0 M.A.C Swag.

I took the plunge a couple months back and signed up for a swag bag company that ships out mac products. Now please note these are not true mac or else they sure as heck wouldn't be as cheap as they are. Now im not one that buy into all the mac hype. They do have a few nice products but for the most part i feel my money is better spent on other brands. However that is for another topic. This post is about the swag bag monthly club concept.

These are the products i got for may. 2 pressed shadows, a lip gloss, a lipstick, tweezers, a sample mineral shadow, and a sample of benefits girl meets pearl. All of this for just $25. The membership can of course be canceled at any time or you can skip months as well. The boxes are all very similar but what colors you get may be different.

Here is everything all un boxed and waiting for me to play with them.

Here are swatches of the shadows i got minus the sample i didn't swatch that one yet. At the top we have the girl meets pearl its just a shimmery highlight that you can use on the face around the eyes ect. The blue is strike a pose, followed by the brown which is sable.

The lip product swatches are harder to see as but the gloss is called vanity fair and the pink lipstick is #12. Over all i would have to say i was much happier with this months shipment than last month. I feel there are more usable products this time around. (at least for me)

If you would like to get a swag bag of your own check out Ms.Mac Makeup.

I am in no way affiliated with mac or ms mac makeup. These opinions are 100% my own.

6 Swim Season Beauty Tips.

Now that the pools are open and the weather is hot & humid your gonna want to get your swim on. I don't blame you but don't you hate what it does to your hair and skin? I know i do and my daughters hair is even worse since it is soooo very long and curly. Well there are some tricks of the trade to help prevent that green, dry brittle hair that swimming can sometimes leave us with.



1. I know its crazy but getting your hair wet with tap or bottled water before and after you swim helps prevent the chlorine and other chemicals from being absorbed.

2. Spray a leave in conditioner in your hair before you swim. This will help keep it moisturized.

3. When you get out of the pool use a clarifying shampoo such as neutrogena, suave or l'oreal. There is plenty on the market from high end to low end but the cheaper stuff really does work just as well if not better for some.

4. Always follow up with a conditioner when using clarifying shampoos. Since they strip all the build up, chlorine and other yuckies out you are going to have to put moisture back in. I recommend leaving the conditioner in while you wash the rest of your body, shave your legs, ect so that it has time to set a good 5-10 min then wash it out.

Of course the only real way to full protect your hair is to wear a swim cap but lets face it no one wants to do that. That's torture on so many levels. lol



To help your skin make sure you wash each time you get out of the pool to keep your skin from absorbing the harsh chemicals. Also be sure to use plenty of SPF and moisturizer. If you end up a lobster from losing track of time while laying out or dunking each other in the pool i highly recommend cool & creamy body parfait. It is the best thing for skin since.... well id say sliced bread but that's not right so lets just say its damn good. lol

It also goes with out saying make sure you stay hydrated when out doors since that's the best thing to keep your skin in tip top shape. Enjoy your summer, but stay safe.

7 Chili Cheese Burgers....

Sometimes we get in a rut on what we make for dinner and even the simplest ideas seem to slip our minds. Its no biggie but i know when the weather gets hot the last thing i want is a hot kitchen. So on the ride home from the kids last day of school i asked that age old question. Whats for dinner? After many minutes of silence and them looking at me like i had a 3rd eye growing out of my head they say chili cheese burgers.

It becomes silent again and then im like why didn't i think of that. Its these simple fast meals that always slip my mind. I'm one of thooooose kind of cooks. You know the ones that have to serve at least 3 items on a plate followed up with some kind of fruit or dessert.Yup i love to cook. Its just in my nature.

So anyway i took the kids up on their idea and it turned out to be so good. I'm really shocked i was able to eat the whole thing or that abby even ate half of one since these babies were like the size of her head.

Look at all that yummy melty goodness. To finish it up we cut into a delicious ripe watermelon and called it a night. What are some of your favorite fast simple meals? Are you a cook or a microwaver lol?

2 Que Bella Dead Sea Mask.

I am no newbie when it comes to masks. I love them and use them allll the time. There are so many available but one of my favorite brands is que bella. You can get them from target for about $2 each.

Today i decided to use the dead sea mud mask.

 I normally like to use one right before i shower. I find that the combo of the mask with the steam really helps open the pores and works the best on cleaning them out.

It does take about 10 minutes for them to fully harden so i like to make funny faces in the mirror lol.

Now its time to get in and let the steam do its magic. Ok time for one last funny face :)

I know i look pretty crazy but hey it seems to work for me. My 30 something skin is just not what it use to be which for me is a good and bad thing. Good because my youthful skin was very acne prone and now its finally getting better. I still have occasional break outs but not like i use to. And bad because now i have to deal with other issues such as dry patches oily patches and scarring. Not to mention i just noticed i got a couple fine lines and winkles . Boo

1 Neutral Day Eye - Tutorial

I have had so many request to do some eyeshadow tutorials and even though i do make videos i have been slacking in that department since it always seems my battery is dead. SOOO here we go i thought i could do a picture step by step for you and for our first one we will start off simple.

