Laneige Good Night Kit (trial size) on Clearance at Target

I went to pick up a few of the Laneige Good Night Kits (trial size) at Target as they're only available in stores although you can see them online. Although they're listed as $5 on the website, they rang up as $1.50 and the cashier remarked that they were on clearance.

Even at $5 it's a great way to try out the well regarded Water Sleeping Mask, and at $1.50 it's a steal! I'm not supposed to be buying more skincare but at this price, I might pick up a few more as gifts. Target says that my store is now out of stock though, which is odd since there were a lot in stock when I picked them up. I did tell the cashier to try them; maybe she spread the word.

Well...

Personally, I'm still mostly here with Robin McKinley, but I love this message of compassion by Garance Doré.

And Bois de Jasmin keeps me a bit more grounded in the big picture, for which I am grateful. For example, the blog owner is currently planning a fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders.

Teedra Moses' Cognac & Conversation! And Other Notes

I just got Teedra Moses' long-awaited new album Cognac & Conversation. In a way I can't believe it's actually out (like D'Angelo's latest album) but after she released her fabulous EP California Vibes last December, I had a feeling the album would be coming along soon.

Today I'm wearing Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain in #5 Crush, inspired by Ameriie.  I'm really enjoying her new YouTube channel Books Beauty Ameriie.

In other news, I've been on a no-buy for cosmetics.  Just shopping my stash.  I still have unopened cosmetics!  I did buy some Japanese cosmetic brushes though.  I will review them later.

Is the overwrap on Numi tea bags recyclable?

Numi Tea seems to say that all of their materials are biodegradable, but I wonder about the overwrap (the individual packaging around each tea bag) and the staples.

From a naive viewpoint, buying loose leaf tea seems more ecologically friendly than buying these convenient, individually wrapped tea bags.  You just generate waste with tea bags.

That said, Numi seems quite conscientious about using recycled materials and making their products biodegradable, while avoiding support for GMO industries.

Shockingly, I have not yet shared Tamia's latest pop song "Sandwich And A Soda":
To be Honestly, the song is not terribly profound or brilliant, but Tamia sounds great on it. Her singing is so effortless. A totally underrated artist.

disposable drink containers

Now that I know how much water and other chemicals and resources go into the production of a paper or plastic cup, I cringe when I realize that I've bought yet another disposable drink container.  I have gotten far too used to the convenience.

I really need to start carrying around a reusable container to be filled instead.  I still have my Oracle mug from 10 years ago, and I still like it.

per capita garbage: Japan vs. US

A lot of people around me mention how much packaging Japanese products use, but their per capita garbage is almost half of the US's.  There certainly is more of an emphasis on quality goods in Japan, so disposable culture is less prevalent.  Canada is shaming us on the per capita front.

From The Story of Stuff by Anne Leonard: