It is just way too COLD!!

Happy Winter!!! Ugh!  I don't know about you, but I don't do well in the winter.  I often get asked "Then why don't you move to a warmer climate?"  Sounds easy, right?  Well, how easy would it be for you to pack up and move?  I thought so.

As much as I dislike the winter months, the snow, the blistering wind and so on.....it is just something that I endure for living in the mid-Atlantic.  Basically....it is what it is.

But this isn't a blog about my disdain for winter, but to pass on the importance of taking care of your skin in the winter months.  Regardless of where you live.   My skin tends to be on the dry side anyways, and the winter months intensifies that dryness.  I get red and flaky and itchy.....and it's frustrating when those red, flaky and itchy spots are in hard to reach places!  I know you know what I'm talking about....

I try very, very hard to use only cruelty free products, but in the effort to find a cream to use on my dry skin, I have found it very difficult to find a cruelty free product that works the way I need it to.  (If anyone has a recommendation....I'm all ears!)  A friend had recommended VaniCream, so I thought I'd try it.  Now, I will tell you that I do not have confirmation of this product being cruelty free, but my skin is in desperate need of help, so at this point I will try anything!

 

I will say that this has helped my skin tremendously!  It is slowly taking away the burn I feel on my skin and it is easing the flakiness.  I've only been using this for a week and I'm pleased with the results. This product is unscented which is a huge bonus for me because my skin is so sensitive in the winter that even the perfumes in the scented lotions burn my skin!!  I've also been using this on my face and my cheeks are very happy. 

Soooooo.....

Yes, I would recommend this product.  But please know that if I can find a comparable cruelty free product I will make this switch because I can not confirm that VaniCream is cruelty free.

Thanks for stopping by.....stay warm!

~Pru  

Hey, hey, hey!

Well, I know it's been a long time and I KNOW that I say that a lot.  But there is always a good reason why.  I'll go into a little bit, but I'm not going to go into great detail.  This is going to be my attempt to get back to what I started this blog for....just because.  I like write... to write this blog.  I like sharing my tips, tricks and great finds.  But life can get crazy and there are immediate things that trump all others....... unfortunately, my blog had to take a back seat for a hot minute.  But, I'm back and I'm going to really try to focus!  So, lets get started.

The first thing I wanted to share is that I am no longer involved with Thirty-One Gifts.  I was a 31 consultant for a few years.... I love the products, I love the company and I love how the company strives to empower women.  But, I started a new job back in September (more on that later) and I could no longer devote the needed time to my 31 business.  So, I had to let me 31 business go.  It was a sad decision, but I have to do what I need to do for myself. Right?

Second, I finally finished graduate school!! Yep, I am a new recipient of a Masters of Business Administration (MBA).  For those that follow me here, on Youtube (which I want to get back to as well) and Facebook, then you know that I was  full time student for 18 months.  I had left my job in 2013 and pursued grad school full time.  Some people said that that was incredibly brave of me to leave a job and go to school.  But my thought was I that I had the opportunity to do that, and why not?  I didn't want to be on the the 5+ year grad school program.  I wanted to achieve this goal and so I just did it.  (Like a lot of things...I just do it!)

Third - I got a new job!  Rather than return to the job I had before - I got a new one.  And I love it!  Yes, obtaining a masters really did pay off.  Now, the process of getting a new job was tough.  I finished school in March 2015, but did not gain employment until September 2015.  The end of September.  I was panicked, extremely fearful of not making my ends meet and that set me into some serious anxiety.  I mean, I interviewed for my job in June (on the spot at a Veterans Job Fair), had a second interview a week or so later, then two weeks after that was told I got the job.....but I didn't actually come on board until September!  Good gosh!! But in the end it all worked out..... I have a great job and I work with a great group of people.

Finally, here I am.  Still working my way through my craziness.....the demands of life.....and whatever else comes my way.  I've always been a survivor - I mean, I've always been ok....somehow things always work out for me.  Why you ask?  Faith.  You have nothing if you don't have faith.  So whatever you are going through, whatever obstacles you see in your way, whatever negative thoughts sneak up on you.....have faith that you will overcome and God will see it through for you!

Thanks for stopping by!  Hugs!

~Pru

Eco Nuts Dryer Sheets

May Vegan Cuts Unboxing

May Thirty One Gifts Customer Special......It's a good one!!

