REVIEW | Mary Kay Blue Smoke Beauty Tip

New York Fashion Week has come and gone and there were some extraordinary things to hit the runways. I'm here today not to talk about the fashion--although it was all ON POINT!--but to talk about the makeup that completed the looks.

Celebrity makeup artist, Luis Casco, was inspired by sapphire smoky eyes that hit the streets of NYC and he wanted to create a smoky eye look that could be adapted to daytime activities but easily added to for night. I know a lot of us are a little shy to attempt the smoky eye for a day at work, but after reviewing his inspired looks, I think we all can achieve it!

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REVIEW | Mary Kay Emmy looks

The Emmy awards have come and gone but aside from the jaw-dropping fashion on the red carpet, the celebrities' makeup is always a stunning thing to see. So when Mary Kay contacted me to review some of their products, I am always up to it!

One of the looks they were inspired by was that of Sarah Hyland from Modern Family. Her flawless look with the cropped top and full, floor length skirt with a high bun and bold makeup was a look to be talked about all season.

Ipsy Glam Bag Sept '14 | Street Style

Another month, another Ipsy glam bag. Most summer glam bags are "beachy" and aren't typically something I'd keep in my bag. Don't get me wrong, I'll toss one in my beach bag that holds keys, chapstick, and my ID or something, but a bag like the one I got this month? I'd definitely keep it in my purse to hold some things.

Before I get into the review of these products, I just want to throw out there that if you're wanting more things you'd use on a more regular basis, I'd highly suggest updating your Ipsy profile. I updated mine to be more makeup oriented before I signed back up at the end of July so that I'd quit getting things I wouldn't use, like hand cream, bb cream, or hair conditioner.

Oh Anastacia, you have my heart.

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I know I'm a little a lot behind on this trend, but I'm oh so glad that I'm now on the contouring train. In case you have no idea about these contouring and highlighting palettes, give me a second to enlighten you. Anastasia Beverly Hills created it for all levels of makeup artists and it was made in a time where there weren't many options. You had to buy each color separately, which blew because they can get expensive. 

The original palette has the colors in the picture above and included three highlight and three contour colors. From R to L: top--Vanilla, Banana, Sand; bottom--Java, Fawn, Havana. The exciting thing is that the pans are sold separately as refills now so you can continue to get the default colors or you can pick from the other 27 colors in the collection.

I got rid of Ipsy but she kept coming back.

What can I say? I decided many months ago that beauty subscriptions weren't worth the money. Yes, the ones I had were only $10 a month but we wanted to save as much money as possible. There's nothing we were trying to save up to buy, but we just wanted to have that extra money just in case.

Then something started happening. The more we were trying to save, the more I had the "urge" to shop. I felt a little guilty buying clothes/shoes, so makeup did the trick. And then it just clicked. Why don't I sign up for Ipsy again? I'm spending more buying makeup on my own, so why not discover more brands like Ipsy was introducing to me and only have to pay $10? Tell me I'm not alone in this struggle.

So I signed up sometime the end of July so that I would be sure to get this month's beauty bag. FYI--if you're wanting to be sure to get a bag the month after you sign up, make sure you do it before the 1st and skip the wait list by following their instructions. Without further ado, here are my glam bag goodies.

REVIEW + a winner!!

I don't know what it is about Mary Kay products lately, but they've definitely been upping their game! I think part of the reason is because they've been featured on the new season of Project Runway as the product the makeup artists use to complete the designers' looks. Unfortunately for myself, we don't have that TV channel anymore so I have to watch episodes online. Regardless, now's your time to shine, Mary Kay. Don't disappoint!

I received product last week to review their newer emerald smoky eye collection. I know I haven't done much "marketing" for le blog, but I had a giveaway!! And before I get into details for more product I received recently, I wanted to announce that winner and their names are Lauren K. and Christy P! So if you're reading this post today, be looking out for an email so that I can get your info to send you this product. Congrats!!!

Today's post leads me to another review of Mary Kay product. Another one of Project Runway's first makeup looks from the premier night was about graphic blue cat eyes and playful pink lips. It's so much fun switching up your routine and rocking something like a blue eye liner. So when I had the chance to review more MK product, I jumped at the offer!

I keep forgetting the B in a B&A.

My little sister asked me to do her makeup over the weekend and I jumped at the chance--I need all the practice I can get if I want to do this in the long-run. I drove over, not knowing exactly what kind of look she wanted, with almost all of my makeup in tow. Side note: At least I know that I'm building some arm muscles with the weight of everything. Ha.

I walk upstairs to find Abigail curling her hair and she was wearing a white tank with these cute tan and teal high waisted, flowy shorts. I thought she was going out-out but said she was just going to play cards at a friend's house.

As I finished braiding her bangs back, she said she wanted to try a makeup look with some sort of color under her eyes. Easy peasy! Now I just need to figure out what color to pick.

