Monthly Favorites: January 2017

Hey Guys!

So hi… I decided last minute that I would be doing this post this month (probably has something to do with me procrastinating on writing my paper for my class)  so I decided to look back over the last month and see what my favorites were.

Beauty:

1. Tarte:  Amazonian Clay 12 hour full coverage foundation in the color Medium-Tan Honey.  I love this foundation, not that I wear make up all that often, but when I do I love the coverage of this one.
2. Tarte: Tartlette Tease palette
3. Benefit Cosmetics: Precisely My Brow in the number 6, I bought the kit at Macy’s but you can also find it online.
4. Benefit Cosmetics: boi-ing full coverage concealer industrial-strength concealer, This stuff is amazing in covering up spots and redness.
5. Benefit Cosmetics: Dandelion Box o’Powder, I’ve got a more olive skin tone than a pink blush will usually be good for, but this one is perfect.
6. Not Your Mother’s: Clean Freak Dry Shampoo, This product is amazing, my absolute favorite right now!

Skin Care:

1. Tarte: I decided to try the skin care products from Tarte.  This was a great choice for me because not only did they have a travel kit that was only $10 that way I could try it and see if I liked it but it worked really well with my really picky skin.
2. Tarte: If there is one thing that I’ve discovered it’s that there is nothing more important than your skin.  I usually start my morning off with a moisturizer that has an spf in it to help guard my skin.  I’ve recently added this 30 spf sunscreen by tarte, I love how light weight it is.  I usually mix this up with my moisturizer to give it an added boost.
3. Tarte: I’m also all about that travel size grab and go products.  I’ve also go super dry skin most of the time.  I usually steer clear of oils because while I have dry skin I also have oily skin.  You’d think that wouldn’t possible but my skin proves that wrong.  However, when I add this one to my moisturizer it gives it just that little bit extra that my skin needs.  You can also get this in the roller ball here.

Fashion:

1. Victoria Secret Lounge Bras:  This may be too much info but I’ve always been a girl who loved her underwire bras… but I recently found these lounge bras and I love them!
2. Vans Slip-ons: These are some of the most comfortable shoes that I’ve ever worn.
3. Nikes Lunarglide 7:  I can’t say enough about these shoes.  I love them!  I also couldn’t find the ones that I bought, but I recommend going into an actual Nike store or athletic shoe store to buy your shoes.

Stationary:

1. Kindle and iBooks app: Ok so this isn’t exactly stationary, but with these two apps I’ve been able to switch between hard copy versions of my school books to my phone when I need to.
2. My Planner: Because I’m not sure I would survive school or life without this thing!  I’m also excited to say that I got my sister started on using a planner now.

Books:

1. The Hashtag Series: this series is from Cambria Hebert, I’m also obsessed with her Gearshark Series, which is a spin off of her hashtag series.  Not gonna lie every time she has a new book coming out I end up re-reading her entire series.  I also have her audio books on repeat.
2. The Harry Potter Series: Does this really need an explanation?  I started to read this with both my little cousin and nephew before bed.  I’m super stoked that they are enjoying it.

Movies and Tv:

1. Fantastic Beasts and where to find them
2. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
3. Inferno
4. Glee
5. Penny Dreadful
6. Supernatural
7. The Magicians

Food:  This doesn’t really change much… 

1. Fried Pickles- I know this isn’t healthy, but I’ve been all about the fried pickles this month.
2. Hot: White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks
3. Iced: Grande Skinny Soy Vanilla Latte with a mocha drizzle
4. Venti Shaken Passion sweet tea Lemonaid from Starbucks
5. Pumpkin Loaf bread from Starbucks
6. Fried Rice Bowl with Sweet Fire Chicken and a side of String Bean Chicken from Panda Express

Well that’s it for my favorites for this month.                                                                               Until Next Time!                                                                                                                                      Tabby

College Life: Things I Regret NOT Doing in College

Hey Guys!

So here it is in January and the new semester is coming up fast for some of us.  With this new year it had me thinking of all the things that I missed because A) I didn’t go to college right out of high school and B) I commuted to both of the schools that I attended.  So I missed a lot of things that normal college kids do.

