TrinityAllyn.com

I feel like a deadbeat father that keeps promising his kids I'm going to make regular visits & I only show up every other month & on holidays... lol I know it's 'just a blog' and you guys all live your normal, regular lives & time gets away & you understand, but I feel bad, because I let myself down, here we are in September almost and my goals have pretty much went out the window... but life's been good, so I can't complain too much! When I took on my job I had NO idea how demanding it'd be during summer, I was working 3x more than normal plus trying to maintain a normal life for the boys during summer vacation, it was rough!

But my favorite time of year is quickly approaching (fall), my oldest is back in school & work has dramatically slowed down until the new year... we're back on our routines & life is calming down.

I haven't had beauty products on the brain much, but I have a few things I'll haul & some new stuff to try out! Who's ready for fall/winter looks, darker lips, pumpkin everything, comfy clothes & boots!? I'll be happy when it starts cooling off so I can straighten my hair & wear a full face of makeup without the heat ruining my hair or melting off my face... The summer heat has been no joke this year!

Mother's Day already came & left, but I really enjoyed my time with my family. This was my first year celebrating with my baby, Hezekiah so it made it even more special! The day before we celebrated Zachariah's 3rd Birthday, so we were all pretty tired. The two little ones slept in while Ezekiel & Hubs ran some errands. The boys & their daddy let me go at my pace, so I spent time doing my face & hair, got dressed up & no one complained or 'interrupted' me while I was getting ready. It was heavenly!

They had plans but were surprising me... We ventured out of town & went for a little ride. Once we were close to our destination they had me close my eyes until we got to our 1st stop. We were at a BRAND NEW ULTA! It was the Grand Opening Weekend, so everything was still in stock & the store was so nice, but packed... Before we got out of the car they gifted me with a nice gift card & sent me in to shop. I went in wanting a couple palettes, but walked out with something completely different...

Hey guys! I was wondering if you could do me a favor *pretty please * & fill out the survey below! It'll be quick & easy, it's free (and I'd love you forever lol) -- I want to make TrinityAllyn.com the best it can be & in order to do so, I'd like your input. I realize not everyone gets the same experience 100% depending on what device you view my site on, what browser you use, etc. Not everyone's displays are created equally, some browsers water things down, and I just want to make the site visually pleasing, easy to read & easy to navigate for everyone. If you have ANY issues, please let me know when you're filling out the mini survey below, and leave any suggestions you have to make my site better in the comments below. I value what you have to say! 

Thank You! 

I have a dilemma! I've been on the hunt for a new bag. As you all know, if you read my previous post "Because Life Happens...", I'm working so I wanted something specifically as a "work bag" but being that I'm a mommy I also want something with a lot of space that I could take with me when I went somewhere with the boys, too.

I'm currently rotating between my Henri Bendel Jetsetter Black Convertible Canvas Backpack & my Michael Kors Rhea Medium Backpack. I love the space & functionality, but I want something a little 'dressier' for work. Nothing that screams, "I'm carrying around 500 diapers, and chasing after babies." I LOVE these bags, don't get me wrong, but these were purchased specifically to make toting around little ones easier, I want something classy & sophisticated, that's timeless, preferably black or neutral.

For the past few months, I've basically been absent from social media as most of you could probably tell... My priorities got mixed up & this (meaning my blog, Facebook, Instagram, everything) all got put on hold temporarily. In February we all were S-I-C-K! I know I touched on it in my 40+ Beauty Questions post, and I thought we were getting better but that didn't happen. The two little ones ending up getting pretty sick, my oldest had to miss some school & there went all my time. Between doctor's visits, cleaning runny noses or throw up, and trying to make everyone comfortable, by the time I had free time, I was exhausted. It's no fun taking care of sickies, but it's even worse when they're infants/toddlers and can't tell you exactly what's wrong. It's an emotionally draining situation, any mom knows that...

Then... An opportunity presented itself the end of February that I took interest in. A part time job, only a couple blocks away from home was going to be opening. I always said I wouldn't go back into the workforce until my boys were in school, but I had a lot of time to really think & pray about the situation, and it was just right.

I interviewed the beginning of March & was offered the job only hours after I interviewed! It was pretty exciting & life changing, that meant my WHOLE routine was about to switch up - and the kids I'd been with pretty much 24/7 since the day they were born were about to go through a change too. My main focus was to make sure it was a smooth transition for all of us. I'm only away from home for a few hours, my boys have the BEST childcare, their Grammie & it's less than a minute away so it's been working out great. I love my boys more than anything and I loved being home all day with them, but it's been great to get back into the 'real world', to wake up everyday & get ready and to do a little work & then come home after a few hours. It opened my eyes and made me really, really appreciate the time I have with them.