Friday favorites, where have you been?

It's been forever since I last posted about Friday favorites. For-ev-er. I used to love linking up with different blogs and reading those that were already linked. People lead such interesting lives. And it's fun getting sucked in a little while reading about it. I just kind of stopped it all. Maybe it was me getting lazy; I'm not sure. So let's start 'er back up this morning and write about five things that are my favorites at the moment.

P.S. I say it every year and I'll say it again. I DO NOT envy those going back to school. Even though I finished with a Bachelor's degree many years ago, I often think, What if I went back to school to this or that? Never again, I tell you. Never! But good luck to those that have started this week!

I feel like Picasso with my new brushes.

I've finally decided that now was the time to purchase some new makeup brushes. I think I've had the ones I'm currently using for about three years now and I know that doesn't seem like that much time, but with daily makeup application, they can start to get yucky. Even with cleaning them, they don't always get back to their original condition.

Beauty gurus, Sam and Nic Chapman, helped design Real Technique brushes and they have been getting quite the good review. So I've joined in on the fun and made a purchase for myself!! And once you see the pricing that I'll list below, you'll first want to pick your jaw up from the floor, but then you can be like me and get some for yourself.

From left to right: Powder brush, Expert Face brush (I got it for free!), Blush brush, Setting brush, Shading brush, and the Starter set (includes a deluxe crease brush, a base shadow brush, accent brush, brow brush, and fine liner brush)

REVIEW: My first Makeup Geek purchase and I'm geekin' out!!

Hello again!

I've recently been following Samantha's IG from Batalash Beauty and through her list of makeup products have found the company, Makeup Geek (MUG). I began to do a little research because based on her reviews, the quality was that of MAC but half the price. I love MAC products, but c'mon, I can't be poppin' out $14 every time I want to try a new eye shadow.

At the moment, there are several colors of shadow out in their online store so I decided to try out four of their pan shadows, one loose pigment, and it's possible that I bought more of the NYX eye pencil in Milk. Shh, don't tell my husband.


From top right, counterclockwise: MUG Eye Shadow in Mercury, MUG Shimma Shimma, NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk, MUG Burlesque, MUG Moondust, MUG Loose Pigment in Sweet Dreams (in the middle of my hand by itself)

REVIEW: Mary Kay Smoky Emerald Project Runway look

Hi there, friends!!

I cannot get enough of the color green lately. All shades are getting to me, deep within my soul, that just makes me feel like a million bucks. My favorite is probably the mint green and emerald shades so I was stoked to receive the emerald Mary Kay Color Design Studio Collection from the premier of the new season of Project Runway. The designers will be finishing off all of their looks with these products so you can imagine that I'd want to jump the Gunn (haha) and review these puppies. Keep reading if you'd like to read my review!

Instagram Lately

As I am in the middle of re-branding--which you'll see in the next couple of days--I wanted to fill you in on my Instagram lately, just in case you've missed it. Most pics are of me, but there's a couple of my sister, and I can't not leave you without one of the cats. Hel-ller.  <--Okay, that was supposed to sound like Madea saying hello, so just pretend that's what you read the first time around.

Catch you on the flip side!

Sweet potato and kale pizza

Oh my god, you guys. I'm not even joking around when I say this but I think I've found my new healthy guilty pleasure. It's not a sweet--which I crave constantly--but it's a fill 'er up kind of meal and that can be just as pleasurable on those diet days when you feel like all you've eaten is grass.

I've been on the Advocare 24 Day Challenge for 17 days now and I feel a little sad. A) Because I hate diets. B) because I thought I'd be pumped to be changing my eating habits when I'm not. And C) Because I'm afraid I'm just going to go back to my meals of all cheese and laffy taffy.

I know I'm just in a funk since I'm so near the end, though. The thing with Advocare is that I have to really watch what I eat. Der--like all diet plans. We've been trying to find new recipes online and I think Pinterest has come to my rescue! I actually want to find more tasty meals like the one we just ate for dinner because it was THAT good. And if I can find similar meals like these, I can use them as a "cheat" meal and not feel as guilty. #winning

So as I mentioned, I found a recipe on Pinterest for sweet potato and kale pizza. And it goes something like this. 

Unapologetic says it all.

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I've done it again. I can't say that I'm ashamed; my purse just gets heavier by the week. If you follow me on Instagram (@lipstickskulls, formerly @mrsmeghanlee) then you'd know I have an obsession with Revlon's Colorburst Lip Balms. The first two I bought were the matte shades--Sultry and Shameless--and I was immediately amazed at how creamy and full my lips looked with that matte formula. And over time I've picked up some of the Just Bitten Lip Balms that have a little more shine to them--Sweetheart Valentine, Rendezvous, and Darling Cherie.

