Nuxe huile prodigieuse and Nuxe reve de miel lip balm

Of these two French products, I am in love with the lip balm and so-so on the dry oil. Both of these products are sold on the U.S. And in Target, no less. But they are expensive either way, in Europe or the U.S. In America, buy it online from the U.S. website. It is cheaper than Target even with shipping. 

The lip balm, full name is baume levres ultra-nourissant or in English, ultra-nourishing lip balm, is from the brand Nuxe from the reve de miel line, which means honey dreams. It is amazing. I love this lip balm. It is super moisturizing for my lips, which are always chapped. It is magic. Seriously. It was expensive at 9€ but I would buy it again in a heartbeat. I am tempted to buy more at target when I run out, even at $19 a pop. It's that good. If I run out before I can get back to Europe to buy more, I will likely buy at target.

Before and after of my lips

The balm smoothed everything out in a very lovely way without being super shiny or sticky. It is just comfortable and soothing. It gets a 10/10.  

I like the oil. I do. I just don't like it for my face or hair. I look like a greaseball with it on either. I tested it on my hair. You're welcome. Because I want to cry just thinking about this shower tonight. 

So I took a shower and sprayed down my body and hair (my face is sacred and I have learned my lesson about oil on my face. Not for me!). Then I went to bed. Legs and arms are smooth and soft. But look like legs and arms so no point in showing pics. But my hair. My hair is a ball of butter. 

I used the huile prodigieuse OR which has gold shimmer. The sparkles are pretty. The grease look, not so pretty. 

So overall 2/10 for the hair/face and 8/10 for the body. 

I did use my Klorane dry shampoo to see if it would soak up the excess. 

Much better!! But I don't want to have to use dry shampoo everytime I use oil in my hair, so I'm just not going to use oil in my hair! The Klorane gets a 6/10 because it does cost a lot for not a ton of product and since I have a lot of hair I have to use a bunch. I'll make it 7/10 because it has different colors for different hair colors. I have used Batiste in the past and hated it because I turned gray or white haired. This one just sucks up the oil and leaves my natural color, although a little stiff to run my fingers through. 

 

Post trip

Lisbon and Paris were amazing. I fell in love with Paris. I want to go back and never return. 

Lisbon was wonderful but didn't strike my heart the way Paris did. 

If you head to Lisbon, take a day trip to Sintra, an old Moorish town. Super cool. 

We took a tuktuk tour with this gentleman. He drove us up the mountain and just passed cars when he felt like it (no waiting in traffic for us!). It was a blast! We went into this old church from the 1400s. So cool. There was this old Madonna doll that just stared at you wherever you were in the room. There was also a beautiful scenic outlook and a second one, overlooking Sintra and Lisbon and the water. it was lovely. 

Most of my photos were on my instant print camera unfortunately for you. I just have a few. 

Paris was magical. I fell in love swiftly and easily with the city of light. It was romantic and perfect for me. 

I was greeted to the city (I flew into Beauvais) with the Arc de Triomphe. It's so huge! I then walked to the Place de la Bastille for lunch which was near my hotel in the 3rd arrondissement. 

After checking in, and taking a quick nap (so exhausted!!), I went to see la Tour Eiffel and Shakespeare and Company. 

The Eiffel Tower really is majestic. I was impressed by the splendor and how enormous it really is!

I also ate the hugest fraise (strawberry) macaron I have ever eaten. It was the size of my palm. 

Shakespeare and Co is an old bookstore that I have heard about for years and have been dying to go. It was amazing. It wasn't the only bookstore I went to but it was great nonetheless. 

These are some of the gargoyles on the Notre Dame. The Notre Dame was very interesting. I would like to tour it eventually. I had a short list of everything I  had to do while I was in Paris. I definitely got my list done. Next on my list was to see the Catacombs. 

The catacombs are where 6 million Frenchmen are buried in tunnels under Paris. They arranged the bones in patterns and have been open to the public since the 1800s with a few closures here and there. It was really cool. 

The last thing on my list was to go to la Conciergie. That's the prison where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. It is a beautiful, grand building with arches pictured above. They show demonstrations of the types of cells and damn, it would be cold in the middle of winter. I can't imagine. 

 

This is Place de Saint Michel. I love the dragons. 

My souvenirs from Paris were pharmacie finds. And lots of them. I was a woman on a mission once I discovered pharmacies. I went into almost every one that I passed. I found tons and tons of products. Most of which are not sold in the good ol USA. European skincare has more stringent standards than the U.S.  So their products are better. I plan to review them soon!!

Back to Lisboa!!

This is from a neighborhood in the Alfama. I adored the Alfama. It was so homey and charming. 

Another cobbled street in the Alfama. You can see the laundry lines outside the windows.  

