I Took the Ban.do Plunge! (And I LOVE It)

3 / 19 / 155 / 6 / 15

I’ve been interested in products from Ban.do ever since browsing Instagram and seeing their “Mega Babe” notebook. Call my crazy, but I’m ALL about quirky fun stationery and desk supplies. So, in anticipation for my branding shoot (and because I really wanted something from there) I placed an order. Giddy with excitement, I tracked the package as it made its way to my front stoop.

I’m officially now part of their “girl gang.”

Rough Draft Notebook, Mega Babe, $9

This notebook makes writing down blog post ideas and notes feel extra-special. The front cover has polka dots on a cream background and a cute pink bow in the middle. The bow has “Mega” written on one side and “Babe” written on the other. The inside front cover is pink with a sketched white bow pattern. There is also a folder page with two pockets at the front to store miscellaneous items.

Each page is lined with a space for the date in the top-right corner and the ban.do logo on the bottom. It’s also really cool that the pages are perforated for easy tearing. In total, there are 160 pages.

If it wasn’t cute enough already, the back has a fun (different) pattern! Cursive writing spells out “blah” a thousand times. Adorable. Other notebooks carried by Ban.do include one that has some of their favorite things sketched like “unicorns” and “sleepovers” and a notebook that says “Stay Focused”.

Ban.do Get It Together Pencil Pouch, I Am Very Busy, $12

I love pretty pens and needed something to hold them in when I’m out and about. I’m old school. I like typing things but when it comes to organizing, I handwrite all my schedules. I also thought this little bag would make the perfect lipstick holder for when I’m traveling!

The front says “I Am Very Busy” and inside has a cute heart pattern. I love the mix of bright colors! The brand also carries a different pencil case that says “Stay Focused.”

Sip Sip Tumbler With Straw, Neon Pink Heart With Stripes, $14

Ok, so although I loved the other items, this cup is what really convinced me to place an order online. I’m never drinking enough water (do you?) and I thought I’d convince myself to enjoy more H2O with this extra-cute cup. I’d seen it on Instagram and couldn’t find anything similar so I took the Ban.do plunge and purchased it.

$14 is quite an expense for a tumbler, but hey, if I drink more water and it looks pretty on my desk…

The cup has a neon pink heart with a striped background and a matching straw. I love the cup and the shape but the lid is difficult to keep on. I brought it to the church with me yesterday morning and noticed that the lid has to screwed extra tight to avoid some leakage. There are other styles too from Ban.do and even my favorite tween celeb, Hilary Duff, uses one!

Their branding is what really makes Ban.do rock. I mean, look at that cute packaging?! Other tumblers have the saying “Kittens Get Thirsty Too” and other fun patterns.

The back of the tumbler has the Ban.do logo on it.

Also, here’s my cat who approves.

What do you think of my mini Ban.do haul? Have you heard of them? If so, what are some of your goodies? Inside Tip: If you sign up for their email, you get 10% off your first order!

Love & Laughter,

Tiffany

5 Things That Made Cinderella Rock

3 / 18 / 155 / 6 / 15

cinderella_poster_main_a_l_1 — Photo Credit: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/see-new-cinderella-poster-photographed-750335

I don’t usually go to movies. They’re pretty pricey and I like the opportunity to lounge in my comfy clothes, cuddle my cat, and grab extra popcorn at my leisure on the couch. This past week though, my mother-in-law planned a girls day and we got to see the movie (and she paid)! We also grabbed Olive Garden afterward. ~~Confession: I ate 6 breadsticks.~~ While the movie was happening, I literally almost began writing notes because there was so much to say and share with my fellow bloggers. Instead of boring you with an essay, I’ve determined 5 things that made the movie fantastic.

1. Have Courage & Be Kind

You’ll hear the advice young Cinderella’s dying mother offers a thousand times during the film. “Have courage and be kind,” is woven throughout the Disney flick and is what propels both Cinderella and the Prince throughout the tale. Although at first this advice seems simple and almost cliche, even Cinderella admits to having a hard time being kind and shows there are times she feels far less than courageous. What makes the theme work so well is the acceptance that it’s almost impossible to have these traits all the time, but when we look within ourselves (or to the Holy Spirit) we can achieve the unimaginable.

According to Vanity Fair, writer Christopher Weitz, explained that “There are plenty of movies in which heroines are tremendously active and aggressive, and there was room for a character whose resilience was really the most important aspect of what she was doing.”

