Post #31: December Empties & 12 Pans of Christmas FINALE

December Empties

1. Tarte Maracujá oil - As you will see below, this was a deluxe sample size from Ipsy. I had tried it twice when I first got it, but it took my 12 pans of Christmas to actually get me to use it regularly. I liked the extra step to my face care routine, but I did not see a noticeable difference in the brightness or smoothness of my skin, so I would not repurchase. done 12/5/17

2. Neutrogena moisturizer - I have had this particular moisturizer longer than I care to admit, but since the start of my 13 by Halloween project pan I have been better about my skin care. Moisturizer is important for healthy skin, especially when you wear makeup. I will probably repurchase this one at some point in the future but for now I am try some other things. done 12/6/17

3. Aurora pro cover concealer SAMPLE - I liked the coverage of this concealer but it was really drying and set really fast. I couldn't wait to start blending. Had to work fast. I will not purchase a full size, though I did pull the stopper to get as much use as possible. done 12/6/17

12/5/17: This morning I hit pan on the eyeshadow Sand in my Smashbox Lighting Theory Palette, just wanted to document it. (And I couldn't post it on Instagram because that would spoil the surprise of the before/after post.)

12/10/17: Hit pan on the cream contour in my Smashbox Lighting Theory Palette.

4. Clean perfume SAMPLE - Brought it to NOLA with me for the AGU Fall Meeting. I didn't mind this scent, but it didn't last very long on the skin. Also, the sample vial leaked in transit to NOLA, so I only got like two/three uses out of it. I did not like it enough to want a full size. done 12/12/17

5. Replica perfume SAMPLE - Brought it to NOLA with me for the AGU Fall Meeting. I did not like this scent. I would never purchase the full size. done 12/16/17

6. Garnier moisturizing face wash - So this face wash says it is geared towards people with dry skin. I don't have particularly dry skin, but I didn't notice any 'supple'-ness after using this face wash regularly (the bottle claims that is a result of usage). I will not repurchase. done 12/27/17

7. Elf loose powder - I used this to set my under eyes after putting on concealer. Having it on helps with eyeshadow fall out. I have already repurchased. Also, this is so done, I pulled the plastic topper, as you should do with powders when you use them to completion. done 12/26/17

12/28/17: Hit pan on the eyeshadow in Sunrise my Smashbox Lighting Theory Palette.

8. The Healing Garden spray - sensual plum. I had this from a gift set from sometime in undergrad, so it could be anywhere from 5 - 10 years old. But I have been using it as a room spray before going to sleep and after waking up. It has been a nice fragrance, but I am glad to have it done. done 12/29/17

9. TRAVEL body wash that I brought home from a hotel. done 12/30/17

10. SAMPLE Burt's Bees Body oil - super lemony smelling, but I didn't notice a benefit to using it. done 12/30/17

11. Rimmel lip balm - Not particularly hydrating, but it was nice to leave in the car. It did not melt on hot summer days, which was really good. I have other lip balms so I won't repurchase. done 12/31/17

(Writing Utensil Project pan) 12/28/17: decluttered 2 dried out dry erase markers, both pink. 12/29/17: Finished a click-y pen.

12. Stila liquid eyeliner SAMPLE - Not a bad liquid eyeliner, and I know a lot of people do like it, but since this was the first liquid eyeliner I have given a real chance to, I don't really have a basis for comparison. I am ready to try out the others I have, that being said, I will not repurchase. done 12/31/17

13. Make Up For Ever eyeliner pencil SAMPLE - I love Make Up For Ever eyeliner, this one I can tell is getting a bit old. It is tugging at my eye a bit, but I gave it a lot of love the past couple of months and I am happy to finish it. I already have a back up sample, so I do not need to repurchase. done 12/31/17

14. Bath & Body Works lotion - sea island cotton. As you will see below, this lotion wasn't particularly moisturizing, nor did the scent last particularly long. I already have 2 back ups, so I will not be purchasing one to replace this one. done 12/31/17

12 Pans of Christmas

1. GlamGlow Dream Duo (actually 2 samples, but they are meant to be used together) - cut open to get more product out on 11/15 done 11/18/17
2. Neutrogena moisturizer - not a sample size, (see above). done 12/6/17
3. Tarte Maracujá oil - sample from Ipsy (see above) done 12/5/17
4. Fresh Sugar lip treatment - sample from Sephora done 11/4/17
5. Hanalei powder cleanser - sample packets from Ipsy done 11/16/17

