JenyPenny

September Beauty Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 12:00:00 +0000

1. Tarte | maracuja lip exfoliant- This is perfect lip exfoliant for the fall. It mositurizes dry lips while preparing them for the trending dark lip colors. I usually apply this after I moisturize my face and leave it while I do my make-up. Your lips will feel so smooth after and the minty taste is a bonus!

2. Rimmel Stay Matte | Translucent- I haven't found a product yet that beats this! I use it to set under eye concealer and all over my face to matte the skin. It last for about 5/6 hours before you need to re-apply. For the money you will not find a harder working face powder.

3. Olay 4-in-1 Daily Face Cloths | Sensitive- These are perfect to use at the end of the day. Everything you need in one cloth and at the end of the day when your tired, one step cleansing is very welcome. Once the cloth is wet, massage over the whole face then ring out and use to remove the cleanser from skin. So simple and it feels great.

4. Maybelline Babylips | Berry Bomb- I held off on the baby lips trend for a long time, but why? These little lip balms are super moisturizing and can be worn alone or on top of your favorite lip stain. I've been using mine with the Cailyn lip balm I got in my IPSY bag this month.

5. Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten | Berry- This blush will last me a lifetime. You only need the tinist amount on your brush for a full flushed cheek. I've been applying this behind the apples of my cheeks and it gives a nice natural blush to the cheeks. Single handily this blush made me want to explore the rest of the Laura Geller line.

6. Blow Pro | After Blow- This hairspray holds without the sticky crunchy residue most other have. The additional benefit is the shine it leaves you with. I used this earlier in the summer at a wedding I attended and my hair looked just as good at 1AM as it did at 5PM!

7. Maybelline Great Lash | Vision in Violet- This isn't the worlds best mascara (even though its sold every 1.7 seconds in the US- seriously!) but these limited color mascaras are fun to play with especially when worn over your favorite mascara. I like the Purple for my green eyes, but it would look awesome on brown too.

What are some of your beauty favorites this month? Does Fall make your skin change? My skin has been really dry and especially around my nose. ARGH.

//disclaimer- I purchased these products with my own money and these brands don't have a clue who I am.

Subscription box review- Birchbox vs IPSY

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I know these reviews are OVER done, but I still enjoy reading (and watching) them. I've said in the past that Birchbox reignited my love for make-up. Finding the make-up/beauty blogger community has sort of been like coming home! There are other make-up nuts out there also?! Its been so fun to experiment and see whats new.

This month marks my twenty-second Birchbox. I feel like I've been with them long enough to understand the concept, I've faithfully done reviews, and fine tuned my profile- but my boxes have gotten worse and worse. I'm just not seeing the value in the boxes and I haven't found a single holy grail item in about nine months. This was the heritage box celebrating Birchbox three years in business. Really? This was the best they could do?! Major disappointment.

Beauty Protector Shampoo & Conditioner- Smells nice and works just like a drugstore shampoo.

Ruffian Nail Polish | Fox Hunt- I didn't try this because I didn't care for the metallic rust color- It seemed very 90s to me.

Juice Beauty | Green Apple Peel- I got this in a Haute Beauty Bag and it is a great product. Very good for sensitive skin. If you are careful you will have enough for two applications.

Soak Laundry Detergent for Delicates- This tiny small foil packet is meant to be used in a sink. This product does not need to be rinsed after washing. I didn't try this.

Birchbox is $10 a month (shipped) and gets you a delivery of high-end beauty, grooming and lifestyle samples customized for you. I haven't received a make-up sample in four months, but they do have them. If you prefer make-up over skin care and shampoo/ conditioner I wouldn't recommend Birchbox.

This is my fourth IPSY bag and they just keep getting better and better! I think this is a better fit for me because I love to try new makeup brands and skin care. IPSY never disappoints with make-up and every month when my IPSY bag arrives, I get that excited feeling inside! This month I was over the moon to see the paper masks in my bag- I've been wanting to try paper mask for quite awhile!

Starlooks Kohl eye pencil | Obsidian- Very creamy with moderate staying power. I didn't notice any pulling or skipping when I applied it.

NYX Eye Shadow | Rock- I love NYX eye shadows. They are very affordable and have good pigment. You do need to use a base and anticipate a little fallout. I actually think the best way to apply NYX shadows is with your index finger.

Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm | Big Apple- This tinted lip balm comes with a built in brush and applies like a dream. This is part stain | part lip balm very long lasting and works great as a base. I can't wait to try other colors.

Elizabeth Mott | It's so Big Volumizing Mascara- This is my new holy grail mascara. The mascara is light enough to hold a curl, but gives you major volume. The thing I like best is how soft it leaves my lashes even after multiple coats. Love it!!

Freeman Beauty | Facial Paper Mask- I tried the blue agave hydrating mask and was so pleased with the way it left my skin. I will be purchasing it again as it is a great way to hydrate the skin between facials.

Subscribe to the IPSY Glam Bag and you get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. You build a profile with them to ensure you get products suited to you. I've enjoyed every bag I've gotten so far and can't wait to see what October brings. * The link above is an affiliate link, but it should help you pass the wait list!

Which do you prefer? I didn't think I would ever stopped being a Birchbox fan, but my boxes are such disappointments I rarely even open them. I have two more months on my subscription so hopefully Birchbox turns it around- if not I will be an IPSY girl!

