Is bkr really the best?

Okay. Let’s talk about water bottles.

I have this issue where I am the actual worst at drinking water. I’ve been trying really hard to fix this over the past year and it’s a work in progress. Props to me for having a giant cup of water next to me while writing this, mainly to boost my credibility, but hydration is hydration, amiright?

I’ve gone through a variety of kinds of bottles in the past year and none of them seem to last all that long. To spare the gross details, do you know how many random ways there are for water bottles to grow mold? Like….there are a lot and once that happens, some of the bottles can be incredibly hard to clean. I’ve done the metal bottles, plastic, BPA-free (I don’t know what this means, but I assume it means I’m not killing the environment/getting cancer/harming kittens and I’m for it).

So getting my FabFitFun box with a bkr water bottle in it approximately the same time that I had lost faith in infusing water bottles (started so great, ended so horribly) seemed like the Lord shining down and saying, “Here, my child. Drink more water.” It was glass with a silicone sleeve and overall, really, really cute. Awesome.

But then there was the packaging. Guys, I didn’t know that a water bottle could brag so much. This little tag touted how the bottle was magical and wonderful and would cure world hunger. (Maybe I embellished that last part a little.) But even a quick cursory glance of the FAQ’s on bkr’s website touts luxury and indulgence. It describes the water bottle as similar to one’s favorite t-shirt. bkr brags that it’s a beloved staple of a-list celebrities and made an appearance at fashion week. And the price point reflects this, starting at $28 for the “Teeny” 250 ml water bottle (just a standard color, no special designs or anything) up to $55 for a fancy “Big” 1L water bottle with a fancy silicone spiked sleeve.

All of this made me roll my eyes into the sun.

“It’s a freaking water bottle!” I snapped to all of my friends as I unboxed it. “It is the most conceited water bottle I’ve ever opened!”

I was so ready to mock this water bottle and, with full transparency, I did. Oh, I had so much fun mocking this water bottle. The plan was to use this water bottle for a week to debunk this fantastic water bottle and then move along with my life, just using this water bottle until it inevitably molded and I bought a new one.

Well….it didn’t work out that way.

I got the bottle in May and I’m still using it. And…surprisingly enough….I don’t hate it.

When I started this off, my friends knew about my week-long test run.

“How’s it going?” I would inevitably be asked. “Is it great?”

“It’s a water bottle.” I would retort with a roll of my eyes.

The features of the water bottle give me a lot of mixed feelings. The bottle is glass with a silicone sleeve and a solid plastic bottle. It has a loop at the top that is tilted but solid. This would work, I imagine, if you’re of the outdoorsy hiking persuasion. It won’t swing back and forth. Mine is a 500 ML (“Little”) and fits perfectly into the cupholders at the gym, which is nice. It has a screw top, so no fancy straws, slits to drink from, or anything like that. Imagine you’re drinking from your standard Dasani/Aquafina/Joe’s Grocery Store brand plastic bottled water, but it’s glass and doesn’t kill baby seals and you have to fill it yourself.

This is nice because you don’t have to go through a two week tutorial for how to use this fancy water bottle, but it does have its drawbacks. If you have a standard ice machine at work, good luck getting ice in the bottle. I have endured so much ridicule for the sake of a good crushed ice cube population in this bottle because I have to push the lever and scoop it in. It’s annoying and I suspect that my hand may fall off if I subject it to frostbite for much longer. bkr understands this trial and has offered you a lovely and super-affordable $16 set of two ice tube trays so that you can put them in your bottles. (Pro-Tip: Ikea has comparable ice tube trays for $1 a pop and they’re frozen liquid magic. If you don't have an Ikea, Amazon has a two-pack for $7.39. You’re welcome.)

The silicone sleeve is meant to serve two purposes as I understand it. First off, it insulates the bottle, keeping your cold water cold. I assume it might work for hot water too but why would you do that to yourself? The other is to act as a shock absorbent buffer for the glass bottle, making sure that klutzy users don’t break it. This is the part that I was highly skeptical about, but I’m stunned. I have dropped this bottle a few (several) times and so far, so good. I’m legitimately impressed with that.

