My two favorite things!! Makeup and Organization!

 I found these cute candle holders at Kirklands tonight. They have burlap wrapped around a glass jar, in addition to a satin ribbon layered on top, and a silver and crystal jewel tacked in the middle.  I've been wanting some glass containers to better organize my everyday makeup and tools for my vanity and immediately knew that these would be perfect!!!! 

Inexpensive, has bling, and matches my bedroom/bathroom decor perfectly!

The large container was $7.99 and the smaller ones $4.99. 

To help brushes stand in place I added inexpensive pearl beads I had previously purchased at Michaels.

This is the finished look......

Here for the white rotating makeup organizer from QVC (which is awesome and highly recommended for you product junkies like me).

Fun Randomness- Kirklands has a fun app you can download for free from the app store called "Spin To Win." It offers you a chance for various discounts daily. 

February Ipsy Glam Bag

My February Glam Bag from Ipsy. Its another one of my monthly beauty mail subscriptions. 

For $10 a month you get full and trial size beauty products meeting your subscription specifications (hair color, favorite products, skin tone, skin type, hair type, etc.). Each month your samples come in a cute make up bag.

This month I received a full size soft pink City Color Be Matte Blush. Its a beautiful color, however I find that matte blushes in general are harder (for me) to blend out, not as forgiviwww.ipsy.comng as a blush with some shimmer in it. It could be the foundation or the brushes I'm using??  

A full size Zoya soft purple nail polish.  A perfect shade since this year's color of the year is Radiant Orchid by Pantone!

Trial size POP lipgloss in Peony Petal. Its a great mauve pink color, but smells a little like motor oil....

A full size liquid eye shadow in Spiced Rum (I think the brand is Tini Beauty). Beautiful as an eye shadow base or worn alone. Perfect bronze for summer!

NuMe hair mask. I love the NuMe hair tools!! I have the reverse wand I use to curl Ashlyn's hair all the time, and I don't even have to put any hairspray in her hair and the curls last all day!!!! They always have great coupon codes too (I usually use the ones from my favorite you tubers). The hair mask was nice and also came with some great NuMe coupon deals!!

If you want to try the Ipsy Glam Bag subscription sign up today!! If there's a waiting list don't worry, its a short one!! 

I love my beauty box subscriptions!!! Its like Christmas once a month!!!!!

Lush Haul/Addiction

Ashlyn and I have found a new favorite shopping spot when we go to KC and its not (just) American Girl.....

We have the BEST daughter/mother time shopping at LUSH!

***Lush is marketed as a "fresh handmade natural cosmetics company with 

handmade bath and body products."***

We went a little overboard last weekend while in KC buying....

3 Ickle Baby Bot bath bombs, made with lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood.  Ashlyn loves taking baths with this relaxing treat in the evening.

5 Butterball bath bombs. A vanilla scented moisturizing bath soak made with creamy cocoa butter, great for the winter months.

1 Yuzu & Coco Bubbleroon. Smells like orange chocolate while creating mounds of bubbles for your bath.

1 Floating Island. A floating bath melt that smells like a tropical Island. My favorite scent of all!!!

Ashlyn and I are all about our bath/relaxation time and these make us feel super luxurious. 

Miracle Worker

 I've always been a fan of Philosophy products.  When I saw this new Miracle Worker Foundation I was intrigued. First, I'm a sucker for anything claiming anti-aging and miraculous results. Second, I had heard rave reviews on the Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Retinoid Eye Repair.

I purchased The Miracle Worker Foundation in shade 6. It comes in 8 different colors, and I found after testing them at Ulta, shades 5 and 6 were really close in color. Since I hope to get darker in the coming months (spring/summer) I went with the slightly darker shade 6.

The coverage is beautiful! I would call it medium to full coverage and has a beautiful glow. Since I'm on the oily side, that's not always a good thing for me. But its so gorgeous on the skin I'm making it work with a primer. I apply it by using a damp beauty blender.

It has a broad spectrum spf of 30 sunscreen.

The picture below is what it looks like rubbed into the skin on the back of my hand.