Fall Fashion for curvy girls

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 13:36:00 +0000

On my curvy girl Pinterest board I try to find fashion pieces that are affordable, fashionable and fit the more curvy girl. Like most women I am never happy with my weight and work continuously to find the right balance of healthy eating/exercise, but I find that I am most motivated to continue my journey when I feel good about myself. The majority plus size clothing is horrible, tent like with lots of sparkles when what a curvy girl really needs is structured pieces that flatter the shape instead of hiding it. I learned of eShakti sometime last year and I am always excited when they release a new line for the season because there clothes are 100% customizable. This isn't a paid review I just like their clothes and the choices they offer! If you are a new customer the first customization is free & you can save $30 off your first order. The fabric quality is unmatched and the workmanship on the clothing is fantastic.

*Tip* If you are going to customize your clothing you should try to have someone else measure you (a tailor will do it for free) this will assure you get the best fit possible!

Find at www.eShakti.com // Georgette dress / Dress / Top / Jersey tunic

Shoes for that little black dress with Dr. Scholl's® For Her High Heel

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I'm attending a good friends wedding in August and to say I'm excited is an under statement. I haven't really had a chance to see my best long distance friends since Elly was born. I also haven't had many reasons to get dressed up so my fancy clothes are in short supply. In looking through my closest I found a "little black dress" (similar) that fits well and can be dressed up and down with the right accessories. Shopping from your closet means splurging on shoes right? I love the booties trend right now, but not sure I am confident enough to pull it off. I have a gift card to anthropologie from last Christmas ( I know, right?!) and I am thinking about investing in a pair, but I'm just not sure. Anyway, I'm really like the nude heel trend lately and I think that will probably be the winner. I truly love the Kate Spade wedges below, but my budget not so much.

//Jessica Simpson leather ankle boots / Report wedge heels / Chinese Laundry high heels / Kate Spade studded wedge heels / Jessica Simpson tall high heels

It's been a LONG while since I've worn heels for any amount of time and I favor wedges because heel wise they are the most comfortable, but even with the wedge by the end of the day/night the balls of my feet are throbbing. In my most recent Influenster VoxBox I got Dr. Scholl's High Heel insoles. I was interested because the gel heel works to take pressure off the balls of your foot. I slipped them into my highest non-wedge heels and was pleasantly surprised. Will they let you run around on heels pain free? Doubtful, but I did notice they they helped my foot from sliding into the toe bed and that made the heels more comfortable. They are also discreet enough to wear in strappy heels. I will give them a proper test at the wedding, but I think any bit of extra comfort is worth it. All Dr. Scholl's products have a money back guarantee! Go here to get info and a coupon (not an affiliate link.)

What are your thoughts on booties? Yay or Nay?

//disclaimer- I received the Dr. Scholl's complimentary from Influenster for review purposes, but the opinions are my own

Currents 7.23.13

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 12:24:00 +0000

Loving// moorea seals new shop and mintbarry.co
Loathing// the constant rain we've been having here in Charleston, SC.
Reading// lots and lots of design magazines for textile inspiration.
Watching// gossip girl (currently in season 3- major crush on Chuck Bass!)
Listening// Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Great Gatsby Soundtrack, Tori Amos
Eating// Blueberry oatmeal.
Drinking// Grande Americano from Starbucks
Making// Lots and lots of new bracelets and some pillows for the store.
Needing// A real vacation and one morning to sleep in.
Wanting// To clean out the garage so I can park my car in there again!
Wishing// I had about three hours extra in each day and that 27 of them I wasn't thinking about my weight.
Thinking// About Elly's surgery a week from today. She is getting tubes in both ears. My sweet bug!

Current list inspired by the perks blog & amy tangerine.

>> PS. Don't forget to follow me on bloglovin | instagram | pinterest | twitter

Make-up Product Budget Makers - Budget Breakers No.4

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I have always been a fan of MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation. It gives nice even coverage that stays matte, but doesn't make your face look cakey thanks to the velvet texture. Its long wearing, doesn't oxidize on me and still lets some of my natural skin shine through. I've gone through more compacts than I can count (thanks for all the "free" lipsticks MAC) but, at $27.00 I started thinking there has to be an alternative.

I am a newish convert to NYX. I've gotten a few products in various beauty boxes/bags and the quality has impressed me. ULTA always seems to have NYX products BOGO 50% so I've be able to try/experiment with the brand and find what works and doesn't. While looking for a setting powder from the brand I stumbled upon NYX stay matte but not flat powder foundation and swatched a bit on my hand (thanks for the testers ULTA.) The coverage was great and the texture felt silky, similar to the MAC Studio Fix. I've worn stay matte but not flat for around a week and I definitely think it compares. It last all day, keeps me shine free, doesn't oxidize has no scent, and goes on effortlessly. The only issue I have is that it seems a little heavier and does leave me cakey if I use a heavy hand. After a mist of rosewater it knocks the powder down and makes for a great base.

Great tip -----> to choose a foundation with coverage swatch a bit on the back of your wrist and see if it covers the blue veins and blend in to your skintone. This is easier than using your neck/ face where you already have some foundation applied!

