How to tone down bright lipstick

Hey Guys!

One of my favorite things about summer is the amazing lipstick shades. I love nudes but it is always fun to change it up with bright shades. I will admit, I am not always wanting the bold pigment on my lips, but I love the shade. I have spent the past year or so trying to figure out a solution. I did everything I possibly could until I found this solution.

Before

After

I know the photo quality isn't the best, but you can all see a difference.

Steps
Start with bare lips. I have seen suggestions that you should use a setting powder on your lips, but I used a cream concealer on me to neutralize them.

 Then I used a nude lipstick on top. For this example I used L'oreal Paris Nude collection in 'Eva's Nude'

Then I used Covergirl Lipstick in the shade 'Spellbound' on top. (Refer to 'after' picture)

I have done this with drugstore and department store lipstick's and it is amazing. The lipstick is long lasting and the pigmentation is amazing.

Wisdom Wednesday

We spend so much of our life trying to be accepted/fit in. Starting in elementary school, middle school, high school and into the workforce. We are always trying to please people, or conform ourselves to who we think they want us to be. We have all been there. I have done it with past relationships, and until a few years ago, my mother. All we end up doing is making ourselves miserable, and I believe in being our authentic selves. We will never be who people want us to be, someone is always going to be unhappy/find something wrong about you. Once you accept yourself, you dont have to worry about pleasing others, or if you are playing the 'role' correctly. It is so important to live your life for yourself, because there will be a time when those people aren't here anymore, whether the relationship has fizzled away, or their time has come. And you never want to look back and think that you have wasted your time, by living a life that wasn't true to yourself. Once you accept all your flaws and positive things about yourself, you don't need acceptance from others. There is only one you int he world, and for you to waste it, would be a shame.

Strawberry Shortcake Cake pops

Hey Guys!

Over the weekend I had a few people over, and one of the items we ate was strawberry shortcake cake pops. This was my first time making cake pops and strawberry shortcake so I was a bit nervous. I made a few mistakes so I will be sure to add little tid bits to ensure this doesnt happen to you!

Ingredients
Pound cake ( I baked one myself, but you can always buy one)
Vanilla Icing
1 lb of strawberries
White chocolate
Lollipop Sticks

Steps
Crumble up your pound cake. I baked mine the night before to save me some time
Mix in 12 oz of icing. I did 16 oz and I felt I could have added a little more, so I suggest buying extra icing.
Cut strawberries into small pieces (I thought my pieces were small, but I suggest chopping them up as finely as you can) Fold strawberries into batter
Put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to harden up
Grab a tray (cookie sheet) and place wax paper on top. Roll the mix into small balls(  I made mine way to big, I would suggest making them the same size balls as small cookies)
Place stick in the middle of the ball
Place in freezer for at least 1 hr but max 3
Melt white chocolate on stove top. My friend taught me a trick, where you put the stove on low heat and it will slowly melt. Stir periodically to ensure it doesn't stick to the pot.
Dip the Cake pops into the white chocolate and place on wax paper and stick in the fridge until it hardens.

I will say they were Delicious. They were hard on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. Mine aren't aesthetically pleasing but I learned along the way. I had issues with my sticks staying in, which has to do with the fact that I could've added more icing to make it stick better, and my strawberries were way to big as well as my cake pops.
I hope you all try this recipe soon!

Scoliosis and being a mom

Hey Guys!

About 3 years ago I was told I had scoliosis. A simple diagnosis that answered many questions. I went to the doctor to get my birth control refilled and figured while I was there I should ask about my neck pain that was reoccurring.

I remember not being able to stand on my feet for long periods of time, bending over was painful and walking constantly was impossible. My boyfriend didn't understand why I was always complaining and I honestly didn't have the answers. I felt so out of shape and at times felt like I was holding us back. When I was told my neck pain was connected to my spinal issues it all made sense. Even today, I will wake up unable to move my neck, I cant hold kayden for more then a minute and my boyfriend helps pick up heavy items.

