NCSUWolfy has a cute face. no homo.

you have to tell us about your trip to Hawaii. My boyfriend is leaving in January to intern at a golf course in Maui for 6 months. I will be visiting him over spring break.

12/12/2009 11:37:30 AM

I got this dress and was thinking about wearing it with red tights and black shoes for the bf's family's christmas thing:



yes? no? maybe?

[Edited on December 12, 2009 at 9:28 PM. Reason : .]

12/12/2009 9:27:56 PM

Approve.

12/12/2009 9:38:58 PM

In case anyone was wondering...those strap perfect things...they are worth it.

12/12/2009 10:59:14 PM

punchmonk just FYI a bunch of those dresses were on clearance on the JCrew site

12/12/2009 11:13:12 PM

Begonias: yes.

Ladies (ok, fuckwads, really): making one's own laundry detergent. What's your favorite recipe/primary soap to use in it?

I'm gonna be making some soon, whether my mom wants to split up a batch or not. If she doesn't, and I have a metric fuckton of that shit on my hands, I'm more than willing to part it out and share

--
What's a good, reasonably-priced vendor of essential oils? Both for making said laundry soap, and then for making regular soap, and then for more typical uses? They don't need to be local, but I would like them to be, so I can smell before buying.

[Edited on December 12, 2009 at 11:37 PM. Reason : sdf]

12/12/2009 11:36:31 PM

This is what we use, and we use it exclusively. It's fantastic, makes a ton, and it's SO cheap. The Fels-Naptha bar can either be bought online, or from a hardware store.

Quote :

"Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value 4 Cups - hot tap water 1 Fels-Naptha soap bar 1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* ½ Cup Borax - Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. -Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken. -Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel) -Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil. -Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons. -Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads) -Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads) *Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!"

[Edited on December 12, 2009 at 11:45 PM. Reason : ]

12/12/2009 11:44:05 PM

I'm really excited about the swap today!!! I have determined I have a crazy amount of Gap and Old Navy stuff as well.....

12/13/2009 3:42:41 PM

^^ Has anyone used that in their front loader?

12/13/2009 3:55:43 PM

in for first male to post on this page

12/13/2009 4:00:15 PM

Ahh, almost time for the swap! Man, I hope someone can use the things I'm bringing - though, some are from high school! (whoops).

Samwise, um, sometimes, I realize I'm a walking gap ad - underwear, bra, shirt AND pants! That's bad...

12/13/2009 5:34:07 PM

Quote :

"This is what we use, and we use it exclusively. It's fantastic, makes a ton, and it's SO cheap. The Fels-Naptha bar can either be bought online, or from a hardware store."

That is the recipe I use as well...its a recipe from the Duggars.


And you can get Borax, washing soda and felsnaptha at Harris Teeter.

[Edited on December 13, 2009 at 7:48 PM. Reason : f]

12/13/2009 7:47:36 PM

how long does this process take and how much are the materials? i may be interested in doing this but it takes me like 6 months to go through a thing of detergent as it is

12/13/2009 7:52:49 PM

It took me about 30 minutes to prepare the batch.

If you can't find the fels naptha bar or washing soda in your grocery store, you can order them from http://www.soapsgonebuy.com

You should be able to find Borax in any grocery store.

I believe for the soap, washing soda, borax and 5 gallon bucket (can get them from any hardware store) it was ~$10 but it makes 10 gallons. We only made half b/c we only had one 5 gallon bucket. That was August and we are still using it. Just make sure you shake it up really well before using it cause it can look like sperm if you don't

12/13/2009 7:59:02 PM

Our first batch lasted us 9 months, and we just started our second. And like ^ said, it'll cost you less than $10. The bulk of the time spent making it will be grating the soap.

[Edited on December 13, 2009 at 8:06 PM. Reason : ]

12/13/2009 8:05:36 PM

okay i have a wedding next weekend to go to. i'm wearing a black one shoulder dress with a gold sash. wore it to a winter wedding before, and it works really well. i wore it the last few times with a pair of cute gold heels. unfortunately i still haven't worn heels since the accident, so i'm not gonna do that.

any thoughts on cute flats to wear? i think i can go goldish, but not gawdy (sp?)

12/13/2009 9:13:50 PM

i have a banana republic gift card but i don't love their clothes. what do yall think about...






[Edited on December 13, 2009 at 9:47 PM. Reason : ]

12/13/2009 9:24:24 PM

I like the last earrings best. Super cute. They seem more versatile than the other two. Good for formal attire or something a bit more edgy.