At first glance the NYX foundation is a great savings, but in reality you are only saving a little over $8.00 choosing NYX over MAC. I still felt it was a budget maker because NYX often goes on sale and you can use coupons on top of the sale.

If you try this foundation out I would love to hear about it! Any budget makers of your own?

Summer make-up with Olay Fresh Effects

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 11:00:00 +0000

So I am not a huge fan of the "selfie" but the other morning everything came together. I got a good night sleep, my hair was looking good, I felt super happy about the easy summer make-up look I did so I took a selfie and uploaded it to Instagram. I seriously hoped my friends wouldn't eyeroll at the pic and went about my morning. WHOA! I was surprised and happy all day with the really nice comments I got! I see why people love taking selfies!

above mentioned selfie

Don't worry friends I won't be taking them daily, but I do think it was a great way to get the word out about Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream. My sister even commented that I looked fresh faced! This stuff is AMAZING. I have tried a billion BB Creams (who hasn't) but this is legitimately a good one from the drugstore. For me the most important thing in a foundation or BB Cream is coverage. Will it cover-up splotches and even tone? I personally like to see my own skin show through with foundation and this includes my freckles. Fresh Effects evens my skintone, but still lets my skin show through. I'm using the light-medium and it works even with my summer skin. The second thing that's most important to me is sun protection. Does it contain SPF? Living on the coast means sun rays year round and having a product that does double duty is worth it. Olay Fresh Effects has skin benefits including SPF.

• Refreshes skin instantly
• Brightens for a radiant glow
• Evens tone with a splash of sheer color
• Hydrates for 24 hours
• Smoothes for softer feeling skin
• Protects against UV damage with SPF 15

You can find it at most drugstores, Amazon, or online for around $9.00. I have been using this as part of my morning make-up since early July and it has streamlined my summer make-up to just the following products:

1- Simple light moisturizer
2- Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream in light medium
3- Pixi eye brightener for under eyes and darkness in corners.
4- NYX eyebrow shaper wax
5- Benefit Hoola bronzer
6- MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
7- Bare Escentuals Big Tease mascara
8- Tarte lip tint in amused
*not pictured NYX stay matte not flat powder

And that's how I get my fresh face in the summer. Are you a fan of BB Creams?

//disclaimer- I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes, but the opinions are my own.

A Father's day idea

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:50:00 +0000

I've been trying to think of a gift to give John for his second Father's day. I had the best Mother's day which involved me cooking brunch for my Mom, a nap and a trip to Barnes & Noble complete with coffee! (I realize I have been on a bit of a blogging hiatus, but I have had things going on that I couldn't share here and I am a bit of a blabber mouth so I had to refrain from posting...)

John is just as simple as I am and has a few loves (beyond his family) that include vintage episodes of Star Trek, new music and ice cream(!) So when I saw the Father's day menu pop up on emeals this week complete with this recipe for caramel brownie milkshakes I knew I found his Father's day gift. I think a couple of uninterrupted hours of Star Trek and this milkshake will make a great Father's day for him!

Ingredients: Milk, good quality vanilla ice cream, your favorite brownies, and caramel for drizzling.

If you haven't tried emeals, now is the time. Use the code DADS for 15% off- and if you sign-up now you will get access to the special Father's Day menu. I use emeals to plan out our weekly eats and since I started I have gotten our grocery budget down to about $80 a week for my family of three. We eat the Paleo plan and have lots of fresh produce and meats to work with. Share your thoughts about this recipe on twitter with #emeals or join us on at facebook.com/emealz for more conversation!

//disclaimer- This post contains affiliate links, but the honest opinions are my own.

A day in life

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:32:00 +0000

Welcome to "Blog Everyday in month of May!" Today's theme is a moment in your day. I decided to share a recent project I did on Instagram called #adayinthelife. I was a neat way to document a typical day for me and I will be doing these seasonally. Lost of people on IG participate and the project usually happens on the first of a month. I will be sure to post here a few days before the next project or you can just join in with the hashtag #dayinthelife on the first of every month!

PS. If you follow me on IG I am sorry for the second time around photos and if you don't follow me, please do!

Morning (left to right)- in the Starbucks drive-thru, logging in and checking email, coffee refill, snacktime

Afternoon (left to right)- preparing for a meeting, meeting doodles, leaving work (!), picking up my bug!

Evening (left to right)- snack time & walking Bella, dinner for the bug, prepping blog post, & nightly rituals.

A piece of advice

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:53:00 +0000

Welcome to "Blog Everyday in month of May!"

The theme that Jenni offered today was a piece of advice we would like to share with our readers and this is mine! The act of smiling itself makes you feel joyful inside, but when you smile at a stranger you may be the ONE thing that day that provides hope and lightness. I say this because on a couple of recent occasions when I have been feeling down, a stranger (one man and one women) offered a smile and said, "hello!" It was a welcome change in the moment and made the rest of my day lighter.

*edited to add: this was supposed to publish yesterday, May 8th but there were issues so you get two post today.

uncomfortably comfortable

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Today's theme in "Blog Everyday in month of May!" is to talk about something that makes you uncomfortable. There are only a handful of things that make me uncomfortable like clowns, wet hair stuck to objects (think school bus windows- ugh!), and those character/mascots with their big giant hands. I don't know what I am going to do when Eleanor gets older and wants to run up and hug those things. Shudder. So with all this talk and thought about being uncomfortable it seemed like this would best time to share a new bra review with you. I did it, I said bra on my blog - sheesh talk about uncomfortable!