Last night as I was picking up some things at the grocery store, I walked past the makeup aisle and it didn't take me one second to grab a new shade off the shelf. It might not be the best place for the best deal but I didn't care one bit.

I don't ever remember seeing this color in the past so it could be new. Well it's new to me now! Revlon Colorburst Matte Lip Balm in  Unapologetic has got to be one of the prettiest "coral" colors to wear this spring and summer. I bet it will complement any shade of skin with its' tone. It's not so neon as some other lipstick brands have come out with as their "summer collection" but still brings a pop of color that will brighten any day.

And surely I'm not a pristine eater and drinker but this stuff stays on for a long time. The only time I noticed it starting to wear thin was in my very inner lips and it was right after I was practically sucking the last bits of birthday cake icing from a fork at 3:30 in the afternoon.

The one thing I will mention is that although I'm in LOVE with this new lip crayon, you might shy away from it if you don't wear it that often. It's a bold statement and if you're not ready to own it, then it will own you.

So go out and own the world! Act like you know what you're doing, bright lipstick and all, and the world will treat you nicely. Okay, so maybe not the wisest of words, but I'm trying to get your confidence in the right place, dammit...Janet!

I wore Unapologetic with my scrubs to work today. BAM! (I just realized it looks more red here but I promise it's an amazing coral color! Just trust me!!)

I'm linking up with Random Wednesday, The Hump Day Blog Hop, and I Feel Pretty.

Liebster Award, say what?!

Hello, stranger. My, how I've missed you! I've been doing my own thing for several weeks now and I haven't entirely hated it. Maybe I should be a little more caring with le blog but I think she can survive on her own two feet every now and then.

Rather than giving even more excuses of my absence because you don't really want to hear it I have some exciting news! I've been nominated for a Liebster Award!! Don't know what that is? Yeah, I didn't either at first. They are awards given out to "newbie" blogs by fellow bloggers. In a nutshell, it's a chance for someone like me to have a teeny tiny moment of glory and for me to explore new bloggers and what they're all about. I'm giving a HUGE shoutout to Shauna over at Freckles and Curse Words for nominating me. It makes me feel good when other cyber-friends recognize me :-)

So here are the official rules:

one | Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link to their page and/or blog.
two | Display the award on your blog by including it on the post or adding the widget/gadget to your page.
three | Answer eleven questions about yourself which will be provided below from the nominator.
four | Provide eleven random facts about your cool self.
five | Nominate five to eleven blogs that you feel deserve this blog award.
six | Create a new list of questions for that blogger to answer.
seven | List these rules in your post.
eight | Finally, inform the people you've nominated them for the award by providing a link to your page about how this thing works.

**Eleven questions Shauna wants to know about ME:**

1) What made you decide to start a blog?

At first I wanted to chronicle my adventures as a newlywed. Being as I'm usually only funny when I'm a bitch, I decided to switch it up a little and do something more of the everyday me, more girly. It's now more beauty related and I wouldn't have it any other way.

2) Your dream vacation would be...

This is hard to answer. I've lived through several of my dream vacations, but in the future I'd love to go to Asia. Anywhere in that continent, really. Russia, China, India, and everywhere in between.

3) Your go-to comfort food?

I'm letting my inner five-year-old answer this one and say good ole mac and cheese.

4) Your favorite style era?

I don't really think I have a favorite. Dressing up is always fun no matter the era.

5) Song you could listen to 500,354,245 times in a row?

I'm a little obsessed with anything Lorde and Miley right now. Opposites attract, right?

6) Wine, beer, or liquor?

I'm a liquor girl. Wine and beer are both nasty.

7) What is the one book you could read over again?

I don't know, I don't know, I don't know. Pass? I've never re-read a book before besides the Bible so I can't really answer this question.

8) Is there a goal you're working on right now? What is it?

Right now I'm just trying to get healthy. That includes cutting back on sweets and bread as well as regularly going to the gym. And if I lose a few pounds along the way, I'm cool with that ;)

9) If someone gave you a butt-load of cash to go back to school, would you go? What for?

I don't think I would EVER EVER go back to school. If you were to give me one quadrillion dollars in the next five minutes, I still wouldn't do it. If it were possible to have a witch wiggle her nose and tell me that schooling was done in one day, then I might reconsider. And if that were true, I'd think about learning more about astronomy.

10) Are you for or against plastic surgery?

I'm all for it as long as you don't go overboard. Nobody needs to see your triple Z boobs.

11) What TV show are you into right now?

I'm totally loving American Horror Story at the moment. Mmm, Evan Peters.

**Eleven Random Facts About ME:**

1) I sing when I'm hyper. They aren't songs, my words just turn into melodies.
2) I love interior design.
3) I've never had a dog.
4) I have eight tattoos.
5) My YOLO tattoo was done before Drake's song was written. True story.
6) I had a root canal years before I even turned 25. Hello, sweet tooth!
7) We can't have kids. Moving along....
8) I'm afraid of death, well, of being alone.
9) I'm a very affectionate drunk.
10) I try to be open-minded about everything.
11) My most favorite foods (in order of importance) are breakfast, sushi, and mexican.

Here are the Nominees......
If you've already been nominated, no worries, just let me know in the comments below.

The Ginger Next Door

Stilettoed to Steeltoed

Wilde in the City

On the Road Again

The Thrifty Firecracker

And here are YOUR eleven questions:

1) How did you name your blog?

2) What is your worst habit? Be honest.

3) What is your guilty pleasure?

4) Are a lot of friends or just a few besties more important?

5) If you won the lottery tonight, what would be the first three things you'd spend it on?

6) What food could you eat your weight in if you never gained a pound?

7) Lake or beach?

8) City life or country life?

9) Are there any battles you've had to overcome?

10) Any hobbies?

11) Would you rather have the most beautiful hair and the worst looking face or the most beautiful face and the worst looking hair?


Thank you so much, Shauna, for the nomination!!! It really meant a lot! xoxo

ABCs of Spring

I'm beyond stoked, as I'm sure you are too, that Spring is upon us! I really hope that Old Man Winter doesn't want to make one last appearance anytime soon either. From what I hear, there's a chance of snow this week. Noooo!! I'm already hooked on the sunny days, blooming flowers, and brighter clothes to wear to turn back now. Is there some sort of Indian rain dance we can do for sunshine??

So for today, I'm going to do something a little fun. There's no rhyme or reason... it's just 'cause.

A is for Activities. I plan on doing lots of things outside this spring. Staying active is the key.

B is for Bikes. I'm really excited to ride the trails in our city. 10.2 miles, here we come!

C is for Cleaning. I don't love the cleaning aspect but I love the decluttering and organization.

D is for Daffodils. We don't have many of these around, but I love seeing blooming flowers.

E is for Energy. Something about the sun and longer days gives me the umph to do more!

F is for Friends. Warmer weather brings more friends out to hang with. Come chill with us.

G is for The Gatherings concert. If you don't know about this, look it up. They plan lots of "space" music, which we love. We'll see you there.

H is for Hair. I'm pumped for the thought of how long it will be in the coming months. Grow!

I is for Ixthus. I plan on doing more studying of the Bible in these next few months. It's interesting learning things I didn't know anything about as a kid. Keep your minds curious and you'll never stop learning.

J is for Job. I start a new job next week so this season is a season of change. Yay!

K is for Katy Perry. She's coming back to Nashville in a few months and it'll be a blast.

L is for Learning. I'd love to make the time to learn more about Gimp, sewing, makeup application, etc.

M is for May. It's my birthday month (the 7th) and I'm ready to plan another Cinco de Mego party!

N is for Nails. Time to break out all of the pastel, neon, and white nail polishes. Gahh, I'm such a girl.

O is for Outdoors. My non-green thumb has lots of landscaping ideas for the house.

P is for Parrrrties. Bring on the multi-colored patio lights, bud light, and slip-n-slides!!

Q is for Quote. I'm itching for some ink and I'm think about getting another quote. But maybe not. We'll see.

R is for Railway. We might be up for a trip with Amtrak. Trains always fascinate me.

S is for Swimwear. I've got tons of swimsuits but it's always fun to buy new ones with the pretty floral prints.

T is for Travel. We've got another overseas trip planned this season. Can I just be a professional traveler?

U is for Uno. I LOVE playing cards during the warmer months. I don't know what it is about it, just do.

V is for Visits. I really want to get away from my normal routine and start visiting more people.

W is for Water. It will soon be time to get out on the lake and/or beach and relax away all of the stress.

X is for eXcitement. I'll be like 2 minutes from my favorite Japanese place with this new job. Yum yum.

Y is for YOLO. Boy, I wish this restaurant was still open in Nashville. I need to find a replacement. And soon!

Z is for Zion. I'm looking forward to lots and lots of nephew time.

What things are you looking forward to most about Spring??

Kendra's Fashion Challenge: Epcot Style

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I don't know if Mickey's on the brain or if everyone is itching to get away from one of our worst winters and actually enjoy some sunshine, but I have seen many people vacationing to Disney this year.  I mean, what's not to love? You've got choices of going on safari, visiting space, and even experiencing the cultures of different countries.

While visiting this magical place can be stress-free and exhilarating, bringing along the whole family can be the complete opposite especially when you're the person planning and packing. I was contacted by Kendra Thornton to participate in "Kendra's Fashion Challenge" to put together one day and one evening outfit as if I were the one visiting Epcot, one of Disney's four theme parks. At first, I was a little hesitant because it can be hard to envision things when you're not the person going. But to be able to play stylist for the day?! Challenge accepted!!

