empties #26

It's been a bit since I've written an empties post because it's been a while since I've used up some products. I decluttered a bit, too, but didn't include the brushes and all here. As usual, I'm only marking the non cruelty free products.

Beauty Garde Oil Free Lash + Brow Shampoo // I got this when I was having a problem with irritation and inflammation around my eyelashes. The product was great for removing eye makeup but with the brush and all the application was a little too extensive for me.

Pacifica Rosemary Detox Scalp Scrub // Pacifica products usually work really well for me, but this just wasn't it. It was hard to use and didn't really "scrub" my scalp. I ended up just using it on my hands to exfoliate. I wouldn't grab it again.

Silk18 Shampoo by Maple Holistics // Check out the full review here.

Herbal Essences Set Me Up Mousse // not cruelty free // I couldn't tell you how long I've had this, but who uses mousse in this day and age??

Boscia Repair + Renew Waterless Advanced Treatment // I think this worked well for my skin, but I just can't do the consistency of oil skincare.

Pacifica Dreamy Youth Day and Night Face Cream // This worked really well for my face! I definitely want to pick it up again once I use up my other moisturizers.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Toner & Niacinamide Dew Drops // This was the Sephora birthday gift. Both were light and refreshing, but the price tag is a little high for me.

Sea El Castor Lash & Brow Serum // This was a snag at Marshall's. I think it made my lashes softer, but it was a pain to use. I tossed most of the bottle.

e.l.f. Superhydrate Moisturizer // I used this at night and liked it! My skin felt more hydrated in the morning. It's already in my cart again.

Sephora Hemp Night Face Serum // not cruelty free // A lil snag I added to my cart to meet the minimum to get the birthday gift. I didn't see any difference when using this and it's not cruelty free, so I wouldn't get it again.

Trader Joe's Watermelon Facial Mist // I always tell myself I won't buy any more of these, but then I find myself missing them. I loved using this one during the summer! And at $3.99, it's a steal, but it's a seasonal item.

e.l.f. Gentle Peeling Exfoliant // See the full review here. As you can see, the top is missing. I've never had a bottle of this that the dispenser top remained functional. After going through four bottles, I'm going to have to find another version of this from someone else.

Elizavecca Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Serum // not cruelty free // I bought this for the packaging and kept buying it for the results. Unfortunately, it's not cruelty free.

Nourish Moisturizing Cream by Lidl // Under $4 and it works great! Definitely grabbing this the next time I'm at Lidl.

Soap & Glory Orangasm Body Butter // This has been discontinued, and probably for good reason. Not great.

Hempz Apricot & Clementine Foaming Hand Soap // A clearance find at Ulta. I love Hempz and I love apricot. Would definitely pick up any of their hand soaps. I think this was a summer item.

Hempz Blackberry & Lemongrass Shower Jelly // I enjoyed this a lot but felt the tub made me use more than I needed in one shower. If it became available in different packaging I'd pick it up. I believe this was a summer item.

Deep Steep Mango Papaya Body Butter // While I don't see them a whole lot anymore, I love Deep Steep products. Would definitely grab any of their products.

Dial Himalayan Salt Body Wash // not cruelty free // I traded my best friend a bottle of lotion I didn't like for this, which she didn't like. Neither of us liked this. Would not recommend.

Tree to Tub Relaxing Lavender Body Wash // A little free sample from iHerb. I'm not a fan of lavender, but I don't pass up free. I liked this, the lather, and I'd buy it in a different scent. 

Tony Moly I'm Green Tea Hydro-Burst Morning Mask // I enjoyed this a lot. Light and refreshing. I didn't use it a lot in the morning, but I don't think it matters.

Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser // This was a decent little cleanser. Nothing special. It was Ulta's April birthday gift.

Mary Kay Satin Hands // not cruelty free // A decent little lotion I kept at work. I don't buy from MLMs anymore. 

Ulta Limitless Lashes Mascara // When I first opened this the formula was REALLY wet. It got much better after it dried out some, but the piece that filters (?) the wand must've been faulty and it just always came out with a ton of product on it.

Marc Jacobs Eyeliner // I tossed this before I grabbed the color name and I thought I had the initial review post still up, but I guess not. I liked this and I'd buy it again, it just got old.