I was given a chance to test out a new bra from Playtex called, the Playtex Secrets Balconette bra and it was actually a really comfortable bra which is hard to come by if you have a ahem larger chest! The Playtex Secrets bra is designed to fit and flatter every curve and figure! It has wide-set straps, a deep V which is perfect for open necklines, and seamless, contoured cups for a smooth look under clothes. It also has a very supportive underwire and is available in cup sizes B through DDD (bonus!)

I found the band fit to be accurate and was comfortable enough that I wore it on a trail hike with my family. I do suggest going down a cup size as I felt compared to other bras I own the cups ran large. Playtex is really stepping up their game and releasing several new styles & COLORS Fall 2013. The new colors are all hue based to give more variety. I normally don't buy my bras at department store retailers like Kohl's, but I was pleasantly surprised with the fit and have already bought another (in a smaller cup size) to add to my rotation. After several washings the bra still looks good as new. I tend to wash my bras in the washing machine and then hang them to dry I know its not the preferred method, but its what works for my lifestyle. For 37.99 this bra is equal to the quality of my more expensive bras and you can also usually find Playtex bras BOGO. I would suggest trying them on if you can or visiting the Playtex website to find your fit as I do think the cup size is off. So there you have it, this bra made my normally uncomfortable end of the day a little more comfortable. Let's be real though...nothing feels as good as pajamas at the end of the day. Am I right?

If you are interested in trying this bra for your self leave me a comment I have several $5 off coupons from Playtex and I would love to share. Do you look for comfort in a bra or looks? I am all comfort. No shame!

If you are a new reader from, " blog everyday in May" hello + welcome! Please consider following me on bloglovin- I don't always talk about bras!

//disclaimer- There are NO affiliate links in the post, but I did receive this product from BzzAgent to review. The honest opinions are my own.

Everyday make-up brushes every women should have

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to "Blog Everyday in month of May!" Very excited to join Jenni in this challenge. You should join in also!

I am no beauty guru, but I have a passion for make-up and love to experiment. Over time I have developed a "kit" of brushes that are an essential part of my everyday make-up routine. These are ten brushes that every women should have and most can be purchased at your local Target/Wal-Mart. Synthetic hair brushes are best for wet products like foundation, cream eyeshadow, cream blush and I find synthetic brushes are easier to use when blending out eye shadows. They are also super easy to clean. Which brings me to my next point- brush maintenance is a must. You can use brush cleaner between uses or if you are switching a color out, but at least twice a month you should give them a good shampoo. I use baby shampoo and then run water over them until it runs clear, reshape and lay them flat to dry on a towel. With proper care a good brush can last you a few years. So let's take a look at the top ten everyday make-up brushes.

1. Spooley Brush- This brush is a must for shaping and defining your eyebrows. I usually give mine a comb through, apply my eyebrow pencil and then comb through again to remove any extra product.

2. bareMinerals Heavenly liner blending brush- Having a way to smudge your eyeliner makes applying it fool-proof, but this brush does double work under the lower lash line too.

3. MAC #213- If you only can purchase one brush for your kit, this is it. This brush is multi-purpose for applying color to the lid, crease, brow bone and it can even be used for blending. The soft dome shape makes it very versatile. This is my favorite brush!

4. Smashbox #30*- I use this brush for applying my cream shadows It almost has a pencil tip that allows you to really get into the crease and work the cream shadow. I usually follow up this brush with a swipe of my finger to blend out. * Linked brush is similar.

5. Blending brush- This is part of a kit of brushes I got from Walmart called, "Essential Tools Ultimate Hi-Def Face Set." This brush is the mini powder brush, but it is just the right size for blending. Plus the synthetic hair is super soft, dense and makes quick work of blending away shadow lines.

6. Foundation brush- This brush is also part of the, "Essential Tools Ultimate Hi-Def Face Set." I use this brush to set my under eye concealer with a powder. The brush is flat and dense and it allows me to pat the powder under my eyes and the pointed tip gets right under my lower lash line.

7. bareMinerals Heavenly Blush brush- This isn't your traditional blush brush but the perfectly flat top makes applying blush to the apples of your cheeks super easy. It usually only takes one or two swipes and you have full blush coverage.

8. Angled brush- Part of the, "Essential Tools Ultimate Hi-Def Face Set" this brush is best used for contour work with bronzer. The angle is just right to get into the hollows of your cheeks while the brush is thin enough to deliver a fairly precision contour line. I love this brush and think I will be purchasing another to use for blush as well.

9. e.l.f studio Stipple brush- This brush can be used wet or dry and gives you the most flawless finish when you apply your finishing powder. Using circular motions buff on your powder and the finish is light to medium coverage. It looks amazing.

10. e.l.f studio kabuki brush- The kabuki brush is a final step brush for me. I run it along the perimeter of my face to blur any foundation or powder lines and work inward. It will remove any eyeshadow fall out or built up powder. The synthetic hairs are so soft and with some work you can almost get an airbrush finish from kabuki brushes.

