Wardrobe Wednesday: eShakti Review

Sorry I've been M.I.A., guys! Life has been a little crazy.
I got the news on Friday that my grandfather passed away.  He had Alzheimer's disease.  He was 81 when he died.  My grandparents, along with most of my family, live in the middle of nowhere, Mississippi.  The husband had a weekend full of studying for his last CPA portion.  Then we headed to MS Sunday and came back Monday night.  The funeral was Monday.  I took the day off to recoup yesterday.
In the midst of the sadness we were supposed to find time and energy to celebrate our 2nd anniversary Monday.  We spent it at my grandfather's funeral.  Definitely not the ideal date.  But I was happy to be among my family that we don't see often.  We exchanged gifts on Friday and had a few cheap dates over the weekend to make up for it.
Husband got me a gorgeous Michael Kors watch (you can kinda see it below).  I got him some Bose earbuds and personalized autographed football from Jonathan Vilma.  Our company is considered the "Preferred Dental Office of the New Orleans Saints."  So we got him to do a promotion for the LSU school of dentistry with us.  So I had him sign an official NFL Saints Superbowl Champions football, "to Matt, Jonathan Vilma #51."  He almost died!  He absolutely loved it.  I was pretty proud!  Last year I did a boudoir photo session and made a book for him!  What the hell do I do next year to top both of those?!
So anyway, that's where I've been lately.  I felt so disconnected from the world although it was really nice to celebrate my grandfather's life with my family.
On to the reason for this post!

I was contacted by a rep from eShakti about a month ago asking if I would be interested in doing a review for them.  I had actually heard about the company on a few other blogs.  I loved their concept so I said yes immediately!
You can customize your items or order them by size.  You can change the neckline, the hem, the sleeves, etc... It's really a great idea!
I was totally overwhelmed because I wanted to pick something good!  They really have a lot to choose from.  And as a bargain shopper, their prices are very reasonable too.
I took my time picking my item.  Then I had husband measure me and I submitted my measurements on aa easy online form.  Then within 2 weeks I got an email stating that my product had shipped and I got it in 2 days.
I was so excited to get it.  I tried it on immediately.  It fit like a glove, the material is really soft, but durable.  I was pleasantly surprised because the dress is actually a lot dressier than it looked on the website.  But that is a good thing!  It came with a spaghetti strap on the other side.  But I wasn't crazy about it so I tucked it in.  But me being me... I had to add a belt.  And then I felt like it was perfect and very "me". 
I feel like this dress is perfect for a daytime dressy event, like a shower or daytime wedding.  Or even a casual night wedding.  There are so many vibrant colors in the dress too, which I love.  

dress- c/o eShakti 
shoes- Aldo
belt- F21
*Please excuse my messy hair.  I dunno what was going on there.

If you register for their emails they will send you a coupon code for $20 off your first order.  I am still trying to decide what to order with mine.  I'm thinking real hard about the sweetheart dress.  The whole process was easy and painless.  The dress is great and just as I wanted.  I highly recommend this company! 
XO-Heather

*I was not compensated for this review.  But eShakti did provide me with this dress.

Copy Cat- OOTD

So everyone has jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon, and I'm no different.  I found myself pinning or thinking about pinning things every time I see something I like.  I have an outfit ideas board that I pin outfits from other blogs or celebrities that I like. 
I decided to try a different approach to getting dressed for work today.  Usually I pick something out real quick in the mornings b/c my hair always causes me to run late.  And I revert to the same comfortable outfits and pieces all the time.  I have a closet full of clothes.  I need to use these clothes!  So last night I took my iPad in my bedroom, shut the door, pulled up Pinterest, and started brainstorming.  The picture below was something I pinned a long time ago.  I thought it was a good inspiration source since I had similar items.  This is the first real cold snap we've had so it was a perfect chance to pull out my tights.

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Here's my take:

tee- Walmart
cardi- Ann Taylor outlet
skirt- Loft
belt- F21
tights- Walmart
oxfords- Target

The outfit is pretty comfy too!  Next time I will change the belt.  I'm not crazy about it with this.
Do you plan your outfits ahead of time?  Do you use inspiration photos?
XO-Heather 

Mixed up Monday: October Birchbox

Happy Monday! I'm starting a new feature today where I will do a post and review of what comes in my Birchbox each month.  If you haven't heard of the Birchbox service yet you can read about it here.  I really love this service!  It comes all wrapped up with a note each month! I get it delivered to my office because I'm always so excited to get it.
Sorry about the blurry photos.  I didn't notice they were out of focus until I uploaded them this morning. 