6. Origin face mask - sample from Sephora - only used 3 times, will have to roll over into a different project pan. NOT DONE 

7. [from my 13 by Halloween] Make Up For Ever lipstick - Natural - made more progress, but it is not done yet, I wore this almost everyday of December, except for while I was at the AGU Fall Meeting. NOT DONE

8. [from my 13 by Halloween] Nars lipstick pencil - cruella - made incremental progress on this one. I favored it in November, but then only wore it during the week of the AGU Fall Meeting. NOT DONE

9. [from my 13 by Halloween] Stila liquid eyeliner - so, I am going to call this one done as of the end of 2017. I gave it 3 months of good use, and I know I have other liquid eyeliners I prefer. done 12/31/17
10. Make Up For Ever eyeliner sample - I used this SOOO much the past two months, and it is SOOO close to being done. I think I could sharpen it one more time, but that is it. I am going to call it done as of the end of 2017. done 12/31/17
11. Bath & Body Works lotion - sea island cotton - not particularly hydrating, and the scent doesn't last particularly long, but I had it and I used it. If nothing else, having this lotion in a project pan made me more aware of putting on lotion daily. done 12/31/17

12. Bath & Body Works spray - sea island cotton - this didn't move nearly as fast as the lotion did. But I have moved it from my bathroom to my bedroom, and I have been using it as a room scent, like I did with #8 in my empties. It will be finished up in the next couple of months. I have two other sea island cotton lotions, so it is okay that this spray didn't get finished. NOT DONE

told you there was incremental progress

so low that I can't make a new mark

1. eyeliner 2. red lip pencil 3. natural lipstick

Summary

Project: 12 Pans of Christmas

Duration: Nov. 1, 2017 - Dec. 31, 2017

Products Used: 8 out of 12

Score: 66 %

This is my last post of 2017. Starting in 2018, my monthly empties will be structured a bit differently.  So be looking forward to that. Until next post, Happy New Year!

Post #30: 30 before 30 - long Project Pan {INTRO}

30 before 30 Project Pan 

So at this point I have done a couple of Project Pans, and I have decided to try a big one. This project pan will be some random products that have a goal of finishing before I turn 30. I turn 29 on January 22, 2018, so this Project Pan will be a long one, lasting 13 months, finishing on January 22, 2019. I will post updates on the 22nd of each month.

Start date: December 22, 2017
End date: January 22, 2019
Duration: 396 days

1. Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick #10
2. Benefit lip gloss SAMPLE - hoola
3. Revlon lipstick - Love is On
4. Nabi lip liner - shining red
5. TCW lipstick
6. Lorac lip gloss - Free Spirit
7. Maybelline liquid lipstick - Grey Envy
8. L'Oreal lipstick - Classic Wine
9. Sephora eyeliner - silver
10. Prescriptive's eyeliner - violet
11. Wet n Wild eyeliner - white
12. Nabi eyeliner - satin blue
13. Physician's Formula cream eyeliner - green
14. Nabi eyeliner - gold
15. Make Up For Ever mascara (full size)
16. Pur mascara SAMPLE
17. Hard Candy eyeshadow stick - pink
18. Maybelline cream eyeshadow - blue
19. Pink cream eyeshadow
20. Pro Art shimmer powder - purple
21. Elizabeth Mott highlighter SAMPLE
22. Peter Thomas Roth highlighter SAMPLE
23. Smashbox lip topper SAMPLE
24. Benefit foundation SAMPLE (1) (2)
25. Lorac eyeliner SAMPLE
26. Smashbox LT blush - candlelight
27. Fresh Sugar lip scrub
28. B&BW lotion - beautiful day
29. B&BW lotion - beautiful day
30. Eos lip balm - red

#28 & #29

#12 & # 14

#6 & #17

#21 & #22

#19 & #20

#13 & #10 & #25

#24

#18 & #16

#3 & #9

#5 & #8 & #11

#30 & #4 & #2

#7 & #23 & #27

#1 & #15

#26

Check out my INTRO video on YouTube.
Follow me: Instagram & Twitter - neon8919

Post #28: Billy Joel Project Pan INTRO

I had originally planned to do this Project Pan soon after I watched Wednesday Greenleaf's video about her Muse inspired project pan (in the video she says she was inspired by Elle S's Fleetwood Mac inspired project pan). But here I am about 4 months later and I am doing it.

