I'm a Younique convert. Ha, get it?

Did I ruin the title with "ha, get it?"

So, to be honest, I've pretty much left the blogging scene since I started working again.
I've got a pretty one track mind.
I've had tons of ideas, which I will touch on later- but first, I MUST share something that has me super excited. A product that just has me shouting from the rooftops! Okay, not literally, but I'm pretty pumped about it.

It's no secret, and no surprise, that I'm- for the most part- a deal seeker.
I mean, c'mon...I'm a FIRM believer of the Dave Ramsey Envelope System and I budget, budget, budget every single dollar we have. It's my thing.
So when I hear of this Younique foundation, and see all these really cool videos of a girl putting permanent marker on her face and covering it flawlessly with her foundation--I'm intrigued, but PASS.
Seriously, why spend $39 on makeup I've never tried before when I'm content with my Maybelline 3 in 1 I've blogged about before and gave it a 5 star rating??!

Sigh, so the bad must come before the good.
As much as I loved my foundation, I get bored and like to try new things. Always looking for that greener grass- makeup wise, mind you!
So, this Younique stuff- as much as I kept going back to it in my mind, it was on backorder, I'd have to wait- cue the violin, here comes the excuses. Ya know what I'm saying?
I head to Ulta and grab Smashbox foundation. Yeah, it's also $40, but its available right then and there, same price as the Younique so it's gotta be good...right? Uh, wrong. Worst $40 splurge ever. And worse, I couldn't even return it, because I live over an hour away from Ulta. So I went back to Old Faithful Maybelline. Ya know, the $11 stuff. I'll never beat this, I thought.

Then lo and behold, Younique is back in stock.  I bit the bullet and ordered some.  Good news is there's a 14 day return policy. And you best believe if this is another Smashbox experience, that sucker was going back in a heartbeat.  It came in surprisingly fast after it was ordered, like..within days.  So, when I tried it on- well, I'll let the pictures speak for me.

Let's just say, I've not got the most gorgeous natural skin color. I've got some Native American ancestors, and a lot of my family has this beautiful skin color that just taaaaans. Yeah, well, I got the red-skinned side. I constantly hear, when I'm makeup free, "Giiiirl, you got some sun today! Look at that sunburn!"  Ha, nope! I'm just not wearing makeup!  So, I'm always looking for something that evens out my skin tone. That way, when I want to "appear" makeup free (with foundation only), I want something that will let me do that.  Natural looking, not too heavy, but good coverage. Up until Younique, I wasn't finding anything that had all 3 aspects. Every foundation applied, was heavy enough that it was obviously foundation-only, so I felt the need to apply more products. Mascara, gloss, powder. Shoot, let's just do it all since I've done this much.

I did 5 drops on my makeup brush and it covered my entire face! SERIOUSLY! That. Is. Awesome!  It felt light, it looked light, but it evened out my tone. It covered my redness, and I could finally go out "makeup free" (haha, shh, that's OUR secret!).

I've gotten lots of questions about finding YOUR color. Let me let you know, that I'm not a seller. I just tell about what I like, why I like it, and I'll direct you in who you can reach for the deets.  You can take this short quiz about your skin and it'll suggest what shade you would wear. I took mine after I already got my product, but my consultant was SPOT ON with her assessment because her recommendation was exactly what the quiz told me.  Here's the link to the quiz: https://www.boombox.com/c/quiz/185687/younited-beauty-s-younique-touch-mineral-foundation-color-match-quiz

Still unsure? Consultant Emily (Loy) Huddleston will be set up at Bows and Bling behind Dairy Queen this Saturday. She will have products on hand for you to check out, probably test, and buy or order right then!  

Now, do a girl a favor???  I have so many blogs in mind, but I want to hear what YOU, as a reader, want to read!  The secret product to relieve headaches? My favorite products to help make your makeup stay on all day? My newest shampoo/conditioner obsession that helps with the strength/volume/growth of your hair? Plexus evaluation?  Wherever you saw the link to this blog- Facebook or Instagram--PLEASE COMMENT and tell me what you'd like to read about in my next blog! I'm just busting at the seams about so many things, a girl needs guidance :)  

SatinHands

So, in my last blog post, I hinted at my instant love for what I'm blogging about today- as I bought it on the spot!  Let's clear this up...I am not much of an impulse buyer.  I'm tight with money and if I didn't have a husband who liked to spoil me with spa days and pedicures, I wouldn't waste much money on myself.  (High five to the hubs, though, right?!)

