The Sunshine Award!

November 25, 20135 Comments

It’s a sunshine day!

A big bear hug to Debbie for nominating me for this award. Please go over and check out her blog for amazing reviews on beauty and makeup products…not to mention two ADORABLE chihuahuas who I want to kindnap…(jk kindof).

Behold! The 11 questions I was asked to answer:

1. What inspired you to start your blog?

I wanted to learn WordPress to help broaden my “professional” skill set, but honestly my love for writing is what has kept this humble little blog chuggin along. I always have felt that there are too many blogs out there, be it beauty, lifestyle, fashion, healthy living, etc. where everything is moon-pies and rainbows. I happen to favor (both in life and on the internet) those folks who aren’t afraid to keep things real. And that, my friends is what I have aimed to do on my blog.

2. What’s the best beauty advice you ever got?

When in doubt, add more blush.

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

West Richland, Washington! JOKES. I would (and will) go to New Zealand…and walk the path to Mordor. Wearing a cape. And I’ll do my hair like this:

4. What one beauty product can’t you live without?

I look like a mutant alien when I am bare-faced so this one is a toughie. I would have to say mascara, just because it transforms me back into a human. A close runner up would be deo. For the B.O.

5. Do you have any pets?

GAH! Don’t ask. The short answer is no. The long answer is that unfortunately my fiance and I both work full-time and therefore, cannot devote (what I feel to be) the appropriate time to a dog (the only pet I would consider having). One day, I will rescue a chihuahua (or 7 of them) and I will name her/him Mordecai after Richie’s pet hawk in The Royal Tenenbaums.

6. Do you prefer going out or spending a low-key night at home?

Toss up. I luurrve going out, but a night at home is oftentimes just what the doctor ordered. If I am going out, I tend to favor shopping at Lush, eating crab cakes, drinking gimlets or seeing Disney on ice. A great night at home would include a $7 frozen yogurt with absolutely no fruit toppings, Pretty Little Liars or anything on ABC Family, You Tube, the fireplace, candy crush, candy and one of Bryan’s enormous hooded sweatshirts from college which I will inevitably spill froyo on.

7. What’s the best meal you ever had?

Another toughie. I would have to say our meal at Merriman’s in Kapalua while we were in Maui was top notch. It was comprised of scrumptious bread for the table, warm crusted goat cheese and charred ahi.

Either that or the time I ate 3 beef supreme chalupas at 2 am on New Year’s Eve in college.

8. What is your favorite skincare product?

Confession: I am dangerously close to the big 3-0 and I really don’t have a skincare routine. GASP. I need help and WOULD LOVE any recommendations down below. My skin type is dry to normal and my skin concern would be preventative wrinkle care so I don’t have to get 390,23423 rounds of Botox. GO!

9. Who’s your favorite YouTube Beauty Guru?

I would have to say Louise, from Sprinkle of Glitter takes the top spot. I also love her bestie, Zoella.

I watch these two relentlessly and not necessarily for their beauty know-how, but just because they are hilarious and awesome. For straight up makeup application, hauls and what-not I LOVE Jaclyn Hill. Her winged eyeliner vid is seriously life-changing.

10. What’s your favorite makeup look?

Bold, winged liner with a subtle shimmery (think Stila kitten or MAC vanilla pigment) shadow and a bright pink lip. Also plenty of Soft and Gentle highlight.

11. In the last week, name one thing that made you smile?

My fiance dancing in the kitchen. Watching the YouTube video of that girl falling on the ice (below). Getting my November Ipsy! Talking to my mom about what kind of vanity I want for Christmas. Texting with my 3rd sister, Rachel about Thanksgiving!

The Autumn Tag

September 24, 20132 Comments

Much thanks to Kate for tagging me!

Fall is hurr and I couldn’t be more excited.

