Princess Headgear

My daughter Eva is a princess, let's state the fact first ;) She believes everyday is her birthday, she will sing "Happy Birthday Eva" everyday. As my princess I'm always on the lookout for special little things that will make her feel as special as she is to me. On Facebook the other day, my co-worker's daughter Ashley posted some headband she handmade. I fell in love with them, so personalized, so cute. Ashley's "Little Bowchique" has recently been born and I'm already a fan. She custom made these two bows for Eva, I sent her a picture of the outfits and she worked her magic.
I love that she named the first one after my princess ;)

This purple/pink one is called Cupcake.

Please check out her FB album/page:  http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150173978221698.317204.684671697#!/media/set/?set=a.10150277022196421.373859.590676420
You can also email her at akarin22@aol.com
Support a young Hispanic woman with a great talent!! She can custom make headbands for any outfit you have.
The best part of giving Eva these headbands, was her reaction, "Mami, I look like a princess!"

Dazzling

I recently became a member of Shoedazzle.com, a website that brings you different styles of shoes, purses, and jewelry. My kind of website ;) For $39.95 a month you can order a pair of shoes, a purse or jewelry that are picked for you according to a survey you take.

For my first purchase I chose these heels "Glam" , they fit true to size. For your first purchase they give you $7.99 off, so they were $31.99.

For my second purchase I chose this bone purse with gold straps, "Paris." Shoedazzle really knows how to cater to women. First with the packaging of your purchase. All covered in hot pink tissue paper and in this lovely hot pink bag

I was very happy with my "Paris" bag, its a convenient size, I thought it was huge from the pictures on the site. I can use it with the strap extended or double up the strap. It has enough storage space.

Visit http://www.shoedazzle.com/ and sign up, they don't ask for a credit card until you are ready to purchase. And you can skip a month if you don't find anything you like, but trust me you're gonna love a lot of their styles.

Happy Shopping!!

Genefique - Lancome

I'm terrified of wrinkles...that fear started when I was 21! So I started lathering up all the cosmetic creams you can imagine. At 33 I'm happy to report no huge wrinkles, despide the love I have for suntanning. In my continual journey of fighting the wrinkles, I came upon a new weapon...Genefique by Lancome. I was out cosmetic shopping with my BFF, and the Lancome counter lady applied some Genefique to her face before testing out some foundations. We saw a difference on how the foundation looked with the Genefique on, so we had to try it. Four weeks later I'm so happy with the product, the $58 tag was worth it. My face feels youthful, hydrated, and softer. 
I've found my fountain of youth! Go to the Lancome counter and test it out.

Instyle's Beauty Buys of 2011

I love Instyle's Beauty Buys of 2011 presented on the Today Show.  Check out some of their best of 2011. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/43092746#43092746

I've been a fan of Dior's mascara for a while. I am going to try the CeraVe lotion and Fresh Brown Sugar perfume.
What are some of your favorite beauty buys?

From some of my favorite stores

I'm gonna apologize for the quality of the pictures I'm posting...I haven't been able to use my regular camera because my mother decided to take the camera battery charger back with her to Virginia. I can't wait until I get a good camera...soon!
So I did some bargain shopping at some of my favorite stores on Friday, I also hit up some of the outlets.
Here are a few things I picked up...

.

Banana Republic was having a 40% everything in the store for their "Queen for a Day" Sale...so I got this orange/beige top with a paisley pattern in the front and stripes in the back. Originally it was $18.99 with the sale it was $11.39.

I also picked up this pinkish tank top at Banana Republic, originally it was $29.50 on sale for $17.70. I paired it up with this beaded light pink sweater I found at the Gap. It was only $9.97! It was originally $59.50 and I just saw it Online for $44.50!

At the Gap I also picked up this Teal V neck sweater for only $14.97, it was originally $49.50!!

At New York & Company I found this really cute purse/wristlet, it's a dark brown with a little padlock. Originally $22.95 it was 50% off at $11.47.

I saw these really cute light pink sandals for only $11.86, 30% off their $16.95 price.

My Daughter Eva also got some good deals.....

Check out these clear sandals from the Gap, two for $18...I got her the clear ones and navy blue ones. She loves them!

I saw these clogs and I had to get them!! They are too cute. Brown Clogs with a Butterfly on top they were on clearance at $9.97.

