IPSY OCTOBER GLAMBAG, HOCUS POCUS STYLE

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Hello my fellow beauty fanatics! 

It’s that time of the month where I am impatiently standing by my mailbox, waiting for the arrival of my monthly Glambag from Ipsy. The moment I get that glorious email stating that my glambag has shipped, my thumb is at serious work checking the status of its arrival. Because hitting “refresh” a thousand times will make it magically appear sooner, right? In my experience it doesn’t, but I can’t stop and won’t stop. BUT DON’T BE DISCOURAGED-I have witnessed, with my very own eyes, that magic DOES exist. So get ready as I take you on this journey through Ipsy’s October Glambag! It will make you want to pinch yourself in disbelief, but I can assure you that the goodies inside this bag are as real despite how supernatural they seem.

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(I tested each item, for a week, to provide you with an honest report of my personal opinion and experience with each product.)

1.) Noyah Lipstick in “Currant News”; Deluxe-Sample

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What they say: This lightweight moisturizing formula contains vitamin B and shea butter to plump and hydrate your luscious lips. It promises to provide a strong staying power that will get your through your daily cup’s of greatness.

What I say: In my opinion, this lip goddess proved its reputation to be true. The consistency and staying power of this lipstick was pretty fabulous. Actually, fabulous is an understatement- I’m certain I got arthritis from trying to take it off every night. Though this shade was more bold than my typical day-to-day color, I felt like I just stepped out of Vogue, ready to rock the runway.

2.) Kokie Cosmetics Nail Polish in “Heavenly”; Full-Sized

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What they say: This nail polish is similar to “a castle on a cloud”. Coming in strong with it’s bluish lilac shade, it is known to be compliment-magnet. It promises to withstand everyday wear and tear while not stealing your focus of your weekly duties.

What I say: My first impression of this nail polish was that the shade was almost identical to one of my favorite shades by Essie. With an existing love for this color-range, I had high hopes for it’s lasting life to be comparable to my “Sarah World” version of Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears- long and beautiful. Much to my surprise, this nail polish has exceeded those expectations. My usual experience with most nail polish’s are that they can’t stand a chance against my daily work with children unless I smother on a top coat. I am happy to report that this gem has yet to chip after a solid week. If you have ever been in the presence of a child, you can agree that this nail polish would kick butt in the WWE world of nail polish.

3.) theBalm Cosmetics in “Hot Mama Blush”; Deluxe-Sample

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What they say: This versatile blush and chill highlight is the perfect essential to tuck in your “travel-around” bag. It is known to provide a dash of pinky-peach shimmer to your Cher-like cheeks and to grace your lids with a light glow.

What I say: I am all about being bold in my make-up game but when it comes to blush I tend to be more shy. I’m just not in the business for popping on blush that makes me look like I’ve been stung by a bee. Despite my negative presumptions, I was impressed to find that it provides a flirty glow. As long as you don’t allow your hand to get blush happy with this pigmented product, it will provide your make-up routine with the perfect amount of “yaass”.

4.) Pure Brazilian Miracle Leave in Conditioner; Deluxe-Sample

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What they say: This delicate, budget-friendly spray is promised to have you flipping your hair around with new silky, shiny strands. It is said to stop frizz storms in its tracks while repairing split ends and damage. This spritzer is infused with Bulgarian rose water, bombyx silk, quartz and crushed pink sea pearls to hydrate your lovely locks.

What I say: Within my week experiment, I can only testify for this product’s short-term results. As of now, I can’t promise that it will bring your hair back to life, “restoring the keratin proteins” but I can share my week of dating this hair product. As a disclaimer, I should let you know that I refuse to wash my hair every single day. With that being said, I have only pumped this spray 4 times during the experimental time frame. My opinion is that it does make your hair appear to be more “silky”. However, I didn’t experience shinier hair. Which is a big downer because my life goal is to blind everyone with shiny hair. Bottom line, if you are someone with big hair dreams then I do not recommend this product.

5.) NUDESTIX Concealer Pencil; Full-Sized

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What they say: This creamy formula is known for its smooth glide and its minimum dry time. It is used to cover blemishes, marks, spots and underage circles while blending right into the skin. This concealer pencil contains Shea Butter and Vitamin E which provides the skin with hydration.

