Beauty & Home: Hits & Misses

A couple of posts back I said that I was going to start trying to blog about some tried and true beauty products so I thought it was time for another post since the month is almost over! I got inspired about doing these blog posts after watching beauty guru's on YouTube for the past year! One of my favorite "tags" they do is the monthly "Hit and Miss" video where they give you an overview of products they tried over the past month or so and tell you if they would repurchase the item or not. I love these types of videos because I do find them helpful when I am considering buying something they are talking about and sometimes it makes me actually go out and buy an item they are discussing. I would love to have my own YouTube channel to discuss this type of stuff but I am scared that I would completely suck at it and nobody would really even watch it. Maybe I will get around to doing one in the future when I get enough courage!

Anyway...here is my list for August and some come from July because I seriously don't go through this many items in one particular month; I have just held on to some of these empties for a while because I had been planning on doing this post for a while. These aren't in any particular order so excuse the randomness :)

Equate Refreshing Cleaning Towelettes ($3.48, 40 pack) are the Wal-Mart equivalent to Garnier's Refreshing Remover Cleansing Towelettes. I talked about these in my last post because it was one of my favorites but I needed to do an update! I really liked these in the beginning because it removed all of my make-up without having to scrub at my face and wiped away my mascara without a problem. I loved the clean scent and the towelette wasn't soaking wet with cleanser like you sometimes encounter. It didn't dry out my skin or leave a residue on my skin afterwards so I was pretty happy with the product. However, the formula did start to irritate my eyes towards the end of the package. I am not sure if the last 20 towelettes or so had more cleanser on them due to being the last few in the package or if my eyes were just more sensitive at that time. I did repurchase another type of towelette from the Equate line to try this month but if you don't have sensitive eyes I think these would be perfect for you to try.

I have an olive tone complexion so that tends to make dark circles under my eyes a little more obvious plus I am a Mom so I can tend to just look "tired". I have tried so many concealers that I have lost count. I decided to try the Physicians Formula Conceal Rx ($9.99)after seeing a YouTuber rave about it. I can honestly say this is the BEST concealer that I have used that really works well. A little of this product goes a long way! It is more on the creamy side so it covers well and it doesn't get cakey once it sets. I also find that it doesn't settle into my fine lines around my eyes like some of the other concealers do. I also have a few hyperpigmentation areas on my cheeks that I use this on and it completely conceals them!! The packaging states that the product covers blemishes, dark under eye circles, scars, birthmarks, age spots, bruises, rosacea and hyperpigmentation. I truly believe in this concealer and I think if you have any of the above then this should be a staple in your beauty regime.

 

 

I am always trying new mascara's so I decided to buy the widely publicized new item from Maybelline, "The Rocket" ($5.94)and I went with the waterproof formula. This product is supposed to give you clump-free explosive lashes that are 6x more in volume. It also has been Ophthalmologist tested and safe for contact lens wearers. I tried wearing this alone knowing my eyes are always my problem child and I was impressed with the new formula. It was clump free and went on smooth. It wasn't thick and it gave my lashes a fuller effect without looking like I had a ton of mascara on. BUT...my eyes did not like the new formula so I had to go back to wearing my regular mascara from Physician's Formula. I have found that if I apply one coat of "The Rocket" on after applying my Physician's Formula mascara I don't seem to have a problem. Weird, I know. I still think if you want a fuller lash effect and you like Maybelline products you should go with their "Falsies Volum' Express" formula because that stuff is AMAZING.

 

This isn't a beauty item but I think it's worth mentioning because it will save you money and who isn't about saving money?!? My family is pretty particular about our laundry detergents and fabric softners so that means that we are strictly a "Tide" family but I can get away with buying the Great Value Blooming Lavender Fabric Softner Dryer Sheets from Wal-Mart ($3.98, 80 sheets). I use the Tide Plus with a touch of Downy in the Lavender scent for our washer and I put two dryer sheets of the Great Value softner in the dryer and our clothes come out smelling great and feel super soft. Tide isn't cheap so if I can save money on the fabric softner I will and I've found this is just as good as the pricier ones.

 

I think I am trying a new toothpaste every time I turn around because I can never find one that I like. They either don't leave my mouth feeling fresh and clean or the formula hurts my super sensitive teeth. I feel like the "sensitive" toothpastes never clean my teeth well and doesn't leave my mouth feeling like I even brushed anything. I decided to try Colgate's Total Zx Pro-Shield Plus Sensitivity, Mint Gel ($3.47, 5.8 oz)and I am so happy that I did! It says it is anti-cavity, anti-gingivitis, anti-sensitivity and lasts even after eating and drinking. I don't have a problem with it hurting my sensitive teeth and my mouth feels so clean after brushing. I think I finally found a toothpaste that does it all after what seems like a life-time of trying to find the right one!! So, if you are a Sensodyne user and feel like your mouth isn't as clean as it could be then I think you should try this because you will be pleased.



While browsing at CVS a while back I ran across a trial version of Salma Hayek's Nuance Anti-Aging AM/PM Super Cream ($5.99, .265 ounce) and decided to try it. The formula has Tepezcohuite, Borage Oil & Vitamins A and E, Parsley; it claims that 83% of women noticed an overall improvement in skin appearance, tone and texture after 30 days and 86% of women felt an immediate improvement in their skin's hydration. Tepezcohuite is supposed to help tone, condition and smooth your skin. Borage Oil protects skin against dryness. Vitamins A & E are supposed to visibly smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Parsley, an herb rich in vitamin C, helps nourish your skin. The cream is dermatologist tested, Not tested on animals, Non-irritating and Paraben Free. Okay, so there is all the jargon....now for my review. I give this two thumbs DOWN!!! I hated it. I should have known it would be a bad experience when I couldn't even get the top off the jar! It has a twist and click lid which is very hard to get into; I didn't know you had to keep your kids out of a night cream jar!! Once I opened it I couldn't get over the smell of the product. It smelled like a mixture of bug spray and medicine so as you can imagine you don't want that on your face. The cream is almost like a watery type consistency and it seemed oily while I tried rubbing it in. I was not impressed at all and I felt like it didn't hydrate my face like I was expecting from a "Super Cream". I never used it again after the first night so I can't tell you if it helps with anti-aging or not. I would definitely never purchase the full size jar of this and I hate I even wasted the $5.99 on this jar!!  

