Milani Baked Blushes

I love the Milani Baked blushes...

I thought I'd do a quick review, hope you enjoy!

01 Dolce Pink

02 Rose D'Oro

03 Berry Amore

05 Luminoso

you are worth everything

i was asked to do a guest blog a while back and i haven't had anything that i felt really stood out to talk about, so yesterday i thought i would just turn on my camera and speak my heart. its not very organized or anything, but i hope it encourages you in some way.

xoxo jeannie

Emotional & Sensitive

I was working on a guest blog when I got all emotional and had to stop (I'm actually uploading it now..but we'll see if I make it public. haha!) In doing so I thought I should address my emotional and sensitive side :)

Milani Eyeshadow Palettes

Hey Everyone! So wanted to do a quick review on the Milani eyeshadow palettes. I was going to make a video, but really... I would probably just be showing you these pictures! (maybe still will if i have time tomorrow) I actually totally forgot that I also got one of all neutrals, I'll have to do a separate review on that one...which I will probably use more on a day to day basis.

I really like the packaging and think it is pretty genius to have a bunch of colors in one round. the only thing is, I don't know how the machine decides how much of each color you get or if it is just random, but I have found in my neutral palette that the colors I like the most I actually get the least amount of, which is a bummer.

The first one (pictured above) is the impressionist powder palette...which reminds me in color and texture a lot to sidewalk chalk. I spend a lot of my days drawing on pavement with my kids so it is what I immediately thought of. color, consistency... they are pretty pastels and aren't too bright. so if you are a little bit scared of the next palette because it is so bright...this might be the way to go.

now this palette is the 'paint palette'. beautiful vibrant color... which I'm going to be more brave and try out more. I like that it is in one circle, like when you are painting on well, a palette. you can kind of mix colors and blend them like you would paints. This palette is a lot more vibrant and "Ka-pow!" in your face. I also tried it wet which takes away some of that chalkiness.

anyways, seeing as vibrant colors and color blocking are big for spring and summer.. this is an awesome way to get some bright colors to play with without breaking the bank!

Guest Blogging

my little bunnies on Easter... aren't they so cute? I often wonder what I did right, or why I was am so blessed to have 3 perfect little people I can claim as my own. Trying to savor every moment....

I hope everyone had a nice Easter! I've been so out of it... with having no phone and being super tired I feel like a zombie. I finally got some good rest last night, so today I was pretty productive! amazing how fast laundry and dishes pile up. wish there was a fairy for that!

Anyways, I was asked last week by 2 different people to do 'guest blogs' on their sites.

I've been really thinking and praying what to do them on. People often ask me how I come up with what I'm going to blog about, and really...its just whatever is going on in my life or what I find interesting. With that said...its funny when people ask me to I get all nervous and scared that I won't do a good job. (I still can't talk about my blog or youtube to people face to face...or if I do I get all squirmy and awkward!)

Anyways, one of the blogs is geared towards women and young women. I want it to be uplifting and encouraging. So I've been thinking and praying about different topics: finding worth, dressing fashionable yet modestly, patiently waiting for your prince, God in the details...and the list goes on. any thoughts?

tired headache

tired.

i have a tired headache

this had been an exhausting week. i don't know what's wrong with me. every day i am SO SO SO tired and then its almost like i'm so tired that i can't fall asleep when its finally night time. i lie in bed and tick tock tick tock...can't fall asleep. i get up to look at the clock (since i'm blind) and its 3am..then 4 am...then baby wakes up. then the day starts...and i'm so tired. *sigh.

its funny how when you are tired everything is out of whack. i feel so emotional,insecure,uncertain,irritated. the other day i kept having moment where i felt like i was gonna out of nowhere have a major cry fest. hasn't happened yet, so maybe it'll happen tonight!

*

anyways, still no phone. i feel so unorganized and lost! i don't know what time it is, day it is... hahahaa!! man i'm such a negative nancy right now! don't judge me, just love me. i need a hug :)

with that i shall sign off and try to get some laundry away so i can TRY to go to sleep early tonight. hope you all had a good week. get good rest!!!

