Hmmm...Pinteresting...

I pin a lot. And every now and then, I actually go back and look at what I've pinned, and think, "Wow! That was a good idea! I should do that!" And sometimes, I do. These are some pins that I pinned and actually did. Sometimes they work really well, and sometimes...well, a little tweaking couldn't hurt.


Photo Credit

This is an incredible idea, and I bet someone with any sort of carpentry skills could throw it together in no time. I have no carpentry skills. Thomas has an electric drill, but that's about as far as it goes. I did, however, find a really inexpensive ($10!) pre-made version at Bed Bath & Beyond. I'm "installing" (read: dropping it inside the drawer) tonight. 


Photo Credit

My mom and I took this idea and simplified it even more. We took the kinds of greens we liked, some cherry tomatoes, cheese, and croutons, and layered them in Ziploc bags. Then we rolled the bags, squeezing out the air as we went. They keep for about a week, and all you have to do is dump the contents into a bowl and add dressing. Voila! Single-serve salad! (We add the dressing last, to keep from getting the croutons any soggier than necessary). 

Photo Credit

I don't know who pinned this originally, but I think I hate them. Not because it doesn't work--oh, no! It works alright!--but because it's rendering my single-serve salads moot!! Good Lord, this thing is amazing, and super quick. I can throw one together during a commercial break. I don't add the ice cream, and I'm picking up some baking Truvia, so maybe I won't feel quite so guilty from now on.

Seriously, it's amazing.

And so very dangerous.

Have any of you tried out your pins? Let me know how they turned out by leaving a comment below.

Life With the Smiths (Or, I Really Need a Vacation)

I was flipping through the pictures on my phone today (read: I was bored), and came to the realization that Thomas and I are really weird. Also, I take pictures of the most random things. For example:

This picture was taken in July. July. Also, it's toast. Look closely. I assure you, that is toast, cut into a gingerbread man shape, slathered with icing, and dusted with sprinkles. We needed to shoot the poster image for Night of the Krampus, and I didn't have any cookie mix in the house. Oops. So, I improvised. And photographed it. For some unknown reason.

This is my kitchen backsplash. Thomas and I went through bloody heck to put this thing up, so I'm as proud of it as some folks are their antique cars. First, we had to pick out the tile, which was, of course, out of stock. Then we stalked the home improvement store a week or so until we could buy it, and then--and only then--were informed that it wasn't the sticky back, self-adhering type, but it was twice the price we thought it would be. There was grout involved. We ran out halfway through. Thomas threatened to divorce me four times. I threatened to kill him twice. A fun time was had by all. It looks fantastic now that it's all up. Of course, now the countertops look awful...

Thomas decided to be Batman for Halloween. This is the best picture I have of him in his costume, because the "professional quality" rental had to be held onto his body with duct tape and prayer. Indoor lighting was not its friend. In the dark, though, he looked amazing, and even had trick-or-treaters' parents asking for pictures with him. He had a blast, and talked like Christian Bale for about a week before and after.

It's a flying elf!!!! I love this picture! During the Night of the Krampus shoot, I snapped a few in-production photos, and this was a complete accident. The little boy jumped from the stairs to the ground, and somehow the stars aligned and I got this shot that naturally looks photoshopped. He's so clear, and the background is so fuzzy, and he looks like he's hovering in mid-air. Plus, the face is fantastic. Love, love, love.

Everyone should have a Herbie. Nothing says, "Fun times!" like a narcissistic skeleton torso in a plaid blazer and beret. Why, I keep one Herbie in the guest room closet, and another in a storage locker, just to be sure I'm never without the arrogant little so-and-so! Here he is with Soren, after we finished a shoot. Soren still has on his makeup, and we were all a little punchy. Herbie, of course, was a total diva throughout the entire day.

This is what happens when you watch too many Jurassic Park special features in a row. We had just watched a featurette on how they created the scene with the velociraptors in the kitchen, when I decided I needed a snack. This greeted me, and I darn near fell on the floor laughing. It's like Ronnie's little stuffed dinosaur wanted to imitate the movie, and failed epically. Still cracks me up. (Can't you just hear his sad little baby Rawr?)

Speaking of Ronnie, here he is sword fighting with Thomas. We make our own fun, y'all.

Thanks for joining me on this little journey into my weird life. This is what happens when you're trying to finish one film and promote another while trying to buy a house during Holy week (and you work for a Catholic church). I'm approaching delirium. Have a great day, and I'll see you tomorrow!