Kendra is known well for her travel tips and deals and she shares it all to millions of us viewers across several TV stations and networks. She has made regular appearances on ABC, NBC, and CW in cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles. She reached out to me because she wanted to find some ideas on how to fuse together home life with three kids and a vacation to this tropical paradise.

With all of this in mind, I thought the best way to pick a day and night outfit was to find pieces that were versatile. It will free up some space in the suitcase as well as free up time for the next destination in the park so that you're not stuck changing every single thing you had on during the day. And I think I've got some ideas on how to do this.

Kendra told me that one of the attractions they'd be visiting within the park was the Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium. With it being an indoor attraction, I began planning an outfit that would suit AC temps but would still allow it to be removed once they walked outside.

One of the AWESOME things about this, one of the world's largest aquariums, is that aside from watching the fishies swim in their tanks, you can actually go SCUBA diving with all of the sea creatures! But like most of us, you probably aren't SCUBA certified.... Not to worry, though, because in The Seas with Nemo & Friends section of the aquarium, you can ride a shuttle underwater to one of their sea bases to explore it all. What kiddo wouldn't love that?!?

First things first. Rather than giving Kendra some sort of themed look, I wanted to find some pieces that were simple yet still chic. One of the must-have items of Spring is a floral kimono. It will give her a little warmth while inside the aquarium but as soon as she moves to the next attraction, it can be removed and stuffed in a bag. Kimonos are light-weight so it won't weigh her down. Sweet!

And with the kimono, she can pair a tank, some comfy boyfriend shorts, and some leopard print sneakers. Floral and leopard print? Yep. They look so good together! Something else that she might not think to pack is a watch. With the kids being so close to water, checking the time on the phone might not be the best idea. And plenty of other accessories can be added at her discretion.

And, of course, all of these items can be tweaked to Kendra's liking.

Kimono // Long Tank // Boyfriend Jean Shorts // Sneakers // Bag // Watch // Sunnies // Chapstick

After an exhausting day, I'm sure Kendra is ready to relax in the warm beach air. That's right! You can find a beach within driving range of Epcot. I wanted to find an evening look that would work whether she was visiting the sandy shores or whether she stayed to view one of the park's live shows. While I'm sure Kendra would like a date night with the hubs, she might not be able to bring someone along to babysit. So we've got to be a little practical. I've still got something up my sleeve, though.

I had thought about pairing something with white jeans because they are very chic, but they can still be heavy and hot. That kimono I was talking about earlier, find one that works both open and closed. Wear a tank that doubles as a dress and you won't have to do anything with your evening outfit except for taking off the shorts. If Kendra is comfortable with her body, keeping the kimono open with the tank as a body-con dress works as well! If not, bring a scarf and tie it at the waist closing the kimono. Adding some peep-toe booties, something with a platform, even if it's tiny, will keep them comfy.

If they decide on going the beach route, switch the shoes for some sandals and wear the bathing suit underneath, tied closed or not. There's nothing more romantic than a picnic dinner on the beach, sipping on cocktails, while the kids are playing in the water.

To top it all off, the right shade of lipstick will pull any outfit together. If red is too bold, a gorgeous coral should do the trick. I'm not too shy to try any bright color, so I picked out something she should try and I beg her to message me and tell me how much the hubs loved it, loved the whole thing for that matter!

Kimono // Long Tank // Scarf // Booties // Sandals // Swimsuit-Green // Swimsuit-White // Picnic basket // Blanket // Necklace // Lipstick-Pink // Lipstick-Coral

To read more about Kendra and her PR company, visit this site and keep reading!

And a handy little site that I learned through her, Gogobot, is a tool you can use to find different attractions based on listed information and reviews. How cool is that?! I've got my own trip plan at the end of May and I'm excited to see if this will help us.

I'm linking up with Monday Morning Gossip, Mix it Monday, Manic Monday, and Funday Monday.

Five on Friday

Happy Friday, peeps! As I sit here writing this, I've got one more week left of work. YEP! I've got a new job with another orthopaedic doc coding for that practice so all I've been doing is training this week. While it's sad to say goodbye to all the people I've met at my current job, I'll be moving on to meet other wonderful people and I'm excited! Change is good, real good.

Things haven't been too exciting lately but here's a look back at my favorite things from the week.

one | cheetahs, rawr--These sneaks were on sale at Target a few weeks ago so I just had to snag them. They are cute and casual and will go with EVERYTHING.

two | 7 years ago--Jerry and I met 7 years ago on 03-13-14. I know that was last week, but I didn't write a Friday recap post last week, so whatevs. (If you want to read more about this story, read this.)

three | adventurous--I don't really know how this started, but we decided to let the cats out of the house recently on one of the warm days and they loved it. And their favorite thing? Rolling around on the concrete.

four | handy dandy--I know you've probably seen organizers like this one or this one, but I randomly passed an aisle in Lowe's and saw these tiny pipes for like 30 cents or something. All you need is a few of the Command Strip velcro pieces and you're good to go! No more clutter on the counter!

five | sweet banana bites--I'm still dying over these things! Such a yummy snack and you should definitely try them yourself :-)

I hope everyone is having a splendid Friday and has lots of Spring-type weather planned for the weekend. Although, we've got more 40 degree weather coming up next week, I'm going to soak in the rays while I can and I hope you do the same!

