Crown Coast Umbrella Review

I had the opportunity to try this heavy duty compact umbrella from crown coast. Since I live in Southern California, El Nino has arrived. For the two days it was non stop raining. Of course at that time I didn't have an umbrella. The Crown Coast Heavy Duty Compact Umbrella arrived the day after the rain stopped. That's ok though, I know it will rain again. 

Anyways, Crown Coast has some amazing umbrellas. First thing I enjoyed was the weight. It was light and comfortable to hold. I next noticed the handle and the metal bars. It did not feel like cheap metal that easily bends. It is heavy duty metal that can hold up. When those high winds hit, the frame helps the canopy stay in place, rather then flip up. If it does flip up, it just bounces right back without ruining the umbrella. 

On the handle they have a little button with two arrows, one down, one up. To open it, push once. It easily pops open. It's a really big umbrella that two people could probably fit in. The fabric on the canopy is a strong material that is water resistant. Obviously helpful during the rain.  To close it, just push the button again. The canopy closes shut, and you just need to push it down. It has a strap to hold down the fabric. Then put it back into the sleeve. It is super compact, Crown Coast umbrella can easily fit into a backpack, purse, diaper bag etc. 

There are different colors to choose from as well. I liked this red one. Its a very nice deep red that can go with many of my outfits. Another neat thing is the lifetime guarantee. Although the Crown Coast umbrella has an estimated life of 6000 openings, if something were to happen before, Crown Coast will replace it. So that is super neat for a company. If you would like to own your own Crown Coast Heavy Duty Compact Umbrella visit HERE #CrownCoastUmbrella

*I received this product for free or discounted price for my honest, unbiased review*

Sweet New Flat Iron

This is such an awesome flat iron! Our old, although good, was just barely on it's last legs. It was taking forever to heat up and half the outside plate was broken. Just no Bueno.


Before opening up the package, I didn't think it was the flat iron. It was so light. Once I opened it I couldn't wait to try. First thing I noticed was the weight. It is extremely light weight. Then the sleekness. It is super smooth, with only one button. The button controls the power as well the temperature settings. The temperatures range from 260F-410F.

 I have thin hair, but a lot of it making it thick. I set it to the middle at 350F, which heated up within a couple of minutes. The first morning I tried it my hair was extremely wavy because I slept with a tiny bun in. I thought it would take forever to go through. To my surprise, it was a breeze! I do not style my hair often, nor like spending the time on it. I have to see if it would be able to curl as my old one did. 

There's also a one hour automatic off to it. My husband tends to forget to unplug or turn off the flat iron. So for the flat iron to have this feautre is neat. Hopefully we won't need it though.

Finding a product that I can get things done fast is my type of product. This flat iron did just that. I absolutely love it. It is also thin enough for easily traveling. Not to mention it can come with a 2 year warranty

You can purchase your own here Flat Iron
*I received this product for free or at a discounted rate for my honest, unbiased review

Really Crappy Makeup Tutorial

Alrighty, so I made a makeup tutorial! It is definitely not the best,but a start. A lot of people ask me how I do my makeup and how I have the time with kids. I just make the time. To me makeup is a type of art. Although, I may not be the best at it, I am getting better(I think). The video is really crappy quality, as I did it on my webcam, with bad lighting and sound. This is where I usually do my makeup everyday.

I did have a few distractions with my youngest coming in. Then my husband, Alex, came in so I had to stop after my eyeliner. I'm going to post what I used here to.



***After trying to upload my video all day, it just wasn't happening. I will post the pictures of what I used still as well as a lovely after selfie

These are the brushes I typically use. Most are Bare Minerals brushes that I LOVE. Others are more generic. The tiny one near the brow pencil is part of a Sephora set.

These are the products I used for my eyes/cheeks/lips. The pallete was a Christmas gift. It'scalled "The Naked Truth" from Wet'N'Wild. The eyeliners are Lancome ArtLiner and Drama Liqui-pencil. The Mascara is Lancome Grandiose. Love the affect this gives. My lipgloss is Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie-Fiercely Fab 

 This is a really cool color cheek pallette. I used the third one on the top for blush, and the middle two at the bottom as a bronzer type deal.

So here's the before (excuse the ugly ass robe and turbie twist):

AND AFTER!:

So much better. :)

Well, hope you enjoyed my failed attempt at a makeup tutorial. I swear I will figure out how to do this whole blog/vlog stuff soon. 

HAVE A HAPPY THREE KINGS DAY!

What I want...

First I want to say Happy New Year!!! Last night was pretty relaxing. After work, my husband and I went out with my co worker. We barely made it to the first bar for midnight. But we did, and I had my love by my side (my husband, not my friend). We got a lot of free drinks, so I was pretty toasty. Definitely felt it today haha. I felt much better after lunch with my children.

Anyways, I want to something rather than a traditional new years resolution. My friend actually told me to do this. Its a "Want" List. Basically it's the things you want in life to accomplish. People always say what they want, just never achieve it. Including myself. I think creating a list, not just a 5 year goal, but a lifetime goal, and writing it down can help reach your "wants." So her is mine:

1. I want to be a master pastry chef.
2. I want to own my own baker/cafe
3. I want to learn more of my family tree.
4. I want to stop critiquing myself to the point of self blame.
5. I want to think more on the positive side
6. I want to travel the world. Both with and without my kids
7. I want to pay off all my debt
8. I want to learn to accept people rather than push them away.
9. I want to learn how to communicate my feelings without holding them in until I explode.
10. I want to be able to help Preeclampsia survivors and the Preeclampisa Foundation anyway I can.

I will stop at 10 right now. 2015 has been pretty gloomy (story for another time). It turned around though. I have got a new job at a brand new restaruant, I met new friends that I truly connect with. I have opened up more to my family. And much more. I can't wait to see what 2016 brings. The good, the bad, and the ugly, I will be able to push through it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!