Prissy Lips & Fitness Tips

I love Saturdays. This is a very generic comment, especially if you don't have to work. I am saying it anyways.

For my birthday last week, one of my sweet friends gave me a smorgasbord present, with random and unrelated products. Those are my favorite! As a side note, whenever I use the word "smorgasbord" I ALWAYS think of this scene out of Charlotte's Web. I watched this movie a lot. Anyways....

Or... click HERE for the link if you are viewing on your mobile. 

PS- I don't remember this movie being so creepy. 

One of the items was a lip gloss I have never used OR heard of! There are few things I love more than a new brand. I am a sucker for good smells and cute packaging...and this product delivers! And... I know you aren't supposed to eat your lip gloss, but who are you kidding? Everyone knows it gets in your mouth. This stuff tastes good...bonus!

This is... Fake Bake in "Prissy Lips." I even love the name. It is fitting for this gloss. It is a light, sparkly pink that I would possibly layer over a darker color, or wear alone for a light tint. It smells sweet and candy-like and has a similar taste.

I just love the tube. Crossing my fingers that I can keep this one in my possession for more than a few months. The good news is, even if I lose it, I will probably find it under my car seat later. Thanks Al :) 

Also... my favorite FIT blog...simply(fit)girls , posted about "the perfect snack" in their last blog entry. I finally got the chance to try the "Larabar" today and I am a huge fan! It reminds me a lot of my favorite pre workout snack...energy balls. (You can google this concept and come up with several variations!) It's the perfect amount of food to eat before a workout! Or if you are like me, and are starving before bed, it's a great and healthy snack! (Side note: if you have a sweet tooth, it comes in chocolate/peanut butter combos. My favorite!) 

Lastly, but MORE importantly, if you are looking to change up, or START a fitness routine, Lincoln recently gained an amazing trainer! Roxanne at simply(fit)girls is available to meet your fitness needs. Check out their blog for fitness tips, quick work outs, or to find out more about customizing your own workout with a trainer. 

One of my favorite things about simply(fit)girls is that $5 out of every workout session is donated to an organization of YOUR choice! How cool is that? 

If you are in Lincoln, get in touch with Roxanne HERE. 

Wishing everyone a relaxing and fun weekend!

Love,

Reviews & Religion

I was browsing around in Sephora this week,  (shocking, I know) and trying to decide what product needed me to try it out. Truthfully, I could buy the whole store and make a life out of sampling everything. However, as much as I love a good lip color....this would not be very productive for society. Luckily, an awesome lady that I know was working this particular day and hooked me up with a few GENEROUS samples of some face creams. So, of course, I feel it my duty to let you guys know about the one I have been trying out first.

Presenting...

Philosophy's "Take a Deep Breath" 

I have been using this cream moisturizer AM/PM for several days now, and I have to say, I am a big fan! It is an oil-free, gel moisturizer. I really appreciate this moisturizer for several reasons: 

• It doesn't have the "gel" residue that some gel based moisturizers seem to leave behind that screws with your foundation 
• It is very lightweight 
• My skin feels really soft and smooth 
• It doesn't have a heavy scent-or really any scent for that matter. 
• It absorbs quickly 

For the sake of a review... I would recommend this moisturizer. It is not life changing, but it is a great moisturizer and I will continue to use it. I would definitely consider buying it as my next moisturizer. I still have 2 others to try out first! Thanks again, Rondee! :)

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In other news, I recently had a conversation with a friend in regards to religion. We were discussing some of the resentment/issues/rules/association with religion and I enjoyed where the conversation went. I won't get into the details, for the sake of avoiding debates in this setting, but I do want to post this video. 

This video has circulated a million and one times, so I am sure most of you have seen it. But, for me, it depicts my feelings and beliefs and I enjoy watching it periodically.  If you haven't watched this yet, I would strongly encourage you to! 

Happy Wednesday, 

Mascara Debates

Mascara is a staple. For most girls. For myself, I prefer to always have mascara on. It's kind of like wearing deodorant... it's just necessary.

