Blogging Challenge -- Days 28-31

I did it! This is my last installment of the blogging challenge, which means I have successfully completed it! It's always nice to finish something you start :) Here are the answers to the last few questions of the challenge. I've enjoyed writing more often and getting the wheels in my head turning again. I have a few blog posts already written that I will be slowly publishing over the next few weeks and I am excited to share them with you all. This challenge has given me new ideas for my blog and I'm thankful for that!

28.What's your guilty pleasure? The first guilty pleasure that comes to mind is reality t.v. and corny television shows. I enjoy reality television and shows/movies that are light hearted and fun. I view watching t.v. as a way to relax and I don't want to have to think while relaxing. The things I watch may not be challenging for my brain, but they put me in a good mood! (Teen Mom, Four Weddings, Hart of Dixie, Gilmore Girls, and The Fosters all make the list.)

29. What's your favorite time of year and why? Summer. Yep, I said it. Almost everyone I know would say fall is their favorite season and while I do enjoy changing leaves, scarves, and boots, I am a summer girl at heart. I absolutely hate the cold weather (except this year since my son was born in January!) and I am a huge fan of the sun. Being a red head, my skin doesn't do well in the heat, but I still love summer nonetheless. Shorts, long days, swimming, windows down, summer nights, and the beach are my favorites. Plus, I am a complete wimp when it comes to the cold!

30. What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? This is a tough one! Ice cream is my favorite dessert, so I am not at all picky. My favorites are birthday cake and Moose Tracks. Yum!

31. Explain what you liked most about this challenge. I basically answered this question in the introduction, but I enjoyed this challenge because certain questions really made me think and pushed me to write about things that weren't always in my comfort zone. It was fun to try something different to help get my creative juices flowing again!

Blogging Challenge -- Days 5-8

Good Morning! I'm continuing the blogging challenge with days 5-8 ! Hope everyone has had a great week of snow and ice (at least here in Atlanta). I personally am ready for the warmer weather and the time change. Come on, spring! Have an awesome weekend, everyone and hope you enjoy this post.

5. Favorite Movies You Never Get Sick of Watching -- Twister & Titanic. Yep, 90's and old school. I have watched each of these movies countless times and they never get old. It doesn't help that they both come on TV all the time and I still manage to get sucked in.

6.Your Last Random Act of Kindness -- Two years ago, I chopped off my long hair and donated it to Locks of Love to be made into a wig for a cancer patient. It was a really neat experience and very rewarding knowing I was going to help someone in need. I would have loved to meet the person the wig ended up going to!

7. What's Your Dream Job? For years, I have always said my dream job would be working for a non-profit doing some type of marketing. I have a degree in business marketing and management and I would love to utilize that more. Also, I always wanted a job that made a difference and impacted people's lives. At the end of each day, I would like to know my job and where I'm investing my time made a difference in someone's life and not just their wallet.

8. Biggest Pet Peeve -- My biggest pet peeve is probably people complaining about something, but doing nothing to fix it. I am a doer and a fixer. I am proactive about what I want and I go after it. Sometimes I struggle to understand people who constantly gripe about an issue, but do nothing to change it. I believe we are all in control of our own lives and we have the power to achieve whatever we want. If you want it, go after it and make it happen!

Blogging Challenge Days 2-4

Well, I've already completely slacked! I didn't post at all over the weekend, but I plan on getting back on track this week with my blogging challenge! Today I am going to answer the questions for days 2-4.

2. Favorite Quote -- "Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.”   ― Ida Scott Taylor

I love this particular quote because I am a worrier and I tend to overanalyze most things. I critique the past and struggle to move forward while also worrying so much about the future that I can't enjoy the present. This quote is a beautiful reminder to focus on the present which I tend to need reminding of.

3. What makes you happy? Well this question could be very long if I answered it fully. Lots of things make me happy! Dessert before the main course, going running on a fall day, the beach, and someone making me feel special all qualify as answers. But the first thing that popped in my mind as I read this question was my family. My family's life is pretty hectic, so any time I am spending uninterrupted quality time with my husband, son, and puppy I am very happy! They are my happy place without a doubt.

4. Best Childhood Memory -- While this may seem cliché, one of my favorite and best childhood memories was going to Disney World! I went with my family when I was in 7th grade and it was one of my favorite family trips. I have such good memories from that trip and still remember it really well. It was such a fun and magical place despite the fact that I was already 13 years old. I absolutely loved Disney World! I remember taking pictures with the characters, riding every single ride, and spending the evenings playing cards and laughing with my mom, dad, brother, uncle, aunt, and cousin. My family was in a really good place at that time and the memories we made on that trip were unforgettable (in the best way!).

Well that's all for today!

My Favorite Summer Make-Up & Skin Care Products

I can't believe that summer is on its way to an end...time is flying! Although school is starting, the weather is still hot and we have a good 6 weeks before fall officially sets in. With that in mind, I wanted to share my favorite summer make-up and skin care products with ya'll. These have been my go-to products for the summer and with 6 weeks of summer left to spare, I wanted to let you guys know the products that worked best for me in case you wanted to give any of them a try!