I'm linking up with H54F, Five on Friday, Friday Favorites, That Friday Blog Hop, and Fresh Face Friday.

RECIPE | Sweet Banana Bites

One of my friends used to make this amazing treat and I just HAD to share it. I completely forgot about it until I saw something similar on Pinterest. So I just had to make it over the rainy weekend. It's another one of those snacks that's not the most healthy of treats, but it's way better than eating candy or cake. Mmm, cake.

It's super simple to make and you can adjust it how you like! If you want to add some nuts with your bananas, go for it. If you want to trade the cinnamon for brown sugar, be my guest :-)

INGREDIENTS

2-3 bananas
A drizzle of honey
A sprinkle of cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice the bananas and lay them flat on a baking sheet close together. Drizzle the honey lightly across each slice until they all have at least a little on top. Then sprinkle the cinnamon in the same fashion. Pop them in the oven for about 10 minutes. I couldn't remember how long to cook them myself. I started with 5 minutes but they didn't look "done" so I cooked them for another 5 minutes and they were perfection!

And you're finished!! I dare someone to tell me that this snack isn't DA BOMB! I like to munch on these to replace a craving for something worse like ice cream. Speaking of cold treats, these would be so good cold/frozen. Just an idea.

I'm linking up with That Hump Day Blog Hop, Random Wednesday, and Your Whims Wednesday.

March '14 Birchbox

It's sad to tell you this, but this post is for my very last Birchbox. I know I said I'd give it a year to decide whether I was convinced to keep it, but in the end, the boxes were still just "eh" like they were from the beginning. So I just went ahead and cancelled it. I still have access to their online store if I ever do want to purchase an item from them.

This month's box is all about "Spring Forward". They wanted us to focus more on our daily routines with the extra hour we got earlier in the month. They also wanted to show us how to get more out of the products we already use with different tricks.

Sounds handy, right?!

COOLA
Tinted matte SPF 30 for Face | Full-size, $36
  WHAT  Organic tinted moisturizer with lasting sun protection that evens tone and masks flaws.
  HOW     Smooth a thin layer onto clean skin.

I think I first sampled this brand in one of my very first Birchboxes.  I love that it's an organic product, but it's TINY and I'm not about to pay almost $40 for a full-size of it. I do like that this is a tinted matte SPF, but still. No thank you.

DDF
Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew | Full-size, $42
  WHAT  Derm-developed oil-free formula that leaves skin soft with a luminous finish.
  HOW     Apply a thin layer of this fast-absorbing hydrator evenly over skin.

Ever since I've seen those Vaseline commercials about the spray-and-go lotions, I've been thinking about trying them. And I actually really really love this stuff. It goes on like a lotion, but it's lighter, almost like a mix between lotion and germ-x.  You know how an anti-bacterial dries pretty quickly? It's like that. Pretty cool.

English Laundry
No. 7 for Her | Full-size, $90
  WHAT  This fruity scent mingles feminine floral notes with a vanilla-almond base.
  HOW     Spritz onto pulse points. You might just be tempted to flounce around in a pretty frock.

The spray thing on this sample doesn't work but I could still smell its' scent. It's extremely similar to the Artelier perfume I got in a box several months ago. And because of that, I'll stick with the other because this one is WAY too expensive. I already feel like I'm getting robbed paying $70 for perfume. But $90? Nope. Not gonna happen.

Gilchrist & Soames
London Collection Body Lotion | Full-size, $16
  WHAT  This fast-absorbing hydrator leaves skin silky-smooth with a light, earthy scent.
  HOW     Massage generously into skin, focusing on trouble zones like flaky elbows and knees.

First off, the scent is VERY earthy, almost just like grass. I will argue that it's not as fast-absorbing like it claims to be, but it's still a good lotion. I'm just not sure I want to smell like this stuff. Just a personal preference, I guess.

Ojon
damage reverse Restorative Hair Treatment + Restorative Hair Treatment Plus | Full-size, $33 each
  WHAT  Two generations of a cult classic hair-restorer, which hydrate and add megawatt shine.
  HOW     Warm between palms before applying generously to hair. Leave 20 minutes, rinse, and shampoo.

I felt this stuff through the packaging and it feels like clay or something. I guess that's why they tell us to warm it between your palms before applying it. The oil in this treatment is supposedly only found in rainforests of Central America so that's pretty cool. I'm not exactly sure the difference between the two. The only thing I can think is that one claims to have antioxidants and the other doesn't.

