March Favorites | Baby Edition and Special Guest!

My second monthly favorites with my son!  Check out the baby items that get used daily and have been used for some time now.  Remember to LIKE the video and subscribe!  I make videos once a week, but I am looking forward to uploading twice a week!



As always remember, Peace & Happiness!



~Erika B.

Real Techniques Haul & Brush Cleansing Palette Review

This is the haul and review of Real Techniques brushes as well as their new Cleansing Brush Palette to help keep your makeup brushes looking clean and fresh!



Make sure to like, comment, share, and subscribe to my YouTube channel.  I am now uploading a video once a week by Thursday!  Looking forward to uploading more in the future.



Also be sure to follow me on my social media websites from Instagram (erikab15), Twitter, and Snapchat (both ebanx15)!



Peace & Happiness :)



~Erika B.

CVS Haul | Burt's Bees Skin Care!

I have always been an advocate of purchasing drugstore items whether it was for makeup or skin care. I was still a little cheap in buying any product that didn't cost more than $10.  I decided to try out Burt's Bees skin care line since it was more than what I was used to spending and that the products were 98-99% natural.  I am NOT consistent when it comes to taking care of my skin, especially my face.  I decided that it was time to throw in the town and get down to business!  How could I want good looking skin but I wasn't taking care of it?!?



Here is the video of my haul from CVS on purchasing the products.  I had two $5 ExtraCare Bucks and a 30% of coupon I was able to use to get all of the items for $43!  I had a savings of 42% and saved over $30 on all the products!



I have been using this skin care line along with Dr. Bronner's Citrus soap and my face is starting to make a change for the better.  My dark spots are slowly lightening up, my under eye wrinkles appear to be fading, and my skin is soft as ever.  I will come back with some updated pictures to show where my skin currently is.



As always,  Peace & Happiness :)



~Erika B.

REVIEW | Burger King Classic Dogs

Sunday I elected to take the opportunity to try the new Burger King Grilled Dogs.  I opted for the Classic Dog (since I am not a fan of chili and/or cheese).  The hot dog itself was great, presentation would have gotten an "F."  The hot dog with the condiments looked NOTHING like it does on TV.  I can say that I didn't have an overabundance of one condiment more the the other.  It was pretty even.

I ordered the meal which included the dog, fries, and a drink.  Since I upsized my meal from small to medium, the meal itself ended up being $6.00 even.  I noted that a grilled dog without the meal is $1.99 plus tax.

On a 5 star rating scale, I would give the hot dogs a 3.5 stars out of 5.  Based on the presentation and taste of the hot dog, it was nothing special.  Honestly, I can say that I have had better grilled cookout hot dogs than the Burger King Classic Dogs.  I wouldn't say that I would never eat another one again, however, I wouldn't think to go to Burger King ALL the time to get a hot dog.  My options of ordering another Classic dog would be 1) the weather; if there are no cookouts going on in the area and I had a craving for a hot dog I would go; 2) food at home; I feel that I could grill/cook a better hot dog than that at home; and 3) last minute choice; if none of the above were available, I was craving a hot dog, and I had NO where else to go, I would go to Burger King.

Let me know your thoughts on the BK Grilled Dogs.  How was your dog?  Would you go again?  Do you think it's worth it?  Share your thoughts in the comment section.  Also, here is the link to my YouTube review as I was trying the hot dog in action!

Peace & Happiness :)

~Erika B.

Update | Influenster C9 at Target Sports Bra #C9atTarget

I made a video a few days ago discussing the C9 at Target VoxBox, which included a sports bra from the brand C9 that you can find at Target (I received the bra for free from Influenster for testing purposes).  A day or two later I decided to give the bra a test run when I was working out in the house.  When I tried it on, I already knew that it was tight.  Boy, was I in for a surprise when I began working out.  Comes to find out that not only was it tight, but during my workout, I felt like it was going to cut off circulation!  The bra was definitely TOO SMALL and runs VERY SMALL!!!  I was sent a size Medium based on the questions I asked in the survey.  In addition to that, I am 5'8", wear a 36B, and weigh 190lbs.  My sister also received this bra from Influenster and said that it ran small on her as well.  She is 5'7", wears a 34B, and weighs ~140lbs (give or take).

Overall, my interest in the bra is still there.  I would love to purchase on in a Large to see if that would make a difference.  It did hold up to the fact that it supports and controls sweat.  The only downfall is that you have to go a size (or two) up for a comfortable fit for a comfortable workout.

This picture was taken from my recent Influenster Unboxing video on YouTube.  Subscribe to my channel at www.youtube.com/ebanx151

And as always, Peace & Happiness :)

~Erika B.

Influenster Unboxing #C9atTarget

My most recent video and item sent to my from Influenster.  Influenster sent me this product for review purposes.  All thoughts and opinions are my own!  Feel free to share.



Interested in getting FREE products to try out?  The referral code is here!

OFRA Cosmetics Foundation Review on Dark Skin & Oily Skin | JASMINE ROSE...

Check out my girl, Jasmine Rose!  She has wonderful videos and is just an awesome person overall!  Plus her makeup ALWAYS looks good :)



YouTube | MsJasmineRose

Haul | Fashion Nova with Special Guest!

Check out my most recent YouTube video.  I recently purchased some items from Fashion Nova!  I can definitely say that Fashion Nova has some nice items especially their pants & jeans.  I will leave the links the items I purchased down below.  Also, shipping is SUPER fast!

My special guest was my son since he did NOT want to nap with his sister.  Hey, mommy still has work to do!  Enjoy!

Scout's Honor Bodysuit--Black | http://www.fashionnova.com/collections/bodysuits/products/scouts-honor-bodysuit-black

High Waist Skinny Jeans--White | http://www.fashionnova.com/collections/jeans/products/high-waist-skinny-jeans-white

Olive Oil Skirt--Black | http://www.fashionnova.com/collections/skirts/products/olive-oil-skirt-black

Necessity Black Shoes | http://www.fashionnova.com/collections/shoes/products/necessity-black

F T C

I purchased all items with my own money.  All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Peace & Happiness :)

~Erika B.

Back at It Again with the Blog Posts!

WOW!  It's been so long that I have NOT blogged I didn't even give an update on the babies!  Life has definitely come in and taken it's toll.  I find myself not calling family or friends, in the house, or just trying to figure out what actually happened to my so called LIFE!  The twins will be 8 months this month!   Time sure does fly...especially when you are having fun.  They are crawling, babbling, and introducing their own personalities.  Miss Malaya is a D-I-V-A already honey!  And Mr. Junior is fun, cute, and can be sensitive.  Don't scream to loud or he will cry!  Those are my babies though and I am enjoying every part of motherhood.

I had decided back in October that I wanted to continue to pursue my PhD.  Guess what?  I decided to stop...AGAIN!  I really had no true career desires where I needed my PhD.  The good thing is that I have completed 30+ hours past the Masters and that adds into my income for my current job.  WHOOPEE!!!  Today is the LAST week of classes and I couldn't be more happier than saying that I am quitting school.  However, along with that comes a bill...and I mean a BIG bill.  While quitting school, I also reached my cap for Standardized/Unstandardized Financial Aid with the government.  $140,000 is what I owe them....yup you read that right....a whole house it was what I owe them for two sheets of paper and 36 hours worth of work.  SMH....they'll get their monies...soon or later...the latter part is what is going to happen.

Other than that I am just trying to be a better mother/daughter/sister/grandchild/counselor/friend that I can be overall.  Attempting to get my credit together so that this dream of purchasing a house this summer will become a reality.  We are currently in the process of buying a townhouse (more to come in a separate blog).  But life is life and every day I realize that I need to live it to its fullest!

As always, Peace & Happiness :)

~Erika B.

Review | Cambond Products from Amazon

Hey all!  I'm bring you another review on some products from Cambond!  I needed a new charger and signed up to review some of their other products!  Check them out if you are in need of new accessories for your phone at www.icambond.com!

C O N N E C T I O N S 

Instagram @erikab15

Twitter @ebanx15

Pinterest @ebanx15

Snapchat @ebanx15

E M A I L

shopphoenixrising@gmail.com

Banish Acne Scars

http://bit.ly/1LVtEj0

Join Ebates today and receive a $10 gift card!  

http://bit.ly/1WIl5LJ

M U S I C  B Y 

LMC w/Kamandi | Chrome With the Flames [SoundCloud]

F T C

This video is not sponsored.  I purchased one item with my own money and was sent the other two items for review purposes.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Banish Acne Scars is an affiliate link.

O N E  L O V E.  P E A C E  &  H A P P I  N E S S .