sweetteaandhydrangeas

Jan 15

2019 Reflections + 2020 Intentions

Jan 15

Happy 2020 Y’all!!! I haven’t written a post in a little over a month so this is my first post of the year. I’m excited to be back to blogging! I thought this is the perfect time to share intentions for 2020 and take a look back at 2019 as well. I always love the start to a new year because it means a fresh start. It’s also a great way to step back and reflect on the previous year. I will admit I’ve never really been one to set resolutions but more so I set intentions/ goals.

I feel that setting intentions will be a lot less stressful then trying to accomplish a resolution. I say this because my intentions are to accomplish these items but if I don’t that’s okay. It’s a lot less pressure which is so nice! Over the past few years, I have been trying to live a life that is a little less stressful. With that being said here is a look back at 2019 and what I hope to accomplish this year.

2019 Reflections

2019 was a really good year to say the least. I grew a lot and accomplished a lot of goals. 2019 left me very positive about what 2020 has to bring.

Career:

I’ve been with my company for almost seven years and got my second promotion in March. The promotion was such a blessing overall. Before the promotion, I was pretty much already doing the work without the pay. I was having to also work hand in hand with a coworker and was just too much. There were several times that I thought about leaving because of the strain it put on me physically and mentally. Thankfully my new boss saw how unhappy I was and made some changes. Ever since the changes were made, my work life has been so much more positive. I can say that my coworker and I actually get along way better now.

Personal:

My husband and I celebrated 1 year of marriage in October. He and I both focused more on how we can better communicate what we need from/out of one another. We have always communicated well with each other but it was on such a different level and it was amazing. We also learned to really appreciate the small things that we do for one another. I love how our relationship with one another is stronger then it’s ever been.

We traveled to Germany and Prague. I had been to Germany before back in 2006, so I was so excited to go back and see my family. We spent a few days with them and then headed off to Munich with some of our friends. While in Munich we attended Oktoberfest, which was such an awesome experience. I’m not a big beer drinker but was still able to manage getting a few beers down. We also visited several castles and did a ton of site seeing. With visiting Prague, we didn’t really know what to expect. Once we got there, y’all…it’s beautiful! So many amazing things to see and do. I’m so happy we decided to go there because it was not a place that I ever considered going. Both locations had amazing food, drinks and scenery. if you haven’t visited, you should!

I feel that I grew so much in 2019 in all areas of my life. The growth at times was very challenging but it only made me stronger. I helped me learn more about myself and what I am capable of.

Blog:

I wish I could say that STH grew a lot but it didn’t. I had a lot of goals I wanted to accomplish but with a new promotion and life in general…things got hectic. I also found that I wasn’t as motivated to write blog posts. I think that was due to a lack of time, energy and feeling unmotivated altogether. Though, the blog didn’t grow as much as I wanted, I still had some great gains that I am very thankful for.

Top 5 Posts of 2019

2020 Intentions

Be more present in all aspects of my life.
Read 20 books.
Sell some clothes on Poshmark
Declutter, declutter and declutter.
Do a 3 month no buy.
Be more active (I want to exercise at least 3 x’s a week).
Spend Less.
Step outside of my comfort zone for the blog.

I hope you enjoyed recapping 2019 with me and learning what my intentions are for this year. I appreciate all of y’alls support! 2020 is going to be an amazing year for me & STH!

What are your intentions for this year? I’d love to know in the comments below!

Dec 11

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Her

Dec 11

Affiliate Links- The products listed below do contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through my links, I do receive a small commission (at no cost to you). This commission helps keep STH going, which is greatly appreciate. Thank You for your support.

Sweet Tea & Hydrangeas Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Her

Hi Friends!!! I still can’t believe that we are just a few weeks away from Christmas! Where has the time gone? I always feel like the holidays fly by way too fast. Have you started shopping yet? I have slowly gotten my shopping done but I plan on being done with all my gifts by next weekend. Today, I’m sharing some great stocking stuffers for her that are all under $50. I don’t know about y’all but stocking stuffers have always been some of my favorite gifts to receive. I’ve rounded up a lot products that I use non stop and some that I know would be great gifts.