What I say: I was especially skeptical about this love-stick. A lot of concealers promise to make you look like Beyoncé while rarely staying true to its word. So you can imagine how excited I was to pull the “I told you so” card. And before I could even get sassy, this delicious creamy product laughed in my face for doubting its greatness. I am in love with the formula of this precious pencil. Sadly, the shade I received is a tad too dark for my pasty white skin tone (thanks to the never-ending rain of this wonderful “Sunshine State”). Determined to make use of this product, I decided to utilize it as a contour stick. I applied it directly below my cheekbones and along my temples and hairline. I can’t testify for its commitment to provide excellent coverage but I can absolutely agree that it is long-lasting and beautifully hydrating.

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I am completely impressed with this month’s glambag and that each “treat” lived up to their claims. Just the bag itself stole the show! No tricks for this month, ladies. Just goodies upon goodies. If you aren’t subscribed to Ipsy, stop everything you’re doing and sign up! I promise you won’t regret it!

As always, thanks for dropping by! Tell me all about your experience with Ipsy’s October Glambag in the comments section below! See you in my next post!

-Sarah

 For my posse that has never heard of Ipsy:

Ipsy is a monthly glambag that is provides subscribers with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Simply put, you only have to spend $10 a month to receive a glambag packed with 5 products selected for your individual style and cosmetic preference. It’s similar to celebrating Christmas all year-long, gifting yourself with 5 new surprises. (At least that’s what I told my husband when justifying how imperative it was that I become a subscriber. And here I am, ladies)

MY VERY VEGAN LIFE + MY TAKE ON “RAW. VEGAN. NOT GROSS” BY THE INSPIRING LAURA MILLER.

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Now this is a story all about how
My diet got flipped-turned upside down
And I’d like to take a minute
Just sit right here
I’ll tell you how I fell into my vegan love affair

( I will am proud to admit that the “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” theme song has played a major role in the development of my personality.)

As you know, ‘Daily Cup of Vogue’ is a big bowl of ingredients that make up who I am. However, I never expected for my vegan lifestyle to become one of those essential ingredients. To my surprise, I learned that it was more than just a change in diet. It was a major turning point in my life that matured my idea of image and health. With that being said, it is necessary for me to share the “when, how and why” of this story.

I was first introduced to the world of veganism by my older brother, Scott. I was visiting Scott in New York, when he took me to a vegan restaurant called Red Bamboo. Naturally, I expected to eat grass for dinner because- that’s obviously what people who don’t eat meat consume on a daily basis. Or so I thought. Despite my corrupt view of the vegan lifestyle, I promised my brother and the people of Red Bamboo, that I would give it an honest chance. Though I prepared a list full of sarcastic comments, this delicious “Chicken” Parmesan stopped me right in my tracks, slapping me in the face with reality. I’m not even embarrassed to admit that I denied the server’s offer of a to-go box. My stomach had much bigger plans with this entrée than anyone, including myself, knew. And what kind of woman would I be to waste such sweet love? While enjoying the best meal of my life, I realized it was only the beginning of this love affair. After much research, I found myself drawn to the nature of veganism yet being ethically disturbed by the meat industry. I was excited to discover the benefits of a plant-based diet- benefits that would nourish my mind, body and soul.

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In January of 2013, I checked into the world veganism. Surprisingly enough, this decision was quite simple. (Shoutout to my brother Scott and Red Bamboo for playing a part in this.) When it came down to it, the choice that lied before me was a no-brainer: Do I want to commit to pursuing a lifestyle that benefits my health and allows me to stand up for animal rights? SPOILER ALERT: I SAID YES. (This whole process was much easier than my over-analyzing brain prepared me for.)

Prior to becoming a vegan, “nutrition” was not on my list of priorities. In fact, that term was quite foreign to me. However, the questions of “how to lose 15 pounds”and “how to achieve a thigh gap” continued to sneak its way to the top, taking the lead above all other goals. My life was a constant rollercoaster of unhealthy dietary habits, such as under-eating and yo-yo dieting. My definition of “healthy” was so warped by the unrealistic images I let cloud my thinking. Little did I know, living with this mind frame takes a major toll on the physical and emotional state of your body.

