Hot Tools 1" Curling Iron

So, to start off: LOVVVE it. I have been having such a problem finding a curling iron that actually gives me curls that last throughout the day. I am so excited that when I use this iron (in combo with BigSexyHair Spray& Stay hairspray) my curls withstand the hottest, most humid Alabama summer days. They also come in pretty colors (I got a pink one) and they are decently priced, $40ish.

I bought mine from Ulta (God's gift to women).... but I'm sure you can find them lots of other places.

Link to Ulta: (They are on sale for 20% off this week!!)http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2116719&productId=xlsImpprod1080006&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=17920offstyletools&categoryId=cat1000003

Vactation Destination::San Juan, Puerto Rico

I haven't posted any blogs the past few days because I have been on vacation with my boyfriend in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We had an AMAZING trip and I am already planning my next San Juan adventure. San Juan is truly an overlooked Caribbean gem.
Some practical reasons for going: no need for a passport (if you're US citizen), very decent pricing, use of American dollar, and most people there speak both Spanish and English.
The beaches are stunning, the night-life is thrilling, and there is a TON of history.
We stayed at La Concha Marriot Resort in the Condado area of San Juan. I highly recommend this hotel. We booked through Priceline and paid a few extra dollars to upgrade to an ocean-view suite. It was def worth it! The suite had a kitchenette so we were able to cook breakfast every day to save some money. The view from our balcony was breathtakinggggg. The staff was warm & welcoming. We had a great time at the casino and at the bar in the lobby of the hotel.

My only disappointment was that we didn't get to go to the rainforest because it was still closed down because of Hurricane Irene, but that just means we have to go back :)!!!

Food::
-Latin Star ::Condado:: We tried some local food at a restaurant called Latin Star. DON'T GO. I had the roasted pork and it was some of the driest meat I've ever eaten. The service was horrible, the prices too high, and the staff was unfriendly.
-The Latin Roots :: Old San Juan:: Now this was some good eating! My boyfriend was dead set on having Lechon (whole roasted pig) and this was the perfect place to do it. The atmosphere is upbeat with fun music and great service.
-Blessed Cafe:: Old San Juan:: OMG, this place was my favorite of all. This was my first time having Jamaican food and I was absolutely impressed. I had the Garlic Shrimp and my boyfriend had the Jerk Chicken. Both dishes were perfect! We waited about an hour for our food but it was totally worth it!!
-Tayzan Bar & Grill:: Condado:: This Chinese restaurant was just down the street from our hotel. My boyfriend and I both agreed that this was the best Chinese food we've ever eaten. We actually ended up going back for a second time and ordered the exact same meal. Pork eggrolls for our appetizer, Sesame Chicken for me, and General Tso Chicken for him.
-Voga:: Condado:: This Italian-American restaurant was located in our hotel. The prices were high, the view was extraordinary, and the food was decent. We had frito misto calamari for an appetizer, it was cooked perfectly. I ordered salmon wrapped in proscuito, it was just okay. My boyfriend had a rib-eye with a lobster-cake. I definitely had order-envy when he got his food! Both the steak and the lobster cake were FABULOUS. For desert we had cheesecake lollipops which were creative but not exactly delish.

Tips:
-Bring high SPF sunscreen or you will get burned!!
-When paying for meals, pay attention to your bill.... many places include gratuity automatically
-Make sure to visit the forts in Old San Juan (el Morro & Castillo de San Cristobal), some of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen.
-If you choose to rent a car, be careful driving.... they are road maniacs!
-I would personally recommend staying in the Candado area
-The local beer, Medalla is amaze.... a must-have.
-Buy your liquor at a grocery store or CVS... the liquor stores in the Candado area are way over-priced.
-If you stay at La Concha, ask for a room with a jacuzzi bathtub when you check in. They aren't in every room.
-If planning to go to the rain-forest or other out-skirt areas, it will likely be cheaper to rent a car for the day.

Reebok Easytone Shoes

i have been wanting reebok easytone shoes for the longest time and finally got a pair last week.

pros: i felt sore after wearing them walking to and from classes on campus. soreness=they work. plusss they are really cute.

cons: although i was able to run in them, i felt off balance (i think that's the point) so i had to reduce my running speed.

i think these shoes are great to wear while shopping or while walking around campus but when you're going on a serious run/jog, skip them.

i work as a cocktail server and wish they made a solid black non-skid version so i could wear them to work. :)

Make Your Own:: Coffee!

i'm a full time student so i am alwaysss looking for ways to save some cash.... in my blog i will be periodically posting some money saving strategies i use to make sure i have money left over for shoes!

make your own coffee. $3 for an energy drink $6 for a frappachino? not coming out of my wallet! it's summertime in alabama right now (avg day= 95 degrees) so i like my energy beverages icy cool so here are some tricks........
-for a simple iced coffee: {need:coffee, coffee maker, pitcher, sugar/splenda, milk, ice}(start the night before) brew a large pot of coffee, unplug your coffee machine and let the coffee cool. pour the pot of coffee into a pitcher and place in the fridge. in the morning simply pour the coffee into a glass of ice (add cream, sugar, splenda, whatev).
-for a fakeachino:{need:coffee, coffee maker, pitcher, blender, ice trays, chocolate syrup, sugar/splenda, milk} follow the same steps as above to get your pitcher of cooled coffee. this time however, you will need to make coffee ice cubes.... just pour cooled coffee into ice trays and freeze.... throw about 6 coffee ice cubes, about 1.5 cups coffee, about 1/2 cup milk, sugar/splenda to taste, and about 2 tbsp chocolate syrup into your blender... you may need to add more liquid or more ice cubes depending on the consistency you prefer.... whahlah! top with whipped cream if desired :)

Lash Blast Fusion Mascara = No Bueno.

In basically every beauty magazine I've opened this year there has been a recomendation to use CoverGirl's Lash Blast Fusion(the one in the purple tube) because it's supposed to be the best thing since the invention of the internet. "It volumizes". "It lengthens". WRONG. It sucks! I might as well of left my lashes naked. Don't be fooled by the hype. This is a waste of your hard-earned moolah!

CoverGirl does offer a great mascara that is actually cheaper than the Lash Blast line. Covergirl Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara (in a red tube) is the bomb. It makes my lashes full and perfect and doesn't clump. AND it's one of the cheapest mascaras available.

MAC VivaGlam Gaga Lipstick

Rundown: $14.50, maccosmetics.com, inspired by lady gaga, light-warm beige;;

this lipstick is completely AMAZE. i have been looking for the perfect nude lipcolor for ages. it looks perfect with a bold eye and is very long lasting.

note:i also tried on the lipglass version at the mac counter.... not so hot.

100% of the profits from this lipstick go towards the MAC AIDS fund. it's basically like getting a treat for your donation!