So that's it- my ten essential everyday brushes! Do you see any in here that you will be adding to your brush kit? In the next couple of weeks I will be doing my foundation (bb cream), blush, bronzer routine so you will get to see these brushes in action.

If you are a new reader from, " blog everyday in May" hello + welcome! Please consider following me on bloglovin!

Story of my life in 250 words

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to "Blog Everyday in month of May!" Very excited to join Jenni in this challenge. You should join in also!

I was born late summer in Alexandria Virginia to my Mom (from maine) and Dad (from virginia.) Apparently I was precocious and talked early. I didn't crawl just went from scooting to walking. I wanted to be a teacher or solid gold dancer before entering school. My sister was born! I didn't really love her then and asked my parents to return her, but man I love her now! I struggled in school. I had to go see a visual doctor to learn how to tie my shoe, skip, bounce a ball and other things. I loved learning and reading, but enjoyed it on my "own" terms (still do!) I used to create recipe cards in my room with colored pencils and fell right in love with art. Middle school was painful- but it's an awkward time for everyone. I found my stride with yearbook and my love for design and journalism was born. Off to high school. Creative writing and journalism dominated my time. I loved dance and singing (secretly wanted to sing on Broadway- still do!) but couldn't seem to get a break into high school dancing or singing. So I stuck with journalism and eventually became editor-in-cheif of my award winning high school paper.

This is me & john in high school!

I liked highschool, but was ready to leave. I didn't apply for college, because I didn't know what I wanted to do or be so I stayed at home- worked at a local record store (so freaking awesome) and went to community college. I did really well in community college and focused a good bit of my time on my English class and designing store displays. Really wanted to go to art school, but stuck with a liberal arts school and transfered to College of Charleston- didn't love it. I found a really good job as a help desk support specialist and moved back to Washington, DC. I dated, broke-up, dated, got promoted, dated, made a sorta bad decision to get married, moved to a new job, traveled around the world, lost my Dad to alcoholism, got promoted to IT Manager with a global organization, got divorced and traveled some more. Then I reconnected with my now husband a high school friend and moved to Richmond, VA to be with him (I also got a really good job there.) After awhile, I wanted to move back to Charleston so we did in 2008. We bought a house- I FINALLY went to art school while working full time as a Senior System Engineer (still am.) I graduated cum laude- got married, had a baby E and now....here I am.

engagement picture

First family photo

OK! So I bet that was more than 250 words, but it was a good exercise to try and tell my life story with limited space. If you join in the challenge please let me know!

Where I've been - Where I'm going (hint: no idea!)

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

When you have a small readership (hello crickets!) you have the luxury of time to research, journal and do more to find your blog voice. I have been blogging since early 2005 and in that time I have shared quite a bit about my art, going back to school, my engagement, wedding and now my love of product reviews. The fact is I love art, crafting, make-up, music, product reviews, graphic design, homemaking and motherhood. I want to share all those things, but I don't want to confuse my current and/or future readers. I have always marched to my own drummer so I am struggling to find the balance of uniqueness and familiarity. I have come to a decision that I think its more important for me to blog myself- and less important that I try to be something that I am not. So here I am going to work to "create" authenticity. That means I won't like everything I review, my photos won't be perfect, and my online life will reflect my offline life.

Authenticity

So... like a billion other women worldwide I am working 40+ hours a week, taking care of my home, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, taking care of my growing and silly little bug, nurturing my marriage, and my spiritual life. That leaves exactly -15% for myself. Here is where the authenticity comes in- how in the world are all the other blog women out here able to do it all?!? Seriously. Is everyone living in a perfectly designed, easy to manage world? I am living in a world where sometimes I drive through the guard gate at work and I'm actually surprised I'm there because I don't remember getting in my car and driving. Real talk. Anyway, I recently read an article about blogging and it said if your gone for a couple of weeks you should address it. So while I am not apologizing for my absence I am laying it all out- I'm living in my own mini tornado and I don't see my feet touching the ground for sometime. Not exactly earth shattering blog material, but there has to be someone else out there that blogs and doesn't have their shit together...anyone?

Current Currents

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:01:00 +0000

Loving // my new diffuser and peppermint oil. Be gone germs.
Loathing // the sudden and irritating return of my asthma.
Reading // this blog. She is such an excellent, entertaining writer and on an envious journey.
Watching // the Voice, Smash, GoOn, and Mad Men on Netflix
Listening // new JT album, Meddle on vinyl, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Eating // lots of roasted veggies and a few Chicks & Bunnies (glad they are only here once a year.)
Drinking // water & coffee (always.)
Making // scrapbook pages (!) It feels so go too.
Needing // something to wear for Easter.
Wanting // to be able to use this service, but not able to because they don't carry my size.
Wishing // there were just two more hours a day
Thinking // summer travels.

Current list inspired by the perks blog & amy tangerine.

Budget Maker and Budget Breaker No.3

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:30:00 +0000

Don't get me wrong the Baume De Rose by Terry is an amazing product. I had the pleasure of receiving it in a Birchbox and I used it until I was basically scraping the packaging, but the price isn't worth it to me. The only additional benefit Baume De Rose has is an SPF of 15.