When my boyfriend and I were discussing having a baby. He naturally had some concerns. Putting on extra weight, which comes along with a pregnancy, could do a lot of harm. I was told by my doctor to be more conscious of my weight because the more extra weight I have, the higher the chance that I will be in pain. I worked out everyday, I took buddy out for long walks, I went to the gym and I ate healthy. Thank God I put on the perfect amount of weight.

Fast forward to today, it's not always easy with scoliosis, which is why I'm blessed to have a hands on boyfriend. He helps bathe Kayden every night (if he is home). He picks up the heavy items, and helps clean because he knows it can be a lot on my back.

When kayden was younger I was in a lot of pain most days. It's hard with kayden being a newborn, because they need to be picked up and rocked and that can be hard. There were a lot of times I felt like my back was going to snap an I felt like the worst mother out there.

When Kayden napped I napped. I know that sounds cliche, but it wasn't always to sleep, it was to fully rest my back and not put any strain on it. We have a massager, and I would hook it up to my back, after 15 minutes I would fall asleep, and it would continue to massage me. This really helped. It knocked out any pain I would've gotten and got all the knots out. One of the biggest struggles I had was putting kayden to bed. We all know with newborns you can sit in a chair for hours or even walk back and forth. Kayden wasn't big on daytime naps, so I would pace back and forth just for him to go down for 30 minutes. Holding kayden put a lot of strain on my back. When I would sit in a rocking chair what was comfortable for me wasn't for kayden which made it tough.

I was happy after my pregnancy when I could have Epsom salt baths. Kayden was a great night time sleeper, so I could always soak in the tub with lavender scented salts and soak for 30 minutes if Curtis wasn't home. For those fussy nights I had a heating pad which was great. I would sit near the AC (since I live in an apartment) and have the heating pad on and it was glorious.

Now that kayden is 2 months away from being 2, he is a lot bigger but still likes the occasional pick up. Luckily now I can say "you're a big boy, and big boys walk" which is a lifesaver on the days I'm in a lot of pain.

It hasn't gotten better but I do workout in an attempt to keep my weight down and I do have a healthy balanced diet. I made a promise to myself that I wouldnt let my pain hold me back. I may do things slower, and may have to sit down occasionally but I am as hands on as any other mom.

Wednesday Wisdom

Yaaaasss Hunny! I am not one to get overly religious or political on a public forum, but I read this and couldn't help but think about certain events/times in my life. We have all questioned things in life ( our existence, God, why certain things are happening etc,) and maybe lost our faith or way in life. I remember a few months ago, my boyfriend and I were going through a hard time, where everything and anything you could think was happening to us was. We don't have a lot of family to lean on around us, which makes those difficult times much harder. I remember questioning why these things were happening to us. It was during those times he would remind me that I need to strengthen my faith. Ever since I got pregnant, and there was a lot emotionally that I was going through, I made a commitment to pray everyday. It doesn't have to be a certain time frame, or at a certain time everyday. I wanted to take a few moments and thank God for another day, and blessing me for the things I have in my life. As much as we complain about things, we often forget about the small things in life. Even if I may have been selfish, or forgetful, the great thing about God, is tomorrow you start with a clean slate. We are human and God knows that. We don't always make the best decisions in life, but we have unconditional love and forgiveness from him. I know not everyone is religious or believes in God, but whatever you believe is bigger then you is what you should apply this quote to.

Gain Fireworks Review

 Hey guys!

The past few days I have been sick so excuse the late post. This is going to be about gain fireworks. A few companies have come out with their version of this. I never bothered with any of these, but the past few months we have been trying to stretch our dollar.

My boyfriend loves gain, he loves the scent it leaves on his clothes and has Gain everything, detergent, fabric softener and sheets. We switched to Gain detergent pods, but those got quite pricey. In efforts to cut back awhile ago, he compromised on trying Gain fireworks. If he loved it, we would keep it, if he didn't, it was back to Gain everything.

I'm not picky about detergent , ive never had an issue with stains being left behind, or feeling as though my clothes aren't clean, so I'm easy. We bought perisil detergent because it was on sale, and got Gain Fireworks.

