May Favorites & Empties In Review!

Hey everyone!

I'm starting a new series on the blog all about my favorites and emptied products that I use over the course of the month. I'm going to try and not limit this to just beauty products since I am a mom of three as well.  So here we go!

(via: Amazon)

Herbal Essences Wild Naturals Rejuvenating Oil Elixir: Ok, let me start off with that fact this product smells SO delicious.  I get so many compliments from people (including Mr. Fresh Heart) when I apply this (which is daily). Because my hair is color treated and very wavy in texture, my hair tends to be a little frizzy at times. And I've noticed a significant different/improvement with my hair since using this product; it really does a great job with conditioning my hair. As far as the shine does, I couldn't tell much because even though I do have a little frizz my hair is pretty healthy and shines naturally anyway. The oil/elixir isn't as think as some of the other hair serums I've used before and a little goes a long way.  I'll definitely will be repurchasing this product.

(Via: Amazon)

Anna Sui La Vie De Boheme:  I have used this perfume as my go-to everyday perfume for two years now. It's sweet yet musky that also doesn't have an overbearing or overwhelming floral scent. However, it doesn't last long. So I do have to reapply it at least two or three times throughout the day. Which is kind of a big deal considering the prince for the tiny bottle of product you're getting. The bottle is small enough for easy carry but due to it not lasting as long, you do go through quite a bit of it. I'm almost done with my bottle that I repurchased and I think I am going to retire this scent for me and try something else. 

(via: Amazon)

Aveeno Ultra Calming Makeup Removing Wipes, 25 Count: Though the packing on the front says ultra calming, it still gave me a burning sensation on my face after I used this product. It also didn't get all the makup residue off my face, and left it still feeling dirty. I will not be repurchasing it. 

(via: Amazon)

Sultra The Bombshell Rod Curling Iron: I love this curling wand and I cannot say enough about how awesome it is! It does heat rather quickly and you only need to wrap your hair around it and hold it for a few seconds. I have very thick hair medium length hair that hardly holds a curl when I use other wands but I find when I use this wand my curls stay for days! I highly recommend this!

(via: Sephora)

Benefit Cosmetics The Big Easy Liquid To Powder SPF 35 Foundation: I love Benefit but I am SO disappointed in this "BB cream". Like a lot of the other users have stated, it clings to dry spots on your face and it makes it look very cakey once applied. Even with a moisturizer and primer applied. I've used other BB's and the consistency of this one is very thick which makes the application process a little bit much (more time than I'd like to spend since I'm a busy mom of 3). It's basically putting on sun screen lotion on your face and and that's what it smells like too. It does have a very matte finish, once applied. Which is something I don't want considering I want a more dewy/supple finish in the spring and summer seasons. Coverage definitely needs improvement, I found myself reapplying it more than I wanted to throughout the day. It did clog up my pours so when I did use it I felt like I really needed to scrub my face more. Unfortunately as much as I love Benefit, I cannot recommend this product.

(via: Amazon)

NYX S126 Bohemian Chic Nude Matte Collection: I love this pallet for every day to even evening wear! The colors are extremely pigmented and super easy to blend. I have fair skin and all of the colors looked lovely on me. The blushes were an added bonus! I really loved the peach blush that's included in this pallet. NYX is supper affordable for those who are on a budget but want high quality makeup or just starting into makeup. I highly recommend this pallet for girls with fair skin (really any skin tone) too!

(via: drugstore)

NYX Butter Lipstick, Licorice: This color is gorgeous and so stunning on my fair skin. I always get compliments when I wear it. The formula is great too, it's smooth, buttery and moisturizing! The color lasts for a while too with minimal touch ups. The price is great for those on a budget and seek high quality makeup and lipstick at a fraction of the cost.

(via: Amazon)

NYX Nude On Nude Palette: I really loved the eye shadows, they were extremely pigmented and super easy to blend. I bought this because a lot of the colors were dupes to Urban Decays' Naked pallet. However, I could have done without the glosses, they are extremely sticky and just seemed like low quality. Which was super shocking since majority of NYX products I have are high quality.

