Bandeau/Strapless Bra For Large Chests!

Hey guys!  Today I wanted to share with you a great strapless bra that I recently picked up, the Braza Wild Card Bandeau.  I got mine on Amazon for around $13!  They are available in several different colors and in sizes small, medium, large, xlarge, and xxlarge.  I chose the shade Ivory, so that I could wear it under almost any and everything I need to.

It came packaged in this really cute clear bag with a handle.

The bra itself feels like a really good quality, just your basic strapless bandeau.  The elastic bands at the top and bottom are just the right amount of stretch for me - this fits just snug enough that it doesn't feel like it's going to shift around or not stay in place, but not too tight.  A lot of bras like this don't give you enough support, and this one does a really good job for this type of bra.  I don't think it's possible for ANY strapless bra to give you the support a regular bra does, and I didn't expect this one to.  What I wanted out of a bandeau was a nice, somewhat snug fit to hold everything in place, and this bra does just that.

This bra comes with removable pads, which I did take out of mine.  I've tried on some bandeaus where the pads move and shift all around the front of the bra and they don't stay in place.  I didn't experience that with this one, I just don't really care for pads in my bras so I took it out.

This bandeau has strap hooks in case you decide to use the clear straps included with your purchase.  There are various hooks so you can wear your straps in a variety of ways (convertible bra).

All in all I think this is a great bra to use with off the shoulder tops, one shoulder tops, things of that nature.  For size reference I wear a 40DD in a bra and the XL bandeau works perfectly for me.  If you have a large chest and you are on the market for something like this to wear with some of your clothing, then maybe this will be something that works for you too!  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!!

Orange Blush: Nars Taj Mahal!

Hey guys!  I recently picked up an absolutely gorgeous blush from my favorite makeup brand, Nars.  I had a coupon code for a couple of free products as well, and today I wanted to share them with you!

Nars blushes are my favorite, they are just so beautiful and are the best quality (in my opinion).  I normally order all my beauty stuff from Sephora, but this particular blush is not sold on Sephora's website, you have to get it directly through the Nars website.

The blush is in the shade Taj Mahal, and it is a beautiful blazing burnt orange with golden shimmer.

I know, in the pan this looks like KA-POW!  This blush is super pigmented and you could end up with a clown face if you weren't careful.  But applied properly and sheered out on the cheeks, this is stunning.  Although the description calls it a burnt orange with golden shimmer, it's more like a burnt orange with a golden sheen if you ask me.  There are no definite specks of glitter or shimmer, it's just a beautiful golden sheen.   

Here you will see a heavy swatch on the right, and then you see it blended out on the left.  It really is just a beautiful blush!  If you follow my blog then you are aware of my OBSESSION with orange/coral lip products, and I got this blush specifically for pairing with some of those lipsticks.  If you have a lot of pink in your skin this might not be the most flattering blush for you.  But for gals with olive to dark skin tones, this would be gorgeoussssss on you!

I used the coupon code (FEBMINIDUO) and received a travel size Via Veneto (black) eyeliner and Orgasm lip gloss.

I actually already had one of these lip glosses, but I was excited to get another one as I really do love it!

If you enjoy orange lip products like I do, then I highly recommend trying this blush to pair with them!  We are leaving for Mexico next week and this is the blush I will be taking with me for my tropical getaway! Thanks for stopping by guys and have a great day!!!!

February 2015 Sephora Haul!

Hey guys!  Today I wanted to share with you a few things I ordered from Sephora recently.  I actually placed 2 separate orders, but I put it all together in one blog post.  A few of these things (lip products mainly) I bought with Spring and Summer in mind.  Anyways, I absolutely LOVE this stuff so let's get to it!

Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner in Melon, $20

My favorite lip color in the whole world is actually orange.  I never in a million years would've imagined that would end up being what I enjoy the most, but it just is.  I have plenty nude and pink lip liners, but I didn't have anything that would actually fall in the coral/orange category.  This Always Sharp one from Smashbox is perfect!  Instead of buying a dozen cheap ones here and there, I went ahead and bought one really nice one that I know I will enjoy.  I've never purchased this particular brand of lip liner and it is so nice!  If you are not familiar with these, as you twist the lid on it sharpens your lip liner for you.  So when you go to put on your lip liner it is always at a perfect point ready to go.  Genius.

Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick Compact in Gipsy, $53

These lipsticks are one of my favorite formulas, and they are perfect for keeping in your purse or bag because they are housed in their own mirrored compact.  I always keep the shade "Gemma" in my bag, which is just a beautiful, neutral, rosy mauve.  Gipsy is described as a deep tangerine, and it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL.  I can't even get enough of this.  Orange lip products make my heart skip a beat, I love them soooooooooooo much!!!

These lipsticks are in a heavy, very substantial bullet type compact, and as you open them the mirror opens as the lipstick slides out.  So glamorous.

This might possibly be my favorite lipstick of life.  If you like orange lipsticks, omgsh, give Gipsy a try.  I don't think you'll be disappointed!

YSL Gloss Volupte in #30 Corail Lingot, $32

Kind of staying on that coral/orange trend, I wanted a light shimmery lip gloss that would be perfect to pair with my orange lipsticks.  This absolutely fits the bill.  Corail Lingot is a gorgeous warm peach with golden shimmer.  Not glitter, the shimmer in this is so fine you do not feel it and it just glistens on your lips.  This will be great over top of any lipstick, especially those brighter, harder to wear shades.

Even though reviews of these Stila "Eyes Are the Window" shadow palettes tend to be all over the place, I had to give this particular one a try.  I am soooooooooo glad I did!

Stila Eyes Are the Window Shadow Palette in Soul, $49

There are 4 palettes in this collection (Mind, Body, Spirit, and Soul).  I read so many reviews on these and watched several YouTube videos about them as well.  Marlena from Makeup Geek says her favorite palette of life is the all-matte Mind palette.  I love me some matte shadows, but I also love shimmer ones as well as that is what I prefer to use as my lid shade.  The Soul palette looked like it was custom made for me.  Beautiful shimmery shades for your lid (including the cult favorite Kitten shade), perfect mid-tone crease colors, and then deep dark shades to really smoke things out.

The packaging is just beautiful.

The names of the 12 shades are on the back of the palette.

The formula of the matte shades is a little drier than the ones in my other Stila palettes, but they still blend out effortlessly.  The shimmery shades in my palette are soft and buttery and are of the same quality as those in my other palettes.  I absolutely love this!  The Soul palette seemed to have some of the highest reviews and I can totally see why.  It's a great palette.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper, $19

If you follow my blog then you know I love the Physician's Formula Eye Booster Pen eyeliner, but since that is drying up I thought I would give this a try because everybody talks about how great it is.  Can't wait to try it!

Just your basic black liquid eyeliner with a brush tip applicator.

Tokyomilk Tainted Love No. 62 Handcreme & Rollerball Travel Duo, $16

I love the Tokyomilk perfumes (especially the one that smells like pipe tobacco).  I hadn't ever tried this particular scent so I thought I would give it a whirl with this affordable (limited edition) set.  I do like this scent, you definitely notice the vanilla-bean notes in it.  Tokyomilk fragrances are delicious, but I definitely prefer the regular one the most.

I picked up one 100pt perk, the Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Eye Cream.  I have used the Hope in a Jar face cream, but haven't ever used the eye cream.  I look forward to trying this.

I had a coupon code for some Estee Lauder samples (VIBLAUDER).

The sample kit had a generously sized Take It Away makeup remover lotion and Advanced Night Repair serum, and it also had some lipstick samples in it as well.

I picked the same samples for both of my orders!

The Dior Nude Air Nude Healthy Glow Ultra-Fluid Serum Foundation with sunscreen.  Luckily the color shade was Medium Beige which should work for me.

The Fresh Rose Face Mask that I have used before and totally love.

And then I also got a couple of the Look Fabulous Not Frozen Needles No More Wrinkle Relaxer.  I'm kind of anxious to see how this works.  That's some pretty substantial claims it's got there!

Alright guys, that's it for now!  Hope you enjoyed and I hope this gives you some ideas on things you might want to try!  Have a great day!

Snowmaggedon 2015!

