Organizing my make-up/nail polish and jewelry

I wanted to start on a big organizational project but my arm is still not where I would like it to be and honestly I'm a bit gun shy after the whole pinched nerve thing. 

The good thing is I am able to tackle some small projects here and there so that's what I've been concentrating on. 

Marc surprised me with this last week. It's been on my wish list for a while. 

Knowing him he probably got it for a steal! 

I labeled my drawers after I sorted through everything!

These are actually file boxes from Office Depot. I've been using them for a few years now to hold my jewelry! Some items have moved to the new storage system which freed up additional space for more of my jewelry that was in random boxes! 

It didn't take me long to fill it up! I'm actually surprised that it holds so many of my stuff! Including most of my jewelry and make-up! My brush bag has a perfect spot on the side of the storage system. I just used a kitchen cabinet hook to hang it on!

I use fishing tackle boxes to keep items corralled. I may need to get a few more! lol

I left the make-up in their original storage cases so that I can easily grab them

 if I'm doing my make-up in another room.

I still have my hanging necklace "mannequins" on display. And it keeps smaller pendent necklaces from getting tangled. Eventually I hope to get tarnish bags from Michael's just to be on the safe side. After that I will just keep out my bulky costume I items. 

I only have a few nail polish items, but I already have a system in mind as that starts to grow. Which I have a feeling will happen now that I've signed up for Ipsy's monthly prescription! Get ready for monthly reviews on the products I receive!

So far I'm loving the new system. But I'm sure I will tweak it as time goes by! lol 

My April Favorites

Favorite Hair Products

I have tried every pony tail holder under the sun. Even the ouchless ones without the medal band. I wasn't sure how these would work on ethnic hair but surprisingly they hold my ponytail in place really well and the best part? I don't have wads of hair left in the elsastic after I take it out!

Last summer I decided to let my hair grow out. So far its been an ok adventure ( I won't be going "natural" just in case anyone ask). I get my hair "did" every two weeks. Usually my hairdresser washes it, roller sets it and puts me under the dryer (she follows up with a wrap). That is the only time heat goes near my head. Every 6 weeks I get my hair relaxed ( for all my non-african american sista's who may not have a clue what I'm talking about....I'm not talking about a perm) which basically means my stylist uses chemicals to take the "curl" out of my hair (the week in between I do a co-wash). Last month I "treated" my hair the week before I usually get a a relaxer and used Lustrasilk Herbal Cholesterol deep conditioning cream along with my Aphogee Deep Moisture Shampoo and then used my Cantu Shea butter leave in conditioning repair cream. I noticed a significant difference in my hair texture (it was straighter), and so did my hairdresser because she reccomended skipping my relaxer until my next appointment (which meant I went 8 weeks without a touch up). Needless to say I will be doing this again during the month of May! Any chance to extend my relaxer to at least two more weeks is a good thing!

Favorite Make-Up Products

I ordered this months ago (glad I did because it doesn't seem to be on the website anymore) from my Mary Kay Consultant when I was in the middle of my "pinched nerve" issues. I asked my consultant to save it for my birthday (which would include a discount for the month of my birthday. You all know I love a good bargain). I love this bag! It came with several make-up brushes but there is room for additional brushes, and additional net pocket plus a make up bag that comes out. Its a great addition to my collection of bags and is a perfect compliment to my Mary Kay's travel bag.

I've been really loving my Milani Face Powder in Dark Tan (I use it on hot days in place of foundation) and the Milani Rose D' Oro baked powder blush. I started using Milani products last summer and picked up the  face powder again this spring. I have been keeping the make-up pretty light and natural the last few weeks so my go to lipstick has been nuetral  (sort of coral) by Revlon (super lustrous) in the shade Temptress. I also went back to using Mary Kay's brow gel. I've tried other types but I haven't been that satisfied with them. Mary Kay had a brow gel years ago and then discountinued it. Recently they brought it back and I am thrilled! 

Favorite Fashion Pieces 

I brought this Bob Mackie jacket last year when we went on vacation to Lancaster PA. Its from QVC and came from their outlet store. This jacket looks great with dresses, capri's and jeans! I knew I would like it when I got it but wasn't sure what I would wear it with. Now I love it! I posted a pic on Instagram and "Bob Mackie" or one of his people liked it! LOL

I picked up this purse a few years ago from JCPenneys. As a matter of fact I think we brought one for the girls as well in brown and pink. This bag holds a ton of stuff and can go casual or slightly dressy. 

I love sandals in the summmer with a cute skirt or maxi dress. I picked these up from Roses for $8.00! I have been wearing them like crazy and the best part is that they don't hurt between the toes! That's a must with these type of shoes. 

Favorite Home Items

I've been burning Bath and Bodyworks Pink Sangria. The description on the candle says its a mix of zesty mandarin, crisp appple, watery pear and sugared berries. I just know it smells good. LOL

I brought a bunch of candle holders from Bath and Bodyworks with my birthday money! I don't know why but I just feel safer having them in the candle sleeves. Plus they are pretty! 

I switch up my "sippy" cups with the season. My favorite colors are blue and green..need I say more? 

Favorite Beverage/Snacks

I thought I would give the pretzel chips a try and was surprised how much I liked them. Surprisingly my family liked it as well. I ate them plain as well as with chicken salad and honey mustard sauce.

I tried this tea for the first time when they were serving it at our churches cafe. Its Lipston's Blueberry and Pomegranate white tea and it is delicious cold as well as hot.

This is completely my husbands fault. He brought me a case of my favorite candy bar for my birthday. I won't even tell you how many are left in the box! 

Same with the cereal! Which I snack on because I don't drink milk.

Favorite Books/Magazines

With magazines right now its all about the organizing! I would love if you shared your favorites! 

I just finished reading Stand By Me, which is about the life of two women in a multi-cultural church. You all know if you follow me on twitter that I am passionate about women, and especially passionate about uniting our different races. Apparently there is a series of these books by the author Neta Jackson who is the author of the Yada Yada prayer group. I enjoyed the book so much I'm going to be looking for some of he earlier books to add to my collection. 

Favorite TV Shows

I have been watching a lot of tv. My favorites this month have been Body of Proof , Castle and The Good Wife! I'm also glued to the tv so I can catch the last couple of episodes of NCIS which I believe is in its last season. Marc and I both watch Person of Interest and Elementary! I told you I was watching a lot of TV. 

Favorite Song

Some of my friends belong to Mount Lebanon Church here in Virginia and their church just released a new song called " Bless The Name of The Lord" and I have been listening to it all week! Its coming out on Itunes this week (it may have been released already). But if you get a chance go check it out!

Favorite YouTuber

I thought I would add this to my monthly favorites. I have really enjoyed watching GabeandBabe . These two crack me up! And they have the cutest baby!!! 

Favorite App

I recently downloaded a countdown app and its my favorite this month because I'm using it to countdown our 30th anniversary trip! 

And that ladies is my April favorites!!!! Hope you enjoyed it. Sorry for any mispellings or typos. This blog post has taken me all day to do and my arm is starting to hurt. I may go back later and clean it up a bit but for now I'm done. lol

Cyndi's February Favorites

I'm going to try and start posting my monthly favorites once a month. At first I thought I would try doing a YouTube video once a month but I'll be honest I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet! Have you seen the comments people make on YouTube videos? I just don't understand all the hate! If you don't like a persons video why even watch? Anyway, I'm getting off track! lol

My monthly favorites may include fashion, seasonal decor, books, music, my fav. iPhone app, cosmetics...you get the idea. Hope someone enjoys them! lol By the way I'm still posting from my phone so excuse any errors.

I wore very little make-up during the month of February. But when I did I kept it very light. My go tos were my elf eyeshadow, elf bronzer, elf primer ( I mean it's only a $1.00). My Cover girl mascara and my Mary Kay mineral powder.

Speaking of Mary Kay. I've been trying to stay on my daily cleaning regiment but I have to admit as convient as the new formula is I'm a basic girl at heart. So a few months ago I asked my consultant for the original mask so that I could deep cleanse once a month. I also had an old bottle of fresher that Ive been holding on to and I use it on the days I wear make-up. Which actually isn't that often! Usually just Sundays and special occasions. 

I have been loving the Bath and Body Works line.Over the years I have received some of their products as a gift but this year I have been obsessed. I grabbed the Cashmere Glow line over Christmas in a Black Friday special. I had my daughter Nicki go back in February and pick up the mist. You know I like a product when I buy the mist. My skin gets very dry in the winter and actually even in the summer so I have been using the Eucerin lotion for a while. I've tried other products but I keep coming back so now its the only kind I buy for my dry and cracked skin.

My Bath and Bodyworks candles for the month of February were Cranberry Pear Bellini and Winter. I've almost used them all up!

In late January my daughter took me to Teavanna for the first time to pick out a late Christmas gift (I also got to go to Lush for the first time). I am in love with my new Tea Maker and I love the loose tea that the have. The mug was my Valentine mug that I got from the Dollar Tree!

Fashion has been the last thing on my mind in the last few months. LOL And my wardrobe mostly consisted of my favorite Disney shirts, my stretch jeggings, and my new favorites...my Nine West Jeans from Sam's Club of all places. I picked two pair up over the holidays for $9.00 a piece. And you all know how I love a bargain. Surprisingly they fit great and I've found them to be very comfortable.

With my arm and back being in so much pain I had to downsize what I carried in my purse and in the end I even had to downsize my purse! My small plaid Bass bag from our trip to Lancaster PA last summer has really come in handy. And on special occasions or for church I pulled out a small fur bag that my Aunt gave me a few years ago that I had never used.

Even coats seemed to feel heavy on me, so I have worn this lined hoody out. I picked it up from Sam's Club ( man, I buy a lot of clothes from Sam's...lol). That and a scarf I swiped from Marc and my Target gloves with the special fingers for your phone have been my best friend this winter. I even wore this thing to Cleveland when we went in December before the pain got really bad.

I love books but holding a book up to read has been a challenge. So I've been looking at a lot of magazines. I haven't done this since my teen years when I would stock up on the Teen Mags when I got my allowance!

Again, another change has been not being able to wear my big chunky jewelry ( have you ever tried to wear a heavy statement piece when your back and neck feel like they are on fire) so I'm kind of glad that I started getting into smaller necklaces this fall. Now I'm obsessed with finding them! LOL

The one thing I have really missed has been decorating. I did manage to put up a few things for Valentines Day...but nothing like I usually do! They are now back in their boxes ready for next year! Well that concludes my first monthly favorites. Hope you enjoyed it. My arm is starting to hurt so I'm pretty sure that's my cue to give it a break!