It Was A Sad Farewell...

My poor bag breathed its last.   :(

   For those of you who saw a haul on my youtube channel last summer, you may remember a faux leather vintage looking shoulder bag I had purchased on ebay.  About six months later, I had to set it aside, as it was falling apart.  It was detrimental to me, as I love this particular bag.  Finding a purse that screams your personality is so hard to find.  I hope to find a shop somewhere that specializes in restoring handbags.  Until then, I had to find something else; something more durable.  I love the look of leather-real or faux.  I can beat on it without a care and it gives it some character, and I am fine with that.  I could have purchased another just like the one I had, but I thought spending thirty dollars on a bag that didn't last a year was not wise. Thus, I decided to search locally. I looked at Maurice's. They did have some nice bags but I wasn't about to spend fifty dollars on something I wasn't in love with.

 
        Thereafter, I stopped by Shoe Show. I honestly didn't think I would find much of anything there since their selection is usually pretty sparse; taking only one small wall in the front, but there were a few that caught my eye. One in particular struck my fancy. At first glance I saw the price tag which said $80.00.  I shook my head and moved on, but then realizing after looking at other price labels, I had only seen half the tag. I looked again. Their actual price was $19.99. Elated, I grabbed it, looked over the other purses and then purchased it. It is not the dark tone my other hand bag was, but it is darker than the others which were displayed.

Added a little bit of "me."

    When I got home, I added a couple key chains  to personalize it a bit. I still wanted to keep its raw simplicity, but I wanted to set it apart a little.  After a few days of using it, I cannot see myself using anything else just now. It is so big! I can put my stuff in it PLUS my daughters diapers, wipes, and even a extra change of clothes for her. It is so nice not to carry a diaper bag and a purse when we are out doing errands. It has plenty of pockets, too. To make it easier to sling over my shoulder, I also added the strap that came with my previous shoulder bag.  The material feels much more sound and durable than my last one.  Hopefully this bag will last more than six months!

<3 Beth. 

FTC: I AM IN NO WAY BEING COMPENSATED TO DISCUSS SAID COMPANIES. ALL ITEMS MENTIONED WERE BOUGHT WITH MY OWN MONEY. THIS BLOG POST WAS DONE OF MY OWN FREE WILL, ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN, UNBIASED.

COLLECTIVE HAUL!: Sephora and Ulta

The Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette in all its glory...

  I was super excited to have some play money this tax season and be able to stock up on some things for this year.  Two stores in particular I have heard so much about and wanted to give a go-Sephora and Ulta. I have been wanting to get my feet wet in trying some more high-end cosmetics.  I have seen many reviews and tutorials based on the Urban Decay Naked Palettes  While I do love soft neutral, shelling out fifty dollars for one palatte from a brand I have never tried before seemed too much.  So, you can only imagine my delight when they came out with a cheaper alternative, the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette.

Too Faced Suddenly Sexy Palette

  Then I saw some sets at some very reasonable prices. For twenty-five dollars, the Too Faced Suddenly Sexy Set (limited edition) came with a palette, which included eight shadows, four lipglosses (I discovered upon arrival smelled like chocolate!), blush, a sample of eye shadow insurance primer, a glossy black eyeliner, and a makeup bag. I was surprised to discover how small the palette was, along with the makeup bag. The makeup bag is also supposed to be limited edition; it's the size of a pencil case.  I think if you were traveling and wanted to just carry small basics, it would be ideal. However, if one wanted to transfer a lot of big bulky items from place to place, it wouldn't be practical. After swatching the

shadows and lipglosses for a friend of mine, I saw that a few of the lighter shadows didn't have much of a color payoff and faded into my skin. Which, I am not surprised, for I have had the same problem with my Too Faced Romantic Eye Kit. The darker shades however, were stunning. As were the lipglosses! They are gorgeous!! In fact, after I tried removing them with a makeup remover wipe from my wrist, there was color still left behind. The stains were still there after I did four loads of dishes by hand. So, the lipglosses are very color fast.

My lovely Tarte Palette and primer.