Resilience. I don’t know about you, but being steadfast is more difficult than fighting back. So, today, take a lesson from Ella and have courage and be kind. Or as a little book says in Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

2. Waterworks for the Prince

(Spoiler) There’s a scene where the Prince is laying in his dying fathers arms, crying. This moment in the movie brought tears to my eyes and made me think a lot about how the media portrays men. In the past, a man of authority wouldn’t cry or show a lot of emotion. In this adaption of Cinderella though, the Prince is strong, brave, and … emotional. He isn’t ashamed of shedding tears over his father and Cinderella has empathy towards his personal loss. I want to live in a world where men can be “real” and can have strong emotional reactions that are accepted and encouraged. Hey, even Jesus had compassion. (John 11:35)

3. Forgiveness

After Cinderella wins over the Prince and is about to leave for the castle to live happily ever after, she turns around and sees her stepmother on the stairs. Without a prompt, she simply says “I forgive you.” Now, I get that she’s supposed to be good-hearted, innocent, etc. BUT as a Christian, I felt this was given just the right amount of attention and really helped bring closure to the abuse Cinderella endured.

4. Love Wins

An argument could be made that people don’t really marry to unite kingdoms/gain money/success/etc. anymore but I’d have to disagree. I’ve known so many situations where couples settled into marriage because it was convenient or was their only “life option.” It was refreshing to see two people working hard for their connection. I want to believe that I’d marry my own Prince – even if it meant living on Ramen Noodles and going without AC for a year. It helped, of course, that Cinderella’s man had some serious cash.

5. Helena Bonham Carter

She’s my girl crush of the moment. Even if her and Tim Burton split. Her role as the fairy godmother and narrator gave the movie some spunk. Enough said.

P.S. I’ve read the articles against Cinderella and have admittedly watched the hilarious Honest Trailer – Cinderella 1950. I am a pretty feisty feminist and agree that the original Cinderella basically worked against the empowerment of women. In some ways that can translate to this rendition. Overall though, I give it a thumbs up and appreciate some of the sensitivities Disney incorporated. Ex: Cinderella actually having a personality & the connection between her and the Prince, not just her looks.

Love & Laughter,

Tiffany

Benefit’s Roller Lash Mascara

3 / 18 / 155 / 6 / 15

As soon as I found out Benefit was releasing a new mascara, I put myself on Sephora’s notification list. You see, I used to never wear makeup (It’s a long long story) and was really insecure about my skin (I had acne). One day, I decided to walk into a cosmetics store in the mall (Sephora) and ask for help with mascara. A boy that I went to college with was there and suggested I check out They’re Real! Mascara. Before I knew it, he had me in the makeup chair, complimenting my red hair and asking about my family. The time spent was so special and fun that I couldn’t help but splurge on a $20+ mascara. I used it everyday and fell in love with the way makeup made me feel (confident & adventurous).

That day I stumbled into Sephora is many years ago and now I love makeup and enjoy learning about new products. I began watching Youtube videos from Michelle Phan and Kandee Johnson and signed up for Ipsy Glam Bags.

The They’re Real! Mascara made for such a good connection that I was hoping to fall in love with Benefit’s latest release: Roller Lash Mascara. So without further adieu, here’s my review of Roller Lash Mascara!

This first image is without any mascara. If you noticed, my forehead is indeed dyed red. I had my hair colored the day before and still had some residue. This also explains the lack of matching eyebrow color (my hair was previously a lot lighter).

Can you tell which eye has the product applied to? (my right, your left)

Both top lashes are applied. I did about two coats and didn’t have time to brush them through because I was running out the door.

The finished look with some spotty lipgloss (that I hated after I applied).

The Review

I’m not sure if I’m 100% sold. I’ve worn the product for about three days and can’t tell a big difference between Roller Lash Mascara and other brands of mascara I’ve used. I like the fact that the product is designed to curl your lashes, but my hair is already curly and I never have to curl my lashes because they’re long and curl upwards already. If you have trouble with lifting your lashes, this may be the product for you. Benefit’s site explains that the product has a curve-setting formula that holds for 12 hours. The wand is also different than others. As you can see in the below picture, the “Hook & Roll Brush” has little hooks that help shape and curl your lashes. I think I would’ve been happier if I had brushed through the formula, but I didn’t have time. It looked a little clumpy.

What I do really like about the product is the packaging. Honestly, Benefit has a fun, funky look and their products are always cute. The top of the mascara has a vintage curler look and is rubbery so it’s extra easy to grip.

You also get a lot of product! Even though I’m not crazy about the thickness, I read on Benefit’s website that you can use Roller Lash to curl your lashes then layer on They’re Real Mascara to add more volume. For $24, it’s not worth it for me, but for those who can’t get their lashes to curl, it may be their holy grail. I won’t be returning it, because I want to try it with They’re Real. At this point though, I may have been better off investing in Yves Saint Laurent Babydoll Mascara.

Love & Laughter,

Tiffany