 

1. Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream -- Medium Sheer Tint

 

I decided to try this specific BB cream out after hearing a lot of good things about BB creams in general and knowing I was soon headed to Costa Rica where I would have little time to apply make-up. Pregnancy has caused my skin to breakout, so I knew I needed something to give me some coverage, but also light on my skin and easy to apply. This product has served as exactly that and more. BB cream has so many hidden benefits including:

• Clears acne
• Conceals Imperfections
• Minimizes look of pores
• Reduces appearance of redness
• Adjusts to skin tone
• Hydrates and smoothes
• Enhances and clarifies skin
• Oil-free, with a lightweight feel

This particular BB cream also contains 2% salicylic acid which helps your skin fight acne, yet it is gentle enough for you to use on a daily basis without drying out your skin. I love this product and use it each day. It can be used as a tinted moisturizer or a base for your regular foundation. But for my skin, it serves as a good foundation. I prefer a lighter foundation in the summer and don't want anything caked on my skin. This stuff doesn't leave that nasty orange residue on your skin like some liquid foundations do and it also stays put despite the heat. I think it does a good job at covering up blemishes when paired with a powder finish. It's easy and quick to apply and within 1 minute my foundation is complete. If you are looking for something low maintenance and light on your skin for summer, I would highly recommend this product! Also, it's only $8.99 and a little goes a long way!

2. L'Oreal's Color Rich Lip Balm -- Tender Mauve

This lip product was one I happened to see at the drug store one day. I liked the concept (lip balm with a hint of color), so I picked it up. I was surprised at how much I liked this balm! It stays true to the concept of being a lip balm and a lipstick all in one. Because of my job and on-the-go lifestyle, I don't always want a heavy lip color. I need something more simple and natural looking on a day-to-day basis. That is why I love this product. It gives you the hydration of a lip balm with a pop of color like a lipstick. Perfect for my busy, low maintenance lifestyle! I have loved the Tender Mauve shade, but there are 7 other shades to choose from. It's nice to have a good selection! You can find this lip product at your local drug store or Ulta for about $7.99! It doesn't melt off in the summer heat, keeps your lips moisturized and gives you a fun pop of color...perfect for summer!

3. Murad Skin Care Products

A few months ago, my husband was sweet enough to go to a spa and get me a gift card for a massage. While he was there, the employees gave him a bunch of free samples of different products from the Murad Skin Care line. I had never heard of this skin care line, but I was open to trying anything to clear my hormonal breakouts. My skin has reacted really well to these products and has cleared up a lot after I started using them. My skin is not perfectly clear (probably because there is no stopping pregnancy acne), but it is more clear and the acne is much more contained than it once was. This product is sold at Ulta, Sephora, and Massage Envy Spas. If you are looking for a good skin care line, I believe you should give Murad a try!

 

The first product sample I was given is the Murad Essential-C Cleanser. This is just a face wash that I use in the shower, but I have really liked how it feels on my skin. It smells like oranges, hence the Essential-C (vitamin C) reference. It has helped clear up my skin and is very refreshing. The cleanser is hydrating and does not dry your skin out. This formula is full of antioxidants and sunscreen protectants for your skin. It's a great summer cleanser!



 

The next product is the Murad Acne Spot Treatment. My skin has been a really big pain lately, like I said the hormonal acne has been rampant, and this product really works on my skin. It helps treat current spots and helps prevent new ones. Each time I use the Spot Treatment, I wake up the next day with clearer skin than I had the night before. It works effectively and quickly! It has not fully prevented my skin from breaking out, but it does a good job at quickly clearing away the acne that I do have. The Spot Treatment contains Benzoyl Peroxide which is a big ingredient in most expensive topical acne medications. This cream retails for $16 which isn't too bad for a good, non-prescription acne cream. If you are looking for a good quality and fast-acting acne cream, I would highly recommend this product.

 

 

Lastly, Murad Acne Clearing Solution is used as more of an allover acne prevention cream. The formula is not as intense, but does a good job of clearing and preventing acne. The Clearing Solution treats breakouts, reduces redness and restores skin clarity. If you need a mild cream for breakouts, this is a great choice!

So there you have it, my favorite summer make-up and skin care products! I will probably continue using most of these products in the fall because I really enjoy them and think they are very effective. I think they give you the most bang for your buck! And isn't that what we are all looking for anyways, cost-effective quality? What have your favorite summer products been? Any suggestions?

Happy Tuesday! :)

 

 

My Favorite Beauty Products

 

 

Hello Blogosphere!

