five on friday.

just wanted to join in and share some of my current favorites at the moment.

1. TV

If you love Law & Order: SVU, Dateline, basically any crime show in general then you will LOVE American Crime on ABC.  We just had episode 3 on Wednesday and it's ramping up hard.  I highly recommend.  Catch the earlier episodes on demand and get into it.

2. The Bitch Bible

At work we have very limited access to streaming music (ie Spotify, Pandora, etc) so I started getting into podcasts to get me through my work day...and this is one of my favorites.  If you're a fan of anything on Bravo, the Bachelor, etc then you'll love this...

3. Bitch Sesh

this is another podcast that I look forward to every week.  they break down the Real Housewives series and recap the weeks episodes.  it's hilarious.  

if you catch me laughing til I cry at my desk it's because of these 2 podcasts.  both available on iTunes.

4. Evelyn Henson

I have just discovered this artist and I am in love.  she has so many cute prints and I love her map series.  currently coveting this Greenville, SC print...and it's so reasonably priced.  check her out here.

5. Music

I leave you with some good music for those that enjoy a good rap tune.  Fetty Wap is currently one of my favorite rappers.

I don't own this sweatshirt for nothing, y'all!

favorite beauty products: part 2 (tried and true)

after last week's skincare/beauty post, I wanted to do a follow-up on my favorite beauty products I absolutely can't live without.  my "tried and true."

(left to right)

1. Maybelline Falsies mascara

I've tried so many different mascara's over the past 5-6 years and I ALWAYS come back to this mascara.  It makes my lashes the longest, doesn't clump, and comes off easily with a make-up wipe.

2. NYX Matte Lipstick

this is the best lipstick.  it stays on FOR-EVER...I don't experiment a lot with lip stick, but compared to the more expensive brands in my drawer this beats them with staying power 100%.  and NYX is such a widely available brand it's so easy to pick up anywhere and the majority of their products are under $10.

3. NYX Butter Gloss

after I apply the NYX matte lipstick, I dab a bit of this gloss on and i'm done with my make-up routine.  it's the perfect finish.  I realize that matte lips are all the rage now, but I think i'll always wear gloss.

honorable mention: Bare Minerals Buttercream gloss

a friend gave me the Bare Minerals gloss for Christmas and I've been using it daily ever since.  I love it just like my NYX.  highly recommend.

23 fun facts.

last thing you splurged on? Trip to Las Vegas for New Year's Eve.

favorite Beyonce song? "Love on Top"

favorite smell? burning leaves / firewood.

must have accessory? a really, good handbag.

spirit animal? unicorn.

what city were you born in? baton rouge, louisiana

favorite city? charleston, sc

place you want to visit? greece.

greatest invention? the internet.

first car? red '97 pontiac sunfire.

first kiss? when I was 15...he now has 3 kids with another on the way.

3 traits you look for in a person? sense of humor, loyal, kindness

last person you called? uber

last person that text you? sandi

song that makes you cry? "Only One" by Kanye West

favorite season? toss up between fall and spring.

staycation or african safari? african safari. 


first crush? jordan knight from new kids on the block.

worst pick-up line you've ever heard? "Is that your natural hair color? I've heard redheads are going extinct."

favorite piece of jewelry? TB gold studs...wear them 98% of the time.

how long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 30 minutes. (that's only if I wash/dry my hair the night before)

i'm really bad at ______ ? budgeting.

i'm really good at ______? remembering random useless facts, fun memories, etc.

wordless wednesday

remember when wordless wednesday was a thing?  let's bring it back.

favorite skincare/beauty products.

testing...testing...is this thing on?  

I don't know if anyone still reads this ol' blog, but just in case I wanted to share some of my current favorite skincare and beauty products with you.

(from top left to right)

1. NYX HD Eye Shadow Base.

I never really gave much thought to an eye shadow primer / base until about 8 months ago and it's been life changing.  It helps bring out the pigment of your eye shadow so much.  I can totally tell a difference if I don't use it, because I can't see my eye shadow at all if I don't use it prior to applying my eye shadow.  It's also great to prevent eye liner creasing.  I had a big issue with that always happening because of my oily lids, but with this I can say it rarely (if ever) happens.

Honorable Mention: Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer...it works well too, but the price point isn't that ideal for budget ballers like myself.  And I feel like it doesn't dry as quickly as NYX.

2. Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick

I'm not going to say this works instantly, but it definitely stops stubborn zits in their tracks.  I can totally tell a difference when I dab this on at night and in the morning it's smaller in size and less red. It doesn't smell great, but it's not an overwhelming odor at all.  And it's better than dabbing a thick cream and worrying about it getting on your pillows/clothes/etc.  

3. Rimmel London Lasting Finish Primer

This primer is water based which I like b/c it goes well with my water based BB cream.  I do like that silicone based primers fill in fine lines and wrinkles (ie Maybelline and Smashbox), but I love that this goes on smooth and makes my make-up stay in place and perfect ALL DAY LONG.  legit.

4. Nip + Fab No Needle Fix Serum

2016 is the year I've become obsessed with wrinkles (and eyebrows...will have to do separate post about those things).  I legit find myself staring at peoples faces in person or on TV and seeing if they have the same wrinkles I do, etc.  So I've been on the hunt for great anti-aging products.  I really like this serum so far.  It smells great and goes on so smooth and I can definitely tell that it brightens my skin and fills in lines and wrinkles.  I use it before I go to bed and in the morning after I wash my face and before my moisturizer.  I wouldn't say it's preventing wrinkles or taking them away, but it's good to fill them in before I start my makeup routine.  

I'm EXTEMELY open for suggestions on what you use for preventing wrinkles or getting rid of them all together.  Next on my list to try is ROC products to see if those work.