Life Update

Hello all! So here's my promised life update for anyone who cares to read. =) I made a video on my YouTube channel here. 

So here's the basics: 

I was diagnosed in March 2014 with Graves Disease. Basically, it's an auto-immune disease in which my thyroid is overactive-hyperthyroidism. Some of the symptoms of Graves disease are rapid heart rates, swelling of the thyroid gland, sweating and excessive weight loss. I have been very fortunate to experience almost no symptoms. In fact, the only reason I found out I have Grave's is because I went into the Dr. complaining about my esophagus. The Dr told me that I have a hiatal hernia. **I know you are getting jealous now!** 

If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably saw this.

So....the Dr prescribed methimazole, which I had severely bad reactions too. It made me break out in hives and it was miserable. So then they put me on a PTU. I have to take it 3 times a day and I won't lie....I'm not good at getting it three times a day. But so far, I haven't broken out into hives---so yay!

In my video, I also spoke of having an opportunity to teach in public schools in Nashville. I moved back to Nashville, from Virginia, at the end of May. I began a program called The New Teacher Program. They have program sites in many states. Virginia didn't have one and Nashville does. My husband and I had been thinking of moving back for several years and this just seemed like the perfect opportunity! I applied for the program in October 2013 and was officially accepted in December 2013! I had to take two Praxis tests: Elementary Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages. 

I completed a really intensive 5 weeks program---we started with about 160 fellows and less than half completed it with the ability to continue into TNTP academy this upcoming school year as well as teach full time. It's been really tough and a lot of sacrifices have been made, but I got through it and am excited to announce that I will be teaching Kindergarten this fall working mostly with English Language Learners in Nashville!! If anyone is thinking about applying for Teaching Fellows in Nashville or any other city it's in, please feel free to email me and ask as many questions as you like. =) It's been a great experience and I'm happy to help anyone else through it.  I just finished another additional 2 week training called Gear Up and I'm preparing to begin teaching soon! In TN, the kids go back to school on August 6th! 

 I am going to try to start blogging more frequently---I have really missed it! I told myself when I started my YouTube channel that I wouldn't give up blogging---but we all know how that went! I don't often have time to film videos either....and I think it will be easier to keep up blogging. I've got a lot of reviews planned so be on the look out for those! Thank you for your support! It is much appreciated!

Stay NV'ious! ';)

UPDATE & FREE BEAUTY EVENTS ALERT!

Hi beauties! I have be mia like no body's business!  I have been preparing to move and it has been hectic to say the least!! But I just can't resist letting you know about the monthly Free Beauty Events alert! I just paused a  minute to let you guys know, so I'll be quick!!

"In June, Rite Aid be havingtheir Sublime Sun Event in select stores across the country. Demonstrators willbe giving away a free L’Oreal Colour Riche Balm with each purchase of 2 SublimeSun products and all customers can sign up for a raffle drawing for a cosmeticbag filled with products. Another exciting event is the CVS P&G Best inBeauty Event, where there will be demonstrations and free makeovers on Olay,Herbal Essences, Pantene, Secret, Venus, Clairol, and CoverGirl!  Theywill also be giving out great coupons and gift with purchase bags. Informationlike this is available on our website where spas and retailers can promotetheir events. Anyone who would like our site visitors to know about theirbeauty event can make a posting for free on our site at http://www.freebeautyevents.com/submit.

On our site you can enter your zipcode to find out what makeover, gift with purchase, spa open houses andsampling events are happening near your home. Readers can also follow us on Facebook, Google+,Pinterest, and Twitter.   In addition to listing in-storemakeovers, Freebeautyevents.com also features a blog on product reviews(http://www.freebeautyevents.com/beauty-blog)and a monthly contest http://www.freebeautyevents.com/contest. We also do a contest each week with a smaller prize on our blog.

Here’sthe info for our latest contest of the month. For the month of June 2012, wewill be giving away 10 prizes. Each prize will consist of  Shea MoistureOrganic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Hair Masque, Organic Coconut &Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist, and Coconut & Hibiscus CurlingSouffle Gel. The Contest runs from 6/1/2012 to 6/30/2012, winners will bechosen on 7/5/2012 and notified by 7/15/2012.To enter, all people have to do isgo to http://www.freebeautyevents.com/contestand supply their name, email (only used to contact winners), and zip."

FREE BEAUTY EVENTS & UPDATE

You all know I love this site and am always excited to tell you about their giveaways! Check out what's going on this month and an update from me below!

"This month on the 4th, a Rite Aid in York, PA is having their 360 Wellness Grand Opening Event where demonstrators will be performing free polish changes with Revlon’s new Scented Nail Enamel and Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Polish. The Ulta Mustela Event this month and September will give customers a chance to try out Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion, Ultimate Hydration, and Facial Cleansing Cloths. This information is available for FREE on our website where spas and retailers can promote their events. Anyone who would like our site visitors to know about their beauty event can make a posting for free on our site at http://www.freebeautyevents.com/submit.