And then there’s the fact that the bottle is glass and sustainable. It’s been easy to keep clean (but it that’s a struggle, keep in mind that bkr understands this trial and has crafted a super convenient and affordable $8 perfect bottle brush, that is absolutely not a glorified pipe cleaner brush) and I haven’t had any issues with it that I’ve had with previous bottles. No mold. No nastiness. No weird taste from materials used. I mock bkr heavily, but they’ve crafted a solid product and that deserves to be recognized.

Now, would I drop that much money on one? $28 for an aptly named “teeny” bottle? Oh heck no. That’s just nonsense.

But the perk about these bottles being trendy is that if you’re affiliated with any kind of subscription service, you’re likely to have some way to get your hands on one, heavily discounted, either currently or in the near future. Like I mentioned, I got mine through FabFitFun and this week, ipsy has a promotion for a Teeny and a Little bundle package for $25 and that’s absolutely worth it. I might have bought the package because it was a good deal for a good product. If you have the means to get one through a subscription service, definitely scoop that up, but if not, maybe wait until there are discounted dupes or see if there’s a sale going on at some point so that you’re not paying a giant branding premium on them.

So basically, bkr is good if you want to hob-nob and pretend like you’re an a-list, water drinking celebrity, want a sustainable product and don’t mind paying a premium, or if you want to make a lot of jokes about something you own.

The Great ColourPop Experiment

Last year, I discovered the magic that was Kat Von D's Everlasting Liquid Lipstick and my life was changed. It happened, like most things in my life, because of Broadway. I found out that Jasmine Cephas Jones used "Outlaw" for her role as Maria Reynolds in Hamilton and immediately had to acquire this magic because I had been dying over it for MONTHS. 

(Related: If anyone knows what lip shade/brand Jessie Mueller was wearing for her Waitress performance in the Tonys last year, PLEASE FIND ME BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW AND THE INTERNET HASN'T HELPED ME YET.)

Anyway, so yes, Outlaw became my signature red (and I LIVE for red lipstick). The only thing I don't love about it is that it isn't really everlasting; I can't drink when I'm wearing it and it gets all over everything and the fact that it's decently drying. What a bummer. 

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when ColourPop had a sale where their lip products were $4 each. I had inherited a few Lippie Sticks from them when one of my friends ridded out her makeup stash (shout-out to Emily for the endless supply of products that I will forever receive with gladness) and I liked the feel and the shades that they had, so I was totally down to spend $4 on a few good shades. 

I got a pink, a red (more on this later), a black (WHICH I HAD NEEDED AND I LOVE SO MUCH), and a primer. 

I wasn't in the habit of using lip primer, but let me tell you, it was simply magic. I tried it along with one of my new lip paints and was amazed at the staying power. My lipstick did not budge and did not dry. And it was MATTE. Glorious. 

This prompted an experiment. 

What if I tried the primer with my Kat Von D? Would it work? There was only one way to find out. 

So I went about my day and if you think that lipstick is going to keep me from eating tasty things, you are out of your mind. It was a normal day. I ate lunch per usual, drank coffee, and drank water. I didn't have high expectations, but I did a couple check-ins with a mirror front-facing selfie cam throughout the day and was surprisingly okay. 

The end of day test was amazing. 

There was fading on the inside of my lips, but the outside looked fine. A little duller, but still true to color. The dryness was still there, but it was more manageable. There was a moisture barrier if you will. I didn't feel like I could literally reach up and peel off the lipstick. 

It was great. 

The primer's become a daily staple and I'm super pleased with it. It works better with some lipsticks and paints than others, but overall, I like it. 

As an added bonus, I did a swatch test with the red lip color. In the picture below, the top swatch is ColourPop and the bottom is Kat Von D. They're almost exact duplicates with a $16 price difference. I am sold. 

So yes. ColourPop. They always have sales. Their colors are on point. And their primer is literally magic. What else could you want for $4?

Function of Beauty

 I have this terrible habit of being the exact person that Facebook ads target. I am the person who ignores the fact that people specifically have set algorithms that are meant to get to you and instead goes, "OOOOOOOOH! *purchase*" 

As such, Function of Beauty popped up in my newsfeed a number of times and I just went with it for a while, trying to resist. Finally, I decided to click on the website and was ushered into a haircare wonderland. So many options. It was like a Myers-Briggs test for your follicles. I didn't know that there were so many things that your hair could be. But then I looked at the price tag and cringed. $40+ for shampoo?! Are you kidding me? I am ON A BUDGET, people! I'm not maaaaaade of money. I have bills to pay, things to do, a cat to raise. No thank you. Unless each strand of hair is going to be caressed and massaged by Baby Jesus himself, I'll pass and go back to splurging on my $5 Aussie shampoo/conditioner duo, thankyouverymuch. 

Around tax time, I caved. I found a coupon code (they're EVERYWHERE, if you decide you want to try it; I even have a referral code at the end of this article if you decide that you're convinced...soooooo....) and went for it. I ordered the smallest shampoo and conditioner (8 oz each) so that if it ended up not being everything I dreamed of, I wasn't saddled with tons of unusable customized shampoo. Now, granted, they offer free returns in the first 30 days, but I didn't know this at the time. The whole customization, creation, and shipping process took about 10 days from order to door. 

I'm a sucker for good packaging and the unboxing for my first shipment was a wonderful experience. The box is so cute and everything is so uniform with the pumps for the shampoo and conditioner hidden underneath the cardboard. This maybe isn't a selling point to everyone but PEOPLE, I WAS IMPRESSED. 

The nice thing about dropping a large sum of money on shampoo is that Function of Beauty does take steps to make sure that you're getting the most out of it. They give you an individualized process to use based on the goals that you've chosen. A note about the goals because I just realized that I kind of glazed right over that- when you first place your order, you fill out a hair profile, choosing three attributes that describe your hair's chemistry (type, structure, and moisture) and then choosing up to five goals that you want to achieve or things that you want to improve about your hair. Everyone's goals will be a little different, but here's about what I was working with. 

My hair is fine, oily, with heavy natural wave. My goals were:

• Oil Control: My hair gets super disgusting because of the natural oils. I've always had hair that can't go more than two days between washes (and two only if I'm REALLY brave) and that is resistant to dry shampoo. It just makes my hair a more stringy grease pit, to be honest. 
• Lengthen: I trim my hair, but keep a decent length on it and I really like having long hair as long as it looks healthy. Allow me to elaborate on this: The first time I got my hair cut, I was 26 (okay, so I'm 26 now, but this was in October and I'm thinking of posterity) and had FIVE INCHES OF SPLIT/DEAD ENDS and ended up with healthier looking hair that was about three inches below my shoulder blades. 
• Anti-Frizz: Humidity is to my hair as spinach is to Popeye. See also, "being exposed to the elements without product" and "cotton-ball like shape and texture". 
• Nourish Roots: This is super boring and basically just ties back to the lengthen goal and the fact that I don't want my super thin hair to fall out. 
• Heat Damage: I am the worst with hot tools. Hot sticks, curling wands, blow dryers, and flat irons are a part of my daily routine. Any stylist that I've gone to has expressed horror at my terribly heat damaged hair. 

So my suggested routine was pretty simple and straightforward, but a direct contrast from what I had been doing. Wash and deep scrub hair & rinse. Apply conditioner & let set 1-2 minutes before cold rinsing. Wash again & rinse. Done. 

The change was immediate. 

After 2 days of the new shampoo & routine. No product.

About a week of the new shampoo and routine with no product

My hair wasn't as puffy. I wasn't using TONS of product anymore and my hair was looking calmer despite this. I was an instant convert. But was my deep love going to last?

