We’re officially on the Oxford countdown! I leave for England in a month! (Well, a month and 2 days, but whatever!) Time to start planning outfits and prepping! And, I guess, doing schoolwork, or something. It’s such a dream come true to get to study at Oxford this summer—I wanted to go there as a child!
Here’s what’s up this week, as I anxiously await my departure:
I have always wanted to be a mom, and these little stacking name rings are too much for my heart to take.
Lay Lay is the only person that matters in the entire world.
Congrats to ABC for cancelling Roseanne. Shouldn’t have taken a racist tirade. We need to stop giving bigots platforms. First Amendment states with clarity that we have freedom of speech—not freedom from consequences. (Maybe now ABC can revive Happy Endings, a show that is *actually* great?)
Happy Pride, y’all. My two favorite sources of June flair—Madewell x HRC & ITMFA.
I’m back with some of my other favorite natural beauty products! It’s crazy how much toxic crap we’ve been slathering onto our bodies our whole lives, but it ends now! You can buy most of these through Target or Amazon, which makes the switch to natural products so much easier. Target is actually killing it lately in terms of adding more natural products (beauty & household) to their shelves. Here’s what I’m using lately:
This is the perfect daily face wash. 100% vegan and cruelty-free, it’s an exhilarating wash that will wake your face right up. I’ve been using this for a few months (with the Acure scrub listed below) and although it’s good to switch it up every once in a while, I’ll keep this one in the rotation for a long time!
Natural mascaras that don’t suck are hard to find. I’m mixing it with this conventional mascara (dirty but so, so good). At $14 a pop, it’s about twice as expensive as conventional, but worth it for the peace of mind! I am mildly paranoid that my affinity for eye makeup is going to make me go blind, which I know is insane, but either way, it’s time to make the switch!
Probably should have gotten a higher SPF, since I am a fair as the pure driven snow, but this (non-aerosol!) spray smells great and provides awesome coverage. Even though I am so white I often get confused for a vampire or ghost, I HATE putting on sunscreen, so sprays are a lifesaver! I’m not about that skin cancer life!
This lipgloss is the tiniest hint of pink and packs a huge punch of moisture! It smells like vanilla, goes on like a dream, and most importantly: ISN’T STICKY! I love that these lipglosses double as a lip treatment—you can even put them on before bed at night!
My dream nail color. This collaboration with Oui Fresh is 10-free—as in, free of 10 of the most harmful ingredients found in conventional nail polish! I haven’t actually used this yet (mostly because I have to buy a 10-free top coat to go with it), but from demos I’ve seen online and my own inspection, it’s amazing! I’ve heard so many good things about this brand!
I tried this at my friend’s house in Florida and it saved my life all week. As soon as my micellar water runs out, I’m running to replace it with this. Obviously, the love affair with Burt’s Bees is real, but this product is exceptional. It made my face feel so clean!
This is a heavy oil moisturizer for those days when your skin feels extra thirsty. It’s not my every day go-to, but it was a great companion all winter. S.W. Basics, fun fact, is the company owned by Adina Grigore, who wrote Just The Essentials!
I’m going to try Lavender & Sage next time (the Bergamot Lime made me rashy which SUCKS because it smells amazing), but this deodorant smells soooo good, and doesn’t irritate my skin! I have it in a mini-size, and use it as my travel deodorant.
I’m doing my best to switch my beauty products over to all-natural, clean brands, and it’s definitely a trial-and-error experience. There are still a few things I’m looking for good clean versions of (BB cream, eyeliner, mascara), but it’s been a joy to experiment and “put my money where my mouth is,” as it were.
Made with 100% virgin coconut oil, this is my FA VO RITE moisturizer EVER. I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in my skin since I started using it a few weeks ago. A tiny dab covers your whole face—I’ve had it for weeks and I’ve barely made a dent. This moisturizer runs you $11 at Target, which is shockingly cheap as both moisturizers AND natural products go, which makes it an amazing value. I plan on checking out the rest of Shea Moisture’s skincare products!