Favorite thing about it? Wrapping up in blankets, Brach’s Autumn Mix (the candy corn, indian corn and pumpkins one), crunchy leaves and (dare I say it?) football! Too many.
Favorite drink? Starbucks Chai. Mmmmm!
Favorite scent/candle? Leaves from Bath and Body Works! Pumpkin Cupcake would be a close second.
Best lipstick? Er…Mac Creme Cup. I know it’s not a darker shade but I truly wear this color every day.
Go to moisturizer? I need to be better about this! I still love the Origins Vitazing for underneath my makeup. Body Shop body butter for my body is just KILLA.
Go to colors for the eyes? HANDS DOWN my Stila ‘In the Light’ palette. I left this at a hotel two weeks ago and almost broke down in tears. Luckily, they found it and shipped it back to me for free! The colors are buttery soft and there is a great mix of shimmer and matte shades. I find I can create any look with this baby.
Favorite music or band/singer to listen to? Anything Disney, per usual.
Favorite outfit to wear (i.e. boots and scarf combo)? Definitely jeans, ballet flats or flat riding boots and a tank with a baggy grandpa cardigan. Can’t go wrong!
Autumn treat? Besides treating myself to multiple baskets of wings on Sundays…I’m really wanting the new Rockateur blush by Benefit. Can’t help myself when it comes to anything rose gold!

YAHOO for fall! Check out Kate’s blog if you’re in the mood for awesome reviews and all types of products. She is awesome!

August Empties

August 29, 201311 Comments

Happy Thursday Tootsies!

As the title suggests, prepare yourselves to discover what I have been loving and maybe not-so loving over the past few months. As a “waste not, want not” kind-of gal, I have to truly despise a product to cease and desist it’s use.

Much like Miley Cyrus’ relationship with clothing.

So – in no certain order, I give you the products I have conquered:

1. Tresseme Dry Shampoo

I have already shared my lukewarm feelings for this brand of dry shampoo. However, in a pinch at $3.99 I succumbed and as a result, have dealt with ashy color and the unpleasant texture this leaves behind.

2. L’oreal Collagen Mascara

I have now gone through 2 or 3 tubes of this mascara and lemmejustsay, I am in love. I began to include this product in my “mascara lineup” and have reaped the benefits of the large, bristley, almost goopy wand. When paired with respective separating and lengthening formulas – this mascara teams up to knock your lashes outta the park.

Apologies for the sports analogy.

3. Secret Outlast Deodorant

Apparently I am going there…and this one was just aight. I recently became OBSESSED with this old Secret deodorant I discovered in my Mom’s bathroom drawer. As a result, I checked each and every store for the past 2 months to find it with no avail. Damn limited editions! Then, the other day whilst contemplating jet black vs. carbon black eyeliner at Bartell’s I decided to check the deo section. And there it stood in all it’s radiant glory. I bought two and immediately called Bryan, letting him know, “I found the good deodorant!” He was not as thrilled.

4. Revlon Lip Butter in Cupcake

These lip butters have a serious cult following and for good reason. The formula combines the moisturizing elements of a lip butter with buildable, lovely pigmentation and delivers an effortless look with just the right amount of color. I have the colors creme brulee, red velvet and cupcake (well, I had cupcake) and now I am realizing that these are all foods #innerfatkid.

5. Bath and Body Work Body Spray in Pink Chiffon

I still have a few spritzes left of this spray my sister Megan introduced me to. I love SO many scents from B&BW but Pink Chiffon is truly amazing. It is feminine, fresh and sweet – what could be better?!

6. Nivea Smooth Sensation Body Lotion

I buy this lotion because I like the way Nivea products smell and Bry will use it because the packaging is blue. ‘Nuff said.

7. K-Pak Intense Hydrator

I picked up a travel-size of this during Christmas of last year. I like to combine this product with the K-Pak Deep-Penetrating Re-constructor, which is more of a protein treatment. When combined, they make quite the hydrating/strengthening duo! Out to banish my split ends and conquer the world.

8. Essie Topless and Barefoot

Pet Peeve: The moment your nail polish brush can no longer dip easily into the nail color. Thus is the case with my all-time favorite nude polish. IknowIknow, I could add some nail-polish thinner but I don’t have any…which is a good excuse :)! I will re-purchase this color for it’s wearability (even though Essie polish is not my favorite formula) and because it looks so fab with chunky glitter over the top.