Those clogs are going to go perfect with these wide leg jeans she got from Gap also. They are having a BOGO 50 Off Sale on their sale items. So these pants were only $10.

As part of the BOGO Sale she also got this Black and White Maxi Dress for only $10.67. Perfect for the summertime parties she'll be attending :)

I love Gap, Banana Republic and New York and Company , their clothes are classic and last for a while, with care of course. So head to the nearest store and check out these great sales in person. Happy Shopping!

Rain Rain Don't go Away

Central Florida sees it's share of April Showers and after getting a couple of pairs of shoes wet crossing the wading pool (parking lot) at work I decided it was time for some rain boots. Since I won't be wearing too often, I wanted some inexpensive fun rain boots. Well I found them at Target.com.
These are my new Mustard Yellow Seagull Rain Boots!!!!

And at $7.87 a pair I could of bought a bunch of them!!

Target.com has rain boots ranging from $7.87 to $24.00.
Zappos.com has boots ranging from $32 to $395 (hmm Burberry)
Endless.com has boots ranging from $22 to $350

Why should the kiddies be the only ones splashing in the puddles ;)

Shoe Crazy

What happens when 1. I just got my tax return deposited in my bank account, 2. all my friends bail out on me 3. I'm child less for hours????
I go shoe shopping!!! I went a little crazy and bought four pairs of shoes today.

#1

My first purchase was from DSW. Levity Sandals $41 normally $60. Yeah go me!! http://www.dsw.com/

#2

Second purchase from Cathy Jean. These are the most comfortable wedges you will ever own! $72 but I know I'll wear them with everything! http://www.cathyjeanshoes.com/

#3

Third purchase of the day, at some store in the mall. Qupid Black Sandals $21. They're gonna be great with my summer maxi dress ;)

 

Last purchase, Paprika Brown Mules $18!! Great deal and they are surprisingly comfortable. I gotta get a pair of bellbottoms to rock them with.
Ok, I think I'm done shopping for shoes for a month LOL or until I step into another store.

February Purchases

It's been a while since I've blogged, but that doesn't mean I haven't been shopping ;)
I went on a little shopping spree at Forever 21...their Plus size area called Forever 21+ had a few items that caught my eye. They offer from Xtra Large to 3X.
I ended up with these purchases...

Blue Top $17 


Black/Red Top $17







Black Cutout Stilletos $23.80



I also stopped by H&M, they only carry larger sizes in certain things. I ended up with a navy blue/white quarter sleeve shirt that I will pair with cutoff denim shorts and dark blue jeans. As I was looking for a picture on their website I came across their H&M Fashion Studio where you can put outfits together! This is an awesome tool.Check it out here... H&M Fashion Studio

I'm also a member of http://www.hautelook.com/ , where they have different sales every week on well known and not so well  known brands. They offer items for 20-50% off their retail price. It's a good idea to check it daily for your favorite brands. They offer makeup, clothing, and hair products from well known brands like NYX Cosmetics, Jessica Simpson clothing, Ouidad, Michael Kors, etc.

My purchase for last month was from NYX Cosmetics...the "All I Ever Wanted" palette that includes 72 eyeshadows, 8 face colors, 6 lip colors, and 4 blushers. This is a great box of makeup to take with you on those weekend trips, it's a convenient size , one inch thick, the shadows slide on top of the other colors.

This usually retails for $28, on Hautelook I was able to get it for $13.99 :)

Happy Shopping !!!

SAVE FACE

Rise and Shine!! Time to put your face on :)
I would rather sleep an extra five minutes than spend an hour on my makeup. And as a mother of a two year old, I have my make up routine down to a science.
Here is my quick morning makeup routine, hope you can take something from it.
Step 1: Start with your eyes, why? Because if you mess up you can quickly wipe it off without having to take off foundation, etc.
I begin with applying a concealer on my eyelids, my lids are for some reason darker than the rest of my face, and it also helps eyeshadows stay on longer. I use Boiing Concealer (#3) by Benefit.

Retails: $18


Step 2: Apply eyeshadows, today I used Smashbox Eyeshadows in "Bliss" for the entire lid, with "Sable" on the crease. I also use many MAC shadows.



