Monday, July 19, 2010

Beauty Review: Yes to Cucumbers Natural Glow Facial Towelettes

 

I was browsing Target the other day when I came across Yes to Cucumbers' handy facial towelettes. During the hot, icky summer I love keeping towelettes around for a quick and refreshing pick me up or for when I'm feeling particularly lazy (which is often). Plus, I've been in love with Yes to Cucumbers' products ever since I received their facial cleanser and moisturizer from some awesome friends for my last birthday.

Made with organic cucumber, green tea, aloe vera, and Dead Sea minerals, these facial wipes are 98.7% natural, biodegradable and FSC Certified (eco-friendly), dermatologically and opthalmologically tested (making them ideal for sensitive skin and eyes), oil-free and noncomedogenic (won't block pores), hypoallergenic and most important of all, cruelty-free and don't contain any animal ingredients! I know the whole "natural" claim doesn't mean much, but I do like the fact that they are so green, completely cruelty-free and perfect for sensitive skin.

Besides its beneficial and "green" ingredients, the first thing I noticed when I opened the resealable package was the fresh smell! Thank goodness this isn't another chemical-drenched facial cleanser. In fact, it smells something like fresh cut grass before a hot summer day...in other words, delicious!

Not only do they have a crisp scent but these towelettes do triple duty as an exfoliant, detoxifyer and rejuvenater all wrapped up in one on-the-go wipe! How do these wipes hold up against a full face of makeup, though? I've had problems with other facial towelettes not removing all my makeup (all that black eyeliner can be pesky to get off) but surprisingly I found that just one of the Yes to Cucumbers towelettes will remove all my foundation, eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara! Not only did it leave my face super clean, but also left it super soft, not to mention refreshed!

The only con with this product is that one package of towelettes will set you back roughly $5.99. A bit pricey for a pack of 30 wipes which lasts a few weeks to a month, depending on how often you use them (I usually use one once a day, so they last me about a month). However, it has so many pros that put it head and shoulders above any other facial towelette cleanser that I don't mind the splurge! Plus, I love supporting a company that is against animal testing and places importance on good-for-you natural ingredients while rejecting nasty and harsh chemicals that are added to other facial cleansers.

If you are looking for a rejuvenating facial cleanser from a company that actually cares about the environment and the quality of ingredients that end up on your skin, all in the convenience of a facial towelette, look no further than Yes to Cucumbers Natural Glow Facial Towelettes! 

Check 'em out...they are available from Amazon!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Film Review: Witchouse (1999)


Full Moon Pictures’ films are always hit and miss (mostly miss, at least for me), so I had pretty low expectations for Witchouse. Like most Full Moon Pictures’ movies, it is low-budget, has no-name actors (except for Ariauna Albright and an ex-Red Power Ranger!) and has a plot that sounds ripped off from Night of the Demons. However, I adore Night of the Demons, so I can’t deny that there was a part of me really hoping that Witchouse was a hidden horror gem.

Film Review: Maniacts (2001)


What an odd little film! I’d never really heard of Maniacts before, but happened upon it while browsing Netflix. Starring genre regular Jeff Fahey and recognizable actress Kellie Waymire, Maniacts is a weird mix of drama, romance, comedy and horror. It certainly doesn’t always work because of its slow pace and lackluster atmosphere, but it is undeniably original.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Spicy Tofu Tacos

My boyfriend made the yummiest spicy tofu tacos the other night and I just couldn't wait to share the recipe with you all!

Doesn't this just make you salivate:

The picture doesn't really do it justice!

Ingredients:
1 package extra firm tofu
1 small can Mexican hot style tomato sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 white onion, diced
1 green jalapeño, chopped
1/2 cup cooked black beans

Drain tofu and press it for a few hours. We usually wrap drained tofu in paper towels, place it on a plate and stack a heavy bookend on it to expel as much water as possible out of it.

When you are done pressing the tofu, crumble it into chunks and marinate it in the hot tomato sauce for as long as possible (up to 24 hours) to give the tofu a chance to absorb all the flavors.

 We use El Pato Mexican Hot Style Tomato Sauce
Bonus: It's only about 50 cents a can!