The Most Spoiler Free Face/Off Finale Post EVER!

(ed. note: The Management apologizes for the lack of creativity in the post title. She's had a long day, and it's only 1:40pm. Thank you.)

Last night was the Face/Off finale, and I'm sure all of you were just as interested as I was to find out...what little body-conscious one-shoulder dress would McKenzie Westmore be wearing!

'Cause you knew she would.

And my favorite contestant got ousted last week, so I no longer cared.

So, in honor of Ms. Westmore, I have found a budget-friendly, body-conscious, almost one-shoulder dress in her signature lavender. I'm just going to leave it here:

Photo Credit: Forever 21

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go nosh on some rice cakes and try to calculate the exact number of Spanx I would need to wear to pull off that look. Have a great Wednesday!

Everything I Need To Know I Learned From The Walking Dead (SPOILERS!)

Photo Credit: IMDb

With the season finale mere days away, I'd like to reflect upon some of the important lessons I've learned about surviving a zombie apocalypse, and in some cases, about life in general. Be ye warned, there be spoilers ahead!

SPOILERS! THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS!

If you have not caught up on the series (and I mean THE WHOLE THING), you will be spoiled! Do not continue!

Are you still here? Have you seen all three seasons? If not, STOP READING!!

I mean it.

Seriously.

Are we all good? Okay. Continue.

UNLESS YOU HAVEN'T CAUGHT UP!

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Here we go.

TOP TEN THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM WATCHING THE WALKING DEAD

Use Your Inside Voice
Want to attract walkers? Yell. That'll do it. Take a lesson from our dear, departed hitchiker buddy, and shut your trap. Otherwise, you end up lunch, and someone else ends up with your supplies.

Go Medieval On 'Em
Much like you need to be quiet when speaking, you also need to be quiet while fighting. Consider taking an archery course at the local community center, or sign up for fencing. You never know when swordplay might come in handy.

Comb Your Hair and Fix Your Makeup
Apparently, in the zombie apocalypse, razors, deodorant, toothpaste, lipgloss, shampoo, hairspray, curling irons, and a complete (and stylish) wardrobe will still be at your disposal. I've never seen anyone carry more than a small sack, so I'm guessing magic carpet bags are handed out when the plague begins. Of course, this only applies to women. Men get to wear the clothes on their backs while they slowly morph into Grizzly Adams.

Horde Tampons
Oddly enough, those don't come in the magic bag. I'm sorry, but I don't want to have to make a supply run and risk dying over panty liners. 'Nuff said.

Stay In the House, Carl
And Sophia. And Andrea. And Daryl. And...well, everyone else, at sometime or other. Wander off, and  you're likely to end up left, shot, or turned. None of those options are pretty.

Listen To Your Girlfriends
If your boyfriend is so hated by all of your friends that one of them actually begs you to kill him in his sleep, perhaps you need to reevaluate your relationship. Just sayin'.

Crazy Is Subjective
What constitutes crazy in a zombie apocalypse? Seeing visions of your dead wife? How 'bout just a phone call from her? Keeping a barn full of walkers? What about just chaining your zombified kid up in the closet? Or just keeping a few heads around to decorate the aquarium? How nuts is too nuts in this new world?

It's a Small World After All
No matter which direction or how far you travel, you will always, without fail, run into everyone you've ever met. Unless you want to. Then you're up a creek.

Gasoline is EVERYWHERE!
You will never run out. Cars are everywhere, brimming with beautiful petrol to get you wherever you want to go. There is a veritable cornucopia of functioning, full, comfortable automobiles to fulfill your every need. Unless you actually need to get away in a hurry. Then you're up a creek. Again. (Also applies to ammunition.)

Think Outside of the Box
Sometimes you just need to improvise. Don't have a weapon and need to kill a walker? Grab a nearby rock and curbstomp the sucker! This show has also given me a new perspective on engagement ring shopping. *shudder*

What have you learned? Please share with the rest of the class in the comments below. You could save a life.

It's Two, Two, Two Posts In One!

Today is nasty, rainy, humid, and all around ugly. On top of that, it's Casual Friday. Of course, my work environment is pretty relaxed to begin with, so you can read that to mean I traded in my "nice" jeans and "respectable" top for comfy old jeans and a t-shirt. This one, specifically. It made me giggle.