STH Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Her

L’ Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara $10.99// This is one of my favorite mascaras to use! It is a dupe for the Too Faced Better Than Sex but way more affordable. It gives lashes great length and does not look clumpy if you put a few extra coats on.
Laneige Lip Mask $20// Anytime my lips need a little extra TLC (shoot even when they don’t) this mask is what I reach for! I’m talking about a miracle overnight lip mask. I put a little bit of this on and I wake up with my lips feeling extremely hydrated and soft.
Jade Roller $10.98// I love my jade roller and use it every morning. I pop it in the fridge at night time and in the morning I roll it over my face. I love how it helps my under eye area! It’s a great way to de-puff skin, reduces inflammation, and helps drain lymph nodes (along with other great benefits).
Pixi DetoxifEYE Hydrogel Eye Masks $24// I’m a huge fan of eye masks and these are awesome! They have worked wonders for helping my under eye area look more awake and smoother. There are 30 pairs which is a steal for $24!
Slip Beauty 6 Pack Skinny Hair Ties $39// If you’re looking for some hair ties that are anti crease and don’t pull on the hair, look no further. They are on the more luxe side of hair ties but I love being able to put my hair up and take it take without having a crease in it.
Sephora Shea Butter Hydrating Lip Mask $3// Sephora masks are some of my favorite affordable masks to use. I use this whenever my lips are chapped/super dry. I leave it on for fifteen minutes and afterwards my lips are way less chapped and softer.
Blue Tooth Shower Speaker $11.99// Because sometimes you just want to sing and dance in the shower.
Sol de Janiero Bum Bum Cream $20// Y’all this stuff smells so darn good! It helps smooth and hydrate the skin.
Urban Decay Make Up Setting Spray $15// This stuff helps keep your makeup in place all day long. I’m talking about not even budging when it is 100 degrees type weather. It’s amazing!
Fuzzy Slippers With Memory Foam $13.99// What woman doesn’t love a good pair of slippers?
Portable Phone Charger $13.59// Having a portable phone charger seriously can be a life saver! I have a few of them and I love having it as a back up.
Mega Babe Thigh Rescue $14 // I’m sure you all are thinking ugh what…This may not be something you personally get for someone, unless they last for it but you may ask for it as a gift for yourself. have you ever walked for long periods of time and started to have chafe? It sucks majorly and it’s not exactly comfortable to say the least. This stuff right here is the answer to that problem! Just swipe a few layers between your thighs and off you go. I first used this when I went to DC over the summer and had no issues with chafing. My husband even used it recently and was like wow this stuff works.
Mega Babe Bust Dust $16// Living in the South when things get hot…that means boob sweat and everything in between. Not cute at all. Along with the thigh rescue this was recommended by the ladies from Influenced The Pod Cast. Megababe was nice enough to send over some for me to try and it works! I used it while visiting Disney last month and had no issues with boob sweat (the weather was in the high 70’s-80’s). I used a few pumps on the chest, rubbed it in and then went about my day. It’s seriously a must for those really hot days.
Urban Decay Anti Aging Primer Potion $24// After you’ve worked so hard on your eye makeup the last thing you want it to do is rub off within a few hours. This primer keeps your shadow in place for hours!

Nov 08

October 2019 Monthly Favorites

Nov 08

Hey Friends! Happy November! Can you believe that October has come and gone? I’m a little sad that it flew by so quickly because it’s one of my favorite months. I still think it’s crazy that the holiday season is literally around the corner! I’m ready but I’m not.

Also, can we talk about the time change? I feel that as I’ve gotten older my body is on a time clock, so when the time changes, I get seriously thrown off. I was wide awake on Saturday at 5:30 because my body was thinking it was really 6:30. Not a fan. Hopefully I can get back on track soon because that extra hour of sleep is actually making me more tired. Is anyone else feeling off track?

Now on to the good stuff! I’m sharing some beauty and fashion finds that I can’t get enough of! Here’s what I loved in October.

Beauty

STH October 2019 Monthly Favorites-Isle of Paradise Tanning Drops

+ Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops $29// I had seen so much hype about these tanning drops all over Instagram, so I figured why not give them a try. I finally saw what all the hype was about! They are super easy to apply and DO NOT leave you looking orange (because who wants to look like they rolled in a bunch of Doritos?). I take a little bit of my Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer (I do this in sections on my face,forehead & neck) then add 1-2 drops and start applying it to my face. I do this in sections because I want to ensure that it is completed rubbed in (remember to wash your hand afterwards). Once I have applied it all over my face I let it dry (which it takes like maybe a minute or so) then I apply my makeup as normal.