I will do my updates here on my blog, on my YouTube channel, and my Instagram/Twitter. This is the introduction to the products and why I chose them. I will post video and blog updates once a month (on the 9s). I will finish this project pan with a finale post in December 2018, (or before if I have finished it earlier). That gives me a full year to finish these products.

Start date: December 9, 2017
End date: December 9, 2018 (hopefully before)
Duration: 365 days

#1

So here it goes. I decided to select one product for everyone of Billy Joel's studio albums, this does not include his live album nor does it include the greatest hits album.

(albums in chronological order)

1. Cold Spring Harbor - Rimmel lipstick #10 

#2

I selected this lipstick because it was my first favorite lipstick, this album was Billy Joel's first. I also selected it because it is a red lipstick, a classic, much like this album. 

2. Piano Man - Benefit highlighter Watt's Up

I selected this highlighter because I have had it for a long time, this album has some notably long songs on it (Piano Man & Ballad of Billy the Kid). Also, the song Piano Man is one of Billy Joel's biggest hits, and because of that, it is quite overplayed. Much like the popularity of Piano Man, this highlighter has made it's way into a lot of people's project pans.

3. Streetlife Serenade - Dior lipstick samples (4 of them)

#3

#4

This selection was mad because of the song Big Time Spender. Also there was no BIG hit on this album, so in my opinion it flew under the radar. These Dior samples (which I got for free) were likely to sit in my collection and continue to be missed. Also, Dior is an expensive brand, so if I were to ever purchase these lipsticks, I would be a big time spender.

4. Turnstiles - Rimmel eyeliner noir

This album has New York State of Mind and I've Loved These Days on it, because of these two songs I wanted to pick something in my collection that I used to love when I live in NY. Rimmel eyeliner was one of the first eyeliners I had purchased. (I am sure the eyeliner I will be using in this project pan is not the one I had in high school, but it is pretty old.)

5. The Stranger - white cream eyeshadow

So I went for this cream eyeshadow because of Scenes from an Italian Restaurant ("Bottle of red, bottle of white, it all depends on your appetite") and Only the Good Die Young ("Gotta nice white dress and a party on your confirmation"). 

#5

#6

6. 52nd Street - Sephora eyeliner silver

This choice was kind of easy because songs on the album include Honesty, My Life, and Zanzibar. In Honesty there is a like that says honesty is hard to find; silver was my first crazy eyeliner purchase, and back in the day, it was hard to find. My Life, well that's easy, it's my life, and if I want to wear silver eyeliner I am damn well going to. Finally, Zanzibar, Zanzibar is a pretty unique song, but I really enjoy it, silver is a unique color for an everyday eyeliner, but I will make it work.

7. Glass Houses - Hikari liquid eyeliner iris

So this one is a little confusing but it made perfect sense to me as I was working through my thought process. Let's see if you can follow. First song: You May Be Right, my thought: wrong/right. Next song: Sometimes a Fantasy, enough said. Third song: Don't Ask Me Why, one of my favorites, but another one where the title says it all. It's Still Rock and Roll to Me, with this one focus on the Rock and Roll part. The last song that clinched this one for me: C'etait toi (You were the one). It had to be the purple liquid eyeliner. The first liquid eyeliner I got through my Ipsy subscription. I didn't give it a fair shot, but I am ready to do so now.

8. The Nylon Curtain - Urban Decay highlighter Sin

This one was a bit difficult. I was thinking military for Goodnight, Saigon. But there was also Scandinavian Skies. So I ended going with something that I want to finish, and I am going to be militant about it, but it is also light like I imagine Scandinavian skies are like.

9. An Innocent Man - Victoria Secret perfume Heavenly

This is my favorite album, and I wanted to do it justice. So with songs like Keeping the Faith, Easy Money, Uptown Girl, and The Longest Time, I wanted to do something that would be easy, girly, and I have had for a long time. Also, the fact that this perfume is called Heavenly fits with Keeping the Faith.