Fast forward to my first reorder process about three weeks ago. I had made a few observations. 

• I was definitely going to need more shampoo than conditioner (but what else is new), so this was adjusted. 
• I ran out a few days before my new order arrived and used some leftover Aussie that I still had from when I stocked up pre-new shampoo. It wasn't the same. My hair puffed up. It wasn't as smooth and was much less manageable. I wasn't a fan. 

And then some other observations. 

• I got my hair cut about a week ago and the stylist said nothing about my heat damage. I hadn't changed anything about my heating tools except for maybe less flat ironing, more curling wand....ing. 
• I also only had about two inches of dead ends after going six months between full cuts. Furthermore, she took off five inches and I still have hair that is below the mid-back point. It's insane. 

That being said, don't be mislead. It's shampoo and conditioner. Not a magic potion. If you don't take care of your hair, you still will face the consequences. See below where I let my hair air dry without brushing it and I know so much better than that. And THEN, after it was dried, I decided to brush through it. WHAT A FOOL I WAS. And full disclosure, even tough I don't use smoothing creams, gel, or mousse and maybe only use a fraction of the hairspray that I used to, I still do apply a healthy spritz of sea salt spray after washing my hair and before I brush through it (my nightly routine).  This is more to coax our my waves than anything and, again, is just preference. I also use a thermal protectant every one in a while if I'm using heat several times per week so as not to tempt the fates. 

In summary, I'm a huge fan and convert. I am 100% in love with the effects that it's had on my hair and would recommend it to pretty much anyone who asks (and some that don't). 

My referral link is here for $5 off. (Full disclosure: I get a discount too, sooooo...)

Go forth and tame your hair, people. You're welcome. 

Ja-Vie? More like JAAAAAAAS-vie!

A quick note before we begin: In the interest of full transparency, I want you all to know that Ja-vie was gracious enough to provide me with a pair of their shoes in exchange for an honest review. I am not receiving any other payment, but I did receive a gold and glittery pair of their shoes free of charge. All that being said, I would never lie to any of you or try to promote something that I didn't absolutely love. The review below is 100% truthful. Thank you, Ja-vie, for the opportunity to work with your team! 

Our story begins on the fateful day that I lost my black Tiek.

That's right. My black Tiek. My precious cinnamon roll of a shoe that I reviewed here several months ago before I decided to get full of myself and start an actual review blog. I was absolutely devastated for a few reasons. First of all, those shoes are dang expensive. Second, why did it have to be my black Tiek? Not that I want to lose any of them, but really?! Why couldn't it be the less practical green ones? And third, those shoes are dang expensive.

I was distraught and in need of a solution. I was bridesmaiding in December and needed black flats because if the bride's not wearing heels (I sold her on Tieks. Holla!) then I am CERTAINLY not wearing heels but my feet suck and I can't go back to wearing $5 Wal-Mart flats but I can't afford more Tieks so what the heck am I going to do?

Enter Ja-vie.

I heard about Ja-vie because their marketing team is absolutely genius. I had posted my excessive number of Instagram posts about my shoes (sorry not sorry) and every time a Tieks-tagged photo was posted, Ja-vie would show up in my likes. I investigated very briefly before ultimately forgetting them until my moment of desperation. But when the clouds parted and I found their site again, I was intrigued and amazed by what I found.

The story of how Ja-vie started is adorable in and of itself and you can read the whole thing on their site. The summary goes like this- the shoes were created by high-school sweethearts after their first child was born. The delivery caused some issues with Natalie, one of the creators, walking and being in extreme pain. Because of this, she and her husband decided to create a shoe made from socks.

It's genius.

There are a few things about Ja-vie that initially sold me.

