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I look forward to spa days like kids look forward to Christmas. 🙂 A few weeks ago I spent an afternoon at SF’s Bliss spa, and I’m already aching to go back.

It’s too bad spa visits cost as much as they do, right? But if they were something I could do every day, then I guess they wouldn’t feel special.

It may be a while before I make it back to Bliss… Until then, I’ll just get my fix at home with Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub ($36).

Invigorating scent and gentle exfoliation

It’s a wonder how much this stuff smells like freshly peeled oranges. It’s uncanny!

The exfoliating sugar granules create just enough friction to remove dirt and rough patches on my skin without hurting or scratching at all, and unlike salt scrub exfoliators, which can sting any abrasions or scratches I might have (ala shaving nicks or cat scratches; Tabs calls them lovies), the sugar granules in Bliss Blood Orange feel divine.

A cleanser, too

After about a minute of rubbing, the paste builds into a rich, foamy lather (like a body wash) that’s easy to rinse off and leaves behind touchably soft, clean skin.

More affordable than a day at the spa

I won’t pretend that scrubbing myself down in my tiny shower at home rises to the level of a professional exfoliating sesh at Bliss, but considering the cost differential … it runs a close second. 🙂

At $36, a 12-oz jar of Bliss Blood Orange is kinda expensive, but I’m guessing it’s big enough to last a couple months if used twice a week.

Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub

Price: $36 for a 12-oz jar
Use: An orange-scented exfoliating sugar scrub and cleanser
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

You might like Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub if…

• you like citrusy body products,
• you’re looking for a scrub/cleanser combo,
• you’re dying for a trip to a spa but don’t want to pay too much.

Drugstore alternative

Looking for a less expensive option? Consider St. Ives Moisturizing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish ($8).

Home decor doofus

Since it looks like we may be moving next month, I’ve started to think about colors to paint the new walls.

I know I want something soothing, but it doesn’t help that I have absolutely no home decorating skills, LOL! I can look at a catalogue and figure out what I think is pretty, but I get lost translating the pictures to home decor in real life.

I’m thinking paint because I know it’s relatively easy to change…

Have you ever painted a wall at home before? How’d it go?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Packaging junkies — pretty bottle alert! I’m loving this elegant glass bottle of Sweet Fig & Argan Body Lotion ($15) from the new True Blue Morocco collection by Bath and Body Works.

Looks expensive

The heavy glass comes embossed with a dainty diamond pattern at the bottom, and the colorful but minimalist label looks nothing like typical Bath and Body Works hearts/flowers/rainbows/puppies packaging fare. It totes looks like something I’d find in Neiman’s or Barney’s instead.

I’m thinking it has hostess or housewarming gift written all over it. 🙂

Highly moisturizing

The lotion itself works great. My dry skin needs real deal moisturization, and Sweet Fig Lotion delivers the goods. Bath and Body Works added hydrating ingredients like shea butter, argan oil (an oil rich in Vitamin E) and green tea (for the antioxidants) into the mix. The resulting lotion moisturizes like a rich body butter.

A warm, fall scent

To me, Sweet Fig Lotion smells like a mix of white musk, cinnamon and clove. It’s warm and comforting, like a cashmere cable-knit sweater or a cup of hot apple cider — more like a fall scent than a typical summer fragrance.
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