FORMULATE, YOUR CUSTOM HAIR CARE SYSTEM | beauty

Last week, I mentioned this new hair care system (NOT MLM, btw!) on my IG story but I really couldn't go into much detail at the time.... well, now that they've officially launched, I can tell y'all all about it!  Say hello to Formulate.co!! Y'all, this is your very own, custom-made hair care tailored to every single hair type, from curly, coarse, thin and straight (even down to the color!) to heat-styled and air-dried; there's a product for every single person! I am so excited about this considering I love anything that gives that custom experience, you know what I mean ESPECIALLY when it comes to hair products!

 So in order to make this completely personal to YOU, Formulate has created their very own questionnaire that fine combs (pun intended?) through each and every detail that you face with your hair from environmental factors to how you style it on a daily basis. The best part? You get to choose your own scent from floral to woodsy and everything in between, they even have two natural scents featuring freshly squeezed and bergamot for sensitive skin! Geniussss.

Now, I know I mentioned the best part, but what about the best, BEST part? Although the Formulate website has launched, the site isn't quite ready to be open to the entire public just yet, so they gave each partner 10 access codes to give out to anyone who wants to go ahead and get their order in before the public launch happens! You'll get 3 kits for only $130 and each kit should last anywhere from 6-9 weeks, depending on usage and hair length -- that's a little less than 7 months of customized  hair care.

"What if I don't like the formula?" Easy. They've worked really hard with they chemist to create something for everyone so they want you to be happy! If for any reason you aren't, they'll gladly re-formulate your products and send out a new supply. If you just can't find the right formulation, they'll give your money back if returned within 30 days of purchase, no questions asked!

Ready to test out their survey? You can do that by clicking [HERE]. You won't be able to purchase just yet but you can see the kind of questions they'll ask and see just how custom the nature of this brand truly is.

In the meantime, if you aren't quite ready to purchase, that's okay too! You can always enter the Formulate giveaway [HERE] that also features my very own hair profile!

 This is your chance to win one shampoo and conditioning system custom fit to all of you haircare needs!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!

I know that this is a looot of information but I am so excited for you guys to try out this custom hair care system and let me know what you think about it! All orders placed with the access code will go into formulation the first week of July and once shipped, should be on your front porch about 3 days after! 

If you have any questions in the meantime, send me your DM's or comment below! This is also NOT an MLM business, y'all. I am a partner with Formulate and have been one of the few selected to try out and share all about this amazing hair care system through my social networks :)

xx, tbp

LAURA MERCIER REVIEW + SUMMER ROUTINE | beauty

WARNING: Little bit of grossness ahead... skip the first paragraph if you don't want to read about it!

    

 So it's kinda funny how Instagram can portray a pretty good image and for me, that day was yesterday... and the day before. For the last two days, we've pretty much been dealing with a projectile vomiting gremlin aka, Merrick. We recently switched him to whole milk and at first, he took the transition really well. He liked it, drank it and there were no side-effects... until a few days in. This is when he started throwing up everywheeeeeere and it was always after he drank his milk... So anyway, long story short, yesterday, right as were pulling into my grandmothers neighborhood to watch fireworks, Merrick makes that notorious SOUND (parents and pet-parents, you know exactly what I'm referring to), devon whips off his seatbelt, jumps in the back and that's when puke goes all over merrick, his carseat, devon and our brand new car🤗 I think I took flight while flying through the neighborhood to get to our destination where we quickly parked, pulled him out and hosed down e v e r y t h i n g, and then he got his second bath of the day and my car got it's THIRD detail job and we haven't even owned it for a whole week yet lol. Some serious thanks to my husband for being the best human on the face of the earth and only cashew milk for Merrick Wade from here on out. 

    

      So how was y'alls Fourth!? Hopefully it started a little better than ours! Haha

     Anyway... a few days ago I received a PR box from Laura Mercier (what a post to mix the two topics, right??) so I could test out a few products; Namely the Primer, Tinted Moisturizer and Highlighter. First off, I love LM. This Translucent Powder is a MUST-HAVE of mine and has been for the last couple of years. I cannot live without out. I've also used this LM primer for as long as I can remember and it's definitely remained one of my Top 3 primers to date! 

So after yesterday, where I was in total mom-mode (which is why I couldn't have cared less about a IG pic yesterday) to today where I get to be in business owner mode, get dressed up, do my hair and apply makeup so I can meet with two clients -- I'm already way too excited about it all and wanted to share my routine with products used since this is a rarity these days....

