Mani Mania + weekly recap

Hello everyone! I've been gone for a little bit since my husband was on vacation all week. We were out and about all day every day just about doing chores and things. We also did quite a bit of shopping so I'm hoping to post/film a haul video :)  Not to brag, its just things I've gotten over the last few weeks. With that haul I'm hoping to do some reviews as well. Ok that wasn't the weekly recap I thought it would be but oh well haha.

A couple of things I got were 2 of the polishes in the Essie Resort collection. It finally came to the CVS near me. I swear it took me forever to choose, and not to get all 4. I did get In the Cab-ana which is everywhere so I'll wait to show that one. I haven't seen so much of the purple shade of the Under where? though so I bought that one and decided to show you guys today :)

                                                   

I will say this isn't my favorite color. It's nice and everything and I will wear it for spring but it just wasn't what I expected. For me it's not  as bright as I was hoping, more milky and quite so to speak.  It also took 3 coats to get this shade which as you know does not work for me most days with a toddler running around. But this may work better for you like I said nice color just wasn't what I was expecting. You know how that goes. I will say personally it is not a toe color, just sayin. 

Hope this was helpful and keep a look out for more reviews!  

Also I made a new facebook page so please visit and feel free to start some conversations!  You can find the link at the top right of the page along with my pinterest and twitter! 

Weight loss wednesday: well shit.

Honestly this segment will probably have it's last day today. If not I might as well call them weight gain wednesday. I have gained even more weight than before, but I have been eating less, eating out less, and working harder. I don't really understand it. Especially since when I lost weight before I was active, I had a job I went to my husbands house and sometimes went on walks before he went to bootcamp. After that I just had my job. Now when I started I sat on my ass all day, quite literally. So I figured I'm not going to be sedentary all day, I'm actually going to do something. And yet here I sit, heavier than ever. I don't get it. It's really discouraging, even though I know I'm supposed to be helping everyone. Sometimes I need help too.

We all have low days this just happens to be one of mine.

Beauty Inside and Out

I know this is an inspiration blog, but really it seems more like a beauty blog. I apologize for that. I honestly just love makeup and forget sometimes. It's such a passion for me. And I got to thinking about when I started this blog, watching all the beauty guru's online. But I want to be a bit different than them. Obviously I'm plus size and most of them are not. Ok got it. Maybe we strive to be like them, they just seem so perfect right? Great life, super pretty, seem to have everything together.  And maybe you love makeup too, have a bunch of it  you can never use up in a year even, wear it every day. You might not even be able to go out of the house without it.

Or maybe you wear it in the house, with no one to see you, just so you can look in the mirror.

That's when it gets scary. If you are that person, or doing it more and more I ask you to listen.

I'm guilty of these things. I want to be like those perfect people. I want to be skinny and shop at any store I want. I want to look flawless and have big beautiful eyes and all of that.  But I truly love makeup. Don't get me wrong I don't love makeup because I want to change myself no no.
   There was a time I wouldn't go anywhere without makeup on. Not even down the road, just to get the mail would cause me to panic and hope no one would see me. I'd take forever to get ready, because I had to be perfect and do makeup. Which hey who doesn't take forever with it haha. But only after I had my daughter did I have to sit back and realize I couldn't wear makeup every single day. I didn't have that luxury of time. It really sucked and I'd be so irritated when I tried to do it that I couldn't get very far in before I'd have to give up. Even when I was home all day just us.  But I got used to it, at first I felt like a ugly disgusting mess.  Only to add to the sleepless nights and frantic cries of a newborn. But eventually I forgot makeup, I focused on nails until I didn't have the time for that anymore. Nothing in my boxes were touched, not even the 50 dollars worth of palettes and brushes I had bought only a few months before.
 
I think it really did wonders for me. As much as it sucked then. I had to go out of the house without makeup, whenever I went somewhere it was just me. Nothing hiding my zits, or redness, or dark circles, nothing to make my eyes pretty, not even perfect hair. And I was ok with it, because I was getting out of the house letting the baby sleep in the car, getting small treats whatever. I did really try to improve my skin but I always have, but that is what I spent my time on instead of trying to cover everything up I just wanted to fix it to begin with.