I love that they have three different shades of drops that you can choose from (I go with the violet for a dark tan) allowing you to customize the tan you want. Another great thing about these drops is that they have color-correcting technologies to help even out your skin tone, so that it looks as natural as possible (again you’re not going to look like a dorito). All drops contain avocado, chia seed and coconut oils. Lastly another reason why I love these drops is when I get a spray tan, my face typically fades faster, so these help give me some color again. Seriously get y’all some of these!

STH October 2019 Monthly Favorites- Super Goop CC Cream

+ SuperGoop! CC Cream $36// I purchased this during the Sephora VIB sale back in May because once again, I had heard great things about it. I don’t wear CC creams, as I like full coverage foundations. However, I figured if I take a trip to the beach/pool this could possibly be perfect for a little bit of coverage and it has SPF 35 in it. I applied it with my fingers all over my face and then went back in and buffed it out a little more with my beauty blender. I was really surprised with how much coverage this offered without being full coverage.

I really liked that my skin still looked really smooth and natural while still having some coverage. It does contain apple extract which helps the skin appear smoother and brighter. Once I was done getting ready, I went to the pool and hung out with my girls and it stayed in place (this may vary for some people). I think this product is great for those of us who like to wear a little something at the beach/ pool. If you like lighter coverage this is also perfect as well. I will note that though it does contain SPF 30, they still suggest that you use a water resistant sunscreen as well.

STH October 2019 Monthly Favorites-Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue

+ Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue $60// I am a huge lover of the Magic Cream, so I knew this would not disappoint. The first time I used it was the night we had landed in Germany. I was a little jet lagged and my under eyes needed some serious TLC. I applied a little bit of this cream under my eyes, went to bed and woke up seeing a huge difference! It looked like I had been sleeping for hours upon hours. The bags and circles were significantly reduced and my eyes looked much brighter/smoother. So glad I decided to pack this in my bag for my trip! It is on the pricey side but when it comes to skin care, I don’t mind splurging on products that work.

STH October 2019 Monthly Favorites-Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover

+ Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover $19.50// So this isn’t exactly a new favorite but I remembered how much I loved it this month and wanted to share again. I practiced a Halloween look that required a ton of makeup (including black eye shadow) which I knew might be a pain to take off in the end. I took a little bit of this on a cotton ball and the makeup was off in seconds. I’ve tried other eye makeup removers where I had to use so much product that it felt like I had ripped my eye lids off. This is so not the case with this remover! This stuff is super gentle which is awesome! It also is not greasy which I really appreciate.

STH 2019 October Monthly Favorites- Village Naturals Cold & Allergy Relief

+ Village Naturals Cold & Allergy Relief $19.52// Anytime I am sick or feeling under the weather, I pour a pack of these in my bath water. It may not make my sickness go away but it sure does make me feel better. Perfect for making you breathe better as well if you suffer from allergies like myself.

STH October 2019 Monthly Favorites-St Tropez One Night Only

+ St. Tropez One Night Only $18// I love a good spray tan but sometimes I don’t have time to go get one or apply self tanner myself. This stuff is awesome if you need a little color for one night only (if you don’t want to spend money on a spray,etc). It’s extremely easy to use and doesn’t leave you looking orange. I apply it like lotion all over my body and smooth it into my skin. When applying it I don’t use a mitt because it’s just a lotion but of course if you apply it without one, wash your hands. Once it is smoothed in all over, I let it dry for about 5 minutes and go about my business. I really like that it stays on throughout the day and doesn’t rub off on my clothes (or at least it hasn’t yet) while giving me a healthy glow. It’s also super easy to come off because you just jump in the shower and it’s gone.

Life

+ I shared our photos before but we finally went to a Pumpkin Patch and my husband was a good sport about it. He even took photos of me and didn’t complain. Lol. Though I need to work on his photo taking skills. He’s getting better.

+ October is our wedding anniversary month as well. So of course it’s a favorite! We celebrated our 1 year anniversary on October 27th. Time seriously flew by and it feels like we just got married yesterday. It’s been a great year and I can’t wait to see what we have in store for us this year.

Fashion

+ These leopard booties I have been wearing them like it’s going out of style. They are extremely comfy and so cute! They still have several sizes in stock!

+This sweater is so darn cozy! I love that it’s over sized making it easy to pair with jeans and leggings. I ordered my usual size (Medium) and could have done a small as well but I like my sweaters a little on the bigger size.

Have you tried any of my monthly favorites?

What did you love in October?! I’d love to know in the comments!

