SammyDress - Tropical Blue Bikini

This post was sponsored by SammyDress. All opinions remain my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support me!

SammyDress Bikini  //  Bando Sunglasses  //  Forever21 Choker

Summer has just begun here on Guam and my family and I kicked it off by taking full advantage of the island life by going to the beach.  It just so happened that my birthday fell on Memorial Day this year so I took an extra day off on Tuesday to spend as much time in the sun as I could before going back to work.

It was a fun-filled, sun-filled weekend full of laughter, cool breezes, and perfect photo opportunities.  I was finally able to break out my new bikinis from SammyDress that I picked out a few weeks ago and I couldn't resist taking a few photos in this tropical printed blue bikini that I received.  I knew immediately that I had to have it when I saw it on the SammyDress website.  The print and color looked gorgeous online and it was just as vibrant in person as well.

Though I normally fit mediums, I requested a large since it is a Brazilian style bottom and shows more booty than a regular bikini bottom and also because I'm a little curvier in the hips (especially since I haven't been keeping up with my diet and exercise for the past few months) and know how I'd like my bottoms to fit on me.  I'm glad that I ordered a size up because the large fit perfectly.  I think if I'd ordered a medium, it would have been too tight so I recommend ordering a size up if you're planning on getting a bikini from SammyDress as well.

The suit goes for about $8.00 (yes, you read that right) and is a STEAL of a deal because the quality of it is the same, if not better, than some popular brand-name bikinis I currently own.  Honestly, I'm not sure if I'll ever pay more than $60 for a new suit ever again now that I know how great the ones at SammyDress are.

I've got a few more items from SammyDress that I'll be sharing with you soon so stay tuned.  In the meantime, go and check out the HUGE selection of bikinis and swimwear over at SammyDress.  For an even better deal, use one of the promo codes below for extra savings!

The Bando Agenda

Alright, so I've been using my Bando Agenda for a little over 3 months now and I figured it's about time I post some photos as well as my thoughts on it.  I apologize in advance for the crappy photos.  I'd post better ones, but...lazy.

Okay, so first off, besides the gorgeous design (I mean, really, it is so frikken pretty), the cover is great.  It is made with hard, durable cardboard (like a hard-cover book) and has rounded edges so you don't have to worry about it bending out of shape too much.  It is spiral bound so some of you crafty people can create inserts or clip-ins if you're want a more customized feel.

Once you open it, there is a double sided pocket page that contains a cute little code key that you can use to write notes to your friends, or just write stuff that you don't really want others to see.  You can also use the pockets to hold papers, stickers, or whatever.  After the pocket page is the dashboard which says "This Agenda Is Mine" and a blank line to write your name.  Obviously, I kicked it up a notch and decorated the whole page with stickers.

Speaking of stickers, the agendas come with two sheets of them!  They're so cute and functional and I've already used a few, as you can see.

Next up is the yearly overview which shows 2017-2018.  Then, "Dates to Celebrate" where you can write in birthdays, anniversaries, etc. to keep track of them.  After that, there's a list of holidays (traditional and non-traditional) that you can look forward to celebrating all year long.

November's cover design

December's monthly spread (not completed)

Completed monthly spread

Each month has its own spread of artwork and cute sayings which makes going into a new month so much fun.  The monthly spread itself is simple and kinda plain, with just a half sidebar space for notes.  At first I was a little disappointed, but when I realized how much freedom I would have to decorate and customize it, my disappointment turned into creative bliss.

 Weekly spread (blank)

Completed weekly spread

The weekly spread is also plain with a few little notes and cute sayings every week.  I have to admit that I was I little (okay a lot) intimidated by all the blank space in this new planner because I was so used to the vertical layout in my old planner which I designed to mimic the ECLP.  I freaked out the first week I used it because I didn't know how I would fill up all the space.  But thanks to my sticker and washi tape addictions, I can decorate each week as much or as little as I want to.

There are also note pages after each monthly spread as well as several blank lined sheets at the back of the agenda for taking notes, doodling, etc. but I don't really use them.