Hey guys!  So over a week ago we got a ton of snow here where I live in Kentucky, and I absolutely loved it the first few days!

-me in happier times, the first day of the winter storm.

  Reports stated it was the most snow we had received in the past 20 years, snowfall in some areas totaling close to 2 feet!  Well, after being completely snowed in day after day, all of this white stuff began to wear on my patience.  Octavia, snowmaggedon, snowpocalypse, whatever you wanna call it - was beautiful for a while, but I am ready for it to GO.  It's been downright treacherous just trying to go to the grocery store for food!  We are blessed in that we haven't lost our electricity or water, as many all around us have.  Things can always, always, always be worse.

I haven't really felt like blogging this week, as we have basically just been hibernating waiting for everything to thaw.  We have bundled up and have watched enough TV it could blind us, lol.  I have to brag because I am so proud of him, my uncle was on A&E this week.  He is a retired Kentucky State Trooper and cold-case detective out of Louisville, Ky.  He has been in numerous magazines and publications, and has been on A&E before.  

Here is a clip of him on "After the First 48."

As far as what else we have been up to, I have laughed my rump off at some of the stuff people have been putting on Facebook as a result of all the snow.  Here is one clip that came out of North Carolina - SO FUNNY!!!

HAHAHA!  Stay in and stay warm, peeps!

February 2015 Empties!

Hey guys!  As I go through and use up products, I snap a picture of them and then after I accumulate several things to review, then I do an "Empties" blog post.  I am way too type A to cling on to trash for the sake of doing a review....I don't know how YouTubers do it!  Anways, here are some of the things I have used up over the past couple of months and what I thought of them!  We will start with some candles.

I used up 2 Better Homes and Gardens candles that I purchased at Wal-Mart.  They were Winter 2014 limited edition ones that I actually really enjoyed.  I don't remember how much they were (if I was guessing I would say around 10 bucks or so??)  They smelled similar - just really clean wintery scents.  Neither one were foodie type delicious scents (yes, I'm terrible at describing candles), but were more lightly pine/outdoor/cinnamon type scents.  They burned for forever and compared to my 3 wick BBW candles, they burned almost completely away.  That's one thing that bugs me with BBW candles, you have so much wax left after the wicks quit burning.  There was almost nothing left of these.  I will definitely repurchase these next Winter if they are available.  My favorite of the 2 was the Warm Winter Wishes.

I got this beautiful candle in my FFFVIP Winter 2014 box.  Even though it is smaller in size, this thing burned as long as a 3 wick candle.  It was a really clean burn and the scent was really nice as well.  My favorite candles are food type ones (think cupcake/cake batter, marshmallow, pumpkin), but I really enjoyed this as well.  The price tag for this is like $40, which is astronomical for a candle I think.  I personally would never spend that on a candle, so I was really grateful for such a luxury item to be in the box.  

This also almost burned completely away.  The jar was so heavy and substantial, I actually cleaned it out and use it as a glass to drink out of now!

My favorite conditioner from the drugstore - have already repurchased.  I can always tell right away if I am going to like a conditioner.  With this one, from the minute I put it in my hair the first time, I could tell immediately it was going to be something that really worked for me.  It's very thick and emollient, and the second it hits my hair it automatically makes my hair feel soft.  When you rinse it out your hair feels super conditioned and silky, I just love this.  It's not so heavy my hair is flat and limp afterwards, it's basically the best of both worlds.  Highly recommend.

I am super picky when it comes to makeup remover wipes, and I actually really enjoyed the CVS ones.  I think I'm like the only person on the planet that hates the Neutrogena ones, even though they are supposedly for 'sensitive' skin, they absolutely irritate my eyes like you wouldn't believe.  I have extremelyyyyyy sensitive eyes, so I have to be super selective about what I use.  These don't bother me at all and they worked about as good as any other wipe.  I got a triple pack of these when they were on sale and I was really happy with them.  My favorite wipe ever is the Ponds Luminous Clean and that is actually what I have repurchased.  (One major reason I haven't repurchased these is because I don't have a CVS near me).

My favorite hand cream ever - have already repurchased.  I mention these all the time in my 'Empties' posts because I actually use this all the time.  You can find this at BBW, it's the bomb.com!!!