I never intended to take such a long break, but I'm back now. I thought May 1st would be a great 're-starting' date, it's a fresh new month & a Monday. I still have the same Goals & Resolutions that I posted about in January, but some things might need a little tweaking. I also have figured out my NEW blogging schedule. You can expect posts from me every Tuesday & Thursday, sometimes Monday or Friday, too... but you'll get at least 2 NEW posts weekly.

Please SUBSCRIBE to stay up to date! I have some fun posts coming up! I love you guys, thank you for sticking by my side! I know a lot of you were curious as to where I was, but thank you for being patient & not 'prying' - y'all know sometimes I just disappear for a few, but I always come back! lol

I decided to mix it up a little and do a short beauty questionnaire I saw online, instead of posting a review or swatches... I don't do these often, but it's a fun change every once in awhile.  My whole house has been battling colds for the past couple of weeks, once 2 or 3 of us gets better, we start the cycle all over again! Typical, right? So I haven't touched my makeup... I'm not trying to contaminate it with germs. ;) I hope to be back on track next week on my regular posting schedule! Have a GREAT weekend! Can you believe it's February already?!

S K I N C A R E
How many times do you wash your face daily? Usually twice, sometimes more...
What skin type do you have? Dry
What is your current facial wash? Clinique or Jack Black
Do you exfoliate? Yep!
What brand do you use? Clinique
What moisturizer do you use? Josie Maran! and Clinique
Do you have freckles? A couple...
Do you use eye cream? Yes, Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24
Do you or did you have acne prone skin? Never & I hope it stays that way!
Did you ever have to use Pro-activ? No, I never had to thankfully...

Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Collection Palette - $49
18 shades of peachy pinks & browns, light & dark shades, as well as different finishes. It's the perfect palette for anyone!

Sweet Peach Glow Peach-Infused Highlighting Palette - $42
Highlight, blush & bronzer palette to give you the perfect peachy glow. 

Papa Don't Peach Blush - $30
Some of you may remember this oldschool blush, it was a staple Too Faced blush over 6 years ago. It's back, gives your cheeks the perfect amount of shimmer & glow and now has the signature peach scent of the collection & new packaging. 

​Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil Lip Gloss - $19 each
Pigmented lip oil that can be worn alone or with other products.
8 colors available: Poppin' Peach, Papa Don't Peach, Peach Fuzz, Peach-sicle, Pure Peach, Peach, Please!, Peach Tease, Tickle-Me-Peach 

Now available online & in-stores
​

You wouldn't normally see me writing specifically about a holiday or event, but I felt compelled to wish you all a Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! MLK Day has always been one of those holidays I looked forward to learning about in school every year growing up & now that I'm a parent, I look forward to sharing it with my kids... MLK was a smart, strong, loving man who has helped this country in life & death. I think a lot of people think of this special day as a "Black Holiday" but I don't see it like that at all! 

Martin Luther King, Jr. signifies hope, love & equality to me... all things that this world needs right now, things that all people need! It doesn't matter what color your skin is, where you live, or what kind of background you have.  I feel like we take 2 steps forwards & one step back constantly as a nation and the world around us has changed so much in the past couple of years in a such a negative way. It just so happens that it took a Black man to open so many hearts, start a movement & leave a legacy behind... 

2017 could use a Martin Luther King, Jr... So many people have lost hope & carry around fear or hate in their hearts. Ugly things continue to happen to us, we all need to stick together & spread love, not hate! We all need to remember the horrible things that've occurred in the past and work hard to prevent those types of events from happening anymore. We need to remember to practice peace for our loved ones. Nowadays, all families are mixed with so many different things, that we need to be mindful. Although you may feel a certain issue doesn't pertain to YOU, it affects your grandchildren, your nieces & nephews, your children's cousins, your son's best friend... Keep an open mind & an open heart. 

I got these during the Sephora VIB Sale a couple months ago & when they arrived, I tucked them away and forgot all about them... The other day I was talking about my 2017 Goals & Resolutions & I mentioned taking better care of my skin, so when I was going through my skincare products I got excited about trying out these masks all over again... 

UPDATE 
In December Kat Von D announced NEW Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks were on their way... 
 
NEW Shades
Zero, Dagger, Woolf, Plan 9, Rubens, Traviesa, La Lupe, Malice, Plath, Gold Skool, Ophelia, Crucifix, Dagger, Dreamer, Blue Blooded, Roxy, Haze, K-Dub, Miss Argentina, Orale, XO, Muneca, Ludwig, Hawkwind, Nocturna, Lovecraft, Hyper Hyper