I also purchased the Miracle Worker Anti-Aging Concealer Duo (pictured at top), but have found nothing different about it compared to other concealers. 

***My favorite under eye concealer is still the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in either light or the brightener.***

One of the reasons I decided to purchase the foundation and concealer that "fateful" day at Ulta was because they were offering a free gift with purchase. I got a trial kit of the Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash (not pictured), Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer (on left), and the Miraculous Anti-Aging Retinoid Eye Repair (on right). 

The exfoliating wash does exactly that....exfoliates. The moisturizer is a little thick, but I use it primarily at night. I want to get the oil free, light version to try during the day time. But the eye repair.........OMG!!!! LOVE!!!!!!!! I apply it day and night with my Clarisonic Opal. It goes on soooooo smooth, and blurs any and all fine lines. And its absolutely beautiful under your eye concealer! I ended up buying the full size ($66).

Pictured above is both the moisturizer and eye repair rubbed into the skin on the back of my hand.

The last thing I'm LOVING is the Miraculous Anti-Aging Retinoid Pads (pictured in picture at the top). I wanted to purchase the trial set that this was in, but my Ulta store was out. Weirdly enough the lady in line in front of me was returning the trial set she had purchased. Since this was the only product she had not opened in the trial set, they let me have it!!!!!! 

When purchasing the full size product, it comes with a container containing 60 cotton pads and a vial of "fresh glow elixir."  You pour the elixir into the container with the pads and the pads soak up the product. Then you use one pad every night on your face and the back of your hands. It claims to be less irritating than other retinols, while still diminishing the appearance of wrinkles, improving skin discoloration, and promoting skin clarity. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! I will be purchasing the full size product, as soon as my 15 piece trial size is finished. 

NO MAKE UP! After a week of using the Philosophy Miracle Worker Foundation and Skin Care Line.

Clarisonic Mia 2 and Deep Poor Review

I have been wanting the Clarisonic Mia 2 for a loooooong while now, but didn't want to pay the $150 price tag, because really HOW MUCH BETTER CAN IT CLEAN than the knockoffs at the drugstore for a FRACTION of the cost??

So who better to ask for it (as a Christmas present) than your mother?!? 

Well, mama came through!!! And I got this beautiful purple zebra print anti-aging tool wrapped up pretty for the holidays! 

It came with a basic cleansing head (not pictured) and a sample of the brand's gel cleanser, which I was very impressed with. Enough to buy a full size (from Sephora $25). 

To use, wet your skin and brush head, apply cleanser directly onto the brush head, and press the start button. There are 2 levels that you can choose by pressing the start button (once/low or twice/high). 

Starting at your forehead, move in a circular motion for 20 seconds until the device beeps. Then move onto your nose and chin area for another 20 seconds until it beeps. Then move onto each cheek, one at a time, for 10 seconds, until it beeps.

The results have really been remarkable. My skin is so smooth after and when washing my skin in the morning, my makeup goes on beautifully. I also feel like my lotions and potions absorb better after cleansing.

The difference I've found with this, rather than the drug store versions, is that this pulses. I believe the theory behind the pulsing is that it brings up any impurities deep within the skin. The website claims that the "cleansing brush uses a sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to deeply cleanse the skin more effectively."

Of course after using it for about a month I THEN decided to read the directions and discovered that if I registered it on the Clarisonic website I would get a $25 off coupon to use.

I saw the deep pore (and this mama needs DEEEEEEEP pore) treatment set which included a detoxifying mask, cleanser and a deep poor cleansing brush head. The set was $65, so I got it for $40. A new brush head alone goes for $25/$30 so I feel like I got a great deal. 

I am really impressed with this product and would recommend it anyone (especially if your mom is buying)!!!! Love you mama!!!! ;>)

Decoupage Desk

Ashlyn has a desk from Target (made from synthetic wood/finish), and on MULTIPLE occasions (even though after the first occurrence I established a NO WATER rule in her playroom) she HAS played with water ON her (synthetic wood/finish) desk. Of course every time she has played with water on her desk, sloshing it everywhere (Barbie swimming pool, fish bowl, Monster High Doll Hydro thingy-ma-bobby, etc.), the finish bubbles up. In the past I've tried sanding it down and repainting it, but the paint just flakes off, making a huge mess that I'm always vacuuming up.