9. Bath and Body Works Pillow Mist

I have had this since college. College. What was once used to remedy stressed out nerves before a big exam was most recently used to spruce up extra sheets for our guest bedroom when friends came to stay. I’m a big kid now.

10. Neutrogena Make-Up Wipes

Full Discolsure: I rarely wash my face before bed. When I have the time, I like to lather up my mug – but 90% of the time, I am haphazardly dragging a makeup-removing wipe across my face as I watch Jenna Marbles and eat popsicles. I go through so many in fact, that I saddled up for the Costco pack and have just recently gone through them all. My skin has yet to rebel against me and let it be known that I do use eye creme ~~every night~~ sometimes and I exfoliate bi-weekly in the shower. So there.

11. Meyer’s Countertop Spray in Basil

Not a beauty product. However, I feel this is worth a mention if for nothing else than it’s a-mazing scent. I have become completely addicted to the smell of this spray and find myslef wiping down our counters more often just to fill the room with this fresh aroma. So win-win.

Oh! And a couple other rando beauty faves as of late:

Essie’s “Lady Like” and “Raise Awareness”

Sephora Lipstick in “The Red”

Shameless and dweeby selfie courtesy of yours truly.

What have you used up lately?

Megan and Ben’s Wedding

August 22, 20136 Comments

Hello Mates!

In an attempt to tackle what could easily be the most wordy, emotional and just plain long post – I have wisely decided to go down another path. The path less traveled. The path that is sprinkled with photos and witty anecdotes, free of mile-long paragraphs and steep pitches of run-on sentences.

How do I plan to do this?

I am channeling my inner minimalist and hoping the random sampling of photos will somehow resemble a post that is worthy of such a spectacular day. Like unwelcome wedding guests, nerves, anxiousness and worry somehow reared their ugly heads. Luckily sheer joy, love and laughter persevered above all.

It wasn’t a perfect day. Seams were ripped, sweat permeated satin and raindrops fell. I don’t know about the bride, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

So, with no further adieu – I give you, my loyal readers…

Megan and Ben’s Wedding – The Top Ten List

1. Decorating!

2. The rehearsal dinner

The Johnson Siblings

Girls and ~~Boys~~ Girls

3. Getting our Nails Did

4. Getting our Hurrs Did

Ol’ Crazy Eyes

POMPADOR

Ouch!

5. Getting Ready

Pluckage

Tiny Chloe

6. The Ceremony

Strutting

Adorbs

Double Fisting

Just look at my face.

7. Seeing Friends and Family at the Reception

Bridesmaid Entrance

8. Cutting a RUG

9. DRINKING and CAKE

Melting my heart.

10. Seeing my big sister the happiest ever

Venue: Terra Blanca Winery
Dress: La Belle Elaine’s
Bridesmaid Dresses: Purple Parasol and David’s Bridal
Food: Twigs
Flowers: Twigs and Petals
Nice Photos by: My Talented Aunt Judy and Andrea Starr Photography
Ring: Dodson’s Jewelers

Summer Beauty Favorites

July 30, 20135 Comments

Hello Beauties!

I love my bathroom. I use the term “my” because mostly it’s me who uses it. We are lucky enough to house 2 bathrooms in our little apartment and Bry has slowly migrated to the other. #seperatebutequal.

Being allowed this luxury has meant filling it up with products and relishing the fact that I can do this. It has meant finding some duds along the way but also discovering potions that have seriously changed my life. A good product will do that for ya, I promise.

In no certain order, here are the standouts from my 2013 summer beauty collection:

The Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter came from a recent Ipsy bag I received. Sidenote: Ipsy is amazing. Best beauty box on the market if you ask me – and for $10 per month? Come on – put her there! It smells like an absolute dream and gives a deliciously subtle shimmer to the skin, along with providing a bit of a tint.

