February 2013 Favorites

February is such a short month!  Can't believe it's already over.  Here are the things I loved this past month:

Health

• "Dancing with the Stars" Fitness DVD:  Man, this is FUN. And, it's a great workout!  I don't think my body will ever look like that of the girls on the cover, but who knows? :)

• WeightWatchers:  If you've seen a few of my most recent posts, you'd know I started following the original WeightWatchers plan lately.  I'm already seeing results! LOVE IT.

Beauty

• amika Obliphica Oil Nourishing Hair Mask:  I've gotten into deep conditioning my hair lately, and this product is wonderful.  I first sampled it through Birchbox, but I've purchased the small size of the regular product.  Once I run out of this, I might need to purchase the bigger jar.  It smells so amazing, and it leaves my hair feeling soft and moisturized.

• CoverGirl 3-in-1 Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation:  Blends so easily, provides excellent coverage, stays on all day.  All without feeling heavy or cakey!  I'll be interested to see if this foundation still holds up in the spring and summer months when the weather is much warmer.

• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat:  Definitely should be a staple in any girl's nail polish stash. Makes nails super shiny, and it lasts for days.

• Coach Poppy perfume:  I received this for Christmas, and I already know I'll be reaching for it all throughout the spring.  It's such a girly, floral scent.  

Book

• Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling:  Another Christmas gift.  I took way longer to read it than I should have, but I finished it this month.  It was hilarious, and basically, I want to be her best friend.  I heard she has another book coming out later this year!!

Websites

• NouveauCheap: If you love drugstore products like I do, or even if you just like deals, this is the website for you!

• BuzzFeed:  Wonderful pop culture goodness.

Music

• "We Come Running" by Youngblood Hawke

• "Suit and Tie" by Justin Timberlake

• "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons

• "Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club

Oh, and here's a Nail of the Day pic:

Color Club/Birchbox collaboration "Put a Pin In It"

One last thing: My birthday is Saturday!  I don't know why, but I have a good feeling about 24.  I'll be in my hometown this weekend visiting family and friends.  I told my mom I didn't want any specific gifts, just for her to take me shopping.  Expect a birthday haul on here soon! :)

Weight Watchers Update

Good news!  After 1 week following the Weight Watchers plan, I've lost 5 1/2 pounds!  I know it was probably mostly water weight since this was the first week, but still.  I'm so proud of myself!  And, I know this will be something I can stick with until I reach my goal.  I'm so excited to be getting healthy! :)

Also, sorry for the short blog post--Monday snuck up on me!

Life Mission

If you haven't stumbled upon the website Buzzfeed, you are surely missing out!  It's my favorite site for killing time.  They put together a lot of pop culture lists of sorts, like "The 15 Most Absurd Ways the Pentagon is Spending Money" or "21 Ways to Stay 21 Forever".  Yesterday, I found a list of quotes from the old MTV cartoon, "Daria".  I used to watch it, but I don't remember much of it since I was pretty young.  I'd like to leave you with one quote that, upon reading, the only thing that came to mind was "YES."  

"My goal is to not wake up at 40 with the bitter realization that I've wasted my life on a job I hate because I was forced to decide on a career in my teens."

WeightWatchers

Ok. So. You remember my New Year's resolution to get healthy in 2013?  Well, I actually HAVE been exercising more and watching what I eat, and I feel great.  However, the scale hasn't been matching how I feel.  I know that fitness should be judged by how you feel and look, but I want some results on the scale too! So, I've started back on WeightWatchers.  Anytime I've ever tried to lose weight, WeightWatchers has always worked for me.  I don't know what's different between the newest program and the old program, but I'm still going to use the old program.  Sticking with what works! I know it'll be difficult, but I'm ready to be healthy!

Birchbox: February 2013

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  I'm not usually a fan of this holiday, but this year has been pretty wonderful.  I got my Birchbox relatively early this month!  Which is especially amazing since some of the boxes shipped late due to all of the recent snow in the Northeast.  This month's theme is "Red Carpet Ready".  Let's take a peek at what I received, shall we?

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint: From the info card included in the box, "This SPF 15 oil-free tinted moisturizer blends in beautifully to even out skin and control shine."  

In February of 2012, I received the Luminizing Moisture Tint from Jouer, and I loved it.  When I discovered they had a matte version, I desperately wanted to try it.  Very excited to receive this sample!  I do wish the sample size was bigger (it's 0.07 fl oz), but if it's anything like the LMT, a little goes a long way.  Unfortunately, the full sizes of these products are quite the investment ($38.00).  That's pretty much the only thing keeping me from buying both.

Juicy Couture Couture La La: "Roll out the red carpet for this new scent, a stunning mix of mandarin, red currant, lily, and orange blossom."  

While my favorite Juicy perfume I've smelled is still Viva La Juicy La Fleur, this one is pretty nice.  It definitely reminds me of Clinique Happy.  Very citrus-y.  Spritz with caution. 

TIGI Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo: "Master stylists always have this oil-busting dry shampoo in their kit. It leaves behind a tousled, piecey finish."  

