Decorative Dogs

Did you know that stores like Marshall's and TJ Maxx get up to 3 trucks of merchandise a week?  You never know what items those stores will have, and it is so fun to shop.  Back when I was in real estate and staging homes (I kept an inventory for my staging needs), I would run through these stores a few times a week.  Doing that, I could easily and quickly spot the new items.  If I did purchase anything, I kept the tags on until I really really decided I was keeping it.  (If you see something, you better snag it and do the same, because if you go back later, most likely the item will be gone.  Learned that the hard way!)

A trick of mine?  Get a shopping cart and walk around.  Pick up any items you love and put it in the cart.  Continue walking around, throughly enjoying yourself.  As you enjoy those items in the basket, slowly go back around and put them back.  ONLY purchase what absolutely breaks your heart to put back on the shelf.  Warning - if your hubs walks in and sees a full cart, he might panic, but not if he knows the "plan".  Most days, I purchase nothing, but have SO much fun just "shopping".   Sound crazy?  Try it some time.  Works great for budgets.  lol

Aren't these cute?  I know they aren't anywhere close to being Staffordshire Dogs, but these have much cuter eyes, don't you think?  lol  Here's a photo of the collectible figurines:

Photo from Glamorgan Antiques

I was digging through my purse during the holidays and found some hidden money.  Love when that happens!  Truth is, I just rarely leave the house alone and my random shopping days are long gone.  So when I get money for birthdays or holidays, I just stash it.  I usually remember where I put it.  

Anyhoo....I used that cash bonus to get these cuties at Marshalls, one of my favorite stores.  (Along with TJ Maxx, of course!)

Told my mom weeks ago I'd get a picture up and just remembered!  Haven't found the perfect spot for them yet, so for now they are on the fireplace mantle. 

Pureology - bad experience

Not only have I read in a few blogs that Pureology is a great product, but when I recently purchased the Kenra hairspray (LOVE THAT!), the clerk gave me samples of Pureology for color-treated hair.  Anti-Fade style.

Well, mistake mistake mistake!  Yesterday, I had an appointment, so like a dummy I used the sample products on my hair.  Shampoo, conditioner and something you put in damp hair before blow drying.

People - it was a nightmare.  My hair stood straight out on end and looked like straw!  It was horrid and if hubs had been home, he would have wondered if my hair was about to fall out!  If I had actually purchased these products, I would be returning them to the store (and I rarely do that.)

So I jumped BACK in the shower, redid makeup and everything, and used my very favorite Kinky Curly Knot Today product..........deep deep love for that stuff........and had my soft, beautiful hair again.

Now I'm throwing out all the other Purology samples I was given.  And I have to say - for folks who love the stuff, wait until you try something like Kinky Curly or some of the other SLS-free products I've been using - such as EverPure line.  Such a difference!!

Show Us Your Life -My Favorite Beauty Tips and Products!

 

It's .Beauty Tips and Favorite Products week over at Kelly's Korner!  I am getting no reimbursement from any of these companies, FYI.

OK, first and foremost, the number one product I canNOT live without (and I have tried to live without for over a year!) are these 2 products from SWISA Beauty - 

This Dead Sea Salt Facial Peel is the BOMB!! (Found under the Anti-Aging section of the website.)  First, it lasts forever and you use it about once a week.  You rub it on your face and it peels all the dead skin layers right off, leaving the most luscious, smooth skin ever!

Then I follow with the Dead Sea Firming Moisturizer. You must use this just after the facial peel, but I also use it every day prior to makeup, as I love it so much!

I have always purchased this at mall kiosks, but I see it is also online.  I don't know why, but we did not pay as much as this website claims.  I don't know if they raised their prices, but we got the facial peel, the moisturizer and the rainbow sea salt souffle for a total of $80 if I remember correctly.  I know, GASP, right?  But honestly, I went over a year without this product and I just could not find anything that even came close to the results.  I saved my holiday and birthday money, and purchased more as soon as I could!

Now, on days I am going out, I will use the following and consider it a must as well (but not if I am staying home for the day) - Korres Face Primer.  In fact, I reviewed this HERE.  If you have never tried a face primer but hate the smelly chemical ones and not sure if you want to use silicone on your face, THIS product is for you!  Your foundation will go on flawlessly and gives a glow to your skin.

In general, I do not like to spend a lot of money of makeup, but will spend a bit more on skin care.    I have  been trying a brand new product exclusively to Sephora for the last month, and I have to say - it is living up to its claims.  

Philosophy Miracle Worker(TM) Miraculous Anti-Aging Retinoids Pad and Solution

When you first open the product, you poor that liquid into the pad container and use one pad per day for 60 days.  As I said, I am one month in, and so far 2 doctors have said I look 10 years younger, and Andy lays at night and runs his fingers over my face, commenting how beautiful and smooth my skin is lately.  My fine lines and wrinkles are less noticeable and overall, my skin is tighter and firmer.

So, now to the actual makeup!  I usually use the cheaper foundations, although I do love Jane Iredale mineral makeup and especially her Disappear concealer.  This amazing concealer has Green Tree Extract and helps heal the blemishes you are covering up.

I use her Amazing Base Mineral Powder in the summer.  I use color "Natural".

However, on a normal day, lately I have been using Maybelline Dream Liquid Mouse in the color Light 3.5.

After I put on the foundation (following the Dead Sea Firming Moisturizer and the Korres Face Primer), I will put on this Fast Fix Eye Shadow Base from Sally Hanson Natural Beauty by Carmindy.  This will hold your eye shadow in place all day.

