When Life Gives You Lemons...

It's been a while since I have wrote on my blog and by the title of this you can tell that there's a story behind it.


As of April 30th, I made the move (back) from Florida to Virginia.  Packed what we had and said goodbye to the Sunshine State.  Please it was not by choice! [super sad face]. 


Not too long after the move, after providing me with over five years of service, my White Unibody MacBook died on me ;( RIP MacBook.  You took me places I never new including transitioning from the PC to Apple world.


Since then I have been working Part-time at JCPenney and just trying to make the best of life.  Hence I have been handed lemons so I can either suck it up or continue to build from it.  I was excited that I did get my #VowVoxBox in the mail the other day!  Oww, Oww!  I was excited to receive the new Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting cream, a Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure nail polish in Barracuda, an offer code for Riley & Grey, Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave cream, an EcoTools Pure Complexion sponge, and a Tide to Go Pen.  This was my first BIG box I received and I am so grateful for +Influenster for all that they do and share with us so I can share with others!


Other than that life has been a complete....you fill in the rest.  I am thankful for what I have:  a roof over my head, food to eat, a job even when it doesn't pay much, and family support.  Those are my lemons...the things that strengthen me the most to keep pushing into life.


I came up with a quote a few weeks ago when spirit was talking to me:  "Struggles are real but are the most appreciated times of your life.  Be open to nothing because you will always have something."  My somethings are my family, friends, food, shelter, support, strength, anything positive that will keep me going is my something.


What is yours?


~Erika

Follow me on YouTube!

I FINALLY created my channel...or at least put some videos on my channel!  I wanted to focus on reviews and that has gone well so far.  I have three videos up focused on reviews which are on the Michael Kors Fulton crossbody bag, Dove Advanced Care and Rimmel Moisture Renew, which I have reviewed here on the blog.  I am currently in the process of moving from one state to another and have been totally STRESSED so I haven't been able to put out videos like I want to.  I will get back to it very soon.  But I am looking forward to what I can do through YouTube and I am looking to challenge myself so much more.  I plan on teaching myself Photoshop as well as taking classes on web design since I have been interested in that so much.  So go now!  Check out my channel...you can either catch me through Google+ @ebanx15 or on YouTube @ebanx151.

Peace & Happiness :)

Erika

YouTube Groupie!

I have been addicted to YouTube for over the last year and when I say addicted I mean if the Internet went down today I think I would totally die.  But for real though 0_o.  I watch YouTube more than I watch TV.  I find myself grabbing for my computer soon as I get off work and now it's creeping into my work life!  I NEED REHAB!!!  LOL!  But with all that said I finally decided to join the YouTube community and I released my first video on Sunday!  YAY for me!!!  Check me out...my username for YouTube is ebanx151, but you can find me through Google+ @ebanx15!  I will be doing reviews on my channel and hope to start talking about saving money at the store through couponing and rewards systems.  

If you don't want to go through all the trouble, click the link here to find my channel right away!

Enjoy.  Like. Comment. Subscribe.  The best thing is that it's FREE!

Peace & Happiness :)

Erika

Post Review Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick!

I WAS NOT COMPENSATED FOR THIS POST, HOWEVER I DID RECEIVE A SAMPLE FOR MY REVIEW.  ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN AND NOT INFLUENCED IN ANY WAY.

So the Rimmel new & improved Moisture Renew lipstick was a success!  Although I would not have picked the color I received, it was well worth it as it challenges me to wear brighter colors and when I want to tone it down all I have to do is add a liner.  I would HIGHLY recommend this product (the newer version, which colors will be released this June) as the price is right, the pigmentation is ridiculous, it is very moisturizing and does not dry out your lips, and it's long lasting.  I can say that I am open to try the original product and will most definitely be trying the new shades that are released in June!  Most Rimmel products can be found at Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and any other local drugstore or retailers.  Don't run out all at once!

Until next time!

Peace & Happiness :)

Erika

Mini Update Rimmel London Moisture Renew lipstick!

I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.   


I am highly pleased and satisfied with the new and improved Rimmel London Moisture Renew lipstick.  The moisturizing benefits have been great as the color glides on my lips with ease!  I have to be careful and have a light hand because I can make myself look clownish especially with the color I have (360 As You Want Victoria).  The texture is also good since it glides on smooth, its silky and does not cake up on my lips.  The color payoff is great as well.  The color is very vivid and with me being dark skin I have to be careful as I said not to make myself look like I'm trying to audition for a clown in the Universal Soul Circus.  I like to use a dark lip liner to tone down the color.  I have been using one I bought from the BSS (beauty supply store) by Sinful Colors in the color 40118 Piper, which is actually a jumbo lipstick crayon.  It's been great to use as a liner.  

