Retro City Sunglasses

I love sunglasses and am so excited that I get to give one of you guys some! The glasses on top are for the giveaway, watch the video below for rules and details!

 

Pretty Princess

This is my daughter's "pretty princess" hair that she described in full detail before I started. What can I say, girl knows what she wants!

My daughter is beautiful. I know every mom thinks that, but she really is. I always try to emphasize to her that she is beautiful because she has a beautiful heart. She is one smart cookie, but she genuinely loves people and really is a joy to have around. I remember when she was 2 years old she got in trouble for something. It didn't bother her one bit that she was in time out and getting in trouble. What bothered her was that I told her it made my heart sad when she acted that way. When those words came out of my mouth I saw a look on her face that I had never seen before. SHE was heartbroken. She was so sad in the depths of her heart that she had made me sad... that she cried like I had never seen her cry before. I told myself not to ever say that again because I never wanted to see her feel sad in that way again. 

When I watch her, she is so confident, talkative, full of life. She is always doing things for other people. Drawing them pictures, writing them letters, making them necklaces... she's naturally a giver. 

I often look at her and wonder at what age girls lose that sense of confidence, freedom and joy for life.

I hope she never loses it and knows that she is a pretty princess no matter how old she is. That she is beautiful because she has a beautiful heart, That she has parents who love her and truly believe she can do anything she wants. That she always loves and gives. 

Such a special girl...my pretty princess.

SOUFEEL Charm Bracelets

i didn't realize the little nest with eggs was flipped around on the last couple pictures, sorry!
I got this beautiful bracelet from SOUFEEL.com and wanted to share it with you.
I am the worst person to shop for. I like every style of everything, but am super picky..and I don't collect anything so it makes it real  hard (especially on my hubby) when he wants to get me something special. Now I have something I can collect!



if you order one use code "1free " for select charms buy one get one free
or
use code "soufeeloffer" to get 50% off your order!

Pinterest...Fail!

So the other night I was doing some late night (or should I say REALLY early morning) Pinterest-ing. One click led to another and I ended up on this blog that shared home remedies for cleaning. 

One of the posts was a "I know everyong has been doing this for centuries, but I thought I'd share" cleaning tips. 

"Cleaning your microwave:

put a cup of vinegar and a cup of hot water in a microwave safe bowl

set your microwave to 10 minutes.

when it is done, wipe clean... and Voila! clean microwave!"

Sounds so easy and great right? There was even a picture of a horribly dirty microwave and a sparkly clean microwave. I thought... hey, this will only take a minute! So the next day (even though my microwave was not that dirty) I decided to pop the concoction in the microwave while I made necklaces with my daughter. about 5 minutes into we hear a LOUD pop, crash! What in the world? so I go into the kitchen and the bowl is clear across the floor and the vinegar water is EVERYWHERE. 

so what happened?

Here comes in my google skills. So I started googling "microwave blows up vinegar water". I guess it has happened to a lot of people in the past, but no one talked about what happened to their microwave AFTER.

sidenote: while googling this, I found a million videos on people purposely blowing up anything and everything in their microwave for fun. watermelons, soap, peeps... whatever (and no broken microwaves)

So AFTER I cleaned up the vinegar water I was curious if anything else was wrong with the microwave so I turned it back on. SPARKS WERE FLYING!

ugh. So I turned it off and started googling again.

So I guess when any sort of anything gets behind the 'wave guide cover' it causes sparks and basically it catches fire. I came across a video on YouTube that explains all this and so I ended up taking off the wave guard cover to find it was all burnt up behind it. I cleaned it out and ordered a new wave guard cover. I am hoping this fixes it and my microwave is okay.

another sidenote: we had not had a microwave since we moved in.. and FINALLY this tax return, we were like.. we need to replace the one that doesn't work. 

So I was so upset and mad that I did all this trying to CLEAN my microwave. 

aren't microwaves used to heat stuff all the time?! and water and vinegar? what about people blowing up soap, mentos and all that other stuff? so frustrated.

so pray my microwave comes back to life.

please.

the end.

Essence Makeup

So last Christmas I discovered Essence lip glosses one day ...and it was love at first swipe! I ended up buying every color AND doubles. They're only $2.29 and seriously my favorite, including the high end glosses. Here is the review I did back then. I must have had a cold or something!

 

Anyways, I don't know why it never dawned on me to try their other products when I was in love with the glosses so much! 