Heat the olive oil in a pan, then lightly saute the diced onion and chopped up jalapeño until slightly cooked (do not brown). Toss in black beans and tofu, including any leftover marinade; cook until heated through, about 8 - 10 minutes.

Serve on a bed of romaine lettuce on corn tortillas and top with fresh tomatoes and salsa or hot sauce, if desired.

Gratuitous close up:



Film Review: Uncle Sam (1997)


When it comes to 4th of July, horror fiends pretty much only have one genre film to watch – Uncle Sam. I admit I am a little obsessed with horror films set during holidays, but for some reason I had never seen Uncle Sam. Once July rolls around the movie I usually watch is Jaws (which is only incidentally related to Independence Day), but this year I was determined to watch Uncle Sam…even if I got to it AFTER the 4th had already passed!

Book Review: Pay Phone by Brandon Ford


Film Review: Red Mist (2008)


After loving Paddy Breathnach’s hallucinogenic and freaky Shrooms, I was excited to check out Red Mist, another film from the Irish director. In Shrooms, Breathnach combined many different horror tropes to create a very inventive and visually stylish film, something I hoped would be replicated in Red Mist. Breathnach does use familiar horror scenarios in Mist, but they are so cliché that the film is just a bore to sit through.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Celebrate Women in Horror with Viscera and Bleedfest Film Festivals This Weekend

If you are in LA, do yourself a favor and check out these two awesome film festivals focused on women in horror!


On Saturday, July 17th, 2010 you've got the first annual Viscera Film Festival (first reported HERE). Viscera has been celebrating women in horror for years (check out our reviews of their short film selections HERE and HERE), but this is the first time they are holding a physical film festival. The festival will be held at the Downtown Independent located at 251 South Main Street, Los Angeles, California starting at 4 PM with a Bloody Carpet Event followed by six hours of horror films by women, including Q & A's with special guests and an awards ceremony. Following the festival will be a KILLER afterparty where you can mingle (and mangle) with the hosts, special guests and fans. You won't want to miss it!!

This year's Viscera Film Festival is being hosted by The Chainsaw Mafia's Shannon Lark (interview) and Pretty-Scary.com's Heidi Martinuzzi (interview). Among the attendees are many women in horror that we interviewed for our amazing Women in Horror Month!

Tickets are only $15 and available now online. Show support for the event by joining Viscera’s Facebook page, making a donation, and purchasing the newly released 2008-2009 Viscera DVD.

The second film fest in honor of women is Bleedfest, hosted by indie filmmaker Lis Fies (interview), director of The Commune (review). Bleedfest is scheduled for Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at the Two Roads Theatre located at 4348 Tujunga Avenue in Studio City, California and will boast three feature-length films from women as well as short films and Q & A's with the filmmakers!


See the schedule below:

Noon-5:30pm

$10 for all day admission. There will be DVD giveaways as well as opportunities to buy the filmmakers' movies.

12 pm In Memorium
1:20 pm Jenine Mayring's short Simone
1:30 Q&A with Mayring
1:45 The Soskas' Dead Hooker in a Trunk (review)
3:15 Q&A with The Soskas
3:45 Lis Fies' The Commune (review)
5:15 Q&A with Fies
5:30 Mingle (and mangle) with fans and filmmakers over drinks and dinner next door at Aroma!

If you are in the Southern California area, you really don't want to miss either of these great film festivals celebrating the talents of the biggest and brightest women filmmakers!

For more information visit Viscera Film Festival's official site and Bleedfest's Facebook page!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Tonight's Viewing: The Devil's Backbone (2001)

I love this movie...


This scene gets me every time:

*Shivers*

Buy it on Amazon!

Michael's Now Stocking Halloween Items!

Michael's, the fun-tabulous arts and crafts store I lurvvvv, has started stocking their Halloween stuff!!

Whoooo!!

Now, they only had a few things, but I was beyond giddy when I saw the Halloween stuff up! I can't wait until they get more in, but for now check out the pics I took:

Ghostly Greetings!

Eek-a-boo!

Grim grinning glitter skulls

An awesome wall cling that says "Be Afraid"!

Going batty!

Halloween beginnings!
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