Smith's Rosebud Salve is a classic and in the tube it has the same constancy as the Baume De Rose. It is a little thicker than the traditional tin and way more hygienic Smith's doesn't just sit on the surface of your lips, like Baume de Rose is absorbs in to provide deep hydration for your lips. The light rose fragrance is soothing and not at all overpowering. Smith's is free of Parabens, Sulfates, synthetic fragrances and dyes which is important for a product you are wearing on your lips. With both Smith's and Baume De Rose you can massage the balm into your cuticles for an instant manicure refresher. Additional Smith's Rosebud Salve can soothe the sting of minor burns, help heal cuts (true!), and minimize diaper rash.

What is your go to multi purpose beauty product?

2013 Spring Trends I am loving

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:30:00 +0000

There are so many great trends right now I had a hard time choosing just a few, so I tried to pick the things I that I'm loving and will be incorporating into my spring fashion. I tend to wear a lot of black, grey, green and white, but I love pattern + color. I find that when I am displeased with my body I tend to gravitate towards the darker colors. I hate being like that and I look forward to the day when I can be BOLD all the time. Anyhoo- I'm loving all the unique patterns/prints on clothes and jeans this season. I love this shirt below by Lucky Brand and recently just bought a bold floral necklace from VeryJane ( a pop-up sale site) that brings a little bit of fun to my boring black t-shirts! What are your favorite trends right now? What will you be trying?

Lucky Brand red t shirt / Kate Spade printed bag / Torrid Flower necklace / Piperlime Sandals

Garnier Skin Renew Overnight Peel- Review

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:30:00 +0000

I have always tried to take good care of my skin. This inlcudes regular facials, proper hydration and constantly searching for the right skin care that works for me. I am horrible about two things. 1- I hardly ever take my make-up off at night and 2- I rarely do weekly masks and peels. Usually by the time bed time rolls around it is amazing if I am able to go up the stairs and get into bed! About four weeks ago I started using the Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Overnight Peel ( keyword here is "overnight!") I was skeptical at first because I don't really have any dark spots, but it promised a few things that intrigued me.

Overnight: See smoother, hydrated skin
In 1 week: See brighter skin
In 4 weeks: Spots and imperfections are significantly reduced

I really needed help with skin hydration and wrinkle reducers- especially along my forehead and between my eyes. So with the added benefit of Glycolic Vitamin C Complex and a built-in buffer that helps skin maintain a healthy pH level I figured I had nothing to lose. This product is a simple serum that you apply to CLEAN skin before bed and then rinse off in the morning- That's it! It absorbs remarkably fast and doesn't leave the skin feeling sticky.

I realize the lighting is different, but after 4 weeks of use you can see a difference in my skin tone especially around my eyes and forehead. So while I can't speak to the direct benefits of the "dark spot removal" I can speak to the hydration, skin buffer, and brightening properties of this overnight peel. Some facts straight from Garnier's website- the Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Overnight Peel is noncomedogenic, won't clog pores and is safe for all skin types/ethnicities. This product is available at most mass retailers for $16.99- and that's a true steal in terms of skin care. If you want to try this easy peel for yourself there is a coupon here (Garnier's facebook page.) Let me know if you try it. If your not doing anything for your skin before bed- this would be a great start!

//disclaimer- I received this product from BzzAgent, but the honest opinions are my own.

Sick and tired of being sick and tired

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:30:00 +0000

Goodness. I feel like the last week + has been filled with nothing but medications and taking it easy. I am honestly, "Sick and tired of being sick and tired." It seems like it was all I could do to work, pick up Eleanor, get dinner together, get her to bed and then get myself in bed right after. Pollen is bad, asthma is bad, antibiotics have caused side effects- it has been one long bad day. On Saturday (with my doctors permission) I stopped taking my antibiotic that was causing me more side effects then actual good and it got me thinking, "What daily things could I be doing to take better care of myself to prevent this long course of bronchitis, sinus infections, and stomach aches?" I looked through a couple of my natural health books, researched a few things on the web and had a brief conversation with my doctor and came up with this list.

1. Drink more water. (You should take your body weight divide it in half and drink that in ounces.)

2. ProBiotics are your friend. A few months ago I started researching the Paleo diet and decided to eliminate dairy. I have always been a huge fan of yogurt especially Greek yogurt and made sure to eat at least one container of yogurt a day. Stopping that practice cold turkey had the opposite of a health benefit to me- it has made my stomach a mess. So while I am still going to reduce my dairy, I am welcoming my old friend Greek yogurt back. You need a ProBiotic to help regulate your digestion and replenish the beneficial bacteria.

3. Gargle with salt water. Horrible topic to discuss on the blog I know, but this is the only thing that relived my sore throat. If you gargle daily when you are first feeling symptoms it can reduce and/or stop them before they start. (One cup of warm water + 1tsp of salt and gargle until the cup is empty.)

4. Sinus rinse best cure for sinus congestion. Again horrible topic to discuss, but get a neti-pot or sinus rinse. The doctor suggested this as a tool to keep you free from the bacteria that can cause a sinus infection. I will be sure to use this a few times a week to keep things clear and purchased NeilMed on my doctors recommendation.

5. Mint tea before bed (lemon honey optional.) Drinking any caffeine free hot tea helps wind you down and prepare you for bed. I prefer mint tea because it helps to aid in stomach digestion. A little extra help for the stomach while I am sleeping isn't a bad thing.

