Favorites Fridays: LUSH - Charity Pot

Who doesn't love lotion? Who doesn't love helping others? What if buying a lotion meant helping others at the same time? LUSH's Charity Pot is your answer.

Charity Pot is a lotion that wants to change the world! It is handmade with natural ingredients such as organic cocoa butter, almond oil and ylang ylang. It is made with the finest ingredients that leave your skin soft and hydrated.

With every single purchase of Charity Pot, LUSH donates 100% of the price to small grassroots organizations that need helping hands to continue the incredible work that they do. Every single organization that benefits from the proceeds of Charity Pot align with the ethics that LUSH shares and promotes: environmental conservation, animal welfare and human rights.

Since 2007, LUSH has donated over $4,000,000 to over 350 charities in over 30 countries.

This is a lotion that I encourage you to try and purchase if you wish to have soft skin to compliment your soft heart.

Did you catch last week's Favorite? It was another amazing product from LUSH called Dark Angels! 

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Favorites Fridays: LUSH - Dark Angels Fresh Facial Cleanser

I must admit, I have known about LUSH stores and seen them around, but I have never walked in simply because of the smell - it is a bit overwhelming. Last week, my family and I were out shopping and came across a LUSH store. My daughter ran in because she loves all of their products and encouraged me to come in with her. The location I went to did not have an overwhelming smell and that made me happy. The gal helping us was very sweet and very informative. She really knew what she was talking about - that was a good sign. 

I was able to test a few different scrubs and moisturizers on my hands in the store and fell in love with one cleanser: Dark Angels.

Dark Angels is a velvety black sugar cleanser that is handmade with all natural ingredients. Black sugar and charcoal gently exfoliate and absorb excess oils to brighten dull and oily acne-prone skin with a clean matte finish. 

After using it, my skin (as well as my daughter's skin) felt so smooth and calm. Dark Angels can be used on sensitive and irritable skin as antimicrobial rhassoul mud deep cleanses to heap prevent breakouts while vitamin rich cold-pressed organic avocado oil nourishes the skin to leave it hydrated and soft. Do you want to see how LUSH makes Dark Angels? Click here!

There are two stores that I have been to now that do not have an overwhelming smell: 

• Union Square (San Francisco location) (Ask for Lizzie - she helped my daughter & was very sweet)
• Fashion Island (Newport Beach location)

TIP: Try using the Dark Angels with the Neutrogena Wave for an even better experience!

Next week check out why I love the CHARITY POT lotion from LUSH! 

Disneyland - The Happiest Place On Earth!

Hey there! My name is Krysten, and I am Athena Karsant's daughter. I asked her if I could be a guest blogger and give you some fun tips for going to my favorite place in the world: Disneyland. You might be thinking, "What does Disneyland have to do with beauty or permanent makeup?" and I would say, "Very little." However, my mom has had many clients in her chair speak of their upcoming trip to the Happiest Place on Earth and within seconds mom calls me asking for tips. So, it makes sense to post this for her clients and the world to see.

I am the biggest Disney freak around. Some even say I am an addict. I blame my parents, because they took me for the first time when I was just 6 weeks old. You can basically say they created a Disneyland Monster! Since I was born, I have celebrated many birthdays, anniversaries and different occasions at the Happiest Place On Earth. My husband even proposed underneath the castle in 2010. This blog will feature a few tips and tricks to make sure you have the best time possible. 

1. The first thing you need to do is head straight to California Adventure (if you have a ticket for that park too.) California Adventure has one of the coolest and newest lands: Cars Land. Cars Land has only been open since the summer of 2012, and the lines are still very long. Head into the park and immediately grab a FAST PASS for Radiator Springs Racers! They are all gone for the day by mid-morning, and the line can be 2 - 3 hours long on a busy day. 
2. Depending on how many days you will be enjoying both parks, you should allow one evening for Disneyland's Fantasmic show in front of Pirate's Lair (FORMERLY Tom Sawyer Island) and another evening for California Adventure's World Of Color. For World of Color you will need a FastPass to reserve a spot to watch it! Ask someone where to get a FASTPASS to ensure a spot for the show (standing only).
3. UPDATE: Go see the ALADDIN musical at California Adventure! It is about 45 minutes long, hysterical and nice and cool inside. The Genie will steal the show! Fortunately & Unfortunately this show is gone but they have a brand new show about FROZEN. It's a broadway style performance that will entertain everyone of all ages!
4. Are you a coffee drinker? Starbucks is now at California Adventure and on Main Street USA! You can also use your Starbucks GOLD card for stars! 
5. If you would like to take a ride on the Monorail, ask a castmember to sit in the front car with the captain.
6. The parade is always a blast! Check your map/schedule for parade times. 
7. Who doesn't love seeing Minnie, Mickey and all their pals? The problem is, you typically have to wait in a long line to get a hug and a photo. The best place to see a handful of characters is at the character breakfast at Plaza Inn which is located at the end of Main Street USA. Call ahead to make a reservation and enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast with all your favorite Disney friends.
8. At Disneyland, in Tomorrowland, the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is a fun ride and game.  Make sure that when you are exiting you remember to stop at the computer screens to your left so you can EMAIL the ride photo to yourself for free.
9. Make sure you get a FASTPASS for popular Disneyland rides like Indiana Jones and Space Mountain! You shouldn't have super long waits for Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion or It's a Small World and Jungle Cruise, so just walk right up to these whenever you are near by. 
10. Make sure you get a FASTPASS for popular California Adventure rides like: Soarin' Over California, Goofy's Flight School, Tower of Terror and California Screamin!
11. YOU CAN BRING FOOD IN! Remember to bring snacks and water bottles. You are allowed to bring your own food to enjoy. They also have a filtered water fountain at the Mexican Restaurant (Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante) in Frontierland.
12. UPDATE: Need a rest? Check out Bill Hill and the Hillbillies in Disneyland. The location has changed a few times this summer so be sure to ask someone where they are performing. They are a riot and very talented! (Sadly, this show will be ending January 6th.) Unfortunately this show is gone but to see what you missed out on visit Athena's blog about The Billys and their final performance!
13. Fool Mother Nature! - Of course having permanent makeup (eyeliner, lips, eyebrows) helps at theme parks, water parks etc. Hop on Splash Mountain or Grizzly Rapids and don't worry about your brows washing off or your eyeliner smearing! Look FABULOUS all day long and don't think twice about your makeup running.
14. Are you celebrating an anniversary, a birthday or something else? Ask a castmember for a Disney Button! 
15. HAVE FUN! Make sure you drink enough water, take breaks when you need to and never hesitate to ask a cast member for help and guidance. They are there to assist you and make your day magical!

I hope these tips will help you get the most out of your day at the Happiest Place on Earth! Take your camera - you never know who you will see there! 

Thanks mom for letting me be a guest blogger! Those who know me aren't surprised by the topic and many of my Disney pals probably know most of this information. I hope that some of you learned something new!

xoxo
Krysten


Here are some more tips....

Here are some great Disney related books for your reading enjoyment. We have been very fortunate to meet three of these four authors and one of them is a very dear friend. Click on the book title to be linked to Amazon to purchase these fabulous books. 

1) Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered by Dave Smith

My husband took me on a tour of the Walt Disney Studios & we got
to meet the head of the Archives department Dave Smith & have
him sign our book! We also got to see some incredible items
from the Disney archives... 

My favorite part of the archives was getting to hold one of
Walt Disney's Oscars. It was beyond incredible & very heavy! 

2) Walt Dreamers Me by Joseph Cosgrove

With our sweet friend, Joe! We could listen to his stories
all day long. We love Joe and his wife Janet! A very neat couple!

We were honored to be apart of the celebration of  Joe's book
Walt Dreamers Me at Club 33 over the summer.

with Walt Dreamers Me on the Club 33 balcony

3) Dream It! Do it! by Marty Sklar

Marty signed our book after he gave a wonderful presentation
of his life and his book in Los Angeles - amazing! 