(via: Sephora)

Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate: This is by far the most potent anti-aging eye concentrate I've used on myself. It's a bit more on the expensive side however, for all you moms out there wanting preventative care or grandmothers needing restorative lifting, this is everything you need. I applied it at night before I went to sleep and not only did it lighten my dark circles but it brightened my under eyes significantly! Like I said before it is pretty expensive, but a little goes a long way! I bought my bottle a while ago and still haven't put much of a dent in it. Great purchase, totally worth the money spent!

(via: Sephora)

Origins GinZing™ Refreshing Eye Cream: I got a deluxe size sample of this from Sephora as a 100 point perk and I'm absolutely love this and in addition will be buying the full size when my sample runs out. Not only does this de-puff and hydrate my under eyes, it lightened my dark circles! I struggle with dark circles which makeup doesn't cover very well and although it didn't bug me too much, I'm really glad they've gone away. I do notice them slowly coming back after not using the eye cream for about a week, but if I only skip a few days the dark circles stay gone. It also has an almost shimmery effect without any actual shimmer that brightens the eyes without looking odd. I highly recommend this eye cream if you have mildly to moderately dark under eyes. 

(via: Sephora)

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser: It simply cleanses the face and is great for my sensitive skin. I have searched high and low for a gentle cleanser that doesn't make my skin burn that also does an incredible job with cleaning my face. Any FAB products are simply put: amazing! They are very affordable and are effective products for those like me who have very sensitive skin. It's great for those who have eczema and psoriasis as well. It's smooth and fragrance free and great when you follow up with the Ultra Repair cream too.

             

The Battle of Reds : My Epic Journey With Red Hair.

November Favorites & Empties.

I'm starting a new series on the blog all about my favorites and emptied products that I use for the month.

As for this month’s Favorites/Empties, I’m combining them into one post this month.  Twice(ish) the reading for half the clicking…enjoy! :D

(via: Benefit)

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream (Repurchase): Okay, so I have talked about my random bout of dry skin on my face due to pregnancy. It really bothered me for two weeks and nothing, I mean NOTHING seemed to help it. My face was just dry and itchy and nothing I put on it made it feel or get any better that is until I found this stuff. Super moisturizing, it didn't smell all chemically like some of the other moisturizers I've used in the past have. I put it on religiously morning, mid afternoon, and right before I went to bed and I kid you not, within just a few days my face felt much better! I will definitely repurchase.  

(via: Drugstore)

Head & Shoulders Almond Oil (Repurchase Iffy): I've been in the US of A for over five years now and I'm still not used to sudden temperature changes and Southern humidity. It has done a number on on my scalp along with this pregnancy (dry skin, dry scalp, dry everything practically). Though the bottle guarantees 100% flake free, I'm still dealing with the dandruff. :( Though this formula does smell good I'm not sure I will repurchase this product again. 

(via: Sephora)

Bliss Buttah-Bling! (Repurchase): If you have not figured it out, I am a moistureholic! I've gone through all of my tubes! Also, I'm currently working my through a fourth tube that I just got a few weeks ago. This stuff smells amazingly great and it leaves my skin feeling super soft and smooth. So therefore, I will be repurchasing! 

(via: Benefit)

Benefit BeneBalm (Repurchase): Super smooth, hydrating and moisturizing. It goes on a bit sheer with just a hint of color which is something I REALLY like. My lips are pretty rosy naturally anyway and sometimes I find it difficult to wear certain lip colors. I sway more to the hydration balms, just because I sometime find my bottom lip stays a bit chapped (again dry skin issues). I will be repurchasing. 

(via: Sephora)

Benefit World Famous Neutrals (No Repurchase): I love Benefit a lot, but when I got this pallet set, I hate to admit this BUT I was highly disappointed. Mainly because of the price, lets be honest, there isn't a lot of product. The cream creaseless shadows come in tiny little pots that if you are a refresher like I am, they don't last long. On the plus side like all of Benefits products, they blend easy and are pretty wearable for any occasion. I however, will not be repurchasing this pallet set. 