So, the other day I happened to be in Hobby Lobby and saw that scrapbooking paper was 1/2 off. I picked a page I thought would match and bought 20 sheets (approximately $4). I already had a version of mod podge and a foam brush at home.

I first coated the desk in modpodge glue and adhered the scrapbook paper. The desk was obviously a different size than the paper so I did use my paper cutter to cut some of the pages to fit the desk.

After applying scrapbook paper, I coated the whole top with the mod podge sealing in the paper.

After the mod podge dried I then coated the top with a clear varnish and paint brush (I had some in my basement that I used).

I didn't need all 20 pages, but I did end up using 2 layers of paper. The first layer soaked up the varnish and left "stain like" marks, so I was glad I had plenty of extra.

Its not my best work, but Ashlyn is thrilled with the results and to me that's all that matters!

 

 

 



Living In My Heels: My (half assed) Artsy Craftsy Project

Living In My Heels: My (half assed) Artsy Craftsy Project: A few months ago I "Pinned" a fabulous post on Pinterest on repurposing your old card table. If I remember correctly the directio...

My (half assed) Artsy Craftsy Project

A few months ago I "Pinned" a fabulous post on Pinterest on repurposing your old card table. If I remember correctly the directions were prime, paint, and upholster. Easy Peasy!!! I can SOOOOOO do that (which is what we all think, right?)!!!

***I'm too lazy too even look up the "Pin" on my Pinterest account at this point.***

 I had this GREAT idea ("stolen" from someone else off of Pinterest), that would be GREAT for Ashlyn's playroom. She has a table in there now, but its getting too small and I was having trouble finding a midsize table (that wasn't from PBK $$$). Of course I have an old gray and black card table from Costco (a throw back to my B's Purses Direct Sales Days), who doesn't,  so why not???

I like to do things very last minute. Like I said, I saw this pin MONTHS ago, but decided yesterday that it HAD TO BE DONE RIGHT NOW!!!

So I went and bought 1 can of white spray paint primer and 2 cans of Krylon Watermelon spray paint from Michaels. I spent HOURS taking screws out of all 4 chairs and the table.

***I SHOULD have taken note of which screws came out of which part.***

I then primed and applied the first coat of paint.

Today I bought 2 more cans of Krylon Watermelon paint at Michaels, and quickly learned that that wasn't going to be enough. Since I had purchased all of Michaels inventory of Watermelon paint, I went to Walmart to buy 3 more cans and discovered that its more than 1/2 off the cost there!!!

After applying a second coat (a third in some spots), I then tried to match up each screw to its correct part...........which did NOT work. SOOOOOOOO I ended up hot glueing the cushions back into place.

If you don't look TOOOOOO closely, then the finished product looks pretty good. Some of the metal, even though primed, didn't take the paint very well and required extra coats.

Over all I'm pretty pleased, and Ashlyn is super excited to have a space she can actually use to play and work in.

***To upholster the cushions I used a curtain I purchased from Target for $19.99, a hot glue gun, and a staple gun.***

Happy Craftying!!



e.l.f. Review

I ran into an acquaintance a few days ago and she told me that she has ran into me in so many different places, I was like a little elf. I like to think that that means I can be seen spreading joy everywhere......

 

I was watching (one of my many) favorite make up you tube tutorials the other day and she (Tanya Burr) recommended e.l.f. brand's contouring Blush & Bronzer. She described it as a "dupe" to NARS compact with the universal blush "Orgasm" (which we have ALL seen in EVERY magazine) and bronzer "Luguna." So....I HAD to try it!!

 



 

(SIDE NOTE: I've seen so many of these brittish make up tutorials that I know speak to myself in my head in a brittish accent.....is that wierd??)

The NARS compact retails for $41.

 

 The e.l.f. "dupe" is $3 at Target (could not find online, but in store).

