it's that time...

The time has come....

It's VACATION time!

Yep, it's finally time for our annual family beach vacay.

I cannot wait.  It's been a long time coming.

And after all the stress we've endured this summer, with house building and all, I'm ready for a break.

A break from reality.  A whole 7 days of nothing.

Saturday, we'll be on our way to paradise - or pretty close.

I'm going to try to do a fun post before then!  

Makeup related.

What's in my travel bag.

And that'll have to do for a week.... I probably won't be thinking about blogging while I'm there. :)

Stay tuned.

Tootles.

Face of the Day - Monday

Enjoy!

 Products Used:

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Revlon PhotoReady Concealer

Colorstay Pressed Powder - under eyes

NYX blush

Mauve

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush

Dollface - on apples

Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer

MAC Paint Pot

Painterly

Merle Norman Soft Touch eye pencil

Blackout

Merle Norman Lash Primer

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes

Carbon Black

Shady Lady eyeshadow palette

Colors Used:

taupy-purple on lids

dark purple in crease

medium bronze in crease to blend out purple

creamy white as highlight

dark purple under eye

change of plans

I haven't done a life update in a LONG TIME.  

So here goes...

If you've kept up with my blog for a while, you know we were in the process of building a home.  We are currently living with Jason's parents (and have been here since Jett was born 5 months ago).  It's been great living here, but we are BEYOND ready for our own home again!!!

It took us a LONG 5 months to get everything in order to start building.  We were down to the final step before digging - getting the construction loan.

Talk about major disappointment.

Our appraisal did not come in as expected.  Long story short:  we were gonna have to come up with 30,000 bucks to put down on the house.  Umm.... seriously?

No can do.

So we had to change plans.  Abandon everything we had in mind.  Forget about all the money we threw away getting prepared over the past months.

Sounds like life to me.

So we have decided to go with another group of homebuilders.  A group that does EVERYTHING for you.  Once we sign our names, we don't have to worry about another darn thing..  The only decision I'll have to make is what paint color to use - and all that fun stuff!!!

We met with them last Friday and are meeting again today to get things squared away.  

Even though I hate things didn't work out the way we had planned, I am certain this is for the best!

And I can't believe that after all this waiting, we are mere weeks away from seeing dirt move!

It's hard to contain my excitement. :)

the Balm: Shady Lady 9-pan palettes

A few months ago, I posted about 3 eyeshadow palettes from theBalm called Shady Lady: Volumes I, II & III.  

You can read about them here.

I purchased these palettes on sale.  These 9-shadow palettes are originally $39.50.

I just read on Nouveau Cheap's site that the sale is back!!!

Starting tonight at midnight and running until 11:59 Friday night (August 3), you can pick up all 3!

Yes...

ALL 3 PALETTES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!!!

That's a great deal on these awesome shadows!

The packaging is great and the quality of the shadows is superb.

If you are able, I would definitely suggest giving these a try and taking advantage of this awesome deal.

You can check them out here.

(No special code necessary.  Just visit theBalm's website tomorrow.  DON'T MISS OUT!)

July Favorites

I am so glad this month is over!!!

For 2 reasons:

1 - it's been a bummer.  but that's a story for another day.

2 - it's BEACH TIME.... in 11 days.

So here are a few of my favorite things this month!

-----------------------------------

Merle Norman Aquabalance Foundation

I used to wear this foundation a lot.  But I had been trying so many new things, it got stuck away on the bottom of the pile.  But I pulled it back out one day and rediscovered my love for it.  I love the lightweight feeling it gives, but the coverage is great!  And it lasts very well to be a "lightweight" makeup.  It's perfect for summertime.  And though it's been SCORCHINGLY hot here in Bama, and I have still worn Colorstay Whipped on church days and such, it's been nice to have little makeup on and still great coverage.

--------------------------------------

Garnier Nutrisse Dark Circle Eye Roller

This is another rediscovered product.  I've had this for ages.  But I've been using other concealers for a while.  But I pulled this baby out recently and it's GREAT!  It's not a miracle worker when it comes to coverage, but it does work great to conceal darkness.  Another plus, it's cooling on the skin.  Great for a midday pick-me-up.  And the caffeine helps a little, too, for us "non-morning" people.

----------------------------------------

Real Techniques Face Brush & Powder Brush

I bought these brushes a month or so ago at Ulta.  I'm in love with them.  I've been using the face brush to apply foundation (all kinds of foundations) and it works great.  And the powder brush is so soft!  I just do a "patting" motion to apply my setting powder and it creates a very pretty finish without applying too much product.

------------------------------------------

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

I purchased 2 Paint Pots recently.  First I bought Soft Ocre.  But I got it home and used it and discovered it was a little too yellow for me.  It'll probably work fine during the winter (pale) months.  So I went back and got Painterly.  I've used it every single day and I love it!  Not sure how I went this long without it.

---------------------------------------------

e.l.f. Blush and Bronzer Duo

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the blush from this duo and I've been wearing it tons!  It's such a soft, pretty, peachy color with a little shimmer.  So pretty during the summer.  And you CAN NOT beat the price.

-----------------------------------------------

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy

I bought a small size of this perfume and I'm in love with it!!!!

I don't like really strong perfumes, and this one is subtle enough that it doesn't knock you down, but it definitely is noticeable.  It's so bright and "juicy" smelling. :)

-----------------------------------------------

Those products have been tops for me this month!

Face of the Day Monday

I've never used these colors in a look before,

but I LOVE the results!!

I think this will be a great look for the rest of summer, and especially at the beach!

woohoo! :)

It's a pink/coral/bronze look.  I used shadows from several different palettes, but you can use whatever you have to get this look!  doesn't have to be exact!

Products used:

Merle Norman AquaBalance Foundation

L26

Revlon PhotoReady Concealer

002 Light

Revlon Colorstay Pressed Powder (to set undereye concealer)

Light

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

005 Silky Beige

Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer

park avenue princess

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush

dollface

MAC Paint Pot

Painterly

Merle Norman Soft Touch eye pencil

Blackout

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes

Carbon Black

Maybelline Baby Lips

Peach Kiss

Now, for the shadows:

I started with a trio from L.A. Colors.

Bought this a few weeks ago for $1 at Dollar General. :)

I placed the bright pink all over the lid.

Then I topped it with the shimmery pink (safe bet annette)  from a Shady Lady palette.

Then I placed the light bronze color (mischievous marissa) on the outer corner and into the crease.

Then I placed the darker bronze color (racy kacy) in the outer V and slightly into the crease.

I used Urban Decay's Naked to blend all of the colors out.

Then I placed a shimmery, creamy white color (envious erin) under the brow and in the inner tear duct.

---------------------------------------------------------------

I hope you like this look and might consider trying it out.  Or create your own spin on it.  

And if you do, share it with me!

friday phone dump