Oh Verizon...how I loathe thee

I use to work at this summer camp and I remember a saying that one of the leaders use to say which I still use to this day. He would always ask the rest of the leaders "are you guys having a good day or a growing day?" what an awesome perspective to have...

so, with that said I am having a growing day.

Why is customer service so bad and frustrating? I hate that we have become so use to it that before even talking to the person on the other end of the line we are prepared to put up a fight. (I often have to remind myself it is not THEIR fault...although I've had some pretty horrible customer service reps in the past that quickly gave me the 'right' to get mad at them with their horrible attitude.. *ahem) anyways. my phone died the other day... it was a couple day gradual death. it would spontaneously black out, turn off,not turn on, not charge... now it finally quit on me. what a quitter.

After waiting for about 25 minutes I finally got to talk to customer service and she assured me my new phone would be here next day (being today). low and behold I get an email this morning saying "your phone has shipped" I was about to jump up and down and do the jig until I saw the next line "you're expected delivery time is April 10th by 730pm". uhm. deflated!

So, I shall go through Easter weekend with no phone.

I actually don't mind having no phone and not being on it every minute.. BUT driving around with 3 kids and no mode of communication does scare me. Especially since today we discovered a huge nail in the rear tire of our van.

Its funny how dependent we've become on technology...it really DOES make life easier and save time. I always wonder, what if we didn't have cell phones? people would have to wait until they got home or find a pay phone! can you imagine? haha!!! I remember when pagers came in and I thought I was the bees knees!

anyways I am beyond tired. last couple nights have been so restless for me. so today I am gonna try to get to bed before midnight.

Hope you are doing well. Thank you so much for your comments. It really means so much to me and encourages me so much. have a good night! restful sleep to all :)))

Men's Korean Sheet Masks

look at my handsome hubby with no beard! he looks 10 years younger, I feel like I'm in a time warp!
It was so funny because my son had never seen him without a beard so for the first couple of days every time he saw him he would say "where's your beard?!?!?" hahahaha!!

I had these korean sheet masks that Natural Radiance sent to me so I thought while some of the guys were over at our house I'd treat them to some skincare!

Here is a quick video review... they were so funny!

New Milani Lip Glosses

Hey everyone! so Milani was nice enough to send me some goodies to review and of course I could not wait and had to start sharing! So I thought I'd start off with the lipgloss since I had a chance to wear them today.

colors from left to right:

flashy. hot flash. quick flash. golden flash. in a flash.

These are the new "haute flash" lip glosses, although I would call them more of a creamy lipstick rather than lipgloss. They have the texture of a 24 hour or long wear lipgloss, you know... the kind that feels creamy and kinda dry at the same time?

I had to try on the purpley "in a flash" one first since I have never had a color like that...and I have to say...I kinda like it. The glitter is a little bigger than what I would call "shimmer" but you know.

***

Here is the "Crystal Gloss" for lips much more sheer...

(and dang, I need to moisturize my arm! eek!)

In the picture below I'm wearing "fruit punch"

The Crystal Gloss is definitely more gloss like. Sheer, moisturizing and smell like vanilla (a lot like the MAC lipstuff)

hope that was helpful if you have any questions please ask!! goodnight!

Crown Brushes

I got this set of pink for breast cancer awareness Crown Brushes off of Hautelook a couple of weeks ago for super cheap. I wish I could remember how much!! but the receipt never says the price. I love the set and each individual brush is beautiful. they aren't the absolutely softest brushes I've ever used, but they are pretty good wait, i take that back. they are SO soft and amazing, i literally threw my other brushes in a drawer, i just wish there were a few more fluffy brushes..and for the price (on their website the set is on sale for $29 I think) It's really good considering that even at Target makeup brushes go for at least $10 each. The brush holder/folder smells terrible like paint though... so mine is banned to the laundry room for now and my brushes are breathing away from it. If you are just starting out with makeup or simply don't want to spend a bajilliion dollars on brushes like me.. its a good deal! ok. off to play with some makeup to review!

Easter Cookie Loveliness and Today's Tidbit: Don't Stress!

Let's start this blog off on a good note. heh.

