Sunday, March 31, 2013

THANK YOU - Giveaway!

Hello Hello sweet friends!
Well the time has come for me to say THANK YOU!
I had been planning this giveaway as a thank you for helping me reach 1500 GFC followers...
However in the time preparing this giveaway (less than a month) I reached yet ANOTHER milestone 1600 GFC followers! Not only that, but I am SO close to hitting 3K on Facebook and 1500 on Twitter.

SO in addition to the ring I planned on giving away,  I will also be selecting 3 extra winners to win a free ad space as well! In total that is 4 winners, one grand prize (the ring), then one large ad, one medium ad, and one small ad!

Thank you, thank you all SO much for being such a HUGE support of me and my blog. I wish I could afford to shower you all with gifts. ♥ Just know I appreciate you all so much. And I cant say thanks enough!
 This giveaway is open world wide, however those outside us & canada must be willing to pay shipping costs if selected to win the ring! To enter simply fill out the rafflecopter widget below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Much Love & Hugs,
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Saturday, March 30, 2013

March Beauty Faves

Hello lovies!
Can you believe its already the end of MARCH!?
I can hardly believe how fast this year is already going by. 
Well with the end of the month here I wanted to share some new beauty faves I have discovered. ♥
(FYI none of these links are sponsored or affiliate links! I do not get paid when you click them! They are simply for your own convenience.)

1. e.l.f. Glitter Nail Polish in "Fairy Dust": I am a fan of anything glitter in general.But this one isn't your typical glitter polish. Its more of a pretty foil like flakes that reflect different colors in the light. It looks amazing by itself, as well as over white and black. I have not tried over color polish yet, but I'm sure it looks just as great. I LOVE this polish. 

2. The Balm Nude'Tude Palette: I did a review and two looks of this palette and you can find that {here} for a month in depth look at this palette. But bottom line is, I love it. Perfect for everyday wear. The colors are rich and creamy!

3. Hard Candy Glamoflauge heady duty concealer: This stuff is amazing gals! If you remember my last beauty faves post, you may remember me talking about always being on the lookout for a good concealer for my dark under eye circles.... Well I think I have found what might be the best stuff I have every tried to date. It really is heavy duty and can even be used to conceal tattoos. Ive heard from several people that its comparable to Kat Von D's tattoo concealer. A little bit goes a LONG way, and its only $6.00 people! Totally worth it! I know its going to last me a long time. And it can be found at Walmart, for those who are curious. For a quick look at it on, check out {this} photo on my instagram.

4. My Beauty Addiction Mineral Eye Shadow in 'Vengeance' : You all know how much I love MBA products. LOVE all the shades I have, but this is my new favorite, been wearing this color a lot lately! You can see how it looks on me {here} & {here}.

5. MBA Wetliner Foiling Serum: This stuff is awesome, it turns mineral shadows into eyeliners! And I just love it! Who doesn't love fun colorful liner? You can see it in action in {this} post here for my Ariel Inspired Look.

6. e.l.f angled eyeliner brush: Love this brush, its perfect when I use it when I use the MBA foiling serum. I also have other cool uses for this brush which I will be sharing on the blog soon! ♥

7. TreSkinRX Skin Care Set: I did a FULL review of this set which you can read {here} and I recommend that you do! Bottom line though, this stuff is amazing. I cant wait to get my hands on more, Ive run out of my trial set, and my face just isn't the same without it! It really improved my skin so much during use. So much so that even The Hubs noticed!