10. The Bridge - Make Up For Ever mascara

#11

This was probably the hardest one. All I have to go on is Modern Woman and Baby Grand... so I picked a black mascara.

11. Storm Front - Revlon lipstick Stormy Pink

I knew what I wanted to pick for this one, before I finished picking for The Bridge. If the name of this album and this lipstick weren't enough, this album has songs like: Not Her Style, I go to Extremes, Shameless, and When in Rome. I don't particularly like this pink lipstick, so it is not my style. It is going to be an extreme challenge for me. Also making myself pick this color is me showing  no shame, and finally I am doing a project pan so "when in Rome."

12. River of Dreams - John Frieda Go Blonder Spray

This was a little bit of a cop out. There is a song on this album: Blonde over Blue, so why not put my blonde protection spray here.

13. Fantasies & Delusions - Tarte liquid lipstick Birthday Suit

This is an instrumental album, classical piano music. This is a simple compliment to everything, so why not pick something simple like a nude lipstick that can be worn even when I am not wearing makeup, a compliment to every thing.

See video here. I will also include updates on my Instagram: neon8919.

Post #27: November: Empties, Decluttering, & 12 Pans of Christmas UPDATE, oh my!

November Empties/Used up products

1. Clean & Clear Nightly Face Wash - I have been using Clean and Clear face wash since I was a teenager, the type changes but it is all still C&C. I already bought a new one, a brightening morning formula this time. done 11/1

2. Fresh Sugar lip treatment SAMPLE - I had to toss this because it got flipped in the move from one apartment to the next, spilling the product all over my sink, and making it unusable. I got 3 uses out of it, so I don't have a real opinion of it. decluttered 11/4 (see below)

3. John Frieda Go Blonder spray - finished off the larger bottle, but I put some in a travel sized bottle that will tide me over until I can repurchase. I have had this bottle for a while, and slacked on using it, but I am back into the pattern of using it so I have repurchased. done 11/14

4. Hanalei powder cleanser SAMPLE - I did not like this. It cleansed well enough, but since it is a powder, it wasn't particularly user friendly. I got ~2 uses per packet. I was happy to try it, but it is definitely not something I would repurchase. done 11/16

5. GlamGlow dream duo SAMPLE - So I saw no benefit to this moisturizer. It wasn't as pasty as the volcasmic moisturizer that I had in my 13 by Halloween. I did like the two step part of it, it was a fun addition to my nightly routine. (My makeup/face routine is my self care, it's therapeutic to me) I don't plan to repurchase though, GlamGlow is expensive. done 11/18

November Declutter - got rid of a lot of old makeup and makeup that I wouldn't use

1. Neutrogena highlighting blush (old) 11/7
2. Too Faced eyeshadow primer (old) 11/6
3. Max Factor eyeshadow trio - black, white, silver (old) 11/6
4. CoverGirl powder - classic beige (old) 11/10
5. Nyx liquid lipstick - pink cloud (would never wear it, gave it to Kimberly) 11/10
6. Maybelline liquid lipstick - dashing orchid (old) 11/6
7. CoverGirl lipstick - #964 (old) 11/6
8. 18 Nabi liquid lipsticks (don't like the formula, they were cheap off amazon)
9. 21 Nabi lipsticks (never was going to choose them over my other lipsticks, they were never going to be used, might as well get them out of my collection)
10. Burt's Bees foot cream (old) 11/11
11. CoverGirl blush (old) 11/6
12. TCW blush (old) 11/6
13. Maybelline eyeshadow single (old) 11/6
14. L'Oreal eyeshadow duo 11/6
15. Maybelling eyeshadow duo 11/6
16. Max Factor eyeshadow trio - green, blue, purple (old) 11/6
17. 4 TCW eyeshadow duos (old) 11/6
18. Almay eyeshadow trio (old) 11/6
19. Revlon eyeshadow quad (old) 11/6
20. Nightmare Before Christmas lip balm (old) 11/10
21. Clinique concealer (old) 11/6
22. It cosmetics CC powder (don't like the formula, I had hit pan, but I wasn't going to finish it so it needed to go) 11/10
23. L'Oreal eyeshadow stick - blue (really old) 11/6
24. L'Oreal eyeshadow stick - black (really old) 11/6
25. CoverGirl eyeshadow stick (old) 11/6
26. L'Oreal cream eyeliner -  black (dried out) 11/12
27. L'Oreal eyeliner - ebony (turns out it isn't a retractable eyeliner, in attempt to get it ready for a project pan, I scrolled it all the way up, it wouldn't go back down, and it broke. Not making that mistake with my second one. Update: turns out I did make that mistake with the second one.) 11/13, 11/26
28. Elizabeth Arden eyeshadow pallet - It's old and I was never going to use it. 11/26

