LOTD #68 and Nailed It!

Stila Lip & Cheek Stain in Pomegranate Crush ($24 at Sephora)

I can't imagine using the Stila Lip & Cheek stains on my cheeks, but I do love them on lips. I usually top them with a clear sparkly gloss because they can be a bit drying. Even with a gloss, they are pretty long lasting.

Dinner Last Night

Here was my Pinspiration:

BBQ Ranch Chicken and Cheddar Pizza Roll 'em Ups

(picture and recipe from Jenny Flake at Picky Palate)

And here's what I ended up with:

Ha! My very first "Nailed It!" pic!

My dough was not as cold as it should have been, and my knife wasn't very sharp..... but they still tasted good!

LOTD #67 and Online Bible Study

Maybelline Superstay Lipcolor in Plum 755

(discontinued and replaced with Superstay 24 Color)

This is one of the two-step long-wearing glosses that has the clear balm stick on one end. I HATE THOSE! I think it was Max Factor that originally had them, and then Cover Girl followed suit, and I have always disliked those balm sticks. They smell funny and I have a crazy nose and can still smell it hours after I apply it.

I do like the color- it's very My Lips But Better, but this is old and since I don't like the balm stick, in the trash it goes. De-stashing feels good!

Online Bible Study

Over the last year, we've had a great group of girls join together to do several of Lysa TerKeurst's bible studies. We were all set to start another one this week, but my surgery derailed things and we decided to wait until I'm feeling back to myself.

But I feel like I still need to be in a study, and I was so excited to find that Melissa Taylor will be leading an online bible study over Lysa's What Happens When Women Say Yes to God: Experiencing Life in Extraordinary Ways. It starts on July 28th and runs for 6 weeks. Has anyone done a study with Melissa? It looks great!

You can click here and read all the details on Melissa's blog. Anyone want to join in with me?

LOTD #66 and a Bundt Cake

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Aurora

$5 at Walgreens

The earth-shattering lip lacquer from Rimmel London combining the intense color of lipstick with a lacquer like shine, Show Off Lip Lacquer is an explosive make-up phenomenon that represents the end of color as you know it.  Packed with pure color pigments, its lusciously creamy, conditioning formula promises a never-before combination of color, shine and comfort that last and last.

Although I really like the color, it wasn't very long-lasting at all. Most of it came off on the water bottle I was drinking during the morning. But I do love how vibrant the color is- it doesn't take much product to get this great coverage.

Bundt Cake

Today we did July birthday snacks at work, and I decided to try one of Mix and Match Mama's Bundt Cake recipes- Toffee Crunch Bundt Cake. 

It is amazing! And very very easy. 

Do you think I need a new cake keeper? (You know, with a domed lid.) This one came from my mom and must be a product of the 70s- how about that Harvest Yellow?

LOTD #65 and Feeling Great

Today I'm wearing another IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush, this time in the shade Pure Joy (this shade does not change color once applied like Je Ne Sais Quoi does). Pure Joy is described as a rich pearl mauve.

Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Natural Anti-Aging Lipstick Stains take the place of four products; your lipstick, anti-aging conditioning lip balm, ultra-hydrating lip gloss, and lip stain all in one!

This shade was part of a special holiday gift set offered by QVC that included 6 different shades of Vitality Lip Flush for around $60 including tax and shipping.

IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush in the shade Pure Joy

 

FEELING GREAT TODAY!

So sorry for the shouty capitals, but after a few weeks of being just nasty sick, I feel much so better today. Just like Jenny Lawson, my gallbladder was trying to kill me. It was a nasty, non-functioning organ that needed to come out, so we did that on the 3rd. Sadly, I did *not* feel instantly better. Nausea and other GI issues continued, but I've got some good meds now, and BONUS I am going to have great cholesterol! (Because cholesterol meds evidently help process the bile that non-functioning and missing gallbladders can't). I'll happily swallow my 6 pills a day if I can get off the floor. Hallelujah!



LOTD #64 and Happy 4th of July!

Lancome LA LAQUE FEVER in Plum Wave ($27 at Sephora)

Holy cow this is an expensive lip product! I don't think it was that much when I bought it. I had forgotten about it, but I LOVE it. It lasts quite a while, smells nice, and I just love the color.

Happy 4th of July!

