Influenster (22), (23), (24), (25), (26), (27), and (28)

It has been over a year since I've sat down to share with you some of the fun items I've been given through Influenster. This is something that anyone can do, you simply have to be willing to write reviews and possibly post about them. I have gotten some really awesome stuff throughout the year and I can't wait to share! I've been doing this since 2017 and I feel like I've gotten better and better stuff each year.  

Yankee Candle ScentLight -- Sage & Citrus Scent

The product itself is very pretty and it's incredibly nice that it is battery powered rather than having to be plugged in. The scent that they gave me (sage & citrus) was...interesting and I wouldn't get that particular scent again. But, the item itself is nice and I took it to school and use it in my classroom. It is very powerful and fills the room quickly. So, I have to turn it off after about an hour. It's nice to have but, not something I would buy for myself because they are about $40 and the scents are $10 for each one. I am trying to decide if I will buy more scents and keep using them in my classroom. I will see how long this scent lasts before deciding if it's worth it! 

Zotos "All About Curls" Duo

I liked this product. I don't use a ton of gel so, I didn't gravitate to that as much as I did the leave-in detangled. They both smelled good and I would definitely consider using the detangler again when I am out of this one. 

The Philosophy of Hope Moisturizer

I wasn't sure I was going to like this because I am picky about facial products. I am still using this after about 3 months of having it and I really, really like it. It is very hydrating and I love the way it smells. 

The Pur VoxBox Makeup

Okay, I really thought I wasn't going to like this make up because I already have my make up that I use and I'm very happy with it all. But, let me tell you about this 4-in-1 compact powder. It is amazing. The coverage is great, it stays on well. I have used BeautiControl since high school and they stopped making it. I bought as many as I could the last time I found it (about 4 or 5 years ago now) and I've been looking for a replacement ever since. I landed on BareMinerals but, when I got this, this blew the BareMinerals out of the water. It went on more smoothly and lasted longer. I will 100% get more of the 4-in-1 compact powder when I'm out. The mascara I was not impressed with. It's nothing special and it was hard to wash off at the end of the day. It took me 3-4 times before it was completely off--and I did not like that. The concealer was nice but, was not my right shade. Since I like the powder so much, I will consider the concealer in another shade once I'm out of my current concealer. All in all, I consider this one a big, big win because of the powder!

J.R. Watkins Foaming Hand Soap

I don't know how I only ended up with an out of focus picture but, here we are!

This one was fun and I actually ended up taking both of the hand soaps to school to use in the teacher restroom and to share with everyone. I am personally not a fan of rose scented stuff so I didn't love that one but, the lemon one was so good. Same with the dish soap and I really liked the way the dish soap was dispensed. 

Marc Anthony "Grow Long" Hair Product Line

So, overall, I likely won't use this line again. There was something about the smell that I didn't love and that's something I can't get past. Smell it in the store before you decide if you want it or not--it wasn't stinky, just wasn't for me. The actual products were good. I liked the leave-in conditioner the best. 

Too Faced "Shadow Insurance" + Sunset Eyeshadow Palette

How fun is this eye shadow palette? I haven't worn a full-face of makeup, including eye shadow in so long. So this was super fun for me! The colors were so pretty and I really liked using them. I will absolutely keep these on hand and use them from time to time. 

Yes, all of this for free all for a few reviews and some posting! If this is something you're interested in, here's their website, sign up and start getting fun stuff! If you sign up, let me know what kind of fun products you end up getting.

Start of Summer

 I kicked off summer break with a trip to the beach with my Mom and the Lyons crew. 

The very day that school got out, Mom came to my house and picked me up and we made our way to Orange Beach. We did this last year and had the best time so, here we were again. For the first three days, it was just Mom and I as MC works on the weekends and they weren't able to come until Monday. 

We had our annual crab legs and they were worth the wait! This is something we have been doing when at the beach for over a decade now. We used to go to the beach as a family and it always fell on my birthday week and to celebrate, we would get crab legs as a family one of the nights we were there. So, not only is it nostalgic, it is delicious. 

Our morning routine of coffee on the balcony. May beach weather is so nice. It's not too hot and it's my new favorite time to go. We always went end of July and it was scorching--we had no idea it was so nice in May. 

Mom and I made some fresh mocktails to save on calories during the week. I'm going to share our favorite recipes at the end. They were so good! We also got a brumate mug and it was the PERFECT beach cup. Kept our drinks cold all day long. We used the 16oz Toddy mugs-check them out here. Obviously we didn't have them in my picture above. We tried using the plastic cup and realized quickly that wasn't going to work for all day beach days.

I finallllly read "Where The Crawdad Sings"--I was trying to beat the movie--and it was worth the wait. It was such a good book! I enjoyed the details of the "marsh girl" and the story of how she became that way and all that she had to overcome. I really loved the mystery inserted in there as well. A very, very well done book. 

I mean, you can't go to the OBA/Foley area without going to Culver's. You think "it's just another place"...it's not. 

The Lyons crew made it down on Monday and Annie girl was beach ready! She wanted to start her mornings on the balcony playing "ships" with Mimi and Aunt Ellen. She is absolutely a beach girl. 

We also got to play Candyland (well, 3/4 of it) and GuessWho with her. She was very interested. Even when she wanted to make her own rules to it--LOL!

Looking at out the beach for day 1! Bennett was there with us last year but, he was so little and wasn't even mobile let. This was his first year that he was able to walk around and actually explore and experience beach life. We weren't sure what he would think!

This girl wakes up ready to get out there. She loves it!

We found out pretty quickly that Bennett likes the beach as long as he has a snack down there...and honestly, me too. 

With MC being 33 weeks pregnant, it was all hands on deck! Our 2:1 ratio was just what was needed ;)

Mom was cracking me up all week. She and I would read on the beach so she needed her readers, and her sunglass readers, and then her regular sunglasses for when she wasn't reading. At one point, they couldn't be found and well....you see where they were!

We had such a good time and I really love this trip. It's the perfect way to kick off my summer and I am thankful we are able to go and enjoy!

Mocktails that we tried throughout the week. I am simply sharing the links to the original website and I'm only sharing the ones that we liked the best ;)

We used all fresh fruit and low/no calorie sparkling toppers. 

One thing we discovered was the FRE (alcohol removed wines). We tried the Rose and the Champagne and they both tasted just like their alcoholic versions and were fun to try out. We were able to get them from Rouses down there. Other than that, we used sparkling waters, etc. 

Blood Orange Mocktail Spritzer

Lemon Mocktails with Mint

Margarita Mocktail

One thing that we learned in our cocktail research is that you can use pickle juice in these drinks and it makes it taste like tequila is in there. We tried it out and honestly, it was so, so, good. 

AH's Dance Recital 5/15

Another year, another dance recital for little Annie girl. 

I had the privilege again this year of taking her to her dress rehearsal! Mom and I stepped in since MC works on the weekends and wanted to make sure she was ready and good to go.  We have the best time getting her ready with her special dance make up and her fun outfits!

I love this sweet picture of her and Mimi in the mirror. 

Getting a little shine and shimmer for the stage

"Ann Hatten, smile so I can send your Mom a picture and show her how cute you look!"

...let's try that again little miss. Although, that's exactly what her Mama would have done LOL!

Rehearsals went great and Mimi, Bennett, and I made it through. She was ready for the show the next day. It is so much fun seeing her do something she loves and it was the most precious thing seeing her on stage. We love getting to cheer on our nieces and nephews!

Dance on, little Annie girl. We love it & you!