March/April 2015 Ipsy Review

Goodness, I completely forgot to review my March Ipsy! The good news about that is I’ve been able to use both March and April’s Ipsy products so now I’m fully versed on what I like and dislike about what I received.

So here it goes!

 

My First Ipsy: February 2015

Goodness, let me tell you Cold and Flu season is NO joke! Last Sunday G and I had to fore go church due to a sore throat that I came down with. I know that seems silly to skip church over, I wasn’t dying but I wasn’t sure what I was coming down with and when 90% of the church are elders I would really not wish to be responsible for an epidemic to break out across the community!

::: Cue the overly dramatic music now :::

Fab Find

Every once in a blue moon I post an outfit that I just LOVE!

This past Monday G and I both had off and decided to run some shopping errands down in the “City”. I had a few items to take back from Christmas and some gifts cards to spend! G was in search of a few items himself.

Our first stop was TJ MAXX. My “MIL” got my this adorable thigh length knit cardigan for Christmas but it was a size too small and no matter how many times I tried it on I couldn’t convince myself that I looked good in it. I took it back and got some in store cash to spend. Literally, I walked over to the Woman’s section, saw this Denim Shirt Tunic hanging on a side isle, grabbed two sports bras, and went back to the check out counter. All within 5 minutes. I didn’t even try it on which is usually a no no. I just had this feeling that it was meant to be.

I couldn’t wait to wear it today! I paired it with navy blue fleece leggings… I do live in Iowa so fleece leggings are a must during winter… and I threw on my riding boots as I walked out the door.

Denim Tunic: Freedom Trail by Kyodan w/ Belt @ TJMAXX $24.99

Fleece Leggings: Scheels $7.99

Boots: B.O.C (Born O Concept) Purchased in 2010

I also love knotting my belts with my outfits, they just always seem way to long!

See a great tutorial on how to knot belts here.

The Waved Bob

OH waved bob, how HAPPY you make me!

 

For months now I have been trying to perfect my Bob hair cut. I don’t mind going short, actually I prefer it! As for my husband, he is a typical guy who LOVES me with long hair. It’s not that I look bad with long hair, I just believe that since I’m petite with a round shaped face that the short cut flatters me more. As a compromise – Isn’t that what married entails? I try not to go too short nor will I grow it past a length that I’m happy with.

 

The cut is an angled bob with long layers in the front and layered (not stacked) pieces in the back.

The length in the back hits right above the shoulder and then angles gradually to the front hitting the collar bone.

 

I always do a hard part from the left to right and my stylist left the parted side just a touch longer for a little more of an edgy style. Usually if I wear this styled straight I will use a flatiron to lift the back and side under for a smooth look. Today I just left it as is since I was going to curl it.

 

Straightened Angle Bob

 

Now for the Waved Bob!

 

I use an Amika Ceramic Flatiron to both smooth and curl my hair. Two jobs in one, I hate curling irons. I always portion my hair into three sections, curling the bottom back section first, then the middle, then ending with the top and front pieces.

 

You can see a video of another gal styling her short bob here I use the same technique.

 

 

Helpful Tips:

1. Back pieces are usually too short to get a complete curl so it’s easier to just curl under.
2. The Curly Sue- To help flatten out the curls if you go over board run a big tooth comb through the curls then lightly run the flatiron over the hair. This helps with the volume.
3. Texturing spray helps to give the look a more “beachy look”
4. My best hair days are when I straighten one day, use dry shampoo the next, and then wave it. The natural oils just give it that extra something.
5. Most important- Curl AWAY from your face in the front – in the back mix up the direction of the curls for a fun look

 

If you’re not sure about how to curl with a flatiron use the search tool on Youtube, it took me a little time to get use to curling this way but now I can get this look in just 10 minutes if my hair is already dry. Check out Kate over @ The Small Things Blog she has awesome tutorials and videos that I have followed over the past two years and I just love her personality!

 

How do you curl your hair? With a curling iron, flatiron, curling wand?

 

Also, if you missed my post from Yesterday I will be hosting a "Blog Hop" March Post a Day Challenege! Link up here and join in on this Blog's March Madness!  

An InLinkz Link-up

Helping Spring Along

This may be wishful thinking but I am hoping that by getting into a Spring mind set that I will be helping Spring come along a little faster.

Almost like as a kid if you wished for something long and hard enough with all your might it would magically happen.

Yesterday I went to get my hair colored, it’s been since December since I touched up my highlights.

I was beginning to think I would have to tell people I would going for a natural Ombre look since my roots where getting so long.

 

Usually I will bring some photos with me of cuts, style, and color but this time I winged it.

My hairdresser is Amaze-balls so I trust her to make good choices for me. I always walk away a happy client and so I told her

 

“I have the Spring Itch, lets go lighter, but not Summer lighter… if you know what I mean?”

 

She agreed and went on back to mix up my color and and hour and a half later I’m touched up and ready to go :)

 

 

 

Now that my hair is in full Spring the weather is sure to follow :)

 

Here’s to Wishful thinking!

 

Do you have the Spring Itch yet?

 

Tips for Tuesday – Get those Bangs out of your face!

I don’t know about you but I am bipolar when it comes to my hair styles… One month I want it short and sweet and a few months later I’m thinking it’s ready to grow it out again. I need to get to that point of medium length and then just let it be but I get super bored with the styling.

After my wedding in 2010 I was good about not cutting it for about 6 months… then slowly I started taking a little off at a time and now it is at a bobs length right above my shoulders. Also when I had it cut I had my hair dresser add in bangs.

WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF!

I don’t pull off the bang look well and they always end up ticking me off because they have a mind of their own. So what do I do.. try and grow them out again.

There is always that weird stage though in the middle of them growing that you end up with the “Mullet” look because they aren’t quite long enough to blend into your hair cut, but they aren’t short enough either to style on their own. This is not a good look when I wear my hair down so I often pull them out of my face. Here are two of my favorite styles with tutorials so you can try them too! I’m not a big fan of video blogging yet so I found some on you tube.

{ French Twist }

My absolute favorite style at the moment. In the picture above I have the French Twist on the opposite side of my bangs and let them loose that day but recently I have been twisting the bang portion. You can do this style with your hair up, down, and half up. It seriously only takes me less then a minute to style the bangs and I usually just wear my hair up to work so I back comb it a little at the crown, put a clamp in the back, then since my hair is short I add a couple pins to it, and WAAA-LAAA! Cute up do .To add a little more to it I usually also add a cute headband to accessorize. I have gotten many compliments from this look and lots of “How do you do that”. Here ya go, I promise you will get compliments too!

 

 

{ The Poof }

Another way to get bangs out of your face but I don’t go AS big as what the girl in the tutorial does. Most the time I wear this style with my hair down on the weekends. Occasionally, I will pull it back in a clamp but not always.

 

There you have it! Two easy ways to spice up your bangs a little bit! Hope you will give them a try!

Thanks for stopping by!

Feeling the Stress...

Do you ever reach a turning point in a day where all the sudden STRESS just hits you like a brick wall? I never really see it coming but then all of the sudden it sneaks in and plants its destruction to what could've been the perfect day. This morning I got up, got my shower, ran through my entire morning routine, put my hair up in a fabulous up do that I just LOVE today. I took pictures because I love it so much! Grabbed and outfit that I haven't put together in awhile and thought to myself Today is going to be GREAT!

Inspiration for today's do

Front View

Left Side view

Right Back/Side View

Back View

 

Work Attire

Ha. usually I wait to take pictures at home… wanted to get a pic in now so here’s my lovely back drop of our campus bathroom.                

 

As I was walking out the door I took a quick glance at around the home. Coffee cup on the coffee table in the Family room that I didn't put away last night... no biggie. Mail scattered and left on the kitchen table from the past two days. My shoes from yesterdays work attire sitting by the front door. I know there is a  knife and fork in the kitchen sink but that's it. Winston back in the mud

room like always. I thought to myself... eh its okay there are no showings today and it's not that bad in here. I get to work which is only 5-8 mins into town and go to the library to get my daily coffee when I hear my phone go off from a text message. I look, it's my husband, "A realtor will be by the house at 12:30 today to show the home." NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Blast you people with your non-planning ability. I then take another quick look at my phone and there is a missed call. Must have been the realtor trying to contact me before he hit up George.

Honestly, it doesn't matter whether he would've set up the showing with me or my husband. It's just the fact that it's 8:03 in the morning and I'm already at work with a house sitting there that I would not be thrilled to show today. Is it a big deal that those little things are done that I know I would usually have cleaned up for a showing... eh maybe not a HUGE deal. But I try to treat every showing like they are the couple that are going to want to buy our house. This is the one!

Why am I now completely stressed?

