Products I'm Loving Right Now

Shampoo & Conditioner: Mizani Thermasmooth System
My stylist uses this system when flat ironing my hair. It consists of a shampoo, conditioner, serum and a spritz. After using this my hair is so shiny, silky, smooth and stays straight so much longer. I almost always get my hair flat ironed but since using this system I have so many people ask me what I had done differently with my hair.
Shower Gel: Dove Exfoliating Body Wash
Deodorant: Little Black Dress Approved Degree Women Ultra Clear

Cleanser: Biore 4-in-1 Foaming Cleanser
Exfoliator: Patricia Wexler M.D Dermatology Resurfacing Microbrasion System
Foundation brush: MAC 187
Concealer: Amazing Cosmetics
Highlighter: MAC Hush Cream Color Base
Eyeshadows: MAC Knight Divine
Eyeliner: Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes
Mascara: Covergirl Lash Blast
Lipgloss: MAC Dazzleglass Sugarrimmed
Lip Moisturizer: Chapstick Naturals

Sephora: Sweet Steals

Sephora is offering many limited edition and limited quanity items all for $10 and under online and in stores. If that alone doesn't entice you here's how to get the most bang for your buck:

Sign up and use Ebates to automatically get 8% cash back

Snag your three free samples at checkout

Enter coupon code EXTRA for an additional 20% off your order

Expires 12/31

'V' Magazine's Plus-sized January Issue

An eight page editorial shot by Terry Richardson for 'V' Magazine is titled One Size Fits All. It shows a size 16 model paired along side a size 0 model. They are both posed and styled very similar. Beautiful plus sized model Crystal Renn holds her own. Why can't we see this more often?

Merry Christmas!

Cookies & Cream Fudge

Thanks so much to Steph over at Confessions of a Stay-At-Home Mom for hosting a giveaway with Carnation Evaporated Milk. I snagged coupons for 2 free cans of Carnation Evaporated Milk! We all know how expensive baking goods are this time of year. Seriously, who isn't baking something for Christmas or New Year's?

I took a peak at www.TheCookingMilk.com to get some fresh ideas on what to make this holiday. I considered some of the savory dishes but was stopped dead in my tracks when I spotted the recipe for Cookies & Cream fudge. O.M.G. 

Yummo! *Rachel Ray voice*

Recipe and directions can be found here

MAC in Lillyland

I don't know about you but, I'm already sick of the cold weather and dreary days. Enters MAC in Lillyland. The colorful Lilly Pulitzer has teamed up with MAC Cosmetics for a limited edition line due in stores on January 7th. Take a look at just a few items that's to come...

Lipgelee ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)

Lush & Bright Bright pink with yellow coral with pink pearlized pigments

Preppy Blue pink with pink pearlized pigments


Shift to Pink Light violet with silver pearlized pigments


Resort Life Off white with pink pearlized pigments

     

Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S. / $15.50 CDN)

Coconut Ice Light yellow peach pink (Cream)

Steamy Hot N Steamy pink (Cream)

Pearlmatte Face Powder ($27.50 U.S. / $32.50 CDN)

NOTD Maybelline Glad To Be Green

April Showers Giveaway!

April Showers Blog Design is having a HUGE giveaway and celebrating her OPEN waiting list that starts January 1st! April not only does blogs - but also invitations, announcements, calendars, cards, business cards, custom illustrations, and so much more! Just by pasting this paragraph on my blog I'm a winner! http://www.aprilshowersblogdesign.com/

This Christmas Give Presense

I have been so wrapped up in my Thanksgiving menu, Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals that I've had to stop and remind myself about what the holidays truly mean. Take a moment to remind youself as well.

Rihanna's AMA Makeup

Love it or Hate it....What do you guys think?

Finger Paints- Art Deal of Fortune

I picked up this polish at my local Sally's Beauty Suppy Store for around $4.00 using their discount card. The price was definately right, but how was everything else...you ask? Keep reading.

The consistency is thinner than what I would expect from a quality polish such as OPI. The brush was large enough to coat my nails evenly with only a few strokes and I loved that. Even after using my Sally Hanson Super Fast Topcoat the polish did start to chip a little the following day. The color is a neutral golden bronzed toffee color. Work appropriate, sublte and perfect for the fall season.

Would I repurchase? Heck yeah. For the price and Finger Paints extensive collection of colors, I would just invest in a new topcoat! I've got my eye on Candy Cane Shimmer, a color that just came out with their holiday collection.

Jimmy Choo for H&M

Jimmy Choo and H&M have teamed up to bring us a limited edition collection featuring shoes, handbags and accesories priced from $30-$200! The collection will be released on November 14th at 200 H&M locations.

I'm not a shoe lover but I do have my eye on this rocker syle clutch priced at $99.


