Born Pretty - Hello Kitty Nail Stickers

* In its package

*Opened

*On my pinky

A big thanks to Born Pretty for sending me these awesome sparkly Hello Kitty Nail Stickers. The stickers are adorable, easy to apply to the nails, adhere well, and long-lasting.

As some of my readers may know I'm a still a big Hello Kitty (HK) fan...I've packed away a lot of my beloved HK stuff but I've kept some precious decorations.

E.L.F. Mineral Lip Liner Review

E.L.F. Mineral Lip Liner 

The Claims:

Create definition that’s soft, natural and brilliant. The gentle glide formula gives consistent color without tugging or sharpening for a beautiful enhanced look. 100% mineral based with no parabens, no preservatives and no chemical dyes.

My Experience

•  Price: $3 USD
• Pros: The packaging is sleek black twist up applicator with a chic white e.l.f. logo., which means you can throw away your sharpener! I tend to wear a lot of beige and nude color lipsticks and this subtle brown liner compliment my lipsticks.  The product is very soft, smooth and silky, which makes application on the lips effortless.
• Cons: No SPF protection
• Bottom line:  An inexpensive liner that looks natural and its long lasting is worth definitely worth buying. Try to purchase this product when it's on sale for $1.50!
• Grade: 9.2/10

E.L.F. Brightening Eye Color in Drama Review

E.L.F. Brightening Eye Color in Drama

 The claims:

Luxuriously smooth, corn silk formula provides eyes with a neutral base and an awakened brightness. The formula blends into skin for a long lasting, beautiful effect. The 4 color quad allows for both natural and dramatic looks. Mirror in compact included.

My Experience

• Price: $1 USD
• Colors: The quad comes with one matte white, 2 shimmery grays and 1 shimmery black. 
• Pros: This is a great quad! It helps me create the perfect "smokey" eye.  The colors are surprisingly pigmented, silky and true to color. Use brushes or clean fingers to apply, build, and blend colors on eyelids.
• Cons: The lightweight plastic compact, sponge applicator, dinky mirror and packaging makes the product look cheap and worthless, however that I was proven wrong. Do use a primer before applying the colors because the sparkles causes a lot of fallout, and the colors does fade and crease over time.
• Bottom line:  Worth trying!
• Grade: 8.9 /10

Bodum Canteen Mugs

A big thanks to Stella Artois for sending me these beautiful cups. They are fantastic mugs; the double wall construction ensures my drink is the appropriate temperature. I love how the outside of the mug is cool to the touch while my drink is hot. The colored silicone band provides a nice non-slip grip for safe handling.

Origins: Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash Review

My Experience

• Price: I got this free on Earth Day! It sells for $18for 5 fl. oz. 
• Pros: If you love Cetaphil, you're going to love Origins.  A tiny amount of the creamy face wash lathers up very nicely, and has a light refreshing minty smell.  The product gently takes off makeup effectively without drying out the skin.
• Cons: The face wash doesn't give me a "squeaky clean" feeling; in fact the product leaves a film on my face. Just a side note, this film didn't cause any skin irritations or break outs for me, which is a plus.
• Bottom line: Worth a try if you're looking for a new cleanser. The product is nothing spectacular that I would write home about though.   
• Grade: 7.5 /10

Kiehl's Lip Balm in Mint Review

Kiehl's Lip Balm 

 The claims:

Scented Lip Balm #1 -Protects against the elements and helps relieves chapped or cracked lips.  Enriched with Cotton Seed Oil and contains Octinoxate, a mild sunscreen of SPF 4.

My Experience

•  Price: $12.00 for 0.5 fl. oz
• Pros: I love the like mint jelly scent; it's not overpowering. The non-greasy, rich, thick balm brings immediate relief to sore, dry, chapped lips, and protects my lips from drying out and cracking.  This balm won't cause irritations - a great product for people with sensitive skin.  This is a must have for those who spend  a lot of time outdoors bearing the harsh elements.   
• Cons: A bit pricey, low on the SPF spectrum, and doesn't have a (slanted) applicator.  The balm  has be applied from the squeeze tube with a  finger.
• Bottom line:  The balm is not mind blowing. It does it's job and nothing more.
• Grade: 9.2/10

Art & Science of Compassion

For my Reflection Oral defense I made a scrap book, which confirms (post- modernity or as my brother will say "mumble-jumble") that there are multiple ways of learning, knowing and self expression. I discussed points of convergence and commonalities that arose across the various levels/systems over my "Practices With..." courses.  I also talked about knowledge, perspectives, and skills I acquired, and what this means to me as a Social Work Practitioner In-Training. 

* This is where I began...

 * The beginning of my learning journey

* Social Workers are not simply "bleeding hearts". Our practice is both an art and a science of compassion...

* Team work!

* Person-in-environment, contextualize,  a matrix of factors to consider...

*Levels of needs/ Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs; Client-centered approach

* 1 degree of change; intuition

* This is where I am at now...humbled!

Swagbucks - Tornado Relief Fund Donation

The Southeastern U.S. was hit with over 250 tornadoes over the span of 24 hours. The tornadoes stared approxinmaltey at 8AM on April 27th and ended on April 28th.  The natural disaster has caused countless amount of property destruction and left residents without homes. 

Swagbucks is currently collecting Swag Buck donations through the month of May that will translate into a donation for United Way of Western Alabama. 100% of the funds are going to support local tornado relief.  I am creating awareness for this drive by highly encouraging as many Swag Bucks as possible donated to aid to their efforts. Please use the following link to donate: http://swagbucks.com/p/prize/25155/Tornado-Relief-Fund-Donation