(via: Benefit)

Benefit Majorette (Repurchase): This is going to be short, sweet and to the point. I absolutely love this cream blush a lot! It's super creamy, easy to apply, and just the right shade of peach for my fair skin! I will repurchase. 

(via: Benefit)

Benefit Hoola (Repurchase): I'm sorry, but like I said before, I really love Benefit. I love this bronzer for contouring and from what I've seen, it works for any skin type. It's light and super blendable and I will be repurchasing.

(via: Benefit)

Benefit Dandelion (Repurchase Iffy): I am on the fence with this blush, it is pretty but .. eh.. I'm unsure if I will repurchase.

(via: Benefit)

Benefit They're Real! (Repurchase Iffy): I am on the fence with this mascara, it is creamy and easy to apply and it does last long it's just not waterproof. My eyes ball's leak fluid a lot (I blame it all on those pesky pregnancy hormones) so I need something that isn't going to run. However, it does give my eyelashes that additional little "umph" that I love. I wonder if I layer a waterproof mascara on top if it will still work? However I am on the fence about a repurchase.

(via: Bath & Body Works)

BBW Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin (NO Repurchase): Oh how I love anything pumpkin like the rest of them, however I was highly disappointing in this BBW product. The smell is ... well, yuck. It seriously smells like your grandmothers potpourri. I will NOT repurchase or recommend this product.

(via: BBW)

BBW Plum Moscato & Almond (No Repurchase): True to BBW form, this body wash lathers well and moisturizes skin but as far as the scent goes, it's not really there. However it smells really nice in the bottle, it's sweet and fruity but once it lathers the scent disappears. No repurchase.  

Review:: Sultra Curling Wand :: Bombshell Set.

As I've gotten older, I've learned to embrace my hairs texture and curl.  It's to the point that I even refuse to wear my hair straight anymore. Anyway,  I've had a curling and straightener combo that has lasted me well over five years (and this was a cheap Kmart buy too)! However, it finally decided to kick the bucket earlier this month and long story short, I finally broke down and started to look for a new one. After looking long and hard, I couldn't find a combo wand like the old one. So instead, I decided that I would buy a curling wand instead.

I did some research and looked at reviews and I finally settled on Sultra curling wand from Sephora.

(via: Sephora)

Now let me tell you how much I love this curling wand! Nothing and I mean NOTHING (not even my old curler straightener combo) curls my hair like this does. I have super thick and heavy hair and it's hard to get a heated curl to stay in. If I do curl my hair I seriously have to spray pounds of hair spray in my hair.  Even then, they curls don't last long enough part of the day. 

This curling wand really gets my curls to stick without hardly any hair spray! Not to mention the curls are super soft and touchable and last for days! It heats up rather quickly (which is great, because I often don't have time to sit and wait in the mornings) and it also comes with a heatproof glove. 

See what I mean? Super soft pretty curls and works for any length of hair (I have a shoulder length long bob)! Hope you all enjoy my review and have a happy Tuesday! 

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Saying Goodbye To The Girls.

Almost two months ago I had undergone a surgery that has since changed my life in such a positive way imaginable! What may you ask did I have done? Well going by my title for this post and if you're guess right...

Yes, I said GOODBYE TO MY BOOBIES!

This has been one of the best life changing experiences I have made since deciding to go the healthy rout in life (cutting out all the yucky garbage in my food and going Paleo (thanks to Miss Ashley Vos) and gluten free).