I have never tried the Original Moisture Renew lipsticks because I felt that many of the colors did not suit my skin tone.  What I like about the New Moisture Renew lipsticks are that they have a variety colors and that most of those colors are suitable for my skin tone.  I may go to try some of the original ones and just add lip liners to them to fit my skin tone. 

As I said before, so far so good!  Keep them coming +rimmellondon and thanks again +Influenster for allowing me to test this product!

Peace & Happiness :)

Erika

The left side is without liner.
The right is with the Sinful Colors liner in Piper.  #MoistureRenew

Final Review: Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with NutriumMositure

I WAS NOT COMPENSATED FOR THIS POST, HOWEVER I DID RECEIVE A SAMPLE FOR MY REVIEW.  ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN AND NOT INFLUENCED IN ANY WAY.  


I can say that I have been a HUGE fan of Dove deodorant since it was released!  I was one of those teens who had trouble finding the right deodorant and I can say that before Dove released their brand of deodorant I went through them ALL!  Lady Speed Stick, Mitchium, Degree, Suave, Secret, Arm & Hammer, Teen Spirit, Arrid...you name it and I can say I probably tried it.  The funny thing about the Dove deodorant though was that I could NOT use any other scent than Powder. Original and Radiant Silk made me stink and sweat even more.  I didn't even give it a second thought to try any other scent they released. 

I was a newbie to Influenster when I was gifted the Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with NutriumMositure.  I was open and willing to try this product because 1) it was Dove and 2) it stated that it had 48 hours of protection.  My only doubt was that I was deciding to go against using anything that was an antiperspirant since it has been linked to cancer.  I figured hell I've been using it all my life no need to not try this one out.  So I did away with my Dove Powder Deodorant and gave the Advanced Care a try.  So worth the wait!  I had used it for the first two days and noticed that I did not sweat as much as I had before and that my underarms were not producing a musty smell.  Dove Powder seemed to work for me, but this really did the trick!  It's like working with good, better, and best.  The Powder was better, but the Advanced Care was best!

I haven't really taken note to whether my underarms were getting lighter as I was using the product.  To be honest, I had been a little lazy and slacked on shaving my underarms.  But I can say that when I did shaved and swiped the deodorant under my arm, it was smooth, it didn't burn, and I still felt like I was getting the protection I needed.  Speaking of protection needed, I tend to sweat during the night as well and I felt that this kept me from sweating.

The smell of the product was great; light, but a good smell.  The only con that I didn't care for was the deodorant at times felt very moist and soft.  I liked the smoothness of it, but if I wasn't careful with placing the top on correctly, I would chip off some of the deodorant.  I would like it if it was a tad, and I mean TAD bit harder, but kept its smoothness.  However, that is not a con that would make or break me from buying the product.  If the texture remained the same I would buy it again and again because of the protection and coverage.  

I also like the packing of the product.  The product comes in many different scents.  However, since my body tends to reject certain scents, I think I will stick with what I have been using which seems to be the most popular brand.  I do like the fact that they have given women (and men) the option to select from various different scents.  And from what I believe the Advanced Care offers more product than the regular Dove deodorants.  

Thank you @Dove for continuing to follow through in promoting great products and thank you +Influenster for allowing women like me to experience such an awesome opportunity to find things that we love and share them with others!

Peace & Happiness :)

Erika

*This is me and my armpits!  LOL!  I swiped once to see the consistency of the product and the right side is from work and getting home 12 hours later.  I like the fact that I don't have deodorant caked up under my arms, its smooth like I don't have on deodorant, yet I'm still protected!  Thank you again @Dove and @Influenster *

Influenster: Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick

I WAS NOT COMPENSATED FOR THIS POST, HOWEVER I DID RECEIVE A SAMPLE FOR MY REVIEW.  ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN AND NOT INFLUENCED IN ANY WAY.

I don't know what to say but "WOW!"  I was gone all week for Spring Break in Virginia and I knew that I had this box coming and couldn't wait to get to the mailbox to check it!  I pulled it out last night I received the new Moisture Renew Lipstick in the color 360 As You Want Victoria.  I didn't really plan on wearing or trying it on until I got off of work today, but I dropped it in my purse and went about my morning.  Once I got to work and swiped it on my lips I was taken back because not only did it glide on smoothly, the color was like "BAM!"  In my best Emeril Lagasse voice.  Although the color was a little bright for my taste (I'm a dark skin tone and the color is a fuchsia-pink), I added a little dark brown-purple lip liner and I was about my way.  I say that it wears really well, since I have had it on about the last three hours, it just started fading away and most of that because of the transfer of it onto my coffee cup.  So a little goes a long way, but also the transfer is very high as my cup was stained from the product.  Last, but not least, it also is very conditioning.  Since it glides on smoothly it does feel moisturizing to the lips.  I would suggest to exfoliate the lips first as the color could bleed into the lines on your lips.  I have been BAD about this!  *SCREECH*  Anyhow, This is a brief review since I just tried it on literally three hours ago, but I felt compelled to say that I am definitely ready to try the other colors that are offered in the new Moisture Renew line NEW & IMPROVED!  

#MoistureRenew 
Peace & Happiness :)

Erika

Influenster Dove Advanced Care Pre-Review!

I WAS NOT COMPENSATED FOR THIS POST, HOWEVER I DID RECEIVE A SAMPLE FOR MY REVIEW.  ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN AND NOT INFLUENCED IN ANY WAY.

I am so ecstatic that I received my first Influenster box yesterday in the mail!  I am now using Dove Advanced Care deodorant!  All sponsorship goes to Influenster and Dove.  So far I have noticed that it has a great smell, stops wetness, and most of all protects for 48 hours!  I have not fully showed proof to the 48 hour coverage, but it seems to be fairly close!  After using yesterday upon taking a shower, I like to use deodorant before going to bed.  If you are like me and have hot flashes/night sweats, then this is for you.  I woke up this morning feeling refreshed under my arms more so than using the Dove Original in the Powder scent.  I also have found that compared to the Original Dove Powder brand, the Advanced Care works for me in keeping wetness down and funk away!  I have FAITHFULLY used Dove Original in Powder scent because even the Original or Radiant Silk scent left me smelling a little funky.  I have not experienced this as of yet with the Advanced Care brand.  As I stated it has been a little less than 24 hours since starting the deodorant.  As the days go by, I will be reblogging about this product and also mentioning them via Instagram and Twitter.  You can follow me on both platforms @ebanx15.  Thanks +Dove for making such a great product and for continuing to push the bar with all of your products.  I am looking forward to this journey with you!  #RaiseYourArms


Also, thank you +Influenster +Influenster VoxBox for sending me the product to review! 

Peace & Happiness!

~Erika

P.S. Make sure to check out Walmart's website to meet with a local esthetician this weekend, February 8th and 9th!  All you have to do is type in your zip code and find which Walmart the esthetician will be there.  Here's the link here!  You can also get a $2 coupon from the site as well :)

ModDeals.com!

Ladies!  Have you been mauling over purchasing new clothes and/or shoes?!?  Look no further!  Since I am a YouTube junkie, I was getting my daily dose of subscription videos in when I saw Erica Fae mentioning some shoes that she her purchased from ModDeals.com.   The best thing about it...the shoes were only TEN DOLLARS!!!!  Yes, DIAZ PESOS for my Spanish speaking friends.  I may have not said that right, but you get my drift.  Not only do they have clothes and shoes, they also have beauty items to include nail polish, jewelry, accessories, and bags!  Again did I mention that you can get items between $10 and $15 dollars.  I am in NO WAY sponsoring this site, but just thought it would be great to share with others who like to save a pretty penny!  *Raises hand HIGH*  Knowledge is meant to be shared so don't be selfish!

So if you are still here reading than you are not fast enough or you are smart enough to another tab/window, read, AND shop! 

Peace & Happiness!

~Erika

Blog Updates!

Hello all!  It's been a few days, but I am back to make a few announcements. 

1. I still am selling L.A. Girl Pro Conceal concealers via eBay!  My store name is shopphoenixrising123 and you can find them there or just do a simple search for "L.A. Girl Pro Conceal Concealers."  Most color options are fair/light skin tone.
2. I will be posting this week about Winn-Dixie HUGE Buy 1, Get 1 FREE sale!  I'm excited about this myself.
3. Last but NOT least, check out my online boutique!  I haven't had much traffic there lately but I do have earrings on sale!  Go to www.shopphoenixrising.storenvy.com :)

Until next time, shoppers!

Peace & Happiness!

~Erika