January Faves...sneak peak into a big ass fail...and products I want to use up

Can I start with making a confession?  I love fitness.  Obviously I got certified last year but I've lost my momentum in getting going with what I really thought I wanted to with fitness.  I keep going back to writing.  I would just love to get paid to write.  Whether it be this book I want to write that I keep starting and restarting, or a successful blogger, or a magazine....writing just makes me happy.  That is the only confession you are getting out of me today.  Onto the superficial stuff.  Beauty.  My January favorites is limited because I've been focusing on products I already have and want to use!  In doing so, I have rediscovered a few things I forgot I had.

First, I have labeled Sunday mornings as "Sunday Scrub Day."  Meaning Sunday mornings I get up, wash my face and apply a facial mask.  I discovered my Bite Beauty lip mask tucked into the back of my toothpaste drawer and pulled it out.   I LOOOOOOVE this stuff.  It is a very gentle exfoliator for your lips and the best part....smells AMAZING.  It's like the best cherry scented bubble gum.  Not overpowering or artificial.  Just very natural and delicious.  Bite Beauty is know for their products being safe to ingest.  Now, I wouldn't recommend going ahead and planning on this for breakfast or anything.  But if you happen to lick a few pieces just know it is made from food grade ingredients and you won't be ingesting anything harmful.  I place a light layer on my lips, rub it in and rinse off.  I'm not even sure if you are supposed to rinse but I don't want those tiny little beads on my lips.  It leaves your lips super soft.  It isn't harsh.  And the smell alone makes me so happy.  I will use this every other day if not daily now that that I rediscovered it.  I'm telling you, I am becoming more picky about what products I feel are worth the extra dollars and this lip scrub....totally worth it.  Just go into Sephora and ask for a sample.  They will be willing give you one and you will be hooked.  If you aren't....well I'm going to be worried there is just something wrong with you.  It is just that good. 

My next product I've been using all month is this Make Up For Ever 15 Artist Pan Palette.  I've pulled this out every day to use. 

The colors are all great but I've been using the color in the top left corner as a crease shade. 

This picture totally doesn't do it justice.  I guess if I really want to take blogging seriously maybe I need to invest in a better camera.  It is a beautiful, shimmering taupe shade.  I love anything shimmery. 

Another January favorite....easy....the weather.  I mean, come on.  It has been amazing.  This combined with my new favorite daily activity....walking the little one, has quickly become a habit and one of the best parts of my day.  We both always look forward to our 2.3 mile walk.  I have measured it.  She has gotten a lot better at walking and not pulling and it's always funny to see how she reacts to other dogs reacting to her.  Sometimes it is a "Pshhh I'm out here and you are stuck behind that fence suckas" and sometimes it's "Holy crap I'm out here and all that seperates us is that little fence and you may come out here and eat me and now I must run for my life and practically give mom whiplash."  It's always an adventure.  But seeing her so happy makes me happy.  I miss the big guy but we are doing alright. 

The picture doesn't do it justice but the sunset last night was stunning.  Working on life's simple pleasures....another favorite. 

Last night I spotted Jazzie laying on Mag's old pillow.  She has never done this before.  It kind of melted my heart.  So glad I kept his pillow and she has something to feel close to him. 

I've been slowly doing some new updates to the house as you've seen in recent posts.  I just purchased this new shower curtain for my bathroom.  I wasn't sure how I would feel about it but I'm loving it!  Really gives a different feel to the bathroom. 

I thought I'd give a sneak peek into the products I'm trying to use up this year.  This is my official list I wrote down.  I've used up a few things not on it already.  It's a hefty goal but I think I can make most of  if happen! 