Let’s face it, my entire young adult life I have always been … well-endowed. By age 13 (well into puberty at this point) I was in a size DD and the older I got well … the bigger they got. Growing up I was never really a chubby kid, I was just all boobs. After being sick for a while, my mum passing away when I was 19, on top of being a brand new mom at 20 I put on a lot of stress weight, and my weight went everywhere but my butt,  (the only place in the world I WISH I had fat in LOL)! Adding even more pounds to my chest. By the time I was 22 I had two babies, a size G bra and 40 pounds added to my small frame. So for the last three years I have yo-yo dieted, which has sucked. But somehow I managed to lose a lot of the weight and keep a steady 175 (which doesn’t look bad for my height since I’ve got long legs and a semi short torso)pounds, but I was still lugging around ginormous tata’s every day. Which made me super self-conscious. I seriously avoided the gym and running for fear of being knocked out or facing a black eye from being whacked in the face by my own boobs...

For the last year and a half I was a three-times-a-week chiropractic patient just to relieve the pain and pressure off my back from the girls. Bras never fit right, I was always secretly tucking my boobs back into my bra and those super sexy lace bras (you know the ones I’ve been drooling over from Modcloth) I kissed those goodbye years ago because they were ALWAYS out of the question for me. I was stuck with vanilla wide strap bras that cost way too much considering they are just two large triangles with straps.  

So after months of chiropractic care and not seeing any relief, I finally called my insurance (which I am SO very thankful to have a wonderful insurance company that was so easy to work with during this process) to get names and numbers of Doctors who would do a medical breast reduction.   The list was extremely short. Like only three doctors short. Which is crazy since I’m about 30 minutes from Knoxville Tennessee and there are SO many plastic surgeons there. Only one out of the three was still doing medically needed breast reductions. ONLY ONE and HE was a male. Which to be honest, I’m really weird about having male doctors they never seem to have any good bedside manors and they just can’t relate to a woman like a female doctor can.

So on top of that I was super nervous and very awkward when it was time to go for my appointment (plus I was about 20 minutes late because of down town Knoxville traffic and UT hospital is HUGE! I had to ask for directions twice, inside of the building)!

The first initial appointment is like any other “first time seeing the doctor” appointment. They measure you, take your weight, the nurse asks if you have had any family history of breast cancer or tumors, past surgeries etc. etc. you dress out of your street clothes and into a surgical gown. Seriously, it’s just like any other typical doctor visit.

They give you a little time to get undressed, gown on and get comfortable. Both the doctor and his nursing assistant walk into the room, introduce themselves and then begin working. He took more measurements and then examined my chest tells the nurse and she jots them down in your chart. The one things I was extremely worried about was my right breast. Some of the tissue was missing due to a lumpectomy that was done three years ago which unfortunately left a giant hole the size of two fingers and a huge indention.

I have always been told that when meeting with a new doctor for the first time about a specific procedure always, ALWAYS ask questions. Never leave anything unturned or left unspoken because the more information you get from them the better you will be and feel about your procedure. Never go into a major surgery with no information given or concerns/questions answered!

Let me tell you, I had a HUGE list of questions to ask too! He answered every question that I had with genuine concern and he was so honest with me. Which is pretty admirable considering. No wonder all the women in the lobby ooh’ed and ahh’ed over him when I asked about their experience with him.

Now let me give you some advice on this process if you are entertaining the thought of a medically needed breast reduction. It is also good to seek out other options before you resort to this if you are having back problems or pain due to the enormous pressure and pull that is cause by your large breasts. This major surgery really is looked at as your FINAL and LAST RESORT.

Here are some other options you can look into to find some relief: a great chiropractor, massage therapist, or physical therapist. All these options I have done, but the relief I experienced wasn’t long lasting.

1.      Have existing problems that are fully documented in detail from other doctors. It is also good to have at least two doctor recommendations such as your primary care doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist. Insurance will not accept the procedure if you don’t.

2.     Have a good insurance company. Call and talk with one of their health advisors about this first. They will be the first to give you information on it, your coverage and recommend doctors.

3.     Research the doctors from the list that they give you. I always want to know who I’m seeing, what they have done in the past, if they have any (good or bad) reviews from previous patients, and check out their work. Most plastic surgeons have a website that you can look at to gather this information or you can google search them.

