4 Natural Beauty - EOTD

Natural Beauty - Eye of the Day

For this look I used 3 colors from the Nature Beauty Itay Minerals Stacker.



 Start by applying eye primer. On the lid use the lightest shade and blend out. Next apply the medium shade to the crease and blend up. Use the darkest red/burgundy color just in the crease. Finish with the lightest color on the brow bone to highlight it.

Apply eyeliner, mascara and you have a quick simple natural look. You can check out my full review on Itay Minerals here. 



3 Italy Minerals Review

Itay Minerals has a full cosmetic line including everything for the face. The are located in California and their products are made in the USA. The customer service is fabulous. I dealt directly with Rummy and have nothing but great things to say. All of my emails were answered promptly.

I received the 8 stack of shimmers in "Caribbean Samba", 3 stack of shimmers in "Nature Beauty" and 3 shades of mineral foundation. When i opened my package it was love at first sight when i saw this beautiful rainbow stack in front of me. I couldn't resist i had to swatch it right away.

Caribbean Samba is so shimmery its almost metallic. The stackable comes in squared clear acrylic jars that give it a very elegant upscale look. On the bottom of the stackable is the ingredients and collection name. The only thing I noticed I wasn't crazy about is that I don't know what the color names are in the stack as they aren't labeled. However you could easily go to their website and look through the single jars and possibly put 2&2 together.

Nature Beauty stack is a perfect neutral trio. They are also insanely shimmery. Even though I love bright bold colors I'm always drawn to warm earthy colors and tend to wear them more for everyday. The three shades in this stack are perfect for all skin tones. You have the lightest color as a highlight, the medium color is a very unique brown with gold & green shimmer, and the darkest color is a metallic burgundy. The work really well together.

The mineral foundation is really nice to. I am happy I got the three colors though as my original choice was to dark. The foundation is a medium coverage but is buildable to a full coverage. I have acne scarring and redness and i was able to get a nice finish. It does a fabulous job at buffing out fine lines and pores. After playing around with it and since my skin is less than desirable i found it great paired with my normal liquid foundation. For a more full coverage flawless look i like to apply a liquid foundation and use this on top as a setting powder. The two together yield perfect skin results.

Overall I am super happy with the products and would recommend. If you have older or more mature skin I would avoid the shimmers and go with a matte eyeshadow as the intensity of the shimmer stacks will be to much and will enhance your lines and wrinkles. But definitely get the foundations.

0 Canary Mary

Canary Mary by babemakes4 featuring stud earrings

Tie blouse
$31 - welikefashion.com

Hi low skirt
sheinside.com

Lipsy wedge shoes
$86 - republic.co.uk

Full Tilt chain bracelet
tillys.com

Warehouse stud earrings
$9.40 - warehouse.co.uk

0 ParaNorman, Coming August 17th.

I personally cant wait to see this movie. I have seen the previews a few times now and each time I see them I get more and more excited. Yes I know im in my 30's but i still love these 2D/3D animated movies. Im just a big kid at heart.

Story: The new 3D stop-motion comedy thriller from animation company LAIKA, reteams the company with Focus Features after the groundbreaking Academy Award-nominated “Coraline.” “ParaNorman” is, following “Coraline,” the company’s second stop-motion animated feature to be made in 3D. In “ParaNorman,” a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he’ll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst, of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits.


Directors: Sam Fell (“The Tale of Despereaux,” “Flushed Away”) and Chris Butler
Writer: Chris Butler
Voice Cast: Casey Affleck, Tempestt Bledsoe, Alex Borstein, Jodelle Ferland, John Goodman, Bernard Hill, Anna Kendrick, Leslie Mann, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Elaine Stritch

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
http://www.paranorman.com/

FACEBOOK PAGE:
www.Facebook.com/Paranorman

TWITTER:
www.Twitter.com/ParaNorman, #ParaNorman

0 City Girl At The Farm.

I'm a city girl and proud of it. I know its where I belong and having lived in city, county & country I know my place. When I moved to the county I was 21 years old and had a almost 2 year old boy. It was a change of pace but not really all that different from city life. It seemed to be the perfect balance actually. Everything was just down the street yet the neighborhood was quiet, safe, and friendly.

