Favorite Things Friday: Allie

Today we are celebrating Allie's birthday, so it is only fitting that I share the things she is loving right now!

1. Biscotti Dress

Allie was sent this Biscotti dress for review and it came just in time for the Valentine's Day photo shoot I did with the kids.  When she opened this package she freaked out because she loved it so much- the heart print, soft fabric, and the cute cut-out detailing in the back.  She has worn it a lot and it looks great on her!

New Year, New You: My 5 Best Beauty Tips

If you read my last post on a New Year, New You, you know that I refuse to spend a ton of money on beauty products and am still totally happy with what I use.  Well, I also have to share some of my favorite tips and tricks that will help you use those products the best way I know how.

1. Mix your foundation to match your skin.  My skin is really fair, but I also get tan in the summer.  It is really constantly changing shades so foundation is really hard to match all the time.  What I love to do is use my skin-clearing neutrogena (in a light shade, which also has a lighter coverage) as my base, then add a medium shade of Maybeline's Dream Liquid Mousse (heavier coverage) to create the perfect color and coverage for my skin.

New Year, New You: Best Beauty Buys

Today I am starting on the mini series I talked about earlier this month- reinventing yourself with the new year.

I have been seeing blog post after blog post on beauty products and regimes used by so many bloggers, but I am continually shocked at how much these girls spend on their beauty products!  They are mostly from Nordstrom and Sephora and cost anywhere from $50-$80 each!  I could NEVER feel good about spending hundreds of dollars on my makeup every few months- even if it made me look like Jennifer Aniston...

So, for those of you that feel the same, here are my favorite beauty products that will give you the most bang for your buck and will still make you feel pretty :)

For my skin:

My dermatologist in high school recommended this face wash and I have used it ever since.  It is about $7 at any drugstore.

I have pretty sensitive skin and my skin likes it, so I stick with it.  I use it every morning, then I use this every night:

You will LOVE how your skin feels after you use this face scrub.  And, it is only about $5 at any drugstore.

Last year my skin decided it was 14 again and I started breaking out like crazy- for no reason at all (maybe because we moved and our water was different and maybe because I started playing on a volleyball team once a week...)  It was really weird, and I tried a few different things but nothing was helping.  I tried one last thing before I went to see the dermatologist and I am so glad I did!  This stuff is miraculous!

I started using it twice a day, but now I only use it once at night.  In just a few days my skin was clearing up and once it was completely healed in a week or two I had perfectly clear, smooth skin again!  It really was amazing!  It is only about $6 and you can get it at any drugstore.

2. For my makeup:

Ever since I started using this Neutrogena Skin-clearing foundation in college my skin has been SO much clearer.  Love it, and it is worth $12 a bottle to me (which really isn't a lot, just more than most drugstore foundations.)

I also use this foundation (Maybeline Dream Liquid Mousse) mixed with it to create more coverage and get the right shade for my skin (more on that in my next post)  This foundation is about $7 at any drugstore.

I haven't found a favorite bronzer, blush, or eyeliner yet...right now I am just using up the ones I have so I can try some others (they aren't bad at all, but I think I can do better)

For my eyeshadow, I used to not wear any, but 2 kids later I have noticed I need a little more makeup to hide the sleep-deprivation and also because I am pregnant and need a little more something to help me feel pretty :)  I would love to go spend $50 on a high-end eyeshadow palette, but I found that this Rimmel Glam Eyes really goes on like a lot of the more expensive brands:

They have other colors too, and I can't remember how much it cost because I bought it so long ago and it has lasted me years...I know it was under $5. 

I have just recently paid more attention to my eyebrows.  I have always used the blond from Mary Kay, but recently I put it on a little heavier...more on that the next post too.  I think each one is about $10-$15, but can't remember exactly how much because they last so long I haven't bought one in years.

I have talked about this mascara before on the blog, but I really can't tell you enough how much I love this stuff!  I have used a lot of different brands (even tried some of the really expensive stuff from Nordstrom and Sephora) and I ALWAYS like this kind WAY more than anything else. 

I use the waterproof because my eyes water in the cold/wind/randomly and I like both the original and the carbon black.  I use the original daily and the carbon black when I want a little bit more of a dramatic eye.  This mascara is only about $5-6 at any drugstore, and I often get coupons from Smith's and get it $2 cheaper.  $3 for mascara that wears like $50 mascara- yes please! 

I have had people ask me lots of times if I have eyelash extensions when I wear this and use Rapid Lash along with it.  Rapid Lash is basically less expensive eyelash growth serum that works amazingly!  It is only about $25 compared to $150 for the other stuff you can get.  I've talked about it before, and still love it.