TO THE ROUTINE::::

     First off, this LM Hydrating primer is one of my classic picks because it doesn't leave that overly smooth-finish-feeling like a lot of primers have. It feels slightly more moisturizing, which is why I love it. I also have pretty oily skin and I think the extra moisture helps keep the oil away and when you have heat mixed with humidity like we've had in Virginia these past few weeks, it takes a good product to hold your look together and this one does a good job of that!

     Second, I applied this LM tinted moisturizer in shade Natural with a beauty blender. Y'all know I can't stand heavy, full-coverage products so this Tinted Moisturizer does an amazing job keeping it light and keeping you fresh-faced while also covering redness and imperfections.

     Third, I always use this concealer under my eyes and blend in with a beauty blender. After that, I apply this LM translucent powder to my face to pretty much seal everything in.

     After that, I used this brand new bronzer + blush palette that I bought a few weeks ago! It's seriously so beautiful, I didn't even want to use it haha but once you dig in, it's so worth it! And perfect for summer because it gives the perfect color payoff while keeping you looking fresh and not caked. After that, I dusted on a little bit of this LM highlighter and then finished the look by filling in my brows with this ABH pencil and then applying this gel and then I add a few layers of this YSL mascara and my makeup look is done! It's so easy and such a light routine for summer by keeping everything minimal, bronzy and dewy but still clean and promises not to melt off!

I also have been loooooving this lipgloss for summer in the color Opal and this lipliner paired with it! I use it everyday!

I'm still working on my favorite Amazon finds and will post that soon -- please let me know if there are any other posts you want me to do in the future - xo

xx, tbp

SPF SKINCARE FAVORITES | beauty

   

Today's post is all about my favorite SPF skincare finds! Everything but the self tanner has SPF but they all protect you from the sun, in one way or another because prevention over treatment is key and that's why I always love sharing posts like this when summertime hits!

      Now don't get my protection from the sun confused with getting sun. I still enjoy being outside and having a natural summer glow but and honestly, I have the skin that tans no matter how much SPF or inside time I have (thanks to the Greek genes, I guess!) but I always use SPF and I get a spray tan every single week (usually on Fridays but this week, it'll be a Monday, go figure!) to keep up with my tan. I do yard work in normal clothes, hang by the pool and still lounge by the lake when we're there so sunshine and me aren't strangers but when I do plan on being outdoors, I take even the simplest precautions like wearing a hat and remembering to reapply sunscreen about every hour or so. It takes awhile to get into the habit of doing this but I think having kids helps because I always make sure they're lathered up 24/7 so when they get sunscreen, so do I.

     So now on to my spray tan regimen because I always get asked what I use and what I do to keep up with my tans if I don't actually go tanning or lay out, so here it is!

I go to my local tanning place that has Mystic Tanning. If you aren't sure what this is, it's basically a spray tan machine and a lot of salons have them, so call around to find one if you're interested in doing the same steps! Anyway, I usually go every Friday or Sunday but before I go, I take a shower that morning (or the night before) to exfoliate all of the old spray tan off. Sometimes it doesn't all come off but that's okay, because the next few steps will explain why this isn't really that important, even though I try to remove as much as I can. Anyway, I really love these two sugar scrubs because they're gentle and smell amazing! This one is the more expensive one and runs about $38 but it makes my skin feel so moisturized after I rinse it off that I can't stop buying it! This one is great too, smells amazing and is currently on sale for only $8!

     Once I get to the tanning place, I use the Mystic Spray with Dark tan, accelerator (which basically balances your skins pH levels which creates a more even tan when applied and a more even fade), then I get the Triple Boost which is an instant dark color that I feel gives me more of a color the following day as well and then I get the Vanilla Scent added to it - That one is my favorite!

     A spray tan will last pretty much all week, with showering everyday but if for some reason it doesn't I love using this line of self-tanners, the Dark Express being my absolute favorite.

Now on to my skincare! These are my favorite product at the moment, and they all have SPF included:

My daily moisturizer is SPF 47 and I don't find it to be greasy or oily at all. It pairs well with my other products and absorbs well into my skin before I apply anything else. My favorite primer is this one and ever since I bought it, I don't think I'll be able to live without it. It glides on like butter and leaves my skin feeling SO smooth! Definitely worth the price, although I don't think this would be a product I'd add to my beach bag for fear of it melting away but it's still a regimen item I can't live without! This is my favorite foundation and has been for over a year. I love the way it covers, even though it's so lightweight and that it comes with a pump for easy application! And last but not least, this is the best all-over body oil! It smells nice and will leave your skin feeling silky and looking so glowy, plus it covers all the bases for the rest of your body by being SPF 30!