Transitioning from my old planner to this one took a lot of getting used to but I love that I'm able to customize and decorate my pages however I want to.  It does take time to actually sit down and plan and cut stickers and decorate each page but it adds a little fun and creativity into my work day by taking a few minutes every few hours to add some stickers or break out my washi tape.

All in all, I really LOVE this planner.  I don't know if I could ever go back to the boxy vertical layout that I was using previously.  I also love how durable and sturdy the covers are because that was a big issue with my previous DIY ECLP copy-cat planner.  If durability is an issue for you too (you like to throw your planner in your purse, car, etc.) I think you'd enjoy the covers on this one.  Also, if you love having the freedom to design and decorate to your heart's content, this is definitely the one for you.

What kind of planner do you have?  What do you think of the Bando Agenda?  Are you a sticker/washi tape addict too?

*P.S. This is NOT a sponsored post.  I bought this shit on my own.  All images and opinions are my own, blah blah blah.

For the Love of JustFab

Last month or so, I posted a few of my daily walks from my car to my office on SnapChat, which was basically a video of my feet walking.  It was just a way for me to say "Hello social media, I'm alive" but  then friends and followers started commenting on my shoes (where I got them, how much, are they comfortable, etc.) so I decided to put together a little post to answer those questions as well as give you a quick rundown of my experiences with JustFab so far.

I've been a JustFab member for a few years now (since 2014) and just about every shoe I own (with the exception of sneakers) is from JustFab.  That's 35 pairs of shoes that I've purchased from JustFab so far (plus 2 blazers and 5 bags), so I like to think I'm pretty knowledgeable when it comes to JustFab products.  I plan to do a haul/review post every time I get new items in the future and I'll also post a review of my last purchase sometime this week, in case anyone is interested in the same items.

What is JustFab?

It's basically a subscription-like service where you are charged a monthly fee of $39.95 to use towards an item unless you log in and "Skip the Month" or make a purchase by the 5th of every month.  Each month, you'll have new "picks" that you can choose from or you can browse the entire website to find something you like.  If you don't skip the month by the 5th, you will be automatically charged the $39.95 and your account will reflect the credit.

*Tip:  Try to budget for the $39.95 charge so that you can save up your credits.  JustFab has sales pretty often, so keeping those credits for an epic sale is really the best way to get the most out of your budget.

What kind of quality should I expect?

For me, the shoes and bags are well worth the price.  I've only had one heel break on me but I assume it was due to something else and not the quality of the shoe because I order the same shoe in two different colors and only that one shoe broke.  As with any online order, sometimes the fit of a certain item can be a little off so ALWAYS read reviews before purchasing so you know what to expect as far as the fit goes.  I'm normally a size 7 in flat shoes so I always go a half to a full size down when purchasing heels since your feet tend to slide forward more.

*JustFab has recently started adding extra rubber heel soles so you can replace them when they get worn out.  This is so awesome because my heels get worn out fast walking through my office's parking area and now I don't have to throw out or replace my shoe when it does.


As for the clothing, I've only purchased 2 blazers so far and the quality wasn't really all that great.  One was a crepe polyester material that looked more green in person than the dusty brown it appeared to be online.  The other was polyester material as well but it was just okay.  Both weren't really things I would have paid $40 for had I seen them in an actual store, but you win some, you lose some.  And no, I didn't return them, I just kept them.  I don't like returning things and have never returned online purchases because I can't deal with the hassle of shipping it back.  I usually just keep the items and either resell them or gift them to someone else.

How do I sign up?

Head over to JustFab (yes, that is an affiliate link), take the style quiz, and start shopping.  They usually have new member promos going on (20% off your first item, buy one get one free, etc.) so your first purchase is pretty much a steal.


Anything else I should know?

You earn points for every dollar you spend and reviews you write on their website.  Points can be redeemed towards items such as jewelry, nail polish, fun accessories, beauty items, and extra discounts so remember to review your items when you receive them to rack up those points!

P.S.  For a quick rundown of the items I've got so far, check out my JustFab Pinterest Board.