The. Best. Leave-in. I bought this on a whim at Sally’s when I bought my crazy red hairdye (sigh @ my decisions), and I’ve been using it regularly ever since. I have WILD hair, so I need a fierce tamer. This stuff does the trick! I’m planning on trying the Co-Wash as a cheaper alternative to my favorite “shampoo”…
I switched to New Wash (yes, ditching shampoo and conditioner) recently and I ain’t NEVAH EVAH EVAH goin’ back. It runs $40 for 8 oz., so it’s a little tough to rationalize, but I’m telling you, it’s worth every dang penny. I felt a difference in my hair after the first use, and it keeps getting better. I’m going to look into cheaper options, but I might just be hooked on this stuff.
Are you sensing a pattern? This brand is so legit, and so affordable. This is the *best* product for wearing your curls natural. My hair is super coarse and curly (mostly from damage, tbh), so I need as much moisture as humanly possible. This spray smells amazing and doubles as a treatment and a hairspray.
This stuff smells like HEAVEN! It’s a whipped lotion that is completely free of all of the super scary stuff that lives in normal lotions (formaldehyde, parabens, artificial scents, YUCK). I got a 1oz. jar in my Oui Fresh Beauty Box and I’m in love! A tiny bit goes a long way, which makes up for the fact that this product is a wee bit pricey.
I use this stuff every day. It smells exactly like rose petals (as advertised) and makes my face feel super fresh and clean. Such an amazing alternative to all the terrifying blue toners out there…bonus: it’s alcohol-free!
Full disclosure: I have every shade of this amazing lipstick, but As If is by far my favorite. It’s non-toxic, super moisturizing, and filled with amazing ingredients. I’m kind of a lipstick connoisseur, so believe me when I say that this stuff is the bee’s knees. It’s a little pricier than drugstore makeup, of course, but as “luxury” lipstick goes, it’s totally reasonable at $20. P.S. New colors coming soon. And 20% off today with code HEYLADY.
So, I’m a hypocrite because I haven’t entirely swapped over to natural deodorant, but Native is by far the best one I’ve found. I tried Schmidt’s, but either the recipe or the particular scent I bought irritated my skin. Other faves are Tom’s of Maine Antiperspirant, but it’s not completely natural (trying to ditch aluminum!) Native is amazing, although, be warned, it takes the body a little while to adjust from conventional to natural deodorants. Conveniently, Native sells multipacks of travel-sized deodorants! Lavender & Rose is my favorite scent, with Eucalyptus & Mint as a close second).
I’m still working through a whole host of products that I need to try (thanks Oui Fresh Beauty Box!), so I’ll hit you guys back soon with a sequel!
The first time I ever used an essential oil, I was around 19 and had recently gotten my nose pierced with a friend. Mine (on the right side) never really healed right, so a cursory Google search alerted me to the fact that tea tree oil was anti-bacterial, natural, and promoted healing. I bought a bottle (my broke college butt was mildly appalled by the price tag), and applied it directly to my nose with a Q-Tip (not the smartest move when dealing with harsher oils). But I loved the clean, pungent smell of tea tree, so as the years went by, I sought it out in my products (to this day, I use Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree shampoo on those rare occasions when I actually wash my hair…)
Beyond my tea tree adventures, I didn’t give much thought to essential oils until a few years ago, when I first heard of oil-pulling. If you’ve been on the internet this decade, you’ve heard of it—swish a tablespoon of coconut oil around in your mouth for twenty minutes, pull out all the gross impurities in your mouth. A blogger I follow posted a recipe for oil-pulling chews, made from coconut oil and peppermint essential oil. I marched to the store, grabbed the peppermint oil and flower-shaped silicone ice molds, and got to work. I keep a jar of them in my fridge at all times!
When I got engaged, I decided (for some incomprehensible reason) that DIY-ing soy wax/essential oil candles would be a great idea for wedding favors. Only problem? I had to make at least 50. I diligently hit the craft store, bought all 50 tiny jars, and chose my scents. Suddenly, I had five or so new essential oils! The candle-making was ill-fated (I think I made all of 6—we repurposed the jars), but the EOs ended up being a good investment. Suddenly, I was DIY-ing counter sprays and reed diffusers. I fell in love, in particular, with Eucalyptus. It’s my spirit scent.
the jars didn’t go to waste!
