Trying to Beat the Winter Blues

This is the winter of my discontent.

Seriously. I hate everything about this year so far. It's been an unrelentingly cold. It will NOT stop snowing. I know it's been a lot worse in other places, but I can't even imagine how miserable I would be in those places. I never want to get out of bed, for real.

I truly have been a sack of miserable lately, so I decided I needed to do something to try and beat my winter blues. I don't have a ton of extra income, so flying to the Bahamas until the winter is over is out of the question. I have a ton of makeup and actually have no desire to buy more at this moment (that won't last long). It's really hard to find enough time to clean our whole house, especially with Jax making a mess behind me.

So I decided to give our bathroom a quick makeover. It was done in navy and nautical accessories, but that was a little dark and I wanted to do something brighter and happier.

Thank you Walmart! 

LOVE IT! This is the only thing I've replaced so far, but once I get the mat and towels, I'll post a few more pictures. Seeing this first thing in the morning is a happy way to start off the day.

It's the little things you can do to make a space look better and feel luxe. Instead of getting one of those plastic shower curtain liners, I bought a fabric one and it truly makes the shower an experience as opposed to a necessity. 

I'll upload pictures of the whole look when I get everything updated. Stay tuned! 

xx

High End Hump Day: Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Edition

Woot Woot! Welcome to another edition of High End Hump Day. Again, I'm not talking about Dior or Guerlain or anything here. I'm talking about things that are expensive for my minimum-wage part-time working student self.

Today I'm going to be telling you about Too Faced's Better Than False Lashes Nylon Lash Extension System (whew, mouthful!) This is a two part system that's supposed to make your lashes look like falsies.

Picture from Sephora

That is a picture of the system. The left gold tube is the mascara and the right white tube are the fibers that's supposed to be the extensions.

What you do is use the mascara, then apply the fibers over it while it's still wet, then use another coat of mascara to make the fibers black and look like your natural lashes. So how'd it work for me? 

Wait, where are my lashes? 

Yes, so these are my puny little baby lashes, sans curl and product. I started off using the eyelash curler I got in my September (October?) Glossybox. Whichever box it was, it was the best eyelash curler I ever used. I then applied the black mascara, and immediately used the fiber extensions, then switched back to the mascara to finish it off. After that I moved on to the other eye. It's just easier for me to do it that way. WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE??!!! I know that's what you're all thinking. 

What up lashes?

I realized after applying my eyeliner that I probably wouldn't get a great open-eye lash picture. My bad. But you can really tell the difference in the closed eye comparison. There's a definitely learning curve with this system. The first time I tried it, I got the fibers in my eye and hated everything for the rest of the day. To be honest, I'm still figuring out the best way to use this, but I've used it enough times to give you an educated opinion on it. 

I was expecting miracles. I hadn't really read a ton of reviews, so I built it up in my mind all by my little self. It definitely makes my eyelashes look much fuller, but it didn't add as much length as I was hoping. It's $35 and I definitely won't be buying it again. It takes a lot longer to apply than normal mascara and doesn't really have a huge impact. I think I mentioned before that I long for length more than volume, so this just missed the mark for me. I think if you have more patience than me (probably everybody does) and want volume, this might be something you're interested in. 

So I know there's people reading this - follow me! Leave me some comments. Show me you're out there and interested. And of course, I'm always open to suggestions. I might not be able to do anything about it, but I'd love to hear them! :) 

xx

FOTD & Products

Welcome to my first "Face of the Day" post! I decided to do this one with all drugstore/cheapo products since this blog supposed to be about values (and also splurges that are worth it. We'll get there)

Let's start with how I look after I showered and blow dry my hair.

Sans makeup/hair styling

AHHHH! Just kidding. I go out without makeup a lot because I'm lazy. But I had time before class today and doing my makeup helps to pick me up when I'm feeling bummed. Let's take a look at the products I used this morning. 

Face o' the Day

So these items are what made my face possible. The brushes in the lower left corner are a mix of e.l.f., Revlon, Real Techniques, and the Urban Decay brush that came with a Naked palette.

 I started out with Maybelline's Baby Skin face primer (at the top middle of the photo), which is most definitely my favorite drugstore primer. It's the same formula as Smashbox Photo Finish primer, but cheap! And available at Walmart. It smooths out my skin, minimizes the appearance of my pores, and makes for a nice smooth foundation application. 

I then use the Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer in Neutralizer. It's a yellow tint, which counteracts the purple of my dark circles (which have been hella bad lately) and I also use it on my cheeks and nose because there's some redness there that I need to cover up. I really like this product and, while it doesn't completely eliminate the darkness, it's a really good step. 