I constantly have dry lips so I am always buying some type of lip balm or chapstick. As crazy as this sounds I find it very overwhelming to buy chapsticks because they all claim to do something different and you never know what you really need. I am also always misplacing my tubes of chapstick so I get to try a lot of them out, lol. I haven't gotten into the whole EOS lip balm thing because the packaging weirds me out, it's a ball, who the hell wants to carry that around in their pocket or purse? It's just odd. I was a strictly "Blistex" girl until I picked up a tube of Nivea's Milk & Honey Lip Care ($2.99)and now I am on my second tube! I can't get enough of this stuff!! It's hydrating and doesn't feel like I am just putting wax on my lips. It doesn't dry my lips out like I've found some chapsticks do and it lasts longer than most I've tried. It's also preservative-free so that is an added bonus. This is something that I will continue to repurchase because I really like it and it seems to work great for my dry lips!

During one of my grocery shopping trips they were out of my razor catridges so I decided to try Noxema's Super Smooth Triple Blade disposable Razors ($2.88, 4 count). The packaging claims it's supposed to reveal smooth, fresher skin. Navigating tricky areas with ease and the jojoba strips are supposed to help prevent nicks and cuts. I don't know if it's just me or I got a package of crappy razors but these were the WORST razors I have ever tried in my entire life!!! I thought being made by Noxema they would be pretty good quality, they were triple blade and they weren't the cheapest ones in the razor section. I didn't get a close shave with these and found myself going back multiple times over the same area to get a clean shave. I wouldn't dare try this my bikini area or underneath my arms because it was hard to shave just on my legs. I even opened a new razor mid-bath just to make sure I hadn't gotten a bad one in the package by accident...it was the exact same way. I was totally dissatisfied with these and would never ever repurchase these again. I think the cheapest razor you could find would do a better job than these. Do not waste your money on this product, you will be sorry that you did.

Now if you are wanting to try a good quality razor that you don't have to spend a fortune on refill catridges you should try the Wilkinson Sword Oasis Razor and Refill Catridges ($5.98, 4 catridges). I buy mine at Wal-Mart and I am not sure if any of the Drugstores carry this brand. The razor has three blades that does provide a very close shave. It does have the typical aloe/shea butter strip that most razors have these days. I find that as long as you use a new razor it's fine to use in the bikini zone. It does not leave my skin irritated and I can even use it under my arms without water or shaving cream. I ran across these by accident and I am so glad that I did because I was spending a fortune in Venus catridges. I found that I like this just as much (if not more) than my Venus razor. They do make a mans razor (Wilkinson, Tech 3) that my husband loves and the refills are about the same price, so it would be worth picking one up for the man in your life.

Like any female, I have tried a billion hair care products! I am constantly trying new shampoos and conditioners! I have tried high end products from the salon and I've tried the cheapest of the cheap aka "Suave". I have found products that I like in both but typically my hair care products come from Wal-Mart or the drugstore. I hate being so cheap when it comes to Shampoo/Conditioners because you literally wash it down the drain but I know your hair does need nourishment just like your body. I decided I would go the middle of the road and try Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner ($5.74 each, 13 fl.oz.) and I FELL IN LOVE with the stuff! Not only does the stuff smell amazing it makes my hair feel so soft and it looks healthy. The scent lasts forever too, I can have 2-3 day old hair and it still smells great. I have very dry hair from blow drying and using hot rollers so I don't wash my hair every single day. I also have to be careful with shampoos because some do dry my hair out even more causing it to look and feel brittle. The Coconut Milk line has coconut milk (duh) and whipped egg white proteins in it so it helps with elasticity and adds strength to your strands. The shampoo foams up nicely and rinses well, not leaving residue on your scalp. The conditioner is hydrating and it doesn't leave your hair feeling/looking weighted down. Some conditioners can actually make your hair look oily and this doesn't do that.

This isn't a beauty product either but it's another money saver! For all of you Listerine lovers, save some money and buy the Equate Antiseptic Mouthrinse ($2.98, 16.9 FL OZ)! I buy the Blue Mint flavor but they do have the original yellow looking stuff that tastes horrible. I stood in the aisle and compared these two bottles side by side and there is NOT a difference!! So, unless you are just a name brand person who loves wasting money, buy the Equate version. It's minty and does what it says (Kills plaque, gingivitis and bad breath)for $1 less. Also, in case you didn't know, this stuff works great for ant and mosquito bites!! If you or your child ever runs into an ant pile and gets bitten by those little suckers this helps dry the bites up. Brody stepped in a pile 3 years ago and they ate his little leg up, I applied this with a cotton ball to his bites and within minutes it took the sting out. If you apply it for several days afterwards you will see a noticeable difference; you can thank me later :)

I have been on a mission to find a good moisturizer so I have tried several the past 2 months. While I was at CVS (I promise, I don't live there) I noticed on a bottom shelf that they had a Physician's Formula skincare line that had been marked down for close out. I didn't even know that Physician's Formula made a skincare line but since I am a huge fan of their make-up I decided that it was totally worth trying. I picked up two different products from their line but I am only going to discuss one this month because I haven't made my mind up on the other. I have been using the Physicians Formula Deep Wrinkle Corrector Day & Night Cream, Formula Rx 121 ($9.99, 1.7 oz)for several weeks and I really like it. My main skin concern is aging and this is what this product targets. It states that it's supposed to enhance skin's cycle of repair, encouraging healthy cell renewal that reveals younger looking skin. Your wrinkle length and depth should improve with regular use. It also helps improve the moisture barrier, strengthen skin and protect collagen. It says it's clinical proven that you will see visible results. It also claims you will look 6 years younger in 4 weeks. This line has been Dermatologist approved, clinically tested and is hypoallergenic. It's also 100% Paraben free. The directions say you are to use this morning and night on your face and neck before you apply your make-up. It does not have sunscreen in it so you do need to apply that if it's not already in your foundation. I have been impressed with this product because I do feel like it's helped my skin look more youthful in the sense I have a glow back. My face is always so dry that it tends to look dull. This product contains Alpha Hydroxy Acid so it does help shed some of that dead skin. However, if you are sensitive to those types of ingredients then you may want to steer clear of this product. I love the consistency of the cream, it has a whipped like texture so it blends in well and doesn't leave an oily film on my face. I love the smell and it doesn't interfere with my other make-up products (mainly my foundation). I will say that the first couple of times I used this product I was skeptical because once I rubbed it in I would get all of this dead skin coming off my face. That just showed me how well it really was working and how much dead skin I actually had on my face! I only used it at night for the first week or so and then once all of that was off my face I started using it under my foundation without a problem. I am a firm believer in the Physician's Formula line, I have never had a problem with any of their products and I don't mind paying a little extra for them since I know they are great quality. I am not sure if you can find this at your local CVS or Walgreens but I noticed you can find it online or at Ulta. As far as wrinkles, I am my own worst critic so I can't tell you for sure if it's making me look any younger in that department but it does wonders for moisturizing my face and keeping a healthy glow. I will definitely repurchase this jar when I have used this one up!