At the beginning my boyfriend dumped a bunch in, looking back, it was to much. But I will admit it's amazing. If you love the scent of certain detergents, but for whatever reason are turning elsewhere these are a great option. They claim to leave your laundry smelling great for a month, I don't know about that, but I will admit after a week or two my clothes did smell great.

We get the amazing Gain scent without having to use to the detergent. My son has sensitive skin, so this has been a great alternative. You are suppose to throw the beads directly into the drum of your washer, and they gradually dissolve as the load gets washed. We have used it on everything, clothes, sheets, bedding and towels. The scent has been amazing on everything. My boyfriend was using cupfulls at a time which he said was to kick so we have been trying to see what amount works for us. There is no maximum or minimum to use which is great, it's to your own preference.

Why Intermittent Fasting Isn't for me

Hey Guys!

I kept hearing about intermittent fasting, from youtubers and the Internet, so I decided to check it out for myself. Like most people, I am trying to loose weight and thought this would be a great solution. It seemed like it would work for my lifestyle, I could still drink liquids, water, coffee with 2 tsp milk and bone broth. I have limited my snacking at night, so I am done eating by 8pm. I figured 16 hour fast would be easy. For those that don't know, the basics are, you skip one meal a day (based on 16 hour fast). You don't eat less food, you just eat bigger meals. For instance, if you are on a 1500 calorie diet, you would divide that between 2 meals and potentially 2 snacks. I heard a lot of youtubers say that it was easy for them since they wernt hungry in the morning, and I usually don't get hungry till 10am in the morning, so I thought an extra 2 hours wouldn't be a big deal.

Intermittent fasting is not for me. I was miserable. I'm the type of person that needs her breakfast, and im not about to give up dinner and an after workout snack since I workout at night. I was starving in the morning, and awful to be around. I don't necessarily need to eat right away, but to go all the way till noon without food was unbearable. I tried for over a week to do it but all I wanted to do was sit down and wait for noon to hit. Being a mother, this was not practical. I am constantly running around, and I would eat when Kayden ate, to make my day run smoother. There are many health benefits to IF, which is why I really wanted to get on the bandwagon.

I know it takes a while to adjust, but we went out for breakfast yesterday as a family, and I had so much more energy and felt satisfied. That in itself was enough to let me know IF is a no go. I was seeing results which is why giving up on IF was such a struggle for me. My stomach had gone down and my clothes were fitting better. The only downside, I was really sick, I wasn't sitting in bed with the flu, but rather I was in the bathroom. Yes I was running constantly because I was constipated and I was gassy. It brought back to many memories of struggling to go. I was at my parents house at one point and had the worst pain underneath my belly. I had the feeling like my bladder was full and I was holding it in, and the pain stayed for 2 day, until I started to eat properly. Whatever was happening to my body wasn't worth it. I would recommend for everyone to try it, and see how your body adjusts, but listen to your body. I use to do fasted cardio, and that was quite easy for me. Granted about an hour or so later I did need to eat, but that was a lot easier on my body.

Vaseline Lip care (lip balm)

Hey Guys!

Ever since I was a teenager, if I didn't apply a lip product before I went to bed, I would wake up the next morning with chapped, cracked, bleeding lips. Ever since I have been on the hunt for an amazing lip product. About 4 years ago I started using Burts Bee's, and I will admit I fell in love. It was so moisturizing, I didn't think I would ever change my lip product..until 6 months ago.
I got a sample from samplesource for Vaseline Lip care, I admit at first I was hesitant. I didn't think it would meet my needs, or even moisturize the way a lip product should. The lip care has the benefits of vaseline and a lip balm in one. It was moisturizing and really went deep into your lips. Hours after the product is gone, you still feel moisturized. It lasts a long time so there is no need to reapply for hours. Even when the product is gone, it has gone so deep in your lips, you feel moisturized and protected. I got this in the winter time, and  during the cold months this was a life saver. My lips are extra dry, and when I say a little bit goes a long way, I am not kidding. It took me awhile to find the prefect amount to apply on my lips and I haven't even made a dent in it. I would apply this before going outside, and when I got home, it was still there. It looks natural on the lips, there is no gloss to it.
I got the original, so my was scent free, I didn't have any reaction to it. I would recommend this product to anyone who has chapped lips, or has problems during the summer/winter months and need that extra protection. Growing up I would use Vaseline on my lips, and as an adult, I love this modern revamped version. It has the benefits of a balm (moisturizing, heals lips, protects etc) with the old school feel of Vaseline.