Then I move on to Revlon's Colorstay 24-hour foundation in Sand Beige. This is my absolute favorite foundation out of all that I have tried. I can't feel it on my face, which is key for me. I hate being able to feel makeup. I use the dry/normal skin formula and it will sometimes emphasize the flaky skin on my forehead, but I try to exfoliate every other day because the cold is really zapping the moisture from my skin and making me all scaly. This foundation stays put ALL day, even through tears. (Yeah, I had a few breakdowns while wearing this foundation, and it held strong)

On my eyes I used the e.l.f. eye enhancing palette for hazel eyes. Mine are green, but the colors that work well for hazel work well for green and vice versa. I'm not really crazy for these eyeshadows. The color payoff is really poor, even over an eyelid primer. I wasn't looking for any dramatic eye look, so it was ok. I just wanted a subtle eye, so I used the green color, darkened the out corner and crease with the purple, and used the pink on the inner eye to brighten my eyes up a little bit. Then I used the Maybelline eyebrow pencil to fill mine in a little bit. Also, I realized I didn't have my mascara in the above picture, but I use Maybelline's Illegal Lengths Waterproof mascara in very black. It's my favorite mascara (and I've tried A LOT). The waterproof formula actually keeps the curl in my lashes, which is next to impossible, and it really does work to lengthen my lashes. Length and definition are what I tend to look for in a mascara as opposed to volume. 

And, for my cheeks, I used the City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon that I received in this month's ipsy bag. This blush is PIGMENTED. I actually had to use a flat-top brush to buff it out. I'll definitely have to use a lighter hand next time, but honestly, it was easy to blend out. I topped the apples of my cheeks off e.l.f. studio powder blush in Passion Pink, which is a gorgeous pink that just lights up my whole face and makes me glow. I really like this for spring. It makes me look healthy in the dead of winter. 

And then on my lips I used the POP! Beauty mini lip gloss I got in my ipsy bag, along with L'oreal Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Coral Tattoo to create a pretty pinky-coral lip.

And the finish product made me feel bright & happy.

Plus fixed my hair up. 

So that's my FOTD and product reviews. Tune in tomorrow for another version of High-End Hump Day where I'm going to review Too Faced's Better Than False Lashes Nylon Extension System. 

xx

P.S. It's pretty safe to say my favorite drugstore cosmetic brand is Maybelline. I never really thought about it before, but that's definitely the brand I have the most of. 

Aromabeads Candles

We're going to take a hot second here to chat about Walmart's Mainstays brand candles called Aromabeads. I know, I know. Walmart? Candles? They can't be that good. Well, read on, my friend. Read on.

I'm a big candle fan. I love my house to smell good. I have a dog, and dogs are stinky, so candles burn fast in this place. I'm NOT a Yankee Candle fan. They smell fantastic in the jar, but I can never smell them while they're burning unless I'm right beside them. They cost entirely too much money for something that doesn't work. I used to buy all my candles from Swan Creek Candle Company, but I had to order them online because the local stores that carry them only have ones that were baked-goods scented. I'm not a food-scented candle lover. They're soy candles, so they burn well, and they smell wonderful and have a good throw. BUT, sometimes you don't want to have to wait for candles to be shipped and delivered.

So I typically buy my candles from Bath & Body Works when they're on sale 2 for $22, plus I always have coupons. They have a nice selection of fresh smelling and masculine scented candles, which are the type I typically buy. But, they're a little pricey and I have to drive at least 30 minutes to my closest Bath & Body Works.

My candle haul from today
From right: Lilac Breeze, Tahitian Sunset, Flower Bouquet, Wild Honeysuckle

Enter these babies. My mom burns candles even more than I do (she's got 5 big dogs) and told me all about these. Thanks momma!  These burn really well. They smell just like what they're supposed to smell like. Well, at least the ones that have distinct smells. Tahitian Sunset smells like coconut, fruit, and a hint of exotic floral. But the floral ones I bought smell just like the flowers they're based on. The labels are ugly, yes, but they peel off easily and you're left with a cute jar that you can reuse for storage. The throw of these candles is unbelievable. I have no idea about the square footage of my townhouse, but when I light one of these, it seriously fill my entire home. I can smell it when I'm upstairs.

If you're a candle lover, I cannot recommend these enough. Run out to Walmart right now and pick some of these bad boys up. Oh, and the best part? THEY'RE $5! That's five dollars. Amazing. They have a bunch of scent types to pick from. I like the Coastal Wood, which is fresh and slightly woodsy. All of the floral ones are really lovely and perfect to give you hope of spring during this cold, miserable winter. But honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the scents in this line. 

xx

February Popsugar Must Have Box

Popsugar Must Have box is a monthly subscription box that sends you "must have" items in categories like food, beauty, fashion, etc. The box is $39.95/month, but it's discounted if you buy a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription. I got my first box back in October and it was ok. I got the wet brush, which when my hair was long was a lifesaver after showering.

Anyway, even though it was a deal price-wise, it just wasn't something that tickled my fancy. However, there was a 50% off coupon for the February box, and that was pretty hard to pass up. So, I broke down and got the box. Again, it was a deal price-wise, but it was just OK.

One of these things is not like the other...

So this is everything packed nicely into the box. I just love getting stuff in the mail, especially when it's loaded with goodies. So let's move forward and see what everything is.

NCLA Rodeo Drive Royalty Nail Polish

The color is a little darker than pictured. I love a good red polish and this brand wears really well. I'm not really much of a nail polish girl, but I do like getting it in subscription boxes so I never have to buy it on my own.

