Makeup Monday- Products I've Used Up!

Bad eyebrows really bug me.  They just do.  Mine aren't perfect either but just know...  I'm judging your eyebrows.  

This post is going to be all about the products I've used up and whether or not I would repurchase them.  I keep a large Sephora bag in my bathroom so I can keep all my empties corralled together.  

Sooo, let's get started.  

Too Faced Shadow Insurance- It took me a really long time to get through all of this and I have since learned that I tend to prefer a cream eye shadow such as a MAC paintpot for an eye primer.  I won't be repurchasing this.  If I do decide to stray from my paintpots I will probably pick up the NARS eye primer instead. 

Urban Decay Doubled Ended 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero/ Whiskey-  I only allow myself to use this when traveling because it is such a space saver and this brown and this black shade happen to be my favorite.  I have already repurchased this and will continue to do so until the end of time...  Or I find something better (doubtful).

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20-  This is the best under eye concealer ever!  It has a technology built into it that prevents it from creasing so not only do I use this under my eyes and a little around the edges of my nose but I periodically dab a little on my lids as a primer too.  I've already repurchased this product.  

Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/ Deep- I love this tinted brow gel.  This is so easy to just run through your eyebrows quickly if you don't have the time to pencil in your brows.  Filling in your brows just pulls your whole makeup look together.  I've already repurchased this product.  

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in 0L/ Black-  This is another great black pencil eyeliner.  I'm not going to repurchase this eye liner right away.  I think that I might want to try something new instead.

MAC Studio Fix Pressed Powder in NW25-  I have been using this powder forever and I repurchased it a little while ago and found that the color was a little too dark for my pale winter skin.  I then discovered the Kat Von D pressed powder and I'm in love.  It's a total game changer for me.  I will continue to use this shade during the summer months when I am a bit tanner though. 

Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black-  I've been using this mascara on and off for years but I recently decided not to repurchase it so I can try something new.  

Sumita Beauty Eye Contrast Pencil in Black-  I didn't really care for this product and had to force myself to use it.  It was really smudgy and I felt like it never stayed in place.  I won't repurchase this. 

Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + in #30-  This has been one of my favorite foundations for years.  I'm debating on whether or not to stick with old faithful or branch out and try something new.  Hmmmm, what to do...

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Mascara in Black-  This used to be my holy grail mascara but I feel like they changed the formula and I don't love it as much anymore.  I decided to try something different instead of buying another tube of this. 

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser-  I used this awhile back when my skin was a lot worse than what it is now.  I'd been holding onto the last little bit and I tended to just use it when I was having a minor breakout.  My skin has been doing really well though and I don't think I need to repurchase something so harsh.  I'm trying a different cleanser instead.  

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads-  I got these for Christmas and started using them in place of my toner and I really noticed a difference in the brightness of my skin.  I repurchased the larger size over the weekend.  

Alterna Caviar Anti- Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo (travel size)-  I've been hearing people rave about this shampoo for years and I've been wanting to try it but it's really expensive.  I picked up the travel sizes to give them a try and I immediately noticed a difference in my hair.  I'm still on the fence about purchasing the full size though. 

Living Proof Flex Shaping Hairspray-  My hair has a hard time holding a curl and I almost gave up hope until I discovered this hairspray.  It really makes a difference and I love the scent.  I already grabbed another bottle of this. 

LUSH It's Raining Men Shower Gel-  I love the scent.  It's so warm and comforting.  It's like toffee, honey and caramel.  Yum!  I need to work my way through some of the other shower gels I have before I repurchase this though.

LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner-  This also has a really great scent, like fresh roses.  However this product was pretty pricey and I went through it pretty quickly.  I can't justify buying it again. 

Crest 3D White Luxe Toothpaste in Glamorous White-  Just my favorite whitening toothpaste.  I already repurchased this. 

Well, that's it.  That's everything that I have used up in the last few months.  I wanted to wait until a had quite a few product so it would be a nice long post.  

I hope everyone has a good week!  What are your plans for Valentine's Day? 