On our site you can enter your zip code to find out what makeover, gift with purchase, spa open houses and sampling events are happening near your home. Readers can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. In addition to listing in-store makeovers, Freebeautyevents.com also features a blog on product reviews (http://www.freebeautyevents.com/beauty-blog) and a monthly contest http://www.freebeautyevents.com/contest. We also do a contest each week with a smaller prize on our blog.
For the month of August 2011, we will be giving away 10 prizes. Each prize will consist of Got2b Guardian Angel Finish Flat Iron Balm, Creme of Nature Argan Oil Replenishing Sheen Spray, and Creme of Nature Argan Oil Gloss & Shine Mist. The Contest runs from 8/1/2011 to 8/31/2011, winners will be chosen on 9/5/2011 and notified by 9/15/2011."
 
Ok, so an update from me! I have NO Internet at home right now because Comcast is horrible! But hopefully that will be fixed this weekend and I can blog/youtube normally. I do have two amazing giveaways going on right now on y youtube channel, so please check those out!
 
The Kohana Skin giveaway ends August 15th!
 
The Sedona Lace Vortex Professional Brush Set & Makeup Artist Belt ends September 1st!
 
If you are interested in these giveaways, please do not enter below! You must go to my youtube channel to enter! Please follow the rules and good luck!!
 
 
 
FTC Disclosure: I am not affiliated with and of the companies mentioned. They are just really awesome and I enjoy their products enough to talk about them!

UPDATE

My charger isn't charging my netbook anymore! I have to fire up the old laptop! More posts soon!! I hope everyone is having an awesome new year so far! Please check out my new youtube channel in the meantime! More videos to come also!

UPDATE & TAG!

Hey my NV'ious beauties! Sorry for the lack of posts lately! I've been busy with the holidays and making some videos for my new youtube channel! If you haven't check it out and sub'd yet, please do! I'm really excited about it and it's been a lot of fun so far.  I see it as a way to interact with you more. Please leave comments or even better--a video response to any of the videos I've made. I'd be happy to do an requests (well, most....you know what I mean! *wink*) I saw this tag on some one's blog and even though I wasn't tagged, I wanted to do it anyway! I hope you enjoy reading my answers! I'm tagging everyone, so please do it if you are interested and leave the link below so I can read your answers!!

What's your favourite make up look?

Currently, I'm loving my 88 metal palette from Sedona Lace. I thought I'd be hooked on my NAKED palette once I got it, but I'm still reaching for this everyday! I love all the beautiful colors and the pigmentation!! I have been wearing a bit more blush than usual and I always keep the lips a pink/peachy nude. My favorite gloss (and it has been for a while) is Magaly by LuMesh! Amazing stuff!

Do you have a beauty vice?

I have entirely waaaay too much eyeshadow! It's insane how many palettes/single shadows/quads/trio I have. I also have tons of makeup brushes!! And I can't help myself! I think I need rehab!

What part of your body do you love?

Eyes, for sure! I've been complimented on them my whole life. =D

Who is your beauty icon?

I don't actually have a beauty icon. =/ There are too many beautiful people in this world to pick just one!

What beauty product makes you feel instantly sexy?

Mascara, and lots of it! The blacker the better!!

How do you look after your skin?

At least twice a day! I use my Clarisonic in the morning and also in the evening before bed. I wear SPF everyday and always moisturizer! It's so important to take care of your skin!

What is your signature scent?

It depends on the season. Because I sell AVON, I have tons of their perfumes. I love In Bloom, Chic in White, and Bond Girl 007. I also LOVE mark's Sophistique! It's amazing and perfect for winter. Also for winter, I love Bath & Body Works Twilight Woods---Ah-mazing!!

What are your hair care secrets?

I almost never use a hair dryer on my hair. I use whatever shampoo & conditioner is on sale (but no cheap junk like Suave or Prell!!) and I mix in some pure Argon oil in my conditioner and let that soak on my hair for about 5-10 minutes. I used a wide tooth comb primarily. I also put on Oscar Blondie glossing cream (which protects from heat, smooths flyaways, makes your hair shiny, and always keeps frizzys away!) whenever I heat style my hair--which isn't that often.

How do you pamper yourself?

I am usually busy with my ladies and don't have much time to pamper myself--but when I do get a chance, I'll give myself a pedicure with the foot spa I have! My husband also bought one of those back massagers that you put on the sofa and it has heat! It's awesome! Those two combined together are great! I might just have to do that again tonight!!!

What is your beauty pet peeve?

I don't like when people over-tweeze their brows and draw them back on! I understand that you can get carried away and have no other choice until they grow out, but I know people IRL that have had their brows this way for YEARS!!! I also can't stand to see someone with foundation on that it too light or dark.

What would your desert island must haves be?

Some good books, sunscreen, and lots of cold water!

Finally, do you have a beauty philosophy?

Being confident in your own skin is the most beautiful thing in the world!

Stay NV'ious!!!

GRAFOBIAN PACKAGE

I could hardly believe my eyes! I opened up my package from Graftobian today and couldn't believe all the goodies they sent me to review! I though they'd send me an item or two, well....check it out!