Basically, it's one of those days when I expect the What Not To Wear folks to knock on my door at any moment.

Seeing how I wasn't really trying with my look today, and had a million (not sure that's an exaggeration) errands to run in the icky weather, I thought today would be the perfect day to try out a sample that caught my eye, as well as a neat DIY hair product. Both are made for quick, easy, natural looks, and that is definitely the name of the game today.

The Magic Bag O' Samples

Somehow--and I honestly can't remember how--I ended up with a sample of L'Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur. Supposedly, it's a "finishing cream" that you put on after your moisturizer, and can either wear alone or under makeup to blur wrinkles, lines, pores, and other minor imperfections. I have minor imperfections, so why not? I popped open the foil packet and applied the opaque ecru cream to my face.

It's a dupe for the Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm. Flat out. There's a higher SPF and it costs about $14 less, but those are the only differences I found. Unfortunately (and if you click the link you read my review of the UD), it just doesn't do it for me. I can't quite figure out a purpose for it. There's zero coverage, so it doesn't even out your skin, and you still need, at least, a concealer. You could use it as a primer...or you could just use a primer. As I said in the UD review, there are better and cheaper out there. If you have perfectly even skin and just want a little protection or some skincare benefits...you could use an anti-aging moisturizer with sunscreen and skip this extra step. I just really can not find a point to this. But, if you were planning to buy the UD BB cream, L'Oreal just saved you fourteen bucks. There you go.

Frugal Friday

Many of you are probably familiar with beauty blogger and youtube guru PinkSoFoxy. If you're not, you should be, because she's amazing. Her approach to beauty blogging is unique in that she takes a "less is more" approach. Instead of constantly buying new stuff, she "shops her stash" and pulls from items she already owns, rediscovering old favorites along the way. Her videos also show fantastic tips for decluttering and simplifying your space, and in the process, your life. Seriously, I encourage you all to go check out her sites.

Anyhoo, she recently uploaded a video and blog post on how to DIY a sea salt spray for beachy waves. I've been using Bumble & Bumble Sea Spray, but I'm about to run out and thought that this might be fun to try. I had all of the ingredients, anyway, and if it worked, I could save the $25 I'd have spent on a replacement bottle. So, this morning, I whipped up a batch while I waited on my coffee to brew. By the way, I have a Keurig, so that's about three minutes.

Bottom line: this stuff rocks.

After my shower, I towel dried my hair and gave it a rough blow-dry until it was just damp. Then, I sprayed my concoction all over, scrunched, and let it finish air drying. The results are amazing. I have messy, beachy waves that aren't at all crunchy or sticky. My main complaint with the Bumble & Bumble was that it always looked great at first, but as soon as I ran a brush through it, my hair became a frizzy, dry, hot mess. My hair is so soft with this that I can run my fingers through it, brush it, whatever. It still looks pretty and wavy. If you have three minutes, I highly recommend giving this a shot!

The ingredients you'll need are all linked here. I used Herbal Essences Body Envy gel, which is discontinued, turns out. It's a light hold, volumizing gel, so anything like it should work similarly. I omitted the essential oil, because A) I didn't have any, and B) my hairspray is scented, and I thought that might be too much going on at once. For the shimmer, I used (no kidding) a little bit of an old E.L.F. mineral eyeshadow. Worked like a charm. Thank you, PinkSoFoxy, for this awesome DIY project!

Taking Pictures Of a Dog Is Hard, Y'all

(ed. note: How's that for a post title? Took minutes of thought. Minutes, I tell you.)

Today's post is more of a public service announcement. With Spring now upon us (and the weather...well, as my mother puts it, it's not "being its best self"), Hurricane season is just around the corner, and God only knows how it's going to go this year. Oh, goody. If you have pets, please remember to take photos of them. In the event you're separated, a current photo greatly increases your chances of being reunited. /end of preachiness.

Last year was our first year with Ronnie, the wonder chihuahua, and as first-time puppy parents, we wanted to make sure we were completely prepared in the case of a storm. Thomas and I scoured the interwebs, read every Facebook post on the subject, and kind of drove ourselves crazy trying to make sure that little Ron Ron would never know a moment's discomfort. For those of you who haven't seen us around our little dude, he's spoiled and has us completely whipped. It's the eyes. And the ears. Man, I can't say no to those little ears. Could you?