.....A TREAT FROM GHIRARDELLI.....
Take a timeout to embrace Ghirardelli's Cherry Tango Square. After you try the unique blend of deep dark chocolate, tangy cherry, and satisfying almond crunch, we dare you not to do a little happy dance.

I'm not much of a cherry and chocolate kind of girl but I tried it anyway to see if my tastebuds have changed. Nope, they haven't. I gave the rest to J and he devoured it.


In the end, the products in Birchbox just weren't something I'd buy in the real world. Yeah, it was totally fun to see the surprises in the box every month, but I'd rather get more practical things. I tried adjusting my profile online but it didn't help much.

These were solely my opinions so I hope I didn't sway you in the wrong direction. If you've been interested in any of the products that I've posted about over the months, then you should give them a shot! Visit their site and follow the instructions on how to sign up.

Look what I got!! Oh wait, that's a LOT of orange.

I went to our local flea market (between two cold snaps) a few weeks ago and it was HEAVENLY. I don't know about you, but I could spend some serious money there. They've got food, makeup, furniture, jewelry, pet items, clothes, and other home items. You can even find some good lube and baby dolls; whatever tickles your fancy.

I told myself that buying from the flea market was okay because it was cheaper and I wouldn't be spending much even if I did have a basketful of makeup items in my hand. And if you're wondering, yes, I'm still sticking with my spending budget. As of this shopping trip, I still had some to spend. BUT, by today, it's all gone. I'll have to wait until May when I get more for my birthday.

These are the things that came home with me that day. And as you can tell, there's quite a bit of orange things. Why, you might ask? 

As you may or may not know, orange is one of spring's hottest colors. I discovered a beautiful orange shade of lipstick by Rimmel back in the Fall and have been in love ever since. I know you might turn your nose up at the color, but with the right shade, it can pair very well with your skin tone. Just trust me on this one. Come find me, I'll find some lipstick for you and you'll see how amazing it is.

1 | Revlon PhotoReady Blush in Coral Reef
I have a new found love for creme blushes. I was always uncomfortable with the application so I just didn't fool with it. I found this stuff pretty cheap buried beneath some other crap and it's a beautiful color! It seriously is just the right amount of coral to brighten your face.

2 | Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Coral Sheen
This blush stick actually came from Wally World, but I bought it before I got the Revlon product above. They are 97% the same shade. I'll probably end up returning this one. It has a little bit of shimmer to it, which can be nice, but I'm digging the other one more.

3 | L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara in Blackest Black
I wasn't in the need for mascara at the time, but I love this brand usually ONLY for their mascaras. This one's good to take with me while I'm on the go. I have others that I use when I want more drama.

4 | Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Eyeliner in Eggplant
Gel eyeliners are always so much fun to play with, especially when they're purple! Gel glides on smooth like a pencil but it's so quick to be a mess like with liquid liner. If you haven't tried gel, why not get it with a funky color?! Purple is dark enough that it looks just like black.

5 | Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya
I've also just recently began a love affair with Revlon's lip butters. They are so freakin' nice feeling on my lips. I could just purse them together all day long. This one is my suggestion if you're wanting to try out the orange but are scared with your first pick. This is a sheer orange and super moisturizing like chapstick so I'm sure you can get the hang of it.

6 | Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendevous
See? I told you I got a lot of orange things. If you've already tried out the color, this one is a must!! The lip crayon is easy to apply and is this gorgeous coral color. I wear it at least once a week.

7 | Covergirl Blast FlipStick in Cheeky
This one I have yet to wear in public. I tried them both on when I first brought it home but I've got a trillion lip products at this point and it's hard to choose just one!! This shade has a beautiful coral and a lighter, shimmery coral on the other end. Muey bein!

8 | Covergirl Color Sensational Limited Edition Lipstick in Fuchsia Fierce
I cannot get over this HOT summer color! I think I'm just going to start buying all my friends a shade like this for birthdays and Christmas and such and break them away from their usual makeup routine. I'm telling you, a lipstick like this will change everything.

9 | Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Darling Cherie
This shade is straight up lilac and I've honestly never worn a color like this. On my lips, it's different than I would have expected. The pastel perks up any outfit and I love getting a little bold with it. Why not try out lilac on my lips, right?!

10 | Sally Hansen Zero Bumps Bikini Spray
I don't know who thought of this stuff but it's pretty amazing! Whatever chemicals are in it really do what it tells you it will do. There are times where I have horrible razor bumps in my bikini line and they aren't all that pretty. This spray helps them go away! All you gotta do is spray it in that area, and the ingredients start to work their magic. It's pretty cool.

