Mont Bleu Nail Care Review

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Hello left Twixes!

Also, have y’all tried these?

OMG they are to die. Just buy them, trust me ;).

But now for the reason you’re all here! Let’s dive into some nail curr !

My nails have never looked that stellar for a myriad of reasons.

  1. Due to probably not eating enough protein or leafy greens (yech) my nails are thin and brittle
  2. I pick at my hang nails and knuckle skin #selfmutilation
  3. I buy like one new nail file a year

SO! The lovely folks at Mont Bleu sent me some things to try out and review for you all but this post is not spons’d.

I was just tickled to peruse their website as lots of items are beautifully crystallized in a huge array of colors. Another thing I thought to be curious was that many of their nail care products are made of  glass! On top of that, they use SWAROVSKI (aka the super sparkly stones) to adorn their files with which is super bougie and fun.

Here are the items I chose: *cue the nature shots!

Set of 3 Glass Nail Files w/Swarovski Crystals in Fuchsia/Light Rose

These files are sturdy, beautiful works of art right!? And also they’re nail files! But srsly, I used the large one that night and it performed beautifully at shaping my nails. Also, you don’t really see the scratch marks on the file after using.

All-in-One Original Foot Scraper & Callus Remover  in Pink

This puppy is a work horse. I took the above picture for a size reference and as you can see, it is quite large. The cool glass feels really amazing on my tired feet and the file smooths my gross heels out very nicely. The file itself is quite heavy, but also very durable.

Cuticle Nippers 5 mm

I’ve never owned a pair of cuticle scissors and I can now so I don’t know how I went for so long without some. This pair is heavy, sturdy and also very precise and quite sharp. They worked like a charm on both my fingernails and toenails!

Dual-end glass cuticle pusher

You can’t really tell from this picture, but this glass cuticle stick is in a gorgeous shade of nude/baby pink. It is dual-ended and comes with a classic, flat cuticle-pusher as well as a pointed end. I used this again, on both my fingers and toes and it was a pleasure to use. I could do the majority of the work with the pusher side and I enjoyed getting into those tiny crevasses with the pointy side. It gets the job done and is super bougie at the same time!

Overall, I love these products. I like having nail care that is actually beautiful to display! I am so used to hiding files and things away in a drawer because they’re unsightly. These items are lovely, work well and make you feel like you’re at a swanky nail salon right in your own home! I think they’d make an excellent gift for anyone who loves their nails or enjoys at-home nail care.

You can also find Mont Bleu on Amazon!

For partnering opportunities, click here!

Use the code “BLOG” for 20% off anything on the site!

Stila Magnificent Metals in Diamond Dust

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Hello flowerbombz!

I’ve come to realize as of late that I probably should just go ahead and own ALL of the Stila Magnificent Metals. I mean…they’re super glittery, stay put with the help of a glitter glue AND are just gorgeous. Either that, or I am just being extra and can’t get over the fact that glitter is apropos on the eyes for a hot minute.

I already have the shade Smoldering Satin, so I thought I’d pick up the next shade I’ve been dying to try…Diamond Dust!

FEAST YOUR EYES!

Apologies for my weird hobbit feet in the background of this pic, but the twinkle. AH LAWD the twinkle!

I also swatched it inside to get another perspective for y’all because I care.

If you do not own one of these colors, RUN don’t walk to Ulta and pick one up. Each one is gorgeous, neutral and adds that little bit-o pizzazz on the ol’ eye real estate. I just ca’t say enough good things about these!

So what do YOU think? How many of you own one of these pups?

Besties, Barges and Dutch Babies

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Hey little cherry slurpees!

Here’s what’s happening in my neck’a the woods.

I went to a barge launching affair at the Zidell ship yards with David’s family. It was kindofabigdeal, as this is the last barge ever made and launched in Portland. Apparently barges are still a thing? I feel like it could be a topic in a Seinfeld episode…”Are barges still a thing?”

We came. We applauded. We wore barge hats. Totally barged it up. Barge style.

For Father’s Day, David, E and I went home to Kennewick to spend a little QT with Gare of course! And of course, we always look forward to seeing sweet baby Tate.

On Friday night my Dad had a gig at a winery so of course we went and got our dose of culture for the night.

The next day was filled with Mickey, Barbies and of course the splash pad by my parents house!

Look at his little skinny baby legs in that swim nappie. I LITERALLY DIE. I just clench my teeth together so hard when I see him.