THUMBS UP from Jeff and Krysten!

4) Mouse Tales: A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland by David Koenig

Favorite's Fridays - Teavana

You know I love my coffee or a delicious green drink in the morning. But move over... cause there is a new favorite drink in town: Teavana. 

Teavana is a store that is dedicated to selling fresh, high quality, loose leaf teas. They have well over 50 different teas and so many different combinations to create for you. First, they lure you in with a sample... a very delicious sample! Then they welcome you in to smell and taste other teas they have ready for you. By the third sample I knew I was hooked. 

When we got home, I asked my daughter to make some for all of us to try. I was so anxious to wait 3 minutes for it to brew that my daughter and I started picking through the loose leaf tea and picking out the dried fruit to eat; the dried pineapple is out of this world! The teas are also very pretty to look at and have a wonderful fragrance.

I can't really tell you how much I spent on tea, but we did buy a lot. I also purchased a very easy-to-use hot tea maker for both houses as well as their german rock sugar. Normally I would say "Eh! I will use my own sugar." However, this time I could taste the difference - or lack there of. The german rock sugar they have has no flavor. When you add it to your coffee or tea it simply brings out the best qualities and flavors of the tea. I love that all of the teas can be made hot or cold depending on the weather or your mood. Look up the Teavana nearest to you and go in for a few samples. You can even buy an iced tea or hot tea that they will make for you right there in the store. 

Tip - If you have a Starbucks card or are a gold card member with Starbucks, you can use your card to earn stars towards your free drink. Teavana is owned by Starbucks. 

Here are my absolute favorites:

    - Blueberry Bliss and Pineapple Kona Pop (caffeine free)

    - Strawberry Champange with Peach Tranquility 

    - The Chai Chai mix

I recommend you purchase the teas individually and not mixed so that you can create your own combinations like:

    - Pineapple Kona Pop and Peach Tranquility (caffeine free)

I hope you enjoy this week's favorite - Cheers! 

Danny Elfman Concert

I must say, I have been to many, many concerts in my lifetime. I have seen the great Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Areatha Franklin, Janis Joplin, The Temptations, The Rolling Stones and more. This year alone, we saw Johnny Mathis, John Mayer, Fun!, Tegan and Sara, The Moody Blues, Tony Bennett, John Secada, Phillip Phillps, and Muse (there are probably some I have forgotten to mention). This past week I was so very fortunate to get to spend a night hearing the music of Danny Elfman. It was probably my favorite show all year long and definitely one of my favorites of all time.

The music featured in the concert was featuring Danny Elfman's music from Tim Burton's incredible films and was performed by the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra and The Page LA Choir. Originally it was a one night only performance scheduled for Halloween night and due to the fact that it sold out so quickly they added two more nights.

I attended the show with my daughter, her husband and two of their sweet friends, Jessica and Rob. I must confess, when my daughter asked if I wanted to go, I said yes but didn't really know who Danny Elfman was by name. I knew of his work, of course, and I knew his name but did not put the two together. After the show started I was mesmerized by the incredible sounds of the symphony orchestra and choir as they performed different pieces from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Big Fish, Planet of the Apes, Frankenweenie, Beetlejuice, Sleepy Hollow, Mars Attacks, Batman & Batman Returns, Dark Shadows, Edward Scissorhands, Alice In Wonderland and, of course, The Nightmare Before Christmas. The music was accompanied by the artwork of Tim Burton, as well as memorable scenes and clips from the different films.

Towards the end of the night, for the showcasing of The Nightmare Before Christmas music, Danny Elfman came out on stage and performed some of the songs from that film. He was the singing voice of Jack (the Pumpkin King) in the movie. Every single person in the audience was mesmerized by his voice, his enthusiasm, his facial expressions, and the fact that it was his first time performing in 18 years. He was so incredible... words can never fully describe how incredible he was!

I can only hope that Danny Elfman enjoyed performing so much that he continues to perform again and again so that I, along with many others, can enjoy seeing him live again.

Should you ever get the chance to see him, please do!