Sweet Tea & Hydrangeas October 2019 Monthly Favorites

Oct 29

Life Lately October 2019

Oct 29

Hi Friends! It’s been quiet over here for a little because life has been super busy lately. I haven’t done a life update in quite some time, so I figured we were a little overdue with catching up! Let’s get cozy and caught up!

Life

-My husband and I took a trip to Germany and Prague for two weeks. It was a much needed vacation, as he and I had been swamped with work being busy over the last few months. I was extremely excited about visiting Germany again because I had not been in over 16 years. I loved being able to spend time with my family for a few days and attend my very first Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest was definitely something to say I can check off my bucket list! We had a good time but it also reminded me that I much rather enjoy a nice evening relaxing at home. Lol. We also visited some castles while in Germany that were absolutely beautiful. Of course, the food and beer were amazing, to say the least which is always a huge plus!

We spent four days in Prague and y’all…it’s so beautiful there! The architecture truly is breathtaking. My husband and I plan on taking another trip there in the future to see more sites we weren’t able to visit in the short time frame. We absolutely loved the food and the atmosphere altogether while visiting. I promise I will share more photos from our trip soon!

-Once getting back from vacation, I fought a horrible cough for almost two weeks. I thought oh it’s nothing and that it would go away by itself. Well I finally took myself to the doctor and come to find out I have bronchitis. Thankfully the shots and meds worked though I still have a cough.

-I purchased a lot of Halloween makeup over the weekend to get a few looks completed. I have never really done any Halloween looks on the blog/social media but I figured why not give it a try! That’s the only way to learn and get better. I have a few ideas of what I want to do, so stay tuned.

-While almost every woman has been seen with a PSL in her hand since Fall hit, I have been loving Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice. I’ve enjoyed them for quite some time but have been drinking them a little more lately. If you enjoy a good apple cider minus with a little bit of whipped cream (you can def get it without) and caramel, then you need to try this! It contains no caffeine in it.

My husband and I celebrated our 1 Year Wedding Anniversary over the weekend (our anniversary was yesterday). We went to a local pumpkin patch, which a lot of fun. We both have never been (or at least that we know of), so we thought why not? I took it as a chance to get some pictures in and bless my husband for doing his best to take photos. We also went out to eat dinner and then relaxed. It was a great anniversary weekend and I’m so thankful we got to relax.

Blog

-I have shot a ton of photos for upcoming blog posts. I plan on doing a lot of writing this week in hopes to get some new content out ASAP. If there is anything that you all would like to see, let me know and I will do my best to make it happen.

-I am looking to possibly do some fashion posts soon. I have purchased a ton of new Fall clothes and I figured why not do a few posts. Nothing fancy like a fashion blogger because I am not one but it might still be fun! Completely out of my comfort zone to say the least! We will see how that works out.

I enjoyed catching up with y’all today! I’d love to know what has been going on in your life.

Sep 09

Tarte Unleashed Palette Review + Swatches

Sep 09

There is no denying that I am addicted to buying eye shadow palettes. Today I am excited to be sharing my review of the Tarte Unleased Palette. This palette has quickly become a staple in my makeup routine. I’ve shared it a ton on my Instagram because it’s just that good of a palette (I’m sure my followers are tired of seeing it. Lol). It’s such a fun palette that isn’t typically what I reach for but I thought what the heck, just buy it. So here I am sharing all about it.

Sweet Tea & Hydrangeas Tarte Unleashed Palette & Swatches

The Tarte Unleashed Palette has 14 shades with a mixture of mattes and shimmers. You can create so many looks with this palette rather it be an everyday look to something more bold. All of the shadows contain Amazonian clay, mineral pigments and vanilla. The palette also smells like chocolate (it’s not overpowering)! I also really love that it comes with a mirror, which makes it super easy to use anywhere you go.

STH Tarte Unleashed Palette Review + Swatches

The formula of the shadows are awesome! They are very pigmented and they blend out with no issues and I experienced very little fall out when I applied them. I really liked that the mattes were not chalky when I did the swatches, which is a plus in my book. Granted some matte shadows are chalky when you swatch them but perform great when applied. The matte shades were just as creamy as the shimmer shades.

Sweet Tea & Hydrangeas Tarte Unleashed Palette

Top to Bottom: Swan Song, Oh Deer, Hippocritical, Bear Neccessities, Koalified

Top to Bottom: Toucan Do It, No Fox Given, Iguana Love You, Irrelphant and Toad-Ally

Top To Bottom: You’re Lion, Monkey Business, Camelflauge, Hawkward and Party Animal

Again this palette is one of my new favorites that I have been constantly reaching for. I love the different shade range in the palette. My favorite shades are Toucan Do It, No Fox Given, You’re Lion and Party Animal. Tarte added another amazing palette into the mix that is well worth purchasing. I hope you enjoyed this review!

What are your favorite shades in the palette? Do you own any Tarte palettes?

Sep 05

August 2019 Monthly Favorites

Sep 05

Hi Friends! I can’t believe how fast August went by and how we are already in September! I know I sound like a broken record but I honestly don’t remember half of freaking August. It flew by without a trace. Now that August is officially over, I can start decorating my house with all things Fall! I absolutely love Fall and wish that it could be way longer than way it is but I’ll take what I can get. Despite how fast August went by, I found some awesome things to add to my favorites list.

Sweet Tea & Hydrangeas August Monthly Favorites

Beauty

Tarte Unleashed Eyeshadow Palette $39// I have been a huge fan of Tarte’s palettes for quite some time and this one does not disappoint. I love that they include neutral and pop of color shades to create several different looks. The shades are very pigmented and blend out effortlessly. I will have a full review, swatches and looks coming soon!

STH August 2019 Monthly Favorites-Tarte Unleashed Palette

Mega Babe Thigh Rescue $14// Thigh chaffing is the worst! The ladies over at Influenced The Podcast praised how amazing this was, so I had to give it a try. Living in the south and wearing shorts/skirts while its over 100 degree can cause a little of chaffing, which is a serious pain in the butt. This stuff seriously is the BOMB! I have used it and had no issues with chaffing. I put a little on inside my thighs and go on about my day. Seriously get you some of this!

STH August 2019 Monthly Favorites-Megababe Thigh Rescue

Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter $44// I have become a fan of CT products over the last few months. I remember everyone raving about them and I told myself I really didn’t need anymore makeup. Well you see how well that talk worked out! I paired this on top of the CT Magic Foundation to give a little more coverage in certain places and to add a little more shine to my complexion. It’s lightweight and looks really great on the skin! I also used it with my Tarte Face Tape Foundation and it looked great as well. When I wear this, I get a ton of compliments on how great my makeup looks.

STH August 2019 Favorites-Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter

IGK 30,000 Feet Volume Powder Spray $32// When it comes to products that can add volume to my hair, I am down to try! I have used several other products from IGK and loved how my hair looked. I separate my hair into sections, spray a few pumps into my hair and then massage it into my hair. The formula of this powder is extremely light weight and not gritty. It adds a good amount of volume that is perfect for my fine hair.

STH August 2019 Monthly Favorites-IGK 30,000 FT Volume Powder Spray

Blog Posts

Back To School Fashion from Coffee With Summer// I love the outfits that Summer put together in her post! Really stylish but super comfortable looking. I am all about being stylish and comfortable at the same time.

Addictive True Crime Podcasts from Beauty With Lily// I am a true crime addict and while I listen to some Podcasts, Lily had some great suggestions. If you’re looking for some new suggestions look no further!

25 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes from Kara at Kindly Unspoken// Kara picked some amazing recipes in this blog post! Once Fall hits, slow cooker meals are seriously the best!

Podcast

Influenced The Podcast// Lindsay from @bourbonlipstick and Christine from @simplystineco are a lot of fun to listen to! They cover beauty, blogging, books and everything in between. They are funny as hell and talk no bullshit. Give them a listen!

Music

Lizzo “Truth Hurts”- So I’m married but this song is my jam. It’s catchy and I can’t help but sing along to it.

Taylor Swift “You Need To Calm Down”-So I’ve enjoyed some of her songs here and there. I’ve never been a crazy fan because I feel like all her songs used to be about the same thing over and over again. But I will say that this song has me singing for sure!

I hope you all enjoyed my August Favorites as much as I enjoy sharing them with you all!

What did you love in August?

Aug 19

6 Beauty Products I’ve Recently Tried

Aug 19

Hi Friends!!! I can’t believe that we are half way through August! I’m not complaining though because I am ready for all things Fall! How about yourself? Are you looking forward to Fall or still wanting to hold on the Summer a little bit longer? I recently tried out some really great beauty products and I couldn’t wait to share with y’all. Hopefully you’ll try some of them out and love them as much as I have.

