Over My Head

It's a bitch to grow up. Sometimes I wish I was a kid again, with the worst thing to worry about being where I'm going to sit at lunch when I'm at school, or if I'm going to be able to catch my favorite program on tv at night.

I feel like I'm in over my head.

About three weeks after I graduated my father was arrested. The charges are so severe that they set his bail in the ballpark of five million dollars. I have come to terms that I'm never going to see my father in anything other than prison orange and shackles as long as he lives. I'm not one hundred percent okay with that, he's my father after all, but he's broken the law and has to live up to it.

Now I'm left wondering how my mother and I are going to handle our finances.

I'm still paying off medical bills from my lovely trip to the hospital at the beginning of the year, plus a high bill from some dental surgery that I had.

To add insult to injury, my beautiful Yetta, the car that I've had since I was sixteen years old, is starting to bite the dust. She's fourteen years old and had a long and lovely life, though it doesn't damper the feeling of potentially being without a car in the midst of one of the worst summers Florida has experienced in years.

I'm not sure what to do. I've been working my ass off, selling books online, doing things like Amazon mechanical turk, yet nothing ever seems to change. Sure, I've got a college degree. Unfortunately, no one is hiring in my field within my area of travel with a crappy car.

It really makes me wonder how so many people out there can have no job, live off of the government, and be in debt to their ears, yet be completely happy. I'm not saying I want to be unemployed and living off of the government, that's not something I'd ever want to have to experience, I just want to know how they can be in so much financial crisis and still act like their lives are the greatest.

I know money isn't everything. It's something that's nice to have, but it's not everything.

I should be thankful that I'm healthy, that I've got a job, a roof over my head, and an amazing family.

I wish I had a way to control the stress and anxiety, the fear that I'm not going to be able to handle what life has handed me.

This post really has no point. I needed to get all of this off of my chest.

Apple, Y U So Expensive?

I need a new computer so bad. Doris (my lovely PowerBook) is on her last leg after seven long years together so I've been looking for a new one. I had totally forgotten how much they cost! I applied for financing, though the limit I was given wasn't near enough for a new compy like the one I want. I can afford the Air, but it doesn't have the disc drive. It shouldn't matter since I rarely used the one I had on Doris before my mother dropped her and broke the fan and the drive.

One more thing to save for after I get my next root canal, crown, and bridge, I suppose!

Sally Haul

Hello, lovelies! How are you enjoying your weekend? This is my first day off after working for nine days straight, so I'm a bit knackered.

A few weeks ago, upon receiving my first paycheck after my raise, I had to splurge on myself. For me, spoiling and splurging generally takes place at Sally Beauty Supply. I only intended on picking up a few nail polishes, though in the end I walked out $70 poorer but loaded down with things that made me happy.

Read on for haul pics.

Influenster's Summer VoxBox

Hello, lovelies!

Once again, I was chosen to participate in Influenster's VoxBox program.

What is Influenster? It is a community of trendsetters invited to share their lifestyles and show their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love.



The Summer VoxBox is full of goodies for the summertime.


Read on to see the goodies that were included in this box. 

Feeling Crafty With Duct Tape

About a week ago I had the craft bug bite me hard. Luckily I had some cool new duct tape that the kids picked out - neither of them know it yet but I made them both something from their tape  :3

Hello Kitty Change Purse

Sponge Bob Wallet

I haven't made anything out of duct tape since I was about thirteen years old. When we picked up the tape, the kids wanted me to make something, and I was at a total loss. After seeing some of the things one of my girlfriends at work had created from duct tape, I started to really think. 

In the end, I ended up with a change purse with a bead strap for my step-daughter, and then a standard wallet for my step-son. I can't wait to see their faces when I give them their goodies :)

The best part was all together, this project cost less than $15 for both rolls of tape and the beads. Even better is I still have a lot more tape on each roll, leaving me room to make more things!

Full shot of purse, with strap. 

