Suave Refresh and Revive #dryshampoo

I recently tested Suave Refresh and Revive dry shampoo via @influenster. I really like this product. I'd call myself pretty well versed in the dry shampoo universe. I've been using Batiste and Tigi. They both are okay but Suave has beat them in my opinion. Batiste is okay, smells good, cost effective but leaves quite a bit of residue. Tigi smells awesome, does not leave residue but it is quite expensive. Suave smelled great, lasted all day, gave my hair great texture, didn't leave a residue and is very cost effective. 

I highly recommend it! I will honestly purchase it for myself when I run out and will even try out some of the other versions Suave has put out. 

Vacation hair-day three of no wet shampooing-just using Suave dry shampoo! 

ZzzQuil-Nighttime Sleep-Aid

New product-and it's non-habit forming, and really works. ZzzQuil Sleep Aid does just that. It aids in helping you fall asleep. It's good for a once-in-a-while sleepless night. Just make sure you can get 7-8 hours of sleep when taking it. It worked on a day when I drank a cup of coffee a little too late in the day. 

Always Radiance

These pads have fun packaging-but that's not all what they are about. They are protective and keep you dry. The only downfall I found was that they are scented, which can be overpowering if you are sensitive to scented hygiene products. Overall though-good product! 

#GoddessVoxBox July 2016=Fun!

I truly enjoyed getting a VoxBox from @influenster! I received many products to test and had so much fun doing it. I like all products except the Pantene. It dried my hair out-but that was the point of the box. Testing products-you may not love them all, but who loves everything they try anyways?! :) 

Cutex Polish Remover Wipes=Awesome

I recently tried out Cutex Advanced Revival Polish Remover pads. They are super quick at removing polish and convenient! The pads are not harsh smelling and they truly do leave your nails moisturized. Only drawback-the felt pads dries very quickly so you need to act fast or you'll end up needing more than one. I received the pads complimentary for testing purposes via @influenster I love the fact that I got to test them for free as I will be purchasing them when I run out of the sample. They'll be great to travel with too! #CutexNails #SoCutex #healthynails

#Target or #TargetMobile is Strange

Not in style: Target Mobile. 

My husband and I had the weirdest experience at Target tonight. We decided to purchase the iPhone 6 Plus after researching which carrier to go with and where we should make our purchase. Due to a good discount on a plan because of where we work, we decided to switch to Verizon from AT&T. The Target Mobile guy started the process of setting up our company switch and purchase and just as he made it to the end, an error flashed on his computer screen telling him to call a number. He called the number (his company, "Target Mobile", which isn't really Target related...they just lease the name I suppose) and they told him not to sell the phones to us. They refused----REFUSED---- to say why. Our credit is great, we don't owe any money to Target or to any credit companies (we really do live within our means...I work hard to be able to afford a cell phone or whatever but never overspend and we research every big purchase like crazy!) and we are not criminals! (That is what I felt like...a criminal though my husband and I do not have any kind of criminal background). The guy at the store gave us the number he called and when my husband called (he was very angry but stayed calm) the woman said she doesn't talk to customers and the store representative we dealt with would have to take up the issue with his manager. He said he could never reach his manager but said he'd try. He also gave us the name and number of his manager to try ourselves. 

So, since Target Mobile isn't Target, we are still going to try calling some customer service line, sending e-mails, tweet, blog and call that manager guy that is apparantly unreachable. No one would give us any reason AT ALL why they wouldn't give the phones to us. Our credit was run and was great so that was not the problem. Were the phones defective and Apple paid them to say "don't sell the phone...but don't say why" in their secretive ways, was it a computer glitch, was it a sign to not switch to Verizon? We really have no clue. Hopefully we find out some reason and I can share it so others won't have to go through this. 

Is this end of the world for us? Absolutely not. We'll just to order our phones through AT&T or wait until the Apple store gets more. It's really more of a question about the shady doings of Target and their not Target related "Target Mobile." By the way...you'll know a Target Mobile rep by their clothes. They wear black shirts instead of red. 

Carolyn Braden's Summer Shoe Collection

It's no lie that I love shoes. Here a just few new pairs that will get me through the summer season. I'll wear my TOMS and several other shoe styles as well, but these are my latest favorites. 

Teva sandals. Loved them in the early 90's and love them now. They'll be great during my vacation when I go paddleboarding.

Doc Marten sandals. These are crazy high but make my legs look way long.

Sam Edelman Oxford flats....in gold of course. These are great with skirts or shorts. They can be dressed up or dressed down and they really stand out.

Flatform leather sandals from Urban Outfitters. They.Match.Everything.

Inspiration Board: NYX Bridal

I'm beautifying a bridal party soon. NYX will definitely be making an appearance. 

Inspiration Board: NYX Bridal by carolynjbraden featuring an eyebrow kit

NYX beauty product
amazon.com

NYX eyeshadow
target.com

NYX blush
amazon.com

NYX eyebrow kit
target.com

Nyx lipstick
nordstrom.com

NYX eye makeup
target.com

Carolyn Braden's Spring Pink Nail Art

Just feeling inspired by the warm spring air and beautiful blooming trees fast approaching.

Carolyn Braden: Peter Pilotto Rocked Target

I loved the Peter Pilotto collection at Target. I couldn't choose just one piece! I am sometimes disappointed with Target collections because the fabric choices seem so cheap. Not this time. The fabrics are washable and durable. I loved how the prints mix with each other. The bright colors will definitely cheer me up during this cold snowy winter. 