Mary Kay has made it into my morning and nightly ritual.  My TimeWise set is definitely something I continue to endorse and brag about.  I AM NOT A MARY KAY CONSULTANT. I don't say this stuff to make a sell.  I brag about it because I've used it, I like it, and I want to help my fellow sisters out in their quest to find products worthy of their hard earned money!  Today's worthy product comes in a set of 3- Satin Hands Hand Softener, Hand Scrub, and Hand Cream.  I got it all in peach scent, because I'm a fan of the smell.  It's also a faint scent--nothing like Avon or Bath and Body Works scents (which I'm not knocking, because I like them too!).

The Hand Softener is probably my least favorite of the set, but it all works together beautifully, so I use it.  You add a dime size amount of this in your hands and rub them together.  For added hydration, you can dampen the skin with water first.  I wash this off and pat dry with a towel. Now, it feels gross after this step. Feels like you've rubbed crisco all over your hands and never fully got it off.

But no fear, because the scrub takes it away.  I use one pump of the scrub and use it like I would soap.  I rub all over my hands, wrist, and in between fingers.  Excellent for calloused or rough hands.  Admittedly, I don't do enough hard labor to have rough or calloused hands, however it's good to know :)

I rinse that, and pat dry. Then apply my hand cream.  Lotion, if you will.  And just like that, your hands are completely transformed into..wait for it...SATIN HANDS.  It's impressive, really.

Like I mentioned before, I was pitched this at work. I was so impressed, I pulled cash out and immediately bought it.  Later, I cleaned and had my hand in bleach water...and the softness of my hands never wavered. I love using this stuff before bed, after I do my TimeWise face cleansing ritual.  AND, for it coming in a set of 3...$35 was definitely affordable.  This stuff looks like its not been used.  Such small amounts have to be used that it's lasting forever!  I definitely recommend getting it for yourself...and honestly, at this price...as a gift for a friend too!!

So fresh and so clean clean

Have you ever said you didn't like a certain brand and that you would never use it...and later have to eat crow because it becomes your favorite thing ever?  I'm eating a ton of crow these days..between what I'm blogging about today, what I'm blogging about in my next post, and Wet n' Wild makeup!  Seriously not minding it though because I'm finding some really awesome products!

As a teen, I had really oily skin.  My dermatologist recommended Mary Kay or Clinique makeup since they were the few that even offered anything Oil-Free.  I tried some Mary Kay makeup at the time, and just didn't love it.  Of course, also at that time, I hadn't discovered that "cakey" makeup would be what would eventually satisfy me.  Anyhow, when a Mary Kay rep approached me at work one day, I sighed and listened to the sales pitch.  As a former Thirty One consultant, I understand and empathize with how difficult it can be to sell from a magazine alone.  Unless I had my stuff with me, I usually got the "no thanks." Samples, ya'll. Samples is what hooked me.  I ended up buying something on the spot from her that I sampled right there in front of her.  (That's my next blog!)  But something I was really interested in, was the first thing she pitched...a Time Wise 4-piece set.  However, at $95, I just couldn't commit to that. I would really have to think on it and save up for a splurge that big.

I began using the samples she gave me for the Time Wise set. I had fallen in love. The 3 in 1 face wash was the best I have ever used. I loved how fresh and clean..and NOT RED my face looked after using it.  I followed it with the sample of moisturizer (as the day and night creams do not have samples). I was a little unsure of it initially, because I felt it made my face look wet and feel somewhat greasy.  (BTW, I no longer have oily skin and used the dry/combination skin samples)  However, when I awoke the next morning, I decided I liked it and how my face looked. I even went makeup free the few days following.