Sunday morning was of course Father’s Day!

Here’s Gare performing a perfect Danielson point

We took him out to breakfast where I had my very first dutch baby!

Seriously SO good. I love these things. I might name my first-born after one.

This last weekend was also pretty great as my three best friends in all the world came to visit.

David likes his paparazzi shots.

We had a great time and actually made it out of the house once or twice! (it was 991242 degrees). WHY can’t these girls just live in my town? Or in my pocket? I love them so.

New Makeup Looks!

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Hey gumballs!

Check out this amazing makeup look I threw on the other day:

The gems were a bit tricky but I am just THAT good ;).

But for realsies, I have been playin’ around at the ol’ makeup tabe as of late, probably due to it’s AMAZING new location right in front of our bedroom window (thanks D!). I’ve got all my products organized neatly now and I am just tickled that I can now see all m’sh*t right in front of me. It’s the best you guys – the absolute best.

(let me know if anyone would like a vanity tour!)

Anywee, let’s show you some “looks” as it were…

This one wasn’t crazy unique or anything but I loved the shadows and the smudgy lower lash line.

Some lashes really would’ve set this look off, now that I’m dissecting it. Basically I buffed some dark blues into my crease and then packed the eyelid with the Stila Magnificent Metals in Smoldering Satin. I also used the Marc Jacobs lip liner in Nude(ist) along with my Soap and Glory Pillow Plump in Nude in Town to make my lips as full as they can possibly get without surgery.

David took me on a Mystery Dinner Date that had a flapper theme, so naturally I obliged. I looked at a bunch of pictures of makeup from that era and noticed that by and large, everything was really turned-down and pouty. I obvs added a beauty mark for dramatic effect as well as a slight Geisha-lip.

And lastly, I bring you my humble cut crease. I don’t do a cut crease very often but when I do, I really go for it man. I also added a beauty mark because OF COURSE I DID. Also note: this is fifth day hair. There is in fact, 7 lbs. of dry shampoo in there.

Leave a comment below if you want a break-down of what I used or a tutorial on any of these looks as I would be happy to accommodate!

How I Wrecked My Skin

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Hello little sweeties!

Today I bring you some words of wisdom, courtesy of Brian, Nick, AJ, Kevin and Howie D.

Lookin’ back on the things I’ve done
I was tryin’ to be someone
I played my part, kept you in the dark
Now let me show you the shape of my heart

In my case, the “shape of my heart” is in the form of small, brown dots that grace m’mug. Otherwise known as age spots. sun spots or grossest of all, LIVER spots, I have noticed these little b*tches poppin’ up since I hit 30. How did they get there?

The motherf*ckin’ sun, y’all.

TRUE LIFE: The sun wrecked my skin.

All of you know that I am not a stranger to the tanning bed. At one time, my skin tone resembled that of Beyonce’s left butt cheek and I was darn proud of it.

just. don’t judge too hard.

So many gals my age can relate to this I think. The tanning bed was one of my favorite places on earth. Warm. Cozy. Perfect for a power nap. And best of all, I came out feeling prettier. As messed up as THAT sounds.

Not only did I tan in the beds, but I tanned outside. I embraced the sweet little freckles that would sprinkle themselves across my nose each summer. I slathered on the Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil, the Australian Gold, the Maui Babe Browning lotion. YOU KNOW the lineup.

I didn’t think anything of this behavior until my mom had her second melanoma removed. Her doctor basically told me that we are all putting ourselves at major risk of skin cancer by tanning all the time. It was that easy for me. I just stopped.

I cancelled my tanning membership, stopped tanning outside, wore sunscreen and hats. I was maybe 25, but unfortunately the damage was already done. Because today, years later, I am suffering the consequences.

Here are my sun spots with a tiny bit of foundation, blush, bronzer etc..

NOT CUTE guys.

And don’t get me wrong, I know they’re not unsightly or anything but they are big and they do bother me. So what are my options?

Well, skincare is just not going to work. Any topical treatment that promises to get rid of dark spots is just LYING. No chemical can remove this puppies, or at least, none that I’ve heard of. From the research I’ve done, it’s gotta be a laser.

IPL Photo-facials to be exact. They are offered at lots of Medi-Spas and are actually becoming quite popular in removing age spots, acne scars and other imperfections.

I am reallllly thinking about scheduling one of these to help diminish the appearance of my sun spots, but I know it isn’t a permanent solution. You have to get one or two a year in order to keep up the results or else the pigment just comes back.