So I just realized ALL of their products are under $4! how amazing is that? usually you have to stick with E.L.F., Wet n Wild, or N.Y.C for those prices, and although I DO love some products from those brands...this Essence is the bidness.

Kajal Pencil in "feel the eclipse" $0.99!!!!

Quattro Eyeshadows in "over the taupe"$2.99

So I did a smokey eye look using the pencil and shadows and totally loved how it turned out!

making little changes

sometimes its easy to feel overwhelmed when there are piles of laundry, a sink full of dishes, toys EVERYWHERE and bags under your eyes. 

I've been trying to make little changes to improve my every day. One thing at a time and eventually I will get to where I want to be. I think the key is to remember to do things that are "do-able". Kind of like dieting. If you change everything at once, the chances of succeeding are a lot slimmer. Gradual change makes its way into a lifestyle which makes it much more manageable!

So... If you are like me, here are a couple of things I've started doing (one at a time) to make my life as mom,  wife, lady, human being... a little more sane.

1. wash the dishes every night before I go to bed

2. every time I leave a room I grab one thing that needs to go back to its home

3. give myself a bedtime

4. breath. 

5. do ONE load of laundry at a time, not 20. 

6. clean the bathroom while the kids are in the tub

7. take time to pray

8. tidy up ONE area at a time. I am so guilty of dumping, pouring, disheveling huge multiple areas at a time, and then I end up having a big piles of mess. So now I just concentrate one one area/thing at a time.

9. wake up earlier

10. drink more water and take my vitamins

This is just what I have been doing lately. I feel less overwhelmed...but this list is always growing! 

hope you all have a good day!

When I'm feeling down...

There are days when you just feel bad. Sometimes there's a reason, sometimes there isn't, sometimes there's so many reasons you can't even sort them all. I know not everyone has days like this...but I think most of us do. I hope this helps just a little bit...even if just to know that you are not the only one who feels like that. 

Know that you are loved. There might not be one human being in the world who understands, but there is a Father who not only understands, but cares.... I hope you know that you are loved and that you are not alone. Hang in there... :)

 

Princess Mimi

So I got some new circle lenses from contactlensxchange and although they are a lot bigger and "boi-ing" than I'm use to, I really like them. They definitely give a more of a 'doll look' to your eyes. 

I have really bad eyes, I mean... REALLY bad, and my eyes have different prescription. 

my left eye is -8.00!!! So thankful someone invented contacts because back in the day I would be considered a blind person! 

These are the Princess Mimi lenses in Almond Brown I have been wearing them for a few days and find them very comfortable. Yesterday I wore them for 18 hours and they were still comfortable. Do I suggest you wear your contacts for that long? no, but I often do... so comfort is key. I know that everyone's eyes are different so they might not be for you. I have super dry eyes too so a lot of times contacts start feeling uncomfortable in the evening. These were great, and even though they have color, the limbal ring and colored portion don't interfere with your vision. (some colored contacts give me a headache and make me feel nauseous from the haze I see when looking side to side)

Hope you are all having a great day and you chase a little bit of your dreams today!

Citrus Lane July Box: Bon Voyage!

I got a new box from Citrus Lane! Love these subscription boxes! Every month you get a box catered to your child's age and gender!

They are doing a 6 month subscription FREE Giveaway!!!

Rules:

1.Subscribe to their YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/citruslanetv

2. share their behind the scenes video with your friends

(you can always just share this whole blog post..see the itty bitty squares at the bottom left of this post? you can click it and it'll send you to share this on facebook/twitter/email etc)

3. Comment on their video telling them you shared!

Good luck!!

ps. i just got my July Birchbox! I have to say it's pretty good. Headphones, full sized Stila lip glaze, lara bar, bronzer, hair balm and the best smelling perfume ever! I rarely like perfume samples, but this one is so yummy....I was just telling my hubby I need a new perfume (I have about 2 sprays left).

anyways, hope you got good stuff in yours too! (and of course the month after i cancel myglam the bag is awesome, did you get one? what did you get?)

Diamond Candles

I am by nature an addictive person and I LOVE surprises. So when I discovered Diamond Candles off of the Cajun Couponer's website, I was sold. A yummy smelling candle AND a chance to win a diamond ring? uhm. YES PLEASE! hahaa! Every candle has a diamond ring in it. I spent HOURS, literally HOURS looking and clicking away on their Facebook page and watching video's to see what rings they got. Am I the only one that is like this?

