Announcing... We're Becoming Foster Parents!

Ever since Colten and I got married, we've thrown around the idea of Foster Care and Adoption. We both had a desire to do so, but we didn't feel ready for it. After I read the book "7" by Jen Hatmaker I felt even more inclined to adopt and it has been on my mind for the last 2 years almost incessantly. 

A few weeks ago we decided we wanted to take the leap and become licensed foster/adoptive parents! So we are now on the road to licensure and are so excited. 

There are a lot of steps and processes to go through, it's fairly overwhelming! But we are trying to take it one step at a time. Last week I went and got a physical and updated my vaccinations. We are also going to do an online CPR/First Aid course in the next week or two before the DCFS Foster Care courses begin. Those will be 2x a week for 4 hours. 8 classes. Man, we are going to be busy! But we are so so excited. We are aiming to complete everything by October 10th but are giving ourselves grace if it doesn't happen. 

And for those wondering, so far nothing is wrong with me to make me think we won't be able to have our own biological children. We have however been trying for the last 9 months, which has been frustrating! We are ready for that next phase in our lives and are so excited to be parents together. So we are continuing to try for our own, but also wanting to be licensed for Foster Care regardless of our situation of having our own biological children. 

I'll try to keep an updated log on here of what we are up to, but lately, I've been better at updating on Instagram, so you can follow along there at @brooklynjolley. And a big thank you to our family and friends for all the love and support! From people asking how they can help, to lending their own success stories, and offering prayers, we are so so blessed. So thank you. 

Lipsense Review (From a Non-Distributor!)

Raise your hand if you've seen Lipsense rolling around your Facebook feed. Okay, basically everyone. 

I was the same way! I had so many friends who were selling it that it kinda fell into the endless pit of Facebook noise. But the more I saw the more curious I got. Was this lipstick REALLY staying on all day? Like... really? I was hesitant to spend $55 on lipstick. When my friend from school messaged me and asked if I'd like to review it I was like, "YES!" 

And now I'm obsessed. Like, contemplating my next 10 colors I want! 

My husband hates lipstick. But the only reason is because he doesn't want to kiss me and get makeup smeared across his face. I made him kiss me while wearing Lipsense and voila! No transfer! We kissed a little more just to test it out ;) It works you guys! It literally stayed on through a campfire where I ate a hot dog, chips and 2 smores. I went inside to check my makeup and the lipstick looked FLAWLESS. I was sure it was flaking all over or smeared, but it wasn't. 

One thing I've heard people saying is, "I hear it burns when you put it on! Why would I wear that??" Ya know, when you use a menthol lipgloss and it tingles? That's what it feels like. Lipsense is actually good for your lips. It takes a few times of wearing to get used to it, but after that it doesn't tingle anymore and your lips start to get healthier. 

I'm an annoying customer. I worried about picking the right color for me and Jess was so helpful! She asked me all the right questions, took into account my low-maintenance makeup routine and suggested Aussie Rose and you guys! It is perfection!

So, I'm pretty sure my next purchases will be the Matte Gloss, First Love, Burnt Orange for fall and Beige Champagne. But there are seriously so many I want! Go check out Jess's VIP Facebook group for all the colors and her current deals! You will not regret it!

Home Salon Gallery Wall- featuring Deseret Book

Ever since opening my home salon in April, I've been trying to figure out what to put on the walls. I don't really have an eye for decoration, so as much as I want my home to look like a catalog... it just hasn't happened. But I wanted my salon to be a little different. I wanted it to look nice and professional, but I wasn't sure how to figure out what to put where. 

I was so excited to see that Deseret Book had added some Art Gallery Wall Pads to their inventory. The pads contain around 20 prints of all different sizes. I got the Life Is Beautiful Art Gallery Pad and it had 6 gold foil prints and 2 silver foil prints! They are so beautiful!

There were so many  beautiful prints it took me quite awhile to narrow it down to my favorites. I'm still hanging on to the prints I didn't use because I want to use them around my house in other areas. 

Aren't they gorgeous?? And just look at those gold foil ones below! These type of prints are easily worth $10-$20 a piece, but the whole set was only $14.99!! You get SO MANY PRINTS.

Once I narrowed it down I framed the ones I really loved and then started playing with the placement. I re-laid the prints out so many times!

I ended up with the layout below for my salon! I had my husband hang them up and they look amazing. Even though my indecisiveness made it take forever for me to choose which prints to use, the Gallery Art Pad made it so easy because all of the prints had a flow to them or a similar theme I guess you could say. I love how it turned out and I get so many compliments from my clients that they love how the wall turned out. 

Deseret Book has so many options for Gallery Art Pads. And at only $14.99 each they are a steal! Frames are not included but that just means you get to pick which frames fit your taste best. Here are all the options:

-Life is Beautiful (which I have)

-Love Collection (the next one I want!)

-Savannah

-Chalkboard Art

-Simple Quotes 

Thanks to Deseret Book for sponsoring this post! I was sent the Art Gallery Pad & Frames in exchange for a review of the product. As always, I only share products I love and use!

Function of Beauty Review- Personalize Your Hair Care Routine

Last month as I was scrolling through my Instagram feed I came across a company called Function of Beauty. The purpose of the company is to create personalized shampoo and conditioners based on an individual's hair type and hair goals. I decided to give it a shot!

When you go to the Function of Beauty website, you fill out an assessment so the chemists can determine the best formula for you based on your hair type. Here is what mine looked like. 

First you choose your formula name. I just chose my first name. You also get to choose the shampoo and conditioner color which was fun!

Next you choose a fragrance. I went with Passion Fruit Papaya. It was a light scent but fruity nonetheless. I really enjoyed the scent although I couldn't smell it much once my hair was dry. Which could be a pro or a con depending on how you are on smells. I think next time I'll try the sandalwood violet though because that also sounds amazing!

You also choose your hair type. When I let my hair air dry I end up with a bit of a wave, so I chose wavy. 

Next up, hair structure. Fine, Medium or Coarse. You probably have some idea of where your hair falls on that one. For scalp moisture I chose normal because my scalp doesn't get abnormally oily but it also isn't flaky or super dry. 

Then you choose your top 5 hair goals. Which was SO hard. I went back and forth between so many. I ended up choosing the following. Deep condition, Replenish Hair, Strengthen, Lengthen, Shine. 

Overall, I would say that Function of Beauty is revolutionary. I love how easy they make it to get a shampoo and conditioner that are perfect for YOU. These products definitely measure up to salon quality products as well, which I do not say lightly because I am a hairstylist after all! They cost around the same as buying professional product but are absolutely worth it.

My only cons are these.

1. There is no purple toning shampoo option. As a blonde, I need to use purple shampoo pretty regularly to keep yellow tones out of my hair, and as of right now, there is no option on Function of Beauty for a toning shampoo. Although I hear they are working on expanding that!

2. Even choosing the deep condition option, I felt as though it was not "deeply conditioning" enough for my hair. I have dry, damaged hair from lightening and deep condition my hair 1-2X a week. Although the conditioner lives up to my every day professional conditioners, it was not moisturizing enough for a deep condition.

The cons are so few though that I still give this product and company a 5/5 rating! I'm excited to try my next set once these ones are done, I may change up the color and formula just a bit, just for fun :)


Use this link to save $5 off your first set!!!


(I recieved a complimentary set of 8 ounce shampoo and conditioner in exchange for a review. As always I only share products I love and recommend!)