Fall is Here

Fall is by far my favourite season of the year.  With the weather changing around here I feel it is time to show off some beautiful pictures of Fall, so here they are:

In Response to the Rolling Stone Cover

In response to the Rolling Stone Cover:  I was deeply saddened that a magazine such as Rolling Stone would take an act as the Boston Bombing and would try and glamorize it by putting this person on the cover of it. Did they not think that doing this would hurt the people he and his brother injured and killed?  Everyone involved in this event are scarred for life by this tragic incident.  From the explosions to the cops and military to seeing them stomping around the streets and invading their homes one by one to actually hauling him off.  I know that would mentally damage me.  People died including a small boy.

I am outraged that Rolling Stone would do this!  I can't imagine going into a store in Boston and seeing this on a magazine such as this.  It's one thing on the cover of Time but not Rolling Stone where Celebrities are shown, not TERRORISTS!

I found this online and had to share:

The Real Boston Bomber: Shocking Photos Revealed In Response to Rolling Stone's 'Fluffed' Cover

Emily Hulsey | On 19, Jul 2013

Tsarnaev as he emerges from the boat.

In response to Rolling Stone’s recent glorification of Dzhokar Tsarnaev, police officer Sean Murphy has decided to release these less glamorous pictures from the night Tsarnaev was captured. The photos show the 19-year-old mired in blood and dirt, with a laser target on his forehead – frankly, how most of America would prefer to view him.

The officer told Boston Magazine:

As a professional law-enforcement officer of 25 years, I believe that the image that was portrayed by Rolling Stone magazine was an insult to any person who has ever worn a uniform of any color or any police organization or military branch, and the family members who have ever lost a loved one serving in the line of duty. The truth is that glamorizing the face of terror is not just insulting to the family members of those killed in the line of duty, it also could be an incentive to those who may be unstable to do something to get their face on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

I hope that the people who see these images will know that this was real. It was as real as it gets. This may have played out as a television show, but this was not a television show. Officer Dick Donohue almost gave his life. Officer Sean Collier did give his life. These were real people, with real lives, with real families. And to have this cover dropped into Boston was hurtful to their memories and their families. I know from first-hand conversations that this Rolling Stone cover has kept many of them up—again. It’s irritated the wounds that will never heal—again. There is nothing glamorous in bringing more pain to a grieving family.

Terrorism, in its full reality, is an ugly thing, and glamorizing it for “shock value” is nothing but a disservice to our nation. Kudos, Officer Murphy, kudos. 

MoonaLisa February 2013 Easter, Ostara, Spring Order Review

I got my Moonalisa order finally!  I placed my two orders on February 12th and 13th which made me a double international order.  So its been almost 3 months as I received my order on May 9th.  I have spent some time putting this review together.  Adding some pieces to it each day as I have been using the products.  I had been late to the site's launch party for the first day's sale and wasn't able to get the scents I wanted in the Detanglers.  It really works on my dry, long curly hair.  Makes my hair manageable in the morning.  I saw lavender scents and couldn't resist but I also wanted some of the fruity scents - Strawberry Marshmallow,  Peach Paradise and Snozzberry Fizzy Lifter.  Each bottle seems to lasts about 2 months.  

A review of what my two orders were:

1	Spray-In Detangler - 4 oz. Item # 29520743	Option: French Lavender	$7.95 USD
1	Spray-In Detangler - 4 oz. Item # 29520749	Option: Lavender Shortbread	$7.95 USD
1	Hair Conditioner (NOT WHEAT FREE) - 4 oz  Item # 29517827	Option: French Lavender	$7.95 USD
1	Hair Conditioner (NOT WHEAT FREE) - 4 oz  Item # 29517824	Option: Bali Cloud	$7.95 USD

1	Spray-In Detangler - 4 oz. Item # 29520638	Option: Strawberry Marshmallow	$7.95 USD
1	Spray-In Detangler - 4 oz. Item # 29520746	Option: Peach Paradise	$7.95 USD
1	Spray-In Detangler - 4 oz. Item # 29520752	Option: Snozzberry Fizzy Lifter	$7.95 USD
1	Scrubs!~ Non- Parfait Item # 29623727	Option: Lemon Sugar Cookie	$9.95 USD

I received my order and couldn't wait to open it but I know that I have to take pictures since Moona's orders are a treat to open.  After work I had to run a few errands and it was killing me having this lovely box of goodies in my car staring at me yelling "OPEN ME!".  By the time I got home I just wanted to get inside of the box and see my goodies but others want to see the pics of the box opening.

