Ipsy August 2013

 This month I received my first Ipsy subscription.  Ipsy is $10 a month, and you receive 4-5 products in the mail.  All of my products were of a rather good size, maybe even full.  If you like the sound of Ipsy, you can use my referral code, Ipsy.

The product comes in a pink bubble wrap envelope, as soon as I opened the mailbox I knew what was there.

Speaking of mail...It took 12 days for this baby to ship from NC, to here in Indiana.  The first day it made it to IL though.  I don't know what took 11 days to get from IL to Indiana.

Each Ipsy subscription comes in a reusable makeup bag.  I am rather excited about this.  I am an organization freak, and I need more stuff to organize with.

I thought this was pretty cool.  Benefit and Ipsy are coming together to create a kit for a hostess to have a makeup party.

I wanted to apply to do this, but the contest closed yesterday, which is a bummer that I just got this in the mail today.  I want to learn more about makeup as the title of my blog is Discovering Girly, and this would have been the perfect opportunity to do so.

These are the 5 products that I received.  I haven't had a chance to use all of the products, but thus far the mascara and BB cream are my favorite.  Overall with the selection that I was sent I wasn't disappointed whatsoever. I received a variety of products that fit my needs.  I had actually been hoping for a BB Cream.

Noya Vanilla Lip Balm

 The Lip Balm is all natural, and overall feels wonderful.  One great thing about this product is that it isn't tested on animals.  It reminds me of when you would have a little bit of whip cream on your lips, and everything felt so smooth.  This lip balm retails for around $3.23 on amazon. They have other "flavors" such as cherry and spearmint.

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub

This product I am excited about using later, I am about out of facial cleanser.  My brother keeps using my Aveeno face cleaning pads, but I don't think that he will use this!  This has one of those essential oil smells, maybe Jasmine.  This product is considered to be 100% organic and gluten free.  The scrub has an oily feel to it, and when I wiped it on my leg afterwards, it did leave black streaks.  I would be sure to look in the mirror after bathing to ensure removal of the scrub.  This scrub is retailed at $18 for 3.4 oz at Michael Todds.  I have a feeling that I will be purchasing this again.  

Pacifica BB Cream

This is my first BB Cream, so I actually had to google what it is used for.  I just knew that I wanted to try some, as I had read what some people had used them for.  I have actually received Pacifica before in a tinted lip balm, which I love also.  From the picture above, you can see that the cream actually blends well into my skin.  This product is 100% vegan, and cruelty free.  Also, a portion of their profit goes to support clean water.  The BB Cream retails for 15.99 at Target for 1 oz.  

NYX Blush Espresso

This blush may become a bronzer, because I have a tendency to accidently put it on too dark.  If you look I created 2 swatches.  One darker and one lighter, in between them would be my BB cream from earlier.  I probably won't purchase this again later.  Maybe I will change my mind as I use it. This can be retailed at $5.00 at NYX.   

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara

To be able to get a picture that does the mascara justice is a skill, and one that I don't have.  I applied this mascara outside without a mirror, and then took this picture.  I really like this mascara, for the fact that it still looks good without having to "fuss" with it.  I may be purchasing this again.  This can be retailed at $17.00 at Pixi.  

Banana Coconut Chia Pudding

I haven't been doing very well at updating this at all.  Today I did make something that I wanted to share.  I found a recipe and tweaked it to how I want to be eating.  My goal is healthier and organic.  I haven't quite figured everything out yet, but I am getting there.

In the picture you can see the ingredients that I used.  (Making this was on a whim)
*2 cups Almond Milk
* 4 Tbsp Chia Seeds
*1 Organic Mashed Banana
*1/2 cup Organic shredded unsweetened coconut
*1 Tsp vanilla extract
*1 Tbsp Organic Honey
*Pinch of Cinnamon
Berries and Mint leaves for Topping

First you want to place the almond milk and chia seeds in a saucepan over medium heat.  Bring the solution to a low simmer using a whisk to stir occasionally.

The mixture will eventually begin to thicken.  Using the whisk combine other ingredients EXCEPT TOPPINGS.  Allow the pudding to simmer 5-10 minutes.  (I only did 5.)                                                        

The pudding should look about like this in the end.  Don't freak out if the banana doesn't mix well, and stays in slight clumps here and there.  