One thing that I don’t regret is going back to school and then turning around and continuing on to gain another degree and again continuing on to do my best to earn a third.  As of right now I have an Associate’s of Science degree and a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts in History and am currently working on my Master’s of Liberal Arts in History.

The regrets that I have are:

1. Not joining in on the events that happened on campus.

It was a lot easier when I was attending a community college for me to participate in events, both with clubs and random events that the college hosted.  But the one thing that I can tell you is that the few that I did attend and even some of the ones that I helped with I had so much fun doing them.  It made making friends easier when you can do things like this together.  Especially when you have problems making friends because you tend to be shy or a bookworm like me.

2. Not going on a real Spring Break.

Considering I was in my mid 20s when I decided to go back to college, I already had a full-time job and bills to pay.  So getting a week or more off during spring break was hardly an option.  However, if I had the option to do so now, I’d try and find a way to at least take a few days and do something exciting.  I know that my campus usually hosts something called the Big Event where students spend their spring break helping out in their community.  I think I may try and find out more and if I can participate in it.  Or maybe taking a Thursday-Monday and going on a road trip somewhere.

3. Not going out with friends more often.

Again being the older non-traditional college student I never really went out with any of my college friends.  Mostly, because I was older than them and I had a job that I had to get to when most were still sleeping off whatever they did the night before.  But the few times that I went out with friends was always fun.  Mainly because I don’t drink that often and I had fun watching my friends get drunk.

4. Not taking random classes just because.

The one thing that I remember hearing is that college is the time for you to experiment.  To take random and nonsense classes just for the heck of it.  Like taking a history of rock or a basket weaving class or a bowling class.  Classes that you take just because you can.  I took a photography class that for some isn’t a random class but for a history major it was.  I had the best time in this class and it gave me something to look forward to in a semester full of history classes.

5. Not studying abroad for a semester or even for the summer.

Now I did a small type of study abroad when I was at my community college where I went to Puerto Rico for two week and got Spanish credit for it.  But recently I had two of my friends (at different times) go and study in Europe for the entire semester.  This is an experience that I wish I could have.  Considering one of them was finishing her Master’s degree I might still be able to experience this.  Again being a non-traditional older student it’s harder to get away for the length of time that I would be gone for.  I recommend looking into whatever programs your campus offers.  There are some that offer 2 week programs like my community college did and others that offer spring break programs or mini-mesters or summer programs.  Just look into it and see what you can try.

6. Not living in a dorm room.

Now this one is a bit more on the wishful side.  Because I can tell you that I don’t think I would have missed having to share a bathroom with 4 other people or more the entire floor of people.  But I wish I would have gone to school right out of high school and been able to experience the college life a bit more.

7. Not going to the gym more.

I’ll be the first one to admit that I don’t do a lot of exercising.  But I do wish that I’d use the gym more.  Especially since it’s a part of my tuition already.  Believe it or not you did more exercise than you thought you did in high school.  You might as well use the free gym membership that you’re already paying for.  Most campus gyms offer the use of all the machines an indoor track, or indoor swimming pool.  They even have free exercise classes that you are allowed to join in on simply by having your school id.  There are a multitude of ways to keep healthy and fit in college.  All you have to do is look for them.

8. Not joining a Sorority or Fraternity.

This is the biggest regret that I have, because while the university that I attended didn’t have actual greek houses we did have sorority and fraternity chapters that I could have tried.  But rushing is one of those things that is part of the classic college experience that I never did.

9. Not going to sports events.

This one is also a big regret.  While the college and university I chose to attend had basketball, baseball, and volleyball teams, neither of them had football teams.  Which is the sport that I love watching the most.  Some of my favorite memories in High School come from hanging out with my friends at the football games (plus I was in the school band so I had to be there anyway!).  I wish now that I had taken the opportunity to attend some the games that either of the campus’ offered.

10. Not doing more internships or volunteer opportunities.

One thing that I’m super grateful for was the opportunity to intern at the local Science and History Museum.  What made it even more fun was that I got to experience this with two of my friends who also happened to be History majors.  We learned so much about the archives in the museum and how to work in a museum.  I wish I was able to experience more of this but I’m glad I got to experience this.  What I recommend for you to be able to experience this as well is to go talk to your professors or the chair of the department of your major and find out if there are any internship or volunteer opportunities that you can take part with.

