posted by on bodymedia, fitness, health, Peak Fit System

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Hello!  It is motivational Monday update time.  I’m on week 3 of my Peak Fit System work outs and around week 6 of my BodyMedia Link armband.  I’ve got to say that for wanting to lose my “last 10 lbs” it is coming off… sometimes it feels slow, but then I keep reminding myself that everyone says this is the hardest part.  (other than getting started.)

Into week three I am feeling much less fatigued.  I have more energy and strength overall.  Doing simple things like helping my husband lift or move furniture is much less of a struggle than it used to be for me.  The BodyMedia Link is totally keeping me on track.  I’ve learned that while I’m logged into the app on my iPhone I can hit the button on my armband to send my information via bluetooth.  So there is no need to connect to my computer unless it is to charge it or to pull up weekly reports.

fitlink

As you can see, that even doing these workouts at a moderate pace you can burn a ton of calories.  It encourages you to do more (I did a lot of walking this day in addition to my workout) and I sure did sleep well as a result!  But think of the results I will keep getting if I keep dedicating myself like this!  Woohoo!

I’m proud to say I’ve lost another pound!  It is interesting when you’re working out more and feeling better you really want to only feed yourself good things.  Then if you “splurge” on something not so good, you really don’t feel so good.  In the end realizing how not so good those things really are.  Did that make any sense?

How are you doing with your workouts?  Are you closer to your goals?  Was losing weight or getting more fit part of a new years resolution?  Share in the comments!

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posted by on clothing, fashion, Target

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you are my sunshine
you are my sunshine by beautybesties1 featuring converse shirts
This just goes to show you – that you can be on trend while staying on a budget.  This entire outfit including makeup and accessories comes from Target.  My favorite part is that you can use each separate piece intertwined with other looks.  The floral jean could be worn with a cardigan or the striped tee under a blazer for work… you get where I’m going with this?  You’re getting so much more for your money.  Don’t be scared to mix and match – it’s in!  If you love it, be brave enough to wear it.  Have fun, be fierce, and be you!

Converse shirt
target.com

Flower print jeans
target.com

Yellow tote
target.com

Colorful watch
target.com

Ball bracelet
target.com

Round earrings
target.com

Eos beauty product
target.com

Opi nailpolish
target.com

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posted by on beauty, cosmetics, eye brow, eyebrows, victoria's secret

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I’ve been trying to find this one online for you all to get your pretty little manicured hands on but have been unsuccessful so far.  So you need to put on your cutest Pink attire and head to your local store to find this one: Victoria’s Secret Pencil Me in… brow pencil in brunette.

It is my new go-to brow product.  I have lopsided brows so I literally have to over pluck and draw the remainder in so I’m balanced looking.  Before I had this brow pencil I was using a slanted brush with brown matte eye shadow.  This is so much more natural looking, and takes way less time.

victorias secret brow pencil

This brow was too sad for a before shot, so that is the after.

Thank you Victoria’s Secret Beauty for keeping me feeling like an Angel.

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posted by on beauty, cosmetics, eye shadow, make up, mascara, Milani

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New Milani products on shelves now!

milani primer and mascara

Grandissimo Lashes – Bigger is better! The mega volume brush creates a false lash effect. Dramatically enhances and thickens even the littlest lashes. Long-lasting, smear-proof, and non-clumping formula. Paraben-free. $5.49

This price is hard to beat and the size of this brush is ridiculously large.  I have big eyes, and already lush lashes so it seemed a bit awkward at first.  Overall I liked the result but wish that one end was tapered so it made smaller lashes easier to get without making a mess on my upper or lower lid.

Eyeshadow Primer – Intensifies and extends the wear of any shadow, over 8 hour wear. A lightweight invisible finish works on all skin tones. The primer helps provide a seamless canvas for eyeshadow application and minimizes creasing throughout the day.   Makes any cream or powder eyeshadow long-wearing! $6.49

I’m wearing the nude shade of the eyeshadow primer in the photos above.  It goes on smooth and fresh.  I kind of like it alone like shown, however, it does work great under actual shadows to help increase their pigmentation and wear time.

Have you seen these in your local stores yet?  Tried them out yet?  Share in the comments!