Gradually I started doing makeup more, usually just for going out somewhere because it's almost like an event to me now, I stay home until the weekend. That is my time to get dressed up and have fun. I still go out without it sometimes even then. Now I appreciate it and having a clean face all day.

Not wearing makeup helped my skin, and now all I have usually is some redness, I do break out sometimes but who doesn't. But now I can say my skin is smooth which helps with going out without it. But really it just helps you feel better about yourself, more than makeup can.

You don't have to wear makeup to feel pretty, or put together. That is horrible. It's still you..just fake in a way. No one is perfect and no one should have to feel like they need to hide themselves. It's not a necessity. It should not be your crutch. It should be a fun tool to play with. I think if you are like me you need to force yourself, if only every once in awhile and in steps depending on where you are, put the makeup away. It will be hard, but you will see your friends, will still be your friends. Your family who loves you? They will still love you. Makeup doesn't change who you are inside. So if your beautiful inside, it will shine through and make you more beautiful than makeup ever can.

                                                             

Inner beauty is key!

Mani Mania: A Cheaper Alternative

Ok so I know I've been on an Essie kick through this whole thing. That hasn't changed too much, there are still a lot of colors I want in my collection, especially in the Resort collection.  For the last 3 weekends I've searched every store I've been near hoping to find In the Cab-ana and Under Where? A Blue and purple that I've been obsessed with finding. But frustrated I found myself in Target looking one last time hoping to find it, but nope of course not!  But I did see the display for L'oreal polishes.
   Back when I was younger I tried a few Salley Hansen polishes and a couple glittery wet n wild ones that I just wasn't a huge fan of but hey, how could I complain? Now that I'm on my own I've been a China Glaze, OPI, and Essie only person. I know I feel like a snob but really it was just the other polishes always chipped right away and I just don't have the time to do my nails every other day anymore.
   There were two blues on the stand and since I was mainly after a blue, just to shake up my normal colors, I took a look. There was a brighter one that was pretty but the one I bought was a darker turquoise color. The name is quite appropriate, I've been obsessed with getting back to the ocean and just the colors of it all and this really seemed like a good color for me.

What is it you asked? Of course it is L'oreal but it is called Now you sea me.

                                                     

Such a beautiful ocean blue. I love that it's a brighter color but it's not a super bold blue like most polishes I see. I just can't pull off blues very well. 

It's very opaque, I only ended up needing 2 coats though in the beginning I thought I'd need 3. The brush I'm not sure about, it is a wide brush a lot like the Nicole by OPI. I'm not a fan of big nail brushes but I got used to it pretty quick and it's just a personal preference. 

The great thing about this that has really impressed me though has been the lasting power. I bought it thinking it would only last a day and chip all to hell.  But as you can see they look brand new, I just took this picture, but painted my nails on Sunday. Crazy right?! Plus it's only about $5 and some change. I'm all for a great polish at a cheaper price. I am not a L'oreal fan for makeup but I am in love with this polish. I will probably take a closer look at the other colors next chance I get! 

Amy Lee Inspired Look, just for fun!

So I love to play around with makeup. I always have, me and my friends would do each others hair and makeup and have "photo shoots" so much fun! I was thinner then but they always said I looked similar to Amy Lee and whenever it was my turn to have my makeup done that is where they drew inspiration fr om.

If you don't know who Amy Lee is she is the lead singer from Evanescence. Widely known for her smokey dark eyeliner and a red lip.
Now I've never tried to copy someone's makeup so go easy, and I did it using the webcam as my mirror..because i'm too lazy to stand in front of a real mirror haha! First I'll show you the pictures I looked at to get inspired for my look.

                                                         

                                         

So here is my sad attempt lol!  

                                         

                                         

 

                                                 Just a side look at makeup and eyes

                                         

                                      From the front...my lip is a little more red in person but oh well haha

hope you enjoy! 

Wednesday Weight Loss: New Routine

So now that I'm sitting down to write this I think I might have mentioned this already, at least somewhat it my last post.  But oh well!

