Monday, May 27, 2013

Lush Haul

The boy took me to our nearest Lush cosmetics store to pick up more Lush goodies.  He has fallen in love with the bath bombs!

Here's what we both picked up:


I picked up the Little Green Bag which includes a good variety of items for around $26 dollars.  The items were all neatly stashed in a little green bag that is made of 100% organic cotton and incorporates the Japenese wrapping method of Furoshiki. 

This is what is inside the Little Green Bag:
sugar scrub
sexy peel soap
each peach massage bar
squeaky green solid shampoo
and a reusable tin for storing the solid shampoo

I heard some good things about the Lush dry shampoo, so I picked up No Drought.  I purchased the smaller version just in case I didn't like it.  I haven't really given the product a shot yet, but I am already happy to know it is chemical free.  I am not so excited about how I will be applying this to my hair.  I have a feeling the entire product will come rushing down on to my head and face.  We shall see if I can conquer and manipulate this product. 

The boy wanted to pick up bath bombs so we went with Sex Bomb (it smells soooo good!).  The neat thing about this bath bomb is watching the transformation of the little flower bloom.  So neat!

The Comforter smelled too good to pass up, so the boy and I purchased this too.  The sales associate told us that although it cost about $11 we would get lots of uses out of it.  I hope you are right, sales associate!  I hope you're right.  We learned that in order to get the most of out of the bubble bars, one just needs to crumble a few chunks.  Not the entire thing.


Believe it or not, the boy desperately wanted to purchase Mr. BumbleI am not sure why...but he needed it bad.

Stored inside of Mr. Bumble we found the Honey bee bath bomb and a sample size of my favorite soap, Honey I washed the kids.  I really like the bumble bee cloth wrap, it's super cute. 
To make the most out of our expensive haul, I have cut each bath bomb in half.  I have also cut each soap, massage bar and the bubble bar for multiple uses.  Let's face it, Lush is expensive so why not spread that penny a little further?

I hope you enjoyed the lush haul, until next time...

Monday, May 20, 2013

My Visit to Monticello


I have been very bad at updating my blog with my adventures, but I heard it's better late than never.

A few weeks back, Jeff and I visited Monticello.  If that is not ringing a bell then allow me to enlighten you with the proper name of Thomas Jefferson's home.  I had previously visited Monticello about 8 years ago and although much had not changed, there were a few new things I learned.

Monticello lies on the top of a hill in Charlottesville, Virginia...so it is quite chilly and windy to visit in early Spring!  During our visit, we noticed that the back of the home was undergoing some restoration efforts.  They were actually removing the paint off the columns.

 
Who knew that the columns were not originally white?  I found the below sign really informational!  It states that at one point, the southwest portico was unfinished and it was held by tree trunks.  Can you imagine that?  Nuts!
 

 It was later learned that when the house was sold by the Jeffersons, the columns were painted white.

 The view from the South is quite beautiful. There are plenty of flowers and there is a large fish pond. 

 Sadly this pond is now fish-less.  However, during Jefferson's time they would actually keep a large stash of fish for easy access.  Smart!  However, quite unfortunate for the fish :(

The view from Monticello is beautiful.  On one side you can see trees, farms and the mountains in the distance.  The other side views UVA.  I learned during my visit, that Jefferson was a bit of a micro manager and enjoyed peering down on campus. 

This photo is taken past Mulberry row.

In case you didn't know, Monticello was a plantation.  It was the home of many workers enslaved and free.  Most of which lived and worked off Mulberry Row.  Unfortunately, most of the buildings are no longer in tact.  Although some of the buildings are no longer present, stories of those that lived and worked on Mulberry row are still being retold today.  During our visit, we learned a lot about the enslaved families that lived at Monticello.  Although it was very sad and tough to hear, it was, very informative.  The tour guide that did the slavery tour was excellent.  She almost teared up retelling one of the stories about a family that was separated after Jefferson's death. 


This photo is taken from Mulberry row facing the side of the home.  The way Jefferson designed the home, created cellars under the home.  Since water was scarce on the hill top, the terrace roofs were also designed in such a way that would drain water into large rain barrels.

The little building to the left side of the above image is the original building that Jefferson lived during the construction of the Monticello we see today.  Believe it or not Jefferson, his wife and baby, all lived there during the years the main building was being constructed.  Talk about tight quarters!
As you walk up to the house for the tour, you are asked to take note of the weather bane on top of the house.  Under the portico, we notice there is a compass that is directly tied to the weather bane.  Smart.  Jefferson only had to take one step outside the house and look up to see what direction the wind was blowing. 
 
Next, as a visitor you are asked to take note of the clock.  As you can see in my photo, the clock only has the "hour hand."  When you step inside, on the other side is the same clock but it has the "minute hand." It's weird, but interesting.
 
The house itself is pretty interesting to see. Sadly, photos are not permitted inside. The lobby of the house is nothing like you will see in any other historical home. There are dinosaur bones, buffalo hides, dead animal heads mounted on the wall, and a mini Native American exhibit. I am linking a photo to demonstrate what I am talking about.
 
 My favorite thing about the house is probably the little mechanisms Jefferson added. If he were around today, he would be a huge techy with all the coolest new apps, and gadgets. He has a mechanism that will open one side of french doors by merely touching the other door. It's pretty cool and advanced for the time. Not to mention there is a giant calendar that tells which day of the week it is. 
 
 Overall, I recommend a visit to Monticello.  Make sure you have plenty of time to explore the grounds, house, and learn about the history of the families that lived there. 

Bye, Monticello - until next time!