Sweet Tea & Hydrangeas 6 Beauty Products I've Recently Tried

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream $64 (30 ml)// Now this is one pricey item for sure but I seriously can not get enough of it! My brother in laws gf has been obsessed with CT for quite some time and she raved about this cream (her skin looks amazing all the time). I have tried a ton of other really great moisturizers for half the price, so I went back and forth about purchasing it. I decided to make the purchase because they had a hydration kit for $99 that included the magic cream and night cream. I figured that was a pretty darn good deal for both.

Once I started using it my skin was so soft and moisturized. I had found that even though with other moisturizers that I loved, my skin was still a little dry around my cheeks because of my rosacea. With this cream it has brought back so much of the moisture that my skin had lost. There are days were I wear it by itself or I wear it under my primer before applying my makeup. I find that I have no issues with it making me look oily, as it is very light weight and a little bit goes a long way. Needless to say I am happy that I decided to purchase it.

L’ANGE Violet Toning Shampoo $25// I have used their regular purple shampoo and conditioner and loved how well it kept my hair from turning brassy. This product came out at the perfect time as my hair was in a little bit of a brassy funk (not sure why. I was using some other shampoo and conditioner). I knew I needed to order this product after seeing some great reviews from others who had used it. With only one use my hair was so much brighter and a lot of my brass had been eliminated. It does say wear gloves when applying the product because this stuff is potent (in a good way). I however, do not wear gloves because I use it in the shower but it can slightly make your hand purple (it comes off easily). So if have blonde hair like myself get you some of this! It’s amazing!

Too Faced Peach Mist Mattifying Setting Spray $32// I received this in a kit for my birthday (which I shared about the primer here). I love a good setting spray and I’ve always loved Too Faced products. I used the spray when I celebrated my friends birthday and it worked very well! My makeup did not budge after dancing and gambling for over eight hours. Seriously my second choice when it comes to setting sprays (UD is always going to be my #1).

IGK Mixed Feelings Leave In Blonde Drops $29// I picked this up awhile ago on a trip to Sephora but it got lost in all the beauty products I have stashed. Seeing it had been over a month since I had my hair colored, I needed a little pick me up. I used these drops before blow drying my hair and it helped make my hair brighter.

Pixi Peel & Polish $24// Pixi skincare products have recently become some of my go to products. The polish and peel is extremely gentle and a great way to spoil yourself with an at home facial. I use it 2-3 times a week to help exfoliate and get rid of any dead skin. It makes my skin look softer, smoother and brighter. If you love facials, you need to try this out! The best part about this is it’s super affordable!

Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser $32// I got a travel size of this for my birthday at Sephora. I use a dime size and lather it up under water, as a little bit goes a long way. I love that it’s extremely gentle on my skin and washes away my makeup with no issues. I also feel that it does not strip my face which is a huge plus! It is a little more on the expensive side for what I typically pay for a face wash but seeing I am a huge skin care lover, I might just purchase this on my own.

Have you tried any of these products? What have you been loving lately?

Jul 18

6 Beauty Products I’m Loving

Jul 18

Hi Friends! Is anyone else finding it crazy that July is half way over? I have been trying a ton of new products over the last few months and figured I was overdue to share. Y’all know I’m constantly trying out new products because I’m a beauty addict and because I want to share the best products with y’all. Here’s what I’ve been loving lately.

Sweet Tea & Hydrangeas 6 Beauty Products I'm Currently Loving

Tarte Face Tape Foundation $39 // I am a huge fan of their shape tape concealer so I knew I had to give this foundation a try. My go-to foundation for the past few years has been Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-In Place foundation. The formula is not thick like the shape tape concealer and the stay in place foundation. I will admit I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first but after using it a few times, I fell in love with it. It’s full coverage but looks so natural on the skin, giving my skin a very healthy glow! It is a matte finish but I would say it’s more demi-matte. I have combination skin and when my face is on the more oily side, it stays on with no issues. I pair it up with their face tape powder. Seriously if you like full coverage foundation, try this one out.

STH 6 Beauty Products I'm Loving: Tarte Face Tape Foundation

Too Faced Primed & Peachy $34 // I had gotten this in a gift set for my birthday, so I was excited to see how well it worked. It’s a mattifying primer that has cooling properties and it also helps brighten your complexion. Despite it being a mattifying primer it has a very light feel to it and helps soften your complexion. It feels so good on the skin with the cooling effect and keeps my makeup in place.