I'm getting an actual routine down this week. I know I was talking about starting pilates which I'm doing still but I don't want you to think I just do one thing constantly.  For me personally that has never gotten me anywhere. I've always needed something slightly different every day to see results and to not get bored. Now  that I'm doing this I've been doing better at sticking with it. So I'm only back down to 185.2 but normally my low is 185.4 not much but something. And I think I have lost 2lbs this week (those applebees pastas can really pack on the weight!)  Anyway I think it's working pretty well.
   In my mind (no way am I educated in it, just speaking from experience) there does need to be cardio and something else. I'm not a stickler about those rules but I get it. It takes time to warm up and by the time you get done with your 10 minute workout it really isn't working as well. So in the pilates video I linked in my previous post it actually includes your warm up for that work out and stretches.

Here is what my week looks like

Monday: Pilates ab 15 minutes, Treadmill 10-12 minutes
Tuesday: Pilates butt blasting workout 6 minutes (will link down below)
Wednesday: Pilates ab 15 minutes, Treadmill 10-12
Thursday: Pilates butt blasting workout 6 minutes
Friday: Pilates ab 15 minutes, Treadmill 10-12

I know It's still repetitive but its still where I'm at and if anything gets to be too easy I will make it longer or find another workout.  My treadmill time is also limited to a very impatient baby.

Treadmill time is different, on Monday I  did a fast paced walk (on speedl 4) for 4 minutes then ran on speed 5 for 3 minutes, then walked for another 4 on speed 3 and on a level 4 incline.

Then today I only walked on speed 3 but I started normal, after 2 minutes raised it to a level 3 incline, another minutes went to 4 and so on until I was on 7 incline and stayed there until I finished my time.

I find doing this you can adjust to what your day is like but still get a good workout in. If you are tired you are more likely to do something if you let yourself take it easy. But if you have a rigid schedule you won't want to do it at all. This is just what helps me, maybe you should try it?

Anyway do you have a routine like this? Let me know!

Click here to visit the Butt Blasting Workout!

Weekend Shenanigans

Well this is my break time from cleaning and unpacking so I'm just going to go over my weekend with you all.

So for the second weekend in a row I went to Torrid to hopefully find a tank top or a shirt of some sort to find absolutely nothing. The only thing they had in my size were sweaters it was crazy. All I wanted to do was shop on Saturday, get makeup and clothes and just not care. Lets just say I needed some retail therapy. But of course the tank top I was stalking online suddenly was online exclusive. Now I have a funny body type even for some Torrid clothes, especially their tank tops so I really don't like to buy without trying it on.

That was a dud, so then we walked over to Target and holy crap. Is it always the 3rd level of hell in there? I had a whole list in my head and could not think to save my life in that place, that never happens. I usually don't get too bothered by crowds but man I could not deal with that place. So I've been after the Essie polish "in the Cab-ana" and it's another thing I haven't found anywhere. So frustrating! But I got a new heat protectant...yay? It's the new Keratin smooth by Tressemme if you are wondering. And I suppose I did get a new Essie base coat to replace my Salley Hansen one, which I completely used! I didn't know it was possible to use a whole bottle of polish.

I've been looking for sunglasses for awhile now. Mine were almost 3 years old, courtesy of the 7-11 in Twenty-nine Palms before a road trip haha. They were peeling in weird spots and my daughter liked to play with them. Plus they were thinner and I just hate seeing the rim of the glasses. Finally I found a pair after looking for a month or so. They were at Charlotte Russe for 5 bucks! After military discount but really they were 6 bucks but on sale 2 for $10. I just didn't have time or the desire for more shopping at that point. But I'm happy with them. If I wasn't disheveled from cleaning I'd show you, but I'm sure they will make an appearance once I'm decent.