 

It's been a while! I took a hiatus from writing for about a month, mostly because I didn't have any brilliant revelations of things to write about. But I'm back and doing something slightly different with this particular post. If you are a women in your 20's, then you have probably noticed the rising popularity of reviews of various makeup products on different blogs and YouTube channels. If you are like me, then you may even follow some of them to check out the latest makeup products and decide if you need any of these products for yourself. Well following that trend, I decided to do my own version of My Favorite Beauty Products/What's In My Makeup Bag. This post isn't coming from some beauty queen who is super into high-end makeup. I am your average girl looking for the best deal on quality beauty products. I'm going to share with you a few of my favorite things, products that are of true quality and yet are affordable for the everyday woman. If you are like me, then you probably have a few makeup staples that you have used for years, but I encourage you to also try new products once in a while. You might be surprised at how much you like them! Here are some of my favorites:

 

 

 

 

 

This is my favorite blush. It's called Precious Posy by Clinique. It retails for $21 which is on the expensive side, but it never runs out! I've had this stuff for 1.5 years and barely put a dent in it. It's a beautiful light pink color with a gold tint, perfect for light skin tones like mine. It also comes with a great little brush and pretty packaging. The effect is nothing dramatic, but this blush does a wonderful job of lighting up your completion. Again, this is a beautiful pigment and a long lasting buy. 

 

 

Next is the Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation Brush. This was a $17 purchase from Mary Kay. I bought this brush FOUR years ago and it is still going strong. Again, it is on the expensive side for a makeup brush, but the quality is great and it is so durable. This thing has gone everywhere with me for years and looks no different than when I first purchased it. I use it to apply my Mineral Powder Foundation and it also works as a great blush brush.

 

 

To go along with the brush is the Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation Ivory 1. This retails for $18, but again it is very long lasting. I can make this stuff last anywhere between 4-6 months. Before I tried this, I had never used any type of powder foundation. I didn't believe it would provide enough coverage for my skin which tends to break out and have uneven red spots. But this stuff did the trick! It is so light on your skin which I believe actually helps your skin stay clearer than when you use a liquid foundation. It provides great coverage and covers blemishes/evens my skin tone. I have always been impressed by this product and would highly recommend it if you are interested in trying a power foundation.

 

 

This little guy is one of those makeup staples I talked about. I have used this product for years and originally bought it because I always saw my mom use it as a little girl. It's Maybelline's Shine Free Oil Control Pressed Powder. This shine free powder comes in a small compact with a mirror, as well as, an application pad and is easy to take with you on the go. I use this as a setting powder for my makeup and also throughout the day. My face tends to get shiny mid-day and a small touch of this stuff is all I need to take away that shine. This product lasts for about 6 months and it's only $5.59!

 

 

This next product looks a little rough, but only because I have had it for almost a year and I have barely made it through the bottle. Cover Girl's Smoothers All-Day Hydrating Makeup is what I use to cover blemishes. It's a liquid makeup that applies full, smooth coverage on any spots you are trying to cover. A little bit goes a long way and because of that I can have this product for over a year without having to purchase a new one. It doesn't leave that ugly orange stain on your skin but instead covers and blends nicely. It's only $6.99.

 

 

 

I recently purchased Revlon's Just Bitten Lip Stain for $5.99 to give it a try. I had heard good reviews on this product and I needed a new lip color. This product does exactly as it claims. It is a lip stain through and through and is different from a lipstick in that it will "stain" your lips for the day with only one application, so you better make sure you like the color! You can apply lip gloss or balm on top of it for a shinier look or leave it as a stain for a more matte look. It works well and needs little "fixing" during the day, even after meals. If you are looking for a low maintenance lip color and going throughout your day without having to reapply, this is your product!

 

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara Very Black is my go-to mascara. I have tried many other mascaras over the years and I always come back to this one. Again, I watched my mom use this mascara for years growing up and decided to give it a try as my first mascara purchase (funny how that works). It is a simple black mascara that retails for $5.19. I have blonde eye lashes, so I prefer a darker mascara to cover my blonde lashes. This stuff is very dark and I love it! It doesn't have one of those big, fancy applicators to increase volume, it just naturally does that. I would recommend this to anyone and I am confident you would love it.

 

This is Mary Kay's TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer (normal/dry). My skin is naturally very dry and needs constant moisturization. I use this in the mornings before I put on my makeup and at night before I go to sleep. It is on the expensive side and retails for $24. While it does last a good 3-4 months, I wouldn't be opposed to trying another cheaper version in the future. But like I said, it does keep my skin feeling soft and moisturized. It also provides an "anti-aging" feature which can't hurt!

 

Lastly, I have Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Kiss perfume. This is a mini bottle and retails for $10, but I actually got it for free with a coupon. The packaging is pretty and who doesn't love Victoria's Secret perfumes? This is a really nice perfume, but because it is in a mini bottle it is very affordable. The mini bottle lasts though! I bought this bottle in September and have only used half after about 6 months. The packaging is plastic which makes it easy to keep in your purse or makeup bag without having to worry about it spilling everywhere. This is a "fancy" perfume for a great price.

So there you have it: my favorite beauty products. Those were only the things I stumbled upon in my makeup bag. There's more where that came from, if you are interested! Let me know your thoughts on this blog and I would be glad to do more in the future! I am no where near a makeup/beauty guru and you can tell my favorites are all over the board: different prices, different brands, and different styles. But like I said, I am an average 20 something and I have found these products worthy of my recommendation. Hope you enjoyed!