Afterwards, divide the pudding into 4 containers, and place the topping onto each.  Allow for the pudding to cool in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.  

Warm Avocado and Blueberry Salad with Cinnamon Honey Drizzle

    I have been on a desire to be healthier, and my boyfriend has been bringing it up lately too.  I have decided to start a cleanse that TeamTaralynn is doing.  Since I am constantly in between Indy, Bloomington, and Terre Haute right now I haven't been able to start the "full kick butt" mode yet.  Sunday night I will be home, and things will get serious!!!  I will even have time to work out, and hopefully when IU starts back up, I will be able to continue the routine.

     I am currently on "Phase 2" (Please note I haven't been sticking to everything 100% this week).  This Phase consists on 3 days of all fruit.  You can choose from grapefruit, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, blueberries, apples, oranges, lemons, limes, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, cherries, pomegranate, kiwi, pear, mandarin, apricot, peach, plum, dates, prunes, figs, tomatoes, and avocados.

Now, what you all have been waiting for my breakfast!  Warm Avocado and Blueberry Salad with Cinnamon Honey Drizzle!  I got the it from the UndressedSkeleton Blog.  She is also the one behind the cleanse.

She grilled hers, but I baked mine.  You slice an avocado longwise.  I placed them in a loaf pan, and baked for 5 minutes, and then flipped them over.  Afterwards, I baked for 7 minutes.  After I removed the Avocado and placed them on the plate, you warm up the blueberries, by placing them in a bowl, and microwaving.  This will depend on the microwave.  The one that I used the spinner is rotating.  I microwaved for 30 seconds.  You should only need 15.  Microwave the blueberries until they are hot and bubbly.  (I could eat the blueberries by themselves, lasted just like a warm pie!)  Place the blueberries on top of avocado.

    Time for the finishing touches, use some honey and drizzle it over the salad then sprinkle with cinnamon.

   I had a glass of hot lemon water (half of a squeezed lemon and boiled water) and this salad for breakfast.  At first I thought that it wasn't enough, until I finish my water, but it was just enough to hold me to the mid-morning snack!  I didn't really start to like avocado until I gave it after try until this summer, and now I believe I could it eat here or there, in a house or with a mouse, in a box or with a fox!  If you are wondering why that sounds familiar, yes I did just use Green Eggs and Ham from Dr. Seuss.  I am going to be a teacher you know.  ;)

Balancing Act

Finding time to get everything done that I want to do in one day is tough.  I want to work on cooking/eating healthy, exercising (or at least a plan for when school starts), keeping up with my homework, working more with makeup/hair, and DIY activities.  There are just not enough hours in the day!  I think I need to start setting myself on a schedule for when school starts.

At the same time, I want to be able to be spontaneous, and be able to take time to enjoy the pretty trees.  Granted I took this picture a while back, but I have always loved fall!

How am I supposed to balance all of this?

About Me!

Hi!  My name is Dacia Sachtjen, and I am from Bloomington, Indiana!  Go HOOSIERS!  I am a student at IU for elementary education, and I hold 2 jobs, while I have been in the Army National Guard.  I have mainly grown up with all boys in my family, and have spent the last 5 years in the army.  I have 2 months until my six year contract is up.  Being girly never came easy with the hair, makeup, clothes, jewelry, and cooking.  I am now starting to find my inner girl.

                                                                                                           

Five years ago I was burning cookies, and now my boyfriend Jerome has called me Betty Crocker.  Its easier to find time to cook, because I need to eat, but for makeup I wake up so early for work, and school I almost don't want to mess with it.

I used to dye my hair constantly but have stopped to allow my hair to become healthy again, and cut off a total of 16 inches!  This is making it easiest to get ready in the morning, and hopefully will allow me a chance to better learn how to do my hair.

I really want to learn more about how to do my makeup and hair, and start doing it more often.
I want to begin dressing up more, and get out of my jeans and a T-shirt mode.
I want to learn how to pair different outfits and jewelry.
Even for being in the Army, I didn't work out as much as I should, my goal is to find workout that I ENJOY, and start doing them on a regular basis.
I want to begin cooking more types of foods, and gather recipes.
I want to start making crafts, and homemade items.