Well, there you have it folks! That is my two cents for the products I have tried in July and August. I hope that you found this blog helpful and please let me know if you have tried any of these and what you thought! Also, let me know if you are on the fence about a product because I have tried a lot of them so I may be able to sway your decision.

Surprise!!!!

I had been planning on coming to Concord to celebrate my Momma's 60th Birthday for weeks before my unplanned admittance to the Macon Hospital. After being discharged it was pretty apparent that I wouldn't be able to make the 8 hour trek home with my hand in a soft cast so as you can imagine I was completely d.e.v.a.s.t.a.t.e.d!! I knew that this trip home would be one of the last ones for a while since school was starting which meant weeks filled with Friday night lights. I try to be there for all of Vic's events at school so once August is upon us my travelling days are over until November. I knew not coming home meant that I probably wouldn't see my parents until Christmas and that was 4.5 months too long for my taste but my finger pretty much threw a wrench into my entire plan.

I was very upset but I finally came to terms (not really) with the fact that I wasn't coming home any time soon. I already had appointments set up with my Physical Therapist for my finger and I knew I couldn't miss them because my wounds had to be cleaned and re-bandaged. I went to my first appointment and was pleasantly surprised that they took my cast off and bandaged just the top portion of my pointer finger leaving my hand fully exposed and about 85% working to it's full potential. Maybe there was a tiny chance I could still make this planned trip home??!?

I went to my second appointment on Friday and they re-bandaged everything and basically said it would be okay for me to travel home as long as I kept up with the wound care and exercises on my own. Mike agreed that it was also okay for me to go ahead and go home so I didn't question it! I emailed my Dad on Friday and asked if it was okay because I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to ruin any plans he had made for her birthday and he said it was fine. I was super excited and told him not to tell Momma because I wanted to surprise her. I rushed home from my PT appointment, packed a quick bag and we were off to Concord!

Planning a road trip on a Friday isn't the best thing to do when you have to travel through major cities like Atlanta but luckily I hit it before traffic was too bad. I still had to hit some "traffic jails" as Brody calls them but it was worth it in my opinion. I think Brody asking me every hour if we were there yet was more stressful than the rain and traffic I encountered! He was so excited because he too, had no idea until the last minute that we were making this trip so he could barely contain himself.

We pulled into the drive and I just knew my Momma would see us drive up through the living room windows but she didn't....she was in the back of the house which made it even better!! Brody walked in and ran down the hallway into her bedroom and yelled "Surprise!!!!".

IT WAS PERFECT and PRICELESS!!!!

I wish I had thought to record it because it was awesome. Her face was glowing and she was smiling ear to ear. I definitely think it was the best present I could have given her!

Playing Catch Up....Ready, Set, Go!

I promised that I was going to be better about blogging but it seems my life never slows down or some unforeseen circumstance (emergency) pops up and I am unable to! Life has been super crazy lately and I am praying it slows down soon so I can stop and smell the roses....scratch the roses, just so I can stop and breathe!!! So, where do I begin???

Victoria finally settled down and did what it took in order to get her license; just 4 months shy of her 17th birthday!! Yes, you read that correctly. For some reason her along with several friends drug their feet when it came to even getting their permit so they were a bit behind in the driving department. It floored me because I remember the day I turned fifteen I was ready to drive and you better believe the day I turned sixteen I was at the DMV that morning! Shoot, she had a car before her 16th birthday so I am not sure what the hold up was! However, Mike wasn't too concerned because he wanted her to wait as long as possible so he wouldn't have to worry about her on the roads of Lee County. I, on the other hand, was ready for her to be able to take herself to/from all her extra curricular activities at school! Hopefully she will abide by all the laws of the road and the state of Georgia and be the safe driver we are all hoping (and praying) for!

Another Beemer kid celebrated a big milestone and that's the smallest Beemer! Brody turned a WHOLE hand on July 24th! We kept telling him that he was going to be a "big boy" on his birthday so when he woke up that morning he was disappointed and told me "I thought I was going to be bigger when I woke up!"...poor little guy. Regardless of weight and height, he is our big boy and we are so proud of him. For his birthday he wanted a Sponge Bob pool party so we invited 3 close families and my parents to make his pool party dream a reality. It was literally the easiest and least stressful party I have put on for the kid! I do feel bad that he has a summer birthday because it makes it hard to invite all of his friends from school. I should have gotten a list of all of the children and their mailing addresses from the teacher before school dismissed for the summer but I forgot to. Regardless of the amount of kids, he had a blast and received entirely too many toys for one child but it was his day and he made the most of it. Mother Nature wasn't on our side but we did manage to swim, grill out, open presents, have cake, Daddy had a fireworks show and we wrapped up with a Pinata! It was a great birthday!

