January Empties

As mentioned in my Make-Up Organization post, I am posting my monthly empties.  I am determined to use the products I already own.  I have so many half full bottles of shampoo and about a million travel size lotions from hotels.  I always take them with the intention of keeping one in my purse, but that doesn't usually happen.  Now, I have WAY too many.

This month's empties are pretty random.  Most of it is shampoo and skincare items.  There are a couple of make-up empties though. 

First up, is Nexxus shampoo.  I like the way this shampoo smells (my main reason for purchasing it), however I will not be purchasing it again.  I am trying to get rid of other shampoo's before switching to my all natural shampoo.  

Crest 3D White Strips - I use these probably every three months.  I love them and have used them for years.  I will definitely be repurchasing these.  

Bath and Body Works, Stress Relief body wash - I love the scent of this.  I've been using it for a long time and will be purchasing it again.

Random array of travel shampoo and body wash - These bottles were half full.  They are here purely because they are empty.  None of them will be repurchased. 

Aveeno Travel Size Lotion - I bought this back when I spent a lot of time on flights two and from Mississippi.  It had about enough left in it to use twice.  I like the consistency of this lotion and would repurchase it when I run out of hotel lotions.  (Hotel lotion pictured with Aveeno)

Clinique Eye Make-Up Remover - This is my holy grail for removing my eye make-up at night.  This is definitely a repurchase for me. 

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion - This is a product I used simply because I had it.  I prefer Clinique's moisturizing gel because I have oily skin.  If you have dry skin I would highly recommend this moisturizer.

Urban Decay, b6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray - This spray is supposed to prep the skin with vitamins and help reduce redness and shrink pores.  My lovely Sephora gal gave me this sample because I have such oily skin.  Honestly, I didn't notice a different when I used it verse times I did not use it.  I probably would not spend the money to purchase the full size bottle of this.  

Bioré Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser - Again, this is a sample I used simply because I had it.  I do not have acne, just the occasional break out.  I felt like this was a good face wash to use in the morning, but will not be purchasing the full sized bottle.  

Sensodyne Pronamel toothpaste - This is my favorite toothpaste.  I have several teeth that are very sensitive.  I feel this has helped and I love how fresh my teeth feel after.  I will definitely repurchase this. 

Ole Henricksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster - Love this!  My skin feels so soft after applying this. This is a sample size I got from my Sephora Beauty Insider points a while ago.  I loved it so much I went and bought the full size before this sample was gone.  

Too Faced LashGasm Mascara - I got this in a pallet and liked it.  I'll be honest, it's not my favorite, but I did like it.  I don't know if I'll be repurchasing it or not.  I still have a lot of mascara to go through before I consider purchasing any! 

Revlon, Just Biten lip stain - I liked this product, but not the color (Instinct).  This lip stain has a marker on one end (the stain) and a chapstick on the other end.  I liked the chapstick end very well.  My lips were very well hyrdrated.   I might consider buying this product again in a different shade.  

Gap, Dream Perfume -- Okay, before posting this, I wasn't sure if they even make this anymore.  This is a bottle from my college days, at least.  Back in the day, this was my favorite scent.  So much that I couldn't bring myself to use the last of it.  Weird, I know.  But now it's in my empties.  I still like the scent, but I wouldn't repurchase it.

So there they are; my empties for January.  Be sure to check back at the end of February for more empties.  I'm sure I'll have more make-up empties this month.  I have several eyeshadows that have hit pan.  

Happy Wednesday!!!

Friday Facts

Oh, Friday, I've missed you! 

Here are my five facts...

1)  The heating unit in my gym at school is broken.... I'm bundled up and still cold.

2)  Today is payday... the third of the month.  Holla!

3)  Day 9 of my AdvoCare Herbal Cleanse -- I'm cranky.  And I want pizza.

4)  My make-up looks amazing today.  (Yes, tooting my own horn there.)

5)  I'm rooting for the Broncos this weekend!!!


On as side note.... What self tanners do you all use?  I've been using Tan Towels, but would consider switching to something different, but I need suggestions.  Thanks!!!

A Lesson On Who's Really In Charge

A couple weeks ago I noticed my SUV would pull to the left when I drove.  I knew this meant my alignment was probably off and if I let it go, my tires would wear unevenly and it would be more costly.


I did what any responsible adult would do and made an appointment for an alignment check one day after school (at a nationally known business).  Thinking I knew the diagnosis, I didn't worry about it.  After sitting in the waiting area for about 20 minutes they called me to the desk. The man behind the counter proceeded to tell me not only was my alignment extremely off, but I had other issues that were very costly to repair.  When I saw the total at the bottom of the estimate sheet, I about died. 


I set an appointment for a couple days later to get everything fixed and went home overwhelmed.  I felt defeated as this was just another unexpected bill to add to the list. 


I decided to call a mechanic, who came highly recommended from a friend.  The mechanic, James, highly recommended I get a second opinion.  


The next day, James looked at my SUV.  The diagnosis -- the first place I had gone to lied.  My alignment was just slightly off, but the list of other repairs I got were completely unnecessary.  James suggested I get my tires rotated because they were wearing unevenly just from daily driving.  He also suggested I never buy Good Year tires again, as he has never had good experiences with them or seen good wear on any his customers have had.

I breathed a sigh of relief, but still felt overwhelmed.  What if James was wrong and the list I got from the first place was accurate.  How as I going to pay for the repairs?

I couldn't shake those thoughts so I went in and talked to a friend at school.  Her words were simple.  "God will provide."  I knew that in my heart, but in my mind, I still thought the "what if's."


I cancelled my appointment to have the repairs done at the first place and made an appointment at a third place.  I needed my oil changed anyway, so I asked the third place to rotate my tires as well.  They asked if it was just a routine tire rotation or for specific reason.  I briefly filled them in on the diagnosis I got from the first place and from James, then went at sat in their waiting room.  As I sat there, I kept thinking, "what if they find the problems the first place found?" 


Half an hour later, they called me up to the desk.  Their diagnosis..... the same as James'.  My alignment was just slightly off, but most of the issue was my tires needing to be rotated.  My total -- $15 (I had a coupon for a free oil change). 


My friend from school was right.  God had provided.  Sometimes I need the reminder that, in all aspects of life, I'm not the one in charge.  He is and He will always provide all I need.

Make-Up Organization

A couple days ago, Trista from Life According to Trista did a link up about what's in your make-up bag.  My answer.. WAY TOO MUCH!  (Read Make-out 2014) 

So, over my Christmas break (which was extended by a full week due to the 14 inches of snow that dumped on us the Sunday before we were scheduled to go back) I sat down and went through my collection.  

I stated by emptying the bag that housed most of my cosmetics.  I sorted each product and made a list of what I have.  Wow.  I was shocked to discover how many tubes of mascara I have opened (8), how many eyeliners I have (8 - 5 of which are black), how many lip products I have (28), how many single eyeshadows I have (32), how many blushes I have (7) and how many different perfumes I have (6). 

I was embarrassed as I sat there on the floor in my living room just looking at all the stuff - so much that I could not bring myself to take a picture of it all. I made a list of how many of each item I have, and am determined to get those numbers down.  

After what felt like hours of sorting and deciding what products I could throw away I finally started putting them into my new Muji drawers.  

In order to hold myself accountable and use up the products I already have, I am keeping the empty bottles/containers and will do a post on all my "empties" at the end of each month. 

I am very happy with the way this organization project turned out. The Muji drawers are small enough that they can sit nicely right on my vanity.  I have space for them in my cabinet, but am starting out with them being visible so I don't fall into my former habit of using the same products over and over and over again.  I love being able to pull out a drawer and really see what I have.  I have found myself using (and really liking again) products I have not used in a couple months.  

Muji acrylic drawers for the win.   

My next organization project... the linen closet in my master bathroom.  

Looking Ahead

With the start of a new year day comes new opportunities.  I am determined to make today, and the days ahead some of the best.  In order to do this, I have set goals for myself. 

ONE

Make trust and forgiveness my default mode.  

This is something I struggle with.   I have always been a person who will forgive (with time), but never completely trust again.  Once that trust is gone, I have no interest in allowing it to grow again.  I want to get to a place in life where trusting and forgiving come easier and more naturally to me. 

TWO

Adopt Makeout 2014

Christine from Pink So Foxy did an inventory of her make-up collection and discovered she had FAR more than needed.  As a result of this she made a contract for herself (Makeout 2013) allowing her to purchase 10 new "pieces" of make-up during the entire 2013 year.  Make-up is my weakness.  I love it.  I find a product I "just have to have" and buy it only to find a new product I "just have to have" not long after purchasing the previous product.  During 2014 I will be doing Makeout 2014 and allowing myself to purchase just 10 new "pieces" of make-up.  This includes foundations (after mine is gone) and brushes.  

THREE

Be more organized.

I am in the process of organizing my life... Starting with my bathroom vanity and linen closet.  I am getting rid of a lot of "stuff", so it's time to organize what's staying here.  

I recently bought these drawers (found here and here) for my bathroom to organize my make-up and assess what all I truly have (see also: Makeout 2014).

Other areas or organization include my bills (I bought all the components for Nina's Bill Book, but never put it together), clothes (so many things I don't wear, but can't seem to part with), closets in guest rooms, and garage.   Good thing I have a year.  

FOUR

Run the Fort For Fitness Half Marathon again... and PR.

So there they are... my big goals for the coming months. What goals do you have?

Merry Christmas

 As you spend time with your family and friends this Christmas, please take time to remember those who cannot be with their family.  Those defending our freedom don't get a Christmas vacation.  

Merry Christmas to you all... and THANK YOU to our troops.

My Friends Are Like Make-Up Brushes

I've never been the type of person who identifies with just one group of people.  Throughout life I have always  been friends with several different "groups".  I have always been the type of person with an awesome mixture of friends.  

Like my make-up brushes, each friend is unique in what they bring to my life.  No two people are exactly the same, and I love that.  Each one has a uniqueness about them that drew me to that person from the beginning.

Some of my friends, like my make-up brushes, I am in contact with on a daily basis while others I see just occasionally.  However, that doesn't mean I care less about those I don't see as often.  

I have some friends that have been with be for years, while others I have only had for a short while.  Regardless, like my make-up brushes, I have a hard time getting rid of friends.  I am the type of person that once I consider you a friend, I hold tight to our friendship.  Time may pass without seeing each other and being able to talk, but I will always be there for my friends. 

So, this is for all of you whom I have ever laughed with, cried with, ran with, reminisced with, hugged, or simply chatted with.  Thanks for being one of my make-up brushes.  Without all of my, my set wouldn't be complete.