• The prints. Oh those prints. If you've been around me or stalked me on social media, you know that I'm a sucker for a good, fun print. I have a collection of dresses with everything from birds to bikes to eyeglasses printed on them and it's become my style staple. Ja-vie sells flats with flipping LOBSTERS on them (among other things). How have I survived in life without a pair of lobster flats?! I don't know, but I don't intend to do so for much longer. 
• The insoles. The shoes are made with removable insoles that can be taken out and washed (a plus for those of us with smelly feet), as well as removed if they start to wear out (an excellent alternative to buying a whole new pair of shoes). 
• The price. We've established that I'm willing to pay a pretty penny (crying all the way) for shoes that don't make my feet die, but I'd rather not drop $200 every time I need a new pair of shoes if I don't absolutely have to. The average price of a pair of Ja-vie flats comes in at $68, and some of their stuff does go on sale for even less (I spied some shoes for $39 earlier). While still pricey and more than I really like to pay for shoes, the fact of the matter is that I've passed the point in my life where I can go cheap on shoes, and $68 makes me a LOT happier than $175. 
• The construction. I read a number of reviews before deciding to try them, and one of the reviewers described the system as "a bra for your foot". Hilarious mental picture aside, this really appealed to me. The goal of the shoe is to support not only the arch, but also the ball of the foot and the heel. Could it be that these shoes were even more supportive and conducive to walking than my beloved Tieks?

 The shoe's design is essentially a knit sock interior with a jelly outer shell, which sounds weird, but in practice, it really isn't.

So I sent them an email asking them if I could review them and in the meantime, I bought a black pair on Amazon because Prime shipping and even if I didn't love them, black flats for the wedding.

Guys, I love them. I love them so much.

Let's talk about the drawbacks.

The shoes don't break in. They don't change shape because of the jelly shell, so when I put them on, for the first week or so my baby toe rubbed against the side of the shoe. However, the sock interior does move a bit and my feet adjusted so this isn't an issue anymore.

The thing that I liked about my Tieks is that they ended up molding to my foot shape and basically made me feel like I was barefoot most of the time. But Ja-vies are certainly more structured. They're not more or less comfortable; it's just a different feel. So for $100 savings, I can deal with that.

The Ja-vies are better for everyday use, whereas my Tieks will probably be reserved for special occasions. They don't wear out as easily and I've noticed very little damage to them, whereas the leather faded oon the tips of my toes on my Tieks with a lot of wear (like...Disney World level wear).

So here's the question: Do I love them more than my Tieks?

Kind of?

I'm not turned from the Tiek side. I love those shoes, but these are a better daily option and I'll certainly buy more of the Ja-vies for everyday wear. The patterns offered alone give me an incentive to buy. That's the biggest selling point that I can promote here. You're more than likely to find an option that fits your tastes. (Did I mention the lobsters?!)

 If you're looking for a comfortable (and cute) shoe and don't mind spending a little, but don't want to invest hundreds of dollars in shoes, this is certainly a good alternative. I and my feet are a fan and I feel like you will be too.

A Guide to Beginning A LuLaRoe Obsession

If you're like me, it seems like every one of your friends has started a LuLaRoe shop online. Also, if you're like me, you probably have been rolling your eyes out of your head because you've been down this road before. That girl that you went to elementary school with was selling Scentsy and then your friend from college was selling Mary Kay and then your friend with the hot pink hair and the 93 piercings went the more scandalous route and decided to sell Pure Romance.

(A note: If you don't know what Pure Romance is and you choose to look it up, I hereby waive all responsibility for what your delicate constitution may witness. You've been warned.)

I get it. I do.

But as a wise Psalmist once said (probably), "The way to a girl's heart is by girding her legs in fabric so soft that it's like a baby angel decided to massage her." And the Psalmist did endorse LuLaRoe leggings. And they were good.

So far, I've tried a few different styles and I've loved all but one of them for my particular body type. I've seen all of them look good on different people, so please don't let my lack of enthusiasm for one (AND ONLY ONE) design, dissuade you. My wardrobe consists of Randy (a raglan-style top with 3/4 sleeves), Lindsay (an oversized, draping cardigan), Carly (a short-sleeved hi-lo dress that I have fallen deeply and madly in love with), and, of course, the leggings.

As someone who was incredibly skeptical, I can promise you that the hype is legit. So let me give you a few observations.

• The clothes are modest by pretty much any standard you look at. Let me get real for a second for the sake of brutal honesty. I am more...blessed than most in the upper body region. This is to say that my...uhhh...bustal area carries quite a bit of mass. (I'm being delicate because Google search, but if you don't know what I'm saying, please ask your mom to give you that special talk). As a result, some of my clothes are more low-cut and it's really not because that's my goal and it's rare that I can find something that will hold the girls in and not show them off. LuLaRoe has been that exception. With both the Carly and the Randy, I haven't had to worry about falling out or anything like that, which is an amazing perk in and of itself. 
• The sizing is generous and flattering. A large skepticism I had was that most (but not all) of LuLaRoe business is conducted online. As a decidedly plus-size woman, this has its occupational hazards. Will I buy the dress and look like a manatee? Will I have to squeeze into it like a sausage casing? Will my friends and family point and laugh at me? There are so many possibilities! However, I've not really had that struggle for a few reasons. First of all, most of the clothing is based on a size range rather than a strict number system, so the likelihood of my finding something in one of the sizes I can wear is pretty good. Second, for the things that you are skeptical about, that's what the consultants are for! I shop primarily with two consultants, one of whom is a delightful lady that I went to high school with who is based in a different state, and one of whom is a delightful lady that I went to church camp with growing up. Both of them have been great about being honest in regards to how sizing works and what is most likely to fit and flatter their clientele. And because Kait is local, I tried on some of the styles when I went to pick up my first order and get and idea of what sorts of things looked good on me and fit me. There are many consultants that are happy to do this for you (but obviously check with them before showing up on their doorstep). 
• The pricing is reasonable compared to value. I will not lie to you and say that you're looking at discount store prices with LuLaRoe clothing, though pricing isn't outrageous or unreasonable. Leggings are $25 before tax (and shipping, depending on where you're buying from) and the most expensive item that I've seen (I think?) is the Sarah cardigan which is in the $90 range if I'm not mistaken. Most dresses (my go-to) are in the $40-70 range. It's comparable to my other fashion options such as Lane Bryant or Torrid with the added bonus that...
• They have exclusive, limited prints. One of the main selling points of LuLaRoe is what they do with their prints. The company makes and distributes and incredibly limited number of their items in a certain print. There's no way of knowing where, when, or if you'll see another print again. This is both a curse, for when you let a beloved print get away (I'll never forget you, purple floral Carly!), and a blessing, when you're like me and can't stand when people copy your super unique and trendy style (too conceited? I'll dial it back.) But seriously. Who hasn't purchased that perfect dress in the perfect print only to show up and find 3 other girls in the same dress, prompting them to literally fight the others settle their disagreements civilly? I know I have! And while the business model doesn't completely eliminate this possibility, it brings the probability way down, which I love. 
• Those leggings tho. Okay, but listen. Let's talk about leggings. I live in leggings and cardigans. I feel like you all should know this about me. Leggings are God's gift to us in this dark and tumultuous world that we live in and LuLaRoe has perfected them. They are the softest, stretchiest, most comfortable things I have ever placed upon my bodacious hips and I would literally live in them if I could and if people wouldn't judge me. They come in two sizes, One Size (OS, roughly sizes 2-12) and Tall and Curvy (TC, roughly sizes 12-22). This scared me because how on earth is something going to fit someone with teeny size 12 legs and mine at the same time, but let me tell you, it is some Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants-esque witchcraft, that's what it is. It is magic because they do fit and they're glorious and they don't cut off your circulation, bless the Lord. I'm on the top of the TC end (I wear a 20/22) and the leggings are still roomy and comfortable, which is amazing. 
• You're supporting people who are supporting their families. Both of the ladies I buy from are amazing people with kids and families that they're supporting with their business start-up and this is just icing on the cake. I can purchase a GREAT product while also feeling like my money isn't going to a huge corporation...it's going to individuals that I know. This is a great incentive to continue doing business with them. 