When I was about 23-24 I moved to the country with my boyfriend. It was a big step and a big change. It took us 30 min to get to Walmart which was really the only store to shop at. Then of course another 30 min to get home. In the summer we had to plan ahead and make sure we brought a cooler so stuff wouldn't melt. It wasn't very fun. I did like the peace and quiet of it all and the houses weren't upon each other and the town shut down at 9pm. I lived there until I was pregnant with Abby. She was high risk and I was coming to the city (45miles one way) 3 times a week for stress tests so we knew it was time to move back. There are times I miss it but not very often.

We still know people who live out that way and try to get a round to visit frequently. Which brings me to how to pick out a city girl:

1. She thinks those big round hay bails were rolled by hand.

2. She brings a case of OFF

3. She wears flip flops

4. She has glittery painted toe nails.

5. Jumps out of her skin when she sees a crawfish in the lake.

6. Freaks out about bugs especially ticks.

Yes I know its sad but all the above 6 describe me but im ok with that. Except maybe the glittery nail part its no fun running from turkeys due to them trying to attack your feet.

I will admit there are a few things I do miss. Mainly the horses.

1 Tropical Bluebird - Tutorial

This weeks requested eyeshadow tutorial was green, pink & blue so i decided to use Slimmer, Devoted & Bluebird minerals from Abigail's Boutique Designs (a.k.a. Abby Girls)

1.Prime your lid and apply slimmer to the inner corner and blend out with just a normal eyeshadow brush.

2. With the same brush apply Devoted to the outer corner and blend to form a soft orange in the middle of the lid. Take it up to about halfway from lash to brow. Make sure to blend good.

3. Using Bluebird and some Metal FX foiling serum mix til you get a nice eye liner consistency. Yous a angled brush go ahead and apply it like liner to form a dramatic cat eye.

4. To make the eye pop a little more use a black liner on your water line.

5. Finish off with some mascara and your look is complete. I know this may be a little dramatic for some so you could always do a  smaller blue liner design but i like being bold sometimes. It's fun give it a shot and let me know what you think.

Do you have a request for my next makeup tutorial? Send me a email at: abbyscraftymom@gmail.com or leave me a comment below.

11 Summer Beauty Influenster Box Review

I was so excited to be approved for the Summer Beauty Influenster Box. I have been a contributor for them for some time now and this was my first actual box. It came with a sunscreen, nail polish, cuticle cream, oat bar, shampoo & conditioner and some personal hygiene products.

The sunscreen was a Hawaiian Tropics Silk Hydration. This smells amazing and it is so silky smooth it has become my all time favorite sunscreen. I was a die hard Banana Boat girls since I loved the banana smell of it but this is even better. Plus I cant get over how incredible it feels on the skin.

The Quaker Banana Nut Bar was also really good. I'm not a big oat bar kind of girl but this was soft and fresh.

The Clear Shampoo & Conditioner have been on my wish list list for a while now so im very excited I got to try it. They smell great, a little strong on the floral side but it doesnt last on the hair it mellows out a lot. My hair especially my scalp is feeling really clean.

The Sally Hansen nail polish and cuticle cream are both nice but I like the cuticle cream more than the polish. For me the polish just wasn't that exciting. You have to work fast to get the magnet to work and even then its hit or miss and the design is just ok. The cuticle cream however is really silky, absorbs fast and doesn't leave you greasy. Also a little bit goes a very long way.

Last on the list is the personal care items. While I love the cute little bag it came in Ii cant use the actual items as I have no use for them. I had a hysterectomy a couple years back and im worry free.

   

12 Glam In The Box - Guest Review

These days, glam products can be pretty expensive, and money is not anything we want to spend on a new beauty product just to find out in 2 weeks it's not a good fit. Companies have to come up with new ways to market products - ways to get them in front of you and I - the potential customer.


Many companies have rushed to meet that challenge by offering periodic variety sample boxes of product at one value price.