  The other set I stumbled across was by Tarte.  Not sure of this brand, I asked a close friend of mine, Honey, CEO of http://www.honeyxo.com, if the product would be worth my while. After she affirmed that not only it would be a bargain, but it was a very good quality brand, I decided to purchase it, as well.  Marked down from forty-four dollars to thirty, the Tarte Eye Couture Day-to-Night Palette sports a purple quilted case, embossed with a gold lock and key, holds ten huge full sized shadows (five bronze tones, and five charcoal tones), a step by step guide for four makeup looks, a dual ended eye shadow brush, and a eyeliner.   When I received this set in my order a sample tarte eye shadow primer also came with it.  I have been using this set these past few days, and already I love it! The shadows blend so well together. It is like having the color impact and blending payoff you would get from loose mineral pigments, but in the easy form of a hard shadow.  If I can tear myself away from using it daily, I might be able to relay later how my other palettes are after some use.

A forty-one dollar set for twelve bucks! What a steal!!!

  Not long ago, I purged out a lot of my lippies. Majority of them because they were old, and the rest because I just didn't like them.  So my own supply was pretty sparce.  There was a Stila Sealed With a Kiss lipglaze trio, regularly sold for forty-one dollars, on sale for twelve, I also decided to purchase after reading many reviews.  Thus far, I have tried the darker purple shade of the three. It is very sticky, but the color payoff is very desirable, and does graze your lips with a subtle color.  I am glad I read all the reviews, as I was warned more than once to take my time clicking the product up so it doesn't spew everywhere in a hurry. I bought all these products at Sephora online and with them I recieved three perfume samples (Justin Beiber's Girlfriend, Juicy's La La Couture, and Lancome's La Vie Est Belle), and a Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Flirt. I am thrilled to have another sample of Flirt. I still use my other sample from my previous order from Too Faced and am addicted, but really don't like spending nineteen dollars on a full sized.  I would much rather invest money in other cosmetics that I do not have to reapply throughout the day after eating and/or drinking.
    At Ulta online, I made a much smaller economical order.  Upon the release of NYX cosmetics' Lip Gloss Butters, I have been wondering what they were like.  I purchased four: Cherry Cheese Cake (a bright orange), Creme Brulee (a soft nude), Peaches and Cream (a bright pink), and Apple Strudel (a softer bright pink). I have tried the Cherry Cheese Cake, and prefer to wear it with a brown neutral makeup look. I have also tried the Creme Brulee, also good with a neutral makeup look, and the Peaches and Cream. I do not know if they smell like their names, but they do have a distinct yummy scent to them.  I also believe if you are considering trying out some of the really bright color lippies now in trend, but don't know if its for you then the Cherry Cheese Cake and Peaches and Cream would be a good way to discover new horizons. They are bright but if put on minimally they can offer that bright color without being too "loud" and can certainly be built on.  So far I am very pleased with them and would love to try other "flavors."
   I have been wanting a waterproof brown eyeliner for my softer neutral looks and to use in tandem with my Urban Decay Basics palette; something more soft and less harsh than the black I normally use. And at a very reasonable price Essence offered one.

 With summer in my radar, I have searched for a eye shadow palette designed for the warmer months. I wanted something that offered not only brown tones, but a pale yellow and blue and green shades as well. For under five dollars, there was the Essence Sun Club Glamour South  Beach palette.  All the shades I wanted in that one palette.
  Ulta sent me so many samples! I was sent a orange gauze bag filled with so many goodies from skin care to hair, and they sent a trio sampler pack.  It would take me a while just to list them all.  I qualified for quite a bit of it for making an order that was at least twenty-five dollars.
  All in all, it's exciting to try out some new things.  If it is of interest to the reader, after some time of usage, I can certainly write reviews on said products.

<3 Beth.   
I want to send out a BIG thank you to my dear friend Honey for helping me decided what to purchase (Tarte, Stila, Urban Decay, and Too Faced), and recommending these online stores (Sephora and Ulta).  I would have been at total loss, as to what to get. Check her out on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/destne146  And keep up with Honey at her blog at: http://www.honeygirlsworld.com/blog.html

FTC: THESE ARE PRODUCTS I HAVE PURCHASED WITH MY OWN MONEY. I AM IN NO WAY BEING COMPENSATED TO DISCUSS OR PROMOTE THE PRODUCTS MENTIONED. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. THIS BLOG POST WAS DONE OF MY OWN FREE WILL AND NOT OF OBLIGATION TO ANYONE.