8. e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner: For basic every day liquid liner, I love this. I use it everyday. Goes on smooth and easy. And its only $1! Cant beat that. ♥

What beauty products have you discovered and are loving lately?
Anything you would suggest I try, or that you might like me to review for you?
Let me know! :)

I'll be linking this up here:
Makeup Monday

Much Love & Hugs,
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Friday, March 29, 2013

Style advice for small-busted ladies

Hello friends!
Today I have a guest on the blog, Bella Franklin. Bella Franklin is a passionate beauty and fashion writer and offers advice from style guides to cosmetic beauty treatments. She has asked to come talk about style advice for small-busted ladies. Being that I am actually the opposite of small-busted, I thought it might be nice to have a different look at style on the blog. :)  Here's Bella:

If you have a small bust, you will likely belong to one of two schools of thought. Either you will be proud of your model-like frame and be glad that you can get away with wearing virtually anything, or you will envy those with curvier frames and be perhaps considering breast augmentation.

In terms of your self-esteemand body confidence, the first way of thinking is undoubtedly the best. You should be proud of your natural bust size and learn how to show it off, and you can do it with these top style tips for small busted ladies:

·         Pull focus from your chest to your arms and shoulders. By wearing short sleeved, strappy or sleeveless garments, you can draw attention to the slimmest and best parts of your upper body without all the focus being on your chest.

·         Jump at the chance to go backless. If you have a big bust, wearing a backless dress simply isn’t an option, as a bra or some form of support will always be needed. Smaller busted girls just don’t have this problem, so embrace the chance to work this sexy look.

·         Define your waist. Cinching in and defining your waist helps to create a curvy hourglass silhouette, boost your bust and balance your top half with your hips.

·         If you’re brave, try a plunging neckline. If you have a small bust, you can wear daring plunging necklines (think Keira Knightley, who loves this look for premieres and special events) and pull off the look without the risk of ‘falling out’. As long as you avoid V-necks, which will only make a small bust look smaller, this look can be seriously sexy.

 
·         Wear light and bright colours. Certain colours can enhance the appearance of your bust, and light colours in particular can make your chest appear larger. Bright colours and neons, which happen to be one of the big colour trends for this season, can also do wonders for boosting a small bust.

·         Try out higher necklines. One thing that is very difficult to pull off if you have a large chest is a higher neckline, as it makes large-busted frames look far too top heavy. However, if you have a small bust, a high neckline will give you a visual boost in that area.

·         Add texture and volume with embellishments at the bust. Ruffles, detailing, sequins and sparkles can all add volume and texture to the bust. They do this by distracting the eye with detailing, rather than exaggerating the area itself. 

 However you feel about your natural assets, it's good to experiment with different clothing styles to make the most of what you've got. You never know - you might find that you're happier than you thought!

 You can catch up with Bella at cosmeticsurgeryguru.com or @Cosmetic_Bella

Much Love & Hugs,
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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Pretty Things #25


Pretty things Im lovin' this week.
#love #prettythings #floral #spring #handmade #necklaces #fathersday #nerd #ruffles


Heart Tank/ /Floral Fashionista Earrings/ /Ruffle Skirt

Fathers Day Guitar Chords Card/ /Adventure Time Pillow Set/ /Black Lace Bubble Style Necklace

Statement Necklace/ /Floral Purse Wallet/ /Double Charm Rings


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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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Megara Inspired Makeup Look

Hello sweet friends!
Today I have another Disney look to share with you. 
Two days in a row of Disney looks.... Call me crazy! ;)

Well I know yesterday I said that the next Disney look I shared would be Rapunzel, but I created this look a while back actually and totally forgot about it. Then was reminded by a comment on facebook... SO I decided I should share it first!
SO, here is the look I created for the oh so feisty Meg, from Hercules!
 As usual all of these shadows were used with Shadow Poxy, and can be found at My Beauty Addiction:
However the shadows I used for this look are no longer listed, except for one which I will link, because they were from a special holiday collection called "All that Glitters"! But who knows, maybe they will make a come back, *cross your fingers if you love them* they are SUCH gorgeous colors!

The pigments I used:
Raspberry Martini: I used this color over my entire eye lid.
Cranberry Cocktail: I used this on the outer corner of eye lid, blended with raspberry martini. Its almost hard to tell a difference, but I think it helped add some depth to my eyes. I also used this color on my lower lash line.
Golden Tiara: I love this color and have used it a lot for this series. A similar color would be Pharaoh's Gold. Obviously you can tell this is used as a dramatic faux crease. ♥
These colors are simply gorgeous, and I think they really make the green in my eyes POP.
On my lash line I simply used a black pencil liner, to line and add definition to my lashes.
 Just sayin'... I love how much red you can see in my hair in the next photo. ♥
Are you diggin' this princess inspired look? Well you can see more Princess Looks here: Princess Aurora, Snow White, Princess JasminPrincess Tiana, Pocahontas, Princess Ariel and Cinderella.

Up Next will be Rapunzel!
Leave a comment letting me know what Princess you would like to see next. :)
I'll be linking this post up here:
Makeup Monday

Much Love & Hugs,
Visit my In Post Sponsor:
Sponsor an "In Post" Ad!  Click {here}for more info.


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Cinderella Inspired Makeup Look

Hello lovelies. ♥
I've been anxious to share this Disney Princess look.
Partly because this looked turned out way better than I imagined, but mainly because I was so surprised by how well the blue looked on me. Ive said it many times, that I don't pull off blue eye shadow too well. But this look I created for Cinderella I loved on me. Let me know what you think!
Its hard to tell in these photos, but I also attempted to do my hair similar to Cinderella's as well. I just may have to do a quick 'how-to' post for it (if anyone is interested) because its actually pretty cute, it can work for a formal up-do or casual if its done a little messier....Plus its not too difficult either.
So what eye shadows did I use?
Baby Baby - Light blue pearly color, used all inner lid.
Pearl -  An opaque pearly white, used mid lid and as high lighter on brow bone & inner corners.
Royal -  Royal Blue with Satiny sheen. Used on outer corners of lid and under bottom lash line.
All of these shadows were used with Shadow Poxy, and can be found at My Beauty Addiction:
(fyi: I am a promoter for MBA Cosmetics, but all items mentioned above were purchased from my own money. None of these links provide me with compensation.)
If you're a Cinderella fan, let me know!
Tell me what you think of this look inspired by her!?

What I'm wearing:
Necklace: Premier Designs
Lace Shrug: Deb Shops
Are you diggin' this princess inspired look? Well you can see more Princess Looks here: Princess Aurora, Snow White, Princess JasminPrincess Tiana, Pocahontas, Princess Ariel.

Up Next will be Rapunzel!
Leave a comment letting me know what Princess you would like to see next. :)
I'll be linking this post up here:
Makeup Monday


Much Love & Hugs,
Visit my In Post Sponsor:
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Monday, March 25, 2013

7 Deadly Sins - Makeup & Beauty Edition!

Hello my pretties! Happy {Makeup} Monday to you.

This week we have a fun challenge for you. If you are new around here, let me just tell you real quick, we dont always have challenges for Makeup Monday, but we do every once in a while to mix things up! Also you do not have to do the challenge in order to link up! Any and all beauty related posts are welcome. You are also welcome to link up more than one of your posts! Just be sure to link up a specific blog post, not just your whole blog. ♥

Now, back to this weeks challenge...This is a different kind of challenge than we have done before, one where you answer beauty related questions based on the 7 deadly sins! This is a beauty tag I found via youtube, I didn't come up with this original idea! ;)

1. GREED - What is your most inexpensive beauty item? What is your most expensive?

I am pretty much a drug store diva. I like to get a good deal on my beauty products. So most of the beauty items I own are pretty inexpensive. So lots of items came to mind, anything from e.l.f. - have a LOT of their products. But what came to my mind first was my favorite dry shampoo by suave which is under $3. I use this stuff often, at least 3 times a week. So its nice that I dont have to pay a lot for it!