Pacifica Perfume Roller in Indian Coconut Nectar // This is my favorite scent from Pacifica. I got a set of rollerballs for Christmas one year and while I love the size, I've grown to prefer spray bottles, so I'm using up my rollerballs. I'd buy this scent again in a spray bottle!

essence Coffee to Glow Undereye Cream // This formula spread easily and didn't sit under my eyes. I just didn't notice a ton of difference with use, but I'd try it again.

NYX Single Eyeshadow in Bedroom Eyes // Dropped on the bathroom floor. Shattered. I liked this shade, I'd get it again.

Random highlighter? in Ice Queen // I don't remember where I got this but I loved the shade, sadly it somehow got a bunch of moisture in it and got ruined.

Coloured Raine Single Eyeshadow in Who, Me? // I was actively using this up and enjoying it! This was yet another casualty of the bathroom floor.

Here's another declutter of various lip balms. I think I've finally narrowed it down to Aquaphor and Carmex (the liquid kind) which help my lips the most, so my search has ended. You'll see that the three squeeze tubes are, uh, a little worse for wear. Ogden, too, loves liquid lip balm.

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frugal friday

(an easy burrito bowl lunch)

Another Frugal Friday!

• I had applied to the American Airlines baggage class action suit and will receive a $25 check for a flight I took back in 2018
• The Richmond Symphony sent me a voucher for two free tickets and I'm excited to redeem them this year
• With a Kroger coupon I paid $1.99 instead of $3.99 for a package of campari tomatoes - a great deal!
• I lost my eldest dog Saturday (if I go into detail I'll cry, see my Instagram) and my precious friend/neighbor brought me some pumpkin bread to cheer me up ❤❤
• I placed a hold at the library for an eBook I've been wanting to read
• My little puppy, Ogden, and I went to a local island with one of my best friends to get some air and search for paw paws. We only found two paw paws, but it was such a great outing (and very low cost! She picked us up, but I'm still counting her gas in the expense)
• I redeemed a Kroger personalized coupon for a free bag of Tostitos tortilla chips
• When I stopped by Target after work I saved $4.27 (15%) on pizza sauce, cotton rounds, a box of tissues, paper towels, and Swiffer wet pads with a Circle deal
• I stopped by Marshall's for a few things and found a bag of 78 count Bottle Bright on clearance for $12! Amazon has the 78 count bag listed for $32!
• My boss asked if I'd like to pick up a bartending shift for a catering event in two weeks, I said yes

More decluttering!

• A pair of mangled reading glasses, perks of having a puppy haha
• Six freezer blocks I'd received in a package of drinks, thrown out after trying in vain to give them away
• Ogden's first crate that he quickly outgrew - sold it and pocketed $15 ($5 more than I bought it for!)
• A spare licky mat, to my coworker for his pup

And more ways I've avoided food waste

• I brought home some green beans, spring mix, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, sliced pound cake, and some mandarin orange slices that were excess at work - still good, but destined for the trash because of the weekend
• I finished a whole pizza, haha, which is rare. Usually I leave a slice or two and it dries out
• When I met up with my friend Rae for some local exploring I brought her a bottle of ginger dressing I didn't care for that I'd only used one serving of, three veggie patties I wasn't a fan of, and some of the same sliced pound cake from work
• I made a big pot of curry and a big pot of chili during the weekend that Tropical Storm Ophelia hit my area. I used up a bunch of things out of the fridge and pantry in the chili - chopped portobello, a pouch of rice/quinoa, some parsley
• Ate up some leftovers brought home from work - smoked gouda mac & cheese, butter chicken & rice (without the chicken), 
• While bulk slicing zucchini I kept the ends, rinsed them, and brought them home for low calorie treats for Og - bonus that my coworker brought some home for their lizard, and my other coworker decided to try some ends with his dog (who ended up loving them!)

Frugal Fails

• Ogden promptly destroyed my 15% off box of tissues - I saved what I could but 😑

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lucky bandit is a for profit blog. I use affiliate links and paid advertisements. I may earn compensation for a click or purchase through a link. Paid (whether via product or monetary) reviews will be noted in the actual post. Though compensation may influence the type of posts, all opinions and reviews will be legitimate and honest.