  

   

  

Fun Friday- Weeklong Randomness- 1-23-15

As someone who is currently having a pool built in their back yard I'm suddenly grateful that we don't have any bears in Las Vegas.  I could only imagine walking outside to find this guy in my pool.  That would certainly freak most people out.  Except for the person that decided to get this close to a wild bear to take a picture of it.  NOPE!  

We are currently about halfway through the process.  It's definitely been interesting to watch.  Sometimes Chris will go outside and watch the guys work for hours.  He finds it so fascinating.  I've snapped a few pictures along the way.  

Here's a picture of the big hole that will transform into a water holding receptacle.  

This is the beginning of the plumbing process. 

This is what it currently looks like after being sprayed all day yesterday.  

I haven't really had much going on lately so there's not much randomness to talk about.  I went to my best friend's sons' birthday party two weeks ago.  That was fun.  I might have been slightly overdressed for a 9 year old's party though.  What do you think?  

I finally sat down and cleaned all my makeup brushes as well.  It takes forever and it's really tedious work.  I have a blog post all about how I clean my brushes that you can find here.  This is what the final result looks like.  

I've really been trying to get more into walking/ running around my neighborhood.  So far this week I've gone out and exercised on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Yesterday Chris and I were out in the desert so that he could go dirt biking.  I plan to head out today as soon as I'm done with this blog.  

So far this week I've done 6.33 miles.  

I use my Garmin Forerunner 620 to keep track of my progress.  

I like that I can see exactly the route that I've taken because it connects to a GPS satellite.  It also comes with a heart rate monitor.  My favorite thing about it though is its ability to set intervals.  I by no means can run continuously for a long period of time but I'm trying to build up my stamina.  I started off with having it set to run for 1 minute and then walk for 4 minutes.  Then as I get more comfortable with that I can change it to a 2/3 ratio then a 3/2 ratio and so on until I'm able to run continuously.  

I have a really great route through my neighborhood and it's 1 mile door to door. 

What have you guys been up to this last week?  Have a great weekend!  

   

Recipe Wednesday- Fudge!

I laughed really hard when I saw this on Pinterest.  I really love kitchen humor.  Today's blog post is going to be an easy one.  When I did my day of baking I made a Christmas time staple in most houses.  Fudge!  No nuts though.  Just plain old chocolate fudge.  I use the recipe that's on the back of the marshmallow fluff container.  

First things first, let's gather our ingredients.    

Next take some foil and line a glass baking dish.  The recipe called for a 9x9 but I decided to use a 11x7 instead.  I wanted my fudge to be a bit thinner and longer.  Make sure that the foil hangs over the sides so you can easily lift the entire brick out of the pan.  

In a 3 quart saucepan mix together your sugar, butter and evaporated milk.  Bring this mixture to a rolling boil and stir constantly for 4-5 minutes or until the temp reaches 234° on a candy thermometer.   

Then remove from heat and add in the marshmallow fluff until melted.  

Then slowly add in the chocolate chips stirring frequently until melted.  

Add your vanilla and stir until incorporated.  

Spread your fudge mixture into the pan and let sit until hardened.

Remove from the pan and cut into small pieces.  

Enjoy!

Fudge

Ingredients

3 cups sugar

3/4 cup butter

1- 5oz. can evaporated milk

12oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1- 7oz. jar of marshmallow creme (fluff)

1 tsp. vanilla

Preparation

1.  Line a 9 inch square pan with foil and make sure the foil extends over the sides.  Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to a full rolling boil in a 3 qt. saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly.  Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly or until a candy thermometer reaches 234°.  Remove from heat. 

2.  Add chocolate chips and marshmallow creme (fluff) and stir until melted.  Stir in the vanilla as well.  

3.  Pour into prepared pan and spread until even.  Cool completely.  Use the foil handle to lift out of pan and cut into small squares.  (Tip- I used a pizza cutter and it worked really well.)

  

I hope you guys are having a great week.  Comment down below and let me know what you baked over the holidays. 