So here is the part of the weekend where I rant. Why are people just automatically pissed and think they are so much better than you? We were at a stop sign in a parking lot waiting to turn left after a car pulled in farther at the In and Out drive through. No one was around. Well a car came around that last car in line, cut them off and started like they were going to turn next to us, no big deal.  But then shes basically stopped half turned looking right at us. She's a big car and we aren't so much, so we can't really see and with the line going out we couldn't go anywhere. We were confused and then I realized, oh she must want that spot right next to the stop sign. Ok fine, but we can't go around at that point. She could wait right?
NO! Of course not, she rolled down her window and said "I want that spot" ok my husband said "well we need to go that way" and she immediately started screaming and said "SO WHAT?" now my husband didn't hear that but that threw me into a rage, I can't stand that. and we are yelling at her that we are at a stop sign and she asks if we know how to drive. Frankly I yelled for her to quit being a bitch. Why can't people just ask nicely? They have to have that exact spot right that second? They couldn't wait for us to turn before they made everyone stuck? When people ask nicely or let us know nicely I'm more than happy to back up if we can or let them into the lane. Same with my husband, so since this lady was so important he put the car in park and she got pissed and flew around us to a parking spot maybe 25ft away. We then turned and went to the line like planned. But I saw her son get out and then he got back in and they turned around and left, didn't even go back to that spot. So what was so important? I don't understand people.
     The real kicker is my husband thinks she was an Officers wife. Officer in the military, not a cop. Which irritates me even more. Wives should not wear their husbands rank. They, including me didn't do shit to earn entitlement. Wives are equal, because that is all we are, wives. We have no rank. UGH! ok I'm done ranting haha don't you just have those days though where everything goes wrong and people piss you off?

But I did get to eat out at Applebees and have my daughter behave until the very end which was way better than normal. And we went to Trader Joes which is always a gold mine. Oh! Try the Salsa especial with some blue corn chips. So good!

Anyway back to cleaning for me, how was everyone's weekend? Let me know!

                                                         

The look I was rocking this weekend

Easy look for running around, what do you think?

 Click the links if you want to check out the products used!

Eyes:

Maybelline Color Tattoo Bad to the Bronze

Benefit They're Real Mascara

Mac Smolder Eyeliner

Lips:

Maybelline Color Whipser Mad for Magenta

Face:

Maybelline BB Cream Light/Medium

Revlon Nearly Naked Powder in Light

Nyx Matte Setting Spray

NYC Sunny Bronzer

TMI ALERT: How to get rid of acne on your "chest area"

You can tell from the title that this is going to be a TMI post. I debated doing it because it is pretty gross and embarrassing but I have been searching myself on the internet for years on what to do and could not find anything on the subject. I can't be alone though right? Out of billions of people in this world I can't be the only one with this embarrassing problem.  So please do not read if you can't handle the boobie talk!

Now there will be pictures involved to show you the problem.


Just kidding, could you imagine? No porn here!


Anyway to describe my problem. I have had this problem ever since I can remember. I don't know if it comes from having larger breasts or what. On the underside...I know this is embarrassing for me too, I have always had darkness that comes up to between my breasts as well. Always rough and looking like it was dirty there. I have always been a clean freak taking 2 showers a day that were an hour long when I was younger. So no it wasn't dirty haha. Eventually I started getting acne and a slew of bad black heads. WTF right? At least that's what went through my head. No matter what acne scrub I used in the shower or tools it never helped. I just rubbed myself raw. Which really sucked when I put on a bra. I even went so far as to put on face masks there. I know I'm strange but maybe you have had this happen to. No matter what I've done over the years it never really helped.

Well I've started a new routine so to speak and I've really been noticing a difference. Before I get started I will have all the products I mention linked down below.

I take my showers in the morning so whenever you shower is fine but the main tool I have been using is the Olay Pro-X advanced cleansing system. It is a brush like the Clarisonic but a fraction of the price.  It's between $20-$30 depending on where you go.

                                                   

It comes with the brush, batteries and a little sample of some olay scrub.  I use the scrub occasionally but I really like it but you can also use your own cleanser. I put this on the highest speed and use my Simple refreshing facial gel. 

                                                       

I lather this on my chest like I would do with my face and use the brush on all areas on the highest settings. I move in small circles and I do go over some areas more than once until I feel like it is cleaned, usually around a minute or just over. I do use the brush for my face at night so I make sure to wash it well after every use. 

