Kept me safe everynight

When I was 8 years old, my aunt gave me a pink,stuffed puppy that I promptly named Pinky. She was my right hand. I took her everywhere. I forgot her in a hotel room once, we had to turn around after an hour on the road to go save her. We even had matching nightgowns. She was my best friend because everynight she kept me safe and fought off the baddies. In my mind she was fearless, brave and my protector. I slept with her till I was 24. She may have just been cloth and thread, but she was my superhero. I saw this picture and it made me cry, thinking about Pinky, my stuffed savior.

Down the rabbit hole....

So it's been a good 7 months since I touched this blog. My life had a major job shift, a housing move and various other curveballs thrown at it. While it might be a few more weeks before I get back on this horse, I promise I will be back. Hopefully on a daily basis. I have really been missing this,it's sort of my therapy. Talk to you soon! -Jess

Pure entertainment

 I thought I had burned through everything I wanted to watch on Netflix, so on my brothers suggestion I started watching White Collar. BEST...SUGGESTION....EVER!!

 I am completely burned out on the dark, depressing cop dramas that have taken over TV, and this is a huge bright spot in an otherwise dreary prime time line-up.
This show is so much fun. Yes, it is a crime show, but it is funny and doesn't take itself too seriously.
The Neal Caffrey character is clever, smart as hell and so charming you can't help but love him. Even if he is a master art forger, theif, all around criminal mastermind.
The banter and relatinship between him and Peter Burke is fantastic, but let's not forget about his best friend Mozzie. I love him to pieces. It's just an all around great show and I suggest everyone watch it. The fact that Matt Bomer looks like a golden god doesn't hurt either.

Seriously, is this guy even human???

Watch the show, you can thank me later :)

-Jess



Teddy Ruxbin's naughty twin

So foul mouthed and raunchy, but looks hilarious and kinda sweet

Oh, how time flies.

Sitting here watching Shameless, I started flipping back through my old blog posts, escaping the Gallagher insanity momentarily. Making it back to my first post I noticed that I started this piece of online gibberish and opinion one year ago today. I have not been very on point with the promptness of my posts, but I am hoping to change that this go round. I honestly love writing on here. Bucket list items, beauty reviews and movie trailers are not going to change the world, but if someone gets a chuckle out of something I have wrote, then I'm happy.This blog is filled with pieces of me, it is my outlet and it is something I truly love. If you have enjoyed anything here, let me know. I would love to hear any feedback, it makes me want to bang away at this keyboard all the more.

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO ME!!!!!!

This skin regimen means business!!

A couple months ago I received a package from Somme Institute containing their skincare 5-Step Regimen. I decided to finish up the bottles of my regular skin products before giving Somme a good 30 day run. I'm pretty sure it was just my commitment issues kicking in. I wanted to give the products a good month long run to give a fair, honest opinion. It was worth it.

These products do a great job working together as a system, but I'm going to say my piece about each individual item. They deserve it. 

Step 1: Nourishing Cleanser (Blue Dot)

This is a vitamin packed, gel based cleanser. It does a good job cleeaning deep, doesn't dry you out, and leaves skin with a touchable texture.

Step 2: Transport Pads (Lilac Dot)

These pads pack a punch!!! Possibly my favorite product of the 5, Transport pads are loaded with AHA to bust up and remove nasty dead skin cells. They have a nice, citrusy scent. When I first started using them, I thought they made my skin feel plasticy (is that even a word?), but that was my ignorance. They were actually improving the firmness of my skin.

STEP 3:  Serum (Orange Dot)

Serum is just that, a silky serum that works on fine lines and evens skin tone. It does a really nice job. I had the start of some smile lines, which are far less noticable. It is big on vitamin C and has a cocktail of 5 others thrown in for good meausre.

STEP 4: A-Bomb (Green Dot)

A light weight cream that also has the vitamin cocktail. It soothes the skin rather well and is great at keeping dryness at bay. It also has the nice, citrus scent.

