Spring is a time for renewal. There is new growth – those lawnmower blades need sharpening and my eyes are itchy. There is new life – a baby snake has taken residence under my front steps.
There are new things to love – remember my Love List? If you’re a relatively new visitor here, you won’t, because I haven’t posted one since October.
Here is what I’m loving lately, from head to toe and a few things in between.
There are referral/affiliate links in this post, which give me a few pennies to rub together.
DevaCurl Cream
There’s a new cream in town. For years, I have been a loyal user of Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Cream, but I have found a new love. DevaCurl cream helps my curls keep their shape without making them look wet and crunchy. The key is rubbing the cream into my palms before applying it to my hair. The scrumptious scent is a bonus.
I’m using the DevaCurl SuperCurl Coconut Curl Styler. I’m trying out the lighter version next, the DevaCurl Styling Cream. A little goes a long way; I’ve had my bottle for five months, and there’s still plenty of product left.
Hamilton
I am obsessed with all things Hamilton – the musical, the book, and every related YouTube video and BuzzFeed quiz.
As a Broadway nerd, it’s no surprise that I instantly fell in love with the soundtrack. Every song was my favorite, until I heard the next one. The lyrics are brilliant, and the music crosses all genres including rap, hip-hop, pop, and traditional Broadway.
Yet so many people who are not Broadway aficionados have fallen in love with this show. What’s the appeal? Lin Manuel Miranda, the writer and creator of the show, makes American history relevant. It’s tough to explain if you haven’t listened – you need to listen. The soundtrack is free if you have Amazon Prime music, but if you don’t it is worth the two Hamiltons.* I bought the CD because I was using too much data with my constant streaming.
Once you are obsessed, consider reading or listening to the book on which the musical is based. Hamilton by Ron Chernow is a booster seat of a book, but it is a fascinating read. I opted to listen to the audio version. It’s 37 hours, or about 25 hours if you listen at 1.5x speed like I do. Some parts in the middle were snoozy, but Alexander Hamilton was such an interesting, brilliant, and flawed man. You can’t know American history without knowing him; we would not exist if he had not lived to help our nation rise up and form a government that could weather time.
Did I mention I’m seeing the show in October? I am. That news is arguably more exciting than pregnancy news…check out this funny video.
*Alexander Hamilton is on the $10 bill, and he’s staying there!
User Testing
A few years ago, I had my website tested by a random user as a way to find out how a first time visitor experienced it. Now I am that random user for other sites, and I’m getting paid for it. It’s not going to put my kids through college, but it can buy me some new curl cream. Check out the site, Usertesting.com, and you can sign up to be a tester. I keep the tab open on my computer when I have the time to take a test or two. Payment is through Paypal, and is $10 for a 20-minute test, or $3 for a 5-minute test. All you have to do is talk about your experience as you are navigating through a website. I’m always online and I often talk to myself, so this is the perfect fit for me!
Baby Foot Peel
Always ahead of the trend, my friend Ellen bought one of these for each of us during our last girls’ weekend. The Grace and Stella Deep Exfoliation for Feet Peel is bizarre, but it works. In the box are two plastic bags with exfoliating gel. Put your feet in, tape the bags onto your ankles, and relax for twenty minutes. Take off the bags, wash your feet, and go on with your life. In a few days, your feet will start peeling. And peeling. As in a pull-dried-Elmer’s-glue-off-your-hands kind of way. It’s gross, but there is something oddly satisfying about peeling off that dead skin. Spring is all about renewal, right?
The end result is baby smooth feet. However, I will caution you that it will take a few weeks for the peeling to stop. I wore socks to pilates class for awhile because my feet looked nasty; I wouldn’t do the peel when you plan on wearing sandals regularly. But if you can keep your tootsies covered for a little while, this peel will do its magic.
This foot peel would make a great Mother’s Day gift, especially paired with a gift card for a pedicure. And a cute pair of socks.
Play! by Sephora
My teenager has an Ipsy Box subscription; each month she receives five beauty products for $10. Subscription boxes are all the rage, but I had not found one that I wanted until Sephora invited me to sign up for their own version, Play! by Sephora.
I received my first box last week, and I was giddy like a kid on Christmas morning. Five deluxe samples of skin care and cosmetics were beautifully presented in a cute box, complete with instructions and suggestions for use.
The box is $10 a month, shipping is included, and I can cancel anytime. I love that the products are high quality; it’s a great opportunity to try out items without committing to a full size and a full price. You can sign up here (like most subscription boxes, there is a waitlist), and make sure you have Ebates as well – you’ll get 4% cash back on all Sephora purchases.
What are you loving this spring?
I NEED that foot peel! Sounds thoroughly gross and absolutely fit for my tastes.
Haven’t tried an online journal yet – so far it’s simply been business locales. Gracious, and one totally arbitrary site that I believe was a joke. It had neither rhyme nor reason.
Your Love Lists are dependably fun. Regardless we haven’t seen (or listened) Hamilton, however unquestionably need to, following the Husband and I are quirky for Revolutionary War history. I’ve really utilized User Testing some time recently, and thought about how individuals got into really doing the testing. Possibly some time or another I’ll use it once more… wouldn’t it be intriguing in the event that you were on the other side!
