The Uniform Project.

This is the most amazing idea! Akanksha is an extremely talented and creative girl with a great vision. She started The Uniform Project to fund education for slum children in India. She is blogging about her outfits each day for one year to raise awareness and money for these children. The catch? She is wearing the SAME DRESS for one full year! You have to check this out!

Day at Wingaersheek Beach.

Ben and I both had a rare day off together today. Even though it was chilly this morning we decided to take a trip to the beach. Our first adventure of the day was rescuing this pretty painted turtle from getting crushed by passing cars. This is the third turtle that we have rescued so far this summer. Mr. Turtle didn't appreciate the rescue mission. He hissed at Ben an then peed on him. Then we headed off to Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester MA. It was a great, quiet beach in a little cove with plenty of rocks and tide pools to explore. It warmed up and ended up being a beautiful day. We had lunch at the beach and napped and read and then stopped at a few antique stores on the way home. All in all it was a nice, relaxing day. Here are a few pics.

Beauty product 'Must Have List'.

My Makeup Bag by Ajoi on Polyvore.com

Beauty products by Ajoi on Polyvore.com

Though it is no longer my profession, I am a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. I still thoroughly enjoy playing with makeup and will take the occasional wedding makeup or photo shoot makeup gig. I am a self-confessed 'product junkie' and am extremely particular when it comes to my favorite products. I try to use the most eco-friendly and natural products while still focusing on great results.

As soon as people find out that I am an esthetician they inevitably ask me to recommend products to them. It has occured to me that there are so many women out there in need of some real advice on beauty products. Because of this, as well as my LOVE of reading about celebrities 'Must Have' beauty essentials, I decided to compile and share with you my own list. I am a dedicated student of the 'less is more' and 'beauty is only skin deep' schools. However, these are my favorite products in case I flunk out.

Skin Care~
Cleanser: Aveda All-Sensitive Cleanser- $21
I pre-wash my face with this creamy cleanser (that's right, my skin care routine is like a car wash). It has no irritating fragrance and doesn't leave a residue or dry skin.

Acne: Glymed Serious Action Pac- price varies
A kit for acne prone skin that comes in different stages for different levels of acne. More intensive but I find most people have better results with this kit than with Proactiv. Includes cleanser, toner, and medicating lotion.

Exfoliant: Cosmedix Pure Enzymes-$50
This brand is amazing but very pricey. I love this exfoliating gel mask. You can feel it dissolving dead skin cells and it leaves your skin so smooth and fresh feeling.

Blemish Control: Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil- $8.99
Just a drop on a damp Q-tip helps to dry up blemishes naturally.

Eye Makeup Remover: Aveda Pure Comfort Eye M/U Remover- $16
Very gentle. Works great. That's all you need to know!

Moisturizer: Bio-elements Beyond Hydration-$33
I have very oily skin so this light-weight, lavender scented, gel moisturizer is great to smooth on under makeup. It doesn't make my skin look like an oil slick.

Moisturizer with sunscreen: Glymed Photo-Age Environmental Protection Gel- $35
Not really a gel at all. Creamier lotion with an SPF of 15. Great for if you need a little extra moisture. And it smells like the beach!

Eye Cream: Cosmedix Eye Believe- $90
Anti-Aging eye serum. The tiniest dab firms skin around eyes...thank goodness because at $90 it needs to last a year!

Makeup~
Concealer: Jane Iredale Disappear Concealer in Medium Light- $24
Thick, creamy concealer and a little goes a long way. I tend to thin it out with a bit of moisturizer and blend over problem areas. A tube lasts forever!

Foundation: Bare Minerals Foundation in Medium Beige- $25
I will never go back to liquid foundation. I recommend trying to Get Started Kit ($60) to find your shade and to test out the products. Works well with other brands.

Blush: Nars blush in Orgasm- $25
I know, I know- everyone loves this blush. The most amazing peachy gold color, it works on so many skin types from fair to African-American.

Lip Balm: Jane Iredale Lip Drink- $12
Addicting. Silky smooth and very moistuizing. Plus it doesn't leave that gross film on your lips that so many balms an chapsticks do. Light citrusy flavor.

Lip color: Stila Lip Rouge in Baci- $20
I can't seem to find this at Sephora anymore and it was my favorite. I'm not super into lipsticks as they wear off so quickly and even use lip stains on brides. This one was like a felt tip pen in a great natural flushed peach color. Let me know if you can find it!

Lip Gloss: Jane Iredale Pure Gloss in Apricot Fizz and Cotton Candy- $15
Just the right amount of shine. Not sticky. Great sheer colors with a hint of shimmer.

Eye Liner: Ecco Bella Soft Eye Liner Pencil in Seal and Velvet- $15.95
I really like how soft and blendable this pencil is. Made with natural flower waxes.