Three days after his party I found myself in the hospital with a very painful staph infection. I had taken Brody to see his GI specialist in Macon for an appointment because Brody had been sick on/off for a week but I too, was sick! I had torn a hangnail off of my right pointer finger on Sunday afternoon and while it hurt a little I didn't think much of it until the wee hours of Monday when I woke up with my finger on fire. I thought maybe it was just inflammed a little from where the skin had been torn away but it was more painful than any hangnail I had ever experienced. I nursed it all day Monday and by Tuesday it was swollen with a nasty blister on the side but I had to drive to Macon regardless of my pain. By the time I got to Macon Tuesday morning I had red streaks down my finger, hand and forearm. I was in tears by the time Brody's specialist walked into the waiting room and he took one look at my finger and said I needed to go to the ER. I asked him if I should wait the 2 hours it would take me to get home to Albany and he said absolutely not. He didn't even want me to take Brody to the x-rays he was needing that day for his stomach because the streaking was getting so bad that I needed to to be seen immediately. Brody and I hurried on over to the ER where they took one look at my finger and said I had a staph infection and that I would need to be admitted for antibiotics and a hand surgeon would need to look at it. I was SCARED TO DEATH! I had a finger that looked horrible, pain that was unbearable, red streaks all the way to my arm pit and swollen lymph nodes. Mike came to Macon and dealt with Brody's ailments and x-rays while I was being admitted to the hospital and all I could think about was losing my finger. How could biting my nails lead to this?!?! I mean, Mike always told me it would happen but I thought he was crazy. I ended up having surgery on my finger and losing my finger nail! I was in the the hospital for 3 freaking days for a HANGNAIL!!!! Really?!?!? PSA: DO NOT BITE YOUR NAILS OR YOU WILL GET A NASTY INFECTION ONE DAY!!!!! I have downsized to a smaller dressing on my hand that has to be changed every day and I go to PT three times a week for now. It's a complete pain in the ass but I am doing whatever it takes to keep my finger clean and healthy!

So, there you have it, in a nutshell what my life has been like since my last post! It was literally something every single week!!! I promise to be better at posting because I really do enjoy it. I am hoping now that school is starting my life will get a little more structured and back on track....one can hope anyway!

25 Things About Me

It seems I can only do blog entries when my family is sleeping so when my body decided to be in full alert mode at 4:45 this morning I thought that it would be a great time to work on my blog! Life is going 100 miles per minute so it's been over a week since my last post (or has it been 2 weeks??) and I promise I am trying to get back in the routine of this but it's proving to be difficult!

Today's entry is just a fun one that I have seen circulating so I figured why not join the band wagon and do it myself! You may or may not know these things about me but I will try to be extra creative with them since I am usually pretty open and honest on here.

1. I am DEATHLY afraid of heights! I can not stand being high up....be it an airplane, mountain, bridge, roller coaster, elevator, building, etc. I go into a full fledged panic attack when I am put into these situations. As you can imagine this proves to be very difficult when I am driving a car or using an airliner for transportation.

2. I am blind as a bat. Literally, I can not see a foot in front of me if I am not wearing my contacts or glasses. For those of you that wear corrective lenses, I am -8.75 in both eyes so that gives you some perspective on how bad my vision is. When I don't wear my glasses everything is fuzzy and blurry. I can't make out faces, words, numbers. If I didn't recognize your voice I would not know who was in a room with me. I have thought about Lasik but that is expensive and I am not sure how I feel about a laser going anywhere near my eyeball.

3. My first car was a 1977 Honda Accord and it was a stick shift with a choke. It's only luxury was air and a cassette player. I am not even sure if it had air now that I think about it. The car didn't last long because I totaled it 2 months after turning 16 when I slid out in front of Doug Walter's Mom on Burrage Road going to school while it was sleeting. The tiny car didn't have a chance against her Buick Roadmaster. My Dad was pissed.

4. My hair color has been almost every shade of the rainbow....well, not literally but it's been various shades of blonde, red and brown. While in high school I couldn't make up my mind so the obsession started in the 9th grade.

5. I have had 9 surgeries since turning 21! I have had the following: Wisdom Teeth, Tonsils, 2 Laparoscopies, 1 D&C, Gallbladder, C-Section, Tubal Ligation and a Hysterectomy.

6. I can not sweep or mop. I am not kidding. I do not know what it is but all I do is move dirt from one area to another or swish dirty water around on the floor. It's ridiculous and I am admitting that it's not normal. Thankfully, I have had a housekeeper or my husband takes care of the floors!

7. I weigh less than 100 pounds and I don't work out or diet. I am not sure what it is about my metabolism (it has been checked) but I don't seem to gain weight unless it's due to medications or pregnancy. I weighed 85 pounds when I graduated high school and stayed that weight until I became pregnant. After having Brody my weight has been around 85-95 pounds.

8. I didn't know I was pregnant until I entered my 2nd trimester!!! I AM NOT JOKING. In my 20's I was told I would have a very slim chance of getting pregnant due to scar tissue from several surgeries so pregnancy was off the radar to me. I never had a regular menstrual cycle so it wasn't shocking if I skipped months at a time. However, in January of 2008 I was feeling bloated and started eating breakfast all the time (which was not normal) and my appetite was becoming intense. I never put much thought into any of it until two people told me they thought I was pregnant. I laughed it all off and then my curiosity got the best of me and I went home on a lunch break and took a test, then another test and then another test....all 3 were positive!! I went to the Doctor and it was confirmed that I was indeed pregnant and had been since approximately October of 2007! Talk about a SHOCKER.

9. My dream car is a Corvette! I will have one before I die.

10. I can not stand Barry Manilow. I love most music but there is something about that man that I despise. I would rather listen to nails on a chalkboard than hear his music being played. I do not understand his hype at all.

11. I worked in NASCAR for 7 years. It was a lot of fun at the time but I can honestly say I am glad I am no longer part of that travelling circus! Without the job I would have never got to experience some really cool once in a lifetime events nor travelled as much as I have but it's a very toxic environment that ultimately can destroy you if you're not careful.

12. I have been to the following destinations: England, Ireland, Cancun, Punta Cana, Key West, Aruba x2, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos. I feel like I am missing one or two more but oh well. My favorite by far has to be Aruba -- so beautiful!

13. I hate romance novels. I can't get into them and the only one I did like was "The Notebook" (not sure if that is even considered a romance novel). I think they are cheesy.

