Advent Blog: Bells, High Beam, and a Snowman

Christmas Quote

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
'There is no peace on earth,' I said;
'For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
'God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!'" ~by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Christmas Song

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK8xB1opuQ8

Benefit Countdown to Love Advent Calendar

Day 8: High Beam Highlighter

I had dupes of High Beam, I wanted to compare. The left one is Elf Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal, the middle is High Beam, and the right is Boots No.7 High Lights Illuminating Lotion. I don't know why they call the Elf one Lilac Petal because it isn't lilac at all. From the bottles High Beam and High Lights look similar.

This is a swatch on my hand. In person the Elf one looks more golden, High Beam is more peach, and High Lights is more pink.

When I really blend it out, I find that the Elf and the Boots ones are shinier than the High Beam one. I like that the High Beam is more subtle. The Elf one is very watery. I had to squeeze out some water before it would swatch on my hand. The Boots one is a lotion, so it feels that way on the skin. I don't think these are dupes of High Beam, but they are still good, affordable highlighters.

Review: I am wearing the highlight today and it is so pretty. It gives a very subtle glow. I love it! This is the best highlighter I have ever used!

Lush's Snowman Bath Bomb

I think this guy is cute. I watched a video where the girls joked about what that circular thing was at the bottom. It's a button! Get your mind out of the gutter! Here is how Lush describes him, "Our year round best-selling Bath Bomb, Butterball, has been transformed into a dashing Snowman with a festive red scarf and a delicate carrot nose - just for the holidays! We know luxuriously long soaks in hot baths are a favorite winter pastime, but they can leave skin feeling a little dry. Snowman's generous helping of cocoa butter ensures skin stays soft and hydrated, regardless of how long you spend soaking. The comforting, blissful vanilla aroma lingers softly on the skin long after the bath. Snowman's carrot nose is actually a tiny Bubble Bar!" I'm excited to try this because I love vanilla.

Review: When I first put this in the bath the water turned bright red! It faded to a pink. I think it smelled good, but not like vanilla. I don't know what the smell is. It left my skin feeling soft and moisturized. After all these baths I haven't needed to put lotion on! They are so moisturizing. I didn't notice the carrot nose do anything, but sink to the bottom.

I love that poem by Longfellow. It gave me chills when I heard Casting Crowns singing it on the radio. I hope you like it too.