Just take it! Whatever it is you want, just take it!

Now, I take a lot of pictures of my tiny guy (Lord, how bad are we going to be when we have a human child?), but they're generally silly pictures of him sleeping in a weird spot or wearing something ridiculous (he has a shark costume...). I'm pretty sure those weren't the kind of pictures that the news anchors meant when they said I needed a current photo of my dog. They are, on the other hand, the kind of pictures that make awesome screensavers.

"I'M A SHARK!!!"



So, with that, I set out to take a really good, really normal, photo of the Ronniebutt:

"DID YOU HEAR THAT?"

"SHLURRRP!"

"AAAHCHOOO!"

"SERIOUSLY, DID YOU HEAR THAT?!"

"OH. HI. WHAT?"

"MODELING IS SO HARD.  NIGHT NIGHT."

Oh well, I'll try again this year.

Out Darn Spot! Part 2: Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Overnight Peel Update

Remember how tickled I was with the Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Overnight Peel? Well, sad to say, that was the peak of the product. After eleven weeks, my spots have not gotten any lighter. Honestly, they've gone back to being difficult to cover with concealer, and I haven't changed concealer. With half of the product gone, and a plateau hit, I had to throw in the towel and throw out the bottle. I'm going to go back to my Philosophy Help Me retinol cream to see if that makes any difference.

I am so disappointed. After six weeks, I really thought that this was going to work. Now, I'm beginning to think it was all in my head. I'll start the Philosophy tonight, and I'll take a picture to document the "before". Here's hoping!

Some Folks Have Fantasy Football...I Have Fantasy Toiletries

Sweet Fancy Moses, it's Spring Break time!! Well, not for me, actually, as I am a "grown-up" who has long since graduated from any facility that would permit me to goof off for a week. I'm also not nearly as patient or awesome as the teachers and faculty who put up wi--ahem, guide and teach those who get to goof off (I have a teenage brother. I am in awe of you.), so I don't even get a week off from work to try to get other stuff done (you've earned it). But I digress. It's Spring Break! Somewhere! And I can dream, can't I?

For fun, I've been building my fantasy toiletry bag (don't judge me) for days...possibly weeks...in the hope of willing some sort of vacation into existence. Miraculously, it has seemed to work, and Thomas and I have been invited to screen our short, C.U.P.I.D. (it's cuteness on a stick of preciousness), in competition at the Crossroads Film Festival in Jackson, Mississippi. The trip's still several weeks off, but I thought I'd share my top five travel items, for those of you planning your own Spring Break getaways. Obviously, this isn't all I'm packing, but these are five fairly universal items, useful no matter where your vacay takes you.

1. Sunless Tanner
If Winter has left your skin practically black-light friendly (like it has mine), you probably don't want to throw on a sundress or teeny bikini without knocking off some of the chill. While my favorite tanning line will probably always be Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy, these little Tan Towels are perfect for tossing into your travel bag for touch-ups. They come individually foil packaged in half- or full-body sizes, and function much like a wet wipe. You just rub the towelette where you want to be tanned, and in a few hours you're golden. I especially love these because of how dry they are. I was able to get dressed immediately after using, and didn't experience much of a tanner-scent. They do go on clear, though, so you can't see where you've missed, and the effects don't last very long--maybe two days, tops. Still, for a quick touch-up or before trying shorts for the first time this season, it's a winner. 

2. Sea Salt Spray
I don't know about you, but I don't feel like (nor do I have the space for) traveling with a set of hot rollers. Sure, I can shove a curling iron into my bag (and I probably will), but I'm also packing a bottle of Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray. This is a saltwater-based texturizer that gives you sexy beach waves. I spray a little on damp hair, then scrunch it while I roughly blow-dry. It works wonders, and takes almost no time. For a more wallet-friendly version, Not Your Mother's Beach Babe has gotten some wonderful reviews. I've not tried it myself, but I'd love to hear from anyone who has. 

3. Vitamin C
The very last thing you want on vacation is an illness. These little packets are travel-friendly, easy to drink, and taste pretty good, actually. Plus, they'll help keep your energy up. Just make sure you pack a little hand sanitizer, too.