Yesterday I had some of the youth girls over to decorate Easter cookies with me and the kids. We had such a fun time, laughing and squeezing icing that was a little thicker than I like it! Sometimes even though its a lot of work and mess I feel like its important to do things like this. Not just for my kids, but for girls who might not have a mother figure to do things like this with. Secretly its fun for me too :)

Now for the stress part. Do you ever realize that once you challenge yourself, or pray for something..like patience or whatever all of a sudden you are challenged to work it out?! yeesh.

well yesterday for my 'today's tidbit' I talked about stress and trying to not let it get to you. Well, needless to say...my stress was challenged (and still is this morning).

as Oprah says "overworked and under appreciated" not always...but feeling it today! I'm sure that feeling will pass in about an hour. I'm hiding out in the kitchen downing some coffee, which conveniently is also a mood enhancer for me. haha!!

have a good day everyone, you are loved!

MVP Milani Bronzer

yeah eee yeah!!!

so i told you guys the other day that i won the MVP of the day or whatever on twitter for Milani Cosmetics and I got them today... they are HUGE! woooo... i be lookin tan!

they are two great colors and not so shimmery so I will definitely get good use out of them! oh, and in case you are reading this any time soon...

Target is giving out FREE beauty bags. just like "Target Style" on facbook and there is a link... all you do is fill out your address and it'll be at your doorstep in 4-6 weeks. a friend of mine told me about it and said it was pretty good last year.

have a great evening!

coming up together

life is good.

today was another long day, but today i'm ending the day feeling good. satisfied.

my husband and i have been reflecting the last couple of days on the things that God has done and through our lives since we've been married. We have come a long way... but i am so proud of all we have done and how God has used us.

i heard a someone say once that the gift of service is more service. and i think its true. i give and serve because i want to, because i love it... when it is no longer a burden but a joy, that is when you know you are doing what you should be doing. the best leaders are the best servants.

too many people are stepping on others and pushing others down to promote themselves. i don't ever want to be one of those people. meeting with several people this week i am excited for the things to come. excited for all those around us to come up together.

one of our good friends Eric is such a talented singer, they recently made a music video and need to hit a certain amount of views by easter to potentially get a good deal. so please take a minute and watch his video and please like it!! i think he has another song on video, i'll look for it and post it too. (and tell him jeannie sent you..i'm trying to get 1000 views and there is a boba on the line! hehehe!!)

hope you all have a great week! xoxo

just one of them days....

its been one of those weeks. busy busy busy. i feel like every day we had something to do hour by hour....and i feel like my emotions changed hour by hour. part me thinks i must be getting my period soon *crossing fingers i don't. ugh. i can't imagine. haven't had my period in what...over a year!? the only thing i can attribute to my moodiness, or that i'm sleep deprived... or that i'm a woman. haha!!!

this past week i've had such conflicting feelings about different people. its hard to just 'forgive and forget' especially if that person has no clue that they even hurt you. *sigh. i usually try to just suck it up and let it go, but then when you come face to face with them...or they remind you by doing something else to totally piss you off, hurt your feeling, make you roll your eyes...it all comes back. am i the only one that struggles with this? i can't be. i would think just by being human, having different personalities there is always a constant struggle in relationships. especially those you have not by choice.

ah i'm rambling. probably should blog when i'm so tired. g'nite y'all!

Best Baby Products: Part 1

Here are some baby products that I absolutely love. I

hope this helps you save time and money in your search for baby stuff!

Carseatcanopy.com

i got this carseat canopy free! all you pay is shipping which turns out to be $11.95, but it is still cheap considering the cover is free. it is such high quality and is so much more stylish than throwing a big ol blanket over top. you can always find promo codes to get it free. i think 'family2012" works right now. if not, if you join planning family.com it always has valid promo codes for these!

i got this nursing cover at uddercovers.com and they are a great lightweight fabric so you and baby don't get all sweaty while nursing. i love mine so much i have two! this is also free and you just pay shipping. usually the same promo code as the carseat canopy and can be found on planning family.com too.

Robeez by Stride Rite Socks. These socks are amazing!! I wasted so much money on newborn socks that don't even stay on baby's feet. these are 'kick proof'. I got mine at marshall's for about $5 for a pack of 6, but if you google them it looks like you can find them a lot of places

i hear baby waking up so i gotta run, but i hope this is helpful!