I AM IN NO WAY PROMOTING SEPHORA, ULTA, TARTE, TOO FACED, URBAN DECAY, NYX COSMETICS, OR ESSENCE COSMETICS. I AM AFFILIATED WITH HTTP://WWW.HONEYXO.COM  COSMETICS AND ONLY HTTP://WWW.HONEYXO.COM COSMETICS AND RECIEVE(D)  FREE PRODUCT FOR MODELING AND PROMOTING SERVICES.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HOUSEWIFE: New Laptop, Nesting in Our New Home, and Two Months Until Baby Number Two is Here!

Two and a half more months to go!

It has been a journey this past year. All the moves, and the ups and downs of life and marriage. I am still amazed our how our little family has progressed. God has blessed us so, and I am daily grateful to Him.  Just a few months away we will be welcoming a new little one to our family; another girl. Oh, how I am excited! My baby doll, Tori has been so much fun, and to think I will have another girl to dress up and fuss over and love to bits!  I can tell Victoria is excited over the prospect of being a big sister. Already, she has inspected time and again the baby clothes and equipment and given her approval over the items. It has been quite an endeavor trying to keep her out of it all and reorganizing them.  While this winter has kept us cooped up indoors most of the time, we pass our days with play and videos; and I stay occupied with the cleaning and running the home (and running after my two year old who undo's the cleaning!).  We look forward to spring, when we can hang up our coats and run outside in the warm air and sun...soon.

  

 The baby has been more active than ever. Even still, I can tell her personality is already much different than my eldest.  When I was carrying Victoria, whenever I would press on my stomach, she would press back and play with me.  This little one, however, will not. In fact, she waits until I am unaware, and WHAM! she kicks me a good one (lil ornery!).

   We still have yet to find a first name. About every day I present one to hubby and he still hasn't heard the 'right' one yet.  We had the same difficulty with Victoria's name, too. I had her middle name ready but her first that we actually agreed on didn't come to me until a month before she was born. Hubby has joked that we are keeping the tradition going.  Regardless, I keep having dreams that I give birth and this poor kiddo doesn't have a name still and grows up with out one. Ridiculous, I know.
      This past week we were finally able to afford a laptop. As some of you have known, our last one was stolen from our car, months ago, shortly after a move.  It has been difficult for me, being without the connection to everyone; to be able to blog, vlog, and interact with others.  After having this new laptop for the past few days, I must confess it has been aggravating to relearn a new electronic, hence the reason I will not be doing youtube videos for a while, yet.  I hope to soon.  Not only do I have to learn how to pull up my videos via computer, but also how to edit again.  In the meantime, I will keep blogging away, which I actually prefer blogging to videos.  I have loved writing since early high school.

                                      

                                                I can often be found in my kitchen. Cleaning and cooking is endless!

    I am truly glad to be back!      

<3 Beth.

Nails: DEALS AND STEALS

Pretty purple hues for spring.

I normally look into broadening my horizons by scouting out nail polishes after Christmas. Last year Milani had a decent sale at CVS Pharmacy.  This year, also at CVS, Nicole by OPI Kardashian nail polishes were fifty percent off.  I have been really wanting to try some of the Kardashian line when the first came out, but could not bring myself to shell out eight bucks on one. I picked up two purple shades. Having an assortment of mostly pink shades already, I wanted to try something else; and purple is perfect for spring (haha, can't you tell I am ready for warm weather?! It is frigid up here in Indiana!).  One shade, a lighter purple shimmer is called "One Big Happy Fame-ILY" and the other dark purple shimmer, almost black, is named "Smile for the Glam-era." I haven't tried them yet, as I am leary about using certain products during pregnancy, but I have opened them and they are stunning.  I have high hopes they will wear well.

The shades are breathtaking! Thank you so much Honey for telling me about this STEAL!!

   A couple weeks before I stumbled upon this sale, a dear friend of mine, Honey (at http://www.youtube.com/user/destne146, http://www.honeygirlsworld.com/blog.html) contacted me to let me know if I was interested, she had a code for three free nail polishes at http://www.zoya.com. The only hitch was that I would have to pay shipping, and considering each polish alone cost originally eight dollars, that was a bargain.  I had never heard of them before, but after I was introduced to their site I started noticing their presence in beauty magazines that I love (such as Lucky, Glamour and INStyle).
   Once on their site, I was almost overwhelmed by all their options. They have almost every shade conceiveable.  I gravitated toward one shade, originally because of it's name "Tori."  My daughter Victoria-Tori is her nickname  and it is a beautiful deep pink. Then I went with another called "Zuza" since I have been on the hunt for a decent teal color for summer.  The past few years I have watched that shade come back every summer season, so I don't think it is going anywhere. Then I saw "Tiffany" and was enraptured.  The beautiful pink-gold chrome beckoned to me, or so it seemed.
   The order took about a week to arrive. Everything came nice and neat and intact. So far I have tried Tori, and since these polishes do not have many of the toxins others have, my daughter and I both got to play with that shade. Even the box was environmentally friendly. What can I say, I'm one pleased momma!