And then there was Monq. I’ve written about them before, but Monq makes portable, personal aromatherapy diffusers—mini vapes full of essential oil goodness! My personal fave blend is Active—I always have one on me! I discovered the brand on Instagram years ago, and bought my first set with a sweet promo code. These are great for us non-smokers, but I imagine that they’re a wonderful and inexpensive way for smokers to quit, since it replaces the routine. I can’t wait to try their newer blends, especially Ocean!
yung chels, hitting a happy monq
It was like the entire earth was conspiring to get me to make essential oils a part of my daily routine. Now I’m something of a devotee, though I’d never use them in place of actual medicine…that’s just cray. They’ve help me clean up my act—and by that I mean kick toxic chemicals out of my home one by one.
Here are some of the products that helped me get started:
DoTerra is, at least in my circles, the most popular brand of EOs. Their product is great, but it’s hard to get (you have to buy through a wholesaler unless you want to pay crazy retail markups. Their branding is on point, and they have a ton of diffusers, accessories, spa products, and supplements. My mother gifted me the lovely petal diffuser for Christmas!
Oui Fresh
You didn’t think I’d miss a chance to shout-out my ABM girls, right? What I love best about Oui Fresh oils is that they’re available at a reasonable retail price and you can buy them no-strings. My personal fave is Rose Geranium!
S.W. Basics is the Brooklyn-based brand of Adina Grigore, who wrote the book Just The Essentials, and inspired me to actually start workin’ on my oil game. No lie, the day after I finished the book, I was browsing the beauty aisle at Target and spotted a gift set of S.W. Basics on sale, so it felt like a sign that I had to give it a try. My set came with the Cleanser, the Toner, and the Cream. I SWEAR the Toner changed my skin overnight. It’s incredible. Now, if I only I could remember to wash my makeup off and use it nightly…
I read a borderline horrifying article recently re: MLMs and essential oils, but, I will say that the few Young Living oils I have are very pure and smell incredible. They, like doTerra, are usually purchased through a distributer, who becomes a member to get them at wholesale price.
My favorite YL product by far is their Thieves toothpaste. They have a whole dental line that I can’t wait to try out.
I haven’t tried their new clean makeup line, but as I start running out of products, I’ll definitely check it out!
I started off with Aura Cacia. They’re a fantastic brand with a consistently great product. My local Wegman’s (shout out to Wegman’s, the best chain grocer), has a pretty impressive natural skincare selection, and AC is the main brand they carry. They have EOs, carrier oils, epsom salts, roller balls, spritz bottles—you name it!
EO Products was a total fluke find! I had seen Everyone essential oils at Target, but the packaging was so mod and cute that I actually doubted the quality of the product (don’t judge wine or EOs by their cover, y’all). After I read Just the Essentials, I checked out Adina’s list of recommended brands in the FAQ section, and lo-and-behold: the spray hand sanitizer that I had been using for months was, in fact, EO Products Everyone label! It’s peppermint & citrus, cruelty-free, and non-GMO. I had picked it up, again, at my local Wegs, because it smelled like a mojito fever dream, and didn’t leave me feeling dried out by chemicals (à la Purell). So far, my hand sani is the only thing I’ve tried from EO, but I have total confidence in their brand’s quality (and its cute design).
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I’ve previously blogged about EOs once or twice…check out my cocktail-inspired room spray here!
Also, here’s an original rollerball recipe that will put some pep in your step!
Bright Sunshiny Day Blend
30 drops bergamot essential oil
8 drops spearmint essential oil
5 drops wild orange essential oil
carrier oil (I used sweet almond)
This smells like spearmint gum in the best possible way. It’s refreshing and invigorating when the spearmint top notes hit you, but the subtle, sultry bergamot lingers longer. Great to give you a (caffeine-free!) jolt.
And my all-time favorite EO recipe of all is ABM’s face oil, which I use every day after my shower!
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I’ve definitely made some missteps in the EO game. For some reason, I thought it would be smart to diffuse Texas Cedarwood and Lemongrass together (I’m still haunted by the overpowering smell), and I definitely accidentally poured half a bottle of Peppermint into my diffuser one night…
Nevertheless, this experiment into EO land has been fun. Now that I’m building up supplies, I can DIY my heart out and never have to buy chemical-laden perfumes, cleaning products, or skincare products ever again!