What's in my box:

Redken Shine Flash glistening mist

 

The claim: Redken’s signature Shine-On Complex has antioxidant-rich camelina oil and vitamin B5 to condition strands. It smoothes the surface of hair to give you a mirror-like finish. 
My take: I forgot to use this this morning so I have nothing to report on this yet.

Blinc Mascara

The claim: This mascara doesn’t just paint your lashes to make them darker and longer — it uses a copolymer-based formula to create little tubes around each one of your lashes. And since it’s not a paint, the mascara won’t flake, run, or smudge. When you’re ready to remove it, each individual tube slides off in one piece — no more black smears under your lashline!
My take: Ok guys, this stuff does EXACTLY what it says it will.  I should've taken pictures but I forgot!  It really does put "tubes" around your lashes.  It didn't smudge or flake at all.  When I washed it off at night I got freaked out b/c it looked like my own lashes were coming off, but it was just the tubes coming off.  My only complaint is that it doesn't really plump or lengthen the lashes.  It just makes your own lashes more defined.  This is not good for me because I have puny lashes.  But if you have full lashes your are happy with then I HIGHLY suggest this!

Pangea Organics Facial Scrub 

The claim: Made from natural ingredients, this nourishing scrub has both chemical and physical exfoliators for an effective one-two punch. First, Cranberry Seed enzymes dissolve dead cells, and then finely ground Adzuki Bean gently whisk them away to uncover fresh, healthy skin. Geranium Oil helps to tone, while Vitamin C brightens, and Almond Oil restores moisture.

My take: This is probably my favorite in the box.  I have very dry skin.  Lately it's been really bad.  And I use powder foundation so you can see dry patches sometimes.  I've been using this every night after I wash my face since Friday.  My skin is a lot smoother and brighter.

Befine Belips: Lip Exfoliator

The claim: The key to smooth skin — be it on your lips or your visage — is exfoliating. Befine’s ultra gentle scrub uses pineapple enzymes to dissolve dead skin and finely ground almond meal to softly buff lips. The matching lip serum has plant-based amino acids and peptides to boost collagen and firm skin, plus soothing chamomile oil and moisturizing safflower seed oil.

My take: I used this a few times because my lips have been dry lately too.  But I wasn't too impressed.  I couldn't tell that much of a difference after using it.  But it also says it should've come with a lip serum too.  And I only got the exfoliater.

Tea Forte Mints 

The claim: These pick-me-up treats are laced with healthy ingredients that keep you balanced. The flavors are designed not only to taste good but also to accomplish specific wellness goals. Resist boosts immunity with lemon and lime extracts, while Results, a spicy matcha chai and cinnamon blend, spurs metabolism.

My take: I guess it's a little difficult to tell whether or not they're doing what they are supposed to do.  So it's kind of hard to report on.  But they taste really good!

The only thing I would order a full size of out of this box is the facial scrub.  

If you're signed up for Birchbox- what did you get?

If not- what are you waiting for?

XO-Heather 

 

Frugal Friday: Fit on a Budget

source

I got up at 5:30 this morning and did the Couch 2 5K program with Mocha.  As I was jogging I started thinking about this idea for a post...
We all need to exercise, right?  Even if we aren't trying to lose weight it is necessary for our health.  I'm a firm believer in exercising and keeping a healthy heart.  Although, I don't exercise every single day and some weeks I don't get around to it at all.  But I don't believe in being lazy every single day for the rest of our lives.  I certainly do not claim to be a fitness enthusiast or expert either.  But I have always been very body conscience.  Even though I don't think I am "fat", I have some issues with my weight.  It's all part of my perfectionist personality.   
I REALLY love good food.  Really, words CANNOT even explain my love for food.  One of the ways I feel better about myself is by exercising.  I figure, at least I'm trying, right?!
We all make excuses for not exercising, including me!  One excuse for not exercising is budget...  Gym memberships can be very pricey.  But exercising does not have to cost a fortune.  So here are my "fit on a budget" tips.