Saturday was my last full day in Lisboa and I just wanted around and found things I wanted to see and saw them. It was lovely. 

And just so you know, the pharmacie is Europe wide. So when you see a green cross, go in!! (It's farmacia in Portugal but still has the green cross!) At the Lisboan airport (Portela), there is a farmacia where I spent most of my remaining euro on beauty supplies! Look for a review coming soon!

First trip abroad since Nov 2012

I am both extremely nervous and extremely excited.
This is my first trip since coming home. I mean, I went to Nola and Boston and PA but Boston and PA are home and Nola was with Doug, who was a comfort zone at the time.
I am nervous because I haven't traveled. I haven't avoided it, I just haven't done it. It was too anxiety-inducing at first and now I am more ready. But still a little anxious.
I read guidebooks (which I have never done before) because I felt like getting the lay of the land would be good for me. It has been so far!

Portugal and Paris

My best friend and I are taking a bestie-trip NEXT MONTH (HWHAT?) to Portugal! I will take a little solo jaunt to Paris while she is presenting at an academic conference.
I can't believe it is so soon! I can't believe it is so long from now!
I am super stoked.
Any recommendations on food/places/things to eat/see/do?
We are definitely going to Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal. Not sure where else.

Minimalism challenge

I found this Minimalism Challenge from Cupcakes and Cashmere which is one of my favorite blogs. I am definitely going to try this out. :)

#FrostyVoxBox #Rimmel Review

I am obsessed.
I can't say I love this eyeliner because I am obsessed. It is so smooth and easy and pretty! My eyes pop with the blackest black this eyeliner is. I love my eyes. They are my favorite feature (some of the time. I pretty much just like myself). I stand out with my baby blue-green-goldies and this eyeliner makes my eyes the star of my face. But it ALSO flatters my skin. I have really clear, blemish-free skin (due to drinking a gallon of water a day - plus herbal teas). So this eyeliner doesn't tug or rough up my skin which is a great benefit! I am crazy about it!


Here is my tutorial: Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Tutorial - I totally took this video while driving - so that can attest to how easy to use it is! (although, don't drive and do make-up - not safe - I did this at a stoplight, I swear)

LINKS
Rimmel London US website
Rimmel Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover on Influenster
Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Eyeliner on Influenster
Rimmel London US on Facebook
Rimmel London US on Twitter

#FrostyVoxBox #CelestialTea Review

I have always been a fan of #CelestialTea !! I drink tea regularly, and I love herbal teas. This one is no exception. It is just the right amount of flavor. I don't add sugar or cream or milk.
It is easy to make. Boil a cup or two of water, dunk the tea bag and enjoy! Preferably on your favorite chair while reading a good book. But it is still good while studying and reading textbooks.

LINKS
Celestial Seasonings website
Celestial Seasonings on Influenster
Celestial Seasonings on Twitter
Celestial Seasonings on Facebook

#FrostyVoxBox from Influenster!

I got my voxbox right before Christmas but haven't been in the mood/been too busy to blog.
However, this box is awesome!
I got the #FrostyVoxBox complimentary from Influenster.com for testing purposes - my opinions are my own though!
Included in the box was a sample of No7 Protect and Perfect ADVANCED serum from Boots Beauty USA (their FB page: Boots Beauty USA on Facebook), an EcoTools Sleek and Shine hairbrush (fb: EcoTools on Facebook), Cherry Fruit Vines Bites (fb: Fruit Vines on Facebook), Thyme from McCormick Gourmet (FB: McCormick Gourmet on Facebook), Candy Cane Lane tea from Celestial Seasonings (fb: Celestial Seasonings on Facebook), Expert Last Lip Color from NYC New York Color (fb: NYC New York Color on Facebook), Gentle Eye Make-up Remover (Rimmel Eye Make-Up Remover) and ScandaleyesWaterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner (Rimmel Kohl Kajal Eyeliner from Rimmel London US (on Facebook).
I have been reviewing here and there on different websites and my various social media accounts (INSTAGRAM, Twitter). I'm excited to post up my reviews of the individual products here too!
See you soon!

Nope. Not so sad.

Thought I would be, but checking in a few weeks later (well, posting about it), I'm not all that sad about the break-up. I'm actually feeling free and happy. Within 24 hours, I had realized the heft I had been carrying around was gone and just calm and freedom replaced it which are not burdens at all!
I think it is interesting that I am  not sad.
At therapy, I am relearning my wants and needs for a relationship. I learned very well to suppress those and to suppress feelings/frustrations/anger when people treat me poorly. Never again. I may not always put myself first, but I won't put myself second at my own detriment ever again.
I am so proud of myself for being strong and happy. I am happy again.

Influenster BlogStar!