As for my most expensive beauty item, I would have to say my Radiant Cosmetics Eye Shadows, of which I have two. These are $16 per eyeshadow. Which normally I would never ever spend that kind of money, on makeup for myself. BUT I made an exception, because I love what Radiant Cosmetics stands for and is doing to help raise money and awareness for human trafficking. They donate at least 20% of profit from each purchase to fight human trafficking. I love shops/companies that donate and give back, and are doing something to help! So I have gladly made a few purchases to help support them and what they do. ♥

2. WRATH - What beauty products do you have a love/hate relationship with?
Lotion! Body lotion to be exact (facial lotion I don't mind). I obviously love the effect of lotion. Having soft, silky skin is important to me. Dry skin drives me nuts! BUT I sort of hate applying it. Its usually gets under my nails, that drives me nuts. The cold damp feeling its gives your skin at first... Making sure you put just enough. Too much takes for ever to rub in, not enough and you have dry spots. haha  (Similar arguments for wrath could also be made for my choices for Sloth!)

3. GLUTTONY - What are your most delicious beauty products?

First item to come to mind, something that makes me look prettier and also smells/taste good? My Kiss & Tell - Lip Plumping, Tingling Lip Gloss. They are from Pure Romance. I have two and I LOVE mine. They make my lips look amazing. They Smell good and even taste good.


4. SLOTH - What beauty product do you neglect, due to laziness?

There are quite a few here. Anyone else slothful like me?

First Shaving!! I think I only shave on average about once MAYBE twice a week. Though sometimes Ive gone a couple weeks without shaving. (Sexy, I know. My Poor Hubs! haha) But its such a pain. And its like laundry, its never ending! Just stop growing hair, legs & Arm Pits! Obviously you are not wanted!! SHEESH.

Two- Painting my nails. I love pretty manicures! And I got some decent nail designs skills, if I do say so myself. But the time it takes for a really good mani is the worst. Base coat, wait to dry. Color, wait to try. 2nd coat, wait to dry. Design, wait to dry. Top Coat... CRAP, my nail touched something! Start over... Wait... wait... wait. Aint Nobody Got Time Fo' Dat!! Well at least this momma doesn't. :( But I wish I had the patience, because I do love a pretty mani!

Three Tweezing. I used to be religious about taking care of my brows when I was younger. Tweezed those stray hairs every day. Now my makeup/beauty routine is rushed a lot of the days, and unfortunately tweezing gets left out most of the time.


5. PRIDE - What beauty product gives you the most self confidence?
For me its mascara and perfume. My favorites of course are Define-A-Lash, and Vanilla Fantasy. But these two things give me the most confidence, because I enjoy the compliments that follow because of them. My long eye-lashes, and how good I smell. I hear that one a lot. And its nice to know you dont stink! HAHA


6. LUST - What one product are you currently lusting after?

The Disney Collection Story Book Jasmine Palette! As a Disney lover this obviously catches my attention! LOVE. The colors look gorgeous. And the packaging is just as stunning. Who wouldn't lust after this? But at the price of $55, I know it will only be something I lust after, because I couldn't bring myself to spend that kind of money on myself for something that's just for fun.

7. ENVY - What items would you most like to receive as a gift?
This one goes hand in hand with #6 LUST. Because I wouldn't buy that palette for myself, means the only way I would have it, is as a gift from someone (Hubs). ;) But really anything beauty or makeup related as a gift would be wonderful in my opinion. ♥ Gifts are always a wonderful thing.

Your Turn! If you would like to play along to this weeks Challenge here are the Questions:
1. GREED - What is your most inexpensive beauty item? What is your most expensive?

2. WRATH - What beauty products do you have a love/hate relationship with? 

3. GLUTTONY - What are your most delicious beauty products?

4. SLOTH - What beauty product do you neglect, due to laziness?

5. PRIDE - What beauty product gives you the most self confidence?

6. LUST - What one product are you currently lusting after?

7. ENVY - What items would you most like to receive as a gift?

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 or link back to Andrea or I
3.* Follow Agape Love Designs & Shabby Kitteh
4.* Tweet about this linky using hashtag #MakeupMonday 
Tag @mariagridley & @shabbykitteh
*Not Mandatory but appreciated

Makeup Monday


Much Love & Hugs,
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Sunday, March 24, 2013

$50 Mystery Grab Bag Giveaway!

