Pizza Bell - Elk Grove CA Review

Recently the boyfriend and I decided to check out Pizza Bell in Elk Grove, CA. We were a bit hesitant at first - mostly because we are pizza snobs. After the first time we were hooked and went back for more pizza love.

    Pictured: combo pizza with Daiya, Beyond Meat, olives and mushrooms. 

When you walk into Pizza Bell you get that old timey pizza joint feeling, large TVs, arcade games and comfy sit awhile booths. You order up at the counter - there is a special vegan menu - look for that. The options are really good, no soggy crusts topped with wilting veggies here. They offer Daiya cheeze, Beyond Meat styled two ways: Italian sausage or pepperoni, loads of veggies, ranch dressing and different sauces. You can get pizza off the menu or come up with your own by picking from various toppings. Crusts selection is up to you as well from thin to thick - we went with thick and it has to be some of the best crust ever! 

The calzones are insanely huge. We ordered them for lunch and could not eat dinner later on. They are stuffed with anything you want and the crust is buttery and delicious. Mine was filled with veggies and the boyfriend got a combo one.

Garlic twists - ohhhhhhh how I dream of them since my first bite. Stuffed with Daiya and served with vegan ranch and pizza sauce these are like a meal on their own. So buttery and gooey! I am a crust person and these are top notch. Get them with a mini pitcher of beer!

Pizza Bell also offers 3 vegan desserts. We had the apple twists but sadly no juice left in our phones for photos. They are so good, it is like a cinnamon roll + apple pie in one. Slathered with creamy glazed sweetness!

Everything about Pizza Bell tastes fresh. The dough to the toppings do not taste like they have been sitting around. They have a separate vegan section so there is no cross contamination issues - score! So many choices that you do not feel like you are missing out. This makes Pizza Bell a vegan pizza lovers destination! 

Pizza Bell is located at: 8591 Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove, CA 95624 - right across from one of my favorite little cemetery haunts. Eat pizza and go for a cemetery stroll.

 

Fancy Black Lipstick That Won't Break The Bank

In my teens up till my mid 20s my go to lip color was either dark burgundy or black. My go to lip products were either eyeliner or cheap lipstick. When I went vegan in my early 20s finding 'odd' colored makeup that was both vegan and cruelty free was a pain. I had to make due with earthy colors and black eyeliner for everything.

I have experimented with loads of colors through the last decade and lately alternate between a rose nude shade and purple. However when I was out shopping the other day and saw a display for e.l.f.  with a black lipstick on it I got giddy with nostalgia.

e.l.f.'s Moisturizing Lipstick in Black Out was swatched as soon as I got home.  For $3 I did not expect much - thinking it was going to be like the black lipsticks of past that were more grey and super dry or greasy-cheap looking. One swatch on my wrist however had me do a double take. It went on creamy, it smelled faintly of vanilla and was a really deep glossy black.

I wore it out the next day. I used a black liner to line my lips. It went on smoothly, did not dry my lips out and it did not smell/taste funky. It is a stunning creamy black color that is not too shinny or cheap looking. With that being said it does not stay on - especially if you eat but this is with all lipsticks. It easily transfers on things like straws but again I think we have all been spoiled by liquid lipsticks lately. I really like it though and will be using it again.

Self Care After Being Sick

Recently I got over strep-throat and was on 10 days of antibiotics. Killing germs often brings on more problems that we might not think about as we try to feel/get better.Here are some tips, tricks and products I have in my feel better arsenal.

Take your meds: Duh squared! Listen to the pharmacist and read the info you get with your prescription. Set your schedule per dosing instructions and allow time to eat/not eat if you need to have an empty stomach or a snack with the medicine.

Tea for all your troubles: A warm mug of tea is soothing no matter what's got you down. There are plenty of teas on the market that help with all sorts of medical problems but honestly buying your favorite brand - even splurging on something fancy is best. That way you can enjoy it after you recover. One thing to consider avoiding with tea though is caffeine. I find green tea is okay but anything labeled as 'energizing' - save it because you need rest!

REST!: Yes, rest! If you can take a nap, take a nap. Take two naps if you can! Resting is they key to quick recovery. Even stretching out in bed with a cat or two for a bit gives the body a chance to fight off sick cells.

Skin care - get your glow back: Sometimes after being sick you might loose some of your natural sparkle. To combat dull skin try a soothing mask. My go to right now is First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Bouncy Mask. 
I know $38 is a splurge but the texture and how my skin feels after this mask is really good. I feel hydrated, look rested and not like a sickly zombie. I received a sample tube of this with an order and will be buying this in the future.

From the inside out: Water - drink it! Antibiotics tend to dry you out, thus leaving you grumpy, your skin grumpy and everyone around you grumpy (okay that is stretching it). Eat lots of fresh fruit, sip on water and flush those toxins out.

Yeast beast: A crappy side effect of antibiotics is getting a stupid yeast infection. If you are prone to them like me get a tube of Emerita Yeast Assist Cream. This really helps plus it's 100% vegan and natural.


I hope that you do not have to use these tips right now because you are sick. If you are - please close down your computer and take a nap. I hope you feel better soon!

Blackheart Beauty Tin Smokey Eye Shadow Palette Review

 

 The Blackheart Beauty Tin Smokey Eye Shadow Palette is $12 (but often Hot Topic has a 25% off sale) but do not let the low price scare you away. The colors blend well, are nicely pigmented, the shimmers are not cheap looking and the mattes are not chalky. I have been using these colors a lot lately - reaching for this palette over ones I have that cost triple this price point. The shadows in this and other collections (from what I read online and ingredient lists) are vegan. Pro tip: use a good brush to apply these and not the dinky one it comes with. 

National Coloring Book Day

I have a stack of coloring books geared to the adult crowed. When I need to take a breather I pull one out and get to work and get lost in the lines and the colors. It is National Coloring Book Day - here are some picks based on what I have and things that look interesting.

Posh Adult Coloring Book - Inspirational Quotes is full of positive quotes (a few border on religious - not my thing) with bold lines and a zen-nature feel. I like this one a lot and pick it up for days when I feel disconnected from happiness.

I own A Brothers Grimm Coloring Book and Other Classic Fairy Tales: Escape into a World of Fantasy and Imagination coloring book but have yet to color from it! It reads more like a book and has beautiful art book styled illustration.

Gemma Correll is one of my favorite illustrators - my go to cute cat fix!  Her Feminist Activity Book is chock full of her cute illustrations and witty humor - I need to pick this one up!

I love the skull kitty cover on Cats in Costumes - a hand bound coloring book by whyhouses. They even have a Vegan coloring book! All the books in their shop look really cute and have that handmade feeling that makes something special!

Are you coloring today or do you color everyday? I have a page pocked out and ready to go! Off to have fun!