...Just Let the Love Love Love Begin

I'm not sure I can do this justice.

Those who know me well, know that I am a huge Ingrid Michaelson fan. I stumbled across her on iTunes one night about four years ago as I was searching for new music. I'd been listening to my boy, Amos Lee, which led me to Ray LaMontagne, which led me to somebody else and then somewhere down the line, to Ingrid.

The first song I ever cued up was “Far Away” from her “Girls and Boys” album. One listen and I was hooked for good. She's a musician in the best sense of the word. She's pretty damn rad in my book. It's the rare occasion that I love (or even like) every song on someone's album. With Ingrid Michaelson, I do. It's sort of mind-boggling that every song is a gem. You know those albums you get because you love the single and then you can tell that they've thrown in a couple real stinkers to fill the space? Not so with any of Ingrid's albums, in my opinion (and since you're here reading this, I assume you're interested in my opinion, yes?)

To be sure, I'm an indy music fan. I gravitate more toward singer-songwriters than any other genre of music. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Gaga. I get low for Ludacris (though these days, I feel like I develop acute sciatica each time I do). I'm a huge Michael Jackson fan.

But at the end of the day, give me Joshua Radin, Greg Laswell, Priscilla Ahn and the aforementioned Amos Lee. That's where I feel at home. Ingrid is a big part of that. I relate to her songs — in fact, sometimes I swear she's reading my mind. And I know that's common to a lot of people, but GIVE ME MY MOMENT, DAMMIT. Anyway...

There've been a lot of developments in my life over the past couple years. Steady like a rock, Ingrid's music has been a huge comfort to me. If for no other reason than I just really dig it. And, by the way, she's super awesome in concert. You get the distinct feeling she's enjoying her evening with you as much as you are with her. And holy hell, she's funny. I went away from the Ark in Ann Arbor with a smile on my face and a little bit more joy in my heart. And for me, that's exactly what I need these days.

You might ask, “what are your favorite songs?” PAY ATTENTION! I JUST TOLD YOU I LOVE THEM ALL!

What?

Ok, fine. If I have to make a Sophie's choice here, this would be my top 10. I'm not happy to have to do this, by the way. I blame you.

1 — Far Away

2 — You and I

3 — Are We There Yet

4 — Winter Song (with Sara Bareilles)

5 — Locked Up

6 — Glass

7 — Soldier

8 — Around You

9 — Can't Help Falling in Love (cover)

10 — The Chain

Ok, so there you have it. Go download them right now. Seriously. Go.

Aging Gracefully, be Damned

Look, I need to be clear up front that I'm not now, nor will I ever be one of these women who extol the virtues of “aging gracefully”. I plan to fight the aging process altogether, and short of a hyperbaric chamber, I plan to pull out all the tricks I've got up my sleeve.

For one, I will probably always color my hair. I've not yet started to go gray (thank Christ), but even when I do, only my stylist and I will likely know, since I'm going to keep those bitches at bay.

Second, I do what I can to make sure my skin - both on my body and my face - doesn't appear to have been put away wet a few hundred times too many. I've begun to dabble in retinol creams and always wear SPF in my makeup and moisturizers. But before I even get to all that, I make sure I'm doing right by my face by prepping my skin each morning with a “mini peel” in the form of Philosophy's Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash.

As I do with Purity Made Simple, I buy the Wash in a 32 oz. pump which I use in my shower each morning. By massaging it into my face and neck for 30 to 60 seconds (depending on just how late I am for work), I slough away all the dead skin that magically accumulates while I sleep. It gives me a rosy glow and gives my complexion a level of smoothness not unlike a baby's bum. And who doesn't want ass-face? ...You know what I mean.

Used in conjunction with Purity, which I use at night (and you should know that since you already read that post, right?), the Wash is a little 'ol facelift in a bottle. And that? That's a little bit rad, if you ask this 34 year-old.

As with many of Philosophy's products, you can get good deals on the Wash (about $55 for a supply will last you at least six months) on their own website or, as I do, on QVC's website. While you're there, pick up some nice slacks and a black hills gold charm bracelet.

So, to recap: Wrinkles = bad. Aging gracefully = for the birds. Philosophy's Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash = what you need to get asap because I say so.

The end.

Pure As the Driven Snow…Much Like Me

Do you even get the sneaking suspicion that the beauty industry is one big conglomerate whose sole mission is to confuse the ever-loving shit out of us? Or is that just me and the voices I hear?

In the past, I’d stand in front of the 10 billion face washes at Target and quickly become overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. “Acne Be Damned!”, “Shrink Your Pores!”, “Porcelain Skin is Yours!”…exciting claims, no doubt. A crock of shit in most cases, you betcha.

Over the years, I’ve managed to figure out that I’m allergic to salicylic acid — full-face hives are awfully attractive and fun. I’ve also determined that most products that say they remove eye makeup with ease actually mean, “we’re going to burn your retinas out of your skull, but that damn mascara will come off.”

Frustrated and desperate, I saw that Philosophy was hosting a show on QVC when I was scrolling through the cable guide one night. Never having used their products before, I checked it out. Side note: do not be a QVC-hater, you can get good deals on stuff. And no, that doesn’t make me 65-years-old or a shut-in. Moving on…

They were highlighting their “foundational” face wash, Purity Made Simple. The demo girls were washing their faces with this stuff, and literally keeping their eyes open while doing so. And their eye makeup was melting off. All smiles and whatnot, I was sure they’d been lobotomized so that their faces wouldn’t register the pain they were feeling from their eyes burning from the inside out. Nonetheless, I was intrigued enough to call them up and buy a bottle.

That was probably four years ago. And I haven’t used anything else as an everyday face wash since. My skin, always acne-prone in the past, has been virtually clear in all that time, save for the occasional PMS-induced crater-zit that wants world domination via my face. At the same time, without scrubbing at all, my eye makeup comes off easily every night. In fact, Purity is what inspired me to actually wash my face at night.

Yes, I was one of those girls that went to bed in full face makeup every night for most of my life. My college roommate, Jody, always washed her faced, even if she was so drunk she couldn’t stand upright. Every night. And what did I do? I pulled on sweatpants and crawled into bed. Ambitious stuff, clearly. But now, I always hit the pillow with freshly washed skin. My pillows thank me for no longer streaking them with foundation and eyeliner. We get along much better these days.

I actually buy Purity in a 32 oz. pump which lasts me for about six or seven months. At about $45, it’s a screamin’ deal. You can get Philosophy products at Sephora, Nordstroms and other retailers, but lovies, I urge you to check out QVC’s website and order there. You’ll get a bigger size, better price and overall rockin’ value. And you won’t be sorry. I’ve turned several friends onto Purity and they all love it. I use another of Philosophy’s face products in conjunction with Purity but you’ll have to wait until next time to hear about that. Stop salivating and get yourself some Purity today. We both know it’s the only way you’ll have any purity in your life, dirty bird.