Friday, May 09, 2014

Baby Update | 21/22 Weeks!

Hi loves! I'm 22 weeks today but decided to just add the 21 week update to this since I missed it and really not much has changed! I can't believe how much the weeks are flying by now. Wednesday, I went for my blood pressure check up I talked about in my 20 weeks update and unfortunately, I still have high blood pressure so they're sending me for "extensive blood tests" (who doesn't love those three words?) and I have to pee in a jug for 24 hours and bring that to them. Wow. Words I never, ever thought I'd say that. They want to have a base to go off of to check me out for preeclampsia. 

Last weekend, we registered at Buy Buy Baby. That was an experience. It was fun but I felt so overwhelmed! I had no clue what we needed even with a list. But eventually after a little meltdown, we had fun. We even picked out a stroller and crib which I thought we'd never settle on. Ant wanted a jogger while I wanted a lightweight stroller. We ended up picking the Graco Modes Sport Connect Travel System and I'm in love with it!

Lastly, and probably the coolest thing EVER, yesterday we went to Good Morning America for their Mommy-To-Be Shopping Spree. We were chosen with 29 other couples to go on and participate. Unfortunately, we didn't get our number called (3 out of 30 chance!) but we stayed and watched. We also got a $50 giftcard to Babies R Us and a really awesome experience. All in all, not too bad! :)


How far along? 22 weeks!
Total weight gain: 10 pounds
Maternity clothes? I've really been living in maxis lately but I want to stock up on more maternity jeans.
Stretch marks? None. Hoping that stays until the end.
Sleep: Still have insomnia!
Miss Anything? Salty foods. My doctor said to keep that at a low if I can. 
Movement: Absolutely for sure now! I absolutely love it and wish he did it all the time. It's kind of inconsistent but I love when he does. It basically feels like pops that are way different than gas. I've also felt "waves" like he was turning around. Wednesday, when they checked his heart beat, he kicked the doppler. I felt and we heard it! Pretty awesome!
Food cravings: I could really go for a McDonalds Ranch BLT Chicken sandwich, fries and a Starbucks frapp still. Keepin' healthy over here. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing.
Gender: It's a boy! 
Labor Signs: Not labor but I think I had my first Braxton Hicks. Basically, it just felt like my stomach was contracting in but it only happened once and hasn't happened since.
Symptoms: Besides the insomnia, not too much. Sometimes my lower back hurts. I've been walking a lot and sometimes afterward my body is like "LOL SERIOUSLY?" when before it was nothing.
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On but sometimes they get stuck.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Feeling him move more! I can't wait. Anthony swears he felt him from the outside a few nights ago and I swore I did too but I can't wait until it's for sure.
Tuesday, May 06, 2014

How To | Use Dry Shampoo feat. Batiste Dry Shampoo


My hair is a mess. Sometimes it hates me, sometimes it loves me. In the end, hair is hair and I should be happy I have it, right? And I am happy. Except in the morning. When I'm running late. And have NO time for a shower or to wash my hair. Or when I'm trying to successfully do second day hair without looking like I sat in the rain. Or even when I just want my hair to have a little oomph! Da-da-da-da (that's a trumpet playing): Batiste Dry Shampoo to the rescue! I have used close to ten other dry shampoos before Batiste and nothing has come close to it. I don't know if it's different ingredients or just the snazzy packaging but something in it makes it work for my thin hair that others couldn't do.


But what exactly is dry shampoo? Basically, it's just a dry powder that soaks up the oil from your scalp and hair, zapping away the greasiness. It also provides texture and volume (added bonus - YAY!). I've heard of people using everything from baby powder to cocoa powder!

Batiste Dry Shampoo (with a hint of dark & deep brown) was made specifically for brunettes and is a brown-tinted dry shampoo instead of the normal white. Also, it smells AH-MAZING! Just sayin'.


Applying dry shampoo is super duper easy and fast when you're in a rush! I apply my dry shampoo about 10 inches from my head. First, I spray about an inch above my ear and spray back in a line (like the picture). Then I go up three inches, lift my hair and spray, go up another three inches, lift and spray on both sides of my head. I lightly massage through my finger tips and then put my head down and spray in the front. For me, my hair is the greasiest in the "bang" area. So frustrating. Massage it in and then flip your hair back. You can either brush it through or just style as is. 

Before / After

(LMAO. I look terrified in the "before" picture!)


I think it's safe to say how awesome Batiste is from that "after" picture! I'm so in love with it. Not only does it make my hair smell amazing and clean but it also makes it look clean - and voluminous! This look usually lasts all day although I can honestly say I've never tested it in super hot weather so I don't know how long it would last when you're sweating and your scalp is producing more oil. 

You can also use dry shampoo on clean hair for added volume and texture. It's basically just awesome all around.

Ta-da!

Do you use dry shampoo? Which brand do you use if you do? Have you heard of Batiste Dry Shampoo?
Monday, May 05, 2014

Kat Von D Monarch Palette - Swatches & Review

Back again with the hotter-toned palette to the Kat Von D Chrysalis Palette - the Kat Von D Monarch Palette! I don't know which one I love more! Check out the Chrysalis Palette from a few days ago and this palette and let me know in the comments which one you'd rock more.

The Kat Von D Monarch Palette is a warm-toned eyeshadow palette with a stunning composition of - three large base shades and nine transformative accent hues - for a wide spectrum of stunning eye looks. The eyeshadows are triple-milled for a soft, dense shadow that is easy to blend and apply. The eyeshadow formula includes an infusion of antioxidants like rose extract, vitamins A, C and E to keep your eyelids hydrated and protected.

The packaging, again, is gorgeous. It fits the theme of "Monarch" with the butterfly on the front as well as using Monarch butterfly colors. Kat still keeps it Kat looking with the skulls in the wings. So badass. I'm still bummed that these are hard cardboard instead of the usual tin palette but they are sturdy. The inside contains a nice, long mirror.

 Kat Von D Monarch Palette

Kat Von D Monarch Palette

Kat Von D Monarch Palette (back)

  • Emptology -  is described as a matte cream. More of a yellow-toned cream. It was nicely pigmented but a bit on the powdery side.
  • Wrath -  is described as a deep pearl orange. I would describe it as more of a orange-copper wth shimmer. Gorgeously pigmented and soft.
  • Papilio -  is described as a pearl chocolate. Sweet mamajama! So soft and buttery to the touch with gorgeous color pay off.
  • Summerfly -  is described as a gold glitter. Awesome color pay off. No glitter fall out.
  • Telepathy -  is described as a pearl gold. Totally looks silver in the packaging but as soon as you swatch/wear it it has a gold duochrome effect to it. So rich and buttery with awesome pigmentation.
  • Killing Jar - is described as a pearl copper. I would call it a metallic light, rose gold. Beautiful pigmentation albeit a teensy bit drier than the other shades.
  • Delaney - is described as a pearl silver. I would describe it as a brown-toned pewter. One of the most stunning shades in this palette, for sure. Awesome color pay off and super buttery.
  • Vanish - is described as a medium taupe. I absolutely love that Kat put a nice, soft, light brown in both palettes (with different undertones - of course!) because they work as the best transition crease shades. Super easy to blend with and awesome color pay off.
  • Tiny Death - is described as a cream glitter. This was a little meh for me. The glitter is beautiful but doesn't show up on the eye much. Such a bummer!
  • Disintegration - is described as a pearl brown. I'd say that's head on plus some bronze glitter in there. What a dream to work with. Super finely-milled and awesome pigmentation.
  • Shadowbox - is described as a matte chocolate. Great color pay off on the eye but to swatch it seemed a bit dry. Go figure! 
  • Deadhead - is described as a matte black. It's so hard to find a fab opaque matte black. This was a bit dry to work with but the pigmentation was alright.
Swatches of: Entomology, Wrath, Papilio and Summerfly

Swatches of: Telepathy, Killing Jar, Delaney and Vanish

Swatches of: Tiny Death, Disintegration, Shadow Box and Deadhead

Lid: Wrath | Outer Lid: Disintegration | Outer V: Shadow Box | Inner Corner: Summerfly | Crease: Vanish | Lower Lid: Delaney into Disintegration into Deadhead | Brow Highlight: Telepathy


Overall: I can't decide which palette I love more! Kat always knocks it out of the park with presentation and quality which, to me, makes the perfect product every time. My absolute favorite shades had to be Wrath, Telepathy and Disintegration. What are yours?

Where to buy: Sephora | Price: $46
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