Of course rinse and finish your shower After I do that I usually wash with my soap and loofah like always. I feel like if I cleanse first the soap can really clean better. Who knows if it's true though. 

Once I'm out of the shower I dry off completely and basically treat my chest like my face. I mean why not if it helps your face why not your chest?  

I take a little cotton ball or pad and put some toner on it and wipe it on the area I want to clean. Toners basically pick up any dirt your face wash didn't get so it's important to do this thoroughly. You may need a few cotton pads/balls especially if this is your first time. You will see the dirt coming off trust me. I really like this toner, it does great at getting a lot of excess dirt off. 

                                                       

                                                                   

Yes after I apply this it takes a minute to dry so I lift the girls up so they completely dry. No I don't do mock puppet shows during this. 

Once dry I apply spot treatment all over. I use the Clearasil brand, it comes in a box like this. 

                                                                      

                                                                        

Once that's dry I moisturize all over. it doesn't have to be anything special I like to use my bath and body works lotion. 

Doing this for just over a week has really helped get rid of the darkness and some blackheads. My skin is also a lot softer. No I'm not a creep I swear! I think if I keep doing this my skin will get a lot better and I look forward to it.  I really hope this has helped anyone with the same problem. I know its embarrassing even when no one sees that part of you. 

If you try this let me know if it helped in the comments below!  

Click on any of these links to check it out!

Olay Pro X Brush

Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel

Boots Toner

Clearasil Spot Treatment

Pilates, It's Not Over rated

Ok so are you like me when something is super popular you figure it's probably over rated and you just don't give it the time of day? Ok some things are exceptions and I can give in to things like a food or music but at least in the beginning that's how I am. Well I used to think that about Pilates and Yoga. I mean how can a bunch of stretches do anything for you?
    Well back when I lost weight the first time when my husband was in bootcamp I looked into it and thought I would give it a try if I could find something online that I felt I could do. I tried yoga and couldn't get into that. But then I came across a beginners pilates video by Sparks People. It was only 15 minutes long which was great, I didn't want a  super long video like most I had seen and when I watched it I felt I could probably do it. So I gave it a try and granted I really couldn't do a lot of it but I still tried and even if I couldn't do it the most gracefully I felt it was a start. And something clicked that I really sucked at it but instead of giving up like I always did I would stick with it and try every time even on the easiest level (they had degrees of difficulty) and eventually I'd get better and better. And luckily I was right. I'm so glad I stuck with it. I began to do that video every night because it was short and the next day I felt the burn and felt it was really working. So along with that video I included walking/running on the treadmill. Eventually I lost 25-30 lbs.

                                             BEWARE! UNFLATTERING PICTURE AHEAD!


                                             

This was Sophomore Year I think. Excuse the makeup and shiny it was late girls night haha

As you can see I was bigger, I've always had a very round face but this is when I was heavier in High school I'm sorry I don't have a picture closer to Senior year.  Anyway I basically looked like this haha. But after I started doing the Pilates and Treadmill thing I looked like the next picture, if you can tell a difference.

                                        

It's not the greatest look but you get the picture...no pun intended ;)

It took awhile and hard work but I felt so much better even if I felt like death in the beginning... did that make sense? I hope so. Oh well haha.  

So the point of all that is it is possible. And even if it's hard and you suck at it and you can't even hold your own body up for a minute you will get better if you just keep trying. I know I did it once. I just have to have the confidence that I can do it again. So today I started that pilates video again and I did suck haha. But I figure I will have to do that along with the treadmill to get the best results. If you want to check out the Pilates  video I've been talking about I will link it down below. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YI0cxuNcq8  

Weight Loss Wednesdays: Curse you Mother Nature.

Well I guess you can tell from the title that Mother Nature came for a visit. And frankly when that happens I don't move if I don't have to haha. I especially hate exercising. So I haven't been on the treadmill for a long time. We did walk last weekend but that was the last of my exercise for now. And of course I have eaten my weight 4 times in salt and chocolate so I didn't even bother weighing myself today. I already know the damage haha. But hopefully I will start back up tomorrow.