.

I have VERY senstive, breakout prone skin. This lasted ALL DAY and did NOT breakout my skin. The compact and mirror is great to take with you in your purse and the colors blend beautifully.

 

Of course while I was shopping the e.l.f. section at Target I had to shop the rest of the products!!

 

 

e.l.f lip definer and shaper (use shaper to highlight the top bow of your lips for a youthful glow and the definer to line your lips). $3

 

I was skeptical about the e.l.f lip lock pencil but it REALLY did keep my lipgloss in place. $3

 

I love lipglosses because they hide everything that is wrong with my lips (age, chappedness-is that a word?, etc) and this gloss is not only a great universal shade but works AWESOME!!!! e.l.f. Pout Perfector $3

 

 Everyone needs a little elf in their lives. I hope that I'm yours!

 

 

Tar'Jay

I LOVE Target!! I am there 2-4 times a day- YES! Its ridiculous!!

 

One of the (many) things I love about Target are the affordable fashions. Everything they carry is always cutting edge and completely affordable! AND if you are wanting something very fashion forward, that may possibly be only "in" for one season, affordable is what you want! Save your big purchases for the more classic items that can be worn throughout multiple seasons to come.

 

Some major trends this fall are Animal Graphic Tops (Especially OWLS), Peplum Tops/Dresses, and Animal Print Jeggings (REALLY Jeggings in any print/color).

 

The Burberry Prorsum Top Below (in long sleeved) runs $1,295.

 

 

I purchased this Mossimo Owl Light Weight Sweater Below at Target on SALE for $17.00!!!!!

 

 

The Alice & Olivia Peplum Top Below Retails for $198.

 

 

 

 

The Peplum Top Below Can Be Purchased In A Similar Red Tone At Target For $14.99.

 

Have A Daughter?? The Grey Cheetah Jeggings Below Can Be Found At Sophie For $62.

 

 

Buy Your Daughter An Almost Identical Pair At Target For $16.99.

 

PLUS I can buy groceries, birth control, make up, and guinea pig food while I'm there (at Tar'Jay). What more can a girl ask for?!?!

 

 

Leather, Brocade, Fur, Jewels, and Velvet..OH MY!

This Fall is all about textures! Leather, brocade, fur, jewels and velvet....oh my! I decided to rock several different textures together Saturday night, inspired by Blue Moon Market.

 



 

 

                                        Faux Fur/Sweater Vest         Gold Sequin Top

 

 

 

The Finished Look

 

I paired the two items with black leggings and my Nina black sequin boots (purchased 2 years ago from Sophie- my FAVORITE boots).

 

AND YES! Girls- leggings are still a wardrobe must!!! Whether they are a denim, leather, or pant!

 



"Fall"ing Into Trends

I absolutley LOVE fall!!!! EVERYTHING about it!! Its my Favorite Season!!!

I always take my daughter apple and pumpkin picking at this time of year at Shank Farms. We buy mums and taste the (flavored) honey (straws) they cultivate there, while watching the bees scurry about within their hives. Its Ashlyn's favorite! And of course there is Barnyard Days, pumpkin flavored everything, Halloween, candy corn, hay rides, corn mazes, and fun fall parties.
ANOTHER thing I love about fall is the FASHION! Its cooler out, so wearing layers of (fabulously textured) clothing, hair flowing, and full on makeup is no biggie.

THIS year's Fall Fashions are right up my alley!! I've decided to feature one/two item(s) a day for the next few days....

COLORED DENIM is a MUST this fall! You can find skinny jeans in an assortment of colors  including bright, bold, neon, and muted/soft tones.

I chose to purchase a Red Pair of Skinny Jeans from Blue Moon (on the left $45). They are almost identical as the Express pair (on the right, on sale for $49.90).

Another trend this fall is leopard print. I paired my own red jeggings up with this sparkly leopard print top from Express (on sale for $19.90) and (Jessica Simpson)

leopard print heels from Sophie. Don' be afraid to layer on the leopard print! Too much leopard is never enough!

What is your favorite fall trend so far???