I hope y'all are having the best summer and enjoying all of the sunshine and warm weather! I know me and my crew are! Please let me know if you have any of SPF favorites that I should try or add to this list because I'm all about skincare and how I can be better protected when it comes being in the sun!

xx, tbp

SHOP MOST-LOVED FRAGRANCES UNDER $100 | beauty

Looking for stocking stuffers!? These perfumes are currently on sale for the next two days and would make awesome gifts for Christmas! I was shocked when I saw that the Burberry Brit, which is one of my favorite wintertime scents, on sale for only $35. INSANE. Also, one of my other favorites, Miu Miu, that usually retails for $122, is on sale for $80! It's one of the more floral fragrances featuring notes like lily and honeysuckle - so yummy.
Check them out and let me know what you think!

xx, tbp

SEPHORA'S ANNUAL SALE | beauty

disclaimer: this is currently for early access ONLY. VIB Rouge members will get first access until Nov. 6th. Starting Nov. 7th, Insiders and VIB's will be able to shop the sale. If you're not a rouge member but still want to shop the Early Access, head to a Sephora Store with a Rouge member and they will grant 20% off of your purchase too!

Currently: 20% off for VIB Rouge members using code 20FORROUGE

It's the most wonderful time of the yeeeeeaaar! Seriously. Sephora's annual sale has started and I'm sharing everything you HAVE TO BUY. These are my staple items so when you can get a discount, want changes to need reeeeal quick.

BASIC MAKEUP ESSENTIALS | beauty

I've been SO lucky to work with some amazing brands and to be able to try tons of products; Most products have been so great and the people behind the companies have been even better! Lately, I haven't really been in the mood for full-glam. Just simple makeup products that leave my face looking fresh and presentable while still being simple and not overdone. I received a few of these products and have fallen in love with them, so I wanted to do a quick blog post in order o share them with y'all.

Cosmedix BIO-SHAPE Firming Mask c/o:

The perfect product to buy if you're looking to lift, firm and hydrate your skin.

R+Co Thickening Spray:

Smells like heaven and works like a dream.

I use this to add texture to my hair after I wash it so my curls will hold and I have volume on the crown and top of my head.

YSL Black Opium c/o:
A warm and spicy scent that lasts all day long. Key notes are: Pink Pepper, Coffee, Orange Blossom and Vanilla. I like strong, mature scents and this definitely hits the spot. If this perfume sounds like something you'd love, I'd definitely recommend trying it in-store and spraying it on your inner arm to see how it pairs with your skins natural oils because it smells like HEAVEN when it pairs well! A very sultry, sexy scent.

Julep 5 in 1 Skin Perfector c/o:
This is an amazing undereye product that REALLY covers the dark circles I've grown to have over the years. I also like to use this to conceal the redness around my nose and blemishes. I love shade #130 in Ivory.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12hr Blush:
The winning perk of this blush? It literally lasts all day. I definitely tested its full potential on our disney trip when I was sweating like a pig, so yeah, def recommend it, guys.

I've linked the other two products, which I've talked about before, so I won't bore y'all again. The Bobbi Brown BB cream is one of the BEST BB creams I have ever tried and at this point, it's been a staple in my makeup collection for YEARS. I love mixing the medium and light shades together to create my perfect shade!
 The MAC Pro Longwear Brow set is hands-down my favorite product of all time. Check it out if you haven't, I KNOW you'll love it. I use the shade Brunette and it's perfect!

xx,
tbp

#NSALE: ALL ABOUT BEAUTY | beauty

I don't think it's obvious that the #Nsale is happening, people. It's been super low-key this year....

Enough sarcasm but really, I kinda wanted to feel like a really big-time blogger and make a couple... or few.... (don't kill me) posts about it because there's actually some pretty good stuff there so dedicating this post to all. things. BEAUTY. And I was pretty pumped to see some of my favorite things listed
BUT.... here's the annoying little kicker... this is just the Early Access, guys... you can only shop right now if you have a Nordies Card (click to sign up HERE). 

Right now, you can only apply for their credit card but if you have one of their old debit cards, they will still honor it, so shopppppp awayyyyyy, my friends! And make sure you sign up for early access because they don't hold on to stock and once things sell out, even while in Early Access, it's GONE.

I listed items that I thought would be a huge hit and sell out pretty quick. I haven't tried everything but I've heard great things about all of it!

T3 Micro Hair Dryer: 

this thing is BOMBBBB. It's lightweight. Comes in back and white and dries your hair like a dream. It's my favorite product on this page!

Clinique Take the Day Off:

I have raved about this product for atlas a year at this point. It can take off ANYTHING, especially pesky waterproof products and it's pretty cool that it comes in this kit with two other awesome products.

