Just picked up these Maybelline Colorshow Nail Tattoos at Dollar Tree a few days ago. They are so flipping fun! Super easy to apply, and they look cool. Of course they are discontinued, but I did find them on EBay for $5. Score one for me. The fact that I’m a bean counter makes these even more fun.
Let me start off by saying I’ve been painting my nails for more than 40 years. Now you may think I’m older than dirt, but I know a thing or three about make-up. I do my own nails and have for years. I’ve neglected my nails for long periods of time, especially when my son was small, I was going to school and working full time. I discovered Sally Hansen Insta- Dry Top coat a few years ago. Before I discovered this awesome top coat, painting my nails was usually an ordeal, that’s why I did it so rarely.
This top coat changed everything for me. That sounds corny, but when you don’t have a lot of time to wait around for your nails to dry, you just don’t do your nails. I now do my nails before I go to bed. You heard correctly, right before I go to bed. No sheet imprints, smudges, anything. It is simply amazing.
My co-workers tease me because I have different polish on every other day. I’m in to nail art these days, so I go a little longer with the same polish. You simply apply your regular polish, wait two minutes, and then apply the Insta-Dri. After 30 seconds, it’s dry to the touch. I go to bed, and wake up with a perfect manicure. Our two dogs sleep with us, and I toss and turn a lot when I sleep, but nothing smudges my polish. I only wish this stuff came in a bigger bottle. It works with any brand of polish. Try it; you will be glad you did. I usually buy it at Wal-Mart for under $5. When I’ve used the top coat with Sally Hansen polish, it looks like a gel manicure, and lasts for days without a touch up. It’s nice to find a product that actually does what it’s advertised to do.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sally-Hansen-Insta-Dri-Anti-Chip-Top-Coat/10322333
Yippee! I got my September Ipsy glam bag today. Lots of good stuff. The cosmetic bag is a pewter colored bag with silver studs. The five items I received are as follows: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair deep conditioning mask for hair. I can’t wait to try this, as I color my hair and need a deep conditioner. Leeanni Eco 3 in 1 Revolution Light, a toner, serum and moisturizer combined. Sounds like this will save me some time in the morning. Pacifica Natural Minerals eyeliner pencil in brown. Hikari lipstick in Cabernet, which is a dark pink, matte lipstick. Last, but certainly not least is a Crown Crease/Shadow brush. This is the third eye make-up brush I’ve gotten from Ipsy. I love the fact the brush is a dual brush. The bristles are very soft, and the brush is well made.
I wasn’t real crazy about the lipstick, as the color was a bit too bright for me. I wish I had a purse that looked like the cosmetic bag for this month. I’m such a little kid waiting for my bag each month. I knew it was coming today, and had my hubby throw the pink package upstairs to me after he got the mail. He asked me how I knew it came today, and I told him I saw the fuchsia package as he was walking up the driveway. I will most likely give the lipstick to my niece. She loves getting packages from her aunty, because she knows she’s getting some great hair, make up and skin care products.
My fifteen year old son brought me a sugar cookie today from school. He has one every day with his lunch, and has told me how yummy they are. While this may not seem like a big deal, it’s a huge deal to me. You see my son’s only surviving grandmother passed away suddenly about ten days ago. Prior to that day he was a typical 15 year old boy, he barely spoke to me, always playing his computer games, smart mouth, etc. If I tried to hug him, he would act like he was dying.
I only have one child. My son and I were very close when he was little. Once puberty kicked in, that all changed. He doesn’t talk much and is painfully shy. I on the other hand can talk to anyone, anytime or anyplace. He has a hard time making friends, and doesn’t seem to care to meet new people. He was very close to his grandmother. She spent a lot of time with him. She lived close by, and was in good health. Often picking up our son after school and taking him to the dollar store, or for ice cream. She was a dear woman.
My husband is devastated by the sudden loss of his mother, as am I. We just saw her the week before she passed. We live in the same area, and would see my in-laws several times a month. We encourage our son to try and make friends, but he’s been rejected so many times, it’s like he’s given up. As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to watch your child be rejected by others. I just want to tell those kids what an awesome person my son is, and how they are missing out by not wanting to be his friend. We as parents can only do so much. Our greatest wish is for our children to be happy.
In the past few months, I’ve been trying to go for some stealth hugs and kisses from my son. He hasn’t be recoiling like he was six months ago, so I thought I was making some progress. He’s a sophomore in high school, and I have come to the realization that he will be leaving for college in a few years. My mother in-law was a shining example of a good mother. She was always there for her children, and they were her life.
Our lives get busy and we sometimes forget just how precious our children are. My heart breaks for my husband, his siblings, and my father in-law. When I said good bye to my dear mother in-law at the funeral home, I told her I would take care of her son and her husband. I will do my best to honor her, because that’s exactly what she would do.
This is the best mascara ever! I have been wearing make up for over 40 years, and have tried numerous brands of mascara. I have long eyelashes, but they are blonde when I have no make-up on. I’m always on the hunt for a really good mascara. I usually end up disappointed, but not this time. The Bombshell Volume by CoverGirl really delivers.
As you can see in my photos, this is some killer mascara. Ulta was having a giveaway if you bought several Olay products along with CoverGirl products; you got a free Bombshell Volume mascara. I was thrilled the first time I used it. I am wearing brown in my photos. In the other photo I am wearing L.A. Colors mascara in brown. The price was around $12 at Ulta, but I had an Ulta coupon, along with a manufacturer’s coupon. I think I paid around $6 for this tube.
I always crack up when I see ads in magazines for mascara, and in the fine print it says “lash inserts used”. No lash inserts needed with Bombshell Volume! Just sit back and wait for the compliments.
I’m a pretty easygoing person. It really takes a lot to make me mad. The one thing that is probably my biggest pet peeve is bad drivers. Why do some people think they literally own the road? I’ve been driving for many years and people never cease to amaze me by their sheer stupidity. I was merging onto the freeway last Thursday night, and a tractor trailer in my lane wouldn’t let me in. I almost ran off the road. Scared the who ha out of me. I’m in my little Kia Soul and this clown is in a mega ton death machine. Geez, no wonder my hair gets gray so much faster these days.
I mean what is up with these knuckleheads and road rage? A lane on the freeway isn’t worth dying for. When people do stupid stuff in their cars, like cut me off etc. I just smile through gritted teeth, all while calling them some very nasty names, to myself. People are crazy drivers. I get such a kick when someone makes a bonehead move in front of me, and then flips me the bird! Really! Just get your license yesterday did you? I have to laugh, or else I’d look like a granny with all my hair turning gray.
I just got back from Dollar Tree this afternoon. Oh how I love that store. I was just there on August 19th and got some great nail art pens and polish. Even though I was just there four days ago, I was at Ulta which is in the same strip mall, so I had to stop. I’m so glad I did. They got some new L.A. Colors 12 color eye shadow pallets. The first pallet I picked up called Trendy has various shades of brown and are a matte finish. I will get a lot of use out of this one as brown shades are my go to colors for my blue eyes. Next up is the Glamorous pallet. It has shades of taupe along with several grays and a cornflower blue. Last but not least is Supernatural; it has four shades of gray along with some blue and aqua shadows. It has a pretty color of cobalt blue which is a good crease color along with the brown lid color for a more intense look. The L.A. Colors shadows are highly pigmented and last all day. No eye primer required. I met some friends for dinner this week and only had to touch up my lipstick and powder my nose. My make-up had been on for almost 10 hours, and still looked good at the end of the evening.
I also got a 3-in-1 Instant Eye Enhancer from Physicians Formula. The package said it was for blue eyes, but after I opened it, turns out it’s for green eyes. It will go in the pot of make-up I’ll send to my niece. I got some hot oil treatment for my hair. I use to use hot oil treatments years ago when I had my very curly hair professionally straightened. You can’t go wrong with two treatments for a buck!
Stayed tuned for my next review on an Argan Heat flat iron purchased from Ulta today. Happy make up hunting!
You can find some amazing deals on make up at the dollar store. I went today and got five nail art products for $5. I already have six of the L.A. Colors Nails Art Deco polishes and they work great. The Sassy + Chic 3 in 1 Nail Art Pens just came in. I try and stop every week to check out what’s new. I have several twelve color eye shadows pallets from L.A. Colors that I use all the time. Even if I only use one color (which I never do) it’s a total steal, and it wears well. I don’t really care for their regular nail polish, but the Art Deco nails are great.
I recently purchased Physicians Formula Organic Wear blush at the dollar store. I believe it’s discontinued, as I looked at other stores and couldn’t find any. I bought warm and cool colors. I went back a week later to buy some for my niece and they were gone. That’s the thing about the dollar store; you have to buy the things you like when you see them.
My local dollar store is next to the grocery store, so I don’t even have to go out of my way. I’ve been on a nail art kick since my nails finally grew long. They were awful for the longest time. I recently added spinach to my diet, having a spinach salad four times a week for lunch. My nails are awesome now. I get so many compliments on my manicure these days. I have “man” hands, so having nice looking nails is sweet. Speaking of sweet, the dollar store has the freshest candy too.
I joined Ipsy.com about a year ago. I looked at various sample box subscriptions, and decided Ipsy was the best for me. The other boxes I looked at had brands I had never heard of, and when I did research on the items they were very pricy. I completed a survey on Ipsy and selected the brands I would like to receive. I just my got August bag today. The cost is $10 per month, and you can cancel at any time. I have been very pleased with the majority of items I have received. The sizes are deluxe sample sizes along with full sizes as well.
This month’s bag included Urban Decay Perversion mascara (which I have been wanting to try), StriVectin Present Perfect Antioxidant Defense Lotion, J.Cats Flying solo eye shadow, Manna Sheer Glo shimmer lotion, Jersey Shore Sun-Mongongo Nutrient Defense Anti-aging Lip Conditioner. Every month my goodies come in a different cosmetic bag. This month it was orange with white polka dots.
Most months I love everything I get, what I don’t like, I give to my 18 year old niece. I send her whatever I don’t like every three months or so. Needless to say I’m her favorite aunt. I have discovered some great hair care products along with nail care as well. I’m like a little kid waiting for that letter from Santa at Christmas, but this Santa comes every month.
This is such a great way to try new make-up, hair and nail care items at a great price. Check them you out. http://www.ipsy.com/new/
I love shopping for jewelry at pawn shops. I’ve been doing it for years. Pawn shops are everywhere. You don’t need to go into the inner city to find one. I’ve been shopping at Dan’s L&L in Waukesha, WI for over 10 years. They have the most awesome selection of jewelry I have ever seen. I’ve never been a mall shopper for jewelry. Lately I’ve been really digging sterling silver jewelry. I don’t care if it’s used, it’s new to me. They have a huge inventory of new items.
I’ve purchased some beautiful silver and gemstone rings from Dan’s. I’ve been lucky as they have all fit. When I buy gold rings, I usually have to have them sized up. Dan does repairs also. The rings in the photo are all recent purchases. I spent anywhere from $12 to $20 each. Most of them have been around $15.
Check out Dan’s L&L, tell them Stacy sent you. www.waukeshajeweler.com
cornfedcontessa 