Will you be at H&M on November 14th?

Life's Smallest Treasures

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.

Celebrity Makeup: Keri Hilson

MAC Cosmetics Sr. Artist Romero Jennings tells us how you can recreate Keri's look:

1. Prep + Prime Skin.

2. Moisture Blend Foundation NC42,NC43 and NW45 Matte Bronzing Powder.

3. Blush in Sunbasque and Frankly Scarlet.
4. Eye shadow: Saddle, Blacktied, Cream de Violet, Blacktrack Fluidline Gel Liner.
5. Spice and Plum Lip Liner.
6. Prep + Prime Lash Primer, Plushlash Mascara in Plushblack and Fascinating pencil.
7. Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in Medium and Dark for contouring.


From Mac Cosmetics Electroflash:


1. Mineralized Eye Shadow Duo in Love Connection and Two to Glow.
2. Lipstick in Mellow Mood.
3. Lipglass in Major Minor.


How to:

1. Pump up lashes top and bottom with 2 coats of prep and prime mascara.
2. Then add one heavy winter coat of Plushlash mascara in Plushblack.
3. I then add the #7 lashes which I cut into fine pieces and place on the top lashes!
4. The skin was primed with Prep + Prime Skin and polished with a sheer coat of Moistureblend Foundation that is highlighted with Moisturelush Eye Cream and contoured Matte Bronzer!
5. Shadows were pumped up with Creme de Violet used as a liner/shadow under eye while Saddle and Black Tied shadows frames the eye!

Free GoodNites

I have heard these were great to use on older children. I have several friends that have used them and said they helped when their child was wetting the bed. Although I never tried these, a free sample wouldn't hurt anyone!

Click the link below to get your free sample!

Free GoodNites

What I'm Loving Right Now

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads

So there's one thing I'm afraid of...and it's wrinkles. I try my hardest to use products with SPF and give myself weekly 40% lactic acid peels at home. But, we all can do more. Right? Enter un-wrinkle peel pads. You just apply it after washing your face and neutralize with water. It makes my skin so soft and I hope it's keeping the wrinkles at bay.

It's amino acids alpha, beta and gamma exfoliate, resurface, clarify and firm your skin. This product claims to minimize pores, fine lines and even skin tone. Contains a number of vitamins, chamomile, and green tea extracts.

*fingers crossed*

MAC Warm Blend Mineralized Skinfinish

This baby came out with the Colour Craft Collection and there isn't an unpleasent thing I can say about it. It's absolutely gorgeous! It's a trio of colors that can be swirled together and applied as a bronzer, contour color or even over the cheeks as a nice glow. I have worn it in every way possible. I have worn each color separately as an eye shadow as well. This is a must have if you can still get your hands on it.

MAC Lusterglass Love Nectar
The best peachy nude with golden pearl shimmer lipgloss on the planet! I have one for my personal use and another in my kit for clients. It works well on just about any skin tone. I throw it on alone or sometimes pair it with different liners for more bronze or a more pink effect. I do alot of smokey eye looks and this is my favorite go to color to set it off. Visit MAC Cosmetics and pick one up.

Juicy Couture Perfume
This has all the notes that I love in a perfume. There's a mix of sweet, fresh and floral. Very girly and whimsical. It's been described as "something Barbie might wear". There is one note that I'm not so fond of and it's the tuberose. Blah! I don't know why but it reminds me of my grandmother's perfume. I'm not into sophisticated and complex scents like Chanel No 5. I want something fun, free spirited and alive. Thankfully, the tuberose note disappears and then it's topped with a hint of vanilla and white flowers. Which is the most prominent. I will buy this scent over and over again. Available at Sephora.

The Mineralista Mineral Pigment in Blush
This is a beautiul sheer shimmery pink that I use as a wash of color on the lids. I purchased this sample for $1 and it has been well worth every cent. I ordered several pigment samples and recieved them in less than a week! The Mineralista isn't currently taking orders.  

Heartbreaker Cosmetics Charmers Glow in Slick
I have been using two products from Heartbreaker Cosmetics recently. This one has to be my absolute favorite. Their line of Glows are similar to MAC mineralize skin finishes--without the high price. A light dusting provides your face that iridescent glow that wakes your face up. It's described as a bronze glow with bronze shimmer.
My other favorite is It's Magic eye color. It's beautiful as an inner corner highlight to add a tiny pop of white shimmer to my bold smokey eyes. $1 for a sample...does it get any better? Check them out and let me know what you think!

Celebrity Makeup: Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer looked amazing on the red carpet at the "This Is It" movie premiere. The talented Bebe Booth spills the beans and tells us how you can re-create Jennifer's eye makeup at home using a drugstore brand that I love, Milani Cosmetics.

