Sweet Tea and Hydrangeas

A Lifestyle & Beauty Blog

STH July Happenings: Life & Blog Updates

Hi Friends! I haven’t shared recent happenings in awhile, so I thought I’d say hi and we would get caught up. Life has been crazy busy lately between getting last minute wedding stuff together, work and just life in general. As much as I enjoy things being busy I am ready for things to slow down just a bit (that probably won’t happen till after the wedding). I can also say that I am in complete awe that July is over. This year has seriously flown by! I won’t lie I am so ready for Fall and some cooler weather already. It’s in the high 90’s to 100 degrees here and I’m over it. Anyone else there with me? Enough of my random ramblings here’s what I’ve been up to lately.

Life Updates

  • My  fiancé and I registered for our wedding gifts. Seeing that we already have a lot of stuff, trying to register wasn’t exactly easy. We only registered for 64 items at one location and I believe 6 at the other. So yeah….I need to go in and add more things. My fiance honestly could have cared less because he feels we have everything that we need currently. I had to explain that you upgrade your current items for better ones. If you have any suggestions on must haves let me know!!!
  • We went cake tasting which was a lot of fun!!! Not exactly what I expected but still enjoyed it. I was lucky that we both already knew what we wanted as far as designs, so the appointment was quick and easy. We decided that our wedding cake flavors would be amaretto and praline. For the groomsmen cake he decided on a strawberry filling.
  • We saw Pentatonix in concert and I was so impressed! They are amazing performers and their energy was insane.
  • I recently purchased some extensions from Hidden Crown to try out for the wedding. I purchased the halo one first and I will admit I’m still trying to work it correctly. I think I need to loosen it some and work out the kinks. I will say that I loved the way it made my hair look. I felt like a princess. I also just purchased the clip ins to see how I like those.

  • I went to Nashville for my bachelorette party and had a blast! Nashville seriously stole my heart and I can not wait to go back. The people were so nice there and we had such a good time partying it up.

Blog Updates

  • I recently became a brand ambassador for both MaskerAide Beauty and Farmacy. I could not be more excited and honored. I have been using their products for well over a year now and for them to have reached out to me was amazing. I honestly never thought I would be at this point when it came to blogging. I say this because I know I am not the best blogger out there, so to even have been considered makes me happy.
  • I am still in the process of updating the look of STH. It’s taking a lot longer then expected but I’m okay with that. I do not want to half way do something and it not be how I want it. I also will be changing the name up a bit. Of course once everything changes over you guys will be the first to know!
  • I am thinking about trying out IGTV. I will admit that I hate being on video or hearing my voice on video. So I am trying to get better with this at least right now on IG Stories then potentially branching out to IGTV. Have you used IGTV yet? If so let me know how you like it!

Recent Purchases

I have been buying way too many things lately but that’s okay! I have been able to save money despite all the purchases I have made.

I went in for a dermaplane facial months ago and loved how my skin looked afterwards. My make up went on so much smoother and my skin looked refreshed. Of course finding the time and the money to keep getting them….isn’t always budget friendly. So I had seen the DermaFlash 2.0 system and thought maybe it would be worth trying out. I am so glad I purchased it! It’s extremely easy to use and I can do it at my own convenience. I’ll have more of a full review coming soon!

I am branching out more with trying drug store beauty products. I used to wear drug store makeup a lot when I was younger but now I mostly wear high end brands. On my most recent trip to Target I picked up the Physicians Butter Bronzer, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer, L’ Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara, Aveeno Ultra Calming Makeup Wipes, Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer and Pixi Fast Flash Facial set. I know a ton of bloggers have raved about the first three products I listed, so I thought I’d give them a try as well. Once I try these products out I will give y’all feedback on if they are worth the hype!

I’d love to hear what has been going on in your life lately! Also what are some recent purchases you have made?

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June 2018 Favorites

So excited to be sharing my monthly beauty + accessory favorites from June today. I have a great mixture of different items that I can not get enough of lately. 