A couple of years ago I fell in love with this mascara made by Benefit called "They're Real!"

The girl at Sephora told me that until I tried this mascara, I was not really living. That may have been a tad bit dramatic...but I also think she may have had a point. This stuff is THE BEST. I know I say that about a lot of products....but keep in mind... I buy and try A LOT of products as well. This is researched information, guys! (girls?)

A few pointers about this stuff:

• If you can see from the picture, it is a "hard bristled" brush. Some hate, some love. I love this. It makes it so much easier to apply without getting the despised "globbing."
• This mascara is amazing with two coats. If you are going out and want a little more of a dramatic eye, a second coat of this stuff will do the trick. 
• LENGTH LENGTH LENGTH! If you need length, this mascara should be at least tested by you! 
• Stay power. Will.Not.Smear. 

Of course, because this is not a drugstore mascara, it will cost you about $23. Not the greatest, not the worst. Because of this price... I have resorted to a "switching out" method. My method is this: when I am going places like school, work, gym.... drugstore mascara. Does anyone really care if my eyelashes look extra long there? Probably not. So, in these times, you cannot go wrong with:

Lash Blast is made by Cover Girl. You can get it anywhere.  (Walmart, Target, Walgreen's...etc.) This mascara is still fantastic. It has the same characteristics as "They're Real," such as:

• Hard bristles (great for lengthening and separating!) 
• Volume and length
• Stay power 

Lash Blast will cost you anywhere between $4-$7. In my opinion, it is a great idea to have a better quality mascara (trust me, you can tell the quality in the formula!) such as "They're Real," on hand, for going out and other "more important" events. This is a win-win... you don't have to try and commit to a mascara, and you can get longer use out of BOTH!

*Disclaimer- I probably buy a new mascara to try at least once a week. I have a problem. I am always looking for something better. However, these have been trusty favorites for 2+ years...so that has to say something, right?

Hurry out to your nearest Sephora (or shop online!) and grab a tube of "They're Real." I highly doubt you will be disappointed!

No Limits

Today was a long...long...long day. Luckily, my 2nd draft is completed (I think?) and out of my hands and the countdown is on... almost exactly 4 weeks left!

Last year, a special lady gave me the "Jesus Calling" devotional and it has been so encouraging to me. 

Today, I was reading, and a part of the devotional really hit me...

"We are constantly aware of limitations: our own, and others'. But there is no limit to God's love; it fills all of space, time, and eternity." 

On most days, I feel extremely limited. By my thoughts, my actions, my failures, and my expectations for what God can do in my life and in those around me. But why? Days such as today, I am frustrated by my inability to trust in a God that I cannot see. However, it's the same God who knows us deeper than anyone else does, and loves us more than we can possibly grasp. When I think about how much I love my family and friends, sometimes THAT love overwhelms me. But it doesn't even compare to how God feels about us.. and that knowledge comforts me! 

"...and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:19 

Thankful for daily reminders of God's truth and love, even on the hard days! 

Attention: Man Tank Wearers

Ok guys,  time to discuss an important current events issue…

Man tanks.

If you know me… you have a pretty good idea where this is going.

I would like to take the time to preface this post with a disclaimer so that no one leaves the blog in tears: I have a lot of male friends who choose the man tank lifestyle. I do not always support them, but I still love them. That is all.

I did a small amount of research on this topic, and it is actually quite a debate on the world wide web. So, I am not alone in my opinions and everyone is welcome to throw in their two cents as well. What I learned:

-Tank tops are much more popular for guys on the West coast (this makes sense climatically)

-Tank tops are considered cool in mega hipster circles

-Tank tops look much better on  attractive guys (so does everything…)

-Tank tops should not be worn by “skinny” guys

Alright, here we go. First of all, if you are wearing a tank top, and also consider yourself to be a guy, then you should also probably consider yourself to be a hipster. Most people, including myself, do not like to be placed into categories. However, this is unavoidable. They go together. They are one in the same. Deal with this and move on. 