Fun Friday- My 2015 To Do List

I am optimistic that this year will be the best ever for me.  I am closer to God than I have been in years past and I am praying more and more.  I believe that He will use me to do great things this year.  They may be difficult but I have to trust that everything he wants is for the greater good of myself.  

I don't really have a lot of confidence when it comes to my appearance.  I have been overweight my entire life and hearing negative comments about myself for years has really taken a toll on my self esteem.  I need to remind myself that even though I may have some changes to make when it comes to my appearance I have to love myself first or it's difficult for anyone else to.  I have gained some great friends over the last year and I have found that it is so much easier to say "thank you" when they compliment the way I look versus being negative and saying something like "uh no, I look like crap."  I need to be more positive. 

So, about 6 months ago I decided that I wanted to start sewing.  I was really excited and Chris bought me a really amazing sewing machine and all the accessories that I needed to accomplish my projects.   My first project was an apron and let me just tell you it's UGLY.  I messed up somewhere along the way and the pockets are stupid.  Immediately after finishing that project I got the materials needed to make a set of pajamas for my best friend's son.  I got everything ironed and cut out.  I am literally ready to start the sewing process but I have been putting it off because I don't want this project to turn into a disaster like the apron did.  I know that's not fair to the boy that I promised them to but I would hate to give him anything less than perfect.  Chris recently asked why I hadn't been working on them and I expressed my fears about falling short again.  He made a great point that no one does everything perfect the first or even second time.  It's about practicing and getting it done.  So I have vowed to make more time for sewing projects, my creative outlet.  

I have a hard time doing things that most would consider adventurous.  My mind immediately goes to all the things that could go wrong.  That's just my personality I guess.  I'm trying to be better about that.  Chris is a total adrenaline junkie and would love to try anything once.  I am definitely the voice of reason but often I just push all my fears about the situation onto him.  He is pretty fearless however and my concerns don't ever seem to faze him. 

Example:  

My reasoning- You could die.  

His reasoning- You could die drinking your coffee.  

Me- That's a bit dramatic. 

Him- So is pointing out the  0.001% of people who have died doing this. 

Me- Stop making sense.  I don't like it.  

I am going to try to be more adventurous this year.  I can't NOT live life to it's fullest because of my fears. 

I REALLY don't like vegetables.  I just didn't eat a lot of them growing up and I don't care for many of them.  I have made a point to try things a lot more though.  I have found that fresh, steamed vegetables taste a lot better than canned.  

I am going to try to be better about sending snail mail in the form of hand written thank you cards.  I feel giddy when I get a piece of mail that isn't a bill or another credit card offer so, I'm sure that other people feel the same way.  Now, where did I put the stamps?

I am a big believer in "you get what you pay for."  I have started buying more high end quality pieces that will last for a very long time versus items that are inexpensive, cheaply made, and will fall apart after a season.  

I want to try to go out of my way to say something nice to everyone I encounter in my daily life.  You never know what a person is really going through and my kinds words could help them smile.  

I have been to many beautiful places in past years but this year I would really like to focus on hitting places in the States that I haven't been to.  Chicago, Boston, New York City, Orlando, and a few others.  

We are often so busy with our own lives that we can be pretty rude to strangers around us.  How much time does it take to smile?  

I'm serving every week in my church's nursery but I want to find something that uses my skills.  Maybe I could cook some meals for some families that are less fortunate.

I'd like to take some classes to be able to cook some things that are more complex, like a souffle or risotto. 

  Sometimes, just being somewhere when someone needs you makes all the difference in the world.  

You can definitely learn from your own mistakes and triumphs but you can learn from others as well. Another person may have some great insight to a problem that you are having.

Simplicity is hard for me to wrap my head around.  Whenever I head to a friend's house for a party I normally take the time to make something from scratch to take with me.  I have a few different dip recipes that I like to make but I found when I brought a basic french onion dip (soup packet mixed with sour cream) more people raved about that than my super complex and time consuming spinach artichoke dip.  Maybe keeping it simple really is the best route to take. 

Alright, so what's on your 2015 To Do List? 

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day!