Step 5: Double Defense (Pink Dot)

I admit I'm not a faithful user of this product. Not because it lacks anything, I honestly just forget to put it on daily. It is a wonderful moisturizing lotion, has an SPF 30+ and a really nice texture.

All in all, I think this is a great system, it works well and the color dot packaging is adorable.

Over the course of my use, I have noticed fewer visible lines, less redness and  a better texture and firmness. Buy this system!!



Linky Dinks: Valentine's Day edition

With Valentine's Day Literally starting in one hour, I figured I better do something to mark the occasion. I present to you, Valentine Linky Dinks

• Aphrodisiac foods and recipes  gives you some great ideas for a romantic snacks that won't expand your waistline. Gotta keep things tight and right!!!

• No guy wants to get a pair of cheesy heart boxers . So why not try something more personal with one of these Unique valentine's gifts for him.

• Coming up with something more exciting than dinner and a movie can be a little difficult for some ladies. Try one of these great date ideas.

• I didn't forget about you gentlemen. These are some date suggestions she is sure to love.

• A homemade chocolate dessert has so much more meaning than something store bought.  Hershey's has got you covered with desserts recipes for every skill level.

I know this is short and last minute, but hopefully it will be helpful to at least one person.

-Jess

#82 Attempt to be a vegan

I have always been a huge animal lover, so much so take I have slapped a girl in the face for pushing my cat and almost been hit with a bat for taking a dog from a man that was mis-treating it. So, recently I began to think it really makes no sense for me to sit and preach about animal rights when I am consuming them on a daily basis and feeding into the cruelty cycle. I figured it was time to bite the bullet and tackle #82 on my list, become a vegan.

Armed with a vegan grocery list (thanks Oprah!), a month long meal plan and a couple of great vegan cookbooks, I'm set to challenge myself.

I did some of the grocery shopping last night, but quickly realized that alot of vegan products aren't available where I live. When I got home I actually broke down and ordered some of the groceries online.

Some of my veggie bounty

I have been a vegetarian off and on a few different times, so this isn't gonna be a huge shock to my system. I really enjoy the taste and texture of  soy based meat substitutes and like getting creative with recipes. And what's the worst that can happen, I have some much needed weight loss and no more meat guilt? Sounds like a win/win.

Today was day one, and so far the Quinoa and veggie soup was great and i'm always down for a fruit smoothie. I'll most likely be doing weekly updates with this and hopefully start incorporating a workout routine in as well.

I'm doing this for you little critters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Jess

P.S.: Here are some great vegan recipe sites if your interested.
Vegan Yum Yum
The Post Punk Kitchen
Skinny Bitch (I recommend buying the books)
The Kind Life ( Excellent recipes)

I ♥ you, cupcake!!!

Made with love by me

has a great step by step article on how to create the most adorable Valentine cupcakes.

There's a freakin' heart inside!!!! Who wouldn't want to cut into that????

I'm gonna try my hand at making these with stars in them later this week. I'll post to results, which I'm sure will be interesting.

-Jess

I'm a princess!!!!!!! Or they are just using me for food.

I must be turning into one of those prancing, smiling, singing princesses, because in the past couple weeks I have been getting bombarded with woodland critters in the back yard. I am used to the occasional deer wandering into the yard at night, no big deal, but this is ridiculous. Most recently I have had :

1.) A mother opossum with 3 babies living in the garage.

2.) A family of Raccoons living in the old barn.

3.) A woodchuck colony residing under the hen house.

4.) A deer here, a deer there, a deer everywhere!

5.) 15, I kid you not, 15 squirrels over running the backyard and the birdfeeders.

AND

6.) One lone beaver, living in the boat shed. I named him Ramon.

Heck yes, I went all night vision on his ass.


This is not to mention the various hoardes of birds, bunnies and other creatures sneaking around. So, being the animal loving soft heart I am, this animal invasion has resulted in a ton of hay, corn, birdseed, other forms of feed and water being set out.

I figure since I am clearly turning into a warped version of a Disney Princess, Prince Charming has to be on his way, right?? No??? Screw it, I got my critters, I'm happy.

-Jess

Make Up Forever Aqua Cream, you work like a dream!!!!

I have made no secret that I have oily skin. It's sucks, but for the most part I got it under control. Except for my damn eyelids!!!! Not only are they greasy, but my eyes are deep set, so I got the double whammy for creasing eye products.

Nothing I had ever tried had worked at keeping things in place and it was so frustrating. I found Make Up Forever Aqua Creams and my cosmetics prayers were answered.

The first one I tried was in #17- Plum.  It is a gorgeous violet/burgundy/brown with a good amount of  shimmer to it.

Right off the bat I noticed how light and moist the cream was, which made me think " There is no way this is sticking around for long." I figured 30 minutes, tops. My eyelids are the destroyers of shadows, powder or cream.

I spread a thin layer of my lid and within a minute it had dried and set.......and did not budge. I wore that layer for a total of 12 hours the first day and it held up the entire time.

The next day i layered some powder shadows over the top and it worked wonderfully as a base. The look stood up to 9 hours of wear.

I swear these amazing creams are waterproof. Once they set, they set.

I am so completely in love with this product I plan on ordering as many as I can.

I have also used #17 as a cheek contour and a lip color. Some people will complain about the price, but I feel they are worth every penny. Plus, it takes the tiniest amount to get good color coverage.

Snatch these puppies, they are a game changer!!
Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams

-Jess

Our President was a bad ass



I gotta say, this looks really entertaining. Just turned into a mus see in my book.

-Jess



Lipstick that stays in place??? This one can-can!!!

Having never used a Make Up Forever product before, this lipstick alone has made me a huge fan.

It is an orange based red with a wonderful, creamy finish. It has not sparkle or glossiness, which I love.

 It is a pure sex kitten, old Hollywood red. The double pigmentation in this product is very noticeable. It only takes one layer for a good 6 hours of opaque wear.

When it does finally start to fade, it does it in a way that leaves you with a lovely stain, not a nasty, dried out lip. It is a pretty moisturizing lipstick.

The packaging itself is incredibly charming. The Moulin Rouge writing and red foil windmill are so cute!!!

There is no taste with the lipstick, but I do pick up a very slight floral scent.

All in all, Make Up Forever has created a genius lip color, I love it almost as much as Christian loves Satine ♥

-Jess

The Lone Wolf

#2 Go to a movie alone

Yesterday was one of those blah days. I didn't want to get out of bed and do anything. When I did roll out of my blanket mountain I was bored senseless, nothing made me happy. I'm blaming the disgusting  weather for my lack of motivation.

Doesn't exactly make ya feel like frolicking

After many hours of Big Bang Theory episodes, an at home mani/pedi and getting half way thru The Beautiful and the Damned, I had to get out of the house. So I sucked it up and did the unthinkable..........I went to a movie.....alone.

Granted, it was an afternoon matinee, so I didn't expect it to be overflowing with people, but to be honest, I was still kind of intimidated.  Walking up to the theatre entrance to get in the ticket line my hands got kind of sweaty. There was a tiny amount of freaky paranoia that I was alone, so something must be wrong right??? Then I got over it.

I bought my ticket to see "Haywire" (Not the best acting from the lead, great supporting cast, excellent fight scenes.) Got my bottle of water and sour patch kids, walked into the theatre and then the magic happened.

I COULD SIT WHERE EVER I WANTED BABY!!

No more worrying about where other people wanted to park it, this was all about me. So i sat, dead center of the theatre, arms on BOTH arm rests. Water in one cup holder, sour patch kids in the other. Then came the all mighty leg stretch. I feel this may have been the most glorious leg stretch in human history, but I'm probably being biased.

The joy of having personal space, no one whispering in my ear like an annoying gnat and a small tinge of independence for going it alone made this a fantastic experience. Once you get over the initial stigma of going to the movies alone it is awesome. Solo movies may be my new guilty pleasure. Everyone must do this, at least once.

-Jess

Gorgeous

I can not stop listening to this song, it has turned into a full blown obsession. Plus, this has to be one of the most beautiful opening sequences of any film.

