Would you ever guess I wear cheap makeup?

For years.. I've been told MAC is the best makeup to wear on TV. Oh joy, $30 makeup I can't afford because I barely make enough to feed myself on a daily basis.

So, for the first couple of years I was in TV I would head to the MAC counter. Sure, it's great makeup. I've tried other brands and nothing seemed as good.

Recently, I was told that a brand called E.L.F started making HD makeup. Ok, if you know anything at all about ELF you know it's CHEAP! You also know, that isn't always a good thing. Cheap makeup can be some of the worst things a woman can experience.

So, I thought ok why not try this stuff. What will it hurt?

Yes, I know I need a manicure. Don't pay attention :) lol

I started off with the ELF Flawless Finish Foundation. It's SPF 15 (great for sunny days) and Oil Free (great for not breaking out.)

I was very skeptical. But, I was very impressed. It goes on smooth and lasts a shockingly long time. I have pretty neutral skin as far as dryness or oily goes. It makes me a little shiny but for $6 I can't complain. At Target they only have it in 4 shades. I buy mine a little dark so I look like I have some color on tv. However, it doesn't give me that orange-ish color. I give it an A! It's wonderful.

Next, I bought the ELF 3-in-1 Mascara. I really enjoy the MAC mascara and I really liked the ZUZU Luxe one. I hate mascara that bunches. I already have pretty long lashes so I need something that just makes them stand out. Is this my favorite mascara? Probably not. But for $2 or $3 bucks it does its job.

Ha, so recently I've been breaking out. I haven't had a breakout this bad since probably high school. Why? Frankly, I'm just incredibly stressed. I was at Target and found the ELF Zit Zapper. I couldn't help but laugh. It was a $1. So, hey why not I'll give it a try. I've only used it once so I can't give an accurate review. It has salicylic acid in it.. so beware of the burn!!

ELK Makeup Lock and Seal: Ok, I sweat my makeup off almost every day. So, that means I have to reapply 2-3 times a day! What a pain!! So, I saw this and crossed my fingers it would work. You basically put 2-3 drops of this stuff into a little tiny jar. Then, dip your brush into the stuff and then into your eyeshadow. YAY! Not only does this stuff help your eyeshadow last longer but it also brightens the color. Very cool! I only use it for eye shadow.. I tried doing it with my blush... lets just say that didn't go over well.

I've tried 2 different kinds of ELF eyeshadow. The more expensive, baked one is on the left. The cheap one is on the right. I love the baked one. It works well and lasts a while. The one on the right just gets everywhere and that drives me nuts. With the Lock and Seal it works better but it's still not great. It transitions as a typical $1 brand eyeshadow to me. I'd probably stick with MAC or another expensive brand for eyeshadows.




I also have something called ELF HD Powder. Really good for us TV people. It's $6 and works just as well as MAC or any other brand. It just makes you look flawless.

All in all, it's trial and error. But, for a couple of bucks you can afford to do all this! 

Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Planning

Ok.. if you know me, you know I'm stressed to the max lately.

Our wedding venue canceled a few days after we lost Basil. Talk about stress on top of stress. So, after we found Basil the search began for another place to say I do.

I'm particular. I don't want to a reception in a big fancy ballroom. I don't want to get married on the beach. Let me tell you, when you choose to get married in Florida... your chances from there are limited.

We thought we found the perfect place. But, it fell through. So, we ventured to find something better. Not an easy task. I wanted to cry. We already booked our wedding planner and photographer. We were about a month away from scheduling a caterer.

So, we're a little over a year away from the wedding date. I didn't think we would have a problem finding a new place for our date. Ha, I was wrong. What is wrong with Florida brides? Do you plan a wedding before you're even engaged or are their really THAT many brides?

So, after  a week of searching and then days of my wonderful parents taking their days off and searching.. we landed on something else (on a different date.)

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to get my $$ deposit back.

So far on my search here's my list:

Do:
- Ask vendors a lot of questions
- Go with a legitimate venue. Our original venue was a guy who bought a mansion and decided to turn it into wedding venue. DON'T DO THIS. Chances are what happened to us, won't happen to you but I wouldn't want to risk it.
- Book Early
- Make decisions smart.. is it too good to be true?
- Have a back up plan

Don't
- Trust everyone's word
- Trust google reviews.. Go to the site, visit people in person, go with your gut.
- Put down a large deposit


Meanwhile.. I'll be pulling out my hair somewhere in Huntsville, Alabama.

Our Family is Back Together

Many of you are asking.. so here it goes. The story of Basil.. 

On August 3rd, 2013-- Basil and my fiance went for a hike at the Walls of Jericho in Hytop, Alabama. At some point on the hike Basil became scared and took off. She wasn't found until 8/10/13.. 7 days later.

