Does Packaging Really Matter?

This past week I put myself to shame. My "T" on the Myers Briggs personality test failed me, and was trumped by my cultural up bringing. I was in need of a product, something that is consumed, but that I only need to buy about once a year. As I strolled down the cosmetic isles at my local Target in search of my newest buy a million questions started buzzing through my head. What is the best brand? What color should I get? Which one is the best 'bang for my buck'? I have known that, as with most products, it is important to purchase products that will be used together by the same company. This could be shampoo/conditioner, face washes and moisturizer, etc. The companies design their products to work together so their chemical compounds do not have cross effects when combined. In the past I had mostly purchased Cover Girl, but I had a foundation I really liked from Maybeline and mascara from Neutrogena. See all over the board. I have decided to go for a mineral powder this time, and was considering going for something a little higher quality. So in my search I wasn't just looking for a new foundation, but rather the brand I would dedicate my shopping to for the indefinite future. The best thing they carry that I know of is Physicians Formula. I've heard good things about this company, and was pleased to find out they carry organic make-up. I'm and environmental science major, which DOES NOT mean I'm an organic freak, but the prospect that they were attempting to make a healthful, quality product was encouraging to me. I guess they are the first to have organic mascara, and the packaging is recyclable. I proceeded to look at the product and decided I didn't like the design of the container in which it was packaged (What??). So proceeded to buy a mineral powder foundation from an equally expensive (The physicians formula had a coupon bringing it down $2 from the $11 it normally was), lower quality company which had "cuter" packaging more like what I wanted. After getting to the car I realized my complete stupidity. Not only did I fall victim to the world of marketing and advertising (something I fight against succumbing to) I had also purchased a products of lesser quantity. Yep that’s right. Shameful isn't it. If you know me at all I'm a picky shopper to the max. I look at the nutrition facts to weight health benefits between two comparable products, then I look at the price....not overall, but per oz, per lb, whatever it may be. I don't always go with the 'cheapest' because I believe in quality over quantity, but I still take everything into account. So for me this was a terribly off character decision, so off that I traveled to a different Target (one closer to my school) and returned the stupid thing less than 30 minutes later, and bought the better quality, more for your money product. It turned out that the coupon at the second Target was better than the first and I got an $11 product for only $6. In make-up world that is a good deal!

The Molecule Song

I ain't acetelyne, hydrogen B-Y
I ain't settling for just getting by
I've had an isotope for every half-life
I've had enough so so for the rest of my life
Valence electrons so low, but shoot 'em up high
Tired of shooting too low, so raise the bar high
With a photon and I'll make light
Just not giving up this time
I ain't settling for anything less than chemistry
I ain't settling for anything less than everything

The Molecule Song by Natalie Bell
Settlin' by Sugarland

Outdoor Decorations

I didn't actually do this, but it was a cute forward I got from my cousin:

Well, there is good news and bad news about my Christmas decorations this year

Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories. But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.

Kind of feel like I gave in to the man by taking him down but my neighbor did confirm to near miss accidents on the busy street next to my house. I think I made him too real this time

So it was fun while it lasted

Christmas to My Ears

Below are links to my favorite Christmas Songs

- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Mannheim Steamroller.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhc2DSsDhG0

-Winter Wonderland by Jason Mraz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHTE_QQOct8

Chistmas Time is Near

Last night my wonderful roommate and I made a Target run to pick up some decorations and gifts to really get us into the holiday spirit. Although no snow is falling, I'm beginning to slowly get into the Christmas spirit. We now have lights and a tree with a paper angel made by yours truly. Mostly mismatched ornaments, cheap red bows, and colored globes. We're college students, what do you expect? We now have 3 stockings hung near the TV (we don't have a fireplace or chimney-I supposed we could pretend with the range hood). Katie and I found perfect gifts to stuff in them, and much to Alexas anticipation we have not yet told her what they are. Currently I am listening to Christmas music, and remeniscing at the small flakes that were blowing overhead last night when Katie and I walked through the parking lot with our bags full of treasure.