Princess Tiana Inspired FOTD

Last Wednesday, my friend Karma had a birthday party for her little girl Alyssondria who was turning 2!! The theme of her party was "The Princess and the Frog" so I decided to do my makeup Princess Tiana style!! It came out much better than I expected.

Now onto the Party Pictures!!

The little Princess

The Princess and her God Mom Jiji

So pretty!

Her cupcake cake!!

Lol I think Tiana's face is priceless

I had so much fun at the party! We watched Princess and the Frog *and* Lion King! The adults were into it more than the children lol we were singing all the songs at the top of our lungs. Definitely was a trip down memory lane. Thanks for reading!

Surprise Giveaway??

Hey guys! I want to do a Holiday giveaway, but I want to do something a little different. I wanted the prizes to be a secret *shh!*. The prize will include high end and drug store products. I kinda wanna bring back the excitement of not knowing what you're going to get for Christmas. So, my question to you is, would you be interested?? I'll start it next week [Friday] and it'd run through Christmas. I'm going to put a poll up on the right so please, please vote to let me know! Also comment below and tell me some things/ brands you'd like to see given in this giveaway. Thanks so much for reading!

Miss Alabama USA

Hey Guys!!!! My BFF, Jilisa, is going to be a contestant for the upcoming Miss Alabama USA in January. She placed 1st Runner Up in her first ever pageant, earlier this month at the Miss Black Alabama pageant. We're so proud of her and we would like to support her in going forward with this journey. The pageant will take place in Montgomery in the month of January so we are trying to get as many supporters and sponsors as possible. If you would like to donate, I will include a button below. Thank you again for reading and I hope that you pass the word along. You can follow her on Twitter [@tinydancerjiji] or FB [Jilisa M.]

Isn't she pretty!?

After winning

Autumn Leaves FOTD [Inspired by Morena Barbee]

Hey Guys!!! I don't know about ya'll, but I love to watch YouTube videos and recreate the looks some of the Gurus make. On Thanksgiving, I saw Rai of Glam Morena do an Autumn Leaves tutorial [you can check out her blog post here] and did kind of my version of it. It's not just like hers [I wish] but I really like the look!


[PS I got picture Happy =)]

Can you tell I liked it alot?! Haha! Thanks for reading =)

I Haven't Forgotten You....

I'm still here!! I've just been uber busy and haven't had time to blog!!! But, I will be posting a couple things this week. Miss you guys and hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend!!! =)

Enter To Win A Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System!

Rai of Glam Morena is having an awesome giveaway!! The prize is a Microderambrasion System Kit, two refill packs, and a branded eye mask. You can click here to enter. Hurry, because the giveaway ends Dec. 3rd!!! 

Holly-Day Nails with Twinkle Lights

This is usually the week we put up our Christmas tree! I was really feeling that spirit so I decided to do a Christmas tree inspired manicure! I used China Glaze's Holly-Day, a mossy medium green cream, and Twinkle Lights which is a gold, red, and green glitter, on my *bling finger*. I really like this manicure.

Holly-Day and Twinkle Lights

A close up on the Twinkle Lights. Sorry about the flash!

Are you going to do any Holiday inspired nails? Thanks for reading!

Review: L.A. Colors Nail Polish Remover Pads

I wanted to share my thoughts on these pads I've had quite some time, but never really used. My reason for using them this time is that I'm running low on my normal polish remover and I had these in my polish bag. I would buy them again, but there are some cons that come along with that decision.

Pros:
-Price: I picked these up at my local Family Dollar for $1.50
-Scent: These do not smell like normal polish removers. They really smell like peaches!
-Size:  The container is slightly smaller than a NYX cream blush.
-Acetone Free: These are very gentle with your nails and don't dry them out.
-Moisturizing: When I use these pads, it's almost like I am using a cuticle oil as well.

My nails directly after using the pads. Do u see how shiny they are?!

In comparison, my nails after using acetone polish remover

Cons:
-Effectiveness: You have to use A LOT of these wipes to get your polish off.

16 wipes to remove my last manicure

-Oilness: This is really a Pro and Con. Like I said before, I like the fact that it is gentle on my nails, but I'd have to either swipe some acetone remover over my nails[which defeats the purpose] or go wash my hands in order to make my nails ready to be polished. Sometimes I just don't want to do that!










I would buy these again, but they won't be my go to polish removers. I think they're perfect for travelling or just having a couple in your bag just because. They come in 5 other scents: Grape, Strawberry, Lemon, Melon, and Pear. Also, for $1.50 they aren't too too bad. I don't think they'd do well with extremely glittery polishes, the Meep-Meep-Meep had a little glitter in it and it removed it pretty well. Have you tried these before? What do you think of them? Thanks for reading!