4.     Make your first initial appointment for the doctor you choose from the list they gave you. This first appointment is free of charge and you or your insurance will not be billed. Be sure to bring the following with you to your appointment:

·        your list of questions and concerns

·        insurance card and information

·        recommendations from two other doctors

5.     If you feel comfortable with the doctor, make the appointment for your surgery and wait. The surgeon will fax all the needed information to your insurance company. It is now up to them if you are eligible for the procedure.

It took my insurance company a while to review all the information my surgeon had faxed them. To be really honest, I prayed long and hard on this and my prayers were answered. My surgery was accepted by my insurance company a week before my surgery!

When I received the news from the ladies at my surgeon’s office, I was over joyed! I seriously cried my eyes out long and hard. I even had the staff crying over the phone with me! This was something I had been praying about for quite some time and now it was finally being answered! I even called and texted everyone on my little contact list. My best friend, which I still laugh out loud about this, said over the phone “Wow I’ve never heard someone so excited to get her boobies chopped off!” But it was true, I was so happy! Years and years of dealing with the pain and pull and my spine being so out of alignment was finally over, I would be more comfortable and confident and now I felt like I could really shed those baby and stress weight pounds off.

Surgery day came quicker than I imagined and I was a nervous wreck. Which if you read my blog post about the tumor I had removed from my back and leg a few years ago, I always get crazy pre-surgery jitters. It’s really bad, to the point where I rewrite my will just-in-case. Which seems silly because I’ve had SO many surgeries, more than I can count on both hands.

Anyway surgery day, I get prepped and marked. My chest seriously looked like my three year old took a marker to me. There were marks all over the place! These marks tell my doctor where he needs to go and what he needs to cut and where he needs to place what where. So I looked like an art project for a few hours.

Three hours and FOUR pounds removed from my chest later, I was out of surgery and feeling great! The staff was amazing and took great care of me and not to mention they gave me a super sexy surgical bra to wear (really, it’s not bad for a surgical bra). ;-)

Recovery lasted three weeks, which I highly enjoyed being waiting on hand and foot not having to lift a single finger. Really. I didn’t lift anything. For three weeks. I slept in, watched moves, and got a lot of my early summer reading done! I was able to shower on my forth day. The only things that was really bothersome was the drainage tubes and bulbs you had to empty every nine hours and record.

I was released for normal exercise and routine in June and since I now run the local outdoor track, joined a gym, and have lost 15 more pounds! I am finally feeling good about myself. I’ve dropped down to seeing the Chiropractor only when I really need it. Over all I just feel really good about myself and my body and I am so glad I had this done. I went from a G to a small B and I could not be any happier with the outcome!

 

Eight Months Old!

I finally made the huge leap back in October to get my second tattoo... a very large tattoo at that.

 Considering that my first tattoo was a teeny tiny little anchor on my foot. The little guy is super small and I'm sure at first glance it looks like a mole on my right inner ankle.

If you had been following me on pinterest, I spent days, weeks, and even months pinning vintage inspired etching tattoos. I wanted something elegant, vintage and totally me but I also wanted it to have a deeper meaning. I wanted something that also helped me remember my precious late mum and dad.

I was so picky on an artist too, so many people couldn't grasp my concept and others just turned me away because what I wanted was too detailed. I was also super picky about who did it too. I mean after all this is going on my skin forever. After feeling completly discouraged, one of my friends sent me on my way to the lovely miss Kitty Brooks of Ink and Leather Social Club. I am so happy I found Kitty because she helped me through the whole process and we were able to bounce off each other ideas. She's super awesome all together and just a great person to work with!

So 10+ hours later, I walk out with the most gorgeous cap I have ever seen! Her work and detail that she put into is just .. stunning!

Miss Kitty going to work!

24 hours later.

 

It was 2-3 weeks later that I went back to add more peonies and my compass/pocket watch.

 

 

all filled in and beautiful!

 

Here is my gorgeous tattoo in Janurary all healed and looking pretty!

 

I have gotten so many compliments on my tattoo, even from people I wouldn't really expect. I cannot wait to add more!