Clarisonic Mia 2:

I can't live without my Mia. Plain and simple. I travel with her and all. I use the sensitive brush heads (on sale HERE) and they work overtime to make my skin so smooth, it's unbelievable. 

Fereo Facial Cleansing Device:

I listed this one because I have heard that some people prefer this over the Clarisonic and although I've never tried it, I'm thinking about getting it to give it whirl. For one, I love that it's black. That's pretty important becauseeee it's pretty much my favorite color. Second, it's slightly cheaper than the clarisonic mia and still allows you to have control over how gentle it pulses! This is great for people with super sensitive skin like me.

PMD Microderm Device:

I'm not quite sure I would ever feel okay with giving myself a microderm BUT anyone that has this freakin' looooves it. It's great for anti-aging and removing dead skin cells and promotes exfoliation.

I'll be posting Makeup-finds, Fall-finds and all-things-athletic on the blog within the next few days, so be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss the posts!

xx,

tbp

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I listed items that I thought would be a huge hit and sell out pretty quick. I haven't tried everything but I've heard great things about all of it!

Some of my personal favorites that I use regularly are:

T3 Micro Hair Dryer: 

this thing is BOMBBBB. It's lightweight. Comes in back and white and dries your hair like a dream. It's my favorite product on this page!

Clinique Take the Day Off:

I have raved about this product for atlas a year at this point. It can take off ANYTHING, especially pesky waterproof products and it's pretty cool that it comes in this kit with two other awesome products.

Clarisonic Mia 2:

I can't live without my Mia. Plain and simple. I travel with her and all. I use the sensitive brush heads (on sale HERE) and they work overtime to make my skin so smooth, it's unbelievable. 

Fereo Facial Cleansing Device:

I listed this one because I have heard that some people prefer this over the Clarisonic and although I've never tried it, I'm thinking about getting it to give it whirl. For one, I love that it's black. That's pretty important becauseeee it's pretty much my favorite color. Second, it's slightly cheaper than the clarisonic mia and still allows you to have control over how gentle it pulses! This is great for people with super sensitive skin like me.

PMD Microderm Device:

I'm not quite sure I would ever feel okay with giving myself a microderm BUT anyone that has this freakin' looooves it. It's great for anti-aging and removing dead skin cells and promotes exfoliation.

I'll be posting Makeup-finds, Fall-finds and all-things-athletic on the blog within the next few days, so be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss the posts!

xx,

tbp

HOW TO: DIY GEL MANICURE | beauty

I've been doing my own nails for yearsssss and every now and then, I like to hit the salon and get my nails done - preferably SNS dip nails but since having Merrick, I haven't been able to get my nails done as often as I truly need (or like) so I've been getting back into doing my own gel manicures. It's not as hard or as expensive (definitely way less than getting them professionally done!) as one might think, so whenever I can talk anyone into taking the time, they always end up loving it because it's truly a huge convenience because you can save time AND dollars.
If you're starting from scratch, your total for all of the essentials listed will cost around $75 - Pretty much what I pay/paid for a mani/pedi weekly - ekkk!

To start doing your own gel nails, especially if you don't have anything to start with, there are a couple options.

One: You can buy your own starter kit

like this one $90

OR

Two: You can piece out each item and get a custom "set", which is what I prefer.

Why do I prefer piecing out each item over buying a set? Because I definitely feel like I've tried every gel on the market, whether it be at a salon or by buying it myself and I feel like I've FINALLY found the magic combo in order to get that legit "two-week" manicure that really lasts🙌🏼

So speaking of two weeks; do gel nails REALLY last that long?? With the setup I list below, YES, they can. However, there are a few factors to take into consideration before totally expecting a full 14+ days of wear; like how gentle or rough you are with your hands. Are you playing sports, washing dishes, typing on a keyboard? All of these things can play a role in how long you can expect your manicure to last but the good news is, even if you do fall into the more "rough" side, your mani can still still last about a week, and personally, I think that's still a long time to have any one color on your nails regardless!
BUT in order to ensure you actually make it that far, you HAVE to make sure you follow each step below CAREFULLY. If you touch anything, even running your hands through your hair after you've buffed your nails and applied the pH bond, then that can drastically reduce your wear-time with the gels because even the smallest amount of oil on the nail bed can really make a huge difference in wear time.

I personally never wear gels for more than about 9 days because my nails grow so fast, I end up taking the gel off before they even have time to chip etc. So would I want to wear them for a full two weeks? Not really. But that's up to you and and personal preference at that point.

