Desert Essence

Let me tell you about a line of eco-friendly face products from Desert Essence. The company prides itself on being the first brand to introduce tea tree oil to the United States. Trader Joe’s in University Place sells Desert Essence face and body wash, facial cleansing pads, and blemish stick. All are either made with 100 percent tea tree oil or a blend of tea tree, awapuhi, chamomile, goldenseal, peppermint, lavender and other magic organic botanicals. These ingredients are safe for all skin types and the blemish stick can actually be used as an antiseptic for bug bites (an unhappy incident leads me to caution: keep away from sunburns). 



Why am I enthusiastically hyping Desert Essence?



Because of a sad little thing called adult acne. It’s shocking, but true. Many in their 20s and 30s have more ouchie red spots than when in junior high. Blemish stick equals secret weapon.



Burt’s Bees makes similar products that retail for almost $9, whereas each of three Desert Essence products are less than $5.50.



It’s absolutely worth the drive to Trader Joe’s (voted best store in Washington) if you’re not a resident of the 98466. Your skin will, thank you.



[Trader Joe’s, 3800 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.460.2672]

Treasure Chest

Need to buy DVDs, a medieval sword with jewel-encrusted hilt and a complete living room suite in one trip? Hit the Treasure Chest, a family-owned Lakewood location with an Olympia sister store.



I spent 30 minutes checking out the vast variety of merchandise and marveling at the differences. A 1970s cream, four-piece bedroom and vanity set with gold trim was on sale for less than $700. A little ding and scratch here and there really only added to the furniture’s authenticity. I looked in the vanity mirror and imaged how I might have looked with Farrah Fawcett feathered hair. Large Asian cabinets, appliances, and huge taxidermy moose, bobcat and mountain goat somehow seemed right amid the colorful blown glass bowls and three-feet tall vases straight from China; farm tools, new leather futons and antique ceramic plate sets. African masks and carved figures held space in a glass showcase next to markdown CD racks.



My major score: a black art deco vase with gold and purple swirls on it for $7.50. I felt like I should have told the guy at the counter that they could charge a lot more for the stuff, but I guess that’s the point. The Treasure Chest sells cool items at a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere and offers layaway and delivery.



[Treasure Chest, 11605 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood, 253.581.2454, www.jsktreasurechest.com]