STH 6 Beauty Products I'm Currently Loving-Too Faced Primed and Peachy Primer

Kopari Coconut Melt $28 (for 5 oz)// I’ve used other melting balms before and enjoyed them. I had purchased this a while back but never used it until about three months ago (I had other balms to use up). I love that it was super gentle when it came to removing my makeup and left my skin feeling extremely hydrated. It also smells amazing! The great thing about this melt is that it can also be used as a hair mask, moisturizer, shaving cream, etc. Well worth the money because a little bit goes a long way, so it lasts for awhile.

STH 6 Beauty Products I'm Currently Loving-Kopari Coconut Melt

Pixi Beauty DetoxifEye Hydrogel Under-Eye Patches $24 // If you follow me on Instagram, you know I have shared several times about how much I love these eye patches. These are a huge lifesaver when my under eyes need a pick me up. They contain hyaluronic acid and caffeine which help smooth, depuff and aids in reducing dark circles. They are very cooling which also helps decrease puffiness (I put them in the fridge to give them a little extra cooling). These are a great steal for the price seeing they contain 30 pairs.

STH 6 Beauty Products I'm Currently Loving-Pixi Beauty DetoxiEye Gel Patches

Moxie Lash (Sassy Lash Kit) $75 // I know you’re probably thinking $75 for lashes? The kit contains one set of lashes and magnetic eyeliner. I went round and round about purchasing these because I wasn’t sure if they really worked. I did some research after they had been out for a while and I took the plunge. I love wearing false lashes but honestly hate dealing with the glue. I was extremely surprised with how easy the liner is to apply and once the liner is dry, the lashes go on with no issues. I did a wear test to a concert where I was dancing all around and they did not move. I’ve seen others splash water on them, etc and they held up. Moxie Lash does claim that you can use the lashes up to 30 times and the liner up to 90. So I do believe that they are well worth the price, especially if I don’t have to deal with the pain of the using glue.

STH 6 Beauty Products I'm Currently Loving-Moxie Lash

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones $26 // This is the second dry shampoo I have ever used. I have been stuck on using my ride or die Dry Bar dry shampoo since September (first time I had ever used dry shampoo). When the Sephora sale came around this was one product that was highly recommended to try out. I have been using it for the last month and I can say that I may love it more than my dry bar. It is a lot lighter on the hair as far as formula is concerned. I honestly do not feel that I put anything in my hair when I use it. When I use the dry bar one, I can say that my hair has a little bit of grit to it (nothing bad) but def a difference. I will say the one thing I wish this one had was a little bit of volume to be added to the formula. They have one for dark tones as well, which has gotten great reviews.

STH 6 Beauty Products I'm Currently Loving-Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo

I hope you enjoyed this round-up of beauty favorites I’ve been recently loving. I’ll be sharing a lot more products I’ve been trying out soon!

What have you been loving lately?

STH 6 Beauty Products I'm Currently Loving

Jun 26

Life Lately

Jun 26

Hi loves! It’s been a while since I’ve sat down and chatted with y’all. I have lots to share! Grab your favorite drink, get cozy and let’s dive into life lately to catch you up!

I haven’t blogged in over a month. With life going full speed I took a much-needed break. It’s been really nice to just sit back and enjoy life. I haven’t really been inspired to write which is why the break was much longer than expected. Though I have a ton of blog posts that I want to write, I will never be one of those bloggers that will write something just to get a post out. I’ve also considered no longer blogging. I’ve been asking myself if what I have to say/share really matters because there are so many bloggers out there (granted there is room for all of us). I started this blog back in 2015 because I loved reading blogs myself. I blog because it’s something I enjoy doing in my free time. I’ve had big dreams for my blog but with life and a full-time job, it’s not always easy. I have been trying to share more of myself and my life on Insta Stories which isn’t something that I love because I hate being on camera. But I’m trying to connect with those followers who care about what happens. In a way, I know that it’s needed to grow but a part of me feels like who wants to know about my life. Anyway…if I continue to blog I really hope that all the posts I’ve been wanting to write will slowly but surely be written.

I celebrated my 33rd birthday last month (May 25th). For the past few years, we’ve been doing a huge crawfish boil with our neighbors (they also have a family member who’s bday is on the 25th). This year was probably the largest amount of people we’ve had attend. We boiled crawfish, shrimp, fried catch, etc. I had such an amazing time spending it with my friends and family. It made turning thirty-three that much better!

My best friend and I went to see Jessie James Decker in concert and Y’ALL…her voice in person is AMAZING! She has some serious pipes! I have a serious girl crush and would love to hang out with her. She just seems like one of those girls who would be a blast to hang out with.