 

How is June gone already?! I honestly feel like the Summer has completely flown by in the blink of an eye. I will say that I am looking forward to Fall though! Today, I will be sharing some beauty products and an accessory that I have been reaching for constantly. Let’s get to all these great products.

June Monthly Favorites

 

Sol de Janiero Shower Cream-Gel

Ya’ll this stuff smells so freaking amazing! I fell in love with Sol de Janiero when I first purchased their bum bum cream. Once I was hooked on that product I knew I had to get my hands on some more. This shower gel smells exactly like the bum bum cream and is so smooth on the skin. It contains ingredients such as conditioning coconut oil, acai and cupuacu butter. Every time I use this I feel like I am on a tropical island. So worth the splurge!

Tarte Toasted Palette

This palette has been on repeat when it comes to creating looks rather I am running errands or having date night. This palette contains all warm shades which I typically tend to go towards. All of the shadows are extremely pigmented and blend out beautifully. It smells like chocolate which is also a plus. I use the shade flame all over my lid like it is going out of style. It makes me blue eyes pop. My favorite Tarte palette by far.

Sephora Ultra Shine Lip Gel in Perfect Nude

I received a sample of this lipgloss from my Play! by Sephora box last month and I was very impressed! It is not sticky which is a huge plus because I hate lip glosses like that. This lip gloss does contain small specs of glitter but it is nothing crazy that makes you look like you took a bath in it.

The SEAM Healing Garden Cleansing Wipes

I received these in my Mishibox awhile back and finally started using them. I love how gentle it is on my skin and how it removes my makeup easily. They also smell really good! Another great thing about these wipes are that they are formulated with the ever changing environmental factors in mind. They are extremely affordable as well.

Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel

One of my favorite products that I received in my FabFitFun box last month. This stuff comes in so handy!! If you’re a huge lover of essential oil type of smells this has you covered. I tend to hold all of my stress in my shoulders which can cause a lot of pain for me at times. So when I am not able to get a massage to get that tension out, I use this gel to help reduce some of my pain. I also have been using this for when I am sore after my workouts. This stuff works serious wonders for sore muscles.

Judith Bright Petite Rock Nest Ring

While visiting Nashville for my bachelorette party we got to visit this shop. It was so adorable and bright. I had never personally heard of Judith Bright but the jewelry reminds of somewhat of Kendra Scott. All of the jewelry is handmade, which it was pretty awesome to see them creating the jewelry right in the shop. I decided to purchase this ring with a pearl stone and a gold band. I personally love almost anything with pearls because it’s classy. They have several different options for what type of stone you want in your ring,etc. They have a lot of other really nice pieces as well (I purchased the matching bracelet to go with my ring).

I hope you enjoyed my monthly beauty + accessory favorites! Let me know what you have been loving lately in the comments. 

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Our Save The Date Cards

Disclosure- This post has been compensated by Basic Invite, Inc. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

This is the very first post that I’ve written in regards to wedding planning. So I’m extremely excited to be sharing our Save the Date cards with y’all today!  Once Joey and I decided on our wedding date and location, I was ready to design our cards. I absolutely love receiving paper invites when it comes to special occasions. I guess I am just old school like that. I feel that with technology these days, paper invites aren’t a popular thing anymore because it’s much easier to send an invite through text or online. With that being said we knew that we wanted something more personable this is why we decided to order our Save the Dates from Basic Invite.

Designing Our Save the Dates

Basic Invite allows you to choose from 180 different color options when designing your cards. When it came to deciding on what type of design we wanted, we knew that we wanted to include at least one of our wedding colors. Our wedding colors are marsala, navy and gold, so I felt that the Foil Collection was absolutely perfect. We went with this collection because it allowed us to have the gold color we wanted for the writing. Once we picked out the design of the card from the foil collection, it was so easy to customize to our liking. I loved that while we were designing the cards we were able to view all the changes we were making as we went. We were very surprised with how easy it was to design the cards because we are not the most creative individuals. One of the great things about Basic Invite is that you are able to order a custom printed sample to see and feel the quality of the invites before you decide to place your final order. This is a big deal because I know that I would not want to spend a ton of money up front and not be happy with what I received.