THE ESSENTIALS:

LED Light

Bonding Agent

Base Coat

Gel Polish 

Top Coat

EXTRAS:

Cuticle Cutter + Cuticle Pusher/Gel remover

Gel Remover Clips

Brushes to create clean edges

STEPS:

▴ Start at Step 1 if you already have gel polish on -
▴ Start at Step 5 if you don't have gel polish to remove first and
▴ Start at Step 8 if you don't want to start with a manicure ▴

One ▴ Buff off the shiny top layer of gel, until polish is matte
Two ▴ Soak cotton ball in acetone polish remover
Three ▴ Place a small, acetone soaked piece of cotton on top of nail
and then use use the nail clip to hold the cotton in place for aprox 7-10 minutes
Four ▴Take off the nail clips and use the cuticle pusher to remove gel by gently
scraping the surface of the nail.
Five ▴ Once gel is completely removed,
Soak fingers in warm water for about a minute and then gently push back cuticles
Six ▴ Use cuticle cutter to carefully cut cuticles.
P l e a s e go slow if you've never clipped your own cuticles before - it can go wrong fast
Seven ▴ Once cuticles have been trimmed, Buff nail bed with fine-textured buffer
Eight ▴ Apply pH Bond to nails - let dry.
Nine ▴ Then evenly apply base coat of gel; a thin layer is best!
Then cure in LED light for aprox 45 seconds
Ten ▴ THINLY apply first layer of colored gel. REMEMBER: THIN LAYERS! At first, it will be streaky and sheer - that's okay! You don't want to apply with a heavy hand because it won't set right and could ripple/drip.
Cure for aprox 45 seconds with each coat
2-3 coats total is usually best
Eleven ▴ Once desired nail color is reached, most likely by layer two, thinly apply top coat.
Cure for one minute.

You're done!

If your top layer comes out feeling sticky, just wipe the nail with rubbing alcohol to remove all tackiness.

If you do your own gel nails, let me know how they turn out - I'd love to hear about it! XO

xx,
tbp

SPRING MAKEUP REVIEW | beauty

    A few weeks ago, I was asked to do the makeup of a family friends daughter for Ring Dance and long-story-short, I have a whole new appreciation for makeup artists. I went in with my entiiiiiire makeup collection because I really wasn't sure what we would end up using, even down to the lashes. Thank GOD that it turned out amazing and she loved it lol *pats back*
 but since I've only done a few of my friends makeup and my sisters before, I won't lie - the nerves were reeeeeal. I definitely not a pro or anyone with a background in makeup, I just think it's a fun and a way to express yourself; Black eyeliner and brown eyeliner are used on different days, just like a false lash or a quick sweep of mascara on my real lashes would be. It all depends on my mood and truthfully, how much effort I'm wiling to put into it and to be honest, I'm sure I'll be using far less in the coming weeks because well - mom life - so for now, I'm getting dolled up any chance I can because it may be a little while before I have the time or energy. But hey, who knowsssssss. You surprise yourself sometimes!

Anyway, I have been using these products for a little while now and I wanted to give a review on em'.  Plus, the packaging on some of these are total 😍. 

IT Cosmetics CC Cream

BB and CC creams can claim 2012 like highlighters can claim 2016. I totally get it. But this particular one is waaaay more than a beauty balm. It covers like a foundation and is as weightless as a BB cream, if that makes any sense. It's perfect for days when you need the coverage to run errands and you don't want a full face on BUT AT THE SAME TIME... when you want to go full glam, this totally lets you do that too. It's pretty much a miracle in a tube.
I use color "Light" and even with a spray tan, it works really well with my skin. I think the colors are a tad off because I believe the color "Fair" would be more of a "Light" color in most other brands.... just fyi!

Dior Nude Air Luminizer
This highlighter is amazzzzingggg. I use 003 with or without a tan and it WORKS. It's more of a golden hue and highlights WITHOUT using sparkles - which soo many brands seem to veer off with these days. It's definitely a bit pricey and honestly, you could find an alternative for cheaper but I feel that the quality of this product is unmatched. It goes on smooth without settling into pores and fine lines like other ones I've tried - so if that's a huge plus for you, then this compact will be totally worth it! But if you can't see yourself spending that amount on a highlighter, then try this palette - you get 6 highlighters for only $28!

