Review: Sinful Colors "Anchors Away"

(I received this product for free from Influenster to test and review. I did not purchase this product.)

Hello all!

I recently received the SurfsUpVoxBox from Influenster, and I was super psyched about it! The first item I used was the Sinful Colors nail polish included, "Anchors Away."

The color is an orange shade, not quite a neon, and it's very pretty in the bottle. I was actually pleased to see it, because I was afraid I would get a shade I already had something similar to.

I cleaned & prepped my nails, then got ready to apply the polish. Unfortunately, for all it's beauty in the bottle, it does not look well when applied. I initially applied 2 coats, but after inspecting it, I decided to add a third coat as 2 coats still looked pale and streaky. (I will consider using a white base if I use this color again, but I don't usually like a white base so I never start out there.) 

It seemed like it took a little longer to dry than many of my other Sinful Colors polishes, and when it did dry, it didn't have the same vibrancy as in the bottle. It darkened up, and looked more of a dirty orange on me. (Maybe it's my skin color..Or my eyes?)

After about 2 days, I noticed some "wrinkling" at the sides of my nail beds and the color had chipped. Since I used my normal base & top coat, this does seem to be an issue with the polish itself.

Overall, I wasn't a huge fan of this color, and it'll be tough to say if I use it again!

Read More

Beauty Use It Up!

Right now I'm enjoying a "use it up" on several of my bathroom items. (If you aren't familiar this concept, it's basically making a list of things that you have, and using them up before buying anything else! This can be done in any area of your home.)

My beauty use-it-up includes: Shampoo/Conditioner, hair treatments, lotions, oils, bodywash, and soap. I have also included certain makeup items in this challenge.

I have so many of these items in my bathroom cabinet that I was literally knocking bottles over trying to grab other ones!

The first step I took was emptying out my cabinet and re-sorting it. The bottles with the least in them, went to the front of my cabinet. That way I'll go ahead and finish them up, toss them, and be done! 

Now, as is so often the case, many times I ended up with leftover shampoo, but no conditioner of the same type. When this happens, I use that leftover shampoo before any deep conditioning treatment I'm doing. 

So far, I've tossed out 4, count 'em FOUR, bottles of hair product items.

I have also used up 2 bars of soap!

I haven't bought shampoo/conditioner since.....drum roll...last AUGUST. (While that's awesome, it just gives you an idea how much crap I had in my cabinet.)

Honestly, a "use it up" or a "no-buy" is not for everyone, and I know that! I love it though, and I love the feeling that having all of the junk out of my cabinets creates! 

Are you a fan of use it up and no buy programs? 

Read More

Spring Is Coming!

So spring is on it's way (and I could not be happier, I'm tired of all this snow!) My favorite thing about spring besides the warming weather, is the excuse to toss crap out. In fact, I get so excited about this, that I've already started. This past week I emptied out our armoire & got a bag of clothes and accessories ready for their trip to Goodwill. (I also listed some stuff on eBay!)

It looks loads better, and now I have a little more space. My least favorite thing about cleaning out clothing is being honest with myself about what I will actually wear, and what fits how I want it to. - This means I force myself to try stuff on. Jeans are the worst, right? Admitting to myself that some of those jeans will never see the light of day again? I really didn't want to do it.... In the end, I sucked it up (not in) and got rid of a few pairs.

As for clutter in other areas, I'm always looking for new tips and tricks.
One of my handiest methods is the "one in, one out" method. This works by ridding yourself of one item in a category, after having bought something new. I find this particularly helpful when buying clothes. If I come across a cute shirt, I force myself to decide which shirt I currently own, that I'll be tossing out if I purchase this new one.
Generally, I feel like I have my clothes in check!
Linens? We keep only 2 sets of sheets, 1 comforter, and limited towels for each of us. Also, in check!

One area I didn't feel like I had under control were my bathroom supplies. Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, oils, soaps... Ah!!!
I decided at the beginning of the year, that I would not be purchasing any shampoo, lotions, or soaps - until I used up my supply currently in the bathroom. (This is killing me too, because I'm itching to try a new Organix shampoo!)
Slowly but surely, my bathroom cabinet is downsizing! I'm seeing more and more junk tossed out, and nothing new coming in. I've even forced myself to either use, or toss out, my trial size freebies.  (Those are awesome if you a lot of traveling, but we simply don't. They're just wasting space.)

I get an awesome feeling when I have a clean, organized space - not to mention the pride associated with not spending money we don't really have to spare on excess clutter.

What are your favorite rules to follow for keeping your "stuff" to a minimum?!

Read More

Wordless Wednesday

Read More