Howdy Friends!
Who is up for another amazing giveaway?
There have been a lot of GOOD ones lately, right!? ;)
Today is no exception, because Megan of Shaping Up To Be A Mom, is here giving you ladies a chance to win a SURPRISE Grab bag of makeup & fashion accessories, worth more than $50!! WHOA.
(Giveaway is open to US Residents only - SO Sorry for anyone this excludes)
 
Shaping Up To Be A Mom is all about how I'm trying to "shape up" in every area of my life! I love to write about fashion, fitness, and family, as well as home decorating, musical theatre, travel, and my bucket list. I live in Phoenix with my husband and our two little ones, Carter, 4 and Vanessa, 2. We are expecting another little boy in July! Connect with me here: Blog*Facebook*Twitter*Pinterest


 For your chance to win Simply enter using the rafflecopter widget below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Much Love & Hugs,
Visit my In Post Sponsor:
Sponsor an "In Post" Ad!  Click {here}for more info.


Friday, March 22, 2013

On Suffering.

{via}

Ive been thinking a lot about suffering and struggles lately. Because, well, we all go through them. I have recently gone through some BIG struggles in my life. And of course there are the every day struggles... There people all around me, people I love who are struggling and suffering for different things and going through hardships.

I started thinking about God and where He is in all of this. I've never once question that there is a God, that we have a divine creator.  But I would be lying if I said I never questioned God. Asked Him WHY? Why am I going through this, why did this have to happen, why do people suffer? Why, why, WHY?

Because we go through struggles and we have hardships or bad things happen some people seem to assume there is no God. Or if you're a person that believes in God, you may think that God doesn't love us. Or that God has left us or is punishing us.

But as I was thinking on this subject I was reminded that scripture tells us that God has said He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:15) In fact we are told to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS, not to be afraid or terrified, because God is with us and will never leave us nor forsake us! (Deuteronomy 31:6)

We need to remember that there is pain and suffering in the world because we have choice, free will. And where there is choice and free will there will always be someone who chooses evil. And just because we ourselves may not (always) choose evil (we are all sinners and will or have at once point or another do some kind of evil), that doesn't mean we wont be affected by it.

We will have times of suffering. We will endure hardships. But we also need to remember that we are not alone in our suffering. Jesus who was blameless and sinless suffered for us. And we will suffer because He too has suffered (more verses on His suffering 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:18). He has suffered for US. And as we take up our cross and follow Him, we too will suffer along the narrow road. We need to know that even though we will suffer, it doesn't mean that God doesn't exist or doesn't love us, or that he is mean or unjust. But He does allow suffering because it grows us (spiritually and emotionally), prepares us, gives us a testimony, produces perseverance and obedience...

I found this written by Rick Warren, while doing some research on suffering, and looking for different bible verses online.. And I wanted to share, because he explains it so well:

"Nothing can come into the life of a child of God without God's permission.  Everything is Father-filtered. Don't misunderstand.  I am not saying that everything that happens to you in life is God's perfect will.  That's just not true.  There are a lot of things that are not God's will. If you go out and sin, that's not God's will.  If somebody sins against you, that's not God's perfect will.

But God does have a permissive will. If I go out and I overeat, I pay the consequences.  If I go out and wreck my body, I pay the consequences.  God does not cause evil and God does not cause suffering.