Products provided for 100% honest review

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posted by on beauty, concealer, tattoo concealer, tattoo cover up, tattoo removal, tattoos

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tatjacket eclipse

As a heavily tattooed health care administrative employee, I need to keep my options open when covering up.  In this particular environment it can be challenging, especially with my finger tattoos – since I wash my hands well over 20 times a day.  Finding a product that can cover, not be more obvious than the tattoo itself, and last all day is difficult for these tattoos.  But this product so far is working perfectly.

finger1First I tried the fairest of them all, because let’s face it I’m pretty dang pale.  It is a touch too pale for me but thankfully there are several shades to choose from (plus you can layer to get the color that works best on your skin)

cover

This is almost an exact match for my skin tone.  If you look hard you know something is underneath but this one layer serves its purpose – in having no one questioning me or having any idea that I even have tattoos in the first place.

They are simple to apply.  You cut the size and shape you need, remove the clear film, apply it with the paper facing you and apply moisture to the back for about 30 seconds.  It reminds me of temporary tattoos, just in this case we are hiding tattoos instead of flaunting them.  Overall it is great.  Yes I have days where I wish I would have never gotten these particular tattoos, but this product helps me get through each day easily.

I really appreciate products like this because it allows us with tattoos to be accepted in workplaces where tattoos are not.

A kit of 6 color sheets is only $9.95 and with a tattoo this small it will last you at least a couple of months.  You can learn more about Tatjacket and their Eclipse Tattoo Cover Patches and other products on their website, and you can purchase direct.

 

www.tatjacket.com

 

Products provided for 100% honest review

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posted by on fitness, health, Peak Fit System

10 comments

Peak Fit System week 2 results update

peak fit system

Week two was pretty tough for me.  I found myself getting so sore after the workouts that needed the resistance bands and weights it was hard to even lift a pencil the next day.  I did push through and keep going but my metabolism is going nuts.  I haven’t gotten all the components to do the actual system documented diet so I’ve been keeping up my Weight Watchers Points Plus.  I’d find myself feeling starving at random points throughout the day and did my best to eat healthy.  I did cave a few times and a bowl of ice cream.  However I managed to still lose a half pound pushing my weight down to 128.

I just came back from trying on clothes at Kohls and Target.  It’s making me a little nervous to know that if I keep losing weight I have no idea what I’ll be able to wear.  Everything was XS or size 2.  It was a really weird feeling.  I should be happy but I’m still seeing my old self in the mirror regardless of size.  Just goes to show you a huge part of weight loss is all in your mind!!!!  Keep up the great work everyone on your own lifestyle journeys.  I’ll see you here next week.

Stay tuned because I will do an update post every Monday until my 8 week challenge is complete!

If you’re interested in learning more about Peak Fit System click here

If you’re interested in learning more about BodyMedia Link click here

Products provided for 100% honest review

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posted by on beauty, cosmetics, FOTD, It cosmetics, lip color, lips, lipstick

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It Cosmetics YLBB Waterproof Lip Liner Stain

YLBB (Your Lips But Better) Waterproof Nude Lip Liner Stain Pencil is an ultra luxe, ultra creamy clinically proven waterproof automatic lip liner pencil infused with a stain!

it cosmetics linerI’m wearing light/medium and it is perfect.  It really does give me just a touch of color that lasted through coffees, lunch, snacks and was still there as I came home and wiped off my makeup.  Pretty impressive for a liner.  I actually enjoyed the barely there color so much I wore it on its own several times.  The texture is quite velvety, it doesn’t feel chalky and dry like some other lip liners I have used.

This ultra luxe, ultra creamy game-changer acts as your nude lip liner, lip primer, long-wear stain and reversible lip liner all in one!  This truly innovative formula is infused peptides, collagen, hyaluronic acid, hydrating avocado oil, shea butter, aloe, and jojoba that all work together to treat,  hydrate, condition, sooth  and nourish your lips all while minimizing the appearance of lip lines and keeping your lip color in place!