I did a really fun mani with some shades sent to me for review purposes from Pure Ice. I am definitely not artistic enough to attempt "nail art" but I think that accent nails and glitter toppers are perfect for people like me. You can add a real pop to your mani with little effort and artistic ability.

Pure Ice Siren 
with accent of Pure Ice Superstar! on ring finger (2 coats of each)

topped with Pure Ice Freedom (1 coat) 

This glitter topper is great! I only needed one coat to get the great coverage you see above. Although I only got one star out, I still loved the look I ended up with. Note that Siren does stain your fingers a bit upon removal.

All Pure Ice nail enamels are free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP and contain a patented salon long-wear formula for a look that will last. Retailing at only $1.99, these polishes are the perfect way to bring chic looks from the runway your way with out breaking the bank! Pure Ice nail enamels are available through www.pureicecosmetics.com and Walmart stores nationwide. 

For more information, please visit www.pureicecosmetics.com/ or follow OfficialPureIce on Facebook

Twitter (@OfficialPureIce) and Instagram. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #PureIce

Disclosure: The shades featured above were provided for review purposes.

Bloglovin'

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With Google Reader going away, quite a few people are switching to Bloglovin'. Hopefully this link will help!

LOTD #63 and Big Brother

Revlon ColorStay in Juicy Plum

(discontinued)

Found this one, deep in my stash, and I love it! So creamy going on, and lasts for.ev.er. However, it looks like these have been discontinued, possibly replaced the the ColorStay Suede line. Who knows, I'm not buying any more! Ha!

Big Brother

Big Brother is always one of my most favorite parts of summer, and it starts tonight! I am slightly worried that Rachel's sister is a housemate though. We shall see! Do you watch?

Lip of the Day #62 and Divergent

This ultramoisturizing lip color is a cross between lip balm, lip color, and lip glace. It cares for your lips while delivering color in a sheer and sophisticated finish. Flawless and healthy-looking lips are just a swipe away! 

Laura Mercier Stick Gloss in Black Orchid ($22 at Sephora)

Although I do love this shade, it is so glossy that it immediately runs outside the lines of my lips. And fades away super-fast. One more lippie de-stashed!

Divergent!

I hate to be all if-you-haven't-read-Divergent-you-can't-be-my-friend, but really? You must!

On Saturday morning I went to a chocolate class with some friends, and met a new friend who loves Hunger Games and Divergent too. She hadn't heard that they were making Divergent into a movie, so I was glad to fill her in.

And I came home from the chocolate class to this in my mailbox:

Squee! I think that is perfect casting for Four. Just perfect. I approve. (Side note: A male friend of mine on Facebook does *not* approve of the casting of Tris. I think I agree.)

LOTD #61 and #MIWDTD

 

A gloss that combines the pigment potency of Lip Tar with a casual glossy finish.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Stained Gloss in Jealous ($18)

 

I am a big fan of OCC's Lip Tars..... they provide amazing color with so much staying power, but they are very matte. When I saw that OCC had a new product out that had a glossy finish, I had to give it a try.

 

The color is gorgeous and it does in fact leave a nice stain behind, but of course the gloss slowly wears off. I am so glad to see that OCC is packing a lip brush with their lip tars now- when I bought my first ones last year, they did not. However, it's pretty impractical to include a brush without a cap. I'll most likely use the brush I showed you the other day from Clinique.

 

#MIWDTD

 

Every now and then I stumble across something that is absolutely brilliant, and Tiffany Beveridge's Pinterest board "My Imaginary Well-Dressed Toddler Daughter" falls into that category. You'll love it.

 

Quinoa! And her friends Chevron, Barcelona, Ridley, and Booker. Pure genius!

 

I was going to pick my favorite to show you, but I just can't.

 

 

 

 

LOTD #60 and VBS

DKNY Delicious Night Lip/Cheek Stain

 

A lip/cheek stain inspired by the hypnotic DKNY Delicious Night fragrance. What it does: DKNY Delicious Night Lip/Cheek Stain is a sheer formula that creates a sexy pout and flush from one stick. It's packaged in a portable swivel case that's perfect for late night touch-ups. A Sephora exclusive.

 

Sigh. Another candidate for the trash! This is at least a few years old, and has lots it's creaminess. This is also huge, so it's pretty hard to use on the lips anyway. I know this was pricey, so I hate to get rid of it, but I'm afraid I need to. My LOTD project is really turning into a de-stash project!

 

Kingdom Rock VBS!

 

I am so excited for VBS and my kids are too! I am in charge of tshirts this year, which is right up my spreadsheet alley. (You knew I would make spreadsheets, right?) The CD is on repeat in my car and the songs are great this year. Can't wait!

LOTD #59

 

Smashbox Tinted Lip Treatment in Ray

(discontinued)

 

Protect, pamper, and prettify your pout with nourishing botanicals and sheer, natural-looking color from smashbox. Chock full of beneficial ingredients including aloe, shea butter, vitamins A, C, and E, and avocado oil, this lip treatment is enhanced with SPF 15 for ultimate protection against the sun's

harmful rays.

 

Hmmm.... this one actually has an expiration date on it...... 02/11! It's nice, but not all that long-wearing, so I think this one will be trashed.

 

 

 

 

LOTD #58 and Freckles

Avon SpectraColor in The Berries

(discontinued)

This lipstick is pretty cool. I believe it was an limited edition product released in 2009. It has a “dial-a-color” concept with two different colors in the tube, one that is lighter and more sheer one that is  darker and more opaque. You create the color you apply by using a dial which releases just the right amount of each shade. I'll be keeping this one- it's really pretty!

Freckles!

Even though we are making sure WC wears sunscreen every day, lots and lots of freckles are popping out and they are so cute! I don't have any, and neither does The Politician, but Mr. Sasha does and WC is taking after him. I hope she embraces them when she is older because I love how cute they are.

LOTD #57

 

Clinique Glosswear and Brush in Cocoplum

(absolutely so old that Google Images doesn't even have a pic of it)

 

Do you guys remember these? There were so moisturizing and actually wore quite well. Cocoplum was my fave, and it's still gorgeous.... but I also had Meadow Flower Honey, which was a gorgeous see-through red.

 

If nothing else, this LOTD project is getting me to de-stash! Although I do like this, it's age tells me I need to get rid of it. I *am* keeping the brush though- it's great quality and I've washed it a zillion times.

 

 

 

LOTD #56 and Bible Study

Clinique Different Lipsick in Raspberry Glace ($15)

If you have ever gotten a GWP (Gift With Purchase) from Clinique, I bet you have this lipstick! That's where I got mine.

Different because of its smooth, comfortable feel. Moderate coverage in a remarkable range of shades, from cream to pearl. Every one packed with rich emollients.

Bible Study

My Sunday School and Bible Study friends have been the best part of my life lately! We've been doing a weekly bible study since last fall, and it's always something I look forward to each week. Getting to have fellowship and study the Bible with my friends has been so encouraging and inspiring and honestly, it's just wonderful to be around people not only in the same season of life that I'm in, but also dealing with some of the same feelings and issues that I dealing with.

So far we've done Lysa TerKeurst's Unglued and Made to Crave (twice each so everyone has had a chance to attend) and they have been FABULOUS!

So here's where I need advice, and maybe you can help! We are getting ready to start another study, and I've found a few things I am interested in and wanted to see if any readers had done any of these. (The description paragraphs are from Amazon.)

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God

This book reveals how honoring God produces a life of deep joy and great purpose. It is an invitation to seek God and boldly ask for and expect more from the Christian life.

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl

In six small group DVD sessions designed for use with the accompanying Participant's Guide, Lysa shows women how they can transform their walk with God from lackluster theory to vibrant reality.

Chase

The lessons in this study are simple yet deep and very interactive, offering Bible study, stories, and projects to dig into Scripture and deeply engage the mind and heart. God has carved out a space in each of us that only He can fill. So whether you are running from God or working your tail off to please Him, David’s journey will challenge your view of God.

Stuck

Stuck is a journey to take an honest look at the fight going on inside, leading us to the God who has a plan to restore it, to restore us. Because as we realize that our stuck places are the very places that make us ache for God, we find Him waiting there for us with hope and freedom.

Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe

Also, I ran across the book Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe, and although it's not a bible study per se, I bought this DVD and it looks like it would be great for a book club meeting.......

So my question to you is this: Have you done any of these? Do you have any other recommendations if not these?

Thanks!