New Beauty TestTube, the ultimate product sampling program, allows subscribers to try a variety of the best beauty products before fully investing in them, and share their feedback about the products on the website.

What kind of genius is it to let me try deluxe and full-size samples of coveted, high-performance luxury products?

I got the Spring New Beauty TestTube and was incredibly pleased with the products inside. I got my sisters and friends involved as well.

Here's some of what was inside:
  
  
After my sisters, friends and I tested products, we chose our favorite, I went back to the New Beauty site and gave my quick review on all the products, and now am waiting excitedly for the Summer TestTube.

Subscribers even receive videoemails, demonstrating how to achieve optimal results with the products and the latest issue of NewBeauty magazine. Check out this video on how to soothe sunburn with shea butter.

You can order the New Beauty - TestTube by visiting the website and placing your order. I hope you enjoy the products as much as we did!

This review was provided by Elizabeth Towns from 31 Days Early I Rise. Sometimes, I review items I have received from companies in exchange for said review. However, my opinion is my own, and is never swayed by any person, company or product.

0 Giraffe Love - Fashion Friday

Giraffe Love by babemakes4 featuring bare escentuals makeup

Dorothy Perkins scoop neck t shirt
dorothyperkins.com

Dockers drawstring capri pants
zappos.com

AX Paris heel boots
$61 - axparis.co.uk

Bare escentuals makeup
$30 - asos.com

Judith Leiber Giraffe Crystal Covered Minaudiere
neimanmarcus.com

8 Caramel Frappuccino My Way.

A friend of mine got me into iced coffee from Starbucks. The only kind i like is the caramel one and though its pretty good I knew I could make it way better. So while I was browsing the store looking for inspiration for dinner I grabbed the stuff I needed to make my own caramel frappuccino. So here we go.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 shots of water
• 3 mounded spoonfuls of international instant coffee in caramel vanilla
• 2 small handfuls of ice
• Hersey's caramel syrup
• whipped cream

1. Start by mixing your water with your instant coffee
2. Put your ice in the blender
3. Add in your coffee mixture
4. drizzle in some extra caramel to your liking
5. Blend it all up really good
6. Pour into tall glass
7. Top with whipped cream and more caramel. Enjoy

This really only take a couple minutes and it s sooooo good. Now its not really any healthier than the Starbucks version although if you left out the syrup and whipped cream it would be but as is its about the same. The good thing about it though is the price is a whole lot better. A tall Starbucks is almost $5 with tax and for less than $10 I can make at least 8. That's only $1.25 each. So if your going to fall victim of lifes simple pleasures save money and make it yourself.

1 Whats the cost?

I don't even know where to start with this one. The fashion industry can be cut throat at times and it seems to be nothing but drama. I know im good at what i do and nothing or noone can take that from me. But being the person I am I always try to help people even though lately it seems like it always comes back to bite me. I don't wear my heart on my sleeve for you to walk by and squeeze it when ever you feel like it. I'm not a personal play thing. It only takes that one time when you have had enough. Enough of the lies, enough of the fake, enough of the drama, enough of the so called friendship. There comes a turning point that you just cant come back from.

In the "biz" so to say there are tons of people who want to be your friend. And one minute your shinning in the spot light, high on life thinking things cant get any better. But what about when the light goes out. How can someone turn their back on what is right? Why do people want to hurt others so much? I remember hearing my parents mostly my dad tell me stories from back in the day. You know the ones. We have all heard them a million times and never give them much thought. But today I do. Today I listen and think how much things have changed. And not just in good ways but all the horrible ways.

People don't have morals anymore, they don't have time to be bothered anymore. Everyone is so busy that no one takes time for the little things. We are all rushing around for what? What happens at the end of our life story? They all end the same and I personally am not in any rush to get there. I want to spend my time here making a difference, any difference. Even if it is just to remind people to be kind to one another. I always thought we were suppose to treat people the way we wanted to be treated. And to this day I still teach my children that.

So what may have started from negative influence can easily be changed into something positive, Something life altering. You just have to take the time to slow down and remember the back in the day stories. Make today a day you can be proud of.