4. Decent Coffee
Maybe I just have bad luck when it comes to hotel coffee, but it seems like either the in-room pot is broken, or the lobby coffee has been sitting out too long, or there's not a Starbucks within a fifty-mile radius. In any case, I've learned the hard way not to depend on my hotel for coffee. And I need coffee. I worked my way through college in coffee shops, so it's (probably literally) in my blood. The little Starbucks VIA packs are a lifesaver! They take up very little real estate in your bag or purse, and all you need is hot water (and, you know, whatever cream or sugar you take). Best of all, they don't taste instant. I took the pick-the-instant challenge at Starbucks, and failed. Miserably. It's good stuff.

5. Help!
I come from klutzy stock, so a first aid kit is a staple in my house, car, and travel bag. This company, Help! I Need Help!, however, has taken the first aid kit to the next level. Yes, you can find little packs of band-aids and aspirin, but they also have blister covers, nausea meds, sleep aids, energy boosters, and even cold and allergy tablets. They've got the cure for what ails you, neatly packaged in the cutest little flat packs ever. If you have a good idea what you'll need (say, Help! I Have a Blister would be good for theme park goers or hikers), you can pick up individual packs, or grab the whole set for thirty bucks.

Ode To a String Bikini

I bought a bikini. Not just any bikini, but an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, Victoria's Secret string bikini. In grape.

For the record, I have absolutely no business wearing an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, Victoria's Secret string bikini in any color. Then again, to quote Thomas, "most people don't". Please note that he did not agree with me that I didn't. He's a smart man who wishes to continue breathing.

Honestly, I have no intention of ever wearing this bikini out in public. That's not why I purchased it. For months, I have been less than happy with my physical appearance. I'm not going to say weight, because I'm actually right smack dab in the middle of the healthy weight range for my height. I'm curvy where I'm supposed to be curvy...and, unfortunately, also where I'm not. I've gotten a little lackadaisical in my diet and exercise routine (read: I don't have one--I like to eat popcorn and watch Bar Rescue in the evenings, snuggled up with my hubby and puppy. Sue me.), and I needed a kick in the pants to make myself tone up and slim down a smidgen. Hence, the bikini.

I've always been a flat-tummied, flat-chested dancer with hips and thighs. Most girls "blossom" in their teens. Me? I waited until I was in my late twenties, then freakin' bloomed everywhere overnight. I went from an A to a C, ladies. That's crazy. Oh--and I was still dancing, so that isn't what did it. It was strictly genetics playing a cruel joke. My wedding dress looked awesome (I practically spilled out of it), but we had to move some buttons over. Since then, I've been on a rollercoaster of dress sizes, and have only just, finally, come to realize that I don't need to be the four I've been my whole life. I have embraced the curves, and I think I look kind of hot, if I do say so myself. I'm just also a little cellulite-y and puffy, and I don't like it. I want to be able to put on this bikini, look at myself in the mirror and think: yeah! I can pull this off! Then throw on a pair of shorts over it before I head over to my Mom's pool. My goals are small, y'all.

So, I'm doing something about my situation. I've decided to force myself to exercise thirty minutes a day (which I should be doing, anyway), and I'm eating more fruits and vegetables. If I fill up on those, I can't fill up on my beloved carbs and calories. I've also picked up a skin firming moisturizer to, supposedly, help hide the cellulite (I don't even pretend to hope it will work miracles, but I'll take what I can get), and some self-tanner. It's not much, but it's a start. I'm not dieting. I'm trying to live healthier.

Oh--if I actually get in that bikini, I'll be sure to take a picture...as soon I toss on my shorts and a t-shirt.

Totally Random: We Got Robbed!

So, we got robbed yesterday. Our storage locker and the surrounding units were all ransacked, but luckily, precious little was actually taken. Actually, the entire affair was a little, well, odd. Yes, we did lose a suitcase, but we somehow gained a machete.

Yep. You read that right. We gained a machete.

It's a very nice machete. We made sure that it made it to the office so that its rightful owner might reclaim it, of course. We also were, apparantly, traded a duffle bag and some old clothes. Another unit lost a pair of boots, but gained a belt. Still another, a war medal was swapped with a backpack. We also found several holes in the walls, courtesy of the machete, I suppose. As I said: odd.

With the exception of the war medal (which breaks my heart for the family who lost that), and my custom luggage tag with our engagement photo on it, nothing taken was of much value, and most of the other renters were as bemused by the break-in as we were. The storage company and police were amazing, and Thomas and I are already looking at new luggage. However, if you happen to see someone wearing old cowboy boots and a war medal, bandaged up machete wounds, and toting around a large black suitcase, can you ask him for my luggage tag back?