 

Now, did you know that if you have BROWN eyes and are approaching your 40's, that you should not wear peach colors?  Many brown-eyed girls love peach, but it honestly ages us.  Try using pink shades, such as this and notice how much younger and brighter your eyes look.

Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Duo - in Sweet Dusk or Sugar Plum.  Use the pink shades on the lid overall, and then a plum or cocoa shade in the crease.

I've also started wearing these new Maybelline Expert Wear® Eye Shadow Quads in "Charcoal Smokes"  So pretty with brown eyes!

Now, for eye lining, I like 2 different products.  Did you know that you should put the liner on the top of your lashes only?  Just maybe put it in the corners on the underside, but never all the way under your lashes?  I used to wear it upper and lower lashes and when I switched to just lining the upper lids, WOW.  What a difference!  Really makes your eyes POP!

Jane Iredale Cream to Powder Eyeliner - I use the brown shades, but this site recommends the color in the photo below for brown eyes.  Maybe have to try that!

And I recently purchased these eyeliners from Cover Girl Line Exact Liquid Liner- I LOVE the "Smoke" color and also the "Very Black".  These go on so smoothly - just beautiful!  Also, a nice compact size that fits so well in your hands and makes application so easy.

 For Mascara, I either use Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara in "Very Black" for everyday.

But if I am going out, I LOVE this new mascara from Loreal -Telescopic Explosion in "Blackest Black".  This gives you a real WOW look, super long lashes that last all day long.  I don't wear this every day, as it is a little dramatic.  lol

For blush, I use Neutrogena Healthy Skin^® Blends Sheer Highlighting Blush in the color "Healthy".  This looks beautiful on your skin with the varied shades mixed giving natural highlights.

For my lips, I generally use Maybelline SuperStay Lip Color in "Wildberry".  You put on the color, then wait a bit until it feels sticky, then use the other end which is the lip gloss and smooth it on your lips. This lasts a very long time, through eating and even kissing! 

 

For shampoo and conditioners, I am trying to avoid all SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulfates and other chemicals. Here is a link that explains what we should avoid: 

  Top 16 Ingredients That Should Never Be Used in Shampoos.

 My current favorite is from the Kinky Curly line.  (I have wavy/curly hair and currently flat iron it.  But when I get out of the shower, my hair is a tangled mess, and these products are amazing.)  I LOVE Come Clean Shampoo and Knot Today Detangler.  Since I have wavy hair, I do rinse most of this out.  For those with thicker, curlier hair, they can leave the detangler in.  You have never experienced hair THIS soft, ever!

 

 

A new product I am using prior to flat ironing my hair is Marrakesh Oil from Earthly Body.  This is a wonderful product that you put in damp hair and it :

• Gives Brilliant Shine
• Moisturizes & Conditions Naturally
• Protects & Moisturizes for Thermal Styling
• Absorbs Quickly, Without Greasiness
• Controls Frizziness
• Protects Hair From Elements

Just today, I read on "A Love Worth Waiting For" by Lyndise,  a recommendation to get Kenra Hairspray, so I  ran out to try some.  Oh my goodness - I LOVE it!  I got the  Volume Spray "25".  I am VERY particular on hairspray and was very shocked to find one I like better than what I've used for years (which has been discontinued.)  There are several choices with this hairspray, from light hold to super hold.  The stylist recommended the "25" as it is their most popular product in this line.  You can still run your fingers through your hair, but it holds nicely and has nice shine.  I came home and tried it and WOW!  She's right! 

I'm loving my new Sedu Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Straightening Iron.   It is AMAZING! 

 

Phew!  Am I done?  I think so!  lol  This will be so nice for me to look back on, as well.  Love how blogging can help you journal everything about your life!

 Have a glorious day!

P.S. I apologize for all the font and color changes. I do NOT know what happened, and have spent too much time trying to figure it out. Coding is all going blurry on me. Hope it isn't too distracting!

Green Smoothie Details

Thought I would show detailed photos of another Green Smoothie in the making.  I have started pureeing the greens with water ahead of time, and wanted to show just how MUCH I use and what it looks like.

Yes folks, THIS is how much green lettuces I consume in 2 days!!  Yummy!  If you notice in prior posts, I used much less.  Over time, you body will crave more and more greens and less and less fruit.

Here is what it looks like after being pureed with the water using the "Whole Juice" button on the BlendTec blender.  That is about 21 oz, hard to see due to some foam.

I then add all my other goodies (in this case, 2 tomatoes, 2 bananas, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 cup grapes, 1 avocado, 1/3 cup frozen raspberries):

 

I pour them into 2 containers.  The one of the left is what I drink that day.  The other container is for the following day.  I don't know how many ounces this is, but the cup is quite large, although is distorted in this photo.

How happy would YOUR body be if you ingested THIS MUCH amazing nutrition from God every morning?  It's like an energy shot, I tell you!

Pretend I have a nice green mustache and imagine ...........Got Green Smoothie?  lol 

Have a glorious day!

New Photo of Us

Since so many photos from last weekend turned out blurry, we took more tonight.  I had gotten my hair done today, and we had Holt snap these for us.  Andy looking handsome as ever - guys have it so easy!

And here was the one from Saturday, "pre" flat iron days:

Do I look younger in the first photo?  I think so.  Great!  New hairstyle!  lol

Flat Iron Results Photos

I am growing my hair out to go "curly" for a while.  Until then, I need to manage this wavy/unruly hair I have going on.  This is day 2 of adjusting to my new Sedu Flat Iron.

Before:  I just blew dry my hair with no plan - just straight blow dryer.  It looks wacky in the back.

After:  

I didn't quite know the right technique, so my hair is just straight down. I will work on getting it to turn under just a bit.  And this only took me about 10 extra minutes!

Have a great day!