Wisdom wednesday

The past couple of months have been tough for my family. We have had a lot of struggles and challenges. There have been people trying to bring us down, think negatively about us and trying to figure out our next steps in life. There were days when I didn't want to deal with anything, and at times not even get out of bed. I would often wonder, what else could possibly go wrong? Why was all of this happening to us? It was during those moments that my boyfriend reminded me to have faith, not just that things will work out, but that God had a plan for us. Even if you aren't religious, its about having trust that things will work out in the end, as they say, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As tough as these past months have been, I couldn't have gone through all of this, or made it through the day without my trust in God. I do believe that God doesn't put things in front of you that you cannot handle, so there is a reason that we all go through what we go through. We constantly question why certain things are happening, but we need to stop analyzing, and harping on the what if's and the why's and just let go. We can only control ourselves in life, and I have learned this the hard way, all the other things, I leave in God's hands. I have put my full trust in God, and believe that things will work out the way they should.

Blueberry Muffin Recipe

Hey Guys!

As you can tell by the title, this post is a blueberry recipe. I will admit, I am not the biggest blueberry fan, but my boyfriend loves it. When I was younger, i was obsessed with blueberry muffins, I would eat them all the time, to the point, where I am now sick of them!

I found this recipe on pinterest, and made these when I had people over one day. They were obsessed with them, they even took them home! Now that my boyfriend is working night shifts, his schedule is a bit off. When he wakes up to start his shift, I like to give him quick foods that he doesn't have to waste time on. In all honesty, baked breakfast goods is the answer.

I have tried these muffins, and they are actually delicious, and this is coming from someone who doesn't like blueberries! The recipe claims its a bakery style muffin, and my boyfriend agrees!

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups of blueberries ( i personally think this is to many, I did find I had a lot leftover because my batter was overflowing with blueberries)
2 large eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1 3/16 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
2 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line your muffin trays
mix flour, baking powder and salt
in another bowl beat butter and sugar
add 1 egg at a time, and beat after each egg
add vanilla extract
add half the flour and milk, and mix
repeat
add the blueberries slowly, break it up in thirds or do half at a time
fold the blueberries in
put in muffin liners, and sprinkle with sugar on top
bake for 30 minutes

mysweetmission.net/2015/04/bakery-style-blueberry-muffins.html

The one thing I love about the recipe is how easy it is, and how all these ingredients, I usually have in my house.

How I de-stress

Hey Guys!

We all deal with stress in life, and with little one's it can be more challenging. Awhile ago I had an awful migraine due to stress, which lasted for a month. I woke up with my head pounding and went to bed unable to move from the pain. I went to the doctor and was told it was from stress. I let things overpower me, to the point where it interfered with me being a mother. This broke my heart, and was a wake up call for me. I decided to find ways to distress myself, not just for my health but also for the benefit of my family.

Working out

It's so cliche but everything you hear about it is true. I literally sweat out every frustration or negative emotion out of me. I have recently increased the number of workouts I do a week and noticed amazing results. I am in a better mood and I sleep a lot better. It is also time I get for myself, it's 30 minutes a day where I can work hard, focus on getting through the workout and nothing else exists.

Sleep

While working out does help the quality I sleep I get, it doesn't compensate for everything. Figure out how much sleep your body needs a night. I need 7-8 hours but my boyfriend is fine with 5. Sleep outs me in a better mood, I'm more alert and emotions are balanced so I am able to handle situations a lot better. I have a lot more energy and patience with Kayden, and I don't take things out of context. We all underestimate how much sleep can help regulate our emotions, and allow us to function in a productive way.