In addition to designing our cards I was able to choose from over 40 different colors for the envelopes. One great feature that Basic Invite provides is their free address collection service. This service allows you to request addresses by simply sharing a link and then they are printed out on the envelopes (at no charge).  This was a huge time saver because we had over 200 cards to address. Another thing I loved about the envelopes is that they are peel and seal (so no licking required) which makes the process much quicker!

I am extremely pleased with our Save the Dates. I was so happy that the whole process was simple and easy. If you’re looking to design your Save the Dates I highly recommend using Basic Invite. You will not be disappointed!

 

Have you created cards through Basic Invite? If not check out their website for all your invitation needs. 

 

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May 2018 Favorites

I can’t believe how fast this year is flying by and that I am already sharing my May Favorites! I think time has been flying by like crazy for me because I am finalizing most of my wedding plans (a little over four months). In addition to time flying by the temperatures here are insanely hot and I wish I were at the beach. For May I tried out several new products and these are the one’s I couldn’t stop reaching for.

ColourPop No Filter Concealer

I shared my love for this concealer in this post previously. I can not tell you all enough about how amazing this product is and it’s so freaking affordable ($6)! Blends out easily, not too thick and doesn’t crease. If you’re looking for a great concealer this one is worth trying out!

Amika Undone Volume and Matte Texture Spray

In the past finding products to style my hair with was a pain in the butt. I have straight thin hair which used to take a miracle with getting curls to stay,etc. My hair stylist for my engagement photos used to this give my hair volume and to help my curls stay in tact. All I can say is this stuff does not play! My curls did not budge at all even with the weather being in the high 80’s the day I took my engagement photos. I loved that this spray did not make my hair feel gross or crunchy. I use it all the time now when it comes to styling my hair. This product can be used for all hair types (though I can only speak for my own straight hair).

Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask

If you follow me on Instagram or have been reading the blog for a long time, you know I am a huge fan of all things masks. I have used Tatcha products in the past and had great results with them, so I thought why not get this mask. I will admit that it is on the pricey side ($68) but it’s so worth it! The masks goes on so smoothly and makes my skin look amazing after it’s off. My skin is so much smoother and softer after using it. I use it at least once a week. It is an anti-aging mask that contains a Japanese beautyberry, two types of vitamin C and seven different types of fruit.

Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara

My friend gave me this mascara from her Birch Box and I loved it. I’ve tried a ton of mascara’s (drug store & high end), so I’m really picky. This mascara has done wonders for making my lashes fuller and longer. I love that it doesn’t clump especially after I apply a few coats. I am also all about any mascara that makes my eyes look more open and out there. HECK YES to SEXY LASHES!

Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Oil

I am obsessed with this face oil! I always get worried about using face oils because I do not want me face looking like a grease pot. For the most part my skin is normal to oily with my t-zone being oily all the time. This oil gives me skin such a healthy glow without looking like i poured grease all on my face. I have worn it as a primer (it said it can be used as one) and by itself. I was shocked that it worked very well as a primer. I noticed a huge difference in my skin altogether once I started using this oil. It has been much brighter, softer and my skin has looked a lot more clear.

dp HUE ACV Hair Rinse

I received this in one of my subscription services awhile back and was hesitant to use it. I was scared that it would mess up my blonde but it was the complete opposite. The first time I used it I could tell that it brightened my blonde and made it look less brassy. This rinse can be used on any hair color and you use it in place of either your shampoo or conditioner. I was shocked that the smell was not overpowering. In addition to it making my hair brighter it made it a lot softer as well.

What were some of your favorite things in May? I’d love to know in the comments below. 

 

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What May Taught Me

May seriously flew by way too quickly. I feel like I blinked my eyes and the month was gone. I saw this post idea on The Girl Who Loved To Write and thought it is such a great way to reflect on what I’ve learned each month. May was full of lessons for me, a lot of really good one’s though. Here is what the month taught me.

Breaking Down Is Okay. For me breaking down makes me feel weak. I am not one to really show my emotions when I am sad/hurting. I’ve always been the type of person that keeps those emotions to myself (very few people have ever seen me breakdown, cry,etc). I’m the girl who stays tough even when my world is falling apart around me. It’s always been hard for me to open up to anyone when I’m hurting. I guess that’s because I have been raised to be tough and just don’t want others to see that side of me. I was reminded a few months ago that just because I break down everyone once in awhile it doesn’t make me a weak person. I am trying to keep that in mind. Now on to why I’ve had breakdowns….

With my grandfather passing away a little over six months ago, I’ve had a really hard dealing with his death. My grandfather and I were very close, so it’s been extremely hard for me. A lot of times when I visit my grandparents house now I started crying as soon as I pull into their driveway. It’s so hard for me to visit knowing that my grandfather is not there. We have left everything of his as it was before his passing. I know soon my aunt and I will be going through his things to donate or giveaway and that’s such a hard pill for my to swallow. Getting rid of his items doesn’t mean that he won’t be remembered by any means it still sucks though. Certain things remind me of my grandfather or I will just randomly think of him and I break down. I know in time the grieving process will get better (or at least I hope so) but it’s going to take some time.

It’s Okay To Ask Others For Help. I will be straight up honest, I do not ask for help very often. I am the type of person who if something needs to get done I would rather do it myself. That is the slight perfectionist in me. My wedding is a little less than five months away and I’ve pretty much planned everything by myself (not that I do not have anyone to help me). This has slowly started to take a toll on me and I am just ready to be done with planning this wedding. Because I have been stressed out lately I finally decided to ask my fiancé for help when it came to getting things together for our Save The Dates. We have over 200 guests that we are inviting so him helping out was such a huge load off my shoulders. It was so nice to have him collect some of the addresses and get stamps for them.

Giving Someone A Second Chance Isn’t Always A Bad Thing. Previously I was not to fond of one of my co-workers. This was because they were so lazy and never did anything to help out our team.  To me….that doesn’t fly. You either come to work and do what you need to do or not come at all. Seeing that they were lazy it made me dislike them altogether. Our whole team had several conversations with our supervisor but in the corporate world you have to follow a disciplinary action plan. So you can’t just up and fire people….sorry I think that’s stupid but everyone these days will pull a law suit out like it’s nothing. Thankfully this coworker has gotten their ish together and started pulling their own weight. Only took almost a year for that but I’m happy the situation has gotten better. I actually like them as a person now.

To Never Give Up On Your Dreams. Over a year ago I applied to grad school for the counseling program (I have a B.S. In Psychology). Once I applied I realized that I did not want to do counseling and withdrew altogether. Recently I began researching online programs for Forensics and found one that is in Louisiana (I’m from Louisiana). Of course this made me extremely excited because my minor is in Criminal Justice. I am completely addicted to any type of shows that deal with unsolved mysteries, etc. So this is going to be a process for me but I am excited. I am hoping to apply for the 2019 Spring Semester.

 

This was a long post but I hope everyone enjoyed it. It is a lot more personal than most of my posts.

 

What did May teach you? 

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10 Inspirational Quotes For Monday

Happy Monday y’all!! I’ll be the first to admit that I am not a fan of Mondays (I don’t know many people who are).  However, a little inspiration to remind me that I can kick Mondays butt head on never hurts. Here are some of my favorites that remind me that Monday is just another day.

 

 

I hope these quotes have you ready to make Monday yours!

Tell me how you make the best of your Monday’s. 

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5 Things I’m Currently Loving

Hey Y’all! I haven’t shared things I have been OBSESSED with in quite some time, so I wanted to share them with you today! From beauty products to accessories, these are things I can’t get enough of recently.