Becca Blurring Powder 
THIS IS THE HOLY GRAIL.
I saw this product for awhile before purchasing and when I finally made my way into Sephora to test it myself, I'm not gonna lie... I was hesitant. I was in a faithful relationship with Laura Mercier translucent powder for fooooorevveeerr and honestly, how many translucent powders do ya really need?? Plus, the color of the Becca powder is more of a peachy-tone and I was worried it would only be good for summer months - or not even a match at all. But, I walked around with the last box on the shelf and figured "Why not?" just buy it - if I hated it, I'd return it. No big deal. So anyway, super long story short - my makeup has never been the same since and although I haven't replaced my LM translucent powered completely, it has started taking a backseat to this powder! There are a few things I wanna address with the Becca Blurring Powder for those of y'all that are in the same boat I was:
The color:
It may look like it's only good for warmer skin tones but it magically buffs on the skin into the most translucent powder imaginable. I'm not sure if the color has anything to do with the blurring effect, but it definitely doesn't show any color payoff once applied - which is really nice!
The "Blur" effect:
IT WORKS. I have oily ski... yada yada... and my pores tend to be bigger in my oilier areas, especially on the apples of my cheeks. I use this brush, sweep it on the problem areas, such as my forehead, nose and cheeks and BAM. Smooth, airbrushed skin in a matter of 2.5 seconds. The tiniest bit goes a long way and creates the most flattering "blur" - it's magic.
The Price:
Although I bought mine from Sephora, there's currently a really good sale here! For only $34 you get the full compact and a really nice brush to use with it. The reviews for the brush are great so it's definitely a better buy. The original price at Sephora for just the compact alone is $38!

ABH Eyebrow + Eyeliner brush #12
I've been using this eyebrow pomade recently for my brows in the color chocolate and really needed a good brush to apply the product with precision and ease. I bought this brush because it's the smallest brush I could find that still seemed like good quality - so far, so good! I love the spooley end it comes with too - Totally necessary to tame wild brows!

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance
This primer is a great mix between a really light moisturizer and primer in one. For the price, the tiniest bit goes a long way. Although I'd describe it as a moisturizer, it goes on a bit differently. I like to apply it by putting a little bigger than pea size amount on my hands, rubbing the product on the tips of my fingers and patting it on my face and then slowly rub the product outwards. I'll pat the remaining amount on my eyes just to make sure I get those too.

MAC Fix+
I don't care if you call this water-in-a-bottle -whatever. I looove this stuff. For having such oily skin, I tend to use a lot of powder products, which can inevitably look cakey or heavy, if used excessively. That's where this comes into play. It might be overkill, but for each powder product I use, I like to apply a few sprays of the Fix+ to my face... then I go in with the next product after the spray has dried and then I use it as a "setting" spray when I'm finished.
I've also been able to spray my eyeliner brush with this in order to use an eyeshadow as an instant eyeliner! I've found that the darkest shade from this palette is my go-to for brown eyeliner lately... it creates a soft line and adds depth to my eyes plus, it's the perfect color for blue eyes. It totally makes them pop.

Becca Blush in Camellia
This is a perfect spring and summertime blush. It's described as a "ballerina pink" and to me, that's totally fitting. I don't really like to use this when I'm more pale because the color payoff is so intense but when I get a fresh spray or a nice base tan mid summer, it's the perfect color to use! Again, I have a pretty neutral skin tone so I feel that this would work on a variety of faces. But if you're more pale year-round, then try this Becca blush in the color "Foxglove"

Foot Mask

And for the foot mask that I talked about on instagram that works so well, I almost ate it in my bathroom this morning - you can get that here! Sounds good, right? Feet so soft that you're gliding on silk? So good until you try to slide out 9 months pregnant. And the worst part? No one was there to laugh when it happened. So bummed. but the good news? Whenever our little guy decides it's time to come on out, I'm definitely bringing some of these socks to the hospital cause #hospitalbagessentials will be up on the blog here soon!

Plus, if you grab these little packets online right now, they're only like $2 each - Originally $5 in-store!

xx, 

tbp

SPRING OUTFIT INSPO | fashion + beauty

Nail Polish $10 // Sweatshirt // Nursing Bralette | Inexpensive Version $13 // Boyfriend Jeans $40 // Slip on sandals $37  // Sunnies $60 // Stud Earrings $10

My style definitely varies day-to-day; I usually prefer to go super casual over dressy-dressy and lately, that has totally shown. 

     Basically: casual > anything that takes effort ha

So, today I'm sharing my faaaaavorite casual outfit + the BEST pair of jeans that literally go with everything AND they're 40% off making them only $40! 

In the boyfriend jeans, I suggest going down a size or two, depending on the look you want. More fitted, go down a size and for a more relaxed look, stick with that size you would typically buy. I go down a size and they fit exactly like these maternity jeans that I wore in this blog post.

I don't know how long they'll be marked down for but since I spotted them on sale, I figured I'd let y'all know too!

 They're my favorite brand of jeans in general, so if any other style catches your eye, don't hesitate - they're truthfully the best and super inexpensive for the seriously great quality you get! 

