Nude'Tude Palette & My Beauty Addiction EOTD

Hello hello, sweet friends! So I know that a lot of my looks and EOTD's consist of mostly if not ALL My Beauty Addiction products. And really that's just because I love their products so much, they really are mostly all I wear! However, being that I AM a MBA promoter, I didn't want you all to think I only wear them because I "have" to, that's definitely not the case.

Still I'm going to make an effort to shake things up and use more of a variety of products for you all to see. Of course I will still have some that are exclusively MBA products, because I do have a minimum amount of looks that I do need to create with their prodicts, as a promoter. So I hope you all dont mind. Just know that I am truly such a HUGE fan of My Beauty Addiction, and their products. I wouldn't want to be a promoter if I wasn't! So for today's EOTD I am using The Balm's Nude'Tude Palette (Which I purchased via HauteLook* for 50% off), as well as My Beauty Addiction shadows and Glitter!

So to create this look I used the following Shadows from The Balm's Nude'Tude Palette:

Selfish - Lid

Sophisticated - Outer Corner/Crease

Silly - Lining the Lash Line

I also used My Beauty Addiction Shadows on my lower lashes:

French Vanilla - Cream High Lighter Color

Dew Drops - Mint Shadow

HoneyDew - Glitter

 

All of these shadows were used with MBA Shadow Poxy, and can be found at My Beauty Addiction:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyBeautyAddiction
http://mybeautyaddiction.com/

 

To get an "In Real Life" view of this look, check out my keek video:

May 13, 2013 | #eotd #mua #thebalm #mybeautyaddiction by agapelovegirl on Keek.com

*Referral Link

Much Love & Hugs,

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5 Minute Face - Makeup Monday Link Up Challenge

Hello Beauty Babes!! Its Makeup Monday again, and I am excited to see what looks, hair & nails you have created and beauty products you have reviewed this past week. So link it all up. ♥ I'll be going through all link ups and pinning everything as well as commenting on some too. ♥

This week, we have a NEW challenge for you. The "5 Minute Face" challenge. I do hope you all participate and share how you get your face on when you are on limited time. Of course you do not HAVE to do the challenge to link up. Its just a fun prompt to encourage/challenge you to try something different.

This is my 5 Minute Face and the products I used to create it:

Its a quick and simple look, but I still look well put together.
AND, here is a quick keek video I did so you can get an idea of how this looks in real life:

May 10, 2013 | #MakeupMonday Challenge 5 Minute Out the Door Look! #lotd #mua #beauty #makeup #keekback w/your 5 minute look! by agapelovegirl on Keek.com

Now its your turn to share YOUR beauty posts!!

Please be kind and visit/comment one or two (or more) other links.

This link up is for makeup/beauty related posts only!

This includes but not limited to beauty reviews, how-to's, hauls, giveaways, mani's, and look inspirations.

If you do not have a blog, but showcase beauty elsewhere like instagram or flicker,

you are still welcome to link up as well, please just link to a specific photo, though, not your whole account! :)

Also, be sure to Subscribe to the Makeup Monday newsletter if you want to stay up to date about the link up, features, challenges and giveaways!

RULES:

1. Link to a specific Blog Post, not your entire blog

If you do not have a blog, feel free to link to an instagram or flicker photo!

2. Please grab a button to add to your blog/blog post or link back to Makeup Monday

3.* Follow Agape Love Designs

4.* Tweet about this linky using hashtag #MakeupMonday and Tag @mariagridley

*Not Mandatory but appreciated

<a href="http://www.agapelovedesigns.com/search/label/Makeup%20Monday%20Linky" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l539/AgapeLoveDesigns/makeupmondayagape_zps4df9972a.png" border="0" alt="Makeup Monday"/></a>

Much Love & Hugs,

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EOTD Bahama Mama

For this look I'm using My Beauty Addiction Eye Shadows in:

French Vanilla - High Lighter Color

And from the limited edition Tropical Escape Collection:

Bahama Mama - Blue

Hawaiian Tropics - Brown

All of these shadows were used with MBA Shadow Poxy, and can be found at My Beauty Addiction:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyBeautyAddiction
http://mybeautyaddiction.com/

See this look on video!

May 5, 2013 | Limited Edition Tropical Escape #Eyeshadow Collection #mua #MyBeautyAddiction #eotd by agapelovegirl on Keek.com

*DEAL ALERT* If you purchase the entire collection, only $24 for all 8 eye shadows (Which is a $16 savings vs buying individuals), and mention my Name Maria/AgapeLoveDesigns at check out you will ALSO get a BONUS Shadow Poxy FREE! See more swatches from this collection {here}.

You can purchase on their website mybeautyaddiction.com, or in their etsy shop.

Earrings: Annabell & Louise Designs.

Much Love & Hugs,

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On Getting Comfortable And Uncomfortable

I've been getting quite a few requests and questions about my weight loss journey. I knew it was going to take some time and a lot of courage to write this post... But I've  finally made time in my hectic life to write out this post. In fact, I'm writing this in my bloggy journal, on a bus - coming home from a field trip with my daughter. Because its a 2 hour ride and this may be my only chance to get some "down time" where I'm not "mommy'd" a million times and can think while writing out my thoughts!

Anyways, the thing about my weight loss journey is that it has come to sort of a halt. Not intentionally, but ever since my last post about maintaining - that's all I've really been doing. And though there isn't anything wrong with that, the thing is that I haven't stopped trying! I've just gotten comfortable. So giving my all to this has been put to the "back burner". With the busy schedule my family now has - I've barely had time to go to the gym. I'm sure I could fit it in if I tried harder, but I've been so tired, that I'd just rather relax.

Before, I pushed myself no matter what! I didn't let myself "just relax". Now I've been a little less hard on myself. Why? Because, again, I've gotten comfortable. I can look at myself and am happy with what I see (with clothes on), and the weight I have lost so far. I still get compliments on my weight loss and how great I look. Most people are extra kind and tell me they've "always thought I looked beautiful, but can tell how confident/happy I am now and what a difference that makes as well".

People have asked about my weight loss and always when I say I'm still striving for 30 more pounds they seem shocked! They tell me "no, I dont think you need to lose any more weight!" or they ask me "why" like I must be crazy. haha And its wonderful to have those compliments. BUT its those amazing comments/concerns/compliments that I have helped me get too comfortable with where I am at.

Again, there isn't anything wrong with comfortable its a great thing to feel about ones self or body! And its not like Ive "let myself go" again. I've started eating more "regular" foods, and a couple other things I had limited myself on before, BUT I'm still eating healthier, AND being sure to still exercise here and there... It's just not enough to lose more weight, just enough to maintain.

Though lately, since I'm being honest, I will admit that my weight has been fluctuating. Going up 2 pounds, down 3, up 5, down 4. Which sort of worries me, and is a sign I need to be more careful. Weight tends to just creep up on you little by little. You think oh whats one pound gained here or there, and next thing you know its a couple years later and you're 70, 80, 100 pounds heavier! I dont want that to be me again! I cant let that me be again! I cant just be OK being comfortable.

So there is the "comfortable" part of this post. Now for the "uncomfortable" part... Because ladies, I dont want to be just comfortable anymore. I dont want to look great just with clothes ON. I stated in one of my first weight loss posts - "I want to look (and feel) good naked!" And right now, I DON'T! I am NOT comfortable naked. I still have that jiggle in my belly and arms and I want to WILL get rid of it! So for the sake of making myself uncomfortable again.. To push and motivate myself again and to answer the question "why 30 more pounds?" I'm posting these belly/body photos. They are embarrassing, but raw and real. I may look good with clothes on, but this is still the me underneath. And I'm not happy with it. Yes its better than it was, A LOT better. But I'm not done with this journey.

I hope you all will be kind. Putting these pictures up is something that is hard for me. But something I believe I needed to do to keep myself accountable, and push myself to keep at it and not give up.

I thank many of your for asking questions about my weight loss, asking for updates and really keeping me accountable. So THANK YOU. Because now I am "uncomfortable" and ready to push myself again. Ready to change this body from flab to fab! You just wait and see. And keep on keeping me accountable! :)

Ok and here are some answers to a couple other questions I've gotten:

Q: Can you post healthy recipe's or post more about what you eat?

A: Oh boy - honestly - I suck at food... Love to eat it, hate to make it. I am very un-creative when it comes to cooking. I DO have one recipe (here). And If I try I can maybe post a few more healthy recipe's on the blog... Or offer a guest post spot to someone with some? If any of you like to cook and have a few healthy or low-carb or low-cal recipes shoot me an email! Other than that, if you want to know/see what I eat every day, follow me on My Fitness Pal. I keep my food diary public so you can see exactly what I eat and how much. I was slacking for a while before, but I'm back at it again.... Accountability people!?

Q: What exercise do you do?

A: Mostly I go to the gym. When I am there I stick to the elliptical or bike because they burn the most calories. When The Hubs is with me he helps me with the free weights, when I am by myself I do weight machines! 

But recently in an effort to change up my exercise routine Ive started Zumba! I'm trying to go 3 times a week! Zumba is intense and awkward but so so much fun! I felt like a fool, but enjoyed it and laughed the whole time too, while sweating my butt off! Plus I was crazy sore the next few days after doing Zumba - which I love. It means I've gotten a great work out. The other "plus" of Zumba is that maybe it will help my awkward uncoordinated self learn to dance or something like that! ;)

If you have any more questions for me, feel free to comment below and I can do another weight loss "Q & A" post if you'd like that! ♥

Much Love & Hugs,

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Pretty Things #29

Pretty things Im lovin' this week.
#love #prettythings #blogdesign #glitter #faith #jewelry #nerdjoy #art  #diy

Illustrated Blog Banners / / Golden Ampersand Necklace / / Pink Bubble Necklace

Cosmetic Glitters / / Sequin Embroidered Shirt / / DIY Glitter Nails

Canvas Tote Bag / / Princess Bride Quote Pillow / / Scripture Clutch

Inspirational Quote Art  / / Neon Aztec Earrings / / Narnian Script Scarf

 What pretty things are you loving this week?
What blog posts are really inspiring and speaking to you this week?

Much Love & Hugs,

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