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

True Food Kitchen - Restaurant

So as a pre-mother's celebration to myself from my daughters (yes that's a thing if a mother wants to), I decided to make reservations and try out a place that I've been wanting to try. Since I'm always on a budget (obviously single mom) I chose to try a place that wouldn't drop the bank, that seemed to have a cool environment, my daughters would also enjoy (because they have quite a pallet), and that it would be a calm yet interesting brunch for us. Let's face it with the gas prices rising adventures or long driving doesn't seem as exciting right now, so thankfully it wasn't too far from us that day. I was excited for the experience and my pallet was ready for the adventure. 

The arrival to the location was obviously filled with people, even for a Sunday but parking wasn't to hard to find considering it was a Sunday - if it had been a Saturday or Friday I'm not sure I would have had that luck. We parked and made our way to the entrance and even though it was nice enough weather for outdoor seating they were either short staffed or apparently their patio seating is only up to a certain time, because when I made reservations to seat outside and we arrived, we were told we couldn't sit outside. Not necessarily a strike but a little bummed, nevertheless we were alright with sitting inside. Didn't wait long and were situated at our table. It was a nice modern and fresh vibe inside the restaurant with a lot of open views towards the outside from anywhere you sat, which was nice. The comfort of the table not so much, but I gave my girls the bench seat. The waitress didn't take long to arrive at our table and she was knowledgeable of the menu and patient with my questions. I ordered the girls a special fresh juice, the picture online in their menu looked refreshing and in a large water sized glass. To my utter disbelief the size of the cup they brought it in was half the size compared to the image on their online menu. At first my daughters kept saying they didn't like how it smelled and then that they didn't like how it tasted. Since I usually tell them to try something once, they were telling me they didn't like it until after they actually did try it. So there I go putting a sip down my throat...an overpriced and not that great tasting of a drink considering how delicious the ingredients are. I ordered a berry mixed drink (easy ice) and three glasses of water no ice on top of the freshly made bad tasting juice/refresher drink...When my daughters didn't like their drinks I ordered some lemons to mix into their waters. My mixed berry drink was disappointing to say the least, but after sipping it a few times I mixed the awful tasting refresher drink into my mixed drink (yes I know it overpowered or watered down the liquor) and ironically made my berry mixed drink taste better, in turn diluting the awful flavor of the refresher itself. 

I would understand the if the restaurant was swamped (only six tables were occupied and two tables at the bar area) or it was a peak time of business or perhaps many members at the table ordering various steaks, but for two small kids burgers and my poke bowl to take as long as it did. My girls were playing with their polly pocket toys and distracted enough until the food came. You may not believe this but because my kids have such special palette and I've nurtured that (along with my family) they aren't used to fast food nor your quick drive-thru window burger so they were excited for the kids burgers that came with carrots and hummus. I ordered their poke bowl - I know I'm not usually a only one dish and completely healthy type person but I was craving seafood and something fresh, besides I was planning on dessert. The girls gobbled up their burgers and mommy definitely licked her bowl clean. My tuna was delicious and the ingredients in my bowl were extremely fresh. As delicious as it was, it wasn't actually worth the wait. For the price they charged I would have preferred to have gone back to the Latin cuisine a few places down the street from this specific restaurant. I was still hopeful though because the desserts looked so fresh and provided a gluten free option in addition to a lactose free slice of deliciousness. I know I jumped ahead by implying how delicious the dessert was, but I was impressed with their dessert. I ordered the girls vanilla bean ice cream with the two chocolate chip cookies while I ordered the cheesecake. 

All in all, it's not a bad place to try or frequent but I personally wouldn't return to that restaurant unless it was only for dessert. 

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman

The Secret: Dare to Dream - Movie

It’s been long overdue but I’ve been re-watching this movie over and over on and off the past month…The movie was released back in 2020 - I know it was that long ago and I’m just now writing about it?! What can I say, it’s been a busy life and even with the down time it’s still busy. Back to the post-so the movie was released back in 2020 and the leading actors are Katie Holmes and Josh Lucas. I personally was never a fan of Katie Holmes in any of her roles, I just couldn’t for the life of me get her out of my head as the female role in Dawson’s Creek. Her role in this film though was pretty good and I thought she played it well. Josh Lucas I’ve always been a fan of since Sweet Home Alabama and he’s only continued to be attractive with age and his role was another good one in this film; I thought it suited him and his demeanor or how he seems to carry himself.

https://youtu.be/4VM7PhkdPxU

If you don’t know what the movie is about then check out the trailer and here’s the Google description of the film:

“Miranda Wells is a hardworking young widow who’s struggling to raise three children on her own. A powerful storm so brings a devasting challenge and a mysterious man, Bray Johnson, into her life. In just a few short days, Bray’s presence reignites the family’s spirit - but he carries a secret that could change everything.”

I won’t lie and say that I didn’t feel a relation to the character she portrays but it’s about the overall vibe and feel of the movie that I enjoyed. Why do I say that you might ask? Well the main reason being that there tends to be so many Debbie downers in the world or there are so many pessimists out there that the film (or more the point the character Josh Lucas plays) provides a nice air of optimism wrapped up in some philosophy with a taste of karma and paying it forward. I’ve personally never been a pessimistic person nor have I ever had the feeling of my world not getting better (even if it’s the dark and grayest of times) - I know surprising with how rational and realistic/practical I am with things in life. I digress because the point I’m trying to make is that it really is a great “pick me up” movie to provide hope and an overall good sense of positivity. As long as you have a positive vibe within you and around you in life it will continue that way with everything surrounding you, including other people. It really is worth the watch-not like a typical drama or romance story either…

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman