My first Beauty Review

I read a lot of blogs that do beauty reviews, and I just love them so I thought I would start doing a few.  My favorite ones are where the products are actually realistic prices for the average person.  I do have a few items that are more expensive, but for the most part I like to shop pretty rationally.  I recently got the Clarisonic Mia for my birthday (yes, this would be an expensive splurge!), BUT from all the reviews I read it seems to be totally worth it. I have only used it 2 days so I am saving my review for the 2 week period. Look for that in the next few weeks! :)

First off, I want to say I love E.l.f. products.  The only place I have seen them sold in stores in Target. You can also purchase them online HERE. They have TONS of products online, versus the small selection in stores.  Their products are all very (I hate to use the word because I don't want it to describe the quality but..) cheap!  I haven't tried everything obviously, but the few things I have I have enjoyed.  They always, always have sales online (I get the emails) and coupon specials.  You can rack up on tons of their products for an amazing price.  Luckily since they are so well priced, even if you buy something and don't like it (like we all do) it's not a big issue.  The only product of theirs I currently use religiously is the blush/bronzer duo.  I LOVE this little compact.  It comes in 3 different shades I believe and is only $3!! This is an item you can buy in stores and I absolutely love it. As you can tell below my current one is well used.  These colors blend well with my super WHITE skin and also when I have a nice "tan" from my self tanner.  It has a TINY hint of shimmer and blends perfect.  To me a blush or bronzer is tinted powder- I don't see how a $100 one can be any better than this little compact. (in my opinion..)

Next are just a few of my favorites from my make up bag-

1.  Maybelline- The Falsies Flared.  I  have tiny, tiny lashes so I try to find a mascara that will help them try to look fuller, longer, and hold a curl.  I was addicted to Maybelline's Sky High Curves for years so of course what happens? It gets discontinued. My main problem with most mascaras is they make my lashes stick straight out.  I was very happy to try this number a year or so ago and love it. This product is a miracle for these little lashes. I use the waterproof version (an oily girl's best friend!)

2. Maybelline Baby Lips.   I seriously love this new product.  This specific one is the non color stick, which I use every morning under my lip gloss.  It makes your lips sooo soft and doesn't leave that nasty "lip gloss line".  They have many color shades which I have tried about 5 of- some are better than others, but my go to is the clear.  The best part? This little guy is only around $2.50!

3. CO Bigelow, Original Rose Salve.   You  might know this little tin better in it's traditional blue and white colors.  I found this cuter version surprisingly at Bath & Body Works one trip last year.  This product reminds me of my grandmother as she always had this when I was little and the smell always takes me back to her.  This is a lovely rose extract salve that is good for so many things.  It will make your lips, feet, elbows, etc feel amazing.  My favorite use is probably for my lips.  It works as a great "gloss". I personally love the "old lady" smell as well it has! :)

4. Philosophy's Hope in a Jar.   I have mentioned this face lotion before and I just love it.  I also use the Philosophy's Purity Made Simple face wash.  These products are perfect for my sensitive, oily skin.  This is more in the pricey section when originally bought, but let me tell you- these products go a LONG way and last forever.  Plus, the bigger you buy, the more you get for your money.  I normally buy the 2oz lotion for $40 (yikes!) which you can get HERE and it lasts me MONTHS.  You barely have to use any and it covers your whole face.  The face wash I will buy in the 32oz size  for around $50 and it, no lie, lasts me a year. Highly, highly recommend their products. Their website often has sales that stores like Sephora or department stores just won't have on these products.

I hope you enjoy my first Beauty Review-  I'll be back for more in the future. Feel free to share any of yours as well! :)

Happy Thursday!

Inside secrets for your at home manicures!

Happy almost Friday everyone! :)

I know I had mentioned in a previous post that I was a bit "obsessed" with nail polish.  Well I figured I would share a few tips for you girls that do your at home manicures.  The idea of this blog came Saturday when my hair girl asked if I had on Shellac polish.  She was shocked when I said I did it at home, so I shared with her my secret.  I have also told a few of my friends about it, and they all love it as well!


I have to credit this find to my friend from work, Ali.  We were talking about my love of nail polish a few months ago and she shared this amazing gem with me.  One of the secrets to an awesome mani (or pedi) all lies in this little bottle... Seche Vite.  This is the BEST top coat I have ever used.  You might wonder what is so great? First off, this makes your polish dry ASAP. And I'm not talking about the "fake" top layer dry, but full to the nail dry!  There is a secret to how to use this best. You have to apply it while the nails are still half way wet, or it actually can make your nails chip. DO NOT apply on dry nails. Also, don't apply when they are too wet because this will just smear it off obviously. I know they sell this at Target.  It is near the OPI polish in one little row, so you have to look hard.  I ordered mine off Amazon with free shipping for around $9-$10, which is what it sells for in stores.  I have had my bottle for quite a few months, and am not even half way through.


My Method when applying--  1. Apply base coat and let completely dry. 2. Apply one full coat of color. 3. (depending on how many coats you need- 2 is normally good for me unless it's a super light color, then I do 3 color coats). Go back to apply second coat in 2-3 nail increments. 4. Once you see the polish has a little bit of dry to it (just enough where it's not completely wet as mentioned before) go over it with a thick glob of the Seche Vite. 5. Repeat until all nails are complete.


In about 5-10 minutes max, your nails will be all ready and completely dry! Another thing great about this top coat, it makes your nails stay so shiny and gives them that salon gel look.  It also gives them the durability to stay nicely polished a full week with no chipping. If you do notice it chips, you probably waited too long to apply.  I have only had this happen once in all the months I have used it.  With that being said, I only use OPI, Essie, or some versions of Sally Hansen for my color polishes.  I am not sure if this will work good on cheaper polishes. I only do my nails once a week, so I like mine to last the full week.  If you are a gal that doesn't mind painting more often, you might be able to get away with cheaper polish with this top coat.  You may even get the full week, I just have not tried.


Now when it comes to base coat, I use the .99 cents LA Colors Base/Top Coat that I believe I picked up at Dollar Tree (also at drug stores, Target, etc).  I have heard many people swear by expensive base coats, but to me it's what sits on top of it that really matters.  If you want to spend a lot on a good base coat, go right ahead- but this little number works perfect for me!




I hope these tips help and give you better at home results with your painting! :)

What I'm Loving Wednesday (7/17)

Happy Hump Day everyone!!  2 1/2 days through the week (as of now), and only 2 1/2 left!

1. First, I am loving my new blog layout.  I finally caved and did research an actual background template- which I LOVE!  It's cute, but yet still simple like I wanted.  If you are viewing this on Mobile, sadly you can not see it.  My mobile is set as the old look since the html is only for web based. So if you have a chance, get on your computer and take a look! :)

2. I am loving birthdays!! Happy 29th to my brother, Jason!!!  My birthday is in just a few short days (5!!!), and I am so excited.  I am not doing anything overly grand, I just love my birthday.  I don't care how old I am- it's still MY day (along with all the other July 22 babies!).  I am sad to say that I will be working this year.  I have only worked once on my birthday and I was pretty much miserable the whole day, haha.  Being a grown up means I need to save my PTO for other things (like traveling all over the place to squeeze in our spread out families), therefore I sucked it up this year and didn't ask off.  It wouldn't be so bad, but it's on a MONDAY, so I have to work the whole week after it too! No fun.  Luckily my sweet husband knows how much I love birthdays and has already started with the presents.  I got some super cute, comfy new running shoes last night. Now I need to get my butt in gear and use them.  We are also having a small cook out at our house Saturday with a few friends to celebrate- fingers crossed no rain!

3.  BIG BROTHER!!! This show definitely takes up a huge amount of my time in the summer months. 3 episodes a week, plus keeping up with the live feeds drama on the internet.  Yes, I know a lot of people "don't have time for tv" and their lives have more important things going on.. well I guess I do not, because I love this show! haha I am not ashamed of my TV addictions so judge away! :)

4. I am very much loving that we have not gotten any of the crazy temperatures from back home.  We recently ended a 23 day rain streak (just since Monday- looks like it's about to rain now, boo!) which has kept the temps down. Surprisingly, it is not as humid as you would think.  Thank you NC for keeping us all from being miserable like my friends and family back home!

5. Lastly, I will throw in Lance. :)  Our molding around the back door was rotting off from all the rain and looking pretty icky. Well I made a comment I wished it wouldn't look so busted with everyone coming over Saturday.  Since he is going to replace our siding soon, he said that it would be all ripped down then and replaced (not really helping looking crappy this weekend! haha).  Well Monday he comes home with all this wood and said he would go ahead and fix it just for the party! :) So all night Monday after work he ripped off the old molding, cut down the wood, nailed it up, and painted it! *Side note- this is a sliding glass door that goes out to our deck, so not a tiny door!* Yes, he was making comments under his breath that he can't believe he was doing this a few weeks before he would replace it with something completely different... but I can take a bit of complaining! :) lol  This is just one example of how sweet he is with dealing with my constant need to start home projects. I am for sure loving him this week, and every day after! :)

Beach Bum

Well, back to realty and work after a great long, holiday weekend!   We got to a mini beach trip in and it was so nice and relaxing.  We went to a small beach on the NC coast, Ocean Isle.  It is so nice to live within 3-4 hours of so many beaches! This trip was around 3 hours and 15 minutes.. not bad at all.  The weather was gorgeous and made for a wonderful time. We stayed right on the beach and most of the restaurants were within walking distance. We spent the weekend relaxing, eating some yummy seafood, and walking around the town.  Our first night there we went to eat at one of the seafood places, and it since it was so crowded we decided to eat at the bar.  As we sat and waited on our food, we were chatting with the bartender.  He asked where we were from and Lance said a small town a few hours outside of Charlotte (since no one ever knows it.) Well the guy proceeded to ask what town and he actually knew where it was and had been there, which we thought was kind of neat.  Then he asked where I was from and I went with a similar answer, a small town in MS outside of Memphis.  He said he had been to Memphis quite a bit with his old work and asked what town. Well what do you know, he used to do work in Southaven! He then asked if I knew the restaurant Dale's on Stateline Rd. How crazy!! This guy knew both of our small towns, that are 13+ hours away from each other. Such a small world.

On Friday, we got the pleasure of meeting this awesome "little" fellow.  A 3 year old turtle who was at around 200lbs, but would grow to close to 600lbs!! I got to pet him, but refused to kiss him as the owner suggested.

Now back home to the real world!

Also, I have been playing around a little with my blog decor.  I know it could be a lot fancier, but I kind of like the simple look. I added a new tab of top, My Story, that is mainly one of my first blogs I wrote with my background info, then I changed my background design.. whatcha think?

July

It's my Birthday month.. Woohoo! 

Toothpaste?!

I HATE MOSQUITOS- hate, hate hate.

With that being said, they love me! As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have SUPER sensitive skin. When I say sensitive, I mean everything irritates me.  Most of the products in my home you will see labeled with the lovely phrase "Hypoallergenic".  When I scratch my arm, or any part of my body, I will have a huge red whelp for about an hour.. just from scratching an itch!  So you can only imagine what happens when I get bit by a lovely mosquito. It whelps up horrible and stays for days being a huge PAIN!  Since I live out in good ole NC, we have lots and lots of these little suckers.  Last week I walked from our front door to the car (maybe 10 seconds max) and had 2 on my leg when I got in the car.. what?!?

 I have recently found a bug spray that I really like- Cutter's Natural, Deet free.  Let me tell you guys, even if you aren't as sensitive is me, I highly recommend using a Deet free product.  Last year I was out where I had to use whatever bug spray someone had (which had Deet) and when I looked down after applying, it was eating off my fingernail polish.  Literally it was turning into a gooey mush. Now I don't know about you, but that is not something I want soaking into my skin! Not only is this product safer for your skin (I'm sure it still has some harmful ingredients, but it's not the worst!), it also has a very tolerable smell!

 Even with my lovely new product, I still got eaten up pretty good Saturday night on my ankles and feet.  I am not sure if they got me before I applied the spray, or I just didn't reapply when I should have.  Apparently my left foot is not as sweet, because I was "lucky" enough to just get 2 bites on this side. My right side was a different story- my whole ankle and foot is eaten up with about 10.  The pain/itching hits me the most at night, from what I assume is the heat making it worse.  I will wake up literally clawing my skin off. (horrible, I know).  With all this being said, I wanted to share my lovely little "secret" (that you may already know) I found on the internet.  I have tried itch creams, calamine lotion, almost everything to try and help the itch and pain be bearable. What have I found that works the best?? Good ole toothpaste!! I'm not sure if a certain kind works better, but I think the "paste" would probably work best since it will dry crusty unlike the gel.  I coat down my bites with my handy Crest before bed, let it dry, and like magic it makes a world of difference!! It doesn't work 100%, but better than anything else I have tried.  So if you are like me and a bug's best friend- invest in a big tube of toothpaste for those pesky bites!