The reason it is so much cheaper is partly because it is not FDA approved.  I don't use it while I am pregnant for this reason, but I have been using it a couple years and have had no negative side effects.  While I am pregnant, I use Vaseline on my lashes...

Most people have Vaseline but they don't realize how amazing it is and how much you can use it!  I use it on my eyes to remove makeup, as an eye cream, AND to help keep my eyelashes healthy, thicker and longer.  I also use it on my lips and I swear it works better than ANY chap-stick you can buy.  I also use it on dry, cracked skin (which seems to work even better than coconut oil.)  Plus, it is amazingly inexpensive.

For my hair:

I do have to say that there are a couple brands of shampoo/conditioner that are more expensive that I love.

First of all, Bath and Body Works Orange Ginger Energy Shampoo and Conditioner:

At $10 each this is more than I like to spend, but I do love the body it gives my thin, fine hair and splurge on it once in a while.

I also LOVE the Sleek by Matrix Shampoo and Conditioner, but at $20 a bottle I have only bought it a couple times.  It makes my hair incredibly silky and shiny.

For less-expensive versions of these that have similar results, I turn to my new favorite line of shampoos and conditioners:

The sleek is close to the Matrix brand, and the volumizing is close to what the Orange Ginger does to my hair.  I also really love the color protection, which smells amazing and they are all only $3 a bottle.

I also really like their dry shampoo, which I use to add extra body and on random days that I don't wash my hair.  Its only about $3 too- probably the least expensive dry shampoo out there.

Another line I have been using lately is Agadir.  I have noticed my hair seems healthier when I use their shampoo and conditioner, along with the oil.  I rub the deliciously-smelling oil on my hands then run through my hair, focusing on the ends.  I do this before I style with my flat iron and it seems to protect and give my hair a little more shine too.  If you would like to see my video on curling your hair with a straightener (I do this pretty much everyday and it only take me about 5-10 min) go here.

So that's a roundup of my favorite beauty products that mostly happen to be very inexpensive!  Beauty doesn't have to cost a fortune!

Make Some Makeup!

Lately, with my skin being so pasty white, I have felt like I needed to add a little color to my face.  I started reading Maskcara.com and I love her blog!  I have tried a ton of stuff and love everything I try.

Well, my most recent endevour came from wanting to save myself a little money.  I have been wanting to go buy both a highlighter and an eye primer (since I have been wearing more eyeshadow than usual) and lucky for me- Cara just BARELY posted how you can make your own!

So, I pulled out my shoebox full of extra and old makeup (is that weird?) And, I was so excited to find that I had everything I needed!  Here is all it takes:

First for the eye primer, here is Cara's recipe:

image from Maskcara.com

Life is Goooood

Well, thanks for being patient with my scheduled posts the last couple weeks.  I had a lot of fun with my family while they were here and was sad to see them go, but I will see them again soon.  Plus, now I have my little bro and sis just an hour away so I can see them more.  

I have been feeling so grateful lately...for a lot of things, but mostly for my family.  This pregnancy has been SO much different than with Allie, and not just the physical aspect but also the emotional side of things.  I have been nothing but excited for this little baby and SO much more relaxed about the whole experience now that I know what to expect.  I feel nothing but gratitude, even when I am feeling a little sick or tired.  Although, the whole weight gain thing is still probably the hardest part of it for me...how vain...

Anyways, I am planning on doing just a few posts here and there about baby and maternity stuff, but I won't bore you with it too much.  For now I just have to share some of the things I have been feeling grateful for because I just can't help myself:

A late Spring in Utah

Normally I would not be grateful for this, except when I am pregnant I am significantly hotter all the time.  Luckily we didn't go from 40 degree weather to the 90's like we sometimes get.  We had a few weeks of nice 70 degree temperatures :)

Pinterest

I have been so addicted to Pinterest lately...but there are so many inspiring photos!  Just try it out for yourself if you haven't already...you'll see what I mean.

via

Relaxing Sundays & Naps

Do I really have to expound on this?  This is definitely more appreciated by pregnant women :)

via Stephanie Rausser

Walks to see the horses

Allie lives for this, so it is fun to see her get so excited to do something so simple.  This is one of my favorite things about having kids - they make you remember how amazing and exciting the world is.

via

Most of all: My family.  
I don't know what I would do or who I would be without them.  I am also so grateful for such an amazing husband, sweet little girl, and this baby on the way.  Pretty sure I hit the jackpot.

What are you grateful for right now?