Packed with anti-aging anti-oxidants including Vitamins A, C, E, Acai, Green Tea and White Tea to protect and ward off free-radicals all day long. This perfect nude pencil can be worn with any lip product or lip color and is transforming based on pressure. Press lighter for a lighter color of nude, and a bit more firm for a richer color of nude lip. Paraben Free.  $20 and comes in 2 shades: light/medium or tan/rich

My favorite combination of It Cosmetic lip products is this lip liner above with the following

Vitality Lip Flush Butter

Vitality Lip Flush Lipstick Butter is an ultra-hydrating lip stick, lip gloss and anti-aging lip conditioning balm all in 1 that helps sooth and protects lips, while giving you a gorgeous flush of color!

it cosmetics pillowThis is “Pillow” layered over the top of the liner and it is perfection.  This lip balm is super hydrating, slick, and couldn’t be more of a spot on color that I am looking for.  It’s for those days you want to look put together, classy, and like you’re not trying too hard.

The truly innovative formula contains ingredients such as plum oil, cherry oil, shea butter, aloe, and jojoba that all work together to treat, hydrate, condition, and nourish your lips, minimizing the appearance of lip lines and wrinkles. Plus, Vitality Lip Flush Lipstick Butters are packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, acai, green tea, and white tea that provide protection from wrinkle-causing free radicals. This made-in-the-USA formula is paraben-free.  This is another $20 product and is available in two other colors (Berry and Pink shades)

More product info including a full ingredient list is available on www.itcosmetics.com and is available for purchase directly through them on the site as well.

Products provided for 100% honest review

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posted by on beauty, manicure, nail art, nail polish, nails, zoya nail polish

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Zoya PixieDust Nail Polish Collection

Infused with magic and wonder! The latest “must-have” nail polish finish – textured, matte and sparkling! This newly developed formula is sure to captivate with a magical sparkle and sugary finish like no other. The color experts at Zoya have created six, long-wearing stunners for the introduction of this enchanting look.

IMPORTANT PixieDust Application Information -  Do not use a base coat or top coat. Apply 1-3 (for full coverage) thin coats of polish. Allow product to dry down completely matte in between layers for full textured effect. The PixieDust textured formula may take up to 10 minutes to dry completely matte. Once dry, the textured finish is long lasting, matte and ultra-glittery!

zoyaHere’s Godiva.  A sandy nude.  It is packed with glitter and texture as promised.  I can’t really say anything bad about these polishes other than they are a pain in the you know what to remove.  I’m too lazy to remove the way I am supposed to.  So I now opt for the Elmer’s glue base coat (learned from Pinterest) so I can peel off.  As often as I change my nail polish, it lasts just as long as I need it to.

zoya londonHere is Zoya London.  Possibly one of the prettiest polishes I have ever worn.  This is two coats.  One layer it appears more on the subtle silver side.  A second coat takes it to this richer grey with a ton of sparkle.  I love it.  Another bonus is it dries REALLY fast.  No need for base or top coat = perfect for a quick fancy manicure.

These polishes are available now on zoya.com for $9 each.  I will have photos and reviews of the rest of the collection coming to the blog, soon!

Products provided for 100% honest review

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posted by on beauty, beauty electronic, bodymedia, fitness, Peak Fit System, The Biggest Loser, Workout

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Hello!  I recently got my hands on the Peak Fit System and wanted to give an introduction post to kick off my weekly updates of progress using this fitness program.

For starters I weighed 128.5 and wear a size 4 jean from Gap / Old Navy.  I’m 5’0″

My goal is to be closer to 120 in 8 weeks.  Will I get there?  How far can I go?

I’ll be using my BodyMedia link armband to help keep my calories tracked and make sure I am balancing things correctly.  I’d like to also try and restart my Weight Watchers Points Plus program.  Not sure if I’ll be able to juggle all three but I’ll give it a shot this week.

The Peak Fit System was designed by Michelle Dozois and is a 10 DVD fitness system that also comes with resistance bands and a meal plan as well as a calendar when to do what workouts for optimum results.  Each video has a series of “peaks” or intervals strategically placed so you burn the most at the best times.  You can literally see the cycles of the peaks in the lower left hand corner of the video.

peakfitOn the first day I did Pure Cardio, shown above.  It was approximately 50 minutes long including a warm up and cool down.  Overall it was fairly intense for someone who does not workout (more than walking) on a daily basis, so I appreciate that as Michelle instructs the video that she points out people in her video that do modified versions of the exercise until you reach other levels of intensity. I was exhausted after the workout… and sore.  But I felt good, like I actually accomplished something.

To me it felt like a combination of a traditional cardio class, some Tae Bo and sports training.  But I liked that it changed it up, you worked out your left and right side evenly, and it didn’t deter me from ever wanting to do it again.  Even though I was tired and sore, I kept pushing through on day two and completed the Strength DVD.

(Now I’m REALLY sore.)

The biggest reason to keep pushing forward is that with the use of my BodyMedia link armband I was able to literally see what it did to my body…

bodymedia

By keeping my calorie intake in check by tracking it with the app on my iPhone, and seeing how I surpassed my daily goals of steps and activity I could literally see that with almost a 500 calorie deficit (no I didn’t starve myself, as you can see I ate food) and at that pace, I am on track to lose a pound a week – which will put me at my end goal.

Stay tuned because I will do an update post every Monday until my 8 week challenge is complete!

If you’re interested in learning more about Peak Fit System click here

If you’re interested in learning more about BodyMedia Link click here

Products provided for 100% honest review

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posted by on beauty, fashion

6 comments

SPRING forward into 2013 by mixing things up a little
SPRING forward into 2013 by mixing things up a little by beautybesties1 featuring leather handbags

Ankle tie sandals
jcpenney.com

H M leather handbag
$23 - hm.com

Amrita singh jewelry
amritasingh.com

Tarina tarantino jewelry
tarinatarantino.com

Kate spade
piperlime.gap.com

Rimmel
target.com

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posted by on beauty, skin care

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Description: A restoring, replenishing, paraben free, moisturizing cream that also enhances makeup application. This cream contains the exclusive patented Multi Lamellar Emulsion made from plant extracts that mimics the structure of natural skin lipids that play a crucial part in replacing moisture loss. This technology also restores the skin’s moisture barrier and inhibits the evaporation of water, keeping your skin smooth and supple.

autopalm

This couldn’t have come at a better time for me.  I’ve been getting flaking even with moisturizing tints or foundations, and I would use a regular moisturizer underneath my makeup before applying.  I’ve been trying this instead for the past few days and the flakiness is gone, and I have a nice glow coming from underneath.  For 1.0 fl oz it is an $18 splurge, but in harsh winds like we’ve been having I think I’m going to need to keep a tube on hand at all times just in case.

Find out more about Atopalm products by clicking here.

Product provided for 100% honest review

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posted by on beauty, sally hansen, smashbox

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I really want to create an Oscar worthy look at home with dramatic eyes and perfect arches.  Here are the product inspirations to make this plan a reality…

SMASHBOX PHOTO OP EYE ENHANCING PALETTE

Create a bold eye with Smashbox’s Photo Op Eye Enhancing Palette in Smokebox or go for a more romantic look with the Softbox palette.  Get a camera-ready look with this set of six perfectly coordinated Photo Op Eye Shadows.

Where to buy: Smashbox.com, Sephora, Sephora inside JCPenny, Ulta, Nordstrom, Beauty.com, and select Macy’s

Price: $39.00

smash

smash2

Perfectly arched eyebrows frame your face and complete the look. Sally Hansen’s Eazy Tweezy Slant Tip Tweezer cleans up your brows in minutes. Follow with the Now Brow Perfect Arch Brow Kit to give them a professional shape.

SALLY HANSEN EAZY TWEEZY SLANT TIP TWEEZER

Grasps hairs firmly and securely with help from the padded grip for control and comfort.

Where to buy: Available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally

Price: $9.49

d

THE NOW BROW PERFECT ARCH BROW KIT

Shape your brows like a professional with this innovative brow shaper and scissor set. The Now Brow Perfect Arch Brow Kit allows you to refine, define, arch, and accent.

Where to buy: Available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally

Price: $9.49

downloada

Have you ever tried any of these products before?  Did you try to re-create any looks from the Oscars?  Who had your favorite look from the red carpet?  Share in the comments!

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