Smile :)

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you.

Smiling at someone can instantly transform some one's day.

And it is like yawning...super contagious! ;)

Keeping my smile looking its best is important to me!

I typically use one of the basic toothbrushes from the store, or whatever one my dentist gives me at my cleaning.

I never felt that my teeth didn't feel clean, but those electric toothbrushes that you see posters of in the dentist's office sure look intriguing.

You know what doesn't?

The price tag!

So I continued to use my basic toothbrush to get the job done.

Rewind to a couple of weeks ago, and I was approached by SmileBr!lliant to try out their new cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush.

I didn't hesitate to say YES!

My package arrived a few days later and I started using it that evening!

(You can see my unboxing in the highlights on my Instagram page)

In my kit was the toothbrush base, two brush heads, and the charging station.

Mine came fully charged, and I still haven't had to charge it since I received it!

First thoughts...it has a nice smooth finish, yet easy to hold.

The base has an On/Off button, as well as a button to scroll to the five different brush modes.

I normally brush my teeth pretty vigorously with a standard toothbrush, so after testing out all of the modes my favorite is the Whitening option.

At first I bumped the button and changed the modes while brushing my teeth :(
But it only took a few times of holding the brush to be comfortable with it, and now I have no issues.

My favorite part of the brush is the built in timer.

I normally brush my teeth for a good amount of time, but not sure I focus on each area the way I do with the cariPRO.

The built in timer allows you to clean 1 section (quarter of your mouth) for 30 seconds before moving onto the next.

It definitely takes the guess work out of it for you!

So what have I noticed after using the cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush for the past couple of weeks?

My teeth feel clean!

I mean, really clean!

Not that they felt super gross before, but they feel smooth and I don't feel any build up.

Another thing I noticed was my mouth feels good.

That sounds weird right?

Because I brush so hard with my regular toothbrush, my mouth sometimes feels like it has been attacked. lol!

But with the cariPRO I let the brush do the work.

And I am extremely impressed with the outcome!

The best part about the cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush is that the price tag is so reasonable, and the quality is outstanding!

So now it is your turn!

I want to know what type of toothbrush you use.

Have you ever tried an electric toothbrush?

If so, what brand and how did you feel about it?

Does the price tag of electric toothbrushes keep you from giving it a try?

I would like to put an end to your price tag fears and tell you to give a try!

I think you will love it just like me!

I already plan on getting one for Mic for Christmas!

So here is what I can do for you...

SmileBr!lliant is offering my readers 20% off of the cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush with code: xtremelyv20

😲😲😲😲

How awesome is that?!?!

That makes it under $100!!!!

Head here to check out all the details and order yours today!

Just need a refill on brush heads? Grab those here :)

Still have more questions?

Check out the FAQ section here! 

And of course you can head to the SmileBr!lliant site to check out everything they have to offer!

I would love to know if you take advantage of this amazing offer!

And I want to know what you think about the electric toothbrush!

What's better than getting your very own cariPRO Ultarsonic Electric Toothbrush at a ridiculously amazing price?
WINNING ONE!!!
Enter to win here! 

Thanks again SmileBr!lliant!

**I was gifted the cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush from SmileBr!lliant. All thoughts and opinions in this post are my own.**


Linking up with The Blended Blog today :)

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Blogaversary Special Giveaway

Happy Monday!

Make sure you head over to The Blended Blog today to enter our special Blogaversary Giveaway!!!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

10 Things You Didn't Know About Me

And just like that we are into the second week of September!

Today is all about things you may or may not know about me :)

1. I can't stand to walk around barefoot anywhere.
I can hardly stand to be barefoot at the beach, but it is much easier than wearing sandals or tennis shoes there.
I think this all stems from the fact that my first bee sting was on the bottom of my foot.
I was running out to the lake to swim with my friend at the campground we were staying at when I stepped on a bee that was laying in the sand.
From that moment on I have rarely been caught barefoot.

2. Almost my entire life I wanted to be a fashion designer despite not liking to shop.
I think that is probably why I don't like shopping though.
I know in my mind the look and piece I want, but have a super hard time finding it.

3. I am NOT a fan of Beyonce,

Kenny Chesney, 

or U2.

But despite all the negative comments I get, I do like Creed and Nickelback. :/

4. I can't stand to listen to anything Talk. 
Pod casts, talk radio, etc.
Yet, I love hearing every one's voices on Instastories!

5. I was kicked out of a bar for getting into a fight.

If you know me at all, fighting/confrontation of any kind makes me super nervous.
My friend Missy, Mic and myself stopped in Panini's after work on a Thursday evening.
We were sitting at the bar where they make the food minding our own business when some little (shorter than me) dude came up to me and starting yelling at me for not liking his friend.
His friend was a guy I worked with that apparently had a thing for me, but the feeling wasn't mutual.
He kept up the yelling, so Mic stepped in and just told the guy to leave us alone.
This guy had had his share of alcohol which must have given him the courage to try to throw a punch at Mic.
Mic stood up and was instantly a foot and a half taller than him.
He stuck out his arm to hold the guy back and the guy couldn't touch him.
Of course from there another guy jumps in, and then I started swinging before my friend pulled me away.
Thankfully no one was hurt, but since the problem guy was a regular there the three of us were kicked out :(
I have never been in any other fight, but man it gets my blood pumping just talking about it again!