Since I value y'all's opinions, here are the suitcases we're looking at. Leave your pick in the comments. I'm rubbish at buying luggage. Thanks!

Bohemian Rhapsody: Flower Beauty Haul and Review UPDATED!

For a week or so, now, I've been hearing about Drew Barrymore's new line of Walmart-exclusive, cruelty-free cosmetics, Flower Beauty. The website claims that it's supposed to be as good as high-end, but at a drugstore price. I thought that seemed a little too good to be true, but decided to give it a shot. I needed a travel-friendly foundation, and saw a stick formula that looked promising, so Thomas and I made the trek to the nearest Walmart that carried the line...and were sorely disappointed. Not only did they not have the full line (just a measly endcap), but what was carried was almost entirely out of stock, save for a few opened products that had been tossed back on the shelves. At this point, Thomas proved just how much he loved me, and suggested we go all the way out to the other Walmart--out in the boonies, technically in the next town--to see if we fared better. Luckily, that Walmart had the entire line (in a beautiful display that I wish I'd taken a picture of), and I was able to get not only my foundation, but a few other items that caught my eye. The prices are incredible, and I figured that I needed to grab more than one thing to justify the trip. Yeah...that's it...justify the trip...

I picked up the Skincognito Stick Foundation in SF3, which is a dead-on match to my MAC NW15 skin. This is a freaking miracle, because there is absolutely no way to colormatch from the packaging or the little swatch photo on the display.

I'm a fan of the concept, and I love the dewy, but not greasy, finish that it leaves on my skin. The foundation doesn't feel heavy, and it doesn't fall into my pores. I've tried this with and without a primer, and have been happy with both results. However...

...it doesn't cover a darn thing. This is definitely a light coverage foundation. It also has a tendency to go on a little patchy. It also has a penchant for wearing off in patches, as well, but only after several hours. I don't recommend this for oily skin. That said, if you are looking for light coverage (like I was, thankfully), and have dry to normal skin, this might be an option for you. There's also no SPF, so it's fine for photography. 

Here's a shot once I'd added some concealer (Maybelline Age Rewind) and powdered down (Rimmel Stay Matte). I also threw on some eye shadow, but that's irrelevant. Again, I really like the texture and slightly luminous quality this gives. The packaging makes it perfect for travel, as well. All in all, I'm giving it a 5 out of 10. I'm happy with it because it looks nice on and I needed something light for an upcoming trip. This fit the bill. There are better choices for daily foundations, though.

***UPDATE! Application is the key to this working well. I originally used a brush, and that was a mistake. It led to patchiness and uneven coverage. This foundation really needs to be applied with clean and sanitized hands. That way, your body heat helps melt the product into your skin, and also allows for a much more even application. Since switching to this method, the foundation has given me none of the above problems, and has become an everyday favorite of mine. I do suggest using it over a primer, though.

I don't know why I even bother buying blush anymore. I always gravitate to the same darn color! I now have NARS Orgasm, NARS Super Orgasm, a NYX peachy-pink with no name, Benefit Coralista (more peach, but still), Wet 'N' Wild Pearlescent Pink, and now, the Ready, Set, Glow Blush/Bronze Duo from Flower Beauty in Beachy Keen. (I don't have a big blush collection, either. What I listed is about 90% of it. I need a peachy-pink blush intervention!) I really love this blush, though. It gives a soft, ethereal glow, and looks totally natural.

The bronzer is a winner, too. It's very pigmented, so you need a light hand, but it's not too orange and not too dark. It is shimmery, but the shimmer doesn't really show on the skin, so you can use it as contour or as an all-over bronzer. Here, I'm only using it for contour, and the blush is applied to the apples and swept toward the hairline.

The packaging is precious, and I love the rose gold accent. I honestly have no major complaints with this product, and am giving it a 9 out of 10.

