Trader Joe's

Crazy Clips for the Win!

July 16th, 2019 by Karen 10 Comments

Question for ya: Have you arrived at that point in life when you don’t care if the world sees the weird things you do to bend your hair to your will? Although I’m not quite the lady at the supermarket with the giant pink curlers in her hair yet (because she don’t give an eff what people say when she’s buying frozen breakfast burritos!), I’m almost there. I’ve taken to wearing these long hair clips when I’m chillin’ at home, or driving in my car, or taking a walk around the neighborhood. I use ’em on wet hair, along with half a pound of flexible hairspray to smooth and flatten out my roots (which are getting progressively more wiry and untamed with each and every new gray hair) as they air dry. El Hub says I look a little crazy, but I’m like, “Hey, man, you gotta do what you’ve gotta do.”

Trader Joe’s alert!

Speaking of the shameless things we do in the name of beauty, I was waiting in line at TJ’s last week when I noticed the woman in front of me had four bottles of this lotion in her cart — and absolutely nothing else. No food, no Joe-Joe’s cookies, NOTHING. Of course, then I asked her to watch my wagon so I could run to the beauty section and grab a bottle of my own.

They’re only $3.99! For a big 16-oz. bottle! I may or may not have done a victory dance in the middle of aisle. 🙂

trader joes midsummer nights cream — A dreamy cream for $3.99

I have lizard lady skin, but a few pumps of this lotion makes my legs look and feel smooth and moisturized without making my skin feel slick or greasy. Even my heels are happy!

trader joes midsummer nights cream ingredients — It’s cruelty-free, too.

Heads up: Even though the label says it’s unscented, I think it smells a little like a kale, spinach and apple green smoothie…which I don’t mind at all.

This is IT

And that wasn’t the only new thing I tried last weekend. I also took this It Cosmetics foundation for a spin.

it cosmetics color correcting full coverage cream tan — I wear the shade called “Tan,” which is the closest to MAC NC42.

The foundations in the It Cosmetics line are famous for doing a little bit of everything and then some, and their CC+ Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream lives up to that multitasking rep. The It crew packed seven products into one tube — a full-coverage foundation, a physical sunscreen with SPF 50, a brightening color corrector, a hydrating anti-aging serum, a pore-less finish primer, a dark-spot concealer and a moisturizing day cream. Plus, a tiny bit goes a long way.

it cosmetics color correcting full coverage cream tan before after — I applied about half a pump and sheered it out with the It Cosmetics No. 22 Brush, which I dampened with MAC Fix+.

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Current Trader Joe’s Obsessions…

January 8th, 2019 by Karen 10 Comments

My meal mantra for this week is “eat your vegetables,” but woman cannot survive on rabbit food alone, so I had to sneak some chocolate and cheese onto this list, ha ha!

Just Beets: These dehydrated beets can kindasorta take the place of chips on my plate when I’m eating a sandwich…

I actually like beets, and I think these taste really good. They’re a little sweet and a little salty. They’re also CRUNCHY and surprisingly filling.
Crispy Crunchy Broccoli Florets: These crunchy fried broccoli florets are dangerously delicious and addictive.
Seasoned Kale Chips Dressed With Cashew butter Tahini: I’m still not all aboard the kale train yet, but I actually don’t mind these gluten-free kale chips.

They’re crispy, which hits the spot sometimes, amirite? And they taste a little cheesy, too.
Oven-Baked Cheese Bites: Mm… Crunchy medallions of cheesy nirvana…

These baked cheesy bits are gluten-free and protein rich, and they have a strong, sharp flavor that tastes like a mix of cheddar and Parmesan to me.

Five or six of ’em, and I’m a happy camper.
Mini Milk Chocolate Bars: There are five individually wrapped bars per box, and the creamy, smooth chocolate melts on your tongue.

I don’t know how they squeezed so much chocolate flavor into these bars, but however they did it, they definitely don’t just taste like sugar and butter. If you like Lindt truffles, you’ll probably like these. They also come in a dark chocolate version, which I haven’t tried yet because dark chocolate tastes like punishment to me.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: Ever since El Hub was diagnosed with Celiac disease last fall, I’ve tried to keep an open mind about gluten-free baking…

I mean, I’ve tried…but to be honest, most gluten-free stuff just depresses me, especially the gluten-free bread, UGH. But some of the gluten-free cookies I’ve tried aren’t half bad, like these.

They’re crispity, crunchity buttery cookies have a very satisfying snap, and the chocolate is droolingly flavorful.
Fresh Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: When you want bougie cheese sticks that taste more special than basic string cheese, these are pretty good. Sometimes I chop a couple of them up with some cherry tomatoes and drizzle balsamic vinegar on top.