 



Fresh Hairs.

Not much of an update today, I'm having issues with getting photos from my camera to my desk top :( so no  What I wore today, bummer! But I am however going to share my new hair cut. I've never done full on bangs before and I instantly look about 10 years younger, so that's a plus. :)

What I Wore // mustard yellow, beige, and gray

Dress // deloom 

Cardi // target

Essie Nail Polish // target

Belt // Zulily special

Socks // Sock Dreams 

Lace Oxfords // ebay

Okay, so this is one of my favorite outfits I've put together for school. Another yellow outfit I'm beginning to sense a pattern here for mustard yellow. :p I absolutely adore my over the knee socks from Sock Dreams so comfy! I found my gorgeous lace oxfords from ebay they actually shipped out from China. I actually got a size bigger (a 9) than my actual shoe size and they fit just fine. 

School starts back in a total of 13 days, and I still need to find a back pack..D:

Also ... Deloom is having an end of summer sale! 

So many super cute finds! Check it out!

 

 

College Girl & an Epic Fail.

Yesterday was a huge day for me, why? I finally registered for my Fall classes at RSCC. I'm really excited and nervous all at the same time because it's been almost four years since I've been back to school. Not only that but I'm changing gears completely and going into nursing.

I went in early yesterday morning and I got signed up and ready to go. My classes look good, my financial aide appears to be on track so everything right now is green. Which I am soo glad because I was really worried that for some reason I would have a ton of holds. Specially since I'm trying to come back to school. Anyway so I got registered and I feel like a grown up .. again. haha.

On the bad side, I have been contemplating going back to red hair for quite some time now. I really love Emma Stones' hair here:

Now my normal gal who does my hair was unavailable, our schedules haven't been on track since she started her second job and I started mine. So I figured I would try someone else... That was a HUGE mistake! 

I brought in photos of my previous red which was on the dot to Emma's above. And all the hair dresser could say was ''oh that's going to fade quickly''  and just argued with me the whole time about the color.  I even told her I didn't mind because, I am willing to do the upkeep on it so that it would look nice. I mean if she did it right she would be getting repeat business every two weeks to color my new growth. So it's not like I was going to get this one time and be done with it. 

Now mind you when I went into the salon my hair was BLONDE so it's not like the color wasn't achievable.  Plus I had the perfect dimension as well so it wasn't going to be all the same color.  I finally sat down in the chair thinking that I was going to get the color I wanted I felt relieved. She mixed color up, started putting it on my head then I had to wait 30 minutes. My scalp started to burn! 

I've been dying my hair for well over 10 years now so I'm used to the process and the different kinds of dyes out there. Drug store hair dye breaks me out and burns my scalp -this is one of the reasons why I have been getting my hair done at the salon for about 4 years now. What ever the dye she used not only smelled horrible but just burned my scalp completely. So it had to have been a cheap dye because even after it was washed three times it just smells gross. 

 I was already upset that I had to argue for five minutes before but lets add a burning scalp to it . By the time she washed it and gave me a ''blow out'' I just had that feeling that it was too late ... when she spun me around to face the mirror it was SO dark I had to take a deep breath. I had to be honest I was unhappy with it. period. There was no changing my mind. I even said that I hated it. It's way too dark. I was in tears by the time I left.

I know it seems silly to cry over hair, but I have been trying for a year to stay away from dark dark colors. I've wanted to go with a light softer side, I'm so pale skinned that a lot of the times all dark colors wash me out. I've made an appointment at another salon next Wednesday to get my hair stripped and then redyed. Ugh this is ridiculous to have to pay a fortune just to get the color I originally wanted!

Memorable Words Monday :: She Leaves A Little Sparkle

Hi everyone, welcome to this weeks installment of Memorable Words Monday! Simple save, print on an 8x10 piece of paper, frame and viola! You have a super cute wall hanging for your home! Don't forget if you like what you see Pin + Share!

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Download this weeks freebie HERE!