I went a bit far with the change purse, I think, since I deviated from all duct tape. To hold the bow on, I used a bobby pin. The strap is plastic pearl beads on cotton cord, then taped on the inside with matching duct tape. A small velcro dot on the front flap holds it closed.

Open Wallet Detail

Open Wallet

The wallet is nothing but duct tape. This took a bit longer to make because of the details (the pockets), though I'm pleased with the overall final product.

Foolproof Summer Makeup

For us ladies living in the south, finding ways to make your makeup last in high humidity and heat is a must. As a Floridian, it almost feels like I'm in constant battle with heat and humidity when it comes to my hair and makeup. Melting makeup, flat and limp hair one day, frizzy hair the next, summer can be terrible!

I have had trouble with heavier foundations in the summer months. In the heat of the day it feels very heavy, almost like a mask. My solution is a tinted moisturizer or, more recently, BB creams. Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB has been amazing in this area, and it's got built in sun protection. The beauty of a good bb cream is the ability to build up on trouble spots and still keep a fresh look, even in the summer. For added protection I lightly dust my face with a transparent powder.

I've also discovered that using powder blushers and eye shadows is much more difficult to apply, especially in a home that doesn't have air conditioning! I switch to cream based products for more reliable coverage that won't streak as I put it on, nor will it streak as I sweat. For day, I even use the cream eye shadows as a substitute for eyeliner and reserve my liquid liner for night. The look is much softer and less harsh - the summer is all about relaxation, which carries over to my daily makeup routine.

While I wear waterproof mascara year round, it is even more important in the summer. I wear Maybelline's Volum Express The Falsies waterproof mascara. It is amazing in terms of creating a lasting look, though it can be a bit difficult to get off even with a good eye makeup remover. There are also great water resistant products on the market which are much easier to remove, yet offer the same lasting power as its waterproof counterparts. Just remember, waterproof is different from water resistant. Water resistant products are perfect for even the hottest of summer days, when humidity is high and you know you will sweat lightly. Waterproof, on the other hand, is better for those days where there is a high chance of rain, you will be going to a pool or the beach. Living in south Florida, where you can expect afternoon showers almost every day, waterproof products have become my best friend.

I also exchange out my heavier, more pigmented lipsticks for lighter glosses, stains, and balms. My most recent favorite is Avon's Shine Attract Lipstick in Shimmer Pink. It offers a nice amount of color that isn't overwhelming, as well as a hydrating gloss. Some other favorite's are Hard Candy's World Balmination in Bridal Blush (a nude) and Nivea's A Kiss of Moisture (my old standby).

Last, but not least, don't forget your sunscreen!


Everyone's routine will be different, based on skin type. This is my plan that works well for my combination skin.

What is your routine for foolproof summer makeup? What are your favorite products? Let me know below in the comments - I'm always on the lookout to test new products and add things to my routine, or even replace products I currently use with products that work even better!

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Weather, y u suck?

I hope everyone in the United States is having a happy and safe, and rain free, Independence Day.

For the rest of the world, happy Wednesday!

Couponing Buddy

I found a coupon buddy! One of my new hires at work enjoys doing the same couponing things that my mother and I do, with the exception she prints hers as well (go figure I don't have a working printer - I'm missing out on so many great deals!). It's amazing to finally have someone else to talk about these things with, and to share deals!

Most recent find:

Free Ivory soap at Walgreens!

In this month's P&G Brand Saver, there is a coupon for $1 off Ivory soap. Walgreens just so happens to have their three pack of Ivory soap bars on sale for 99 cents. If you use your coupon on the sale item, you're pretty much getting free soap!

I am going to take advantage of this deal so I can make other things out of it. You can make your own body washes out of soap shavings, glycerin, and your essential oils of choice. Since I've always wanted to try this, I'm going to go with the basic recipe and add a few other things that are good for the skin.

I'll definitely share my results and recipe if I find a true winner :)