Step 3:  Then I line my upper eyelids with MAC Fluidline in "BlackTrack" It's a gel that's applied with a thin brush. No Art degree required.

$15


Step 4: I like to put my foundation on a smooth canvas so I use primer. I have been using Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer. If you know makeup you know this is the good stuff. But......I am going to save you $30!!! Ok, this is going to sound crazy to some, but I've tried it and you can look it up on other sites. I'm using Monistat Chafing Cream, it contains Dimethicone same ingredient as the Smashbox Primer. If you read the label to the Monistat cream you will see it says it creates a smooth layer on your skin. Try it you won't be dissapointed.

                                                                     

$36                                                                                      $6!!

Step 5: Time to apply your foundation. Many people have a favorite...I have used MAC Studio Fix, Studio Tech (more coverage) but recently I have been using Maybelline's Dream Matte Mouse, it gives me a great coverage and when applied with a foundation brush it goes on smoothly. And for the price you can purchase a winter color as well as a summer one ;)

$7-$8

Step 6:  This is optional, but since I haven't gotten any sun lately I like to put a little bit of bronzer on. Don't go Jerseylicious on us, but a little bit where the sun would hit you does the trick. I like the Mary Kay Bronzer Matte in Diva, it's not glittery for the office. If you want more shimmer they do offer it. http://www.marykay.com/color/cheeks/MaryKayMineralBronzingPowder/default.aspx

$12

Step 7:  Ladies, do not! I repeat do not understimate the power of a blush!! It enhances your cheekbones and makes you look alive!! And don't settle for any blush, buy, compare, try on all colors and textures. My two favorite ones at the moment are MAC Blush in Dollymix http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/156/329/Powder-Blush/index.tmpl, It's an intense color, but when applied it gives you a blushing look. The other blush that does the same is the infamous "Orgasm" by Nars, which I carry in my makeup bag for touchups.

$18.50

Step 8: Last but not least, I curl my eyelashes and apply Hypnose Drama Mascara by Lancome. It gives my lashes the length and volume, I won't go back to any other. If you're budget conscious the one I carry in my makeup bag in case I need it is the Covergirl Lash Blast in Very Black.

$22                                                                        $6-$7

Top if off with your favorite lipstick or gloss and out the door you go!

My final "classic not made up" 10 minute makeup for a day at the office....

Ta da!!!

My Best Purchase of 2010!!

I have purchase many things throughout my lifetime, ok, since I started earning money. Among those things I have purchased over 5 pairs of glasses, countless bottles of saline solution and boxes of contacts...I've had the worst vision since I was 13. My mom thought I wanted glasses, who wants glasses at that age???
When I turned 16, I got contacts, not just any contacts, green colored contacts LOL I thought I looked hot, yeah because they looked so natural. Then I got regular contacts, wore them for many many years. Recently I have been suffering from swelling of my eyelids, so I went to visit Dr. Perez at Sakowitz Eye Center who suggested PRK.

PRK Laser Eye Surgery (photorefractive keratectomy) is a procedure to fix your eyesight, like Lasik. If you're near sighted like me , or far sighted you can benefit from this procedure. I was a candidate for PRK instead of Lasik due to my cornea being too thin.

On December 28th, I went in for my procedure and 15 minutes later I was done. Now, PRK does take a few more days for your eyes to heal than Lasik. This has been the best money I've spend this past year. My eye sight is getting better and better as each day goes by. To think I will not need to put any more contacts in my eyes is so rewarding. Do some research and see if Lasik or PRK is an option for you.

If you live in Orlando, check out Dr. Huberto Perez at Sakowitz Eye Center. http://www.sakowitzeyecenter.com/ 

My Three C's of shopping

When you go buy a diamond you have to know the 5 C's, Color, Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Certification. When it comes to shopping, my favorite to find is the three C's, Comfortable, Classic, and Cheap!!

So I found this Navy blue/ red stripped boatneck T at Gap for $21.99.

I already had a pair of dark denim jeans to wear it with but I didn't have any red shoes or flats. I came across this small store in Orlando, all shoes for $6.99!!  Of course you're not going to walk out with the latest high heels but I think it's a great place to find cute flats for a great price!
I found these really cute red flats that matched pretty well.

Can't beat them for $6.99!! So next time you see a place such as this, stock up on the cute classic flats.