Here is my review on the Cupcake Candle...and me revealing the ring I got... do you think I got a real diamond?!

Here is their story! if you end up getting one, I wanna see your ring!!!

To Order and get $5 off use this link!

http://curebit.com/x/2rkQp

Today's Tidbit: Not Fair to Compare

I think everyone at some point in their life has been compared. To their: sister, brother, cousin, neighbor, parent's friends kids...whoever it is, no one likes it.

Now that I have kids and they are getting older, I am trying to be more aware not to compare my kids to ANYONE. that they are the standard for themselves. 

anyways... here's today's tidbit!

cute & pretty

some times when I'm in a 'blah' kind of mood I like looking and cute & pretty things or something that gives me a little chuckle. is it just me? makes me feel better. Maybe its the little girl in me...brings me warm fuzzies....I often see little things that make me smile and remind me that all is well.

maybe it will bring you some warm fuzzies too. Know that you are loved!

          

      

  

re-inspired

it's one thing to be inspired. 

this week I got RE-inspired.

I think everyone has certain dreams, day dreams, passions they always go back to. whether in your mind or something you actually work on... I think if there is something you've always wanted to do or try... you NEED to do it. I think God puts those passions and desires in your heart for a reason, and I don't think that longing goes away until you do.

I remember when I was in high school day dreaming about certain things, wondering and imagining how it would be if...

I also think that God put some dreams and goals in my mind that I have never stopped thinking about and keep telling myself 'oh, maybe one day'.

So with that I have to say, If you have a dream or a goal... not matter how small, trivial or silly you might think it is, reach. Go towards it, even if it took 5, 10, 20 years to accomplish... you did it. 

I've asked many a woman what they would do if they had all the money, time and the ability to succeed and often they are dreams that aren't so impossible to achieve:

"i wish i could be a: firefighter, actress, photographer, gymnast, dance instructor, singer, painter, hairstylist, teacher, baker, owner of a shop, athletic person, mom, designer" and the list goes on.

Maybe you won't do it on a professional level, or be the absolute best in the whole world at it...but fulfill that desire in your heart, even just as a hobby... i bet you will be good at it :))

if you dreamed of having a bakery, bake a batch of cupcakes.

if you always wanted to be a photographer, go outside and take some pictures

if you want to be artistic, throw some paint on a bed sheet

if you wish you were athletic, go for a walk

if you want to sing, take a loooong shower and sing your heart out

Life is too short to not enjoy it... i hope you do :)

xoxo

Jeannie

(my CL inspired eyeliner for today)

Straw Necklaces

Love finding easy and quick crafts the kids can do that they enjoy. We always have straws in our house (thanks to my sensitive teeth) so this is a quick and easy craft... all you need is a shoestring, rope, yarn, thick string... and voila!

Cut up the straws small or big (or if your little one is scissor comfortable, they can do it too)

String the straws on to your shoelace,rope, yarn....

and you have a pretty, colorful and super easy necklace or bracelet!

love & laughter

this was one of my favorite moments today. Laughter and love all wrapped in one. I am so thankful I have kids that are full of love....and remind me what is important.

Today was a good day... got to see my sister and her family. It's weird seeing us grown up with families of our own. In so many ways I still feel like a kid.  I wonder when that goes away...or if forever you don't feel like a 'real grown up'. 

Strange to think that for a split second when we are born we are all the same, and then starting in second two...we all are being shaped and formed by our surroundings. the people around us, the environment we grow up in, the climate, country...and then we go from there. different and the only one just like us. strange thought. 

It's late, and I'm tired. physically, mentally...I feel like the last couple of days I've had sudden bursts of emotions where I want to spontaneously cry for no reason, and then moments later I'm fine. Does anyone else ever feel like that?

anyways. today was a good day. got to see loved ones, share some goodies, eat yummy cake, and was told I am a good mom by my husband and the the most beautiful woman in the universe by my daughter. what can beat that? 

oh, and I got my free 'brew over ice tumbler' from keurig in the mail! 

hope you all had a good day too.

g'nite!

oh and ps. how am i just discovering pandora on my phone?!?!

Heat Proof. Sweat Proof. Long Lasting Makeup

I am Canadian. Originally form Vancouver, BC... so I am not use to extreme heat. 

With temperatures over 110 all week last week I found myself thinking "how do people live here?!" every time i got out of the car. 

