Influenster: Vow Vox Box Style

Alright ya'll. The time has come again for a little Influenster review action. I'm gonna give you the hard truth on all of the products I received so prepare yourself. This box was called the #VowVoxBox. It was just in time for wedding season to get ready for a wedding as a guest, or even as a bride. 

Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream: Long name for moisturizer, but it is a pretty great product. This product claims to fade the look of dark spots and brighten complexion. I used this product for one month every morning. Although I loved the consistency of the product, I didn't necessarily notice any change in spots on my face. This moisturizer definitely left my face feeling smooth and look very glowy and bright. I overall would give this product a thumbs up for a moisturizer.  For a hefty retail price of $30.99, I will most likely not be purchasing this product on my own since I have used plenty of cheaper alternatives with the same results. 

EcoTools Pure Complexion Facial Sponge: When I first opened my package I thought, "What is it??" I was intrigued and the description is a "Konjac vegetable fiber". Sounds weird right? I have never used any type of vegetable to scrub my face but there is a first time for everything. This basically looks like a typical facial scrub, but it's 100% natural. I hadn't used a scrub before other than a clairsonic type tool. This being my first go at it, I would definitely say I am a fan. What I like to do is get it wet, put some face wash on it, and gently exfoliate my face. I was worried this type of product would be to abrasive on my face, but it was rough enough it helped my complexion, but gentle enough it didn't leave any redness on my face or hurt at all. I have noticed other types of facial scrubs at target and drug stores, but this one has my heart. Even my husband was jealous when I got this, and he said he needed one. Thumbs up for Eco Tools. Retail Price: $5.99

 Pure Silk Shave Cream: Alright confession time, I usually use a cheap bottle of conditioner to shave my legs. It moisturizes, leaves less cuts, and I feel lasts longer than shaving cream or gel. But for the sake of reviewing, I feel like this is just a typical shaving cream. I loved the raspberry mist scent, and I didn't seem to get too many cuts. Overall, It was good, but I am still in love with my conditioner leg shaving trick. Good, but not mind blowing. (Can a shave cream be mind blowing? I am not sure. If I find one I will make sure to let you know). Retail Price: $2.19

Tide to Go: If you do not have one of these, drop what you are doing and go buy one. You can thank me later. If you are like me or my husband, you have a line that could be your new slogan. "It's not a meal without a spill". Especially on date night, one of us tends to spill on our nice clothes we wear when we go out. I always keep one of these bad boys in my purse to save the day. On my wedding day, over a year ago, I used one on my wedding dress. My wedding dress people! It changed my life. *Drops mic and walks off stage. (Retail price: $7.99 for 3)

Riley & Grey: I wish I would have known about this when I was getting married. Riley and Grey is a wedding website that helps you create your own website for your wedding. (Say that ten times fast). I didn't use it for obvs reasons, but if you are getting married, make sure to check them out! www.rileygrey.com

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure: Yay for the best color of the summer. I fell in love with this polish as soon as I saw it in the bottle. I fell deeper in love when it stayed on my nails without chipping for 5 days. 5 whole days people. That is saying something for me. Don't worry, I have already bought two more in other colors and I'm impressed. (Retail: $7.99)

If you would like to receive free products like these, leave a comment below and I will make it happen!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Ta Ta for now. 

Words on Life

This is a thrifty blog about crafting and fluffy things that make our eyes smile and keep our wallets semi full. But today I just have to get something off my chest. This isn't the first time you have heard about it and it sure won't be the last in the Internet world. Online bullying is one thing that gets my blood boiling. I am not sure how some people can switch from being nice to most humans around them, to saying nasty things about people they don't even know online. The "wizard of oz" shield of  anonymity they hide behind and say whatever evil thing they can think of at the time doesn't portray strength, but the weakest of all character. What ever happened to building people up around us to help everyone reach greatness. What happened to your moms famous words, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." And I'm not talking about being fake and telling fibs, but say something nice if you believe it, or give honest constructive criticism if you think that person could benefit from it. 

I am not in any way trying to be rude to anyone of my followers of this blog. I have never had an issue with anyone. Everyone who reads my blog and comments has always been super supportive which I truly appreciate. I don't have a huge amount of people who read my posts, but I do hope that this one reaches people far and wide. If this post even just reaches one person and makes them realize the people behind the instagram accounts, youtube videos, blogs, facebook pages are all REAL people with REAL feelings and what you say can REALLY hurt them. 

I have seen in the past week three examples of blogs or social media accounts I follow with evil nasty things written to them in the comment section. I know I have seen my fair share of things I disagree with or don't like on the internet, but rather than degrade the person who wrote them, I respect them as a person and let them keep living their life. Just like that. Can't we all just let things go?

All I'm asking is that we think before we type. Realize that the words online are real and do hurt. 

Sorry to go all "mommy" on ya'll but I needed to say it. I promise the next post will be more thrift and crafty. 

10 Ways to Beat that Summa Heat!

It's only getting hotter in my neck of the woods. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas (and gets sunburned). Since I survived last year, I thought I would talk about my fav ways to beat the heat along with a collection of some random pictures from my life to go along with it. Just go with it.

10. Snow Cones- Surprisingly, snow cone shacks are few and far between here in the land of Las Vegas, but let me tell you they are worth the drive. Tigers blood with sweeten condensed milk or sour pink lemonade are my poisons of choice. The deeelicious taste and cooling sensation definitely earns it's spot on my list.

9. Swim- So you might not have a beach that looks like that, but swimming is a no brainer in the summer and especially if you live in Vegas, there are free pools everywhere! (This was from my honeymoon to the Dominican Republic... I want to go back!)

8. Movies- Cliff and I love a good movie and love the buttery popcorn even more. Movie theatres keep it extra cool in the summer months so if you need a break from running your AC unit on low all day, hit up a movie. If you live in Vegas, The Palms has $5 movie Mondays and South Point has $5 movie Tuesdays. I swear the movies are better when they don't cost as much. Speaking of movies, my eyes are still trying to recoup from watching The Fault in Our Stars. (The book was amazing too!). Here's the trailer if you haven't seen it yet. 

7. Wait to Go Out After the Sun is Down- It is easy enough to find plenty of things to do around here after the sun goes down. If you live in a smaller town, have a fire up the mountains and roast some mallows rather than go out all day. Last year, Cliff and I hit up First Friday all the time. If you live in Vegas you need to go. There is local art, live music, and food trucks!

6. Go Camping- Heading up the mountains is a sure way to stay cool. We went with family to Flaming Gorge a month or two ago. (I wouldn't recommend here in the summer because it's pretty hot). There are tons of places to go camping and even rent camping gear if you don't own any. 

5. Use your slow cooker- I can't emphasize how much I mean this. Our house stays so much cooler when I'm not turning on the oven to make dinner every night. There are so many delicious recipes to make in a slow cooker too! One of our fav's is french dip sandwiches from Pretty Providence.  Less than 6 ingredients and you're good to go. 

4. Go on Vacation- Cliff and I just got back from a cruise to Mexico for our one year anniversary. It was definitely a great way to escape the hot dry air of Las Vegas. 

3. Make Don't Bake- Make some of those delicious treats you've been eyeballing on pinterest that don't require an oven. My fav is no bake cheesecake found here.  I've been eyeballing lots of yumminess on my page as well you can look at here. 

2. Rock the Dresses- My favorite outfit in the summer, a dress. Nothing better than a flowy skirt or dress to keep you cool. Even lightweight maxi skirts can be tied in a knot at the knee for a cute and cool outfit. 

1. Invest in a Fan- Kinda self-explanatory. 

How do you keep cool? 

Babies at Tiffanies

Oh hey. You know when you don't talk to your good friend on the phone for a long time because you get busy with life, but there's no real excuse for how long it's really been since you last called them. It's been a while. And this is my roundabout way of apologizing/ignoring the fact that I've been gone because I'm not to busy for ya'll.

So lets pick up like we I never left. Deal? Deal.

So my adorable sister in law Megan is having a baby at the end of this month. One of my other sister's in law, Camille volunteered me to help throw her a baby shower! It was my first throwing of a shower (is that how you say it??) and so I had no clue what I was doing.

What I did know was that Megan was naming her new baby girl after Audrey Hepburn. Hello, she is only the most glamorous ladies ever so I knew I wanted to do a fun and girly shower based around her. We decided to go for her role in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" mixed with tiffany blue decor, beads, and glam. So without further ado, here is the result:

Almost everything was crafted and super easy. Anyone want a tutorial? 

We can't wait for Baby Audrey Elizabeth to get here!

Influenster Freebie Time

Hey guys! Today it's time to share some super fun products with you. I am part of the Influenster world and get to try out some fun products and let you know what I think. I recently received the UniVoxBox since I am a college student.

So here goes nothing. :)

Can I just say receiving a VoxBox is pretty much like Christmas morning. I don't do surprises. Like ask my husband, he knows I just can't handle it. Can NOT. But getting this box seemed to take forever. I forgot about it for a while, and then when it came I was dashing back to my house to rip open the box. I tried to do it all daintily so I could take some nice pictures for you guys, but really it took everything out of me not to just rip the package open.

