If Your Clothes Could Talk, What Would They Say?

If you've been here for a while, you know that I'm on a journey to get healthy.  This isn't my first time on this journey.  No, this is a road I've walked up and down a few times.  Each time gets a little harder, so I'm doing to do everything that I can to make sure that this is the last time.  I'm making lifestyle changes this time, so I'm optimistic that this time will be different from the last one.  Now that I'm in my 30s with three kids, my body isn't cooperating with me as well as it used it.  

Reverse Your Routine - Condition Before You Shampoo

This post is sponsored by TRESemmé, a product of Unilever, as a part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

I’ve always been the kind of person to do things a little bit differently.  I have to push societal norms to their limits and carve my own way in life.  For example, I haven’t worked at a conventional job in over 14 years, and I don’t plan on doing it again.  Many people are shocked when I tell them that I am self-employed because it’s the norm to work for someone else.  Last year, just before my 35th birthday, I dyed my hair deep purple.  You better believe that I rocked that purple hair at my kids’ events and even at church.  I’m also unconventional in my daily hair care. Thanks to TRESemmé, I use conditioner before I use shampoo.  I know, right?  It’s unheard of!  

Best Makeup Products

As you know, I love makeup! But as much as I love it, I also understand that with the amount of cosmetic products you are seeing all around you every day it can be hard to know which are the best makeup products out there. Which are the passing trends and which are the cosmetics that here to stay? I decided to put together a list of the best makeup products for my readers to make it easier to know what to buy. Here are my top five cosmetics products that are here to stay.

5 Benefits of Quitting Sugar

Ah…sweet, sweet sugar. How I love it! However, it doesn’t love me so much. Science has proven again and again that sugar’s not very good for us. But how do we go about quitting something that’s so addictive and seems to be added to every food product, including savory ones? Maybe knowing a few benefits of cutting out the sweet stuff will inspire us to take the leap. Keep reading for five benefits of quitting sugar.  

You'll Level Out

Sugar gives you a rush and then a resulting slump after your body’s processed it, making you crave even more of it. Why ride the roller coaster of sweetness all day when you can keep your blood sugar level and feel a million times better? This goes for your kids as well whom I’m sure you’ve witnessed bouncing off the walls after consuming candy. Cutting sugar from their lives could possibly result in calmer kids and better behavior, which is a huge benefit of quitting sugar. Try it and see!

Disease Prevention

Along with the blood sugar spikes and drops comes the risk of developing any one of several illnesses, including diabetes and obesity. Eliminating, or at least reducing, added sugars from your diet can help you stay healthier and free from undesired health afflictions. 

You'll Save Money

Sugar-laden foods can be expensive, especially since they can cause you to be hungry all the time, making you want more and more food. Cutting sugar, and the cravings it causes, is one great way to save money. Think about how much you’ll save each week just by leaving the fruit juice at the store and drinking water instead! If you miss flavored beverages, squeeze a lemon slice to your glass of water. So refreshing!

You'll Find New Foods

Once you quit sugar and the cravings subside, there’s an entire world of new foods and flavors out there for you to try. If your go-to before was a chocolate bar, you might try mango instead. Or, experiment with adding honey to your coffee instead of sugar or artificial creamers. Once you’ve lost your taste for sugar, your palette becomes open to receiving new and novel flavors.

You'll Learn to Cook

Instead of always reaching for conveniently-packaged fake foods all the time, you may just need to learn how to cook once you kick sugar to the curb. Not only is cooking one of the greatest life skills you can acquire, it’s also the best way to nourish yourself and your family with the highest-quality ingredients possible. A hot bowl of homemade tomato soup beats a sugar-filled PB&J any day of the week!

Sugar is everywhere. Yes, it’s naturally occurring in many foods like fruit and dairy. Our body needs these natural sugars to some degree, but adding spoonful after spoonful of highly-refined white sugar could prove to be your ultimate downfall. There are many healthy natural alternatives to sugar out there that are much healthier for you and equally as satisfying to your cravings for sweet. No need to quit sugar cold turkey; slowly wean yourself from it and reap the benefits of quitting sugar!

How to Choose The Perfect Frames for Your Face Shape

Thank you VSP Direct for sponsoring this post. Be sure to enter the #VSPStyleSweepstakes on Facebook for your chance to win a style consult and designer sunglasses!

I wear glasses, and they are one of my favorite accessories.  I can change my entire look by adding a cute pair of glasses without changing my clothes or makeup.  When I got my first pair of glasses, I really struggled with the right frames.  I wanted a pair similar to the cute pair that my friend had, but they looked horrible on me.  I have a different face shape than she does, so of course they looked different on me.  Even now, I get a little overwhelmed looking at all the cute frames.  That's why I usually have two pairs of glasses and sunglasses.  I have one pair just for the car, one pair for in the house, and my sunglasses always stay in my car.  If you also struggle with choosing the perfect frame for your face shape, keep reading for my tips.

DIY Lip Plumper Recipe

If you want plump lips, you don't have to take the Kylie Jenner challenge. Actually, please don't! Try making your own lip plumper for a fraction of the cost of what department stores charge.  By using natural ingredients like cinnamon or something similar, you can stimulate blood flow to your lips.  This temporarily plumps your lips to give you a sexy, pouty look.  The best part? It's easy to make! You can find most of the ingredients at your grocery store or craft store, and I've linked to Amazon to make shopping even easier.