 

For me, dry shampoo is a beauty product category that is either hit or miss.  I haven't tried out this particular sample yet--I'm saving it for the weekend in case it doesn't work out.  But, I'm excited to try it nonetheless! And, I can always use it for travel if it isn't stellar.

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator: "This exfoliating cleanser uses professional-grade (read: effective) microderm crystals and papaya enzymes to brighten skin."  Sounds fancy.  I've used this once so far, and I like it.  

 

It really does have a very fine texture that feels like you're giving your skin a thorough polishing.  Plus, this is a huge sample size, so it will last me a while.

**It should be noted that this box also included a caramel Ghirardelli Square that was consumed immediately upon sight. :)

I'd say this was a pretty great Birchbox month for me.  I'll definitely use everything I received.  Interested in signing up for Birchbox yourself? Click here.

Hattiesburg Tornado: February 2013

Yesterday, a tornado struck my hometown of Hattiesburg, MS.  When I heard of it, I called my parents.  They had huddled in the bathroom under the stairs--our go-to storm hideout.  They were fine, my house had no damage, and they never lost power.  I was glad to hear that and thought maybe most of the rest of Hattiesburg had fared the same.  I was wrong.

My old high school suffered a lot of damage.  The University of Southern Mississippi, specifically all of the music buildings where I used to work, was hit.  Churches were crumbling.  Houses were obliterated.  The videos and photos I've seen have been heartbreaking.  It's so hard to not be there, but I'm SO very glad that all of my friends are safe.  

I don't think it's been decided yet, but I'm hearing that the National Weather Service is saying the tornado will be classified as either an EF3 or an EF4.  My heart is hurting for my hometown right now, but I'm so proud of how everyone is uniting as a community.  If you get a chance, please keep the people of USM, Hattiesburg, and the surrounding area in your thoughts as they recover, regroup, and rebuild. 

Thank you.

P.S. Eno the kitty is doing well! Here's hoping for a smooth recovery.

Eno

This week, I've learned that I'm pretty good in emergency situations.  So there's that.

Please keep Eno in your thoughts tomorrow morning as he undergoes surgery to repair a broken hip and femur.  He's the sweetest, and I know he's ready to feel better and get back to running around, causing mischief.

February No-Buy

Ever feel like you're drowning in all of your junk?  My obsession interest with all things beauty in the last year or so has sort of exploded and gotten out of hand.  I have way more products than a normal person needs or should have.  So, I'm going to enforce a "No-Buy" on myself for the month of February and participate in a Project 10 Pan of sorts.  Project 10 Pan is the practice of using 10 items in your beauty collection--whether it be makeup, lotion, shampoo, perfume, etc--as much as possible until you either "hit pan" in the case of makeup or use them up completely.  One rule: No new purchases until these items are empty!  I'm also going to try to use as many of the free samples I've accumulated. 
After going through all of my stuff, these are the 10 items I'm going to be using this entire month:

1. Body Butters

Lord knows I have too many kinds of lotions.  I have two different body butters (The Body Shop Shea Body Butter--this is a mini size-- and Lavanila Vanilla Coconut Healthy Body Butter) that are either almost gone or halfway gone, and I want to try to use them up completely.  I figure it's best to use these this month since they are very thick and hydrating for winter skin.

2. Fragrances

I have a sample size of Forever Red by Bath and Body Works and a small Sexy Little Things Noir body mist from Victoria's Secret.  So, if you happen to wonder what I'm smelling like this month...there you go.

3. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer in Fair to Light

This is a great tinted moisturizer.  I'm almost finished with it anyway, so this project will give me an excuse to use it up completely.

4. CoverGirl Clean Oil Control Pressed Powder

I've already hit pan on this one; I just want to finish it.

5. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends sheer highlighting blush in Pure

Love this stuff.  I've actually had it for a really long time.  Kinda surprised it's not gone yet. 

6. Neutrogena Healthy Skin brightening eye perfector in Fair

I'll be honest: I don't love this under-eye concealer/highlighter.  Let's use it up and get rid of it, shall we?

7. CoverGirl eyeshadow trio in Shimmering Sands

Pretty, neutral shadows. 

8. Stila Smudgestick Waterproof Eye Liner in Lionfish

Definitely one of my favorite eye liners of all time. Looks beautiful on blue eyes!

9. Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes in Very Black and Brownish Black

Awesome Great Lash formula, but the rubber bristle wand is why I love these.  I've had these for a while, so it's time to use them up.

10. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

My attempt to pick just one of my jumbo lip pencils and stick with it for a while.


So that's it!  No online shopping, no trips to the drugstore (except in case of emergency).  Wish me luck.  Of course, my birthday is in March, so I will probably lift the No-Buy for that, but I want to keep my shopping/spending habits in check from now on.  No more splurges!  Except in the case of a really great sale.  Yikes, maybe I actually do have a problem!

Had to sneak in a quick Nail Of The Day! "Kendal" by Zoya. Pretty grayish lavender--perfect for February!