"To achieve these beautiful bold smokey eyes for an evening out on the town, you will need several shadows to create the look. I recommend two palettes from Milani’s Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows; Backstage Basics ($8.99) for your shimmery silver & black shades and the Ready To Wear ($8.99) palette for the golden highlight around the inner corners of your eyes. Each of these palettes has six shades to choose from, so you have many options for creating a soft or heavy smokey eye. For this look, keep the darker shades toward the outer crease and the shimmer highlights toward the inner crease of the eye. To really make your eyes pop, you will need Milani’s Eyeliner Pencil in True Black ($3.99). Line the eye top to bottom from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye; don’t be afraid to smudge the liner for a softer affect. Though it might feel strange to apply the pencil liner along the inside of the waterline, it will definitely give your smoky eye that dramatic affect Jen is known for. Don’t forget about the lashes - you want them to stand out as well - so apply several coats of Milani’s Power Lash in Black ($6.49). I recommend applying the first few coats of mascara for thickness, let the lashes dry and then go back to add length with a finishing coat. "

Benefit Powderazzi Blush Compact

Lauren Loves is giving away a compact that holds Benefit's most popular blush colors Corlista, Dallas and Hoola. You even get a mini blush brush. Check her out & Good Luck Mamas!

Contest ends Monday, November 9

Happy Halloween!

From our families to yours we hope you have a safe and enjoyable Halloween!

Don't forget to grab a your free taco from Taco Bell tonight!

Do you like your Baby Einstein Videos?

Have you heard about all of the Baby Einstein lawsuit drama between them and several families? The lawsuit was bought about because their children did not become genius's from the videos! The videos are not meant to raise your child, they are to help with key points and development. I think that the Baby Einstein videos are wonderful and my son enjoys every single one we own. 

If you are disappointed there's good news...Baby Einstein is offering a free upgrade or money back gaurantee on any video purchased between June 5, 2004 and September 4, 2009. Visit their website for more information.

Thrifty Thursday

Boston Market Chicken Meal for $1

The Boston Market offer includes the chicken, mashed potatoes and cornbread.

Coupon is valid until Nov 1 2009. Be patient coupon takes a few minutes to load.

Beech-Nut Starter Kit

To receive your free sample, you will need to register here for the Beech Nut mailing list, and they will occasionally send you additional offers.

I used Beechnut with my son from day one, he absolutely loved it from stage 1 all way to the cereal, and up to stage 3. I love how the cereal came in a ready to pour box, with no messes!

$1 off any Neutrogena Cleanser

Go to their site and register for your coupon!

Free Black Jack Taco

October 31st 6pm-Midnight only. No coupon necessary

*Makeup Giveaway*

Mascara is that one beauty item that will instantly make you look refreshed and awake.

Mommylikesstuff.com is giving away a free Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara and Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover every 4 months for an entire year! Good luck Mamas!
This contest ends December 31, 2009 at 6:00 CST. Winners will be posted on or about January 2, 2010 on the page titled “Mama Won It!”

Thrifty Thursday

L'Oreal Ever Pure System

Go here to request yours before they run out!

Free box of Always Infinity

Sign up here for Being Girl kit which includes:

 2 Tampax Pearl Tampons, 1 Compak Pearl Tampon, 1 Always Infinity Maxi-Pad, 2 Always Pantiliners, and 1 Always Feminine Wipe

Barnes & Noble: Free cookie & hot chocolate

Only on Saturday October 24th, you can take this coupon into a Barnes & Noble to get a free small cookie and hot cocoa. No purchase necessary.

Thank you Lori over at Moms by Heart!

Sephora's Friends & Family 20% Off

Now until November 2nd you can grab that beauty item you have been wanting so badly for 20% off using online coupon code FF2009. I picked up Juicy Couture Fragrance and love it!

Lacoste Fragrance Free Sample

Visit Lacoste and complete the online form for your sample. Ladies this is perfect to throw into your purse or select the men's fragrance and give it to your special someone.

Kodak EasyShare Z1015 REVIEW!

The Kodak EasyShare Z1015 IS is an affordable ultra-zoom point-and-shoot retailing for $299.95. Any other professional camera would range anywhere between $600-2,000. A 15x optical zoom for that price is certainly a deal, this camera features high resolution pictures with 10 megapixels. The user interface of the Z1015 IS is simple and easy to learn, and more advanced users will appreciate the full complement of manual controls available along with RAW support.

MY PERSONAL REVIEW: I absolutely love this camera, it is easy to camera and maneuver being that I have my son. I am able to hold my son and the camera and not have the fear of dropping either one. When my son is on the go the camera has a SPORTS or IN MOTION function where I can capture my little one in action.I am able to take my own pictures instead of paying an arm or a leg for studio pictures. I feel that if you are trying to get into photography or just want to have some great high quality pictures that this is the camera to use. I feel it was worth the cost!