I also linked this seriously cute nursing bralette to wear under my sweaters and tees after this little dude is born (and definitely before because, yeah... comfort). It's sort of on the expensive side but the quality is reeeeeally good, which is definitely a necessity since it'll be tugged on and pretty much washed daily, ya know what I mean? But I wanted to share this one for the fraction of the cost - like we're talkin' $13! I love the thin straps and all of the colors they come in, so I grabbed a couple of them too!

Stud earrings are a staple for me because I always wear them. No question. They go with everything and they totally make me feel "put-together" even when I'm running out with my hair a mess and sunglasses on. These are great quality if you're not looking to dish on real diamonds, plus these will last just as long because they're sterling silver!

Speaking of sunglasses, I loved my other sunglasses so much that I had to get these too lol the color is totally fit for spring and I looove that these have the mirrored lenses.

Last but not least - these shoes! I'm obsessed with the ruffle detail! But I also secretly wanted a pair of Birkenstocks like these but I sorta refuse to pay $90 haha It's like I like them but do I really LOVE them? I wasn't so sure but I did find these and they're sooo cheap, it's crazy and all of the sudden, I fell in love. Plus, they're buy one get one for 50% off soooo you should totally grab em' all because I totally might.😍

Oh and lately, I've been getting the SNS dip polish rather than gel. They wear like acrylics BUT they come off like gel. They're definitely thicker than gel too but I love them because they last soooo much longer plus they don't have the damaging effects that acrylics do - score!
 My go-to color is the plain white and I pair it with this polish on my toes. It's my absolute favorite color combo of all time!

xx,

tbp

A CASUAL VALENTINE | fashion + beauty

I'm gonna kinda ramble on this post, so bare with me. It's 11 o'clock and mama is tiiiiired. Zzz

Anyway..

Devon and I don't usually do dinner on Valentines because, well, we'd honestly rather eat-in and watch a movie (him) or crime show (me) but this year, we are headed out to dinner! So of course, the natural question occurred to me - to red lip, or not to red lip. I was feeling pretty in love with the thought of a bold lip for the holiday, so I put one of my favorites on for these pics and I'm sharing my other top picks with y'all too!

I also HAD TO SHARE these boots which turned out to the the MOST COMFORTABLE things I have ever put on my feet and they look amazing on. They're only $40 and they are complete Stuart Weitzman dupes! I've been all about the dupes lately, as y'all can tell but when you have a baby coming and $600 better be going towards a nursery and baby gear, there isn't a question that finding a dupe is a MUST. I'm serious... I wasn't sure if I'd ever jump on the bandwagon with the OTK boots but after ordering these and seeing just how comfy they really are, I seriously just ordered them in black too lol.

Top // Cardi // Boots // Scarf: different color, same scarf, on sale for $15 // Maternity Jeans (on sale!) // Sunglasses // Lipstick in Dance with me

These boots run true-to-size and still leave room to comfortably wear thin knee socks, which is a plus! I also like that it comes with a tie at the top so you an tighten or loosen the strings to keep the boot snug, right where they're supposed to be. 

I'm wearing the color khaki, but they come in 5 other colors as well; Grey, black, navy, burgundy and brown. Perfect for cooler weather over a pair of jeans or even better, when the weather heats up, pair them with a pair of cutoffs for a perfect date night look.

So like I mentioned before - here's a quick peek at my favorite bold lips of all time! All of these are definitely more on the blue-red side, so they really compliment most skin tones and make your smile look bright and white!

Regarding the liquid lipsticks, I usually don't wear a lot of them because they can be drying and I think they can easily go from looking well-lined to harsh in the matter of one-too-many coats and personally, I don't think that looks good BUT these 3 don't seem to have the harsh effect because you really only need one or two (at MOST) coats to get great coverage. They aren't too streaky either, which helps when applying!

The one out of all of these that gets the most play is this one by MAC. It's the perfect pop of pink, without being too "out there" or overwhelming - at least to me ha. 

My second favorite is this one because the color is very daytime but can easily transition to your nighttime look and fortunately, it has the staying power for a date night meal.... and whatever happens after... Like eating popcorn at that movie y'all bought tickets for😜

My third favorite would definitely have to be this one - it's the perfect deep-red that we all want, without being too dark to where it looks purple. It has great staying power and would look perfect paired with a white tee or a bold, black top.  It's also the one I'm wearing in the pictures above, so you can get a better idea of how it looks on.

All of the other lipsticks just fit into the mix and I swear I actually have different moods for each one - anyone else with me!?