Introducing JK by Thirty-One!

NARS Sheerglow foundation First Impression

NARS Sheer Glow First Impression

If you're like me, then you are always on the hunt for that perfect foundation. Right?  Here is my dilemma, I find a foundation that I think is perfect; use it for a few months and then decide that I don't really like it.  Or I feel that it isn't doing what I need it to do.  Does this sound familiar to anyone?  Well, I recently had been using NYX Invincible Full Coverage foundation and I like it.  It was similar (or at least I felt at the time) to Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation, but the price for the NYX foundation fit my budget better.  So, I had been using the NYX foundation for about 2 months when one day I squirt some of the product out onto my finger to start applying when it happened.  A clear liquid first came out and then the color.  It appeared as if the product separated!  I shook the tube up and tried it again and this time the product came out like it is suppose to come out.  So, I went about applying it and it just was not working.  It didn't blend smoothly, the color appeared "off", and little muddy......it just wasn't working.  Now, I very well could have gone back to Ulta and repurchased another tube of the NYX foundation, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to try something new.  

I had heard of the NARS Sheer Glow and even watched some reviews of the product on YouTube, but I had yet to purchase this product because it does have a hefty price tag - $45.00.  But after watching a lot of positive reviews, I went ahead and trekked over to my local Sephora (Ulta does not carry NARS products) and made my purchase.  Now, I do not typically visit my local Sephora - not because I don't like Sephora or the products they offer, but because the customer service is poor. And the day I went to purchase my NARS foundation was no different.  So, I was left to myself to pick out my match for my foundation.  It took a while because A. The lighting in makeup stores is always just crappy and B. some of the colors were so similar that it was just hard to tell my best match.  Anyways, the color I chose is Medium 1 Punjab.  (I was unable to get my YouTube video to upload so I'll keep trying so you can see my exact reaction to this foundation)

So far, I really like this foundation.  It isn't sheer by a long shot (medium to full coverage), but it gives nice coverage and it is build able.   The shade that I chose is very close to my skin tone, so it looks very natural.  It doesn't look heavy at all.  So far I am very pleased.  I want to keep using it for just a few more days and I'll  be back for an update and photos.  In the mean time - please head on over to my YouTube channel and watch the video!  

Thank so much for stopping by!

~Pru

Madam Glam and Melmphs (aka Melissa Autry)

Helloooooo!  And welcome back to Simply Pru!  Today's blog is going to feature some products by one of my fave YouTube personalities, Melmphs aka Melissa Autry.  Melissa teamed up with Madam Glam to bring to us beauty product junkies a line of lip products and one nail polish.

As soon as I saw on YouTube that Melissa had teamed up with Madam Glam for some beauty products, I immediately went online to order mine!  I certainly didn't want to miss out!  I received my box on Wednesday (mail delivery was slow due to snow) and tore into it right away.

How adorbs is this packaging???  I love it!!  Little black box, pretty red ribbon...very sleek.  Inside there were two lipsticks: Lady Haha and Plumed Out KK, both in classic matte.  There is also a lip lacquer in Love Affair and a nail polish in Found the One.

$39.48 for the 4 piece collection

Now, I must admit, I was a little intimidated by the colors when I first opened the box.  Aside from the lip lacquer, the shades are darker than I would normally pick for myself. But after doing the swatches on my arm, the shades are really pretty!  

Lady Haha, Plumed Out KK and Love Affair

I am IN LOVE with the lip lacquer in Love Affair and I've been wearing it everyday.  It is a beautiful rose/mauve shade that is very flattering for my skin tone.  I've also worn Lady Haha, but I did have to "tone it down" just a bit with a light pink lip gloss.  The shade is beautiful, but since I don't normally wear shades this dark, I felt as though my lips were on full display....big, large and loud! 

I haven't tried the nail polish yet, but my toes are due some tender loving care here soon, so I'll try out the polish and post follow up pics.  

Oh, and before I made my Melmphs and Madam Glam purchase, I reached out to Melissa on Instagram and got a response from Madam Glam - yes, the products are cruelty free!!! BONUS!! 

So, if would like to get your hands on these great products, head on over to www.madamglam.com

I'm not sure how long these products will be available, so don't delay!  Oh, and don't forget to check out Melissa's YouTube channel - she is super cute and totally quirky!  