Frugal and Fabulous: Inexpensive Ways to Look Like a Million Bucks

This guest post was written by Gemma O., who has written at length about the importance of radiology technicians and regularly discusses the pros and cons of Christian counseling degree programs.

Inexpensive Ways to Look Like a Million Bucks

When you’re raising a family, your own wants and needs often take the back burner to those of your children or partner. Unfortunately, this often goes out the window along with your free time to shop, accessorize, and create outfits that make you feel great about yourself. But looking good helps you feel good, and feeling good makes you approach the world from a place of confidence and poise. Luckily, it’s not difficult to look like a million bucks, even when you’re shopping on a frugal budget. Below are some easy, helpful fashion tips to make you feel great about the way you dress.

• Accessorize! Nothing spices up an outfit more than gorgeous accessories. They need not be pricy to look fabulous – sometimes the best bangles, scarves, or headbands can be found in stores’ sales sections with clearance price tags on them for $1, $2, or $5. Start a collection of hats, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, scarves, watches, etc. to draw from when you get dressed every morning. Goodness knows we’re all in a hurry to throw on some clothes and make it out the door, but a couple of accessories thoughtfully added to an outfit will make you look more put together.

 via ActressSnaps.com

• Shop at discount stores. Places like Marshall’s and Ross are excellent places to find brand-name clothing are rock-bottom prices. You might have to do some digging to find pieces that look chic, but there are plenty of well-made, classy clothes for the finding. Many designers and major department stores send their leftover, unpurchased goods to stores like this, and there are unbelievable deals on designers like Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Tommy Hilfiger.
• Find a fabulous, good-for-everything purse. Women’s purses are a catch-all for everything – phone, wallet, the mail, makeup, paperwork, you name it. But finding one versatile purse that matches any of your outfits and that is the right size for your needs will make all the difference in your fashion style. Rather than spending a bunch of money on several purses and have to hassle with switching between them, buy one solid well-made purse that you will last you a long time, and that you’re confident will accessorize well with most of your wardrobe.

image via the cherry blossom girl

• Become a thifting fashionista. You can find amazing things at thrift stores! And thrifting is half the fun – sifting through racks, digging through bins, and trying on funky things lets you explore and push your fashion boundaries without breaking the bank. Look for statement pieces and accessories especially. The best part about thrift stores is that you’ll buy and wear things that no one else is wearing because they aren’t this season’s rage at all the stores. Thrifted clothes will set you apart, and won’t make a sizeable dent in your pocketbook.
• Wear shoes that make a statement. Even if the rest of your outfit is neutral, plain, and ordinary, wearing a pairing of fun shoes makes all the difference. Whether it’s the color, fabric, heel height, peep-toe, having fun shoes makes you feel fun! Check out stores like Payless, Target, Cathy Jean, DSW Shoes, JC Penney for great shoes at low prices.

via space for inspiration

• Layer your clothes for added dimension. Layering doesn’t even require that you buy anything new – it just requires that you play with fun combinations in your closet that you might not have worn before. Instead of walking out of the house in a tshirt and jeans, throw on a cute cardigan, bright necklace, funky bracelet, and pretty scarf. Put on a pair of leggings under your skirt, or a vest over a button-down. This will add depth and dimension to your outfit, and you will look “styled” without looking over-done.
• Shop the sales racks. Half-yearly sales, Black Friday shopping, and clearance sales are a great way to get high-end clothes at discounted prices. If name-brands are important to you as well as cheap price tags, then you should stick exclusively to sales racks. If you see something at full price that you absolutely love, odds are that in one to two months, you’ll see it on the sale rack. Be vigilant and check back in to see when the store is shifting between seasons to score great pieces that are a steal.

Soap a la Mode Review and Giveaway

Kate, owner of Soap a la Mode Etsy Shop, was kind enough to let me review some of her soaps and do a giveaway!  Here are the soaps she sent me:

Candy Cane is a really fun one to have for the holidays.  It would be a fun gift for Christmas and also helps wake you up in the morning.

I am a big fan of vanilla so this one was probably my favorite.  I also love the rich color.

Citrus also smelled so good and is another great one to use in the morning when you need to wake up.

The packaging was pretty too - great for gift giving.  Most everyone loves to be pampered, and luxurious soaps are a great and inexpensive way to do that.

Kate has offered one of my lucky readers a choice of three flavors!


To enter:

1. Go browse her collection, come back here and tell me what you love.

2. Add her Etsy shop to your favorites

3. Follow/Subscribe to my blog (1 each)

4. Share this giveaway on twitter/facebook/your blog (2 each)

Thanks Kate!!