she didn't need to. That's when I thought, "what the heck...it can't hurt)
2. Head and Shoulders Smooth and Silky Conditioner
3. Pantene Frizz Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray (This works well in the summer months. It doesn't defend as much against the rain as I would like, but it is a good product)
4. Sunsilk Antipoof Creme

And all ladies like to smell nice. Where do I turn? You guessed it...Origins :-)

1. Origins Ginger Essense Intensified Fragrence (great size and price...you can carry it with you, so that helps.)

So, there you have it. Some of Shan's favorite girly things. Hope you enjoyed!