Did you say Hamilton!
I heard they are booked until 2030!
I’m in love w/ the writer & director!
Great fun, darling. x
I love Lin Manuel Miranda too – I can’t wait to go!
Your Love Lists are always fun. We still haven’t seen (or heard) Hamilton, but definitely want to, since the Husband and I are geeky for Revolutionary War history. I’ve actually used User Testing before, and wondered how people got into actually doing the testing. Maybe someday I’ll use it again…wouldn’t it be interesting if you were on the other side!
It is interesting to do the testing, although I haven’t tested a blog yet. Just business sites. Definitely listen to the Hamilton soundtrack – you will love it!
I’ve already ordered the curl cream from Amazon- thanks for the tip! I’ll remember to rub (aka “activate” it) in my palms.
My way more hip than me friends from Philly recently told us about Hamilton. I had no idea there was a book. I think daughter and I will check it out. We’ll never get to the show, but at least we can get a taste of it with the book and soundtrack.
Excellent love list!
Thanks, Julia. The book was fascinating – I had no idea how instrumental Hamilton was in forming our nation’s government. And you won’t be a big Jefferson fan after reading either!
FYI – there are a few songs that use bad language, but nothing worse than what’s on the radio.
Clueless on Hamilton. My history stinks. I do have Amazon Prime so I’ll check out the soundtrack. I thought you could download that stuff to your phone and listen offline. I hope they haven’t changed that. I’d love to take Hamilton for a walk. I do love history NOW so 37 hours is worth it to use on an audible credit. Thanks for sharing.
For some reason when I downloaded it to listen offline, the songs got all out of order. Which doesn’t work for a musical soundtrack! The audiobook is a great listen – it took me a few months to get through!
Ok so for whatever reason a friend of mine posted a picture of a peeling foot on facebook – like a meme. And it was like a snake peeling its skin but of a foot and the caption was “tickle tickle”….OMG….you just brought back a memory.
CAN’T. GET. It. OUT.
And speaking of snakes…noooo! We don’t have any by our house. Just spiders and they’re evil things. One threatened my coffee and I had to murder it with a broom and a washcloth and a shoe. For good measure.
At least the snakes are outside – I’m pretty sure they eat spiders and other crawlies. If one gets in my house, I’m moving to Canada with you.
I’m so getting the foot peel thing for my husband (and maybe for me). Awesome list as always Dana (and October???? YIKES). I kinda love that you’re a user tester now too – I remember getting that done and it was such fun! I bet they love when bloggers register because we know a blog vs. a business site. My tester took a few minutes to figure out it was a personal blog.
Mine did too! I haven’t tested a blog yet – so far it’s just been business sites. Oh, and one completely random site that I think was a joke. It made absolutely no sense.
$10 a month! I need that box!
I remember when you did usertesting. It scared me! It wouldn’t to be on the other side of things, though.
I really know nothing about Hamilton. In fact, you’ve taught me more about it than anyone else yet.
Happy to introduce you to my obsession, Tamara. I’m not even a history buff, but I can’t get enough of this show. Yesterday I finished the CD (for the umpteenth time), and I cried because it was over and because it was so good. Then I started all over again!
I NEED that foot peel! Sounds totally gross and totally up my alley.
It really is cool. My feet have finally stopping peeling, and they are ready for summer!
Hamilton is amazing, and I’m reading the book right now. I have to keep renewing it from the library because the book is so long (but good). I’ve been thinking about trying the new Sephora box 🙂
It’s great! I feel like it’s more grownup than the other boxes (also I’m a skin care snob). The book is sooooo long! It took me over two months to listen to it.
I REALLY want to see Hamilton! First, because I keep hearing how amazing it is And second, because Lin Manuel Miranda graduated two years ahead of me at Wesleyan! (I like to brag about it as if I actually knew him when we were undergrads.) This is a good reminder that I should get the soundtrack and hope that we can get tickets.
That foot peal sounds both really intriguing and pretty gross. What’s in it that it makes your feet peal like that?
I think it’s glycolic acid. And you are allowed to brag – you went to the same college as Lin! How cool. Yes, get the soundtrack. Then you’ll watch every clip you can on the internet, and even if you can’t get tickets, you will still love it.
Well, I just LOVE all of these, Dana! I want to go try that User Testing. I too, am always on line- so why not get a little coffee money for it?
I’m ashamed I’ve never read, seen or listened to the soundtrack of Hamilton. I’ve heard nothing but AMAZING reviews about it. Thanks for the push to go check it out!
It’s so worth it, Chris. Just listen in the car. Your kids may like it to, although there are a few songs that have curse words. Nothing like stuff on the radio, though.
I am most definitely checking out that user testing site and like you I am online all the time and love talking, too!! So win-win to me, as well 🙂
It’s the perfect fit for both of us!
Did you see Last Week Tonight? The Peurto Rico piece featured a brand new song from Hamilton creator…
I did see that, Anna! He really is amazing.