14. I wish I could go back to high school and repeat my freshman and sophomore year. I completely screwed off those two years and didn't feel the need to study or take school seriously. I honestly enjoyed my schoolwork my Junior and Senior year and my grades proved it.

15. I took French for 2 years in school and can't remember a damn thing but the very basics. I tried taking Spanish in college and failed miserably. I prefer English.

16. I named my son Brody because I was hooked on "The Hills" when I became pregnant and I thought Brody Jenner had a cool name so therefor I used it.

17. I am scared of dying. I believe in heaven and that my soul goes to a wonderful place but the process of dying scares me. Like do you know you're dying? Does it hurt? Are you in pain? You catch my drift.

18. My favorite band hands down is Journey. LOVE THEM!

19. I can not sing. I have a horrible singing voice but I love to sing!

20. I believe in ghosts. I know some people are skeptical but once you grow up in Historic Homes that were over 100 years old you do believe some souls get trapped on this earth.

21. I wish I was a criminal investigator.

22. I have 3 tattoos but they are all covered. One on the back of my neck, a tramp stamp and one on my hip. They are addictive and I want more but they would have to be able to be hidden....I am weird like that.

23. I am terrified of Spiders, Snakes and Bugs. I mean, TERRIFIED!!!! I can't breath, I go into panic mode and literally lose my mind when I come in contact with one.

24. I am addicted to my iPhone. It's the best invention ever...or the worst, if you ask my husband :)

25. I have always came across as a hard-ass, bitch, tough little girl, etc....BUT that is all a front because I am actually a softy who can get her feelings hurt easily and cries during sad commercials and TV shows. I have always been small so I had to have a very tough exterior because I was picked on in school for being skinny, short, not pretty enough, etc. I was popular amongst my friends but classmates could be very mean so it hardened me and it's taken a decade to overcome all of that. I still struggle. It's a defense mechanism that comes into play so I don't get hurt.

Beauty Blog: My Favorite Products

I am very excited about this blog post because it's something that is very near and dear to my heart.....BEAUTY PRODUCTS! I have always loved make-up and once worked behind a beauty counter. I also secretly love watching make-up gurus on YouTube talk about the latest products available and their take on different make-up application techniques. My husband and daughter think I am crazy for the amount of products I have and continue to purchase. Personally, applying make-up is like therapy for me (crazy, I know) and it allows you to play around with different colors and techniques. I also like beauty products because they can transform your normal "blah" look into something beautiful. I always feel more put together and pretty when I have my face on. I also find joy in walking into the local drugstore or Wal-Mart and finding those hidden gems and "Holy Grail" items. Many women spend a ton of money of high-end department store products when you can achieve the same look for less. I will admit that I will talk about two high-end products in this post but I contemplated buying them for months and once I did and actually used them I was impressed and I feel the money was well spent....well, for one of them, but I will discuss that a little later. I plan on telling you about the item and it's price point as well as the pros and cons (in my opinion). As we all know, what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Also to be fair I need to tell you what I am looking for and my face type. I have normal to dry skin with a few fine lines and my pores are larger than I would like. I am a contact lense wearer and my eyes are super sensitive to products I use so I have to be careful when purchasing items for this area....it's usually trial by error so I have used a TON of eye products!! I don't do a whole cleansing routine with my face; I occasionally use a moisturizer, cleansing towelettes and anti-wrinkle creams daily. I do try to use a clay facial mask at least once (if not twice) a week just to deep clean and purge my pores. I also use brushes from e.l.f. Cosmetics - "Essentials Line" and they are only $1.00 each!! You can find these online or at Target; I have also found them at the Dollar Tree!! I use the "All Blending Sponge" from MAC and it's $8 online or at your local department store counters. So, let me begin and hopefully I do not bore you ladies to death! I really want this to be valuable information because I do enjoy what others have to say about their beauty products!

(Please Note: The pricing for all of this was found on WalMart.com unless it was a department store purchase. Also a "Dupe" is a term for a product that is almost exactly the same thing as another...usually a ton cheaper too!)

I will start with my facial cleansing and care products first since that is usually what happens first! I will be the first to admit that I don't always remember to use my facial creams and there are times I am too lazy to take my make-up off....it's not good for your skin but it happens!



For the nights that I have time and feel like my face needs a good deep cleaning I use Freeman's Facial Clay Mask: Avocado & Oatmeal ($3.98). I typically put it on before I step into the shower and bath, letting it set for 10 minutes before taking it off. I like that this product dries on your face without being a cakey mess. Once I feel like it's been on long enough I take a washcloth and warm water to rinse/wipe it off. It comes off easy and you don't feel like you have to scrub your face off in the process. I have normal/dry skin and this gives a good deep clean without drying me out. I also love how my skin feels afterwards and it really seems to help minimize my pores. The only downfall to this is that if you don't wear one of the wide head bands that can cover your hairline it will end up getting in your fine hairs and then you are forced to wash your hair. For that reason, I always do it when I am ready to wash my hair so I don't have to worry about green hair later!



I have found that the Equate Beauty Refreshing Cleansing Towelettes ($3.48) take off my make-up better than any of the other name brand ones that I have used! These towelettes aren't rough so you don't feel like you're tearing your skin apart. The smell is clean and refreshing. It takes off all of my make-up including my mascara and eyeliner. However, I do use a separate product for that just to really get everything off that area since my eyes are sensitive. I will mention that in a bit. I also like these towelettes because they are a "Dupe" for the Garnier Refreshing Towelettes so that saves me a few bucks! I have found a lot of the CVS brand towelettes to be entirely too strong when using around my eye area so that is why I tried the Equate brand. I was impressed with the quality because the towelette itself is thick and soft without a ton of fragrance and product overload. It's really a good quality towelette that works and doesn't cost a fortune. Worth trying if you use towelettes instead of facial bars and soaps.