Going through some items on the list....pictures above.  Notice a lot of the items I have already hit pan on and it shouldn't be too hard to finish these up.  It's not like I'm starting from brand new with these.   Pictured above are:  Color Pop shadows in I Heart This, Eye Candy, and Swan.  Color Pop blushes in Pre-Nup and Birthday Suit.  Nars Blush in Deep Throat, Smashbox Primer Water, Maybelline Fit Me concealer, Benefit Porefessional sample size, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Stila Stay All Day Line, Make up Forever Artist Liner, 2 Revlon Color Stay Foundations, Aveda Smoothing Serum (only a couple uses left in this), Pantene Detangler Spray (love how this smells),  Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, Rimmell Stay Matte Powder, Nars Audacious Mascara Sample, Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascare Sample.  Many of these items are well on their way to finished. 

This next section is possibly a hefty goal mostly because the amount of mascara.  The Buxom Lash Domination is awesome.  I forgot how awesome and I pulled this back out again.  Other mascaras include the Benefit Roller Lash, Mally mascara, Too Faced Better than Sex, Smashbox Full Exposure, Guerlain mascara, Bobbie Brown mascara sample, Loreal Hypnose Drama mascara sample.  Buxom Show Some Skin Foundation and Hourglass Foundation, Smashbox concealer, and Tarte Finishing powerder sample.

Some body care items include Bobbi Brown eye cream, Murad Dark Spot Brightener, Josie Maran Argan Oil, Peter Thomas Roth Lip Wrinkle Treatment, Neutrogena Toner, Neutrogena In Shower Body Lotion, and Ralph Lauren #2 Perfume (have a back up of this). 

Also want to use up my Beauty Blender Cleanser, my Tea Tree Face Wash (have another back up), my Mango Temptation Body Mist, and possibly use the two foundations the kid gave me....Urban Decay Naked Skin and Bare Minerals but not sure how I like these yet. 

Lip Products....these can be challenging.  It may be a hefty goal.  I know I will use the Nivea Lip Butter and the Vaseline Lip Gloss.  Other items I included are the Nyx Nude Lipstick, Kat Von D Lipstick, Ardency Inn Lip Pencil in Delancy (there is A LOT of product in this), random First Aid Ultra Repair Cream thrown in here, Sephora Lip Gloss, Loreal Balm, and Bare Minerals Peach Passion.  If I focus on using these consistently I may be able to do at least the majority of them!  

If I can use up these items I will make a good dent in using up some products.  I will still have PLENTY more to use up though.  Next up I may post a products I regret buying.  Oh and I have one big FAIL for January.  Centurylink.  FAIL.  FAIL.  FAIL.  That is a post all in its own.  More to come on that once I find out just how much more they will try to pull over on me. 

Keepin it real-The A word

Not the A word you are thinking!  Not here to talk about my ex.  (Insert hilarious laughter here). Too easy. 

So the other day a friend and I were chatting and I joked about Xanax.  That got their attention.  Long story short....turns out this friend suffers from some anxiety but keeps quiet about it and was happy to have someone to chat with who also has anxiety issues.  This person made the comment that it made it easier for this person knowing this person wasn't alone.  (Don't want to use he or she because they are under anonymity) 

I've always wondered what goes on behind closed doors.  Behind the picture perfect lives we see posted on Facebook.  Most of us, although there are some....we all know some, tend not to post the tough stuff.  So I wanted to write this because I am not afraid to say I suffer from some anxiety issues.  I am working on them. But when I look back at my life I think about how long I faked being happy in my marriage just so I wouldn't be embarrassed about how bad it was.  I didn't want people to know and think I was stupid or a failure.  How many people do that and suffer in silence when chances are there are friends who may be going through similar challenges as well and would love someone to talk to who can relate?  I am not saying go post on Facebook all your problems, that would be weird and annoying.  I am just saying a lesson I have learned is don't be ashamed to be who you are...every bit of you.  I am me.  I have some issues with anxiety.  The lists of my positive traits would take a lot longer to type up.  I'm not ashamed of my anxiety and to be honest, at this time in my life it is a big part of who I am.  It impacts some of my decisions.  (Especially like when I won't go to the mall, gotta avoid crowds) It physically impacts me (my chest pain gets really bad), And a lot of times it just sucks.  But I am not alone in it.  And if you have something you struggle with....chances are you aren't alone either.  