Coincidentally, as I was on Facebook one night, I saw a post about everything in the book being half off for THAT NIGHT ONLY.  I jumped on that.  $47.50 for 4 bottles?  And I was down to my last squeeze of my samples.  The consultant had a goal in mind that prompted this awesome sale, but it totally drew me in and I was extremely pleased by how friendly and efficient she was. I got my order days later and was really impressed by the speed of the process.  As a side note, I would like to point out that yes, I did get samples from one consultant and bought from another. As a former consultant, I know a loyal customer is what you depend on.  I intend to split my loyalty between the 2 in the future, because I do appreciate being introduced to it by one, and I appreciate the wonderful deal that hooked me by the other.  

Moving on, let me explain these products a little more in depth.

3 in 1 Cleanser: Clease. Exfoliate. Freshen. This product gently clears away impurities as it begins the process to erase the visible signs of aging and restore the look of younger skin. (I'm pushin' 30. Gotta start now!)

Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35. I've learned sunscreen is essential.  And sunscreen does not equal albino skin all summer long!  You can still tan with sunscreen, but avoid the burn!  Wish I had known this when I was younger and refused sunscreen as I would lay outside for hours upon hours.  This also serves as a great base underneath your makeup. My makeup has been going on smoother than usual and we all know I gave my foundation 5 stars beforehand! I'm giving like 6+ now :)

Night Solution: This product contains ingredients that help reverse the signs of aging by enhancing your skin's renewal process while you sleep an help the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles fade away. (OH EM GEE. Not even lying guys when I say this...but this is the first time I'm reading this on the back of the box, and like, an hour ago, I thought I saw an improvement in my head wrinkles when I lift my eyebrows. Whoa, legit.) This remarkable solution helps counteract daytime damage with botanicals and two specialized peptides so skin looks and feels renewed. Vitamin-rich Nutribeads microcapsules burst as you dispense the serum to deliver fresh, highly effective antioxidants.

Age-Fighting Moisturizer: Firms, softens and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Proven to hydrate for up to 10 hours.  (And I can totally attest to that.)  

Morning routine looks like this: Cleanser, Day Solution, Moisturizer.

Night routine: Cleanser, Night Solution, Moisturizer.

All jokes aside, 29 isn't old. However, I began treating for aging skin at 25.  And I don't know if it's because of this or because of good genes, but the oldest age people have guessed me at is 18.  Sure, it's a little annoying at times now, but when that 30th birthday hits next year, and I'm freaking out...from that moment on, I'm going to relish every wrong guess of my age.  I've honestly seen an improvement in my skin's appearance, color, evenness of the tone, and the confidence it's given me going makeup free is worth it alone.  Sure, I got a great $47.50 deal on this.  But I can tell you this much, I will continue with this product. Even with it being full price.  When I hit the halfway mark on my bottles, I will begin saving up so I can replenish my stock so I won't have to go another day without it.  Can you say that about your current daytime/nighttime face cleansing products? I couldn't either, before this set.  Check it out... get the samples and see what I mean.  If you're interested in trying them out, comment below or reach me through social media and I will connect you to a consultant so she can mail you your samples!  They're FREE...what have you got to lose with that?!

Love comes in many forms...

Okay, ya'll. I am SO excited about my most recent find and I absolutely cannot WAIT to let you in on it!  

Let me explain two situations that sound totally unrelated, but will make sense the further down you read.

Situation #1:  As of the past couple of months, I have been having some extreme hair loss.  Now, I'm not talking about "oh, look, I've shed and got some hair on my black shirt. Shoot!"  No, no. I'm talking like, I go to smooth my hair with my hands, and wads come out in my hand. I'm talking cleaning my comb out 4-5 times following my shower and wet head. I'm talking rolling my windows down and my hair flying all around my vehicle.  It's been bad.  It's made me want to cry at times. I've been through hair loss once before after my car accident. My third degree burns were pulling protein from my hair and using that protein to heal and form scars. Ergo, I lost so much hair, scalp was very, very visible. That was a very traumatic experience, and really shook my confidence.  This is not an experience I want to repeat.  (Just to not leave you hanging, my doctor found I am Zinc deficient and we have begun to take measures to fix that.)

Situation #2: My little girl, who is about to turn 7 next month, is 1) extremely dramatic and 2) extremely tender headed.  So when you combine these two things, combing her hair, any time of day, wet or dry, is a task neither of us look forward to. It involves a lot of yelling "ouch!" and "please stop!" and on occasion, tears.  Last week, she was diagnosed with bronchitis. This entailed 2 missed days of school. And instead of brushing her hair in those 2 days, I avoided it by just throwing her tangled mess into a ponytail to deal with later.