Take time for yourself

I use to spread myself thin, and looking back that was the worst thing I could do. You need to find something that calms you down and helps center you. For me a good nap can make everything better. Find what you need to put yourself in a better place, get your nails done, hair done, go out with friends etc. This will allow yourself to breathe and give you a break from the day to day. There are days when Kayden is whining a little extra, or he didn't get enough sleep and everything is to emotional for him. If my boyfriend is home, I tell him I need a time out, and he takes over. If you have family/friends nearby don't be afraid to ask them for help. Sometimes you need to just step outside if there is no one to help you. I will go out on the balcony with kayden, he will blow some bubbles, play with some toys and I get to a few moments of sanity.

Tea

I love tea in the evening. After I workout I love making myself a cup of decaf green tea ( I also have other flavors) sit on the couch and just relax. Honestly, evening is the best time for me, Kayden is asleep, the house is quiet, and if my boyfriend isn't working that night,we get quality time together. There is something about tea ( or anything warm) that calms your body, and just relaxes you. I also sleep better when I drink a warm beverage. There are many teas out there, and I can guarantee that you'll find one that works for you, i always gave orange pekoe, green tea and chai tea stocked in my cabinet.

Makeup I spluge on

Hey Guys!

So as someone who loves makeup, we can all get caught up in the hype of certain department store products. I have been guilty of shelling out money, when the drugstore has a better/just as good product. Everyone always asks me what makeup to splurge on, so I am here to tell you. While it may not seem like a lot that I list, I will tell you my reasoning. Products that I use up often is not worth breaking the bank over, also I think about what I use all the time, if I am going to reach for a product once a blue moon, it is not worth it for me.

Foundation
I do believe you should splurge on foundation. It goes on your face, and sometimes can be the first item of makeup you put on. I do find when you go to a department store, there is more variety in terms of skin needs. You can always find a foundation to help you with your problems i.e. oily, dry, combination, breakouts etc. I also do find the ingredients  they use is different. The foundations glide on so well, and honestly have never settled into my dry spots.  They have more staying power then drugstore makeup. Part of why I don't mind spending a lot on foundation, is because a little bit goes a long way. I have a medium/full coverage foundation, and I find that my foundation lasts over a year.


Bronzer
I have only bought one bronzer in my life, and it has been drugstore. I fell in love. It is smooth and silky, and once again a little bit goes a long way. I do find the color payoff to be amazing as well.  I never have to reapply, and I look like I have a natural glow.

Concealer
I will stand by my department store concealer any day. I have bags under my eyes and dark circles. I have tried so many drugstore concealers and nothing did the trick, plus they settled into my fine lines. I finally found an amazing department store concealer, and my under eyes have never looked better. The coverage is amazing, but I do have to set it, to get that amazing flawless look. As all department store finds, it lasts a long time.

Lipstick
 I have mixed feelings about this. I do find drugstore lipsticks work well. They have really changed their formula and the color payoff is amazing. I will admit though, I do find department store lipsticks more moisturizing, it almost feels like butter. For me to pay that extra money when I can, is worth it. I wouldn't recommend buying department store lipsticks solely for their color. You can find so many dupes online, which makes the internet an amazing place.

All in all for certain products, you should shell out that extra money. I love the colors, and the moisturizing, and the luxuriousness you feel with department store makeup. I dont replace my department store makeup often, which justifies the amount I pay for my items, and honestly, its only a few items. I like mixing up my makeup with high end and low end products. You get introduced to so many new products, and I guarantee you will be shocked at how well drugstore makeup is.

Wednesday Wisdom

The past two weeks have presented a lot of changes for my family. My boyfriend works night shifts now at a new job, and a lot of things have been hectic and different. I will admit, I cried. I know this will sound silly, but regardless of how our days are, we always went to bed together, and whenever I wake up at night, I roll over and he is there. My night has changed completely. I use to always be scared of taking care of Kayden at night, not because I don't think I am capable but rather the bond that Kayden and his father have. Curtis is able to walk into the room, and put him back down with ease, if Kayden has had a bad dream, whereas for me it takes much longer, mostly because I can't hold him for a long time, or a position that is comfortable for my back is uncomfortable for him. As difficult as these last 3 nights have been, I learned a lot about myself, and about being a mother. I can put Kayden down with ease, I need to stay calm and remind him that I am here for him, and there is nothing to worry about. Kayden and I have our own special connection, that as a mother I always questioned. There are times I felt jealous of what Curtis and Kayden have. Sure my days are a lot lonelier with Curtis sleeping, but I reevaluated myself. I have made mistakes in the past week, but as the quote said, i said 'oops'. Curtis is going to gain great work experience in the next few months, and open up a new field for himself. Kayden may have to play a little quieter, and I will do a lot more then I usually do, but we never have to wonder if Curtis could handle these new responsibilities. I will gladly take on more, to ease the stress for my boyfriend. Let's challenge ourselves to step outside the box, and face our ears, for whatever that may be, a new job, new roles or even a new life.

How to cook basmati rice perfectly

Hey Guys!

I grew up eating rice, to be honest, I will find any excuse to eat rice. It is my absolute favorite thing to eat. I must admit, I didn't perfect my 'rice making skills' till September. I make basmati rice, that is always in our house. The only time I buy another brand, is if I can't find a reasonably priced bag of basmati at the store.
For my birthday in September, my dad took me to a restaurant, and the rice was amazing. It was light, fluffy, and you could eat endless amounts, which is odd because it usually leaves you feeling heavy.
Here is the secret, soak your rice. I ideally like to soak it for 2 hours before I am going to cook it, but I have done it 30 minutes before and gotten good results.
I usually make a cup and half of rice, so I double that amount in water. If i am not soaking my rice, I will add a dash of oil. If I am soaking it, I rinse it off with water and put it in the pot once the water has boiled. I put my stove on 7, and let it cook for 5 minutes. If i have soaked it, I do find that all the water is gone, and the rice is fully cooked. If i haven't soaked it I lower the heat to 5, and usually in 2-3 minutes it will be done. I cover the rice with a small plate/bowl. The reason I don't use a lid, is because I don't want any steam/heat to escape. I cover it for at least 5 minutes.

Car Activites for toddler's

Hey Guys!

All of us have to drag our little one around on a day full of errands at one point or another. It can be exhausting trying to prevent meltdowns or dealing with them. Luckily I have found some fool proof ways to keep your little one's happy.

Food/Drinks

I usually know how long we are going to be out for, and I always try to plan the outing after the meal/snack so it gives me some wiggle room. The one thing I always take is water. Kayden is obsessed with water and always gets thirsty, I also found that he gets hot fast. If I have a drink he is usually good. Water is such a healthy option, and does the trick. If I know we will be out for close to two hours I will take a snack. Something small and easy for him to have that is filling. Some of the things I pack is granola bars, bear paws and raisins. I avoid items that would spoil such as yogurt and fruit.

Movie/Show

Our SUV doesn't have a built in video player (if yours does, you are lucky!) Whenever we come back from my parents house, kayden is tired and can get really cranky. My boyfriend has Curious George on his phone and positions it in a way that he can see it, but not touch. Kayden is so happy and quiet, he doesn't make a peep, you think he's sleeping sometimes and our dog Buddy falls asleep and everyone is happy.The great thing about this, is that it is a show that he is obsessed with, it takes his mind off the fact that it is late and he is going to crash soon. We don't use this when running errands in our town, but rather going/coming from someone's house.

Music

Curtis loves blasting his music, and Kayden loves dancing in his car seat. On short rides we play music and kayden dances away. With the weather being warmer we roll down the windows and he loves the wind in his face.

Toys

We always have a small toy that kayden can hold onto while he is in the car. Once he gets older I want to incorporate activity books. He will play with the toy for 30 min sometimes an be content, when he was younger he would fall asleep mid playing. Keep in mind the toy needs to be small and something he can hold in his hand and doesn't take up a lot of room. We keep a few toys near his car seat for easy access. Also, change the toys up. Kids can get bored seeing the same toy over and over again. I use to change it up monthly when he was a few months old, that way it would keep his attention.