But He does allow them because they have a purpose.  God permits them and then He uses them. 
God is an expert at bringing good out of bad...  
God loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections.  The things you wish were most removed from your life are often the very things that God is using to shape you and make you into the believer of character He wants you to be.  He wants to use that problem for good in your life. There's something more important than your pain.  It's what you're learning from that pain. God is in control."
(read the full article here)

So what can we do when we suffer? Does knowing this, that God will eventually bring good out of it, make us all better at the time of struggles and suffering? Maybe not... Maybe we will need to cry. A LOT. Maybe we will need to have a pity party. Maybe we will need to throw a few fits. Maybe we will be angry. Maybe it will take time before we can get out of bed and face the day, or people, or feel like we can live again.... Maybe we will need to take it one day, hour, minute or second at a time.

BUT we can still TRUST that we have a HOPE that God works for the Good of those who love Him. And that in the end we will be ok. Better even. Because in the end GOD is there. In the midst of struggles, even, God is there! Even when we don't feel it we can KNOW that God is HOLDING us. And He will be our refuge and strength. And we can take heart because though we suffer in this world, we know that God has already overcome the world. And nothing in the world can compare to the glory we will share in, with Him in Heaven.





My sweet friends. I have prayed over and about this post.
Its my prayer that God uses it touches your heart that it just might be helpful to someone.
That it is something someone needed to hear right now.
I know I need these kind of reminders often.
I pray that you take courage, heart and refuge in our loving heavenly Father in YOUR times of struggle & suffering.

I'll be linking this up to Desire to Inspire.

Much Love & Hugs,
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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Get Social! Twitter Hop Linky Party!

Hello friends!! Are you ready to get social today?

I hope so, because I have gathered some of my sponsors together to host a twitter hop!
These are always a great way to meet and greet - erhm TWEET new friends!! 

I will personally be following each and every person who links up. And my lovely co-hosts have committed to also following at LEAST 10 new people, who link up. And if everyone plays nicely and follows the rules everyone should get several NEW followers. ♥ So lets have fun, link up and get social. Let the Twitter Hop and the meeting and tweeting begin!
Lets get social! Meet and tweet some new friends!
Everyone who links up will get a guranteed follow back from the host @MariaGridley!
And each co-host has committed to following at least 10 new twitter accounts.
So link up and get social. But before you do, please consider the following rules...

RULES:

1. Help us spread the word with a quick tweet:
 
 
2. Follow Each of the Hosts!


 
 



3. Link up your Twitter Account

4. Follow at least 5 other linkups!

5. Send a little hello tweet to the new people you have followed!
Chances are they will follow you back!



Much Love & Hugs,
Visit my In Post Sponsor:
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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Stand Out

I'm here today with lots of pictures and not many words.
We've already established that I am Fashion Pause, because I am not always quick to follow trends.
But sometimes I do find myself intrigued by items that a little different. That stand out from the rest.
Like this high-low shirt... AKA the mullet shirt. HAHA
Its a little unusual, but I love it.
When I saw it I instantly knew I wanted it.
Its different, but fun. Plus its pink and has a cross on it.
All of which are totally awesome-pie in my opinion. :)

Nextly, I happen to find some totally awesome stand out sunnies!
I'm literally so excited about these foldable sun glasses, I cant even express how much.
I have another pair of sunglasses that I love, but cant just throw them in my purse,
for fear they will get ruined.
I love that I can just fold these up and throw them in my purse.
Easy peasy.
Not only that, they were on sale - only $5!
Sweetness....

Anyways... While thinking of things that stand out, my brain instantly went to one of my favorite songs!
So rather than blog on about random nothingness, I thought I would leave you with it.
Check it out, I know you will love it.
And keep in mind the message: Don't be afraid to STAND OUT, that's how the LOST get FOUND!

Britt Nicole - The Lost Get Found (Official Music Video) from britt-nicole on GodTube.

What Im Wearing:
Shirt: Ross
Skinnies: Old Navy
Foldable Sunnies: Khol's
Bracelets: c/o Mila Rose Designs
Earrings: Charlotte is ChaCha

P.S. Say hello to my sweet little photog... My daughter Kiah.
Hello Kiah-Girl. Thanks for the photos, sweet love!

Much Love & Hugs,
Visit my In Post Sponsor:
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