New Obsession: e.l.f. Products

 

 

Since I am a full time nursing student who lives on a PRN budget, I have not been able to splurge on my usual MAC and Bare Mineral products. My nursing school bestie and I were on one of our usual Starbucks/ perusing Target dates browsing the Essie polishes when we stumbled upon the e.l.f products. I was mainly looking for a new face powder that closely resembles my Bare Mineral product. I found that and so much more! The price range for e.l.f. products is anywhere from $1-$6, super affordable but I was assuming that it would either be a not-so-great quality. I am happy to say that I was mistaken!

 

 

I purchased their High Definition Powder as a replacement for my Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, it comes with a sponge but I found the best way to apply it was to remove the "vent" and use e.l.f.'s Complexion Brush (which I have had but didn't realize it). It gives my look a photo finish and looks really nice in pictures, hence the description of "photo finish". I also got their Clarifying Pressed Powder to replace my Bare Minerals Original Foundation Powder, I found that it goes on smoother. Even though I am getting a little less powder, I feel it is worth it for the price and quality. Other products I replaced were e.l.f. Lengthening & Defining Mascara, Flawless Eye Shadow Palette in Beautiful Browns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have also bought these products and am completely obsessed: Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter, Makeup Mist & Set (love this stuff!), Lip Lock Pencil and their gorgeous-just-in-time-for-the-holidays Lip Stain in Crimson Crush. For the price and quality, these products are something to share!

 

 

 

With the holidays around the corner, I decided to play with the lip stain. Using the Lip Lock Pencil, I traced my lips; I have problems with colors going outside of my bottom lip so I was thrilled when I used this and it actually worked! The stain has a felt tip and is super easy to apply. I topped the whole shebang off with Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Cherry Bomb. I love the look!!!

 

 

Excuse the lack of makeup and my lazy attire but this is the finished lip!! Love it!!!!

 

 

xoAllie

 

This isn't the Life I Chose...But I'm Strong Enough to Live it

 

It has been a crazy couple weeks and I am finally able to update this. I am currently on break from nursing school and resting before having to go back to the grind next week. I have had quite an eventful break.

 

Last Tuesday, I was hospitalized and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This means that my pancreas no longer produces insulin and I have to inject myself four time a day with insulin and monitor my blood sugar. It was hard to receive and process the news that I will be permanently insulin dependent but I know that God only puts you through what you can handle so I am trusting him.

 

I am still adjusting to "counting carbs" and changing my lifestyle but so far I am doing okay. I can still have sweets and eat some of the things that I love but I am trying to get my sugar on a normal range before I venture out. In the hospital, your environment is so controlled. Meals are made especially for what your body needs; carbs are within limits and sugars are low. Once you are released, you realize how hard it is to make meals with carbs within limits. It is much harder than it seems to eat the right way and keep your blood sugar low. There have been days that I have cried, gotten mad, and realized that I no longer life carefree.

 

So what has changed? A lot! My day begins with checking my blood sugar as soon as I'm out of bed. A normal sugar reading is between 60-100; when I went into the emergency room last Tuesday my sugar was 624. I was shocked, scared, and had no idea how serious everything really was. Even though I am nursing student, I really didn't want to face the reality that I knew was coming. After I check my sugar in the morning, I have to administer my insulin and make breakfast. My current diet is 1800 calories with each meal is between 30-50 carbs and my snack are from 15-20. Its harder than people think to keep meals within the carb limit; meals have been pretty basic like chicken, veggies and rice or half of a potato. I am determined to get my blood sugar numbers down and under control. I have to test my sugar before each meal and administer insulin through an injection to my arm. At night, I inject a different type of insulin in my belly, this is the one that is painful and harder to get used to. I never thought I could inject myself but its actually become really easy.  

 

 

 

Currently, my numbers have ranged from 152 (my best ever!!) to 270. I am continuously learning about new ways to cut carbs and about new foods that will replace the high-carb foods I used to love. Diabetes is a disease that I refuse to let win and I am determined to get healthy. I have had so much love and support behind me, people have been so amazing!