Becoming a vegan and falling in love with plant-based foods has protected my mind from being focused on image based diets. Now, I confidently and clearly look at food, health and image through a different lens. Talk about an eye exam. Veganism has motivated me to get excited about the foods I eat and has challenged me to embrace this lifestyle, being confident in who I am. Out of my new-found love for plant-based foods, I have picked up a new hobby of cooking and studying the foundation of new recipes.

Nearly a year ago, I googled “vegan Pad Thai” (one of my all time favorite meals), with the hope of finding a life changing recipe. It was then that I stumbled upon a show called, “Raw. Vegan. Not gross”, hosted by this incredible woman named Laura Miller. I instantly started binge watching every episode. Despite my dream of wanting to be her best friend, I deeply admire her heart for food and nutrition. It isn’t your typical cooking show that just hits you with a bunch of cool recipes. Laura Miller makes it a priority to teach you all of the nutritious benefits within each and every ingredient involved in the recipes she shares.

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(If you love sweets, run(not walk) to your kitchen and make yourself some of Laura Miller’s “Nutty Butter Cups”! They will rock your world.)

This past summer, Laura Miller published her first cookbook. It was also the first cookbook I have ever owned. Similar to her show, “Raw. Vegan. Not Gross”, her book is a combination of amazing recipes mixed with her unique personality. What I admire most about this book is how it begins with her personal story (which is beautiful and transparent). It then leads into a helpful grocery list and creative recipes. The beauty this book entails is quite similar to my very first vegan meal: life changing. It has challenged me to be brave in the kitchen and less fearful of having a diet different from most people. (And as you can tell, I sticky-noted my way through the entire book. No shame in my game.)

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(This popcorn is perfect for Netflix binges and movie nights.)

             Despite your dietary beliefs, I highly recommend Laura Miller’s show and book. The nature of the “Raw. Vegan. Not Gross” cookbook is suitable for everyone, especially those passionate about nutrition and delicious food. I will link her website and YouTube below so you can check her out! Let me know what you think in the comments section below!

Thanks for dropping by! See you in my next post.

-Sarah

Laura Miller Website

Laura Miller Youtube

“You are beautiful”

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“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.”

“You are beautiful.” Those 3 words have the power to build us up in remarkable ways. And in other situations, they have the power to strip us of our confidence the moment we start to determine our worth by how often we hear them.

Since I was old enough to understand the human language, being called beautiful was something that gave my soul this strong energy, similar to the energy from drinking a venti black coffee from Starbucks. The way that I rely on coffee to get me through the day is the way my mind has relied on being called “beautiful”.

But what happens when I don’t hear it as often? My heart’s energy begins to dwindle down and I am left feeling insecure. My “energy tank” gas light comes on and my body starts to feel weak and powerless. How is it that such sweet words can affect the soul this harshly?

It is the context, or scene, of which these words are spoken. I am having a great hair day and my makeup game is on point- it is then when I tend to hear “you are beautiful”. But how about when my actions to those around me are kind or I do something intentional for a stranger? What are the chances of me hearing a positive response such as those 3 words? The chances aren’t as promising.

Our society is driven by image. Which, in return, means your worth is judged by how well your hair is curled and if, in fact, your wingtip is “on fleek”. If you’re “overweight” (in the eyes of society) or you have scars, that’s not beautiful, right? Wrong. So very wrong. I love magazines and social media as much as the next person but the way they warp every innocent mind on this planet is terrifying. What would happen if we actually started speaking positive truth over people, that wasn’t based on image? It would be as beautiful as the first day of Pumpkin Spice latte season. Joy would be spread everywhere from the warmth of encouraging words that fuel our soul versus clouding our mind with lies.

I was planning on ending this post here in hope of it leaving you feeling empowered and encouraged but my intentions are to be transparent with you. My life has been a constant battle of learning how to rise above the lies that try to drown me. Every morning I look in the mirror and tell myself, “the Creator of this world calls you ‘Beloved’. You are strong and worthy of love.” I, then, walk out feeling like Bruce Lee, ready to face the fog of lies surrounding me. However, there are days when that fog is too thick to even see the truth that is ahead.

I often wonder if my insecurities will always creepishly visit on days when my heart is most vulnerable. But instead of living in fear, I have found a way to fight through it, which in return eases my anxiety. I stopped stressing over how defenseless I feel against these lies and instead started karate chopping the root of the problem. The root of the problem being taking control over my thoughts, regaining ownership over them, to protect them from the lies of this world. Why and when did I ever allow the world to become the master over my thoughts? I can’t even recall the first time it happened- it’s almost as if the lies snuck its way into my heart and made its way up to my brain after imbedding itself into my life.

Going forward, I refuse to find my worth in the words of others or comparing myself to what I am told “beautiful” is. Society will no longer dictate how I feel about myself and the way I look. Nor will I believe in the very unrealistic image of what we are taught “beautiful” looks like.

Beautiful is our strengths working together with our brokenness. It is every breath and every heart beat. It is loving yourself and loving others.

What are the things you love most about yourself? Share with me in the comments section or through my email on my “let’s get social” page.

In love,

Sarah

 

To have and to hold…

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“What on earth is my first blog supposed to be about?”

 This question sat, helplessly unanswered, in my very scattered brain for longer than I’m proud to admit. It has also made itself at home in my husband’s brain because he is an alternative route for my thoughts. Which, unfortunately for him, means suffering through my life of decisions that I like to call, “I have no idea.”

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My dress is a fit-and-flare bridal gown from Martina Liana (Style #675).

So, here I am, writing my very first blog on a ‘daily cup of vogue’, highlighting the greatness of the man I call my husband. The heart of my blog was originally created to vent about my love for fashion and beauty- but how can I only write about such topics when my heart is passionate about so much more?

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On March 14, 2014, I met the man that has forever captivated my heart, Joseph. On March 19, 2016, I vowed to love that same man forever (or as we say, “Today, Tomorrow & Forever”). Joey has drastically changed my life. He has pushed me to grow out of my shell of insecurity that I tend to crawl into. (The shell I almost crawled into trying to create this blog. But heyo! Here I am!) He has taught me that confidence is like a good pair of ankle boots- it makes every outfit better.Through Joey’s personal life and dedication, he taught me the secret to wearing confidence. You have to get to know yourself, inside and out. And then, you have to learn to love yourself, inside and out. Once I started doing this, I felt the urge to stop floating through life in my shell. I found the motivation to get up, put on cute clothes and create my own tunnel of greatness through the power of confidence. This is only a small glimpse of how Joey has pushed me to stand above my insecurities.

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Bridal robe pictured is the Leandra Lace Robe from BHLDN, Anthropologie’s Bridal Collection.

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On my wedding day, I was so nervous that I thought I was going to throw up. I was about to stand in front of my forever guy, outdoors, in South Florida, praying that he would always love me and hoping it wasn’t going to pour. Good news is, Joey still loves me. Bad news is, it poured. Mid-ceremony. Prior to my wedding, rain sounded like the worst thing that could’ve ever happened. Little did I know, it was my favorite thing, next to marrying Joey, that occurred that day. I got to witness my man in action. It started pouring and he grabbed my hand, put his fist in the air, and playfully shouted, “AIN’T NO RAIN STOPPING THIS MARRIAGE!” He made it known that not even rain could get in the way of his dreams. He remained confident despite the “15%” chance of rain the weatherman expected.

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This is who Joey is every single day. Everything around us could be falling apart, and he will be focused on turning my heat seater on, in 90 degree weather. How could I not write about this man? So now, my dream of having a fashion and beauty blog has turned into a blog also about health, self-love and what I like to call “wife life” (and not to spoil the fun, but my versions of wife life is mostly stories about the endless pranks we play on each other). Throughout the many adventures in life, I am coming to find that the heart kinda falls in love with more than the brain can actually fathom, let alone process. I hope you guys continue to follow along through this journey with me. So far, pursuing dreams is pretty darn awesome.

-S