Happiness Boutique [Review + Giveaway]

So remember that Rocksbox post I wrote a while back?  Well, since then, I've been on the hunt for cute, AFFORDABLE, quality pieces to spice up my everyday wardrobe.  Lucky for me, I was contacted by Happiness Boutique to review a product of my choice from their website and after the Rocksbox fail, I was already in the market for a brand new statement necklace that I didn't have to return.

Trying to pick just ONE piece to review was tough.  They have over 300 items in the necklace section alone!  It literally took me days to finally narrow it down to a few choices and then another few days to actually commit to one.  After about a week of serious deliberation, I finally chose this one.

If it isn't obvious from the photos, this necklace has quickly become one of my faves and I've worn it on several occasions.  It's so easy to style that I can wear it with shorts and a tank top on the weekend, with a v-neck and flare jeans to work, or with a simple bodycon dress to go out.  The details on this are absolutely stunning and while it looks like a high-end piece, it's actually really light and doesn't make me feel like I'm carrying an anchor around my neck.

The people over at Happiness Boutique are so true to their name that they also offer free shipping!  As in, no minimum purchase required.  As in, you don't have to pay anything other than your items.  As in, AWESOME.  Oh, and did I mention that they also have a reward program?  Yup.  You get points for purchasing, points for reviewing, points for sharing, points for tagging, and points for signing up for their newsletter.  That's a shit ton of points that you can redeem for FREE STUFF.  If you're not happy with free shipping and free stuff, then something must be terribly wrong with you.

Oh, and because I love my necklace so much, I've decided to spread a little happiness and give you a chance to win one of your own!  You know the drill, enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday Tips: On Rocksbox

Let me start off my saying this:  just because something seems like a good idea at first, doesn't always mean it's a good idea.  Rocksbox was one of those seemingly good, not-so-great-in-real-life ideas for me.  I'm not hating, I promise.  I'm sure it really is a great idea for people who love buying and wearing designer jewelry.  But, for me, personally, that's not who I am.

Now, I really did like the pieces I received.  And to be able to keep the jewelry as long as I want for $20/month, I thought it was a steal.  However, when I logged in to Rocksbox and saw how much it would be to buy the pieces and keep them forever - holy shitballs!

The packaging is really cute and so were the items I received.  I liked how every piece was in separate baggies with bubble wrap to avoid scratching and bending.

When you first sign up for Rocksbox, you do the style profile thing and then go through a list of items you "favorite" and the Rocksbox stylist takes note of your preferences and sends similar, if not the same, pieces.  The earrings they sent me were one of the items I "favorited" but didn't end up using them because I already ended up getting the same style from The Pi Collection that I love more because it's daintier than the Rocksbox version.  The earrings are listed for $28 (insider's price, $35 otherwise) on Rocksbox.

The necklace was really cute.  I wore it on several occasions.  The big jewels are black and the smaller jewels are like a grey blue.  The quality was nice and sturdy too.  Really nice statement piece.  However, for the list price of $60 (insider's price - $76 otherwise), I'd be able to get 5 different statement necklaces of the same quality at Ross.  Fuck that, bro.  Pass.

I really liked this ring.  It was simple yet chic and not so flashy so I was able to pair it with bracelets and other accessories without looking like those old ladies who seem to be wearing every piece of jewelry they own.  I wore it every day during the week I got it and even pondered the idea of keeping it...until it turned my finger green.  Yup.  And the gold color of the ring then turned to silver.  What. the. actual. fuck.  You would think that if they're trying to pass these off as designer quality jewelry at $30 (insider's price, $38 otherwise) it should be able to keep its color at least!

So, needless to say, my Rocksbox subscription has been cancelled.  I'd much rather save that $20 a month and buy my jewelry at Ross or Forever21 or something.

What do you think?  Are you a Rocksbox subscriber or not?  Either way, I hope this little review has been helpful for you.  I posted it as a "Tuesday Tips" because it's more a post on my advice to not waste your time/money on it like I did, especially if you're a fellow cheap ass and/or you don't wear a lot of jewelry anyway.  My loss is your gain, right?