It took me a long time to realize I even had an issue with anxiety and what I dealt with wasn't exactly normal. What is normal now anyways?  If someone claims to have it all, everything is perfect, no issues, they wouldn't change a thing....I am going to thing they are weird!  We all have a thing. 

Embrace who you are...every bit, even the Xanax swallowing bit.  (Full disclaimer Xanax is addictive and I work closely with my doc on not going all Michael Jackson on this stuff.  Too soon?  Sorry.). 

I am me and I have anxiety.  But I still love who I am.  

And that friends is your motivational/sappy/TMI post of the month.  Now, off to take a Xanax before I overthink what you all will think about this.  

Why I failed day 1 of the spending freeze...

Pizza Hut and a large Sprite from McDonalds.  That's what I purchased yesterday.  It was well worth it. Here's why...

Yesterday, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try a new class called RPM which is basically a spinning class.  Let's discuss.  

-I show up early to a new facility I haven't been to yet to make sure I figure out where to go and get a bike in the back.  Later I would discover there were 3 of us in the class...so a bike in the back was no problem.  

-The front desk lady points me to the spinning room and also points out the locker rooms.  I find a bike and claim it as mine.

-I proceed to head into the locker room.  The Men's locker room. 

-I catch myself last minute and ask the front desk lady where the ladies locker room is because the only one I can seem to find is the men's.  

-Wait awkwardly in the ladies locker room since I am unfamiliar with this gym at this point.  

-Head to class ten minutes early.  Tell the teacher I am new.  She helps me set up my bike and explains how it all works.  Awesome, ready to go. 

-Notice the girl in front of me has spinning shoes and think how glad I am that she is in front of me and not behind me since this will probably look less than graceful.  

-Class starts "Not so bad."

-Teacher tells us to up the resistance and I think "I think I got a bad bike...doesn't feel like much changed." 

-Ten minutes later after correcting user error I realize my bike works friggin fine.  "What the hell was I thinking." 

-My butt hurts but that is the least of my problems. 

-Track 5 is hill intervals.  Teacher informs us to sit down, stand up, sit, stand, sit, stand.  It was like a Catholic wedding. I was excited to sit until I realized how much harder to was becoming to stand back up. 

-Breathing like a woman in a childbirth class.

-Survived track 5.  Don't mind sprinting during track 6 after that. But glad my feet are strapped in.

-Teacher gives me some pointers on form.  There seems to be a lot to remember.  Feet point down during sprints.  Eyes on the road.  And apparently you are supposed to relax your shoulders and not grip the bar for dear life.  

-I am doing a good job taking big breaths though!  Breathing through the pain.  Like childbirth. 

-Teacher informs us track 7 is a steady hill climb with 7 resistance increases. "Huh? You want me to increase this thing SEVEN times."  Real glad she can't see just how much, or not so much, my resistance is changing. 

-Finally done and cooling down.  That was intense. 

-Walk out of class looking for a mirror because my legs must look like magical displays of quad and hamstring beauty after that.  

-Am exhausted but can see how that workout is addicting. It was 45 minutes well spent and cycling intervals is said to help improve running. 

-Head home and head straight to my bed to collapse onto it.  Kid asks "We still going to tackle decluttering my bathroom?"  "We are not TACKLING anything."

-Proceed to attempt to not vomit for the next six hours.  

So....lesson learned...when I hit up an intense spinning class...I will not want to eat the grilled chicken I already have made up.  Actually, it made me want to throw up just thinking about it.  Since oatmeal and eggs also sounded less than appetizing...I broke down and said Pizza Hut it is.  Sunday success number 1..surviving my first spinning class.  I may have eaten the calories I burned in pizza but success number two...not throwing up. Given those two wins, I felt like the trade off of spending a little cash on pizza was alright.  And I woke up today feeling sore but accomplished.  Ready to try it again.  Just not for a few days. 

