Expensive Brand Makeup vs Store Brands (Grocery Store/Walgreens/CVS)

I don't know about many of you but I for one hate makeup! Yes I know odd especially considering that I'm a female, but allow me to explain. You see I only wear lip color and mascara on a daily basis (if the day calls for it) and on VERY special occasions, I'll wear the eye shadow and blush color; I haven't nor do I plan on wearing foundation of any kind or whatever powder first base layer women use. As you can tell I don’t even know all the terms for the makeup world, so bear with me. I've never understood why woman wear the additional make up to begin with! NEWSFLASH women in society: when you put on the foundation or powder to try and cover up blemishes all it does is make the blemish stand out even more! You don’t look better it just announces more “here, I’m trying to cover up the pimples I have all over my face.”  to begin with. Anyway, moving on to what I'm writing about. 

So for the past few years I've been an avid and loyal user of MAC products such as their mascara and lip colors; specifically their Zoom Lash Mascara (that’s now been discontinued and I can’t buy anymore) and their long lasting lip wear color Rose (which has also been discontinued, however may be brought into the market this fall). Well about a month before I had my second baby girl in June, I had bought their second best mascara and was using it. By the time I realized that I was needing new mascara we were already tightening our purse strings because of the delivery of our new baby and I couldn’t afford to mess up my contacts as well as my eyes with wearing old mascara. Which reminds me, rule of thumb ladies, you should never wear makeup that’s been used or even if used only once and then you’ve had for a month. Bringing me to the now new mascara I’ve bought and am using currently. It was purchased at my nearest CVS (at the time but I now purchase it at Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger, and CVS) and I’m happily content with it. Considering how much I loved the MAC mascara and used to pay! I'm even more satisfied with my pocket expense and the fact that it's always in stock, instead of dreading that MAC will tell me "its seasonal" or "currently not carrying that line of product." The worst words for women let me tell ya!

Whether you believe me or not it's the truth-I’ve never once used an eye lash curler and even with my getting older, I don't intend to change that at anytime. I did all of the same steps/technique that I would when I would use the MAC mascara; used my index finger to curl the eye lashes by hand, then put a two stroke one coat on one eye and then the next eye, to only follow up with a second layer coat but this time a one stroke on each eye. I truly appreciate products that naturally enhance the already pretty characteristics of a female. So not to pump my own ego but the image doesn't give me eyelashes justice, but in person I have long lashes, so the fact that this simple product was able to fully enhance the curl and lengthen my lashes-I was very pleased. Ironically, my mother has bought and provided me these two step or two bottle mascara brands-you know which ones I'm talking about? The ones that say they lengthen your lashes and even have a white bottle that you're supposed to apply on first, then you go apply the second container which is the black mascara coat...yes those I've tried those and all those or any other brands did, was to make my lashes clumpy and too heavy that I couldn't just curl my lashes easy enough with my finger, like I've always done...

Needless to say, I’m happy with the new purchase and totally recommend the "Temptation" mascara for the next woman, especially a mom! Better yet, I highly suggest women to stop resorting to the dumb commercials or pictures of women using the mascaras since-newsflash! In case you haven't noticed, those aren't their real eyelashes when they apply mascara...just saying...Please ladies, do you homework and why not just try a new mascara, the $6.99 to $10.45 purchase beats the $32 or $25 known brand makeup.

By the way these ARE my lashes and NOT fake lashes of any kind. I started putting on the mascara on one eye before the final picture were taken...

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman

Herbal Teas - Health/General

If you like to have sweet teas or are a person who enjoys their hot tea blends, then this post is definitely for you. Before we get into the teas, what type of tea drinker are you? Are you the hot tea or cold brewed tea drinker? Is your preference towards tea bags from the big chain/known companies or the eccentric and not known or heard of packaging? Perhaps you go into an actual Asian market or grocery store to get the more foreign tea bags? Do you have the hot tea bags that have the full herbs inside? Or are you the type of person like myself that will grow your own herbs than make the fresh teas at home?

In my home we grow the following plants so we can make our own homemade teas: lemongrass, lavender, rosemary, parsley, and sweet mint. Yes rosemary and parsley can be used as teas, they aren't just for cooking, and they are pretty delicious incase you haven't tried them. Why do I personally grow these specific ones, you may ask. Well aside from already knowing how to care for these great smelling and delicious plants I'll break down each plant and why I grow them.