12 Pans of Christmas

1. GlamGlow Dream Duo (actually 2 samples, but they are meant to be used together) - cut open to get more product out on 11/15 done 11/18/17 (see above)
2. Neutrogena moisturizer - not a sample size, but I have had it for a while and I need to finish it up. As of this update: I am really close. It even sputtered a little on the night of 11/28. I don't have a replacement yet... I should get on that, I can't go without moisturizer.
3. Tarte Maracujá oil - sample from Ipsy
4. Fresh Sugar lip treatment - sample from Sephora done 11/4/17 (see above)
5. Hanalei powder cleanser - sample packets from Ipsy done 11/16/17 (see above)
6. Origin face mask - sample from Sephora I don't think I am going to be able to finish this one before my finale... I am going to bring it on my conference with me. An empty hotel room is the perfect opportunity to do some face masking.
7. [from my 13 by Halloween] Make Up For Ever lipstick - Natural
8. [from my 13 by Halloween] Nars lipstick pencil - cruella
9. [from my 13 by Halloween] Stila liquid eyeliner Still working on this one. It's impossible to tell progress though.
10. Make Up For Ever eyeliner sample - slow progress because all I use it for is on my waterline.
11. Bath & Body Works lotion - sea island cotton
12. Bath & Body Works spray - sea island cotton Unlike the lotion, I haven't been using this much, and therefore have very little progress (especially in comparison to the lotion).

Note on lip product progress: I have made a realization; I don't reapply my lips during the day. I pride myself on making it all day with my lipstick not coming off. A lot of project panners I watch reapply their lipstick throughout the day, meaning they move through product faster. I am not upset at my progress, but I now know not to compare my progress to others'.

#12 I have made enough progress to make a new mark

#11 Fair amount of progress, will be done by Christmas

#7 Super proud of this progress!

#10 Some progress... though it's getting hard to sharpen

#8 Not a lot of progress, because I have been focusing on #7

#2 Almost there!! 

#3 Good progress, I might rebuy... need to think about it

#6 no progress, I have only used it twice...

Post #26: Marathon Training v. Suzanne Point Oh

I registered for the 16th Annual Little Rock Marathon at 9:24 EDT on August 1st. Technically, I registered for the Marathon/5k combo. I was lucky enough to get ten percent off the price too, because I had signed up for the training program.

The theme is Medieval, and to reveal that they did a cute video that was Monty Python themed. A lot of people were confused or upset about the theme, poo on them!! I loved the video and I am super excited for the theme. Thank you to the Chicks in Charge #CIC for loving what they do and having fun with it!!

I started the "ramp up to training" training on August 7th. The ramp up training is particularly for first timers, and people who are not at the point of running/walking/crawling 6 miles. I specify running/walking/crawling because from now on when I say running, I am channeling Hobbit, and I mean all it: running/walking/crawling, getting through the milage. I would love to be able to run all the way through all of my training runs, but all I am gonna focus on is getting through the milage. The actual training started on September 18th.

09/08/17 Update: My 3 mi build up training run yesterday (9/7) I ran the whole 3 miles, no walking, at a 13 min per mile pace.

10/19/17 Update: As I have already mentioned, I am using the marathon training program provided by the Little Rock Marathon. The focus of the training program is mileage, not time. Sure it is going to take me 5+ hours to finish my 20 miler on February 10th, but you know what I am gonna do it.