6. Sleep. Did you know that you can not catch up on sleep? Ugh. That is what I thought I was doing by sleeping in on the weekends! Adults should get between 6-8 hours of sleep a night. I know that I can function on about 6 a night, but I would love to start getting around 7 a night. I think this is key to staying healthy.

Ok, that's it these are my first thoughts on how I can get healthy and kick this crap out of my system. What are your natural get healthy tips? Any that I missed?

//Disclaimer- I am not a health professional these are just things that worked for me and I wanted to share.

Current currents

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Loving // Trader Joes Coconut Milk
Loathing // the early pollen here in South Carolina.
Reading // mostly magazines (Allure, Working Mother, and Food and Wine.)
Watching // Parks & Rec, Smash, and YouTube subscriptions.
Listening // Alabama Shakes and Kenrick Lamar
Eating // clean (Paleo) using eMeals.com recipes (use code newyear to save 15%)
Drinking // water & coffee
Making // a billion crafts for Elly's 1st Birthday celebration!
Needing // to get to the root of my working out issue.
Wanting // this stamp (it inspired these current topics!)
Wishing // health insurance was free in this country
Thinking // about starting a mini blogging conference here in South Carolina I was "called to action" by Heather Baily on her blog post about revive and on instagram so, I think it is time to do something!

Current list inspired by the perks blog & amy tangerine.

A little me time: Review

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:30:00 +0000

If you have any children under the age of 18 then you probably can relate to the bare minimum of me time you actually get. I love Eleanor, but I love 8PM as well because I get to eat dinner, talk to John, watch an episode of something on Hulu and have roughly an hour or so to just be me. Usually I blog, draw, or watch YouTube videos. After the craziness that is my 10 hour + workday I usually do all of this with a cup of something warm, yes even in the summer. I am a sucker for both the drink and the experience. Luckily I have a Keurig that is capable of brewing all sorts of delicious things in just moments (read: that's all the time I have anyway) and lately I have been enjoying Cafe Escapes Chai and Cafe Caramel before bed.

How do you enjoy me time? Does it involve cupcakes? Ha! As always I have coupons to share and I love to send/receive mail so if you want some coupons just leave a comment.

//disclaimer- I received this product from BzzAgent, but the honest opinions are my own.

Budget Maker and Budget Breaker No.2

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Rose water should be on the vanities of every single women- seriously! It is a miracle tonic that has many uses, in fact I could use it as a budget maker for several facial products! You can pick it up at Whole Foods, local health food stores, several places online and even Asian grocery stores. Not only does it work as a make-up setter, it also restores the pH in your skin after cleansing, using a mask or exfoliating.

As a make-up setting spray it does the exact same thing the Urban Decay all nighter does for much less. To use as a make-up setting spray simply spray about 6-8 inches from face after applying make-up. If you feel your foundation and powder are too matte it will give you a nice dewy finish. It seems to push the makeup into the skin for a flawless hydrated finish.

Have you tried Rose water? Do you think you will?

\\disclaimer- neither Heritage Products or Urban Decay know who I am. I am just sharing my personal opinions with you.

Not your Grandmas Glade: Review

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:30:00 +0000

I love candles, especially really expensive candles because I feel like they burn cleaner, longer and the fragrance is exceptional. For the most part this is true, but there is a brand you can buy at the grocery store, Target, Walmart, etc. that will fill your home with long lasting scent. Before I get to the adjectives that describes the brand, I have to tell a little story. When I was in college I dated a guy who's Mom was a Glade fanatic. She had the plug-ins (generic ones too) all over the house. If I ate dinner there by the time I got home I actually smelled like a Glade plug-in. I have no idea what scent she used, but after that experience I developed an aversion to any fragrance you could buy at the grocery store. A few years ago I was given an Apple Cinnamon Glade candle in a Christmas gift and fell in love with the warm apple scent. Since then they are one of my go to holiday candles because they are so warm and inviting. Best thing about a Glade candle is the way it fills your house with true to life ingredients, I think that helps the fragrance not overwhelm the house.

Recently I got to try two new products from Glade, "Glade Expression Fragrance Mist and Oil Diffuser." Both products come in stylish and reusable holders that blend effortlessly into your home decor. I chose the Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice Oil Diffuser which is described as a ripe, spicy blend of sweet pears and crisp apple with a dash of cinnamon and clove that warms and invigorates. Also the Pineapple Mangosteen Fragrence Mist which evokes a tropical paradise with the blend of freshly cut pineapples and hints of tangy mangosteen, creamy coconut and passionflower. I love the ease of the oil diffuser as it doesn't require any plug and actually looks quite good in the house. The fragrence isn't as noticiable as the candle, but you still get a hint every now and then. The fragrance mist is a no brainer for the guest bath and works just like any other air fragrance I've tried, but looks nicer (btw- the label peels off to leave just an all White holder. Sleek.)

Glade Expression Oil Diffuser

See this isn't your Grandma's Glade! Want to try some for yourself? I have lots & lots of coupons so leave me a comment and I'll drop some in the mail to you. What types of fragrances do you like to fill your home with?

//disclaimer- I received this product from BzzAgent, but the honest opinions are my own.

