Two Cent Tuesdays!

Hello again my lovelies. I know it's almost Valentine's Day, but um, Happy New Year (and Chinese New Year)! Hope you're having a helluva time keeping up with all of those resolutions you made so far =)

As for me, I've decided to be a bit more consistent with my Two Cent Tuesdays. I know! That's big news, right? It is for me...I realized that I can still be on track with curbing my spending and review products I already use. No need to go crazy buying things just to review! Light bulb.

So stick around to see what shenanigans I've been up to on my quest to find products I absolutely need in my life!


Apricot Oil

I discovered this oil by accident. I was shopping for avocado oil that I normally use in my hair and on my skin, and GNC was out of it. I read that Apricot oil was good for dry skin, so I decided to try it. Let me say that it did not disappoint. This oil is light, non-greasy, and absorbs really well. I ended up using it mostly on my skin and noticed it cleared up the eczema flare on my hands almost immediately. Looking for Vitamin A, E, and essential fatty acids? Check. It reminds me of sweet almond oil in texture and properties. Great also for psoriasis, dry, dull hair, and even scabies (ew!)

  Now Solutions apricot oil $4.99, GNC
Bottom line: Recommended


Benefit Cosmetics
benefitcosmetics.com

So it was my birthday on January 25th, and of course I made my annual pilgrimage to Sephora for some new goodies. I tend to splurge in there, but the good thing is you get a freebie on your birthday. Yep.
This year, I received the They're Real mascara mini and Watt's Up soft focus highlighter for the face. The price for the two on Benefit's website are $10 and $30 respectively.
The mascara's wand has a cool shape, and my lashes definitely rivaled the look my Maybelline Mega Plush Volume mascara currently gives me!
The highlighter looked okay under my brow line and on my cheekbones, but it was nothing mind blowing. I may have to go back to the store and have a demo of how to apply since this is not something I normally wear. I checked their website to see if their products are cruelty-free (owned by twin sisters Jean and Jane Ford), and the answer was somewhat ambiguous. They say that they don't test on animals, but also state that no company can completely make that claim...huh? Read for yourself here.

 

 Bottom line: Somewhat recommended. I would definitely purchase the mascara, but not quite sold on the highlighter for myself...yet. Especially for $30!


Sephora

 My new obsession is pink/purple lip color, so I tried several different shades while at Sephora for the perfect shade. I ended up choosing the 12 Hour wear Jumbo Liner Crayon in Lilac Shimmer, which is actually for the eyes. The color was perfect, and it does go on with a smooth, almost powdery feel. I make sure to wear lip balm first to prevent my lips from drying out and looking like a crazy person. It's also waterproof so I can eat and drink without having to reapply constantly throughout the day.
Sephora, $14

 
Loves it!!

 

 Bottom line: Highly recommended 

 

 Susan Nichole Handbags

I have been a fan of Susan Nichole vegan handbags for a couple of years now. I finally treated myself to one for Christmas. After rocking lots of high end leather bags for years, I was skeptical about "vegan" accessories because I hadn't found any that lived up to my taste...until now. These bags are fab, hot, and most importantly cruelty free. I was feeling kinda "hobo" and ordered the Meghan bag in gold. Since I was on their email list, I receive offers for special sales and other perks; to that end, I received my bag for only $38 versus the $125 it is sold for. Heeeck yeah!
The bag itself is very spacious, colorful with a funky burgundy strap that I wear across my body. I get lots of compliments on it.
Of note, on their website, you can learn how to enter to win a FREE BAG of your choice every Thursday at 10pm EST on Twitter and Facebook. Really simple to enter.
They even let you return your bag/wallet for recycling once you're done with it...AND they give you a $10 credit towards your next purchase for doing so! What else do you NEED??

Ivy in Dark Green, $125

Miss Betty in Oatmeal, $150

Meghan in Gold, $125 (but I received for $38)


Bottom line: With both fabulous fashion pieces and conscientious business practices, it's a no- brainer. I will definitely be a repeat customer. Highly recommended.