I usually wouldn't be since I could take my lunch break during that hour and go home and clean up and put Winston away in his kennel in the bed room. Today however, Winston has a Vet appointment at 2:30 and I planned to take my lunch hour during that time! Now, I have two choices. Take a half hour break and run home quick to clean up and come back to work. Then go back home pick up Winston at 2:15 go all the way across town to the Vet then take him all the way back home after, and go back to work? Only to go home and come back again tonight for my calling night. Or re-schedule Winton's Vet appointment, take my entire lunch hour at 11:15 and clean up. Then leave at 4pm like usual go work out come back and do callings. I'm taking the easier route here and re-scheduling Winston's appointment, it's just too much for me.

Sorry Winnie... we will have to find out what the heck is growing on your neck another day. :(

I think this is the better choice.... I really need to work out today not only since I've been doing well with it but on days like this with the STRESS kicking into gear I need to release it and clear my head.

What do you do to combat stressful days?



{January Birch Box Review}

 

Dear Birch Box I would like to commend you on this months efforts of matching my profile with things that I would actually use. :)

January’s Theme: Clarity

{ What’s in the Box? }

Eye liner, Juicy Couture perfume, pomegranate soap, Lotion, Energy Bar, Magnet, Clarity tips

{My take on the products}

• Clarks Botanicals; Smoothing Marine Cream: 

Smells Lovely almost a hint of scented rose. Feels like a paste, sort of sticky yet not thick. When you rub it in it’s smooth and leaves a tingling sensation. I absolutely love this, I wish I could afford it though. I’ll leave this one for the Celebs to use and try not to use my little sampler to quickly.

 

• LARABAR – energy bar: This is my first time tasting a larabar. I have seen them in stores but I usually stick to what I know and what I know are the Nature Valley Bars. I needed a little snack at work so this was the perfect opportunity to dabble in this new to me energy bar. Upon opening the package I could tell that the bar was moist, which is way different then my nature valley bars. The bar I have is “Cherry Pie” I’m already hesitant because I’m not a huge cherry or a pie fan. My first bite was a little rough trying to digest the strong tart flavors. However, my second, third, and forth bite was delicious. I could now get past the Cherry tart and really taste the peanuts, raisins, and almonds. I looked on the LARABAR website and they are many flavors to choose from. This may be a nice choice of Breakfast bar for me in the mornings. I’m a grab and run kind of girl. Now I just need to figure out which bars I will really like.

• Juicy Couture - perfume: This perfume is stronger then what I prefer but I would wear it. My favorite all time perfume is Versace’s Bright Crystal. It’s subtle and I just have gotten so many compliments on it over the years. It would be really hard for any other perfume to get me to change over.
• Stila Eye Liner:  The color is a navy blue which is a difference from the Brown/Black that I use on a daily basis. It is a non-pencil liner so you don’t have to sharpen it. It goes on easy and stays on.
• Pomegranate Soap: It has a very light scent to it. Leaves the skin nice and smooth and isn’t overly priced. Also, doesn’t leave a soapy residue feeling.
• Detox Card: Cute idea to start off the new year right!

I really enjoyed this months Birch Box and am excited to see what February will bring? Valentines items maybe?? We’ll see!

December Birch Box Recap

 

Well well… first Blooper of birch boxing, my December box just got here (Jan 3rd)! I received an e-mail around December 14th saying that “We are sorry for our tardiness but due to a short in one of your items we had to hold back your shipment”. Come on! Just throw something else in there for heaven sake and ship the thingy!

I’m just now posting this today because I like to tryout the items for a week then give my input. So here it is!

Cute Cover for this Holidays What’s inside!

Dry shampoo, Energy powder, perfume, body oil,

Sticky tape for clothes, lip gloss

Oscar Blandi Volumizing Dry Shampoo: I love this product, The fact that I got a mini one is great cause I have it in my purse for emergency use! Would I buy a full can of it for $23.00? Most likely not. I enjoy my L'Oreal bottle for $8.00 at Wal-Mart.. and it smells like tropical yummy-ness.

Atelier Cologne: Ambre Nue - .21oz = $185 This stuff must have crack cocaine in it because there is no way I would spend that much on perfume. I’m not a fan of the scent either. Maybe people in France have better scent glands then I do? That’s okay with me. :)

Jouer – Moisturizing lip gloss: I LOVED the gloss that came in my November birch box. Smoothing with a hit of subtle pink. I’m a neutral kind of gal which is why this is yet another disappointment. It says you can apply a little and just have a hue of pink but even that is too much for me. I am zero for three here! I still say that I would buy the other Jouer lip enhancer from last month though. It’s on my list!

Nuxe- Dry oil shimmer: $56 .21 OZ – At first I thought this was a gold nail polish because the little bottle looked like it would hold nail polish. I was a little hesitant to use this because it was soooo shimmery but to my surprise when you run the oil on your skin it looks more like a Glow and not glitter from my past 6th grade dance. (You know you use to wear it!) You can even rub a little in your hair. I think this item would be perfect for a night out at the bars or on a date night.

Prep- ShowStoppers – I haven’t had the need to use the double sided tape as of yet. But there are some weddings in the future that I’m sure I will need this tape for on my dresses.

Recharge eboost- Orange natural energy boost: It’s a powder that you add to water for a quick boost. It wasn’t too bad… def. Tangy! I did feel energized for a bit as well. $28 for 20 packets

Once again, I do love birch box even if I didn’t love all that it had to offer this month. That’s the fun of this, getting to test drive items and if I really fall in love with them I will buy.

I also will give props to Birch Box – Even though my package came late they gave me 100 points towards my account which was pretty awesome. Thanks Birchie :)

I should have my January Birch Box here any day now. :)

 

Birchbox Newbie!

One of the bloggers I follow on a daily basis now is "The Small Things Blog". Kate is amazing with hair tutorials and knows the ins and outs on great ideas for fashion deals. Anyway, one of the things I was super curious about is this Birch Box Collection. Basically, it is a little box that comes to you once a month for $10 and gives you tiny samples of perfumes, nail polish, lotions, makeup, etc. Then you can sample them, and if you want to buy the larger size you just go on their site. The neat thing is when your register you have to fill out a profile survey so they can send you a box that is specific to your style. My favorite part of this was comparing "The Small Things Blog" and what she received verses what I received based on our different profiles.

The cutest little box that I plan to save and re-use at Christmas!

Opening my first Birchbox.

Two body lotions, lip gloss/plumper, Kate Spade perfume, and Zoya professional nail polish

My take on each of the items. I received the box on Monday so I have had two days to try out different items.

• Thymes eucalyptus body lotion: Upon using it the for first time yesterday morning. I was just settling in from work and it was super cold out so my hands were dry. Immediately after using it my boss stopped in to ask a question and said "It smells really clean in here". So although the lotion was nice it does smell up a room when you put it on. Beware if your wearing perfume as well, you don't want to give other migraines!
• Jouer lip enhancer: FANTASTIC! ok, I am also a closet lip gloss hoarder, meaning most all of my bags, purses, and desk drawers either chap stick, lip stick, lip gloss, of all different brands buried in them. So I feel that I can truly say this is an awesome lip gloss. It makes your lips super smooth, doesn't dry out right away, gives a nice gloss to your natural lip color with out looking too shiny, and when you sip your cup of coffee in the morning it doesn't peel off your lips so you don't have to keep reapplying over and over again.
• Kate Spade Twirl Perfume: Although it is a quality perfume when I put it on I feel like I should be going to a fancy black dress party on New Years Eve. So for that I will, but as for everyday use I think it's too strong and not a day time go to work perfume. I will keep it in mind for Fancy date nights.
• Thymes Kimono Rose Body Lotion: I put this on this morning after my shower and fell in love with it. The scent is exactly what I like, not strong yet subtle enough to wear if your not into perfumes. It is soft and made me sad when I used it all up. Really wishing I would've had that in the small bottle instead of the eucalyptus.
• Zoya Nail Polish- This one I have not gotten the chance to use yet. I am strict on not crossing holiday boarders before the season. The color is more of a Winter feel so once we get into December is when I feel it is appropriate. I'm not saying that you other holiday lovers can't wear it before, it's just not my style.
• Hair tie: Ok, so the hair band is not even in the picture because when I went through the box I didn't realize it was a hair tie. I thought it was attached to another item and just fell off. I realized what it was when I read my birchbox card explaining when each item was and saw that it was meant to be a hair tie. I won't even put it on there because I could make it myself and refuse for anyone to pay "$12 for 6 hair ties". That is craziness!

As for the prices, I will have to edit this later on when I have the price card on me. I am happy that I did subscribe to birchbox because it truly does beat buying an item without trying it first. I will be buying the Jouer Lip gloss!

Oh yeah! Click the picture at the very top to go to birchbox.com!