We went back to the Walls many times over those 7 days.. to no avail. Basil just wasn't having it. She was having too much fun in those woods.



Many times over the past week, we've received phone calls and tips about our little pup. From Birmingham to Huntsville.. we about heard it all.

On 8/7 Basil was spotted at the entrance of the Walls but took off when someone called her name. Same thing seemed to happen day after day. On Friday, I left my shirt and her KONG up there.. I figured she may like that or recognize the smell of my shirt.



Thank goodness! On Saturday, Vince and I woke up at 5:30am to head to the Walls. As we were driving up Highway 79, I passed the horse entrance to the trails. Vince kept asking me why I didn't stop but I kept driving. We pulled into the hiking entrance.. and there she was. My beautiful, little pup just sitting there on her bed (that someone nicely left for her) with my shirt and her KONG. I started crying my eyes out. It was my first time seeing her in 7 days!!!!


Of course, I get out of the car (which I parked in the middle of entrance as soon I saw her, btw) and kneel down and she trots away. Silly pup. So, we start our search. We saw her. We have hope. So Vince heads one way and I head the other. All of a sudden, I hear Vince calling my name. I run over there. He said Basil ran from him. So, we walked about 1/4 of a mile on the trail and ran into her again. I knelt down.. and she kept looking like she wasn't sure what to do.

So.. I started throwing bits of food at her and finally she decide to come and see us. It was the most amazing moment. 



I can't thank those that took time to help look for her enough. It really is truly amazing to know such animal lovers and lovely people exist. We honestly cna't thank you guys enough. It's truly a blessing we got our dog back. But, all of you really helped us keep our faith.  We never expected to meet such wonderful people on this journey. It's simply amazing and I can't emphasize that enough.

Basil is doing wonderful. We went straight to the vet. No fleas, no ticks. Just a bacterial infection on her tummy. But, she'll be GREAT!!!!!!



THANK YOU!!!

Is TV News What it Used to Be?

So, as Vincent and I were sitting in a local coffee shop this morning I overheard a woman's conversation about Good Morning America. She started to rant about the Royal Baby and how that isn't news. Then, she started to rant about a new segment they have called "What's Trending?"

Ring a bell? Hundreds, if not thousands, of you have the same feelings on a daily basis. It appears that TV News cares more about the Royal Baby than pressing issues in your community or our Country for that matter. Wait, is that true?

Here's the thing: Majority of reporters don't want to be reporting on the Royal Baby either. And I'm a reporter that loves happy news! But, the fact of the matter is.. it generates clicks and shares on the web and social media sites. That's why it's in your face.

(Yes, I consider myself a social media nerd. So, chances are I would love a segment on What's Trending. Wait.. I've been there. It was probably my favorite segment I've ever done. I felt in my element. But, I do realize this doesn't appeal to everyone.)

How many times was that story about city council retweeted? None. How many times did that story about the Flying Squirrel get shared? 2,000. Oh ok.. there's your answer folks.

Time and time again I hear my colleagues talk about how much TV News has changed. I hear my close friends in the business ask themselves all the time if this is the career they really want for the rest of their lives.

For the most part, I consider myself and these friends "news hounds." We love to dig up stories, we love to report on the problems in your city, county. First on the scene? Yep, we live for that. We live for Breaking News. We want every detail and we want it now.

We analyze every newscast in our area. We watch National news to see how we can improve. But, in the end local news just isn't the same and it's not on the national level either.

If you're like me, you had college professors that are considered "old school." You were virtually trained to report and anchor in a certain way. You know what news is. You live for that adrenaline rush every day. You never start a story off in past tense and you NEVER use the world allegedly. (Thank Goodness for these Professors. I wouldn't be as prepared for this TV world if it wasn't for them)

It's a different world and we knew what we were getting into. But, is it just me or do you as a reporter still question if you love what you do? Is it the hours? The job? The dedication? Why is there doubt among so many young professional reporters?

Are we just the generation of wanting something more? Wanting to move above and beyond every second of every day??

So many questions.. not enough answers. But, that's just the story of my life and my career. No one can ever answer enough questions.

Pinterest Overload

Man-- wedding planning is a rollercoaster of emotions. One minute it's so exciting, the next I want to shoot something.

As most of you know, I'm a little obsessed with Pinterest. Ok.. well, maybe I'm a lot obsessed. Either way, it's been a great resource for wedding planning.

I've been thinking a lot about wedding favors lately. Most of them seem so lame. I'm trying to think of something reasonably priced for 100 people but that's useful as well.

Here's a few ideas I've seen that I liked:

Homemade candles with a Thank You note?

 

Succulents? Really popular right now. But, how useful?

We're having a "love bird" theme, I think. Bird seed in a cute shape?

