Hello May

Hello Everyone!

Happy 1st day of May! I went to CVS over the weekend and I came across Milani's new Bold Matte Lipsticks. I love the inspirational theme of these lipsticks. Since I love nude lipsticks I picked up "I Am Awesome" (I saved money with coupons and extra care bucks) I think that we as people need to remember that we are awesome. Self confidence and positive self esteem are very important in molding who we are and how we feel about ourselves.

I am fabulous, you are fabulous 

Life is full of distractions. There's no denying that fact. When I wrote my Rediscovery Post, I was this path of self awareness and self assurance. I'm still on that path. Over the past few months I've become a better friend to myself. I love all that I am, and all that I'm becoming. 

A new month means new opportunities. I mentioned at the beginning of the year that my word for 2019 would be opportunity.  I stated in April's Montlhy Lifestyle Post, April was an alright month, but I'm speaking it into existence this month will be even better! This morning started off a little rocky, but I pushed through it. As the sun sets on another day, I am grateful and look forward to opportunities tomorrow will bring 💛


April 2019 Posts

My Life in March 2019

Lake Murray

Goose Creek Candle: Spring Favorites

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Rediscovery

April is Stress Awareness Month

Courage Believe Inspire

Soak up the Sun

Sunday Night Skincare Routine

Avengers: Endgame

Sample This

My Life in April 2019

My Life in April 2019

Hello Everyone!

Another month is ending, so it's time for a monthly lifestyle post! April was a alright month. I spent a lot of April being busy with different things.

I started April off by visiting Verizon. I held onto my Galaxy Note 5 for the longest time. It was time to upgrade since my old phone was starting to give me so many problems.

Looking around 

 I received good deals and a free tablet. I love my new Galaxy Note 9!

Treat yourself 

Back in my December 2018 Lifestyle Post, I mentioned the post office was my least favorite place. The DMV comes is strong second lol.

I'm just glad I was at the DMV about 30 minutes.

I've received so much positive feedback for my Lake Murray pictures. This is becoming one of my favorite places.

Courage Believe Inspire

Incase you didn't know I'm a huge Marvel fan! I can't wait to see Avengers Endgame! How cool is it that Ulta has an Avengers Makeup Based Collection!

So glad I got the last Avengers Makeup Bag! 

April has been full of PR Samples 🙂 Goose Creek Candle. These are my current favorite Spring Candles from the brand.

Thanks Chique Tools for these pretty brushes. You can find this brush kit at 5 Below.

Thanks Clinique! This is my favorite high end skincare brand.

How sweet of NARS to send over these products! Thank you! I have a few sample of NARS that I love so I can't wait to try these new goodies! Thank you!   

Random fresh face selfie

I had to stop by the UPS store to drop off and pick up a package. 

Happy Easter

Thanks mama for the Easter Goodies! :) (now I have two packs of the Clinique Towelettes!)

Recent Sunday Night Skincare Routine 

Have you tried the Dove Foam Mousse? I saw these at CVS over the weekend. You can use this mousse as a body wash and/or shaving cream. All of them smell great, but my favorite scent is the Rose Oil.

Captain D's

Grabbing a quick lunch to go with my mom

You guessed it another Lake Murray picture. This one has to be my favorite. I snapped this photo as the sun was setting.

Wishing everyone a wonderful May!


April 2019 Posts

My Life in March 2019

Lake Murray

Goose Creek Candle: Spring Favorites

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Rediscovery

April is Stress Awareness Month

Courage Believe Inspire

Soak up the Sun 

Avengers: Endgame

Sample This

Sample This

Hello Everyone!

As a influencer, I can only hope that I provide my followers and friends advice on different aspects in life. I discuss many topics on my blog, but my first love is beauty. I wanted to start a series on my blog called Sample This. I see these types of posts all the time and I thought it would be fun to start a series of my own. This is NOT a PR Sample Post, this most contains regular samples I have in my collection.

Personally I love samples. Samples give you an opportunity to try a product before you commit to buying the full size. Samples are also good for travel, and you can also include samples in makeup goody bags. There have been a few mini size products that I've purchased such as the Dove Moisturizer, but it was only 77 cents at the time of purchase. For the most part, all the other samples were free.

Skincare Samples

In my opinion, foundations and skincare products make the best Samples. I can't tell you how many times I've been at a makeup counter and a representative has tried to sell me a foundation that doesn't meet my skins need or the wrong shade...thats a post for another day... Some makeup and skincare samples usually last for a few days or even a week(s) depending on the size and how much you're using.

Makeup Samples

Did you know that you can ask for samples? There are some beauty advisers that offer you a sample of a product, but most times I notice I have to ask. Did you know you can go into Sephora and come out with a bag of free samples? If you shop online, make sure you look for promo items associated with the product you're buying. You may also find sample options at checkout  online.

Clinique Makeup and Skincare Samples

What are your favorite skincare and makeup samples?



April 2019 Posts

My Life in March 2019

Lake Murray

Goose Creek Candle: Spring Favorites

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Rediscovery

April is Stress Awareness Month

Courage Believe Inspire

Sunday Night Skincare Routine

Avengers: Endgame 

Avengers: Endgame

Hello Everyone!

Photo courtesy of Google 

I'm pretty excited today to share today's post! Avengers: Endgame will be in theaters tomorrow (April 26th). If you didn't know I'm a huge Marvel fan, especially the Avengers movies! I don't really like going to the movies when it's extremely crowded hence opening day, but I will see this movie very soon after its release!

How cool is it that Ulta released an Avengers: Endgame Collection?

 As you see, I purchased an Avengers makeup bag :)

Throwback Thursday to my Captain America Tshirt 

Are you excited to see Avengers: Endgame? Did you get anything from the Ulta Collection?