Nourish Organic Argan Face Serum

I've been wanting a serum to use before moisturizing, but I just couldn't decide what kind to try. So this was definitely an A item for me. It's supposed to even complexion and brighten, as well as help your facial moisturizer be more effective. I think it's definitely helped to brighten my skin. I don't know about making lotion more effective because I've had to use lots of lotions and potions on my parched winter skin.

Gorjana Brooks Jewelry Roll

This is a poppy red color and the string you see on the left ties it up. The only jewelry I wear on an everyday basis is my wedding ring, so I don't know how useful this will be as a jewelry roll. But I can definitely use it for something. It's a good quality and if I ever become a jewelry wearer (I'm trying. I love the look of accessorizing, but can't stand feeling it on my skin) I'll use it for its intended purpose.

Modelco Lip Pops Duo Lip Gloss and Lipstick

A nude I actually like! When looking at spoilers, I thought for sure that this was going to be too light for me and make me look corpse-y. I have fairly pigmented lips to begin with, so it can be hard for me to find a nude that works. This is moisturizing and smells yummy! I also like the lipstick/gloss in one combo. Makes traveling easy and the casing is durable, so it won't fall apart in a bag. 

K Hall Designs Peony Travel Candle

This is a tiny little candle, but supposedly has a burn time of 20 hours. I'm itching for spring right now, so this is a perfectly scented candle. It's a very pretty floral that makes me ache for sunshine and warmth. The tin is classic-looking. It's currently burning in the bathroom, which is TINY, so I'm not sure about the throw. 

Sugarwish Cinnamon Hearts

Sorry for such an AWFUL picture. I tried to get the card, which reads "Always expect something sweet is about to happen" but it didn't work so well. By the time I realized how crappy the picture was, I had already eaten the candy. These were delicious and a sweet little treat perfect for Valentine's Day. They included a discount code so you can send someone (or yourself - which is probably what I'll do because I'm a candy fiend!) a sweet little sugarwish to brighten their day. 

Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash

This was a "special extra" that Popsugar included in the box this month. I read a lot of blogs and comments where people were upset by getting Dial in what's considered a "higher-end" box. However, I like it. Yeah, sure, some sort of fancy, essence-infused, boutique body wash would have been nice. But this smells fresh and fruity, which is my main concern with this depressing winter weather. It's also lotion infused and, obviously, supposed to help bring moisture to the skin. Who couldn't use a body wash like this? And it didn't take the place of any items, it was just a nice little extra we got. 

So, all-in-all, I think I liked this box better than the one I received in October. Also, it was half-off, which makes it even sweeter. I probably won't be ordering this box again unless I can find another good coupon code. I've seen some AWESOME boxes, but just never the ones I order. MAYBE I'll get the box for March, because it should include some spring-related items. Popsugar Must Have boxes do have a good variety of items and you can usually find something new that really works for you. But it can also be kind of expensive for something that might be a dud. 

xx

 

If I Were...

I know I've been lacking in my posts lately. I promise I'll be back soon with hopefully more regular posts. But for now I thought I'd do this fun little thing for a peek into my mind.

-If I were a month I would be: October.
-If I were a day of the week I would be: Thursday. I really have no reason for this. I just feel like a Thursday. 
-If I were a time of day I would be: Sunrise 
-If I were a planet I would be: Mars
-If I were an article of clothing: A pair of lace-up boots
-If I were a direction I would be: East
-If I were a piece of furniture I would be: A gigantic, overstuffed chair. One of those big circular ones. 
-If I were a historical figure I would be: Sylvia Plath
-If I were a drink I would be: Room-temperature coffee
-If I were a stone, I would be: Opal
-If I were a room, I would be: A luxurious bathroom 
-If I were a bird, I would be: Chickadee
-If I were a tool, I would be: Electric Sander
-If I were a flower/plant I would be: Dahlia
-If I were a kind of weather I would be: Sunny, but with a chill in the air. 
-If I were a mythical creature I would be: Mermaid
-If I were a musical instrument, I would be: Tambourine
-If I were an animal, I would be: Cat
-If I were a color, I would be: Black
-If I were an emotion, I would be: Melancholy, but still a little hopeful
-If I were a vegetable, I would be: Green onion
-If I were a sound, I would be: Ocean waves in the early morning
-If I were a car, I would be: Cream VW Beetle with tan convertible top
-If I were a song, I would be: "Amie" by Damien Rice
-If I were a movie, I would be directed by: Tim Burton 
-If I were a book, I would be written by: Chuck Palahniuk 
-If I were a food, I would be: Medium steak with blue cheese topping
-If I were a place, I would be: South of France
-If I were a material, I would be: Velvet
-If I were a taste, I would be: Citrus
-If I were a scent, I would be: Honeysuckle
-If I were a word, I would be: Serendipitous 
-If I were an object, I would be: Paperweight
-If I were a body part I would be: Small of the back
-If I were a facial expression I would be: Slightly amused, slightly skeptical 
-If I were a subject in school I would be: Classic American Literature
-If I were a shape I would be: Sphere
-If I were a number I would be: 12