NOTD #44 and Hunger Games Bargain

Avon Ultra Color Rich Mega Impact Lipstick SPF15 in Brilliant Berry

(discontinued)

Although Avon does still sell the original Ultra Color Rich line ($7), the Mega Impact colors were limited edition. I don't like Brilliant Berry as much as I like Charged Cherry, which I wore last week. Brilliant Berry has more glitter that is really apparent as the lippie wears off, and it tends to run into the lines outside my lips. 

Hunger Games Bargain

Yesterday Amazon had the The Hunger Games paperback for just $1.85 and now it's down to $1.71. This is such a great bargain I'm thinking I need to order one so I can have one on hand if a friend mentions they haven't read this yet.... it's *so* good! Are you anxiously awaiting the release of the second movie like I am?

LOTD #43 and Legos

Merle Norman Age Defying+ Lipcolor in Coral Frost (retails for $15)

I am *so* into coral right now- it's just a great spring color. Today I'm wearing another lippie from Merle Norman (PR sample) and it's fabulous! For some reason the color block swatch on their website makes it look very orange, but it's actually quite nice and much more wearable than you'd think by looking at that swatch.

Lego Master Builder Academy

What can you guys tell me about the Lego Master Builder Academy program? P wants to be a Lego Engineer when he grows up (really) and this looks right up his alley. But it looks like they recently discontinued the subscription service where they send a set every few months (and upped the price....).  Any thoughts? Is it still worth the price?

It looks like Kit 1 is $30, and Kit 2-3 is $50 and Kit 4-6 is $80.

LOTD # 42 and Dessert

Korres Mango Butter Lipstick SPF 10 in Pink 14

(shade is no longer available at Sephora)

A few years ago I purchased one of the Sephora Favorite boxes for lips. These boxes are really fun and a great way to try new products without buying full-sized. The box I purchased had quite a few smaller sizes, but did contain one full-sized lippie, the one swatched above.

Sadly, this lasts about 10 minute on me before the color is completely gone. It feels nice going on, but that's about all the good things I have to say about it. I think I'll pass this one on to WC for her dress-up makeup box.

Dessert Day!

This week our department celebrated May birthdays, and I've been craving pineapple, so I made Pineapple Neiman Marcus Bars and they were so good!

Pineapple Neiman Marcus Bars

You'll need:

• 1 box Pineapple Supreme cake mix
• 1 stick butter
• 4 eggs
• 8 oz block of cream cheese (I use Philly 1/3 less fat)
• 1 box powdered sugar
• 20 oz can of crushed pineapple, drained
• glass pan (this is very important- must be a glass pan)

Combine: 1 egg beaten, 1 stick melted butter, and cake mix. Pat stiff dough in 9X13 pan that has been sprayed w/ Pam.

Combine: cream cheese, 3 eggs, and entire box of powdered sugar. Stir in drained pineapple. Pour this over dough.

Bake at 350 degrees 30-40 minutes, until top is golden brown. I let them cool and then store them in the fridge.

LOTD #41 and Art

Merle Norman Creamy Lipcolor in Cameo Shrimp (retails for $15)

In the little town where I grew up, Merle Norman was pretty much where we all started our makeup journey. The ladies there were so pretty and knowledgable and helped us pick out just what we needed. It's been a while since I have worn their cosmetics, but I was excited to give a few of their lippies (PR samples) a try during my LOTD series.

And I LOVE Cameo Shrimp! It's just gorgeous and feels great on. Smooth and creamy and has great pigmentation. I may just have to make a visit to my local Merle Norman store- it looks like they still have the Lip Pencil Plus we all used to wear! Wasn't it Spice Sachet that was the popular color?

Mother's Day Art

Last week I was invited to a Mother's Day Breakfast in WC's classroom, and was so excited to see that she had made me some framed artwork! She was so proud to present it to me and got me a plate of delicious food and hugged all over me. (Some interesting aspects of the art: I guess I wear a lot of company shirts, because she cut out the name of the business I work for and put that on the shirt in the picture. Also, I seem to have a pocket protector complete with a few pencils. Hilarious!)

Disclosure: The lipstick swatched above was provided for review purposes.

Review: Chuao Orange-a-Go-Go and I Spy Contest

My favorite chocolate company, Chuao Chocolatier (pronounced chew-WOW), just announced their newest flavor, Orange-A-Go-Go, which mixes rich dark chocolate with zesty bits of candied orange and soulful bergamot. 

This chocolate bar has a delicate flavor that evolves into a lively citrusy zing and ends with orange bergamot that will captivate any chocolate lover’s palate.

And the best part... it's also available in a 50-calorie ChocoPod mini bar. So cute!

Look at that yummy piece of orange zest in there!

Of course it's also available as a full-sized bar, which you can either share..... or not. (Shhh..... remember, I don't share my Chuao bars with the kids. They can eat Hershey.)

I Spy Contest

Chuao wants to know when you spy Chuao on the shelves at your favorite retailer!  They have launched their I Spy Chuao Instagram sweepstakes, which gives you the chance to win free chocolate and a $250 gift card.

Entering is simple. Follow Chuao’s Instagram feed @chuaochocolatier and follow the 3 steps below.

1. Post a photograph of a Chuao chocolate bar on the shelf at a local retailer with the hashtag #ispy
2. Tag @chuaochocolatier
3. Use hashtags for the name of the #retailer, #city and #street.