 

 



The Best BirchBox EVAAAA!!!!!!!!

I absolutely LOVEEEEEEEE this month's Birch Box!!

Schick Hydro Razor with a $4 (off) coupon for refill blades. We all know that Razors and Refills are FREAKIN' expensive (cuts into my shoe fund), so thought this was very COOOOOOOL!!!!

Pixi Beauty Line Relax Serum. FULL SIZE, a $32 value.

Talika Lash Serum Sample, that is plant-derived.

Caldrea Hand Soap Samples.

Juicy Couture, Viva La Juicy La Fleur, Sample.

****A $10/mo Birchbox subscription gets you multiple deluxe samples every month. Product samples received are based on info given with subscription. For Example- my friend and I get different samples because of our hair/skin/color type. However, sometimes its fun to swap samples depending on what we get/like!!!!!****

Event Hostess with the Mostess (to the stars)

One of my (many) Ulter Egos is an Event Planner (in my head- for the "stars").

My beautiful daughter, Ashlyn, turned 9 last week! She has always LOVED animals, and has been either a zoo keeper or veternarian for EVERY halloween. We usually have a pool party, because of her summer birthday, but this year she wanted to try something different.

I spoke with the owners of our local Petland and they were willing to open an hour early on a Saturday morning for a private party.

Then I talked the Paws Vet Clinic, next door, into doing a private tour and Q&A for the kids, following Petland.

After the Vet, we headed, once again next door, to Qdoba for cake and queso (I purchased small drinks and queso/chips for the kids and they let me bring in my own cake).

The kiddos began with hamster races!!! How creative/fun is that?!?!

They then went on to hold/play with various other animals throughout the pet store. This would be Ashlyn holding a snake. One of her favorite animals.

We always have a "friend party" earlier in the day, and a "family bbq" later in the evening (for those adults who would rather not hang with the kiddos). I made these invites on my computer. 

We kept the animal print/pink theme with the cake. I took a pic of Ashlyn kissing Sophie (her guinea pig) and dropped it off at SAMS. $20 for a 1/2 sheet cake with a pic, and my choice of icing colors.

For goody bags I let each kid pick out their own beta fish!!!! Each fish came with a small glass bowl, hot pink rocks, care instructions, a Petland coupon, and fish food. This was a BIG HIT!!!! 

I printed off the cards attached to each fish bowl that said "Thank You" and Ashley at Petland put together the fish bowls and bags.

Ashlyn and her guests had a FABULOUS time at her birthday party!!!

Rob (my husband) keeps telling me I should open my own party planning business. Your thoughts???

BB Ready

I recently purchased two relatively new items from Smashbox.

The Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream ($39), like most BB Creams, is a five-n-one wonder. Moisturizes, primes, perfects, oil control (my favorite feature), and protects with SPF 35. What I like best about this particular BB Cream is that it is truely weightless and blends beautifully into my skin (it comes in 5 different shades-I bought light/medium).

*Since I like a fuller coverage, I am still wearing my oil control MAC foundation over this BB Cream.*

The other product from Smashbox is the Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer ($29). LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!! Its ultra-hydrating and primes the undereye area so that your concealer doesn't appear "cakey." This primer is also said to reduce the appearance of fine lines, puffiness, wrinkles, age spots, and dark circles. I have no complaints!!

Me rockin' the products!;>)

Breakfast At Tiffanys

I love  a great "Aubrey Hepburn" eye! She is an absolute beauty icon.

I've tried (to recreate) different gel liners in the past (i.e. MAC, Clinique, Elf, etc), but recently I discovered Loreal's 24 hr Lacquer Liner (WITH brush!!!!), and it is fabulous!!!!!!!

It really does have a 24 hr stay power. I prefer a thiner liner brush, BUT the brush that it DOES come with works beautifully, and is easy to handle.

The Loreal Lacquer Liner comes in multiple colors,but I use it in black.

My favorite (beauty) site on You Tube is "pixiwoo." Professional makeup artist(s) who can help you recreate any celebrity "look." This link will teach you how to do a phenomenal Aubrey eye!