April 2019 Posts

My Life in March 2019

Lake Murray

Goose Creek Candle: Spring Favorites

Here Comes Peter Cottontail 

Rediscovery

April is Stress Awareness Month

Courage Believe Inspire

Sunday Night Skincare Routine

Sunday Night Skincare Routine

Hello Everyone!

Happy Easter! For all those that celebrate, I hope you're having a wonderful Easter. For those that don't celeberate, I hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Here we are at the beginning another week. My skin has been back and forth between feeling oily to dry and vice versa. After a busy week last week, I wanted to take some time tonight and pamper my skin. Side Note: I included links for all the products that I mentioned in this post.

SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Cleanser & Waterproof Makeup Remover

I had to go to an Easter event this morning, and when I got back I ready to take off my makeup. Today I'm using this Micellar water from Garnier. I loved the sample size so much, I bought a large bottle. I like how this removes my makeup without leaving my face feeling oily.

Clinique Take the Day Off Micellar Cleansing Towelettes for Face & Eyes

After I took my makeup off with the Garnier Makeup Remover, I used these Clinique Cleansing Wipes to go back over my face. I've used these Towelettes in the past, and I recently got a pack gifted from Clinique, and a pack from my mom for Easter :)

Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser
Clarisonic Mia 1 Facial Cleansing Brush 

Next it was time to take out Clarisonic Mia. I received an extra birthday sample from Sephora, and I was sent this years gift. I'm new to Drunk Elephant products, but this cleanser jelly smells so good and works well on my face. The cleanser jelly is very hydrating paired with my Clarisonic as I cleansed my face. I would like to have the full sized cleanser in my collection.

Derma E Essentials Microdermabrasion Scrub

I haven't exfoliated my face in almost two weeks! I try to do this at least once a week, but lately I was doing a lot of quick skincare routines.  It was time to exfoliate because my face had some minor flakiness.


Derma E Essentials Overnight Peel with Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Last, but not least after exfoliating my face, I used this exfoliating Overnight Peel by Derma E. I won this product as part of a giveaway I won from Derma E a few months ago. I'm fairly new to using an overnight peel, but I like the results so far. I'll rinse this off in the morning when I wake up. I haven't decided what moisturizer I'm going to use in the morning, but I always use a moisturizer after my finishing my skincare routine.


What are some of your favorite nightly skincare products?


April 2019 Posts

My Life in March 2019

Lake Murray

Goose Creek Candle: Spring Favorites

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Rediscovery

April is Stress Awareness Month

Courage Believe Inspire

Soak up the Sun

Soak up the Sun

Hello Everyone!

Today I wanted focus on Vitamin D and the importance of getting natural sunlight.  It can be hard to soak up the sun when you have allergies or live in a state that is incessantly hot and humid getting accurate sun consumption can be a challenge. If I'm being honest Summer typically starts mid April here in South Carolina.

Last Summer I was diagnosed with Vitamin D Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia. That diagnosis explained a lot. The paleness, weakness, and tiredness was coming from Vitamin D Deficiency and anemia.

I looked at the list of foods reccomend for Vitamin D Deficiency and iron deficiency anemia and let's just say I'm not a fan of most of them lol.

A picture I took last Summer on one of my morning walks.

Did you know that Vitamin D Deficiency can attribute to depression? Another reason why sunlight exposure is healthy. Letting sunlight in your home is helpful, but going outside is a much better option. The picture above is from last Summer. I found walking and being active outdoors early in the morning before it became scorching hot outside helped me.

Another option is being prescribed Vitamin D medication. Usually these are pills that you take once a week to bring your Vitamin D levels up. My physiatrist prescribed Vitamin D medication after she noticed my blood work indicated my Vitamin D levels were low.

Over the last few months I have noticed a difference. I'm not feeling as tired as I used to feel. I'm still taking the Vitamin D medication, but hopefully my Vitamin D levels will be up when I go back for blood work. Remember when spending time outdoors, please use sunscreen and protect yourself in the sun.

Also, I wanted to say how much I appreciate all your comments on the last few inspirational etc. posts! If you missed them, you can check out the links below :)



April 2019 Posts

My Life in March 2019

Lake Murray

Goose Creek Candle: Spring Favorites

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Rediscovery

April is Stress Awareness Month

Courage Believe Inspire

Courage Believe Inspire

Hello Everyone!

I guess on a roll with these motivational posts. Recently I was drinking out of one of my favorite water bottles which is the inspiration for today's post. The words on the bottle are courage believe inspire. Over the past few months I've been in treatment for my depression and anxiety issues. These words on the water bottle mean so much to me in various ways.

Courage

I had the courage to admit to myself I was struggling emotionally and I sought treatment last Summer to help me cope. It takes courage to face all the things life can throw at you. I don't know who needs to hear this, but keep going. You're doing the best you can. Courage is facing life even when you feel the odds are against you.

Believe

I believe in God and that God has a purpose for me that I don't always understand. As I try to become closer to God, I'm learning to turn to God when I feel lost and worried. I constantly remember that I have to let my faith be bigger than my fears. I also believe there is hope.  I have the belief that God will take care of things for the best. As I stated before, I'm not one to push my own personal religious on anyone. If you're going through something you may want to turn to God. Just a suggestion.


Inspire

When I first started my blog I wanted to inspire people. I can only hope that when you all read my blog you take something meaningful from it. I know there are so many people that struggle alone and in silence with mental health. To tell the world that I struggle with anxiety and depression was one of the most bravest things I've done. To tell the world that I'm a survivor of domestic violence was also brave. I hope by sharing my stories of strength, struggle, and determination that I inspire people that you are more than your obstacles.

April 2019 Posts

My Life in March 2019

Lake Murray

Goose Creek Candle: Spring Favorites

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Rediscovery

April is Stress Awareness Month