So there you have it. I'm still a LuLaRoe baby with a small number of items in my wardrobe, but I will undoubtedly purchase more. I highly recommend at the very least trying out their items and seeing for yourself. Seriously though. Try those leggings. 

Note: I don't have any pictures at this time because my roommate is a horrible cat who won't help me support my reviewing things venture. When I get pictures of the various items, they'll show up here and/or on my Facebook page. 

*****As an added bonus: I'm actually hosting a Pop-Up Shop on Facebook on Cyber Monday. So if you get an invite from me and see an excess of fashion blogging posts, well...that's why.

Halo Top Ice Cream

Let’s establish a few simple truths.

1.     Ice Cream is, by nature, delicious. It has to be. It is in its nature. It is required to be a tasty treat.

2.     Health food is not delicious. I don’t want to hear arguments. If you’re going to argue with me about this, kindly stuff your face with some kale before ultimately finding a pint of some ice cream so that you can live your life as our lord and savior Jesus Christ intended it.

3.     HEY! Did someone say PINT OF ICE CREAM?

That’s right! Who among us hasn’t come home from a long day and binged on a pint of brownie batter ice cream while watching standup comedians on Netflix?

Just me? Cool.

Well, trust me on this. Pints of ice cream are a delight until you get to the bottom of the container and realize that you’ve consumed upwards of 1.5 billion calories. Nothing ruins the bliss of ice cream like checking the nutritional facts on the side of the container.

Add this to the fact that I’ve started watching my caloric/sugar/etc intake because 1.) I want to be healthy and 2.) I need to fit into a super cute bridesmaid dress in December and you’ve got yourself a quick and easy recipe for ultimate self-loathing for one. (Note: Don’t loathe yourself for real. You’re beautiful and your body is a treasure. Don’t hate it. Shame on you. But not body shaming. This is a safe place.)

More fun facts, I was a vegetarian for five years and was pretty careful with my protein during that time frame. When you’re a vegetarian, you expect that you’re going to have a protein deficiency and you find ways to compensate. But after switching back, I just assumed that chicken nuggets were a decent source of protein and didn’t give it another thought. Once I started tracking my food, I noticed that I was eating waaaay under my protein goal and needed to find tasty ways to supplement.

Enter Halo Top.

I learned about Halo Top from an Instagram ad and it seemed too good to be true. But I was having a rough day and needed some ice cream in a big way, so I figured I would at least price it and find out.

The site has a handy locator so you can see if your store carries it, and it probably does. It’s just in that section with chia seeds and non-dairy ice cream (which is an abomination). The ice cream is priced comparably with Ben & Jerry’s, maybe a dollar or so higher if anything, but if you use Ibotta for your purchases, they offer a handy rebate that will offset that nicely. Plus, like you’ll find out if you search on social media, each pint (not serving, PINT) has 280 calories or fewer and at least 24 grams of protein. Note, this is as of October 5, when I’m writing this. I say this because the company has been teasing new flavors on social media this week and I can’t confirm protein/calorie counts yet.

But how does it taste? I was super skeptical about this. I mean, low cal ice cream? This has to be a cheap scam, right?

Wrong. It’s so tasty. It’s so, so tasty. I want to eat it forever. And it’s healthy enough that I can log it in MyFitnessPal without it yelling at me. In fact, all it does is praise my high-protein choice. Score!

I bought two flavors, mint chip and lemon cake. Lemon cake is a clean, soft flavor that is my new favor. Mint chip is similarly tasty, but admittedly not the most flavorful of mint chocolate chip ice creams that I’ve had (which is a hefty number). My goal is to taste test more of the flavors, but those are the only two I’ve got my hands on so far.

Final analysis: You need to try this at least once. Use Ibotta. Find a coupon. Do something. Just try this ice cream.

It’s tasty. It’s low cal. It’s high in protein. What more could you want in an ice cream?