GRADE: C-

Wet N Wild FOTD

Yesterday the Mister took me to see Breaking Dawn [isn't he the sweetest?]! The movie was beyond amazing, have you guys seen it?! Anyway, my face was kinda simple, but I liked it and wanted to show it to you!

FACE:
Urban Decay De Slick In A Tube
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
Maybelline Fit Me foundation in 355
ELF Complete Coverage Concealer
MAC Studio Fix foundation in NW45


EYES:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Wet N Wild "Comfort Zone" Palette [gold on the lids]
Wet N Wild "I Heart Matte" Palette [matte brown in the crease; cream color as highlight]
Tarte emphasEYES clay liner in black
Smashbox Hyperlash mascara
Smashbox Limitless eyeliner in Onyx [bottom waterline]


CHEEKS:
Milani Baked Blush in Fantastico Mauve


LIPS:
Tarte LipSurgence in Enchanted








. . .And lots and lots of ELF Shine Eraser sheets!! Lol I hope you guys enjoyed this look, I'll try to do more FOTDs. I didn't do my brows BTW. I usually don't unless I really really feel like it!

**Update** 
The LipSurgence stains your lips pretty bad. It's not bad for me because I like that look, but it's just a heads up!

Taco Chili!!

Winter is here[or around the corner] and I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes with you guys. I don't really cook, but this chili recipe is SUPER easy! I love making things in the crock pot because you really don't have to stand around and cook for hours, or watch the stove to make sure your food doesn't burn. 


****************************************************

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 pkg (1 1/4 oz) taco seasoning mix
• 2 cans (14.5 oz ea.) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can (15 to 16 oz) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 oz) chili beans in sauce
• 1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
• shredded cheese (mozzarella, Monterey Jack or Cheddar)
• tortilla chips, slightly crushed

Preparation:

In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion, one-half at a time, till meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain off fat. Transfer to a 3 1/2- to 5-quart crockery cooker.

Stir in dry taco seasoning mix, diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, pinto beans, chili beans in chili sauce, and corn.

Cover; cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.

Sprinkle each serving with some cheese and chips.
Makes 8 servings.

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My Adaptations:

• I don't really like onions so I leave those out when I cook this.
• I add a type of beans called Ranch Style Beans , which are spiced up Pinto beans, instead of the plain pinto beans.

• I use the "Hint of Lime" tortilla chips instead of regular tortilla chips, omg! I love those tortilla chips! Its the only kind my family eats!
• I am a sour cream addict so I add some sour cream to my serving.
• I add a small can of tomato sauce in replacement of a can of diced tomatoes. 
• I always buy extra Taco Bell taco seasoning packets because I feel that it takes more than suggested to get the flavor I want.
• I pour a taco seasoning packet into the meat right after it gets brown, along with pouring a couple packets into the crock pot.
• I use corn in the can and it works just as well as frozen corn.
• The diced tomato with chilies brand I use is Ro*Tel [Mexican style].

I added my adaptations because I wanted to show you that you have to really make recipes your own. Don't be afraid to experiment with things and omit or add certain things. If it doesn't come out right [like my failed carbonara, but we won't speak on that], you know what not to do next time!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe and will try it out this winter. It's very hearty and can last for a long time!! Thanks for reading.

• 
  

Tarte: Shining Stars LE Best Seller's Collection Review & Swatches

This just arrived today and I couldn't wait to post it because I am convinced I'm the only b[v]logger that has this collection!! I've searched and searched and searched for reviews and/or swatches for this collection to only find people saying they want it! I've been wanting to try some Tarte products and despite not finding any swatches I'd already decided I wanted it and I'm glad I picked it up. Last week some time Nouveau Cheap said they were having a 50% off sale on this collection for only one day, so you bet your Visa card I ordered it quickly! This set of three minis and one full sized item is normally $25 and can be found at Sephora and Ulta stores/website or the Tarte website.

This is a picture of the cheek stain, and LipSurgence next to a MAC compact and the ELF Glossy Gloss. These minis are really mini!! Lol.


 The collection includes:

• Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes! clinically-proven natural mascara in black- On the tube it says it increases lash volume by 424%, a drastic claim that I'm not sure is true. I have a couple of these mascaras and I've never thought it was anything special. I'm not sure if the claim of the volume increase is an over time thing, but I'm just not seeing it. Grade: C
• Deluxe natural cheek stain in Flush- I was both skeptical and excited about this product. I don't do well with cream-like blushes, but I thought it'd be a great base under my powder blushes. Unfortunately, it doesn't show up on my cheeks =(. It's a beautiful berry pink color but, after it soaks in, I can't see it anymore. This would be perfect for people lighter than me. Grade: C
• Deluxe LipSurgence natural lip tint in Enchanted- This is my favorite thing in the collection! Enchanted is a nice rosy color that you can build up for a more intensified color, or you can do a couple of swipes for just a sheer berry red tint. It smells like mint and it tingles your lips for a couple minutes after you put it on. It feels like a hydrating lip balm, but it's pretty glossy. After about 45 minutes the glossiness wears off and you're left with it looking more like a lip stain. I will be purchasing the full-sized version of these. Grade: A
• Full Size emphasEYES Amazonian clay waterproof liner in black- This was what I was most excited about because if you remember my Winged Liner post, I've been using cream/gel liners more to do my eyes. I like the ELF one alright, but I think after feeling this one I'm not going back to it. This is the creamiest liner I've experienced. It's very opaque and dries to a matte finish. This liner is waterproof, but I'm not necessarily sure if it's smudge proof if that makes any sense? I did my rub test on my swatch and it fades slightly. I haven't had a chance to truly truly test it yet, so this is more like my first impression more than a review. Grade: B

Overall, I would recommend this collection to you to buy because I feel some of my issues were circumstantial. I already knew I wouldn't really like the mascara, it works okay, but nothing like my Smashbox HyperLash. I also knew better about the cheek stain but, hey, I'm hard headed an optimist! The liner is $22 alone, so it's like getting it and the others for $1 a piece! For $25, I don't think it's bad to try it out to see how you like it!

SWATCHES!

[Since I haven't seen swatches, I also swatched my palm for those who wanted to see how they look on a "lighter skin tone"]

The mascara brush

[above]The cheek stain

[above]LipSurgence

Clay Liner

So what do you guys think of this collection; would you buy it? Also, I'm trying to do collage pictures and I can see I have a long way to go, but do you like the collage pictures better, or do you like the straight down, normal pictures? Thanks for reading!!

!!!!!

Breaking Dawn is officially released!!! Can't wait to see it!! AHHHHH Team Edward!!!!

So Cute!

Look what Twizzlers sent me in the mail! A Twizzler's pen, I love it!!

It's hard to remember not to eat it lol!


**Update** It writes so well and the shape isn't uncomfortable at all. It writes in black ink, which is a plus.

Cantu Review

                                     


I'm going to be reviewing the Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream, *whew* long name! I bought this from Walgreen's about two months ago when I started my natural journey. I'd read that it didn't mix well with EVOO, but I bought it anyway because I'm hard headed. When it came time to use it, I sealed my hair with my EVOO and then applied this over it and unfortunately it turned my hair white and no matter how much I rubbed it in, it still looked the same. So, as I stated in my first Natural Hair Log, it was a no no and had to go. Fast forward to a couple of days ago, I was reading Queen Of The 4s blog and she mentioned that she added oil to hers before she applied it to her hair and had no problems. Hmm, so I skeptically tried it and OMG the Cantu melted into my hair like it was nothing! I was baffled, I honestly tried it thinking there was no way it could work. Pie in my face. Then the bad part came. . .Sigh, I wish there didn't have to be one. My hair felt so hard and so dry after a couple of hours! It was ridiculous. I know I have trouble with dryness, but my hair had never been this hard before, no bueno. So I sprayed my hair with water and added my Holy Grail Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and softer hair!! After two tries, I think I'm just going to throw this away or give it to one of my friends because it doesn't agree with my hair at all!! 

Do you, or have you, used this? What do you think of it? Let me know in the comments.




Grade: F

NOTD Featuring O.P.I.

I don't know why I don't buy more cream polishes! I guess because they look so boring plain in bottle, while the glitters are screaming, "Pick me! Pick me!". This past weekend, I was lucky enough to pick up a polish I'd been wanting for about 3 months. For some reason, my Ulta had every other polish of this collection but the one I wanted! I'm talking about OPI's Suzi Loves Cowboys [from the 2011 Spring/Summer collection], a polish I fell in love with at first glance and one I knew I had to have in my possession. It did not disappoint. It's a milky chocolate brown that looks like a melted Hershey bar. Ah! I love it. On my "bling finger" I have another new polish that I think is not getting recognized like it should be. I'm talking about OPI's Meep-Meep-Meep [from the 2011 Muppet Collection]. Oh My God! This polish is gorgeous and is getting overshadowed by Getting Miss Piggy With It! This polish is the real gem, it's such a beautiful berry magenta with subtle hot pink glitters[my pictures make it slightly brighter than it is]. The formula is top notch and it can be a one coater, if you want, but I decided to add a couple more to intensify the color. It is thick, like a gel almost but that's what helps make it be so opaque. I have fallen in love with both of these polishes and I'm glad I was able to get my hands on them!!

The most accurate of the colors; the light is reflecting off the pink glitters in Meep-Meep-Meep

I love this manicure and I really cant wait to wear Meep-Meep-Meep all alone! Did you pick up some of the Muppets collection?? Which ones are on your list to get??