2017 is over and frankly, BYE GIRL. What a rough year. I went from severe election depression, to a Mexican vacation, to not knowing WTF I was doing with my life, to going to grad school. The transition was rough, but not just for me. This year has also, obviously, been an actual trash-fire for the entire country.
But apart from praying for mercy from our overlords, there were a few enjoyable things about 2017. I went to Cancún and Atlanta for the first time, and got to spend two weeks in L.A., which I proudly yet undeservedly consider my homeland. I dove even deeper into my comedy obsession, and turned it into a final paper on feminism and comedy writing (in which I got to use the quotation “Men are a cancer! God made a mistake!“). I binged so much TV that it should be considered a crime against (my own) humanity. I started therapy and got back on meds. Actually, if it weren’t for the backdrop of constant nuclear panic, 2017 might have even been a good year.
Luckily, even in the darkest timeline, artists gonna art, so there was a barrage of dope shit released this year. Here are the things that really stood out in my 2017:
Literally everything Roxane Gay has ever written is perfect, so it was a no-brainer that this incredible book would be on my “Best Of” list. This book is so powerful and emotional; I cried reading it. Hunger is, genuinely, a memoir of her body—unlike so many other books written in a similar vein, this one has no self-help aims or “happy ending.” It is a raw, honest rendering of past and present traumas, and though Ms. Gay’s journey is unique to her, her writing speaks to the universal truths familiar to all those who inhabit bodies and navigate the world. For six months, the words of Hunger have stayed with me, like a haunting presence.
I haven’t finished this book yet, so no spoilers! (lol)
Part of me loves this book so much merely because I love Secretary Clinton and want to push back against the haters that think, for some reason, that it’s unacceptable that the first female presidential candidate of a major political party should write a book chronicling her experiences. I know this about myself. What I didn’t expect, upon beginning to listen (I’m checking out Audible this season), is how deeply First Lady Clinton’s words would affect me. She gets pretty real about her journey, and doesn’t shy away from being honest about the present danger in which America finds itself. But it’s never sad. In What Happened, hope eclipses sadness and darkness at every turn. It doesn’t hurt that Senator Clinton is funny as hell, either. Listening to What Happened is like inspiring meditation for all of us who were deeply hurt last November.
So, if Popular Vote Winner Rodham Clinton wants to hit me up for a glass of Chardonnay, just DM me @highwaytochel, bby.
Just realized I keep switching up her name! I guess she just has so many accomplishments that I’m not even sure what to call her!
This list was getting pretty heavy, so I had to turn up the levity to 11.
Matt Bellassai is a national treasure. I first heard of him on Throwing Shade, so I’m a bit of a late adopter, but as soon as I heard him on TSPod, I sought out his podcast Unhappy Hour, which led me to his book, which I scored, again, on Audible. I knew the book would be funny, but I didn’t think it would be laugh-out-loud-like-a-maniac-alone-in-my-car funny. The writing is so, so good. He has such a clear, distinct voice that it’s shocking he’s only my age. It’s so powerful, in fact, that I find myself relating on a deep level to a chubby, sheltered, Midwestern, gay, cis-male child, most of whose adjectives don’t describe me at all! I rarely advocate for audiobook over real book, but hearing Bellassai’s delivery is the icing on the cake.
Check out his popular Whine About It videos on Buzzfeed!
Amy Sherman-Palladino has blessed us once again! The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (which Jen Kirkman consulted on, nbd) is my favorite new show of the year! I’m not even that bitter about the fact that the lead actress, Rachel Brosnahan, is the same age as me!
The MMM tells the story of Midge, a 26-year-old mother of two in 1958, going through a separation following her husband, Joel’s, infidelity. Joel had been fervently pursuing a stand-up career (i.e. plagiarizing one), but it turns out that his wife is the real natural. Coached by Susie, played by the incomparable Alex Borstein, Midge begins to perform, to varying degrees of success. Oh, and Lenny Bruce is a character.