First think I noticed when I opened my VoxBox was the Expert Last Lip Color in Forever Fushia- retail value is $1.99

If you have been reading my blog lately, you know I have become makeup crazed lately, so it's only destiny that I received this awesome new lip color to try out. It is the perfect for spring and summer. I have been trying out some drug store lipsticks lately, and this one is definitely at the top of my list. It is creamy, buttery, and practically impossible to wipe off if you try. And I have the dryest lips, so finding a lipstick that works with my cracky and flakiness is next to impossible. I was really impressed with this lipstick and plan on getting a few more colors. For $2 they can't be beat! If you follow me on instagram you have already seen my selfie time, but here I am rockin the Forever Fushia!

Next product in the lineup was the Pilot Acroball PureWhite- retail value $4.59 for a 3 pack.

Now this little puppy is smooth. I like a nice gliding pen, especially when doing school work. Oh and makings lists. I am definilty a list person. I have an ipad and an iphone so I thought this could replace my pen and paper lists, but sure enough I love making a list and crossing off something when it's done. Ahhhh. Such a happy feeling. Little tangent there. But really a nice pen can't be beat. I always tend to reach for my favorite smooth gliding pens so I am sure this will fit in nicely with my favs.

Next product in the box was Red Rose Real Tea Premium Water Enhancer- retail value $4.49

This product is just a small bottle you squeeze into your water to make it into tea. Unfortunately I wasn't able to test out this product because for religious reasons I don't drink black tea. You can learn about my faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints here. Send me some herbal tea and I will review it all day long!

Another makeup product in the box was the Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation- retail $5.49.

Now crazy thing is, I already own this exact foundation but in a darker shade. This shade is a little to fair for me, especially after going on a family camping trip this weekend. But, I am a big fan of this product. I tend to be an oily combination skin girl. I have the stay matte primer, foundation, and power, and I can honestly say they are some of my holy grail products. I am a fan. Big thumbs up to this product. I'm sorry for all the selfies, but here is me actually wearing the product on my face. 

The next product was Broadway Nails ImPRESS Press-On Manicure-retail value $5.99.

I haven't tried these out just yet. I haven't been a big DIY stick on nail girl, but I will definitely let you know what I think after I try them out. The purple color I got is very fun and bright. The packaging is also clever since it looks like a nail polish bottle.

Last but not least I received Playtex Sport Fresh Balance-retail $4.99.

Ok ladies, things are about to get real up in here. Never did I think I would be reviewing tampons on my blog, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. I did have the opportunity (?) to use these. I have to say I was less than impressed. I am a Tampax Pearl Girl. I have strayed a few times, but I always go back. These were no different. Let's just say these have some issues. Serious issues. Giant thumbs down for me. I will never purchase these.

Overall, it was really fun getting some new products to try out. If you want to join Influenster just leave me a comment and I will send you an invite!

*I did receive all the products I am mentioning today complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

Gold Dipped Planter

I recently have been bombarding our apartment with greenery. I'm not sure if it's the spring season that just hit me with the desire for more plants, but I love them! I had this pot above in plain black, but I am loving all things white and gold. It was easy to spruce up this pot and give it new life. I'm sure you have something around the house you can put a few new coats of paint on and adore the finished result. 

I used some left over white and gold paint and some foam brushes I already had laying around the house. I didn't tape off the edge because I liked the messy "dipped" in gold look. Being perfect is overrated in decor (and in life sometimes). The pot had a cool design that still shows that I am in love with. I am ready to gold up everything now! 

I just bought two new succulent plants I'm going to pot soon so stay tuned for what I do with these two cuties.

Easy as Cheesecake

We had a dinner date with some friends in our neighborhood and we said we would bring dessert and a side. I thought I would make one of Cliff's family favorite recipes. I swear every time we go to his parents house all the kids are begging for Momma Bev (Cliff's Mom) to make cheesecake. I'm sure this is just a simple recipe you can find on the inside of a cream cheese box, but none the less it is divine. We usually have cherry toppings, but I thought it would be even better with fresh strawberries. They did not disappoint. And I attempted to be a food artist. It was fun, but it didn't stay pretty for long. We devoured it. I thought I would share this simple recipe. It's perfect for spring and summer since no oven is required!

Cheesecake

Crust:
1 Tbls. sugar
1 Pkg. graham crackers
1/2 cube butter
 Crush the crackers and sugar. (I just put them in a large plastic baggy and roll over it with a rolling pin). Melt butter and mix together. Press into an 8x8 pan. Place in freezer to harden up quickly.

Cake:
1 8 oz. cream cheese package
1 8 oz. pkg. Cool Whip
11/4 Cup powdered sugar
Mix and cream these together. Pour on top of the crackers. Put your choice of topping and eat up!

It's delicious with blueberries, strawberries, cherries, and I'm sure a ton of other fruit. Be creative. Let me know what you like on your cheesecake!