Ironically my favorite seasons are Fall and Winter...and I live in Southern California where it is all sorts of summer all year round.

With that said, my makeup routine has changed a lot since I've moved here. After much trial and error looking for products that wouldn't smear, bleed, smudge, melt, or wipe off during the I feel like I've found some that work great. 

I've also used some of these products I've used on people who were in a wedding or getting married themselves, So I know they last through heat, sweating, nerves, tears and lots of dancing!

hope this helps!

Marbella Semi-Permanent Liners

Marbella: 24 hr lip, eye, and eyebrow pens

"*smudge proof, water proof, won't smear, fade for more than 24 hours

*felt tip glides to create delicate to dramatic lines with precision

* 100% natural formula is dermatologist tested and hypo allergenic

*easily removes with any makeup cleanser

*duo tip, turn the tip around to use as a new pen"

One of the things I am always looking for is an amazing liner that won't smudge, smear, run, disappear or end up under my eyes. I feel like having mono lids makes it even harder and although many liners claim to be 'smudge proof, water proof, bullet proof'...they really aren't. 

So here is my take on the Marbella pens

I've been using the eyeliner for about a month now, and I can honestly say that it is one of my favorites. Do I think it really lasts for 24 hours? no, but it comes really close. I rub my eyes a lot, live in extreme heat (it was over 110 all last week!) and frequently use eyedrops during the day... so unless my eyeliner is literally tattooed on my eyes, I think it is near impossible for it to stay exactly the same for 24 hours. 

I like that it is a fine tip that allows you to draw a precise line, dries quickly and doesn't have sections disappear when you curl your eyelashes. I didn't find that it smeared or smudged, but after a long sweaty day... my winged tips weren't as dark and defined. BUT because the pen is so easy to use and not gloomy...its super easy to do touch ups during the day.

In the picture above I am also wearing the lip stain in #64 in 'rose'. definitely not a rose color. More of a Nicki Minaj hot pink. It definitely stayed on all day, even through me eating nachos. Like any other lip stain it does end up feeling a bit dry as time goes buy...but I had a really similar shade of gloss I put on top. Definitely like the lip stain.

The eyebrow liner scares me. Maybe its just me, but a felt tip eyebrow pen doesn't seem natural. The tip isn't like the liner, its more of a chisel tip and I tried doing light brush strokes, but ended up putting brow powder over top. So although some might love the look, it wasn't quite for me.

Last but not least they have an awesome corrector pen that looks just like the liner but in a white pen. and you can use this to quickly and easily fix mistakes or clean up liner that you might have not done as crisply as you might have liked. 

all in all I think they are awesome. the eyeliner is definitely worth it and has become my go to liner.

they also have a special promo code they gave me to share with you for 50% off!!!! 

use promo code "summer2012" in check out at:

www.diosacosmetics.com

Rainbow Spaghetti

R A I N B O W Spaghetti

Made this rainbow spaghetti the other day for my kids and their cousins and it was a big hit! Super easy, It really only take 5 more minutes and the kids ate twice (maybe three times) as much!

Directions:

Make spaghetti as usual

cool spaghetti under cold water, drain

Separate spaghetti into ziploc bags

add a little bit of water and food coloring

Wait a couple of minutes

The spaghetti will immediately absorb the color

Rinse each color in cold water and add to a big bowl

Serve and see the smiles!!!

The Balm Cosmetics

The first time I saw The Balm stuff I think I was in a Marshall's and the cute packaging caught my eye. If you aren't familiar with the products, please check out their website. The packaging is so cute and just for that reason alone I want everything!!

thebalm.com

Got the privilege to try out some of their products, and I am in love!

This is "hot mama". I think it is a gorgeous warm blush that reminds me a lot of Nars Orgasm....do I dare say it might even be better? gotta love that its called hot mama too!

Balm Shelter Lip gloss. smells delicious!

Ok I recently did a video stating that I was looking for the perfect concealer. This is fast becoming one of my favorites. The one I got is in "medium" which I thought would be too dark, but it actually blends perfectly with my skin. great coverage, smooth texture. (for reference I'm an nc35, or medium plus in MAC)

Overshadow in "no money, no honey" cutest names huh? This is a beautiful, finely milled warm shimmer that can be worn alone or over any shadow you already have!! 

Here is my review on the products, hope you enjoy and discover these little treasures too!