August Beauty Favorites

Even though I have not blogged in some time my love for makeup products has not wavered. I still am a huge makeup junkie and my bathroom is filled to the brim with products...I literally have a mini Ulta as a bathroom. It drives my husband insane but if you ask me, you can never have too many products to choose from. Over the past few months I have my favorites and I will share them with you!

L'Oreal's Infallible Total Coverage foundation ($10) - This stuff is amazing and seriously has some full coverage qualities. It's not like your typical full coverage foundation because it doesn't leave your skin looking dull and cakey. It covers and blends out well; and they have several shades to choose from. Once it's on it stays put all day and you won't sweat it off either. So it's good for an all day application! 

"Luminoso" Baked Blush by Milani ($7) - I have worn this shade for several years and it's been mentioned in my blog several times. You can't go wrong with this as it's great for any skin tone; including darker tones. It provides just enough shimmer and sheen with a high color payout. It's a beautiful shade of peach and coral. It stands to beat it's rival by NARS in Orgasm. Save your money and purchase this instead; you won't be disappointed. I've repurchased it several times now and I am in love with the product.

Maybelline Master Strobing Stick ($10) - This is easy peasy to use if you are new to the contouring world. It has just the right amount of sheen to give a nice highlighting effect. It's glides on without fuss or streaks. I have found the best way to blend this out is the old fashioned way...your fingers. Make sure you hit your nose and cupids bow for a beautiful effect. They make several shades for different skin tones but I use the "Fair/Iridescent" because I like the effect it gives me face without making me look like a disco queen or a frosted princess. 

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($25) - Yes, I know that is steep for a concealer but as we age some things you just have to bite the bullet on and I need some concealing these days. This stuff is AMAZING and covers pretty much anything you want/need covered. Forewarning, a little goes a long way! You don't need much of this or you will get a cakey effect and it will crease. You can set it with a powder if you choose but I use it alone just making sure not to apply with a heavy hand. 

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara ($25) - Another high end product but the proof is in the pudding. It goes on ultra black and thick! It makes your lashes pop almost giving a falsies look. I love this mascara and it's my daily go-to. It stays on all day without transferring to my lids but it's easy to take off with remover or a makeup wipe. I generally apply two coats of this beauty in a tube and I am set for the day. Yes, I still swear by L'Oreals Voluminous mascara but this is also a staple in my makeup collection. Even if you buy it for special occasions...make the purchase. You won't be disappointed. 

LipSense lipstick & gloss ($50 start up and $25 thereafter) - I was just introduced to this product last month and I am addicted. I have 7 shades now and love them all besides one that I can't really see on my lips (Caramel Apple). It's highly pigmented and it's completely SMUDGE PROOF and BUDGE PROOF. Once you apply 3 coats of this and the gloss it isn't going anywhere for at least 4-12 hours depending on the wear you put it through. Mine typically lasts around 6 hours. I am a huge fan of this and so glad it entered my beauty world. You have to buy this through a rep so let me know if you are interested and I can point you in the right direction!

Of course, I have so many other products I enjoy but these are the standouts for this month so stay tuned to see what I come across for September! Take care <3

"Hello Fresh" saved my sanity!

Many of you have asked me what's the deal with "Hello Fresh" and my opinions regarding the newest meal delivery service. I decided to write a blog post to RAVE about how much I enjoy this service that presents itself to my doorstep every Saturday like clock work. 

I am a good cook, I enjoy cooking and I love filling up the stomachs of my family. However, I absolutely loathe meal planning and going to the grocery store. With this nifty new service I kill two birds (more like 3-4) with one stone. 

I first heard about this service on the streets in Atlanta while Mike and I were on vacation. And as always, Mike is notorious for stopping for anyone and everyone trying to sell a good deal . This drives me bananas so obviously when they were doing their little speech about how great their product was and how we could save money it fell on my deaf ears. I kept trying to drag my husband away as he was intensely listening on how we could help keep dollars in our banking account. Finally, he nicely declined as he always does and I was aggravated we stood there five minutes listening to their crap.

Hold up, I just called it crap....far from the truth. As we drove home from vacation I started thinking about this whole meal delivery concept and it hit me like a ton of brick.....this is the answer to me spending less time in Satan's Playground (Wal-Mart) and keeps me from stressing out on how to make our meals from becoming the same every single week. I am a creative person, I thrive on coming up with neat and fun things but meal planning ain't one of them. Crickets just go off in my head as I sit there, pen in hand trying to figure out dinner ideas. 