Using light shimmery neutral colors will be more forgiving while you work on your blending skills.

1. Apply "mermaid tears" on the entire lid of the eye.

2. Next apply "peach shimmer" to the brow bone blending down to the lid.

3. Now apply "mousse" to the crease and using a fluffy brush blend well.

4. You need to tame them brows so using a brow palette (i used elf) go in and fill the brows.

5. Apply a thin line on top. I prefer a cream liner but you can use whatever you like. Make small short strokes so you get it nice and even. If you try to do it in one motion at first you will fail.

6. Line the water line if you choose and apply a mascara and your good to go.

* All the colors used here may be purchased at Abigail's Boutique Designs.

I would love to know what you think of this tutorial. Was it easy to follow along with? Enough pictures? If i get a good response and good feedback on this style of eye tutorials i will incorporate them into my normal routine. Thank you and please check out my nail tutorials.

4 Brave Enough - Fashion Fridays

Brave Enough by babemakes4 featuring a black cotton shirt

Vivienne Westwood black cotton shirt
$280 - viviennewestwood.co.uk

McQ by Alexander McQueen zipper legging
$206 - my-wardrobe.com

Abbey Dawn platform heels
$75 - heels.com

Valentino red handbag
$1,595 - forwardforward.com

6 Nail tutorial Fail. LOL

I never claimed to be perfect nor do i try to hide my flaws. And even though i have been doing this awhile i still of course have those occasional epic fails. lol

This is one of them. I wanted to do a pinstripe nail with apples but something possessed me to add in some large cut glitter and thus the fail begins.

First i started with a white nail pretty simple right?

Then i couldn't find my navy blue so i used a regular royal blue. With me so far?

Then i put a couple apple fimo slices on my nail and thought i would just do every other one. So far so good then BAM i decided to dip the tips in blizzard glitter. OH NO SHE DIDN'T!

And well here is the EPIC FAIL of the century. These should be called the what not to do tutorial. Hope you all learn from my mistake. Plus it took forevvvvvvver to get off. It sucked and i was hating life for awhile lol.

5 Crumets @ Noon - Fashion Fridays

http://www.polyvore.com/crumets_noon/set?.embedder=1634062&.svc=blogger&id=48724575 by babemakes4 featuring wedge sandals

Hollister Co striped dress
$60 - hollisterco.com

Moda Spana wedge sandals
$50 - dsw.com

Moschino canvas tote
$210 - forzieri.com

Marc by marc jacobs jewelry
$80 - ssense.com

NOLAN heart stud earrings
$35 - maxandchloe.com

Deborah Lippmann glitter nail polish
$20 - neimanmarcus.com

1 Teeny Weeny Polka Dot...... Nails lol

The weather has been so nice and actually borderline hot lately that we got our pool open early this year. So even though i will never get back into a teeny weeny polka dot bikini i though it would be fun to do a yellow and pink dot nail tutorial this time around.

First start off with just a basic yellow nail. I used sallys mellow yellow.

Then using a dotting tool or the ball of a straight pin, ect make random little pink dots. Make sure to seal them with a top coat. I seche vite.

And walla You have a cute, sassy nail for summer. If you have a suggestion for my next design please let me know i love reader feedback.

0 Mothers Day Tea - Fashion Fridays

Mothers Day Tea by babemakes4 featuring diamond bangles

Jane Norman cotton dress
£45 - janenorman.co.uk

Rupert Sanderson platform sandals
$825 - rupertsanderson.com

Diamond bangle
$5.99 - stylesforless.com

Prada plastic sunglasses
$287 - forzieri.com

White Orchid in Clear Vase
$225 - neimanmarcus.com

2 Person Hand Woven Willow Tea Set
$159 - ivgstores.com

Anim-all Taken Care of Mug in Raccoon
$17 - modcloth.com

1STDIBS.COM - O'Sullivan Antiques - Burl Walnut Tea Caddy
1stdibs.com

Child Girl's Tea Set Porcelain Doll Tea Sets Child's Collectible...
$50 - roses-and-teacups.com

Essie Neutral Nail Polish Shades
$8 - zappos.com

0 In love with Dona.

This article may contain adult content please be advised.

I have been trying out some of the fun products produced by the company Dona available at Edenfantasys. I have to tell you this line of bath & body products is un-like any of the other brands sex toy shops carry. My favorite b&b products are ones i can use in the bath. Regardless of if I'm having a nice relaxing soak alone or a steamy tub affair for two these are very unique and inviting.
 
The chromotheraphy bath treatment can really set any mood. It is available in 6 colors/fragrances. My favorite currently is the camu camu. It is a green tent for the tub and is oh so beautiful.

Some of my other favorites from the line are the lip plumping balm, body drizzle, bath foam, bath milk & polish. But really thats just the start of things they have to offer.


 They even have faux silk rose petals to kick things off right. What more do you really need for a sensual night in.

 I cant wait to try more of these products from Edenfantasys. They always have new items and great sales there really is no need to shop anywhere else.