Before switching to the Equate Towelettes above I had been using the CVS Age Defying Towelettes (dupe for the Oil of Olay brand) but found that those really burned when used anywhere near my eyes. I couldn't even use them on my cheekbones because the scent and ingredients just sent my eyes screaming. It was really strange but I kept using them on my face just nowhere near my eyes so I purchased the Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Pads ($6.98). These little pads work well and they didn't send my eyes into panic mode. They are oil-free so you don't have to worry if you already have skin that's prone to be on the oily side. They don't burn your eyes and they aren't loaded down with a ton of product. The pads themselves are very soft and I found another use for them that makes me happy. These pads are just the right size to use right before you groom and fill in your eyebrows. You will never believe the amount of buildup you have on your brows from your foundation/powder. These pads remove all of that residue so you have a nice clean slate to work with when grooming/shaping your brows.

I am at an age where unfortunately I am starting to get fine lines so I am all about keeping those at bay and erasing the ones I have. I haven't used a ton of anti-wrinkle products so I honestly do not have a good comparison for you. I did try some of the Oil of Olay Regenerist products and they became too pricey for me to continue using them. However, my Mother swears by the stuff so it must work but it just doesn't work for my wallet! I decided I would try the L'Oreal Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate ($13.87). It is very silky and absorbs quickly into your skin. It has Pro-retinol A and a lot goes a long way which is good considering the tube is only 1 fluid ounce, which is a "con" considering it's over $10.00! I have used this product off and on for about 4 years and I must say that it's not like an instant face lift but it has kept fine lines away and the ones I do have they aren't getting any worse so it's working in my opinion. I also did some research online and you can purchase this through ebay and amazon cheaper than what I get it for at Wal-Mart but I am all about convenience and it's easier for me to just pick it up locally.

The last product that I use in my skincare management routine is one that is currently a new product that a lot of people are talking (good and bad) about. I have been eyeing this product for weeks but was hesitant about it because of the price point but I finally broke down and bought it after seeing rave reviews on YouTube! L'Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur ($19.97) is a skin care/preventative product that is supposed to instantly erase the look of lines, wrinkles, and pores. Another great feature that this product offers is that it has SPF30 in it so you are getting some sunscreen coverage during the day. It's also used as a primer before applying your make-up but it's not considered a moisturizer or foundation. When I first used this product I must admit I was skeptical and a little confused. The texture really threw me off (still does) and I think if you have Oily skin it may really throw you off but I still think it's worth trying because in my opinion it does what it says. First, back to the texture, it's thicker than most silicone based primers. It's creamy so it glides over your skin filling in your pores and fine lines nicely. I find that using less is more when using this product. I also think the more you try to rub it in the more frustrated you will become. I usually put it on first thing in the morning and let it "set" before applying my make-up because I have applied my foundation directly afterwards and I did not like it at all -- I felt like my concealer and foundation slid all over the place. When using this you will find that you don't have to use as much concealer and foundation because just a little will glide nicely along your face. I honestly feel that it does help blur my imperfections away and helps me save the amount of foundation that I have to apply afterwards. It's not as "heavy" as it may appear to be when you first squeeze out the small amount you are going to use on your fingers. If you can get past the texture and overall feeling you have when you first apply it then I think you will be happy you made the purchase.

My foundation that I have chosen to blog about is fairly new to me because I was still using my old foundation until it ran low a couple of days ago. I decided to try Revlon Colorstay Whipped Crème Makeup ($10.97) after hearing and watching non-stop rave reviews on the product. BEST.PURCHASE.EVER! This stuff is amazing. I hate that I haven't tried it sooner because I was missing out! This creamy, fluffy, whipped goodness just glides over your face giving it a flawless finish. It doesn't settle into your pores or fine lines so you don't have to worry about an instant aging effect like some foundations give you. It doesn't set into a cakey mess and it doesn't leave your skin with a shine. I would say it's more dewy than matte but still a great product if you have Oily skin. I am highly impressed with the quality of this product and the only downside would be packaging. It is a very bulky glass jar that takes up room. If you are used to applying your foundation with a brush that is not suitable because your fingers do it better. I just blend everything together with my MAC blender once it's applied and it looks great. This seriously might be a "Holy Grail" product for me!!


 I am new to trying my hand at the whole contouring craze that is going on right now because I tend to get a little overwhelmed with it all. However, I do know that you need a good blush, bronzer and highlighter to achieve the look. Finding the perfect bronzer was seriously the hardest part of achieving the right duo. I found that many of them were entirely too orangey leaving me looking like an OOMPA LOOMPA. I also bought some that left me looking very muddy, almost dirty. I took a leap of faith when I ordered a duo from e.l.f. because I had only read reviews about it online. After using this product for over 2 months I think I finally found a great combo - e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzer in St. Lucia ($3.00). I would have to say that the pigmentation isn't as great as other blushes and bronzers I have so you do have to build on it. I like the fact that there is shimmer in the product but it's very subtle so you don't feel like you have dumped a bottle of glitter all over your face and neck. The packaging is very sleek and slender so it doesn't take up a lot of room in your makeup storage. This is also supposed to be a dupe for NARS - Orgasm Blush & Laguna Bronzer duo so if you prefer e.l.f. you are saving close to $45! If you are also someone "dazed and confused" about the whole contouring craze then you need to check out this link from BubzBeauty! She breaks it down for you and even gives an example for each face shape. 


I have found a blush that is a drugstore brand but has a high-end quality! Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso ($6.97) is the prettiest shade I have ever put on my cheeks. It's a peachy-coral tone that has nice pigmentation and blends well. I honestly think this would be beautiful on any skin tone and has been compared to NARS blush in Orgasm. I use this by itself when I'm not using the e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzer as well as on top of it. I can't recommend this product enough because I firmly believe this is a shade that you will keep reaching for on a daily basis with your make-up routine. I am so glad I read about this product in a beauty blog because it's become my favorite blush...hands down!

So, this next product is one that I spent a lot of money on and isn't typically something I would purchase because of the price point BUT....I am SO glad that I did! MAC's Definitely Defined Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($30.00) is the bomb.  I have heard and watched reviews about this product for a while now and I could never bring myself to buy it until we had a gift card for Macy's. We don't have a Macy's in my town so I figured why not spend it online buying this gem. This is a nice highlighter that is a pretty shade of pink champagne. A little of this product on the top of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, your cupids bow and even under your brow bone gives a nice touch. I also found that too much of this product will make your pores more noticeable so a little goes a long way. It can also be "too frosty" if too much is applied so you need to take it easy when applying the product to your brush. All in all I am happy with the purchase and I use it to give my face a subtle and youthful glow.