Summer (Makeup) Lovin'....

 I always thought my summer routine was some-what simple until I started taking pictures of ALL my favorite summer products...

Always a best seller - Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler.

NOT shown is my MAC lipliner (limited editions) Shore Leave, and lipglass

Blessedly Rich (I wish!). Also Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash. 

I love Chanel eye shadow! Its expensive.....but whenever I try to be "cheap" and try another brand I am always disappointed and end up going right back to Chanel.

Winter Nights is one of my alltime favorite quads (however, I JUST found out its now retired - apparently Bella wore this quad for her wedding to Edward in Eclipse.)

My favorite mascara is Maybelline One by One Volum' Express in Blackest Black. 

MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation is a longwear, oil control foundation (color NW30). A must have for (oily skin in the) summer!

MAC Mineralize Concealer (color NC30). Very hydrating, great for under your eyes!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance keeps your eyeshadow and liner in place all day. I have a friend who wears it in the summer (without eye makeup) to keep her eyelids from looking "oily."

Blush is MAC (limited edition) Fleet Fast. A great Peachy color! 

MAC bronzer in Refined Gold. Love the subtle sparkle. 

Chanel Eyeliner in Black Jade. A great black khol liner with a hint of green. I swear by this liner!

For my top lash line I like more of a liquid look - Bare Minerals Bon Bon (this may be retired as well, I purchased mine off of ebay) with i.d. Weather Everything Line Sealer. Its the perfect color match to the Chanel Black Jade eyeliner. 

For more formal occasions I like to use Ardell Fashion Lashes #116 in black.   

Finished Product!

"Long Time, No See"

 LOOOOOOONG Time NO SEE!

I've apparently taken the summer off of blogging....We have had several BIG summer trips, along with Ashlyn's summer camp(s)/activities.....

But.....(que Arnold's voice) "I'm BACK!!!"

 Laundry done, house cleaned, Rob back to work, no more summer trips, (still have to chauffeur Ash around tho- but LOVE being a "soccer mom"), and excited to say I got July's (CAN YOU BELIEVE ITS ALREADY JULY) Birchbox ($10/mo sample subscription)!!!

Ada Cosmetics Bronzer- Shimmery Mineral Powder. I love anything shimmering and its a great color. I typically use a bronzer as a blush, so works great for me.

Blinc Mascara- I'll admit to being a mascara snob.....I LOVE the look of long, full, flake-free lashes, so I have my favorites (in my blog tomorrow I'll be detailing my summer makeup along with my (current) fav mascara).

Harvey Prince "Hello" Perfume- LOVE!!!! Perfect blend of lemon, white grapefruit, and pink plumeria. Ashlyn actually has "stolen" this from me.

Klorene- Shampoo sample for blondes. I gave this to Ashlyn because she is a (natural) platinum blonde, who's hair turns very green with chorine. She gives it 2 thumbs up.

Larabar- A healthy snack bar packed with dried nuts and fruits. Quite yummy!!

Earbuds- Neon earbuds!!! I've put these in my makeup bag because Ashlyn is always needing earbuds (restuarants, car, etc to use on my iphone or ipad).

TOMORROW I will be posting my favorite summer makeup!!

Ashlyn (my daughter) and I are two peas in a pod.

 Of course there are times she drives me absolutely crazy, for example when she decides to play dress up in my closet, throwing my clothes all over the floor and leaving my heels strung throughout the house (which incidently happened earlier today).

But there are other times where I am completely lost without her. When she's at school I wonder around aimlessly, not knowing what to do with myself (although I'm usually shopping while wondering around aimlessly).

Thats one of the reasons why I love summer break! Ash and I get to spend lots and lots of time together....which is probably why she was hiding in my closet from me today.... 

AND one of my favorite things to do with my best gal pal is to go get our nails "did." Today we tried a new place (bc our regular nail chic is on vaca this week).

our manis-mine fake, her's real

our pedis

Love spending time with my Ash!! She's growing up so fast....

**We had a great nail experience at Pro Nails on Maiden Lane**