Tag, your it

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:47:00 +0000

I saw this fun questionnaire over on Kelsey's blog, "eat, drink, be a tourist" and thought it would make a fun blog post. The idea is simple, I will answer her 11 questions and then I will create 11 for you to answer. I would love to learn more about you, so look for my questions below and let me know in the comments if you play along.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would love to go back to Tokyo. I still think about it almost everyday. The people, the food, the cleanliness, and experiences. Everything about Tokyo awoke my senses.

Fortunes waiting to come true

What makes you happy?
My daughter, creating with my hands, and a nice cup of tea.

What inspires you?
Instagram, classic movies, patterns, music, five star hotels and cookbooks

What is your dream job?
Being a print/textile designer and starting my own successful business.

paints

Describe yourself in five words.
Independent, hard worker, creative, spirited, overweight

What do you look forward to most in life?
Seeing my daughter smile, looking at instagram and drinking coffee from Starbucks

What's the first thing you do every day?
Look at email on my iPhone (Facebook too!)

What would you do with a million dollars?
I would immediately quit my job and take Eleanor out of daycare, then I would pay-off our mortgage and put our house up for sale. Once the house sold I would take 3 months to travel around Japan, Iceland, France and the UK with my husband and Eleanor. First class accommodations when possible. Returning home I would find a smaller house, pay off bills and start a company.

Do you believe in love at first sight?
No

Who is your biggest role model.
I don't really have one. I pick and choose pieces of people that I admire and try to emulate those aspect of them. For a long time my role model was Kate Spade, but I just recently found out that even she can't do it all.

Describe your perfect first date.
Leisurely dinner while enjoying a nice bottle of wine.

February Birchbox & Beauty Army

noreply@blogger.com (jeny) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Is anyone else addicted to getting sample boxes? I have limited myself to three a month and one of them is always Birchbox (and another is always a box for Eleanor.) Birchbox (BB) was one of the first sample box companies and have been one of the best when it comes to innovative and small brand cosmetic companies. Their points program is top notch. You get 10 points for every review and most boxes have at least 5 samples. When you reach 100 points you have $10 dollars to spend in the Birchbox shop. I save my points, wait for a coupon code and buy my favorite items! They do 15-17 box configurations every month- these are based on your profile so you usually don't get the same box as someone else and that can be frustrating if you see something you love in someone else's box. Search #birchbox on Instagram to see many of the different boxes out there. I continually change my beauty profile in an effort to eliminate the dreaded perfume sample that comes every single month. No luck yet.

(starting top left)

1. Votivo Candle | Pink Mimosa

2. Dr. Lipp | Original Balm for lips- I was excited to try this as I heard lots of good things about it, but my sample was nearly empty. This wasn't the first time this has happened with a seal BB sample. I was disappointed.

3. Ghirardelli Chocolate | Caramel

4. Juicy Couture | Couture La La- BORING this is the fourth Juicy Couture perfume I have gotten in a BB and they all smell exactly the same.

5. Beauty Protector | Protect & Detangle- Smells nice and helped with the after shower hair comb through.

6. Dermablend | Smooth Indulgence Concealer- Love it! This is a very nice size sample and the product works better than MAC long wear concealer. Creamy, but sticky (not a bad thing) I was able to blend this under my eyes for nice coverage. Happy with the product and if the sample continues to preform I will definitely be purchasing.

Birchbox is $10 a month, ships free and contains 4/5 samples a month. For more information visit Birchbox.com (disclosure- this is an affiliate link.)

Beauty Army

(starting top left- clockwise)

Beauty Army was my other sample box choice for this month and I actually really enjoyed the process of this box. When you join you take a beauty profile and choice up to 6 of the samples revealed. Don't like the choices, take your profile again adding or deleting to see different products. They add new samples everyday at 9AM PST and you are welcome to revise your box while your sample window is open. I checked it out over three days and refreshed my profile a few times to get the items above. It was fun and I picked things I have been wanting to try. Jonathan hair products for the win! They also offer a rewards program, but not as generous at BB. For every six review you get $6 off any full size order in their shop. I was happy with this first box and will be trying Beauty Army again next month.

1. Mark | Scanda lash- this was a bonus this month to celebrate Beauty Army's birthday.

2. Suntegrity | 5 in 1 tinted moisturizer- I like moisturizer with an SPF and in the South it is essential to wear an SPF everyday. I haven't tried this yet, but will update when I do.

3. Jonathan | Dirt- LOVE!! Great product and this sample will last a long while. Not sticky and allows your hair to move once applied.

4. Macadamia | Deep Repair Mask- there isn't a single person in the beauty world that hasn't talked about how amazing this product is. I am looking for any hair repair I can as my hair it what has suffered the most following the birth of Eleanor and return of hormones. My hair is always so dry. I am looking forward to enjoying this sample.

5. Karuna | Renwal Eye Masks- Yes, very much looking forward to using these. Tonight in fact! I have been suffering with bronchitis and the coughing hasn't been kind to my sleep.

6. Whip Hand Cosmetics | Loose Pigment Eyeshadow in Medal of Honor- This is an exciting sample pick. The color is beautiful and looks nice when paired with MAC paint pot in Painterly.

Beauty Army is $12 a month, ships free and contains six samples a month. For more information visit Beauty Army (disclosure- this is an affiliate link.)