12/13/2009 9:59:09 PM

those are my favorites too... i think that's whati 'm going to do

12/13/2009 10:05:31 PM

Quote :

"^^ Has anyone used that in their front loader? "

It's safe for front loaders. Obviously, you'll use less; how much exactly...you'll need to look at the recipe.

Quote :

"If you can't find the fels naptha bar or washing soda in your grocery store, you can order them from http://www.soapsgonebuy.com You should be able to find Borax in any grocery store. "

A couple notes:
you can use soaps other than fels naptha (which, btw, is available locally at burke's hardware on hillsb st, at the very least), but they have to be straight soap: no moisturizers, etc. That pretty much limits you to plain dial, plain ivory, kirks castile, and fels naptha (there's one more common one, but I can't remember it). Kirks castile is available at kroger at timber/70.

Borax is available at target. I haven't had washing soda on my mind lately, so it's not something I've noted the availability of I'll be doing that shortly.

If anyone is interested, I have individual packets of straight liquid castile detergent. I use it on pet laundry

12/14/2009 12:17:02 AM

does the homemade detergent smell nice or like nothing at all? and are there any benefits besides it being cheaper. also, im assuming it doesnt make clothes fade faster or anything like that?

i may give it a shot when i run out of detergent because it seems kind of fun to do and a really easy way to save money without really giving something up

12/14/2009 1:02:08 AM

Just fyi, you can get nice essential oils on amazon.com for pretty cheap! I got a bottle of orange scented essential oils for homemade bath salts - it was about $4

12/14/2009 9:25:42 AM

Quote :

"does the homemade detergent smell nice or like nothing at all? and are there any benefits besides it being cheaper. also, im assuming it doesnt make clothes fade faster or anything like that? i may give it a shot when i run out of detergent because it seems kind of fun to do and a really easy way to save money without really giving something up"

Depends on the soap you choose, and any additives (e.g., essential oil) you add. Some people adore the scent of fels naptha, so to them, it's an A++++ fragrance.

I've read tons and tons of really positive feedback (between craigslist discussions on this, other boards, and google in general), and a few people say it turns their whites dingy...and then a million people counter it with 'omg it's the best thing ever. I don't have that problem AT ALL. I don't know what you're talking about'.

I'd offer to report back, but you might get to doing this before I do

12/14/2009 10:18:24 AM

Twoozles...just give me the giftcard

Hay girlsssss

12/14/2009 10:38:16 AM

^ HAYYYYYY!

12/14/2009 10:38:55 AM

^ How is that eyelash stuff working out?

12/14/2009 10:40:11 AM

Actually, my neighbor and I decided to sell our Latisse (we got 3 bottles for $200, which is a deal anyway) and go for the generic Bimatoprost, which has the same effect, but for 1/5 of the price. Waiting for the package to arrive.

12/14/2009 10:43:37 AM

I've got a question. Whats up with the LARPer boots being in style?




Every time I see a girl in these i expect her to pull tennis balls out of her purse and scream lightning ball while pelting someone.

12/14/2009 10:48:42 AM

I like those a lot better than most of the other shoes that I've seen in the last year. There's some fugly stuff "in" right now.

12/14/2009 10:51:49 AM

I couldn't help myself, these babies have become mine:



Along with a Joan Holloway inspired red dress, but I'm not positive that it's going to fit.

12/14/2009 10:52:34 AM

^^^ haha there were a pair that were similar to those that i almost picked up this weekend.

i'm trying to find some cute flat shoes since i'm still not back into wearing any kind of heel.

^ those are super cute

[Edited on December 14, 2009 at 10:53 AM. Reason : .]

12/14/2009 10:52:45 AM

Oh Luna! My bolero came on Friday. The satin isn't too shiny and actually works well with my dress!!! So excited

This is the exact dress but has a skinny belt around the waist


[Edited on December 14, 2009 at 10:56 AM. Reason : e]

12/14/2009 10:56:16 AM

Quote :

"does the homemade detergent smell nice or like nothing at all? and are there any benefits besides it being cheaper. also, im assuming it doesnt make clothes fade faster or anything like that?"

We don't add any scent to it, because it has a very nice clean soap smell. We haven't had any issues with fading or clothes looking dingy. It actually is a really good stain remover we've found.

12/14/2009 10:57:25 AM

^^ YAY!!!!

12/14/2009 10:59:21 AM

http://www.tractorsupply.com/equine/horse-grooming/equine-shampoos-coat-finishing-sprays/orvus-horse-shampoo-7-5-lbs--5023752

actually makes a good laundry detergent


you only need one tablespoon per load

12/14/2009 11:37:39 AM

lets discuss mascara


Lancome definicils is great and bobby brown's mascara is increadable but I started buying stuff from the drug store a while back. For me they work almost as well at 1/3 the cost. I don't really care for thicker lashes but I like mine to look really long. I use the the Maybeline define-a-lash and it works really well and i just tried Maybeline's last stiletto. It makes my lashes look longer but it also comes out dry. You ladys have any other suggestions?

12/14/2009 1:27:12 PM

I have yet to find a mascara that makes my lashes as fat as I want them. They're naturally very long, so I want them THICK.

I used to use Diorshow, but CoverGirl LashBlast does just as nice of a job for much cheaper.

12/14/2009 1:30:49 PM

I use CoverGirl LashBlast or Sephora brand mascara, I've gotten compliments while using both

12/14/2009 1:32:30 PM

a friend swears by this for plump lashes, maybe ill give it a try next



[Edited on December 14, 2009 at 1:38 PM. Reason : I think cover girls lash blast is the same thing as the define a lash]

12/14/2009 1:36:58 PM

^ I hated that stuff

My faves:



Big Fatty by Urban Decay (but it's kinda expensive )



CoverGirl Exact Eyelights.. I <3 the one for my green eyes



Benefit Bad Gal Lash


Right now I'm trying one from the new Hard Candy brand available at Wal-Mart... It's nice but soooooooooo messy It gets EVERYWHERE and doesn't dry very fast.

12/14/2009 1:45:22 PM

eeek, non drying sounds horrible. I have green eyes and it makes me nuts because they never look green enough. Maybe ill give that covergirl stuff a try

12/14/2009 1:47:29 PM

Quote :

"lets discuss mascara "

Sephora's brand...I went to go find a link for the stuff I (try) to use.

No wonder they've been out of stock for ages. Apparently, they're just not gonna carry a plain, non-thickening, non-waterproof, not triple action, non-hocus pocus mascara anymore

It was fucking awesome. I hate waterproof masacaras, and thickening mascaras never end well for me, and I don't care about curl, or length, or anything. I just want a mascara that goes on easy, doesn't clump, isn't the consistency of paste, etc. This stuff was (I think) a lengthening, non-waterproof mascara, and it was so easy to put, and looked great.

So instead of being able to recommend something to yall, I find out I've got to find a new one

12/14/2009 1:48:53 PM

It's soooo good. The only reason I didn't get another thing of it was I really wanted to see how the cheaper Hard Candy stuff was. In short, lots of bad stuff. I normally love Hard Candy but idk... the Wal-Mart version just seems fit for a lot of pre-teens or girls who want a shitload of liquid eyeliner and crazy glitter.

And the CG eyelights one is great because the brush is great... It's not curved (I don't like curved ones) and mine would never clump on the brush.

^ Try the eyelights... Bad Gal lash was very easy to put on but it would clump sometimes and seemed to dry out very quickly (meaning the tube I had). :\

[Edited on December 14, 2009 at 1:50 PM. Reason : .]

12/14/2009 1:49:19 PM

i've got this from smashbox (blue and black) i love it.

12/14/2009 1:51:31 PM

^^I will.

I just hate not having a go-to mascara. It's an expensive crapshoot to play

Even within brands, there's just too much fucking variation to have a brand preference.

[Edited on December 14, 2009 at 1:52 PM. Reason : d]

12/14/2009 1:51:50 PM

^^I've got the Smashbox Mascara in a deep purple (for green eyes) and it is AWESOME.

12/14/2009 1:54:01 PM

I had the drying problem with Bad Gal lash too, which is a shame because it was amazing otherwise.

12/14/2009 1:55:01 PM

i've fallen in love with their eye "kits"

(smashbox that is)

12/14/2009 1:55:14 PM

for great definition:



for great length and fullness:


or






hello my name is joie and i am a mascara snob
seriously. i couldn't tell you how many different brands i've tried.

and now i have each of the above tubes in my car, cody's car, my parents house etc etc (yes both tubes in each place)
i love my mascara

it's embarrassing. really.

these are my top two choices, i will however say that most of dior's product are great





[Edited on December 14, 2009 at 1:57 PM. Reason : image fail]

12/14/2009 1:55:27 PM

Quote :

"I had the drying problem with Bad Gal lash too, which is a shame because it was amazing otherwise."

inorite but it's ok because Benefit makes up for it in many, many areas

as far as blush..... these are BY FAR my faves:



and



They're $28 a piece though so I always have to get them right when I get paid so I don't feel so bad about spending that kind of money on something so small. However, they last at least 6 months when I would use them everyday (actually they lasted more like a year this last time because I got both and alternated) so I don't feel as bad then

12/14/2009 1:58:32 PM