Well I hope these regrets or kinda sorta regrets will help you not miss quite so much in your college and university years.  Learn from what I didn’t do and go out there and make memories.  Question of the Day: Do you have any regrets from your years in college or just missed opportunities in general?  Comment down below.

Until Next Time!

Tabby

What’s in My Gym Bag!

Hey Guys!

So now that it’s a new year I’ve been seeing people everywhere post gym pictures and start off their New Year Resolutions in staying fit, and going to the gym more.  I’m more of a not gym person and prefer to do fitness videos or workout outside.  But I do keep a “gym” bag in my car for few times that I do actually go to the gym, as well as for when I end up in an emergency and get some thing on my clothes… or for those days when I just need a spare change in the car.  It’s a nice security to have.  

I know most people only keep their clothes and maybe their running shoes, but since I use this as more than a gym bag this is what is in mine:

• Extra clothes: I keep a sports bra, underwear, workout shirt, and yoga pants.  Not only can I wear these for the gym but if something happens to the clothes that I’m wearing then I can change.
• Extra Shoes: I have several pairs of running/gym shoes around the house, when I decided that I needed to have a bag in the car I through in my extra shoes just in case.
• An ankle and knee brace – because lets face it, I’m an accident waiting to happen and it’s better to have them there just in case.
• Toiletries: No I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with not showering after hitting the gym (not judging!)… but I’m always needing a shower after.  So I always keep travel sized Shampoo, Conditioner, body wash and body scrubby, travel Venus razor, toothpaste and toothbrush, travel brush and Bobbie pins, deodorant, hairspray, travel contact solution, travel sized Cetaphil lotion (for body and face).  As well as my own body and hair towel. This keeps me clean and if I need to I can use the school showers if needed and still have my own stuff with me.
• Personal products: I know I’m not the only one that has had this happen… there you are minding your own business when all of a sudden you get visited by that monthly visitor.  And low and behold you don’t have anything with you.  I’ve learned to keep the travel ones in my gym bag.  I grabbed mine from the Dollar Tree, but I’ve seen the same ones at both Wal-Mart and Target in the section where you buy all the travel sizes.  I also keep body wipes for these times as well.
• Travel sewing kit: This was a smart decision, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve popped a button and didn’t have anything to fix it.  This kit has everything from thread and needles to buttons and safety pins.  Everything you need to fix small problems.
• travel laundry soap: This is kind of out there, but I got this sample of tide pods in an order that I had placed with Justfab when I ordered a pair of shoes.  I thought it was interesting that they would send it but figured it was a great package to through in my gym bag for emergencies.
• Emergency Kit: I grabbed this at Old Navy one day and I thought it was awesome.  It includes:
  • Hollywood fashion tape
  • Deodorant removing sponge, lint removing sheets
  • Safety pin, sewing needle and thread, buttons
  • Adhesive buttons, hair band, nail file, blister pad, static guard
  • Shoe shine sponge, stain wipe, hypoallergenic earring back
• Tarte Athleisure gym kit:  I’ve never been one to wear makeup when I’m heading to the gym… or on lazy days for that matter.  But this new line makes it so easy.  It’s not even a full (or even a half) makeup face, so it’s definitely a go to look for me on a normal day.  This limited edition gym essentials kit is one that I love to just through in my bag.  You can find it here.
  • full size lifted sweatproof mascara in black brown  (because holy crap this is essential after all that working out… I hate getting raccoon eyes!)
  • travel brighter days highlighting moisturizer
  • deluxe quench lip rescue in nude (I love me a good nude … matte lip!)
  • fresh eyes maracuja waterproof eye makeup remover wipes (10 count)

I’ve found out the hard way that having a bag in the car is a smart thing to do.  Well what do you think?    Question of the day: Have you ever found yourself in need of something that wasn’t with you? Comment down below.

Until Next Time!

Tabby

#Blur Review

Reviewer: Tabitha
#Blur by Cambria Hebert                              Format: Kindle
Series: GearShark #4
Published by Cambria Hebert Books, LLC
Publication Date: January 10th 2017
Genres: Contemporary Romance, New Adult Sports Romance                                     Page Count: 416 pages
Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

 

 

 

The Original Synopsis can be found here.

