Can't Let Go

I'm going to warn you ahead of time, this post doesn't really pertain to beauty products.  There is a quick manicure idea at the end but I wanted to post something different for a change as a way to mark a new year :)

 

Each time a new year begins, people embark on a new path, a fresh existence.  We may join the gym, eat better, pick up a new hobby and make way for new things.  In order to make room for these new things, we often clean and reorganize.  Sitting here today got me thinking about all the things I need to throw out and give away which then made me look at the things I haven't given away.   

 

Often there are items we hold on to that we can't let go of, no matter how small or trivial those things may be.  Maybe we have associated good or bad memories with the things we hold on to.  Maybe we are just lazy and don't want to take the time to throw stuff out!  So, in honor of the many years past and to welcome in the new year, here are a few things that I (and others)can't seem to say goodbye to for whatever reason that may be.  In order to move forward in the future, we must remember and honor our past.

 

  

While talking to my mother via text today, I shared something with her that I can't let go of; my 20 year old Limited Too sweatshirt.  She also happens to have a sweatshirt that she can't let go of.  She guesses her Harvard sweatshirt is at least 28 years old.  My sweatshirt has been with me since 7th grade.  It still fits only because it was over sized then but I really love the shirt.  It's lasted through middle school, high school, 7 moves, one pregnancy and is still in one piece.  Mom's sweatshirt has lasted through raising two daughters, losing a husband, one big move and one grandchild.

After talking to my mom, I realized that my sister also has a sweatshirt that she has held onto.  Her Tommy Hilfiger shirt is 16 years old.  It has lasted through middle school, high school, college, 6 moves and one engagement (soon to be wedding).  The funny thing is that all of us don't even own that many sweatshirts but somehow we all can't let go of these.  Strange that all three of us decided to keep sweatshirts of all things!

 

After thinking about my shirt, I started looking at other things around the house that I can't let go of.  Below is a picture of four items that still hang around.

 

 

The first item is a plastic box holding old t-shirts that belonged to my father.  He has been gone for almost 15 years but I still have these shirts stored away in my closet.  I don't wear them nor do I ever pull them out but knowing they are there makes me feel better.  The second item is a stuffed turtle my aunt gave me when I was a baby.  I hold on to it because it's sentimental and makes me smile.  The third item is my name tag from my job in college.  I was proud of all the ribbons I earned from the customers who nominated me.  Most people would have thrown this out by now but I guess not me.  The last item is my old passport.  It hangs around and I can't bear to toss it for whatever reason I may have.

 

I'm excited for 2013.  There is so much I have to be thankful for.  I'm excited to watch my son move from 3rd to 4th grade.  I'm excited to see my sister get married this year and for my husband and I to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.  I'm thankful for my home and career and I can't wait to see what is in store for me.  A new year, a new start.  What items do you have that you can't let go of? 

 

"In this bright future you can't forget your past."
Bob Marley

 

 

As a side note to the start of 2013, I wanted to post a quick manicure idea.  All you need is black and gold nail polish.

 

 

First I painted my nails black with Sinful Colors Black on Black.  After two coats were dry, I used one coat of Milani's FX in Gold.  Top with a shiny top coat when done.  This a quick and quirky look that makes use of a great glitter polish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer polish picks, Bath & Body Works, Ralph Lauren & more!

Not sure if it's just me but May has already flown by!  Soon it will be June.  Kids are getting ready to get out of school and the weather is turning not just warm, but HOT! 

What goes better with hot weather than hot hued nails?  It's time to bring out the flip flops ladies and bust out with some awesome color!  If you hate bright nail polish, then stop reading because I can't get enough of the new neon shades that are EVERYWHERE.  Neon colors and glitter is hotter this season than ever.  Get ready to be blinded by some new polish choices that won't break the bank.

L-R- Sinful Colors Pinky Glitter, Sinful Colors Frenzy, China Glaze Prism & Sinful Colors I Miss You

Glitter polish is so fun to wear.  I'm 30 years old and I'm not scared of it and you shouldn't be either.  The key to wearing glitter polish is to avoid watery, chunky formulas and stick with shades that can be easily paired with other colors you already have.  For instance, Frenzy by Sinful Colors above looks great over Essie's Jamaica Me Crazy (a shimmery purple).  Each Sinful Colors polish can be found at Walgreens or Rite Aid for only $1.99 each!  If you want to try a new color but you don't want to shell out over $8 for OPI, pick up Sinful Colors.  So far I've enjoyed this brand and found it to be worth a lot more than it's cheap price tag. 

China Glaze's Prism shade is part of their new Prismatics collection.  It combines super-fine glitter "dust" along with larger glitter flecks.  It has a nice, purple-bluish tint when dry and shines like crazy!