P.S.  Sorry for the yellowish quality of my photos, it's because of the light in our living room.  Got any photography tips on lighting?

Makeup Mondays: YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer and Perfector [Review]

Yay!  Another makeup post!  Honestly, I'm such a huge makeup geek (always have been, always will) so I love posting these.  #sorrynotsorry if it's not really your jam.  I understand, but I still hope that these posts are informative and inspirational to you if, perhaps sometime down the road, you may be looking for a new lipstick or wanting to try out contouring or wondering wtf a primer is and why you need it.

Anyway.

I was so stoked for this post ever since I got an email saying I was chosen to receive the Influenster YSL voxbox.  I've been a member of Influenster for the past few years but have NEVER been chosen for anything so finally being chosen was kind of a big deal for me and throwing YSL in the mix - I was one happy makeup geek.

Now, time for a little honesty:  Though I am a HUGE makeup geek, I am also a very cheap one.  I will not dish out loads of cash for brand name stuff if I know that I can get something almost exactly the same for way cheaper.  Laura Mercier, Make Up Forever, Dior, and yes, even YSL were brands I never bought.  So being able to try out two YSL products for free - yes, please!

The products I received were the YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer and YSL Touche Eclat Blur Perfector. The product info, according to Sephora.com is below:

(Primer)

(Perfector)

FIRST REACTIONS

Primer:

Why is this bottle so tiny?  What's with the glitter?  It looks like the body shimmer I used to buy back in middle school. Oh, it's a wand applicator.  I don't know how I feel about that.  Hmm...it's not as thick as my regular primer.  Yeah, nope - don't like this wand applicator.  A little more of an oily feel than my old primer...but, heyyyyyy this is going on so smoothly!  Wow, my skin feels so silky!  Okay, the glitter doesn't show much.  Kinda makes my skin look nice and glowy.  Oh wow, my regular powder foundation looks so great over this!  Damn, this little bottle really packs a punch!

Perfector:

Ohhh, it's so cute!  Okay so there's a pad to this.  Why is the pad separate?  Oh cute, the inside is the same shade of pink as the outside.  Kinda looks like lip balm...but feels kinda like a powder?  Oh wow, so silky.  Hey, it really does have a blurring effect.  Oh, yuck the pad has my foundation on it now.  Oh, okay, I get it now - it's like the balm fills in pores, creases and lines and then fills over them with the foundation I already put on my face.  Cool, no shine in my oily areas!  I wonder if it would be better to use it before I put my makeup on?

The Primer is pretty cool.  It really did hold my makeup on and made my powder foundation look like it had better coverage like a liquid. I did see on Sephora's website that the primer actually is a lot bigger than the sample size I received and that it is a pump applicator rather than a wand one which is the main issues I had with the one I got.  Other than that, I really did like the primer though I haven't fully tested it against my Younique one (pigmentation, water resistance, long-lasting, etc.) so I really can't give you a full comparison yet.  Maybe I'll start collecting other primer brands and compare the lot against each other.  To the death.

As far as the Perfector goes, there's really no product that I have ever tried that I can compare this to.  I really really really love the Perfector.  It's like a filler - my fine lines, creases, pores, freckles, etc. are filled in and covered with the transparent balm and it picks up a little bit of my foundation to cover the filled in areas and blur it out.  Like, no Instagram filter needed!  It also really helps at mattifying shine without those icky wax paper sheets (those don't work on me, btw).  I can honestly see the difference the instant I put it on because my features don't look as harsh and it makes my regular powder foundation look like it's airbrushed and my skin looks flawless.

Now, down to the price (via Sephora):  The full sized Primer is going for $52USD while the Perfector is listed as $55USD.

Would I pay that much for it if I hadn't tried them?  Hell no.

Would I pay that much now after I've tried them already?  I'd say probably not for the Primer - I haven't had enough time to test it out against my regular (cheaper) Younique primer so as of right now, no.  The Perfector I'd consider splurging on because there isn't a product out there (that I know of) that can give me the same effects as it does.  (If you know of a similar product, let me know!)