My box was extra taped on the top so when I tried to cut the tape I ended up ripping the pretty paper on top.  My order was 3 layers under the 3 cards and Thank You note.  Extras were wrapped in heavy gold paper with 2 layers of bottles underneath.  Moona and her crew package and pack boxes very nicely.  I know I don't have that special gift.  Let's get to it!  Reviews are below all the the pics.

Products:

Moona's Site Descriptions:

Spray-In Detangler - 4 oz.

A scented leave-in detangler with conditioning ingredients forming a protective layer over the cortex where the cuticle cells have broken away, which creates a protective layer or coating over these rough edges. The protective coating it creates also reduces static electricity.

My Take:  I can never say enough about these detanglers.  They are one of the greatest inventions for long, dry, curly hair!  I spray them liberally on my hair when it's wet.  That way I can put a comb through it.  It makes my hair very manageable, even after it is dry.  This spray does not weigh your hair down, nor does it make it oily.  I do at times apply it to my hair dry and able to restyle it more easily.  This was my third time purchasing this product.  This time I purchased 5 bottles as find I want to be able to rotate scents.  Plus when I ordered during the Winter December Sale I ordered only one scent and didn't like it  I used up the one bottle I had from the September sale that I received in early December of 2012.  I use it daily under any other product I put on my hair.  I will always recommend this product for someone with curly / dry / unruly hair.

Please note that this review comes from someone with dry hair.  It may make someone with oily hair have more oily hair so please test it out.  You are able to use this if you have an oily scalp, just spritz on the ends.

Hair Conditioner (NOT WHEAT FREE) - 4 oz ~

CONTAINS A WHEAT PROTEIN!
4 oz.  This is a rich and silky deep conditioning for Dry or Damaged hair.  Also suited for normal hair.  It contains good for your mane ingredients like: Panthenol, Wheat protein, Silk Amino Acids and Avocado oil.

Ingredients: Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethlamine, Dimethicone, Avocado Oil, Ceteryl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Panthenol, Citric Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Disodium EDTA.

My Take:  I am in love with these conditioners!  I find that with my hair it sucks up the moisture in these conditioners.  I wish Moona would make these in 8oz!  I go through these quickly and since it takes 2-3 months to receive my orders I don't want to run out.  The Winter December Sale was my first time ordering the conditioners and I ordered 2 4oz bottles and received in February 2013.  When I received this order I had very little left in both bottles as I try to use it sparingly and don't always use it every day.  

The scents linger with these conditioners.  When the conditioner hits the warm air and then your heated hair the scent blooms into a wonderful aroma.  What you smell in the bottle is nothing like what you will smell once you get it into your shower.  Sure they smell lovely in the bottle but you won't get the full fragrance.  I noticed it this time with Bali Cloud.  The Orange Peel is really strong in the shower and lingers in the bathroom and into the hall long after you shower, even if you wash your hair first at the start of a 30 minute shower.  The woodsy scents are there but for me I really pick up on the tangy orange scent.  The scent lingers in your hair and smells wonderful for a long time.  This product lives up to the Moona hype.  I definitely recommend this to anyone out there looking for a hydrating conditioner.  It is definitely worth the money you pay for the 4oz bottle.  I have come to the conclusion that if you find something that works for your hair why not pay a little extra and get the quality you need for the style you want?

If you are someone with an oily scalp and only needs moisture on the hair, do not put this on the scalp but on the ends.  It works really well for split ends and hair that catches.

Scrubs!~ Non- Parfait:

Moona's sugar scrubs are made from scratch with all natural ingredients, with a small amount of bath cream from a base added. This scrubby sugar scrub is NOT a parfait! Just scrub! :)

Offered in a clear plastic jar with black lid and weigh in at about 9.5 oz.

Ingredients for this scrub are: cane sugar, sweet almond oil, whipped shea butter or cocoa butter, coconut oil, my 4-in-1 gel, rosemary extract, grapefruit seed extract, vitamin E, essential oils, fragrance and bath cream.

My Take:  I really enjoy using scrubs.  I have sensitive skin and it gets dry and flaky but the oils in the scrubs keep my skin moisturized and the sugar keeps it smooth.  I smother on the scrub and massage it all over my body in circles. I then leave the scrub on for 5 minutes or so, that way the oils can absorb into my skin and soften it.  This scrub is like many other handmade ones.  It is made with care without all the chemicals.  The amount of sugar to oil mixture is perfect.  I really enjoy using her scrubs.  This is my second scrub from Moona.  I am enjoying this one better without the parfait (cream) in it.   I am a simple girl at heart and want my sugar scrubs to be just that - a sugar scrub.  The formula of this scrub is nice.  It is worth every penny.