6. Despite having a lot of friends, I am such a loner.
Which makes sense that I have a fear of being left out.

I have never been a girls girl, so I struggle with this feeling all the time.
I grew up with a younger brother,
and added four older step brothers when I got into high school.
So I have always been surrounded by guys.

7. I have never been a morning person.

Why must we set alarms and wake up early?
Why can't things just be open and operate late into the night?

Despite real life, I think my body and mindset were designed for 2nd-3rd shift life ;)

8. I will choose jeans over leggings all the time!
I can hardly leave the house in leggings!
And you better believe I am not going anywhere in sweatpants, pajama pants, or yoga pants (unless I am going to a yoga class)!

9. No matter how hard I try to like it, I just can't add any form of alcohol to my coffee.
Whiskey, Bailey's, etc. I just can't do it.

10. I am super traditional, and even old fashioned at times.

(Not looking to get into a huge debate about life here)
I just don't care for the way the world is turning these days - sports, women empowerment, the school systems, etc.

I am sure I will lose a few followers over that last one, so be it.
I am not the type of person that drops someone just because our thoughts are different :/
#keepinitreal


Still here?
Great!
I would love to hear something about you that most people may not know!
Comment below, or if it is super secret shoot me an email ;)


Thanks for stopping by today!
Make sure you link up your 10 Things post on The Blended Blog!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

TBB Talks: Makeup

It is the final Monday in March and today is all about Makeup!

Linking up with The Blended Blog today for there weekly Talk Series :)

When I first started using make up I would use anything I found in the drugstore.

But as I have gotten older, I have invested in products that are better for my skin and work better for me.

Don't get me wrong, I still get quite a few things that are "drugstore" products!

For the last 15 years or so I have used Bare Minerals products.

My skin is SUPER sensitive!

I turn red and/or breakout really easy from a lot of products.

When I first starting using Bare Minerals, I was all in!

I had the blush, eye shadows, mineral veil, etc.

Bare Minerals Mineral Veil

But as I got older my skin started changing a bit.

I absolutely love the loose power foundation, but my skin has become to dry to use it every day :(

Bare Minerals Foundation 

So I switched to the Tinted Gel Cream and it works perfectly for me!

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue

I have used the bareSkin foundation as well, and it goes on super smooth.

I just like something a tad less foundation like if that makes sense.

Bare Minerals bareSkin Foundation

As far as concealer goes, I'm not picky but maybe I should be.

I currently have an NYX one that I am using, and before that I was using one from E.L.F.

NYX Hi Definition Photo Concealer

My main problem with concealers is that every time I find one that I really like they stop making it :(

What brand or kind of concealer do you use?

I prefer a creamier one (compact style) vs. a wand but I am having a hard time finding that style anymore.

I fell in love with a eyeshadow/blush set I picked up a couple of years ago at Ulta from Bare Minerals so I use that a lot!

But I also LOVE the Urban Decay Naked eye shadow palettes!

They go on so well, and last forever!

Urban Decay Naked Basics

Urban Decay Naked Basics 2

Urban Decay Naked Palette

And on special nights out I apply the Urban Decay Eye Primer.

And I rarely use eye liner.

I just typically use one of the darker shadows in the palette and lightly line the outer half of my top lashes.

My go-to mascara for years was Maybelline Great Lash!

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

But when I picked up those Bare Minerals kits a mascara came with them and I was hooked!

Bare Minerals Lash Domination Mascara

I love this stuff!

I don't wear blush too often because my face is ALWAYS naturally glowing red ;)

But when I do, I just use a peachy pink shade from the Bare Minerals.

Bare Minerals True All Over Face Color

I do love using bronzer in the summer!

I have a Bare Minerals one that is fantastic!

Bare Minerals Warmth

And I recently picked up a contouring kit from E.L.F. that I love...I just am not that good at using it yet :/

ELF Contour Palette

And that is pretty much it for makeup for me.

I tend to skip a few of those steps on a daily basis to keep things really simple.

Oh, and something I never go anywhere without is lip balm!

Preferably ChapStick brand! lol!

Now if I am heading out for a rare girls night or date night, I might swipe on some of my favorite lip gloss.

Bare Minerals Gen Nude Buttercream Lip Gloss

Hey Bare Minerals Execs!

If you are reading this...call me! ;)

What brand of products do you use?

Do you have a simple routine or more elaborate?

Is there a product that I must try?

I would love to hear from you in the comments below :)