Californian Cabernet Sauvignon

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I very much enjoyed this cab. First of all, can we talk about the cute gold packaging?! Come on… The wine itself was very smooth with a classic taste profile. It is aged in a French oak barrel for about a year and has a red color that sits beautifully in any wine glass, XOXO.

March 2017 Favorites

Rimmel “Match Perfection” Concealer – This concealer is truly amazing. It does a great job of covering up redness and dark circles under my eyes, but still looks natural. It doesn’t crease anywhere and lasts all day long.

Makeup Revolution “Matte Blush” – I don’t know that I have ever tried a more pigmented matte blush! This has a smooth, creamy formula and the color payoff is incredible… so be sure to go in with a light hand. I have the shade Nude and love it!!!

Nine West “Dress Pump” – Now that it is (finally) warming up where I live, these babies have been on repeat. They are versatile and comfortable. What else does a girl really need?!

Sofia Vergara “Tempting” Body Spray – While I’m not much into fragrance, I bought this on a whim at Marshall’s and have been loving it. It has scents of vanilla, tropical fruit, and flowers. I can’t get enough of it lately!

Short and sweet this month. Have you tried any of these products?!

IPSY Review – March 2017

Have you heard of Ipsy?! It is a monthly beauty subscription service that allows you to try unique brands, use different products, and collect items items that you may not pick up on your own. For only $10 a month I’d say it’s quite the deal! You can join by clicking here if you’re interested.

Here is what I got in my most recent March bag…

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Ofra Cosmetics – Peach Blush Talk about a dupe for Nars’ Orgasm!!! This blush has some serious gold reflection to it that is very flattering on the skin. On my skin tone specifcally I had some difficulty with the peach shade showing up, but I do think this will flatter lighter skin tones.

Air Repair Skincare – Complexion Boosting Moisturizer I am pretty picky with skincare and this passed the test. It is packed full of antioxidants and left my skin feeling perfectly moisturized. Can’t ask for much more than that!

Beau Gachis – Tapered Blending Brush This is my favorite item of the bag! Ipsy seriously reads my mind when it comes to brushes, because I’ve been on the lookout for a new blending brush. This baby is going to seriously come in handy. I love the curved tip and fluffy bristles… it makes blending a dream.

Tarte – Tartiest Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint While I love this brand, I’m not a huge liquid lipstick lover. However I did try this out and it was less drying than others I have tried in the past, with more of a velvet matte finish. The applicator is very precise and I think it will be a good shade to save for autumn.

ModelCo – Eye Define Crayon Liner This liner claims to glide on without tugging or dragging, which is the exact opposite experience I had with it. The product is very stiff and difficult to blend. I do like trying new black liners because, let’s face it, they are a staple in any makeup collection but this one just did not do it for me.

Sunshine Blogger Award

Thank you SO much to Plain Debbie for nominating me for this award!!! It is always truly inspirational to open up the notifications tab and see a nomination waiting for me 🙂 . Go check out her blog if you haven’t already… it is fabulous!

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THE RULES:

  • Thank the person who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
  • Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
  • Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
  • List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo on your post and/or on your blog.

MY ANSWERS:

  1. Cats or dogs? – Kittens.
  2. Where are you right now? – Sitting at home, in the office, surrounded by moving boxes.
  3. Do you have any brothers or sisters? – One of each.
  4. What keeps you motivated? – The future, my goals, art, nature, reading, education. But mostly the company that I keep… my family, my friends, and the people I get a chance to help.
  5. What’s the first country you visited? – The first was Canada. I’ve since been to Mexico, The Bahamas, and Jamaica.
  6. What’s your favorite flavor for ice cream? – Blue Moon.
  7. Who’s your favorite singer? – Lately it has been Bruno Mars for the win.
  8. Pizza or burger? – A true Wisconsin girl could never pick one or the other 🙂 .
  9. Where would you rather be right now? – Seeing as how we got several inches of snow last night, probably anywhere warm.
  10. If you could travel through time and visit a era for a day you would pick 60 70 or 80? – 1970’s, but seriously any of these would be awesome.
  11. Have you said I love you to someone today? – Yes!!!

MY QUESTIONS:

1. What is your favorite type of weather?
2. When was your last vacation?
3. Who do you most admire?
4. What inspires you?
5. If you could speak any language what would it be?
6. You favorite candy bar?
7. What do you like to do for fun, aside from blogging?
8. Is there a story behind your name?
9. Favorite color?
10. Best accomplishment?
11. What would you do with a million dollars?