This Shine On Lip Gloss is the shining star of the products I've tried. I chose Pretty In Petunia, which is showing up red in this picture, but is really a gorgeous peachy-coral cream with micro-shimmer. Oh, Pretty In Petunia, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

1. The packaging. Oh, the packaging! It looks high-end. I adore carrying this around in my purse. It's just so pretty!
2. The color. Oh, I wish these pictures did this color justice! It's juicy and shiny and opaque and pigmented and just plain delicious-looking! It brightens up my face for Spring, but doesn't look clownishly, crazy bright. It's very natural and totally gorgeous.
3. The scent. The Scent. That's probably my favorite thing about this gloss. It's not sickly sweet or candy-like. It's actually floral, but not in a grandma way. It smells exactly like fresh cut flowers. You put this on, and are transported to a lovely English garden on a breezy Summer day. It's glorious, and just adds to the high-end traits of this product.

Additional Makeup: Urban Decay Half-Baked, Smog, and W.O.S. eye shadows, Urban Decay Rehab 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil, Urban Decay Whiskey 24/7 Glide-On Pencil, Buxom Lash Mascara, Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter, Anastasia Brow Wiz in Brunette

4. The feel. It's like buttah. This is super-moisturizing (I swear, it's so super, it needs a cape), comfortable, and non-sticky.
5. The wear time. For a non-sticky lippie, it sure doesn't go anywhere! Hours of talking, singing, eating, drinking, and it's still there!

I'm probably going to shock a lot of folks by saying this, but this gloss looks wears, and just all out performs like a MAC Lipglass. It's just got the added bonus of being non-sticky and a fraction of the price. 10 out of 10. Heck, I'll give it an 11. I can't stop wearing it, and I want to buy more shades.

The last item I picked up was this Nail'd It cream nail polish in What's The Dafodilly-O. Again, this product did remind me of a high-end counterpart. In fact, I would wager to say that this formula is spot-on the same formula as Illamasqua (at least, the one Illamasqua polish I own, Purity). The application is identical, and the finish is the same shiny, slightly rubberized finish. The problem is: I really hate the application of the Illamasqua, and my hatred of Flower's is also identical. It's streaky and patchy, and takes three and a half (yes, a half) coats to cover the nail. That said, once it's on and even, the color is incredible, and it wears really well. I've had minimal, easily covered chipping after two days, which is better than normal for me.

So, yeah, it's identical to Illamasqua. The difference is: I'm not buying another Illamasqua. For fourteen dollars I expect better application. I will buy another Flower, though, because the finished product is amazing, and the less-than-five-dollar pricetag is a lot more wallet-friendly. 6 out of 10.

To sum up: If you're in the market for some makeup, and want high-quality on a budget, this is definitely a brand to try. I'm really excited to see what Drew comes up with next!

Brow-Zinga! The Benefit Brow Bar at Ulta

This morning, I had the opportunity (okay, so it was more like obligation--my brow's looked like Wolverine's) to stop by the Benefit Brow Bar at my local Ulta, and thought I would share my experience, in case any of you were curious to try it yourself. I've noticed a severe lack of reviews on this service, honestly, and figured maybe I could help remedy that. If you've been, please leave a comment below with your thoughts. Please share with the rest of the class.

When I first arrived, I wasn't really sure what to do or where to go. I knew where the brow bar was located, but that was about it. I didn't have an appointment either, since the website had not mentioned anything about how to go about making one. For the record: I recommend making an appointment by calling the store. Walk-ins are totally cool, though.

Once inside, I learned that the nice lady at Benefit was there and available, so I hopped in the very comfy chair and let Candace get to work. I didn't specify a service, as only two were offered (wax or tweeze) and the price difference was negligible. I just told her to do what she needed to do, and that I didn't expect miracles. She laughed, and started the unenviable task of taming my unruly caterpillars.

She started by measuring the beginning, ending, and arch points of my brows, in relation to the shape of my face and eyes, and marked where they should be. She took great care in this, and did not rush, but didn't waste any time, either. Then, she applied a very creamy wax to my brows to shape them. This wax (and I can't believe I'm saying this) did not hurt. At all. I wasn't even mildly uncomfortable. Kid you not.

Once the brows were roughly shaped out, she finished the detailing with a pair of tweezers, trimmed the longer hairs with some scissors (I was a mess, y'all), applied a soothing lotion, and then waxed my brows into a perfect arch. They look gorgeous. I'm also under strict orders not to touch them between visits, and I'm perfectly okay with that. I'm an idiot with tweezers.

I have to say, what impressed me most throughout the experience was how professionally it was handled. Candace's certification was on display, and through conversation I learned a little about her background that I won't go into, but was extensive and impressive (I'm using that word a lot today). Not once did she try to sell me anything. Let me just repeat that for emphasis: not once did she try to sell me anything. No upsales, so concealers, no skin care--nothing. The service cost $20, and I left a tip, but nothing else was ever tacked on. When I left, I did have some redness, but it was easily covered by a little concealer that I keep in my purse.

