BeyondBlushing...

You know, I just love trying new products. Stuff that I wouldn't necessarily try unless it just so happens to appear in a cute little box, in sample size, once a month. Which is why I love BIRCHBOX! **I get Ipsy too...but that's for another post on another day** I typically drool over skin care and fragrance products however the hair care products I have been receiving are AWESOME!  In April I received Love Shampoo by Davines  and Conditioner . This particular product is for wavy or curly hair--which I have bone straight hair but I still loved it!! My hair and scalp felt super clean and soft after using. This month, in my May Birchbox, I received two hair care products. At first I was like, "really?? I don't need two hair care products!!" But I take my thoughts back!! After using Beauty Protector: Protect&Detangle and Protect&Oil --I am SOLD. My hair feels salon soft and has a pretty shine!! And lets just talk about the scent of these products......

Hello beauties!! I love those casual conversations that strike up about beauty regiments and what products do you use for this or that! I can go on forever asking questions....answering questions, jotting down "must trys" in my Notes app, and going down the internet rabbit hole reading reviews! BUT honestly, I have a very basic, everyday "look" that I can nail in 15 minutes or less--that makes me feel put together and good! AND more importantly....lasts ALL DAY long! Even though a product make be changed out due to my current skin care needs, weather, event, or time of day, this is my go to process: 1. First, I always start with a moisturizer. Sometimes I add a face primer too--but not typically. My moisturizer varies all the time. Sometimes daily; sometimes weekly; sometimes monthly--but I always incorporate a moisturizer. Lately, I've been cycling between Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell moisturizer , or MAC Cosmetics Strobe Creme (PinkLite--I love the su...

 I mean, doesn't everybody put on perfume just to go downstairs and hang out with the dogs for the day? I do. And I'm not ashamed. I just like to smell good, and florally, and sweet, or spicy, and light, or sultry...and mixing and matching all of the above! I think my fur babies like it too 😊🐶🐾 Every Birthday, Christmas, Valentines Day, Mothers Day or "just because I love you" gift giving opportunity--I want fragrances!! I have my favorites (anything with Gardenia), of course, but that said I'm super open minded and am game to try/wear most fragrances. I pick what I wear depending on my mood and where I'm going or what I'm doing for the day. I thought it would be fun to spotlight some fragrances that I'm currently obsessed with. Recently I've been adding to my Jo Malone collection (in which one of my best girlfriends bought me that first bottle of English Pear & Freesia several years ago) and I have been a hooked ever since! Nothing bet...

So, as much as I love to smile, I have to admit I'm very self conscious of anything involving my mouth--like big teeth-y smiles or speaking publicly! I know where these insecurities come from and even though I can reason through them in my mind, I still don't typically draw attention to my mouth on purpose. I have to be feeling super bold and confident when I get the guts to throw on a red lipstick!! Anyway, after seriously going back and forth in my mind and ultimately deciding that I wasn't going to let my insecurity get the best of me, I decided to participate in a 10 day toothpaste challenge to see what sort of whitening results I could get. I drink coffee daily, enjoy red wine, and I do NOT use a whitening toothpaste. Just the basic Colgate, or Arm and Hammer, or Crest, or honestly whatever is on sale at target when I run out. So I figured, what the heck...what do I have to lose? Let's give this AP-24 Whitening with Fluoride toothpaste a try and see if I could...

I know, I know....my intentions were to update BeyondBlushing weekly. Hahaha. I laugh. Lofty goals for a Special Education teacher/Case Manager/CoDept Chair/This Team Member/That Team Member/After School Tutor/Breakfast Club Interventionist/Trouble Maker/Peace Maker/etc., etc. --Also, one who admittedly   has major difficulties saying "no" and who has enough work to keep two people busy full time!! I'm trying hard to work on balance so after working VERY long days on a regular basis I've been trying to come home and be "present" with my hubby, fur babies, and human adult babies (when they're home). So here I am, updating....and trying to decide what goodie I want to share with you all!  I have a few golden nuggets that I'm excited to write about!! Probably one of the best days this month was celebrating my daughter's 20th birthday--March 5th!! She was able to take a couple of days off work and come home so we could celebrate her! Yea!! She...