The Origins Vitazing is another product I got thanks to Tiffany D. I have used it more during these summer months, when my skin needs less coverage and more sun protection – and have grown very fond. To be honest – when I first used it, I thought it was giving me spots (zits) but I haven’t had such problems since then. I feel this product gives me a radiance as well as a nice dose of moisture without looking greasy. The SPF is a welcome addition, making this the perfect summer moisturizer in my book.

Forget everything you think you knew about black liquid liner. This Wet ‘n’ Wild eyeliner has put other high-end liquid eyeliners to absolute shame with it’s crazy black pigmentation and staying power. I much prefer this guy to do my heavy lifting, be it a precise cat eye or dramatic wing. It stays on, is JET black and costs $3. I curse my Mac blacktrack!

I won’t lie on this blog – I have owned this for probably around 3 years. I realize I am probably smearing expired, bacteria-infested pigments all over my mug but really, don’t we all have a couple things in our makeup bags a tad past their prime? This Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips compact should be awarded for it’s multi-purpose properties. The colors are gorg on their own worn as eyeshadows or as I do – for my highlight (just keep yer brush in the lighter colors). Along of the cheek bones, down the nose and the cupid’s bow and I feel like a woodland fairy.

Mac Creme Cup. A perfect nudish-pink for a multitude of skin tones. I recently welcomed this color into my life and I haven’t looked back. I wear it in the morning, I wear it at night. Sometimes I put a little in my hair if I’ve had a rough week (name that movie!). It’s perfect.

This is a new-to-me line of hair care products and this Enjoy Instant Reconstructor is a winna. Kimberly from C.Joy Salon used this on me after my recent highlight and my hair actually shined. This doesn’t happen to me. Oil shouldn’t be called liquid gold no mo’ – just sayin. The English Pear and Freesia perfume from Jo Malone. I can’t. I literally have to force myself not to douse my entire body in this everyday. I am convinced that all the other scents on my perfume tray are so jealous of this modest little bottle (because inanimate objects might have feelings).

We all know that self-tanners are my bread and buttah. My wallet silently screamed as I forked over the $40 on this maracuja-infused formula from Tarte but, like so many products I’ve discovered that are well worth the higher price tag, it is indeed “brazilliance”. It has an olive undertone so I was able to say goodbye to my usual oompa-loompa tinge. The fade is brilliant and the package includes a mitt for perfect application. It also has cute packaging, making this the absolute best tanning product I’ve discovered so far. Bold claim, I know.

So that’s it! A menagerie of beauty-enhancing goops. Go get you some.

Don’t miss a cupcake, unicorn or vodka drink – follow me on Bloglovin’!

Beauty Product Misses

June 13, 20134 Comments

For any gal who has fallen victim to a product slathered in catchy marketing and boasting “miracle” results only to discover it’s complete and utter uselessness, I say this: I am you.

I am the girl who spends hours, yes hours watching, reading and researching products that lay claim to serious results with no avail. While I like to think that the majority of the items I choose to buy have been methodically selected, sometimes this is far from the truth. I, like so many women, am easily wooed by product displays, limited editions, or my weakest spot – cute packaging. Stick a piece of poo in a pink box with a cute font and I’m smitten. You get the drift :).

Recent evidence of ~~genius~~ cute marketing:

Instantly Instagramed Post-Purchase

The purpose of this post is to hopefully save some of you (the millions who are reading) from repeating my beauty section mistakes.

Got2Be Beach Trippin

Basically, I feel this entire brand is garbage. The name is bad enough. Textbook example of how cute packaging and unrealistic promises can break our hopeful hearts. Or maybe it’s only me. I really should just splurge for the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray, but can’t yet justify the $25 cost for what seems like a little salt-water.

Tresemme Dry Shampoo

My never-ending hair growth saga has constituted the purchase of many hair products to aid in my quest for boob-length locks. Dry shampoo is a necessity as frequent hair washing is a major no-no in the hair growth department. For this beauty miss, I simply cheaped-out on my all time favorite dry shampoo, Batiste , for this $3 version. It comes out like a jet (TWSS), the formula is too wet (again, TWSS) and it leaves a dreaded white residue on your hair (this is out of control).