Now, finally, the product.

Last week, I made a trip to my hair stylist and a really close friend from high school, Jackie.  She was going to help me mask my hair loss with some of her coloring magic.  Beforehand, she had told me about these new Wet Brushes the shop had gotten in.  They were supposed to not pull as much hair as say, a comb or a regular brush, would.  After she colored and washed my hair, the dreaded time came of combing it.  I asked her to just go ahead and open a wet brush, use it and I would buy it.  I was desperate.  Using brushes on wet hair was always a big no-no, I thought. Especially on my fine hair which tangles easily.  Jackie ran this through my hair and it was just smooth and enjoyable. Barely any hair came out, and not once did I feel a tug of a tangle.  When she used a blow dryer on my hair, and continued using this brush...the end result was my hair was incredibly shiny, soft, and smooth.  I was beyond impressed.  And, still, only a few strands of hair in the brush.  I was shocked.

So I get home and the time has come that my child needs to shower and wash her hair.  Before getting in, I tell her to let me brush her hair so hopefully it wont be as tangled when she gets out and its wet.  I could see the knots in her hair. I took a deep breath......

And nothing. It was as smooth and gentle as it had been on my wet hair earlier.

No ouch, no tug, nothing. And completely tangle free when I finished.  She gasped when I was done and said "Mommy, can I have that?!"

I'm telling you guys, I don't know how its as wonderful as it is. I have no idea how it works so great. But it does!  You probably aren't having hair loss, but if you are, or if you or someone you know is tender headed..please get this product or tell someone else about it.  It was only $14- I expected more!- (yet, believe me, that's the MOST I have ever spent on a brush, but it was worth every penny!) and I got mine at Profiles in Jamestown, Ky (Across from Lee's). This thing is too good to keep secret!

I will end this blog with what the back of the packing says just so you know more about the science behind it:

IntelliFlex Bristles- For healthier, more beautiful hair.

Thin and strong yet flexible, our exclusive Intelliflex bristles are firm on one stroke but give on the next. You brush out tangles easily, with no more pulling, tugging or pain. The result: healthier hair, with no tangles, no split ends or hair loss.

SoftTips- for gentle styling, stroke after stroke

SoftTips, our exclusive, ultra poly tips, are "twice dipped" to stay soft, full and permanent. Combined with the adaptive flexibility of our IntelliFlex bristles, they help protect hair and are ideal for sensitve scalps.

Designed for Stylists

Wet Brush makes detangling a lot more comfortable- for your hair and for your hand. Our specially rubberized handle provides stylists with a soft, sure grip that makes this brush a stylist's best friend.

Featuring AquaVents TM

new shower friendly design

Great for use in the shower and back bar to comb through conditioner and treatments for even and thorough distribution.  

If you get one, comment and let me know how totally in love with it you are!!!!

Every inch of you is perfect, from the bottom to the top.

Ok, let me start this by saying that I realize
that I'm not a size 2. Heck, I'm not even in the single digits.
My goal isn't to be skinny.
It is to be healthy and to say at the end of the day that I've done everything possible
that day to be as healthy as I can.
So, when I give advice on eats or exercise,
I am no way endorsing *points self up and down*
"all of this."

With that out of the way, I would like to tell you about a recent way of eating that I have found to be very beneficial in health AND numbers.  I've had a family member take on the lifestyle of less carbs, high protein (LCHP). This particular family member has been seeing good results in weight loss. Watching her go through this transformation, not only mind, but body--I started getting interested.  Now don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those fanatical cut-out-all-carbs people. In fact, when she showed me her "DO NOT EAT" list, I blew it off because everything on that list was my FAVORITE FOOD EVER. No way Jose was I giving that stuff up.

But then I watched this video on youtube...look it up: it's called "Butter Makes My Pants Fall Off."...and it just all kind of clicked.  To sum up this 26 minute video...eating high fat, low carb food makes sense because when one exercises, what's being burnt is FAT...not CARBS.  This helped me understand why I was attending a very high intense exercise class an hour a day, 4 days a week and I hadn't lost a single pound! Although I was eating everything labeled Fat Free, Reduced Fat, and I counted every blasted calorie.  I started examining my day and it often looked like this: Breakfast....Waffle (carbs!) with Jif Peanut Butter (carbs!) and banana slices (MAJOR CARBS!). Lunch...baked potato (carbs!), mini corn on the cob (carbs!), and usually boneless, skinless, chicken (GOOD CHOICE!).  Supper... Healthy Life 35 Calorie Bread to make a Peanut Butter sandwich (carbs, carbs!)  Typically, one soda a day (carbs!) and snack usually consisted of a Kind or Granola Bar (carbs, carbs!)

As you can see, my meals were by no means high in calories or quantity. But check out those carbs! I was definitely made aware of it. Did you know carbs immediately turn into sugar once it enters your body?  I thought NO WAY will I ever get Diabetes like what runs in my family. I don't eat sweets!  Well friends, I can tell you this: I've been going insanely over on carbs and sugars for a loooong time because I was not aware of all the facts.   And now I'm in the process of learning and I'm excited to let you all in on the secrets too!  One thing that scared me was "what in the world am I going to eat?!" I LOVE potatoes, breads, popcorn, bananas, chips, pasta, soda!  I've found sites on facebook that often share recipes and ideas. Plus you can find lots of carb free recipes online. Here's a few of my recent screenshots, that I plan on trying ASAP.

I'm so excited to try the buffalo chicken stuffed with cheese!  AND hard boiled eggs have become one of my favorite breakfasts! And snacks!  I still get to enjoy my caramel coffee. Now let me tell you about my typical eating day:  Breakfast...either 2 hard boiled eggs or Kroger Carbmaster Yogurt.  Lunch: A meat (chicken or beef usually) and one carb favorite. I usually pick a potato or corn but never both the same day now.  Gotta pick and choose!  I have been pairing this with another green veggie, whether that be brussel sprouts, grilled asparagus or green beans.  Supper: I'm liking breakfast for supper currently...bacon, hard boiled egg, a slice of toast with butter and a slice of cheese.

A lot of people who are really strict on their carbs will keep their carb intake around 20 g a day, or 5% of their day..they also do 20% protein and 75% fats. . I try to do 25% carbs (or 75 g--recently ive been shooting for 50 g), 20% protein (55-60 g) and 55% fats.  When I look at past food tracking on MyFitnessPal...my carbs used to be, on average, 56-58%.

My first week in upping my water intake and little to no soda (6 oz or less if I were to slip) and carb watching...I lost 3 pounds.  And I was only able to fit in a workout 2 days that week.

The only downfall I've seen is my calorie intake.  Carb watchers don't typically pay attention to calorie intake.  However, I've been conditioned the past 10 years to do that so I still take a peek.  I've been averaging around 800-900 cals. I push really hard for 1000. But I stay satisfied and full and I really have little to no desire to snack.  I will be talking to my dietician tomorrow and try to learn how to balance all this stuff out.  Until then though, look at your own daily menu.  Start tracking on the free app called MyFitnessPal (hey, add me: tiffanykeaton) and see where you are. Watch that youtube video. There's also an interesting view on Netflix called Fed Up.

Get passionate about your health!  YOLO, right? :)

Best kept secret

OOOH CHILD, how did I forget to mention this little goody before now??
Shame on me!

Over Christmas, my family and I went to Cincinnati to visit my brother in law and his family.
His wife, Sarah, shared one of the best kept little secrets, called Groovebook, with me.
Groovebook is a free app that you can download onto your phone.
You upload 100 pictures at a time, by a certain date (you have a month to upload them)
and when that date is up, this company takes your photos,
puts them in an album for you, and mails them to your house!
Get this...the first album is free.
After that, you're charged around $3 or $4 a month.
If you don't make it in time to upload 100 photos, it's not a huge loss because it's so cheap
but if you do make the deadline, you have just gotten 100 photos, an album, and shipping for close to nothing!
Better yet, you can cancel at any time.