Carolyn Braden: How To Make Shrinky Dink Rings

http://youtu.be/QTeLgv5FR04

Peter Pilotto for Target: Lookbook!

The lookbook for Peter Pilotto is here! Head over to Fashionista to view it. 

http://fashionista.com/2014/01/peter-pilotto-target-lookbook

Carolyn Braden: Party Dress by Urban Outfitters

I love tutus. I love overalls. When I saw this dress by Urban Outfitters, I about passed out. 

This dress combines both of my loves and makes them fashionable enough and grown up enough to wear to a Christmas party. It's part of their Urban Renewal collection. I love the idea of taking an old piece of clothing and making it new again. I do it myself sometimes. I bought the dress in a size small and it does run a little big. Overalls fit that way though. I plan to wear it with sparkle fishnets, my fun Christmas sweatshirt and probably my Ugg motorcycle boots. I will be comfortable and stylish....a perfect combination. 

Carolyn Braden: My 2013 Christmas Sweatshirt

A Christmas sweatshirt?

Why yes! Instead of an ugly Christmas sweater, I chose a kitschy sweatshirt. The quote: "Merry Christmas ya filthy animal." It's from Angels with Dirty Faces and, of course, featured in Home Alone. 

Carolyn Braden Tries My Konjac Sponge

After reading several reviews, I decided to try using a Konjac sponge to exfoliate and clean my skin. 

I found a good routine using it that has made my skin smooth and clear.

I have super fickle combination skin with large pores on the sides of my nose (thanks mom!) Sometimes it's really dry and other times it looks like I rubbed olive oil all over my face. I think I get pimples by just thinking about them! 

A routine that is working and I hope it continues:

Take off make-up with Gentle Skin Cetaphil. 

Use Angels on Bare Skin (Lush) with my Mia Clarisonic to get the rest of the make-up gunk out of my pores. 

Rub the wet Konjac sponge over my skin for a few minutes. 

Masks I like to use often: Cupcake by Lush and Refining Mask by Proactiv

I use Proactiv Repairing Lotion and the Oil Free lotion. I spot treat with the Refining Mask. 

I use Retin-A to ward off wrinkles and Avon Eye cream at night and Pure Coffee Eye Cream during the day. 

I get facials for a good, deep cleansing about every other month.

Yes, this routine seems like a lot but you know what? It's worth the time. I tried a holistic approach to skin care and my skin denied me the opportunity to continue it. I continue to eat only non- GMO and organic foods. I take non-GMO Zinc, organic multi-vitamins and vitamin D, colloidal silver and drink carrot juice for vitamin A. I also take a shot of chlorophyl every day. These things work to keep my body in shape, my energy levels up and my skin clear. 

Once you find the right routine, I've learned you must stick with it. I am happy to say I think I'll be keeping y Konjac sponge in my cleansing routine. My skin still gets slightly oily and I get some pimples still but sometimes is better than every second of the day!

Carolyn Braden: Boots and Jean Bunching Solution

Need a solution for keeping your jeans inside your boots? Try Hollywood Secrets Boot Straps. Yeah you can tuck your jeans into your socks but on a day where the temperature is cold and gets much warmer throughout the day, these are a much better idea.

Carolyn Braden: Adam Levine 222 and Kmart

I am pretty impressed with Kmart's attempt to up sales with more designer collaborations. My husband loves henley style shirts. I showed him Adam Levine's 222 clothing line at Kmart and he was game. We went to Kmart for the first time in a long while and walked out with 2 Levine shirts. He liked the jeans too but probably has like 50 pairs already so he will wait on those.

My only complaint is about the Kmart store in general. It will never compete with the likes of Target if they don't start a major makeover of the store. It just looked old and tired. I loved Kmart as a kid (hello cherry Icee!) so they must do something more if they want to get their brand back. 

While I was there I picked up an ear cuff and earrings from the Nicki Minaj line. She had some smart and cool stuff in her line that is worth checking out. 

Carolyn Braden: Nexcare Acne Patch

Why oh why am I just now using Nexcare Acne Patch?!

This product is a miracle for my skin. I (ug!!) still get pimples and recently had a skin disaster. My face seemed to think I was a 13 year old for about a month. It was mostly my fault due to trying some new face lotions and cleansers. Luckily the breakouts could be covered with my Makeup Forever Velvet Skin foundation and Bare Minerals. Covering up though was taking forever and rushing to school is not a great way to start my day. 

I did much searching online knowing there was something that would help and I found it. These patches help pimples heal without scabbing. They also have helped me get rid of a horrible painful red spot in 2 days or less. 

I order them on Amazon.com because unfortunately I can't find them at local stores. I need to buy stock in this product because if word spreads even more about them, they'll be purchased by every person who suffers from bumpy skin. 

I place a dot on a pimple at night and by morning, my spot is less red and much flatter. Everyone's skin is a little different so it may not be a miracle for you but it's worth a try. 

Carolyn Braden: Stain Equals Shibori Art!

I had a paint stain on my shirt that would not come out. When I used a stain remover, it bleached it. I had two choices; fix it or use it as a rag. I decided to fix it and seized an art opportunity. I used a shibori dye process and created a new shirt. I used a Procion fabric dye from Dharma Trading. The shirt was a light blue so I used a sapphire blue to compliment it. The photo doesn't give justice to the end result. It is more beautiful than it was when I bought it. The original stain turned out to be a happy accident.

Carolyn Braden: How to Make and Use a Hot Glue Stencil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lFsveCkatA