They sent me two lippies, two powder foundations, two glamour creme palettes, and two lipcolor palettes! Feels like Christmas! Now...on to actually trying them out for a few weeks to provide you all with an honest review! Hope everyone had a wonderful week! I finally joined Twiter today, so follow me and I'll follow you! I'd love another outlet to talk to you all!

Give-a-way coming soon!

NEW LOOK FOR NV BEAUTY

I just finished making this new banner for my blog! What do think? I may fiddle with it in the future, but for now I really like it! You'll also notice that there are some ads on my page now, i.e. Sigma Makeup, Gift Girls, AVON, and soon to come will be OpenSky.

I wanted to talk about these with you all and get your opinions. Do you already have strong opinions about bloggers trying to earn a little money off their blog? Do you have a problem with it? Do you think to yourself "More power to you?" I really want to know what you all think. I am only interested in recommending products to you all that I reallly like. If I can earn a little in the meantime, that's great! It will help me afford to do better reviews and give-a-ways!!! I know I have purchased SO many things based on other bloggers reviews. I personally wouldn't mind them make a small commission off of that.

So let me know what you think, because this isn't just "my" blog. You are a HUGE part of NV Beauty and I want your voice heard! I listen to my beauties and I never want to let you down!

UPDATE

Hello my beauties! Sorry I have been MIA lately! My hubby is finally home from Brazil--just got back on the 22nd! So with a little relief he'll provide for me with the girls, I'll be able to blog more often!! I've got so many things I want to talk to you all about! I've got a 12 hour day at work today, but tomorrow I'm going to get something up for you! Thanks for sticking with me! And to my new followers recently...thanks for finding me and please keep coming back!

I'm still taking entries for my AVON give-a-way! It will be ending soon! So hurry and enter!

UPDATE!

Hello all! I've been busy working, of course! I've not had much time to blog, but I promise I've got some good reviews coming your way! I'm also really looking forward to what you all come up with for my "Sedona Lace your Face" contest!! Don't forget that you can enter as many times as you want, as long as the looks are different...completely!

I've just been trying to catch up on reading everyone else's blogs and making comments! I've found some new blogs (well, new to me!) and I'll have to update my blog roll for sure!! Any blogs you all have been loving?

 Stay NV'ious!

UPDATE

Hello ladies! Quick post right now. I just heard back from Sephora regarding my terrible shopping experience at their new store in my town. They apologized for his rudness and assured me he would be spoken to. Also, they are sending me a $50 gift card. So all and all, didn't come out too bad. I'm glad most of all that he will be put on notice that he can't talk to customers that way. It might be "high end" but it's still customer service!!

Also, I'm going to be having another contest very soon! I'll announce it in a few weeks---but it's going to have an amazing prize and you all will be so excited!!!

Update!

Hello lovelies! Hope you all are doing well. It is very late, but I wanted to pop in and let you guys know that I am enjoying the new job so far! Everyone is really nice and I think I will do very well there. FYI, I am a design consultant with a furniture store. I've been a kitchen and bath designer for the last 4 years, but the market just isn't hot for that right now! So I am off exploring a new avenue and hoping to build a nice career there!

I just saw on Facebook, search Nicole Valadares if you want to be my friend (not makeup related at all, just for friends!), and saw this:

"Sigma Makeup Official Fan Page Sigma Fans! Got a beauty blog from your country that you absolutely LOVE?! Send your nomination to kathryn@sigmamakeup.com so that Kathryn can evaluate it for the International Ambassador Program! Thank you!"

So email Kathryn and tell her all about my lovely blog and any others you adore!

**I left my camera at my mother-in- laws tonight, so I'll have to use some internet pic's until I get it back! I've got some reviews coming, so please come back and check them out!**

UPDATE!

Hello my NV'ious beauties! Sorry I have been MIA lately! I've been getting ready to start my new job, which I did today! I'm home very quickly for lunch but wanted to drop in for a minute. I've got all the goodies for my contest winners all packaged up and I just need to get by the post office for stamps to send them out. Sorry it's taking me a while to get them to you. I have been able to read a few of your posts, but will catch up for sure when I get some time off next week!

Until then, Stay NV'ious!

UPDATE

Hello lovies! I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on with me and why things might be a little quiet around NV Beauty for a little while. As some of you may know, my family and I are planning on moving to Brazil someday. Well, it looks like that someday is turning into this summer/fall!!!  When I know exactly, I will let you know.

We are very excited, but are going to be very busy getting paperwork together and packing & such! I will probably start another blog on my life in Brazil and will let you guys know when/if I do in case you'd be interested. I want to keep this blog about beauty mostly.

So...just to fill you in. I recieved some foundation from lollipop26 and also some from FACE Atelier!! I'm really excited about these and can't wait to review them for you. I also picked up some items from my local Walgreens that I'm loving!! Will get to swatches and reviews just as soon as I can!

Don't forget to check back to find out the winner of my NARS Give-a-way!!

Stay NVious! ;)