February Essence Beauty Box...

Hey All! I'm very pleased with this month's Essence Beauty Box. If you follow me on Snapchat (sadesigns) you saw that I did an unboxing yesterday. I got a chance to try out some of the products. Check it out below.

Love the artwork on the box.

This month's theme is Shine Like A Star.

The beauty products. Nice and full box. 

Kiss eyelashes and adhesive. Can't wait to wear these! Cover FX makeup primer with anti-acne treatment. Lipstick by IMAN in Hot. This is a gorgeous orange shade with lots of pigment. If you don't like a bright lip this shade isn't for you. It looks fabulous on my lips.

Every month we get hair products in our box. I definitely do not need to buy hair products. Miss Jessie's Coily Custard with agave and coconut oil. Dark & Lovely Soak it up Oil Cocktail. Smells so good. I tried this as part of my LOC method. Loved the results. 

This was our Bonus gift. Colgate Optic White toothpaste. Claims it will whiten your teeth more than 3 shades in just one week. I only used it once, can't give a good review just yet. I will have to see if it's better than brushing with old fashioned baking soda. 

My favorite product thus far is the lipstick by IMAN in Hot. Great alternative to wearing red lipstick.

Valentine's Day Date Night Outfit...

Hey All! Valentine's Day is upon us. Got any plans? I created my ideal Valentine's Date Night Outfit. Check it out below.

I love the monochromatic tones. Clean lines is the look I'm going for.

Love this fun sweater dress paired with to-die-for Stuart Weitzman over the knee boots. Instead of my go-to clutch, I opted for a black leather crossbody bag by Vince Camuto. I actually have this exact bag in a gorgeous royal blue that I got for a super deal at DSW. I'm going for fuss free jewelry. A classic pair of diamond studs and a statement ring. Minimal makeup, I love a natural face. Swipe on some mascara and a vampy lip, like this Mac lipstick. Bundled up in this cream shawl collared coat because it's freezing in NC!

I'm all set! Where are we going Troy?

Valentine's Day Date Night by sydneyaustindesigns featuring a leather shoulder bag

Winter Favorites...

 Hey All! Below is a list of things that I'm loving this winter.




Downton Abbey English Rose Tea I don't watch the show, but I love this tea. My mom turned me on to this tea. If you are a tea drinker, give this a try morning, afternoon, or evening. Delish.



Walkers Shortbread Rounds These are the perfect compliment to my Downton Abbey tea. My grandmother loved shortbread cookies and these cookies remind me of my nana. So buttery. Forget scones, give me my cookies!

Nurse Jackie on Netflix. I straight binged on Nurse Jackie, all 7 seasons. Seriously, I watched them all in about a week. I never watched it when it was on Showtime. I am so sorry it ended. What should I watch next? House of Cards? Orange is the new Black?


Hobo Lauren Clutch  This wallet is perfect. It keeps all of my stuff together. It has space for my cards, receipts, cell and a tube of lipstick. Seriously, I have gone through so many wallets because I jam so much stuff in it. Then I get frustrated when it doesn't close. Not the case with my Lauren.


Herbivore Botanicals Phoenix Facial Oil I first discovered Herbivore on etsy. Their products get rave reviews. When they had a sale around Christmas, I jumped on it. My skin is super dry. This facial oil is heaven sent! A little goes a long way.

Snapchat Okay so I'm a couple of years late. But it took that long for my kids to finally show me how to use it. It's a great app. I think I have one follower and that's my sorority sister Sharon. Let's snap and chat! Follow me on Snapchat. My id is sadesigns

Sheepskin Softsole Moc Slippers These moccasins are the bomb! Mine came from Target. They were a Christmas gift from my daughter. I don't want to take them off! I get the mail in them, take the dog out, pick my kid up from school.

When I do take off my sheepskin slippers, I put these on Sam Edelman Paige Boot  They are the cutest fringe suede booties. Very comfortable. I'm a big Sam Edelman fan, and these do not disappoint. I mostly wear them with skinny jeans, a tee and a comfy cardigan ( my winter staple).

New Hip Jewels...

Hello All! New and exciting designs are being launched in 2016! I love working with brass. Below are 2 designs that were designed from a sheet of brass. Hand cut, hand drilled, and hammered. Don't you just love gold shiny things! Also pictured are cascading cowrie shell earrings, garnet and citrine necklace, and freshwater pearls and garnet statement earrings.  If interested in purchasing, please click here

Gorgeous pink coral attached to handcut, hammered and filed brass components. 

Pyrite gems attached to handcut, hammered, and filed brass components.

Wire wrapped citrine and garnet pendant on antique brass chain with garnet accent beads.

My personal fave. Cascading cowrie shell earrings with red coral on silver chain.

Peachy freshwater pearls and garnet gemstones with silver chain earrings.