Monday, August 24, 2015

Marathon Monday: Week 1

HI! Welcome to Marathon Monday! No, I'm not talking about a Netflix marathon! Although I do enjoy those on occasion. I'm going to start a VLOG (video blog for those that don't know) hopefully every Monday. This will be a little glimpse into my journey to running my 2nd Half Marathon. 



I started my fall training today after very little running this summer! So it kinda feels like starting over and that is hard, but it also just felt great to get out and run! Along the way I'd love to be an encouragement to you especially if you are a runner or wanting to become one. I've only been running since Jan 2014! It's changed my life!  If you have questions I'm happy to help! I've learned a lot! I'm going to share a video soon on my journey but today is a short one! 

Here is VLOG #1 - Marathon Monday Week 1 of 13!!



Thanks and Enjoy! 

If you have any questions let me know and I'll save them for a little Q&A Blog post soon! 
Stick around because I'm also going to do some review of items I use for running! First one will be the Apple Watch I got for my b-day a few weeks ago!  












Wednesday, August 19, 2015

August 2015 Julep Fushia Fizzy Mystery Box Reveal

I've had a lot of unboxing fun this month! I don't normally have this many boxes all at once but it's my b-day month so I may have splurged a little bit! 

I've had a subscription to Julep for a couple years now, but I haven't taken it in about a year. I just haven't cancelled it totally yet. I'm locked into an older plan but it's $19.99 a month and I can skip if I want. I want to say in the newer plans you can't skip every month and it's might be $24.00 but you can mix and match your box. I'm locked into to pre-made styles boxes. If you don't always want nail polish they usually have a beauty box too. My favorite product is actually their Bare Face facial oil! Of course now I wash my face with coconut oil! That stuff is the best for so many reasons. 

The September Box is looking pretty promising and I might just have to take it. Here is a sneak peak. The window opens on the 21st and it looks to be a lot of colors and products I would love. 
We'll just have to wait and see. Anyhoo! 

They do mystery boxes ever month or two and I ended finding a coupon to use so I got it for 50% off.
Here is my youtube unboxing video!




I honestly got a really great mystery box and I love all the products! I haven't tried the nail polish yet but I thought I'd break down the products more now that I've had a few days with them. 


Beach Tonic - $23.00/18.50 for Mavens
Lock Down Your Brows -$ 22.00/16.70 for Mavens
Nail Decals $6.00
Nail Polish $14.00/11 for Mavens
Left to right - Trisha, Jenny, Connie, & Mariska

Total Value $107 or around $85 for Mavens

So for $12.50 I got a great mystery box. 

I love the Beach Tonic! I used it after my shower yesterday. It smells wonderful and moisturizes nicely. It's not to oily and soaks in nicely.

I wasn't sure about the Lock Down your Brows. It's a clear gel that not only helps shape your brows with out a flaky feeling. It's conditions and promotes regrowth. You can wear it in the day and at night for repair. I tried it both day and night. It felt nice and gave a little definition to my brows.
 I would recommend this product. 

The nail colors are perfect shades for me and like I mentioned in the video no doubles for me! I read that Connie is more of a Jelly formula than a Creme. Mariska is Orange with pink shimmer but I read that the shimmer doesn't really show and that it's a bright neon orange. I actually love that it's neon. 
I think I might try it on today with the nail decals. 

I'm kind of obsessed with the color orange lately. Maybe it's fall in the air! 

Anyhoo! Julep has great products and I would highly recommend them to anyone!
You don't have to have the subscription to shop but if you think you'd like to subscribe just click my link below. 


What's your favorite part of my box? What's your favorite subscription box?

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Giddy Up and Go Race Day

I have to say since I started running in Jan 2014 I never thought I would come to love it so much. Of course it's more of a love/hate relationship. Haha! I love it enough to have already singed up for a 2nd 1/2 marathon in November. 

I knew my running this summer would be slim. Hubby was working full time and going to school 4-5 days a week. It was hard to find the time to get outside before it was hot and humid. (no matter that I have a treadmill.....ugh..treadmill)  I'm a wimp and don't handle that well. I substituted it with a full month of Pilates with a Blogilates Calander and another month of Yoga with Adriene! I learned so much and it helped me lose weight and tone/strengthen in other areas that need it but July was a slacker month. I intend to be ready for the Giddy UP and Go Race Virtual 5K/10K/Half Marathon with my Local Edmond Moms Run This Town Chapter (I was aiming for 10K). 

So I attempted to run on a plan when I could....even if that meant treadmill. It felt good to run again but I was then surprised with a two week Colorado Vacation to see family! I'm not complaining totally worth it and I was fully intending to keep up my running plan as I could and I did once while on vacation.....then I got sick!

The last week of vacation I was just resting and trying to feel better. I was doing okay enough to drive 10 hrs back home, but when I got back to Oklahoma the sickness got worse. Hubby finally sent me to the clinic and I took my z-pack and I started feeling myself again. 
I just can't get rid of this chest congestion though. 

I attempted a treadmill run on Monday and got 2 very slow miles in. I just couldn't breath. Thursday I attempted an outside run and only got a mile---still can't breath well. Ugh! So frustrated. 
I decided I would just do the 5K (3.1 miles) even if that meant walking most of it. 

Friday was my birthday and enjoyed a yummy dinner with family and tried to get to bed early since I knew I would be getting up at 5 am! 

I could....not....sleep! I seriously woke up every hr, but some how I wasn't super exhausted and woke up excited to run. 

Got my Coffee and did about 30 minutes of Yoga to wake me up and get ready to run. 
Unfortunately I knew the route was going to be uphill both ways.....seriously! 
Headed a few miles down the road to Elite Feet in Edmond and had fun seeing some gals I hadn't seen in a while! I really enjoy running with these moms! 
I've learned a lot from them and they are so encouraging! 

Set up my new Apple watch (which I'm not sure if I like for running, I really like my Garmin, but I'll try it a few more times to see. ) Got my running playlist going and headed out. 

It was a lovely morning for August! Not terribly hot or humid! I was so happy for that! 
Thankfully the course did start downhill but I probably started too fast but I knew I might as well enjoy the downhill while I had it! I did really well for 1.5 miles but the hills got me! I wasn't having a super hard time breathing like Thursday but still some. I started intervals at this point (more like walk to that stop sign, run to the stop light) I was trying really hard not to walk to much, but I knew that last mile was mostly uphill. I did find a few sprinklers to run through. They felt great! 

The good news is I finished!! For being sick and not running to consistently lately and the hills
I was happy with my average of 13 minute miles and finished in about 40 minutes. 

I felt really good after the run, runners high is a real thing ya'll! 

The Evoke Coffee Truck was there at the end and let me tell ya! They had the yummiest waffles and coffee! I had a fresh blueberry waffle and iced coffee. It hit the spot after the run! I'm always starving after a run, but I don't usually eat a big ole waffle! lol! It was so worth it. 

I was excited to win a prize! I choose a Mom's Run This Town Headband! 
Can't have to many running headbands. There was also a great goodie bag and a fun metal.


Thanks to Ashley for putting it together, Thanks to Elite Feet for hosting and thanks to all the sponsors for the fun goodies in our grab bags! Lots of fun stuff! 

I'm really glad I pushed myself to do this even if I'm off my game! The kids head back to school this week and I'm determined to get back to my training. Technically this would be week 3 of 16 so I'm a little behind where I want to be but I could follow a 12 week plan and probably be okay! 
Guess we'll see! Looking forward to getting back up to speed and distance! Here's to more runs with my buddies because that is always more fun! 

Do you like to run? Have you ever done a virtual race? 




Ipsy August 2015 Review and Chat

Guess what I got yesterday! My August Ipsy Glambag.
These beauty and makeup sample bags are so fun. 
I received 5 great products this month and I can't wait to try them all.

1. Juara Skincare - Facial Mask
2. Skone Cosmetics - Luxe Doubler lip/eye liner
3. Brigeo - Hair Volumizer
4. Noyah -Natural Lipstick
5. Trust Fund Beauty - Nail Polish


Here is my youtube review of my bag. Hope you enjoy!



Did you get an Ipsy bag? What products do you love this month?
Want to sign up? It's only $10 a month for 5 full or deluxe size samples!
Check it out : Ipsy 

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Summer Hair Adventure

So for over a couple years or so I've been pinning tons of colorful hair dye jobs on pinterest. I've been wanting purple hair but didn't know if I could quiet pull it off.  Growing up I boxed dyed my hair every color under the sun. My mom and I had many crazy ideas and bad hair jobs. I haven't touched  boxed dyes in years.

I have a great stylist and she puts up with all my hair changes. I wouldn't trust anyone else with my hair. She's a good friend and worth my drive across town even though I don't see her near as often as I should. I honestly would rather pay more for a good hair cut that with grow out good.

Anyhoo back to my adventure. I've been growing my hair out and it's was pretty long for me. It's healthy and currently it just had lots of highlights. I hadn't all over dyed it in a while.

On a whim I decided to try some semi permanent blue/purple highlights. You can read about this on my other blog : Adventures of Dyeing my Own Fibers.  I love them but of course they didn't last long and I was ready for more!!


I went to Ulta and I was going to try Punky Colors based on a recommendation from my cousin. They didn't have purple so I started looking around and found these Splat Dye Ombre kits. Being near July 4th I had a crazy idea of Red and Blue hair well it didn't take to well and I'm still regretting this choice. You can see my full review in my youtube video HERE

Splat dye

I tried the vitamin C & Head & Shoulder treatment,  and swimming in chlorine, to try to get this stuff out of my hair. It won't budge. You can tell it faded some but even after what I do the next few weeks. I still have pink/green in my hair. 
I haven't bleached it. 
Splat dye after trying to fade it!!! 


 So after realizing this wasn't coming out of my hair I decided to go with my original plan. I used the same Ion Color Brilliance in Radiant Orchid. I figured that the purple would mix well over these colors. I mixed the dye with some white conditioner to help it go further and spread on easier since it's kinda thick. I loved the results. I ended up with multi tonal purple. 

The color did start to fade some as these colors do. I ended up with pink/grey/ashy tones. 
It was pretty but then I got a really crazy idea.......


I decided to chop off all my hair!!! Ahhh! 
It was the best decision ever! I've had my hair in reverse bobs many times before but I wanted something shorter! I talked with my stylist and told her I was thinking of a longer pixie cut! 
I absolutely love what she did! The color seemed to look a little better after the cut too! 
I didn't have her do anything to the color. 
I told her I would just be dying it purple again :) 


And that is what I did! Easily did the Ion Radiant Orchid over it again! 
I LOOOOVED IT! 


I was heading out on vacation to Colorado and planned on just letting it breathe for a few weeks. Only I got really sick my 2nd week of vacation. I usually try to wash my hair every 2-3 days with cold water to help the color last. With being sick the only thing that was helping was very hot showers with water beating over my head! So lets just say my color faded out a lot! 

My roots had now been growing for 6 weeks and since I had bleach mix on hand I touched up my roots and this is currently what my hair looks like. It's Blonde and not to brassy but I still have that stinking splat dye so it's pink/purple/green in areas. I got some purple shampoo to help the blonde not be brassy and I really like it.  Secretly I heard some of the purple shampoos will turn you hair purple/grey so I kinda hoped it might but the one I'm using doesn't. I'm trying really hard just to condition and let my hair repair for a few weeks but I have this urge to do more of a violet purple all over again! eeek! I'm having to much fun! 


It's about time for a trim too. My hair is healthy, grows fast and short hair takes more maintenance. I'm loving it short and I may go a little shorter next time around! 

So My stylist made me an offer that I can't refuse! I was supposed to blog this like a month ago when I got it cut!!  
Just got to busy with vacation. 

(Click above to visit her Facebook page) 
She is a good friend and has cut my hair for many years now! I've never left with a bad cut or color from her. She seriously is good at reading my ever changing mind! She always walks me through styling my hair and what products to use. I used to have trouble getting my hair to hold curl and she taught me some tricks.  I had a fear I wouldn't be able to style this new cut but it's been really easy after she walked me through it all! She also was super sweet after I explained everything I did to my hair and gave me some tips. She said I didn't really damage my hair. Thankfully it's pretty strong! 

If you are looking for a new stylist, she works on the Southwest side of OKC out of Salon Therapy. 
If you tell her I sent you can get $5.00 off a Shampoo/Cut/Style

If I get 5 people into see her she'll give me a free hair cut which saving money is nice, but I'll be seeing her soon regardless. 

Now I just have to figure out what color I want to do or not do next and find some patience to wait!! 

What's your favorite color on me? 
What color would you love to do? 







Wednesday, August 12, 2015

A Birthday Surprise and Fall Training

Okay so I might have overly mentioned it's my birthday on Friday! 
Today my hubby said he got me a gift. I had no clue so I was getting overly curious. 
I think he was going to wait till Friday but my 7 year old son saw him sneak in the door with a box and not so quietly said "Dad did you get another Apple Watch?" So surprise busted and I heard! 
I wasn't expecting anything so this was quiet the surprise. 


Now I've used a Fitbit for about a year and a half along with a Garmin Forunner Watch for my running. This summer my hubby got an Apple Watch and gave me his Garmin Vivo Active Watch. It does it all and I was very happy with it. So I didn't expect anything new. I'll now likely be selling my other two watches but I'll have to test out how it does with running 1st. I really like using the Nike+ App for my running so I'll be glad to switch back since I've been tracking with Garmin Connect since May and I find there app to be a bit confusing to use. I love using my fit bit though and all the online tools. I'll likely keep using Myfitness Pal to track food and such. It helps me soooo much! 


After a hit and miss summer of running it's almost time for school to start and I'll have my mornings to run outside again more consistently! I'm a week late to my fall training because of vacation and sickness. I'm still not 100% but I have a 5K Race on Saturday with my 
Edmond Mom's Run This Town Group! 
It was supposed to be a 10K for me but I'm just not prepared or well enough yet. This congestion is getting on my nerves! I just want to breath and not cough so much. I'm going to have fun either way! 

On the bright side I get to try out my new running shoes! In April I ran my 1st 1/2 Marathon and at the Expo I won a pair of Brooks shoes. I finally made a decision and got these in a couple weeks ago. 
I've loved my brooks in the past so I'm looking forward to breaking these in. 
These are the New Ghost 8 in Purple/Blue - Love these colors! 



I look forward to sharing my journey to my 2nd half marathon. 
I'll be doing the Route 66 in Tulsa, in November! 

Do you use smart watches? What are your favorite Gadgets for running? 
What are you favorite workout shoes? 

Share in the comments below! 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Ulta Haul - Purple Shampoo and Make up Gifts

So I got an Ulta ad in the mail and did I mention its my b-day week. I have no control LOL! They were having a free gift with purchase on their Ulta Brand Cosmetics. I've never used them but the Free 15 Piece Gift caught my attention ($88 Value). I do need mascara and I love trying new make up so I picked out a three items to reach the $19.50 purchase to get the gift. 


1.  Baked Eye Shadow - In Lucky Charms- I've been loving a good camo or olive base look and I've never used a baked Shadow. 
2. Eye crayon in the shade - Birthday Girl of course. It's a pretty pink/champagne color and will be a nice quick go to for a easy simple shimmer eye look. 
3. Extreme Wear Eyeshadow Primer. I normally use Urban Decay but I ran out, got a deal on some Elf eye primer -which isn't all that great but it was only $2 and elf does have some great finds. Hopefully I will like this a little better. I really need the primer with my Urbabn Decay Palettes! I have the Vice 3, Naked 3 and Amma pallets! I love them all! 


I had a $3.50 off coupon too so for around $25.00 I got those with all this!!! 


Cosmetic Bag
Full Size Legendary Lengths Mascara
3 eye shadow quads
Glitter Eye Shadow Top Coat Duo
Blush Highlighter Duo
Dual Ended Eye Liner
Mineral Lip Gloss
Brow Tint
3 pc Cosmetic Brush Set
Mini Nail Lacquer
Matte Lipstick 
and there is a coupon in the bag for $5. off a $15 cosmetic brush purchase. 

I'm new to the Wink Ulta Program but I supposedly get a b-day gift too on my birthday. 
I'll have to wait and see what it is. 

I did get these Nars Lippies from Sephora for my b-day! - I love them both. 


So It will be fun to play with my new make up! Not that I need more but I can't pass up a good deal. 


The whole reason I went to Ulta actually (haha) was to look for a Purple shampoo. I still have yet to share my summer hair adventure. It's been lots of colors and it's currently Bleached Blonde but I still have some red/pink/teal/blue left underneath from my Splat dye (never again- see video)

So it's kinda Blonde Pastel at the moment. I'm actually liking it but I thought I'd try a purple shampoo instead of trying to permanately tone it. Purple Shampoo is supposed to help the cancel out the brassy tones. Mine isn't to orange/yellow but I would like to brighten it up some. I'm not sure how it will react with my colorful hair but the worst it can do it turn purple right!?! and I loved my purple hair. I still have a tube of the Ion Color Brilliance in Radiant Orchid and I may do it again but I'm liking the Blond for the moment. I'll let you know how it works. 
I looked up a lot of different ones and I ended up not getting one I researched. I love the Sexy Hair products my Hair Stylist suggested for my pixie cut and I saw they had one. 
It's a little pricy but not terribly expensive as some but not super cheap that it might not work. 
The reviews seem good so well see. 

Current Hair color! What will I do next??? haha


So do you like Ulta Brand Products? Are you obsessed with make up like me? Have you tried purple Shampoo? Tell me about it in the Comments!







Monday, August 10, 2015

August 2015 - Stitch Fix No. 3 Reveal and Review


Have you heard of Stitch Fix? I just got my 3rd box in today! 
I absolutely love this service!!! 


 A few of my friends told me about Stitch Fix and I thought I'd give it a try. Stitch Fix is a clothing service that is mailed to you. You pay a $20 style fee and fill out a very detailed survey about you, your body type, what you like, price ranges and then can make a pinterest board of inspiration. They review it all and then send you a box with 5 items.

 You keep what you want and send back the rest in the return envelope they provide but, if you keep it all you get a 25% discount. 
Plus your $20 styling fee is applied to what you purchase! 

You don't have to do it monthly either. Maybe you just want it seasonally or for a special occasion. You get to decided. 
I like the flexibility! Here are my 1st two fixes. 

Stitch Fix #1 - Kept only one Item
Stitch Fix #2- Kept everything!! 

Stitch Fix #3
 I thought it would be fun to do a YouTube unboxing!! This was fun to make and you get to see my 1st reactions to everything :) Fashion Show After the video! 


For my Fix this time I asked to be surprised. I only gave few suggestions. That I like jewel tones, animal print, sparkles or edgy details. I got the amazing Tiffany as a stylist again and she sent a super sweet note this time. I like that she paid attention to details and my pinterest board. 

Helpful Hint: They love it when you post pics of yourself in the item they send. 

Oh and Tiffany if you read this Happy Birthday to you Too! Since we share August birthdays! 



Now on the the fashion show. Oh and excuse my selfie stick. Trying something different, but I fear it looks a little cheesy. haha! 

#1 - Pixley- Jimson Zipper Detail Top
With me you can't go wrong with black! I like the zipper detail. The top of the shirt is mesh so I just simply wore a black tank top underneath it. It's a comfy top and a great cut/fit for me. I think this is a great layering piece too that will work great year round. 
Verdict: Kept

#2 Skies Are Blue - Karla Textured Short
I wasn't sure about the shorts. 1st thoughts are that elastic waist equal old lady shorts. They are a different style than I would ever try. However they are super comfy. The front of the shorts feature a textured chevron print. The pattern is not on the back of the short but it does have foe pockets. The shorts aren't super thin or to thick and it's still 100 degrees here in the Oklahoma summer so I know I could get some wear out of them the next couple months. I love the cobalt blue color and they are a good length for me. Not to short at all. I don't know if I'm totally sold on them. 
Verdict: Kept 


#3- Brixon Ivy - Breton Dress

This dress is totally not something I would have ever picked out. 1st off the color is amazing. Purple is my favorite! The back has lacy/leather look details. It is two thin layers thick and I would definitely need a slip. When I 1st pulled it out I thought it was super short and I was sad but when I put it on it actually came to my knees. It doesn't shrink up when I sit either. So length is fine. I did put a black tank top on underneath for more modest coverage. Honestly I felt rocking in this dress! It would be a fun date night dress. I think I could easily through on a cardigan or blazer and wear it to church too.  

I paired it with the gold Stitch Fix necklace I got in my last fix and my nude/black lace peep toe pumps. I love those shoes! I got them at Dillards a few years back for like $15. So comfy and fun! 

This dress is very different for me so I'll ask hubby what he thinks
Verdict: Kept



#4 - Pixley - Lagio Mixed Material Top 

I was soooo excited to see this in my box. I don't usually pin specific stitch fix items and expect to get them, but I really loved this shirt. The top is lacy, the front is the bright floral of orange/blue and the back is all black. This shirts material is so soft an comfy. Paired it simply with my Bermuda Jean shorts and sandals. This shirt would be easy to dress up too. 
Verdict: Kept


#5 - H&B Collection- Bickenhall Split Back Top
I like the looks of this shirt but I don't know if I'm sold on it. I haven't seen to many people that pull off the split back top well that have a boo-tay! LOL. I didn't get a good picture of it and it's very different. I'l have to ask hubby on that one. I do like the shirt. I like that it has a high neckline and that it's flowy. I paired it two different ways.  
On the style card it was paired with a striped black/white skirt so I tried it with the pencil skirt I got in my last fix. I don't think I would have though to try it and I like it! 
I also paired it with my fun new orange crops I got a JcPenny yesterday. 

(thank you jc penny for sending me 3 $10 off $10 coupons) It was like free money! I got these fun pants and a navy/cream 3/4 length shirt for $12.00. Love me a good deal) 
Verdict: Kept


So this can easily be a 5/5 but it might only be a 2/5. Going to see what hubby thinks, give it a couple days, try it all on again and make a final decision. 

What do you like? What don't you like? What do you want to pin for your stitch fix? 

Here is my style card and my note! 


While I do have some affiliate links in my posts. 
I'm not being paid to tell about Stitch Fix
This is my real genuine review of my  box. 
If you sign up and order your 1st box I will receive a $25.00 credit! 
So will you give it a try? I think you would love it!! OH and If you like any of these outfits feel free to pin the images for your stylists or own inspiration.