Mascara: Maybelline Define-a-Lash Mascara- $8
Maybelline knows lashes man! This really does define and doesn't clump at all. Also comes in water-proof.

Bronzer: Bronzy Babe Fake Bake- $18
I'm not an advocate of bronzer, I'd rather use a swipe of a shade darker foundation followed by a shimmer powder. However, this one is actually natural looking and not orangey.

Shimmer Powder: Bare Escentuals Clear Radiance- $18
Natural, dewey shimmer that doesn't overpower.

Nail Polish: Essie Nail Laquer in Mademoiselle and Canteloupe- $8 each
Essie has great, formaldehyde-free colors that stay on really well. These are my two favorite shades. A delicate, french pink and a fun, coral that's great for summer. They also have a nail strengthener that works wonders.

Eyeshadow and other: M.A.C.- prices vary
I use M.A.C. pigments for eyeshadows, colored mascaras and liners, lipsticks and anything else. Their colors are superior to anything I've tried and though I love the colors that mineral makeup brands have out there, they don't tend to stay put as well.

Tweezers: Tweezerman Slant Tweezer-$20

Makeup Brushes: The Body Shop Makeup Brushes- prices vary
These brushes are all vegan and still work wonderfully. I always use brushes to apply makeup and sometimes even skincare products.

Hair Care~
Shampoo and Conditioner: Pureology Hydrate duo- about $55
I can't afford this stuff but ohhh how I love it. Has a minty tingle on the scalp and makes my hair feel like silk. The greatest thing is that it is completely vegan. Little do you know but I really only chopped my hair off because I couldn't afford Pureology anymore ;)

Runner Up: Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo and Conditioner- $7.95 each

Styling Product: Giovanni Wicked Wax- $9.99
I don't like a lot in my hair but this pomade has just the right amount of soft hold when I want to have fun with my hair. This and a spritz of their hairspray and I'm good to go.

Body~
Body Lotion: Giovanni Body Lotion in Grapefruit Sky- $9.95
I don't use body lotion too often because I hate feeling greasy. This one is great though. I bought it because the smell is amazing but it's actually absorbs very well and is non-greasy and all natural.

Exfoliant: Sea Salt- price varies
Yup. Plain old sea salt. Just scoop a handful and rub over damp skin. Works great, it's cheap and it doesn't have any unnecessary ingredients. Add a drop of essential oil if you'd like.

Body Wash: EO Shower Gel in Rose Chamomile- $6.99
Great soothing smell. Rinses clean. Wonderful ingredients.

Fragrance: Aura Cacia Essential Oils- price varies
These are all natural and pure. Great fragrances. I put a drop or two in the shower for a spa experience and use them in homemade face masks and moisturizers.

Dior Miss Cherie Perfume-$56-$92
My current summer time favorite. Light and feminine.

Aveda Balancing Body Mist (Chakra 5)- $30
This herbal infused body mist comes in 7 fragrances to represent the 7 chakras. I like Chakra 5 which represents self-expression and creativity. Use after a warm shower, before and after yoga or spritz on a warmed towel and drape around your neck before meditating.

So there you go. Those are my absolute favorites. I'd love to know if you have tried any of these products and what you think. I'd also love to hear reviews of your top beauty product picks!

Hobbit House.

Check out this adorable little hobbit house! I want to live here! Simon Dale and his family built this eco-friendly home in the Wales countryside with natural, recycled and repurposed materials. This family is just adorable...I want to squeeze them! Learn how to build your own and check out their inspirational story here.

Bilbo Baggins' House in Bag End from the film trilogy Lord of the Rings.

Music of the Soul-Michael Jackson

Music of the Soul is back and of course I am starting with Michael Jackson.

There is too much to even say. I have always been a fan. My earliest memories of his music were learning his moves and listening to tapes with my cousins Rozlin and Johanna. They were older and my sister and I were their human barbie dolls. The two of them would dress us up, style our hair and do our makeup. Then they would teach us the lyrics and dance moves to "Beat It" and we would be sent upstairs to perform our "show" for the adults. I remember exactly where I was when I first heard of and saw a photo of Michael Jackson....in my Aunt Laurie's bedroom using her curling iron. Roz and Johanna were having a debate over who liked him more. I must have been 7 and my cousins were my idols. For them to be obsessed with a boy meant he must be the coolest person ever. I was hooked.

Now I will never forget the day that I heard he had passed away. I guess he was so much a part of American culture as I have come to know it that I never thought of him not being in the world anymore. I don't remember a party that I've been to that one of his songs hasn't been played and I don't think I will ever stop trying to do the moonwalk.

No matter what opinion you have of his eccentricities and the controversy surrounding him, there is no denying he is a legend. He contributed to over 39 different charities throughout his career by raising and donating millions of dollars and using his larger than life persona to draw attention to some of the most important issues of the 80's and 90's. His dancing completely mesmerizes me and even though every radio and television station has been playing his videos and songs non stop for almost 3 days, I still can't get enough.

What I love about the music is that each of my favorite songs triggers very distinct memories for me. I absolutely love the earlier material from the Jackson 5 days. "I Want You Back" will always remind me of my very first summer job: blueberry picking with my sister and my friend Caitlin. We learned every word and tried to choreograph our own dance to it that summer. I cry every time I hear "Man in the Mirror". And "Thriller" and "Beat It" are on every playlist for every party I have ever thrown. I was in total awe by the video for "Bad". I don't know that I can actually pick a favorite but "Heal the World", "Ben" and "Bad" and "Dirty Diana" would be in my top 10. And though I love Thriller, the album that launched him into super stardom, I think my personal favorite album is Bad. His performances have, and always will be, incomparable and the passion he brought to not just music but to everything he did is overwhelming. I have never been too much into live music (mainly because the crowds get to me) but he will be the one entertainer I will regret never seeing live.

His life was an absolute mystery, full of passion and secrecy. Media scrutiny, adoration, obsession, accusations and criticism. Creepiness and hopefulness. Curiosity and love. By the end it seemed as if he was creating a fairy tale world for himself to escape into with a dark, tragic ending. I can't wait for Tim Burton to make a film about his life. I know that biopics are not Burton's forte but what a great project that would be!

What an amazing entertainer, what an amazing talent, what an amazing life, what an amazing legacy. The King of Pop will be missed!


My sister and I performing at my Aunt's house 1994

Turn on Billie.

Here is the new video from the talented Pierces. As you know from my previous post, I'm in love with them and I love this video. This is my absolute favorite song of theirs. It reminds me of an old Betty Grable film. Enjoy and share your love for them in the comments section, I want these girls to be around for awhile!

The Pierces - New Music - More Music Videos

Dream Bedroom.

My good friend Jen of Jenloveskev was recently featured on one of my favorite blogs Design*Sponge. She did an amazing bedroom makeover starting with a few sketches and pics of some of her favorite items. She got such wonderful feedback and inspired so many readers to undertake projects of their own (including me). Thanks Jen! So over the next couple of months here is my plan for our bedroom. Let me know what you think!

Bedroom by Ajoi on Polyvore.com

Tattoo.

Well hello there. Good to see you again. Sorry it's been so long. I have no excuses really...I guess I got a little discouraged with this blog. I feel like there are only a handful of people who actually follow this blog and I know I was started out doing this for myself like a journal...but it certainly encourages me to keep up with it more when I know that others enjoy it too. Well anyway...I realized the other day that the me and that handful of people are important enough to continue with it :)

Anyway, now that apologies are out of the way....Tattoos have been on my mind recently. I want more and I've finally made up my mind what I want (I'm not telling-it's a secret until I get it done).

I know that tattoos, piercings and body modification have a negative connotation to some people. Mainly that they "look trashy" or the cliched "You might like it now but you'll regret it when you're older". Yes, I can understand that if you get the tazmanian devil tattooed on your neck because your friends dared you to when you were drunk. However, I firmly believe that if you are getting a meaningful, self-representing tattoo, there is no reason that you'll regret it.

The history of tattoos and body modification goes so far back and is steeped in such meaning and sacred origin that I think that if you go about it the right way, the process of getting a tattoo can be a very deep or even spiritual experience. People always ask if my tattoo hurt. Of course it hurt but it was the type of pain that is self inflicted and because it is a repetitive pain it becomes almost like meditation. I actually really enjoyed it. I can see how people become addicted to them.

So, I will be saving for my next one and researching tattoo artists. If you have any suggestions let me know! I leave you with some of my favorite tattoo pics.

Odilon Redon.

I saw a painting at the Worcester Art Museum when I was really little. I couldn't have been more than 6 or 7 but I completely fell in love with it. When I wake up after a dream I always remember them as looking like that painting. I never knew the name of the painting or who the artist was but I have always remembered it. I decided yesterday I would try to figure it out. Let me tell you it is really difficult to find a painting based on my 6 year old description and nothing more....blue and green and blurry and mushy, and a face that could be Jesus or maybe a fairy...and some bright flower blobs....
Anyway after a lot of searching and using some of my adult knowledge of Art movements. I finally found the artist.....French Symbolist painter, Odilon Redon. I still cannot find a photo of the painting at the WAM but as soon as I saw the name and his style it all clicked. Though I realize now that I have seen Redon's work before, I guess I never put two and two together. Now I am completely obsessed. He may even surpass Gustave Klimt as my new favorite artist. I am even planning on using a painting as inspiration for my decorating scheme.