So what do you think?  Have you tried any YSL beauty products?  Would you splurge on these?  What primer do you use (if any)?

InstaNatural Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils [Review]

When I first received these products they were in a small box, wrapped carefully with plastic and bubble wrap.  Thanks to the careful packaging, nothing was cracked and I didn't notice any leaking, but there was still a STRONG peppermint scent to the whole box.  So strong that I'm sure the postman's truck was probably filled with it.

I was actually surprised at how big the bottles were.  The other essential oils I've seen have all come in tiny little bottles that can fit in your palm.  These were like economy size at 4oz. in glass bottles with a dropper cap.  Since I've never used essential oils before, I was really taken back at how strong both scents were and how even just a few drops made the scent last all day.

The lavender oil is said to be calming and therapeutic so I put a few drops on my pillows.  It did give it a nice relaxing smell to fall asleep with.  I also put a drop on my wrists a couple times because I read it would alleviate stress during the day but I didn't notice much difference.  Maybe I'm supposed to put it on my boss?  I don't know.  I was thinking it would probably be great to add a few drops to a bath but, well, I don't have a bathtub.  Whatever.

Now, the peppermint oil is probably my favorite.  It has a strong, crisp, clean scent that really makes me feel more energized.  I remembered having a shampoo that smelled like peppermint and how much I loved it so I started massaging a few drops of peppermint oil in my hair after showering.  The peppermint smell stays in my hair all day long so every time I take my hair down or whip it around and run my fingers through it, BAM!  That crisp, energized scent hits my nose and recharges me.

I've had these oils for a few months now but I just haven't gotten around to writing my review because I'm still not sure of how to use them.  I mean, there are hundreds of articles and opinions on the best uses for all the different essential oils (put them in an oil diffuser, rub them on your feet, soak a cotton ball with it and place it wherever, etc.)  But, besides the peppermint oil in my hair, I don't know if I actually have a need or care for them.  It's just not really my jam.

What do you think?  Do you or have you used essential oils before?  What are some ways you use them?  What are some of your favorite scents?

Don't be such a tulle ft. eShakti [Review]

A while back, I was contacted by eShakti to do a review on one of their custom-fit products.  Being that I had heard only good things about eShakti in the past, I excitedly agreed.  Alright, who am I kidding - I agreed because, well, free stuff!

So anyway, I browsed their available selection and came across a LOT of great things.  It was extremely hard to narrow my choices down to just one item, but after days of deliberating (seriously) I finally decided on this white tulle skirt.

I've seen all the cute tulle skirt outfits on Pinterest and have always been wanting one but could never seem to find them locally so when I saw that eShakti had one that I could customize, it was a no-brainer.  The customizing part was awesome and so easy to do.  You just type in your measurements and your height and then select the length that you want it to be.  I'm loving the midi-skirt style right now!  Oh, and you can even choose whether to have pockets or not.  Genius.

So what do you think of the skirt?  Have you ever ordered from eShakti?

Petz Beach - Chloe's Review

When I asked my kids "do you guys want to help me review Petz Beach for 3Ds?" they could not control their excited agreement.  My family and I are no strangers to the Ubisoft brand.  They own older versions of the Petz series of games so I already knew that it would be something that was enjoyable and age-appropriate for them.

My six-going-on-seven year old, Chloe, is the one who loves playing handheld games the most.  She's known to be a bit of a couch potato, and will drain the battery out of any smartphone or tablet if left unattended.  With her vast experience and knowledge of video games, it was only fitting that she be the main one to review the game.

She was glued to that thing as soon as she popped it into her 3Ds.  She would come home from school with her homework finished just so she could have more time to play with her pet, a puppy that she named Zoey.

After she had been playing the game for a few days, I asked her if she'd give me a breakdown of the game in her own words.

Me:  So do you like Petz Beach, Chloe?

Chloe:  Yes!

Me:  What do you have to do in the game?

Chloe:  You pick a pet and then you have to take care of it.  Like, take it for walks, feed it, give it water and play with it.  You get money when you take care of your pet and when you do stuff for the people in the town when they have a quest for you.  Then you can use the money to buy cute stuff for your pet.