There’s a new kid in town, and he’s hell on wheels.
From what we’ve heard, it may be because
he knows exactly what hell’s like.
Lonely.
Scorching.
Unforgiving.
You may know his brother,
the NRR hotshot
(and former GearShark cover model)
Lorhaven.
It’s only natural a driver with
his background and family connections
has sped his racecar
into the newest, hottest division.
But that’s not all.
Arrow may be following in big bro’s tread marks,
but he doesn’t plan to stay there.
He’s swerving onto the road less traveled…
and a lot more controversial.
he’s opening up about his private struggles with sexuality
to tell a story that’s gone unheard until now.
One thing’s for sure; Arrow may have a painful past,
but his foot is heavy on the accelerator.
With speed like this, he’s bound to leave everything behind
nothing but a #blur.

The Review:

This is the fourth book in the GearShark Series and it focuses on Arrow and Hopper, characters that we get introduced to in the first two GearShark books.  I’m doing  this review in more general terms as it’s only been two weeks (can you believe it!) since the release and I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t gotten the chance to read it yet.

Arrow is the younger brother of Lorhaven and he has a past that haunts him.  His hobby is cars and racing.  But when offered his choice of dreams he hesitates, and that brings him Hopper.

Hopper is Ron Gamble’s man on the track for Gamble’s Nascar division.  His past is filled with pain and dark with memories that he dwells on far too much.  When Gamble sends him to the other side of the state to get an answer from an up and coming racer he wants light begins to come back into his life.

Cambria Hebert does a wonderful job at bringing us the past of both of these characters into full view as a way to better understand  them and how they got where they are.  This book was well worth the wait that we had for it.  We even get a glimpse of Drew and Trent here.

 

This book is a wonderful continuation to characters that we fell in love with in the Hashtag series.  If you haven’t yet jumped onto the #Nerd/GearShark bandwagon you totally need to soon!  You also get the added benefit of the series being just about complete so you don’t have to wait the long months that we did!

Until Next Time!

Tabby

Subscription box Review: Asypn Ovard

Hi Guys!

So I’m super excited.  My Aspyn Ovard subscription box for December/January came in.  Welcome to my unboxing of it!  I keep telling myself that I’m going to upgrade to the $50 box… I just haven’t yet.  Has anyone else gotten one?

Here is a full view of every thing that is in my box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gell Toner –

I put on this toner right before I added my moisturizer for the night and found it to be really cooling on the skin.  I’m still not totally sure what I think about it but I’ll let you know.

 

 

 

 

 

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter –

So I don’t know about you guys, but I love the smell of the Palmer’s cocoa butter… (not as much as my sisters homemade stuff but it’s really good, I’m telling you that girl can make anything!)  I was excited for this because in the winter I get really dry skin and this will be a huge help.

 

 

 

Zest Very Berry Revitalization Shower Gel

Well I guess this means that they’ve revamped the old Zest… Let me just say that this smells amazing.  And it actually feels really good too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not Your Mother’s In a Heartbeat Blow Dry Accelerator – I’ve never been one to blow dry my hair… mainly because I have a lot of it and it would take forever.  This stuff is so great and cuts drying time by almost half!

 

 

 

 

 

 

ToGo Spa eyes by   – 3 Under Eye Treatments

Oh my gosh, this felt amazing after a long day at work.  I ran across them when I was moving the box and I had actually forgotten they were in there.  I decided that since I had already washed my face for the night that this would be a great treat for me (especially since I was still recovering for a really bad cold/bronchitis bout).  I was totally right, it was really good and I’m actually thinking of finding out if they can be stored in a refrigerator because being cold could only help this feel amazing!

 

Salon Grafix Shaping Hair Spray –

Ok, so I’m really picky about my hairsprays, mainly because I already have a dry scalp and I don’t need the flaky-ness of hairspray adding to that.  I found this one to be a little flaky but not overly so.  It also is a pretty strong hold on it so that is a plus.  This may not be one that I keep but I’ll definitely hand this over to someone who’ll use it.