Recipe: Sweet Italian Sausage Soup

Yesterday was our first really chilly fall day here in Virginia. My family needed a warm homemade soup. So, I decided on this one.

• 
  
  1/2 diced onion
  
  
  
• 
  
  1 garlic clove
  
  
  
• 
  
  6 sweet italian sausages
  
  
  
• 
  
  14 cups stock
  
  
  
• 
  
  1 cup uncooked rice
  
  
  
• 
  
  1 cup italian plum tomatoes
  
  
  
• 
  
  1/2 lb of destemmed spinach
  
  
  
• 
  
  2/3 cup any italian cheese
  
  
  

Recipe from http://www.recipecircus.com/

Directions:
Remove skin and cut sausage in 1/2 pieces and put into large pot. Add onion and saute' on low until sausage is golden brown. (I crumbled the sausage)
Add stock and simmer. Add rice and tomatoes and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is done. (I used 1 can italian-style stewed tomatoes)
Add spinach, salt & pepper to taste. (I added hot sauce to my serving)
Garnish each bowl with cheese before serving. (I also added homemade multi-grain croutons)

Verdict: This soup was okay. I think it's a great base to experiment and get rid of leftovers. You could add any pasta like orzo, tortilenni, elbow, or penne. Next time I would add more garlic, another can of tomatoes, white northern beans and veggies like celery, carrots and zucchini. Maybe even use half sweet and half mild sausages for more zip. However, this recipe was very economical.

Thrifty Thursday

Every Thursday we bring you our favorites coupons, freebies and giveaways!

$10 Off Honey Baked Ham -Visit their site for a coupon sent via email for $10 off a 8lb or larger ham.

ELF Cosmetics 27-pc Makeup Kit FREE with any $1 purchase using coupon code LOYAL at http://eyeslipsface.com/.

Victoria Secret Pink Panty-No purchase necessary. Print coupon here

Pearl Paradise Freshwater Pearl Hoop Earrings ($227 value) Giveaway

Visit A Giveaway Addicted Mommy's blog to get it!

Huggies Pure & Natural Free Sample & Coupon

Sizes Newborn & 1

Sign up here

Malachi's easy, affordable & fun 1st Birthday!

My son just turned 1 years old on Sept 28th. My husband and I could not come up with idea's for our son's birthday. Finally after about two weeks of thinking of an idea, we came up with a crayola theme. Every kid loves bright colors! I purchased a moon bounce on craigslist for $75 dollars, which it can be used for many years to come. I cooked hot dogs and chicken nuggets for the kiddies and for the parents they had chicken, pasta salad, fruit and veggies. I also found someone to do a home made cake for $50 dollars in the shape of a crayola crayon box! The cake was amazing I was impressed.

The weather was perfect and the kids loved doing side walk chalk ($8 dollars for a box of chalk). My son had a wagon and a lot of parents were giving the children wagon rides (Free). Last but not least I went to target and found Crayola felt bags and used as gift bags ($1 each bag), I put some little goods in the bag out of the $1 section in Target as well. Plus little odds and ends where purchased ( eating utensils, beverages, ect..)

The total cost of the party rounded to about $260 dollars - the moon bounce $185!

In gathering feedback from some of the other parents they were truly happy and impressed with the outcome of the party. They were amazed with some of the simple and cheap ideal's that the kids enjoyed!

Will your child get the H1N1 vaccine?

Smart, educated women want to know the facts before we make decisions regarding our family's health. There is no denying that H1N1 is real, and it can be dangerous--especially for our little ones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that infants to age 24, pregnant woman and adults with underlying medical conditions are highly at risk. I can't help to wonder, was the vaccine rushed to production without adequate trials? Are there long-term side effects? Will the vaccine actually block the virus?

As a conscientious parent, my worst fear doesn't even relate to the H1N1 virus itself. The vaccine contains trace amounts of thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. Mercury is said to stay in the brain for several years following the original exposure. It has been linked to the onset of cardiovascular disease, seziures, asthma and most controversally autism.

In 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Public Health Service and vaccine manufacturers all agreed to reduce or eliminate thimerosal in vaccines as a “precautionary measure” Thimerosal re-emerges in 2009.

The majority of available doses of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine will be multi-dose vials that contain thimerosal. Single-dose units, which may be difficult to find, will not contain thimerosal as a preservative. Additionally, the FluMist® vaccine that is inhaled through the nose will be offered in single-dose units and will not contain thimerosal.

When available, will get my children vaccinated? I'm still on the fence. One school of thought is to help your children ward off illnesses by keeping their immune system strong. Could a blend of organic meats, vegetables, fresh fruit and juices be just what the doctor ordered? I doubt it...

What will you do?