Some new home decor and a spending freeze

The other night I got the urge to go to Michaels.  I love Valentines Day decorations and wanted to see what they had.  Well, I found much more than that there.  I am into the rustic, farmhouse style right now and Michaels had all sorts of cool stuff.  So thought I would share some of the new stuff I found.

First, I found this cool jar and decided to use it to store soap in the bathroom.  A simple thing that adds a nice touch.  

I took several of these old Bath and Body Works candle jars and painted them with some chalk paint that you can find at Michaels. 

The finished product holds some markers and paint brushes.  

Another Michaels find. 

Along with Michaels I hit up Target.  Target has upped their game in the Dollar Spot.  I had found this bowl there previously but picked up these twine rolls for a dollar each to throw in the bowl. 

I picked up a Mason jar for .99 cents and filled it with sweethearts for a cute kitchen decoration that also tastes good! 

I spotted this cute item and Michaels had only one left.  The kid saw it and loved it for her soon to be apartment.  So she bought it and until she moves she is letting me admire it in my kitchen.  

I had a few extra flowers to throw in it.  

On the left side is a smaller version of the jar I used for soap in the bathroom.  Not sure what I will do with this one yet. 

On the right is this milk bottle from Michaels.  I have had this for a long time and filled it with paper straws from the Dollar Spot. 

This was my current pantry artwork...

which I moved to the back door area to replace this small frame...

And hung up this new mirror from Michaels by the pantry instead.  Love the look of it! We won't discuss my skill with hanging things.  

These chalkboard embellishments were on clearance at Michaels for $1.99.

I used them to add labels to my white baskets.  

I found this wooden sign at Michaels as well as the heart for 40% off.  I knew I needed them.  I love how they look with the new flooring.  

Close up of the chalkboard label.

I had this jar and decided to display some decorative knobs I had purchased for a project.  

Found this container at the Dollar Spot and am using this one to store washi tape. 

So...I got great deals on everything I bought!  However, I am putting myself on a spending freeze!  In an effort to truly use what I have, including groceries, I am planning a spending freeze for 2 weeks.  I think the longest I have gone is three days so this will be a challenge for sure.  But I like a challenge!  There are a few things that will be allowed to purchase: gasoline, toilet paper, and medications.  Those are necessities.  Anything else that constitutes an emergency would count as well, knock on wood.  If I have a gift card for something I am considering that ok too.  I want to eliminate extra trips to the store, going out to eat, and unnecessary expenses for two weeks.  We will see how it goes!  

Super Gains Pack 3

Received my third Super Gains pack.  This one improved!  I had been tossing around cancelling and then received an email that they are changing things up a bit.  After next month the are going to one box instead of three, the price increases slightly, and they are adding an apparel item.  The email said if you don't opt in to the new box your subscription auto cancels.  So after my next box I am going to let this auto cancel.  It's been fun but I am in frugal mode and it's a nice to have, not a must have.

That being said I opened this box and immediately saw repeat samples.  But as I dug in I was more excited.  

First one of the larger serving size samples is BCAAs which I mentioned last month I wished they would do.  So yay for that! Orange Mango BCAA from Labrada...will definitely use this. 

PE SCience High Volume in Paradise Cooler...heard good things about this so was excited to see this as well.

BPI Preworkout in Snow Cone.  The flavor alone was exciting. 

Another Super Carb Recovery, this time in Pineapple. Sounds yummy and I can use this. 

BPI Sports Whey Protein in....drumroll....Banana Cream Pie.  Mmmhmmm. 

A BIA Peanut Butter and Honey protein bar.  Never heard of this brand but I ate it already (was on my way to the gym) and it was yummy!  The dog got a bite and she was a big fan too. Not sure where to buy these but I would eat another one. Oh the kid got a bite too.  Which then went to the dog.  The kid was not a fan.  Then again the kid is not a fan of much of anything workout related and she will fully admit it. 