March: Things I love

I wanted to share a bunch of good finds and things I've been using and loving this month!

I have been searching for good quality face paints forever, and I've finally found them! These are from Michael's and the original price is $19.99, but every week there is a coupon for any item 40% off (sometimes more) so I waited until I got one to get these. My daughter asks all the time if she can get her face painted at disneyland, but its $18!!! so I thought we could buy it and do it as much as we want! The little pods are small, but you don't need a lot.. you add a bit of water to a brush and you are ready to go. I absolutely love them.

Going back to my Revlon photo ready. It really has to be one of the best foundations ever. Great natural coverage and doesn't feel stuffy or thick. I love it!!

Revlon Lip Butter in "lollipop" is amazing. It's a beautify fuchsia color that I think is much more wearable and fun than a red lip and is really flattering on most (and it makes your teeth look whiter!)

Avon nailpolish in "Aqua Fantasy". I love Avon polishes, they have great coverage, smooth and the formula is nice and not so thick.... I think they are on sale right now for $2.99 too!

Got this face wash as a sample from cvs.com and I really like it. It is a gel face wash, so there is no foam, but it really cleans well and leaves my skin feeling fresh and not tight. perfect for sensitive skin!

I shared this before, but I got this perfume at Marshall's and I love it so much I bought 2. Fresh and slightly fruity (?!) I don't know, but its cheap and wonderful!

Favorite websites for FREE or CHEAP stuff

hey gals! I thought I'd make a video since I'm always talking about all this with people!! so here it all is in a video...although i thought of atleast 3 websites i forgot! waaah... i guess we'll have a part 2 some time soon!

Only One Me

If someone were to tell me I would have a beautiful life filled with JOY one day back when I was in high school I would not have believed them. I don't share this very much, but when I was in high school there were so many days where my prayer before going to bed would be "God, if you love me... don't let me wake up" Then, in the morning when I woke up...I would be genuinely disappointed. I felt like I had no purpose, no reason for being created. I had a sister who was good at EVERYTHING, but me...well, I wasn't good at anything. I didn't do well in school, I wasn't athletic, musical...nothing. I often questioned why God would make someone like me. Someone who wasn't good at anything...someone without purpose.

I remember a pivotal part in my life where I heard God so clearly say "I am proud of you, there is only one you" Such simple words that changed my life. I'm not saying I never had those 'what is my purpose' days anymore...but I did have a lot more days where I knew that God made me with purpose, special..and the only one like me. So, with that said I am still on a journey living my purposes. being who I was created to be. My life is full of joy and purpose and now I feel like there are SO many things I could do, I just need to choose!

haters gonna hate

i realize more and more how our society bases their success on other peoples failures... why can't' we be happy for each other and encourage and uplift rather than tear down and judge? been thinking about this a lot lately.

so today's tidbit is on people pleasing and haters....

remember, haters are gonna hate.. if you have haters, you're doing something right!

good friends

now i know i am not the 'best' friend in the world or anything... but i am trying to be a better friend each day. i have been blessed with some great friends in my life who encourage me and push me to be a better person. there are definitely a lot of things i need to work on...work in progress....

inspiration

talk about inspiration. I've been really challenged lately to try to make a difference, stop focusing on myself and what i 'can't' do...and focus what i CAN do through Him...

in my late night online-ness i came across this video that just blew me away... then i found another about his story. if you haven't seen this before.. please do and be inspired.... God is love, and He loves you!

4 months

so i took baby for her 4 month check up the other day... she is doing good! i was kinda worried because all the other babies around her age are so much heavier... but doc said as long as she is growing, pooping and peeing good... she is good. i was beginning to think i was producing skim milk when all the other mommies were making homo milk! hahahah!!!

she is the sweetest, most delicate baby... i love her so!

also filmed some of my favorite blushes and tidbit of the day! xoxo

Chubby Bunny

my kids think photo booth is sooooooo funny! the other day they took about a hundred pictures together and were giggling so hard. there is something about a little kids laughter that heals your heart.