For example: #ispy @chuaochocolatier #Target #Chicago #West33rdSt

The I Spy Chuao sweepstakes begins at 3 p.m. PST on May 10, 2013, and ends on May 24, 2013. A winner will be announced every day and awarded a gourmet Chuao Chocolatier chocolate bar. The grand prize winner will win a $250 gift card to the retailer tagged in their entry. Rules and regulations can be found on Chuao’s website at www.chuaochocolatier.com/blog.

To find Chuao Chocolatier closest to you, please visit the retail locator at http://chuaochocolatier.com/locations. Participants may set up an Instagram account for free by visting www.instagram.com.

The chocolate bars discussed in this review were provided to me for review purposes.

LOTD# 40 and A Big Metal Chicken

 We are at LOTD #40! Sadly, I have not made a dent in the bucket o' lip color. Stick around folks! This may go into 2014!

Three Custom Color Specialists

Custom blended reproduction of Origins Just Bitten Raspberry

In the early-2000s, I almost exclusively wore Origins Just Bitten Raspberry. It was such a beautiful color that felt great on and didn't run into the lines around my lips. And then of course it was discontinued.

But a few years ago I heard about Three Custom Color Specialists, who can recreate your favorite shade of lipstick. It was a bit pricy at $60 for two tubes, so I waited until they ran a sale (I think I purchased mine at 40% off) and then placed an order. I have to tell you- I was so pleased! It was really just like I remembered.

Mother's Day

I had such a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. We had beautiful weather, so we spent most of Saturday outside. And look what I got- my very own Beyonce! Of course, mine is not as big but I love her! (If you aren't familiar with the Beyonce story, head on over here and make sure you pee first.)

LOTD #39 and Hair Woes

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Adore

It’s a pampering balm fused with a lightweight lipstain in an adorable chubby crayon. Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain gives softer, smoother lips with a perfect flush of color that lasts hour after hour. The gel formula comes in 12 vibrant shades that match any look or mood.

I do NOT like this color. Plus, as the gloss wears off, it doesn't leave behind the same quality of stain that I get from Lovesick, Crush, or Smitten. Boo!

Hair Woes

I am having a terrible hair day- I have the worst static I have ever had, thanks to Bumble and bumble thickening shampoo. I had a sample of shampoo and conditioner from this line so I thought I'd give it a try since I have fine hair. Mistake!

I should have known since I have gotten bad static from other volumizing shampoos like GHD Elevation and L'Oreal EverPure Volume.

LOTD# 38 and Dance Moms Shows

 

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum

I do NOT like this shade of Lip Butter. It is so close to the natural color of my lips, it just doesn't add anything. And it wears off quickly. Definitely one I'll be passing on to WC for her dress-up box.

 

Details

Product: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum

Available at: Mass-market stores such as Target, Walmart, CVS and Walgreens

Price: approximately $8

Verdict: Passing on to WC for dress-up.

Somehow I missed Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition when it was on in the Fall, but I'm catching up and LOVING it. WC wants to watch with me, but I cannot let her because those moms are crazy! Way too much fighting and name-calling. Those little girls are amazing dancers.

So although I will say that I won't watch any of the Real Housewives shows because of the craziness, I guess if it's disguised as a dance competition, I'm in.

LOTD #37 and a Weekend Update

Too Faced Mood Swing Emotionally Activated Lip Gloss in Smurfette

(discontinued- but purchased from Sephora for $18.50)

My lips are so so so chapped today! Yesterday was worse, hence the no-lip-of-the-day yesterday. You didn't want to see the flakes, trust me.

Today is a bit better, but I still needed a nice gloss. The Smurfette Mood Swing gloss has been a fav orite for years. As it wears off, it leaves behind a very pretty pink stain. And there's no feathering, which is always a problem for me with glosses.

We spent almost the entire weekend outside, and it was so cold and windy! I suspect that's where the lip problem came from.

Will's team won the city's 9U soccer tourney, after playing through three games in the playoffs this weekend. So proud of the Tigers!

Saturday was our annual Block Party and although the weather didn't cooperate enough for us to have the giant waterslide like we did last year, we did have some really fun stuff- like the Euro Bungy!

LOTD # 36 and Scandal

Avon Ultra Color Rich Mega Impact Lipstick SPF15 in Charged Cherry

(discontinued)

Although Avon does still sell the original Ultra Color Rich line ($7), the Mega Impact colors were limited edition. This is a nice lippie- pretty color, moisturizing, doesn't run and lasts for a few hours. Glad I re-tried this one!

SCANDAL!!!!!

This is my favorite, can't-miss, try-to-talk-everyone-I-know-into-watching show right now! There's a new epi tonight and I cannot wait! Are you watching! Who's the MOLE??????

LOTD #35

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush

It’s a pampering balm fused with a lightweight lipstain in an adorable chubby crayon. Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain gives softer, smoother lips with a perfect flush of color that lasts hour after hour. The gel formula comes in 12 vibrant shades that match any look or mood.

Crush is another favorite Balm Stain. Before I started this LOTD project, I was pretty much alternating between Crush, Lovesick, and Smitten everyday. They wear so well on me, and the stain they leave behind is so pretty.

P's team won their first baseball game last night! We had great weather and it was such a fun game. Tonight, however, a cold front and rain is coming in, and even though it's May, Mother Nature seem to have a bit of winter left for us. Boo!