Goodbye and Good Riddance 2017

*Warning: this post will be wordy, lengthy, and personal. If that's not your thing, feel free to leave now! You've been warned.

You guys know that I have always been very personal and real on my blog. There's no point in me having a blog if I can't look back and see the things I was really thinking and feeling. Therefore, it is my stance that I will always remember 2017 as the year I fell into a dark, deep pit and managed to claw my way back up, albeit very slowly and not without a lot of struggle.

As many of you know, I started a new career this year in real estate. I've never been one to shy away from change. I've always enjoyed experiencing new things and it's never bothered me that things change. That's life. I have to admit though, I struggled with my career change. After having worked in the same job with the same people for 10 years, I suddenly found myself in the position of not knowing my job. Being the low man on the totem pole. Having to learn everything from scratch. That in itself was a struggle. Add onto that the fact that my husband and I had never worked in a capacity where we were responsible for, or had to answer to each other. Sure, we'd met at work and essentially worked together our entire careers, but never for each other. There was a lot of fighting, a lot of crying (mostly on my part) and a lot of figuring out our new roles. I am very lucky to say that I have a great husband who was always willing to communicate, to compromise, and to just let me be an emotional wreck, which I was fairly often this year.

Add to the change the fact that I had lost a lot of the people that normally helped me through tough situations and it was the beginning of the spiral for me. It's no one's fault. People move on. People change. Our lives go on different paths and eventually I felt like my life was so separate from theirs that I didn't even know how to start that conversation. Around this time I was around a lot of negative people and I really felt like for the first time in a long time that I had lost myself. I didn't know what part I was playing in my career, in my friendships, or just life in general. I started feeling sad, worthless, and constantly exhausted for no particular reason.

Around this time I also started gaining weight. I was the heaviest I'd ever been in my life and that made me feel even worse. I didn't want to get out of bed and get dressed because I really didn't feel good about myself. I didn't feel like I was accomplishing anything or contributing anything at my job and I just felt all around not good. I was being negative all the time, which is not in my personality at all, but I couldn't figure out how to pull myself out. I could feel myself being an annoyance, a burden, and a pain to be around, but I really didn't know how to not be those things.

Another big change was that we sold our coffee shops. Now this was a long time coming as we had been trying to sell them for over a year, and it was something that really needed to happen. It was consuming way more of my time then I ever intended it to and it was making it difficult for me to really get into any sort of routine or schedule, or give 100% to my new career. Even though it was a good thing, it was still so bittersweet to me. I tried really hard to make sure we sold it to someone that would keep the same integrity and the same passion that we had. Sadly, that did not happen and within a few weeks I watched all the love and hard work I put into it go down the drain. I hope that the new owners will find their way and be successful, but it was really heartbreaking to watch my dream die.

This all sounds so melodramatic as I'm writing it, but at the time it's really how I felt. I knew rationally that I was being a little crazy, that I just needed to buck up and move forward, but depression is a funny thing. You know that nothing really life shattering is happening, but you feel like everything is falling apart. All the changes that happened was for the good, but I still couldn't feel happy about any of it.

All I can say is this: it does get better. I acknowledged that I was depressed, that no matter how silly it might seem to others, I had a right to feel the way that I did. And I stopped wallowing. I found that if I laid in bed and felt sorry for myself, it got so much worse. One day turned into two, turned into a week. Instead, I got myself up, got myself to work, and did the things I needed to do. I also started surrounding myself with positive people, who cared about me, let me talk, and were just there. We changed companies, which was very difficult but also really helped put me in a place that I needed to be. I talked, I cried, I allowed myself to feel what I felt, and now I'm starting over again. Reach out, get help, do what is best for you, but keep moving forward!

Thank you to all of you who reached out, who checked up on me, and who allowed me this time off. I love you, I'm here for you, and I am happy to be back! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and here's to making 2018 our best year yet!

March (2017) Favorites

Man, did March ever fly by in the blink of an eye! I turned 1 year older, had a pretty successful month, and accomplished a lot, so I'm definitely not complaining. As you will be able to see by my favorites, there was definitely an unintentional theme that happened and I'm not mad about it. Also, I can't believe all the beautiful days we had this past month. Summer, I'm ready for you!

Now you guys know I'm not usually one for high-end anything, usually because I can find something just as good as the pricey version, but I totally get why this mascara is so hyped. It's the Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced. I know, enough said.

I'm literally wearing this gloss right now. I'm not much of a gloss person, but this one by Maybelline in Glistening Coral is super not sticky and gives the most beautiful, natural color to the lips. It gives that MLBB look that is so lovely this time of year!