today i took the little one to her 4 month check up and get her vaccinations. poor little baby. the silent cry is the worst. now she has a fever and is quietly whimpering as she tries to fall asleep.. *sigh. i wish i could take away any pain and sickness from my kids for the rest of their lives!

so i video taped a whole update VLOG on baby... just to find out my voice didn't match the video like a bad chinese movie....oh well. i'll try again tomorrow. gnite world.

california king

so my california king bed arrived... and i was so so so so excited. i got the knock off version of the tempurpedic called the bodypedic. i read about a gazillion reviews (approximately...) and they were all positive. it was a fraction of the price. since i have such a bad back, 3 herniated discs in all. i thought this would be my life saver. i woke up this morning and couldn't move... PAIN!!!!! luckily throughout the morning the pain dissipated... i'm hoping my body is just adjusting, hoping for a better nights sleep tonight.

anyways i am gonna do a 'today's tidbit' here and there.. just little words of encouragement, thoughts when i get a chance, just a couple of minutes.

so here is the first one... i realize that i like staying mad sometimes, so i'm learning to let things go faster than i naturally want to!

hope you all are well. thank you for reading!

DIY Ombre Hair

so i decided to re-ombre my hair last night since i cut off all of my previous ombre, and thought i should go a bit more bold and make it a whole new hairdo. i thought about filming it, but i had to do it as fast as i could before baby woke up...so here is how i did it!

you will need:

bleach powder (i like the blue or violet to cut out brassiness)

devoloper, for most people vol 20 will be fine, i used vol 30

gloves

non metallic bowl

brush

foil

shirt you don't care to ruin

hair clip

mix the powder bleach 1/2 part developer. i did this in small amounts so i didn't use it all at once, in case i needed a touch up later. mix until it is a creamy consistency.

apply on to sections of hair. make sure not to do a 'straight across' line or else it will look too harsh and abrupt. i just moved the brush up and down so that certain sections were higher than others.. then fold it into foil and wait... (check often!)

after you wash it out if you want a little more of a gradient effect you can do it one more time concentrating more on the tips... and voila! so easy!!!

mommies and babies

today was my little nieces first birthday. its funny how people say 'enjoy it, it goes by fast' you do the half eye roll 'uh huh'...but it really does go by too fast. seems like yesterday she was born!

its neat seeing moms with their kids (although i hope that no one watches me! haha!)

i feel like so many moms think that they will never be like their mom, or that they want to be just like them. I've really tried to make it a point to take a chill pill and not be a naggy mom or uptight about everything. its hard when you are a control freak! i have to remind myself all the time that they are just kids, and i need to stop and enjoy the moments. i often tell myself 'they will never be this exact age every again'. it's sad, but it reminds me that most things are not a big deal and that i need to savor the moment.

ok so i did a bad thing and weighed myself yesterday. i kept telling myself not to...but i did, and i regret it. waaahhh... and then, i realize i've become one of "those girls" and that my hair had become my security blanket. so even though i miss it and really think i should have left it (which by the way is dryig from be re-ombred) i think it is good to feel vulnerable. hehe...

new beginnings

i am so excited! I got my first laptop in my whole life!!!! wooo hoooooo!

That along with finally getting a new bed for my aching back I have to say this is gonna be a pretty amazing week. Gotta love tax returns! So I was playing around and trying to figure out all the cool things on here. I haven't had a mac since I was in design school, so I'm trying to re-learn everything. anyways, here it is! (i wish i could transfer all my files over but after trying too many times to 'migrate' i decided my frustration was taking away my joy of discovery so i stopped.. hehe)

Outfits

ok as much as I'm trying to "embrace" my new body... its hard to dress. I'm not about to go buy a bunch of new clothes.. but the clothes I have, well they just don't fit the same. So I'm trying to make different combos of stuff I already have. Just a few ideas for you postpartum momma who don't just snap back when you walk out the hospital doors! haha!!

February: Things I love

Yeesh babeesh! I need to be better about blogging... which I will soon. I ordered my very first laptop of my life!!!! woooooHOOOOooOoOOOoo! and a new bed (finally! my back needs it) I am so grateful today for tax returns and being debt free. Trying to be a better steward of our money and be more smart about our spending.

anyways, here are my favorites for February. Hope you are all well! xoxo