Rosemary-for starters, it tolerates the excessive heat and lots of sun exposure so you don't have to fret when you grow this plant no matter where you live in the nation. They have served as a great natural mosquito repellant and I've seen that they keep a lot of unwanted bug guests at bay from the entryways (which is where I keep this specific plant). I also personally don't like ginger or "spice" like teas but rosemary provides that hint of spice towards the end of your sip, so it's something I can tolerate and appreciate more. It's a source of antioxidants and serves as an anti-inflammatory compounds that's thought to assist with boosting immune system and improve blood circulation. 

Parsley-a plant that can tolerate high levels of heat but I have found it likes a good amount of exposure to the sun with some shade in the daily mix. I've used this plant a time or two when I've had some really bad cramps-yup you heard me! Those wonderful monthly cramps, this plant once created into a tea helps a lot, you should try it sometime. I've never used it dried out but I also wouldn't suggest it since having it dried out removes the benefits the herb provides; it contains vitamins (a single teaspoon contains more than 70% of vitamin K and a good amount of vitamin A), minerals, and serves as an antioxidant as well (a good amount of flavonoids).

Lavender-the plant itself is supposed to be in the heat or more like in the sun, so the plant will also thrive anywhere in the nation. Serves as a natural mosquito repellant so this is also one plant I have at the entryways of my home, besides it smells wonderful and the flowers are pretty so who wouldn't put it in the doorway or entry door of your home. This lovely plant doesn't just boost your mood but goes to the extent of reducing colic as well. Serves for soothing/relaxing when you're anxious, moody, and helps relieve pain or inflammation. 

Sweet Mint-this plant is one of my favorites because not only is it grown or can be grown anywhere in the nation, it's a resilient plant that can do well in any climate! It makes the area it's planted in smell delicious, then with a plus provides a great natural mosquito repellant. One of the best parts, it grows like weeds so you can literally use it every week! Yes as I've mentioned on the other plants, this too is one I have near or right adjacent to my entry door/s, serving both as a a great natural aroma when you pass by and keeping those pesky blood suckers at bay. This plant also has so many benefits; stomach/digestion assistance, boosts your immune system, helps with clean like skin from acne, say bye to nausea, works great when you're literally feeling sick (cold/flu, allergies, etc), and is also great drink for when you're stressed.

Lemongrass-is by far my favorite plant and the most delicious of teas for me personally, whether it's hot or cold! This is a plant that basically grows instantaneously after you’ve snipped it for some tea. No concerns for heat/sun exposure because it thrives on the sun and grows like a weed when planted correctly. Also another natural mosquito repellant, even if it doesn’t provide the same amount of natural aroma in the area it’s planted, like sweet mint, it’s one of the best buy you could have in/for your home. Great for relieving pain and swelling, helps reduce fever, improves sugar and cholesterol levels in addition to stimulating the uterus and menstrual flow, with antioxidant properties. 

As you can see, I love doing my teas! Well my daughters and I are always enjoying our tea batches.

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman

Step Aside La Madeleine - Health/General

I'll admit that I'm nowhere near just a salad only type person however life circumstances have had me changing some eating habits and life styles affected by food. So, tell me what type of salad person are you?

Are you the type of salad person that has seafood mix or the poultry/meat protein based? Fruits or no fruits? Tart, citrus, or sweet flavors mixed in? Most importantly are you a lettuce, wedge, spring mix, spinach, arugula, or a mixture of them all? I know so many choices and it’s just for a simple salad!! Well the price of living isn’t getting any cheaper so thought to write about a healthy saver for not only your pockets but for your health. 

Obviously the more green veggies you intake the better for you, not only for your weight but your overall lifestyle! So I thought to use La Madeleine because they have locations nationwide and they do have some good healthy as well as satisfying options. The only problem is that if I ate there for lunch for five days a week, I would be eating into my sushi dinner for the weekend or my cruising gas money. So I'm choosing their "Strawberry Bacon Spinach Salad with Chicken" which is $10.88 (then you add the tax of course); with that being for lunch for five days out of the week you're looking at what about anywhere between $70 - $80 for that week. As opposed to exactly what you see in my picture!

All fresh ingredients that will range you from $30 - $42 (give or take) whether you're shopping at Wal-Mart or Kroger. The things is that price gives you large containers of strawberry, blueberry, 16oz Spinach container, a whole chicken (that you'll obviously have to fix and portion out for each of your salad servings), and either a lemon or balsamic salad dressing container. See the thing is though, that with this price and those large containers, you have the delicious berry spinach salad with chicken for not only five days worth of lunches but also dinners if you'd like and other fruit and chicken creations! So nothing against La Madeleine but I'm good with making my Spinach Salads at home...

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman