Motivation Monday

Image from The Tao of Dana

CoverGirl Clump Crusher Review

Image from CoverGirl

I love mascara!! I have a whole little drawer of mascara and I love to test out new ones. So when I purchased the new CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara (as seen in a recent Shopaholic Saturday I knew that it would be tested and tried and then reviewed for all of you!! FYI: You can get your own Clump Crusher at any store that sells CoverGirl products!

One Coat

OK, so first I have to apologize for the ungroomed eyebrows I have no excuse for them I just was lazy....and secondly I am getting a bit braver about taking photos of myself for the blog so yay me!!

Anyway, this is what Clump Crusher looks like with only one coat of mascara. My lashes are naturally curly so the curved wand (as pictured above) made my lashes look crazy curly to the point where I don't feel they look natural. It also gave nice definition and definitely separated the lashes.

Two Coats

I am a two coats of mascara kind of girl so my next test for the Clump Crusher was applying two coats! This is where things got a little scary. As I said I have naturally curly lashes so while the first coat gave a nice extra curl and separated my lashes...the second one went haywire! As you can tell the lashes are still curled but then they started to clump(!!) together in the middle where my lashes are the thickest.

Layered

I love layering mascaras so that I can have ridiculously full, long lashes. Naturally when I was looking to layer Clump Crusher I chose another amazing CoverGirl mascara (and a personal favorite) CoverGirl Lashblast Fusion. This is by far my favorite version of wearing Clump Crusher. It gave the separation I needed and then Fusion gave the extra oomph I was looking for. 

Final Word

I really do like the Clump Crusher and will continue to wear it under other mascaras, unfortunately I don't necessarily love it on it's own because it tends to work against my naturally curly lashes. 

Martin Luther King Jr.

Image taken from Idlehearts

January Birchbox

Quick Birchbox Overview: Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that costs $10 a month. You receive around 5 deluxe sized beauty samples that range from makeup, skin care, and hair care. After you test out the samples you can go to Birchbox.com and fill out surveys about the items you received. For each survey filled out you receive 10 points, once you've earned 100 points you earn $10 that you can apply to either a monthly Birchbox or for items from the Birchbox store. Check out their website for more details!!

Items Included:

*Aerie Shimmer Fragrance

*DDF Acne Control Treatment

*Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre - 24-Hour Miracle Cream

*theBalm Cosmetics Hot Mama blush

*Beauty Extra: La Fresh Eco-Beauty Waterproof Makeup Remover

I'm actually really excited about this months box there are a lot of really nice samples that I can wait to try! I am a little disappointed in the perfume samples from Birchbox because it's not quite as a "deluxe sample" as all of the other items that you receive and that is supposed to be the whole idea of Birchbox. It would be nice if they could include bigger perfume samples like the ones you can sometimes get from Sephora:

Sephora Deluxe Perfume Samples.

Are you a Birchbox subscriber? What did you get in your box? Any other really good subscription services out there?? Let me know below!!

Shopaholic Saturday!!

This weeks shopping includes items from Ulta, Target, and Sephora (all purchased with my own money!!)



Ulta

Maybelline Baby Lips (in Pink Punch, Quench, and Peach Kiss):  Baby Lips have been around for a while but I've just never thought much about them. I have really sensitive lips (weird I know) so I only either use ChapStick or Jack Black lip balms for my lips because other lip balms tend to dry out my lips and make them really sore. I've read really good things about these though and they are supposed to make your lips really soft and they smell AMAZING!! There is a little pigmentation (I didn't swatch Quench because there it is clear).

I'll be posting a review about them soon once I really test them out. 

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains (in Charm and Cherish): I am not a huge fan of Stains because most Stain pens come off as too harsh on my lips and they dry out really fast. These however seem really smooth and aren't a pen but a balm (hence the name) so I'm interested to see how these work. They also have a minty smell, but maybe that's just me...

Review coming soon!

Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer (in shade 15): I really like the Fit Me foundation because it isn't heavy and is really nice in the spring/summer when the weather gets a little bit warmer. I have never tried the concealer before but was in the market for a new one and I've been hearing really good things about it around the Youtube world so I figured I would give it a try!

Tweezer Man Perfect Power Nail Clipper and Ms. Manicure Black Party 4-Way Buffing Block: My nails are in rough shape so these are going to help me save them!!

Target

Maybelline Color Tattoo: I picked these up in the colors Inked in Pink and Barely Branded -- I think these colors may be limited edition so I would pick them up soon if you like them!

elf Powder Brush: I LOVE this brush for foundation and it's only $3!!

Divergent by Veronica Roth: This is a Young Adult novels (but lets all just admit that they are the best) and it's in the same genre as Hunger Games which I loved. I'll be posting a review soon!!

Mossimo "Ona" flats in Zebra and Mossimo "Valma" flats in Emerald: These flats were on sale ($7.48 and $12.49). I got them a half a size bigger and they fit perfectly and are sooo comfortable! I may have to go pick up some more in other colors...

Sephora

Jurlique Love Balm: Great for dry skin, can use just about anywhere!

Buxom Insider Eyeliner (in Pearl and Topaz): These are my FAVORITE eyeliners ever!!

Benefit World Famous Neutrals: This is perfect! I love neutral eyes!!

And there you have it!! Any good buys lately??

Motivation Monday

Image taken from inlillyland

You all just sang that song didn't you!! =)

Favorite Online Shopping Sites

Online shopping isn't something I do a lot of but I'm starting to branch out and find some good sites to shop through. For instance have you seen the ADORABLENESS that is ModCloth?? I've built up quite a wishlist there but have yet to actually order anything.  Maybe soon...Anyway, here are a few of my favorite places to shop online!!


Sephora

The only Sephora that we have in town is in our JCPenney which is fine but they don't have the same selection of items as free standing stores and the only free standing store anywhere near us is almost an hour away. SO, I do most of my Sephora shopping online. They have an amazing selection of high end cosmetics that range from pretty reasonable prices ($16) to pretty outrageous prices ($85 for an eye shadow palette!!). You also get standard free shipping on any orders over $50 which is pretty easy to do when you think  about it. You can also sign up for Beauty Insider where you earn points for every dollar you spend which you can then redeem for deluxe sized samples and beauty kits, you also get a present on your birthday plus other special deals for Beauty Insiders only. 

CafePress

If you are looking for unique t-shirts, water bottles, bags, etc. than you should definitely check out CafePress. You can find just about any slogan, quote, picture, or whatever that you could possibly think of for a pretty reasonable price. There is also an option to design your very own items and to sell your designs. One warning is that sometimes sizes can run a little small so I would recommend going up a size when ordering shirts :)

Amazon

OK, so this is a pretty standard website for shoppers. You can find ANYTHING on Amazon and for all of us college students out there we can even rent text books, which lets face it some of those books are ridiculously expensive and are never going to be looked at again after the class ends...

MyPoints

I LOVE MyPoints! Basically how it works is that you set up an account and then use their search engine to do your online shopping (for example you type in "Sephora" and then click on the link that take you to their website). Once you've purchased items through your desired website you earn so many points per dollar through MyPoints which you can then redeem for gift cards to use at any desired store (gift cards are mailed to you). Not all websites are available (you can only redeem points for Amazon not actually get points from there) and gift cards take a little while to get to you but it's a really nice system. I've gotten gift cards to give as presents and to use for myself :)

Those are a few of my faves and I'm always looking for some more! If you have any recommendations leave them below :)

One of my Favorite Songs for Motivation Monday!

Word of God Speak by MercyMe

Such a beautiful song!! Thanks to myredstrat for making this video!

Shopaholic Saturday

I did some serious shopping! You've already seen some of my items in Whatcha Wearing Wednesday (you can see that post here). Next week there won't be a shopping haul as I am trying to save some money but there will be a shopping related post, I just haven't decided what yet. 

Charming Charlie

In case you are unaware Charming Charlie now has a points system, so the next time you are there make sure you get signed up for it! 1,000 points = $5!

Floral print plaid scarf. This was by far my most exciting purchase only because I originally thought it $10 but I got it for $5!! What can I say little things like that get me excited.

Light pink heart locket. I didn't get a full shot picture but it has an extra long chain so you don't even have to really unchain it to put it on. It's also an actual functioning locket but I never actually use the locket part I just like the overall look.  

Hot pink safety pin scarf. I don't know why I love this scarf but I do! 

Headbands! This is actually two sets of headbands that I had bought but I decided to take a collective picture because they just look so pretty together!

Target

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light/Medium. I have used other sample BB creams and had been using the CoverGirl BB cream but wanted to try something different. I've heard good things about this one and will be posting a review sometime later this month once I've really tested it out. 

If you've read my Fab 5 for December (you can read it here if you haven't) than you know that the movie Les Miserables is at the top of my list. I naturally had to buy the soundtrack and have been unashamedly singing my heart out too it!

CoverGirl Lashblast Clump Crusher. I LOVE Lashblast mascara and this one is supposed to be amazing and prevent nasty mascara clumps. I will be posting a review soon about how it worked for me. 

Maurices

Bow flats. I am absolutely obsessed with flats and can never pass up a cute pair. I have noticed in the past that Maurices flats run a little snug so I got a half a size up. 

Black and white striped cardigan. I have been searching FOREVER for a striped cardigan so when I saw them on the rack I dove for them before any other shoppers set their eyes on the adorableness that is this cardigan...OK so maybe that was a little dramatic, but I was really excited to see it. 

 Fashion Bug

So this will probably be the last shopping haul from Fashion Bug as their doors will soon be closing :(

Black shirt dress that is one size too big for me, but I think if I belt it, it will look OK.

Chevron print top with attached tank top

I call these my wannabe Toms. I have always wanted a pair but just don't want to pay the price for them. I got these adorable ones for $8!

Purple Fringey Flats, these were just too cute to pass up and they are EXTREMELY comfortable. 

Did you all buy anything cute this past week? 

December Fab 5!