Makeup Tools You Can't Live Without

I love makeup tools almost as much I love makeup!  They help me create the perfect look, and some even help prevent mistakes.  There's nothing worse than getting your eyeshadow perfect and then messing up on your liner and needing to remove it all to start over.  These makeup tools will help you get the perfect look each time.

Scarology 3 Piece Set Giveaway Ends 3/29/16

Friends, I have a great giveaway for you this week!  Scarology has generously offered a three piece set for one of my readers.  As someone who has a scar on her face from childhood, I wish this had been available when I was a kid.  Scarology can be used on both children and adults for burns, facial scars, acne scars, keloids, C-section scars, and stretch marks.  It uses ingredients that had previously only been available in medical settings.  These ingredients keep the skin hydrated and reduce inflammation to help the skin heal.  It's a three step system.  First you exfoliate, then you apply a scar cream, and finally place a silicone sheet over the scar at night.  

Save Time, Money on Dry Cleaning

This year, I'm teaming up with Dryel as one of their brand ambassadors.  I'm really excited because it's a brand that I've been using for many, many years.  I like Dryel because it saves me money, it's easy, and it works.  If you've ever debating buying an adorable article of clothing because it has to be dry cleaned, then keep reading.  There's a better alternative than going to an expensive dry cleaner every time you wear your favorite clothes.  One reason that I love Dryel so much is because I live in a rural area.  Our dry cleaning services are limited, so they are expensive.  Not to mention that I would have to drive 20 minutes to drop them off and another 20 minutes to pick them up.  That's not convenient for my schedule, so I'd rather clean them at home.  

The Best Self-Tanners For A Sun Kissed Glow

Last winter wasn't nearly as brutal as the winter before it, but I'm still glad that it's almost over.  It's been in the high 60s here all week, but it always snows in April in Ohio.  Always.  I won't full pack away our winter gear until July only to get it back out in October.  Even with the space heaters, winter coats, and gloves in plain sight, I am more than ready for open windows, sunshine, and some color on my legs.  I don't like to tan because of the risk of skin cancer, but I want a sun kissed glow.  I fake it with self tanners.  Gone are the days where you would turn orange from getting a faux glow.  Today's self-tanners give you a natural looking, streak-free tan.  

Best Shampoo For Oily Hair

When I was a teenager, my hair was very oily.  If I didn't wash it daily, I looked like I was homeless.  I used to use this horrible shampoo that completely stripped my hair and scalp of all the oils, but it was the only thing that worked.  Now my hair is curly and only slightly oily.  Why the change?  My hair changed after I got pregnant with my oldest.  See?  There's one perk of pregnancy!  Oh, and you get an adorable baby too!  If you have oily hair, look for shampoo ingredients to help you gently remove excess oil without overdrying your hair or scalp. Oily hair is caused by excessive sebum production in your scalp. Sebaceous glands near each hair follicle release oil, and this oil is spread to your hair. Your hair and scalp need some oil to keep your scalp moisturized and flake-free, but too much oil leads to oily hair.

Lip Liner 101: What is Lip Liner and Tips and Tricks

Should lip liner be an essential part of your makeup look, or it is a gimmick to get you to buy more products?  I will admit that I don't always wear liner, but it really does help you get a polished look that lasts all day long.  Since your liner should match your lipstick shade, you will need to buy a liner for every lipstick you wear.  If you don't want to buy a liner for every shade, then buy a few for your darker lipsticks to stop them from bleeding or your lipsticks for evening wear.  

Gym Bag Essentials

Once I get in to a routine, I can't stop.  If I stop, I know that I won't start again.  I'm a creature of habit I guess.  I can't let anything stop my gym routine because I know it's so important for my health.   I have different bags packed for different things, and I always have one packed for the gym.  If I suddenly get an open spot in my schedule, I want to be ready to go or to stop in while I'm out and about.  Here are my gym bag essentials that I always have with me so I'm prepared.   

$300 Sephora or Target Gift Card Giveaway - Two Winners

Friends, I am so exciting to bring you this AWESOME giveaway! This is the biggest giveaway that I've done on my blog so far. It's so big that there are TWO winners! Each winner will get to choose a $300 gift card to either Sephora or Target! Just imagine all the makeup or clothes you could buy with that! Just enter below for your chance to win!

INTERNATIONAL, 18+, VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW

GIVEAWAY ENDS 3/21 12:59 PM EST

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Winner's Choice (2 Winners) $300 Sephora or Target Gift Card

Different Types of Bras

Friends, we've gotten pretty personal here.  We've talked about K-Y, periods, LBL, intimacy in your marriage, and how to date your husband.  We're going to get very personal today.  Let's talk bras.  I hate bra shopping more than I hate shopping for jeans.  There are so many different kinds of bras, how is a girl to know which one is the right one?  And don't get me started on sizes.  I can't walk in and grab my size and expect it grab a pair of jeans off the rack and expect them to fit me.  Oh no, I need to try one each and every one.  Here, I'll explain how bras are sized and the different types of bras available to buy.

10 Best Products for Blackheads on Nose

As someone who has had oily skin and blackheads since her teen years, I've tried a plethora of products.  Some were a waste of money, some worked okay, and some worked great.  I haven't found anything that removes all of your blackheads right away, so be patient while you use them.  It might take weeks or even a few months to see results.  When you do see results, it's important to keep using the products because you don't want new blackheads to form.  The best way to get rid of blackheads is to exfoliate.  This removes the dead skin cells that can collect in your pores, which can turn in to blackheads.  Here's my top picks for the best products for blackheads on nose.