Last but not least, if your tradition is heading out, I hope you beat the crowds, get a good table, drink some fun drinks and have the best night! There's nothing like celebrating love, y'all. So besides the gifts and glamor, go out, enjoy the company of one another and don't forget rule no.1 - it's allllllll about the love. 

And if you're going into Valentine's day without someone to celebrate it with - don't count yourself out, babe. After being with Devon for almost 11 years, I only expect chocolate covered strawberries every year lol not all valentines involve over-the-top gifts or reaching over-the-top expectations.

So get a group of your friends together, grab some dinner, take-out, whatever and enjoy the night like you would any other. And if you're not the "group" kinda person, Netflix is always there. Curl up on the couch and binge watch your favorite shows, because after all, when you don't have a guy there commenting about your obsession with Joanna Gaines after the 100th episode of Fixer Upper, it might make it easier to find the good in the holiday after all😜

💋HAPPY EARLY VALENTINE'S DAY!💋 

WEEKEND HAPPENINGS | Lifestyle + Beauty

We've been inside of the house more often lately since Devon's knee still isn't 100% after his surgery from a month ago and his gettin' around isn't what it used to be haha definitely getting better, slowly but surely but it wasn't really an easy operation to begin with so it's just gonna take some down time to get back on his feet - literally. So for now, we've been enjoying dinners at home (with the help of HelloFresh - read that post here) and having nightly binge sessions watching ID channel, which is mainly my thing but Devon's a good sport and watches along, although he would totally rather be watching golf.

So this past weekend, Penelope stayed with Devon's aunt for the night so we could have a much-needed date night and be home by 9PM. Haha, no seriously. We had the besssst dinner and went straight home and totally enjoyed being in bed by 9:30pm and "sleeping in" until 8 - totally what daydreams are made of.

 Saturday, we had half of the day to ourselves to do whatever and as we're trying to figure out what to do with alllllll of our free time (parents, you understand the struggle), Devon suggested that we hit Sephora (I love that man) so I could use a random gift card that I had found from Christmas - day. made. My husband seriously suggested SEPHORA as a date. Lucky... blessed... whatever. I hit the jackpot.
So after shopping around, I bought a few things that I had been eyeing for a couple of weeks and just wanted to share them with y'all!

I love trying new things and testing new products so finding a gift card in my wallet behind a few other junk cards I had hanging out in there was the perfect treat before we went back to pick up our sweet gal :)

Also, if you haven't noticed, I've been using a new platform called LikeToKnow.it on instagram. It will send you ALL of the info on my pics - from what I'm wearing to beauty and everything else in between, even with kids stuff! So make sure you sign up HERE so you'll start receiving emails within 10 minutes on posts you've liked that have LTKI installed. Sooo easy😊

Anyway - HAPPY SUNDAY. The weekends are going by faster and faster and I sincerely hope that the warmer weather comes as quick as Mondays do.

xx,
tbp

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NATURAL GLAM MAKEUP ROUTINE | BEAUTY + YOUTUBE

So here it is, the highly-requested Natural Glam Makeup Routine! Trust meeeeee - I wanted this video out sooner rather than later (which ended up with the later) BUT it's finally up!
 In case you don't want to watch the full video, here's a quick run-down of products I used:

Murad Hydrating Toner Spray: http://bit.ly/2bnenNJ
Tarte Smoothing Primer: http://bit.ly/2aZRtwB
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation: http://bit.ly/2bn6ubl
Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer: http://bit.ly/2b4CeOU
Makeup For Ever Concealer: http://bit.ly/2begRvo
Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer: http://bit.ly/2aZu8oC
Lorac Pro Pallet 3: http://bit.ly/2byAZbw
Anastasia of BH Brow Pencil in Med. Brown: http://bit.ly/2aZsF1N
NYX Tinted Brow Mascara: http://bit.ly/2bnCLgV
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: http://bit.ly/2bxRIL2
Benefit They’re Real! Eyeliner Gel: http://bit.ly/2be6W94
Sephora MicroSmooth Powder in #15: http://bit.ly/2bnAzpU
Laura Mercier Translucent powder: http://bit.ly/2b1969E
Bobbi Brown Bronzer in Natural 01: http://bit.ly/2bcYhEM
Smashbox Blush in Chiffon: http://amzn.to/2bAG2ah
MAC Lipliner in Edge To Edge: http://bit.ly/2b19ftK
NARS Lipstick in Roman Holiday: http://bit.ly/2bcZZ9a
Lancome Lipstick in #250: http://bit.ly/2bstwcv

So without anymore yapping, here's the video and if you aren't already subscribed to my channel, DO IT. Love you, mean it💋

And thanks for watching ;)

xx, tbp