I have been on Influenster for about a year and 7 months or so. I am a huge fan and have been from the get-go! Influenster is a great site and the #InfluensterApp is amazing! (I was voting for the app for such a long time - I am so excited it is finally here!!). Using #Influenster is easy. You join, write reviews of products, services, and companies and make friends! I love that I can connect to people on twitter or blogs through Influenster! It's awesome!
My favorite voxbox (Influenster's occasional reward for being a member) was the #InASnap #voxbox. I LOVE my Venus Razor and it is so perfect for traveling! I brought it on a bachelorette weekend recently and it was perfect. I still bring it on every trip I can (if I have to do carry-on bags, I can't obviously) and love it! The blade heads are even reasonable to replace (under 5$ a head at Target!)!



These are the links from my post about the In a Snap Voxbox:
Vine
In A Snap Pinterest board

Me opening the #InASnap Voxbox on Youtube

Influenster Venus Snap Review page

Gillette Venus facebook page

Gillette Venus Twitter

Ch-ch-ch-changes

I thought I would be more upset than I am. There honestly isn't too much different in my life even though I ended a long-term relationship (7 years). I was upset the first night and subsequent full day and driving home the second, but now it really is just whatever. We had slowly been seeing each other less and less and talking less and less, so the suddenness of the actual breakup isn't hugely different from what I was previously doing.
I am spending lots of time with brothers and that is awesome. I love my brothers and that I can be friends with them. It's good.
Right now, I don't care if I don't find someone else...I'd be cool with just being and doing me. Traveling and dancing and doing cool shit on my own.
Our society is not too supportive of singlehood though. I can't say how many people have said, "Oh, you'll be fine. You are amazing. I have no doubt you will find someone just as amazing as you are." But I don't need someone else to be complete and have a full life. I am good on my own with my brothers and awesome friends. I don't need a partner to be complete. It's cool if I find someone, but it's also cool if I don't.
Right now, I will focus my energy on meeting Childish Gambino (AKA Donald Glover) and then once he meets me, his focus will be on me. ;)

Broken hearted

Unfortunately, I had to end my seven years and change relationship.
I have for a long time put aside myself and my happiness. I can't do that anymore and disappointingly, my ex and I don't have compatible goals and values. I wish we did because there is a lot of love and respect between us, but that can't account for incompatibility. So I ended it and I am putting myself first. No more sacrificial lamb.
I will get better and healthier and improve. And like he said, he will regret not choosing me.

Hmmm

It's interesting. I have been with Doug for seven years now. We have had about 6-8 months of completely, not talking at all, broken up "for good" time but the rest, we were together. I never really questioned him. I felt a long time ago that he is my "one" and I'm lucky.
I'm lucky in the sense that my first love will be my last. I know that we have grown up together - and that is SUCH a beautiful thing! I have grown up a LOT in the past seven years and I have been through a lot. I am still growing and moving and shaking and it is nice that I have been able to grow alongside Doug.
I am reading this blog that I find fascinating: The Real Housewife of Ciudad Juarez. I totally have a crush on her life - Emily is living in Juarez with her husband. Not so much the green card situation which is totally beautiful the way she is handling it, but the living in Mexico, the learning Spanish, different culture. I miss all of that so much. I was sitting here thinking, I almost wish I had a noncitizen husband who I move to Mexico with. I don't so much wish I had a different man than mine - I DON'T - you can't have him. But I wish I could move to Mexico. I miss speaking another language (however poorly) and living in a different culture. Oh, how I miss it. I wish Doug would do it with me.

3-Day Refresh

Beachbody has a new(er) program called the 3-day Refresh. I have to be honest. I did not love it. I felt energetic, but I was HUNGRY. The allotted calories is somewhere around 900 (varies on what fruits/veg you choose). I loved the Fiber Sweep, meh on the Vanilla Fresh.
I didn't mind the restrictions on food. The dinner recipes were really good. I definitely will keep those in my repertoire. I am going to have a vegan day every week now, as well.
I think the #3dayrefresh is good to reset - I didn't want to eat (and haven't eaten) a ton of junk since...yes, it has only been a day but still, coming from a 10+ years long binger, that's pretty extraordinary.

Interesting

I found this article about happiness vs decision making style and it is fascinating. I am totally a satisficer and Doug is a maximizer. Drives me CRAZY but now I get it. I often feel like he is DRAGGING out everything when I just want to decide and move on to the next phase or choice or moment. That's not to say he makes bad decisions, just that he takes longer to make decisions (and usually we come to the same decision but I don't feel the need to test it out - he does). This is absolutely interesting to me.
Does anyone else find this dichotomy in their own relationship?

Excited to announce....