Whey Clean protein bottle cleanser.  Got this last month too and forgot to mention it. Haven't tried it since I throw mine in the dishwasher.  

Justin's Honey Peanut Butter.  The kid spied this and said she loves this stuff so I may be nice and pass it on to her. But I want a little taste. 

360 Dreams- looks to be a sleep aid

Cellucor Super HD-tablet for appetite control

Man ISO Amino BCAAs.  The flavor seriously appears to say "Dorks". What? "Dorks natural and Artificial Flavor."  I need to try this just to see what the heck this flavor is.  

Dozer Preworkout in Fruit Punch

Betan Court Nutrition Pump'd nitric oxide...8 servings...won't use it. 

And the repeat samples...six of them.  One manly one and the rest geared towards females. 

Manly one...Grenade Thermo Declare War on Fat.  Nope

Fit Miss Vanilla Chai protein. For the third time.  Glad I at least like it.  

Fit Miss Ignite Strawberry Margarita...this one was nasty.  Not doing it again. 

Uplift for her Preworkout in Guava Passion...haven't tried the other yet.

Uplift for her Aminos in Watermelon.  Again.  Don't love watermelon. 

1Up Preworkout in Fruit Punch. Haven't tried the other 2 yet.  

Overall better...less manly stuff in general.  They say the new boxes will be male or female boxes.  I will let February be my last box though.  I bet ya I get some Vanilla Chai protein again!  

I had been out of my routine for a while but back at it this week. My body is feeling it!  I am aching!  Feels good to be back at it though!  

 

Trashy Talk episode 2

As I mentioned in my 2016 goals post....I am on a mission this year to use what I have, reduce clutter, and save money.  Now I will admit last year I earned VIB Rouge status at Sephora which means....drum roll....I spent a grand there.  CRINGE, GASP, SIGH.  I know.  So...this year, when I show you my trash I thought it would be fun to put a monetary value to the products I have used up.  My goal being of course to use up at least a grand or more in product value so I know I am using what I am buying.  Last year I did a trade off though.  I barely stepped foot in Kohls or Ulta and this year I plan to cut back even less.  So...my first trash dump of 2016....don't worry...took out the banana peels.  Oh and proud mother moment....I have the kid on a massive declutter spree.  We spent the past two weekends tackling her room and closet.  Today it is her bathroom.  For the first time in a long time I don't mind hanging out in her room cause I can see the floor!  Dare I say she is preparing to leave the nest and I may have just taught her more than she wants to let on.  Lord knows she is so much better with her money than I ever was that young.  That alone makes me confident she will do well out there in her new apartment in August.  

So my overflowing trash collection....

Starting with candles.  First, I am not allowing myself any new candles until all I have are used.  I went through the 2 Vanilla Snowflake (Just my absolute fave), a Cinnamon and Clove, and a Marshmallow Fireside.  I never was a big fan of this scent but my mom bought it for me and I gave it a shot and it was more marshmallow than fire so that was better.  On average I pay about $8 per candle on sale.  So I am calculating these at $32.

Supplements....my Target brand vitamin...can't remember exactly but I believe it runs around $6 and last 200 days.  Great deal.  Of course my trusty Spark from Advocare.  Also from Advocare is Clear Mood.  I like this product a lot too.  With my discount Spark is 41.56 and clear mood is 22.36.

Hair care I used a Dove conditioner and shampoo....love these!  I believe they run about $3 each.  My loved Suave dry shampoo is $3 as well.  

Home care I used up some Glade carpet refresher.  I have had this forever!  Good stuff to make the house smell nice after vacuuming.  Probably no more than $2.  Have another back up.  With pets you gotta keep it fresh. 

And now my fave....the beauty!  Some of these were samples so I am going to take the price of the full size and figure out the price per ounce to calculate value.  Starting left to right: 

-Glam glow mud to foam thirsty cleanse.  Looooove the smell of this!  Coconutty like you are on the beach smell.  Adored it.  Won't pay full price though.  Full price is $39.  Sample value $3.90.

-Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum.  Jury is still out.  On my second sample now.  Still haven't seen much improvement.  Sample value $15....daaaang that's a good sample price. 

-Dr. Brandt Needles No More another pricey sample at around $15.  Full size is $89.  Thought I loved this stuff but now just so so.  

-Philosophy Miracle Worker Overnight lotion. Didn't love this.  Sample value $15.  Man these samples are high value I am seeing! 

-Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta peel extra Strenth Formula comes with 3 peels.  Loved this!  Made my skin feel awesome!  Received as a gift.  $16.  Would totally get again.  

-Sephora total age defy cream for eyes and lips. $26 full size. Purchased myself during sale so saved about five bucks.  Loved this for lip area.  I am totally paranoid about lip wrinkles even though I have never smoked.  But drinking thru straws is bad too.  Will definitely get this again.  Loved it.  Totally cheap for skin care too.  

--Strivectin TL Tightening Neck Cream.  Another area I am self conscious of.  This didn't do it for me and did the thing where it balls up.  Sample value $15.  Wouldn't purchase.

-Clarins Shaping Facial Lift.  Says on the back it is great for Asian people....so....I just threw it on my neck, lol.  Sample value about $4.  

Chapstick...what $2 maybe?  Hated it compared to my other loves but finished it. 

And finally in the middle BareMinerals BareSkin Perfecting Veil.  Think I paid $10 for this travel size.  Lasted a good 6 to 8 months.  Not bad!  

Body care....3 of my beloved Mango Temptations.  I usually get them when they are 7 for $35 so I will call that a value of $15.  The Pure Silk shaving cream and Coconut Body Butter were from my Wal-Mart Beauty Box so I will say $4 for those together since not much else was worth much in that box.  

Grand total.....$253.82 so far!  Not a bad start.  I am totally counting samples by the way because a. They come along in my orders and are kind of high value and b. They reduce clutter.  I am not counting the annoying foil packets because they are a pain to keep.  I did go through several of those this month though.  

Yay for using things up and decluttering!  

Best of Beauty 2015!

Finally getting to post my Best of Beauty 2015!  I loooove beauty products.  

But first...this morning I tried a new sample product.  Samples are great.  I get to try a product without buying a full size.  I opened this one up and was thinking "What is this going to do...it is white!" 

But claims to be picture perfect so I went for it.  I guess the CC means color correcting and self adjusts to just the right match for you.  I LOVED it!   Now on my wish list.  

Bad lighting but the overall look. 

Playing with new make-up makes me happy. 

So I proceeded to dig out my top products for the year....

First...face wash.  The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Face Wash.  This is my back up bottle I got on sale.  My bottle in my shower still is over a quarter full and is lasted over a year!  For about ten dollars it is so worth it.  

My top eye make-up remover is the Almay oil free eye make-up remover.  I can't stand oily remover.  Top moisturizer is the Garnier Gel moisturizer.  I decided to put a high end and low end in each category but I won't even consider a higher end version of these.  

Eye cream....Bobbi Brown.  It is high end but I love it.  Cheaper version is the Sephora eye and lip cream ( not pictured).  I will repurchase the Sephora one for my lips. 

Best lip balm ever....Nivea lip butter.  Four dollars.  Nothing high end compares.  Save your money and try it.  I love the Fresh Sugar lip balm but won't buy again after discovering the Nivea for sooooo much cheaper. 

Face primers this year....I loved the Smashbox primer water.  Some people didn't but I loved how it made my face feel.  It is higher end.  Also just tried a sample of the Make Up Forever Step 1 primer and loved it too.  I honestly have not found a drugstore face primer I like.