Close up of Prism

Sinful Colors Pinky Glitter is a pink jelly shade with blue, green, yellow and purple glitter.  It takes about 3 coats to get full coverage but it's a nice glitter polish that holds up well. 

Close up of Pinky Glitter

Frenzy by Sinful Colors is one of my favorites so far from this line.  It is full of small purple and blue glitter.  I'm currently wearing this polish over a purple shade right now and it looks outstanding!

Close up of Frenzy

The last glitter polish is I Miss You by Sinful Colors.  It is another glitter polish with small pink, silver, purple, red and blue flakes.  It's really pretty and would look great over black.

Close up of I Miss You

Of course like I mentioned earlier, what would the summer be without brightly colored toes?  Over the past few years I've enjoyed Flip Flop Fantasy by China Glaze (my all time favorite summer color) but here are some other neons to check out-

L-R- China Glaze's Turned Up Turquoise, China Glaze's Purple Panic, Piggy Polish's Buzz & Color Club's Age of Aquarius

Turned Up Turquoise is showing up more robin egg blue in the picture above than it actually is.  The color is a medium teal and looks awesome against tan skin.  Of course it's not the brightest shade but it definitely stands out.

Purple Panic is more pink than purple.  It is a pink with purple undertones.  It is bright without being too loud.  It would look nice even on fingers. 

Buzz is one of the brightest shades I own.  This color is a super-neon green.  It's darker than a highlighter would be but still bright and definitely neon.  I must say I didn't like the formula of this polish though.  This bottle was my first Piggy Polish and it was hard to work with.  It was goopy and thick.  I may get some thinner and see if that helps. 

The last shade is Color Club's Age of Aquarius.  This is currently on my toes.  It dries darker than it appears above.  It's a really nice green teal that reminds me of the Caribbean.  It applied smoothly and was only $4.99.

Close up of Age of Aquarius by Color Club.

L-R- Big Daddy by Sinful Colors, Zesty Citrus by LA Girl, Hazard & Energetic Red by Sinful Colors

Currently at Rite Aid they are having a promotion-if you spend $30 or more on nail polish between now and 6/1/12, you get $10 back in UP Rewards.  Because of this promotion, I picked up some more Sinful Color shades and a new yellow that looked appealing.

Last week I wore Hazard (pictured above) which is a creme coral shade.  It looked wonderful and was an exact dupe to my beloved MAC shade, Malibu Peach.  I have not worn Big Daddy, Zesty Citrus or Energetic Red yet but I can't wait.  Big Daddy is an orange coral.  Zesty Citrus is a yellow jelly polish with fine shimmer.  I don't own ANY yellow polish, so this bottle will be my first.  Energetic Red is a creme coral red that would look great on toes or fingers.  Sinful Colors are priced at $1.99 each and the bottle of LA Girl was priced at $2.99. 

L-R- Bath & Body Works' Bali Mango & Malibu Heat lotions

I wanted to share a few more things that I picked up recently that I've been enjoying.  I LOVE Bath & Body Works.  I enjoy their lotion and this month I've been wearing Bali Mango & Malibu Heat (their newest scent).  Bali Mango is a sweet scent described by B&BW as " an exotic getaway of juicy mango, sugar cane, pink passionflower and luscious nectarine".  Malibu Heat is described as "a fresh blend of juicy pineapple, California orange and creamy coconut milk".  Both scents scream hot weather!

Ralph Lauren Big Pony 3-For Her 

For mother's day I received a bottle of perfume from the new Ralph Lauren Big Pony Collection-in the scent #3.  The third scent (out of four) is described as a fresh floral with mimosa and pear.  It's been described to be similar to Versace's Yellow Diamond pefume.  I find 3# to be a younger version of the Versace and I really think this fragrance is clean and easy to wear.  It's definitely my favorite out of the four in the collection.

The last item I want to share is a new bottle of shampoo I received from my hairdresser.  It's Healing Color Care shampoo by L'Anza.  I don't know anything about this shampoo or brand other than my stylist stated it worked well with color treated hair.  It retails at my salon for $22 for 10.1 fl.oz but I received this bottle for free.  If you know anything about the brand, let me know.  I can't wait to try it.

UPDATE

A few posts ago I shared with you Ossion's Mild Touch Detox Bubble Mask-read about it here.  I was excited to try this mask and I now have pictures to share. 

You begin by taking the serum and rubbing it over a clean face.  I used the mask after my shower.  After the mask is applied, it begins to bubble on the skin and foam.  It tickles as the bubbles thicken and the purpose of the mask is to hydrate and infuse oxygen back into the pores.  I didn't see any immediate results (I only had two samples-I'm still planning to use the other soon) but I did think the mask left my skin soft.  It was gentle and I didn't break out after using it. 

The mask begins as a serum.

After applying, the mask begins to foam.

The foam continues to thicken...

until your face is covered in bubbles!