*All affiliate links will be marked with an asterick.*

an evening on an island in rva

Friday evening one of my best friends, Rae, and I went down to our city's river and to the island in the middle of it - Belle Isle. We were in search of paw paws! Richmond is a gorgeous river city and I'm very fortunate to live only a couple blocks from the river. Our destination this evening, though, was just a short car ride away. I brought along my newest familial addition - Ogden, my half blind sharpei mix rescue! I brought him home in mid-July and he's settled in well.

Our view on our way to the island across the pedestrian bridge. Beautiful! Somehow neither of us had ever been to Belle Isle despite all our years here. 

Since Og is part sharpei, he's pretty aloof most of the time. He's not easily phased and in his own little world (unless he's checking on me). The bridge was a cake walk for him, but the river not so much. He's never been around water like that, so he unknowingly walked right into the river and it scared him! I tried in vain to get him to walk up closer after that. I believe he really wanted to, but he was unsure. He's grown leaps and bounds of his shy self when I got him in mid-July, so I'm sure I'll have him in the river soon, haha. 

Here's part of our beautiful city on our walk back! Our paw paw search was fruitful (no pun intended)! While the part of the island we explored was picked clean, we did manage to find two paw paws! Neither of us had had one before, so it was a special treat. And absolutely delicious. We hope to try again next year and find more!

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lucky bandit is a for profit blog. I use affiliate links and paid advertisements. I may earn compensation for a click or purchase through a link. Paid (whether via product or monetary) reviews will be noted in the actual post. Though compensation may influence the type of posts, all opinions and reviews will be legitimate and honest.

*All affiliate links will be marked with an asterick.*

frugal friday

Just a few more ways I've saved and made some dollars

• I managed to snag a $350 Ikea coffee table for free from NextDoor and then listed and sold my little almost new Walmart coffee table for $15 all in one day
• A few items sold on Poshmark and I shipped them out using recycled mailing items
• My sister sent me home with two trays of vegetarian ziti after my nephew's birthday party. I ate it for a couple days, then froze it in individual containers for easy lunches
• I went to cancel my Paramount+ subscription after the free trial and they gave me two months free
• I earned 50¢ via Ibotta on an online Walmart grocery pick up
• One evening I dropped by my good friend Rae's house and after a tour of their beautiful new home and garden, she sent me home with some freshly picked basil (pictured above)
• I started my new job and fortunately have the clothing and shoes needed, although they are supplying me with a uniform once it comes in (and also free lunch every day!

I'm still on a decluttering journey. I hadn't been vigilant in a while, but really tried to buckle down recently

• Eleven plant pots, sold for $25 for the lot
• A K cup holder, sold for $7
• Four gift bags/tissue paper from my gift wrapping stash, to my nieces and nephews for their birthdays
• Small, but I brought another candle to my sister because I'm paranoid to burn them because of my anxiety 🙃
• While not intentional, I broke a baseball candy dish when I was moving the trash can

I've been dilligently trying to avoid food waste while eating through my pantry and freezer, so here's what I've used up:

• Some rainbow rotini, frozen fresh kale that I sauteed, and two chicken sausage links I don't remember picking up, tossed together with some vodka blush sauce.
• The rest of the rainbow rotini for pasta salad
• Finally used up a bag of tortillas - now only one bag left that I bought when I thought I was out
• The last of a forgotten bag of chicken tenders that I don't even remember buying
• I accidentally picked up a jar of Tomato, Onion, & Garlic pasta sauce and there were soooo many onions! I can't stand the texture of onions (I usually puree mine to still get that necessary flavor) so I ended up straining it and using the rest of it up!
• Also at my newjob, I was prepping hundreds of grilled cheese sandwiches and brought home a back of bread heels. I'm going to show my best friends how to make croutons when we do meal prep

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lucky bandit is a for profit blog. I use affiliate links and paid advertisements. I may earn compensation for a click or purchase through a link. Paid (whether via product or monetary) reviews will be noted in the actual post. Though compensation may influence the type of posts, all opinions and reviews will be legitimate and honest.

*All affiliate links will be marked with an asterick.*