0 Handbag Giveaway Week 4

Welcome to Week #4 of

Win This Bag

Brought to you by

HipSwap

Hosted by

Sidetracked Mom’s Blog

“Win This Bag” is a 6-week event that will feature 6 weekly giveaways.There will be one designer handbag given away every week!Each bag will be an authentic, recognizable designer brand such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach, or Fendi.Our 6^th week will feature a highly coveted designer handbag and you will have the option to claim bonus entries for each of the 5 weekly “Win This Bag” giveaways you entered leading up to this grand finale!So, enter each weekly giveaway to increase your odds of winning!

Here’s what really separates this event from any other handbag giveaway you may have seen before… some of these handbags will come to you directly from a celebrity’s closet!That’s right –

Thanks to HipSwap, you have the opportunity to win the exact bag that may have been on the arm of a famous celebrity!HipSwap is a mobile and web marketplace that connects buyers and sellers locally and nationally. It enables people to discover what’s inside the most fabulous closets, homes, and shops in neighborhoods and cities across America. HipSwap currently offers delivery service in Los Angeles and New York with its iconic pink delivery van.

Also, be sure to swing by the HipSwap blog to check out their ever popular post on how to spot a fake Louis Vuitton bag!

Now, on to this week’s Giveaway!

This week, you have the chance to win an authentic Gucci bag!

This red-pebbled leather Gucci hobo bag is amazing for any occasion. It Features a navy cotton stripe in front and large gold ring hardware at strap ends.

Dimensions: 15" x 9" x 1" with 10" strap. Estimated Retail Price: $1500
 

This beautiful handbag was provided by the amazing DoubleTake Consignment Boutique of New Jersey.

The DoubleTake Consignment Boutique first opened its doors in Short Hills New Jersey in1992 and from day one the store has been packed with women who understand the advantages and value of consignment shopping. DoubleTake, which only accepts the highest quality & current designer clothing and accessories, has been recognized as a unique clothing boutique where huge savings can be realized.

How to Enter:

1. Create a HipSwap account.You will be asked to enter your name, email and zip code. If you do not live in the United States, please enter your City and Country in the Zip Code field.

2. Once registered, you can earn additional entries by:

a. Pinning your favorite HipSwap bag on Pinterest

b. “Liking” HipSwap on Facebook

c. Following @HipSwap on Twitter

d. Tweet with the hashtag #winthisbag for daily bonus entries

e. Following the blogs who are bringing you this awesome giveaway

There is only one mandatory entry option and that is to create a free HipSwap account. However, by entering on this blog through the Giveaway Tools widget below, you have the opportunity to gain a large number of bonus entries! You can complete as many or as few bonus entries as you’d like but remember, the more you do, the better your odds of winning! Plus, once you are following all of your hosts, entering each subsequent weekly Win This Bag Giveaway will be even faster & easier! And, don’t forget – we’ll be offering even more bonus points for each of these giveaways you entered during our final week of this event!

Good luck!

Giveaway begins on 7/17/12 at 12:01am EST & ends on 7/23/12 at 11:59pm EST.

Open worldwide.

The Giveaway Tools Widget will load below this line. For those of you not familiar with Giveaway Tools, it is VERY similar to Rafflecopter but has been said to be a faster & easier way to enter giveaways. Let me know what you think! As always, thank you for visiting my blog and entering our giveaways! Good luck to you!

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This giveaway is open to entrants worldwide 18 years of age or older, except where prohibited by law. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook and is Facebook-compliant. To qualify to win, you must complete, at minimum, the mandatory entry on the Giveaway Tools form. All entries will be forwarded to our sponsor for the purpose of randomly selecting a winner. Winners will be notified by email from a HipSwap representative. Winners will have 72 hours to respond or risk forfeiting their prize. Prize may re-awarded solely by the Sponsor’s discretion. Prize fulfillment is the sole responsibility of the sponsor. This blog may not be held liable for Sponsors who do not fulfill prize shipments. The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We reserve the right to publicly publish winners’ names and/or likeness. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.