Something cool Sarah does, and is good if you have family out of town,
is when you fill in the address of where they are to mail it to,
you can add more than one address.
Sarah gets a book sent to my mother in law so she can keep up with her granddaughter through pictures.
Totally thoughtful!
I would assume this costs more, but that's something you'd have to look into, because I don't really know for sure.

I wish I had known about this gem sooner.  All of my best pictures are taken on my phone
and have been for years.  I wish I still had old phones so I could go back and get pictures from when my little girl was a lot smaller!  However, I know about it now, and I'm thoroughly enjoying getting these wonderful memories printed out while I'm sitting at home and not having to make a 15 minute drive to the closest Wal-Mart!

Here's the code to get your first album free! Your credit or debit card info will be asked for, but that's for future Groovebooks. Don't forget, cancel at anytime..if you want that first free one and then no more, cancel before you get charged!  But I'm pretty sure you're gonna love its convenience :)
You
Are
Welcome :)

LYLMTS (Love you like my tennis shoes)

As I've mentioned before, I'm a simpleton.
I wear workout clothes or sweats most days-
Comfort is obviously my first priority.
So don't think I'm about to lead you astray with today's post.

My favorite tennis shoes hands down has always been Nikes.
They're comfortable, durable, and stylish.
I enjoy wearing them walking,
running,
hiking,
at Refit,
shopping...
well you get the point. I loves me some Nikes.
I even started my sweet little 6 year old in them,
as they were her first tennis shoes.
However, as she grows older,
she likes to play.
And do the same annoying thing I used to do as a child and would always get fussed at for--
drag her feet, scraping the toes of her shoes along the ground.
The girl is rough on shoes.
When she began school and PE became her favorite class,
PLUS the daily outdoor recess,
you can bet your bottom dollar that I wasn't going to send the girl to school in Nikes.
They cost too much to get ruined halfway through the school year!
So the last 2 years, I have really been on the prowl for an alternative.
Cute, comfortable, and 'will-match-anything' kind of shoes.
For my 6 year old.
I'm an adult, I can take care of my brand names!

Kind of by accident, I discovered Athletechs brand at our local Kmart.
Sort of like my Wet n' Wild snobbiness at the beginning, I turned my nose up at Kmart tennis shoes.
However, we were in a rush and the girl had no school shoes.
I grabbed a grey pair and a black pair. There. That'll match everything.
She ended up loving them, the bright colors added to the shoes literally did match
every single outfit she wore.
Which was especially handy because in Kindergarten, she was required to wear tennis shoes DAILY.
She eventually outgrew them, so I went back to grab the same pairs in the next size up.
I LOVED THEM THAT MUCH.
I also grabbed a turquoise and lime pair because for some reason, those were popular colors in her closet at this time.
While I was at it, I grabbed an adult size of the exact same pair I bought for my child. ha!
How about that crow??

So let's take a moment and do some math. This is 6 pair of Kmart shoes bought within a year.
Versus, in my closet, 1 pair of Nikes, 1 pair of Adidas, 1 pair of Asics, 1 pair of UnderArmour,
1 pair of New Balance.
Kiah's closet...1 pair of Nikes, 1 pair of Sketchers, 1 pair of Reebok, and 1 pair of Crocs tennis shoes.
Hmm.

So, I began Refit this year.
This class is a very fast paced, high intensity class
That requires, at times, quick movement of the feet.
I started class in my New Balance.
This particular pair was made for running.
For refit, though? Fail.
Next, my Nikes. My ol' reliable Nikes.
C-. They were okay but a little too heavy for fast movement.
Next, Asics.
I could not lift my feet off the ground. I stayed beats behind the whole hour. Like wearing cement.
Fail.
Underarmour.
Most light-weight shoe ever. Definitely not an issue there. However, there was not enough sole in them and my feet were sore and uncomfortable after class.
C+.

And where did I go in search of the perfect Refit tennis shoe?
Shoe Sensation? Shoe Show? Shoe Carnival? B & H Shoes?
No.
KMART.
This is insane.
And yet, the pair I bought that day, I have wore 3-4 times a week to class
every time, since I've gotten them.
And not only that,
I wear them on days I don't have class as well.

Have they taken the place of my all time favorite Nikes?
I'm not sure, but they are definitely heading that direction!