Tarte LipSurgence

These were a bit of an impulse buy.  Sephora and Ulta had a set of them (5) for $29.99, but I heard they were sold out.  I was in Ulta a couple of weeks ago, and they had them so I snagged one.  They are a limited edition set (the ones I bought), however you can order them in other colors for $24.00 a piece.  They are actually referred to as "lip treatments", and come in lusters and tints.  The colors in the box set are 3 lusters in Dazzled (pearly coral pink luster), Flashy (bright iridescent fuchsia luster), Glitzy (antique pink luster) and 2 tints in Perky (soft carnation pink tint) and Swank (light cherry tint).  They glide on really smoothly and are fairly shiney, but not a ton of pigment (IMO).  They are not sticky, so that's a plus for those of you who don't like that feeling.  They have a hint of peppermint and contain no parabens, synthetic fragrances or phthalates.  Basically they feel like a lip balm with some color and shine.  A couple of them are a tad on the glittery side.  They don't need sharpening, they twist up from the bottom.   I'm really glad I purchased this set, but I don't think I would buy them separately.  I gave 2 of them to my daughter so I only have 3 to show.

Swank, Perky, Dazzled

Dazzled (bottom), Perky (middle) Swank (top)

Review: L'Oreal Le Gloss

 I am in love with these lip glosses!  They are very pigmented, and taste and smell like cupcakes, or cake batter......or butter cream frosting........I haven't quite put my finger on it, but it's yummy!  The first one I purchased was Really Rose (I can't tell the number on it, it got "erased" while in my makeup bag).  It's a very pretty "earthy rose" color, that's the best way I can describe it.  It is very pigmented and opaque, a very nice fall color.  The second one I got was Nude Touch (152).  This one is also pigmented, not quite as opaque, and a little shimmery, very versatile.  Next was Baby Blossom (151).  This is my least favorite, as it's not as opaque, it's a little like a streaky nail polish.  It's a milky pink.....once you work with it and get it on right, it's pretty also, very light.  And lastly, Watermelon Crush (154).  This one is less pigmented, a little more "see through" but still plenty of color....maybe a light fuchsia.  They are not sticky at all (and I love mine sticky lol) but stay on 2-3 hrs without reapplying (or eating, drinking, etc).  Like I said the smell and taste is yummy.  The price averages about $7.99, and you can pick it up at most drug stores or department stores.   I recommend!                                                                                                                                                                                                  

         

Really Rose, Nude Touch, Baby Blossom, Watermelon Crush



Really Rose, Nude Touch, Baby Blossom, Watermelon Crush



Somewhere in Time.......

We just recently returned from our yearly vacation to the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan (Mackinaw City, St Ignace, and Mackinac Island to be exact).  This is either our 7th or 8th trip there.  The first time I went is when my boyfriend (who now lives here) came up from Texas to visit me.  It was February and he took me there to visit some of his old friends, and show me where he lived.  Although it was in mid February, and absolutely FREEZING (and I've lived in Alaska....I've never been so cold as when we went to Michigan), and the lakes were frozen solid, it was the most beautiful place I've ever been to.  I just fell completely in love with it.  We went again in the fall, and all I can say is........go there in the fall!  It's so beautiful.  All the trees are so colorful, the lakes are sparkling and because it's past tourist season, it's not crowded at all.  We were gone 7 days and I've never been more relaxed in my life.  We always stay at The Driftwood (which is in St Ignace) and then just travel across the Mackinac Bridge when we want to go to the lower peninsula.  This time, we stayed at The Lamplighter Inn in Mackinaw City for 3 days, did all our exploring below the bridge, then went north and stayed at the Bay View Hotel and did all the U.P. stuff.  More economical that way since one way across the bridge is $3.50.  Both motels were great, for different reasons.  The Lamplighter Motel was so quaint, a lovely room, designed to resemble the movie "Somewhere in Time" with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeves.  The bed was a four poster and huge!  Not much room to walk around in the room, but the decor made it all worth it.  They even have nightly bonfires for the guests, what a great idea!  Unfortunately they didn't have them while we were there, it may be more of a tourist seasonal thing.  The Bay View Motel we stayed in when we went up to the U.P. was quite large, and on the water!  We opened our two HUGE windows, and could see and hear the water lapping up on the shore.  I could actually sit on our bed and watch the waves, it was gorgeous.  There was a nice sized table with two chairs in the room, and lots more room to walk around.  The decor was more like a standard motel room, but beautiful none the less, largely because of the view.  The only downside to this room was cell phone reception.  It was sketchy and there was no phone in the room.  Which was ok, because, after all........we were trying to get away from all that.  I'll post some pictures below of some of the highlights.  If you get a chance to go.....I HIGHLY recommend both motels, and Michigan in general.  Quiet, calm, lots to do and see, and fantastic food.  What more could you ask for?

Here are a few pictures of some places we visited.

"Screams" Ice Cream Shop, in Hell, Michigan.  A stop on the way.  We ate the "Gravedigger", a three scoop concoction that was gooey and delicious.  We received a "death certificate" for finishing it lol

Pretty flower bed behind the shop, with picnic tables and mini golf

A beautiful inn on Mackinac Island.  You get there by boat only, no motorized vehicles are allowed on the Island, including cars.  We had a lovely horse (thank you Rex and Dobbin!) and carriage tour around the Island.

Some scenery while we toured the Island (notice the bike rack?  Lots of bikes on the Island, pretty much the only way to get around.....snowmobiles in the winter!)

Never seen a see through butterfly before!  This was at one of the Butterfly Houses on the Island

The Legs Inn in Cross Village, Michigan.  Awesome Polish food and an even better view!

Yummy Polish food and I order a burger lol.  It was delicious!  A pretzel bun!

The "backyard" of the Legs Inn.  So pretty!  When you turn around, you face the lake.  :-)

Taquamenon Falls, the water is tea colored because it gets its color from the Cedar Swamps

Those are just a few of the places we went to.  We also visited the Garlyn Zoo, the Deer Ranch, and Oswald's Bear Ranch.  Wonderful time :-)

Essie Polish

I don't have a huge collection of Essie polishes.  Some of them are a little hard to apply without looking streaky on me.  I still buy them here and there.....and some of them I love, (one is my last purchase, I'll add a pic of how it looks on).  I find the darker the color, the better it looks, (meaning less streaky), at least on me.  I seem to stick to the same color families.....either pink or neutral.  I usually apply a ridge filler, and then a primer from Deborah Lippmann, the color, then a topcoat from Seche Vite.  I don't keep up with the collections, I just grab them when I see a color I like, or when they are on sale lol.  You can get them at Target, some CVS's, and Ulta ($7.99)

 

Island Hopping, St Lucia Lilac, Luscious Lips

Don't have the name of the first one, Sugar Daddy, Lady Like

Mink Muffs, Best Boyfriend, Demure Vixen

                                                                                                                                       

Lady Like



My Mom

Donna

Today is my mom's birthday........well, it would have been her birthday, but she passed away a few years ago.  I remember that day clearly as if it were yesterday.  My family lives in Florida, I'm here in Ohio.  It was February 14, and we had a terrible snow storm.  She had been in the hospital for a few days and wasn't expected to get out.  My brother and sister were there with her (which I am so grateful for), but I wasn't.  I wanted to be, but the snow had me captive in my apartment complex, and the airport was practically shut down.  The whole day felt surreal to me.......I knew it was happening, but because I wasn't there, it was like I was watching from the outside, where it was safe.  I kept in touch with my brother and sister on cellphones, and they kept me up to date on how she was doing.  I've been away from home since I was 18, yet I always felt like the big sister, ready to dispense advice where ever needed, trying to search for a way to solve problems or make things better.  But this time, I couldn't do anything.  Nothing.  And it is the worst feeling in the world.  I couldn't even try and make them feel better, because I was all consumed with my own grief.  And guilt.  The guilt.  I live with it every day.  Some days are worse then others.  When I see an older lady, one that may resemble my mom in the way they dressed, or the lines on their face........especially if it's in a Kmart, or a Dollar Store.....I can actually feel my heart splinter a little bit.  Not so much guilt because I wasn't there when she died, but at times, I wasn't there when she was alive.  She lived here in Ohio with me for a couple of years.  At first, she lived with me, then eventually got her own apartment.  In the beginning, we did lots together, shopping, cooking, watching TV, (actually, me watching TV, her falling asleep with her head rested on her hand sitting up.  I don't know how she did it lol).   When she moved into her own place, I went over a few times a week.  But now I know it wasn't enough.  I know now that she must have been lonely.  And my excuse for not going over was always the same.  I'm tired.  I do have some legitimate reasons for being tired (a couple of pain in the ass diseases) but honestly.......I took it for granted that she would always be there.  I could always go over "tomorrow".   I could give her a call "later".  And now, there is no tomorrow....and no later.  And I can never have a chance to tell her how sorry I am for not being there for her more.  Sure, I took her to the grocery, and to the Dr, and we did spend time together, but people......I can tell you....it's not enough.  If you have the chance to spend time with your mom, or even if you don't.  Find it and do it.  Don't put it off.  Don't wait till another day.  Call her everyday and tell her you love her.  Send her a note in the mail.  Drop off flowers for no reason.  Tell her thank you for everything she has done for you.  Hold her face in your hand, and drink it in..........because one day she won't answer the phone, or the door, and you have to search your memory for the gentle lines in her face, and the little birthmark like yours on her arm.  Don't have any regrets......don't have any regrets..........I miss you mom.  Everyday.

Get Your Freak On - 15 Weird Facts About Me

So this is a tag that's been going around Youtube for a while now.  And since I've been feeling like crap for the past few weeks, and I haven't done a blog post, I figured this would be easy and fun and give me some time to think of something better haha.


What's a nickname only your family calls you?
- hmmm, I don't have any that I know of......if they call me something, it's behind my back lol

What's a weird habit of yours?
- I only like to drink diet coke/pepsi out of a cup (preferably fountain) with lots of ice and a straw.  I'm really picky about it.

Do you have any weird phobias?
-  I'm afraid of bees........and green beans.  I don't want to look at them, smell them, or hear about them

What's a song you secretly LOVE to blast & belt out when you're alone?
- California Love by Tupac

What's one of your biggest pet peeves?
- I HATE when people don't use their turn signal.  Especially if they put it on AS they are turning instead of BEFORE they slow down to turn.  I also hate it when I go into a fast food restaurant and before I even get up to the counter they ask me what I want......I need to read the menu first geez!

What's one of your nervous habits?
- I pick at my cuticles.  I'm not sure if this is because I'm nervous or not, but I do it......

What side of the bed do you sleep on?
- Whatever side is closest to the bathroom

What was your first stuffed animal & it's name?
- I don't remember

What's the drink you ALWAYS order at Starbucks?
- Venti Chocolately Chocolate Chip Frapp

What's the beauty rule you preach.. but never ACTUALLY practice?
- hmmm, maybe wash your brushes often.....I don't really preach any that I don't practice

Which way do you face in the shower?
- Away from the water

Do you have any weird body skills?
- I can cross one eye.  And one of my thumbs is stuck in a hitchhiker pose.  (That one isn't by choice lol)

What's your favorite comfort food that's 'bad' but you love to eat it anyways?
- Anything chocolate

What's a phrase or exclamation you always say?
- I say "whatever dude" alot, mmmmkay, and alrighty

Time to sleep- what are you ACTUALLY wearing?
- Pajama pants and a tshirt

So yeah, this was pretty boring to write, and probably even more boring to read.......maybe I should come up with my own questions......now that could be fun ;-)

Flower Power

Ugh, it's so hot!!  We've had 90+ degree weather for weeks now.....even the flowers are wilting (not to mention weeks of bad hair).  Here is a pretty lip gloss flower to look at..........hey, at least it will never die :-)  Anyone else looking forward to the weekend already???