 

So this blog has gone from one about love and my journey through nursing school to one about my battle with diabetes and how I will juggle it all. With the right support system, I know I can do this.

xoxo Allie

 



Early Birthday Shenanigans

Since my birthday falls on a Sunday and I ironically won a free party from my favorite country bar, I decided to do an early get together. I invited new and old friends to celebrate and it was really good to see all of them! I couldn't have been happier how it turned out!

 

Here are a few pictures from the nights festivities:

  




 

Blake also made it out of work just in time to join in

 

 

 

I had a good time and couldn't be more blessed to have such amazing people in my life! Love you all!!!!

 

 

 

 

xoxo Allie

Your Story Isn't Over Yet

So this week I was reminded that a semicolon is used when a sentence was supposed to end, but didn't; that speaks volumes to me. Sometimes in what seems like chaos, I lose sight of the goal due to all the distraction surrounding me. This week was especially hard with juggling social life, school, work and the stresses that everyone goes through on a daily basis. We tend to focus on ourselves and our own battles; we forget all the trials we've been through to get where we are today.

 

This week I realized how blessed I am and refocused on my goals. My dream is to be successful and proud of myself. Everyone is asked when they are young what they want to when they grow up and the answers are always basically the same. I want to happy. I don't need materials; I would be completely fine with being a registered nurse, stay at home mom, anything as long as I'm happy. I want to find that person that is willing to unpack my baggage (since we all know that everyone has it in some shape or form) and make me forget about my past. I love this quote below, puts things in perspective. Life is not about the end result; its about the journey, the dances, tears, the achievements, the highs & lows.

 

 

 

 

Hope everyone has a relaxing Friday!

 

xoxo Allie

 



You Know Your a Nursing Student When....

Hello all!! Well, its Monday and the first day of a new semester in nursing school. My short two and a half week break is long gone but its nice to be back to normal...whatever that is when your in nursing school!

 

Nursing bestie and I reunited after break

 

So this morning we met our new instructor for the semester, went over the usual busy work and dove head first into lecture, ending our day a tad bit early. Even though its never fun to sit in lecture, a few things our instructor said to us stuck with me. She was going over her history as a nurse and how she came to be a nursing school instructor, she described herself as being "born a nurse".

 

Many people go into nursing for every reason in the book, but I believe nursing chose me. My dad is a firefighter and he used to say he would do it for free...I have recently caught myself saying the same phrase. I never thought I would go into nursing, people had suggested it when I was at the local community college getting my general education associates degree but I blew them off. Thinking, blood and guts? No way!! Its crazy to think that now I am halfway through nursing school and so excited about moving forward. I chose one of the more stressful, exhausting and beautiful careers out there and I couldn't be happier with my decision.

 

  

What makes you choose the career you do? It could be a family business, could be the income or maybe its the passion. I believe whatever you choose, or whatever chooses you should be something that you love. Who wants to go working a million years and never loving a day in their profession? Not this girl!

 

Hope everyone has a good week! Happy Monday!

Full Steam Ahead!

The best part of being on break from school are the moments I get to do things I normally can't fit into my hectic school/work schedule. This morning I decided to do a little at-home mani! The best part about having friends that are cosmetologists is using their licenses to purchase Essie and OPI products for cheap! While on the other coast, I took full advantage! It was an Essie heaven!!!

 

 

 

With this many choices, a girl can go crazy! Especially a nail obsessed gal like myself! So I decided to get a sample set of Essie's Summer Collection. These are always good purchases, teeny but enough to use for the remainder of the summer. The names are so cute!! Gotta wonder where they come up with them sometimes!

 

 

 

 

Today I chose to use the lavender and lime colors, which are Full Steam Ahead and the More the Merrier! I also use Orly's Bonder for a base coat & Essie's Got to Go for the top coat. The bonder makes your nails tacky and adheres well to the polish, preventing chips. Good to go is one of the fastest drying and shiniest top coats I've ever used! Highly recommend it!

 

 

 

These new colors are super thick and I had trouble getting it on without bubbles. I recommend sticking them in the fridge for 10-20 to reduce the bubbles, a trick I found on Pinterest. I apply the Bonder after filing, buffering and cleaning. Then I apply one thin coat of polish, cleaning as I go with an orange stick dipped in acetone. It looks a little streaky at first but it is the best way to prevent bubbles and has always proved to be the best way, in my opinion.

 

 

 

 I love the end result!! The double accent is perfect for summer and a little twist on the trendy single accent nail. Definitely satisfied with this collection!

 

 

 

 

The lavender color looks a little more blue in the photo than it actually is. Be sure to check out the entire Essie Summer Collection! Bright and sassy!!

 

 

 

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Enjoy Your Own Company

Just a few thoughts on being single....

 

 

"Being single used to mean that nobody wanted you. Now it means that you're pretty sexy and you're taking you're time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with"- Carrie Bradshaw

 

 Most people see being single as a negative thing, that the idea of someone being alone is the worst situation you can be in. I have been single for five months now and I have been able to get know a different side of myself. I must say that before this time in my life, I also looked negatively upon being single.

 

 

I have put a lot of thought into what I want, my goals and how I want to go about achieving them. My loved ones have shown concern about my dating while in nursing school and I completely appreciate them. I know their concern only shows how much they care for me. They have seen me at my worst and they mean so much to me. I do, however, think that I have gotten to the point where I am the happiest I've been in a long time, I am exactly where I need to be. I have the best support system, finally in the field that I love, and enjoying what God has blessed me with.

 

 

 

 

Its nice to be content with everything finally and I am ready to find someone who I want to be with...not need to be with. Glad I can finally say that! Its been an emotional rollercoaster the last five months and they have made me a stronger person.

 

 

Thank you for reading my rambling thoughts! Goodnight all xoxo

 

 

 

 

 



Keep Calm & Sparkle On

Happy Friday Eve! I am almost halfway through my Summer break and I have to say that its been great so far!

 

I love being able to spend time with my family and friends, new and old. We have already received our books, schedule and assignments for the upcoming semester so I am enjoying the time to relax before that time comes again. I still cannot believe I am officially halfway through nursing school!

 

This week, I was able to spend time with my beautiful niece, crazy family and best friends. Tuesday I enjoyed relaxing with my sister and her family. I am very close to her and my BIL so I try to get in as much time as possible when I can. We grilled out and watched the storm roll in, gotta love summers in Florida!

 

The ladies grillin out

Henley supporting mommy & auntie's blog

Wednesday night I went up to the local country bar for ladies night to relax with friends. I met a new friend, Mike, last week at ladies night and he came up as well to join in. Line dancing and free drinks made the night fun!

 Mike and I

The ladies!

 

I have an amazing support system that I could not be without! I am one lucky girl! I cannot wait to see what else is in store for the remainder of this break. Hope everyone enjoys the weekend safely!

 

 

 

 

 

Some Girls Are Just Born With Glitter in Their Veins

With tomorrow being a work day, my weekend is coming to an end. On Friday morning, my girlfriend Krisie and I drove over to the other coast to visit two of our friends. Last year, I went on a cruise and met these two lovely ladies! We have been friends ever since so we were celebrating our one year anniversary!

Anika and I at Salt

Ladies Out in Del Ray

After eleven weeks of working hard in school and juggling life, Krisie and I definitely needed this mini vacation. Krisie graduates soon and I am so proud of her!! We've come a long way in such a short time! I love having such amazing girlfriends, they have been so supportive and I would be lost without them.

 

 

 

Hope everyone's weekend is relaxing!

 

 

Officially on Summer Break!

Good news!!! I kicked my final exam's little bum and passed my Adult 1 class, OFFICIALLY on Summer break! This break is much needed and I'm excited to spend time with my friends and family. I do not have much planned yet, which is completely okay with me. My main goals for the break are to relax and unwind to prepare for Adult 2 (the next class).

 

 

After the final, my classmates and I had a celebration our entire class moving on together. This semester was especially tough and a complete emotional roller coaster but we all pulled through together. This group of people mean a lot to me, I foresee graduation and pinning ceremony one emotional event.

Our shenanigans carried on through the night to my favorite local country bar. My friends from nursing school and I danced and celebrated into the night. Times like these are definitely a must after being so busy and stressed!

All ready to go!

This weekend, one of my best friends & I are going to visit some girlfriends on the other coast. We haven't seen each other in more than 9 months so I am really looking forward to it!

Happy Friday Eve to all!!!