<3 Beth.


Note: All opinions are my own unbiased. I am in no way being paid by zoya or opi to blog and/or review their products. I am in no way being compensated. All products mentioned were purchased with discount and the blog post was written of my own free will and of my own choosing.

E.O.S. A New Lip Balm?!

     I was on the hunt when I went to Walmart one day for some skincare to clear up the dry patches on my face, which I have been combating for years now.  I just happened to look down as I walked down an isle when I caught a glimpse of an e.o.s. lip balm in an unfamiliar color.  I had seen yellow, green, and a peachy pink, but a baby pink? I had to check it out. I read on the packaging that it was "strawberries n creme." I have once tried a summer fruit lip balm of theirs and liked it. This has been some while ago, and no longer having one of my own I decided to pick this up.  When I once got home and opened it up for a sniff, I found that it smelled exactly as described.  It is great they put so much product in the packaging. It lasts a long time; considerably longer than, let's say the Avon chapsticks.  I purchased three or four e.o.s. lipbalms for my mother one christmas and she still hasn't finished them. And since it is natural and organic when my two year old baby doll sees me putting it on and wants some, I can apply some on her wee lips without any worries.  I have to clean it often as it seems to collect any debris that may be on my lips; ergo skin flakes ect. I use it every night after my skin care routine before going to bed. During the cold winter months it does help prevent my lips from being chapped.  My only complaint is, as a friend of mine once put it, it is difficult to put in a jean pocket.

<3 Beth.

Smells so yummy!

                                                                   

  Note: I AM IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH E.O.S. AND BOUGHT THIS PRODUCT WITH MY OWN MONEY. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN UNBIASED. I AM NOT IN ANY WAY BEING COMPENSATED FOR THIS REVIEW/BLOG POST. I AM INFACT AN AFFILIATE FOR HTTP://WWW.HONEYXO.COM 

Trying Too Faced Products for First Time...FIRST IMPRESSIONS

My 2012 Christmas Goodies!

        When I first joined Youtube almost two years ago, and immersed myself in the beauty community, I learned of a lot of high-end makeup companies that were unknown to me before.  I have talked a lot about putting together looks on a budget with drugstore makeup and other affordable resources. While they do have their benefits, in the back of my mind I have always wondered if they lived up their hype and was worth their prices.

On one side of the cards the instructions are in french!

      This past Christmas, I was fortunate enough to have some play money to have some fun.  Being that I am very pregnant, buying some newer clothes at this time wasn't really practical.  I decided on trying something very new.  For a long while, I have watched many videos on Youtube discussing the Too Faced eye kits.  Already, I own a dupe for the natural eye kit that I had bought at Rue21, which I do use very often.  I ready many reviews before making my selection.  Having brown tones already in my Rue Beaute dupe, I felt the need for something different. With spring coming on I wanted some soft pastels.  Then I saw it-the Romantic Eye Kit. The packaging alone I found quite pretty; and the cards' directions looked simplistic enough.  When I do purchase an eye kit of any kind, whether it be NYX, Rue Beaute, or drugstore, my main concerns are quick functionality and quality (and cute packaging would be nice, lol). 
    Since there was a special on shipping I added to my order the Too Faced Eye Shadow Insurance Primer.  The primer which I have used in many of my previous tutorials, the I-Candy Couture Eye Candy Fix Eye primer from I-Candy Couture (now known as http://www.honeyxo.com ), I have had about a year. It had reached its prime, and I would be needing something new.  I almost cried when I had to give it up. I loved that primer, and still have yet to find anything like it. 
  With my order I was permitted to select some samples. I picked out a lipgloss called Glamour Gloss in the shade flirt and another primer (which I gave away to a dear friend).

Comparing Too Faced to a dupe...