I googled Hello Fresh when we got home and downloaded the really cool app on my phone. I was amazed at how simple it was to use and how many choices you really had when it came down to it. There is something for everyone; even if you don't eat meat. They even have a couple of breakfast items to choose from if you really want to switch it up at meal time. I signed up as fast as I could when they mentioned $40 off my first box. 

In the app you can choose how many meals you want a week, what meals you want, how many you want to feed and the delivery day of your box. I decided on just feeding two because Victoria is no longer home and Brody is as picky as they come. I have only chosen three meals a week because I typically only cook on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays. My box is delivered early on Saturday so I can put everything away for the week and prepare for Monday's meal. I freeze the meats because I don't want them to go bad in case something arises and I can't use it that week. It's super quick to defrost them in a sink of cool water; takes literally less than 30-40 minutes. The other cool thing about the app is you can look at your meals for up to 5 weeks and can make changes up until two days they fill your order. 

Your box will contain a paper bag labeled for each entree with the ALL of the ingredients you will need besides oil, salt and pepper. When you open the box for the first time you think they have failed to send you the main ingredient; the meat! Don't fret, it's in there, its in the bottom of the box covered with two heavy duty frozen ice packs covered with cardboard. I know several people who panicked thinking they were meatless so this is your tip for today! You will also receive large, easy to read recipe cards that tells you STEP BY STEP on how to prepare your meal. It also gives you the list of ingredients and the nutritional values in case you are into counting that stuff. 

I will forewarn you this meal won't cook itself or prepare itself. You have to do the work. You have to cut up the meat if needed, cook it because it is organic and fresh. All of the vegetables will need to be washed and cut up as well. However, I do not mind that part at all, I actually enjoy and prefer it that way. Most meals only take 30 - 40 minutes max to prepare and cook. Totally winning at this point. I also like the fact that all of the ingredients are fresh, organic and most are gluten free. 

All in all, this has been a lifesaver for me and my nerves. I pay $59 a week for three meals that is only supposed to feed two but the portions are large enough that Brody could have a plate if he so desired. I spend way more than that at the grocery store and local meat market if I have to do the planning myself. I don't spend an hour aimlessly walking around the playground looking for ingredients to use to perk my typical boring meals up.  I highly suggest this if you are in a rut or just in a rush sailing through the week. The meals are delish and we have had 7 now from the service....and we cleaned our plates each time. That says something in itself. I also like the fact that I am not obligated to buy something each week. There is no meal minimum and you can't just skip weeks if you are out of town or not feeling what the menu choices are for that week. 

I encourage you to take advantage of the savings off your first box which you can access online or on the Hello Fresh app when you sign up. I promise you, you will be pleased as punch! 

Well, well, well....I'm back!

Well, it's been two long years since I have been in the blogging world so I am a little rusty! I am beyond thankful for my sweet husband purchasing me a new laptop so I could get back to my therapeutic world that I once loved so much. Writing has always been an outlet for me to express myself freely without reservations. The good, bad and ugly.

So much has happened in two years that I can't possibly catch you all up on everything and nor do I really feel like it, honestly. It's been a roller coaster two years but as always I have managed to come out on top with numerous prayers, nightly insomnia and the love of my peeps. Life is crazy like that I suppose.

It's really insane how much can happen in 24 months; as children they creep by but as an adult they flash before your eyes. I wish time could just slow down a bit so I can catch my breath. My kids are growing up before my eyes and I can't seem to inhale every moment as they happen. I am entering my 10th year as a wife with Mike and I would like the anniversaries to stop rolling around so quickly so I can have some more time with him before they are over. I know that sounds morbid but we will be dead before we know it.

And my parents....I can't even think about that one. Time doesn't slow down for them either and as they age their time on this lovely planet is diminishing too. They are my lifeline and major support system so I will just stop right here with that paragraph....they can't go anywhere so moving along before I depress myself.

Most of you keep up with my daily life on Facebook so I guess I will wrap this first blog post up. You know what I have been up to and how life is currently. I live in a zoo, my work life is going great and I am just plugging along at this thing called life. Can't wait to get back to another post soon!

Take care y'all.