ColourPOP No Filter Concealer

I am so picky when it comes to concealers. I can’t stand concealers that set into any fine lines, crease, etc because I feel like that’s wasting my time of even applying it. One of my favorite concealers is Tarte’s Shape Tape which I find this one to be just as amazing/very similar. The best thing about this concealer is that its extremely affordable at $6. I love that its very moisturizing, blends out with out issues and does not crease. If you’re looking for a new affordable concealer this one is amazing!

Fake Bake Flawless Darker Self-Tan Liquid

This has become my favorite self tanner that I have tried in a long time. It smells amazing, applies easily and looks very natural (no looking all orange). Another great thing about the formula is that it is very buildable without becoming streaky. I personally do about 3 coats because I like being really dark. Depending on how many times I take a shower and shave, my tan will last about a week to a week in a half.

Anderson Lilley Candle in Super Bloom

I received this candle in my Spring FabFitFun  boxand it smells so good! The scent is a mixture of different flowers. Once the candle has been completely burned you can use it for makeup brushes, pens or anything else.

Rachel Pally Reversible Clutch in Paradise

Another item I received in my Spring FabFitFun box. I love that it’s reversible and big enough to fit my makeup essentials, sun glasses, etc in it. It’s can be paired with several different Summer looks which is a huge plus.

The Bold Type

Talk about a show that is all about empowering women!!! GIRL POWER!!!It is centered around three young women who work for the magazine Scarlet (our Cosmo). The show does a great job of addressing real life issues when it comes to love, jobs and life in general. Seriously obsessed!!!

 

What are some things you’ve been loving recently? I’d love to know in the comments below. 

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May 2018 Goals

Can we just say how crazy is it that it’s already May?! May is one of my favorite months because my birthday is on the 25th, which means a heck of a good time! We throw an annual crawfish boil with our friends and neighbors (pretty much a huge block party) that starts in the afternoon and ends well into the morning hours. I can’t wait! With that being said, I have not done a post on my goals in several months, so it’s time to get back into that again. Here’s what I’d like to accomplish this month.

Read 1 book// I’ve recently purchased so many books but have yet to have the time to read them. I would love to be able to sit back and dive into one of them.

Start consistently blogging again// I am not going to lie that with life being so busy these past few months, blogging hasn’t been on the top of my list. I miss blogging like crazy though, so I want to get back into posting regularly again. I plan to start focusing on more beauty posts and to start writing more personal posts. Are there any posts you would like to see? If so let me know in the comments below please. 🙂

Book a massage for my birthday// I have been in serious need of a good deep tissue massage. So I figured why not treat myself to one for my birthday.

Begin updating everything to change my blog layout// I purchased a new blog layout months ago but have not had the time to actually begin switching things. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to make my call to action buttons (if you have any tips,etc let this girl know).

Begin looking for bridesmaids gifts// I have several ideas of what I’d like to get my bridesmaids but I need to actually narrow it down. I know Etsy will be my best friend when it comes to finding the perfect gifts. If you have any shop suggestions, let me know!

 

What are your goals for this month? I’d love to know down in the comments. 

 

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My Sephora Spring Bonus 2018 Recommendations

I absolutely love when the VIB sale comes around each year (they have one in the Winter & Spring). This sale is a great time to restock on items you already love and to splurge on those high end items you’ve been eyeing. I typically spend way too much money during both sales, but it’s completely worth it! The sale ends today so make sure to get all the items you’ve been wanting.

 

ESTÉE LAUDER Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup

This has been my holy grail foundation for the past month. It is the only foundation that I have found that stays in place all day long, especially with my oily skin. It is medium to full coverage, very buildable and does not make your face look caked on.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

I have about five bottles of this on hand currently (obsessed much). Seeing that I live in the South anything I can do to keep my makeup in place is a must. I love that this spray is light weight and helps extend the wear of my makeup.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

This has been my go to concealer for the past few months because it is so hydrating. It blends out easily and a little bit goes a long way. It does not settle into my fine lines which is awesome.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

One of the best eye shadow primers I have ever used. My eyeshadow does not budge and goes on much smoother when I use it.

Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer

When I want a natural looking glow this is the perfect bronzer. It’s extremely blendable which I love because I do not want to have my face looking muddy.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

A staple palette for me (I’ve owned two of them already) because I am able to create so many looks with this palette. It’s also a great palette if you want more neutral shades.

Make Up Forever Skin Equalizer Primer

When it comes to having oily skin I love putting this primer on my T-Zone to keep my makeup in place when it’s crazy hot outside.

Benefit ka-BROW! Cream Gel Eyebrow Color

I love that I can create natural to dramatic eyebrows with this gel. The gel goes on easily and blends out without any issues, while still giving a natural look.

Benefit 24-HR Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel

This goes hand in hand with the Ka-brow! Cream Gel. This setting gel keeps the eyebrow gel in place and makes it last longer. A little bit of this gel goes a long way as well.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

When my lips need some serious TLC this mask takes them to a whole new level. I love that you can keep this mask on while you sleep. When you wake up your lips feel so much smoother and softer.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

Love, love, love this mask!! The formula is so light weight, non-greasy and can be used on all skin types. When my face is feeling dry or dull this masks helps bring it back to life. I love that it makes my skin look brighter and smoother.

These are just a few of the many recommendations I have! These are the staple products that I am constantly reaching for and use on a daily/weekly basis. I hope my recommendations helped you out!

What products are you going to be purchasing? I’d love to know in the comments below! 

If you want to see a post on everything I purchased from the sale let met know in the comments below as well. 

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How I Am Getting My Teeth Wedding Ready With Smile Brilliant

 

Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with Smile Brilliant, as always all opinions expressed are my own. 

I’ve been searching for an affordable, easy and effective at home whitening system, to get my teeth pearly white for my wedding day. I’m an avid wine and coffee drinker, so keeping my teeth white is always a challenge. With all of the pictures I will be taking for my upcoming wedding events, I want to make sure my teeth look perfect (because who wants yellow stained teeth).

In the past, I’ve gotten my teeth whitened at the dentist which became too costly, as well as used other whitening systems. I found that with most at home whitening systems, I experienced a lot of pain due to sensitivity. I also felt that the other systems were messy and a waste of time/money. When Smile Brilliant reached out to me, I was excited to see what type of results I would get from using their products.

How It Works

  1. Smile Brilliant will send you their teeth kit. The kit includes: mold paste to make your impressions and whitening/desensitizing gel. I love that they send detailed instructions on how to make the impressions with no issues. Making the impressions was a lot of fun and so easy!
  2. Once you make your impressions, you send them back to Smile Brilliant to make your custom whitening trays. Your trays are typically mailed back to you within 3-5 days.
  3. Start whitening!

 

My final thoughts

I found that the Smile Brilliant process was easy, painless and effective. I loved being able to insert the trays into my mouth while going on with my day to day routine while at home. I kept the trays in for an hour each time before taking them out. After one use, I saw immediate results; however it made me realize how bad my teeth were stained (it had been a hot minute since I had whitened them). After whitening them I would use the desensitizing gel to ensure that I didn’t have any issues with sensitivity. I will also say that a little bit of both gels go a very long way.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive yet effective at home whitening system, Smile Brilliant is the way to go! They have kits for those who do not experience teeth sensitivity and those who do have issues with sensitivity. I think that is really awesome because most whitening kits do not offer that option. I’ve included some links below for you to check out Smile Brilliant for yourself. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below!

Results after 3 weeks

 

Smile Brilliant FAQ

Whitening Gel

Desensitizing Gel

 

Have you heard about Smile Brilliant before? What teeth whitening systems do you use? 

Give Away

One lucky STH reader will win their own whitening kit-valued at $149. To enter, simply follow this link.

***This giveaway ends on May 17th at 11:59 EST. Contest is open to USA, UK, Australia, and Canadian residents only. Winner is selected at random.*** Good luck!!!

If you’re eager to get your own kit now, use code sweetteaandhydrangeas15, for 15% off any whitening kit.

 

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