Erika with a K

 Ah yes, the good ol' sample review from yours truly. This is definitely becoming a thing for me and I can't lie, I dig it. I received these NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer samples from, where else but, Sephora. Let's be honest, I am not on the PR for any company, let alone NARS. Since I got these samples from Sephora, it never hurts to copy and paste the entire description from the Sephora website. I was never one for paraphrasing.  "What it is:   An award-winning concealer that provides medium-to-full, buildable coverage and corrects, contours, highlights, and perfects.  What it does:   Ideal for all skin types, Radiant Creamy Concealer is a multi-action formula that instantly masks imperfections, blurs the look of lines and wrinkles, and hides dark circles and signs of fatigue. The botanical blend hydrates, firms, reduces redness, and strengthens the look of skin by helping its barrier retain moisture. Light-diffusing technology evens out the complexio...

I am on a journey to minimalism and I'm starting with my wardrobe. Do I need this? Does it bring me joy? Adapting the Konmari method , nope I didn't read the book, I just googled the "cheat sheet" if you will. Old habits die hard! Those are the questions I will now ask myself when I put an article of clothing on. I remember "reading" an interactive book as a teen called Life is a Movie Starring You . To this day I still remember the lessons I learned from it. The one that stands out among the rest was a statement about your wardrobe. You should always ask yourself, is life a movie starring me in this outfit? The answer should always be yes because you are the star of your own movie... you are the star of your life! If you don't feel like "life is a movie starring me..." then don't wear the outfit. I think about the beautiful chaos of my life over the past 5 years. I think, did I stray from this basic principle? Did I get lazy? Insert ...

Let me start this post off by saying I pride myself on being authentic in what I say. When I review or share my opinions on anything, it is straight from my heart. What is the point of putting your name, thoughts, or opinions on something if it isn't authentic ? That is something I would never do. It is not who I am and it is certainly not who I want to be. Having said that, remaining completely transparent with everyone, I received  the Origins Original Skin, Pore Perfecting Cooling Primer complimentary for testing purposes. That in no way, shape or form has any impact on my opinion.  If you are still reading, I appreciate  you getting through that disclaimer and still sticking around. Now lets get into the fun part, my actual review and experience .  "It's the first of its kind! Made with super innovative cooling technology, this ice-cold mousse primer literally cools and refreshes skin on contact. It delivers hydration, helps control oil and visibly ...

To in home salon or not to in home salon? For those of you that have been with me since the beginning, we started at the bottom but now we here. Just kidding. I’m sure you’ve been wondering when my in home salon will be ready?! Well, truth is, I have a fabulous set up right now! I rent a chair in a salon close enough to home but far enough away to be able to separate my work life from my home life. I’ve been trying to find a balance between the two since I first became self employed back in 2012.  5 years later, a husband, two dogs and a house with a house built off the back of it, sleepless nights worrying about this that and the other thing.... I am finally happy with where I am. So there you have it. The in home salon is a thing of the past. Who really knows what the future holds for any of us, but for now I love where I work. I am very fortunate to rent a chair from my best friend's salon, which is conveniently located down the street from my house. My husband now works from ho...

I want to start this blog with a disclaimer, I do not enjoy leaving bad reviews for businesses, products or services. It isn't in my nature and rather than leave a bad review, I would just skip the reviewing process all together. What works for some might not work for all and vice versa. Being a small business owner, in the beauty and fashion industry, I understand this all too well. Having said that, my 2018 goal is to actually use all the products I own. I don't want to be wasteful and I no longer want to hoard samples or products of things that I never actually use. What's the point? So I have been going through everything I own, old and new, and I've decided to not only use it but to also review it. As much as I don't enjoy negative reviews, I think it's important to be honest about your experiences so that it can help others. So here we are with the Rossano Ferretti parma Intenso 03 Softening and smoothing shampoo and hair mask. I made a Sephora purchase r...

Fashion is funny sometimes. I can see an article of clothing from across the store and know that I HAVE to have it. It doesn't matter if it's my size, I will make it work when I get home. Take this shirt for example, I found it at my local Marshalls, randomly hanging at the end of a rack without another like it in sight. I grabbed it off the rack, didn't even check the size and purchased it. It was truly love at first sight. Like most "love at first sight" situations, it took me a little longer to figure it out. Where should I wear it to? What should I wear it with? And most importantly HOW should I wear it?  I tried it on a few times and ask my husband for his opinion, each time he said he loved the shirt. I personally just wasn't 100% with it. Each time I changed my outfit and never committed to wearing it. I felt boxy and just NOT like myself. The funny part is, I don't have a "specific" style that is me, but I know when I put something on a...

My friends and family nail their gift giving every year, it never fails, Christmas 2017 was no different. Makeup and beauty products, gift cards, cozy PJs, warm slippers, a kitchen aid, the ring security camera, the ninja blender (#adulting), concert tickets, a 3 month birch box subscription and of course a funko pop Jareth from the Labyrinth (what's the opposite of #adulting?). On top of all that, my mom and sister separately both got me a Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer. My mom was a little bummed when she saw me open the gift from my sister. I personally was excited to receive two slightly different ones so that I can compare them for you! So after doing a little research, I believe these were both probably purchased from Amazon. My mom is obsessed with Amazon Prime and my sister always has packages delivered to her house. If that isn't proof enough, I also believe the two I received are dupes or less expensive versions of the "StylPro Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer...

Back in the day, circa 2008/2009 I was rarely ever seen without a flower pinned somewhere either in my hair or on my outfit. Think of Laverne and her "L", from Laverne and Shirley. At some point through the years I dropped the flowers. I guess when you allow other people to influence you so much, you start to lose a sense of who you are. Come to think of it, I stopped wearing costume jewelry as well. I don't know if I lost touch with my sense of style or if I lost touch with a sense of who I am. All I know is something was lost along the way.  I am sure I wrote it off as "growing up", as if flowers signified immaturity. I assure you it doesn't. Fashion and style does not represent a level or lack of maturity. It simply represents what you like and the side of yourself that you want to show to the world. Having the guts to say, "hey I want to wear a flower today" isn't a sign of immaturity. It's a sign of knowing yourself and knowing your...