This is definitely something that I will do again. I'm thrilled that I was finally brave enough to try it. Now, do I try the Dermalogical Facials next? Decisions, decisions...

February Favorites!

IT LIVES!!!! IT LIVES!!!!!!!

Believe it or not, guys, I'm still not 100%. I'm not quite zombified anymore, but I'm still kind of "meh", so I apologize again for the lack of posting. However, I'm up to typing today (saints be praised!), so here we go with the February Favorites!!

In keeping with the I-feel-drugged-and-horrible-so-why-bother-with-anything theme, I've been going around with just enough makeup to keep from scaring small children. The thing is, I'm honestly loving this more natural look, and am thinking of keeping it for Spring and Summer. It's too hot for a full face of makeup around here, anyway, and the humidity just melts it off. I'm also finding that I look younger and more glowy with the lighter, fresher looks. Considering I've been sick since, oh, Thanksgiving, I'm taking this as a trade-off. So, without further ado...

Eyes
Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded
I'm crazy pale (MAC NW15--yes, it really goes that low), so this is basically skin-tone on me. It adds a light shimmer to my lids, and also makes a beautiful inner corner highlight. I do recommend using this over a primer, as it tends to crease.

Urban Decay Glinda Palette in South
This, again, adds a beautiful shimmer to the lids, but in a much deeper color than the Color Tattoo. This is a gorgeous taupe shade, with oodles of silver microglitter. There is some fallout, but the wow factor this gives as an all-over lid color is worth the hassle. I like to use it on the lid only, then fill in the area from crease to brow with Foxy or W.O.S. from Naked Basics.

Lips
Burts Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil
For those days when all you need is a little moisture. I used a really drying lipstick one day, and paid for it the next. One day of giving my lips a break and only using this fixed me right up. I just keep one in my purse at all times now.

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Strawberry Fizz
I love this gloss. It's just a darn fine tube of lip gloss. The color is barely there, but the shimmer is out of this world. On top of that, the gloss isn't sticky, but feels like butter on your lips. It's fairly long-wearing, and smells like candy. Actually, according to Thomas, it smells exactly like Dennis the Menace cereal from when he was a kid. I didn't know that existed, so I can't vouch, but he's pretty set on that opinion. So, there you go. In case you were wondering, VS Strawberry Fizz smells like Dennis the Menace cereal. *cue "The More You Know" rainbow and music*

Face
Josie Maran Argan Oil Color Stick in Love
I've raved about this enough. It blends beautifully, feels amazing, and is DEAD-ON the same shade as my skin's natural flush. It also travels easily and doesn't require a brush. There just aren't enough good things I can say about this.

Benefit Watt's Up
Yet another product I just can't shut up about. The color is a stunning light champagne, so it's not too pink and not too white. There's shimmer, but it's not glitter. It's such a fine shimmer that it's really more of a glimmer, and leaves the most natural looking glow on the skin. Again, it travels like a dream, and no brush is required. Stunning!

Hair
Got 2B Smooth Operator Hairspray with Cashmere
I used to use this daily, and then I moved and it was packed up and forgotten about. I recently rediscovered this product, and am hooked again. The hold is soft and touchable, but it does hold. It also smells heavenly. One of my little voice students even commented on how pretty I smelled. The scent's not overpowering, though, so you don't have to worry about knocking people over as you walk by. The spray is also anti-humidity, which is a necessity down here in the Ninth Cir--um...Deep South.

Nails
Zoya Wednesday
This came in the first Glossybox I received, and I've been in love with it ever since. It's the perfect beachy color--seagreen with a tinge of blue, and a little bit dirty. Love, love, love, love, love!

LA Colors Cocktail
I picked this up on a whim at the Dollar Store. I thought it looked similar to O.P.I.'s Teenage Dream. It's close--nowhere near as opaque, and the pink base is lighter, but for a buck, I'm not complaining. I used it over Zoya Wednesday, and received more compliments on the combination than I think I've ever gotten on a polish! They look like they were made to go together.

Zoya Wednesday with LA Colors Cocktail Overlay

That's it for favorites! Have a great day, and I'll see you soon!