Happy Friday friends! I wanted to start a new series on the blog calling, Loving It, Leaving It. It originated from a conversation I had with a friend this week – she asked if something was #BianaApproved. Made me laugh, but also gave me this idea – so here’s a few things that I’m loving & a few things I will be leaving – i.e. not repurchasing!
Loving It
Loving It
The Better Brella || I think I first saw this on Shark Tank or maybe it was even an infomercial, but I was sold on getting one when a coworker of mine came in and started raving about it. I ordered mine the next day and wouldn’t you know have gotten a ton of use out of it because it’s been raining non-stop here. What’s cool about this umbrella is that it’s a reverse close, so you have an easier time closing it when getting into cars or entering a building. It has a dual canopy which means it’s pretty much wind proof – I have walked through a wind tunnel with this umbrella and it didn’t budge. After Gary used it once he wanted one for himself – I’m not sharing this one!
World of Dance || I’m such a huge fan of Jennifer Lopez and couldn’t wait for the premier of World of Dance. What I really love about the show is that all the dancers have already been screened so you know they are going to be amazing. The level of talent is insane – each group / person is so talented and I actually found myself rewinding some of the performances because I wanted to watch them again. I don’t think I’ve ever been moved to tears watching someone dance, but I’ve definitely gotten chills a few times. It’s on pretty late (10:00 PM) so I usually DVR it on Tuesday’s then catch up sometime during the week!
J.Crew Earrings || I think we all know why I don’t wear heavy earrings anymore, so when I spotted these fun circle earrings and felt that they weren’t heavy at all, I scooped them up. They come in a marble & aqua color as well!
Foam Roller || G has been going to the chiropractor for a few months now and she suggested that he get a foam roller. Well I feel like I’m reaping the benefits on this one because this foam roller is amazing after a long day & feeling like I’m getting a deep tissue massage without actually having to go to a masseuse!
House of Cards Season 5|| For anyone that has never seen an episode of House of Cards, I’m so envious because that means you have so many episodes to catch up on. We finished the latest season this week & oh my gosh was it good! I felt like it was so relevant to the world we live in now and how politics is “played” in D.C. Of course now we have to wait a full year (plus a few months I’m sure) for the next season, but after this one ended, I’m sure it’s going to be really good!
Leaving It
Leaving It
Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads || I really wanted to like these eye makeup remover pads, but I felt as if I had to use 5 or 6 before my mascara would even budge and it wasn’t even waterproof. They claim to be gentle and I think that’s where the problem was, they were too gentle and I ended up having to rub my eye so hard to get anything to come off. Even then I wound up washing my face a with a cleanser because it just did nothing for me. It’s possible I got a drier bunch than normal, but this was a total fail for me!
Dip Powder Gel || I talked about getting my first ever dip gel manicure – which is a powder based gel that is supposed to be better for your nails and last longer than regular gel – sometimes by an extra week…welp unfortunately it just didn’t work for me. I had really high hopes because I loved the application process and how my nails looked after getting them done. About a week after my appointment I noticed that it started chipping like an acrylic set would which was no bueno for the amount of money I paid. Thankfully my nail salon was very apologetic and did not charge me for the gel manicure that I received after the dip gel didn’t work out for me. I’m still somewhat hopeful that it was just a fluke, so I might try it again after they have perfected their process.
What are some things that you’ve been loving? Anything you wouldn’t try / purchase again?
I am loving World of Dance, too! It really is amazing the level of talent. What a bummer about the dip manicure. I actually wanted to try it after hearing about how long it lasts (and I am not a manicure person). Might have to wait a bit longer before doing so!
I need that umbrella!! And I must try that foam roller. I caught a few minutes of World of Dance the other night and I was totally impressed! Happy Weekend!
What a fun new series B! So that's us, Mr. Nine and I will be watching all of HOC, it's on our list to binge this summer. Eek! That umbrella looks awesome. I hope your weekend is incredible and sweet…like you!
I haven't watched World of Dance yet but everyone's been raving about it. I know it's something that I would love so I need to get to it. I'm jealous you are done with HoC too! It's such a good show. I can't think of anything I'm leaving right now, but I like the new series! Have a great weekend girl!
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
I need a foam roller so badly and I'm so interested to hear about that dip manicure everyone raves about it but I was wondering about the longevity of it. I hope you have an amazing weekend!
An awesome idea! Now you have me wanting to try house of cards! And just this week a friend told me about j crew earrings!
We just finished "House of Cards" Season 5 last night and it was so good! We both thought it was pretty equatable to Season 1. Now to wait a year (or more) for Season 6!
Shark tank has some seriously good finds! I will have to tell chris about the umbrella because he had to walk several blocks to work and Alabama summers are so random rainy! I'm not a fan of most eye makeup removers I try. They all leave something to be desired, but they're necessary!!! I like lancome the best but don't like to shell out the money for it so I only ever get it when it's a free sample lol.
I actually love this jojoba oil from Trader Joe's to remove my makeup, it works so good!!
Such a bummer that your dip gel chipped so quick! I wanted to try it because I thought it might last longer than normal gel! We just finished Season 1 of House of Cards so we have SO many to go still and I'm absolutely OBSESSED! I don't know how I didn't tune into this show sooner!!
Rosy Outlook
Love the idea of this new series! Thanks for sharing what get that seal of Biana approval and what you are kicking to the curb! 😉 Have a fabulous weekend ahead, B! xo – Brenda // ChattingOverChocolate.com
This is a great idea for a series! That umbrella sounds life changing and like I need one immediately! Such a bummer about the dip manicure. Hopefully that was just a fluke!
What a fun series! I need that umbrella! We are almost finished with season 4 of House of Cards and I can't wait for 5! It's a bummer your dip gel didn't last. Have a great weekend!