Scents:

Peach Paradise:  Sweet peaches in syrup doused with creamy coconut milk. (Drive Thru Moo)

My Take:  I really like peaches that are sweet.  It is more of a sweet tropical peach scent.  Which is fine with me.  It has a candied note to it.  It will be nice for Summer.  In my neck of the woods, Summer hasn't come just yet.  The coconut is more of a creamy coconut milk not a shaved coconut you find on top of a cookie.  Mixed together the scent is delightful.

Bali Cloud:  EOs of Sweet Orange Peel, Ylang Ylang and FOs of Sandalwood and Creamy Vanilla. A mix of my Orange Cloud and Bali scent, because Moona gets so confused which is which, she decided to mix them together instead. This scent is like fresh peeled oranges with a sweet woody background. They smell wonderful and relaxing! The Ylang Ylang is hardly detectable in this scent and only enhances the sweetness of the fresh orange smell. (Drive Thru Moo)

My Take:  I mostly smell zesty oranges.  I'm not big on woodsy scents so for me this is a good thing.  I do smell a hint of vanilla.  This scent is very citrus like.  It gives a jolt to the system to wake you up.  I really like it and would purchase it again in a 4-in-1, scrub and mist.  I would even buy this in laundry detergent.  =)  I love how this makes my hair smell for a long time after I get out of the shower since I have it in Moona's hair conditioner.  I would recommend this scent to everyone to try.

Snozzberry Fizzy Lifter: Snozzberries smell like Snozzberries ;) Juicy red and purple berry blend with effervescence and a teeny touch of a secret floral , just a tad to give it enough freshness, but barely detectable.

My Take:  This scent is very bright and fruity.  I do not smell any floral notes to it at all.  It does have a fresh note to it along with being fruity.  It is great for Spring time.  A sense of renewal, I think that has to do with the fizzy factor.  It is great for the hair.  There is no bakery notes in it that I can detect.  It is not berry soda smelling since something else has been added to it to keep it from smelling that way.  I really wish I had gotten this scent in a 4-in-1 and hair conditioner so I could get the full effect for my hair.

Lavender Shortbread:  This one has some fragrance, not 100% natural, shortbread cookies FO and Lavender EO (Mardi Gras 2011)

My Take:  This scent is more bakery than lavender.  As I had gotten the French Lavender scent as well I am good with that.  The short bread notes are creamy and balanced.  The lavender cuts the sweet in half and makes it good.  I like this scent a lot.

French Lavender:  

My Take:  This scent is perfect for bedtime!  It is very herbal and makes you sleepy.  I love that I got it in the detangler and hair conditioner.  A great way to end the day.  If you are looking for an herbal lavender this is the scent for you!  Nothing synthetic about it.

Lemon Sugar Cookie:  Deliciously fresh and zesty exclusive blend of cold pressed Lemon essential oil, and a blend of scrumptious cookie fragrance oils makes this a mouth watering combination , but do not eat!

My Take:  Mmmmmmm is all I can say about this scent.  It is the perfect lemon sugar cookie scent I have ever smelled.  The description describes the scent perfectly.  This scent makes a really great scrub!  I love to smear it on and rub it in and let it it so the oils can absorb into my skin for 5 or so minutes.  My shower and bathroom smell like lemon sugar cookies for a long time afterwards.  I use scrubs at the end of my shower at night so when I get out and pat myself dry the room still smells delicious.  I want more of this scent!

My Review of My Order in General:  I am very pleased!  I was able to get all the scents I wanted between the two orders to get what I wanted.  I now want a couple 4-in-1s as I am using my September's 4-in-1 as Shampoo but will wait til the next sale as I think it is sometime next week.  I would love a citrus type scent.  I am using the Marzipan Corn scent from the Halloween order.  Other than that I am very pleased.  I am loving all the detangling mists.  The conditioners are awesome!  They make my hair smooth and adding the detangling spray makes the hair manageable and am able to put a comb through it before I style.  I use the detangler as a mist before I apply all my products but then lightly mist the detangler when I am finished and find that the scent lasts for hours.

The extras are a generous soy tart and a scrub.  The scrub is in The Spice scent and the tart is in Garden Nectar.