   My order arrived in about a week or so, in a card board box.  In comparison to my dupe, I was surprised that the Romantic Eye Kit was quite a bit smaller in size; the packaging that is.  It looked to have the same amount of product. I tried each look provided by the tutorial cards that came with it. Two of the three I favor more. The classic one I use often, and the fashion one is something I would use when going out with friends or on a date with hubby. The day look, to me wasn't much different than some other kits that I already own.  The shadows have a silky powdery consistency, which threw me a loop, considering I read a review stating that it was very "buttery and soft." Compared to my dupe, it is definitely not. Regardless, the pigmentation isn't too bad and it gave the soft look I was after. Something for spring when I am in a hurry, as is my dupe for summer/fall.  When applying, I didn't notice any fall out, and the colors seemed to blend much better with brushes rather than applicators. 
   The primer I ordered also turned out to work sufficiently. My shadows last all day.  I miss the sticky creamy consistency my previous primer provided, but when my Nyx base is added in tandum it is adequate for now.
   When I first looked at the Glamour lipgloss I was concerned that the shade was too dark, however it worked well with my porcelain skin tone. I was thrown off by the cooling effect it created once applied.  Quite frankly, it almost scared me at first.  It was like I had put mint on my lips.  It didn't hurt at all, nor was it annoying. The sensation just surprised me. I went back to read up on it and realized that there were ingredients that caused this to creating plumping in the lips. I didn't notice my lips enlarge in anyway, but I imagine this would be soothing on hot summer days.
     Was the palette eye kit worth the thirty-six dollars? I will use it. I have tried better products as far as blending and pigmentation. Will I replace it in future? Doubtful.  Regardless, I will use it up; but my curiosity is satisfied now.

I find myself reaching for this look more.

I use the Fashion look secondly.  

NOTE: I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH COMPANIES MENTIONED EXCEPT http://www.honeyxo.com .  I DO RECEIVE SOME FREE PRODUCT FROM http://www.honeyxo.com FOR PROMOTIONAL, ADVERTISING, AND MODELING SERVICES. I AM NOT BEING PAID TO DISCUSS THESE PRODUCTS.


<3 Beth.

What's Been Up With Me...

      Shortly after our move this past summer, our laptop was stolen from our car in the new neighborhood. I cannot convey how devastating it has been not being able to stay connected as I once was on youtube and on my blog.  At the moment, I am using my younger brother's laptop to write a little today.

Due May 17th, 2013!

       A couple months after losing our laptop, I soon found myself pregnant with our second child.   While we are excited for the new life growing inside me, we look to the future with a little apprehension about the state of our finances; as I am sure most people in this economy today are also still overwhelmed.  However, looking ahead, I feel unusually calm. God has always provided for us somehow, and has always been faithful.
    Just this past week, I finally had a pick-line removed from my arm.  The pregnancy has been very hard on my body. After about three months of not being able to keep even my own saliva down and rapidly loosing weight, the obgyn ordered a device to be put in my arm (wires-tubing that went up my arm and into my heart) so that I would be able to give myself fluid at home using a small pump.  Before, I would show up to the hospital every few days to get an iv for fluid and antibiotics.  Learning how to do this at home was quite an endeavor to say the least.  It was traumatic going to surgery by myself.  I was scared, and the process was very painful. Hubby had to work that day, and I wanted him desperately.  Giving myself fluids for the next three weeks also was frightening; as I was warned more than once that if not careful about pumping in too many air bubbles, I could die.
   But thank goodness, I managed it. Now I am able to keep everything down now as I start my second trimester.  Milk and eggs or even the thought of it make me sick, but nonetheless, I am doing very well.  I still have yet to find out what the baby is.  I feel that it may be a boy, however I could be wrong.  Whatever the gender, I know I will love this sweet babe as much as my little Tori, who is now two.  She is so darling.
     I have yet to figure out how to prepare her for the arrival of her younger sibling to be. The best I could do was hold her wee hand on my belly and tell her that "mommy's baby is in there."  Now when asked, "where's baby at?" she will bounce up to me and softly pat my stomach and say, "baaaybee!"
     The "terrible two's" have come a lot sooner than I would have wished.  Rather than playing with her toys now she just dumps everything on the floor. I told hubby that she reminded me of Taz who left chaos behind him.  She has become so ornery at home, but  then acts like an innocent princess while we are out. So many have said, "She is so quiet! Is she always this good?"  Little showoff! But she is our doll, and like most tots she is testing the limits. That's how they learn.
    It is time I signed off for today.  I do not know when I will have the chance to blog again, but hope to do so soon.  But for now, Happy Holidays Everyone!!

<3 Beth.