But ANYWAY – just stay outta the sun will ya? Your face will thank you later 🙂

What do YOU think? Anyone our there ever have an IPL facial?

Covergirl Total Tease Mascara Review

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Hey tootsies!

Before I dive into this mascara, I thought I would remind you all of my two tried-and-true overall mascara tips guaranteed to work with ANY mascara.

  1. NEVER “pump” your mascara. This incorporates air into the bottle and will dry-out the product faster.
  2. Treat a new mascara like a fine wine. Open it, let it breathe. Obviously don’t leave the wand out or anything but give mascara like a week or two until you start judging it. I find that a newly opened mascara is never at it’s best right off the bat. It needs some time to ripen up and blossom.

Now back to the Covergirl Total Tease.

 

PACKAGING

I Gotta love the baby pink and black color combo. It reminds me alot of the Benefit Roller Lash in that regard!

WAND

The wand on this is pretty damn weird. The bristles are rubber, fairly short and spaced out. The bristles do not wrap all the way around the wand, either. On the side where there aren’t bristles, they put in a tiny bump at the tip of the brush with two little lash combs. I think the idea is the comb allows you to get into tiny places, like the inner and outer most lashes.

FORMULA

Sorry about the RBF

This is a wetter formula for sure and it does not dry super shiny. In fact it dries fairly matte and leaves the lashes feeling pretty soft. The product itself goes on the lashes fairly thick and goopy but because the wand is so separating, it works.

APPLICATION

I don’t find myself using the little comb on the end too much when I apply this product. I mostly use the other side and enjoy the separation it gives. I definitely like to wiggle this one back and forth between the lashes to ensure an even coat.

WEAR

Here’s what this mascara looked like at the end of the day:

It looked pretty nice throughout the day, albeit a bit scraggly at the tips of my lashes. It also doesn’t hold a curl wonderfully, but it definitely wasn’t the worst in that department.

OVERALL

I really like this mascara. It isn’t my absolute favorite but I am always hard-pressed to find a mascara that looks nice on it’s own. Most of the time, I have to use two different mascaras to achieve the length, separation and fullness that I want but this one does a pretty good job on it’s own. It is a bit more “gloppy” then I like on a day-to-day basis but sometimes I need those ka-pow lashes and this stuff delivers on that front.

Trip to North Carolina

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Hey y’all.

I don’t know why I’ve already started this post out with a southern accent because truth be told, I didn’t encounter too many while we were in NC. We did however, encounter lots of other wonderful southern delights such as – Dunkin Donuts errrrwhere, the Piggly Wiggly, FIREFLIES and Family Dollar. We joked the whole time we were there that the “holy trinity” in each town was – a Dunkin, Hardee’s and a Family Dollar . JUST MY STYLE.

We took a red-eye over which is never an issue for this old lady, who can manage to sleep (mouth agape always) anywhere, anytime.

Saturday morning after picking up our rental car, we drove to our hotel in Garner and settled into a booth at The Waffle House while we waited for our room to be ready. That night, we attended a beautiful wedding for David’s friend Ben and his lovely bride, Camille.

Before the ceremony, we walked around the gardens and took tons of pics.

Look at my iPhone 7 DO WORK

The ceremony was lovely and the reception was beautiful as well. We had chicken, mashed potatoes, collard greens and corn with a delicious sauce. And rolls. I obviously like m’rolls.

Of course E made pals with all the little girls, including the flower girl who was SO cute.

And of course David took this serious glamour shot of me while we were waiting for our dranks. My arm looks about 7 miles long.

Processed with Rookie Cam

The next day we got up early, had continental breakfast at the hotel (LOVE when hotels have that!) and drove the 2 hours over to David’s brothers house.

We had a blast playing their pool. running through the sprinklers and really just getting to see E and her cousin play together.

Our Airbnb was about 40 minutes from their house on a golf course and after dinner that night we came home and totally crashed. The next morning though, we made a very cool discovery out by the pond…TURTLES!

Being Oregonians, seeing like 30 turtles waddle out to say hi to us was pretty damn cool. We stayed out there for like 30 minutes just watching them.

I pretty much DIED over the screened-in porch and have now decided that I need one of these in my future home.

Later that day, we all went to the beach!

The beach had ACTUAL shells, unlike the coast over here, where all you find is the odd broken sand dollar and the water was semi-warm.

That night, we had a super yummy dinner with the fam and flew back home the next day. Until next time, NC!