Me:  On a scale of 1-10, how much do you like it?

Chloe:  10!!

Me:  What do you like most about the game?

Chloe:  I liked getting to choose my pet, making Zoey find seashells on the beach and getting to buy toys and clothes for her.

She's still in love with this game after playing it for over a week so I think that's a good sign.  The game expands as you play so it's great for kids who tire of the same thing easily and it's like an adventure that she gets to embark on with the game.

I haven't told her about the new game that also came out, Petz Countryside, but I think maybe I'll just surprise her with that for Christmas.  I love the fact that this game is kid-friendly (no violence or catchphrases that might be inappropriate) and I also love that it promotes responsibility and forces her to read in order to understand the tasks, not just skip ahead to the action.

Oh, and I almost forgot - while you're playing and waiting for an action or something to load, instead of just "Loading...", Petz Beach gives you neat little facts and information from Encyclopedia Brittanica about the animals so that even while they're waiting, they're still reading and learning!  But, of course, to them it's just playing so it's a win/win for both parents and kids alike!

You can get a copy of Petz Beach in time for the holidays right here!  It's something that they can take with them everywhere (even to the dreaded dentist!) and there's no mess or clean up involved!  Genius.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Adovia Natural Facial Moisturizer [review]

Hello again, my lovely people out there in blogland!

Today, I'm bringing you another makeup/beauty product review post because, well, why not? I'm a makeup/beauty product junkie so I love reading reviews on all the different products out there that I haven't tried yet. And really, that's just smart shopping.

Anyway, so I finally received this product a few days ago but I must say that I'm already quite impressed. My skin can get pretty oily so I've never really used moisturizer until just recently and haven't really found one that hydrates and moisturizes my skin without it ending up oily but so far, this one seems to be doing the job.

The label refers to it as a "day cream" that is ideal as a makeup base and since I don't use any primer or base under my makeup I decided to test it out and it does make my face makeup look more natural and less cakey than usual and also allows for longer wear.

Since it has only been a few days, I really can't provide you with a full 2-week trial run review but I will let you know if I notice any breakouts (gross) or irritation I may get in the future.

One thing I must note for all my readers with extra sensitive skin: this product does have a scent to it. I know some people cannot use scented products so please take caution if you decide to give this a try!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Hold Up, Weight a Minute - Ozeri Weight Master Scale Review

Confessions were two days ago, but I've got another one for you:  Before this month, I'd never owned a scale.  Tracking my fitness/weight loss cycles consisted of just what I saw in the mirror and it wasn't accurate or very motivating at all.

When I was given the opportunity to review a digital scale, I was really excited to try it out.  From not even owning a basic scale to being able to score a glass top digital scale?  Hells to the yeah.

Once I finally received it I couldn't wait to set it up and try it out.  My whole family was really surprised and excited about it because everyone wanted to weigh themselves.  Yeah, we're that easily entertained.

The scale itself is gorgeous.  It's got a glass surface and is surprisingly sturdy seeing as how all 5 of us (the three kids, Joey, and I) have been using it for the past month and it hasn't broken yet.

I think my favorite part about it is the personalization options.  You can set up to 5 users (which is just perfect for us) by stepping on and weighing yourself and inputting your height.  By adding your height, the scale is able to calculate your BMI with your current weight.  Also, once you've added yourself as a user, the next time you weigh yourself, the scale will automatically which user you are and will also tell you the difference in your weight from your previous reading and will highlight the screen in red or green depending on if you gained (red) or lost (green) any weight.  No more having to write down or remember how much you weighed the last time and doing the math in your head.  #aintnobodygottimeforthat

Pretty, right?

Height: 5'1.8", BMI: 22.4, User: 1

 Current weight: 121.6lbs, Gain of 0.8lbs from last weigh in.  Crap.

So what about you?  How do you track your fitness results and weight loss?  Got any tips to share?  And is the "give or take 5 lbs." rule true when it comes to weighing yourself?

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.