Milani Baked Eyeshadow in Fusion ($6.47) is an eyeshadow that you can use wet or dry. It's a swirl of purple, gold and copper but once applied it is a pretty shade of purple/brown. I have used this shade both wet and dry. When applying it wet  it does give you a richer darker shade but it's still beautiful. This also has nice pigmentation and it's not "dusty" like some eye shadows are so it doesn't have a lot of fall out under your eyes. It's also long lasting because I can apply it in the morning and still have the same look when I am taking it off at night. This shade is one that I use probably 5 times a week because it's a nice subtle shade for everyday wear. I tend to use it wet when I am going for more of a dramatic look and apply it dry for my daytime wear. I'm really impressed with the Milani brand and their baked line so I will probably purchase a few more of their baked eye shadows. The only con is this brand doesn't have a lot of shades to choose from so you are limited in that aspect. This is also said to be a dupe for MAC's eyeshadow in the shade of Trax.

Another eyeshadow that I wear on a daily basis is Stila in Kitten ($18.00). Once again, this is a product I wouldn't typically buy because of the price but I also used the gift card for this. I kept seeing this shade pop up in YouTube make-up blogs and I finally broke down and ordered it. This is a MUST HAVE neutral shade because it's gorgeous on. It's highly pigmented so a lot goes a long way and I use it on my eyelid and inner corners of my eye; I have even used it under my brown bone as a highlighter. It has multiple uses so it's worth the $18.00 in my opinion. It's a nice champagne sheer shade but can be applied heavier for more of a dramatic look. The finish is a bit shimmery/frosty so if you aren't into "shimmer" then you definitely want to steer clear of it. You do have to mind when applying because it can accentuate those fine lines with this type of shade. This also claims that it can be applied wet or dry but I have never used it wet. I would say the only two cons are the price point and it does have fall out. Otherwise, this is a nice universal shade.

I have to be very careful with eyeliners because my eyes are super sensitive so I have been through tons of "eye" products. For eyeliner I have been using Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips for Hazel eyes ($9.63). It's packaged as a set of 3 colors: Taupe, Black and Purple/Pink. They are fairly creamy so they glide on nicely and you can blend them without tugging your eyelid. I feel that the shades really do enhance my hazel eyes when wearing the Taupe and Purple. Black is black so I can't really give a review on that. I have mixed feelings on this product because it's really GOOD but there are some things to be concerned about....is that possible?!? I like that Physician's Formula is a natural brand so I am not putting harsh ingredients in my already sensitive eye area. I also like the quality of their products but you can tell that they don't have the "staying" power of the products that have the harsh ingredients. Make sense? I don't feel like this has the proclaimed 24-Hour staying power because my liner does seem to fade by the end of the day. However, beggars can't be choosers so if you have sensitive eyes or like Organic products this is something you should try!

Physician's Formula FakeOut Mascara (8.74) in black is another great product if you have sensitive eyes or like wearing Organic products. This product is supposed to give you length, fullness and a curl....and it does EXACTLY that!!! Once applied this seriously looks like you have false lashes on without being too dramatic. It's seriously one of the products that does what it claims. I am super sensitive to mascara's and have also tried a ton of them! I can not seem to wear water proof mascaras because of the chemicals so I am kind of stuck with only a few to choose from. I would say the cons of this product is that it's not waterproof so it will run if you cry, swim or sweat too much. I also found if you rub your eyes it does rub off under your eyes and fingers so you do have to be careful if you mess with your eyes a lot. The great thing about this product is that if you are super sensitive to the brands that are waterproof and have harsh ingredients then you do have a really great product to use instead. I feel this is long wearing and comes off super easy when removing your make-up at night. I don't need to use an "eye remover" as it comes off with the cleansing towelettes or warm water.

Well, there you have it, my most used and favorite beauty products I currently use. I hope this helps some of you when you are out making that next beauty product purchase. I also hope that this gives you some more options in the drug store so you can spend less at the department store counters! I plan on doing beauty blogs throughout the month of products I love and hate because I think they really help and I love reading others blogs about their opinions on make-up products/brands.

Back to Blogging...

I have been contemplating for months about getting back into the "Blogging World" (as if I really have the time for this) and I decided that I would give it a try! It's been 317 days since my last post and all I can say is.....WOW, a ton can happen in 317 days! My life has been nothing short of an emotional roller coaster and on the verge of a nervous breakdown!

I am not going to rehash all that has happened this past year as most of you follow me on Facebook, Twitter and IG so you know what has been going on in my crazy life. I also don't want to dwell on everything because it's frankly wearing me out talking and thinking about it. I just want to keep my chin up, think positive thoughts and just move on to calmer days.

The only thing I will say about Brody and his illness is that it's been the hardest thing I have gone through besides losing my Mammaw. Some days I feel on top of the world and other days I have a pity party for myself. I know it's not healthy or "right" but honestly it's just the way it is. You never want to see your child less than perfect and when they are sick you feel guilty. You question what you did wrong to cause this turmoil in your child's life. You beat yourself up. You get mad. You ask God "Why"....then you slap yourself and face the fact that it's reality and you just have to deal with it and make the best of it.

So that's what I am doing....MAKING THE BEST OF IT! I figured that blogging again will give me the outlet I need to relieve stress and talk about things that are important to me. I loved blogging before and not to brag or anything but I was good at it. I have loads to blog about because my life is anything but "normal"; I am a part of one crazy family and there is ALWAYS something going on to write about.

With that being said........I'm baaaccckkkkk :)

Birthday Bash-ing

Brody's 4th Birthday bash....I think not. It was an epic fail (at least I felt that way)! I was so excited to celebrate his Birthday at Chuck E. Cheese's because that is all that came out of his mouth for over a month. He couldn't stop talking about the mouse, the pizza and the games....this was going to be the best part EVER.....not.