There you have it. Overall, I was very satisfied with the products/merchandise I purchased. I'm excited that some or all of this helped you guys. Thanks again for all the messages and love you all have been showing me here, on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. We're gonna keep this thing growing!!!

Until next time,

Love and Happiness!!

Nikki




Date Night

Welcome back to the madness! Hope you all are enjoying your lives and living it as honestly as can be. That's my goal everyday...it's so freeing!!! Some people may resent you for your non-conformity and brazen mentality, but so what? They'll get it eventually.

So Friday night was much fun.  Almost too much. My original plan was to stay in and get the finishing touches on my book done (Rainbow Trout is coming...I promise. Politics had me at a standstill!). However, I gave in to fun-shocking; I know...and went out with Mr. Thomas on a friend-date. You're probably thinking "big deal", but it turned out to be very revealing! Read on.

Surprisingly, we didn't take any pictures, but I'll tell you what I wore. All cruelty free fashion, of course. Use your imagination and make me look hot in your mind, because child, I was! Yep. I wore an above the knee black, fitted and strapless lace dress with black lace peep toe "shooties"... my name for ankle boots/shoes. The dress looks a lot like this one, except the lining is black, not nude, and it was fitted all the way to the bottom:

This one is by UjENA, and can be found online for as low as $38.95 I purchased mine at Vista Ridge Mall in Lewisville for about the same price.

These are the shoes that I just slipped on to take these pics. They are by Chinese Laundry and I purchased them for about $60 on sale a few months ago. They have a peep-toe front, and you might be able to see my silver toenail polish from the side. The heels are about 5 inches.

I get a lot of compliments on these babies. They are very comfortable also. LOVE them!

Accessories were minimal: brown and gold studded cuff bracelet (purchased at the mall last year-forgot the price-sorry!), smoky quartz and diamond ring (Mother's Day gift last year), and pink diamond earrings from Juicy Couture (birthday gift 2 years ago from my eldest son Mychal).

I smoothed my hair with shea butter and sweet almond oil and flat ironed it into loose waves. One beige faux-leather clutch later, I was out the door!

He greeted me with a crisp white dress shirt, dark wash jeans and a nice pair of kicks. Sexy.

Ok, so now that you're caught up on the fashion, you can get a peek into the date =)

First, we went to Pappadeaux in Dallas. As most of you know, there are NOT many vegan options on their menu! However, he was so handsome and gentlemanly that I let it slide. I had a glass of cabernet sauvignon, and he started with a mojito. It must have been good because he ordered another with his appetizer of jumbo coconut shrimp. He asked me if I "could eat shrimp" as a vegan. Here we go again. Explanation time.

Our conversation was pretty good, and a man always scores points when he tells his date how beautiful she is (even as I spotted other women looking over at us...heifers). I tried to order red beans and rice for dinner, but when I asked, alas, they prepared it with meat. I ended up ordering plain rice and zucchini ribbons, which turned out to be really delish. Somehow he was able to look me in the eye and talk about our lives while simultaneously chowing a steak, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. Talented!

I found myself wanting to stay in his company, which worked out because he said we were on to "part 2 of the night." Hmmm.

He took me to Buttons in Addison, which is a jazzy/live band bar and restaurant-type spot which is exactly what I was in the mood for. The band was singing an Earth, Wind, and Fire song as we walked in, and the place was packed...but not annoyingly packed.

.

I had been there before and had a good time. As the drinks flowed, he became a lot more open about his feelings for me...and surprised me with an amazing confession. I'll have to keep that private and see what happens =)

Unfortunately, I did openly flirt with a couple of guys who approached me while we were sitting at the bar. By openly flirt, I mean engage in conversation and lingering hand holding. Oops. Blame it on the Patron? The vodka tonics? Glasses of cab I'd had earlier? Before you boo me, I  acknowledged my lack of manners, apologized and smoothed things over with my friend-date. He said he understood that I am a social butterfly, "but that sh*t had better not happen again". Woo hoo! Loves me a strong man who will not put up with my ish. Most of the time.

There you have it. Great night and potential for more great nights? We'll see.

Until next time...

Love and Happiness,

<3 Nikki