                                                                              -Jess

Tom Hardy sexy spy movie?? Yes, please!



This actually looks really entertaining. Maybe McG isn't a total hack???????

My little snow angel

Sgt. Pepper seems to be enjoying the winter weather a little more than he should.....



Our attempt at being artsy




Peppers fellow gang members, Cassie and Stanley. They go hard.



Don't be fooled by the coat, he will cut you.



Yeah, we know who runs this s**t! That's his pimp paw.



Which is weird, because during the summer he can fly.....

Superman has nothing on me!

Pure skill



Hover Hound

-Jess







My skin is Berry smooth!!!!

First things first, the pun in the title is horrible, but it is true. As someone who has gone their whole life with enlarged pores that seem to house more grim than a landfill ( that was graphic and gross, but sadly true) I have finally found the exfoliant of my dreams.

Arcona Cranberry Gommage is bloody brilliant. If my pores were Helen Keller, this is my miracle worker ( all my jokes are just in bad taste this evening, sorry!). It is packed with cranberry and raspberry enzymes to shrink these giant pores down to size. Salicylic acid, volcanic minerals and sucrose get deep in the skin, providing antimicrobial benefits.

The smell is divine. It smells like a fresh berry smoothie, but with notes of something like fresh cut grass. It is fantastic. It is so simple to use too. I have just been doing my normal skin care routine but slipping this in about 3 times a week. Just put a small amount in the palm of your hand

Or on your finger, let's not get picky!

Add a small amount of water to loosen it up and apply it to your face and neck in upward circular motions. the grit in it is super fine and pleasant, not harsh or rough like alot of other products.

It feels so good when applying it. After a couple minutes rinse, and your skin feels unreal. Mine becomes soft and supple, I want to keep touching it. I wish the product was a little cheaper (100ml/$42.00- 200ml/$75.00), as I would love to use it as a full body exfoliator.

This is most definitely a product that will be a repeat purchase. With results like the ones I have been getting, It would be a crime to stop using it.

-Jess



Bring on the snow, Pacifica has me in the tropics

As I sit down to write this in my flannel pajamas, cup of cocoa in hand, my house is getting blasted with 30mph winds and 9 inches of snow. Normally, I would be pretty sullen about this, but I'm not too concerned this time. All I can think about is sand beaches, fruity umbrella drinks and suntan lotion. I have Pacifica to thank for my tropical state of mind.



Yeah buddy!!

 I have been using Pacifica's Color Quench Lip Tint in Blood Orange to protect my lips from the harsh winds and cold we have been experiencing, but this is a vacation in a tube. A beautiful pink and orange tube.

This 100% vegan lip tint leaves your lips smooth and hydrated, with just a hint of color. The pretty pink shade is flattering on most skin tones. I had been the victim of an unfortunate case of the dreaded scaly lips, after using this for 2 days it was gone and my kisser was silky smooth.

The citrus scent is beyond yummy, but not over powering. For the past couple years I have been dedicated to another lip balm, but I'm calling it quits. I have fallen for another.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I was kind of obsessed with winter scents a couple months ago, but you can only huff so much balsam, cinnamon and nutmeg. Now I'm loving all things delicate and sweet. Pacifica's Island Vanilla Perfume Roll on is sent from scent heaven.

This perfume is the most amazing combination of Tahitian vanilla, jasmine and some magical fruity notes. It smells like a delicious mix of summer air and the most decadent cupcakes, or maybe I'm having a stroke, who knows??? What I do know is that I am completely hooked on it's pure, natural scent. There is nothing artificial about it, which can be a hard thing to achieve when it comes to vanilla scents, most have an underlying alcohol odor.

The packaging is beautiful, convenient and durable. I just toss it in my purse and I'm set. The scent seems to last a good 5 hrs, but I find myself applying more often just because I'm greedy.

So, while the wind may be howling and the snow & ice making heels a questionable choice, I'm at peace with it. I've got a one woman tropical vacation right at my fingertips. Now if only I could bust out the flip flops and tank tops already!

-Jess