Things I need when I go for my long runs (> 6 miles):
1. Water
2. Running GU(s) (1 for 10/12/14 milers, 2 for 16/18 milers, 3 for 20 miler, and 4 for my marathon)
3. Sweatband/sweat towel
4. Lip balm

10/23/17 Update: One year ago today, I finished the ZenLab's Couch to 5k training program. If you had asked me on that day if I would ever run a marathon, I would have laughed in your face. I never intended on running a marathon. It wasn't until June (after I started listening to podcasts regularly), that I stumbled upon the Not Real Runners Podcast and after 5 weeks of listening I decided 'Why not?' It was them talking about the Little Rock Marathon in the first episode 34 (the one from July 11th) that put it in my mind that I wanted to complete a marathon.

I use the run/walk method for my weekend long runs. I don't have a nifty watch that tells me when to run and when to walk so I rely on the ZenLabs Marathon Trainer app. In the app it has daily training prompts, including short runs (45 - 60 minutes), cross training sessions, rest days, and long runs. The long run days are the only ones I use. In particular, I am using Week 11 Day 6 for runs less than 11 miles and Week 20 Day 7 for all above 11 miles. Week 11 does 23 repetitions of run 4 mins, walk 2 minutes. Week 20 does 52 repetitions of run 4 mins, walk 1 minute.

5k Costume?

As of now, 4 ish months before my Marathon weekend, I am thinking of doing a plague skeleton for my 5k costume and a Monty Python Spanish Inquisition themed outfit for my Marathon 'costume' (red shirt, red bottoms, running with a cross, and the hat).

Clif Energy Gel Reviews: I got the multi pack from Amazon so I could try out a bunch of different flavors. (1) Chocolate Cherry w/caffeine: 10/22, not bad, but a little too heavy on the chocolate taste, could have used more cherry flavor. But to be fair, I am not a chocolate fan.

Marathon Costume?

Post #25: 12 Pans of Christmas

So I have seen this Project Pan idea a bit on YouTube (Wednesday and Too Much Tash), so I thought it would be a good next project for me. Also, doing something that ends on Christmas will set me up nicely for a 2018 themed Project Pan.

Project start date: November 1, 2017
Update: November 30/December 1
Expected end date: December 25, 2017
(duration 54 days)

Much like my 13 by Halloween, these 12 products will be mostly samples.

1. GlamGlow Dream Duo (actually 2 samples, but they are meant to be used together)
2. Neutrogena moisturizer - not a sample size, but I have had it for a while and I need to finish it up.
3. Tarte Maracujá oil - sample from Ipsy
4. Fresh Sugar lip treatment - sample from Sephora
5. Hanalei powder cleanser - sample packets from Ipsy
6. Origin face mask - sample from Sephora
7. [from my 13 by Halloween] Make Up For Ever lipstick - Natural
8. [from my 13 by Halloween] Nars lipstick pencil - cruella
9. [from my 13 by Halloween] Stila liquid eyeliner
10. Make Up For Ever eyeliner sample
11. Bath & Body Works lotion - sea island cotton
12. Bath & Body Works spray - sea island cotton

Pictures of products here:

GlamGlow Dream Duo Samples

Neutrogena Moisturizer - notice progress line

Origins Face Mask Sample

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Sample

B&BW spray and lotion

Make Up Forever Lipstick level

Nars lip pencil level

Make Up For Ever eyeliner level

Stila liquid eyeliner (middle)

Hanalei sample packs of face cleanser

No video for this Project Pan.

Post #24: 13 by Halloween - October Project Pan FINALE

This is my 13 by Halloween Project Pan finale. As of October 31st:

1. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD foundation, sample packet. I am considering purchasing a full size of this product - two uses and done 10/04/17

2. Clinique Foundation Sample, small vial. It had good coverage, but wasn't the best for oil control, but in Clinique's defense this was an old sample - 10.5 uses and done 10/18/17

3. Stila Stay All Day waterproof liquid eyeliner NOT done by 10/31

4. It Cosmetics Hello Lashes! - eh, not my favorite formula of mascara, but I gave it a fair test. done 10/21/17

5. Theorie Marula Oil Hair Serum - deluxe sample from ipsy. Definitely not interested in purchasing a full size, the benefits weren't that noticeable - 12 uses and done 10/14/17

6. GlamGlow GlowStarter - Nude Glow illuminating moisturizer - deluxe sample from Sephora (note: illuminating is right! I was so shiny after using it) Does not shine through my foundation. roughly 16 uses and done 10/25/17