In true ASP fashion, the dialogue is fast-paced, joke dense, and sensational. If there had to be an heir to Gilmore Girls, this is indeed the one. I just watched the series but might start it over and force the huz to watch it with me. 10/10
Is Get Out the best movie I’ve ever seen? Strong possibility. Give Jordan Peele and Daniel Kaluuya and Betty Gabriel all of the Oscars!
I knew it was going to be good, but I didn’t know it would be that good. I only just watched Get Out this fall, since I am horror-averse to the extreme, but I already know it will be one of my life-long favorites. Unfortunately, to write pretty much anything about it would spoil the majesty, and for once, I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. I was shocked, despite waiting months to watch it, and I wouldn’t take that experience away from anyone.
Jordan Peele is a genius. The film is aesthetically gorgeous, socially aware, hilarious, and terrifying. It’s a horror film, and a comedy, and a documentary.
P.S. I had the unique privilege of writing one of my final papers about Get Out, which I’m submitting to conferences!
If you didn’t like this movie, please eject yourself from planet Earth. I won’t spoil it for anyone (it was spoiled for me by my brother), but it was a joy and a pleasure. I gasped in surprise or glee multiple times, and I got to experience the entire thing sitting between my husband and my best friend—best combo ever. I’d write more about how much it rocked my world, but I’m busy going to see it again.
I finally discovered the true, unadulterated joy that is Hallmark Christmas movies. I watched Christmas in the Air*, which only made me thirst for more**. These things are a bright spot in an increasingly dismal world. Plus, where else will you experience the true joy of a 49-year-old, childless female lead? Hallmark doesn’t even know that it’s feminist!
*I will say, specific to this film, that it espoused one trash value, which is that messiness and imperfection is acceptable. You should have let her clean your office, dude. You’re not a creative genius—you have untreated ADHD.
**There’s an upcoming one starring Candace Cameron Bure and Marilu Henner!
I. Love. St. Vincent. I finally got to see her in concert last month at the House of Blues! I’ve liked her for years, but I have to admit, when she started getting super high concept, starting with Strange Mercy and continuing even stronger with St. Vincent, I really became a superfan. Masseduction doesn’t disappoint for a second—it’s got killer visuals, tight tunes, and her sexiest sound yet. Go purchase this album with human currency!
As if The National could put out a bad album. I’ve been waiting for what seems like decades for new Ntl jams, and finally, my prayers have been answered. Sleep Well Beast is everything I dreamed it would be and more. It has more tech-y, electronic-y moments (please, don’t be intimidated by my vast knowledge of music) than previous releases, but it works. Get on this album, my dudes.
I know. I’m going back on years of hating on T. Swift. I can admit I was wrong! In my hour of darkness she was standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, so let her be.
Reputation is bops for days. I adore it. I’ve listened to it more than the previous 2 albums combined, which severely deducts cool points from my street cred. But I don’t care. I even like “Look What You Made Me Do” which was pretty much universally panned. Highlights are, for sure, “Endgame (feat. Future & Ed Sheeran),” “Ready For It,” and “I Did Something Bad,” but basically every song is great so just go listen to it? T. Swift redeemed.
Guys, I got to actually go to PYHT in Hollywood! It was probably the craziest night of my entire life—maybe I’ll share the story someday—but it was an amazing experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. The whole drama is recorded on the podcast, so if you’re a listener, you may know what I’m referring to. It was definitely a…teachable moment.
Cam & Rhea, thanks for being the moms we all need, and being genuinely the warmest and best people I’ve ever met.
My ABM ladies started a natural beauty line! Lipstick, lip gloss, and essential oils, oh my! I am obsessed with clean beauty products (#backonmyhippiebullshit), so these gems were a total godsend. I took advantage of all of the launch and holiday sales, so I, of course, have the full lip collection. They go on smooth, hydrate, last, and bonus: the lip gloss smells like yummy vanilla!
The lipsticks and lip glosses all have ’90s namesakes like Blossom, Kapowski, Pink Ranger, and As If! They even have a natural beauty subscription box, à la Birchbox, which flies off the virtual shelves every month. I subscribed in December, and got an amazing box of goodies! 10/10 would recommend!
Della Bites 