YSL Rouge Pur Couture Voxbox

October 13, 2015October 12, 2015Leave a comment

I totes hit the mother load with this Influenster Vox Box.

When I heard I was receiving TWO YSL lipsticks for FREE I am not kidding, I squealed. Like a little piggy. Did you know that ANYONE can join influenster? You just link up all of your social media accounts, they send you surveys and then mail you products if you qualify. It is amaaaazing and I feel stupes that haven’t done it forever.

I was among 2,000 people to receive two YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lip Colors in two shades.

The first color is #9 Rose Stiletto.

The second color is #19 Fuchsia

My thoughts?

I am SUPER impressed with the overall quality of these lipsticks. Both shades are very pigmented, creamy and comfortable to wear. They last well for being a lipstick, (about a 2-hour wear) and the packaging is totes bougie. While they come at a hefty price tag of $36, I feel like this is what you’d expect from YSL. If you are committing to a $36 lipstick, you probably a.) don’t care because you’re kinda rich b.) are splurging and treating yourself to a luxury item or c.) are so obsessed with the packaging and YSL brand that you simply don’t care about the price.

I fall more into category B. For special occasions (weddings, giving birth, haha) I would totally spend 36 bones on a beautiful lipstick, but this would be a CALCULATED, premeditated purchase. I wish I was the kindof lady who could waltz into Sephora and casually toss lipsticks in my basket that cost more than an outfit at Forever 21. But sadly, I am not. I’m the $1.99 Wet’n’Wild lipstick connoisseur who thinks twice about adding guac at Chipotle and buys greeting cards at the Dollar Store. That’s just me.

Beautiful lipstick – stunning packaging – and VERY happy these babies were free 🙂

Thanks YSL! Thanks Influenster! Thank you, baby Jesus.

Drugstore Beauty Haul

October 6, 2015October 5, 20152 Comments

Hi ponies!

Lately ~~I’ve been, I’ve been losing sleep~~ (MAN that song is stuck in my head) I have been aboard the money-saving train. In fact, I’ve been the conductor. I’ve been chugga-chuggin’ past the $30 lip balms at Sephora and beautiful wine-colored nail polishes at Nordy’s. Instead, this little engine has been making stops at Walgreens, Targs and of course Marshalls. My fuel? Items that satiate both my face AND wallet! And here’s what I’ve found:

Maybelline Better Skin Concealer in Light

I recently ran out of my beloved Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, but decided to go with a cheaper option. This foundation gets really good reviews and I had also heard good things about the concealer. It provides pretty great coverage, is hydrating and doesn’t look cakey or settle into fine lines. I would highly suggest this stuff for undereye or brightening purposes only. I would NOT recommend this stuff for covering redness or breakouts. Also, there are only three shades but the lightest one seems to be a great match for me!

Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder in Porcelain

Apparently, this powder is a dupe for Mac Emphasize (a Jaclyn Hill fave). I have never tried Emphasize, as it is a pro-product and not available in regular Mac stores. So far, I do like this powder. It does have a very slight shimmery effect which is PERFECT for setting under-eye concealer.

Covergirl Supersizer Mascara in Very Black

I sung the praises of this mascara in my Summer Favorites post. I absolutely adore this mascara. It is hands down, the best drugstore mascara I have tried, especially as a stand-alone product. Usually, I combine 2-3 different mascaras to attain the look I want, but this mascara looks wonderful all on it’s own!

Calgon Bubble Bath in Hawaiian Ginger

Y’all KNOW I love me some Lush – but is that sh*t expensive or what? Shelling out $7 for a bubble bar is a fun treat every once in a while but I realized the prudent choice was to get a big ol’ bottle of honest-to-goodness bubble bath. And LEMME TELL YA, finding straight-up bubble bath was no easy feat. Sure, there was plenty of Mr. Bubble or Disney Princess bubble-gum options for kids (which I am not opposed to necessarily), but what about the adult options? I found plenty of bath gels but ZERO bubble-bath options. Then I went to Rite Aid and discovered a couple different options from the Calgon range. If you have known me for long then you are WELL aware of my affinity for cotton candy body splash. I kept a bottle at the end of the bench of every volleyball game. I was delighted to find this enormous bottle of bubble bath in hawaiian ginger for a mere $4.27. What a steal you guys!

The Body Shop Bathing Milk Polynesia Lotus & Frangipani

Before I went to Rite Aid, I first tried Marshalls for some bath-time products. ALL I FOUND was “bathing milk”. Which, like, is kinda gross, really. i don’t want to picture pouring milk into the bath…curdling…(gag). Anyweeeez, I found this one from the Body Shop for like $6 and figured I would give ‘er a go. It smells nice but I don’t think it is particularly moisturizing.

The Cutest Weekend

September 28, 2015Leave a comment

Hello all you red and pink Starbursts!

Last week, two very awesome things happened to me.

I became an aunt
I became a chi-sitter

The high dose of cuteness was simply too much for me to handle. Here I was, driving down the highway on a sunny Saturday, Henry cozied up in a coil in his carseat (yes, he has a carseat), on the way to see my baby nephew who I had not been introduced to. On top of that, my parents finally moved into their new house and I was going to be their very first house-guest. My cheeks LITerally hurt from smiling and this time – no Redbulls were consumed. Just me, Henry, an awesomely entertaining book on tape and a couple fun-sized Snickers.

Loved this book!

I arrived in Kennewick and went straight over to the new digs. Nan and Gare are going to be so happy there, but right now moving-mode has made them both cray. I totally get it.

We promptly went over to Megan and Ben’s and wouldn’t you know it, Big Gare was holding Tate in the little chair by the window. He looked so tiny wrapped in my Dad’s embrace and yep – I started to cry.

Tate is very small. I don’t know what I was expecting – like an 8 pound BB is big? His head is pretty much totally round and he has a little bit of blonde hair. He has all ten fingers and ten toes and his skin gets red when he cries. He loves to wave his hands around and most of the time, they are right next to his mouth or on either side of his head. His legs get all stiff when you change his diaper and he has that gross belly button clip thingy so you have to fold the diaper down a little. I could talk about this tiny little human forever, I guess.

Megan only had one or two long-sleeved newborn onesies, so Nan and I ran to Fred Meyer to get more. I happened upon a couple a 40% off the lowest marked price racks and tried on a couple skirts (go fig!) to no avail. We bought a bunch more newborn things, a bottle of white wine and a bag of Pirate’s Booty. The we hit up Kennewick’s wide array of fine dining establishments for take-out. We got KFC for Nan and Ben and Bruchi’s for Meg and I. YUM.

That night, Nan and I opened up a bottle a’Hogue and I slipped into these awesome jammies.

The next day I woke up, drank coffee and ate cereal with measuring spoons (again, not everything has been moved to the new house). I threw Henry’s chewie around for a while and then he curled up in a sunny spot. Then we went for a little walk!

My mom and I brought Megan a Starbucks and she happily drank it while Nan and I gave Tate a bath.

Basically he screamed his little head off and Megan was yelling at us because we got his little belly button wet and apparently you aren’t supposed to. So, we scooped him out after about 15 seconds (no joke) and I got to lay with him while he calmed down and my heart was bursting with all the love and joyness.

A couple hours later, I had to drive back to Portland. I got stuck in traffic right after Hood River and my book on tape ended so I went ahead and scream-sang Sister Act 2 until my voice was hoarse. Henry slept through it all 🙂

The Hawks lost to the Packers that day but the warmth of Henry’s little body laying by my side made everything okay.

Oh, and here is Tate today!

My Summer Favorites

September 18, 20153 Comments

Hey girl heyyyy.

NBD just my natural lashes

It’s been just ages since I wrote down my monthly faves so I figured I’d just bundle it all up into summer. And… HERE THEY ARE. Also, as a side note: I auditioned for a community show choir and I got in. YES. I am a 31-year-old woman who thinks she is on Glee.

Meekups

Covergirl Super Sizer Mascara

I know I have made some pretty hefty claims about certain drugstore mascaras bein’ the bees knees but this one seriously takes the cake. And the macaron, too.This mascara is super black, it is lengthening, separating and creates beautiful definition. It also holds a curl. I will be hoarding this stuff in case they discontinue but I hope they nevvvvver do.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop

I LITerally have people stop me at work to tell me I look like I am glowing. I just freaking radiate when I wear this and I KNOW IT. It is hands down, the most beautiful highlighter I own and probs in existence. The texture is like nothing I have ever felt – sooooo buttery soft and creamy. This, my friends, is a show-stopper and completely worth the hefty $38 price tag.

Covergirl Shimmering Sands Eyeshadow Trio

I have been reaching for this eyeshadow trio all summer long and NO JOKE have worn this exact trio since high school (shoutout to my homegirl Lacey because she was the one who discovered it!). The colors are absolutely perfect together and the light pink shade is so lovely in the inner corner. They blend awesome together and are really pigmented – not bad for $5!

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

I have hit SERIOUS pan on this stuff and for darn good reason. This is just such a great contour shade for us pale girls. The perfect balance of bronze mixed with a dash of shadowy taupe. I love it.

Hair/Beauty

Dessange Color Correcting Creme

My hair was such an atrocity this summer. I got some color in that just doesn’t jive with me and then I tried to fix it with a few streaks from an at-home kit. I have been using the treatment on the right (pictured above) to combat my serious case of the brassies and lemme tell ya – this goop delivers some INTENSE purple. It looks like paint. I apply it all over my head and let it sit for about 10 minutes. When I rinse, the water runs purple for about 5 straight minutes but I love how much it helps brighten-up the blonde.

Body Shop Atlas Mountain Rose Eau De Toilette

I nabbed this at Marshalls a while back and have fallen in love with it. The smell is def very rosy but since I enjoy the same things as 87-year-olds, it smells great to me. Also, a random thing I love about this product is the way it mists out of the bottle. It is such a wonderfully fine, wide mist and I love it so much.

Benefit Bathina Body Oil Mist

I’ve had this for over a year and have just now grown obsessed. After a shower and a fresh shave, I spray a little of this on (maybe 3 sprays per leg) and it smells soooooooooo good and makes me feel so opulent and bourgeois. My skin feels amazing but definitely NOT oily. It is a very tough feeling to describe and it may not be for everyone but I am just addicted!

Randoms

CHIPOTLE

I have been obsessed with Chipotle for awhile now. I’d say since I moved to Portland, although I def had it in Redmond too. What I cannot get enough of, is their GD salty, limey chips. It’s like crack for basic white girls. Everyone loves this place because you can be all, “I am totes healthy because Chipotle is like fresh and sh*t.” But really, if everyone found out it had like 922345234 calories per bite everyone would STILL eat there.

The Walking Dead

TV STILL — DO NOT PURGE — Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes and Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon – The Walking Dead _ Season 5, Gallery – Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

I pretty much love Daryl. Alot. Also, Michonne is quite the awesome badass. I just finished Season 5 and am now moving onto Fear the Walking Dead. Gahhh! RIIIICK!

Saying “you guys” when only talking to one other person

I implore you to try this the next time you are one-on-one with someone. Like if you’re at H&M with your friend and you say, “Oh my God you guys this skirt is only 13 bucks!” Its funny because it’s just her and shows how excited you are. Right!?

Ok that’s it. What are y’all loving lately?

New Looks!

September 14, 20152 Comments

You guys.

I got my hurrrrr done by a professional! Read: no boxes of Feria were involved.

Inspiration Pic:

At the salon:

Triceratops:

Annnd the result!

ALSO, you may have noticed things have changed a little on this little blog of mine (I’m gonna let it shine).

What do you think? How do you feel?

Ugly? Cute? Too BWG?

Lemme know. I’m countin on ya ♥

Amy and Shannon’s Wedding

September 1, 2015Leave a comment

SO.

I don’t cry at weddings.

Don’t get me wrong, their beautiful and sh*t, but there kinda a dime a dozen. Thousands and thousands of dollars spent to accomplish something that could be completely free. But last weekend, I cried. I mean, it wasn’t like I turned on the waterworks, but yeah, a couple glistening tears graced my cheeks. And I wasn’t even the least bit embarr because EVERYONE was crying.

So much love you guys.

The weekend started out with (count it) my FOURTH road trip in a row. I arrived at my parents house on Friday night, promptly grabbed chinese food with Gare and then popped over to Megan’s to bounce Chloe around the living room #babylove.

The next morning, I ~~slept~~ participated awesomely in deep conversations all the way to Spokane with Megan and Ben. We arrived at Nyne (the venue) at 11 am and rehearsed. Then, Shannon’s parents treated us all to the best lunch anyone could ever ask for:

The Johnsons. Bein’ Johnsons.

We gave Amy and Shannon a couple little gifts to get ready in and we had Amy’s man-robe embroidered!

The rest of the day was spent eating sour watermelons, checking into all our respective hotels and drinking wine out of shot glasses at my aunt and uncle’s hotel room.

The next morning we returned to Nyne and decorated. And decorated. And decorated some more. My Dad, Rachel and I were in charge of this big lighted backdrop that my mom had dreamed up. It took some finagling, but we got it!

Megan, Rachel, Emily, Amy and I then went over to Megan’s hotel room at the Davenport Tower to get ready. Amy and Shan got us the sweetest little gifts ever and we all wore them for the wedding.

I of course did my own makeup and hair and then Rachel threw a braid on the side.

After everyone was lookin’ as good as they possibly could, we headed over to the Davenport to get some pics.

And then – it was time for the ceremony! We all lined up and filed out like good lil bridesmaids do.

Amy and Shannon said their own vows and I was just in awe of how poignant and beautiful they both were, even though Amy’s did mention “peeing the bed”. Baahahaha she’s a Danielson alright!

The reception was awesome and the food was delish. I had 3-4 petit fours and my dress started to get very very tight.

The night ended at the Peacock Room (my fave!), with key lime pie martinis, cougar gold dip and a tour of the hotel led by yours truly. Amy and Shannon even stopped by for a night cap before heading up to their room. It was LITerally, the perfect way to end the night.

I LOVE these ladies

The next day we tore down and I drove back to Kennewick with my Dad in his noisy pick up. Then I took a 15-min nap and made the drive back to Portland. One entire bag of Booty may or may not have been consumed.

I am excited to take a break from all this driving but it was definitely worth the effort :).

Amy’s Bachelorette Party

August 20, 2015August 19, 2015Leave a comment

At the ripe ol’ age of 31 you might think my bachelorette party days are over, but this summer has proven two things:

My bachelorette party days are definitely NOT over (you might say, they have only just begun)
It is ALWAYS funny to ask people if you can try on something they are wearing <- unrelated

Anyweeez – last weekend I drove the 6 hours to Spokane to party it up with the ‘bians for Amy and Shannon’s joint bachelorette. My dear sisters Megan and Rachel arrived with Nan in tow at the Oxford Suites on the Spokane river with enough time to procure the LARGEST pours of sh*tty wine and snap a few pics.

Then, we headed up to the room to decorate and try our hardest not to prematurely stick our faces in the cake.

The gals started to arrive and dranks were drunk. My auntie got Amy this awesome shirt!

Then, we headed out to Nyne (which also happens to be the venue for the wedding).

How GORGEOUS are these two? NOT FAIR

My cuz DJ C-Mad was spinning the hits and Rachel and I just wanted to dance to Drake. Haha. After a bit, we headed over to the other gay bar in Spokane, Irvs.

And thennnnn the DJ at Irvs had Amy and Shannon sit down on the stage while people danced up on em. It was gross. And sweet. And slightly sweaty. After that, they were instructed to stand in the middle of the dance floor and everyone who loved them was told to encircle them. Macklemore’s Same Love started playing as this big ol’ gay group hug just got larger and larger.

Of course I lost it. I just started crying. SUCH a sap you guys I’m sorry! But I couldn’t help it. Amy just means the absolute world to me and the fact that the LGBT community has had to deal with ANY kind of sh*t over the years LITerally makes me wanna vom. Like come on people. But anyways – it was awesome and Rachel got part of it on vid…(sorry the camera gets flipped the wrong way JUST DEAL K?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA5VFUmC7A0