11 | Scunci No Damage Polybands

I have been ON THE HUNT for these tiny elastics for the past few months. My hair has just gotten several inches past my shoulders and is at prime braiding length. It just sucks because the only hair ties I have are the skinny black ones. I knew stores sold the plastic bands but all I could find were packs of like 5000. My friend stumbled upon these, a pack of 75, for like a buck.

Have you been doing any beauty hauls now that Spring is quickly approaching?? Comment below and let me know if there are more products I need to look in to or if I need to hunt them down at the flea market!

I'm linking up with Mingle Monday, Manic Monday, Monday Morning Gossip, Mix it Monday, and Funday Monday.

Broccoli Straw Salad

(source)

I've got another side salad that I wanted to share that I don't feel so guilty eating. Yes, it's probably still not the healthiest version of veggies I could be eating, but it sure as hell beats eating starchy foods like potatoes and corn. So that's a plus!

Here's what you need.

1 16oz package of broccoli straw salad (if you can't find that, broccoli cole slaw mix will work too)
2 3oz packages of chicken-flavored ramen noodles
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 cup of unsalted nuts (it calls for peanuts, but any will work in my opinion)
1 cup of sunflower seeds
1/2 cup of white sugar
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1/3 cup of cider vinegar

In a large bowl, combine the broccoli straw salad, broken noodles, and green onions.

Whisk together the oil, vinegar, sugar, and ramen seasoning packets. Pour over the salad and toss so that it's even coated. Put it in the fridge, covered, until it has chilled. Before serving, top with the nuts of choice and sunflower seeds.

Because ramen noodles is like eating a brick of salt, here's another alternative. Instead of buying ramen packages, you can buy chinese/chow mien noodles. Instead of using that seasoning packet, you can use sodium-free chicken bullion cubes. They still pack some sodium but it's WAY lower than the ramen noodle seasoning packages.

Look at it this way. Chicken flavored ramen noodles are 1660mg of sodium. Making it the alternative way can get it down to 150mg of sodium. HUGE DIFFERENCE!!

Recipe yields 10-12 people and if you find even more healthy alternatives or if things can be omitted to your liking, please me know. I love this stuff. It's one of those "light" salads that goes beautifully with grilled chicken. It's a definite Summer recipe for me.

I'm linking up with Random Wednesday, That Hump Day Blog Hop, Still Being Molly, Life of Meg, and Monday Morning Gossip. 

NYX Wonder Pencil--My dupe.

VS.    

I don't have a problem admitting this, but I follow a lot of beauty bloggers. I think we can all say the same. If we gear more towards makeup and skincare, we should follow beauty bloggers. If we only post about fashion or your life as mom, it's fitting to follow that particular topic of interest.

There's a specific blogger I just recently started following, like two months ago, and she posted about the NYX Wonder Pencil. Heard of it? Nope, me either. BUT! I have heard of NYX and tried a few of their products so I was interested in what she had to say.

She talked about how this one pencil could be used in more than one way. And as cheap as NYX is, I was excited to add it to my online shopping cart and wait for its' delivery.

After I did my mom's makeup a few weeks ago, I realized I had a product very similar to this beauty blogger. So rather than wasting $6 on it, I should try out what I already have, right? Right.

If you remember from that post, I used the L'Oreal Double Extend Eye Illuminator Eyeliner in Black Quartz. Which I'm not really sure why that's the name because it's a brown pencil. The other end of the pencil is the illuminating part and is almost exactly the same color as this NYX Wonder Pencil.

So I'm taking the advice of my fellow beauty blogger and trying out her tips. Here are four different ways you can use an illuminating pencil like both of the products we have.

[ONE] Bump Cover-up
If it's light enough, this pencil can be used to cover up a bump that appeared overnight.

[TWO] Tear Duct + Waterline Highlighter
If you swipe the pencil a little in the inner corners of your eyes, near the tear ducts, or along your waterline, it will give you a bright-eyed and awake look. I know there are some mornings that we all need that!

[THREE] Invisible Lip Liner
This is where it could get a little tricky. Some highlighting pencils have some shimmer to them. So if you are using this as an invisible lip liner, just BLEND BLEND BLEND. But if there is shimmer, only apply it at the cupid's bow and beneath your lower lip. Still blend away.

[FOUR] Brow Highlighter
This one is the easy tip. Swipe the pencil just under your eyebrows to highlight that point. It can also give more definition to brows after they've been filled in with brow shadow. But don't leave it looking like a drawn line. Blend it so that it's seamless from your brow to the eyeshadow-filled crease area.

Have you tried the Wonder Pencil yet? Or do you have a dupe like me just chilling in your makeup bag that you didn't realize was even there? 

What other pencils have you tried similar to these? Do you have any other tips to share? I'd love to hear in your comments :-)

I'm linking up with Manic Monday, Monday Morning Gossip, Mingle Monday, and Funday Monday.

(Source for Wonder Pencil image. Source for Eye Illuminator image.)