Eye primer top pick is the Too Faced Shadow Insurance.  Recently I have given the Nars eyeshadow base a try as people have raved about it.  I am not impressed. Drugstore product worth a mention is the Maybelline Color Tattoos

.                                                   
Two of my all time Fave eye shadows this year....high end is the Nars Dual Intensity Shadow in Calisto, swatched in the middle.  Drugstore is Colour Pop I Heart This, swatched on the left.  I love layering them...layered swatch on far right.  

Concealers....cannot beat the Maybelline Fit Me concealer.  If I had to buy high end it would be the Smashbox photo finish concealer.  Once I use this up though I will only buy the Maybelline.  

Eyeliners.  While I love a pop of color I stuck to black for my choices.  My must have, everyday liquid liner is the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner.  Will always repurchase!  High end lower lash choice is the Make Up Forever Artist liner.  Drugstore lower lash choice is Rimmel Exaggerate liner. 

This year I learned how doing brows can really change up my look.  Especially since mine are pretty blonde.  The Universal brow pencil from It cosmetics is all I tried and I love it. Easy to use and lasts forever.  

Mascara...drugstore is the Loreal Butterfly mascara....LOVE!  High end I have a lot of good ones but the Diorshow was a big fave.  Currently loving layering Make Up Forever Smoky Lash with Nars Audascious. 

Foundations.  High end is my Hourglass Immaculate Foundation...adore it.  Drugstore you can't go wrong with Revlon Colorstay.  

Blush.  Oh blush...be still my heart.  It is my weakness.  Picking favorites is like picking your favorite child.  Well I only have one child so that's a bad example.  Regardless I narrowed it down. 

Becca blush in Gypsy is a beautiful baby pink.  Nars Sin....all time face fall purple.  Urban Decay blush in Rapture, another great fall look.  And Drugstore....Colourpop.  You cannot go wrong.  Birthday Suit and Prenup are simply my fave colors. 

From left to right: Gypsy, Sin, Rapture, Birthday Suit, Prenup.  If you take anything from this post it should be this.  Go. Buy. Colourpop products.  Now.  

Powders I don't even need a high end choice.  Rimmel Stay Matte powder is Amazeballs.  AND it is TWO BUCKS.  Buy it. 

High end beauty sponge...the Beauty Blender.  Love it.  Drugstore has Real Techniques but after trying both I can only support the Beauty Blender.  

Lippies.  Best drugstore hands down for me is NYX.  Less than five bucks each and they are wonderful.  Here I have from left to right...Pure Nude, High Voltage in French Kiss, High Voltage in Tangerine and High Voltage in Mirage.  All super creamy.  Downside of the high voltage lippies...the lids fall off easily so I don't recommend tossing them in your purse or you risk product all over your bag. 

Left to right:  Pure nude, French Kiss, Tangerine, Mirage.  You can see how creamy they are. 

Middle of the road:  MAC Creme Cup, Sephora gloss in Natural Look and Baby Doll. LOVE these glosses.

Left to right: Creme Cup, Natural Look, Babydoll

High end picks (over 20 bucks):  Marc Jacobs Moody Margot, Strange Magic, Kat Von D Agatha, Ardency Inn Delancy, Bare Minerals Peach Passion, Too Faced Melted Sugar

Left to right:  Marc Jacobs Moody Margot, Marc Jacobs Strange Magic, Kat Von D Agatha, Ardency Inn Delancy, Bare Minerals Peach Passion (very hydrating!), Too Faced Melted Sugar.  

Favorite perfume...Ralph Lauren Big Pony #2.  My sweet mom gave me a personalized bottle for Christmas! 

Best lotion...no question...Mango Temptation by Victoria's Secret.

So there are my picks!  I may do a products I regret buying post next.  Also want to show the products I want to use up this year.  May show my make-up collection if you promise not to call me a hoarder.  Have more trash to show and a keepin it real post up soon!