Thank you Melissa and Madam Glam!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

~Pru

January 2015 Vegan Cuts Unboxing

My first Vegan Cuts Box of 2015!  How exciting is this?  Well, I can tell you that I was very excited to receive this in my mail box.  And might I just add, Vegan Cuts did not disappoint.  First, upon opening my box, I saw DermOrganic shampoo and hair mask.  I  love DermOrganics!!!  I've tried several of their products and have enjoyed all of them.  My hair use to be very curly and unruly, but over the last few years, my hair has changed quite a bit.  Long gone are my beautiful curls (which I complained about ALL of the time) and the days of pretty much wash and go and hello to semi -straight, gotta style everyday, hair.  It is still pretty unruly - meaning I have coarse, thick, dry and frizzy hair.  Areas near my scalp are kind of.....wavy (?), but the rest of my hair is just.......ugh!  I recently had a doctor try to explain to me the difference in my hair"As women, with out hormones, and as we get holder....." WHAT????  Certainly not anything I wanted to hear.  Anyways, DermOrganics seems to be what my hair needs.  The shampoo and conditioners not only clean and condition my hair very nicely, but they seem to help "tame" my hair.  And they smell really good
too!

Ok, next is Surprise Nail Polish in Snow Queen.  Since the color of the polish is jet black, I thought Snow Queen was a weird name for the color.  But I guess I can see the humor in it now.  Pretty funny! It's a nice polish - very opaque, which I like.  I haven't painted my nails with this color just yet, so I can't tell you just how many coats of color is recommended.  I will keep you posted.

Next is Modern Minerals eyeshadow.  This is a loose mineral eyeshadow and I have to say I really, really love this stuff.  The shade is a very light (a little pinkish) shade great for the inner corner highlighting and along the brow bone.  I've used this almost everyday since receiving my Vegan Cuts box.  I did a look using this shadow all over my lid and it really made my eyes pop!  Blends easily and it lasted all day (with a shadow primer of course).  This mineral shadow is so pigmented - a little will go a very long way!

I got a great tinted lip balm from Crazy Rumors.  This lip balm is AWESOME!  There is just enough color to enhance my natural lips and the scent is just heavenly!  Along with the Modern Mineral - I've been wearing this every single day.  It has been bitterly cold and windy here and this has moisturized my lips and made them feel soft.  I most certainly will be purchasing this again.

Finally, Gourmet Body Treats Sugar & Spice scrub.  Now, if you've watched the video above, then you know that I am not a fan of this scent.  I can't really describe the scent other than a very earthy, almost like a dirt scent. (Not sure that even makes any sense).  But because I purchase ($19.99) my own Vegan Cuts box, I do like to try everything I receive and give an honest review. So, yes, I will try this body scrub and let you all know what I think. I just hope I can get past the scent of this scrub.  

Thank you all so much for stopping by my blog!  Be sure to check me out on You Tube - Simply Pru.  Oh, and now I'm on Instagram too - Simply Pru

Stay tuned for my thoughts on all of the products I received in my January Vegan Cuts Box!

~Pru

Financial Peace? Yes, please!

Hello!!

Have you heard of Dave Ramsey?  Have you heard of his Financial Peace University (FPU)?   Well, I have and I finally have the opportunity to attend this nine week course towards financial freedom!! Goooo ME!

Materials for FPU

I first heard of Dave Ramsey several years ago.  A friend had recommended one of his books that explained how to pay off debt, investing money, saving money, etc..... But I didn't really take it all that serious.  I mean, I bought the book and had intended on reading it and following Dave's advice, but just never really got around to it.  Over the years, I had listened to a few of Dave's radio shows and watched a few of his YouTube videos and thought to myself, "I'd really like to take his Financial Peace University course", but again just never got around to it.  I do not have a ton of debt, but I knew that Dave taught more than just paying off debt; he talked about investing your money wisely, how to be a savvy home buyer/seller, and most of all giving.   Not just the occasional donation or church offering here and there, but giving BIG and regularly.  So, around the holiday season when I once again Googled Dave Ramsey, I found that there would be new classes starting after the new year for FPU in my area and I immediately took to social media (Facebook) to get anyone's opinion regarding the FPU course.  Surprisingly, several of my FB friends had taken the course and some had even taken it twice.  Needless to say, the FPU came highly recommended, so I signed up! My first class is meeting Monday, January 12 just a couple of miles from home.  Yea!