These crystal and diamante earrings by House of Harlow have been my favorites for a long time, but I still cannot get enough of how simple yet beautiful they are. You can't tell by the photo, but they are actually rose gold and baby blue, which is such a soft, pretty combination. I've worn these a ton this month since they go with everything!

This Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait has been my other favorite lippie when I want a little more color but still want comfort. My lips have been so dry from our harsh winter here that I'm easing them into spring with a lot of comfortable lipsticks and the lip butter formula is one of the best for that.

I've talked about this Milani blush in Luminoso before, and if you are a beauty lover you know all about it, but I love the shimmery soft peachy pink color for the Spring. It pairs perfectly with pale skin and gives a beautiful glow.

I inadvertently gravitated towards all things coral this month, but what can I say, it's just all so pretty! What have you guys been loving this month? Happy Monday friends. XO

VII Code Eye Mask

If you've ever suffered from dark under eye circles then you've probably tried countless under  eye masks and treatments. All claim to brighten and tighten and while I haven't tried every mask under the sun, I have tried quite a few, and none have compared to the VII code 8 hour oxygen under eye mask. The first difference I noticed right away was that although these look like ordinary sheet masks, they actually have a thick gel texture on one side that is both soothing and cooling. The second difference I noticed to traditional sheet masks was that this mask is an 8 hour overnight treatment, so you sleep with it on and wake up with a brighter under eye area. The gel sticks to the surface of your skin so they stay in place comfortably while you sleep. The box comes with 5 masks and you wear them 2 to 3 times a week. 3 boxes is a full treatment cycle. These masks really work and once I completed a treatment cycle I noticed my under eye area was much brighter. I've only been through one treatment cycle but I can honestly say these eye masks worked wonders. You can order these online at http://www.viicode.com/index.php/oxygen-eye-mask/ or search their site for other great products at http://www.viicode.com. 

Loving Lately : e.l.f. Mineral Blush Collection

Every day since about the beginning of the year I've been reaching for one of these e.l.f. mineral blushes. I've had them in my collection forever and have used them off and on but lately I've been really gravitating towards them for 2 simple reasons : They're easy to apply and they look so soft and pretty for Spring. Not to say that these blushes aren't pigmented, but they blend out so beautifully because they are so finely milled that you almost can't go wrong with them. When you're in a hurry (or even if you're not but just want that soft look) these are super easy and beautiful on the cheek. I wish the swatches did these justice but they just don't compare to how beautiful these are in real life. Even though they are on the pricier side of the e.l.f. collection, they still only run $5, which is just such a steal.

Clockwork from top left: Wanderlust, Jet Setter, Sweet Retreat, Baked Peach (technically a bronzer), and Cabo Cabana

Wanderlust: This berry toned blush is the darkest of the bunch, it's got a little bit of shimmer to it but again, since it's so finely milled it really just gives a nice glow. I love this in the cold weather months or when I'm doing a berry look all around.
Jet Setter: This is a mix between Wanderlust and Sweet Retreat, it's a berry peach and very unique - I have nothing else like this in my collection and I love it. It's one of the more matte blushes in the collection and it gives a nice flush to the cheeks.
Sweet Retreat: This one is the lightest of the bunch and also a matte. It's just a really pretty peachy pink color that looks perfect on those no makeup, makeup days. It's definitely one I reach for when I want something quick and easy.
Baked Peach - This one is technically a bronzer but I've loved just sweeping it all over the cheeks for a nice golden glow and it definitely adds some beautiful color and bronze when I don't really want to bother with multiple products. It's on the shimmery side so it makes a nice blush.
Cabo Cabana - This is the coral of the group, it's quite shimmery and such a perfect transition shade into summer. I love the look of this with a nude or coral lip and it's definitely been one of my favorites of the group.

Have you guys tried the e.l.f. mineral blushes before? Do you love them as much as I do? I hope you all have a wonderful week! XO

Feel Grateful Friday #10

Man, what a year this has been! I know, it's only the start of the year, but I have seen more transitions in these few months then I have in the last few years of my life. As I transitioned into my new job I felt so many emotions - scared to start something new, excited to be on a new adventure, unsure, unsteady, and sad. Sad to be leaving the people I've known for a good part of my adult life. As I made my transition, as through all hard things in life, my true friends really showed themselves through their understanding, support, and love. I am grateful to the friends who have stuck by me, showed me they still loved me, and checked in on me constantly knowing that I was struggling to make this change!