7. Perricone MD H2 Elemental Energy Hydrating Cloud Cream - deluxe sample from Sephora. I think, depending on the price I would consider purchasing a full size of this. It was light and hydrating - 2 weeks of use (twice a day) and done 10/14/17

8. GlamGlow Volcasmic matte glow moisturizer - deluxe sample from Sephora - so thick and pasty, I am not sure if I am a fan... so after the first few uses I started scooping it out with my pallet knife and rubbing it in my hands before applying it to my face/neck. That helped but it was still more greasy feeling than I would like for under my makeup. I would only use it as a night cream or on days I don't wear makeup if I were to repurchase - 7 uses and done 10/17/17

9. Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask - sample from Sephora - I didn't like or dislike this product, won't be purchasing - 2 uses and done 10/18/17

10. Mud Masky purifying recovery mask - deluxe sample from ipsy - I liked the exfoliation of this mask, but I am not really a face mask person. Though for reference, using it before showering I found was the best, that way you didn't miss washing off any of the product. 6 uses and done 10/28/17

11. Avene Mattifying toner - deluxe sample from ipsy - I don't think I noticed anything caused/helped by the toner, but I am going to keep using toner moving forward (I bought Dickinson's Witch Hazel toner) - roughly 34 uses and done 10/17/17

12. Nars Velvet Matte lip pencil, Cruella - deluxe sample from Sephora. I already have a full size of this, so I will continue working through this sample [you will see it again in another project pan] (Birthday gift 2015). Still a great color and I love the lasting power. It is drying on the lips by the end of the day. I consider myself to have a high tolerance to lip discomfort so it doesn't bother me. (The discomfort sets in after 6-8 hours of wear.) NOT done by 10/31

13. Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural N9. I started pairing this color with my Nabi lip liner in Mahogany to give it more 'oomph' which I will continue doing until I finish. NOT done by 10/31

Pictures of lipstick levels.

 


See my 13 by Halloween FINALE video.

Post #20 part 3: The Great American Eclipse 08/21/17 + the Mother Daughter Road Trip

Day 5 - Wednesday, August 23rd
So lucky us to end up at a hotel that caters to local construction workers, breakfast started being served at 5 am. So it was another early morning for Mom and I, we were off to Saskatchewan by way of Montana {Plentywood, Montana, mileage: 5862, time: 06:47 MDT}.

{Leaving US, mileage: 5878.6, time: 07:03 MDT & Entering Canada, mileage: 5878.8, time: 08:25 CDT. Time at Port of Entry: ~22 mins} At the border we were asked a bunch of questions, including how we were planning on paying for things while we were in Canada. One thing that came up while we were crossing the border was our last time in Canada. Mom and I were in Canada back in 2014, we went to Sault Ste Marie and then crossed through the southern tip of Ontario to get back to NY from Michigan. Earlier that same year I went to Canada on my own, kind of.
Funny story: Mom drove up to the border with me, but didn't have a passport or a pass card yet, so I left her on the side of the road in New York while I continued into Canada. I was only going to to. Well, the border officer that let me into Canada thought it was hilarious, the one on the way back to the US did not. That was my first time being stopped at the border.
Back to our crossing into Saskatchewan, I told him that I wanted to see another Canadian province and being on this Eclipse Trip was the best opportunity. He had us park while he ran a background check on both Mom and I. Well come to find out, in my file lists all of my crossings into Canada since you've needed a passport, including the funny story. No joke, in my file are the words: "Left mom on side of road." It's official, I am on a list, and double checked when I make my random trips to Canada.
Turning right on to Rt 18 in Saskatchewan marked the point when Mom and I started heading back to Maryland. We still had a lot to do before getting back to Maryland, but we would no longer be traveling west.
Route 18 in Saskatchewan is a gravel road, in case anyone was wondering, or at least a large portion of it is (44 km). Also, there are no rest stops, and very few towns with convenient stores - never pass up a bathroom. Saskatchewan was flat and empty along Rt 18, which I was exception, and was completely at peace with. I have been to Saskatchewan! We crossed into Manitoba from Saskatchewan, keeping an eye on the time, and figuring out how quickly we would be getting to Grand Forks, ND. Soon after crossing into Manitoba we used our map (we turned off our phones to ensure no international charges) to find the most direct path back to the United States.