That I am officially a Florida State Nole! I will be attending Florida State University for their Master's of Social Work program beginning this spring!
I will be using LOTS of capitals and exclamation points because I AM SO EXCITED!
I was so bummed with how the application process went with my :( alma mater USF and felt like I was jerked around. Not saying alumni should get instant entrance into grad school at their bach uni, but it definitely should not be even NEAR as difficult as it was. As a result, I didn't have a ton of confidence jumping into the process again at a new school (especially one I didn't graduate from!) but I forged onward and left the past where it should be - in the past. I got 3 new recommendation letters and 1 from the same professor. I wrote a petition for exceptional circumstance and a new personal statement. I sent these to my favorite teacher-friend and she edited superbly for me!
AND NOW I AM A GRADUATE STUDENT AT FLORIDA STATE!!!!! I can't even begin to talk about how excited I am! This is such a perfect opportunity and was actually the only program in Florida I wanted to attend but before I applied to USF, they didn't accept students from other majors than social work (for undergrad level). I looked again over the summer and FSU started taking non-SW majored students, so I immediately started my application, resume, letters of ref and additional papers needed.
I am just incredibly pleased! I have been smiling for days and waiting for when I can start buying college textbooks again (do I have a sickness?). I can't wait for new notebooks, binders, pens, school supplies. I can't wait to study at a coffee shop and just get involved deep in my new field. I am over the moon with excitement, glee, joy and happiness. Doug has been laughing for days at how silly I am!

Turning a new leaf: Spending Diet!

Have you heard of the Spending Diet ? I LOVE And Then We Saved. It is a great website with tons of fascinating tips on daily life. Love it.
I committed personally to a Spending Diet.
Here is my budget. Everything is biweekly since that is how often I am paid. So this is what I "can" spend biweekly. All the rest goes into savings.
From my gross amount, my health insurance, FICA, SSA, and retirement amounts are taken. I base mine off of my net amount.
I decided that this is reasonable for my lifestyle.
80/gas (a bit flexible with the fluctuations in pricing)
100/food
65/Shakeology (seriously helps with my general health, well being, cravings and sanity so it is worth the cost)
50/car insurance
100/play.
This is probably more lenient than a lot of other people but I am only saving. I have no living expenses except food. Gas is a requirement for me because taking a 4 hour bus ride (2 hours there and 2 hours back) inhibits my life too significantly. I could ride the bus, but the time-cost analysis leads me to a 45 minute commute is well worth paying my own gas. As far as I know, I am not able to commute in a ride-share or drive with someone else. Hopefully, down the line, I will move closer to my job (or get a job closer to me or work from home).
I am currently doing #21DayFix but I also have #P90X and #Insanity that I can do if I get bored.
In my food column, it is needs only. My favorite water (La Croix!!!) is not a need, but a want so it comes out of my play money and I only buy it when it is on sale. Food needs are fruits, veggies, meats. That's it really. I focus on eating healthy and living healthy. I have found that I am a LOT happier when I am not binging, eating junk or tons of candy (my weakness is Cry baby tears - I can eat those til the cows come home).
But that is my basic budget. The rest of my money is going STRAIGHT to savings. I can use savings for gifts or genuine needs. I have a little bit of money in each of my accounts in case of emergency (like 50 extra in each of my checking accounts). My goal is to save up enough to be able to take 2-3 weeks to go to Malawi next year! EEEH!

Day Five

Day five of #21DayFix has led to some major cravings. I want bread, pasta and carby-starchy deliciousness. However, I have higher energy and even though I don't like the flavor, I am loving the healthiness and happiness #Shakeology brings me. I am definitely a convert. I will continue using Shakeo for a long time.

Day Four

Definitely a good day. I relaxed a lot and didn't stress. I am getting nervous about this upcoming weekend as usually I just chow my way through the weekends (anxiety, hello!). This weekend, NOPE! I will be following the fix.
I did cheat today. I had a mini Krackel bar (one of the like .5 oz ones). I don't regret it. Just a moment of caving to temptation. Now I'm back. :)
I am about to do the Pilates Fix, so here goes!!
#21DayFix I am coming for you!

Day Three

I ate less than Monday or Tuesday. and I am pretty satisfied too! I have my Shakeology ready to go for after I work out. I actually made a shake but it looked like ice cream so I put it in a bowl. I used 1.5 purple of "triple berry" mix (frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), 1 yellow of almond milk and Shakeology (Greenberry). It isn't bad. I don't love greenberry though. Any recipes for greenberry that I have to try?
Still have a headache but much lighter than yesterday, thankfully.
My energy is a little higher than usual. I am not sore yet, but I know when I wake up tomorrow, my arms/upper body is going to be killing from yesterday's Upper Fix. Today is Lower Fix. I am about to go kill it. Wish me luck!!
I am loving this #21DayFix !