5 Things That Help Hope Win at Life...

Mascara- Younique 3D Fiber Lash 
Eyeliner- Kat Von D Ink Liner
Foundation- Revlon Photoready mixed with Nars Orgasm Illuminator
Concealer- Maybeline Fit Me
Powder- Wet N Wild
Bronzer & Blush - Elf duo

Mason Jars- I recently just discovered that mason jars with the lids are seriously the best travel mugs or dishes.... they do not leak! Like for reals... I should get in to the business that tests travel mugs because seriously I've got a gift, a real gift for spilling something  hot and usually staining my white blouse.... I'm that girl pulling a mason jar of yogurt from her very chic handbag... not spilling is so in fashion this year....

Coconut Oil- I know there is a MAJOR fad going on out there for coconut oil everything but I have to be honest.. as a person who usually tries EVERY product that is supposed to be amazing for your skin, I've yet to be wowed.. usually I'm in love for a week then just like that I'm over that product that promised the eternal youth.. and I'm searching for something else.. well, guys coconut oil is my go to face wash... like a total granola hippie... I wet my face with hot water, massage on a little (or alot if I'm not paying attention) of coconut oil and wipe it off... it softens, removes all of the dirt, my makeup and what do you know it's anti aging with a tiny bit of sunscreen.. I mean wow what's next? It's so amazing that it does my laundry? Oh I wish...

Paper Towels- I know brilliant right? No seriously... After my brilliant discovery of washing my face with coconut oil, I was using my white washcloths to wash off the dirt & makeup off my face.. funny business though that makeup was staining my washcloths! So I thought to myself, there's got be a disposable something that I can use to wash my face? light bulb moment, Paper towels! Not just any paper towels Viva paper towels... those bad boys are not your usual paper towels they are in it to win it.. and by winning they are wet and wiping all the dirt and makeup off my face and not tearing.. While I understand that paper towels are not exactly cheap, neither is my laundry... So for me, it was the brilliant lesser of two evils.. I wipe off the day and throw it away.. plus I swear this is cheaper than makeup remover wipes... Just sayin..., I should mention this not a sponsored post what so ever, I'm just a really big fan...

Bleach- Ok so we now know that I am prone to some spillage of the beverages.. how do I keep my whites white? Bleach it baby.. and boy do I ever... this is the very reason I sort my laundry, colors & whites... so I can remove those pesky espresso stains or the evidence of spaghetti sauce. Because even though I am MANY years since kindergarten I still wear my food from time to time.

Salsa Crock Pot Chicken- Ok, so this tip was given to me by my girl Ashley K, and I'm so grateful! Here's the scoop.. simply dump two chicken breasts in a crock pot, cover it with a jar your favorite salsa... I love using green salsa! Set the crock pot on low for like 7-8 hours and bam! Delicious shredded chicken  done for you when you walk in the door from work.. you can make your neighbors jealous with all the delicious smells coming from your house... Use the chicken in tortillas for tacos or burrito bowls or for an easy start to a chicken tortilla soup! It's so tasty and I've done many variations of this... Feel free to ask if you want more ideas on this!

Happy Wednesday!

Beauty On A Budget...

Sephora is so sneaky, kind like Target in that way.. they suck you in with their awesome selection and the amazing return policy.. here I was just loading up my pretend shopping cart with no intention of buying.. I do this sometimes, it helps when I feel like shopping but cant spend the dollaaas.... So anyways here I was minding my own business and they kindly decide to email me and say "hey looks like you forgot a few things in your shopping cart!"... No kidding, that was on purpose.. you are expensive, lovely and I need to just say no, must be strong... However even though my shopping spending spree has been on a diet lately, a girl must still have her mascara... I thought I would share some of my beauty favorites.. which, all of them come from Walmart... hahah.. whatever I'm over it and I'm saving money... totally grownup of you Hope... 

Mascara- Maybelline's The Falsies Volume Express (waterproof) gosh.. love this stuff.. totally provides tons of volume and length and will not come off with tears...  a little tip, if you have regular raccoon eyes like I do.. switch to a waterproof mascara! It stays on much better and then if the spontaneous pool party should happen you are prepared... #winning

Eyeshadow-Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio... I have to admit, I'm a little picky when it comes to eye shadow.. Ever since using brands like Urban Decay & Arbonne, I want my all shadows to stay on and be really pigmented... I heard about this eye shadow trio and for like $3! I'm sold!! So creamy and pigmented! I use this one every single day... I even mix it with my Naked 2 ... You cannot tell which one is $50 bucks & which one is $3... they have many other colors too which I'm thrilled to try! This color is called "Walking On Eggshells", perfect for everyday...

Eyelid Primer- Maybelline's Color Tattoo "Barely Branded"... this guy is the bomb dot com.. I've mentioned before that I have oily eyelids, which is ridiculous since the rest of my face is dry (eye roll).. I use this on top of Urban Decay's Primer Potion,  these two combined really helps my shadow to stay put.. or if I'm busy I skip shadow and just use this! Totally hooked!!

Concealer- Maybelline Fit Me Concealer... LOVE LOVE LOVE!! I've used plenty of concealers in my day... geez, that makes me sound so old... and truly this one is my favorite.. I discovered this by other bloggers & YouTube vloggers.. so I gave it a try, wowza! It's incredible.. doesn't crease.. hallelujah! Covers the dreaded sleepy/baggy eyes perfectly! Since it's a concealer, it's a little more sheer than a foundation but I feel it does that job perfectly and if it's not enough for you, it's buildable.. Try it you won't be sorry!

I'm not sure what it is about drugstore beauty that gets me giddy but I'm lovin what I found.. and I hope you enjoy them too! Do you have any drugstore beauty finds that you would like to share? I'm all ears!

Champagne Thursday!!! On Tuesday...

photo source... French By Design Blog.

I realize it's been like a hundred years since I've blogged.. so sorry.. honestly real life doesn't understand that I've needed to get a blog post up for like ever... if "real life" was a friend.. I'd stop taking her calls instantly, she's so needy.... In other news.. I felt like it was HIGH TIME for a Champagne Thursday post! Yes, I know it's not Thursday... and no I do not care.. Thursday may come twice this week but it's the price I'm willing to pay...

•  Got to style my friend Trish who's made an amazing journey overcoming health issues and an eating disorder. Where she is now healthy, with a fantastic body image and that girl has muscles I only dream of..... It's a great day when I'm picking out styles that says, "here lets show off those muscles!" She is such an inspiration... See the Pinterest/inspiration board here of what I chose for Trish...

• Someone left homemade/still warm chocolate chip cookies on our doorstep addressed to us and note saying..."you guys are amazing"... gosh... no, THAT was amazing... I may or may not have had cookies for breakfast the next day... I regret NOTHING!!!

• Ordered these amazing sandals! Can you say excuse for a pedicure? I'm basically checking the tracking number like I'm obsessed, which I totally am...

• Found this amazing Wet 'n' Wild eye shadow at Walmart.. I'm in love... nothing like headed to the store for more toilet paper and walking out with things that wasn't on the list... 

• Had a fantastic brunch with a local stylist, Style By Malia here in Sonoma County... I tell ya, good things happen over Eggs Benedict & coffee...

• I have managed to keep 5 houseplants alive!!! Yup you heard me.. ALIVE... I feel so grownup... now if I could just manage to keep up the with house... baby steps... 

Cheers to all the tiny victories, special moments, somewhat mundane things and amazingly HUGE things.. Because honestly, there is always something to celebrate... even if it is just finding the best $3 eye shadow at Walmart...