Now, before I hear any whiny outcries, I will make an adjustment to that statement. The TYPE of tank top you are wearing is very important in the classification of the look you are going for. I have provided several visual elements to help us along the way.

Exhibit A: Ryan Gosling. The truth is, he can do whatever he wants and it's going to look good. However, for the purpose of this blog….what is he doing here? He is clearly warm, and probably in California. I appreciate his arms, as should everyone. The tank top isn’t too tight, so he doesn’t necessarily look like he is trying to be the opposite sex, either.  But, lets stay on topic. He is still wearing a tank top. And its striped as well. If I were to be hanging out with Ryan in this outfit, I could definitely see through his shirt. I am also going to be seeing his armpits a lot. Why not just take your shirt off, Ryan? Ditch the tank top. For the sake of Exhibit A, this is the Californian Guy Tank Top wearer.

Exhibit B: Zac Efron. Ok, this is what I would call Mega Hipster Tank Top wearer. Faded graphic accompanied by text on the front of the tank top, accompanied by hat and toned arms? Yep, hello mega hipster. I don't have much to say about this. Except, no. 

Exhibit C: Nerdy Tank Top wearer. This is not ok. I am not condoning the above tank top wearers, but this certainly isn’t fine with anyone, right? There is really nothing manly about this guy, and certainly nothing that makes me wish I could see that much of his arms. Sir, please find a jacket. Immediately. Better yet, a sweatshirt. I don't want to see the top of the tank top. 

Exhibit D: Man/Woman Tank Top wearer. WHAT IS THIS. For those of you who watched Emily Maynard’s season of the Bachelorette, remember the episode when Ryan (the fitness trainer dude) was wearing a tank top similar to this one? I remember nothing about that date except wishing he would burn that tank top. This is not ok. Ever.

Exhibit E: Wife Beater Tank Top wearer. Ok, I don’t know who this guy is. In literally ANYTHING else, I would not be criticizing him. But… why. Come on. This is obviously a black wife beater, there is no other way to classify it. Its way, WAY too tight for a guy to be wearing. Unless this is some kind of scuba diving outfit, please take this off!

That was exhausting. But I am not done. I cannot address this issue without addressing another concern of mine. 

V NECKS.

For the purpose of this, I am going to use Sean Lowe. Because… he is my favorite. He is a violator of the V neck law that I have in place in my mind, but I love him still. I will use pics to demonstrate:

Too much. 

Ok. 

No Sean, no!

Out of control. 

Ok, hopefully my point has been made. The bottom line is, something about a tank top seems...feminine to me. That being said, some guys are just manly and hot enough to pull it off. I still don't approve. Guys...try to limit tank top wearing to beaches, boats, and activities involving sand. 

And...that is all. 

Sweet Friends & Fun Products

These last few weeks have been painful for me. Mentally painful of course. I am so excited to finish this degree up, yet insanely unmotivated as well. Sometimes I blankly stare at my computer for hours, wishing this research would complete (and write) itself. Wishful thinking of course.

 These are the reasons I have been slacking at Sweet and Modern... But… 7 weeks. SEVEN WEEKS. I can make it.. especially with the help of my sweet friends! On Saturday I was laying on my floor surrounded by tons of journal articles and trying to match up my sources. Needless to say, I was ready to throw my computer through the nearest window…when.. one of my fabulous friends rang my doorbell. In tow, she had  a sweet little care package from Sephora. Just seeing  a Sephora bag typically brightens my mood… how well does she know me!? I was SO excited to dig through and check out all the random products she got me. And, as I type this, I am carefully sampling all of the products one by one. Today, I used my new Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate. I LOVE this stuff! It's very moisturizing and has a pretty pink tint to it that I really fancy. If you are  in the market for a new lip balm, I would suggest trying this stuff.

Any product of any kind makes me so happy, especially when it comes during stressful moments, and from a wonderful friend! So thankful for my friends and the people who have listened to me whine day in and day out. (Sorry.. only 7 more weeks…)

Have a great week!