I am FINALLY getting around to doing my first ever Fab 5! I was a little worried that I wasn't going to be able to narrow it down to just 5 things for December, but once I really thought about it, it wasn't too terribly hard!! This Fab 5 consists of a makeup item, a book, a band, a movie, and a clothing item!

1. Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation

I have been LOVING this foundation this month! My skin did some crazy things in December (break-outs, lots of redness due to dryness, and just all around funkiness) and this foundation erased it all! It is a VERY matte and heavy foundation so I found mixing it with some dewey bronzer takes some of that away. It's also a little pricey ($34) but a little bit goes a loooong way so it lasts. I wear Light 44 (it's the second to lightest shade) and it is sold through Sephora.

image from Sephora

2. I Am Second by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett

This book had been on my to read list for a long time and when I was out shopping for my mom's Christmas present I finally picked up a copy. This book has seriously moved the direction of my life by making me reevaluate my relationship with Jesus. I Am Second is a collection of stories from a variety of people about how they allowed Jesus to claim their heart and how they made Him first in their lives. For more information on I Am Second you can visit their website and you can find the book at Christian retailers, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

image from Amazon

3. Eden's Edge

Eden's Edge is a country music group that I had the chance to see at a summer festival in July. I had never heard of them before and really liked their songs so the next day I ran to Target and got their CD, listened to it once and then kind of forgot about it. Recently I was cleaning my car and found the CD and decided to listen to it again and have not been able to stop listening to it since! 

Video is from EdensEdgeVEVO

4. Les Miserables

So I'm sure that EVERYONE has seen or at least heard of the musical and movie based on the book by Victor Hugo. I'm also doubly sure that there are a lot of people tired of hearing about it but I'm going to talk about it anyway! I haven't had a chance to see the stage production (it sold out quickly last time it came) but I do remember reading the book in High School so I was excited to see the movie. We went on Christmas day and I LOVED it, I cried through the majority of the movie and the songs are now etched in my brain. I even went a second time the same week with my mom and then had to go buy the soundtrack which has now taken the place of Eden's Edge in my car...

Video is from Les Miserables (Official)

5. UGG like Boots

I love UGGs I know they're kind of ugly but I still love them, I don't however love the price. SO, I settle for the wannabe's in the world and buy knockoffs. My most beloved pairs come from Fashion Bug (which you have all heard me cry about because they're days are numbered **BOO!!**), but you can find them just about anywhere. 

This pair can be purchased through Amazon

Well that's it! I hope everyone enjoyed and if you are reading this feel free to leave a comment letting me know what your favorites from December were!!

Whatcha Wearing Wednesday

I am warning everyone now -- I am finally using my new camera (my old trusted one died on me and I had to get a new one **BOO!**) instead of my iPhone. That being said the pictures may be a little iffy, not that they were amazing before, but I am still getting adjusted to the newness. Also if anyone has a Nikon Coolpix and has any user tips for me please let me know!!!

  Clothing:

Mint green jeggings from Maurices (I know they are photographing blue but they are seriously mint green)

Striped cardigan from Maurices

Mossimo Boyfriend Tee from Target

Accessories:

Mossimo flats (that I got on clearance for like $5!!) from Target. These shoes are extremely well loved and the soles are a little rough looking hence the socks covering them up. 

Olsenboye bow handbag (one of my favorites) from JCPenney. The Olsenboye handbags are seriously some of the cutest bags ever. 

Pink heart locket and pink flower necklace both from Charming Charlie

Makeup:

I feel like this is my "Jeremy Renner resting face" if you don't know what that is you have to watch this video here and go to around the 6:15 mark although the whole thing is pretty amusing. 

Primer: Too Faced Primed and Poreless
Councealer: Almay Wake Up Under Eye Concealer in Light
Foundation: Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation in Light 44
Bronzer: Benefit Hoola Bronzer
Blush: Korres Blush in Pink
Eyes: Clinique Lid Smoothie in Cashew Later
Eyeliner: Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black (inner rims is Buxom Insider Liner in Chocolate Citrine)
Mascara: CoverGirl Lashblast Fusion and CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher
Lips: Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Soft Nude
Lip Gloss: Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Sex Pot

I haven't decided if I really like the way my camera photos turned out or if I prefer my iPhone for taking photos... I think I'll stick with the camera for awhile because I know I'll get the hang of it, it just requires patience (HA!). Let me know what you think. 

Happy New Year!!

Image found here.

I can not believe it's 2013!! I don't really do "resolutions" because they just feel like too much pressure. But there are a few things I would like to accomplish in the New Year. 

2013 Goals:
* Save more money: This is a never ending goal for me...BUT in 2012 I did finally open a savings account that still has all of it's money in it (YAY!), now if I could only manage to keep money in my checking account...

*Get in to shape: Ah the gym...I do so well for a while and then I just give up, I really need to commit and stick to it.

*Eat healthier: See above statement!

*Spend more time with friends: I have some amazing friends but unfortunately we don't see each other near enough.

*Try something new: There are a TON of things I want to do but I'm admittedly too chicken to do them. This year I want to brave up and start doing things!

There are just a few of things I would like to accomplish this year. What are your goals for 2013!! Blessings and Love everyone!