This weekend I am looking forward to celebrating one of my best friends birthdays. We are going to be spending some time by the pool that has an amazing lazy river! A little girl time is always needed! I’ll share some snippets from the weekend on Insta.

I hope you all enjoyed spending a little time catching up with me! I’d love to know how things have been going for you. Let me know in the comments below.

May 05

Sephora VIB Spring 2019 Wishlist & Repurchases

May 05

My favorite beauty sale is in full swing! This sale is the perfect time to stock up on those go to products or try some new ones. I know the sale can be overwhelming for some, so I hope this helps you out a little! I’ve put together some of my most loved products along with some that are on my wish list. I’ve also paired up with my wonderful blogging friend Becca at Tea with B for this post. Make sure to check out what she’s planning on purchasing from the sale!

STH What To Buy At The Sephora Spring 2019 VIB Sale

The Dates for the sale:

Rouge: April 26th-May 6th 20% off total purchase. Code: HEYROUGE

VIB: May 2nd-May 6th 15% off total purchase. Code:HEYVIB

Beauty Insider: May 2nd-May 6th 10% off total purchase. Code: HEYROUGE

The great thing about the sale is that the codes can be used online and in-store multiple times. I typically shop the sale online because the store is crazy busy during the sale and I prefer to avoid the crowd. Another reason why I shop online is so that I can earn cashback through TopCash. Who doesn’t like earning a little cash back after shopping?

Just at FYI: The sale is exclusive to Beauty Insiders Only

If you’re not a Beauty Insider do yourself a favor and sign up here. Here’s a break down of the insider program.

Beauty Insider: Everyone who signs up starts off as Beauty Insider. For this tier, there is no requirement in regards to how much money you have to spend in order to stay one. With each purchase, you earn points helping you get to the next tiers, as well as you are able to use those points to redeem for gifts.

VIB: Once you spend $350 in the year you become a VIB and in order to stay a VIB you must continue to spend $350 each year to keep this status.

Rouge: For this status, members must spend $1,000 each year and continue to spend $1,000 every year.

Now that you have a little bit of info on how the sale works, let’s see what’s in my cart!

Wish List

Laneige Lip Glowly Balm// So I am a huge fan of their lip sleeping mask, so when I saw they came out with this balm, I knew I had to get it!
Sunday Riley Power Couple Lactic Acid & Retinol Kit// I have heard so many bloggers, youtubers, etc rave about their skin care products. I’ve been eyeing their products for so long, so I think it’s time I finally purchase it.
NARS Orgasm Blush Jumbo// Another blogger favorite that I’ve seen a ton of reviews about. It is a beautiful peachy pink blush that I think will be perfect for the Summer.
Olehenriksen Banana Right Eye Cream// My friend who is a makeup artist has been using their line of banana products and has highly recommended them. Also bananas provide several benefits for the skin.
UD Naked Reloaded Palette// I am a huge fan of UD and the Naked palette was my go-to palette and still is. So I finally decided that if this one took the place of the original, I should check it out.
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation// I love a good full coverage foundation and this has been highly recommended. While it is full coverage it still looks natural and is lightweight. My go-to foundation currently is the Double Wear Foundation. Maybe this will be a new favorite.

What I’m Restocking Up On

Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer// By far the best primer I have ever tried! It’s extremely pricey but I’ve had mine for a long time and I’ve only used half of it (I don’t use it every day). I love how my makeup looks when I use the primer because it truly makes my skin look flawless.
Dry Bar Detox Dry Shampoo// This dry shampoo gives my hair life on those days where I don’t feel like functioning. I have gone up to four days without washing my hair when using this. I’m sure you could go longer but I have fine hair, so my hair starts to look not so great after that (extremely flat). It does an amazing job at absorbing oil and does add volume as well.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation// By far the best high-end full coverage foundation I have tried. It is very matte but doesn’t look cakey and lasts all day.
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer// One of my favorite primers that I use all the time. It does a great job at blurring out pores and imperfections.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum// If you’re looking for an amazing Vitamin C serum I highly recommend this one! It helps brighten, firm and evens out your skin tone. If you do purchase it, it tingles just a little but nothing bad. It’s a cult favorite!
TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum// This goes hand in hand with the day serum. It’s a great exfoliant that’s super gentle and also leaves the skin feeling smoother/clearer.

There are a ton more products I could list but it would be very long. I hope this helps you out when shopping the last few days of the sale.

Will you be shopping the sale? If so what is on your list?

Would you like to see what I purchase from the sale?