What favor would you like best?
Want to see more of my wedding ideas? Head to my Pinterest page: Click Here!

Goodbye Lecavalier... Just not for long, k?

For those of you who know me, you know today is a hard day. 

I've been a fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning since the mid 90s. What was I 8?? I remember the good times and the bad. When I was about 10 or 11 there was a handsome 18 year old French Canadian that arrived in Tampa Bay. His name was Vincent Lecavalier. Boy... Was he cute. Forget the Backstreet Boys and Hanson. Move over Jonathan Taylor Thomas. This kid is cute and he plays hockey. Ok, so I may or may not have been quite that dramatic. 

As I grew up.. So did Vinny. I've met him a dozen times or so. He always managed to remember my name. Or at least that's the way I remember it. He was just as cute in person. I think I came up to his hip. Lol! He was so tall, handsome and sweet. 

And yes, I do know he played some good hockey. He was awesome. Pass after pass and goal after goal. He just brought this young life to the Bolts. And we all remember when Vinny fought Jerome Iginla and when the Bolts won the Cup. It was a magical moment for Lightning fans. Many thought that day would never come. 

Vinny meant a lot to me, still does. I wear his signed jersey proudly and always will. Vinny was a class act. The things he did for Tampa Bay will never be forgotten. Check out this article : http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/lecavalier-touches-tampa-bay-in-lasting-way/212894

You don't find athletes like Vinny in every sport or every team. He's a good person. Tampa will never forget that. 

We all know he doesn't want to leave Tampa. He never did and that's why he's in the situation he's in. It's quite sad. I wish him nothing but the best. But, I do selfishly want him to stay. I can't picture him in another teams sweater. Can anyone?

I really thought he would retire in Tampa. I really did. #4 deserves to be hung up in the rafters and retired. No one can fill those shoes. 

Being a sports lover is hard. Believing in your team isn't always easy. Today-- it's like I'm losing a best friend. Does that sound weird?? Ok, I just re-read it and it does LOL!

But, thanks VL4. Thanks for giving your heart to us. Please keep helping those kids with cancer. They need you. 

Love-- your #1 fan! (Cliche I know :))

Why Hello, New Orleans

Recently, Vincent and I went on a trip to New Orleans, LA. Neither one of us had ever been and we weren't really sure what to expect. All we ever really heard about was the craziness that is Bourbon St.

We arrived into town on a Wednesday. We stayed at the Marriott on Canal St. Amazing hotel! It was in perfect walking distance of everything. My cousin sent us a list of every restaurant we had to try so we set out for our first excursion.

Our first restaurant was Port O' Call. We hear the burgers and baked potatoes were amazing. As we set out, we took in our surroundings. Restaurants and bars everywhere. For a Wednesday, the city was pretty busy. We ended up in a courtyard with some live music. That's our kind of party. We ended up in a neighborhood-like area after that. It was quaint and cute. I kept wondering what the inside of the homes looked like. So, we finally ended up at Port O' Call. Cute little place. You enter and it's very dark. A big pet peeve of mine. I like to see my food when I eat. Anyways, we were seated next to a window. YAY. I felt like I kept trying to kill flies my entire time there though. Big negative. We both ordered burgers and baked potatoes. YUMM!! Delicious. The burger and potato was HUGE! A little on the more expensive side but worth it!

Next, we headed for a famous Hurricane at Pat O'Briens. We are lovers for some live music and were kind of disappointed they didn't have any. But, it was a great time to hang out and talk. Believe what they say, these suckers are dangerous! 

We spent the rest of the evening just walking around town and seeing what's out there. 

The next day we went exploring! 

Found this beautiful church! I was in love with the building. It has a garden area right in front of it. The inside is amazing. Painted ceilings and stained glass! LOVE!

We also found some live music to enjoy! I loved this band! They were absolutely awesome. I love sitting out and enjoying some good music!

Later, we went on a ghost tour. Cost was about $20 per person and lasted about 2 hours. It was pretty good! Didn't see any ghosts but learned a lot!

The amount of entertainment in this city is amazing! I loved this guy! He was tons of fun and really good!

Ahhh yes!!! The ever-so famous beignets from Cafe Beignet. Marvelous! The place was packed but service was quick. Mind you.. all they seem to serve are beignets and coffee. The live music outside was a great addition! This place is just a must-do! 

We also visited a plantation called the Houmas House. By far, one of the best tour of a plantation I've ever been to. The tour guide was dressed in character and really seemed passionate about her job. The owner of this home actually still lives there! COOL! It's obvious he put his heart into really keep this house in tip-top shape and it's character. 

During another tour, we went to the areas that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. My heart broke. The amount of people that are still struggling to rebuild. I mean, it's awful. My heart really goes out to these people. But, it's also a reminder that we must never forget how powerful Mother Nature actually is.