Mmm…
Frozen Cheese Pizza with a Cauliflower Crust: This actually tastes like REAL cheese pizza to me! IT’S INCREDIBLE. When I have this, I don’t ever feel like it tastes “less than” flour pizza. Both the cheese they use and the red pizza sauce are so good on their own that I don’t even feel like I have to doctor them up with anything. Bonus: It’s gluten-free!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Found any yummy TJ’s treats lately? Do share. 🙂

Have You Tried the $7 Trader Joe’s Facial Cleansing Oil With Argan & Coconut Oils?

November 29th, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

The Trader Joe’s beauty section should have a big-@ss warning sign above the aisle — something akin to “BEWARE! YOU’RE ENTERING SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT SPENDING TERRITORY!”

That would work, or better yet a huge LCD screen with winged dollar bills floating away, since we’re moving toward a world where we will soon be communicating solely through emojis. ? ? ? ? ?

I’ve always had trouble saying “no” to anything having to do with makeup removal, especially face oils, because what goes on, must come off, so grabbing this facial cleansing oil was a no-brainer. Somehow, TJ’s found a way to make it smell like the most heavenly mix of eucalyptus, lemon verbena and roses, although, from a quick scan of the ingredients, it doesn’t appear to have any of those things in it!

And speaking of the ingredient list, it contains different types of oils, too, not just argan and coconut. I also see sunflower, crambe abyssinica seed (which is new to me) and capyrylic/capric triglyceride.

It doesn’t look like this will replace my beloved DHC Deep Cleansing Oil anytime soon. I mean, it’s fine for removing mellower makeup — basically anything non-waterproof is fine — but it can’t handle heavy-duty, long-wearing stuff on its own. It’s $7 for a 4-oz. bottle, though, so the price is right, and it doesn’t break me out or make my combo skin feel dry, so I’m not too crabby about it not being all that effective on long-wearing makeup. But still…I’m not about to go into hoarder mode for it. I’ll save that for when the Rose Hand Cream comes back!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

9 Rad Reasons to Raid the Trader Joe’s Holiday Gift Section Right Meow

November 21st, 2018 by Karen 12 Comments

trader joes ginger ultra moisturzing hand cream in hand — SO GOOD

It’s that time of year again! — that time when you go into Trader Joe’s intending to only get a loaf of gluten-free sliced bread (El Hub highly recommends the one in the green bag. He says the one in the pink bag tastes like sawdust.) and leave with a cart filled with snacks and holiday gifts “allegedly” for other people, but really they’re just for you.

1. Ginger Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream ($4.99)

trader joes ginger ultra moisturzing hand cream — It took every ounce of my willpower to not put all of these in my basket…

This is SO GOOD. I bought three tubes because #hoarders, and I’m going back for more. It smells exactly like Origins Ginger Souffle Lotion. If you’re unsure about ginger scents, ask someone who works at TJ’s if they can open a tube so you can test it out first! That’s what I did, and the sales clerk mentioned that he ended up getting one for himself, each of his aunties, his sisters and his mom.

Good man!

2. Lip Treatment Duo ($3.99)

trader joes lip treatment duo — Be gone, dry lips!

A lady I was chatting up in the beauty section said that she bought this duo last year, and she 100% recommended it if you have dry lips.

3. Gingerbread Scented Candle ($3.99)

trader joes gingerbread scented candle in hand — Smells good enough to eat (but you shouldn’t because it’s just a candle)

Another recommendation from my homegirl in the beauty section. It smells just like a gingersnap!

trader joes gingerbread scented candle — What a steal!

4. Macaron Soap ($4.99)

trader joes macaron soap in hand — Looks good enough to eat? (But you shouldn’t because it’s soap.)

How cute are these little soaps? You might have to tell anyone who uses your bathroom not to eat them though!

trader joes macaron soap — An affordable stocking-stuffer

5. Face Mask Trio ($6.99)

trader joes face mask trio — Different masks for different needs

I’m so intrigued by the Rose Gel Mask! Pro tip/hack: If you see something in a gift set that you wanna keep for yourself, just break up the set and give away the things you don’t want as stocking-stuffers. 😉

6. Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio ($7.99)

trader joes exfoliating body scrub trio — Scrub-a-dub-dub

I have a full-sized exfoliating body scrub from TJ’s that I love, and I bet these minis in different scents are just as great.

7. Handwoven Recycled Newspaper Baskets ($5.99)

trader joes recycled newspaper baskets — Snazzy organizers

Each basket looks different, and they feel sturdy, too.

trader joes recycled newspaper baskets top — Pretty spacious

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Scrub-a-dub-LOVE! I’m Sweet on Trader Joe’s Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub

October 3rd, 2018 by Karen 11 Comments

My friend Jen and I joke that the best thing about fall and winter is that you can stop shaving. It’s one less task to do in the shower, and the velvety coat of fur serves a dual purpose by keeping you warm, ha ha!

Be that as it may, just because I take a week (or two) off from shaving every once in a while when it’s chilly doesn’t mean I neglect my skin situation entirely. I’m still deeply serious about exfoliation, and Trader Joe’s Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub makes the experience infinitely more glam.

Babes, this sugar scrub is so rich, so creamy and so moisturizing that you might be tempted to skip your daily dose of lotion. AND THE SCENT? One whiff of this tangy ginger and grapefruit will instantly teleport you to a five-star Hawaiian hotel and spa.

I can’t believe this huge 8-oz. tube is only $5.99, because it’s just as good as Origins’ $32 Ginger Body Scrub. Stock up while you can, because I’m pretty sure it’s limited edition.

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Trader Joe’s Hack! A Waldorf-y Tuna Salad With Their Mediterranean Style Salad Kit (5-Minute Meal)

June 19th, 2018 by Karen 3 Comments

trader joes hacks waldorf tuna salad — Got 5 minutes and a rumbly tummy?

Had this for lunch today for, oh, I dunno…the second time this week! 🙂 It’s savory, sweet, flavorful, fast, and there’s hardly any chopping involved. It’s my healthy twist on a Waldorf salad, which usually has apple, grapes and mayo. And sometimes chicken.

I usually eat the whole thing in one sitting, but it could serve two as a side salad.

How do I make it?

I’m glad you asked! 🙂

I start with a bag of Trader Joe’s Organic Mediterranean Style Salad (you might remember it from this gnocchi hack), then I set aside the red wine vinaigrette, and add half the greens to a bowl, along with the other accouterments it comes with — the roasted chickpeas, flatbread, dried tomatoes and feta cheese.

(Bag up the rest of the greens, and save for another meal.)

After that, I wash and dry some grapes and cut them in half. Or, sometimes I’ll just leave them whole when I feel super lazy/hungry. Totally up to you!

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Trader Joe’s Hack! Cauliflower Gnocchi with Basil and Parmesan, and Mediterranean Style Salad with Crunchy Ranch Chickpeas and Corn (A 20-Minute Meal)

June 1st, 2018 by Karen 15 Comments

trader joes cauliflower gnocchi top — A yummy vegetarian meal, ready in less than 20 minutes, thanks to Trader Joe’s!

I mean, you could tear into bags of these pre-made yums from Trader Joe’s and devour them as they are, but why do that when it’s so easy to make ’em even better?

For the record, I love hacking TJ’s products and making them my own. I did it this week to make a delicious veggie meal. I made cauliflower gnocchi with Parmesan and basil, then added it to a salad with crunchy ranch-flavored chickpeas and corn, all using stuff from TJ’s.

It was really easy, too. I started making it right as El Hub took Connor out to play, and it was completely done and plated when they got back 30 minutes later. All we had to do was sit down and eat.

I loved it, El Hub loved it, and the baby loved it, too. She gobbled down every last bite.

If you want to give it a try, you’ll need a few things…

The Trader Joe’s Organic Mediterranean Style Salad Kit, which you can get in the bagged salad section
Cauliflower Gnocchi, which is in the frozen foods section
Also, not pictured here, Trader Joe’s Ranch Seasoned Crispy Chickpeas (you’ll find them by the chips)
Grated Parmesan
Basil
Olive oil
Butter
Corn! (Can’t forget the corn.)

trader joes cauliflower gnocchi and mediterranean style salad kit — Start here!

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IT’S BACK, BABY! Trader Joe’s Rose Oil Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream Is Back!

May 8th, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

trader-joes-rose oil hand cream on shelf — Time to stockpile!

When it comes to rumors, generally I take the advice I got from Timex Social Club when I was in sixth grade.

I choose to ignore them.

Started by the jealous people…

BUUUUUT when a friend told me that she asked a clerk who told her that TJ’s famous Rose Oil Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream (which sold out at our store in, like, two seconds) would be back in time for Mother’s Day, I told myself that it was probably just a rumor started by a bored TJ’s employee who messes with the hearts and minds of skin care enthusiasts.

Still, I always checked the shelf in the beauty aisle, just in case, hoping and against hope that I’d see my beloved hand cream again.

Lo and behold, I did! It’s baaaaaaack! ?

If I’d had a portable fainting couch with me, I would’ve whipped it it out in the store.

I grabbed two boxes like I was grabbing bottled water for the apocalypse, and yet I’m already kicking myself for not getting more.

I’m serious, this cream is the only thing keeping my hands from going full-on T. rex ? claw. Look for it every time you go to TJ’s. It’s marvelous!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen