Whatever Wednesday

So I don't really have one specific topic to talk about, but since I haven't written in awhile I thought I would just write about whatever random things going on!

First off- VMA's.  I know the Miley business has been well talked about, but- Oh my. That was probably the most awkward, gross thing I have ever seen.  I think maybe she was going for the "I'm young and sexy look" and really looked like an overly awkward, too skinny girl bouncing around on stage trying to do the most sexual things she could in the small amount of time she had.  It was very.. odd.  I'm almost positive all this attention is exactly what she wanted, which makes me sad.  She needs to grow her hair back out, put on a bit of weight, and lay off the crazy train.  I am very curious what her on again/off again fiance thinks about this because he is wayyyyy too cute and (seems) normal to put up with that. 

I will say, the only reason I was even watching the VMA's is to wait for, you guessed it..... JUSTIN TIMEBERLAKE and NSYNC! Oh my, it was amazing.  I was definitely overly joyed for this part and loooooved it! It also made me very sad that I will be missing his tour for the first time ever this year! :( Unfortunately he is not coming to Charlotte and when we tried to get Memphis tickets, Ticketmaster froze when I was completing my payment and lost my tickets!!!! Since they sold out so fast, by the time I went back to search, the only tickets coming up were nosebleed for around $250.  I just couldn't pay that much, plus a $350+ plane ticket to get there, for seats where you can't even see him.  I am still hoping he might magically add Charlotte to his tour.  I was also sad my lovely NSYNC guys only got about 3 minutes. I wish they would have at least done a full song. Oh well.  It still made my inner 13 year old self jump for joy!

Next thought.. I will be home in 2 DAYS!!!!!!  On one hand I am SO excited to be there and see everyone, but I'm not going to lie, when I looked at the temperatures I got really sad! haha  We have been so lucky here in NC and I don't think even reached 90 this whole summer.  When I look at the numbers reaching 98, knowing the heat index will be way more, it makes me want to cry. I have NOT missed the MS heat or humidity. Hopefully I won't melt this weekend! :)  I am so so soooooo excited to see all my little babies when I get there.  I hate being away from all my little people! Luckily I will get some time in with Canion, Harber, and Abram- My best friends' little boys. :)  I am especially excited to see Harber as this will be our FIRST meeting. I can not wait to hold and love all over that sweet little baby!!!! (along with my other 2 little men!)  I also can't wait to see my sweet doggies and love all over them. I hate they can't talk to me while I am here!! haha  Then of course, everyone else! :)  Friday at 2:30 can not come fast enough.  I will be off work, heading home to drop our doggies here off at the kennel, and then headed to the airport.  See ya soon Memphis!!!!

Happy Hump Day! :)

Beauty Review - Clarisonic Mia & New Lotion

I have seen and heard about this product for awhile now and was always curious how good it REALLY worked.  I had been debating back and forth whether to get this since the price tag was so hefty.  There are actually a few different versions, with the Mia being the cheapest.  This version is $119 plus tax.  With my birthday approaching and not really sure what to ask Lance for, I thought I would investigate this little gadget a bit more.  I read tons and tons of reviews, which 99% of them raved of this product. I finally caved and told him this is one of the things I would like.  I have now been using the Mia for about 3 weeks and I must say, I am impressed.  I am not sure if I would go as crazy as some of those reviews that claimed life changing results, but it's definitely a great product.  This product claims to clean skin up to 6 times better than your hands or a rag and I must say, I have to agree here.  My skin has never been softer and feels super clean and free of any oil/dirt after I use this product.  You can use up to twice a day, but I stick to one since I do have sensitive skin.  As you can see in the picture, it does include a sample of their face wash, but I stick to my Philosophy products.  I actually fully wash my face once to get the majority of my makeup off, then go back and reapply soap and use this product.  The first time I used this product after doing the first wash of my face I was very surprised to see makeup come off on the brush.  That just shows you really aren't getting your face as clean as you think!   I don't really notice a huge change in the oiliness (which is what I was really hoping for!), but it has helped some.  I would definitely recommend this product to anyone that is debating whether or not to spend the money.  Like I said before, I don't think it does magic and gives you a new face as some reviews say, but it definitely is very good on your skin.  My skin already feels smoother and healthier after just a few weeks, and I feel like the older I get I really need to be taking care of my skin the best I can.

This Mia (and Mia2) comes in many different colors- mine is the purple shown above.  The Mia2 is $149 and the only differences I found were there are 2 speeds instead of 1 (which the lady at Sephora told me they were so similar, it doesn't make a difference), it beeps when you are supposed to move it to a different area on your face, and the warranty is 2 years instead of 1.   You are supposed to use it on your whole face in 60 seconds but I normally run it twice.  I don't mind not having it beep to tell me when to move because I would still have to go back over it again.  I like to concentrate on certain areas longer than others, so I follow my own pattern of moving it around anyways.  Depending on if those factors are important to you will help you decide on the 1 or 2.  I don't think for those 3 things $30 is bad, but I didn't want to push my luck with Lance since I did still get a few other gifts! haha :)



I have also recently switched my lotion to another version within Philosophy.  I found a new product they use that is similar to Hope in a Jar, but oil free and better for us oily chicks in the summer.  'Take a Deep Breath' is my new go to lotion.  This jar is the same size as my $40 Hope, but for some reason it is only $32.. which makes me love it even more! haha  It has more of a "gel" feel to it, but goes on just as smooth.  I use the TINIEST bit, so this 2oz jar lasts me about a year.  I have used this about a week and so far.. so good! :)




Happy Tuesday!! :)

Restoring Candle Containers

As most of you may know if you read my blog, I love Bath & Body Works home products.  I am a huge fan of their candles for many reasons.  They have amazing smells that not only smell in the container, but actually carry out the smell when burning.  There is nothing I hate more than giving a different brand a chance since the wax smells amazing, to then go and burn it and it have NO smell.  B&BW and Yankee Candle are about the only candles I have found to actually like.  Please do share if you have any other brands.  Another reason I love my B&BW candles is you can get them for SO much cheaper than the $20 (on large) sticker price.  Please, never ever buy anything at this store full price! The large candles have 2 for $20 sales every few weeks, plus $10 off $30 purchase is around a lot, or 20% off your order.  They ALWAYS have some kind of sale plus coupons to help with stocking up. Oh, and then the lovely Semi-Annual sale.. ahhh the best time of the year! :)  Anywayssss let me get back on track here.. 

 I have seen a few posts online where people have saved the leftover "jars" and reused them.  I can't tell you how many I have thrown away and wasted, so I decided it was time to look into this process and see how hard it was.  Of course I found a lovely post on Pinterest that explained the ever so easy process.  Below is a picture of a candle close to being finished.  I forgot to take a before picture of the one I actually did, but it was about half the wax of this one.  Once it gets to a certain point the wicks just can't stay lit and the candle is done.

Here is the step by step process once your candle is sadly out of service:

1. Place the candle in the freezer for 1-3 hours. (I did 3 just to be safe).  This process freezes the remaining wax and actually shrinks it some and starts it to crack.  I used a butter knife to pop it out. Mine came out in about 3 pieces.

2. Now you want to clean out all the residue that you see all around the inside of the jar.  This step you will just need Baby Oil and a paper towel. It literally just wipes away all the leftover wax and soot from the inside with a few wipes.

3. I ran the jar under very hot water to peel off the stickers from the side and bottom.  I find it easiest to peel them off while under the water. Keep holding it under the hot water to scrub off the remaining sticky residue left over.  After all the stickers are off, I also gave the whole jar a good washing.

4. Within 10 minutes of taking it out of the freezer you have a nice, clean jar! 

(I can't figure out how to flip this picture, sorry!)

Now, I am not sure what I am going to use these jars for yet, (ha!) but I know I will think of something! I have seen a lot of DIY hand scrubs, and other homemade gift ideas that I think I might use these for. The large one might be a bit too big, but the medium size jars would be perfect! I have seen ideas online that range from cotton balls, q-tips, coffee, tea, etc.  They are actually very nice jars and lids to have.  I think they would look cute in the bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom!  

Happy candle cleaning! :)