 

 

 

Well this was everything that was in my box this month… Overall I’m super excited for everything that was in my box.  Question of the Day: What is your opinion on Subscription boxes?  Do you like them or do you not? Comment down below.

Until Next Time!
Tabby

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIY Subscription Box: BFF Book Box Edition 2

Hey Guys!

So last month you saw the Marvel/DC book box that I made for my friend Jax.  This month her theme is #hashtag.  If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll have realized that one of my all time favorite book series is the Hashtag Series by Cambria Hebert.  So that is what I’m basing her box on this month.

This is what is in this month’s box:

• #NEED A NAP cup
• BAE WATCH cup
• Nerds Rule mug
• 2 # sticky note pads
• # light up marquee
• Apple Cider Mix & Rainbow Sprinkles
• Fries before Guys marshmallows
• #nofilter magnet
• 2 Books: A Tale of Two Besties & The Different Girl

What do you think guys?  Question of the Day: Do prefer to buy stuff and create your own Subscription box or do you usually like what comes in yours?  Comment down below.

Until Next Time!

Tabby

 

Semester Goals: Spring 2017

Hey Guys!

Well here it is winter break is over and it’s time for the spring semester to start back up again.  (And for some reason it’s earlier than it’s ever been, I’m not sure why).  Now the reason I call it winter break is because that’s what the school calls it.  But here in south Texas it doesn’t really get all that cold  with a few exceptions.  Heck our Christmas was around 80 degrees this year.  One of the things that I love the most around this time is watching the changes in the weather.  I love when we’ll get some chilly evenings and we can start a fire in the pit and just sit around outside.

I learned last semester that having goals was a great motivator for my 1st semester in Graduate school.  When I saw this on DaniDearest‘s blog I loved the idea.  The goals gave me something solid to work towards and something else to focus on.  I accomplished 5 out of the 10 goals that I set, for a first attempt I was extremely happy with it.

Making my goals public like this was the perfect way for me to be held accountable for them.  Before this last semester I’ve never set goals and never so publicly before.  And doing so helped me.

Now, unlike most of my semesters this one for some reason has 16 weeks of classes… I think I counted that right.  Especially since they started this semester almost a week earlier than they usually do. (Today’s my first day of classes)  So I’m going to do 15 goals… mainly because the first week is really just a prep week for the courses.  Let’s see how I do at the end of the semester.  Here’s my goals for this semester:

1. Get at least a B in my classes.
2. Try and get my assignments done before the day they are due.
3. Work out at least 2 times a week. (I’m going to make an effort, but we’ll see.)
4. Try a fitness class on campus.
5. Spend more time with my family and friends.
6. Actually stick to my budget. (for food, or other things)
7. Cook more, and take my own lunches for school.
8. Reach my activity goals on my watch each day/week.
9. Post on each of the days I’ve assigned a post on HomeTownGirlWriter.
10. Save at least 10% of my paychecks each week.
11. Make my bed and pick up things in my room each morning. (In my hope for a clean room/house.)
12. Take time for myself each week.
13. Open my planner everyday and make sure it’s completed for the upcoming week.
14. Have saved at least $500 by the end of the semester.
15. Go somewhere I’ve never been before.

Well let’s see how this turns out this semester.  Especially since I added a few more than last semester.  Question of the Day: Do you set goals for each of your semesters?  Comment down below.

Until Next Time!

Tabby

#Poser Review

Reviewer: Tabitha
#Poser by Cambria Hebert                            Format: Kindle
Series: Hashtag #5
Published by Cambria Hebert Books, LLC
Publication Date: August 18th 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance, New Adult Sports Romance                                    Page Count: 393
Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

 

 

 

 

The Original Synopsis can be found here.

The Hashtag series is the winner of Best Contemporary Series of 2015 (UtopYAcon 2015) 

Book Five in the Hashtag Series! 

Posers gonna pose 

I am a man who had nothing, but found everything.

I’ll never go back to nothing ever again.

I vowed to protect her, and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.

The pictures I stumbled upon haunt me still, the secret I shoulder is heavy.

They say secrets put distance between two people, but the truth is far more destructive than keeping it will ever be.

I won’t ever tell. She can’t ever know.