I am so grateful to have made so many new friends as I've started my new journey in life; people who accepted me with open arms, made me feel welcome, helped me with patience and kindness as I continue to gain the knowledge and skills in this new career. I am so grateful to be working with such kind people and to be able to do it with my best friend by my side!

I'm also so grateful to my blog family - all my blog friends who kept checking back even though I hadn't posted in well over a month, and when I finally did post were back with kind comments and support across my spectrum of social medias. You guys are amazing, and the reason why I really wanted to make it back to my blog, even amid the chaos that is my life currently! I sure am grateful for all of you who take the time to make me feel loved!

I hope all my friends, old and new, have a wonderful, love-filled weekend! XO

February (2017) Favorites

Since I'm trying really, really, really hard to use up all my products before purchasing new ones (a big goal I'm really trying to make happen this year) I've tried a lot of different face products in February and a lot of them made it into my monthly favorites. This is what I was loving last month!

 

Witch Hazel - This is getting down to the basics for skin care but witch hazel is good for so many things, not the least it's a perfect astringent for my oily skin. I noticed that it really helped keep my pores in check and it's super duper affordable. It's not the most pleasant smell but it doesn't linger either so I'll happily deal with it for the results.

Nicel Revive + Renew Cream - Another super affordable product, I've had this in my stash for quite a while but just started using it and I love it. The Alpha Hydroxy has really helped clear up some breakouts I was experiencing this month and the aloe is really soothing. It's such a great combo and I'm really enjoying using this at night.

Acure Day Cream - I've had this sample for a while and when I was looking for a new day cream this one really stuck out. It's got all kinds of interesting ingredients like Gotu Kola Stem Cell and Chlorella Growth Factor... weird, I know, but this cream is so luxurious feeling and does a good job of brightening my skin. I also love the citrusy smell it has. This was a large sample and is only about half way gone since a little goes a really long way.

I've heard so much hype around the Katy Perry Matte Lipsticks from Covergirl that I had to try one and I am really happy I did. I picked this up in the color Catoure and it is the perfect everyday nude pink shade - and I have literally been wearing it every single day. It's such an easy, no fuss formula and it wears really well. I'm resisting going out and buying the entire collection, I like it that much. 

You guys know that I am a huge fan of Lavender, both the smell and the flavor, and this month I am all about the lavender lattes. It's slightly fruity and goes so nicely in an iced latte, and with the warmer weather coming I am anticipating loving this drink for the next few months.

That wraps up my favorites for the month. What have you guys been loving lately? XO

Hard Candy Velvet Mousse Matte Lip Color

I generally never do single product reviews on a lipstick because I'm fairly simple; I either like it or I don't. I can write a few words about the formula and the color and then I'm basically done. This particular lip product by Hard Candy had a whole lot going on, so I felt like I had a lot more to say.

Let's start with the packaging: almost my favorite part of any product if I'm being honest. I am always drawn to cute packaging and this one was no exception. The pretty floral tin makes it great to give as a small gift and the mirror inside is genius for on the go application - which you'll need a lot of, but more on that later. It's quite bulky, but the concept is cute and I like the idea of not getting rogue lip color all over my handbag, which has happened more times then I can count!

The applicator is a flat doe foot which covers a lot of territory, but makes precision somewhat complicated. I suggest definitely using a lip liner with this as it will be very difficult to get the outer rim of your lips defined without getting color everywhere. I used a liner and I was happy with the applicator as it just took a few easy swipes to cover my entire mouth. Super simple.

I chose the color Wisteria because I definitely don't have enough purple colors in my collection (cough, cough) and it is the most gorgeous, dark plum shade. It's super pigmented and quite matte, but doesn't entirely dry down, so it's very comfortable to wear. The downside of the mousse aspect is that it is quite thick, so unless you wear the color completely down you can't really touch it up without it becoming a crusty mess. This lip product does not last all day (I'm not sure it was meant to) and wears completely off after eating. I'm fine with that aspect since I'm no stranger to reapplication. My biggest issue with this was, for example, when I drank out of a straw I'd have a weird faded patch in a tiny circle in the center of my lips, which was quite hard to fix since I couldn't reapply the whole lipstick. Instead of wiping off my entire mouth and restarting from scratch, I'd tap a little product onto the area and kind of blend it down with my fingers. This seemed to work well but it's quite a lot of work for a lip product. I'd probably still wear this because it's so pretty, super pigmented, and super affordable, however I'd avoid it on days I had a lunch meeting or needed to look picture perfect.

Overall, I'd say if you're a no fuss type of gal this might not be the product for you, but if you're willing to work with it a little bit you really can't beat the price!

Have you guys ever used these lip mousses before? What're your thoughts? I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! XO