Jill
Doused In Pink
I need to watch World of Dance! I love Jennifer Lopez so I need to catch this show next time it's on. And yes to a foam roller! They are the best!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
Whoa, whoa, whoa, you just got a foam roller?!!?!?! girrrrl you been missing out. Prepared to feel SO MUCH BETTER ALL THE TIME. I roll out once a day, not even 10 minutes and it is amazing.
Love this new series! That umbrella sounds so cool and it's been raining so much down here too!
ah i love this series! i need that umbrella, because florida obviously. i heard about it a long time ago and glad to see i can go snag one (i think it was just a concept phase or kickstarter or something). ANYWAY. i love the earrings too – no heavy earrings for me. which reminds me i should clean out the ol jewelry box ha. happy weekend girl!
xoxo cheshire kat
What a great idea, I love this new series! I am so with you about those eye makeup remover pads, I too thought they were terrible. I'm hooked on AGT! I cannot stop watching it but I do want to watch World of Dance, it looks so good. Have a wonderful weekend.
I've never heard of Better Brella, but I'll definitely be looking into it and will tell my mom who commutes into NYC for work everyday, it sounds awesome and so convenient! I've never watched World of Dance before, though I've known J.Lo is a host, I'm a granny and usually head to bed around 10pm, but I'll have to DVR it like you do to at least check it out, you've got me interested! My mom got something similar done to her nails for my baby shower, I don't recall if it was the gel, but she paid an insane amount of money and it didn't hold up well either, so she got a partial refund. She too had high hopes, but you live and you learn. Thanks for sharing, beauty, and I look forward to this series moving forward! Have a great weekend!
XO,
Jalisa
thestylecontour.com
Love this ideas for a post! I LOVE our foam roller, my chiro told me to get one and it's helped me so much!
This new series is so fun! We sell the BetterBrella at HSN and it is one of our bestselling products- I think we've sold more than 20,000 in one day!!
That umbrella is genius! Could totally use one down here for our rainy season! Sorry to hear the dip powder gel didn't live up to they hype, but really good to know. Happy Friday sweet friend <3
Green Fashionista
We are those people that have never watched HOC! One of these days we will get to it. I love those J.Crew earrings – bonus that they aren't too heavy!
I LOVEEEEE World of Dance. I want to see more of the dancers though. I feel like we're only getting like 5 people/groups. I WANT MORE!!!!!! … I'm a sucker for anything with J-Lo or Derek Hough in it though.
I love this series and I am with you on the heavy earring train. I have switched over to more studs and I have been loving leather earrings from Nickel and Suede! So lightweight! Jess at Just Jess
Oh my gosh….I have to have that umbrella!! And yes to the foam roller….I went to PT from Dec-March and the foam roller and a roller stick have been my saving grace to keep things in line.
World of Dance is my total addiction! I danced my whole life and its finally a show that shows ALL the good/legit dancers unlike other shows! Foam Rollers saves my life… especially after leg day! Happy Friday love!
Brittany 😉
kingdomofsequins.com
So many of my coworkers having been popping up with those BetterBrellas, I've heard great things! Sorry to hear the dip powder didn't work out, I've been meaning to try that.
Love this new series! It's always nice to hear what didn't work for you!
XoXo,
Tamara – LoveofMode.com
Fun idea for a series!! I didn't like the dip either, but I am thinking I might need to give it one more shot. I didn't have chipping issues. Mine was too thick!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
That umbrella is so smart!! And YES to World of Dance! I've been loving it too! Happy Friday!
Love this series! I'm wanting to check out World of Dance and the foam roller sounds great!
The previews for World of Dance look so good! I used to love So you think you can dance..so I bet I would love this show too 😉
You should definitely give dip another try and go to another salon! Mine lasts 3 weeks! Now I have gone to other salons in the past where it's only lasted a week, but you need the right salon, trust me 🙂
thebeautybeau.com
Love this new series idea! You could make a linkup out of it! 😉 ever since my first pregnancy my dr had recommended a foam roller for my back and hip pain and now I'm just addicted! I use it every day! Love that umbrella and marble earrings!!! Perfection!
Great idea for a new series and to tie your product reviews into a post! I got the dip gel done for the first time before heading to Boston and it lasted until yesterday when I got them redone. No chips or anything in 2 weeks so it's a bummer you had a bad experience. I'm not sure I'll keep doing it because it's quite expensive but I do love how easy the process is.
Have a great weekend pretty lady!
Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis
My dip manicure is a month out and still looking great… except for the one I slammed in the car door today… so I think you need to give it another try! 😉
Nice post, thanks so much for this sharing!
I just started season 5 of House of Cards. I know, so far behind. I can't wait to get into it!!! Good to know about the new gel you tried. I love this series!
I love World of Dance! And i want that umbrella–how did I miss that one? I''m obsessed with Shark Tank!
A reverse close umbrella??? Omg genius! I swear half the time I don't even use an umbrella because I get more wet trying to get in my car with an umbrella than I do if I don't use one! And that's sad to hear about the dip mani, I have been dying to try it!
I LOVE a good foam roller! And House of Cards gives me life! xx, I'm Fixin' To
I've heard such great things about dip powder gel 🙁
alexamjohnson.com
That umbrella is so cool! I've had so many umbrella mishaps, and the reverse close looks like it would make such a huge difference! We're still working through this season of HOC, but it has been so good so far! I'm hit or miss with the Almay remover pads. I think it was Karly who actually told me a trick, that if you turn the entire stack upside down after you open them, you end up with them being super moist on the top, and the dry ones go on the bottom back into the liquid.
The Almay pads have always worked great for me, but I ditched them in favor of the liquid so I could use it with washable cotton! I have, however, gotten some dry ones when I bought them in a travel size.