The shampoo that went with the conditioner above.  Great shampoo from the drugstore, I absolutely love this line. I haven't repurchased the shampoo yet as I have sooooooo many shampoos I need to use up.  But once everything is used up I would absolutely buy this again.  

If you follow my blog then ya'll know I love me some Biore strips.  I only get the ULTRA DEEP CLEANSING ones, they're the best.

I absolutely loved this nail polish remover!  It's gentle and doesn't dry out your cuticles, but it still gets your polish off.  The pump bottle was a total win as well.  Have already repurchased.

Every single time I go to Vegas I always bring a couple of these BIG shampoos home.  (I don't have a Lush store near me).  I have repurchased this 2 or 3 times now, and the next time I am in Vegas or at a Lush store I will definitely pick up a couple more.

This shampoo smells SOOOOOOO good.  It's an odd consistency, it is full of coarse sea salt and when you first use it it's kind of iffy how you're gonna like it.  But, once you lather it up the salt kind of melts away and you end up with a lovely lather that leaves your hair and scalp feeling really clean (without stripping them).  Love.

Generally speaking I am super easy to please with products and it is rare I just don't  really care for something.  And it's not that I hate this shampoo, it was fine, there's just nothing really great about it. It smelled okay and worked okay, but it is nowhere near as good as the L'Oreal Total Repair Extreme products.  This isn't the worst product out there, so would I repurchase?  Maybe, if it was on sale or something.  Otherwise I'd hands down just go with the L'Oreal.

I love me some lip balm, and this one by Marc Jacobs felt great.  It's really expensive so I doubt I would buy it (this was a Rouge sample I think).  I really loved it but you can find excellent lip balms for less.

I used to only use Diorshow mascara for yearsssss, but here lately it just doesn't seem to work the same.  I find a lot better results with drugstore mascara, so I don't see myself repurchasing this anytime soon.

This L'Oreal Collagen Volume mascara was great!  Definitely gives me a much better effect than the Dior mascara.  I don't notice a lot of difference in length with this one, but it definitely plumps your lashes up and gives you some drama (exactly what I am looking for in a mascara).

I wasn't much for theBalm's Staniac, but that's simply because I'm not much for cheek stains period.  I would much rather just use a powder blush or even a cream blush, as they are just so quick and easy to just swipe on and go.  I really put forth an effort to use this up, but I definitely wouldn't repurchase.

I know this thing is still basically brand new, but I just CANNOT use this.  I'm not one to be super picky about scents, but people, this flat out STINKS.  This is at least a couple of years old and I have never been able to use it.  It's the EOS lip balm in Summer Fruit.  Yuck.  I can't imagine anyone enjoying this product.  Obviously I would NEVER repurchase this flavor.  I have at least 10 or so EOS lip balms and my favorite ones are the lemon, strawberry, pomegranate, and blueberry! 

Again, I'm just not going to use this.  I don't like cheek stains and I'm going to pass this along to someone who might actually like them.

I love barely-there lip colors that you can just swipe on without a mirror and they look fine.  I thought this is what this might be, it's the Covergirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in Ballet Slip.  This is so barely-there it's nonexistent on me.  With my coloring - dark hair, dark eyes, olive skin - some products just don't show up when I apply them.  Unfortunately this is one of those types of products, so I'll pass it along to someone who will use it.

One of those Ipsy products I never used.  It is so rare for me to do a red lip and when I do I basically only use Russian Red by MAC.  I'll never use this so I will pass this along to my aunt who loves to rock the red lip!

This is the Elf Mineral Lipstick in Naturally Nymph.  This is a very popular nude lipstick, but much like the Covergirl balm above, this is just way too pale for me.  I love nude lipsticks, but this is not flattering on me AT ALL.  I hate it because it's a beautiful lipstick, it's just too light for my complexion.  So, I'll definitely be passing this along to someone who will use it!

Thanks for stopping by guys!  I haven't been blogging a lot lately, we've been snowed in and I just haven't felt inspired to do so, lol.  Everything is finally starting to melt and I guess I'm getting back in the swing of things.  Have a great day everybody!

xo-