• Get outside! Walk, jog, or run!
• ITS TOTALLY FREE!  Some fresh air always makes you feel better.  But the downsides: it can be pretty boring and monotonous and the weather.  It's really hard for me to get outside when it's super cold and when it's 100 degree Louisiana heat.
• Try to C25K app.  I think it's 99 cents.  I love it!  I've read that interval training burns more calories too! 
•   Make your own circuit!
• This will take some investing at first.  But it will be one time costs, and you can usually find these items at TJ Maxx or a garage sale.  Get a few sizes of dumbbells, an exercise ball, and resistance bands.  Then look up some circuit-type exercise routines on Spark People, You Tube, or just Google it.
• That brings me to my next step... There are a ton of online videos and routines.  You can find some on Netflix too.  You can also look into Exercise TV.  
• Check out your local library for fitness DVDs.
• You can also invest a small amount of money in a few quality DVDs.  Pick some up on Amazon.  I know the Jillian Michaels DVD's are pretty good.  
• Use your Wii if you have one to play fitness games.
• Gold's Gym 
• EA Sports 
• Wii Fit 
• Find a gym with no contracts.  
• I am REALLY funny about signing a gym membership contract.  I WILL NOT do it.  I don't like to be stuck in something.  Things change, situations change, jobs change, you move, etc... and I get bored easily. There are too many factors that play into where I work out.  I don't want to be stuck with something.  24 hour gyms are a good place to start.  My husband has a membership to a Snap fitness 1 mile from our house.  So we added me to the plan for $15/month.  But I can cancel it at anytime.  I like that.  I also found a gym near my office that strictly teaches classes.  They have Zumba, kickboxing, Body Pump, spin, step, and a ton more.  Best part: I can either pay for a month of unlimited, or I can pay $5/class.  I like to pay $5/class.  I really only like to do Body Pump because I hate lifting weights on my own, and I really enjoy that class.  I usually only go once a week though.  So I use that in combination with walking on the treadmill or doing C25K outside.  So I work out in a group setting or on the treadmill at a gym for less than $40 a month.  I pay around $20 for body pump and $15 for Snap.  

Sorry this post is so wordy!
What are your fitness tips?  How do you keep your wallet and waist in check?
XO-Heather

A to Z of Me

So instead of doing my Three Things Thursday this week I decided to do something a little different.  I've been seeing this A to Z thing on a few blogs lately.  So I thought I would tell you guys a bit about myself.  Here goes:
A. Age: 24
B. Bed size: King
C. Chore that you hate: there's not just one... dusting, mopping, the dishes...
D. Dogs: Mocha and Fred
E. Essential start to your day: peeing... is that gross?
F. Favorite color: pink, of course
G. Gold or Silver: this is hard... my wedding band is white gold. but i really like the look of yellow gold. it goes so well with everything!
H. Height: 5’6″
I. Instruments you play: are you kidding? i can't play anything!
J. Job title: Human Resources Coordinator
K. Kids: Pass
L. Live: Southeast Louisiana
M. Mother’s name: Trenna. (Pronounced Tree-na) you know like the rapper?!
N. Nicknames: I always wanted a nickname, but what do you do with Heather?!
O. Overnight hospital stays: None.
P. Pet peeves: repetitive noises, obnoxious people, people who drive in the left lane on the interstate without passing someone...
Q. Quote from a movie: OK, my favorite movie EVER is Old School.  I LOVE Will Ferrell!  So here are my faves:
Frank-"Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time."
Frank-"Well, uh I guess I, deep down, am feeling a little confused. I mean, suddenly, you get married, and you're supposed to be this entirely different guy. I don't feel different. I mean, take yesterday for example. We were out at the Olive Garden for dinner, which was lovely. And uh, I happen to look over at a certain point during the meal and see a waitress taking an order, and I found myself wondering what color her underpants might be. Her panties. Uh, odds are they are probably basic white, cotton, underpants. But I sort of think well maybe they're silk panties, maybe it's a thong. Maybe it's something really cool that I don't even know about. You know, and uh, and I started feeling... what? what I thought we were in the trust tree in the nest, were we not?"
Mitch-"True love is hard to find, sometimes you think you have true love and then you catch the early flight home from San Diego and a couple of nude people jump out of your bathroom blindfolded like a ** magic show ready to double team your girlfriend."  
R. Right or left handed: Righty.
S. Siblings: 1 sister
U. Underwear: umm... yes...?
V. Vegetable you hate: believe it or not, i don't really hate any.
W. What makes you run late: my snooze button and my hair.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: arm. i broke it in a 4-wheeler accident in Jr. high
Y. Yummy food that you make: i make some really delicious red beans & rice
Z. Zoo animal: gorgeous black and white tigers

Now I want to know more about you!!!  Tell me some fun facts!
XO-Heather