We crossed back into the US in Westhope, ND {mileage: 6001, time: 10:52 CDT}. Again we were questioned by Border Patrol officers, and this time they searched our car. We chatted more about our road trip, and ended up heading to Rugby, North Dakota for our next stop - the geographic center of North America. {mileage: 6192, time: 14:15 CDT}












From there it was just across North Dakota on Rt. 2, arriving at Hotel #3: Best Western Harvest Inn in Grand Forks, North Dakota {mileage: 6339, time: 16:28 CDT}. Mom did a load of laundry when we got to the hotel, and then we had dinner with Erica! Erica and I have known each other since 2010 and the Boulder REU. She's at grad school in Grand Forks, and I would have been a fool to come all the way across the country and not see her.

Day 6 - Thursday, August 24th
We left this hotel before breakfast, which is kind of sad because they had a pancake maker. Ah well, from Grand Forks we headed south east for our next stop: the stairs in Stillwater, Minnesota. (Update as of 10/19/17: I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in Breezewood, PA and was able to experience a pancake maker.) We entered Minnesota at milage: 6418 and time: 06:25 CDT.

Wisconsin: so close, yet so far.

I took a video of us walking up and down the steps, turns out it wasn't as long of a staircase as we were expecting, but the top gave a nice view of town, the St. Croix River, and Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the drawbridge that connected Stillwater to Wisconsin was closed to all traffic so mom and I had to make a driving detour across another bridge, a little south of town, to hit Wisconsin.

From there we headed to downtown-ish Minneapolis to walk out over the Mississippi. Looking around at the city scape I decided I could totally live in Minneapolis, and some day I hope to.

Minneapolis skyline

Always seeking Locks.

Next stop: MALL OF AMERICA! A place I have only ever seen in pop culture: Mighty Ducks D2 and Jingle All The Way being the two most vivid memories. In making it to the Mall of America, I even made it to Hawaii. Mom and I walked around a bit, and rode a roller coaster, the entire ride I kept telling her to put her hands up, she wouldn't do it.

I parked in Hawaii!

Finishing up the sights I planned for us in Minnesota, we were off to Iowa, and the future birthplace of Capt. James T. Kirk, Riverside, Iowa. It was a really random thing for me to select as our stop in Iowa, but in all honesty I just wanted to say I had been to Iowa. {mileage: 7014, time: 19:43 CDT}

Crossing from Iowa into Illinois meant crossing the Mississippi river for the 4th and final time of our Mother Daughter road trip; it also meant that we were back in familiar territory. Our last night before returning to Maryland was spent at Hotel #4: Best Western Oglesby Inn, Illinois. {milage: 7160 ish, time: 22:04 CDT ish}

Day 7 - Friday, August 25th
After breakfast at the Hotel mom and I were on the road again, crossing back to the Eastern time zone, and along roads that we had traversed before. Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio blurred together.

We stopped in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to see Rachel before continuing on back to Maryland. Rachel asked if we minded walking a ways to dinner, after being cooped up in the car for 10 ish hours, that sounded like a great idea. Dinner was at Burgatory (yum), and mom and I opted for Bison Burgers because we didn't get any bison while we were out west. {milage: 7693 ish, time: 18:15 EDT ish}
After dinner we left Rachel's and drove our last 3 and a half hours back to my apartment in Laurel, MD. It was good to be home, but the trip really was amazing. {milage: 7972 ish, time: 02:00 EDT ish}

Day 8 - Saturday, August 26th
We returned the car at 08:57 EDT with 7978 miles on it. We put (4924) miles on that little Nissan Versa, not to mention all the bug carcasses that were decorating the grill when we returned it.

Rental car's front grill before washing...

 So that's it, the chronicles of the Mother-Daughter Solar Eclipse Road Trip. Until our next wild and crazy trip.

States I have been to (AFTER):

Only 4 more states to visit: Hawaii, Oregon, Idaho, and Vermont (being from New York, this last one upsets me).

Key: Green - spent more than a week there/lived there, Blue - spent a week/visited many times, Orange - visited once or twice/seen some sites, Red - been in/whirl wind visit