Little did I know that my child does.not.do structure! He wanted to play games, skip the pizza and mouse and go straight for the cupcakes and presents. Figures.

I was completely mortified when my child broke down in tears and a full blown tantrum in front of our party guests. I know that they were all there because, they too, had children of their own but it was still embarrassing. I thought Mike was going to blow a gasket any second and he was literally on the verge of leaving!

One thing I did learn from this experience is that toddlers do not do well with structure (CC's is on a timeline so they kind of push you along) and maybe "home thrown" birthday parties are best until your kid gets older! Too bad this was my one and only learning experience...as some of you know, Brody is my last!

I was really bummed that I didn't capture a lot of photo's! He was misbehaving so bad that my main focus was to keep calm and well, carry on! The camera was the least of my worries when it came down to it. I did get a few so at least I can put *something* in his baby book!

In the end he was all smiles and really did enjoy being surrounded by games and his friends. Next year we may just stick with a good ole' backyard BBQ and swim party!

Holy Hurricane

Today has been a whirlwind of....bad luck and/or timing depending on who you ask in our family! This "storm" can pass as quickly as it approached in my opinion.

1. The upstairs A/C unit went out yesterday and the temps have been above 95 degrees! The kids bedrooms are upstairs so poor Victoria had to sleep on the couch and Brody slept with us. Like most kids he tossed, turned and kicked all night long....unfortunately on my side of the bed!

2. See above. I had to wait on the A/C guy today and unfortunately the part we need will not be in until tomorrow afternoon so this means another restless night of sleep. Sigh.

3. Alex is sick.....with some unknown GI ailment so he is basically stuck in his kennel until the nasty poop subsides and is back to what it's supposed to be (sorry if TMI). I have cleaned up more dog poop today than I have stinky diapers and that is a big downer for me.

4. See above. Alex is sick which meant a vet visit....a $200 vet visit and all I got was a mystery diagnosis with an antibiotic and 3 cans of nasty dog food.

5. My child has been a holy terror the past 2 days. We never really dealt with the "Terrible 2's" so I guess we are dealing with the "Terrible 4's"!!! He refuses to listen to me and nothing is working....pops on the rear, the evil eye, the serious voice and time outs have not even phased the kid. I am at a loss as what to do.

6. See above. My child is nuts. School does not start for another month that means one crazy Momma by the end of August!

I think that is all I can really bitch about for today but it's still early (6 pm) however, it's been enough to drown myself in a beer. Cheers!

Stuffed Green Peppers!

This week I was put in a situation where I had limited groceries and I had no idea what to cook. I had ground beef, a green and red pepper, a onion and some shredded cheese that needed to be used before they spoiled. I was at a loss as what to make because honestly I only use ground beef for spaghetti and tacos! As usual, I went to my source allrecipes.com to get ideas on what to make for dinner and I ran across a recipe for Stuffed Green Peppers. I had never made stuffed peppers before but the recipe I found sounded amazing so it was worth a shot! This recipe will now be saved for future use because it was AMAZING!!! This recipe calls for 6 green peppers but I only had two so the remainder of the mixture was placed in a casserole dish and baked beside the peppers. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine did!!



Ingredients

• 6 green bell peppers
• salt to taste
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped (I used one can of diced tomatoes)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup uncooked rice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (I used one small package of fiesta blend cheese)
• 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed tomato soup
• water as needed

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cut the tops off the peppers, and remove the seeds. Cook peppers in boiling water for 5 minutes; drain. Sprinkle salt inside each pepper, and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, saute beef and onions for 5 minutes, or until beef is browned. Drain off excess fat, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomatoes, rice, 1/2 cup water and Worcestershire sauce. Cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until rice is tender. Remove from heat, and stir in the cheese.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. (175 degrees C). Stuff each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, and place peppers open side up in a baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine tomato soup with just enough water to make the soup a gravy consistency. Pour over the peppers.
4. Bake covered for 25 to 35 minutes, until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly.                

Living in Fast Forward

I am FINALLY taking the time to write a new blog...it seems that June & July have flown by and the end of summer vacation is fastly approaching!

It's pretty obvious that I haven't blogged in a while so that means we are no longer in North Carolina visiting my parents. It was a great 4 weeks but by the end of it my Mom was politely kicking us out of her house because she couldn't take the toddler anymore! The highlight of the trip was Brody getting to go to "Turtle Beach" (Myrtle) for the very first time. We had a ton of fun and I wish the trip could have lasted a few more days because Brody was really enjoying himself.

Victoria had a great time while visiting her family in Texas and I must admit that even though I was not at home while she was away there was still a piece of our family that felt missing. I end up missing her more and more each year; things just feel strange when she isn't around. She is growing up so quickly that it's really hard to think that she will be turning 16 in October! She finally got her drivers permit so by next summer she will be driving ALL BY HERSELF!! Scary. You always thought your parents over reacted with the whole turning 16 thing until you find yourself a parent of a 16 year old!

Brody's 4th birthday is a week away and he couldn't be more excited. Of course, we have had to play it up because he can't really grasp the concept yet but it's fun to see his eyes light up. We are planning a Chuck-e-Cheese birthday this year instead of the usual Concord party because I felt it was time for him to be surrounded by  his friends. His Nannee and Pappaw can't make it but I am sure he will be too busy to really notice (or at least I hope he is).

We have added two new rescue dogs to our mini zoo....call us crazy, I would have to agree with you! It is a lot of work but it's wonderful to know you have given a home to an animal that almost didn't have a chance. "Bonesy" and "Lou" are great additions to our family even though they are larger than we are used to. Now our home consists of 4 humans, 1 cat,  4 dogs, 2 fish, 2 birds and 3 hermit crabs!!

"Bonesy"

"Lou"

As for me, I am doing better with each passing day. That is not saying I still don't have a "bad" day but I have more good days. I am slowly starting to get back into my routine and things that I enjoy. I haven't gotten back into my craft room yet but I am planning to as soon as Brody starts preschool. I was enjoying my camera again but I left my battery charger at the hotel in Myrtle Beach so I had to order a new one...which arrived last week so I will be able to take pictures of our Destin trip this upcoming weekend!