Macadamia Natural Hair Oil

I was surprised by my distaste for this hair oil. Lots of beauty gurus love this line. The smell was nice at first, but I grew tired of it overtime and I felt it actually made my hair more dry! The horror! For a MUCH better alternative, albeit, substantially more expensive is Moroccan Oil. Or, Nectar of the Gods as I call it.

Ulta Brand Tanning Products

Self tanning products have become all the rage suddenly. I guess people are finally getting hip to how bad the sun is for your skin, derrr. As a child of a skin-cancer survivor many times over, I quit my tanning bed regime long ago.

As a result, I have become a connoisseur of drugstore self-tanning products. Neutrogena, Hawaiian Tropic, Jergens. They all aight. L’Oreal Sublime Bronze is one of my favorites, save for the trail of glitter it leaves behind. Strippers prolly buy this stuff by the buckets. I have yet to dive in to pricier options like St.Tropez, Fake Bake or the one I covet over all else by Tarte.

The Ulta self-tanner performed as well as you’d expect it to, which was completely disappointing. Hardly any color and it faded terribly, read: lizard skin.

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

Finding the right mascara is kind of like shopping for jeans. What looks great on one person gives the other saggy-butt. You understand. Mascaras can be lengthening, volumizing, separating, moisturizing, the list goes on and on. For most, a combination works best. I have tried the Falsies multiple times, due to it’s wide popularity and good price. Each time, I was left with stiff, jagged spider eyes which isn’t exactly what I was going for. However, I have seen this product perform beautifully on others so I suppose the vote’s still out.

So that’s it, I hope I helped. Save your pennies for sensible things like a magic set or a quesadilla maker. Splurge on a vacation to Dollywood but please, don’t buy these products.

Material Girl: Beauty

March 27, 2013April 5, 20134 Comments

Good Evening little bunnies!

As of late, the most effective way for me to blow off steam, decompress and shut off m’engines doesn’t involve candles, exercise, Enya or a trip to the spa. I find complete and utter comfort whilst crouching over the displays in the beauty department. And I’m not picky, neither. No, no. Of course I love me some Sephora after a long day, with the fun brands and makeup-belt ninjas. However, it’s worse than that. If Bryan and I are supposed to be grocery shopping, you can find me tip-toeing away to the beauty department. Give me an inch, I take a mile. As a result, I have grown somewhat obsessed and over educated in the world of beauty. Want to know how to get the Kardashian-chiseled cheeks? Or how to get your foundation to stay all day? What about a way to make your baby stop crying? With the exception of the last one, I think I can be of service. So in case any of the 10 of you who are still reading want to know, here’s what I’m loving this spring.

FACE

1. Makeup Forever HD Foundation

I’m not one for a full-fledged face-o-makeup. Most foundations are deemed either light, medium or full coverage and just like my breakfast cereals, I like to have options. This foundation provides medium coverage, but can easily be full-coverage by using a bit more product. The reason I love this is for it’s beautiful finish on the skin while not looking pancakey. The name suits the crime in this case.

2. Revlon Naked Foundation

This is my everyday stuff. It’s definitely a lighter coverage, but again, is build-able. It’s easy to put on and blends nicely. I know there is a die-hard Revlon Colorstay cult out there, but I prefer the MFE HD to do my dirty work.

3. Urban Decay All-Nighter

Confession: I have dry skin. So why do I use a makeup-setting spray? Confidence, my friends. I don’t sweat profusely, yet I use deo (for the B.O). Additionally, you never know when you might break a sweat. Your boss calls you into his office. Sweat. You realize you’ve been at Bath & Body Works too long and your lunch break was over 20 minutes ago. Sweat. You discover the pants you bought a year ago that were loose and are now tight. Sweat. You see? It’s perfectly logical.

4. Too-Faced Chocolate Soliel Bronzer

Holy grail of bronzers, I’m telling you. I’ve learned my lesson with shimmery, frosted or glittery bronzers and now I wisely stick to matte. You want your face to look like you’ve just run a marathon while eating a cheeseburger and drinking warm, Spicy V8? Just dust a think coat of frosted bronzer all over your mug. This bronzer is spiritual for me. A little at my temples, the hollows of my cheeks and under my jawline. Pow! I just lost 5 pounds. Jelly? *I like to wear shimmery bronzers too, but strategically placed and in moderation.

Honorable Mention: MAC mineralized skin finish natural.

EYES

1. Revlon Color Stay Felt Tipped Eyeliner

I swear, a 5 year old could apply this eyeliner. I’m not suggesting a 5-year old wear eyeliner, but you get the jist. For anyone who uses the excuse that they can’t apply eyeliner due to an unsteady hand, no more excuses! I’ve done it perfectly after 2 cocktails, TWSS. This stuff is idiot-proof and easy to wing-out (if you don’t know about winged eyeliner I feel bad for you).

2. Stila eyeshadow in Kitten

Courtesy of Sephora

If I had to choose one eyeshadow to wear for the rest of my life, this would be it. Well, actually I would throw a “wish for more wishes” at ya and I’d choose the Urban Decay Naked palette, so ha! But seriously, this eyeshadow is so very pretty. It makes any eyecolor pop and appear twinkling. It’s also velvety rich and super-pigmented which means a little goes a long way. I like to put it around my tear-duct and at the brow bone. Throw a little in the air and say “Mazel Tof!”. It’s maje.

3. NYX Rollerball in Salmon

Hat tip to sister Rachel for unearthing this majesty in a tube. This stuff is undeniably gorgeous and I think merits a swatch.

Doesn’t do it justice.

Disclaimer: Apply with a brush or your finger to heavily-primed eyelids – or – get a lil’ MAC fixed-plus on yer tool of choice before applying. With this product, a dab’ll do ya. If not, you’ll have a hot mess of a face.

LIPS

1. Mac Lipstick in St.Germain

This is my underdog of a lipstick. When MAC stupidly decided to discontinue the Lady Gaga lipstick I searched high and low for a dupe (I hate limited edish’s). Saint Germain is lovely on it’s own or paired with the lipglass of the same name. Be prepared for serious pink that doesn’t quit and a high level of Barbiness. Aren’t we all searching for the perfect shade of Barbie pink? I think yes.

OTHER

1. Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub

Smells like pumpkin pie, says citrus on the lid. I heard Burt’s Bees is owned by Clorox, so maybe they named this product after sniffing a fresh batch a bleach? I recently discovered that I need to be exfoliating on the daily, so I nabbed this cute little jar after marveling at the short n’ sweet list of ingredients. My friends, it’s time to start reading labels. This pale face is the only one I’ve got and I really don’t want to end up looking like anyone from Real Housewives. I’ve had to say au revior to many drugstore face items that I’ve turned over to discover the first ingredient is mineral oil. May as well be high fructose corn syrup.

2. Luna Fiber Bars in Peanut Butter Strawberry

Reminiscent of the ever-popular Nutragrain bars, these pups pack a seriously delicious punch for a mere 120 cals. Sans all the fake crap I’m sure Kellogg’s chalks theirs full of, Luna delivers this soft-baked delight using the organic stuff. But don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely more seafoam than green. Basically, for a few minutes a day I can pretend that shop at PCC and drink Kefir, whatever that is.

3. Russell Stover Easter Egss in Vanilla and Coconut Cream

Can I just start this post over and talk only about food? When I was 5, I stole a Cadbury creme egg from the grocery store, you know the commercial. I nibbled it quietly in the corner of a room which Meg and I shared. I was caught and forced to use 2 whole weeks allowance (25 cents a week kids) to pay the store back. What did I learn from this?

I should have taken a Russel Stover egg instead.

*Edited to Add: Not sure what all these links are doing in my post but they’re certainly not intentional. Apologies.