NOMINATIONS:

Beauty Blush, Dasa Lavric, Dolled Up By J, Helpless Whilst Drying, Hey Ehren, Online Beauty Finds, Queen of the Girl Geeks, Simply Sorcha, Sophia Lo, Taylor Dorothy

Spring 2017 Reading List

Home Buying Kit for Dummies – I am going to treat this one more as a reference book for this season. Yes, it’s true, my husband and I have been on the house hunt since the start of the new year and it has been a truly crazy process!!! (I’ve heard it can only get crazier from here, ha.) Luckily, I have the most amazing mom who is a real estate pro and has been giving us lots of tips. With her expertise and this book, we are bound to snag a house this year 🙂 .

I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me – If you didn’t know, I work in mental health so I try to have one professional education book in each mix. This book is all about Borderline Personality Disorder. It is meant for clients and clinicians alike. I look forward to learning more about BPD because it is becoming more commonly understood and diagnosed within the medical community.

Wild – To be honest, I’m not sure how much time I will have to read enjoyable material this season, as it’s shaping up to be a pretty busy year so far! However, it was a new years resolution type of goal for to get more active with reading so I’d like to stick to it. Since I finished up my winter reads relatively quickly I do have hope I can make it through this one before summer. I know, I know… I’m a little late to the game, but it has been on my to-read list for quite some time.

Physician’s Formula “Butter Bronzer”

Can we talk amazing bronzers for a second?!

This one tops the list. I knew this baby would be a hit when I picked it up and could smell the wonderful smells even through the packaging. Imagine your favorite tropical vacation wrapped up in a powder. I’m not kidding. Think warm summer day on the beach with your feet in the ocean dowsed in sunscreen sipping a blended drink… yup, that’s the one. To top it off the formula is so rich and buttery that it practically melts into your skin. It is also gluten free, oil free, paraben free, and cruelty free. Too bad the price isn’t also free, but at just over $10 you really can’t go wrong.

It does come in two shades at the moment. If you are very fair I would recommend the lighter one, though I do find the darker one isn’t all the dark so to all my medium skin tone girls out there, don’t let that scare you.

Pick it up today, I’m sure you will absolutely love it!!! XOXO

Argentinan Pinot Gris

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The back label reads “A harsh and extreme climate at the foot of the impressive Cordillera Mountains, a high altitude and rocky volcanic ground (black rocks), this is our terrior. The wines that come from this region are full-bodied yet smooth, intense and varied; typical considering their grape variety. They are very pleasurable wines.”

This is 100% pinot gris, the first of its kind to be planted in Argentina. It ripened early and picked later than usual. It smells of citrus and berries. I love the fresh taste and crisp finish. And don’t even get me started on the color!!! SO PRETTY.

February 2017 Favorites

Bob Marley “Legend” – If you keep up with my blog then you know I just came back from Jamaica a few weeks ago. This cd was on serious repeat in January and February to get amped up for the trip and to transition back home. No problems, mon… just situations 🙂 . It brings me right back to that beautiful, tropical island.

Nth Degree “Moroccan Argan Oil & Keratin Hair Serum” – To be honest, I ran out of my regular hair serum and wanted to put off buying a replacement because it’s so expensive. I used this, which I got in a past Ipsy bag, as a fill in for the month and it worked out well! Try putting it just on the ends of your hair for a less oily look, that’s what I did.

Too Faced “Hangover Primer” – I typically have very oily skin, though this winter find that I need just a little extra moisture. This primer has been working wonders for me. It is high quality, smells amazing, and gives my skin the love it has been needing. I do pair it with a pore filler primer, which I use just on the areas I need it the most. This baby goes on all the other parts of my face.

Almay “Clear Complexion Concealer” – This is a great, full coverage drugstore concealer. I have been a fan of Almay for years and find that this gives me a really nice, smooth finish all the while brightening up my undereye area.

O.R.G. “Mineral Peel Face” – Probably my absolute favorite exfoliator!!! I like to use this before I shower by spraying a few pumps on to my hands, patting it onto my face, and rubbing the product around for a good 10-15 seconds. The amount of dead skin this product gets off of your face will seriously amaze you. I have been using it at least once a week on my full face and sometimes a second time just on the driest parts of my skin.

 

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This month I also (somewhat impulsively) chopped 5 inches of my hair!!! I haven’t had an actual style in close to two years and have just kept it long and layered. My husband got me a gift card to my favorite salon for Christmas and I decided (while waiting for my stylist) that I wanted to put the money to good use and try something new. I’m so happy with the result!!! XOXO