If you are not familiar with Dave Ramsey and his financial teachings, but would like to know more, I suggest looking up Dave on his web site or on YouTube.  He seems like a really nice guy.

I will keep you all posted on what I'm learning and then of course at the end of my nine weeks I will let you know if I recommend this or not.  (I'm gonna guess yes, I would recommend - I did not come across one person  who had taken the course that did not recommend it.)

~Pru

Happy 2015!!

Can you believe it?  It's 2015!  I don't know 'bout you, but 2014 went by so fast. A whole year has past in the blink of an eye!  Well, as one year ends a new one begins.  A new year full of new hopes and possibilities and I am ready! 

A few weeks ago I had received my December 2014 Vegan Cuts box, but I had not opened it.  With the Christmas season, things got a little busy around here, so I had put off opening my box and filming my box reveal for my YouTube channel.  Today, I finally opened my box and as I type this blog, I am uploading my box reveal video on YouTube. 

I love receiving my Vegan Cuts box each month; it is a great introduction to cruelty free and/or vegan beauty products.  Some things I receive I really love and some things I receive.....well, they miss the mark for me.  But that's ok  - its about discovering new products and that is the goal of my cruelty free journey.  Aside from receiving my Vegan Cuts box, I troll the internet reading about cruelty free products and where to purchase those products.  I've found some on my own and I've tried them out, but again some things I could have done without (and my pocket could have kept the $$).  One of my goals for this year is to post more frequently about things that I not only receive in my box, but the things that I find on my own and whether or not they are worth the cash.  I also want to incorporate info on what products I've finished.  Meaning, products that I've used up and the ones that I just couldn't get through. Maybe some beauty tips and tricks too.  Oh, and fashion...maybe.  Some days I look great, but some days......well...... hey, I'm a full-time student - most of my days are spent behind my computer doing class work! 

So, please stay tuned to Simply Pru.......2015 is going to be AWESOME!!!!
~Pru

Cyber Monday Announcement with Simply Pru

I know it's been a while.......

.....Since I've written a blog post, but I have been busy posting vlogs on my YouTube Channel Simply Pru.  And even though I'm not posting on my blog everyday (week or month) I am sharing my videos from YouTube.

I still receive my monthly subscription to Vegan Cuts and I am so pleased with the samples of cruelty free and/or vegan beauty products I've received.  For me, this is the easiest way to find new cruelty free beauty products to incorporate in my daily beauty routine.  Have there been some misses?  Of course, but for the most part I've liked the products that I've received.  I post two videos regarding my Vegan Cuts box - the first being the box unveiling.  For this vlog, I open my Vegan Cuts box and share the products that I've received.  I also like to do a little sampling of the products such as scents, texture, etc... The second video is after I've used the product samples and I give my thoughts regarding the products.  So, if I receive a sample soap, I throw it in my shower and use it over a week or so and then come back and give my thoughts.  So, please head over to YouTube and watch my Simply Pru video so you too can see what I've been up to.

Next, yes, I am still a Thirty-One Gifts consultant.  I love my company and the products we offer.  There is literally something for everyone.  And the best part.....over half of the items in my catalog can be personalized.  Do you have someone with an unusual name or an unusual spelling of their name?  Well, head on over to my web site and see how their name can be added to a tote, purse or any other item.  I think this is awesome!!  I mean really, have you ever seen the name Pru (or Prudence) on anything?  Nope, me either... not even a key chain!

Cindy Tote in Black Houndstooth $70

Thirty-One has great customer specials every single month!  To see what I have in store for you, head over to www.mythirtyone.com/prupowell

And finally........yes, I'm still in school, but not for much longer.  Going back to school to earn my MBA is one of the best decisions I've made for myself.  And I have the navy to thank for that.  Because of my military service, I have earned my undergrad and soon to be graduate degrees.  Something I never thought I'd be able to do.  And those are all mine.... not matter what, no one can take those away from me!! 

So, thank you for taking a minute to catch up with me.....I'll be back soon!

~Pru

November 2014 Vegan Cuts

Thank you for your service!

October Vegan Cuts Product Review

August 2014 Vegan Cuts Box Reveal

August 2014 Vegan Cuts Box Reveal

Isabelle Vegan Handbags