When I look in the mirror my reflection is of who I’m afraid I’ll become and not the man I am.

It makes me feel like a poser, no better than all the others pretending to be exactly who they aren’t.

How does a man keep it together when everything is unraveling right here in his hands?

I didn’t start any of this.

I never asked for it.

But it came knocking at my door.

When secrets and threats knock, I don’t hide.

I open the door.

Because the best way to take down a poser is to be one.

The Review:

Well here we are with book five and the next book for Braeden and Ivy.   I’m going to try to not give too much away for those who haven’t yet gotten a chance to read the wonderfulness that is #Poser.

Things happened during the previous book that were surprising and scandalous for everyone.  But Braeden and Ivy keep strong and keep going.  We get introduced to a new character in the fifth book, Drew Forester, Ivy’s older brother.  He seems to fit in with the rag tag group that is comprised of our favorite characters.

In this book we learn some secrets that some want to come between B and Ivy, but with their strength and of course with Romeo and Rimmel helping along in the end they keep together.  Can they survive everything that is being thrown at them?  You bet they can.

And for those of you wanting that drama don’t you worry the #Buzzboss and Zach instigate enough to keep you going.

This book is a wonderful continuation to the Hashtag series, with more to come in her next installations.  If you haven’t yet jumped onto the #Hashtag Series bandwagon you totally need to soon!

Until Next Time!

Tabby

Shows I’ve Rewatched/Binged Watched

Hey Guys!

Oh my has this winter break been my time for re-watching/binge watching shows.  Of course the reason that I was having to do this was because I was so behind on the series that I wasn’t sure what was going on in them anymore.  So these are the shows that I’ve had to re-watch/binge in order to catch up on them.

• Supernatural
• NCIS
• Pretty Little Liars
• Gilmore Girls
• iZombie
• Jessica Jones
• The Librarians
• Doctor Who

Well these are the few shows that I’ve been re-watching and truthfully I re-watch them pretty regularly especially NCIS and the Librarians.  Which I can pick up at any time during the seasons and know what’s going on (well with the exception of the current seasons obviously).  If you’re looking for something new to watch and you haven’t seen any of these I recommend them for anybody!  And the good thing is that with the exception of the Librarians and Doctor Who they are all available on Netflix.  Question of the Day: What is your favorite tv show to binge watch or re-watch?  Comment down below.

Until Next Time!

Tabby

Week 1 – 21 Day Shred

Hey Guys!

So as I said last week I’m doing the 21 day shred (my attempt) to kick start my health and fitness goals for 2017.  2016 was a hard year for me both physically and mentally.  At the beginning of the next week I’ll be posting about how I did the previous week during my journey.  As a way to keep myself honest, I’ll be adding pictures of what I’m eating as well as posting on Instagram and Snapchat (be sure to follow me to watch my progress Instagram: @tabithajeanett, Snapchat @tabbyja).

If you read my last shred post you got to see my prep for the first day of the program.  This is how my first week went.

It’s Shred Time

1/9 – Day 1

6:30 am: Breakfast time – Egg scramble with avocado and Turkey bacon

10:00 am: Snack 1 – 1 Apple & 2 tbs peanut butter

12:00 pm: Lunch – Turkey sandwich and carrots

2:00 pm: Snack 2 – Greek Yogurt and blueberries (Not gonna lie, plain Greek yogurt tastes almost identical to sour cream… not the best)

 

 

 

 

5:30 pm: Dinner – Skinny Pineapple Salsa Chicken with brown rice

Day 2

6:30 am: Breakfast time – Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

10:00 am: Snack 1 – 9 Carrots, 9 grape tomatoes and 2 tbs hummus

12:00 pm: Lunch – Leftover Skinny Pineapple Salsa Chicken with Brown Rice

2:00 pm: Snack 2 – Green Power Smoothie

5:30 pm: Dinner – I wasn’t feeling well, so I’ll admit that I skipped dinner and went straight to bed

 

And I hate to say this guys but I got sick here and haven’t been following the diet plan… mainly because I can’t keep anything down.  So I’ll be picking this up again in a few weeks and trying again.  I’m not giving up but right now isn’t the best time to be forcing myself to eat and getting sick after.

Until Next Time!

Tabby